Thanks to our GENEROUS SPONSORS

We thank our loyal sponsors for their ongoing support, generous donations and assistance.

Arcadis, Arup, Aurecon, Babcock, Baxter Charitable Foundation, BOC a member of the Linde Group, Corrosion Control Engineering, EY, Google, Honeywell, ICRAR, James N Kirby Foundation, John Holland, Laing O’Rourke, Lyndsay Dynan, Minerals Council of Australia, Minter Ellison Lawyers, My Business Hosting, Norman Disney Young, SMEC, Taylor Thomson Whitting, Transport for NSW, Veolia, Woodside, WSP and private donor Jenny Smith.

ENGINEERING AID AUSTRALIA | DECEMBER 2020

NEWSLETTER

ONE

Ignite big dreams

THE IAES STUDENTS ARRIVED AS INDIVIDUALS, AND BY THE END OF THE WEEK, THEY WERE A UNITED GROUP.

MY LASTING MEMORY IS WATCHING THEM DANCING AND LAUGHING TOGETHER AT THE PRESENTATION DINNER. IN

TRUE FRIENDSHIP, THEY WERE SO HAPPY AND VIBRANT AND GENUINE IN THEIR AFFECTION FOR EACH OTHER.

Kevin Hopkins, WA Director EAA on the IAES Perth 2020 ”“

TWO

Paying it FORWARDIn 2000, James Curran attended the IAES hosted by Newcastle University. He went on to study Engineering, graduating 16 years later in Civil Engineering and Environmental Management at Queensland University of Technology. While studying, James co-founded MOEC, one of the fi rst Indigenous civil/pipeline construction companies in Australia. This year at the IAES Graduation dinner in Perth, as each student received their certifi cate, they also got a copy of Bruce Pascoe’s book, Dark Emu, courtesy of James and his company.

When offering this gift, James said: “The material in Dark Emu is fascinating and not really taught in school but should be. I believe it was important to share it with the students, knowing that we are part of the oldest continuing civilisation.”

Left: James Curran and his mother Betty Gorringe at his

graduation in 2016

Above: James Curran working in Western Australia in 2020

GettingBACK ON TRACKIAES 2017 Alumni Jaden Dzubiel spoke at the 2020 Perth IAES Graduation Dinner. Jaden is a Noongar man belonging to the Minang, Goreng, Kaniyang and Whadjuk tribes of the South-West, and an undergraduate programmer completing a double degree at Edith Cowan University. In his speech, Jaden expressed his gratitude, especially to Aurecon for giving him a second chance to get back on track.

“For the companies, thank-you for sponsoring and being a committed partner for the IAES and giving students the opportunity to explore careers that they might not have known about. For the students here, believe me, when I say this, I am proud and believe in every single one of you, that you too will have a great strong career. The IAES was a pivotal moment for myself, and I do hope that it is one for you too.”

Jaden Dzubiel at the 2020 Perth IAES Graduation Dinner

From O U R C H A I R M A N

This November during NAIDOC Week, many Australians took a moment to pause and refl ect on this year’s theme: Always Was, Always Will Be. Engineering Aid Australia (EAA) recognises and embraces the ancient history of this country with First Nations people occupying and caring for this continent for over 65,000 years. Our respect is embedded in the foundations of our organisation and the programs we run.

2020 has been a year of unimaginable challenges, but also one that has highlighted the collective strength and resilience of our EAA community. With the Western Australian border still closed in October, little incidence of COVID-19 in the State and safe plans in place, we proceeded with the 2020 Indigenous Australian Engineering School (IAES) in Perth. From as far as Kununurra in the north to Albany in the south, students arrived at Curtin University for a very successful IAES.

This year, we also reviewed EAA’s strategy and future direction. The EAA Directors thank our many stakeholders – parents, teachers, alumni and partners – for their valuable input through the surveys and interviews. The themes emerging from your feedback include that EAA needs to:

• Renew our operating model so we can deliver on stakeholder expectations

• Extend and deepen our support of students

• Co-create with and include partners, alumni and universities more in our programs

• Increase our outreach and impact through collaboration with eco-system partners

• Ensure the EAA board is more diverse, with Directors being culturally competent

Importantly, in the feedback, there was strong support for EAA’s purpose to continue to ‘ignite big dreams’ of Indigenous Australian students and to become a stronger voice in advancing nation-building. The next steps in the strategy process are to complete a draft and then seek further input from our stakeholders on this in the new year.

Thank you once again for your continued support. Although times are still tough, we are confi dent that we will come out the other side of this, stronger than before.

Greg Steele, EAA Chairman

Acknowledgement OF C O U N T R Y

Engineering Aid Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners and custodians of the lands and waters now recognised as Australia. We respect and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and emerging.

G R A T I T U D E !

IAES WAS AN ENRICHING EXPERIENCE WHICH FURTHERED MY PASSION FOR BECOMING NOT ONLY A LEADER IN THE

FIELD OF ENGINEERING BUT ALSO A LEADER TO ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLE. AFTER THE IAES, I

ENROLLED IN THE BACHELOR OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND. THE IAES WAS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE WITH A TEAM WHO

CONTINUES TO SUPPORT ME ALONG MY JOURNEY OF BECOMING AN ENGINEER.

“

”THREE

Despite the Coronavirus, EAA’s Indigenous Australian Engineering Schools (IAES) held in Sydney and Perth each year have gone from strength to strength in 2020.

Following on from the 2020 Sydney IAES in January, the 2020 Perth IAES in July hosted by Curtin University was another outstanding success. This year the IAES at Curtin was limited to students resident in Western Australia on account of travel restrictions and included, for the fi rst time, an Extension Program. Ten students who had attended a previous IAES and had a keen interest in and the ability to study Engineering at University were invited back to Curtin for an intensive week-long program focused on their academic and personal development.

The 2021 Sydney IAES has had to be moved from January to July for planning reasons arising from the virus. But in January 2021, Sydney University will host a two-day virtual Extension Program for students who attended the January 2020 IAES. The aim is to strengthen the students’ skills in maths and science and showcase careers and opportunities in Engineering.

By conducting Extension Programs for former IAES students with a keen interest in Engineering, we aim to encourage more Indigenous Australian students to pursue a career in Engineering. We plan to conduct an Extension Program in conjunction with each future IAES.

In November, the success of the IAES hosted by the Engineering Faculty at Sydney University was recognised when the Faculty received the University’s Vice Chancellor Award for Indigenous Education Strategies for their management of the IAES in collaboration with EAA, as they have done for the past nine years. Our congratulations and thanks to the Faculty’s IAES Project Manager Christina Bacchiella and her team for their skill and efforts in delivering the IAES.

Professor Lisa Jackson-Pulver (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Strategy and Services), Christina Bacchiella (Project

Offi cer and Manager IAES), Keiran Passmore (Manager Education, Professional Industry and External Engagement)

and Dr Petr Matous (Associate Dean, Indigenous Strategy and Services) at the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards presentation

I A E S P R O G R A M I N 2 0 2 0 A N D B E Y O N D

We have expanded EAA’s Scholarship awards for former IAES students who undertake an Engineering or Science Degree at an Australian University. EAA is also considering a scholarship for former IAES students who enrol in an Engineering-related TAFE (or equivalent) course.

Thanks to, and with the support of its Sponsors, its two host Universities and its other supporters, EAA is committed to building on the success of the IAES Program and taking it to a new level.

John McKillop, EAA CEO

Lucas Schober is a proud Wuthathi, Yadhegana and Kaurareg man f rom the Northern Territory.

He is a IAES Perth 2016 alumni

FOUR

I REALLY ENJOYED THE CAMP. IT GAVE ME A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES AND I’VE BEEN ABLE TO FORM FRIENDSHIPS

WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER WA.IAES Perth 2020 Student

“”

IAES CLASS OF 2020 WITH EXTENSION STUDENTS AND HOUSE PARENTS

Front Row:

L - R Zane Verbruggen, Nyokah James, Imogen Pell, Indiana Rutter, Terraley Penny, Tiarnee Lester, Sterling Winmar (House Parent)

Second Row:

L - R Talia Cook, Jada Pickett, Jacob Ozies, Rosie Pearson, (behind Indiana) Kirby Hobbs, Teylan Rogers, Amy Gribble

Third Row:

L - R Merv Wilson, Stephen Maltman, Lily Wilson, Abby Gore-Birch Gault, Sarayah McDonald, Kyeira Beattie, Rhys Barrett, Ronald Malicevic

Back Row:

L - R Cate Hollingsworth (House Parent) Elijah Barnaby, Sandro Pitt (House Parent), Brodie O'Breza, Djai Hunter, Tyrell Lyndon, Benjamin Kyle, Jake Watson, Tahlia Prior (House Parent)

H I G H L I G H T S O F I A E S P E R T H 2 0 2 0Nineteen high school students joined the Indigenous Australian Engineering School (IAES), and ten alumni participated in the Extension Program, which welcomes back highly-engaged students for academic mentoring and personal development. The students travelled from as far as north as Kununurra and as far south as Albany for IAES. Here are the highlights of their week.

SUNDAY 27 SEPTEMBERAs the students arrived in Perth, IAES Program Manager Tim Keely and the House Parents greeted them. Wisdom in Your Life Director Shaun Nannup conducted a smoking ceremony and helped the students to connect. Shaun facilitated refl ective time with the group at various points throughout the week.

Smoking ceremony with Shaun Nannup Cultural time with Shaun Nannup

MONDAY 28 SEPTEMBERIAES started on Monday morning with the Opening Ceremony, which included an inspiring Welcome to Country delivered by Ingrid Cumming, Noongar Cultural Advisor at Curtin University at the Centre for Aboriginal Studies. Students also heard from IAES Program Manager Tim Keely and EAA Director Larissa Andrews.

FIVE

Opening Ceremony, including the Welcome to Country

IAES Alumnus (2010) and Graduate Engineer Torey Rickerby set the scene

for the week with a talk titled ‘Goals and Dreams’

TUESDAY 29 SEPTEMBER

SIX

Mark McDonald from Google works with the students during the agile session

Indigenous Health App Design with GOOGLEThe students worked on a biomedical design sprint led by Matt Oldakowski and Intan Oldakowska from Biodesign Australia and Mark McDonald from Google. They followed agile industry processes to design an app for improving Indigenous healthcare.

Together they learnt how to refi ne and validate an idea, turning it into a product spec using empathy and technology. Using real-world industry techniques, they learnt how technology can augment human processes to help people.

Biomedical Engineer and entrepreneur Intan Oldakowska lead the students in the design process

BOC Canning ValeOPERATIONS SITE VISITChemical and Mechanical Engineering were the focus of the students’ visit to the Canning Vale Operations site of one of EAA’s Principal Partners BOC Limited, a member of the Linde group. The students had a guided tour of the plant, learning about the various aspects of the operation, some of the technical challenges and logistics of cryogenic liquids and the production of critical medical oxygen and other essential gases used in the fi ght against COVID-19.

After the tour, the students split into teams and competed in a fun trivia activity based on what they had learnt during the visit. They answered with enthusiasm, and the winning team received some cool prizes (wireless speaker or powerpack courtesy of BOC). Others received spot prizes for great answers.

BOC Process Engineer Emily Price with the IAES students at the Canning Vale Operations site

Emily Price (far left) stands beside two IAES Houseparents Cate Hollingsworth (IAES 2016) and Tahlia Prior (IAES 2013)

with a small group of IAES 2020 students

SEVEN

Space Science andTECHNOLOGY CENTRE Our knowledge of the Solar System – how it was formed and how it has evolved – is increasing dramatically as technology improves, telescopes become more powerful and more robotic spacecraft visit more planets, moons, comets and asteroids – with each of these objects having their own unique composition and story of how it has formed and evolved. By studying and comparing these objects, students learnt how we can fi nd out more about the dynamic system in which we live.

TUESDAY 29 SEPTEMBER

Deputy Director Ms Renae Sayers speaks to the students about the work of the Scientists and Engineers at the Centre

PhD students Stuart Buchan and Nathaniel Brough with Project Coordinator Ben Hartig inspiring the future

Scientists and Engineers

Students Amy, Tiarnee and Indiana engaged in their lesson at the Centre

Research Associate Dr Ellie Sansom is the project manager of the Australian Desert Fireball Network. Here she helps Nyokah compare meteorite samples with rock

samples from earth

WEDNESDAY 30 SEPTBuilding Management Systems WITH HONEYWELLDistrict Projects Leader for Central West at Honeywell Mark Sinclair arranged for the students to visit the new WA Museum Boola Bardip. Boola Bardip means ‘many stories’ in Whadjuk Nyoongar, the Country on which the Museum sits. The Museum is a development that combines historic and contemporary architecture to provide opportunities for exploration, sharing of ideas, and storytelling. Mark Sinclair shared with the students some of the highly bespoke Engineering solutions there. The BMS site visit with Honeywell at the WA Museum Boola Bardip

WEDNESDAY 30 SEPT

EIGHT

Engineering inCOMMUNITIESThe students had an opportunity to hear how engineering can benefi t the community from practising Engineers. We thank the following Engineers for their presentations.

Ken Chen from SMEC spoke to the students about the Goongoongup railway bridge project which improves safety for commuters.

Lucy Barton from Woodside talked about her work as a Process Control Engineer and her STEM outreach work with youth.

Emily Price from BOC shared her Engineering career experiences, including moving to different States and working in various industries in a variety of roles.

Ashwin Nayik from Arcadis is an environmental engineer who spoke to the students about sustainable water management solutions that maximise community and environmental benefi ts. He sits within the Arcadis WA stormwater team and is currently working on the State’s largest rail project, Metronet.

It speaks to how well the IAES program has been running over the years by the number of IAES graduates who come

back to support the newcomers. It was a treat watching the conf idence these emerging leaders had in introducing themselves to various engineering professionals, engaging

in the topics presented and, least surprisingly, taking over the dance floor at the dinner. Def initely one of

those occasions where you take out as much out of the experience as the participants.

Ashwin Nayik from Arcadis

“

”

Dillon Anderson, Ashwin Nayak and Yidi He from Arcadis with students Tiarnee, Indiana and Houseparent Tahlia

Chantelle Gilbert and Kate Buckle from Arup with students Benjamin and Brodie

NETWORKING FUNCTIONThere was a buzz of energy and excitement as the students met engineers from many of Engineering Aid Australia’s partner companies at the Networking Function.

Jane Waugh, Emily Price and Stuart Mayne from BOC with EAA Director Larissa Andrews, student Tyrell Lyndon and

Houseparent Cate Hollingsworth (IAES 2016)

John Grapiglia and Clinton Lobo from Corrosion Control Engineering wih Houseparent Sandro Pitt (IAES 2014)

Ashwin Nayik from Arcadis presenting to the students

WEDNESDAY 30 SEPT

NINETrevor Tann from WSP with students Benjamin and Brodie Mia Carlton and Jake Reilly from EY with student Indiana

Ken Chen and Richard Isted from SMEC with students Tiarnee, Tahlia and Benjamin

Elvis Saric and Philippa Vetten from Veolia with students Abby, Djai, Tiarnee and Lily

Callum Burnett and Daniel Hackwill from Woodside with students Okie, Abby and Tyrell

NETWORKING FUNCTION (CONTINUED)

Daniel Collopy and Stephen Barrett from Norman Disney Young with students Rhys Barrett

and Sterling Winmar (IAES 2016)

Alex Thompson and Joshua Knight from Lyndsay Dynan with students Jacob and Stephen

Mark Sinclair, Nalin Senevirathne, Caleb Toms and Dean McAlpine from Honeywell with students Terraley, Aaliyah, and

Imogen

Ebram Ghabbour and Rachel Shaw from John Holland with students Aaliyah, Okie and Abby

TEN

SMEC PERTH CITY OFFICENick Tinworth demonstrated two types of software to the students: Navisworks and Microstation. Nick is the Manager of Technical Services (Infrastructure) for Victoria and Tasmania and the CADD Team Leader CADD at SMEC.

Navisworks is used in infrastructure design for clash detection between various assets within a road corridor (e.g. underground utility services and drainage pipes). Nick showed the students the process of clash detection and how they communicate these fi ndings to other designers and engineers so that they can fi nd ways to remove the clashes. Nick also showed the students how Microstation is used on large-scale infrastructure projects to produce engineering drawings that give clear direction to the people constructing the project.

Nick Tinworth demonstrates Navisworks and Microstation software used in the development of large-scale

infrastructure projects

Richard Isted gave each student an opportunity to visit a Melbourne-based road project in a 3D virtual reality model

THURSDAY 1 OCTOBER

I REALLY FEEL LIKE THE IAES HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLY USEFUL EXPERIENCE FOR ME. I BELIEVE I HAVE GROWN SO

MUCH DUE TO THE CAREFUL GUIDANCE OF ALL OF OUR DEDICATED, LOVING, AND CARING HOUSEPARENTS.

Feedback from an IAES Perth 2020 student

“”

ELEVEN

THURSDAY 1 OCTOBER

GOVERNMENT HOUSE RECEPTION

Tiarnee Lester, Indiana Rutter and Rhys Barrett speak about their experiences at the IAES and thank the Governor

Alex Roger from NDY speaks with some of the students

Elvis Saric from Veolia sharing stories at the reception Governor Kim Beazley chats with Amy Gribble and Terraley Penny

A message f romGOVERNOR KIM BEAZLEYWe thank The Honourable Kim Beazley AC, Governor of Western Australia for welcoming the 2020 Perth IAES students, the Extension students and representatives from Curtin University and our corporate partners to Government House in Perth.

“One of the reasons why I am so delighted to be hosting this event is that Engineering Aid Australia (EAA) was a tremendous commitment of my old boss, the late Bob Hawke AC. Bob was delighted and proud to be engaged with EAA as he thought that, in terms of building competence in the community broadly and opportunity in particular for Aboriginal Australians, you could do no better than establish a linkage effectively between those opportunities, the encouragement of aptitudes for maths and science and a nation-building profession like engineering.”

The Honourable Kim Beazley AC, Governor of Western Australia Governor Kim Beazley, Curtin University Provost Alan Dench

and Ms Lara Ellson (Aurecon) chat with student Tiarnee Lester

The Graduation Dinner at the Duxton Hotel Perth was a fi tting celebration to conclude a very successful IAES

Student Teylan Rogers receives her certifi cate and Dark Emu book from EAA Director Larrisa Andrews and Professor

Jeremy Kilburn, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Science and Engineering at Curtin University

Shaun Nannup and EAA Director Ezra Jacobs-Smith at the Graduation dinner

Students celebrate the conclusion of the week with new friends from many different regions of Western Australia

FRIDAY 2 OCTOBER

TWELVE

‘Think Like a Designer’ workshop at A R U PKate Buckle and Chantelle Gilbert from Arup started with an introduction to engineering principles, and the breadth of engineering and consulting services at Arup before presenting the Aboriginal Male Healing Centre (AMHC) project to the IAES students. The Centre aims to break cycles of destructive violence through clinical therapy and holistic healing. Once open, the Centre will offer a more forward-thinking alternative to incarceration for perpetrators of domestic violence and a better future for affected families.

The students divided into four groups, each with a focus area: Environmentally Sustainable Design, Electrical Engineering, Water Engineering, and Constructability. As they rotated through each group, they considered what features the buildings should contain, how these might require engineering consideration, what sustainable practices they knew about, and how they could apply design thinking principles.

Arup ‘Think Like a Designer’ Arup Designer workshop

GRADUATION DINNER