The One Basin CRC Mildura Hub is taking shape with the addition of three new team members, projects underway, and more early-career researchers slated to commence in the coming months.

Mildura Hub manager Peter Forbes, University of Melbourne postdoctoral researcher Tristan Graham, and University of Sydney PhD candidate Kelsy Burnes have all relocated to Mildura to work out of the hub, which is based at the Mallee Regional Innovation Centre (MRIC).

MRIC CEO Rebecca Wells said the Mildura Hub had reached a significant point in its development with the arrival of its first researchers.

‘We have now entered into the second stage of the life of the One Basin CRC, which is a 10-year Cooperative Research Centre, and we are seeing some of what was planned become reality,’ Rebecca said.

‘Part of the CRC proposal was to place researchers in the regional hubs to bring more skills and capabilities into the regions and develop those to have a lasting impact.

“The benefit of having researchers who live in the region and understand its priority issues, developments and opportunities is that it enhances their work and ability to deliver meaningful outcomes.”

‘Our researchers are also part of projects that involve universities and industry organisations from across the country, so even though we are here in Mildura, we are well connected. These partnerships also offer ongoing opportunities for the region to tap into and benefit from the expertise and work of a range of research institutes.’

The Mildura Hub is also looking forward to welcoming One Basin CRC partners to the region for their second annual event, according to Mildura Hub Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) chair Leonie Burrows OAM.

‘About 150 people from the CRC’s 85 partner organisations will be coming to Mildura in August and we are excited about the opportunity to showcase the area and build the partners’ knowledge of our region as a hub for research and its potential for other innovation and development,’ Leonie said.

‘As we help to develop the program, we will be talking to local partners and others about how we can incorporate site visits and field trips to ensure partners from outside the region leave with a much better understanding of how they can connect in and have an impact here.

‘The event will also provide a unique opportunity for the RACs from each of the four regional hubs to meet face-to-face and talk about their shared and specific issues and how we can work together to support the CRC in developing resilience in communities across the basin.’

This article was originally published by the Mallee Regional Innovation Centre at https://eng.unimelb.edu.au/mric/news/making-moves-mildura-research-cohort-grows.