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— To build reef resilience
we need to maintain the coral coverand biodiversity, but also mitigate
the stresses that the reef is facing.So primarily, this would be addressing
the threat of climate change;but also local stressors
such as water quality and pollution.So through the Coral Nurture Program,
we're trying to build resilience, buytime for the reefs while we get that
global action on climate change.Help ensure that biodiversity and coral
cover is maintained into the future.And also ensure
the socio economic resilienceof the tour operators
and other key stakeholders of the reef.— Our approach to reef conservation
is really differentto others out there.
It really is an equitable partnership
between the stakeholdersand the scientists.
And that's really important because that's
what enables us to build scale,and the model is quite straightforward.
So all of the operators are out there
planting coral.That enables us to do
science at scales never possible before,
and really provides the answers ofhow to do this better to the operators;
and they can continue to grow the scale.So we have
what's called a positive feedback loop.It's a really unique model.
Since the proof of concept stage, over
an eight month period, we've had another70,000 corals that have been outplanted,
scaling across 20 different sites.So that shows the scalability
that can be achieved in a relatively smalltime scale.
— From the very outset,
we not only believed in
what they were doingand could see the potential
of how big and scalable it could be,which is really important
for a brand and a company like Diageo,but equally they were such easy people
to deal with.They understood what we were trying to do
and what our objectives were.We understood what their objectives were,
and we found a lovely, happy mediumfor us both to come together and
achieve hopefully a fantastic
mutual outcome — for both partiesand ultimately for the great Barrier
Reef and its long term future.We also happen to have a pretty impressive
spirits distillery at the southern
tip of the Great Barrier Reef.So we felt like there was
a really big opportunity and almostan onus on us as a big manufacturer
to do our bit, to help our own backyard.And what better part of Australia
and the world to help thanarguably our greatest national treasure
in the Great Barrier Reef itself.— Diageo's support
for the project
has been an absolute game changer for us.So the support directly
goes to the operators and that has meant
they can keep planting during periodsespecially when there are tourism
downturns.And COVID 19 was a really good example
of when we simply had no tourists.The other really critical angle
that Diageo providesfor us is the external visibility
to a huge network of supporters.And it means that the messages
that we can really communicate
about the success of the program,not just in terms of the ecological gains,
but also the social gains to all of theoperators and the stakeholder livelihoods,
reaches a really wide community.Wider
than we can possibly do by ourselves.—So ultimately,
if there is the passion, the motivation,the desire of our industry partners,
if we as scientistscan continue to bring the knowledge
that's needed and continue thisharmonious partnership,
then ultimately the scope is limitless.— So other community
stakeholders can quite simply get involved
by supporting the tourism operators.Do not give up on the reef.
Visit the reef and see the incredible
action that all of the local communitiesthat are rehabilitating
the reef can can really achieve.Whether that's
maintaining the existing healthy sites
or rebuilding some of the degraded areas.Every visitor counts right now, and
that supports our process even further. -
Remembering Lawrence: honouring a UTS equity advocate
Honouring the life of their son and brother, the Vidoni family are providing essential support for UTS students with a disability through the Lawrence Vidoni Scholarship.
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Justice for victims of modern slavery
Norton Rose Fulbright's decade-long support of Anti-Slavery Australia has led directly to justice for thousands of victims, and an unprecedented degree of visibility on the issue in Australia.
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Building a biodegradable, bioplastic future
The Julius Baer Foundation’s gift of $840,000 to the C3 SEAWeed Tech project is fast-tracking this social impact solution to a climate change problem through zero-waste bioplastic production.
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Professor Shirley Alexander’s enduring legacy
Throughout the course of her remarkable 30 year tenure, Professor Alexander has demonstrated her deep commitment to the UTS community as a leader, mentor, donor and educator.
