Engineering Heritage Australia

Australia’s engineering heritage is important because only by understanding how things were done in the past can we improve on and design better for ourselves and future generations.

All around us are engineered structures, processes and products which support our modern society. Everything from the water supply, our sewerage systems, electrical grids, internet, telephone, clothing and processed foods are the result of engineering. Whether the products themselves or the production facilities which create them, almost everything we use has its origins in engineering.

Our work

Engineering Heritage Australia (EHA) groups operate in every state and territory of Australia. These groups are involved at the local level, promoting the conservation of engineering heritage and in representing Engineers Australia on heritage matters. EHA performs an important work by:

  • Providing advice and specialist knowledge on engineering heritage matters including representing Engineers Australia on government and other heritage committees.
  • Providing input into the heritage policies and procedures of state and territory governments and their authorities.
  • Identifying items of engineering heritage, bringing them to public notice and requesting they be recorded on state and national registers.
  • Providing continuing education to the profession about the importance of engineering heritage via conferences, seminars and workshops.
  • Managing the Australian engineering heritage recognition program and the heritage conference program.
  • Facilitating an Australian oral history program.
  • Conducting heritage walks, talks, lectures and site visits.
  • Producing and publishing heritage publications including the EHA Magazine.
  • Serving as an interface between the community and heritage organisations to ensure the role of the engineering profession is adequately represented.
  • Assisting in archiving engineering documents.

Leadership

EHA is run by a volunteer national committee. Current members are:

  • Michael Taylor FIEAust CPEng(Ret) – Chair
  • Eamon Madden FIEAust CPEng – Deputy Chair
  • Richard Baird MIEAust CPEng(Ret)
  • Barry Finlay FIEAust CPEng(Ret)
  • Mervyn Lindsay FIEAust CPEng NER 
  • Richard Muncey MIEAust CPEng(Ret)
  • Ian Newnham FIEAust CPEng NER
  • Samuel Pike MIEAust CPEng 
  • Ben Skerman MIEAust CPEng NER
  • Robert Taaffe FIEAust
  • Philip Willis FIEAust CPEng(Ret)

Learning and events

Engineering heritage groups in each state and territory deliver CPD to Engineers Australia members and guests with online and in-person training and events.

Visit our learning and events page to see a full list of available CPD opportunities and events.

Awards

We have two engineering heritage awards, the John Monash Medal and the Colin Crisp Award. The Colin Crisp Award is presented at the biennial Australasian Engineering Heritage Conference.

Engage with us

Join EAXchange to view our resources, heritage information and publications. You can also network with other technical society members on this interactive forum.

Email us or call 1300 653 113 if you have any questions.

Related groups

The Newcomen Society

Our publications

Cover of EHA practice note
Engineering Heritage Australia | 2012

Assessment of engineering heritage items

The purpose of this practice note is to provide engineers and others with a process for assessing engineering heritage significance.

EHA practice note cover
Engineering Heritage Australia | 2012

Conservation of engineering heritage items

Cover of conserving steam wheeled engines
Engineering Heritage Australia | 2012

Conserving a wheeled steam engine

The purpose of this practice note is to provide engineers and others with essential background information on the appropriate process for conserving a wheeled steam engine.

EHA cover
Engineering Heritage Australia | December 2013

EHA Magazine, volume 1, edition 1

This edition includes Edward Barton and the Barton White & Company Power Station and Factory, the National Steam Centre, Scoresby, Ord River Diversion Dam, Overland Telegraph and the Phoenix Foundry in Ballarat. 

EHA cover
Engineering Heritage Australia | March 2014

EHA Magazine, volume 1, edition 2

This edition includes the Great Ocean Road - the world's largest war memorial, 2000 years of stone bridges in Provence, the The Electrolytic Zinc Co. of Australasia Ltd., and the Port of Clarence.