As we approach the end of 2024, Engineers Australia extends our heartfelt gratitude to all our members, office bearers and volunteers for your unwavering support and dedication throughout the year.  

This final edition of Engineering News for 2024 offers us an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our members and committee groups, and to reflect on the significant contributions you have made to the engineering profession and our community.  

2024 was a year defined by connectedness and collaboration. The Sydney Division President proudly represented Engineers Australia at 71 events, delivering 40 presentations to promote and advance the profession. Our commitment to engaging regional members has been a key priority, with notable progress in the Illawarra region. This included hosting our first event in more than three years and successfully establishing a dedicated committee to drive continued growth and momentum into 2025.

Engineers Australia Sydney General Manager Jamie Burrage says just like any major engineering project, our successes this year have been built on a foundation of teamwork, collaboration and commitment.  

“I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all our members, volunteers and office bearers for their invaluable contributions to our collective achievements throughout 2024.”  

As a valued member of Engineers Australia, you are central to our efforts in driving positive, sustainable change that benefits the community. Your engineering expertise and insights have been instrumental in fostering collaboration with businesses, government and universities to advance progress.  

This year, we proudly launched our ‘listening sessions’, featuring the participation of the National President and CEO. These sessions, one tailored for all members and another for emerging professionals, highlight our commitment to ensuring member voices shape decision-making at the highest levels within Engineers Australia.

Sydney also celebrated the achievements of our members with two Chartered recognition events and three Fellows and EngExec recognition ceremonies held at Parliament House. Building awareness of the value and status of Chartered engineers, as well as celebrating engineering excellence and leadership, are central to Engineers Australia’s strategy. We are proud of the role Sydney Division has played in advancing these priorities.

A standout moment was the unveiling of the Blue Plaque for Kathleen Butler, renowned as ‘the Godmother of the Sydney Harbour Bridge'. Officially revealed at the Chief Secretary’s Building, this tribute acknowledged Kathleen’s important contribution to the conception and development of this iconic structure. This achievement demonstrates collaboration across Engineers Australia, with efforts from two Division Presidents (current and past), the Engineering Heritage Sydney Committee and our broader teams.

Congratulations are also due to Sydney Migrant Engineers for winning the 2024 National President’s Prize. Their outstanding work in supporting migrant engineers to re-enter the engineering profession reflects our shared vision of promoting inclusivity and harnessing diverse talent to strengthen the engineering community.

We were delighted to see Sydney members represented at the Engineering Excellence Awards with Emerging Professional Engineer of the Year awarded to Fellow Megan Wheeldon, an Honorary Fellowship being awarded to Graham Town, and last but certainly not least, Dr Marlene Kanga AO being awarded the Peter Nichol Russell Memorial Medal.    

From January 2025 we welcome our next President, Nicole Waterman, to spearhead the work of the Division Committee and to continue enabling Sydney Division in representing the engineering profession on behalf of our members.    

Engineers Australia’s holiday shutdown period will run from 20 December 2024 to 3 January 2025 inclusive. During this time our office will be closed and there will not be any events held.    

Sydney Division President Olivia Mirza and General Manager Jamie Burrage wish you all the best over the holiday period and into 2025.