IPWEA Vic Blog

MUNICIPAL ENGINEERING FOUNDATION VICTORIA – 2014 OVERSEAS STUDY TOUR SCHOLARSHIPS

MEF Victoria is making overseas study tour scholarship awards available to engineers who are working within local government in Victoria to participate in a Victorian group focused tour during 2014.

Nominations are now being invited for these scholarships. Four scholarships are being provided directly by the Foundation.

An additional scholarship is being jointly funded by the Foundation and the City of Boroondara as a tribute to the late David Powell, Trustee of the Foundation and Director of Environment and Infrastructure, City of Boroondara. This scholarship will be provided to a young engineer applicant from a rural council within Victoria.

MEF Victoria has formed the view that there are a number of important community issues regarding project management, storm water and waste management, impact of climate change, and the planning and delivery of public works where the results of research overseas may significantly benefit the municipal engineering profession. The Foundation would welcome and give priority to nominations that address these important topics. This is not to exclude other study topics of choice that has been a successful feature of the program in the past and particularly if the topic is important and has specific application to municipal engineers.

These scholarships provide for the selected recipients to attend the APWA Congress in Toronto, Ontario, Canada from 17^th to 20^th August 2014 followed by a further two weeks study on an itinerary prepared by the study tour group that may include USA, Canada and UK. The scholarships provide grants of $10,000 to each engineer selected.

Closing Date

The closing date for scholarships is Friday 30^th January 2014 and applications are to be forwarded to the MEF Secretary by email to mefvic@ozemail.com.au.

Further Details

All other enquiries regarding scholarships should be made to the Secretary, Municipal Engineering Foundation Victoria, Telephone 0412 115 055, e-mail: mefvic@ozemail.com.au. Conditions & Guidelines for applications are available here.

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Warren Roberts, current CEO at Stonnington Council, has been awarded the Keith Wood Medal at the IPWEA International Public Works Conference held in Darwin 11th to 15th August 2013.

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The MEFvic held a luncheon on Friday 26th July 2013 to award the receipients of the 2013 MEFvic Scholarships.

A summary of scholarships awarded in 2013 are

1. 2013 Overseas Study Tour Scholarships were awarded to

• Brett Martini, Manager Engineering & Public Space, City of Greater Bendigo
• Trevor Dando, Building Projects Coordinator, Bass Coast Shire Council
• Ossie Martinz, Director Infrastrcutre Servies, City of Monash
• Samantha Krull, Manager Major Projects, Wyndham City Council
• Steven White, Director Infrastructure Services, Bayside City Council

2. Three scholarships to attend the 2013 International Public Works Conference in Darwin in August

3. Two scholarships at attend the 2013 National Works and Engineering Conference in Bendigo in September

4. 25 scholarships to students to attend the 2013 IPWEAvic Public Works Cofnenrece in Melbourne in March

The luncheon was generously sponsored by Soveriegn Finanical.

One of the 25 Students who received a scholarship to attend the 2013 IPWEAvic Public Works Conference in March spoke at the function.   Mardi Cuthbert, a 4th year student at Swinburne, gave a short inspriational acceptance speech which is reproduced below.

My name is Mardi Cuthbert, and I am a 4^th year Civil Engineering student at Swinburne University of Technology.

I was privileged to attend the IPWEA Public Works Conference in March as an Student Scholarship holder. What myself and my fellow students experienced, was a fantastic practical insight into the important role that engineers play in the community, and where the future of public works engineering is headed.

I have been lucky enough to experience public works first hand. As part of my studies, I am completing a one year full-time placement at Banyule City Council. I think I can say that I’ve learnt just as much, if not more in my 7 months in Council, than I have in three years of classes so far.

When I say that I do engineering, a lot of people ask “Oh, so that’s maths and science, isn’t it?” Little do they know that those sums and equations we spend hours studying at university, can come to have a huge impact in the wider community. From designing a parking space, to creating the East West Link, public works engineers have an incredible potential to shape the world around us.

A few things stood out to me at the conference.

One was the challenges engineers face in making their engineering solutions a reality. What might look like a problem with a straightforward solution – when put into the context of the community – can become a contentious issue with many avenues of resolution. The challenges faced in affordability, funding, stakeholder and community engagement, urban planning and risk management all make public works engineering so much more than just maths and science.

The second was leadership. Many presenters, attendees of the conference, and I’m sure many in this room are Directors  and CEOs of Councils and related organisations. As a young engineer, it is inspiring to see that these leaders started their career right where I am now. At the conference, IPWEA National President and CEO of Campbelltown Council Paul Di Iucio spoke about his strategies for effective leadership, and about making a positive change – ‘doing the right thing for the right reasons.’ He shared a Steve Jobs quote, which I found particularly memorable – ‘Innovation distinguishes a leader from a follower’ – and that’s where I think we, as engineers, can come to make fantastic leaders in both public and private sectors.

And my last point is passion and reward. At the end of the day, public works engineering is about creating and fostering the community. From constructing a community hub for a rural council like the Pyrenees Shire, to building Peninsula Link, the engineers of the IPWEA are out there to make a positive change.

I’d like to thank the Municipal Engineers Foundation and IPWEA for sponsoring students to attend the conference. I found it a very worthwhile experience, which I look forward to developing on as I take the first steps in my professional career.

Thank you.

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The Municipal Engineering Foundation has made two scholarships up to the value of $1,000 each available to attend the 20th National Works and Engineering Conference to be held in Bendigo on 26th and 27th September 2013.

To apply please send and email to CEO IPWEAvic, Dr Anne Gibbs, (agibbs@ipwea.org.au) stating your Name, Organisation, Position, a brief outline of why you should be given the scholarship, and your contact details.

Preference will be given to rural engineers.

Applications close Friday 6th September 2013.

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Download Application and Details HERE

The Institute of  Public Works Engineering Vic Division (IPWEA), the Municipal Works Officers Association(MWOA) and the organising Committee for the National Works & Engineering Conference (NW&EC) are proud to call for applications for the “Noal Baily Award” for practicing Engineers, Works Officers/Supervisors, Technical Officers, who are currently employed in the Local Government sector.

MWOA/IPWEA (Vic) Award provides an outstanding opportunity to recognise excellence in the innovation, development, construction, maintenance and management of public works projects and services.  The Noal Bailey Award is aimed to encourage professional development opportunities for applicants working in the Municipal and Public Works Sectors.  The Award is to celebrate the success of individuals/officers involved in and including councils, service authorities, government bodies and private companies.

The Award is valued at $2,000.00 and enables the successful applicant to:

Public Works Engineering –

Practice and/or Service Delivery Award Initiatives that relate to the development and implementation of practice or services in public works engineering that may be considered additional and/or exceptional to a council’s day to day activities.

This area is broad also provides for special projects, and may include activities in water, sewerage, wastewater, drought management, horticulture, environment, and sustainability projects.

The following categories are suggestions only:

• Participate in an exchange program
• Attend an approved training program
• Attend an approved conference or other training opportunity in Australia
• Projects that demonstrate best practice or the pursuit of excellence in the practice of Asset Management, and in particular show a whole of life perspective to asset management
• Innovation and/or introduction of new and/or improved techniques
• Environmental studies
• Horticulture
• Information Technology  that has been developed to assist Public      Works Programs, Fleet, Emergency, Recovery and Data Collection etc
• Road Safety and Traffic Management
• Or Other

General Conditions and Specification of Responsibility

The primary objective of the award is;

•  To monitor the present and changing requirements of the profession and the Local Government Industry in general.
• To encourage Local Government Engineers, Technical Officers, Works Officers and aspiring supervisors to undertake study and research and to gain experience in the field and management areas
• To provide the means whereby the benefits of the study research and experience be made available for the common use of the profession by persons or bodies concerned for the well-being of local government and by other persons who or which may have a resulting benefit.

Condition of Application

The awardee would be expected to produce documentation in writing and present a paper at the NW&EC.

The awardee will be announced at the Conference Dinner and presented with a plaque for their achievement.

The awardee may also be required to make a presentation to other interested industry partners.

The decision will be made by the National Works & Engineering Conference Committee.

Each applicant must provide the following:

• Evidence that he/she holds a position practicing in or for Local Government
• An undertaking that he/she will not claim any costs or expenses additional to amount of his/her award
• The reason why he/she should be awarded the study award, how it would benefit him/her and the Local Government industry
• Provide a program and itinerary
• Letter of endorsement from management

Award Conditions

The awardees shall make adequate arrangements for health and accident insurance prior to taking up their award.

The awardees shall be expected to adhere to the details of his/her approved program and any modification must have prior approval from the NW&EC committee.

The award must have been completed in the 12 month period immediately preceding the closing date.

Grants may be suspended or terminated before the approved completion date if in the opinion of the NW&EC

a)                  the performance of the Awardees is unsatisfactory, or

b)                  he/she has failed to observe the governing conditions, or

c)                  he/she is guilty of misconduct.

The NW&EC will withhold twenty five per cent of the amount of the grant to be made until the last of the obligations of the awardees has been completed to the satisfaction of the NW&EC, except that if the Awardees obligations have not been completed to the satisfaction of the NW&EC within the periods specified.

An electronic copy of the application must be received by 1^st August 2013 in order that it may be considered.

Notification of Award

After consideration of all applications, the successful applicant will be announced at the 20^th National Works & Engineering Conference in Bendigo Victoria, on the 26^th – 27^th September 2013.

The NW&EC Committee, reserves the right to be the sole judges of all the applications, and will not enter into any discussion on any of these matters.

The successful applicant will be required to comply with the following terms and conditions.

Be available to attend workshops and or the National Works and Engineering Conference during the year and deliver a presentation.

A copy of the paper to be given to the NW&EC covering any possible benefits, comparisons, or otherwise, that may be valuable to the Local Government Industry in Australia and placed on the respective websites.

Applications to be submitted to:

Stephen M Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Municipal Works Officers Association, PO Box 1254, Geelong Vic 3220

E-mail stephen@mwoa.com.au

Enquiries by telephone on 0418 144 460

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A reminder to submit any nominations you may have for the IPWEAvic entry to the IPWEA National Emerging Leader Award to Anne Gibbs agibbs@ipwea.org.au by 28 May 2013.  The criteria for the award and applicaiton form are found HERE.

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IPWEAvic will received applications for nominations for the Keith H Wood Medal until Thursday 30 May 2013.  Please email to vic@ipwea.org.au

This medal is presented to recognise an outstanding Engineer in local government, who through their career have demonstrated dedication and a contribution to the industry and the Institute, which is worthy of commendation. The Award is made by the National Engineering Foundation in honour of Keith H Wood AM who helped establish the Australian Local Government Engineers Association, which is now known nationally as the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia.

Nominations will be considered by the National Public Works Engineering Foundation trustees.

A nomination form for the Keith H Wood Medal and further details can be downloaded HERE.

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Sponsorship Opportunity for Young Engineers to attend the 2013 IPWEA International Public Works Conference“Explore New Territory”, Darwin – 11-15 August 2013

This year, from 11 to 15 August 2013 IPWEA is holding its biennial International Public Works Conference in Darwin.

The theme of the conference is “Explore New Territory” and will provide delegates with a broad range of session topics across themes including Roads and Transport, Road Safety, Asset Management, Sustainability, Environmental Management, Flood Recovery, and a range of other themes.

Sponsorship Opportunity for Young Engineers to Attend

The Municipal Engineering Foundation Victoria, through IPWEA Victoria, is generously making available three sponsorships of up to $3000 (GST inclusive) for young engineers under the age of 35 from rural councils to attend the conference.  The sponsorship will cover costs associated with the conference registration, accommodation and travel.

Successful applicants will be required to provide a report to the Municipal Engineering Foundation Victoria following their attendance at the conference.

IPWEA Victoria is writing to CEOs of all Victorian rural councils seeking nominations for young engineers to attend.

We would like to encourage you to submit a nomination for any young engineers under the age of 35 on your staff to attend the International Public Works Conference in Darwin later this year.

In order to take advantage of the early bird registration fees, which close 3 June 2013, and to ensure that flights and accommodation can easily be arranged at reasonable rates, nominations will close at 5 pm on Friday 17 May 2013.

Submission of Nominations

Nominations must be submitted by 5 pm on Friday, 17 May 2013 to: IPWEA Victoria, PO Box 115, Oakleigh South   VIC   3167 or by email to vic@ipwea.org.au

Submissions should provide the following:

• details about the young engineer from your staff, including their role, age and contact details;
• an overview of their time working in local government;
• a statement of how they will benefit from attending the International Public Works Conference, and
• whether they are a member of IPWEA or an industry association.

Successful Applicants

Successful applicants will be notified by 29 May 2013.

Applicants will be responsible for arranging the conference registration, accommodation and travel arrangements and will be reimbursed up to $3000 (GST inclusive) following the provision of an invoice and evidence of costs incurred.

Successful applicants will be required to submit a report to the Municipal Engineering Foundation Victoria following the conference that provides an overview of the conference and the benefits that were achieved from attending.  The report should be submitted by 30 September 2013.

Further background to the IPWEA International Public Works Conference can be obtained by visiting http://www.aomevents.com/IPWC2013

For information about IPWEA Victoria please visit http://www.ipwea.org.au/vic

For information about the Municipal Engineering Foundation, Victoria please visit http://mefvic.org.au/

Should you require any further details, please contact Mark Varmalis, Board Director of IPWEA Vic, Trustee of MEF Vic and Director Environment & Engineering at Yarra Ranges Shire Council on telephone number 03 9294 6353 or by email at m.varmalis@yarraranges.vic.gov.au

We look forward to receiving a submission from the young engineer of your organisation

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2013 IPWEAvic Service Awards were presented to Steven White, Mauro Covvaci, Michael McGlade, Peter Harriott for their service to the Board.  Peter Harriott was not present to receive his award.

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The winners in the 2013 IPWEAvic Awards for Excellence were announced at a Gala Dinenr held at The Hotel Windsor on 20th March 2013.

Winner: Capital Projects over $1M: Glen Eira City Council – Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre

Special Commendation: Capital Projects Over $1M : Horsham Rural City Council – Wimmera Intermodal Frieght Terminal

Winner: Capital Projects Under $1M: Northern Grampians Shire Council – The Monash Steps/Stawell Steps

Winner: Asset Management Award: Kingston City Council – Turning a Water Strategy into a Capital Works Program

Winner: Innovation/Service Delivery Award: Yarra Ranges Shire Council – Biodiversity Offest Program Development

The top 20 submission are available for viewing at the dedicated 2013 IPWEAvic Awards for Excellence website http://www.ipwea.com/awards2013

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