Community
The Samford Community
While the Samford Ecological Research Facility (SERF) supports high level research and educational programs, QUT is also committed to communicating with the Samford community on SERF’s research, teaching and learning activities.
Community engagement provides QUT with the opportunity to work with individuals, groups and community organisations in a constructive way to inform on its strategic plans and research activities at SERF, and encourage community discussion. This is a core element in building a sustainable relationship with the Samford community and our neighbours, the Samford District Historical Museum Society, Queensland Naturalists’ Club and the Marks family. A Samford Sustainable Engagement Strategy Plan was developed by QUT students to aid this process.
Samford Sustainable Engagement Strategy Plan (PDF, 1.2MB)
Community engagement activities underway include:
- regular updates and meetings with the Marks family regarding QUT’s current lease on the property and its research interests.
- quarterly meetings with Samford District Historical Museum Society members to update them on SERF research activities.
- bi-annual Samford Community Newsletter
- an annual information session with the Samford community involving neighbours, the Samford District Historical Museum Society members and Dr Marks’ extended family.
QUT’s annual Dr EN Marks Sustainability Award recognises QUT students who display an ongoing, high level of achievement in their studies and service to the Samford community. Nominations for the award can be submitted by members of the university and the wider community.
Samford Rural Fire Brigade
After a very wet summer the conditions at SERF were
ready for the long-awaited hazard reduction burn. Only
a small section (10 hectares) would be burnt as the
burning regime is part of a long-term ecological research
project. On Saturday 13 August, the local Fire Warden
Councillor Bob Millar issued the Permit to Light Fire and
the Officer in Charge Alan Wells supervised the burn.
The burn would not have been possible without the
support of the Samford Rural Fire brigade volunteers.
QUT would like to thank the 18 volunteer fire fighters
who gave up their weekend to help:
Alan Wells (Officer in Charge), Tony Marks, Les Bateman,
Greg Hoyes, Chris Brett, Frank McGaw, Anne Wells,
Brett Worsley, Les Austin, Don Greenhalgh, Glenn
Batson, Ferg Adrian, Marilyn Kunde, Sheree Osborne,
Ian Uhr, Geoff Pullen, Jenny Marks and Mark Wall.
Photos of the burn
Video of the burn [Youtube Video]
Heritage building pyrography art
Jenny Harris, an award winning artist from Cedar Creek, visited QUT's heritage-listed Slab Hut to do pyrography or ‘burning on wood’.
Pyrography is the traditional art of using a heated tip or wire to burn or scorch designs onto natural materials such as wood or leather.
Jenny's preferred subject matter is heritage-listed buildings in and around the Samford area. She enjoys preserving these images in fine detail. Light-coloured hardwoods such as sycamore, beech and birch are most commonly used as their fine grain is not obtrusive and they produce a great range of natural tones and shades.
Jenny is producing a series of pyrographic drawings based on SERF’s iconic Slab Hut. Her art is on display at the Slab Hut Arts & Crafts at John Scott's Park in Samford Village. Those interested in this pyrographic artwork can contact her 07 3289 4646 or email windyknoll1@bigpond.com
