Best photos of mechanical engineering to feature in University’s 2016 calendar

Mechanical engineering can be beautiful as well as functional. That’s the message from Southern Cross University Foundation’s Professor of Engineering Scott Smith with the launch of the second Engineering Photo Competition.

“There can be great beauty in mechanical engineering. The Falkirk Wheel in Scotland is a prime example of an engineered structure that captures both beauty and function as is The Dish, the 64m Parkes radio telescope in the central west of New South Wales,” said Professor Smith.

The aim of the photo competition is to increase awareness and interest in the way mechanical engineering plays a central role in everyday life:
• automotive (from the car chassis to its every subsystem), aerospace, automation and robotics
• computers and electronics
• manufacturing and biotechnology
• energy conversion (gas, wind, solar, hydro-electric, fuel cells)
• environmental control (air-conditioning, refrigeration, compressors)

The best images will be displayed in the University’s science and engineering precinct at the Lismore campus and will also feature in the University’s 2016 Engineering Calendar.

The competition coincides with Southern Cross University offering the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering for the first time in 2016.

“We are excited to be expanding our suite of engineering programs at SCU to include Mechanical Engineering,” said Professor Smith.

“We have been working closely with industry representatives and academic colleagues to design a Mechanical Engineering program that is practical, contemporary and that will provide the tools to deal with modern day engineering challenges.”

The Southern Cross University Engineering Photo Competition prizes include:
• Winner: the revolutionary Lytro camera that allows you to focus or refocus your pictures on a computer after you take them – courtesy of The New Camera House, Lismore.
• Highly Commended: iPad mini – courtesy of Southern Cross University.
• Commended: $150 gift voucher – courtesy of Co-op bookshop, Lismore.
• Encouragement: The choice of three hours of individual photography tuition or a one-hour photo shoot with high resolution images provided on DVD (valued at $150) – courtesy of The Odd Shot photography by Trevor Farrell, Lismore.

The competition is open to high school, university and TAFE students and the general public. Visit the SCU Engineering Photo Competition website for full details.

Closing date is 19 June 2015.

The winner of the 2013 SCU Engineering Photo Competition was Peter Borrelli with his image ‘Nightworks St Helena tunnel’.

Photo: ‘Nightworks St Helena tunnel’ by Peter Borrelli, winning image of the 2013 SCU Engineering Photo Competition (credit: Peter Borrelli).