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Engineering Heritage Victoria

Institution of Engineers, Australia         Engineering Heritage Branch
Bi-monthly Speakers' Program

The Leadership & Management Style of General Sir John Monash

Thursday, 18 October 2007

Speaker:	Ken Crompton, CEO, Gen Sir John Monash Foundation
Where:	John Connell Auditorium, Engineering House, 21 Bedford Street, North Melbourne
When:	Light refreshments from 5.30pm. Talk will commence at 6.00 pm, and conclude at 7:00pm

The Topic:
John Monash was a colonial engineer and a pioneer in the field of reinforced concrete. In partnership with JT Noble Anderson, he designed and constructed extensive engineering works in Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. The partnership struggled financially in the early stages and Anderson left for New Zealand in 1902. Monash's engineering activities improved and by the outbreak of the First World War, he was financially secure. He formed companies in Victoria and South Australia (best known later as the Monier Company). His consulting and arbitration activities took him to most other states. In addition, to engineering, Monash also held a law degree from Melbourne University and was an Officer in the Militia.

By the outbreak of World War One, Monash was a Colonel and served as a Brigade Commander at Gallipoli. Unusual for his era, he showed immense concern for the lives and welfare of his men. His method of command was succinct; planning was meticulous. Monash later said that the waging of war is just the simple application of engineering principles (project management?). He rose to command the Australian Forces in Europe, ending the war as arguably the only Allied General with his reputation intact. He remained in Europe for some months after the end of the war to supervise the repatriation of troops to Australia. Realising that his men would need new skills for a successful return to civilian life, he instigated training for those awaiting their return voyage. Monash returned to Australia as a much revered figure but, possibly due to political jealousy, was not offered a post of national significance. The Victorian Government appointed him to head the State Electricity Commission. He threw himself into all aspects of the task and died as Chairman of the SECV in 1931.

His booklet entitled "100 Hints for Company Commanders" was printed in November 1914 and is believed to have still been on issue to army officers well into the Second World War. It is just as relevant today!

The talk will cover the attributes that made Monash a unique and influential Australian engineer, lawyer and army general. Our Guest Speaker will also give an overview of the aims and achievements of the General Sir John Monash Foundation. The Monash Awards seek to develop outstanding young Australians as future leaders of the nation. Further information can be found at http://www.monashawards.org. Of the 32 Awards made to date, 6 have been to engineers - all of whom are young professionally qualified women engineers.

Career orientated young engineers are particularly welcome to attend this session.

The Guest Speaker:
Ken Crompton has a law degree from Melbourne University. He practised law and later became Chief Executive (Victoria) and Director, Industrial Relations of the Australian Chamber of Manufactures.

In 1993, he was appointed Agent-General for Victoria in the United Kingdom. One diplomatic responsibility of the post was to conduct ANZAC Day commemorations in France. "An Australian soldier of the Great War, known unto God" appears on countless war cemetery headstones in France. The wish to honour these young Australians and recognition (after the Republic debate) that Australia had no prestigious postgraduate scholarships of its own, underpins the General Sir John Monash Awards.

	Presented By:	Engineering Heritage Victoria
	Cost:	Free of Charge
	Registration:	Not necessary.
	Professional    Development:	Depending upon your personal requirements, attendance at this session may be eligible for inclusion in your professional development assessment.
	Contact Details:	ehv@engineersaustralia.org.au
	Other Activities:	What's Going On

Engineering Heritage Victoria on-line at:           http://www.vicnet.net.au/~engherit/

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