I first met Bruce in 1995 when I was appointed to the position of Manager of the Canberra Division of The Institution of Engineers, Australia (now known as Engineers Australia). Over a 20-year period I got to know Bruce and Marjorie and valued their support and commitment to the Division.
I had the privilege of working with Bruce on a wide range of projects, some of the more memorable included: the relaunch of the Butter’s Oration; the unveiling of the Sir John Butters plaque on Mt Ainslie Lookout, which commemorates the work of Sir John Butters, the first full-time chairman of the Federal Capital Commission (Bruce personally knew Sir John and his family); and, the early years of RedR Australia - Bruce was instrumental in securing a high-profile individual, for a formal launch of RedR Australia in the mid 1990’s at an event in Sydney. That person was RedR UK Patron - the Princess Royal HRH Princess Anne. Also, in attendance, as a special guest that night, was Jose Ramos Horta {at the time a key East Timor (Timor-Leste) activist}, who in later years served as Prime Minister and President of the independent country of Timor-Leste.
Bruce’s involvement with Engineers Australia was predicated by the concept of life-long contribution - as a member; as an office bearer; and as a past National President. He was the type of office bearer that unselfishly gave of his time and expertise, always attending technical events, conferences, awards and social events.
Bruce has left a lasting legacy of his involvement with Engineers Australia. He had his fingers in many pies, nationally, at the local Canberra Division level, and, internationally. He wasn’t averse to twisting a few arms to get support for his new ideas. Many times, as he walked up the stairs into Engineering House, we wondered what we were in for this time - what new idea would he convince us to embrace and work on.
Bruce was a larger-than-life figure. In today’s terminology, he was an engineering “celebrity” with a reach throughout the Australian engineering community, Engineers Australia, the broader Australian community and the international engineering community. He had an unrelenting passion for engineering – he lived and breathed Australian engineering.
My deepest condolences to Janet and the rest of the family. As time goes by, may the memories of the good times you shared never fade.
Vesna Strika, former Manager/Director/General Manager of Engineers Australia Canberra Division