Like the rest of the country, the Mackay committee has had to make adjustments for the new COVID-19 work environment.

We were able to run the planned March “Biofutures” presentation as a webinar with much success – for those who missed out, a recorded version of the talk should be available via EA On Demand in due course.

Now in June, the Mackay committee has resumed activity and we are preparing a schedule of CPD events for the second half of the year. We hope that we might have the opportunity for face to face events but, failing that, we will look to running these as webinars. We will update details once dates are confirmed.

Upcoming CPD

The Mackay committee is preparing for local CPD events to recommence in the second half of 2020. These will be physical meetings once such gatherings are again permitted, but otherwise, will be available via webinar. Whilst we continue to lock in dates, the event topics that we have planned are:

• Aurizon Automated Track Inspection System
• Mackay Regional Council Climate Change - Preparation and Mitigation
• TMR – Mackay Northern Access Upgrade Project
• Bowen Basin Mines Dams Risk Assessment and Management

In the meantime, we encourage all members to go the EA website and register for some of the excellent webinar presentations that have been scheduled.

Member Spotlight

Congratulations to Peter Baum, who achieved the Chartered credential this year.

Peter Baum MIEAust CPEng NER | Senior Project Manager, Civil Engineer RoadTek Mackay

Peter was born and raised in Zimbabwe, studying Engineering in South Africa and before working in Zimbabwe and South Africa in the construction industry – also having an enjoyable spell farming in the latter. Peter migrated to Mackay in 2003 during the mining boom, and has gained experience with local and national construction and consulting companies in small to large projects since. Such works have varied from small municipal works, dam building, subdivisions, earthworks and road construction.

How long have you been a member of Engineers Australia?
I joined in 2019.

What do you love most about being an engineer?
The most rewarding aspect of my civil engineering career is seeing something being built and working with “can do” people. A piece of scrub is transformed into a dam, years after building it I can enjoy coming off the freeway using an interchange that I helped build.

What would be the one piece of advice you would give to others early in their career?
Rome was not built in a day! Plan your career and have a good idea of what field of engineering that excites you, then work hard at it – but remember you will not be a good managing director overnight. Keep a balanced life and be careful you do not get to the top of the ladder to find it is leaning against the wrong wall! Learn from others (why make the same mistakes they have?) and decide to enjoy the journey.

What’s been your most stand-out career highlight to date?
My most enjoyable moments of my career have been being part of a winning team where the job has been completed and looking back to remember, there have been times of blood, sweat and tears, tight deadlines that have pushed us all and there has been great teamwork. Two outstanding contracts were at Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal constructing a rail receival pit and storage dams.

What are some of the biggest challenges you believe facing your region?
The Civil Industry is, in my opinion, is facing a huge challenge attracting topflight construction workers especially in the regional areas. Skilled civil construction workers are not trained overnight or in the classroom behind a computer, these people are a special breed and we need more of them!

What does being made Chartered mean to you?
Being a Chartered engineer allows me the opportunity to assist young engineers to develop and grow. This is an awesome privilege to pass on my experience and watch them succeed.

If you’re interested in gaining valuable CPD hours whilst supporting your profession and community, please contact Engineers Australia Queensland (details below) to discuss the opportunities to get involved. Our Townsville Regional Group meets (virtually) on the third Thursday of each month between 5:00 and 6:00. We are always looking for new topics and new ideas so please contact us at [email protected] if you'd like to contribute.

Peter Rosier FIEAust
Chair, Mackay Regional Committee