Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Dr Adele Pile and Stuart Alexander ahead of their talk on monitory the reef. Photo Credit Sian Bantock
The July edition of Science in the Pub brought a full house to Shanti Cafe on Tuesday 14th July, with guest speakers Dr Adele Pile and Stuart Alexander sharing insights from their ongoing reef monitoring work.
This month also marks a major milestone for the event, celebrating the second anniversary since the inception of Science in the Pub.
The first talk centred on the mass bleaching events that occurred on the Great Barrier Reef between 2024 and 2025. There was significant media coverage of the issue, and Dr Adele Pile wanted to bring the conversation directly to the people of Mission Beach. She was also keen to share the positive news that the reefs closest to the community were among the 25 per cent that were not affected.
Dr Adele Pile worked in collaboration with Cassowary Coast Tourism to deliver a presentation to a group of enthusiastic attendees, sharing the wonders of the reef. Sean Daly from Citizens of the Reef also joined the event with a call to action, encouraging the local community to contribute to the upcoming Great Barrier Reef Census.
In 2024, Amber Kellett, newly appointed as Sustainability Education Officer at Cassowary Coast Regional Council, saw the potential in the concept and proposed it become a monthly event. Working alongside Shanti owner Patrick to help secure guest speakers, Science in the Pub as we know it today was born.
"Stuart and I could not be prouder of the direction that Amber and Patrick have taken our initial concept," said Dr Adele Pile.
"We've learned so much from new species of microbes endemic to the origins of human speech and everything in between. But more importantly it is that sense of community that unites us as we sit under the stars, enjoying a meal and a cool drink whilst learning something new."
If you want to get involved and assist with your own reef monitoring when you're next diving, snorkelling or fishing, simply snap a picture of the reef and upload it to the community monitoring program, Eye on the Reef. You can download the app or head to: www2.gbrmpa.gov.au.
Updates on the latest Science in the Pub events can be found on the Shanti Facebook page or the Cassowary Coast Regional Council's social media pages. Bookings are encouraged as spaces are limited. To reserve your place, contact Shanti Cafe on 0435 166 656.
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