ISSUE 49 2017 Research that saves lives every day A warrior for world justice Devils’ champion hangs up his lab coat Alumni A strong foundation for a lifetime of learning BUILDING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE STUDENTS OF THE FUTURE CONTENTS Vice-Chancellor government and community. We have Professor Peter coupled this with a regionally relevant Rathjen: Moving on research agenda, knowing that the future but will keep an eye on the progress of of current industries – and the creation Tasmania and the of entirely new economic sectors – will University. require innovation delivered through new knowledge, along with human capital to become signatory to the Magna equipped to use it in imaginative ways. Charta Universitatum in 2013. It says that We now see the green shoots of “approaching the end of this millennium, these ideas in powerful research PETER MATHEW the future of mankind depends largely collaborations, such as the establishment on cultural, scientific and technical of the University’s Advanced Sensor development, and that this is built up in Manufacturing Facility in Launceston, and centres of culture, knowledge and research world-first research which has unlocked as represented by true universities”. the reality of on-land lobster farming, WELCOME Our commitment to academic and now enshrined within a commercialisation research excellence has underpinned a agreement with a local firm. 011 027 The only fitting way to begin my final sustained increase in each of the credible We are reimagining the concept introduction to Alumni magazine is international rankings. This has, in turn, of a contemporary university and are with an expression of deep gratitude to allowed us to build on historic strengths pursuing a model which is founded in our alumni, staff, students and the wider by attracting scholars of world standing in excellence in teaching and research, but community: Thank you. I leave the identified research themes. that is philosophically and physically University of Tasmania (to the equivalent The further emergence of our University embedded in the heart of our State and role at the University of Adelaide) after within the international community has our communities. We have revised our six-and-a-half years with a sense of pride allowed us to fulfil our promise of being curriculum to ensure relevance to all and humility, knowing that collectively a bridge from Tasmania to the world Tasmanians, now and into the future, and we have left an indelible mark on our and from the world to Tasmania. New to expand employment opportunities for 053 institution, and that it also has left an partnerships and collaborations have our students. indelible mark on me. brought economic benefit – education We have accomplished a great deal and 02 Welcome It seems to me we have reached a now being one of the State’s significant this has been the result of effort across the 04 Recognising donors better understanding of the duality of our exports – along with the social value of breadth and depth of our institution, and 05 Refugee scholarships University in terms of its importance within intellectual and cultural exchange which further afield. It is something about which 06 University news the global community, intertwined with its comes to a community which embraces we should share a sense of collective 08 Tracey Dickson critical role in delivering a brighter future diversity. pride, especially that we have come to 042 10 Mia Palencia ISSUE 49 here, through its unique place as the In recent years, the University’s focus demonstrate so comprehensively the 11 Minh Hien sole provider for higher education to this has been to increase the productivity and transformative power of education. 16 Foundation dinners magnificent island home. prosperity of the State’s citizens, thus 22 Northern transformation We have navigated recent years faithful enabling social and economic revitalisation Kind regards, 24 The Hedberg to our strategic intent, and guided by a in our cities and regions. This has been Professor Peter Rathjen, 25 Sunken treasure set of principles which led the University done in historic levels of accord with both Vice-Chancellor CONTENTS 28 Alumni events 30 Michael Breadmore 32 House Rules 34 Toby Leonard Moore Alumni Advisory Committee SUICIDE PREVENTION CHARTING THE COURSE AHEAD 36 High-flying lawyer The new Alumni Advisory Committee met in May for the Lee-Anne Britcliffe from Science, Engineering and Young Dawkins (Executive 12 Jane Pirkis has devoted herself 20 The University is creating educational 37 Artful engagement first time, buoyed by a groundswell of support from alumni the Australian Maritime Technology); Associate Director, Advancement, to tackling one of society’s most precincts in the heart of Tasmania’s 40 University Lions globally and the senior leadership of the University. College; Professor Nathan Professor Martin Grimmer ex-officio); and Michaela devastating public health issues major communities 42 Kicking goals Bindoff (Institute for (Tasmanian School of Lightfoot (Committee 44 Future-proofing Marine and Antarctic Business and Economics); Administrator). FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE A RIGHT TO A FAIR GO 45 Mushrooming career The committee will assist Studies); Sally Thurley Danielle Kidd (Community 14 Alice Edwards takes up the 26 Helen Szoke is championing the 46 Winter graduations the University in setting (College of Arts, Law Partnerships and Regional For more information about battle for human rights right for everyone to have equal 48 Marine landscapes the new Advisory Committee the future strategic and Education); Scott Development); Sara Franz access to life’s opportunities 50 Art treasures visit: utas.edu.au/alumni/get- direction of the Alumni Sullivan (Faculty of (Global Division Office); involved/alumni-committee 51 Tourism tracker and Friends program. Education); Matthew Clark Cooley (Tasmanian FOND FAREWELL FOUNDATIONS FOR SUCCESS 52 High achievers The 2017-18 Stevenson (Faculty University Union); Lisa 18 Greg Woods hangs up his lab 38 Geoff Wiseman on the advice that membership includes of Health/Menzies Morisset, Robyn Phillips coat after a 36-year career set him on the right track Associate Director, Institute for Medical and Catherine Williamson Alumni Relations, Research); Professor (elected alumni position to be filled; Andrew Chan (Faculty of members); Cover image: The new student apartments at Inveresk, located on the banks of the North Esk River. 02 — Alumni 2017 03 SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS GIVE ASYLUM SEEKERS A NEW START AND CHANCE TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE THANK YOU YOUNG By Gilda Sorella ARRIVALS ON NEW JOURNEY scholarships and prizes annually, enabling By Anna Osborne talented young students to access the life- changing power of a university education. Student scholarships not only provide critical financial support that enable students to access higher education and ALASTAIR BETT perform their best, but also inspire them to chase their goals. Debra Ploughman embodies the spirit of the Domain Society, having donated to the Annual Scholarship Appeal for the past Young people seeking asylum Mohammad Hanif Haji Mohammad Alizada, 21 Ali Almteri, 22 11 years, and to the Foundation’s Save the in Tasmania from some of Iqbal Zada, 21 At 16 years of age, Haji fled Ali arrived in Tasmania in Tasmanian Devil Appeal for the past seven the most troubled parts of Hanif arrived in Australia in Afghanistan, arriving firstly in 2013 to pursue his dream of JIM RICE years. the world have been granted 2013 after fleeing Pakistan Indonesia before being taken becoming a doctor. He was “It has been amazing to see the new University of Tasmania due to safety considerations. to Christmas Island where born in Kuwait into a stateless cumulative impact of my regular gifts to scholarships, giving them He is the sole income provider he was granted a bridging family, which meant he was Where there’s a will: Members of the Bequest Society, who came together for a morning tea the University,” she said. access to the transformative for his family, after losing visa in 2014. Since arriving in not permitted to study (at recently, pictured with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Brigid Heywood, back “It brings me such joy to think that my power of education. his brother and father. Since Tasmania Haji has volunteered any level), along with other row, far left; the Executive Director, Advancement Office, Young Dawkins, back row, second contributions can help talented young arriving in Tasmania Hanif at a number of organisations, restrictions. Since arriving in from the right; and Advancement staff members. students access a university education by studied English at TAFE and including the Migrant Resource Tasmania, Ali has volunteered alleviating financial hardship. And to think Three young asylum seekers – Year 11 and 12 at The Friends Centre and the Hobart Hazara with the Red Cross (translating The University of Tasmania Foundation Research, receiving the Dianne Eerden that my donations to the Tasmanian Devil awarded places in the inaugural School. This year, he is enrolled Community Association, and for Arabic clients) and the has created two new societies to Research Scholarship has provided Appeal have helped fund the cure to save Tasmanian Asylum Seeker in a Bachelor of Medical regularly speaks on issues Migrant Resource Centre and ISSUE 49 recognise the generosity of our alumni significant support as she continues her the Tassie devils is beyond incredible.” Scholarship scheme – are set Research. “I have always been facing refugees and asylum has spoken publicly on human and friends – because we can never say PhD in motor neuron disease (MND). Domain House was recently restored on making a difference in fields interested in studying in the seekers. He is enrolled in rights issues. He is currently thank you enough. “It means so much to me,” Ms Jiang said. to preserve the 168-year-old building including medicine and arts/law. medical field because of my the University’s Foundation enrolled in the University’s “During my study I want to understand for future generations.