Dr Barbara Webster has welcomed recognition for the role historians can play in revealing the human aspects of environmental projects.

The senior lecturer in History, based at CQUniversity Rockhampton, has accepted an invitation from Her Excellency the Governor to attend a Q150 reception at Government House.

Dr Barbara Webster with her book

The reception will be held on Wednesday July 8, to celebrate Queensland Excellence in Natural Resource Management.

"The invitation stems from my commissioned research/book Working towards a sustainable future: a history of the Fitzroy Basin Association that was published last October," Dr Webster said.

"Most of the people attending will most likely be on-ground ‘doers', ‘enablers' from funding/coordinating bodies and perhaps departmental figures but it's nice to know somebody recognises the importance historians can play here in delving into and revealing for future generations the human aspect to these efforts - motivations, aspirations,  contributions, successes, frustrations and failures - before documentary sources are lost and memories fade."

Dr Webster's research project was negotiated through the then Institute for Sustainable Regional Development under Professor Bob Miles.

Dr Barbara Webster

"The other interesting aspect is that CQUniversity played a major role in establishing FBA (as Fitzroy Catchment Coordinating Group) in 1994, with Dr Leo Duivenvoorden as the first secretary, and then FBA operating from Building 32 under the eye of Professor Geoff Lawrence until it moved out into new premises in the 'Smart City' precinct in the East Street Mall.

"So, I'll be representing not just myself as author here but also, taking a longer view, CQUniversity's contribution to excellence in NRM."