Norm Gilchrist
GILCHRIST, Norman Arthur (Norm), BE MIEAust (1925-2019)
Norm was born in Wyalkatchem, on March 30, 1925, the elder son of head teacher, Reginald Arthur Gilchrist and his wife Vera Lillian Alice Gilchrist (nee Cockle). He grew up in a series of country towns, Wyalkatchem, Torbay, Wongan Hills, Kalgoorlie, Bartons Mill and Nanga Brook following his father’s employment as a head teacher. An extended period followed at Serpentine from 1937 to 1944. His primary education was at Kalgoorlie, Bartons Mill and Nanga Brook. His secondary education was at Hale School.
In 1943 he commenced an Engineering Degree at the University of Western Australia. He graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering in April 1947.
During World War II, and his engineering course, he worked in a munitions factory in Western Australia.
He was employed by the Public Works Department in June 1947. Initially he joined the Country Water Supply Division but transferred to the Architectural Division so that he could play league football in Perth. In 1954, he was joined in the Architectural and Structural Design Branch by Peter Bruechle. In 1967 Norm was promoted to Senior Engineer in the Branch.
Peter Bruechle had commenced private practice and in 1969 invited Norm to join him. In 1970, Ernie Evans joined the partnership and Bruechle, Gilchrist and Evans was formed.
Norm remained with Bruechle, Gilchrist and Evans until his retirement in 1987.
Norm became a Committee Member of the Standards Australia committee on earthquake loads on structures in 1988. The role of the committee was to revise Australian Standard AS2121. He was also a Member of the Australian Building Regulations Coordinating Council.
On March 3, 1951, he married Dorothy May (Dot) Higgins at Wesley College, South Perth.
Norm died on December 3, 2019. His wife Dot had predeceased him in 2002. He was survived by their two children, Jan and Neil.
A gifted sportsman, he played football for Perth and A Grade cricket for South Perth.
He joined the Institution of Engineers as a Student Member in 1945 and became a Member in 1955.
References:
West Australian, 12.4.1947, p. 14.
Daily News, 30.8.1949, p. 17.
The new earthquake loading code AS 1170.4, John Woodside, Connell Wagner.
University of Western Australia, 50th Reunion of Graduates of 1947, 1997
