The PESA Gazette is our exclusive monthly online publication, accessible only to PESA members. Envisioned to be a newsletter by the members for the members, it targets including industry updates, breakthroughs in exploration, case studies, technical talks, expert analyses and PESA state branches social news. The PESA Gazette aims to help you stay informed and connected with Australia’s energy geosciences industry. The Gazette is scheduled to go out on the second Tuesday of each month February-December. Content submissions are requested on the first Thursday of each month for review by the editorial board and upload to the system.
Society News
2026 PESA-QLD Scholarship Applications Close Friday Feb 27
Calling all students at Queensland Tertiary Institutions - if you are studying for an energy geosciences industry-related honours or Master of Science project applications are now open for the 2026 PESA Qld Scholarship.
The scholarship consists of the award of $2,500 to the successful recipient as part of PESA-QLD’s commitment to promote and encourage subsurface energy geoscience research and education at Queensland Tertiary Institutions.
The selection criteria are based on academic achievement and project relevance to the energy geosciences industry.
2025 Horstman Scholarship Winner Announced
PESA are delighted to announce the winner of the 2025 Horstman Federal Postgraduate Scholarship is Aike Albers.
Aike is a PhD candidate in the School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences at the University of Adelaide, where he investigates the feasibility of permanent CO₂ sequestration in buried mafic (basaltic) reservoirs as part of Australia's energy transition. His research integrates seismic interpretation, petrophysical and geochemical analysis, and reservoir simulation to assess carbon mineralisation potential in volcanic systems, with a particular focus on the Bass Basin.
Vale John Scott 1944-2025
Dr John Scott was an internationally known and respected geologist, knownespecially in Australia for his Curtin professorship and geochemical studies. Hiscareer across half a century was wide-ranging, enlivened by the adventure of foreignassignments and enriched by coincidences that brought new directions, lifelongfriends and a lifetime partner. He loved rocks, books and a glass or two of red wine,not necessarily in that order, his daughter wrote recently, and all who knew himwould agree.
Born in England in August 1944, John attended primary and secondary school inEssex and, on his father’s advice to spread his wings, studied geology at theUniversity of Wales (Aberystwyth), gaining a BSc in 1965 and an MSc and Diplomain Micropalaeontology in 1966.
Vale Vincent Paul St John Ph.D.
Vale Vincent Paul St John. Ph.D. 19.10.1947 to 16.11.2025
Long-standing PESA VIC/TAS Member, Geophysicist, Company Founder, and Mentor
PESA notes with deep sadness the passing of Dr Vincent Paul St John (“Paul”), who died peacefully at home in Albert Park, Victoria, on 16 November 2025, aged 84. Paul was a PESA VIC/TAS member for more than fifty years, first joining the Society in 1974. During that time, he contributed as an explorer, a quiet volunteer, a vigorous debater, and a distinctive and memorable presence at countless lunchtime meetings.
Paul was born in Western Australia in 1941 and after gaining a first class Honours Degree at UWA, completed his PhD at the University of Tasmania in 1967 under the guidance of Professor S.W.
PESA Barry Goldstein Medal Lecture Tour 2026 – Bruce Ainsworth
Our 2025 winner of the Barry Goldstein Medal for Innovation, Collaboration and Communication Dr Bruce Ainsworth will be touring our state branches early in 2026. Read on to find out more about Bruce and the presentation he will be sharing "Honouring the Humble Clinoform: Towards a Reservoir Modelling Best Practice".
Bruce is currently Head of Geology at Santos Ltd and an Adjunct Professor at Adelaide University. He is a sedimentologist and stratigrapher with a strong background in 3D reservoir modelling.
Vale Christopher R. Porter
Sadly, we bid farewell to Chris Porter a geologist with over 60 years’ experience in the petroleum industry, who passed away in Adelaide recently. Chris received a BSc (Honours) in Geology from the University of Adelaide in 1961, and a MSc in Geophysical Engineering from Colorado School of Mines in 1968. Chris’ first job was as a geophysical “jug hustler" on seismic crews in New South Wales, West Texas and the swamps of Louisiana. His career progressed with companies including Australian Aquitaine, Phillips Petroleum, Western Mining (WMC) and Santos Limited.
Vale Rowley Butters
Article prepared by Don Poynton who first met Rowley in 1972
(Accompanying photo from PESA News No 75, April/May 2005)
PESA Meritorious Service Awardee, Rowley Edward Butters passed away peacefully on Sunday 12 October, aged 87.
In the April/May 2005 issue of PESA News, newly elected PESA Federal President Dave Cliff wrote, “The biggest change for PESA will be the retirement of Rowley Butters as the society’s Secretariat. Rowley has been with the organization since its inception as the APEA Profession Division in 1968 when he was press-ganged into being WA Branch Treasurer”.
Rowley joined the industry as accountant with WAPET in the mid-1960s.
Geopitch Winner Courtney Berry Reflects on AEGC Experience
The PESA AEGC Student Travel Bursaries have been designed to provide financial assistance to students and early career geoscientists to attend the AEGC by helping to cover travel expenses and conference registration fees. Open to PESA members giving an oral, poster or Geopitch competition presentation, they offer a member per state the chance to attend this conference for a significantly reduced price.
This year, Courtney Berry, a student at Curtin University currently based in Brisbane was one of the lucky winners of the award. Read on to hear more about Courtney’s experience at AEGC.
“The highlight of my AEGC experience in Perth this year was taking part in the GeoPitch competition.
Notice of Membership Fee Increase
The PESA board advises that there will be a small membership fee increase, effective from December 2025. The fee increase of approximately 2.5% will account for CPI increase and will ensure that PESA can continue to provide members with a range of high value services. Small fee increases, consistent with inflation, ensure that larger more impactful fee increases are not required in the future.
The fees below will apply to both new and renewing members.
Please note that there are no changes to Retired or Graduate membership fees, and Student membership will continue to be free.