Hi readers
I feel privileged to write the foreword for this edition of Map it Out on the land of the Wurundjeri people. For this issue, I want to highlight the value of surveying and spatial to our community and the need to embrace diversity and transform how we work.
I am forever grateful to a wise career advisor who directed me to a Bachelor of Geomatic Engineering two decades ago. After graduating in 2007, my interest in property and cadastral law led me to Land Use Victoria where I have developed a passion for mentoring others within the surveying profession.
The surveying industry fosters an environment that has allowed me to experience many facets of the profession and I am proud to be a part of it.
Through incredible support across Land Use Victoria and the wider surveying profession, I was able to undertake a series of secondments that enabled me to achieve registration as a Licensed Surveyor in 2012. These experiences made me jump at the opportunity to project manage the initial phase of the review of the Licensing pathway in Victoria and help pave the way for a new licensing pathway where there are fewer barriers and create a more flexible approach.
With women making up just 4.5% of licensed surveyors, I’m excited about the review and the potential for better processes to attract a more diverse surveying workforce. This project, led by the Surveyors Registration Board of Victoria, is one I continue to watch and participate in with great interest and I encourage the profession to do the same.
I now manage an enthusiastic, diverse and talented Land Reform Projects team that is responsible for investigating land tenure and parcel definition matters. This vital work supports the delivery of Government land reform projects.
Working with project partners, the team provides plan and land surveying services for projects of State significance. Our current projects include:
Managing these projects has required establishing a test bed for driving innovative tools, digital solutions, and streamlined processes. This approach is not only developing collaborative and secure digital tools for crown land administration but will also enable the establishment of common goals and expectations for stakeholders across land reform projects.
I also look forward to commencing as Principal Specialist Land Registry Services in a few weeks, where I will continue supporting Land Use Victoria's Digital transformation, including practice reform, and have an active role in training and industry engagement.
My 16 years with Land Use Victoria have allowed me to enjoy different experiences and participate in transforming the way we work.
I am excited by the next phase of digital transformation that is underway and the opportunities and benefits for the profession, its stakeholders and the community we serve.
Keep Smiling
Michele
Michele McJames
Manager Land Reform Projects
Surveyor-General Victoria
Department of Transport and Planning