LASTING LEGACIES Gifts That Keep on Giving
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THE MAGAZINE OF CURTIN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY ISSUE 16_ WINTER 2010 LASTING LEGACIES Gifts that keep on giving TRUE TO FORM Interior architecture 20 years on BRAIN TRAINING Drivers with disabilities cite_WINTER 2010 Cite (s∂it)v. To put forward thought-provoking arguments; to offer insightful discussion and new perspectives on topics of social, political, economic or environmental relevance; to report on new thinking. Sight (s∂it) n. A feature or object in a particular place considered especially worth seeing.v.To frame or scrutinise community, research and business initiatives; to present points of view on current issues. Site (s∂it) n. The location of a building or an organisation, esp. as to its environment. v.To place or position in a physical and social context. Cover cite_contributors Tonya McCusker – a trustee of the McCusker Charitable Foundation – supports Curtin Professor Mike Daube’s action on alcohol in the community. Cite update You may notice a different look and feel to this edition of Cite. In addition Norman Aisbett Claire Bradshaw Kitty Drok to our popular content about teaching and research, we have FREELANCE JOURNALIST FREELANCE WRITER FREELANCE WRITER AND EDITOR AND TECHNICAL EDITOR fonts that are easier to read, layouts that are clean and contemporary, and strong visual links to Curtin’s Norman Aisbett has worked in Claire Bradshaw has Kitty Drok is a freelance new style. We hope you enjoy our newspaper journalism for worked for many years in science writer and technical new direction. more than 40 years. He won communications, including editor, with a previous career the Graham Perkin Award eight years in Curtin’s as a research chemist in the Editor-in-chief (Australian Journalist of the Corporate Communications resources sector. Val Raubenheimer Year) in 1981 for his reports area. about the rescue of Managing Editor Vietnamese boat people. Kerry Coyle Editorial Team Karen Green, Laraine McClelland, Julia Nicol Creative Direction Sonia Rheinlander Design Manifesto Design Andrea Lewis Andre Malan Margaret McNally Contributing Writers FREELANCE WRITER FREELANCE JOURNALIST FREELANCE WRITER Norm Aisbett, Claire Bradshaw, AND EDITOR AND EDITOR Kitty Drok, Sue Emmett, Glenys Haalebos, Andrea Lewis, Andrea Lewis is a freelance Andre Malan, a former Margaret McNally is a Tony Lucey, Andre Malan, columnist and features editor writer and editor. She was freelance writer and editor Isobelle McKay, Margaret McNally formerly publication manager with The West Australian has on leave from Curtin. She is in Curtin’s Corporate worked in journalism for over a Curtin alumni who graduated Contributing Photographers Communications area. 40 years. with first class honours Adrian Lambert, Andrew Pritchard, in professional writing Petra Sartoris, Tim Swallow, and publishing. James Rogers Cover Photography James Rogers Sue Emmett is a freelance Glenys Haalebos is a Tony Lucey is Head of the Print writer and photo-journalist, freelance journalist, with a School of Civil and Mechanical with special interests in specific interest in academic Engineering at Curtin and Scott Print science, technology, Western research. She previously President of Engineers Editorial Inquiries Australian business, education worked in public relations and Australia WA Division. Kerry Coyle and the marine environment. journalism in both the private Corporate Communications and higher education sectors. Curtin University of Technology GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6845 Tel: +61 8 9266 2200 Email: [email protected] Cite is available online and in pdf at curtin.edu.au/news, and in alternative formats on request. curtin.edu.au cite_WINTER 2010 04 cover_story New era of giving Philanthropy: is Australia on the cusp of something big? The nation’s changing economic and social landscape has given corporate philanthropy new life and turned wealthy businesspeople into leaders in generosity. feature_stories Reaching out regular_features 24 Universities exist to service the 10 Could henna help catch community. Doing what we do – only 02 VC’s view criminals? better – is what it’s all about, says 03 News brief Used in ritual skin painting and hair Vice-Chancellor Jeanette Hacket. dyes, the staining properties of the henna 08 Alumni profile plant open up new opportunities in Getting on board 28 Speaking from experience fingerprint detection. After flying clear across the country to attend class, Indigenous students Kristy Tomlinson is on a long-term 12 Getting more from our ore are determined to prove they used their mission to change lives. Rock-hungry bugs have the potential time well. 26 Dubai dreaming to unleash more value from Petite model and media host low-grade minerals. Simone Heng makes a big splash snap_shots in the Middle East. Passion play 14 09 Campus life For a lot of people, giving objects and 07 Perils of perfectionism paintings is far more interesting than People who are clinical perfectionists 27 In perspective just writing a cheque. have one thing in common – fear. Dawn of a new era Engineers are fast becoming an integral Gaining confidence Driving and the brain 16 part of decision making on issues that What will WA’s economy be like in 6 to 12 13 Neuroscientists have long understood shape society and underpin its wellbeing. months? Curtin Business School and the that the brain can rewire itself. Young Curtin’s Head of Civil and Mechanical Chamber of Commerce and Industry team people with autism stand to benefit from Engineering points the way. up to provide the first and only WA-based new research. assessment of consumer sentiment. 32 Fully engaged 22 Island of tears The real test of leadership is how a 17 From the inside out Professor Linda Briskman laments company performs over a CEO’s entire Interior Architecture clocks up two that we need a better way to care for tenure. Curtin’s new Chancellor decades at Curtin. boat people. Dr Jim Gill traces the lessons of success. Mobile detective 23 University-based innovators produce breakthrough technology. Curtin’s Virtual Observer goes on the road. vc’s_view VICE-CHANCELLOR CURTIN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY THROUGH Cite we are able to communicate the socially important work undertaken at Curtin and acknowledge our valuable partners and graduates, in addition to publishing ongoing stories about our teaching and research. Copies of this edition of Cite are being sent to 96,700 Curtin alumni around the world, to maintain contact with members of the extended Curtin ‘family’ and keep them informed of their University’s progress. One of our important recent initiatives was the establishment of the Offi ce of Advancement to enable us to build a cohesive philanthropic culture within Curtin. The next stage of development – the Curtin University Foundation – was offi cially launched by Curtin’s new Chancellor Dr Jim Gill. The Foundation, with prominent external board members including WA businessman Gene Tilbrook, will lead the philanthropic culture within Curtin and nurture our stakeholder relationships. Gene brings substantial fi nancial management experience as well as a particular interest in the arts and education. I wholeheartedly welcome him to his new role. More than $2.3 million has already been received by the Foundation this year, including a generous contribution by former Chancellor Gordon Martin. My husband and I have also made a personal contribution. I also thank other individual donors such as Malcolm and Tonya McCusker, whose foundation recently donated $400,000 to help fund research into alcohol-related problems (see cover story). Another dedicated supporter is Dr Ian Bernadt, who has donated many wonderful artworks to the John Curtin Gallery over the years (page 14). Other donors have rewarded academic excellence with scholarships and new awards. Such individuals, and many generous corporations and patrons, know and appreciate the work we are doing at Curtin to help better society in innumerable ways. ON BEHALF of the University I thank all those who contribute to a better future for the next generation through their generous support. With our exciting plans for the future in a time of reduced government funding, we appreciate more than ever the eff orts of our alumni and friends of the University to help forge new partnerships and to spread the word about our commitment to excellence in research, teaching and global citizenship. As Dr Jim Gill says in this magazine (page 32), ‘The more we listen, collaborate and are appreciated as adding value, the more opportunities will occur for us and the parties with whom we collaborate’. We hope you enjoy reading this edition of Cite. We are proud of its contribution to the culture and character of Curtin at home and abroad. Professor Jeanette Hacket 02 cite_WINTER 2010 news_brief JAMES ROGERS JAMES JAMES ROGERS JAMES ROGERS JAMES Professor Vincent Williams Emeritus Professor David Black and Road design is a factor in reducing crashes. Professor Robin Watts Cytologist joins Curtin Rewarding careers Road to safety Associate Professor Vincent Williams, a distinguished Not even official retirement can dampen the Road safety is about more than driver education, cytologist, teacher and researcher, has joined the enthusiasm of three long-standing members of says the new director of the Curtin-Monash Accident Curtin School of Biomedical Sciences. Curtin who received recognition in the Australia Day Research Centre (C-MARC), Associate Professor An expert in the microscopic analysis of cells and Honours list. Brett Hughes. tissue biopsies for the diagnosis of benign