A student in her final year of a Bachelor of Engineering Honours at RMIT in Melbourne has been awarded the 2009 Rod McGee Medal at the Engineers Australia Civil College awards in Brisbane for a water recycling project.
RMIT student Elizabeth Smolinska’s project involved stormwater harvesting and reuse investigation and design at Melbourne and Olympic Parks.
The project’s aim is to aid in meeting the precinct’s very large water demand and to help secure a sustainable source of water.
The Rod McGee Medal was established by Engineers Australia to commemorate the contribution of Dr McGee to Australian public works engineering, and encourages final year engineering students to engage in career opportunities in public works engineering.
Smolinska is also interested in volunteer work and sees engineering as an ideal avenue to contribute to the growth and development of communities within Australia, while also allowing her to help in international aid projects, said a press notice from Engineers Australia.
“Rod McGee’s life story is a great example of the important and valuable work that can be done in public works engineering,” she said.
“His passion and commitment to public service and to ensuring safety and quality of work has been an inspiration to me, and I will continue to refer to Rod McGee as a benchmark for engineering excellence and service as I progress along my own career path.”
The award is jointly sponsored by the Tasmanian Department of Infrastructure Energy & Resources and Johnstone McGee & Gandy Pty Ltd. The prize includes an engraved medallion and a $2,000 prize.