SYDNEY ALUMNI Magazine

Spring 2006

8 10 14 18 RESEARCH: THE GENDER SELECTOR FEATURE: PEAK PERFORMERS PROFILE: COONAN THE AGRARIAN ESSAY: DEAD MEDIA

Spring 2006

features

10 PEAK PERFORMERS Celebrating 100 years of physical and health education.

14 COONAN THE AGRARIAN Federal Communications Minister Helen Coonan: Editor Dominic O'Grady a girl from the bush done good. The University of Sydney, Publications Office Room K6.06, Main Quadrangle A14, NSW 2006 18 DEAD MEDIA Telephone +61 2 9036 6372 Fax +61 2 9351 6868 The death of each media format not only alters Email [email protected] the way we communicate, but changes the way Sub-editor John Warburton we think. Design tania edwards design Contributors Gregory Baldwin, Tracey Beck, Vice-Chancellor Professor Gavin Brown, Graham Croker, regulars Jeff Hargrave, Stephanie Lee, Rodney Molesworth, Maggie Renvoize, Chris Rodley, Ted Sealy, Melissa Sweet, 4 OPINION Margaret Simons. International research hubs are the way of the future. Printed by Offset Alpine Printing on 55% recycled fibre. Offset Alpine is accredited with ISO 14001 for environ- 6 NEWS mental management, and only uses paper approved by Alumnus becomes Reserve Bank Governor. the Forest Stewardship Council.

8 RESEARCH: THE GENDER SELECTOR Cover illustration Gregory Baldwin. New sperm-sorting technology will make gender Advertising Please direct all inquiries to the editor. selection a commercial reality. Editorial Advisory Committe 23 NOW SHOWING The Sydney Alumni Magazine is supported by an Editorial Seymour Centre hosts theatre with bite. Advisory Committee. Its members are: Kathy Bail, Associate Editor, The Bulletin; Martin Hoffman (BEcon '86), consultant; 26 SPORT Helen Trinca, Editor, Boss (Australian Financial Review); Macquarie Bank’s David Clarke lends a hand. David Marr (LLB '71), Sydney Morning Herald; William Fraser, Editor, ACP Magazines; Don Wilson, Vice-Principal, 28 ALUMNI UPDATES University Relations, University of Sydney; and Andrew Food for thought at Graduate Connections Breakfast. Potter, Media Manager, University of Sydney.

spring 2006 1 letters

As a trained biologist, horticultural we had an animated discussion on the scientist, ancient historian, numismatist topic after this recent event. and theologian, I would remind readers Given our evolutionary history, and that the bible is not a scientific text the fact that we have been plagued by a book, yet Genesis 1-3 is remarkably vast array of infectious agents, the scientifically accurate considering it “intelligent designer”has gone through was written over 3000 years ago. a few prototypes. It is tough getting one In relation to creation, the bible seeks fashioned in one’s own image. to teach us who, what, and why. The A/Professor David Emery when, is left undefined, as is the how, (BScVet ’73, BVetSc ’74) except that God created by the power Faculty of Veterinary Science, of his word. The University of Sydney I am quite content to allow the bible to tell me who, what and why, and joy- Valuable cartoon fully pursue science as our attempts to I am uncertain about Charles Littrell’s discover when and understand how. nomination (Sydney Alumni Magazine, Rev Peter R Dunstan Winter 2006) of the six Australian values, (BSc ’81’,Dip Hort Sc ’82, BD ’87) but am exceedingly impressed by the Hunter Baillie Presbyterian Church, cartoon which accompanied his letter. Annandale, NSW The observation by the cartoonist of God knows why the Australian character, and his/her I read with great interest the article Intelligent timing shadow, is penetrating to say the least. titled Time Lord and the essay on Thanks for your thoughtful and timely The illustration said much more than intelligent design by Dr Ankeny article by Dr Rachel Ankeny on intelli- Charles Littrell tried to say. Care to (Sydney Alumni Magazine, Winter gent design (Sydney Alumni Magazine, reveal his/her identity represented by “M”? 2006), noting and agreeing with much Winter 2006). Ernest To (BE ’66, MBldgSc ’73) of what was said. My daughter, who is in Year 12, came Medowie, NSW I do not agree that the intelligent home recently having attended a school design argument is junk science. Like the assembly which attempted to justify Editor’s response: The illustrator in theory of evolution, intelligent design is intelligent design by applying the question is Maggie Renvoize. a theory that can be tested against the blowtorch to evolution as a fact rather fossil record and the observable natural than a theory. No critical analysis You must be joking! world, and it makes sense of much that was offered to counter the intelligent But for the Master of Economics, I evolution cannot explain. design proposal. should have thought that Charles I would also remind readers that This was counter-productive in the Littrell parodied stereotypical many devout bible-believing end: school staff were queried on their Australian values (Sydney Alumni Christians, while accepting that we live reactions, and most had to admit that Magazine, Winter 2006). in a created world, do not accept the the presentation did not cover the Irreverence? Yes, towards easy targets interpretation of Genesis that claims issues adequately. such as royalty. But how do you explain creation was a six 24-hour day effort in I shall take pleasure in showing taxpayer-funded acts of reverence 4004BC. Dr Ankeny's essay to my daughter, as towards a tax dodger?

Letters to the editor should include contact details, degree and year of graduation if applicable. Please address letters to: The Editor, Sydney Alumni Magazine C/- Publications A14, The University of Sydney NSW 2006. Letters may also be sent by email to: [email protected] Opinions expressed on these pages are those of the signed contributors or the editor and do not necessarily represent the official position of the University of Sydney. Space permits only a selection of edited letters to be published here. Visit us online at www.usyd.edu.au/alumni for more.

2 sydney alumni magazine Compassion? Think of the children we hold behind razor wire for years on end. Fairness? Millionaire executive salaries. Flexibility? Charles Littrell asked how many other countries had so compre- hensively remodelled their societies and economies in the past 50 years. Try Japan, if not China, Korea, Malaysia … Teamwork? A politicised public service? Pragmatism? Or would that be tactless disregard for other ways, exemplified in the world’s most monolingual airline? Claire Wagner illustration: Maggie Renvoize (BA ’63, DipTCPlan ’66) Albion, Qld Greer profile: a startling reminder of ‘60s male myopia SILLIAC not the first It was startling to revisit 1960s male myopia in the article on Germaine Greer It was good to read of the 50th (Sydney Alumni Magazine, Autumn 2006), particularly Mungo MacCallum's anniversary of the SILLIAC computer comment that “women were still generally hangers on to the male stars”.The (Sydney Alumni Magazine, Winter male navel may be an interesting focal point, a fine and private place, but no, 2006). I remember it well, and indeed I m’lads, you were just too short-sighted to see us. used it in my own research in 1958–60 We were very busy fighting a turf war. Some of us had to sit in lectures with while I was in CSIRO. male engineering students who jeered, whistled, cat-called and harassed us at However, the article was in error in every lecture. Those of us in the University Women’s cricket team were cat-called claiming that SILLIAC was “Australia’s and abused (“dykes” and “get a man”) every week we had match practice. And first electronic computer”.That honour the sub-text of “women's inferiority” was endemic. belongs to the CSIRAC computer We fought a guerrilla war, not with male methods of stoushes and punch-ups, designed and built by Trevor Pearcey in but with sheer dogged, intransigent, physical persistence. It was a perpetual hassle the CSIRO Radiophysics Laboratory in and we talked privately, and at length, to each other. Germaine Greer formulated what is now the Madsen Building of and articulated what we were all, piecemeal, experiencing. the University of Sydney. And all honour to her. I loved her intellect, her vehemence and her wit. She After an initial model built in the was, and is, beautifully flamboyant and upfront, but to me neither infuriating late 1940s, the CSIRAC computer was nor intimidating. A wonderful woman of great character, courage and ability. commissioned in 1951, five years The writer of the article, Claire O’Rourke, got it right. A number of before SILLIAC. It was an innovative University of Sydney women from the ‘60s have attained national and interna- design with a memory of 1000 words tional recognition, but all the contemporaries, the luminaries mentioned in the and 16 registers, and information was article on Germaine Greer (with the exception of Eva Cox) are men. Yep. That’s stored in mercury delay lines. The the ‘60s for you. In a nutshell. physical size was about the same as that Dindy Vaughan (BA ’67), Croydon, Victoria of SILLIAC. Unfortunately the CSIRO executive decided that the future of CSIRO did Choking on the arts tion onto data tape. We sat in an annexe not lie with computers but with more I was interested to read about SILLIAC across the hall from the mainframe, practical things such as agriculture, and in your most recent edition (Sydney using cumbersome tape machines CSIRAC was given to the University of Alumni Magazine, Winter 2006). which spat out tapes full of holes as we Melbourne where it was in active use In the mid-1950s I was working as a typed. These tapes were then fed in between 1956 and 1964. It is now an clerical assistant in the University’s fees pairs into SILLIAC. All was going well exhibit in the Victoria Museum in office. Each year, the student numbers until we fed Arts Irregular into the Melbourne and is “the only working were crunched by faculty, course, computer, and it spat the dummy. first-generation computer in the world”. gender, residence, and scholarship, It was a far cry from the spreadsheets Professor Neville H. Fletcher and this was done by hand. and databases we use now. But what an (BSc ’52, DSc ’73) But 1957 was different. That year I exciting experience! Australian National University, spent some time in the Physics building Robyn Jessiman nee Black (BA ’65) Canberra with a colleague, Leila, keying informa- Wagga Wagga, NSW

spring 2006 3 opinion

Research Kaleidoscope

The days of a lone scientist pursuing her obsession in magnificent isolation are thankfully long gone, writes Vice-Chancellor Professor Gavin Brown AO.

he modern research university commercialisation to production takes aims not only to deepen our place within the university. Peking T University has a multi-billion dollar knowledge of the world around us Vice-Chancellor Professor Gavin Brown. but also to translate discoveries into company which markets and manufac- tangible benefits for society. There are tures in competition with more con- many changing patterns in the way this ventional businesses. Of course it develops is organised. IP generated within the university. No longer do we think chiefly of the Dr Hwang, who leads Samsung’s lone scientist in a laboratory pursuing semiconductor division, described his individual obsessions. We have teams company's approach as based on a of researchers working on broad commitment to uncompromising projects. We create research hubs which excellence in the quality of the bring these teams together and the researchers it hires. What he needs hubs extend beyond single universities most from universities is a rich supply as major equipment is shared. Similar of well-trained young researchers. groupings are becoming increasingly John Mork, chief executive of the powerful in the social sciences and Energy Corporation of America, spoke humanities – once the last redoubt of from an oil industry perspective, empha- the lonely scholar. sising how important strong research The patterns in industry are changing universities are to future technological also. Only a very few companies, such developments. He would like to see us as Microsoft and Samsung, maintain adapting better to solving specific prob- major research facilities for product lems on a straightforward contract basis development. It is much more common, and in realistically quick time. even for big business, to sift the intellec- The Australian industry contributor tual property of others and buy or was Will Delaat, chief executive of license when the moment is right. Merck Sharp and Dohme (Australia), The latter phenomenon adds to the who evaluated the balance of pure and importance of research universities in applied research in universities. He was two ways. They act as information emphatic that government funding of nodes of the international research pure research is of fundamental impor- network and they generate innovations tance to the well-being of the pharma- in their own right. ceutical industry. Such thoughts were very much to the APRU was founded ten years ago by fore during this year’s meeting of the the presidents of the University of presidents of the Association of Pacific Southern California, Cal Tech, UCLA Rim Universities (APRU) held at the and Berkeley. Members include Beijing, University of Sydney this June. Tsinghua, Fudan; Tokyo, Keio, Kyoto; We learned, for example, that in Stanford, UC(San Diego), Washington; China the entire cycle from research to the National University of Singapore, In China, the entire cycle from research to production takes place Chulalongkorn, Seoul National, Sydney, within the university. Peking University ANU and Auckland. I have been elected chair of APRU has a multi-billion dollar company which for the next two years and I believe this is important recognition of the role of manufactures in competition with Sydney, and Australia more generally, in conventional businesses. the research network of a particularly dynamic region. Already APRU organises meetings of senior staffers, researchers and post- APRU World Institute which will be an node with a specific problem and be graduate students from among the independent affiliated body reporting guided to the university or cluster of member universities. We have research regularly to the steering committee and universities with relevant expertise. symposia for subgroups with common sponsoring research on topics of world The University's major role in APRU interests. There has been a very success- significance, approached from the will strengthen both our research ful series on earthquakes and tsunamis perspective of the Pacific Rim. We ant- capacity and our international out- initiated by our Japanese colleagues. icipate substantial philanthropic support. reach. It does not, of course, weaken There will be a symposium on Brain As well as sharing research best our commitment to engagement with and Mind Research at the University of practice across institutions, APRU can universities which are not located on Sydney in August and further public evolve as an active research network the Pacific Rim. In particular, I will health initiatives are under way. with knowledge of each others’ capabil- be visiting universities in Britain, At the annual general meeting we ities. Ideally, someone like the Energy Europe and the continental US over approved the establishment of the Corp’s John Mork could tap into any the next month. news

Poets find rhyme and reason in barcode technology

The University of Sydney’s Professor “Our aim was to solve the distribution Elizabeth Webby (BA ’63, MA ’66, and circulation problems that have PhD ’73) has announced plans to retire plagued Australian poetry for many from the University’s chair of Australian years,” Professor Webby said. Literature and begin work on an online “That barrier is not so much publish- storehouse of Australian poetry. ing the work – small print runs of The project is one of 22 University of 200 copies can now be made – but Sydney initiatives funded in the latest getting the volumes into bookshops round of Australian Research Council around the country. Linkage Grants. “By giving writers payment for copy- Poet John Tranter (BA ’71) is credited right material, we have solved the main with the idea of establishing a digital problem associated with making this collection of Australian poetry, using kind of work available on the internet,” Sealy photo: Ted barcode technology to allow customers Professor Webby said. Professor Webby ... creating an online to read poetry online for free, and pay a The site will feature Australian storehouse of Australian poetry. fee for downloads. poetry, critical material, photographs, The project is to be run in partnership and recordings of poets reading their with Dr Creagh Cole of the University own work. If successful, it may expand University of Sydney alumnus, Professor Library, in collaboration with the to include other forms of writing. Robert Dixon (BA ’76, PhD ’82). Copyright Agency. The new head of Australian Literature is – Chris Rodley Sydney’s interactive dictionary: ‘it will be born digital’

An interactive history project Sydney as collaborators on the project. being developed by the Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore University of Sydney and the (BA ’69) and University of Sydney City of Sydney is set to Deputy Vice-Chancellor Don Nutbeam produce a unique digital dic- launched the digital dictionary in June. tionary of Sydney's history. Historian Dr Shirley Fitzgerald, who The project is known as the is chair of the project’s board, said the Dictionary of Sydney, and dictionary brings together hundreds of can be seen online at historians, academics and cultural insti- www.dictionaryofsydney.org. tutions to create an exciting new way of It has received almost $1 telling Sydney’s history. million from the Australian The key University of Sydney Research Council, and will researchers involved in the project are contain tens of thousands of Professor Stephen Garton, along with entries, using new research as the manager of Fisher Library’s well as primary sources, bibli- Scholarly Electronic Text and Image ographic material and multi- Service (SETIS), Ross Coleman; and media resources to illustrate the head of the Archaeological Sydney’s past. Computing Laboratory, Dr Ian Johnson. The University of Professor Garton, who is Challis Technology, Sydney, the State Professor of History and Dean of the Records of NSW and the Faculty of Arts, said the project was State Library of NSW have the first significant historical dictionary Dr Shirley Fitzgerald ... bringing historians, academ- joined with the City of of a city to be conceived and presented ics and cultural institutions together. Sydney and the University of electronically.

6 sydney alumni magazine Glenn Stevens appointed head of Reserve Bank

The Reserve Bank of Australia has a “The Treasurer couldn’t have picked a new governor as of this September: better man for the job.” University of Sydney alumnus Glenn Stevens is widely seen as a very expe- Stevens (BEcon ’80). rienced economist with strong academic Stevens, who started as a junior credentials. He graduated with first research officer at the Reserve Bank in class honours from the University and 1980, was appointed to the top job by went on to obtain a Masters Degree Federal Treasurer Peter Costello. He from the University of Western Ontario. replaces long-time governor and He later accepted a position as visiting honorary University of Sydney alumnus scholar at the Federal Reserve Bank of Ian Macfarlane (DScEcon ’04). San Francisco. Stevens’ appointment was well- In addition to his Reserve Bank received in financial markets when it position, he is a board member of the was announced last month. ANZ Anika Foundation, which raises funds photo: Newspix treasury economist Warren Hogan for research into adolescent depression told The Australian newspaper: and suicide. Reserve Bank Governor Glenn Stevens.

University announces restructure of faculties

The University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor Professor Nutbeam wrote in a briefing Following that meeting, the president Professor Gavin Brown has announced paper circulated to faculty deans. of the Standing Committee, Dr Barry plans to change the alignment of the “These initial changes are part of a Catchlove, said: “Alumni often identify University’s faculties and reorganise continuing process of adaptation neces- with their own faculty or discipline, senior management. sary to ensure that we respond effectively and ongoing relations with the As well as announcing the abolition to a rapidly evolving and extremely com- University are sometimes built around of the three-college system, the Vice- petitive higher education environment. this faculty loyalty. It is important that Chancellor signalled changes to the “We want to use our limited resources administrative re-organisations do not organisation of faculties at a Senate wisely in pursuit of our academic prior- devalue this relationship.” meeting in March, and provided further ities in teaching and research. These Professor Nutbeam said the restructure details at a Senate meeting in May. The changes should increase the resources should also provide opportunities to University plans to align faculties into available for these core activities, reducing achieve academic synergies not previ- clusters, proposing a reduction in the the time and money devoted to the ously achieved, and reduce administra- number of administrative units from administration of the University,” tive demands on academic staff. It is 17 to nine in the first instance. Professor Nutbeam said. proposed that clustered faculties will Professor Don Nutbeam, appointed to Professor Nutbeam addressed the be headed by an Executive Dean. the newly created position of Provost, Standing Committee of Convocation Consultations within the University will oversee the restructure. (Alumni Council) on 4 July and and with external stakeholders about “The purpose in making these assured them that faculties would retain implementing the new structure changes to the University structure is their identity, and that the proposed continue. More details about the both to improve academic performance, changes focussed on strengthening re-structure will be published in future and achieve administrative efficiency,” administrative services. editions of the Sydney Alumni Magazine.

Astronomy award for Bernie Mills

University of Sydney alumnus Bernard cross-type telescope, a highly original Mills (BSc ’41, DSc Eng ’59) has won telescope noted for its innovative the 2006 Grote Reber Medal for lifetime radio engineering and antenna design. contributions to radio astronomy. The telescope established Australia's Emeritus Professor Mills AC retired credentials as a leader in the new as the University of Sydney’s Professor science of radio astronomy. of Physics (Astrophysics) in 1985, after The Grote Reber Medal commemorates photo: leading the Molonglo Observatory the pioneering work of Grote Reber, Emeritus Professor Bernard Mills ... group for 25 years. He invented the the world’s first radio astronomer. lifetime contribution to radio astronomy.

spring 2006 7 research

The Gender Selector

Farmers and conservationists could soon have a remarkable new tool at their disposal, thanks to the efforts of PhD student Simon de Graaf. Chris Rodley reports.

ut a wooden spoon under the Rabbits were the first animals to be selected was dying faster than normal bed for a girl; eat salty foods for sex selected using this process, in 1989. sperm and was not staying alive long Pa boy – parents have resorted to But although the technology has been enough to fertilise the egg.” any number of methods for choosing available in principle for other mammals, Mindful of the importance of wool and the sex of their babies. the process was riddled with practical lamb meat to the Australian economy – Now a sperm sorting technology has problems – not least that sex-selected wool exports alone are worth more emerged that promises to do just that, sperm were likely to be infertile. than $2 billion a year – Simon focused and thanks to a University of Sydney Enter Simon de Graaf (BScAgr Hons ’02), on applying the procedure to sheep. In PhD student, predetermining the sex of who began his PhD project with the less than four years he has been able to sheep and other animals could soon goal of making sex selection a reality. perfect the technique so that sperm become a commercial reality in Australia. His research, funded by US reproductive sorted into male and female are now Invented by the US Department of technology company XY Inc, used just as fertile as normal sperm, while Agriculture, the procedure for selecting the University’s sex selection machine, sex-selected embryos are just as likely sex begins by staining the sperm with a known as MoFlo, one of only a to survive. fluorescent dye that binds to its DNA. handful around the world licensed by A key area of research was to make A laser causes the dye to fluoresce, and XY Inc. the procedure work with frozen sperm, because there is more DNA in X than Y “My aim was to investigate what was critical if sex selection is to work in chromosomes, the X chromosomes going wrong with the sperm and how the real world. Without the ability to shine more brightly, allowing the sperm we could improve the technology,” de perform the procedure on frozen to be divided into male and female. Graaf explains. “Sperm that was sex sperm and then freeze the sperm again afterwards, it would be almost impossible for farmers to use the process, since fresh sperm would be likely to die in transit. Conducting the largest trial of its kind to that point, de Graaf used artificial insemination to produce the world's first offspring from any species with semen that had been frozen before sex sorting and then frozen again afterwards. “When the ewe was carrying the first sex-selected lamb, I remember watching the screen like an expectant father,” he recalls. “When I saw the foetus move I felt this enormous wave of relief that all my work had paid off.” De Graaf’s success means that farmers can now freeze sperm, fly it across the Sealy photo: Ted country to be sex selected, then perform artificial insemination at a later date. Making sex selection a reality … Simon de Graaf engineered a world-first in And because the technology is likely reproduction management. to be applied to other mammals, the breakthrough could have implications establish a commercial sex sorting for wildlife breeding programs. facility in Australia. That could be as “You might be in Africa and acquire soon as one or two years away.” sperm from a cheetah, but you are not After he submits his thesis in “Many animals only going to have access to a sex sorting September, de Graaf has been invited give birth to male machine,” says de Graaf. “If you can to join the prestigious Institute for freeze the sperm using liquid nitrogen, Zoology and Wildlife in Berlin. offspring when they you can then take it back to the lab Working with wildlife has become an are in captivity, at your leisure, sort it into male and important sideline to his work, and he female, then re-freeze it to use whenever has tried to apply the process of sex so there is a lot of you like.” selection to endangered wildlife such as interest in technology The research is also likely to have a elephants and rhinoceros. Although he significant impact on Australian farming: has not yet produced viable sperm, he that would help to it will give stud farmers the ability to has shown that both species can be breed females. increase the number of male lambs in a sorted into male and female. drop and allow other farmers to easily “Many animals only give birth to male Sex selection could expand their flocks or develop new offspring when they are in captivity, so help protect a breeds by producing female lambs. there is a lot of interest out there in wide range of “I know many farmers are excited by technology that would help to breed the idea they could use this technology females,” he says. “Sex selection could threatened species.” for reproductive management,” he says. soon be helping to protect a wide “We are now waiting for a company to range of threatened species.”

spring 2006 9 feature cxÜyÉÜÅxÜácxt~

The on and off-field careers of students who have passed through the University's physical education programs are well worth celebrating, writes Graham Croker.

University of Sydney students ... Physical Education display, 1958. photos: courtesy of the University Sydney Archives

10 sydney alumni magazine hen Lieutenant Colonel A. Paul took the first class in physical training at the Sydney Teachers’ College in Top athletes choose teaching W1906, he couldn't have foreseen the impact the subject and its offshoots would have on the nation. In that first year of the new college, physical training was a The tradition of the former Sydney Teachers College and compulsory unit for all student teachers. Since then, the physi- the Faculty of Education and Social Work in enticing elite cal training unit has developed into the human movement and athletes continues. health education programs, and students can now select Among those in the human movement and health physical education and health education as career paths. education class of 2006 are Luke Ablett (Sydney Swans), Many alumni from those courses will be assembling in Dan Lewinski (first-grade rugby union with Sydney MacLaurin Hall at the University of Sydney on October 12 to University), Alicia Poto (basketball silver medallist at the celebrate 100 years of teaching physical and health education. Athens Olympic Games), Leo Afeaki (Australian rugby The rollcall will include many graduates who went on to do union junior international), Greg Clune (national great things in physical education and health education and on trampoline champion), Joanna Way (NSW lifesaving the sporting fields. They include the Test cricketer and hockey champion), Kaarle McCulloch (world junior cycling Olympian Brian Booth, the former Wallaby coach Eddie Jones, champion), Kiarn Kelly (world junior judo champion), the premiership-winning rugby league coach Warren Ryan, the Michelle Musselwhite (Sydney University Flames and Sydney Flames coach Karen Dalton, the former captain/coach Australian Opals women's basketball member) and of the Australian netball team Anne Sargeant, the Wallabies’ Werner Botha (track and field representative). Max Howell and Russell Fairfax, the assistant coach of the In cycling, McCulloch has found a sport that accom- Australian Opals women’s basketball team, Donna O’Connor, modates her appetite to succeed. Powerful performances and two outstanding educators in human movement, Janet at the NSW titles late last year took her to the top Davy and Cheryl Best. ranking in the under-19 women's sprint and second in the elite women's sprint. In February this year she won the under-19 time trial at the Australian National Track “In the decade before World War I Championships, a performance that paved the way for her Championships selection. and again in the 1930s, Musselwhite, who is studying human movement, PE was closely associated with graduated from the Sapphires (Australia's under-21 basketball team) to the Australian Opals in 2005. She has defence concerns.” been a member of the Sydney University Flames since 2003, when she was named National Indigenous Although Australia’s first teacher training colleges were Sportswoman of the Year. established in Sydney in the late 19th century, it wasn’t until Botha, a middle-distance runner, is also studying 1906 that several colleges were amalgamated to form Sydney human movement and health education for his Bachelor Teachers College at Blackfriars, on Broadway, just down the of Education degree. In 2005 he won the Queensland road from the University. The college moved onto the grounds Open 800 metres, finished third at the Australian of the University in 1920 and operated as a separate institution Championships and ended the year ranked second on the until the 1980s. In 1990 the Sydney Institute of Education Australian Athletics Open 800 metres list. (formerly Sydney Teachers College) was amalgamated with the According to Professor Derrick Armstrong, dean of the Faculty of Education. Faculty of Education and Social Work, "the faculty is When the Teachers College was established there was no proud of human movement and health education formal physical education program, although all students were students who combine elite athleticism with scholarly required to do physical drill or gymnastics. As Professor achievement." May the tradition continue. Geoffrey Sherington of the Faculty of Education and Social Work says, physical education at the time owed its existence to military drill – or at least to those who had been in the military. “The purpose of training the Teachers College students in that way was not only to ensure their physical fitness but to see that they carried this message into the schools,” he says. “In the decade before World War I and again in the 1930s, PE was thus closely associated with defence concerns. There was also compulsory military training for males aged 12 to 14 in the years just prior to World War I.” Hence the involvement of Lieutenant Colonel Paul and Sergeant Major Cooke Russell, who joined the staff in 1923. The first course in physical education, a three-year diploma, was introduced in 1939, and by the 1960s physical education Michelle Musselwhite ... Sydney University Flames. was firmly established in the college.

spring 2006 11 Meanwhile, as schools across the state gradually accepted physical education as part of the curriculum, it became an important part of the lives of young people. Accordingly, many “Many who enrolled in physical who enrolled in physical and health education courses were talented sportsmen and women. They became role models, and health education courses giving physical education a new prominence in the school day. were talented sportsmen A good example is the 1948 graduate Max Howell, who played rugby union for Australia while pursuing a career in and women.” education. Now a leading sports academic, Howell played against the All Blacks in 1946 and against Scotland, Ireland and Wales on the 1947 tour of the British Isles. A former headmaster of Brisbane Grammar School (1965–89), he is a fellow of the Canterbury and is now a commentator on the ABC’s Grandstand. Australian College of Educators, and was a member of Another graduate to excel at football and move into the Commonwealth Schools Commission and the Board of commentary box is Russell Fairfax, who became a Wallaby Secondary School Studies. while attending college. After making his Test debut against Brian Booth enjoyed wonderful cricket and field hockey France as a 19-year-old, Fairfax went on to play against the careers while pursuing a career in education. In his first-class All Blacks, Fiji, Wales and England in an eight-Test career as a cricket career for NSW and Australia, which lasted from 1954 five-eighth and full-back, before switching to rugby league. to 1968, he amassed 11,265 runs at the healthy average Following a stint at teaching, he is now pursuing a career in of 45.42. He captained Australia in two Tests. He also sports journalism. represented Australia in field hockey at the 1956 Olympic One of the University’s most famous sportswomen is basket- Games in Melbourne. baller Karen Dalton, who represented Australia 252 times and Warren Ryan is another well-known alumnus. As a rugby has been made a life member of the Women’s National league player he turned out for St George and Cronulla and Basketball League. She played at two Olympic Games (1984 represented NSW Country Origin. He also pursued a teaching and 1988) and four World Championships (1983, 1986, 1990 career before becoming a premiership-winning coach with and 1994) and now coaches the Sydney University Flames.

Male students doing physical drill ... educational leg-up, 1923. Female drill ... synchronised exercise, 1923.

STC Womens Hockey Team (1930 – 1931).

As well as following a career as an educator at tertiary level, Dr Donna O’Connor has assisted with fitness programs for the North Queensland Cowboys rugby league team and Canadian track and field teams and is presently the assistant coach of the Australian Opals women's basketball team. To mark their achievements and those of many others, the Faculty has produced a booklet called Leaping Backwards: 100 Years of Physical Education and Health Education at the University of Sydney 1906-2006. Colonel Paul would be pleased to know that the college motto, lumen siccum (dry light of knowledge), coined 100 years ago, has been burning bright ever since.

All alumni and friends are invited to help celebrate 100 years of physical and health education at the University of Sydney. For more information about the gala dinner in MacLaurin Hall on October 12, please contact Meg Pickup. Phone (02) 9351 6374 or email [email protected] photos: courtesy of the University Sydney Archives Federal Minister for Communications, Helen Coonan … ‘I wanted to make sure I'd have

something to contribute beyond what I might laughingly call my own native wit.’ photo: Newspix

14 sydney alumni magazine profile: Helen Coonan (LLB ’71) Coonan the agrarian

You can take the girl out of the bush ... but Federal Communications Minister Helen Coonan keeps the country close to heart. Profile by Melissa Sweet.

he University of Sydney’s law revue must have been quite She struggled with rules and restrictions when sent to a something in 1970. Among the organisers were David Catholic boarding school at Wagga Wagga at the age of 11, TMarr (LLB ’71) and Nicholas Cowdery (BA ’68, LLB ’71), however. “I was very unsettled and quite unhappy at boarding who went on to achieve prominence for other talents. And one school,” she says. “I just sort of retreated into books and my of its stars was a feisty blonde called Helen Lloyd (LLB ’71). own kind of world to a large extent.” The audience roared when Lloyd took to the stage on a Six years of Arts Law studies changed everything. “I was motorbike, loudly singing a patriotic tune while wrapped in the certainly somebody who found university just the most exciting Australian flag. She also wore a helmet, in the style of Britannia, and fantastic experience,” Coonan says. “All the possibilities and two Holden hubcaps as breastplates. opened up for you: the idea of learning, knowledge, friend- It was an image that Cowdery, now NSW's Director of Public ships, connecting to people.” She was interested in political Prosecutions, still recalls in vivid detail, along with his memory issues and went on some Aboriginal freedom rides, but gave of Lloyd as “large and loud”. “She was buxom and brassy,” he little sign that she would go on to become one of most powerful says, “and you may quote me.” women in Australian politics. Now better known as the Federal Minister for Comm- After graduation she married David Coonan and was active unications, Information Technology and the Arts (a portfolio in the Women’s Electoral Lobby. Not wanting to work in a big that she jokes is “commerce by day and culture by night”), law firm, she set up her own practice, which initially focused on Senator Helen Coonan also has fond memories of the show: women’s and children’s issues. Several years later, her flourishing “We had a lot of fun in the law revue.” practice merged with a large law firm and her focus had shifted Marr, now a respected Sydney journalist and a critic of to commercial work. Coonan’s proposals for media reform, is almost as surprised as A stint in New York, working in entertainment and media the minister’s press secretary that she suggested him as a contact for this profile. But he remembers well her “big, bold presence”. law, was followed by admission to the bar in Sydney in 1986 by “We’re talking about the late ’60s and here was a woman of Justice Andrew Rogers (LLB ’56), who also happened to be her classic statuesque beauty that was so unfashionable at the time second husband. She has a son, Adam, from her first marriage. and she wasn't hiding it,”he says.“And I loved it. I just thought, Some were surprised when Coonan joined the Liberal Party, this woman is herself in a way that is really quite something. but her parents were Liberal supporters (her mother handed She was glamour. And the other thing was that she was conser- out how-to-vote cards) and Coonan never saw herself as any- vative at a time when we took for granted fairly radical views.” thing else. Nevertheless, she waited to embark on a political When 18-year-old Helen Lloyd arrived in Sydney in 1965 on career until backed by a solid professional background. a Commonwealth scholarship, a whole new world opened up. “I wanted to make sure that I'd have something to contribute University life was in stark contrast to her childhood on a large beyond what I might laughingly call my own native wit,” she family farm near the small town of Mangoplah via Wagga says. “I'm a firm believer that you're more effective politically if Wagga in the NSW Riverina. you've got some good framework to work from and you've had Her father, the youngest of 17, had three daughters. Helen, a bit of life experience.” the youngest, rode her horse to school and ran wild until Marr was among those surprised by the change of career. coming under the influence of primary school teacher John “I suppose my impression was that she wasn't built for the hard Cornish. He encouraged his charges to achieve and is often yards of politics, for the endless committee meetings, for the cited by his former pupil as a major influence on her life. electioneering,” he says. “But she is, and I was wrong.”

spring 2006 15 photo: Newspix

Through a lens darkly ... Minister’s media plans under scrutiny.

New media laws However, Coonan successfully steered her package through Cabinet, announcing a raft of changes to media regulation and Indeed, the senator’s stamina is legendary among her staff, who a digital action plan. How she will clear the next hurdle – affectionately call her “the robot” and mention that the translating her plans into legislation – remains to be seen. 58-year-old has been known to arrive at work at 7am, within Meanwhile, the minister has presided over a series of contro- hours of flying back into the country. “I just wish she was 10 versies at the ABC, including board appointments of so-called years younger and could have been our first woman PM,” says “cultural warriors” such as the controversial historian Keith one staff member wistfully. Windschuttle (BA ’70).“The ABC situation is catastrophic,”says Whenever possible she begins her day with a brisk walk with David Marr. “She has not been able to get the ABC the funding her husband and two dogs. She counts herself “absolutely that it requires. She’s been a party to astonishingly bizarre blessed to have a very solid relationship and a lovely family” appointments to the ABC board. I can’t believe in my wildest and is also “very, very fortunate” to have high energy levels. dreams that ... she would have either thought up or welcomed But on the chilly morning we meet in her Canberra office she the appointment of Windschuttle to the board.” looks weary after a function in Sydney the previous evening The ABC journalist Quentin Dempster, whose position as followed by a 5am start. One thing she dislikes about politics is staff-elected director on the board was abolished under the toll it takes on family and friendships. “Although it sounds terribly old-fashioned, I would never have wanted to do this job while I had any young children. I think that would have been an “I just thought, this woman is almost impossible ask.” herself in a way that is really Coonan is often in the spotlight. In March, when the minister quite something.” released her long-awaited discussion paper on media reform, canvassing relaxation of cross-media laws and foreign ownership restrictions as well as a vision for the digital future, she Coonan, is similarly scathing, accusing her of pandering to an spoke of “a compelling case for change”. “If the Government ideological hatred of public broadcasting. “We don’t expect does not act,” she said, “then there is a genuine risk that Helen Coonan to breach cabinet secrecy but the real story of her Australia will become a dinosaur of the analogue age.” influence on media reform lies within that cabinet,” says In the months before Coonan took her reform proposals to Dempster. “Her speeches and rhetoric about the digital revolu- Cabinet, many observers doubted she would succeed. The tion indicate she has some good ideas about what should be media moguls were not supportive and neither, the headlines done in the national interest, but for still undisclosed reasons suggested, was Prime Minister John Howard (LLB ’61). she does not seem to be able to deliver.” Mark Day, a media commentator with The Australian, When a glossy magazine profiled Coonan earlier this year, believed Coonan was making a “brave” but probably doomed complete with a fashion shoot, the article was liberally sprinkled attempt.“Media policy is ultimately decided in the PM’s office,” with the names of her powerful friends and allies, including he said. “It’s now pretty apparent the politics will prevent that Peter Collins (LLB ’73), Glen-Marie Frost, Kathryn Greiner, Pru total package from being instituted.” Goward and Lucy Turnbull (LLB ’82). But when she speaks

16 sydney alumni magazine publicly, in interviews or speeches, she dwells on her country childhood rather than acknowledging her place as a member of the country’s elite. “Open your eyes to the No doubt the minister’s country background has been a possibilities, question the handy asset in her many negotiations involving rural interests, but Justice Margaret Beazley (LLB ’74) believes it truly is an orthodox and be thrilled by integral part of her friend’s character. “I think that upbringing what you can achieve ...” accounts for a lot of her sentiments as an individual,” says the NSW Supreme Court judge.“It gave her a lot of values and they remain. It doesn’t matter at what level she operates, whether at the personal or political level: there is a lot of substance in this person.” Coonan is not afraid to acknowledge mistakes. After an outcry by mental health experts over her suggestion in 2002 Best not be timid that people with anxiety and depression were malingerers who should get back to work, she made a public apology and backed In an address to graduating law students at the University of it up with work for the Mental Health Council of Australia, of Sydney last year, Coonan urged them to be bold and to use the which she is now a patron. She is thinking of using an upcoming law as a bulwark against injustice. “The legal system is, in my celebration marking 10 years in the Senate to promote the view, not best served by timid practitioners,” she said. “Open cause of mental health. your eyes to the possibilities, question the orthodox and be Usually quick on her feet and coherent, she was slow to thrilled by what you can achieve as you develop your skill.” respond when asked to nominate her single most important Her address resonated with the Dean of the Law School, achievement. She had plenty to pick from, after all, including Professor Ron McCallum. He might not share the minister’s being the first woman to hold a federal Treasury portfolio and politics – which she calls “slightly right of centre” – but has the first appointed to the Coalition’s leadership team, not to great respect for the person.“She’s a very fine human being,”he mention her superannuation and business tax reforms. says. “I think she is one of those very good people who has seen Some weeks later she finally nominated the securing of $3.1 a lot of life and has a deep inner core of humanity.” billion funding for rural communications as part of the Telstra A refugee advocate at the University, Associate Professor privatisation deal. Her rural background had made her aware Mary Crock, who taught Adam Coonan and has worked of the needs of small communities, she said. No wonder more behind the scenes with his mother on refugee cases, is also a than one headline writer has dubbed her “Coonan the agrarian”. fan: “She’s incredibly intelligent and very hard working. She’s a The fate of her media reforms may determine whether she merits very good politician but she’s also got a conscience.” such a label. photo: courtesy of Nicholas Cowdery

Waving the flag at the University of Sydney’s 1971 law revue (from left) ... Nicholas Cowdery, Leo George, David Marr, unknown, Helen Lloyd with hubcaps, “Captain Australia”, Margaret McHarg, Richard Perram, and unknown.

spring 2006 17 essay Essay by Margaret Simons Dead Media

When the University of Sydney's Dr Anne Dunn asked her students how many of them listened to music radio, almost 80 per cent said never. After all, who cares about old formats when new media promise more exciting ways to connect? But spare a thought for dead or dying media such as music radio, the home movie camera or the illustrated newspaper. Their passing not only alters the content of our everyday communication, but changes the way we think.

18 sydney alumni magazine ew media never wipes out old media. This is an article the first international conference in Australia to focus on social Nof faith among the media moguls of Australia, who and cultural aspects of mobile and wireless technologies. otherwise might be spooked by the pace of change. Change is coming fast. Even television, which still dominates Rupert Murdoch has been one of the main prophets of media the leisure time of most Australians, was recently described as a change, but when he visited Australia recently, even he chanted "dinosaur industry" by a Channel 7 executive at a media the mantra that radio didn't wipe out newspapers, television conference. She hastened to add that the meteor that would didn't wipe out radio, and videos didn't wipe out cinema. make free-to-air television extinct had not yet arrived and was But is it true? As the headlines of the past few months still some way off. suggest, everything about our media is changing. The Federal But there is no doubt television is feeling the chill of an ice Government wants to alter the way media ownership is age. Total television viewing is down, particularly among the regulated, but before legislation can be agreed upon, let alone young. Figures collected by the media buying agency, Mitchell’s, drafted, the technology moves on and leaves regulators behind. show that for the first time since television became a fixture in And then there are the social changes associated with tech- the Australian home, young people watch less per day than nological change. University of Sydney alumnus Dr Gerard their elders. Goggin (PhD '99) is one of many scholars interested in the new Despite the mantra about new media never killing old, it isn’t cultural forms associated with mobile media. hard to find forms of communication that have been either been Dr Goggin is an Australian Research Fellow in the wiped out or fundamentally altered in their social importance. Department of Media and Communications at the University, Town criers were once an important source of news and and he is half-way through a five-year project, funded by the information. They are now a tourist novelty. The 78 rpm record Australian Research Council, which explores mobile phone killed the Edison phonograph cylinder, and was in turn killed culture and how it fits into the contemporary cultural and by vinyl. Polaroid cameras came and quickly went. Kodak film media landscape. and the Box Brownie killed forms of wet plate photography and Dr Goggin's work is already bearing fruit. He has a book, Cell democratised the snapshot. Talkies killed silent movies. Radio Phone Culture: Mobile Technology in Everyday Life, due for killed the player piano. Television slowly killed the illustrated release this month, and there are plans for the University to newspaper, most of the general interest magazines and most of host a Mobile Media conference in July 2007. The event will be the comic book industry. Radio and television slowly killed the illustration: Gregory Baldwin

spring 2006 19 essay

afternoon newspapers. Television killed old-style radio The telegraph programming, including almost all radio drama. The video in turn changed the camcorder killed the home movie camera. Videos are on the format of news. Before way out. Cassette tapes are almost gone. its invention newspaper Then there are the entertainment venues that have died, articles were like letters – including drive-in cinemas and music halls, and with them all leisurely essay-style missives. the torrid social interactions they hosted. The need to convey news more And finally the long list of dead communications technolo- quickly, and also more briefly, gies. Semaphore was killed by the telegraph, which in turn was led to the inverted pyramid format of news reporting, which killed by the telephone. Telex machines were killed by fax seeks to put the essential facts briefly and in order of their machines, and fax machines are now on the way out thanks to importance. This is still taught to journalism students today. e-mail. PABXs are dead. The VHS cassette took over the market So what changes are upon us now? Think digital broadcasting for 16mm non-theatrical films. Super 8mm killed standard as opposed to analogue, the internet, and the mobile phone. 8mm, and standard 8mm killed 16mm. And remember roneo The next question is whether these changes are analogous to machines and carbon paper? the invention of the telephone, which changed us a great deal, The significance is not that so many forms of communication or the invention of the printing press, which changed everything. have died, but that with each death, the content and signifi- Dr Chris Chesher, senior lecturer in the Digital Technology cance of communication changes. And with that, society and Culture Program in the School of Letters, Arts and Media changes, and so does the way we think. at the University of Sydney believes that arguing about whether American historian Mitchell Stephens has pointed out that media forms will survive is less important than thinking about notions of objective reporting can only exist in a society used to cultural forms, or the types of content that persist and play communicating news though the written word. When we hear important roles in our lives. "Cultural forms will always be news orally we know we are getting an individual's take on more resilient than technical forms,” he says. events. But writing means that words have a life independent of But the fast pace of change raises dozens of interconnected the author. Language, and the thought that goes with it, are economic, political and social issues, he says. High among them objectified. is the question of what business models will support and pay In his book The History of News, Stephens documents the for content on new media. "Free-to-air television has a way to debates that have accompanied each new media invention. go yet, simply because it has an established business model and most new media does not," he says. So what will survive in media, and what new cultural forms will emerge? Dr Chesher points to the persistence of music and As for newspapers, the new ways in which it is being used to express identity. "I Dr Dunn says economic have been staggered by how quickly people have taken up logic suggests they can't mobile phone ring tones. People will pay for a much degraded form of music track. Something about the event of receiving a survive in their present form. phone call together with your own choice of music as the ring tone is an affirmation of identity and clearly important to people.” He believes news will also continue to be important. Human "Enthusiasts gushed over each of them: critics moaned. beings have always shared news and information, but in the Writing, it was recognised, provided a great intellectual tool, modern world there is a "compression of temporality" imposed but Socrates, according to Plato, complained that the ability to first by radio and television, and now by the World Wide Web. write things down would weaken our memories." It may sound News will become both compacted and globalised. It’s hard to extreme, but Stephens concludes that the shift from oral means see where conventional newspapers will fit. Possibly they will of connecting with others to the printed word probably has become more like magazines. affected our capacity to memorise. The trend is clearly towards portability and interactivity, With the invention of the printing press and the newspaper, Chesher says. He believes that even on free-to-air television it became possible to have large audiences for news. This led to there has been a return to formats that recall the "live-ness" and the professionalisation of journalism with all that means for vaudeville nature of the medium's early days. He sees Channel democracy and public life. It also meant that for the first time Ten's Big Brother and Australian Idol as examples of a return to people living at opposite ends of the country could nevertheless live formats. The twist is that these new-style live formats rely have the feeling of belonging to one community. on the new media addition of audience interactivity via mobile

20 sydney alumni magazine phone SMS messaging, and the ability of the audience to watch events whenever they wish by internet streaming and third generation mobile phones. Telephones have already Telephones have already become cameras, and MP3 players. Soon they will be televisions. "Everyday life is largely about become cameras, and negotiating between devices and ways of connecting and relating MP3 players. Soon they will to other people and the world at large,” Dr Chesher says. As for emerging cultural forms, Dr Chesher thinks the most be televisions. significant are those to do with new ways of making human connections, including internet-based games and social networking sites such as MySpace.com. long-term circulation trends tell a gloomy story, particularly Dr Anne Dunn, a former journalist and producer who is now for broadsheet newspapers.” chair of the media and communications program of the School Will the idea of a mass media become a thing of the past? of Letters, Arts and Media at the University of Sydney recently And what will that mean for society and democracy? conducted a straw poll among some of her students and found Michael Eisner, former chief executive of the Walt Disney that six out of eight of them never listened to music radio. Company, said on a trip to Australia earlier this year that the Rather they downloaded their preferred material from the net. move to pay television had become a big issue in the United She can’t see a role for music radio in the future. States, creating a TV underclass that could not afford to pay for But on the other hand, she says, students are actively engaged content that was previously free. As the audiences for advertis- in making radio. She says that interest in the Redfern commu- ing fragment between new media, it is likely that nity radio station FBI on 94.5 remains at unprecedented people will have to pay much more than they do now for news, levels. Young people are also increasingly involved in commu- information and entertainment. And this means that many nity television. people will be either unable to pay, or will choose not to do so. "We have to understand that in the future any media outlet One of the gloomier of the many possible futures is that will have to allow for the participation of the audience as media with rich content – particularly quality journalism and content providers," Dr Dunn says. She believes this is a role drama – will become a minority and elite concern. The trajec- tailor-made for public broadcasters such as the ABC. The BBC tory might be rather like that of live theatre, which was once in England is showing the way, having recently announced a mass entertainment and is now plan for the future, with the title Beyond Broadcasting. The BBC enjoyed by small audiences of proposes putting all of its program archives on the web for people who can afford the downloading, and becoming the main venue for people who high cost of tickets. want to create their own content. On the other hand, almost Dr Dunn says: “Commercial media are not going to invite everyone in the Western this kind of audience participation unless there is money in it. world who has something to Public broadcasters don't have to worry about whether they say will be able to publish can package an audience for an advertiser. They can engage it. This is new in human their audiences in really innovative ways.” history. New media never Locally, the ABC was one of the first media organisations to kills old media? If only it explore innovative uses of the internet, but it is beginning to be were so simple. left behind in the area of user-generated content. Dr Dunn describes the ABC’s online guest page as a "timid" concession to the idea of user-generated content. As for newspapers, Dr Dunn says economic logic suggests they can’t survive in their present form. "Why would you invest so much money in plant for printing and distributing newspapers for a diminishing return?" Classified advertising is fast migrating to the internet, and alumni bookshelf – recently published books by graduates

Looking Forward, Looking Back A History of Wollongong City Surf Life Saving Club Dr Ian McNeill (BDS ‘58, MDSc ‘82) University of Sydney alumnus Ian McNeill traces the history of one of the country’s oldest surf life saving clubs. It’s a concise social history that spans two world wars, the Depression, and the 1990s success of the club’s junior lifesavers, also known as Penguins. “If you look at a photo of the second clubhouse, you can see a seat running along the length of the building,” writes one of the club’s oldest members, 86- year-old Laurie Shelton. “We all sat there when we were out of work during the Depression. We sat there and yarned – it was great therapy during those bad times.” The book is published by Wollongong City Surf Lifesaving Club.

A Guide to the Catholic Values Economics for Collaborative Architecture of and Australian Environmental Management the University Realities Graham Marshall (BScAgr ‘81) of Sydney James Franklin Earthscan Publications Trevor Howells (BA ‘75, MA ‘77) Mainstream economics remains (BSc ‘73, Connor Court poorly equipped to comprehend BArch ‘76) Publishing the collaborative vision for managing Watermark Press Essays on our natural resources. This book Highlight’s the the Catholic proposes an economics aligned University's contribution to ethical debates such with this vision. architectural heritage, including the as immigration and values in schools. Roundhouse (pictured). Humin Hopes Child of the Edited by Rob An Enigmatic Life Revolution Wills (BA ‘68) Marcia Cameron (MA ‘92) Luis M. Garcia Pigface Press Acorn Press (BA ‘81) The 1855 diary The story of David Broughton Knox Allen & Unwin of Charles (BA '38), considered the father of An evocative Moore, English contemporary Sydney Anglicanism. memoir of growing immigrant to up in 1960s Cuba. Australia on the The Australian Miracle Constitution. Thomas Barlow (BSc ‘93) Black Founders Picador Cassandra Pybus (BA ‘71, PhD ‘79) Daughters of Earth A myth-debunking polemic about UNSW Press Edited by Justine Larbalestier Australian innovation – and a ripping In recounting the unknown story of (BA ‘92, PhD ‘97) defence of academic freedom. our first black settlers, this book Wesleyan University Press changes the way we think about the Feminist science fiction in the Australia's Operatic Phoenix foundation of Australia. 20th century. Alison Gyger (BA ‘55) Pellinor Contributions to this section are welcome. Please send a brief synopsis along Traces the period from the end of the with details of the author, degree and year of graduation, title, publisher, war to 1973, the opening of the release date, and a high res jpeg of the publication's cover to the Sydney Sydney Opera House, and the rise of Alumni Magazine editor (see pg 1 for contact details). Space permits only a the national opera company. selection of books here. Visit us online at www.usyd.edu.au/alumni for more.

22 sydney alumni magazine now showing – theatre, museums, galleries

Bangers and Mash explores the 30- something dilemma of single life and Theatre shared housing. An unlikely pair of Seymour Centre hosts housemates grapples with that a season of Bite unspoken chemistry: will they or won’t they break the golden rule, Three of Sydney’s best independent and if they do, what will it cost? theatre productions from 2005 Bangers and Mash runs at the return to the Seymour Centre and Seymour Centre from 18 October to Drama in the house … Kate Smith Riverside Theatre this quarter. 11 November (no Riverside season). and Drew Fairley in Bangers and Mash.

Rebecca Clarke’s one-woman play Unspoken, Nick Whitby's To the like to have a brother with severe It runs at the Seymour Centre from Green Fields Beyond, and Drew disabilities, and speaks about the com- 19 September to 14 October, and at Fairley and Kate Smith's comedy, plexity of family and the many voices the Riverside Theatre from 18 October Bangers and Mash, comprise this of love. It runs at the Seymour Centre to 21 October. first BITE (Best of Independent from 30 August to 16 September, Theatre) season. and at the Riverside Theatre from 20 University of Sydney alumni are September to 23 September. offered a special price of $24 for Unspoken was recognized as Best Seymour Centre tickets. This offer Independent Production and Best To the Green Fields Beyond captures is only available through the Newcomer 2005 at last year's the essence of the Great War in Seymour Centre box office on Sydney Theatre Awards. It tells a the events of one night and raises (02) 93517940. Riverside Theatre compelling story about what it is questions which resonate today. contact is (02) 8839 3399.

Exhibitions Water Dreaming Tom Arthur, Arthur Boyd, Cycles of life and death Elisabeth Cummings, and Euan Macleod, among others, Unearthed Tales 2: explore the symbolic, spiritual a fascination with death and poetic aspects of water. Continues the Nicholson Museum’s University Art Gallery, 1 August fascination with the curious and to 27 October 2006 bizarre. Nicholson Museum, until July 2007. Lebanon Highlights Lebanon’s spectacular Living Water archaeological heritage. Nicholson Living Water features the University’s Museum opens 17 October 2006. historic Australian and Pacific ethno- graphic collections with a water Egypt: The Black Land (pictured) theme. It features finely crafted Looks at life and death in Egypt. objects of adornment, and water Highlights include the mummy and carriers, paddles and model canoes ornate coffin of the priest Padiashaikhet; from the Pacific Islands. Macleay and a monumental head of Ramses II. Detail of the god Thoth, taken from the Museum, from 1 August 2006. Nicholson Museum, until July 2007. coffin of Padiashaikhet, c. 725 – 700 BC.

spring 2006 23 history

A Settlement at the crossroads

One of the University's most remarkable institutions has survived turbulent times but desperately needs support. Rodney Molesworth explains.

he Settlement Movement arose in that the conditions of the poor would by the voluntary efforts of academics TEngland in the late 19th century, not improve until educated people and their families and undergraduates. when the squalor created by rapid were prepared to live and work among Despite recurrent financial crises, it industrialisation and urbanisation was them; to befriend them, assist them and has been a success. At the beginning it at its peak. learn from them; to abandon the security had support from the wealthy and Amid many other charitable activities, and comfort of their leafy neighbour- titled. The Sydney University Women's what distinguished the movement was hoods and risk disease, crime and the Society was brought into being by the the belief of university men and women disdain of their peers. efforts of the wife of the then governor Today that same spirit inspires the of NSW, and its first president was the work of the Settlement Neighbourhood wife of the chancellor. Vice-regal Centre in Darlington, an institution patronage continued for decades. with more than 100 years of history. By 1913 it was the Sydney University For the past 30 years it has had a par- Women's Settlement, and the annual ticular focus on helping indigenous general meeting was held in the Great residents of the area. Hall with 50 present. In the mid-1920s, The first “settlement house”,Toynbee perhaps emboldened by the strong Hall, was set up by Oxford men in 1884 support from senior academics and in the East End of London. The idea administrators, it was resolved to was initially lampooned – The Spectator purchase the hall at 17 Edward Street, predicting it would be “the vacation Darlington, for £1600, even though the resort of undergraduate hotheads and building fund stood at a little over frothy declaimers” – but it was widely £100. After an extraordinary outpouring successful and even became fashionable. of generosity by individuals and local It still thrives, serving a population now businesses, the deal was accomplished. nearly all immigrant. The Settlement operates today from the News of Toynbee Hall spread rapidly same premises. to Sydney, and by 1896 former Toynbee In its early years the leadership of the residents were “settling” independently Settlement was an all-female affair. Not in Surry Hills. The Sydney University until 1931 was its constitution changed Settlement proper can perhaps claim a to permit male members, creating an beginning in 1891, when the Women's elaborate structure for graduate and Society began its work among the poor undergraduate involvement, particularly of Woolloomooloo. More realistic is through the cultural and social activities 1908, when Sarah Evans went into of university clubs and societies. residence in a house outside the gates By the 1940s the Settlement executive of Women's College. and the undergraduate committee were From the beginning, the Settlement adopting the ideas of professional was not an official part of the social work, and the Department of photo: Newspix University of Sydney. It was begun and Social Work had an ex officio position Professor Tony Vinson ... reconnecting was led, until the 1960s, by societies on the committee. That is still the case the Settlement with the University. auspiced by the Union and was supported on the current management committee,

24 sydney alumni magazine where the position was energetically filled by Professor Tony Vinson of the Faculty of Education and Social work. It is now held by Ruth Phillips. The '40s and '50s was a time of great activity and achievement, including the purchase of all the houses between the hall and Vine Street – numbers 1 to 15 – which are still owned by the Settlement and provide low-income housing. Around this time it became apparent that the ultimate goal of the Settlement Movement was finally being achieved: the traditional client group – working- class and post-war migrants – were increasingly taking over decision- making from their university friends, and as a result the association with the University began to wane from the mid-1960s.

New radicalism

One of the most contentious issues at this time was the expansion of the University into long-established working- class districts of Darlington, ousting families with deep roots in the area. Equally, a new radicalism found itself at odds with the traditional style of fund- Roma William’s book on the Settlement ... the institution has been a magnet for drama and controversy from the outset. raising, based as it was on garden parties and debutante balls. In 1974 the federal government funded people, many of whom owned property and operations and restoring its the purchase of The Block in Redfern in Edward Street. They decided to sell finances. It is a tall order, but the new for Aboriginal housing. The subsequent the run-down Hall for $815,000 and committee has worked strenuously to influx of indigenous residents to the buy another (also run-down) for $2.85 meet these aims. area has been a principal factor in the million. The difference could only be The contracts for sale were rejected changing role of the Settlement, but made up by selling most or all of the as invalid and have been terminated, there are others. Increasing gentrification other properties bought over three- although the financial fallout is unquan- has led to instances of cultural conflict. quarters of a century by the efforts of tified. Much work has been done to The loss of traditional blue-collar dedicated volunteers. This would, of restore confidence and revitalise the employment has increased welfare course, have meant the removal of all Settlement's image and function. dependency. The winding back of the Settlement clients from Edward Street. Professor Vinson has worked tirelessly welfare state has left fewer resources for Matters came to a head in July last to reconnect the Settlement with the the needs of the homeless, the mentally year when it became apparent that University. Plans are being drawn up ill and those rejected by mainstream contracts intended to bind the for the long-overdue refurbishment agencies. Drug and alcohol abuse, and Settlement had been signed in respect of the Hall. the crime they encourage, have increased. of both properties. Amid high tempers There is, naturally, not one penny The Settlement's client group for its and wild statements a special general available for these renovations, programs and its low-cost housing is meeting was called. A private member's estimated to cost $400,000. One almost entirely Aboriginal, and this bill was rushed through the NSW cannot help but recall the brazen client group is in a state of distress that Parliament to prevent property being audacity of the Settlement's guiding would be readily recognised by any sold without the consent of members – spirits in the 1920s and hope for a 19th century “settler”.The wheel has but too late. similar, miraculous, outcome. turned, then turned again. The special general meeting voted to The institution has been a magnet for remove the management committee Rodney Molesworth (BA '68, LLB '73) drama and controversy from the outset. and elected an entirely new one, until very recently was a member of the In 2004 the management committee charged with keeping the Settlement in management committee of The Sydney came under the control of a group of Edward Street, revitalising its programs University Settlement.

spring 2006 25 sport

Across the Advantage Line

Macquarie Bank’s David Clarke has helped the football club thrive amid a loss of funding, writes Graham Croker.

n an age of continued financial Icutbacks to the tertiary sector by a succession of federal governments of both hues, universities are increasingly relying on their alumni to fill the gap. Thanks to the recent introduction of voluntary student unionism (VSU), organisations such as Sydney University Sport (SUS) and its constituent clubs face a potential loss of over $3 million a year from student sports fees alone. Addresses and telephone numbers of sporting alumni are being eagerly sought as sporting clubs – there are 49 within SUS – seek alternative funds to keep their programs afloat. Sydney University Football Club (SUFC) president David Mortimer called on David Clarke (BEc ’63, DScEcon ’00), executive chairman of Macquarie Bank, to head up the SUFC Foundation. It was an inspired choice. Clarke once raised $15 million for the Salvation Army Education Foundation and headed up the Opera Australia Capital Fund which doubled its $1 million target under his stewardship. A five-eighth and inside centre with the Club in 1963-64, when he toured New Zealand with Australian Universities, Clarke was only too happy to “put something back” into the Club and the University. Premiers ... SUFC captain Tim Davidson with the 2005 Tooheys Cup.

26 sydney alumni magazine Macquarie Bank’s David Clarke ... ‘happy to put something back’.

After setting a $2 million target and our place in whatever competition is “There are very few organisations that launching the funding drive at the introduced. If a national competition is have the ability to offer young players Club’s 140th anniversary luncheon in formed we are now in a better financial such an excellent foundation for a 2003, Clarke said that alumni responded position to survive.” Clarke said SUFC successful life,'' he said. “Sydney in droves and the target was exceeded had been fortunate to have Andrew University is in a unique position, within the two-year time-frame. “If Wennerbom and David Mortimer guid- providing an environment of excellence, alumni are interested in sport and the ing the club in recent seasons. “Both are a pathway to higher representative University is doing well, it will generate on the fundraising board, along with sporting honours in a setting where pride in the institution and generate Vice-Chancellor Gavin Brown, who has academic qualifications are achieved. involvement with the University in a great interest in sport in general, and other ways,” Clarke said. ”And that was rugby in particular,” he said. the case in 2005 when we held the The chief executive of Sydney University FOUNDATION CONTACTS Sydney grade cricket and rugby Sport, Greg Harris, who also sits on the Alumni wishing to contribute premierships and both club board, said “with the strictures being or find our more about the championships in the one year.” placed on us at SUS, individual clubs at foundations should contact: Clarke, a former chairman of the the elite level are having to call on their Australian Rugby Union, hopes the sporting alumni to help keep them viable Sydney University Football SUFC effort will cover some of the lost and competitive. With the possibility of Club Foundation: VSU revenue, and said he had a number a national provincial competition – (02) 8232 5107 (Tuesday of reasons for helping. “I had a terrific similar to our water polo and women’s only) or (02) 9351 7245, or time while playing for the Football Club basketball clubs – and other commercial email Trevor Walsh at and many of the friendships I have were pressures, it is vital that Sydney [email protected]. made during my time there,” he said. University Football Club is in a strong Sydney University Cricket “It was an important part of my life. position to contest for a franchise.” Club Foundation: “The Club needs to be in a situation Harris said the University’s elite clubs PO Box 205, Holme Building, where we stay strong to maintain deserve to compete at the highest levels. University of Sydney, NSW 2006, or contact the Visit www.susport.com for latest sports news and results. SUCC on (02) 9351 4965.

spring 2006 27 alumni updates

Michael Hawker: on top of the game

Former Wallaby star I'll try it out and give it 1000 per cent.” combination with Mark Ella and Michael Hawker traded the Born in 1959 to a father passionate Michael O’Connor. about sport, Hawker grew up in a After a tour of France in 1983, football field for a career in home where there was “always a foot- Hawker decided the time had come for banking. He now heads ball somewhere in the backyard”.From other challenges. “It’s hard to do some- insurance giant IAG and an early age he was practising passes up thing at a high level unless you're and down the hallway, trying not to hit passionate about it,” he says. “Once is guest speaker at the the walls. you lose the passion, your performance Graduate Connections His skills continued to improve at drops. The real art in life is finding Breakfast in Sydney on Shore, a school so committed to fostering those things you are passionate about.” sporting talent that students “either Although he was later lured back 1 November played rugby or showed a medical onto the field by Alan Jones, the Chris Rodley reports. certificate”.In 1977 came his first big Wallabies' coach at the time, Hawker’s break, being selected for the Australian fitness was not at its peak and his inter- Schoolboys tour of Britain. “I was lying national sporting career ended after the ichael Hawker (BSc ’83) has in bed when my father woke me up 1987 tour of Argentina, when he was Mreached the pinnacle of two and told me I had been selected to play dropped from the team. hugely different careers: in the overseas,” Hawker recalls. “I was 17 and “I felt lousy, but at the end of the day 1980s he represented Australia as a had never been out of NSW, so it was a you get over it because it's in the past,” Wallaby in 25 rugby tests, and today he huge experience.” he explains. “It’s like hitting a bad golf heads the nation’s largest insurer, On that tour he would play alongside shot: you can’t worry about the last Insurance Australia Group. a dream team of future stars, including one while you’re playing the next. He attributes his remarkable successes the Ella brothers and Wally Lewis. You move on.” not to the culmination of any long-term “Playing at that level was exhilarating: Moving on is exactly what he did as plan but to the simple idea that he would we were like the Harlem Globetrotters he turned his attention to a new career try his best at whatever came his way. in the way we enjoyed the game, and play in the financial services industry. Rising “When I was young, I didn’t have a was innovative, creative and exciting.” through the ranks, he was named as vision that I was going to be X, Y or Z,” By 1980 Hawker was playing full one of the world's best bankers under he says. “Instead, I took the optimistic internationals, making his debut 40 and filled senior executive posts at view that I would just do the best I against Fiji at five-eighth. Over the Citibank and Westpac. In 2001, he was could and it would take me some- next three years he would carve out a headhunted to become chief executive where. If I’m interested in something, memorable international career in a of IAG.

UPCOMING UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY ALUMNI EVENTS IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION Register on-line now! Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Alumni Reception Tues 19 Sept, 6.30-8.30pm Singapore Singapore Alumni Reception Wed 27 Sept, 7.00-9.00pm Shanghai China Alumni Dinner Mon Oct, 6.30-8.30pm Hong Kong Hong Kong Alumni Dinner Wed 1 Nov, 7.30-10.00pm

To register please visit www.usyd.edu.au/overseasevents or telephone +61 2 9351 2673 Alumni survey winners Over 4,000 alumni responded to an advertisement in the previous Sydney Alumni Magazine (Winter 2006) encouraging readers to update their profiles via the alumni website. Seven respondents won prizes by completing the survey. The president of the Standing Committee of Convocation, Dr Barry Catchlove (MBBS ’66), drew the prizes as follows:

• Mark Brown (BPhysio ’81, DipSports Physio ’97, MSportsPhysio ’03) Major – Health Science • Lynne Murray (MMus ’02) Major – Musicology • Philip Pritchard (BA ’90, MA ’91) Majors – Japanese and Psychology • Michael Quinnell (BA ’65) photo: SKC Photography Majors – Archaeology and English IAG chief Michael Hawker … it’s all about teams. • Christine McNeil (DipEd ’69 Arts) Majors – Italian, French Studies, His time as a Wallaby is still a powerful only person who can stop someone and Education source of inspiration. Among other from scoring a try, you don’t want to • Greg Rappo (BScAgr ’74) things, says Hawker, it has taught him make yourself look like a goose. So you Major – Agricultural Chemistry much about the nature of teams. mentally drive yourself onwards.” and Soil Science “Rugby has given me a clarity of • John Fahey (PhD Arts ’04) thinking about what makes an effective The Graduate Connection Breakfast Major – History team. The challenge is getting a team series features notable alumni speaking The survey asked alumni about the that trusts each other to meet a common about contemporary business practices type of programs they want from the objective. In football, if you think the and arts innovations. Michael Hawker is University, and sought information person next to you is no good, you will the guest speaker on 1 November 2006, about degree majors and professions. miss them out. Teams only work when speaking on the topic ‘Leadership Ms Tracey Beck, director of Alumni each person understands what they are challenges in rugby, business and Relations, said she was delighted with doing and they do it well.” corporate social responsibility’ at The the response rate. “Over 3,000 Australian Another lesson concerns the importance Tearoom, QVB, Sydney, from 7.30am. and 1,000 international alumni have of dedication. For more information and costs, contact provided information that will help “Leadership requires courage and Andrea Besnard at the Alumni Relations improve our communications and self-discipline, and that is one of the Office. Phone: 02 9351 2673 or email develop programs,” she said. things rugby gives you. If you are the [email protected]

We Respect Your Privacy

The University maintains a single database with contact details of our alumni, benefactors and friends.

To ensure that you are kept up to date with University events and news, from time to time we provide contact details to appropriate groups to which you have an affiliation, such as alumni associations, foundations, SU Sport and residential colleges.

Under no circumstances do we provide information to other groups or individuals outside of these affiliations.

Of course, you can at any time instruct us not to provide information to these affiliated groups by contacting Advancement Services (fax 02 9351 5688) or email to [email protected]

We look forward to your continued involvement in the life of Australia's first University. 2006 Alumni Awards Three alumni have been awarded a prestigious Alumni Award in 2006. Professor Jocelyn Valerie Chey (BA ’61, PhDArts ’71) received the award for her significant personal photo: contributions to Australia-China relations, refugee support services, and local community activities. Mr Col James AM (DipTCPlan ’77) was recognised for his outstanding community services to the poor, homeless, disad- vantaged and Aboriginal groups. Professor Ronald Kim Oates AM (MBBS ’67, MD ’84, DSc ’06) received the award for his contributions to child health issues and child rights, and his commitment to the medical profession. The Standing Committee of Con- vocation presents the awards each year to celebrate the important contributions photo: Carmen Lee Spiers photo: Carmen Lee Spiers alumni make to our society through Kim Oates (top), Col James and Jocelyn Chey ... 2006 Alumni Award winners. their distinguished community service. alumni updates

to members of the Health Sciences highly decorated heroine of the WW2, Graduates’ Association. Phone the faculty now 93 and in a wheel chair; our office on (02) 9351 9572 or Helga Pettitt founder, Baroness Gardner of Parkes (Dip Comm Nurs ’79, Grad Dip Appl Sc (BDS ’54), and members of her family; Adv Clin Nurs ’91) on (02) 9988 0079 and our former president, Melissa for more information. Hardee (BA ’80, LLB ’85). See Diary on Enquiries about the Cumberland page 36 of this edition for details of Foundation Study Award should be upcoming events. directed to Dr Jeffrey Miller AM (BA ’57, M Ed ’62) on (02) 4234 1237. Applications close 31 October. Law School building underway Over 100 University of Sydney alumni, friends and staff gathered on the UK Summer Reception Camperdown campus on 15 June to The UK Alumni Association 2006 celebrate the start of construction of the Summer Reception held on 13 July University’s new Law School building. attracted over 100 guests to the Royal A plaque was unveiled to mark the College of General Practitioners over- occasion. Guests included the Dean of

photo: looking the lawns of Ennismore Gardens. Law, Professor Ron McCallum; the Recently elected president, Pauline Chancellor, the Hon Justice Kim Santow; Richard Trethowan ... Professor of Lyle-Smith (BA ’67, LLB ’70), kicked the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gavin Plant Breeding. things off with great style. Brown; Chief Justice of the Supreme A high point of the reception was the Court of NSW, the Hon James Spigelman; Dr Trethowan appointment Chancellor’s tale of events – precipitated former Prime Minister, the Hon Gough The Faculty of Agriculture, Food and by a chance meeting after the London Whitlam and Margaret Whitlam. Natural Resources welcomes one of its bombing – which led to the decision by Designed by architects Francis-Jones distinguished alumni, Dr Richard Michael Hintze (BSc ’75, BE(Elec) ’77) Morehen Thorp, the building is sched- Trethowan (BScAgr ’84, PhDAgr ’89), to endow the Sydney University inaugu- uled to open in 2008, enabling the who has returned to Australia to take ral Chair in International Security. Faculty of Law to relocate to the heart up an appointment as Professor of The presence of the Chancellor, the of the main campus from its current Plant Breeding at the faculty's Plant Vice-Chancellor, and Don Wilson, Vice- Phillip Street site. Breeding Institute. Principal, University Relations, signalled The decision to move the Law School, the weight given by the University to the according to Justice Spigelman, “will Health Sciences Alumni Awards UK Alumni Association. Lending further enrich the lives of future law students, Applications are invited for the Faculty of panache to the occasion were distin- as it will enrich the intellectual life of Health Sciences Award, offered annually guished guests including Nancy Wake OA, the University as a whole.” grapevine

of Education (Early administration for His production credits 2000s Childhood) at the Institute Symphony Australia and include the feature film of Early Childhood, the West Australian called Gene-X. Phillip Brown (BA '00) Macquarie University. Symphony Orchestra. and Karen Brown Phillip Farmer (MEd '89, (MTeach '98) have reno- Charlene Prado (BSc '05) Dr Naren Gunja MA '96) taught history and vated a house in Newcastle has been working with the (MBBS '98) is an emergency worked as a careers advisor and have two daughters. Institute of Clinical physician at Westmead for 26 years at St Aloysius Karen is teaching Visual Pathology and Medical Hospital and has become a College. After his retirement Arts at Newcastle Grammar Research at Westmead Fellow of the Australasian he moved to Mudgee where School; Phillip completed a Hospital. Born and raised College for Emergency early in 2006 he accepted Graduate Diploma in in Sydney, she just returned Medicine, along with Dr. the honorary position of Education and is teaching from her very first explo- Kavita Varshney (MBBS '97). archivist of St John’s Anglican at Fern Valley Montessori ration of her forebears' Church. Phillip says it’s Primary School, Newcastle. native Philippines. Elizabeth Johnstone amazing how interesting Kuiper (LLB '92) is a local history can be. Clare Chenoweth partner at Blake Dawson (MMediaPrac '04) has 1990s Waldron where she is the Dianne Tsitsos, completed her Master of practice head of the company née Hranbani, Media Practice, and has Yvonne Frindle (BMus law and governance group. (BEcon '83, DipEd '83), been working in public Hons '92, DipEd '93) is She is married to Taco started casual teaching in relations at the Royal now programs editor of the Kuiper (BA '63). Elizabeth 1983 and one year later was Botanic Gardens in Sydney. Sydney Symphony. Known was recently appointed to appointed to Kingsgrove She will be a volunteer to concert audiences as a the Auditing and Assurance North High School where teacher in Vietnam for one writer and speaker, she also Standards Board. she has been ever since. year, and hopes to work in holds a Graduate Diploma Dianne is married and has an NGO on her return. in Communications from Catherine Christie two teenage daughters. the University of Technology (BA '93, MA '98) moved Anita King (BA '04) is in Sydney, and has worked in from Sydney to a small David Wong (BDS '85) is her third year of a Bachelor publications and artistic farm in the Southern getting married later this Highlands, and hopes to year and plans to continue obtain a PhD over the next working as a software few years. She is very happy. developer in London for several years before returning SHARE YOUR NEWS William Roberts (BA '95) to Australia. is the acting head of University of Sydney alumni are invited to share their Library Waverley College. news in this section of the Sydney Alumni Magazine. He was an EFL instructor 1970s in Japan for 3 years. We’re interested in hearing about your career, academic Jane Diplock AO achievements, community involvement, or other events. (BA '73, DipEd '75, Please send details via email 1980s LLB '78) chaired the New or post to the Sydney Alumni Zealand Securities Magazine editor. Full contact Tony James Chu Commission from 2001 to details are listed on page 1. (MBBS '86) works part-time 2006, and was reappointed as a paediatric registrar while in 2006 for a further five You can also update your acting and filmmaking. years. From 2004 to 2006 details and search for classmates He founded the Sydney she was also a chairman of online by registering with your networking group of actors, the executive committee of Alumni Web Community at screenwriters and filmmakers the Inter-national www.usyd.edu.au/alumni called NAFA, and he has Organisation of Securities made over 20 short films. Commissions (IOSCO).

32 sydney alumni magazine Little Wonders photo: Eighty-year-old Anthony Christie Apirana Mahuika (MA '73) BA '01) taught English at a kindergarten has lectured at the in China for four months last year. Wellington Teachers He says he had the time of his life. Training College, Victoria University Wellington, and The most remarkable aspect of my first Massey University in venture into overseas teaching was that it Palmerston, New Zealand. was made possible by a rare combination He has a Bachelor of Arts of good luck and coincidence. As a volunteer tutor, I came to know a Anthony Christie and friend ... having the from Auckland University, a time of their lives. Diploma of Theology, and a young Chinese student who I would meet PhD (Hon) from the occasionally for conversation practice in Waikato University. He is a Sydney. One afternoon I mentioned that The children were bright and very keen to chair of Te Runanga O I would be keen to teach in Asia. Un- learn. Their delight in mastering a new Ngati Porou (an Iwi Trust beknown to me, my pupil was in regular word or phrase was palpable; each day Board under Maori Trust contact with a family friend who had a busi- bought some new victory, some fresh Board Act 1955) and a chair ness associate in China who happened to be gleam of comprehension. It was very of Te Roopu Manukura at the director of a kindergarten in Kaiping. rewarding, worthwhile, and fun. the University of Waikato. Some weeks later I received an invita- There was occasional confusion crossing tion to teach. There would be little pay the cultural divide. In the early weeks, I Professor Cassandra but my airfare would be refunded and was baffled when, halfway through a lesson, Pybus (BA '71, PhD '79) accommodation provided (I was later a small group would cry out “bye-bye, was a Fulbright Senior given generous bonuses). bye-bye.” Was this a gentle hint for me to Fellow in 2001 and an ARC And so, on September 6 last year, I depart? As it turned out, their sad Professorial Fellow between arrived at Guangzhou airport to an enthu- farewells were for the words and drawings 2001 and 2005. Cassandra siastic welcome, followed by a splendid I was rubbing off the board. holds a two-year Writers dinner, then a drive northward in a luxury I had fully expected each day would Fellowship from the car playing Vivaldi. So far, so very good. begin with a stirring hymn to Mao, or Australia Council. Her Over 500 children were enrolled in the perhaps an ode to the heroes of the Long recent book Epic Journeys Henry Chinese and English Kindergarten. March, but there was not a hammer and of Freedom: Runaway Slaves They were aged between three and eight, sickle in sight. However, there was very of the American Revolution and were taught by a staff of 40. The great interest in Australia. When I went and Their Global Quest for classrooms were light and airy, a large hall into the town, I would be approached by Liberty was described in May provided ample space for music and student groups asking shyly: “You, sir, this year as "breathtaking" by dancing, and there were extensive kitchen kindly you to speak English with us, yes?” Harvard historian Jill and dining areas, all spotlessly clean. I So, heading to the nearest coffee shop or Lepore in the New Yorker. taught basic words to the beginners, while McDonalds, I helped where I could. Her latest book Black the older children bravely tackled verbs Thus, in a small way, we can help break Founders has just been and simple sentence structure. English down language and cultural barriers, released by UNSW Press. songs and rhymes were especially popular. perhaps as the fates intended.

Michael Sheehan (BA '77, DipEd '78) is Jennifer Sumsion (BEcon and Leisure Management at teaching maths at Alstonville '76 MEd '83, PhDEd '98) 1960s Deakin University. High School on the Far is an associate professor at the North Coast of New South Institute of Early Childhood Annette Van Den Bosch Adetoye Faniran Wales. He is divorced, and at Macquarie University. In (BA '66, DipEd '66, (PhDArts '69) retired in has five children. Michael is September 2006 she will take PhDArts '90) is retiring as September 2003. He was involved in amateur theatre up the inaugural a senior lecturer in visual appointed emeritus and is in rehearsals for Les Chair of Early Childhood culture at Monash professor of geography of Miserables. Education at Charles Sturt University. She will join the the University of Ibadan University. Centre for Research in Arts in July 2005. He celebrated

spring 2006 33 his 70th birthday on where he remained until his she worked at the National school in the ACT, and 1 August 2005 with the retirement in January 1999. Standards Radiophysics became assistant principal publication of Our Since retirement he has Laboratory. In 1951 she until the mid-'90s. Bernice Transformer God and A acted as a special counsel married F.C Brown; they also writes poetry, articles Harvest of Divine with Watts McCray. Now had two sons, one daughter, and short stories. Interventions: The Life and aged 75, he says he has no and nine grandchildren. Times of Professor Adetoye present plans for retirement. Between 1965 and 1985, Joyce Parker (BA '41, Famiran. They address Evelyn taught languages, DipEd '41 MEd '69 MA' 75) the spiritual approach Bruce Litchfield (BDS first at a state high school, taught at Queanbeyan High to sustainability. '56, MDS '64) is practising then at St George Technical School in 1941 and at dentistry in Canberra part- College, then at an adult Singleton High School in Rosalind Krüger (née time. Bruce is also founder learning centre. She has 1942. In 1943 she married Bonnette) (BSc '69) grad- and executive chairman of been writing poetry since Geoffrey Parker (BSc ’39, uated with a Diploma in the Australian Institute of her youth, and her poems BE ’41). After stints in the Education from the Family Counselling, and he have been published in col- UK, she was appointed University of Western has written 12 books on lections and literary jour- deputy head of Tara Australia, a Master of Arts counselling and family nals since the 1960s. Anglican School in 1972 from Michigan State issues. Bruce travels annually and in the following year University and a Bachelor to Uganda, Eastern Europe James Gerrand (BSc '40, became principal. Joyce of Education from the and Russia to conduct sem- BE (Mech&Elec) '42) was held this position until 1979. Western Australia College inars on family health, diagnosed with Chronic of Advanced Education. addiction and counselling. Inflammatory Demyelinating Reg Walker (MBBS '45) Rosalind is a registered psy- He obtained a PhD in coun- Polyneuropathy (CIDP) 15 writes that in April 2006 his chologist and works at selling in Hawaii in 1992. years ago, and formed the grandson Christopher Hake School in Wembley Inflammatory Neuropathy Bradley (BMusStud '06) Downs, WA. Support Group of Victoria received his Bachelor of 1940s Inc. for patients and family Music Studies. Reg per- Robert Mellor (BA '65) suffering from Guillain- formed the carillon recital recently retired from the Fred Blanks (BSc '48) Barré Syndrome and CIDP. at Christopher's graduation University of Western was born in Germany in The support group has ceremony. Reg has been Sydney where he has been 1925 and arrived in some 300 members, mainly connected with the carillon the head of the School of Australia in 1938. After in Victoria, but also inter- since 1942 when he was Quantitative Methods and graduating from the state and overseas. first appointed as assistant Mathematical Sciences for University he joined ICI carillonist. He says this is the past five years. Robert Australia and worked in James McGlade (BA '40) the first time in the history obtained his PhD from plastics and petrochemicals writes of his appreciation of of the University that a Harvard University in 1973 until his retirement. Music the Sydney Alumni grandfather has given the and spent 17 years in the has been Fred's life-long Magazine (and previously carillon recital for his Australian Bureau of hobby. He was a music crit- The Gazette) over the past grandson. Statistics. ic for the Sydney Morning 60 years. James was head- Herald from 1963 to 1998, master of St Patrick’s Dr Grace Warren has worked as a freelance College from 1953 to 1955. (MBBS '54, DM '85) 1950s writer for many music pub- He later lectured in English obtained a Master of lications, and lectured on and History at the Council Surgery in 1972 for her Eric Baker (LLB '53) was music history for WEA and for Christian Education in work with neuropathic admitted as a solicitor in Sydney University's Schools from 1979 to 1988 bone lesions in leprosy December 1953 and entered Continuing Education and at the Australian patients. The University into partnership with Rex Centre. In 1988 he was Catholic University from acknowledged her achieve- Reynolds in March 1954. In admitted to membership of 1989 to 2002. ments in 1985 by conferring July 1978 he was appointed the Order of Australia for a Doctor of Medicine a judge of the Family Court services to music. Bernice O'Sullivan (honoris causa). The fol- of Australia and in 1983 (BA '48, DipEd '49) began lowing year she received the received a commission for Evelyn Brown (BA '40, her career as a high school Order of Australia. Grace two years as a member of MA '46) trained as a teacher teacher in Forbes, married, began visiting Pakistan in the appeal division of that of languages. During World and became an experienced 1967 and has returned court. In April 1986 he War II she worked in CSIR teacher to migrants until there regularly to assist in became a permanent mem- (Now CSIRO) at Badgerys 1960. She returned to gen- their leprosy programs. ber of the appeal division, Creek. From 1943 to 1951 eral teaching at a Catholic On 23 March 2005 the

34 sydney alumni magazine President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan con- ferred on Grace the award A daughter’s chronicle of Sitara-i-Pakistan (Star of Pakistan). A hand-me-down gown ties Kath Bicknell into the past. Eric F Wilson (BEc '41), retired Reserve Bank officer, was recently elected patron Walking down the aisle of the University of the University of Sydney of Sydney's historic Great Hall to accept Athletics Club, succeeding her degree this year held particular signif- the late Myer Rosenblum. icance for Arts graduate Kath Bicknell Eric was awarded a Blue (BA ’06). She was the fourth generation three times before World of woman graduates in her family. War II. After three and a

Kath graduated wearing her great- Sealy photo: Ted half years as a prisoner of grandmother's 100-year-old gown, hood war in Malaya, he resumed and trencher. Arts graduate Kath Bicknell ... moved by competition walking for the “It was incredibly moving and symbolic her family’s history. University. He gave this to be part of a repeated act, in the same away in 1949 and later space, wearing the same gown, with so her mother’s footsteps when she attended became a track judge for much history around me,” she says. the University as a mature-age student in University and interclub Kath's great-grandmother, Catherine her 50s. athletic competition and an Vernon Farmer (BA 1908) has passed down One of Diana’s four children, Catherine international walk judge. a note describing her time studying French Wilson (BA '70) had also worn the old He married in 1951, and he and Latin at the University a century ago, gown to her graduation ceremony. and Helen Wilson (MA ’95) where gowns were worn each day. All four of Diana's children attended have four children, eight “She may even have worn the gown the University of Sydney, with Kath’s grandchildren and four after her graduation, when she worked as mother, Anne Bicknell, nee Watson, great-grandchildren. a teacher in Wagga Wagga,” Kath says. (MBBS) graduating in 1978. Kath’s family connection with the Kath Bicknell now works in the University is embodied in the old Arts Graduate Program at the Department of Faculty gown, hood and trencher which Health and Ageing and is also in a trial 1930s Kath describes as “faded, moth-eaten and Australian Institute of Sports cycling very, very special.” development squad. Margaret Mackie (BA '37 The gown was stored away after Kath doesn't plan to start the fifth DipEd '40) is 91 years-old Catherine Farmer's time. Over 60 years generation of women graduates any time and she is still teaching later, it was worn by Catherine's daughter, soon. But when she does, the gown will philosophy to children. (Kath Bicknell's grandmother) Diana be waiting. Vernon Watson (BA '71), who followed in — Fran Molloy Eleanor McSwan OAM (BA '39, DipEd '40) commenced teaching in 1940, married in 1945, and POSTCARD FROM THE PAST: 1905 – 1908 returned to teaching in Things are rather primitive in the women's Maclean from 1954 to 1973. quarters. Situated in an old cottage there In 1969 she was one of the were rooms barely furnished which acted foundation members of the as a common room, with no amenities as Maclean District History there are now in Manning House. Mrs Fidler, Society; she is now a life who had an office in one room, acted as a member. She has published tutor and advisor if help was wanted by the students in studies or problems. Tea 10 books on the history of could be made in what was known as the the Lower Clarence region. kitchen, where C took her lunch. Students In 1995 she was awarded an were expected to wear gowns to lectures OAM for her service to the and dressing was conservative. community. In May 2006 Catherine Vernon the E.H. (Lin) McSwan Farmer ... graduated note by Catherine Vernon Farmer with a BA in 1908. Research Centre was established in Eleanor’s honour.

spring 2006 35 diary

OCTOBER 12 NOVEMBER 1 100 Years Celebration: Physical Graduate Connection Breakfast SEPTEMBER 19 Education and Health Education at Guest speaker: Michael Hawker Malaysia Alumni Reunion Reception Sydney Teachers College and the (BSc ‘83). Mandarin Oriental University of Sydney (see page 13). Phone: (02) 9351 2673 www.usyd.edu.au/alumosevents Phone: (02) 9351 6374 Email [email protected] Email: [email protected] SEPTEMBER 19 NOVEMBER 3 Chinese Studies Alumni Association Animalia 2006, annual general meeting Conservatorium of Music Guest speaker: Rory Macpherson James Morrison performs with 6pm, Fifth Floor Common Room, the Australian Youth Orchestra, in MacCallum Building, the Veterinary Science Foundation's University of Sydney. annual fundraising concert. Contact (02) 9351 8026. SEPTEMBER 27 Singapore Alumni Reunion Reception OCTOBER 24 The Pines Ballroom, The Pines, Dr Charles Perkins AO www.usyd.edu.au/alumosevents Annual Memorial Oration 6 pm. The Great Hall SEPTEMBER 29 Complimentary admission for Philadelphia (USA) Alumni Reception alumni, registration is essential. Guest speaker: Alan Ruby RSVP: (02) 9351 2673 (BA ’72, Dip Ed ’73) Email: [email protected] Philadelphia Club, Philadelphia NOVEMBER 11 Email: [email protected] OCTOBER 25 Class of ’66 reunion Agricultural Hidden Intelligence in Science (’67 graduates). Pervasive Computing Sydney University Union. Speaker: A/P Judy Kay. Contact: John Quilty, Eastern Ave Auditorium at 5.45pm. SEPTEMBER 30 10 Turner St, Warnbro, WA 6169. Bookings essential. 1966 Chemical Email: [email protected] Phone (02) 9351 3021 or Engineering email [email protected]. Undergraduates NOVEMBER 28 Reunion 2006 Blue and Gold Xmas Hamper Email: Richard.Flook @omya.com OCTOBER 28 Golf Day at La Perouse or 1976 Law Graduates Reunion Contact: Donna McIntyre [email protected] Phone: +61 2 9351 0327 (02) 9351 4969 or email Email: [email protected] [email protected]

OCTOBER 12 OCTOBER 28 NOVEMBER 1 Postgraduate Science Open Night UK Alumni Association Autumn Hong Kong Alumni Reunion Dinner Eastern Avenue Complex, University Reception Hong Kong Bankers Club, of Sydney, 5.30pm – 8.30pm. Contact: Kerrie Botley, www.usyd.edu.au/alumosevents Phone: +44 20 72016882 OCTOBER 19 Email: [email protected] DECEMBER 9 Exhibition Opening: The Lebanon Messiah, Sydney University 6pm at the Nicholson Museum. OCTOBER 30 Graduate Choir Guest speaker: Dr Paul Reynolds. China Alumni Reunion Dinner Great Hall, University of Sydney Bookings essential. (Shanghai) Contact: MCA Ticketing. Phone (02) 9351 2812 or email: Sky Ballroom, Shanghai Grand Theatre Phone: 1300 306 776 or [email protected] www.usyd.edu.au/alumosevents www.mca-tix.com

36 sydney alumni magazine