The NCWQ actively engages with a cohort of State Advisers, who each research and report (see Adviser Reports below) on up to date issues across various sectors and topic areas.
NCWQ Advisers have content expertise and sound knowledge in their specific subject related to their portfolio. These Advisers and their assigned areas are listed below:
Pat Pepper, a delegate to NCWQ from Forum Communicators, is in her second year of service on the NCWQ Management Committee as State Coordinator, having previously served as Treasurer from 2009 to 2013. Since May 2009, Pat has been the NCWQ Environment Adviser.In this capacity she has prepared many submissions to Government on a variety of environmental issues including impacts of micro and nano plastics, coal seam gas, mega mines etc on Australia’s ground water and the Great Barrier Reef. Coming from a country and a scientific background, the role of researching and reporting on environmental issues is one she relishes. She is currently also NCWA Environment and Habitat Adviser having previously served as NCWA Environment Adviser since 2015.Professionally, she held several scientific research appointments in the field of Biometry with the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPIF) until 2012 when she retired. In 2009, she was awarded an Australia Day Award by DPIFin recognition of outstanding contribution to Queensland primary industries.A member of Forum Communicators since 1980, she has held all offices at the local Club level and many at State level including President. Other volunteer organisations in which she has held office include Women’s Graduates, Community Aid Abroad and Zonta Brisbane West. Other interests include travel, playing golf and bridge, and she is active in her local church.
The merry month of May has been full of adventures, hard work, surprises, beautiful art, live performances, refreshing music and Friendship! from NCWQ Arts Adviser, Jennifer Ann Davies in the May – June 2022 Art Adviser’s report.
By Deslyn Taylor, NCWQ Education Advisor. The focus of this report is on Girls and STEM and announcement of the 2021 judges award winner of the “Women in STEM” prize to Chloe Yap.
NCWQ Environment Report By Pat Pepper, NCWQ Environmental Adviser. In this report (May 2022), marine plastic debris is revisited, and removal and remedial measures investigated. Removal of floating plastic from ocean garbage patches and from rivers which researchers calculated had a high probability of entering the oceans were considered together with the ocean currents which could distribute the debris to the gyres.
NCWQ Health Report – Long COVID by Dr Kathryn Mainstone, NCWQ Health Adviser. With Australia now having one of the highest rates of COVID rates in the world, it will not be long before GPs see increasing numbers of long COVID patients presenting to them.
Masks in Qld, Dead Puppet Society, the World of Literature, Language and Literacy – Variety and Vintage and Our Colleagues, Sisters And Families In The Ukraine from NCWQ Arts Adviser, Jennifer Ann Davies in the March – April 2022 Art Adviser’s report.
NCWQ Environment Report By Pat Pepper, NCWQ Environmental Adviser. In this report (Feb 2022), the health and resilience of the Great Barrier Reef are discussed together with various measures which are addressing or could address real and potential risks. Issues discussed include climate change, reef restoration measures, water quality, and control of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish.
NCWQ Health Report – COVID – Where To From Here? by Dr Kathryn Mainstone, NCWQ Health Adviser. Australia is coming out of the Omicron wave with both our hospitalisations and the number of daily deaths slowly falling. The governments around the country are rapidly reducing restrictions on mask-wearing and we are told to get back to living a close to normal life. What does that really mean for us? Kathyrn shares three key points.
By Deslyn Taylor, NCWQ Education Advisor. The focus of this report is on Education in Australia and Girls and STEM.
“Breathing new life into a New Year, after a tired, chaotic year, ABC Classical Radio broadcast Beethoven.” Stay well, safe, healthy and happy! May you find your ‘shield of joy’ with which to protect yourself! from NCWQ Arts Adviser, Jennifer Ann Davies in the January February 2022 Art Adviser’s report.
Enjoy your holiday Music, Reading, Events and Family Celebrations! Season’s Greetings to All from NCWQ Arts Adviser, Jennifer Ann Davies in the December 2021 Art Adviser’s report.
NCWQ Health Report – Mental Health by Dr Kathryn Mainstone, NCWQ Health Adviser. In Kathyrn’s July Report, she drew attention to the National Youth Mental Health Foundation survey which found that of the 3,575 young people who received services at a Headspace centre between 25th May and 5th June 2020, 74% reported that their mental health was worse since the outbreak of COVID-19. As part of a recent submission to the Office of Women and Violence Prevention, Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Queensland Government on the New Queensland Women Strategy, a segment on mental health included these facts with core recommendations.
By Deslyn Taylor, NCWQ Education Advisor. The focus of this report is on Queensland Renewable Energy Zones – Planning. The main Queensland government aims behind the establishment of Renewable Energy Zones are to :- foster jobs and growth as part of COVID-19 economic recovery; and help Queensland reach 50% renewables by 2030. The essential point that was not mentioned in the aims is the reason that we need to reach 50% renewables by 2030. We provide four core recommendations.