Welcome to the last edition of Engineering News for 2022. As we wrap up for the end of the year, Engineers Australia would like to thank you for your continued support. We’d like to take the chance now to look back the achievements of our Newcastle members and committee groups in 2022, and their contributions to the engineering profession and community. 

2022 was full of many changes including significant change to the structure of the Newcastle team. Sadly, we saw Jane Dennis and Jo Papanicolaou leave the organisation after many years of service and dedication to the engineering community. However, we have been very fortunate to have Karina Curtis join the team bringing a new perspective alongside Vincent and Helen. 

With the easing of restrictions, the Newcastle office has progressively returned to hosting more face-to-face events. This enabled the team to further engage with the community and network with others, which has been great.

Engineers Australia welcomed the arrival of a new CEO in August, Romilly Madew AO, who succeeded Dr Bronwyn Evans AM. Romilly started her tenure with a visit to all the Engineers Australia offices accompanied by our National President, Dr Nick Fleming FIEAust CPEng EngExec NER. Romilly’s visit to Newcastle at the end of September was a great opportunity to get to know her.

We also had the pleasure of welcoming the Board and the Executive Team in Newcastle. The Board met with Newcastle members in an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session. This was very positive and engaging activity for all involved.

As mentioned, this year we’ve been able to collaborate and connect in-person again and it has been brilliant to continue those strong relationships with our members, volunteers and office bearers. Engineers Australia would like to thank you for being a part of the progress we have made this year.

Some of those achievements are:

• Re-Shaping the Hunter – our local Heritage group engaged local author Evan McHugh to write and publish this outstanding easy-to-read book on engineering innovation and how it reinvented the region. A must-read! Do yourself a favour and get a copy from Engineers Australia Newcastle Office
• Migrant Refugee Engineers – we assisted several clients from Mosaic (formerly Northern Settlement Services) to have their qualifications assessed and offered 12 months of membership to help build networks, an important activity as Australia re-opens its doors to the world.
• Hunter Defence Conference – Jane MacMaster, Engineers Australia Chief Engineer, was invited to present on behalf of Engineers Australia as part of our stakeholder engagement. A great way to bring attention to our region and its active industries and networking groups.
• Indigenous Engineering Group – September heralded the inaugural meeting of the NSW Indigenous Engineering Group made up of members from the Newcastle, Sydney and Canberra offices.

The Associates and Technologists working group continues to build on its work from last year toward a better understanding and promotion of the engineering team in the community.

The Newcastle Education Committee continues to work with teachers to develop resources for the NSW Engineering Studies Syllabus. This work supports the teachers and inspires the students towards the profession.

Please note that 2023 will see the Newcastle Division reopen to in-house CPD presentations. This will provide members with the opportunity to network before and after these sessions and we look forward to seeing you all.

Engineers Australia’s holiday shutdown period will run from Monday 19 December 2022 to Friday 13 January 2023. During this time our office will be closed and there will not be any events held. 

We wish you all the best over the holiday period and into 2023.