Jenna Bishop, our Coastal and Marine Project Officer says:
" My role at FBA involves liaising with a range of stakeholders
including community groups, environmental scientists, government
departments and agencies on a broad range of projects aimed at
improving the natural assets of the coastal and marine zone. FBA
embraces the principles of integrated catchment management, and I
find it very rewarding to see how the projects I am involved with
contribute to the improved sustainability of Central Queensland. A
part of my role includes increasing community awareness of our
natural coastal and marine assets, which I am passionate about. In
this position, I am involved in building the capacity of community
groups to ensure that they are more equipped to care for the
environment into the future. There have been some unique
opportunities in this role including assisting with dolphin
fieldwork and conducting an aerial survey of habitat condition.
I have found FBA to be a great place to work. The team is warm and
friendly, which I think reflects the relaxed atmosphere in which
they work.
FBA is a flexible workplace, values a work-life balance and is
supportive of both professional and personal goals. Outside of work
I enjoy drawing and all other types of art, reading, listening to
music, playing sport and getting outdoors."
Luke Ukkola, our Acting Science Integration Officer says:
“I’ve always had a passion for sustainable systems, so
when I finished uni I sought out the organizations that were
striving for sustainable development in the region. The FBA vision
‘Empowered communities for a sustainable CQ’ says it
all. I was lucky enough to get work experience, and then they
couldn’t get rid of me!
My main role at FB A is managing the Multifarm PNC water quality
monitoring program, which is a community-based program where
landholders sample their local stream. Other duties include (but
are not limited to):
- Some basic water quality and quantity modeling to help evaluate and
guide FBA on-ground investment;
- Assisting with the establishment of the Fitzroy Partnership for
River Health, including some web development activities;
- Community events such as World Wetlands Day and the upcoming
Emerald NRM Expo;
- Geographical Information Systems (mapping) tasks;
My qualifications in aquatic resource management are directly
applicable to the Healthy Waterways team activities such as water
quality analysis, macroivertebrate collection and identification. I
have an interest in technology and that has been useful.
FBA delivers excellent projects aimed at improving the
sustainability of the agricultural industry and the community in
general. My contribution is through engaging people living on the
region’s waterways, allowing them to see firsthand the
effects of land management on water quality and aquatic ecosystem
health.
FBA provides an excellent work life balance, flexibility and
autonomy to get the job done. The team is awesome with a family
feel and excellent support. There are a huge number of
opportunities both professionally and as a member of the community.
Great facilities and equipment. The job itself has a good balance
of field/office/lab work, and a great chance to make a difference
directly by engaging with members of the rural community.
My family is my life outside of work – my wife, three
daughters and a son. When I get the chance I surf, skate, swim,
make, play and listen to music, read, work in the garden, travel,
and get out camping. Areas of interest include permaculture, the
open source community, technology, sustainable urban design,
nutrition, renewable energy, and science in general.”
Lyndal Rolfe, our Biodiversity Field Officer says:
“My role at FBA as Biodiversity Field Officer involves
working on a number of projects that focus on conserving threatened
flora and fauna in the region. Through all these projects I have
been lucky to work with fantastic people from many different groups
including landholders, researchers and others.
FBA absolutely does make a difference to the CQ Community. The
number of projects that have been completed by FBA and the
sub-regional groups shows how successful we have and continue to
be. In my role I think that if I can be a link between land
managers and the information and management tools they are looking
for, I am able to contribute to the success of FBA and also help
look after some of our unique flora and fauna that we have.
Having lived in the region for much of my life I have been familiar
with FBA’s great work and their good reputation in the
community, I wanted to be a part of that. The position being based
in Emerald has also allowed me to be more involved with my
family’s property. My main qualities that I have brought to
FBA would be my technical skills and knowledge of native pastures,
which is quite useful as a large part of my work is focused on the
native grasslands in the basin. I also think I am adaptable and
willing to give most things a go.
I really like all of my co-workers, they are a happy and relaxed
bunch . This position has allowed me to work on a project that I
find very interesting and am passionate about. I have also been
involved in some other interesting and unusual projects, like
looking for endangered frogs!
I haven’t been with FBA for that long, I hope to be here for
a while…In that time I hope I am able to improve my skills
and knowledge and am then able to pass this on to landholders
through projects.
Outside of work I like going home and helping out on our cattle
property.
I also like cycling and travelling, when the two combine it
is even better.
