SUMMER 2007 NO. 36

GRADUATE

FAREWELL TO ‘TEAM HAY’ End of an era at UQ

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CRICOS Provider Number 00025B + FROM THE CHANCELLOR

When I take stock of the many reasons why I feel privileged to be Chancellor, working with John Hay over the past 12 years sits high on the list. John has been more than an outstanding Vice-Chancellor and President of UQ. He 04 has been a statesman in higher education nationally and internationally, and has made immeasurable contributions to the many communities which engage with UQ. As John prepares to retire at the end of the year, he will be the first to assert that legions of people have made UQ great. I have no hesitation in saying that his leadership and strategies have driven the University to unprecedented levels of excellence. It is no accident that during his tenure this 12 18 20 has grown to be the Australian university with more national teaching awards than any other, and a barely-matched record for amassing research funding. Nor is it a coincidence that CONTENTS UQ is at the pinnacle of university research commercialisation, and has a formidable record of attracting philanthropic funding for major infrastructure. + FEATURES On becoming our Vice-Chancellor, John wasted no time in establishing contacts 04 TRIBUTES TO JOHN HAY and networks for UQ’s benefit. The most Colleagues and friends discuss conspicuous successes emanate from his the legacy of Professor John Hay’s 23 relationships with Chuck Feeney, of The 12 years as Vice-Chancellor of the Atlantic Philanthropies, and Peter Beattie, the University. former Premier of Queensland. John foresaw + REGULARS that UQ could be a significant beneficiary of 12 BRAIN POWERHOUSE Mr Beattie’s ‘Smart State’ agenda as well as The new $63 million Queensland 08 STRATEGIC MOVES Mr Feeney’s strategic generosity. A suite of Brain Institute building at St Lucia Professor John Hay reflects on his world-class research facilities, the UQ Centre is the latest addition to a suite of tenure as Vice-Chancellor. and the beautifully converted James and Mary world-class UQ research centres. Emelia Mayne Centre (home to the UQ Art 10 CUTTING EDGE Museum), show his foresight was inspired. 18 GAIN FOR GATTON It is a great tribute that Professor Hay’s The Federal Government has 14 CAMPUS NEWS Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul supported the planned move of Greenfield, has been appointed as the next the School of Veterinary Science to 24 GRADUATE NEWS Vice-Chancellor. Gatton. 32 KEEP IN CONTACT A constant throughout the past 12 20 NEW STAR SHINES BRIGHTLY years has been John’s wife, Barbara, who A UQ graduate is helping change has been a tremendous confidante and has the lives of China’s generation of independently contributed much to the life of “left-behind children”. UQ and our associated communities. I am sure that readers of Graduate Contact 23 UNFINISHED SYMPHONY will join me in thanking John and Barbara for Professor Philip Bracanin is retiring + COVER their years of devotion to UQ, and in wishing as Head of the School of Music, them the very best for the future. but the composer says he will UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay, barely miss a beat. AC, and wife Barbara Hay, who leave the University at the end of December.

Sir Llew Edwards, AC Chancellor GRADUATE CONTACT Editor: Brad Turner is produced by the Office of Marketing and Editorial coordinator: Cameron Pegg Communications, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia Designer: Wendy Oakley, Felicia Chetcuti Telephone: (07) 3365 3367 Photographers: Jeremy Patten, Stewart Gould Email: [email protected] Photographic Librarian: Diana Lilley Editorial Board: Chair: Jack Lunn (Former Deputy Advertising: Tina Hannan (07) 5460 1739 Chair, Queensland Press Pty Ltd) Printing: Alpine Offset Members: Dr John Desmarchelier (Former General Manager, Sugar Terminals Limited) CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Professor Michael Keniger (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Please telephone: (07) 3346 3907 Academic) Facsimile: (07) 3346 3901 Shaun McDonagh (Director, Office of Marketing and Email: [email protected] Communications) The international code for dialling Australia is +61. Carla Boeckman (Director, Office of University Development and Graduate Relations) www.uq.edu.au Shane Rodgers (Deputy General-Manager, Quest Material in this publication does not necessarily reflect the Community Newspapers) policies of The University of Queensland. The Hay family: (from left) Ben, Barbara, Chris, John and Tim after the Queensland Greats ceremony in June 2007. Daughter Kate was in Melbourne and unable to attend the presentation. revolution&evolution The cluster of new UQ research institutes and their impact on reversing the brain drain of scientific knowledge from Australia are often seen as the most significant legacy of Professor John Hay’s 12 years as Vice-Chancellor – although his impact has been far broader, as these tributes from friends, associates and colleagues show.

Under John’s stewardship UQ established internationally recognised and reflected in his Focus and balance Australia’s first annual awards for early career long-term chairmanship of the Carrick Institute) by Professor Paul Greenfield, researchers, the UQ Foundation Research has ensured that UQ’s teaching is enriched Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Excellence Awards, and then instigated by its research – and vice versa. He has led a Vice-Chancellor Elect annual awards for outstanding teaching and strategy to integrate research with teaching and supervision. These awards are emblematic of learning practice, and this has proven absolutely would summarise John Hay’s numerous his flair for matching a focus on research with a essential to UQ. I achievements as UQ Vice-Chancellor under focus on teaching and the learning process. Where it has been strategically advantageous, two main themes: focus and balance. The key to ensuring that teaching and the University has invested many millions of By focus, I mean that John has identified and learning share equal billing with research was dollars in capital, not only for research and invested in UQ’s areas of proven strength, as well the creation of the position of full-time Deputy teaching and learning purposes, but also to as areas of demonstrated prospective opportunity. Vice-Chancellor (Academic). advance commercialisation, the arts and cultural The balance has been achieved between Since January 2001, this portfolio has values. John’s relationship with Chuck Feeney excellence in research on the one hand, and complemented the long-standing office of of The Atlantic Philanthropies has made a great excellence in teaching and learning on the other. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and enabled start to a tradition which had little precedent in In research, the establishment of six teaching and learning to be systematically Australia, let alone in Queensland. His ability to internationally-recognised institutes and the championed from the lecture theatre through to attract philanthropic and matching funds has exceptional staff and students they have the chancellery. Our innovative and passionate become legendary in Australian higher education, attracted are easily characterised as the teachers have every reason for confidence that government and business circles. epitome of John’s achievements; but his impact issues of importance to them, such as teaching A common thread to UQ’s success during spreads much more widely, and a culture and learning spaces and materials, rate as the past 12 years is that our Vice-Chancellor of recognising and then backing research priorities at the very top of the University. has rewarded excellence, and that people who excellence permeates throughout the seven Additionally, John’s commitment to strive for and value excellence have responded faculties and six institutes. excellence in teaching and learning (which is positively.

4 UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 THE JOHN HAY YEARS

1996 JANUAR Y: Pr ofessor Hay begins appointment as V ice-Chancellor, succeeding Pr ofessor Emeritus Brian Wilson. JUNE: Appointed to the Boar d of Brisbane Grammar School. SEPTEMBER: UQ Senate appr oves a new seven-faculty academic structur e fr om 1997 after Pr ofessor Hay r eports to Chancellor Sir Llew Edwar ds that UQ needs “flatter, leaner, mor e strategically r esponsive and ef fective structur es, policies and practices.” DE C E M B E R : A n n o u n c e s p l a n s t o d e v e l o p a n I n s t i t u t e f o r M o l e c u l a r B i o s c i e n c e ( I M B ) a t S t L u c i a . T h i s w i l l b e c o m e t h e fi r s t i n a s e r i e s o f w o r l d - c l a s s i n s t i t u t e s t o b e b u i l t i n P r o f e s s o r H a y ’s e r a , w i t h f u n d i n g f r o m C h u c k F e e n e y ’s T h e A t l a n t i c P h i l a n t h r o p i e s revolution evolution a n d U Q - l e v e r a g e d Q u e e n s l a n d G o v e r n m e n t S m a r t S t a t e m o n i e s a n d – i n s o m e c a s e s & Top left: 1999: Professor Hay and former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie arrive for the opening of the – A u s t r a l i a n G o v e r n m e n t f u n d s . A m a j o r first stage of the Ipswich campus; (top right) 1998: With former Federal Education Minister Tony Abbott c o l l a b o r a t i v e v e n t u r e w i t h C S I R O w a s a l s o when UQ is named University of the Year; (centre) 1996: At the St Lucia campus with students on his first day at UQ; (bottom left) 2003: With the then Federal Education Minister Brendan Nelson at the Queensland f o r e s h a d o w e d t o c o m p l e m e n t t h e I M B Biosciences Precinct opening; (bottom right) 1998: ‘High fives’ in the Great Court after the University of the p r o p o s a l . Year announcement. 1997 John is often hear d to say that he likes to make It was only by extending the site boundaries MARCH: Commits UQ to membership r oom for people with ideas. Personal experience and the budget allocation to “site works” on the of Universitas 21, a new international allows me to vouch for this. I feel very lucky to building pr ojects that we managed to achieve consortium of world-class r esear ch- be inheriting his legacy. something. W e carried out a similar covert intensive compr ehensive universities. Only exer cise during the construction of Therapies thr ee Australian universities ar e admitted. Anatomy Stage 3. Ar chitect of change The r ecognition and cr eation of “positive 1998 by Alisdair McClintock, Dir ector, space” became an important issue when Peter O’Gorman and Ron Br own fr om the UQ Pr operty and Facilities MARCH: Begins nine-year appointment as Department of Geographical Sciences and Trustee of Queensland Performing Arts. rior to John Hay’s arrival at UQ in 1996, the Planning wer e assisting Ross Meakin and me to JULY: UQ is named the 1998 Australian ar chitectur e at the University was generally r evise the Site Development Plan in 1995. P University of the Year by the Good determined by functionality and cost. They wer e nervous times as ther e wer e Universities Guide for outstanding Ther e was at times little inter est in the plans to build a sports complex, technology outcomes for graduates. Pr ofessor Hay aesthetic value of a building. Furthermor e, a transfer park and a confer ence centr e with becomes the only V ice-Chancellor to building pr oject was consider ed in isolation associated accommodation on various parts of collect the pr estigious awar d twice for with minimal thought for context or the space the campus that we felt should be pr eserved as his institution. He was V ice-Chancellor between the buildings. At times, only lip service open space. of Deakin University when it was named was paid to the Site Development Plan. Furthermor e, we had no idea how our 1995 University of the Year. When I was employed in 1989, as a ideas would be r eceived by the incoming Vice- pr oject manager, it was Peter O’Gorman fr om Chancellor. the Department of Ar chitectur e, who urged One of the first things Pr ofessor Hay asked me to consider the space between Molecular me was: “What do you think about building this Biosciences, Ritchie and Gehrmann buildings. technology park on that oval?” >

UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT //// SUMMERSUMMER 20072007 5 5 1999 JANUARY: Appointed Chair of National Committee on University Teaching and Staff Development. FEBRUARY: Introduces the Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Grants for Early Career Researchers, providing between $50,000 and $100,000 for each recipient. MARCH: Drives the concept for the new Brisbane Institute, of which UQ is the primary sponsor. The public issues forum aims to give Brisbane and Queensland a national centre for independent, non-partisan This page, clockwise from top left: discussion of public issues. 1999: At the opening of the Equine Precinct at the Gatton campus AUGUST: Announces establishment of 2005: In front of the new Sir James University of Queensland Foundation Foots Building with ex Premier Peter Research Excellence Awards to encourage Beattie, Sir James and Chancellor Sir early-career researchers. Llew Edwards OCTOBER: UQ Senate unanimously 2006: Touring the laboratories in the new Australian Institute for endorses Professor Hay’s recommendations Bioengineering and Nanotechnology on the future of its Gatton campus, focusing building with Mr Beattie on the teaching and research opportunities and challenges in the broad areas of rural industries and communities. OCTOBER: UQ Senate unanimously votes to extend Professor Hay’s appointment to December 31, 2007. “Not much,” I mumbled warily. Smart State smarter NOVEMBER: Appointed as inaugural Suddenly the Site Development Plan was member of the Queensland Innovation no longer a document being produced in a by Anna Bligh, Council. backroom and destined to be ignored after Queensland Premier publication. rofessor John Hay has led and inspired It was John Hay’s suggestion that we thousands of inquiring minds during his time 2000 should present it as a video to the Buildings P as V ice-Chancellor and President and, in doing JANUARY: Appointed Chair of the Australian and Grounds Committee, the Senate and the so, has helped to build the Smart State. Universities Teaching Committee. public for comment. We turned to the late Ron I have been a member of the Queensland Drynan in what was then Media and Information JULY: Welcomes $10 million State Parliament throughout Professor Hay’s 12-year Services for assistance and the film he Government funding in addition to $20 tenure and have witnessed his visionary dreams produced was stunning, capturing everybody’s million pledged by UQ for the Sustainable taking shape. attention resulting in many comments and Minerals Institute at St Lucia. Professor Hay has steered our state’s suggestions. oldest university to greatness. JUNE: Invested as National Living In 1996, I don’t believe any of us, other than Under his leadership, UQ was named Pedagogue by the Swedish Academy for Professor Hay, had an inkling of what we were Australia’s University of the Year by the Good Higher Education. in for during the next 12 years. Universities Guide and has become the nation’s The University undertook a capital program most successful university for national teaching like it had never done before. This included the 2001 awards. development of a new campus at Ipswich, three He has overseen the establishment of an JANUARY: Professor Margaret Gardner major research institutes at St Lucia and a host impressive number of research centres including begins as UQ’s first Deputy Vice-Chancellor of other building projects. the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and (Academic). The creation of this position Having a vision is one thing, turning it Nanotechnology, the Institute for Molecular is part of a strategy which leads to UQ into reality is another. And when it comes to a Biosciences, the Queensland Brain Institute, the asserting sustained leadership in teaching building program that means generating the Centre for Clinical Research, the Sustainable and learning, dominating measures including capital. Minerals Institute and the Centre for Advanced the attainment of national teaching awards. Professor Hay’s ability to raise the Animal Science. JANUARY: Appointed Chair of the Australian necessary funds matched the vision. Many of For me, the magnitude and long-term Universities Teaching Council. the projects were partially funded by the State significance of Professor Hay’s achievements Government, through the Smart State Initiative, stand out against a backdrop of my personal JUNE: Queensland Government announces and by the Federal Government. There was memories. establishment of a nanotechnology centre of however another individual whose generosity So much has changed since I attended The excellence at UQ with $20 million of public to the University has been staggering. That is University of Queensland and these changes funding (building on $17.4 million from The the philanthropist, Chuck Feeney of The Atlantic now help fuel our economy. Atlantic Philanthropies). Philanthropies. Deservingly, Professor Hay was awarded SEPTEMBER: Volume 1 of theBibliography I often wonder where the University would a Centenary Medal for contributions to higher of Australian Literatureis published. Professor be if Jim Soorley, the then Brisbane Lord Mayor, education and made a Companion in the Order Hay is General Editor of the four-volume record hadn’t introduced Professor Hay to Chuck. It of Australia. of all Australian novels, plays and books of has been a busy but wonderful 12 years. It has He is one of Queensland’s greatest poetry published in the last 200 years. been due to a man with vision and a loyalty to ambassadors for education and academic his colleagues. DECEMBER: Establishment of the advancement and this was recognised I make no excuse for calling them “The Hay Australian Institute of Bioengineering and by the Queensland Government through Days”, as that’s what they have been. Nanotechnology at St Lucia is announced. his appointment as an official Smart State

6 UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 This page, clockwise from top left: 2004: The disused Mayne Hall’s transformation into the stunning Mayne Centre is complete 2002 2005: Conferred with an honorary doctorate by his alma mater, the University of Western JANUARY: Appointed Chair of the Group of Australia Eight, which represents Australia’s leading 2006: On the new Eleanor Schonell Bridge with research-intensive universities. He remains in wife Barbara and UQ Secretary and Registrar the position until May 2003. Douglas Porter and wife Janet JULY: Plays key role in establishing a $33 million research complex which opens at Princess Alexandra Hospital as the new home for a UQ research group pioneering vaccines against cervical cancer and genital warts. Professor Ian Frazer heads the Centre for Immunology and Cancer Research (and in 2006 is named Australian of the Year for developing the world’s first cervical cancer vaccine). SEPTEMBER: The $20 million multi-purpose UQ Centre building is opened at St Lucia to provide a modern venue for large events such as graduation ceremonies. Professor Hay sources $11.5 million for the project from Atlantic Philanthropies. 2003 MAY: Appointed Chair of Universitas 21, a position he holds until May 2006. MAY: Official opening of the $105 million Ambassador in 2005 and his naming as a John’s reputation, and gift, as an eloquent Queensland Bioscience Precinct at St Lucia, Queensland Great in 2007. speaker soon created many invitations as housing the IMB and several CSIRO divisions. Professor John Hay, I thank you and I a breakfast, lunch, conference and dinner AUGUST: Announces that the University has commend you for your immense contribution speaker and he used these engagements signed an in-principle agreement with the to education, research and innovation in tirelessly to raise the profile of the University. Brisbane City Council for a bus, bicycle and Queensland. Under his leadership, the University has pedestrian bridge between Dutton Park and consolidated its position as the strongest and the St Lucia campus. best performing university in Queensland, and Two for the price of one is now firmly established as one of Australia’s by Douglas Porter, best universities with a growing international 2004 UQ Secretary and Registrar standing and reputation. JANUARY: Welcomes a $20 million No longer aloof from government, it State Government commitment for the hen the Senate Selection Committee can claim to be one of the architects of establishment at St Lucia of the Queensland Wconvened in mid-1994 to consider the Queensland’s Smart State policy and to have Brain Institute, which has $20 million in capital appointment of the University’s fifth full-time contributed significantly to its success. from The Atlantic Philanthropies. Vice-Chancellor, the members had a very One thing which the Senate did not JANUARY: Awarded a Companion in the Order clear idea of the type of person they were realise or anticipate when appointing John of Australia (AC) in the Australia Day Honours seeking. was that he came with another valuable asset List for exceptional services to higher education, The person appointed needed to be from which the University has also benefited especially in research and innovation and in of high academic standing and capable enormously – his wife Barbara. the creation of new academic, research and of adding new impetus to the University’s I often comment that when John was administrative structures. evolution from a reputable largely regional appointed, the University received “two for institution of the late 1970s to one with the price of one” because of Barbara’s close FEBRUARY: Volume II of Bibliography of an emerging research reputation and involvement in John’s life and in that of the Australian Literature is published. performance. University in general. APRIL: The James and Mary Emelia Mayne Equally vital was appointing a person Barbara has supported John as a vital Centre, created out of the former Mayne Hall, capable of changing the perception of member of “Team Hay” in his role as Vice- opens following a 12-month, $6.5 million the University as somewhat of a remote Chancellor, acting as a calming influence transformation which was made possible by ivory tower disengaged from Brisbane’s during periods of stress, often at his side a $5 million contribution from The Atlantic commercial and industrial community and at functions in Australia and overseas, and Philanthropies. Professor Hay is instrumental aloof from the Queensland Government. also making sure that his presence was in the building’s rebirth as the new home of The Selection Committee later that year felt at functions he was not able to attend the UQ Art Museum. was unanimous that John Hay, then Vice- personally. Chancellor of Deakin University, could achieve She has also contributed in her own JUNE: The Queensland Government those tasks and he took up the appointment right, often hosting the partners of visiting announces initial funding of $9.5 million on January 1, 1996. dignitaries, promoting events and exhibitions towards a Centre for Advanced Animal Twelve years on, to say that Senate’s faith and through serving on the St Leo’s College Sciences at the Gatton campus. Completion in the appointment has been repaid in spades Council. is scheduled for July 2008. would be an underestimation. Barbara has been a kind, gracious and AUGUST: Appointed Chair of the Board Others will no doubt catalogue John’s hardworking member of our community and of The Carrick Institute for Learning and achievements in detail. Suffice it to say that in paying this tribute to Team Hay I would Teaching in Higher Education. he has achieved everything he was asked to like, in particular to thank her on behalf of the do – and more. whole University. >

UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT //// SUMMERSUMMER 20072007 7 7 + STRATEGIC MOVES

Friendships the enduring legacy of 12 exciting years

While the University’s reputation has soared and its list of achievements in teaching and learning and research and commercialisation have been hallmarks of Professor John Hay’s years, he cites the friendship and support of his colleagues as the most important personal memory. // by Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay, AC

Looking back, it seems that I first thought time, I sought to establish policies and Centre, the transformed James and Mary seriously about The University of Queensland priorities that would occasion major changes Emelia Mayne Centre housing UQ’s superb in 1994, when it was suggested I apply for in the quality of both the buildings and Art Museum, a program of scholarships for the position of Vice-Chancellor. In the year grounds of UQ. It is no secret that, in my first Vietnamese students and much else. between my being appointed and coming months at UQ, I was dismayed by many of What has excited and gratified me up to Brisbane in January 1996 with my the things that had been built on the St Lucia most about many of these new projects is wife Barbara and our young twins, Ben and campus and quietly determined that, at the that all of the architects involved designed Tim, I had little time to balance the opinions end of my time here, things would be better. buildings that fulfilled the hopes of the staff of my colleagues and friends who thought Thanks to Alasdair McClintock and his staff, and students who were to work in them and UQ offered exciting challenges and those wonderful changes have taken place. enhanced significantly the aesthetic quality who, to put it circumspectly, thought my Just over a decade ago, the then Lord of the campus. Moreoever, the new projects decision ill-advised. Twelve exhilarating Mayor, Jim Soorley, arranged a meeting attracted to UQ unprecedented numbers years later, it now seems that even my most at Brisbane’s Irish Club (the day before of outstanding new staff and students from optimistic expectations fell far short of what St Patrick’s Day) between Chuck Feeney prestigious international institutions as well as came to pass as UQ achieved new levels of and me which saw the beginning of an from envious sister universities in Australia. excellence and an enviable reputation both extraordinary stream of support from the It has been, of course, immensely within and beyond Australia. Many of my Atlantic Philanthropies for major UQ projects gratifying to have seen UQ’s income from dreams and aspirations, like those of many of that has had no equal in Australia. By competitive research grants increase my colleagues, came to fruition. committing UQ to match every dollar given dramatically, its performance in winning For as long as I can remember, literature, to it by the Atlantic Philanthropies and by more awards for excellence in teaching and the arts and the challenge of new ideas have my persuading, first, Premier Rob Borbidge learning than the nation’s second and third compelled my imagination, just as the aspiration and then, most significantly, Premier Peter best performing universities combined and to teach and undertake research shaped my Beattie to do the same (and much more) its new research institutes and teaching and life. For me, the greatest privileges of being a through his inspirational Smart State policy, it learning spaces recognised as international Vice-Chancellor are the company of men and became possible for UQ to embark upon the benchmarks for excellence and innovation. women imbued with a passion for ideas and construction of a nationally unprecedented But my most cherished memories are the opportunity to act as a committed advocate series of research institutes, the new UQ the enduring, personal ones that have made for those ideas in a manner that leads to UQ part of my life: the friendship and support tangible and significant outcomes. of the Chancellor, Sir Llewellyn Edwards Starting my time at UQ by changing and his many colleagues on the UQ Senate; dramatically its academic and administrative the pleasure and privilege of working with structures and by introducing policies “THE GREATEST PRIVILEGES OF the strongest senior executive group in which called for teaching, research and any Australian university: Paul Greenfield administrative priorities to be identified and BEING A VICE-CHANCELLOR (whom I am delighted to acknowledge as my used to determine the distribution of funding ARE THE COMPANY OF MEN successor), Michael Keniger, David Siddle, may have seemed a risky move. But since, AND WOMEN IMBUED WITH A Trevor Grigg, Douglas Porter, Alan Rix, Mark under the leadership of my predecessor, Gould, Debbie Terry and Linda Bird; the Brian Wilson, UQ already had a fine PASSION FOR IDEAS AND THE dedication and tolerance of my small office reputation in both teaching and research, it OPPORTUNITY TO ACT AS A staff, especially Jenny Reilly and Tara Kitch seemed to me appropriate to invite the staff and, above all, the love and support of my at UQ to play a key role in determining such COMMITTED ADVOCATE FOR family, Barbara, Chris, Kate, Tim and Ben. matters. The level of consensus achieved THOSE IDEAS” More than anyone, it is Barbara who has was remarkable and the outcomes have shared most of my life and shaped it in ways proved exceptionally resilient. At the same that no words can ever express adequately. //

8 UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 At the media launch of 2005 the UQ Art Museum’s MARCH: Appointed to the Council of the Our Way, Contemporary National Library of Australia. Aboriginal Art from MARCH: Awarded the Honorary Degree of Lockhart River exhibition, Doctor of Letters from his alma mater, the May 2007 University of Western Australia. JUNE: Appointed to the Board of the Brisbane Girls’ Grammar School. 2006 AUGUST: During a Queensland election campaign, the government makes a re- election pledge to invest $100 million in a Translational Research Institute at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. The facility will house UQ’s Diamantina Institute for Cancer, Immunology and Metabolic Medicine, along Art and architecture Commercial success with other Centres. Professor Hay and by Philip Bacon, by David Henderson, Diamantina Director Professor Ian Frazer were Art dealer and philanthropist Managing Director, UniQuest Pty Ltd instrumental in securing government support for the project. rs Longa, Vita Brevis. If indeed life is short he Vice-Chancellor has been very supportive Aand art long, as Hippocrates so famously Tof the University’s commercialisation agenda SEPTEMBER: Announces construction states in his aphorism of 400BC, then John and has presided over UQ during a period of ready to start on the $66 million UQ Centre Hay’s most long-lived achievement may very massive changes and growth in this activity. for Clinical Research, funded by The Atlantic well be the stunning James and Mary Emelia John Hay had been at UQ for barely a week Philanthropies, the Queensland Government Mayne Centre, conjured up from the ageing and when he was asked to approve a $5 million and UQ. The building is due to open in redundant Mayne Hall just three years ago. investment in UniQuest. At the time, there were January 2008. In the overall scheme of the huge building no other Australian universities engaging in OCTOBER: Premier Beattie opens the projects undertaken during the Vice-Chancellor’s commercialisation ventures on this scale, so it $70 million Australian Institute for tenure, this new home for the University Art was an enormous demonstration of trust and Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. Museum could perhaps be one of the smaller; yet vision by the Vice-Chancellor. DECEMBER: Official opening of The Eleanor to my mind it ranks amongst his most important Even though the company had been Schonell Bridge. achievements. From the body of the old hall, and formed in 1984, it was this injection of funds in fighting those who wanted things to stay as they 1996 which has been the key to the company were, John wrought a magic transformation. evolving into the entity it is today. 2007 The use of natural light is a triumph in this The University’s commercialisation MARCH: Announces UQ’s celebration of 2007 space. Natural light is sometimes seen as the performance, currently generating revenue in as a year of special focus on Aboriginal and enemy when architects work on art galleries, excess of $50 million a year, makes UQ a leader Torres Strait Islander issues to mark the 40th but not in this case. Visitors move through in Australia and among the top 10 percent of anniversary of the referendum of May 27, the gallery in a naturally intuitive way, able to universities worldwide. 1967. appreciate the “bones” of the old building, while John also backed UniQuest sharing its enjoying the dramatic changes. expertise with the University of Wollongong APRIL: Awarded an Honorary Doctorate by This vision was only realised through via a collaboration, strengthening the the Queensland University of Technology. single-minded persistence, not just with the commercialisation programs of both. MAY: The Australian Government commits planning, but also with fundraising. John’s Among examples of UQ’s commercialisation $100 million to match the Queensland friend Chuck Feeney answered the call, successes are the cervical cancer vaccine, Government’s funding for the Translational contributing $5 million. Gardasil™, and the Positive Parenting Program Research Institute at the Princess Alexandra John and Chuck also decided to create a (Triple P). As of August, 10 million Gardasil™ Hospital. National Collection of Artist’s Self-Portraits, and vaccinations had been administered in 80 this has begun to achieve a real and unique countries while Triple P is used in 15 countries JUNE: Queensland Premier Peter Beattie status amongst art museums across Australia. and has been translated into 14 languages. makes Professor Hay a “Queensland Great”, Self-portraiture is an in-turned art, and UniQuest staff numbers have quadrupled recognising that his lifetime achievements there is something strange lurking on the edge from 20 in 1996 to 80 and the service offered have played a significant role in the history between the seer and the seen. The attempt to to researchers is far more extensive than it was and development of the “Smart State”. confront death may be soberingly honest, but it 12 years ago. JULY: Volume III of the Bibliography of causes in itself a kind of consolation. Most of UQ’s 50 or so start-up companies Australian Literature published. “The work lives” (even when the artist have been established during John’s term. I doesn’t) and this is always the hope implicit would also like to commend him for his backing AUGUST: Appointed as Chair of the LH Martin in any act of making. This too will be John’s of Uniseed which has become a model for Institute. reward. He has “made” so many works of art, university companies managing early stage NOVEMBER: The $63 million Queensland of architecture, and of creative thought. investment funds. Brain Institute, the $66 million UQ Centre for I began with only the first four words of Uniseed began as a joint venture between Clinical Research, and stage one of the $33 Hippocrates’ aphorism. It says in full: “Life UQ and the University of Melbourne in 2000 and million Centre for Advanced Animal Science is short; and art long; the crisis fleeting; now includes the University of New South Wales. are all officially opened. experience perilous, and decision difficult. The At formation, Uniseed was the first specialist DECEMBER: Awarded an Honorary Doctorate physician must not only be prepared to do what pre-seed commercialisation fund for university by The University of Queensland. is right himself, but also to make the patient, the technology in Australia. The company recently attendants and externals cooperate.” attracted Western Australia’s largest private sector DECEMBER: Appointed as Chair of the This surely is what John Hay has done so superannuation fund, Westscheme, as an investor Queensland Art Gallery Board of Trustees. very well. in a $15 million partnership.

UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 9 + CUTTING EDGE Slug sex cocktail

Now you see A potent mix of chemicals acts like them...(from a cross between Chanel No 5 and left) Dr Haine Viagra—but only if you are a sea slug. and Dr Olsen Dr Scott Cummins, a postdoctoral fellow in UQ’s School of Integrative Biology, is among a team of researchers who are studying the chemical pheromones, which help the near-blind sea creatures find each other and stimulates them to mate. The protein pheromones have now been appropriately named as attractin, enticin, temptin and seductin. “If we can understand how pheromones work in sea slugs — how the slugs detect them and how they influence slug behaviour — we may be able to enhance the management of similar marine animals in aquaculture,” Dr Cummins said. “We may also be able to develop powerful new tools to eliminate pest species by disrupting this form of communication.” Teleportation breakthrough in two places Sea slugs spend most of their time alone on the ocean floor. But during Teleportation, a concept popularised in the also made a breakthrough in the technology summer, something triggers hundreds original Star Trek television series, is edging driving teleportation and super computers. of them to gather to breed, in a “party” closer to reality. They have produced a state where light lasting for days, Dr Cummins said. Two groups of UQ researchers are in beams appear to be on and off (or superposed) “Exactly how sea slugs signal each international collaborative projects involving the at the same time. other that it’s time to gather has long once-fictional concept. This is vital for developing the next been a mystery,” he said. Researchers from UQ’s Australian Research generation of super computers, which should “We found that they developed an Centre for Quantum Atom Optics (Dr Ashton be faster than current computers based on bits ingenious and potent solution to finding Bradley, Dr Simon Haine and Dr Murray Olsen) that are either on or off. a mate — they released a cocktail and Australian National University (Joseph UQ’s Dr Hyunseok Jeong devised the of small proteins as a pheromone Hope) have proposed a new way of teleporting scheme to generate and superpose the beams, message.” matter waves. which was proved by his French collaborators. This discovery is the first example “We propose a scheme which allows an Dr Jeong said his group used special of a multi-component attraction atom laser beam to disappear at one location lasers, crystals, photon detectors, half-mirrors pheromone used by a marine animal. and reappear at another,” Dr Bradley said. and other optical devices to generate and “We feel that our scheme is closer in spirit measure the superposition of light beams. to the original fictional concept,” Dr Haine said. He said the research would accelerate Researchers from UQ’s Centre for Quantum development of quantum information Computer Technology and Laboratory Charles technologies such as computers, cryptography Fabry of the Institute of Optics in France have and teleportation.

“We believe Aussie Colours has the Bush growth industry potential to become a global company that UQ is providing salvation for drought-affected promotes and markets Australian native plants gardens – in the form of three exciting new all around the world,” he said. native blooms from the Queensland bush. Among its features, the range flowers year- The three drought and cold hardy plant round, producing large and attractive conical cultivars were developed from the Australian flowers with a malted-honey aroma. species Ptilotus nobilis by the Centre for Native Once established, the plants require little Floriculture (CNF) at the Gatton campus. water and as well as being suitable for a wide Named Poise, Passion and Purity range of soil and climatic conditions, can thrive respectively for their pink, purple and cream as either pot or bedding plants. flowers, the plants are the first releases from Director of the CNF, Professor Daryl Joyce, the Outback Princess range being marketed said he had high hopes the range would be by Aussie Colours, a creation of UQ’s main the first of many Australian species to excite commercialisation company, UniQuest Pty Ltd. consumers. UniQuest Managing Director David “Ornamental plants are fashion items and Henderson said the company would help the marketplace is constantly seeking new, ensure innovative native plant varieties had the different and exciting products,” Professor best chance of success in the marketplace. Joyce said.

10 UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 Rocks of ages hands rocks that contain remains of some of the earliest forms of life on Earth.” UQ researchers have identified microbial A comparison with organic matter remains in some of the oldest preserved from rocks of similar age in South Africa organic matter on Earth, confirmed to be also yielded microbial remains identical to 3.5 billion years old. those from the Pilbara, further confirming The UQ team, led by School of the UQ work. Physical Sciences scientists Dr Miryam This was achieved with the Glikson and Associate Professor Sue collaboration of Dr Axel Hofmann from Golding as well as Associate Professor the University of Kwazulu, South Africa, Lindsay Sly from the School of Molecular and Dr Robert Bolhar formerly of the and Microbial Sciences, is the first to University of Canterbury, New Zealand. conclusively confirm the nature and source of the organic material. “What we have found is the first visual confirmation of primitive microbial communities in what is considered to be the best preserved ancient organic matter on our planet,” Dr Glikson said. Dr Golding, Director of UQ’s Stable Isotope Laboratory in the Division of Earth Sciences, said previous studies used indirect analytical methods only able to suggest microbial involvement. Heart of problems “We used difficult and time- consuming electron microscope Dr Anita Thomas and her colleagues at techniques to conclusively confirm the UQ’s Australian Institute of Bioengineering microbial remains,” Dr Golding said. and Nanotechnology (AIBN) have “The integration of observational and discovered a way to precisely deliver micro-analytical techniques is unique to drugs to blockage sites in arteries our approach.” – preventing complications after surgery to The core drilling samples from treat heart disease. Western Australia’s Pilbara region were Within six months of heart disease collected by PhD student, Lawrie Duck, surgery, up to 60 percent of patients suffer who said it was amazing to “hold in your from their arteries re-blocking. The technique developed by the AIBN team uses antibodies linked to the drugs to ensure they are deposited in the arteries where doctors want them, rather Professor Srinivasan and his team have than places in the body where they can spent more than two decades unlocking the have unacceptable side effects. mysteries of bee vision and navigation, and Cardiovascular diseases — which can are now investigating how bee emotions, lead to heart attack, angina and stroke particularly aggression, can improve robotics. — are the biggest single preventable Research of aggressive bees was killer in the developed world. Most of unprecedented, he said. Worker bees are the diseases are due to the blockage of generally docile – until a guard bee protecting arteries by cholesterol-rich thickenings. the hive emits an alarm hormone to signal the “Surgical techniques have been hive is endangered. developed to remove these blockages, “Normal bees are fairly peaceful but in up to 60 percent of patients they re- when they go out hunting for food, but occur within six months,” said Dr Thomas. the moment they get a whiff of alarm “We thought we could use drugs to pheromone from a guard bee, the entire prevent this, but they had to be carefully colony mobilises,” Professor Srinivasan said. targeted.” “The flight dynamic changes and they Dr Thomas and Professor Julie become like little fighter aircrafts or missiles.” Campbell observed that the protein fibrin, Bees’ small but smart brains and nervous which is found in blood clots, is deposited systems have evolved a “visuomotor” system in arteries within 10 minutes of surgery to enabling them to track moving objects with remove the original blockage. Bees add pinpoint accuracy. They then confirmed that fibrin could Professor Srinivasan’s research has be used to attract antibodies, which they buzz to robotic flight previously been funded by NASA and now has linked to drugs to prevent an artery from Angry bees that fly like mini-missiles could map funding from the US Air Force, and its practical becoming re-blocked. the future of unmanned aircraft and planetary potential is diverse. The targeted delivery of these drugs explorer robots. It could be used for aerial coastal was effective in preventing re-blocking, Professor Mandyam Srinivasan, Professor surveillance, weather monitoring and minerals and also stopped the drug being of Visual Neuroscience at UQ’s Queensland exploration, and to reduce the risk to soldiers dispersed within the blood stream. Brain Institute, will lead a $2.5 million project involved in peace-keeping and combat Because the drug is concentrated to improve robot technology including situations, who might one day have portable where it is of most value, it can be used in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), through better UAVs to send on reconnaissance missions. low doses with minimal side effects. It also understanding of bee behaviour. The research could also lead to planetary helps the blood vessel lining heal quickly. He won the $1.25 million 2007 Smart State explorer robots that are able to behave Premier’s Fellowship, matched by UQ funding. autonomously, in the same way as insects.

UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 11 BRAIN GAIN The newly-opened Queensland Brain Institute building at the St Lucia campus has been purpose-built to enable more than 200 neuroscientists to conduct collaborative research with each other and with colleagues at the University’s other world-class research institutes. // by Brad Turner

QBI research assistant Dr Clare Underwood and Dr Tim Silk

Premier Anna Bligh officially opened the latest world’s finest neuroscientists to consolidate Premier Bligh said the State Government’s addition to the University’s world-class cluster promising research on mental and neurological $20 million funding was an “an investment in the of research powerhouses, the $63 million disorders. future health of Queenslanders and, ultimately, Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), at St Lucia on “Since the QBI began work in 2003, it the citizens of our world.” November 19. has advanced towards achieving its goal of The QBI was the fourth new state-of-the The seven-storey building was purpose- becoming the Asia-Pacific’s foremost brain art research institute building to open at the built for neuroscience research, and funded research facility,” Professor Hay said. University’s St Lucia campus in as many years. by the Queensland Government, The Atlantic “Under the leadership of Professor Bartlett, The Institute for Molecular Bioscience Philanthropies and the University. QBI researchers have attained more than $50 opened in 2003, the Sustainable Minerals The QBI was founded in 2003 and is million in competitive Australian Government Institute in the Sir James Foots Building in 2005, headed by Australian Research Council research grants. and the Australian Institute for Bioengineering Federation Fellow, UQ Foundation Chair in “They have attracted neuroscience and Nanotechnology in 2006. Molecular Neuroscience and Fellow of the expertise to the extent that one-quarter of the Designed by John Wardle and Associates Australian Academy of Science, Professor Perry 24 QBI group leaders are new to Australia and and Wilson Architects and built by Watpac, the Bartlett. 19 are new to Queensland.” building was completed on-schedule and to Professor Bartlett said it was “a privilege to Professor Hay said disorders of the brain budget. establish one of world’s premier neuroscience and nervous system afflicted more than 1.8 The building’s design is based on a “theatre institutes, and to have the support from the billion people globally. for research” theme, with open interaction University to recruit outstanding people.” “Dementia alone claims 160,000 spaces pressed against the building edge, “Our vision is to understand the Australians, and conditions such as depression exposing the internal activity of research and fundamental mechanisms of the brain, gaining and trauma take a toll on the young as well as exploration to the community. new insights into functions such as memory older people,” he said. The building also boasts an artwork entitled and learning,” he said. “Motivated to seek preventions and cures, Out of Mind by Fiona Hall. The digital graphic UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay, QBI scientists concentrate on fundamental design is incorporated into a four-storey internal AC, said the QBI building enabled some of the molecular and physiological brain functions.” glass wall. //

12 UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 The QBI foyer

Left: Dr Massimo Hilliard and Janelle Scown in the the Flow Cytometry facility. Centre: The building exterior. Right: QBI Director Professor Perry Bartlett

about the QUEENSLAND BRAIN INSTITUTE

The QBI brings together 10 inter-related research approaches under one roof. In an Australian first, QBI neuroscientists will be part of a unique nexus of collaboration and advanced technology, working to provide key insights into molecular brain function.

> NEURAL PLASTICITY – the brain’s ability to > NEURAL STEM LABORATORY – > VISUAL NEUROSCIENCE – make new connections and even new nerve efforts are under way at QBI to understand, an understanding of visual processing in cells is the basis of important functions such at a molecular and cellular level, how the insects may provide simple, novel solutions as memory and learning. human body generates neural stem cells and to problems in machine vision and artificial how these cells’ actions are regulated in the intelligence. Visual neuroscience also investigates > SYNAPTIC PLASTICITY – investigating the adult central nervous system, both under neural changes essential to learning and the design of biologically inspired algorithms normal conditions and following disease or memory formation. Of particular interest for ‘seeing’ machines, and the development of degeneration. is the physiology and cell biology of the autonomously navigating robots. circuits associated with fear-related learning. > COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE – > COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIOURAL seeks to discover the fundamental principles > NEURAL MIGRATION – studies the NEUROSCIENCE – investigates the underlying the remarkable computational molecular guidance systems which play mechanisms of selective attention, which abilities of biological nervous systems. We are pivotal roles in the guidance of axonal are crucial to virtually all aspects of everyday particularly interested in the computational projections and neural stem cells throughout behaviour and cognition. rules governing neural development. the developing brain. > AGEING AND BRAIN DISORDERS – > CORTICAL DEVELOPMENT LABORATORY > NERVE CELL SURVIVAL LABORATORY QBI scientists are leaders in stem cell – investigates how the brain becomes wired – molecular mechanisms that control the research and are currently researching ways up during development. QBI is focusing on survival/death of neurons, and particularly to stimulate the production of new functional the development of the cerebral cortex, a the processes that occur during the nerve cells to overcome diseases such as region of the brain where all higher order development of the nervous system during dementia (particularly Alzheimer’s disease), cognition is processed. naturally occurring cell death. stroke and motor neurone disease.

UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 13 + CAMPUS NEWS Eureka moment UQ’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor UQ Business School’s Professor (Academic), Professor Michael Keniger, Mark Dodgson has been awarded said the University was proud to repeat the prestigious ATSE Clunies Ross its success in last year’s awards, again Eureka Prize for Leadership in receiving a 100 percent success rate Business Innovation. with nominations. Widely seen as Australia’s most “Each of the nine nominations UQ important science prizes, the Eureka made were rewarded, recognising Prizes were established in 1990 by achievement across a diverse range the Australian Museum to reward of areas including social science, excellence in the fields of research law, physics, human movement and and innovation, science leadership, veterinary science – and this is a school science, and science reflection of the breadth of quality journalism and communication. teaching at UQ,” Professor Keniger Professor Dodgson, who has said. been researching innovation for more UQ’s recipients included six than 20 years, said he was thrilled to individuals and three teaching teams, be one of the few non-scientists to with each citation accompanied by win a Eureka Prize. $10,000 prize money. “Innovation is about taking The individual UQ winners were: the great science the Eureka Prize Dr Rob Pensalfini (School of English, celebrates and turning it into products Media Studies and Art History); Dr and processes that will make Noriko Iwashita (School of Languages Australia competitive in the global and Comparative Cultural Studies); Dr economy,” he said. Nickolas James (School of Law); Dr Margaret Wegener (School of Physical Sciences); Dr Murray Phillips (School of Human Movement Studies); and Dr David Ip (School of Social Science). The teams were: Dr Jason Connor Teachers excel on (School of Psychiatry), Dr Jennifer Fitzgerald national stage (Schools of Psychology and Psychiatry) and Associate Professor Charles Mitchell UQ teachers were singled out for exceptional (School of Medicine); Dr Paul Mills (School standards of teaching with nine Carrick of Veterinary Science), Dr Andrew Bradley Citations for Outstanding Contributions to (School of Information Technology and Student Learning awarded in August. Electrical Engineering), Dr Peter Woodall Now in their second year, the awards are an and Dr Shan Lloyd (School of Veterinary initiative of the Australian Government as part Science); and Dr Peter Newcombe, Astrid of a commitment to recognising and rewarding Sirowatka, Professor Tian Oei, Dr John teaching excellence in the higher education McLean and Associate Professor Virginia sector. Slaughter (School of Psychology).

chemistry, medicine, veterinary science and In contrast, the new facility provides 3375 Future arrives at natural resource courses. square metres spread over four floors. It caters bioscience library University Librarian and Director of Learning for diverse learning experiences where printed Services, Keith Webster, said the original library and digital information is combined in an entirely Fresh from a $13.5 million facelift, the designed by Robin Gibson, was built in the user-focused environment. refurbished Biological Sciences Library at UQ’s mid-1970s. “Students work collaboratively in spaces St Lucia campus is proving a hit with students. “At that time, libraries were essentially that support today’s social and learning The building was re-opened by the warehouses for printed materials and places for patterns,” Mr Webster said. Executive Director of the Garvan Institute of quiet study,” Mr Webster said. “These spaces include discussion rooms Medical Research, Professor John Shine, AO, “There were no group discussion areas complete with data-projectors and plasma in July. or computers. The card catalogue reigned screens, three training rooms, more than 200 The Biological Sciences Library is one of supreme. The service model was based on the computers, a graduate study centre, AV booths, the largest of UQ’s 13 branch libraries and is the counter metaphor in which the customer was and both individual and group study spaces.” latest to be refurbished. ‘served’ by staff from behind a counter.” It is used by students studying biology,

1414 UQUQ –– GRADUATEGRADUATE CONTACTCONTACT //// SUMMERSUMMER 20072007 New Indigenous Weight for Beijing Health Centre UQ SPORT scholarship holder and veterinary science student, Amanda Phillips, has her A new Centre for Indigenous Health sights firmly set on the 2008 Beijing Olympics at UQ is uniquely placed to attract after dominating the 75kg division at the recent Indigenous students to health National Weightlifting Championships. professions and generate real health Representing the Cougars Weightlifting benefits for communities. Club, Ms Phillips managed 84kg in the snatch Centre Director, Professor Cindy and 106kg in the clean and jerk to give her a Shannon, Chair of the National total of 190kg, beating her nearest competitor Indigenous Sexual Health Committee, by 35kg. said the Centre would facilitate cross- But despite her impressive performance, disciplinary awareness of Indigenous the 26-year-old said she was hoping to make health issues and enable students from more of statement in the lead-up to next year’s a range of health disciplines to gain Olympic Games. first-hand experience in Indigenous “I was pleased, although it didn’t really communities. reflect how my training’s been going. I was “This will be achieved through expecting a slightly higher performance as far curriculum review, marketing and as personal bests but it’s always tricky when recruitment initiatives and student you’re in more of a team event,” she said. placements in Indigenous health settings,” she said. “Partnerships with Queensland Health and the peak body for Aboriginal community controlled health services in No crocodile tears for retired adventurer Queensland (QAIHC) will be vital to the success of these initiatives.” UQ zoologist, bush adventurer and mentor boards, won major zoological awards, Professor Shannon said the Centre to generations of students, Professor Gordon produced 170 peer-reviewed publications and would facilitate the integration of Grigg, retired on August 31. taught 88 postgraduate students, most of Indigenous health in curriculums across The pioneering zoologist, known for his whom have forged successful science careers. the Faculty, which offers programs in-the-field research, has dived with crocodiles, He is proudest of work, with colleagues and in dentistry, health and rehabilitation counted kangaroos from the air, tracked camels postgraduate students, which discovered that sciences, human movement studies, by satellite, caught alligators in Brazil, trailed crocodiles had salt glands and special hearts pharmacy, medicine, nursing and echidnas in the snow of Mount Kosciusko and and that echidnas hibernated in winter. midwifery, and population health. twice explored the Antarctic. This has led to publications proposing new The Centre aimed to generate Professor Grigg was an early supporter of ideas about how warm-bloodedness evolved. interest and demand in Indigenous limiting kangaroo and crocodile populations Professor Grigg gained his pilot’s licence health careers, and boost numbers of through farming and using technology to in 1974, initially to support Professor Harry Indigenous health graduates, she said. remotely gather data on wild animals. Messel’s crocodile research projects and later, Professor Shannon said the His long association with UQ began in for aerial surveys of kangaroos and camels. 2008 intake would be the first cohort 1960 as a Bachelor of Science student who With kangaroo counters Lyn Beard and of students to benefit from the new continued with Honours before heading to the Tony Pople, Professor Grigg found the missing initiatives. United States for his PhD. UQ HyShot I scramjet engine and rocket Student scholarships and health He taught at the University of Sydney remains near Coober Pedy in 2002. cadetships were being considered to before returning to UQ in 1989 for 10 years as Professor Grigg will continue as an Emeritus attract Indigenous students, she said. Head of Zoology, and served on the UQ Senate Professor, as well as being on the scientific for seven years until 2005. advisory panel of the proposed Freshwater He has advised government environmental Species Conservation Centre near Gympie.

Professor Grigg makes friends with a guanaco during a trip to South America, 2005. Photo courtesy Professor Grigg UQUQ – – GRADUATE GRADUATE CONTACT CONTACT // // SUMMER SUMMER 2007 2007 15 15 BRIGHT Almost one-third of all Australian Research Council (ARC) Federation Fellows at UQ have previously been recognised with UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards. The awards, introduced in 1999 and designed to nurture early-career researchers, are this year worth a total of SPARKS $505,000.

ENZYME ENQUIRIES FULL MEDICAL PICTURE TAKING IT PERSONALLY

A UQ biophysical chemist is Complementary treatment use Dispensing and swallowing the working on new research which one is high in regional Australia, but “bitter pill” of personal criticism is day may slow down or switch off patients often don’t tell their doctor, one of life’s less enjoyable but most certain diseases. according to a UQ researcher who important experiences. Dr Gary Schenk, from the will conduct the world’s first study UQ social psychologist, Dr School of Molecular and Microbial in this area. Matthew Hornsey, is out to fill an Sciences, has been awarded The study, by School of information vacuum surrounding $85,000 to study a group of Population Health social scientist, the best ways and circumstances in enzymes including one linked to the Dr Jon Adams, aims to help which to give and receive personal bone disease osteoporosis. improve rural health outcomes criticism using his $75,000 award. “An enzyme works like a by investigating the practices “The aim is to unlock the machine. You feed in a substrate and perspectives of regional psychological processes underlying (a particular molecule), the enzyme GPs regarding complementary defensiveness in the face of does something to it and out comes and alternative medicine (CAM) criticism, and to translate these a product,” Dr Schenk said. “If treatments such as acupuncture, insights into specific and usable you’re able to inhibit this enzyme’s naturopathy and herbal medicine. strategies for change,” he said. action, you can effectively combat Dr Adams, who has been “Conclusions drawn from the the disease associated with it.” awarded $85,000 for his research, research have implications for any Understanding how an enzyme said the results would be important works during a reaction is a key to context where criticism is delivered for rural health delivery because its use as a drug target, with the or received, including educational the high use of CAM could have mid-point (known as the transition institutions, workplaces, and in safety issues when combined with state) of particular interest. psychotherapy.” conventional healthcare. “Transition states are unstable He said former British Prime “GPs are key healthcare and difficult to study,” Dr Schenk Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, had providers, particularly in rural areas,” said. “One way we can explore captured the complex nature of the ‘shape’ of this state is by he said. criticism when he said it “may not using isotopes – atomic markers “It’s vitally important that they be agreeable, but it is necessary”. placed at particular positions in the have as much information as “On one hand, if we were substrate. possible about CAM and their never criticised, we might be “This modified molecule may patients’ use of CAM,” he said. condemned to repeat our mistakes have chemical properties different The study will examine a number and would be unlikely to reach our from those of the original, an of issues, including how many GPs potential. On the other, criticism is observation which can be used to practise CAM and refer patients inherently threatening and, if taken ‘visualise’ the transition state.” to CAM practitioners, what type in the wrong spirit, can lead to an From this, synthetic molecules of patients this is most likely to atmosphere of mistrust, hurt, and can be designed which mimic involve and GPs’ perceptions and denial,” Dr Hornsey said. the real thing and might stop the experiences of these treatments. He said because people tended reaction. Other key areas to be to shy away from potential for hurt, Dr Schenk will use the award to examined are the relationship of there was evidence that negative visit Utah State University, where he complementary and alternative feedback was not passed on, will collaborate with Professor Alvan medicine to rural GP training and particularly to people higher in a Hengge, a world leader in the field. education. status hierarchy.

16 UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 BLURRED EDGES SENSE OF TIMING CLEAN AND GREEN QUANTUM WHIRLPOOL

Dr Melissa Gregg has won $55,000 Scientific experiments by a UQ A novel technology to trap large- A UQ quantum physicist is to investigate how much the researcher have shown that our scale greenhouse gas emissions applying a new theory to an old internet and mobile technologies are own brain activity can influence our caused by coal mining and power problem. blurring our public and private lives sense of timing. generation is being developed by a Dr Matthew Davis, from the and creating real benefits. Work by Dr Derek Arnold, of UQ researcher. ARC Centre of Excellence for Dr Gregg, from UQ’s Centre the UQ School of Psychology, goes Dr John Zhu, Senior Lecturer at Quantum-Atom Optics within the for Critical and Cultural Studies, against a widely held belief that the School of Engineering, aims to School of Physical Sciences, is will follow the technology habits at activity in the cortex of the human develop a carbon nanotube (CNT) working on a new state of matter work and home of 30 white-collar brain does not influence how we membrane for gas separation that – a Bose-Einstein condensate – to workers in Brisbane during the next perceive time. will work like a sieve to separate further understand the very nature three years. Dr Arnold has been awarded high volumes of methane or carbon of the universe. She said people were increasingly a $60,000 award for a project dioxide from other gases. “The beauty of a Bose-Einstein being more intimate online by building on his recent work which Dr Zhu has received $85,000 condensate is that it is similar to a sharing their identities and personal has substantial implications for to advance this important research laser but made of matter,” Dr Davis information through sites such as understanding the mechanisms into clean energy and greenhouse said. Facebook, MySpace and blogs. involved in time perception. gas reduction. “It is a collection of atoms that “In online communities, “Clarifying the mechanisms Dr Zhu said that the CNT are perfectly coherent and have relationships become part of the CV involved in normal time perception technology was exciting because it the potential to be used in ultra- for which you are judged and the will obviously help in understanding would trap gases up to 100 times sensitive measurement devices.” testimonials of contacts are central situations where those mechanisms faster than existing separation Dr Davis’s work has been fail,” he said. to maintaining status,” she said. techniques and could therefore be recognised with a $60,000 award. “So, in addition to the “If I look attractive and used by large-scale plants such as “I’m very pleased that my considerable theoretical interesting enough to enough power stations. research record and proposed significance, this project may have people, then I will get a wider group “Conventional membranes project have been judged worthy of implications for our understanding of friends or contacts that I can then such as polymeric and metal the award,” Dr Davis said. of disorders associated with draw upon for further developments membranes, porous silica and Dr Davis said BECs were first impaired time perception, such as carbon molecular sieves all show predicted in the 1920s by Albert in my life.” autism, dyslexia and schizophrenia.” Einstein, but not realised in the She said her goal was to His recent work has examined a trade-off between how well they inform online policy and provide sensory changes that can only be separate gases and how much gas laboratory until many years later, material for a book about online detected because of activity in the they can process,” he said. in 1995. communities. cortex. “The CNT membranes can both His own particular interest is She also wants to show He has found that large changes separate effectively and process looking at how the BECs form and employers how their employees are can be detected more rapidly than large volumes of gas, making especially how quantum whirlpools, using technologies and how often smaller changes. He also found that them superior to conventional called vortices, are formed. online networking translates into job large changes seemed to occur membranes at the large scale “This will hopefully answer offers or other business. earlier than smaller changes. required for coal-fired power plants broader questions about the “People are constantly updating Dr Arnold was awarded his PhD or natural gas processing.” nature of certain types of phase their online profiles, which is a new in visual perception by Macquarie Dr Zhu was delighted to receive transitions, and will feed into form of labour, because they’re University in 2003 and worked at the award because of his dedication experiments being performed by investing in themselves for future, University College London before to advancing research in an area my collaborators at the University of unknown benefits,” she said. joining UQ 18 months ago. critical to the planet’s future health. Arizona,” he said.

UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 17 VET SCIENCE CAMPAIGN IN TOP GEAR

Animal research will be advanced and the entire Lockyer Valley community invigorated by the relocation of the UQ School of Veterinary Science’s core facilities from St Lucia to the Gatton campus by mid-2009. School of Veterinary Science Capital Campaign

The planned relocation of the University’s School of Veterinary Science from St Lucia to Gatton moved a step closer in October through a $3.5 million Federal Government grant. Federal Education Minister, Julie Bishop, Our vets... said the funding had been allocated to assist in the construction of the Veterinary Science enhancing the Equine Clinic and Hospital at Gatton. economic and Chair of the School of Veterinary Science emotional wellbeing Relocation to UQ Gatton Project Committee, 3 Professor Trevor Grigg, said the Equine Clinic of our country. and Hospital was an important part of the $75 million relocation development. Professor Grigg said the University was seeking further Federal and Queensland government support, as well as running a dedicated capital fundraising project. Professor Grigg said the University had already committed $20 million to the relocation, which was targeted for completion in mid-2009. “Relocating the core facilities of the School from St Lucia to the Gatton campus is a major undertaking,” he said. “Once completed, UQ Gatton will Enhancing undoubtedly host the most comprehensive the economic animal teaching and research facility in Australia and probably the Southern Hemisphere.” and emotional Professor Grigg said UQ had trained more wellbeing veterinary science students than any other of our country. Australian university, with graduates now working in 53 countries. The Capital Campaign President Top: An artist’s impression of the new Equine Clinic is philanthropist and retired prominent and Hospital and (above) the campaign booklet businessman, Dr John Reid, AO, and the University has appointed an experienced Campaign Director, Janice Wilson. “It is estimated the School will bring about art teaching facilities and modern research The campaign was officially launched at 700 additional people to the campus, many of infrastructure. Brisbane’s Customs House on November whom will live in the Gatton area,” he said. “It will increase the ability to integrate 26 at a luncheon for distinguished guests Once established, the School, in activities of the School with animal teaching representing government, the corporate sector, conjunction with the new CAAS (due for and research conducted within the CAAS, and wider community and the veterinary industry. completion in July 2008) would be a leading the schools of Animal Studies, Land, Crop and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Natural international facility, Professor Swift said. Food Science, and Natural and Rural Systems Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science “It will meet standards required for all Management, already based at Gatton,” he Professor Roger Swift, said relocation of the major accreditations of the veterinary science said. School’s core facilities to Gatton had significant program, including those of the United Kingdom “It will not only support the School’s vision, advantages. and North America,” he said. but will significantly enhance the School and Professor Swift said a $33 million Centre “In addition, the location of the Equine Campus contribution to the Lockyer/Brisbane for Advanced Animal Science (CAAS) was Hospital and Clinic at Gatton will result in Valley/Darling Downs communities.” also being developed at Gatton in conjunction growth of equine-related activities in the region.” For further information about the Relocation with the Queensland Department of Primary Professor Swift said the relocation Project, contact Janice Wilson on 61 7 3346 Industries and Fisheries. development would incorporate state-of-the- 7692 or [email protected] //

18 UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 Teachers foster love of learning

The University recognised a dedicated and inspirational group of academics at its annual “We have good teaching awards, held at Brisbane’s Customs incomes, we don’t House in October. live extravagantly, but we never seem The 2007 UQ Awards for Excellence + Wurley, published by University of to get ahead!” in Teaching and Awards for the Queensland Press, turns on its head a Enhancement of Student Learning widely held belief that Indigenous people recognised five individual winners and were devoid of houses or towns when two group winners. Europeans first reached Australia. – Your own Wealth Six commendations for excellence Awards for Excellence in Teaching Coach may be the in teaching were also announced at the ($10,000 each) winners were: awards ceremony at Brisbane’s Customs Dr Marie-Louise Dick (School of solution ! House. Medicine); Dr Madan Gupta (School of An outstanding winner of one of the Land, Crop and Food Sciences); Dr Cliff five Awards for Excellence in Teaching Mallett (School of Human Movement in 2007 was Director of the Aboriginal Studies); Associate Professor Paul Environments Research Centre within Memmott (School of Geography, Phone today for your UQ’s School of Geography, Planning and Planning and Architecture); and Dr Lisa complimentary session Architecture, Associate Professor Paul Nissen (School of Pharmacy). (includes a snapshot of your current Memmott. Commendations for Excellence in position, and how helping you create Dr Memmott also received a Teaching were presented to: Commendation for Excellence in Associate Professor Karen Healy wealth today today, can give you real Teaching (Indigenous Education) in (School of Social Work and Applied choices in your future) conjunction with his overall award. Human Sciences); Dr Matthew Hornsey Dr Memmott has inspired an (School of Psychology); Dr Jayne independent field of study into Aboriginal Keogh (School of Education); Dr Greg built environments against a wider social Marston (School of Social Work and One on one coaching to build reform context. Applied Human Sciences); and Professor your wealth. In 1998, he initiated Australia’s Philip Poronnik (School of Biomedical first curriculum on Aboriginal people- Sciences). Unbiased—we don’t sell environments in an architecture course. Awards for the Enhancement of investments The centre he heads is a national Student Learning ($10,000 each) went to: Secure your fi nancial future and international point of reference Masters of Arts (MA) in Japanese TODAY for resources on Indigenous housing, Interpreting and Translation e- architecture and a related set of socio- Learning Translation Project (School of cultural problems. Languages and Comparative Cultural Where possible, his teaching is also Studies); and The Industry Experience: informed by field experience – a recent Engaging Graduating Occupational initiative has been the establishment Therapy Students in Authentic Industry of the Arid Zone research station at Partnerships (Division of Occupational Camooweal in western Queensland. Therapy, School of Health and His recent book, Gunyah, Goondie Rehabilitation Sciences). Ipswich 1300 852 664 Brisbane Individual teaching award winners and enhancement of 1300 852 664 student learning team leaders Sydney are (back row, from left) Dr Lisa Nissen, 08 8875 7761 Desleigh de Jonge, Akiko Uchiyama, Dr Marie-Louise Dick, “Thank you to the Wealthyfrog team Dr Cliff Mallett and (front, for making so many things possible that from left) Yuki Sayeg, Dr Madan Gupta, we thought were out of our reach” Monica Moran, Greg and Nikki Wood Dr Merrill Turpin and Dr Paul Memmott. www.wealthyfrog.com.au AFSL No. 276895

UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 19 Ms Ward discusses New Star’s work with Professor Alan Lopez, head of the School of Population Health, during a visit to UQ in July

When Margaret Ward’s husband died suddenly, the trained nurse tried to take her mind off her grief by enrolling in UQ’s Master of Public Health (Tropical Health) program. A Masters research project took her to Cambodia for three months, and her journey continued through Sudan and Sierra Leone before ending in China’s industrial west. // By Anthony Anderton

NEW STAR FOR CHINA’S KIDS

“How do you even manage to live here?” It’s a best known in China as a key railway junction; Their harrowing stories reveal just how far off question UQ graduate, Margaret Ward, is often here lines bound for the east, west, north and the mark my observation has been – this is not asked by visitors. south intersect. a typical schoolyard and these are certainly not We are looking through the iron security Baoji is the crossroads of modern China; to typical children. grille of her tiny kitchen straight into the living the east and southeast lie the booming coastal They are what are now known in China as spaces of a neighbouring concrete apartment provinces and cities, to the west and north the the “left behind children”, a growing army of tower. remote and poverty stricken hinterland. The young people set adrift by personal, economic The sky outside is gloomy, blanketed in a trains carry the lifeblood of China’s economic and social dislocation. stubborn haze ubiquitous to Chinese industrial boom; they also bring the street children. Chinese government statistics confirm that cities. We make a slow, careful descent down The moment we enter the gates of the as many as 30 million children have been “left a darkened stairwell – there is no lift – and Center, Ms Ward is engulfed by excited, behind” in remote rural towns and villages in the emerge on to the crowded, untidy streets of laughing children. After a few breathless care of elderly grandparents, relatives or friends Baoji. introductions to the children and staff, she – their parents part of a mass exodus of migrant This is the place the Australian nurse and leaves me and I spend the rest of the morning workers flocking to major cities in search of volunteer now readily (and happily) calls “home”. with the children, sitting in on their lessons and work. In a city of almost four million, she is one of only watching them play before rejoining Ms Ward, Lacking income, basic resources and four or five foreigners. Virtually no English is the staff and children for lunch. denied access to proper education and health spoken. Just her appearance on the street can A good-natured squabble breaks out over care, many of the children take to the road to draw a curious audience – foreign faces are a which table Ms Ward will sit at; a small boy escape harsh conditions or in the vain hope of rare sight in Baoji. quickly grabs my hand and delightedly leads me finding their parents in far-off cities. The lucky She bustles me aboard a local bus and I back to his table. Lunch over, the children rush ones find their way to New Star. make a cross-town commute Ms Ward has outside to play basketball, skipping games, or Some are refugees from truly tragic made every day for the past two-and-a-half table tennis. Those rostered on daily chores circumstances; there are victims of physical years. Our destination is the Baoji Xinxing (New help to clean up and tidy their dormitories. Then and emotional abuse, children with disabilities Star) Center for Street Kids, where Ms Ward has it’s back to class. rejected after a divorce leads to remarriage, a worked since she arrived in China in 2005. In the administration office, I remark to child left orphaned by the suicide of a single Looking out the bus window, it is obvious Ms Ward that this could be a typical happy, parent, and children kidnapped by gangs and Baoji is no beauty spot, nor does it have any functional schoolyard just about anywhere. forced into crime or prostitution. They come claims to cultural or historic importance. It is But then she hands me profiles of the children. from the remote, poorer central and western

20 UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 Life-defining “WHEN THEY COME TO US experience SOME ARE JUST DEADPAN // By Penny Robinson FACES, THEY ARE DAMAGED, SOME ARE MUTE, SOME Working with Chinese “street kids” would presumably be both eye- ARE SUFFERING FROM POST opening and tough, but UQ graduate TRAUMATIC STRESS SYNDROME Kirsten Grass describes it as one of the best experiences of her life. – THEY ARE EMOTIONALLY, Ms Grass was a volunteer PSYCHOLOGICALLY AND psychologist at the XinXing Aid for PHYSICALLY TRAUMATISED” Street Kids Center in Baoji between June and August this year. She had the opportunity to meet Margaret Ward whilst on the volunteer trip, who she describes as both “wonderful and inspiring.” “Unfortunately, I only got to work with her at the Center for a couple of weeks because soon after I arrived she left for Australia for a fund-raising road-trip,” Ms Grass said. “She really is an amazing woman – so inspiring. She shows a great amount of resilience after living in Baoji for two years, and complete dedication for the children.” XinXing, or New Star, is dedicated to providing support and rehabilitative services for Chinese street children and assists in returning them to their families. Ms Grass said children came to the Center with many different stories. “Some have been abused by their families and have run from home. Some children have been kidnapped from the north and are taken to large cities to work as thieves and sex workers, without being able to contact their families. “Many parents move from their regions, and include non-Chinese-speaking home environment, and determine why the hometowns to find work in industrial Muslim children from Xinjiang Province in child ran away. cities, leaving their children with other China’s far west. Unit staff will then mediate, and counsel family members who may not want “When they come to us, some have dead carers and children. Only after visiting a home parenting responsibilities. pan expressions, they are damaged, some will they permit a child to return and no child “This often leads to the children are mute, and some are suffering from Post is returned to an unsafe environment. Children leaving home to find their parents, but Traumatic Stress Syndrome and are emotionally, under 16 are escorted by the team. instead winding up on the streets,” psychologically and physically traumatised,” Ms But for the most damaged children the Ms Grass said. Ward says. same process is fraught with complications, Ms Grass completed her Masters The team works with each child individually and is for some impossible. Ms Ward says in psychology earlier this year and is to build trust and confidence. Every child gets these children may remain at the Center currently looking for work in Brisbane a clean bed as well as food, medical care, indefinitely. as a clinical psychologist. regular classes and schoolwork, professional The approaches and methods used by counselling and music and art therapy. Ms Ward New Star might appear unremarkable to says one of the great rewards of the work is professionals in Australia but in China, they are seeing even the most damaged children regain positively revolutionary. their confidence and self-esteem. “New Star is unique in China,” says Ms For every child who walks through the Ward. Originally established by Medicins gates, New Star aspires to create a safe Sans Frontiers (MSF) in 1998, it is the only place.But for every child, the long-term goal organisation in China dedicated to working is to find them a sustainable life outside the with street children. No other organisation Center. For the majority, this means reuniting offers professional counselling, education or a them with their families or carers. Ms Ward structured process for returning children home. says being in their own home offers them the Existing agencies and relief centres are best possible future. neither equipped nor able to cope with the To achieve this, New Star set up a Social needs of street children. Investigation Unit which works to locate a Children are detained with adults, often in Ms Grass entertains the children and staff child’s origins, make contact with carers (if appalling conditions, then handed a train or bus at New Star possible), assess the circumstances of their ticket and moved to the next town. >

UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 21 “I FOUND AN INNER STRENGTH THAT I THOUGHT I DIDN’T HAVE, AND I DISCOVERED I HAD THE ABILITY TO ADAPT QUICKLY INTO A NEW LIFESTYLE” Ms Ward and New Star Executive Director Du Chengfei

> from previous page conferences to talk about New Star, and several regard for the team is undisguised. But as a One of New Star’s most important roles is relief centres have asked to visit. professional, she knows a heavy toll is being to create greater awareness and understanding Ms Ward also wants to see the New Star taken; “My fear is that people will burn out of the plight of these children. “I’ll say to a approach adopted across China. So far it’s – the health of the staff is a concern. I try to Chinese person that I work with street children, been a slow process, but there are signs that encourage them to understand that they need and the usual response is ‘Oh? Are there street the message is being heard. to put their hand up if things get too much,” she children in China?’” Ms Ward said. She says Ms Ward says she is buoyed by an said. street kids are usually either ignored or written invitation from government officials in Xian, the But what of the toll on Ms Ward? Despite off by the community as misfits or criminals. nearby capital of Shaanxi and one of China’s the heavy demands of her work and New Star’s “These are not bad children ... they are major tourist destinations, to advise on setting uncertain future, she is unflinchingly positive. tomorrow’s adults for China,” she says. up a center that adopts the New Star model. It is this optimism and resilience that have In 2005, MSF decided it would withdraw She says this is evidence that officials undoubtedly helped her through the toughest from the project. To the surprise of her MSF are beginning to accept that a new system times in her life; the sudden death of her colleagues, Ms Ward accepted an invitation is needed. Ms Ward says the recent decision husband – which plunged her into years of from the team and rejoined New Star through by PLAN International to support New Star is despair; daunting assignments with MSF in Australian Volunteers International. In the another breakthrough. some of the most heartbreaking trouble spots process, she pitched in to help New Star apply “PLAN will visit Xinxing to discuss forming of Africa (Uganda, Sudan and Sierra Leone); for Non Government Organisation (NGO) status a partnership where PLAN will assist Xinxing and now Baoji. – and help tackle the huge challenge of finding replicate in Xian,” she says. And when she talks about how her life funding and resources to keep it operating. But even as these positive signs appear, the has changed since she arrived in China – far Ms Ward’s title is Technical Adviser, a role biggest challenge remains a need for long-term removed from friends and family in Australia she describes as a “shadow” to the professional funding. – her optimism comes to the fore. staff. It is a transition she is determined to make In July this year, Ms Ward toured eastern From day one, Ms Ward admits Baoji was work. “I try to encourage the staff to make their Australia including Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne a real challenge. She arrived with the city in the own decisions and find their own solutions,” and regional centres in northern New South grip of a harsh Chinese winter. she says. Wales and north Queensland. She visited “There were no people on the streets – and One of the first people I meet at New Star schools, did radio and television spots, spoke all the shops and buildings were shuttered is an intense, quietly spoken man named Du at business lunches and to community groups, against the cold,” she says. She was plunged Chengfei. At just 32, he is the Executive Director and knocked on boardroom doors. into an unfamiliar culture, with no Chinese of New Star. Ms Ward says he epitomises The result has been a new wave of support language. the qualities of the young (all aged under 40), for New Star, including local fundraising drives, “I found an inner strength that I thought I professional and immensely committed Chinese donations of clothes and goods, and new links didn’t have,” she says. “And I discovered I had team. to major institutions such as UQ, where she met an ability to adapt quickly into a new lifestyle. I Originally recruited by MSF as an interpreter with Professor Alan Lopez, head of the School grew to love it here – and that surprised me. It’s in 1998, Ms Ward said Mr Du’s talents quickly of Population Health. Australian Volunteers home to me now.” blossomed. He is responsible for overall International has agreed to fund a new position One of the things that sustains her management and leadership. Mr Du tells me to support Ms Ward and her team. optimism is the astonishing response to her his dream is to have the experiences and skills Ms Ward says the team has already made appearance on the ABC’s Australian Story in developed at New Star used as a model and remarkable sacrifices. When MSF first pulled 2006. “People from all walks of life offered all replicated throughout the entire country. out, New Star was forced to let almost half its sorts of help,” she says, and she rattles off a Recognising the Center on its own can professional staff go. The remaining staff took list of examples: donations of money, woollen never hope to solve the problem of China’s voluntary pay cuts of up to 40 percent. winter clothes, blankets, musical instruments, street children. Mr Du says its greatest power They have willingly also shouldered extra computers, art supplies, and socks. While she is its ability to inspire others and serve as “a tasks, worked longer hours and even double is delighted her work in China has obviously beacon of hope”. shifts. Despite the pressure, Ms Ward says touched and inspired people, she struggles with Ms Ward believes the message is getting no-one has left – and the current team has the idea. “To accept that me – Margaret Ward through. volunteered to accept further cuts if needed. – could do something not everyone could do is Mr Du and the team are regularly invited to Ms Ward’s admiration and professional really hard for me to accept,” she said. //

22 UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 Leaving on high note

Several new opportunities await the long-serving head of UQ’s School of Music, who retires at the end of the year after almost four decades with the University. // by Cameron Pegg

The music of Philip Bracanin has found many Then considered a revolutionary approach, it fans over the years, but not all of them have caught the attention of the Queensland Education been as direct as Bruce Beresford. Department, who asked him to give school After hearing one of Professor Bracanin’s demonstrations before producing two films of his pieces on ABC radio in 2005, the director techniques for teachers across the state. of Driving Miss Daisy and Breaker Morant His hands-on style has proved popular tracked him down with a surprising request: ever since, attracting a large number of to ask if he’d collaborate on future film scores postgraduates from as far afield as Taiwan, and an opera based on the classic Australian Korea and the United States. novel The Fortunes of Richard Mahony. “I believe that students must have their own The offer is one of several new challenges sense of what they want to create, and my role PHYSIOTHERAPIST’S awaiting the long-serving head of UQ’s as a supervisor has been to foster and support School of Music, who retires at the end of the their creative endeavours,” he said. GIFT TO RESEARCH year after 37 years with the University. Professor Bracanin has written 14 concertos One of the University’s first physiotherapy Professor Bracanin said he had seen – among the most of any Australian composer. graduates is helping fund research into balance an incredible amount of change during his One of these – performed by former student problems that are common reasons for patients tenure, particularly when it came to using and renowned guitarist Karin Schaupp – won to be referred to today’s specialists. technology in the classroom. an Australasian Performing Right Association Ailsa Stubbs-Brown (nee Munro) was “Going back 10 years, a student would award for most-performed contemporary among the first group of students to enter the come for a composition lesson with a sheet classical work, while other pieces have featured new Physiotherapy course at the University in of manuscript paper with a sketch of what instruments from voice to oboe and didgeridoo. 1938, and the first to graduate in 1941. She recently made a significant donation they were working on,” he said. Regular University commissions have also to support clinical researchers in the Division “Now they come in with a USB and put it kept him busy, with recent projects including of Physiotherapy at UQ studying problems in the computer.” the creation of UQ’s graduation processional, with balance that can affect movement skills in Professor Bracanin began his career an original composition for the launch of children, adolescents, adults and older people. as a temporary lecturer in 1970, creating a David Malouf’s latest book, Typewriter Music, Dr Yvonne Burns AO, an honorary research series of short pastiche pieces for students and the world premiere of the St Lucia Suite consultant, said research undertaken in some to analyse and perform before attempting the – believed to be one of the only pieces scored adult age groups had shown that treatment process themselves. for string trio and string orchestra. improved balance, leading to fewer falls and “I find that I am probably happiest and greater participation in community activities. concentrating most when I’m writing a piece “Studies with children have been also of music,” he said. conducted where treatment of underlying co- “It just captures my attention and makes ordination and balance problems has improved me focus quite strongly in pursuing whatever their performance in age-appropriate activities compositional problem that needs to be at school, home and play,” Dr Burns said. “The donation will allow the investigation of solved.” // physiotherapy intervention outcomes across a range of diagnostic conditions and age groups, from left: Professor Bracanin, the Queensland with a focus on improving balance and motor Performing Arts Centre organ lit in UQ colours control to optimise participation in appropriate for the premiere of the St Lucia Suite, and a life activities.” section of the orchestra during the performance After graduation, Mrs Stubbs-Brown worked at the General Brisbane Hospital, now Royal Brisbane Hospital (RBH), and later worked in private practice in Brisbane. She has twice worked at UQ’s physiotheraphy department, firstly for eight years from 1942 as a lecturer and senior lecturer, and then from 1952 to 1972 as a part- time lecturer/demonstrator. Mrs Stubbs-Brown was on the Federal Council of the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) as the Queensland delegate from 1952 to 1974, and was made an honorary life member in 1973. She was appointed as the Australian representative to the World Confederation for Physical Therapy in 1967 and was elected to the executive for the 1970 to 1974 term.

UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 23 + GRADUATE NEWS Trio of new Greats join elite group UQ honoured three of its most successful graduates at the annual Courting the Greats Luncheon on September 26 at Brisbane Customs House. Dr Anna Straton was named Young Alumnus of the Year, Datuk Dr Rosti Saruwono the International Alumnus, and Dr Jackie Huggins, AM, the 2007 UQ Alumnus of the Year (see story this page). Dr Straton, a UQ Economics graduate, was recognised for her work as a research scientist for the CSIRO in the Northern Territory. “My degree at UQ has given me a solid theoretical and analytical basis for the understanding of a wide range of issues and questions that I find fascinating and that are important to the future of Australia,” Dr Straton said. She completed her Bachelor of Economics in 1998 and graduated with first-class honours in 1999. Her PhD thesis, which she completed in 2005, offered a new perspective on how to deal with environmental problems, and attracted significant attention. Dr Straton is a research scientist with the CSIRO and is involved in projects including the assessment of the social and Reconciliation pioneer rewarded economic values of Australia’s tropical rivers and property rights and greenhouse gas abatement on Aboriginal land. Reconciliation advocate and Indigenous “These were days when education was International Alumnus of the Year, leader, Dr Jackie Huggins, AM, has been free and they were quite different times Datuk Dr Rosti Saruwono, completed a named the 2007 University of Queensland politically, especially for Indigenous peoples,” Bachelor of Engineering in 1974. Alumnus of the Year. she said. Datuk Dr Rosti is Vice President of the Known internationally for her work as an “My son, John, was born while I was a Education Division at Petronas, a fully- author, academic and activist, Dr Huggins student and I managed to complete my final integrated oil and gas corporation owned has served as the Deputy Director of UQ’s years with high marks. I felt so proud to have by the Malaysian Government and ranked Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies managed full-time motherhood and full-time among Fortune Global 500’s largest Unit since 1997, and joins previous awardees study. The great lecturers I had enabled me corporations in the world. including Oscar winner Geoffrey Rush and to be my own person in many ways, and to After graduating Datuk Dr Rosti started Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty. write and state the important things that I work with the Malaysian Government and A Bidjara and Birri-Gubba Juru woman, wanted to say.” has since been committed to developing she holds Bachelors of Arts from both UQ and Dr Huggins was made a Member of opportunities in education, training, and Flinders University (with Honours), a Diploma of the Order of Australia in 2001 and, as co- employment for Malay youth. Education and an honorary doctorate conferred chair of Reconciliation Australia, oversaw by the University last year. events earlier this year to mark the 40-year Dr Huggins said the award was an anniversary of the 1967 referendum, which incredible honour and had made her reflect on saw Indigenous people included in the her time as an undergraduate in the 1980s. federal census for the first time. She said her focus at UQ would continue to be working towards reconciliation, a cause Alumni Association President Feona Walker with that had shaped her life since childhood. Dr Huggins at the presentation. “Community engagement has always been a priority for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit. We have an excellent partnership with them and our peers and it is through these partnerships that we can engage in meaningful dialogue,” she said. “Reconciliation is a generational matter and will not be solved tomorrow or the next day. We need to all take responsibility and work together to bring down the 17-year life expectancy gap which exists between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.” The award is supported by UQ Vice- Chancellor Professor John Hay, AC, and the Alumni Association of The University of Queensland Inc.

24 UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 Laughs on menu for ‘plus 50s’

Past students of UQ conjured up of Australia recipients, eight professors memories from more than half a century and around 40 doctors among those who ago at the Graduates of 50 or More Years’ attended. Standing luncheon in August. During the luncheon, guests were The luncheon was open to anyone entertained by Emeritus Professor Bob who graduated from UQ more than 50 Milns who expounded on the fascination years ago but many of the 180 or so of studying languages. They also viewed a guests who attended were of an even slideshow of images of UQ’s early years. earlier vintage. The graduate of longest standing at the Top (from left): Mary Prentice, Judge Manus event was Clarence Manning, OBE, who Boyce, QC, and Mr Manning. Above (from left): finished his Bachelor of Arts at UQ in 1938. Dr John Carr, and UQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor Graduates were in distinguished (Academic) Professor Michael Keniger and company at the luncheon, with 11 Order Professor Milns.

Ancient arts a hit at exhibition

A dynamic martial arts display marked the opening of an exhibition of Chinese calligraphy at the Mayne Centre on September 30. A crowd of around 500 saw a free hour-long display of kung fu, tai chi, tile breaking and lion dancing The calligraphy exhibition was the latest in Dr Nat Yuen’s series of gifts to the UQ Art Museum, located in the Mayne Centre. The exhibition featured more than 90 pieces by Dr Yuen’s own hand, as well as by Wong Kwok Hing and the late Lo Yat Ngam, who taught calligraphy to Dr Yuen and Mr Wong. Dr Yuen, a Hong Kong resident who graduated in medicine in 1965, is both a great grandmaster of kung fu and a proficient calligrapher.

UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 25 + GRADUATE NEWS

B E I J I N G

Enjoying the alumni celebration were (above from right) Suping He, Melita Gratwick from UQ’s Inter national Education Directorate, Lu Zhang, Wen Zhen, Steven Qu, Xiaoting Li, Cindy Yu, Jingyuan Zhang and Caojian Song

Pictured right: Melissa Luo (left), Connie Wu and Emily Ma (right)

PHOTOGRAPHS BY WERKZ

Proud parents and UQ alumni Jie Liu (left) and Qi Ke were happy to show off their daughter Mai Mai at FRIENDSHIPS the alumni celebration in Shanghai grow in China

UQ strengthened its Asian connections in “During his watch, links with government, one-fifth of our total number of international September with a graduate celebration in Hong with industry and with like institutions world- students. Kong and a series of events for alumni and wide have all increased dramatically, along with “UQ nurtures and treasures its relationship friends of the University in China. demonstrable advances in the typical university with its Chinese students and alumni just as it The Hong Kong graduate celebration on performance indicators of research productivity, does its partnerships with the People’s Republic September 15 provided recent UQ graduates teaching quality and community relevance. of China generally,” Professor Hay said. with an opportunity to be presented to the “All of us who hold UQ degrees owe the UQ has 58 teaching and research Chancellor, Sir Llew Edwards, AC, in front of V ice-Chancellor a great gratitude for overseeing agreements with 30 Chinese universities. their families and friends. this enhancement of the global recognition of In October last year, Queensland Brain The international alumni celebrations were the University. Institute (QBI) neuroscientists from UQ held in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai and “The rise in the University’s standing formalised a research agreement with the Beijing. and visibility directly raises the currency and Chinese Academy of Science, Institute of It was the final visit to China on behalf of the standing of the qualifications held by all UQ Neuroscience. University by V ice-Chancellor Professor John graduates.” The QBI and Zeiss Australasia have created Hay, AC, who retires at the end of December. Professor Hay told alumni that the a travelling fellowship providing funds for QBI Guest speaker at the graduate celebration, celebrations were “a wonderful opportunity scientists to visit China to collaborate with their Professor Bruce Abernethy, on leave from UQ to mingle with old friends and to become Chinese colleagues, and for Chinese scientists as Chair and Director of the University of Hong acquainted with new ones” although being to come and work with QBI for up to 12 Kong’s Institute of Human Performance, paid “heavily laden with sadness for me personally.” months. tribute to Professor Hay. He said the more than 1000 Chinese In November last year, one of UQ’s most “There is no doubt under Professor Hay’s students enrolled at UQ were “a valuable acclaimed researchers, Professor Max Lu, leadership there has been a significant rise in addition” and “make up our largest single became the only Australian included in a list of the global standing of the University,” he said. source of international students, and almost the 50 most influential Chinese in the world.

26 UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 Professor Bruce Abernethy (pictured left) was guest speaker at the Hong Kong graduation celebration

Below: three graduates enjoy the alumni celebration – Florence Cheung (left), Kin Lam Hui and

Tracy Lai (right) G N O K G N O H

SHANGHAI

Above: At the alumni celebration – UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay (left) and Hubert Tse, President of the UQ Alumni Association of Shanghai

Above right: Alumni Wei Zhang (left), Linan Chan, Yufei Zhao and Shiyan Fan (right)

Right: Tao Jiang (left) and Haishan Jiang

UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 27 + GRADUATE NEWS

Quiet start to a life- changing experience

Liew Ah Choy credits the Colombo Plan Scholarship that brought him to UQ from Malaysia in 1965 with playing a significant part in his success since. By the time he left seven years later he had a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) with first class honours, a PhD, a wife and a son. When he arrived in Brisbane as a 20-year- old to begin his undergraduate studies, he was amazed by the city – but not because of its bright lights and bustling streets. “I couldn’t believe how dull it was,” said Professor Liew, now the Director, International Relations Office, of the National University of Singapore, as well as a lecturer in Electrical and Computer Engineering. “It was a culture shock to land in a place that was so quiet. It was almost like a dead town compared to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur where life goes on nearly all night.” Professor Liew reflected on his student ‘smoko’ which of course meant drinking. I was days as guest speaker at the University’s April one of the few Asians who participated.” graduation celebration in Singapore. Fortunately, Professor Liew had not been Professor Liew said his new life took a immersing himself in Australian culture one night major turn for the better when he became a in his second year at UQ. resident at International House. “I was at a friend’s 21st birthday party “When I first applied it was full, but then a and that is when I met my wife, Alice Gan couple of months later there was a place, I was Ah Lian, who was studying for a degree in one of the founding residents,” he said. industrial chemistry at the Queensland Institute “We had to play games and it was very of Technology (now QUT). She later received a difficult for the smaller Asians to compete with Bachelor of Science from UQ,” he said. the big Australians who were very sporty. “When we got engaged I was doing my “The only thing where we could actually PhD. My supervisor, Professor Matt Darveniza, survive was hockey, I was a hockey player was almost like a father to me, and he offered and among the international students we had his house to hold a party. people from India, Pakistan and across Asia. “We married in January 1971 and our first “It was a pretty good team. We won the son was born in Brisbane in April 1972 – just inter college games several times and I got my before my return to Malaysia to lecture at the hockey Blue.” University of Malaya.” Life at International House also exposed Professor Liew still has strong ties to Top: Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay presents Professor Liew to some local customs. Australia and his alma mater, and was Professor Liew with a gift on behalf of the University at this “As an engineering student, we were called the founding President of the UQ Alumni year’s Singapore graduation celebration and (above) with the greasers and so on Friday afternoon we had Association of Singapore. wife Alice and friends during his student days at UQ

Plaudits for Queensland’s leadership team

Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay has paid infrastructure and programs. I have found tribute to retired Queensland Premier Peter them consistently receptive to the value Beattie, and congratulated the new leadership of locating a community of world-class team of Premier Anna Bligh (pictured right) researchers in Queensland. and Deputy Premier Paul Lucas. “UQ also has the privilege of being able “Mr Beattie has created a tremendous to call Mr Beattie, Ms Bligh and Mr Lucas legacy by initiating and advancing the Smart alumni.” State strategy,” Professor Hay said. Professor Hay said UQ looked forward to “UQ had the advantage of working the continuing development of its partnership closely with Mr Beattie to enhance the impact with the government. He also paid tribute to of key aspects of this strategy. Mr Beattie’s contributions to Queensland’s “Both Premier Bligh and Deputy Premier cultural vitality, and was confident the new Lucas have, at different times, had portfolio leaders would maintain a focus on cultural responsibility for Smart State research enrichment.

28 UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 Submariner cruises Greek coastline

Lloyd Godson has a history of going where few would dare and living in conditions most would not contemplate – all in the name of science. // by Miguel Holland An artist’s impression of the submarine. Photos: Alex Sarasitis

Adventurer of the Year, Lloyd Godson, (BSc underwater habitat called the Biosub, for 12 a Canadian TV series promotion called On the Hons 2001) never fancied himself as a strong days. Edge. swimmer but he’s about to strap on a shark Mr Godson pedalled a bike to generate his The sustainable living series follows tail and swim 500 kilometres for science. electricity and used his own bodily waste to how Mr Godson lives in a range of extreme Mr Godson and his partner, Carolina feed algae that provided his oxygen. environments such as on the side of volcanoes, Sarasiti, will swim down the west coast of He said the submarines, being designed in rainforest canopies and underwater. Greece in custom-built submarines powered now for testing next June, would be small and “I really like the idea of combining science by their own legs. fast for a human-powered vehicle which could with my other passion of educating kids about They will be inside carbon-fibre withstand depths of 50 metres. science issues,” he said. submarines and wear 1.5-metre hydrofoil Mr Godson will lay face down and use “If I can inspire people to study science tailfins, designed by Ms Sarasiti’s brother, his legs to move the fin and have a specially through TV or other projects that’s great, Alex Sarasitis, on their legs to propel them designed pump which will push old air out of because science can take you to some pretty through the water. the dorsal fin and suck fresh air in. cool places.” The pair is in Greece seeking project “The submarines will be just large enough Mr Godson is an unconventional scientist, partners and planning their two-month for one person with some very minimal educator and traveller. He was recently crowned voyage for next September to October. emergency equipment,” he said. the 2007 Australian Geographic Adventurer of They will travel down the Ionian Sea from “At this stage we’ll probably travel between the Year. Corfu in the north down to Ithaca in the south. 10 and 30 kilometres per day and visit 10 to 15 He lived in a backyard tent in his final year “We’ll stop at schools and do talks schools.” of University and he has been to Antarctica, about the marine issues in Greece and use They chose to swim in the Mediterranean Indonesia, Panama and the Bahamas for the submarines to try and capture their because of Ms Sarasiti’s Greek family links and marine research. imagination,” Mr Godson said. because Greece had opened its waters to scuba “I’ve always done things a little bit The 29-year-old, now based in Albury, diving for the first time in 50 years. differently. I’m not an adrenalin junkie but I like made headlines in April when he became Mr Godson also has a growing media testing myself mentally and I am always up for a the first human to live in a self-sustaining profile as a science educator and is shooting challenge,” he said. //

Lloyd Godson (right) with Carolina and Alex Sarasitis and a prototype of the fin for their submarine. The fins are being tested by world record freediver Herbert Nitsch

“I’M NOT AN ADRENALIN JUNKIE BUT I LIKE TESTING MYSELF MENTALLY AND I AM ALWAYS UP FOR A CHALLENGE”

UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 29 Mentor and role model

Obituary: Don Nicklin, AO, FTSE // by Professor Mike Hood, Chief Executive Officer, CRCMining

Emeritus Professor Don Nicklin died peacefully Don had an ever-present, on October 29 after having been diagnosed wicked, low-key sense of with brain cancer five weeks earlier. humour. For example, he Don was an extraordinary man who would tell of his Masters touched the lives of many people. degree at UQ. His marriage First and foremost, he was a family man. to Jo and the preparation Emeritus Professor Don Nicklin (right) with UQ Senior He married his beloved Jo in 1958. Early in for their move to Cambridge Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield their married life they had six children – Jim, meant that he needed to write up his Masters at the CRCMining headquarters in 2005 Bill (deceased), Jane, Suzy, Ben and Jack thesis hurriedly during their honeymoon. – for a month they had six children under Perhaps unsurprisingly, his UQ supervisor eight. Married 49 years, Don and Jo have nine suggested some corrections and additions, grandchildren. which Don never got around to making. Albrecht and Dale Elphinstone, he started Don had an outstanding intellect, winning In order to illustrate the very high a company to commercialise a technology an open scholarship to UQ and graduating standards at UQ, an institution of which he he and Peter had developed, a continuous in 1957 in Applied Science with First Class remained inordinately proud, he recorded his high-pressure retort particularly suitable for Honours and a University Medal. qualifications as: B Appl Sci (Hons), UQ; PhD, processing slurries. He was awarded a Shell Scholarship to Cambridge; MS, UQ – failed. The company initially had success Cambridge University in 1957, completed his Don was generous with his time and he demonstrating its technology, but had difficulty PhD in Chemical Engineering in 1961, and served his country, his profession and the wider raising the funds needed for commercialisation. was awarded the Junior Moulton Medal for a community in many ways. Fittingly, it seems there has been a paper published by the Institution of Chemical He served on the Prime Minister’s Science, breakthrough, and the work will proceed. Engineers. Engineering and Innovation Council for six Don was made an Officer of the Order of He joined du Pont of Canada and led a years, and as a member of AusIndustry’s Australia in the Honours List of June 1996. small group responsible for developing new Industry Research and Development Board. He was an elected Fellow of the Australian processes in nylon production. In 1963, he He was a director of Ticor, a public Academy of Technological Sciences and transferred to du Pont in the US to work on the company, and served for many years as Chair Engineering. development of Lycra. of the Board of Trustees of Brisbane Grammar Don was laid back, usually very casually Don joined UQ in 1965 and in 1969, aged School. dressed, thoughtful, wise, self-effacing, only 34, he was appointed Professor and Head He continued to be the very active and extraordinarily generous, always helpful, always of the Department of Chemical Engineering. supportive Chair of CRCMining, a Cooperative making insightful contributions. He later served as Dean of the Faculty of Research Centre. This year he was proud He went out of his way to help his Engineering and Pro Vice-Chancellor before to be the Chair of the Institution of Chemical colleagues, his students and former students, retiring in 1994 as Emeritus Professor. Engineers in Australia. and anybody else who came within his orbit. In 1987 he was awarded the Chemeca Don was inventive and a lifelong Don served as a mentor and as a role Medal; the highest award for members of the entrepreneur. With Peter Tait, one of his former model to many of us; for which we will remain chemical engineering profession in Australia. students, and his friends and colleagues Martin eternally grateful. //

UNIVERSITY THANKS SUPPORTERS

The University has paid tribute to some of its “You have lent financial support, most generous donors at the 2007 Donor combined with moral support and corporate Thank You in November. support locally, nationally and internationally. The morning tea function brought “In turn, the University has been able together more than 120 individual and to help others in need.” corporate donors to the University, who, Centre for Critical and Cultural together with other sponsors, have helped studies researcher Dr Melissa Gregg and fund millions of dollars worth of research, winner of the inaugural Andrew Liveris scholarships and other projects. engineering prize Sean Muir also spoke UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay at the function about how donor funds AC used the gathering as an opportunity to have aided their study and work. outline some of the many ways donor funds have been spent. “The University of Queensland has thrived Professor Hay catches up with donors thanks to people, such as you, supporting it in (from left) Dr Cathryn Mittelheuser, a variety of ways,” Professor Hay said. Dr Margaret Mittelheuser and Rina Martina

30 UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 RECORD RUN for rower A r ower who was awar ded a Sporting Blue by UQ in 1933 is believed to be the University’s oldest living r ecipient of the honour. // By Stephen Danckert

Ashgr ove’s John Gustavus Per cy competed the Blues and Sporting A war ds Dinner at (the colour of his school, Eton College) while an in the pr estigious Intervarsity Regattas for The Brisbane’s Tattersalls Club on November 2. Oxfor d oarsmen tied a dark blue scarf to the University of Queensland Boat Club (UQBC) The event focused on r ecognising pr e- bow of his boat. as coxswain for the men’s eight in 1933. 1960s Blues r ecipients, and athletes who It has since become a tradition for Blues Now aged 93, Mr Per cy still vividly r eceived a sporting Blue thr oughout the to be awar ded for outstanding achievement in r emembers the r egattas, often held on the 1990s. University sport, a tradition adopted by English- Brisbane River near the St Lucia campus. The tradition of Sporting Blues began in speaking universities ar ound the world. “The Intervarsity Regattas (held between 1829 at the first boat race between cr ews Sporting Blues wer e first distributed at the Australia’s best r owing clubs) wer e always a fr om Oxfor d and Cambridge universities, University in 1912, when one each year was big af fair, one of the highlights of the year for who r owed on the River Thames awar ded in the sports of rugby, tennis, the University,” Mr Per cy said. fr om Hambleden Lock to Henley and athletics. // Not one of the richer clubs, the Bridge, a distance of 2.25 University’s participation in the 1933 miles. Left: John Per cy, 2007 competition on the Nepean River in New Befor e the start of the South W ales was possible only thr ough race, as the cr ew had no Above left: Part of the victorious donations fr om people outside of the club. distinctive uniform to 1935 UQBC cr ew (fr om left): Chinny Holms, Dib W ether ell, “Our club didn’ t have the r esour ces of identify them, one of the Brian Ferguson, Bill Bradfield some of the interstate clubs, but we always Cambridge oarsmen tied and Bill McMaster Bowman had gr eat support,” Mr Per cy said. a light blue scarf to the Above right: John the oarsman Coming in fourth that year, the UQBC bow of the Cambridge boat during his UQ days cr ew wer e r ewar ded for their ef forts with Sporting Blues, the highest honour for outstanding achievement in University sport. Mr Per cy was only 19 when he r eceived his Blue fr om UQ, wher e he went on to compete with the UQBC for five years while studying dentistry fr om 1932 to 1936. Two years later on June 6, 1935, which was Mr Per cy’s 21st birthday, the UQBC men’s eight r owed to victory in the Intervarsity Regatta ahead of the host cr ew Melbourne, after which his team mates took him out on the town for celebrations. “W e beat the Melbourne cr ew, who came in thir d, which was a big deal. The boys took me out on the town that night to celebrate my birthday. It was a gr eat day,” Mr Per cy said. This year, the University honour ed its earliest r ecor ded living Blue r ecipient at

UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 31 + KEEP IN CONTACT

1969: Writing for the soul Jo-Anne Berthelsen (BA 1969) realised her dream of becoming an author when her first novel, Heléna, was published by Ark House Press earlier this year. The book is set largely during World War II, and is based on the story of a Czech musician who flees her homeland and migrates to Australia. To complete the book Mrs Berthelsen undertook extensive research, speaking with other European immigrants from the same period. “It was quite painful for one of the people I interviewed to verify facts – another Czech woman of around the same age as the original Heléna,” Mrs Berthelesen said. “I found as I interviewed her that her eyes would fill with tears, and then she would say she did not want to talk about this or that. Of course I assured her she did not have to, and changed the topic, but invariably she kept coming back to these things herself, as if she truly needed to talk about them, after all this time.” Prior to focussing on her writing, Mrs Berthelsen had a varied career, working as a high school languages teacher among other things before deciding to begin theological studies in her 40s. After working on her local ministry team for many years with her husband Lionel, who is also a pastor, Mrs Berthelsen now speaks regularly about spirituality and the writing process. “My hope is that those who read my book will not only be caught up in Heléna’s moving story, but also encouraged to continue to stand tall and to ‘keep the faith’,” Mrs Berthelsen said. She has recently completed three other books, one of which – a sequel to 1970: Protest and Dan O’Neill (English) and a Queensland Heléna – will be released in February. Newspapers photographer with his large format camera and thin tie.” photos resurface Mr Redlich graduated from UQ with an Arts Garry Redlich (BA 1970, LLB 1975) has degree (government and languages) in 1970, unearthed some Kodachrome images he took of finishing his Law studies five years later. fellow UQ students participating in the first of the “I married a fellow government honours big civil liberties marches in the late 1960s. student, Marilyn Stehr, and we have two adult Mr Redlich was a first-year UQ Arts children,” he said. student when he took the photographs of the After graduating, Mr Redlich worked in march from St Lucia on September 5, 1967, the law in London and Brisbane until the mid and the subsequent “sit-down” in Roma 1980s and then moved into business. Street, near the old Markets building. “Since the late 1990s I have been a “The best photograph shows Brian Laver, biotech industry CEO, co-founding the ASX- the most prominent of the student leaders, listed Peplin, a cancer drug company, shortly in front of the stalled Bardon tram in Roma for listing on the NASDAQ,” he said. Street, just before the first sit-down and Mr Redlich is currently chief executive arrests,” Mr Redlich said. of Implicit Bioscience, which has offices in “The fashion items of the leaders on Fred Brisbane and Seattle. Schonell Drive make a statement – ties, and a He works with UQ Professor Ian Frazer pith helmet! and Queensland’s Chief Scientist Peter “The same shot (above) shows Frank Andrews at Implicit, which is developing drugs Gardiner (pharmacy student and UQ Union for severe infectious disease and to boost president), Peter Wertheim (Philosophy) biodefence.

32 UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 1991: Mining new safety standards

Great business ideas come about in “We were able to demonstrate many ways, but for David Noon (BE that with an advanced radar, we could Hons I 1991, PhD 1996), it was vacation measure the early signs of slope work at a Mt Isa mine that inspired him movement before the wall collapses, to become a successful entrepreneur. and provide complete area coverage “That experience left a lasting from a standoff position and without impression on me – I really engaged with any requirement for installing hardware the mining culture, and I realised that or sensors on the slope – which is people’s safety and mine productivity dangerous in itself.” were two values that the industry in GroundProbe launched as a general strives to improve,” Dr Noon company with a staff of four in 2003, and said. has quickly grown to employ more than Realising there was a gap in the 100 people on four continents. market, he and UQ colleagues Professor Their radar technology has been well Dennis Longstaff, Dr Bryan Reeves and received by the industry, with Noon and Dr Glen Stickley worked to create a new his business partner Lyle Bruce named product to help companies capitalise the 2006 Australian Entrepreneurs of the on the resources boom without Year in Technology. compromising the wellbeing of workers. “It’s been a very fast road, and the Their research lead to the successes have been because we have development of GroundProbe – a “radar a unique product that overcomes the speed gun for rocks” – which detects limitations of the alternative methods,” Dr instability in slope walls and is used in Noon said. 1982: Ocean open-cut mines worldwide. “It is no longer acceptable for any “Conventional methods to monitor injury or loss of life to occur on a mine adventure awaits the stability of the rock wall were low- site. At the same time, mining companies Most Australians have probably never tech – mainly wires or point sensors on are ramping up their production rates, heard of Chikungunya, let alone be able to the wall,” Dr Noon said. but must be cautious with regards to pronounce it. people’s safety.” But the mosquito-borne virus is the very reason Dr Dave Harley (BSc Hons 1982, MBBS 1989, PhD 2000) is soon to travel to Réunion, in the Indian Ocean. After a recent outbreak of Chikungunya on the island, the Centre de Recherche et de Veille sur les maladies émergentes dans l’Océan Indien (CRVOI) has assembled a team of international experts to combat the problem. “The virus caused a large epidemic on Réunion, with cases presenting initially in 2005, but with the majority of the over 250,000 infections occurring in 2006, and with around 250 deaths. There have also been over a million infections in India and outbreaks continue in various parts of Africa,” Dr Harley said. Chikungunya means “to walk bent over” in some East African Languages, and leads to dehydration, severe pain and fever in sufferers. Dr Harley was approached by the CRVOI after completing his PhD thesis and subsequent research on reducing risk factors in the spread of Ross River Virus, which is related to Chikungunya. He said although the call up was unexpected, he looked forward to using his expertise in the fight against future outbreaks. “Like all communicable disease control problems, appropriate responses depend upon the host (humans), agent (the virus) and environment,” Dr Harley said. “Control measures will often incorporate a variety of measures, including surveillance systems, diagnostic methodologies, health education, biological and chemical vector control, and possibly vaccines and other methods.”

UQUQ – GRADUATE– GRADUATE CONTACT CONTACT // SUMMER// SUMMER 2007 2007 33 + KEEP IN CONTACT

1992: Appreciating Australian art

Renai Grace (BA 1992) has moved from between architects and designers, and collecting stamps with her pocket money organising permanent works to enhance to curating corporate art exhibitions worth corporate spaces. hundreds of thousands of dollars. And in a line of work that’s inherently Completing a double major in Art subjective, a touch of diplomacy doesn’t History, Ms Grace was on track for go astray. teaching but had a change of heart “My job is all about communication,” after scoring a scholarship at one of the Ms Grace said. world’s most famed museums. “It is always difficult when you have “I have always wanted to be involved to inform a creative professional that their with the visual arts and art collecting. client does not want to proceed with Ever since my postgraduate fellowship their proposed concept, but it is equally at the Guggenheim Museum in Venice, I difficult trying to convince a committee have been passionate about raising the to commission or purchase an artwork profile and patronage of the visual arts in that some people may find confronting or Australia,” Ms Grace said. challenging.” “I plan my annual holidays around A recent project involved gathering international art fairs and exhibitions and almost 200 original works for the Mater survey auction house results, somewhat Mothers Hospital in Brisbane, with the similar to a stock market report.” exhibition and an accompanying book to Ms Grace works as a consultant for be ready early next year. Brisbane company Positive Solutions, Other work on the horizon includes negotiating with artists and galleries to expanding the art portfolios of top law purchase pieces on behalf of clients. firms, and beginning to build a collection Other tasks include sourcing artists for a company in Saudi Arabia. in residence, assisting collaborations 1995: Speech therapist makes history

Professor Gail Gillon’s (PhD 1995) first day as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) at the University of Canterbury was officially marked on September 5 with a powhiri – a formal Maori greeting welcoming her to the College of Education. A leading researcher in the University’s Department of Communication Disorders and College of Science, Professor Gillon is the first woman to hold the post of Pro-Vice- Chancellor at UC. This new appointment sees her returning to her academic roots as it was at the former Christchurch College of Education where she completed her professional qualifications in education, teaching, and speech-language therapy. After graduating in 1983 she spent several years working in New Zealand and Australia in the special education sector, before coming to UQ to complete her Doctorate in Speech and Hearing. Professor Gillon is well-known internationally for her work on the prevention of reading disorders for children at risk. Her research has been widely published in leading speech-language pathology, reading, and education journals and she recently became the first New Zealander to be made a Fellow of the American Speech-Language- Hearing Association.

34 UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 1998: Reaching out to the community

Enterprising graduate Sharyn Efimoff (BEng 1998) is pouring her technical expertise into Greenduck, an online portal where people can post free classifieds. After completing an MBA at Harvard University in 2005 and undertaking internships at Amazon.com and Motorola, Ms Efimoff said her role as CEO of the company allowed her to engage both sides of the brain simultaneously. Greenduck is a website dedicated to connecting people, particularly those in the tertiary student demographic. “You can use the site to buy and sell secondhand text books, furniture and electronics, and to connect with other locals, whether to find a sports team or a French speaking partner,” Ms Efimoff said. “At the moment we’re trying to attract users and create awareness. We want to keep the site free to use for individuals.” With Engineers Australia naming 2007 the Year of Women in Engineering, Ms Efimoff said more Photo: courtesy Cath Pillans young women should consider taking up the profession and see where their skills take them. course being on a small boat at night in a “I draw upon both the technical and 1999: Double river with big bull sharks,” Richard said. process aspects of my training on a daily “After a long struggle I finally got the basis,” she said. doctorate a day shark next to the boat, and then had to “The process aspect is particularly persuade her that she had to hold it by the useful, whether it be used for engineering to remember tail in order for me to lift it in by the head, or marketing, and the skills acquired all the time being careful not to tip the boat Richard Pillans (BSc Hons I 1999, PhD would be beneficial to a management over as it was listing to one side.” 2007) had an added incentive to finish role, or any other within a technical field.” Sue had her own run-ins with his doctorate in July – to join his wife wildlife while studying the effectiveness Sue (PhD 2007) who was receiving hers of “green zones” in the Moreton Bay on the same day. area – often while waist-deep in muddy The husband and wife met as water. Coastal Cooperative Research Centre “Once I had to pull my seine net full scholarship students in 2000, and of fish through a nursery area for sharks. although originally working to different Even though they were only small, it is timelines decided they would try and a bit disconcerting having a metre-long finish their studies together. shark bump into your leg!” “Once we knew it would be close we The two have since put their skills both put in extra hours to make sure we to good use, with Richard joining the could hand in our theses on the same CSIRO’s Marine and Atmospheric day,” Richard said. Research team and Sue becoming a “It was certainly much easier Marine and Coastal planner with the working all weekend and late at night Environmental Protection Agency shortly when we were in the same room with our before graduation. backs to each other, rather than one of And with everything going to plan on us sitting back relaxing.” their big day, the couple wouldn’t have With both studying in the field had things any differently. of marine science, the couple often “I would have to say that it was worked as each other’s research one of the most special days for both assistants – a particularly memorable Richard and myself and our families experience taking place late one since celebrating our wedding,” Sue evening as Richard tagged sharks in said. the Burrum River. “It was so great in fact that I would “Sue was on board despite her fear of consider doing another PhD just to small boats, being on boats at night and of celebrate the day again…well maybe.”

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2003: Career hits a top note These days Kathleen Parker (BMus Hons I 2003) spends most of her time running between rehearsals and recitals, and she couldn’t be happier. Based at the Australian Opera Studio in Perth, Ms Parker is one of only four young performers selected in this year’s intake, and has already sung her way through a number of roles (including Mrs Peachum in The Threepenny Opera, pictured below) since starting the course in February. “There is an enormous amount of music to learn, work on and perform regularly. The stamina required just to get through each day is enormous but it’s so much fun that mostly you don’t notice,” she said. The move to Western Australia came shortly after a six-month stint in Florence, where the Sunshine Coast local experienced a crash course in Italian culture and opera traditions. “Going to Italy and throwing myself in the deep end with the language was one of the best things I could have done,” she said. “I arrived knowing little more than how to count from 1 to 20 and romantic phrases I had learned from Italian songs. I knew how to say ‘my heart is breaking’ but not ‘which way to the bus stop?’” Ms Parker said she hoped one day to perform at some of the world’s most famed opera houses – among them La Scala in Milan and Covent Garden in London. But with many singers training for years before getting their break, she said it was important for young artists to be committed 2003: Pet project realised and hard working if they were to succeed. “It’s essential to get as much performance experience as possible, even if it means creating For someone as passionate about animals “There was a case recently where your own opportunities. And last but certainly not as Robyn Hodder (BAppSc 2003), an owner went to place eye lubricant least, you need a really strong work ethic and lots becoming the head nurse of Queensland’s in their dog’s eye but placed superglue of persistence and determination.” biggest animal emergency centre has instead,” she said. proved the perfect career move. “We had to break down the glue to The 26-year-old (pictured above get the eye open. Thankfully the eye right) manages and trains a team of was okay.” 30 at Animal Emergency Services on One of the most exotic animals Ms Brisbane’s southside, and said the Hodder has treated is an $8000 Macaw after hours Centre handled all types of parrot who had a fractured leg. situations ranging from life-threatening “He needed an anaesthetic to repair injuries, to helping new dog owners the leg and a specialised splint placed,” choose what to feed their new puppy. she said. “I am a clinical nurse therefore I work “It was an extremely risky procedure on shift saving animal lives,” Ms Hodder but the Macaw came through with flying said. colours.” “I also manage and train all the Ms Hodder was one of the inaugural nursing staff to ensure they are all kept graduates from UQ’s Veterinary up to date with the latest information and Technology degree, and said she the clinic runs smoothly.” particularly enjoyed the educational She said the Centre would see an aspects of her job. average of 15 animals per day, with “The Vet Tech degree gave me the the figure rising up to 60 during the skills and the knowledge to be prepared Christmas holidays. for any situation which is important in Most of the animals treated are dogs emergency and critical care,” she said. and cats but Ms Hodder has also tended to “It also gave me the confidence birds, turtles, rats, fish and native animals, to be able to lead a team of nurses some needing particularly tricky treatment. effectively.”

36 UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 Australian Youth Orchestra activities and led 2004: The business The University of Queensland Symphony cello section. of beautiful music On completion of her undergraduate degree she was one of five Australian Courtenay Lind (BMus Hons 2004) has cellists accepted into a highly competitive turned her lifelong passion into a profitable scholarship program at the Australian commercial enterprise. National Academy of Music. Now studying for her Master of “UQ helped me to succeed by Philosophy at UQ, Ms Lind founded encouraging me to pursue my dreams of musicians’ agency Bluehaze in 2001, performance while also giving me a strong employing performers from across Brisbane grounding in music theory and history,” Ms to play at corporate events, functions and Lind said. celebrations. During her undergraduate studies, Ms “I’ve been able to mix my love of music Lind won the Sid Page Memorial 4MBS with my eye for business,” she said. Chamber Competition and The University of Ms Lind first became involved in Queensland Sleath Performance Prize. music in primary school where she was For her Masters degree she is examining encouraged to play an instrument. She was the different way cellists play, primarily with given a cello and from there she developed regard to the demise of the classical music a love for its melancholy tone. But she could scene. never have imagined that her music would Her research investigates different have such a strong influence on both her interpretations of a particular piece, Haydn’s professional and personal life. cello concerto in C Major, over the past “During my six years studying at UQ, 30 years and how many performers have I learned that no matter where the future changed it to suit public appeal. leads me, music will always be a strong part “Studying at the UQ School of Music of my life and who I am. has given me the confidence to work within “I feel so privileged to have been taught the music world with independence and by such amazing teachers who have now passion,” she said. become close associates and friends.” “Because the school is such a tight-knit Ms Lind is a member of the Queensland community, everyone knows and is willing to Youth Symphony, has been part of help everyone else.”

2004: Shells reveal their secrets Ever wondered why some shells look as good as they do? UQ researcher Dr Daniel Jackson (PhD 2004) may have found the answer. In a collaboration between UQ’s School of Integrative Biology and the University of Göttingen in Germany, Dr Jackson has discovered a gene found in the tropical abalone that controls the striking blue and red colours found in the mollusc’s shell. “This is the first gene shown to play a role in molluscan shell patterning,” Dr Jackson said. “It was a chance discovery that arose from a project where genes from specific tissues are randomly sequenced, so it was quite fortuitous. “This gene is also distantly related to a gene family found in vertebrates, of which humans are a member, so it provides insight into how the evolutionary process can create new roles for old genes.” Dr Jackson made the discovery while working on the genetics of how shells are made in abalone, something he describes as an amazing process. “We estimate that more than 25 percent of the genes expressed in the shell secreting tissue of the abalone are involved in shell formation,” he said. Dr Jackson was recently honoured at the BioMed Open Access Research awards in London for his PhD and postdoctoral work in this area.

UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2007 37 + KEEP IN CONTACT

2005: Doing business in a wired world Online entrepreneur Adam Brownlie (BAppSc 2005, GDipAgribus 2006) has developed Australia’s first grain-trading website. The resource – www.brownliesgraintrading. com.au – gives producers access to more markets and allows them to receive top dollar for their products. Now in the middle of his Masters studies at able to order a coffee properly though UQ, Mr Brownlie completed his undergraduate 2005: Hands as there are a few interesting names to degree at the University’s Gatton campus while order basic coffee and the lack of snow working on a grain farm in his spare time, and on healing in the winter in Queensland does make was given an opportunity to travel to Wisconsin To his clients, Pierre Buchholz (BPhty it difficult to go skiing and ice-climbing.” to gain further knowledge about the US industry. 2005) is known as a man with healing In addition to his physiotherapy After returning home, Mr Brownlie said he felt hands. skills, Pierre is also a qualified teacher, that the Australian grain distribution system could Based at Baroona Road having received a Bachelor of Physical be made more efficient. Physiotherapy in Brisbane, Pierre has Education from the University of British “I was looking for a way to help producers worked with Olympic athletes, Formula Columbia in 1991. find previously unknown markets, giving them 1 drivers and people who just want to He has owned and operated his access to more information to improve decision- improve their fitness and quality of life. own personal training company and making and confidence in what to plant, how “The most rewarding thing about also worked as a consultant to the much to invest and where and when to market being a physio is when you get that National Sports Institute of Malaysia for their produce,” he said. client who is in dreadful pain and two years. Mr Brownlie said his website had the you send them home with little or no He said his physical education potential to benefit both producers and end-users discomfort and they come back on their knowledge had helped him during his through the promotion of a more competitive next visit and call you a miracle worker,” studies and he was lucky to now be marketing system. he said. able to use skills from both his degrees “Using this system, we can also level the “These clients can also be the most in the one profession. Australian market to an extent, encouraging the challenging as there needs to be great “Our clinic is progressive with a flow of grain from geographic areas of surplus to care to achieve this result.” great teamwork attitude and there is a areas of relative deficiency. Being able to do this has Mr Buchholz came to UQ as an great deal of sharing of knowledge of the added benefit of stabilising prices.” international student from Canada, information and techniques to get great Mr Brownlie said studying business and and although acclimatising quickly did results quickly,” he said. agriculture simultaneousy had opened his eyes to experience some slight differences In the long term, Mr Buchholz hopes a surprising range of career possibilities. between cultures. to open his own physiotherapy clinic. “I originally enrolled in what I thought was a “I really did fit right in straight away. “I want to link my two degrees and simple agronomy program but the agricultural The lifestyle isn’t all that different to work with athletes to make the return to industry is so fast-moving that young people can Canada,” he said. high performance completion quicker,” get a start and make a difference extremely rapidly,” “It did take me a little while to be he said. he said.

38 UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2006 2007: Travel guides go global While guidebooks may be a traveller’s best friend when exploring new and unusual places, sometimes they fall short in providing up to date information. But recent UQ graduate Jeff Axup (PhD 2007) is hoping his research could change that by employing the latest developments in mobile communication. Dr Axup, who comes from the US, is researching the potential of “mobile information sharing”, a concept that goes beyond the traditional guidebook and introduces the concept of everyday people electronically sharing their experiences with other travellers while on the road. “We are looking at ways for communities, or in this case backpackers, to communicate in a timely and immediate way,” he said. An “The place I was living at was ridiculously “Imagine if, as a traveller, you were 2007: remote and that’s what made me a bit nervous. able to get first-hand information from underwater “I had to learn how to drive in the sand, other travellers who had just been to how to tow and launch my own boat. where you want to go. adventure “I had to learn how to fix my truck when it “But instead of hoping to find the broke down in the middle of nowhere. It was a right person by chance, you could be It’s not often that a student sells off most of steep learning curve.” notified when you are near them, or be their possessions to finance an unpredictable Ms Marshall built two homes in Mozambique able to rapidly search travel diaries of research project on the other side of the world, using her own money and own two hands, and relevant people.” but Andrea Marshall is no ordinary scholar. also helped established the Manta and Whale He said this concept of a “social Ms Marshall – a 28-year-old Californian Shark Research Centre, which consists of pairing system” could eventually be who is due to receive her UQ doctorate at several huts including a laboratory with a growing used by other types of mobile groups or the end of the year– is regarded as one of bank of scientific equipment. communities such as business travellers, the world’s leading manta ray experts after Working alongside fellow UQ researcher delivery workers or taxi drivers. conducting the first detailed study of the Simon Pierce, Ms Marshall said she was proud “What we are looking at is not species and building her own shark and ray to have completed several world-first studies really a replacement for guidebooks, research centre from scratch. into Manta Ray ecology and behaviour. travel agents or bulletin boards, The journey began for Ms Marshall while “I spent my entire life savings on this but rather an extension or addition volunteering for Great White Shark research project which is probably unheard of for a PhD to existing methods to make the in South Africa and receiving a tip off about a student. It might have blown up in my face but travelling experience richer and more local spot known for its abundance of rays. I had to give it a go. rewarding.” After seeing the research potential she “The beauty of having a dream that works quickly abandoned her life in Brisbane to out in the end is just that, it works out.” pursue her new passion on the remote east Ms Marshall wants to expand the Centre’s coast of Mozambique. international reach and plans to conduct Ms Marshall arrived in 2003 and lived on comparative studies around the world. the outskirts of Inhambane, which lacked bare She encouraged those interested in finding essentials such as electricity and running water. out more about Manta Ray research and With her truck permanently locked in 4X4, conservation to visit the Centre’s website at she said she learned most things the hard way. www.giantfish.org

WHAT’S YOUR STORY: Information about UQ graduates is always welcome for inclusion in Keep in Contact. If you have a story to tell, or you know someone who has, please send information to Graduate Contact (see contact details on page 3). Items should include degree(s) held and year(s) graduated. Articles accompanied by clear colour photographs preferred. The deadline for the Winter 2008 issue is March 3.

UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 2006 39 Art with a new angle

A who’s who of Australian artists are on show at UQ for the nation’s first self- portrait prize.

// by Cameron Pegg

Sydney artist Ben Quilty has won Australia’s first self-portrait prize, which was officially announced at the UQ Art Museum on October 20. Quilty’s Self Portrait Dead (Over the Hills and Far Away) was selected from 30 entries judged by Andrew Sayers, the Director of the National Portrait Gallery, and forms part of a special exhibition to accompany the $40,000 prize. Mr Sayers said the winning work was “a real tour de force”. “It shows extraordinary skill and maturity to paint a work in what are literally livid colours, with great visceral gobs of paint over just the primed canvas,” he said. “The work gives a compelling contemporary expression to one of the age-old themes in portraiture – the artist’s awareness of mortality. “It is a very worthy portrait from within a very fine selection of Australian contemporary self-portraits, to form the beginning of this initiative by the UQ Art Museum.” A previous finalist in both the Archibald and Wynne prizes, Mr Quilty is currently completing an Australia Council Studio Residency in Barcelona. Renowned Brisbane artist, Margaret Olley, admired the work’s “concept, use of paint and great presence” and said she would buy the painting to donate to the “marvellous” UQ Art Museum. “It’s called Self Portrait Dead but it’s more so the artist probably asleep, from potentially having had a few too many drinks,” said UQ Art Museum Director, Nick Mitzevich. Mr Mitzevich encouraged members of the public to visit the exhibition, which complements the University’s existing self-portrait collection, the only one of its kind in the country. “Self-portraits are compelling, not simply because of the insight they give us into how artists see themselves, but also because of what they say about the world they live in – incorporating all of the contemporary debates about representation and identity,” he said. Generously supported by the Margaret Hannah Olley Foundation, the UQ National Artists’ Self-Portrait Prize will be held every second year, with all works entered to be available for acquisition by the University. The exhibition appears at the UQ Art Museum, St Lucia, until February 10, 2008. A study in self-reflection: (top) artist David Paulson with his self-portrait, and above: Admission is free. Margaret Olley and Professor John Hay, AC, in front of Ben Quilty’s winning entry

40 UQ – GRADUATE CONTACT // SUMMER 20072006