Engineers Nite Queensland – May 2023 – By Derrick P Fernando
Source : Qld Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – July 2023
The inaugural Engineers Nite of the IESL Qld chapter was held on 27 June 2023 at the Unidus Community and Conference Centre Willawong with a lineup of distinguished guests invited from the engineering and allied business professions and a large gathering of fellow engineers and their families in attendance.
Mr Dennis Walsh, the Chief Engineer (Engineering and Technology), Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) was the Chief Guest. The Guest of Honour was Mr Joseph Tam, President of Engineers Australia, Queensland Division. Mr Jothi Ramanujam, former Deputy Chief Engineer (TMR) had been lined up to deliver the keynote address but due to his unavailability that honour was transferred to Dr Chandima Gallage Associate Professor of Civil Engineering in QUT, Brisbane. Mr Walsh spoke about Engineers’ role in sustainable development and Mr Tam emphasised the importance of innovation while Dr Gallage summed up identifying the role of Sri Lankan Engineers in the global context reflecting on the history of Sri Lankan engineering education and evolution of the IESL. The venue was set in the most picturesque surroundings and refreshments served kept the attendees warm and brought them together in an atmosphere of camaraderie and friendship with an opportunity to share in the stories and experiences of fellow engineers and families spanning many generations.
Let me congratulate the IESL QLD Chapter for staging this excellent Engineers’ Nite. The time, effort and passion gone into organising the event was evident to everyone. The hall was cosy, comfortable, and compact to the size of the crowd. The dinner was excellent and so was the dessert. The dancers were experienced, and their efforts were laudable, and everyone enjoyed dancing to the excellent rhythms. Kids had a fantastic time and enjoyed with magic show and face painting.
The formation of the association just a few years ago brought together Sri Lankan engineers living in Queensland, creating a well-respected professional organization, an association that serves not only its members but also the country and the engineering profession at large.
As the association celebrates its inaugural Engineers’ Nite, it’s time to look back and take stock and enjoy the results of its hard labour, its individual and collective achievements, assess and discern new directions for the future and set goals for the next stage of its journey. I wish the association the best as it becomes a strong, mature ‘outfit’ taking on the challenges of the future with an even greater confidence, agenda and vision.
Derrick P Fernando
