Australia’s most innovative engineers and engineering projects have been recognised through the Engineers Australia Excellence Awards 2025, held across every state and territory in September.
The annual awards shine a spotlight on the achievements of individual engineers and project teams who are shaping the nation’s future, while reinforcing the profession’s critical role in community, industry and environmental progress.
“These awards are a celebration of what makes engineering exceptional.” Engineers Australia CEO Romilly Madew AO FTSE HonFIEAust EngExec said. “They recognise individuals and projects that challenge convention, drive innovation, and shape a better future. More than accolades, they offer a platform – one where our winners and finalists can champion the profession and inspire the next generation of engineers.”
Here is a rundown of all the winners, state-by-state and region-by-region.
Western Australia
- Project of the Year – The Boorloo Bridge by Causeway Link Alliance demonstrates Australian-first and world-first engineering in bridge design, construction and delivery.
- Professional Engineer of the Year – Peter Chapman from WSP Australia is recognised for his leadership in geotechnical engineering and global tailings projects.
- Emerging Professional Engineer of the Year – Eleanor Robson from ADG Engineers has led construction services on major projects in Perth, Sydney and the UK.
- Chemical Engineer Achievement Award – Professor Hui Tong Chua of the University of Western Australia has led world-class engineering innovations and successful commercialisation efforts.
- Sir John Holland Civil Engineer of the Year – Dr Rajendra Kurup of Environmental Engineers International advances sustainability, estuarine and river management, and environmental quality.
Tasmania
- Project of the Year – The Terminal 3 Marine and Dredge Works by Hazell Brady Joint Venture upgraded East Devonport Port for long-term trade and tourism growth.
- Professional Engineer of the Year – Delia Sidea from pitt&sherry is recognised for her 27 years of expertise in geotechnical engineering and teaching.
- Emerging Professional Engineer of the Year – Joshua Hniat from pitt&sherry has led bridge and transport infrastructure projects with strong communication and leadership.
South Australia
- Project of the Year – The Flinders Chase National Park Visitor Centre by Tonkin is a fire-resilient, ecologically sustainable hub that also houses a biodiversity research centre.
- Professional Engineer of the Year – Katherine Bennell-Pegg from the Australian Space Agency is the first Australian woman to qualify as a professional astronaut.
- Emerging Professional Engineer of the Year – Franke Agenbag from Defence Science and Technology Group has pioneered space-based adaptive liquid-lens technology.
ACT
- Project of the Year – The CSIRO National Collections Building by TTW provides a global benchmark facility for biodiversity research and conservation.
- Professional Engineer of the Year – Jacqueline Wei from AECOM is recognised for two decades of infrastructure delivery and leadership in diversity.
- Emerging Professional Engineer of the Year – Dr Yingying Guo from Infrastructure Canberra has advanced sustainable materials and actively mentors the next generation.
- David Dewhurst Award – Consultant Michael Flood began his career in medical devices in the late 1970s.
Northern Territory
- Project of the Year – The HMAS Coonawarra project by McConnell Dowell constructed a wharf and jetties to enhance Defence marine capability in Darwin.
- Professional Engineer of the Year – Dr Elisha Harris from Harris Kmon Solutions has more than 25 years of multidisciplinary engineering and governance expertise.
- Emerging Professional Engineer of the Year – Samuel Warner from ADG Engineers specialises in infrastructure and sustainable design with national impact.
Queensland
- Project of the Year – The Kangaroo Point Bridge by WSP Australia and BESIX Watpac is one of the world’s longest asymmetric cable-stayed active transport bridges.
- Professional Engineer of the Year – Jakki Thompson from Arup is recognised for her leadership in major infrastructure projects including Brisbane Metro.
- Emerging Professional Engineer of the Year – Dr Sabrina Schoenborn from Q-CTRL advances DeepTech innovation in quantum sensing and robotics.
Newcastle
- Project of the Year – SENSE 600® sustainable high-strength steel rebar by InfraBuild, Monash University and UNSW reduces embodied carbon in construction.
- Professional Engineer of the Year – Annie Lacombe from MGA Thermal is recognised for global leadership in energy and renewable storage innovation.
- Emerging Professional Engineer of the Year – Brendan Dagg from Beca HunterH2O specialises in water infrastructure design and actively contributes to mentoring and STEM programs.
- Electrical College MA Sargent Medal – Peter Stepien of ResTech has pioneered diagnostic techniques for mine electrical safety, influencing Australian Standards and improving risk mitigation.
Victoria
- Project of the Year – The Renewable Hydrogen Fuel Cell Generator Pilot by Energys Australia introduced 10 kW PEM hydrogen fuel cell generators at five remote telecommunication sites in Victoria.
- Professional Engineer of the Year – Dr Yew-Chin Koay from Major Road Projects Victoria has advanced sustainable infrastructure solutions across multiple countries.
- Emerging Professional Engineer of the Year – Alice Zhao from Ability Allies and the University of Melbourne advocates for disability inclusion and systemic equity in engineering.
- AGM Michell Medal – Geoffrey Hurst of ENGENEOHS aims to foster collaboration at all levels.
- John Connell Gold Medal – Professor Emad Gad of the Swinburne University of Technology serves as a Director of the Australian Steel Institute.
- John Monash Medal – Kenneth Graham McInnes of the Swinburne University of Technology has actively campaigned for the protection of wilderness areas, including Victoria’s Alpine region and the Mullum Mullum Valley.
- Risk Engineer Achievement Award – Dr Ian George Stanley of Shell is committed to leaving a lasting legacy by educating future professionals and promoting innovative approaches to risk engineering and decision-making.
Sydney
- Project of the Year – The Sydney Metro City Line by Sydney Metro transformed connectivity with new stations and capacity greater than the Harbour Bridge and Tunnel combined.
- Professional Engineer of the Year – Associate Professor Noushin Nasiri from Macquarie University has advanced nanotechnology in health, agriculture and environmental sectors.
- Emerging Professional Engineer of the Year – Patrick Puddefoot from Enviropacific is recognised for leadership in sustainable water treatment and resource recovery.
- Neville Thiele Eminence Award – Abbas Jamalipour, Professor of Ubiquitous Mobile Networking at the University of Sydney
- Environmental Engineer Achievement Award – UNSW Sydney’s Denis O’Carroll is an associate editor of the journal Water Resources Research.
- Transport Medal – UNSW Sydney’s Vinayak Dixit is founding Director of TRACSLab, the world’s largest and a pioneering multi-modal virtual reality simulation platform for studying human factors.
International
- Professional Engineer of the Year – Ramesh Singh Kuldip Singh FIEAust CPEng is a globally recognised expert in mechanical and materials engineering and currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) at Universiti Malaya.
All divisional winners will now go on to the national awards gala dinner at Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf in Sydney on Thursday 13 November, when the national winners will be announced.
This interactive booklet showcases the Excellence Awards 2025 finalists, alongside the recipients of special Achievement Awards, including the Environmental Engineer Achievement Award and the John Monash Medal.
Be there when excellence takes the stage at engineering’s night of nights.
