IPWEAQ

Raad Jarjees (Branch President)

Managing Director

The Bridgeman Group

Jessica Kahl (Ambassador)

Project Manager

Sunwater

Larry Griffiths

Principal Engineer, Heavy Vehicle Operational Policy

Department of Transport and Main Roads

Sarah Hausler

Partner

McCullough Robertson Lawyers

Weena Lokuge

Senior Lecturer

University of Southern Queensland

Chris Mantell

Senior Civil Engineer

CARDNO Ltd

Jo O'Brien

Qld Program Manager

Tonkin Consulting Pty Ltd

Ross Ullman

Project Director Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion Project

Sunshine Coast Council

Chris Borg

Senior Civil Engineer/Registered Certifier 

Barker Ryan Stewart

Thomas Wager

Principal Water and Wastewater Engineer

Redland City Council 

This is my last SEQ Branch President Report as the time has come to pass the baton to another member. I am pleased to announce that, at the AGM in Cairns in October 2021, Jo O’Brien, Qld Program Manager for Tonkin Consulting Pty Ltd will be sworn in as the SEQ Branch President, the first female Branch President of the SEQ Branch, and the last Branch President position to be filled by one of our female colleagues. Congratulations, Jo!

It is with some sadness that I step down as SEQ Branch President and IPWEAQ Board member after five years of service to the branch and to the Board. My highlights have been:

1. Presenting at the SEQ and SWQ Branch conferences this year with the story of my life in Iraq, studying engineering then being sent to the front line during the war and finally emigrating to Australia to start new life.
2. Presenting milestone gifts to our many loyal IPWEAQ members, notably Graham Preston, member for 35 years.
3. Attending Annual Conferences since 2016, meeting other members of our community and introducing new sponsors and partners.
4. Attending the Annual Conference in 2020 with my son, Joseph who will graduate this year from QUT.
5. Being a member of the IPWEAQ Board and in a position to endorse the decisions that would drive the organisation forward, for example the proposal from the CEO to move to new premises in Eagle Farm, a move that has elevated IPWEAQ to a new level ready for an even greater future.

Jo will be joined on the IPWEAQ Board by Sarah Hausler who was recently re-elected by members for one of two At-Large positions after two prior years in that position. And with incoming President, Angela Fry and ongoing NQ Branch President, Glenda Kirk, the ratio of men to women on the Board will continue at 50:50 which is quite an achievement for a sector that is otherwise underrepresented by women.

As I step aside, I am delighted to welcome new SEQ Branch committee members:

• Chris Borg, Senior Civil Engineer/Registered Certifier, Barker Ryan Stewart
• Thomas Wager (previously CQ Branch committee member), Principal Water and Wastewater Engineer, Redland City Council 

There are three SEQ organisations nominated for the inaugural Employer of the Year awards: two for the Public Sector award (Department of Transport and Main Roads and Moreton Bay Regional Council) and Tonkin for the Private Sector award. We wish them the very best of luck.

There are quite a few CPD opportunities coming up in the SEQ but be sure to register early as numbers are still restricted. You can make your compliance life easy by utilising the IPWEAQ Track My CPD portal. The RPEQ Coordinator will monitor your progress towards completion of your 150 CPD hours and keep you informed if you are missing some hours in compulsory areas or falling behind with your CPD hours generally.

COVID-19 reared its head once again forcing the second cancellation of the IPWEAQ art exhibition which will now be held 23 November (in conjunction with the second Public Works Professionals Orientation Intensive). We hope it will be third time lucky, and it is a great time also with the year closing in, for branch members to get together for a few (Christmas) social drinks, networking while also enjoying IPWEAQ’s collection of Aboriginal art. Drinks and canapes are included but please be sure to register.

As this is my last report as the SEQ Branch President, I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to the SEQ Branch committee, Gleb Kolenbet (Vice President) in particular, for providing endless support over the years. I also would like to acknowledge our CEO, Leigh Cunningham, all Board members and staff for their hard work and genuine support of the organisation and to the profession. I wish you all the best and I trust the organisation will lead the industry and move upward and onward from strength to strength.

With the IPWEAQ Annual Conference now just a few weeks away, we have an opportunity to take stock of yet another busy year, regroup and finish the year on a high note after celebrating our sector’s successes at the annual awards ceremony and dinner. Don’t miss it!

IPWEAQ members and delegates of the 2021 SEQ Branch conference can now access the conference proceedings via our globally-recognised Knowledge Centre.