After joining the 2024/25 Hydro Tasmania Vacation Program before his final year of civil engineering at the University of Tasmania, Luke is now well into his graduate journey, working in the Civil Assets Management team within our Dams portfolio. 

His role focuses on maintaining the infrastructure that supports Hydro Tasmania's power schemes, including flumes and other critical civil assets that help deliver renewable energy across the state. 

Learning beyond the classroom 

The Vacation Program gave Luke something university couldn't on its own - the opportunity to experience engineering in the field. 

"The best part of the program was getting out on site." 

"Seeing the assets up close and understanding how they actually operate gave me a completely different perspective on engineering." 

Throughout the summer, Luke visited around 10 to 15 sites across Tasmania, spending time with experienced engineers completing civil inspections, assessing asset condition and contributing to reports that help inform maintenance decisions. 

"It wasn't just observing. I was involved in inspections and learned how the information we collected influenced real maintenance and asset management decisions." 

One project that particularly stood out involved Hydro Tasmania's timber pipelines. 

"I really enjoyed being involved in a coating trial on some of our wooden pipelines. It was rewarding to see how relatively small maintenance activities can have a significant impact on extending the life of important infrastructure." 

A site visit that shaped an honours project 

Among all the places Luke visited, one site left a lasting impression. 

"Tods Corner was the first station I visited during the program, so it has a special place for me. It might not be the biggest or most spectacular site, but it ended up influencing the direction of my honours research." 

That visit inspired Luke's honours project, which investigated freeze-thaw deterioration in the Tods Corner flume. 

Freeze-thaw damage occurs when water enters small cracks and pores in concrete. As temperatures drop below freezing, the water expands into ice, placing pressure on the concrete. Repeated freezing and thawing cycles gradually cause the concrete surface to crack, crumble and deteriorate, making it a significant challenge for infrastructure in alpine environments. 

To better understand the issue, Luke designed and built his own testing system by converting a standalone freezer into a series of controlled water baths that repeatedly froze and thawed concrete samples, replicating the conditions experienced at Tods Corner. 

His research identified the mechanisms driving the deterioration and the key factors that should be considered when designing effective remediation solutions for similar assets. 

"The support I received throughout the project was invaluable. Having access to experienced engineers who were willing to share ideas and provide constructive feedback made a huge difference." 

A strong foundation for a graduate career 

Luke believes the Vacation Program gave him a genuine advantage when applying for Hydro Tasmania's Graduate Program. 

"The program helped me understand what engineering looks like in practice. 

"It gave me confidence going into my graduate application because I already understood the work, the people and the industry." 

Now more than halfway through his first nine-month graduate rotation in Civil Assets Management, Luke is preparing for his next rotation in Civil Delivery, where he'll gain experience in project management and infrastructure delivery. 

The freedom to explore 

One of the aspects Luke appreciated most about the Vacation Program was the opportunity to explore different areas of the business. 

"You're encouraged to get involved in the areas that interest you. That flexibility means you can discover what you enjoy while building experience across different disciplines." 

For students considering a career in engineering, Luke says Hydro Tasmania offers a breadth of experience that's difficult to find elsewhere. 

"There aren't many organisations where you can work across such a wide range of engineering disciplines and asset types. Every site has its own challenges, and every project teaches you something new."

Luke's advice for future Vacation Program students 

Luke's biggest piece of advice is simple. 

"Listen. Hydro Tasmania has a long history, and there are so many experienced people who are happy to share what they've learned. If you take the time to listen, you'll learn an incredible amount." 

Outside of work 

When he's not inspecting civil infrastructure or solving engineering challenges, Luke enjoys staying active and creative. You'll often find him indoor bouldering, woodworking, working in the garden or playing a game of croquet. Before joining Hydro Tasmania, he also spent several years landscaping while studying at university. 

For Luke, the Vacation Program was more than just a summer placement. It was the beginning of a career, the inspiration for his honours research, and an opportunity to see how engineering can make a lasting impact on Tasmania's renewable energy future. 

Applications for the Vacation Program are open now until Monday 24th August - apply here.