$300m plan to address the education deficit Pre-eminent economist joins the University Table talk of the London Biennale ISSUE 48 2016 Gift makes possible $5m Warren Chair in Astrophysics Have blog, will travel New TV series brings Alumni comic back on campus Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Rathjen: “We have to train at the highest possible standards the future leaders of this state and to bring our knowledge and our culture to the professions.”

Anniversary issue wins praise

The University of Tasmania’s special of trying to develop the human capital of an 125th Anniversary Alumni entire state. magazine (pictured) was not Global portability matters enormously when only well received by alumni you are located on an isolated island in the but also enjoyed national Southern Ocean where the future must be built peer recognition.

PETER MATHEW on cultural respect – respect for diversity and integration into a globalised economy. Here the University plays such an important It was voted the best role, from affording opportunities for its alumni hardcopy students to participate in that global economy magazine at the to its supportive alumni networks around the Australian Alumni world. We act as a bridge between Tasmania Professionals biannual WELCOME and the world, the world of cultures, of ideas, conference held at the of ethnicities – the world we have to be part of University of Melbourne What makes this university, and its alumni, in we want a prosperous future for our children. in late February. Thirty distinctive is addressed by the Vice-Chancellor Underpinning all of these is a commitment institutions from in this edited extract from a speech he gave at not just to this state but to people. We see our around the country ISSUE 48 a recent London Design Biennale reception: primary role as empowering people to discover, were represented at identify, nurture and develop their talent in the conference. Brodie Neill is renowned for his ability to whatever direction that might take them. The 125th Anniversary combine contemporary materials with artisan In Brodie Neill, we have someone who has issue was praised by skills, to do things that other people normally lived this experience, who embodies this the judging panel cannot. An important message for us all to vision of aspiration, enrichment and global spokesperson for, remember, especially those of us from the participation. among other things, Southern Ocean, is that disruptive innovation We draw strength from our identity and our its “wonderful quality”, more often than not comes from outside the ability and Brodie does too. “the right balance of mainstream. It is important that we celebrate achievement research, personal His story is one we often hear of on this island and talent wherever we see it, that we interest and anniversary – that of a bright, talented, motivated person, showcase the fact that people from our island stories” and as a “great nurtured within the university and working across and people on our island can achieve at a level example of a coffee the globe. as high as anyone else in the world. In that table-style magazine” In many ways, Brodie’s trajectory is an spirit, we celebrate our role as a university that and “a great keepsake embodiment of how we see the University of creates opportunity on the broadest possible for alumni”. Tasmania’s role. front, on an island that has so many people and It was subsequently There is but one university of this island. It alumni of outstanding accomplishment. entered in the prestigious means that we have the awesome responsibility international Council of representing all of what higher education is to for Advancement an entire state. – Professor Peter Rathjen, and Support of We have to train, at the highest possible Vice-Chancellor Education (CASE) awards standards, the future leaders of this state and bring for tertiary institution our knowledge and our culture to the professions. publishing. Prior to London, I was in Frieberg, Germany, where 52 per cent of the young people go on to higher education; in North-West Tasmania that figure is 7 per cent. We have the awesome responsibility Until Tasmania can train its people at the same level as the rest of the world, we are of representing all of what higher doomed to be non-competitive. At the University of Tasmania we have the awesome responsibility education is to an entire state

02 — Alumni 2016 021 024

037

02 Welcome 030 04 Michael Tate Oxford scholarship 05 West Park: New education precinct 011 Student housing projects 012 Dr David Warren CONTENTS 018 A family affair 020 Profile: Dr Michelle Somerton 021 World of Wanderlust SAUL ESLAKE PLASTIC FANTASTIC 023 Profile: David Keeling 06 The economist discusses 024 Alumnus Brodie Neill pushes 026 Joan Webb: Tasmania’s challenges creative boundaries PhD at 90 years old 030 Massive responses 032 Nursing ambition TRANSFORMATION NEWLY MINTED GRADUATES 034 Annual appeal scholarship 08 A brand new vision for the 028 Nearly 2,000 students in the winter 035 Neuroscience scholarship northern city campuses graduation round for women 036 Plus generation 037 Devils research AWARDS ON THE MENU LUKE McGREGOR 038 Tourist tracking 014 Two pioneering researchers 033 The comedian reflects on his 040 Alumni honoured at awards night time at university 041 High achievers

COVER IMAGE: BRODIE NEILL’S GYRO TABLE (SUPPLIED). SEE STORY PAGES 24-25.

03 OXFORD EXPANDED MY INTELLECTUAL HORIZONS ... THIS WAS AN INTELLECTUAL, SPIRITUAL AND NICK OSBORNE SOCIAL REVOLUTION By Lucy Poskitt

The transformative experience of was involved in a car accident at the horizons,” he said. “For me this was a year at Oxford University as a corner of Regent and Princes streets a combined intellectual, spiritual and young postgraduate student has near the Sandy Bay campus, leaving social revolution. led Reverend Professor Michael him almost immobile and meaning “At the same time I was a Tate AO to propose a scholarship he had to repeat the first year of his devotee of Martin Luther King, for another University of Tasmania law degree. and became convinced that the ISSUE 48 student or graduate to do the “I had to be carried up the way they were waging war in same. steps to the engineering building, Vietnam was immoral and unjust, which is where the Faculty of Law which meant that I gravitated “It was such a transformative was housed in those days,” Father towards the Australian Labor experience in every sphere, that Tate said. Party.” if one or two Tasmanians can have “I had a lot of support from Upon his return to Tasmania, a similar experience, that will be students and staff.” Father Tate embarked upon a enough for me to die a happy They say every cloud has a silver long and distinguished career as a man,” he said. lining, and recovering from the federal politician. From 1978 he Father Tate, as he is known, has accident meant Father Tate spent was a Labor senator for Tasmania had an extraordinary and diverse many hours in the library – which for 15 years, and held the position career as an academic, politician, contributed to the achievement of of Minister for Justice from 1987 diplomat and priest. his First Class Honours, giving him to 1993 in the Hawke and Keating He gained a First Class Honours the opportunity to go to Oxford on governments. in Law from the University of a Commonwealth scholarship. In 1992 he was awarded an Tasmania before studying a “I was supposed to study Honorary Doctor of Laws by Bachelor of Arts at Oxford in the more law, but when I got there, the University of Tasmania and Honour School of Theology in 1971. I asked if I could study theology,” has been an Honorary Professor An academic career at the Father Tate said. since 1997. University of Tasmania followed, The Oxford experience was In 2011, Father Tate was including serving as Dean of a rewarding one for the young recognised by the University with the Faculty of Law from 1977-78. Hobart man. a Distinguished Alumni Award, In his first year as an “The thing about Oxford is and he is now Cygnet Parish Priest undergraduate student, Father Tate that it expanded my intellectual in the Huon Valley.

The Michael Tate Oxford Scholarship is intended for a University of Tasmania student or graduate undertaking studies in theology at Oxford University and will cover fees and associated expenses, travel costs and living allowances. It will open for applications in early 2017. For more information, please contact the University of Tasmania Scholarships Office on 1300 361 928.

04 — Alumni 2016 February by the University, the Principal charged with leading a WEST IS BEST State Government, TasTAFE, Burnie northern-based academic unit that By Peter Cochrane City Council and the Cradle Coast will create and deliver the suite of Authority encompassing agreement associate degrees. Professor AN EXCITING NEW about the need to facilitate David Adams has assumed her EDUCATIONAL PRECINCT educational and economic change former role). IS STARTING TO TAKE SHAPE. for the region. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Partners in the project are Peter Rathjen, spoke of the need to committed to expanded course boost educational attainment, and offerings at the West Park site, how this might be achieved, at the and ensuring that current activities signing of the MoU. In the City of Makers the there, such as the Makers’ “The University recognises this University of Tasmania is making Workshop, continue. region has lower school retention its presence felt, in a move that will “Our aim is for the new city rates and we will address that with have far-reaching benefits across campus to complement present courses delivered more intensively the North-West. infrastructure at West Park, but and with strengthened industry to also incorporate cutting edge focus and links, producing job- A vision shared with state and local contemporary education facilities ready graduates in areas of regional government for a new educational that will allow us to increase demand. precinct at West Park is starting our capacity to deliver higher “Growing industries and to take shape as part of the education to students, as well as businesses of the future on the University’s ambitious northern the number of available courses,” North-West will require a workforce transformation project, which will the then Pro-Vice Chancellor more equipped in the STEM also similarly see the Newnham (Community, Partnerships and disciplines of science, technology, campus shift into Launceston’s CBD Regional Development), Professor engineering and mathematics.” (see pp6-11). Janelle Allison, said in April when Two options for a master plan Up to 2,000 new students will announcing the initial community to develop the site over the next be able to attend the Cradle Coast consultation sessions. 10-15 years were released for Campus when it relocates to the “This will include course offerings public feedback. Both involve a West Park, on the foreshores of in the exciting new associate degree main building for teaching, the Bass Strait, from its current, program right through to bachelor learning and research, as well suburban site on Mooreville Road. and postgraduate level.” as student accommodation, A Memorandum of (Professor Allison has since been car parking, a greenhouse and Understanding was signed in appointed to a new role, that of landscaping.

Inspiring location: The new educational precinct at West Park is part of the University’s ambitious northern transformation project. ARTIST IMPRESSION

05 SAUL ESLAKE THE RESPECTED ECONOMIST DISCUSSES THE CHALLENGES FACING TASMANIA AND HOW TO BOOST EDUCATION OUTCOMES.

Writer: Jodi De Cesare

ISSUE 48

A self-proclaimed childhood oddity, Rarity in his field: laughs. “One of the criticisms often had a reasonable understanding of Saul Eslake has global appeal as an Economist Saul made of economists … is that they why Tasmania’s economic position economist and social commentator Eslake (second from can tend to write and speak in ways is as it is and what could be done right) discusses the of such magnitude that he has a Federal Budget at a that are inaccessible to people who to change it,” he says. “It’s easier to four-year waiting list of people public forum at the don’t have at least some training in paint a bleak picture of Tasmania keen to hear his insights on the University in May. economics, and I’ve always thought than it is to paint an optimistic one, public speaking circuit. that it’s important to try to speak nonetheless I have always thought to people about economic issues in that unless you can find some The University of Tasmania alumnus ways they can understand.” reasons for people to have a hope (BEc Hons 1979, Hon LLD 2012) As a television and radio journalist or some reason for hope that things and inaugural Vice-Chancellor’s (with no economics training), I could improve, they’ll probably Fellow is hailed as a rarity in the benefited from Saul’s particular skills give up trying altogether.” economics world in that he delivers in this area during several interviews Saul grew up on the far North insights in a way that audiences – not only would he deliver his West coast, and in late 2014 without an economics background commentary concisely and with fulfilled an ambition of returning can not only understand, but enjoy. clarity, but would tackle the many to live in Tasmania after a long His speeches are injected with challenges facing the Tasmanian and distinguished career. Although humour, usually the self-deprecatory economy in a respectful manner, he was born in England, where type. while not avoiding the reality. his Sydney-raised parents were “It’s usually a way of establishing “Perhaps because I grew up living, he happily considers himself a rapport with the audience and here and continued even after I Tasmanian. keeping them engaged, and checking left to take an interest in what was He came to Australia at eight, whether they’re still on task,” he happening here, I’d like to think I about the same age and almost

06 — Alumni 2016 I was a bit of an oddity … being short, wearing glasses, having peculiar first and second names

the same time as Tony Abbott and But I have to say I came to feel very right and we’re wrong? Yet we seem Julia Gillard, but as his parents were attached to the North West Coast.” unwilling to do that.” Australian, they weren’t tagged Upon graduating from the He cites research by University “Ten Pound Poms”. “I have a letter University of Tasmania, Saul of Tasmania Adjunct Professors found in my father’s papers from the embarked on an esteemed career Eleanor Ramsay and Michael Rowan then Agent-General Sir Alfred White, in both the government and private highlighting the culture entrenched in effect apologising to him that he sector, serving as chief economist in Tasmania which doesn’t value had to pay full fare for all of us to to the ANZ Bank and the Australian education in the same way as come out to Australia because we branch of the Bank of America other states. “That’s not true of weren’t eligible for the ‘Ten Pound Merrill Lynch. This, however, every Tasmanian, of course, but as Pom’ program,” he laughs. came after what he terms “capital a general observation it appears From London, one of the biggest punishment” in Canberra: “I really to be the case, and it’s probably in cities in the world, Saul’s family hated living there and spent a lot of part related to longstanding fears settled in Smithton, population time thinking about ways I might be that many Tasmanians have – that 4,000. A young Saul was “monstered able to come back to Tasmania.” if their kids do get a full secondary

ALASTAIR BETT a bit” for having an English accent His appointment to the education and a tertiary education (having earlier suffered the same University’s Institute for Social they’ll have to go to the mainland fate when he first went to school in Change provides a new platform in order to get jobs and they’ll lose England for his Australian accent he to target social and economic contact with their families,” he says. picked up from his parents). challenges facing the local “To some extent, that’s people “I remember changing that fairly community and nation as a whole, putting their own interests ahead of quickly,” he says. “I was a bit of in particular issues relating to their kids’ and it is part of the island an oddity in some ways, not only education in Tasmania. experience that people grow up with coming from England, but being “From an outsiders’ perspective, a yearning to discover what’s on the Hail Fellow: Saul short, wearing glasses, having it’s not difficult to paint a picture of other side. Eslake (centre) with peculiar first and second names and Tasmania’s economy that highlights “What we ought to be devoting Professor Richard not being particularly good at sport. its poor performance, [but] we don’t more resources to … is thinking Eccleston (left) and Vice-Chancellor They were all challenges throughout always do a good job in advocating about how do we better keep in Professor Peter my entire time at school both on the for our cause,” he says. “Some of touch with our alumni, how can we Rathjen. North West Coast and in Hobart. our problems are self-inflicted.” better give people who have left A major example, he says, relates reasons to think about coming back to educational opportunities and at different stages of their lives … Tasmanians’ willingness to take and what can we do to bring people them up. He blames the “structural from other parts of the world to flaw” of the education system – Tasmania in order to replace those the break between high schools who’ve left. and colleges – as a major reason “If we devoted more time to for low retention rates to year 12 each of those three things and less and below average participation in time bemoaning the fact so many tertiary education. talented young people leave, or “If Tasmania’s system was so trying to prevent them from leaving, much better in making available Tasmania as a whole would be much

KIM EISZELE/NEWSPIX educational opportunities than the better off.” systems in every other state, why is it that over the last 50 years none of the other states have copied us? You have to ask could they be

07 THE UNIVERSITY IS EMBRACING A ONCE‑IN‑A‑GENERATION OPPORTUNITY TO DRAMATICALLY BOOST THE NUMBER OF TASMANIANS IN HIGHER EDUCATION TR

to address the economic deficit by ANS fixing the education deficit. The Education-Driven Economic Revitalisation of Northern Tasmania is a partnership between the University, FORM By Professor Peter Rathjen, Vice-Chancellor the State Government, TasTAFE, the City of Launceston Council, the Burnie City Council and the Cradle Coast Authority. It is predicated on a strong foundation of government, industry and community support. Alongside the Federal Government’s contribution of $150 million, the State Government and the University are In the long and proud history of the each contributing $75 million, while University of Tasmania, June 2016 local councils are making strategic will come to be viewed as a major land allocations and investment in milestone, a moment in time when associated public infrastructure. a powerful set of ideas, supported We believe the project represents by broad community sentiment, met a once-in-a-generation opportunity Economic ISSUE 48 with political will. to increase dramatically the number stimulus: of Tasmanians in higher education Above, the planned This was the historic point at which through more attractive and accessible Creative Industries Tasmania united across the political programs and campuses. At the same and Performing spectrum around the idea that time it will act as a major economic Arts development education is the answer to some stimulus in the north and north- in Hobart, from of its most pressing challenges and western cities. a Collins St that attracting more Tasmanians into The project’s multi-partisan support perspective; right, Future vision: higher education will create a more reflects the significance of the the proposed Prime Minister prosperous future for us all. University to the state’s economic Inveresk Campus Malcolm Turnbull in Launceston. revival and the strong business case announces the The bipartisan federal commitments $150 million of $150 million for our plans in the for our plans. funding for north and north-west of the state Because we are not just about the northern were an endorsement of an ambitious research and teaching, as important as transformation. and transformative agenda that aims those planks are. We were established by state legislation with a social mission, committed to providing access to a broad, tertiary education curriculum for the whole state. The University has both a responsibility and an opportunity to help tackle the low levels of education that are stalling economic growth and placing existing industries at risk. Currently, less than 15 per cent of

JASON EDWARDS/NEWSPIX Tasmania’s population have tertiary qualifications, the lowest of any state or territory. The picture is even worse in the north and north-west: just over 10 per cent of people in the northern electorate of Bass and just over 8 per

08 — Alumni 2016 boost wages even for those without a We aim to attract 12,000 degree, this will have a flow-on effect for the entire region. Many of these students will be more students to the studying a new associate degree - shorter and therefore more affordable, flexible and directly relevant to northern campuses regional industry. Professor Janelle Allison, an accomplished and inspiring senior leader in the University, has been cent in the north-west electorate of appointed to lead the development Braddon have tertiary qualifications. of the associate degree program and With education so closely correlated deliver the first courses in 2017. with employment and salary, it’s Relocating our campuses at the not surprising that Tasmanians earn heart of the cities will add life, the lowest weekly full-time wages dynamism and economic opportunity in the country and that the youth to the CBDs. A highly visible unemployment rate is 16 per cent. celebration of students and student The University’s plans for life will bring greater awareness Launceston and Burnie are part of university education to those of a broader vision for Tasmanian Tasmanians for whom it has never communities rebuilt around knowledge been on the radar. and learning. Our research will be tailored more acutely to the needs of local industry ARTIST IMPRESSION We aim to attract 12,000 more students to the northern campuses and the professional workforce, over the next 10 years. With a recent aligned with opportunity for industry report demonstrating that higher levels innovation and economic growth. of tertiary education in the community The $300 million infrastructure ARTIST IMPRESSION

09 The multi-partisan support reflects the significance of the University to the state’s economic revival

for Marine and Antarctic Studies on the Hobart waterfront are both complete. Restoration of the Domain site – the University’s original home – continues and 430 student apartments are under construction on the corner of Melville and Elizabeth streets. The Hobart City Council has approved the development application for the $90 million Creative Industries and Performing

ARTIST IMPRESSION Arts Development, to be built on the corner of Collins and Campbell streets. Another great illustration of the power of partnership, this project is a collaboration between the University, the State Government and the Theatre program in northern Tasmania is Young at heart: will complement the School Royal, which adjoins the site and projected to generate 3,100 new Artist’s impression of Architecture and Design, will benefit from vastly enhanced of the student ISSUE 48 full-time jobs during and after the Tasmanian College of the performance spaces and technology. accommodation construction, and $1.1 billion in project in Arts and the 120-bed student And finally, Infrastructure economic impact for the north and Hobart’s CBD. accommodation development Australia this year endorsed a north-west regions. already situated at Inveresk. science and technology precinct To do this we need better, more The Australian Maritime College that will boost Tasmanian visible, more connected campuses will remain at the Newnham graduates in STEM subjects – than those currently at Newnham Campus, the foundation of a new science, technology, engineering and Mooreville Road. hi-tech design, engineering and and maths. We are excited about the designs manufacturing precinct. This is not just a list of buildings. emerging for new campuses at West Park will house up to 3,000 They are our investment in the Inveresk in Launceston and West teachers, researchers and students. future prosperity of Tasmanians Park in Burnie. They will offer The first stage of this development helping to bridge the education the high standard of teaching and is complete – in the shape of deficit, providing the engine of research facilities that our staff and student accommodation and innovation for new and existing students deserve. teaching facilities in the old Home industries and equipping the Inveresk has easy pedestrian, Economics Building and the iconic professional workforce of the future. bike and public transport access, Makers’ Workshop. They are part of a broader plan for high visibility and integration with These developments in the the University of Tasmania to play community and industry. A new northern part of the state a more central and strategic role in pedestrian and cycle bridge will complement our progress in social and economic development further increase accessibility. the south. The University’s new than Australian universities have The new campus will be able buildings are changing the skyline of traditionally sought. to house up to 16,000 students, Hobart and contributing to the city’s We think it can be a model for researchers and staff, and includes modernisation. change not just in Tasmania, but student hubs and an innovation The Medical Science Precinct for other regions in Australia facing space. One part of the campus and the award-winning Institute similar challenges. will be devoted to teaching, while another part is earmarked for state-of-art research facilities, including a new School of Applied Science and Design. You can read more about our plans on the Transforming Lives, The new developments Transforming Cities website: utas.edu.au/transformation

010 — Alumni 2016 laminated timber. Apartments REVITALISING OUR CBDS were built in specialist facilities and transported to the building site. NEW HOUSING ENHANCES UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE. “We are pursuing a vision in which education is in the very heart of these communities,” Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Rathjen explains. Key building projects in the people at the peak of construction “In the great university cities of heart of our cities are promising and about 60 ongoing. The latest the world, the life of the university to redefine the relationship of student accommodation project, carries on in and around the the University of Tasmania to its also in Hobart, on the corner of landscape of the city. communities. Melville and Elizabeth streets, “We also see these as important comprises 430 apartments, a projects to bring new life, energy They include three completed University shopfront, cafe and and economic stimulus to the hearts studio apartment accommodation car park. It is being built at a cost of these cities.” projects plus a fourth under of more than $68 million. The Apart from economic benefits, construction, all partly federally project will also house the Peter the projects enhance the student funded under the National Rental Underwood Centre for Educational experience for those living at the Affordability Scheme (NRAS), with Attainment. apartment complexes. State and local government support. University research, skills and “Projects such as Inveresk, West Construction of another training have featured in at least Park and the yet-to-be completed major new project, the $90 one of the projects: the 120 Melville Street greatly enhance million Creative Industries and new apartments on the banks of our students’ experience – both Performing Arts Development, in the North Esk River at Inveresk, academically and socially,” Professor Hobart’s Wapping area, next door which was realised with input Rathjen says. “We see these as to Australia’s oldest theatre, is from the Centre for Sustainable creating a new dynamic. In Hobart, expected to begin in November. Architecture with Wood (CSAW). for instance, the student body Once complete, the project will It was Tasmania’s first timber- will move between the Medical encompass the Theatre Royal, the framed, multi-storey residential Sciences Precinct, the Institute for Conservatorium of Music, and development, with traditional steel Marine and Antarctic Studies, the the Creative Exchange Institute, a and concrete eschewed in favour Arts Faculty in Hunter St and the new research institute which will of prefabricated, lightweight timber Creative Industries and Performing focus on performance, design and framing and modular construction Arts Development when it comes creativity. It will employ about 280 combined with structural cross- online.” These Hobart CBD sites may be joined one day by a science and technology precinct. NEW STUDENT ACCOMMODATION The proposal has been endorsed by Infrastructure Australia, which Newnham: 180 apartments, cost $18.2 million, completed February 2014 has listed it among the 100 National West Park: 40 apartments, $4.6 million, completed February 2015 Priority Projects for the next 15 Inveresk: 120 apartments, $16 million, completed in February 2016 years in the Australian Infrastructure Hobart: 430 apartments under construction, $68m+, scheduled completion Plan. by Semester 1, 2017 “The future of our State and its economy will be delivered through a series of new and reimagined New digs: industries, and will require a Underwood greater number of graduates in the Centre director disciplines of Science, Technology, Professor Elaine Stratford outside Engineering and Mathematics,” the site for the says Professor Brian Yates, Dean of new headquarters the Faculty of Science, Engineering in Elizabeth Street, and Technology. Hobart. “Tasmania currently has a deficit of graduates in this area and a modern, leading-edge centre of this type would not only draw

SAM ROSEWARNE/NEWSPIX more Tasmanian students to the disciplines, but many from across the country and overseas. We forecast the potential for an additional 1,500 graduates a year.” – Peter Cochrane

011 DAVID WARREN

A TECH GURU’S $2.6 MILLION GIFT TO THE UNIVERSITY WILL HELP ATTRACT WORLD-CLASS TALENT TO THE INSTITUTION

Writer: Lucy Poskitt

ISSUE 48

The first moon landing, the state’s The gift will make possible a Generous gift: lines on the roads,” he said. second school computer and a $5 million Warren Chair in the field Dr David Warren’s “He was pulled out of high school $2.6 million backyard battery experiment all of astrophysics. It is a field in which donation will at 12 to work in his parents’ guest fired the imagination of young he studied as an undergraduate, enable the first house in Wynyard and always David Warren of Launceston – honours and postgraduate student Endowed Chair in resented not having any further the University’s and set him on the path to success. in the late 1970s and early ’80s. 126-year history. education.”` Dr Warren is an energetic It was during his school years that Now a businessman, researcher, advocate for the power of three events fuelled Dr Warren’s inventor and University of Tasmania education, growing up in the 1950s interest in electricity, the heavens alumnus, Dr David Warren (BSc in the then-new Launceston suburb and computers. Hons 1980; Hon DSc 2008) has of Kings Meadows, attending He recalls watching his father given a $2.6 million gift which will Punchbowl Road State Primary and melt a coat-hanger using an old enable the first Endowed Chair in Kings Meadows High schools, and truck battery in the shed; watching the institution’s 126-year history. Launceston Matriculation College the moon landing on a television (now Launceston College). set up in an assembly area; and his His father worked for the college receiving only the second Department of Main Roads and school computer in the state, a his mother worked part-time as a Digital Equipment PDP8 with a comptometer (business calculator) Model 33 Teletype. operator, before training as an infant “The kids were so enthusiastic teacher. about it, they would break in at the “My dad was a tradesman who weekends to use it,” he said. spent 30 years painting the white Dr Warren’s parents had always

012 — Alumni 2016 SUPPLIED

Early enthusiasm: University of Tasmania Emeritus be offered to an academic leader This Digital Professor Robert Delbourgo in with an outstanding research track Equipment PDP8 with a Model 33 1976 from London’s Imperial record, who will bring the University Teletype fuelled College, when Dr Warren was an into global collaborations, lead fuelled Dr David undergraduate student. research and supervise select PhD Warren’s interest in computers. “It was an amazing breath of students. fresh air,” he said. “The stimulating Dr Warren said the creation effect for students and staff alike of the position would enable the of recruiting world-class talent to University of Tasmania to attract an further the University of Tasmania’s academic of international standing, academic pursuits should not be to further the achievements of the ALISTAIR BETT underestimated.” physics department in which he first Dr Warren’s studies led him into began working as a student in the the world of software and electronic mid-1970s. design. He was a founding member “There’s very few endowed chairs and now non-executive director of in Australia and it’s something we tech company Altium Ltd, which need to consider in modern times to creates Computer Aided Design provide security to particular posts told him he would have to go to (CAD) software used by engineers regardless of broader economic university to make something of to create printed circuit boards. considerations,” he said. himself, and supported his move Altium Ltd is now the world’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter to Hobart at 19 to begin his leading provider of such CAD Rathjen said the gift was the largest undergraduate degree. software, with clients including single private donation in the history “My parents knew enough to Space X, NASA and BMW. of the University. know the way out of poverty was The Warren Chair will enable “Dr Warren is an inspirational education – that I would lead a a permanent professorship in example of the power of education,” more exciting and more prosperous astrophysics under a model used Professor Rathjen said. life if I had an education,” he said. for centuries by some of the world’s Dr Warren recalls the arrival most prestigious universities such of eminent physicist and now as Oxford and Cambridge. It will

Kids were so enthusiastic about [the PDP8], they would break in at the weekends to use it

013 Honoured: Professor Roger Byard AO PSM, left, and Dr Clare Smith receive their awards at the Hobart dinner. IMAGES KAREN BROWN

THE UNIVERSITY HONOURS TWO ALUMNI FOR THEIR AWARDS ON GROUND-BREAKING ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE MENU RESEARCH.

Two of the state’s pioneering in forensic pathology and The Hobart event was the researchers returned to Tasmania has contributed to a range of second of three University Dinners mid-year to receive one of the international and Australian groups for 2016, the first being held University of Tasmania’s highest aimed at preventing child accidents in Launceston (with Burnie on accolades. and deaths. November 10 to round off the At just 27, Dr Smith became year). Alumni Professor Roger Byard AO a leader in research into malaria In Hobart the student speaker PSM and Dr Clare Smith attended through her discovery of a new was Laura van Galen, the Don a University Dinner in Hobart to be antimalarial compound while she Gaffney Memorial Scholarship awarded the 2016 Distinguished was a PhD student at the Menzies recipient; in Launceston, it was ISSUE 48 Alumni Award and 2016 Foundation Institute for Medical Research. Genevieve van Den Bosch (Robert Graduate Award, respectively. Her discovery has had global Fergusson Family Foundation Professor Byard is one of impact, with clinical trials on the Scholarship in Architecture and Australia’s foremost experts patented research now underway. Design). Launceston 19.05.2016

014 — Alumni 2016 IMAGES HAMISH GEALE/THE EXAMINER

Hobart 24.06.2016

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015 RESEARCH PIONEERS OUR FOUNDATION Writer Anna Osborne

DR CLARE SMITH (BBIOTECH HONS 2007; PHD 2012)

Dr Clare Smith is the first to admit science was never on her radar as a viable career option.

“Science didn’t really click for the guidance and mentorship of me until I did a week-long work Professor Simon Foote (former experience placement at the Menzies Director). Menzies Institute for Medical “Simon was an inspiration to work Research in high school,” Dr Clare with during my PhD,” Dr Smith said. Smith said. “I was 15 and it was “It’s never just one person who the first time I experienced the real makes breakthroughs, it’s a team application of science. effort. ISSUE 48 “I followed around research “That’s where Menzies was scientists and talked to the local fabulous. It was the collaboration public who had come in for blood which helped to achieve a tests or bone-density testing. breakthrough.” IMAGES PETER MATHEW “Seeing research and community Her achievements have been involvement, that’s what really recognised with a number of awards struck me.” over the years including Tasmanian Fortunately, for the science Young Australian of the Year (2014), community, it has paid dividends. Tasmanian Premier’s Young Achiever By the age of 27, Dr Smith had of the Year (2013) and the 2009 become a leader in research into Australian Society for Medical malaria through her discovery of a Research Awards (Tasmanian That’s where Menzies was fabulous. new antimalarial compound while winner). It was the collaboration which a PhD student at Menzies. She has also received the Her discovery has had global Bede Morris Fellowship from the helped to achieve a breakthrough. impact, with clinical trials on the Australian Academy of Science, patented research now underway. and the Australian-European “I loved my whole time studying Malaria fellowship to collaborate work on pathogens, and my work at the University of Tasmania,” Dr with leading infectious disease to date has focused on how hosts Smith said. “The whole experience researchers in Lisbon and Paris. operate. Together, and with a was just great for me as there are Her research focus has taken her team of researchers, we are trying not that many degrees that will offer abroad where she is a postdoctoral to understand the relationship you that much hands-on time in fellow at the University of between the host and pathogen the lab, and that much exposure to Massachusetts Medical School in and where we can intervene with world‑leading research.” eminent microbiologist Professor vaccines and drugs. Dr Smith is the 2016 recipient Chris Sassetti’s lab, working to find “I’ve been really fortunate again of the Foundation Graduate new treatments for tuberculosis. to find a great mentor in Chris. Award, presented at the Hobart “I got to meet Chris Sassetti Like Simon and James Vickers University Dinner. Her research and was really excited by the (Faculty of Health), having great career began studying a Bachelor opportunity to work with him on mentors is crucial to early career of Biotechnology (Hons) before tuberculosis ,” Dr Smith said. scientists.” pursuing a PhD at Menzies, under “He is world-renowned for his

016 — Alumni 2016 PROFESSOR ROGER BYARD AO PSM (MBBS 1978; BMEDSCI 1975)

Not many parents of today would know they have a special relationship with Professor Roger Byard.

As one of the country’s leading “Of all awards I have received, paediatric forensic pathologists, this is the most meaningful,” Professor Byard’s work for more Professor Byard said on returning than 30 years has looked at the to Tasmania to receive the various causes of sudden infant award. and childhood death. “It’s a homecoming for me as His pioneering efforts to help I’ve been away from Tasmania save the lives of babies and young for more than 30 years.” As a paediatric pathologist it is children has led to the introduction Professor Byard grew up in really important that we take the of life-saving legislation and Wynyard on the north-west coast warnings on hazards relating to of Tasmania and pursued his medical time to talk to families. accidental child deaths in areas studies in Hobart. His career started IMAGES PETER MATHEW including dangerous cots, bed in family practice medicine before Early last month Professor sharing, safe feeding and Sudden venturing further afield, specialising Byard was presented with the Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). in paediatric pathology. Distinguished Researcher Award “My work over the years has “My interests really started to (shared with his collaborator looked at how we can prevent surround and question, ‘Why do Professor Hannah Kinney from accidental infant and childhood children die?’, ” he said. Harvard) at the biennial International deaths from happening,” This questioning has led him to Conference on Stillbirth and Professor Byard said. become one of Australia’s foremost SIDS held in Montevideo, Uruguay. His approach to his work experts in forensic pathology. He has published extensively on has been most appreciated and Along with holding a number sudden infant and childhood death recognised by those directly of national and international including more than 670 papers in affected by such personal fellowships, he is a registered expert peer-reviewed journals. He has also tragedies. with the International Criminal published the book, Sudden Death “In my view, as a paediatric Court (ICC) in The Hague. in the Young. pathologist it is really important He was awarded the “One of the aspects to my work that we take the time to talk to Humanitarian Overseas Service has been the need to share what I families,” he said. Medal (HOSM) and the Australian find,” he said. “It is crucial that by “Not only to inform them of what Federal Police (AFP) Operations contributing to a range of national we found, or didn’t, but they also Medal for disaster victim and international groups we can need to, and like to know, that their identification work in Bali after the prevent child accidents and deaths. child was cared for in the end. bombings in 2002, and in Thailand That is of the utmost importance in “That someone took the time. after the tsunami in 2004. this field of research.” It helps to bring a lot of comfort In 2013, he was made an Officer to the families.” (AO) in the General Division of the Professor Byard’s achievements Order of Australia for distinguished were recognised this year with service to medicine in the field of For more information about the awards the University of Tasmania’s forensic pathology as an academic, visit: utas.edu.au/alumni/our-alumni/ Distinguished Alumni Award. researcher and practitioner. alumni-awards

017 ISSUE 48

018 — Alumni 2016 ‘BRIDGE’ ACROSS THE SEA A FAMILY AFFAIR Writer Peter Cochrane

The ties that bind are often forged at school Sense of Business (now the Tasmanian School of – the links made at university in particular appreciation Business and Economics – TSBE). and belonging: can span generations, and in the case of Now the family links are being established. Effendi Norwawi Dr Tan Sri Dato Seri Effendi Norwawi, form a (right) pictured His son, Dani Effendi, is in his foundation year link between countries. with his son of business studies here. Dani and wife “My family is a very good example of the Dr Norwawi graduated from the University Tiara during a power of international education in providing recent visit to of Tasmania in 1972 with a Bachelor of a bridge between Tasmania and the world, the Sandy Bay Arts (Honours) majoring in Development Campus. creating ties which are strategically important, Administration. It helped springboard him into socially and economically,” Dr Norwawi said a stellar career as an administrator, politician during a recent visit to the Sandy Bay Campus and businessman. with his film actress and stage producer wife He has served as a Sarawak State Tiara. “As most people do for their alma mater, Assemblyman, a Member of Parliament, I have a great sense of appreciation and a senator and a minister in charge of belonging as a result of my experiences with the Economic Planning Unit, and is the University of Tasmania. Chairman of both Bloomberg TV Malaysia “In that context, I’m particularly excited and the investment holding company about the direction of the University under ENcapital. the current Vice-Chancellor Professor Rathjen, His connections to the University of and the Dean of TSBE, Professor Earley, who Tasmania were consolidated in 1998 with has ambitious plans for the School. the conferral of an Honorary Degree of “Professor Earley is pursuing a model for Doctor of Laws and in 2008 when he was the school which has the characteristics of made Adjunct Professor of the Faculty of some of the most esteemed business schools in the world and that means we are navigating an immensely exciting period ahead, both for the University and Tasmania more broadly.” Dr Norwawi will help navigate this exciting period, as he is a member of the school’s global advisory board. He is also the driving force behind a proposed partnership between MUST (the Malaysian University of Science and Technology), a private university modelled after MIT that he established in 1997, and the University’s School of Social Sciences’ journalism discipline. A proposal for the creation of a Bachelor of Media was recently submitted to the Malaysian Qualifications Agency for approval. This proposal will allow students from IMAGES ALASTAIR BETT Malaysia to study part of their degree in Tasmania and vice-versa. Dr Norwawi’s media background dates back to 1998, when he established the television channel NTV7.

019 A University of Tasmania alumna and lecturer formerly based on the North‑West Coast is helping shape educational outcomes in Kazakhstan, the world’s largest landlocked country.

In July, Dr Michelle Somerton (BEd Hons 2011), who taught Inclusive Education Practices in Educational Settings at the Cradle Coast Campus, swapped winter for summer, views of the Bass Strait for that of the Steppe, PROFILE when she took up her appointment as an Assistant Professor at Nazarbayev University MICHELLE in the country’s capital, Astana. “Nazarbayev University was established SOMERTON six years ago in conjunction with the World Bank, and has since built strong partnerships From the Cradle Coast to with some to the leading universities around Kazakhstan, this alumna is the world,” Dr Somerton said. “The Graduate passionate about inclusive School of Education partners with Cambridge and Pennsylvania State universities. As part of education the interview process, I felt privileged to have discussions with some of the global leaders in educational reform.” Entering tertiary education later in life, Dr title 2016 Somerton’s success through the University of Tasmania paved the way for the appointment. “I grew up in the North-West of Tasmania and had always intended to become a teacher, but felt at the time there were ISSUE 48 limited opportunities. Instead, I pursued alternative employment and established a career with Tourism Tasmania which led to me moving interstate,” Dr Somerton said. “In 2008, I returned to the region and enrolled in a Bachelor of Education at the Cradle Coast Campus. Amid the challenges of being a single parent to two young children, I took a course overload and graduated with Honours. As a result I was successful in being awarded an Elite Scholarship and in March this year was admitted to my PhD. For the past four years I have also been grateful to be able to teach in inclusive education which is a field that is central to my research.” During her thesis, Dr Somerton developed a reading app known as Billy Possum’s Interactive Comprehension to support the development of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The app, which allows them to learn at their own pace, is being used by several schools in the US. “I would not have been able to achieve anything without the Cradle Coast Campus and its support,” Dr Somerton said. “The location of the campus in this region is so critical in supporting individuals who are unable to travel or do not feel confident with online study.”

WRITER: SHANTELLE RODMAN

IMAGE: HEATH HOLDEN 020 — Alumni 2016 TRAVEL

At 24, the Bachelor of Arts graduate has the WANDERLUST world at her feet through the travel blog she By Shantelle Rodman established in 2013. “I wanted to create a hub, my own little THIS GLOBETROTTER IS NEVER AT piece of the internet, where one could HOME FOR LONG, AND THAT’S be inspired to go somewhere new or try JUST THE WAY SHE LIKES IT something new,” she said. “A place that gave you that little push you needed to go out, For Brooke Saward (BA 2013), country chase your dreams and see the world.” and continent-hopping is a constant in her This year alone, Brooke has visited Tanzania, career. The University of Tasmania alumna New Zealand, the Maldives, Italy, France, is the founder of World of Wanderlust, an Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Norway, online source of travel tips and inspiration and has intermittently travelled the world for followed by millions from all corners of the past four years, covering 70 countries and the globe. six continents. “Sometimes I’m in three time zones in one day,” she said. Even before her cap and gown ceremony, Brooke was busily laying the foundations of her blog. “In my last year of university I was already working on World of Wanderlust and sharing my travels and photos with a growing audience. Continued page 22

021 From page 21 brand collaborations, campaign contracts, “I even started distance education so I could sponsorships and online advertising, a world travel and study simultaneously.” away from the 60-hour weeks she worked as Initially enrolling in a Bachelor of Arts/Law, a hotel receptionist and cleaner during her Brooke’s global inclinations were cemented studies. after representing Australia at the Harvard “It’s a funny concept to most people that National Model United Nations conference you can make a career out of travel blogging. in January 2013. “I’ve also been offered a contract with “This was my first trip as World of Penguin Random House for my book World of

SUPPLIED Wanderlust. Before the conference began Wanderlust: How to Live an Adventurous Life, I spent two weeks in Los Angeles and San which is an absolute career highlight for me.” Francisco on my own, taking photos and But despite spending 80 per cent of her On the move: visiting countless places to cover these time abroad, Brooke still calls Tasmania home. Brooke visits a destinations on my blog. “I live on a farm 10 minutes out of national park in Finland. “It was during the ‘debate’ at the Launceston with my partner and I’ll be conference that I realised my passion lay with returning in September to open my new International Relations, my Arts major, so I business Charlie’s Dessert House. After that decided to drop Law and complete university I will try and split my time equally between that year.” both worlds. On her graduation day in 2013, Brooke “My idea is to bring some of the inspiration booked a one-way ticket to London and that’s and ideas I have seen around the world back when her blog began to take off. home.” “Being in a new city or country every other Brooke’s World of Wanderlust book will be day was really fascinating to people and I’m published on October 31, and the blogger will sure that is when I gained most of my lovely also host book signing events in Tasmania. loyal readers.” Today, World of Wanderlust attracts one million social media followers and six million Visit worldofwanderlust.com for readers. Brooke makes her living through details of dates and locations.

ISSUE 48 Square and Compasses

If you enjoy good fellowship and are interested in the betterment of mankind - then you may seek a lifetime of interest in the world’s oldest society.

Each generation makes its own mark on Freemasonry. What is your generation doing? Who will create the future Lodges?

Is there a Great Architect involved in the design of man? The Roman architect Vitruvius thought so - 2000 years ago So did Leonardo Da Vinci - 500 years ago And so have many thousands of Tasmanians - past, present and . . . ?

What is the first step? You must first knock for the door to open. If interested: try [email protected]

022 — Alumni 2016 PROFILE For artist and two-time Glover Prize winner, alumnus David Keeling, the DAVID University of Tasmania has had many KEELING influences on his life and his career. The talented artist credits two Born and raised in Launceston, Keeling was always interested in pursuing an artistic lecturers with inspiring him to career, despite opposition to the idea from pursue a career in art his father. After initially studying film and television in Melbourne, he decided to return home and enrolled at the University of Tasmania’s School of Art, which encouraged him to continue to pursue a career in art. “I was inspired by two lecturers in particular, Geoff Lowe and Dusan Marek,” he said. After graduating from the University (DA Vis.Art Teach, 1976; BA Vis.Art, 1978), Keeling travelled for several years. He returned to Tasmania in the mid- 1980s to find a dynamic contemporary art scene, greatly driven by the introduction of a Masters in Fine Arts by the University. “This gave an enormous boost to contemporary art in Tasmania as artists from all over Australia moved to Tasmania Art of the matter: and many stayed on after completing their Alumnus David Keeling degrees,” Keeling said. “This was the time still has many ties with the University, including when a number of interesting artists began to the occasional teaching establish professional careers as artists living stints over the summer. in Tasmania.” It was then Keeling began painting seriously. Keeling still has many ties with the University, including the occasional teaching stints over the summer. He also held a major exhibition at the University’s Academy Gallery in Inveresk as part of last year’s 125th anniversary celebrations, and was recently commissioned to paint former Chancellor Damian Bugg’s portrait. Keeling’s association with the University also created many important social ties for him. “If I think back I am struck by how much has changed, and how friendships with people I first met in those days have endured - none more so than that of my wife Helen Wright, who I met in a printmaking class when the School of Art was at Mount Nelson,” he said. Taking out his second prestigious Glover Award for landscape earlier this year was an unexpected honour for Keeling. “I think it’s recognition of the fact that artists may win a prize at a certain time but that doesn’t mean they stop working or stop developing, and that’s just great,” he said.

WRITER: ELIZABETH STACEY

IMAGE: SCOTT GELSTON/THE EXAMINER 023 ALUMNUS BRODIE NEILL IS MAKING WAVES WITH HIS UNIQUE AND INVENTIVE DESIGNS

PLASTIC SAMEERA HANIF

FANTASTICBy Lucy Poskitt Worldwide acclaim: Brodie Neill with Australian Foreign Minister The Honourable Julie Bishop during her visit to the Biennale.

London-based alumnus Brodie 2001 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Neill not only earned a place at Furniture Design with Honours. He the table of leading world then took a Masters at the Rhode designers last month – he also Island School of Design. provided the table. In 2012 he returned home to ISSUE 48 receive the Foundation Graduate Take a closer look: Representing Australia, Neill unveiled Award. The citation read in part: The Gyro table is a new installation, Plastic Effects, “At University, it was quickly made from ocean at the inaugural London Design recognised that here was an plastics. Biennale. He collaborated with Dr extraordinary individual with Jennifer Lavers of the University’s unlimited potential. As a student Institute for Marine and Antarctic he excelled consistently, always Studies in preparing the installation. applying twice the effort of his Dr Lavers’ research interests peers, with twice the result. include the impact of plastics on His work was wholly inventive, ocean ecology and wildlife. rigorously researched and The installation included masterfully executed. photographic works and a “Since graduating, Brodie has specimen table, titled Gyro, which pursued his professional life with is constituted from ocean plastics the same inventiveness, rigour and IMAGES SUPPLIED and developed by the designer and masterful production, successfully his collaborators. integrating digital technologies with Born in Hobart, Neill graduated the sensitivities of the hand-made. from the University of Tasmania in Furthermore, he has shown the

His student work was wholly inventive, rigorously researched and masterfully executed

024 — Alumni 2016 courage and conviction to test these understand the materials that go Thoughtful work: Professor Rathjen said. “We have ideas in the fiercely competitive into the process. One day, it may Brodie Neill’s many good examples of that, but international arena.” be making a chair out of wood, unique table is a Brodie Neill is among the best of Many of the reasons why and the next, something out of collaboration with them.” Neill’s works stand out on the steel. I’ve always had a bit more of Dr Jennifer Lavers The London Design Biennale from IMAS, international scene, he explained to an industrial design outlook, but attracted 37 countries, from South titled Gyro. Alumni in 2010, relate back to his my creative roots are definitely Africa to Pakistan, as well as some University of Tasmania education. Tasmanian.” of the world’s leading design “The course at UTAS gave me According to University Vice- museums, including Cooper Hewitt, an edge,” he said. Chancellor Professor Peter Rathjen, the Smithsonian and the Victoria “I travel the world, going to Neill’s story was a striking example and Albert, as well as the National New York, London and Milan. The of one of the institution’s guiding Gallery of Victoria, responding to the designs I see have been created principles. “The University of theme ‘Utopia by Design’. by pen and paper and computer. Tasmania believes that we must It was attended by 90,000 But UTAS encouraged a hands-on, offer higher education which is visitors, including key industry sculptural approach. world class so that our graduates leaders and representatives of “We had to build the objects can compete in an increasingly the University – which supported ourselves, which meant we got to competitive global workforce,” Neill’s exhibition.

025 JOAN WEBB

NOW SHE HAS HER PhD, THIS 90‑YEAR‑OLD IS TURNING HER ATTENTION TO RESEARCHING THE MOST USEFUL POLITICIANS TO LOBBY

Writer: Ben Wild

ISSUE 48

Joan Webb is just getting started. “I want to do something useful Dr Webb is real. She’s a quick- In August, at the University of with this PhD,” she said. witted, strong-willed, often Tasmania’s winter graduation round Titled I only look forward to mischievous rebuttal to the in Launceston, she crossed the Mondays: Facilitating Creative assumptions that lie beneath ageism. stage at the Albert Hall and claimed Writing Groups – Ageism, Action She may be old, but she’s no little a new honorific. Mrs Webb became and Empowerment, Dr Webb’s old lady. Dr Webb, and at only 90. thesis examined the impact of Born in London in 1926, creative stimulation – “making the Dr Webb completed her original Though she admits her desire for brain work” – among the residents of teaching qualification in 1963. a Tudor bonnet – the floppy velvet two Tasmanian aged-care facilities. Twenty years later, after visiting hat Doctors of Philosophy wear at Now she has her hat, she’s turning her then Tasmania-based daughter, graduation ceremonies – was at her attention to researching the she moved to her new home in least part of the motivation behind most useful politicians to lobby. Launceston. her PhD studies, Dr Webb is not She aims to influence government She first volunteered as a teacher content with merely a chapeau and a policy, to agitate for changes in at a School for Seniors, and taught sense of accomplishment. practice and programs at aged-care literacy in a program for the long- facilities, and to challenge ageism term unemployed. She taught at wherever she finds it. the Mount Arthur Family School, “Ageism is frighteningly started the West Tamar Action widespread; it’s in people’s blood,” Group, was elected to the West Dr Webb said. “Somehow, old Tamar Council, ran a B&B, wrote people are put into a different box, and published a novel and two like they’re not real anymore.” books of poetry and was placed

026 — Alumni 2016 on the Tasmanian Honour Roll of too cheeky.’ And I said, ‘Oh, I like a Women. Among other things. bit of cheek.’ So she read it. And it In 2009, in her 80s, Dr Webb was just fantastic.” decided to head back to university and enrolled in a two-year Graduate WORDS by Heather Certificate in Education, which she “Write me some prose or verse,” she said. completed in 2010. A year later, Our leader must be off her head. she’d finished her Masters. Brainless I am with naught to say, When it came time for her PhD, No prose or verse has come my way. she found her subject in the classes My nails are bitten to the quick, she had recently established in I’ve thought so much my brain is sick, aged-care homes. She’d started Odd words float just above my head, them in an effort to take the School Solid as rock, heavy as lead, for Seniors to those who couldn’t “Have pity” is my anguished cry, get their on their own. All words are dying, let them die! “The School for Seniors was for everybody over 50 but the people “Isn’t it just marvellous?” Dr Webb in my groups were usually in their said. “And everything opened up 70s and 80s. And they were so after that. The work that they did enthusiastic, so creative, so bubbling was extraordinary – the sensitivity over with wonderful ideas; it was a and the humour. joy to read their work. “The groups were small. One “Then I started to wonder about lady was almost blind, and only one people who went into aged-care person was physically fit enough to homes, about whether they had this get around on their own. But the sort of opportunity. So I made some ideas were gorgeous!” calls and I arranged to work at two The story of unlocking this different places.” creativity is at the heart of Dr Webb particularly wanted Dr Webb’s thesis. And it forms the to work with high-care residents, core of what she believes needs to

CHRIS CRERAR people who struggled to move happen in aged-care homes around unaided, but who needed creative the country. stimulation. “It seems to me that the very best Initially, the utter lack of institutions make sure that residents response shook Dr Webb. For the get their regular showers, and first few weeks, she said, they regular meals, and their activities, just sat there with their heads such as someone playing them the hanging down. piano, or bingo. But there is nothing No slowing down: “I did not want this to turn into that is treating them like individuals Dr Joan Webb me reading poems to people. I tried and that stimulates the brain. (second from left) says it is easy to absolutely everything but I couldn’t “It will not cost the world to become fascinated seem to get through.” introduce a system whereby by university study. Then, one day, she saw one of the creativity is part of the program. But ladies in the group holding a piece it has to be done properly.” of paper. If one thing’s for sure, it’s that “And I said, ‘You’ve written Dr Webb will be doing her part. something, haven’t you? Can we She has enjoyed this recent run of hear it?’ And she said, ‘No, it’s much celebrations – her 90th birthday in June, her PhD conferred in August – but now she’s turning her mind to the tasks ahead. There’s a chapter she’s been asked Ageism is frighteningly to write for an upcoming book about action research, and her supervisor at the University, Associate widespread; it’s in Professor Rosemary Callingham, has suggested she rework her thesis for publication. people’s blood And then there are the politicians to lobby, the ageism to challenge. Joan Webb is just getting started.

027 Launceston 20.08.2016

NEWLY MINTED CHRIS CRERAR GRADUATES

NEARLY 2,000 STUDENTS WERE INVOLVED IN THE UNIVERSITY’S WINTER GRADUATION ROUND.

Eighty-four police officers were opportunity to complete the full In July, 314 students graduated among nearly 2,000 students to degree qualification throughout at a Shanghai ceremony. The graduate during the University their career and promotion path. ceremony marked the 11th year of Tasmania’s winter graduation A total of 1,270 graduands of graduations for students of round. featured in the four Hobart joint degree programs run by the ceremonies, held at the Shanghai Ocean University and the The police officers are the first to Federal Concert Hall, while University of Tasmania through the complete the Associate Degree more than 650 claimed their AIEN Institute. Arts (Police Studies) as part of a degrees in two ceremonies at Hosted by the Chancellor of unique partnership between the Launceston’s Albert Hall. the University of Tasmania, the University and Tasmania Police. The first of the Launceston Honourable Michael Field AM, Under the partnership, Tasmania ceremonies saw Patsy Cameron and the President of the Shanghai ISSUE 48 Police officers are the only receive an honorary degree, before Ocean University, Professor Cheng officers in Australia given the delivering the occasional address. Yudong, the ceremony conferred opportunity to align their careers Dr Cameron received a Doctor degrees on students who completed with the Bachelor of Social Science of Letters, honoris causa, for her a Bachelor of Information Systems/ (Police Studies). extraordinary and longstanding Bachelor of Management and All recruits must complete the contribution to Aboriginal education Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Associate Degree as part of their and for fostering and promoting Management. recruit training and then have the Aboriginal culture in Tasmania. IMAGES: KAREN BROWN

028 — Alumni 2016 Hobart 12.08.2016 LUCY POSKITT IMAGES: KAREN BROWN

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029 TOP-RANKING OPEN ONLINE COURSES The University of Tasmania has FOCUS ON DEMENTIA CARE AND built on its reputation as a global MARINE AND ANTARCTIC SCIENCES leader in dementia research and education with the introduction of its Preventing Dementia, a new Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). The course follows on from MASSIVE the international success of ISSUE 48 the University’s Understanding Dementia MOOC, which has attracted more than 70,000 RESPONSESBy Elizabeth Stacey and Andrew Rhodes participants over the past three years. It was recently listed among the top 50 online courses of all time

Shedding light: by the aggregator Class Central, Preventing Dementia which examined user ratings from provides practical more than 6,000 MOOCs delivered steps people can take to minimise their risk by more than 600 universities for this condition. worldwide. Both MOOCs were developed by the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, part of the University’s Faculty of Health. The new MOOC, Preventing Dementia, brings to light international research on potentially modifiable risk factors and provides practical steps people can take if they wish to minimise their relative risk for this degenerative condition. “Most of an individual’s risk of dementia is related to their age as well as genetics,” Wicking Centre Co-Director Professor James Vickers said. “However, it has been recently determined that about

IMAGE: ISTOCK 30 per cent of cases could be effectively prevented by attending to potentially modifiable risk factors at all stages of life – such as vascular

030 — Alumni 2016 XXXXXXXXXX

food webs, ecosystems such as the We’re delighted that so Antarctic and kelp forests, climate change, the impact of human activities such as fishing, and marine many people in Australia stewardship. “The MOOC is a great introduction to marine and Antarctic and around the world science and we’re delighted that so many people in Australia and around the world have taken an have taken an interest interest,” explained IMAS Professor Craig Johnson, who organised and co-presents the MOOC with Dr Jess Melbourne-Thomas from the In top 50: Australian Antarctic Division and the Understanding Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Dementia MOOC developer Dr Cooperative Research Centre. Carolyn King and “Just over one-third of the senior lecturer Dr MOOC’s students have been Matthew Kirkcaldie. Australian but there has also been strong interest from the United States, UK, India, Spain and New Zealand. More than 60 per cent of those taking part have been female, and while people aged from 18-34

PETER MATHEW account form more than half of the uptake we’re also pleased to be making a contribution to lifelong learning, with more than 10 per cent of those interested aged 55 and over.” health and mental stimulation. The its marine and Antarctic science As with Wicking’s dementia goal of this MOOC is to encourage MOOC. Nearly 13,000 people have course, IMAS is exploring the option approaches and behaviours that enrolled in this course over the past of allowing those who complete may contribute to reducing risk, and two-and-a-half years. the MOOC in future to gain credit hopefully to reduce the incidence of The course covers a wide range towards a Bachelor or Associate dementia in our ageing population.” of topics, including marine life and Degree. A second successful University of Tasmania free online course offering involves the Institute for Marine To enrol or find out more about these courses go to utas.edu.au/wicking/home and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), with or imas.utas.edu.au/study/mooc

031 NURSING AN AMBITION TO HELP EDUCATE THE NEXT GENERATION By Elizabeth Stacey

For nurse Lee Woods, receiving the The scholarship was donated by the patients who had heart failure and University of Tasmania’s District District Nurses as part of its 120th wished to continue to live at home. Nurses Elite Research Scholarship anniversary, to provide support “The District Nurses Elite in Nursing puts her closer to for talented students undertaking Scholarship financially supports me realising her dream of making a research in the area of nursing. to study full-time,” she said. significant difference in the field of A Clinical Nurse Specialist “It allows my release from ward healthcare improvement. (Cardiology) at St Vincent’s Private duties to effectively and efficiently Hospital in Sydney, Mrs Woods conduct my research project. (GradCertN 2009, BNurs 2016) “Graduating within three to four is studying her PhD in Nursing years (compared to eight years at the University’s Darlinghurst part-time) benefits the people my Campus, which she has found a research project is targeting, much rewarding journey. earlier.” “After 10 years of clinical nursing The District Nurses is a charitable, ISSUE 48 in the acute hospital setting, it’s not for profit organisation which been incredibly empowering to has been providing in home embark on this research journey, and community care services to highlighting gaps in current care and Tasmanians for 120 years. making positive change to improve “The District Nurses are a unique this care,” she said. collection of experienced, highly “As the PhD is a research degree qualified healthcare professionals with a healthcare improvement committed to equality in healthcare, focus, I aim to improve the health of supporting the patient voice and populations, not just the six patients delivering excellent care,” Mrs I care for during one shift.” Woods said. Mrs Woods said the scholarship “It is such an honour to be of close to $30,000 was a great selected as the Elite Research benefit both personally and to her Scholarship recipient.” field of study, which focused on In the long-run Mrs Woods improving the wellness of adult out- hopes to use her studies to make a difference to the health system and to continue research into improving the experience of patients. “When I graduate, I aspire to teach the next generation of nurses (such as being a Bachelor of Nursing lecturer) and continue in the research stream.” The District Nurses is also supporting two other University of Tasmania scholarships worth Caring nature: Nurse Lee Woods $20,000, for students commencing PETER COCHRANE wants to make a Bachelor of Nursing degree. a significant Applications for the District difference in the field of healthcare Nurses Scholarship in Nursing close improvement. on October 31, 2016.

032 — Alumni 2016 PROFILE LUKE McGREGOR The accidental comedian is living his dream on his home turf

Luke McGregor is serious about his niche well and truly covered after roles comedy. in Utopia and his documentary Luke Warm Sex. When we meet, Luke is resting a “Most of the characters I play tend to sprained ankle he injured on set – be a nervous wreck anyway, so if I had running away from an imaginary dog. to play a tough love interest, or a bad The University of Tasmania alumnus guy, that would probably test my acting has brought his own brand of comedy skills, I don’t know if I’d be able to pull home, filming his latest TV venture – it off,” he said. “If I’m playing kind of the buddy comedy Rosehaven – over myself, it’s fine.” seven weeks in the state, including the McGregor spent seven years at uni, tiny Derwent Valley town of Lachlan studying a range of subjects before and the University’s Sandy Bay campus, graduating with a combined Bachelor in the Edge Radio studio. of Arts and Bachelor of “The weather’s unpredictable, Economics degree in 2007. but otherwise it’s great [filming in “I enjoyed all the extracurricular stuff Tasmania],” he said. – I found uni clubs fun, and the uni pub Rosehaven debuts on ABC TV this fun,” he said. month and McGregor is still pinching “What I liked about economics is himself that this is his life now – writing that it gives you a good understanding and rewriting scripts (jokes included), of the world around you. Even though then performing, recording and I don’t really use it anymore, it’s nice to sharing them with Australia. be a bit more informed about stuff.” “We started with Celia [Pacquola] At one stage, McGregor began and I just wanting to do some sort of looking into a career in medicine. comedy around our friendship, some “I think I just wanted to do it because sort of buddy comedy where it was us I just liked the idea of being able to against the world in some way,” he said have that skill set, and being able to of Rosehaven. help everyone,” he said. “It’s just a “My parents are in real estate, and cool skill to have, any sort of medical Celia grew up in a small town, so we’ve knowledge. I think in the end I should tried to combine the two.” have just done a first-aid course.” The University’s Sandy Bay campus Although he’s now doing his dream is where it all started for the actor and job, McGregor said he still has to comedian with his first stand-up gig remind himself sometimes that it won’t in 2007. be all sunshine and skittles. “Comedy came to me by accident “It is amazing, but if you’re acting, – there was a Raw Comedy final at a lot of what you do is waiting around the uni pub and I was a bit tipsy and while they set up cameras and stuff, someone didn’t show up, and I said, or if you’re writing, sometimes you just ‘Can I get up?’ and they said, ‘Yes’, don’t feel like it, or sometimes you’ll so that’s how I got into comedy,” he have two hours to write, but you don’t said. “I was only there because my come up with anything in those two housemate was in it and I was there to hours,” he said. “But I guess the secret support him.” is the good outweighs the bad, and Fast-forward to 2016, and McGregor that you do really love it in those key has TV’s awkward redhead comedian moments.”

WRITER: LUCY POSKITT

IMAGE: ALASTAIR BETT

033 MICHAEL RAYNER

ISSUE 48

Review Advisory Council and the governing FOR RICK, IT’S AN Council of the University of Tasmania. His academic and student experiences ENDURING APPEAL have instilled in him a deeply-held belief By Anna Osborne in the high value of tertiary education, and he is determined to help provide the same AS A YOUNG MAN IN COLLEGE, RICK SNELL opportunity to others. DID NOT DREAM OF A CAREER IN ACADEMIA. Associate Professor Snell has been a regular giver to the Annual Scholarship Appeal for many years. His contribution, along with many other alumni and friends, provides vital funding to offer scholarships to talented “It was expected that I would go to work in students with financial need students who the mines,” says the University of Tasmania otherwise would not have the means to alumnus who was born and raised on attend higher education. Tasmania’s West Coast. “I went to Hobart for “There is a lot to be gained from the college and, by the end of it, I had enough power of an institution, especially the power of being away from home. However, there of higher education and especially in a was no job back there, as there were lay-offs Tasmanian context,” he said. at the mines, but I was qualified to go to Every year close to 500 students are university.” supported by scholarships, and excellence in research and teaching is strengthened by the More than 30 years later, there is no doubt gifts of alumni and friends to the University of that Associate Professor Snell (BA/LLB 1982, Tasmania Foundation. BA Hons, 1983, MA 1995) made the right decision. He is now Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law, internationally regarded in the You can read more about field of Ombudsman studies, and a former Annual appeal scholarships at member of the Tasmanian Administrative utas.edu.au/giving

034 — Alumni 2016 IN THE BIG SCHEME OF THINGS IT IS BUT A DROP, BUT LET IT FALL WHERE I WISH AND CAUSE EVER WIDENING RIPPLES By Elizabeth Stacey

Female students will be encouraged poetry and to complete a creative writing to consider the field of neuroscience course at the University. or neurosurgery, thanks to a generous Young Dawkins, Executive Director, bequest to the University of Tasmania. Advancement, and CEO of the University of Tasmania Foundation, said the A $290,000 scholarship was provided scholarship would go a great way to by the late Dianne Eerden, who in the encouraging top female students to ultimate gesture of generosity also willed consider careers in the sciences. her body to the University’s bequest “The drive to attract and then retain program for the study of the rare head and more top women students pursuing neck cancer she lost her life to. careers in the sciences is a global effort,” Ms Eerden, who also battled splenic he said. marginal zone lymphoma, hoped her “This bequest from Dianne Eerden is just estate and her life would better serve the sort of practical support that will help humanity. promising University of Tasmania students Before she died Ms Eerden explained: reach their fullest potential.” “In the big scheme of things it is but a This Dianne Eerden Elite Research drop, but let it fall where I wish and cause Scholarship was introduced earlier this

ever widening ripples. year, with the successful applicant to be SUPPLIED “I want to encourage a young person announced shortly. who has their mind set on a future in The scholarship provides a $9,500 per medicine, neurological cancer and research year living allowance for three years for Legacy: The late or blood cancers. the successful applicant. Dianne Eerden’s generosity will “I want what I have worked for and left Due to the significant amount of the help support to help a young female person with their gift, Ms Eerden’s bequest will support the talented female heart set on improving the lives and living scholarship in perpetuity, making a lasting neuroscience students for years prospects of other Australians.” legacy for talented female neuroscience to come. Ms Eerden, who was only 66 when students. she passed away, was born and raised in Adelaide. In later years she sailed to For information regarding making a gift in Tasmania, to retire to the Huon Valley your will to the University, please contact town of Cygnet. Gaye French, Advancement Coordinator Throughout her working career for the University of Tasmania Foundation Ms Eerden took up many roles involving at [email protected] or on caring for others, including fitting shoes for 0428 377 164. children with foot disorders, working as an aged-care nurse and taking riding classes for children living with disabilities. Ms Eerden also had a strong creative For more information on the Dianne Eerden Elite Research Scholarship side which led to her love of making go to utas.edu.au/research/degrees character dolls, painting, pottery, writing

035 Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Tasmania and Governor of Tasmania, Sir Guy Green, who THE PLUS studied law here, graduating in 1960. GENERATION “Without wanting to make By Peter Cochrane invidious comparison between different generations of graduates, MEMBERS OF THE 40+ AND 50+ CLUB RETURN I think that any detached observer TO THE UNIVERSITY TO CELEBRATE THE PAST. …would conclude that it’s obvious that the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s were vintage years in the history of the University,” Sir Guy IMAGES AARON SPURR began. “It was a period when the Within the large and far-flung University saw changes of truly family of the University of historic significance. Fundamental Tasmania there are certain alumni changes occurred in the University’s who enjoy a special status. relationship with the state and federal governments, and in the Among these are members of the way in which it was funded and “That was brought home to 40+ Club – alumni who graduated governed, and physically, of course, me when I attended my first as recently as the 1970s and have the University changed radically function at the Law School after maintained ties to the University. when it was relocated from its my appointment as Chief Justice. The 40+ Club members will Victorian neo-gothic premises on Among those to whom I was next come together on Thursday, the Domain to this much larger and introduced was an elderly lawyer November 3, for lunch at the more modern campus on Sandy Bay. named Thomas Archibald Scott, who University Club on the Sandy Bay “50+ graduates also fall into a started reminiscing about his early Campus. It follows on from a well- special category for another reason days at the University … I asked attended 50+ Club luncheon, held at … when we were undergraduates, Mr Scott when he had enrolled in the same venue as part of the 125th there must have been alumni still the Law School. ‘1895’, he replied. ISSUE 48 anniversary celebrations. The guest living who were undergraduates I blurted out, it so astonished me, speaker was one of the University’s in the 1890s, when the University ‘My God, you must be a hundred most distinguished alumni, former started. years old.‘ ‘Next month’, he replied.” IMAGES AARON SPURR

036 — Alumni 2016 TASMANIAN DEVIL RESEARCH HEADS MATT NEWTON INTO THE WILD By Anna Osborne

Ongoing research efforts to led by immunologist Professor experienced devastating losses, help save Tasmanian devils from Greg Woods has been able to with some released devils being extinction are now focusing on activate an immune response hit by cars, they have also received ground-breaking vaccine trials in against cancer cells. heartening responses. the wild. “Since we started work on DFTD At Stony Head, 25 of the 33 10 years ago, our research has released devils were fitted with GPS Over the past 18 months, two demonstrated a good immune tracking collars, allowing researchers groups of immunised devils have response to tumour cells,” senior to monitor the devils for blood been released into the wild in lecturer Dr Bruce Lyons said. “It is sampling and general health. Tasmania in a bid to help save now time to test the vaccine in the “While we don’t expect to gain the threatened native species wild. major information in relation to devastated by devil facial tumour “Together with the Tasmanian the transmission of the cancer, disease (DFTD). Department of Primary Industries, what we are hoping to do is look It is the first time a vaccine Parks, Water and Environment, we closely at the behaviour and how against the deadly cancer wanted to release the devils back durable the immune response is,” threatening the species has been into the environment to help bolster Dr Lyons said. “This will especially tested in the wild. local populations and give the come into its own during the The first release occurred in species the best chance of survival.” upcoming breeding season.” 2015, where 19 immunised devils DFTD is a rare kind of Menzies is working in partnership were released into Narawntapu transmissible cancer, first identified with the Save the Tasmanian Devil National Park in northern Tasmania. 20 years ago. The disease has Program, as well as national and Most recently, 33 immunised devils decimated the devil population, international scientific collaborators, were released on to Defence land Best chance of wiping out more than 80 per cent of to help achieve the Tasmanian survival: at Stony Head, also in northern A vaccinated the local population in the state. devil’s long-term survival in the wild. Tasmania. Devil is released The devils are iconic to Tasmania. The most effective way to at Stony Head; Previous trials of the vaccine below, Menzies They not only play a crucial role in support the devil vaccine research is have taken place in the laboratory researchers have the state’s reputation and identity, to donate to the Save the Tasmanian at the Menzies Institute for Medical been able to but also to the landscape in helping Devil Appeal. activate an immune Research at the University of response against to keep feral animals under control. Administered by the University Tasmania, where the research team cancer cells. While the release program has of Tasmania Foundation, the appeal translates the incredible public interest in the Tassie devil into funding to help support the vital research. “Right now we have an historic opportunity to take a proactive role in securing the future for the Tasmanian devil and I encourage everyone to be part of this exciting research,” appeal manager Rebecca Cuthill said. HEATH HOLDEN To donate, visit the website at tassiedevil.com.au

037 THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE TRACKING STUDY OF ITS KIND IS UNLOCKING VALUABLE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MOVEMENTS OF TOURISTS IN TASMANIA. YOU ARE

HEREBy Lucy Poskitt

Finally, there’s tangible proof of they use and the hours of the day what tourists get up to in Tassie. and night they’re on the road. Earlier this year, more than 450 The University of Tasmania’s visitors to Tasmania were recruited Tourist Tracking project is taking upon arrival in the state, given the industry by storm, providing smartphones with a bespoke app the hotly anticipated data that which tracked their movement every tourism operator wants to and surveyed for demographic get their hands on – why visitors information. come, where they go and what they The project team is led by Dr ISSUE 48 actually do while they’re here. Anne Hardy, Senior Lecturer in It’s the most comprehensive Tourism Studies and Director of the tracking study of its kind in the Tourism, Research and Education world, in terms of the length of Network (TRENd) and Professor time participants were tracked for Richard Eccleston, Director of the Popular: The – 10 days – and across the entire Institute for the Study of Social tracking study region. Change. revealed the top hotspots for visitors It shows the attractions they visit, The international multidisciplinary to Tasmania. where they eat, the public amenities project team includes experts in GIS tracking and analysis, digital media marketing and decision- making, governance and evaluation, digital media use and economic valuation, and also includes collaboration from Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the University of Queensland. Tasmanian ICT company Ionata is a key partner and the creator of the technology. “No other project has successfully tracked so many tourists over an entire region, for such long periods, making this one of the most innovative and extensive research projects ever conducted into tourist travel,” Dr Hardy said. “For the first time, we have the ability to track how travel patterns differ according to age, home country, length of stay and reason for travel.

038 — Alumni 2016 Keeping track: Clockwise, from left, Horseshoe Falls in Mount Field National Park, a major drawcard; Ben and Ryan recruit arrivals at Launceston Airport; the spectacular Cradle Mountain; the app is available in various languages; and opposite page, tourist magnet Salamanca Markets. ISTOCK PAUL HODGEN SUPPLIED

“We can see detailed information specific demographics. in Australia, and will give our team on how long someone stands at a The project received a the exposure we need to extend our lookout, walks through a national commendation in the Australian research in Tasmania and also into park or browses an art gallery.” Information Industry Association’s other Australian and international The data could assist in National i-Awards last month, jurisdictions,” Dr Hardy said. infrastructure planning for tourist the nation’s biggest awards for hotspots – for example public innovation and technology. amenities and roadworks – and “The awards place Tasmania firmly marketing campaigns targeting at the forefront of tourism research No project has successfully tracked so many tourists

SENSE-T Sense-T was a first mover translational research understand disease. It movements to provide Based at the University of in “big data” in Tasmania. and innovation in the is helping people industry insights Tasmania, Sense-T is a It uses data, sensing areas of agriculture, breathe easier and and enhance visitor partnership between the technologies and data logistics, environmental improving their quality experience. University, CSIRO and the analytics to help improve management and data of life. It is transforming With more than 20 Tasmanian Government, decision-making for science, as well as sensor Tasmanian food value research projects due and is also funded by the Australian Government. business, government manufacturing. chains, and helping for completion at the and industry. Sense-T is now the salmon industry end of this year, Sense-T Over the past helping farmers improve improve environmental is moving into the next five years it has yields, and assisting the practices. It is also phase of demand-driven pioneered data-led wine industry to better tracking tourists’ research and innovation.

039 MEET AND GREET

UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIA ALUMNI GATHER TO DISCUSS PROJECTS, NETWORK AND RECONNECT.

➜ Sydney alumni seminar: Where did all the tourists go? 16.08.16 Sense-T’s tourism tracker project was the focus of this event at the Mercure Sydney, which provided an opportunity for alumni to hear about the University’s major research initiatives. Professor Richard Eccleston, Director of the Institute for the Study of Social Change, and lecturer Dr Anne Hardy were keynote speakers.

Regional Development Research and Innovation 10.06.2016 Presenter Emeritus Professor John Martin with Associate Professors Robyn Eversole and Laurie Bonnvey, and Dr Helen Norrie, armed with case studies. Associate Professor Eversole’s book, Regional Development in Australia: ISSUE 48 Being Regional, was also launched.

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Open to Talent, Building Community 14.04.2016 New York area alumni enjoyed a casual networking opportunity at the offices of The Australian, hosted by Mark Habner, Acting Chairman of the University of Tasmania Foundation USA.

040 — Alumni 2016 GRADUATES MAKING THEIR MARK HIGH ACHIEVERS Writer Peter Cochrane SUPPLIED

DR GWEN FENTON from the University and subsequently BSc Hons 1982, PhD 1986 spent 11 years conducting post‑doctoral marine research. Dr Gwen Fenton became the “My previous research used Australian Antarctic Division’s innovative technologies to study first female Chief Scientist in issues of practical importance, such December 2015. as stable isotope analysis of marine coastal food webs, and radiometric Dr Fenton joined AAD in 2003, ageing of deep-sea fish such as managing science planning and co- orange roughy, blue grenadier, oreo PETER COCHRANE ordination for all projects within the dories and deep-sea sharks,” she said. Australian Antarctic Science Program. “I also conducted ecological research Before this she spent seven years on krill and mysid shrimps.” with the Tasmanian Government, Dr Fenton is perhaps best known managing the state’s marine for the research she led to determine environmental policy issues within the age of orange roughy. This work the Marine Resources Division of the revealed that the fish live to over 100. Pitch perfect: stockbroking industry – so prominent Department of Primary Industries Top, Doug Clark (in that in late June he was inducted Water and the Environment. She sunglasses) busks at into the Australian Stockbrokers Salamanca Market gained her PhD in marine zoology DOUG CLARK in 1983; and with Foundation Hall of Fame. BA/LLB 1986 Melbourne-based Doug has worked in legal and Men in Suits. compliance roles since 1989 with More than three decades after regulators, banks, stockbrokers and he first busked at Salamanca until recently was the policy executive Market as a member of TUMS, at the Stockbrokers’ Association Doug Clark recently found of Australia. He now runs his own himself performing there once consultancy. again, on a sun-blessed winter’s The invitation to perform at the Festival of Voices opened a door day during the annual Festival down memory lane for Doug, to of Voices. a place where he spent five of his happiest years. “I found myself wistful This time he was part of the almost to the point of melancholy Melbourne-based Men in Suits, a as I remembered the good times in 20-man group whose repertoire Hobart, doing my BA/LLB and living at ranges from deadpan originals to Christ College,” he said. Georgian lullabies to classic pop songs The FoV Salamanca Square with a twist. performance, coinciding with the Doug and his fellow performers weekly markets, was particularly dress as the group’s name implies but evocative. “In the early 1980s, a few display a lot more vocal and theatrical of us would busk long enough to pay Fish focus: Dr Gwen flair than the average corporate type. for some hot jam doughnuts to warm Fenton is perhaps It might therefore come as a us up, concluding with ‘refreshments’ best known for the surprise to discover that Doug’s at Knoppies.” research she led to determine the age day job is as a prominent legal and of orange roughy. compliance adviser and trainer to the

041 MATTHEW TRUMP Giving back: Top BEng 2015 left, Lisa Chung is chair of The Benevolent Society, From a childhood obsession with Australia’s oldest sketching ships to a career in charity. naval architecture.

SUPPLIED Matthew Trump is the first graduate of the joint Bachelor of Engineering program, which sees students spend two years at each of the Australian Maritime College, an institute of the LISA CHUNG University of Tasmania, and Edith LLB 1983 Cowan University, Western Australia. Growing up in the outback town Lisa Chung FAICD is chair of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia,

of The Benevolent Society, Matthew’s formative years were spent ANDREW TAYLOR/AAP Australia’s oldest charity, and a world away from the ocean, ships, or deputy president of trustees of any hint of the maritime world. the Museum of Applied Arts and But during high school he moved to Perth, where he was excited to Sciences, which runs Sydney’s see “properly big” ships coming and Powerhouse Museum, and a going, and his hobby of drawing boats board member of APN Outdoor. “turned into an obsession”. OUR OLYMPIANS Fast-forward a decade and perhaps Better than ever: The University’s proud Olympics She is a fourth-generation Australian, it’s no surprise that Matthew has Above, rower but the first born in Australia, as her progressed from sketching ships to Kerry Hore made tradition continued at this year’s family moved back and forth between designing them in his job as a naval Australian history Games in Rio de Janeiro. Australia and China for many years. architect. in Rio as the first Her great-grandfather came to Having graduated in 2015, Matthew female rower to Javelin thrower Hamish Peacock have competed northern Tasmania as a tin miner, then is now working for Southerly Designs, in four Olympic (B Eng (Civil) Hons 2015) was among moved to Hobart to start a market a naval architecture and marine Games. the students and alumni selected for ISSUE 48 garden. design consultancy in Port Denison, Rio. After completing her law degree Western Australia. He had previously competed at the University of Tasmania, Lisa With a small but experienced at the 2013 and 2015 IAAF world joined a Hobart legal firm and became team – who are happy to share their championships, and won bronze at a partner before moving with her knowledge with him – Matthew feels the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. husband to Sydney. he is laying the foundations for a However his three qualifying throws in She spent 20 years at Blake Dawson bright career; a typical day includes Rio were well short of his personal best Waldron, as a practising lawyer creating structural drawings and of 84.39m set earlier in the year. specialising in commercial property carrying out 3D modelling and Hamish’s father and coach, Dr Evan and in senior management roles, construction drawings. Peacock (PhD 1996), was selected before joining Maddocks, where she as one of the team’s coaches for remains a consultant. Rio. Dr Peacock is the Director of “It is a very enjoyable profession,” the University’s Central Science she said. “It’s quite fulfilling. It’s Laboratory. intellectually very stimulating. I think Bachelor of Engineering/MBA people do get into it and then they student Meaghan Volker made her find a niche and they find a path.” Olympic debut, joining the women’s She joined the board of The eight rowing after they were handed a Benevolent Society in 2011, when a last-minute spot. colleague who had been approached Meaghan recently returned to suggested her. “Strangely enough Australia after spending three years they were looking for a lawyer with in the United States, where she rowed some property background because of and studied at UCLA. a particular project that we had on at This year’s Olympics was the fourth the time,” she said. for rower Kerry Hore (BPharm, 2005), The society provides support who made Australian history as services for children and families she became the first female rower in aged care, respite care and in to have competed in four Olympic education. “We’re [also] proud to be Ship to shore: Games (Athens, Beijing, London). Left, Matthew

operating one of Australia’s first Social SUPPLIED Trump has chosen As a member of the women’s quad Benefit Bonds, to help keep children a career in naval scull, she missed out on a medal by a out of foster care.” architecture. heart‑breaking 0.06 seconds.

042 — Alumni 2016 5 FasT FacTs

Tasmanian Devil Vaccine Trials DFTD cancer cells are invisible to the devils’ 1 immune system.

2 The vaccine “turns on” the immune system to attack the cancer cells.

3 At least 60 wild devils will take part in the 3 year trial.

The trials will take place within 4 the Tasmanian wilderness.

Funding still needed: 5 $2.2 million.

Photo: Mike Calder

To help secure the future for the Tasmanian devil donate here: www.tassiedevil.com.au THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE HUTCHINS Hutchins has a proud history of outstanding academic success, including 23 Rhodes Scholars. Our students consistently rank amongst SCHOOL the highest academic achievers both locally and nationally. We offer an outstanding education that is BUILDING specifically designed for boys.

AN EXTENSIVE GOOD MEN CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAM

We have an extensive co-curricular We invite you The Hutchins School is an program on offer including music, internationally accredited performing arts, debating, sports and to explore the Anglican day and boarding the Duke of Edinburgh’s International opportunities school for boys from Award. The School offers a unique Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12. Power of 9 experiential learning we provide for We provide an inspirational program which aims to encourage students in developing the skills, education where each boy boys to become passion, positive attitudes, values and strives to achieve his personal knowledge necessary for planning a their best. best and is willing to serve his pathway to being successful through community as an informed Years 10–12 and beyond. and active citizen locally, nationally and globally. Hutchins supportive learning community works together to build character of boys.

To find out more visit www.hutchins.tas.edu.au