Engineers Australia Queensland President Dr Peter Ho AM FIEAust CPEng RPEQ updates you on two events he recently attended on behalf of Engineers Australia Queensland, including a children’s event at the State Library of Queensland and a national climate reality series hosted at the Engineers Australia Queensland office.
Engibear
On Saturday 1 October, I was invited to attend a State Library of Queensland Fun Palace event where inventors, researchers, artists, performers, storytellers and adventurers from across the community gathered to share their knowledge and skills.
‘Engibear’ was one of the children’s activity-based events held on the day. Engibear is a character in a children’s book series, authored by Dr Andrew King FIEAust, who runs an engineering consultancy called Bearly Engineering. Engibear and his colleagues assist with bridges, railways and energy supply systems in the books and in children’s online games. Children who attended the Engibear event at the State Library participated in activities that taught them engineering skills.
While at the event, I had the pleasure of meeting the Hon Leeanne Enoch MP after she officially opened the event. She participated in a number of activities, including paper plane making and flying.
The Engibear book series aims to foster children’s interest in engineering. I personally thanked Dr King for creating Engibear and for promoting engineering to young children through his book series and associated public and online activities.
Climate and Energy Dilemma
On Thursday 22 September, I welcomed those attending a National Climate and Sustainability Series at Engineering House in Brisbane, hosted by our Sustainable Engineering Society. The topic of the series was ‘Our climate and energy dilemma – emergency action and transition implications’.
The seminar was broadcast live to several Engineers Australia offices via satellite, with members participating via webinar. The event was chaired by our 2012 National President Adj Prof David Hood AM HonFIEAust CPEng NER APEC Engineer, with two prominent speakers presenting: Ian Dunlop (independent advisor and commentator on climate change and energy) and Neil Greet FIEAust (Director of Collaborative Outcomes and 2015 Engineers Australia Canberra President). The presentations were informative and the Q&A sessions covered questions from those attending in person and tuning in nationally. The speakers advocated for the reduction of CO2 emissions and moving away from fossil fuels toward wind, hydro and solar sources of energy.
I came out of the presentation with two lines of thought. Firstly, climate change and the energy consumption dilemma are top national concerns and we, as engineers, should lead the way to advance awareness of these issues.
Secondly, we should take further advantage of our internal capability and adopt using the webinar for all technical presentations so all members can benefit from our quality CPD.
As your President, I am here to promote our profession in any shape or form. Please do not hesitate to contact me about your views on any areas of interest. Members are welcome to email Dr Peter Ho AM FIEAust CPEng RPEQ.
Image: stock image of Brisbane.