Mike Wallis has been lauded for his engineering and mentoring skills for generations
It is a rare feat to stay in a job for six decades but engineer Mike Wallis has reached the milestone. Read why he works the way he plays golf.
Tasmania
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For 60 years, legendary and lauded engineer Mike Wallis has helped keep the lights on for all Tasmanians.
An inspirational and generous mentor, he’s guided generations with his immense knowledge and recall.
His colleagues at Hydro Tasmania and consulting firm Entura describe Mr Wallis as a perfectionist who works like he plays golf — being consistent, steady, calm and precise — and exceptionally good at what he does.
There were no engineers in his family but the 78-year-old liked maths and technical drawing at school and started working for Hydro in February 1965. He is the first employee to achieve the six-decade milestone.
He has seen 13 CEOs come and go, the introduction of computers and worked interstate and overseas.
“It has been a long and enjoyable 60 years,” Mr Wallis said ahead of his retirement in June.
“People ask me why I have stayed as I long as I have. I like the work, I like the people and if I didn’t, I wouldn’t still be here.
“I love the challenge of helping provide a solution or answer to a query. I also work with a great group of people who help each other where possible.
“The introduction of computers would have to be one of the biggest changes and also, the awareness and importance of workplace, health and safety is another big change.
“Computers have made life much easier in being able to analyse simple and complex problems in a much faster and more accurate way.”
Mr Wallis contributed to major projects including the Gordon Power Station, the Pieman Scheme, and his favourite, Devils Gate Dam at Lake Barrington, one of the thinnest concrete arch dams in the world.
“What I am proud of is that I play a small part in helping Hydro Tasmania increase and maintain its generating capacity so that the lights are kept on and Tasmanians can have a better life.
“Devils Gate Dam is a unique structure with its thin double curvature arch shape and central overflow spillway.
“I was involved with the design during the first few years of my career.”
He credits late Labor Premier Eric Reece for Tasmania’s hydro schemes and is optimistic for the future.
“Without his insight I am not sure where Tasmania would be today,” Mr Wallis said.
“I see the construction of pumped hydro schemes being the major focus in the next 60 years along with the upgrading and modernisation of existing infrastructure.”
Mr Wallis chose to specialise in hydraulics, the science of using liquids in motion, because he found it more tangible than other areas of engineering.
“With electrical, you can’t see the current. Stresses in steel and concrete you can’t see. But with water, you can see it and how it acts.”
Colleagues say anything Mr Wallis doesn’t know about civil engineering and Hydro Tasmania probably isn’t worth knowing.
They say he has been an inspiring mentor for emerging professionals and has supported many students with their postgraduate projects and PhDs, including Hydro Tasmania water engineer Ben James.
“I didn’t realise until later that the huge amount of time and effort he’d given me was all entirely voluntary,” Mr James said.
“He gave me several days of his own time and effort.
“What stands out about Mike is he’s very enthusiastic and he seems to naturally gravitate to mentoring roles.”
Colleague Craig Ludlow described him as an “awesome human, with the best memory in the world and completely generous with his time.”
Entura managing director Dr Amanda Ashworth said Mr Wallis’s understanding of Hydro Tasmania’s assets was unmatched.
“Mike could write a book on Tasmania’s hydropower schemes. No one can match his profound knowledge of our assets. He is truly irreplaceable,” she said.
“There’s no better example of work keeping you young if you love what you do and where you do it.”
Hydro Tasmania acting CEO Erin van Maanen said his legacy would live on.
“It’s amazing to think that Mike already has this incredible 60-year legacy, which is more than half of the history of this business.”
Originally published as Mike Wallis has been lauded for his engineering and mentoring skills for generations
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