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Work Experience Inspires Clifton Student
Southern Queensland Landscapes believes empowered young people are the key to our future, so we were thrilled to welcome enthusiastic year 10 student from Clifton State High School, Piper Brady, when she joined us for work experience in the Toowoomba office.
Piper told us she learnt a lot during her week with SQ Landscapes, and sat down to write a report about her time in her own words. Read it below.
My time with Southern Queensland Landscapes
by Piper Brady
Coming from my small state high school, I decided I wanted to do my work placement with a conscious and aware group of people, and I chose Southern Queensland Landscapes in Toowoomba.
I was initially drawn to the hard and honest work they do with the environment and working with people to ensure the best outcomes for everyone. Coming from a farming family and community, I understand how much love the landholders all have for the soil and the land we live on, and how important it is for everyone to try and help it thrive.
I won’t lie and say this industry is exactly what I expected. Both more like an office job and more like a scientist than I would have thought, but it certainly was important. I worked with most people in the office, and met with various people, landholders and other industry people and businesses alike.
I went out with (Principal Project Officer) Vanessa MacDonald on Monday. We drove to Millmerran to join Rebecca Kirby from Millmerran Landcare to assess the new contour banks and clean up an exhausted grazing paddock. Looking at the multi-species grazing paddock that was planted was also quite interesting. The turnips’ purpose was to break up the rocky soil, the grain was to make the vegetation more attractive to stock, and the legumes were to reintroduce nutrients into the soil.
On Tuesday, I worked with (Principal Project Officer) Alun Hoggett on the mapping software. He went into extensive detail on the different uses, requirements and makes of the maps they use here. Using the program Queensland Globe, I used the different layers to more thoroughly understand the different kinds of ecosystems in our state, and particularly, our region. Going in depth on the groundwater-dependent ecosystems of the Condamine River and surrounding floodplains, my area made a lot more sense to me.
Wednesday with (Principal Project Officer) Holly Hosie consisted of identifying brigalow, softwood scrub and Queensland grasslands. We went from Irongate reserve to a property in Mt. Tyson and did a BioCAT biodiversity assessment on an area of Queensland listed grassland. We also went to Jimbour and did another BioCAT assessment. In all, the day was very interesting to me, and I can now properly identify saltbush and cattle bush.
On Thursday, I went out with (Project Officer) Isabella Murphy to do a property assessment of a beautiful property south of Warwick, on the Granite Belt. We were meant to be assessing the new fencing around a waterway and checking the progress of a recent cool burning. However, I will admit that I was rather focussed on the beautiful wildflowers and waterfall on the property. The property itself was beautiful, a true example of the region.
On Friday with the communications ladies, (Senior Project Officer) Kellie Stewart and (Project Officer) Alyssa Glover, I spent the day writing this. I’m not very used to writing things intended for an audience more than an English teacher, but I have given it a go.
All in all, this experience has really opened my eyes, not just to the wonderful people in the conservation industry, but also to the land I very much love. I have cherished my time doing work that has actually made a difference. I’m thankful to the whole team for being so welcoming and kind, and am looking forward to hopefully meeting these guys again.
By Piper Brady, Year 10.
Screen Type Self Cleaning, Self Propelled Cylinder Fish Screen Screen M anufacturer AWMA River Catchment Dumaresq River
Southern Queensland Landscapes is seeking an experienced and influential Board Chair to lead a multi-skilled Board in managing natural resources across Southern Queensland. This is a 3-year remunerated role based in Toowoomba, QLD, with the flexibility to manage from anywhere in Southern QLD. The ideal candidate will bring: • Substantial experience leading diverse Boards • Strong relationship-building and leadership skills • Expertise in environmental and agricultural matters This role is an opportunity to shape the future of natural resource management, working closely with land managers, community leaders, and industry professionals. Are you ready to make an enduring impact? For more details and to apply, visit www.windsor-group.com.au/job/board-chair-natural-resources-peak-body or contact Mike Conroy at apply@windsor-group.com.au.
This week marked the final Board meeting for retiring Southern Queensland Landscape Chair, The Hon Bruce Scott AM. The Southern Queensland Landscapes Board hosted a function at Gip’s restaurant in Toowoomba, joined by past Directors, industry stakeholders and the Southern Queensland Landscapes Management team, where Bruce was warmly acknowledged and thanked. Bruce offered special thanks to his dear wife Joan for her support during his period of service to Southern Queensland Landscapes, in particular the warm country hospitality she has offered to many visitors to Roma. Bruce also recognised and thanked Southern Queensland Landscapes Company Secretary Pam Murphy, who has supported Bruce in his service to Southern Queensland Landscapes since the organisation’s inception.
Screen Type Self Cleaning Floatation Fish Screen Screen M anufacturer KleenScreen, NZ River Catchment Balonne River
Screen Type Self Cleaning Cylindrical Fish Screen Screen M anufacturer AWMA River Catchment Condamine River
Screen Type Self Cleaning Floatation Fish Screen Screen M anufacturer KleenScreen, NZ River Catchment Condamine Branch (Chinchilla Weir)
Screen Type Two Self Cleaning Cylindrical Screens Screen M anufacturer AWMA River Catchment Gowrie Oakey Creek
Screen Type Self Cleaning Cylindrical Screen Screen M anufacturer AWMA River Catchment Condamine River
The Condamine Headwaters, a critical ecosystem in Southern Queensland, has long faced threats from sedimentation, habitat degradation, and thermal regime changes. The Blackfish Project, dedicated to reversing these impacts, unites scientists, landowners, and the community in a shared mission to restore and protect this vital environment. At its core lies the river blackfish, a sensitive indicator of the overall ecosystem health. Central to the project's success is the unwavering commitment of landowners like Paul Graham. Inspired by the project's vision, Paul reached out to SQ Landscapes seeking support for a solar pump and tank to divert his cattle away from waterways on his property. Paul's deep-rooted love for his land, captured in his humorous quip "I love my land more than I love my wife," is a testament to the powerful connection between people and place that drives conservation efforts.
The Board of Southern Queensland Landscapes recently met in Toowoomba. In addition to the Board meeting, Board and Executive worked through updating SQ Landscapes’ strategy. Company Secretary Pam Murphy highlighted the importance of the latest Board meeting and what it means for the company’s future. “The updated strategy will help SQ Landscapes deliver sustainable natural resource management (NRM) outcomes that improve the lives of people in regional communities now and for the future,” Pam Murphy said. “We’re excited to continue delivering value for our region and build Flourishing Landscapes and Healthy Communities across Southern Queensland under the guidance of the Board,” Mrs Murphy said.