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Engineers always need a datum, a baseline on which to base their calculations.

Same when it comes to ethics.

Unless you know when your behaviour or conduct is departing from lawful, accepted and moral standards, you could quickly find yourself in quicksand!

Even better when it’s a thoroughly researched, well-worded, codified code that you can keep in your backpack, briefcase, desk drawer - or smartphone.

Fortunately for you, Engineers Australia has produced a Code of Ethics and Guidelines on Professional Conduct.

It’s THE Code of Ethics and Guidelines on Professional Conduct if you’re practicing in Australia.

It defines the values and principles that shape the decisions made and provides a framework for members of Engineers Australia to use when exercising their judgment.

But just remember, the value is in its use.

If you don’t use it, you will lose it!

And when it comes to ethics, if you lose it, you might never get it back.

Download it at www.engineersaustralia.org.au/publications/code-ethics and put a solid foundation under your decision-making.

In 1980, as a year 9 student, at a kitchen table in a house that still stands in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, this guy showed me how to expand my first binomial.

You know, (a+2)(a-3)...

I was struggling to grasp the concept but after that little bit of tuition, one-on-one, side-by-side, father-to-son, free from judgment and expectation, I was away.

I’ve never looked back.

But in that moment, he did a whole lot more. He helped me to understand and that’s made all the difference.

Chemical engineering has given me so much in my life but this is the guy who gave me everything, and still does.

Happy Father’s Day dad.