From the Myall Coast Nota Thursday 14th December 11.

Hawks Nest Waters a shark nursery

THIS comes after two attacks on people by white sharks at Jimmys beach over the last four years and regular shark sightings at Bennetts Beach.

Barry Bruce from CSIRO Marine Research has conducted extensive research on White Sharks in the area and believes the presence of these creatures is no reason to fear an attack.

“In general, the sharks appear to take little interest in surfers or swimmers in these areas,” Mr Bruce said.

Mr Bruce said that the coastal waters off Port Stephens are a seasonal nursery area for white sharks. Read the full article here.

Denise Hardesty (left) at Science Meets Parliament 2011

From abc.net.au 13th December 2011

Scientists comb beaches for rubbish clues

A team of scientists is combing Australia’s 35,000-kilometre coastline to measure marine debris and its impact on sea life.

The researchers are specifically studying the barcodes on items of rubbish in an attempt to trace the origin of products washing up on the shore.

The group is currently at Sydney’s Shelly Beach, a popular surf break known for its clean waves.

Denise Hardesty, a CSIRO researcher who heads the marine debris project, says scientists are using the Shelly Beach waterfront near Manly to get a snapshot of Sydney’s beachside pollution. Read the full article here.

Review of Regional Science leads to positive reccommendations

Your Staff Association has been campaigning to progress and resolve issues raised by members at regional sites. In late 2010, the Staff Association lobbied CEO Megan Clark to conduct a Review to support Regional Science. A Working Group was formed with four nominated Staff Association members. A report from the Working Group, with proposed reccommendations, was considered at Consultative Council on 28 November. A full copy of the report can be found here.

Read more:

Regional Science Review (bulletin)

Regional Sites Working Group Report (report)

Report from CSIRO Consultative Council 67

The Consultative Council is a biannual meeting between CSIRO Executive, including CEO Megan Clark, and Staff Association representatives. These meetings are an opportunity for the Executive to seek input on proposals and for members to have high-level input to organisational wide processes and strategic decisions. Continue reading →

 Media Release – 24th November 2011

Today Professor Michael Holland commenced his two-year term as President of the Science & Technology Australia.

In commencing his term Professor Holland said the role of science in the creation of wealth and well being needs to become more overt.
We must articulate to Australians very clearly the value science has for the nation”.

“The three-way partnership between government, science and industry needs to be re-invigorated”.

Professor Holland paid tribute to the work of Dr Cathy Foley, who concluded her term today.
“Cathy has made an extraordinary contribution to STA and the science sector more broadly.
“Cathy has shown great leadership at a time when the validity and integrity of science has unfortunately been placed under question.
“I intend on pursuing this issue actively”. Continue reading →

The 2010 – 2011 financial year Operating Report and Financial Report for the CSIRO Staff Association are now available for members to view. (click the highlighted links to view the documents) These documents can also be found on our “About the CSIRO Staff Association” page. They will shortly be forwarded to all members via email, along with an invitation to our Annual General Meeting, to be held on the 13th of December in Canberra, ACT. The invitation can be found here, and the agenda here.

Download the PDF version here or view it online here.

In this edition…

• Meet a young graduate who tells us why she joined the CPSU
• Find out about the Australian Public Service bargaining
• Meet the member bringing the largest ever Renaissance exhibition to Canberra

And plenty more!