In his early career, Professor Gillin achieved international status and contributed greatly to Australia's understanding of the properties and effective utilisation of high performance carbon-fibre reinforced composite materials.

More recently he has led Australian developments in cooperative education with parallel achievements in the development and presentation of unique and relevant post-graduate programs in innovation and entrepreneurship to the great benefit of both students and Industry.

As President of the IEAust in 1992/93, Professor Gillin contributed much to the Nation through his advocacy of the role of engineering, the benefits of commercialisation of research and the need for innovation and entrepreneurship in National wealth creation.