|
What is a Hydrographer?
Hydrographers
measure, describe and map the earth's surface waters and related meteorological
areas (surface waters include oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, estuaries and
the water in channels and pipes). They are also involved in collecting
and analysing information on surface and sub-surface flow and quality.
The information obtained by hydrographers is used to design dams, weirs,
bridges, irrigation projects, water supply schemes, sewerage systems,
flood protection works, warning services and marine facilities. The
information is also used to compile navigational charts and other data for
the safe navigation. Hydrographers may perform the following tasks:
select, install, calibrate, maintain and repair instruments which monitor
water levels, rainfall, sediments and water quality; design, construct,
install and maintain civil works associated with hydrographic activities;
collect sample data at various locations to confirm data gathered by
automatic monitors; use underwater acoustic equipment to establish and
monitor tidal data; outline coastlines; measure seabed, lakebed and
reservoir depths and siltation; search for underwater obstacles in oceans
or lakes; site reports and surveys; prepare data for use by other
professionals and archive and qualify collected data. Hydrographers work
a large percentage of their time in offices and in their field
expeditions can find them on foot, horseback, underground, on ships, in
four-wheel-drives, in boats, planes or helicopters.
Back to Top
What does it cost to be a member of the Australian Hydrographers’
Association?
Individual
membership: $90.
Retired,
Cadets/Trainees, people enrolled in the OTEN Hydrography course but not
currently employed: $30.
Corporate membership:
Corporate Membership Grade
|
Annual Cost
|
Included Membership
|
|
Bronze
|
$500
|
1
|
|
Silver
|
$1,000
|
6
|
|
Gold
|
$1,500
|
12
|
|
Platinum
|
$2,000
|
20
|
Go to the download page to get
your application .
To assist with membership management, members are asked
to renew membership in line with financial year cycles commencing at July
1 of each year. New members wishing to become members at periods outside
the financial year membership cycle are asked to contact the Secretary (secretary@aha.net.au)
for membership payment options and for other corporate membership
options.
Back to Top
Why Hydrographers Association? Does this make it an
exclusive club?
Hydrographers are
not exclusive, but our functions and variety of work are becoming
extremely diverse and sometimes the job of hydrographer may go under
other names..
Membership available to anyone and memberships are approved by the
Associations Committee. Members are often employed, or at least have
interest, in the hydrological water industry in the Asia
- Pacific region. Members now hail from Europe
and other distant worlds!
Back to Top
Why should I be a member?
The Australian
Hydrographers Association contributes to the knowledge of, and to encourage
interest in the management and utilisation Australia’s water resources.
It provides a forum for the interchange of knowledge and ideas and to
represent the interests of all Australian hydrographers and other
associated industry staff and stakeholders. The AHA was instrumental in
the resurrection, and co-ordinated funding of the current Hydrography
Certificate at OTEN. We also provide constant support and ongoing
develpoment of the course. The AHA holds a biennial workshop and hosts
this internet site for the sharing of knowledge and ideas. The AHA
publishes newsletters, to keep members informed of current events within
the industry. The AHA provides advocacy for members. The AHA also
advertises career opportunities around Australia and around the
globe. The AHA is also associated with the Australian Water Association
where you not only receive the industries highly regarded WATER magazine
but are invited to contribute to it as well.
Main features of Australian
Hydrographers’ Association Membership (for both Individual and
Corporate) include (but are not necessarily restricted to):
·
Knowledge and information sharing amongst peers.
·
Promotion and sponsorship opportunities at a biennial conference.
·
Four journals, Australasian
Hydrographer, per year.
·
Association Website and peer group mailing list.
·
Commitment to supporting continuing education of Hydrographers
(Certificate IV Hydrography).
·
Travel grant assistance scheme for student/cadet members to attend
conferences.
·
Educational grants.
·
Job advertisement network to industry.
·
Investing funds/resources for educational support for the
hydrographic/hydrometric industry (Member of Industry Advisory Group) and
vocational training development programmes.
·
Supporting State based industry workshops.
·
Access to and information about activities from other similar
scientific and industry groups
Back to Top
How do I become a Hydrographer/Field Hydrologist?
State/Territory
Specific Information: Information relating to education and training,
employment opportunities and additional information is specific to each
State/Territory. To see the relevant information, select the State or
Territory: NSW/ACT
NT QLD SA TAS VIC WA
Back to Top
I thought Hydrographers worked for the Navy?
Hydrographers fall
into two basic categories, “Oceanic” and “Terrestrial”.
One of the most
famous oceanographic hydrographers that Australians might be familiar
with is Captain James Cook. Cook was well provided with some of the best
instruments available for astronomical observation and surveying bearings
of headlands, height, direction and course of the tides and currents,
depths and soundings of the sea, shoals, rocks etc.
Terrestrial
hydrographers or hydrometric hydrographers or field hydrologists don’t
feature as prominently in the Australian psyche. However in the driest
inhabited continent the hydrometric hydrographer should feature more and
more in the minds of think tanks, policy makers and politicians in this
country. The input they can have to the debates on how to manage
Australia’s water resources cannot be understated. For anyone to make any
suggestions on how to best manage the rivers, the water table, salinity,
algae blooms, evaporation or even water recycling they need information
and that information comes from hydrographers and field hydrologists.
This association is
for the benefit primarily of Terrestrial Hydrographers/Field Hydrologists
Back
to Top
|
