Ray Fisher Award for Technical Excellence 2026
The Ray Fisher Award for Technical Excellence in 2025 was presented to Dr Torill Pape, a pre-eminent expert in bridges and structures and currently Deputy Chief Engineer (structures) with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Dr Pape’s nearly 25-year career has been marked by practical contributions to major transport projects nationwide, underpinned by her extensive scholarship, including the Austroads Engineering Guideline to Bridge Asset Management.
Her innovative work in data-driven structural asset management and collaborative research initiatives have significantly enhanced the industry’s technical capabilities and governance.
THE CRITERIA
Selection criteria for the award are as follows:
Field of contribution
The field of contribution must be in a technical or scientific area relevant to transport. Indicative areas of contribution include construction, design, safety, freight, research, and sustainability.
Impact of Contribution
The contribution must be outstanding. This will be measured directly in terms of its impact on the industry, the advancement of science and the community.
Recognition of Contribution
The extent to which the contribution is acknowledged by the candidate’s professional peers within the relevant scientific or technical field.
Personal achievement
It must be demonstrated that the candidate’s contribution significantly reflects personal endeavour, as distinct from the work of others.
Originality
Candidates will also be assessed on the originality and unique quality of their contribution and the transformational change to the industry. The spark of innovation must be evident.
Durability
Candidates will also be assessed on the extent to which their contribution is likely to endure and be applied by future generations.
Further Potential
Ideally candidates for the award will still have further contributions to make to the industry and the community. It is expected that the award will recognise their achievements to date and thereby enhance the opportunity for the candidate to make yet a further contribution.
PAST RECIPIENTS
Amongst the past recipients of this prestigious award are:
2025 – Dr Torill Pape
2022 – Geoff Ayton
2021 – George Mavroyeni
2020 – David Hazell
2019 – Dr Richard Kelly
2018 – Harry Asche
2017 – Rod Troutbeck
2016 – John Hilton
2015 – Professor Mary Lydon
2014 – Rahmi Akçelik
2013 – Kieran Sharp
2012 – John Hodgkinson
2011 – Dr John B Metcalf