Eucalyptus sweedmaniana and Eucalyptus brandiana (previously Euc. gradybrandiana) were published in Australian Systematic Botany by Stephen Hopper and Nathan McQuoid on the 10th June 2009. I was commissioned by Wildlife Encounters back in 2006 to do two illustrated plates of the new species for the proud WA botanists who came across these knee high Eucalypts, Luke Sweedman (Curator for the WA Seed Technology Centre at Kings Park, Perth) and Grady Brand (Kings Park, Perth). Congratulations Luke and Grady, great to see it's all finally public!!
See paper: Two new rare species and a new hybrid in Eucalyptus series Tetrapterae (Myrtaceae) from southern coastal Western Australia
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It looks like Winton Queensland will be the home of the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History, due to be completed in 2015. This is due to the recent discovery of three new species of dinosaur found in the Winton formation (central western Queensland) and another more recent discovery found in nearby Eromanga.
The museum already boasts a great website and stage one of the physical museum opened on the 3rd of July, 2009. They are a not for profit venture driven by volunteers. As such they offer great volunteer opportunities in specimen preparation in their labs. You can qualify as an honourary technician after the completion of ten days preparation. See Prep a dinosaur.
Zac (a large plant eating sauropod)is the most recent dinosaur discovery (read more). With the three dinosaurs discovered in July this year named in honour of the popular Australian song Waltzing Matilda. Banjo (Australovenator), Matilda (Diamantinasaurus) and Clancy Wintonotitan.
Read more about the discovery:
Plos One journal article
BBC News release - 3 July 2009
Queensland Museum
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