What is Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA)?
DEA is a national non-profit organization that advocates for improvement of health through environmental protection and maintenance. DEA-UQ is a student chapter that allows students to work with doctors to advocate and raise awareness for much needed change.
How did you find out about the conservation trip and what motivated you to join?
The conservation trip is an annual trip that DEA-UQ participates in. It’s run by Moreton Experience, a program started by Alan Genninges, who is a UQ graduate with majors in the Biological Sciences and a Master of Science, Zoology, and has over 40 years experience of hosting camping trips to help conserve the natural environment on Moreton Island. Being one of DEA-UQ’s Vice Chairs this year, one of my responsibilities was to help organize a trip. We were very fortunate that the Moreton Experience camping trip was still available and were keen to take advantage of the opportunity to once again partner with Alan’s organization. It’s so important to help fight back the invasive plant species in order to help support native growth and it was a very special opportunity to be able to spend a few days learning more about the island and working on its preservation.
How far is Moreton Island from Brisbane?
Mulgumpin means 'place of sandhills' and is the Aboriginal name for Moreton Island. To get to Mulgumpin, it’s about a 30 minute drive to the ferry terminal, followed by about an hour and a half ferry ride to the island. Once we arrived on the island, Alan picked us up and drove us to the east side of the island where the campsite was located which was about a 40 minute drive through beautiful vegetation.
Can you tell us more about the trip and the activities?
We spent three days with Alan and a few volunteers that regularly participate. The campsite setup was amazing. There was a working fridge, and stove top, and Alan supplied tents and cots for everyone. Each day we were broken into groups that were assigned different tasks. We would spend about 4 hours working on weeding invasive species or planting native species in different locations as well as picking up any debris we spotted. After we finished our tasks for the day we would have free time to spend as we pleased. This mostly involved taking a dip in the Blue Lagoon, hanging out around camp, cooking together, playing card games, or enjoying the lovely scenery. During our time we spotted multiple types of wildlife including, different snake species, lots of birds, and plenty of humpback whale sightings on their migration route. The campsite was located a few steps away from the beach so we also got to watch the moon and sun rise over the horizon and the lack of light pollution allowed for excellent visibility of the stars and The Milky Way.
Why is it important to get involved in activities outside of studying medicine?
Outdoor activities provide an opportunity to mentally reset. At our annual DEA conference this year, there was a big emphasis on “Nature Prescribing” because some studies have shown that spending time in nature is beneficial for mental health.
One of the reasons I love being a part of DEA-UQ is that it allows me to enjoy these outdoor activities while also making a difference. Volunteer work, especially when it comes to working towards sustainability and the health of the planet, is very rewarding. As future healthcare professionals we should all be striving towards sustainability. The state of the climate has a direct impact on so many medical conditions and can so greatly affect the daily lives of many. It’ll be our job to protect our patients’ health and that shouldn’t stop outside the office.
What were some of the highlights of this experience?
Working with Alan and his team of regular volunteers was certainly a highlight of the trip. They each held an amazing wealth of knowledge and were so passionate about their work. It was neat to see pictures from when some of them had started their work on the island and contrast how baren some areas were to how much they were flourishing when we were there. It’s so special that we were able to contribute to that during our short weekend trip.
One of the most memorable wildlife encounters involved the humpbacks. We were working on weeding at the top of the cape and were fortunate enough to see multiple groups of whales playfully migrating north.
All our wildlife encounters were certainly highlights of the trip. Getting to interact so closely and learn about so many different species made the work we were doing all the more meaningful.
Find out more about DEA-UQ’s activities on their Instagram and Facebook accounts.
About Michelle
Michelle is a second-year medical student in the UQ-Ochsner MD program. She was born and raised in Southern California and completed her undergraduate degree at the University of California, San Diego. Michelle was thrilled to have the opportunity to experience school abroad and participate in the UQ-Ochsner program where she has been able to pursue her dream and meet new friends with shared interests, including her passion for the environment. Some of her favorite activities while in Brisbane have been jogging along the river, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with friends.