Tom and Rocky Find Message in a Bottle
A red helicopter docks on top of damp, fine sand in the distance. Waves softly crash against the shore as a dog in a red and black vest scours sand dunes looking for fox dens. Today, it is his handler that makes the big find.
It is warm and sunny at Shoalwater Bay and Senior Project Officer Tom Garrett sets out with Rocky the conservation detector dog early in the morning to complete fox detection works along the beach.
Shoalwater Bay is a military training area off the coast of Rockhampton in Central Queensland. The base was established in 1965, and has been restricted to public access since then. The beach doesn’t see many visitors at all.
The area is known to attract debris; the result of tidal movements that suck all sorts of things onto the beach. Light bulbs, gas bottles, eskies, soccer balls and other miscellaneous items of rubbish discarded by vessels or caught up the tides.
Tom made his way along the waterline, peppered here and there with ocean debris. His eye caught something unusual and out of place glistening in the sun. As he moved closer, he noticed that it was an opaque glass bottle - and there was something inside it.
This was a rare find for Rocky and Tom. They’d worked beaches for years and heard stories of people finding a message in a bottle, but had never experienced it before, nor knew of someone who had.
Tom carefully unscrewed the bottle and removed the paper inside. On an A4 blue lined note, letters in black sharpie jumped from the page...
We are a group of sailors on board a 40 metre sailboat! We left Lyttelton, New Zealand on 31 March 2018 and are ten days into our six week journey to Tahiti. We are expecting some heavy weather from a yet to be named storm so we’ve spent the day securing the boat, tying things down, padding loud pots and pans, getting the sails ready. We have 21 oceanography college students and 13 professional crew onboard. If you are reading this, I would love to hear from you. [CONTACT EMAIL]
Tom pocketed the bottle and note and he and Rocky continued on their task of sweeping the bay for foxes.
Back at the office, Tom retraced his steps and shared his curious find with new staff member Alyssa Glover in the Communications team of SQ Landscapes. Alyssa set out to find the author of the letter - casting off an email to the address detailed on the note...and waiting like all good anglers wait for their catch.
Three days later, Alyssa received a reply to her email.
Lauren Heinen was a marine biology graduate when she boarded the Robert C. Seamans ship as a cook in 2018. Lauren and her 34 crew-mates were confined to a 40 metre space for 40 days studying plankton levels at different sea temperatures. The days were often long. Lauren said the journey from Lyttleton to Tahiti is the longest you can take without seeing land.
Inspired by stories from a previous ship captain and as a means of entertaining herself and communicating with the outside world, Lauren started writing letters during the long evenings. She would fold them up and seal them inside a bottle before throwing them into the sea next afternoon - and watching as the bottle drifted off beyond the horizon.
“I guess I wanted to see if I could have some kind of connection beyond my 34 crew-mates. A really distant connection; and having a message I’m sending out to the world feels like a broader connection,
“I thought, wouldn't it be a cool thing - what might happen,” Lauren said.
The bottle Tom found at Shoalwater Bay with Rocky was some 3,862 kms from where it was cast into the ocean 1,111 days earlier. The bottle’s journey was just short of the total 40 day journey the author Lauren had taken to Tahiti from New Zealand.
“I have thrown about 25 bottles over my eight years at sea and only ever heard responses from four of those messages. It was a shock, and very exciting when you got in contact. So far this is the longest time period between the bottle being thrown and being found,” Lauren said
“The first bottle was found in New Zealand a week or two later. All the others have been found a couple of weeks or months after throwing them into the ocean. It makes me wonder how long it was on the beach before someone found it,” Lauren said.
Lauren also encouraged other students aboard the Robert C. Seamans to join her in sending letters.
“It’s really exciting to hear from students when their bottles get picked up. It's kind of a fun community activity- writing messages and throwing them overboard.” Lauren said.
Now living in Wisconsin USA, Lauren reflected on her time aboard the Robert C. Seamans with great fondness - eager to get back out to sea once Covid restrictions ease.
“I feel like it's magic on both ends - the writing of it and preparing of it and getting together with other students and shipmates to throw it overboard - that's exciting, and then hearing from people who find it years later, that is really exciting,” Lauren said.
Without saying it in words, Tom conveyed the magic of his find at Shoalwater Bay. Although separated by distance, Tom’s remarkable find connects him with Lauren, the sailor who’s words would travel 3,862 kms in an opaque glass bottle, to deliver a message to a man and his conservation detector dog, three years in the future.
Tom now has a forever story to tell about his time at Shoalwater Bay, and Lauren found what she was always seeking for… a really distant connection.
Lauren Heinen (pictured) is the author of the note.
Oceanography student aboard the Robert C. Seamans, Haley Rogers (pictured), throws a bottle out to sea.
1. What is Natural Capital? Natural capital refers to the natural resources and ecosystems, like soils, native vegetation, water, and biodiversity, that underpin productive farming and provide essential services such as clean water, healthy soils and carbon storage. For Queensland landholders, this means your land’s value now includes the environmental benefits it delivers, not just crops or livestock. While the term Natural Capital has risen to prominence with government, industry and the public in recent years, the sustainable use of our natural capital, its maintenance and improvement have been fundamental to regional NRM organisations since inception. Identifying and assessing our natural assets are foundational to the development of our regional NRM strategies and plans which guide our operations and provide us with the knowledge and expertise to play a key role in Australia’s efforts to manage and enhance our Natural Capital. 2. Why Does Natural Capital Matter in Agriculture? Australian agriculture is experiencing a shift where nature and production are seen as interconnected assets. This approach is being driven by both market demand and new government policies, with natural capital now influencing land values, investments, and farm business resilience. 3. How Can Farmers Monetise Natural Capital? Natural capital markets allow landholders to earn income by improving or protecting their land’s natural assets. The most common ways to participate include: Carbon Credits: Under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme, farmers can generate credits by adopting practices like reforestation, soil carbon improvement, or avoided clearing. These credits are regulated by the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) and can be sold to the government or private buyers. Biodiversity Certificates: The new federal Nature Repair Market, established by the Nature Repair Act 2023, allows farmers to earn tradable biodiversity certificates for projects that restore or protect native ecosystems. The CER also administers this market, ensuring robust oversight and scientific credibility. Land Restoration Fund (LRF): Queensland’s LRF builds on the federal framework, offering extra incentives for projects that deliver both carbon abatement and environmental co-benefits, such as improved water quality or habitat restoration. The LRF works in tandem with the ACCU Scheme and prioritises projects that support regional sustainability. More Information: π www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/natural-capital/explained π www.cer.gov.au/schemes/australian-carbon-credit-unit-scheme π www.qld.gov.au/environment/climate/climate-change/land-restoration-fund π www.nrmrq.org.au/queensland-nature-fund-natural-capital π www.legislation.gov.au/C2023A00121/latest/text
The Board of Southern Queensland Landscapes is pleased to announce Kimberley Swords has been appointed as Chair of the Board of Directors. Kimberley began her working life as a large animal country vet, after student practical experience across Southern Queensland in Goondiwindi and Injune. Kimberley’s strong interest in natural resource management and regional communities has led her to contribute across a wide variety of industries including the public sector, where she rose to the role of Deputy Secretary in the Australian Government and led environmental approvals, heritage and marine. Her extensive leadership experience incorporates many board roles, including as a current serving member of the CS Energy board. “Following an extensive recruitment phase, where the Southern Queensland Landscapes Board were gratified to receive several high-quality applications, we are delighted to announce the subsequent overwhelming member endorsement of Kimberley as Board Chair. The appointment of a new Chair in any organisation represents an opportunity for refreshment and renewal and the Southern Queensland Landscapes Directors and staff are looking forward to working with Kimberley to deliver our Strategic Plan” said acting Southern Queensland Landscapes Chair, Louise Winten. Kimberly looks forward to engaging with stakeholders across Southern Queensland, with her first full board meeting set down for late June in Charleville. “It is an exciting and challenging time for the region, as we lean into the changing climate, different economic opportunities, and the next generation of regional leaders. I look forward to connecting and collaborating across our communities to better understand how Southern Queensland Landscapes can support sustainable environmental outcomes that materially improve the lives of people living and working in Southern Queensland,” she said. The position of Chair became vacant following the retirement of founding Chair, and long term supporter of regional natural resource management, The Honourable Bruce Scott, AM, at the end of February 2025. Bruce made a significant contribution to Southern Queensland Landscapes during his time as Chair and the Board thanks him for dedication, time, energy, and commitment to the organisation. Southern Queensland Landscapes is one of 11 Queensland-based Natural Resource Management (NRM) organisations. Spanning 314,398 square kilometres, the our footprint encompasses the Condamine catchment, Qld Murray Darling Basin and the south-west Mulga Lands. Southern Queensland Landscapes relies on evidence based information, supported by First Nations knowledge, to effectively balance productivity and environmental outcomes that support the regional communities within our landscapes. ο»Ώ
Screen Type Self Cleaning, Self Propelled Cylinder Fish Screen Screen M anufacturer AWMA River Catchment Dumaresq River
Southern Queensland Landscapes is seeking an experienced and influential Board Chair to lead a multi-skilled Board in managing natural resources across Southern Queensland. This is a 3-year remunerated role based in Toowoomba, QLD, with the flexibility to manage from anywhere in Southern QLD. The ideal candidate will bring: • Substantial experience leading diverse Boards • Strong relationship-building and leadership skills • Expertise in environmental and agricultural matters This role is an opportunity to shape the future of natural resource management, working closely with land managers, community leaders, and industry professionals. Are you ready to make an enduring impact? For more details and to apply, visit www.windsor-group.com.au/job/board-chair-natural-resources-peak-body or contact Mike Conroy at apply@windsor-group.com.au.
This week marked the final Board meeting for retiring Southern Queensland Landscape Chair, The Hon Bruce Scott AM. The Southern Queensland Landscapes Board hosted a function at Gip’s restaurant in Toowoomba, joined by past Directors, industry stakeholders and the Southern Queensland Landscapes Management team, where Bruce was warmly acknowledged and thanked. Bruce offered special thanks to his dear wife Joan for her support during his period of service to Southern Queensland Landscapes, in particular the warm country hospitality she has offered to many visitors to Roma. Bruce also recognised and thanked Southern Queensland Landscapes Company Secretary Pam Murphy, who has supported Bruce in his service to Southern Queensland Landscapes since the organisation’s inception. ο»Ώ
Screen Type Self Cleaning Floatation Fish Screen Screen M anufacturer KleenScreen, NZ River Catchment Balonne River
Screen Type Self Cleaning Cylindrical Fish Screen Screen M anufacturer AWMA River Catchment Condamine River
Screen Type Self Cleaning Floatation Fish Screen Screen M anufacturer KleenScreen, NZ River Catchment Condamine Branch (Chinchilla Weir)
Screen Type Two Self Cleaning Cylindrical Screens Screen M anufacturer AWMA River Catchment Gowrie Oakey Creek
Screen Type Self Cleaning Cylindrical Screen Screen M anufacturer AWMA River Catchment Condamine River