Chief Executive returns to old stomping ground

The Chief Executive Officer of Engineers Australia, Peter Taylor, returned to the Garden City today, as a guest of the USQ Science and Engineering Challenge.

Peter Taylor who spent 19 years working as the Chief Engineer for the Toowoomba City Council (TCC) returned to his old stomping ground as the guest speaker at the Science and Engineering Challenge Dinner.

"I have a strong connection to Toowoomba because I lived here more many years and also worked as an engineer on many of Toowoomba's iconic projects,

"As the Chief Engineer at TCC I worked on the CBD redevelopment, the up-grading of the Empire Theatre and redevelopment of the Toowoomba City Hall, Mr Taylor said.

"I believe that the Darling Downs produces some amazing work in the engineering field and this can be largely attributed to the education of its engineers through USQ,

"The Science and Engineering Challenge, which is an initiative of both The University of Newcastle and USQ is a wonderful way of encouraging high school students to purse an career in engineering and sciences,

"The Engineering industry as a whole is suffering from a skill shortage, so these events are really important as they allow students to interactively participate in various engineering and science related activities,

"The hands-on approach of this event gives students the opportunity to experience the real aspects of engineering in a competitive and enjoyable formate, which I commend,

More than 250 Year 10 students from the Darling Downs and Springfield competed today in round three of the USQ Science and Engineering Challenge.

The eight competing teams completed activities including Word Sailing Spectacular, Hover crafting and Chopper Ride.

Today's winners were:
1st St. Mary's College (A)
2nd Lockyer Valley SHS
3rd Centenary Heights SHS

The final day of the Challenge is been held tomorrow at the Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre.

Media Contact: Cate Gazal t: 4631 1628 m: 0407570550