Ending world hunger, super computers and a visit from Canada

In 2003, Matthew Lamont and Troy Thompson created a company to provide high-performance computing solutions for scientific data analysis. They named this company DownUnder GeoSolutions (DUG).

Originally a shed in Mr Lamont’s backyard, DUG has come to service the international market with four major offices, including Perth, London, Houston and Kuala Lumpur. In fact, they design, build, own and run some of the most powerful (and greenest) supercomputers in the world.

Today, the Governor was invited to visit their Perth office. Here he learned of the true capacity of the set-up and the important part it currently plays in our minerals and resources sector, along with the hopes and aims to assist in further sovereign capabilities, such as defence.

Commodores galore

A joke is shared among colleagues.

The Governor was delighted to welcome Commodore Brett Dowsing (Rtd) and Commodore Ivan Ingham AM to Government House today.

G’Day to Canada, eh?

His Excellency Mr Mark Glauser, High Commissioner of Canada, sits down with the Governor.

Australia and Canada are long-time friends and Commonwealth partners, and despite the distance between us, we share so much in common. Canada is a key economic market for Western Australia with total trade worth $681 million in 2021. We share sizeable investments in both directions and considerable expatriate communities as well as exchanges of tourists. When he met the Canadian High Commissioner to Australia, His Excellency Mr Mark Glauser, today, Governor Beazley shared how well Canadians are regarded here and that as large nations with enormous mineral wealth there is much that can be done in partnership to tap that wealth given our individual expertise in mining and critical minerals.  We value Canada’s analysis of developments in North America and their contribution to the situation in Ukraine, which is substantial.  As his first official visit nears its end, Mr Glauser is now taking the opportunity to explore our State’s southwest which – although cool at this time of year – is positively balmy compared to his native Saskatchewan.

The day that hunger ended

Guests gather at the Foodbank book launch.

The Governor welcomed representatives from Foodbank WA and key stakeholders to Government House for the launch of a picture book.

‘Guardians of WA’, in collaboration with The Brand Agency, is a uniquely Western Australian illustrated story encapsulating a fable from the future where the Guardians of WA come together to end hunger for good. This is the goal of Foodbank, to eliminate hunger in WA by 2030.

The reception for the launch of the book.

Unfortunately, during the past few years, Foodbank has seen approximately an extra 300 people access their branches and Mobile Foodbanks every day. With the rising cost of living and shortage of housing, this number is expected to rise in the future.

Tonight’s event served not only to launch the book and the associated campaign, calling at West Australians to act as Guardians, but also to link key stakeholders – people who may be able to make a larger difference – to the organisation.

 

 

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