Media Release

Australia’s first Indigenous electrical engineer joins the board of EAA

Eleven years ago, Ben Lange proudly graduated from the University of NSW as one of the first Indigenous electrical engineers in Australia. His passion for engineering was sparked when he travelled from the Northern Beaches of Cairns to Sydney to attend a week‐long summer school at University of New South Wales, organised and funded by Engineering Aid Australia (EAA).

Ben credits that week at summer school for giving him the drive and confidence to do well in his Higher School Certificate and the goal of returning to Sydney to study electrical engineering. Now an Incident Response Manager with Ausgrid’s System Control Team, Ben has come full circle and has recently accepted a seat on the board of EAA.

“Being an alumni of the program I really want to foster those Indigenous students coming through and act as a go‐between the students and the board. I’d love to see more Indigenous students forge careers in engineering with the ultimate objective of being able to take control of infrastructure works going on in our communities” explains Ben.

Ben will sit on the EAA board alongside John Carter, Jeff McMullen, Annabel Killen, Larissa Andrews, Peter Berry, John McKillop, Catherine Pooley, Anne Vans‐Colina and incoming chairman Greg Steele, CEO of Arcadis Australia Pacific.

“Ben is a terrific example of the success of the EAA program and is a strong role model for indigenous students coming through” says Mr Steele. “I am very proud to be chairing a board of very diverse Directors who all have a deep desire to make a difference through the EAA program”.

Since Ben Lange’s success, EAA has facilitated Indigenous students from around Australia to complete engineering or related degrees and currently has 33 undergraduates at leading universities.

EAA has partnered with universities in Sydney, Perth and Newcastle to bring Indigenous high school students to summer schools to showcase engineering degrees with the goal of increasing enrolment. Those who continue their studies are supported through a range of scholarships and are supported with finding career opportunities.

To arrange an interview with Ben Lange or to find out more about EAA please contact:

Jill Murray: jill.murray@arcadis.com                      (02 8907 9150)

Rachel Friend: Rachel@mediafriendly.com.au      (0417 500 915)