Engineers Australia is urging members to recognise their peers and nominate their fellow engineering colleagues and friends for an Order of Australia. Associate Professor Sabaratnam Prathapan OAM HonFIEAust CPEng chats to us about his career and what being awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia meant to him. 

As an associate professor of engineering, Sabaratnam has been shaping the future of engineering in Darwin for over four decades and dedicated his life to both engineering education and enriching the community. For his significant service to tertiary education and to the community, Sabaratnam was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia. 

“I have been lecturing in the field of civil engineering in Darwin for almost 42 years, mostly at higher education at the level of bachelor's and master's degrees," he says. His tenure at Charles Darwin University, formerly known as Northern Territory University, began in 2005 and continues to have a lasting impact on countless students. 

Beyond his work in academia, Sabaratnam has made a profound contribution to his local community. For over 20 years, he served as president of the Hindu Society of the Northern Territory and is now its current vice-president. During his service, he led the effort to establish a Hindu temple in Darwin. “I raised and project-managed the build of a Hindu temple in Darwin. I started it when there were few Hindus in Darwin and now, we have more than four thousand.” 

His efforts didn’t stop there. He also led the building and development of Harmony Hall, a vital community hub in Darwin. “I managed to raise more than one million dollars and project-managed to build a community hall. It is heavily used by the community from all walks of life, for activities such as performances, weddings... it is also used as a cyclone shelter.”  

Reflecting on his achievements, this dedicated engineer and academic remains motivated by a desire to give back. “Australia and Darwin have been good to me. I want to put something back into the community and help the underprivileged among us,” he says. “The enjoyment comes from the feeling of having a purpose in life and being a good human being.” 

Nominating for the Order of Australia is a simple online process. It is accessible and never closes.   

You need to provide some general information about the person, explain why you think they should be honoured and the impact they’ve had. You will also need to provide up to four referees who can attest to their impact.  

Not sure who to nominate? Our 2024 finalists and winners for the Engineers Australia Excellence Awards are a good place to start. Discover the innovators and leaders shaping the future of engineering and explore their achievements in the interactive showcase booklet.  

Nominations are now open for the Engineers Australia Excellence Awards 2025.

Whether it’s a colleague, a mentor, or a project team driving change, put them forward and help us recognise engineering excellence.