South West Science Council

The South West Science Council (SWSC) are a community run, not-for-profit organisation that advocate for the application of science and innovation for regional development.

They partner with individuals, schools, universities, industry, technical institutions and government departments. Facilitating and encouraging community participation in gathering data about the region, its natural resources and our practices in land and water management, both in rural and urban settings is a core part of what they do.

The SWSC engaged the LCC to assist in the delivery of their program of community events. Beginning in 2019, the LCC coordinated various events for the SWSC including two larger scale National Science Week events held at the Dolphin Discovery Centre, one in 2019 engaging three local primary schools as well as an evening open to the community with entomologists Spineless Wonders; and another in 2021 where we facilitated the Environment and Sustainability Forum in which various scientists presented on research projects they were currently involved in and on topics related to the environment and sustainability.

The SWSC is all about engaging the community in science activities that stimulate curiosity and cultivate appreciation of science as a way of better understanding our responsibilities to the natural world. In 2022 the SWSC held a series of workshops with a focus on promoting ‘ancient sciences’ and how by opening our minds to learning different skills we can become conscious consumers, produce less waste, and better understand the creation process behind things we utilise every day. These workshops were mostly free or low cost, and importantly, accessible to all ages and abilities. Science isn’t just for scientists! By learning many of these skills and practicing them in our homes we can promote sustainability across the region.

This program is made possible by funding provided by Inspiring Australia.