Friday morning, we all arrived at the GED office for our last session of lectures. During our first lecture, Mike Hefferan described to us the challenges facing the future of the Australian environment. Due to industrial processes and urban development that are driven by the increasing population of the country as well as growing wealth and consumption patterns, there is greater input of organic and inorganic compounds into the environment. This increase results in alterations of natural cycles and can cause a wide range of negative effects like biodiversity loss and climate change. Hefferan encouraged us to think critically about issues such as resource management of coal and water in Australia by using education, ethical business practices, and political pressure to reimagine the built environment to reduce further environmental detriment.
In the afternoon lecture, Australian Rainforests, Margie Mayfield discussed the unique characteristics of Australia's rainforests. While Queensland, Australia possesses the oldest rainforests in the world, 70 million years to be exact, these rainforests do not possess any primates. Bummer, huh? Well not really considering the rainforests in Australia are also home to sugar gliders, tree kangaroos, cassowaries, and micro and mega bats. Although rainforest ecosystems comprise less than one percent of land mass in OZ, microclimates along the Lamington Plateau, perched on the lip of an ancient volcano, produce a variety of rainforests from subtropical to temperate. These forests however, with their wealth of biodiversity, are under threat. Deforestation and invasive species are the main drivers of rainforest destruction in Australia.
Throughout our stay in Brisbane, some of us have been lucky enough to meet the wonderful families hosting many of our peers. This weekend, I had the privilege of further making the acquaintance of the Jells. Host family to Allison, Peter and Annette Jell (and their dog Molly) were kind enough to invite Allison, Kathryn and myself to a small town on the coast called Pottsville. A beach weekend, right before a final?, you may wonder in disbelief. No dramas though. In nearly typical fashion, our beach days were rained out, allowing plenty of time to hit the books. We were even able to study over meals as Annette and Peter shared with us their knowledge of the Australian way of life. Discussions of politics, demographics, and general Aussie quirkiness ensued.
Back in Brisbane though, our time had run out. For studying at least. Tuesday morning in the GED office, notebooks were open and dates were repetitiously mumbled up until the final minutes before filing into the classroom. Suffice it to say, after a full day of test taking, a collective sigh of relief was had by all. In addition to our sigh, many of us shared a celebratory schooner (or maybe it was a pint) at the Fox pub down the street.
Many of us rallied at the library the next day, some of us from open to close, to work diligently on our research papers and the parallel presentations slated for Thursday and Friday. It was a long day, but from the looks of it, that day was worth it. Thursday saw the first eight research presentations. We were all excited and enthusiastic to present our topics as well as learn about the research our peers had been preparing and conducting since January. Our assignment was to explore the many ways that relationships with the environment can be expressed in Australia. The topics were diverse, ranging from policy in the Murray-Darling River Basin to the life and times of Australian artist Margret Preston. For instance, environmental studies major Hanah explored the relationship between Australians and the environment since European settlement through architecture. She detailed the construction of Indigenous Australian dwelling and their use of native materials to contrast the colonial British homes and buildings which were so maladjusted to the hot, dry climate of Australia. Around the time of Federation in 1901, architecture developed into a unique style incorporating large ventilating windows, terra cotta roof tiles, and large gardens. The opulence of this period, however, was reduced during the war years as building materials and skills were diverted toward the war effort, resulting in conservative architecture. Today, styles have evolved, yet focus on methods of conserving energy and water, as well as preparing for adverse weather conditions. An interesting example is the Queenslander home, which is built on stilts--providing protection from flooding--and incorporates a verandah, which allows for a liminal indoor/outdoor living space with a wrap around design to accomplish all-day shade.
BioChem major Katy highlighted the reason why we should always listen to mom when she tells us to wear sunscreen, as she conducted her research on UV induced skin cancer in Australia. Apparently, Australia has one of the highest incidences of skin cancer in the world. Since the 1960s the health concerns of skin cancer in Australia have resulted in public awareness campaigns like the 1981 “Slip Slop Slap” campaign that is still prominent today. Despite these campaigns, the rates of skin cancer are increasing today. This may be for a range or reasons such as a large Caucasian population, the social popularity of tanning, or the weak ozone layer above Australia. The exceptions to this trend, however, are the younger generations on whom the school sun education programs were and continue to focus. Nevertheless, skin cancer remains a major concern among Australians and the government is a major player in the fight against UV induced melanoma.
As you can see, this past week really touched a range of emotions. Relief is one emotion that comes to mind as we wrap up lectures, finish exams, present our research topics, and finish up our papers. Excitement is another, though, as we anticipate the coming week of independent travel! It will be sad to leave Brisbane and our wonderful host families but a few days on the beach is remedy for any condition. Noosa Beach, here I come!
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