NASA Astronaut thrills Engineers
Thursday 24 August 2006
More than 670 people were captivated while NASA Astronaut Dr Andrew Thomas thrilled guests with a lively speech and engaging video segments of recent space travel and life in zero gravity.
Engineers Australia's 46th Chapman Oration, which also featured as the social dinner for the National Engineering Leadership & Management Conference, served as the perfect occasion to announce the winner of the 2006 Young Professional Engineer Award proudly supported by VicRoads and the 2006 Young Engineering Associate Award.
A generous cash prize of $3000 was awarded to Mr Jon McNaught, GHD Mildura Office Manager, for having demonstrated a high level of competence and significant achievement in engineering and community affairs.
A Highly Commended Award of $1500 was presented to Ms Bianca Thimm, Bridge Engineer with GHD, who also displayed a significant level of engineering proficiency and industry achievement.
Mr Husnen Rupani was awarded a cash prize of $3000 after being named the 2006 Young Engineering Associate of the Year. Mr Andrew Pearce received the Highly Commended Award of $1500. Andrew also displayed a significant level of achievement.
Ms Alison Coe, Executive Director, Engineers Australia, Victoria said "The Awards are an important vehicle through which we can promote the profession and topical engineering issues to the community through the achievements of our young engineers".
Engineers Australia, Victorian Division in conjunction with the Centre for Engineering Leadership and Management (CELM) is hosting the National Engineering Leadership Conference this week, providing a forum for industry and government leaders, academics, members and community representatives to actively explore the role and complexity of leadership within the engineering profession.
About the Awards
The 2006 Young Professional Engineer Award, proudly supported by VicRoads, and the 2006 Young Engineering Associate Award, both presented by Engineers Australia, Victoria Division, acknowledge and reward young engineering professionals and young engineering associates who have reached a significant level of achievement and involvement in engineering and community affairs. The Awards also promote the engineering profession and topical engineering issues to the community through the achievements of young engineers. Young professional Engineer is awarded to university graduates, while the Young Associate Award is offered to TAFE graduates.
About the Conference Conveners:
Engineers Australia
Engineers Australia is the largest, most diverse engineering association in Australia with approximately 80,000 members across all engineering disciplines. Engineers Australia is also the main accreditation body for tertiary engineering courses and the recognition of reciprocal working rights and qualifications as an internationally recognised and respected professional association.
Centre for Engineering Leadership and Management (CELM)
In order to assist professional engineers to move into management and leadership positions in business and government, the Council of Engineers Australia established the Centre for Engineering Leadership and Management (CELM). The establishment of CELM recognises that currently Colleges support engineers in their professional technical fields. The concept of a "Centre" allows interaction with all Colleges and welcomes the participation of other professional organisations. CELM works alongside and complements existing structures to enhance career opportunities in leadership and management positions.
For further information please contact:
Erykah Skilvas
Engineers Australia, Victoria Division
p: (03) 9321 1716
