Engineering Heritage Australia

Australia’s engineering heritage is important because only by understanding how things were done in the past can we improve on and design better for ourselves and future generations.

All around us are engineered structures, processes and products which support our modern society. Everything from the water supply, our sewerage systems, electrical grids, internet, telephone, clothing and processed foods are the result of engineering. Whether the products themselves or the production facilities which create them, almost everything we use has its origins in engineering.

Our work

Engineering Heritage Australia (EHA) groups operate in every state and territory of Australia. These groups are involved at the local level, promoting the conservation of engineering heritage and in representing Engineers Australia on heritage matters. EHA performs an important work by:

  • Providing advice and specialist knowledge on engineering heritage matters including representing Engineers Australia on government and other heritage committees.
  • Providing input into the heritage policies and procedures of state and territory governments and their authorities.
  • Identifying items of engineering heritage, bringing them to public notice and requesting they be recorded on state and national registers.
  • Providing continuing education to the profession about the importance of engineering heritage via conferences, seminars and workshops.
  • Managing the Australian engineering heritage recognition program and the heritage conference program.
  • Facilitating an Australian oral history program.
  • Conducting heritage walks, talks, lectures and site visits.
  • Producing and publishing heritage publications including the EHA Magazine.
  • Serving as an interface between the community and heritage organisations to ensure the role of the engineering profession is adequately represented.
  • Assisting in archiving engineering documents.

Leadership

EHA is run by a volunteer national committee. Current members are:

  • Michael Taylor FIEAust CPEng(Ret) – Chair
  • Eamon Madden FIEAust CPEng – Deputy Chair
  • Richard Baird MIEAust CPEng(Ret)
  • Barry Finlay FIEAust CPEng(Ret)
  • Mervyn Lindsay FIEAust CPEng NER 
  • Richard Muncey MIEAust CPEng(Ret)
  • Ian Newnham FIEAust CPEng NER
  • Samuel Pike MIEAust CPEng 
  • Ben Skerman MIEAust CPEng NER
  • Robert Taaffe FIEAust
  • Philip Willis FIEAust CPEng(Ret)

Learning and events

Engineering heritage groups in each state and territory deliver CPD to Engineers Australia members and guests with online and in-person training and events.

Visit our learning and events page to see a full list of available CPD opportunities and events.

Awards

We have two engineering heritage awards, the John Monash Medal and the Colin Crisp Award. The Colin Crisp Award is presented at the biennial Australasian Engineering Heritage Conference.

Engage with us

Join EAXchange to view our resources, heritage information and publications. You can also network with other technical society members on this interactive forum.

Email us or call 1300 653 113 if you have any questions.

Related groups

The Newcomen Society

Our publications

EHA cover
Engineering Heritage Australia | September 2020

EHA Magazine, volume 3, edition 6

This edition introduces the winners of the 2019 Colin Crisp Awards, takes a look back at Australia’s pioneer real radio man and the inventor of the famous tilting pad thrust bearing.

EHA cover
Engineering Heritage Australia | January 2021

EHA Magazine, volume 3, edition 7

This edition looks at Perth's Secret WWII RAAF Bunker, Tram substation machinery in Melbourne, and new home for the NSW Australian Railway Historical Society, and the 2021 Australasian Engineering Heritage Conference.

EHA Magazine May 21 cover
Engineering Heritage Australia | May 2021

EHA Magazine, volume 3, edition 8

This edition covers Jack Mundey AO, 1929 – 2020, recognising wartime service in public utilities, Cockatoo Island – industrial powerhouse, a black summer for Victoria's bridges, Sydney's earliest public water supplies, and a history of the world's roads and pavements. 

EHA Magazine Sept 21 cover
Engineering Heritage Australia | September 2021

EHA Magazine, volume 3, edition 9

This edition covers the story of the paddle steamer “SS Phoenix”, Edward Bell, Sydney City Engineer 1856 to 1870, engineering out an epidemic, and repairing the Kempsey Railway Bridge. 

EHA cover
Engineering Heritage Australia | January 2022

EHA Magazine, volume 4, edition 1

This edition looks at Sydney’s Balls Head coal loader, Canberra’s ill-fated railway, the Lake Canobolas Pump House, and A.T. Harman’s Port Melbourne Engineering Works.