ABOUT THE AUTHOR​

Meet the Author: A Journey of Spiritual and Professional Triumph

From a young age, the author understood that true leadership goes beyond conventional wisdom. Though he couldn’t embrace religion, he firmly believed that God was love. This belief, coupled with a commitment to truth, guided his path from high school through his professional life.

After studying engineering at night and winning an industrial scholarship to the UK, he returned to Australia with newfound confidence. As a design engineer, he created numerous successful products and rapidly advanced in his career.

During a challenging period at Toowoomba Foundry, he had a revelatory experience and met his creator. In 1993, he was appointed as the 7th General Manager in 7 years. Despite the board’s initial decision to sell the foundry for $5.5 million, his spiritual knowledge and rapid intuition-based decision-making turned the business around. Within 9 months, sales increased by 223% and EBIT rose by $3.1 million. This incredible turnaround defied expectations, earning him recognition as a leader driven by spirit and intuition.

The author’s journey continued with significant contributions to sustainability in civil engineering and the development of a drug and alcohol rehab facility, Sunrise Way, for which he received an Order of Australia Medal (OAM). Despite facing personal tragedies, his spiritual resilience helped him navigate life’s challenges with grace and strength.

Doug Harland

OAM; FIE(Aust) – Order of Australia Medal & Fellow of Engineers Australia.

 Affiliations

 Past Queensland Councillor and Past Queensland President & National Vice-President of the Australian Industry Group

• Past National and Queensland President, Australian Foundry Institute
• Past National and Queensland Chairman of The Australian Cast Metals Council
• Past Director, South West Power Electricity Board
• Past Council Member, Toowoomba TAFE College
• Past Chairman of Board of Regional Studies Centre, USQ
• Past President of Institution of Engineers, Darling Downs District
• Past Director, Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce
• Past Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Director
• Past inaugural Chair and Director: Sunrise Way Therapeutic Community Association Inc.

Awards 

• Confederation of British Industry Industrial Scholarship
• Order of Australia Medal
• Legend of the Australian Foundry Industry
• Contribution Recognition by the Australian Foundry Industry
• Life Member Sunrise Way
• Engineers Australia – Queensland President Medal
• Austrim Nylex Silent Achiever Award