QRC Scholarship Ambassador Day

Unfortunately I haven't had time to post any thing for almost 2 weeks because I've been flat out with uni work! So here's an update on what's been happening:

Last Tuesday I went to the QRC Scholarship Ambassador Day where we heard from Michael Roche, CEO of QRC and a variety of company representatives from Rio Tinto, Santos, Golding, BMA and Thiess. The day also gave everyone to meet the new scholarship kids. Yay!

It was fantastic to hear from Michael Roche because he presented an inside view of the industry. He showed us figures which indicate a growth in employment and told us about the upcoming coal seam gas projects and LNG, liquefied natural gas. For me, I find coal seam gas or CSG fascinating. My dad was involved in QGC (Queensland Gas Company) since it was floated so I've been hearing him rant about it for quite some time. For anyone who doesn't know about CSG, it's a natural gas which occurs when coal is formed and becomes trapped by water in coal seams. To remove the gas, wells are drilled and the water is pumped out which releases the gas. The current issue is what to do with all of this water - at the moment is is pumped into huge evaporation ponds. Obviously with the water shortage in SE QLD this water could be put to better use, however it needs to be treated first. Over the Christmas holidays I'll be doing vac work with Golder Associates who design the evaporation ponds - I'm super excited! As you can tell, there are some interesting times ahead in the resources industry!

Better go now - 3 assignments due this week! ARGH!!! Can't wait for the holidays, I'm going to Roma/Charleville/St George on a family driving trip...I'll post some photos when I get back.

Pracs

So as it turns out, the UQ mine is closed at the moment, which means we didn't actually get to go into the mine during the mining ventilation prac last week. We were allowed to look at the openings of the mine though!

This week I had a fun (and somewhat messy) prac for the concrete subject I'm doing - we got to make 2 reinforced concrete beams. In about 4 weeks time we get to test them

Have to go to band rehearsal now!