1 March 2022

The ATS has received the prestigious President Prize from Engineers Australia, recognising the work of the ATS Young Members in the production of the ATS Tunnel Design Guideline.

The group of volunteers came together after identifying a need for the document from their own experiences working in the industry.

ATS Young Member Representative Brodie Aitchison acknowledged all who had contributed to putting the Guideline together.

“We are very honoured to receive the 2021 Engineers Australia President’s Prize Award,” he said.

“The ATS Tunnel Design Guideline has been developed by a team of talented young tunnel engineers who came together to address a need for a tunnel design guideline in Australia.

“The working group would like to thank the ATS for their unwavering support and backing with this endeavour, especially Ed Taylor (former ATS President), Harry Asche (current ATS President and working group tutor), Alex Gomes, David Oliveira, Diane Mather and the countless guideline reviewers who have kindly volunteered their time for the greater good. Without the support of these people we could not have achieved this.

“We hope that people have found the Guideline useful and that it has helped to spark an interest and to open the door into the wonderful world of tunnelling!”

ATS President Harry Asche highlighted the fantastic work of the Young Members in producing the guideline, which has been complimented by a series of five webinars. He said the Young Members developed the concept, based on their own experience.

“A group of concerned young members came to the ATS Exececutive with the proposal. Can the young members put together a document that young tunnellers could refer to when asked to do some basic tunnel design?” he said

Engineers Australia National President and Board Chair Nick Fleming also congratulated the Young Members on winning the President Prize.

“The award is intended for individuals or groups who have provided conspicuous service to either the profession or the community. The work of this group of people exemplifies both aspects,” he said.

Hear more from Harry and Nick in the video below.