President's Spiel

At the start of August, I had the privilege of being interviewed on ABC Local Radio regarding the role of EWB in Victoria.  I was honoured to have this opportunity, and I was also inspired by the thought that engineering as a profession is starting to gain a reputation as having a significant humanitarian role within society. The President of Engineers Australia, Merv Lindsay, commented that "if doctors save individuals, engineers save communities".  As engineers, we have the knowledge and skills to improve the standard of living for people in disadvantaged communities, focusing on areas such as water, sanitation, energy, knowledge and education.

At EWB, we work in partnership with developing communities both within Australia and overseas, assisting them to gain access to the knowledge, resources and appropriate technologies they need to improve their livelihoods. In Victoria, we have community partnerships with SAIL (Sudanese Australia Integrated Learning) and Menzies Incorporated (which includes the Sages Cottage).  We are also in the process of establishing long-term partnerships with CERES Community Environment Park in Brunswick East and North Melbourne Language and Learning, a community based organisation providing English classes to newly arrived immigrants.

In the coming month or so, we have organised a range of events and initiatives across Victoria.  From the Indigenous Cross Cultural Training session at the Koori Heritage Trust on 23 September to the Appropriate Technology Workshop Series at CERES on 8 October.  To find our more about EWB in Victoria, please check out our website (http://www.ewb.org.au/explore/chapters/vic).

James Fitzgerald
President
EWB Victoria Region

EWB: humanitarian engineers