Shenton Park Community Open Day

For the first time in almost 10 years, the UWA Shenton Park Field Facility hosted a community open day. The University of Western Australia is one of just two universities in the world to operate its own large-scale multipurpose research facility less than 7km from its doorstep. The UWA Shenton Park Field Station has served the science and agriculture industries of Western Australia for more than 60 years and is home to dozens of active research projects.

The day began with speeches by The Honourable Darren West MLC, UWA Vice Chancellor Professor Amit Chakma, The UWA Institute of Agriculture Director Hackett Professor Kadambot Siddique and Head of the UWA School of Agriculture and Environment Associate Professor James Fogarty. After the conclusion of formalities, members of the community were invited to explore the Research Facility and its main hubs where they were treated to interactive research presentations and demonstrations. There was a variety of research on show, from Engineering with CEI:AgER, to aquaculture and agriculture.

Dr Andrew Guzzomi (CEI:AgER Founding Director) showcases sheep shearing robot which was on the cutting edge of engineering in the 1980s.

Senior Lecturer Hongwei An present the O-Tube; a 17m long flume containing seawater and seabed soil that simulates currents and waves for the study seabed behaviour.
(Photo Credit: Guanhao Cheng)

Sofia Katzin (Research Lead and Food Technologist at Future Green solutions) showcases the black soldier fly decomposition process and some of Future Green Solutions’ products. (Photo Credit: Guanhao Cheng)

Associate Professor Phillip Nichols and Senior Research Officer Brad Wintle discuss the latest research on breeding and selection of legumes in one of the UWA Field Facility covered test paddocks.

Ms Isobel Sewell (PhD Candidate in Marine Biology and Aquaculture), describes how black soldier fly larvae may assist in feeding the aquaculture industry.
(Photo Credit: Guanhao Cheng)

Tanks in the UWA Aquaculture facility.

Professor Wallace Cowling demonstrates some key features of specially-bred canola as part of the canola breeding project and the GRDC-funded canola heat tolerance project. (Photo Credit: Guanhao Cheng)