Stories of Indigenous Engineering
Inspiring the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to take up careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
“If a Gunditjmara youth is considering a career in engineering, he or she needs to remember that we’ve already had scientists and engineers in the past, it’s not a new field they are going into, it’s actually a very old field. We need to take pride in that and open our minds to the fact there’s great opportunities to do something with your life.” – Denis Rose, Project Manager – Cultural and Heritage, Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation
Dennis Jose is a Civil Engineer
Dennis is a Wanyurr man from the Yidinyji Nation in far north Queensland. He founded Jabin Project Management to create pathways for Indigenous engineers. Watch this film.
Grant Maher is a Facade Engineer
Grant is from the Gumbaynggirr mob on the north coast of NSW. He is the inaugural chair of the Indigenous Engineers Group supported by Engineers Australia. Watch this film.
Sam Shepherd is an Environmental Engineer
Sam is a Jaru-Gija woman from East Kimberley. She says engineering is about creativity and problem solving. Read more.
Bruce Pascoe is a Writer
Bruce has Tasmanian, Boonwurrung (Victoria) and Yuin (south coast of NSW) heritage. His book, Dark Emu, opens our eyes to an Aboriginal view of Australian agriculture. Read more.
Arabella Douglas is a Lawyer and Government Advisor
Abrabella is a Minyunbal woman from southeast Queensland and far north NSW. She believes we should celebrate our traditional heritage. Watch this film.
Denis Rose is a Project Officer
Denis Rose is a Gunditjmara person from western Victoria. He is leading efforts to have Budj Bim recognised as a World Heritage site. Read more.
Karlie Noon is a Masters Student
Karlie is a Kamilaroi woman from Tamworth, NSW. She is passionate about encouraging young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to study maths and science. Watch this film.
Dr Tom Goldfinch is a Senior Lecturer
Tom believes the engineering profession in Australia would benefit from greater diversity. Read more.
Resources for Students
The resources section summarises science and maths scholarship and mentoring programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Read more.
School Outreach in the Torres Strait
Watch a three-minute mini documentary about EWB’s School Outreach Program in northern Australia. Watch this film
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people represent 2.5% of the Australian population, but just 0.5% of total engineering students*. We need to work together to improve these statistics to address reconciliation, increase the diversity of inputs in the engineering profession and open our eyes to different knowledge systems and perspectives.
Stories of Indigenous Engineering is a small step on a long road to reach population parity. We are keen to build a collaborative coalition of people and organisations interested in seeing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people represented in science, technology and engineering professions.
EWB gratefully acknowledges Bindy and David Koadlow, who funded the collection and publication of these Stories of Indigenous Engineering.
The stories were curated by Matilda Bowra with outstanding volunteer contributions from EWB interns Jeff McAllister (interviewing and filmmaking) and Hareem Khan (filmmaking).