Welcome to the last edition of Newcastle Engineering News for 2023 and thank you for your continued support.
We’d like to take the chance now to look back the achievements of our Newcastle members and committee groups in 2023, and their contributions to the engineering profession and community.
This year we were able to visit two of our regional groups, Mid North Coast and Northern, to catch up with office bearers, volunteers and members. It was great to hear from them directly, visit site tours and attend their CPD presentations. A big thank you to both groups for hosting. The role of our regional groups is integral in helping us to maintain our regional engagement with members throughout the division.
Newcastle division President Stephen Palmer said it’s been an encouraging year in our division, with a good number of social, networking and formal CPD events taking place.
“We’ve made improvements in how we support and include all parts of the engineering team and of course many wonderful project success stories, including those recognised in the excellence awards,” he said.
”I’d like to thank our dedicated staff and volunteers for their hard work and commitment, and all our members for their support. The importance of your contribution of engineering to society is only increasing and I look forward to being part of further improvements in 2024.”
As an Engineers Australia member you have been a crucial part of our work to advance to advance the science and practice of engineering to benefit the community.
The work you do to elevate the voice and influence of the profession is so impactful. Engineers Australia would like to thank you for being a part of the progress we’ve made this year.
Newcastle General Manager Helen Link said she’s enjoyed seeing developments of local engineers and projects this year. Below are some of the highlights she’s compiled from the year.
Overseas Qualified Engineers group
This year a small sub-committee of the division committee was established called the Overseas Qualified Engineers Group. Its goal is to work with and assist local overseas qualified engineers to build their networks, refine their CVs and help them find employment. Their first event is in planning for early 2024.
Policy and advocacy training
As part of Engineers Australia’s Advocacy Skills Building Program, training was offered to our office bearers and employees to equip them with strategies and tactics to influence policy development and elevate our impact in advocacy.
Fort Scratchley heritage marker
Members of our local Heritage Committee were successful in putting forward a proposal to have Fort Scratchley recognised with a heritage marker. The plaque was unveiled in February at a morning tea with representatives from the local council, the Fort Scratchley Historical Society and Newcastle Museum.
In addition to all this hard work the Associates and Technologists Working Group continues to build on their work from last year toward the promotion of the engineering team in the community and the distribution of STEM resources for career advisors, teachers and parents.
The Education Committee continues to work with teachers and the Department of Education to develop resources for teaching the NSW Engineering Studies Syllabus. This work supports teachers and inspires the students towards the profession.
Next year we will be hosting the Sally Chapman Memorial Dinner on Thursday 22 February to raise money for ovarian cancer research. We hope you’ll be able to join us for this very worthy cause, register for the event now using the link above.
Engineers Australia’s holiday shutdown period will run from Monday 18 December to Friday 12 January. During this time our office will be closed and there will not be any events held.
We wish you all the best over the holiday period and into 2024.