SPRING 2009 SAMSydney Alumni Magazine
Alumni Adventures Atanne 80, summers Peter Sculthorpe• kids’ stuff • great is not books resting • prize xwordon hisISSN 1834-3937 laurels inquisitive [in-kwiz-i-tiv] -adjective 1. given to inquiry, research or asking questions; eager for knowledge; intellectually curious: an inquisitive mind.
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CCE SAM Sep09Ad 210x275 CMYK 001-1.0.indd 1 31/07/2009 8:54:34 AM 15 20 36 contents
Features
13 Family Matters New regular column by alumna Sara Donald in which she will explore the Regulars complexities and joys of work and family relations 2 Your Letters From women in TV drama to ruminant methane, the range of 15 Law Editor Diana Simmonds The history of the law and The University of Sydney, interests is widening Indigenous Australians explains Alumni Relations Offi ce why they are disproportionately Room K6.05, Quadrangle A14, NSW 2006 5 Interview criminalised, writes Thalia Anthony Phone (61 2) 9036 6372 Dr Michael Spence, Vice Chancellor Fax (61 2) 9351 6868 and Principal, on his fi rst year back at Sydney 18 Music Email [email protected] The Scott brothers, Craig and Phil, Contributors talk to music critic John Shand about Thalia Anthony, Gil Appleton, Caroline 6 Nota Bene their divergent careers Baum, Gavin Brown, Sara Donald, African Wild Dogs revealed; Dexter Hoyos, Maggie Renvoize, SOPHI’s choice; Crossword winner; 20 Cover Story Paul Roche, Rachma Safi tri, Karl John Anderson on reverb; Sydney Anne Summers AO takes apart Schwerdtfeger, Ted Sealey, John Shand, Festival and the University; Australia’s self-satisfi ed cocoon of Michael Spence, Anne Summers, Julia Gillard launches Compass; contentment, otherwise known as Shari Wakefi eld, Ron Witton Alumni Centre update; Aloominee “luck” Editorial Advisory Committee anyone? University’s protestors SAM the Sydney Alumni Magazine is commemorated in Indonesia supported by an Editorial Advisory 25 SAM’s Adventures Committee. Its members are Kathy Australians are like Wildebeest – Bail, editor Australian Financial Review 34 Books trekking around the world in search magazine, Tracey Beck, director The Lost Mother by Anne Summers; of greener pastures – or adventure. Alumni Relations Offi ce, Andrew The Blue Plateau by Mark University staff and alumni share Potter, media manager, University Tredinnick; The Psychology of Wine by their travel stories: Rome, Lake Eyre of Sydney, Susan Skelly, editor, ACP Evan Mitchell and Brian Mitchell; and Tanzania Magazines, Helen Trinca, senior leader Henry Loves Jazz by Stephen Lacey writer The Australian newspaper. Published quarterly by the University 35 Prize Crossword 36 Sport of Sydney. End of the Barassi Line. Code Emeritus Professor Dr Gavin breaking is happening throughout Publishing Management Brown’s brain-stretcher. Now with 10 group football and in the University added value! Level 1, 30 Wilson St, (PO Box 767), Newtown NSW 2042. www.10group.com.au 38 Grapevine Publisher Paul Becker Updating your adventures and whereabouts around the world Design Wendy Neill Printing 10 group 40 Diary Advertising Enquiries Events to note and enjoy Janet Clark [email protected] mobile 0404 112 641 ph (61 2) 9550 1021 Cover: Southern Chinese Lion dance is SAM uses performed to summon luck and good Greenhouse Friendly™ fortune and exorcise evil spirits. ENVI Coated paper ENVI Coated paper (Getty Images)
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SAM Spring 09 1 letters
and females is what carries the AGRICULTURAL SLANT story. Women are now equal to their I wish to present my slant L>CI:G'%%. male counterparts, who previously SAMSydney Alumni Magazine on two phrases in the letters dominated crime/cop shows. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR pages (SAM Autumn ’09). To me the introduction of women Letters to the editor should First, the defi nition of faith “as into forensic TV drama/literature include: full name, address (not an illogical belief in the occurrence over recent years is due to women for publication), degree(s) and of the improbable”. This well defi nes year(s) of graduation where writers realising we have been the evolutionist but I would describe applicable, daytime phone sorely underrepresented in the my faith as “confi dence that God number and/or email address. world of forensic crime drama. will do what He says He will do Whatever one thinks of Patricia Please address your letters to: because history has demonstrated Cornwell’s novels she has created The Editor His power, wisdom, good character a heroine/role model in Kay SAM and faithfulness”. The “ancient texts” Scarpetta. The same too can be Peter Sculthorpe at 80 K6.05 Quadrangle A14 are not necessarily wrong because Atinternational 80, Peter justiceSculthorpe s forensic is nottv s prize resting crossword on said of Lynda La Plante’s character, University of Sydney NSW 2006 they are old. Rather, they are the his>HHC&-()"(.(, laurels Jane Tennison, in Prime Suspect. most studied writings on earth and Letters may also be sent These are women we can urge us to use our minds. Moses electronically (with full contact admire – despite the so-called details) to: was a scholar who carefully recorded violence – and in some cases identify selected events up to his time using NOTHING LIKE A DAME with. They are strong, complex, [email protected] common knowledge (800 years is not I think Claire Sellwood over- vulnerable, and sexy. They make Opinions expressed in the pages long after the fl ood) and patriarchal emphasises forensic violence on TV us feel good as women. However, of the magazine are those of records. Later writers confi rmed and has missed an important point in despite Sellwood’s opening comment the signed contributors or the those who had written earlier, as her article “Good Gore” (SAM Winter that the forensic crime genre has editor and do not necessarily they extended the story to their own ‘09). As she says, CGI (computer “raised eyebrows” because of the represent the offi cial position of time. Even after 2000 years, we have generated imagery) and make-up contributions of women, she fails to the University of Sydney. strong historical data to confi rm the reality and infl uence of Jesus Christ. (graphic) artistry have “heightened identify the reason why women are Space permits only a selection My career has been in the reality of on-screen violence”. But so highly represented. They make of letters to be published experimental agricultural science. in forensic terms is it really violent good drama; pure and simple. here. Letters may be edited by All genetic improvement I have seen or just old-fashioned make-up tarted the editor for space or other Denise Hunter (BA ’93). has been by design of breeding up by means of new technology? reasons. Are forensic experts now to be Artarmon NSW programs to exploit existing genetic accused of violence? Surely not? In addition, I believe her numerous quotes from university scholars also overemphasise the violent nature of forensic drama programs. Dr Natalya Lusty is quoted as saying that our attraction to “screen violence and cruelty” is due partly to the removal of and obsession with “violence and death” in our lives. Could it not be that we, as an audience, are simply amazed by the cleverness of the computer- generated images – as we were with the special effects in King Kong generations ago? Lusty goes on to say that screen violence allows us to “explore the confl ict that we know exists in the world” and that characters like Gil Grisson (CSI) and Tony Hill (Wire in the Blood) represent the “complexity of individuals”. I agree with the words “confl ict” (the basis of all good drama) and “complexity” not because I agree with Lusty’s arguments but because now we fi nally have good drama between the sexes. The so-called forensic violence is the subplot; the confl ict between males
2 SAM Spring 09 I agree wholeheartedly with him that we should criticise “all established orthodoxy that is not open minded”, that we can’t “rate all theories and arguments equally” and that we should not discard established ideas unless “new evidence better supports an alternative theory or model”. I think that in “unpacking” just one sentence of
Illustrations by Maggie Renvoize Illustrations my letter, Rodney has inadvertently built several straw men. Rodney Crute argues that intelligent design or creationism cannot be tested and that my beliefs “fl y in the face of science”. A lot depends on what we mean by “science”. If Crute means a system where objective phenomena are observed, measured and subjected to controlled experiments, then how can such a “science” have variation. On the other hand, we have that regardless of any action on during digestion of the plants eaten anything to say about events that witnessed rapid extinction rates but carbon our climate will continue by the animals and its return to supposedly happened billions of no new species have evolved. We to change for at least 20 years. atmospheric CO2 as it is oxidised. By years ago and have never been are setting up gene banks to delay The implications of climate contrast, fossil methane adds to the repeated? Such things cannot be the decay. I know of no evidence change will reach into every part of atmosphere carbon that has not been subjected to the experimental for any evolution (“goo to you” gain our society. Because climate is the there for many millions of years. method of inquiry. If however, he in genetic information) although sum of episodic weather this means In 1992, the Intergovernmental means a system where speculations there is plenty of disintegration of that extreme events can occur at Panel on Climate Change reported are drawn about past, never-to-be systems. I know of no evidence for any time, though their probability is that the direct GWP of methane repeated events, in order to construct an “old earth” that is not better cumulative. Consequently, very long was 11 times that of CO2, the factor intellectual models to explain them, explained by “young earth” theories. forward planning is required to avoid that should apply to livestock, and using objective data as support Some have illogically assumed major consequences and expenses. added to it the indirect effect of its (Ockham's Razor), then creationism that if the universe is large enough There are teaching spaces in the breakdown products, mainly CO2, to is on exactly the same playing fi eld and time long enough, then evolution University that on some days will be give a total GWP of 21, the factor that as the “big bang”. Supporters of must happen (that 0 times infi nity lethal, especially if air conditioning applies to fossil methane. However, the various “big bang” models equals 1). But the eternity of matter fails, as will be increasingly likely. the GWP of 21 has been applied dismiss creationist alternatives in an infi nitely old boundless universe Water for the grounds will be less to all methane. This means that, out-of-hand not by weighing up is just an illogical assumption. available unless plans are made when agriculture is included in the the evidence but on the basis of While there have not been enough in redevelopment for underground carbon trading scheme proposed non-scientifi c presuppositions. creationist scientists to address every storm water storages. Toilets by the Government, farmers will The second Rodney should issue, many key issues have been fl ushed with potable water are be required to buy twice as many tell the fi rst Rodney about the addressed by intelligent men who likely to become a target of taxation. emissions permits as would history of the rejection of the accept the ancient texts as historical. Storm damage will be more severe otherwise be necessary. It is odd “steady state” cosmological model There is a huge literature albeit and perhaps uninsurable. that, to date, scientists have allowed in favour of the “big bang” and not in the “scientifi c peer reviewed The time to start these prep- this situation to pass unchallenged. the way that the old orthodoxies were dealt with by the new boys. journals” of the Darwinian era. If God arations is now. Dr Graham Faichney is, then to require “science” deny It might cure him of his belief that Greg Reid (MSc ’78) (MScAgr ’63) Mosman NSW Him by defi nition is illogical. Rather, powerful elites do not act in self- Murwillumbah NSW Jesus always taught spiritual truth interest in anti-intellectual ways. by analogy (parable) with “nature”. RIPOSTE TO THE RODNEYS Remember what my original RUMINATING ON HOT AIR letter was about – a plea to rid SAM Letters (SAM Autumn ’09) brought Arthur Gilmour (BScAg’ 69) of smart-aleck dismissiveness in Cargo NSW Why is it that scientists, particularly some criticism of my letter published biological scientists, appear not to in the Summer issue. I would like to CLIMES ARE A’CHANGING be asking why biogenic methane answer some of the points raised. emissions, such as those from Rodney Enderby gives an opinion that My work these days is in preparing ruminant livestock, have been given is based on assuming far too much Not receiving our landowners to cope with climate the same global warming potential about what I assume. I thought at monthly electronic change. While the debate on (GWP) as fossil methane? Livestock fi rst that my poor construction may newsletter – eSydney? carbon trading is mired in political methane emissions are carbon have misled him but a re-reading brinkmanship the critical issue neutral as they do not add carbon of my letter convinced me that it SIMPLY EMAIL US AT of adaptation has been pushed to the atmosphere. They involve the gave no grounds for the types of [email protected] into the shadows. I would like to removal of CO2 from the atmosphere assumptions (at least seven) that remind readers and the University by plants, emission of methane were the basis of his contribution.
SAM Spring 09 3 letters
dealing with legitimate viewpoints (which it is) but in the end there is that are very likely held by a good nothing simpler than blind faith. number of its readership. I won’t Dipping a madeleine Laurie Milner comment on the letters by Moir (BVSc (Hons) ’87 MA CVSc ’04) (at least it displayed some wit) Richmond NSW and Daffy except to say that they ondering the question rather prove my original point. of how things change YET MORE DISAPPOINTMENT Colin Maynard (BAppSc '87, MPH '94) P– or not – an item by Ashfi eld NSW I was disappointed to see that hoary Professor of Anthropology AP old question about the existence Elkin in the yellowed pages THE DOG DID IT of God rear its ugly head (SAM of The Gazette, October 1954, Winter ’09), with all the consequent seems apposite. He began: silliness invoking ancient mythology I was rather amused by the cartoon “A month’s conference for “we walk by faith not by sight”. and primitive superstition. Obviously the dog has failed to It seems that both sides forget the scholarly examination of realise that the blind man is walking one basic rule in this debate: that the subject of Race Relations by faith: faith in the dog’s ability the onus of proof lies with the in World Perspective was held to guide him! Faith is an action affi rmative side. In the absence in Honolulu in June-July last word, when we believe in a fact of such proof, the negative side … the scholars were British, our actions show that we believe doesn't have to prove anything, it American (white and Negro), it to be true; that is what faith is. carries the debate and, perhaps, Australian Dutch, French, As an atheist I chose to read the when this is more widely Africaner [sic] and Lebanese, accepted we can have a rational I hope you will enjoy them. Bible and pray to any god that might Bantu, Zulu, West-Indian, be “out there” to reveal himself to discussion about our existence Sara Donald (BA ’93 DipEd Indian, Japanese and Chinese me. I wanted to prove to all who without invoking hypothetical ’95) (above) contributes the believed in a god that it was a load of beings and supernatural acts. by ‘race’, and authorities on fi rst of what will be a regular the regions of their special rubbish. God has had the last laugh; Dmitri Perno (BArch ’60) feature: Family Matters. Sara I have given up a career in science to Buderim QLD researches and experiences.” is a journalist, mother of two teach the Bible. I walk in faith (that While the idea of spending a boys and lives in Newcastle; the Bible account is true) not by sight month at a conference, scholarly she knows fi rst-hand about (the sight of Jesus in the fl esh). or otherwise, is unimaginable the work-life balance and will Sita Matthews (BscAgr '86) THE WINNING nowadays, the major topic is not. be exploring the things that Oxley ACT LETTER It was “the Negro problem” matter to families because, as experienced not only in of course, families matter. THE F WORD AGAIN This issue’s copy of Museum the United States but also Also, you’ll fi nd Alumni – the Macleays, their the “mixed racial problems of I found it very interesting to note Adventures. As many readers collections and the search Central and South America, in go off on expeditions and come the style of the letters in your last for order goes to Denise edition supporting the intellectually parts of which the Negro looms back with fabulous stories, we Hunter (BA ‘93) of Artarmon fatuous concepts of creationism. large; after this, still following thought that sharing them – and NSW, for her interesting There is a psychological construct the Negro trail, it passed to the inspiration to do something contribution to women in TV called “cognitive dissonance” Africa, west and east, and above different – would be A Good drama. Congratulations! whereby people believe what all to the south, where the Thing. In this issue: Rome, serves them best, no matter the Please keep the letters problems are especially tense.” Lake Eyre and Tanzania – amount or quality of contrary coming: another beautiful Professor Elkin went on not all on the same trip. evidence. You see it all the time gift for the best letter to describe how discussion Felicitously, the cover story, with people defending their children will again be given in the moved to the Middle East, by distinguished alumna Anne (very often boys) when they have Summer issue of SAM. to “Russia’s Asian empire, to been shown to have transgressed Summers, is on luck; and as luck the law or social norms; eg South-East Asia and Indonesia would have it, her latest book footballers, sexual offenders. and the Pacifi c” where he is reviewed in Books – where What is a bit sad is to see all noted, “nations, new and you’ll fi nd a strong and wide intellectual rigour and honesty old, developing pride of race, selection of contenders for pushed aside when the “f” word symbolised in resurgent tradition your attention; and the Prize (faith) is invoked. There is no and political ambition as well Crossword is guaranteed to argument that can be made with as in genealogical continuity exercise your remaining grey people who are so willing to stop … they experience economic cells. The rest of the mix is as asking questions and exploring perplexities and ideological eclectic as usual; the common possibilities. They replace enquiry and curiosity with blind certainty pressure, even as we all do.” link being that the stories and terminal acceptance. Plus ça change, as my and people featured here are You can expect the psychologists Africaner grandmother never fascinating and illuminating, as and religionists to respond by said. There are a couple of only Sydney people can be. saying this is a simplifi cation changes in SAM, however, and – The Editor
4 SAM Spring 09 In the spotlight
e came, he took stock, he exciting because just at the time we consulted. And eventually are formulating strategies and thinking Hhe instigated a series of about new ways forward, there are subtle changes – a drop of oil new people in key roles and that will
interview here, a replacement part there. give the team a tremendous amount On 11 July, it was exactly a year of energy. I have also introduced since Michael Spence became into my own team some critical Sydney’s 29th vice-chancellor. expertise in areas such as government The Spence era has been one of relations and policy advice. openness, the Vice-Chancellor records cheery video messages Are you happy with the progress we and staff are kept in touch with have made over the last year? tricky pay negotiations by email. I think we have made signifi cant It has also been an era of new progress, but I am engaged in a ideas about management, with the major process of cultural transition unveiling of the Vice-Chancellor’s and this place is an ocean liner. Workslate, a shake-up of senior internal decision making process Ocean liners don’t turn quickly. executives and the creation of a and bring greater coordination to specialist group of non-academic the activities of the University-wide Is there anything you would advisors and strategists. portfolios. I have been encouraged have done differently? But how would the Vice- by the great enthusiasm that there In the best of all possible worlds Chancellor himself assess his fi rst is for addressing those problems. we would have started the strategic year? Richard North asked him. conversation slightly sooner. I think that with a new vice-chancellor What single moment have you Has the role matched up to your This place there’s a sense of expectation, enjoyed most in the past year? original expectations – has it been more enjoyable, more diffi cult? and to have the agenda-setting is an ocean A couple of weeks ago I was It has been enormously enjoyable to conversation as soon as possible liner. Ocean explaining to some high school would have been very desirable. liners don’t students from Penrith why they reconnect with my alma mater and to should think about coming to help people think through what we need for the future. There have been How would you fi ll in your turn quickly. university and in particular the own annual appraisal? University of Sydney. It made me diffi culties, of course, but people are I want people to get the sense that realise how much I had learned now talking to one another, and we I have spent a year thoroughly in a year about the fabulous work have a team that is working as a team. learning the business of the of the University across its 16 University, establishing the fora for faculties, how proud I was of that Where do we go from here – what is the conversations we need to have, work and how easily I was able the next big issue on your agenda? and building a team at the centre to recommend what we do. The next stage is to conduct a so we can have this big strategic University-wide conversation conversation. I have some pretty clear How would you prefer to culminating in a Green Paper that will ideas about where the University describe yourself? be published in October. This will set should be going and I think I have major strategic directions for the next As somebody who keeps an eye on been making them clear in various period in the University’s life. Those the whole landscape but is perfectly ways over the last six months. strategic directions will be focused on willing to zoom in and roll up their I am genuinely interested positioning the University as a very sleeves if there’s a particular job in hearing what the University to be done or attention needs to high-end internationally competitive community has to say about the be paid to a particular issue. research institution which we can key challenges facing us. On only justify if we are also showing the administrative side I think What has surprised you most that we are making a profound social the University has excessive after coming back to Sydney? contribution and are open to young layers of bureaucracy because I found a place that in the last Australians of promise whatever of our multicentricity, and we decade had grown enormously, but their social or cultural background. need to do something about whose administrative structures and streamlining and simplifying. decision making processes weren’t Your leadership group is about The University is academically always able to keep up with that to change signifi cantly. How will and fi nancially strong. The growth. So we have been trying that affect the university? question is how we more fi rmly over the past year with a measure Yes, eight out of 16 new deans and occupy the high-end position of success to create a more coherent a new Provost…I think it’s very that we need to occupy. SAM
SAM Spring 09 5 A (wild) dog’s life By Diana Simmonds
frican wild dogs, otherwise which she completed through the known as painted hunting University’s Faculty of Vet Science. Adogs, have a mixed The beautiful Lower Zambezi reputation among Western tourists. National Park contains a relatively Seen either as cute and funny undiscovered ecosystem, and the or scarily savage pack hunters, wild dogs provided a perfect start the truth is quite different and point for conservation efforts. “As was largely unknown until Kellie an umbrella species they have huge Leigh (PhD ’06) came along. home ranges, so efforts to protect “The Africa bug fi rst latched on them from man-made threats like to me in 1992, when I travelled to poaching and habitat fragmentation Southern Africa,” she says. “There automatically benefi t a range of lick the wound clean, and would was something about that soft golden other species, particularly other call the injured dog in to feed it if light fi ltering through the charcoal large mammals,” says Leigh. it couldn’t keep up on the hunt.” smoke haze, and the rich smells In the years to come the naturally The same cooperative spirit is from the grasses at dawn and dusk, skittish dogs became accustomed to apparent in other ways too, Leigh that were completely captivating.” the stickybeak in the 4WD. “They found. “At the den, the pack Several years later, a commercial would often walk up to my vehicle leaves an adult babysitter or two art career forgotten and armed with and peer in the window to see what to guard the pups while the rest a BSc (Hons) in Environmental I was up to,” says Leigh. “Or as they go out to hunt. When they make Biology, Leigh was back in Africa dozed close by, they would keep just a successful kill the pack then on a round-the-world ticket. a curious eye on the mad researcher brings back food to the pups and “I was looking to make contacts clambering all over the roof of the car for the adults that stay behind.” to get into conservation research with a big blue tracking antenna.” nota bene During her 10 years in Zambia, somewhere,” she explains. “By The perceived value of protected Leigh’s African Wild Dog chance I found myself in Zambia areas in Africa is integrally linked Conservation project morphed on the banks of the Zambezi. I took with ecotourism in most countries, into a successful predator a job as a safari camp manager and and predators are a big draw card. As conservation project and non-profi t trained as a safari guide.” She quickly Leigh was to discover, the hunting Trust, partnered with WWF- acquired some grounding in the dogs are intimately connected to the Netherlands and the Zambia local ecology, and “learned how to food chain and eco-health of these Wildlife Authority, among others. deal with charging elephants, and wilderness areas: they help maintain “I came home to Australia the cantankerous old buffalo that antelope diversity by preying on the 18 months ago, and my current wandered into camp each night.” most prevalent species, and that in challenge is to combine my two Leigh was trying to work out turn helps conserve habitat diversity passions, art and science, as I believe a way to fundraise for macro- by preventing overgrazing from some both have an important role to invertebrate surveys, when two of the more successful herbivores. play in communicating the beauty packs of wild dogs began to cross “There was also the benefi t that and value of our environment.” her path. “They’re normally rare the wild dogs are a highly social and elusive, as I discovered later, species and fascinating to study,” says Vanishing Point – wildlife and but suddenly they were popping Leigh. “It’s a characteristic that also landscape paintings by Dr Kellie Leigh, up all over the place, even taking endears them to the general public Australian Museum, October 16-17. down impala in front of the vehicle and makes them a fl agship species Main event and cocktails, 6-8pm, 16th as I drove guests to the airstrip.” for conservation. I fi rst became ($25 door donation, proceeds to the Leigh was intrigued and began to aware of their social habits when I conservation trust). More information research the animals. “I discovered was tracking the packs not only to from www.bushpalette.com/news.htm just how highly endangered they identify their movements and the or RSVP to [email protected]. were,” she says. “They number threats they faced, but also to remove about the same as the black rhino, wire snares. The snares are intended and were persecuted as vermin even to catch the legs of antelope but the inside National Parks until the late dogs are particularly susceptible at 1970s.” So began her PhD on the neck level. If the injury from the ecology and conservation biology snare became severe, the other Alert; African Wild of the African wild dog in Zambia, pack members would take turns to Dog by Kellie Leigh
6 SAM Spring 09 SOPHI’s Anarchic choice nb Anderson
rofessor Duncan Ivison will be reagh Cole’s article on the the University’s next Dean of “diffi cult legacy” of John PArts. He takes up the position CAnderson (SAM Winter on 25 January 2010. Meanwhile, 2009) is intriguing. Here is a major Professor Anne Dunn continues as fi gure in Australian philosophy who Acting Dean. today is hardly read and yet whose Professor Ivison joined the Faculty spirit permeates Sydney’s cultural of Arts in 1999 as a Lecturer and atmosphere. Cole notes, “by the shortly afterwards was promoted 1970s students of philosophy at to Senior Lecturer. He left the Sydney had become ignorant or University in 2003 for an Associate uncertain of Anderson’s existence, Professorship at the University of much less his importance” and yet the Toronto, but returned in 2006. He philosophy department’s “split into MSc in Pure Mathematics in 1974, is currently Professor and Head of two entirely separate departments” in 1975 I immersed myself in the School of Philosophical and in 1975 was considered by “some courses on Marxism, Feminism and Historical Inquiry, having previously of his own students [as...] the fi nal Anarchism in which all the spirits been the Faculty’s Associate Dean for legacy of the professor”. How Anderson had summoned, en passant, Research. true! In my fi rst year of philosophy were well and truly dancing. That Check out his homepage (www- studies in 1970 I attended lectures spectrum of illustrious and still highly personal.arts.usyd.edu.au/duncan. on Descartes by one of Anderson’s controversial names, among others, ivison.htm) for an overview of his students, Prof David M. Armstrong. has been defi ning not only for me, but research interests and publications. On recommencing philosophy in the also for a vibrant part of a generation new, cloven philosophy landscape of Australian philosophers who today in 1975, I was taught Anarchism by provide some counterweight to the WE HAVE A WINNER! another Anderson student, George predominant, established modes of Molnar. The Philosophy Department thinking. The winner of the inaugural Prize had survived, with lacerations, the The analytic/Continental divide Crossword – drawn blindfold from the is still alive these days, especially bucketful of entries by Director of the battle over whether it was admissible from the Anglo-American side. Alumni Relations Offi ce, Tracey Beck - to teach Marxism in philosophy, but is John Ford (BSc ’93) of Leeming WA. not the controversy over whether On the Continent, where I live, Feminism was worthy of a place in a no one talks of “Continental Congratulations to all entrants philosophy”, although there is no who succeeded in penetrating the philosophy department’s curriculum. denying the prevailing sway of labyrinthine mind of former VC Armstrong and Molnar ended up Emeritus Professor Gavin Brown on opposite sides of the fractured the “analytic” everywhere in all AO FAA CorrFRSE. Please try (and today re-mended) department. established institutions, especially again as the prize is once again Neither from Armstrong nor from those with the most venerable and a copy of Museum – the Macleays, Molnar did I ever hear Anderson’s prestigious names. Where success their collections and the search for name mentioned. Yet both were and effectiveness, infl uence and order, featuring sumptuous art imbued with Anderson’s controversial tradition, usefulness and effi ciency photography by Robyn Stacey and freethinking, and Molnar, at least, are the criteria, Cartesian-analytic excellent historical text by Ashley modes of thinking win, especially Hay, published by Cambridge had been a member of “that shifting over phenomenology, which has long University Press. Bohemian cultural force known as the Sydney Push”. since posed uncomfortable questions If Anderson’s lectures had to the Cartesian scientifi c approach SAM WINTER SOLUTION been garnished with “provocative that, with its sure-footed instinct for M U L T I P L I C A T I O N references to the works of such power, invariably has been ignored. E I N U A H V F diverse fi gures as Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche’s diagnosis of a “will to P R O T E S T E R E M E E R power” lodged in the heart of Western H N R H E R R I Lenin, Freud, Socrates, Heraclitus,
I N E P T E N S H E A T H E Nietzsche, Sorel and James Joyce”, thinking and pervading all that is S S R S F O N then these spectral doves came established, points to a seemingly T E S S E R A L P O P P E D home to roost in the 1970s in a impossible alternative illuminated O P N I R L P U N C H Y E M B E Z Z L E way that irreversibly burst and by the spectral shimmering of H O E P P E S broadened the horizons of both that questioning spirit Anderson E X T E M P O R E C L U E S Australian philosophical thinking bequeathed us. L A E T R H X N E M B E R T R I L O B I T E and diverse cultural practices. The S L A E U I T S 1970s in Sydney were a great time Dr Michael Eldred BSc (Hons) ’74 S E L L E R S M A R K E T S of experimentation in unorthodox MSc ’75 PhD ’84 ways of living. Coming from an Cologne, Germany
SAM Spring 09 7 Sydney and the Festival By Diana Simmonds
n June, Sydney Festival’s new imagination, which turns out to be an connection with that and it’s one of artistic director. Lindy Hume, important and useful trait in times of the sites of a number on campus that Icame to the campus to announce – global fi nancial crisis. are begging to be used.” with the VC, Dr Michael Spence – an “Money is short out there,” she says. For Hume, working with the exciting creative initiative. For the “We have to make more of what we’ve University is a natural progression next three years, beginning with the got. And what we’ve got is this city and from her years in Perth. “I formed a coming Festival in January 2010, the some under-appreciated parts of it.” very close relationship with University University is joining Sydney Festival Research has shown the Festival of Western Australia,” she says. “It as a Leadership Partner. that there is an eager audience in became central to the Festival and “This is a natural fi t, bringing the inner west and Hume intends there is the same and very obvious together some of Sydney’s most to make the University the virtual confl uence with Sydney.” creative minds,” said Dr Spence. neighbourhood hub for that audience. It should make alumna Lord “I’m sure this strategic partnership Over the next three years Festival Mayor Clover Moore happy as it will generate really fascinating and goers can expect live performances, picks up on her theme of a City of stimulating ideas and attract new art installations, fi lm and music Villages: “There are three distinct audiences as the Festival broadens its events in a range of spaces new to Festival areas,” says Hume. “There’s focus.” the Festival, including the historic the romantic harbour, the edgy cut Hume returns to Sydney after Quadrangle and the newly landscaped and thrust of the CBD and now, the great success as director of the Perth Cadigal Green. And, of course, the inner west – Newtown, Enmore, International Arts Festival and with a Seymour Centre. Leichhardt and Glebe – with the reputation as one of the best directors “The Seymour Centre is good, focus at the University. I think it will of opera Australia has produced. As it has good bones, it’s noticeably be very exciting and dynamic.” Lindy Hume and VC she did in Perth, Hume’s plans for energised,” says Hume. “It’s close Michael Spence. More Sydney Festival news in the next Sydney are long on innovation and to Carriageworks and makes a good Photo by Ted Sealey issue of SAM.
8 SAM Spring 09 students, their teachers and families to show them what is possible.” Compass – showing Schools participating in Compass nb have identifi ed science, maths, music and information technology the way as areas where the University could add value through staff capacity- n a cold but sunny morning student attainment and aspiration. building programs, and curriculum in June, 175 local primary The Minister spoke of “creating and student learning support. Oand high school children a new era for higher education and Compass will target parents as well as gathered in the Quadrangle to greet innovation … We want to make sure students to ensure they know about Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard that every Australian child, no matter the role, purpose and accessibility on her fi rst visit to the University. what their family circumstances, has of higher education, including She came in her role as Minister the opportunity of a great education, information about fi nancial support, for Education to launch the Sydney and if they want to come to university, and familiarity with university life. University Compass program and then that door is open to them.” University of Sydney Deputy was escorted on campus by Vice- The Minister watched as Vice-Chancellor (Education) Chancellor Dr Michael Spence. children experienced activities and Derrick Armstrong, will oversee the Compass program and said, “There is considerable evidence that aspirations are formed early in life and that family experience of higher education is a key factor in infl uencing attitudes. This is why Compass will engage with students, and the people who infl uence them, early in their schooling, with continuing contact throughout their school career.” The Compass project will focus its attention on years 3, 4 and 5 in primary schools and years 8, 9 and 10 in high schools. It will engage more than 1200 students in the Kogarah and Marrickville regions in 2009 as it interacts with two secondary schools and six feeder primary schools. The program will Of Compass, a new program projects designed to help them see expand into another eight schools designed to encourage disadvantaged universities as welcoming, stimulating in southwest Sydney in 2010. children into higher education, the environments. Activities included Minister said, “This is all about this a seminar on making the perfect great university working with schools chocolate bar; getting the chance to to ensure that the students in those play dentist and fi ll a tooth; taking Alumni Centre schools have an understanding of blood pressure and reading sugar what university education is about levels; identifi cation of animal update and have the potential to think skulls; testing model paper planes; f you have been wondering about coming to university.” and donning a toga to learn about about the opening of the new The “Compass – fi nd your way the ancient myths of the Medusa. IAlumni Centre in the Jane Foss to higher education” program is Students also participated in Russell Building (announced in a funded for three years with $3.5m various science activities, including previous issue of SAM), please note from the federal Department of Dr Karl’s “Great Moments in that its establishment is on hold. Education, Employment and Science” talk, Nicholson Museum As you may have guessed, the Workplace Relations; $2m from and Seymour Centre visits. Centre is waiting its place in the queue the University of Sydney; and The Vice-Chancellor said, “All for funding because of the effects of the global fi nancial crisis. Although $100,000 from the NSW Department the research underlines the fact the University is weathering the crisis of Education and Training. that at university, students from low better than many institutions, it has The University will partner the SES backgrounds have excellent been decided that, in the short term, NSW Department of Education and rates of retention and success. If funds be directed away from projects Training and selected secondary Australia is to rethink the way we such as these, and the immediate needs and primary schools in Sydney. deal with educational disadvantage of teaching and learning (including Outreach, mentoring and professional we should be giving as much infrastructure) be prioritised instead. development programs will be attention to the issue of a student’s If you have any queries, please developed and implemented to educational potential as we do to Deputy PM Julia contact the Alumni Relations Offi ce increase school completion rates, their educational attainment. That’s Gillard visits on (612) 9036 9222 or email and raise community expectations, why we’re working with school the Quad [email protected].
SAM Spring 09 9 word. This correct pronunciation is anathema even to Latin teachers and Latin Pronunciation 101 academics, with very few exceptions, By Associate Professor Dexter Hoyos nb because the incorrect version has been sanctifi ed by several centuries of mispronunciation, alas. ore arguments break out last approximately twice as long as So classical Latin pronunciations over the pronunciation either the fi rst or third one.) are not the same in every respect of alumni, alumnus and as the common English versions, M ALUMNA: uh-loong-nuh. (First two alumna than most other vexed topics. which ignore Latin practice and even syllables as above, and then again a We know quite a lot about how Latin evidence in favour of just getting short “a” at the end. Our short “a”, was pronounced in the time of Julius something out. So in common English like in “hat”, was apparently not used Caesar and Cicero, which is viewed as soundings the words would come in Latin at all but was a medieval the Golden Age, but the knowledge out as “ah-lumm-nuss”, “-nah” importation.) is not popular because it confl icts and “-nee” (or in this latter case, in with most of the centuries-old habits ALUMNI: uh-loong-nee. (As above, public school English and BBC style, in Western countries. The standard but the fi nal syllable pronounced “-nigh”). The legal profession goes reference work is the late W Sidney “nee” as in English “need”.) still further and turns every Latin Allen’s Vox Latina. term into a mishmash of anglicised ALUMNAE (feminine form): uh-loong- The nearest we can get to sounds far removed from any period nigh. (In later Latin, the “ae” sound educated classical Latin pronunciation of actual Roman practice. Incidentally, became a long Italian-type “e” or for “alumnus” etc is to say: in the US and Canada the fi rst French “é”. That’s why, for example, “a-” does usually get pronounced ALUMNUS: uh-loong-nus. (The short the Italian plural “tavole” is simply “uh”, not because of any interest in “a” in Latin was sounded as a short the Latin “tabulae” slightly evolved.) Latin sounds but because of North “u” in English, like the “u” in “cup”. We know that Latin syllables American accents. The middle vowel is nasalised with which had a vowel followed by “m” As a result, there’s a variety of a long “oo”, and it takes the word- plus another consonant were normally pronunciations from classical to stress. The short “u” in “-nus” was nasalised, and the “m” itself was not popular. I prefer the classical myself, sounded like the vowel in our “foot” pronounced. The same thing occurred but they are incomprehensible to or “put”. The middle syllable should when the “m” came at the end of a modern listeners.
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10 SAM Spring 09 nb
Bottom left: Indonesia’s delegation brings Dutch aggression to world attention at UN-hosted discussions at Lake Success. Portrayed are future fi rst Indonesian prime minister, Sutan Sjahrir and Muslim scholar H Agus Salim, who served as Indonesia’s foreign minister between 1947- 1949. Historical photographs of this Australia and Indonesia: meeting show that another person was seated at the table: the Indian representative at the UN who allowed an art history the Indonesians to make use of their membership. Behind Sjahrir, By Ron Witton (BA ’65 MA ’67) left to right, are three noteworthy Indonesians: Soedjatmoko (known to his friends as “Koko”), a signifi cant intellectual who wrote widely on mri Yahya was born in Top right: this action raised a storm of social and political issues and served Palembang in 1939 and lived protest around the world, including as both Indonesia’s ambassador Amost of his life in Yogyakarta, demonstrations in Australia. The to the UN and Rector of the UN where he lectured at the Yogyakarta best known occurred on 25 July 1947. University in Japan; Soemitro Public University (UNY). He gained The day before, the University’s Djojohadikoesoemo later became worldwide fame as an artist whose Labor Club had hosted a talk by fi nance minister; and Charles Tambu, best-known medium was batik and Muriel Pearson, better known as a Sri Lankan lawyer who had been died in December 2004, severely K’tut Tantri. She lived in Indonesia living in Singapore and was captured depressed after a fi re destroyed and was a staunch supporter of the by the Japanese, taken to Jakarta and virtually all his work, including his revolution. In 1960 she wrote Revolt placed in a “radio camp” to monitor fi rst painting. in Paradise, her life story, which was allied broadcasts in English. Pictured here, however, is “Lukisan extremely popular in Australia and Bottom right: the negotiations, Perjuangan dari Agresi Belanda I s/d can still be found. K’tut Tantri had brokered by the UN Security Renville” (Painting of the Struggle remained in Indonesia throughout the Council, between the Dutch and from the First Dutch Aggression until Japanese occupation (she was known the Indonesians held aboard the the Renville Agreement). It hangs in to the Allies as “Surabaya Sue”), USS Renville anchored in Jakarta Yogyakarta’s Fort Vredeburg, one of and became a confi dant of Sukarno Bay in 1948. The agreement was the city’s major tourist attractions, and other Indonesian revolutionary an unsuccessful attempt to resolve which was built by the Dutch in 1765 leaders. K’tut Tantri gave a fi ery disputes following the breakdown near the Sultan’s palace. The fort speech at the University, painting a of the Linggadjati Agreement. The houses a museum and has an eclectic graphic picture of Indonesia’s fi ghters: Republican delegation was led by collection of historical artefacts and “...ill equipped to fi ght against the then prime minister, Amir Sjarifuddin, dioramas of the revolution. planes and tanks of the Dutch. Their with prominent Christian politician, The painting is of particular army is dressed in rags and has little Johannes Leimana, as deputy. interest to alumni visitors as it more than bamboo spears...there are The subsequent Round Table commemorates the support given few doctors or hospitals and they are Conference of August-November by Sydney University Labor Club acutely short of medical supplies.” 1949 was held between the to the Indonesian Republic during Next day Labor Club students and Indonesian Republic and the the revolution. The picture’s four other supporters of the Indonesians Netherlands as the disputing quarters depict crucial events in the (including wharf labourers) parties, under the chairmanship of independence struggle. Top left is demonstrated outside the Sydney a neutral power, the United States. a scene from what became known offi ces of the Dutch Consulate- To represent them, the Dutch chose as the First Military Aggression. On General in Margaret Street. The fellow colonial power Belgium, while 20 July 1947 the Dutch, claiming NSW police were heavy-handed in the Indonesians chose Australia, violations of the Linggadjati dealing with a possibly Communist- rather than, as many expected, the Agreement of November 1946, inspired event; it was widely reported newly independent India. The launched a “police action” to destroy in Indonesia and inspired the young Photo by conference led to a formal transfer of the fl edgling Indonesian Republic. Amri Yahya. Rachma Safi tri sovereignty to Indonesia.
SAM Spring 09 11 chose this way of organising the course because different skills and knowledge New tunes for business get used depending on your point in the business life-cycle,” says Professor Styles. nce upon a time there was an MBA, emphasises the real-life context of business “The skills you need to build a new team and everyone was very impressed. problems, rather then exploring them in at the start of a project are very different OThen Warwick Fairfax got one isolation, and maintains a global focus. from those you need if you have to fi re from Harvard, came home to Australia and Another factor that sets the program apart people when turning around a business.” soon generated the joke: How do you start is to whom it is targeted: “It’s defi nitely Each of these takes students to a small business? Answer: give Warwick not for everyone,” says Professor Styles. a different location, exploring new Fairfax a big one. This led to the question: “We work in partnership with companies opportunities in Bangalore, growth in if he has an MBA, what does that mean? to identify their most high-potential Silicon Valley and renewal in France’s Answer: someone has to come bottom and future leaders who would get the most tradition-bound wine industry. They are still scrape through. Then came the GFC benefi t out of an accelerated leadership thrown in the deep end, co-ordinating and suddenly nobody was very impressed program. We expect they will have around by highfl ying fi nance and business types 10 years of executive experience.” a local business project and attending anymore. Students fi rst complete online modules, related seminars taught by members of Enter the EMBA. Devised by the to fi ll knowledge gaps, then undertake the Faculty as well as local experts. University’s Faculty of Economics & intensive schooling in management “We hothouse the students, accelerating Business, the new degree – Executive MBA disciplines. They go on to explore concepts their exposure to a wide range of strategic – is probably what it should have been all of leadership across a range of different problems across different countries along: the business degree for grown-ups. fi elds, from military and philosophical that might take years to experience as “We all agreed that if the Faculty were to dramatic and musical perspectives, a manager,” Professor Styles explains. going to create an MBA, it was going to be accessing experts across the University. “But rather than just teaching you how something very distinctive that business For example, creativity in leadership is to do business in India, we get you to really needed,” says marketing scholar and learned by improvising jazz melodies at experience doing business in India yourself, curriculum deviser, Professor Chris Styles. the Conservatorium, while learning how to giving you the true business context.” The EMBA is integrated in its approach structure a logical argument from scholars to leadership: rather than treating disciplines in the Department of Philosophy. Limited opportunities exist for companies to such as marketing and fi nance separately, Three key modules are organised sponsor places for their managers in the current students must solve problems holistically around identifying new opportunities, EMBA program. Phone (02) 9036 5334 or as they would in business. The degree also growing opportunities, and renewal. “We email [email protected] for information.
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12 SAM Spring 09 Sara Donald (BA ’93 DipEd ’95) begins her exploration of all things family: how we do it, what we think about it, where work fi ts in, what children mean, the role of grandparents and in-laws in family life. In this issue she reviews a major new book on school choice and talks to alumna- working mother Leona Djung
Family Matters
nrolling in university is an exciting moment. Roche, a Swiss pharmaceutical company based in And then what? Full of hopes, ideals and Basel. We have been here for nearly four years. expectations we embark on an uncertain journey. Pivotal points in your career? For some, there is a hazy sense of what we want E After my degree I chose to go into the hospital system to achieve. Others have defi nite goals and ambitions. Speaking to alumni about why they chose a rather than retail pharmacy. Subsequently I went for particular degree, then looking at where they are now, a position in a specialty area, as a renal pharmacist. offers a revealing glimpse at the trajectories of life. Certain things in the public sector began to frustrate Alumni who are involved in the raising of children may me and caused me to look elsewhere for opportunity. have seen career plans take a detour. Focusing on a family’s How do you balance work and baby? demands while maintaining participation in the workforce Thankfully, my company allows fl exibility in hours and can be a tricky balancing act, especially for women. working arrangements. After Genevieve was born I had Refl ecting on how other alumni manage (or managed eight months off before I was meant to go back to an – hello grandparents!) to combine a career with the 80 per cent load; at the last minute, I asked if I could complex needs of family life is a poignant reminder that do a 60 per cent load for the fi rst couple of months. our uncertain journeys continue long after we walk out On an 80 per cent load I will be working one day from of the Great Hall, degree in hand. And then what? home. I’m lucky because my sister and mother will be Leona Djung (nee Leung) was born in 1975 coming over to help out during the childcare holidays. and educated in Hong Kong before moving to Australia with her family when she was 10. She Future plans? did her HSC at Turramurra High in 1993 and We are unsure about how long we will be in graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy in 1997. Switzerland. Now that we have a child we need to She responded to Family Matters’ questions: consider her when we are thinking about where Expectations of your degree? to live and work. We may move back to Australia when Genevieve is old enough to start school. To be honest, I had no idea what I wanted to do. My father had a strong infl uence on my choice. I thought that I wanted to do something practical and health related; I School Choice was full of ideals and I thought my skills could take me to third world countries where I could offer my help. n our Newcastle street of about a dozen children we are the only parents who send their kids to the Where are you now? local school. Other parents have chosen the Catholic I am married and we have a baby girl. We live in Ischool, the nearby low-fee Christian College and Switzerland and I work in Regulatory Affairs, for other public schools out of our area.
SAM Spring 09 13 Because we were new to the area when our children were born we didn’t know of the bias against the local school. It was only when my children were at preschool and there was a big chart on the wall asking you to put your child’s name against the school they were to be attending that I realised few other parents were choosing the local school. Why was that? Outside, the school looks wonderful. Beautiful old timber classrooms with views out to the channel, air-conditioning, spacious grounds, play equipment, a council oval next door for sport, committed teachers, a fantastic principal and a bus route along Faculty of Health Sciences our street to take the boys to and from school. Inside, and from our experience, after more than six 30th Anniversary Open Day years, we have nothing but good reports and I feel sorry For 30 years we have worked hand-in-hand with health for the other parents in the street who listened to ill- professions and our community to lead the way in health informed gossip about it not being the “right” school. science education and research. Watching them load their kids into the car every morning for that frenzied drop-off has often made Join us in celebrating this important milestone! me wonder whether they think it’s worth it. But after reading the recently released book School Saturday 31 October, 11am – 4pm Choice – How Parents Negotiate the New School Market in Cumberland Campus, 75 East Street Lidcombe Australia (Allen & Unwin $32.95) I can only think it’s a resounding yes – parents will do anything to secure Interactive health checks, sporting demonstrations, live band, a place in the school perceived to be the best. barbeque, study fair, children’s activities and much more will Based on a four-year research project funded make this a day for the whole family! by the Australian Research Council and written Health Sciences Symposium from 1pm by Associate Professor Craig Campbell, Dr Helen Proctor and Professor Geoffrey Sherington of Networking Reunion from 3.30pm the Faculty of Education and Social Work at the University, the book is compelling reading. Register now at www.fhs.usyd.edu.au/anniversary or phone (02) 9036 9278 Overwhelmingly, the focus is on the anxieties, aspirations and strategic planning of parents who want the “right” school for their child. Included is a table showing the two main reasons given by parents for choosing a secondary school, in Sydney, in 2006. In order these were: the school’s reputation and the proximity to home. At three and four were “academic quality” and “religious reasons.” Part II analyses interviews conducted with 63 parents or caregivers. The authors “wanted to know what these middle-class urban Australians had actually done and thought about in choosing a school and the degree to which their plans had succeeded or been frustrated.” Some anecdotes are revealing: “Mary and her husband decided on a government school – but not the local comprehensive. Her rejection of this option was based on personal observations, ‘seeing the students’ and reading ‘reports in the paper’.” Another parent, who chose to send a son to the local comprehensive high school, qualifi ed her choice by saying “I would probably send Ned out-of-area, or even boarding school” if they had lived in a “poorer area”. There are many other startlingly honest quotes from parents, detailing what infl uenced school choice. As high school looms in the next couple of years for my oldest son we will soon be discussing the “which high school?” question at the school gate with other parents. Buses for the Christian College and the local high school come down our street and there is now a bus up to Newcastle Grammar School. Options are many. We’ll probably be going over the arguments put forward by the parents in School Choice to justify our fi nal decision. SAM
Contact Sara: [email protected]
14 SAM Spring 09 Grossest darkness and law irrational superstition On Australia’s policing and punishment of Indigenous Australians. By Dr Thalia Anthony (BA ’99, PhD ’05, LLB ’06)
n 5 February 1836 “Jack Congo” Murrell, an remove cultural considerations. Sections 90 and 91 of Aboriginal man, was tried in the New South the Northern Territory Emergency Response Act 2007 OWales Supreme Court for the wilful murder (Commonwealth) provides that for bail and sentencing, of Jabbingee, another Aboriginal man. At trial Murrell courts “must not take into consideration any form of protested that he was not guilty, but nevertheless, if he customary law or cultural practice”. This legislation were to be tried the applicable law was his customary signals the end of Aboriginal law in sentencing factors law. He claimed that his own people occupied New for the Northern Territory and (due to similar provisions) South Wales before the King of England occupied Commonwealth offences. It is likely to lead to even it, therefore, his people were rightly regulated by higher rates of imprisonment for Indigenous people. customary law, rather than the laws of Great Britain. Throughout Australia, Indigenous people are over- What ensued was the landmark decision of R v represented in the criminal justice system. They are Murrell, Sydney Gazette, 6 February 1836, in which Justice subject to higher levels of policing, higher charges, Burton declared that before colonisation, Australian arrests and incarceration rates and longer periods of land was “unappropriated by anyone” and thus was imprisonment. According to the Australian Bureau of lawfully taken into “actual possession by the King of Statistics, in 2006, 24 per cent of Australians in custody England”. The King’s laws applied to everyone, including were Indigenous, while 20 per cent of deaths in custody Aboriginal people. Furthermore, Aboriginal people had no were Indigenous Australians. Indigenous adults were recognisable laws, but only “practices” that “are consistent 13 times more likely than non-Indigenous adults to with a state of the grossest darkness and irrational be imprisoned, according to the 2009 Productivity superstition”. And not, therefore, entitled to be recognised Commission Report. The imbalance is greater still for Courts “must as “sovereign states governed by laws of their own”. Indigenous women. In 2006-2007, Indigenous women From R v Murrell, two key assumptions emerged in the comprised 31 per cent of women in prison custody not take into Australian criminal justice system. First, the Anglo-legal (ABS) and were 21 times more likely to be imprisoned consideration system would trump Aboriginal laws. Second, Aboriginal compared with non-Indigenous counterparts. any form of people were to be viewed as equal before the Anglo- The chief apparatuses of criminal justice – policing Australian law. These assumptions have shaped the Anglo- and punishment – were central to colonisation. The police customary Australian legal system’s engagement with Indigenous were crucial to Indigenous removal from their land and law or people ever since. The impact has been dire. Deprived cultural dispossession. Police were also responsible for of the capacity to regulate their own social systems, the administration of the protection regime, which was cultural Indigenous communities have struggled to retain control. governed by the Aboriginal Acts. These Acts provided practice”. At the same time, the assumption of equality has been for a network of “protectors” to police every aspect of proven false. From the early colonial period, Indigenous an Indigenous person’s life. It was an offence to leave people have been disproportionately criminalised. a designated area (such as a mission or government Despite the modern era of legal recognition in the guise settlement), marry, work, receive cash welfare or wages of native title, Aboriginal peoples’ criminal laws continue and practice traditional laws, customs and ceremonies to go unrecognised. In the past there have been latitudes without permission from the Protector. According to for Aboriginal culture in criminal sentencing. In other Eugene Kamenka and Alice Tay in 1993, it was the words, customary factors relevant to criminal behaviour policeman-protector “who brought in the Aboriginal could reduce a sentence. However, even these leniencies suspect and the witnesses on the neck chain, who rounded are being wound back with the reinvigoration of Justice up Aborigines for removal to institutions, who expelled Burton’s ideas of so-called equality before the law. them from towns and who helped the missionaries The previous and current Federal Governments restrict access of the parents to Aboriginal children.” opine that Indigenous people receive unfair advantage Policing was also vital to the enforcement of in criminal sentencing. In 2006, then Indigenous Affairs assimilation, including the removal of Aboriginal Minister, Mal Brough, stated that Aboriginal offenders children. Assimilation was introduced in the mid-20th “hide behind” a veil of customary law. In the same year, century when policymakers realised that Indigenous former Prime Minister John Howard echoed Justice people were not dying out. The objective was to Burton in R v Murrell, that Aboriginal law should be integrate Indigenous people into the dominant non- suspended in favour of “Anglo-Australian law” that Indigenous society, albeit at serf level. Aboriginal people provides protection to “every citizen of this country”. were forced into work without pay and into towns. This led to drastic measures to curb judicial discretion. In 2001, criminologist Russell Hogg argued that the In 2007, the Federal Government passed legislation to end of control through the Aboriginal Acts marked the
SAM Spring 09 15 beginning of control by the criminal justice system. responsible for the death, Deputy Coroner Christine In the 1970s, Indigenous people increasingly moved Clements initially noted, “The arrest of Mulrunji was out of settlements and into towns, putting them in not an appropriate exercise of police discretion.” the purview of urban policing. This led to a steady Despite the evidence against charging and increase in imprisonment numbers. Hogg writes that prosecuting public order offences, policing of such “administrative segregation” gave way to “penal offences continues to expand. Most recently in May incarceration” as a mode of Indigenous regulation. 2009 the NSW parliament gave police the powers to When Indigenous people moved into towns, their move on people who are “slurring” their words. If engagement with the criminal justice system was often suspected inebriated persons do not comply with the triggered by public order offences. Vagrancy and public move-on direction, they can be arrested and charged drinking laws had a particularly punitive impact on with a criminal offence. The laws amend the Law Indigenous people who were classed as outsiders or the Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act to lower “undeserving poor,” according to Elizabeth Eggleston in the threshold from “seriously” drunk to “noticeably” 1976. Today the over-representation of Indigenous people drunk. The amended law was a lively topic on talk- Police will in custody continues to be for public order offences, back radio, with callers suggesting that police will especially offensive language and behaviour. Seventeen be drawn to people singing in the streets, eating late be drawn per cent of Indigenous offenders compared with eight night kebabs or unaware of a wardrobe malfunction. to people per cent of non-Indigenous offenders had a public order But the real impact will be on Indigenous people. singing in offence as their principal offence, according to the NSW According to an Ombudsman review of the move- Bureau of Crime Research and Statistics in 2006. on powers in 1999, there was a very high incidence the streets, The consequences are often fatal. Australian Institute of police directions in parts of NSW with substantial eating late of Criminology fi gures from 2005 reveal that just under Indigenous populations. The use of such powers one quarter of Indigenous people who died in police has been described by Dennis Eggington, CEO of night kebabs custody in 2002 were there for public order offences. This the Western Australian Aboriginal Legal Services, or unaware fi gure excludes those people who were in custody for who conducted a study on the powers, as “ethnic public drunkenness – which is described by policymakers cleansing”. In 2009, Eggington said these powers have of a wardrobe as “therapeutic custody” – rather than penal custody. the effect of removing Aboriginal people from public malfunction. Indigenous people are currently 42 times more likely to be places. Move-on powers – like most public order in custody for public drunkenness than other Australians. offences – set in train a sequence of criminal processes The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in that punish Indigenous people disproportionately to Custody identifi ed the connection between over-policing their alleged crime. The “slurring” laws will have the public order offences and deaths in custody in 1991. likely effect of increasing the policing and punishing Recommendation 86 of the Report was that the “use of Indigenous peoples in the absence of a crime. of offensive language in circumstances of interventions The paternal style of the old Aboriginal Acts re- initiated by police should not normally be occasion for emerged with the Northern Territory Emergency arrest or charge”. However, this has not been addressed Response Act 2007 (Commonwealth) and its control by policymakers and law enforcers. Consequently, the measures in Indigenous communities. The Federal police number of Aboriginal deaths in custody continues to and military mobilised to bring Indigenous communities rise. The high profi le death in custody of Mulrunji on under the control of the Commonwealth Government in Palm Island in 2004 illustrates that police continue to mid-2006. The regulation of Indigenous people under this inappropriately arrest for offensive language. On the Northern Territory Intervention has entailed the universal night in question, Mulrunji insulted a police offi cer and quarantining of Indigenous welfare income, reclaiming was arrested on a public nuisance charge. Forty minutes Indigenous land, prohibitions on alcohol and pornography later he was dead in the police station with a black and mandatory health checks and contraception. eye, four broken ribs and a ruptured liver. The case is Contrary to media reports and government rhetoric now the subject of a third inquiry after fi ndings were – that the Intervention sought to support victims and set aside and a judgment on the Coroner’s verdict was reduce Indigenous crime – the increased policing of held to be fl awed. In fi nding Senior Sergeant Hurley Indigenous communities in the NT has not targeted
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16 SAM Spring 09 child abuse and domestic violence. Indeed, the 2009 Redfern under the auspices of the Street Beat program, Productivity Commission Report noted the increase in set up under the Children (Protection and Parental child abuse incidents. Despite the hundreds of millions Responsibility) Act 1997 (NSW) to ensure the safety of dollars already committed to the Intervention, there of Indigenous youth. It is run by outreach workers and remain inadequate services for victims of violent crimes, volunteers to provide safe transportation for young people such as medical services, sexual assault and trauma at risk, offer support systems to divert Indigenous youth counselling and crisis shelters. Rather, policing has been from the criminal justice system and help families in crisis. focused on enforcing the new Intervention laws and Community policing has been described by Chris detecting and prosecuting traffi c offences – especially Cunneen in Confl ict, Politics and Crime (2001) as a driving uninsured, unlicensed and unregistered. This type space for self-determination to operate in Indigenous of policing signals to the communities the paternalism communities. According to Harry Blagg, community of the police without any associated protections. policing plays an important role in social control The emergency and disaster management approach and has been effective in reducing crime levels. to NT Indigenous crime was used to justify top-down Without a legitimate space for Indigenous forms of policies without community consultation. It undermined, crime control and social regulation, the criminal justice rather than drew on the strengths of, community-based system will continue to manage Indigenous people’s programs targeted at combating crime; and community- lives rather than address crime problems. This has owned initiatives such as night patrols. These patrols, been an overlooked and tragic consequence of the NT which are commonly run by senior Indigenous women, Intervention. It is also evidenced by ongoing deaths intervene in disputes with a view to mediating a in custody. The horrifi c circumstances of Mulrunji’s resolution, protecting victims and ensuring community death have still not been addressed systemically, safety. They do not have the capacity to charge or or nationally. Last year, Mr Ward, a traditional man prosecute, but may work in conjunction with the police. who was deeply respected in his Ngaanyatjarra In 2008 criminologist Harry Blagg identifi ed more than community in Western Australia, died after enduring 130 night patrols across remote, regional and urban areas a four hour journey in the bare metal cell pod of of Australia. These include patrols run by Indigenous a non-air conditioned prison van, in temperatures communities and those operated by government agencies above 56C. He was being taken from Laverton to in consultation with communities. In NSW, community Kalgoorlie to be charged with a drink driving offence. policing programs operate in Forster, Kempsey, Narrandera He should not have been arrested in the fi rst place. and Dareton, where they have minimised “harm A rethinking of a legal domain with Indigenous associated with consumption of alcohol and other drugs”, forms of policing and social regulation could set such as malicious damage, street offences and vehicle the basis for a fi nal departure from Justice Burton’s theft, according to a 2001 study by Lui and Blanchard. A rulings in R v Murrell almost two hundred years ago Thalia Anthony modifi ed form of community policing operates in inner-city and the ongoing shame of deaths in custody. SAM Photo by Ted Sealey
SAM Spring 09 17 Great Scotts! Two brothers, same profession, different directions. John Shand explores music wo hours with the Scott musicology. “I should have done to go with the bass,” he recalls, “and brothers is like laughter composition,” he says. “Maybe I was not go with teaching other people’s Ttherapy. Phil Scott (BA Hons late, and the composition classes were children to not appreciate music.” Mus ’74) makes a living from being full.” His already broad knowledge In the early 1980s Phil, who’d funny. If his brother Craig (GradCert of music was further expanded by always wanted to be an actor, veered HE ’00) leans on his wit professionally, a course ranging across Indonesian away from being a musical director it would be to put fellow band- gamelan to modern Polish music, with towards writing, acting and comedy. members and nervous students at Ross Edwards and Peter Sculthorpe “I’d always written stuff,” he says, ease. A leading bass player, he is among his tutors. “particularly satire and lyric parodies. Chair of Jazz Studies at the Sydney Asked what impact the degree had I wrote a satirical account of a school Conservatorium. Phil’s writing, acting, on his subsequent career, he replies excursion to some factory when I was composing, singing and piano playing, he would have said “none” until in Year Five, which was confi scated. meanwhile, have enlivened stages and recently. “But now I write classical I had to come up to the headmaster’s TVs for three decades in everything CD reviews for Fanfare magazine, offi ce, and he said, [adopting stern from The Gillies Report to Priscilla Queen and I need to know what I’m voice] ‘I’ve read this thing, and it’s of the Desert :The Musical, via annual talking about technically, so I guess very amusing, but don’t let me catch editions of The Wharf Revue. I must have learned something and you doing it again’.” Having risen to the top of quite remembered it.” Through his friend Patrick Cook, different trees, the brothers remain Phil’s thesis (1st class Honours) the cartoonist, he hooked up with remarkably alike, sharing not only a on Benjamin Britten prompted an comedian and satirist Max Gillies in sense of humour, but also an innate unexpected response. “I have a 1983, when he also began performing humbleness and an easy friendship. framed letter from him, praising the one-man cabaret. When ABC TV Their childhood home was not work and telling me to come to his picked up what became The Gillies especially musical. Their father, Aldeburgh Festival some time. I Report, Phil was “swept along”, Bruce, (who also studied at Sydney never did and he died in 1976.” leading to extensive television work University) was an arts administrator Perhaps oddly, he never involved on shows including Good News Week and their mother, Janet, played a himself in student theatrics or music. and The Dingo Principle. little on the household piano. Phil “I was a bit reticent, really,” he says. While continuing to work with was tinkling on this before Craig “Hard to imagine!” He laughs, but Phil, Craig attended evening classes (four years younger) was born, you sense that subterranean layer at the Conservatorium, and was soon showing suffi cient promise to have of shyness that often lurks beneath playing in bands with the doyen of lessons. Craig also learned piano, but those who strut our stages. He local jazz drummers, Alan Turnbull. apparently lacked Phil’s fl air. “And emerged clutching a BA with Music “Alan yelled at me from the word of course,” he says, “I had the typical Honours. He then bounced from go,” says Craig. “He never stopped small child’s approach to practising – being Sculthorpe’s PA to 2MBS’s fi rst being on to me about playing with which I’ve managed to retain!” program manager, and on to being him and listening, to the point where They went to Balgowlah Boys Marian Street Theatre’s musical sometimes I was almost incapable of High, a school which also produced director, where he used Craig on bass playing: I was shaking like a leaf.” shock-jock Stan Zemanek and One “until he became too important and Turnbull, however, saw the promise, Nation founder David Oldfi eld. too busy.” and rightly believed Craig could cop There Phil participated in Gilbert and “Last week,” rejoins Craig. the fl ak. Sullivan and occasionally performed The latter fi nished school with Then in 1980 the phone rang. “A classical piano, although the music no clear career intentions. He voice said, ‘This is Don Burrows. Is dearest to his heart was Broadway. tried history at NSW, lasted three Craig Scott there?’ I thought it was a Craig took up bass when he was months and spent the rest of the friend, and I said, ‘Yeah, right,’ and 15, and a big infl uence on both year pumping petrol. Next stop hung up.” Burrows rang back; Craig brothers was hearing the Jacques was Alexander Mackie College to apologised, and, after an audition, Loussier Trio 40 years ago in the do music teaching, a course that found himself in Burrows’ band for Town Hall, which encouraged Phil to turned out to contain three times as more than a decade. try his hand at jazzing up the classics much physical education as music. The relationship with Turnbull for piano and bass. If Craig’s bass “If they’d told me that in advance I continued in this band, and it was teacher despaired that his aversion would have gone into arc welding,” he with Turnbull and pianist Paul to practice meant he would never says. By this time (1975) he and Phil McNamara that Craig played one amount to anything, this intensive were doing a show at the Music Loft of the most exciting concerts this playing with Phil compensated. in Manly starring Jill Perryman, and writer has witnessed: accompanying Craig (L) and Phil (R) In 1971 Phil went straight from he found himself working six nights a the great American saxophonist Joe Scott. Photo by school to the University to study week. “It just seemed like a good idea Henderson at the Basement in 1982. Paul Wright
18 SAM Spring 09 Craig’s ability to perform at such a thrilling level refl ected his increased knowledge, artistry and facility. “I’d love to do that gig now, knowing what I know,” he says. “Then again, being mystifi ed and excited was good, too.” When Phil encountered actor/ writer/comedian Jonathan Biggins on The Dingo Principle they struck up an immediate rapport, mounting shows at Woolloomooloo’s wonderful Tilbury Hotel, including the venue’s biggest hit: Three Men and a Baby Grand. Created by Phil, Biggins and Drew Forsythe in 1990, it went to Edinburgh, London, and on to television. Craig began teaching at the Conservatorium in 1985, bolstering his academic credentials with a Master’s degree in the 1990s, and becoming Chair of Jazz Studies in 2004. Although the way he had learnt jazz – on the job – ostensibly seems a world away, he sees parallels: “The way we do business here is still a master/apprentice situation, because we all play with students. We talk about music. We do basically many of the same things that I did sitting in the back of Alan Turnbull’s car at the back of the Regent after a gig ... And there is a place in everyone’s life for that academic discipline.” It must be true: Phil’s daughter, Phoebe, is currently completing her PhD in (Vietnamese) Art at the University, while is ex-wife Lorna is a GP and also a Sydney alumna. Having had four novels published, two musicals produced and one CD released under his own name, Phil is constantly busy. “It’s actually a very slow process, writing with other people,” he observes. “It’s better to write quickly, and say, ‘What about that?’ and people can change it.” Craig, who laments the lack of a dedicated jazz venue in Sydney, still performs, including with his own quintet. Despite all the collaborating, the pair has never played jazz together. “Too busy in the left hand,” is Craig’s dry assessment of his brother. Yet as they clown around for the camera, you can see why they have always liked to work together. Craig, for instance, did a few spots on Three Men and a Baby Grand, including once dressing as an angel to play Angels from the Realms of Glory. “I think some of it’s on YouTube,” says Phil. “My kids delighted in telling me that,” Craig replies. SAM
SAM Spring 09 19 Luck is a n the last day of the 2009 fi nancial yeary around one third of the adult population of Australia purchased at least one ticket in the country’s largest-everl lottery, which was four-letter advertisedad as having the potential to deliverdeliv to the winner an amazing $90 million. The lottery was so popular that around 10 million tickets were sold, pushing the proceeds of it to $106 million. The prize was shared between two people word who wisely opted to remain anonymous. (Although how one would conceal from family and friends suddenly being $53 million richer would require a great deal more The Australian attitude to luck is ingenuity than picking the winning numbers.) bizarre and has to change, writes On the day of the lottery a radio station in Darwin contacted me. They wanted to interview me about an Anne Summers AO (PhD ’79) essay I had written, On Luck.* Why, the announcer asked, are Australians so obsessed with the idea of luck? It was a clever take on the day’s biggest story, to pull back from the frenzied queues at newsagents and ask the bigger question: what’s going on here? After all, there have been endless articles telling us that we had a better chance (1 in 20 million) of being canonised, and quite promising odds (1 in 11,500) of winning an Oscar, whereas the chances of winning this lottery were 1 in 45 million. In fact, “LOTTO is the only form of gambling where the chances of winning are only very slightly improved by buying a ticket,” commented a blogger on the Sharesguru website, a space generally devoted to information about the stock market but which on this occasion hosted a forum on the unprecedented lucre offered by the lottery. Undeterred, the optimists lined up to hand over something in the order of $170 million (60 per cent of the take is returned as winnings), in the hope of getting rich quickly and with little effort. It has always been thus. Australians have had a get-rich- quick mentality ever since the fi rst white toe tested the waters of Sydney Cove. Our appetite for gambling, which our forebears must have brought with them, soon became naturalised. In 1808 a visitor to the colony observed, “To such excesses was the pursuit of gambling carried among the convicts that some have been known, after losing money, provisions, and all their cloathing [sic], to have staked their cloaths upon their wretched backs, standing in the midst of their associates naked…” Losing their shirts did not discourage the convicts from gambling and nothing in the past 211 years has deterred the exponential growth of our love of a chance for easy money. So much so that Australians today are the greatest gamblers on earth. We spend (and hence, also lose) more per capita than any other nation. Our losses for 2005-06 (the last year for which fi gures are available) totaled $17.5 billion – or $1122 for every man, woman and child in this wide brown land. Our gambling losses exceed household savings, by a long shot. As a country we are profoundly addicted to the idea that we are lucky. When Donald Horne published The Lucky Country back in 1964 we embraced the term with ardour. We ignored the fact that Horne had used the term ironically
20 SAM Spring 09 – to jolt us out of our complacency and alert us to the need for major change. Instead it has become a cliché for the way we want to see ourselves. You hear it everywhere: we say it out loud, standing around the barbecue, the seafood plentiful, the wine chilled, the sky blue. In all sorts of conversations, in Qantas ads, from the mouths of travellers returning from overseas trips full of complaints. “We are so lucky,” people say, pointing to our relaxed and comfortable lifestyle, the physical beauty, our lack of major social tensions or economic polarisation, our relatively benign climate, the protection afforded by geographic isolation and island status. These claims do not withstand close scrutiny, but they are central to the cover story romance that luck defi nes us and drives us and that we are somehow blessed. Within this narrative, while there may be losers, they are the exceptions that confi rm the rule. As a country, we are lucky. Why did we embrace this term so ardently? There have been many other books about Australia that have used other phrases to describe us, but none has had such enduring power. We want to think of ourselves as lucky. It accords with the sentimental view we have of ourselves. It has been a consolation for us to think of ourselves as lucky, when we could just as easily have concluded the opposite. We could have believed we were unlucky to be so far from Europe and the United States, for never having gone through the nation-building exercise of a war of independence, for not having the challenges of a smaller territory or a larger population. Perhaps because we have always secretly harboured the fear that Australia Felix is a self-reinforcing myth, and that we needed to camoufl age our insecurity, we seized upon Donald Horne’s term as if it were a life raft; and we have fl oated, more or less comfortably, upon it for the past 40-odd years. It became our legend. We placed our faith in a gambling term. We made a decision, in effect, to take a fl utter on the future. It was very seductive to think of ourselves as graced, as Godzone. It also helped us cope with adversity, such as drought or fi re or bank failure, as we could console ourselves that these were unusual and temporary aberrations to our normal run of good luck. It led us to develop a wry and laconic humour that has become a distinctively Australian way of dealing with misfortune. In his classic stories of Dad and Dave and Mum, barely scratching out a living on their selection, Steele Rudd told of ruinous events with a sardonic humour. At the same time, especially for our governments, it justifi ed complacency, and failure to notice the profound changes occurring in our region and in our world. We encased ourselves in a self-satisfi ed cocoon of contentment; secure in the belief that luck would see us through. Nowhere is this more evident than in our attitude to Australia’s prodigious mineral and energy resources. Nothing irritated Donald Horne more than people’s easy assumption that he had been referring to the nation’s Maneki Neko – resources when he used the term “lucky country”. In fact, Japanese beckoning he wrote in 1976, “When I invented the phrase in 1964 to cat (brings good luck) Photo: Getty describe Australia I said ‘Australia is a lucky country run by Images second-rate people who share its luck. I didn’t mean that it
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ART TOO GOOD TO LEAVE BEHIND TICKETS ON SALE NOW www.artsydney09.com.au 22 SAM Spring 09 or 132 849 had a lot of material resources, Our propensity for eternal optimism is constantly although this was how many reinforced. Our unemployment rates are not as high people used the phrase at as predicted; consumer spending is on the up; China’s the time of euphoria about economy remains relatively robust. So what’s to worry Australia’s mineral exports’.” about? It takes a lot for Australians to look on the dark In mid-2008, when I was side of things. So much so that our leaders are taking writing On Luck, and Australia remarkable steps to try to force us to face the future was in the midst of another, differently. seemingly endless resources Earlier this year, Reserve Bank governor Glenn boom, few commentators, Stevens, in a speech entitled “Road to Recovery”, told especially those writing in the us it was time to get realistic about how we can thrive in fi nancial pages, could resist future: “We cannot achieve effortless prosperity either on using the phrase. Even as they the back of ever-escalating mineral prices or simply by were warning that we were bidding up the prices of our houses,” he said. “It is as well likely to repeat history by to realise that”. squandering the benefi ts of the boom, these writers still Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was far more blunt. In a used the language of luck to describe our conundrum. long and remarkable essay published in late July 2009 in Of course the boom ended swiftly, late last year, both the The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, he said we another casualty of the global fi nancial crisis. Within had no choice but to abandon our lucky country mindset. weeks of On Luck being published, my gloomy prognosis “In the past, Australia relied almost exclusively on the on how we would most likely mismanage this boom rollercoaster of the boom and bust of the mining sector became irrelevant. I had reported, citing the Australian Our on the stock market,” he wrote. “Instead, Australia needs Financial Review, that in the four years from 2004, the to build stable foundations for growth by reforming the federal government had enjoyed a $334 billion rise in tax propensity economy to enhance long-term productivity growth, the revenue, most of it through the mining boom. What did for eternal only reliable driver of long-term improvements in national we do with this windfall? Did we put it into desperately living standards”. In other words, we can no longer rely on needed infrastructure to, say, improve roads or schools or optimism is luck and, in this case, luck is essentially a metaphor for our our digital highway? No, we didn’t. Did we quarantine it constantly mineral resources. from having an infl ationary impact on the general economy reinforced. Instead we are being told we have to shift in a quite and emulate Norway or Alaska, two other resource-rich fundamental way how the Australian economy operates states, by placing it in a sovereign fund and spending only and, concomitantly, how we think about ourselves. No the interest? Of course not. longer able to rely on luck, we are going to have to roll Instead, the Howard government returned 94 per up our sleeves and get to work, build ourselves a very cent of this $334 billion to the population in the form of different sort of economy. Will we be able to do it? tax cuts and other direct payments. The punters lapped We have never avoided the hard work that was needed it up, of course. It was another example of our luck. We to build the nation but we have chosen to represent spent the money as fast as it came in, splurging on plasma ourselves differently: as the benefi ciaries of good fortune televisions, overseas holidays and investment properties, rather than of honest toil. We want to think of ourselves pushing up infl ation (and the value of our homes) and in a certain way, and it is this attitude that will be very interest rates in the process. We spent as if the boom hard to shift. We seem to need to believe that our wealth would never end, not believing for a moment that it could. was acquired effortlessly, perhaps so the rest of the world Even when the fi nancial crisis put an end to the party, would see us as an antipodean paradise. we tried to tell ourselves that we were insulated from the worst of it, that we were still lucky. “For much of this year, Australians believed that, once again, we were the lucky country. We had better regulation. We had more responsible banks. We had an export-driven economy based on the unassailable rise of the developing world on our doorstep,” wrote Ian Verrender in the Sydney Morning Herald in December 2008. “How quickly those beliefs have begun to unravel. Now our big banks reluctantly have begun to own up to the sort of reckless lending practices undertaken by their American and European counterparts.” The federal (Rudd) government had to guarantee all bank deposits, to throw billions into the economy in the form of stimulus packages designed to keep us spending and to borrow heavily to fi nance the infrastructure programs it had committed to the previous budget, before everything went pear shaped. But despite the best efforts of the federal opposition to alarm us about the huge levels of debt the government has racked up, we don’t really believe we are in trouble. For Australians, the glass is always half full. (Usually of sauvignon blanc, the new preferred national drink).
SAM Spring 09 23 Was it out way of compensating for the “tyranny of licenses that prompted the rebellion; the fl uidity of our distance”, the geographical dice that placed us on the edge class system which accepts and even applauds the idea of the world, a good three hours by jet from our nearest that people can, through sheer luck, become wealthy neighbours and a full day’s fl ying from the centres of overnight. Europe and the United States? Was it another sign of our Another interesting aspect of the Australia of the insecurity, accurately if cruelly derided in the early 1980s gold rush period was the preponderance of Chinese. In by Lee Kwan Yew, the former prime minister of Singapore, 1861, one in 30 of the population was Chinese, with huge when he called us the “lotus eaters of the South Pacifi c”? numbers having travelled from southern China to Xin Jin We advertised ourselves as lucky which, when you think Shan, or New Gold Mountain, as opposed to depleted about the randomness involved in such good fortune, was California – the old mountain. These days, the Chinese another way of boasting of being lazy. All that bounty for are still intimately involved in the extraction of Australia’s no effort. Just like winning the lottery. mineral resources, but in a far more corporatised way. To try to understand why Australians are so There can be no doubt that the gold rushes had an susceptible to the notion of our luck, we perhaps have important and not necessarily positive impact on the to go back to the gold rushes of the mid-19th century, evolving Australian character. “Balaarat [sic] was a Nugety because it was then that many of the traits of our Eldorado for the few, a ruinous fi eld of hard labour for national character were formed. many, a profound ditch of perdition for Body and Soul Being a nation of immigrants, most of us are descended to all,” wrote Raffaello Carboni, the Italian writer who from people who came to Australia hoping to improve provided the only eyewitness account of the Eureka their circumstances; but nowhere was this more the case Stockade. He could have been describing us today. We than with those people who rushed to NSW and, in even became obsessed with money early in our history and this obsession has never left us. greater numbers, to Victoria, hoping to get rich quickly. We are far more interested in the material than the In the 10 years between 1851 and 1861 the population spiritual. Even before the gold rush, Charles Darwin of Australia trebled as fortune hunters fl ocked to the observed that Australians’ only interest seemed to be antipodes. Most of the increase occurred in Victoria where money, but it was in the goldfi elds that we began to the population rose from 11,738 in 1841 to 540,322 in 1861. see our national fortunes as being inextricably bound Such an infl ux could not fail to have a dramatic impact on with what lies beneath, and to be unperturbed by the the country, on both the land itself and on the conduct and precarious nature of such wealth. All you need is a bit of morality of the people. luck: to locate the stuff, be able to dig it up, fi nd customers Henry Handel Richardson’s epic goldfi elds trilogy, for it, hope that prices don’t collapse and other nations The Fortunes of Richard Mahony, brilliantly described don’t undermine us; that the boom lasts far into the future. this impact. Australia Felix, the fi rst novel, described We acquired this way of thinking early in our history, and it the physical and psychic ruin that befell so many of the will be very hard to discard. diggers. So much of who we are was formed in those two As is our national obsession with gambling which, of decades: the iconic term “digger”, our hatred of authority course, has nothing at all to with luck. Gambling is all as encapsulated in the 1854 Eureka Stockade rebellion, about odds and most forms of gambling involve odds that our reliance on bureaucracy in the form of the diggers’ are so stacked against the punter that you wonder why anyone bothers. Two-up is the only game that delivers all the takings back to the players. Everything else 3 WEEKS IN PARIS involves a cut for the house, a commission for the seller and Ile de France 2010 (21 Nights) in the case of lotteries and, the biggest player of them all, state governments which in 2006 took in a staggering Live like a local in your own Paris apartment. $4.6 billion from all forms of gaming. No one is more Accommodation and 10 small group day addicted to gambling than our governments, whose take has doubled in the past 20 years and will continue to tours with a History, Art and Food focus. increase so long as Australians ignore odds as long as one Conducted by Tour leader. in 45 million and insist on believing they have a chance of Land content only (max 15) winning. Kevin Rudd might be urging us to stop thinking we’ll get lucky and start getting seriously productive but Twin share $3850 Single $4850 his state counterparts have a stake, and a very high one, 2010 Tour dates: in our ongoing romance of our luck. And if the massive April 6–27, April 28–May 19, response to the lottery on 30 June is anything to go by, it will be very diffi cult to make us give it up. SAM Sept 7–28, Sept 29–Oct 20 Please contact Beyond Tourism Travel for a brochure. * Anne Summers On Luck, Melbourne University Press, 2008, $19.95. BEYOND TOURISM TRAVEL All footnotes and references are included with Ph (02) 9617 0730 the online version at the SAM website. FREECALL 1800 648 755 Email: [email protected] www.bttravel.com.au Licensed Travel Agent: 2TA5804 11 Windermere Rd Epping 2121 A day for fi rm decisions. Or is it? ABN: 47118876467
24 SAM Spring 09 ROME TANZANIA LAKE EYRE
SAM Spring 09 25 ROMA: NON BASTA UNE VITA VISITING THE ETERNAL CITY ON A UNIVERSITY TRIP IS A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY, WRITES PAUL ROCHE
n the brilliant January dawn of meaning of the city and its monuments. backdrop of a number of historical, the northern winter, a group An extension tour gives the option of social, and political contexts. Two of 20 students and interested four further days exploring the ruins of enduring factors were the exponentially participants arrived in the Pompeii and Herculaneum, as well as increasing wealth that Rome’s empire eternal city to undertake the Naples and the Coast of Campania. brought into the city, and the ongoing 2009 Classical Rome Summer For the duration of the course in Rome, competitive self-representation of School. This course — run by participants stayed in Trastevere, a aristocratic politics. As the infl ux theI Department of Classics and Ancient neighbourhood south of the Tiber of wealth from the Mediterranean History — examines the physical fabric whose prominence in the medieval empire reached its apogee in the fi rst of the ancient city: its topography, art, period is still attested by its evocative centuries BC and AD, the previously architecture, history, and their later cobblestone streets, narrow alleys, ad hoc development of the republican reception and use in the middle ages, and basilicas spanning the fi fth to city gave way to its most famous and Renaissance and early modern periods. ninth centuries. Trastevere is also infl uential public spaces: the Forum Over 18 days and nights, participants (very importantly) the location of a Romanum, the imperial Fora, the many live in Rome, visit archaeological sites number of excellent restaurants and privately sponsored porticoes, and (many of them still in the process of cafes — it is a favourite destination for structures built to house spectacles, excavation), examine monuments, and Romans at night and on weekends — such as theatres, circuses and experience some of the most extensive and an easy walk to the historical and amphitheatres. Individuals, such as and exquisite museum collections in archaeological centre of the city. the emperor or a prominent politician, the world. In the evenings, a series of In the Classical Rome Summer School, often sponsored public monuments, lectures offer historical and cultural participants map the development ensuring their name, resources, context for the development and of the city’s urban space against the and reputations were permanently
26 SAM Spring 09 commemorated in these benefactions medieval mosaics, was converted into architectural forms is traced to the city. To this day, the Pantheon its present form in the 12th century. throughout the churches of the bears witness to the wealth and power The site has thus been in continual use Medieval and Renaissance periods. of Marcus Agrippa, who commissioned for more than two millennia, and all of Churches such as Saint John Lateran and gifted to the people the original its phases are accessible to the visitor (once the private property of the Pantheon from his own funds (and who descends a sequence of stairs Roman family the Laterani), St Peter’s, on his private property), as part of a beneath the church through the levels and Santa Maria Maggiore all draw on scheme of buildings celebrating the of its excavations. At its lowest level, their pagan and secular predecessors, emperor Augustus (31 BC-14 AD). some 12 metres below the modern and reconfi gure expressions of power A theme, which emerged quickly in street level, the sound of continually to leverage the position of the papacy our stay, was Rome as a palimpsest gushing water from the Roman-built within the city at varying points in its — a city continually and creatively cloaca (drain) — still operating as it history. in dialogue with its own past, a has done for thousands of years — The fi nal day is wholly devoted to a community overlaying and reinventing echoes throughout the site. walking tour of the baroque city; it is its own urban space with the concerns enough merely to scratch the surface of new periods and cultural infl uences. of this infi nitely rich period of Rome’s This ongoing use can be seen in the history, and provides an introduction to Borsa, the Roman stock exchange, the profound achievement of Borromini whose northern façade still preserves (1599-1667) and Bernini (1598-1680). a second century AD temple to the The importance of baroque hydraulics deifi ed emperor Hadrian (ruled is refl ected in the city’s many fountains 117-138 AD). On a smaller scale, and in the development, in the 17th the streetscapes and urban spaces century, of areas such as the Campus determined by ancient buildings, such Martius and the Quirinal Hill in the as the Stadium of Domitian (built north east of the city. We fi nished in the 90s AD and giving the Piazza this last day – and the course – in the Navona its distinctive shape), and the Borghese gallery, admiring (among Theatre of Pompey (built in the 50s its many other treasures) its four BC and still visibly infl uencing the Bernini sculptures, Apollo and Daphne streets west of the Campo dei Fiori). (1622/3); Aeneas, Anchises, and Similarly, bicycles propped against Excursions outside Rome include Ascanius (1619); Proserpina (1621–2); the Pantheon and concerts held in the visits to Ostia Antica, the ancient David (1623–4)). Colosseum continually remind us of harbour of Rome, whose apartment Roma. Non basta una vita (“a lifetime the remarkable privilege of modern blocks, taverns, and necropolis provide Romans, whose daily life is adorned by valuable evidence of the everyday life is not enough”). And yet, the Classical these breathtaking and fundamentally of ordinary citizens: a world so often Rome Summer School offers its important buildings. obscured by the grandiose monuments participants an ideal and intensive A perfect example of this complex and of aristocrats and emperors. Students orientation to the classical city, its continuing dialogue was found on the also visit the republican sanctuary of culture, and its legacy. site of the Basilica of San Clemente near Fortuna Primigenia in Palestrina, 30 the Colosseum. On this site, a Roman kilometres east of Rome. This cult Dr Paul Roche is a lecturer in the house from the republican period was centre represents a colossal tour Department of Classics and Ancient built over by an apartment block and de force of Hellenistic and Roman History at the University. He teaches a larger house in the fi rst century architectural styles. It ascends a Latin and Ancient History, and writes AD; in the third and fourth centuries, hillside in a bravura use of brick-faced on Roman epic and Imperial Rome. The a Christian church harmoniously co- concrete (then a cutting edge material) Department next offers its Classical existed on the site with a temple to the over seven separate levels to the shrine Rome Summer School in January 2011. pagan god Mithras; by the late fourth at the peak. For further details contact Paul Roche Photos: Paul Becker century, the site had become a basilica; In the second half of the course, ([email protected]) or Kathryn and iStock. the current basilica, replete with the infl uence of Roman art and Welch ([email protected]).
SAM Spring 09 27 Tours 2010 Istanbul to Moscow Nefertiti’s From the Caesars to the Czars Egypt April 4-22, 2010 ❖ $7,950 January 2010 per person, twin share (land content only) 18 days ❖ $6,550 per person* Taking you from the heart of the ancient Byzantine world to the vibrant capital of modern Russia, this unique journey traces the remarkable cultural influence of the Byzantine Empire on the Slavic world. Our 18-day trip begins in Istanbul, where Byzantine and Ottoman architecture compete for attention in a spectacular Tunisia waterfront setting. Eight days are spent in Ukraine, exploring Kiev and the Crimea. Situated on the Black Sea, and Libya with direct access to the Bosphorus and the Mediterranean, Ukraine was the gateway through which foreign January 2010 ideas and commerce passed into the Russian world. From Yalta we fly to Moscow, exploring the historical and 16 days ❖ $5,700 per person* cultural treasures from the golden years of the Russian Empire, when the figure of the Czar continued to embody many of the ideals of the long-vanished Byzantine world. Sicily and the SOME HIGHLIGHTS Aeolian Islands • Four nights in Istanbul, exploring the imperial • Three nights in Kiev, capital of Ukraine and a March 2010 Byzantine tradition and visiting key sites such charming mix of the old and new. We visit the 17 days ❖ $7,290 per person* as the Hagia Sophia and the extraordinary cathedral of St. Sophia, built to rival the Hagia mosques that were inspired by it. Sophia in Constantinople and decorated with • Four nights in Yalta on the Crimean Peninsula, outstanding mosaics and frescoes. Venice: City, republic a fashionable seaside resort in the 19th century • Five nights in Moscow, investigating Russia’s and empire favoured by Tolstoy and Chekhov. imperial tradition, with guided tours of March 2010 Moscow’s Red Square, the Kremlin complex 17 days ❖ $5,950 • Excursions to beautiful sites on the Crimean per person* Peninsula such as Balaklava, Chersonesos and much more! and Bakhchisaray. Grand Tour of Italy Russian-born tour leader Marina Campbell provides in-depth historical and cultural Private Sistine Chapel viewing commentary on the tour and uses her Russian heritage to provide unique insights and experiences. Marina holds an MA in Russian Studies from the University of NSW and April 2010 has spent many years teaching Russian language and culture at the University of 19 days ❖ $6,500 per person* Sydney. She has led many successful tours to Russia and Central Europe. Image: Mosaic of Constantine and Helen, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul. * All prices are for land content only. Visit our website at tailored small ❖ Expert tour leaders ❖ Maximum20ingroup www.academytravel.com.au group Journeys ❖ Carefully planned itineraries
tailored Level 1, 341 George St Sydney NSW 2000 small group Ph: + 61 2 9235 0023 or Journeys 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) Fax: + 61292350123 Email: [email protected] Web: www.academytravel.com.au 28 SAM Spring 09 ravelling with a true purpose – Across the border into Tanzania is BY DIANA SIMMONDS beyond just getting there and Lake Manyara National Park where lying in the sun, that is – could the black-maned lions prove that big Tbe a sign of maturity, or chronic cats do climb trees. Nearby Kirurumu fi dgets. Either way, it’s a condition that Lodge is where photos are critiqued via lends itself to exploring the specialist laptop each evening between admiring travel options offered by the University’s the endless views across the river CCE (Centre for Continuing Education). gorge, or enjoying the safari life in a The choices border on the bewildering luxurious walk-in tent with all mod- but most of us have a secret passion or cons (Karen Blixen never had it so freely admitted penchant for something: good). uncovering Etruscan ceramics, Two of the destinations of a lifetime, snapping a rare Hartlaub’s Turaco, no matter how many have been nibbling pomegranates in Isfahan: there before, are the Serengeti and who doesn’t itch for the unknown and Ngorongoro Crater. You might think untried? you know about them courtesy David Coming up in the next 18 months: art Attenborough, but nothing can prepare and archaeology in Spain with Chris you for the real thing. Carter: Moros y Cristianos, anyone? Or Take time to pay attention to the less Syria and Jordan in October 2010 with fashionable inhabitants of these parts: Dr John Tidmarsh? On the other hand, Wildebeest with their goofy long noses as someone brought up in the Kenyan and amazing desire to walk hundreds bush, it’s hard to go past Robin Nichols’ of kilometres back and forth on annual photographic safari in March 2010. migration; various antelope that may Few could fail to be awed by the look alike at fi rst glance but are all landscapes, histories and wildlife of the different and exquisite. And, of course, African continent. The diversity – north the most remarkable design jobs of all: to south, east to west – is incomparable the Zebra. They are as opinionated and and there is a strong temptation to try playful as most mid-size horses and to do too much. An itinerary that leaps the black and white stripes of each are from country to country, culture to unique. culture and climate to climate may Had enough of wildlife and wilderness look good on paper but unless there shots? The fi nal destination is is time to spare – six months, say – to Zanzibar. properly experience the contrasts, the The name itself evokes romance and grasshopper tourist risks coming home mystery and the island, although well with a memory stick full of images of … and truly discovered by western tourism um, well, was that blur Botswana or a thanks to Sting and Bryan Ferry, doesn’t lion or an anthill? disappoint. It has been successively Nichols is well known to CCE students colonised over the centuries: Omani of his digital photography classes Arabs, the Portuguese and fi nally the and photographic weekends. So an British all used it as a garrison and expert guided tour of some of the less base for their trade in slaves and ivory trammelled but more magnifi cent from the mainland and the island- parts of eastern Africa is a heady grown crop: sweet-scented cloves prospect. The trip begins in Nairobi that never quite overcame the stink of at the Karen Blixen Museum and the misery and blood. Giraffe Centre. Blixen’s Out of Africa The island’s older buildings, including is the classic real life romances of the Sultan’s palace and the cathedral colonial Kenya (she “hed a farm vunce with its remnant artefacts from its in Ahfrikah”) and her house is White time as the centre of slavery, lend settler life in microcosm. themselves to photography, as do the The Giraffe Centre is a major relics of another culture. From the conservation enterprise, dedicated to 1970s the island was blessed with the rare Rothschild Giraffe, which may “aid” from communist bloc countries or may not be a separate species from and dreadful but strangely photogenic Reticulated and Masai giraffe (jury crumbling buildings are the souvenirs. out at the moment) but is distinctively The Red Colobus monkey is also BIG different: creamy pelt with warm worth tracking down for its beauty and golden-brown markings. rarity: a long lens and patience may be Next stop is Amboseli, at the foot of Mt rewarded; these two accessories are Kilimanjaro. It is not as over-run with possibly the most useful to take on any tour buses as the Masai Mara and is a African trip. GAME photographic gift with the mountain, hundreds of species of birds and all To register your interest and receive the most sought after big game to pose information as available, call (02) 90364790 picturesquely at dawn and sunset. or email [email protected]. HUNTING SAM Spring 09 29 GIL APPLETON (BA ’62) MAKES A FLYING VISIT TO LAKE EYRE ONCE IN A LIFETIME
arlier this year, there were for the complexity of the pilot’s take-off units. Locals – an apparently even excited media reports of the and landing routines, and fl ying skills. mix of whites and Aboriginals – stage fl ooding of Lake Eyre and We dined – superbly – on our fi rst a nightly guitar sing-along under its Ethe subsequent arrival of night at Stefano da Pieri’s in Mildura, overhanging veranda. countless birds using some kind of a culinary peak from which there could And so to the focus of the trip: Lake avian telepathy to know that conditions only be decline as we progressed into Eyre. It should be noted that the 2009 were right for nesting. steak-and-chips country. fl ood peaked at a mere 1.5m in late Companies running outback tours were From Mildura we crossed the atten- May, only a quarter of the maximum quick to respond (neatly capitalising on uated oval-shaped Lake Frome, its recorded depth of 6m. Floods of the the GFC-assisted trend towards travel white salt bed punctuated by areas of latter dimension have occurred, on within Australia): “See Lake Eyre in pinkish sand and blue ribbons of water average, a couple of times in a century, fl ood – once-in-a-lifetime experience” from recent heavy rains. An island of so it could be said that some tour was the tenor of the ads in travel scrubby green vegetation presented a operators were rather overstating their sections of newspapers, with offerings startling contrast. It was a tantalising case. Moreover, by the time we were ranging from one-day charter fl ights to foretaste of the larger salt lake to bussed out there, in early June, the longer tours with land trips to the Lake come. It was also our fi rst experience lake was evaporating fast, much to the and visits to other remote regions. of what proved to be the highlight of disappointment of many in our group, It was the second of these two options this trip, namely, seeing the landscape who had expected a vast expanse of that attracted a friend and myself and from a small plane at low altitudes, swimming-pool-blue water. (The Lake we signed up for a fi ve-night light plane in contrast to the distant view from a Eyre Yacht Club – yes, seriously! – trip visiting Mildura (Victoria), Marree jet at tens of thousands of feet. It’s a website reports that the smaller South (the jumping-off point for land trips privilege that few have enjoyed, and Lake was completely dry by 18 June.) to the Lake) and Innamincka in South blows away the idea that outback To reach any water meant crunching Australia, Birdsville and Bedourie Australia is one big undifferentiated across 20 or 30 metres of dried salt. (Queensland), and Bourke (NSW). desert, unchanging and boring. Once It seemed like vandalism to leave The fi rst disappointment came before past Lake Frome we fl ew across the footprints in the exquisite, glistening we took off from Bankstown Airport: northern end of the Flinders Ranges, pink and white crystals. we would be unable to land at Lake with their ranks of brown-red peaks There was a marked lack of birds, apart Mungo, because of a sodden landing stretching into seeming infi nity. from a few forlorn gulls that looked as strip. We did however fl y low over the On to Marree, a town once a major though they’d rather be at Bondi. A recent dry lake so we could see the celebrated stop on the Ghan and now primarily a 7.30 Report item showing huge fl ocks Walls of China at close range. centre for passing travellers, ranging of nesting birds had fuelled visitors’ Our group of 16 was divided between from airborne blow-ins like us to grey expectations, but the birds favoured two small planes, Piper Navajos with a nomads in massive Winnebagos. Life the upper reaches of the vast Lake seat layout allowing everyone a window. in Marree centres on the gracious Eyre Basin, north of Birdsville, where We took it in turns to sit up front with old two-storey pub, enlarged to meet large lakes had appeared in January the pilot, an experience which - as well recent demand with a dozen or so as a result of monsoonal rain. This was Photo by Robin Gurr as affording a great view - was inspiring demountables transformed into motel confi rmed later when we saw thousands
30 SAM Spring 09 of pelicans nesting at Lake Machattie – a Menthoids, anyone? made by plants, wind, water and stunning sight from the air. While our experience was confi ned erosion. The ultimate effect, like a Bedourie’s “Simpson Desert Oasis” to one tour company, from talking series of brilliant, gently overlapping sounded alluring: but the reality was to other travellers it seems that Aboriginal paintings, will remain a few motel rooms supplemented by thoughtful planning and customer imprinted on my mind for a long time. demountables with a moulded shower service may have taken a back seat in Additional info recess and a minuscule, theft-defying TV the effort to wring maximum profi t out Our baggage allowance was 9kg, on a wall bracket so high that watching of our Lake experience. Better current packed in a soft bag to easily fi t into was like looking through the wrong end information in advance would have the planes’ holds, which were in the of a telescope; and a large communal helped lower unrealistic expectations, wings. My luggage weighed 8kg and bar/dining room serving immense and there were some avoidable comprised two pairs of slacks (one slabs of steak and mountains of chips organisational glitches, like unbooked on, one off), socks and underwear to resident road workers. You knew you accommodation. Anyone simply (minimal, could be washed en route), a were in the outback at Bedourie … wanting to see Lake Eyre might have warm sweater, one drip-dry shirt, three Because of the distance we covered done as well to take a day trip by light long-sleeved T-shirts, a reversible the trip involved a lot of sitting: on plane or helicopter, and earlier in the quilted jacket (worn constantly), boots tour buses, on riverboats in Mildura “fl ood” period. and walking shoes (one of these would and Bourke, and of course on planes. But on the longer trip, the com- have been enough), pyjamas and More opportunities for walking would pensations were many: the swollen minimal toiletries. It was very cold at have been welcome (not for everyone). Coopers Creek and Diamantina River – night, but it was possible to keep warm And refuelling stops, though vital, took two of the main feeders of Lake Eyre – by layering some of these components. time. However, a second landing in with ribbons of green after the long dry I wore everything I took except a pair of Birdsville was an opportunity to have snaking along delta-like tentacles; the gym leggings, included with a view to another cup of the best coffee of the endless red sand ridges of the Simpson exercising every day. Ha ha. Before we trip, at the Birdsville Pub. Birdsville and Strzelecki Deserts; and the bleak left everyone had to be weighed with also features the terrifi c Working beauty of the Sturt Stony Desert. their luggage, and we suspected that Museum, a staggering collection of As mesmerising landscapes unfolded, a couple of obese passengers rather memorabilia ranging from antique it was impossible to tear your eyes skewed the situation for the rest of us: radios and bowsers to 19th century away from the constantly changing several people had to exchange their water pumps and a classic corner shop, colours, deep red to pale pink to warm bags for lighter ones provided by the fully stocked with nostalgia-inducing brown; the stark white salt pans, the airline, or even remove some contents. contents for anyone over a certain grey-green and khaki of the dotted Personally, I was glad the airline was age. Reckitt’s Blue or Dr McKenzie’s vegetation, and the delicate patterns strict about the correct total weight.
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SAM Spring 09 31 How to lubricate the machine Dr Anthony Grant is a pioneer in the fi eld of coaching psychology; he talks to a suddenly twitchy Caroline Baum psychology
hen you are about to 20 years since this fi eld emerged (offered jointly with the faculty interview a psychologist, from the US, some of the cowboys of Economics and Business). Wyou suddenly become aware have mercifully disappeared,” he Using a primarily cognitive that every behavioural trait could be says. “But it’s still an unregulated behavioural methodology, Grant’s a signifi cant clue. Or perhaps not. profession, like selling diet pills.” approach is eclectic, drawing on a A pair of giant dilated pupils At fi rst glance, Grant might seem multitude of sources for his material watches over Dr Anthony Grant. an unlikely candidate for an academic including case studies from his He bought the two abstract images position, having left school in the own consulting work. “You really from Ikea and jokingly interprets UK at 15 to take up carpentry as a can’t teach this stuff unless you are them as the eyes of an Invisible Big profession after a stint as a street practicing it yourself. Coaching is not Brother. They loom over the visitor sweeper. But with parents who were about theory; it’s about wrestling with amid the usual jumble of books and followers of the mystical teacher the frustrations of a meaningful life papers typical of someone struggling Alexander Gurdjieff, perhaps Grant’s and how to grapple with change. The to keep up with their topic and professional destiny is not quite so misleading thing is that not everyone general admin without the benefi t surprising after all. After running his is keen on change, even if they show of an assistant. Staring as if in mid- own business as a contractor, he made up, so you have to understand how to psychotic episode, (we are in the the transition to a career in sales and assess their level of engagement and psychology department, after all) the marketing before beginning tertiary their willingness to try new patterns eyes are not nearly as distracting as a studies as a mature age student. and approaches to solving problems.” large mountain range of Toblerone, He came to Australia 20 years ago Some of the early principles of which sits on a bookshelf daring Dr because his dad suggested it to him; coaching have been discredited Grant to resist it. Clearly, whatever and the University Medal certifi cate by more recent research. else he is, Grant is not a serious or he was awarded in 1997 is proudly “We now know it is not always credible chocoholic or he would have displayed on the wall of his offi ce useful to debrief after traumatic succumbed long ago, unless this is in the Psychology Department. episodes,” acknowledges Grant, some aversion therapy experiment. Currently, between 50 and 80 referring to work done with victims of One thing is immediately students take Dr Grant’s course post-traumatic stress and other related apparent: Dr Grant is a very busy ever year. “The intake is capped, illnesses. “Some techniques were just man. An appointment to meet has to but interest is growing,” says Grant, too simplistic and reductive,” he says, be booked a month in advance and who teaches four days a week and citing neuro-linguistic programming as during our time together, there are consults one day a week. “This a method he believes has had its day. several interruptions from students year 60 per cent of students are “There is so much more research and colleagues. As the founder of the female; that is generally the case to draw on nowadays in this fi eld. world’s fi rst university unit devoted when we have a lot of students who This year alone there have been to the fi eld of coaching psychology, come from the human resources 312 articles in the peer review press Grant is something of a pioneer and sector. We also attract a lot of mid- whereas there were only 100 the year advocate for a much misunderstood career professionals who do the before. There are specialist journals and sometimes maligned fi eld of course to leverage their specifi c full of discussion and empirical research and practice. The era of expertise in the fi nance or legal studies. I think departments like self-help has spawned a multitude sectors. And of course it spills into mine are about bringing rigor and of people without any qualifi cations personal growth stuff, which is critical thinking to coaching.” who call themselves coaches. what I think studying at university Dr Grant’s main focus of interest is Grant, who consults with senior should be about anyway, if you in looking at organisational issues of executives and large companies, are adhering to the classical Greek stress in the workplace, staff retention, believes that his course, which idea of an education.” The unit personal motivation and leadership. is only available at postgraduate offers a Master of Applied Science “It is still the case that most level, provides the legitimacy and (Psychology of Coaching) and a organisations work in a rule based credibility clients require. “In the Master of Organisation Coaching mechanistic way which is over-
32 SAM Spring 09 engineered. A university is a perfect example of this. I think the modern workplace needs more autonomy. Centralised control stifl es creativity. Coaching can lubricate parts of the machine,” he says, though he’s not presumptuous enough to apply this remedy to his own institution. “I adhere to the mantra of the 12 step program as used by Alcoholics Anonymous: ‘God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change’,” he says, a cheeky laugh punctuating his persistent south London accent. But he adds, on a more serious note: “That saying has applications in this fi eld: we look at the positive acceptance The modern of powerlessness and personal vulnerability which can lead to a workplace personal wake-up call that brings needs more about change. It’s about learning autonomy. how letting go of control can mean you gain control. The Dalai Lama Centralised is very good at recognising what control stifl es we call ‘choice points’ in terms of what you can change and letting creativity. go of the outcome. We are wrong to see acceptance as weakness, but that is a very western notion.” He thinks the much talked about dilemma of so-called work/ life balance is over-stated. “If your work is your calling, you make no distinction between it and the rest of your life. It’s not an either/or dichotomy,” says the father of two boys who says that his idea of relaxation is “writing papers – seriously – as well as playing loud, rather bad blues guitar and camping or skiing with the family.” (Grant’s wife, Georgie, is a social worker). Grant does not think some jobs are inherently better than others. “I’ve worked digging graves and emptying bins and my experience is that the people doing those jobs are happier than some of the lawyers I work with.” Asked to nominate the people who inspire him in his fi eld, he gives a typically idiosyncratic answer. “Gurdjieff for his integrative thinking and early use of mindfulness in everyday life, Ken Sheldon for his book Optimal Human Being and fi nally Keith Richards, because if anyone personifi es resilience in their personal and professional life, it’s him!” Not that Anthony Grant would necessarily encourage students or clients to adopt such an extreme lifestyle. On second Photo by Karl thoughts, maybe he would. SAM Schwerdtfeger
SAM Spring 09 33 books
THE LOST MOTHER – often daunting but always captivating struggle to improve ourselves, and, by A STORY OF ART AND LOVE hunt for clues and the revelation of that means, the world. I am a fool for ANNE SUMMERS unsolved mysteries. places, you see …” ISBN: 9780522856354 Still at large, perhaps, is another This means that the book is not MUP $34.99 Stokes portrait of young Eileen, about the Mountains so much as the painted at the same time, which mountains are about who we are, why The investigative story is a natural Summers has not been able to trace. we are and when we are – whatever it for a stickybeak journalist and Anne Then there is the more important is we think all those things might be. Summers (PhD ’79) is a journalist and story of Constance Stokes. Listen to this: “If a place is your researcher of unrelenting curiosity. This book (by an author who life, if it is the very words in your She discovered more mysteries than says she knows little about art) has mouth, and it is taken, what do you she anticipated, however, when she rescued one of the fi nest Australian say, and who are you then, and where? decided to track down the provenance artists of the early 20th century from You grieve, you fall silent, you pass. of a small portrait of her mother, the undeserved obscurity; Stokes fi lls Or you weather and you scatter like then 10-year-old Eileen Hogan. the book with colour, light and shade so many of the plateau’s fi rst people The journey began on her because – ironically – she is the most among the townships of the plateau’s mother’s death in 2005 when accessible of the three. It’s also a current incarnation, and you carry on.” Summers inherited the picture, straightforward book and a reader Tredinnick is a fi ne writer, essayist painted in 1933 by a “C Parkin”. cannot fail to be moved by Summers’ and poet and the book contains Over a period of several years and honest appraisal of herself and her elements of all these. It is by turns after many dead ends, blind alleys relationship with her mother and their magical, moving, pragmatic and and other dispiriting hiccups, history together. loving. His powers of observation and Summers eventually uncovers not one analysis are thrilling and, although but three fascinating stories of 20th THE BLUE PLATEAU: (because?) the writing is detached and century women. A LANDSCAPE MEMOIR spare, the emotion it provokes over The fi rst is her poignant MARK TREDINNICK and over – tears pricking and lump in discovery of a mother she had ISBN: 9780702237102 throat – is powerful. known mainly through a fi lter of UQP $26.95 It’s tempting to quote more long held antagonism. The second passages – because each page presents is of the extraordinary circumstances When he tree-changed to the Blue something exquisite and original to of the portrait’s genesis and of C Mountains in 1998 Mark Tredinnick share – but none would do justice (BA ’84 LLB ’86) could not have Parkin’s identity: actually Constance to the whole, which is a unique and anticipated quite how deeply the Stokes and once a major fi gure in glorious portrait of an incomparable region would take him over and Australian modernism. The third is and often misunderstood part of the the enigmatic, rich Russian émigré, seep into his being. Or perhaps he country. Mrs William Mortill, who bought the did, his “credo” – published on his picture from the artist and was only website www.marktredinnick.com. THE PSYCHOLOGY OF WINE parted from it by war and misfortune. au – begins “I believe in landscape, EVAN MITCHELL AND BRIAN Being real life, rather than fi ction, and I believe in literature. I believe, MITCHELL there are more loose ends and though it sounds strange to say so PRAEGER PUBLISHERS questions than neat endings and these days, that places teach us how $44.95 answers and these add to the book’s to live right; I believe that they show ISBN: 9780313376504 interest. Summers’ method also draws us, if we let them, how to speak well; in the reader: she openly speculates and I believe that the struggle to “Truth and beauty by the glass” and imagines possible solutions improve our sentences, to make them All reviews by otherwise know as in vino veritas is at before dutifully returning to the lean and honest and humble, is the Diana Simmonds the heart of this passionate historical
34 SAM Spring 09 exploration by son Evan (BA ’88) and father Brian (BA ’71 PhD ’76). Their quest is exhaustive Prize Crossword and no source or possibility is By Emeritus Professor left unexplored. From Camille Paglia to Seneca via Al Pacino and Gavin Brown AO FAA CorrFRSE Shakespeare, the Mitchells discover something apposite, funny or wise in 1234567 their research. 8 This is a unique way to experience 910 wine (and you get the feeling that
a lot has been experienced in the crossword writing of it) and like so much of the 11 12 best product, it’s well worth savouring at leisure.
Evan has been a sommelier 13 14 15 and a wine educator; his dad is a psychologist, between them they 16 come up with outrageous and 17 18 19 20 charming ideas about wine and its 21 many lives. Take the description “fl at”, for 22 23 instance. This begins with mouthfeel and digresses rapidly to EM Forster and Aspects of the Novel. And so it goes. 24 25 Cognitive dissonance plays a part at some point, but as the narrative tends 26 to make you want to reach for a bottle and glass, it’s diffi cult to recall exactly where. ACROSS HENRY LOVES JAZZ 1 Vary grade for late assignment? (9,5) STEPHEN LACEY 9 Sour, in no state to describe night life (9) MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY PRESS 10 Plant producing nitrogenous waste when denied nitrogen! (5) $23.95 11 Minor offi cial concerning fi rst lady (5) ISBN: 9780522856804 12 Underfoot hazard from pit angle (9) 13 Adopted soothing word in short-lived passion (8) Stephen Lacey (BA ’92 MA ’96) is 15 Less cautious bishop embraces tennis star (6) 40-something when his wife Marianne 17 Funny funny men of great signifi cance (6) tells him she’s pregnant. Like many 19 Island murder involving tip of Levantine instrument (8) men in similar circumstances he 22 A catalogue comprising opprobrium breaks out in hives. His mother follows Middle Eastern scholar (9) isn’t sympathetic but then, she had 23 Bird round about another bird (5) endured Robbie Williams videos on 24 Yellowish – green sort of semi-transparent material (5) 25 Coat from wild animal trapped in net (9) TV in hospital while recovering from 26 Vague – describes most of pie or what then remains (14) a heart attack, so she’s unlikely to be moved by her son’s panic attack. Then Henry is born and everything DOWN changes. 1 Upping – uppity chap though in charge This would be a familiar scenario constrained by defi ned allocation (14) Once again the prize to many once reluctant parents, 2 Against holding Channel Islands’ old fl ag (7) for the winning but Lacey injects his neurotic soul entrant is this 3 Shorten, make smaller and extract (5) searching and voyage of domestic beautiful Museum – 4 Religious fi gure guides an altered character formation (5,3) discovery with a determinedly daggy the Macleays, their 5 Small shapeless mass discovered in returned Apollo dust (6) style and rough-handed sense of collections and the 6 The Greek Medusa disguised as servant (9) search for order by 7 Satellite explorer in heavenly sign language (7) humour. (Does anyone say “fair Robyn Stacey and 8 Fiery spinner – whip that woman into playing partner’s list (9,5) dinkum” any more – other than Kevin Ashley Hay. So start 14 26 pair correct wrong article about philosopher (9) Rudd, that is?) solving now! Send your completed 16 Airline to put on old jumbo perhaps (8) Lacey’s style is unadorned entries to The Editor, 18 Warrior Queen after minor change in old Lombardy (7) candour: take it or leave it. If you go SAM, Room K6.05, 20 Rugby player not selected, move in dispute (7) along with him it’s an entertaining Quadrangle A14, 21 Perverted critic leaves a sour taste (6) and often cheerfully illuminating ride University of Sydney NSW 2006. First 23 Roman senator gives shelter for priest (5) and a well observed picture of life in correct entry out of contemporary Australia, with a twist. the bucket will win. Answers in Summer issue of SAM
SAM Spring 09 35 End of the Barassi Line Code breaking is happening throughout football and in the University, reports Shari Wakefi eld
and Carlton, and a premiership-winning coach with Carlton and North Melbourne. He believed in spreading Australian Rules around the nation with an evangelical zeal. He foresaw a time when Australian Rules football clubs around Australia, including up to four from NSW and Queensland, would paly in a national league with only a handful of clubs based in Melbourne. At that time the VFL consisted of 11 clubs in Melbourne and one in regional Victoria, and Barassi was largely ridiculed. He went on to become a major supporter of the relocated Sydney Swans and in 1993 became their coach. Recently AFL has increasingly focused on regions behind the Barassi Line, particularly in metropolitan areas (its “developing markets”) where the league has traditionally struggled. The league has granted concessions to teams based in these regions, investing large amounts of development funding. As a result, participation is increasing in NSW and has almost doubled from 2005 (60,862) to 2008 (113,348). And a gradually increasing number of national league players have been produced from formerly unpromising territory, mostly due to interstate migration trends and developing grassroots participation, especially here has always been a great divide in Australia Cairns, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. between those who love rugby (either union Many Victorian AFL clubs are now aligning themselves Tor league) and those who love AFL (Australian with NSW-based clubs in an effort to strengthen the pool Football League). New South Wales’s passion has typically of young players from NSW entering the AFL Draft. been for rugby but, in recent years, this dominance has “These development squads are defi nitely improving the standard of the Sydney AFL. Well-run squads with quality
sport begun to wane and AFL participation and attendance has coaching are very important in an environment which grown signifi cantly. In Sydney we already have the Swans. suffers from a lack of quality coaches and resources as well Could the introduction of a second AFL team in NSW as a relative lack of competition,” said Jason McLennon, mark the end of the Barassi Line? President of Sydney University Australian National Professor Ian Turner, in his 1978 Ron Barassi Memorial Football Club (SUANFC). Lecture, fi rst suggested the concept of the Barassi Line. Sydney University Australian National Football Club’s It referred to a dividing line running from Arnhem Land inaugural Under-18 program, the “Colts” was unveiled this in the Northern Territory, south through Birdsville, year – supported by a new relationship with Collingwood Queensland, through southern NSW north of the Riverina, Football Club. A step towards long term plans for success, bisecting Canberra and on to the Pacifi c Ocean at Cape this alignment will enhance SUANFC’s high performance Howe on the border of NSW and Victoria. pathway in developing elite youth talent. The imaginary line represents a dichotomy in our Other Victorian AFL clubs that have aligned sporting culture: Australian Rules football being the most themselves with Sydney clubs include Melbourne popular football code to the west and south of the line, with Pennant Hills, Essendon with North Shore and with the rugby football varieties (league and union) the Hawthorn with the Baulkham Hills Junior Club. Two most popular codes on the other side. At the time it was Western Australian clubs are also formally aligned with fi rst used, there were no professional teams or leagues Sydney clubs – Fremantle with Balmain and West Coast located on each code’s opposite side of the line. Eagles with East Coast Eagles. Meanwhile the Sydney The Barassi Line was named after Ron Barassi, Jnr. Swans have made the understandable decision to remain His father played 58 games for Melbourne in the Victorian unaligned and “open to all” developing players in NSW. Football League (VFL) from 1936 to 1940 when he “The NSW talent pool is being strengthened through enlisted to fi ght in World War II and was killed at Tobruk more kids in Sydney having exposure to AFL clubs in 1941. His son became a star player for Melbourne such as the Swans and Collingwood and having their
36 SAM Spring 09 development fast tracked – in an attempt to catch up with the advanced development of similar-aged talent in Victoria and WA,” said McLennon. Derek Hine, recruitment manager for Collingwood said, “There are some very talented players in NSW, but we feel they are often two or three years behind players of similar age in Victoria. It is not as competitive here. Coaching from a young age is not necessarily available and we think we need to access these players on a regular basis with critical coaching, feedback and analysis if they are to be successful in being drafted and having an AFL career. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to take our program and the club’s to another level and hopefully work with some of the University’s sports science/medicine faculty, AFL is now as well as the various other high quality sports programs run by Sydney University Sport and Fitness. We drafted the most our fi rst scholarship boy last year in Scott Reed of Pennant attended Hills and are hopeful of more to come. We certainly sporting believe the relationship is sustainable and of tremendous benefi t to both organisations.” league in According to The Age, AFL is now the most attended Australia. sporting league in Australia; it is also the nation’s most popular sport competition in terms of TV ratings. The AFL is currently the fourth most attended professional sports league in the world with an average attendance per match of more than 38,000. The Sydney Swans recorded an average of 51,000+ at ANZ Stadium and near sellout crowds at the SCG between 2003-2006. Although attendance to Swans’ home New Flames games have dropped in 2008 and 2009 along with the team’s on-fi eld performance, they are still recording home By Shari Wakefi eld crowds of between 24,000 and 41,000. The AFL has brought forward plans for a second With the recent departure of captain, Alicia Poto, for the Sydney team in 2012. The objective, they say, is not to European Basketball League, some foresaw the ACUVUE displace other codes as the most popular in NSW, but to Sydney Uni Flames struggling to make the fi nal series. carve a niche that allows high quality competition and But after the recent signing some signifi cant talent, the Flames look set to make quite an impact in 2009-2010. local participation pathways and supports appropriate “Our fi rst goal is to make the fi nals,” said Karen membership and following for professional AFL clubs in Dalton, Head Coach. “Once we are there anything can Australia’s biggest city. happen. Last season was a rebuilding year for us, but AFL is booming, but can NSW support participation, it gave us opportunities for younger players to gain development of and attendance at multiple football codes? experience with valuable court time; and we are hoping Will western Sydney support a second AFL team? Will this to see their continued development this season.” prompt the NRL or the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) to Of the returning players, Eva Afeaki (pictured) will push for more teams in Victoria or WA? play a pivotal role. Afeaki has not only proved her ability Then on the other hand, A-League soccer commentator on court for the Flames, but also represented Australia Robbie Slater says, “This is not taking a pop at the other in the Opals tour of China and Europe in May. She is keen codes but I think they are going to struggle to fi nd players to make the 2012 London Olympic team. After solidly in 10 years time because every kid in Australia will be improving her perimeter game, Afeaki combines her playing soccer.” SAM outstanding athletic physique with excellent three-point accuracy, making her the opposition’s nightmare to mark. Newcomers include Perth Lynx MVP (Most Valuable Player) and WNBL All Star 5 member Deanna Smith, WNBL Point Sydney University Australian National Football Club is the oldest AFL Australian Rules Club in NSW and the fourth oldest in Australia (est Guard veteran Deanne Butler and rebounder Ellie Manou. 1863). Over the past 25 years the club has won seven Senior fi rst grade fl ags Welcomed back is former Flame and 07/08 WNBL (1981, 1986, 1987, 1992’ (SFL), 1997, 2003 and 2005; and have been runners up fi ve MVP Natalie Porter, who returns after playing for times (1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006). In 2009 they fi eld four open age teams, Lavezzini Parma in the Italian League and the Eurocup. and one Under-18s team, competing in their inaugural season. After a season in which the Flames often failed to score vital points in tight matches, the team is now heavily stacked with players who can make every basket count. Dalton Sydney University Soccer Football Club offers elite and social said, “We have some great scorers in Deanna Smith, Eva SOCCER football to both Sydney University students and the general Afeaki and Natalie Porter. They are all good leaders and community. With more 25 teams playing in a number of different competitions it is we have an experienced point guard in Deanne Butler.” the largest of the sporting clubs at Sydney University. SUSFC fi elds two teams in With the possibility of four of the starting fi ve the Men’s Super League, the second highest division in NSW; and fi ve teams in the being new recruits, let’s hope the stars align and Women’s Premier league, the top tier of women’s football in NSW. this special group of players gels quickly.
SAM Spring 09 37 grapevine CLASS NOTES ACROSS THE DECADES
GABRIELLE PREST 2000s (BA AppSc (Nursing) ’92) I’ve had UPDATE YOUR a very fortunate career in cancer CHRIS BALDWIN (BA ’04) Since DETAILS! nursing, completing my conversion graduating, I have furthered my degree in 1992 at USyd, a certifi cate Moved house or changed job? education with a Masters Degree in cancer nursing at the then NSW in Physical and Health Education. Update your contact details Have taught in both Primary and College of Nursing in the late 1980s, by visiting Secondary Schools in NSW and QLD. and later completing a Masters www.usyd.edu.au/ Now lecturing at the Australian Degree in Public Health at UNSW in stayconnected Catholic University in Sydney whilst 1998. During all the years of study or call us +61 2 9036 9222. l worked in all manner of positions undertaking my PhD candidature at Been promoted? Had Kids? Monash University, looking at the Life and domains in cancer nursing, with New Pet? New Book? New World of the Sports Referee. perhaps my most rewarding career role being part of the establishment Project? New idea? Board and staff to set up the RYAN JUNEE (BCom/BE ’03) With Share your news in Grapevine, two friends he went to Silicon Capes”, the equivalent of a Master of Leukaemia Foundation as a not-for- profi t organisation in 1999. I left the online at: www.usyd.edu.au/ Valley and founded Omnisio, a video Education. I also got married in New alumni/grapevine annotation and mash-up technology Caledonia in 2005 and lived there for LFNSW as state manager in 2008 start-up in October 2007. Six months a year before settling back in Sydney to take up the role of Director for by email: Professional Services at the College later, they launched it to the public with my husband in July 2006. I am [email protected] of Nursing. Now more than ever is a and were immediately snapped now working at UTS as a French or in writing: challenging and rewarding time to be up by Google-owned YouTube, for teacher and, since the beginning Editor – SAM, K6.05, a nurse and to be part of the health an undisclosed sum and ongoing of 2008, I have been involved in the care system in Australia. Quadrangle A14m employment for all three. Omnisio organisation of the fi rst Alumni The University of Sydney, lets people add speech bubble Reunion of my former residential NSW 2006. annotations to videos, tag people and STEPHANIE TAYLOR (MCom 1999) college: Mandelbaum House where I completed Masters part-time highlights; make compilations and lived from January ’99 to July ’01. I’m synchronise them with PowerPoint while working full-time for the also looking for volunteers to help new training provider, a contractor presentations for easier sharing. Commonwealth Bank in the learning out with the reunion, so please drop for a specifi c assignment or are YouTube has already adopted some and development (L&D) space. The me a line at alumni@mandelbaum. recruiting your L&D team, Star features, while others are being qualifi cation enabled me to progress usyd.edu.au. Source can help you. integrated. my career in L&D by providing the (See more details page 39.) commercial acumen/strategic LAURENCE LOCK LEE (PhD ’08) elements required for a career in Since completing my PhD last year the fi nancial/professional services 1980s I have co-founded my own business 1990s industries. I have since worked Dr JOSEFA CABREDO-BERCES to, among other things, leverage WEMPY DYOCTA KOTO for several organisations: Aussie (DIPTEFL ’84) After her studies at some of my research as commercial (MInternatStud ’99) His career Home Loans, AMP, PMI Mortgage Sydney, she held various positions IP. Exciting for me also is having two began in 1997 at American Express in Insurance and Deloitte - taking the such as Dean of the Institute of books become available on Amazon Australia. Since then he has worked skills and confi dence I gained from Communication and Cultural Studies, in the same week www.amazon. for some of the world’s leading MCom program with me. Assistant Dean of the Graduate In mid 2007 I founded the not com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search- communications agencies including School, Director of the Language for profi t L&D Professionals Forum, alias%3Dstripbooks&fi eld-keyword Young & Rubicam, OgilvyOne Center; Dean of Student Affairs and designed to provide networking s=Laurence+Lock+Lee&x=14&y=17. WorldWide and Wunderman in Head of Languages and Humanities and professional development One was based on content from my a remit spanning Europe, North Department of Bicol University, opportunities for corporate L&D PhD and was 18 months in creation America, Australia, Asia, Africa and Legazpi City in the Philippines. She and publishing. The other is my PhD, practitioners. I schedule four has published and co-authored Save the Middle East. Now experienced picked up by a German publisher, so events each year and rely on the your Lungs, Save your Life; Mastering in television, print, radio, direct now I also have it in book form…. so generosity of corporate Australia to Correct English Pronunciation and and digital marketing, I’ve led and not as prolifi c as it looks! host the events. The Forum started My Way to College Freshman English. contributed to global, regional and with a distribution list of 12 which At present she’s the Director of national campaigns for Fortune JOHN LOFTHUS (CertCom ’04) has now increased to more than Cabredo Speech Clinic and Review I am the Assistant Director at the UC 500 brands including American 160 in Sydney. On March 8, 2009 – Centre which conducts reviews for Santa Barbara Alumni Association Express, Citigroup, Samsung, BT, International Women’s Day – I was TOEFL, IELTS, TSE and Oral English and love what you all are doing! Microsoft, LG, SAP, Sony, Palm and awarded joint fi nalist in the Australian Profi ciency Programs in Legazpi City. Nokia. Born in Indonesia, raised Centre for Leadership for Women 2009 AUDREY ROBY (nee Reecht) in Australia and formerly resident Leadership Achievement Award for JAMES EDWARD FISCHER (BA Hons ’02) (above) Since fi nishing in Hong Kong, Singapore and Women for founding the Forum. (BDS ’80) having completed a four- my degree, I have been working London, Wempy is now resident in In February 2009 I started year Bachelor of Science (Wilkes primarily as a French teacher at San Francisco. As Global Business my own business, Star Source, 1970) in the USA before attending the the Alliance Française de Sydney. Director at HMX Media, Wempy which specialises in Learning and University, Dr Fischer was awarded a Between 2005 and 2008, I travelled leads the communications agency’s Development (L&D) resourcing. We Doctorate of Business Administration back and forth between New international business efforts and are in the business of providing the in April 2009 by Southern Cross Caledonia, my home country, France digital practice. He enjoys surfi ng best possible L&D resources for University. The title of his thesis and Australia in order to complete “a and living under the California sun. our clients. If you are looking for a was “Key areas of small business
38 SAM Spring 09 REUNION OF THE FACULTY OF DENTISTRY ’59 was held at the Australian Club in April this year and attended by 18 alumni. A splendid dinner with matching wines was enjoyed and animated conversation and reminiscences ranged across fl uoridation, the Greiner-Metherell effect on the faculty/ department, the great Olympic torch hoax of 1956 and the joys of families and satisfying work.
management in private dental MANDELBAUM HOUSE practice: an in-depth analysis”, INAUGURAL ALUMNI FUNCTION meanwhile maintaining a private Calling former residents for the dental practice and daily clinical launch of the Mandelbaum House sessions within the athletes’ village Alumni Association. See your during the Sydney Olympics. old room, staff and, of course, friends. For further details: www. mandelbaum.usyd.edu.au/alumni or 1950s email Audrey Roby (nee Reecht) at [email protected]. BRIAN HARVEY (BA ’52) has had If you can’t attend, please visit our a long career as a TV producer for website so we can keep you in touch the ABC. Forty years ago he was with future events. in charge of the ABC’s televising Mandelbaum Alumni Event, of the Apollo 11 lunar landing and 29 November, 7-11pm, Cost: free. moonwalk. It was a full-scale studio 385 Abercrombie St, Darlington. production with a host and expert commentators to set the scene before crossing to Houston Control prior to pictures being received live from cameras on the spacecraft and moon’s surface. The ABC team has gathered for an anniversary lunch every fi ve years since and the ABC itself returned to fi lm the 40th celebration. Expect the unexpected when you visit us. We enjoy being creative with native Australian Hardwoods and it shows in the furniture we make. WARREN PENGILLEY JARRAH s RED GUM s BLACKBUTT (BA ’59 LLB ’62) was awarded an SPOTTED GUM AND MORE AM in the 2009 Queens Birthday 334 Victoria Rd, Gladesville 98176999 Honours for “service to the law as a 78 Parramatta Rd, Stanmore 95577770 practitioner, regulator, academic and commentator in the areas of trade wildwooddesigns.com.au Mrs Rachel Lipton (nee Mandelbaum) practices and franchising” . He has (BA ‘18, MA ‘34) Founding retired to Daylesford in Victoria. Benefactor, Mandelbaum House
SAM Spring 09 39 diary SPEAKING VOLUMES - THE THREE DECKER NOVEL An exhibition from the collection of 19th century English fi ction published in more than one 26 SEPTEMBER volume, which was acquired What Kind of Settlement? by the Library from the English Grace Karskens, Lecturer in History antiquarian bookseller CC at the University, draws on her Kohler in the mid-’70s. The new book The Colony to explore the exhibition looks at the many transformation of a campsite at genres – social issues, regional, Sydney cove into a town that has religious, adventure, sporting become Australia’s largest city. fi ction, school and university Blackheath History Forum novels – and includes works by 4pm (refreshments from 3.30pm) some of the “greats”, including Blackheath Public School Hall a fi rst edition by Jane Austen. info: www.blackheathhistoryforum. The books are very striking org.au visually, featuring many different examples of binding 30 SEPTEMBER styles and foredge decoration. Sydney Ideas Key Thinkers Series Rare Books and Special Kurt Gödel and the Limits of Collections, Level 2, Fisher Mathematics – Professor Mark Library to 12 February 2010; Colvyn, Professor of Philosophy and Mon- Fri 9-5, free admission. Director of the Sydney Centre for the Foundations of Science. 7 October: Pierre Bourdieu on Registration/enquiries: Claire Feminism – Dr Kate Huppatz, Hannagan (612) 9356 6225 or Postdoctoral Research Fellow, [email protected] Faculty of Education and Social Work 14 October: Mary Wollstonecraft and 25 NOVEMBER the Enlightenment – Professor Helen Illustrated here: James Hatfi eld and the beauty of Buttermere : a story of modern times Under The Radar - The Secret Irving, Faculty of Law with illustrations by Robert Cruikshank. Publisher: Henry Colburn, 1841, London. Life of Ruby Payne-Scott, 21 October: Confucius and the First Radiophysicist Emperor – Professor Jeffrey Riegel, 8 OCTOBER limited parking on campus. Biography by Prof. Miller Goss and Professor and Head of School of The US, China and Australian Registration and information: (612) Dr Richard McGee of the School Languages and Cultures, national interests in the 9036 9278 or www.fhs.usyd.edu.au of Physics graduate who became Faculty of Arts 21st century one of Australia’s fi rst paid female Lecture Theatre 101, Professor Geoffrey Garrett, 4/5 NOVEMBER physicists at the then Council for New Law School, Eastern Avenue United States Studies Centre Sydney Peace Prize Scientifi c and Industrial Research Cost: Free. All welcome and no 5.30pm; free; venue and information Award and Gala Dinner (4th) (CSIR) in 1941. She had to resign booking or registration necessary. from [email protected]. and Lecture (5th) when her marriage was discovered Website and program updates: www. 2009 recipient is John Pilger, (pregnancy gave her away). A fi erce usyd.edu.au/sydney_ideas www.usyd. 31 OCTOBER outstanding journalist, author advocate of women’s rights and of edu.au/sydney_ideas Cumberland Open Day and documentary maker. interest to ASIO - she was a member Celebrating 30 years of Health Award Dinner: 7 for 7.30pm of the Communist Party of Australia 1 OCTOBER Sciences with interactive health Maclaurin Hall; bookings and – her story was virtually unknown. Designing Educational Spaces checks, sporting demonstrations, information: (612) 9351 4468 or Her children, Fiona and Peter Hall, Looking at the needs of schools live bands, bbq, industry stalls, face [email protected] will launch the book. in relation to effective built painting, a study fair, children’s Lecture: 8pm, Concert Hall, Book Launch: 6pm-8pm, environments for learning and activities and much more, making Sydney Opera House; The Great Hall. Free. development. this a day for all. bookings: (612) 9250 7777 or RSVP to Alison Muir (612) 9036 5184 New Law Building, 6.30pm, free. 11am-4pm; Cumberland Campus, www.sydneyoperahouse.com. or: [email protected] Inquiries: Sue Lalor (612) 9114 0941 Lidcombe; free public transport or [email protected]. available from Lidcombe station; 17 NOVEMBER 29 NOVEMBER Graduate Connections Breakfast Mandelbaum House Inaugural SOLVE CABLE CONFUSION! “Unaccountable passion: how Alumni Function the arts defy the hubris of Calling former residents for the managerialism” launch of the Mandelbaum House identify your – Professor Andrea Hull OA Alumni Association. See your old cables & Andrea Hull (BA ’69 DipEd ’70) room, staff and, of course, friends. portable recently retired after 15 years as For further details: devices director of the Victorian College of www.mandelbaum.usyd.edu.au/ instantly the Arts (VCA). She was previously alumni or email Audrey Roby (nee CEO of the WA Department for the Reecht) at alumni@mandelbaum. Stick’nGo® Arts. usyd.edu.au If you can’t attend, The Cable I.D. Solution™ Cable Labels Where: The Tea Rooms, Queen please visit our website so we can Victoria Building; 7.15-8.45am; keep you in touch with future events. www.stickngo.com.au Alumni $45 pp, non-alumni/guest 7-11pm, Cost: free. $50 pp; table of eight $320 385 Abercrombie St Darlington.
40 SAM Spring 09 Invigorate your week
Australia’s online art space. Be inspired every week by leading artists and galleries when you join artwhatson’s free e-newsletter.
Graham Kuo, Shades # I (detail), 2008, oil and acrylic on canvas, 229 x 351 cm. Courtesy of the artist and Wilson Street Gallery. www.artwhatson.com.au/wilsonstreetgallery