Annual Report 2003–2004

Surveyor General Victoria staff on site at Commonwealth Games Village – resolving complex boundary issuesRecognising and Encouraging ExcellenceAn important aim of the Board is to improveperceptions of the role of surveyors andacknowledge their expertise and achievements.Annual AwardsThe Board sponsors two University awards toacknowledge exceptional achievement insurveying studies and to encourage surveyingstudents to consider registration with the Board.The 2003 RMIT University Award was presentedto Mark Mangan, who achieved the best overallresults in the final year Cadastral Surveyingcourse and the final year Major Surveying Project.The 2003 University of Melbourne Award waspresented to Meredith Hutchison, who attainedthe best overall results in Cadastral Studies insecond, third and fourth year.The Board also presents an award to thesurveyor who achieved the best overall resultsfor registration. The 2003–2004 award waspresented to two surveyors: Kellie Yates andLincon Morris for the quality of their folios andprojects they presented during the trainingagreement and the period of time taken tocomplete the registration process.‘... you have a great responsibility resting on yourshoulders – the social and economic infrastructure of acountry depends to a large extent on its landadministration system and you, as surveyors are a key partof that system. But take the weight off your shoulders byenjoying the responsibility you have by going that bitfurther – “go the next step” in all aspects of your life andget the most out of it’.Ceremony to Confer RegistrationOn 11 November 2003, the Board conducted aconferral ceremony to acknowledge andcelebrate the achievements of newly registeredand licensed surveyors. The ceremony is anexcellent opportunity for the surveyors tocelebrate their achievement with their family andcolleagues, eminent members of the surveyingprofession and members of the Board.Ten surveyors received registration certificates atthe ceremony held in the Gippsland Room at 55Collins Street, Melbourne on 11 November 2003.Professor John Parker, Surveyor General andChairman of the Board from 1989 to 1998,delivered the keynote speech with the theme,“Go the Next Step”. The theme related tounexpected personal opportunities, client versuscommunity interests, professional development,standing up for your beliefs and searching for theextra old survey mark.Promoting High Standards in PracticeThe Board works with the profession andthe community to promote and ensure thathigh standards in practice and service deliveryare provided.Survey Audit ProgramThe Survey Audit Program is a risk managementinitiative that aims to protect the integrity ofVictoria’s property boundary system throughrandom and targeted survey audits. The Office ofthe Surveyor General audits surveys lodged atLand Registry, prior to registration, as part of theaudit program, but may also carry out postregistrationaudits in support of Boardinvestigations. The Board undertakesinvestigations and disciplinary proceedingswith those surveyors whose audit reports areconsistently unsatisfactory.Prof John Parker, Surveyor General and Chairman of the Board 1989–19988