Independent Liberal Member for Alfred Cove Dr Janet Woollard congratulated local engineer, Mr Bruce James of Applecross, for having a Curtin University engineering award named in his honour.

The Engineers Australia, Electoral College Bruce James Medal is awarded to the best graduating student in the Bachelor of Engineering degree program conducted within the University’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

“Mr James truly deserves this honour as he has made outstanding contributions not only to the engineering profession, but also to the general community,” said Dr Woollard.

“During his career in the State Electricity Commission of Western Australia, Mr James was instrumental in developing and implementing reliable and economical power supplies to remote communities in the State.

“His membership of various engineering bodies and regional and national committees aided in the promotion of the profession.”

Dr Woollard said Mr James has also utilised his engineering knowledge and skills to preserve Western Australia’s heritage through his membership of a number of heritage bodies such as the Heritage Council of Western Australia and the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board.

“As the Past Chairman of the Engineering Heritage Panel of the Institution of Engineers, Australia, WA Division, Mr James led the panel which received the prestigious WA Heritage Award for 2000 for their effort and achievements in the recording and promotion of industrial heritage sites throughout the State,” said Dr Woollard.

“Today, Mr James is instrumental in the fight to preserve our local heritage within the Alfred Cove electorate through his membership of the Melville Amenity Preservation Group and the Wireless Hill Park Centenary Planning Committee,” added Dr Woollard.

“I am humbled by this award, although I felt there were many other more prominent electrical engineers who should have been considered before me,” said Mr James.

“I accept the honour that has been bestowed upon me on behalf of all those with whom I have worked on the very broad spectrum of electrical engineering, including engineering heritage.”

Mr James was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2001 and the Centenary Medal in 2003 for services to engineering, heritage and charitable works.

“Mr James decided to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps to become an electrical engineer. It is an honour to have individuals such as him in our community, who have been selfless in contributing their time and effort for the benefit of the wider community,” said Dr Woollard.

The Engineers Australia, Electoral College Bruce James Medal, which carries a value of $300 and a Medal, was awarded to Binayak Banerjee on Friday, 17 April at Curtin University’s Engineering Prize Giving Ceremony, who is now working for Western Power.

About the Award:

The Electrical Panel (Committee) of the Western Australia Division of the Institution of Engineers, Australia, have, for some years, been awarding a financial prize to the Best Graduating Students in Electrical Engineering over their four-year course at each of the four WA Universities. This year, the Institution has decided to not only present these students with a financial prize but to also present them with a Special Medial named after an Electrical Engineer who has contributed to the development of WA. The other Medals are named after the late Professor Derek Humpage, the late Ian Steele and Rtd Lt Commander Max Shean RAN.