From the Director Opinion
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September 2006 ISSUE 6 FROM THE DIRECTOR OPINION The details of Centre performance for By Prof Kath Bowmer publications and research income in 2005 Sage on the Stage or Guide on the FROM THE 1 has recently been announced by the Side? DIRECTOR University. ILWS has increased its research income by almost 100% since 1994 to just For me, this little phrase nicely captures the OPINION 1 over $2 million and publications by about dichotomy in possible approaches – expert 30% to 67 DEST points. or facilitator. Prof Kath 2 Bowmer The University has proposed annual targets of It’s often applied to teaching. With the 20%-25% improvements on these performance expansion of information students need to be IN THE NEWS 2 indicators which, in my view, are realistic targets. I equipped to research their disciplines, rather congratulate all members and associates (59 than be filled full of content to be regurgitated in 3 members, 91 associates and 59 PhDs) for their examinations and then forgotten as quickly as contributions to this outstanding achievement. The possible, so teacher as guide, rather than sage, DISCIPLINE 3 Institute’s Annual Report has been submitted to is the preferable modus operandi. the Centre for Research and Graduate Training GROUPS 4 and will be on the Institute’s website once It seems to me that the facilitator / guide approved by CSU. approach is relevant to researchers too, PROFILE 4 especially those of us engaged in supporting the Reviewing information for the Annual Report I was deliberations of regional and community groups Daryl McGregor impressed by our progress in establishing sound as they face the difficult challenges of priority- governance arrangements; engaging key setting and decision-making in natural resource CONFERENCES & 4 stakeholders; and enhancing research capacity. management. In principle I fully support the SEMINARS 5 ILWS research capacity will be further enhanced increased opportunities for local and regional by recent CSU initiatives relating to the involvement in NRM that have been provided by appointment of strategic professors (three the Natural Heritage Trust and National Action PROJECTS & 5 approved for ILWS); allocation of funds for Plan and, more recently, in water sharing GRANTS 6 teaching buyout by research centres (details to be through CoAG Water Reforms and the National announced by Prof Ross Chambers); and the Water Initiative. However, many regard this foreshadowed appointment of Business Managers move to regional governance as a very risky OVERSEAS TRIPS 6 for ILWS and the EH Graham Centre. experiment. Surveys also reveal a gulf between researchers and catchment managers that Amongst the highlights of recent weeks have reflects a conflict in values, or even downright INSTITUTE EVENTS 6 been: Notification that the bid Prof Shahbaz Khan antagonism. A typical comment about the 7 is leading for an International Centre of Water for approach of expert researchers to a regional Food Security under the auspices of UNESCO- management process was ‘Boy, have we got PHD STUDENTS 7 IHP is proceeding; Dr David Roshier’s return from the solution for you!’ Siberia; work by Dr Digby Race and a team of Gill Earl ILWS researchers examining irrigator responses I wish now that I had concentrated earlier on to new channel technology in the Shepparton doing things a little differently: PUBLICATIONS 8 area; meetings of the Economics and Regional • Thinking beyond problems to solutions Development Group to develop research and options proposals; a public forum in Albury examining • Understanding more about policy and AWARDS & aspects of prescribed burning; and the launch of planning, priority-setting and decision- APPOINTMENTS 8 Prof Prof Margaret Alston’s drought report. making frameworks -Prof Allan Curtis (cont page 2) A feature ar FEATURE STORY: DARYL MCGREGOR p The Institute’s newest Research Fellow Daryl McGregor brings a lifetime of skills and of skills and knowledge gained from working in the water industry. His motto motto is “to make a difference in whatever I do.” Story Page 4 Sept. 2006 P1 COUNTRY WOMEN OPINION Prof Marg Alston’s opinion was sought for a piece in the Daily • Developing good networks; Telegraph on July 22 relating to the lack of women in the country. • Listening more; http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/opinion/story/0,22049,1 • Incorporating the different kinds of knowledge- expert, 9863409-5001031,00.html local and cultural into my work. WATER CONSERVATION ‘Guide on the side’ has the right overtones of humility and Prof Allan Curtis’s response to Toowoomba’s rejection of respect for relationships. It is a world apart from RQF and having treated sewage returned to their water supply which was nationally competitive grants - more on that later, no doubt, on the CSU news site was picked up by: because Universities seem to be consumed by it. • the Border Mail on Aug 1 • ABC Riverina on Aug 1 In my view ILWS provides a great opportunity for us to do things a little differently and thereby support our regions more • 2BS Morning Wireless program and ABC Central effectively. West on Aug 2. Further reading: NUCLEAR ENERGY Economist Dr Rod Duncan, who participated in a nuclear Campbell A (2006). The Australian Natural Resource Knowledge System, Land &Water Australia 45 pp energy forum held at the Bathurst Uniting Church on July 1, Chartres, C., Bowmer K. H. et al. (2004) Scientific Advice on was subsequently interviewed by ABC Goulburn Murray radio; Natural Resource Management to the Natural Resource and ABC Riverina. Management Ministerial Council, 66 pp. PRESCRIBED BURNING </www.nrm.gov.au/publications/sci-advice/pubs/sci- The public forum on prescribed burning organised by the advice.pdf#search=%22NRMMC%20Chartres%20%22> Institute received excellent media coverage with: • preliminary stories in the Border Mail on July 29 and IN THE NEWS The Fireman on Aug 16 • an interview with guest speaker Prof Bruce Shindler in the Border Mail on August 16 with an accompanying HERITAGE FUTURES editorial Assoc Prof Dirk Spennemann’s public seminar on Heritage • radio interviews on ABC Rural with Prof Allan Curtis on Futures: Global and Local attracted media coverage with: August 12; on ABC Goulburn-Murray with Prof • a story in the Border Mail on June 3 Shindler on Aug 14; on 2AY with Prof Curtis on Aug • radio interviews on ABC Riverina, June 5, and ABC 15. Goulburn Murray on June 6. MICRONESIAN HISTORY DIGITAL DIVIDE Assoc Prof Dirk Spennemann’s association with Micronesia Dr John Atkinson’s research looking at the level of access to continues to make the Australian and international media with: computers available to residents in Albury featured in: • His archaeological survey of a former Japanese • A story in the Twin City Post on June 15 agricultural research station in Pwunso featured in the • In an interview with Edwina Farley ABC Rural radio Kaselehlie Presas, Pohnpei, on August 2, in the (Victoria) on June 8 Pacific Magazine http://www.pacificislands.cc/pina/pinadefault2.php?urlp BALANCING NEEDS inaid=23799 on Aug 3, in the Border Mail and the Prof Shahbaz Khan’s research on ways to balance the needs of Marianas Variety on August 8 irrigators with those of the environment featured in a story • Reports on his lecture series on the history of Rota in “Scientists look for balance to stay afloat” in the Border Mail on the Marianas Variety on Aug 30 and the Saipan July 15. Tribune on Aug 31. SUGAR AND WEEDS FORESTRY PARTNERSHIPS Interest in Dr Ian Lunt and Dr Suzanne Prober’s research into Dr Digby Race, who is doing a 3-year ACIAR-funded research using sugar to control weeds continues with a story “Sugar project “Community-company forestry partnerships in Australia packs punch in weed fight” appearing in The Australian and and Indonesia” was interviewed for: New Zealand Grapegrower and Winemaker journal in July. • ABC Southeast SA (Mt Gambier) radio on August 7 • Prime TV (Albury) on August 21. NESTING BOXES Honours student Rebecca Durant featured in the Border Mail on REGIONAL GOVERNANCE July 27 for her research into the use of nesting boxes in Assoc. Prof Ian Gray featured in a story by William Birnbauer in Baranduda. the Sunday Age on August 8 that questioned the need for state governments. CURTIS REPORT Prof Allan Curtis’ report on 20 years of Landcare in Victoria CLIMATE CHANGE featured as the “Curtis Report” in a feature story in the winter A CSU News Release – “Disease turns up heat on climate edition of the Victorian Landcare and Catchment Management change” focussing on Prof Kevin Parton’s comments on the magazine with an accompanying editorial. effects of global warming was picked up by ABC Central West NSW on Aug 10. FARMER PLANS Dr Digby Race and Dr Jim Birckhead’s research in the Boorowa WATER AND CONFLICT Catchment where they have been talking to farmers about Prof Shahbaz Khan made the front page of four newspapers in future plans for their properties as part of a research project on the Philippines where he made a presentation on “Water and the socio-economic profile of the catchment made the local Conflict; from global to local” during a UNESCO HELP forum in newspaper, The Boorowa News, on July 13. Mindanao on Aug 19. Sept. 2006 P2 RELATIONSHIPS ECONOMICS & REGIONAL Dr Angela Ragusa was heard on ABC Riverina radio discussing the relationship between women’s fertility rates, number of DEVELOPMENT children and level of career progression and economic status in The ERD Group held two workshops over the last few months. Australia and abroad on Aug 24. The first one on June 16 at Bathurst was for members who are DROUGHT REPORT more interested in regional development and was attended by Interviews with Prof Marg Alston about her report on ‘The about 20 people from the University’s four campuses.