Richard Robertson

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Richard Robertson

I am a mature age graduate in the early stages of a GIS based career. I discovered the joys of GIS while studying towards a Bachelor of GeoScience (Graduated Oct 2011) at the University of New England, Armidale, N.S.W. The close association of the Universities Geology Department with the N.S.W. Geological Survey’s Armidale office allowed for interested students to achieve subject credit via the N.S.W. Geological Survey. The first of my “subjects” with The Survey was to produce a map showing a geophysical interpretation of an area based on aerial radiometric surveys, using ArcMap. The identification of different rock types based on different radiometric signatures allowed for remote mapping of separate rock types, as well as providing for more accurate mapping of known geology. My second subject with The Survey was a semester of undergraduate work experience. During this time I assisted with the development of a metallogenic GIS, based on the geochemical signatures of the New England granites. This GIS highlighted differences in indicative metallogenic parameters including silica content, aluminium saturation, fractional crystallisation, and compositional evolution of the granites, to aid in the prediction of ore mineralisation in the New England. Both subjects, although mentally and technically challenging, were very enjoyable. Following on from my work experience with the Survey, I was then offered a 6 month GIS consulting contract with them.  As part of a Mineralogical Resource Audit of N.S.W., I was contracted to assist in the ongoing production of (ArcMap) maps showing the mineral resources of, and for, each N.S.W. local Council area (Shire). Unable to lower my work rate to that expected in a Government Department (I am allowed to blow my own trumpet?), my responsibilities were also extended to editing “Minview” metadata for host server transfer, for the Knowledge Management section of The Survey. (“Minview” is the internet based public viewing portal for the N.S.W. Governments records of exploration and mining licences.) Following this, and further to my above-mentioned undergraduate work, I then worked on extending the New England metallogenic GIS to include all the N.S.W. granites, bringing my total experience using ArcMap to 18 months.

Prior to my new life in a new GIS career, my first life however was as a New Zealand farmer (yes, I have heard both sheep jokes!). As proprietor of a 600 hectare New Zealand sheep station & cattle stud, I was responsible for the planning and execution of varied day to day operations as well as the long term implementation of best-practice management strategies for the property. Seasonal variability dictated deadlines and careful budgeting of time, labour and resources to maintain a profitable business. (I moved to Australia as part of a “wife-style” change). My time on the Land of the Long Wet Cloud also taught me many other skills applicable and necessary to any business/industry: timely communication and people skills; flexibility and adaptability to those different people and their workplace cultures and environments; an appreciation for attention to detail and also where things fit in the big picture, as well as lateral thinking and problem solving skills.

One part of farming that I didn’t appreciate at the time as being a transportable skill was that the farm- mapping and livestock-recording software (Endeavour) I regularly used on farm, is GIS based – paddocks are polygons! I can therefore state that I have been working in an “applied” GIS position for about 20 years!

Now settled near Brisbane, and having been briefly inducted as a qualified Fifo Exploration Drill Rig Geologist, I am looking forward to further applying and developing my (GIS) talents in a Brisbane based, GIS based career.

Richard Robertson

0421 516 483

richard.robertson005@gmail.com

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