Engineers Australia Acting Chief Engineer Bernadette Foley opened the 42nd Hydrology and Water Resources Symposium and 15th Hydraulics in Water Engineering Conference in Melbourne last week. 

It was a circle of life moment for Bernadette Foley as she recalled receiving the GN Alexander medal at the same conference in Wollongong more than two decades earlier while being 36 weeks pregnant. “I remember it like it was yesterday,” she says. “The GN Alexander medal in 2003 was the last time I had the pleasure to join this group, but it feels like coming home, although it was 21 years ago. 

“This event is close to my heart.” 

Reflecting on the birth of her son soon after, Ms Foley spoke of the personal and professional impact the conference had on her career. 

“There was a fork in my career in terms of going down the water resources path or going down the engineering education path,” Ms Foley said. “I chose engineering education, and it's led me to where I am now. I am focusing on professional standards, and on the future education of our profession.” 

Ms Foley said her previous work in sustainability, systems and water resource management provided her with first-hand experience of the importance of securing reliable and resilient water systems in the face of climate change, population growth and environmental pressures. 

“With commitment to sustainability through innovation and collaboration, there's the opportunity to improve, not only Australia's water systems but also to set an example globally, reinforcing the role that water engineers have as the stewards of this scarce resource.”  

National Committee on Water Engineering Chair Dr Michael Leonard also spoke at the conference. He shone a light on the importance of fostering collaboration and innovation in water engineering and awarded Engineers Australia student member Olivia Bourke with a student scholarship.     

The scholarship includes registration at the conference and is open to undergraduate students specialising in water who have completed their final year of engineering studies. 

Both Dr Leonard and Ms Foley said the conference was a valuable opportunity for networking and advancing knowledge. “A conference like this is not possible without the organisers, the technical committees and the attendees,” Ms Foley said. 

Image: (from L to R) Bernadette Foley, Olivia Bourke and Dr Michael Leonard.