News Archive

Engineers Australia magazine has announced the Top 100 Engineers for 2008. We are proud that these distinguished professionals started their careers at UWA.

Ken Michael - Governor of Western Australia

Civil engineer Dr Ken Michael has been the Governor of Western Australia since 2006. Travelling to different areas of the state is a duty he particularly appreciates. "Through these visits, I have had the opportunity to see many engineering organisations and projects, allowing me to maintain my continuing personal interest in engineering."

Prior to his appointment as Governor, Dr Michael has held several senior positions including commissioner of Main Roads, WA and Chancellor of the UWA. He was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2006 and is an Honorary Fellow of Engineers, Australia.

Alan Cransberg - Managing Director, Alcoa of Australia

Civil engineering graduate, Alan Cransberg, became managing director of Alcoa Australia in February this year. Cransberg began his career with Alcoa in WA following graduation when he worked with the Alcoa Bauxite Mining Group in alumina refining in various business analysis, planning and managerial roles from 1981 to 1997.

He was appointed Pinjarra Alumina Refinery location manager in 1998 and in 2001 moved to the US as location manager of Alcoa's Texas alumina and chemicals complex. Some years later he moved to Alcoa's New York head office where he coordinated the firm's activities in mining, refining and smelting. He became a vice-president of Alcoa in 2006 and returned to WA this year.

Rod Eddington - Chairman, Infrastructure Australia

Sir Rod Eddington has been the chief business adviser to the Australian Labor Party since 2007. He recently became chair of the Federal Government's Infrastructure Australia Advisory Council. The Council advises on national infrastructure priorities, policy and regulatory reforms and financing mechanisms. Earlier this year he completed a study of transport infrastructure for Melbourne. Eddington is also the non-executive Australia and New Zealand chairman of the bank JPMorgan Chase. He served as chief executive of British Airways between 2000 and 2005 and was executive chairman of Ansett Australia from 1997 to 2000.

Chris Champion - President, International Federation of Municipal Engineering

Civil engineer, Chris Champion, is president of the International Federation of Municipal Engineering (IFME) in Sydney. He is also the national chief executive officer of the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (IPWEA). IPWEA is currently leading a national rollout of industry-based tools and guidelines for the sustainable management of infrastructure which is attracting international interest.

Menno Henneveld - Commissioner of Main Roads Western Australia

As Commissioner of Main Roads WA Menno Henneveld oversees the management and operation of Western Australia's road network, valued at $28 billion.Henneveld finished his two year term as chairman of the Australian Road Council at the end of last year. He is a director of the Australian Road Research Board and Australia's first delegate to the World Road Association.

Prior to joining Main Roads, Henneveld worked at the Water Corporation of WA for 38 years. He is also the inaugural chairman of the Australian Society for Trenchless Technology.

Geoff Knox - Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Downer EDI

Civil engineer, Geoff Knox, assumed the role of CEO and managing director of the Downer EDI Group in February this year. Previously he was executive Chairman of the consulting firm Hatch and Associates. Knox was the former President of BHP Engineering and Vice-President of BHP Project Management. He has also held senior roles with Baulderstone Hornibrook, Costain Australia and White Industries.

Jim Gill - Chief Executive Officer, Water Corporation

Dr Jim Gill has been CEO of the WA Water Corporation since 1996. Since then he has overseen a continuing major water and wastewater capital development program, which has included delivering a $385 million desalination plant to supply about 17% of Perth's drinking water. This large, complex alliance project was recently given the 2008 Construction Achievement Award by the Australian Constructors Association and EngineersAustralia. In 2006 Gill was Engineers Australia's Civil Engineer of the Year.

Trevor Eastwood - Non-Executive Chairman,

Wesfarmers

Mechanical engineering graduate, Trevor Eastwood, started his career with the then Westralian Farmers Cooperative in 1963 and held a number of management positions including his final eight years as managing director of Wesfarmers. He was appointed Chairman of Wesfarmers in 2002.