EDITION 2 2014

LAWYER LEADS WHERE DO BIG FISH ODE TO RESILIENT, FIGHT AGAINST GO IN THE CONTRADICTORY MODERN SLAVERY WET SEASON? DARWIN

EDITION 2 2014 ORIGINS

FEATURES REGULARS Lawyer leads fight 3 8 against modern slavery From the Vice-Chancellor

4 Social ills grow as goals Snapshot 10 move out of sight 26 Q and A

12 Partners in slime 28 CDU publishing achievements Where do big fish go in 14 the wet season? 30 CDU art collection

Picture emerges of 31 16 northern dolphins Art exhibition Neridah Stockley: a retrospective Welcome to the first Charles Darwin Scholar 19 32 Limited edition Refreshing research 20 targets heat stress

Finding hope for the 22 future in the past

Ode to resilient, 24 contradictory Darwin

Young musician 29 reaches for the sky ORIGINS

Origins magazine is produced by Charles Darwin University’s Office of Media, Advancement and Community Engagement (MACE). MACE is grateful to the following people for their contributions and assistance in compiling this edition: Lucy Barnard, Penelope Bergen, Matt Brearley, Janet Browne, Bobby Bunungurr, David Crook, Carla Eisemberg, John Firth-Smith, CONTRIBUTORS Felicity Gerry, Dan Hartney, Amy Kimber, Michael Lawrence-Taylor, Tess Lea, Michael Lindsey, KATIE WEISS Robyn Marsh, Hana Morrissey, Simon Moss, Elspeth Opperman, Carol Palmer, Heidi Smith- One of the newest writers to join Origins is Charles Vaughan, Neridah Stockley and Ruth Thornton. Darwin University’s Media Officer Katie Weiss. Katie recently moved to Darwin and was formerly a Opinions and views expressed in this edition do journalist with the mainstream media. Her writing not necessarily reflect those of Charles Darwin has featured in a range of publications nationally University. and internationally. In her first edition of Origins, Reproduction of material from Origins requires Katie tackles hard-hitting issues surrounding human written permission from Robyn McDougall, trafficking victims and perpetrators. She also [email protected] investigates a curious story about virtual bush tours. Published October 2014 PATRICK NELSON This edition is also available at Regional Public Relations Officer Patrick Nelson talks W: cdu.edu.au/mace to PhD candidate Penelope Bergen about her study into how the meeting of two cultures in remote Indigenous CRICOS Provider No. 00300K (NT), Australia may inform better policy. And he catches No. 03286A (NSW) up with VET music graduate Michael Lindsey about RTO Provider No. 0373 his solo performance at BASSINTHEGRASS. Based in Editor: Robyn McDougall Alice Springs, Patrick also captured our inside cover Project manager: Julia Collingwood photograph in which a vivid morning rainbow touches Designer: R.T.J. Klinkhamer the MacDonnell Ranges after a brief winter shower. Printer: Lane Print + Post JANE HAMPSON Text face: Centennial In her first contribution to Origins, writer Jane Display face: Helvetica Neue Light Hampson interviews Associate Professor Tess Lea Origins is printed from vegetable-based inks and about her new book, Darwin. A born and bred 98 per cent of waste and by-products of the Territorian, and Adjunct Professor at CDU, Dr Lea’s process have been recycled into paper products, character study of her hometown was published alternative fuels and miscellaneous materials. earlier this year and gives some revealing insights into the forces that have shaped the Top End capital. Jane The paper used in this edition of Origins is carbon is Special Projects Writer with CDU’s Office of Media, neutral and is manufactured with 55 per cent Advancement and Community Engagement. recycled content. It has been manufactured by a Certified Printer using Elemental Chlorine LEANNE COLEMAN Free (ECF) pulp sourced from sustainable, well- In her eighth edition of Origins, science communicator managed forests. and CDU’s Senior Media Officer Leanne Coleman Cover: Shutterstock.com image. covers two unique research projects specific to Inside cover: Rainbow connection – just as a the Northern Territory. She reveals research by a light shower of winter rain promised to quench conservation ecologist that will help preserve local Central Australia’s desert landscape, it signed off dolphin populations. She also talks to researchers with this vivid rainbow above the MacDonnell about a project that could have significant impacts on Ranges. Photographer: Patrick Nelson, June the way workers handle heat stress. 2014.

2 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR Celebrating our first quarter century

his is a year of celebration for Since CDU’s predecessor institution, maturing as an education and training Charles Darwin University and the the Northern Territory University, provider, and the high-calibre of our Tentire Northern Territory. In what opened in 1989 many thousands of local research. can only be described as an outstanding people have received their education In this edition we explore how achievement, 2014 marks the 25th and training without leaving home. lawyers can take a central role in anniversary of university education in And increasingly as the education identifying victims of human trafficking. this large, remote and lightly populated environment evolves thousands of Some 21 million people worldwide are jurisdiction. people from across Australia have estimated to be victims of this shocking During the 1980s, the people of the completed their university education crime. Northern Territory campaigned long through CDU. We also follow work at Menzies and hard for the Federal Government’s We therefore have much to celebrate School of Health Research, which is support to establish a university. As in this 25th anniversary year. Apart using DNA-sequencing technologies to these pioneers rightly saw it, when from well attended celebrations in uncover bacterial mechanisms that lead young people were forced to move south Darwin, Alice Springs and Palmerston, to the development and persistence or east for their university education and later this year at Katherine, we of chronic infections in Indigenous the risk was high that they would not have also compiled a written history children. return. of university education in the NT And we introduce you to the The NT needed, and continues to and produced a video entitled “Our university’s first Charles Darwin Scholar, need, educated and skilled residents university: A brief history of CDU”. To Professor Janet Browne. I hope you to build a strong local economy and access these and other information enjoy this edition. society. The NT certainly could not about our quarter-century milestone, I afford to allow the talent drain to invite you to visit W: cdu.edu.au/25th- Professor Simon Maddocks continue and many NT families could anniversary/oral-histories. Vice-Chancellor not afford the emotional and financial In the meantime, this edition of strain of sending away their children. Origins reflects how the university is

3 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 SNAPSHOT

Darwin’s lost Population library found projections A treasure-trove of lost library books used by naturalist Charles Darwin on help reveal the 1831–1836 voyage of the Beagle has been launched at CDU in collaboration NT’s future with the National University of The proportion of Territorians aged Singapore. 65 years and over is projected to more The library has been re-constructed than double by 2041. Researchers at the as part of Darwin Online, a project Northern Institute have been working directed by National University of with the Northern Territory Department Singapore historian of science and CDU of Treasury and Finance to develop Professorial Fellow John van Wyhe, population projections for the NT and with funding support from CDU and the its regions. The projections map the CDU Foundation. changing population for the Territory Dr van Wyhe said that at the end of to the year 2041 and indicate future the voyage the library was dispersed growth in the demands for services and and its contents had remained a infrastructure. mystery. Northern Institute Senior Research “In the 1980s, the editors of the Fellow, Dr Andrew Taylor said that Correspondence of Charles Darwin population change fluctuated greatly reconstructed a list of 132 works that CDU Professorial Fellow John van Wyhe helps in the NT with high rates of growth were probably in the library based on very dependent on major construction evidence from Darwin’s notes and other launch the Charles Darwin’s Beagle Library from Singapore. projects. sources. Combining previous lists with “Based on historical evidence and new research, we have created our anticipated trends, we anticipate long- catalogue of 181 works.” of Science University of Singapore, and term growth to continue at around The Beagle library project was CDU and the CDU Foundation. To view 1.5 per cent a year, which would see funded by the Singapore Government’s the library, visit W: darwin-online.org. the Territory’s population reach about Ministry of Education and supported uk. 360,000 by 2041,” he said. by the Office of the Dean of the Faculty “We are expecting the Territory’s Indigenous population to grow at around the same rate as the Territory average,” Dr Taylor said. “Perhaps Students bound for S-E Asia the most significant compositional population change anticipated is Up to 72 undergraduate students will Eligible School of Law undergradu- very high growth in the number of take up short-term study opportunities ates will study and research Territorians aged 65 years and over, in Southeast Asia during the next year, international law at Gadjah Mada which, in proportional terms, is following the Australian Government’s University, Yogyakarta, transnational projected to more than double by 2041. announcement of $150,000 in grants criminal law at the University of “While this has implications for under the New Colombo Plan Mobility Indonesia, Jakarta, and legal pluralism services, the Territory will still be a program. at the Udayana University, Denpasar. relatively ‘young’ population compared Law, environmental science and Environmental science students will to other States and Territories. Growth Indonesian language students will study tropical zoology, tropical botany in the Territory’s older population is undertake intensive study programs in and biodiversity courses through Gadjah from a very low base because people Indonesia, and education students will Mada University’s Faculty of Biology. have traditionally retired interstate,” participate in teaching practicums in The practicums in Hong Kong will he said. Hong Kong. occur at international schools where Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon students will gain an insight into the Maddocks said the experience would not culture and language of the teaching only expose CDU students to new ideas, profession in an overseas urban setting perspectives and friendships, but also as well as gain valuable technical skills would lay the foundation for a two-way and experience. flow of students and staff. The Indonesian language students “These are potentially life-changing will participate in the Regional experiences for people, but equally they Universities Indonesian Language are an important demonstration of our Initiative intensive language and culture commitment to preparing graduates program at the University of Mataram, with the skills and knowledge to Lombok. participate effectively in a globalised Senior Research Fellow at the Northern Institute, economy and workforce,” he said. Dr Andrew Taylor.

4 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 SNAPSHOT

Fellowship recipient raises bar on environmental art A Churchill Fellowship recipient from Mr Dahlsen also will study Vincent CDU will use the award to further his van Gogh’s work in Europe and how it work in environmental art. was influenced by Japanese prints. PhD candidate John Dahlsen said the fellowship would help him create art that promoted positive messages about protecting and regenerating the environment. “I want to make work that has not been seen before in Australia; work that helps to elevate environmental art to the highest levels,” Mr Dahlsen said. He will travel to Japan and adopt elite Japanese art woodblock, and other Japanese printing methods, into his work. “I hope to be able to raise the bar Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Sharon Bell in the field of environmental art by led the CDU delegation. incorporating elite printing practices into my own digital print works,” PhD candidate John Dahlsen is about to embark he said. on a Churchill Fellowship. Talks strengthen ties Northern development: within the North Partnering with Singapore Senior representatives of universities His Excellency Mr Philip Green OAM Singapore were at a positive moment and government from Timor-Leste, High Commissioner to Singapore in history, and that the growth of Indonesia and Australia have held a has given a special presentation at the middle-class in South-East Asia historic meeting to discuss building a CDU’s Northern Institute as part of provided great prospects for Northern strong, cohesive and sustainable region. the Institute’s 2014 series on the Australia agribusiness. The University Roundtable on Sub- development of Northern Australia. “There are 450 million people within Regional Development, which was His presentation focused on the five hours flight of Darwin and as the held in the Timor-Leste capital Dili, “complementarities” between Singapore middle-class grows, so does the demand is the first in an annual gathering to – a major centre of global wealth – and for protein,” he said. His Excellency has build understanding of critical issues the growing industries of Northern been High Commissioner in Singapore that face the wider region and to drive Australia. for the past 18 months. opportunities to build stability and He noted that Australia and prosperity. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Sharon Bell, who led the CDU delegation, said that universities had the capacity to help transform economies, Awards for online innovation contribute to social change and nurture CDU has received two international international awards were exceptional the next generation of leaders. awards for its innovative course recognition of CDU’s dedication to “Research points to the importance of on naturalist Charles Darwin and innovative on-line learning. strong social and cultural ties between the unique biodiversity of Northern “This is truly significant for our team, countries in the sub-region that will Australia. with thousands of institutions competing promote an environment that is stable, The university was recognised at the in this space,” Professor Carroll said. democratic and conducive to economic annual Blackboard Catalyst Awards for “The team of multimedia developers, participation and prosperity,” she said. its first Massive Open Online Course researchers and teaching staff designed In his opening address, Timor- entitled “Charles Darwin, Evolution the course to cater to a global audience Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao and Tropical Australia”, receiving a in an open educational environment,” stressed the role of universities in 2014 Exemplary Course Award and Professor Carroll said. educating for global citizenship and the a Directors’ Choice for Courses with Visit W: cdu.edu.au/imps/charles- need for inclusive and equitable growth Distinction. darwin-evolution-and-tropical-australia across the region. The next roundtable Pro Vice-Chancellor Academic will be held in Darwin in 2015. Professor Martin Carroll said the

5 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 SNAPSHOT A revolutionary

TEXT view of Katie Weiss IMAGES Hayley Richmond the bush

Animator Dan Hartney uses a specialised 360 degree panoramic tripod head to capture images of the bush.

Students can estimate the bushland’s ground cover in the Virtual Excursion.

6 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 SNAPSHOT

pecialists at CDU’s Innovative DAN HARTNEY reveals how he created an Media Production Studio (IMPS) interactive learning tool that brings the bush Shave brought the bush into the classrooms of ecology students with into the classroom. the development of a virtual field trip. At the request of ecology lecturer Dr Carla Eisemberg, IMPS developed the 360 Panoramic Virtual Excursion for students, who are physically unable to attend field trips, to gain field study skills digitally. Animator Dan Hartney made the The spherical crown densiometer Bottom The 360 Panoramic Virtual interactive learning tool by taking 36 is used in field studies to measure Excursion allows users to place a virtual canopy cover. crown densiometer over the virtual sky. photos of bushland with a 360 degree panoramic tripod head. He stitched together the digital images to create a 360 degree panoramic effect. The Virtual Excursion allows students to identify plants and engage in standard flora survey procedures. They also conduct virtual field studies using a virtual one-square metre quadrant to estimate ground cover. Canopy-cover measurements can be conducted with a virtual spherical crown densiometer, a mirror etched with 24 quarter-inch squares that reflect the canopy above. “It does give that real sensation of being in the bush,” Dr Eisemberg said.

Top Dan Hartney created the 360 Panoramic Virtual Excursion to bring the bush to aspiring ecologists. Above The Virtual Excursion helps students gain field study skills without leaving the classroom. Pictured: Muhamad Shimal and Kemi Alaba- Ekpo.

7 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 TEXT Katie Weiss IMAGES Hayley Richmond

People don’t seem to realise how brutal CDU Law lecturer Felicity human trafficking Gerry QC wants human traffic victims to be actually is. protected, not prosecuted. Lawyer leads fight against modern slavery 8 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 The vast majority of sex trafficking victims are women and girls. The industry thrives on force, fraud and coercion of victims.

FELICITY GERRY investigates a new approach victims of trafficking. Such allowances could be made under non-punishment by lawyers to end the widespread industry of and non-prosecution provisions in human trafficking. international law. “In the right case, it will be possible hile human trafficking is a catering and restaurants, domestic to argue that a trafficked individual highly lucrative industry that work, entertainment and the sex should not be prosecuted at all, or that Wextends to all corners of the industry. Women and children were by they should not be punished,” Miss globe, as a crime it often slips under the far the main victims of sex trafficking. Gerry said at the conference. public radar. But it has been firmly on As a law academic at Charles Darwin And it was not just criminal the agenda of barrister Felicity Gerry QC University, Miss Gerry has used her lawyers who Miss Gerry said had a for the past decade since she came face- position to educate lawyers from all responsibility to expose and prevent to-face with it while defending a woman disciplines about the action they can human trafficking, corporate lawyers in a human trafficking trial in the United take in countering this horrendous also could have an impact by ensuring Kingdom. crime. their clients avoided investments in According to the United Nations Miss Gerry entered this shocking exploited labour and applying existing Office on Drugs and Crime, the sectors world 10 years ago when she defended reporting obligations in relation to most frequently associated with a woman who was on trial for human criminal conduct. human trafficking are agriculture or trafficking. The woman was accused of “As a lawyer, it really should be your horticulture, construction, garments and being a madam in a brothel, controlling responsibility to look at how to avoid textiles under sweatshop conditions, women who were trafficked. She was associating the exploitation of people also accused of being the girlfriend with your client’s business,” Miss Gerry of one of the traffickers. Miss Gerry said. said she believed, however, that the She said lawyers representing clients woman was herself a victim of human in businesses such as construction VICTIMS AND PROFIT trafficking. or mining, which often employed Felicity explained: “Sometimes, subcontractors or migrant workers, where women suffer the brutality of could adopt policies to ensure the • The number of human trafficking being trafficked, they have to engage ethical treatment of their employees. victims in the world is almost as with the traffickers to survive.” The For example, lawyers could scrutinise big as the population of Australia, woman was found guilty and served a subcontractors to ensure their dealings at an estimated 21 million. seven-year prison sentence, but Miss were ethical, train their own legal staff • The Asia-Pacific region has the Gerry continues to give advice in the and report suspicions about human largest number of forced labourers, legal process to gather enough fresh exploitation. at almost 12 million. evidence to enable a full appeal. She “I think there is quite a move towards • While women and girls make up said people often refused to reveal in corporate responsibility globally,” Miss about 55 per cent of all forced court that they were victims of human Gerry said. “The question is whether it labour victims, they represent the trafficking for fear of the violent and filters through from grand statements vast majority of victims exploited degrading repercussions they might of corporate responsibilities to actual for commercial sex work. face if their traffickers discovered the reality.” • The estimated total profits made by disclosure. Ultimately, Miss Gerry said the issue forced labour each year worldwide “These people are so frightened that could only be prevented by improving is $160 billion. they don’t reveal they are human traffic livelihoods in underdeveloped countries, • Sexual exploitation makes up victims and are imprisoned rather than where many people became victims of two-thirds of these profits at an supported,” Miss Gerry said. human trafficking after being falsely estimated $105 billion a year. She told this year’s Northern promised better lives. Miss Gerry • Annual profits made per victim Territory Bar Association Conference in said widespread awareness was also range from $4100 to $37,100. Timor-Leste that defence lawyers could necessary to tackle the issue. play leading roles in identifying human “People don’t seem to realise how Facts based on 2014 International trafficking victims once the people brutal human trafficking actually is,” Labour Office report, “Profits and entered the legal system. Miss Gerry she said. “Maybe it is because we have Poverty: The economics of forced said victims could gain access to support used a neutral word that doesn’t really labour”. services, rather than go to jail, if their describe how serious it is. It is slavery.” defence lawyers could prove they were

9 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 Social ills grow as goals move out of sight Research by psychologist SIMON MOSS into organisations’ impact on the wellbeing of individuals has potentially far-reaching consequences for wider society.

he disconnect that people often Dr Moss’ study involved asking feel between the work they are people from many communities across Tdoing and the vision they have Australia to undertake tasks that of themselves in the future is being either instilled or inhibited a sense of explored in a nationwide investigation connection to the future – and then into worker “dissociation”. examined the effects of these tasks on Senior lecturer in the School of wellbeing, motivation and productivity. Psychological and Clinical Sciences at These studies, undertaken with Dr Charles Darwin University, Dr Simon Samuel Wilson, from Swinburne Moss said he expected that the research University, began in 2012 and initial findings would deliver benefits across results will be published this year. both the public and the private sectors. Dr Moss said that the research “Our research shows that a whole findings would benefit both the public raft of problems in society – from and the private sectors. substance abuse, alcoholism and crime “If dysfunctional organisational to anxiety and depression – can be structures are contributing to social ascribed to an overlapping cause: a problems then improving these feeling in people that perhaps their structures will have a flow-on effect. activities or life now is dissociated from Interventions by management could their hopes and aspirations for the significantly diminish an array of future,” Dr Moss said. mental illnesses and self-destructive “Many recent trends in society, behaviours, as well as work- such as the increasing instability and related issues such as bullying and inequality of jobs, exacerbate this harassment.” dissociation from the future.” As a psychologist with a particular Dr Moss’ research has further found interest in organisational behaviour, that this disconnect motivates people Dr Moss’ primary research focus is on to “feel good” in the short-term rather how organisations impact on mental than strive for long-term goals. “In the health and well-being, both of which are 1960s and 1970s people tended to stay fundamental to the effective functioning in jobs longer and set long-term goals. of an organisation. They were confident that with steady “Setting targets and goals is fine, work these goals could be achieved. but imposing them on employees and “Our research has found that many striving for them without creating people no longer feel this confidence, stability and without giving people a which leads them to ‘short-term’ feel- sense of purpose and ownership is good behaviours, which are often self- counter-productive. It just makes people destructive,” he said. stressed out and, paradoxically, less productive.”

10 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 TEXT Jane Hampson MAIN IMAGE Hayley Richmond

Senior lecturer Simon Moss is investigating the influence of organisations on mental health.

Instability and inequality of jobs exacerbate this dissociation from the future.

11 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 Partners in slime MENZIES SCHOOL of HEALTH RESEARCH is using DNA-sequencing technologies to TEXT unravel the bacterial mechanisms that lead to Lucy Barnard the development and persistence of chronic IMAGES Menzies School of Health Research infections in Indigenous children. Telethon Kids Institute

ndigenous children in the Northern into ears and lungs where chronic towards a comprehensive model of Territory suffer alarmingly high infections may develop. Untreated chronic airway infections. Irates of chronic middle ear and lung chronic lung infections can result in As part of this program, Menzies infections. Recent surveys have found loss of lung function and reduced life researchers have partnered with Dr that about 20 per cent of these children expectancy. Bronchiectasis is a severe Ruth Thornton, from the University have holes in their eardrums, a rate form of chronic lung disease that affects of Western Australia’s School of substantially higher than the four per 1 in 68 Indigenous Territory children. Paediatrics and Child Health, to assist cent level described by the World Health Indigenous adults with this disease die in understanding the role of biofilm in Organisation as indicating a public in their 30s and 40s. chronic respiratory infections. health emergency. Effective prevention and treatment “We are only just beginning More than 90 per cent of young strategies are needed to halt these to understand the importance of Indigenous children in remote Northern diseases before long-term consequences biofilms or ‘bacterial slime’ in a lot Territory communities suffer from develop. Achieving such broad spectrum of chronic and recurrent infections middle ear infections at any one time. treatments, however, remains a including middle ear infections and These infections cause a degree of challenge for researchers and health lung infections. Studying biofilms is hearing loss, which if left untreated can professionals. really important as bacteria residing affect educational outcomes, lead to Building on more than 20 years’ in this slime are protected from the social disadvantage and other life-long experience, Dr Heidi Smith-Vaughan children’s immune response and are up consequences. is using whole genome sequencing to a thousand times more resistant to Dr Robyn Marsh and Dr Heidi methods to characterise one of the most antibiotics, meaning that many of the Smith-Vaughan, from Menzies School important bacteria in chronic paediatric treatments we use aren’t helping,” Dr of Health Research, are using DNA- ear and lung infections, Haemophilus Thornton said. sequencing technologies to unravel the influenzae. “In Western Australia, we have bacterial mechanisms that lead to the “Haemophilus influenzae is a highly previously uncovered biofilms present development and persistence of these diverse bacterium of which different and contributing to middle ear chronic infections. strains can use different mechanisms infections. Now with our collaboration Dr Marsh said that the microbiology to initiate and progress disease. We are with Dr Marsh and Dr Smith-Vaughan underlying chronic ear and lung studying the genomic diversity of H. at Menzies we are uncovering biofilms infections could be extremely complex. influenzae, including its mechanisms in the lungs of children with lung “We know from earlier culture-based of pathogenesis and interaction with disease.” studies that many different bacteria the host immune system,” Dr Smith- Understanding biofilms and their can be present in the ears or lungs of Vaughan said. resistance to antibiotics has important children with chronic infections. When “In collaboration with Dr Marsh, we clinical implications. Dr Thornton’s we use DNA-based methods we find that are now trying to understand how H. earlier work has already translated even more bacteria are present. influenzae strains behave when they are into clinical trials of a new anti-biofilm “Our current research aims to in complex mixed bacterial communities therapy to improve treatment outcomes work out how these complex bacterial to take us another step closer to for children with middle ear infections. communities develop and what key understanding the puzzle of treating this The Menzies and University of Western mechanisms contribute to tissue complex condition.” Australia team has recently received destruction and disease progression as Central to their research is an further funding from the Financial this is an important first step towards established multi-disciplinary team Markets Foundation for Children that the development of new treatments.” of clinicians, microbiologists and will extend their biofilm research in Bacteria in the nose can travel deep immunologists working collaboratively children with chronic lung disease. 1➔2 ➔3 ➔ Dr Robyn Marsh: “When we use DNA-based Dr Heidi Smith-Vaughan conducts routine tests in Research partner Dr Ruth Thornton, from the methods we find that even more bacteria are the respiratory laboratory. University of Western Australia’s School of present.” Paediatrics and Child Health, conducts an ear examination.

12 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 Specialist imaging technique: Confocal laser scanning microscopy image shows a biofi lm detected from a child with lung disease. Arrows indicate clusters of bacteria in biofi lm formation.

Bacteria residing in this slime … are up to 1000 times more resistant to antibiotics. 1 2 3

13 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 TEXT Amy Kimber IMAGES Michael Lawrence-Taylor Research Assistant Duncan Buckle is part of the team from Charles Darwin University and Northern Territory Fisheries that is using radio-tracking technology to discover where barramundi and Where do forktail catfish are moving big fish go during the wet season. in the wet The South Alligator River system is the largest in Kakadu and contains extensive season? river channels and floodplains. A variety of techniques is being used to detect the movements of big fish in Kakadu National Park and the Daly River region of the Northern Territory. Researcher DAVID CROOK and his team are working to understand the connectivity between the floodplain, river The movement and ocean. patterns are much more complex than we had expected.

hile it is clear that fish such as they make up a large part of the moved up to 50 barramundi use the floodplain biomass in Kakadu’s river systems,” Dr km from where Wat times, many questions Crook said. they were released, remain: How long do fish stay on the The fish were caught from the Yellow while the catfish moved floodplain; how far do they move; are Waters area of Kakadu National Park, a up to 20 km. After the first major there preferred fish habitats, and what wetland system that is part of the South rainfall in early December, researchers do fish do as the water recedes and the Alligator River floodplain. This river noted a big spike in fish movement, with floodplains begin to dry out? system, which is the largest in Kakadu, some moving several kilometres out on In October 2013, Principal Research contains extensive wetlands that include to the floodplains and even disappearing Fellow at the School of Environment, river channels and floodplains. altogether from the 3000 sq km area Associate Professor David Crook and Acoustic and radio-transmitters were being surveyed by helicopter. his team began to investigate the surgically implanted into the fish. The As the waters receded most of the movements of 65 barramundi and acoustic tags were detected using an fish moved back to the billabong system 55 forktail catfish throughout the wet extensive array of fixed receivers, while in which they were tagged. In many season. the movements of the radio-tagged fish cases their last recorded location in May “We are investigating these species were tracked by boat and helicopter 2014 was within a couple of hundred because they are important to every two weeks until May 2014. metres from their original tagging recreational and commercial fishermen The research team saw a range of location. and for traditional harvest, and because fascinating behaviours. The barramundi “Anecdotal information suggests

14 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 Above Research Assistant Duncan Buckle and Top There was a big spike in fish Associate Professor David Crook (standing) are movement after the first major combining electrofishing, tracking and ear stone rainfall in early December. Some fish chemistry to monitor key species in Northern disappeared from the 3000 sq km area Territory rivers. being surveyed by helicopter. that a lot of the species in the Northern way that they do in humans. They are as a larvae and juvenile. In southern Territory may be diadromous, meaning made of calcium carbonate, and as fish Australia, a lot of the connectivity they migrate between the ocean and grow, growth rings similar to those between river channels and nearby freshwater during their lives,” Dr Crook found in tree trunks are deposited as habitats was cut off by human activities said. chemicals from the surrounding water before we had any of these tools to “While our findings are showing that are locked into the otolith structure. measure the impact. Up here, we’ve still at least some tagged fish move between By analysing these chemicals, got relatively pristine systems to study fresh and saline water, the movement researchers can determine not only the importance of connected catchments patterns are much more complex than the age of the fish, but also where it and coasts. we had expected and there is a lot has been at various stages in its life. “We hope that the findings from this of individual variation in movement “Tracking and otolith chemistry are research will ensure that policy and behaviour,” he said. complementary techniques. Although management decisions regarding our The research team has also used tracking provides very fine-scale detail fisheries and their habitats can be made otolith chemistry to determine whole- of fish movements, we can only monitor using sound scientific evidence.” of-lifetime movements of ecologically the movements of fish large enough to important fish species in the Daly River, be tagged,” Dr Crook said. Dr David Crook is one of several hundred such as catfish and mullet. Otoliths are “Otolith chemistry allows us to go researchers funded by the Australian the ear stones of fish, functioning for right back to the early life history of Government’s National Environmental hearing and balance in much the same a fish to work out where it was living Research Program.

15 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 Picture emerges of northern dolphins

ff the coast of Northern Australia, As an ecologist with NT Parks and With scant previous a fin cracks the surface of the Wildlife, Carol Palmer is no stranger to scientific exploration Omirror-flat sea. Water explodes researching the NT’s threatened wildlife. from the blowhole on a smooth black During the past 20 years she has of dolphin species head before the elegant creature glides travelled throughout the NT working on in Northern back into the deep. Sightseers on the flying foxes, Gouldian finches, golden nearby boat erupt with excitement as bandicoots, Carpentaria rock-rats and Territory waters and they spot the curious dolphin that has green turtles. come along side. It’s a false killer whale, But her focus moved from the land to development around one of four species being investigated the water and coastal dolphins in 2007 the coast on the by Charles Darwin University PhD when she began a PhD. Since then she candidate Carol Palmer. has been scouring the coastline and rise, PhD candidate “There is nothing quite like locking rivers, racking up more than 324 days eyes with a six-metre false killer whale traversing approximately 10,000 km of CAROL PALMER has as it surfaces along the side of the boat,” coastal areas in search of four species of discovered crucial Ms Palmer said. dolphin. “There is a real knowledge gap about “In 2007 almost no research had information that the species of costal dolphins found in been carried out on either whales or Top End waters. Until recently we had dolphins in the Northern Territory,” Ms will help secure the very little information on the species in Palmer said. “We did suspect that, like species’ future. monsoonal Northern Australia. There the tropical waters around Queensland, was also concern due to development the NT may have species of snubfin, pressures in Darwin Harbour. With no humpback and bottlenose dolphins. baseline data, there was no information “We knew that to conserve and on their status and how best to manage these species effectively we undertake on-ground conservation needed to improve our understanding management actions.” of their distribution and abundance,

Carol Palmer has discovered crucial information that will help secure dolphin species.

TEXT Leanne Coleman PHOTOS Carol Palmer Bottlenose dolphins are more well-known Hayley Richmond and sociable.

16 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 Snubfin dolphins are more cryptic than other species.

and species genetics.” Beginning her Ms Palmer’s genetic and taxonomic “It became clear that all dolphin research in the South and East Alligator work on these species would help to species in northern waters were Rivers in Kakadu National Park, Ms clarify the species status socialising with each other so Palmer found that some species of of the humpback and my research grew to include dolphins were travelling as much as 60 snubfin dolphins across more well-known and km upstream in these major tidal rivers. Australia. There is nothing sociable species, the “The snubfin and humpback species “We discovered quite like locking bottlenose dolphin and are more cryptic than others, and are that the described a surprise addition more difficult to find. Many people Australian snubfin eyes with a six- of false killer whales may be fishing in areas and not even Orcaella heinsohni in metre false killer Pseudorca crassidens, know they are there. It is really a case Queensland waters after they were found of quietly approaching an area you was also the same whale as it surfaces in Port Essington and think the species may inhabit and then species found in the along the side of Darwin Harbour.” waiting for a small glimmer of a dorsal NT and the Kimberley,” She worked fin in the sunlight underwater. They can she said. “Previously the the boat. to gather further feed in muddy and turbid waters and do ‘snubby’ was known as the genetic samples and not bow-ride like other dolphin species.” irrawaddy dolphin photograph the dorsal fins O. brevirostris found in tropical of the dolphins to identify waters off Indonesia and individuals and provide Australia, but our biopsy baseline population estimates. samples from free-ranging She also worked to collate existing and snubfin clarified that this species, historical data. heinsohni, is the same species that “The dorsal fins of dolphins are like occurs in Queensland. a fingerprint,” she said. “Each one has “Our sampling also has markings or scars that we can use to supported a collaborative distinguish individuals. We also started research project helping to a community sighting database, where confirm that the humpback people could send in their pictures dolphin found in the NT and videos of dolphins along with the waters that was known as the GPS coordinates of where they were Indo-Pacific humpback Sousa sighted.” chinensis is in fact an Australian For the first time she began piecing species now known as the Australian together information about their humpback Sousa sahulensis found in population size and distribution in Australian waters.” the NT, including the areas that were In 2008, Ms Palmer also began important for mothers and calves, and surveying areas in Coburg Marine Park where they lived. These population (Garig Gunak Barlu National Park) estimates would be the first in located in Arnhem Land and Darwin monsoonal Northern Australia for all Harbour. “Port Essington, located in three species. Coburg Marine Park, is a hotspot for “What we now know is that the dolphins and the area appears to be a dolphins found in the NT occur in small critical habitat for the species,” she said. groups of between one to 12 individuals;

17 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 they are slow-growing and long-lived, living to the age of around 50 years,” she said. “They also only breed once they reach the age of six, have a long gestation period of 12 months and will parent their young for three or four years. “This life history is very similar to dugongs. Research on dugongs suggests that the loss of as little as two per cent of breeding females could cause population numbers to start dropping.” Ms Palmer said that understanding these characteristics was important for Dolphin species in northern waters socialise with each other. the future management of the species. “We have estimated there are approximately 200 snubfi n dolphins in Coburg Marine Park spread widely in pods. This means that with a loss of as few as four breeding individuals in one year within this group, this population could start to decline. “We also know that although some groups travel to the big tidal rivers to feed, they probably have a limited home range,” she said. “We also think that the females don’t stray too far from where they are born. These characteristics combined mean that these species are naturally vulnerable.”

Ms Palmer recently submitted her PhD thesis entitled “Conservation biology of dolphins in coastal waters of the Northern Territory, Markings or scars on dorsal fi ns help researchers distinguish individuals. Australia”.

The research provided the fi rst population estimates in monsoonal Northern Australia for all three species.

HAVE YOU SEEN A DOLPHIN OR WHALE IN NT WATERS?

Contact: Marine WildWatch 1800 453 941.

18 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 n eminent science historian recently completed her year A as CDU’s first Charles Darwin Scholar. Harvard University Aramont Welcome TEXT Professor of the History of Science Leanne Coleman Janet Browne presented public lectures during her recent visit to Casuarina and IMAGE Alice Springs campuses. Hayley Richmond Explaining her interest in the history to the first of science, Professor Browne said: “With such significant accomplishments in science today, I think it is important to understand how we got to where Charles Darwin we are. Charles Darwin was such a prominent feature in science history and his theories are still in use today.” Professor Browne is widely known The first Charles Darwin Scholar, for her work on the history of 19th Scholar Professor Janet Browne. Century biology and specialises in re- evaluating the life, times and work of Charles Darwin. During her visit to the Northern Territory, Professor Browne delivered the first Charles Darwin Oration entitled “Charles Darwin: His Life in Public and Private” in Darwin and Alice Springs. She also participated in CDU’s first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) entitled “Charles Darwin, Evolution and Tropical Australia”. “The Northern Territory is simply stunning,” she said. “It has been a very special experience visiting CDU. I was not only thrilled to visit and learn about the natural environment and Indigenous culture, but also to meet the staff and students. A highlight was participating in the MOOC and I also hope to participate in further collaborative projects with CDU.” It has been a Professor Browne also thanked her hosts at CDU, the Northern Institute, very special saying she felt privileged to learn about experience its important work. visiting CDU. Among her many achievements, Professor Browne received critical acclaim for her two-volume biography of Darwin, Charles Darwin: Voyaging (1995) and Charles Darwin: The Power of Place (2002), described by reviewers as “monumental” and “definitive”, and has won the National Book Critics Circle Award for biography, the Pfizer Prize for Biography from the British History of Science Society, and the Royal Society of Literature Prize. Charles Darwin Scholars are eminent and accomplished researchers in either the history of Charles Darwin, evolutionary biology, or fields closely related to either of these areas, from across the world. The Scholars hold the honorary position for 12 months during which time they will visit Darwin for a short period to deliver the annual Charles Darwin Oration and collaborate with staff and students. 19 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 conditions and can experience similar types of physical stress, making them ‘industrial athletes’. “The NCCTRC has monitored Refreshing disaster and emergency responders to assess heat stress while working in hot conditions, the impact of heat acclimatisation and field cooling research strategies to maximise health, safety and performance. The research is being applied locally, nationally and internationally, most recently to assist health care workers in targets heat biological suits responding to the Ebola virus We have also outbreak in West Africa. identified a ‘heat We are translating this stress methodology to assist hangover’ from NT industry with heat consecutive days of stress management ELSPETH OPPERMANN TEXT strategies.” Leanne Coleman strenuous work in Dr Brearley said and MATT BREARLEY the heat. they had found that IMAGES many of the current are combining research Hayley Richmond strategies regarding heat stress were ineffective. talents to build a “Workers resting in the picture of the impacts shade during their break provides very limited cooling in of heat stress on harsh NT conditions,” he said. “We workers. have also identified a ‘heat hangover’ from consecutive days of strenuous work in the heat. More effective cooling or outdoor workers in the Top humidity for more than half the year, techniques are required on-site to End of Australia, the build- but little was known about the social maintain work capacity and safety, and Fup (October to December) and organisational mechanisms through limit the heat hangover phenomenon. means working in stifling heat, with which heat stress was managed in “We have completed comprehensive temperatures regularly exceeding 33°C practice. studies of cooling strategies inclusive and humidity levels of up to 80 per cent. “The impact of combined high levels of misting fans, water immersion, To find out more about how workers of humidity and heat on productivity, slushies (crushed ice), ice vests and ice experience and respond to these wellbeing and the safety of workers is towels, with tailored strategies making a conditions, researchers are combining not commonly recognised in the NT,” Dr difference for emergency responders.” social analysis with core-temperature Oppermann said. He said Dr Oppermann’s research monitoring technology usually reserved “We are talking to workers about would address a gap in the research. for elite athletes. the level of heat stress they are “There is limited knowledge regarding The Northern Territory is experiencing on the job, and how they the social side of the research,” he said. experiencing an oil and gas boom, and are handling it. We want to get a better “It is vital due to the varying degrees workers from across Australia and understanding of what workplace of understanding of climate, workload internationally are looking towards physical, social and cultural conditions and associated behaviour of workers in capitalising on the opportunities. The might be enabling or reducing capacity the NT. There is no point in coming up transient nature of the workers and to manage heat stress.” with new physical strategies if we don’t weather extremes make research into Dr Oppermann is working with Dr understand how workers deal with heat the impacts of heat stress not only vital Matt Brearley, from the NCCTRC, to and how they manage themselves.” for safety, but also for peace of mind for build on their state-of-the-art heat The two-pronged approach of workers and industry alike. stress research program, monitoring combining the social and physiological The team from Charles Darwin individual physiological responses analysis aims to give an overall picture University and the National Critical Care in real-time and linking these to the and improve the chances of a strategy’s and Trauma Response Centre (NCCTRC) physical workloads and environmental success. is assessing the impacts of heat stress conditions. “This research will give us a unique on labour-intensive industries in the NT “It is the sort of monitoring insight into the daily, practical decisions to help improve current work-related previously reserved for elite athletes to people are making and why. If we can heat stress management strategies. improve performance and win medals,” find out how people manage themselves CDU social researcher Dr Elspeth Dr Brearley said. “In the NT, those throughout the day, we not only can Oppermann said the Top End working in labour-intensive industries determine knowledge gaps but also experienced severe levels of heat and are periodically exposed to hot understand behaviour” Dr Brearley said.

20 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 “The workforce in the NT is very transient. We will be interested to explore the differences between local workers and those from interstate or overseas; what beliefs and behaviours regarding heat stress they arrived with, and whether these have changed through their experiences here. “Through the integration of physiological and social analysis, we hope to generate a strong evidence base for organisational interventions to improve heat stress management that is genuinely responsive to the work that they do, and the people who do it.” Like the onset of the cool Dr Matt Brearley is monitoring individual physiological responses in real-time. monsoonal rains in the months following the “build up”, for those working outdoors in one of the country’s most extreme environments, this research could help bring some relief. The ongoing project is entitled “Organisational change and social learning: cultures, behaviours and structures in managing heat stress in the Top End”.

A pill measures and transmits core body temperature to the research team for Research into the impacts of heat stress are not analysis. only vital for safety, but also for peace of mind.

THE DANGERS OF HEAT

Within the first couple of days of Since then he has joined company moving to the Northern Territory BMD as the leading hand of the from Wexford in Ireland, David Walsh pipe and road crew working on the returned to his accommodation one Muirhead development near Darwin. evening to feel the onset of what he The company regularly invites Matt thought was a stroke. He had no idea Brearley to talk to staff about heat- that it was sunstroke. stress management. “We had been at the wave pool and “It has been a steep learning curve I got really sunburnt,” David said. “I for me,” David said. “I realise now how had no idea that the sun could make much there is to know about working you sick, or about water and shielding in the NT’s conditions. Two litres of your skin from the sun.” water is nothing. We also receive a lot Arriving in the Territory on a of education, such as checking your construction working visa, he took a urine. I now keep drinking water long job laying pipes. “At first the weather after I get home for the day. Previously was unbearable,” he said. “I was I had been going to bed dehydrated wearing a singlet and shorts on-site and it was a cycle. and thought that two litres of water “As a lead man I also want to make was the amount I was supposed to sure that the other workers understand drink. It was the complete reverse to the dangers, particularly if they are not Ireland where we are usually trying to local, and I make sure I know the signs keep warm by drinking soup out of a of dehydration. No-one wants to see David Walsh said dealing with heat stress thermos on our break.” anyone sick, or hurt on-site.” has been a steep learning curve.

21 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 Finding hope for the future in the past

PENELOPE BERGEN is exploring how the meeting of two cultures in the most remote corner of Indigenous Australia may inform better policy in the future.

TEXT and IMAGE Patrick Nelson

22 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 classical violinist and magical white-fellas to the remotest corners of realism novelist who was Australia, and how might these lessons A born on a tropical island has inform Indigenous affairs in the future?” just begun her next “life-changing This move into the centre of Australia adventure” with Charles Darwin was in stark contrast to her previous University, as a PhD candidate in Alice decade, which was spent mostly in the Springs. Netherlands playing chamber music as Penelope Bergen, also a former a freelance violinist, and her childhood deputy editor of the Red Centre’s on the island of Bougainville, Papua Centralian Advocate newspaper, New Guinea, where she spent seven said she would relish the academic fun-fi lled years without television, experience, as daunting as the challenge telephones or shoes. might seem at the start. Then Penelope’s Dutch-born father Having worked for the United relocated the family to country New Nations in Timor-Leste as a consultant South Wales, shortly after which radio production trainer, Penelope’s the youngest of four children was time in Central Australia began in “discovered” for her musical acumen 2007 in Yuendumu, a community of and sent to an eisteddfod. about 700 people 300 km northwest This might have been a tough of Alice Springs, where she took up a experience for a youngster from the radio training position. Her interest bush, but it represented a critical in her thesis topic grew from these milestone in her childhood. “I was the experiences. shyest kid in the world and didn’t speak “It’s exciting and terrifying in equal to anyone outside of my family, when all measure, but I’ve never been afraid of a sudden I was expected to sing in a to test the limits of my capabilities,” massive town hall. I had never been so Penelope said. mortifi ed.” “I’m investigating the history of She clearly adapted quickly. By government intervention into remote age 11, Penelope had met esteemed Aboriginal Australia with a view Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki (in to tracing the roots of some of the Japan) and had played at the Sydney failures and successes of policies such Opera House, and by 15 she knew she as the Northern Territory Emergency wanted to be a professional violinist. Response, and Stronger Futures.” Her It was a career that took her to the thesis is entitled “Between the State Netherlands, where between musical and the Blackfellas, 1964–74: the story engagements, she penned the novel of failure and success in Indigenous Heaven is Covered with Postage affairs”. Stamps, and made a radio documentary She said she planned to that paved the start of a career in base her research on the journalism. observations of people “Being a musician helped who administered and I’ve never me as a journalist. Having applied these policies, or been afraid studied composition I knew who were on the ground how to start something, and experienced their to test the piece things together, work implementation and the limits of my with voices, develop ideas effects they had. and fi nish something. Penelope said the project capabilities. “Writing the novel was would focus on the Australian also constructive in that Government’s development I experienced the growth, of new communities in the development and evolution of Western Desert and far north one little idea. It was a process of South Australia between of constant renewing, changing and 1964 and 1974. “There were Aboriginal letting go. I expect all of this will come people in the area who were yet to have into play during my academic venture.” ‘fi rst contact’ with European culture Penelope, who still regularly plays the during that period. violin, said she had two more novels “in “What can we learn about the success her head”, but these would have to wait or effectiveness of interventionist until she has fi nished the thesis. We will policies that brought well-intentioned stay tuned.

23 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 TEXT Jane Hampson IMAGE Hayley Richmond

A portion of Brown’s Mart in Darwin. At the time of its construction in 1885, it was one of the few privately owned commercial buildings built using local stone rather than corrugated iron.

24 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 Ode to resilient, contradictory Darwin

arwin, written by anthropologist implications of this are only just Darwin, the only Associate Professor Tess Lea, is beginning to be discussed in the public Australian capital city Done in a series of books about arena. Forums sponsored by CDU’s Australia’s capital cities published by Northern Institute are leading the way named after a major NewSouth Press, Sydney. in this regard.” public intellectual, “[NewSouth Executive Publisher] Dr Lea’s own recollections of growing Phillipa McGuinness asked me to up in Darwin are woven throughout her is now the subject suggest a local fiction writer to take on book; indeed the book begins with her the job of excavating Darwin’s history,” own account of surviving Cyclone Tracy of a book by an Dr Lea said. “I suggested lots of names, as a young girl. And while her very fond academic. The “great as Darwin has much creative talent, but connection with her subject is evident, I then thought about it overnight, the Dr Lea’s take on Darwin, past, present thinker” mantle is a idea wouldn’t leave me. I realised it was and future is notably devoid of romance. a book I had to write. This book is my Particularly for Old Darwin: A quasi- seeming contradiction ode to Darwin, to my hometown.” mythological, multicultural frontier- for the Top End’s The resulting work, a nifty 50,000 town that has been razed and rebuilt words that took a year to craft, is a and razed again as Darwin, the eternal frontier capital, but hybrid creation: a social history, an survivor, has reinvented itself. anthropological study and a memoir. “I understand the romance, but I as TESS LEA’s book It is also an adept evocation of a place don’t share it. As an anthropologist I’m Darwin reveals, swathed in heat, which considers how trained not to,” Dr Lea said. “I wanted geology, topography, climate and social to avoid clichés about Darwin’s past and this contradiction is history have shaped Darwin’s soul. include all of Darwin’s contradictions: merely the first of “We have such a human-centred view the beauty and the ugliness, the of history, and I wanted to consider the multiculturalism and the racism.” many. non-human forces that have shaped While Darwin has been praised for us,” Dr Lea said. “Mosquitoes have its literary edge and journalistic flair, Dr limited where we can build, so Darwin’s Lea points out that academic rigour was suburbs are all compressed, while heat foremost in her mind as she wrote the and extreme weather make possessions book. Author and academic Associate Professor almost meaningless.” “I knew I was writing for two Tess Lea: “Heat and extreme weather make Darwin also touches on issues audiences: people who knew what I was possessions [in Darwin] almost meaningless.” around climate change, development talking about, and those who didn’t. I and the build-up of United States armed was writing both an academic essay and forces in the North – issues that an airport read. My research provided go beyond the image of the Top ‘academic scaffolding’ for what I was I wanted to End capital as a laidback, writing. It kept it rigorous. In a tighter consider the out-of-the way place full of setting you can’t get away with loose crocs, eccentric locals and concepts. non-human Aboriginal art. Darwin is “There is now a real pressure forces that have the first Australian city to on academics to make their work have known war, enduring ‘accessible’ to wider audiences,” Dr shaped us. extensive bombing raids Lea said. “But it is important to tack during World War II, and a between the two – between writing for growing US defence presence both an informed and broader audience. means that the military, more “As academics our value-add is than ever, is a major part of in our expertise. That is our point of Darwin’s raison d’être. difference.” “Darwin is a garrison town. It wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for Defence. Dr Lea is an Adjunct Professor with CDU’s And its strategic importance is Northern Institute and an ARC QEII Fellow at growing,” Dr Lea said. the University of Sydney. “There’s a growing US defence Darwin by Tess Lea, NewSouth Publishing, presence in the North, and the 2014. W: newsouthpublishing.com

25 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 Q AND A

26 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 Q AND A

When pharmacist HANA MORRISSEY left INTERVIEW the Australian Army after 17 years, she still Robyn McDougall sought the excitement she had enjoyed in her IMAGE military career. She found it in teaching and Hayley Richmond researching in pharmacy and as an instructor in mental health first aid.

What sparked your initial interest in You are an instructor in mental health How would you describe the most pharmacy? first aid. Given that more people in rewarding moment in your career? Australia are affected by mental health My uncle from my mother’s side was a issues than by heart disease, why does Every time I finish a degree or research pharmacist academic. He had his PhD mental illness have such a negative project it feels like it is the most from the University of Adelaide. I loved profile? rewarding moment ever, and this is what he did and wanted to be like him. why I have not stopped studying or My parents wanted me to do medicine If we follow what many people say researching since I graduated in 1982. like my other uncle and my older sister, “seeing is believing”, this may explain If you were not a pharmacist and but it was not my passion. why. People can see someone with a broken leg, or someone having an university lecturer what would you be? How did you become a university asthma or heart attack. They have a If not a pharmacist probably I would lecturer? Was there a turning point that physical presentation, but we cannot see have been a medical practitioner, and if brought you along this path? mental illness in the same way. Even not an academic probably I would have After 17 years in the Australian Regular when mental illness shows physical remained in the Army full time. Army as a full-time officer, I wanted to signs, people often relate those signs to retire to a civilian career as exciting personal weakness as they may present What interests you outside your work? as my military career. Academia and as fatigue or pain. Also some cultures My three daughters (31, 28 and 22 research was the only option to catch and religions do not see mental illness years); Rotary; cross country running up with the dream that got me into as medical conditions. As a result of and long-distance walking. pharmacy in the first place. Now I am the poor awareness of mental illness having the three worlds I love: I am still some people in power positions such What is the best advice you have received and who offered it? an Australian Active Reserve officer, a as employers, landlords, and teachers research-active academic and a hospital discriminate against people with mental Be myself not what others want me to pharmacist. illness by excluding them, which usually be. My mother offered it and she led by makes the mentally ill person’s quality example. You have a special interest in of life worse, but it also stops people challenging stigmas connected with from seeking help in an effort to avoid Who or what inspires you? mental health. How did this interest discrimination. develop? Not humans but dogs. They do not care how they look, they are very smart, In 2007, I took long service leave What do you find most challenging in working in the space of mental illness? good communicators without using a from the Army and worked as the word, they offer unconditional love, and Director of Pharmacy in Justice Health I think the most challenging part is they are competitive, always playful, NSW, a state-wide health service for the first two hours in each mental forgiving, and funny. They never grow corrective services facilities. It was an health first aid workshop, getting the up and always radiate happiness. eye-opener to see the large number message through to people who have of people who were suffering from nothing in common, sitting in the same mental illnesses there. This started room, many doing the course because me thinking that, if they were treated they have to do it for work, coming early and appropriately, could their from around the world with different current situation have been prevented? beliefs and different cultures. It is very I started to study mental health. I took rewarding, however, to see the positive a two-year postgraduate diploma in energy after that and to read their community mental health at Monash feedback appreciating the knowledge University and have not stopped since I and how they will use it to help others. finished it in 2010.

27 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 CDU PUBLISHING ACHIEVEMENTS

Climate Change Adaptation Plan commemorated, who was given the European National Identities for Australian Birds honour of opening those facilities and, explores the diversity of European in many cases, what entity was listed states, nations, and peoples. In doing Edited by Professor Stephen as providing the necessary funds. The so, the editors focus on the origins and Garnett and Dr Donald Franklin existence of such plaques and what elements of different national identities Published May 2014, CSIRO Publishing, is written on them is almost never in Europe and different themes of ISBN 9780643108028 without political signifi cance. Indeed, national self-understanding. Each the plaques tell us much about the chapter contributes a unique view of This is the fi rst educational aspirations of a small national identities gravitating around climate change community in regional Australia and the myth, historical experiences and adaptation plan often confl icting responses of local and traumas, values, ethnic and linguistic produced for a federal governments, each pursuing its differences, and religious fault lines. national faunal own political agenda. This work grounds European group anywhere national identities within cultural, in the world. It From Hospital to University: A historical, and political dynamics, outlines the nature Northern Territory nursing story which makes the work approachable of threats from for many readers, including historians, climate change to (Janie) Elizabeth Anne Mason sociologists and political scientists. the Australian bird Published May 2014, Historical Society In addition, the editors illustrate that taxa, and provides of the Northern Territory Inc, Darwin, national identities continue to be a recommendations on what might be ISBN 9781921576973 source of contention and a challenge to done to assist them and approximate political development. This book draws costs of doing so. It also features an This nursing particular attention to identity shifts and analysis of how climate change will story tells of the confl icts within individual European affect all Australian birds, explains struggle to achieve countries. why some species are likely to be more local access to exposed or sensitive to it than others, tertiary nursing Order & Revolt: Debating the and explores the theory and practice of studies. It is a Principles of Eastern & Western conservation management under the unique Territory Social Thought realities of a changing climate. story about the Species profi les include maps transition of Edited by Wayne Cristaudo, showing current core habitat and nursing education Professor of Politics at Charles modelled climatic suitability based from hospital to Darwin University; Heung Wah on historical records, as well as maps university. This Wong, Global Creative Industries; showing projected climatic suitability in was the last jurisdiction in Australia and Sun Youzhong, Beijing Foreign 2085 in relation to current core habitat. to achieve tertiary nursing education Studies University Climate Change Adaptation Plan programs outside hospital schools of Published March 2014, Bridge21 for Australian Birds is an important nursing. This outline of nurse training Publications, ISBN 9781626430044 reference for policy makers, and education for Australia’s Northern paperback and eBook conservation scientists, land managers, Territory evolved from the fi rst nurses climate change adaptation biologists, coming to the remote north in 1874. These original as well as bird watchers and advocacy essays debate groups. European National Identities: two ways of Elements, Transitions, Conflicts theorizing social A History Written in Metal – life. One way is Edited by Roland Vogt, University Commemorative Plaques at the integrative or of Hong Kong; Wayne Cristaudo, Charles Darwin University’s holistic model of Professor of Politics at Charles Casuarina Campus, 1972–2013 thought typifi ed Darwin University; and Andreas in the writings Steven Farram Leutzsch, University of Hong Kong of Confucius and Published July 2014, Historical Society Published January 2014, Transaction John Dewey. The of the Northern Territory Inc, Darwin, Publishers, ISBN 9781412852685 other way, the ISBN 9781921576997 hardcover and eBook revolutionary tradition, is suspicious of holism and This book looks at the history of Making sense of harmony as principles of social thought Charles Darwin University through the perplexing because harmony is seen as something an examination of the many diversity of Europe that can genuinely occur only when a commemorative plaques to be found is a challenging society has rectifi ed deeply ingrained at its Casuarina campus in Darwin’s task. How injustice. This volume evaluates the northern suburbs. The plaques can compatible are alternative priorities of order and revolt, be read as a type of institutional national identities harmony and spontaneity, in social life. autobiography, but to understand in Europe? What the importance of these plaques it is makes Europe necessary to pay close attention to European? What what buildings or facilities were being do Europeans have in common?

28 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 TEXT Patrick Nelson IMAGE Young NT Major Events ⁄ Jarryd Page young Central Australian is knocking hard on the door A of the music industry and he is musician being heard. Singer/guitarist Michael Lindsey is only 17 years old but already is leaving an impression on the music industry across the length of the Northern Territory. reaches Michael can lay claim to being one of a few Territorians to have performed solo at BASSINTHEGRASS, the Territory’s largest, loudest and most for the thumping music festival. Sandwiched between crowd favourite “Allday” and the high-profi le “Justice Crew”, Indie-popster Michael was given 20 minutes to belt out four songs, three sky of which were his own compositions. “It was an enjoyable day and a humbling experience and no, I wasn’t nervous on stage; not as nervous as I was at Battle (of the School Bands),” Michael said. The Vocational Education and Training music graduate was invited to play at BASS after his winning performance in the Battle of the School Bands fi nal. He went to the Battle as a member of the band “Hello Jenny”, but fortuitously was asked by organisers to perform as a soloist also. Michael, ever-grateful that he has the gift of playing by ear, said he took an interest in piano, guitar and drums about eight years ago. But it wasn’t until he enrolled in a contemporary music certifi cate class at CDU’s Alice Springs campus in 2012 that he started to gather some momentum. It was an “(Music instructor) Cain enjoyable day (Gilmour) divided the class and into bands where we all wrote original material for Battle,” Michael Lindsey at 2014 BASSINTHEGRASS … “My aim a humbling he said. “We had been a band is to infect an audience with unstoppable grooves”. experience. for only a week when we went in it. We came last but it was a good experience.” It may be a long way to the top if Michael continued his you want to rock ’n’ roll, but VET vocational music studies and did considerably better at Battle the music graduate MICHAEL LINDSEY following year, making the fi nal as a soloist. can at least lay claim to being By this time he had established for one of a handful of Territorians himself that music was more than a hobby. “It’s my main priority,” he said. to have performed solo at “My dream is to go as far as I can, either producing my own music, or to BASSINTHEGRASS be involved in sound production and audio engineering.”

29 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 CDU ART COLLECTION ART EXHIBITION Dawn at the artists camp / TEXT Mosquito nets / Arnhem Land Anita Angel Curator, Charles Darwin University 1981 Art Collection and Art Gallery

Recognised as among Australia’s most that paintings he was undertaking Firth-Smith has exhibited respected artists, John Firth-Smith in Sydney and Melbourne before his extensively in Australia and abroad has been described as a maritime or arrival – notably, the ground-breaking since the mid-1960s and has been a landscape painter – an “abstract Time series – were still very much on awarded several significant public and symbolist” whose work defies his mind. private art commissions, prizes and convenient categorisation. Relishing Dawn at the artists camp (1981) residencies. His work is represented in the ambiguity and tension between captures the eerie stillness of the Top in major public galleries, corporate representation and abstraction – both End’s savannah scrub, punctuated by and private collections, nationally and elements of the natural world – he has man-made structures and temporary internationally. developed a singular visual vocabulary, fixtures. Vertical and horizontal enlisting painterly equivalents to elements in the composition, drawn express his experiences of the visible from the landscape or human John Firth-Smith whether “seen through a telescope or a intervention, intersect or are combined Born 1943, Melbourne, Victoria microscope” – each equally valid, each to generate psychological as well equally real. as pictorial tension. The pulsating Dawn at the artists camp / Mosquito Firth-Smith visited Kakadu heat of the late dry season and the nets / Arnhem Land 1981, Gouache National Park and Arnhem Land for feeling of deep time conjured by the and mixed media on Arches paper, approximately two weeks in 1981, in region’s natural and human antiquity 56.5 × 77 cm, Gifted through the CDU the second of a series of artists’ camps struck a chord, prompting the artist’s Foundation by the artist in memory of held under the auspices of the then observation that “the whole of the his late sister, Margaret Ann Firth- Northern Territory Museum of Arts Arnhem Land escarpment looks like Smith, 2013. Charles Darwin University and Sciences. A glance through his a didgeridoo sounds … it’s obscure, Art Collection – CDU2587. Image © the sketchbooks for the period indicate abstract and it sort of buzzes”. artist

30 ORIGINS 2 / 2014 CDU ART COLLECTION ART EXHIBITION Neridah Stockley:

a retrospective Until 20 February 2015

A graduate of the National Art School more than 40 oil paintings on board, Neridah Stockley in East Sydney, Neridah Stockley depicting various locations from distinct Born 1973, Dubbo, NSW relocated to the Northern Territory in vantage points. North of Falmouth 2007 2001, initially to Darwin and then to Having spent her youth in the Blue Oil on board Alice Springs – her “base camp” from Mountains (NSW), Stockley was no 20 × 60 cm which she has made extensive painting stranger to moody landscapes and Purchased through the CDU expeditions for more than a decade. cold weather in Tasmania. She finds Foundation, 2009. Charles Darwin Her commitment to painting landscape such places “hold a place within me”. University Art Collection – CDU1658. en plein air, a genre rarely broached Although the terrain she encountered Image © the artist. in such a pure, unselfconscious way was “vastly different to Central Australia by non-Indigenous artists residing in colour and light, the forms (land- in the region, is predominantly on a based) and spaces (ocean) were not small-scale, challenging the overriding dissimilar”. Reminiscent of William assumption that a “big country” Westall’s early 19th Century coastline requires “big pictures” – or for that sketches, North of Falmouth (2007) matter, big stories. examines formal and structural Known affectionately as the “Clarice relationships between cloud and sky, Beckett” of Alice Springs, Stockley has with only the slightest suggestion of ventured beyond Central Australia land. It is also a lyrical and peaceful in recent years, seeking a refresher passage of painting, reflecting a quiet from the Centre and new landscapes moment of personal concentration and at extreme ends of the continent and creative solitude. inland: at Falmouth, Wardlaw Point Neridah Stockley: a retrospective, and King Island (Tasmania), the Pilbara featuring an extensive body of paintings, and Fremantle (Western Australia), and drawings, collages and prints, many of Newcastle and Hill End (NSW). which are drawn from the University The Falmouth series was Stockley’s Art Collection, will be held at the CDU first coastal painting and drawing Art Gallery between 13 November 2014 session since art school. She created and 20 February 2015.

TEXT Anita Angel Curator, Charles Darwin University Art Collection and Art Gallery

31 ORIGINS 1 / 2014 3131 ORIGINSORIGINS 21 / 2014 LIMITED EDITION The old man takes his son to the bush: “Come with me, watch and listen … I’ll show you how to hunt the right way. I’ll show you Bobby Bunungurr the right place to hunt, too. Be careful how you walk, the sound Goanna Hunters of the leaves will scare the animals. Once we have speared a Djanda (goanna), I’ll show you the right place to sit and cook. I’ll COMMUNITY show you how to cut it and cook it the right way. Don’t forget Ramingining these things I teach you. The old people taught them to us, and MEDIUM you should teach them to your children.” Drypoint, aquatint, and Spit bite aquatint IMAGE SIZE 25 × 37 cm COLLABORATOR Jacqueline F. Gribbin PRINTER Glynis L. Lee CATALOGUE ID 14/11

Northern Editions Printmaking Studio and Gallery W: northerneditions.comm.au

32 ORIGINS 2 / 2014