Kernot Memorial Medal awarded to Dr Collette Burke
Dr Collette Burke has received the University of Melbourne Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology (FEIT) 2022 Kernot Memorial Medal for "Distinguished Engineering Achievement in Australia".
Dr Burke was the Inaugural Chief Engineer of Victoria from 2018-2020 and joins an illustrious group of Kernot Medallists. Established in memory of Professor William Charles Kernot, the first Professor of Engineering at the University, the medal has been awarded to many prominent engineers since its establishment in 1925. Previous recipients include Sir John Monash, Mr A. G. M. Michell and Sir John Holland.
Collette Burke is a former member of the Industry Advisory Group within FEIT’s Department of Infrastructure Engineering and holds an honorary position with the Department.
As Chief Engineer of Victoria, she helped raise the profile of the engineering profession in Victoria, strengthened links between government, industry and education, and advised the Government on engineering aspects of the State’s major infrastructure projects.
FEIT Dean Professor Mark Cassidy and 2022 Kernot Memorial Medalist Dr Collette Burke.
Dr Burke recognised the importance of diversity and is an active advocate for women in engineering. She promotes the importance of continuing to develop and retain young women engineers who represent the prime opportunity to address the gender inequality of the engineering workforce.
She currently serves as the Managing Director of Australian engineering consulting and Registered Training Organisation firm Exner Group, specialising in digital and immersive technology development.
She is also a Non-Executive Director of Victrack and Australian Road Research Board; a Director of Visionary Culture and Evolvin’ Women, which is nurturing the pipeline of women across industry; and General Manager of Karsta Middle East, which is training and increasing gender diversity throughout United Arab Emirates’ transport industry.
Dr Burke has a keen interest in driving strategies on Future Cities, Industry 4.0 and connected environments and raising the profile of the engineering profession to safeguard Victoria’s future growth.