b'Presidents pieceASEG newsPresidents pieceTurning to the ASEG, as a society runThirdly, and towards the end of by volunteers, we are not immuneSeptember, early career geoscientists and to this. Be it through serving on theleading applied geophysics practitioners Federal Executive, one of our Statedescended on Forrestania for the second Branches, Committees or ConferenceCamp for Applied Geophysics Excellence Organising Committees, our volunteers(CAGE). Building on the success of go above and beyond juggling theirthe inaugural camp in 2022, I have no full-time occupations with their societydoubt this will have been a tremendous commitments. I know first-hand thatexperience for the successful applicants this can be stressful and am pleasedand facilitators alike, and I am looking to share with you that we are lookingforward to hearing their stories and to introduce a Volunteer Assistancereflections.Eric Battig Programme to provide support to our volunteers. Improving the volunteerThe ASEGs voice on the international R U OK? Four letters to start aexperience must continue to be a keystage continues to grow, as conversation that could change a life.focus area for the ASEG, and such ademonstrated by recent events at the Today, as I put pen to paper (or finger toprogramme, coupled with improvedrecent SEG Council meeting when keyboard), is R U OK? Day 2023 and I amonboarding resources and administrativea vote was cast on the priorities the reminded of the importance of taking thesupport, will help make significantCouncil should concentrate on during time to ask that question and to listen, tocontributions to it. 2023/24. Its worth noting that the hear the conversations that it hopefullyCouncil serves as advisors to the SEG sparks. Many of us work remotely, be it inSeptember was a month packed withBoard of Directors, and of the five WFH arrangements still in place followingevents offering opportunities forshortlisted topics the two that received the COVID-19 pandemic, or FIFO togeophysicists from a broad range ofthe most votes were proposed by remote operations and explorationexperience levels and employmentASEG Members Kim Frankcombe and projects. sectors to learn and interact. Firstly,Geoff Pettifer. Their proposed topics on I have been in a WFH arrangementwe co-hosted, with CSIRO, the 8thThe next generation of geophysicists for over three years now, which hasInternational Workshop on Airborneand Strategies for growing near-presented plenty of opportunities forElectromagnetics, or AEM 2023. Nearlysurface geophysics, respectively, focussed work and to be present forone hundred delegates, from acrossare directly aligned with the ASEGs those special moments with my lovedAustralia, Africa, Europe and Northcurrent strategic priorities and as we ones. However, it has also taught me theAmerica gathered to listen to AEM talksstrengthen our ties with the SEG we importance of spending time connectingin the relaxed, tropical environment ofwill leverage outcomes from the SEG with my work colleagues, be it onlineFitzroy Island. No suits or ties were to beback into the ASEG.(with the camera on whenever possible)seen, but plenty of shorts and T-shirts asFinally, by the time this edition of Preview or in person at one of our offices or sites. delegates made the most of the technicalgoes to print you will have hopefully seen and networking opportunities. The eventthe announcement of our 2024 Hobart For those of us working in remoteis expected to return a healthy surplus,conference. The ASEGs DISCOVER.operations or projects, it may be ourwhich will be re-invested back intotogether will showcase workshops, work colleagues that notice changesMembers programmes. short-courses, best-of oral presentations before other friends and family at home.Secondly, Dr Mark E Willis, Chiefand posters as well as a packed social Noticing that someone might needScientific Advisor of Boreholeprogramme. Our Organising Committee support and starting a conversation toSeismics at Halliburton, delivered hishas been busy laying solid foundations ask them if they do. Distinguished Instructor Short Courseto help make this event a success, and I If you havent stopped to ask yourself, or(DISC) Distributed acoustic sensingwould love to hear from you if you would people in your world recently, I would(DAS) for seismic measurementswhatlike to contribute.encourage you to create the opportunitygeophysicists and engineers need toAs always, please reach out to me with to do so. You dont have to be an expert,know. Registration numbers wereany thoughts, comments or feedback.R U OK? provides tips, guides andhigh, helped by the virtual format, and resources (www.ruok.org.au) that youattendees increased their knowledge onEric Battig might find useful to start a meaningfulthe value of DAS seismic measurements,ASEG President conversation. data acquisition and processing. president@aseg.org.au3 PREVIEW OCTOBER 2023'