Citation for Michael Watson Fordyce
Michael Watson Fordyce contribution to the structural engineering profession is creative, diverse and
unique. Mike has made an outstanding contribution to structural engineering
Mike served as National President of Concrete Institute of Australia in 1995-96 and was Queensland
Building Services Authority Mediator for building disputes for several years, and Mike was elected
the very first non-UK based President of the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) for the
session 2004-2005.
Mike is the backbone in promoting a strong link between Engineers Australia and the Institution of
Structural Engineers via the Structural College Board (SCB) and alliance on the Australasian
Structural Engineering Conference (ASEC) organised by SCB. Through Mike’s influence, IStructE
has sponsored one of the keynote speakers in each of the last three Conferences, viz. ASEC2001,
ASEC2005 and ASEC2008.
Mike played a key role in the negotiation and drafting of the Agreement on reciprocal membership
between Engineers Australia and IStructE first signed in 2004 and renewed in 2008. During his term
as President of IStructE, Mike signed similar agreements of cooperation between IStructE and its
sister organizations in USA, Canada and Romania.
In addition Mike has played a prominent role in the development of Safety in Design principles
representing ACEA on a Queensland Government working group producing guidelines for designers.
Mike has also worked with the Board of Professional Engineers in Queensland to further develop and
promote registration of engineers in Queensland.