Vale Fred Edwards

Thursday, 31 May 2012      

Section: Latest News

It is with sadness that we note the passing of Fred Edwards, a Distinguished Life Member of the Association of Professional Engineers (APEA).

Fred was first elected to Federal Council in 1956 and was active in the leadership of the Association as a Federal Committee of Management member until 1969. He also served as a Branch Committee member and NSW Branch Vice President.

Fred played a leading role in the establishment of the APEA Superannuation Fund in his capacity as a convenor of the Special Committee on Superannuation.

Fred also played an important role in the National Survey of 1955 and 1957. This survey was a mammoth job and involved the efforts of many members - the collection and processing of information took over two years. Fred was instrumental in preparing the survey and leading the process of collecting and analysing the information in NSW.

The survey was pivotal for a number of reasons; firstly it was the first time engineers around Australia had reported where they worked (public or private sector) and how much they earned, revealing overwhelmingly, that 79 per cent of engineers worked in the public sector and were low paid.

It was these findings that gave APEA the evidence and momentum to mount the landmark 1961 Professional Engineers Case No. 1, eventually achieving a profound change to the professional recognition and reward given to engineers in Australia.

Past National President Brian Lloyd, described Fred as a “very significant contributor to APEA”.

“As a member of the Committee of Management, I got to know him well and admired him immensely. His achievements and dedication on establishing the superannuation scheme and the national survey were very important to members”.

Fred was made a Distinguished Life Member of the Association in 1973. He was an honours graduate of the University of Sydney in mechanical and electrical engineering.

The National Board, staff and members of APESMA pass on their gratitude and condolences to the Edwards family at this sad time.