Brian Atkins, Newcastle chair – National Challenge Council of Australia
Brian Atkins sees his contribution to the community as just something he does, nothing too special.
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He recently received a Premier's Volunteer Recognition Program award from Newcastle state MP Tim Crakanthorp for his contribution to the youth education.
I joined Rotary as a Rotarian in 1974, he said.
It was about the year 2000 [when] there was a program about some science experiments which were going to take place at Newcatle Museum. There was some simple little things that the Museum had organised and I could see a future in it.
Given the opportunity to develop the University of Newcastles Science and Engineering Challenge, Mr Atkins helped grow the event into an annual and nationwide science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) program.
His work with the project expanded to a National Challenge Council of Australia councillor and now as the Newcastle Regional Chair.
He watched the challenge spread its interests across Australia, to Singapore and to Manchester, England.
But Newcastle remains the epicentre of the program.
The Newcastle challenge for 2018 has 40 nominated high schools and five waiting on a reserve list.
Im over the moon with it, Mr Atkins said. Ive got a really good committee working with me; Rotarians, community members, teachers and university staff.
People put their heart and soul into it, we cant do it without them.
Newcastle is a very special area in science and engineering.
Mr Atkins, 72, had a long career in the building and construction industry before he retired, which he says spurred his interest into working with the challenge.
I just had that love of engineering, he said. If I hadnt of gone into building, I would have gone straight into science.
A member of the Rotary Club Of Waratah since he joined in the 70s, Mr Atkins has worked on a variety of Rotary projects and served as a district governor.
He says a health incident a few years ago gave him a new lease on life and fueled his enthusiasm to keep contributing to the community.
It never stopped the passion I had for working with this, he said.
People always say to me: Brian, has the challenge got a used-by date? and I say not the way its going.
But it depends on raising the sponsorship we need.
Mr Atkins says hes proud of his achievements and the influence of the program to inspire kids into STEM subjects and careers.
If I can put something back into the community, than I feel Ive done OK.