10
BAMOS
Sep 2019
Conference summary
AMOS‐ICTMO 2019: hot topics and
the tropics
Johanna Speirs and Sarah Perkins‑Kirkpatrick
Conference Co‑convenors (AMOS)
AMOS‐ICTMO 2019 was headed to Darwin Welcomed on Larrakia traditional lands
Soon after AMOS‐ICSHMO wrapped up in Sydney back in
February 2018, a group of keen AMOS members formed a
committee and began plotting the next annual meeting for
2019. The AMOS meeting would be joined by the International
Conference on Tropical Meteorology and Oceanography
(ICTMO) which was last held in 1988 in Brisbane. Ambitiously,
we planned to bring the AMOS conference to Darwin for the
first time. But would attendees travel all the way to the remote
northern city, closer to Indonesia than any other Australian
capital city? Could two co‑convenors manage to organise their
first conference while being busy working parents of toddlers?
Could it succeed? The conference was held at the stunning Darwin Convention
Centre, positioned at the Waterfront precinct looking over
Darwin Harbour. At the opening ceremony we were welcomed
by Donna Jackson of the traditional Larrakia people. Donna has
expertise in ethnobiology, bush tucker and local history and in
her welcoming address she discussed the history, challenges
and successes of the Larrakia people and culture. Donna also
introduced another important aspect of the region with the
warning “wherever you go, expect crocodiles”! A welcoming
speech by the Darwin Lord Mayor followed. The Honourable
Kon Vatskalis described the modern‑day eclectic culture of
Darwin city, while also discussing what Darwin is doing to
improve sustainability and reduce its carbon footprint.
Over 400 delegates descended on Darwin in June 2019 for
five jam‑packed days of workshops, science sessions, outreach
events as well as social and networking opportunities. The
feedback we received was overwhelming: the Joint 26th AMOS
Annual Meeting and the International Conference for Tropical
Meteorology and Oceanography (AMOS‑ICTMO 2019) was a
huge success!
Sunset over the Mindil Beach Market during the AMOS
Conference in Darwin. Source: Greg Holland
Darwin also welcomed us with delightful dry season weather
characterised by warm sunny days and mild nights. In the Larrakia
weather calendar, this season is known as ‘Dinidjanggama’ or
‘heavy dew time’ when eucalypts begin to flower and native
bees produce ‘Dadbinggwa’, sugarbag honey.