Simon Orton
Engineers Australia - Queensland Division Past President 2013
ORTON,Simon
FIEAust CPEng RPEQ
CAREER
Simon graduated as a mechanical engineer and holds a master's degree in engineering. With extensive leadership experience across construction, mining, manufacturing, government, and not-for-profits, Simon has made significant contributions to the field, including patents, financial improvements, reducing organisation risk exposure and engineering innovation awards. He served as Chair of CELM, Queensland Division Committee, National Congress for two years, and the national Engineers Australia Board for five years.
Today, Simon runs a private family practice, soadvisory, providing risk and safety consulting, audit, investigation, and products across five continents. Simon is a regular presenter at safety conferences, focusing on the human, change, and risk factors essential for engineering, leadership, and sustainability. Additionally, he serves as a not-for-profit director at ERLaw, a professional association supporting professional development programs for lawyers in energy, renewables, and resources. In support of the community, Simon is a strong advocate for improving psychosocial controls in the workplace to reduce the potential for mental health injury. Simon encourages volunteering to build a career and credits volunteering with enhancing his engagement, speaking skills, and helping develop a more balanced delivery style as a professional engineer and leader.
Presidents Highlights 2013
The year 2013 presented unique challenges for Simon as President. His tenure was marked by substantial efforts to refine, realign, and renew the organisation, encouraging volunteers to engage with the wider community, and implementing new modern national regulations to assist volunteers. During this time, media coverage of Engineers Australia increased several-fold across online, print, and TV platforms. Simon's leadership, along with the efforts of other past presidents and media spokespeople, played a crucial role in enhancing the relevance of Engineers Australia in the community.
Simon encouraged teamwork through a values-based leadership style, and the Queensland staff office and volunteer support were exemplary during 2013, contributing to diverse and team-oriented achievements. An example of media engagement during Simon's presidency can be found in an ABC News article: "Engineers Demand More Detail Over Flood Litigation."
Sources:
Biography supplied by Simon Orton 2024
