Annual Review 2020 The Playford Memorial Trust supports high-achieving South Australian tertiary students studying in areas of strategic importance to the State
playfordtrust.com.au The Playford Memorial Trust Inc. 02 From the Chair: 2019 in review
• An exciting proposal to join the South I always enjoy receiving updates from our Australian Government in offering scholars, learning about the fascinating 40 new scholarships for Vocational work they are doing, and hearing about Education Training (VET) students in their commitment and contributions to our 2020 and 2021. This would broaden community, our nation and, in some cases, greatly the scope of the scholarships the world. Regrettably, we can’t publish offered in the VET sector and encourage every report submitted but each is an 2019 was a year of diversifying more students to take on vocational skills. important record of achievement. and expanding the scope of the Discussions are progressing well. The Trust’s ever-growing list of scholarships and awards offered • In partnership with the Leaders Institute achievements is in no small measure by the Playford Memorial Trust of South Australia, seven community due to the fine work of our support staff – leadership skills scholarships were and its partners. Vicki Evans, our Scholarship Executive; awarded in the Upper Spencer Gulf Mary Anne Fairbrother, who retired late region. In the coming year, we expect in 2019 after many years of service as our Our achievements included: to offer up to eight similar awards in Executive Officer, and Hayley Hasler, our • Providing financial support for 54 the northern suburbs of Adelaide. current Executive Officer. Members of the university, leadership and TAFE • 29 partners are now contributing Board continue to contribute countless students. In the coming year, this $324,000 to our pool of scholarship hours of unpaid work and I take this number is likely to increase significantly funding for 2019/20. (All are listed on opportunity to thank them most sincerely. as new partnerships are formalised the back page.) and more scholarships offered. The partners of the Playford Trust play • The announcement of 10 new mining a vital role in ensuring we help train a and petroleum scholarships for 2020, wide range of young South Australians with the support of the SA Government to advance their skills for the future The Hon Dean Brown AO and our new partner, the SA Chamber development of the State. New partner Chairman of Mines and Energy (SACOME). There is Ultra Electronics, for example, is supporting also a commitment to expand this to an Honours scholarship in engineering, COVER a $2 million program over five years. and is encouraging female and indigenous Double scholarship winner, Thomas de la Perrelle, (See story below) students to apply. at work in Nyrstar’s Port Pirie smelter. Thomas • A new partnership with specialist was a 2019 Chartwells/St Ann’s College/Playford The primary purpose of each Annual Review Trust Residential scholar and won a 2020 Nyrstar/ electrical and electronics engineering is to shine a spotlight on the achievements Playford Trust Scholarship, which included summer firm Ultra Electronics (see story page 15) of current and past Playford Scholars. work experience. See his report page 10.
$2 million program to unearth the future
A partnership between the resources Sean Lancaster, Kimberley Wyatt Read, sector, the South Australian Olivia Wheeler, Brandon Musolino and Roman Tunno. Petroleum Engineering – Government and the Playford Trust Henry Hill, Callum Martin, Harrison Parker, will provide more than $2 million in Aditya Murray and Luke Webb. scholarships for students enrolling SA Chamber of Mines and Energy (SACOME) in mining and petroleum engineering CEO, Rebecca Knol, said the scholarships at The University of Adelaide over aimed to attract South Australia’s most the next five years. talented minds to an industry that is ‘leading our technological future’. This industry and government initiative “In addition to being at the cutting edge of recognises the growing demand for innovation, the resources sector produces Rebecca Knol, SACOME CEO engineering expertise in these key areas of the materials that enable the boundaries the national resources industry. of science to be challenged,” Ms Knol said. $6.4 billion in production, $5.8 billion in A total of 20 two-year scholarships will be “As we strive to decarbonise our future, exports and over $300 million in royalties awarded annually, and administered by the these scholarship recipients will be annually to South Australians.” instrumental in shaping the modern world. Playford Trust. For each scholarship funded The Minister for Energy and Mining, the by industry, the State Government has pledged “The resources industry provides employment Hon. Dan van Holst Pellekaan, said that an additional one of equal value. Each student for more than 26,000 South Australians, mining and resources was an important will receive $20,000 over the two years. yet we are experiencing a skills shortage growth area for the State and scholarship The winners of the first tranche of 10 of petroleum and mining engineers. This recipients would go on to well-paid and scholarships are: Mining Engineering – is concerning for an industry that delivers secure jobs.
Flinders University Flinders | Health Public of Adelaide of (Honours) (Biodiversity and Conservation) and (Biodiversity (Honours)
and Medicine of College | Meyers Jai Bachelor of Science Science of Bachelor | Marshall Imogen University The | Finance of Bachelor
Flinders University Flinders | Engineering | | (Mechanical) Engineering of Bachelor (Honours) (Biological Sciences) (Biological (Honours)
College of Science and and Science of College | Bachelor of Science Science of Bachelor | Kirk Bradley April Van Der Kamp Der Van April | | Student) (Continuing Mason Joshua
The University of Adelaide of University The | Wine and (Honours) (Electrical) (Honours) The University of Adelaide of University The
Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor | Food Agriculture, of School |
Hill Matthew Alison Gill
| Energy) Sustainable and (Mechanical
Flinders University Flinders Playford Trust PhD Scholarships Scholarships PhD Trust Playford Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Honours) Engineering of Bachelor
Playford Trust Honours Scholarships – – Scholarships Honours Trust Playford
| Student) (Commencing Havelberg Ben The University of Adelaide of University The | Sciences
of Adelaide of
Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Computer and Mathematical of Bachelor Trust Residential Scholarships Residential Trust
University The | Geoscience) (Mineral
| | Electronic) and (Electrical (Honours) Chartwells/St Ann’s College/Playford College/Playford Ann’s Chartwells/St
Bachelor of Science Science of Bachelor | North Brooke Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor | Anna Ragg
of Adelaide of
of Adelaide of WSP/Playford Trust Scholarship Trust WSP/Playford
University The | (Chemical) (Honours)
University The | (Geology) (Advanced)
of Adelaide of
Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor | Grant Kevin
Bachelor of Science Science of Bachelor | March Samantha
University The | Sciences Computer and
of Adelaide of Industry Honours Scholarships Honours Industry
Bachelor of Mathematical Mathematical of Bachelor | (Mechatronics)
OZ Minerals/Playford Trust Minerals Minerals Trust Minerals/Playford OZ University The | (Chemical) (Honours)
Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor | Bagley Harrison
Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor | Freeling Adam of Adelaide Adelaide of
Ultra Electronics/Playford Trust Scholarship Trust Electronics/Playford Ultra
University The | Finance
Scholarships
The University of Adelaide of University The | Sciences
Bachelor of of Bachelor | (Chemical) (Honours)
AusIMM/Playford Trust Minerals Industry Industry Minerals Trust AusIMM/Playford
Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Computer and Mathematical of Bachelor
Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor | Walsh Jack
University of South Australia South of University | | Electronic) and (Electrical (Honours)
The University of Adelaide of University The
Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor | | | Mechatronic) and (Electrical (Honours) Cameron Adam
| Science of Bachelor
Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor |
Beeston Wendy Scholarship Scholarship | | (Mechanical) (Honours) Engineering
SA Power Networks/Playford Trust Trust Networks/Playford Power SA
Bachelor of of Bachelor | Perrelle la de Thomas Engineering Scholarship Engineering
Aurecon/Playford Trust Women in in Women Trust Aurecon/Playford (Honours) The University of Adelaide of University The
Bachelor of Science Science of Bachelor | Turner Brandon | | Sciences Computer and Mathematical
The University of Adelaide of University The
Bachelor of of Bachelor | (Chemical) (Honours) (Honours) (Civil) (Honours)
| Surgery of Bachelor | Medicine
Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor |
Amelia Johnson
Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor | Hennekam Brent
of Bachelor | Mackenzie Charlotte
South Australia Australia South
University of South Australia Australia South of University
Scholarship
University of of University | (Mechatronic) (Honours) Playford Trust Honours Scholarships – – Scholarships Honours Trust Playford
Adelaide Hills Council/Playford Trust Trust Council/Playford Hills Adelaide
Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor | Davis Joshua
Science (Honours) Science
Flinders University University Flinders Nyrstar/Playford Trust Scholarships Trust Nyrstar/Playford
Bachelor of Computer Computer of Bachelor | Sachdeva Ragas
| (Secondary) Teaching of Master
The University of Adelaide of University The Bachelor of Finance of Bachelor
| Science of Bachelor | Poel Caitlyn
| Geoscience) (Mineral (Honours) | | Environmental) and (Civil (Honours)
Bachelor of Science Science of Bachelor | Macdonald Kelly Flinders University Flinders | Achievers) High Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor | Radford Douglas
in Earth Sciences Earth in for Program (Enhanced (Honours) Mathematical and Computer Sciences Computer and Mathematical
Scholarship Honours Trust GSA/Playford Bachelor of Science Science of Bachelor | Bachelor of of Bachelor | (Mechanical) (Honours) Pauling Paris
Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor | McGowan Sean of South Australia South of South Australia South
University University | (Honours) Physiology Exercise of Finance of of University | Business of Bachelor
Bachelor of Clinical Clinical of Bachelor | Wehrmann Abbey
Bachelor Bachelor | Structural) and (Civil (Honours) | | Electronic) and (Electrical (Honours)
Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor | Lawler Thomas
Honours Scholarship in Health Sciences Health in Scholarship Honours
Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor | Kleinig Curtis
Fay Fuller Foundation/Playford Trust Trust Foundation/Playford Fuller Fay
(Advanced) (Honours) (Physics) (Honours) (Advanced)
Flinders University Flinders | Science Medical
Bachelor of Science Science of Bachelor | Hamilton Rhona The University of Adelaide of University The | Wine and
Bachelor of of Bachelor | (Biomedical) (Honours)
School of Agriculture, Food Food Agriculture, of School |
Kelly Jack Finance
Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor |
Grundy Jessie
Bachelor of of Bachelor | (Mechanical) (Honours) Adelaide
of Adelaide of
Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor | Arends Jackie The University of of University The | Wine and Food
University The | (Honours) (Advanced)
School of Agriculture, Agriculture, of School | Edwards Ryan The University of Adelaide Adelaide of University The
Bachelor of Science Science of Bachelor | Baldock Holly
– Scholarships Honours Trust Playford Scholarships
Adelaide
Coopers Brewery/Playford Trust PhD PhD Trust Brewery/Playford Coopers (Honours) (Marine Biology) (Marine (Honours)
The University of of University The | (Honours) (Advanced)
Bachelor of Science Science of Bachelor | Willoughby Jasper University of South Australia South of University
Bachelor of Science Science of Bachelor |
Ani Baker Ani | | Mechatronic) and (Electrical (Honours) High Achievers) High
Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor | Duffield Mark for Program (Enhanced (Honours) Engineering Scholarships Engineering
Bachelor of Science Science of Bachelor | Martin Bradley Codan/Playford Trust Scholarship Trust Codan/Playford & Science Regional Trust Playford
at Flinders University on Wednesday 8 April 2020. April 8 Wednesday on University Flinders at
The winners received their awards at a ceremony ceremony a at awards their received winners The
Scholarship Winners Winners Scholarship
to our 2020 2020 our to
Congratulations Congratulations
04 2019 TAFE SA Award winners
In November 2019, eight South Rebecca Stevens Madonna Crossman Australian TAFE SA students Certificate III in Horticulture, Urrbrae Diploma of Aquaculture, Port Lincoln TAFE SA received awards of $2000 each TAFE SA Madonna has worked on the family’s oyster to help them undertake further Rebecca has a Bachelor of Applied Science lease at Smoky Bay and developed a love for studies in their chosen fields. in Human Movement and a Bachelor of aquatic farming. Education. Teaching inspired in her a deep Although still at school, she has already earned Thanks to our valued partners, TAFE SA and interest in environmental landscapes, Certificate IIs in both Aquaculture and Maritime Open Gardens SA, for helping us to support regional biodiversity and the concept of Operations and in 2020 is studying Year 12 and these deserving students. paddock-to-plate, leading to her studying a Diploma of Aquaculture at the same time. Horticulture. All this has required exceptional time Open Gardens SA/Playford Trust/ She has enjoyed learning about soil qualities, management and organisational skills, but plant nutrition, pests and diseases and Madonna believes the hard work will have been TAFE SA Awards says these foundational subjects have worth it because she should be well placed to Jason McVicar been instrumental in her career path in get the most out of the Bachelor of Science regenerative and sustainable agriculture. she hopes to study at Flinders University. Certificate III in Horticulture, She is a founding member and co-ordinator Urrbrae and Barossa TAFE SA of the Happy Patch Community Garden and Daniel Davis Jason worked in a law firm for several years The Happy Pantry Food Co-operative, and is before moving to the field he loves – gardens. now studying for a Bachelor of Agriculture. Diploma of Horticulture, Diploma of Landscape He now works for the City of Burnside with his Design, Urrbrae TAFE SA own round of parks and gardens to look after. Playford Trust/TAFE SA Awards Dan grew up on a farm on the Coorong. He believes the leadership team gave him This environment – and a grandmother with this responsibility in acknowledgment of his Christopher Callaghan a passion for plants – imbued in him a deep maturity, hard work and trustworthiness. Diploma of Landscape Design, interest in nature and the land. His passion is turf management and he is Urrbrae TAFE SA In 2016, he decided to complete his Certificate looking forward to returning to TAFE SA to III in Horticulture. He has since gained his Chris decided to pursue ‘all things plants’ in learn how to become a turf expert. Diploma and, in 2020, will embark on a 2016 and set about completing a Certificate Diploma of Landscape Design. III in Horticulture, followed by Landscape Peter Raine Design and, most recently, a Permaculture Design Certificate at The Food Forest in Tyler Rogers Diploma of Conservation and Land Gawler. Previously, he worked in film and Certificate III in Landscape Construction, Management, Urrbrae TAFE SA television production, and found these skills Urrbrae TAFE SA Peter worked as an intensive care nurse useful while working as Media Officer for Tyler lives and breathes gardening. This before changing focus to the natural Open Gardens SA. seed was planted many years ago when he environment. In 2009, he began working for As the 2019 recipient of the SA first set eyes on his grandmother’s conifer the National Parks and Wildlife Service, before Mediterranean Garden Society’s Sparoza forest bonsai. switching to local government. He is now part Scholarship, Chris spent a month in Greece of the Biodiversity Team at the City of Adelaide. Since starting his gardening career with refining his approach to gardening in a a week of Year 10 work experience, he has He wants to use his award to support his work Mediterranean climate. He plans to continue completed a Certificate III in Horticulture and in the conservation sector, and to continue to developing his own landscape design a three-year traineeship at the West Beach learn, teach and foster interest in conservation business, and to advocate for sustainable Caravan Park. They asked him to stay on as as both a professional and volunteer. gardening practices. a full-time groundsman and he has replanted and reinvigorated many existing gardens – and been recognised for his strong work ethic.
Leanne Williams Diploma of Conservation and Land Management, Salisbury TAFE SA, Aboriginal Access Centre Leanne Williams is a proud Buandig woman who has always loved nature. She has certificates in Animal Studies, Companion Animal Services, Training and Assessment, and Conservation and Land Management. A deep desire to heal our country and its people led Leanne to pursue a Diploma in Conservation and Land Management. She works as a casual Animal Assistant at Gilles LEFT-RIGHT: Jason McVicar, Christopher Callaghan, Rebecca Stevens, Tyler Rogers, Plains TAFE SA and as a Horticultural Assistant Leanne Williams, Madonna Crossman, Peter Raine, Daniel Davis. at Urrbrae campus. 05 2019 Regional Science & Engineering Scholarships
medical topics. I finished the year happy with my results, achieving seven high distinctions (and an annoyingly close to a high distinction grade). I also thoroughly enjoyed the learning involved in each of my topics, including components such as laboratory experiments, collaborative research projects, peer presentation and essay writing. Coming from the country and moving to Adelaide to study at Flinders was a big step. It was in part made easier by receiving a Playford Trust scholarship, which reduced the financial strain. Living in the Flinders village, being close by to friends and like-minded people really Breigh Angove amplified my academic interest and Henry Rogers Bachelor of Secondary Education/ allowed me to further commit to my Bachelor of Science (Space Science and Bachelor of Science, Flinders University academic goals. Astrophysics), The University of Adelaide My goal is still to achieve my Honours in In this first year of my Bachelor of Science, This year I began my study of Space Science medical biotechnology and one day move I managed to receive high distinctions for all and Astrophysics and have found it absolutely into the field of disease research. my topics and have thoroughly enjoyed the brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed the astrophysics subjects – especially the mathematics and and physics subjects and am excited about what chemistry topics, which have furthered my is to come. I managed to program in multiple interest and passion for these areas. languages, too, by taking up electives. I love having a full schedule – and university The biggest change has still been the life has maintained that! countless differences between living in the This first year has only cemented my career city after growing up in a country town. While aspiration of becoming a secondary maths the experience has not been without some and science teacher in a rural community. difficulties, it has been an incredible new world, However, I am particularly looking forward and the Playford Trust Scholarship has certainly to the possibilities of doing international made parts of it easier. placements in my third and fourth year of I look hopefully towards the end-goal of a my degree. position at the Australian Space Agency when I would like to thank the Playford Trust for the it is fully operational, although this year has scholarship I received this year. It truly has also brought my attention to other equally allowed me to focus more on my studies and interesting possibilities of employment, such has minimised the financial stress of living in as beginning a career with the Defence, Science a rural town for my first year of University. Jonte Reilly and Technology Group. Bachelor of Science (Space Science and Astrophysics), The University of Adelaide Rebecca Pedler Bachelor of Science (Honours) Having completed my secondary education (Enhanced Program for High Achievers) at Loxton High School, I moved to Adelaide Flinders University at the beginning of 2019 to begin my tertiary studies. Although the lifestyle change from This is a four-year degree aiming to develop country to city was challenging at first, students’ research capabilities through the support provided by the Playford Trust project-based learning. My study plan Scholarship eased the financial strain of involved chemistry, biology, statistics and shifting to new accommodation, allowing me research topics. I love understanding how to focus more on my degree. different biological processes occur and the Throughout the year, my love of both maths topics I enjoyed most included chemistry and and physics continued to flourish as I met molecular-based biology. The next two years will and worked with many others who shared provide the opportunity to undertake a research the same passion for their studies as I did. project under the supervision of a university Additionally, I was given the opportunity to academic, and I am looking forward to that. Nicholas Graham explore previously unfamiliar fields of work, Coming from a small country town, adjusting Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Enhanced such as geology and computer programming. to city life was most definitely the greatest Program for High Achievers), Medical My favourite subject by far was astrophysics. challenge I faced. However, I enjoy the Biotechnology, Flinders University It has always been one of my major interests independence and opportunities that and I dream of working as an astrophysicist university life provides. My current career My first year of university introduced me for the Australian Space Agency some day in aspirations involve a research position in to tertiary level biology, chemistry and the future. the aquaculture industry. 06 2019 Playford Trust Honours Scholars Research Reports
Cintya Dharmayanti Bachelor of Biomedical Research University of South Australia
Development of polymer-based bisphosphonate-eluting implants for the treatment of osteoporosis. The bisphosphonate drug class is one of the first-line treatments for osteoporosis. However, when bisphosphonates are taken orally, only approximately one percent of the dose administered actually enters the systemic circulation for effect. My Honours research focused on the development of polymer-based subcutaneous implants that could overcome this bioavailability issue and release bisphosphonates over a sustained period, potentially improving patient compliance and efficacy. During our study, we found that bisphosphonate release from the implants could be tailored over two to seven weeks according to (1) the Anthony Randell polymer used, and (2) the concentration of bisphosphonate within the implant. The mechanisms of drug release from Anthony Randell Tristram Fyfe the implant were also investigated using various mathematical models. Bachelor of Sustainable Environments Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical), University of South Australia Bachelor of Finance, Flinders University In late 2019, I had the opportunity to present a poster of my work at the 37th Bacterial friends could help restore Ore – sorting out good and bad for Australasian Polymer Symposium on Adelaide’s seagrass meadows life-of-mine optimisation the Sunshine Coast. I was also fortunate My research studied the bacteria that In minerals processing, the energy used enough to be ranked first in my Honours inhabit the roots and root zone of seedling in grinding is significant and represents cohort for my contributions to this work. seagrass (Posidonia angustifolia). The a substantial cost. As the quality of new In the future, I would love to continue aim was to see if different bacterial mineral deposits declines, miners are faced to contribute to biomedical research, communities could influence the early with higher processing costs. Ore sorters specifically in the drug discovery and growth of these seedlings. We know that are technologies designed to upgrade the drug development sectors, to improve bacterial inoculations have helped with ore before processing, lowering costs in the treatment and wellbeing of patients terrestrial revegetation and improved crop the plant. My research with The University across the globe. yield. With that in mind, could bacteria help of Adelaide and OZ Minerals optimises with the restoration of Adelaide’s seagrass strategy for mining when ore sorting. meadows? Restoring these meadows would Sorting exploits natural variation in ore increase biodiversity and fish stocks, slow quality to upgrade ore. This may mean that coastal erosion, and sequester carbon. lower grade ore bodies can be processed My results indicate that bacterial economically, therefore optimising – or communities can indeed influence the effectively increasing – the size of the mine. root-to-shoot ratio of the seedlings and this We developed a model which simulated raises the possibility that bacteria could the operation of a block cave and copper be used to enhance seagrass restoration. concentrating plant, determining a life-of- Further research to identify beneficial mine valuation for a large number of mine bacteria could lead to an inoculum to designs. boost the growth and/or the survival rate The results indicated that the economics of Posidonia seedlings. My supervisors and of sorting are site-dependent. At the I are planning to publish our results in 2020. Oz Minerals Carrapateena copper-gold I found it fascinating looking into the resource north of Port Augusta, sorting complexities of the bacterial world – whole performance was limited by the presence communities change over a miniscule of gold, which could not be sorted as distance from the root! I enjoyed raising my effectively as copper. It is expected that ‘garden’ of seagrass and hope my research my research will provide a framework will help to restore the meadows of these for decision-makers to evaluate sorting important ecosystem engineers. technologies and optimise value. 07
Samuel Tonkin Jenna Draper Bachelor of Science (Enhanced Bachelor of Science (Honours) Program for High Achievers) (Ecology & Evolutionary Science) Flinders University The University of Adelaide
Room temperature repair, recycling Using sexual dimorphisms to understand and additive manufacturing of dioecious plant reproduction and polymers prepared through inverse ecosystem significance vulcanisation Dioecious plants are distinct male Plastic pollution is one of the greatest and female individuals, which in an issues facing modern society. Every year, organism incapable of moving presents more than 300 million tons of plastic is unique challenges for reproduction produced, while less than nine percent and conservation. My Honours project is recycled. Almost every ecosystem on investigated how sexual dimorphisms in Earth could be impacted for hundreds of native coastal Lomandra leucocephala ssp. years because of the low biodegradability robusta (found at Tennyson, near Adelaide) of most common plastics. can alleviate these challenges. I combined ecological statistics and chromatographic While some plastic recycling techniques techniques to find out how male and female exist, they often involve heating for plants differ physically and chemically. prolonged periods of time, resulting in The sexual dimorphisms I found indicated energy costs that far outweigh the cost pollination by generalist insects that of producing virgin plastic. For plastic manipulated pollinators to transport pollen recycling to become common, the cost efficiently from male to female plants. of energy involved must be reduced so Susanne Sahlos there is an economic incentive to recycle Population life class studies found that rather than synthesise new product. weeding likely stimulates population growth, as the Tennyson population Susanne Sahlos My research is based on developing increased from 40 to 258 individuals over Bachelor of Science (Nanotechnology) ways to recycle and repair plastics at five years, predominantly in areas cleared Flinders University room temperature, with no energy cost of invasive grasses. Generalist pollination from heating. I found that nucleophiles combined with hardy growth indicate that Optimisation of carbon nanotube can induce a rapid and reversible this species has key roles in supporting technology-based X-ray tube production reaction with polymers prepared lower trophic levels and stabilising the sand for mobile imaging devices through inverse vulcanisation. This dunes. This protects insect populations as The development of light-weight mobile allows the polymer to be reversibly well as populations of insectivorous native X-ray units plays an important role in broken down and reformed into a new reptiles and birds. shape, for a new purpose, at room improving patient outcomes in general Throughout 2019, I worked closely with the temperature. and military hospital settings, as well as Tennyson Dunes Group, and was invited aged care facilities. Novel carbon nanotube Through mechanistic model studies, it to be a guest tour guide at their annual (CNT) technologies have enabled the was found that this reaction is catalytic, Open Day. I enjoyed sharing my passion for development and production of such devices and the nucleophiles can be removed conservation with others, and I will continue at the medical imaging firm Micro-X, and used for further recycling reactions. to do so during my PhD studies. located at the Tonsley Innovation Precinct. The miniaturisation of these X-ray units is facilitated by cold cathode field emission, which eliminates the need for bulky cooling systems used in traditional X-ray equipment. During my Honours research, I analysed the interfacial adhesion between cathode components, with the aim of testing stainless steel as a new CNT supporting metal substrate. The project was both challenging and rewarding. A highlight was being able to use Focused Ion Beam (FIB) cross-sectional analysis of my samples at Adelaide Microscopy. As a result, I was able to identify the importance of exposing the steel substrates to different heat treatments under varying levels of ultra- high vacuum (UHV) in order to achieve good CNT adhesion. Although further research is required, my findings will assist the choice Samuel Tonkin Jenna Draper of materials used in future X-ray tube development at Micro-X. 08 2019 Playford Trust Honours Scholars Research Reports
Keshika Alagiyage Laura Schroder Matthew Evans Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical and Bachelor of Science (Biodiversity and Bachelor of Engineering (Software), Pharmaceutical), The University of Adelaide Conservation) (Enhanced Program for Bachelor of IT (Digital Media) High Achievers), Flinders University Flinders University Developing a chemical sensor for mineral flotation processes Investigating groundwater discharge Investigating the combination of in South Australia brain-computer interfaces and virtual Most mineral extraction processes use the reality training in rehabilitation froth flotation method, whereby desired The discharge of groundwater into coastal minerals are separated from gangue embayments is a global phenomenon. In I set out to investigate the feasibility of minerals using specialised flotation addition to acting as a freshwater resource combining a brain-computer interface reagents. Precise control of these reagents in a saline environment, groundwater can (BCI) device with virtual reality (VR) is essential, especially when processing the carry anthropogenic nutrients into these training techniques for the purpose of complex, low-grade ores that are becoming environments, potentially influencing fauna. motor rehabilitation after a significant increasingly common due to the continually My project provided a baseline insight into brain injury. A brain injury can significantly increasing demand for minerals. the influence of groundwater discharge on restrict a person’s physical movements marine communities at Coffin Bay on Eyre and often victims of a stroke or brain In recent years, molecularly imprinted Peninsula. injury will go through a process known polymers (MIPs) have emerged as Groundwater seeps were detected in as neurorehabilitation, where lost motor selective sensing materials that can be the bay and sampled during winter and function must be relearned through guided tailored for a target analyte. These MIPs spring. I carried out surveys for both exercise. have been integrated with quartz crystal macroinvertebrates (the small critters I hypothesised that by combining VR microbalances (QCMs) to yield highly living in the sediment) and fish fauna. I also training, where the user wears a headset selective, mass-sensitive sensors. Such measured various environmental conditions that provides a stereoscopic display and a sensor could significantly improve the in the field and collected sediment and positional tracking, and BCI technology, control of flotation processes to afford water samples. a device which attaches to a person’s better recovery and quality in the final scalp to read and interpret brain signals, mineral concentrate. The sensor can also In winter, the seep water had distinctive low salinities, five times lower than seawater. neurorehabilitation techniques could be be used to monitor the composition of improved. Using the template of mirror residual reagents in plant waters to help Consistently, I found high abundances of particular crustaceans, namely amphipods, therapy, a real-world neurorehabilitation reduce the environmental impact of the technique where a mirror is used to give separation process. in the vicinity of groundwater seeps. No apparent effects on the fish fauna were the illusion of movement in an affected In my project, I was successfully able to seen, which may reflect the small nature limb, I constructed a VR game in the synthesise MIP particles that were selective of the groundwater seeps, or dissipation Unity Game Engine. I used the open-source for a representative flotation reagent. This with tidal currents. Further investigation software package OpenVibe to analyse lays the foundation for developing a MIP- is needed to elucidate the contribution of and interpret brain signals gathered from based QCM sensor for real-time monitoring nutrients originating from groundwater, a device attached to a participant’s scalp. of flotation processes. Future work will given the high background nutrient levels While the accuracy of the BCI device involve integrating the MIP particles as a sampled. This was an important finding to was shown to be quite limited, my thesis recognition layer on the QCM sensor and inform the need for future assessments, outlined a functional combined BCI/VR calibrating the sensor response to the as nutrient loads may be affecting nearby application pipeline and framework, and concentration of a target reagent in seagrass meadows that are important demonstrated the feasibility of combining a flotation stream. nursery grounds for fish. these two devices into a unified application. 09
Andrew Du Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronic), University of South Australia
Attacking deep neural networks with adversarial examples In the past few years, newly developed deep neural networks have reignited the field of artificial intelligence. These networks have helped solve many challenging machine learning problems, such as image classification, speech recognition and machine translation. As a result, they are currently being used to develop automated Jai Meyers driving systems; analyse cancer cells in patients; improve security via biometric authentication; assist mobile phone users Jacob Dalgleish Jai Meyers via a voice controlled personal assistant; Bachelor of Science Bachelor of Science (Enhanced Program and even play games like Chess, Shogi and University of South Australia for High Achievers), Flinders University Go at superhuman level. Evaluation and characteristics of Characterising the novel role of uridine However, it has been discovered that these electrochromic two-polymer systems diphosphate-glycosyltransferase enzymes networks are vulnerable to adversarial in breast cancer lipid metabolism examples – carefully crafted inputs aimed to My Honours project involved the investigation fool machine learning systems into making of electrochromic polymers. These materials Uridine diphosphate-glycosyltransferase incorrect predictions. are able to change their colour with an enzymes (UGTs) are a superfamily of drug applied voltage, with different types exhibiting metabolising enzymes responsible for the The aim of my research was to examine different colours. control of intracellular molecular substrate the effects of adversarial examples on levels. Research has suggested that several deep neural networks performing image I explored the two-polymer systems of these UGTs, including UGT2B11 and UGT2B28, are classification. This involved performing materials by synthesising two together at associated with breast cancer progression, a comprehensive literature review in the the same time. The benefit of doing this however their mechanism of action remains field of adversarial machine learning; is to provide a greater range of colours unexplored. model design and training on standard for application purposes. Applications can computer vision datasets; and building include active camouflage and smart glass. Lipid biosynthesis is an essential cellular a test environment to evaluate model One polymer I investigated, named PEDOP, process which is frequently dysregulated performance on some state-of-the- provided poor electrochromic properties on in cancerous cells. The sterol regulatory art methods of generating adversarial its own, but when formed with another named binding protein (SREBP) transcription factor examples. PEDOT, provided greater capabilities and family is responsible for the control of all unique colour switching between grey and genes associated with lipid metabolism. The results demonstrated how easy it is to transparent states. The expression of UGT2B11 and UGT2B28 fool deep neural networks with adversarial has been highly correlated with SREBP- examples and underscored the threat it I also found that the two polymers formed target gene expression in breast cancer poses in practice. This project, along with as a co-polymer when produced. This was and so my Honours project focused on my desire to understand the complexity of previously unknown, and the aim is to the human brain, has inspired me to pursue publish this finding. This project gave me characterising the potential role of these this area of research by undertaking a PhD an opportunity to continue working with the enzymes in SREBP-mediated breast cancer in the School of Computer Science at Future Industries Institute in the hope of being lipid biosynthetic pathways. The University of Adelaide. able to undertake a PhD in the same field. In vitro studies in breast cancer cell lines showed that over-expression of these enzymes increased the expression of SREBP-target genes. These changes were associated with an increase in cellular proliferation, suggesting that these enzymes may be promoting proliferation through increased lipid biosynthesis. Further work is necessary to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underpinning these pathways, which may ultimately allow these UGTs to be developed as biomarkers or drug targets for the diagnosis or treatment of breast cancer. I will continue working on this project during my PhD candidature at Andrew Du Jacob Dalgleish Flinders University in the Department of Clinical Pharmacology. 10 2019 Playford Trust Partner Scholarships Research Reports
the future. The forecasting tool developed either private or government. Without the was necessary to ensure consistency when Playford Trust’s support, the experience multiple people are involved in forecasting Nyrstar has offered, and the soft-skills and oil production. professionalism I have developed at St Ann’s, I look forward to pursuing my passion for the I certainly would not be as well-placed as minerals industry with a graduate role as a I am in attempting to enter this field. mining engineer with Glencore at Mount Isa Mines. I am excited about finally putting my knowledge from university into practice. GSA/Playford Trust Scholarship in Earth Sciences Chartwells/St Ann’s College/ Teagan Romyn Playford Trust Residential Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours) Scholarship (Geology), The University of Adelaide Thomas de la Perrelle There and back – Do rocks record their journey to the centre of the Earth? (pictured front cover) Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) My Honours project revolves around ultra- (Mechanical) with Bachelor of Science high-pressure metamorphic terranes. These AusIMM/Playford Trust The University of Adelaide massive areas have journeyed deep into the Earth – but only parts of them tell the tale! Minerals Industry Scholarship I am entering my third year of a Bachelor The sets of minerals (mineral assemblages) Adam Zanardo of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical) and within rocks change when they are heated Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of Science, double majoring in and pressurised, thereby indicating how (Mining and Petroleum) Experimental and Theoretical Physics at deep and hot the rocks were. Approximately The University of Adelaide. I currently live at The University of Adelaide 95% of the rocks in ultra-high-pressure St Ann’s College, where I work in pastoral care metamorphic terranes fail to record and student support as a residential tutor. Predicting the future in oil fields deep earth processes. My research aims I presented my Honours project at The During 2019, I finished my pure math subjects to understand why these rocks are so University of Adelaide’s 2019 Ingenuity and learned about specific design criteria unreactive, and it has implications for showcase. It was about using current for common mechanical components. I also paleoenvironment reconstructions and techniques in the petroleum industry to studied relativity and quantum mechanics – understanding our planet’s tectonic history. forecast oil production in a specific type an insightful contrast to my engineering After six months of study, my results have of reservoir. The reservoir I described was classes. Thanks to receiving the 2020 Nyrstar/ revealed that fluid plays a crucial role in rock characterised by a high recovery factor Playford Trust Scholarship, I worked in the reactivity in my field area – Lavik, Norway. Mechanical Reliability Team at the Nyrstar of oil. Current techniques, specifically The Geological Society of Australia/Playford Smelter in Port Pirie over the summer. decline curve analysis, were applied to Trust Scholarship enabled me to travel to the reservoir and expanded upon, using I have accepted the position of 2020 Senior Norway; present at the 2019 conference of the statistical analysis to provide forecasts that Tutor at St Ann’s College, a role akin to that Structural Geology and Tectonics Specialist are more representative of the reservoir. of Vice Principal. It will allow me to effectively Group in Port Lincoln; and be an active The main findings of the research were support my fellow students as they transition member of GSA’s SA Division. These activities an empirical model and a forecasting from school leavers to young professionals – have inspired me to pursue my passion in tool specific to the reservoir investigated. something that I enjoy greatly. geoscience communication. As a geoscientist, The empirical model could be used to After finishing my degrees in 2022, I will I aspire to use my unique skillset to be a part provide more representative forecasts in seek employment in the space industry, of the climate change solution in Australia.
Seeley International/Playford Trust Scholarship Monica Elgindi confidence, as well as the tools to encourage other students to continue their studies Certificate IV in Refrigeration and beyond their apprenticeship. Air Conditioning, TAFE SA I would like to use my growing skill set to Since receiving the scholarship to nurture and support apprentices across all undertake my Certificate IV in Refrigeration trades. I have enjoyed networking and sharing and Air Conditioning, I have been able to my experiences and, thanks to support from inspire and mentor young apprentices at SA- TAFE SA, I have had opportunities to speak based Butterfields Services. As my studies to students in pre-vocational courses. I have develop, I am also applying the knowledge struggled with time management while I am gaining to help improve my fault-finding studying and working full time, but I have a and diagnostics skills in the field. great team of supervisors at Butterfields who Winning this award has given me more will help me overcome this challenge in 2020. 11 2019 Playford Trust Partner Scholarships Research Reports
Chartwells/St Ann’s College/Playford Trust Residential Scholarships – Commencing Student
Lachlan Ryan differential equations. I found differential equations to be really interesting and Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) rewarding, and this aspect of the topic (Mechanical and Sustainable Energy) was built upon in second semester, The University of Adelaide when I also tackled the most interesting I am studying a Bachelor of Engineering subjects so far, dynamics and control. (Mechanical and Sustainable Energy) Learning how to analyse linkages and and have now completed my second year. also apply control system methods was It was quite a step up from first year and challenging but enjoyable. I definitely found it difficult, especially I am excited about moving into the next trying to balance it with my sport year of study as it will involve several commitments. However, I got through subjects that focus on renewable energy, the year healthily – and achieved which is the career direction I am satisfactory results. pursuing. Over the summer I secured In first semester I really enjoyed the a work placement at SAGE Automation challenge of my engineering math subject, which went well, and it was great to see split into two sections – statistics and what it is like working in industry. Lachlan Ryan
significance of AF. Support from the Playford Trust and Fay Fuller Foundation encouraged me to pursue my interest in cardiovascular outcomes and public health.
Adelaide Hills Council/ Playford Trust Scholarship Oliver Russell Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Geography) Flinders University
I have completed an engaging and enjoyable year exploring many of my interests in the field of geography. It’s been a wide-ranging Taylor-Jade Woods Oliver Russell foray into Earth and Environmental Sciences, Public Health, Demography, Remote Sensing, Sustainable Development and Fay Fuller Foundation/ I found that almost one in seven AF patients Human Geography. experienced an unplanned readmission Playford Trust Honours With support from the Playford Trust and the within 30-days, at a cost of $7,009 per Adelaide Hills Council, I’ve been given the Scholarship in Health Sciences readmission. More than 40 percent of opportunity to throw myself into exploring these patients returned to hospital with Taylor-Jade Woods these interests, and I was rewarded with the a recurrence of AF. Many patient factors Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours) John Lewis Prize for First Year Geography. influenced readmission cost, particularly Flinders University Studying these rich areas of geography has comorbidities and procedures. allowed me to see how these interests might 30-day readmission rates and costs for My research is the first to illustrate the develop into passions. atrial fibrillation patients in Australia economic burden of AF in Australia and This first year at Flinders has guided suggests that, to reduce it, priority should My Honours project focused on 30-day me through the first steps of a range of be placed on reducing the 30-day unplanned unplanned readmissions in patients with paths towards future careers and study. atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common readmission rate. International development, sustainable cardiac arrhythmia. My thesis addressed During the year, I published my first paper urban and regional planning, and teaching three questions: 1) How many AF patients and was nominated for the best Honours particularly stand out. I look forward, with unexpectedly return to hospital within presentation. I achieved Honours First excitement, to furthering my studies – 30-days? 2) How much do these episodes Class and I am currently at the Basil Hetzel and these interests – in 2020, which will of care cost? and 3) What factors influence Institute working on two more papers include a semester spent on exchange those costs? focusing on the clinical and economic at Stockholm University, Sweden. 12 2019 PhD Scholars Research Reports
Playford Trust PhD Scholarship also developed a symbiotic relationship with of sleep in a freezing cold shed with research a soil bacterium that converts atmospheric colleagues! Andrea Bertram nitrogen to a form usable by the plant. A range of samples (weight, temperatures, With this capacity, legumes in a sense provide Fisheries Genomics, School of Biological morphology) are taken from the lambs before their own source of nitrogen fertiliser. Sciences, Flinders University tagging and release back into the paddocks. Examining the DNA of snapper to improve In this relationship, the plant surrounds the Ewes and lambs are monitored through until their management in Australia bacteria with a membrane of its own origin weaning at three months of age to record and provides the bacteria with carbon for its DNA contains weight gain and other important measures. growth, and in return the bacteria provides invaluable the plant with nitrogen. This membrane is I am thoroughly enjoying my research and information for impermeable to both of these nutrients, but gratefully acknowledge Thomas Foods effectively conserving protein transporters exist to facilitate the International for the scholarship I received and managing movement across the membrane. My project which has allowed me to balance my university populations and aims to identify the carbon and nitrogen commitments with running around after two species. In my PhD transporters to improve the efficiency of this small children (who absolutely love the lambs!) I am generating symbiotic relationship, and perhaps move and I am looking forward to examining my thousands of DNA it into other crop species. My research has research results later this year. sequences from identified strong candidates for both of the snapper caught by mentioned transports, with data suggesting fishermen across the we are on the right track. Playford Trust PhD Scholarship southern half of Australia, between Carnarvon in Western Australia and Rockhampton in During 2019 I presented my research at Yazan Arouri the Legumes for Sustainable Agriculture Queensland. Australian School of Petroleum and Australian Society of Plant Scientists I am examining these sequences to The University of Adelaide meetings. These have been great opportunities characterise the similarities and differences to network, establishing collaborations with Well control, location and trajectory in the DNA of snapper across the entire range leading Australian universities. optimisation under geological uncertainty of this iconic marine fish. This information will be used by fisheries scientists to review With the technological boundaries of the current management areas advancements in for snapper in Australia. Thomas Foods International/ common computing I will also use the DNA sequences to Playford Trust PhD Scholarship power, there has been investigate genetic diversity and population Niki McCarthy a push for a digital size to provide valuable advice to scientists revolution in the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences about the condition of our snapper resources industry. The University of Adelaide populations. Overall, my project will improve More recently, oil and management arrangements for snapper in How to increase the survival rate of gas companies are Australia and is therefore important for the newborn lambs increasingly investing in the development long-term sustainability of this economically, I commenced my of computer-assisted socially and ecologically important species. PhD in February 2019 optimisation algorithms for well control, well The project also presents an exciting at the Roseworthy opportunity for me to connect and work with campus. My project, placement and trajectory. fisheries scientists across the five mainland in conjunction with Several studies have indicated that an increase states of Australia. SARDI and Meat and of up to 20 per cent in monetary returns can be Livestock Australia, attained with no additional capital expenditure. aims to increase Playford Trust PhD Scholarship The general aim of optimisation techniques the survival rate of is to maximise a defined objective, such as Nicholas Booth newborn lambs. monetary returns, by testing a large number of This is a significant solutions within a limited time span. However, Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences opportunity. I was amazed to learn that over Flinders University current algorithms are impractical due to the 17 million lambs die each year in Australia – computational expense, including the time The elusive carbon and nitrogen transporters most from being underweight and unable to required to find the best solution. of the legume symbiosome membrane – survive the first three days of life. My PhD aims the first step to improved nitrogen fixation to increase lamb birthweight by giving ewes My research is aimed at addressing this various nutritional compound supplements in computational efficiency issue by developing Global food and applying algorithms using the increase security is one of the latter stages of pregnancy, a critical time in personal workstation computing power the most pressing for lamb foetus development. to larger, more complex resource issues in today’s Over the past four months I have hand-fed development cases. society. Legumes over 100 pregnant ewes, with my first group are a sustainable of 50 having recently lambed. The lambing Over the past year I have been developing an alternative to meat process is an intellectually and physically algorithm for the production optimisation of products, and have challenging period for researcher and sheep oil wells in large three-dimensional models. a higher nutritional alike. The ewes are monitored around the These results are extremely promising, with value than cereal clock, which means the constant watching of my proposed algorithm requiring much lower crops. Legumes have individual animals, interspersed with snippets computational costs for a better solution. 13 Continuing PhD Scholars - Research Reports
2017 Playford Trust PhD Scholarship Robert Trott Biomedical Engineering, Flinders University Getting people to walk again after stroke using robots to rewire the brain Losing the ability to walk and having reduced mobility after a stroke results in a massive loss of quality of life for many individuals. Robotic exoskeletal legs have been introduced as a therapy option to help patients regain the ability to walk, however their usefulness is being questioned and their superiority to conventional therapy is unknown. The way these devices are controlled is far more important than initially ABOVE: Research visit side trip: Katie Gates at Lac aux Américains, Quebec, Canada. thought, and is the basis for my work. I am designing an intuitive controller 2018 Thyne Reid Foundation/ at Université Laval in Quebec, Canada. This that will enhance patient participation in Playford Trust PhD Scholarship visit allowed me to integrate new analysis rehabilitation that incorporates robotic methods and strengthen inter-institutional devices, and it should lead to better Katie Gates collaborations and was, in great part, possible long-term patient outcomes. Key to the Molecular Ecology Laboratory, College of thanks to the ongoing support from the Thyne success of the controller is developing Science and Engineering, Flinders University Reid Foundation and the Playford Trust. an ultra-compact sensor – it cannot be made without it! The sensor has Feeling the heat in the tropics: adaptive presented many technical challenges, resilience of an Australian rainbowfish 2018 Playford Trust resulting in a lot of learning about fields Understanding how organisms will respond PhD Scholarship outside my area of expertise. to changing climate is a major priority for James Dorey In the near future, I will conduct a ecological research. Local adaptation can study to further verify the method of influence the ability of organisms to respond College of Science and Engineering, control and inform the future design to certain climatic variables, however the Flinders University and application of the controller. The genetic and physiological mechanisms are Uncovering Australia’s new native bee research will be conducted in a motion not yet understood. species analysis laboratory, where I will be able to analyse participants movements and Using rainbowfish as a study system, my This year has been very busy with bee assess their suitability for control of project uses a combination of evolutionary collecting and sorting across the east coast robotic legs. This will result in a better landscape genomic, gene-expression of Australia. This work is part of a really controller. and morphology-based approaches to important project that aims to DNA barcode identify processes contributing to diversity as many Australian native bee species as and resilience in the tropics. Genomic possible. analyses have demonstrated concordance between rainbowfish population structure Estimates of the total diversity that we have and hydrological catchments. However, included in this project top 1000 species – this pattern was not reflected in analyses more than half of the described bee fauna of body shape, which showed significant in Australia – although the sequencing is differences between rainforest and savannah not yet complete. I have even found a bee ecotypes but not between catchment areas genus that has not been seen in Australia within these biomes. This may suggest that for almost 100 years. morphological variations relate more closely I have published the first chapter of my to environmental adaptation than neutral or thesis, describing nine new species of Fijian stochastic processes. Upcoming genotype- bee and revising the four previously described environment and phenotype-environment ones. I have also been involved with the association analyses will further interrogate review of the Australian Leioproctus this hypothesis. (Colletellus) and Amegilla (Asaropoda) – My year’s highlights include a co-authored the teddy bear bees. manuscript submission to the multi- I am continuing to work towards both my disciplinary journal Proceedings of the PhD publications and other research with National Academy of Sciences, and an the aim of increasing our understanding of international research visit to the laboratory of Australian bee fauna and their importance my adjunct supervisor, Prof. Louis Bernatchez, to both native and agriculture ecosystems. 14 Partners and Scholars working together
Women in engineering
Aurecon, in partnership with the Playford Trust, has established the Women in Engineering Scholarship to help encourage top female talent to pursue engineering careers in a engineering is that it’s tangible and, in a way, inclusive workplace. I’m so grateful to both traditionally male-dominated industry. I get to shape a city’s character. I also like to Aurecon and the Trust for providing these scholarship opportunities.” This will help Aurecon to increase diversity of know that the projects I work on help improve thought, develop innovative solutions, serve people’s lives and can help to solve some of Aurecon Regional Managing Director for their clients, and solve some of the world’s our big challenges,” Ashleigh said. South Australia and Victoria, Angus Leitch, most complex challenges. “During my internship with Aurecon I was said that it was important to encourage more women to embark on STEM careers. In 2019, University of Adelaide structural able to work on real-world projects. The first engineering student Ashleigh Chin was was a modelling and movement study on “Leading design doesn’t come from a group the first recipient of this new award. Ashleigh Victor Harbor’s Cockle Train railway line to of people who are the same,” he said. attended Unley High School before deciding determine how train loads would affect the “It’s diversity, in all its forms, that drives different to study a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil, strength and safety of its bridges. I was lucky thinking and innovation. The scholarship is one Structural & Environmental). enough to do similar bridge assessments on way that we’re helping local South Australian a major Melbourne tunnel project which will Motivated by her love of maths and science women enter STEM careers. reduce congestion. and the difference she could make to complex “It was great to have Ashleigh on board, and issues such as a city’s livability and climate “What I really love about working at Aurecon to see a local working on bringing to life change, Ashleigh completed her studies and is the fact that they have quite a few senior some South Australian projects, too. We were an eight-week internship with Aurecon as leaders who are women – and the company also delighted to offer Ashleigh a full-time part of her scholarship. “What I like about genuinely values creating a diverse and graduate role at the end of her internship.”
Network innovation Time to shine SA Power Networks has worked with The value of the program is demonstrated WSP has partnered with the Playford Trust the Playford Memorial Trust for a in the fact that Liam has been recruited in since 2013 and this year Douglas Radford number of years now, and in recent years our new graduate intake in 2020. was the scholarship recipient. has started offering work experience Our graduate program offers engineering “Doug has been an outstanding scholarship placements to the winning candidates. graduates a four-year placement in which candidate and we have really enjoyed having As our Network Innovation Centre is they rotate through many areas of our him join our water team for work experience focused on researching the new energy business, from substation design to as part of the scholarship. So much so, that future, Playford Trust students such as emergency management. Indeed, many of we offered him an internship role at the end Liam Mallamo have gravitated there our graduates have gone on to leadership of last year,” said Sarah Hughes, the Water and helped us add to the picture we are positions within SA Power Networks – Team Leader for WSP. building of a distributed network heavily Kylie Kerrigan, Manager, Sponsorship Doug joined WSP over the summer break, influenced by renewables. and Events, SA Power Networks. bringing great energy into the work place and an eagerness to learn as much as he could. He has since started to think about his longer-term career journey. WSP’s Adelaide Water team have really enjoyed working with Doug and giving him the opportunity to work on a range of different projects; from network modelling, pipeline concept design to developing project management plans. In Doug’s final year of study, he will take part in an Honours research project looking at the impact of heatwaves on modern society, and how heatwave risk may be quantified across a range of industries. The topic is highly relevant to South Australia in the face of a changing climate. His group is currently in the process of publishing an initial literature ABOVE: Liam Mallamo (centre) with colleagues on his first week of induction in the review of this topic to the Encyclopedia of SA Power Networks Graduate program. Photo credit: SA Power Networks. Sustainability Science and Technology. 15 News from the Board & New Partners
Top order, rock solid contributors
Two Playford Trust Board members have been honoured for their career contributions to the resources industry.
“I’ve lived all over Australia and the An Ultra good association world and been able to learn about The Trust is thrilled to be partnering some great communities.” with specialist electrical and electronics Jacqui remains incredibly busy, not engineering firm, Ultra Electronics Australia, only with the Trust but as Chair of to offer a $10,000 scholarship for a third or TAFE SA; a member of the Premier’s fourth-year student in electronic engineering, Economic Advisory Council; and as a computer science, systems engineering or director of the Art Gallery of SA. She applied physics. The scholarship encourages also runs her own consulting business. applications from indigenous students as well as from women wanting to enter When Keith was asked by The STEM careers. Advertiser to reflect on his career, he recalled that a passion for science had Ultra Electronics provides a wide range of led him to nominate for maths, physics solutions across a number of domains – In January, Jacqui McGill became an and chemistry at university, but with including electronic warfare, ISR (intelligence Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) a fourth subject still to choose. surveillance and reconnaissance), tactical in recognition of her service to the communications, and maritime and minerals and mining sector, for changing “I didn’t know anything much about underwater warfare. attitudes and workplace culture, and for geology but I thought I’d give it a her commitment to gender equity and crack,” he said. “From there on I was The successful applicant, Harrison Bagley workplace diversity. In February, The hooked. It became my passion.” from The University of Adelaide, will have the Advertiser ranked her as seventh in its list opportunity to undertake a work placement Keith began his career with Geoscience of the 50 Most Influential People in South with the company, which has a global reach. Australia and worked in the Gulf of Australia. Carpentaria, northern Queensland and In May, Keith Yates, one of the pioneers Papua New Guinea. He moved to South of the SA minerals sector, was honoured Australia in 1970 before Olympic Dam by the Australasian Institute of Mining and had been discovered. His roles in a Metallurgy (AusIMM) for his contribution range of companies have included over six decades. chief geologist, exploration manager, Jacqui spent 30 years breaking down the group executive and chief executive. barriers in the male-dominated resources He ran Australian Development Developing community leaders industry, including at BHP where she Limited, a subsidiary of the legendary spent the 17 years to 2018: the last three Poseidon Group, which made a In association with the Leaders Institute of as asset president of the giant Olympic significant high-grade gold discovery SA, the Trust is providing a series of $5000 Dam mine. near Tennant Creek in the Northern scholarships to help develop leadership skills in South Australian communities. While pleased with her professional Territory. He was also a founding achievements, in a story in The Advertiser director of Adelaide Resources, which The first seven were awarded in the Upper she said she was particularly proud of her went on to discover rich mineral sands Spencer Gulf region and a second tranche contribution to developing workplaces that in the State’s far west, as well and of up to eight will target people living and support and celebrate diversity. gold and iron deposits. working in the northern suburbs of Adelaide. “I started in the (mining) business in 1988 Keith remains active in the industry, The scholarships are aimed at people either – it was a very different world,” she said. serves as a member of the South working in not-for-profit associations or “If you look at what I experienced it wasn’t Australian Minerals and Petroleum small businesses, or undertaking pivotal unique at the time but if you heard it today Expert Group, and says his fascination roles within the community. you’d be quite shocked. for mining has not waned. “If you have The Leaders Institute is a not-for-profit “Over 30 years the industry has changed an interest in leading an outdoor life association committed to fostering better and if I’ve played a part in that then I’m instead of being chained to a desk or leaders who can deliver a stronger, healthier incredibly proud of my contribution. computer screen, you have plenty of and more prosperous South Australia. scope,” he said. “The industry presents an opportunity It provides innovative, holistic leadership for young women to pursue a rewarding “There is a never-ending demand for development programs that expand and and varied career. Never shy away from metals – especially for the manufacture enrich the capacity and performance of a challenge because they really are just of smart phones, computers, electric individuals and teams at all levels. Its opportunities to stretch yourself and cars, wind generators, solar cells flagship program, the Governor’s Leadership achieve something pretty special. and batteries. The future is bright!” Foundation is now in its 21st year. Support the Playford Trust
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Playford Trust Board Members Hon Dean Brown AO, Chairman; Hon Don Hopgood AO, Deputy Chairman; Dean Standish, Public Officer; Prof Don Bursill AM; Francene Connor; Prof David Day; Dr Kate Delaporte; Hon Robert Lawson RFD QC; Jacqui McGill AO; Bunty Parsons; Dr Leanna Read; Keith Yates playfordtrust.com.au The Playford Memorial Trust Inc.