AZRI knocks up half a century

On Friday 16 November, the Arid Zone Research Institute (AZRI) celebrated 50 years of research, development and extension with a function hosted on-site at the facility, seven kilometres south of Alice Springs.

Over 60 people including Chief Executive Alister Trier, past and present staff and local business owners attended the celebrations. Included amongst them were people who had been present at the official opening of the facility in 1967.

The party doubled as a celebration for staff returning to the site after extensive upgrade works throughout 2018, including asbestos removal, energy efficient air conditioning installation and carpet replacement.

Alister presented certificates to the following people who assisted in the AZRI refurbishment project management:

• Susan Turner
• Michelle Lord
• Krystine Paice-Brown
• Ratheesh Kumar
• Charlotte Fisher
• Zachary Nethery
• Darren Willis
• Michael Myhal
• Gavin McGargill
• Tim Brand
• Libby Taylor

Attendees were treated to an afternoon of jazz, with the St Philips Jazz Band taking to the stage. Kungkas Can Cook provided mouth-watering nibbles to get the party started, while Sally Simms prepared roast beef for dinner.

An eight-page information booklet covering the history of the institute and current operations was released as part of the celebrations. The booklet was the culmination of extensive research and design by Sarah Tsai, Research Horticulturalist; Siobhan Tootell, Communications Officer; and Megan Nielsen, Publications Officer.

A great number of staff assisted with the event to ensure all administration, set-up, cooking, cleaning and running of the bar went smoothly.

Many thanks to Susan Turner, Bryan Gill, Michelle Lord, Sarah Tsai, Siobhan Tootell, Glen Oliver and team, Roger Harvey, Dylan Williams, Kylie Anderson, Simon Carr and Debbie Roberts and all additional staff who helped to make the afternoon a resounding success.

Download the AZRI information booklet PDF (694.8 KB).

Left to right: Guests mingle at the celebrations (left), The St Philips Jazz Band trumpeter cranks a tune (middle), Chief Executive Alister Trier presents a certificate to Susan Turner, Executive Officer (right)