LA TROBE UNIVERSITY Bulletin MAY 2003

What LURKS in our La Trobe rain forests? & Essendon SOLE METHOD OF alliance CATCHING CROOKS

SEX: Having it younger and more often NEWS NEWS Bulletin

IN THIS ISSUE Business education alliance INNOVATIVE RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES La Trobe Open Days in 2003 Open Days will be held on La Trobe La Trobe-Essendon alliance 2 University campuses throughout La Trobe University has joined Flinders, ‘All six stress the importance of a Victoria on the following dates: Innovative Research Universities 3 LA TROBE AND ESSENDONGriffith, Macquarie. Murdoch and strongly student-focused learning Sunday 3 August – Bendigo Training teachers for Vietnam 3 Newcastle universities to form Innovative environment, with schemes to promote Sunday 10 August – Shepparton IN A NEW APPROACH to business ‘The administrators of Australian Rules Talk to me about my dispute 4 Research Universities — Australia (IRU-A), access, equity and diversity, and place & education, La Trobe University and Football, the AFL Players’Association, the launched in March. emphasis on multiple modes of delivery, Mildura Appointment strengthens India links 5 Essendon Football Club have formed an clubs and players now realise that players integrating the new educational Sunday 17 August – Albury- alliance to provide certificate courses need appropriate education and training to La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor Wodonga Link with Rome institute renewed 5 technologies into high quality face-to-face Professor Michael Osborne gained the & Mt Buller specifically designed to meet the needs of help them manage the pressures of the teaching. Sustainable land management 6 management professionals in business, game, to become better citizens and to support of the Council of the University Sunday 24 August – government and sporting communities. develop fulfilling professional lives after for participation as a member of IRU-A at ‘Research performance and innovation (Bundoora) the Council’s 3 March meeting. are key characteristics of the six and will Information about courses Research in Action football,’ Mr Cleary said. The landmark educational alliance feature prominently in the joint projects and studying at La Trobe from brings together the knowledge community He said that the development of Professor Osborne noted that ‘each of Out of Amazonia 7 that are being planned.’ 1300 135 045 or CourseFinder at La Trobe University and the business certificate courses, partly in flexible mode, the members of the group was founded in at www.latrobe.edu.au Sex: Having it younger and more often 8 and sporting community at Essendon would address what has been a major the 1960s and 1970s and all shared a number of important characteristics’. Sole method of catching crooks 9 Football Club. obstacle for elite athletes, the opportunity to efficiently mix study with sport. ‘All six were established as research- Traitors of one age, patriots of the next 10 At the launch of the alliance, La Trobe Professor of Management David Brown The alliance will also facilitate research based universities with comprehensive TRAINING TERTIARY said that the courses in business education into areas of relevance to members of disciplinary coverage and a strong Globalisation — the pros and cons 11 have been developed in response to the Essendon Football Club, its staff and interdisciplinary focus,’ Professor Osborne said. TEACHERS FOR VIETNAM Doing well by doing good 11 demands placed on businesses and sponsors, and the broader community. sporting clubs to implement industry ‘Located in capital cities (or, in one case, Services for elderly Italian-Australians 12 La Trobe University’s program to train Vietnamese tertiary level teachers — sponsored by relevant best practice in the areas of in a major regional city) and on single the Asian Development Bank — received another boost in March. Best feet forward for Oxfam 12 management, marketing, accounting and campus sites in outer suburban areas, each A high-level delegation from the Vietnamese Government Ministry of Education and business law. was from the start placed into a Top Australian post in Japan 12 Training held discussions at La Trobe’s Melbourne (Bundoora) campus on ways to develop ‘The alliance will provide management competitive environment with one or more The price of reinventing ourselves 13 the program. education and professional development universities already operating in the same Nine Vietnamese postgraduate students are already enrolled in a La Trobe Master of Better health and welfare 14 opportunities for organisations and city or State that had accumulated Science and Technology Education program in which they undertake study units in both the community groups. All modules will be substantial resources, business and Human rights award 15 University’s Institute for Education and the Faculty of Science, Technology and written and facilitated by lecturers from La community networks, and reputations. Engineering. Pharmacological text for health students 15 Trobe University’s Faculty of Law and What lurks in our rain forests? 16 Management,’ Professor Brown said. ‘…research-based The Asian Development Bank program is in two parts — sending Vietnamese overseas to undertake Master’s degrees and delivering in-country Master’s programs in Vietnam. The courses can be implemented as part universities with of a training series within organisations, or As well as being the sole university in Victoria to provide training under the program, for self development. The generic course comprehensive disciplinary La Trobe has also been short-listed as one of a number of partners to provide training in Cover Photo: Essendon’s captain program will offer assessment options that coverage and a strong Vietnam. The visit of the 14-member delegation was part of the assessment process of the James Hird Vietnamese Government. See story this page. provide course credit towards future interdisciplinary focus’ Photograph: Ryan Pierse university study. ‘Learning processes will include face-to- ‘The six have deliberately developed face learning, the use of self-directed ways of making themselves distinctive by learning materials and internet-directed adopting alternative organisational learning activities. Study venues will La Trobe’s Professor Greg O’Brien and structures and innovative approaches to include La Trobe University’s City Essendon’s Tim Watson at the launch teaching, research and community Campus, Essendon Football Club and The alliance will be ‘kicked-off’ with a engagement, and actively recruiting students’ own workplaces. Through the The La Trobe Bulletin is published ten times a year by the leadership seminar in June featuring a line- students from more diverse backgrounds Public Affairs Office, La Trobe University. provision of a flexible learning up of prominent industry, business and than are typically found in the longer- Articles may be reproduced with acknowledgement. environment, candidates may self-pace sporting leaders including John Fletcher established universities. Photographs can be supplied. their learning, have the option of diverse (Managing Director, Coles Myer), Graeme ‘Building on this basis, IRU-A will use Enquiries and submissions to the editor, Ernest Raetz, study environments and have control over Samuel (AFL Commissioner), Kevin the resources of the six to increase and La Trobe University, Victoria. 3086 Australia their learning style.’ Sheedy (Essendon Coach), Professor Tel (03) 9479 2315, Fax (03) 9479 1387 extend the activities of the member David Brown (Faculty of Law and Email: [email protected] The evolution of elite sport into a fully universities in research, teaching and Management), Peter Jackson, (CEO, Design: Campus Graphics, 49502 professional activity has brought many learning, international programs, Essendon), James Hird (Captain, La Trobe University. challenges, according to Phil Cleary, who commercial enterprises, regional Printed by Vaughan Printing Pty Ltd. Essendon) and Alan Veal (Director, helped to develop the alliance. initiatives and engagement with business, L to R: Pro Vice-Chancellor (International), Dr David Stockley talks to Dr Nguyen Thi Tinh (University Website: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/bulletin Integro Interpersonal Growth Systems). of Education) and delegation leader Dr Vu Van Tuong, Deputy Head, Vietnam Department professions and communities. of Postgraduate Education

2 LA TROBE UNIVERSITY BULLETIN APRIL 2003 3 NEWS NEWS

PIONEERING APPOINTMENT STRENGTHENS INDIA CONNECTION Faster, better dispute resolutionACADEMIC LINKS between La Trobe consider postgraduate courses at La program between Chisholm College and University and India have been Trobe University the prestigious Lady Shri Ram College of PLEASE, TALK TO ME ABOUT MY DISPUTE strengthened with a novel and pioneering ¥ ensuring accurate academic advice to Delhi University, during which six Indian appointment — an Academic Liaison such students and providing personal graduate or postgraduate students have Officer in the Indian capital, Delhi. academic support particularly in the studied for diplomas at La Trobe while Dr Ira Raja, who graduated PhD at a La early stages of their degrees residing at Chisholm. Professor Robin superannuation, insurance, stockbroking, ‘There can be issues about how well Trobe graduation ceremony at the ¥ raising the awareness of academic Jeffrey of La Trobe’s Faculty of financial planning, funds management and external schemes handle disputes. A Melbourne (Bundoora) campus in March, teachers at La Trobe of problems of Humanities and Social Sciences, other parts of the financial services sector. common practice in some schemes is for will take up the role in May. adjustment that may be encountered by inaugurated the program. the organisation against which a complaint Their brief was to examine both ADR students coming from the Indian ‘We believe it is now time to extend our has been lodged to write an “Advisory The appointment aims to generate and processes and internal dispute resolution system academic links in humanities and social Letter” to consumers – effectively advising foster strong academic links in humanities processes which governments, private ¥ fostering links between academics at sciences with Delhi University at every the consumers on the merits of their and social sciences between La Trobe and organisations and individuals have the two institutions across the range of level,’ Mr Collits said. dispute.’ Indian universities, particularly Delhi More than one quarter of a University. disciplinary areas in humanities and ‘By fostering close academic million people each year in ‘Industry-based schemes play an important role in social sciences, through short or longer La Trobe’s Chisholm College plays a relationships with colleges at Delhi, in the Australia use some form of term exchange programs, joint first instance, Chisholm will work to raise dealing with complex disputes and offer a free service leading role in the project. The College Alternative Dispute Resolution conferences, research-sharing and awareness of what is available at La Trobe Head, Mr Terry Collits, who also teaches publications. (ADR) process to deal with a to consumers. They can also highlight where internal in the School of Communications, Arts and and provide first hand academic advice ¥ making academics in India aware of dispute — more than Critical Theory, says possible areas for about courses and how to proceed. complaints and dispute handling procedures are not academic possibilities available to collaboration include: ‘Indian students deciding to study at La 130,000 of them within the them in Australia Trobe will be given full access to financial sector. working well’ ¥ encouraging Indian students in The new project stems from a seven-year Chisholm College’s individually-based humanities and social sciences to highly successful graduate exchange Many consumers have a similar criticism developed to encourage the early and Professor Sourdin and Ms Elix made Academic Assistance Program,’ Mr Collits because of the way their dispute was effective resolution of disputes outside the many recommendations. These included a added ADR system and the court. handled — nobody wanted to listen to review of the Advisory Letter process, that Dr Raja is currently an academic editor them and understand their problem. An expert on dispute resolution, organisations should seek opportunities for with Macmillan India in Delhi, and is Most consumers feel that if only they Professor Sourdin is a key author of the more face-to-face or telephone hearings, working on a number of publications with could talk to a conciliator, and the other Australian Standard on Dispute Resolution that information about FICS and its La Trobe academics. and recently published a book Alternative services be provided to organisations party — either face-to-face or by telephone Mr Collits and Dr Leela Gandhi of La Dispute Resolution. dealing with low income groups, that a — they would have a good chance of Trobe’s English Program supervised her resolving their problem and thus of circuit system be trialled in all States as FICS was established in 1999 to handle FICS was based in Melbourne; and that in PhD thesis on the subject of avoiding the effort of going through an disputes about the financial sector and this representations of ageing in post- ADR process or the expense of going to some circumstances complainants whose was the first review of its procedures. complaint were proved justified should be Independence Indian short fiction. court. Professor Sourdin and Ms Elix compiled compensated for delays or lack of Further information available at India Focus their report following extensive processes This is one of the major findings from a cooperation. Group www.latrobe.edu.au/india/main.htm review by La Trobe University of the of consultation through surveys, face-to- disputes handling procedures of the face interviews, phone interviews and Many consumers thought that this L to R: Mr Terry Collits, Dr Ira Raja and Professor Robin Jeffrey Financial Industry Complaints Scheme conducting forums and workshops with process was costly and took a great deal of (FICS) which was published in March. complainants and industry representatives. time — as extensive documents often needed to be exchanged. They wanted Professor Tania Sourdin of La Trobe’s Professor Sourdin said that the existence more opportunity to clarify the issues and Faculty of Law and Management, and Ms of external mechanisms such as FICS — to talk about the dispute with the other RENEWED LINK WITH ROME INSTITUTE Jane Elix of the organisation, Community and many others like the banking industry party with the assistance of an independent After completing her two-year postdoctoral fellowship in La accommodation and study facilities for researchers in the Solutions, reviewed and telecommunications ombudsmen set conciliator. Trobe’s Art History Program, Dr Susan Russell leaves in September humanities, predominantly archaeology, classics, history and art dispute up over the past 15 years — means there is to take up a three-year appointment as Assistant Director history. procedures in much less reliance on courts and tribunals (Humanities) of the British School at Rome. There are also studios accommodating holders of fine arts’ to settle disputes. Dr Russell’s appointment to the prestigious post continues La fellowships. Institutions in the UK provide most of its funding, but ‘Industry-based schemes play an Trobe’s association with the School. the Australia Council has recently taken one of the studios, placing important role in dealing with complex The late Professor Dale Trendall — after whom the Trendall four Australian artists there per year. disputes and offer a free service to Centre and Trendall Walk at La Trobe's Melbourne (Bundoora) Dr Russell is a specialist in 17th century Roman art and consumers. They can also highlight where campus are named Ð was the Assistant Director between 1936-37, architecture. Her PhD was awarded at the , internal complaints and dispute handling and also functioned as the School's librarian. Professor Trendall was but she completed her BA (Hons) and MA degrees at La Trobe and procedures are not working well,’ closely associated with La Trobe's Art History Program, the then taught for six years in the Art History Program before taking up the she said. Art History Department. postdoctoral fellowship. She will be responsible, among many other The British School at Rome, which celebrated its hundredth tasks, for initiating a public lecture program mainly in art history. anniversary in 2001, is a research institute providing

4 LA TROBE UNIVERSITY BULLETIN MAY 2003 5 NEWS LA TROBE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH IN ACTION THE HILLS ARE ALIVE WITH IDEAS Tips on sustainable land management from the Himalayas OUT OF AMAZONIA There’s a huge gulf in culture and As a humanities and social science and lifestyle farmers in better land agricultural practices between farmers in lecturer at La Trobe’s Albury-Wodonga management techniques. India’s Himalayan foothills, and those in campus, and with 14 years experience in ‘We will welcome overseas precedents Parallels in multilingualism… Victoria’s northeast. university service in rural communities in for this, especially programs driven by Yet some farmers within sight of our two States, Dr Furze has seen the ‘big is community involvement rather than What is the common ground times each person knew the languages of grammar in English which will be better’ push to larger farms, and the own modest mountains are about to be economics. There have been various between many Australians their father (the language they identify published by Cambridge University Press emergence of significant numbers of small exposed to some novel concepts in participatory natural resources planning and the peoples of the upper with), their mother, their spouse, and other in August 2003. Language Contact in farms and ‘lifestyle’ rural enterprises. relatives and members of the community. Amazonia investigates the contact between participatory natural resource management experiments in India, Africa and South Amazon? from northern India. ‘In north-eastern Victoria, small and America over the last 15 years,’ Dr Furze As things change under the impact of the the Arawak and Tucanoan languages, world beyond, including the drive towards where language mixing is resisted. While A La Trobe sociologist Dr Brian Furze is lifestyle farms are the dominant land use, says. It is their experiences — both parallels a national language, the Indians keep the grammars converge, people strongly assisting research scientist Mr Michael with less than 10 percent of farm land ‘The northern Indian experience is and also startling divergences — in complaining about their multilingual resist borrowing words. The study also Reid to investigate sustainable land managed by farmers with a gross income especially encouraging, having multilingualism and multiculturalism. paradise lost.’ examines the impact of European management for successfully given Professor Alexandra Aikhenvald of languages and culture. small and lifestyle local communities La Trobe University’s Research Centre for Professor Aikhenvald did something farmers in north- control over Linguistic Typology has spent more than a about this. In the case of the Tariana ‘The Tariana and Tucano people have an eastern Victoria. previously State- decade studying endangered languages of language, based on the villages of "evidentiality" approach, known in many The research is managed forest the Arawak tribes in northeast Brazil. Lauarete, Santa Rosa and Periquitos, she cultures, which demands an awesome looking at reserves, which discovered that many of the 1500 people precision of speech — every statement In particular, she has been prominent in information were becoming who identified as Tariana wanted to must specify the evidence on which it is supporting regional efforts to keep alive pathways to degraded. Since reclaim their language. ‘They see it as a based: whether the speaker saw it, heard it, the Tariana language spoken only by 100 natural resources 1990 many local shameful thing to speak a "borrowed" inferred it, or learned it from somebody people. management and communities, language, instead of that of one’s else. Perhaps our politicians should talk improved delivery entirely dependent Her linguistic crusade, outlined in ancestors.’ with such accuracy!’ mechanisms. on forest areas for Language Contact in Amazonia (Oxford University Press, 2002), demands field Dr Furze, an food and fuel and trips that include four-day journeys in open expert in the sometimes their canoes, sharing tribal accommodation, sociology of the only income, have suffering boils, and avoiding threatening environment, rural come to feel that individuals and wildlife. ‘The arduous society and they have field trips are worth it for the treasures we sustainability, ownership of find, the insights into how others see the hopes the project forest areas, and world, and the chance to conserve a may up-end strong incentive to fragment of human culture on the edge of conventional protect them. extinction,’ she says. approaches to land Large areas of forest are now management. A L to R: Dr T.P. Singh (Energy Research Institute New Delhi), Dr Brian Furze Professor Aikhenvald, born and educated Professor Aikhenvald with Amazonians veteran of a dozen and Mr Michael Reid 'on location' in north-east Victoria. managed by local in Russia, moved to a Professorship in She was the driving force behind the She sees many parallels in language communities Brazil, and then to Australia in 1994. She teaching of a three-week literacy course on confusion between the Amazonian trips to northern India in the last 14 years, greater than $300,000. Small rural which use some of the money generated has spent a total of around a year living Tariana in June 2000. experience and non-English speaking he believes Indian innovations, which have enterprises range from small conventional for forest development and infrastructure.’ with communities with a rich emigrants adjusting to Australian life. successfully given local communities farms for grazing or cropping to other ‘It was a startling success — we had 350 multilingualism in the Vaupes River basin control over previously State-managed specialised rural industries including He said that while the specifics of Indian students aged from nine to 90. With their ‘Newcomers to Australia sometimes in northwest Amazonia. ‘Tariana is used in forest reserves, may have lessons for the olives, berries, nuts, green tea, and forestry have few parallels here, the extended families, it ran to 1000 resist using "foreign" words — and this a fascinating region where language is sustainability of our small farming alpacas,’ he says. ‘To protect our land, we concept of participatory natural resource participants. Everyone was enthusiastic, can lead to cultural confusion and clashes. seen as the basis of identity, in what is enterprises. must go beyond our long-term emphasis planning was compelling. including the Catholic priests and nuns For instance, a foreign usage where the perhaps the most multilingual area in the These include changed perceptions of on sustainability of broad-acre farming to Mr Reid’s first move is to research whose teaching a century ago had helped routine phrase "open the door" is not world,’ she says. ‘These people practice the traditional ‘top down’ extension officer support the diversity of small operations.’ sustainability issues across the great rural destroy the multilingual culture, but who accompanied in translation by the local exogamy — you can only marry someone structure for passing government diversity of the northeast. The second aim are now eager to restore the language and commonplace "please", can be seen as The Rutherglen Project, funded by the who speaks a different language and information and research to farmers. ‘We is to get a feel for sustainability issues start teaching it at school.’ rude or arrogant. In our language teaching, Ecological Sustainable Agricultural belongs to a different tribe. we need to alert teachers to convey such need locals to see agricultural advisors as Initiative and the Rural Industries among small farmers, initially through Her massive documentation of the ‘Everybody grows up in a rich sensitivities to the newcomers — and also their resources, not just visiting experts,’ Research & Development Corporation, field day consultations and workshops endangered language started with a school- multicultural and multilingual educate Australians to such cultural he says. aims to find new ways of involving small starting later this year, before working out level grammar and collection of local environment while maintaining their own how to generate awareness and stories, and now includes a 3000-word differences.’ ethnic and linguistic identity. In traditional sustainability and feedback options. dictionary in Portuguese and a 720-page

6 LA TROBE UNIVERSITY BULLETIN MAY 2003 7 RESEARCH IN ACTION RESEARCH IN ACTION

SEX Students develop ‘shoeprint’ forensic aid HAVING IT YOUNGER SOLE WAY AND MORE OFTEN TO Australians are having sex at a service delivery and sex education doing something sexually that they did not younger age and with more programs in schools,’ Dr Smith said. want to do,’ Dr Smith said. partners than their parents did. The study found that 87% of people ‘Also, nearly one in five Australians interviewed are in a regular heterosexual have had a sexually transmissible infection This is a major finding of the Australian relationship, with the majority having lived at some time in their lives, with Study of Health and Relationships — with their current partner for 12 months or approximately 2% having done so in the Australia’s first large-scale national survey more. Only 5% of men and 3 % of women last year,’ he said. of sexual behaviour and attitudes in which in regular relationship have had sex with CATCH La Trobe University played a key role. Despite the large numbers of those who someone other than their regular partner in reported that their identity was Researchers from La Trobe University’s the last year. heterosexual (98%), same sex attraction Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health While those who had been in a and behaviour was reported more and Society (ARCSHS) combined with heterosexual relationship for at least commonly (8.6% of men and 15.1% of CROOKS colleagues from The twelve months had sex on average 1.84 women) than the relatively few people would be combined with other evidence to and the University of New South Wales to times a week, most people wanted more who report a homosexual or bisexual a Trobe University computer science database and the ‘front-end’ to provide make a convincing case to outline to a jury conduct telephone interviews with 19,307 students have made a major unique presentation, and also a uniform L or help detectives link different cases or contribution to an improved forensic user-friendly interface to the database and narrow down their lines of inquiry. device to catch criminals. other external applications. ‘On occasions though, shoe impressions It is literally a 'shoe print' — or more ‘By year’s end the project teams had can be as individual as fingerprints and exactly about 6000 of them — stored in a developed a prototype system that then the evidence has tremendous value,’ database at the Victoria Police’s Victoria included the required features and Dr Gutowski said. Forensic Science Centre in Macleod. functionality, incorporating the latest While fingerprints have been around as a development technology that impressed Third year Software Engineering Project forensic tool for a century, shoe the clients in Crime Scene Division,’ Mr students in La Trobe’s Department of impressions are much more recent. The Torabi said. Computer Science and Computer Forensic Science Centre established a Engineering developed a prototype of the Dr Gutowski said the prototype, called card-based impression database in 1984 device — the only one of its kind with the Imprint Classification and Matching and has since computerised it. Australian data — during 2002. It is System, was a vast improvement on the old expected to be operational later in 2003. However it was inadequate technically system. people aged 16 to 59 in households around sex. While 85% said they would like sex at identity would indicate. ‘This is in line and in late 2001 Senior Constable Steve Australia. least twice a week, only 27% actually had with other similar surveys conducted in The database houses electronically the ‘It is the best system in Australia and Lake, Sergeant Trevor Evans and Dr Interviewees were questioned about their sex this often. Nevertheless most people Europe, UK and USA,’ Dr Smith said, patterns or design of about 6000 individual there may be possibilities for marketing it Gutowski joined with La Trobe University relationships and families, sexual found their relationships physically ‘and indicates that we live in a society items of footwear manufactured or nationally,’ he said. Discussions for further to develop a completely new system. experiences, use of condoms and pleasurable and emotionally satisfying. which contains more sexual diversity than imported into Australia. A shoe impression development of the system are under way left at a crime scene can be digitally between La Trobe University and the contraception, sexual satisfaction and ‘Vaginal intercourse was by far the most is clearly visible.’ photographed and the image conveyed ‘…shoe impressions can Victoria Forensic Science Centre. difficulties, sexual attitudes and common sexual practice,’ said Dr Smith, The results of the survey are published in electronically to the Centre where chances knowledge of sexually transmissible ‘and most (95% men and 79% women) had the April edition of the Australian and New be as individual as Professor Tharam Dillon, Head of are it will be instantly matched against the infections. an orgasm last time they had sex. Zealand Journal of Public Health and will Department of Computer Science and database and recognised. fingerprints…’ ‘Over three quarters of people agreed Nevertheless it was interesting to find that help policy makers and service managers to Computer Engineering said: ‘Development that pre-marital sex is now acceptable,’ the majority of those with sexual partners plan sexual health strategies and programs Dr Steve Gutowski, R&D Manager of of this upgraded forensic tool illustrates During 2002, 36 students working on said principal researcher, Dr Anthony (48% men, 72% women) had experienced in light of the realities of Australian sexual the Victoria Police Crime Scene Division, the close collaboration between the their third year Software Engineering Smith, an associate professor at ARCSHS. some sort of sexual difficulty in the last cultures as well as being of assistance to says the forensic evidence the database Victoria Forensic Science Centre and Project for their Bachelor of Computer year lasting for at least a month. These practitioners in many fields. will produce would be added to other La Trobe University. ‘Perhaps related to this belief, we found Engineering course, designed and built the difficulties ranged from lack of interest in evidence against a suspect. ‘Since the development of the subject, that the age of first intercourse was Ms Dianne Gibson, National Director of system supervised by their lecturer, sex, difficulty with erection, pain during Software Engineering Project, this declining from 18 for men and 19 for Relationships Australia and Chair of the For instance, if a suspect were found to Mr Torab Torabi. intercourse, or difficulty reaching orgasm. women who are now in their fifties, to 16 Australian Institute of Family Studies, possess footwear with an imprint matching department has collaborated with more They were divided into six different for both men and women who are now ‘A worrying finding was that 5% of men launched the findings at a function at one found at the crime scene, it would not than 20 companies and organisations to development teams and worked on two under 21. This finding has significant and 21% of women reported that they had La Trobe University’s Melbourne normally automatically prove his or her develop different systems from e- major components of the system, the implications for policy pertaining to health at some time been forced or frightened into (City) Campus. presence as scores if not hundreds of shoes Commerce to Production Control and ‘back-end’ for managing the complex with similar footprints exist. However, it Rostering Systems.’

8 LA TROBE UNIVERSITY BULLETIN MAY 2003 9 RESEARCH IN ACTION NEWS

TRAITORS OF ONE AGE: THE PROS AND CONS OF GLOBALISATION lobalisation has great potential — drives the world and more recently that democratic environments that incorporated Gbut it is frustrated by global globalisation itself is no more than its most everything from the family to the state. inequalities and environmental dangers. recent manifestation. The world has come a long way since the PATRIOTS OF ANOTHER In addition, the failure of old forms of ‘But that perspective is flawed,’ Dr first wave of globalisation, but its potential identity to accommodate the human Robertson maintains. ‘It is neither remains frustrated by global inequalities. public icons created in Britain to honour Few give more than a passing diversity that globalisation promotes limits capitalism nor culture that has transformed 19C political and social radicals. Dr Robertson maintains that glance to the public its benefits. the world, but human interconnections. globalisation is destabilising. The first The studies include monuments These interconnections became global 500 monuments and statuary that These views are among many espoused wave after 1500 destroyed most of honouring Thomas Paine, early 19C years ago in the first of three waves of our cities erected in the 19C in a new book, The Three Waves of America's indigenous peoples, contributed London ultra-radicals, teetotallers, and globalisation that would profoundly and 20C. Globalizsation: A History of a Developing to war in Europe, and generated an anti-slavery abolitionists. transform human dynamics and make Global Consciousness, by Dr Robbie industrial revolution. Often the people and events they possible the new forms of empowerment Dr Pickering is contributing a chapter Robertson, an associate professor at La commemorate are forgotten or that today most define modernity.’ ‘Both the first wave — and the second in entitled ‘The Chartist Rites of Passage’ in Trobe University Bendigo. the19th century — collapsed into depression misunderstood. How many Melburnians, which he examines the place of He said global human interconnections It is the latest of a number of books from and war, and the same fate could face our for example, know who General Gordon monuments in the political culture of the utterly transformed the contexts in which Dr Robertson who teaches history and third wave if we ignore the social and was and why his statue dominates one of Chartist movement. people lived their lives. By the time of the development studies the University’s historical lessons. the prime sites in their city? very industrial second wave of Mr Tyrrell’s chapters include one about a Faculty for Regional Development. globalisation in the 19th century, it ‘We are at the crossroads once more. A Until recently, historians in English- monument that links his native city, Dr Robertson says globalisation affected all but a few people. globalised humanity has to develop a new speaking countries have shown little Edinburgh, with the early history of necessitates a new reading of the human consciousness to avoid the global-scale interest in the public monuments of the last Australia. The unfamiliar had to be engaged; story. He argues that its origins lie in destabilization of ethnic and national two centuries. insularity existed only for the nostalgic. In 1793 and 1794, at the time of the human interconnections that have existed tensions, environmental catastrophes, and Now, however, they contribute to a Yet the powerful took comfort from the French Revolution and the outbreak of war since the earliest times and which assumed a new democratic divide.’ relatively new field of study that bears idea of a dichotomy between civilization between France and Britain, five men global proportions 500 years ago. and barbarism or modernity and tradition. The Three Waves of Globalization: A names such as ‘public memory’ and ‘the whose names are commemorated on the Since then, three consecutive waves of History of a Developing Global historical geography of ideas’. monument were convicted in Edinburgh of But such ideas bore little relationship globalisation have radically transformed Consciousness, is published by Zed Books Mr Alex Tyrrell, a reader in the History sedition and transported to Botany Bay. with globalisation’s real revolution — the human societies. Managing this in London & New York and by Fernwood Program at La Trobe University, is a creation of mass civil societies built on the Their crime was to demand the extension revolutionary change has proved difficult. in Nova Scotia. empowerment of individuals. Through the contributor to this new form of historical of the parliamentary franchise to all men. enquiry, with fellow historian, Dr Paul Dr Robertson says that for the last 200 provision of health, social and economic Pickering, who gained both his BA and They were not forgotten. In 1844 a 90- years we have been told that capitalism services, societies constructed increasingly PhD under Mr Tyrrell’s supervision at foot high obelisk was erected to honour La Trobe, leading to his present position as them on the slopes of Calton Hill, one of Queen Elizabeth Research Fellow in the the commanding heights overlooking DOING WELL BY DOING GOOD Humanities Research Centre at ANU. Edinburgh. Their work, Monuments of Radicalism, Mr Tyrrell tells how the building of this Good business practices help cancer patients will follow the lead of French scholars monument was resisted for seven years by LA TROBE University School of Bachelor of Business (Tourism and teamwork negotiation skills and correct whose writings offer many examples of a Tory elite that had been using the civic Tourism and Hospitality students have Hospitality) and Bachelor of Business reporting procedures cities as places where urban elites and architecture and statuary of Edinburgh to initiated a novel way to raise money for (Tourism Management) formed groups of proclaim the virtues of the conservative The profits will help Professors John opposition groups have devised forms of cancer research — and to gain skills in four to six individuals to devise and run Hopper and Keith Waters and Drs civic architecture, statuary and street polity that had transported the Political their chosen profession at the same time. profitable events in the tourism and Martyrs to New South Wales. Elizabeth Smibert and Anne Mitchell at the naming which manipulate public memory Their innovative efforts have led the hospitality fields. RCH in a study to ascertain whether and commemorate ideological values. He shows how, to this day, the townscape Cancer Council of Victoria to inaugurate In the first year of the Award in 2002, the relatives of children with cancer are at Mr Tyrrell says the heyday of this of Edinburgh is still dominated by this war the annual La Trobe University School of students raised nearly $15,000. Combined increased risk. of monuments. phenomenon was the 19C when, to use the Tourism and Hospitality Research Award. with earlier results the Cancer Council has The researchers will use the La Trobe term devised by historian Maurice In 1981, a biographer of one of the Inaugurated in 2002, the award, financed received $21,000 in donations. University funds to finance a series of Agulhon, a veritable ‘statuemania’ broke Martyrs doubted that ‘many people today by the students, provides funds for The student ‘business ventures’ are part interviews with parents of children with out in many French cities. know or care whom the monument researchers from the Royal Children’s of a subject called Tourism Venture cancer. They will compare cancer family Agulhon’s research is confined to commemorates’. But times have changed Hospital Department of Haematology and Planning, designed to enable students to histories with those of families where no France, but Dr Pickering and Mr Tyrrell and a row is currently in progress over the Oncology for their ongoing project entitled work on real-life business propositions. children have cancer to estimate cancer have brought together a team of Australian rejection of a proposed site near the new TheVictoria Paediatric Cancer Family Working for profits — and the incentive risks for families with cancer in children. It and British scholars each of whom is Scottish Parliament. Study. that the profits go to important research — is hoped the research will help to find contributing a study of memorials and Monuments of Radicalism is published Eighty students in the third and final year helped students to gain such skills as causes of childhood cancers and possibly by Ashgate Press this year. developing sound planning practices, help to identify new cancer genes. General Gordon monument, Melbourne. of two undergraduate degree courses,

10 LA TROBE UNIVERSITY BULLETIN MAY 2003 11 NEWS NEWS

Un buon servizio per gli anziani Italiani THE PRICE OF REINVENTING OURSELVES IMPROVING AWARENESS AMONG ELDERLY ITALIAN AUSTRALIANS One US interviewee, a high-tech guru, is people, especially those in the worlds of LA TROBE UNIVERSITY research into both mainstream and culture-specific ‘While participants were generally In the era of privatisation and being tracked through three years of high technology and finance, had better be use of health and community services by services to older Italian-Australians. What satisfied with services, satisfaction was globalisation we are often intense therapy. ‘On the face of it, he has prepared to reinvent themselves year-in, older Italians has identified shortcomings new directions for service development higher for those spoken to in Italian. Some forced to reinvent our visions everything: yet inside he feels dislocated year-out as they try and cope with the that would presumably affect similar would be acceptable to older Italians and cited problems such as lack of respect, of ourselves. and emotionally isolated,’ Professor Elliott never-ending changes of corporate life. groups from other nationalities. to service providers? inability to communicate in English, But at what price? says. ‘What might be the psychological cost of Dr Walter Petralia, Dr Yvonne Wells and ‘It’s long been part of the community having no interpreter, and short-staffing. In Britain, their subjects include a ‘near having to re-invent your vision of Associate Professor Peter Foreman of the services’ ethos that services should be ‘Women had significantly higher That is a key issue being addressed by a celebrity’ — somebody who came close to yourself? Lincoln Gerontology Centre, followed culturally responsive — this is the first awareness of community services than La Trobe Distinguished Visiting Fellow, fame but fell off the celebrity radar. Most ‘Our findings to date suggest the focus group discussions with an Italian- evidence of the satisfaction levels from a men, and respondents tended to have high Professor Anthony Elliott, the author of interesting of all, he suspects, will be the psychological cost includes a sense of language survey of 163 older Italians. The particular group,’ Dr Wells said. awareness if they spoke English well, were more than a dozen books on the changing cultural data from a young American girl psychic dislocation and fragmentation. project was jointly funded by the La Trobe ‘We found that while usage of younger rather than older, and if their need relationship between self and society. and her British counterpart, currently aged Clinically, we note something that has University — Industry Collaborative Grants community services was high — more for health services was high. In a new five-year collaboration with around four. ‘We'll be mapping their become a bit of a cliché since the mid program and the industry partner, the Italian than half had used at least one community ‘This is a small study into a big problem. American social theorist Charles Lemert of emerging sense of self in an ever-changing 1980s, a dramatic rise in narcissistic community welfare group Co.As.It. service in the preceding year — It’s tip of the iceberg stuff — the identified Wesleyan University, Connecticut, he is world.’ personality disorder. The questions addressed how affordable, participants generally had relatively poor shortcomings would probably also be seen attempting to put a human face on the Professor Elliott, Geelong-born, is ‘On the other hand — notwithstanding available, accessible and acceptable were awareness of services. in other groups with English as a second 'torrent of theory and complex research Director of the Centre for Critical Theory much cultural criticism of globalisation language.’ into identity and selfhood' that has at the University of West England at and its pressures on individuals — we exercised the minds of academic Bristol. A graduate of Melbourne stress that there are gains. There can be sociologists for a decade. ‘Our book, The New Individualism, will ‘In a globalised world… skilled people, especially those BEST FEET FORWARD aim to offer readable stories for general audiences, tracking people's experiences of in the worlds of high technology and finance, had better Podiatrists in walkover for Oxfam self in a globalised world,’ he says. a Trobe University had a special role in the inaugural The event involved teams of four people walking 100 km from be prepared to reinvent themselves year-in, year-out as ‘From our work to date, we are Melbourne Oxfam Trailwalker — a massive fundraising event Ferny Creek to Marysville. It attracted more than 250 teams with L beginning to see a push for people to they try and cope with the never-ending changes of organised by Oxfam Community Aid Abroad, which supports the winning team completing the gruelling event in 11.5 hours. experience themselves first and foremost disadvantaged communities in 30 overseas countries and corporate life.’ The La Trobe podiatry students and podiatrists were located at a as privatised selves. For better or worse, indigenous Australia. series of checkpoints along the trail to diagnose and treat the we are becoming architects of our own significant increases in levels of personal University and Cambridge, he was an Eighteen undergraduate podiatry students, five podiatrists and various foot problems encountered by the walkers. lifestyles — which, in political terms, autonomy, and an enhanced sense of Australian Research Council Fellow from Podiatry associate lecturer, Mr George Murley, volunteered to treat Common problems included blisters of many shapes and sizes, creates both significant gains and losses.’ freedom.’ participants as part of the medical team. 1992-2000. nail trauma, and various musculoskeletal pathologies including Professors Elliott and Lemert have In addition to his research in critical tendinopathy, joint inflammation and some likely stress fractures. started years of in-depth psychoanalytic social theory, he is known for his work on interviews of around a dozen people in media culture, celebrity and fame. He Britain and the US, focusing on those who wrote The Mourning of John Lennon TOP AUSTRALIAN POST IN JAPAN live the intense, round-the-clock (‘the 24/7 (1999) which was welcomed in the US and rofessor Allan Kellehear, Director of the most prestigious. The Australia-Japan society’) pace of a globalised world. the Palliative Care Unit in La Trobe Foundation, part of the Australian Britain as a fresh approach to popular P culture and the sociological analysis of University’s School of Public Health, has Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, ‘…the psychological been appointed to the Visiting partially funds the chair. fame. Professorship of Australian Studies at the His appointment is notable because cost includes… a He is currently writing a social history of Centre for Pacific and American Studies, usually recipients of Visiting fame and is also general author of a series University of Tokyo. Professorships in Australian Studies hold dramatic rise in on celebrities by British publisher, Polity Professor Kellehear, who is also a chairs in one of the humanities or social narcissistic personality Press. member of La Trobe’s recently established sciences while Professor Kellehear’s chair While at La Trobe he worked with Centre for Professional Development, will is in palliative care. disorder’ academic staff in the Faculty of occupy the post from October this year Professor Kellehear, whose mother is Humanities and Social Sciences on until August 2004. Japanese, said it was unusual for a ‘These are people such as corporate contemporary social, cultural, political and The post is one of three major chairs of Japanese university to appoint an authority Professor Allan Kellehear traders, those in the money market and also psychoanalytical theories of identity and Australian Studies at leading international on palliative care to such a post because undergraduate program as well as a innovators in high technology. We subjectivity. universities. The others, both in the USA, death and dying were topics of some reading course to postgraduate students,’ particularly want to see how they care for ‘In a globalised world, with the drive to are at Georgetown and Harvard. ambivalence in Japanese society. Professor Kellehear said. themselves.’ "commodify" everything, the market can Founded in 1874 the University of Tokyo ‘I shall be teaching a course in "Death He will continue his on-going research grab images of identity to be fashioned and is the oldest university in Japan and one of and Loss in Australian Society" to an and writing commitments while in Japan. continually re-invented. Today, skilled Professor Anthony Elliott

12 LA TROBE UNIVERSITY BULLETIN MAY 2003 13 NEWS NEWS

La Trobe expert advises governmentsHUMAN RIGHTS AWARD LAW INSTITUTE HONOURS DR ZIFCAK a Trobe University associate professor of Law and Legal Dr Zifcak’s BETTER HEALTH AND WELFARELStudies, Dr Spencer Zifcak, has received the Paul Baker fields of research Memorial Prize—the Victorian legal profession’s most prestigious include Public Associate Professor Hal Swerissen, Director of the Australian human rights award. International Law, Comparative Institute of Primary Care AIPC), has completed two major Dr Zifcak received the award at a Law Institute of Victoria Constitutional reports — one of the Victorian Government and the other luncheon to honour the contribution of leading members of the Law, Human for Federal Governmeant. profession during 2002. Rights Law, In his citation for the award, the President of the Law Institute, Mr Administrative FUNDS FALL FOR RESIDENTIAL AGED CARE David Faram, commended Dr Zifcak for his contribution to Law and Public administrative law and human rights in the past decade. Administration Aged Care Alliance, a representative body He examined two alternative indexation ederal funding for residential aged He cited Dr Zifcak’s advice to the Institute through many human L to R: Barrister Warwick Walsh-Buckley and and Management. care has not kept pace with cost of 19 peak national organisations in aged methods for capturing increased wage Professor Spencer Zifcak F rights related committees and projects, his work as Australian Vice- Photo courtesy: Law Institute Journal He holds a number increases because the Government uses care, including consumer groups, costs and determined that the level of President of the International Commission of Jurists, his extensive of Australian and inappropriate criteria to determine costs. providers, unions, and health under-funding over the five years since the writing on law, government and human rights, his human rights international appointments including Legal Member on both the Payment levels relating to practical professionals. changes were introduced, compared with missions to many countries and regions including the Philippines, Mental Health Review Board of Victoria and the Psychosurgery considerations like degrees of dependency the Government’s indexation method, was Associate Professor Swerissen’s update Indonesia, Aceh and East Timor; and, more recently, his Review Board of Victoria and has been a Visiting Fellow at the Centre and care factors could solve the problem. between $226.8 million and $393.5 examined in detail cost aspects of the contribution to the development of the constitution of East Timor. for Socio-Legal Studies at Oxford and a Visiting Professor at the Government’s reforms of the sector which million. The Director of La Trobe University’s The award is named after Paul Baker, a distinguished solicitor and UNESCO Centre for Human Rights at Comenius University, included uniting nursing homes and This was because the Government Australian Institute for Primary Care, human rights activist who died several years ago Bratislava, Slovakia and the Austrian Federal Academy of Public Associate Professor Hal Swerissen, hostels into one system, placing greater indexation method made assumptions Administration. reached these conclusions in a reliance on resident contributions, and new about productivity gain offsets that did not ‘It is a singular honour to receive this award,’ Dr Zifcak said. One of his major current projects involves the incorporation of the comprehensive report on residential aged standards and accreditation for hold in the residential aged care sector. ‘This is especially because it is conferred by my peers in the legal profession. I knew Paul Baker well and am privileged to have been European Convention on Human Rights into British domestic law. care funding. accommodation. Associate Professor Swerissen also given the prize conferred in his name.’ His report updating two previous reports He pinpointed the key issue — the extent concluded that ‘current Commonwealth written since 1997 — when Federal to which the total level of the Federal funding arrangements lack transparency’. Government restructured the aged care Government residential aged care sector — was conducted for the National subsidiary adequately addressed changes in the cost of providing the services. HEALTH MANAGEMENT TO FIT PATIENT NEEDS At last… ow can Victorian hospitals — and meet demand pressures through better medical staff — particularly nurses — and A PHARMACOLOGY TEXT FOR HEALTH STUDENTS hospitals worldwide — slow the patient management, new acute services reduced ‘informal’ carer networks. H La Trobe University pharmacologist, Dr in 2000 to adapt for Australian health Part of the Australian content is in a ever-increasing demand for treatment in and other appropriate initiatives within the In his report, Associate Professor Bronwen Bryant, has made a major sciences students an American textbook, series of ‘Clinical Interest Boxes’ — their in-patient and emergency State’s public health system. Swerissen says there is good evidence that contribution to resolving a textbook Pharmacology for Health Professionals by summaries of local aspects of departments? Under a section of this strategy entitled the a significant number of hospitalisations dilemma faced by Australian and New Professor Evelyn Salerno. pharmacology such as Australian sources According to La Trobe University health Hospital Admission Risk Program (HARP), can be prevented by better management in Zealand health science students and their However, by the time they had finished, of drugs, legal and ethical matters, care experts, the key lies in stronger the Government established seven working primary care and community support teachers. less than one third of the American content government regulations, scheduling partnerships between hospital and groups to examine different aspects. services. These include diabetes, chronic Until recently the main text books on remained. procedures, indigenous and community based health services to obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, For one area entitled Community- pharmacology — chemistry or complementary remedies, and many other promote prevention, early intervention and coronary heart disease. Frail older people, ‘Pharmacological practice is very regional. Hospital Interface, it commissioned a biochemistry-based and designed for areas of technical and general knowledge diversion to more appropriate services. those with a mental illness and people with Drug names — both generic and commercial research team led by Associate Professor medical, pharmacy or science students — interest. complex social and medical conditions can — epidemiology, recommended first choice The La Trobe report to the Victorian Hal Swerissen, Director of the Australian were unsuitable for nursing, Professor Judith Kinnear, formerly Head also benefit from these initiatives. drugs, formulations, clinical trial data, drug Department of Human Services asserts Institute for Primary Care at La Trobe physiotherapy, podiatry and other health availability and much general content and of the School of Human Biosciences at that, with better links between hospital and University, to investigate ways whereby He says the emphasis should be on more sciences students. spelling in the original text, had to be La Trobe University, and now Vice- community based health services, even community activity might reduce the integrated and continuous support to A senior lecturer in La Trobe’s School of eliminated or changed, so much so that the Chancellor of , New people with serious illnesses who receive increase in demand for hospital inpatient manage illness and disability at home and Human Biosciences, Dr Bryant is co- original work is barely recognisable,’ Zealand, officiated at one of the book’s appropriate proactive health management and emergency services — currently at within the community rather than reactively author of a new ‘middle-of-the-road’ Dr Bryant said. three launches in Sydney, Melbourne and would have less need for hospital in- about eight per cent per annum. responding to acute exacerbations to these Adelaide. textbook entitled Pharmacology for Health ‘While the book fulfils the publisher’s patient or emergency services. The increase is caused by an ageing conditions. Professionals, written specifically for requirement for something "middle-of-the- Elsevier Science publishes the 900 page In May 2001, the Victorian Government population, new treatment options through By strengthening this continuum of care health sciences students. road" for health sciences students, it book that has sold 3200 copies in its first inaugurated the Hospital Demand advances in medical technology, fewer through a more integrated and cooperative Dr Bryant and co-author, Dr Kathleen contains enough detail for use by medical three months on the shelves. Management (HDM) strategy, a new home visits by GPs, shortage of residential service system patients will be cared for Knights of Flinders University, started out and pharmacy students.’ approach to create additional capacity and aged care beds, shortages of trained more effectively.

14 LA TROBE UNIVERSITY BULLETIN MAY 2003 15 NEWS

Documenting Australia’s biodiversity WHAT’S LURKING IN OUR RAIN FORESTS?

Queensland where a large number of the frequent intervals and these will be species described in the work are to be included in future editions.’ found. One comparatively recently discovered Included are descriptions of about 1100 species is Stockwellia, a huge 20 metre trees, 500 shrubs and 500 vines — vines high tree discovered through aerial being included for the first time in the photography growing in a small area of the latest electronic edition. This now Atherton Tablelands. Described only last constitutes a comprehensive information year, it is believed to represent the ancestor system for each of all Eucalypts. Another species, growing species including in a nearby area and known colloquially as What tall trees, common name, Idiot Fruit or the Green Dinosaur, was first vines, shrubs and other scientific name plus discovered in the late 1800s. It was plant species lurk in nomenclatural believed to be extinct until it was re- Australia’s tropical synonyms, geographic discovered recently because its large fruits rain forests? and ecological were poisoning cattle. Thanks to decades of information, The two CD-ROMs are expected to be work by La Trobe distinguishing features invaluable for a wide range of researchers, University taxonomist, and natural history palaeobotanists, foresters, educators, Dr Trevor Whiffin and notes. students, land managers, conservationists, colleagues at CSIRO, tourists and naturalists interested in the most of this information is now available. biological diversity of the rain forest flora. Earlier this year the fifth edition — and Dr Whiffin says the work is the first ever the third computer-based edition — of on tropical rain forests and serves as a Australian Tropical Rain Forest Plants — model for similar work on rainforests in Trees, Shrubs and Vines, was published. other parts of the world. Dr Whiffin, who has worked for the last Others involved in the project over the 20 years on the 40-year-old-project, would years included the Centre for Plant love to be able to say that the project was Biodiversity (at the now complete — but that is not so. Australian National The final edition, which will add herbs, Herbarium, CSIRO) orchids and ferns to the current edition, is Most species have and the University of expected to be completed in about three high-quality colour Adelaide. years. images, leaf X-ray CSIRO Publishing The first two print based editions of the images and a map publishes the two CD- work were published in 1971 and 1982, the showing natural ROMs. 1982 edition containing 799 species of distribution trees. The 2003 computer-based edition ‘Even when we finish contains 2154 species of trees, shrubs and the next edition vines — reflecting the work done by Dr including the herbs, Whiffin and his recently retired colleague orchids and ferns, our work will not be from CSIRO Plant Industry, Dr Bernie complete,’ says Dr Whiffin. Hyland. ‘In the next edition we will have ‘Text and over 9000 images fill two CDs described most known species in our — and constitute a major project of my rainforests, but there are well over 10 per professional career,’ says Dr Whiffin who cent of rain forest plant species still to be journeys regularly to north-east described. New species come to light at

16 LA TROBE UNIVERSITY BULLETIN