Sharks and rays a hit at marine base bash

Moreton Bay marine life will be put further under the microscope in new teaching and laboratory space at The University of Queensland’s Moreton Bay Research Station.

A new teaching laboratory and four specialty laboratories including a climate-controlled lab, were officially unveiled on Sunday (November 28) at the station’s annual open day and 55th birthday bash.

About 1000 people toured the revamped $2.6 million station on North Stradbroke Island.

There were guided tours of the station and foreshore, environmental talks about shore birds to tuna and a host of marine displays of starfish in touch tanks to glow-in-the dark coral plus rays, jellyfish and sharks.

Dr Kathy Townsend, who manages the station with husband Kevin, said the shark and ray exhibit was one of the most popular displays.

“One of the amazing things this year was the fantastic support we got from volunteers, the community and sponsors,” Dr Townsend said.

She said the new labs, built with a $350,000 grant from the Department of Education, Science and Training, would help attract molecular biologists and conduct more research into all aspects of Moreton Bay.

The new teaching laboratory will allow two groups of students to be taught simultaneously.

In Sunday’s welcome address, station director Dr Ian Tibbetts said the Townsends had transformed a “husk” of a station in 2000 into a vibrant research base.

Dr Tibbetts also thanked long time supporters, the Port of Brisbane Corporation, Consolidated Rutile Limited and the Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders in Council.

The station was rebuilt in 2000 and features two modern, fully equipped teaching laboratories and a lecture theatre, four specialty research laboratories, a UQ linked computer room and library and accommodation for more than 70 people.

It replaced an old research station which was run by the CSIRO and UQ on North Stradbroke Island in 1949.

Media: contact Dr Townsend (phone: 07 3409 9058, email: Kathy.townsend@uq.edu.au) or Miguel Holland at UQ Communications (phone: 3365 2619, email: m.holland@uq.edu.au)