Golden Reunion: UQ Mechanical Engineering Class of 1975 Reflects on 50 Years of Change and Innovation
A remarkable journey came full circle as 17 graduates from The University of Queensland’s Mechanical Engineering Class of 1975 returned to St Lucia to celebrate their 50-year reunion. With attendees travelling from across Queensland, interstate, and even as far as the United States, the event was more than a reunion - it was a tribute to enduring friendships, shared history, and the incredible evolution of engineering over the past half-century.
Out of a cohort of 23, the turnout was exceptional. And while not every classmate could be there in person, one alum, Alan Edwards, who was unable to make the trip from Melbourne, was dialled in on FaceTime by his old mates, a gesture that perfectly captured camaraderie that has defined this group for five decades.
Engineering: Then and Now
In 1975, mechanical engineering was grounded in fundamentals - thermodynamics, statics, and machine design - taught using chalkboards, slide rules, and drafting pens. Fast forward to 2025, and today’s students at UQ work in state-of-the-art facilities, using tools like AI, robotics, and advanced manufacturing.
During their visit, the alumni toured UQ’s cutting-edge engineering precinct, where they were introduced to some of the most transformative changes in the profession.
Shifting Skills, Expanding Horizons
The alumni were quick to note how the required skill sets of engineers have expanded. Today’s graduates need more than technical acumen - they must navigate global challenges, ethical dilemmas, interdisciplinary collaboration, and sustainability imperatives.
The role of data science, AI, automation, and digital tools has profoundly reshaped the engineering landscape. Yet the foundational mindset of solving complex problems and designing for the future still sits at the core.
A welcome and notable change is the diversity seen in today’s cohorts. While the Class of 1975 was entirely male, modern UQ engineering classrooms reflect a far broader spectrum of students.
Legacy and Lifelong Connections
Among the group was Mr Ken McBryde, whose engineering career took him across the globe. Serving as an engineer officer in the Royal Australian Navy on Oberon-class submarines and later, as Assistant Naval Attaché in London assigned to the Australian High Commission, Ken credits his UQ engineering foundation with opening doors to experiences few professions could offer.
“Engineering is more than a job - it’s a passport to the world,” said Ken. “From working on submarines, to international projects for Australia, and now owning a small business back in Queensland, it’s given me opportunities I never could have imagined as a student back in ’75.”
Many in the class went on to influence industries across Australia and worldwide - leaving their mark in energy, defence, mining, research, education, and beyond. But what was most noticeable at the reunion was the strength of the friendships forged during their formative years at UQ.
“There’s something about going through engineering together that bonds you for life,” said alum and reunion organiser, Peter Roles. “Even 50 years later, the stories start flowing like no time has passed.”
The group gathered for drinks and a meal at Patina in the aptly named Alumni Court, and there was a collective sense of pride - not only in how far they had come, but in how the field of engineering continues to grow and adapt with each new generation.
As they raised a glass to the past and discussed their next milestone get together, one thing was clear. While the tools and technologies may change, the spirit of engineering, and the lifelong camaraderie it builds, remain as strong as ever.
