Vol. 33 No. 1, Autumn 2014 Partnerships in learning: UWA’s Indonesian connection Become a UWA pioneer – leave your own legacy The extraordinary bequest of Sir John Winthrop Hackett founded The University of Western Australia more than 100 years ago. The gift of one man has inspired the giving of an entire community of UWA friends and alumni such as Jean Kahan. Jean was one of UWA’s first female science graduates, a regular visitor to Antarctica and a generous contributor to the University throughout her life. Jean’s bequest to the University she loved will help countless young people beyond her lifetime. Become a UWA pioneer – remember the University in your will. Contact Development and Alumni Relations on +61 8 6488 1688 or visit development.uwa.edu.au/bequests CRICOS Provider Code 00126G CRICOS Provider CONTENTS Vol. 33 No. 1, Autumn 2014 In Focus: campus news and views 2 From the Vice-Chancellery 9 Unlocking remote resources 10 Our man of music 13 Multi-million dollar investment to tackle Aboriginal health 16 Partnerships in learning 18 Sharing the knowledge 24 Shaping the future – UWA and BHP Billiton 33 Graduate Profile: Tammy Solonec, the long journey to success 34 Graduate Profile: DFES Commissioner Wayne Gregson 36 That effective repellent: research 38 Ukiyo-e: Japanese prints of the floating world currently showing at the Berndt Museum Hyman Spigl: inspiring the next generation 40 in the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery. Detail Grad News 42 of a woodblock print (triptych) by Utagawa 7 Kunisada II c.1867, from the RM & CH Berndt Grad Briefs 46 Collection – see In Focus. Cover image: Indonesian postgraduate students doing research at UWA: Mila Dirgawati (left) and Australia Awards Scholarship students Karlia Meitha and Uswatun Khairah – see Partnerships in Learning and Sharing the knowledge (Photo: Matthew Galligan) Uniview is produced by UWA Public Affairs Editor: Trea Wiltshire ([email protected]) Grad Briefs: Terry Larder ([email protected]) Design: Janine Blackstock, UniPrint (uniprint.uwa.edu.au) Advertising: Trea Wiltshire +61 8 6488 1914 Editorial: Public Affairs, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009 Telephone: +61 8 6488 1914, Fax: +61 8 6488 1192 Address Changes: Terry Larder +61 8 6488 2447, Fax: +61 8 6488 7996, Email: [email protected] Uniview is published twice a year. Autumn edition: April. Spring edition: October. The magazine is printed using vegetable-based inks on paper that is chlorine-free and sourced from plantation timber. Both paper manufacture and printing are approved to the highest environmental standards. Material from Uniview may be reproduced accompanied by an appropriate credit. Uniview can be viewed at publishing.uwa.edu.au Current mature age PhD student UWA website: uwa.edu.au Cindy Solonec and her daughter Tammy Solonec, a UWA graduate and human rights lawyer who celebrates 34 her spiritual and cultural ties to the Nigena people of the Kimberley – see The long journey to success. (Photo: Matthew Galligan) Uniview The University of Western Australia | 1 GRADIN FOCUS BRIEFS Great Expectations for new Perkins Institute When Prime Minister Tony Perkins who played a key L–R: Prime Minister Tony Abbott; Professor Barry Marshall with his Abbott opened the impressive role in the formation of the Nobel medal and Vice-Chancellor Paul Johnson. Bottom: Special guests Harry Perkins Institute of Medical UWA-affiliated WA Institute of Malcolm and Tonya McCusker with Larry and Nicky Iffla; Peter Leedman, Federal Health Minister Peter Dutton, Peter Klinken and Chris Ellison Research at the QEII Medical Medical Research (WAIMR) Centre, there was a shared that was recently rebadged to and more, and the fine facilities Researchers from UWA, the sense that medical research in honour its chairman. “Harry would encourage them to stay Lions Eye Institute, the Heart this State was on the cusp of would have been delighted to in Perth. Research Institute, the Lung a brave new era. see this magnificent facility,” “This building has been Institute of WA, the Keogh The opening realised a said the Institute Chairman designed to bring researchers vision – nurtured by Larry Iffla. Institute and others will work together because we can governments, donors, health Former Institute Director, alongside Perkins Institute achieve so much more by professionals and researchers Professor Peter Klinken worked researchers to identify genetic collaborating on discoveries,” – that a key to advancing tirelessly to secure Federal causes of major diseases and to Professor Leedman said. healthcare was bringing together and State funding support for develop new treatments. Apart from laboratories, laboratory-based and clinical Harry Perkins’ vision, and now Funding from the Federal and the building designed by researchers from the State’s research scientist and Perkins State governments and UWA, the architectural firm Hames major institutions. Institute Director, Winthrop along with land made available Professor Peter Leedman, will Sharley includes exhibition And the high expectations by the Lions Eye Institute and gained traction as guests carry it forward. areas where science meets the QEII Medical Centre Trust, inspected the fine 10-storey Professor Leedman paid art, the McCusker auditorium, building that will house 800 tribute to both men and a central staircase styled on a and support from Lotterywest, researchers along with cutting- predicted the Institute would strand of DNA and interactive the McCusker Charitable edge equipment and technology. attract the best and brightest community areas including a Foundation and the Stan Perron Creating the Institute had long researchers working on cancers, demonstration laboratory funded Charity Foundation made this been the dream of the late Harry cardiovascular disease, diabetes by Lotterywest. milestone possible. Bob Hawke recalls days of glory Speaking at the Club’s centenary celebrations in December, the graduate told an audience (including WA’s first test cricketer John Rutherford and sporting great Ric Charlesworth) that his time at UWA and as UCC wicket-keeper were the best years of a life mostly lived on the national stage. “In 1947 I came to the only free university in Australia – as distinct from those in the Eastern States where entry depended on the size of your father’s wallet rather that your intrinsic talents,” said the distinguished graduate. Bob Hawke’s playing highlight came when facing Subiaco’s Bill Alderman (father of Test bowler Terry). “Occasionally in your career you do something that is just perfect,” he recalled. “I suggested the second ball of the next over should be an in-swinger going down the legside and the bowler did it perfectly and as Alderman snicked it down the legside I caught and stumped him at the same time. I immediately said ‘Howzat?’ and John Hogg (president), Winton Willesee, Greg Gabbedy, the umpire at square leg responded: ‘Bloody marvellous’!” Bob Hawke, Cam Pearce, Sam Smart, John Townsend Cricket talk continued with a panel hosted by The West Australian’s cricket writer John Townsend. Guests included Cricketers cherish memorable playing moments: the catch that Cricket Australia chairman Wally Edwards, current and past clinched a match or the personal best with the bat – and former national selection chairmen John Inverarity, Laurie Sawle, Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke (and University Cricket club stalwart Mark Donovan and last year’s Ashes debutant, Club member) is no exception. Ashton Agar. 2 | Uniview Autumn 2014 GRADIN FOCUSBRIEFS Our Scientist of the Year An invitation to life-long learning UWA has long been acknowledged as a valued community Winthrop Professor Mark resource offering access to its theatres, galleries, museums Randolph, our WA Scientist and libraries. of the Year Also drawing visitors to campus are public lectures and life-long learning opportunities in UWA Extension’s programs (see www.extension.uwa.edu.au) and through public lectures provided by the Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS). The latter, an outreach program featuring eminent local and visiting international scholars, provides a forum for community engagement and its lectures are generally free. Global and national challenges invariably find a place in the IAS program and a May public lecture at the University Club Theatre Auditorium is likely to stir wide interest. Emeritus Professor of Education Bill Louden will address the “long-running It is appropriate – given the Professor Randolph. left-right curriculum wars” providing a personal view on the State’s burgeoning oil and “Investment by UWA, strengths and weaknesses of Australia’s national curriculum. gas industry – that the UWA the State Government, the Later in the month, the 2014 IAS Professor at Large Jonathan scientist most associated Commonwealth – and the Rigg (from the National University of Singapore) will explore the with the majority of oil and support of industry – has led ‘underside’ of development in Southeast Asia. gas developments in WA’s to Perth’s current status as Both events are free but require booking at: north-west was named perhaps the world’s leading www.ias.uwa.edu.au/lectures Scientist of the Year at the research centre in offshore WA Science Awards. geotechnical engineering for Indonesia’s Vice- Med students’ both research and practice.” A Fellow of many President visits charity ball international science bodies The industry-supported WA including London’s Royal Science Awards were a double Students from the Western Society, Winthrop Professor celebration for COFS, with Australian Medical Students’ Mark Randolph says he is Associate Professor Shazzad Society of UWA are busy first and foremost an engineer Hossain (ARC Postdoctoral organising Perth’s only red- working at the very applied Fellow) winning the Woodside themed charity event, the end of science. In accepting Early Career Scientist of the inaugural Red Aware Gala the award, he was delighted Year award. Ball on May 16. The event to see “the rather mundane Other UWA award winners is aimed at doctors and – and I might say the grubby included Professor Myra Keep health professionals.