In this episode, we’re joined by Andrew Derbidge - a structural engineer with more than 25 years’ experience and Director of AD Consulting Engineers in Sydney. From bespoke homes to large-scale commercial projects, Andrew has built a career grounded in technical excellence and genuine connection. Here, Andrew shares his insights on Winning in the Residential Market - exploring what success looks like in today’s landscape, the importance of relationships and reputation, and how engineer...

In this episode, Farzad Moghaddam shares his perspective on Building Career Opportunities - exploring what it takes to transition from academia to industry. He reflects on the expectations of both worlds, how to navigate career shifts with confidence, and the importance of maintaining balance along the way. It’s an insightful conversation about resilience, growth, and shaping a career that works for you.

In this episode, Dak shares his insights on how to create a network that works for you. With decades of experience bridging research and real-world engineering, Dak explores the importance of building meaningful professional relationships that open doors, foster collaboration, and drive innovation. Whether you’re early in your career or well established, his advice on cultivating genuine connections is both practical and inspiring.

In this episode, Peter Valanidas shares My Life Poured in Concrete: My Path, Your Possibilities — a deeply personal reflection on resilience and growth. Through stories from his own career, Peter explores what it means to adapt when things don’t go to plan, how to find purpose in uncertainty, and why perseverance often leads to the most meaningful outcomes.

In this episode, we kick things off with John Hilton — a bridge engineer with over 40 years of experience across Australia, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Now leading design and capability at Aurecon, John shares practical insights on keeping on top of regulatory changes in an industry that never stands still, and how innovation and collaboration can turn compliance into opportunity.

LAUNCHING 14TH OCTOBER. Welcome to this special edition of Said in Concrete, recorded live at the Concrete Institute of Australia’s Concrete 2025 Conference in Adelaide. This year, the CIA along with SmartCrete CRC introduced something a bit different — a dedicated NEXGen conference stream designed to be more relaxed, interactive, and intimate. Across the next few episodes, you’ll hear a series of 20-minute conversations with a diverse group of speakers. These aren’t technical sessions — they...

In this episode of Said in Concrete, host Estelle Clapham celebrates leadership, learning, and a shared passion for concrete with two exceptional guests. Joel Brown, Principal Structural Engineer and Project Manager at WGA, brings expertise across diverse projects, from maritime infrastructure to renewable energy, with a niche in wind turbine foundation design. A/Prof Liza O’Moore, a Life Member and former National President of the Concrete Institute of Australia, shares insights from her 30+...

In this episode of Said in Concrete, host Estelle Clapham is joined by two leaders driving innovation in asset management—Daniel Anstice, Senior Technical Director at GHD, and Brodie Chan, Head of Asset Strategy at Port of Brisbane.Former colleagues turned associates and friends, Daniel and Brodie share how their collaboration has shaped their careers and advanced asset renewal and life extension in the civil and maritime sectors. With Daniel’s 28 years of experience and Brodie’s strategic ex...

In Part Two of this special Said in Concrete conversation, host Estelle Clapham continues her inspiring discussion with Echo Wang and Professor Shan Kumar.In this episode, we dive deeper into the importance of collaboration, the challenges of implementing sustainable solutions, and how the blend of emerging ideas with decades of expertise is key to building a resilient future for concrete.Tune in for the conclusion of this two-part series that celebrates experience, innovation, and the ever-e...

In this episode of Said in Concrete, host Estelle Clapham explores the powerful connection between fresh perspectives and seasoned expertise in the world of engineering.Echo Wang, a senior professional at NTRO’s Sustainability & Material Performance team, shares her experience transitioning from academia to industry, where she’s driving innovations in low-carbon concrete and sustainable infrastructure.Alongside her is Professor Shan Kumar, former National President of the Concrete Institu...

In this episode of Said in Concrete, host Estelle Clapham sits down with David Millar, CEO of the Concrete Institute of Australia, and Indira Vasikova, a PhD student at UTS researching low-carbon concrete solutions. Despite meeting for the first time, their conversation beautifully bridges generations, showcasing the value of connecting seasoned professionals with emerging talent.They explore how the industry has evolved, the power of collaboration between government, industry, and academia, ...

In this episode of Said in Concrete, host Estelle Clapham is joined by two inspiring trailblazers shaping the future of the concrete industry. Diana Geaboc, Project Manager at Port of Brisbane, shares her experience delivering multi-million-dollar maritime infrastructure projects, while Professor Rebecca Gravina, TMR Chair of Structural Engineering at UQ, brings over 25 years of expertise in research and consulting.Together, they explore the powerful synergy between academia and industry, cel...

In this episode of Said in Concrete, we sit down with Professor Vute Sirivatnanon and Dr Liam Martin to explore the unexpected paths careers can take and how research can drive real-world change. From mentoring the next generation to applying cutting-edge concrete durability insights, Vute and Liam share lessons from their journey and decades of expertise. Tune in for inspiration and practical advice!

In this episode of Said in Concrete, we’re joined by Sachi Karunaratha and Satyajit Datar to explore how academia and industry can work together to create real-world solutions. From sustainable innovations like rubberised concrete to decades of engineering expertise shaping major infrastructure, we discuss career opportunities, seizing the moment, and building a more sustainable future. Don’t miss it!

In the first episode of Said in Concrete, we’re joined by two remarkable professionals from BG&E—Dak Baweja, and Irene Susanto.Together, Dak and Irene explore the power of cross-generational collaboration, where decades of expertise meet fresh perspectives. We discuss their unique dynamic, the industry’s evolving stance on refurbish vs. rebuild, and how sustainability remains central to concrete engineering.From sharing career-shaping lessons to solving complex challenges and even b...

Coming 5th December 2024!The Concrete Institute of Australia's NexGen team is thrilled to launch our new podcast series, Said in Concrete. Produced by SmartCrete CRC, this podcast shines a spotlight on all thing concrete!In this first season, we have brought together and amazing lineup of guests representing both the next generation of changemakers and seasoned experts. Together, we'll dive into their career journeys, ambitions, lessons learned and hopes for the future.