Gabriel Dio BEng (hons), MIEAust, CPEng, RPEQ graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering (hons). Gabriel has recently finished up work at Orica Limited on the Kooragang Island Site, NSW. He has worked on the construction of a packaged explosives plant in Siji, UAE and a global booster manufacturing plant in Bataan, Philippines. Gabriel is very active in the engineering community and recently completed his chartered accreditation.
1. What is your current job title and function?
I am currently the director of Master Steel Industries in Gold Coast, QLD. My role as director is to run the business – from fabrication operations to commercials and accounting. I usually work with builders, project managers, and contractors to physically realise a fabrication project.
2. Why did you pursue a career in engineering?
With all the complexities and complications in the world, I wanted to go back to basics. How do things work? What are the most basic, easiest, simplest constituents of things? I wanted to learn the basics and I wanted to do them well.
Mechanical Engineering was a good fit because it scratched the scientific itch that I had and afforded a certain level of creativity and innovation.
In a nutshell, I pursued engineering because I wanted to understand things on a basic level. I wanted to be able to explain physical phenomena with a single sentence, and have a good understanding of what’s going on.
3. What is the most challenging or interesting project you’ve ever worked on?
In 2017 I was involved in the construction of an explosives plant in the UAE. It was exciting because I experienced a country, culture and people very different to Australia. You had to drive across dried river beds in a small Corolla to get to site. An explosives plant in the Middle East was sure to attract lots of attention given the geopolitical climate. This site was no exception. I had to go through the local police to get to the admin building as well as a national military unit to get to site. Both were armed with automatic weapons and wrote their versions of the law.
I had to roll up my sleeves and be on the tools because the fitters haven’t used a torque wrench before. I had to stand beside the superintendent and spot train him on a safety procedure because he has not seen one.
4. Why did you decide to become Chartered with Engineers Australia? / What does Chartered mean to you?
Becoming Chartered was proof that my skills are competent in and outside of my current workplace, and even engineering. It assures the community that I act and communicate with them in a professional manner, fitting that of a Chartered Engineer. It gives people confidence and it gives me respect knowing that my skills have been checked, verified and Chartered by the largest Engineering body in Australia.
5. Why are you an Engineers Australia member?
I want to connect with other professionals and like minded people. When I started with EA in University I already experienced a network of support from the organisation. I know that EA, in its size and reach, will have professionals and mentors whom I can talk to in all stages of my career. I considered gaining accreditation through other guilds, but my experience in industry showed that EA is the preeminent organisation for engineering professionals. Consequently, the Chartered accreditation is the most known and respected.
6. What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career?
Apart from our work in the UAE, I was proud of the 2016 plant shutdown we did for Orica’s Kooragang Island facility in NSW. I introduced the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones. Drones would not only speed up the process of visual inspection on structural components, but they would also lessen the risk to the inspector and other site personnel. It was a proven success because we did all the areas in 4 days, and the cost was a fraction of the previous price. UAVs are still being used in the Orica Kooragang Island site for inspections.
7. What do you see as one of the biggest issues facing the engineering profession?
The rapid shift of consumable to renewable energy is a big issue that is facing the engineering profession, and Australia, as a whole. The rapid change in technology will challenge Australian engineering and force the profession to be innovative. It will force the industry to focus less on the comfort zone of mining revenue, and it will have to come up with ways, processes and technologies to meet the greenhouse emissions targets.
8. If you could only eat three foods for the rest of your life, what would they be?
Nachos, Baby Back Ribs, Lechon Paksiw (Filipino food!)
9. What is your favourite holiday destination?
Fukuoka, Japan
10. What is your favourite movie?
The Departed - 2006
11. Who is your biggest inspiration?
My father for his health, my father in law for his hard work and altruism, and my wife for her patience and understanding.
Image: Courtesy of Gabriel Dio