Trouble in Paradise

AIB Symposium 9th Nov 2008

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The AIB will be running a one day symposium at the RMIT University on Sunday 9th November. The day will start at 12pm with the AGM and election of office bearers and the symposium proper will then start at 1pm for guests and non-members and conclude at 5pm.

Title:  Trouble in Paradise (emerging threats to Australian native animals).

Speakers confirmed to date:

• Prof Hamish McCallum – University of Tasmania - Tassie Devil Facial Tumour Disease
• Dr Alex Hyatt – Australian Animal Health Labs -  Chytrid Disease of Frogs
• Mr Ian Penrose – Yarra River Keeper
• Anne Musser – The Australian Museum – Challenges facing monotremes

Early Bird Registration (to 16 October) available
Special rates for members
Special rates for non-members joining AIB on the day!

The symposium will look at current research and recent trends in disease and other threats to native fauna and the interactions between various factors. Current media interest tends to concentrate on each threat individually. In this symposium we will take a more integrated approach to our unique Aussie wildlife.

For instance;

• Tasmanian devils are under real threat from facial tumour disease.  This relatively recent disease does not appear to be caused by an infectious organism but rather appears to be a contagious cancer spread by biting.
• The chytrid fungus cause serious infections in native amphibians and is involved in the dramatic decline in Australia’s frog numbers and speciation.
• The Yarra River, being so close to urban areas is under constant threat.  How do these threats affect the animal river dwellers and those other fauna that depend on the river for their existence?
• The Murray Darling Basin system is under direct threat from our sustained drought and other factors.  How is this affecting native animal species in the MDB?

The questions are endless and the answers are few.  At this scientific meeting we will explore these important threats to Australia’s native fauna and make recommendations for future management of our unique wildlife.

From the President's desk

The AIB will hold its "Trouble in Paradise " Symposium at RMIT University on Sunday 9th November. We will also conduct our AGM on that Day.

We need your attendance to make this day a success and help the AIB continue its good work to consolidate its renaissance.

I invite you to a wonderful program and request that you ask at least one of your colleagues to attend as well. A brochure will be uploaded here soon. A special package is offered to new members signing up on registration.
In addition, if you believe your company may wish to sponsor the Symposia there are still opportunities, so please contact myself or Geoff Crawford to offer this sort of assistance.

Lance Lloyd, B.Sc., M.Sc., MAIBiol.
AIB President
July 2008

Note For Members

The AIB is trying to update the details of its members. In particular, we are trying to get an accurate list of email addresses as we intend to set up a members-only email discussion list. This is so we can alert you when this page changes and to keep members informed of events. Please note that this information will be kept private, and we will not pass this information to any third parties. Also, if any of your other details have changed, please tell us about them as well. This information can be sent to the AIB Secretariat, Rosie Murphy at PO Box 3108 Eltham 3095 or office@aibiol.org.au Please ensure that you include your full name with this information, so that we can find you in our member database.

If you are not a member, and are interested in joining print off a membership form, or find out more about our membership details.

Aims of the Australian Institute of Biology

The Australian Institute of Biology Incorporated aims to represent and develop the biology profession in Australia, to promote education and research in biology, to improve communication between biologists and to speak on behalf of professional biologists to other organisations and to all levels of government. The Australian Institute of Biology Inc. confers on its members a status similar to that of members of other professional organisations.

Membership is open to all professional biologists. If you would like more information about the Institute and the benefits you will gain from membership, please contact the Secretary.

You can also contact the Institute by mail at: