GPA Engineering farewells founding member

By the GPA Engineering team
The Australian Pipeliner — January 2011

At a time when it sometimes appears that engineering is just about project management rather than the technical solutions, designs and directions, retiring General Manager and co-founder of GPA Engineering Geoff McKinnon has always been committed to designing engineering solutions. Geoff’s GPA colleagues pay tribute to his contribution to the industry and his company.

An electrical engineer in the world of pipelines

As an electrical engineer, Geoff’s contribution to the pipeline industry has been significant. In this world of remote control, radio and satellite communication, automatic billing and dynamic gas trading control rooms, pipeline systems have become more and more sophisticated and multi-functional.

The ability to manage and control vast networks in real-time has never been so important given the booming coal seam gas industry where gas and water facilities need safe, sophisticated, reliable monitoring and control systems.

Successful delivery of these systems rests on the abilities and legacies of engineers such as Geoff.

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An enthusiastic APIA member

Geoff and GPA joined APIA in 1987 at the same time that the company was formed. The GPA team says that it has been a long and enjoyable marriage with APIA. “However, although GPA remains committed to the marriage, it is with some sadness that we must announce to you that Geoff McKinnon is giving up his GPA Directors mantle as of June 2011 and is unlikely to be seen at the pipeline conferences next year and beyond,” the team says.

“With an extraordinary run of consecutive wins in the APIA fancy dress he has decided to unbuckle his Amigo six guns, hang up his Tasmanian devil red lycra leotard, pass on his ‘queen of the desert’ tiara and send the clown fish to the dry cleaners. We will all miss the tweet of our most celebrated pied piper, his Willy Wonka whistle and his beautiful Oompa Loompa wife, Donna, at next year’s annual fancy dress event.”

GPA reflects “Fortunately Geoff has employed like-minded individuals who nurture technical excellence, enjoy engineering design, have a propensity for dressing up and enjoy good coffee.”

GPA and many friends at APIA thank Geoff and his wife Donna for the fun, friendship and legacy left.

Geoff’s reflection on GPA

The GPA team asked Geoff to reflect on what makes GPA stand out from other engineering companies.

GPA’s directors are working engineers who assist in the solutions.
GPA engineers pride themself on a fair and friendly approach using honesty, integrity and care whether it be regulator, supplier, fabricator, contractor, engineer or client. All form part of the final solution.
GPA cares about the quality of the engineering solution and is keen to see one that performs better than expectations.
GPA engineers pride themselves in performing plant modifications or upgrades in existing plants with limited original design documentation. In many circumstances our engineers are the only constant, in the ever changing face of people and management that is part of everyday modern facilities.
Clients rely on the company and trust GPA to get the job done and done right. They are reassured that we are focussed on delivering the solution, managing the risks and not spending the budget.
GPA has brought this formula permanently to Queensland and looks forward to working in many projects throughout the state.

Image caption: Geoff McKinnon.; and, GPA’s Queensland office.

Appeared in issue: The Australian Pipeliner - January 2011 The Australian Pipeliner — January 2011