I hope you are all relaxed, recovered and reinvigorated since the elongated Easter break. There is a theory that the longer the break, the more time required to recover, but I’m sure that doesn’t apply to any of you guys.

And what a cracking night the Gala Dinner was, with 240 of Victoria’s brightest young engineers enjoying good food, good company and some entertaining and informative presentations. Special thanks are due to Rory Paltridge and his sub-committee for their fantastic work in organising this event.

We’ve now only got a few events before the end of the financial year when we change over the committee. The AGM is your big opportunity to get involved in the YEA-V Committee. Yes, there’s a fair bit of work involved, but the benefits far outweigh the effort.

I got involved in the YEA-V Committee by just turning up to the AGM one year and have never looked back. I didn’t know anyone, didn’t know what the committee did and probably didn’t even know what AGM stood for – but I was willing to learn and willing to contribute, and that’s all we ask of you. 

Speed Networking is one of my favourite YEA-V events. It’s like combining speed dating with a job interview, and throwing some alcohol in as a social lubricant. Last year we had some fantastic formal and informal networking and this year promises to be just as productive. This is a free event, so take advantage of our hospitality and get on board.

This month’s cartoon really targets anyone who completed Year 9 chemistry, but I’m sure some of you will still be hitting the Google button to check which chemical element is symbolised by Ar. I actually think that a test for Chartered Status should be explaining my cartoons – now that’s a real test of competency.