Outreach
Contaminated site assessment
With student groups I have been assessing derelict mine sites as part of my third year Applied Geomorphology teaching program. We use field-portable analytical gear including an X-Ray Fluorescence unit to determine the distribution of contaminants and compliance with national sediment quality guidelines. We then present these data, gratis, to the landholders and where approved, to the NSW Department of Mineral Resources for their action. So far we have conducted major studies on derelict mines near Braidwood and Inverell, NSW.
Public presentations
I give talks to students from primary and secondary schools, mainly on Antarctica and geography. I have spoken at schools in Annandale, Greystanes, Marrickville, Turramurra, Newcastle, Auckland and London. Send me an email - maybe I can visit your school!
I also give talks to community groups, and over the last few years I have spoken to STEP Inc. and the Thornleigh Area Bushland Society (both community-based conservation groups) on contamination in urban rivers.
Other activity
In the past I have been:
- reviewer of NHT grants for community and local government environmental works in the Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment
- the Macquarie University representative on the Lane Cove Catchment Management Committee
- the Secretary of the Australasian Quaternary Association
- editor of the newsletter of the Antarctic Society of Australia (1996-1999)