Robert Staples Awarded Emeritus Membership at 2025 State Conference Gala Dinner

At the conclusion of our 2025 State Conference, the annual Gala Dinner on Friday 11th April provided the fitting occasion to recognise an exceptional career in public works. The Institute’s President, Grant Baker, had the honour of presenting Robert Staples with Emeritus Membership, one of the highest distinctions awarded by the Institute.

 

Mr Staples has dedicated nearly 50 years to the public works sector, contributing significantly across both local government and private practice. Holding a Civil Engineering degree, an MBA, and a suite of qualifications in local government management and training, Robert has served in key roles at councils including North Sydney, Snowy River, and Eurobodalla.

 

Through his consulting business, Robert continues to support local government infrastructure delivery. His project portfolio includes major works such as the Snowy Mountains Airport Upgrade, the NSW Rural Fire Service Fire Brigade Shed Upgrade Program, and the National Performance Reporting Indicators Audit for Shoalhaven Water.

 

A Fellow of the Institute since 1992, Robert has played a long-standing and influential role within IPWEA NSW & ACT. In 2018, he was instrumental in the establishment of the Institute’s Project and Portfolio Management Panel, where he has served as Deputy Chair and continues to contribute to its development. In 2022, he co-authored the Project Management Toolkit, a resource designed to assist councils in the effective delivery of infrastructure projects.

 

Robert Staples remains an active contributor to the Institute through regular participation in State Conferences, technical events, and chapter meetings. His leadership and ongoing commitment to the profession have had a lasting impact on the institute and the profession at large.

 

The Institute congratulates Mr Robert Staples on being awarded Emeritus Membership and thanks him for his decades of dedicated service to public works engineering.