 |
Due to an unfortunate coincidence of use of the Black Mountain Peninsular on 4 December, we've decided to relocate the xmas party. Fear not, we've cased another pleasing venue at Lennox Gardens, which is situated on Lake Burley Griffin, behind the Hyatt. [Sharyn Wragg] |
 |
Photos from the Seal Rocks trip are up. [Kim Sebo] |
 |
Some fabulous footage of mantas from the BBC here and here. [Jeremy Weinman] |
 |
If you use an underwater camera, please take a moment to tell us about it for our gear survey. Results will be posted on our website as per the dive computer and torch reviews, and should be a useful guide for novice underwater photographers. [Sharyn Wragg] |
 |
From the BBC (with film): "One of the most elegant courtship rituals in the animal kingdom has been captured on film by a BBC crew. The dance of the weedy sea dragon takes place every year in the shallow seas off the coast of Australia. During the ghostly dance, two beautifully odd-looking fish mirror each other's every movement." [Karsten Oelkers] |
 |
Jenny Thompson and Giles West presented an informal slide-show on underwater photography last Tuesday (Oct 27). The audience of 22 (14 ANUSC members) packed the Scuba Store and enjoyed a thorough demonstration of equipment and slides, which were selected to highlight an aspect of photographic technique, such as the lighting regime, apertures and lens type, strobe use and placement, focus, composition, sun and water effects, accounting for current, digital aspects, TTL cautions and equipment capabilities, critter approach, backscatter minimisation and other handy hints. It was informative to novice and experienced photographers alike. The evening finished well at Debarcle with 2-for-1 pizza.
Some tips from the talk, and survey results, will be posted on the web. Next social event: Chris Fulton's talk "Underwater flight: a tale of waves and fishes" Monday 9 Nov. [Sharyn Wragg] |
 |
An international meeting on climate change in Copenhagen has heard the
prospects of saving the world's coral reefs now appear so bleak there
are plans to freeze samples to preserve them for the future. [Paul Thomas] |
 |
There is an interesting documentary on ABC2, tonight, Wed 7/10, 10:20pm
The Ship Sinkers
Decommissioned vessels are blown up to create underwater habitats for marine species. This documentary looks at the
technology behind this, the habitats that are created, and films the explosion of two large tankers. [SCAN] |
 |
Ron has sent in photos from the ANZAC weekend trip to Brush Island. [Ron Henry] |
 |
Kim has added some more photos to the Easter JB trip page.
Update 22 Apr: Vlad has also submitted photos from the JB trip. [Kim Sebo] |
 |
Scientists have found that in fact, all octopuses and cuttlefish
are poisonous. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
As National Geographic puts it:
Eleven leatherback sea turtles are taking part in the Great Turtle Race, speeding from foraging grounds in the
frigid waters of Canada to nesting beaches on the sun-soaked shores of the Caribbean. The turtles are tagged with
state-of-the-art satellite tracking devices that allow us to follow their incredible (6,000-kilometer) journey.
You can follow their progress here. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
A blast from the past - Arwen has supplied photos from
the Shellharbour trip in March. [Arwen Mow-Lowry] |
 |
Fabulous diving was had at JB over Easter. Corinna and Arwen have
sent in some photos. [Corinna Paeper, Arwen Mow-Lowry] |
 |
From minimalism to more gear than you can shake a stick at. ANUSC alumnus Ernie Perkins writes, from darkest Canada:
"Just finished my Rebreather Mod 1 certification on a Megalodon by InnerSpace System. The photo is me on my last course dive.
"Using the rebreather is great, quiet with no bubbles (except during ascent). When you are flying it perfectly, you are just hanging in space. But it is a lot more task loading. Buoyancy control is a major issue. And you are looking after your gas composition and volumes in real time. 3 different displays, one of which is a heads up. I had 3 dive computers and 1 bottom timer as well. Life was complicated." [Jeremy Weinman] |
 |
Walter appeared on ABC breakfast on Radio National today, chatting to Fran Kelly about his freediving. [Dive Newshounds] |
 |
Conratulations to Walter Steyn, who has just dived to 92m to break his own Australian free-diving record, at a competition in the Bahamas.
Vertical Blue also has details on the competition including
some amazing photos of the venue.
(Update, 8 April: 95m the next day for another record!)
(Update #2, 10 April: 100m! - only the 10th person in the world to achieve this depth.
[Dive Newshounds] |
 |
Kim, Vlad, Rickard and Peter (with his new camera and housing) took a few
photos on the Shellharbour trip. [Kim Sebo, Vlad Vassiliev, Rickard du Rietz, Peter Christen] |
 |
Sharyn has sent some photos from the Montague trip. [Sharyn Wragg] |
 |
The Gladstone Observer provides a snippet of information regarding
damage to LMI by the recent close visit of Cyclone Hamish. [Karsten Oelkers] |
 |
Updates to the Nelson Bay and Montague trip galleries. [Jeremy Weinman, Ron Henry] |
 |
Photos and movies from both the Batemans Bay and Montague diving over the weekend. [Rickard du Rietz, Mario Pahl, Arwen Mow-Lowry] |
 |
Peter has finally added some of his photos to the Nelson
Bay trip
page. [Peter Christen] |
 |
Kim has added some photos to the Nelson Bay trip page. [Kim Sebo] |
 |
Ron has provided some videos from the New and Rusties weekend: footage
from the Docks
and inside Spider Cave. [Ron Henry] |
 |
Still more Nelson Bay trip photos. [Mario Pahl, Steve Larkin, Rickard du Rietz] |
 |
Judging by the number of housings being carried around under the water up there, here are
the first of many photos from the Nelson Bay trip. [Mario Pahl] |
 |
Newborn blue whale caught on camera:
photos and video from National Geographic. [Corinna Paeper] |
|
Lots of photos from the New and Rusties JB trip are online. [Mario Pahl, Kim Sebo, Ron Henry] |
 |
Some photos from our recent trip to Shellharbour
are now available.
Enjoy! [Peter Christen, Mario Pahl] |
 |
Voting for the competition to design a new club logo is now open!
The voting page is here.
Polls close midnight December 15th 2008. [Arwen Mow-Lowry] |
 |
A trip photo extravaganza! Arwen has provided photos
from the Nelson Bay,
Brush Island,
Solitary Is
and Jervis Bay trips! [Arwen Mow-Lowry] |
 |
The NPA has launched a proposal for a marine park along Sydney's coast, stretching
from Gosford to the Royal National Park. The SMH has
more details. [Jen Hine] |
 |
Photos are up from last weekend's fabulous trip to Jervis Bay. [Kim Sebo] |
 |
Australian scientists have helped solve the mystery of an unidentified creature from the depths.
The Age tells all. [Arwen Mow-Lowry] |
 |
Dr Chris Fulton of BoZo will be presenting a seminar entitled
Diversity Through a Functional Lens: the How & Why of Underwater Flight
at Bozo on ANU campus - Thurs 23/10/08 at 1pm. For the abstract and location
details,
see the ANU billboard. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
Photos from last week's Nelson Bay trip are up.
Update 13 October: Peter has added more photos and three videos from the Oakland wreck. [Kim Sebo and Peter Christen] |
 |
Researchers have taken video footage of
deep-sea snailfish, living 8km below the surface in the Japan Trench. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
A photographer has captured fantastic images of thousands of
migrating Golden Rays
off the coast of Mexico. [Arwen Mow-Lowry] |
 |
Photos from the Sydney trip are up! [Neo Aplin] |
 |
A reminder, the ANUSC is running a long-term site mapping
project, and it now has it's own web page, here
(see the Firefly at JB for an example completed survey).
If you are keen to adopt a dive site and participate in the club's new mapping
project, please contact Charles Adamson at
anusc (dot) sitesurvey (at) live (dot) com
(dot) au to register your interest and nominate a dive site(s). [Charles Adamson] |
 |
More new species discovered -
113 new sharks and rays half of which are endemic to Australian waters. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
Scientists studying the reefs at Heron Is, Lizard Is and Ningaloo
have catalogued hundreds of new species.
Story and photos
here. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
It's time that we got a new club logo! So we are running a competition
to find the best logo that our wonderful club members can come up with.
Details here; submissions close Oct 7th. [Arwen Mow-Lowry] |
 |
In case you have missed it, the Lady Musgrave Island 2008
slideshow is now available on the
LMI page. [Peter Christen] |
 |
Photos are in from the
Lady Musgrave Island trip. Enjoy! [Peter Christen, Jeremy Weinman, Kim Sebo] |
 |
Cool water, but good viz - photos
from the Shellharbour trip are up. [Kim Sebo] |
 |
A video of blue devils mating - never seen anything like it! [Chris Bloomfield] |
 |
A Grey Nurse Shark near Byron Bay somehow ended up with a gaff hook (pole and all)
inside it. The story is here
, via YouTube. [Mario Pahl] |
 |
Ron has provided photos from the weekend's JB trip. [Ron Henry] |
 |
Peter has uploaded some more photos from the
recent Port Hacking trip, as well as some videos from
the Tuggerah wreck dives. They are available on the
Port Hacking
trip page. [Peter Christen] |
 |
Many thanks to those hardworking souls who
braved the blackberries at the Cotter tree planting on
the weekend. Over 700 trees were planted, more than double
last year's effort. A few photos are here. [Kim Sebo] |
 |
Glorious weather and decent viz rewarded those
who braved the chilly mornings on the Port Hacking trip.
Photos from the weekend are here. [Kim and Jen] |
 |
Aqualung are recalling some of their Titan DIN regs. Apparently the
DIN screw can fail if overtightened. Yoke mount models are
not affected. Details here. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
More photos from the Jervis Bay trip are online. [Jen Hine, Kim Sebo, Ron Henry, Steve Larkin] |
 |
An exhibition featuring (among others) photos of
old Jindabyne underwater, by Canberra diver Tim Foster.
The exhibition runs from 11-22 June,
and is at the M16 art space, 16 Mildura St Kingston. [Jeremy Weinman] |
 |
Photos from the 40th Anniversary dinner are online. [Nadine Tietze, Chuck Young, Ron Henry] |
 |
It's monthly drinkypoos - tonight!
It will be a dive planning meeting too - bring
along your ideas for a trip location.
Venue: All-Bar-Nun, OConnor Shops, from 6:30pm. [Nadine Tietze] |
 |
Due to upgrades of the ANU webserver, the ANUSC
now has a new web address:
http://scuba.club.anu.edu.au/.
The old web address will redirect to the new site for the time being,
but please update your bookmarks.
The website content has been migrated to the new server. If you notice something
broken, let me know. [Kim Sebo] |
 |
Photos from the Guerilla Bay trip are up. [Arwen Mow-Lowry, Kim Sebo] |
|
Find that elusive dive site first go, everytime! If you are keen to adopt
a dive site and participate in the club's new mapping project, please
contact Charles Adamson at anusc (dot) sitesurvey (at) live (dot) com
(dot) au to register your interest and nominate a dive site(s). LMI
people are particularly welcome." [Charles Adamson] |
 |
Short-finned pilot whales have been observed making high-speed chases after prey at great depths, the first time such behavior has been seen in
deep-diving mammals. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
Mantis shrimp see 11 or 12 primary colors, as opposed to our humble 3, as
well as as rare forms of polarization,
a new study has found.
Jen says they can also thwack you really hard. Be careful down there. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
Still more photos from both the Banks and Montague Island trips. [Arwen Mow-Lowry] |
 |
More photos from both the Banks and Montague Island trips. [Jeremy Weinman] |
 |
More photos from Uli and Kim and a movie from Ron are up from the Banks trip. [Steve Larkin, Ron Henry, Dave Clarke, Uli Mathesius, Kim Sebo] |
 |
Photos from a very successful week-long trip to the Sir John Young Banks/JB are available. [Steve Larkin, Ron Henry, Dave Clarke] |
 |
Uli has provided some more photos from the Montague Island trip. [Uli Mathesius] |
 |
Peter has submitted his photos and a video with Thomas playing with seals
from the long weekend trip to Montague Island.
To see the video
click here. [Peter Christen] |
 |
A reminder that monthly drinks will be held this time on 5th May 6.30pm at All Bar Nun
(located on Macpherson Street, O'Connor Shops). On Monday nights they have a
"pizza and pint" special for $15. [Nadine Tietze] |
 |
Bigger than a Giant Squid, a Colossal Squid has been thawed in the name of science in NZ. What's next? The ReallyHumungous Squid?. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
Giant freshwater stingrays have been found in a river in Thailand. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
Ron has submitted photos and a trip report from the
long weekend trip to Montague Island. [Ron Henry] |
 |
A rare giant turtle previously thought to be extinct in the wild has been discovered in northern Vietnam,
National Geographic tells us. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
Ever wanted to dive Brush Island Pinnacle in 40 metre viz?
Well, it happened on the weekend. First photos are up from the
Brush Island trip. [Arwen Mow-Lowry] |
 |
Yet more photos from the Honeymoon Bay Easter trip are up! [Arwen Mow-Lowry, Jose Barrero] |
 |
A SMH article
on the Bateman's Bay Marine Park. Our new manager, Brendan Kelaher is a diver! [Jen Hine] |
 |
Glorious weather, millpond seas and decent viz.
Photos from the Shellharbour trip are up. [Arwen Mow-Lowry] |
 |
Yet more photos from the trip to the warm, blue waters of Montague Island are up. [Ron Henry] |
 |
Photos are in from the trip to Brush Island. [Adam Parsons] |
 |
Giant sea spiders and other species are among thousands of creatures-a
quarter of them previously unknown-found in the icy depths of the Southern
Ocean. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
A new study
has mapped the effects of human behavior on the world's oceans,
finding that 40 percent of the area has been strongly affected and no
regions remain untouched. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
Two new species of Wobbegong have been found in Western Australia. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
Photos from the trip to the warm, blue waters of Montague Island are up! [Jeremy Weinman, Sandie Walters, Peter Christen] |
 |
Where does the plastic rubbish in the sea go? Into the
Pacific Plastic Soup, that's where. [Glenn de Vine] |
 |
The weekend trip toShellharbour provided balmy 22C water and good vis,
and we have the photos
to prove it. [Ron Henry, Steve Larkin] |
 |
The February monthly drinky-poos (Monday Feb 4th, 6pm) will
also double as a dive planning session for the next few months.
Take a look at the current trip schedule and help fill in the gaps.
Venue: The Uni Pub (not the ANU Bar) on University Ave, near Marcus Clarke St). [Nadine Tietze] |
 |
It seems that using sunscreen is a double-edged sword - good for you,
but
less good for the coral. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
The Byron Underwater Festival will be held from 30th April to 4th May. Diving/Snorkelling/UW photography competition/Kids activities, plus Neville Coleman will be there to launch his new book. Maybe he will even sign it for you. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
A leatherback turtle recently made a record-breaking trek, from Indonesia to Oregon in 647 days. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
The boats are barely dry, yet
photos
from the Eden trip are online. [Ron Henry, Adam Parsons, Cindy Wiryakusuma, Steve Larkin, Uli Mathesius, Jeremy Weinman] |
 |
The St George SCUBA club are running their annual ladies'
weekend, in April, and women of the ANU club are invited to join them. [Kelly McFadyen via SCAN] |
 |
Unfortunately the planned trip to Jervis Bay has had to be
cancelled. The next trip will be to Eden, over the Australia Day
long weekend. [Walter Steyn] |
 |
Photos are in from the Bermagui trip. [Arwen Mow-Lowry, Adam Parsons, Steve Larkin] |
 |
Voting for the photos to be included on the ANUSC 2008 calendar
is now OPEN! The polling booth is here. [Sabrina Coventry] |
 |
Arwen and Wal
have provided yet more photographic proof of the marvellous shore
dives at Nelson Bay (The Pipeline, Fly Pt and Halifax Park). Photos here. [Arwen Mow-Lowry, Wal Steyn] |
 |
Peter has submitted a bunch of photos taken with his new
underwater camera, housing and strobe. They can be viewed
on the
Nelson Bay trip
page. [Peter Christen] |
 |
Looking for a new dive computer? Check out
the second installment of the ANUSC gear reviews: The Dive Computer Survey. [Charles Adamson] |
 |
Photos are in from the Nelson Bay trip. [Sabrina Coventry, Jen Hine] |
 |
Cindy has submitted some more photos from the Montague Island trip. [Cindy Wiryakusuma] |
 |
Ever wondered just what you swallowed when you
accidentally get a mouthful of seawater? [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
Looking for a new dive torch? Check out
the new ANUSC Dive Light Survey. [Charles Adamson] |
 |
It's been a couple of years since the last ANUSC T-shirt
was released so it's time for another one! Competition details here. [Arwen Mow-Lowry] |
 |
Oceanic are recalling some DX type regulator
first stages, due to the possibility of uncontrolled flow
of air to the second stage. Details on the
Oceanic website. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
Photos and some great movies from the last week's trip to
Montague Island are up! [Ron Henry, Uli Mathesius] |
 |
The uncanny stickiness of mussels has inspired a brainy new approach to creating a universal
adhesive coating, researchers say. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
The ARC for Coral Reef Studies is running a presentation
for the general public with presentations on coral reef topics
"including Nemo, sharks and global warming". Drinks too: Thursday 18 October, from 5:15pm at the Shine Dome. [Paul Thomas] |
 |
Photos from the rather damp Jervis Bay trip are now up. [Kim Sebo, Cécile Vangeleyn] |
 |
As part of Science Week, there is a free public talk on
Aug 22 5.30pm at the Shine Dome (Acton), entitled
Forensics Hypothetical - Treasure or Torture:
Science in the Deep. Details at the
Science Week website [Peter Christen] |
 |
Yet more photos from the
Lady Musgrave Island trip are in! [Jeremy Weinman, Ron Henry, Uli Mathesius, Jose Barrero] |
 |
Coral reefs in the Indian and Pacific Oceans are dying off much quicker than previously thought, a
new study shows. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
A sad story indeed: Last seen in 2002,
a study
has found Yangtze river dolphins are now most likely extinct. [Paul Thomas] |
 |
Apparently, Grey Nurse Sharks come in white too. A White Nurse Shark? [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
Via SCAN: A number of places on various commerical dive trips are available:
three separate trips to PNG (Rabaul, Walindi, Milne Bay).
And closer to home, there are a couple of spots on an Oceantrek trip
in Jervis Bay. Details here. [SCAN/Paul Thomas] |
|
Lots of photos from the
Lady Musgrave Island trip are in! [Jeremy Weinman, Ron Henry, Uli Mathesius] |
 |
Giant squid have invaded Californian waters. The SMH
tells all. [Arwen Mow-Lowry] |
 |
Scientists are planning on creating a
"digital" Great White Shark to learn more about how they work. [Arwen Mow-Lowry] |
 |
Innovative Scuba Concepts are recalling a regulator
swivel product. Details here. Note there are several versions of these devices and only one version is affected.
If you happen to have one of these on your reg, you might want to get it checked. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
This news story demonstrates
that boating during a thunderstorm can be dangerous. [Arwen Mow-Lowry] |
 |
The weather was glorious and the food was yummy.
350 trees were planted too. Photos from the inaugural ANUSC tree planting day are
here. [Jen Hine] |
 |
A giant squid has been washed up onto a beach
near Strahan, Tasmania. The ABC has the details.
Tasmanian calamari prices have plummeted as a result. [Kim Sebo] |
|
A quick reminder - the Monthly Drinky-Poos are tonight (July 2)
at 6.00pm, at All Bar Nun, O'Connor Shops. As a bonus, it is $15 Pizza+Pint
night. [Nadine Tietze] |
 |
Attention ANUSC shutterbugs: Want to see your photos up
in lights? We're creating an ANUSC wall calendar, and we need your photos!
See here for the details and how to submit your images. [Sabrina Coventry] |
 |
The infamous 'scuba tax' is
officially dead! SCAN president Dave Olsen has received an
letter from NSW DPI advising as much. Thanks to all those who
took the time to lobby against it. [SCAN via Corinna Paeper] |
 |
At short notice, a few club members went out to the Lower Cotter last weekend to help
Greening Australia plant trees.
About 45 people planted aound 1500 trees all up.
Of course, some photos were taken too.
Another ANUSC-specific tree planting trip is currently being organised - stay tuned for details. [Jen Hine] |
 |
On Saturday, officials at a Japanese aquarium announced the birth of this not-so-small
bundle of joy: a giant manta ray, said to be the first ever born in captivity.
Details here. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
The break between the diving season and LMI is the time to fix all the
hard wear and tear the boats have suffered in the last year.
Saturday 23 June 2007 from 9am till mid-afternoon at the Boat Shed.
Lunch will be provided by Michelle.
Please come along to work on: Boats (electrics, painter, anchor rope,
carpet, pontoon, tank rack, door latch); Trailers (bearings, brakes,
lights); and Gear (regs, BCs) plus lots more...
This working bee is for all members, not just those going to LMI! [Ron Henry] |
 |
The discovery of a weapons fragment from the 1800's
in an Alaskan whale indicate it was probably more than a century old,
the SMH reports. [Arwen Mow-Lowry] |
 |
Despite the atrocious weather forecast, a group of keen divers
went down to JB over the long weekend.
Photos from the weekend are up. [Jen Hine, Corinna Paeper] |
 |
Reports are in that the diving in Shellharbour on the weekend was fantastic! Flat seas, water at about 19 degrees, no wind and 15m viz! This also meant that a lot of photos
were taken! [Arwen Mow-Lowry, Adam Parsons, Glenn de Vine, Jose Barrero] |
 |
Ever felt the urge to run a dive trip? Havent been to the pub for a while?
Well, you can arrange to do both at the next Monthly Drinkie Poohs - Mon June 4th, 6:15pm.
At All Bar Nun in the O'Connor Shops. There will be eating, drinking, merriment, and we'll
fill up the dive calendar for the second half of the year. BYO dive location ideas.
(Even if you dont want to run a trip, you can still come along). [Nadine Tietze] |
 |
Photos from the Bermagui trip are up. [Arwen Mow-Lowry, Steve Larkin and Peter Christen] |
 |
New research shows parthenogenesis in sharks. "What's that?" I hear you ask.
Aunty ABC explains. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
The cameras were out at the Eden trip - and the photos are up. [Gail Vest, Ron Henry, Jen Hine, Arwen Mow-Lowry, Uli Mathesius, and Peter Christen] |
 |
A new Marine Reserve has been created at the Cod Grounds,
off Port Macquarie. This is a key Grey Nurse aggregation site. Further details
here. [SCAN via Paul Thomas/Jennifer Hine] |
 |
Another weekend of flat seas and excellent viz. Photos from the Sir John Young Banks trip are up. [Jeremy Weinman, Ron Henry] |
 |
Places on a trip to Truk Lagoon are available.
The trip is being organised by the St George Club, but SCAN members are welcome to come along. [Paul Thomas] |
 |
Draft minutes from the 2007 AGM are available. Thanks to all who came along. [Paul Thomas] |
 |
Photos from the Jervis Bay trip are available. [Ron Henry, Jeremy Weinman and Steve Larkin] |
 |
The NSW Fisheries Scientific Committee have proposed reclassifying (PDF document) the Grey Nurse Shark from Endangered to Critically Endangered. [Paul Thomas] |
 |
CSIRO scientists are monitoring a mysterious 200km wide cold water eddy off Sydney. [Jeremy Weinman] |
 |
Our photographers have some photos from last weekend's trip to Tathra. [Steve Larkin, Kim Sebo, and Cindy Wiryakusuma] |
 |
A reminder that the ANU SCUBA club annual general meeting is on
Tuesday 13 March, from 6pm, in Manning Clarke 6.
This is the place to be if you want to find out more about the club and
what we're up to; if you want to eat FREE PIZZA; or if you want to go
on our two-week extravaganza
to Lady Musgrave Island.
The agenda, and reports from this year's executive, are available online.
See you there. [Paul Thomas] |
 |
The winner has
been announced in the clubs day gear bag giveaway. Congratulations Dave! [Paul Thomas] |
 |
Lady
Musgrave Island (LMI) is a Great Barrier Reef dive destination
that the Club has ritually visited for over twenty years. It is a
highlight of our diving year and something all club divers should do at
least once!
There are a limited number of places available for this excellent trip,
and the trip list will open at this years AGM held at 6pm on Tuesday
13th march at Manning Clark lecture room 6.
The trip has always been popular, so plan to come and bring your
deposit to the AGM! [Jeremy Weinman] |
 |
The NSW Heritage Office have a wreck inspection and heritage plan online for the Lady Darling. [Charlie Adamson] |
 |
For those who are curious, we have some figures for 2006 in review, dives and divers and money. [Alison Shield] |
 |
The Sport and Recreation Association have
announced
their AGM, and called for nominations for Council. [Paul Gilbert] |
 |
Jen has some photos
from the exploratory trip to Aughinish Rock. [Jen Hine] |
|
The St George SCUBA club are running a trip on the Undersea
Explorer, in October, and ANU people are invited to join them. [Kelly Jandik via SCAN] |
 |
The Club new year begins with both Tom's New And
Rusties trip, but also a welcome
BBQ. We also put on a slide show as well featuring the last year's dive
highlights, including from LMI. And you'll also see what Bundy does to
an
otherwise mild mannered, well behaved boy... [Charlie Adamson] |
 |
Greg from the Ryde Underwater Club is arranging a trip to Jervis Bay with Ocean Trek. ANU folk are invited too. [RUC] |
 |
Our photographers have some photos from last weekend's trip to Mystery Bay. [Steve Larkin, Peter Christen, and Ron Henry] |
 |
The club is a member of SCAN, the SCUBA Clubs Association of NSW. John Olsen of SCAN explains what SCAN is and why it's important. [SCAN] |
 |
A Japanese expedition has filmed human-sized giant squid with glowing arms, which they seem to use for communication and to stun prey. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
Today is Clubs Day at ANU, so pop along to the SCUBA club stall at the far end of University Ave (next to the DJs -- listen for the douff douff music) and say hi. While you're there, you can sign up for the 2007 membership year and go into the draw to win a funky gear bag. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
Interested in what's going on in the SCUBA club? Want to be involved in setting the club's direction; to be part of the Lady Musgrave Island extravaganza; or just to look at some pretty photos and eat free food?
The 2007 ANUSC annual general meeting will be on Tuesday 13 March, from 6pm, in Manning Clarke theatre 6. If there is anything you'd like to discuss, or anything you'd like to ask the outgoing committee, please inform the secretary by Monday 5 March. [Paul Thomas] |
 |
The Bay Post reports on an injury to a grey nurse which may have been caused by tagging. [Peter Christen] |
 |
Oceanic are recalling some ATOM brand dive computers. [Corinna Paeper] |
 |
The Department of Defence has given the HMAS Adelaide to NSW for use as an artificial reef. Scuttling is expected to happen around 2008. [Charles Adamson] |
 |
Seals and sharks and divers, oh my! Our photographers have
pictures from Mystery Bay. [Steve Larkin, Ron Henry, Jeremy Weinman, Jose Barrero, and Peter Christen] |
 |
The Age reports: "The monogamous reputation of Australian seahorses has been trashed by British researchers, who have branded them shameless flirts." [Sonia Rainbow] |
 |
Due to the introduction of Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) the membership fees for both the ANU Sports and Recreation Association (SRA) and the Scuba Club are changing this year. The new Scuba club membership fee will be $30 for ANU students and $50 for everyone else. Please note that the other prices are not changing (boat dives and gear hire). Read more.... [Arwen Mow-Lowry] |
 |
Ex-ANUSC diver Glenn de Vine asks whether anyone has suggestions for
diving the Red Sea off Egypt. Ideas? Drop
him a line. [Glenn de Vine] |
 |
Our keen photographers have some photos from Eden. [Corinna Paeper, Arwen Mow-Lowry, Jeremy Weinman, and Ron Henry] |
 |
For something different we're going to try a new place for our Scuba
Club social drinks on the first Monday of the month. So come along to Debacle (Lonsdale St Braddon) from 6pm Monday 5 February with 2 for 1 pizzas and a great range of beers.
This social gathering will also incorporate the next phase of 2007 dive
planning ... our calendar is very busy until Easter but there's bound to
be other trips people want to do after that. So if you want to dive this
year please come along and have a drink and give us suggestions for dive
trips... better still volunteer to be a trip coordinator. If you haven't
done it before then you can probably persuade someone who has to
co-coordinate with you! [Anita de Fredrick] |
 |
The Australian Marine Conservation Society, amongst other groups, invites help to stop a salt mining project on the edge of Exmouth gulf, WA. [AMCS via SCAN] |
 |
The Underwater Research Group
of Queensland are jetting off to Thailand in April and invite your
company. [URGQ via SCAN] |
 |
Our keen photographers have some photos from last weekend's trip to Shellharbour. [Cindy Wirkayusuma, Giel van Noorden, Steve Larkin, and Kim Sebo] |
|
Some of us are back from holidays and some of us have done some great
diving over Xmas, so let's get together for the first club drinks of
2007 at All Bar Nun, O'Connor shops from 6pm tonight to swap stories and catch up on everyone's news ... [Anita de Fredrick] |
 |
The Milton-Ulladulla Times has a piece on the proposed NSW SCUBA "tax". [SCAN] |
 |
It has finally happened. I've served my sentence in Australia, and as I am obviously not first fleet material, will be leaving Australia this coming
Saturday to return to Canada. So if you would like to drink a final beer in my company, show up at o-bar-nun on Thursday after gear issue/gear return.
(Editorial note: Ernie must have set a record: in 19 months
with the club he's been on 49 club trips and 209 dives!) [Ernie Perkins] |
 |
Yes that's right, a bunch of us are back from beautiful Musgrave Island, and so it's time to start planning the summer dive season. Due to the long weekend we'll have our monthly social drinks on:
Tuesday 3 October from 6pm @ All Bar Nun, O'Connor shops
So if you want to dive over the summer come along and have a drink and
give us suggestions for dive trips... better still volunteer to be a
trip coordinator. If you haven't done it before then you can probably
persuade someone who has to co-coordinate with you! [Anita de Fredrick] |
 |
The ANU school of archaeology and anthropology are presenting
Archaeology
beneath the sea: Shipwrecks and their cargoes in the Philippines this
Thursday evening. The lecture is free and open to the public. [Peter Christen] |
 |
$5 movie night: Into
the Blue, 7:30pm Monday 7 August. Yes that's right ... instead of our normal monthly club drinks we're having a movie night, and it's cheap and on campus! Come and see this action adventure starring Jessica Alba and Paul Walker on the big screen with the top-class Dolby Digital sound system at the Coombs Lecture Theatre, ANU. $5 at the door Come along and support your club ... friends, family, work colleagues all welcome! [Anita de Fredrick] |
 |
The JB diving club are arranging a movie fundraiser this weekend for their Grey Nurse Ghost Fund -- money raised will go to GNS protection. [Rod Peterlin] |
 |
The SMH are reporting a recovery in humpback whale numbers on the east coast of Australia. [Arwen Mow-Lowry] |
 |
Geoscience Australia have a marine mapping
application freely available on the web. [Lucy Randall] |
|
One for your diaries: the ANUSC movie night! We're showing Into the Blue: Sam (Jessica Alba) and Jared (Paul Walker) are young divers in the Bahamas. Sam finds a historic wreck, but nearby is a wrecked airplane with a large quantity of cocaine. Jared and Sam want the treasure; their diving partners want the drugs. When a bunch of dangerous criminals realize the plane and cocaine are submerged somewhere in the area, Jared and Sam find themselves in mortal peril.
The Coombs Lecture Theatre, ANU, 7:30pm on 7 August; tea, coffee and snacks available. Just $5 at the door. All welcome! [Anita de Fredrick] |
 |
Arwen says: "The diving on the weekend is the diving that makes you want to go again and again. Fantastic trip!". Photos are available too. [Arwen Mow-Lowry, Adrian Cengia, and Jose Barrero] |
 |
This is why you shouldn't try to tickle a shark. [Ernie Perkins] |
 |
Yes it's time once again to visit All Bar Nun to enjoy a brew...
Monday 5th June; End of summer season drinkie poohs and the next phase of 2006
dive planning; All Bar Nun, O'Connor from 6pm
So if you want to dive in the second half of the year please come along
and have a drink and give us suggestions for dive trips... better still
volunteer to be a trip coordinator. If you haven't done it before then
you can probably persuade someone who has to co-coordinate with you! [Anita de Fredrick] |
 |
From the good news department: the Jervis Bay marine park is working,
and some key species are recovering. [Matthias Regner, Ernie Perkins, Arwen Mow-Lowry] |
 |
The trip last weekend to the Sir John Young Banks was something of a shark-fest with loads of (harmless) grey nurse sharks hanging around. Ron has photos and words. [Ron Henry] |
 |
The marine section of the National Parks Association are raising
funds by auctioning tickets
to a dinner with Valerie and Ron Taylor, in Sydney on June 14. [Paul Thomas] |
 |
Where does your trip money go, you wonder? The 2006 budget is available on the web. You may also be interested in the club's ten-year plan, 2001-2010, which is the basis of our budgeting. [Alison Shield] |
 |
A date for your diaries next week ... monthly Scuba Club drinks at All
Bar Nun, O'Connor from 6pm Monday 1 May. See you there! [Anita de Fredrick] |
 |
The trip's not even over and already there are photos from Montague for
your viewing pleasure. [Arwen Mow-Lowry and Jeremy Weinman] |
|
The draft
NSW Ocean Trap and Line Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has now been
released by the NSW Government. This statement acknowledges the serious
impact of this type of fishing on the endangered grey nurse shark and the
vulnerable black cod and great white shark, but again fails to suggest
the fishing exclusion zones seen in Queensland and in Marine Parks. Have
your say this week. You may like to read the club's submission. [James Parks] |
 |
The Easter weather at Shellharbour was better than predicted and
we had some quite good dives. Photos are available. [Ron Henry and Micheal Munzinger] |
 |
Ernie reports
from last weekend's trip to Tathra / Merimbula. [Ernie Perkins] |
 |
Photos are on the
web from last weekend's trip to Jervis Bay. [Ron Henry and Arwen Mow-Lowry] |
 |
Reminder - scuba club drinks from 6pm tonight @ all bar nun. [Anita de Fredrick] |
 |
Kiribati has created a new marine reserve covering an impressive 185,000km2. [Ernie Perkins] |
 |
Never mind
your underwater ironing... [Ernie Perkins] |
 |
The club safety page now includes
information on reporting safety incidents and near-misses, optionally
anonymously. The committee strongly encourage members to let us know if
there are safety concerns during a club activity so we can know what might
go wrong and what's going right. [Paul Thomas] |
|
The NSW government has recently announced the formation of Batemans Marine Park.
Members of the public are invited to have their say on what should drive
the park's planning, and how they use the area. The club has sent a
submission, but we urge you to add your voice to help ensure the park
is properly planned and has a sound focus on conservation.
The
club's response (in three parts; a survey and two maps) is online, and
you should feel free to copy it for your own submission if you like.
Submissions are officially due today (Friday), but we're told they'll
accept late submissions as well to the address on the survey. [James Parks] |
 |
Photos are online
from last weekend's trip to Norah Head. [Steve Larkin and Peter Christen] |
|
The draft
minutes and committee reports from this week's AGM are available.
Thanks to all who attended. [Matthias Regner, Michelle Lim, Paul Thomas, Alison Shield, and Alex Pentony Vran] |
 |
The agenda and
committee reports for the 2006 AGM are available (revised 13 March).
Hope to see you there. [Paul Thomas] |
 |
Photos are online
from last weekend's trip to Shellharbour. [Arwen Mow-Lowry and Peter Christen] |
|
The Australian Marine
Conservation Society reports some success with their sharks and
rays campaign: sharks carcasses can no longer be dumped overboard in
Australian fisheries, they are now protected in 80% of Western Australia's
tropical shark fishing grounds, there has been a substantial decrease in the
killing of sharks for their fins in the NT, and more resources have been
committed to fighting illegal shark fin fishing in Northern Australia. [Jeremy Weinman] |
|
Motions for consideration at the Annual General Meeting need to
be submitted to the secretary by
eight days prior -- so that's by COB on Monday 6 March. The agenda will
be circulated no later than Friday 10 March, and the AGM itself is on
Tuesday 14 March, from 6pm in Manning Clarke LT 6. [Paul Thomas] |
 |
Some photos from
the trip to Malua Bay are online. [Arwen Mow-Lowry] |
|
Please be advised that the 2006 Sport and Recreation Association AGM
process has now commenced, as per the timeline. [Paul Thomas] |
|
Greg from the Ryde Underwater Club is arranging a trip on the Underwater Explorer. ANU folk are invited too. [RUC] |
 |
The next few weeks contain a wealth of SCUBA social events....
Next Thursday 2nd March please join us at North Oval (the
boat shed) for the Welcome BBQ from 6pm -- BYO drinks, something to eat off,
and a salad or dessert. Monday 6th March we will be having
our monthly drinks from 6pm at All Bar Nun (at O'Connor Shops) so hope to
see you there after boat wash. The 2006 Annual General Meeting will be held
on Tuesday 14 March, from 6-8pm in Manning Clark theatre 6. [Alison Shield] |
 |
The new Scuba Club t-shirts have arrived and are ready for collection.
Those who ordered one can bring $ and collect them at the following times
at the gear shed (coinciding with boat washes and gear issue): Today 5:30pm;
Thursday 23rd Feb 5:30pm; Monday 27th Feb 5:30pm; Thursday 2nd March 5:30pm. [Anita deFredrick] |
 |
The ANUSC / SCUBA Store treasure hunt took place last weekend,
with 25 divers elbowing each other out of the way in a rush to find shiny
things underwater. Photos
of the weekend are up, thanks to Gail, Peter, Arwen, Kim, and Ron.
Congratulations to all our winners! [Paul Thomas] |
 |
Spurilla
neopolitana is a sea slug - it is an unwanted visitor to
Australian shores. It has turned up along the east coast. [SCAN] |
 |
You guessed it: there are photos from the trip to
Honeymoon Bay. [Ron Henry and Arwen Mow-Lowry] |
| A diver in NZ has survived three days at sea (also here). [Paul Thomas] |
|
The Department of Primary Industries has lost a landmark case against a spearfisherman for killing a grey
nurse shark after a magistrate accepted it was self defence. [SCAN] |
 |
Thanks to all who came along last night to plan the next few
months' diving, and especially to everyone who put up their hand to
coordinate a trip. The schedule is
absolutely chokkers, with 15 trips in the next 18 weekends including
a good mix of easy and more challenging diving.
(Expect a little movement over the next few days as the dust settles.) [Alison Shield and Paul Thomas] |
 |
Photos from our recent trip to Port Hacking are now
online
for your enjoyment - they include the first pictures of the club's
new boat in action... [Peter Christen] |
|
...we hope to see those creative juices flow like the juice of a
freshly cut pineapple running down the sparkling, laughing brown face of a
native child on a warm sunny day on a Pacific tropical island as the deep
blue aquatic waters gently lap against the golden sands of the beach... [Charlie Adamson] |
 |
For the spelunkers and historians among you, old club newsletters (1991-2001) are on the web. [Paul Thomas] |
 |
Thanks to everyone who submitted ideas for a name for the new boat,
and to everyone who took the time to cast a vote. The people have spoken
and the winning entry, with almost three times
as many votes as any other, is "Tigger". "Tigger" was suggested by
Megan Williams, who by way of thanks will get free boat dives on her next
club trip. Hip hip!
Tigger will be at the gear shed on Thursday 15th, as the boats are
readied for this weekend's trip, so feel free to come along and take a
look.
We will also have an "official" naming and general showing-off during
the Treasure Hunt weekend (19-20 November) -- this is a good chance to
enjoy the more social aspects of the club so do come along and be a
part of this. [ANUSC committee] |
 |
After intensive lobbying by the Eurobodalla Shire Council and
others, the NSW government has changed its mind on new regulations for
"primitive" campgrounds including Mystery Bay. The ESC's press release has more. [Paul Thomas] |
|
Thanks to all who came along last week to discuss our dive
calendar, and thanks specially to everyone who volunteered to run a trip.
The calendar for 2005
and early 2006
is now available. If you'd like to run a trip, please get in touch with
the committee -- the more the merrier! [Paul Thomas] |
|
John Greer at Dive Oz has
an
opinion piece on the NSW government's plans for Grey Nurse Shark
conservation. [Charles Adamson] |
 |
Thanks to Jeremy, we have a shiny new weather page,
with links to current observations, forecasts for land and sea, and tide
information. [Paul Thomas] |
 |
The dive calender is looking sparse but do not fear - monthly drinks
as always are here! Let's meet at All Bar Nun from 6pm next Tuesday 6th
September to drink away the clouds and plan some dive trips for the rest of
the year. [Alison Shield] |
 |
The new boat has arrived: now it needs a name! Several names
have been suggested, and now you can vote for
your favourite. The winning name will be announced at August's
social event. [Paul Thomas] |
 |
The first
photos
from Lady Musgrave Island are available for your viewing pleasure. [Paul Thomas] |
 |
Former club
member Pat Armstrong passed away 12 July after a long battle with cancer.
Pat was only with the club a short while, attending trips in the latter part
of 2002 (the photo at left is from the November 2002 SCAN trip to Jervis Bay),
but his generosity is greatly appreciated by those he helped. Our
condolences go out to his wife Yukali and children Shiro and Seiji. [Darran Edmundson] |
|
Ray has picked up our new boat, and the first photos are
on the web!
It's got a lot more space inside, and Ray says the new trailer is "a
delight to tow". [Alex Pentony Vran] |
|
Michelle Lim was so kind to become acting treasurer, while I am
slaving in Germany. I handed over the books to her and I am very thankful
to Michelle for doing that. Please be always nice to Michelle.
Have a great time diving! [Katharina Siebke] |
|
The club has been camping at the Mystery Bay "primitive" campground
for years, but it may now be under threat as new regulations limit the
number of campers to about half the current capacity (with associated
loss of earnings for the Shire Council). There's more at the Eurobodalla
Shire Council, including thoughts on what you can do to be heard, and
the Sydney
Morning Herald has coverage too. [Paul Thomas] |
|
Do you want to continue to dive in Grey Nurse Shark habitats?
The NSW Department of Primary Industries has proposed to introduce a fee
(of up to $20 per dive) for diving in any of the State's recognized 13
Grey Nurse Shark critical habitats. These include North Montague Island
and the Tollgates, Forster and Seal Rocks, places we regularly dive.
What's perhaps even worse, they intend to restrict access to these sites
to commercial operators only!
If you want to continue diving with Grey Nurses - and there is no
scientific evidence that we have a detrimental effect on their population
biology - you will have to lobby
very strongly against this proposal. [Matthis Regner] |
 |
The Scuba Club has received funding under the SRA's Women in Sport
category and will use the money to encourage women to get boat licences.
Applicants will be judged on how they have contributed to the club and
how active they are in club activities ie. going on dive trips.
Depending on how many successful applicants there are, the funding will
cover some of the cost of a yearly boat licence.
All women interested need to contact
me by 15th July (this gives
Musgravites a chance to apply). [Anita de Fredrick] |
|
A reminder that if you're curious what the club's committee is up
to, minutes
and agendas for committee meetings are available on the web: minutes
as soon as they're confirmed, and draft agendas as soon as they're available
(generally in the first week of the month). If there's anything you'd like
your committee to discuss, let us know. [Paul Thomas] |
 |
It is time once again to visit All Bar Nun to enjoy a brew...
- Tuesday 7th June 2005
- End of summer season drinkie poohs: Venue: All Bar Nun, from 6pm
[Alison Shield] |
 |
If you don't know how to use the oxygen kit, or
are a little rusty, this is for you! Ron Henry has offered to run
an introduction to oxygen for the club. The session comprises an
oxygen video from DAN, a powerpoint presentation from Ron, and an
opportunity to practice with the clubs oxygen gear. It is not a
formal oxygen training course, but should give you a basic
understanding of how to apply oxygen as first aid.
The session will be on Wednesday 15th June, from 18:30 in Manning
Clark theatre 5 on the ANU campus. MCC T5 is located in the Manning
Clark building, up the ramp from union court (near the bar :-)).
Expect the session to last 2-2.5 hours. [Chris Bloomfield] |
 |
Photos from our recent trip to Eden are available. [Sabrina Coventry] |
|
Our new boat is on its way! We've placed an order with ARIB
for a new boat to replace the Daffodil, and expect to pick up a shiny
new 5.3m RIB on the way back from Lady Musgrave Island in early July.
The new boat will be very similar to the Pufferfish; the main changes
are a slightly higher bow, a slightly increased rake, a slightly wider
beam, hydraulic steering, and a braked trailer. It should be drier,
easier to handle, safer to tow, and still bright yellow.
Of course a new boat needs a new name, so we'll run a contest:
email your christening ideas to Paul. In July we'll collate
the suggestions and put them up for your vote. Your suggestion can
remain anonymous if you like.
This has only been possible due to the club's long-term planning
and saving over a number of years, and due to the SRA's grants. This
is your SRA and boat fees at work.
Thanks to Bill, Norm, Jeremy, Ray, Steve, Mark and Eric for all their
work in getting us this far! [Paul Thomas] |
 |
Today's ABC
Australian Story is about cave diver Dave Shaw. [Peter Christen] |
 |
Regrettably a lack of interest means the August ski trip has to be
cancelled. [Sabrina Coventry] |
 |
Think you want to dive, but not quite sure? Know somebody
in this situation? The club is running try dives in 2005
-- come along and try sucking from a can to see whether you like it.
Contact Alex
if you're interested. [Alex Pentony Vran] |
 |
Like many people, I've been having a lot of o-ring failures
in my (and club) Faber tanks and feel I need to carry some (a lot of)
spare o-rings. Several club members ordered nitrile and/or viton o-rings
last year and have had good luck with them. Some of the viton o-rings
have not blown in a year.
Viton will probably cost about $1 per o-ring; Nitrile will probably
cost about $0.20 per o-ring.
So if you are interested in getting o-rings for your tank or
elsewhere, send me an email
and I'll co-ordinate the order. Would like to send it out by next week
or so, as I want to receive them before LMI. [Ernie Perkins] |
 |
Time for the annual working bee - Saturday 4th June 2005 at 10am.
Location: Dive Shed (North Oval ANU).
What you need: You need to be able to eat Pizza, drink beer, listen to
tall stories or tell tall stories. You may get some fun tasks allocated
to you (pick up pizzas, pick up beer, tie a few knots, oil North Oval).
Musgravites are expected to attend since this is largely about making
sure that everything is the way they want the boats for their trip.
Musgravites will also get a good feel for the boats, compressor etc and
Chris may have a whole lot of stuff for Musis to do.
Other club members are also expected to attend.
Could you please RSVP me if
you wish to attend. Being a complete control freak I would like to allocate
tasks to people before the big day so that on the big day everyone knows
what to do. I have been to plenty of working bees where we are kicking the
dirt outside the shed while a few people try and organise everyone.
So get in touch. It will be fun. [Bill Keating] |
|
Thanks to all those who came along to plan some dives (and have
a beer) last night, and thanks especially to everyone who volunteered to
coordinate a trip. Two new dives are on the trip calendar; more
will be there soon as we finalise dates and places. Stay tuned! [Paul Thomas] |
|
Uli has some
photos
of sharks and seals, as well as other critters, from last weekend's
trip to Mystery Bay. [Ulrike Mathesius] |
 |
We are looking for a coordinator(s) for our Lady Musgrave
Island holiday 2006. Coordinating the joint is the only way of ensuring
that you're on the list!!!
If you're unsure what it all involves, have a chat with recent
coordinators, eg. Chris Bloomfield, Nicolie Young, Peter Christen.
It's not rocket science! Nicolie did a fantastic job last year although
she had never been to LMI. Please get in touch with us if you're thinking
about it. [Matthias Regner] |
 |
Looking at the
dive calender it is
getting rather sparse and with the amount of diving going on this year
maybe we should think about planning a few more...
So in a slight departure from the
social
calender we will meet at 6pm on Tuesday May 3rd, at All Bar Nun in the
O'Connor shops, to first talk about more diving and then for drinks
afterwards (or as usually turns out during!!)
So if you want to dive more this year then come along and help us to
organise some more trips... otherwise come later for drinks. [Alison Shield] |
 |
Leigh's web page has some photos and a report from our recent trip to Mystery Bay. [Leigh Makewell] |
 |
Each club BCD is now equipped with a safety sausage,
to be used as a surface marker in case you get separated
from the boat. The sausages still need to be in the BCD pockets when
the gear is returned, and their presence will be checked.
(gear issue officers take note!) These bits of plastic are for your
own safety so practice using them if you've never tried before. [Antti Kallio] |
| An entertaining abuse of life support technology (or, how to
fly on SCUBA): take a look at the video (2MB MPEG). [Ernie Perkins] |
| The president of the ANU Sports and Recreation Association
(of which we are a part) writes: You may have heard that the
Government has introduced a Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) bill into
the parliament in the last few weeks. If it were passed into law in
its current form, it would more or less abolish the $545 000 of
General Services Fee (GSF) funding that we currently receive to fund
student-oriented services. This of course could have a huge
impact on the finances of and viability of the club. Read
more about it. [Paul Thomas] |
 |
We all had a very good time up north, but not as many dives as we
had expected due to the weather. Several people had cameras and
Leigh Makewell has
uploaded
a trip report and many photos
onto his webpage. [Thomas Magill] |
| The 2005 Sports and Recreation Association (SRA) Sports
Council will be decided by election in 2005. Get down to the SRA
on North Road on Tuesday 22nd, Wednesday 23rd, or Thursday 24th
March, between 10 and 2 or 4 and 6, to cast your vote for President
and Ordinary Members. Candidates' electoral platforms will be
posted at SRA reception. [Paul Thomas] |
 |
It probably does not get much dopier than
having the Titanic's look-out (Fred Fleet) not being
able to judge distances and not issuing him with
binoculars. But sadly, it does...
Have
a look here. [Charles Adamson] |
| We will hold belated drinks 6pm next
Tuesday 8th March at All Bar Nun. I can't make
it (or at best will be late) but our previous
past social officer will hold up the flag for me! [Alison Shield] |
 |
As part of its gear upgrade program, the Club
has bought six new 100cf Faber steel tanks. This will
not only keep the tech heads happy, but compared to the
club's aluminium tanks, the new tanks are smaller, have
greater air capacity, and will let you drop 3lbs off
your weight belt. [Charles Adamson] |
| The Annual General Meeting will be held
in PSYC (Psychology) G06 at the Australian National
University on Wednesday the 2nd of March from 6pm - 8pm.
Remember this is also where the list opens for Lady Musgrave
Island trip deposits. [Glenn De Vine] |
The annual Welcome BBQ will be held on
Thursday 24th February from 6pm onwards
at the
gear
shed (North Oval). This will coincide with the
gear
issue for the
New
and Rusties trip that following weekend.
Please coma along to meet club members, and chat about your latest dive
adventure.
Food and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided. [Matthias Regner] |
Sixty-one shark attacks were reported worldwide last
year, slightly higher than the 57 counted in 2003, but lower
than in the three previous years when the total ranged from
63 to 78.
Read the full article at:
ABC News. [Peter Christen] |
| Enjoy diving the world's corals - because your
grandchildren may not have the opportunity. Scientists
have warned that, through climate change, the world's
corals could start disappearing quickly in the next 35
to 70 years.
Click here to read the full article [Peter Christen] |
 |
Dive
Better, Dive Safer: 101 Tips that'll make you a Pro. [Charles Adamson] |
 |
Good to see people check what they write
is actually halfway accurate. [David Clarke] |
 |
Tuesday 30 November 2004:
First quarter 2005 Dive Plan Meeting (including drinkie poohs) -
Venue: All Bar Nun, from 6pm. [Charles Adamson] |
 |
Saturday 4 December 2004:
This year's ANUSC Xmas function will be held at
Lake Burley Griffin's 'Carp Gutters', Saturday 4
December, from 6pm> BYO food and booze. A chair,
light and blanket are all good optional extras. [Charles Adamson] |
 |
Tuesday 23 November 2004:
On a sad note, we are losing Mick Hines to the GNS and leafy sea dragons
of South Australia. If you would like to see him off (that is, get him to
buy you a drink), he will be at All Bar Nun from 6pm Tuesday 23 November.
On a happier note, Virgin Blue have cheap direct flights to Adelaide. Add
in free accomodation, food, drink, transport and air fills, then having
Mick over there is perhaps not such a bad proposition after all.... Hope
you can make it... [Charles Adamson] |
| To learn about the new motor on the Pufferfish please
download and read the
scanned
version of the Mercury 90 manual. Among other things,
it states the starting procedure for the motor, which
is: put the motor in neutral and apply some throttle,
and start with choke - this procedure is pretty much
exactly what we have worked out anyway. [Glenn deVine] |
 |
ANUSC Boat Committee: Thanks to Mark, Ray, Jeremy,
Horst, Steve and Mick who have volunteered to be part of
an ANUSC subcommittee that will investigate and recommend
the replacement for the Daffodil next year. If Matt
upgrades his truck to enable him to (legally) tow, the Daff
replacement is looking pretty sweet at this stage... [Charles Adamson] |
 |
Two new photo galleries from our April trips to
Green Cape
and Montague
island are now available. Thanks to Mick
Hines for providing the photos.
(And some photos from a recent trip to Ningaloo
Reef by several ANUSC members are available
here). [Peter Christen] |
 |
Tuesday 7 September 2004:
Sundowner Drinkie Poohs and Bikini Party; Venue: Lady Musgrave Island,
Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Time: from 4.30pm-late.
Hope you can all make it! [Charles Adamson] |
 |
The club received some coverage in the Merimbula paper as
part of their Clean-up Australia day write-up. A scan of
the article (colour shot from the front page) is
now online. Ask Adam, Glenn and Alfred how they
wangled their way into a press photo without actually
collecting any garbage ;-) [Darran Edmundson] |
| Interested in buying, swapping or selling second hand
scuba (or related) gear? Please have a look at our new
Buy-Swap-Sell page. [Peter Christen] |
This week we'll put on a Welcome BBQ to get to know each other over
sausages, drinks, and salads. At a forecast toasty 32 deg Celsius,
it'll take place this Thursday 4 March from 6 pm at the gear shed on
North Oval (off McCaughy St).
There'll also be a slide show club photographers, to prepare you for
the awesome under- and overwater scenery that's awaiting you...
The sausage sizzle will also tie in neatly with gear issue (5.30 pm,
Thursday) for the up-coming weekend's
New and Rusty Divers Trip.
This is the best opportunity to ease into ANU Scuba Club life and diving
practices as this trip is run specifically for new members, who often have
limited diving experience. We'll do lots of easy diving, both shore and
boat based, so you'll have time to sort out things like buoyancy, unfamiliar
gear etc.
We'll also try our best to buddy each of you up with one of our very
experienced members who have dived with or outside the club for yonks;
they'll put an ugly but human face to the Club, "show you the ropes" and
reply to any questions or concerns you may have on this perhaps unfamiliar
territory. As you come on more trips and gain friends and experience, buddy
pairs usually form naturally. [Matthias Regner] |
| The Scuba Club Annual General Meeting will take place:
Thursday 4 December 2003
Manning Clark Lecture Theatre T6
7-9 pm
The budding agenda has been sent out to all ANUSC members via e-mail.
If you didn't receive it, or if you have any corrections or
additions, please send them to the Secretary
(darran.edmundson@anu.edu.au). [Darran Edmundson] |
It's been suggested that we meet pre AGM in order to organise the
2004 dive schedule. This keeps us nicely organised and will help
shorten the AGM. Both of which are useful outcomes.
Charles Adamson suggest All Bar Nun (O'Connor Shops
just down from the gear shed) on Wednesday 26 November at 6.30pm.
A balmy evening, shady trees, comfy chairs, Canberra's best chips and
icy cold beer are all on the menu. As a further bonus, Martin has
proved ANUSC men are simply irresistible to the bar staff.
So please have a think about where and when you think the club should
dive in 2004. Also consider whether you would also like to co-ordinate
a trip as well. If you can't make the meeting, simply
e-mail me your ideas and I'll advocate them for
you. [Charles Adamson] |
 |
The Queensland Department of Primary Industry and the Environmental
Protection Agency have released the Grey Nurse Shark Regulatory Impact
Statement (RIS) and Draft Public Benefit Test (PBT). In the document,
they have highlighted a set of measures to get the Grey Nurse Sharks
protected in Queensland.
The public has until 17 November 2003 to submit their comments and
we strongly believe the diving community should voice they view in
supporting this proposal for the sake of the grey nurse sharks. Have
a look at
http://www.diveoz.com.au/gns/gns-qld-2.asp for more information
on the RIS and how to submit your comments.
Your comments will make a difference so please respond to the RIS. [Peter Christen] |
 |
The Annual start-of-year BBQ and welcome of new members will take place next
Thursday at 6:30pm at the gearshed.
(Note: this follows the 5:30pm gear issue for the New and Rusty Divers Trip to Bawley Point.)
The club is organising basic food (sausages, bread, tomato sauce, onions, some veggie
burgers and soft drinks). Members are asked to bring a salad or dessert,
beers etc., and their own deli meat/fish if desired. We'll also hopefully have a
digital slide show of club images from 2002. [Gail Vest] |
 |
Here be Seadragons!
If you have spotted seadragons on your dive or along the
shore after the dive, please get involved in a research
project studying the distribution and abundance of
Syngnathidae (there's a word to fill those awkward
pauses in conversation). Instructions and contact details can be gleaned from the
Dragonsearch site or from:
Dragon Search (SA)
120 Wakefield St
Adelaide
South Australia 5000
email: nsw@mccn.org.au
[Lucy Randall] |
 |
Every year the ANU holds a market day for all the universities
clubs and societies. Market day is the clubs largest intake of
student members, which our funding from the ANUSRA partially
relies upon. I'm organising the club stall at the O week market
day, and I would greatly appreciate anyone who could come and
help, be it for an hour, or the day. Market day is on Wednesday
the 26th of February. I need people to help from 7 AM (setup) to
5 PM (packup). If you are able to help at all, please
please contact me
telling me what hours on the day you would be available. [Chris Bloomfield] |
 |
The ANU Scuba Club Annual General Meeting will take place on Thursday 28 November
from 7pm onwards in Manning Clark Lecture Theatre #5, ANU. The meeting will
include a short slide show of images from the past year, election of a new
committee and setting of the coming year's dive calendar. A detailed agenda
is available online.
If you are no longer an active member please come along to the AGM, renew your membership,
and join us for the coming dive season. [Darran Edmundson] |
| I (Steve Harding) would like to convey my appreciation to
all ANU Scuba Club members who took part in last weekend's Scuba Store
Treasure Hunt. Thanks to everyone who took part for making it a great weekend.
Of the 270 discs hidden we had a return of 206 - close to 75%. Thanks to Jeremy
who sacrificed his chance of winning a prize by volunteering to get up early and
hide treasure discs. Kudos to Darran for his suggestion to restructure the prize
distribution. [Steve Harding] |
 |
Today is the last chance to
vote for a t-shirt design.
Currently only 21 people out of the 113 eligible have voted. That's less than the typical voter
turn-out in a U.S. Presidential Election. Perhaps we should levy a $50 fine people for not
voting? ;-) [Darran Edmundson] |
 |
A year ago, the Scuba Store
began stocking Sea and Sea cameras for hire and
purchase. Steve Harding also launched a photo competition with total prizes of
$1000 worth of Sea and Sea photographic equipment. There are only 7 entries so far,
none of them from the ANU, and the contest finishes at the end of the month!
See the Scuba Store website for details. [Darran Edmundson] |
 |
We'll soon be putting in a bulk order for new club T-shirts with "ANU Scuba
Club" proudly emblazoned across the back. The design on the front? Well, that's
up to you, the creative membership. Send us your artwork over the next two weeks
and it
will be displayed on the web site. A change to the selection plan as someone
needs to tweak their entries to conform to the rules. Voting will thus take place
on Monday-Wednesday next week. [Darran Edmundson] |
 |
Selected from more than 900 photos, around 200 of the best
images from this year's Lady Musgrave trip are now available
online.
Enjoy. [Peter Christen] |
 |
Finally, after long hours of selecting, cropping and processing I
have uploaded images
from the first week of our Musgrave trip. Enjoy, and
remember, the reunion party is coming up ... details will follow soon! [Peter Christen] |
 |
Canberran Tim Foster is a talented photographer, both above
and below the water. He is also an experienced cave-diver.
Threading oneself through hundreds of meters of a flooded tunnel
system under the Nullarbor plain is a far cry from open-water
recreational scuba diving. In this talk and slide-show, Tim
will discuss the pleasures and perils of cave-diving, and show
some beautiful images from places that most of us will never have
the opportunity to visit. This free talk, presented by the ANU
Scuba Club, is suitable for divers and non-divers alike. Date/Time:
Tuesday 22 October, 7-8 pm,
Manning Clark Theatre #5. [Darran Edmundson] |
 |
The recent Lady Musgrave Trip saw a club first, members
Horst Punzmann and Ole Nielsen had the privilege of (bravely?) driving
a club boat from the mainland all the way out to the island. Norm Schram
has done it before with his own boat, the Yellowfin, but
this is the first time for an ANUSC vessel. The return trip was
handled by Christine Butzer, Jeremy Weinman, Charles Adamson
and Thomas Magill. Charles and Thomas report having to make
way for a pod of whales. [Darran Edmundson] |
 |
Join conservationist Dr Tim Anderson, shark expert Valerie Taylor,
and Greens MLC, Ian Cohen for the first public screening and launch
of 'Save the Grey Nurse', a short documentary about the critically
endangered grey nurse shark. Entry is Free, 4.30pm, Thursday 19th
September 2002, Parliamentary Theatrette, NSW Parliament House, Sydney.
For further information contact Megan Gallagher by
email
or telephone (02-9279-2466). [SCAN] |
| The traditional annual pre-Musgrave working bee is tomorrow,
Saturday 14 September, starting from 9am at the gear shed
(ANU north oval at McCaughey Street). While all Musgrave
participants are expected to come along and help preparing the boats
and club gear for the upcoming trip to the Great Barrier Reef, all
other ANUSC members are very welcome to come along and give us a
hand. There are lots of small tasks to be done, you can meet other
club members, get familiar with the boats and other club gear,
talk 'technical' about nuts'n'bolts, etc. [Peter Christen] |
| The club has recently received confirmation of our Lady Musgrave Island
booking for next year, 2003. We've got the island for seventeen nights,
from 4-21 July 2003, of which we'll choose a dozen that best suit our
student members early next year. Thanks to Peter Christen for handling
this on behalf of the club. [Darran Edmundson] |
 |
Horst Punzmann, former boat officer extraordinaire of the club,
has been recognized by the SRA with the Peter McCullagh Medal for
"outstanding service to or achievement in a club." Horst modestly
asserts that "this medal is an award not for me but for our club!"
but we won't let him escape the well-deserved attention so easily.
So send us your
favourite story of Horst's mechanical acumen and we'll record them on the
web for posterity. Congratulations on the award Horst ... and thanks
for many a trouble-free boat ride. [Darran Edmundson] |
 |
Images from last weekend's Edrom trip
are
now online for your viewing pleasure. [Darran Edmundson] |
 |
Not sure if anyone tracks this web site,
but here's a chance for the club to pickup $1000 worth of TUSA gear and have some
fun at the same time. Australian Extreme
Underwater Ironing. The competition finishes at the end of the year so there's
plenty of time to come up with something witty, brilliant, original and hopefully
a bit kooky. [Charles Adamson] |
 |
Members and guests of the ANUSC have just returned from a fantastic weekend
of diving, relaxing and communal feasting on the huge, sunny verandah of
wonderful
Edrom Lodge in Eden. Most people on departure suggested booking
another weekend for earlier in 2003 so as to get warmer weather. I have made
a tentative booking for the weekend of February 14-16, 2003 and need
expressions of interest
from you before we totally commit (minimum 25 people per night but accomodates up to 68).
The Scuba Store's Steve Harding is
interested in joining us again and suggests bringing down the LMI compressor
which would make us 'totally self sufficient". [Gail Vest] |
|
According to NSW Fisheries, the grey nurse shark is critically endangered
on the east coast of Australia. And one of the main reasons for their continuing
decline is damage from incidental catch by line fishing. However,
the recently released draft recovery plan does not suggest the obvious
solution of a complete ban on fishing at the 13 key aggregation sites
in NSW (e.g. Montague, Tollgate Islands, Fish Rock, Forster Pinnacle, etc.). As
the public has until June 28th to submit commentary on the plan, the committee
will be making a submission on behalf of members supporting the creation of sanctuary
zones to protect the grey nurse. Visit the above site, read the plan and submit
your own feedback. [Darran Edmundson] |
| Should they wish, members can now add a scuba biography to their personal
member page. Thanks to Peter Christen for the idea
and the first submission.. [Darran Edmundson] |
 |
With the friendly help of TUG's
Tim Ritchie and wreck-diver Steve Purvis, we managed to get most
people onto the magical 40m+ Nerong wreck off of Norah Head last weekend.
A number of Giant Cuttlefish wanting to share regs, at least a dozen
wobbegongs (including a 3m whopper), clouds of bullseyes
too thick to see through, kingfish circling overhead, a glassy ocean up top
and 30m visibility below - the consensus is that we go back ... and soon.
Photos by Harry Schranz and Peter Christen are
on the web. [Darran Edmundson] |
 |
The draw for the wetsuit and dive torches was held at gear
issue tonight. 1st prize went to an absent Thomas Albrecht whilst
Sarah Thompson and Chris Bloomfield took home the funky Ikelite dive
torches. Thanks to all new student divers for participating. There
are some photos on the web page courtesy of Thomas Magill. [Darran Edmundson] |
| Updated stats on the
New
Member Wetsuit Giveaway are now
online. For eligible new members who dived at either Jervis Bay
or South West Rocks and don't show on the web page, please register
with the club Secretary. [Darran Edmundson] |
 |
Lady Musgrave island is a small coral island on the southern end
of the Great Barrier Reef, about 100 km north-east of Bundaberg
(Queensland). The island is surrounded by a large fringing reef.
The Club takes our two boats, two compressors, camping gear, food, fuel
and fresh water for two weeks. It's paradise with unlimited fantastic
diving. If you want to make sure to get onto 'The Musgrave List' pay
your $100 deposit as soon as possible. Details are available
on the LMI web page. [Peter Christen] |
| And the
winning entry in the Daf renaming is ... [Darran Edmundson] |
 |
The Committee has okayed the purchase of new pontoons for the
Daff. We got a great deal from NAIAD but there is a slight
catch ... the pontoons are pink. Obviously "the Daffodil"
will no longer suit so
we're
searching for a new name.
Current suggestions are Rosie, Beetroot, Barbie and Pink Panther.
Voice your preference for a new name before next Monday's
deadline. [Darran Edmundson] |
 |
We can see it now ... thirty years in the future when ANUSC member (and
current Party Officer)
Robyn Withell
is asked, "So where did your husband propose to you?" With Viking-like cunning, Club Treasurer
Ole Nielsen
has been teaching partner Robyn
Australian Sign Language (AUSLAN)
for the past half year. Sunday morning's dive to the inappropriately named "Whorehouse"
just north of Jervis Bay's Point Perpendicular saw him pop the magic question - letter by
painstaking letter. Robyn's AUSLAN response, "Are you narced?" Our heartfelt
congratulations to the bethrothed. [Darran Edmundson] |
 |
Pictures from last weekend are now online. I will copy them onto the anusc web site later this week. Please report
to me any missing links or other errors. [Peter Christen] |
| This weekend's
New and Rusty Divers trip to Jervis Bay is going to
be the biggest trip I have so far experienced in
the club. 37 people have signed up for camping, 29 of them are
divers, 20 of those need to hire club gear. 3 other club members
are still undecided. [Thomas Magill] |
 |
Reports from last weekend's Montague Island trip were of great viz and flat
seas. Peter Christen had a chance to try out the new housing for his digital
camera and has
placed a number of images online. Any anecdotes and/or trip reports? Send them
to the Secretary. [Darran Edmundson] |
| The end of February brought with it the end of your 2001
scuba club membership. If you want to partake of any of
the great trips below you must renew your membership for 2002.
You can do so at the front counter of the Sports & Recreation
Association. Be sure and take your C-card and proof of SRA
membership (if you don't have the latter, you can purchase it on
the spot). Prices are unchanged at $5 for student members,
$15 for all others. I'll have an updated membership list on
the web site by the end of the week. [Darran Edmundson] |
 |
All new and returning members are invited to the ANU Scuba Diving Clubs Annual Welcome BBQ.
It will be held at our gear shed on MacCaughey street (just opposite the ANU Tennis Courts) on
Thursday 7 March beginning at 6:30pm. (Note, this coincides with the gear issue evening for
the Montague island trip.) Please come along to meet our new and old members, enjoy some food
and (BYO) drinks, swap dive stories, and see images from trips past.
If you have some slides of your own please bring them along and share them with us.
The Club supplies sausages, chicken wings and some vegetarian delights to throw on the barbie.
If you wish to contribute by bringing nibblies, a salad or bread, great. Bring you're own
plate, cutlery and grog.
Please let me know
if you are coming and if you can assist with slides or with food. [Robyn Withell] |
| The Club photographer has placed some photos from the recent Tathra weekend on the web. Check them out. If you've got any good stories from the weekend, drop the Secretary an email and I'll post it on the Tathra trip page. [Darran Edmundson] |
 |
Today is the annual ANU club day and the ANUSC has a stall
displaying our mighty Daffodil. Scuba Sally is there as well :-)
Peter Christen has already placed
some photos
on the web. You can renew your membership, have a chat with fellow divers, get the latest
gossip and the dive
calendar with upcoming dive trips. Hope to see you there. [Darran Edmundson] |
 |
On Wednesday evening Boat Officer Thomas Magill was kidnapped from his place
of employment, driven to the hills surrounding the Canberra airport, and shot
repeatedly -- and he seems to have enjoyed it. Congratulations to Tom on his
upcoming wedding and thanks to all who attended Tom's "Bucks Night" playing
paintball. Peter Christen has placed a
number of photos
on the web. Horst deserves a special mention for his daring night assault,
being referred to over the radio as "that crazy guy down there without any ammunition." [Darran Edmundson] |
| So far,
this weekend's Tathra trip has 16 divers plus three non-divers.
As coordinator Peter Christen notes, "Tathra offers some of
the best shore dives on the south coast." The trip is, however, still
looking for a boat tower ... [Darran Edmundson] |
 |
Just over a decade ago, 120,000 wobbegong sharks were being landed yearly in NSW. By 1999,
that number had fallen to just 40,000, cause enough for concern that NSW Fisheries has
released a discussion paper seeking the views of stakeholders on the management of wobbegong sharks.
There are seven management options, perhaps the most diving-friendly being number 3, "closures to
protect areas of critical habitat". Deadline for submissions is February 28th (either written
or online). [Darran Edmundson] |
| The Jervis Bay Exploratory Dive has been postponed until next
weekend (Feb 16/17). This unusual move was prompted by the
promise of poor visibility as a consequence of the extraordinary
rain, projected sea-state and road condition and camping concerns. [Norm Schram] |
| Photos from the recent Eden trip
can now be found online. Thanks to Marc Spooner, Peter Christen
and Harry Schranz for contributions. The question is: can members
think up good captions to accompany the images? [Darran Edmundson] |
| Added a page for this weekend's Jervis Bay Exploratory [Darran Edmundson] |
| During the Eden trip, Peter Christen nipped down to Edrom Lodge, site
of May's club trip, and took some photos (external site). [Darran Edmundson] |
| Long-time ANUSC member Jeremy Weinman recently completed his 1000th
logged dive. And in style, with a champagne night dive on the
Tasman Hauler. [Darran Edmundson] |
| User submissions on the Jervis Bay Marine Park are due by 31 January.
The current proposal includes anchoring restrictions that may adversely
affect our diving. The club has prepared a
response that, pending any
feedback from members, will be sent next week. For more info, including
an online form where you can submit your own comments, please visit
http://www.mpa.nsw.gov.au/. [Darran Edmundson] |
| The web site has moved to a new home on the main ANU webserver,
http://www.anu.edu.au/clubs/scuba.
Please update your links. If you have any constructive comments and/or feedback
about the site and the facelift that is underway, please email the
webmaster. [Darran Edmundson] |
| The Committee is meeting on Tuesday 22 January 2002. If members have any
items of business they'd like considered, please email
anusc-committee@anu.edu.au. [Darran Edmundson] |
