E N G I N E E R I N G N E W C A S T L EN e w s l e t t e r o f t h e N e w c a s t l eD iv i s ion o f Eng ineers Aus t ra l ia

June 2012

122 Parry Street Newcastle West 2302 • PHONE: 02 4926 4440 • FAX: 02 4929 7121 EMAIL: newcastle@engineersaustralia.org.au • WEB: www.engineersaustralia.org.au/newcastlePRESIDENT: Ron Banerjee • DIRECTOR: Helen Link

CELM CEO Speaker Sponsor 2012

WiE sponsors 2012

Regional Groups 2012

2012 Engineering Excellence AwardsMajor Sponsor

Supporting Sponsors

Award Sponsors

Engineering Register 2012

Australian Engineering Week 2012

We are already half way through 2012. Ourbranches and groups have been and remainactive in delivering some great CPDpresentations and events.

Congratulations to Nicholas Bates, as one ofthe nine recipients (Australia wide) of theCELM delegate scholarship, David Kinsey, asthe winner of the Year of the RegionalEngineering Team scholarship for NewcastleDivision and Lise Bolton, as the winner of oneof the WiE Scholarships. All three attendedthe 2012 Engineering Leadership Conferencein Adelaide from May 30 to June 2, 2012. Ilook forward to hearing their thoughts on theconference in the coming weeks.

There are two Eminent Speaker presentationscoming to Newcastle. Rear AdmiralRowan Moffat (20th June - FUTURESUBMARINES - FEW EASY CHOICES)and Dr. Trevor Bird (9th August - FromWireless to Astronomy: lessons froman engineering career). Register online tosecure your position.

The Division took part in the Hunter ValleyCareers Expo held on Thursday, 17th May.Many exhibitors provided information oncareers to an estimated 3500 students fromthe region. We would like to thank thefollowing industries for providing invaluablesupport by sending along some of their young

engineers to helpman our stand:RMS, University ofNewcastle,Ampcontrol, GHD,UGL & QCCResources. We alsoacknowledge thehelp rendered bythe volunteers who generously gave their time.

Please note that the nominations for the YoungEngineer of the Year and ProfessionalEngineer of the Year are now open and willclose at 5pm, Friday 6th July 2012. Forinformation and nominations visithttps://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/newcastle-division/awards. They are the ‘NewFaces’ of the emerging leadership of ourprofession.

I was privileged to be invited to attend twoAmerican Society of Civil Engineers meetingsin India and in Greece during April. I gainedinvaluable insight into the opportunities andchallenges faced by the engineering fraternityof these two countries.

Remember to keep yourself updated with whatevents are on through our website and “what’son” newsletter.

Ron Banerjee FIEAust CPEngDivision President 2012

President’s Column

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2012 Engineering Excellence Awards The Newcastle Division of Engineers Australia would like to take thisopportunity to extend thanks to the many people who make theExcellence Awards possible.

To all our sponsors - a huge thank you, for without your continuedsupport the Engineering Excellence Awards would not beconducted. We are proud to work with you in showcasing the bestof engineering within our division and hope that you have enjoyedpartnering with us on this occasion. We look forward to futurecollaboration opportunities.

Thank you also to the companies who submitted their projects asentrants into the Awards. Whilst not all projects are deemedwinners, each and every one of them is met with interest andexcitement when it’s received in the office. Sincere thanks to all our judges who donate their experience, time& expertise to arrive at the final results. The process includesintricate assessment, evaluation and deliberation to determine the

overall outcomes. Judges, your contribution is greatly appreciated. To all guests who attended, the staff of Engineers AustraliaNewcastle Division thank you for your participation and hope youenjoyed the 2012 Engineering Excellence Awards.

Photos from the night are able to be viewed now on the AJMPhotography website and are available to purchase online.

To view please visit:

Link - http://www.ajmphoto.com.au/photocartTo access the Gallery, the Access Code is: Engineering

Please pass on these details to any colleagues / joint entrants /attendees who might be interested in taking a look - there areliterally hundreds of photos!

Regards, Helen, Louise, Jane & Jo

Individual recognition – Bob Patterson and Neil SavilleImmediate Past President, Paul Reynolds had the pleasure ofpresenting two individual awards at the Engineering ExcellenceAwards on 11th May. As mentioned in the May Newsletter, BobPatterson received the Engineers Australia Medal for his serviceand support to regional engineers and Neil Saville was presentedwith his Fellow certificate:

Robert (Bob) Patterson – Engineers Australia Medal

Dr Robert Pattersonhas received theEngineers AustraliaMedal for his workin the successfulfunctioning of thetechnical aspects ofRegionalConventions run bythe Division in theyears 2007, 2009and 2011 and forhis long period of

looking at better ways to provide professional support toengineers in regional Australia.

Robert has taken on the review, assembly and production oftechnical papers presented at Regional Conventions and hasmaintained this role over six years, taking in three conventions.Robert’s efforts in the success of the conventions arose from hispersistent concern that engineers in regional Australia have greatdifficulty in maintaining their professional development, theirlearning and the companionship of other engineers so necessarywhen professional problems arise. He has for many years beenactive in the Northern Group of the Division (the North WestTablelands and New England areas) and has been chair of thisgroup several times.

Robert has worked tirelessly and without expecting accolades. Heis driven by a real need to give back to the engineeringcommunity in regional NSW and provide the best possible meansof continued professional development for regional engineers.Congratulations Bob.

Neil Saville – Grade of Fellow

A mechanicalengineer, Neil wasfirst admitted toEngineers Australia inJune 1989 and hasbeen a member sinceJuly 2001. He is alsoa member of theRailway TechnicalSociety of Australasia& the AssetManagement Council.

Neil as the Chief Engineer at UGL Rail, is the recognisedengineering authority in the Company and provides specialisttechnical direction, guidance and advice to both internal andexternal customers.

The Office has responsibility to implement and maintainEngineering structures and practices across UGL Rail to effectivelycontrol and direct standards; and to be an internal engineeringconsultant and a point of referral for all matters relating to fieldsof speciality. A key role of the Office is to define and controltechnical approvals and certification of railproducts across all disciplines for design, manufacture,refurbishment & maintenance projects.

Congratulations, Neil on becoming a Fellow of EngineersAustralia.

Paul Reynolds & Neil Saville

Bob Patterson & Greg Mashiah, Chair of the RegionalSpecial Interest Group

Highlights from the 2012 Engineering Excellence Awards

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On Wednesday 23rd May 2012 at the NewcastleBasketball Stadium, 200 Year 4 school students from 15schools across the Hunter participated in the ‘Mini-pult ofDoom Competition” as part of the Hunter Central CoastInnovation Festival.

The Australian Innovation Festival was established in 2002by Adair Communications to support and promote the bestof Australian innovation and entrepreneurship. Since itsconception the Australian Innovation Festival has increasedin size and range with virtually every major town and citythroughout Australia included; along with a global spreadof supporting international business and educationalcouncils and associations. The Festival is a not-for-profitinitiative which aims to inspire a culture of innovation in allAustralians, by reinforcing our rich, innovative history andan entrepreneurial spirit, which is comparable to the best inthe world.

The Mini-pult of Doom Competition is held to encouragestudents to work on an engineering project, and have lotsof fun! To succeed in this challenge, students had to builda catapult (mini-pult) from dagwood dog sticks, rubberbands, adhesive tape and string that was both accurate(able to hit a target, in this case go through a hoop) andwas able to fire the rubber golf ball the furthest distance.Designs were many and varied and all students inattendance had a great time.

The winners were:1st Cessnock EastHotshots –Cessnock EastPublic School

2ndRockin theNock –Cessnock WestPublic School

Judges Choice – most innovative designUnbeatable Attackers – Coal Point Public School

Encouragement award for Great Team Work The Menace Destroyers – Raymond Terrace Public School

EngineersAustraliawould like tothank ourMCee EarlHeckman forkeeping theevent runningsmoothly andfor his expert commentary in keeping the young audienceentertained and our Guest Judges Neville Sawyer AM,Chairman Hunter Central Coast Innovation Festival andKate O’Mara from Regional Development Australia Hunter .

Hunter Central Coast Innovation FestivalMini-pult of Doom Competition - Newcastle

Encouragement Award for great teamwork - 'The MenaceDestroyers' from Raymond Terrace Public School

Winners - Cessnock East 'Hotshots'

Our “Girl’s Talk” Information Evening, held on Tuesday15th May at Division office, aimed at secondary femaleschool students interested in a rewarding career inengineering. Four female engineers gave informative andthought provoking presentations on their respectivedisciplines to our 30 guests.

Representatives from the University and TAFE were on handto answer questions on course information from studentsand parents.

The Division would like to thank Karlie Collis, Katie Teyhan,Catherine Pepper & Damara Hernandez-Rios for theirexcellent presentations and our MC, Jacqui Tran whoensured the evening ran smoothly.

“Girl’s Talk” Information Evening

Presenters at Girls Talk (l to r): Jacqui Tran, Karlie Collis, Katie Teyhan, CatherinePepper and Damara Hernandez-Rios

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The Engineering Week Dinner is the culmination ofan exciting week of activities and we would like toinvite you to join us to celebrate AustralianEngineering Week incorporating the “SallyChapman Memorial Dinner.”

Sally Chapman was a much respected and admired ExecutiveDirector of the Newcastle Division of Engineers Australia andbecame, after nearly 27 years, the longest serving NewcastleDivision and EA staff member in the history of the organisation.Sadly, Sally passed away in 2009 and we proudlyacknowledge her contribution through the memorial dinner.The night will also feature the announcement and presentationof the Young Professional & Professional Engineer of the YearAwards for 2012.

Our Guest Speaker for the evening will be Robyn Williams,Science Journalist & Broadcaster who presents “The ScienceShow” on Radio National.

Robyn Williams was born in England and educated there andin Vienna. While studying biology at the University of London

he appeared in many TV shows,from Monty Python to TheGoodies.

He has presented The ScienceShow on ABC Radio Nationalsince 1975 and appeared inmany TV Programs includingNature of in Australia, WorldSafari (with David Attenborough) and Catalyst.Robyn was the first (and only journalist) to be elected a Fellowof the Australian Academy of Science, has been a fellow atOxford (twice) and is a Professor at the University of Qld andUNSW. He has received 5 honorary doctorates from DeakinUniversity, Sydney, Macquarie, ANU and UNSW.

Please join us on Friday 10th August 2012 at Noahs on theBeach from 6.30pm.

To register, visit ‘Events’ at engineersaustralia.org.au. Cost: $70 Members & Partners, $90 Non Members

Australian Engineering Week Dinner

CELM June updateLocalPPIR – Professional Performance, Innovation & Risk CELM would like to thank the Warren Centre, Ms ChristineKanellakis and Mr John Nurse for their presentation on PPIR.A large group were in attendance and the presentation covered arange of issues from legal, insurance to personal performance.

The detailed presentations created a substantial question timedespite being in competition with the State of Origin. If you are notfamiliar with the concept of PPIR, I would encourage you to visit theWarren Centre web site that includes presentation material andfurther explanation of the “third leg” of support designed tosupplement the existing engineering areas of technical abilities andethics in Professional Engineering. PPIR is a concept that has beendeveloped by the Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering withwide industry consultation.

Previous presentations:Ms Silvia de Ridder is an executive coach, trainer and facilitatorwith a background in Engineering and project management. Forthose interested, Silvia is offering detailed training courses inNewcastle that lead on from her previous presentation for CELM.Check the website for details

Upcoming PresentationsWith the continued popularity of the CEO speaker series, pleasebook early for the CEO breakfasts. The next presentation on the 15 June will be presented by MurrayThompson, Managing Director, Murray Thompson Water Supply Services Pty Ltd, 2011Professional Engineer of the Year, Newcastle Division

Please check the back page of this brochure for our future speakerdetails and the dates. I would like to thank our Sponsors AECOMfor their continued support and the committee for their tireless workin planning and organising this years CELM activity.

Young Engineer’s [YE]For the program ahead, CELM would again like to offer adevelopment opportunity to introduce our speaker and give aperspective on leadership as a YE. Please contact your YE rep orthe division office to put your name forward. We still have twoopportunities available.

NationalFor those fortunate enough to attend the Engineering LeadershipConference in Adelaide, you would agree that it was a hugesuccess. Unfortunately to attend the next ELC – EngineeringLeadership Conference, you will have to wait until 2014 where theconference is booked tentatively for Sydney.

Locally, the National CELM Engineering LeadershipResidential 2012 is being held at Shoal Bay Resort & Spain October. The residential is a 6-day full board programspecifically designed by Engineering Education Australia forengineering executives to broaden their capability to effectivelylead to their preferred future. Numbers are strictly limited to 40. Youwill need to book early. Please see the Engineers Australia websitefor details.

Christopher ScanlonCELM – Chair Newcastle Division.

Where would you go to find world class Belgian style beers(amongst other styles), consistently winning gold and silver medalswherever they are shown? In Port Macquarie, at The Little BrewingCompany. The Mid Coast Group were shown through the brewingprocess for the Wicked Elf beers and Mad Abbot beers by Kylieand Warwick Little. We learnt about the process, the amount of timeit takes and the high quality ingredients – the grains, the hops andthe spices (no chemicals, no added sugar!). High qualityingredients and meticulous attention to detail reaps its rewards,shown by the number of awards the beers continue to win, andwhich our taste buds could attest to when we were treated to atasting of some of the best beers in Australia. So why brew in PortMacquarie? We were very pleased to hear that the main reason isthe high quality of tap water! Thank you to The Little BrewingCompany for hosting us, and for giving us an appreciation of theamazing flavours and aromas in these styles of beer.More info: www.thelittlebrewingcompany.com.au

The same evening we ate at the Town Green Inn, where Wicked ElfPale Ale is on tap, and found out how much (or in most cases howlittle) we knew about engineering trivia! Thanks to Peter Wilson foryour trivia questions, and congratulations to the winners, who’ll bedrinking their Wicked Elf beers in celebration! And welcome to thevisitors from Sydney and Newcastle – great use of EngineersAustralia’s website to find out about interesting events that may beon when you’re travelling!

A big thank you to all those who helped out at the Kempsey Scienceand Engineering Challenge early in May, and to all those whovolunteered at short notice for Mid Coast Connect’s Careers Marketalso in May.

Next EventOur next event will be in July at Cassegrain Winery in PortMacquarie with dinner at the restaurant afterwards. Alex thewinemaker will be showing us through the process. Keep an eyeon your inbox for details, or join LinkedIn Mid North Coast Groupdiscussions.

"The happy group at The Little Brewing Company."

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Mid North Coast Group

"Our hosts at The Little Brewing Company, Kylie & Warwick Little."

Australian Engineering Week 2012

Career Advisors Day - Monday 6th August

Discover Engineering, Newcastle - Tuesday 7th August

Engineering Week/Sally Chapman Memorial Dinner Noahs on the Beach NewcastleGuest Speaker: Robyn Williams - Friday 10th August

Discover Engineering Mid North CoastPort Macquarie - Monday, 18th June - 5.30pm-8.00pm

Discover Engineering in Northern Rivers:Coffs Harbour – Tuesday, 19th June - 5.30pm-7.30pmSouth Grafton – Wednesday, 20th June - 6.30pm-8.00pmAlstonville – Thursday, 21st June – 6.00pm-8.00pm

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ASEC 2012Australasian Structural Engineering

Conference 2012

‘THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING’PERTH – 11th to 13th July, 2012

The Structural College invites all Engineers to attend its Biennial Conference in Perth, WA. It will bringtogether Structural Engineers from Australia and overseas to discuss the latest developments in Structural

Engineering and to propagate new design and construction methods.Visit www.asec2012.com/ for further information and registration

MEPS 2 - The Next Stage of Efficiency Regulation for Distribution Transformers

Trevor Blackburn of the School of Electrical Engineering at UNSWspoke to the Electrical Branch and Society for Sustainability andEnvironmental Engineering about the Minimum Energy PerformanceStandards (MEPS) program which is mandatory in Australia. Trevor has been heavily involved in the development of thestandards for Distribution transformers particularly the testingprocess and shared quite a few valuable insights with us.

Whilst construction methods have been relatively unchanged over afew decades the more recent developments have been withmaterials – in particular the use of amorphous steels for thelaminated cores.

Transformer efficiencies are remarkably high ranging from 99.3%for a single phase 10 kVA transformer to 99.74% for a three phase2500 kVA transformer – both at 50% loading. A recently evolving issue is the harmonics generated by modern

electronic equipment – in one case leading to the need to derate a150 kVA transformer to 125 kVA due to high harmonic currents.Trevor believes testing should include a measurement of thesusceptibility of transformers to harmonics.

MEPS2 – the next phase is to be implemented no earlier than 2013and will require a further reduction in losses.

A copy of Trevor's presentation may be found on the Division website under Groups – Electrical Branch.

Paul RussellElectrical Branch

National Office Visit to Newcastle

Brent Jackson, Policy & Media along with David Robinson,Education & Assessment, were invited guests at the Hunter DefenceConference held in Newcastle on the 23rd May. Brent was invitedto give a presentation on behalf of Engineers Australia on the SkillsShortage submission to the Senate Enquiry after which both wereinvited to sit on the discussion panel.

On Thursday 24th May, Brent and David attended a meeting hostedby the Newcastle Division Education Committee to give anoverview on the Skills Shortage to representatives from the TAFE,Newcastle University, University of New England and the NSWDepartment of Education and Communities.

Brent Jackson, 1st from the left and David Robinson, 3rd from the right, at the HunterDefence Conference

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Date Time Event Venue

4th July 5.30pm Zero Carbon Australia Engineers Australia Auditorium Guest Speaker: Patrick Hearps 122 Parry Street Newcastle West

25th July 5.30pm Electrical Mine Safety- an inspectors perspective Engineers Australia AuditoriumGuest Speaker: John Wardby 122 Parry Street Newcastle West

8th August 5.30pm Mine Communications Engineers Australia AuditoriumGuest Speaker: Chris Fischer 122 Parry Street Newcastle West

9th August 5.30pm Eminent Speaker Presentation – From Wireless to Astronomy Engineers Australia AuditoriumDr Trevor Bird 122 Parry Street Newcastle West

25th August 6.00pm Site Visit to OneSteel’s Waratah Site OneSteel – Waratah

10th – 11th October Down to Earth Conference – Hunter Valley Crowne Plaza - Hunter Valley NSW

Electrical Branch

20th July 7.30am 2012 CELM CEO Speaker Series – Breakfast 3 Newcastle Club, 40 Newcomen St Newcastle7.30 start Guest Speaker: Bob Higgins

General Manager, Pacific Highway Upgrade, Roads & Maritime Services

CELM

26th June 5.30pm ‘Bushlight’ and ‘Dialogues on Country’ Engineers Australia AuditoriumGuest Speakers: Sam West & Adam Berry 122 Parry Street Newcastle West

16th August 5.30pm Sea Urchin Marine Power Generator Engineers Australia AuditoriumGuest Speaker: Darren Burrowes 122 Parry Street Newcastle WestWinner 2012 Newcastle Division Excellence Awards

SSEE

27th June 5.30pm Be very Careful of AS2870-2011 Engineers Australia AuditoriumGuest Speaker: Scott Warner 122 Parry Street Newcastle West

10th July 8.00am Site Tour- Kooragang Island K10Project Cormorant Road, Kooragang

Civil/Structural Branch

20th June 6.30pm Discover Engineering Northern Rivers - Grafton South Grafton Ex-Services Club

21st June 6.00pm Discover Engineering Northern Rivers - Coffs Harbour McCarthy Hall, Main Street Alstonville

Northern Rivers

10th August 6.30pm Australian Engineering Week Dinner- incorporating Sally Chapman Noahs on the Beach Memorial Dinner Guest Speaker: Robyn Williams

Newcastle Division

10th July 5.30pm Taxation Seminar Engineers Australia AuditoriumGuest Speaker: Brett Price – Price Williams Whyte 122 Parry Street Newcastle West

August TBC Resume Writing Workshop Engineers Australia AuditoriumPresenter: Jenny O’Donovan 122 Parry Street Newcastle West

YEN

Earn CPD points from your Arm ChairDon't forget, there are a number of presentations available in DVD or Video format that can beborrowed from Division Office 4926 4440. Each presentation counts toward your CPD points. The full listing of titles has been updated on our website, to view please visit: www.engineersaustralia.org.au/newcastle

Engineers Australia Webcasts - ONLINE CPDThere are approximately 550 presentations available online covering a wide range of topics across all disciplines.Viewing these counts toward your CPD accruals - and you can do it from the comfort of your desk!Online presentations are available for viewing at:http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/search/events/mediavision

Some event dates and times are subject to change. Please check our website www.engineersaustralia.org.au/newcastle for up-to-date information.All registration to events is now done online via www.engineersaustralia.org.au/newcastleFor further information relating to any of the above events please contact the Newcastle Division office at newcastle@engineersaustralia.org.au

Engineers Australia Newcastle Division offers CPD in a number of streams, enabling members to undertake a variety of CPD providingthem with the opportunity to gather skills and knowledge to assist in all aspects of their career. The streams we have identified are asoutlined below.