40th Sydney Basin Symposium

Xenith recently attended the Sydney Basin Symposium held at the Mercure Hunter Valley as one of the major sponsors for the event.

The Sydney Basin Symposium brings together geologists from industry, consulting, university and government to present and discuss the results of recent research projects and developments. As with its sister symposium, the Bowen Basin Symposium, it provides an excellent opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and stay up to date with developments in coal technology.

Professor Claus Diessel receiving gift

Organising Committee

Xenith had a unique perspective as one of our employees, Cheryl Holz, was part of the organising committee. This was the 40th Sydney Basin Symposium and to mark this occasion the committee invited Professor Claus Diessel to attend. Claus was one of the founding members of this event which was first convened in 1966 at the University of Newcastle.

Claus recalled how the symposium started out as a ‘one off’ spontaneous event to celebrate the moving of the Geology Department of the then Newcastle University College into its brand-new buildings on the present Shortland site. The event was so successful that they were persuaded to do it again, and again and again. The Symposium has endured the test of time and continues to support and encourage further understanding of the Sydney Basin and more broadly, coal geology and technology.

Claus has no hesitation in saying he considers the symposium one of the things he initiated that has given lasting value.