Ian Rutherfurd, School of Geography, Melbourne University

Erosion into a farm road along the Upper Murray River, NE Victoria, after the 2010 floods; photo by Ian Rutherfurd.

Some of the most interesting geography happens at borders, intersections and interfaces. In this talk I discuss the important and fractious interface between land and rivers.  Like coasts, this is where the dynamism of nature meets the inflexibility of human societies. This world of moving river banks, riparian vegetation, flooding, and high-value floodplain agriculture, is now also a focus of environmental action across the world. I will discuss the key values and issues in rural riparian land, as well as the latest ideas for living with valuable but dynamic spaces. 

About the presenter: Ian is a geographer and fluvial geomorphologist. He has worked for 25 years in the water sector as an academic and consultant, including several years working in state government. At present he is a Professor in the School of Geography at the University of Melbourne. Ian’s research interests relate to processes of erosion and sedimentation in river channels, particularly human impacts on rivers, interactions between vegetation and rivers, and the dynamics of fine and coarse sediment pulses in rivers. His work has turned increasingly to the physical and social dimensions of restoration of disturbed fluvial systems. He has published over 80 journal articles, 50 consulting reports, and has been involved in over $7 million in research grants, assisted by over 60 co-authors and 30 PhD students. His international work includes projects in South East Asia, China, the USA, Canada and South Africa. He has advised government through involvement in numerous committees and enquires. He has been the president of the Institute of Australian Geographers, as well as the Australia New Zealand Geomorphology Group. 

Please note: This will be a virtual lecture delivered online via Zoom. Please register for the lecture and the lecture link will be emailed to all registrants closer to the lecture date. If you have any questions, please email us at info@rgsq.org.au.

The lecture may be recorded, therefore we ask that you mute your microphone and turn your camera off during the lecture. You will have the chance to ask questions via the lecture chat. If you have any concerns about the lecture being recorded, please let us know.

Location

BINNA BURRA BUSHWALK

22 October 2020

We meet at Canungra Hub Cafe (opposite the Post Office) at 8.00 or arrive earlier and have a coffee/breakfast.

Limit 10. Members $5.00.Guests $10.00

This is a 12 km moderate circuit walk on Graded Tracks in Lamington National Park. We will pass through areas of rainforest and heathland, visit a waterfall, cave, Surprise Rock and have some great views.

A retired geologist Andrew Willson will tell us about the formation of Lamington National Park and how the differing rocks give rise to the various vegetation.

It is a favourite walk of mine and I hope you can come along.

Please call me if you would like to make other travel arrangements.

Bring:

A backpack with morning tea, lunch, hat, raincoat, sunscreen and insect repellent.

Wear good walking boots or shoes.

A walking stick might be useful too.

Mary Comer 3844 6231

BRISBANE SOUTH BANK AND LAND USE CHANGES

Tuesday 10 November 2020

Members $10.00 Guests $15.00. Limit 10

Meet at QPAC near the outside cafe to start the walk at 9.00. Travel to this point is easy by bus or train.

This is a guided walk along the Brisbane River and through South Bank.

RGSQ member Peter Nunan will inform us of the very interesting history of the area.

We will continue along the base of Kangaroo Point Cliffs with a geologist Ken Armstrong. Then around Kangaroo Point itself to the sandy beach and under the Story Bridge.

Morning tea will be at our own expense at Cafe Lagoonas at South Bank.

Lunch will be at Story Bridge Deli also at own expense.

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After lunch we will walk a short distance to Dockside and board the Inner City Ferry, which is free, either to South Bank 3 or North Quay whichever you prefer.

Bring:

Hat and sunscreen and wear good walking footwear.

Mary Comer 3844 6231

Details:   A fitting finale to 2020!  Members are encouraged to bring along an item of geographical interest and provide some insight into what are its special characteristics.  Members are to bring along a plate to share at the end of the presentations.

Location:  Gregory Place, Level1/28 Fortescue St, Spring Hill  Qld  4000

Costs:  $2:00 contribution towards cost of tea and coffee.

Coordinator:  Len Lowry