While it may be April on the calendar, 2014 has begun with a flurry of activity for Victoria Division.
Let me take a moment to share my vision for the year ahead by giving you an insight into what has transpired in the few short months of my tenure as President.
In February, I led a Senior Office Bearers’ summit to identify opportunities for the engineering profession as we face the challenges of our future. This summit was undertaken to galvanise the message behind our Strategic Agenda, which in essence is to be front and centre of every major engineering debate affecting Victoria’s economic prosperity.
In March we were invited by Mercedes Benz to showcase Engineers Australia at this year’s Australian Formula One Grand Prix. For four days, the EA brand was positioned alongside a car – known for its engineering excellence – that carried Lewis Hamilton to the World Drivers’ Championship in 2008.
Two short weeks later we hosted Engineers Australia’s Career Expo at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. This year’s Expo was focussed on students, undergraduates, graduates and mid-career engineers looking for that edge when promoting their credentials to employer groups.
While all this was taking place, Engineers Australia member Dianne Boddy was inducted into the 2014 Victorian Honour for Women. The significance of this very public recognition of an esteemed engineer cannot be overestimated. As a Design of Engineers, we should stand and applaud a beacon of our time.
I am very pleased to be leading a project to provide new facilities for our members and guests. This was a project initiated by President Eltringham and driven by Presidents McManus, Collier and McIntosh, who participated in the development of a national facility strategy. While our current facility has served us well since the early ninties, our membership has doubled; the level of member activities has substantially increased; and it is time for contemporary facilities that reflect our young membership base. I will share our progress on this very exciting venture in the next edition of your eNewsletter.
Geoff Hayes FIEAust CPEng EngExec NPER
2014 Victoria Division President