Events

The Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology invites you to attend the 2026 Kernot Memorial Medal Oration, celebrating engineering excellence and leadership.

The Faculty is proud to honour Samantha Read FRACI GAICD BEng (Hons) as the recipient of the 2026 Kernot Memorial Medal, FEIT’s most prestigious award, recognising her outstanding contributions to engineering and her impact across industry and public policy over a distinguished career spanning manufacturing, chemicals, automotive and renewable fuels. 

In her oration, Shaping Australia’s Future Through Engineering, Samantha Read will explore how engineering leadership can help Australia turn disruption into opportunity and shape our industrial, economic and environmental future. As Australia navigates the energy transition, rapid technological change and circular economy opportunities, engineers are doing more than building what comes next. They are helping shape it.

Drawing on more than three decades of leadership across manufacturing, automotive, chemicals and renewable fuels, Samantha will share insights from a career at the intersection of industry, engineering and public policy, demonstrating the critical role engineers play in shaping Australia’s future.

This event will appeal to students, researchers, alumni, industry professionals and anyone interested in engineering, innovation, sustainability and leadership.

We invite you to our Burnley Campus Discovery Day. This year celebrates our 135th Anniversary of continuous horticultural education and we invite you to come for a day showcasing the Burnley campus, research, education sustainability and the gardens.

From research and garden tours, artist talks, plant sales, activities and refreshments - there’s something for all.

Learn about research in horticulture, urban greening, waterways and ecology.

Chat to our academics to learn more about study options at Burnley and ask your gardening questions.

Highlights include:

• Tours of the green roof, Woody Meadow, field station and gardens

• Plant Sale and Friends of Burnley Gardens membership and book sale

• Country Women’s Association refreshments

• Exhibitions of Burnley Gardens Open Art Studio and Archives

• ‘Ask me anything’ garden advice