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Monitor: 2000-August 2002 vol 1
10 years
30th Anniversary
Jaybee cartoon 2002
Students take a seat for art's sake
UC claims Australian first
Crispe mixes microchips and graphic design
To contact Monitor Online:
monitor@canberra.
edu.au
Copyright © 2005
University of Canberra
Health not secret men's business
Youth discover art in science world
Cyclists spread the word
University receives exporting accolade
Updated September 6, 2013
Ole! for Open Day
Indigenous education initiatives
Award gives Michael access to all areas
UC gold at Uni Games
Indigenous scholarships promote restorative justice
Afghans caught in maelstrom of history
Rare honour conferred on an Australian
Arab-Israeli conflict challenges law makers
Architecture students imagine UC's future
Concourse art enlightens campus
Designer inspires new talent at campus
Asia-Pacific tunes to UC
Less than ideal preparation but Paul still wins eight medals
Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Who are we?
Love brings words to life for scriptwriter
Vice-Chancellors call for greater government support
Club celebrates win, misses Games
Medical centre to train postgraduates in emerging field
Kirby gets constitutional
Forensics more than TV glam, says Jane
Students bring outdoors inside
Engineer's enthusiasm is contagious
Carmel proves career change can open opportunities
UC conservators, VC address course's future
Cartoon (by JayBee)
Football and office politics in a head on collision
Researchers trek Top End in name of art
Best of Barkers at the Balcony Bar
Bearing blisters to end cruelty
Win for Beijing, win for UC
'Our' Ben nominated for Oscar
Sporting and club successes recongised at Blues Awards night
Greening students' political interest
Boys' attitudes about becoming men surprising but refreshing
Brisbane campus heralds 'symbolic beginning'
Buddies for International students sought
Burton Medal awarded to Maria Kubik
Christmas bushfires provide steep learning curve
'Bionic Butterflyer' strikes gold again
For further information about Monitor Online contact John Martin, Monitor Editor, on: [email protected]
Copyright © 2005 University of Canberra
Last Updated on September 6, 2013
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/index2000-2-v1.htm [6/09/2013 11:56:39 AM]
Monitor celebrates 10 years
By Alex Konrad, Monitor Editor
For 10 years Monitor has held up a mirror to the University of Canberra community.
The image reflected in its pages has been one of a vibrant campushappy, confident and strong in its diversity.
It is in keeping with the latter that Monitor has been most successful.
To quote Age journalist Martin Flanagan, newspapers should be like marketplacesfull of different voices.
Aspiring to this ethos, Monitor has celebrated the breadth of views, achievements and issues that comprise life at UC.
It follows then that a newspaper committed to diversity should not be afraid of change.
Long-time readers of Monitor may note that the newspaper has, for the most part, remained unchanged in its 10-year
history.
Believing that we should greet the next decade with continued vitality, Monitor staff will unveil a new design for the
newspaper early in 2002the new look more in line with current editorial aspirations.
Monitor's journalists and photographers have worked very hard towards this goal and, in the process, the 2001
editorial team has stamped its own imprimatur upon an already fine university newspaper.
In 1994, Monitor was awarded Best University Newspaper at the 7th International Conference of University Public
Relations.
The accolade impresses upon us the achievements of those who came before.
To all past editors, journalists and photographers of this newspaper, your efforts have not been forgotten.
Also receiving our acknowledgement and thanks are the contributors and columnists of this newspaper, who have
given tireless support.
And last, but certainly not least, our public. We thank you.
On this note, it is worth mentioning the adage that people will forget what you wrote, but remember how you made
them feel.
Perhaps this is sound advice to any journalist.
May we then entertain, excite and inform you for the next 10 years.
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/10years.html [6/09/2013 11:56:40 AM]
big week for 30th anniversary
Photo Album: Big week for 30th Anniversary events
The first Principal of CCAE,
Sam Richardson, flew from
The UCU Camel helped out with market research on the
England for the 30th
Anniversary. He is pictured with 30th Anniversary events.
the VC, Professor Don Aitkin.
A number of graduates were presented with Distinguished
Alumni Awards at the Reunion Lunch on August 27.
Above: Brand Hoff, Managing Director of Tower Software,
with the V-C, Don Aitkin.
Left: Greg Turnbull, Press Secretary for the Leader of the
Opposition, Kim Beazley, was also on hand to be
presented with his award.
RELATED ON THE
WEB
30th Anniversary Homepage
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/30anniv.html [6/09/2013 11:56:41 AM]
The opening of Building 20 was
another event for the 30th
Anniversary celebrations. ACT
Chief Minister, Kate Carnell,
opened the new building, which
is home to the School of
Languages and International
Education, the UC College and
the flexible Learning Delivery
Program.
Irish dancer
Cartoon copyright Jaybee, 2002.
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/A9.html [6/09/2013 11:56:43 AM]
Chair designs
Students take a seat for art's sake
Bachelor of Education (Primary) students extended their talents to design recently, completing a project for a unit in
technology education. Tasked with creating a chair based on a theme, students produced furniture that ranged from
kitsch to classy. Among the notables were (clockwise from topleft): Karen Kennedy’s Spring Chair, Jill Buscombe’s Red
Tree Chair, Tracey Exton’s A1 Chair and Abelia May’s Travel Chair. The students’ efforts were on display in Building
Five during Open Day, earning praise from their peers and staff.
Photos: Louise Rayfield.
Photonics research
UC claims Australian first
By Robin Poke
A team of engineers and physicists working in the University of
Canberra’s Centre for Advanced Telecommunications and
Quantum Electronics has reported a significant advance in their
research to develop secure communications over global
distances using the techniques of quantum physics.
The UC team recently succeeded in transmitting single photons
of laser light from Telstra’s Black Mountain Tower and detecting
them at the University of Canberra, at a distance of more than
four kilometres.
UC’s Professor Paul Edwards said a US team from the Los
Alamos National Physical Laboratories recently transmitted a
quantum code over a longer, high altitude (10 km) path.
“The Australian achievement is therefore an ‘Australian first’ but
not a ‘world first’.
It is significant, however, in that it was accomplished at low
altitudes under similar conditions to those expected for a
quantum cryptographic link operating between the ground and
an orbiting earth satellite.
Links of this kind have been proposed to distribute secret
quantum codes around the world,” Prof Edwards said.
The research was a cooperative effort.
“It is being carried out by staff and students from the University
of Canberra, the School of Physics at the Australian Defence
Force Academy, and the Faculty of Science and Technology at
the Canberra Institute of Technology,” he said.
The Canberra team gave the first Australian laboratory
demonstration of quantum coding two years ago.
It is now preparing to receive laser signals from an experimental
optical communications satellite.
Their work, which is funded by the Australian Research Council,
is part of an international collaboration involving United States,
United Kingdom, Japanese and other Australian research
workers at Macquarie, Monash, RMIT and Wollongong
universities.
In the Canberra trials, short pulses of polarised infrared light
were generated at a rate of 2 MHz by a laser operating at a
wavelength of 830 nanometres.
Before transmission the narrow laser beam was attenuated by a
factor of 10 billion times, so that very few transmitted pulses
contained more than one photon.
This is a prerequisite for the secure transmission of a quantum
code.
Timing information was provided by bright red laser pulses
transmitted from Telstra Tower.
Several hundred photons per second were counted with 250 mm
and 200 mm diameter optical telescopes, coupled by other
specialised equipment.
Research assistant Adrian Blake and
Professor Paul Edwards in their lab
at UC. Photo: Alex Konrad.
Rob Crispe
Crispe mixes microchips, graphic design
By Louise Rugendyke
Rob Crispe sits in the web designer’s revolving chair.
Tucked away in the corner of the University of Canberra’s
Community Relations office, you could be forgiven for thinking
the chair was cursed, such was its inability to hold on to a web
designer for more than six weeks.
Rob was one of these designers.
In 2001, he left the chair for the private sector—after only six
weeks on the job.
A year and two designers later, Rob is back and promising to
extend his stay beyond six weeks.
“I was lured away by the private sector,” he says with a grin.
And, like some battle-weary soldier, Rob says he has “seen
enough” of the private sector to know he doesn’t want to go back.
“The only time I’ll go out again is if I am working for myself … I’m
happy where I am.”
So, UC it is then.
As the university’s web designer, Rob’s main priority is taking
charge of the university’s web site redevelopment.
Along with design company RTM and the two previous web
designers, Alberto Florez and Tim Stuparich, he has been giving
the site a complete overhaul.
“It was in a state of disorder. There was no uniformity,
consistency, layout or structure,” he says.
While admittedly, it did have some well-designed pages, it
wasn’t working on a “macro level”.
The result is a more corporate look and feel that will be used as
the university’s flagship marketing tool.
“Across the whole site every access point has to conform in the
way things are laid out,” he says, with the ultimate goal being
that every entry point is branded as UC in some way.
It is important the web site has a strong and uniform feel about
it, he says, and although he doesn’t want to be a “design
policeman,” pulling people up for incorrect styles, he does insist
that “things need to be represented properly”.
“People notice bad quality design ... When it is good design, it
becomes more of a transparent and smooth browsing
experience.
"But bad design is much more recognisable. Bad quality images
deter people.”
A UC graduate in 2000, Rob started out in an applied economics
degree but “hated it”.
He then switched to industrial design and two years later, “finally
realised that 2D artwork and multimedia graphics were much
more interesting”.
He veered towards web design “because it is an evolving field”.
“It has more potential than print media … it’s still in its infancy
and it’s still exciting in terms of design.”
After graduation he spent a year working for the Canberra-based
design studio Brave and, after his initial stint at UC, he worked
for another design studio called The Couch.
However, he found the design studio culture didn’t suit him, with
smaller jobs and daily deadlines.
What he likes about UC is that he has control over “one big job,”
is able to liaise directly with clients and be his own manager.
For Rob, good design isn’t always about what is pleasing to the
eye.
It should always satisfy the needs of the client and it also comes
down to how well problems are solved.
Rob says if he can answer the client’s brief, provide a highly
aesthetic site that is accessible and easy to navigate, then he
has done his job.
“In effect it’s problem solving.”
To avoid “design ruts,” he likes to keep an eye out for interesting
design in all types of media and keep an open mind about what
he sees.
“There is a lot of awesome stuff in print and web design. I’m
always looking for elite design and graphic works.”
Rob also lists music as one of his prime sources of inspiration
and can be found banging away on the drums or listening to
anything from classical to hard rock music styles.
“Repetition isn’t a good source of inspiration,” he says.
“I like to keep things moving, listen and watch lots of different
things, try to be inspired.”
And it seems that working at UC provides him with all the
inspiration he needs.
“I love my job,” he laughs.
“Every day is different and there is always a need to make things
look good.
“I look forward to getting out of bed in the morning and creating
meaningful design solutions.”
"I love my job," says web designer
Rob Crispe. Photo: Louise Rugendyke.
Men's health
Health not secret men's business
By David McKenzie
We should all be familiar with the push to encourage men to
take an interest in their health.
However according to University of Canberra student Cameron
Godwin, most men still seem to have a problem with seeking
help when they are ill.
“Men are taught to grin and bear it,” he said. “They don’t like to
talk about it [illness].”
Cameron is one of the few men studying the Bachelor of
Community Education at UC, in a faculty populated largely by
women.
“It’s frustrating. Most of what we learn about in the course is
female stuff,” he said.
But Cameron, 29, is accustomed to this sort of situation. After
graduating from school, he enrolled in a primary education
course, but dropped out after he lost interest.
After extensive travel throughout Europe, Thailand, Mexico and
Canada, he returned to study and is nearing the end of his
degree, which he said he chose because of an interest in
teaching at an adult level.
His major field of interest is international aid work, and after
completing his course he wants to work in Australia for a year
before applying for positions overseas with aid agencies.
He says community education is important in developing
countries, because it is easier to stop the spread of a disease
through education than to cure it.
Last summer, Cameron took advantage of an exchange
program between UC and Naresuan University in Phitsanulok,
Thailand, to study the spread of AIDS in Thailand.
Focusing on prostitution, he interviewed prostitutes and their
clients, and found the major problem was no longer men
contracting HIV from prostitutes, but wives catching it from
husbands.
He said AIDS education had been effective for the prostitutes
themselves, however, and now almost 100 per cent used
protection.
Cameron fell into his current project quite unexpectedly.
Community education students each complete a major research
project addressing a community issue.
Cameron came into contact with ACT Community Care, who
were concerned about the impact of their telephone service for
health care.
Aware it is hard to bring men into the health care system if they
are sick, they wanted to create a male-friendly environment,
which would encourage participation.
Cameron himself is aware of the problems in convincing men to
take an active interest in their own health, preferring like most
men to hope illness will go away of its own accord.
“A lot of it is about the fact that once we get men into the system
they will stay in. But how do we get men in, in the first place?” he
said.
He said he is therefore looking at ways of using masculinity to
get men involved, and use male character traits to help them.
An example of this would be to take advantage of the traditional
competitiveness of males, and get them to compete against the
illness.
Cameron said men must be empowered to take control of their
lives, rather than avoid doctors.
One way to do this, he reports, is to make the environment malefriendly, so men aren’t confronted by pap-smear pamphlets
when they go for a check-up.
He has been speaking to professionals and conducting surveys
and focus groups and will present his findings to ACT
Community Care.
“The buzz word is empowerment,” he stresses. “Empowering
people to know what’s going on in their lives and how to change
it.”
Community-minded student,
Cameron. Photo: David McKenzie.
Science in Design-Design in Science
Youth discover art in science world
By Robin Poke
How do you link the creative quality of design with the principles
of science?
This was the question posed by the University of Canberra to
Year 11 and 12 art, design, photography and science students
from across the Canberra region prior to the Science in DesignDesign in Science 2002 exhibition.
Their answers were unveiled at the exhibition’s opening night on
August 21.
The exhibition was the brain-child of Professor Mohamed
Khadra, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Division of Science and Design.
“The exhibition was an innovative way to explore the many
linkages between two often diverse disciplines such as science
and design,” Professor Khadra said.
“Our aim was to provide a venue where a student’s creativity
can be expressed, and to also foster links between secondary
and tertiary study and the community.”
Vice-Chancellor Professor Roger Dean presented the prizes,
including a $500 first prize to Sarah Firth of Narrabundah
College, the student who, according to the judges, best
demonstrated a high level of design while incorporating links
between the two broad disciplines.
ABOVE: One of the entries in the
Science in Design- Design in Science
competition. Photo: Louise Rayfield.
The works were judged by Geo-science Australia research
scientist Patrick Lyons and CSIRO scientific illustrator Carl
Davies.
The Science in Design-Design in Science 2002 Exhibition, held
in the Design Gallery, Building Seven, was part of the Australian
Science Festival ARTSCI program.
ABOVE: The winning artworks,
composed by Narrabundah College
student Sarah Firth. LEFT: ViceChancellor Roger Dean presents
Sarah Firth with her award. Photos:
Louise Rayfield.
Cycle for LIfe
Cyclists spread the word
By Melissa Halls
After travelling over 18,000km and visiting every state and
territory, Ben Carey and Christian Tancred toured the University
of Canberra to spread their message to staff and students: that
suicide is preventable.
Presenting a computer montage of photos from their journey,
Ben and Christian told students the ability to communicate was a
powerful resource.
And their message is simple: “It’s not that you need to do a big
thing, just something,” Ben said.
After losing his cousin to suicide in 1998, Ben said he lapsed
into severe depression and was hospitalised.
Struggling to return to normal life, Ben said “I hid it for a long
time.
"I tried ignoring it. I finally broke and ended up going to hospital.
I realised that I had to communicate more, and openly, and not
to be such a stereotypical bloke”.
Christian, who has also been touched by suicide, agrees that
people often have difficulty communicating their feelings and
emotions.
“The way I coped with dealing with suicide was to talk to family
and friends and taking positive lifestyle choices, including
exercising regularly. Meditation is good, as emotions are also
spiritual.”
Coming up with the idea when walking home from work, Ben
asked his best friend, Christian—whom he has known since age
10—to accompany him on the ride around Australia.
Christian’s role consisted of organisation and moral support.
Christian drove the support vehicle, organised sponsorship for
the event, arranged media interviews and visits to school and
community groups.
“I made sure he had an ice cold ginger beer at the end of every
day,” Christian said.
Beginning in Sydney on April 8, 2001, over the next seven and a
half months Ben and Christian travelled to Port Douglas, from
Mount Isa to Alice Springs, then to Darwin, Broome, Perth,
Albany, across the Nullabor Plain to Adelaide, Melbourne,
Tasmania and finished back in Sydney.
Only cycling 10km a day to and from work, Ben was not a
regular cyclist, and found the early stages difficult, only travelling
45km in the first day, finishing on the outskirts of Sydney.
The motto of the journey was “use your ability to help others”.
Ben and Christian said they became so focused that they had
the words tattooed onto their bodies.
And to keep themselves entertained for such an extended period
of time, they changed their hairstyles, with Christian adopting a
mohawk for part of the ride and Ben dyed his hair blonde.
A Cycle for Life website was also established, providing updates
on the progress of the ride, and the ability to email the team
messages.
“We were averaging around 200 emails a week at one stage,
which provided us with real inspiration to continue,” Ben said.
Upon presenting their story to the UC community, Christian said
he hoped people would prioritise their family and friends.
“We need to take time out in our lives to remember what is
important. And that is other people.”
Ben hopes his message will inspire others and spark some
ideas for suicide prevention and to reassure people to be happy
in their lives.
“Christo and I were just two blokes who had no previous
experience, and that goes to show that anyone can do it, with
the right support,” Ben said.
Ben and Christian have been writing a book about the bike ride
which includes a daily diary, with thoughts from the pair and the
stories they had heard in different communities. The book will be
published at the end of the year.
Cycle for Life attracted 500 minutes of television and radio time,
and 300 newspaper articles as Ben and Christian visited over
180 communities in seven and a half months.
Cycle for Life team, Ben Carey and
Christian Tancred. Photo: Louise
Rayfield.
Export Award
University receives exporting accolade
By Alex Konrad
The University of Canberra has been declared Education Exporter of the Year at the ACT Chief Minister’s Export
Awards.
Held at the National Press Club recently, the awards are coordinated by the ACT Exporters’ Network and recognize the
contribution exporters make to the Canberra community.
Chief Minister Jon Stanhope was in attendance on the night, acknowledging the ability of ACT firms to compete in the
international marketplace.
UC’s accolade noted the campus’ providing education to international students, business and government agencies
within Australia and abroad.
UC’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Elizabeth Moore was particularly pleased with the university’s achievement.
“I’ve been in my new role as Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the university for just eight weeks and, in the short time I have
been here, I have been very impressed by the staff and activities relating to the university’s internationalisation
achievements, the warm reception given to international students within the Canberra community and the strong
collaboration between the Canberra-based education institutions in developing the international market,” Prof Moore
said.
“It came as no surprise that the university won the recent Education Export Award and I congratulate all involved in this
success.”
Meanwhile IT company, Protocom Development Systems, of Deakin, won the overall prize.
Protocom is a leader in security systems for computer networks, with private and public sector clients in Australia, the
United States, Canada and Europe.
Open Day 2002
Ole´ for Open Day
By David McKenzie
Sunny weather greeted an estimated 6000 prospective students
on August 31, as they visited the University of Canberra for the
campus’ annual Open Day.
Six of Canberra’s tertiary education institutions opened their
doors to visitors from across the ACT and NSW, providing
information and tours around the campuses’ worldclass facilities.
The UC community turned out in force to show visitors what the
campus had to offer.
The three academic divisions of the university all had a
significant presence, holding extensive information sessions
about courses on offer and conducting stalls and tours
throughout the day.
Representatives from many of the campus’ clubs and cultural
groups also held stalls and demonstrations, from areas as
diverse as theatre, tourism and international friendship.
Meanwhile, crowds were awed by the antics of several
adventurers from the UC Outdoors Club, who gave a gravitydefying performance as they abseiled down the side of the
technology centre.
The School of Languages and
International Education’s Leonardo
Montes de Oca Ch gets into the spirit
of Open Day, complete with Mexican
sombrero. Photo: Louise Rayfield.
And on technology, visitors viewed the latest developments in
areas such as speech recognition and fibre-optics.
Additionally, Formula Three racecar driver Paul Trengrove
spoke about his experiences in the fast lane of accountancy.
Other highlights included recitals by students of professional
writing and tours of the Wiradjuri Childcare Centre for those
interested in studying an education degree.
Open Day guides reminded future students there was more to
university than just academia, as inhabitants of university
residences invited people into their rooms to see the lifestyles of
residential students.
Prospective students to the
University of Canberra visit on the
campus’ Open Day. ABOVE: Cowra’s
Several thousand visitors took the opportunity to visit the
Annette Lelieure and Ian Murphy.
campus, an experience which will help them make one of the
CENTRE: Young’s Jane Dyball,
most important decisions of their life—where to study.
Lauren Pollock and Jenny Newham.
BELOW: Kiama’s Matthew Cox.
Visitors from surrounding regions like Batemans Bay, Wagga
Wagga, Canowindra, Cowra and Young were also provided with
transport to the university for the day.
Cowra secondary students Annette Lelieure and Ian Murphy
were among the aspiring students visiting UC.
“Canberra is great,” they said.
“It seems like a good place to be.
“We had a great day and everyone we met was friendly and
helpful.”
UC’s Vice-Chancellor Roger Dean said Open Day was a
fantastic opportunity for the university to show the world what it
has to offer.
“UC is a leading force in communications, environmental
science, nursing, public sector management and sports
education. It is also one of Australia’s top universities in
architecture, design, electronics and computer engineering,
health management, commercial law, banking and finance,
teacher education and IT.”
Indigenous education
Indigenous education initiatives
By Greg Welsh
The education and career prospects of the University
of Canberras Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
students have been bolstered by the announcement of
two new development initiatives.
Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander
Downer, recently launched the Roni Ellis Study Award
on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade.
Dedicated to the memory of an indigenous DFAT
employee who died of leukaemia last year, the award
of $1000 will be presented annually to an indigenous
student studying in the Foundation Program at UCs
Ngunnawal Centre.
It will assist students who have come late to tertiary
studies, or who need to improve their qualifications
before embarking on a degree.
(Left to right) Phillip Bell (Executive
Officer DFAT), Associate Professor Tracey
Bunda (Director Ngunnawal Centre UC),
Mr Larry Brandy (UC) and Mr Ribnga Green
(Head of Jabal Centre, ANU).
Photo: DFAT.
"All those who knew Roni remember her as a woman
of great dignity, with tremendous warmth, humanity
and a sense of humour," Mr Downer said. "This award
will serve as a memorial for her, and an incentive for
indigenous students to follow her example in fighting
the odds to achieve their goals."
Meanwhile, Environment Australia's public affairs
section has instituted an internship program for
indigenous students with the first participant, Darren
Graham, attending during the recent NAIDOC Week.
The program was instituted as part of the department's
indigenous career development and recruitment
strategy and the university's journalism program
director Wendy Bilboe's long-term plan to search for
and develop opportunities for indigenous students.
Darren, a third year student, spent time with several
public affairs officers who were working on specific
projects such as a media kit for a International Whaling
Commission meeting in London, organising articles for
publication in the Natural Heritage Trust journal and
preparing annual reports.
Darren also met other indigenous staff and attended a
cross-cultural workshop and presentations about
indigenous land management, which were organised
as part of NAIDOC Week.
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/aborig-21-08-01.html [6/09/2013 11:56:56 AM]
Access scholarship
Award gives Michael Access to all areas
By Viva Goldner
A stimulated society allows for a climate of new ideas,
open-mindedness and experimentation, said landscape
architecture student and Access Scholarship recipient
Michael Mossman of his quest to challenge convention
through design.
The $1,000 National Capital Authority Scholarship in
Design for Indigenous Students will help Michael create an
alternative perspective by incorporating indigenous culture
in his architecture.
The grant was part of the University’s $100,000 Access
Scholarships Scheme to provide higher education for
students in defined equity groups.
More than 40 students received scholarships this year, to
be used for textbooks and course expenses,
reimbursement of the Amenities and Services fees,
assistance with childcare costs and university residence
fees.
Having completed a Bachelor of Environmental Design in
1996, Michael is in his final year of the second component
of his double degree, the Bachelor of Architecture.
“I’ve developed an interest for centres of culture,
particularly an interest in indigenous cultures and other
centres that provide enlightenment,” he said.
Michael’s interest in environmental design stems from a
desire to raise awareness of the multiple cultures that
make up a society.
“Design is all around us and I have always wanted to
contribute something to our culture. Personally, there is
some kind of internal thought process which I am not fully
aware of, but I can harness it and hopefully bring a
different perspective to the community,” he said.
Michael said his upbringing in Cairns prompted him to
move to Canberra to study Architecture as a means of
communicating his heritage.
He spent three years in Melbourne working for Gregory
Burgess Architects, where he had the opportunity to create
Aboriginal designs, before returning to UC to complete his
degree.
Since 1998, the Access Scheme has assisted ACT and
regional students who are single parents, students with
special needs, students from non-English speaking
backgrounds, rural students and indigenous students.
The program has continued to expand by forming
partnerships with charitable, public service, commercial
and local government organisations.
Besides the National Capital Authority, these organisations
are The Smith Family, The Society of St Vincent de Paul,
Aspect Computing, The Batemans Bay Youth Foundation
and Tumut Shire Council.
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/access.html [6/09/2013 11:56:56 AM]
Michael Mossman is the recipient of the 2001
Scholarship in Design for Indigenous
Students. Photo: Adrian Redman.
2001 AUGs
UC gold at Uni Games
By Liz Gooch
The University of Canberras most talented athletes have
returned from the Australian University Games with one of
the best results in recent years.
There were 111 UC students competing in seven sports at
various venues throughout Sydney last month.
UC swimmers dominated events in the Homebush pool,
winning the overall award in the mens division and finishing
third in a combined effort.
Two of UCs star swimmers, Paul Nicholson and Justin
Norris, were named in the honorary green and gold team.
Nicholson was a regular feature on the Homebush medal
dais, winning gold in the 100m butterfly and backstroke,
silver in the 50m butterfly and backstroke and bronze in the
200m backstroke.
The University of Canberra Union scholarship holder was
also part of the mens gold-winning 50m medley relay team,
along with Olympian Justin Norris, Heath McDermott and
Andrew Pratley.
Norris continued his dominance of the 200m butterfly,
bringing home the gold medal.
The UC student won an Olympic bronze medal in the event
last year at the 2000 Games in Homebush.
UCs Touch Club had a competitive and vocal presence at
the Games, with three teams contesting the titles at Tempe.
After gaining a wildcard entry, the mens team finished
runners-up in a tense grand final against the University of
New South Wales.
The womens team brought home the bronze, narrowly
missing out on a grandfinal berth after a full-time draw led to
a dramatic drop-off in the semi-final.
UC touch players named in the green and gold side
included mens captain David King, Raiders player Mark
McLinden, Paul Farrah, womens captain Kate Murray and
Naomi Mynott.
Meanwhile UCs rowing team sculled their way into third
place overall at the Sydney International Regatta Centre in
Penrith.
World champion Rebecca Sattin combined with teammate,
Taryn Langdon to take out the gold in the womens pair.
The womens four, consisting of Sattin, Langdon, Donna
Martin and Suzannah Welsh also won their division.
The growing number of UC rowers helped the campus
achieve its third place ranking.
UCU sports and recreation officer Brett Bowden said 23
rowers from UC competed at this years AUGs compared to
last years team of five.
UCs softballers also enjoyed a successful week, bringing
home the silver medal.
Katherine McNamara, Marcy Piwowarczyk and Julie Balogh
were named in the green and gold team.
Mr Bowden said UCs performance was a big improvement
on last years efforts.
"Our participation was twice as big as last year. Its the best
results weve had at the AUGs in a long time," he said.
The overall winner of the AUGs for 2001 was the Games
host, the University of Sydney.
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/augs2001.html [6/09/2013 11:56:57 AM]
UC's 4x50m women's freestyle relay
team, Elizabeth Taulanga, Suzanne
Cosgrove, Michelle Doyle and Emma
McLeod, test their strength at the
Australian University Games. Photo:
Brett Bowden.
aboriginal scholarships - aden ridgeway
Indigenous scholarships promote restorative justice
By Robin Poke
A new scholarship should help nurture the abilities of
Indigenous students according to Senator Aden Ridgeway.
Senator Ridgeway made the comments at the November 6
launch of the UC/St Vincent de Paul Scholarship, which
will support Indigenous students enrolled in the degree of
Bachelor of Education at UC.
The main aims of the scholarship are to increase the
number of Indigenous students and teachers in the
education system and enhance career opportunities for
Indigenous students. Senator Ridgeway said the
agreement sets a standard for such partnerships.
"I hope this scholarship sets a benchmark that might one
day result in partnerships seeking to increase the number
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors, lawyers,
journalistseven politicians," he said.
At the launch of the scholarships
were,
from left, UC Vice-Chancellor, Don
Aitkin,
Senator Aden Ridgeway, Director of
Indigenous Education at UC, Tracey
Bunda,
St Vincent de Paul Society President,
Russell Walls, and Associate Professor
Tim O'Hearn of the Australian Catholic
University.
RELATED ON THE WEB
UC's Ngunnawal Centre
ATSIC home page
St Vincent de Paul
Australian Catholic University
"It is also part of a program of uplifting that promotes
restorative justice," said Aden. President of the St Vincent
de Paul Society, Russell Walls, said one of the main aims
of his society is to shape a more just and compassionate
Australian community.
"Where education is concerned, however, young
Indigenous Australians remain severely disadvantaged,"
Russell said. "Only one third of Aboriginal children
complete schooling, compared with the national average of
77 per cent. Seventeen per cent of Aboriginal people aged
between 18 and 20 participate in education compared with
45 per cent of other Australians.
"And only two per cent of Aboriginal people have tertiary
degrees compared with 12 per cent among the rest of the
population. This is our way of respecting Aboriginal dignity,
sharing their hopes, and encouraging them to take control
of their own destiny," he said.
UC's Deputy Vice Chancellor, Meredith Edwards, echoed
these sentiments. "This is a most important social issue,
"she said. "It is also very much part of the University's
equal opportunity program."
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/aden.html [6/09/2013 11:56:58 AM]
Afghanistan
Afghans caught in Maelstrom of history
By Viva Goldner
The United States-led assault on terrorism has
turned global attention to Afghanistan as the
wrath of the world's richest country falls firmly on
the poorest.
Although US President George Bush stated the
war was against international terrorism and not
Afghanistan, the campaign highlights the tragic
plight of a shattered society caught in the
maelstrom of history, according to Afghanistan
expert Associate Professor William Maley.
Speaking at the University of Canberra this
month, Dr Maley said drought and decades of civil
war had marred Afghanistan, with the Taliban's
fundamentalist Islamic regime inflicting further
hardship since gaining power in 1996.
Map by Monitor photographer Adrian Redman.
Following periods of monarchal, republican and
communist rule, popular resistance to the Peoples
Democratic Party of Afghanistan allowed the
Soviet Red Army to invade in 1979.
An alliance of Muslim fighters called the
Mujahideen defeated the Soviet occupiers in
1992, but civil war broke out soon after between
the various Islamic factions.
Dr Maley said ethnic enmity fanned the conflict,
with the dominant Pashtun identity refigured
around political strategies of mobilisation, to the
detriment of ethnic minorities such as the Hazara.
"Their situation of being physically distinct and
religiously heterodox has made the Hazara a
target. It would be difficult to think of any other
group in the world who has a greater fear of
persecution than the Afghan Hazara," he said.
While competing warlords terrorised the Afghan
people, the Pashtun-dominated Taliban overran
the Government in 1996 with little resistance from
a population wearied by the corruption,
lawlessness and political instability plaguing the
country.
According to Dr Maley, large numbers of
disaffected youth channelled their frustration into
radical political movements such as the Taliban.
"The Taliban is a pathogenic force and not a
natural outgrowth of Afghan society, therefore its
members were willing to break traditional norms
and do anything, such as beating up women in
the street for wearing the wrong thing," Dr Maley
said.
Most core members of the Taliban attended
religious schools in Pakistan where their families
had sought refuge during the Soviet occupation,
and adhered to an interpretation of Sunni Islamic
law.
The Taliban installed an oppressive regime,
banning women from employment, education and
leaving the house unaccompanied, while men
who did not grow beards faced imprisonment.
Music, television and films were forbidden, and
children could not fly kites, play chess or enjoy
other simple pleasures as they were deemed
distractions from religious studies.
Paper bags were also banned as they may have
been recycled from old Korans, and lower level
windows were blackened to prevent males from
glimpsing women.
"The Taliban have been particularly vandalistic in
their approach to cultural property, for example
with the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas. The
traditional ways by which the people have
integrated themselves into society have been
smashed to bits," Dr Maley said.
The Taliban employed a moral police force, called
Agents for the Preservation of Virtue and
Elimination of Vice, to enforce the new rules and
punish offenders.
The Taliban owed its success to patrons such as
Pakistan, who trained warriors and provided
military backing.
Financial aid came from the United States during
the fight against its Cold War nemesis, the Soviet
Union, and later from Saudi Arabia, which was
competing with Iran for religious dominance of the
Islamic world.
According to Dr Maley, the anti-Taliban forces of
the Northern Alliance could play a crucial role in
the war against terrorism.
The Northern Alliance, comprising ethnic Tajiks
and Uzbeks and Shia Muslims, currently control
around five per cent of Afghanistan's territory, but
may secure US backing as an ally in the Bush
administration's assault.
With foreign aid, including $636 million pledged
by Bush, and a renewed international focus on
the country's desperation, Dr Maley said there
was hope the conflict could facilitate eventual
stability.
"Afghanistan saw five to six million people
displaced into neighbouring countries as refugees
during the 1980s. There are also countless
people who have been internally displaced,
disabled, or traumatised by torture and war," he
said.
"A huge humanitarian operation is going to need
to be launched, and there is also a need for
political reconstruction, perhaps through a UN
operation to provide bolstering for an independent
Afghan framework. It is vital to lock Afghan actors
into constructive, rather than destructive modes of
behaviour."
Considering Afghanistan's future, Dr Maley said
grounds for optimism included the strengths of
civil society and the private sector, as well as the
independent nature of the Afghan people.
However, he warned of the fleeting nature of past
US attention to Afghanistan.
"The attacks on the World Trade Centre and the
Pentagon have forced the United States to reengage with this part of the world in a way they
had culpably failed to do since 1992," he said.
"Unfortunately, Afghanistan is a country that
makes the news in a large way, then bears the
consequences of its newsworthiness in a large
way."
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/afghan.html [6/09/2013 11:56:59 AM]
rare honour conferred on an australian
Rare Honour Conferred on an Australian
The University of Canberra's Dr Amareswar Galla had the
rare honour of receiving an award for outstanding service
to heritage conservation during 2000.
The award was conferred by Mr Ha Van Hien on behalf of
the Vietnamese Government, the Chairman of the Peoples
Committee and the Secretary General of the Party of
Quang Ninh Province.
The presentation was made at a dinner in Ha Long Bay,
which was hosted for 93 Association of South East Asian
Nations museum dignitaries - the setting having some of
the worldÕs most unique heritage resources despite being
one of its poorest communities.
UNESCO recognised Ha long Bay World Heritage Area for
its outstanding aesthetic and landscape values in 1994,
and for its geological values in 2000. Inspired by their
surrounds, the dignitaries - museum directors, heads of
cultural ministries, as well as Interpol and Customs from
each of the Southeast Asian countries - discussed
strategies for the prevention of illicit traffic in cultural
property.
Dr Galla chaired the workshop in his capacity as the
President of the Asia Pacific Board of the International
Council of Museums.
Mr Van Hien said that Dr Galla was considered a rare
genius at formulating community economic development
initiatives based on culture and heritage resources.
Dr Galla was currently examining sustainable
development, using Vietnamese, Indian and South African
case studies.
He had given his valuable time and expertise for
developing strategies that dealt with the conflicts between
the heritage and environmental conservation in the face of
rapid urbanisation, unprecedented growth in tourism and
the pollution from some of the largest open cut coal mines
in the world.
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/amar.html [6/09/2013 11:57:00 AM]
Professor of Cultural Heritage
Management, Dr Amareswar Galla,
with his award from the Vietnamese
Government.
arab-israeli conflict challenges law makers
Arab-Israeli conflict challenges law makers
By Alex Konrad
Visiting law scholar Professor Yehuda Blum addressed
University of Canberra staff and students recently,
examining international law and self-determination in the
Arab-Israeli conflict.
Professor Blum's seminar could hardly have been better
timed. Recent deterioration in Palestinian-Jewish relations
has once again raised the issue of Palestinian autonomy.
Having more than an academic interest in conflict,
Professor Blum's life has been personally touched by war
and peace.
Of Jewish descent, Professor Blum was detained in a Nazi
concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen during 1944. Later in
life, he was a member of Israel's negotiating team for a
peace treaty with Egypt in 1979. Professor Blum also
lectures at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and was
once the Senior Assistant to the Legal Advisor, Israel
Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Professor Blum's professional interest in self-determination
was sparked by his own people's struggle. "It [self
determination] is one of the most powerful concepts in the
politics of the 20th Century," Professor Blum said.
At a time when the United Nations was committed to more
integration, self-determination contradicted the trend
desired by the international community, Professor Blum
claimed.
The concept was more political than legal, he said. Selfdetermination had been around since the French
Revolution. In more modern times, US President Woodrow
Wilson enunciated the concept during 1917.
Despite its longevity as a political term, self-determination
was legally complex, Professor Blum said. "There is an
inherent contradiction between sovereignty Ð the status
quo - and the revolutionary principle of self-determination."
Self-determination was essentially the right to secede from
a nation state, Professor Blum said. There were problems,
however, with how the legal rights of self-determination
could be reconciled with the sovereignty of states.
Professor Blum illustrated this conflict of interest by
examining the United Nations' principles and purposes.
Self-determination was not included among the UN's
principles, where as sovereignty was one of the first
concepts on this list. Self-determination instead held a less
lofty entry, and was included in the organisation's
purposes.
Despite this, the UN's 1962 Covenant on Human Rights
had, however, listed self-determination as a cardinal right,
Professor Blum said. As self-determination really meant
independence it also created problems for lawyers. Keys in
determining a legal challenge were a group's claim to
being a people and working out who was the self that
decided the outcome.
The self was the global community and a people was
characterised by language, history, culture and religion and
usually inhabited a well-defined piece of land, Professor
Blum said.
As examples, Professor Blum cited Finland's Aland
Islands, which have an ethnic Swede population, and
Italy's South Tirol, which has an ethnic Austrian population.
In many examples, however, a group qualified as a people
but could not express self-determination, Professor Blum
said. The Kurds had a homogeneous homeland was but
their aspiration for self-determination challenged the
sovereignty of Turkey, Syria and Iraq, Professor Blum said.
This was in contrast with Bangladesh. It secession from
Pakistan in 1971 had been supported by Indian arms and
was later legitimised by the international community. In the
case of Israel, the Jews were able demonstrate their being
people due to a common history and culture, Professor
Blum said.
The state of Israel was now an issue of sovereignty not
self-determination, and it was important to distinguish
between what is in the present and what was in the past,
he said.
The term Palestine was not coined until the area was
annexed as a British Mandate after World War I, Professor
Blum claimed.
Despite the state of Israel being formed in 1948, it was not
until 1967, after the Six Day War, that the issue of
Palestinian sovereignty was raised, Professor Blum
claimed.
As the Arabs could not militarily oust the Jews, the United
Nations deemed that self-determination was a right of the
Palestinian people, he said. Although the Palestinians
shared an Arabic culture, they were overwhelmingly
considered a people in their own right, he said.
"No-one is his right mind would deny them selfdetermination," Professor Blum concluded.
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/arab__israeli.html [6/09/2013 11:57:01 AM]
Cartoon by Jaybee © 2001.
Architecture
Architecture students imagine UC's future
By Louise Rugendyke
An egg shaped building, glass covered structures and a wavelike roof are just some of the innovative ideas third-year
architecture students have unveiled as part of a project to design
a graduation hall for the University of Canberra.
Although a hypothetical project, they were given their brief by
former Vice-Chancellor Don Aitkin, who had always envisaged a
graduation hall on campus, according to architecture and
building lecturer Simon Kringas.
Mr Kringas said Professor Aitkin felt the university needed a
spiritual centre and an icon that could double as a graduation
and concert hall as well as an exhibition space.
The building needed to be able to accommodate between 1200
and 1500 people, contain a main graduation hall and a smaller,
separate auditorium, be acoustically sound and roomy enough
to cope with 300 students moving about in the hall during
graduation.
It also needed to aesthetically match other buildings on campus
in terms of materials (generally white brick), form and height, Mr
Kringas said.
The 32 students were given a hypothetical budget of $20 million
to work within and they had to produce plans and a large model
showing the internal and external features of the building.
Mr Kringas described the project as quite complex, with the
students examining case studies of existing significant designs,
building codes and various technological and sustainable design
issues.
Student Myles Hannah, who designed a glass-covered
rectangular building, said he wanted the glass to act like a big
TV screen so people on the exterior could see the people inside
moving about on the many pathways.
The inter-connecting interior pathways, he said, were so people
could explore the building in detail.
Students were given a major design project each semester, Mr
Kringas said, and while they were not necessarily real projects,
they always involved a real client and site."
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/archecture1.html [6/09/2013 11:57:02 AM]
Architecture student Erin Hinton
with her design for a graduation hall.
Photo: Louise Rugendyke.
Sculptures
Concourse art enlightens campus
By Greg Welsh
Second-year students from the School of Design
installed 14 environmental artworks on campus
between July 19 and 26, as part of the Campus
Enlightenment project.
The above project, Diversity, completed by Naomi
Stevens, Anne Mewburn, Claudia Gonzalez, Nola
Watson, Hema Patel, Angela Hicks, Andre Quaglio
and Kenney Lemire, took out the Roger Johnson
prize, a biennial prize awarded to an interdisciplinary
project winner within the School of Design.
The prize commemorates the inaugural Head of the
School of Environmental Design.
Photo: Adrian Redman
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/art.html [6/09/2013 11:57:04 AM]
Arthur Leydin
Designer inspires new talent
at campus
By Louise Rugendyke
Graphic designers should aim to “infuse their work with
elegance, wit and style,” was the advice passed on to students
by one of Australia’s leading graphic designers.
Arthur Leydin, one of the pioneering figures in the Australian
graphic design industry was in Canberra for a design workshop
recently and he took time out to provoke the creative juices of
some University of Canberra graphic design students.
He challenged them to design a “unit” that could be slipped
inside a book purchased from an old-fashioned, family-run
bookstore.
A simple design was preferable and it had to encourage
customers aged between 18 and 25 years to return.
A leading light in the Australian and American graphic design
circles for 20 years, Mr Leydin was also the founding, principal
lecturer and head of Visual Communication at the Sydney
College of the Arts and in 2000 he was inducted into the
Australian Graphic Designers Association’s Paperpoint Hall of
Fame.
These days he splits his time between design studios in
Sydney and Melbourne and a café he owns in Cairns.
In terms of graphic design, some of his most recognisable work
can still be seen.
Mr Leydin created the Repco automotive logo and an early
AGL logo—the bones of which are still recognisable in the
updated Actew/AGL logo.
And as a young designer in Chicago he was part of the team
that created the highly recognisable branding for Ford car
dealers.
Still in use 30 years later, Mr Leydin concedes it’s probably
due for an update.
So, for someone who has had a hand in creating some of the
most identifiable logos, what does he think makes a good logo?
“It has to communicate simply and you learn from it.”
As a good example, he cites Telstra’s familiar blue and orange
logo: “It’s good, simple and well used.”
Mr Leydin also lists the Australian wine label, Coonawarra
Cellars, as an enduring favourite.
After 50 years, he says the hand drawn picture of a wine cellar
on the label has maintained its “honest, visual appeal.”
For graphic designers to achieve such longevity today, he
believes they need to inject “personality into [their] work” and
“bring back the artist”.
Graphic designers needed to aim for a “more sophisticated
appeal and a sense of humour,” Mr Leydin said.
Overall, he believes graphic designers, need to push
themselves into the public eye more and achieve the type of
recognition that is often lavished upon architects.
“Architects in the last 15 years have come up in status,
designers haven’t,” he said.
Designers, particularly in Australia, should market themselves
to the public as professionals, he said.
The ease of modern computer programs can turn anyone into a
graphic designer, he said, which meant the professionals had
to market themselves as “elite”.
“If we can get design understood, then the acclaim and the
understanding of the Australian public will follow.”
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/arthurleydin.html [6/09/2013 11:57:05 AM]
ABOVE: Arthur Leydin (centre) with
senior lecturer Mary-Jane Taylor (at
right) introduce University of
Canberra graphic design students to
some of the internationallyrecognised designer's works. The
activities were part of a series of
workshops that Mr Leydin was
invited to conduct on the campus.
Photo: Louise Rugendyke.
BELOW : One of design "guru" Arthur
Leydin's images.
Asia-Pacific TV
Asia-Pacific tunes to UC
By Melissa Halls and David McKenzie
The gaze of ABC Asia-Pacific TV was cast across the
University of Canberra's campus during the mid-year break, as
the broadcaster profiled three students for a series on
international students living in Australia.
The three, eight-minute episodes of Sites of Learning will
screen later this year to a potential international audience of
2.5 billion people.
ABC Asia-Pacific broadcasts Australian content to the whole
Asia-Pacific region via satellite.
Sites of Learning is a new 46-episode program looking at
the lifestyles and studies of international students in Australian
universities and technical institutes.
UC's manager of Community Relations, Robin Poke, welcomed
the exposure the documentaries will bring to UC's unique
courses and campus life.
"It represents a superb marketing opportunity for the university
in terms of promoting UC to a massive audience."
Over three days the camera crew followed students Mark
Chew, Trude Ellingsen and Jasleen Lamba through their daily
routines as students and as residents of Canberra.
Ms Lamba cut short a trip to Canada to participate in the
documentary, flying back to Canberra the night before meeting
the crew.
Ms Lamba, a third-year advertising and marketing student,
chose to participate in the project because she felt it was
important to promote Canberra as a place to live and study.
"When I was little I had always liked the name Australia ... I
love it here," she said.
Sports media student Mark Chew said he wanted to tell his
fellow countrymen about his experiences in Australia.
The degree was the only course of its kind in Australia, and Mr
Chew said he hoped to consolidate his knowledge towards his
ultimate goal of restructuring the sports culture in his native
Singapore.
"Sport is an up-and-coming industry in Singapore," he said.
The campus' materials conservation degree is also recognised
internationallyunique in the southern hemisphere.
Trude Ellingsen, from Norway, decided to study at UC after she
moved to Canberra with her Australian spouse.
Sites of Learning also asked students to introduce their
favourite lecturers and course convenors, and aimed to give
international exposure to the wide range of tertiary programs
available at institutions in Australia.
Program director Gary Hopper said the raw footage would be
sent to Adelaide to be edited and will be screened in the next
few months.
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/asia-pacific.html [6/09/2013 11:57:06 AM]
ABOVE: Conservation materials
student Trude Ellingson with the
camera crew .BELOW :Sport studies
student Mark Chew on the UC
concourse. All photos: Louise
Rayfield.
australian university games
Less than ideal preparation but Paul still wins eight
medals
The only people more disappointed than Paul Nicholson
that he narrowly missed out on making the Australian
Olympic team were the swimmers who had to line up
against him at the Australian University Games (AUGs)
earlier this month.
A second year Education student at UC, Paul picked up six
gold, a silver and a bronze in the pool at the AUGs, which
were held in Ballarat from October 1 to 6. In an exhausting
three days of swimming, Paul won the 50, 100 and 200
metre backstroke, the 100 and 200 metre butterfly and the
200 metre individual medley. He also came second in the
50 metre butterfly, third in the 400 metre freestyle and
swam the heats of the 100 metre freestyle.
Despite the results, Paul said his preparation for the meet
was not ideal, partly because of the Olympics. "I was going
back and forth to Sydney to watch things and I wasn't
really doing as much mileage as I normally do-I was doing
a lot more dry land work. But it seems to have worked out,"
he said.
Paul said that going from being a spectator at the Olympics
to a competitor at the AUGs produced mixed feelings. "It
was good and bad because I got to see a lot of really good
performances from a lot of people I know and I was excited
for them," he said.
Paul Nicholson won eight medals at
the
Australian University Games, despite a
"less than ideal" preparation.
The majority of UC's 64 competitors at the AUGs appeared
in team events-men's and women's basketball (who
finished sixth and eleventh); men's touch football and
"At the AUGs there were 3500
soccer (fifth and twelfth); and women's tennis and netball
students and from what I heard
(fourth and fourteenth). Yet it was the students in the
they generated over $4million
individual events of rowing, swimming and athletics who
to the local economy in Ballarat." snared all the UC medals.
RELATED ON THE WEB
UC Olympians still basking in the glow
Australian University Games
"The teams didn't fare that well in the medal category, but I
went and saw them each day and they just played
fantastic," said UCU Sport and Recreation Co-ordinator,
Brett Bowden. As well as Paul's individual haul, swimmer
Cameron Bolland picked up a bronze medal, the men's and
women's single sculls and the women's pair won gold in
rowing, while Kate Adams won the women's javelin for the
second year in a row.
Competitors at the AUGs have earned a reputation in the
past for partying just as hard as they compete, and Brett
said this year was no different. "I'd say that the students
down there gave a good account of themselves on the
social front," he said.
"At the AUGs there were 3500 students and from what I
heard they generated over $4million to the local economy
in Ballarat." UC's total of 361 points earned the University
an overall eighth placing at the Games, boding well for next
year when the AUGs will be held in Homebush.
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/augs.html [6/09/2013 11:57:08 AM]
What does it mean to be an Australian? Offshore 2000
Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Who are we?
By Viva Goldner
As Australians, do we define ourselves through popular
icons, through cultural artefacts or through the positive and
negative aspects of our shared history? The Centenary of
Federation represents 100 years of unity as a nation, but
our national identity is anything but unified.
Members of Australia's political, cultural, academic and
business communities offered their ideas to the debate,"
What does it mean to be an Australian, and if we can
define it, can we use it to our advantage?" The Offshore
2000 debate, held in the Boilerhouse on November 22,
was chaired by ABC Radio presenter Ian McNamara.
Organiser of the Offshore 200
Americans continue to associate Australia with curious
Conference
wildlife and cultural stereotypes like Crocodile Dundee,
and Debate, Anne Campbell, with Dr
according to Dr Michael Zastrocky, Vice President of
Michael
USAÕs Gartner Group Inc. "I think to most people
Zastrocky of Gartner Inc and members
[Australia] would be Crocodile Dundee, people who are full
of the
of fun and also Fosters beer commercials," said Michael.
Yass Rural Fire Service, Inspector
Peter
Alley and Firefighter Brett Farquharson.
Professor Mary Kalantzis, Professor of Education at RMIT,
said our identity should incorporate our multi-racial history.
"Australian identity is a kind of confused dialogue. The
survival of Indigenous people and the large influx of
immigrants have been excluded by those who are
threatened by Black Armband history," said Mary. "The
story of Australia must be the development of an open,
tolerant, diverse, outward-looking, cosmopolitan society,"
she said.
Host of the debate,
Ian "Macca" McNamara
According to singer and songwriter Jimmy Little, Australians
define themselves through their contribution to their families
and the countryÕs economy. "My view of an all-round
Australian is an individual who considers this land to be
their homeregardless of race, gender, political agenda or
creed," said Jimmy.
Poet Les Murray said anti-discrimination legislation and
multiculturalism were behind a current revolution in
Australian identity. "Anti-discrimination is a wonderful idea,
about half completed. We don't just need reconciliation, we
need conciliationbetween Aboriginal and other Australians
and between the many other divisions in Australia," said
Les. Les said political correctness has created "bitterness,
anger [and] hatred that has wasted a tremendous amount
of energy".
John Boultbee, Director of the Australian Institute of Sport,
suggested sport has a great impact on Australian identity.
"Other countries' perceptions of Australia are largely
informed by what they see of our sportsmen and women,"
said John. John said the range of athletes competing for
Australia in the Olympics, from Aboriginal Cathy Freeman
to Russian-born Tatiana Grigorieva, represents the nation's
diversity. "Sport has given us the opportunity to show we
can compete on the world stage. The next step is to show
we can do it in business, in science and in the arts," said
John.
Sheryle Moon, Australian Business Woman of the Year in
1999, said investment in research and development is
needed for Australians to reach their business potential in
the region. "Sandwiched between the traditions of
England, the idealism of America and the awkward
realisation that we are geographically part of Asia, it is no
wonder Australia is still struggling with her identity," said
Sheryle. Sheryle said attempts to define what is Australian
in terms of "icons of the past" limits possibilities for the
future. "Why do we feel compelled to stick a label on
ourselves? The moment we solidify, we limit ourselves
from being all that we can be," she said.
Author Jackie French said Australians define themselves
in terms of icons, although these icons often hold little real
meaning. "Who here had vegemite toast for breakfast?
Who ate a lamington today?" she asked. She spoke of her
wombat, Mothball, claiming that while these animals were
distinctly Australian, most people were more interested in
the latest episode of Neighbours. "As I passed by a house
one evening and saw the flickering light of the television
set, suddenly I realised to my horror the culture they were
sharing was probably limited," said Jackie.
"Sandwiched between the traditions
of England, the idealism of America
and
the awkward realisation that we are
geographically part of Asia, it is no
wonder Australia is still struggling
with her identity," said Sheryle Moon.
Author Jackie French said
Australians define themselves
in terms of icons, although
these icons often hold little
real meaning.
Prime Ministerial Adviser Pru Goward said AustraliaÕs past
as a penal colony is still influential. "A love of luck and
natural egalitarianism that derive directly from the convict
roots have stained our culture," said Pru. Pru said the
convicts were not hardened criminals, but rather part of
London's underclass, who brought a playful disrespect for
authority and a vibrant culture to Australia. "Tax evasion
and taking soap from hotel rooms is a national pastime,"
said Pru.
Like the convicts, the masses of people who immigrated to
Australia after World War II made their mark on their new
homeland. Mr Domenic Mico, Executive Artistic Director of
the Canberra National Multicultural Festival, spoke of how
his Italian background shapes his definition of being an
Australian. "I am not just an Australian. I'm an Australian
with an Italian heritage. What we came here with and what
we contributed to this country has enriched the whole of
society," said Domenic. "We are many Australias and that's
what makes us great."
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/aussie.html [6/09/2013 11:57:09 AM]
Love is a four letter word
Love brings words to life for scriptwriter
By Greg Welsh
The anonymity of being a scriptwriter has certain advantages,
such as being able to turn up to functions in a dishevelled
state and get stuck into the champagne, according to cocreator of current ABC drama Love is a four-letter word,
Michael Miller.
Mr Miller spoke to Media and Creative Writing students about
the highs and lows of life in the television industry at a guest
lecture at UC on May 21.
He said scriptwriters were “part of an anonymous collective”
who seemed to have a longer shelf life than actors or
directors.
On the down side, however, Mr Miller said producers tended
to get much more money and artistic credit than scriptwriters.
Scriptwriters were normally paid around $12,000 for a onehour episode which took 16 weeks and three drafts to create
—a situation Mr Miller said was unfair because “we are the
storytellers, we are the creators”.
Mr Miller, who had written for just about every major
television show in Australia over the past decade, including
Water Rats, GP, Heartbreak High, and Wildside,
said he had no idea that he wanted to be a scriptwriter when
he started studying at UC in 1986.
“I didn’t study scriptwriting at the University of Canberra. I
don’t know why, ‘dumb’ is a four-letter word,” he said.
After only a few weeks of a journalism degree he discovered
that being a journalist necessitated talking to people and
quickly transferred to a Creative Writing major.
Over the next few years Mr Miller worked on a few student
films and approached Roadshow for work experience.
Despite an initial rebuff, they offered him a job interview a few
weeks before graduating.
By his own admission, the interview was a disaster. He was
asked for his scripts (he didn’t have any) and offered his
poetry instead.
“Does it have any dialogue?” the interviewer asked. “Of
course, it’s poetry,” he replied. Silence ensued. However, Mr
Miller offered to take some scripts away for appraisal, and it
was these that ultimately secured him a break into the
industry.
As well as appraising scripts, this first job involved making
coffee, collecting lunches and mixing drinks, with Mr Miller
saying that “if I should fail as a scriptwriter, I’d make a bloody
good barman”.
He said creating, writing and producing Love is a fourletter word with a group of his friends on a tiny budget
($150,000 per episode rather than the $450,000 industry
norm) had been a wonderful experience, despite recently
being told that the ABC was not interested in a second series.
This gave Mr Miller more control over the final product than
previous projects.
When he was half-way through a first script for a
Heartbreak High episode, Mr Miller was asked if, as one
of the main characters had departed for the U.S, and was
being killed off in the show, could he kindly change his script
from a light comedy to a heavy drama about youth suicide?
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/author.html [6/09/2013 11:57:10 AM]
Proving that love is a theme for his life, both
as a scriptwriter and as a father, Michael
Miller visits the UC with his two daughters
Araminta and Uma. Photo: Louise Rayfield.
Vice-Chancellors call for greater public support
Vice-Chancellors call for greater government support
By Robin Poke
The message from Vice-Chancellor Don Aitkin at the end
of the UC-hosted plenary meeting of the Australian ViceChancellors' Committee (AVCC) on November 14 was
blunt: "We have reached crisis point".
Addressing the assembled media, Don also gave every
indication he and his fellow Vice-Chancellors believe the
public funding of tertiary education will be a major election
issue next year. "It has become a major problem," he
declared.
"The Vice-Chancellors are trying to get the Commonwealth
Government to realise such funding is an investment, not a
waste. Governments elsewhere are investing more and
more in the sector, but in Australia there's a lack of
investment and it's becoming increasingly expensive."
AVCC President, Ian Chubb, with the
UC
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Don Aitkin.
Don said that as a result of current government policies
Australian universities are having to learn to be business
enterprises, like BHP and Coles Myer, and last year were
between them required to invest some $9 billion. "But that
is diverting us from our purpose," he said. "The
Commonwealth Government nowadays contributes around
half the investment base of universities, having at one time
contributed around 95 per cent.
"It's a major problem and we
don't
want to see it get any worse. If it
does, students will suffer, and so
will the nation. We have reached
a critical point."
"It's a major problem and we don't want to see it get any
worse. If it does, students will suffer, and so will the nation.
We have reached a critical point." The UC Vice
Chancellor's comments were echoed by AVCC President
Ian Chubb.
"We have been making a case for an increased budget for
universities," Ian said. "We want to encourage the
Commonwealth Government to take a positive position.
We want the public investment in tertiary education to be at
such a level as to offer real opportunities, not only for the
present but future generations. If we want Australia to be
prosperoussocially, culturally and economicallywe have to
invest now."
Despite the challenges facing Australian universities,
Professor Aitkin was delighted to have played host to his
colleagues. "It is nine years since UC hosted such a
meeting," he said. "I was therefore pleased that as we
continue to celebrate 30 years of teaching at the Bruce
campus the AVCC selected UC as the venue again."
RELATED ON THE WEB
AVCC home page
The Vice-Chancellors of Australia's universities at the
UC meeting.
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/avcc.html [6/09/2013 11:57:10 AM]
UC Rowing Club
Club celebrates win, misses Games
By Chris Strong
The University of Canberra Rowing Club has defeated teams
from the Royal Military College Duntroon, ADFA and ANU to
become ACT Tertiary Champions.
Despite the win, UC Rowing has pulled out of the upcoming
University Games.
The decision was made after Games organisers changed the
rowing venue from Adelaide to Ballarat.
“We just can’t afford to go anymore,” UC rower Taryn Langdon
said.
“With this sport you just don’t grab your equipment and hop on a
bus,” team-mate Ian Morgan said.
“We need to transport our boats and other bulky equipment, so it UC Rowing Club member Pip O’Shea,
can become very expensive.”
centre, holds the Tertiary Cup,
accompanied by team-mates, from
left, Ian Morgan, Taryn Langdon, Dan
UC Rowing claimed the ACT title during the first annual Tertiary Coombes, Denita Bryce and Charles
Cup, held at Lake Burley Griffin on September 7.
Lundy. Photo: Carolyn Wilkinson.
The event, held in conjunction with ACT Rowing Association,
was designed as a warm up for the University Games beginning
on September 29.
UC Rowing won the event with the help of four Academy of
Sport rowers who are studying at UC, including Langdon, Ian
Morgan and Tom Wespgarth.
It was Wespgarth’s first competition in Australia after returning
from the U/23 World Championships.
UC Rowing came first place in seven of the 10 events and won
the regatta on an overall points score. All events were rowed
over 1500m.
“The women’s 8s was the race of the day where they beat ANU
by one second,” rower Charles Lundy said.
Rowers also had to compete against what Langdon described
as “very windy and testing conditions”.
UC athletes celebrated the victory and their newly acquired
“giant cup” with a function at UC’s bar.
Langdon was also pleased at how well the crews in team events
worked together.
“We had not had a chance to train together, so it was great to
see individuals coming together and winning,” she said.
She said next year’s Tertiary Cup will be bigger, with the
universities already planning to travel from outside the ACT to
try and take UC’s crown.
The UC Rowing Club is made up of around 20 members.
They train new members in their “learn to row” shed on Lake
Ginninderra.
The UC Rowing Club meets Wednesdays 12:30pm during
semester. For more information contact Taryn Langdon on 0409
229 934.
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/B1.html [6/09/2013 11:57:12 AM]
Medical Centre
Medical centre to train postgraduates in
emerging field
By Louise Rugendyke
Medicine and computer technology are set to merge with the creation of a new centre within the University of Canberra.
The Centre for Medical Informatics will begin operating out of the Division of Science and Design at the beginning of
2003 with a postgraduate intake.
In collaboration with the National University of Singapore and the Canberra-based National Health Sciences Centre, the
facility will train post-graduates in medical informatics—a field that employs computers to explore the human genome,
assist with medical diagnosis, provide early detection of diseases and help with medical record keeping.
According to Pro Vice-Chancellor of Science and Design, Professor Mohamed Khadra, the field has experienced
“exponential growth” over the past five years and graduates were desperately needed to “make full use of the
advances”.
To capitilise on this, Prof Khadra said the university would offer six PhD residential scholarships for the inaugural 2003
intake, valued at a total of $250,000.
He added they were also looking at the possibility of medical informatics undergraduate courses being offered in the
future.
The centre will be directed by Professor Nikolai Petrovsky, chief executive officer of the National Health Sciences
Centre, with Dr Vladimir Brusic of the University of Singapore’s Bioinformatics Centre appointed as deputy director.
Several UC staff will also be involved, including Prof Khadra, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research, Allan Cripps, and
Associate Prof Jenelle Kyd of the Gadi Research Centre.
“It’s one of the most exciting developments in the Division of Science and Design,” Prof Khadra said.
“It underlines the major commitment the University of Canberra has to health, both in research and the workforce. With
courses already offered in nursing, psychology, biomedicine, sports science and forensics, we provide a much needed
health workforce for the ACT.”
Justice Michael Kirby & Dr Bede Harris
Kirby gets constitutional
By Alex Konrad
Justice Michael Kirby visited the University of Canberra on
September 5 to help launch a book by law academic Dr Bede
Harris entitled A New Constitution for Australia.
The book examines the Constitution in detail, suggests how it
might be reformed, then presents the reader with the draft of a
new Australian Constitution.
Drawing on the experience of other jurisdictions such as
Canada, South Africa, Germany, New Zealand and the United
States, Dr Harris’ book focuses on a broad range of
constitutional issues.
Given the ongoing debate on an Australian republic, its
publication is timely.
Among the changes the book recommends are a Bill of Rights, a
new method for selecting judges, constitutionally-entrenched
revenue-sharing between the Commonwealth and State
Governments, self-government for Australia’s indigenous
population, the recognition of customary law, reserved Senate
seats for indigenous people, legislation by means of citizeninitiated referenda, proportional representation for the House of
Representatives, the removal of the blocking power of the
Senate, and the replacement of the monarchy with an Australian
Head of State.
Bede Harris has taught constitutional law in South Africa, New
Zealand and Australia and is currently a senior lecturer at UC.
Justice Michael Kirby launches Dr
Bede Harris' book entitled A New
Constitution for Australia. Photo: Alex
Konrad.
Forensics science student
Forensics more than TV glam, says Jane
By Melissa Halls
An explosion has devastated an apartment in a quiet suburban
complex. Police arrive on the scene to discover what appears to
be a mutilated corpse and evidence of a fire.
The question is presented—who is responsible?
Parameters are set up around the crime scene and photographs
are taken.
Evidence is collected and bagged for examination in the
laboratory.
This sounds like the work of future forensic biology students
from the University of Canberra.
UC offers a degree in Human Biology, specialising in forensic
biology, which takes 10 students each year.
The degree is studied in conjunction with the Canberra Institute
of Technology and the Australian Federal Police.
It provides students with the necessary skills to work in a
laboratory, analysing crime scene evidence such as paint
samples and chemical substances.
Third-year student Jane Madden is intrigued by things that make
most people queasy.
She is not put off by decomposing bodies, or the effects of
ballistics and explosives.
Nor is she studying forensics because of the glamorous image
that is portrayed on such television programs as CSI: Crime
Scene Investigation.
Glamour is far from the role of a forensic scientist, Jane said.
“The work of the characters in CSI is very different to the work
we do,” she said.
“They are police, who interview the suspect and solve the crime.
They are involved in all aspects of the case, not just the analysis
of information.”
“Our role is very impartial,” Jane said.
“We are given samples to analyse and present the results.
“Sometimes we have to compare two components to see if they
are the same, or analyse the makeup and chemical content of a
certain material.”
“For a forensic scientist it is so strict in what we can do,” Jane
said, “because the information has to be used as evidence in
court trials.”
And although television programs portray a fast-paced, action
packed environment, Jane said the reality is very different.
“There is a lot of chemistry and lab work,” she said.
“You might spend three hours looking through a microscope,
but I still find this interesting.”
Graduating at the end of the year, Jane is now considering her
future opportunities and the possibilities of work and study
overseas.
“Forensics is a growing industry world wide,” Jane said.
But beyond all the gore, Jane sees that her work is helping
society, in the justice of the law system.
“We are important because the work we do provides evidence
that is so strong, and helps police solve cases—and for the
police to get convictions.”
Body of evidence: Forensics science
student Jane Madden. Photo: Louise
Rugendyke.
Ecology students
Students bring outdoors inside
By Chris Strong
The UC Applied Ecology Group and its reptile friends are
receiving invitations from around the ACT to visit primary and
secondary schools.
Student members of the group volunteer their time to take
reptiles out to ACT schools and provide an educational
experience for young students.
Professor Arthur Georges, director of the Applied Ecology
Group, said he had received positive feedback from teachers
and their students.
“Some children are not used to seeing animals because they
don’t have animals at home, or just have a cat or a dog, so it is a
chance for children to see and experience something new,” Prof
Georges said. “And kids love show and tell.”
UC students act as “ambassadors for the university” as they
UC ecology student Mel White
introduce students to rare and wonderful creatures. The animals introduces a friend to some pupils
include frogs, turtles, dragon-lizards and sometimes snakes.
from Duffy Primary School.
UC students put on an energetic show to entertain and also
tempt some children into considering one of the many careers
which involve animals.
“A lot of children between 10-14 have some idea of what they
want they want to do when they get older,” Prof Georges said.
“So it’s also a chance to show children that there are many
career choices out there and not all of them are all about
material wealth.”
Prof Georges said ecology students, including Mel White and
Tara Goodsell, had high levels of energy which helped them
associate with the children.
UC receives the reptiles through a partnership with Aboriginal
corporation Barwainanga, who run a breeding program in
Arnhem Land.
Engineering student works on plasma antenna
Engineer's enthusiasm is contagious
By David McKenzie
Melanie Ellingham strolls through the engineering lab with
confidence, willing to pose for a photo with a strange looking
experiment.
The fourth-year electronics and communication engineering
student has to be at work soon, she says, but has time for an
interview and to give a tour before then.
Giving a detailed description of plasma science, Melanie repeats
some concepts so that a layman like me can better understand
the field.
For her major project, Melanie is designing an optical monitor for
a plasma antenna.
A plasma antenna, which looks similar to a fluorescent tube
light, emits microwaves, she says, which can hopefully be used
for stealth communications.
The advantage of a plasma tube antenna is that it can be used
to transmit the same messages as a metal antenna, but is
undetectable when turned off.
Engineering student Melanie
Ellingham sees the plasma light.
Regular metal antennas can be detected more easily, which can Photo: Louise Rayfield.
be dangerous in a military situation.
The technology is still being developed, and Melanie’s project
aims to build a tool that can measure the intensity of light being
emitted from different positions on the antenna.
This data is then displayed as a graph or spreadsheet on a
computer program, allowing her to determine the optimum
power needed to effectively transmit a message.
“Plasma is pretty much the big thing at the moment,” she says.
Melanie is one of only two female students in her year, and the
other one has finished her studies and is awaiting graduation.
Melanie says she doesn’t mind being the only female left, having
grown up in a male dominated environment with three brothers.
She stresses the men in her course treat her well and respect
her work.
The 24-year-old decided to study engineering after taking
science subjects in high school.
“[Engineering] pretty much matched up with what I’d done,” she
says.
Melanie says she enjoys studying engineering, despite a “pretty
hectic” workload, which covers a wide range of topics ranging
from basic circuit analysis to radio communications.
“The main thing I have discovered is if the lecturers are
enthusiastic it’s contagious and catches on,” Melanie says of her
course.
Still developing her optical monitor, she hopes to eventually
work in the field of optics engineering, which is a limited field in
Australia.
Melanie looks at the clock, getting ready to go to work—the
Army Reserves.
Joining in 1997, she says the weekends “out bush” are
especially fun, running around and practising army manoeuvres.
Melanie stresses she keeps army and university separate, as
she leaves behind her optical monitor and heads off for her
weekly session with the Reserves.
Carmel O'Meara
Carmel proves career change can open
opportunities
By Louise Rugendyke
Carmel O’Meara remembers the exact time when she was
approached to take on the position as head of the School of
Design (then the School of Environmental Design).
It was 9:10am on June 20, 2000.
She answered the phone to find former Vice-Chancellor Don
Aitkin on the other end.
“Can I talk to you?” he said.
A short time later he was in Building 12, dropping the big
question: “I would like you to take over as head of Environmental
Design.”
Carmel tells this story laughing now, but at the time she was
astonished and flattered at the same time.
“I said ‘Are you sure you’ve got the right person?’”
Don was sure: “Just think what you’ll learn.”
This story could be quite unremarkable—an academic is asked
to take over as head of a school—except for Carmel’s
background.
At the time she was coordinator of the University of Canberra’s
postgraduate programs in nursing, a registered nurse and
midwife with undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications from
UC.
Her achievements within the School of Nursing were numerous.
She led the school from 1997 to April 1999, during which time
she successfully forged links across the whole ACT region and
negotiated favourable partnership arrangements with health
authorities and the Canberra Hospital.
The postgraduate programs in midwifery, critical care nursing,
paediatrics and child health nursing and neo-natal nursing were
established.
In addition, the first clinical chair in nursing was created, with the
Canberra Hospital sharing the funding and an appointment
made in April 1999.
Despite this, Don’s offer still came as a surprise.
“It didn’t really sink in. I had to give a nursing lecture immediately
after Don’s visit to my office and all I could think of was
Environmental Design.”
Besides the obvious discipline changes, Carmel was also faced
with leading a school twice the size she was used to.
“Nursing was much smaller in student numbers and staffing …
but the important thing was that I got on and did the job … I’ve
always liked challenges in life.”
Nearly two years down the track from her appointment, Carmel’s
life has melded with the job.
“When people ask me what design background I come from, I
say ‘All of them!’”
She spent the first few months “listening and observing”.
During the past two years the school restructured the five design
courses—landscape architecture, architecture, industrial design,
graphic design and interior design.
It had undergone a major review of its activities not long before
her appointment.
“I’ve never worked so hard in my life, I’ll tell you that,” she says
with a laugh.
The restructure went smoothly and after a return visit in July
2001 by the review panel they reported that the school was in a
“state of health and vigour … [and] moving forward with
imagination and with an evolving sense of shared purpose”.
So, Don made the right decision then?
“Don thought I had shown what I was capable of … but I’ve
always had excellent support.”
“I have a good team in Design, a great team, behind me. They
are very talented and dedicated people here.”
As head of school, Carmel is “responsible for ‘everything’.”
“Budgets, staffing, reporting to the PVC [Professor Mohamed
Khadra], day-to-day academic and administrative issues … you
just don’t know what will come your way!”
Her favourite part of the job is “interacting with students and
being of assistance to staff … and do all I can to help the school
run smoothly so everyone can do their job”.
Despite being the head of one of the university’s more creative
departments, Carmel would not say what design talent she
might have, although when pressed she did admit if she had to
choose a design degree it would probably be in landscape
architecture.
She describes herself as an “avid rose grower” and manages to
fit in being a mother of five (two UC graduates and three ANU
graduates) and grandmother of seven in between everything
else, “Well, you have to”.
During a short walk through Building Seven design studio she
laments like mother’s around the world: “I keep telling them to
tidy it up,” she whispers.
"Are you sure you’ve got the right
person?”: head of Design Carmel
O'Meara. Photo: Louise Rugendyke.
Cultural Heritage Management
UC conservators, VC address course's
future
University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Roger Dean met with students and ACT conservators at a recent lunchtime rally
to discuss the suspension of the Conservation of Cultural Materials and Cultural Heritage Management programs for
2003. Conservators from the Australian War Memorial, National Museum of Australia and other national institutions
joined with current UC students in a vocal protest against the suspension of the programs, the only of their type in
Australia. Professor Dean explained he was hoping to secure funding from external sources to keep the programs
running.
Photos: David McKenzie and Louise Rugendyke.
Jaybee's cartoon
Cartoon copyright Jaybee 2002.
The Ball's Up - by the players company
Football and office politics in a head on collision
To celebrate the launch of Football in the Seventies,
the memoirs of famous football journalist Crackers Groves,
a match between players from the 1970s and an All-Star
team of journalists has been organised.
This is the set-up for a new play by campus playwright,
Marya Glyn-Daniel, The Ball's Up, which will be
performed by the UC-based theatre group, the players
company. The Ball's Up is based on the playwright's
experience while working in a publishing house in London,
where the obsession was soccer. The story has been
updated and transferred to Melbourne.
For Marya, the play is a follow-up to her debut, Gulf
Country, which was nominated for Best Original Script in
the 2000 CAT Awards. At those awards, the players
company took home five awards from ten nominations.
Newcomers
Danielle
McGettrick and
Simon Troeth
take
on the roles of
Suzy Parker
and JT.
Kim Hurst-Meyers as Alex Aspillera and
Danielle McGettrick as Suzy "Sooz" Parker,
making preparations for the big game.
Directed by Jasan Savage, the play features a mixture of
experienced actors, including Kim Hurst-Meyers and Chris
Clarke, supported by relative newcomers, Simon Troeth
and Danielle McGettrick.
And once again, the performances will take place at
lunchtime and twilight. This tactic of presenting one-act
plays at convenient times has proven very popular with the
players company's ever-growing audience. The company
has also responded to a demand for a weekend matinee,
with a show scheduled for the Saturday in the middle of the
February 7 to 15 season.
RELATED ON
THE WEB
up at CAT awards
the players
company clean
The Ball's Up, by Marya Glyn-Daniel. Performed
by the players company. February 7, 8, 14 and
15, 12.40pm and 5.40pm. Matinee Saturday
February 10, 2pm. At the UCU Theatre. Tickets
$7 and $5. Supported by the Co-op Bookshop,
UCU for Services and Events and financial
managers JP Morgan. For bookings phone
6251 2022.
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/ballsup.html [6/09/2013 11:57:25 AM]
Chris Clarke as Gazza, revealing his hidden
obsession to Suzy and Alex.
Bark paintings
Researchers trek Top End in name of art
By David McKenzie
University of Canberra research associates Kylie Roth and
Nicola Smith forded crocodile infested rivers and survived
Arnhem Land forests, all in the name of art conservation.
Visiting the Top End for the Aboriginal Bark Painting Project,
the pair accompanied traditional artists as they harvested
bark from the abundant Darwin stringybark trees
(Eucalyptus Tetrodonta).
Both object conservators, Ms Roth is based at the National
Gallery of Australia and Ms Smith at the National Museum
of Australia.
On this collaborative project, they worked with UC
Professors Dudley Creagh and Colin Pearson from Science
and Design, Janet Hughes from NMA and Gloria Morales
from NGA.
The project aimed to observe traditional production
techniques and collect samples of bark for scientific analysis.
Visiting three communities in Arnhem Land, Yirrkala in the
east, Oenpelli in the west and Manningrida in the central
region, the associates arrived just after the wet seasonthe
traditional harvest period.
Completing four-wheel-drive training before departure, they
were forced to wait for a flooding river to reside before
reaching one community.
"We saw lots of crocs there, but from the safety of the
truck," Ms Roth said.
These dangers aside, the conservators were welcomed by
the communities and artists.
"It was amazing how fantastically welcoming everyone
wasthey went out of their way to help. The artists were
really receptive."
"The local arts coordinators were really interested in it as an
opportunity to promote bark painting," Ms Smith said.
They then accompanied the artists as they collected large
pieces of bark.
"It was really hard work," Ms Roth said. "In Oenpelli we
collected for the artists and ourselves at the same time,
stripping about 20 trees."
"We were covered in sweat, blisters, dirt. It was hard," Ms
Smith confirmed.
As well as assisting the preservation of aboriginal art, the
project aimed to give artists feedback on preferred
production techniques, by informing them of research
conducted on samples in Canberra laboratories.
One aspect they will consider is dimensional change within
the bark, when fluctuations in relative humidity cause
warping and flaking.
Also, the anatomical structure of the bark is revealed under
the microscope, comparing the effect of different production
techniques on bark degradation.
The release of acidic gasses within the bark will be
measured to test their effect on nearby artworks. In addition,
tests with ultrasonic misting are hoped to develop new
techniques for re-consolidating paint onto the bark surface.
Recently visiting the United Kingdom for a symposium on
ethnographic painting, Ms Smith and Ms Roth expect the
project to finish in May and will present their findings in
September in Rio de Janeiro, at a meeting of International
Council of Museums Conservation Committee.
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/bark.html [6/09/2013 11:57:27 AM]
Gloria Morales from the National
Gallery and UC Research associates
Kylie Roth and Nicki Smith removing
bark from a tree, Yirrkala region,
North-east Arnhem Land. The
collected bark has been brought to
Canberra for scientific analysis.
Photo: Yarrangku Winunguj
best of barkers at the balcony bar
Best of Barkers at the Balcony Bar
Second year Graphic Design students have been working hard
creating a menu, logo and other corporate merchandise for a
restaurant. While Barkers Restaurant doesn't actually exist, the
designs do and they will be on show in the Balcony Bar - just
down from the Gallery restaurant - until Friday September 15.
Right: Lecturer Tania Bunk sets up the exhibition of her students
work. Tania said she was very pleased with the standard of
work.
Left and below: The project involved coming up with corporate merchandise, including
crockery and glasses.
For more information e-mail Tania Bunk.
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/barker.html [6/09/2013 11:57:28 AM]
Moon bears
Bearing blisters to end cruelty
By Viva Goldner
"We're brought up with cuddly teddy bears, and to then see
bears in such appalling conditions of extreme cruelty"
University of Canberra Associate Professor George Cho was so
disturbed by the plight of caged moon bears, he joined a
marathon to free the bears from confinement in China, where
they are chained and milked for their bile, an ingredient in
traditional medicine.
With 12 walkers including UC Adjunct Associate Professor
Kieran Fallon and sports studies student Anne Staunton, George
and his wife, Marion, raised over $30,000 for Animals Asia, an
UC's Professor George Cho, sports studies
organisation involved in the rescue of 500 moon bears from
student Anne Staunton and Marion Cho
Chinese farms.
walk to save the bears. Photo: Liz Gooch.
The walk began at Sydney Post Office on November 16 and
finished on November 20 at the Chinese Embassy in Canberra.
George and Marion completed the final 120 kilometre leg from
Marulan to Canberra.
In a show of support, UC organised its own campus walkathon
on November 16, raising $310.95 for Animals Asia, who signed
a ground-breaking agreement in July 2000 with Beijing and
Sichuan authorities to work towards the total elimination of bear
farming.
Funds raised would provide surgery to remove metal catheters
implanted in the bears' gall bladders, as well as vet care,
nutritious food and physiotherapy to restore wasted muscle.
The bears would be housed in a semi-natural environment, with
play equipment and toys to aid their development, and given
plenty of the essential ingredient for every happy bearhoney.
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/bears.html [6/09/2013 11:57:28 AM]
Beijing Games 2008
Win for Beijing, win for UC
By Liz Gooch
And the winner is.
Australias role as host of the Olympic Games may have
ended last September, but the University of Canberra is
helping to maintain the nation's close association with
Olympic planning.
The campus will provide key training in the lead-up to the
Beijing Games in 2008, a move which is tipped to have
far-reaching benefits for the campus.
The university's senior management are hopeful Beijing
will use a range of UC training programs including sports
studies, nursing, languages and customs.
While negotiations are ongoing, UC has secured its first
agreement with the Capital College of Physical Education,
a leading Olympic training institution in Beijing.
In a statement, the college said it would "cooperate in the
training of technical and administrative personnel for the
conduct of the Olympic Games".
The deal follows UC's recent hosting of Chinese
delegations and a visit to Beijing as part of an ACT Chief
Minister's delegation.
Science and Design Pro-Vice Chancellor Eugene Clark
said the visit was a meeting of three citiesBeijing,
Hangzhou and Canberra.
The UC delegation met with representatives from a
number of Chinas top universities including Beijing Capital
Normal University and the Polytechnic University.
Discussions were also held with the Hangzhou
Government and two of the cities universities.
Sports studies Associate Professor Alan Roberts said
China had indicated it was keen to work with various
sports departments at UC, and that the relationship would
generate a range of benefits for the campus.
These included possible reciprocal visits by Beijing and
Canberra sporting teams, coaches and officials, short
courses for local and national sports coaches and
officials, undergraduate/postgraduate sports education
courses, joint degree courses and liaison with the
Australian Sports Commission, the Australian Institute of
Sport and the Australian Sports Drug Agency programs.
In addition, some UC staff will assist with the Beijing
Paralympics.
When asked why Beijing had focused on Canberra as a
training ground, Professor Roberts said contacts were
based on the sister city relationship.
"It may seem lop-sided considering Beijing has a
population of around 12 million while Canberra only has
300,000 people. "However, UC has ridden strongly on the
capital city to capital city link," he said.
The potential gains for UC from the 2008 Olympics will
not be limited to the sports arena, however.
Professor Clark believes the benefits will spread to
Chinese education and language teaching.
UC will enhance its involvement with Chinese education
next year with the commencement of a Masters in
Educational Leadership at Hangzhou Normal University.
"UC has a fairly extensive range of partners including
Chinas top universities in Beijing, Shanghai and
Hangzhou. This is reflected by the number of students
coming to Canberra to graduate this year after completing
off-shore courses."
An example was the 30 Chinese students who travelled to
Canberra for their graduation ceremony on July 31 after
completing a Masters in Public Administration and
Businessthe first UC courses offered in China.
The 2008 Olympic Games will also provide a boost to
UCs School of Languages and International Education,
according to Professor Clark.
"Not only will it involve teaching English to Chinese
students who travel to Australia but our students will also
benefit. More of our students will go to China to learn
Mandarin."
A group of 32 students from Shanghai Teaching
University are currently studying English as part of a fiveweek program at UC.
And as part of the ACT Government bid, UC has also
offered to provide assistance to Chinas customs
department.
Centre for Customs Studies director Mark Harrison said
UC is hoping to assist China with its Games preparation
and would like to be involved in staff training issues.
"China will face large numbers of people moving in and
out of the country, especially when the Games finish," he
said.
"The Olympics will not only bring a rush of people, it
raises issues of performance-enhancing drugs and
imported goods brought in temporarily by Olympic teams
and the media."
Mr Harrison is hopeful UC staff will assist Chinas
preparation in a consultancy or IT role.
"Australian Customs has a very advanced system of
handling cargo and passengers. If that [knowledge] is
useful to China, the centre would like to help," he said.
Growing links between UC and various Chinese
educational institutions already exist, according to Mr
Harrison.
"The Olympic Games will give us the opportunity to
develop more contacts with Chinese customs, universities
and other institutions in related areas like trade law and
anti-dumping," he said.
And although China broke into a sea of euphoric
celebrations when IOC President Juan Antonio
Samaranch made the much-anticipated announcement,
questions remain over Chinas right to host the Olympics.
Amnesty International claims Chinese authorities have
executed more people in the last three months than the
rest of the world over the past three years.
Supporters of oppressed groups in China argue the host
country does not support the goals of Olympism which
include promoting peace and discouraging any forms of
discrimination.
Human rights groups argue the countrys record of abuses
should disqualify China from staging the worlds biggest
sporting event.
However, Professor Clark believes the Games could have
a positive effect on the host nation.
He said China had taken steps to improve their record
regarding human rights abuses and the environment in
the lead-up to their bid.
"While it is a concern, I agree with the Chief Ministers
opinion that having the opportunity to engage with China
will make them more responsive to those issues," he said.
"If we are engaging with China, theres more opportunity to
persuade and influence them."
Professor Clark said he hopes there will be an increased
understanding of the issues with genuine dialogue and
improvement.
"It will be good for the world to see the tremendous
advancements happening in China and advancements
that will hopefully happen between now and 2008."
"It might make it more sensitive to world opinion," he said.
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/beijing.html [6/09/2013 11:57:30 AM]
Photo: Adrian Redman.
Oscars
'Our' Ben nominated for Oscar
By Louise Rugendyke
So, you thought Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman were the only Australians nominated for an Academy Award this
year?
Well, if youve seen the Hollywood blockbuster Pearl Harbor, you may have witnessed another Australian Academy
Award winner at work.
Ben Snow, a 1984 graduate of the then Canberra College of Advanced Education, is part of a four-person team
nominated in the visual effects category at this year's awards.
Now a resident of San Francisco, Mr Snow has worked at George Lucas Industrial Light and Magic studio since 1994.
During this time he has worked on films as varied as Galaxy Quest, Twister, The Mummy and the upcoming
Stars Wars instalment, Attack of the Clones.
Even though Mr Snow has worked on high-profile films, the Australian Film Commission was caught unaware of his
nomination.
Moreover, Mr Snow's sister was left to inform the media.
Pearl Harbor, renowned for spectacular special effects rather than its storyline, was released in Australia last June
and based upon the World War II Japanese attack on the United States' naval base in Hawaii.
Described as "part action, part love story," the film starred Ben Affleck, Kate Beckinsale and Josh Hartnett.
The award ceremony will be held on March 25.
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/Ben.html [6/09/2013 11:57:30 AM]
University Blues - clubs and societies awards night at UC
Sporting and club successes recongised at Blues Awards
night
By Liz Gooch
The social and sporting success of UC students was
celebrated with the UCU Blues and Leadership Awards
night on October 20. The Awards recognise student
achievement within UCU Clubs and Societies.
Guest speaker, Canberra Cannons coach Cal Bruton, was
on hand to congratulate students on their
accomplishments. UCU Member Services Co-ordinator,
Gavin Dennett, said the night was a "sell-out success" with
students receiving awards in front of a full house at the
UCU Conference Centre.
The Public Relations Association of Students (PRAS) was
named the UCU Faculty Society of the Year. Gavin said
PRAS was chosen due to its outstanding fundraising
achievementsÑit secured about $12,000 in sponsorship
this year.
"Its active membership base makes the Society a good
marketing tool for the Division and diligently represents the
University as a whole," said Gavin. The Communications
Ball at the National Press Club was the highlight of the
year for PRAS members, with dignitaries such as former
Chief Minister, Kate Carnell and UC Vice-Chancellor, Don
Aitkin attending.
RELATED ON THE WEB
UCU home page
Swimmer Paul Nicholson was named
Sportsperson of the Year for his
outstanding performances at the
Australian University Games.
The UCU Film Production Society was awarded the UCU
Cultural/Hobby Club of the Year for its successful film
festival and sponsorship efforts. The financial success and
the annual Law Ball organised by Isaacs Law Society
attracted the UCU Commendation Award.
While scuba diving may seem an unusual past-time for
Canberrans, UCU Scuba Club members made their club a
success with organised trips and care and maintenance of
equipment. It was this dedication which won the club the
UCU Sporting Club of the Year Award.
Swimmer Paul Nicholson was awarded Sportperson of the
Year after winning six gold medals, one silver and one
bronze at the Australian University Games in October.
PaulÕs outstanding swims for UC contributed to the twoman swim teamÕs fifth placing at the Games.
The UCU Service Award was presented to Andrew
McLean, the UCU Operations Manager. Gavin said
Andrew has been a UCU staff member since 1987.
"Andrew has dedicated many long hours to the UCU and
this award is recognition of his hard work," said Gavin.
Leadership awards were also presented to 11 people in
honour of their dedication. "These awards were mainly
given to members of the club executives who showed
exceptional diligence and tireless support for their clubs,"
said Gavin.
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/blues.html [6/09/2013 11:57:31 AM]
Senator visits campus
Greening students' political interest
By Alex Konrad
Greens Senator Bob Brown visited the University of
Canberra recently, appearing as the latest guest speaker
in the campus' continuing UC Sees Green forum.
Urging students to enrol in time for the next federal
election, Senator Brown also appealed to their
environmental sensibilities in his concourse address.
On the upcoming poll, he said that the environment and
education would be among the top four election issues,
not tax.
Senator Brown then painted a broad picture of issues
facing Australia, some of which would have electoral
ramifications.
Senator Brown said that he was particularly disturbed by
division of the wealth in Australiaa spectrum that ranged
from poverty at one end to "obscene riches" at the other.
Other concerns raised included mandatory sentencing in
the Northern Territory, acknowledging that 80 per cent of
Australians wanted the Kyoto Protocol and also
destruction of old growth forests, particularly in his own
state of Tasmania.
Senator Brown related how Tasmania was the scene of
his political awakening.
"Floating down the Franklin River got me in the [political]
stream that I'm in now," he said.
Years later as a member of the Australian Greens,
Senator Brown believed that his party was committed to
fairness.
The Greens belonged to a world collective, with Green
political parties existing across the globe.
The movement was also strong at a local level, he said.
In this regard, Senator Brown said he had discussed the
controversial Gungahlin Drive extension in the Bruce
Precinct with ACT Greens MLA Kerry Tucker.
Concluding, he urged his audience to become active in a
political party or social justice group.
He also said direction of Greens preferences would be
pivotal in the federal election, and may determine six to
eight seats.
"Big parties ignore us at their peril."
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/Bobbrown.html [6/09/2013 11:57:32 AM]
Greens Senator Bob Brown braves the
cold to address students on UC's
concourse. Photo: Louise Rayfield.
offshore education conference
Boys' attitudes about becoming men surprising but
refreshing
By Anthony Mason
Adults shouldn't be making assumptions about what teenage
boys think or feel-they should be asking the boys themselves.
This is one of the major outcomes of research by a UC
Masters student, Anna Prosser, who surveyed a group of
boys about their attitudes on becoming men.
Anna, who was awarded her Master of Arts in Community
Education: Counselling, in July, surveyed 311 Canberra
Grammar School boys aged between 15 and 17. They were
asked a range of questions relating to their family background,
their expectations and hopes, their ideas about what it was to
be a man, their relationships with their fathers and family, and
what they thought was important in life.
Anna said the results were generally "refreshing". "I was really
surprised that a group of 15 to 17-year-old boys said
relationships were going to be the most important part of their
lives," said Anna.
According to Anna, the key words which kept cropping up
were things like equality, balance, relationships and family. In
the man they most admired-34 per cent chose their father, 15
per cent chose a sportsman-the quality they most admired
was that they were caring. In the same vein, 70 per cent of the
boys disagreed with the statement that men needed to be
aggressive to prove their masculinity, and 67 per cent
disagreed with the idea that communicating their needs was a
sign of weakness.
The survey was not designed so that results could be
extrapolated to the general population-the decision to focus
on amore privileged group of boys was also deliberate.
"There's a lot of research about problem youth, but not much
on the so-called privileged," said Anna. "I was really open to
whatever they told me. I didn't have an agenda or a stance,"
she said. The survey was conducted anonymously during
class time, and so Anna believes the responses were not
subject to outside influences.
"I think that's more likely to happen if you had interviews or a
focus group, where the researcher is actually present," said
Anna. She was also heartened by the types of issues the boys
chose to write about and their response to the whole survey.
"I got little notes at the bottom of the surveys thanking me for
doing the research," she said. Anna stressed that the survey
results were based on the boys attitudes, not how they would
behave.
"The study wasn't looking at behaviour, but attitude. When
they get out and test their attitudes, they may not be able to
hold on to them," she said.
What teenage boys think
about becoming men
"In society today I think that many
men are scared of being an
outcast, and so often assume a
stereotypical role and become one
of the crowd."
"I am sometimes confused about
what it means to 'be a man' but
every man is different-he should
not have to conform to society's
definition of a 'man', and each man
should be able to express their
masculinity in a way that is
uniquely theirs."
"At the moment I am somewhat
confused about what being a man
in today's society entails. The main
reason for this has been the rapid
and dramatic change in the
position that women take. The
traditional manly role has been
discarded and a new role imposed.
This new role is not yet clear cut...
and as a result it is hard to know
where we stand."
"I don't want to marry a submissive,
viewless woman, nor do I want in
any way to force my wife to stay at
home and mind the children. I want
to marry a woman who is intelligent
and who provides me with great
intellectual stimulation. I want a
woman who is willing to take me on
and challenge me..."
"If I ever marry it would be to a
career and life focused person who
understood that if we had children
the responsibilities would be
shared, as would housework."
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/boys.html [6/09/2013 11:57:34 AM]
Brisbane Campus
Brisbane campus heralds 'symbolic beginning'
By Viva Goldner
The University of Canberra plans to establish a campus in Southbank, Brisbane, by Semester One next year.
The proposed University of Canberra Brisbane Campus will initially comprise of international students enrolled in a
Bachelor of Business Administration or Bachelor of Information Technology, Vice-Chancellor Don Aitkin said recently.
The new venture aimed to increase demand for UC courses within Australia, following the success of the universitys
overseas education programs.
The campus is being established in conjunction with DMG Pty Ltd, and will offer programs developed and taught by
UC staff.
UC has thus far maintained a single campus in Canberra, although it has established a many partnerships with
universities both in Australia and overseas, Professor Aitkin said.
Trend data relating to demand in the ACT has highlighted the need for a new direction. Participation rates at both
secondary and tertiary levels in the ACT are the highest in Australia, and cannot increase much, if at all.
Canberra itself is not expected to grow much in the next 20 years.
Local demand and an attractive environment for overseas students made Brisbane a suitable site for the
campusBrisbane Rivers Southbank precinct reflecting Queenslands educational and cultural character.
By establishing a Brisbane campus, UC was also able to offer a limited number of places to Queensland school
leavers through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre.
The level of unmet domestic demand in Queensland, and the popularity of the courses, suggests that these places
would be readily taken up. There are also financial and cultural advantages for having both Australian and international
students on the Brisbane campus, Professor Aitkin said.
DMG would provide the campus infrastructure and a range of student services, while all academic staff at UCBC would
be members of a UC school.
DMG is acting on behalf of educational service groups in Singapore and Taiwan, which will provide a stream of
international students for UCBC. The Brisbane proposal therefore represents another UC partnership, in which another
organisation provides the land, the infrastructure and some of the administrative support while UC is responsible for
educational programs and their delivery, Professor Aitkin said.
He said that if UCBC was successful, it could be extended on two, larger Southbank sites within five years.
While the initial UCBC proposal represents the symbolic beginning of a new phase in UCs history, I hope that
eventually UCBC may be seen as the first of a number of such ventures.
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/brisbane.html [6/09/2013 11:57:34 AM]
international buddy program
Buddies for International students sought
By Fleur Leyden
Students are being invited to help welcome new
international students to UC in semester one next year as
part of a new Buddy Program. "The program aims to
provide a friendly welcome and some initial support for
new students, which will help them settle into life at UC,"
said co-ordinator, Linda Devereux.
Linda said the program will be offered to about 100
international undergraduate students with 20 international
and Australian students required as Buddies. Buddies are
expected to maintain contact with their group for the first
few weeks of term as the new students settle in. "It would
be fairly intensive when the students first arrive but then
when it comes time for assignments to be due, the
program will have rounded up in a formal sense," said
Linda.
"Students who will be here next year, are friendly, outgoing
and interested in developing cross-cultural friendships
should apply," she said. Training and support in crosscultural communication will be provided and at the end of
the program Buddies will be presented with a certificate
and individual reference.
"Skills on a volunteer basis are useful in many careers as
cross cultural skills are becoming increasingly important in
Australia's multicultural society," said Linda. Applications
close November 3. Application forms can be obtained from
the International Office, the Academic Skills Program office
or by contacting Linda Devereux at [email protected].
edu.au or on 6201 2172.
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/buddy.html [6/09/2013 11:57:34 AM]
"Skills on a volunteer basis are
useful in many careers as cross
cultural skills are becoming
increasingly important in
Australia's multicultural society."
Burton Medal presentation 2000 - UC Convocation
Burton Medal awarded to Maria Kubik
The Year 2000 Burton Medal has been presented to Maria
Kubik. The presentation was made by UC Chancellor,
Wendy McCarthy, at the Burton Revels breakfast at
Kurrajong Hotel on December 18.
Maria graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science
specialising in the Conservation of Cultural Materials. The
Burton Medal is regarded as the University's most
prestigious award and is presented to a student for their
outstanding academic performance as an undergraduate, in
addition to their contribution either to the University, or wider
community.
Several other University prizes were also presented at the
function. For more information, e-mail Penny Cameron at
UC Convocation, or phone her on 6201 2989.
Jolyon Cox and Su Mon Kyaw-Myint
were jointly awarded the Australian
Institute for Medical
Scientists prize, which were presented
by
Professor Allan Cripps, right.
Maria Kubik, winner of the Herbert
Burton Medal.
Maria Kubik with the Chancellor,
Wendy McCarthy, who presented the
Herbert Burton medal.
RIGHT: Kristen Benn, who was
awarded the Bryan R Ward Foundation
prize for Tourism.
RELATED ON THE WEB
The University of Canberra Convocation
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/burton2000.html [6/09/2013 11:57:35 AM]
Bushfires
Christmas bushfires provide
steep learning curve
By Louise Rugendyke
"A baptism of fire" is how Amy Lowes work colleagues refer to
her first couple of months on the job with the ACT Emergency
Services bureau.
As their Community Education and Public Relations
coordinator, she was thrown into the thick of the action on her
fifth day in the job when the Christmas Day fires broke out.
"At 7.30am, after three hours of sleep and flying from
Melbourne into a smoke-covered Canberra, I was greeted by a
text message asking me to contact work as soon as I arrived
back in the ACT," she said.
Ms Lowe was faced with the daunting task of coordinating the
public relations for the ACT Ambulance Service, ACT Bushfire
Service, ACT Emergency Service and the ACT Fire Brigade, as
well as keeping up-to-date with the bushfires, fielding media
enquires and finding her feet in a new job.
"At 8.30pm I left work, after spending Christmas Day at the
nerve centre of the bushfire operation," she said.
"Answering media phone calls and trying to keep up with the
changing bushfire situation fires spreading, new fires being
reportedand on top of this learning my new colleagues names."
Following the bushfires, Ms Lowe was faced with three months
of follow-up work: organising the Civic reception, helping with
the organisation of the family day barbeque for those involved
in the fire-fighting effort, as well as establishing herself in the
new position.
Her job with the Emergency Services Bureau was her first fulltime position since graduating from UC in December 2000.
Ms Lowe took some time off, " a well deserved holiday,"
allowing her to recover from "the burden of unfinished
assignments, essays, readings and catching up on all the sleep
Id lost during my three years at UC."
In August 2001 she began a three-month contract with the
Snowy Hydro SouthCare Aero Medical and Rescue Helicopter
Service, working with the SouthCare Helicopter Trust Fund,
which raises money for the continued operation of the
helicopter.
"It was fun, challenging. I was doing PR, putting all of the
theory I had learned at university into practice and I got to fly in
a helicopter," she said.
Since graduating from university, Ms Lowe named her key
achievement as, "getting a job I love in the field I studied".
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/bushfire.htm [6/09/2013 11:57:36 AM]
Pictured above:
Amy Lowe
Bachelor of Communication (Public
Relations) 2000.
Swimmer
'Bionic Butterflyer' strikes gold again
By Louise Rugendyke & Melissa Halls
University of Canberra student Petria Thomas has followed up her recent qualification for the Commonwealth Games
with gold at the World Short Course Swimming Championships in Moscow.
Thomas, 26, who is studying for her Bachelor of Applied Science (Sports Administration), set a new championship
record in the 200m butterfly final last Wednesday night, sneaking in by just 34-hundreths of a second and edging out
17-year-old Chinese swimmer Yang Yu.
A short time later, Thomas also went on to help the Australian team claim a bronze medal in the 4x200m freestyle
relay with Elka Graham, Lori Munz and Giaan Rooney.
Her devastating form in the pool is a good indication of the success Australia looks set to achieve at the Manchester
Commonwealth Games.
At the recent Australian Championships held in Brisbane last month, Thomas won the 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly
events, booking herself a place in the national team bound for the Games.
She also finished second in the 200m freestyle, third in the 100m freestyle and 50m backstroke events.
Her extraordinary win in the 200m butterfly event followed the dislocation of her shoulder during the final of the 50m
backstroke the previous evening.
The dislocation was only a minor inconvenience compared with the other injuries Thomas has overcome during the
past few years, including an ankle reconstruction and two major shoulder operations.
Her stamina has earned her the nickname "Bionic Butterflyer" in swimming circles.
She currently holds the Australian and Commonwealth records for both the 50m and 100m butterfly events and also
has four Olympic medals to her name.
The Commonwealth Games begin in Manchester on July 25.
file:////warsaw/www/monitor/stories/2000-01/butterfly.html [6/09/2013 11:57:36 AM]

Monitor Online Archives - University of Canberra

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