Bruce McConkey and the Noosa River WaterWatch program have been inseparable for nearly 20 years. During that time Bruce has kept his eye on the river tides, and has run a roster to make sure the band of dedicated WaterWatch volunteers were in the right place at the right time.
As coordinator of the WaterWatch program from 2005 to 2023, Bruce organised his team of volunteers for their monthly water test runs out on the Noosa River to make sure things were ship shape water quality wise, and if it wasn’t he tried to find out why.
Bruce’s scientific background gave the WaterWatch program rigor, and by association, gravitas to NICA as an environmental organisation. He produced comprehensive reports over several years, some of which are available on NICA’s website under NICA Library.
But as well as the coordinator role, Bruce also looked after the equipment, calibrating the Horiba correctly, ensuring samples were correctly collected and stored.
Bruce loves boats. He can be seen occasionally gliding serenely along in an historic boat and he also makes boats which I am reliably informed are works of art. So, it was a no brainer not to have Bruce look after the maintenance of NICA’s boat, taking it for its regular service and repairs, and the occasional new cover with custom supports. I am also told that he is a genius with blending and mixing chemicals, and is in great demand by the surfing community for his uniquely blended epoxies.
It’s clear that Bruce is very passionate about the Noosa River, always willing to help and teach newcomers, and we will miss him.
But with advancing years Bruce and Sarah have made a decision that they will move home away from Noosa. At the end of March, they will move to Nowra where they will be close to where their family live.
We will miss them and can only wish them well, and thank them for their contribution to NICA and the wider community.
Tony Haslam
