Institution news
When Nic Coulthard left the UK in 2010 for a new job in Queensland, Australia, he thought of it as a bit of an adventure. Sixteen years later, he’s married with a family, holds the title of Principal Rollingstock Engineer for a major Australian railway network and is chair of IMechE Oceania Region.
“There is such a huge pedigree of British engineering and talent here,” says Nic who is now based in Melbourne. “Oceania may be the most remote region from IMechE Head Office in London, but I like to think we punch above our weight. After all, no UK based organisation can consider itself truly global unless it has proper representation in Oceania.”
Huge potential
IMechE Oceania Region is made up of five active Australian states and New Zealand. “Our members here are passionate; four are on IMechE’s Council or Trustee Board, which I think is a tribute to our region and a reflection of its importance,” says Nic.
Oceania Region covers an enormous and very diverse area, and its members hold prominent roles in industries such as healthcare, construction and renewable energy. “It’s not a surprise to those of us here,” says Nic, “that in a recent survey conducted by the Institution, Australia and New Zealand came out as the top locations worldwide for potential investment.”
A notable visitor
In recognition of the region’s growing importance, IMechE President Matt Garside visited Aukland, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne in late 2025. Nic and his fellow volunteers who run Oceania Region, organised a packed timetable for Matt, including: a visit to a test lab for carbon fibre technologies, a tour of a hydrogen energy facility and Presidential Dinners in his honour in each destination city.
Nic’s team also took the opportunity to bring the President up-to-speed on a critical change in legislation that will affect engineers in the region.
“Australian State governments are in the process of introducing mandated registration schemes for engineers. As IMechE members require this registration to practice, there is a real opportunity for IMechE to grow by developing a compliant assessment scheme.”
Nic highlights this as the most important issue currently facing Oceania Region and says that members in Queensland (who already have direct experience of working under such a scheme) are critical to informing IMechE’s approach.
An active membership
There are great opportunities in Oceania Region, though the vast geographical size be a challenge, says Nic. “Not all our members live in the population centres. That’s why we have an active web presence, organise regular webinars and even live broadcast some of our in-person events. We also encourage members to meet face-to-face when they can, if only over a drink and a bowl of chips, as that’s when the ideas start flowing.”
One of the annual highlights is the upcoming Christmas in July event in Melbourne. “It’s almost like a religion here,” laughs Nic. “It’s both a networking and social gathering, which reminds our members that we are all part of a meaningful community. It’s very supportive.”
That community support naturally extends to the next generation; for example, attracting young engineers to compete in the Speak Out For Engineering competition or supporting students from Monash University in Melbourne to take part in this year’s Railway Challenge.
A notable history
Oceania has an impressive record of Mechanical Engineering stretching back through history. By way of example, Nic points out Oceania is the most active region outside the UK when it comes to Engineering Heritage Awards.
There are 11 to date, including most recently the Vickers Vimy aircraft in Adelaide and KiwiRail EF Locomotive in Palmerston North. Plus, another two Heritage Awards are soon to be delivered later in 2026, both in New South Wales. “It’s something we are very proud of,” says Nic. “The Institution has real history here.”
Keep up to date in Australia and New Zealand
Visit Oceania Region’s page on IMechE website or follow their posts on LinkedIn.