Committee Members
Josh Wickham (GPA Engineering)…current Chair
Grant Nelson (Fyfe)…general all-round nice guy
Michael Jarosz (PIRSA)…immediate past Chair
Seeking more committee members!
Are you looking to get more involved, meet like minded people and increase your exposure in the pipeline industry? SA YPF is currently looking for more committee members to join the excitement! We currently have no representative from any owner/operating companies, constructors or vendors on the committee. If you’re interested, eager and willing, please contact Josh at Josh.w@gpaeng.com.au
SA YPF Event – Pub Night Presentation: Pipeline Research in Australia – 8 November 2011
On the 8th of November, a group of 25 SA YPFers gathered at the local Maid & Magpie hotel to learn about pipeline research activities currently being undertaken across Australia. The speaker was Professor Valerie Linton, CEO of the Australia’s dedicated pipeline research centre, the Energy Pipeline CRC since its inception in 2010. No stranger to Adelaide, Professor Linton was recognised by a few former students from her previous role as a Professor at the University of Adelaide.
The presentation gave a great overview of the role of the EPCRC and how it fits in with the participating Universities (including Adelaide), APIA’s Research & Standards Committee (RSC) and the sector in general. The four main research programs were each covered (refer https://www.epcrc.com.au/ for details) along with a brief discussion on some of the work being undertaken within each program. Good discussion was held regarding linepipe procurement and the recent project on improving purchase specifications…keep your eyes peeled, this may be a topic of a future SA YPF event next year!…Professor Linton finished with informing YPFers how they can get involved, either directly or as industry participants via the APIA RSC. Thank you to Valerie for the presentation and the EPCRC for sponsoring the pub night venue, drinks and nibbles.
SA YPF Event – Pipeline Engineering Training Program – 16 August 2011
A lunchtime presentation provided good fuel for debate among the 18 Young Pipeliners attending the SA YPF event in the PIRSA training room. Chris Harvey provided a well received update on the pipeline engineering competencies and the AS2885 Guide, and discussed how individuals and companies can utilise this information. Awareness is a big step, and it was good to see many participants inspired to have a detailed look at the guide when they returned to the office. The competencies were also well received, but with a room of Gen Y’s, it was difficult to escape the question of “what’s in it for me?”. As such, there was a strong discussion on accreditation and certification, or other forms of formal recognition obtained from completing the competencies. The group was interested to hear of progress with Engineers Australia and overall gave a positive response to having pipeline engineering recognised through that association. It was certainly impressive to see what has been achieved so far, and was a good experience for the group. Many thanks to Chris Harvey for the presentation, and PIRSA for providing the venue, lunch and drinks.
SA YPF Barossa Valley Wine Tour – 16 April 2011
A little after 10 in the morning on Saturday the 16th of April a group of 20 young pipeliners and their partners sipped at their first glass of Seppeltsfield’s famous fortified Tawny Ports. Established in 1851, Seppeltsfield is one of Australia’s earliest wineries, and still carries on the valley’s initial traditions of fortified wines. It was an apt starting point for the SA YPF Barossa Valley wine tour of 2011, an event made possible due to the generous support of the two sponsors, GPA Engineering and Tyco Flow Control Pacific. The group was taken on a journey through Seppeltfield’s history, accompanied by their fortified old Tawny Ports, Tokays and Muscats, including smelling the rich aroma of their flagship 100 year old Para Tawny. The ancient drop is part of a continuous production dating back to 1878 when Benno Seppelt filled the first French oak barrel and laid it to rest with specific instructions not to touch for a century.
The group continued on to Peter Lehmann’s winery, for tastings of a few dry whites and their well known Stonewell Shiraz. A much appreciated lunch platter was provided in their private dining room comprising some of the delicious local produce of the valley. A perfect way to relax, and a good opportunity to talk about current projects and upcoming YPF events.
Following a short stop at the Tanunda pub, the young pipeliners continued on to Rockford’s, the boutique family owned winery near Lyndoch. After inspecting a couple of large barrels, full of crushed grapes picked in the recent harvest, the group continued into one of the group of small stone cottages that collectively make up the winery and cellar door. The intimate tasting featured their very popular rose-style, Alicante Bouche, and a few of their outstanding reds, including Moppa Springs and the much sought after Basket Press.
Finishing up a Grant Burge, for more tastings of some excellent wines (including the Holy Trinity, and the Frizzante collection of sparkling wines) the young pipeliners enjoyed the warm afternoon sun with a wander through their manicured gardens and decorative red vines below the cellar door. It was the perfect ending to a relaxing day in the Barossa, and a great setting for the networking event.
Due to the success of the inaugural SA YPF wine tour, it may become a regular networking event for the SA YPF community, so keep your eyes peeled for future SA YPF networking tours around the wine regions of South Australia. If you’re interested in sponsoring or attending future SA YPF event please email the SA YPF committee representative, Josh Wickham, at Josh.w@gpaeng.com.au