Dr Max Lay is the 2009 recipient of the Australian road industry’s top award for outstanding achievement, the John Shaw Medal.
Dr Lay, an Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia, was presented with the Medal in front of 250 industry peers at a glittering Awards dinner, sponsored by Bilfinger Berger Australia, during the two-day National Roads Summit in July.
Introducing Dr Lay, Roads Australia Chief Executive, Ian Webb, described him as a ‘great industry mentor’ who had profoundly influenced civil engineering in Australia through his work with organisations as diverse as VicRoads, ARRB, RACV, SKM and Melbourne’s CityLink.
“His public service is underpinned by scholarship and innovation. Max has written over 700 publications, including works that are internationally recognised as seminal texts,” Mr Webb said.
In accepting his Award, Dr Lay stressed the importance of road builders leaving a lasting and substantive legacy for the community.
“When we build and design a road we’re leaving something not just for us, but for generations to come,” he said.
“We ought to do it right, and we ought to make sure it looks great. Because it doesn’t cost anymore to produce a good road then it does a bad road. It just requires design inspiration and dedication.”
Dr Lay was presented with his Medal by Bilfinger Berger Australia Chairman, the Hon Nick Greiner. Among the guests on the night were four past recipients of the Medal - Neil Doyle, Colin Jordan, Tom Wilmot and Geoff Youdale.
Submitted by Mark Bowmer on Friday August 7th 2009 12:22pm