The most important things humanity has discovered and indeed our environmental health profession has learned were important life lessons from our mistakes. But we can learn even more from other people’s mistakes. Learning is a fundamental and foundational element of environmental health; real learning needs courage, exploration, vulnerability, falloverandgetupability and a splash of raw ability. • Scrape back learning’s surface and you’ll find a sense of wonder, purpose and risk. • Dissect risk and you will find danger and opportunity; both are vital if we hope to grow. Case study: how Bundaberg managed the ‘Great Australian EHO shortage’