Gordon Noel Kerrison, BEE FIEAust (1928 – 2018).
It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of former National President and Distinguished Life Member Noel Kerrison.
Noel was educated in electrical engineering at the University of Melbourne. Following graduation he became a lecturer in electrical engineering at the University of Tasmania. His love for imparting knowledge continued for a further 20 years as a part time evening lecturer in the Diploma of Engineering at the Hobart Senior Technical College and when its successor the College of Advanced Education was established. Through that role he contributed to the development of most engineers joining the Hydro Electric Commission.
Following his time at the University of Tasmania, he joined the Hydro-Electric Commission of Tasmania in 1958. He was the System Control Engineer with the HEC from 1963 to 1978; in this role he had the responsibility for the safe, efficient and secure operation of the electrical transmission and generation systems in Tasmania. This role entailed the management of civil infrastructure supporting generation and transmission infrastructure as well as developing a detailed understanding of hydrology, meteorology and the safety of dams. In 1979 he became Chief Electrical Engineer responsible for the design and construction of all electrical and mechanical generating and transmission equipment
As Chief Electrical Engineer he was closely involved in the work on the Gordon below Franklin Hydro Scheme and following the suspension of that Scheme by the Federal Government in the design and development of the West Coast HEC Schemes. In his role at Hydro he represented the organization at the Electricity Supply Association of Australia, served on the national Committee of CIGRE and was on the Ziedler committee’s review into power resources of Eastern Australia. He initiated and chaired and inter-departmental committee into options for gas supply to Tasmania. Following restructuring of the HEC he became Assistant General Manager Business and Corporate Planning, a position he held until his retirement in 1991.
Noel was an active member of the Association of Professional Engineers from his university days.
He was a member of the HEC Group Committee and the Tasmanian Branch Committee, during which time he served as Tasmanian Vice President for three years and state President for five years. In 1967 he became a member of Federal Council a position he held until 1979. He was the National Senior Vice-President from 1974 until 1977 and became General President in 1978. Stepping down when he was appointed to the Chief Electrical Engineer position at HEC. Nevertheless, he continued to encourage younger engineers to participate as members of APEA. During his time on Federal Council he served on the special committees on Engineering Education and Professional Affairs.
The Association conferred a Distinguished Life Member Award in 1979 in recognition of his distinguished and unstinting service.
Our deepest condolences to his wife Pat, his children and extended family.
