Horsham Campus Research Precinct

The Horsham Campus Research Precinct is the research group located at the Horsham Campus of the University of Ballarat.

The aim of the research group is to contribute to a sustainable future for rural and regional areas in Australia by undertaking research in collaboration with the local community and organisations.

Research will investigate a range of aspects of sustainable and resilient rural and regional communities, including environmental science, social science, health, and education. The research will build regional capacity and capability through partnerships with other research organisations and agencies to deliver quality research outcomes for the Wimmera and Mallee communities.

Current research includes regional sustainability report cards, farmer attitudes, knowledge and behaviour towards climate change, sustainable water management in tourism, rural health policy and programs, 3D telemedicine and optimisation of water resources.

Our current research partners include GWMWater, DPI Horsham, Southern Grampians Shire Council, South West Sustainability Partnership’s Natural Assets Alliance, and others.

University of Ballarat-GWMWater Research Forum: Collaborative Partnerships – the way forward for regional research
You are invited to The University of Ballarat & GWMWater Collaborative Partnerships The way forward for regional research

The University of Ballarat Horsham Campus Research Precinct and GWMWater are presenting a Wimmera research forum on Tuesday, 29th November 2011 at the University of Ballarat Horsham Campus, Baillie St, Horsham. Come and hear about the latest research being undertaken in the Wimmera.

Keynote Speakers
Professor Allan Curtis, Charles Sturt University - Allan’s research examines the social dimensions of regional natural resource management. He has an international reputation for research examining the adoption of conservation practices by rural landholders, the evaluation of natural resource management programs and using social data to underpin catchment management. Allan and his team have just completed the third survey in the Wimmera looking into the social drivers of natural resource management by farmers in the Wimmera.

Clinical Associate Professor Susan Brumby is the foundation director of the National Centre for Farmer Health - a partnership between Western District Health Service, Hamilton and Deakin University. She has developed, implemented and evaluated farm family health programs Australia wide through the award winning Sustainable Farm Families programs in addition to delivering training programs and post graduate studies for rural professionals working with agricultural populations. Having grown up in regional Victoria and managed the family farm (beef and wool), she is passionate about farmer health, and will share with us some of the work aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of farm men and women, farm workers and their families.

Registration essential at http://regionalresearchforum.eventbrite.com by Friday 25 November 2011

Research Forum Abstracts and Presentations

Time	Details
9:00am	Welcome and introductions – VC David Battersby & Jeff Rigby, CEO GWMWater Including indigenous acknowledgement
9:15am	Pathways to successful research in Wimmera/rural & regional areas Allan Curtis from Charles Sturt University (sponsored by Wimmera CMA) Sue Brumby from National Centre of Farmer Health at Deakin University
10:45am	Morning tea
11:00am	Current Research in the Wimmera – Joint, UB & GWMWater projects Chris Perera Victoria University (VU) – Optimising water resources under climate change Michelle Graymore University of Ballarat (UB) – Regional sustainability report card Imogen Schwarz/Danielle Park (UB/DPI) - Farmers attitudes and adaptation behaviours to climate change Christine Hallinan UB – Rural Health Policy and Priorities - A pilot study of the practice nurse Pap testing initiatives John Orbell VU – Control of biofouling in water distribution networks
1:00pm	Lunch
2:00pm	Current Research in Wimmera – Student projects Kate Morrison GWMWater/UB - Hydrogeology of the Laharum Region La Vergne Lehmann UB - Sustainable Water management in Tourism Paul Atherton GWMWater/UB - The role of the provision of potable water in small town renewal Helena Mala-Jetmarova GWMWater /UB – Optimisation of Water Quality in a Large Scale Regional Water Distribution System Romany Whitton LaTrobe University - Investigation into aquifer recharge in the Duddo Limestone, western Victoria Michael Shiell UB - Trace: an exploration of alternative means of documenting Ephemeral Environmental Art
3:40pm	Afternoon tea
4:00pm	What’s next…collaborative research partnerships in the Wimmera UB opportunities & facilities (Rob Wallis) Student’s perspective of opportunities (La Vergne Lehmann) GWMWater research structure & opportunities for staff (Paul Atherton) GWMWater-UB MoU and GWMWater strategic research plan Research needs in the Wimmera (Research Panel: David Brennan (Wimmera CMA), Frank Stagnitti (University of Ballarat), Rob Pyers (Dimboola Memorial Secondary College))
5:00pm	Networking - Drinks and nibbles