Education & training

South Australia is the driest state in the driest continent, with water a scarce commodity and a major environmental, biological and socio-economic issue for many communities across the state. Now, thanks to UniSA researcher Dr Alaa Ahmed, new cost-effective technology can pinpoint sites in the central Flinders Ranges where precious groundwater is likely to be found, handing a lifeline to residents in that region.

New accommodation and improved equine facilities are key features of a $1.6 million investment in an agricultural training centre just east of Tennant. The Juno Centre offers residential and in-reach programs to students from across the Territory.

Pam Dillon. Students from Newcastle Waters and Elliott schools recently had a day each learning the fine art of lawn bowls. Students from Family as First Teachers (FaFT) to Year 9 were involved in a variety of activities using the lawn bowls kit.

New research from the University of Wollongong, a partner at the NSW Bushfire Research Hub, has found climate change will expose larger areas of forest in coastal NSW to higher frequency and more intense fires, amplifying the changes to fire regimes brought about by the 2019/20 fires ... Amongst other findings: Previous timber harvesting did not increase the fire extent or severity of the 2019/20 fires. However, there is potential for cumulative impacts in harvested landscapes that are subject to fire, particularly in the next 5 to 10 years.

Liz Lawrence. The Sullivan name has been synonymous with Australian football in Narrandera for decades and now one of its favourite sons James Sullivan has been honoured for his commitment to the game as a teacher at St Francis de Sales Regional College. James, son of Barry and Debbie Sullivan of Narrandera, has been named as a NSW/ACT Secondary School Ambassador for the game in the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.

Kate Scanlon. Due to COVID lockdown we haven't had many preschoolers coming to play ... but we have still been connected! Through regular emails, Class Dojo, phone calls and Zoom group times we have been able to continue our connection with children and their families.

The overwhelming success of the State’s first Outback Lifesaver program last summer will see the concept return to Wagga Wagga early next year. Wagga Wagga City Council and Royal Life Saving NSW will again partner in the delivery of the program which gives youngsters the chance to learn lifesaving water safety skills at pools and inland waterways.

Professor Andrew Beer. Across Australia, one in five regions is struggling, but the one-dimensional solutions we commonly look for don’t work ... the future prosperity of regions lies with those who live there, rather than those who govern, especially when they do so from a distance. Mobilizing regions is a matter of empowering regional leaders – making sure they have the tools needed to bring about change while enabling them to both listen to others and be heard across communities.

The $13 million Next Generation Simulator project at Waurn Ponds will allow students, researchers and industry to do cost-effective prototype testing, engineering and commercial product design of driver and driverless cars.

CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has purchased a 77-hectare property in Queensland to continue its research in support of agriculture in the north, including new and improved crop varieties, agricultural tools, and agronomy.

QRAM would like to invite you to check out and use the eSafety resources we’ve developed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and other community members from remote communities.

Register now for Nuffield Australia's free Virtual National Conference, allowing you access to excellent speakers and discussion from your home, office, or tractor cab!

The Nationals leader and Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh, says regional Victorian students – especially those at smaller schools – will be left at a significant disadvantage under the Andrews Labor Government’s staggered return to school plan ... Research released by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute found lockdowns and school closures – not COVID – are the main risks to children and adolescent health in this pandemic.

Images beamed back from space are helping Territory farmers plan their harvests including to predict the equipment and number of staff that may be needed. The 3-year trial is winding up this harvest and has studied images of mango trees at different stages of growth to help estimate whether farmers are in for a productive season.

After the bitter disappointment of not being able to have a concert last year, there was an extra level of anticipation as an audience of several hundred family and friends gathered on the north oval in preparation for an evening of performances by the students with the theme “Books Alive”.

Pam Dillon. Four schools came together to battle it out on the soft-ball field in Tennant Creek for the Annual Barkly Region Central Softball Cup ... As all teams had won a game, a countback of runs for and against had to be done to decide who was going to play in the grand final.

Serena Kirby. The WA College of Agriculture Denmark showcased a wide range of activities this month at its annual open day ... From machinery maintenance and aquaculture to forestry and calf rearing, students and staff demonstrated the farm-based programs run by the school.

Emma Pritchard. Sitting dutifully at his computer with a copy of his study guide in his hand, Duncan Gray focuses intently on his work ... When asked how he is adjusting to learning from home, Duncan said one of the biggest challenges he is experiencing is waiting for a response from some of his teachers after he asks a question. Sometimes, he has to wait until the next class before he receives a reply.

A new multidisciplinary Australian Research Council Research Hub for Smart Fertilisers at the University of Melbourne will develop a new class of fertilisers and inhibitors for Australian farmers.  

This week Rockhampton Regional Council will be sending out copies of a new book full of age appropriate, tips and hints to help children be prepared and stay safe during a disaster.