Of the 15,000 plus Engineers Australia members in Western Australia, there are around 1,800 located across the regions.
Engineers in regional areas can sometimes feel professionally isolated and out of touch from the larger engineering community that exists in Perth. Engineers Australia’s regional groups therefore form an important resource and link for local engineers to the profession – for learning and sharing knowledge as well as growing their contacts through networking.
“I think many Australians, including many Western Australians, are unaware of just how big WA is. I know I don’t,” said Kevin Norton, Chair of the South West group centred in the Bunbury area and Chair of the WA Regional Advisory Committee (RAC).
“I’ve been here for over five years,” he continued, “and I have yet to get to many areas outside of the southwest corner of the state.”
Engineers Australia is currently supporting regional members through four active regional groups - Midwest (Geraldton), Peel (Mandurah), South West (Bunbury), and Great Southern (Albany).
Earlier this year, Engineers Australia WA ran an online survey to determine the current member participation levels in the regional groups and gauge interest in future participation in Engineers Australia activities, including nominating preferred locations for hosting regional groups.
The survey results indicated strong interest in the existing group and a presence in the Pilbara area, specifically to reinvigorate the Port Hedland and Karratha-Dampier groups, centred in Port Hedland and Karratha, respectively.
In June, Kevin and WA President Jason Flowerdew hosted the Chairs of the existing groups and two members representing Port Hedland and Karratha for a two-day meeting in Perth. “Over two days, we discussed the needs and goals of each group. We also determined some of the ways Engineers Australia WA can support the regional groups as well as how each group can assist the others, particularly the establishment of two additional northern groups,” Mr Norton said.
If you are interested in participating in any of the below regional groups please contact Engineers Australia WA by email [email protected] or phone 6214 6305.
- Midwest (Geraldton)
- Peel (Mandurah)
- South West (Bunbury)
- Great Southern (Albany)
- Pilbara (Port Hedland and Karratha-Dampier)
The Karratha-Dampier group are looking to host their first meeting and site visit in November – more information will be available on the Engineers Australia website in coming weeks and included in the fortnightly email event alert.
“If you’re a regional engineer, I strongly encourage you to get more involved with your local regional group. After all,” says Mr Norton, “we all want to have a say in how to improve our profession. The best way to do that is to become involved and for Engineers Australia to hear from you.”