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

This year could reasonably be summarised as ‘dynamic’ as we have re-adjusted to crowds, public transport, working from the office, and in-person events.

We’re reaping the rewards of our new-found digital maturity through huge online attendance of CPD events and workshops, while celebration and networking opportunities are being warmly and enthusiastically attended in-person.

We saw a successful awards season with the National Awards being held in Sydney. This year’s Climate Smart Engineering Conference was also enjoyed by many Sydney members in-office and online.

Our new General Manager Jamie Burrage has transitioned into the Sydney office well, quickly understanding the complexity of the Learned Society and the breadth of Engineers Australia’s operation. I have total confidence in Jamie, his team, incoming 2023 President Olivia Mirza and our new CEO Romilly Madew AO, to continue to deliver for Sydney and improve service to members.

It’s been an extraordinary privilege being your Division President this year. Members of the Sydney Committee and I have attended countless workshops and meetings, given many speeches, presented awards and advocated for you, our valued members. We’ve gone from repeated frustrations with member processes and online systems to a more seamless and reliable experience for office bearers and members.

We have continued to build relationships which are the basis for trust and a more streamlined operation. By building up the mechanisms for collaboration, we’ve been able to connect more meaningfully with members and office bearers to strengthen our network. I’d like to thank you for being part of the progress we’ve made this year. Thank you for attending events, for leading, and for supporting the leadership of others, as we continue to build on the successes of the past and grow the resilience of our profession and community.

Earlier this year we saw the finalisation of the Construction Area of Practice. This was led in part by our Deputy President Tom. Tom also chaired the Sydney Engineering Practice Forum (SEPF), supported by Varuni Fernando who created SEPF-Connect, an initiative to help the Sydney Committee build stronger relationships and meaningful engagement with regional groups, technical societies and others. This ultimately means better support for groups to deliver events and services to members.

Committee member Olivia Mirza, supported by Immediate Past President Jessica Qiu, Diana Zagora and Robbie Goedecke, has continued to build engagement in Western Sydney through the Western Sydney initiative. Elena Shulyak also started the Sydney Migrant Engineers Group to support the transition of migrant engineers into the Australian engineering workforce.

My thanks and appreciation go to the whole committee including those mentioned and Benjamin Hanley, Nicole Waterman, Brendyn Williams, Cynthia Lie and Past President Bruce Howard. Each member has contributed to several initiatives and some even serve on other committees. Bruce, in particular, has been a source of wisdom and guidance and a very worthy recipient of the Honorary Fellow title for his contributions to the profession.

The committee contributed to numerous papers and opportunities particularly around climate change and sustainability (coordinated by committee member Benjamin Hanley) that affect all engineers and the broader community.

I had the honour of presenting an Engineering Heritage Marker to the Sydney Opera House earlier this year. It was an honour to speak at the Opera House on behalf of Engineers Australia and Engineering Heritage Australia.

I was also honoured to welcome many new Fellows and Engineering Executives and present their certificates at 44 Market Street.

As president I took a firm stance this year on office bearer conduct and appropriate behaviour particularly towards staff, setting a new expectation and culture to ensure the highest standard of conduct and respect.

The Sydney committee also transferred the project governance initiative to the College of Leadership and Management which launched this year.

Members are advised to keep an eye on changes to registration requirements for engineers working in NSW, which will be communicated to members.

Engineers Australia’s holiday shutdown period will run from 26 December 2022 to 6 January 2023 inclusive. During this time our office will be closed and there will not be any events held.

As outgoing President of Sydney I thank you for your ongoing engagement with Engineers Australia and your contribution to the engineering community. I wish you a safe holiday period, a Merry Christmas, and a prosperous and happy new year.

Sincerely,
Sydney President, Don Moloney