The Northern Branch of The Royal Society of Tasmania invites you to our next lecture on Sunday 24 November 2024, in the Meeting Room, Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (QVMAG) at Inveresk, Launceston.

The presentation will discuss what characteristics make for an acceptable floor and how this then relates to the introduction of a new timber resource that may be lower in density than current products, customs and standards currently recommended.

All RST members, their guests, and the public are welcome.

Admission is free for RST members. Admission is $6 for the general public, admission is $4 for students, QVMAG or TMAG Friends, and members of the Launceston Historical Society.

Time: 1.30pm.
Where: Meeting Room, QVMAG at Inveresk.

A flyer suitable for printing can be downloaded here.

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This presentation will report on research which explored the use of Tasmanian plantation-grown Eucalyptus nitens timber in engineered flooring. Prototypes were developed and compared to existing products for domestic/light commercial applications.

The presentation will discuss what characteristics make for an acceptable floor and how this then relates to the introduction of a new timber resource that may be lower in density than current products, customs and standards currently recommended.

Dr Kuluni Millaniyage has a diverse background in wood science and forestry research-led practice in both academia and industry.

Dr Millaniyage is an experienced researcher and innovative timber products specialist with a history of developing novel engineered timber products from plantation timber. She has a background in forestry, wood and environmental science, analysis of standards and policies, social aspects and perceptions of timber use and product development.

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Generously supported by

The Northern Branch of The Royal Society of Tasmania invites you to our next lecture on Sunday 26 May 2024, in the Meeting Room, Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (QVMAG) at Inveresk, Launceston.

The lecture is based on a growing concern from the use of plastic, increasing waste in our environment and the fear of toxicity to humans. We have two young presenters who are conducting doctoral research. Carmel Towns and Anyame Bawa Sadique will present. Carmel’s background is in land contamination, while Anyame specialises in water contamination. Together they will cover the pathways that may lead to food contamination from micro plastics.

All RST members, their guests, and the public are welcome.

Admission is free for RST members. Admission is $6 for the general public, admission is $4 for students, QVMAG or TMAG Friends, and members of the Launceston Historical Society.

Time: 1.30pm.
Where: Meeting Room, QVMAG at Inveresk.

A flyer suitable for printing can be downloaded here.

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The presentation outlines microplastics as a growing concern stemming from plastic use. It highlights their presence in the food chain, water and soil and enduring environmental impact as well as uncertainties regarding toxicity to humans. Recommendations focus on research and mitigation to address this emerging contaminant effectively.

Carmel Towns is the holder of the Dr Joan Woodberry postgraduate fellowship in Engineering at the University of Tasmania. She has worked as an environmental consultant for 15 years, predominantly in contaminated land assessment. Prior to that she worked in local government for 14 years in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. Her current research is in the areas of microplastics and pathways into the food chain.

Anyame Bawa Sadique has experience in stormwater, wastewater, and water treatment projects. His current research focusses on understanding microplastics contamination in Tasmanian soil via wastewater treatment plant biosolids application and developing mitigation technology.

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Generously supported by

The Northern Branch of The Royal Society of Tasmania invites you to the Elvin Fist Public Lecture by Professor Dom Geraghty on Sunday 28 April 2024, at the Meeting Room, Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (QVMAG) at Inveresk, Launceston.

All RST members, their guests, and the public are welcome.

Admission is free for RST members. Admission is $6 for the general public, admission is $4 for students, QVMAG or TMAG Friends, and members of the Launceston Historical Society.

Time: 1.30pm.
Where: Meeting Room, QVMAG at Inveresk.

A flyer suitable for printing can be downloaded here.

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Professor Dom Geraghty will describe the Northern Transformation journey from inception in 2016 through to the present. He will share how the relocation of the majority of the University of Tasmania (UTAS) functions from Newnham to the Inveresk Precinct is shaping new course offerings and research in the North, and the University’s vision for the future of higher education in northern Tasmania.

The Northern Transformation Project is funded by the Federal Government under the Launceston City Deal, the Tasmanian Government, City of Launceston, and the University of Tasmania. The project is now becoming a reality with three new buildings and a refurbished building adding to the significant new educational facilities.

Professor Geraghty is the University’s inaugural Pro Vice-Chancellor (PVC) Launceston, driving delivery of the higher education vision and strategic objectives for northern Tasmania. Prior to his appointment as PVC, he held a number of senior roles at the University, including Acting/Head of School(s), Deputy Dean of Graduate Studies and Chair of Academic Senate. Dom retires from the University on 5 April 2024 after 33 years at UTAS.

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Generously supported by

Misha Anstari – “Downhill Walking: A Way Forward in Blood Glucose Management”

Misha Anstari discusses how regular exercise is key to preventing and managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) as it improves blood glucose control. However, compliance to exercise is poor. Eccentric exercise, which involves the muscle lengthening under load is less metabolically demanding on the body, and may be an attractive alternative to conventional exercise. This research investigates the use of downhill walking (eccentric exercise) on the management of blood glucose control and other health-related parameters. Misha is a professional physiotherapist who is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of Tasmania. Her research is centered around the use of eccentric exercise to manage blood glucose levels in individuals with type 2 Diabetes mellitus. She earned her Bachelor’s and Post-professional Physiotherapy degrees in Pakistan, where she also worked as a clinical therapist and taught before starting her Ph.D. program at UTAS.

Stan Kaine – “Using AI to Improve Safety at Sea”

Stan Kaine discusses how, in a data driven world, access to up-to-date sea state information that could affect vessel safety is paramount. Research is being undertaken to convert the six degrees of vessel accelerations into sea state to allow unsafe situations to be avoided by both the vessel capturing the data and other ships transiting the area via AIS transmissions or the internet. Machine Learning is a key component in making this information available in near real time. Stan founded a software development company, Point Duty, in 2004 with an initial mission to help track the flow of child abuse material over the internet and assist Law Enforcement to find the perpetrators. The company now has a broader data capture and analytics function. Stan’s degree is in Computer Science, which when coupled to a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and a Diesel Fitting Apprenticeship gives him a unique insight into boundaries between IT and the “Real World”.

The City of Launceston owns and manages the second largest regional landfill in Tasmania. Recycling and reuse are major Council priorities to reduce the impact on the environment and operational costs This supports a circular approach to the purchase, use and reuse of materials. The presentation will explain how the Council goes about diverting valuable materials away from landfill through recovery projects. 

Michael Attard is the Team Leader for Sustainability at the City of Launceston. He is a waste and recovery professional working with the City of Launceston for the past 7 years to lead and deliver sustainability outcomes for the organisation. He has a science background and has previously worked in diverse roles such as abalone hatchery manager parasitology for Atlantic salmon and ecosystem health assessment for Kanamaluka the Tamar Estuary.

Methods for generation of geometrically correct, three-dimensional, photorealistic, virtual models have developed rapidly in the last decade. These techniques are applicable at a wide range of scales and are very suitable for digitising both natural geological exposures and geological specimens. This presentation will outline methods for generation of 3D digital models and will showcase selected models from around Australia drawn from the AusGeol virtual library. The use of these 3D models, virtual tours, and new analysis software will be showcased for applications in geological education, geological research and public outreach.

Dr Michael Roach is a geophysicist and long term staff member in the discipline of Earth Sciences and CODES at the University of Tasmania. About 10 years ago Michael saw the potential for the application of emerging digital visualisation methods for geological education and research. Since then, he has pioneered the application of these techniques for teaching, research projects and public outreach.

Launceston’s Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery holds in its collection one of the most important flags in Australian flag history: The Australasian League flag of 1851. Although this flag represents one short period of political agitation, Mr Addison will show how it can be considered the design origin of Australia’s current national flag, chosen by a competition in 1901.

Jon Addison is the Senior Curator of Public History at QVMAG, Launceston. Before taking up his current post in 2008, he worked at several museums in Australia and the UK, including the Western Australian Maritime Museum, the London Transport Museum and the Scottish Maritime Museum. His current role allows him to explore many diverse collections and interests.

The Northern Branch of the Royal Society of Tasmania invites you to a public lecture by Tanya Ringuet, at 1.30pm, on Sunday 26 November 2023, in the Meeting Room, QVMAG, Inveresk, Launceston.

Admission is free for members of the Royal Society of Tasmania, and members of the Geological Society of Australia. General admission – $6. Students, QVMAG or TMAG Friends, and members of the Launceston Historical Society – $4. Full Covid vaccination and the wearing of face masks are highly desirable.

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The Big Picture design for learning is centred around students learning through personal interests, with an emphasis on real-world learning with expert mentors in the community. The International Big Picture Learning Credential puts the ‘person’ back into educational assessment so that young people exiting schooling do so with a rich, customised portrait of their abilities that offers meaningful, accessible information to end-users in the wider community, while allowing students significant agency in the way they are represented.

Tanya Ringuet has over 30 year’s experience as an educator and school leader. Based in Launceston, she is currently seconded to Big Picture Learning Australia as the International Big Picture Learning Credential Coordinator and Big Picture School Coach (Tas). Her role involves overseeing credentialing processes for students within the global Big Picture Learning network. Committed to maintaining the validity and integrity of the credential, Tanya is part of a team that contributes significantly to the network’s objective of empowering students for a dynamic future.

The presentation will explore opportunities and technologies to facilitate decarbonisation of industrial systems through integration of renewable energy supply, storage and utilisation in practical commercial and industrial value chains.

Dr David Harris is a Chief Research Consultant with CSIRO Energy, based in Brisbane, and led CSIRO’s national low emissions and hydrogen-based energy research programs for more than 25 years. He now leads the development of major industrial-scale programs and projects across multi-sector energy value and supply chains, focusing on supporting demonstration and deployment of practical energy technologies that enable large scale renewable energy production, storage, transport, and utilisation.

The Northern Branch of the Royal Society of Tasmania, invites you to two public lectures by PhD candidates Misha Anstari and Stan Kaine, at 1.30pm on Sunday 22 October 2023. The lecture will be held in the Meeting Room, QVMAG, Inveresk, Launceston.

Admission is free for members of the Royal Society of Tasmania. General admission – $6. Students, QVMAG or TMAG Friends, and members of the Launceston Historical Society – $4. Full Covid vaccination and the wearing of face masks are highly desirable.

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Misha Anstari will discuss how regular exercise is key to preventing and managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) as it improves blood glucose control. However compliance to exercise is poor. Eccentric exercise, which involves the muscle lengthening under load is less metabolically demanding on the body,  and may be an attractive alternative to conventional exercise. This research investigates the use of downhill walking (eccentric exercise) on the management of blood glucose control and other health-related parameters.

Misha is a professional physiotherapist who is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of Tasmania. Her research is centered around the use of eccentric exercise to manage blood glucose levels in individuals with type 2 Diabetes mellitus. She earned her Bachelor’s and Post-professional Physiotherapy degrees in Pakistan, where she also worked as a clinical therapist and taught before starting her Ph.D. program at UTAS.

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Stan Kaine will discuss how, in a data driven world, access to up-to-date sea state information that could affect vessel safety is paramount. Research is being undertaken to convert the six degrees of vessel accelerations into sea state to allow unsafe situations to be avoided by both the vessel capturing the data and other ships transiting the area via AIS transmissions or the internet. Machine Learning is a key component in making this information available in near real time.

Stan founded a software development company, Point Duty, in 2004 with an initial mission to help track the flow of child abuse material over the internet and assist Law Enforcement to find the perpetrators. The company now has a broader data capture and analytics function.

Stan’s degree is in Computer Science, which when coupled to a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and a Diesel Fitting Apprenticeship gives him a unique insight into boundaries between IT and the “Real World”.