The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Western Australia Chapter commemorated its 40th anniversary with a grand celebration on Wednesday, 14th June 2023. The SPE Western Australia 40th Anniversary Dinner, held at Matilda Bay Restaurant, brought together industry leaders, sponsors, students, long-service members and esteemed guests for an evening of reflexion, recognition, and networking.
Sponsored by SANTOS, one of the leading energy companies, the event featured a distinguished lineup of speakers who shared their insights and experiences.
Michelle LaPoint, General Manager of Asset Development at Chevron Australia
Dave Reid, General Manager Assess & Develop – Asia Pacific at Woodside Energy
Patricia Fesser, Managing Director, Australasia at SLB
Inersia Soares, inaugural SPE Timor-Leste Student Chapter President
Derrick O’Keeffe, former NOPSEMA Chair SPE WA (2002-2004)
Mike Dworkin, Chair of OVIS
Steve McBride, SPE WA Chair, MC.
The anniversary dinner aimed to celebrate the rich history of SPE WA in Western Australia and highlight the significant contributions and activities of major petroleum and energy companies in the region.
It served as a platform for industry professionals to connect, reminisce, and discuss the future of the energy sector in Australia.
The event embraced the spirit of philanthropy and education by awarding scholarships to Timor-Leste students. Eight scholarship winners, dressed in traditional attire, were honoured during the evening, acknowledging their commitment to furthering their education in the energy industry.
With around 110 attendees, including 15 Past Chairs of SPE WA, representatives from all 23 sponsors for 2023, students from Timor-Leste and Western Australia, SPE Distinguished Lecturers, and long-serving SPE members with 25 to 50+ years of service, the event brought together a diverse range of stakeholders and fostered meaningful connections.
The evening was enhanced by two captivating video slideshows. One showcased the remarkable journey of SPE WA over the past 40 years, capturing the organization’s growth and contributions to the industry. The second slideshow focused on the Timor-Leste initiative, highlighting the SPE WA visits to the island in 2022-23 leading to the establishment of the Timor-Leste Student Chapter.
Attendees were presented with a special memento of the occasion, a SPE Gold Pin, symbolising their participation in this momentous event.
The feedback received post-event has been overwhelmingly positive, with many attendees expressing their appreciation for the celebration’s impact on the industry as a whole. The SPE Western Australia 40th Anniversary Dinner not only provided an opportunity to honour the past but also inspired conversations about both the present and the future of the petroleum and energy sectors in the region.
As SPE WA continues its legacy of fostering innovation, knowledge-sharing, and professional development, this milestone celebration stands as a testament to the Section’s commitment to excellence and collaboration.
