Team Engineers have claimed ultimate bragging rights in the third annual Engineers v Lawyers ‘Mock’ Debate, edging ahead 2–1 in the series after winning over the audience with their case for Brisbane 2032.
The shovel has once again proved mightier than the gavel, with Team Engineers claiming victory in the third annual Engineers v Lawyers ‘Mock’ Debate at The Brisbane Club.
After entering the night with the series locked at one-all, the engineers secured a 2–1 advantage when the audience backed their affirmative case on the topic: “Brisbane 2032 Olympics – a State’s crowning jewel or an unnecessary distraction?”
The engineers set the tone early, with the entire team arriving dressed as Australian Olympic cult hero Raygun before launching into a spirited case for the opportunities Brisbane 2032 can create.
They also brought some unconventional infrastructure thinking to the table, including the proposed “Go Between Between Bridges Bridge”, designed to make Brisbane more walkable by adding another crossing between the Story Bridge and Captain Cook Bridge.
Team Lawyers mounted a spirited case that the Games would prove an unnecessary distraction, with both sides using skits, sharp arguments and plenty of cheap point-scoring to win over the crowd.
The annual event, hosted by Sequana and Helix Legal, was established in 2024 as a light-hearted battle between two professions that regularly work alongside each other on major infrastructure projects.
Toby Chalmers, General Manager – Engineering at IPS, a Sequana Company, said Team Engineers had done their profession proud.
“After losing last year, the pressure was certainly on use to perform in the decider and they threw everything at it,” he said.
“Between the Raygun outfits, some very creative infrastructure ideas and a genuinely strong case for the opportunities Brisbane 2032 can create, we gave the audience plenty of reasons to get behind us.”
Helix Legal CEO Janelle Kerrisk congratulated the engineers on reclaiming the trophy.
“Team Lawyers made a compelling case, but ultimately the engineers convinced the room and secured a well-deserved victory,” she said.
“We’ll allow the engineers their moment of glory and start considering how Team Lawyers can restore the natural order next year.”
Representing Team Engineers were Toby Chalmers; Tim Dempsey-Jones, Senior Project Engineer at Sequana; and John-Ryan Davis, Senior Project Manager at WGA.
They faced Team Lawyers’ Monique Walker, Law Clerk at Helix Legal; Sophie Port, Law Graduate at Helix Legal; and Merissa Martinez, Barrister at Paloma Chambers.
Presiding over proceedings for the third year was Queensland Major Contractors Association Chief Executive Officer Andrew ‘Chappy’ Chapman, who embraced his adjudicating responsibilities by donning a judge’s wig as he tried to keep proceedings under control.
With Team Engineers now holding the trophy and a 2–1 advantage, the question is whether the rivalry has finally been settled – or whether the lawyers will demand another day in court.
