Creating history - A night at the museum

The CIBSE ‘Night at the Museum’ setting was fitting indeed, where nine finalists from around the region made history, at the Australian Museum, showcasing their talent to enthusiastic members and guests on Thursday, 21st June, 2018.

The finalists, who were whittled down from a record number of entrants from across Australia and New Zealand flew in from Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide to proudly gain their place at the 2018 Young Engineers Awards, vying for one of the three top accolades for Building Services Engineering.

Meet the finalists

In only its second year, the CIBSE Australia and New Zealand Young Engineers Awards programme has grown in support with numerous nominations from 13 first and second tier engineering consultancies plus entries from students across 5 universities in the region.

This year CIBSE mixed it up by introducing a third category, creating the Graduate of the Year and also adding a video component for each of the categories, with the support of awards sponsors AECOM, Northrop and Umow Lai.

“It's great to see the next generation leaders so in tune with the challenges we face and the enormous opportunity technology presents.” - Property Council of Australia Policy Manager and Awards Judge, Frankie Muskovic

The 2018 Award winners are:

Mark Griffin Award – Student of the Year

Sharyn Blakemore | Bachelor of Design Architecture | Deakin University

Sharyn was awarded for her passionate video submission addressing why she considers building services engineering to be an art form.

CIBSE ANZ Graduate of the Year

Melanie Finch | Project Engineer | Norman Disney & Young

Judges felt that Melanie’s entry demonstrated strong service to the industry, ambassadorial qualities and that she displayed enthusiasm for her work. The video component of her entry demonstrates where she feels the future of building services is heading and why she wants to be a part of the industry.

Jack Pirie Award – Young Engineer of the Year

Baoying Tong | Graduate Engineer |Aecom

Judges were impressed with Baoying’s service to the community, innovation and leadership qualities presented with his nomination. His video entry outlines his future of buildings and cities.

Each of the 2018 Award winners each received trophy, framed certificate and $1000 prize cheque courtesy of the award sponsors.      

There is enthusiasm to make these awards even bigger in 2019 with the support of AECOM who have committed to continue their sponsorship of the awards for the next two years. On the night, Technical Director, Gus Nainu talked of the importance of these awards in recognising talent, commenting “next year we want to double the size of this event.”

In his opening keynote address, CIBSE ANZ Chair, Paul Angus encouraged delegates to make it a personal goal to become a mentor to a younger engineer saying that “Whilst this evening is about celebrating and recognising talent, it is also an opportunity for you to give something back.”

Hear CIBSE ANZ Chair deliver his opening address

Guests were also entertained by unassuming Museum Exhibition Designer, Aaron Maestri who shared hidden treasures and stories locked into the museum’s history whilst Hames Sharley Director, Aldo Raadik shared the 2025 Masterplan for museum’s future growth. At the cost of approximately $285 million the Masterplan would increase the floor space from about 25,000m2 to around 40,000m2, more than triple the amount of gallery space.

The 2019 Young Engineers Awards will open for entries again in November providing students, young engineers, consultants, plus future sponsorship opportunities, plenty of time to get involved and make a difference to shape the future of our industry.

The CIBSE Young Engineers Network is free to join, and open to anyone in the developmental stages of their career. To register log in here, add Young Engineers Network to your ‘groups’. Go to ‘my preferences’ and select to receive correspondence from ‘your groups and networks’

More CIBSE ANZ Young Engineers Awards

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