Learning with the Fang

After a couple of false starts, I finally managed to get myself on a tour of the Roseworthy campus of the University of Adelaide. Yesterday was open day for the campus so I threw my camera into the car and took the (very scenic) route, out to the campus with a view to grabbing some shots while on one of the organised tours.

While waiting for our group to form near the Science Hub, I took a peek at some of the back-issues of ‘Believe it? (or not) on display. You may well have seen these in local Adelaide paper, the Advertiser. Once enough people for a tour had gathered, we headed off to various displays by research groups based at the campus. The first couple were mainly examples of posters and various documentation designed to show the diverse range of opportunities on offer to future students. Not visually stimulating, and I must say that my concentration level was directly proportional to the enthusiasm of the person in each room who addressed our little group.

Soon, we found ourselves at the library which was both visually interesting and provided a stimulus for some interesting questions and answers concerning the projected growth of animal science books and the internet. We then moved from the library to the residential quarters where I decided not to take photos out of respect for the people currently living there who may not want their personal effects published here. I observed a sharp increase in attention from some of the younger members of our group who may well end up as future residents themselves.

The next display was a real treat for the senses, both visual and those related to smell!! Here we saw how effluent from piggeries can be harnessed in interesting ways to reclaim water, fertilise crops and extract fuels like bio-diesel and methane. Our host from SARDI was extremely enthusiastic and engaging, keeping the entire group inside the pungent facility for quite some time.

Un-deterred by howling winds and spots of rain, we trekked out to the site of construction for the new Vet School which has really started to take shape now that the ground-work is done. I have taken several photos of the site since my first visit for the ‘Sod-turning’ ceremony that marked the start of building. Follow this link to watch this growing collection.

By now it was past closing time for the day so we got to see the dis-mantling of a few more displays related to both animal science and agriculture. After stopping back at the science hub to help with packup and vocabulary lesson (what on earth is a ‘bunting’ I wondered) I had to rush back to get Mandy off to the airport.

Fang – Mike Seyfang