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Weed wizard wins award


Volume 49, No. 1, February 8, 2007
 
IN THE WEEDS: OFFCDT Geoff Young with the prize-winning project that may earn him a ticket to the UK. Photo courtesy of Griffith Universityormer pilot and author Jeff Pedrina with his book in a hangar at 38SQN.
Photo by AC Aaron Curran
 
AN ELECTRONIC device that can identify weeds and hit them with a measured dose of herbicide has earned a civil schooling student the right to represent Queensland in a prestigious national final year project competition in the UK.

OFFCDT Geoff Young, a Griffith University student, won the Queensland round for his final year project presentation in the competition coordinated by the UK-based Institute of Engineering and Technology.

If he wins the national event being held next month, OFFCDT Young will go on to the UK to present his project to his British counterparts.

OFFCDT Young’s outgoing and inventive presentation style won over the judges completely – the panel comments said his “exuberant presentation style was a breath of fresh air in the engineering world”.

Although he hasn’t graduated yet, his invention has already been snapped up by Technigro and will be patented and manufactured.

It will be faster and more efficient than current weed spraying technology, leading to environmental and economic benefits to councils, land managers and ultimately consumers.

OFFCDT Young started in the Air Force as a communications electronic technician before deciding to take the plunge and go to university as a mature age Bachelor of Electronic Engineering student. With the help and support of the Air Force, he was able to undertake this dream.

“The project was completed in my Industrial Affiliates Program which took place with Technigro during my final year,” OFFCDT Young said.

“I was meant to spend about 400 hours on it, but I got so involved that I ended up spending about 1200 hours on it.

“I’ve always been fascinated with electronics.

“Obviously it was a big decision to go back to university as an adult, but when you decide to do something you love, it makes it a lot easier. I’m so glad I did it, I have really found my calling in life.

“It’s great to actually look forward to going to work, and translating everyday work problems into exciting challenges. I just can’t believe that for the rest of my life I will be paid for doing what I love.”