Geoff Boughton inspects a home damaged by a cyclone in Queensland in 2006.
Camera IconGeoff Boughton inspects a home damaged by a cyclone in Queensland in 2006. Credit: Supplied/R.Loveridge/Cyclone Testing Station

Perth engineer recognised in Australia Day Honours List

Lucy JarvisJoondalup Times

A PERTH engineer’s passion for protecting homes from wind damage has earned him an Australia Day honour.

Geoff Boughton was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day 2020 Honours List for significant service to engineering and to professional bodies.

The Kingsley resident said seeing the impact of Cyclone Tracy on homes in northern WA in 1974 motivated him to study and work to make homes more resistant to strong winds.

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“While I was sheltering, I thought ‘I want to do something’,” he said.

“For 38 years, I have worked in and around that field to try and improve building standards.

“It’s really important that we protect people.

“If everything is done perfectly, then people who are sheltering in (the houses) are safe.”

Geoff Boughton.
Camera IconGeoff Boughton. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Honoured for his involvement in Engineers Australia and Standards Australia, Dr Boughton said it was good to spread the message.

“I was quite surprised that I was nominated but delighted to receive it,” he said.

“I really enjoy the work that I have done on buildings and in particular houses over the years.

“It’s really fantastic to put the spotlight on some of the things that I’m proud of.

“The work they are honouring is work on resistance of houses to strong winds.”

Dr Boughton has also been working to improve building standards in developing countries in the Pacific region.

“We’ve learned some really valuable lessons in Australia and the quality of building has improved in many aspects,” he said.

He has been a member of the Australasian Wind Engineering Society since 1985 and is a research fellow and adjunct associate professor at James Cook University’s Cyclone Testing Station.

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