Queensland’s Centenary Gala proved to be more than just a celebration of 100 years of Engineers Australia, with two of the State’s most outstanding professionals recognised in the form of the 2019 Queensland Professional Engineer and Young Professional of the Year awards.
We’d like to properly introduce you to the winner of the latter award: Matthew Uidam MIEAust CPEng NER APEC Engineer IntPE(Aus).
“I was extremely humbled by being selected as the 2019 Queensland Young Professional Engineer of the Year. To have this recognition from Engineers Australia is so humbling and I truly feel blessed and honoured to have been given this award,” said Uidam.
The 33-year-old couldn’t attribute his success on the night of the Centenary celebrations to just one major item in 2019.
“I wouldn’t say it was anything just this year that would have put me in contention, but a culmination of many years in the industry. I would think that my work in building teams, volunteer work, a variety of roles from design, construction, business development and project management,” he said.
Something that may have helped?
Uidam’s contribution to Inland Rail: A project that will enhance supply chain efficiency by establishing freight rail tracks between Melbourne and Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
While being unmistakably proud (and humble) of his most recent achievement on the engineering stage, Uidam is even prouder of the legacy his contribution will leave not only on his home State – but the rest of the country.
“Being involved this year in Inland Rail will be a once in a lifetime project for generations to come,” Uidam said. “It’s not every day that you work on a project that has an impact in three States of Australia.
“On top of that, I think more my legacy will be building the geotechnical team at Golder. A team which, I hope, will always fondly remember our cultural diversity and delivery of some Queensland’s iconic projects.”
The desire to better the world around him has always been a point of focus for University of Newcastle alumni from the very beginning.
Uidam explains his origins.
“I love working for my community,” he said. “I love people, so for me it was between ministry, teaching or engineering. I decided to choose engineering because I wanted to help make an impact on the built environment.”
So where to from here for Uidam?
“My main goal is to make a difference to the community in which I serve and the people that I lead and work with. So for me, my goals are around building teams, building people, building culture, and being involved in some really cool projects along the way,” he said.
About Matthew Uidam MIEAust CPEng NER APEC Engineer IntPE(Aus)
With 11 years’ consulting experience in ground engineering and construction, Matthew has experience in a variety of different engineering projects in both construction and design, including Inland Rail, Brisbane Airport Link, Hunt8r Alliance, Glenugie Alliance, Hunter Expressway, Dampier to Cape Lambert Transmission, Kingsford Smith Drive, Melbourne and Brisbane Airport project amongst others. Matthew is a Chartered Engineer and an active member of Young Professional Groups.