Who is Vision
VEQ was established in 2008 by the Directors Dr Leonie Andersen and Dr Felicity Melville, who have over 25 years combined of environmental consulting and research experience in Gladstone and surrounds. Currently with eight full time research staff and two vessels at its disposal, Vision is able to provide one of the largest locally based marine field technical teams for projects in Port Curtis. Our team of skilled staff strive to apply the most up-to-date research techniques and innovative practices to provide comprehensive information our clients and the community alike.
Data management, processing and reporting is critical to the success of any project particularly where regulatory involvement is concerned. Thus VEQ have developed comprehensive QA and QC procedures to ensure accurate data and definitive reporting is produced. All work conducted at VEQ complies with stringent HSSE guidelines to ensure the safety of researchers and protection of the environment in which we work.
Director: Dr Leonie Andersen
Leonie has been researching for local industry in Port Curtis for over thirteen years, initially drawing on her veterinary background as Principle Investigator of the Gladstone mud crab shell disease investigation and Coordinator of the Port Curtis Integrated Monitoring Program (PCIMP). Leonie was appointed to the position having established the collaborative PCIMP model, which involves members sharing the cost of monitoring and ensuing results.
A noteworthy output of the research is the compilation of data into the inaugural Ecosystem Health Report Card for Port Curtis of which Leonie was instrumental in compiling and successfully launching to the public in 2008 and 2011. As assistant Project leader Leonie was a member of the Coastal CRC contaminants team which undertook a series of valuable projects in Port Curtis over a six year period. Leonie has worked closely with PCIMP members and separately with individual industries on a variety of projects in Gladstone to investigate site issues and assist in minimising and managing their environmental footprint.
Director: Dr Felicity Melville
Felicity has more than ten years of experience in environmental assessment, with particular focus on intertidal ecosystems and ecotoxicological analysis. Before coming to Port Curtis, Felicity was involved in projects with the NSW EPA, CSIRO Centre for Environmental Contaminants Research, Sydney Olympic Park Authority and the University of Technology, Sydney. Felicity also worked in one of Australia’s best known commercial Ecotoxicology Laboratories, where she gained experience in a comprehensive array of toxicity testing.
Since her move to Central Queensland in 2005, Felicity has been the Project Leader in the PCIMP Intertidal Monitoring Program and Oil Spill Assessment, which involved the experimental design, fieldwork, laboratory assessment and reporting of these projects. Felicity has extensive knowledge of the intertidal ecosystems along the east coast of Australia and has published several papers on this topic in international peer-reviewed publications.
Marine Operations Manager: Richard Evans
Richard is responsible for skippering and maintaining the vessels owned by VEQ. With a background in marine engineering, Richard also has a Master Class 5 and a Master of Business Administration. Richard designs and maintains the equipment used by VEQ in their monitoring programs.
Technical Manager: Emma Brockie
As technical manager, Emma is responsible for equipment and telemetry maintenance and checks, field and personnel scheduling, as well as assisting in QA/QC. Emma also has a great deal of expertise in the collection, analysis, interpretation and reporting of telemeted water quality data. Emma is a qualified research diver and dive instructor, and has completed her Masters in Marine Conservation.
Senior Environmental Officer: Dr Kim Wilson
Kim is our seagrass specialist having completed her Ph.D. on the effects of contaminants on seagrass. Kim works closely with members of DPI&F to conduct seagrass surveys, and examine light availability to seagrass meadows within Port Curtis and surrounds. Kim has also had experience in fisheries research, impact assessments and university tutoring.
Senior Environmental Officer: Helen White
Helen has been responsible for several of the regular monitoring programs for local industry where the impact of effluent is assessed on site and in the receiving waters. Helen has also worked closely DPI&F staff on seagrass surveys and light availability. Helen is a qualified research diver, has completed her Masters in Ecology and has a particular interest in zoology.
Senior Environmental Officer: Stephen Kitto
Stephen has worked on a number of water quality projects within VEQ, and assists in the interpretation and reporting of telemeted water quality data to clients, as well as reporting of a range of other projects. Stephen is a qualified research and rescue diver, and has completed his Masters in Environmental Science. Stephen has a particular interest in firsheries research and reef ecology.
Environmental Officer: Daniel Wessling
Daniel assists in marine operations and the design and construction of monitoring equipment, as well as being responsible for a large component of the field based activities at VEQ. Daniel has worked in the water quality monitoring industry for a number of years and has extensive experience in laboratory and sample collection QA/QC procedures. Daniel is qualified coxswain and is a regular skipper of the VEQ vessels, and has a special interest in sustainable fisheries management.
Environmental Officer: Thelma Vlamis
Thelma is responsible for the data management of all water quality monitoring programs, and assists in the compilation of a number of reports for clients. Thelma gained a first class honours in marine ecology in 2010, and is a qualified research diver.