Ralph Edward Stilgoe
AlRalph Edward Stilgoe was born on 20 September 1928 at Campsie, Sydney, with the family soon moving to Rockdale. He attended primary school at Arncliffe and then Sydney Technical High School to Leaving Certificate level.
He became an apprentice electrical fitter with the Sydney County Council (SCC), though the understanding was that he was actually a cadet engineer as the SCC did not formally have such a training role at this time. His part-time study was initially through Technical College though this evolved into the University of NSW and from this institution he eventually obtained degrees in both electrical (1950) and mechanical (1954) engineering. Later, during his employment he further obtained qualifications in Electrical Protection, High Voltage Testing from the same University, and in Nuclear Engineering from the Borough Polytechnic in London.
His first work as a professional engineer, grade 1, was at Bunnerong Power Station where between 1950 and 1954 he assisted in the operation of the NSW system and supervised electrical construction and maintenance of the station. With the rearrangement of the power industry in 1951 Stilgoe’s employment had moved from SCC to the Electricity Commission of NSW (ECNSW).
At about this time Ralph Stilgoe married Joan Hansen and they eventually had two daughters. They had met at Bunnerong power station. Between 1954 and 1960 he spent time in ECNSW’s London office supervising manufacturing works for both ECNSW and other NSW government bodies. In NSW he commissioned switch-yards and turbo-generators in various power stations including major construction at White Bay as well Bunnerong and Pyrmont power stations.
He progressed his career with increasing grades and responsibilities in all aspects of ECNSW power generation. By 1985 he was an Engineer Grade 8 with a staff of professional engineers responsible for design oof auxiliaries, electrical protection systems, specification and purchase of plant and supervision of contracts for power station then under development or construction, as well as, for all power stations the investigation of faults.
Ralph Stilgoe retired in 1985, and in 1986 was awarded the Public Service Medal for meritorious service. He was a long-term Member of the Institution of Engineers Australia becoming a Fellow by invitation in 1991.
On Australia Day 2017 both Ralph Stilgoe, (For services to sailing and the community) and Joan Stilgoe, (For services to hockey and the community), were awarded Medals of the Order of Australia.
Ralph Stilgoe died on 15 May 2020.
To access an oral history interview with Ralph Edward Stilgoe please use this link:'
https://heritage.engineersaustralia.org.au/wiki/Oral_Histories_Sydney
