AMEE Lab Writing Retreat 2014

Smiths Lake Field Station 24-28 February 2014

It was an early start and a few hundred kms on the freeway north before the Subtidal Ecology and Ecotoxicology lab was finally assembled at the university field station on the shores of Smiths Lake.

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After exploring the accommodation and surrounds we got straight into all things writing with our first grammar activity on ‘The Removeable Clause’ led by Simone.

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We alternated grammar activities with paper reviews from members of the lab beginning with Melanie‘s research on microbial community networks and anthropogenic stress in estuaries.

Most days were spent hard at work writing and researching and Vivian found some time to work through microplastic samples collected from a large survey of Sydney Harbour sediments.

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 We also found some time to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings…

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…and even rescue each other from the lake during boat safety drills with Penny.

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And when we couldn’t leave our computers, nature came to us.

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Our bird friends, Willy and Wally, were the most frequent visitors.

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As darkness fell, the competition got hot with controversial card games….

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… and a cooking contest! Mariana‘s team kicked things off with Brazilian and Indian fusion.  Beginning with sizzling empanadas and followed by Sally‘s curry creations.

Team awesome (Aria, James and Kingsley) followed with a Moroccan inspired menu of homemade dips and sizzling BBQ meat.

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The advantage to a superb feast being…..

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very little left to wash up!

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Stay tuned for new publications from the retreat!

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