FMD, University of Waikato
Issue No: 74 – September 2009
Damai Beach Borneo is the 3rd largest island in the world and is shared between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. Our destination to escape the winter blues was palm strewn Damai Beach on the north western tip of the Malaysian state of Sarawak. At a line of latitude 1 degree north of the equator the climate is tropical and the South China Sea in this area is as warm as bath water. A history of head hunters and 18th century White British Rajas has given way to a multicultural society. Glimpses of the Malay people revealed a gentle culture where daily activities lacked urgency with a first instinct s to help whoever crossed their paths. The predominant faiths of Islam and Christianity on the face of it appeared to rub along in the work place in a frictionless manner. Semengoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre afforded an opportunity to view Orang utangs Apes in reasonably natural conditions. A programme that has become critical to the apes survival as the forests continue to give way to the palm oil industry. Ritchie photographed below is the dominant male. 27 years old and 140kg of gingerness. Bako National Park was created at the time of independence in 1957. A place of sanctuary for the animals that call it home. Carnivorous pitcher plants, long tailed marques, bearded pigs, poisonous vipers, and proboscis monkeys are examples of its incredible biodiversity. Not a bad place to be. Paul Blair
Above: Damai Beach – Below: Ritchie Above: Longtail Macaque – Below: Pitcher Plants Chiller Back Home Pictures show the new power pax chiller being lifted onto the roof of the student centre The chiller was accidentally damaged during initial installation and had to be removed and repaired at Energy Products Factory in Hamilton The Chiller has a life expectancy now of in excess of thirty years and has an efficiency so good it is a leader in its class. ‐‐‐ Robin Dunmall University Staff Survey reminder …
FMD Social Club TH
This is just another reminder about the staff survey which Anna Bounds is WED 30 SEPT: ‐ SAUSAGE SIZZLE Midday sausage sizzle lunch in the FMD hoping to have all staff complete. courtyard. Please take some time and go online to complete this survey. SAT 17th Oct: ‐ SHOW AT FOUNDERS THEATRE th
An evening out to see the show ‘The Rhythms of The survey is open until Friday the 25 September. Ireland” at the Founders Theatre. All those planning to attend have now paid up and there Email of appreciation for Steve Cunningham from Sandy Harrop, School are no more tickets available. Support Services For those who are attending it is planned to get Hi Mark together for dinner prior to the show. Meals I just wanted to let you know how much we here at the Lodge appreciate the will be at your own expense. Place to be work that Steve does around our buildings. He is always willing to go that extra advised. mile to help out where he can – even letting down the bollards for us so that END OF YEAR FUNCTION we don’t get wet!!! This year’s end of year function will probably be a dinner and show at Riverlea Theatre. An Our environment is lovely and it makes it such a cool place for us to be. email will be sent out with asking for names to You have a great team!! be put on the board once more details are available (date, name of show, etc). Regards, Sandy (18 Sept 09) Bangladesh suit ban to save power (By Mark Dummet, BBC News, Dhaka) The prime minister of Bangladesh has ordered male government employees to stop wearing suits, jackets and ties to save electricity. Sheikh Hasina told officials that doing so would minimise their use of air‐conditioners. Bangladesh suffers from daily power cuts as power plants are unable to meet the country's demand. A senior official told the BBC the government would soon encourage businesses to follow its example. Bangladesh's official dress code has been rewritten ‐ after Sheikh Hasina ordered government employees to do more to ease the country's energy shortage. Even ministers now will no longer be expected to wear suits and ties. During the hot months between March and November, men have been ordered to wear trousers and shirts instead, and these do not have to be tucked in any more. Officials and ministers have also been told not to turn their air‐conditioners below 24C. In June, the government introduced daylight saving, and the clocks moved forward by one hour, in another attempt to cut energy consumption. It has said it will also soon spend $6bn (£3.6bn) on new power plants, operated by private companies. The current state‐owned plants have not been able to keep up with Bangladesh's large population and its economy, which has been growing at about 6% annually for the past five years. The energy sector in the country has been beset by allegations of mismanagement and corruption. Submitted by Mike Davies
Facilitation will be produced monthly. This publication is available online at http://www.waikato.ac.nz/fmd/
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