Michael (Mike) Taylor Australian Society for Microbiology Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

Michael (Mike) Taylor

Mike completed an engineering degree at UWA in mid 1968 and joined the Public Works Department. An early highlight was spending 1970 on the construction of the Ord River Dam. In 1971 Mike was awarded a Gledden Scholarship and after travel in Europe, completed a Master’s degree at Purdue University in Indiana, USA. Mike re-joined the PWD and returned to Kununurra working on the Ord Irrigation Scheme and various Kimberley town water supplies. This was followed by marine experience in Harbours and Rivers Branch and two years as District Engineer in Geraldton. Returning to Perth Mike was executive officer for the then Water Resources Council, a Ministerial advisory body. With formation of the Water Authority on 1 July 1985, Mike was responsible for support activities for the metropolitan region South of the Swan River. In 1994 he was appointed Manager Construction Branch and in 1996 Manager Project Management Branch. In 2004 he was appointed Manager Capital Investment responsible for the Water Corporation’s capital budget and infrastructure programs. This was the period when the Corporation started drought-proofing Perth with peak expenditure in 2008/2009 exceeding $1 billion. Mike retired in 2012 and is a volunteer with the Royal Western Australian Historical Society. He is also very interested in Western Australia’s engineering heritage and between 2012 and 2021 he was a member of Engineering Heritage Western Australia. Mike has taken on a national role and is currently Chair of Engineering Heritage Australia, a special interest centre supported by Engineers Australia.