Conferences and Events
GSE Alumni Event
UN Year of the Dolphin
Saturday March 17
2.30-6.30pm
Sydney Harbout Institute of Marine Science
Building 22 Chowder Bay Rd Mosman
Invitation
The Graduate School of Environment is delighted to invite you to a GSE Alumni event at the magnificent site of the new Sydney Harbour Institute of Marine Science SHIMS, Building 22, Chowder Bay, Mosman, March 17, 2007 from 2.30 - 6.30 pm.
SHIMS is a joint venture, between Macquarie University, the University of New South Wales, the University of Sydney and the University of Technology, Sydney and will be devoted to learning about and caring for the harbour. Sydney is one of the world's largest working harbours and home to some 600 fish species, along with resident penguins, dolphins and visiting humpback and southern right whales.
To symbolise how much remains unknown about the harbour SHIMS has adopted for its logo the Sydney scorpionfish, a species discovered only recently at Chowder Bay and unique to the harbour.
Meeting at SHIMS provides an opportunity to also discover Sydney's newest urban park around the lower Georges Heights, an area that was once occupied by the military.
Most importantly the GSE alumni allows our important environmental community to meet, make new contacts, explore possibilities for alumni support and tune into the research being undertaken by GSE post graduate students.
In keeping with the marine setting, and the "Year of the Dolphins", we will hear from:
- Alumnus, Associate Prof John Sherwood, an expert on estuaries and the marine environment of Victoria.
- Adjunct Professor Frank Talbot, foundation professor of "GSE" and promoter of the SHIMS will share some yarns of his sea faring life
- GSE PHD researcher, Kerstin Bilgmann will report on some of her experiences and findings with her research on dolphins.
The afternoon's program will end with drinks, refreshments and views over the Harbour.
If you wish to take advantage of the site during the morning there are a number of options proposed:
- A/Prof Rob Harcourt will take qualified divers for a morning dive in Chowder Bay – please register in advance for this activity.
- Have a picnic around the foreshores or a swim at Clifton Gardens or even walk part of the "Harbour to Spit walk" to Chowder Bay to join the event. For more information see the map of walks (pdf).
- Sydney Harbour Trust organise walks on the historic buildings of the area for bookings and program see their website.
The GSE staff looks forward to welcoming you.
Please download and return the registration form (pdf format).
Space is limited so bookings are essential and return it by March 2nd. A charge of $ 25 per head is requested for refreshments as part of the event.
Information on the program and access to Chowder Bay follows.
Look forward to seeing you.
Peter Nelson
Head GSE
Access to SHIMS
Car: Please car pool if possible as parking might be limited close to the venue. Access from Military Rd, then take Middle Head Rd at the round about with Bradleys Head Rd (which leads to the Zoo). From Middle Head Rd, take a right turn at the HMAS Naval Depot into Chowder Bay Rd. Parking spots are positioned near the end of the road, after 1.2 km, though are limited. Walk to Building 22.
No parking close by?
Try driving back along Chowder Bay Middle Head Rd to Parking Bays on Suakin Rd and walk down to Chowder Bay. It will take 15 minutes to walk.
Or park at Clifton Gardens (pay parking) and walk along the beach, up the stairs to building 22.
See map
Public Transport:
- Bus and half hour walk: Take bus along Military Rd to Mosman or the zoo. Get off at Junction of Middle Head Rd and Bradleys Rd. Walk down Middle Head Rd about 1 Km to Georges Heights Oval. Once at the oval cut across it and take the walking track to Chowder Bay. Or walk down Suakin Drive and then take the track to Chowder Bay – allow at least half an hour for walking and wear shoes for a bush track. As far as we can see there is no bus to the HMAS Penguin Naval Depot at the top of Chowder Bay Rd on weekends, or to Clifton Gardens.
- Ferry to Athol Warf at the Taronga Zoo plus 90 mins bush walk. From the ferry, walk around Bradleys Head (60 mins) and from Taylors Bay to Clifton Gardens (30 min). Walk along the beach up the stairs, past the small café, then up more stairs and there you are near building 22. Shoes for bush track!
- Walk from Balmoral Beach - about an hour with a steep section from Balmoral Park up to Middle Head Rd, beside the HMAS Penguin Naval Depot, then follow the track to Chowder Bay.
- Harbour taxi to Clifton Gardens? Sail? Kayak?
Cost
Refreshments will be provided as part of the event. A charge of $25.00 will be requested to cover costs per head. Registration and payment in advance necessary.
Registration
Places are limited, so please register early. Please fill out the registration form and return it by March 2nd, 2007.
Draft Program
Arrive 2.30 for 3pm start
| 14.30 | Arrivals Registration, Networking, Refreshments Visit the posters of GSE PHD students in the entry area and informal talks on their work |
| 15.00 | Professor Peter Nelson Welcome and opening Adjunct Prof Frank Talbot Reflections on a marine life (under sail) Questions Kerstin Bilgmann Researching with dolphins Questions Associate Professor John Sherwood Estuaries, marine Questions Alumni issues |
| 17.15 | Drinks and refreshments on the terrace |
| 18.30 | Close |