Quick Chat with an Indigenous Engineering Leader Friday, 01 September 2017

Grant Maher was born in the NSW south coast, but has progressively journeyed north through his life, growing up on the far northern coast of NSW, before finally settling in Queensland, where he now works for AECOM as the North-Western Region Façade Lead. Born to an Aboriginal father and a Scottish mother, Grant’s mixed ancestry has been a source of pride and inspiration for him in his career. Grant also holds an important role within Engineers Australia as the Chairman of the Indigenous Group.

Hi Grant! What’s your current role title and function?
I am the Northwestern Australia Façade Lead for Aecom; I lead a small team of 3 people. I handle anything related to façade consulting, design, or integration with other teams.

I also lead the Engineers Australia Indigenous Group in my role as Chairman. The Indigenous Group seeks to further the cause of indigenous engineers and promote engineering as a potential occupation to Aboriginal people. Currently we are measuring numbers of indigenous engineers out there, where they are located, and what their experiences are in the hope that we can leverage them to engage younger indigenous people for a career not only in engineering, but also STEM in general.

Why did you choose engineering as a profession?
Education has always been hugely important to me; my parents have sacrificed a lot to make my life better after starting from humble beginnings. I grew up in Wollongong in New South Wales; my father was the first aboriginal person to graduate from the University of Wollongong.

At school, I wasn’t great with the written word, but I had strong maths and analytical skills, and grew an interest in design. In Year 10, my dad found an article in the news about an Engineering Summer school for indigenous students; I applied and managed to secure a place. This exposure to engineering inspired me to work hard through high school to pursue a career in engineering.

What project are you working on now?
I’m juggling a few! I have two main projects. The first is around the creation of new traffic control towers for RAF bases – these towers require high-acoustic thermal and cyclonic impacts design. I’m also involved in the construction of the new sustainable futures building for UOQ.

What is the most challenging project you have ever worked on and why?
The most challenging project I’ve worked on so far was Dubai International Airport. As a young engineer just 3 years out of University I was sent over to Dubai to work for 3 months. The role was physically demanding, having to handle 50 degree heat, and involved a sensitive client in the UAE Government. The scale was immense, huge facades and 20km balustrades.

Engineers can save the world. Who would you want on your project team with you?
Elon Musk immediately comes to mind. I have huge respect and admiration for Elon’s point of view on sustainability and lessening our carbon footprint, his concepts for achieving these ends form an example for the rest of humanity to follow. Much of Elon’s work, such as electric cars and solar energy, are things we should have been thinking about 20 years ago. Away from engineering, I feel that Helio Gracie, founder of Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu , would be an excellence team member; he is a master of considering different ways of thinking outside of the box and how to maximise your strengths to great advantage

What’s the most recent present you bought yourself?
A new car, which is a Toyota Prado. I’m hoping that an offroad vehicle will let me get back in touch with being out and about in nature and the outdoors, which is how I grew up.

What is your favourite TV show?
I don’t watch a whole lot of TV, but I do enjoy Suits. Harvey is my favourite character; he’s got an arrogant front, but he always means well – every move he makes has an underlying motive and reason,

If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, who would it be and why?
It would have to be Muhummad Ali, who has a massive persona, huge charisma, and was famously quick-witted and funny.

What makes you laugh?
I love being around my friends and family, enjoying general silliness, good times, sharing laughs and mischief with one another.

What can indigenous people offer to engineering to advance the profession further?
In our day to day work, engineers can distance themselves from the key fundamental of engineering – improving the human race. Indigenous people have unique ties to the Australian land, and also have strong community ties. If these values could be brought into projects and companies, it would have profound societal impacts.

 

Anyone interested to know more about the Indigenous Engineering Group please email: [email protected]