B L Kerridge, R D Faulkner, J.W. Hornbuckle, E.W. Christen. 2012. Estimation of soil evaporation in an irrigated vineyard from soil surface temperature. Irrigation Australia Conference, Adelaide, June 2012. 4pp.

I was born in England, in Essex near to London and grew up there. My first school was an adapted WWII prisoner of war camp on the Chingford Plains by Epping Forest, with class sizes around 50 pupils. I went to a  local State high school (Leyton County High School) which was fortunate enough to have some excellent teachers, particularly in Maths and Science. I was the first in my family to go on to year 12 (using current terminology) let alone University. Only 5% of the population did so in the 1960's, so I was very lucky. I have always been an active participant in sporting activities, and tried to make most of every moment and every possible opportunity. At school I was given a number of responsibilities, such as Cricket captain and House captain, although I can't say that this seemed in any way special at the time - just another task to enjoy. My teachers inspired my interest in Science (although I enjoyed English and History too), which pointed me in the direction of a career in Engineering.

Southampton University (1965 - 1968). I studied Civil Engineering along with 50 others, in a group of 150 students doing all options in Engineering. Notably, there was just one female in that 150 students, which is a terrible indictment of the times. 

Birmingham University (1970-1971). I took a Master of Science degree in Water Resources Technology.

Loughborough University (1979-1991) I completed my Doctor of Philosophy degree. 

East London University (1971-1975). I taught evening classes there in Engineering (Soils Mechanics and Hydraulics), whilst I was working full time as a Civil Engineer.

Loughborough University (1981-1991) I taught (full time) Civil Engineering (Hydraulics, Hydrology, Project Management).

University of Zimbabwe (1989-1990), Seconded from Loughborough University. Taught Hydrology and Hydraulics and carried out research and development on rural water supply and irrigation.

University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka (1983-1988),  Gave several series of lecture courses as part of Loughborough University and British Council assistance to Sri Lanka. 

University of New England (NSW) (1991-2011). I taught Engineering (Hydraulics, Hydrology, Project Management, Irrigation, Water Resources Management, Marine Pollution, Water Quality Control) 

Central Queensland University (2016-2022). I taught as  a Casual Lecturer and Tutor. This was initially Maths on the STEPS course, followed by the first year Engineering Maths courses, and latterly Aviation Physics and Aviation Aerodynamics.

  1992. The Royal Society for Technology Innovation Award. First prize for the Development of the Rope-Washer Pump. Presented by HRH Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh. 

1999. Supervisor of the Year. University of New England Postgraduate Association. 

A good number, I didn't keep a record. I have been on TV a few times in Zimbabwe and in Australia talking about Water Resources issues.

As listed above under Universities worked at.

I have also tutored Maths to University students and High School students since 1985.

1968 -73 Consulting Engineers. Design of reinforced concrete multi storey structures. Hydrology and Drainage design. Design and supervision of urban main drainage schemes and flood alleviation works. Project management for urban storm water drainage and water supply projects. Project value of projects circa $2 Million in 1973.

1974-81 Consulting Engineers. Development of hydrological models for catchment management (e.g. Tehran to Tebriz railway, aquifers in eastern Saudi Arabia).

Feasibility, design and supervision of irrigation schemes in Africa, Middle East and Asia (e.g. 60,000ha Lower Khalis Scheme in Iraq, Al Hasa Oasis in Saudi Arabia). Work involved reclamation of salt affected soils, design and construction of concrete and earth lined canals, sub-soil and open drains, pumping stations for water supply and drainage disposal.

1981-1990 Lecturer/Senior Lecturer, Loughborough University, UK. Research and consulting activities included small scale irrigation and water supply projects in Zimbabwe, teaching and consulting work in Zimbabwe, Egypt and Sri-Lanka. I undertook numerous professional assignments, such as the rehabilitation of the "old lands" irrigation schemes in Egypt.

1991-2020. A number of professional assignments for ACIAR (Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research). For example evaluation (2014) of the Iraq Irrigation Rehabilitation Project, which involved travel to the Middle East, and assessment of (2018) of the Indian project Managing Aquifer Recharge and Sustaining Groundwater Use through Village-level Intervention.

Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia

Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, UK.

National Professional Engineers Register, Australia

International Professional Engineer

I have always played a full part in the administration at the Universities where I have worked. For example at the University of New England:

(1993-1998) Member of Academic Board

(1995-2000) Head of Department of Environmental Engineering

(1994-2010) Member of School Executive Committee 

(2000-20010) Head of Engineering School

(2005-2010) Member of Coffs Harbour Estuary Committee

(200502010) Member of Clarence Floodplain and Estuary Partnership

(1991-2010) Member of New England Group of Engineers (Chair 1997)

(2010 -2021) Member of Cairns Group Engineers Australia Committee (Committee member 2014-2019)

Member of Irrigation Association Regional Committee

Irrigation and Irrigation Engineering. Devising increasingly more efficient ways to make use of water in irrigation through  soil water science and climatic science and real time monitoring. 

The problems of domestic water supply as the 21st century progresses.

Rural irrigation and food security in Africa and Asia.

Improving the effectiveness and delivery of Maths tuition to University Engineering students and to senior High School students. 

Everything to do with the science of sustainable human, plant and animal existence on planet earth. 

Becoming Resident Engineer on a 60,000 hectare Irrigation project in Iraq before I was 30 years old.

Winning the Royal Society Award.

Being the first Engineering staff member to ever gain promotion to Associate Professor at the University of New England.

Breaking the school record for the 110 m hurdles race, and running under 15 seconds a few years later.

In addition to that already mentioned above,

1984-90 Small scale irrigation and development of human powered pumps in southern Africa. Funded by British Overseas Development Authority. Principally irrigating from Dambos (Vleis) utilising shallow groundwater, and working closely with the farmers, simple surface irrigation with some drip type irrigation of vegetables.

1993-97 Hydrological impact of tree clearing and pasture development for sheep grazing. Funded by Land and Water Development & Research Council.

1995-99 Research on the irrigation engineering, hydrology and water quality for cotton growing. Funded by Sustainable Cotton Cooperative Research Centre. This work involved field trials of furrow irrigated cotton, measuring all the components of flow. Collaboration with the cotton farmers.

1995-97 Methodologies for dealing with urban runoff. An investigation of gross pollutant traps and artificial wetlands. Funded by Armidale City Council.

1996-98 Survey of Best Management Practice in the Irrigated Cotton Industry. Funded byAustralian Cotton Foundation and Environmental Protection Agency.

1996-2004 Research into the causes and alleviation of blue-green algae, with particular reference to Malpas Dam on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. Funded by Armidale City Council.

1998-2002 The impact of irrigation on the water quality of the Gwydir River and the downstream Murray-Darling system. Funded by Natural Heritage Trust and Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association.

1999-2003 Multi-level controlled drainage for the alleviation of salinity in the irrigated lands of the Riverina, Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, New South Wales. A collaborative project with CSIRO Land and Water, Griffith, funded by Land and Water Australia. Field trials were carried out on horticultural areas, this involved collaboration with grape growers and wine makers.

1999-2003 The impact of land management, fertilisers and crop rotation, on soil carbon and soil fertility. Funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation.

2002 - 2004 Investigation of Effective Microorganisms to reduce sewage sludge and improve water quality. In collaboration with Coffs Harbour City Council.

2003-2005 Investigation of the impact of irrigating with treated sewage effluent at Armidale STP. Funded by Armidale and Dumaresq Council. Field studies of sprinkler irrigation (by centre pivot) of pasture using treated effluent and the impact on shallow ground water and stream water quality.

2004 – 2007 The use of vermiculture as a means of treating and value adding to poultry waste, Poultry CRC. This involved collaboration with commercial poultry producers.

2005-2009 Modelling the impact on water quality of reintroduction of saline water into the estuarine wetlands of the Clarence estuary, NSW. NSW DPI. This involved collaboration with local prawn farmers and the Clarence Valley Council, plus the local Cane Growers Association. Funded by Clarence City Council.

2006-20012 Investigation of water use and means of increasing water use effectiveness and efficiency in irrigated vineyards, the measurement and impact of soil evaporation. Collaborative project with CSIRO Land and Water, Griffith, funded by the CRC for Irrigation Futures. This involved collaboration with grape growers and wine makers.

2008-2010 Influence of saline intrusion and management strategies on the Yarrahapinni wetland in NSW. NSW DPI and DECC. Funded by NSW DPI.

2009-2016 Investigation of the role of cyclones on flooding of tropical rivers in north Queensland, with special reference to the Barron River. This is funded by the QLD Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNRM).