Convenor's Welcome
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Leafy Seadragon |
On behalf of the Organising Committee "Welcome to the 1998 National
Marine Education Society of Australasia Conference".
The Conference aims to bring together those involved in marine
and coastal education programs from throughout Australasia to:
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- explore the concept of biodiversity when
describing Australia's coastal and marine environments, with a focus
on temperate environments
- investigate strategies used in finding
out about the marine and coastal environment
- engage in opportunities to link understandings
of coastal and marine environments to best practice education programs
for schools and community groups
- further develop links between those involved
in marine and coastal education
The Conference title "Seaweeds, Syngnathids
and Seashores" was selected to highlight the unique nature of our southern
shores and the need for their active conservation. The area around the
entrance to Port Phillip Bay has more algal species than the entire Japanese
archipelago. The family of fish called the Sygnathidae, which includes
seadragons, seahorses and pipefish has over half of its species world-wide
in southern Australia.
It is these and the many other unique organisms
in our temperate waters, and the habitats which support them, that require
greater awareness and protection in the face of increasing pressure on
the marine and coastal environment. Therein lies the challenge to marine
and coastal educators - to develop effective strategies to improve awareness
and effect conservation of our coastal and marine environments.
Through a range of excellent Keynote Addresses.
Workshops and Field trips, Panel discussions. Displays, informal sessions
and, of course the Conference Dinner, we will promote marine education
as a key strategy for marine conservation.
As 1998 is also "International Year of the
Ocean" it is a timely reminder for us all to also consider education and
conservation of the largest single environment on the Planet. The Seaweek
theme and presentation will provide some direction for this.
We sincerely hope that your visit to southern
Port Phillip Bay is both stimulating and rewarding and that your stay
is also an enjoyable and memorable experience.
Mark Rodrigue
Conference Convener
Vice President, MESA (1997-8)
Conference Committee
Kerri Erler
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Conference
Coordinator
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Mark Rodrigue
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Conference
Convener - Convenor Saturday
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Harry Breidahl
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Convenor Saturday
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Jody Plecas
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Convenor Sunday
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Sharon Hinton
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Convenor Sunday
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Gayle Seddon
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Press Liaison
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Peter Johnson
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A.V and site
co ordinator
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Michelle Lauder
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Display coordinator
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Faye Donaldson,
Maragret O'Toole,
Nancy
Tzsernjavski |
Mesa Executive
1997
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Gun emplacements at Point Nepean,
venue for the '98 MESA Conference.
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President:
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Ian Tibbetts, School of Marine Science,
University of QLD.
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Vice- President & Undercurrents
Editor
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Mark Rodrigue Marine & Freshwater
Resources Institute Marine Discovery Centre
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Secretary
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Jan Oliver
Marine Parks, Queensland
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Membership Secretary
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Brian Trench
Cambden Education Centre NSW.
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Treasurer
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Sue Scott. CSIRO Education Centre
Brisbane
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Council Members
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Terri Erbar, Judith Ham, Regina Mageriowski,
Greg Shroud
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Seaweek Coordinator
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Barbara Jensen
PO Box 664 Byron Bay 2481
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Our Sponsors for this Conference
Department of Environment, Sport and
Territories
Coast Action / Coast Care
Marine and Fresh Water Resources
Institute
We would also
like to thank the following people and organisations for the help and
support.
- MESA executive
for their guidance down the rocky road to conference organising
- Melbourne Water
for the provision of the primary kits and other bits
- Parks Victoria
- Gould league
- The Portsea Camp
- Arts Western Australia
for funding "Cry of the Sea Dragon"
- The makers of
the sea dragon that accompanied us on our journey across the Bay
- Bob Nicholson,
Culture Officer of the Wurundjeri Tribe land & Compensation Heritage
Council Inc.
- Provender Pantry
for the catering for Saturday
- Special thanks
to Peter Marganov of Coast Action
- Our special volunteers
for the conference
- Last, but not
least, the very hard working committee
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