Mohammed Al-Mohammed jokes that, as someone born in 2000, he is Tasmanian Irrigation’s “millennium baby”, but despite being one of the youngest members of the team, he has already spent more than three years helping deliver irrigation infrastructure projects across Tasmania.

After completing a Bachelor of Engineering at the University of Wollongong in Dubai and gaining experience in procurement engineering, Mohammed joined Tasmanian Irrigation as a Graduate Engineer. Now working as a Project Engineer on the $217.9 million Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme, Mohammed is helping guide commissioning activities as the project transitions from construction into operations over the coming months.

Standing beside the newly filled Poatina Buffer Dam on a crisp late autumn afternoon, Mohammed’s friendliness, energy and adaptability quickly stand out.

“One of the best things about working at Tasmanian Irrigation is the people and the opportunity to keep learning and developing professionally,” he said.

That mindset of continual learning has helped Mohammed thrive in an environment where no two days are the same, and he enjoys the variety and challenges that come with working on complex infrastructure projects. Mohammed is also an enthusiastic supporter of young people considering careers in engineering and enjoys sharing his experiences and insights with students through school visits, project tours and Tasmanian Irrigation’s support of the Beacon Foundation’s careers activities for young Tasmanians (Promoting Job Opportunities - Tasmanian Irrigation)

“Don’t be fixed like a rock,” he said.

“Be open to new ideas, different ways of doing things and opportunities to keep learning.”

Among the project team, Mohammed is perhaps just as well known for his passion for coffee as he is for engineering, with an encyclopaedic knowledge of beans, brewing methods and what makes the perfect cup.

“The first cup of coffee gets me out of bed in the morning,” he laughed.

Mohammed says his interest in coffee reflects his broader approach to life and work, to stay curious, keep learning and pursue knowledge in the things that genuinely interest you.

“Whatever you’re interested in, learn as much as you can about it and become the expert,” he said.

As commissioning activities ramp up across the Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme, many landowners and stakeholders will meet Mohammed over the coming months as water begins flowing through the scheme’s 152-kilometre pipeline network for the first time.