Hayley Bates, Royal Zoological Society NSW

In June 2018, the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales (RZS NSW) decided to resurrect their monthly wildlife talks, previously held at the University of Sydney. The talks were redesigned to have a more casual format, similar to “Science in the Pub”. The Society wanted the talks to be a welcoming environment, where students, experts and others can come together to learn, listen and openly discuss issues related to zoology, conservation and biodiversity.

The suburb of Newtown in Sydney was specifically targeted for the venue, due to its close proximity to public transport, as well as being home to a vibrant night life and a large student population. The talks currently take place at the Botany View Hotel, where the publican has not only kindly provided the space, but also the graphic design and promotion for the events. Attendees can have dinner and a drink at the pub, whilst listening to a wildlife talk.

The event is advertised mainly through social media, from both the Botany View Hotel and the RZS NSW Facebook pages. Further advertising takes place through universities and by reaching out to relevant society newsletters and social media sites. Social media has proved to be a valuable platform for promoting the talks, engaging with members and also sourcing topics for upcoming events.

The talks have been highly successful. For some, the talks are now a regular social event, for others it might be a once off specific talk on an area of interest. For the RZS NSW, these events have been a great way to engage and connect with members and to introduce new people to the Society. The Society uses these events to promote issue of conservation concern, but most importantly these events are about getting the science out there and providing a network for students, experts and anyone interested in zoology. The monthly event brings people together and gets people talking.

What makes this event a success?

A lot of effort was put into choosing the right location and venue. We specifically wanted a location that was close to universities and would be on the way home from work for many people. We wanted the venue to have a relaxed feel and offer more than just a room for a talk. We wanted a venue that would offer people a chance to have a drink, maybe some food, a place where they could engage with the presenter and feel comfortable enough to ask questions and start discussions.

The organisers work hard to offer a wide range of topics. So far in 2019 our talks have covered: The Wonderful World of Sea Worms (Pat Hutchings), The Saga of the Cane Toad (Rick Shine), Sex Gluttony and Death in the City: A Bird’s Eye View (Stephen Ambrose), Feral Horse Myths and Misconceptions (Richards Swain), What role for the Dingo in Australia (Thomas Newsome), and Community Mammal Conservation in the Solomon Islands (Tim Flannery).

The event works well due to the collaboration from organisers, the willingness of the venue (the Botany View Hotel) and most importantly, the passion from the presenters. Wildlife at the Watering Hole runs from March to November on the third Tuesday evening of each month at 6:30 pm. Join us for a drink at the urban watering hole for an upcoming talk.

Refer to the website for details. ¤

Read the rest of the September 2019 ESA Bulletin.