May 2012

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SYDNEY DIVISION OF ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA MAY 2012

Sydney diviSion Key SponSorS

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Achieving our purpose The purpose of Engineers Australia, and that of the engineering profession, is to benefit the community – by advancing the science and practice of engineering. The 2011 Royal Charter and By-Laws, and the 2010 Code of Ethics and supporting Guidelines on Professional Conduct, provide the framework, values and principles for us to do so.

But our success in achieving our purpose is dependent on our ability to structure and organise ourselves, enable suitable and effective engagement, to foster collaboration and innovation, forge a common view wherever possible, and to communicate a message that is responsive and relevant to addressing community needs.

Establishing, managing and directing the activities of Sydney Division is an ongoing challenge – for Staff, Office Bearers, Volunteers and Members. Work being done by Division Committee and a number of Subcommittees with support from Staff, continues to review and consider the appropriateness and effectiveness of these activities.

I’m particularly aware of the need to support and engage with the various panels, groups and technical societies which have long since been established within metropolitan and regional areas to enable membership engagement on topics of interest and relevance to the profession. In this regard Group Chairs and College Representatives were invited to a workshop meeting with Division Committee in mid May, and I’m attending a range of Technical Seminars and Events being delivered by various groups throughout Sydney and NSW during the year.

Further, a new Board of Engineering Practice

has recently been established by Sydney Division Committee. The aim of the new Board is to support and stimulate better alignment of CPD Activities with the needs of members in both metropolitan and regional areas, and to provide for a more direct correlation with College initiatives for strategic professional development.

Apart from CPD Activities, I would also like to highlight two flagship programmes of the Sydney Division Calendar. The Engineering Excellence Awards is launched in February each year, seeking nominations for a variety of award categories, with a gala awards ceremony being held in Sydney on 21 September 2012 – a special thanks to the loyalty of our existing Sponsors, and an encouragement to new Sponsors. And, Australian Engineering Week (the first full week in August each year), seeks to promote engineering and the profession to the public – please set this week aside in your diaries now to maximise your opportunity to participate.

With vision, passion, innovation, and leadership, we as an engineering profession in Australia can achieve our purpose, if we’re prepared to do so together.

Brendyn Williams, BE(Civil)(Hons) MIEAust FIPWEA

President, Engineers Australia Sydney Division

2 ENGINEERS SYDNEY MAY 2012

Level 3, 8 Thomas Street, Chatswood nSW 2067(po Box 1389, Chatswood 2057)phone 02 9410 5600 fax 02 9410 [email protected] www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sydneyThe views expressed in Engineers Sydney are not necessarily those of engineers Australia Sydney division.Sydney Division

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Key Division StaffExecutive Director – Steve Finlay

Executive Operations Manager – Richard HannaEvents Manager – Aimee Najdovski

Industry Relationship Manager – Elana HuthnanceEvents Coordinator – Jessica Marshall

Communications and IT Coordinator – Nimali HerathMembership Officer – Julia Bresolin

Membership Officer – Danielle TuazonMembership Officer – Maritsa Kacopieros

Account Manager – Rimma KolodiznerChartered Assessors – Roland De Broglio, Amal Hanna

Neil Wyles and Guy BeauboisNational Stage 1 Assessor – Guy Beaubois and Maurice Allen

National Manager Careers – Jenny O’DonovanAuditorium Operator – David Zhao

Your Division Committee for 2012President – Brendyn Williams

Deputy President – John NicholsImmediate Past President – Maryam Khajeh

National Councillors – Bruce Howard, Marlene Kanga and Alex Baitch

National Congress – Kevin Dixon, Ted Tooher and Michael Myers

Elected Members:David Edwards, Nikki New, Rosemary Crowhurst

and Michael Lucas

Appointed Members:Young Engineers Australia,

Sydney Division – Sam GreenWomen in Engineering – Julie Mikhail

Regional Group Representatives – John Stonelli and Rosemary Crowhurst

College and CELM Representative – Alexandra MeldrumChair Education and Assessment Sub Committee

– Norm HimsleyElectrical Branch – Allan Sangster

Unit Representatives – Norm Himsley and Allan Sangster

Produced byEngineers Australia Sydney Division

Editor – Steve Finlay

Designed by Engineers Media

Deputy President’s CornerSydney’s population is increasing at the rate of one thousand people per week and its infrastructure has been groaning under this strain for many years. As one who has travelled daily across the metropolis I’ve silently watched as the transport arteries have thickened and clogged, buses and trains have become over crowded and choked, and travel times have doubled. Ironically what was once described as the peak hour rush has now ballooned to the peak four hour rush and even threatens to besiege the city on the weekend.

While we, as a community, have muddled over metro lines, fumbled with freeways and bumbled with bikeways, the daily grind continues to get worse. Sydney will continue to grow and it will double its population over the next twenty five years upon which travel demand and commuter congestion is going to increase exponentially.

Given this as a background I was pleased to see the plans and positive progress being made on the proposal to build the North West Rail Link from Epping to Rouse Hill. The proposal is an $8 billion development being embarked upon by the NSW Government department: Transport for NSW.

It’s an ambitious scheme to design and build an integrated transport link, consisting of 23 kilometres of double train line with eight railway stations and 4000 car spaces, and represents the biggest transport infrastructure project in Sydney since the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The Link will serve the North West Growth Centre which is earmarked for major residential growth over the next twenty five years, and will save current commuters to the CBD thirty per cent in public transport travel time.

The project will incorporate 15 kilometre long tunnels which will be the longest and deepest rail tunnels built in Australia and will join directly with the existing Epping to Chatswood rail tunnels. It will also include a 4 kilometre long Skytrain structure between Bella Vista and Rouse Hill which will allow communities to have access to open space around the Skytrain for uses like parks and community grounds without bisecting the suburb.

While this is an important step in improving our city, it is only one of many more steps that are required to improve our infrastructure. Similar strangling problems are being faced by regional communities faced with poor, ageing and non-existent infrastructure. Infrastructure and its renewal, upgrade and development is the foundation of Australia’s future and we as a community must make the hard decisions and foster, plan, support and encourage its development.

John Nichols BE (Civil), CPEng, FIEAustDeputy President, Engineers Australia Sydney Division

Presented by:

The Risk Engineering Society (NSW)

Dr. Alena Griffiths

Software Reliability – an Oxymoron?

Date: Wednesday, 30 May 2012

Time: 5:30pm for presentation from 6.00pm to 7:00pm, networking until 8:00pm.

Venue: Engineers Australia Auditorium – Ground Floor, 8 Thomas Street Chatswood.

Cost: $10 for RES members, $20 for non-members (drinks and snacks included).

Speaker: Dr Alena Griffiths.

RSVP: Please register online by Monday, 28 May 2012 at www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sydney/events.

ENGINEERS SYDNEY MAY 2012 3

NEWS

YEAS Careers ExpoThe YEAS Careers Expo took place on Monday 2 April at the Sydney Masonic Centre. The event was supported by a 26 exhibitors and attracted 600 students from over 5 universities.

The event was opened by Pat James, Chair of Young Engineers Australia Sydney Division, who was the Master of Ceremonies for the Forum “Getting a Job” which was panelled by 5 industry representatives.

The industry representatives were; Steven Lindsay – Lindsay & Dynan; Jolene Ou Yong – RailCorp; Sophie Dowling – TransGrid; Mary-Ellen Christie – Fulton Hogan; and Jenny O’Donovan – Engineers Australia. The panel addressed questions from the audience in regard to resume writing, interview skills, and how to get job placements in the industry.

The exhibition was opened to the students after the forum which provided the students the opportunity to mingle with the exhibitors and gain valuable information and guidance for future graduates and employment opportunities.

The 2012 Careers expo exhibitors were:• AbigroupContractors• Arup• Aurecon• Cardno• CoffeyGeotechnicsPtyLtd• DefenceForceRecruiting• DefenceMateriel

Organisation• EngineersAustralia• EABooks• EngineeringEducation

Australia• FultonHogan• GolderAssociates• HATCH• Honeywell

• ICDAsiaPacificPtyLtd• JoyMiningMachinery• KellerAustralia• Lindsay&DynanConsulting

Engineers• NSWPublicWorks• RailCorp• ResMedLtd• RoadsandMaritimeServices

NSW• SnowyHydroLimited• TaylorThomsonWhitting• TransGrid• URSAustraliaP/L• RioTinto

YEAS is currently in discussion for how to make the 2013 Careers Evening even bigger and better than this year. More information will be published in upcoming newsletters.

Many thanks to the speakers, exhibitors, and to all of the volunteers who gave up their time and helped make the Expo an overwhelming success.

Forum Panel of Company Representatives.

Students at the Expo.

Students at the Expo.

4 ENGINEERS SYDNEY MAY 2012

NEWS

Discover Engineering DayThe most recent Discover Engineering Day was held at Caringbah High School on 22 March 2012. The day saw an attendance of over 120 students from surrounding schools including Cronulla High School, Gymea Technology High School, Bethany College and Port Hacking High School.

The new format was used once again and went off without a hitch. To start off with the students were introduced to the world of engineering with a presentation by our Careers Manager Jenny O’Donovan. Throughout the day the students then saw presentations from both our Student Engineer and Professional Engineer, David Zhao and Andrew Dyer.

When the students were not captivated by our presentations they were given the opportunity to rotate around to a range of different activities that helped them learn more about engineering as a future career path. Activities onthedayincludedanEducationhubwithambassadorsfromUniversityofSydney,UWS,UNSW,UTSUoWandTAFENSW,andasearchandrescuerobotfromtheUniversityofTechnologySydney.Studentsalsogottotrytheir hand at some engineering of their own by competing in a marshmallow catapult competition and testing their own paper towers. The engineers of the winning paper tower came from Gymea Technology High School. The highlight for most of the students on the day was a presentation from a memberoftheUNSWRoboCupTeam.BradHallshowedthestudentshowthe robots work and explained the real life use of this technology.

After all their hard work students were treated to morning tea and lunch provided by Caringbah High School. A big thank you to Caringbah High School for allowing us to use their school venue.

We now look forward to the next Discover Engineering Day.

Titanic 100th Anniversary – Engineering lessons to be learnedEngineers Australia, Sydney Division, Electrical Branch and the Joint Electrical Institutions Sydney, marked the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic by presenting a half day seminar on Thursday, 12 April 2012 at the Harricks Auditorium, Chatswood.

Philip Mallon presented both the social context which made the Titanic disaster particularly notable as well as many of the engineering aspects of the ship. The film A Night to Remember was used to illustrate much of the presentation. Dr Peter Jensen presented on the radio communications aspects of the Titanic.

David Edwards and Dr Peter Jensen standing next to a reconstruction of the Radio Room of the RMS Titanic.

Nuclear Engineering Panel Presentation

Engineers Australia Auditorium Ground Floor, 8 Thomas St, Chatswood

5.30pm for 6pm, Wednesday, 23 May 2011

Developing Advanced Nuclear Structural Materials for use in Next Generation Nuclear

Power PlantBy Prof Lyndon Edwards

Head, Institute of Materials EngineeringAustralian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)

Next generation nuclear power systems are safer and more sustainable, and designed to address global energy needs later this century. This presentation will describe the challenges and progress to date in identifying, designing, producing and assessing materials that can withstand the extreme conditions of radiation, temperature, chemical environment and stress inherent in both fission and fusion systems, using examples of the current work at ANSTO.

For further information, contact Tony Irwin [email protected]

ENGINEERS SYDNEY MAY 2012 5

NEWS

University of NSW prize giving nightPrizes(EAcheques)of$250eachwerehandedoutattheUNSW2012PrizeGiving Ceremony, for 3 top electrical/IT students. Original prize certificates were handed out at the EA Electrical & ITE Branch student CPD lecture in November 2011, which was followed by a dinner for the students and Deans of Engineering at a nearby Chinese Restaurant.

EA prizes are to encourage new graduates to utilise Continuing Professional Development facilities of Engineers Australia.

Duncan Edwards with Allan Sangster.

Ni Ding with Allan Sangster.

Chi Man Cheng with Allan Sangster.L-r: Ray Eaton, David Dorrell, Allan Sangster, Graham Painton, Prof Ambi and Neil Roberts.

CEO Inaugural Breakfast – CELM NSWThe Chair of CELM NSW James Phillis recently hosted the inaugural CEO Breakfast at the Sydney Hilton with our CEO Stephen Durkin as guest speaker. The National Deputy President Marlene Kangawasalsoaspecialguest.

The breakfast was attended by CEOs and senior management leaders including many of our PDP partners. It was a very interactive Q&A session with Stephen sharing his views on the way forward for Engineers Australia centred on the four key themes of:• Developing a member-focused culture• Being visible and accessible and relevant to

members• Being commercially viable, and • ProfessionalismCELM NSW is looking forward to hosting this CEO Breakfast as an annual event in its calendar.

James Phillis introducing CEO Stephen Durkin (seated to right with National Deputy President Marlene Kanga).

6 ENGINEERS SYDNEY MAY 2012

NEWS

Abigroup Autumn Engineering SchoolThe Abigroup Autumn School is an Engineers Australia Sydney Division initiative. With the support of Abigroup, NSW and ACT ‘Engineering’ UniversitiesandparticipatingRotarieswassuccessfullyrunforthethirdyear.The major aim of the Autumn School is to give NSW high school students a better understanding of what engineering is and how it works in everyday life.

The Australian National Engineering Taskforce (ANET), of which Engineers Australia is a member, reported that Australia produces 6000 graduates annually, which is half of our annual workforce needs. The Autumn School is a resource to ensure that young people have engineering in the forefront of their minds when looking at career options.

During the week-long program the Autumn School students met and interacted with professional engineers employed by government, private companies, researchers and academics from a wide range of engineering backgrounds. They gained valuable insight into career opportunities available to men and women in engineering. Visits to industry provided a valuable opportunity to gain first hand experience in the role of professional engineers in a wide range of activities, including the management of major projects. The students learnt about the role of professional engineers in society and different disciplines within engineering.

The Abigroup Autumn Engineering School brought together 50 Year 11 and 12 students from the Sydney and some regional NSW areas. Some of the students were funded or partly funded by Rotary and their high schools.

Abigroup Autumn School students attended lectures and demonstrations attheUniversityofSydney;UniversityofNewSouthWales;UniversityofTechnology,Sydney;andAustralianNationalUniversity.Sitevisitsthe

students attended included Cotter Dam, Weir Minerals, Cochlear and Transport Management Centre.

Another significant program inclusion was the Careers evening where students had the opportunity to meet and talk informally with a broad range of engineers. Guests included – Fiona Morrison from Nova Systems; Andrew Airey and Chris Dowton from Defence Materiel Organisation; Christina West from GHD; Joshua Toohey from Bulk Water Alliance; and Matthew Skinner,

Winey Suen, Sarah Wilson, and Jodie Gallo from Abigroup.

In response to the Survey Report question of do you think you will go on to study engineering, the response was overwhelming with 99% responding YES, with civil and mechatronic engineering identified as the discipline the majority of the students wish to study at university followed by mechanical.

The Abigroup Autumn Engineering School was a great success and we look forward to running the event again next year and seeing an even greater interest in the program and the field of engineering.

Our sincere thanks are extended to Abigroup for their sponsorship, Rotary Clubs for their financial assistance to some of the students, the participatingUniversities,thepeoplewhomadethe site visits possible, Careers Evening guests, and last but certainly not least the students who all contributed in making the Abigroup Autumn Engineering School 2012 a wonderful success.

ENGINEERS SYDNEY MAY 2012 7

NEWS

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CPEng Roadshow into Regional NSWAs part of the Year of the Regional Engineering Team and inline with the new Stage 2 Competencies and the eChartered process being launched on 1 July 2012, Sydney Division underwent a Roadshow visiting some of the regional groups.

Four regionally based Chartered Workshops were hosted which aimed to demystify the process for applying for Chartered status.

The workshops were conducted by Richard Hanna, Executive Operations Manager and were held at the following locations:• Blue Mountains – Tuesday 17th of April• Parkes – Wednesday 18th of April• Dubbo – Thursday 19th of April• Bathurst – Friday 20th of April.

Richard Hanna presenting at Bathurst workshop.

YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT – DIARY DATES

8 ENGINEERS SYDNEY MAY 2012

Most events are held at EA Harricks Auditorium, Ground Floor, 8 Thomas Street, Chatswood with refreshments provided prior to the session. Events are subject to change or cancel at short notice.Please check our website www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sydney/events for up-to-date information.PLEASE NOTE: To view video streams and to download slides of selected Technical Presentations please visit Online CPD at our website: www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sydney/onlineCPD

MAY

Thurs 17 Mechanical Branch

Reducing the Carbon Footprint for Carbon PumpsAuditorium18:00 for 18:30 to 20:00Contact: Andrew LoweEmail: [email protected]: Free

Mon 21 Coastal, Ocean and Port Engineering Panel

Engineers Australia Update – The NCCOE Guidelines for Coastal Implications of Climate ChangeAuditorium17:30 for 18:00Contact: Heli LahteelaEmail: [email protected]: Free

Tues 22 Water Engineering Panel

Collaborative Approaches to Multi-level Governance in the Water SectorAuditorium17:30 for 18:00Contact: Grantley SmithEmail: [email protected]: Free

Wed 23 Nuclear Engineering Panel

Developing Advanced Nuclear Structural Materials for use in Next Generation Nuclear Power PlantAuditorium17:30 to 19:30Contact: Tony IrwinEmail: [email protected]: Free

Thurs 24 Western Sydney Regional Group

Your Easy Route to CPEngBuildingUGRoom50, UniversityofWesternSydney,Kingswood12:00 to 14:00Contact: Dr. Olivia MirzaEmail: [email protected]: Free

Fri 25 Riverina Regional Group

Riverina Oils & BioEnergy PlantBomen Business Park Wagga Wagga, NSW14:30 to 16:00Contact: Ian DavisEmail: [email protected]

Thurs 24 Engineers Australia ITEE College Eminent Speaker Series

From Wireless to Astronomy: Lessons From an Engineering Career by Dr Trevor BirdAuditorium17:30 to 19:30Contact: Emily YiannakisEmail: [email protected]

Wed 30 Risk Engineering Society

Software Reliability – An Oxymoron?Auditorium17:30 for 18:00 to 19:30Contact: Ruben WelschenEmail: [email protected]: $10 RES/EA members, $20 Non members

JUNE

Mon 4 Engineering Heritage Committee

The Tragic Blunder: The Fate of HMAS AustraliaAuditorium17:30 for 18:00 to 19:30Contact: Simon WiltshierEmail: [email protected]: Free

Wed 13 Australian Geomechanics Society, Sydney Chapter

Mine SubsidenceAuditorium17:30 for 18:00 to 20:00Contact: David AireyEmail: [email protected]: Free

Thurs 14 Joint Electrical Branch – Engineers Australia, IET, IEEE

Energy EfficiencyAuditorium17:30 to 20:00Contact: Allan SangsterEmail: [email protected]: Free

Fri 15 Engineers Australia Sydney Division

Chartered WorkshopBoard Room9:30 to 12:00Contact: Julia BresolinEmail: [email protected]: Free

Sat 16 Engineers Australia Sydney Division

Chartered WorkshopBoard Room9:30 to 12:00Contact: Julia BresolinEmail: [email protected]: Free

Wed 20 Society of Fire Safety

Tenability CriteriaAuditorium15:30 for 16:00 to 18:00Contact: Vivek ApteEmail: [email protected]: $20 SFS/EA members, $30 Non members

Thurs 21 Mechanical Branch

International Technology LicensingAuditorium18:00 to 20:00Contact: Andrew LoweEmail: [email protected]: Free

Thurs 28 Joint Electrical Branch – Engineers Australia, IET, IEEE

Cyber SecurityAuditorium17:30 to 20:00Contact: Allan SangsterEmail: [email protected]: Free