Dinner gives engineering students food for thought

The Deakin Engineering Society (DES) recently hosted its premium professional networking event for the year – the Annual Industry Dinner presented by Deakin University Community Bank.

DES provides social and professional networking events for its members. It is open to all students at Deakin and regularly hosts Geelong-based events in co-ordination with societies from different disciplines.

The Captains Room at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium was a wonderful setting for a night of professional networking and socialising, with the 173 attendees an almost even mix of industry and undergraduate guests.

Engineering for the Future was the theme of the night and revolved around the need for engineering undergraduates and professionals to adapt to their surroundings, and plan for the unexpected.

Presentations from Leanne Drzewucki (HPS Engineering) and Emma Miller-Olsen (VicRoads) were a great inspiration for joining the industry upon graduation and led to the Graduate Panel fielding many tough questions about the competitiveness of the industry, and how to start and progress your career.

Another highlight of the evening was two long-serving DES members, Anton Vidot and Russell Oliver, receiving DES Life Memberships in recognition of their dedication and efforts.

Together with major sponsor Deakin University Community Bank, several other sponsors made the night possible. Deakin’s Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation (IISRI), HPS Engineering, Deakin College, Deakin School of Engineering, Geelong Manufacturing Council and Engineers Australia all contributed to the success of the night – which as always was on time and on budget, just like any good engineering project!

If you or someone you know are interested in joining DES, please email for more information.