Marine policy team, Biodiversity Ecosystems - DSE

Well one of my first roles was helping out with the EstuaryWatch launch down at Painkalac Estuary, Aireys Inlet.

Up close to Steve Herbert (Secretary to the Minister for Environment), who was launching EstuaryWatch:

After the event we took to the surf beach where we went body boarding and swimming....this is what I call work!

Gunnamatta!

Well the first full Sunday back in Melbourne and I was down at my surf club patrolling. It was a beautiful day and everyone seemed to be down that day including Despina (who I did my bronze with but no longer patrols) & her boyfriend. It was awesome to see her and hear all her news - right into law and human rights for refugees.

Sean took me for a go at driving out the back which was fun.

These photos were taken at the end of the day as a cool change was setting in so they don't capture the essence of the day but you can see clean surf!

Szilvia & David's visit to Australia

The first weekend back and a good friend from Hungry that I hadn't seen in 10 years was back with her finace for a long promised Australian holiday!

We had dinner at the new place Lena had bought:

The next day I met up with Szilvia & David at the Melbourne Aquarium. We then had lunch at Southgate after walking past a whole lot of stalls for the Chinese New Years celebrations.

Back in Melbourne

Back in Melbourne and my family all met me at the airport.

They then helped me move all my things to Tania's place in West Brunswick. A good friend that I met on an SU lake camp way back in 1994 let me know while in Townsville that she'd be overseas and her place would be vacant for about a month on my return. This was a perfect opportunity for me - a place close to Melbourne with the perfect amount of time to find the right place. Lucky to have such goods friends back in Melbourne at any rate!

My family then had dinner on Lygon st where we bumped into various people we all knew...yes definately back in Melburne!

Agincourt Reef

Chad took a few underwater photos of our snorkelling trip to Agincourt Reef.

To come.....

Port Douglas and the Outer Reef

We went to Port Douglas and on a snorkelling trip to the Agincourt Reef for Chad's birthday. here are some pic's from our trip:

Arrived just in time for Chad's birthday

It was funny to land in a plane and see Chad sitting there waiting for me...but very comforting after the night's events.

He even had roses waiting for me in the car - what a sweetie! But whose birthday was it?!!!

We went out to dinner in Cairns that night with some of Chad's friends from work. Check out the food on these hot rocks:

Thought it was my last morning in Townsville.....

Well Gill & I were determined to ride on our last morning in Townsville however it was bucketing down with rain - more than during Cyclone Larry so we just went to coffee instead.

Then the adventures began. I was supposed to get the bus to Cairns that afternoon but the Bruce Highway was blocked so no buses were running and knowing the Brunce Highway - none likely for several days! It was Chad's birthday the next day and with my flight leaving on the Sunday I needed to get there! I booked a plane and we did get to Cairns but as we were hovering over the city there was a thunderstorm below us and we had to head back. I could tell even before they announced it that I wasn't going to see Chad that night and cried all the way back to Townsville. Luckily I'd kept the keys for some reason so could go back to the flat.

When I got to Townsville I didn't know what to do but suddenly Cindy called me and was my angel that rescued me! She even provided bathers and we went to squad the next morning giving Pia a surprise! We then flew to Cairns and I got to see the Great Barrier Reef from the air.......beautiful...unfortunately no camera so will have to remain in my memory.

Goodbye drinks

Pooring with rain and high winds so no sailing on my last Wednesday in Townsville but still had goodbye drinks at the club:

Thuringowa City Council

Here are a few pic's of the Planning Services crew at Thuringowa City Council on my last day.........

Kath in Townsville

After bumping into Kath at the David Suzuki public lecture, we finally had coffee at the C-Bar the week before I left!

Alma Bay

This is the view from the Arcadian Surf Lifesaving club - pretty nice hey!
I stayed here while completing my Open Water Diver's course FINALLY on Maggie Island.

Byron Bay

Forgot to mention our trip to Byron Bay while we down in Brisbane. We visited some of Chad's cousins on the Gold Coast then stayed the night at their place leaving early in morning to check out Byron Bay. We visited the lighthouse then went snorkelling off the point and saw a dolphin and I swam right next to a turtle! We also went snorkelling in the Bay where there were heaps of reefs and we saw crayfish hiding under ledges, wobbygong sharks and heaps of pretty fish.

At the Brewery

Back in Townsville I caught up with friends at the pub almost post the crazy exam/essay/work season. Check out the size of Malcolm's (from Arcadia Surf Club & Anglsea Surf Club) humburger!

New Years on the Strand, Townsville

Well we left Brisbane on the 31st December at about 3am in the morning! We then made it up to Townsville just in time for dinner at one of Chad's friends from the spear fishing club that lives on the Strand. Just before midnight we headed for the beach where we watched the fireworks courtesy of Townsville City Council. Was a great new years!

Christmas in Brisbane

Well Chad and I took the 14 (or 16 hours down to coolant car issue!) drive down from Townsville to Caboolture near Brisbane in one day to spend Christmas with his family. We went surfing in Coolum on Christmas eve then Catholic midnight mass - a first for me!

Chad's family were very lovely to me.

Also Pia happened to be in Brisbane so Charlie's angels met up in Brisbane! We went to the night markets, had dinner then visited Pia's place.