Outlook University of Wollongong Alumni Magazine March 2000
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
^e-ChMellor, Gerard 3y^tton with AustraVs ;sity of the Yeal I story page 5 Death of Chancellor, lusticel^bert Hope ige4 in the growing number of overseas graduation ceremonies. Last year The University of saw ceremonies conducted in Dubai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Wollongong Kong, and the Maldives, as well as Alumni the ever larger ceremonies in Wollongong - including the Association start of December ceremonies, which now allow far greater exists to: numbers of international students graduate before • Provide you with networking, returning home. social, mentoring and professional development opportunities locally, • _ This year will nationally and internationally I T^^ ^ see the first I L\»yl students • Assist you in forming chapters and enrolled in organising events and reunions Welcome to the brave new world of UOW's Shoalhaven Campus at 2000. Notice 1 am carefully Nowra and at the Access Centres • Provide you with information on avoiding debates about new in Batemans Bay and Bega. As the University of Wollongong's centuries or millenniums - as part of the South Coast Education postgraduate opportunities they say that's another story! Network, UOW will be providing specialised education services to • Keep you informed about the growth Apart from all the millennial hype, people who might previously have of the University of Wollongong many real and exciting things have had to travel hundreds of also been happening at the kilometres for a tertiary education. University of Wollongong. I hope you enjoy the March Foremost among these is the award edition of Outlook, which is my Death of of the University of the Year to UOW. last as Editor. I have enjoyed While this is a boon for all staff and editing your alumni magazine over Dr Ron Broadfoot students, it also is reflected in the the past couple of years. It's Dr Ron Broadfoot, a great friend and a standing of all UOW graduates. Our goodbye and good luck from me as Fellow of the University of Wollongong, stocks go up as Wollongong's well as the Executive Officer of died late last year while overseas. reputation is enhanced. UOW's Alumni Association, Lea Sublett, who guided the The Vice-Chancel lor. Professor Gerard The Good Universites Guides University's Alumni program for Sutton, expressed sympathy to his University of the Year competiton is two years. Lea was a great person family and friends on behalf of the undoubtedly the most highly-sought to work with and I know many whole of the University community. accolade in tertiary education. The graduates will be sorry to hear that award to UOW is recognition of a she has moved on to bigger and standard of excellence that we are better things in Melbourne. We all beginning to take for granted. wish her well. The win was based on our Outstanding Research Stuart Waters and Development Partnerships. Editor The increasingly international nature of the University is reflected Outlook OUTLOOK is published by the University of Wollongong NSW 2522 Australia. Internet URL for the University: http://wvvw.uow.edu.au Former Chancellor dies Editor UOW voted "best of best" Stuart Waters Executive Editor Film industry in our sights Bernie Goldie Michellie Jones aims for gold Design and Layout Dingo Rock Design Goknur Ray's meteoric rise The media is invited to make use of any material standing on the shoulders of giants in this journal. Acknowledgment of the source would UOW's major coup In Middle East 10 be appreciated. Further On the path to artificial muscle 11 Information Bernie Goldie Graduation photos including Thai Princess 12-14 email: [email protected] Ph: 02 4221 5942 Alumni Association news 16-21 Michelle O'Brien Alumni Office Future Asian environment leaders ph: 02 4221 3169 22 fax: 02 4221 3128 email: [email protected] www.uow.edu.au/alumni co^itents University of Wollongong This issue of Outlook is sponsored by Advertisers If you would like to advertise in this publication, please contact Bernie Goldie at the Media Services Unit University of Wollongong 2522 or email: [email protected] Unit C/110 McEvoy Street Alexandria NSW 2015 ph 02 9698 3222 fax 02 9698 4652 Cover Shot: By Sean Maguire Specialists in fine quality printing and print management. Outlook Those who spoke at the sen/ice, security-related hearings: the Coombe- Mourning the including Shakespearian actor John Ivanoff affair; aspects of the Sydney Bell and former University of Hilton Hotel bombing; and the loss of Wollongong Vice-Chancel lor. Professor Melbourne Sheraton Hotel break-in by Ken McKinnon, remembered a members of Australia's Secret Justice Hope tolerant, unflappable man with a Intelligence Service. maverick streak just below the surface. During his two-year term as President University staff and students and of the Council of Civil Liberties in the council members travelled to Sydney late 1960s, Justice Hope became for the occasion — evidence of the interested in the way NSW police high esteem in which Justice Hope treated Vietnam student protesters. He was held by the University which he believed the students' rights were served for a record 22 years. being infringed and sought to have the regulations changed. During his time as Chancellor, the University's student body grew from Justice Hope was admitted to the 1,500 to 12,000 and a campus was honorary degree of Doctor of Laws in established offshore in Dubai. His 1991. On presenting the award to commitment and dedication lay the him, UOW's then Vice-Chancel lor. foundation for the University's Professor Ken McKinnon, said: emergence as one of the most highly "Robert Hope has long served this respected tertiary institutions in University as he has the law and the Australia today nation, with distinction and grace. The University of Wollongong's long- Chancellorial impartiality he has serving founding Chancellor, Justice Regarded as one of the University's always shown, but this characteristic Robert Marsden Hope, was farewelled greatest assets. Justice Hope, who is only one of many other profoundly at a packed memorial service at retired as Chancellor in 1997, was important personal characteristics - Sydney's St James Church in October. known for his wisdom, deft touch, generosity of spirit, compassion, sensitivity and invariable good humour. personal warmth and consistent Former Prime Minister, Mr Gough courtesy to all." Whitlam; Chief Justice of the High He is remembered as the QC and Court, Sir Murray Gleeson; and former former NSW Court of Appeal judge Justice Hope was made a Companion Chief Justice of NSW, Sir Laurence who headed two landmark royal of the Order of St Michael and St Street, were among those who came commissions into Australia's security George in 1977 and admitted to the to pay their respects to the former and intelligence services. The inquiries select company of Companions of the barrister and Supreme Court judge. led to major reforms that made the Order of Australia in 1989. Australian Security and Intelligence Mr Justice Hope died on 12 October Agency (ASiO) more accountable. He is survived by his wife, June, at the age of 80. daughters Deborah and Elizabeth, and He presided over three controversial son, John. Associate Professor Suzanne Uniacke, information provided to women Obituary of the Philosophy Program, remembed contemplating or undergoing Dr Kohlenberg as 'a deeply prenatal ultrasound, and with a Dr Chris Kohlenberg humanitarian person with a genuine colleague at Nepean he set up a MA (Applied Ethics) 1998 concern about the ethical aspects of support group for women. his work'. The July crash of a commuter plane In 1998 Dr Kohlenberg was elected as in the mountainous terrain of Fiji His MA thesis identified and examined a member of the ethics committee of deprived the locals of some valuable important ethical issues arising from the Australian College of Obstetricians medical expertise. At the same time prenatal ultrasound that had not and Gynaecologists. In the same year it deprived a family of their father previously been publicly addressed. It he was awarded a Fellowship of the St and husband, the Nepean Hospital focused on questions of informed James Ethics Centre, Sydney which of an important staff member, and consent and on the disclosure of 'soft enabled him to work on a project to the University of Wollongong of one signs' of fetal abnormality (these are broaden the skills of Aboriginal health of its graduates. features that are associated with fetal workers in Northern Australia. abnormality but are also consistent Dr Chris Kohlenberg was one of a with a normal fetus). His commitment to improving group of aid workers killed when an medical care in underprivileged areas Air Fiji flight disappeared in remote Dr Kohlenberg subsequently gave extended beyond the national territory. The Head of the Perinatal presentations on these issues at a boundaries. Dr Kohlenberg was in Fiji Ultrasound Unit at the Nepean number of national and international conducting a workshop on obstetrics. Hospital, Dr Kohlenberg was a recent medical conferences. graduate of the University, having Dr Kohlenberg is survived by his wife gained a Master of Arts degree in Outside his studies, Dr Kohlenberg Cathy and young daughters Ruth Applied Ethics in 1998. worked to improve the quality of and Hannah. Outlook University of Wollongong voted "best of the best" The University of Wollongong is the as the Key Centre studying social and joint Australian University of the cultural change in the Asia Pacific Year for 1999-2000. Announcing region, biomedical research, medical the win, which will boost the stocks radiation physics and multimedia. of all students past and present, the Federal Treasurer, Mr Peter Costello, "Five and 10-year investment plans, labelled Wollongong the "best of the links with the World Bank, Asian best", saying it would serve as an Development Bank, AusAid and the inspiration to other universities.