2025 Dehorter Lab Retreat

Becky Parkinson

Here in the Dehorter lab, we know how to maximise productivity.... and sometimes that involves having a change of environment.

On the 13th-14th of Feb, the team put down our pipettes and set ashore (via ferry) to Minjerribah/ North Stradbroke Island. Over the 2 days we played get-to-know-you games, team building exercises on the beach (sadly no sumo suits were involved for all of you Office fans), and each took turn presenting our projects.

We were welcomed to country by the fantastic Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC; http://www.qyac.net.au/) upon arrival on the island before making our way to our accomodation at the Moreton Bay research station. We commenced our first session of talks with Nathalie giving the welcome address, followed by a series of workshops on techniques and organisation from our long-standing lab members, Shaam (tuning in from Canberra via zoom), Ilvana, and Noorya. The afternoon was spent at the beach where we built sandcastles and played sand-Pictionary. Day 1 was completed with games night where we played a scientific version of rebus, and guessed which of us corresponded to our baby photos and our '2 truths and 1 lie'. Noorya was our winner, and therefore received bragging rights for a total of one day before ending her contract to start a new job.

Day 2 was far more data heavy with proposal talks from our new students, and project-updates from existing researchers. Because we believe in work life balance, we rounded off the day with volleyball on the beach and returned to QBI by the end of office hours.

Can't wait to see what's in store for our retreat in 2026!