Michael (Mike) Lloyd Turnbull (1949 - present) is a seismologist living in Central Queensland, and is the Leader of the Central Queensland Seismology Research Group. After completing his primary schooling Mike received a Queensland State Government scholarship to attend High School to study for the Queensland Junior Leaving Certificate (Junior Certificate), which he received at the end of 1964, after completing Year 10. In February 1965 Michael entered into a traineeship with the Australian Government's Post Master General Department (PMG). He relocated to Brisbane and completed his first year of vocational training at the PMG's Training Centre, on the northern side of Banfield Street, Chermside; adjacent to the newly constructed Chermside Shopping Centre. After completing his first year as a Telecommunication Technician in Training (TTIT) he was transferred to a south-western Queensland town as a TTIT to further his technical education. Over the next two years Michael was regularly sent to Brisbane for month-long specialised training modules, and was awarded a certificate as Technician (Telecommunications) in 1969.
In order to progress his career Michael taught himself the basics of Linear Algebra and Calculus so that he could apply for training as a Telecommunications Technical Officer (TTO). He received certification as TTO in 1973, but did not receive an appointment position.
In 1974 Michael transferred to Canberra where he was appointed as TTO. His main duties in Canberra involved maintenance of microwave transceivers and television links from Sydney to Melbourne. It was during this period that the PMG became the Australian Telecommunications Commission (Telecom Australalia, or just simply, Telecom).
Michael transferred back to Western Queensland in 1978, taking up a TTO appointment. Much of his time was spent being sent to telephone exchange centres throughout Queensland relieving senior technical staff as required. During this time Michael commenced, but did not complete, a Bachelor of Applied Science (Mathematics) degree at the then Capricornia institute of Advanced Education. This study was accomplished by external education, with residential periods as required.
In 1982 Michael was transferred to Brisbane as a technical expert in the Transmission Measurements Section (TMS) of the Telecom. His duties required him to travel throughout Queensland testing and commissioning various telecommunications media such as Open Wire Transmission Lines, Coaxial Cables, Fibre Optics. He also became a specialist in digital telecommunications techniques and equipment. Michael wrote the first book that explained and described techniques for testing optical fibre links and locating fibre breakages used within Telecom Australia throughout Australia.
In 1887 Michael recommenced his tertiary studies at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in a Bachelor of Applied Science (Physics) degree. He completed this degree in 1993 with Distinction.
In 1992 Telecom Australia released Michael as being redundant. He worked as a technician in a Photometric Laboratory at QUT until 1994, when he resigned and moved to his current residence in Central Queensland.
In 1995 Michael was appointed as a Tutor at the newly established Bundaberg Campus of the Central Queensland University (CQU). He tutored students studying Mathematics, Engineering, and Information Technology courses. Within 12 months of his appointment Michael had received a permanent position as Lecturer, and was appointed as the Faculty of Mathematics and Computing 's Bundaberg Coordinator - a position that later evolved into the position of Faculty Sub-Dean. Michael lectured at the Bundaberg Campus until 2006, when re resigned.
While at CQU Michael completed a Master's Degree in Applied Science by research and thesis. His thesis topics were non-destructive testing for urban susceptibility to earthquake shaking, and the recurrence periods for earthquakes of various magnitudes in the Central Queensland Region.
After resigning from CQU as a Lecturer, Michael was appointed as an Adjunct Research Fellow of the University; a position he currently continues to hold.