Official launch of the Community House and Knowledge and Learning Centre
The headquarters of the KLC at 70 Taylors Rd Burnt Pine were officially opened by David Buffett AM, President of the Council of Elders, on Wednesday 1 May 2024.
12 noon: KLC building opened for public inspection and feedback about desired facilities, services and activities. MC Tet Grube JP.
3:00 PM Official launch David Buffett AM then response by the Administrator George Plant.
3:30 PM Light refreshments.
Preparing for the transition to a new government
The KLC hosts briefings by expert presenters on topics relevant to public administration. The series is being prepared to suit potential candidates for election as representatives or recruitment as senior staff members in the forthcoming new administration. A voluntary attendance register is being kept, to allow certificates of attendance to be issued. These will not be recognised as a tertiary qualification in Australia’s educational systems but should be advantageous to the person’s curriculum vitae (resumé).
Avian flu
A presentation on 15 October 2024 by Charlotte Burgoyne of the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture on the recently appeared avian influenza, which is affecting wild birds and even some mammals around the world. Clear message: if you find dead birds on the beach or anywhere else, do not touch them. Report to the National Parks office.
You have just obtained a puppy?
This presentation by Vanessa Bate is for new dog owners.
Unique land snails
On 8 October doctoral student Junn Foon presented on the ~60 endemic species of land snails found only on Norfolk Island.
World Premiere of Sorrel Wilby’s Churchill Fellowship film
Some 75 people were treated to a treat on Friday 6 September 2024. Acclaimed presenter Sorrel Wilby screened a documentary “Exploring the Natural History of Norfolk Island”. The video is available via the website of the Winston Churchill Trust.
Public lecture: Geraldine Hall Memorial Prize – Awarded to Dr Wendy Laupu
The Royal Society of Queensland, the State’s oldest learned academy, awarded the Geraldine Hall Memorial Prize for writing to Dr Wendy Laupu, with an essay on the theme “Updated Mental Health Literacy to Improve Public Health in Remote Communities”. More details on the Society’s Research Fund page. On behalf of the Society, the Knowledge and Learning Centre hosted a public lecture by Dr Laupu on Norfolk Island, home of the late Geraldine Hall, Pharmacist, on Wednesday 1 May 2024.
Dr Laupu commenced her research career in clinical settings examining a cleaning agent to prevent the transmission of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Since her doctoral studies at James Cook University, Dr Laupu has extended her work in the field of nutritional psychiatry, for which she is internationally recognised. Her recent work is centred on workforce recovery from the pandemic and mental well-being in remote communities. She currently conducts nursing research for Queensland Health.
Dr Laupu was Introduced by Dr Geoff Edwards, representing the President of The Royal Society of Queensland then by David Hall, son of the late Geraldine Hall. Karen Innes-Walker gave a vote of thanks. Here essay has been published in the Proceedings of The Royal Society of Queensland
and her powerpoint presentation including accompanying notes and references can be accessed here.
Professor John Quiggin on governance and economics
On Wednesday 20 March 2024, Professor John Quiggin, Professorial Research Fellow, School of Economics, University of Queensland presented two consecutive sessions in the company of the Norfolk Island Governance Committee. These were the first public forums hosted by the Knowledge and Learning Centre to feature a visiting expert. Read a bio of Professor John Quiggin here.
“Social democracy as a model of governance” then “The rise and decline of New Public Management: Implications for local democracy”. (With the Norfolk Island Governance Committee)
Explanation: “New Public Management” is an approach to governing that prioritises economic efficiency over serving the wider public interest. It took root in Australia’s governments in the 1980s. Notes will be published here soon.
Public forum to assemble Island opinion about the report of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories
On Saturday 24 February, a public forum was held in Rawson Hall, MC’ed by local identity Tet Grube, Champion of the Knowledge and Learning Centre.
Debate at this meeting focused on formulating a community response to the report of the Joint Standing Committee of the National Capital and External Territories (JSC) released in November 2023. . See in particular the seven recommendations here. Click here for the minutes. The minutes have been sent to the Norfolk Island Governance Committee for its consideration. Although the specified deadline has passed, you may still submit feedback by writing directly to the Governance Committee. See its website for contact details. The Knowledge and Learning Centre is not an advocacy body and has no policy position on the issues at stake. The Centre is simply providing a platform for the community to make its views known.
Retail Price Index and the Island Economy
Dr Chris Nobbs presented on this subject on 4 July 2024. A centrepiece of his paper was the weakness of the recent consultancy report by Delta Pearl Partners.
Underwater drones
A presentation by John Griffiths, Principal of Deep Down Drones, on Friday 5 July. Machines displayed. For more information including photos, click here.
Norfolk Island’s Governance System to 2015 with emphasis upon the Legislative Assembly period 1979 to 2015
Public lecture by Mr David Buffett AM, President, Council of Elders, on 16 August 2024. Mr Buffett welcomed a party from the Royal Geographical Society of Queensland on its GeoTour 2024. He was followed by Dr Chris Nobbs with reflections on the governance of the Island including some observations on the appropriateness of market-based policies to a small community that has operated on more communitarian principles.
Earthquakes: Some sneaking suspicions that New Zealand is pushing its (tectonic) weight around, AGAIN! – A sci-fi fable about Queensland earthquakes.
Mr Col Lynam, a member of the RGSQ touring party presented on this theme at a public lecture on 16 August 2024. See his lecture notes here.
Computer Basics: A series of briefings on how to use a computer and how to browse the Internet safely and effectively. Led by local expert Glen Christian, five sessions in July 2024.
Apprenticeship presentation with Queensland TAFE and Administrator Mr George Plant – 31 July 2024.
Sewing Group – Four sessions in July and August 2024 with Kathryn.