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H'9 EAR~i.....~ ORGANUM DECONSTRUCTUM III THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE R". NBH3J27 ISSN 132042&' PP224"70007~:

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Bridges For this feature, we have focused on the bridges we build between the University and the global community We have canvassed space, time, age, race and language to define the ways in which people build paths to better communications.

Bridging the Cultural Distance • GRAHAME STEEL The manager of the University's radio Association and th.e Torres Strait Islander visit each student two or three times per station, 2NUR-FM. is keen to involve Media Association on Thursday Island. y~ar. In addition, the students come into the the station in training Aboriginal broad­ He then moved to Sydney, and eventually coUege three times per year, each for a three casters. Before taking up the position last Canberra, to work on the ABC's input week period. If they have to come in for any . year, Mr Grahame Steel spent several years into the development of indigenous broad­ longer than that, particularly those who are with the ABC helping to develop Aboriginal casting nationally. "Although I was based traditionally based, they are allowed to bring broadcasting in North Queensland, the in these cities, I used to spend two weeks of their family with them. Grahame explained Kimberley region of Western Australia and every month sitting out in the remote parts the reasons; '~Social dislocation for Aborigi­ the Northern Territory. In 1985, he was of the Australian bush with groups of nal people is often a frightening thing. You looking for a venue to establish a course in Aboriginal people, some of whom had had can't take Aboriginal people away from broadcasting and journalism for Aboriginal no access to radio at all. At that time, their family for any length of time. The people, because research he had done with {mid-80's], there was no radio in the family is central to their well-being." Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Kimberley and here was I trying to explain After eight years with the program, people said that they wanted a piece of paper to them that satellites were coming, that Grahame felt that it was time his job was to prove they were broadcasters. So the radio was coming, that television was done by an Aborigine, so he recruited Patrick search was on to find an institution coming and the notion of things coming Malone who, took over the position when that was able to provide the "goods" both down from the sky was a bit confusing to Grahame stepped down. "I'm still involved academically and vocationally and also one them. It became clear that we had to do with the course. Last July we had one of the that would be able to cope with strongly something about the ,education and training trainees, Margaret, come here to 2NUR for traditionally based people. The answer was process, because if Aboriginal people three weeks. I'd like to see the station accept Batchelor College, an Institute of Higher couldn't have radio on their tenns, then Batchelor students on work experience for Education about 95 kms south of Darwin. radio was going to destroy them utterly," several weeks at a time. Having Wollotuka To Grahame it is one of the most beautiful Grahameexplained. here is a terrific help. When Margaret was towns on earth. "It's a lovely spot, full of The course took three years to develop here, I held classes in their,building because wonderful poinciana trees; a really idyllic because many people told Grahame that it was an environment that she could relate rural setting," he said. The College was there was no need, as there ,wouldn't be to." established by the Northern Territory enough students. On the contrary, today It's a long way from Batchelor to New­ Government to help provide adult education they turn people away and have increased castle but in Grahame's mind the "distance" to Aboriginal people, particularly those enrolment to 30 per year. The program uses is negligible. "I was involved in something from remote communities. amixed mode delivery where students spend for eight years which was fascinating. Grahame started his work in Aboriginal most of their time in their horne community The experience has left me very strongly radio when he was Manager of the ABC working on their own radio and television influenced by Aboriginal values." in Townsville. During that time, he helped approach, doing assignments that they send set up the Townsville Aboriginal Media back t.o the college for assessment. Lecturers Broadcasting lessons in a bush setting

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Bridging the Senses • A BLIND TRAVELLER'S FUTURE

The concept of virtual reality is opening acoustics display are connected to the of the country's major organisations new doors and visually impaired people maps to produce speech and other sounds for the blind. He also visited Dr Hideo might be the latest to benefit through that are heard through the headphones. To Makino at the University of Niigata, who research being undertaken in the USA. the user, it seems as if the sounds are coming is developing a stereo camera based system Associate Professor Don Parkes from the from a nearby landmark," Don explained. linked to speech devices for the reading of Ecology of Blindness and Audio-Tactile The virtual acoustics display uses direction maps by blind people. 'In the UK, Don Graphics Research Unit has just returned and distance cues such as sound intensity gave workshops' at the Royal National from giving a series of workshops in Japan, to create the impression that sounds are Institute for the Blind National Education England and the US and was deeply coming from a precise location. A micro­ Centre as well as discussing with Rev. impressed by research into virtual reality phone allows the user to select a destination Dr Andrew Tatham from the Royal and virtual acoustics being undertaken at the or add names of the locations. G~ographical Society, a project to assist University of California at Santa Barbara Don said a blind person could navigate a blind travellers on the London Underground. (UCSB). He presented the 10th Annual suburb or university campus by following a Golledge Lecture on the topic of Multi­ moving virtual beacon or by moving Media Cartography for the disabled while at from landmark to landmark, guided UCSB and saw development on a personal by stationary beacons that "speak" guidance system that could assist visually the names of the locations. "Reg impaired people navigate unfamiliar Golledge, who is blind himself, and territory without assistance. the project team are conducting "Reg Golledge is formerly from Dungog some marvellous research which is and is well respected for his work with experimental, but it will be quite a the blind and is a developer of a prototype few years before a feasible guidance system that is largely experimental but system is fully developed," said Don. could have great advantages for the blind," A major part of Don's trip was said Don. ''The guidance system includes an devoted to demonstrations and the audio headset, a head-mounted electronic further development of his NOMAD compass and a backpack containing system, -the world's first electronic electronic gear. The system uses the com­ system that gives visually impaired pass and a Global Positioning System people interactive access to text and receiver to pinpoint a user's orientation pictorial information through the and location and the infonnation is then use of a computer connected touch fed into a computer that can retrieve maps sensitive pad with a built-in speech of the surrounding area." capability. In Japan he introduced the Professor Col/edge displays the experimental navigation system for blind people. "A speech synthesizer and a virtual system to the Nippon Lighthouse, one

Bridging the Policy Distance

Professor John Hotson, University of because these contractionary moves will which Hotson is Chainnan, has currently put Waterloo, Canada, recently presented a make the depression worse, perhaps even before the US Congress a draft Bill to have seminar here on "New Zealand's Economy increasing the deficit and the rate at which the Government create $300 billion interest in Reality and in New Right Propaganda". debts grow. The solution involves a drastic free to pump into the economy for public Hotson described the worsening social and cut in interest rates and an end to government works whilst providing many jobs for the economic problems associated with the borrowing from private money creators unemployed. Why can't the Australian depression in New Zealand, the Western i.e. private banks, and an expansionary Government do something similar?" industrialised nations and Japan. He talked monetary-fiscal-incomes program to end Hotson asked. "After all, up unto 1984 the of the difference between the claimed results the depression." government was providing loans for the of the ten year old economic rationalist Hotson also claims the present fractional Reserve Bank at only I % rather than at order in New Zealand and what the reality is reserve/debt system is unsustainable commercial rates as at present." - the chronically high unemployment, the because of the "excessive growth of debt Hotson concluded by emphasising that a dismantling of its once proud cradle to grave and interest relative to income with which sovereign government should never, under social security system, and its rising levels to repay". He went on to explain that. any circumstances, "borrow money from of social alienation. Most notable was its throughout recent centuries "real output any private bank". He argued that a sustain­ enonnous foreign debt in spite of drastic only grows when aggregate demand grows. able financial system can be established cuts in government expenditure and the demand only grows when the money supply "which enables the real economy to be sale of almost all government utilities. grows, the money supply only grows when maintained decade after decade, and century He argued "that the public, private and debt grows". after century, at its full employment international debt crisis cannot be solved This is why the North American Commit­ potential without recurring inflation or by raising taxes or cutting expenditures. tee on Monetary and Economic Reform, of over- indebtedness crises".

3 Bridges to the Streets • COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES

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The University's Department of Commu­ Study Tours. Intelligent travel and tourism Astronomical Observatory at the summit of oity Programmes has been providing is in demand these days, and the Department Mauna Kea. Hawaii. alternative education opportunities to and the University's academic staff will businesses. professions and the general . travel with you on tours to hand picked public since 1973. destinations. Collins, said the tours that have been most The Department takes it to the streets in 'The most popular of these tours is the successful have been those that link-in' the traditional areas of general. liberal "Volcanoes in the Seas" Hawaiian Study with the known strengths of the University. adult education courses and lectures - Tour hosted by experienced field geologists. "For example. the Rome and Greece tour short courses and public lectures in a wide 1994 will be tne third year this tour has capitalised on the excellent reputation of range of disciplines, topics and issues. been run and while it is billed as a geological Professor Godfrey Tanner and the Classics Taking it even further are the Depart­ tour, it also is popular with astronomy Department," John said. "People knew that ment's one-day education excursions with «buffs" as it provides access to the Mauna if Godfrey was even remotely involved, temptations such as a garden excursion to Kea Science Reserve International Observa­ then the tour would be worthwhile and Mt. Wilson in the Blue Mountains, an tory for a full day, at a time when it is authentic". historical and agricultural trip to the Upper generally closed to the public. This tour Similarly. Dr John Turner's historical Hunter, a geological journey to Alum draws people from all over Australia. It knowledge, not only of Newcastle' but of Mountain near Bulahdelah and a geological has even welcomed a number of travellers Australia in general, means that his tours. excursion to the Ku-ring Gai National from the U.S. who joined the group in such as his annual week-long trip to Norfolk Park. Sound educational content, on site, Hawaii and then returned home. Island, are most sought after. in relaxed and pleasant surroundings. Past tours have also been arranged to These tours have seen a change of vision So too, are the longer courses run through Rome; Greece and Borneo, but these have for the Department. Once upon a time their summer schools in projects such as all been "one-offs" in response to a specific aim was simply to make the University agricultural studies at the C.B. Alexander request. The Department is now organising more accessible, via the Open Foundation Agricultural College at Toeal and botanical a geological tour to the Antarctic, which program. Today, they hope that these local, and marine studies at Smiths Lake. they hope to see up and running in a couple national and international educational Putting even more distance into the of years. tours will build the University's academic learning are the Department's Overseas Director of the Department, Mr John reputation on the world stage.

Bridges to the People • "COME IN CINDERELLA" by Senator John Tierney One of my first tasks upon entering of the country - from the central business al\ocations in ACE, the Senate was to take part in the first districts of our capital cities to isolated o the establishment of a National comprehenSive review of adult and mining settlements; amongst urban' migrant Institute of Research, Innovation and community education to be undertaken in communities and in remote Aboriginal Teaching in ACE, over which the 40 years. Ourreport "Come in Cinderella" groups. It responds to the needs of a diverse ACE sector should have significant is now a university text for preparing clie.nt group - from the disenchanted school control, people in the field of adult and community leaver to the professional seeking contin­ o the extension' of support for existing education. uing education or the woman returning to projects directed towards the The report was compiled following the workforce. Many of them want to go establishment of national schemes for extensive hearings and accepting submis­ into a more formal course of training competency standards, recognition of sions from across AustraHa. For example, following their initial ACE studies but are prior learning, credit transfers and we spoke to Aboriginal prisoners in blocked by either social or geographical other related matters while specifi­ Darwin and groups of Tur~ish migrant isolation. cally requiring that such projects take women. Most ofthese people are studying The report ~ontafned a number of into acco~nt the needs of, and short courses. to gain a particular skill recommendations .. These include: recognise the skills fonnation role of, ordevelop a particular interest. This sector o priority consideration be given to the adult and community education provides educational opportunity where increased funding for the sector, sector. it has previously been denied and creates o the establishment of a professional Senator Tierney ;s the Hunter-based Liberal . pathways out of powerlessness into development fund, Senator for NSW and a former University of further education and training. . o modifitation of funding guidelines to Newcastle academic. Adult and community education provide for both vocational and non­ operates throughout the length and breadth vocational criteria in detennining grant BRIDGES B RID G E S' B RID G E S B RID G E S B RID G E S B RID G E S

Bridges to the World • SWEDEN

A brief holiday in Fang in the calibration Australia two years of the time-of-flight ago has attracted a detector and study Swedish student to the conditions under the University to work which optimum depth on a research project and mass resolution for his Master of are obtained. He is Science degree. also studying the Ulf Stein visited infonnation that can thetouristspots in 1991 be obtained about but this time is hard at where impurity atoms work in the physic sit in semiconductor laboratories as part single crystals, thus of a collaboration asslstlOg in the between the Ion understanding of the Surface Group and electrical and physical Dr Harry Whitlow of properties of devices. Lund University in a During a break in joint effort to study his research Ulf said the use of heavy ions At home in the lab - VI/uses the Department of Physics' heavy ion many Swedish students in surface analysis. time-afflight analyser which is use~ to analyse the c(1mposition of surfaces. looked for opportuni­ A routine method ties to study overseas of analysing the structure in composition graduate student, Yang Qing, who has just and exchange programs were popular as surfaces is to bounce energetic atoms off completed his thesis and by another they also gave students the opportunity to the surface in much the same way as billiard postgraduate student, Zewei Fang. who is improve their English language in addition balls are scattered. One common fonn of constructing an apparatus to be- installed to concentrating on their research. analysis is to use helium ions, a well charac­ at the Australian National University. "My adviser at Lund University of terised technique though it has serious The most important parameters in the Technology knew Professor 0 'Connor limitations. The Ion Surface Group has put study are the depth resolution and mass (Head of Department of Physics) and a major effort into the use of higher mass resolution. This is the ability to resolve suggested that I study at Newcastle because projectiles, such as carbon. to obtain much different parts' of the solid with high of its excellent reputation," said Ulf. "This more detailed infonnation about the surface precision. The techniques under investiga­ is my first project in nuclear physics structure in composition. The techniques tion are able to measure features in a surface and I'm hoping that it will open doors required to use these higher energy which are less than 10 atomic spacings into the Swedish research field where I projectiles are more complicated and are apart. hope to gain employment as a research the subject of extensive research by post- During his stay Ulf is assisting Zewei scientist."

Bridges to the World· PARIS

After submitting her work for the Canson two weeks in February to visit museums Print Award, Rachel Burgess. rang to check and galleries and to work in a Paris print if it had arrived safely. workshop. Visits 'to the Canson paper mill What she was told near.ly caused her to at Annonay and the Lefranc & Bourgeois drop the phone with shock. Not only had it factory at Le Mans are also part of the arrived safely. but it had won the A ward. And itinerary. the prize, something to dream about, was an Naturally Rachel is very excited to have all expenses paid trip to Paris. won the award. She describes her submitted The A ward, open to all graduating and work entitled 'Soulcage' as a memorial to postgraduate students of printmaking her grandmother who passed away earlier from recognised tertiary institutions in this year and a positive way to express her Australia, is made by Canson Australia, grief. the makers of a range of art paper. "I have never travelled out of Australia" Rachel, 22, enrolled in the University's Rachel said. "It is an opportunity for Postgraduate Diploma in Art, is specialising me to also extend my work and artistic in printmaking after completing a Bachelor knowledge by visiting the paper manuf­ of Visual Arts with a major in ceramics at the acturers and the print workshop," she said. Australian National University in Canberra. The prize will take Rachel to France for Rachel Burgess - Paris-bound. fll,IDGES BRIDGES BRIDGES BRIDGES BRIDGES BRIDGES

Bridges to the World • ASIA AND THE PACFIC

Mr Frank Morgan (second from the left) with other key speakers at the Australian National Commission/or UNESCO Annual National Conference.

Addressing the annual conference of the alists. AAMIP flourished, yet was not communication technology network in Australian National Commission for renewed at the end of the trial." the Asia-Pacific region to provide distance UNESCO in Canberra in September, the Worldwide, the regional communication education for media and communication Head of the University's Department of development institutions established during professionals. He called for support for the Communication and Media Arts, Mr the 1970s are increasingly difficult to broadcasting, in developed countries. of Frank Morgan, identified a number of sustain. In particular, they suffer from the radio and television programs produced opportunities for increased Australian rapidity of technological, cultural and in developing countries. "Both the Asia­ mvolvement in UNESCO's communication structural change and the shortage of skilled Pacific Broadcasting Union and the Pacific program. Of particular relevance to the and imaginative trainers. Digital electronics Islands Broadcasting Association have Unjversity is the opportunity for Australia have not only transformed the production news and program exchange schemes," to provide education in various fields, and transmission of information, but explained Frank. "They and indepenqent including communication in Asia and the redefined the media, now known individu­ producers all require assistance to have Pacific. ally as print, sound, video, graphics and programs shown in developed countries Frank, a long time communication numerical data; bringing them together as such as Australia." consultant to UNESCO, observes that one medium. Producers still need the finesse He also called for support for the planning Australia, in the eye of its neighbours, to put pictures and words and sounds and implementation of a network conun­ does not appear to pay its dues to the together artfully, but broadcasting, be it unication diploma/degree program to be organisation. terrestrial or by satellite, will now be able to provided by Asia-Pacific universities and "Ten years ago, Australia helped to· accept the work of individual contributors, professional training centres in collaboration prepare, but failed to support, the PAC­ as print has previously'. All these changes with one or more Australian universities. BROAD (a professional training program mean that the short-course professional "While instructional materials are available for radio broadcasters) project put to the training provided previously now needs to to support professional communication !PDC (International Program for Develop­ be augmented by formal-award education. education in Australia and developed ment of Communication) by the South This need was identified by the AIBD­ countries, they are lacking in Asia and the Pacific Commission. Instead, the German, Australia Media Project, by an AIBD Pacific. They would provide an essential Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, provided the (Asia Pacific Institute for Broadcasting component of the network course proposed funding and the project staff. The Germans Development) workshop on training and could further be sold to other educaUon did an excellent job and now enjoy a level development, by meetings of the Pacific and training institutions in the region," of respect and gratitude in the Pacific that Islands Broad-casting and News Associa­ he said. could easily have been Australia's," Frank tions, and by two international Journalism Frank's proposals have been referred on said. "Also, in 1983, in response to a request Education Association meetings. to the General Conference of UNESCO in from the ASEAN Committee on Culture In response to these needs, Frank Paris and provided they attract the necessary and Information, Australia established the recommended that Australia should support support there, the resultant projects may ASEAN-Australia Media and Information several of the projects proposed in Unesco's well provide an increased role not just for Program (AAMIP) to provide training and 1994-95 Draft Work Program. These Australia, but also for this University. study tours for print and broadcast joum- include the establishment of a modern

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Bridges to the World • Bridges to the World· CAMEROON

SOUTH AFRICA When Dr Pius Ngassa travelled from as likely to have evidence of malarial infec­ The University's Employment Studies his home in Cameroon to attend the tion than women whose pregnancies went Centre in the Department of Economics was University's Clincal Epidemiology course full-tenn. This relationship was independent the target for a one-day visit from Mr Max in 1988, he established a link that led to of socio-economic factors such as social class, Sisulu. Director of the National Institute him receiving a degree of Master of Medical occupation, education and marital status. for Economic Policy (NIEP) in South Science for his work on the association These findings have important clinical Africa, during October. between malaria and pretenn labour. and public health implications, both for the During his-time with staff at the Centre, Dr Ngassa is now Senior Lecturer in the mothers and their babies. Not only does Mr Sisulu discussed a number of issues Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Cameroon have an extremely high perinatal including the fannulation of policy advice as well as the Clinical Epidemiology Unit and infant mortality rate, but malaria is one for a new democratic ANC-led government at the University of Yaounde, Cameroon, of the country's major health problems. in South Africa and the education and Africa. His particular interests lie in the Dr Ngassa argues that improved prescrip­ training of black economists for this field of perinatal medicine, particularly in tion of, and compliance with, weekly government and other organisations. the area of pretenn labour and premature anti-malarial drugs during pregnancy may Dr Roy Green, Senior Lecturer in the deliveries. In achieving his Masters, he not only reduce the risk of pretenn labour Department said that the Employment studied over 400 women, and was able to but also the subsequent high perinatal Studies Centre would be conducting detennine that women who experienced mortality that is associ~ted with it in devel­ research with the NIEP on the labour pretenn labour were more than six times oping countries. market and industrial relations in South Africa-, with an emphasis on the develop~ ment.of a "Reconstruction Accord"between Bridges to the World· CHINA the ANC and the CDSATU (the South You are not here Marks of this pen African equivalent to the ACTU). "This Just I'.-'rittel! are swept ofj'by a wild wind Accord will draw upon the international Emptiness like a dead bird soars across your face experience of structured economic and Funereal moon is a broken hand social ties between governments and the Turning back your days trade union movement and will take into Back to the page when you do not exist account the special conditions of South 111 writing You Africa, where the lifechancesofthemajority Back in your 0\\,11 deletion have been severely restricted," Dr Green Like another's mice added. Bits of bones are spat carelessly inlO a comer In addition, the ESC is in the throes of Hollow sound of water brushing waler developing a one or two year course in Carelessly enters breathing the Faculty of Economics and Commerce, Enters a pear and ceases 10 look at others which will be designed to suit the needs Skulls al/ over the ground are you of black South African economists and In words and lines you grow old in Ii night advisers. Yow· poetry im·isibly trm·ersing the world. "The course will provide expertise in a Yang Lian .. fifth visit to Australia. range of areas, including industrial relations, labour economics, macro-economics, The words are those of Chinese poet and heart and mind. It is an intrinsic death. It economic doctrines and methods and literary critic, Yang Lian, currently Visiting not only takes place in the dead, but also political economics," Dr Green said. "It will Writer at the University of Sydney and were in the living," he says. result in a qualification, and will provide written in reaction to the Tiananmen Square Lian says that this, his fifth visit to access, if desired, to Australian Labor incident which occurred in China on June 4, Australia, has reinforced his appreciation Party politicians and senior trade union 1989. They are from his collection of his of Australian people. "Australians are close officials," he added. poems entitled The Dead in Exile, which to the land and close to their country," he when published in 1990 evoked a national says. "There is a contrast between the short controversy in China. history of Australia to the heavily loaded Lian, regarded by literary critics as one of culture and history of China which presents the main writers of modernist poetry from rich material for a writer. In China, nature the People's Republic of China, is now in has almost taken on human qualities," he exile saying "it is quite impossible to return says. to China." His latest work, the subject of one of his Lian left his native land after the Tiana­ talks, is entitled Where the Sea Stands Still. nmen incident and has since travelled and For him it is a chance to pay a debt he feels lectured extensively in the West. His he owes to the ocean. ''The Chinese culture works have been translated into more than is specifically related to the earth. To us a dozen languages. the ocean is a word or a kind of a myth, (I to r) Dr Roy Green. Mr Max Sisuiu "It is very hard for a writer to say what something distant and not to be touched," and Professor Michael Carter. Deputy­ is right or wrong," says Lian. "The Dead he adds. Vice-Chancellor. in Exile deals with feelings of death in my

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Bridges to the World· CHINA On August 7, 1993 Professor Peng Dexi Shakespearian performances given hy enables objective self-assessment by students. arrived in Newcastle. a visfting scholar to students and from intonations, gestures, The microcomputing laboratories allow the Department of Curriculum Studies. His facial expressions and actions, I know they students to use well-designed software to purpose was to research the interrelations have a very good understanding of his facilitate language recognition and usage. between language learning and culture 'in works. In China, some teachers like to The two major computerised libraries have second language teaching. and to investigate dominate the class and give little room to a huge collection of books, journals, the development of language education in students to develop their own talents," he microfonns and audio-visual materials Australia. Professor Peng has been teaching said. which provide teachers and students with Chinese here and has visited other classes. "I also visited ELlCOS, where the quick service for their research." The active thinking of the students in class, language laboratories provide a range of "My stay at the University is short, but the pleasant and harmonious class atmos­ modern equipment and are available for I. am sure I can learn a lot here and I will phere, ~vanced teaching facilities and the fonnal, structured lessons as well as for apply what I have learned to my future efficient teaching methods employed by individual access. The video equipment work in China." teachers have left a deep impression on him. Professor Peng stated, "In class, students are very active in thinking. They are not reluctant to give their own views. Ideas The visiting scholar comes to,stay ... between teachers and students are fully by Tony Hanson communicated. Comparatively speaking, Chinese students are less active in class. While inAustralia,Professor Penghas been living with eight young Australian students They are used to listening· to lectures and in Wallsend. They have enjoyed listening to his observations of the differences between taking notes. Thus the Chinese atmosphere the two cultures and also the tasting of traditional Chinese food. His friends have shown in classrooms is not so active and hannoni­ him around the city and pointed out a few of the local icons such as beer. vegemite, poker ous as in the classes I have attended here." machines, McDonalds, Aussie food and cigareues. He has also enjoyed looking at "I find teachers here often use different churches and religions, television. films and the trading of cultural stories among friends. teaching methods to achieve best results. While Professor Peng has fonnally researched and studied the language, his Australian They arouse students' interest, enthuse them flatmates also know that the communicated insights between each other on the balcony in their study and cultivate their ability to of their WaJlsend home have expanded each other's education. apply what they have learned. I have seen

Bridges to the World • CANADA A University lecturer who specialises in visit four other· countries during a seven colleagues in the other four countries. producing students with a high level of week period from December. Michael will ''The scholarship will allow vital feed. competence in a second language has been study French/English programs in Canada back through AALIT to immersion language awarded a research scholarship to study as well as language programs in California teachers and researchers and bring them language immersion programs operating (Spanish/English), Wales (WelshjEnglish), up to date with techniques being used by in Canada. France (English/France/German) and countries where a second language is part of The $5000 scholarship, funded by both Hong Kong (English/Chinese). their nonnal culture." the French and Canadian Governments, was "Immersion is a fairly new field in awarded to Mr Michael Berthold after he language education in Australia and relies on was initially approached by the French the second language being the medium of Embassy ~n Canberra. The main purpose of instruction for content areas within aschool's the scholarship is to heighten Australian curriculum. In this way students are fully awareness of the innovative and successful immersed in using the second language and programs which have been operating in therefore become much more confident Canada for almost 30 years. and proficient," said Michael. Michael, a language teaching methodol­ The SCholarship could be the forerunner ogy lecturer from the Department of for similar bi-national scholarships to Curriculum Studies at the University. is encourage more lecturers and teachers to President of the Australian Association of study in Canada. It had taken about 18 Language Immersion Teachers (AALIT) months of discussion with the French and and was invited to be the inaugural recipient Canadian Governments to bring the for his groundbreaking work on immersion scholarship to fruition and Michael's language in Queensland and his promotion research report will be vital to possible of immersion language teaching throughout continuation of the scholarship. Australia. Michael said the scholarship would allow Although the scholarship will enable him to study teaching techniques and Michael to travel to Canada, he has also research material in Canada and to compare gained assistance from the University to them with work being conducted by BIG PICTURE BIG PICTURE BIG PICTURE BIG

DECLINE IN LITERACY A MYTH A person is literate when he has acquired improvement in standards. Instrumental in the essential knowledge and skills which the first national literacy and numeracy enable him to engage in all those activities testing in Australia in 1975, Professor in which literacy is required for effective Bourke said assessment was first introduced functioning in his group and community, in the interests of public accountability and whose attainment in reading, writing of state funded education. While national and arithmetic make it possible for him to testing ended in the early 19Ses. there is continue to use these skills towards his own still a demand for accountability amid and the community development and for continuing cries of falling standards. active participation in the /tfe a/his country. Professor Bourke analysed current More students were staying on at school, methOds for assessing literacy. including creating a wider spectrum and many Professor Sid Bourke, in an inaugural some international studies. He postulated university staff complaining about declining lecture delivered to mark his appointment on why people perceived there to beadecline literacy standards didn't take this into to a chair in Education, quoted this 1963 in literacy, when the figures indicated account. Professor Bourke said. "There is UNESCO definition of literacy. He sugg­ otherwise. "There is no evidence that there also the fact that more is required ested it was not just the gender bias that was agolden age of literacy . So why do some now ... standards have remained at the same was questionable in the statement. Whatcon­ people believe there has been a decline? level and have stepped behind needs. We stitutes effective functioning for instance? Taking a cynical view, I could say it's need to assess what are the essential, key Is it the ability to read street signs and because it sells newspapers. We are tasks required in a modern SOCiety and what simple messages or to construct a 3.000 constantly being told that things are worse level of performance is required at these word technical or academic essay? And is than before and it is nice to be able to skills." Suggesting a way forward.Professor literacy declining in our society. as we are blame someone for our economic problems. Bourke recommended assessing literacy frequently told by educators and the media? But I am not sure how much the school using light samples (not population testing). According to Professor Bourke. the system should be blamed for the state of the restricting the tasks involved (using a fixed perception that literacy has declined in economy. And this view that sees the past curriculum), scaling the tests for efficiency Australia over the past 20 years is a myth~ through rose-tinted spectacles cannot be and carrying out longitudinal studies. with assessment figures indicating a slight supported with any evidence."

NURSING ACADEMICS - ADVANCE OR RETREAT?

... ifit is somewhat unusual, andfor many profession finally coming into its own. or a nursing academics, Professor Madjar thinks unsettling, to see a woman ordained a retreat from the problems and realities of having nursing in the University is a defmite bishop, ... it is also relatively unusual and practice into the ivory towers of esoteric step in the right direction. "Despite the dare 1 suggest unsettling, to see a nurse theories," she asked. hurdles ... the wider international picture appointed a university professor .. While the antecedents of modem nursing should give us cause for real optimism. The were as old as humankind, nursing education range and quality of nursing research and In her inaugural lecture, Professor Irena as a formalised activity goes back only a scholarship internationally is somethiilg Madjar. Newcastle's first app-ointee to a little over a hundred years. Professor Madjar in which we can take pride and inspiration," Nursing chair, referred to Dr Penny outlined the major directions taken during she said. After providing some examples Jamieson's ordination as bishop in New this time, concluding that neither the nursing of international research breakthroughs in Zealand as a parallel to her own position. profession nor the universities alone could nursing; Professor Madjarcalled on Austral­ "What on earth are nurses ... doing ~n the answer the question of where and how ians to be critical readers, and to contribute university, the academe... where learning nurses should be educated. "It is ultimately a to the debate. "I have great expectations of and scholarship. pursuit of knowledge for question of the social mandate to provide a where we will be in five years and then ten its own sake, and search for truth are certain kind of service in a changing and years down the track. but I have no illusions paramount?" she asked. «Do professors of increasingly complex environment. .. " she about the work which lies ahead. Being in nursing have anything to profess? Does said. "I would suggest that to meet the a university is an opportunity to try; not a nursing have anything to offer to other health needs of the people at the end of this guarantee of success." university disciplines ..... Professor Madjar and the beginning of the new century. we Professor Madjar concluded with an went to the heart need a well educated and multi-skilled excerpt from T.S. Eliot: of the dilemma nursing and midwifery workforce. rather There is only the fight to recover what has currently facing than an on-going proliferation of new been lost nurses. Nursing sub-specialties, generic carers, and ancillary Andfound and lost again and again: and and the Aca­ staff expected to perform nursing work." now, under conditions deme: Advance The professor said it was unfortunate That seem unpropitious. or Retreat? that nursing had entered Australian But perhaps neither gain nor loss. "Is being in a universities, at least in part, as a result of For us there is only the trying. university an political concerns with "economies of scale". The rest is not our business. advance for a While this presents some challenges to • BIG PICTURE BIG PICTURE BIG PICTURE BIG PICTURE BIG

FROM THE VICE·CHANCELLOR ...

The overall result of the visit of the being in the last six or seven years, but not embark on Government representatives to consider many of these have gone to schoolleavers. the basis of our Profile is as follows. The second main issue raised was the new a certain Firstly. we have to take more schoolleavers policy on HECS. This has been subjected to contract with than we now do. As a matter of fact we are politic~l debate and the original' budget Government, among the highest in schoolleaver intake in package has been defined in recent days. The and then were New South Wales. About 39% of our intake thrust of Government policy was originally caught with is school leavers. and they are defined as to penalise second degree students, and the rules be­ persons who are less than two years away students who were taking too long to complete ing changed Professor Paoul Manley, from finishing secondary school. Even so we their first degrees, in order to push some such notonlypros­ Vice-Chancellor have to take more, but this should not have students out, allowing them to be replaced by .pectively, but major effects: 300 EFfSU can be accommo­ school leavers. The increase in HECS for also retrospectively. We have asked for this to dated across the University without major second degree students was intended as a be reviewed. qualitative change. I am well aware that disincentive. Whatever the Senate does with Lastly, we have been asked to reduce slightly many of the Departments and Faculties the budget package we can certainly expect our postgraduate intake. This amounts to a think that we should be taking fewer young that this political purpose will be present as a change in the triennial arrangements, and the students, since there seem to be many who force in university affairs, and will manifest Government has in fact welshed on the 1990 are uncommitted, and really unconcerned itself again. However for now, the Senate has enrolment figures which ithadagreedon. We by their results until they are weeded out at forced the dropping of the penalty on those can live with the proposal since there is only the end of First Year. But this argument does who take too long. The double !lECS on a minor reduction of postgraduate places not wash with the political and administrative second degree students remains in the Budget involved, but this is no way to run a chook figures that govern us (it was said to be "based at this stage. yard. It now appears that complaints hav'e on anecdotal evidence"), and it is obvious The most blatantly unfair aspect of this is been so great over this issue that the Govern­ that it is very difficult to defend in the political the retrospectivity of it, whereby the increased ment may soften its position, and we arena the fact that most of the new places !lECS debt is to be backdated for students have applied, through Professor MacDonald generated in the last few years have been who were caught in mid-stream. Retrospec­ for a return to our original Profile figures. taken up by students who are mature age or tive penalties are always to be avoided and Watch this space/or/urther developments, .. second degree students. Some 150,000 new it is obvious that the injustice of this lies University places have been brought into in the fact that students were encouraged to

EXTERNAL RELATIONS· NEW FRONTIERS

Good name - it's intangible, hard to attempts are being made to find whatcommu­ levels for universities, which have in effect procure, but a university's «name" is one of nity perceptions are of the University. reduced greatly their supply of funds, mean its most important assets. Professor Mortley believes that the efforts that no university can refrain from seeking to Our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Raoul involved in external relations should all be develop a substantial private income. This is Mortley, believes that the name of The brought together,and thatamuchmore planned necessary both to boost ordinary operating University of Newcastle is a strategic asset and coherent approach to the various ways budgets and also to provide for some freedom which should be carefully nourished. He in which the University seeks to position of decision in relation to university activities considers that The University of Newcastle itself in the wider community must be taken. at a time when Government is tying almost is not well known outside the immediate Accordingly the new post of Assistant every dollar of expenditure to some Govern­ region, apart from its Faculty of Medicine, Vice-Chancellor for External Relations has ment project. and that there is an immediate need to make been established, and Associate Professor There was also a need to co-ordinate all The University of Newcastle a presence in Jenny Graham, at present the Head of the University literature production and to link the thinking of the broader Australian com­ School of Health and Dean of the Faculty of overseas graduations to Alumni functions munity. Health Sciences, is settling into her new as well as to University marketing functions: He said the University has always enjoyed role. a single division would be in a much better comprehensive support from the Hunter The new Division will seek to bring position to use expenditure wisely and would and Central Coast regions, the institution together the activities of the International be much more forceful in its organ-isation of having gained autonomy in 1965 and being an Students Office, the Public Relations Unit, University functions. important part of the community it serves. Convocation and Alumni activities and "Previously disparate efforts will be brought "This must be steadfastly maintained. networks, and fund-raising activities related together and given some overall planning and However this has been a year for review and to the University Foundation. The University organisation." forward planning, and we have to look Foundation is to be established as a means So far as Australian students are conce­ again at our external relations and envisage of receiving private donations, and_ will rned, Professor Mortley said that the new the future of the University across a much develop a 20 year target. The University position was intended to lift the profile of broader canvas," he added. Foundation will provide for the next genera­ First step in the new look has been an tion of University staff and students. external review of public relations and Professor Mortley said that the new funding Continued over ...

\0 BIG PICTURE BIG PICTURE BIG PICTURE BIG PICTURE BIG

the University and to make it the first in the quality of their university." preference University for as many Year 12 Professor Mortley said there would be students as possible. few short-term gains from the creation of "More effort is required in the area of the new Division, but over the longer term Convocation, setting up Chapters in capital there were great poten!ial benefits. "But cities in Australia and overseas countries above all, the University's role in presenting and in developing networks which may be itself must be based on substance. An of use in assisting graduates to find employ­ educational institution is only credible if ment." its deeds match its words. We will not fall «The more energetic a university is in into the trap of manufacturing a University establishing Alumni networks and in rhetoric which is not backed by policies establishing a clear profile for itself in and by policy development, policy imple­ the conununity generally. the more benefit mentation and action." there is to past graduates, as well as to future Associate Professor Jenny Graham ... new graduates. All graduates have an interest Assistant Vice-Chancellor

Committee is non-partisan and exists NOTES FROM AVCC exclusively for educational purposes. Its The AVeC met on September 21. contin",iog aim is to serve the best interests of the universities and, through them, FEDERAL BUDGET , One proposal involvedfourevaluationcrite- the nation and higher education. In IMPLICATIONS ria: fulfilment of this purpose, the A VCC: , A VCC expressed concern that the I. intrinsic merit of the research; • provides a forum within which to Federal Budget contained changes 2. research perfonnance competence; discuss highereducationissues, including that make it difficult to plan activities 3. effect of the research on the nation's teaching, research and research ttaining; on the basis of.' the rolling triennium. research effort; and • . promotes the needs, interests and They strongly opposed the breach of 4. utility orrelevanceoftheresearch. A VCC purposes of Australian universities Govemment/lnstitution agreements on . resolved to communicate its-' view that and theircammunities to government, recurrent funding and the profile of criteria 3 and 4 should only apply after industty and other groups; student load for rol\ingtriennia, and criteria I and 2' were met, and then only at • provides an "information clearing I ' the consequent erosion of University the funding margins. ..' bouse for Australian universities; autonomy. • adniinisters programs involving AVCC MISSION STATEMENT , Austr~an universities; and ARC The foUo~ing A VCC mission statement • serves and "assists Vice-Chancellors A VCC receiv.ed a report concernjng was adopted: "The Australian Vice­ , in the perfonnance of their university moves by the ARC to inject "relevance" Chancellors' Committee seeks to advance responsibilities." or national interest criteria into the re­ higher" education through" voluntary, search assessment process for large grants. co-operative and co-ordinated action. The

ACADEMIC STAFF GRIEVANCE RESOLUTION

Academic staff members who are feeling to prevent personal conflicts becoming amicable resolution. We encourage people disgruntled or unfairly treated by acolleague entrenched. Chair, Dr Monica Hayes, said to talk to each other and find a solution or department head now have' an outlet.· the panel will try and solve the sort of that arises from a compromise between Perhaps you are being asked to administer interpersonal problems that can take up them that is not imposed by the referee." the same old course yet again, while others enonnous amounts of time in an infonnal, The nine panel members have all been consistently avoid it, possibly your ire is effective manner. "This type of dispute can trained in mediation by Carol Dance from over a colleague being allocated the best seriously affect a person's happy functioning the Australian Commercial Disputes office in a reshuffle? You know your in their work enVironment," Dr Hayes said. Centre. They include five former members problem is not suitable for the University's This form of mediation ~s becoming of academic staff at the University, one grievance advisers, not related to EEO increasingly popular in the community, person with extensive industrial negotiation issues or staffing disputes, but you feel particularly in the civil courts. "The family experience and arepresentative from T AFE, unable to solve it and it's affecting your law courts are increasingly attempting to as well as Dr Hayes who is a solicitor. With peace of mind. Fear not, help is at hand. solve disputes through conciliation," Dr a dispute resolution centre opened recently The University has set up a panel of Hayes said, "and other Australian universi­ in Newcastle, the push to provide impartial conciliators trained to deal with mediating ties are setting up similar initiatives. mediation in disputes is community wide. this type of dispute, Established as a result Employing the sarne sort of techniques used "I think it is an up and coming thing in society of ajointinitiative by the University Admin­ to help solve disputes between neighbours to replace confrontation with negotiation istration and Academic Staff Unions, the in the outside world, we offer an impartial and what we are doing at the University is panel will implement procedures intended referee who helps the parties to reach an part of this," Dr Hayes said. RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP RESEARCH

RESEARCH REWARDED University postgrad- work has been to establish uate students continue how previous results for to produce high quality convex functions can be research work. This extended for locally year'sgraduates include Lipschitz functions. Scott Robert Lukes who is currently working at earned his Doctor of Simon Fraser University Philosophy through a in Vancouver. thesis entitled "Political Also in the Department content in the narrative of Mathematics, Ian worksofGuenterGrass", Searston recently earned Robert first became (left to right) Dr Robert Lukes, Dr Scott Schiffttr and-Mr Jan SearSlon his Master of Mathe- fascinated by the writings of Grass through properties oflocally Lipschitz functions on maties. A part-time student since 1990, his first novel, Die Blechtrommel (The Tin Banach spaces" was completed in the his thesis was entitled "A New Fenchel Drum). "I remember reading it in the tram DepartmentofMathematics.Scottcompleted Duality Theorem with ~pplications to on the way back from the factory where I a B.Eng. degree (Chem.Eng.) in 1987 and a Optimization". His work expanded the was working during university vacation. B.Maths degree in 1989. After two years exposition of a new Fenchel type duality He was still considered outrageous by with Koppers Australian Coal Tar Division theorem developed in a series of papers by many Germans then, and I could see why... he joined the staff here and began his J. Borwein and A. Lewis. Its emphasis was Here was a writer who seemed to want to doctoral work. on the power of the theorem which was reform society both through his literature, Scott's research is in non-linear and illustrated with references to financial and outside it," Robert explained. non-smooth analysis, an area which has economics, transpor~ation and the market After finishing his degree at the Uni- increasing application in optimisation area problem. versity of Mainz (German/ltalian) Robert theory. Essentialtothisstudy is alrnowledge Ian completed his frrstdegree here in 1966, worked as a translator and lang\1age teacher, of particular differentiability properties of and then a Dip. ~. he has been a Maths before he returned to Newcastle to write certain classes offunctions on general spaces. teacher at Macintyre H.S. in Inverell since his doctoral thesis. He is currently working Since the 1970s there has been considerable 1975. as a freelance translator and language development of the theory of the diffe- "It was always my intention to do further teacher in Stuttgart, and still closely follows rentiability properties of convex functions study, but it took me 23 years to get back to the activities and writings of Guenter Grass on such spaces. It was only in the late 1980s it. When I finally did get started I wasn't who remains one of the most critical voices that a notable advance was made in the going to give in," Ian said. The persistence in the country. knowledge of the differentiability proper- has paid off. Another recent PhD graduate is Scott ties of the more general class of locally Sciffer whose thesis "Differentiability Lipschitz functions. TheemphasisofScou's

"WARNING ... WARNING, DANGER WILL ROBINSON!" Our concept of computer-generated changes in price means we have to alter fmancial prediction, legal consultation. "beings" has been heavily influenced by our buying plans. Over 30 participants from around the such television progr!J11111les and movies as AssociateProfessorGraham Wrightson of world came to Newcastle to look at the work Lost in Space and Star Wars, but the reality the Department of Computer Science, and being carried out here, and to share informa­ is that researchers see the creation of the first Ms Mary-Anne Williams of the Department tion and solve problems that they have been domestic robot as a long-term proposition. of Management recently joined forces to facing"in their own research. The fundamental problem facing the organise the first "Automated Reasoning The outstanding success of the workshop field of Artificial Intelligence has been how Workshop" held in Australia. took everyone by surprise. . to create a computer capable of "reasoning" Graham has been working in the area "For the first time in Australiaresearchers and "learning" for itself. The aim is to of Automated Reasoning for almost 30 in Automated Reasoning and Belief develop a machine which can reason like a years, and Mary-Anne is interested in the Revision were brought together and were human: able to monitor the changes it sees area of Belief Revision, which involves the able to see rich areas of overlap and scope in the world and alter its behaviour accord­ modification of an intelligent agents' for future investigation." Mary-Anne said. ingly. For example, think of how we put beliefs about the world in the light of new Professor Wrightson is an editor of the together a shopping list. We have certain infonnation. Journal of Automated Reasoning, and a funds available and we have a list of items Although both see the introduction of a member of the programme committee of needed. When we get to the shop we find domestic robot as being decades away, the the Annual International Conference on that apples are more" expensive than we work being carried out at present is still of Automated Reasoning. He has recently thought and therefore, if we still want to buy consequence. Indeed, actual applications received funding from DITAC to continue six apples, we will have to buy less bananas. for Automated Reasoning have been collaboration with researchers at the The "reasoning" is working out how we developed in many areas such as medical can balance the budget when unexpected and industrial diagnosis, manufacturing, Continued over... ACHIEVEMENTS ACHIEVEMENTS ACHIEVEMENTS ACHIEVEMENTS

''Warning ... Warning ... ''

University of Munich, Gennany. WILDLIFE Ms Williams, together with Professor Norman Foo from the Knowledge System SCHOLARSHIP Group at the University of Sydney, are two of the organisers of a special Workshop on A student from Victoria who is Belief Revision at the Australian loint Con­ studying plant and wildlife ference on Artificial Intelligence to be held illustration in the Deparbnent of 9 in November this year. Financial assistance Fine Arts is this year s winner of from the Department of Management in the Margaret Senior Wildlife Newcastle has enabled the participation of ,filustration Award. two leading international researchers; , Kate' Thompson eariied the Professor PeterGardenfors from the Univer­ Award. which is presented in sity of Lund in Sweden, and Professor Hans ,collaboration with the National Rott from the University of Saarbrucken in Parks and Wildlife Service in Germany. recognition of one of Australia's It may still be a fair distance from "R2D2" top wildlife illustrators, Margaret in Star Wars or "No. 5" in Short Circuit but Senior. - thanks to people like Graham and Mary­ Anne, our great grandchildren may find their lives a little easier.

'FINIS AT THE OPERA HOUSE' The work of the University's final year students ano the embodiment of the design 'The reasons forthecapital city exhibition design students has been on display at the process. The course saw its first students are manifest in the nature of graphic and Sydney Opera House. It is the first time a graduate last year. industrial design practice. With design university or college design group in New ''The first graduate group has created an graduates, as in many other professions, the South Wales has been invited to exhibit at awareness of the Design course of which we student leaves the cloisters of the learning the venue. are very proud," Allan said. "Feedback from environment and proceeds to an internship. The exhibition, entitled 'Finis' is the work employers states that their design work is It's a time to establish important links with of graduating graphic design and industrial refreshingly different, that they are able to some of the best practitioners in the country design students. Course co-ordinator, Mr direct lateral thought in a creative manner in the largest market sectorofthe economy," Allan Morse, said the exhibition was a and that they are able to articulate their ideas he said. culmination of the design skills of the ~n a clear, assertive, non-arrogant manner.

"CUNNING RUNNING" CHAMPIONS Two Newcastle University students have Germany in 1995. emerged as Australian champions for 1993 Orienteering is cross in the increasingly popular 'thought sport', country navigation using Orienteering. They won their titles at the a highly detailed map Australian Orienteering Championships and a compass. It is not held at Evans Crown Nature Reserve at easy and relies on ability, Tarana, about 45 kilometres outofLithgow. endurance as well as Shane Trotter, mechanical engineering running the distance in student and 1992 Australian champion, the quickest possible retained his title in the men's 2lA class, a time. Hence the terms 9.4 kilometre course commonly known to "the thought sport" and competitors as "longs". In the same Cham­ "cunning running". pionships, commerce student, Anthony The University Orien­ Darr, won the men's 21A "shorts" class, a teering Club, is always 6.7 kilometre course. on the lookout for new Both runners were competing for high members. Enquiries can stakes. Shane wanted to retain his title. be made by telephoning Anthony was running to win a bet for a $130 Anthony on 52 9815. compass: Anthony now has his new compass and Shane has gained eligibility for the elite Al}thony Darr (I) and Shane class and is aiming to compete in the World Trotter· Orienteering Orienteering Championships to be held in champions. A C H EVEMENTS

NEWCASTLE ATHLETES PRODUCE "GOODS" The Australian University Games is the flagship of University sport in Australia and the 1993 version was hosted by the University of Queensland from September 26·to October 2. Newcastle tearns across 15 sports joined the 5,000 participants from 50 universities around Australia, as well as entrants from Japan, Fiji and New Zealand. To qualify for the games, teams had to have placed in Australian University champions in Netball and Waterpo!o the top five of their respective competitions at the State Universities Championships. held earlier in the year. Teams qualify­ team overall had played themselves into 7th position out of the 50 ing for the Australian Games from Newcastle were Women's Netball, competing universities. Men 'sand Women's Tennis, Men's Hockey ,Men's Soccer, Women's Further honours were to go to indi vidual players who achieved Waterpolo, Men's Cricket. Men's and Women's Touch Football, representation in the Australian University Combined teams Men's and Women's Volleyball, Women's Basketball, Men and announced at the conclusion of the competition. Ashley Bosworth, Women's Squash and Men's Baseball. Dave Nyman, David Rollings and James McKenzie were all selected At the conclusion of the week, Newcastle's Netball and Women's in the Men's Hockey team; Rachael Long, Kristie Baxter and Fiona Waterpolo teams had achieved first place in their respective competi-­ Wilton in Netball; Elizabeth Haren, Roslyn Eyers, Kelly Lane and tions, interestingly both by one goal. The men's hockey team had been Jocelyn Bell in Women's Waterpolo; Paul Mounter, Keiron Rochester pipped at the post by Queensland University of Technology to take for Men's Volleyball; Chad White and Dave Sokulsky for Cricket; 2nd place and the Men's Volleyball and Women's Squash teams Corrine McMillan and Melinda Wilson in Women's SquashandJason had finished ,a creditable third. Most importantly, the University Donnor, Joel Pembroke, Andrew Daly and Adam Davies for Baseball.

SEIZING THE DAY

Horace would have been proud. The tradition. A strong component of this was to "Evatt" to the College, the University Augustan poet laureate, long remembered harness the strengths of country students honoured its Chancellor, Justice Elizabeth for his advice "Carpe Diem", would have who make up 90 percent of the population Evatt, and the famous H.V. Evatt who had found the pomp and ceremony much to his at Evatt House, the prime focus of the been educated at Maitland High School. liking. College being in providing accommodation "Our first 47 students moved into the Although place names such as Yatteyatah, for students from rural areas studying at College in mid-1990 and we have steadily Koolewong, Gravesendor Mandurama would the University. developed to our maximum accommodation not have been in the poet's vocabulary, Soil from about 60 towns in New South thisyearof200beds,"saidDrCurran. "'There the fact that students of Evatt House had Wales was brought to Newcastle by resident have been many people in the University. "seized the day" maintained the tradition. students and placed in a hole for the planting who have helped to build Evatt House and it "CarpeDiem"(r~ntlymadefamousagain of a tree to mark the opening of the .$7 is to their foresight and credit that we have by the film Dead Poet's Society) has been million College which has been in continual such a facility today." adopted by Evatt House as its motto and was development since mid-1989. Providing Dr Curran said that a Latin inscription prominent in official proceedings for the self-catering accommodation for 200 for the foundation stone read "To the Spirit recent opening of the University's newest students, the College also was blessed by of the Place: may this place be fortunate residential college by the Vice-Chancellor, campus chaplains and the nine blocks were and auspicious to all who dwell here" while Professor Raoul Mortley. named after NSW rivers (Murray, Darling, it was Horace who taught us to make the Warden of Evatt House, Dr Bernie Curran Murrumbidgee, Manning, Shoalhaven, most of the moment, to seize the day and to (a classicist in his own right), said it was Castlereagh, Lachlan, Hastings and Hunter). enjoy it to the full. He believes Evatt House important for the College to have its own Dr Curran said that in giving the name and its students have done that -Carpe Diem!

THANK-YOU International House received welcome donations towards, its building appeal for a common room at the recent Valete Dinner held in the Shortland Union. Governor for Rotary District 967, MrTed Atchison, presented a cheque fornearly $15,000 while Mr Colin Offen, on behalf of the Howard Smith Group, handed over another cheque for $5,000. International House has launched an International Hall Appeal to build a common room expected to cost about $300,000.

Pictured are (I to r) Mr Atchison, Mr Offen and Deputy Vice-Chancellor. Professor Michael Carter. who accepted the cheques on behalf of the University. ACHIEVEMENTS ACHIEVEMENTS ACHIEVEMENTS ACHIEVEMENTS

CYBERSPACE - SUPER MARIO BROTHERS OR BLADERUNNER? What is Cyberspace? for the urban environment. It is important Mr Michael Ostwald, lecturer in Archi­ that the students of today understand both tecture at Newcastle, will tell you it is a its perils and potential," he says. community of people in a computer Michael has been awarded an international simulated world. prize in the ''Transition, architectural writing Simple, but it also sounds frightening. competition" for his highly original paper "Not necessarily so," says Michael. about the relationship between architecture "Cyberspace is frightening, but also has and cyberspace. great potential. Virtual Reality and He says that the award is a great honour Cyberspace have practical applications and that winning this type of architectural for teaching students. It is a computer th.eory award is quite unusual for a young medium whereby whole communities can architect. In that respect, it has been quite be set up. They operate with their own daunting, although very pleasing. His paper laws, currencies, parliaments, buildings and is the culmination of three to four years of the social customs of a nonnal community. research on the subject, even though he looks The only difference is that they are not on it as a specialised hobby. physical." "This issue of 'Transition' has already "Architects are alway's interested in how been listed as essential reading for fmal year people use their buildings and space and Architecture students in Melbourne and that how this affects the communities in which is very exciting for me," he added. they live. Cyberspace is one possible future

THIS MONTH IN PRINT Staff at the University have released several publications recently. material and an understanding of religious texts, Professor Samuel One of the most timely is the book by Associate Professor Eric explores the relationship between Tibet's social and political institu­ Andrews entitled "The Anzac Illusion: Anglo-Australian tions and the emergence of new modes of consciousness that Relations during World War I". characterise Tibetan Buddhist spirituality .. Professor Andrews reassesses Australia's role in World War I and Dr Alan Barcan, Honorary Associate in the Department of its relations - military, economic, political and psychological- with Education, has heard that his book, "History of Australian Education" Britain. 'The war had an impact on the Australian attitude to Empire will be translated into Japanese and republished early next year. This and on the psychology of those who lived and were born in Australia, will be the ftrst book on Australian education to be translated into but who considered themselves British," he said. Japanese. A new book by Associate 'Professor Geoffrey Samuel from the Another book to be released soon will include chapters by University's Departmentof Sociology and Anthropology deals with a three members of the Department of Leisure Studies. Dr Betty Weiler, sociological issue in another part of the world. "Civilized Shamans", Mr Kevin Markwell and Mr Michael Labone have written on speciftc published by the Smithsonian Institution Press, examines the nature topics for the textbook, "New Viewpoints in Australian Outdoor and evolution of religion in Tibetan societies from the ninth century up Recreation R~search and Planning", to be published by Hepper to the Chinese occupation in 1950. Marriott and Associates (Melbourne) in early December. Employing anthropological research, historical enquiry, interview

Grace Cochrane from the Powerhouse-Museum (jar left), who officially opened the Acquisitive Ceramics Exhibition held recently at the University. She is pictured here with (from left to right) Pam Sinnot (co-curator), Professor Graham Gilchrist (Dean, Faculty of Art, Design and Communication) and Michael Keighery (co-curator). Associate Professors Geoffery Samuel (l) and Eric Andrews ... exploring sociological issues.

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