HEASLIP Arid Zone Research Scholarships

Made possible by a generous donation from Grant and Jan Heaslip.

The aim of the Heaslip Arid Zone Research Scholarship is to collect and document, researched scientific and practical data relating to the arid zone of Central Australia and to provide the opportunity for a senior secondary school student from St Philips College, Alice Springs to undertake a scientific research project.

This is a collaborative effort between the school and the Heaslip family of Bond Springs, to promote learning and understanding with Dr Dionne Walsh BSc Hons PhD a rangeland scientist providing project supervision and mentoring to the student.

The Heaslip family provides a stipend to the student and the scholarship is awarded as an official school prize.

The scholarship is designed to expose students to all the skills required to take a project from concept stage through to final promotion. In addition to providing credit towards a Year 12 subject, the scholarship projects give students a "head start" in their university studies. It also helps to educate young people about the local arid environment.

A number of individuals and organisations have provided technical support and resources to the projects, for which the scholarship team are very grateful. These include the Centralian Land Management Association, David Torlach from NRETA and Coral Allan from DPIFM.

An estimation of the carbon content of standing dead mulga (Acacia aneura) in the arid zone. By Emily Treagust (2008)

Differences in forage growth on floodplain and run-off areas on Bond Springs Station after summer rain. By Karyna Jansons (2007)

A reassessment of soil rehabilitation works, established on Bonds Springs Station in 1968. By Sashika Richards (2006)

The effects of grazing on the production of Buffel Grass (cenchrus ciliaris) Seed. By Dean Williams (2004)

The effects of fire of various intensities on plant regeneration in the arid zone environment, central Australia. By Lija Walton (2003)