Dinosaur “bling” at Lightning Ridge and dinosaur tracks in “Australia’s Jurassic Park” are just some of the fascinating subjects covered by internationally renowned speakers at our upcoming Dinosaur Symposium (23-24 March) hosted by the University of Tasmania.

Here is a sneak preview of the program – 

Savannasaurus is part of the sauropod family | Image credit: Travis R. Tischler and Australian Age of Dinosaurs, Museum of Natural History

Winton – home of the Big Dinosaur

Dr Stephen Poropat, from Swinburne University, will talk about the dinosaurs of the Winton Formation in Queensland. One recent discovery in Winton proved to be the most complete sauropod ever found in Australia.

Sauropods include among their ranks the largest terrestrial animals that ever lived: some were more than 30 metres long, others more than 13 metres tall, and still others tipped the scales at more than 50 tonnes.

The eventful Precambrian Era

Stromatolites, Shark Bay, Western Australia. Image by Martin Barnes

Dr Indrani Mukherjee, from Earth Sciences at the University of Tasmania, will talk about life on very early Earth, the Precambrian Era. This period, spanning from 4500 million years ago to 540 million years ago, is known to record some of the most significant transitions and breakthroughs in the evolution of life. What shaped the course of evolution has always fascinated us. Whether it was the concentration of oxygen in the atmosphere and ocean, nutrients in the ocean, or supercontinent cycles, or a combination of all these factors, the question is being thoroughly investigated.

Dr Indrani Mukherjee inspecting drill cores of very ancient rocks.

This talk focuses on some of the key biological events in the Precambrian, particularly between (3500 to 800 million years ago) and provides a geological explanation for the cause of these events. The talk ties the geochemical conditions of the ocean and the atmosphere with evolution and diversification of complex microscopic life that facilitated macroscopic life on Earth, including dinosaurs!

Dampier Peninsula: “Australia’s Jurassic Park”

Goolarabooloo Law Boss Richard Hunter (left) and Steve Salisbury (right) alongside tracks of a small theropod (3D track model and trackmaker silhouette inset, right), near Walmadany, on the Dampier Peninsula, WA. Photo Damian Kelly.

Dr Steve Salisbury, from The Queensland University Dinosaur Laboratory, will talk about the discovery of spectacular dinosaur tracks in the Kimberley region of north Western Australia. An unprecedented 21 different types of dinosaur tracks have been identified on a 25-kilometre stretch of the Dampier Peninsula coastline dubbed ‘Australia’s Jurassic Park’.

According to Dr Salisbury, “The dinosaur track fauna of the Broome Sandstone is extremely significant, forming the primary record of non-avian dinosaurs in the western half the continent and providing our only glimpse of Australia’s dinosaur fauna during the first half of the Early Cretaceous Period”.

The Right Lower Jaw of Weewarrasaurus Showcases the Rainbow Hues of Opal in the Fossil. Photograph by Robert A. Smith

Fiery dinosaur fossil at Lightning Ridge

Dr Phill Bell, from University of New England, will talk about the amazing opalized dinosaur bones unearthed at Lightning Ridge in NSW, including the recent discovery of the jaw bone of a small ornithopod. The dinosaur has been named Weewarrasaurus pobeni – a name that recognises the fossil’s unearthing in the Wee Warra opal field, and honours Mike Poben, an Adelaide-based opal buyer who donated the specimen for research.

Like all fossils from the Lightning Ridge opal mines, the lower jaw—the only piece of the animal recovered—is preserved in opal. Precious opal gives off a rainbow of colours, in this case shimmering green and blue. Lightning Ridge is the only place in the world where dinosaur bones are commonly replaced by precious opal.

The exquisitely preserved 3D skull of Onychodus, a bony fish predator on the ancient Devonian reef of the Kimberley (Gogo site). Such fossils help us understand the evolution of vertebrates before the dinosaurs.

Evolution: Life on Earth

Professor John Long, from Flinders University, will give us the history of evolution of life on Earth, from single celled bacteria to fishes, then dinosaurs, birds and finally humans. He is an internationally acclaimed exceptional speaker and has led fossil digs all over the Earth. He is currently in Antarctica on a dig, but will be back in time for our symposium.

PaleoArt 

A Symposium: Dinosaurs and Evolution of Life.

Hobart, Tasmania

23-24^th March 2019

Supported by The Royal Society of Tasmania, Geological Society of Australia (Tas. Div.) and  The University of Tasmania

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Come along from 8.15am on Saturday or Sunday morning to register for full day or morning sessions.

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DOWNLOAD THE Symposium brochure HERE

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The Organizing and Scientific Committee of DEL2019, invites you to participate in a 2 day symposium to highlight recent advances in understanding the evolution of life on Earth, with a focus on Dinosaurs.

The conference is organized by The Royal Society of Tasmania as part of their 175^thAnniversary celebrations, with support from the Tasmanian Division of the Geological Society of Australia and the University of Tasmania. The venue is the Stanley Burbury Theatre, University of Tasmania, Churchill Avenue, Hobart. (Scroll down for directions to the venue).

The Symposium will run in parallel with an exhibition at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) called “Dinosaur rEvolution; Secrets of Survival” prepared by Gondwana Studios.

Themes of Symposium

• Recent research on dinosaurs

• Evolution of dinosaurs and birds

• Proterozoic evolution of life

• Phanerozoic evolution of life

• Mass extinction events

The Royal Society of Tasmania has put together a once-in-a-lifetime program of talks on the latest discoveries about dinosaurs and evolution. We have invited the top dinosaur experts from around Australia to present their recent research on these amazing animals that lived for 165 million years on Earth. You will also hear the latest theories on evolution of the species and the discoveries that Charles Darwin made when he visited Tasmania in 1836.

Participants will benefit from hearing Plenary Session Keynote talks by several distinguished scientists on dinosaurs, evolution and mass extinction.

• Professor John Long – Flinders University, will give an overview on the origin of the species, including dinosaurs.

• Dr Steve Salisbury – University of Queensland Dinosaur Lab, will talk about the recent discovery of dinosaur tracks in northwest Western Australia.

• Dr Stephen Poropat – Swinburne University of Technology will talk about Australian dinosaurs through the Mesozoic period and the Triassic fossils found in the Hobart area – _are they dinosaurs?

• Dr Phil Bell – University of New England, will talk on recent opalized dinosaur discoveries from Lightning Ridge, NSW.

• Professor Ross Large – University of Tasmania, will talk about research on past ocean chemistry, evolution and mass extinctions over the last 600 million years.

• John Pickell – a well-known author has published several books on dinosaurs will run a Q & A session on dinosaurs, fielding all sorts of questions from the audience.

go to … SPEAKERS FOR THE DINOSAUR SYMPOSIUM for more

PROGRAM

Symposium on Dinosaurs and Evolution of Life

The Royal Society of Tasmania and GSA Tasmanian Division

The morning program is designed for the general public, educationists and students older than 10 years, interested scientists and young aspiring scientists. It is delivered by experts in their field.

The afternoon program is more technical in nature, mainly for geoscientists and biologists, but will be of interest to others wanting to learn more about dinosaurs, dinosaur art and evolution.

Further information from the Royal Society of Tasmania website or Convenor – Professor Ross Large 0418352501 or the Hon. Secretary David Wilson 0409854101.

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Saturday 23^rd  March

Morning Session – General public, students above 10 years and scientists

Chair: Prof Ross Large (Royal Society of Tasmania)

9.00 – 9.15  Welcome & Introduction

9.15 – 9.45  Why evolution matters – reflections on deep time and the history of life – Prof John Long

9.45- 10.15  The story of Early Complex life before Dinosaurs – Dr Indrani Mukherjee

10.15-10.45  Morning Tea – appearance of Rosie and Rex Dinosaur replicas

10.45- 11.15  Australia’s Dinosaurs and their World – Dr Stephen Poropat

11.15 – 11.45  Exciting Dinosaur Trackway Discoveries from Kimberley region, WA – Dr Steve Salisbury

11.45 – 12.15  Dinosaur expert panel Q & A

12.15 – 1.30  Lunch (provided free for those with a full day or 2 day ticket)

Afternoon session – aspiring scientists, geoscientists and biologists

Chair: Dr Karen Orth (GSA Tas. Div.)

1.30-2.00  Spectacular Dinosaur Trackways from South Korea – Andy Spate

2.00-2.30  Beyond the ‘mid’ Cretaceous; new insights into the nature and composition of Australia’s dinosaurian fauna – Dr Steve Salisbury

2.30-3.00  The Winton Formation: A Window into a Lost Dinosaur World – Dr Stephen Poropat

3.00-3.30  Afternoon Tea

3.30-4.00  The Rise of Vertebrates in Australia – Where the Dinosaurs came from – Prof John Long

4.00-4.30  Darwin’s visit to Hobart – Impact on his evolution theory – John Davidson

Sunday 24^thMarch

Morning Session – General public, students above 10 years and scientists

Chair: Prof John Long (President. Royal Society of South Australia)

9.00 – 9.15  Welcome & Introduction

9.15 – 9.45  Can you dig it? Digging for Dinosaurs through time – Dr Phil Bell

9.45- 10.15  What Wiped out the Dinosaurs, a Story of Mass Extinctions – Dr Karen Orth

10.15-10.45  Morning Tea – appearance of Rosie and Rex, Dinosaur replicas

10.45- 11.15  Dinosaurs in Tasmanian Triassic? – Phil Sansom and Dr Clive Calver

11.15 – 11.30  What Dinosaurs Looked Like – a brief history of dinosaurs from the earliest illustrations to the present – Dr Brita Hansen

11.30 – 12.00  Augmented Reality and Rebuilding Dinosaurs – David Shering

12.00-12.15  Panel Q & A

12.15 – 1.30  Lunch (provided free for those with a full day or 2 day ticket)

Afternoon session–Citizen scientists, earth, biological sciences as well as educators

Chair: Dr Anita Hansen

1.30-2.00  Ocean chemistry and Mass Extinction events – Prof Ross Large

2.00-2.30 Images of Science – constructing scientific and cultural visualisations of dinosaurs – Dr Brita Hansen

2.30-3.00 Dinosaurs and Opals from Lightning Ridge, NSW – Dr Phil Bell

3.00-3.30 Afternoon Tea

3.30-4.00 The rise and fall of stromatolites: the influence of trace elements and temperature – Dr Ross Corkrey

4.00-4.30 Atmosphere Oxygen and Evolution of Life – Prof Ross Large

4.30-5.00 Wrap up

Register on line before 10th March for a morning session, or for a full registration to be in the draw to win one of two copies of the book DINOSAURS: The Most Complete, Up-to-Date Encyclopaedia for Dinosaur Lovers of All Ages illustrated by Luis Rey.

Registration Ticket Options

$15.00 – $250.00 Registration is for either the full program of two morning and two afternoon sessions, including morning, afternoon teas and lunch; OR Individual morning sessions.

Full 2 day registration (inc lunches)                                             ($250)

Full single day registration (inc lunch)                                         ($130)

Saturday Morning Student                                                            ($15)

Sunday Morning Student                                                               ($15)

Saturday Morning Adult                                                                ($25)

Sunday Morning Adult                                                                   ($25)

Saturday Morning Family Ticket (2A & up to 3C)                         ($50)

Sunday Morning Family Ticket (2A & up to 3C)                           ($50)

Note: Student / Child age 10 years up to senior secondary, grade 12.

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The Royal Society of Tasmania will present its annual Postgraduate evening on the 2nd of October 2018 at 8pm at the Royal Society Rooms in Hobart.  

A number of outstanding PhD candidates from the University of Tasmania will give short lectures on their favourite research topics, followed by five minutes for questions. As usual, the  areas of research are diverse and fascinating.

Nicole Hellessey 

Nicole Hellessey is a PhD student with the Institute for Marine and Antarctic studies. Nicole was lucky enough to be chosen as an inaugural participant of the Homeward Bound Project in 2016 to raise awareness for women in STEM fields. Nicole is now a passionate advocate for women in science and an upcoming science communicator with the Young Tassie Scientists. When she’s not busily working on her thesis or in the lab, Nicole is a single parent and medieval enthusiast.

Nicole is researching Antarctic krill diets and how they change seasonally, inter-annually, regionally and with the environment. Nicole’s end goal is to help the krill fishery to become more sustainable by understanding when and where to harvest to maximise their omega3 outputs whilst minimising their krill catch. Nicole will be discussing the basics of krill biology and the krill fishery and how they both may change into the future. Everything from krill size and sex, to how much the fishery really harvests from the Southern Ocean will be put under the microscope and open for debate.

Shasta Henry

Shasta is a current PhD candidate at the University of Tasmania, where she is looking into the impact of wildfires on alpine invertebrate communities. After graduating with Honors in invertebrate ecology, Shasta interned at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC, assisting in the identification of new species of beetles from the Amazon. They even named an insect named after her.

As a ‘Young Tassie Scientist’ she teaches school kids the difference between bugs and beetles, and how to grow up to be a scientist. As an independent Science Communicator she talks about insects as technology, on farms, under your skin and on your plate. Shasta is the entomologist on call for ABC radio Hobart and a member of the Australian Entomological Society Conservation Committee.

There are 1 million species of insects named in the scientific literature. But there are an estimated 5.5 million species of insects globally. That leaves a conservative 80% of species unnamed. Looking at insects in a quiet place like Tasmania it is likely, if not necessary, that you’ll name a species or two. A scientific name, as unique and specific as the species themselves is an international label used to file and access the knowledge we possess about any particular species. So what does that process of filing and acquisition look like when the file does not have a label; when people start stuffing papers into neighboring files or stuff has simply not been filed at all? A treasure hunt ensues! A (hopefully) thrilling account of the sleuth work involved in identifying the Tasmanian golden sun cockroach.

Peter Lynch

Peter Lynch is a graduate of the Canberra School of Music (performance), Monash University (musicology) and The University of Melbourne (education administration).  He has taught at the Victorian College of the Arts, The University of Melbourne, the Melba Memorial Conservatorium of Music, and the Conservatorium of Music, University of Tasmania. From 1999 to 2008, he was Director of Murray Conservatorium, Albury. In that capacity, he established two orchestras, a number of smaller ensembles and presented numerous public concerts featuring staff and students together with recitals by many of Australia’s finest performers and composers. For forty years, Peter examined in Australia and overseas for the Australian Music Examinations Board. As a classical guitarist, he has performed, broadcast and recorded as soloist and in ensemble with some of Australia’s most highly regarded musicians. These include Prudence Davis and Jeffrey Crellin (Images) and Jane Rayner (Cloud Eight: Australian Music for Flute and Guitar). His MA thesis on Gertrude Healy, the noted Australian violinist, was recognised by way of an entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography and he is now awaiting the outcome of the examination of his PhD on liturgical music in four Australian monastic communities. Peter and his partner Bronwyn, when not busy in their cottage garden, work in a voluntary capacity at the Catholic Archdiocese of Hobart Archives and Heritage Collection.

The Second Vatican Council heralded a period of immense and often unprecedented change for all Roman Catholics, particularly with regard to matters liturgical. Against the backdrop of Sacrosanctum Concilium, promulgated by Paul VI on December 4, 1963, and subsequent Vatican legislation, this research investigated, through an ethnographic methodology, the responses to the challenges and opportunities that arose through the process of liturgical reform within the Australian monastic context. The communities selected for this study were the Discalced Carmelite Nuns at the Carmelite Monastery in Kew, Victoria; the Trappist Monks at Tarrawarra Abbey in the Yarra Valley, Victoria; the Benedictine Nuns at Jamberoo Abbey, New South Wales; and the Benedictine Monks at New Norcia, Western Australia. The research focused on the liturgical music of each of these communities as it evolved over the period from 1960, two years prior to the commencement of the Council, to 2015, marking 50 years since its conclusion. It demonstrated that, through their collective commitment and the expertise of individual musicians from within their ranks as well as further afield, they resolved, to a large extent, the inherent tension between the demands of liturgical reform, particularly with regard to the vernacularisation of their liturgies and the concomitant necessity to develop sympathetic musical constructs, and the preservation of the treasury of sacred music, especially Gregorian chant. In so doing, they not only succeeded but excelled in meeting the challenge of the reform.