w in ter 2008 SAMSydney Alumni Magazine

beyond 2020 • art • books • science • people ISSN 1834-3937 The discovery of Pompeii and Herculaneum in the early 1700s led to a dramatic change in the way people saw their world. The imagery of the past now directly influenced art, architecture, interior design, fashion and literature. This exhibition looks at the people who made this happen; from Josiah Wedgwood and Thomas Hope, to the extraordinary William Hamilton, to Goethe and Piranesi.

FREE ADMISSION NICHOLSON MUSEUM FROM 14 APRIL 2008 10am – 4.30pm weekdays, 12 – 4pm Sundays 32 14 Features 10 Profile Professor Gavin Brown AO FAA CorrFRSE retires from the Vice- Chancellorship in July. He talks about life and maths

13 Obituary An appreciation of former Chancellor

contents Justice Kim Santow AO

14 Cover Story Advance Australia where? The 2020 ideas summit was the public face of future-planning. University 20 researchers are already on the mountain

20 Art Sydney College of the Arts student Vilma Bader and alumna Fiona Lowry on the thrill of glittering prizes

26 Alumni update Economics & Business: Governor of Editor Diana Simmonds the Reserve Bank of Australia Glenn The University of Sydney, Stevens returned to the University Alumni Relations Office to deliver a major speech Room K6.06, Quadrangle A14, NSW 2006 Phone (61 2) 9036 6372 Engineering: the civil engineers of Regulars Fax (61 2) 9351 6868 1950 are a special, historic group Email [email protected] 28 Research 2 Letters Contributors Stuttering can be cured, Professor Brickbats and bouquets Felicity Barry, Anabel Dean, Matthew Gibbs, Marie Jacobs, Paul Lancaster, Mark Onslow is working on it 4 Nota Bene Helen McKenzie, Maggie Renvoize, Chris Rodley, Jane Sandilands, Ted Sealey, New Alumni Centre to open; Alex 30 Overseas adventure Michael Turner, Linda Vergnani, John A Masters of Education has opened Jones’s literary celebration; how will Warburton, Paul Wright global health challenges affect you? the door to working overseas for Editorial Advisory Committee Finn McCall Blue Mountains mystery to solve; a SAM the Sydney Alumni Magazine is Bernadel for the Con; Hong Kong supported by an Editorial Advisory alumni celebrate; breast health Committee. Its members are Kathy 31 Treasure initiative for Chinese-Australian Bail, editor Australian Financial Review Notorious British politician Enoch women; join Lucinda Watson’s magazine, David Marr (LLB ’71) Sydney Powell was once the University’s African odyssey Morning Herald, Andrew Potter, Media professor of Greek Manager, University of Sydney, Helen Trinca, editor, Weekend Australian 32 Sport 24 Books magazine. Morris in Iceland by Alex Jones; In the thrill of the victorious Published quarterly by the University People of the Book by Geraldine moment it is too easy to overlook of Sydney. Brooks; Louis Laloy by Deborah past heroes, such as HK Ward … Priest; See the Virgin Blest by Barry Publishing Management 10 group Spurr; Lucy Osburn: a Lady Displaced Level 1, 30 Wilson St, by Judith Godden (PO Box 767), Newtown NSW 2042. www.10group.com.au 34 Grapevine Publisher Paul Becker Stay in touch, find old friends Design Wendy Neill Printing PMP Limited 36 Diary Cover photo istockphoto by Duncan P Walker Places to go, people to see Advertising Enquiries Janet Clark [email protected] mobile 0404 112 641 ph: (61 2) 9550 1021

Member of the Circulation Audit Board Audited Circulation 148,263 copies

SAM Winter 08 1 letters

11556SAM_Atm08CvrFA2.qxd 21/2/08 10:49 AM Page Cvr1 Colonial smokescreen Congratulations on Helen McKenzie’s AUTUMN 2008 SAMSydney Alumni Magazine terrific cover story on Paul Porteous’s work in Madagascar (Autumn ’08). It was a great read and left me wanting to know more about the world’s fourth-largest island. I also loved your use of Paul’s photos, especially the big, all-seeing eyes of the lemur on the front cover. I was intrigued by the anecdotes about the women of Madagascar - where the women broke their new water pump (not vandals); where local madagascar • art • science • medicine • books ISSN 1834-3937 women are training as midwives and nurses because they are more likely to stay in their local communities; and where the President wished his newly-wed daughter “three children” not “seven sons and daughters” as is the usual Madagascan custom. I cringed at thoughts of the French bureaucracy’s control of its colony through its “Organisational Chart”, Verreaux and Sibree imagining a colonial smokescreen Illumination snuffed Political flicks II which hid all laws, so that the only I appreciated the Madagascan people who knew what was happening It was good to see the future removal One of the best “political” movies of article and hearing of the work of and where taxes were being spent of “alumnus” on page 8 (Autumn ’08). recent years has been Election. Paul Porteous (Autumn ’08) and The 1999 debut feature by director were the French. However, the ban did not last long, the cover photo of the Madagascan as the word appeared on page 10 in Alexander Payne, Election is a biting lemur, Verreaux’s Sifaka (Propethecus Julia Featherstone (BA ’66 DipEd ’67) the article regarding Lee Burns. Let’s political satire set as a school election. verreauxi). Potts Point NSW hope it will really be banished in the Starring Reese Witherspoon and Another Madagascan lemur next issue. Matthew Broderick, it’s a great look at species, Sibree’s Dwarf Lemur Rats and frogs a campaign and candidate at a micro (Cheirogaleus sibreei), possibly has Laura Jilka (BCom ‘05) level. a closer connection with Sydney Helen McKenzie’s story about Castle Hill NSW Well recommended! University. This lemur species is Madagascar (Autumn ’08) makes the Michael Butterworth (BEc ’86) named after James Sibree, an English claim that the island hosts 223 of the Political flicks I Marsfield NSW architect who went to Madagascar world’s 226 known species of frogs. to build churches and stayed on as Even I, with no biology education, The list of movies (Autumn ’08) was a missionary for the then London immediately smelt a rat (so to speak). impressive and contained many fine Hawkesbury/Nepean Missionary Society – late 19th century, The webpage wildmadagascar. movies. anyone? early 20th century. James Sibree org/ wildlife/frogs.html states less My personal favourite of all At risk of being just a bit pompous wrote a number of books on the flora grandly that of the island’s 300 or American political movies, however, - but I am getting seriously middle- and fauna of Madagascar, hence the so species, around 99 per cent are is Advise and Consent, a 1962 Otto aged :-) reason for the lemur species being endemic. Perhaps this is more like Preminger movie with an all-star I am an alumnus of both named after him. what McKenzie was told. I understand cast headed by Henry Fonda, Charles Cambridge and Sydney, and was His son, also James Sibree, after there are five or six thousand species Laughton, Walter Pidgeon, Gene pleased when a plastic-wrapped serving as a missionary in Samoa, of amphibians world-wide, the Tierney, Peter Lawford and Burgess magazine turned up last week. “Ah”, arrived in Sydney in the mid-1920s majority by far being frogs. However, Meredith, who won an NBR [National I thought, “a new issue of CAM.” to take up a parish in the suburb of if the Madagascan frogs can evade Board of Review] award as Best Then I saw the University coffee mug Epping. pollution-induced reproductive Supporting Actor. brochure and thought: “What a shame, Subsequently two of the disorders and fungal diseases, there It revolved around a Senate Cambridge has started flogging coffee Madagascan James Sibree’s might yet come a day when someone investigation into the President’s mugs and ties, just like Sydney.” It grandchildren have graduated from can confidently state that Madagascar was only then that I realised that the Sydney University, together with six (Franchot Tone) newly-nominated magazine was called SAM and just of his great-grandchildren and one has 223 of the world’s 226 known Secretary of State (Henry Fonda). This happened to have exactly the same great-great-grandchild. species of frogs. reveals a secret from the past that may not only ruin the candidate, but typography and cover layout as the Jim Sibree (BEc ’68 DipAgEc ’75) Dr Barry Craig (BA Hons Anthrop ’60 Cambridge Alumni Magazine. DipEd ’61 MA Hons Anthrop ’70) also reflect poorly on the President’s Fairlight NSW character as well. Is this cultural cringe? Is Sydney Curator of Foreign Ethnology trying to position itself as the South Australian Museum Steve Howard (BA ’77) “Cambridge of the South”? In addition, Adelaide SA Georges Hall NSW the name is silly. It reminds me of the

2 SAM Winter 08 well-known Dr Seuss book Green Eggs F’r instance Unacceptable homophonia and was buried in Jerusalem as a and Ham, where the noxious “Sam I righteous Gentile. am” offers green eggs and ham to all. Please tell me you were joking and You were just testing us, weren’t you? The only similarities in their At least the Cambridge original has playing a little trick on your readers Please? “Their’s a bear in there” is respective stories are their humanity the same name as the river that runs (trying to catch the unobservant?) in indeed a horror but don’t blame the and success in saving Jewish lives. through the town. your piece on English usage (Autumn blameless apostrophe. The error is ’08). How else could the editor and in the confusion of homophones. Try Michael Neustein (BArch ’71) How about finding a relevant, really Bellevue Hill NSW Aussie name for the magazine? Or sub-editor have committed the “there’s a bear in there” and, if more just going back to the Sydney Alumni dreaded comma fault in para 3, line than one, perhaps sitting on their Editor’s note: this was not the mistake of Magazine? 4? “However” introduces a new and chairs. It is important, however, to the writer Linda Vergnani; the sub-editor By the way, the articles in the independent clausal structure as any make sure that the chairs are theirs. no longer works for SAM. English, American, Australian guide new-look magazine were interesting. Gillian Varcoe (BA ’77) Sincere apologies. to grammar, usage and puctuation Keep up the good work but find your Canberra ACT own voice! [sic] will stress. Try Fowler, Burchfield, Peters, Strunk and White. Wrong humanist David Cameron (BEng ’87) Similarly in para 4, line 3, surely Not receiving our Oslo Norway a semi-colon before “for instance” is Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat monthly electronic accepted usage? (mentioned in the profile of Prof Ron newsletter – eSydney? Lucid Latin lovers In para 5, line 6, you begin a long Grunstein, Autumn ’08), saved literally Congratulations on your fresh sentence which does not contain a thousands of Hungarian (mostly) Jews Simply email us at approach to the magazine. I really principal clause. I agree that this could by giving them Swedish passports in [email protected] enjoyed Gil Appleton’s account of be considered a stylistic feature, a 1944. He later disappeared into the retrieving her study of Latin at the colloquial touch so to speak. However Russian gulags, without apparent recent summer school. Many of us, (note the full stop and capital letter trace. He had nothing to do with like Gil, have found our early studies beginning a new sentence), I am not Schindler’s List. at the University to be of lifelong value, sure this was the intention. Oscar Schindler, the subject of even when they were not “market I am all for an easy style and a lack Thomas Kenneally’s book and later oriented”. That Gil has become a keen of dogmatism in such matters, and Steven Speilberg’s film, was a German Latin student again says lots for the do not wish to stress “correctness” as industrialist and bon vivant who quality of learning available to us at such, but rather the fact that mostly saved many hundreds of Jewish slave USyd all those decades ago. More these so called “rules” work as guides labourers by protecting them at his such stories please. to clarity and prevent ambiguity. This factory in Krakow, Poland. Schindler surely should be the aim in a journal survived the war but was never able Susan Ryan AO (BA ’63) issued by a top-rank university. to really attain any status or wealth. (Chair – Australian Human Rights He was partly supported by those he Yon (Yvonne) Maley (BA ’50) Act Campaign) saved (many later came to Australia) Letters to the editor Coogee NSW Castlecrag NSW Letters to the editor should include: full name, address (not for publication), degree(s) and year(s) of graduation where applicable, daytime phone number and/or email address.

Please address your letters to: The Editor SAM K6.06 Quadrangle A14 University of Sydney NSW 2006 Letters may also be sent electronically (with full contact details) to: [email protected] Opinions expressed in the pages of the magazine 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 letters to be published here. Letters may be edited by the editor for space or other reasons.

SAM Winter 08 3 Centre of the Alumni universe

long-held dream of the meetings and functions, catch up with The new Alumni conferences, seminars and workshops. University of Sydney Alumni fellow alumni or simply drop in for a Centre (left) with a It will also be available and set up view of the city from Council will come true later this snack or a drink. to cater for alumni activities such as A one of its balconies year when the finishing touches are put Situated on the seventh (top) floor cocktail parties, sit-down lunches and to the purpose-built Alumni Centre of the building (currently known dinners. and the doors will be open to all alumni as Sydney Central but soon to be “The new Alumni Centre is to enjoy its amenities. Melbourne’s renamed) next to the Wentworth available for use by the Alumni John Wardle Architects, a firm with Building on City Road, the new Council, all Alumni Associations, a strong track record in academic Alumni Centre will serve a multitude University Foundations and other projects, won the competition to design of purposes. donor relations activities,” says Tracey the building. As all the non-academic student Beck, Alumni Relations Director. “And Late December is the projected services will be housed in the same finally our international alumni will opening date, according to building, the new centre will allow have a ‘home on campus’ when they Professor Andrew Coats, Deputy students to make a smooth transition visit.” Vice-Chancellor (Community) from student to alumnus status. who says: “We will at last have the In addition to administrative environment to support the programs offices, the Alumni Centre will house we have developed to engage our a 40-seat boardroom, meeting rooms, alumni, donors and friends with the a club lounge and business centre. University.” These spaces feature outstanding city, The Alumni Office is expecting a park and University vistas as well as full calendar as alumni associations and balconies from which to enjoy them. chapters, as well as individuals, take At the heart of the centre is a advantage of the opportunities the new flexible function area for up to 200 “home” will present to hold formal people that is suitable for theatre-style

4 SAM Winter 08 Northern highlights

hen the novel Morris in Iceland was launched in WApril, it was a very Sydney alumni occasion: the author, publishers and launcher were all graduates of the University. nota bene After a brief law career, the author, Alex Jones (LLB ’64 MA ’68), spent his working life in the English Department and is currently an honorary associate there. Publishers Puncher and Wattmann are actually David Musgrave (PhD ’97) and Matthew Holt (PhD Healthy bodies, ’98), whose fledgling imprint scored a critical and popular success with Jones’s first novel, Helen Garner and the Meaning healthy world of Everything (more about them in the next issue of SAM). The distinguished launcher was By Felicity Barry Ivor Indyk (BA ’72), a former member of the English Department staff and Above: Sir Gustav hat are our greatest health Meanwhile, the challenge of chronic Nossal and Professor challenges and how will they disease necessitates new ways of now Whitlam Professor of Writing and Adrian Bauman Society at the University of Western Waffect you and global health? ordering health care and approaches to Sydney and also a publisher with The University’s School of Public prevention. The humane mission of Giramondo Press. Health and the Medical Foundation’s medicine – to relieve suffering – will Professor Indyk entertained the public lecture series Grand Challenges be challenged by these changes,” says launch crowd of 160 literary enthusiasts in Health and Medicine spotlights the Professor Leeder, co-director of the with a speech in which he recalled Alex foremost challenges facing us. Menzies Centre for Health. Jones as “the man who introduced the Increasing the use of evidence in health “Crisis features prominently in panama hat to Australian academic policy, by Professor Sally Redman, chief press reportage on health, especially life”, adding: ”I think of him as executive of the SAX Institute on June in hospitals,” says Professor Bruce the intellectual concierge of the 18, shows how research evidence can Armstrong. “A rising burden of chronic department.” improve policy, programs and services. disease, along with mismanagement Of Morris in Iceland he said: “A Professor Redman is a member of the and underfunding, is often invoked wonderfully light yet erudite piece of National Health and Medical research as a cause for crisis. Is it? If so, what work. I was very moved by this book Council research committee. can we do about it?” Professor On July 30, Professor Sir Gustav … it is about making your way in Armstrong’s lecture – Lifting the last the world, holding it all together and Nossal, in The fifty-year revolutionin straw: the challenge of chronic illness dreaming.” global public health, acknowledges – is on September 24. Professor Morris in Iceland is reviewed on page L-R at the launch achievements in improving global Armstrong received the inaugural 24 and is available in all good bookshops, of Morris in Iceland: health, including the contribution of Matthew Holt, David NSW Premier’s award for Outstanding as is the second edition of Helen Garner the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Musgrave, Ivor Indyk Cancer Researcher of the Year 2006. and the Meaning of Everything. and Alex Jones. to health in developing countries. “All citizens must be concerned He is Professor of Public Health at the about the relief of poverty and University. Professor Adrian Bauman’s betterment of living conditions in lecture on October 22, Tackling public developing countries. Better health is health’s deadly sins – the epidemiology one important pathway toward these of gluttony and sloth, explores why ends,” Professor Nossal said. it has taken so long to grasp these as The lecture given by Professor significant health problems and our Stephen Leeder, who has 40 years’ commitment to change our approach to experience in public health research, fixing them. education and policy, on August 20 “The topic is something we can all – Rethinking the role of medicine – will engage in, both in our own lifestyles, doubtless provoke debate. as role models, family and community “The nanotechnological and members,” says Professor Bauman, genetic revolutions will change all who is internationally known for work phases of medical practice, in all places. in physical activity for health.

SAM Winter 08 5 Right Words: A Guide to English Usage in Finally, although I risk the ire of Australia, first published in 1987, the those whose view of the US remains Big late Stephen Murray-Smith wrote: coloured by fear and loathing, 2008’s “Language belongs to us all, and we is the gonzo campaign trail of them speak that language as we please. all. Those similarly interested in the In speaking as we wish, we help *big bugs: people phenomenon of the presidential bugs to create the new language that is of consequence, first election circus may visit the US Studies always being born out of the old. Still, noted in Sam Slick Centre website (http://sydney.edu.au/ if you call a cabbage a clock people in England by us-studies/) for updates on forthcoming don’t will have difficulty in understanding Thomas Chandler talks, forums and other functions what you mean.” Haliburton to help make sense of our amazing absquatulate* Nevertheless, it must be said that (1796-1865); neighbour across the Pacific. all letters and contributions, bouquets absquatulate: to And do please keep the letters, and brickbats, particularly those abscond or run photos and emails coming! away (New York s you already have noticed offering ideas and stories to savour, are Herald, 1847) from the Letters pages (2-3), most welcome. Diana Simmonds Athe idea of a film festival of political movies (Autumn ’08) caused a flurry of suggestions and much leafing through old copies of Leonard Maltin. The US Studies Centre promises a Study in concentration link-up with the Sydney Film Festival in the not too distant future, but if ho is the mystery reader? An email pinged into the SAM inbox recently from Maggie political cinema is your interest, self- Burnette of the Blue Mountains. She attached a photograph (below) that she snapped festival is the way to go. for reasons explained in her message, which read: Meanwhile, a flutter of the Stars W “Good morning, and Stripes gets computers humming “There was a festival in Springwood last Saturday (April). Among all the Hurdy Gurdy, frolics across the nation. And when not and fun I observed this lady who was oblivious to all around. tapping furious emails, readers are on the phone. One rang to complain about “I was intrigued so did a Google search to find out what sort of magazine could block out a very more creeping Americanisation. Not festive day in Springwood. Thought you would like to see this photo. “Cheers Maggiebee” spelling, this time, but the emphasis in We are intrigued too: who is this deeply engrossed reader? We would love to know! Please tell the masthead of SAM. us who you are – or perhaps you know who she is? This is seen as a forelock tug to Uncle Sam rather than taking visual inspiration from the English CAM (Cambridge’s alumni publication). As Acerbic Caller commented: “But CAM is the river, SAM is not.” Indeed. But rivers didn’t come into it, particularly given the unco-operative nature of Sydney’s waterways. Hawkesbury-Nepean-Georges- Cook-Hacking is about as masthead/ marquee-friendly as Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson AO. The intention is not a kowtow to Uncle Sam but a nod to elegant, classic design wherever it may be found; and also to give the magazine a title rather than a description. Mind you, given how many still refer to the publication as “The Gazette” one might wonder just how truly observant are these eagle-eyed complainants. Another respondent says, however, that “The ‘Comma people’ (very like coma) are pointless, always were, always will be. They are shuffling their own disappointment off onto the magazine. Be relentlessly polite and drive them barking mad.” “Barking mad” – a glorious Australianism, don’t you agree? In

6 SAM Winter 08 Hong Kong alumni

Bernadel and get-together student Christina Morris Hideki and fter a succession of popular events over the past couple of years, including a pre-Christmas barbecue, A a tenpin bowling event and a cocktail party at the Bernadel’s nostalgically named Woolloomooloo bar in Hong Kong city centre, the Hong Kong Alumni Association recently organised another gathering. excellent The association hosted a spring barbecue in April at the Kerry Lake Egret Nature Park at Tai Po Kau, in the New Territories. More than 20 alumni took part and enjoyed the adventure opportunity to catch up with old Sydney friends, build new friendships and expand professional networks. According to violin built in the 1840s by the fabled Parisian the report, “Nice and sunny weather on the day reminded violin-maker Auguste Sebastien Philippe Bernadel us of an Aussie BBQ back in Australia. A big thank you Ahas been acquired by the Sydney Conservatorium goes out to Kelly Chan (MLMgt ’06) for organising this of Music through the generosity of alumnus Professor event, as well other committee members of the Hong Kong Gerald Westheimer. Alumni Association. Hope to see you on our next event - the Professor Westheimer (BSc ’48), science graduate of the Harbour Cruise!” University, also studied violin at the Conservatorium before Hong Kong alumni may get in touch for future news and leaving for what has proved to be a distinguished career events through: [email protected] overseas. Now Professor of the Graduate School Division of Neurobiology at Berkeley, California, he has over the years amassed the Westheimer Instrument Collection. He recently advised his intention to donate the collection – consisting of string instruments and recorders – to the Conservatorium over a period of time and the Bernadel is the first instalment. It arrived in the country under unusual circumstances. Hideki Isoda, Associate Dean (Technology and Distance Learning) at the Conservatorium, took custody of the precious instrument on a return trip from Sydney to the US, but did not return as scheduled, having been on board the Qantas 747 that famously aborted its take-off from Los Angeles after blowing three tyres on the runway. Isoda reported that he kept the violin with him at all times during the enforced overnight stay in Los Angeles. A spokesperson for the Conservatorium says of the Westheimer Collection: “We thank Professor Westheimer sincerely for his thoughtfulness in identifying the Sydney Apology Conservatorium of Music as the recipient of this exceptional In the autumn issue of SAM, the essay by Dr Edward gift of instruments, library and financial contribution for Duyker, on Lloyd Rees and his long association with the the ongoing maintenance, in perpetuity, of the collection. University, was marred by sub-editing errors and omissions. It promises to ensure enormous benefits to future student The editor and sub-editor apologise unreservedly to Dr generations. We also thank Mr Matt Hall, Mr John Semmler Duyker and also to Lloyd Rees’s family. A corrected version and the University of Sydney USA Foundation for their of the profile is now posted on the website at

assistance with administration in the USA.” nb www.usyd.edu.au and follow the prompts to SAM.

SAM Winter 08 7 Breast health: a new era for Good Chinese-Australian women ideas

he editor-in-chief of The Economist, John Micklethwait, Twill discuss the positive potential of globalisation when he speaks at Sydney Ideas, the University of Sydney’s international public lecture series, on 19 June. Micklethwait is a leading commentator on globalisation and American politics and the co- author of A Future Perfect: The Challenge and Promise of Globalization. He is also the co-author with Adrian Wooldridge of The Right Nation: Conservative Power in America (2004), has won the Wincott Award in the UK for financial journalism and is a frequent The first graduates commentator on BBC, CNN and ABC of the breast health News in the US. promotion program John Micklethwait at Sydney Ideas, 6.30pm, Seymour Theatre Centre; Bookings: (61 2) 9351 7940 or online ccording to Dr Cannas Kwok, communicate the information. The www.seymour.usyd.edu.au/boxoffice/ Cancer Institute of NSW advocates were also given a kit program.shtml Research Fellow in the containing information in CD format A More information: University’s Faculty of Nursing and and brochures about breast cancer and www.usyd edu.au/sydneyideas Midwifery, cultural difference can be its early detection. a health hazard to Chinese-Australian “We encouraged them to talk to women. friends, work colleagues and family “Culturally, they are worried to about what they had learned,” says talk about breasts and breast health,” Dr Kwok, who lost her own mother Dr Kwok says. “And there is a to breast cancer when she was just 15. misconception that breast cancer is “We were hoping this is the way to get only a disease of Caucasian women.” the information into the community.” Language barriers also work against A follow-up day, six weeks later, Miles the women, whether elderly or new aimed to consolidate the women’s migrants: health publications and knowledge and find out about the leaflets are most likely to be written in community response and how the Franklin English and also feature illustrations of information kit had been used. Western women. “More than half the original debut For these reasons a “culturally participants attended the follow-up sensitive and linguistically appropriate” session,” Dr Kwok says. “In the focus breast health promotion program: group discussion we encouraged women y the time you read this, “Living with healthy breasts – to be a to share their experience on spreading the decision will have been breast health advocate ” was trialled in the information. They said they now Bannounced (June 19) on who Sydney’s Chinatown recently among 37 have more confidence and initiative to has won the Miles Franklin for this women. This, the first such program in talk to other Chinese women about the year. As SAM goes to press, however, it Australia, aims to develop and evaluate topic. All of them express the urgent is still between five shortlisted authors: a system of community advocates who need for this kind of program: not only Rodney Hall and Alex Miller (each can more easily reach the women to breast cancer but also other women’s has won twice before), Steven Carroll raise awareness of breast health, breast health concerns, like pap smears.” and Gail Jones (each nominated three cancer screening practices and early Given the program’s success and times in the past) and Miles Franklin detection. the community’s response, Dr Kwok debutant David Brooks, co-editor of There were four sessions on the says her team is planning to take it to Southerly magazine and the director day, covering issues of breast health, Chinese communities in different parts of the University’s graduate writing breast screening and the cultural of Australia. program. His novel is The Fern Tattoo, misconceptions and myths about Research team: Dr Cannas Kwok, published by UQP at $32.95 and win breast cancer. The last two sessions Professor Kate White, Ms Natalie D’Abrew, or lose, it is an enthralling, demanding gave specific training on how to Dr Fung Kuen Koo. and beautifully written book.

8 SAM Winter 08 nb

they are symbolic of surmounting the obstacles that people face.” Partner organisation Save the Rhino is assisting in the logistics of the trip but Watson is anxious for people to know that the challenge has been set up so that all administrative and expedition costs, including flights and other related expenses, are covered by each of the participants. “This means that all of the donations will go directly to the three organisations in Africa and not one cent of any donation will go to 3P3W or Save the Rhino administration.” So far, 3P3W has raised close to $400,000 for the people of Africa. Lucinda Watson hopes the 2009 Kosciuszko to Kenya team will double the figure with this expedition.

hen Lucinda Watson (BA Support for International Change, the For more information, visit Hons ’00 MIL ’02) was six School of St Jude and the Laikipia www.3peaks3weeks.org or contact Lucinda Wweeks old, her family left Wildlife Forum.” Watson: [email protected] Australia for Malindi on the north coast The challenge will take her to the of Kenya. summits of Mt Kenya (5199 metres), “My father was involved in an Mt Meru (4566 metres) and Mt Australian Aid project focused on Kilimanjaro (5895 metres), all within a STOP PRESS dry-land farming to help the Giriama magic three weeks. people in becoming self-sufficient in “It’s very much a team event,” Medic alert food production,” Watson explains, says Watson. “And I am just one of 14 fter a long and serene adding that although she spent only her women from around the world and one gestation of almost 100 years first three years of life in the country, of five women from Australia picked to (the University’s first medical the memories are vivid, if a little odd. take it on.” A students graduated in 1888), the “I remember quite a lot, especially This group is the second after the Medical Graduates Association was dancing feet and knees. They were at initial – successful – expedition in 2007, born in 1987. Now, on achieving my height, I suppose. And I’ll ask my now the subject of a documentary that maturity in 2008, we have changed mother about a flashback of something was judged Best Adventure Film at our name to the Medical Alumni and she’ll explain what it was.” the Boulder Film Festival in Colorado Association. The experience was profound in February. (Soon to be released on This change signifies a greater because with her father out in the field DVD, the trailer can be viewed at www. connection to alumni who have and her mother in and out of hospital seracfilms.com. Click on3 Peaks 3 Weeks.) graduated from various schools in Nairobi, some 800 kilometres away, “My parents hope this adventure within the Faculty. It also recognises Watson was left in the care of Kenyan will make me settle down,” says the close partnership between nannies (ayahs) and soon spoke Watson. She is working in Canberra the Association, the University of Swahili as well as any three-year-old. at the Department of Defence but Sydney Alumni Council and the Now she’s returning to East Africa for wants to contribute to what she calls Alumni Relations Office that has a special purpose. “noticeable change and benefit in brought to alumni a number of “I want to give something back,” countries that really need it”. engaging and interesting programs she explains of her involvement in the Watson is not a mountaineer as and events over many years. Please 3 Peaks 3 Weeks Challenge (3P3W). such, although she has climbed Mt visit our website “It’s an expedition to raise money Kosciuszko (2228m) more times www.alumni.med.usyd.edu.au to for, and awareness of, the three key than is sensible. “I do understand receive the latest alumni news, problems currently facing Africa: it’s nothing like the mountains Lucinda Watson on schedule of reunions and events in environment, health and education. we’re preparing to climb!” she says. Mt Kosciuszko and 2008. (Paul Lancaster – President, The funds will go to three grassroots “Climbing the mountains is not about with her father and Medical Alumni Association) siblings in Kenya organisations in Kenya and Tanzania: the peaks. My philosophy is that

SAM Winter 08 9 avin Brown has led the University through one of its most challenging A distinctive profile Gyet successful decades and is now about to walk away. He is something of an enigma: a private man Professor Gavin Brown AO FAA CorrFRSE retires from the in a highly public office; a shy, modest Vice-Chancellorship of the University after eleven years and man who has been an effective and outspoken political operator for the talks to Diana Simmonds about his life, loves and beliefs University and for higher education in Australia. Who is he? What made him the person he is?

Gavin Brown was born in Lundin Links, a small village on the east coast of Scotland, as is immediately evident in his distinctive burr. “It’s good not to lose your accent,” he says. “I think it means being at ease in one’s own skin.” Despite its name and the proximity of surrounding golf links, including the most famous of all, St Andrews, Brown was never a golfer. When he was growing up, more so than today, it was a game for the wealthy or upper crust. interview

10 SAM Winter 08 “It’s a strong farming area,” he says of the windswept Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the women. It seems indicative of the region. “I remember sea fogs, rain and snow. My father University of Sydney. present buoyant, go-ahead atmosphere, was a bricklayer and the weather meant he could be laid It was a challenging move. “Put it a significant change from hidebound off work at any time. Then he would take casual work this way: I was aware that there were attitudes that prevailed. shovelling snow.” levers that allow you to do things that “It’s because he was very influenced Famously, Brown is a passionate and prize-winning might come off in your hands. But I by the women in his family when mathematician. It was a youthful pursuit, although not for discovered there were no levers. It was he was young,” says his second wife, the most obvious reasons. a bit worse than I imagined.” University administrator Diané Ranck. “I didn’t choose maths to be successful; I was pretty “He really likes women and he gets evenly talented across the board. But I was an only child and on well with them.” (He has two adult spent a lot of time off school because of bronchitis, and those children with his first wife, Barbara, factors tend to assist a mathematical interest.” who died in 2001.) But is it true that, as a nine-year-old, he was banned from Professor Brown is characteristically family Scrabble, was solving crosswords in the local paper objective and modest about the and nowadays his half-hour lunchbreak relaxation is doing changes. “It’s about balance,” he says. The Australian crossword? “In the past 30 years universities have He chuckles and shifts awkwardly in his seat. “Ay, well I moved from government funding to a was eight when I started compiling crosswords.” (This is said more commercial place in the world. with a twinkle.) “And I was taught you had to be fair to the The mindset is part business and part others in Scrabble. I still enjoy compiling crosswords, when I romantic ideal: it’s about balance.” have the time.” So how does the reticent academic After primary school, Brown was awarded a scholarship cope with such an intensely involved, to Madras College, St Andrews, a school founded by a public position? mathematician (the Rev Dr Andrew Bell) and housed Honour board at Madras College “I certainly find two different in buildings reminiscent of the University’s sandstone. personalities are required for the job. He finished as Science Dux and received a Harkness Retrospectively Brown has noted: I need a carapace to do some of the Scholarship to St Andrews University, immediately entering “It had lost track of enrolment things I have to do. Sometimes I crave the second year mathematics class. He graduated with processes … I had to pay back millions the simple life – monasteries. But first-class honours and the Duncan Medal. Post-graduate of dollars to government for under- the other side of that is one could tip work took him over the border to Newcastle-upon-Tyne enrolment in my predecessor’s time. over into over excitement at garnering where his PhD thesis was titled Norm and stability properties The University no longer attracted the the resources to do wonderful things, of semi-algebras. His career maintained its upward trajectory: best students in the state and research then forgetting to do them. Again Edinburgh, Liverpool, Illinois, Seattle, then the big performance had slipped … we were it’s balance. You have to preserve the (geographic) move: the Chair of Pure Mathematics and a poor fourth in the nation and behind high ideals and yet be thoroughly ultimately the Deanship in Science at UNSW. UNSW in Sydney. In 1993 Sydney businesslike.” To a mathematical illiterate the discipline seems failed to be placed in the top band of Part of Brown’s quest for balance unfathomable, but Brown offers an explanation that is the national quality audit.” comes from sport: “I enjoy almost at once surprising and immediately comprehensible. Brown was not daunted, or if any spectator sport, although I tend “Creating mathematics is very pleasing,” he says. “In any he was, it was not apparent. He is to identify more with the coach than creative act there is discovery. The world is there: you’re philosophical and wry amusement is the players these days!” He is touched highlighting that.” evident when he says, “Universities that the new cricket pavilion has been And that immediately brings to mind Jackson Pollock and are enormously persistent things. named in his honour and in recognition the fractal geometry detected and quantified in his paintings: They evolve. They appear to be very of his support of the University’s highly suddenly maths is looking pretty exciting and even possible. slow moving but they’re complex successful sporting culture. “It was The twinkle re-emerges and he nods. “I believe it is things. They must be hugely adaptive very generous of them. I love to watch very creative. Creating maths is actually to make oneself because they persist! But it’s difficult cricket but I do have traditionalist vulnerable – a flowerchild!” to understand the changes while part inhibitions. I’ve acclimatised to one- Not that everything about maths makes Professor Brown of them.” day cricket, but 20/20 …” he sighs twinkle: did he see Copenhagen (Michael Frayn’s hit play Those changes are spectacular. Over gustily. “You do have to modify playing about two famous mathematicians.)? “I did, I enjoyed it, but the past six years the University has led codes, but not all rule changes are frankly it was a bit long-winded. I’m a great fan of Michael competitive research grants nationwide; made to improve the games, as we Frayn but I think his books are better.” in the latest round of Australian know.” He has another interesting reason for his early enthusiasm Research Council grants it won 66 per Aside from watching ball games and for maths: “The absolute truths of solving a problem. cent more than Melbourne and in the solving impossible numbers problems, Authority comes into it when you have the possibility of Discovery scheme (basic research) it his main relaxation is horse racing. He more than one correct answer, in other subjects, that is. And gained more than Sydney’s other four goes whenever he can and, according by that I mean the authority of the teacher. So it was an universities combined. Moreover, the to Ranck, “is absolutely content to objective satisfaction, not an emotional satisfaction. I abhor extensive building work to be seen be dropped off at the racecourse on absolutism, by the way.” around the campuses is the result of a Saturday afternoon. He’s a serious In 1992 Brown’s next move was to the University reinvestment from the University’s punter.” She bought him a share in a of Adelaide and the post of Deputy Vice-Chancellor consistent operating surplus, the largest racehorse as a birthday present and he (Research). Two years later he became Vice-Chancellor of any Australian university. has a membership at Kembla Grange and began the process of management restructure, going In more human terms, for the past and the AJC. out to industry and returning the institution’s budget to three years the University has been “When I was a boy we used to surplus. It was good practice for 1 July 1996 when he became designated a preferred employer of go to the point-to-points,” he says of

SAM Winter 08 11 the cross-country events for amateur prone to wanting to own these things it more successful engineer.” jockeys and thoroughbred horses so interferes. What turns me on is helping In 2000 Professor Brown wrote a popular in rural Britain. “It’s called to make sure there are outcomes.” paper warning of the looming skills the sport of kings but it is a demotic He has been described as a dutiful shortage in Australia because of what pastime: anyone can watch or take part man with high moral standards. Does he saw as the failure to invest in as a punter and I love the romance he recognise those traits? Again, he education. Now this prediction can be of it – the racing silks, the colour. It’s shifts in his seat and chuckles. seen as unfortunately prescient. Does tremendously exciting in a transplanted “I don’t know about ‘moral he see a solution? Damon Runyon way.” standards’. I would say I believe in He laughs, but this time there is no Although he owns “a nostril in a not aspiring to high standards. The reward twinkle. “There is no solution aside very good horse, but it has been great is in the outcome.” from investing in education, which fun”, he will become more seriously The rewards have come in the form is what I said then and is no less true involved – with a larger chunk of a of the wide-ranging successes of the now. It would be desperate if we had better horse, perhaps – when he stands University over the past decade and no capacity to invest but we have: the down. “I don’t pretend to discern the honours he has been awarded as mineral resources boom means there very much by the conformation of a consequence. In the Australia Day is money there. It requires the will of the horse,” he warns. “I like to study honours of 2006 he was appointed an government to do it. I think the real the fluctuations of the betting market Officer in the Order of Australia; and mistake is pursuing any ideology to its when I have time and I have a good “What turns in 2007, possibly the most cherished of stark end. Balance is all.” SAM memory for trainers: their psychology. all, he was appointed a Corresponding But I’m sure you realise the worst me on is Fellow of the Royal Society of possible tipsters are owners.” helping to Edinburgh (an accolade from one of A tribute: Professor Gavin Brown Horses are not the only objects the most eminent scientific bodies in Professor Gavin Brown retires from the of Brown’s betting nature. He is well make sure the world). role of Vice-Chancellor and Principal known for picking a human/horse and there are What if anything, then, is Gavin of the University of Sydney on 10 giving him or her their head to achieve Brown tipping for the future of July. A tribute website will celebrate whatever needs to be done. outcomes.” Australian higher education? “I think the history and achievements of “It’s what sustains me,” he says. the so-called ‘soft skills’ are going to be Professor Brown during his term as “I’m interested in the outcomes we recognised as important once again. If Vice-Chancellor. The online tribute can achieve, the objective outcomes you’re going to be an engineer, learning is available from 1 June to 31 July for the greater good. I’m not interested more about human relations through at www.usyd.edu.au/senate/vice_ in owning the outcomes. If you are the Classics is going to make you a chancellor_tribute.html

12 SAM Winter 08 An Appreciation Geza Francis Kim Santow 1941 – 2008

he former Chancellor, the Hon Kim Santow AO, died on April 10 following a Tshort illness. He was 67. Kim Santow was a much-admired judge in the NSW Supreme Court from 1993 to 2007 and was Chancellor of the University from October 2001 to May 2007. In a speech honouring Justice Santow’s career, Chief Justice Jim Spigelman said: “Throughout your career your Honour continued to serve the community in numerous capacities, particularly in education and the arts. Perhaps your most distinguished contribution was your period as Chancellor of the University of Sydney. All of us on the court came to admire your extraordinary capacity to continue with the full burden of an Gleeson have shown it. So too did contribution to higher education will be appellate judge as well as discharging Justice Santow.” deeply missed." the office of Chancellor … achievable Among the many notable cases on At various times Justice Santow by redirecting your entitlement to which Justice Santow worked were was a visiting scholar at Harvard and leave from the court to the tasks of the the demutualisation of the NRMA, Cornell universities and at Lincoln's University.” James Hardie (asbestos) and the Inn, London. He was a director of a action against the directors of HIH. Kim Santow was named after his number of companies and a member He was the author of more judgments Hungarian emigre father, who became of many government and other a general surgeon and obstetrician in reported in Australian Corporations and committees. He was on the board of his adopted country. Kim was educated Securities Reports than any other judge in the Bundanon Trust, the Art Gallery at the Friends' School, Hobart, Australia. As Chief Justice Spigelman Sydney Grammar and the University noted in his valedictory address: of NSW, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney of Sydney, gaining an arts degree, a “Many of these judgments called Grammar School and the Malcolm master of laws with first-class honours for the exercise of discretions and an Sargent Cancer Fund for Children. and a rowing blue. understanding of the need to reconcile In the June 2007 Queen's Birthday He was admitted as a solicitor in different interests in a practical and Honours List, Kim Santow was made NSW in 1964 and joined Freehill positive way …” an Officer in the Order of Australia for Hollingdale & Page, in 1965 becoming That observation could easily have services to the judiciary and the law, the firm’s youngest partner. While been a reference to Justice Santow’s to education governance and to the powering the expansion of Freehills appointment as Chancellor of the arts. In March 2007 he was awarded an he also lectured at the University and University. It came at a moment of honorary degree of Doctor of Laws at the University of NSW. He made great turbulence in the University’s by the University. history and he was a conscientious, his mark in corporate law and was only Kim Santow is survived by his the second solicitor to sit on the NSW tireless and calming presence at that wife, Lee (Frankel), their sons, Simon, Supreme Court bench. critical time. William and Edward, and their families. His Sydney Morning Herald Vice-Chancellor Professor Gavin obituarist, Tony Stephens, wrote of his Brown said: “It is sad to lose someone A memorial ceremony was held by the “ability to combine powerful intellect who has achieved so much and had University in the Great Hall on with genuine humility … uncommon so much more to offer. He completed April 23 with more than 600 alumni in the law. Sir William Deane, Sir a period of distinguished service as and guests gathered to honour his

obituary Gerard Brennan and Justice Murray Chancellor last year, and his ongoing memory. SAM

SAM Winter 08 13 Advance Australia … where? How? Why?

The challenges facing Australia beyond 2020 are already on the drawing boards and in the research programs at the University of Sydney. Chris Rodley and Helen McKenzie report section header r

14 SAM Winter 08 There goes the neighbourhood By Chris Rodley

t the University’s Laboratory for Sustainable Technology in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, a team of researchers is growing a crop of alfalfa that conceals a remarkable secret: each plant contains 10 per cent of its own weight in gold. The ingenious process by which plants extract metals from Athe soil is known as phytomining and it has the potential to change the face of Australia’s multibillion-dollar mining industry. In the future, farmers could grow a crop of wheat on gold-producing soil and water it with a special chemical that makes the plant absorb the metal and store it in their leaves as nanoparticles. The wheat could then be harvested to produce renewable energy, leaving behind ash that is rich in gold. “Mining has a poor track record on environmental performance, but with this idea, the mine of the future could be indistinguishable from a farmer’s field,” says Dr Andrew Harris, who heads the interdisciplinary research laboratory. He is one of a number of researchers at the University who believe Australia must change its thinking on environmental issues and adopt radical new approaches to conventional processes. Our priority, he says, is to rethink the way we use natural resources: we are currently using far more than the planet can afford. According to Dr Harris, part of the solution to this critical problem is to supply resources and energy on a local scale rather than using large, centralised factories, which are unsustainable. “So instead of a large, coal-fired power station for a city, there would be a whole collection of little power stations supplying power for a household or collection of buildings,” he explains. In co-operation with the Bioregional Development Group, a British charity, he is pioneering a number of these local-scale supply projects, including a sustainable paper mill that produces a much smaller volume of paper than conventional facilities and uses straw and agricultural waste rather than woodchips. The technology holds exciting promise as an alternative to logging trees for pulp and is being commercialised in Britain, China, India and Pakistan. Meanwhile, in the School of Chemistry, Professor Thomas Maschmeyer (BSc (Hons) ’91, PhD ’95) also believes that pursuing innovative technological solutions to resource and energy challenges is a top environmental priority for Australia. “Science and engineering give the primary means to enable societal changes because they develop the new tools,” says the Federation Fellow. He is working on a range of breakthrough sustainable energy projects based on advanced methods of catalysis, including a novel method of producing hydrogen using water and sunlight and a biofuel project that involves treating green waste and then separating and fermenting its sugars to form ethanol, a renewable fuel source. Working with teams from Macquarie University and the University of NSW, his group recently won a Federal Government grant to build the infrastructure to make the ethanol process a commercial reality. Another environmental issue where Australia urgently needs to begin adopting creative solutions is our management of rivers, according to Dr Melissa Neave, a geographer in the School of Geosciences. She has been working with a team from the University of Canberra on the Sustainable Rivers Audit, a program of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission that aims to provide a snapshot of the health of the entire Murray-Darling river system. Dr Neave’s research has made her passionate about the need for governments to act on the numerous problems facing this vital basin, which covers one- seventh of the nation’s land mass. One key issue she highlights is the amount of water being taken out of the river system by irrigated farming. The reduction in

cover story water levels due to irrigation is threatening the wildlife that needs the system to

SAM Winter 08 15 survive, she says, arguing that we must move quickly to develop more water-efficient agricultural methods. Another problem is that the dams built throughout the basin have made water flows much more regular, which is devastating to aquatic organisms that have Overweight and over here evolved to live in rivers that cycle between high and low levels. To By Helen McKenzie tackle this, she says, it is imperative that we find more effective ways to use environmental flows – releases henever I go to museums and exhibitions of water from dams that coincide I’m always on the lookout for overweight with ecological triggers – to support “Wfigures in prehistoric drawings,” says Professor plant and animal life in the river. Jennie Brand-Miller of the University’s School of Molecular “We have a strange disconnect and Microbial Biosciences, an internationally renowned in Australia: we realise that we need nutritionist and author. “There are some. They were water to survive, but we are not there. There were overweight people. So obesity has been investing much energy in trying there right through prehistoric times. There is a thought to understand our rivers or the that fat women might have been venerated because they problems they face,” she says. were thought to be more fertile. But actually research is One other area where Australia now showing that obese women are less fertile. One of the needs to adopt a radical new products of the obesity epidemic is that overweight women mindset, according to researchers, find it hard to get pregnant.” is the time-scale in which we Moreover, she says, recent statistics suggest longevity is operate: we must start thinking declining. Instead of maintaining the century-long trend of about environmental issues from children outliving their parents, we are looking at a shorter a long-term perspective rather life expectancy for the following generations. than that of a three- or four-year “The thought that you might bury your children is awful election cycle. The need for but we are heading that way with smoking, drinking and long-term planning is seen most being overweight,” says Professor Brand-Miller, who also starkly in the issue of rising sea says that 50 per cent of adult women and 67 per cent of adult levels, the area of expertise of Dr men in Australia are overweight or obese. Peter Cowell (PhD ’83), from the The best tools to combat the obesity problem are well Institute of Marine Science. known: diet and exercise. Simple as the solutions may sound, Global warming is causing sea levels to rise across the Dr Meilssa Neave Professor Brand-Miller knows that the lives many of us lead world, but it is a particularly critical issue for Australia (top, photo by Paul today do not foster best practice in either department. Wright) and Dr “Even though I’m a nutritionist, I wouldn’t argue because most of our population lives by the sea. But while Andrew Harris Dr Cowell says it is vital to slash our carbon emissions to that nutrition is the most important factor in the obesity minimise the extent of climate change, even if we pursue epidemic,” she says. “I would actually argue that it is the drastic reductions the world will keep warming because of increase in sedentariness. We watch more television and we inertia in ocean heat exchanges. Therefore, he argues, we work harder. must ensure we adapt appropriately to rising sea levels and “When we get home I think we are physically and the other impending effects of climate change. mentally exhausted. The thought of doing exercise is not Dr Cowell is working on advanced forecasting methods appealing; we just want to sit on the lounge and absorb that will allow authorities to draw up better planning something intellectually unchallenging on TV. guidelines for development along Australia’s coastline. “People say email is fattening: it’s true. I used to go Our two biggest problems, he says, are erosion of coastal for a walk in the morning, take the dog, but now I’ve got land and the increasing frequency of flooding in towns my laptop at home, with emails accumulating. It’s really and suburbs on low-lying coastal plains. Both could cause tempting just to get going and get them out of the way.” widespread devastation because of the amount of housing Professor Brand-Miller believes that employers have a and infrastructure already situated in vulnerable areas and case to answer in the balance of work and life. the rapid expansion of development as our population grows. “Employers have an obligation to their workers to give “The climate change time-scale is longer than 2020, but them opportunities to exercise. I throw much back on the we will be very much affected by decisions we make now employer. I feel that working hours have really eaten into and up to 2020,” he says. “We have to be planning for many, people’s leisure time activity.” many decades ahead, or we will wreck the economy and After inactivity, food choices are the most important quality of life of future generations.” factor in the obesity epidemic. “Something in your brain that is really primitive is controlling your appetite. I think that the concept of whether foods satisfy you or not is really at

16 SAM Winter 08 “There’s lots of psychiatric research that says if you want people to become obsessive about something, tell them they can’t have it! They quote the studies performed in prisons 50 years ago to see what happened when food given to prisoners was restricted. In one study, prisoners received 25 per cent less calories than they needed, and apparently the prisoners soon took down their pin-ups of nude women and put up pictures of food!” Nevertheless, Professor Brand-Miller has some good news on the war against weight. “You don’t have to lose a lot of weight to actually improve everything: to improve metabolism, your risk of diabetes, heart disease. You only have to lose about 5 per cent of your body weight, which is not very much.” Her advice is to “lose weight very gradually in a sustainable way, with a healthy diet that you like, where you the crux of the obesity epidemic. We’ve made a mistake in eat enough to make you feel satisfied but not overstuffed”. trying to encourage people to eat low fat foods as these foods Possibly the best news for some is the response to her actually don’t help people feel full.” most frequently asked question: what is the GI of a glass Professor Brand-Miller says our bodies have a reciprocal of wine? relationship with food. If you delete one food type, you must “Wine has a GI of zero,” she says. “We did a study where compensate with another. “It is we accompanied the meal with one or two drinks and we “It is impossible to eat a low-sugar, low-fat diet: no one has actually found that it was better to have alcohol. It lowered that diet. A tiny, tiny fraction of people could manage it. The impossible the blood sugar response to the meal, especially if it was a average person, if they cut out sugar, eats more saturated fats to eat a drink you had one hour before the meal. instead, or vice versa; that has been proven again and again.” “Alcohol has a very complex relationship with health. It This is where the glycaemic index (GI) comes into the low-sugar, does appear that one drink or one-and-a-half drinks a day is equation. Consuming foods that have a high GI makes low-fat diet: good for people. Maybe one of the reasons it is good for you people feel hungrier sooner, Professor Brand-Miller says. no one has is that it lowers the blood sugar response to the meal.” “The high GI foods on offer are exceptional in what Nonetheless, it’s not a green light for alcopop excess. they do metabolically. They make your blood glucose go that diet.” up high, they make your insulin go up high in ways that palaeolithic diets didn’t. The foods we eat these days send Booze and drugs – the cringe you on a roller-coaster ride and make you feel hungry; people are often hungrier when they’ve eaten more. I really culture think obesity does come down to appetite, which is a very By Helen McKenzie primitive instinct. In the past we could rely on it to keep us at the right weight; nowadays it doesn’t.” The recommended way to follow a low-GI diet is to lose examination of Australia’s excessive alcohol and exchange high-GI carbohydrates for low-GI carbohydrates. drug-taking habits has been a feature of the first half Put simply: ditch white (refined) breads and go for Cof 2008. Dr Kate Conigrave (PhD ’98), FAFPHM, sourdough or wholegrain; pasta and noodles are OK and FAChAM, of the University’s School of Public Health, is preferable to potatoes. Breakfast cereals containing oats, happy that the topic is in the national focus. “It is good that barley and bran are preferable to refined products, while alcohol has been so placed in the public eye because there basmati rice has the lowest GI in the rice family. And, of has been a normalisation of heavy drinking, particularly course, fresh fruit, vegetables and salad greens should not be amongst young people, resulting in very real physical and overlooked. emotional problems,” she says. “The normalisation of “Nobody wants to be overweight,” she says. “Most alcohol needs challenging.” people make an effort to not be overweight and yet are Dr Conigrave contends that our society is accepting failing miserably. Often a professional says, ‘to lose weight, of excessive drinking, when the statistics suggest there exercise more and eat less’. I think that’s a silly thing to say. It is no room for complacency: “Sixty per cent of our late teenagers/early adults are putting themselves at risk. The just makes for a very hungry individual. Especially to say ‘eat Professor Jennie less’. I think that sets up pathways in the brain that make Brand-Miller, above. most obvious outcome is death. We are losing young men you become preoccupied with food. Photo by Paul Wright in road accidents because of alcohol; a tragic loss of life in its

SAM Winter 08 17 prime. But there are other outcomes for young people from Dr Kate Conigrave excessive consumption of alcohol that are taking their toll, Photo Paul Wright such as unwanted pregnancies and an increase in sexually transmitted diseases.” Youth binge drinking, according to Dr Conigrave, “is harder to tackle than, say, the drink-driving issue because you can’t punish the offenders”. It is, however, possible to punish those who supply alcohol to under-age consumers or drinkers who have already overimbibed. The enforcement of laws on the responsible service of alcohol is one measure she says can be improved. “Some licensed premises take great pains to uphold the law and there is good evidence that this really reduces problems. Other licensed premises make me angry because the publicans are looking after their profit over the welfare of our young people.” Dr Conigrave says a cultural change is required. “In some countries the young people dance until dawn and have a great time without alcohol. We need to be more creative in “They know after undergoing detoxification [supervised or unsupervised our approach to the problem. The training of peer leaders withdrawal],” Dr Conigrave says. “There is a far greater has had success and our sports people have a weighty there is a chance of success in avoiding heroin, and associated crime, responsibility to show you can be young, fit and handsome high risk that illness and risk of overdose, if replacement opioid therapy is and don’t need to get smashed after a game.” used. The patient receives a daily, usually supervised, dose Parents of teenagers face a challenging dilemma, she their children of a long-acting opioid. This does not make them feel ‘high’ says. “They know there is a high risk that their children will become but relieves withdrawals and craving, enough to allow them will become involved in drinking in secret, unsafe settings involved in to return to a productive life. Once stable, if the patient feels such as parks. Sometimes parents take the view that a small secure to avoid heroin, the prescribed opioid is gradually amount of alcohol served under supervision in the home is drinking in weaned off.” preferable. Parents need to remember that this is against secret, unsafe Dr Conigrave says Aboriginal Australians are less likely the law.” to drink alcohol than other Australians. “However, when It is not just the kids who are hitting the grog, Dr settings such we look at the known risk factors for alcohol dependence Conigrave says. The latest statistics show that one in 25 of as parks.” – unemployment, loss of sense of control, marginalisation, us is dependent on alcohol (“alcoholic”) and up to one in six childhood separation or trauma – it is not surprising that drinks in a manner that places them at short- or long-term some Aboriginal communities or individuals face significant risk of harm. problems. While the bad news stories most often attract “So alcohol dependence remains a common condition attention, there have been many successes. Many Aboriginal which is challenging to treat and has a huge impact on communities have successfully avoided or tackled alcohol the individual and those around them,” she says. “Once problems, often by creative combinations of supply control dependent, it is a lifelong challenge for the individual to and community development measures. avoid relapse to drinking. Many members of the public “Some communities have chosen to become ‘dry’; others underestimate the intensity of the biological drive to drink in have restricted access to take-away alcohol, particularly established dependence.” large-volume, inexpensive alcohol such as cask wine. Others In recent years, help for those battling alcohol addiction have developed creative systems, such as the permit system has come in the form of new medications. “The past decade that operates in certain Arnhem Land communities, where has brought some new hope for those struggling to address everyone, indigenous or non-indigenous, must hold a permit their alcohol dependence. There is now a range of new to access take-away alcohol. Any alcohol-related crime or medications available or under study which reduce the violence means access to take-away alcohol is removed. craving for alcohol. Traditional approaches to treatment such Alcohol is recognised as a privilege and not a right.” as psychotherapies and Alcoholics Anonymous remain very For Dr Conigrave and her department, the previous important and have been shown to be effective. However, federal government’s Summit on Drugs in 1999 gave rise to these can now be supplemented with medications which “a strong conclusion that we as a society need to change our help reduce the risk of relapse.” drinking habits”. She is now hopeful that thanks to closer Medical therapy is also the most successful treatment for ties between federal and state governments, the issue will heroin addiction. “Only one in 10 heroin users can stay clean become part of the national agenda.

18 SAM Winter 08 he says, while another is being able to engage with the complex systems that surround us in contemporary life, from traffic systems to the economy. To fill the gap, he is developing new software programs that give school students the opportunity to work together on projects in virtual teams and enable them to manage complex systems, such as the running of a national park. To teach these technology-based skills, all schools will need to have the right equipment. For that reason, Professor Reimann supports the Federal Government’s promise to provide laptops to every senior high school student in Australia, pointing out that these will be vital to provide the comprehensive training and resources to teachers. An exciting side benefit of using portable computers, he adds, is that students will be able to move outside the classroom and into areas such as parks or museums where they can learn more informally. In creating an education system that equips students for the future, we also need to focus on students from socially Education: The clever century disadvantaged backgrounds. Research suggests that giving these students a proper head start in life may be the most By Chris Rodley urgent task facing education in Australia today. “Studies show us that if you come from a socially disadvantaged background, schooling in Australia is less ducation in Australia is a perennial topic of debate “... kids likely to serve you well than it is in other similar countries,” on the airwaves and across the dinner tables of the need to says the education scholar Associate Professor Debra Hayes Enation. Often the discussion will focus on literacy and (BSc ’82), whose research has focused on schools in hard-to- numeracy standards and how well we are teaching children understand staff regional and outer suburban areas with low retention the three Rs. and high suspension rates. But that is just one part of a much larger issue facing other She has found that many of the problems facing these Australian education, according to leading researchers from cultures schools can be attributed to the way they are resourced: the University of Sydney. They argue that our objectives much more teachers and leaders are often inexperienced and many stay as we approach 2020 must be much more ambitious and at the school for only a short time. wide-ranging. than we do “We would not expect a hospital staffed by new medical “We need to look at the nature of an active, successful now ...” graduates with limited or no access to specialists to function and engaged citizen and worker in the society of the future well,” she says, “so we need to find ways to give experienced and then ask what kinds of skills and knowledge would be teachers and leaders incentives to go to these schools and good preparation to become such a citizen,” says Professor stay there for the longer term.” Peter Freebody (BA (Hons) ’73), a Professorial Research As well as strengthening teaching in such schools, Fellow in the Faculty of Education and Social Work. we need to support socially disadvantaged students and One of the most important skills he believes children their families, says Louise Lawler, a University of Sydney need to acquire is an awareness of their place in today’s researcher based in the Faculty of Medicine. For three years globalised world, where there is a much faster flow of people, Ms Lawler has been pioneering an innovative program for ideas and money. “That means kids need to understand indigenous and non-indigenous high school students in other cultures much more than we do now, and this in turn regional areas of NSW where many families are chronically means learning the history and culture and even the art unemployed or underemployed. and literature of other countries,” he says. “When we teach Her approach is based on the premise that we need to do Australian history, we need to help students connect what more to stop students dropping out of school and becoming they learn about this country to their global understanding unemployed. It involves year 10 students pledging that of the world.” they will use the final years of school to achieve success by Providing students with this kind of awareness will either finishing year 12 or getting a job. To help them keep involve extensive changes to the content of curriculums and the promise they receive assistance such as work experience the way classes are taught, he says. But the pay-off will be a opportunities and support for their families. generation that has a much better understanding of complex The success of the program so far has been remarkable: international problems such as global warming and terrorism in 2006, 326 year 10 students at Dubbo College signed the and is better able to participate in finding solutions. “World- pledge and all but one were still in school or had a job by the mindedness needs to be an overall part of educational following year. Ms Lawler is now set to extend the program practice if we want people to contribute to a more peaceful to six regional towns in NSW thanks to a $1 million Federal and sustainable world,” Professor Freebody says. Government grant, and the Prime Minister has asked her to To be better prepared for the future, our children also consider making the program even bigger. need to acquire the technology-based skills that will be “I believe we need to move closer to the world of important in the 21st century workplace, according to young people in order to help them,” she says. “Adults are Professor Peter Reimann, co-director of the Centre for Professor Peter separating from young people in society, whereas we need to Research on Computer-Based Learning and Cognition. Reimann. be coming together to help deal with problems which society One such skill is being able to collaborate in virtual teams, Photo Paul Wright is creating.”SAM

SAM Winter 08 19 Into the spotlight This year, artists from Sydney College of the Arts were honoured in two major prizes. Fiona Lowry and Vilma Bader talk to Marie Jacobs

iona Lowry (BV Arts ’99) won Lowry tries to manipulate that The fine mist quality of the airbrush the $100,000 Doug Moran idea, evoking the melancholy of technique Lowry uses gives the portrait art FNational Portrait Prize, the places, but says the crime aspect tends a soft-focus, photographic character. country’s richest portrait prize, with to overwhelm other meanings. She Having not really concentrated What I assume you shall assume. It’s an initially painted just the crime scenes on portraiture before, Lowry just unsettling image: a naked figure of the and then began adding figures. This happened to have completed the artist confronting the viewer against the created ambiguous views, spaces picture when entries for the Moran backdrop of Belanglo State Forest. But where the viewer could imagine were called for. She realised that, Lowry says she is “just putting things what was going on, drawing on their unlike the venerable Archibald, the together and seeing what happens”. own experiences. Before making the prize does not restrict entrants to well- known subjects. Born in Sydney, Lowry grew up painting she entered in the Moran, She saw that the prize had some in Bondi Junction and the Sunshine Lowry’s figures had always been interesting judges this year (the artist Coast. Her parents gave her an depicted from behind, making the Ben Quilty and the former director appreciation of art and Lowry’s mother figure anonymous and placing the wrote poetry. She gave little thought to of Queensland Art Gallery, Doug viewer in the position of voyeur. doing anything else, heading straight Hall AM) and thought that a more “But in this one, I wanted the figure to art school from high school. She risky work might have a chance. to look back at the viewer,” she says. dropped out a few times but eventually Nevertheless, she was unaware she had “It’s more of a confrontation, so there completed her Bachelor of Visual won until she turned up to the press is some complicity with the viewer. It Arts, majoring in painting. She started conference. is somewhat ambiguous as the figure is exhibiting and was picked up by Even though it is a substantial prize, Gallery Barry Keldoulis in Sydney. possibly vulnerable.” Lowry is unassuming about what it Much of Lowry’s work has been Although the figure depicted is may mean. “It just feels a bit abstract. based on contemporary crime scenes, the artist, it was not initially painted as I’m feeling the pressure of my next such as Belanglo State Forest, the site a self-portrait, nor was it consciously solo show. A lot more people know my of the “backpacker murders”, south of about her, yet she says it is “self- name but it’s more about the next work Sydney. She is interested in how fear reflective”. you make.” Lowry recently completed a Ned manifests itself and in paranoia of the “It’s about my own introspection Kelly trip through Victoria and her landscape. and willingness to learn about a forthcoming work will look at the “I initially started painting the crime blind spot in my own thinking in colonial period and bushrangers, scenes,” she says. “I was interested in regards to sexual play that involves tapping into the mythology of the how those places became affected and dominance and submission,” Lowry fearful landscape. infected by what had gone on inside says. “The figure in this painting is Fiona Lowry (right) of them, so you couldn’t see them for not vulnerable but more an active photo Paul Wright what they were any more.” participant in these games.”

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20 SAM Winter 08 SAM Winter 08 21 art

ilma Bader, currently a Masters student at Sydney her art was taking another direction and becoming more College of the Arts, has had an installation selected conceptual: “Pushing paint was not enough”. She decided to and hung in the Sulman Prize at the Art Gallery of study at Sydney College of the Arts. VNSW. Her major influences are museums, and she makes The Sulman is awarded to the best subject painting, genre archives and inventories by working in series, driven by an painting or mural project by an Australian artist. Bader’s work urge to collect items associated with memory and time, to is an installation of 63 paintings of book covers, all Australian categorise and order the world. literary classics. The work seems to measure the impact Another aspect of Bader’s work is its contemplation of of literature on our contemporary culture, with individual representation in terms of simulacrum and similitude. She paintings representing life-size books. It took her a mentally explains that with her Sulman work, because she painted the and physically exhausting three months to complete. edge of the painting to represent the spine of the book, it Literature has been a big influence in Bader's life. “looks like a book but it is not a book: it is a simulacrum”. In Coming from an academic family and being surrounded by this it is similar to Rene Magritte’s painting with a pipe, The books, she initially wanted to become a writer. While living Treachery of Images. in Germany, however, she experienced an epiphany. With similitude, “the books all look the same; they are “Because I didn’t speak the language, I spent a lot of similar but they are all different”. She describes her work time in galleries. That’s when I decided I wanted to do art - I as suggesting multiple narratives, such as a library, a link understood that art transcends everything,” she explains. between literature and art or politics and art. Bader is also It was a defining moment when Bader, who grew up in interested in identity and she says this work suggests the Mauritius, came face to face with a self-portrait by Albrecht openness of the question of Australian identity. Durer, where the artist merges his features with those of Being a finalist in the Sulman was a significant God. “I was transfixed by it. When I was looking at it, I achievement for Bader as very few students’ works make it forgot about the paint. That’s when I decided I wanted to onto the walls in these prize shows. become a painter.” “I only wanted my work to be out there when I was Vilma Bader Back in Australia, Bader enrolled at the National Art 100 per cent sure about it … midway through last year I Photo Paul Wright School, graduating with distinction. Then she realised that realised I was making art and it was a wonderful feeling.” SAM

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22 SAM Winter 08 I clip therefore I am Matthew Gibbs (BEc ’89) confesses a dark, papery secret

f the first step along the path to expressions in modern communication, recent tribute to the life and career redemption is to confess, here goes: opinions on his legacy, the thoughts of the former Australian batsman and II am a clipper. Not in the toenails of great practitioners. Much ado about “invincible” Bill Brown was folded or sailing ships sense, but newspapers. everything. into a Who’s Who of Test cricketers. The I confess to being a butcher of I use the clippings as research for obituary of the last French veteran broadsheets. I read a newspaper with a my own writing, to update or add to from World War I, who died in March pair of eyes and a pair of scissors, ready information I’ve already gathered, or aged 110, now rests in Les Carlyon’s to snip items of interest. just to re-read later. If nothing else, weighty tome on that subject. And To celebrate my recent birthday, it makes me popular for trivia nights. portraits of the late actor for all seasons, some friends presented me with a The clippings go inside books, plastic Paul Scofield, the greatest King Lear gigantic pair of scissors, the length sleeves and lever arch folders. Silverfish of the 20th century, were greedily of a golf club, and a card inscribed: don’t get a look in. sought out, clipped and deposited “Here’s to 40 more wonderful years Lest the reader think I have a between the covers of various books of clipping.” I was overwhelmed. And second mortgage to house all this and theatrical programs. I went to the nearly decapitated. material, it takes up surprisingly trouble of sourcing Scofield’s obituary I chop up newspapers because I little space. Neither of my children in English newspapers to ensure the love them. I find their daily array of has given up their room to cater for right calibre of clipping. news, knowledge, opinion and trivia daddy’s “habit”. And I do regularly The serendipitous discovery of mesmerising. Newspapers – the good cull: it not only reduces the fire hazard habits similar to mine is always a joy – ones, at least – satiate a hunger for but also keeps the quantity down to a and a relief. Hidden in my 1890 edition information I want to keep. They were manageable vastness. Perhaps the most of Shakespeare’s Richard III were invented for people curious about obvious evidence of my proclivity is the pasted-in prints of famous actors in the world. Or maybe for people with trail of dark newsprint finger smudges the title role cut from newspapers and curious snipping tendencies. on doorknobs and light switches magazines by a former owner. They Naturally, my clippings match my around the house. include David Garrick, Edwin Forrest interests: history, particularly ancient; A review of the new film version and Edwin Thomas Booth. Falling politics, with the Kennedy brothers of Sleuth, starring Michael Caine and from the pages of a recently acquired and Gough Whitlam special favourites; Jude Law, is slipped into a book about second-hand reader’s guide to books leadership and speechmaking; Formula the movies of Laurence Olivier, who by and about T.E. Lawrence was a One motor racing and the Sea Eagles starred in the original, with a younger coloured postcard of the 1919 portrait rugby league team; classical literature; Michael Caine, 36 years ago. The of Lawrence by the artist Augustus the High Court of Australia (a hangover special souvenir lift-out covering John. For clippers, these are treasures from my days as a law student); Kevin Rudd’s “sorry” speech has akin to Howard Carter’s uncovering of the films of Orson Welles (another been added to a folder on Australian the tomb of Tutankhamen but without hangover from days when I should politics, thickened in recent years the curse. have been concentrating on being a with clippings on events such as the Clearly, I missed my calling. I law student); the novels of Graham resignation of a governor-general and should have aspired to be an archivist

Greene; the life of T.E. Lawrence; the centenary of Federation. Some when I enrolled at the University and Shakespeare, most especially things don’t need clipping at all. The of Sydney rather than studying Shakespeare. Australian Literary Review, inserted Economics/Law. Or built a career in I have a Bard habit. Folders upon monthly in the national newspaper, is waste management. Admittedly, once scrapbooks of clippings about the Matthew Gibbs, added to a folder of literary magazines. clipped, the bulk of the material isn’t Bard: reviews of productions, debates Manager, Corporate I like obituaries, too. They looked at again. But it’s the possibility Relations at the about how he’s taught in schools, his Australian Stock complete a life. Obituaries of subjects of needing it down the track for prominence in Australia, controversies Exchange. of interest find their way into relevant purposes unforeseen that motivates. over the authorship, the use of his Photo Paul Wright biographies on my bookshelves. A One just never knows. SAM SAM Winter 08 23 books

Morris in Iceland Heroes of Tobruk People of the Book Alex Jones David Mulligan Geraldine Brooks Puncher & Wattmann, $25 Scholastica, $16.99 Harper Collins, $33pb/$50hb

After the critical success of the When David Mulligan’s unusual telling Journalist by trade and novelist by dazzling Helen Garner and the Meaning of an otherwise familiar war story opens calling, Geraldine Brooks (BA ’79, of Everything (same publisher, 2006), the main characters, Peter Fullerton LLD Law ’07) is a consummate Alex Jones (LLB ’64 MA ’68) has not and Tony Cantonelli, are best mates storyteller and researcher. She seems been idle. He might have retired from and just 16 years old. It is 1940 and the to start from a basic journalistic the University but his fiction life is young Aussies are desperate to “do premise: what if? She then sets out blooming. their bit” for the Empire. They give to answer the question through The tone of Morris in Iceland false names and lie about their ages to discovery and embellish the facts with is similar to the first novel: witty, enlist. Soon they are in North Africa her imagination where she finds no erudite, sly and wildly imaginative and in the thick of the reality of their answers. and ambitious. Unlike many wildly adventure. It worked brilliantly in March (a imaginative and ambitious writers, Like his previous novel Angels Pulitzer Prize winner), where her however, he pulls off his literary leaps of Kokoda, which told of the New “what if?” was “what if the father of and verbal somersaults. The result Guinea campaign of WW2, Heroes of Little Women were the main subject?” is a book that sizzles with energy Tobruk is also novel aimed at a young And she did much the same with the and amusement as well as drawing readership; but there is plenty for (real) village of Eyam in England, the the reader into its deeper and more more mature readers who may be setting of Year of Wonders. thoughtful places. interested in a historically accurate but People of the Book are those who The title refers, in part, to William lively and personal account of youthful come into contact with the Sarajevo Morris, the 19th century English Australians of the 1940s. Haggadah, a small Jewish holy book designer and socialist visionary whose Through devices such as Peter’s originating in medieval Spain that influence on wallpaper and homewares diary entries the reader is also privy to ended up in modern Bosnia. is possibly better known today than insights into a soldier’s mind that are Brooks’s question was: how his poetry and other writing. How he chilling and authentic: no romance come this book found protectors might intersect with Bjork, reigning and empty heroics here. It also makes across cultures, religions, wars and queen of Icelandic-global popular one think of the experiences of our the centuries when countless other culture, is something the Inner West forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and even artefacts and treasures were destroyed? Creative Mime Atelier (a Sydney arts East Timor – and how we fail them by She came up with a character – a organisation, of course) dreams up. not wanting to know what we blithely first-person narrator – Hanna, whose Further explanation of the quixotic expect of them, without considering own story drives the novel. She is plot of Morris in Iceland would be akin the consequences. a book conservator charged with to catching at quicksilver: grab it and When not writing, David Mulligan restoring the Haggadah and she it’s gone, or misrepresented, or grimly is actually David Morris (Mat Med ’55) anchors the narrative in the present skewed towards logic when its very and a happy father and grandfather. while the story of the book ranges illogicality is what makes sense. across Europe and the centuries. Alex Jones has acquired many fans since Helen Garner and the Meaning of Everything and they will not be disappointed by this second novel.

24 SAM Winter 08 Louis Laloy (1874-1944) on See the Virgin Blest – the Lucy OsbUrn a lady displaced: Debussy, Ravel and Stravinsky Virgin Mary in English Poetry Florence Nightingale’s envoy Deborah Priest Barry Spurr to Australia Ashgate, $90 (pre-read copies Palgrave Macmillan, $69.95 dr judith Godden available at www.amazon.com, University of Sydney Press prices vary) $34.95

Deborah Priest (BMus ’77), an A 30-year veteran of the University’s Dr Judith Godden’s notable biography Honorary Research Associate at English department, the author has of Lucy Osburn has enjoyed popular the Conservatorium of Music, has been a beacon of hope in unpoetic and critical success. In April the translated her original 1999 edition times. (His admired Studying Poetry is National Biography Award short list for into French and slightly expanded it. now in a second edition.) 2008 was announced and Lucy Osburn It documents one of the key figures The title of the book is apparently was one of the contenders. of 20th century French music and is self-explanatory but conceals more At the time, Dr Godden, a University a key to unlock that period and those than it reveals. Spurr explores researcher, said: “I really think Lucy working in it. the connections between visual Osburn should be a household name, There is no equivalent to Louis representations of the Madonna and and I hope this publicity will help her Laloy in the arts today. He was a critic the poetry inspired by them, from receive appreciation for the important and scholar and a close friend of Claude Walsingham in Norfolk through The role she has played in the history of Debussy (whose first biography in Canterbury Tales, the Renaissance, Australian health.” French he wrote in 1909). He was Michelangelo’s Pieta to modernism and A brief biography explains why Dr writing at a time and in a place where Wilde, Pound, Yeats and Eliot. Godden was so taken by the nursing music and art were in the throes of The Christian root of English poetry pioneer: “Lucy Osburn (1836-1891) becoming “modern”. His aesthetic is the impetus of the book and Spurr’s the founder of modern lay nursing in ideals and understanding of the aims of critical study makes this plain through Australia and friend of Henry Parkes, the composers and painters in question a wealth of material both orthodox and battled with surgeons, was vilified by (comparing Monet and Gauguin to unexpected. His reading of Wilde’s two the press, became the subject of a royal Debussy) were crucial elements in sonnets, Wasted Days and its revision to commission, was embroiled in a royal their dissemination. Madonna Mia, is illuminating, while the shooting and ultimately rejected by her He was a linguist (French, English, section on Eliot’s Ash Wednesday signals heroine, Florence Nightingale.” German, Russian, Italian, Greek, Latin the subject of his promised next book, Lucy Osburn a Lady Displaced is available and Mandarin Chinese) and an astute a study of Eliot’s Anglo-Catholicism. on demand from www.sup.usyd.edu.au/ analyst of Rameau, Satie and Dukas See the Virgin Blest is scholarly yet and follow the prompts. as well as the major figures of the accessible and fascinating for a wider time: Debussy, Ravel and Stravinsky. readership with an interest in English Cocteau, Gide, Colette, Breton and poetry and history and the role of Rodin were among his friends. religions in both. Despite his central position in the modern history of French arts Illustration above from Book of Hours, and letters, there has been very little France, circa 1460. written about Laloy and Priest’s book is RB Add.Ms 58 – Fisher an important one. Library Rare Books, University of Sydney

SAM Winter 08 25 Glenn Stevens on 30 years of the Australian economny

he promise of a major speech by “It’s easy to say why not raise the target,” Turning his focus to the USA Mr Stevens alumnus and Governor of the said Mr Stevens. “That was the previous said, “We’re a long way from out of the TReserve Bank of Australia, Glenn thinking of the 1970s. That’s how we got 10 woods, the US economy looks like it’s having Stevens (BEc ’80) brought more than 230 per cent inflation, it’s too big a liability.” a slight recession.” Nevertheless, the USA alumni and friends of the faculty to the Mr Stevens said, “Inflation targeting is not will continue to be an important international inaugural Economics and Business Faculty perfect and, on occasion, still leaves policy force in the years to come. annual dinner on May 15. makers with some quite difficult decisions Mr Stevens went on to say he believes Held in the Great Hall in the presence to make,” he said. “It is, however, the best there are moral hazards in central banks of Chancellor Marie Bashir, Mr Stevens system that has been devised as yet … bailing out struggling financial institutions in began a wide-ranging speech by recalling “Even with the recent surge in consumer the wake of the global credit crisis. that the last time he had been in the Hall prices taking the inflation rate to a bit over “It’s an intervention without precedent,” was for his graduation, or possibly an exam. four per cent, things are not like they were in Mr Stevens said in relation to the US bank “Either way,” he said, “tonight’s occasion is the 1970s.” JPMorgan and the US Federal Reserve far more convivial.” Then, the heavily regulated economy bailing out Bear Stearns. Mr Stevens explained that his speech, suffered poor productivity growth and Nevertheless, Mr Stevens said Australia’s titled “The Australian Economy, Then and sheltered behind high barriers to foreign strong fiscal position has given the federal Now” was inspired by an old classmate’s competition. Today it is much more open and government the capacity to respond to future suggestion: “That a good topic might be a productive and the contrast is striking. Now, uncertainty. comparison of the economy of the late 1970s, said Mr Stevens, “Australia needs to adapt to “There would be very few countries, if when we were students, with that of today.” the rise of China. any, which would not envy Australia’s fiscal It was a good idea, he decided, because, position,” Mr Stevens said. “The capacity to “In the moment-by-moment focus on the “It’s certainly a once-in-a-century economic data, and all the wiggles and ticks economic event,” he said. “Unless something respond, if need be, to developments in the up and down of this indicator or that, we can terribly destabilising occurs ... within a future is virtually without peer. This seems often neglect to stand back and look at the generation it’s going to rival the large light years from the situation in the late 1970s.” big picture.” economies of the world. China is at this At the end of his speech Mr Stevens Mr Stevens’ address (which may be read point over-heating and needs to slow down. responded to questions from guests and the in full via the Reserve Bank website at this Nothing short of a cataclysmic event will stop media. As a result there was wide coverage link: http://www.rba.gov.au/Speeches/2008/ it growing quickly. What we’ve got to do as a in the following day’s newspapers, television sp_gov_150508.pdf) was comprehensive and country is be able to adapt to this.” and radio news. The success of the occasion fulfilled his opening remarks. China’s economic rise posed some ensures that it will continue on an annual He defended the bank’s long-held environmental challenges, said Mr Stevens. basis with a featured eminent alumnus demand for a two to three per cent inflation “Its demand for energy grows very quickly speaker. It will help to build the Economics target – adopted in 1993 and official and its environmental problems are growing and Business alumni network and research government policy since 1996. very quickly.” network. SAM

lumni RSVP wards An invitation to ... Friday 29 August Cost: Free A Alumni Relations Office Tel: +61 2 9036 9278 The 2008 Alumni Awards Presentation Fax: +61 2 9351 6868 Recognising outstanding alumni achievement Email: [email protected] Web: www.usyd.edu.au/alumni_awards Join us in the historic MacLaurin Hall for an awards presentation and cocktail The Chancellor, Her Excellency reception to recognise valued alumni and their achievements in community Professor Marie Bashir AC service and their chosen professional fields CVO (MBBS ’56, MD ’02) with 2007 Alumni Award recipient Professor John Wong (BScMed Friday 5 September 2008 from 6 – 8pm ’64 MBBS ’66 PhDMed ’72 MacLaurin Hall, Quadrangle, the University of Sydney HonMD ’95)

26 SAM Winter 08 The dam builders Anabel Dean meets a unique group of wartime comrades: the engineers of 1950 alumni update

oy Lascelles remembers the unbeaten by any other faculty. Another exceptional graduate, day well. The day he faced the “It was a Godsend to start Pat Christie, started a company RJapanese pilot who was credited university,” continues Lascelles, now concerned with patents for the with making the reconnaissance flight aged 90. “I was so starved of intellect automated shearing of sheep and then over Sydney to survey the harbour in that I enjoyed it. Not using your brain built a highly successful production preparation for attack by three mini for all those years, to suddenly have facility for the making of teabags. Jim submarines. something to do, that was everything.” Robson Scott started a large pre- Lascelles’ meeting with the pilot Almost without exception, the 1950 stressed concrete business and in the came at the completion of an airstrip graduates went on to impressive careers process made all the pavers for the at the Kachu Mountain camp in in vastly diverse areas. They built Opera House. Neville Chidgey had Thailand. It was only weeks away from dams, roads, railways, bridges, tunnels, a distinguished career in the banking the end of the war. Lascelles had been mines, steel works and power stations sector and was, for a time, the chairman a prisoner of war for almost three years, in Australia and elsewhere. of the University’s Warren Centre for having survived the Burma railway and A large number of the men joined Advanced Engineering. the bridge over the river Kwai. the fledgling Snowy Mountains Hydro- A sprightly 83-year-old graduate, “I thought: What the hell do I say to Electric Authority and held roles of Beau McFee, says one of the most him?” Lascelles recalls. “I hadn’t been increasing responsibility for decades. remarkable in the group was Brian used to conversation for a long while so I One impressive graduate, Douglas Kelman, who took Australian Ready asked him ‘How did you find Sydney?’ Price, became the managing director Mixed Concrete to England and Europe. And he said: ‘It was fairyland: flying of the Snowy Mountains Engineering “I bumped into him in 1959 at over at night with all the lights blazing; Corporation formed after the project Heathrow getting off an airplane,” Mascot lit up; the bridge so bright’.” was completed. McFee explains. “I said ‘What are you Lascelles’ experience of war was When the earth-moving company doing here?’ and he said: ‘Oh, I’ve got no fairy tale but it did teach him Thiess Bros became the first Australian 79 Ready Mixed Concrete plants in something about the engineering contractor awarded a major job on the United Kingdom and Europe’. of aerodromes and bridges. A much the Snowy project in 1958 – to build He built RMC (UK) into a huge more friendly familiarity with these the Tooma Dam and Tooma-Tumut public company.” Ten years later he structures was to come within six Tunnel – it was regarded as a turning returned to Australia and became chief months of his return home in 1945 point in the history of the Australian executive officer of CSR Limited. He when, at the age of 28, he became construction industry. negotiated the formation of Nabalco the oldest undergraduate to study for Much of the credit for that contract Alumina Plant (Gove, NT) and was a a Bachelor of Civil Engineering at belonged to one of the graduates: Ron founding director of Macquarie Bank. Sydney University (in that year). Evans. He was the resourceful 29-year- “We weren’t people riding in He was in good company since 49 old civil engineer who had persuaded on white horses doing something of the 79 students who graduated were his employers, Les and Stan Thiess, different,” McFee says. “Infrastructure ex-servicemen. The youthful students to allow him to prepare a bid for the and new industry construction (and who enrolled at university straight project which, at the time, would have most training) was delayed for five out of school cheekily called the ex- seemed well beyond the capacity of years by WW2 so the 1950 graduates servicemen “Dad”, but the mix of men any Australian company. quickly went to jobs with faster than Glenn Stevens produced a resilient esprit de corps that Thiess Bros broke the world record normal promotions.” (opposite) remains today. for hard-rock tunneling in 1960 and The stories outlined here are typical Photo Ted Sealey Every year without fail since went on to more work building dams of the experiences and achievements graduation in 1950, and in spite of ever- and driving tunnels through the main of the 79 graduates of 1950. There are Every year without fail ... the men (above) diminishing numbers, the men meet Kosciuszko range which diverted many more worth recounting, enough meet to celebrate to celebrate their achievements. Their water from the Snowy River to the for a book, and more than enough for their achievements reunion record remains unbroken and headwaters of the Murray. another reunion. SAM SAM Winter 08 27 No longer lost for words

Call it stutter or stammer, Professor Mark Onslow’s research means the afflicted may now say either word easily. Linda Vergnani reports

ith the well- modulated voice of a classically the internet. As less than 1 per cent of Australian speech trained actor, Professor Mark Onslow is language pathologists work outside metropolitan areas, highly articulate, but he says getting out these programs could provide vital aid for stutterers in Wwords is a “horror” for the clients he treats. remote areas. Some have left jobs because they cannot state the name While listening to stutterers can literally raise the blood of their firm or their boss. Many struggle with simple pressure of normal speakers, Professor Onslow says stuttering social and work tasks, finding it almost impossible to utter is “more than frustrating” for sufferers. “To be unable to their own names or do routine tasks such as answering the speak is like a living death. You can’t live a full life because telephone or ordering a meal. you are often overcome with the fear of being evaluated The Founding Director of the Australian Stuttering negatively.” Research Centre at Sydney University’s Cumberland He says those who stutter might get to say just half of campus, Professor Onslow is a world authority on the what other people say in a lifetime, or take twice as long to treatment of stuttering. The methods he and his colleagues say it. have developed have revolutionised the treatment of Professor Onslow did a variety of jobs, from acting to stuttering in adults and children, enabling many sufferers to working on a garbage truck, before graduating as a speech lead a normal life. pathologist and becoming a lecturer in clinical education at Professor Onslow says that in the past five years his centre the School of Communication Disorders at the Cumberland has carried out more than 90 per cent of the world’s clinical College of Health Sciences. He says that while working in trials on stuttering (“stammering” is the same affliction and a the theatre he encountered someone with a serious speech term common in the Britain). Researchers at the centre work defect, which made him interested in researching and closely with the Stuttering Unit of the Bankstown Health treating speech disorders. Service and with speech pathologists at other universities By the time he completed his doctorate, the college and two international research centres. had been incorporated into the University as the Faculty of He and his colleagues are now involved in promising Health Sciences, the largest health faculty in Australia. It was research on treating stutterers over the telephone and his mentor, Professor Roger Ingham, previously head of the

28 SAM Winter 08 School of Communication Disorders, who inspired him early of children treated with the Lidcombe Program showed that in his career to focus on stuttering. most were still speaking without a stutter. (The study will be “I loved treating stuttering,” Professor Onslow says. published shortly.) “I woke up one night and decided to start the Australian It is important to treat children early, while their neurological Stuttering Research Centre.” The centre has received speech mechanism is still developing. “The message we more than $7.5 million in government funding since its send out to parents is, ‘You definitely need to get your child’s inception in 1996. stuttering under control by the end of the pre-school years’.” Its staff of 15, including three academics, are housed in When they work with stuttering teenagers and adults, the a prefab on low stilts that features a carpeted balcony that research centre’s speech pathologists teach them to simplify sprouts green moss at the edges. Yet the work is “bigger than speech motor production. Initially, clients are taught to make Ben Hur”, according to Professor Onslow. “We’re running a very smooth, drawling, unnatural sound and then gradually clinical trials in Australia and across the world.” shape this back to normal speech. The Professor, who is also a Principal Research Fellow Onslow explains: “You need to restructure the person’s of the National Health and Medical Research Council speech pattern so that it suppresses stuttering. But that is never of Australia, has written more than 200 publications on going to be a cure.” He says clients learn to sound reasonably stuttering, including journal articles, books and chapters. normal with a great deal of practice. “If you’re severely affected “Stuttering is a disorder of neural speech processing,” you’ll say 50 syllables a minute and you need to say about 250. he says. “The speech mechanism just does not work as it So with restructuring people’s speech and getting them to use a should.” It is genetically transmitted and those afflicted by new speech pattern that sounds reasonably normal, you can get it have been shown to have “structural and functional brain them to achieve a normal verbal transfer rate and you can help anomalies”. The defect manifests itself when children are them with the shocking anxiety they may develop.” about two to three years old, when they move from babbling Until now this therapy worked best when a clinician sat down simple words such as “dada” to stringing sentences together. with individual clients and taught them how to restructure their The exact causes are still unknown. “Fortunately, speech, Professor Onslow says. The Camperdown Program, we’re a lot better at fixing it than we are about explaining developed by the centre and adopted widely in Australia and it, and we’re lucky to have been involved over the years internationally, is tailored to the needs of each client. with development of really effective early interventions for Onslow says this therapy for adults “used to take more than stuttering that appear to stop it.” 100 hours. We recently published a trial that cut it back to 25 hours About three-quarters of pre-schoolers who stutter will and we just had a clinical trial, in review at the moment, where we outgrow it naturally within two years. But without early showed we could do the whole thing over the telephone.” intervention, the remainder can be burdened for life. “The This study of 40 people showed that they could be chance of being bullied when you go to school is around successfully treated over the phone in just 13 hours. “So you 30 per cent, but if you stutter the chances of bullying are can be in Bolivia and I can give you therapy that is just as good virtually 100 per cent,” Professor Onslow says. showed The for your stuttering as if you sat with me the whole time. All you peers of three- to four-year-old stutterers already have a need is a phone line.” negative reaction. It is hardly surprising that a recent trial Onslow says the Australian Stuttering Research Centre is showed that 60 per cent of adult stutterers warranted a about to trial a high-tech, website-based version of the program clinical diagnosis of social anxiety disorder. that will “possibly mop up a great deal of people who need help Professor Onslow says that 20 years ago parents were with their stuttering”. This internet program, which is being advised to politely ignore the jerky attempts of pre- tried in Melbourne and Sydney, is among research funded by schoolers to get words out, so as not to make them self- National Health and Medical Research Centre grants. The conscious. But children who did not outgrow the stuttering Stuttering Research Centre also has a cognitive behavioural by the time they entered primary school never recovered therapy treatment program that it hopes to put online to reduce from this benign neglect. the social anxiety of stutterers.

research Beginning in the 1990s, he and his colleagues at the Until recently, the Lidcombe Program involved weekly visits Stuttering Unit, then located in Lidcombe Hospital, to a clinic by a parent and child. However, Professor Onslow’s developed a behavioural therapy program that stops centre has recently completed a clinical trial showing that the stuttering in a large percentage of pre-schoolers. In the program can be delivered over the phone to children and their Lidcombe Program of Early Stuttering Intervention, speech parents. The results will be published shortly. pathologists train parents to comment positively each time The next step will be a trial of the program over the internet, the child speaks normally and sometimes gently point out to be carried out in conjunction with colleagues at Charles when the child stutters. Sturt University. Using computer-mounted webcams, clinicians So stutter-free speech is acknowledged and will be able to make virtual home visits to parents and their complimented with remarks such as: “That was smooth.” stuttering children. This will enable the treatment of children in If the child stutters, the parent may make a mild observation: rural locations where there are no speech pathologists. “That was a bit bumpy. Would you like to try that again “If these trials work,” he says, “in a number of years, when everyone has access to broadband internet and webcams, you Professor without a stutter?” Mark Onslow. According to Professor Onslow, clinical trials around can be a clinician sitting anywhere in the world and give therapy Photo Linda Vergnani the world have shown that it works. A five-year follow-up to any child and parent anywhere else in the world.” SAM

SAM Winter 08 29 English language, French style

A Masters of Education (TESOL) set Finn McCall on course for an international career, he tells Jane Sandilands how

hile Finn McCall (MEd ’06) While English has long been he uses all he learned at Sydney, was working at the Australian recognised as the international whether related to the history of ESL

WBureau of Statistics he read an language of business, McCall says teaching, different motivation theories, ad for English teaching in South Korea. because of increased globalisation latest thinking, or task-based language He had completed his BA three years and takeovers, today there is an even learning. before and was wondering “what next?” greater demand. Concordia offers The appeal of working abroad is The ad was an answer and a temptation. English “any way that’s best for the “getting to know the people” McCall “The jobs in South Korea are student” because its client/pupils face said. “I’m constantly aware of how offered by hagwons, and to get a an annual examination of English skills rich the culture is. When I ask people teaching visa, you need a tertiary through the demanding Test of English about France, they start with the degree,” McCall said. for International Communications country, the wine, the region, their A hagwon, by the way, is a private (TOEIC). Different scoring levels are small town and its speciality: perhaps institution for students from age four needed to retain particular jobs. For to 18. They operate outside school a nougat, cheese or wine. It’s the instance, a technician must reach 600 of tapestry of identity I like.” hours and offer other subjects too, a possible 990 while a manager has to such as maths and music. As well as Most appointments for Teaching score at least 800. English as a Second Language happen the “enormous satisfaction” of helping “There is huge pressure,” McCall young people, Finn said it is also “a on-line, as did McCall’s appointment to says. “Many clients holding very senior great way to save, because as well as Concordia. A popular site is positions are in their 50s and 60s, so flights and an apartment, the pay for a www.eslcafe.com where schools you need to find a way to bring English one year contract is pretty good.” seeking English teachers and those to them as a positive experience.” Most “Young people have a lot of energy,” looking to teach both pay a registration sessions are one-to-one, two hours each he said of his abiding memory of the week. McCall recounts a recent success fee. “Put your name down and you get South Korean experience. “I was offers. I got an offer saying ‘come to thrown in at the deep end. And I story of a senior manager with very little English whose French company beautiful Lyon’ so I did!” said McCall. learned to teach.” Financially, it is less attractive than As well, it gave him a future focus now has Swedish management. TOEIC had to be faced. work in South Korea, according to and he came home and enrolled in the McCall, because of French bureaucracy Masters degree at the University. “I “He wouldn’t speak English and and high taxes. A high point of living wanted the theoretical groundings to it was up to me to find a basis to work in France, however, is visitors from pursue a practical career.” from. I used an English language At the age of 28, McCall now lives action movie and it became our topic: Australia. “No-one came when I was in in Lyon, France’s second largest city. recounting, questioning, opinion and South Korea.” He has two jobs: as a trainer in English dialogue. It worked.” And the low point? at Concordia, a private language school, At Université Jean Moulin, McCall Waiting to be served in a where he trains French businesspeople teaches 24 fourth year marketing and boulangerie and asking for a croissant who need a high level of English to business students, completing Masters using the wrong gender. “She didn’t maintain their corporate positions. The One. He gives the entire class in serve me until I said ‘un croissant’ other is lecturing at Lyon’s Université Finn McCall teaching “immersive English”. Between the two properly – and made everyone else Jean Moulin. English in France very different learning environments, wait. I’m scarred for life.” SAM

30 SAM Winter 08 treasure

Rivers of blood By Michael Turner

s I look ahead, I am filled Life at Sydney proved too remote fragment from Book 5 (lines 206-224) with foreboding; like the for the young man, and in June 1939 he of Homer’s Iliad, dating to the second “ARoman, I seem to see the resigned to become professor of Greek century AD. Found at Oxyrhynchus River Tiber foaming with much blood.” at Durham University in the north of in Egypt in the early 1900s, it was first With these words, the English England. He was later to write of “the donated to the University by the Egypt politician Enoch Powell ended his dull pang I had known and shared in Exploration Society in 1922. In 1939 infamous anti-immigration speech Sydney University … the heartache of Powell organised for it to be transferred given on 20 April, 1968 to his the exile, the oppressive sense of being from the Library to the Nicholson constituents in Birmingham. The remote, so remote, from everything Museum, where it is now on display in speech was to become known as the that ultimately mattered, from all that the Unearthed Tales II exhibition. “Rivers of Blood” speech and is still gave one birth”. The fragment tells of (yet another) seen as a defining moment in global In August 1939, with the outbreak noisy and bloody battle outside the postwar politics. It is unfortunate that of war imminent, Powell’s resignation walls of Troy. The archer, and Trojan Powell is now best remembered for was expedited so that he could return ally, Pandaros has just struck Diomedes this speech, rather than for his talents to enlist in the British army, where he and Menelaos with his arrows. Neither, as a politician and as a classical scholar. joined the ranks (as an Australian). however, has been hit fatally and both are What is also forgotten is Powell’s His time at Sydney was to be his only still fighting. The Trojan hero, Aeneas, is connection (albeit briefly) with the academic appointment. shouting at Pandaros, encouraging him University of Sydney. At the outbreak of war, Powell was not to lose heart and to keep fighting. In November 1937, precociously the youngest professor in the British Interestingly, the “rivers of blood” talented and aged only 25, Powell was Commonwealth; by its close he was not quotation that Powell was later to use appointed professor of Greek at the only the youngest person to hold the to such withering effect also involved University. “Just out of nappies and rank of brigadier in the British Army, he Aeneas. In Book Six of Virgil’s Aeneid, as arrogant as hell,” was the opinion was also the only person to have risen the hero goes to Cumae on the Bay Prime Minister of one of his new students, a certain to that position from the ranks. of Naples to see the Sybil, the mad Margaret Thatcher and Home Secretary Gough Whitlam, who dropped his As professor of Greek, Powell prophetess of the god Apollo. It is she William Whitelaw classes because they were “as dry as was also the honorary curator of the who utters the words, warning Aeneas search for Enoch dust”. Due to the nature of the young Nicholson Museum. Given the brevity of the terrible wars he must face before Powell. Englishman’s scholarship and his of his tenure, it is not surprising that he founding Rome. Powell was to say Cartoon by Cummings. awkwardness with women, Whitlam made only a few acquisitions on behalf later, in view of the uproar caused by Courtesy of Express later famously dismissed Powell as “a of the museum. One, however, is of the quote, that he regretted not having Newspapers PLC textual pervert”. great interest and rarity. It is a papyrus said it in Latin. SAM

SAM Winter 08 31 Who was H K Ward? Paul Lancaster (MBBS ’66), president of the University’s Medical Alumni Association, went to London to find out sport

nyone who has visited the University in recent At the outbreak of World War I, Ward already had a decades and walked down the leafy road between commission in the Royal Army Medical Corps Special the two main ovals will have seen the HK Ward Reserve. He was soon serving in France and Belgium, AGymnasium. Standing beside the pathways to in 1914 with a casualty clearing station and the field the Faculty of Veterinary Science, St John’s College and ambulance and then in 1915-1919 as Regimental Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, it has been used by countless Medical Officer of the 2nd Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle students and staff since opening in 1967. Corps. He was wounded at Loos (1915), the Somme But how many know anything about HK Ward? Very few, (1916) and Zeebrugge (1917). After eight months as my straw poll suggests. I, too, was unaware of why we should a prisoner of war in Baden, Germany, he returned to remember this illustrious former student and academic duty and was gassed at Arras (1918). For his gallantry, until last September when researching the World War I he was awarded the Military Cross and two Bars, an experiences of our medical alumni at the National Archives exceptional feat. in Kew, London. In his four-page handwritten report “on the For inquisitive visitors to the gym itself, the inscription action of Nieuport-Les-Bains, Belgium, July 10th on a small framed card behind the desk tells us that 1917”, Ward described in graphic detail the artillery “Emeritus Professor HK Ward” was “ … Bosch Professor of bombardment: how all his company’s officers were Bacteriology, 1935-52, Rhodes Scholar, University blue and killed or wounded, and how the only communication Olympian, in recognition of his valuable and devoted service with their superiors was by pigeon. With devastation to the Sydney University Sports Union as Chairman of the all around, “I surrendered my wounded, my staff and Ground Committee from 1937 to 1951.” An impressive start, stretcher-bearers, & no bombs were thrown into the but there’s so much more. dressing-station”. Ward, in an understated note to his Hugh Kingsley Ward was born at Petersham, Sydney, Colonel, said he was “treated fairly decently by the on September 17, 1887, the youngest of eight children. His Badeners. All the same we were jolly glad to get out.” father, Frederick, was editor of the Sydney Mail, then the During Ward’s extended stay at Harvard, first as Daily Telegraph. His brother, Leonard, also a Sydney alumnus a Rockefeller Fellow (1923-1924) and then later as (BA 1900, BE 1903), became a prominent geologist and Assistant Professor of Bacteriology (1926-1934), his public servant. mentor was Hans Zinsser, author of the classic Rats, Like many bright students of his era, Hugh K. Ward Lice and History. While there, Ward influenced John came to the University and St Paul’s College from Sydney F. Enders to switch from a business career in real Grammar School. He gained his blue in rowing, as stroke estate to research in bacteriology and immunology. for his college in an inter-collegiate race, was a member of Enders later won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or (sic) a winning inter-varsity crew, stroke of the winning crew in Medicine (1954) for his team’s laboratory research cultivating the champion Fours of NSW and later a member of the poliomyelitis viruses. Hugh Kingsley Ward victorious NSW Eight. In Montreal in May 1927 Ward married Constance and, left, a page from his WWI journal Ward graduated with first-class honours in medicine in Isabella Docker, a librarian, also from Sydney, the daughter 1910, equal third in his year. In 1911 he was a Resident of the NSW District Court judge Ernest Brougham Docker, Medical Officer at Sydney Hospital. He was awarded the who had graduated BA (1863) and MA (1865) from Sydney. Rhodes Scholarship for that year, just the eighth from The Wards went on to have a son and a daughter. Sydney and the third from his faculty. This took him to Back at Sydney as Bosch Professor of Bacteriology, New College, Oxford, where “he experimented with while giving “undergraduate teaching a high priority”, serological tests for syphilis and in 1913 gained diplomas in Ward inspired Don Metcalf (1951), Gus Nossal (1953) and anthropology and public health”. While at Oxford he rowed Jacques Miller (1954) to take research BSc (Med) degrees in the winning crew in the annual Oxford and Cambridge in bacteriology before completing their medical studies. All Boat Race and then, somewhat controversially, was selected three subsequently became eminent pillars of the Walter and in the Australian Eight at the Stockholm Olympic Games Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research at the University of in 1912. (In his History of Australian Rowing, Andrew Melbourne. Guerin notes that, before the Games, Ward had rowed “A man of vision, personal integrity and charm, Ward did for New College against the Sydney Rowing Club at the not seek recognition and was embarrassed by praise,” says Henley Royal Regatta. The Sydney Eight won the Grand his entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography. He died on Challenge Cup and then went to the Olympics with Ward 22 November 1972, aged 85. SAM as the only change in the crew, losing in the semi-finals. Critics said that Ward had “assimilated the New College Acknowledgements: University of Sydney Archives and other sources (Oxford) style of rowing” and “it is always dangerous … to including; National Archives, Kew, UK; and Australian Dictionary alter a successful crew.”) of Biography.

32 SAM Winter 08 SAM Winter 08 33 grapevine class notes across the decades

Ronn is actively involved in community, professional and business bodies. He was made a Williamson Fellow after graduating from Leadership Victoria’s 2006 Williamson Community Leadership Program. David Grant (BE Elec Eng ’93) Music flavoured David’s engineering study, whether as music director for the ’92 and ’93 engineering revues, or in his thesis topic (acoustics of the Sydney Opera House’s orchestra pit) or choice of music electives. After graduating and working in telecommunications for nine years, David took a career change and studied a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Western Sydney. He is now a full-time musician. David’s current band Happenstance (happenstance.com.au or myspace. Sugiono Ronodihardjo com\happenstanceband) recently (MUrbRPlan ’93). I retired last launched a single and video clip year as a government official in the while the band played various Department of Marine Affairs and Sydney venues. David announced his Fisheries. My last job was as Planner Jorge Enrique Carom Zapata (MCom ’03) (above) Since graduating from engagement to Anne Macklin earlier for Small Islands development. I the Faculty of Economics and Business (with a major in marketing) I am studying this year and they tied the knot in April. am now working as a freelance now for a Masters in PDA (Programa Avanzado de Desarrollo Directivo – higher consultant. One of my projects in management program) at the University of Barcelona. I have worked at GLP Sonia Joan Lynch (BA ’97) worked 2008 is preparing an Action Plan (Grupo Latino de Publicidad) as a key account executive in Bogota, Colombia. extensively in the film industry. Lived for the waterfront city of Ternate (a The major stakeholder of this company is PRISA group of Spain, this is the in Melbourne for some years, now beautiful and unique city island in company that selected me to do the Masters, part of a career development back in Sydney after world travel. the eastern part of Indonesia). It is a directives program run by the company. I am also giving classes at Universidad Change in career direction: completed very interesting job. By using all the Piloto de Colombia in Bogota in marketing and sales. After completing the Companion Animal Studies at Ultimo experiences I gained when I studied 2002 Sydney Marathon in 3.59 hours, I ran the 2005 New York Marathon in 4.15 TAFE and aims to start a canine at Sydney University, I hope to achieve hours and ran a personal best of 3.16 hours in the 2005 Chicago Marathon. I training business. success with this project which will am planning to go to outback Australia in December this year. help start my “new profession” as Oktavian Mantiri (MEd ’97) freelance consultant. Earning a degree from the University 2000s 1990s of Sydney has been a major boost for my career. I completed my PhD at 1980s Tony Chan (BA ’04 LLB ’07) Ronn Bechler (LLM ’97) (top right) University of Newcastle, NSW, in 2006, Following a year of work as a is Managing Director and founder and have recently been appointed Mark Nicholl (BEd ’87) (right) professional sports coach, I have been of Capital Advice Pty Ltd. Capital as the director for Graduate Studies is touring as Rustie the Robot appointed as a teacher of English at Advice provides strategic investor at Mission College in Thailand. I with his colleague Trevor Atkinson Stowe School, Buckinghamshire, the relations, capital markets and previously worked in an Indonesian (BEd Science ’90), the Jolly Wizard, British public school which is situated mergers and acquisitions advice. university. throughout NSW, ACT, Victoria and in the most magnificent and inspiring Before establishing Capital Advice late Queensland schools, in their very grounds (once the seat of the Dukes last year, Ronn spent four years as Dr Ingrid Pearson (BMus (Hons own Jollybops Science Shows. The of Buckinghamshire). I am hoping Group Manager, Investor Relations at ’93, Dip Ed, PhD, LTCL, LMusA) is six shows they perform make science to make a strong contribution to the AXA Asia Pacific Holdings – a top 25 currently Deputy Head of the Graduate fun and involves important scientific personal development of students ASX listed company, representing the School at the Royal College of Music, experiments ranging from exploding through the tradition of liberal and global AXA Group’s life insurance and London. She combines research and balloons to food fireballs, spooky fog to critical education for which the school wealth management interests in the lecturing with freelance activities shattered liquid nitrogen tennis balls, is renowned. Asia-Pacific region. He is recognised in historical performance. She exploding Milo pop-off tins and colour as one of the leading investor relations performs with ensembles including changing beakers.while looking at Anita King (BA ’04) has been officers in Australia. Ronn also spent the Gabrieli Consort and Players, chemical reactions, exciting explosions working for Carnival Australia since five years at UBS Warburg and three the Hanover Band, Orchestra of the combined with science jokes, circus October 2007. She has recently years at Price Waterhouse. At UBS Age of Enlightenment, the English skills and slapstick. Their newest been promoted to Data Entry/ he was an Associate Director of show, Science with an Aboriginal Administration. Baroque Soloists and the English Investment Banking and advised on Concert, with recent appearances Perspective: Flight Sound and Fire, has 21 completed transactions with a at the BBC Proms, Lincoln Center received rave reviews and is thought to total value of over $9 billion. At Price Mostly Mozart Festival, The Barbican be one of the first of its kind. Visit them Waterhouse he was a Tax Consultant. and Wigmore Hall. at jollybopsscience.com.au

34 SAM Winter 08 Send your updates via email or post: contact details page 3

Gayle Russell (BA ’85 GradDipEd (www.psych.utoronto.ca/users/furedy) David Morris (Mat Med ’55) writing (Primary)) I currently work in a varied 1960s include: academic freedom (www. as David Mulligan, had his latest capacity: Gestalt psychotherapist, psych.utoronto.ca/users/furedy/ book, Heroes of Tobruk, released in Christine Furedy (née Roche), casual tutor with the local Adult academ_free.htm), applying Australian March 2008. Published by Scholastic (BA Hons ’63) (below) retired as Education Centre. I also put many Andersonian realism to psychology associate professor emerita in the Australia. Heroes of Tobruk has a hours into community work, (www.psych.utoronto.ca/users/furedy/ Faculty of Arts, York University, foreword by Chief of Army, Lieutenant particularly with my concern for the realism_appl.htm), and exposing the Toronto and returned to Sydney in General Peter Leahy. It is the first impact we humans are having on the “lie detector,” that peculiarly North 2005 after 41 years abroad starting book written for young people (age planet. In late 2006 my concern led me American flight of technological fancy with a Commonwealth scholarship 10-16) about the WW2 Siege of Tobruk (jjfuredy.blogspot.com). to found North Coast Climate Action in the UK for a DPhil at Sussex. John in 1941. (See review page 24.) Group (www.nccag.org). I volunteer in Furedy (see right) and I met when we the Climate office one day a week; put tied in Psychology I at the University Nicholas Gerber (MBBS ’60) out an electronic newsletter: Climate of Sydney in 1958; we married in Emeritus Professor Pharmacology, 1940s Matters Update to a large database. Bloomington Indiana in 1966. Although Pediatrics, Obstetrics writes from I have also been active on the issues Columbus, Ohio: We were immigrants Trevor Ernest Friend my double honours BA was in (BSc Ag ’48) It is great that Dr Barry of energy reduction, waste reduction anthropology and history, both Sussex to Australia (1948); medical school Catchlove has proposed that we and sustainability measures in the and York universities had supported was from 1953-1958, followed by celebrate the 60th anniversary of regional hospitals, Southern Cross inter-disiciplinary studies and at York Junior Residency (Sydney Hospital); our graduation with a reunion on 8 University and in Byron Shire with I taught in an Urban Studies program brief Locum work (Sydney, Forster November. Could survivors of our the development of a “sustainability in the Faculty of Arts. My research on the coast); residencies at Royal Ag Science year who started in 1944 precinct” in a residential part of area was in urban environmental Alexandra Hospital for Children (1960- Mullumbimby, as a model for Byron please confirm your intention to come, management in Asia with an 61); residency at Children’s Hospital, Shire. to: [email protected]. It will emphasis on solid waste management Helsinki, Finland; locum work in be wonderful to see each other again and recycling. In this regard, I did London and finally residency at Jeffrey Truman (BA Hons ’81) after 60 years and make it worthwhile several research consultancies Children’s Hospital,Bern, Switzerland With an Honours degree in English for international agencies such as travelling from Brisbane to Sydney for Literature Jeff has become one (1962-63). All through this period, the the occasion. the World Health Organisation and training in Sydney was enormously of the country’s busiest freelance United Nations as well as advising appreciated especially by me but also scriptwriters. For credits check out, non-governmental organisations William (Bill) Stephens be my colleagues. www.imdb.com/name/nm0874290/. (see www.yorku.ca/~furedy). I have (BVetSc ’48) Broke veterinary Married to his English Lit classmate also collaborated with my husband in course in 1941 to join the RAAF, Julie Money, now a film and TV organisations such as the Canadian Kerry F Mills (BA ’64 LLB ’67 MA flying instructor until 1945 (King’s director, their greatest collaboration is Society for Academic Freedom and ’77) retired from legal practice as a Commendation). Veterinary Officer their three-year-old daughter Grace. Scholarship (www.safs.ca). senior legislative drafter in the NSW Department of Agriculture, Tasmania, Parliamentary Counsel’s Office in the to 1957. UN Food and Agriculture late ’90s. Later she completed a PhD Organisation Vet Adviser, Afghanistan 1970s at the University of New England on 1958 and 1959. Vet Specialist law-making in mid-19th century NSW. Kerry Jones (née Moran) (extension) Department of Agriculture, (BMus ’76) was appointed Executive Kerry now farms at Little Hartley, NSW. Tasmania, 1960-81. After retirement, Director of the Constitution Education taught English to migrants. Read Fund Australia (CEFA) in 2001. The for “Hear a Book”, joined Rostrum aim is to provide practical civics 1950s (public speaking organisation), Field education programs that develop the Lesley Hicks (née Hill) Naturalists, National Trust and School for Seniors as tutor. knowledge, skills and capacities of (BA ’56 DipEd ’58) taught English young Australians to be responsible at PLC Pymble before raising family Evelyn May Brown (BA ‘40 MA ‘46) and engaged citizens in the Australian and moving into writing, with some Former librarian, translator and democracy as part of the modern freelance journalism and a varied global community. (See www.cefa. teacher in languages, writer (as Lyn output of 10 published books so org.au for our projects, programs, Brown). Married in 1951 another far, notably The Appalling Silence, scholarships and awards.) Married to Brown: Frederick Charles. Have just the Mystery of Donald Mackay Michael Jones (chartered accountant) had our 57th wedding anniversary. I John Furedy (PhD Psychology ‘65) (Hodder 1979); in 2006 co-writing with three adult children. Hobbies (above) returned to Sydney in 2005 as turned 90 in May 2008. Our daughter the autobiography of distinguished include music, particularly piano Emeritus Professor of Psychology, Helen is a Sydney graduate, as is Sydney graduate Dr Grace Warren, playing, and reading. University of Toronto after 38 years her husband Michael and we have a and two faculty years at Indiana Doctor Number 49, Grace Warren grand-daughter, Laura, who is a new University. I have never ceased to of the Leprosy Mission; church undergraduate (in music) this year, 2008. appreciate my Sydney University histories A City on a Hill and Changing education in Psychology, Philosophy, City, Changing Church; Hospitals of and History, where I enjoyed complete Hope (2007), a centenary history of academic freedom inasmuch as I Anglican hospitals; and children’s was evaluated only in terms of my books including Where Foxes Fly, academic performance and not at all Jeremy and Minh, Huff and Grudge, on the basis of political or religious and Arthur’s Angry. In recent years opinions, or any such group-identity Lesley returned to teaching with criteria. My continuing interests, as volunteer ESL work at her church indicated on my website with students and migrants.

SAM Winter 08 35 diary

2008 Concert Season 15 July 22 August “There’s always something on Faculty of Law Alumni Cheese and Memories, Music & Microscopy at The Con” Wine Tasting Evening Inaugural Biology Alumni Cocktail Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s The Minter Ellison Room, Reception concert season includes more than Sydney Law School 6.30pm-8.30pm 130 performances. In 2008 many of Cost: $25 per person Macleay Museum our amazing staff, students and guest Time: 6.15pm for 6.30pm- 8.30pm RSVP: [email protected] or artists will take to the stage in a series Further information and RSVP: (61 2) 9351 2961 of concerts highlighting extraordinary [email protected] repertoire and inspired performances. 5 September Information & full program details 22 July Alumni Awards Presentation www.music.usyd.edu.au Graduate Connections Breakfast The MacLaurin Hall Speaker: Geoffrey Atherden (BArch Guest speaker: Dr Anne Summers AO, 7 June ‘65), President of the Australian (PhD ’79), writer, columnist and public 1988 Medical Reunion Writers’ Foundation and creator of TV speaker. The Refectory, Holme Building, 7.30pm comedy classics Mother and Son and Cost: free Further information and RSVP: David Grass Roots Further information and RSVP: Barton [email protected] 1 July The Tearoom, Queen Victoria Building [email protected] or (61 2) 9036 9278 Wardell Exhibition Cost: $45 Alumni/ $50 Friends/ $320 19 June A tribute to the architectural heritage per table of eight 12 September Sydney Ideas: John Micklethwait of St John’s College (designed by Further information and RSVP: rsvp@ Southern Highlands Alumni Reception The New Global Economic and William Wardell in 1857, completed usyd.edu.au or (61 2) 9036 9278 Further information and RSVP: Political landscape – Opportunities by Edmund Blacket). Official opening [email protected] and Challenges 6pm; companion event: wine and food 24 July Seymour Centre, 6.30pm fair at the College. Sydney Ideas: David Armitage 13 September Info: Trish O’Brien (61 2) 9394 5204 or Wesley College Foundation Annual Book: www.seymour.usyd.edu.au and Civil War from Rome to Iraq [email protected]. Reunion Dinner & Medals follow prompts or (61 2) 9351 7940 6.30pm Venue: Wesley College Dining Room Seymour Centre 20 June 4 July Further information and RSVP: Book: www.seymour.usyd.edu.au and High Level US Public Diplomacy and Indonesia Alumni Reunion Renee Kramer on (612) 9565 3299 follow prompts or (61 2) 9351 7940 International Public Opinion Reception in Jakarta Dr Benjamin Goldsmith, Dept of Four Seasons Hotel Forward bookings Nicholson Museum Lecture and Government and International 7pm-9pm Refreshments Relations, University of Sydney and Further information and RSVP: rsvp@ 27 September Exclusive presentation for alumni by Dr Yusaku Horiuchi, Crawford School usyd.edu.au or (61 2) 9036 9278 150th Anniversary Ball a senior University Museums curator, of Economics and Government, From 7pm at St John’s College; alumni followed by refreshments etc. Australian National University, share 6 July peer group table bookings are warmly their findings on the impact of high- London Reunion for SUIHAA RSVP: Sarah Portelli (61 2) 9036 9278 encouraged. Cost: $150 per head. level visits by US leaders on public Pauline Lyle invites International or [email protected] opinion in the countries they visit. House alumni living in or visiting the 2 November 4pm-5.30pm, Western Tower Room, UK to her home in London for 4pm 25 July Mass of Thanksgiving Main Quadrangle Enquiries: [email protected] or Blue & Gold Rugby Luncheon 10.30am in the College Chapel, RSVP: (61 2) 9351 7249 [email protected] Tattersalls Club St John’s College, followed by Further information and RSVP: champagne in the Tower (all St John’s 20 June 9 July [email protected] events information from Trish O’Brien Wesley College Senior Old Collegians UK Alumni Association Summer (61 2) 9394 5204 or Reunion lunch Reception 15 August [email protected] Reunion for Old Collegians of the pre- Australia House, Strand, Fifty years of Indonesian Studies at 1960 era. London WC2B 4LA the University of Sydney Hosted by Rev David Russell and Jim Cost: £35 for members of the UK Alumni Reunion FitzSimons, WCF Chair Alumni Association, £40 for non- For more information: Professor Venue: Wesley College Dining Room members, £30 for students. Adrian Vickers, Further information and RSVP: Renee 6.30pm–8.30pm [email protected] Kramer on (61 2) 9565 3299 Further information and RSVP: Kerrie Busby at [email protected] 16 and 17 August 23 June Sydney University Graduate Choir Political Journalism, the Next 10 July Music director Christopher Bowen Generation Women’s College Alumni Reunion All Saint-Saëns concert featuring the Speaker: Matt Bai, New York Times in the UK filigree and lucid Requiem magazine journalist. Oxford and Cambridge Club in Pall For more details: US Studies Centre, John Woolley Mall, London SW1Y 5HD www.usyd.edu.au/gradchoir Building Cost: £40 8 pm, The Great Hall 8 for 8.30am to 9.30am 7.30pm for 8.00pm start Tickets: ph: (61 2) 9351 7940 or RSVP: (61 2) 9351 7249 or Further information and RSVP: www.seymour.usyd.edu.au/boxoffice/ www.sydney.edu.au/us-studies Kerrie Busby at [email protected] program

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17 August – 28 September 2008

University Art Gallery Phone: 02 9351 6883 Fax: 02 9351 7785 War Memorial Arch Email: [email protected] Quadrangle, University of Sydney www.usyd.edu.au/museums Open Monday to Friday 10am to 4.30pm Sundays 12pm to 4pm Closed public holidays Above: Ben Cauchi (N.Z) Studio portrait 2005 Admission free ambrotype. Courtesy of the artist