News Archive

Some may consider that spending your day conducting cutting-edge research in plant energy biology is quite an exhausting task. Staff from The Centre of Excellence Plant Energy Biology have realised, that they have extra energy to burn in the name of team spirit!

On Sunday March 11th there will be a new force to reckon with, as Plant Energy Biology's Team Green Machine hits the corporate triathlon scene at the annual BRW/BP Ultimate Corporate Triathlon at Langley Park.

Plant Energy Biology has combined an enthusiastic group of 12 staff, including Centre Director Professor Ian Small, to create a massive entry of four teams in the "science and technology" category of this event. The rest of the Plant Energy Biology staff team are getting ready to turn up in green and watch their Green Machine workmates give it a go.

Triathlon recruitment team Yvonne Van Der Ploeg and Jude Moyle are excited by the huge response, "We thought it would be a great idea just to enter one team, once we requested an expression of interest, the response was great!"

"Not only is it going to be an exciting day, but the lead up to it has resulted in lunchtime training sessions and a great vibe amongst all of the staff." The BRW/BP Ultimate Triathlon attracts over 1600 competitors from many different corporate sectors – from mining companies to law firms.

We look forward to seeing the scientific flag flying for Plant Energy Biology's Team Green Machine and proving that underneath each lab coat there may just be a fit and fabulous athlete! So the gauntlet has been thrown – it will be interesting to see whether there is another group at UWA willing to take them on in the future!

RESULTS UPDATE

With many Plant Energy Biology staff turning up to cheer the competitors along there was great anticipation at the finishing line to see which Green Machine runner would cross the line first. This accolade went to Etienne Meyer, the runner for Green Machine 4 who along with colleagues, Chris Carrie (Cyclist) and Sandra Tanz (Swimmer) combined their powers to finish in a very fast 44 minutes and 6 seconds, placing them 7th in the corporate mixed category!

Not far behind were Green Machine 1, 2 and 3 with teams placing 13th, 41st and 45th respectively.

These fantastic results saw the four Green Machine teams taking out 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place in the Science and Technology section of the entire race!

Team Results:

Green Machine 4 - 44 mins o6 secs, 1st Sci and Tech / 7th Place Corp Mixed
Green Machine 1 - 46 mins 03 secs 2nd Sci and Tech /13th Place Corp Mixed
Green Machine 2 - 49 mins 53 secs 3rd Sci and Tech /41st Place Corp Mixed
Green Machine 3 - 50 mins 33 secs 4th Sci and Tech /45th Place Corp Mixed