USQ graduate finalist in national engineering award

A USQ graduate, Russell Bunn, has been named as one of two finalists in the Australian Young Engineering Officer Award category at the 2006 National Engineering Excellence Awards.

Mr Bunn, who grew up in North Queensland, was eligible for the honour after he won the Queensland Young Engineering Officer Award earlier this year.

'The National Award ceremony was held in Canberra in the Great Hall of Parliament House and I was lucky enough to be selected as one of two finalists in my category, although I was unsuccessful in winning it,' Mr Bunn said.

'I won the Queensland award so I was automatically nominated and to be one of the finalists was a great achievement.'

Supported by Engineers Australia, the award recognises outstanding achievement in the engineering profession and is one of the most prominent on offer in the industry.

'These are very prestigious awards and they were attended by people from across the industry,' he said.

'In total there were around 50 or 60 young engineers who were nominated from all around Australia.'

Based on work undertaken in the industry and references from his peers, Mr Bunn's placing was just reward for his dedication to the profession.

Graduating from the University earlier this year, he completed his Associate Degree in Civil Engineering externally over nine years.

'I began my degree in 1997, while I was living in Cairns and did my university studies part-time.

'That did make it difficult, but it was a good course and it gave me a good grounding in engineering.'

Although only relatively new to the industry, Mr Bunn has already gained experience in both private and government projects, which has included work on the Reedy Creek Interchange and Hope Island Road Duplication.

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 1628 or 0403 643 192