A Bridge from Melbourne to Adelaide—Secondment Stories of WGA

#Placetobe#Secondments

They say a comfort zone is a beautiful place—but nothing ever grows there. Tom Moody, a Structural Engineer from WGA’s Melbourne Bridge Team, couldn’t agree more. 

Having spent five years of his engineering career in Victoria, Tom was eager to explore new territory, challenge himself, and grow through new experiences. That mindset led him to accept a three-month secondment in WGA’s Adelaide office. 

“It was a great opportunity to work in a different environment, experience the local work culture, and build stronger connections with the broader WGA Bridges team,” Tom shared.

The Learning Curve 

Beyond building strong connections with the Adelaide team, Tom immersed himself in the full experience of being a Bridge Engineer in South Australia by participating in local site inspections. “I was able to get out of the office and conduct a couple of structural condition assessments at Murray Bridge and Cleland Wildlife Park,” he recalls. 

Working in a new region meant adapting to different inspection methodologies and gaining a fresh perspective on structural assessments.

“Learning a different method of inspecting and rating a structure was interesting,” Tom added, “as the required approach in South Australia differs slightly from what we use in Victoria.” 

Tom Moody's Secondment to WGA Adelaide

“In engineering, it’s impossible to know everything yourself. You have to lean on the team around you for guidance, and everyone has their own areas of expertise. In Adelaide, I got to know some very knowledgeable engineers who I can now reach out to for expert advice when needed” Tom reflects.

Tom’s Highlights of Adelaide

  • Connecting with the Adelaide Bridge Team
  • Experienced AFL Gather Round & toured Adelaide Oval
  • Learned new skills like Fatigue Design
  • Exploring Barossa, Clare Valley & Adelaide Hills on weekends
  • Enjoyed a breezy 15-minute cycle commute to the office 

Coping with homesickness

Secondments offer exciting opportunities—but they’re not without their challenges. Being away from home and loved ones can be tough, and homesickness often sets in once the novelty of a new city begins to fade. “The biggest hurdle for me was living away from home and my partner,” Tom recalls.

But true to the spirit of exploration, Tom found a way to turn the distance into something positive. “We organised regular visits and turned them into weekend holidays to places like Kangaroo Island and the Barossa Valley!” 

Top Tips for Secondment Seekers

If you aspire to take on a similar opportunity and opt for a secondment, here are some tips from Tom to help you get started: 

  1. Explore Other Offices in Your Discipline: Research which offices have teams in your discipline or expertise. 
  2. Build Your National Network: Take the opportunity to connect with colleagues across the national team. Building relationships beyond your home office not only makes your job easier but also opens doors for future collaborations!
  3. Embrace the Experience: Enjoy the chance to work in a different city! A secondment is also about experiencing a new environment, learning from others, and having some fun along the way.

Where to Next?

WGA has a great Bridge Engineering Team in Perth, so that could be Tom’s next stop!