Macquarie Matters » Global

2024 Graduate Outcome Survey (GOS) – November 2023 Round

Yue Zhang — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 22:30:26 +0000

Did you graduate in October 2023? Keep an eye on your email inbox for your unique invitation to participate in the Australia-wide Graduate Outcome Survey (GOS).

The GOS is a national survey being conducted for the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills, and Employment. Your feedback is important and will contribute directly to the experience of current and future students at Macquarie University. Results from the survey are used to gain insight and make improvements to teaching and learning, and services for students. Please see the highlights from the 2023 GOS and initiatives undertaken by the University.

All responses are confidential and aggregated for reporting purposes. Summary results from this national survey are published on the Compare Ed Website.

As an incentive for your participation, you will have the chance to enter the weekly prize draw to win a $1,000, or $500 or $250 pre-paid VISA gift card. Prize draws take place at the end of each week over the four-week survey period. Additional prize information, including terms and conditions, can be found on the GOS website.

We encourage you to participate and complete this important survey.

* Go to http://www.srcentre.com.au/qilt/gostcsb for prize draw term and conditions Results from previous Graduate Outcome Survey https://students.mq.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/1278973/Graduate-Outcomes-Survey-Nov2023.pdf

Alumnus Ambassador Brendan Berne strengthens Franco-Australian relations

Jackie Gent — Fri, 30 Aug 2019 02:54:01 +0000

Macquarie alumnus Brendan Berne (B Econ Hons 1993) is the Australian Ambassador to France, Algeria, Mauritania, and Monaco. Prior to his appointment in July 2017, he held a range of positions in Canberra including Ambassador for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and First Assistant Secretary, Investment and Economics Branch Division. He has served overseas as Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Seoul and as Deputy Permanent Representative at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris. More recently, Mr Berne was Chief of Staff for the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Prior to joining DFAT, Mr Berne spent several years as an Economist with the Reserve Bank of Australia. Brendan holds a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) from Macquarie University; and a Master of Economics from the Australian National University, received under a Reserve Bank of Australia Staff scholarship. Brendan grew up in the western suburbs of Sydney. Though he hardly travelled as a child, he was fascinated by one of the first books he was ever given, an atlas, and by the postcards he received from an uncle working overseas. He knew from a young age that he wanted to do something on an international level. He has made an impact in France, taking a modern approach to his role by being very media-friendly and accessible, and frequently posting on social media. He recently tweeted updates from the G7 Summit in Biarritz, where Prime Minister Scott Morrison attended along with French President Macron and other world leaders. “This is the first time ever Australia has been invited to the G7”, he said. “It’s an opportunity for our Prime Minister to share our priorities with France, including the free trade agreement between Australia and the European Union, and the future submarine program.” Also on the agenda was climate change, “an issue for which Australia has committed to very ambitious objectives under the Paris Agreement.” Last year Brendan spoke with Expatriates Magazine about the highlights of his tenure as Ambassador, citing accompanying President Macron on a visit to Australia, and to Sydney, his home town, as unbeatable. “It was a moment of great joy to be able to welcome him. It was a wonderful moment when he gave the Légion d’Honneur to three Australian veterans from World War II. He then gave a great speech standing on a naval vessel in Sydney harbour, in English; a wonderful speech about what Australia and France mean to each other and the new chapter in their relationship: a new access between France and Australia to defend what we call the ‘rules-based order’, to advance what President Macron calls ‘contemporary multilateralism’. I mean, as a diplomat, as an ambassador, I thought it doesn’t get any better than this!" Other highlights have included the launch of free trade agreement negotiations between France and Australia – a long-standing priority for Australia; the recent signing of a 32-billion euro production contract with a French shipbuilder for 12 new state-of-the-art submarines, and proposing marriage to his partner on Twitter just four hours after the Australian Parliament voted to legalize same-sex marriage. Macquarie alumni will have the opportunity to meet Brendan at the inaugural meeting of the France Alumni Network on 24 September, to be held at the Ambassador’s Residence in Paris. “I am delighted with the interest from our alumni in France in joining the network”, says network leader Sylvestre Mang. “The support of our Ambassador to France Mr Brendan Berne is a real boost to our network and we are looking forward to a rewarding collaboration and opportunity to connect and widen our professional networks.” Join the France Alumni Network LinkedIn Group. Words: Jackie Gent

Solutions for the future

David Han — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 05:47:09 +0000

With more than 85 per cent of Australians living in the coastal zone, ensuring that innovative solutions are developed to protect and enhance the coastal ecosystems on which we depend is vital. While coral reefs and polar ecosystems often grab the media attention, it is the temperate coastal ecosystems that are of greater ecological importance in terms of the services they provide – and the focus of Associate Professor Melanie Bishop’s work. “Temperate coastal ecosystems are one of the most important ecosystems in terms of carbon sequestration and marine productivity, but they are also areas that have borne the brunt of human impact,” says Bishop. Bishop is investigating how the coastal zone might be sustainably developed to protect estuarine and near-shore biodiversity and its important socioeconomic values. “My vision is to underpin environmental management of our coasts with cutting-edge science. I tackle questions that policymakers need addressed while simultaneously making important contributions to ecological thinking.” One way she is doing this is as leader of the Green Engineering Work Group for the World Harbour Project. The group is developing solutions that will maintain and facilitate biodiversity in heavily urbanised environments, which includes retrofitting built infrastructures in estuarine and coastal environments with complex habitats, and transplanting native, habitat-forming species onto them. “With support from the NSW Environmental Trust and philanthropists, we are now scaling up the use of habitat-enhancing tiles on entire seawalls to increase native biodiversity.” Restoring Australia’s oyster reefs lost to overharvesting for food and lime is another focus of Bishop’s research. These reefs have declined by more than 95 per cent since European settlement. With a single oyster able to filter three litres of water an hour, the loss of functions they provide to maintain a healthy ecosystem, such as maintaining clean water, providing food and habitat for fish, and protecting and stabilising shorelines against erosion, has been significant. “We are working with the oyster industry to assess how existing breeding programs, developed for aquaculture, may be adapted to support restoration programs. We are also using state-of-the-art techniques to map the habitat formed by remnant oyster reefs and GoPros to investigate how fish use them.” It’s a dream come true for Bishop: “I always wanted to do research that was useful. I want to make sure that everything I’ve enjoyed is there for my daughter and future generations.” worldharbourproject.org/workgroups/green-engineering/ Associate Professor Melanie Bishop from Macquarie’s Benthic Ecology Lab won the Jim Piper Award for Excellence in Research Leadership. Bishop investigates natural and human-mediated processes that control coastal biodiversity and its important ecosystem functions.

It’s the same campus, just not as you know it

David Han — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 06:40:57 +0000

To prepare for the next 50 years of growth, we are investing heavily in our campus with two major projects – the Central Courtyard Precinct and the Arts Precinct. Within the Central Courtyard Precinct, the University is building state-of-the-art facilities for staff and students. Designed by leading design studio Architectus, the new buildings will serve a variety of functions, delivering social and educational infrastructure to the very heart of the campus. Existing structures will be redeveloped to be lighter and brighter than their predecessors, creating vibrant and dynamic spaces for all to enjoy. Significantly, new accommodation for students will be created right at the heart of the campus. Macquarie is also investing in a new Arts Precinct. This transformational project will consolidate 10 of 12 departments, highlighting the unique nature and focus of each. In addition, the project will deliver a new building with offices, showcase areas and a museum. PART OF THE PLAN Both projects are part of Macquarie’s Campus Development Plan, which is helping future-proof the University by building a dynamic, sustainable world-class campus. “The University’s Campus Development Plan is connecting people and enhancing their collaboration, as well as learning and research outcomes, so that Macquarie continues to play a leading role as a place-maker, education provider, research institute and employer, both now and into the future,” says Professor S Bruce Dowton, Vice-Chancellor. The overarching plan includes several other projects focused on improving convenience, connectivity and accessibility, green spaces and sustainability. Some are already complete, such as the Macquarie University Incubator, which opened in 2017 and promptly received four awards at the Australian Timber Design Awards. Created for students, researchers, staff, small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurs and start-ups who are working on research or ideas that can be commercialised, a number of concepts have already been nurtured at the Incubator through to the commercialisation stage. The Macquarie Active Zone Experience (MAZE) also opened for business and is now the new hub for student clubs and societies, with the purpose-built space above the Macquarie University Spatial Experience (MUSE) featuring a number of large areas, as well as a variety of smaller meeting rooms and event spaces. Removal of buildings C9A and C10A (the former Campus Hub) also began at the end of 2017 to make way for an innovative new learning and teaching building, food and beverage outlets, and the first two of five student housing buildings. In place of the Campus Hub is the Campus Common, an exciting new social precinct in the centre of campus, where it will become the epicentre of student life over the next few years. Law School of the future Plans to redevelop the Macquarie Law School that will re-imagine the University’s campus by establishing a new purpose-designed Law School building at its centre were announced in November 2017. Construction on the new building is anticipated to begin in early 2020, with completion in 2022. “This venue will provide unparalleled facilities for contemporary modes of learning and teaching,” explains Professor Dowton. “The Law School has a rich history of contribution to Macquarie University, the lives of its students and alumni, and the legal profession. This new facility will provide a home for the Law School to ensure its trajectory as an Australian leader.” The new Law School building will be known as the Michael Kirby Building in recognition of the contributions the Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG has made to the University, and his commitment to advancing social justice both in Australia and around the world. He served as Macquarie University Chancellor from 1984 to 1993 before going on to serve as a Justice of the High Court of Australia from 1996 to 2009. Both the Macquarie Law School and Michael Kirby are committed to social justice as a key component of legal education, and the new Law School building will house the Macquarie Social Justice Clinic, a new initiative that allows law students to partner with public interest legal practices to service pro-bono cases, helping the most vulnerable in society.

From Conception to RE:Conception

David Han — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 06:40:19 +0000

The widely acknowledged father of Conception Day was pioneer alumnus Phil Gibbs (Bachelor of Arts, 1977). “We had a bit of an inferiority complex back in 1969 because of our moonscape campus and the lack of a student muck-up day to rival UNSW’s Commemoration Day or Sydney’s Foundation Day,” says Gibbs. According to Gibbs, they looked at different dates to hold a celebratory event, but every official date was at the wrong time – in the holidays, for example. “We couldn’t use Lachlan Macquarie’s birthday because it fell during exams, but at a drunken party we joked that we could have it nine months earlier and call it Conception Day. Unfortunately, someone got the date wrong and it ended up in September.” A SPIRITED BEGINNING The first Conception Day was a half-day event involving rain, flour fights and a student band on the roof of the union building that upset the academics. Although they weren’t quite as upset as the hardworking students who wanted to spend the day studying – and had the fire hoses turned on them for their lack of festival spirit. The following year, organisers decided they needed to lift the bar, and the great gnome hunt was initiated on the eve of Conception Day. (See the 2015 edition of Sirius for Dr Brian Spencer’s account of the evening.) “The gnome hunters exceeded their brief and stole everything not nailed down,” Gibbs reminisces. “In the end, it was a mass heist of garden kitsch. Initially we tried to hide them in the forest, but only their heads stuck out, so we decided they would line the path between the library and the union building. They provided a 1000-strong guard of honour that greeted students for the main event.” Gibbs says the gnomes were transported to Eastwood and Epping police stations where they were categorised according to type – frogs, storks, statues and hundreds of pouting gnomes. There were so many they had to move the police bikes out, and little old ladies argued vigorously over which concrete frog belonged to them. “I was made to go to the police station and apologise formally on behalf of the gnome-nappers to the very stern sergeant on duty,” says Gibbs. Things did not end there though. THE CAMEL OF CONCEPTION In the interest of creating a memorable festival, the organising committee had decided to hold an old-fashioned colonial garden party to formally mark Conception Day. It was felt that a camel would lend the right tone to the event, so one was hired from a local farm. “The deal was that we had to look after Egypt the camel for two days, and we planned to keep her at the rugby house behind the university,” Gibbs says. “Unfortunately, boys being boys, the rugby team decided to give the camel some celebratory drinks and cheese, so in the middle of Conception Night we had to rescue Egypt and take her to a safe house further along Epping Road. “There’s no easy way to make a drunken camel go where you need it to. In the end, I decided to ride her along Epping Road and past El Rancho, now known as The Ranch, where earlier that day students were offering moonshine brewed in a toilet they called the ‘seat of learning’ to truck drivers who stopped at their roadside stall.” As Gibbs inconspicuously plodded along on the inside lane, he was spotted by a police car that ordered them to pull over. “When I eventually managed to stop the camel, who should emerge from the car but the same police sergeant that I’d had to apologise to about the gnome hunt. He was not amused.” RE: INVENTED The night of mayhem marked the beginning of a much-loved tradition. “In the years that followed, there were religious statue hunts, conducted with all the irreverence you would expect from a bunch of larrikin students, and gala balls with very non-PC prizes awarded to Mis Conception, Mis Hap and Mis Behaviour,” Gibbs says, adding that to celebrate Conception Day’s 40th anniversary in 2009, he was invited to give a talk about the festival’s history. “I thought I would be speaking to a genteel audience, but it was more like Woodstock – 10,000 students were in a range of levels of sobriety, impatiently waiting for the next act, Wolf mother, to hit the stage.” Conception Day ran until 2014. It became Australia’s longest-running music festival, with a record of producing great line-ups and attracting huge crowds to the three stages around the lake. Over the years there were mass streakings, while in 2003 more than 1000 festival goers broke the world record for the most tequila shots in a row. Unfortunately, owing to concerns about increasing drug and alcohol abuse, Conception Day had to be stopped in 2015. It has since been replaced with RE:Conception Day, an event that still features a great musical line-up, just without some of the other excesses. “I’m just so grateful to the University for keeping my baby alive all these years,” Gibbs says. “Even now, students and alumni approach me and tell me how great it is.” What's your favourite MQ moment? Share it with other alumni at awc.alumni.mq.edu.au/experiences

2018 Macquarie University Alumni Awards – Adam Hills

David Han — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 06:30:31 +0000

CATEGORY: ARTS AND CULTURE Ah, Adam Hills. We all know and like this cheeky and talented comedian, but many may be surprised to learn that beneath the jokes is a sensitive soul with a humble heart. Genuinely thrilled to receive this award from Macquarie University, Hills says, “This award means more than I can express, especially when I consider the calibre of people who have passed through Macquarie’s hallowed halls. I mean, to be thought of in the same breath as The Wiggles is high praise indeed.” High it may be, but warranted. Described as ‘effortless’ and ‘brilliant’ by The Guardian (London), and internationally awarded for his work in arts and culture, Hills graduated from Macquarie with a Bachelor of Arts and with some “incredibly strong friendships” that are with him to this day. “It was an excellent place to grow and learn, and from which to head out into the world. It was a time to find out who I really was, and it gave me the confidence to try comedy.” Hills still recalls his uni days as an “exceedingly positive experience”, an experience that has not left him. “The last time I drove past Macquarie University, it made me think how far I’d come and how much of what I’d learned there was still with me. I remember working with audio engineering tutor Dave Clark-Duff, who said he worked best when he was passionate about what he was doing. That still rings in my ears, and I always try to follow my passion.” So, any advice for our current students? “I’d say, soak it all in. Every little drop. Because you never know which bits will be useful in the future,” says Hills. Sound advice indeed. Gold Logie nominated host of the hit TV series Spicks and Specks, Adam Hills has a string of international awards to his credit. When Hills is not hosting his UK talk show, The Last Leg, he can be found globetrotting as a stand-up comedian and advocating for the rights of people with disability. Hills graduated from Macquarie with a Bachelor of Arts (1991) majoring in Media and Communications. Words: Megan English View other 2018 Macquarie University Alumni Awards winners here Alumni Awards Macquarie University is extremely proud of every one of its 184,000 graduates – their achievements and their contributions in our local and global communities. Our alumni are a source of pride and motivation, and they embody the University’s association with excellence. The Macquarie University Alumni Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of alumni. The awards provide a platform for sharing their inspirational stories with other alumni, staﬀ, students and the wider community. We are now accepting nominations in the following award categories:

Arts and Culture
Education
Environment
Innovation and Enterprise
International Achievement
Medicine and Health
Public and Community Service
Rising Star (aged 30 years under)
Science and Technology
Sport

Nominations close 31 October 2018. Nomination forms and details are available at mq.edu.au/alumni/awards

The gift of reading

David Han — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 06:25:02 +0000

Most of us take the ability to read for granted, but it’s something too many school children have difficulty with – and something their parents cannot always afford to change. It’s heartbreaking to see children struggling with something so fundamental to achieving in all areas of life. At the Macquarie University Reading Clinic, experts know what these children need and what works – evidence-based assessment and treatment, and support for parents and carers in partnership with schools. “The Reading Clinic provides assessments and treatment for children, adolescents and adults with reading and spelling difficulties to help improve educational, emotional and vocational outcomes,” says Dr Saskia Kohnen, Deputy Director, Macquarie University Reading Clinic. “About 15 per cent of the child population have severe difficulties in literacy. Unfortunately, compared to their peers, children with dyslexia are four times more likely to drop out of school, show lower academic achievements and have poorer long-term vocational outcomes,” adds Kohnen. Experts at the clinic assess each child individually and, with the child’s family and teachers, develop a tailored program that delivers life-changing improvements for children like William. Two years ago, William came to the clinic unable to read. “He went from not reading at all – not willing to even try – to giving it a go and actually reading,” says his mother, Carolyn. While it’s been a long road, Carolyn adds, “It has definitely been worth it. In fact, it’s been the only thing that has ever worked to get him to read. He doesn’t feel as excluded at school and can join in more in class. It’s given him hope that he can achieve something.” In William’s own words, he went from “lonly and mishroboll” to “happy and confident” with help from the clinic. The Macquarie University Reading Clinic is not restricted to face-to-face assessments. Children with poor literacy who live far away from literacy specialists and are unable to access high-quality interventions are not only disadvantaged but also more likely to remain poor readers. The clinic’s team of experts recognise these difficulties and deliver internet-based interventions via programs such as Skype. The clinic is in the early stages of delivering these assessments and services, and is conducting detailed research to optimise the effectiveness of live-stream versus standard face-to-face intervention for children with poor literacy skills. Reading seems so simple and is a gateway to so much. Yet, it is out of reach for some children. The clinic and its committed team want to change that – even for just one child. The Reading Clinic Scholarship Fund supports children whose parents or carers cannot afford treatment. To make a donation, visit mq.edu.au/connect/reading-clinic For more information about the clinic, visit mq.edu.au/about/campus-services-and-facilities/hospital-and-clinics/reading-clinic

Introducing the Macquarie MD

David Han — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 06:23:22 +0000

Macquarie University’s Doctor of Medicine, known as the Macquarie MD, was launched in 2017, with the first cohort of students beginning their journey to becoming a doctor in 2018. “The innovative, four-year graduate entry program integrates applied medical sciences with clinical sciences, professionalism, research and cultural responsiveness,” explains Professor Patrick McNeil, Executive Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. “Outstanding patient-centred clinical care and active health and medical research enriches student learning, which is further enhanced by Australian and international experiences, including at India’s Apollo Hospital. “This means that Macquarie MD graduates are thoroughly prepared to make a real difference to the lives of patients, their communities and the future of healthcare.” Macquarie MD students are taught at MQ Health, the first university-led, integrated health campus in Australia. Bringing together the academic excellence and world-leading research of Macquarie’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences with the clinical care provided by the Macquarie University Hospital, Primary Care and Multi-Specialty Clinics, MQ Health gives students the opportunity to learn in a research-active clinical environment. It also offers them the rare opportunity to follow a patient’s progress from initial consultation through to treatment and discharge. “For Macquarie MD students, clinical learning starts from day one,” explains Professor McNeil. “Throughout the course, inter-professional, comparative and digital learning ensures that students graduate with the technical knowledge and professional skills they need to work across the spectrum of rapidly evolving medical settings.” GLOBAL FOCUS Our evolving society needs doctors who can meet the needs of diverse communities, including multicultural communities in Australia. The Macquarie MD includes Australian and extended international clinical experiences for all students, which recognises the need for future doctors to be globally engaged clinicians, as well as the significant benefits of these experiences – for students, for health systems and for the health outcomes of local and global communities. Jordan Griffiths, Macquarie MD student and graduate of Macquarie’s Bachelor of Clinical Science, says that because the Macquarie MD is such an innovative degree with a unique approach to teaching, great attention is paid to the qualities and skills a modern doctor requires, such as cultural awareness and social sensitivity, rather than being restricted by traditional teaching approaches. “I came to realise, during my undergraduate studies, the importance of a doctor having cultural sensitivity in an increasingly globalised society, which meant the Macquarie MD’s global focus was a big attraction,” she says. “I found my passion for pursuing a career in medicine while travelling, when I came across areas in which trained medical professionals can make such a difference to entire communities. “The Macquarie MD will equip me with the knowledge and skills to appropriately help these communities in the future.” Jordan says that the cohort’s small size offers another advantage to budding doctors. “Because of the personal attention that each student receives, it will be easier to forge connections with clinicians and professionals from the Macquarie University Hospital and clinics. “I am hoping to create networks that will help me progress in the future – and make a real difference to the patients and communities I will work with.” For more information about the Macquarie MD, visit mq.edu.au/study/medicine and for more information about MQ Health, visit mqhealth.org.au Scholarship program To ensure that students from diverse backgrounds can undertake the course, Macquarie University offers up to 10 scholarships on a competitive basis each year. Two scholarships are available to Indigenous students, and five to graduates of Macquarie’s Bachelor of Clinical Science. Two are equity merit scholarships, and one scholarship is awarded to the highest-ranked applicant to accept an offer of a place in the Macquarie MD.

Fighting cancer on the beaches

David Han — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 06:20:04 +0000

In 2017, Fight on the Beaches chose Macquarie as one of two research beneficiaries of funding to find a cure for one of the world’s greatest killers. Macquarie’s Professor Gilles Guillemin from the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, is the lead researcher benefiting from the extraordinary support of Fight on the Beaches. Professor Guillemin, an acknowledged world leader in the study of causative links of cancer, will use the charity’s support to validate a new therapy treatment to stop the spread of breast cancer. “Despite vast improvements in primary breast cancer treatment, options for breast cancer patients whose cancer has spread to other parts of the body, known as metastasis, remain limited and largely ineffective. Hence, metastasis remains the underlying cause of death in the majority of breast cancer patients,” says Professor Guillemin. Professor Guillemin’s research proposal will explore a different treatment approach for metastatic breast cancer, based on modulating a key biochemical pathway known as the kynurenine pathway (KP). Although this pathway produces essential energy for the body’s daily functions, tumour cells can hijack the KP to escape immune detection and metastasise. Blocking the activity of the first KP enzyme (IDO1) in animal cancer models has already shown to improve anti-tumour immune detection and reduce tumour growth, but most breast cancer patients do not show enhanced IDO1 activity. Instead, preliminary clinical data showed that it is the second KP enzyme (KMO) that is activated in the majority of tumour samples from breast cancer patients. This data suggests that the KMO may play a more important role than IDO1 in breast cancer. “Collectively, our research proposal is a unique study with the potential to develop a new therapy that will slow down breast cancer growth and metastasis.” Guillemin adds, “My research team and I are very grateful to have Fight on the Beaches as a lead supporter of our cancer research here at Macquarie. “Macquarie is doing some groundbreaking cancer research, and this can be very expensive, but through community support from Fight on the Beaches, we will find the next breakthrough and save lives.” Christmas in July Charity Ball Fight on the Beaches will host its annual Christmas in July Charity Ball at Miramare Gardens in Terrey Hills on Friday 27 July 2018. Join more than 700 guests and 100 volunteers to find a cure for cancer. Honour those who have been lost to cancer, those who are currently fighting, and those who have fought and won. Tickets are on sale now and include a fabulous three-course meal with refreshments throughout the evening. Guests will enjoy hearing moving personal cancer stories, live music, prizes, auctions and raffles, and there will be more than 400 gifts under a massive Christmas tree to ensure a great night is had by all. For more information or to make a donation, visit fightonthebeaches.com

A shared wisdom

David Han — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 06:09:18 +0000

The Ngukurr Wi Stadi Bla Kantri (meaning ‘we study the country’ in Kriol) research team is a unique collaboration between Ens, Ngandi Elder Cherry Wulumirr Daniels, the Yugul Mangi rangers, Ngukurr School and community members from the remote Aboriginal community of Ngukurr. The team is discovering new species; finding new populations of threatened species; preserving culturally significant wetlands; bringing people back to country; and maintaining traditional, endangered languages. Ens works closely with elders, rangers and young people to “meaningfully combine local Aboriginal and Western science while raising awareness of environmental threats in the remote south-eastern Arnhem Land region.” “This initiative is increasing Western understanding of regional biodiversity and helping find common ground with local people about significant plants and ecological communities. From there we develop projects and monitoring tools.” TRANSFER OF KNOWLEDGE Children from Ngukurr School are involved in the project through classes, holidays camps, field research and sample collection. They document information via technology and use traps to find small mammals, reptiles and frogs out in the field. But not only school children are involved. The Ngukurr community is also helping save a newly discovered population of Leichhardt’s grasshopper. Found during a biodiversity survey that has since become part of a field guide to the local flora and fauna, this bright orange and blue grasshopper is culturally significant to the Ngandi people, but it had not been seen in many, many years. The near-threatened species eats a single species of mint (Pityrodia) that is at risk from current fire regimes, but Ens says that “rangers are now looking more closely at how they burn the remote area where these grasshoppers live.” It is exactly this type of hands-on scientific research that helps those involved connect to country, which increases investment in the management and protection of the environment and helps transfer knowledge between generations – much of which has been lost. RECLAIMING COUNTRY “A lot of people have been living off country. They’ve lost both cultural knowledge and language; they don’t know how to use available bush tucker or medicinal plants,” says Ens. She gives the example of cheeky yams (Dioscorea bulbifera), which need to be cooked, and then leached of any residual toxins by placing them in running water for five days before being eaten. Not only has much of this knowledge been lost, but this culturally significant plant is under threat from wild pigs. Yet Ens is hopeful. “If people can start to think about how a significant plant is being impacted, they can also start to think about the wider threats to country posed by the pigs, and they may then welcome feral animal control measures.” It is all interconnected – and one more way the Ngukurr Wi Stadi Bla Kantri project is having a positive, tangible effect on both people and country.