Victorian Institute of Engineers
Encyclopedia
The Victorian Institute of Engineers (VIE) was founded in 1883 in Melbourne, Victoria Australia.
In 1885 there were 124 members including 40 civil engineers engaged in hydraulic, gas, electric and roadway engineering, about 10 in mining, six in marine, and about 68 mechanical engineers. the Railway engineer Robert Watson (engineer)
was the first president of the institute, while other presidents included William Charles Kernot
, Joshua Thomas Noble (Noble) Anderson, James Alexander Smith
and John Monash
.
The purpose of the institute was for the creation of '...an Association where the Civil, Mechanical, Marine, Hydraulic, Mining, Agricultural, Gas, Electric, and other branches of Engineering not so enumerated will be represented, papers read, and all matters connected with these branches be discussed with a view to mutual improvement, and the cultivation of friendly relations between the Members of the different branches of the profession of Engineering'. Members were engaged in general engineering in any of its branches, and Junior Members, between the ages of 17 and 21, were students at the University or apprenticed or articled in any branch of engineering. The Institute's membership had fallen to only 99 in 1906 and in 1912 had only risen to 205. James Alexander Smith (c1864-1940), a consulting engineer was instrumental in calling for a national unification of engineering in 1909. The Institution of Engineers, Australia was eventually formed in 1919, and the Victorian Institute of Engineers continued as a separate but affiliated body until 1944.
In 1885 there were 124 members including 40 civil engineers engaged in hydraulic, gas, electric and roadway engineering, about 10 in mining, six in marine, and about 68 mechanical engineers. the Railway engineer Robert Watson (engineer)
Robert Watson
Robert Watson may refer to:* Robert Watson * Robert Watson * Robert Watson , computer scientist* Robert Watson , Canadian parliamentarian...
was the first president of the institute, while other presidents included William Charles Kernot
William Charles Kernot
William Charles Kernot , was an Australian engineer, first professor of engineering at the University of Melbourne and president of the Royal Society of Victoria....
, Joshua Thomas Noble (Noble) Anderson, James Alexander Smith
James Alexander Smith
James Alexander Smith VC was born in Workington, Cumberland and was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
and John Monash
John Monash
General Sir John Monash GCMG, KCB, VD was a civil engineer who became the Australian military commander in the First World War. He commanded the 13th Infantry Brigade before the War and then became commander of the 4th Brigade in Egypt shortly after the outbreak of the War with whom he took part...
.
The purpose of the institute was for the creation of '...an Association where the Civil, Mechanical, Marine, Hydraulic, Mining, Agricultural, Gas, Electric, and other branches of Engineering not so enumerated will be represented, papers read, and all matters connected with these branches be discussed with a view to mutual improvement, and the cultivation of friendly relations between the Members of the different branches of the profession of Engineering'. Members were engaged in general engineering in any of its branches, and Junior Members, between the ages of 17 and 21, were students at the University or apprenticed or articled in any branch of engineering. The Institute's membership had fallen to only 99 in 1906 and in 1912 had only risen to 205. James Alexander Smith (c1864-1940), a consulting engineer was instrumental in calling for a national unification of engineering in 1909. The Institution of Engineers, Australia was eventually formed in 1919, and the Victorian Institute of Engineers continued as a separate but affiliated body until 1944.