CeRDI Newsletter Autumn 2025

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Soil CRC appointment: Dr Nathan Robinson, Program Leader

A communique from Dr Michael Crawford. CEO of the CRC for High Performance Soils.

The Soil CRC recently announced that Dr Nathan Robinson has been appointed Program Leader for the Soil performance metrics  research program. Nathan will be supporting activities linked to the research portfolio as an in-kind contribution by Federation University to the CRC.

The following extract about Nathan’s appointment was delivered in the Communique from Dr Michael Crawford:

I am very excited to announce that I have appointed Dr Nathan Robinson, Federation University, as Program Leader for Program 2, to replace Richard Doyle who finished up last month."

"Most of you know Nathan through his previous contributions to the Soil CRC, but here are some summary highlights from his Expression of Interest."

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  • 	Dr Nathan Robinson

    A Senior Research Fellow in Soil Science with 25 years' experience in the field including significant stints in government and university sectors. This is complemented by my continued interest and role in farming including my family partnership (Linwood Grange Enterprises) where we include various enterprises (sheep, grain, cattle) and have extensively soil tested over the last decade to develop focused soil management strategies to improve soil performance and environmental credentials.
  • I have led numerous projects including recent Soil CRC investments: the Enabling Soil Data project [2.2.005] and Soil indicators [2.1.006] and current project [Indicators and their interdependencies: 2.1.009].
     
  • Am supervising eight postgraduate students with topics focused on soils, agriculture and data management that align with areas of focus under Program 2 in the Soil CRC. I am also extremely passionate about the next generation of soil stewards, researchers and practitioners being supported by the Soil CRC - having presented to this cohort on numerous occasions on topics including research data management and its role in helping forge their career pathways.
     
  • My research publishing record includes over 30 peer reviewed journal publications with over 15 papers due for publication in 2025.
     
  • Industry and soils/agriculture domain connections I forged during my career including those through the Soil CRC. Recent funding submissions (although unsuccessful) include a southern Australia proposal on nutrient management to NHT (Accelerating adoption of climate smart nutrient management in grazing systems of southern Australia - $4.8M) and a Soil CRC led submission (Development of a Soil Health Framework for Australian agricultural production systems - $6.1M) demonstrate this network of connections. There has been tremendous support from partners across the Soil CRC and those outside who share the same vision to improve the state of Australia's soils and their use for various ecosystem services.
     
  • Am serving on a national committee for the Soil Science Australia (Smart Soils Community of Practice) with the project to run from 2024-2028. I have also served in a technical capacity for the National Soil Monitoring program and the National Land Management Practices Classification (National Soil Strategy).
     
  • Skills in governance, management, impartiality and desire to seek outcomes that fulfill the core mission of the Soil CRC to find practical and enduring solutions for Australia’s land managers and their underperforming soils.

  We will be working with Nathan to help with his induction and bring him up to speed with the portfolio of activity in the Soil CRC but will welcome any efforts on your behalf to assist with that activity."
   

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Research to build drought resilience in the Central Highlands

CeRDI recently commenced a study to explore and document new opportunities for the diversification of agricultural produce in the Central Highlands to accommodate the likely impacts of climate change. The project is funded by the Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and Commerce Ballarat.

Climate change poses significant threats to agriculture in the Western region, with droughts and other climate impacts, presenting increasing challenges across farming communities. The economic repercussions are extensive, given that the agriculture sector is a major contributor to local economies. One of the primary concerns is the rising frequency and severity of droughts, reducing water availability for crops and livestock. This region is already prone to hot and dry conditions, and climate projections suggest that conditions will worsen in the coming decades.

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  Over the past decade, numerous studies have examined responses to climate change. This research will commence with an audit of existing studies at the federal, state, and local government levels on climate change and agriculture, summarising findings and identifying gaps in current knowledge. Opportunities for diversifying agriculture to expand the scope and opportunities for regional producers will be identified. Stakeholder interviews will also be conducted as part of this research.

  The research is being led by Dr Alison Ollerenshaw and Dr Carolyn Staines and will leverage specialist l expertise from across Federation University.

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Why should we care about groundwater?

In May, the Friends of the Barwon delivered the third webinar in a series of sessions supporting the Nature Positive Future for the Barwon River System. The webinar included presentations from Peter Dahlhaus, Principal Research Fellow from CeRDI and Alex Murray, Senior Manager Water Licencing Policy from Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).

Pete’s presentation told the captivating story of groundwater, its mechanics, complexity and importance. With particular focus on issues relevant to southwest Victoria, he made a strong case for the need to be mindful of the protection of shallow water tables, and their importance for the natural environment. He stressed that drawing water from aquifers can impact the depth of the water table and therefore needs careful management.

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  The importance of the management of groundwater was also acknowledged by Alex Murray. Alex outlined the Groundwater Management plan, DEECA, which aims to achieve sustainable use of groundwater that will support existing and new uses, protect ecosystems and support living cultural landscapes.

  The webinar was recorded and is available here , via the Friends of Barwon YouTube channel.

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Where’s wormy? Research to determine the distribution of Barber’s Pole worm in sheep across Victoria

PhD Candidate, Rebecca Farnell

Federation University PhD Candidate, Rebecca Farnell, is completing work to identify the current distribution of gastrointestinal nematode Haemonchus contortus, commonly known as Barber’s Pole, in sheep across Victoria. This research aims to incorporate this data into an animal welfare portal developed with Federation University’s Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation (CeRDI), providing farmers and stakeholders with access to this data to assist in them with worm management. Rebecca’s work is supported by her supervisory team Dr Sarah Preston, Dr Christiane Bahlo and Professor David Piedrafita.

Barber’s Pole worm can kill sheep rapidly with high infections. It does this by producing haemorrhages in the fourth stomach of the sheep and feeding on the blood. This causes blood loss, resulting in anaemia, prominent swelling under the jaw, and death – leading to production loss for farmers. Historically, Barber’s Pole worm infections were known to be sporadic in Victoria, however many stakeholders are concerned infections are now endemic.

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  Research using a new surveillance test developed at Federation University will allow for faster testing for Barber’s Pole infections. Additionally, linking these results to the location the sample was collected from with climate data will assist in determining if Barber’s Pole is here to stay. Samples are being collected from multiple participating farms in Victoria and saleyards.

  Recently, Rebecca successfully completed her PhD Confirmation of Candidature milestone for this research. Rebecca, Sarah and private agricultural consultant Dr Steve Cotton have also spoken with multiple farmer groups in Victoria about their problems with Barber’s Pole, and if the new test developed will be useful for them. A lot of farmers are concerned about Barber’s Pole infections, with some sharing their stories about how quickly this infection caused production losses and death in their sheep. They are excited to see the future research – determining where Barber’s Pole is present in Victoria through rapid diagnostic test development.

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Harnessing legacy data for new insights

While much research focuses on generating new data, CeRDI has long recognised the value of historical data. This "legacy data" holds potential to address new research questions and CeRDI has been actively facilitating its use through various projects.

At the February CeRDI Research Seminar, Dr Carolyn Staines, CeRDI Research Associate, showcased the value of legacy data in preventing drowning deaths in developing communities. Globally, drowning claims at least 300,000 lives annually, predominantly in developing countries. Dr Staines' research utilised data spanning a century to tackle this issue.

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  Using Victoria as a case study, she examined how the state transitioned from a high drowning death rate in the mid-19th century to a dramatically lower rate by the mid-20th century. The aim was to inform drowning prevention strategies in developing communities by identifying effective measures taken in Victoria.

  The research drew from diverse legacy data sources, including coronial inquest reports, government statistics, lifesaving agency reports, historical publications, and newspaper articles. This comprehensive approach helped develop a detailed picture of drowning incidents, prevention measures, and contributing environmental and cultural factors.

  Key factors contributing to drowning included lack of supervision, water hazards, insufficient understanding of risks, lack of water safety skills, and alcohol intoxication. Notably, males experienced higher drowning rates than females across most age groups.

  Effective prevention strategies introduced over time included the establishment of swimming clubs in 1870, Royal Life Saving Victoria in 1904, swimming teacher certification in 1911, and pool fencing regulations in the 1970s. Additionally, developments such as piped water supply systems, safe roadways, and bridges, and population shifts from rural to metropolitan areas contributed to reducing drowning incidents.

  Taking an evolutionary approach with legacy data provided a broader understanding of drowning deaths and their prevention in developing communities. The main findings were published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization:

  Staines, C., & Ozanne-Smith, J. (2016). Drowning deaths between 1861 and 2000 in Victoria, Australia. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 95(3), 174.

  For a full account of the research, visit: https://bridges.monash.edu/articles/thesis/History_of_drowning_deaths_in_a_developing_community_-_the_Victorian_experience/4628107 

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Exploring diverse paths to Graduate Research at CeRDI: Sonia Proctor, PhD candidate

PhD candidate, Sonia Proctor

At CeRDI, we celebrate the diverse journeys our students take to reach graduate research studies. While many follow the traditional route of completing an undergraduate degree, followed by an honours degree, and then a graduate degree, we are equally excited to welcome candidates who bring a wealth of professional experience and knowledge from different backgrounds.

One such exceptional PhD candidate is Sonia Proctor, who recently embarked on her graduate research journey. Sonia’s extensive background aligns perfectly with CeRDI’s strong focus on soils, data, and digital mapping.

Sonia, a graduate in Earth Science and Environmental Management, has been deeply involved in soil science since joining the Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands in 1989. In the early 1990s, she was part of one of Australia’s pioneering GIS and remote sensing groups, where she developed digital data and maps for GIS applications and conducted soils fieldwork across Victoria for the Department of Agriculture.

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  Sonia has been instrumental in advancing soil data capture, contributing to the pioneering efforts behind the Victorian Soil Site Database and the Victorian Resources Online. She also initiated a project to archive historical soil survey and landform records for the Department of Agriculture and the Centre for Land Protection Research, including records from the Soil Conservation Authority.

  In response to the 2019-20 bushfires, Sonia undertook a state-wide support role in agricultural recovery. She then supported Regional Soil Coordinators across Australia as part of the National Soils Extension Team while working for Soil Science Australia.

  Now, Sonia is excited to commence her research journey as a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) student, focusing on her PhD project: "Soil Health and Carbon Management Levers for Farming Systems Optimisation." The team supervising Sonia’s PhD includes Dr Ben Fest (Principal supervisor), with Dr’s Nathan Robinson and Birgita Hansen (Associate supervisors).

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Early Career Researcher Seed Funding: Project outcomes

Dementia Pathways Tool

Three CeRDI researchers were recipients of Federation University’s Early Career Research Seed Funding Program, 2024. Dr’s Chris Bahlo, Aakansha Chadha and Alison Ollerenshaw have progressed research in areas of expertise, delivering important outcomes. In this newsletter, Aakansha and Alison outline their research outcomes, with Chris to share insights from her research which will feature in the next newsletter.

Understanding the impact of the Dementia Pathways Tool; Lead Investigator: Dr Alison Ollerenshaw

The Dementia Pathways Tool  is an enduring and comprehensive online tool designed to assist primary health care practitioners in the diagnosis and management of dementia. Launched in 2013, the Dementia Pathways Tool was one of the first online resources in Australia to be delivered to general practitioners about dementia management and care, and it remains the only online-accessible dementia resource in Australia for practice nurses.

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  The Early Career Research Seed Funding was used to design and implement research looking at user experience of the Dementia Pathways Tool and its value and longevity. GPs and nurses are invited to complete a brief, online survey to explore its contribution to their practice.

  Data collection commenced earlier this year, complemented by extensive promotion of the research by health sector organisations, experts and researchers. Contacts and networks in the industry have been established through the research, with information shared widely in the local region, and nationally.

  The survey is ongoing, with collection extending for another couple of months, aiming to collect more information from frequent users of the Tool.

  The research will deliver insights about how the Dementia Pathways Tool can be expanded to ensure it continues to meet the needs of practitioners in the future. A journal publication will report on the research findings.

  For further information about the research, Tool, or to complete the survey, visit:
  Dementia Pathways Tool 
  Dementia Pathways Tool Research / Survey 
   

  A mechanistic model for surface applied lime and movement through soil
  Lead Investigator: Dr Aakansha Chadha

  Soil acidity is a major constraint to agricultural productivity in many regions worldwide, significantly limiting crop growth and food production. In Australia, losses in grain production due to soil acidity are estimated at $400 million annually. Acidic soils reduce the availability of essential nutrients such as phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and molybdenum, while highly acidic conditions can lead to toxic levels of aluminium and manganese, negatively impacting plant growth. Additionally, beneficial soil organisms, including earthworms and nutrient-cycling bacteria, are less active in acidic environments, further exacerbating soil health issues.

  One of the most effective strategies to counteract soil acidity is the application of lime, which enhances soil health, nutrient availability, and crop productivity, contributing to global food security and sustainable agriculture. While lime application is beneficial, over-liming can negatively affect plant growth and soil structure. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct soil testing to determine the appropriate lime type, particle size fraction, and application rate based on specific soil conditions and pH targets.

  This research, funded through the Federation University's Early Career Researcher (ECR) grant, aimed to investigate how the surface application of five different lime types and their particle size fractions influences soil pH at various depths over time. This study was conducted as a pilot investigation under controlled conditions in the laboratory. The research provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of different lime types and particle sizes in modifying soil pH over time.

  Importantly, this study establishes a foundation for future research, with the long-term goal of developing a comprehensive mechanistic model for the surface application of lime in key agricultural soils of south-eastern Australia. This will support farmers and industry stakeholders in optimising lime use, ensuring sustainable soil management and enhanced crop productivity. A journal publication will further report on the research findings

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Dr Peter Weir, Alumnus

Dr Peter Weir, Alumnus

Dr Peter Weir commenced his PhD in early 2020 with support from an Australian Government Research Training Program fee-offset scholarship through Federation University Australia and a scholarship from the Cooperative Research Centre for High Performance Soils funded by the Australian Government's Cooperative Research Centre Program.

Previous interest in soils and soil moisture management provided a strong background for the research undertaken into the measurement of the spatio-temporal variability of in-paddock plant-available water in dryland agriculture farming.

Peter’s research highlighted how the shortcomings of single point measurement of rainfall can be overcome with the innovative use of merged radar rain-gauge rainfall to estimate the spatial distribution of soil water within a paddock. This has resulted in development of an application for the inclusion of archival rain radar data from the Bureau of Meteorology’s Rainfields system into the Visualising Australasia’s Soils (VAS) portal.

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  The integration of the Rainfields data extends the capabilities for VAS, offering new opportunities for project partners to access weather data, mapped to regions and soil types," Peter explained.
  
  "Users have access to spatially mapped rainfall data, to examine their ‘patch’ and visualise the variation of rainfall patterns of intensity over time."

  Peter’s principal PhD supervisor was CeRDI’s Assoc Prof Peter Dahlhaus whose knowledge and strong support was fundamental to pursuing the research and successfully completing his PhD. The additional support and collegiality received from the Centre, especially the technical team, were of great benefit to his research studies.

  Peter’s PhD was confirmed in 2025, and he has been invited to join the CeRDI team assisting the implementation of new soil moisture applications into the VAS portal as a part of Phase 3 of the flagship Soil CRC project.

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News snippets

CeRDI Seminar series: CeRDI coordinates a monthly seminar series for its staff and post graduate students delivering short presentations on focus areas including research and technical projects, and HDR updates. CeRDI research associate Dr Carolyn Staines commenced the 2025 series with a presentation about legacy data and whether 150-year old data still useful? See the full story above. In March, Paul Feely, Senior Systems Analyst Programmer delivered an Interactive session about the Southern Farming System led Small Farm Dams project. Further details about this project can be found in the last issue of the newsletter.

In April, Keith Russell, Director Outreach at the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC)  presented at the CeRDI seminar. Keith is responsible for communicating the strategy, programs and direction of ARDC and engaging researchers and research organisations on the services and activities available to them. ARDC reaches out, delivers services and tools, and builds capacity in the sector through national communities and growing the skills of researchers and research support professionals in a range of areas related to data and digital research, including data governance, data creation, analysis, retention and sharing. Keith gave a presentation to CeRDI about research industry collaboration through trusted data infrastructure.

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  Recent publications:

  Bajwa, A.A., Chadha, A., & Grant, B. (2025). Are Our Weeds Changing? A Survey of Stakeholders from the Australian Grain Production Systems. Weed Science. Published online 2025:1-36. doi.org/10.1017/wsc.2025.16 

  Clark, R., Dahlhaus, P., Robinson, N., & Morse‐McNabb, E. (2025). Sustainability, Reporting and Market Access for Grain and Oilseed Growers: Can Yield Data Provide More Rigour and Transparency? Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment, 4(2). doi.org/10.1002/sae2.70059 

  Hansen, B., Honan, J., Stewart, D., Walters, J., & Weston, M. (2025). Estimating setback distances for a threatened, cryptic, data-sparse migratory shorebird. PLOS One. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0317081 

  Hsiung, A. R., Fest, B., Rubinstein, T., Swearer, S. E., & Morris, R. L. (2025). Effectiveness of novel hybrid mangrove living shorelines is context dependent. Journal of Applied Ecology, 62, 1188–1201. doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.70037 

  Khaqan, K., Fest, B., Harrison, T. et al. (2025). Carbon farming and agriculture: a bibliometric analysis. Discover Agriculture, 3(22). doi.org/10.1007/s44279-025-00173-z 

  Ollerenshaw, A., Dahlhaus, P., Thompson, H., & Staines, C. (2025). The Opportunities and Challenges Associated With Establishing a National Soil Data Repository From Public and Private Actors. Soil Use Manage, 41: e70075. doi.org/10.1111/sum.70075 

  Staff updates: Farewell to CeRDI’s Tamsin Wilson. Tamsin joined CeRDI as Human Resources Business Partner for the Australian Research Data Commons. Tamsin has worked in the human resources industry across government and the not-for-profit sector for over 30-years. We wish Tamsin all the very best as she moves into retirement.

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HDR news

PhD candidate, Rida Mazhar

Confirmation of Candidature: Congratulations to CeRDI PhD candidate Rida Mazhar who successfully completed her Confirmation of Candidature in May. Rida’s PhD is titled “Regional Smart City: Assessment and Progression towards Smart City Goals” is being supervised by Prof Helen Thompson, Dr Taiwo Oseni and Dr Shoaid Riaz. Rida Mazhar commenced her PhD at CeRDI in March 2024. Further information about Rida’s research and profile is available on the CeRDI website, here.

PhD research showcased by Soil CRC: Peter Weir’s PhD research was featured by the Soil CRC in a recent news story. The story highlights Peter’s innovative research in understanding within-field spatial variability of soil water. A highlight from research was “the merging of weather radar and rain gauges for dryland agriculture, resulting in the development of an application for the inclusion of archival rain radar data from the Bureau of Meteorology’s Rainfields system.”

To read the full story visit: Better understanding of within-field spatial variability of soil water - Soil CRC 

 

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About CeRDI

The Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation (CeRDI) is a research centre at Federation University Australia focused on:

• the application of information and communications technology (ICT) and the development of innovative, world class knowledge management systems;
• significantly advancing the digital literacy and knowledge management capabilities of partner organisations;
• fostering partnerships for the development and implementation of eResearch with industry, government and academia; and
• measuring the impact of eResearch and digital innovation through longitudinal research.

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Contact CeRDI

For further details about CeRDI’s diverse portfolio of research please visit our website: www.cerdi.edu.au, or contact Director, Distinguished Professor Helen Thompson: h.thompson@federation.edu.au

Mailing Address

Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation
Federation University Australia
PO Box 691
Ballarat Vic 3353

Office Location

Suite 15, Greenhill Enterprise Centre
Ballarat Technology Park
University Drive
Mount Helen Vic 3350

Phone: +61 3 5327 9314
Email: support@cerdi.edu.au

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