[Aqualist] 2005 Australasian vertebrate palaeontology conference and
extinction symposium
Liz Reed
liz.reed at flinders.edu.au
Fri May 28 16:21:55 EST 2004
SECOND CIRCULAR
CAVEPS 2005
and
Quaternary Extinction
symposium
10th Conference on Australasian Vertebrate Evolution Palaeontology and
Systematics
Naracoorte Caves World Heritage Area,
Naracoorte, South Australia,
AUSTRALIA
29 March 2 April 2005
Introduction
The 10th CAVEPS will be held at the World Heritage listed Naracoorte Caves
National Park and nearby Naracoorte township, approximately 360 km SE of
Adelaide (capital city of South Australia), in the Limestone Coast region
of South Australia.
The Limestone Coast is well known for its Pleistocene vertebrate sites,
with the most significant of these within the Naracoorte Caves World
Heritage Area (serial nomination with Riversleigh, Queensland). The region
is also famous for its high quality wine, wetlands and significant karst
and geological features.
CAVEPS is a biennial meeting of vertebrate palaeontologists from around
Australia and overseas. CAVEPS 2005 will consist of 3 days of general
sessions including papers on all aspects of vertebrate palaeontology,
culminating in a 2 day symposium which will focus on Quaternary extinctions
and dating applications. Included in the general sessions will be a special
session on cave palaeontology which will be held in the historic Blanche
Cave. In addition to the main sessions, a student forum is also proposed
where students can present their project proposals or work in progress and
benefit from professional input.
The conference will be held during the AVCC (Australian Vice Chancellors
Commission) common vacation week and will commence on Tuesday 29th of March
(Monday 28th is Easter Monday), and culminate on Saturday 2nd of April.
Conference presentations will be held in the well-equipped Naracoorte Town
Hall and at the National Park in the spacious Blanche Cave. Facilities will
be available for slide and Powerpoint presentations. There will be a
welcome function at Orlando’s Russet Ridge winery (incorporating a tour of
the wine making facilities) and a conference dinner.
Organisational progress
The organisation of the 2005 CAVEPS meeting is coming along very well with
an excellent response to the first circular. To date there have been over
100 positive indications of attendance from Australian and international
scientists (representing the United Kingdom, France, The United States of
America, New Zealand, Slovak Republic, Poland and Spain). We are
particularly pleased to have received positive interest from several key
international Quaternary extinction scientists. There has also been keen
interest in the post-conference trip and it will be necessary to book early
for this trip once registration is called for in the next circular.
Expressions of interest for the conference were called for in the first
circular which was distributed in November 2003. If you did not receive the
first circular please respond to this circular using the expression of
interest form included, or download the first circular from the web site
(see below for URL). For those of you have already indicated interest and
wish to remain on the mailing list we urge you to notify us of any change
of email or address.
We have assembled a large database of participant names (many thanks to Dr.
Alex Baynes); however, we request that you pass this circular on to any
other interested parties that we may have missed. Similarly, we encourage
those of you with students to pass on this circular as we particularly want
to encourage students to the meeting.
The following sections of this circular provide information regarding
proposed social events, excursions and other organisational details. Please
do not hesitate to contact us if you require further information, but keep
in mind that all of these details will be covered to a greater extent in
the third and fourth (final) circulars.
Web site
All circulars will be posted on the Naracoorte Caves website
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/naracoorte/events.html .
The URL http://www.naracoortecaves.sa.gov.au is also in operation as an
alternative address.
Conference programme
The draft programme for the meeting is as follows:
Tuesday 29th March General sessions and icebreaker in the evening.
Wednesday 30th March General sessions and student forum.
Thursday 31st March Cave palaeontology session. Cave visits will be
offered in the evening.
Friday Quaternary extinctions symposium. Conference dinner in the evening.
Saturday - Quaternary extinctions symposium. Close of conference.
*Please note this programme is a draft and may be subject to change.
Cave palaeontology session
The Naracoorte Caves National Park is a World Heritage listed fossil site
therefore it is appropriate that a session within the programme explores
the theme “What contribution have cave sites made to our understanding of
vertebrate history”. We thank Dr. Ernest Lundelius and Dr. Mike Augee for
suggesting this theme.
The final day of general sessions (Thursday 31st March) will be a special
session focusing on cave palaeontology. Contributions covering all aspects
of cave palaeontology (eg. faunas, geology, site studies, taphonomy,
dating) will be called for in the third circular. This session will be
dedicated to Reverend Julian Tenison-Woods who conducted the first
palaeontological research at Naracoorte Caves during the mid-nineteenth
century. Woods was an extraordinary scholar, scientist and humanitarian. He
published widely on topics ranging from Tertiary invertebrates to
Pleistocene cave deposits. In 1862, his book, Geological Observations in
South Australia, Principally in the District Southeast of Adelaide was
published in London. It contained the first published description of the
Naracoorte Caves and the bone deposits contained within them. This session
will be held in the spacious Blanche Cave, the site of Wood’s early
investigations.
Social events
Tuesday 29th March - an informal ‘ice breaker’ function will be held at
Orlando’s Russet Ridge Winery in the evening. A tour of the excellent
wine-making facility will be included. Transport will be arranged from
Naracoorte to the winery.
Wednesday 30th March An evening tour of our bat interpretive facility led
by a bat ecologist. The tour will view the nightly exit of bats from the
Bat Cave with wine and light supper supplied.
Friday 1st April - There will be a conference dinner held at the Caves
Café, Naracoorte Caves National Park. Further details will be provided in
the next circular.
Student Participation
There was a good student response to the first circular and we encourage
those who have replied to pass on this circular to fellow students who may
have missed out previously. As part of the CAVEPS meeting we are planning a
student forum which will be held on the Wednesday evening (30th March).
This will be an informal discussion session where students will be able to
meet professional palaeontologists and discuss their research. We aim to
provide complimentary wine and nibbles for those attending. As part of this
forum we encourage delegates to make available reprints of their research
so that students can build their library of papers relevant to their field
of interest. There will be further details regarding this forum in the next
circular.
We are aiming to make registration and accommodation costs very affordable
for students and will also be in a position to offer some travel
scholarships to students who will be presenting spoken papers (details in
third circular).
Pre-conference Trip
Due to the high level of interest in the post-conference trip we have
decided to run a two day pre-conference trip (27th and 28th March). This
excursion will include visits to a range of geological sites within the
Limestone Coast region and some of the special fossil and cave sites at
Naracoorte Caves National Park. It will give delegates the opportunity to
visit sites unavailable for viewing during the CAVEPS meeting. The cave
sites require some crawling and squeezing through relatively small spaces
and all caving equipment will be supplied. A draft outline for the trip is
given below. You can register your interest by responding to this circular
using the form provided. The trip will be limited to 20 people.
Sunday 27th March Assemble at Naracoorte Caves in the morning for an
introductory tour of the Cave’s facilities hosted by the Park’s manager, Mr
Steven Bourne. This will be followed by a tour of the Victoria Fossil Cave
to inspect Pleistocene fossil sites. Lunch at the Caves Café; followed by
caving trips to fossil sites within Cathedral Cave, Fox Cave or the
Starburst Chamber in the Victoria Fossil Cave. Evening visit to limestone
quarry and dinner in Naracoorte township.
Monday 28th March Depart Naracoorte in the morning and travel to Mount
Gambier to view volcanic features such as Mount Schank and the Blue Lake,
enormous limestone sink holes and other interesting geological features.
The return journey will include wine tasting in the famous Coonawarra wine
region and a dinner at Hollicks winery.
Post-conference Trip
A post-conference trip is planned for the week following the conference
commencing Sunday April 3rd to Friday April 8th). The trip will include a
visit to the South Australian museum to inspect the fossil galleries,
visits to mid-North Quaternary megafauna localities, the Flinders Ranges
(Ediacaran localities and Quaternary cave localities), the Barossa Valley
and Tertiary fossil localities along the River Murray. The tour itinerary
is currently being finalised and will be presented in the next circular.
Proceedings
The proceedings of CAVEPS and the Extinction Symposium will be published as
a special volume in a refereed journal. We are currently negotiating this
and will provide further details in the next circular.
Naracoorte Caves National Park facilities
The park has an interpretive fossil centre, fossil laboratory and
collection storage facility, and bat observation centre. There is a
licensed café on the park which is open during business hours serving
everything from snacks to gourmet meals.
As the conference is field-based there will be opportunities throughout
during the conference to inspect key Pleistocene vertebrate sites, show
caves and quarry sites. Visit the park website for more details about the
facilities http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/naracoorte/.
Getting to and from Naracoorte
Naracoorte is approximately 360 kilometres south east of Adelaide (capital
of South Australia). There are flights from all other capital cities into
Adelaide daily. Given that CAVEPS will commence at the end of the Easter
weekend, we recommend that bookings for flights are made early. O’Connor
Airlines (http://www.oconnor-airlines.com.au/ ) and Regional Express
(www.regionalexpress.com.au ) both fly into Mt Gambier (Mt Gambier is 100
km south of Naracoorte caves) daily from both Adelaide and Melbourne. A
coach has been arranged for transport from Adelaide airport to Naracoorte
and will leave Adelaide at 1.00 pm on March 28th to travel to Naracoorte.
Bookings need to be made with the convenors.
All other delegates will need to arrange their own travel to Naracoorte.
Premier Stateliner Coach Group travels to Naracoorte daily from Adelaide.
Go to http://www.premierstateliner.com.au/ for more information on the bus
service. Other transport information is available on
http://www.sacentral.sa.gov.au/tourism/transport/
Meals and services in Naracoorte township
Naracoorte township has a population of 5,500 and serves a large extended
rural community. There are supermarkets and many other retail shops
available in the town centre. There are five service stations for fuel and
essentials including a 24 hour facility. There are branches of the
Commonwealth bank, National bank, ANZ bank, BankSA, Westpac bank and
Savings and Loans credit union. ATM machines are available at these
locations. Naracoorte has a variety of restaurants and other food outlets
including a bakery, four cafés, three hotels, fast food outlets and a
Chinese restaurant. CAVEPS registration will include morning and afternoon
tea. Delegates are responsible for arranging their own lunch and some
evening meals. For further details regarding Naracoorte’s facilities visit
http://www.naracoortetourism.com.au
Accommodation
The following provides a list of accommodation venues located within the
township of Naracoorte and at the Naracoorte Caves National Park. We have
arranged for rooms to be set aside for CAVEPS delegates at many of the
venues listed below, however, it will be necessary to book early. We have
included detailed information regarding accommodation in this circular. The
accommodation tariffs noted below DO NOT include breakfast, but attendees
can readily arrange this at each hotel/motel according to their needs (at
additional cost).
At Naracoorte Caves National Park (Wirreanda Bunkhouse and Wirreanda
Camping Ground), shower, toilet, laundry, refrigeration and cooking
facilities are available. Those choosing the bunkhouse option need to bring
their own sleeping bag and/or linen, blanket and pillow, with them. Those
choosing the camping option need to bring all their own camping equipment.
Powered and un-powered tent and caravan sites are available at the
campground. Bookings for Wirreanda Camping Ground and the Wirreanda
Bunkhouse can be made with registration. Delegates must arrange their own
accommodation for all other venues listed.
Note: we have included in the list below accommodation options within
walking distance to the conference venue or those for which we can arrange
transport for delegates. Taxis are available for transport to the
conference venue in other cases. For more accommodation options and full
contact details see:
http://www.naracoortetourism.com.au/accommodation/accommodation.htm or
http://www.ausemade.com.au/sa/accom/n/naracoorte.htm
Accommodation at Naracoorte Caves National Park (** indicates accommodation
rating if known)
Wirreanda Camping ground camping for up to 100 people; powered and
non-powered sites for tents and caravans; shower, toilet, laundry and
kitchen facilities; delegates must supply all equipment, bedding etc; $5
per person/per night. Contact: Naracoorte Caves National Park Ph: (08)
8762 2340 International Ph: +61+8+8762 2340 Email:
naracoortecaves at saugov.sa.gov.au
Wirreanda Bunkhouse shared dormitory accommodation for 50 people; nine
rooms with up to four double bunk beds per room; shower, toilet, laundry
and kitchen facilities; heaters and fans supplied; clean and comfortable;
delegates must supply own bedding;$10 per person/per night.
Accommodation in Naracoorte township
Kincraig Hotel 16 rooms, hotel accommodation; single $30 per night, twin
share $50 per night. 158 Smith Street, Naracoorte, Ph: (08) 8762 2200,
International +61+8+87622200. Email: kincraig at rbm.com.au
Commercial Hotel 10 rooms, hotel accommodation; single $44 per night, twin
share $54 per night, 3/room $64 per room, 4/room $74 per room. 20 Robertson
St, Naracoorte. (08) 8762 3907, International +61+8+87623907.
Naracoorte Hotel/Motel hotel/motel rooms, twin/double $64 per night. 73
Ormerod St, NARACOORTE SA 5271 • Ph: 08 8762 2400, Fax: 08 8762 0022,
International +61+8+8762 2400.
Country Roads Motel **** - single $78 per night, double $97 per night, twin
$88 per night. 20 Smith St Naracoorte. Ph: (08) 87623900 or toll free 1800
088 363, International +61+8+87623900 Email: countryroads at rbm.com.au
Greenline Motel ** ½ - single $55 per night, twin share $69 per night,
connecting (2 doubles) $102 per night. Bordertown Road, Naracoorte. Ph:
(08) 87622599, International +61+8+87622599. Email: greenlinemotel at bigpond.com
Cave Park Cabins *** ½ - self-contained cottages, two bedrooms (one with
double bed, other with bunks). From $46 per night. Caves Rd Naracoorte, Ph:
(08) 8762 0696 Fax (08) 8762 3180 International +61+8+8762 0696. Located
adjacent to the Naracoorte Caves National Park in a natural bushland setting.
Belvedere Motel ** ½ - single $68 per night, double $75 per night. 17
Fourth Avenue, Naracoorte. Ph: (08) 87623655 International +61+8+87623655
Naracoorte Cottages **** - three self-contained cottages; from $88 per
person. (08) 87622906 International 61+8+87622906
http://www.rbm.com.au/ncottages/Main.html
Naracoorte Holiday Park *** - Caravans, cabins.
http://www.naracoorteholidaypark.com.au/
There are many more options available see
http://www.naracoortetourism.com.au/accommodation/accommodation.htm or
http://www.ausemade.com.au/sa/accom/n/naracoorte.htm
Note: All prices are in Australian Dollars and may vary at time of booking
from those quoted here. We take no responsibility for changes in pricing.
Expression of interest for CAVEPS 2005
Please register your interest by returning the following details:
Name:
..
Postal address:
........................
Email address:
...
Please indicate your intention below (highlight in bold or delete the
inappropriate responses):
1. I intend to be at the conference.
2. I may go to the conference.
3. I am unlikely to attend the 2005 conference, but please send further
circulars.
4. I have no further interest in CAVEPS conferences; please remove my name
from the mailing list.
5. I am interested in a pre-conference excursion.
6. I am interested in a post-conference excursion.
7. I intend presenting a spoken paper at CAVEPS 2005.
8. I intend presenting a poster at CAVEPS 2005.
9. I am interested in participating in the Extinctions symposium.
Remember!!
it is your responsibility to notify us of changes to your email address and
other contact details if you wish to remain on the mailing list for Caveps
2005.
CAVEPS 2005, Naracoorte, South Australia.
Contact:
Liz Reed email: liz.reed at flinders.edu.au
or Steven Bourne email: Bourne.Steven at saugov.sa.gov.au
Formal postal address: CAVEPS 2005
c/- Naracoorte Caves National Park, PO Box 134,
Naracoorte South Australia 5271, AUSTRALIA
Phone: +61 (08) 8762 3412
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