Queensland University of Technology Newspaper Issue 237 August 26 - September 15, 2003 The news is good for QUT journalism students

By Janne Rayner The establishment of the Adrian Aspiring rural journalist and Scott Rural Journalism Scholarship third–year journalism student Grant BUSH and beauty will be the focus Trust coincided with the retirement Robertson said he was looking forward of two new fi elds of opportunity for of Adrian Scott in 1996, a rural to heading back to the bush when he Creative Industries students keen to ABC journalist who for decades fi nished his degree. specialise in their journalism studies. provided a vital link to rural From Guyra, near Armidale in A rural journalism scholarship communities. northern News South Wales, Grant and Australia’s fi rst university unit Speaking at the offi cial launch at said he had already tasted work on a in fashion journalism have just been the Ekka this month, Vice-Chancellor country paper and loved it. launched at QUT. Professor Peter Coaldrake said QUT “It was really satisfying to work in a The scholarship will support had a strong track record of more close knit community that really values a graduate research student to than 20 years for educating journalists, its local newspaper,” Grant said. investigate and analyse issues in rural many of whom came to study from “ I know it will be challenging too, journalism. rural areas and aspired to return as because there’s a lot of pressure for In partnership with the Adrian rural journalists. media to not only succeed, but survive Scott Rural Journalism Trust and the “It is important to look in an in rural areas,” he said. Queensland Department of Primary educational sense at how rural In sharp contrast, second–year Industries, QUT will offer $5,000 a issues are communicated,” Professor fashion student Caroline Attwood has year to the successful candidate as Coaldrake said. her sights on a high-fl ying career in the part of its masters program. “QUT sees rural journalism, not world’s fashion capitals – and is using The partnered endowment as a ‘country cousin’ to metropolitan QUT’s new fashion journalism subject of $100,000 has guaranteed the media, but a vital communication as a launching pad. scholarship will be perpetual. activity in contemporary Australia.” Continues page 3

Aspiring rural journalist and third year student Grant Robertson seeks advice from retired ABC rural reporter Adrian Second year student and would-be fashion journalist Caroline Attwood Scott, who helped drive the establishment of the new QUT rural journalism scholarship – undertaking the new fashion journalism unit this semester Housing trap for vulnerable By Toni Chambers private rental tenants. you have to be shown to be a worthy refused accommodation in the formal entirely address the way private rental “These databases have helped to participant in that market. rental market, she said. tenure was managed. LOW–income earners are struggling make the private rental market a bit “Databases have aided the tendency “As people are excluded from the She said this was what her research to put a roof over their heads due to like the labour market,” Dr Adkins of the sector to want the best and dump formal rental market, they fall to the aimed to inform. a lack of public housing and often said. the rest.” informal part which is governed by “Exhaustive research and data discriminatory private rental practices, “It’s not good enough just to apply She said demand for low-cost private individual private landlords who are analysis by our QUT research team according to new research. for a job these days, you have to have a rental properties had risen as a result least equipped to deal with this group of Patricia Short, Elspeth Mead QUT lecturer Dr Barbara Adkins job history and operating in the private of a decline in real terms in funding for of people.” and Andrew Peake has helped produce is leading a study for the Australian rental market is like that. public housing over the past 20 years. The State Government has recently the most detailed data on tenure Housing and Urban Research Institute “It’s not just that you need A proliferation in the use of tenancy legislated to address regulation of management impacts of tenancy (AHURI) looking at the increasing use accommodation. Increasingly to databases had meant that many tenancy databases and tenants rights databases in the country,” Dr Adkins of tenancy databases to list and screen survive in the private rental market low– income, high-needs people were but Dr Adkins said no legislation could said.

The face The eagle Quicksilver of QUT has landed Paul

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www.news.qut.edu.au George Street Brisbane 4000 Telephone (07) 3864 2361 Registered by Australia Post – Publication No. QBF 4778. CRICOS No 00213J Save plastic bags from extinction: academic By Mechelle Webb Professor George said QUT’S Science Dean has called technology was for plastic bags to be taken off the available for endangered list, despite moves to making plastic rid Australian supermarkets of the shopping bags “dangerous” non-biodegradable bags degrade in by 2008. compost – but Professor Graeme George has that this added challenged others to come up with to the cost of a better mass method of getting the bag. the groceries home and said the “This would be a better approach Greens’ proposal of a 25 cent plastic than either banning traditional bags bag levy would do little to stop or placing a levy on them to reduce people dumping bags in the wrong consumption,” he said. places. The Federal Government is part-way Professor George said that, for their through a Senate inquiry into plastic given purpose, plastic bags were hard bag waste and a possible levy, but to beat. this month said the levy now seemed The polymer expert said unlikely. Instead, Environment irresponsible people were the problem, Minister David Kemp and the not the plastic. Australian Retailers Association plan “Do we ban everything that people to cut bag use by 50 per cent by 2005, misuse?” he asked. and phase them out completely over “The issue is: What are you going to fi ve years. replace it with? …You’ve got a material Australians lug home more than six with very good properties but people billion plastic bags a year, with more abuse it.” than half of those originating from Although many of the nation’s supermarkets. The proposal to reduce plastic bags end up in waterways, the usage over the next couple of years ocean and other environmentally- hinges on supermarkets convincing unfriendly places, Professor George their staff to pack more into each bag said many people did the right thing they hand over to shoppers. and reused their bags for rubbish and But hardware retail giant Bunnings other purposes. has taken up the levy idea and will “In many cases a plastic bag is used introduce a 10 cent levy on all its fi ve or six times before it’s discarded,” plastic bags from September 15. All he said. money raised will go to Keep Australia “My wife takes her own bags when Beautiful coffers for environmental People are the problem, not plastic bags, says Dean of Science, Professor Graeme George she goes to the supermarket.” campaigns.

Page 2 Inside QUT August 26 – September 15, 2003 Visit www.corpcomm.qut.edu.au/insidequt for more details when you see this IQ Maths student scores well A word from the with plum US research job Vice-Chancellor

By Greg Davis

DEVELOPING a mathematical Better opportunities model to improve the understanding and treatment of cancer has helped a for school-leavers QUT PhD student land a dream job at a prestigious research institute in the ONE of the welcome initiatives of the 15 to 19 year age cohort in the United States. the Federal Government’s higher south-east of the State, for higher Mathematics PhD candidate Robyn education reform package is the education places. Araujo will begin work early next commitment to provide 25,000 For its part, QUT will be year at the National Cancer Institute fully-funded university places from reaffirming our commitment to in Washington DC. 2005, to replace the current levels providing additional places for Ms Araujo said the chance to work of partially-funded over-enrolment school-leavers across a range of with some of the world’s best scientists in the sector. disciplines. was an amazing opportunity. Obviously the fi nal distribution We are sensitive to the fact that “I’ll be working alongside some of these places will be of great the very strong demand for our great researchers, using some of the interest to all universities, to state courses, coupled with the broader best facilities available so it is a fantastic governments and to the wider demographic picture, means that opportunity to take my research to the community. high-performing school-leavers have next level,” she said. State and federal ministers experienced increasing diffi culty in “They are doing a lot of different have agreed to work together to accessing the course of their choice kinds of research in cancer over try to develop a realistic and fair at QUT. there. I’ve been using mathematical mechanism for the allocation of Over the next few years we will modelling to study cancer and they these places, and have invited all be making a deliberate effort to are interested in having another publicly funded higher education improve those opportunities for mathematician work with them to institutions to contribute to this such school-leavers. assist in their research. process. The proposed reforms also target “There are two aspects to my QUT will be actively participating the areas of nursing and teacher research, one aspect is how it can help in this endeavour, which initially will education as requiring particular therapies but the other aspect is gaining be considering the most appropriate support, and QUT’s commitment a better understanding of how tissues models for the national distribution to these areas will reflect the develop and the biology of tumours of university places. Government’s determination … mathematics has the potential to The process is not intended at to assist students wishing to contribute to both aspects.” this stage to be an institutional bid pursue careers in either of these Ms Araujo is studying tissue for places. professions. mechanics and how mechanical However, in addressing the basic stresses evolve in tumour tissue as concepts that should underpin a it grows, and how these stresses can PhD student Robyn Araujo model of fair distribution, QUT induce vascular collapse. we could use these insights to our Australians to receive this prestigious – along with other players – will She said the research was vital to anti- advantage to approach therapies fellowship which was awarded to be able to put forward a strong cancer therapy because when blood differently,” Ms Araujo said. about 100 top young researchers from argument based on population Professor Peter Coaldrake vessels collapsed, the effectiveness of She was offered the job at the around the world. growth in Queensland, especially in Vice-Chancellor therapy was compromised, as it was National Cancer Institute after being She said she was thrilled to have diffi cult to get the anti-cancer drugs awarded a Conference Fellowship by obtained such a coveted position into the tumours. Massachusetts Institute of Technology several months before her PhD was Scientists have their say in Parliament “I’ve been able to use mathematical (MIT) to attend the Second MIT submitted for examination. techniques to understand a little better Conference on Computational Fluid “I suppose it’s unusual for people MORE than a dozen QUT academics Lovie-Kitchin, Associate Professor how these stresses evolve in tissue and and Solid Mechanics in the United to get a job before they have fi nished represented the university at a highlight John Bell, Dr Malcolm Cox, Associate why that might be happening. States in June this year. their PhD. It’s a pretty exciting time,” of the recent National Science Week. Professor Ray Frost, Dr Harjeet “If we understand that better, Ms Araujo was one of only four Ms Araujo said. The senior members of staff from Khanna, Associate Professor Michael the Faculties of Science, Health, Rosemann, Adjunct Professor Education, Information Technology, Margaret Steinberg, Dr Zee Upton, Business, and Built Environment Dr Viktor Vegh, Dr James Watters, Dr Students mix science with business and Engineering were selected to Geoffrey Will and Adjunct Professor attend the “Queensland Science in David Wyatt. Parliament” event at Parliament House Nobel Laureate, Professor Peter in Brisbane. Doherty, was the guest speaker on “Queensland Science in Parliament” the day. is designed to bring politicians and National Science Week ran from scientists together so they can gain Saturday, August 16 to Sunday, a better understanding of how they August 24 and is Australia’s annual can support each other to create a celebration of science and technology prosperous economy and vibrant with universities, schools, science society. organisations, research centres, The QUT staff invited to the businesses and industry organisations day-long event included: Dr Rossen all participating in events to thrust Halatchev, Associate Professor Jan science into the spotlight.

Fashion business is serious business

Money-smart biotechnology innovation students – working with Australian Red Cross Blood Service From page one Creative Industries Dean Professor John Hartley said fashion and lifestyle By Carmen Myler industry to undertake real projects. feasibility study of the Blood Service’s NINTEEN–year-old journalism had always been viewed Executive coordinator of Genero genotyping technology. Caroline is part of new suspiciously compared to news THEY’RE barely in their 20s and they Yoko Asakawa said the company “We’re looking at how capable the breed who, rather than shunning the journalism. haven’t graduated from university was working with Australian Red technology is and investigating other lighter side of news, is determined to “However, with the drift towards yet but the QUT students behind Cross Blood Service to develop a genotyping technologies being used become a serious fashion journalist. interactive media and the growing biobusiness development company commercialisation strategy for a patent around the world to see if the Blood “The notion that fashion is not popularity of fashion online, this Genero are already working on a they hold, in order to recover the Service might further develop this important is nonsense,” Caroline is where the market is moving,” project with Australian Red Cross Blood annual cost of maintaining the patent technology in Australia,” Mr Straney said, when gently challenged about Professor Hartley said. Service which could impact on pregnant for the non-profi t organisation. said. her career choice. “This new course is very timely as it women around the country. “They hold a patent for technology On graduating, fi nal-year students “Fashion brings together ideas of will promote non-news journalism as a Genero is a group of 10 second-, which can genotype the blood type of Ms Asakawa and Mr Straney – along style, attitude, image, private life proper topic for research, teaching and third- and final-year students from an unborn baby and determine if it is with Douglas Bugden and Aisha and consumption into the so-called career, and will say something about QUT’s Bachelor of Biotechnology compatible with the mother’s blood,” Laguerre – will leave the company ‘serious’ end of the news business. the cultural impact of the form.” Innovation, a course started four years Ms Asakawa said. in the capable hands of students “It is a vehicle for change and Professor Hartley said fashion ago in an effort to produce a generation “If the blood isn’t compatible, this Shakeel Yusuf, David Dobraskievicz, fashion journalism is a voice for that and style journalism offered career of money-smart scientists. can lead to haemolytic disease in Gaurav Jaggi and Leo Huang, who change.” options for journalists, photographers, The fi rst cohort of students will newborns which causes the mother’s will continue to work with industry Caroline is currently undertaking designers, writers, videographers and graduate from the course at the end blood to attack the baby’s blood and on biobusiness projects. Creative Industries’ new fashion fashion specialists. of the year but will already have can result in serious complications and The only course of its kind journalism unit, a course addition For more information on how gained experience in running their own sometimes death.” in Australia, the Bachelor of that was hailed by some of the to apply for the rural journalism start-up companies, such as Genero, Marketing and strategic planner Biotechnology Innovation has nation’s leading fashion writers at scholarship or information on fashion through the course’s “bioindustries” Lahn Straney said as part of the project received $1.6million in Federal and an international fashion conference journalism, call Creative Industries on program which links students to the students had been conducting a State Government funding. recently held in Brisbane. 07 3864 1729.

Inside QUT August 26 – September 15, 2003 Page 3 Study to unlock how Dad’s the word for fathers handle isolation this family unit By Mechelle Webb from their children. He said no longer being a permanent By Mechelle Webb FATHERHOOD has been an part of his kids’ lives had been emotional rollercoaster for Brisbane horrendous at fi rst and that he had A QUT researcher has launched a study dad Glenn Daye. been acutely aware of what he was into separated fathers in a bid to help He spent three years working missing during the three-year loss of combat depression and the high risk from home and jointly caring for his contact. of male suicide. children 24 hours a day, but then didn’t “It really did wreck your whole Helen McKeering, from the Centre see them at all for three years after a mental attitude toward life and put for Health Research - Public Health, less-than-amicable marriage break-up your brain in a different spin,” he said there had been little research in 1997. said. done into how men were affected by The fi nance broker and his ex-wife “It was pretty hard … you often separation from their kids, despite are now on good terms and have a wonder how they are doing and you many studies on the effects of flexible custody arrangement that miss the milestones. But the kids still separation on mothers and children. includes school holiday visits. knew me and had photos of me.” She said Father’s Day, which falls on He is currently looking after his He said the separations had become September 7 this year, was one of the kids – Cory, 10, and Shelby, 9 – for easier as time went on. toughest times for men to be without three months, but they usually live in “You never fully adjust, I don’t their children. Rockhampton. think,” he said. “Often their children are with Next month will mark the first “You’ve just got to make the best of another father (the ex-wife’s new Father’s Day he has spent with them the situation you’ve got.” partner) … that’s very hard for them for fi ve years. Mr Daye said the best part of being a to take on days like Christmas Day and Mr Daye, who is participating in a dad was the love and affection that was Father’s Day,” she said. QUT research study, said he thought exchanged with the children. Ms McKeering has conducted a society underestimated how much “They love you unconditionally and preliminary study with 27 fathers but men could be affected by separation you try to give that back,” he said. now needs to fi nd 200 separated dads from around Queensland to help her research project. She hopes the results will be used to guide health promotion programs and help fathers to better adjust to new family situations and work out the best post-divorce arrangements. The psychology and teaching graduate, who is also a medical education officer for Queensland Health, has also constructed a grief scale in a bid to measure men’s emotions. “For separated fathers, the loss of satisfactory contact with children may result in unresolved grief,” she said. “This grief may be associated with an elevated risk of suicide which, in Australia, is six times higher for separated men than for married men. “Stressors include loss of income, loss of family, breakdown of social networks, change in housing, and ongoing confl ict with the ex-spouse.” Ms McKeering urged fathers who Health researcher Helen McKeering is seeking 200 separated dads to help with were depressed after marriage break- her research project downs to seek help from a counsellor doing things, rather than talking about had less time to do things for them – particularly around trigger times like it,” she said. to show they cared, which increased Father’s Day. “When a man says to his wife ‘Of feelings of isolation and loss. She said just because men didn’t course I love you – didn’t I just wash Ms McKeering needs to fi nd 200 always show obvious signs of your car?’, he’s not being facetious, he separated dads with a child or children emotions, didn’t mean they weren’t means it.” under 18 to be part of her survey. Finance broker Glenn Daye at home in Brisbane with his children, 10 year-old feeling them. The researcher said fathers who Contact her on 07 3321 0151 Cory and 9 year-old Shelby, with whom he will share this Father’s Day for the “Men often show their love through were separated from their children or [email protected] fi rst time in fi ve years QUT attracts infl ux of Taiwan nurses to Kelvin Grove By Carmen Myler decision to do her PhD research through QUT was fuelled by a desire CROSS-cultural understanding for to undertake a cross-cultural study nurses will be greatly enhanced by into the mid-life experiences of men the work of more than 10 Taiwanese and women. research students joining QUT’s School “I want to examine the differences of Nursing this year. and similarities in the culture and Half of the PhD and masters students values between Australian and have come from the National Taipei Taiwanese people in their mid-life College of Nursing with whom the health and wellbeing, and their school has developed close links over perceptions of mid-life events,” said the past fi ve years. Ms Fu, who also has a masters from According to the school’s director QUT. of research Professor Mary Courtney, Ms Fu said that such studies were another 10 students from around significant because the increasing Taiwan had already applied for entry fl exibility of world travel and a global into research programs and a “pipeline” population was presenting more effect would see at least another fi ve opportunity for nurses to interact PhD students from Taiwan joining the with other cultures. school annually. Fellow PhD student Shou-Yu “Such a large number of students (Cindy) Wang is undertaking her from Taiwan are attracted to QUT’s study into decision-making by School of Nursing because we Taiwanese cancer patients and the offer an individualised PhD program use of complementary and alternative which allows students to undertake medicines. their studies using a mix of external She said that, although she was not and internal study,” she said. undertaking cross-cultural research, “As the majority of these students she wanted to come to QUT for her are lecturers in nursing in Taiwan, this PhD research because the university multi-modal structure enables them to has a “good reputation” in cancer balance their study commitments with nursing education. Attracted by the excellent reputation of QUT’s School of Nursing, some 20 Taiwanese research students have arrived, or busy work and family commitments.” “I spend six months in Taiwan and applied, to join the school this year For Shiu-Yun (Kimberley) Fu, the then travel back here,” Ms Wang said.

Page 4 Inside QUT August 26 – September 15, 2003 Visit www.corpcomm.qut.edu.au/insidequt for more details when you see this IQ Angela rides wave of success Cory’s Japanese By Greg Davis New Zealand at a local bar and in one Billabong too, it’s a great company myself leaving any time soon…it’s of the ad breaks the QUT ad came up to work for.” my dream job. QUT graduate Angela Tottey has and there I was on the huge screen as Angela graduated in 1999 with a “I love the beach and surf lifestyle love affair had no reservations about telling the well as all the other TV screens around business degree in communications so this is perfect for me.” world where she went to university the place,” she said. and public relations and is currently Angela said her phone had been and where her business degree is “The place was full of Billabong completing a Graduate Diploma in ringing hot since the campaign started wins award taking her. employees who all knew me, so they all Marketing also from QUT. and the feedback had been nothing but By Mechelle Webb Well, almost. turned around and started pointing and She started at Billabong a year ago, positive. As the star of the latest QUT yelling at me and then the screen. working exclusively for its sunglass “I get a call almost every time the ad A BRISBANE writer’s film about advertising campaign, the employee of “I nearly died of embarrassment brand Von Zipper and its skate brand is on TV but it has been great because forbidden love during Australia’s surf giant Billabong has been heavily because being in the spotlight like Element. people I haven’t seen for a long time wartime years has won a feature featured on prime time television that isn’t usually my style. As the assistant to the National are calling me and we’re getting back screenplay award at a major festival commercials, full-colour newspaper “Seriously though, I’m glad I did the Brand Manager, Angela said her duties in touch,” she said. dubbed “the American Cannes”. advertisements and dozens of ad because it was a great opportunity were wide and varied. “I’m getting a lot of positive QUT PhD student Cory Taylor prominent bus shelters. and I have really enjoyed the whole “I make sure all the surfers and feedback with people saying how received a Columbine Award (non- Angela was more than happy experience. skaters we sponsor are decked out in great the ad is, how fun it is and well violent fi lms) at the USA Moondance to be a part of the campaign and “I don’t get embarrassed anymore… our latest gear as well as coordinating put together it is…people really seem International Film Festival. has been delighted with the I’ve become far more graceful advertising and editorial material to love it.” The children’s author (Rat Tales) and feedback she has received since it got at accepting the recognition and for magazines, and a lot of sales and “Our CEO saw the ad for the fi rst television scriptwriter’s next task will underway. However at the recent mid- compliments I receive. internal reporting,” she said. time during that football match and be to fi nd an agent and producer to help year social function for Billabong staff, “I’m more than happy extolling “That’s just to name a few of the started introducing me to everyone as her fi lm reach the big screen. the exposure all got a little too much. the virtues of QUT and I’m more things I do. There’s always something “our TV star” so he’s very happy with The project, titled The Rushworth “We were all watching Australia play than happy extolling the virtues of interesting going on and I can’t see the way it turned out.” War, impressed Moondance judges with its tale about an Australian guard and a Japanese woman interned at the Rushworth “enemy alien” camp in Victoria during World War II. Their story – which has the logline “In the end, all you remember is who you’ve loved” – is told via fl ashbacks through a parallel love story about the pair’s descendants. Although her characters are fictitious, Ms Taylor said she had been inspired by true stories about the World War II guards and internees – and her own Japanese love story. She met her husband – a Japanese artist – while teaching English in a remote town in Japan in 1983, with the pair later facing cross-cultural challenges including trialling living in both countries with their two children. Now permanent Brisbane residents, Ms Taylor said “writing about what you knew” was often the basis of a good script. “It’s a cliché, but it’s an absolute golden rule,” she said. “And if there’s another motive behind my screenplay fi lm, it’s that too many fi lms about Australia are actually about a fairly limited defi nition of our identity – the typical larrikin Aussie bloke, etc. “My experience of Australia is an utterly different one. It’s a lot more varied, complicated, and multi-racial. I think fi lm, to be interesting, has to embrace that.” Ms Taylor said being the recipient of QUT’s Owen J Wordsworth scholarship for postgraduate study had given her the fi nancial freedom to concentrate on The Rushworth War and a second screenplay about a Japanese riches-to-rags tale on the Gold Coast. “It’s just a tremendous privilege to be able to work in a supportive environment without commercial pressure,’’ she said. Angela Tottey – a familiar QUT face, making headway in the real world Research network to link the law and biology

ACADEMICS from QUT, UQ and information in its many applications, International Linkage grant was interdisciplinary knowledge and Griffi th University have been awarded from biodiversity as an input in awarded to help fund the network, communication with the help of other a $50,000 grant to develop an education industrial processes to crime-related which also includes two key UQ national and international research network to strengthen the link between DNA, to genetic testing in medicine. academic members – Associate institutions. law and biology. “In forensic genetics and Professor Hamish McCallum from the It will cover fi ve main areas: bio- QUT’s assistant dean of research conservation biology, bio-statistical School of Life Sciences and Dr Piero logic and legal-logic; feminism in law in the Faculty of Law, Dr Barbara analysis can also quantify variables that Giorgi from the School of Biomedical and biology; biological governance; Hocking, said legal education needed are often presented only qualitatively Sciences. artifi cial intelligence; and bio-security. to be broadened to better equip lawyers in the law.” Dr McCallum said lawyers and the Dr McCallum said the network to deal with the scientifi c challenges Dr Hocking said legal, ethical law had diffi culty in understanding would look at the communication now featuring in the law. and genetic researchers from all biological issues. between the disciplines of law and She said learning about issues over the world, including Sweden, “Scientists work from theories biology and the ways in which including statistical probability, crime- France, Canada and the UK, had whereas lawyers work from case communication could be made more related DNA and even the philosophy already pledged their support for the studies,” he said. effective. of science could be of benefi t. network. “Lawyers have an idea of proof “A word that means one thing to “It’s important for both sides to “The aim is to make Australia beyond reasonable doubt but are lawyers can mean something else to understand the ways in which each a springboard to facilitate rational reluctant to quantify uncertainty and scientists,” he said. other communicate,” Dr Hocking regional choices, not only between the doubt as scientists do routinely. This “Good scientists will always qualify said. scientifi c and legal communities but makes it diffi cult to deal with scientifi c what they say and allow for almost any Award-winning QUT fi lm and TV PhD “The network will aim to elaborate student Cory Taylor – inspired by also within civil society,” she said. evidence.” possibility whereas lawyers work on her own cross-cultural marriage to the legal implications of bio-statistical The Australian Research Council The network will foster the principal of reasonable doubt.” Japanese artist Shin Koyama

Inside QUT August 26 – September 15, 2003 Page 5 In Brief... Soren strikes again

Festival closes funding universities will be the focus of the fi rst University bridge Advancement Conference to The Goodwill Bridge will be be held in Australasia. QUT closed to all pedestrians and Vice-Chancellor Professor cyclists from 4pm to 8.30pm Peter Coaldrake will offi cially on Saturday (August 30) for welcome guests to day Brisbane’s Riverfi re event. one of the conference at The riverbanks next to QUT Rydges Southbank tomorrow and opposite will offer some (August 27). The conference of the best vantage points will focus on current issues for the annual fi reworks facing fundraising and spectacle.The bridge will alumni professionals. UCLA’s also be closed during the Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Riverfeast – an outdoor Keith Brant, has fl own in from dining event staged at the United States to be part three locations – from 10am of the guest speaker line- Wednesday, September 3, to up and will discuss alumni 5am Thursday, September 4. relations. Both events are part of the 2003 Riverfestival, which Ex-staff maintain links runs from August 29 to September 7. Working at QUT is a hard bug to get out of your system. But Talks a big hit now a new club is enabling A series of one-night former staff members to keep exhibitions at Gardens their ties with the university Point is building up a solid and old colleagues. The following with some of the Community of Former Staff leading fi gures in Australian of QUT has just celebrated architecture drawing large its fi rst birthday. Its primary crowds. More than 200 aims are to provide fellowship people a night are attending and social activities for former the “Tuesday Night Talks staff within the context of the Series” hosted by the current QUT community. Their School of Design and Built next event is a visit to the QUT Environment. Gabriel Poole Art Museum on September 12. – one of Australia’s most For details, call 3864 2950 or renowned architects and e-mail [email protected] a recent winner of a QUT Outstanding Alumni Award Alumni business club Paul Mander and Soren, a wedge-tailed eagle, at the City Botanic Gardens. Mr Mander’s business, “Broadwings,” has been contracted to rid ibis from community areas in Brisbane – will be the centre of The new Brisbane Executive attention at the next event Club (BEC) is up and running, THE eagle clearing King George on Tuesday, August 26. eagle, Soren, to scare away the ibis. Millennium Stadium. Square of annoying ibis birds has The “Tuesday Night Talk having just elected its fi rst Soren’s presence – on and off – has But he’s not the first animal stretched its wings to include the Series” exhibitions are held executive committee. A successfully reduced numbers of the employed in a bid to reduce CBD City Botanic Gardens in its swoop. in lecture theatre D101 from Chapter of QUT Alumni gangly white bird in King George ibis numbers. And that’s good news for QUT, 6pm. For more information specifi cally for students Square, and looks set to do the same Campus Services at Gardens Point which often receives unwelcome phone 3864 2670 or visit and alumni of the Brisbane in the Botanic Gardens. recruited a stuffed toy tiger – which visits from food-snatching ibis. www.dbe.bee.qut.edu.au Graduate School of Business, The eagle’s garden visits began was wedged into a tree overhanging the BEC aims to enhance The glutinous birds are also guilty this month, creating an interesting Main Drive – a couple of years ago the university experience of of fouling the university’s pedestrian lunchtime spectacle for nearby that met with some success. University funding students and alumni. Contact walkways, seats and buildings. university students and staff. And ibis fans need not worry that conference Mary Henley on 3864 4499 or But Brisbane City Council has The council hit upon the idea the new scare tactic will endanger combated the lack of competition The increasing challenge of [email protected] for more of recruiting Soren following the problem birds. information. from other birds by hiring Paul similar attempts to scare away ibis According to his handler, Soren is Mander and his native wedge-tailed at landmarks including Cardiff’s all bark and no bite.

David Hawke’s Eyeview

Page 6 Inside QUT August 26 – September 15, 2003 Visit www.corpcomm.qut.edu.au/insidequt for more details when you see this IQ FedSat reaches sky- Journalism students on European tour of duty rocketing success By Rebekah Van Druten the European Parliament in Brussels. The students took part in the daily TEN hard-working QUT journalism media conference of the European students recently embarked on a Commission at Brussels, which is the three-week trip to the European Union home of the world’s biggest accredited hoping to learn the ins and outs of what media corps with close to 2,000 it is like to be an international news journalists listed. correspondent. The group also attended the daily The tour group of Sam Edmonds, editorial conference of the International Vicki Efthivoulou, Kylie Hodge, Georgia Herald Tribune in Paris and a media Macmillan, Sabine Miranda, Elena briefi ng with former Federal minister Paredes, Rosie Purnell, Grant Roberts, Gareth Evans at the International Crisis Georgia Royle and Rebekah Van Centre in Brussels. Druten travelled to France, Germany, Journalism lecturer Dr Lee Duffi eld Netherlands and Belgium where they mapped out the program and led attended briefings on current issues the students on the trip that was the third at several major European institutions. overseas reporting venture organised As part of the program they sent by QUT following previous trips to broadcast and print reports and features Asia. back to QUT news outlets – “Europe “It is forced learning because the Special Report” programs on radio students are divorced from all of the 4EB-FM; Briz 31 community TV; and normal background knowledge and the in-house publications, Communique security of home, so they need to really online and print. concentrate on the demands of the Among many other commitments, story,” Dr Duffi eld said. interviews and briefing sessions “Our students are able to meet took place at the Deutsche Beuse international standards very well and (the company currently running the with the right study opportunities and expanded Frankfurt Stock Exchange), practice will have an assured future in the Council of Europe at Strasbourg and world media”.

The efforts of QUT researchers have been rewarded with the outstanding success of FedSat

By Greg Davis “Our next challenge is gaining data for other purposes such as meteorology analysis, positioning experiments and SYSTEMS developed by QUT-based researchers for proving the computing technology.” the FedSat satellite have passed with fl ying colours, He said the GPS receiver was fully operational and could with Australia’s fi rst venture into space in more than predict three days out where the satellite would be within 30 years proving to be a resounding success. a 100 metre radius. Australia re-entered the “space race” in December The high-performance computing device is also fully last year when the FedSat micro-satellite was launched operational on-board FedSat and has met with the high in Japan after five years of development by the expectations of researchers. Cooperative Research Centre for Satellite Systems Professor Moody said it had already dynamically (CRCSS). reconfi gured itself to correct radiation induced errors, FedSat can lay claim to being the most successful considered to be the fi rst time such a function has been satellite in Australia’s history as its eight-month stay performed in space. in space so far has easily surpassed the two previous “We are getting new data from the high performance Journalism students travelled to Europe for real-world media experience – efforts that spent a combined total of fi ve months in computing payload specifi c to its own health, so it is pictured on tour at Grand Place, Brussels (l-r) Rebekah Van Druten, Rosie Purnell, orbit. effectively doing a bit of naval gazing at the moment. Elena Paredes, Kylie Hodge and Dale Roberts QUT researchers developed both the high- The payload can diagnose faults caused by radiation and performance computing device and the global can then repair itself by reconfi guring its own computing positioning system (GPS) for FedSat that have the elements”, he said. potential to help improve regional surveillance and It has also been remotely reconfi gured using newly telecommunications, weather forecasting and satellite uplinked confi guration fi les and has successfully processed computer technology. data as anticipated for specifi c applications such as disaster CRCSS Queensland Node Director and Professor of warning. Electrical Engineering at QUT Miles Moody said his FedSat is expected to be operational for three years and team was delighted with the results so far. should orbit the Earth for almost a century. “We are very happy with how it is all going. More As part of the CRCSS, QUT researchers worked in than fi ve years of work went into the project so it is conjunction with the CSIRO, University of South Australia, extremely rewarding to see that it is doing its job,” University of Technology Sydney, University of Newcastle, Professor Moody said. Auspace Ltd and Vipac Engineers and Scientists.

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Inside QUT August 26 – September 15, 2003 Page 7 Big Brother labelled a Paul blitzes modern-day Shakespeare blind games By Mechelle Webb By Greg Davis medal chance but unfortunately had to withdraw after his guide runner IF Shakespeare had owned a TV, he’d be tuning into Big IT took a world record performance fell ill. Brother. to deny QUT student Paul Harpur a He will now concentrate on next So says QUT media expert – and avid Big Brother fan gold medal at the Blind Sports World year’s Paralympics in Athens as he – John Hartley, who believes Big Brother’s producers have Athletics Championships in Canada has recorded qualifying times for created a modern-day version of Shakespeare. earlier this month. both the 200 metre and 400 metre He argues that the English playwright was another The Law masters student ran a events. cultural icon loved by the masses, who copped plenty personal best time of 54.34 seconds Harpur – who also represented of fl ak in his day for his popular – but sometimes risqué in the fi nal of the B1/B2 (blind and Australia at the 2000 Sydney – body of work … and was not fully recognised until long vision impaired) 400 metre event to Paralympics and 2002 Commonwealth after he was buried. claim a silver medal behind Angola’s Games in Manchester – recorded Professor Hartley, Dean of Creative Industries, Jose Sayo Armando who smashed the another personal best in the 100 metres presented a research paper on the topic recently and world record on his way to victory. in Canada but was not able to reach came out swinging at Big Brother critics who dismiss the Harpur’s outstanding effort in the fi nal rounds. popular series as trash. Quebec was the culmination of Meanwhile, the QUT Student Instead, he labels it a “how-to” guide for citizenship – and excellent lead-up form with the sprinter Guild Cup Road Race has been won one of the best tools available to today’s youth to learn lowering his personal best time for the by Law student Sean Moynihan who how to mix with one another in sticky situations. 400 metres on three separate occasions completed the demanding course “It’s teaching people to get on with each other in a in warm-up meets in July. around the Kelvin Grove campus in domestic environment,’” he said. It was Harpur’s first medal at just over six and a half minutes. “Big Brother is a lesson in citizenship. I think it’s one of world championship level and he was Last year’s winner Justin Hogg the better-imagined of all reality television shows – it’s unlucky not to add to the tally. fi nished in second place 15 seconds about life in a recognisable situation.” The Queensland Academy of Sport behind Moynihan while the women’s And Professor Hartley is not the only one who thinks athlete also set a new personal best race was easily won by Margot people should be taking a leaf out of the Big Brother time in reaching the 200 metre semi- Manning, representing the Faculty book. fi nals. of Health, with Fiona Quarterman in British academic Stephen Coleman, in his paper Tale He was considered a very strong second place. of Two Houses, suggests England’s politicians could learn some lessons from his country’s version of the show. He highlights the popularity gap between young people voting out a housemate in a dialling and clicking frenzy and their apathetic voting turn-out during political elections. Although Professor Hartley is not calling on Australia’s youth to “evict” their politicians from parliament, he said Big Brother offered plenty of lessons for us too. “People are starting to take these entertainment, consumer-voting type formats seriously,’’ he said. “I think people will see the quality of Big Brother (in the future) in relation to what it’s doing for its own society.” Professor Hartley’s new paper, Kiss Me Kat: Shakespeare, Big Brother and the Taming of the Self, will be published later this year in a book on reality TV: Startling! Heartbreaking! Latest Big Brother winner Reggie (Regina Bird), the fi sh and chips shop worker who, like many of Shakespeare’s Real! Reality TV and the Re-Making of Television Culture characters, won the hearts of a nation. But is her value to (edited by Susan Murray and Laurie Ouellette and society yet to be really appreciated, asks Professor John published by New York University Press). Hartley Photo: AAP Image Campus culture party for QUT

Singapore student community Paul Harpur – a champion on and off the fi eld. Besides being ranked one of the fastest blind runners in the world, Paul has completed a combined Law and Business Degree and is now studying a Masters of Laws and a Graduate QUT’s Singaporean students are probably only just starting Diploma in Legal Practice at QUT to recover from their biggest party month of the year. Three celebrations were held in the past three weeks to mark Singapore’s national day on August 9 – the National Day Fair on campus, a Hilton Hotel dinner hosted by the Rugby studies forges Singapore Club of Queensland, and the National Day Dance Party at Dome. About 800 students from Singapore study at QUT – the international links university’s largest international group. Singapore Students Association president Cheryl Leong, THE QUT Centre for Rugby Studies thorough preparation paid dividends whose organisation coordinated the fair and dance party, said has played host to the fi rst international for the visitors. the fair had been a fi rst and should return next year. rugby union team to do battle on the They enjoyed a comprehensive She said the association was growing in numbers, with hallowed turf of Suncorp Stadium. victory over Metropolitan Brisbane membership now at 300. QUT took the Japanese Schoolboys that continued their successful And while studying in a different country can present a team under its wing for a week prior to tour of Australia that also included world of opportunities, being away from home also has its its historic clash against Metropolitan matches in North Queensland, Noosa challenges. Brisbane that was the curtain raiser and Sydney. “It’s a real growth experience for everyone,” Ms Leong to the recent test match between The hosting arrangement marked said. Australia and South Africa. another signifi cant step in the Centre’s “They have to rely on themselves because their families QUT coordinated all of the team’s growing relationship with Japanese aren’t here – that’s why the club is so important. We’re here arrangements during the Brisbane rugby. basically as a support network.” leg of its Australian tour including Head of the QUT School of Ms Leong, who finishes her combined Business-Law accommodation, transport, day trips Human Movement Studies Professor degree this semester, said QUT was one of the most popular to the Sunshine Coast, a guided tour Tony Parker met with Japan Rugby university choices in Australia for students from Singapore. of Suncorp Stadium and training Union Vice-President Hiroshi Hibino She said studying and living in relaxed Brisbane was a facilities. during the team’s week-long stay Celebrating Singapore National Day on August 9 at QUT great option. The Japanese tourists spent the in Brisbane to discuss future joint was (l-r) Debbie Ng, Khuirman Johari and Naz Khamin “It’s like a big holiday,” she said, with a laugh. week training at Ballymore and the opportunities.

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Inside QUT is published by QUT’s Corporate Communication Department. Our readership includes staff, students Janne Rayner (editor) 07 3864 2361 and members of the QUT community. This paper is also circulated to business, industry, government and the media. Greg Davis 07 3864 1841 Carmen Myler 07 3864 1150 Letters to the editor are welcome. Email [email protected] or mail Janne Rayner, Inside QUT, GPO Box 2434, Mechelle Webb 07 3864 4494 Brisbane, Qld, 4001. Corporate Communication is located at Room 501, Level 5, M Block, at Gardens Point. Tony Phillips (Photography) 07 3864 5003 Opinions expressed in Inside QUT do not necessarily represent those of the university or the editorial team. Stacey Lorraway (Advertising) 07 3864 4408 Fax 07 3864 9155

Page 8 Inside QUT August 26 – September 15, 2003 Visit www.corpcomm.qut.edu.au/insidequt for more details when you see this IQ