Note that this event is presently fully booked, however, if you have an interest in this trip we encourge you to join the waitlist in case of cancellations or if there is enough interest we may be able to arrange a similar trip in the future. (There is no obligation on your part in joining the wait list.)

Murray River Cruise and Royal Geographical Society of SA
1-8 May 2026

Join us for a Geotour cruise on the Murray River and a hosted visit to our sister Society, the Royal Geographical Society of South Australia in Adelaide.

Twin Share from $4075.00 pp; Single rate from $5830.00 pp

* As we have to book flights and cabins on the boat please register by 31 Jul 2025. On receipt of an offer, an Initial deposit of $1,000pp (partly refundable) is required by 15 Aug 2025 to secure cabins & flights.

Cost includes:

Itinerary includes:

This Geotour will include guided shore excursions covering geographical, ecological, historical, economic and cultural aspects of this part of the Murray River:

Enquiries:
RGSQ office +61 7 3368 2066 or email info@rgsq.org.au

Speakers: Dr Michael Hewson & Dr Bill Ellis

Dr Michael Hewson teaches environmental geography from the Rockhampton North campus of CQUniversity. Michael’s research spans the topics environmental policy, creative reflection, spatial analysis of the weather, and threatened species habitat health monitoring and mapping using satellite remote sensing. Michael's research projects involve applying GIS and satellite remote sensing to spatial analysis of Earth systems.

Dr Bill Ellis is a senior research fellow in the School of the Environment at The University of Queensland, from where he graduated with a PhD in Zoology, studying the physiology of koalas and their immune response to Chlamydia. Bill spent five years as a postdoctoral fellow with San Diego Zoo, who sponsor his ongoing work on St Bees Island, where he collaborates with researchers from CQ University. Areas of research include sexual selection, behaviour, habitat use and communication and he has published widely across these topics. He is currently investigating translocation techniques and outcomes for koalas while continuing to maintain several long-term research sites across Queensland.

Description: The narrative will explore how digital mapping and remote sensing support the CQUniversity-hosted Koala Research CQ team in conducting koala research. Given that the koala population in SEQ faces ongoing ecological pressures from habitat fragmentation, stress-related diseases, climate change, and vehicle strikes, can the population in and around the Clarke-Connors Range CQ serve as a species refugia, or are the Anthropogenic impacts similar?

When: 14 October 2025

Time: 7:30 - 8:30 pm AEST

8:30 – 9:30 pm AEDT

Location: Zoom Only

Please note: The ZOOM link for this event is included in the confirmation email which you will receive once you have registered. You will find it at the bottom of the notice Please keep this in a place where you can find it when needed. A reminder email will be sent with the link on the day of the event close to Close of Business hours.

This event may be recorded. If you have any questions, please email us at info@rgsq.org.au.

The 2025 Annual General Meeting of The Royal Geographical Society of Queensland Ltd will be held on premises and online via Zoom.

A link to the Zoom AGM will be emailed closer to the event day.

Documents for the upcoming AGM can be accessed by members under the Membership tab>Members Portal>AGM-2025 on the RGSQ website (please log in to view the portal and access the 2025 AGM material).

The AGM provides all members with the opportunity to: ask questions and offer comments on the Society’s activities and finances; elect the President and Councillors; and vote on all resolutions.

During the AGM, we will hear from two members who are proposed for Honorary Life Member status: Les Isdale and John Holmes.

Plus, Mr Christopher Hogan, PhD candidate in Geography at Flinders University, will give a presentation about his research which was supported by an RGSQ grant in 2025 and titled Investigating Wellbeing and Development Outcomes of Ni-Vanuatu Labour Migration through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme. He will provide early insights from his interviews with current and returned migrants and stakeholders, plus a pilot survey of 120 returned migrants and their households.

This is an opportunity to visit the Mathema Gallery which is the only Gallery/Museum of mathematics in the Southern hemisphere. We will travel by bus to Dayboro for morning tea, climb the Mt Mee Road to the Museum at Ocean View and continue on through the D'Aguilar Range to Woodford for lunch. 

The Gallery is only recently established and has exhibits tracing the history of mathematics from 3000 years ago, from Egypt through to the Incas, Aztecs and Chinese origins. It also features displays of calculating devices from 300BC through many centuries to the present. There is also a library containing 5500 books containing 1000 titles before 1850, including fascinating school textbooks from our era and before! There is also a unique gift shop. There are many geographical references within the Gallery.

Time: Friday 24th October 9.30am. The bus will leave Enoggera Bus and Train Station (Ferny Grove/Beenleigh line) at 9.30am. Parking is at the railway station carpark off Glenalva Terrace Enoggera or, if full, in nearby streets..

Morning Tea: We will stop at the  Dayboro Bakery in the attractive town of Dayboro. There are also alternative cafes and we should have enough time to walk around the town.

Mathema Gallery: We proceed up the winding road to Ocean View to the Gallery which is in the grounds of Oceanview Estates Winery. We will have a short presentation from the owners and founders of the Gallery. There are also extensive lawns at the site.

Lunch:  We will then continue up the Mt Mee Road to the Woodford Gardens Cafe for lunch at about 1pm. It is set in about 4 acres of manicured gardens and has a extensive menu from snacks to a full lunch. There may be a chance to walk around the small town of Woodford. 

We will return to Enoggera more directly and expect to arrive about 3.30pm.

Trip Detail: The bus trip in four stages will overall take a total of about two hours. The visit to the gallery will be for about an hour and a quarter with limited seating. Morning Tea and Lunch will be at your own cost.

Limit: 20 participants. If the trip is fully booked, please use the waitlist. There is often a good chance of late places being available.

Cost: Members $65 and non-members $75, including a donation to the Gallery. 

Coordinator: Chris Spriggs 0400 908 378

As more land is developed and paved over, the natural absorption of rainwater by soil and vegetation is drastically reduced. Instead, rainwater runs over impervious surfaces like asphalt and concrete, picking up a cocktail of pollutants before it enters storm drains and flows untreated into local waterways. The result is a growing, largely invisible crisis affecting rivers, lakes, oceans, and even drinking water supplies. In a natural environment, rainwater is absorbed into the ground, recharging groundwater and sustaining ecosystems. But, in built environments, stormwater behaves differently. [AIMEQUIP]

Speakers:

Professor Steven Kenway

Steven is a water leader with senior experience in research, industry, and government, developed through roles with The University of Queensland, CSIRO, Brisbane Water, Sydney Water, and private consulting. He has worked with urban water, wastewater, stormwater, and related energy and greenhouse gas issues since 1990. His work addresses urban water security, water-energy nexus, and circular economy. He creates collaborations, tools, models and knowledge to address all flows of water – and related energy - into, out of, and within cities. This enables evaluation and management of key concepts such as: (i) net zero carbon water cycle, (ii) hybrid, decentralised and integrated systems performance, and (iii) sustainable urban design and planning.

Assoc Professor Brian McIntosh

Brian is a water sector and sustainability capacity developer, educator, researcher and boundary spanner. He has significant experience in the design and delivery of applied and inter-disciplinary programs to build capacity for innovation, change and adaptation at individual, organisational and sectoral scales. As a recipient of international and national research awards and of a National Teaching Award, Brian has designed and delivered professionally targeted, problem and work-based water management and leadership programs and courses to participants from 86 different countries. This includes having led the development and delivery of water management and engineering Masters in Australia and the UK responsible for educating around 1000 graduates now working globally.

Glenn Browning

Glenn is a Senior Engineer at Brisbane City Council, specialising in stormwater management and Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD). With over 25 years of experience in waterway management across Queensland, Glenn has played a pivotal role in shaping sustainable urban water practices. His recent work focuses on developing innovative frameworks for waterway restoration and contributing to policy through published reviews, discussion papers, and guideline updates. Glenn is a member of Engineers Australia's Climate Risk Working Group, where he is helping to craft national guidance to support the engineering profession in adapting to future climate challenges. Currently undertaking a PhD at Griffith University, Glenn’s research explores new strategies for restoring urban waterways—bridging science, policy, and practice to improve ecological outcomes.

Each speaker will have 8 minutes to spotlight their work. During the Q&A forum the audience will have up to 60 minutes to ask questions of the experts on their research.

Light refreshments are served on arrival. This is a chance to network with colleagues and friends interested in this topic.

Please post your questions on notice to: Email questionsonnotice@gmail.com

Date: Tuesday 28 October

Time: 5:30 pm light refreshments – doors open @ 5:15

6:00 – 6:30 pm Presentations

6:30 – 7:30 Q&A Forum

7:30 – 8:00 Mingling

Place: Gregory Place, Level 1, 28 Fortescue St. Spring Hill

Cost: $5.00 for refreshments, included in registration.

Cost: $5.00 Members

$10.00 Non-Members

Free Students

Join us for a day out on Coochiemudlo Island on Wednesday 19th November.

This is an opportunity to explore the island which is a short distance from Victoria Point. While predominately residential, it has a variety of wildlife, migratory birds, and habitats to explore, including the heritage-listed emerald fringe of bushland around the shoreline which distinguishes it from other inhabited islands in Moreton Bay.

Vivienne Roberts -Thomson, President of Coochiemudlo Island Coastcare, will take the group on a guided walk around the island and discuss geographical issues which have impacted the island in recent times.

Transport: The day trip involves self-drive to Victoria Point Jetty and travelling by ferry to and from the island. As using public transport may take up to 2 hours from Brisbane city, carpooling is suggested.

Parking: There is some public parking near the Victoria Point jetty or in nearby streets – please be aware that time limits apply in certain areas.

10.15 am: Participants meet at the Victoria Point Jetty to catch the ferry to Coochiemudlo. The ferry costs 50 cents each way, leaving every 30 minutes on the half hour/hour.

10.30 am: Depart for Coochiemudlo where we will be met by Vivienne Roberts-Thomson at the jetty. Walk through Norfolk Park to the Curlew Café.

Victoria Point Jetty departure.

Morning Tea: Morning tea can be purchased at the Curlew Café which is a short walk from the ferry. There is also the option to bring your own morning tea.

After morning tea, Vivienne will take the group to features of geographic interest around the island. It is a pleasant walk from the café east along the Norfolk track to historic Norfolk beach, the landing site of Matthews Flinders in 1799, and through the wetlands to Morwong beach. We will be able to see the impact of the 2013 storm surge of ex-Cyclone Oswald, the Melaleuca/wetland ecosystem, RAMSAR sites and the impacts of Cyclone Alfred.

(The island bus may be able to pick up those who may not want to walk back to the lunch venue.)

12.30 pm Lunch: We will return for lunch at the Beach Bar for those who wish to purchase lunch.  Alternatively, you can pack a picnic lunch.

Post lunch: Afternoon activities: Birdwatching (more information to follow.)

Participants can catch the ferry to return at own leisure.

Participants please note: Please wear closed walking shoes, sun-safe clothing and bring a hat, sunscreen and water.

Limit: 20 participants. If the trip is fully booked, please use the waitlist. There is the possibility of late places being available.

Cost: Members $15, Non-members $20, including a donation Coochie Coastcare

Register and pay by November 15, 2025.

Photo: https://coochiemudloisland.com.au/

Coordinator: Kaye Schwede  

Presenter: Trevor Hamley, Australian Glaciologist

SYNOPSIS

"Vodka in a Vegemite Jar" is the title of a book written by Australian Glaciologist, Trevor Hamley. The book describes the 1983 over-snow trek of 3,000 kilometre across Soviet Antarctic from Mirny to Dome C and return. In this memoir, Trevor reveals how fate and a touch of destiny propelled him towards this unique experience, including a visit to Vostok - the coldest place on Earth.

At every turn, the Dome C traverse was beset by adversity yet achieved its scientific objectives. Mechanical and scientific equipment succumbed to the harsh Antarctic conditions, where temperatures plunged to minus sixty degrees centigrade. An appendectomy was performed 1,000 kilometres from the safety of a permanent station, an unprecedented feat in the annals of Antarctic expeditions. Each leg of the journey became an exhilarating episode. But the narrative does not merely recount the logistical aspects of the traverse; it delves into the intricacies of glaciology and the profound issue of our time: climate change.

In "Vodka in a Vegemite Jar", Trevor skilfully intertwines the thrill of exploration with challenging human experiences. He tells us about an extraordinary opportunity and cross-cultural friendship.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Trevor Hamley is the author of "Vodka in a Vegemite Jar – an Australian on a Soviet Antarctic Expedition". After finishing an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering at Monash University, Trevor joined the Australian Antarctic Division as the glaciologist - to winter at Casey in 1978. He then commenced a career in engineering construction before re-joining the Antarctic Division to participate in a Soviet Antarctic Expedition in 1983/84. Trevor completed a Master of Science degree in Glaciology at Melbourne University in 1987. He is a life-long enthusiast of outdoor activities and lives in Brisbane with his wife Kerry-Lynne with whom he has two sons and four grandchildren.

Register and pay via the website.

Coordinator: Kay Rees

Photographs and videos may be taken during RGSQ events for use in promotional materials including, but not limited to, the RGSQ website, social media channels, newsletters and other publications. By attending an RGSQ event, you consent to the use of your likeness for these purposes, unless you inform the event organizer or photographer otherwise.

Map Group's end of year event will follow a “tried and tested” formula where members will present a 5 minute segment on an interesting item they have collected. The item could have some geographical connection or be as broad as you wish.  Some suggestions to get you thinking; the item can be a book, holiday souvenir, piece of equipment, some photographs or maps.  It is surprising how entertaining this segment of our program can be and it usually creates much laughter.  This will be followed by a special morning tea and the usual camaraderie.

Cost:-  $5.00.  Morning tea with a Christmas theme provided

Limit:- 30.  Registration on the website required.

Coordinator:-  Kay, Neville and Len

Photographs and videos may be taken during RGSQ events for use in promotional materials including, but not limited to, the RGSQ website, social media channels, newsletters and other publications. By attending an RGSQ event, you consent to the use of your likeness for these purposes, unless you inform the event organizer or photographer otherwise.