A Life Without Limits
  • Surveying
    • Surveying Roles
      • Overall Breakdown
      • Licensed and Registered Surveyors
    • Specialisations and Related Fields
      • Specialisations
      • Civil Engineering
      • Geospatial Science
      • Hydrography
    • The History of Surveying
    • Technology
      • Surveying Technology
      • 3D Scanning
      • GPS
      • Drones
      • Pokémon and Surveying
      • GDA2020 – Modernising Australia’s Datum
    • Cool Projects
    • Defining Surveying
  • Profiles
    • Meet a Current Surveying Student
    • Meet a Survey Assistant
    • Meet a University Student Project of the Year Winner
    • Meet a Graduate Surveyor
    • Meet a 3D Modeller and Surveyor
    • Meet a Trainee Licensed Surveyor
    • Meet a Newly Licensed Surveyor
    • Meet a Senior Licensed Surveyor
    • Young Surveying Professional of the Year
    • Professional Surveyor of the Year
    • Meet a Senior Lecturer in Surveying
    • Meet a Surveyor General
    • Women in Surveying
  • Study
    • NSW & ACT >
      • Study Pathways
      • Where To Study
      • NSW Scholarships
    • QLD >
      • Study Pathways
      • Where To Study
      • Qld Scholarships
    • SA >
      • Study Pathways and Institutions
    • VIC >
      • Work Experience Placements
      • Study Pathways
      • Where To Study
      • RMIT Information Portal
    • WA >
      • Study Pathways
      • Where To Study
    • Distance >
      • Distance Education
  • Career Resources
    • Get Kids into Survey
    • Career Resources
  • Experience Surveying
    • Try Surveying in Victoria
    • Try Surveying in NSW
  • Industry Partners
  • Connect with Industry
    • Find a Job
    • Work Experience
  • More Info
    • Blog
    • Ask a Surveyor
    • Is Surveying for Me?
    • Surveying and STEM careers
    • Demand for Surveyors
    • In the News
    • Videos
      • Videos About Surveying
      • Surveying With Evan Webster
      • Women in Surveying Day
      • Student Experience Days
    • FAQs
    • Contact Us

Blog

Putting the theory to the test at the University of Newcastle

December 13, 2017Kellee Ireland

It’s one thing to be taught the theory behind surveying – it’s another to be out there in the field putting theory into practice!

That’s just what some of the University of Newcastle’s third year surveying students got to do as part of the university’s annual students survey camp.

Running five days in length and taking place on a private property on the beautiful western bank of the Hunter River in Woodberry, the camp proved to be a rewarding challenge for the students – not to mention a chance to mingle in the field with professional surveyors and knowledgeable teaching staff.

Trial by fire

Determining sub-division boundaries. Obtaining maps and plans. Testing and calibrating survey equipment. Solving mathematical problems.

This survey camp provided practical, hands-on experience, giving the group of 29 students a chance to tackle some of the varied issues they’d face out on a real surveying site.

One of those issues was – as ever – time! With a lot to learn and put into practice in just a few short days, the students were racing against the clock – and with university protocols clear about when the students have to be off campus and having a well-earned rest, there was little time to spare. Thankfully, there were barbecues, Thai food nights and plenty of pizza to keep the team fed and ready for the next obstacle.

The who, the what and the why

At the helm every step of the way was the event organiser, the University of Newcastle’s Lecturer in Land Boundary Definition. He was assisted by Registered Surveyor Chris Abbott.

However, with such a large group of students left in their charge, the two were glad to have the support of the local Hunter Manning Group of the Institution of Surveyors NSW. The group provided a host of respected mentors from the profession, ready and willing to give up their time to make sure the camp ran as smoothly as possible – and that the students got as much out of it as they could.

Some of the students even said that having the old pros there had the great knock-on effect of making them feel more accepted by the profession that they’re working to be a part of.

The students themselves came from right across New South Wales, including Sydney, Newcastle and a number of rural areas. They were all united, though, in their determination to get to job done.

By the time Friday rolled around, there was a 2pm deadline for the students and few surprise last minute hiccups. But the University of Newcastle team could already see that the results of the week were clear – there’s a new batch of surveying greats just around the corner.

Not only that, but there was a wonderful sense of pride that, for the second year in a row, no-one had managed to fall into the river.

To find out more about the University of Newcastle’s surveying study opportunities, take a look on the university website or visit our Where to Study section.

Previous post South Australia’s Wonky Borders Next post Students unearth a little of our ANZAC history

Contact Us

New South Wales
T: (02) 9054 6867

Queensland
T: (07) 3321 1622

South Australia
T: (08) 8212 0343

Western Australia
T:  0424 177 510

Victoria
T: (03) 9690 6660

News

  • Why do I need a licensed or registered surveyor?
  • Superheroes of the Survey Site
  • Explore the RMIT Geospatial Sciences Tour
  • Surveyors Making a Mark at Walt Disney World

Pathways

  • Study Pathways – NSW
  • Study Pathways – QLD
  • Study Pathways – SA
  • Study Pathways – VIC
  • Study Pathways – WA

Join us

© Copyright 2020. A Life Without Limits | Surveying Task Force Inc.