VOL.40,VOL.40, AUTUMN SUMMER 2018 2018

UniviewTHE MAGAZINE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

M S GoingLI to the endsI ofT the LES earth to make change MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

There were remarkable scenes in the Perth CBD just a few weeks ago as about 1000 singers and musicians gathered to harness the power of music and raise awareness of homelessness in WA. On display was the role the University plays in the community and how it brings people together to make positive change. The group, made up of musicians from the Conservatorium of Music and volunteers, 16 marched through the Hay Street and Murray Street malls, using their instruments and voices to draw attention to an issue affecting too many people in our city. It was a special, unifying moment that encouraged people to stop, look, listen and reflect. Whether it is through the power of one or the power of many, countless members of the UWA community – alumni, students and staff – strive each day to make a better world for us all. I hope you enjoy reading just some of their stories in this edition of Uniview. A reminder too that Uniview is available on a number of digital platforms. You’ll find a link to the website below, along with a step-by-step guide to following us on the Apple News app. If you’d prefer to follow Uniview online and opt out of the printed version, please send your full name and preferred email address to [email protected] or call (+61 8) 6488 1407. CONTENTS As always, I encourage you to get in touch with your comments or feedback. 2 Welcoming UWA's 15th Chancellor 4 Letters to the editor 5 In focus: campus news and views 11 From the Vice-Chancellery 12 Being the change

Jennifer Letts 18 Common causes Editor-in-chief 24 Thought leaders 26 26 At lunch with...Paul Luckas 28 Arts and culture 32 7 things you didn’t know about... Elizabeth Shaw

Find Uniview online: uwa.edu.au/uniview 33 Convocation

Find us on Apple News: 36 In the frame 1. If you don’t already have the app, search for ‘Apple News’ in the App Store 40 Sports and select ‘GET’ to install. 42 Grad briefs 2. Once installed, go to the search function and type in ‘The University of Western Australia’. 3. Scroll down to the channels section and select ‘see more channels’. Jennifer Letts, Communications Manager, Government and Corporate Communications 4. Scroll down until you see The University of Western Australia and mark it as Editor: Liz McGrath ([email protected]) Design: Tina Lessnau, UWA Digital and Creative Services a favourite. Printer: UniPrint, The University of Western Australia Editorial: Government and Corporate Communications, You will then be able to find the University’s channel within the ‘favourites’ or The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009 Telephone: (+61 8) 6488 1407, Fax: (+61 8) 6488 1192 ‘following’ menu found on the bottom bar of your phone every time you open Address Changes: (+61 8) 6488 8000, Fax: (+61 8) 6488 1063 Email: [email protected] the app. Material from Uniview may be reproduced if accompanied by an appropriate credit. Top: Drawing inspiration from the ocean... Just remember to select ‘Uniview’ under the name of the University when you Uniview can be viewed online: changemaker Sarah Sands. enter the channel. uwa.edu.au/uniview UWA website: uwa.edu.au Middle: Galaxy gazing. We meet the man The University of Western Australia – UWA behind the SPIRIT in the sky. UWAnews

Front cover: Dr Kate Leeming (see feature story page 12) Bottom: Find out what will be occupying approaches the frozen Beaufort Sea during a polar young and old alike during WINTERarts2018. training expedition in Arctic Yukon, Canada. Photo credit: Claudio von Planta with the Senate, the Vice-Chancellor, UWA’s 15th the Executive and all of the University’s working components was paramount. He’s certainly well-qualified for all Chancellor of the above. Described by past president of the WA Bar Association Welcoming THE HONOURABLE Ken Martin SC as a “legend in the law”, Robert French first completed a science ROBERT FRENCH AC degree (majoring in physics) at UWA in 1968 before switching to law the following year. Mr French AC was formally “I was going to be a great theoretical physicist but in third year the Dean of installed as the 15th Chancellor Science said to me, after I presented of UWA on February 1, taking at a seminar, ‘You express yourself up the mantle from Dr Michael magnificently but I’m not sure you know “I’d love to go to Antarctica, Chaney AO. what you’re talking about.’ So I decided but I don’t believe in to be a lawyer!” bucket lists, they give too He tells of turning up to his first law he former Chief Justice of Australia’s lecture fully gowned, not realising the much of a sense of your High Court and one of the country’s policy that demanded law students own mortality.” most respected judges is no stranger T wear academic gowns had been to the University. He was one of a cohort – MR ROBERT FRENCH abolished. “That was interesting, but I of students from the 1960s who went on didn’t let it turn me off.” Heavily involved to become national figures in politics, in campus life, he was President of the justice, economics and foreign affairs, and University Liberal Club and, for a while, has lectured in constitutional law. Guild Treasurer. He’s also served as part-time “I think the experience I had on Commissioner of the Australian Law campus – not just the formal studies Reform Commission, Judge of the but the array of activities in which Supreme Court of Fiji, President of the it was possible to engage – the National Native Title Tribunal, and council debating, the student politics, the member of the Australian Institute of societies, organising things – all helped Judicial Administration, among many in developing experience and some After admitting to “trying marathon a number of other people, and formed other roles. embryonic skills that stayed with me running during a mid-life crisis”, the a justice committee which ultimately When Uniview caught up with him just later on in life.” new Chancellor now enjoys walking, became the Aboriginal Legal Service two weeks into a busy schedule of campus As well as being active in the student swimming and tennis during his rare (ALS) of WA. Someone else started a meetings, the man who won a State public union movement, he was one of the first moments of downtime, and this year medical committee which became the speaking competition at 16 and has been two students elected to the UWA Senate, greatly enjoyed outings to the Perth Aboriginal Medical Service. The impulse described in the media as one ‘who thinks and an organiser of the first Guild peace Festival, the popular ‘event for the for all of this was from one UWA deeply about the law and its place in march during the Vietnam War and people’ founded by UWA in 1953. Summer School.” society’ was in a relaxed mood. anti-apartheid protests against the He said he’s always been struck by He has maintained a strong “I love Perth,” he said, reflecting on the touring South African rugby union the impact the University has had on the interest in Aboriginal affairs, speaking place he has always called home. “One team in 1972. community, citing as another example a publicly about the “appalling” rates of the nicest things about becoming Firm friendships were made that story from when he was standing for the of Aboriginal incarceration and Chancellor has been the opportunity to still endure today. There’s no surprise seat of Fremantle (against Kim Beazley supporting constitutional recognition reconnect with the local community. My when Kim Beazley wanders in during Senior) in 1969, and met fellow Liberal of Indigenous Australians. connection had become fragmented our interview for a chat. While a few years and former PoW Iole Burkitt (née Harper). Outgoing Chancellor Dr Michael during the time I was Chief Justice and apart at UWA and on opposing political “Iole was one of the nurses Chaney said it’s “this humanity and ability living between here and Canberra.” sides, the two became close friends, imprisoned by the Japanese in Sumatra to connect with people on all levels While it’s too early to comment on his along with Bob Pearce and Jim McGinty, during World War II (later featured in the and from all walks of life”, as well as his plans for the role, Mr French said his first who would go on to be State ministers, book White Coolies by Betty Jeffrey) and career and academic achievements that priority was to develop an understanding and former WA Premier Geoff Gallop. was chair of a local branch of the Liberal made Mr French “a stand-out choice” to of what’s going on and to meet with Another UWA law student, Valerie Party,” he explained. become UWA’s 15th Chancellor. people from across the institution, so as Lumsden, who was later a barrister, judge, “In ’69, she and a number of her Uniview had to ask, in a career and a to “have a clear enough vision to take magistrate and the first woman to sign friends had been to a UWA Summer life so full, was there anything he had not part intelligently in debates about its the WA Bar Roll in 1975, would become School called 'A new era for Aborigines' yet achieved? “I’d love to go to Antarctica,” future direction”. Robert French’s wife. The couple have and as a result they started a lobby Mr French said. “But I don’t believe in Along with an understanding of three sons, two of whom are lawyers group, the New Era Aboriginal bucket lists, they give too much of a the complex legal, funding and policy and one – “the wild-card” – a chartered Fellowship, to address Indigenous sense of your own mortality. I don’t like to UWA Vice-Chancellor Dawn Freshwater with new Chancellor Robert French. frameworks in which UWA operates, he accountant. They also now have twin disadvantage across a range of areas. think about what happens when you get said an excellent working relationship grand-daughters. “I became interested in it, along with to the end, there’s so much to do here.”

2 | Uniview Uniview The University of Western Australia | 3 LETTERS IN FOCUS Big honour for 40under40 plant scientist Letters to the editor He’s a research scientist, marriage celebrant, motivational speaker and Australian If, as you read through Uniview, you find a story that you particularly enjoy or one We were happy to connect Frank and field hockey goalkeeper; now UWA’s Dr Tristan Clemons can add 40under40 award- that sparks a thought, question or comment, we encourage you to get in touch Drisana, who confirmed that Terry was winner to the list. with us at [email protected]. indeed her grandfather. We love making Dr Clemons, who is working on therapeutics to help treat cancer, received the connections through the pages of our People’s Choice prize in the awards, which were announced in March. We will publish a selection of feedback in our Letters section each edition. magazine. Ed Dr Andrew Guzzomi from UWA and graduates Elizabeth Shaw and Adam Yap were also recognised in the 40under40 honours. UWA creative producer Caine Chennatt was a finalist. Your thoughts on terrorism Dr Jetter to include Islamic countries Being seen Established by Business News in 2002, the awards celebrate the passion, vision in his statement that the more Muslims and achievements of WA’s finest young business people and the contribution they Dr Michael Jetter’s Thought Leaders there are, the less likely are attacks. Just wanted to say thank you for are making to the future of the State. opinion piece (‘Terrorism and the the Rintoul article (‘From orphan to many misconceptions that surround Marion Hercock (BA 1995, PhD 1999) educator’, Uniview, Spring 2017). We it’, Uniview, Spring 2017) sparked a East Victoria Park, WA have had a surprising amount of passionate response from readers, interest and people telling me they had Emeritus Professor John many of whom emailed and called Thanks, all. There is really very little that seen it, which was lovely. Did not expect Pate, who was head of us. Unfortunately we have only been I can respond with, other than please to see it on page five. UWA’s botany department from able to reprint a small selection here, consider the facts. Anybody is entitled 1974 to 1986, has been inducted however we thank you for taking the to their own opinion, but not their own Jenny Fay (née Rintoul) (MBBS 1989) into the Western Australian Science time to contact us – we love hearing facts. You can consult any objective North Perth, WA Hall of Fame. from our readers. database on terrorist attack, such as the Professor Pate, who has Global Terrorism Database, to establish It's a pleasure. What an inspiring grad published more than 500 books, It is quite comic the extent to which that what I wrote in my article is correct. story, Jenny. Ed reviews and research articles, was L-R: Adam Yap, Dr Tristan Clemons, Dr Andrew Guzzomi and Caine Chennatt made a those who talk on the matter (such as I also want to remind you of Australia’s recognised for his contribution fine line-up at the 40under40 awards. Elizabeth Shaw (see '7 Things' on page 32) was also recognised. Dr Jetter?) fail to show any knowledge emphasis on the freedom of religion, to plant science, particularly in of Sharia Law, the Hadith, the Quran, which I hope is something that you also legumes and native WA flora, believe in. I hope you can keep an open We had a very enthusiastic response to as well as his efforts in and and other texts which are in fact the before being elected to State Parliament, mind in your views. our feature story ‘Crafty Spirits’ (Uniview, enthusiasm for teaching and Ten Commandments and encyclicals Library image where he served as Minister for Justice, Dr Michael Jetter, PhD Spring 2017). It seems our readers are supervising students. of Islam. They fail to show that Muslims among other roles. Neil died in 2009. keen on knowing where grads who are “His students recall him are not only allowed to perform For Helen – the youngest of Neil’s brewers, distillers and winemakers are as relentless in the pursuit of holds family honour killings, stonings of adulterous four daughters and aunt to Edward– plying their skills. knowledge about how plants (raped) women, and the execution the unexpected find brought on UWA commerce graduate Michael worked, and with an energy and memories of homosexuals, they are urged to. Making connections “absolute nostalgia”. Taberer – owner and manager of the humour which engaged and A black-and-white photograph of UWA Preachers of Sharia Law, moreover, “It’s a picture none of us had seen highly successful Avontuur Estate inspired many,” said Science Library from 1939, when it was housed seem to be potentially welcome in most I read with interest the story of Drisana before,” she says. “It made me want to winery and horse stud in Stellenbosch, Minister Dave Kelly. in the University’s main administration of the mosques in the western world. Levitzke-Gray (Uniview, Spring 2017), walk right up to my father. I feel like the South Africa – is yet another example of The WA Science Hall of building, has brought back a wealth of not only because of the cause she things he did with his life paved the way how skills learned in higher education Fame was established in memories for one Perth family. Peter Gilet (PhD 1994, champions but because I am sure my for all of us to follow. And it’s somehow can help grow businesses in what is a 2007 to recognise exceptional Pharmacist Edward Beck says he GradDipModLang 2014) younger brother and I grew up with right that Edward spotted it – he’s an most competitive industry. contributions to science, was leafing through his wife Bethan’s Subiaco, WA relatives of hers. I wonder if it would be absolute cut-out of my dad.” technology, engineering and copy of Uniview (Winter 2017) when the possible to find out if she is related to Copies of the picture have been mathematics in the State over an photograph – and one well-dressed The article by Dr Michael Jetter Terry Levitzke from Midland Junction, obtained by the McNeill family from extended period. figure in particular – caught his eye. requires a reply because it lacks details, as it was known then. We knew Terry UWA’s Archives. definition and scholarly rigour. His and his father very well and were aware “It was my grandfather,” he reveals, argument is based mainly upon deaths of the deafness in their family. Terry had “dressed smartly in a lightly coloured caused by the Lord’s Resistance Army, an older brother, whose name I cannot suit and hard at work at his books in which operated mainly in Uganda. The recall, [and they] would sign to one the library. I thought I might have Christian-based Lord’s Resistance another at a pace that fascinated us. 400+ just been wishing it, but I checked Army murdered despite the doctrine of Their father, who was unable to hear or Age of the jarrah with mum and my aunts and it was Christianity whereas the equally nasty speak, we both remember Oldest(Eucalyptus marginate) definitely him.” Islamic State Army murdered because with kindness. in UWA’s Tropical Grove, Neil McNeill, who was born in of the doctrine of Islam. believed to be the oldest Yarloop in 1921 and educated at As the percentage of Muslims Frank Dymond (BSc 1967, GradDipEd tree on the University Scotch College, studied agriculture increases in Western countries – 1969, BEd 1972, MEd 1978) Tree campus. at UWA. He went on to be a farmer which is what concerns many people Karrinyup, WA “Not only the quality education but after serving during World War II with also the experience and interaction at the Royal Australian Navy as a sub- – so too, do Islamic-motivated attacks UWA have counted significantly to the and terrorist plots. It is disingenuous of applications I’ve been able to use in lieutenant. He then became the Federal business thus far,” Michael says. Member for Canning from 1961 to 1963 Neil McNeill.

4 | Uniview Uniview The University of Western Australia | 5 11 10 Promenade Saw IN FOCUS N 12 8 1 9

Tropical Grove 7 Water400 Saved KILOLITRES 6 The amount of rainwater and wastewater 13 2 4 5 captured each year in tanks at UWA’s campus and reused to irrigate INTERESTING FACT glasshouse plants and Wandering through the grounds cool research wasn’t so easily achieved during equipment. UWA’s early life, with the original great campus by-laws stating ‘Students UWA’sDid Tropical You Grove is one Know?of the places most 3 are not allowed to walk over ovals or any areas laid to grass or mentioned when people talk about what they love, court cultivated to flowerbeds but to Some of the 2018 UWA Fogarty Scholars. miss or enjoy about the University. keep to paths and gateways’. Illustration: Erin Steenson Illustration:

Here are a few facts and figures you 5. Queen and Duke trees: this pair of 10. Common Screwpine: used to weave Ficus hillii was planted by Queen Elizabeth baskets, while the pandan leaf is used FOGARTY SCHOLARS may not have realised about this II and Prince Philip on their visit in 1963, in Asian cuisine. tranquil garden hideaway. UWA’s Jubilee year. 11. Honeymoon Tree: the name 6. Karri tree: Eucalyptus diversicolor is Honeymoon Tree was given by the first 1. George Munns plaque: endemic to southern WA, with mature gardener at UWA, Oliver Dowell, who commemorates the grounds’ first specimens growing up to 80m tall. dug up the plant on his honeymoon in Ten of Western Australia’s highest-achieving students curator, whose position was created 7. Jarrah: this Eucalyptus marginata is southern WA and replanted it in the Great in 1955. more than 400 years old and believed to Court lawn. have accepted UWA Fogarty Scholarships to study at 2. Ginkgo biloba: one of the oldest- be the oldest tree on the campus site. 12. Heliconia bed: a sub-tropical to the University. known plant species, dating back 270 A young jarrah has been planted on either side tropical species plant, hard to cultivate million years, prior to the Jurassic period. of this magnificent tree. in Perth due to the cold winters. UWA’s The scholarships offer the State’s brightest and most committed students 3. Wollemi pine: one of the world’s 8. Macadamia: it wasn’t until 1858, display is one of the largest collections of heliconia a generous grant for the entirety of their undergraduate degree (including oldest and rarest plants, dating back to when the Superintendent of the varieties in WA. honours), as well as a further contribution towards postgraduate studies. the time of the dinosaurs. Brisbane Botanic Gardens noticed 13. Pritchardia palm: native to the 4. Azalea bed: originally from alongside a boy eating seeds without ill effect, that these Pacific Islands as far as Hawaii and Recipients are selected based on academic excellence and outstanding the tennis courts at the former Currie trees were grown as a food crop. nicknamed the umbrella palm because achievements in at least three of four categories (leadership, community Hall site and transplanted here in 2012. 9. NZ Kauri: planted in 1963 as part it was used to protect people and property from of the Great Court upgrade and the the rain. involvement, the arts and sport). r Christob completion of the Reid Library. The Fogarty Foundation’s Executive Chair, Annie Fogarty, said the Running for sso el S ofe au r nd scholarship program aimed to build a stronger community by investing in P e e r te s c . exceptional young people. “We need leaders who will positively transform our a reason u d n community,” she explained. “Through these opportunities, they are gaining i Hall of Fame distinction A new partnership

e Internationally renowned breast cancer surgeon Professor Christobel Saunders from UWA has been knowledge and experience, and the belief that they have the ability and skills between UWA and HBF’s m

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F inducted into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame, just one of 14 women to have received the honour. to take the lead and make change happen.” popular Run for a Reason f

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Professor Saunders has been a driving force behind the development of innovative new

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a technologies, including the microscope-in-a-needle project, and has contributed substantially H

“Through these opportunities, they are gaining knowledge and students finding their s

’ to clinical aspects of breast cancer research and treatment. n reason and getting ready to

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the next generation of female leaders, helping them understand the huge opportunities offered A and skills to take the lead and make change happen.” the time you read this.

W by a career in STEM disciplines. The newly named UWA Half She joins other successful inductees such as Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, professors Fiona Stanley Successful initiatives by past Fogarty Scholars include Bloom Lab, founded Marathon is a flatter course than and Fiona Wood, and former WA premier and UWA academic Carmen Lawrence. by Mark Shelton and Bharath Iyer to help young entrepreneurs; WASTV, in previous years and includes founded by Michael Taran and Binu Jayawardena; and Ignite, founded by Sasha the beautiful grounds of the Perth campus, with an expected l UWA alumnus Dr John van Bockxmeer and Distinguished Fellow and Member of the Quahe and sister Ilona to provide tutoring and mentoring to students from low IN BRIEF has been recognised as the 45th Board at the Perth USAsia Centre at UWA, socio-economic areas. 3000-4000 people expected to run past UniClub and around l A UWA researcher into asbestos-related Commonwealth Point of Light by Queen was sworn into his new role on May 1. This year’s scholarship winners are Amber Anderson, of Bramley (Bunbury Elizabeth II, in honour of his exceptional Riley Oval from 7am on Sunday diseases has been named the WA Cancer l Another UWA alumnus, barrister John Cathedral Grammar School); Katherine Dumas, of Mt Pleasant (Perth Modern voluntary work establishing the charity 27 May. There’s also a 4km and a Researcher of the Year. Professor Anna Vaughan SC, has been appointed as a judge School); Elodie Hayward, of Nedlands (St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls); Fair Game. John is an emergency- 12km race for those who’d prefer Nowak, medical oncologist and a world- of the Supreme Court of WA. In making department doctor who has dedicated his Lydia Hill Almeida, of Wembley (Perth Modern School); Leyton Hilmer, of South a shorter distance. leading senior researcher at the National the appointment, Attorney General John life to creating healthy communities. Perth (Wesley College); Emily Roberts, of Balcatta (Mercedes College); Michaela Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, is Quigley said, “With a legal career spanning More than 36,000 people Savage, of Trigg (St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School); Caitlin Staer, of West Beach not only a scientist but also a clinician who l Former deputy prime minister Kim Beazley more than 25 years, (John) will bring a participated in last year’s event, brings new treatments to patients through has become WA’s 33rd Governor. Mr Beazley, wealth of experience to the bench of the (Esperance Senior High School); Luke Thomas, of Huntingdale (St George’s raising an impressive $1.2 million novel clinical trials. an Honorary Fellow at the UWA Law School Supreme Court.” Anglican Grammar School); and Nicholas Ellison, of Claremont (Trinity College). for WA charities.

6 | Uniview Uniview The University of Western Australia | 7 IN FOCUS IN FOCUS

more time with my family and soak up the whole community aspect of living here.” The historic Nedlands Masonic Hall, built in 1935, has also undergone First a transformation. Opening its doors in March, the new co-working and innovation hub, known as IQX, connects Grounds Curator the small-to medium-business community to UWA expertise by 1955 encouraging collaboration between researchers, students and industry. The year UWA Dr Jo Hawkins, manager of the UWA appointed its first Innovation Quarter, says IQX is an exciting new front door for UWA and marks the The Law Student Ball of 1928. Fashions might have changed but we live-in grounds crossroads of a burgeoning Innovation think they look wonderful. curator. George Corridor on Stirling Highway, which also includes the Centre for Entrepreneurial Law School’s 90th Gala Dinner Munns started in Research and Innovation (CERI) and The UWA Law School is calling on former grads to help celebrate its 90th L-R: Timothy Hammer with daughter Linnea, Marisa Duong, Bhedita Seewoo, Grace Goh, Bloom Lab at St Catherine’s College. Andrew Forrest and Nicola Forrest outside the new accommodation centre. anniversary at a Gala Dinner on Saturday 1 September 2018. 1932 as one of six St Cat’s is seeing changes of its Founded in 1927, the Law School welcomed its first students a year later. Since gardeners; by the own, with construction under way on then, its many prominent alumni have included a Chief Justice of the High Court of NEW BUILDINGS TAKING innovative new custom accommodation Australia, leading barristers, solicitors and in-house counsel, politicians (including a time he left there for Indigenous students. Designed after former Australian Prime Minister), academics, philanthropists, activists and writers. were 25. Don’t consultation with current Indigenous Organisers say the dinner will be an ideal opportunity for old friends to reminisce SHAPE IN AND AROUND UWA students at the College, many of whom about the past, celebrate the present and help shape the future, and is sure to be a miss our story on If it’s been a while since you’ve been to provide a stimulating living come from remote areas, the new memorable evening for all who attend. Mr Munns at to UWA’s main campus, you might be environment for Forrest Scholars and accommodation will have shared living For more information go to: law.uwa.edu.au/90th-anniversary#law-gala surprised at recent changes. rising research leaders who are attending and learning spaces and will include a or contact Tash Terbeeke on (+61 8) 6488 2961. uwa.edu.au/uniview Those who regularly drive past WA universities. large banksia-shaped central meeting the University will have seen the first Inaugural Forrest Scholar Timothy space, which will form the focus of the development. Dr stage of the $30.4 million, state-of- Hammer, from the US, is researching how P e The EZONE UWA Student Hub – te the-art Forrest Hall accommodation at plants adapted to unique environmental r U a multi-million dollar infrastructure n the intersection of Hackett Drive and conditions in Australia, and moved into d e Mounts Bay Road. Made possible by Forrest Hall with his wife Dominque and program supported by key partners – r

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Taking on Goliath o a donation from Andrew and Nicola daughter Linnea in February. For him, the had its ground-breaking ceremony in

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d April. The hub incorporates 14 teaching When the International Campaign to into international consciousness . Forrest, the five-storey development accommodation ticks all the boxes. Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) was and have them declared illegal, like overlooking the Swan River includes “My scholarship has allowed me to do rooms, three science and engineering laboratories, dedicated desks for 150 awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2017, it chemical and biological weapons,” 45 studio, one and two-bedroom research in one of the best schools for higher-degree students, extensive made news all around the world. What says Dr Underwood, who also works apartments, along with an outdoor plant biology and in one of the world’s informal collaboration and study areas, many missed, however, was the group’s as a voluntary medic in remote terrace and multipurpose room for biodiversity hotspots,” he says. “Moving and an industry engagement area with strong link to UWA. Australia and South Asia. seminars and functions. Kerry Hill into this accommodation has meant I space for student start-ups. UWA graduate Dr Peter Underwood The group was successful in having Architects designed the development have zero commute time and can spend Brian Haggerty, Associate Dean (MB, BS; MD) had been engaged with the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear With the world facing what (Community and Engagement) at the the peace movement as a leading Weapons adopted at a United Nations he describes as “the very real Faculty of Engineering and Mathematical member of the Medical Association for Conference in New York in July last year. danger” of nuclear war, he says now Sciences (EMS) says the $80 million the Prevention of War (MAPW) since Supported by 122 member nations, is a critical time for all Australians 2017 Annual Report teaching, learning and engagement

its inception in 1988. It was from this the treaty was the first multilateral, to get behind a global move to ban The University of Western Australia 2017 Annual Report space will bring together students, organisation that ICAN came into being legally binding instrument to have the weapons altogether. industry and researchers. 10 years ago, when the small group been negotiated in 20 years. “It seems like an almighty challenge available online He says students will also benefit of medical professionals decided to “The fact that ICAN – a tiny group and sometimes we feel that in the UWA’s Annual Report is from practical learning opportunities extend its ambition – by engaging in a made up of mostly volunteers and great scheme of things our efforts are available online in an during the design and construction David-and-Goliath battle to have nuclear initially helped by a grant from the of little worth,” he explains, “but the phase of the project. weapons outlawed entirely. Norwegian Government – was able to greatest and most powerful ideas and 2017 easy-to-read and easily Construction of the EZONE UWA “ICAN was the global group born out work with the United Nations on a treaty projects have the humblest origins, Annual Report downloadable format at Student Hub is expected to be complete for of MAPW, after we realised we had to to ban nuclear weapons, is a stunning in the compassionate hearts and EDUCATION the start of Semester 1 in 2020. For more RESEARCH bring the danger of these weapons back achievement,” Dr Underwood says. men and women.” COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT annualreport.uwa.edu.au information, go to: ezone.uwa.edu.au

8 | Uniview Uniview The University of Western Australia | 9 IN FOCUS FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLERY

Dr Judy Skene speaking to graduates from Fairway UWA, a program providing an alternative pathway to UWA for students completing Year 12 under difficult circumstances. Recognition for educator BREWERY with a big heart BEQUEST COMES UWA graduate and former Associate Director of Student Support Services FULL CIRCLE Dr Judy Skene is well known for her commitment and passion. Promoting equity and diversity, and helping students from disadvantaged backgrounds to Unable to pursue her access tertiary education, she has already has won several national awards. dream of a career in Now Dr Skene has been formally recognised by perhaps the toughest possible medicine, the former owner judges – her colleagues. of a Kalgoorlie brewing In November, Dr Skene was awarded lifetime membership of Equity company is helping others Practitioners in Higher Education Australasia (EPHEA), becoming one of only FROM THE 10 such recipients from across Australia and New Zealand. to do so. Born in Adelaide in the late 19th “Judy is a passionate and hard-working person who is full of compassion century, Alice Mary Cummins hoped VICE-CHANCELLERY for students,” says Fairway UWA student Gisele Ishimwe. “By introducing many to follow a career in medicine, only programs to support students, she has gone above and beyond to ensure a better for illness to change her plans. PROFESSOR DAWN FRESHWATER Sometimes it is the simple things providing guidance and opportunities future for students like me.” Instead she studied law and, after VICE-CHANCELLOR that make a difference, like the to create well-rounded global citizens moving to WA, became the first members of Associate Professor Lisa who have the drive to make a genuine ince an Act of Parliament was Wood’s committed team who take turns difference in the world in which we live. woman in the State to be admitted passed more than 100 years ago to the Bar. to volunteer on early-morning rounds It is something the more than UWA Future Leaders awarded Sestablishing UWA ‘to advance the with the Street Health Van, working with 400 students who have taken part in Deciding against law as a career, prosperity and welfare of the people’ Alice worked instead for her father’s people who are without a home. internships at UWA’s unique McCusker Westpac scholarships we have been committed to fulfilling Paul Luckas, the academic behind Centre for Citizenship understand only business, the Kalgoorlie Brewing this core mission and the University has Two WA researchers will undertake PhD studies at UWA after being awarded UWA’s popular SPIRIT telescope too well, as they work across a diverse and Ice Company. When her father been sewn into the fabric of the Western Westpac Future Leaders Scholarships. program, thinks nothing of giving up range of challenges including global died, she became managing Australian community. Ryan Bunney, 22, of Nedlands, and Sabrina Davies, 21, of Australind, were a night’s sleep to help students in poverty, mental health and law reform in director, developing a new product, From those very first days when among 17 young Australians chosen to receive awards. Both will be provided other parts of the world access remote organisations in Australia and overseas. Hannan’s Lager. students and teachers gathered in up to $120,000 for research or coursework studies, including a nine-month infrastructure so they can take images This is a wonderful opportunity for Alice died in 1943, aged just a collection of wooden buildings in leadership-development program and international experiences. They will also of distant astronomical objects for their students to learn and grow as part of 45, and left most of her estate Irwin Street, to the modern and vibrant gain lifelong membership of the Westpac 100 Scholars Network, joining a select own research projects. an holistic experience, which we hope to her former housekeeper and place of education and research UWA group of inspiring leaders. We also have a community inspires them to be active and lifelong companion. Her initial dream of is today, we have worked with and for Ms Davies completed a science degree at UWA and has been working as a partnership program that supports contributors to the community, while studying medicine wasn’t forgotten, the community. With the world now researcher in UWA’s School of Molecular Sciences. Her PhD will examine karrikins many groups making a positive at the same time learning about and with the balance of the estate changing at a rapid pace, this ability to – the compounds that trigger plant germination after bushfires – characterising difference in society, from the annual contributing to solutions to some of bequeathed to UWA. provide positive community impact has the proteins that make up the pathway in order to understand the germination Save the Children book sale to the society’s most challenging problems. Today, the Alice Cummins never been more important. process at the molecular level. Scholarship in Medicine helps two pride we have in establishing and We are committed to play our part After completing a computer science degree at UWA, Mr Bunney spent a high-achieving students each year In this edition of Uniview you championing the longest-running in building graduate attributes in our year working as a software developer on smart payments for the Stockholm “to pursue their studies without will read about the ways that international arts festival in Australia. students, investing in their education This community-mindedness is experience and supporting them to public transport system before returning to UWA to complete his honours at financial anxieties”. UWA contributes — through the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) last year. He will core to UWA and sets an example for go into the world as citizens who are If you’d like to know more our research, our teaching and investigate data-intensive astronomy, translating radio astronomy applications about bequests at UWA, contact our students. Our role as a teaching not only knowledgeable, but also institution does not simply begin and compassionate, connected and and algorithms to work on high-performance computing clusters. [email protected] or the formidable achievements end in the classroom, but extends to socially engaged. phone (+61 8) 6488 8537. of our alumni.

10 | Uniview Uniview The University of Western Australia | 11 FEATURE

Being NOT CONTENT WITH PERSONAL SUCCESS, THESE UWA GRADUATES ARE DETERMINED TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE. AND, AS LIZ MCGRATH DISCOVERED, THEIR PASSION MAKES THEM UNSTOPPABLE.

’m as busy as a blue-arsed fly,” laughs explorer Dr Kate Leeming “I(BPEd 1988, GradDipEd 1989, DEd change2016) when Uniview catches up with her over the phone in Melbourne. In 36 hours she’ll leave to cycle 1700km down the Baja Peninsula, from San Diego in the US to La Paz in Mexico. It’s the first of six major cycling expeditions she has planned – one on each continent of the globe. While each is a major feat in itself, testing endurance, bravery and physical and psychological toughness, for Kate they’re just the precursors to an even mightier challenge: the first-ever bicycle crossing of the Antarctic continent, via the South Pole. The gruelling trek, which Kate approaches the frozen Beaufort Sea, on a polar training expedition in Arctic Yukon, Canada. she has named 'Breaking the Cycle – Photo credit: Claudio von Planta South Pole', will cover 2800km in 60 days.

12 | Uniview Uniview The University of Western Australia | 13 FEATURE

than former Australian prime minister “The conditions will be harder than Julia Gillard) and its Ambassador anything I’ve ever attempted and the singer Rihanna. There, he’ll petition for preparation will be intense,” she says. US$2.3 billion to support education in “The Antarctic plateau is extremely high, developing countries. mostly between 2000m and 3000m, “I remembered I still needed malaria and the extreme cold exacerbates the tablets for Africa," he says. "Luckily oxygen deficiency. There’s lots of things there’s a late night pharmacy opposite to get right but each new journey is a our offices on Broadway!” learning experience. If you live in fear The 29-year-old former Young you’ll get nowhere in life.” Western Australian of the Year majored The southernmost point of the in political science and international earth is a long way from the Northam relations at UWA. He credits two wheat and sheep farm in WA’s Avon high-school teachers (from Clarkson Valley where Kate enjoyed a “grounded Community High School and Mindarie upbringing” with two sisters and two Senior College) and the guidance of brothers. Well-known for her sporting his university lecturers for pushing him prowess, she reached State level in to overcome learning difficulties and four different sports, despite the lack of aim high… and he’s probably achieved Michael travelled with pop star Rihanna who is the Ambassador for the Global Partnership proper training available. “I’m a farm girl for Education. more than he ever dreamed of already. so you didn’t have coaches,” she says. Michael has coordinated advocacy “The future of humanity ultimately Not only has he worked with world “You were thrown in the pool and told to leaders, musicians and philanthropists campaigns for Global Citizen that rests in the hands of citizens,” he says, swim, and it was the same on the field including former UN Secretary-General include efforts to eradicate polio “and our goal of a world without extreme with athletics and hockey.” Ban Ki-moon, Beyoncé, Usher and and promote universal access to poverty is only going to be realised As well as prodigious mental Prime Minister Narendra Modi of sanitation and education. That work through the constant drumbeat of toughness, Kate also developed a India, he also has a weekly schedule has contributed to the group raising citizen-led movements clamouring for fascination for early pioneers. In 1897, that might include working on United US$35 billion in financial commitments in change. What I do involves a lot of work her great-great uncle, William Snell, Nations agreements such as the UN’s the past six years – funds that will support and travel but there’s never any shortage cycled across the Nullarbor Plain from Sustainable Development Goals (“I rely and benefit global health, education of Australians here in New York (see our the WA goldfields to Melbourne, so on the letter-writing skills I learnt in and gender equality. He also serves as story on Shakira Donovan on page 23), he could propose to his childhood Kate crossing Savory Creek on the Canning Stock Route as a part of her 25,000km Great Australian Cycle Expedition. commercial practice on almost a daily Global Citizen’s chief representative to the so you never feel too far from home. sweetheart, but it was a chance meeting Photo credit: Kate Leeming. basis”); drafting speaking points for one United Nations, where he oversees the I consider it a privilege to be able to with veteran UK polar explorer Robert of their influential ambassadors; and organisation’s outreach to diplomats from work full-time on a cause I care so Swan OBE that cemented her passion working with the homeless. all over the world. much about.” for adventure. “He took me under his “You can’t underestimate the importance wing and gave me the confidence of education. Kids need to get out there to take it to another level,” she says. Combined with her experiences of and explore, to find their own passions and cycling through Europe in her 20s, relate them to the world to understand how those qualities are driving Kate to take on one trek after another. they fit into it a little better.” But the UWA Physical Education graduate, who was awarded an Then, hopefully, they will make better SAYING NO TO POVERTY Honorary Doctorate of Education in decisions about the future and where In another part of the world, UWA 2016, is not content with just challenging we are heading.” graduate Michael Sheldrick (CitWA LLB, Uniview herself: she also uses her adventures caught up with Kate again BA 2013, BA (Hons) 2013) is also midway to highlight pressing global issues such after she had completed her journey through a relentless travel agenda. It’s as extreme poverty, sustainability and down the Baja Divide. By then she all part of his New York-based role as education. Her Breaking the Cycle brand was midway through a polar training Vice President of Global Policy and includes an education program that expedition in Iceland, with the Finke Government Affairs at Global Citizen, an connects students around the world, River in Central Australia, Skeleton Australian-grown international group enabling them to follow her travels, tap Coast in Namibia, Bolivian Altiplano and working to build a million action-taking into the experiential learning curriculum Indian Himalaya next on her itinerary to global citizens calling for an end to and discover the UN’s Sustainable prepare for Antarctica. Even before her extreme poverty by 2030. Development Goals, as well as key 2018 odyssey began, she had already Fresh off an 18-hour flight from issues in each region. pedalled enough kilometres to go twice Davos in Switzerland, where he and “You can’t underestimate the around the world, overcoming injury, his colleagues were advocating to importance of education,” she says. illness and every possible obstacle on government ministers and businesses “Kids need to get out there and explore, her way across the hottest and coldest at the World Economic Forum, he is due to find their own passions and relate landmasses on earth. One suspects that to fly to Senegal in a few hours with them to the world to understand when she starts out towards the South the chair of the board of the Global how they fit into it a little better. Pole, nothing is going to get in her way. Partnership for Education (none other Michael Sheldrick (right of picture) with former first lady and advocate for change Michelle Obama and Chair of the Global 14 | Uniview Board of Global Citizen Peter Murphy. Uniview The University of Western Australia | 15 FEATURE SURFING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE WAR ON PLASTIC Closer to home, Perth-born social entrepreneur Sarah Sands (née Vann-Sander, MEnvSc 2014) is showing just The chance viewing of an advertisement as much passion for her cause. Her social enterprise, Sandswell Inc, is based on the premise that by creating a on television was the catalyst for connection with self, community and nature, surfing can be a potent vehicle to inspire social change. Darren Lomman’s (BEng 2007) latest “It has the power to bridge the gaps between race, faith, gender, sexuality and socio-economic status mission. The Perth-based entrepreneur because in the eyes of the ocean everyone is equal,” she says. and engineer started the GreenBatch Sarah’s childhood was spent “loving the sea”, while a stint living with her family in the Northern Territory Foundation, through which he also engendered a passion for country and culture. During her final year of a master's in Marine and Coastal is building WA’s first-ever plastic- Management at UWA, she sat on the national board of the Surfrider Foundation – an international marine reprocessing facility, after the TV spot conservation organisation – as well as running its local chapter. Never one to laze around, she also squeezed warned there would be more plastic in a full-time job as senior community organiser at The Wilderness Society WA. than fish in our oceans by 2050. A 2015 scholarship to the School for Social Entrepreneurs, where she completed a nine-month incubator “I was horrified when I saw that ad,” program, helped her to develop and launch Sandswell. he says. “I actually thought it might be The new mum’s Margaret River-based non-profit organisation combines her passions for the ocean, fake news but I did some investigating science and the community. It runs surfing programs (including classes at schools in the and discovered that because there is Kimberley and in Aboriginal communities), as well as events such the Summer X Salt currently no reprocessing happening Markets in Perth’s coastal suburbs of Trigg and Scarborough. All aim to target one in WA, our plastic is sold on to the or more of four impact areas: sustainability and environmental connection; gender international waste markets. Only one equality; mental health and wellness; and leadership and team-building. to two per cent is actually reprocessed “Projects like these have a strong social impact in many areas on different into new products. The rest ends up in scales,” she says, “from supporting people with mental health issues through landfills, oceans or waste incinerators.” learning to surf, to social and economic development through tourism It’s the latter that drives the biggest collaborations. Some impacts are immediate and others are longer term.” demand for waste generated in WA, says They’re issues she learned something about during trips to Sri Lanka the 34-year-old former Leeming High in 2015 and 2016 where she worked on empowering local women in the School student. “It turns out there’s a community through surfing while taking part in The Fresh Air Project and huge industry around burning waste to Photo credit: Rhys Woolf. Surfing The Nations. generate electricity. It’s such a polluting “I also attended the international Surf + Social Good Summit in Bali in thing for our world – burning plastic can 2015 where leading changemakers from around the world came together generate 30 times more pollution than “It turns out there’s a huge industry around to connect, collaborate and innovate new ways to use surfing to create burning coal. When I figured that out, I burning waste to generate electricity. It’s positive impact in the world,” she says. knew I needed to do something.” Currently Sarah is enjoying bonding with her new daughter Darren is the brains behind Dreamfit, such a polluting thing for our world – Florence while her “wonderful team keeps things going”, but she a company born out of a meeting with a burning plastic can generate 30 times more already has a new project in her sights: setting up a pilot program paralysed motorcyclist when he was a to test a Sandswell Sea School. “It’s a long-time and long-term third-year engineering student. Agreeing pollution than burning coal.” vision to create an outdoor, education-focused marine institute for to modify his bike, Darren was soon school-aged children to discover the ocean through science and creating a range of equipment for people The scheme has been overwhelmed with physical support adventure, up and down the WA coastline,” she says. with disabilities. After selling the company, enthusiastically received, with Darren from student volunteers and interns. however, he was looking for a new raising an astonishing $75,000 through Passionate about recycling, they are challenge, and here was one that was crowd-funding (“I was so surprised, assisting both with getting the plant off not only close to his heart but that also absolutely amazed because I thought the ground and all the peripheral tasks played to another of his interests: the rubbish was pretty unsexy”). At the time such as building a website, marketing booming 3D-printing market. of writing this story, an agreement was and liaising with schools. “There’s a “Projects like these have His goal is to establish a being struck with UWA for potential long way to go but we’re all working reprocessing plant that will handle funding and a site for the plant. together to make this work,” Darren a strong social impact polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the Darren, who works out of the UWA says with a grin. “It’s going to be such a in many areas on kind of plastic used in bottles for water Business School, says he’s also been great thing for Western Australia.” and soft drinks. The plant will turn PET into the filament that goes into 3D different scales, from For more information on Dr Kate Leeming’s Breaking the Cycle program, go to: supporting people with printers, which can then be used to breakingthecycle.education make objects as diverse as toys, tools kateleeming.com mental health issues and even prosthetic limbs. “My idea is to partner with schools through learning to surf, For more information on Global Citizen, go to: and we’re already trialling this with globalcitizen.org to social and economic a few primary schools in the local area,” he says. “Students collect development through For more information on Sandswell, go to: bottles and drop them into collection sandswellsurf.com tourism collaborations. Some bins. We pick the bins up and turn the plastic into filament, which we’ll impacts are immediate and For more information on Darren Lomman’s GreenBatch program, go to: give back to the schools for their 3D greenbatch.com others are longer term.” printers. It is a win-win.” Photo credit: Ming Nomchong.

16 | Uniview Uniview The University of Western Australia | 17 FEATURE

causescommon

SINCE FIRST OPENING ITS DOORS TO STUDENTS IN 1913, UWA HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION. Last November, a buoy – looking a little like a miniature spaceship – was BUT JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE PROJECTS THEMSELVES ARE THE hoisted over the side of a barge into INTERACTIONS THEY CREATE WITH THE WIDER COMMUNITY, choppy waters 1.5km off the coast of AS LIZ MCGRATH DISCOVERED. Albany. As it splashed into the Indian Ocean, the reverberations were felt a full five hours’ drive away in Perth, at UWA’s Professor Steve Hopper, in the South West region he has so much passion for. Photo credit: Matthew Galligan. Oceans Graduate School and Oceans Institute – for Professors Christophe Gaudin and Ryan Lowe, they signalled Europe and the United States; Australia oceanography to characterise and model the start of a project that has been 10 is at the leading edge and has an the wave conditions in Torbay; and years in the making and in which they will opportunity to be a world leader in the hydrodynamics to analyse the motions lead research programs. technology,” says Professor Gaudin with and stability of wave-energy converters,” The buoy was deployed by Carnegie cautious enthusiasm. The French-born says Professor Gaudin. Clean Energy, a Perth-based company scientist is a driving force in offshore “Unlike oil and gas, the technology working with UWA’s Wave Energy renewables, and his team’s research for offshore renewable energy is in its Research Centre (WERC), which has at UWA – making use of a cutting-edge infancy, however our southern coastline opened next-door to the University’s centrifuge facility – has assisted in the holds one of the most promising Albany campus on Stirling Terrace. The design of almost every major pipeline on wave-energy resources in the world. It’s project on which they are collaborating the North West Shelf of Australia. the perfect location for developers of the aims to make the Great Southern an Professor Gaudin’s attention is now future to demonstrate the performance international hub for renewable energy firmly focused on building capabilities of their devices. expertise, bringing long-term economic benefits and jobs to the region. “Unlike oil and gas, the technology for offshore Carnegie is owner and developer renewable energy is in its infancy, however of CETO, a patented wave-energy technology capable of converting ocean our southern coastline holds one of the most swell into zero-emission renewable promising wave-energy resources in the world.” power, and the company’s construction of the world’s first grid-connected, in marine renewable energy, with the “If successful, this prototype will commercial-scale CETO system in Albany wave-energy centre of excellence in Albany make Australia the first in the world to is already drawing global attention. at the forefront of his work. Funded by a ever deliver wave energy to an onshore Described by State Regional Development four-year $3.75 million State Government power station on this scale – that’s pretty Minister Alannah MacTiernan as “a giant grant, WERC will bring together 30 exciting for all involved.” power point in the sea”, the device will researchers, multidisciplinary experts and The impact on and potential benefits be deployed off Sandpatch, a popular PhD students to support Carnegie. to the local, national and international fishing spot in Torbay that is already “The research will span a multitude communities haven’t been forgotten home to a wind farm generating some of disciplines: geotechnical engineering either. “A public display area will be 80 per cent of local power needs. to develop new economical foundations opened at the centre, providing an “The ocean renewable energy to anchor wave-energy converters to important resource for locals and industry is being developed in Australia, the seabed; coastal engineering and visitors alike,” says Professor Gaudin.

18 | Uniview Students from Albany campus investigate the flora and fauna at Bala Head as part of the ‘Saving Endangered Species’ unit. Uniview The University of Western Australia | 19 FEATURE

effectively accessed in the region,” Ms Another initiative that fosters the UWA’s Albany campus headquarters. O’Neil adds. The high quality of the University’s relations throughout the academics conducting their research in State is its Community Partnerships and around Albany is also a drawcard, Program, which strives to create connections she says. Among them is internationally with the wider public through relatable acclaimed botanist Professor Stephen partnerships and advocacy. Offering a Hopper, known affectionately in mixture of financial support and expertise, Albany and elsewhere as UWA’s ‘plant it contributes across areas as diverse as man’. His unbridled enthusiasm for the arts, technology, sport, education, health biodiversity in southwest WA is matched and wellbeing, and includes a commitment only by his passion for Indigenous land- to encouraging youth theatre (see 'And for management practices. the young… a very hungry caterpillar!' “I find Noongar and Aboriginal on page 30). cosmology fascinating and profoundly heuristic,” he says. What’s more, he says FARM OF THE FUTURE the South West is “the Cinderella of the One beneficiary of the Community world’s floristic regions” – overlooked for Partnerships Program is the University’s so long, it’s only now turning heads. “No Future Farm 2050 Project, based at the comparable area on earth can match the 1600 hectare UWA Farm Ridgefield in ALBANY COMES One new initiative on offer is the age of discovery witnessed recently here.” the State’s Wheatbelt. It’s an ambitious INTO ITS OWN Study InBroad program, aimed at enterprise in which researchers have providing a different experience for CORE MISSION OF imagined how a best-practice farm would An undoubted feather in the cap for students normally based in Perth. function in 2050…then set to work Albany, the Wave Energy Research ENGAGEMENT Current participant Trent Moss says he creating it now. Centre is just one of the initiatives The kind of connection and interaction was ready “for a new adventure in a “We’re focused on developing world- launched in the city by the University. with community on all levels that is place full of natural beauty and activities leading farming systems to safeguard against With a recent successful Summer School now being seen in Albany comprises that suited my preferences – in particular, a forecasted need to clothe and feed 50 per Program, new student accommodation, the core mission of UWA, says Deputy the surfing, diving, hiking and fishing! I cent more people in 32 years’ time,” says increasing student numbers and a host Vice-Chancellor (Community and also liked the idea of a more personalised Future Farm 2050 Project Officer Debra of community partnerships under way, Engagement) Professor Kent Anderson. university experience. To say my “Community engagement has always Mullan from UWA’s Institute of Agriculture. UWA has become integral to experience so far has been excellent been our third pillar, between education “While there are many things in the transforming the former whaling port is an understatement.” and research,” he says. “Every day and farm’s multi-disciplinary mix – like crop into a modern and thriving destination. “Our Centre of Excellence in Natural in all sorts of ways, our staff, researchers, and livestock science, resource economics, “We touch the community in so Resource Management, the Rural Clinical students and ambassadors are working water management, and animal and plant many ways,” says Jennifer O’Neil, School of Western Australia and the alongside the broader community, ecology – a priority is building relationships Director of UWA’s Albany campus and “We’re committed to new Wave Energy Research Centre are fulfilling our mission to advance their with regional communities. Working with resident in the area for the past six providing research that can only be welfare and prosperity.” Dr Susan Bailey, we engage with the Pingelly understanding and working years. She explains that the campus Noongar elders, who trace their connection provides world-class tertiary education back 45,000 years, and last year we held a alongside the spiritual and opportunities for both regionally ceremony to formally acknowledge the farm cultural custodians of the based students and those wishing to is situated on Gnaala Karla Boodja land. experience the beautiful south coast. “We’re committed to understanding and land, and that includes “The Albany campus is known for its working alongside the spiritual and cultural field- and industry-based units, its strong custodians of the land, and that includes challenging non-Indigenous connection to the wider community, its challenging non-Indigenous people to people to recognise close-knit student body, its research recognise Indigenous knowledge, in one of the world’s biodiversity hot culture and values.” Indigenous knowledge, spots and its focus on pastoral care The Farm’s program of community for students,” she says. “In addition, it engagement continues this year and culture and values.” contributes to the community via a includes exploring collaborations with L-R: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Community and Engagement) Professor Kent Anderson, Dr Sue strong, vibrant connection with the arts Bailey, Gary Bennell, Merv Abraham, Gloria Bennell, Khianna Bennell and Shaneall Bennell UWA’s School of Indigenous Studies and and cultural aspects of the region.” at the formal Acknowledgement Ceremony at UWA Farm Ridgefield. hosting the Pingelly Astrofest.

20 | Uniview Uniview The University of Western Australia | 21 FEATURE

When UWA Engineering master’s student Alex Arnold took up an internship through the McCusker Centre for Citizenship to EN LTH revamp the website for the Albany Men’s Resource Centre, CREATING ‘ACTIVE HELPING M HEA he also landed the ambitious task of creating an app that CITIZENS’ TAL provides men with tools to manage their mental health. For Michelle Scott, the Director of WITH MEN “I was looking for an internship in the mental health UWA’s McCusker Centre for Citizenship, sector but one where I could also use the skills I had learnt community engagement springs from a through my bachelor’s degree in computer science,” says Alex. firm belief in ‘active citizenship’. Spending “When I found the internship in Albany it ticked all the boxes! her life collaborating with others, she Physical, mental, social health – you can't be a healthy person clearly has the ability to look for the best without all three. I think a lot of people, especially men, just in any situation. think about physical health and they don't talk about mental “I’m an optimist,” says the former health as much.” WA Commissioner for Children and “It made me think more about the company Associate Professor Lisa Wood on an early-morning outing with the Street Health Van in Perth. Young People and State Public Advocate, I want to work for. Now, I’m looking to who has headed the McCusker Centre see what they do from a volunteering HELPING THE but unfortunately this program was facing since 2015. “And I believe you have to perspective too.” closure due to a lack of funding,” he says. be both engaged and optimistic to Alex, 23, was exposed to the day-to-day workings of the HOMELESS “Thanks to the hard work of Lisa Wood make a difference.” In a cluster of buildings known as UWA's centre – from going on bike rides with Grant (the centre’s and the team at the School of Population Established with a bequest from the Nedlands campus, just across the road CEO) and the men participating in the Positive Mentoring Health, who used hospital and economic McCusker Charitable Foundation, the from the University's main operations, Program to helping out with the centre’s wellness checks data to produce some compelling case centre aims to inspire students and the Associate Professor Lisa Wood is heavily in the community. studies, a private benefactor offered broader community to be active, lifelong focused on social issues. Currently under “Being involved in their work was a huge learning $100,000 for the service to continue contributors to the community, while her microscope is homelessness, a experience,” Alex says. for another year. at the same time raising awareness problem showing no signs of abating in “It's not like anything else you'll do. A lot of companies “We’re also using health and economic about the modern world’s challenging WA and elsewhere in the country. want to find people to fit their culture, and something like data from Lisa and her team in a business social issues. Students apply for and Alex (second from left) takes a break with participants “My research has a strong focus on the in the Positive Mentoring Program run by the Men’s this internship gives you the sort of experience you can't case to lobby the government to support can gain course credits by taking part in underlying causes of health inequalities, Resource Centre, after a group bike ride around Albany. learn at university.” a desperately needed Medical Recovery structured internships during a semester. and precarious housing is a significant Centre – a place where someone can go Working with social enterprises, not- factor,” says the one-time UWA PhD if they are too sick for the streets but not for-profit and community organisations, student who now heads a growing UWA is a proud partner of HBF’s Run for a Reason incorporating the UWA Half Marathon. sick enough for hospital.” government and business, both in Homeless Health Research Team. TAKING ON Associate Professor Wood says Australia and overseas, they cover Associate Professor Wood’s research while her work might be in hard data, it’s a large range of issues. GLOBAL POVERTY roles bridge the School of Population the human stories behind the statistics “To date, our students have Volunteering at a Coldplay concert and Global Health and Centre for Social that drives her. contributed more than 44,400 hours in as part of a campaign to stop cuts Impact. A passionate advocate for the “I learn so much from meeting with service to the community,” says Dr Scott. to foreign aid is just one of many disadvantaged, she says she “abhors the people and organisations working at the “Our programs have definitely struck a Shakira on highlights from Shakira Donovan’s Good luck idea of being an ivory-tower researcher”, assignment as part three-month internship in New York via coalface of providing services to alleviate chord with our partner organisations of her internship. and her ethos and enthusiasm for to all participants homelessness,” she says. “It’s very locally, nationally and globally, who the McCusker Centre for Citizenship. real-world, relevant research inspire humbling to sit and chat to people 100 per cent endorse what we do. We’re The final-year UWA psychology student those around her. Her team takes turns whose adverse life circumstances have making a difference and there is certainly from Canning Vale was selected to work with going out on early-morning rounds with left them with no place to call home. It a great appetite amongst UWA students Global Citizen, an international education and advocacy the Street Health Van run by Homeless puts everything into perspective.” to make a difference in their community.” organisation working to end extreme poverty by 2030 Healthcare, Perth’s largest provider of (see our story on page 14). healthcare services to the homeless “The concert was on my first day and was part of the and marginally housed. annual Global Citizen campaign in Central Park,” she “The Street Health Service nurses have MAKING A DIFFERENCE explains. “Chris Martin from Coldplay is the creative director. built up considerable trust with people I was tasked, along with other interns and volunteers, with living on the streets,” she says. “Many of 416 250 44,400 asking concert-goers to lobby their local Congress members them won’t otherwise go and see a doctor STUDENTS PARTNERS HOURS to invest in international aid.” until things get really bad and they end up have undertaken structured locally, nationally, dedicated by students to Inspired by her mother, who has worked in the not-for- in the hospital Emergency Department.” internships with not-for- regionally and globally are local, national, regional profit sector for 20 years, Shakira says her internship took The Homeless Healthcare charity profit, government and committed to achieving the and international volunteering "to the next level". community organisations McCusker Centre’s goal communities is headed by another UWA alumnus, “Sometimes it’s difficult to know where to start or Dr Andrew Davies, who says the how to make a positive impact, which is what I love collaborative work being carried out of students surveyed about the McCusker Centre for Citizenship – it makes with the UWA team and others is already would recommend a ‘doing good’ accessible,” she says. having tangible results. McCusker Centre for “I was given the opportunity to be involved with an See uwa.edu.au/engage for more information “A vitally important aspect of the work 97% Citizenship internship to organisation that has an incredible impact on so many big on our Community Partnerships Program we do is our nurse-led street outreach other students issues through education and advocacy, and I’m hoping this experience will help me make a career working in that area.”

22 | Uniview THOUGHT LEADERS

make sure society meets the aims of energy poverty of one billion people, the Paris Agreement, and a recognition providing them with access to the that to do so, we will have to stop basic services we take for granted, like adding greenhouse gases to the refrigeration and internet access, and all atmosphere by 2070. in a carbon-constrained environment? That is a path likely to require The solution to that challenge is society to roughly halve the amount unknown today, but as a business of greenhouse gases produced for leader in Australia in 2018 there are each unit of energy used by 2050. two things I do know. THRIVING Shell’s net carbon footprint ambition Firstly, the economic scale of the is aimed at keeping the company in challenge means the players in this game step with society’s progress. These must be profitable. We are businesses, through the not charities. ambitions cover not only the emissions from our own operations but also those It is only by driving strong financial produced by our customers when they outcomes that companies will continue use the energy that we sell. to be viewed as investments by their For Shell, it is through our products shareholders. Shell’s ambitions are that we can make the biggest difference about thriving as the world’s energy ENERGY on emissions, because as Ben put it, system changes, by being both financially “what matters is the effect we have on and environmentally sound. Not by the world, and most of that is down abandoning oil and gas – the world will to the products our customers rely still need it – but by finding business transition opportunity in the changes taking place. on to live their lives”. BY ZOE YUJNOVICH (BE 1996), CHAIRMAN Energy customers rely on oil and This recognises that it is only by SHELL AUSTRALIA, UWA GRADUATE gas, and I have no doubt they will shareholders continuing to invest in continue to do so for many decades. companies that they will have the But over time this carbon footprint capital needed to help transform the ambition will transform the product mix global energy system and meet of energy companies. carbon ambitions. If we are going to make a meaningful Secondly, energy companies must transformation, we must first understand secure society’s support for what they do, what we are trying to transform. because without that support they will Today the oil and gas industry achieve nothing. supplies around half of the world’s Many engineering organisations energy – that is 50 per cent of the energy have for too long told the world about used by industry, and 90 per cent of all how clever they are – using terms the energy used for transport. When we like ‘deepest’, ‘longest’ and ‘greatest’. add the other half of the energy mix from In truth, not many outside the s a UWA graduate it’s with some to galvanise society’s attention. It seemed There is no other current issue with the sources like hydro-electricity and coal, the engineering community marvel at these nostalgia that I write a piece for for a short time that Cold War fears potential to disrupt both our society and size of investments adds up to $55 trillion. achievements. What most customers Uniview. Nostalgia because my had disappeared, and made way the energy industry on such a deep and Put simply, the entire US economy do care about is how we enable modern Amind immediately went to my time for the free flow of information assisted fundamental level. is around $19 trillion, so today’s energy life. Over more than a century, Shell has at UWA and the question of what has by the dawn of the internet and Many of the businesses at the centre system has nearly three times as much enabled Australians to bring crops to changed in the world since graduating. mobile communications. of debate around energy transitions – money invested in it as the value of every market, travel to school, heat homes The most obvious change for me – Fast-forward to today, and despite particularly energy companies – are single product and service in the United in winter and power factories that aside from family life with three children huge growth in information sources, portrayed as dinosaurs: old-fashioned States over a 12-month period. have employed thousands of hard- – is how we all receive information about including social media, we seem to be and slow-moving. Regardless of whether So as we move to decarbonise working Aussies. the world, and the issues that dominate focused on a smaller number of issues that is accurate, one thing is undeniable: our energy system, we need to either So just as the energy landscape our attention. that dominate both digital news it is the energy industry that must adapt transform or replicate not only the is changing fast, so too must energy Here I notice a step change since the and conversations. most to thrive. $55 trillion currently invested, but also companies. To do so we will need to stay 1990s when I graduated from engineering Today’s newsfeed (a term that didn’t And it is the willingness to adapt the additional energy to help more than in step with a society that will continue at UWA – an era typified by a cynical exist in the 1990s) is filled by geopolitical from the top of these businesses that one billion people who currently live to evolve as fast as it has since I left UWA optimism towards George H Bush’s threats in places like the Korean peninsula, will dictate both the pace and success without electricity – along with growth more than two decades ago – if not faster. ‘new world order’ and the recent collapse by the rise of China, by Brexit and by news of that adaptation. from both population increases and In doing so we must stay financially of communism. coming from Donald Trump’s White House. As an employee I was excited to hear greater demand. strong so we can make that change while I recall our attention being dragged in But the biggest issue for me is my CEO, Ben Van Beurden, make it clear This is the challenge of the energy continuing to make a real contribution to numerous directions without a single issue climate change. that Shell has an emissions ambition to transition. How do we alleviate the people’s lives.

24 | Uniview Uniview The University of Western Australia | 25 AT LUNCH WITH...

“We have third-year UWA astrophysics “It’s a very, very full-time job,” says students using data they acquire with the passionate astronomer. “If I have a ICRAR ASTRONOMER SPIRIT to produce colour magnitude student whose project is due the next diagrams of stellar clusters, to Year 10 day and they are in a different time PAUL LUCKAS (MSC 2013) students who create light curves of zone in a different part of the world, ~ On the ~ variable stars,” Paul says. “They are then of course I’m going to help them, just some examples.” even if that means not getting to bed A number of postgraduate students for the night. MENU have used SPIRIT for data acquisition, “I’m a one-man band and I do THE SPIRIT F UWA including both master’s and PhD candidates everything from greasing the bearings studying the educational benefits of robotic to writing the resources but I wouldn’t He’s the man behind the SPIRIT Telescope Initiative, a former telescopes in the classroom, among more have it any other way.” Paul and Uniview Editor Liz teacher turned corporate risk manager whose love for astronomy conventional astrophysics research. McGrath both enjoyed the soy, honey and garlic marinated ultimately proved too strong – so much so he set about building beef flank steak with potato one of the most sophisticated remote robotic telescopes in purée and baby tomatoes from Australia, from scratch. As Liz McGrath discovered that was only the Express Lunch Menu, with the start of his SPIRIT journey. a glass of Devil’s Lair Treasure Hunter white wine. aul Luckas has quite literally operations. That’s where he was when opened the skies to thousands he observed this latest explosion in For dessert, Paul had the Pof secondary and tertiary the skies above Shenton Park and Callebaut chocolate brûlée students from Australia and further it’s something he says his family (two with brandied apricots and afield, enabling them to take their teenage sons and history-teacher pistachio biscotti, and Liz own images of galaxies hundreds wife) have become accustomed to. “It chose the salted caramel panna of millions of light years away by is genuine research and is taking me After a brief time teaching, he cotta with dulce de leche and connecting to SPIRIT’s powerful down a path I enjoy,” he says. spent much of his mid-adult career caramelised banana. instrumentation through their home So how does someone who “as a corporate hitman,” he says. “At computers or laptops. started life in education end up as an the end of 2007 I decided it was time “They are taking images of celestial astronomer working at a university for a change. objects and they’re the only person in (albeit in this case the home to SPIRIT “I decided to build a remotely- the world capturing 200-million-year- is the International Centre for Radio controlled telescope that could be a tool old photons at that moment in time,” Astronomy Research (ICRAR) joint for education and research, which was says Paul, smiling. He also reveals that venture between UWA and quite a nerdy thing to do. But I was lucky he confirmed a nova in the skies above Curtin University)? enough to be supported by people of his home the previous evening. It was a “I made a few discoveries in the backyard with my telescope and I was Wine Show by the Bay good day for lunch. hooked. Astronomy is genuinely the last science where amateurs can Saturday 23 June | 11.00am–5.00pm | General entry $20.00 | Masterclasses $30.00 “It only happens three or four times a year and with clear skies; make an impact. Galileo, after all, was an amateur astronomer.” Entry includes a complimentary monogrammed tasting glass. this one was perfectly timed for “I did an arts degree (at Murdoch) the calibre of Professors Ian McArthur, my backyard,” he says. “I still get a originally as I was never a fan of Peter Quinn and Lister Staveley-Smith, buzz. Astronomy is a 100 per cent maths – you’d be surprised at how who let me run with the idea, ultimately observational science – everything many physicists don’t like maths – leading to a master’s in physics.” The University Club’s favourite event returns we know is through witnessing it. And but always, in the background, was There are now two SPIRIT to campus in June with over 40 tasting just like the 1960s Apollo era, the astronomy,” says the former Trinity telescopes mounted on the roof of booths, showcasing in excess of 250 wines. technology gets better every year.” College student. He describes his UWA’s Physics Department with a A nova, for the uninitiated (such childhood variously as going through third under construction at Gingin. Bring your friends for a day filled with as me), is a strong and rapid increase a ‘rock ’n’ roll star’ phase, loving Carl All are robotic, meaning they are masterclasses, fun and informative lunches in the brightness of a white dwarf star Sagan for a while and spending time able to be programmed and controlled and presentation by WA’s most loved wine that has lain dormant for many years, immersed in literature and art. via any computer, and come with a journalist, Ray Jordan. caused by a nearby red giant briefly full life-cycle of student activities reigniting it. It’s thought about 40 or and resources. 50 of these take place every year in SPIRIT also benefits from View the full program online at our galaxy, although only a few are an extended outreach program actually recorded. that introduces other aspects of www.universityclub.uwa.edu.au With his research interests contemporary astronomy, most notably This event is open to all. including the spectroscopy of exotic those associated with Australia’s stars, on most clear nights Paul participation in the international can be found at the end of his high- Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project. resolution spectrograph at home, while As a teaching and research tool, it is simultaneously monitoring SPIRIT unique in Australia. BOOKINGS Bookings can be made online or through 26 | Uniview the University Club direct on 6488 8770. ARTS AND CULTURE

Looking for a good book for the long winter months ahead? This season, there’s no shortage of material written by or featuring UWA graduates, staff and students. We’ve rounded up Natural a few suggestions for you, and you can always check UWA Publishing’s website for more.

DUSTFALL Michelle Johnston A tale of the crashing consequences of medical error, the suffering caused wonders by asbestos mining, and the power of storytelling. A debut novel by Dr Michelle Johnston who studied medicine at UWA. $26.99 UWA Publishing

To create his unique ceramics, potter Stewart PLANNING BOOMTOWN AND BEYOND Scambler delves deep into the Western Australian Sharon Biermann, Doina Olaru, Valerià bush – for inspiration and materials alike. Paül (eds) This book showcases the modern-day boomtown of Perth, which is on a trajectory to almost double in size by 2050. An inspiring began to study ceramics at Fremantle kiln atmosphere over the several days collection of analyses, cases and policy options. $50 UWA Publishing BY DR SALLY QUIN, CURATOR, THE Technical College in 1973 that he found of firing. The kiln can only be unloaded UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA his true calling. Science still had its place after cooling down for a week, and even ART COLLECTION in his work, however the analytical and then some work requires another firing THE WATER BEARER technical aspects of the potter’s craft or further layers of glazing to achieve the Tracy Ryan For more than 40 years Stewart Scambler intrigued Stewart, with his passionate right effect. Award-winning Western Australian poet, has worked as a potter, and in all that interest in how the world works leading Firing with wood, as opposed to novelist and UWA graduate Tracy Ryan’s new time nothing has informed his work more Stewart Scambler in his Palmyra studio, applying surface colour collection of poems covers water in many him to build a kiln before he even the more predictable results of a gas different forms, from scheme water to pipelines, than his profound interest in the natural (a blend of clay and oxides) to Fragment II before firing, 2018. commenced his art studies. or electric kiln, means the artist must © Stewart Scambler. Photograph: Trish Scambler. swimming lessons to a countryside in the grip world – and specifically the Western At art school, he was mentored by relinquish some control – Stewart of drought. RECOMMENDED READING $24.99 Fremantle Press Australian environment. teachers Heather McSwain (who inspired suggests that wood-firing is “a risk, but

First arriving in Perth from post-war Trim size: 234mm x 153mm ?? MATT LAMINATION w/ SPOT GLOSS UV

an appreciation of ceramic traditions one I am prepared to take, for once in a REMEMBERING Manchester in 1956, the seven-year from across the globe) and Michiko Love while the results transcend what I obtain REMEMBERING THE MYALL CREEK

he 1838 Myall Creek Massacre is remembered for the THE MYALL CREEK MASSACRE EDITED BY JANE LYDON AND LYNDALL RYAN T brutality of the crime committed by white settlers old Stewart became fascinated by the against innocent Aboriginal men, women and children, but purely from experience and knowledge”. also because eleven of the twelve assassins were arrested (who introduced students to the enduring and brought to trial. Amid tremendous controversy, REMEMBERING MASSACRE seven were hanged. Myall Creek was not the last time the colonial administration sought to apply the law equally Western Australian landscape, and spent to Aboriginal people and settlers, but it was the last time forms and principles of Japanese Thanks to his process and the materials he perpetrators of a massacre were convicted and hanged. THE MYALL CREEK Edited by Jane Lydon and Lyndall Ryan Marking its 180th anniversary, this book brings together leading writers, historians and artists to explore the MASSACRE significance of one of the most horrifying events of his youth surrounded by the bush around Australian colonialism. Thoughtful and fearless, it challenges us to look at our history without flinching EDITED BY JANE LYDON Marking the 180th anniversary of the Myall

ceramics). Stewart travelled to Japan selects, his pots take on the earthy, muted AND LYNDALL RYAN as an act of remembrance and reconciliation. Kwinana, where his family had settled. in 1986 but, unlike many potters from colours of the local landscape from which FOREWORD BY AUNTY SUE BLACKLOCK AND JOHN BROWN Creek Massacre, this book brings together For a while it seemed science would be writers, historians and artists to explore the ABORIGINAL STUDIES / AUSTRALIAN HISTORY Australia, Europe and America at the time, they are made. A UNSW COMPANY significance of this stain on Australian history. the path he chose to follow – he attended did not undertake an apprenticeship there. Sustainability and sensitivity to the $$34.99 NewSouth Books UWA on a Commonwealth Scholarship Instead, he was increasingly drawn to environment are at the core of Stewart’s in the late 1960s – but it was when he making pots that reflected the experience practice. His wife Trish (who also works in THE ART OF PERSUASION of being in WA. clay and in design) has initiated a planting Susan Midalia As a result, he developed a working program on their property, so that all A heart-warming read that will appeal to lovers method by which his vessels – in both wood used in the firings is replaced; they of romance and literary fiction alike. Author and a material and aesthetic sense – are of plant about 100 trees annually. UWA alumna Susan Midalia taught English at the University for many years before retiring to Western Australia, with both his clay Travels to the Karijini National Park Il n’estbecome pas a encore full-time minuit writer and freelance editor. bodies and the components of his in the Pilbara and along the Gibb River $24.99 Fremantle Press glazes largely sourced from the local Road in the Kimberley have inspired his environment. Indeed there is minimal use latest body of work, a striking assembly SPINIFEX & SUNFLOWERS of any commercial or imported material of large-scale sculptural forms and Avan Judd Stallard in his pots. murals. The works capture key features of A realistic window into the hidden world of In 1993, Stewart also began the landscape, such as the sharp-edged immigration detention centres. Stallard (a UWA wood-firing at his property in York, using profiles of gorges and rock formations, law graduate who went on to study history) wood from trees native to Western and the rich, red earth of the North. A draws on his own experience as a former guard. $29.99 Fremantle Press Stewart Scambler, Sentinel Bottle Australia. It’s an arduous and labour- selection of these works will be shown # 1, 2, 3, 2017. Wood-fired stoneware, hand-blended clay from local intensive process he describes as a at his exhibition, Stewart Scambler: materials (York), dimensions variable. ‘commitment to a lifestyle’, one which Fragment, which opens at the Lawrence Stewart Scambler, Fragment I (detail of work in progress), 2017-2018. All books published by UWAP are available from the Lawrence Wilson © Stewart Scambler. involves chopping and stacking wood, Wilson Art Gallery on May 5 and runs until Wood-fired stoneware, hand-blended clay from local materials (York), Art Gallery shop, which also stocks a range of ceramics, glassware and Photograph: Stewart Scambler. dimensions variable. © Stewart Scambler. Photograph: Stewart Scambler. jewellery crafted by WA artists and designers. and monitoring the temperature and August 18. uwap.uwa.edu.au | lwgallery.uwa.edu.au/shop

28 | Uniview Uniview The University of Western Australia | 29 ARTS AND CULTURE ARTS AND CULTURE And for the young...

A VERY HUNGRY Sarah Pollard, an artist from advocacy organisation DADAA draws using virtual reality during a live performance. Below: Caine with the Honourable Kerry CATERPILLAR! Sanderson AC, Governor of Western Australia (left) and City of Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi (right) with his award for City of State Perth Community Citizen of the Year. of Access Art should be accessible to all, but for those with impaired senses that’s not always the case. Caine Chennatt talks about his mission to ensure everyone can enjoy the arts.

BY CAINE CHENNATT disabilities, the organisation has supported artists such as Imagine that you walk into an art gallery and it is pitch black. In Yasuyuki Ueno, who has since gone reality, the exhibition is dimly lit but as your friend sits next to you on to exhibit works at the Southbank to discuss it, you realise you can’t see what she’s seeing. You used Centre in London. It is not unlike DADAA, Between May and November, UWA’s Young “We program only the highest-quality work for children,” to visit exhibitions together regularly but over the past couple a Fremantle-based advocacy organisation for says Theatres Manager Rob Lines. “Thousands of parents People’s Performance Season will host a series of years your eyesight has deteriorated. Or imagine you can no disability in the arts, with whom we collaborate often. have discovered they can trust us to bring them wonderful, longer hear so well, and a performance you are watching at the Over the past two years we have worked alongside DADAA, of delightful and inspiring shows for children. entertaining and nourishing theatre that their children will theatre is not making very much sense. Alzheimer’s WA and Engineering Without Borders to run remember for the rest of their lives. Best of all, we build a New Owner It is scenarios such as these that led me to apply for a Churchill tactile, verbal-description and sign-language tours, as well as a It all starts with the Helpmann-nominated in May, whole program of participatory activities, so children have a Fellowship to research how we can make arts and cultural ‘hackathon’ for arts-disability technology. With UWA’s Makers lab, followed by dancing kangaroos, very hungry caterpillars and total experience throughout the day.” much more. The latest addition is Fringe hit The Little Hoo-Haa! organisations more inclusive to visitors whose abilities vary – we create 3D-printed ‘translations’ of paintings, which serve as at the Dolphin Theatre in July – improv comedy for kids! For more information and tickets, visit ticketsWA.com those with visual, hearing or speaking impairments, or who live tactile sensory proxies for the artwork. with Alzheimer’s or intellectual disabilities. Last December, the UWA Cultural Precinct ran the inaugural As I travelled through Korea, Japan, the US and Canada over Inclusive Arts Week as part of the UN Day for People with Disability, six weeks, the fellowship gave me a cross-cultural and contextual featuring artworks co-created by vision-impaired producers, and view of the state of arts accessibility and inclusion internationally. presentations highlighting ways to improve access. In partnership Increasingly, many arts organisations do not have the with DADAA’s Mixed Reality program, artists Sarah Pollard and Getting your WINTER on resources to appoint someone whose responsibility it is to ensure Liam Hubbard (both living with autism) performed a live drawing their programs are accessible, and that their institutions are session in virtual reality. arts inclusive in the first place. Perhaps we don’t have to give up our engagement with art, and BY PIER LEACH the Berndt Museum, UWA For adults, UWA There is an alternative approach, one that draws on the the stimulation and joy it provides, if our sensory and intellectual Publishing and UWA Extension Publishing is hosting two leadership of every staff member within an organisation, capacities change. Even if the details escape us, as one dementia Each July, during the semester – to give everyone a chance to workshops with Dustfall regardless of roles or duties, to do what they can with the program participant commented: “I won’t remember what you said, break, the UWA campus participate in campus life. author Michelle Johnston available resources to make their environment more inclusive. but I’ll remember how you made me feel.” empties of students and fills This year there is a (see Recommended Reading) This ‘collective impact’ approach might bring together a diverse Caine Chennatt is the Manager of Audience Development with a different kind of life, dedicated school-holiday for aspiring and practising group of people from within the arts sector and from fields such flinging open its doors to the program of art-making writers. There will also be at UWA’s Cultural Precinct. In January, he was named City of as engineering or business, for example. wider community for a series of activities at the Gallery, fun campus tours of St George’s Perth Community Citizen of the Year for his access and inclusion exciting arts activities. and informative children’s College and the new Forrest I met one such person in the US. Sina Bahram is a computer work at UWA’s Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery. His work to create WINTERarts2018 is a geology workshops, music Hall, talks and exhibition engineer based in Philadelphia who creates accessible museum tactile copies of art through 3D technology has also broken program devised by UWA’s workshops and a week of tours at the Gallery, night technology, such as tactile interactive displays. His Coyote Project down accessibility barriers. provides a platform for anyone to write and record descriptions of many arts and cultural agencies Chinese art and cultural photography workshops, To view the full Churchill Fellowship report, activities at the Claremont and a special dinner at artworks, which can later be played back to someone who is blind – including the Lawrence Wilson visit churchilltrust.com.au Art Gallery, the Conservatorium campus. Sydney’s Monkey the University Club during or visually impaired, aiding their understanding of the work. Caine’s recent lecture on inclusive arts can be found at of Music, the Confucius Baa Theatre will also perform which UWA’s Chief Cultural In a small town near Osaka, I spoke with Takako Shiraiwa, http://bit.ly/LWAGallery Institute, UWA Theatres, the Josephine Wants to Dance, Officer, Professor Ted Snell, with the help of a translator. Nearly 30 years ago, Takako founded Earth Science Museum, the adapted from the book by will tell revealing stories of Atelier Corners as an outsider art collective for children with To get involved with access initiatives, visit acaconsortium.org Institute of Advanced Studies, Jackie French and Bruce Whatley. art-world scandals. intellectual disabilities. Now an advocacy group for those with For upcoming accessible events at UWA, go to lwag.uwa.edu.au

30 | Uniview Uniview The University of Western Australia | 31 7 THINGS CONVOCATION

7 things you didn’t From the Warden of Convocation know about... Recognised by the Australian Financial Review and Westpac as one of Australia’s 100 Most Influential Women, Beth Shaw Elizabeth holds a number of roles in the corporate and non-profit sectors that enable her to drive meaningful change. Dr Doug McGhie Beth is an Associate Director at KPMG, advising organisations on people, change, Shaw One of the advantages of being Warden is the occasional invitation to a special function and I culture, diversity and inclusion. She’s worked to advance gender equality in retail and recently had the privilege of experiencing Julia Hales’ excellent performance of You Know We resources, as well as in the police, government and sport. Belong Together at the Perth Festival. She is the Deputy Chair of Inclusion WA and has just stepped down from her role as the President of UN Women Australia, the national committee representing the A mix of video, dance and song, Julia’s show was billed as ‘a deeply personal story of love centred on her experiences as a daughter, United Nations’ gender-equality agency. She was the youngest woman ever to hold actor, dreamer and person with Down syndrome’, and it really was outstanding. this role and the first from WA. Julia’s dad Peter and I played footy for University Football Club many years ago and after the performance we marvelled together at Julia (and rather less so at the fading memories of our endeavours on the field). The friendship of 50 years was easy and strong and FAVOURITE THING TO DO policing, retail, resources and firefighting! made me appreciate the meaning of the show’s title, You Know We Belong Together. OUTSIDE OF WORK? But I have a strong commitment to Travelling. There is no greater feeling or equality, so perhaps working for the CONVOCATION DAY RENUNION OF PAST TRAVEL University. You know we privilege than waking up in a new place Human Rights Commission? Never was this saying more apt than on AWARD WINNERS belong together! 1and being able to set out and explore Convocation Day when the close working Convocation Day also provided the For more information on Convocation, visit our website at new sights, people, food and experiences. THE THING YOU’D BE relationship between the Student Guild, perfect chance to celebrate past winners SURPRISED TO KNOW the University and Convocation was of the Convocation Postgraduate convocation.uwa.edu.au FIRST EVER JOB? ABOUT ME. on public display, celebrating the first Research Travel Awards, which have I moved to Perth from Melbourne when meeting of the Convocation Council 105 supported 300 UWA researchers in My first proper job was as a telephone I was 20. I fell in love with Perth (and years ago. travels that have enhanced their research interviewer for a market-research 6 the UWA campus) when I came here Student Guild President Megan programs. Many of them have risen to company. These days, I still call people on holiday and think it is an incredibly Lee was on hand to plant a tree, a senior academic positions in Australia 2at dinner time and ask them a series of special place to live. I now spend my custom started a few years ago by my and overseas, and one of the past winners, personal questions, but I no longer get time convincing family and friends from predecessor, Adjunct Professor Warren Professor Richard Harper, spoke most paid for it. interstate and overseas to visit WA! Kerr AM. This year’s tree is the first in a positively of his experience on their behalf. series to be planted that will extend along Captio AND FINALLY IN MY MUSIC COLLECTION… TWO MOMENTS IN MY Saw Promenade and James Oval, creating I wish I could say something more hipster LIFE I’LL ABSOLUTELY a shady avenue. I'd like to welcome all Convocation or obscure, but I am a pop-music tragic. NEVER FORGET. Consideration is being given to what Council members, some new and some Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran and A happy life/travel moment was working to call this avenue, with Convocation returning. Convocation is unique to UWA 3Lorde are all on high rotation, much and the Council members have much Deputy Warden Dr Joan Pope OAM, in New York City when Barack Obama was Walk a frontrunner. It would be the first Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Community and to my husband’s chagrin. 7 to give in terms of knowledge and skills. elected President. I remember walking time a location or structure on campus Engagement) Professor Kent Anderson Every UWA graduate is a lifelong member home through Times Square at 4am and has been named after Convocation, and I were joined on Convocation Day of Convocation, meaning they are able by Convocation Postgraduate Research IF I COULD INVITE ANY the streets were still full of people singing, which has a membership of more than Travel Award winners from various years. to have an enduring relationship with the THREE PEOPLE IN THE dancing, laughing and crying tears of joy. It 130,000 graduates. WORLD TO DINNER… seemed like anything was possible. I reckon Hillary Clinton, Mindy Kaling and 4Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and I would A memorable moment from a job/ get through a few bottles. personal development perspective was being tapped on the shoulder to be IF I WASN’T A MANAGEMENT President of UN Women Australia. I had CONSULTANT, I WOULD BE… never thought it possible, and it taught I have already changed career three me two things. First, have the confidence times, starting out as a lawyer, then to back yourself and the courage to know 5leading a national NGO and now working that even if you don’t know how to do it all as a management consultant. I love the yet, you are smart enough and will work incredible variety in consulting. During hard enough to figure it out. Second, the my time with KPMG, I have worked across importance of sponsoring and advocating government, non-profit and corporate for others, and the role we can all play in I leave the hard work to Guild President clients, in areas as diverse as sport, connecting people with opportunities. Megan Lee and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Community and Engagement) Belonging together: an enthusiastic band of supporters at the Convocation Top to bottom: 1. At United Nations Headquarters, New York, 2017. 2. Modelling Mum’s haircut in kindergarten, 1988. 3. Alongside the Ambassador Professor Kent Anderson! Day tree-planting ceremony. for Women and Girls and the Minister for Women at the opening of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, 2017. 4. AFR/Westpac 100 Women Photography. Manny Tamayo Credit: Photo of Influence Awards, 2016. 5. Addressing members of Parliament at UN Women’s International Women’s Day Parliamentary Breakfast, 2015.

32 | Uniview Uniview The University of Western Australia | 33 In our family, however, leaving school was unthinkable. I had the impression my Date for the diary parents would have worked themselves to death rather that cut short our schooling. 50th Anniversary Luncheon for 1968 grads Convocation Elections 2018 We knew there was a family pact in play, Election for members of Convocation a fundamental understanding education Convocation is again organising its popular annual reunion luncheon for The Paparo children Council and member of Senate, in in 1966 before the was the key to our futures. those celebrating the 50th anniversary of their graduation from UWA. arrival of seventh accordance with statutes No 9 and The roses Dad bought for my mum The Convocation Council’s Events Committee arranges the function but sibling Fiona. Back No 12 of The University of Western had come from a nursery in Carmel, three would welcome volunteer assistance from among the 1968 cohort. If you are L-R: Cecilia, John, Australia Act 1911 Vince, Jim. Front L-R: miles from where we lived. It was run by interested in getting involved, please forward your name and phone number Margaret (holding her a Mr Melville, and Dad would always tell to Pauline Tremlett at [email protected] or (+61 8) 9384 4657, or to Following the 13 March 2018 deadline teddy bear) and Julie. us how the nursery owner had a degree Deputy Warden Joan Pope OAM at [email protected]. for receipt of voting papers, a ballot Inset: Ilario and his beloved wife Rosa. in agriculture from ‘the University’. That Efforts are being made to trace some lost graduates who are listed on the was conducted by CorpVote Pty Ltd, in was of course The University of Western Convocation website at: convocation.uwa.edu.au/50-reunion/2018-reunion. the presence of scrutineer. Australia, the only one in the state in If you can help can you please contact Pauline or Joan. Pursuant to section 71 of Statute those days. No 9, and clause 20 of Statute No 12, While I was growing up, the following candidates were officially Mr Melville was the only person I declared elected at the Autumn knew of with a degree, and Ilario Ordinary Meeting of Convocation. GRIEF AND GALLANTRY: said if you really wanted to be an THE CENTENARY OF ARMISTICE WARDEN OF CONVOCATION orchardist or market gardener you Dr Doug McGhie (one-year term) had to get a university education The UWA Historical Deputy Warden of Convocation DEPUTY WARDEN first, just like Mr Melville did. Society, along with Dr Joan Pope OAM says those involved Dr Joan Pope OAM (one-year term) From a humble rose garden Decades later, I learnt that the University, are making several amendments and COUNCIL OF CONVOCATION Pythagoras had spent a significant Convocation, the corrections to the board. “If there’s Ms Devon Cuneo (three-year term) When Vince Paparo’s father Their plan was to use period of his life in the Caulonia area of Honour Roll Student Guild and anyone whose family might be so Emeritus Professor Jenny Gregory AM planted roses at his family the rich Carmel soil to grow fruit and Calabria where Dad was born (although student Ivor other interested affected it would be appreciated if (three-year term) vegetables for market. Tomatoes, more than 2000 years earlier). Plato, too, Bevan Rhys, killed groups, is planning you could let me know via email Mr Graham Harmsworth home, he was doing more potatoes, brussels sprouts, cauliflowers, spent years among the olive groves of in 1918 on the Western Front. a number of events ([email protected]) as (three-year term) than growing flowers – he was beans and peas were all grown with what is now southern Italy. I don’t know to commemorate the soon as possible. Dr Raj Kurup (three-year term) also cultivating his children’s varying success, the vagaries of weather, whether Dad knew about Pythagoras or centenary of Armistice “We’re keen to have this completed Mr James Paparo (three-year term) love of education. pests and markets all taking their Plato, but I do know that when he spoke Day, which marked the cessation by the centenary of the Armistice this Dr Fran Pesich (three-year term) toll. Many of the orchards and market of Mr Melville and the idea of learning, of hostilities in World War I on 11 November, which falls on a Sunday.” Mr Ric Stern (three-year term) gardens in Carmel and the wider Bickley it was with a reverence both would BY VINCE PAPARO November 1918. The work will be complemented by MEMBER OF SENATE Valley area were owned and run by have applauded. He had a conviction Historical Society President Dr Fran an exhibition of historic photographs to Mr Simon Dawkins (three-year term) Italian migrants, and most children were that developing the mind, learning new Pesich says there are plans to create an be displayed in the Colonnade Gallery at The time was circa 1960 and the place required to join the family business by things and reflecting on ideas was vitally enduring outdoor pavement memorial the University Club. was at the end of Union Road, Carmel, the time they reached second year at important to human existence, and that at Whitfeld Court on the Perth campus, Also planned is a special Honour Board, or who served during the where I lived for the first 16 years of high school, to help make ends meet and even the children of Italian peasants to honour UWA staff members, students commemoration event for the day of Great War in any other capacity, please my life. My dad, Ilario, had just planted hopefully make their fortune. could aspire to that. and graduates who served their country November 11. If you are a relative, or leave your name and contact details some roses for my mum, Rosa Maria. I in the Great War, some of whom know of the relative of any of those with Dr Pesich at the UWA Historical was quite young but I remember how never returned. whose names are on the Great War Society, [email protected] excited he was. Roses for Rosa. “There’s currently no memorial at Ilario and Rosa Maria married young: UWA and we’re calling on members Ilario was in his early twenties, Rosa just and friends to help us raise the funds 16. Both came to Australia as children needed to have it installed,” says Dr from impoverished towns in Calabria, Pesich. “More information is available southern Italy, just before the outbreak on our website, uwa.edu.au/uwahs, and of World War II. They built a good life we’d gratefully accept all donations.” on Union Road, in a small wooden house on 10 acres of land, and had There are also plans to update and The Paparo children in 1988. Fiona lost her own battle with cancer and repair the University’s Great War Honour seven children. passed away in 1995 at the age of 27. Board, which dates from 1920 when UWA Executives at the Convocation Autumn Ordinary Meeting. L-R: Deputy UWA was based in Irwin Street, Perth. Vice-Chancellor (Community and Engagement) Professor Kent Anderson, Dr Joan Pope OAM, Dr Doug McGhie, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater, Senior Deputy EDITOR’S NOTE: As it turns out, Vince Paparo did obtain a degree from UWA, the first of the seven children in his family to More recently it has been located on the Vice-Chancellor Simon Biggs, Adjunct Professor Warren Kerr AM, retiring Senate do so – an amazing tribute to their parents. “We were an eclectic lot, too: medicine, law, arts, economics, science and wall of the former Visitor’s Centre. member Hilary Silbert and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor David Sadler. mathematics,” Vince says. “At the age of 57, Ilario lost a desperate fight against cancer. However he died knowing that the importance of education had well and truly taken root in his family, and that the ideas he and Rosa had planted in the rich Carmel soil were flourishing.” Convocation Spring Ordinary Meeting for 2018 Our records show that George Frederick Melville completed a BSc (Ag) in 1936 and a MSc (Ag) in 1939. All UWA graduates and other members of Convocation are invited to attend the Spring Ordinary Meeting in the Banquet While the original ‘Mr Melville’, who had six children of his own, is deceased, Uniview managed to track down his grandson Hall of the University Club of Western Australia, on Friday 21 September 2018, at 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start. Robert Melville who is keeping history alive and runs a third-generation rose farm, Melville’s Rose n Garden, in the Perth Hills.

34 | Uniview Uniview The University of Western Australia | 35 IN THE FRAME IN THE FRAME In the frame Never a dull moment for our alumni, staff and students, snapped at some of the many UWA events recently. Stay in touch or update your details at: [email protected]

UWA graduations.

Young Alumni Network at Perth Festival.

Convocation Awards Winner of the 2018 Convocation Medal UWA Archivist with Convocation Warden.

Pre-reception at UWA Conservatorium of Music’s performance of Not the Messiah.

Renewable Energy Project (REV) 10-year anniversary. Unstoppable Singapore Alumni Network event.

MBBS Class of 1987 30-year reunion.

EZONE UWA Student Hub ground-breaking ceremony. New Century Campaign closing gala.

36 | Uniview Uniview The University of Western Australia | 37 IN THE FRAME IN THE FRAME

International Women's Day breakfast.

Forrest Hall officially opens.

Australian Awards breakfast.

Pursue Inclusion – Act for Inclusion: our day of celebration and action.

MBBS Class of 1967 50-year reunion. UWA info session for prospective students. Formal installation ceremony for UWA's new Chancellor Mr Robert French.

38 | Uniview Uniview The University of Western Australia | 39 SPORT SPORT

UWA Blues recipients, c.1982.

Newly-crowned pole vault champion Nina Kennedy, right, with fellow Commonwealth Games athlete Liz Parnov. Worldwide search for Lost Blues Photo credit: The West Australian.

BY LOUIS HUMBERSTONE Since graduating, many Blues winners “In recent years, students awarded UWA Sport is on the hunt for its have gone on to careers in a diverse a Blue have gone on to achieve high BY LOUIS HUMBERSTONE UWA swimmers also rode on the The win gave her plenty to smile about, Lost Blues – alumni who were range of sectors, often keeping a close levels of representation in their sport, The 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth wave of Australian success, with at least having previously passed on her spot recognised for their sporting abilities connection to sport. continuing the theme of elite athletes Games proved a medal-fest for six one medal for each competitor. in what would become a world record- and contributions to the University Dr Rachel Harris’ connection with at UWA,” Mr Fitzpatrick says. “Tim competitors with links to UWA. Blair Evans became the first breaking 4x100m Australian team. and respective clubs, but who have UWA began when she joined the Uniswim Widdicombe represented Australia at UWA Athletics Club’s Nina Kennedy Australian to win a medal in the pool, UWA alumna Holly Barratt also since dropped off the radar. Learn to Swim Program at the age of the World Rowing Cup, while fellow and Liz Parnov were among the last when she finished the 400m individual found success in the pool, taking out According to UWA Sport General three. She would later win gold at the 2010 Blues recipient Monique Hollick athletes to compete, coming up against medley with bronze. She also competed silver in the 50m butterfly, finishing Manager Ian Fitzpatrick, many notable 1998 Commonwealth Games before swapped a career in athletics to play each other in the women’s pole vault. in the 200m individual medley, where she between Australians Cate Campbell Australian sports stars have received receiving her Full Blue in 1999. Dr Harris for Adelaide Crows in the inaugural Both women had enjoyed strong finished fifth in the final, a tight race in and Madeline Groves. The same night a Blue from UWA, with the awards also achieved Olympic status, swimming season of the AFLW. seasons leading up to the competition, which just a second separated her from also saw UWA-West Coast’s Zac Incerti recognised the world over. “They on home soil at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. “UWA Blues are one of our oldest and 21-year-old Nina continued a bronze-winner Aimee Wilmott. claiming bronze in the 50m backstroke include former Kookaburras player After graduating with a Bachelor of and most prestigious traditions and fantastic year by clearing every height Fellow UWA-West Coast swimmer behind Mitch Larkin and Benjamin Treffers. and coach Ric Charlesworth, who Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from we’re calling on Uniview readers to until 4.60m, finishing with a bronze Brianna Throssell also won bronze early Broome product Zac qualified fastest received his Full Blue in 1973, and UWA in 2008, she went on to work in help us keep the tradition alive for medal behind New Zealand’s Eliza on, sharing the podium for 100m butterfly for the semi-finals after winning his heat Commonwealth Games athlete Zoe a variety of roles as team doctor with generations to come.” McCartney and the new Games record- with two other Australians. The 22-year-old earlier on in the day. Timmers, who was awarded her Full Rowing Australia, the Women’s Ashes If you’re a Blues recipient and would holder Alysha Newman of Canada. then took her competition to the next level, For many of these competitors Blue in 2008,” he says. Team and, currently, Water Polo Australia. like to contribute stories, photographs, Meanwhile, Liz finished in equal fifth forming a part of the gold medal-winning, attention will now turn to two years of copies of certificates, or medals and place, sharing her 4.40m clearance with Commonwealth Games record-breaking training, with the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on biographies, please get in touch with England’s Molly Caudery. Australian 4x200m freestyle relay team. the horizon. UWA Sport at [email protected] Contributions will be used for upcoming events and featured on the new UWA Sport website. Packing her bags for Russia

ugh (UW BY LOUIS HUMBERSTONE 300 students between the ages of 20 en Clo A Athl teph etic t S s) a UWA student and Sports Council and 25, from 60 countries, and will have ien nd ip p ec re President Désirée Tan has been the theme 'Student sport: springboard r se es n u te l r selected to represent Australia at for innovative leadership'. B M 7 1 ic the International University Sports Désirée put her name forward 0 k 2 C o Federation (FISU) Forum later because she was keen to get the most ll is s this year. out of her term as Sports Council t a l k The Forum, organised by the 2019 President. “I want to provide the best While not originally from Australia,

a l l Winter Universiade Organising Committee support possible for UWA Sport Affiliate Désirée says it’s an honour to represent

t h

i n (OC) and the Russian Students Sport Clubs and gain knowledge I can pass on her adopted nation on the world stage.

g

s

Union (RSSU), is scheduled to take place to future presidents, and I believe that She is one of only two students from

s p

o in Krasnoyarsk from 6 to 10 August. can be achieved by extending my around the country to be selected for

r t The spirited UWA Hockey Team of 1942. . The event will involve approximately reach,” she says. the FISU Forum.

40 | Uniview Uniview The University of Western Australia | 41 GRAD BRIEFS GRAD BRIEFS

ANDREW MACK (BE 1996, GradDipLaw 2014, LLM 2017) Perth, WA 2000s Grad briefs Andrew is an Associate Director AMIR FARHAND (BSc 2001) at Talis Consultants, based in Perth, WA HARRY GROVER (BA 2001) Leederville, where he heads up the Amir is the CEO and Founder of Takor, SHARE YOUR STORY Singapore company’s environmental practice. a geospatial and mapping-technology If you’d like to be featured in Based in Singapore, Harry co-owns He has undergraduate qualifications company. His work mainly involves these pages, complete the form at and manages three cafés: 40 Hands, in environmental engineering and a blend of leadership, innovation alumni.uwa.edu.au/grad-briefs Common Man and Common Man postgraduate qualifications in law (all and strategic forward-thinking. He Stan. He is thankful UWA provided from UWA). He says these hold him in fondly remembers handing in a major him with the experience of working good stead for the work that he does, assignment to his lecturer, Dr Karl-Heinz autonomously and the skills to May 2018 which covers environmental impact Wyrwoll, late one Friday afternoon. “I manage his own time, because these assessment, approvals, contamination, was living in Willetton at the time and 1990s helped pave the way for being a small- strategic advice and expert-witness realised after a few minutes that I business owner. Looking back, he DANIEL MURPHY (GradDipSc 1992, work. He is also a Specialist Member was not going to make it in peak-hour says he feels amazed at the privilege PhD 1998) of the WA Development Assessment traffic,” he says. “So I called in a favour 1970s of attending lectures by people like Perth, WA Panels, and his diverse background from a mate with a boat and took a Professor Bosworth, a world expert on Professor Murphy, as Head of the allows him to work across a wide range dinghy across from Applecross. My Alexander the Great. Harry plans to be MALCOLM TRAILL (BA 1974) UWA School of Agriculture and of projects and industries with a large assignment was safe in a watertight more involved with the activities of the Albany, WA Environment, is part of a multinational number of different clients. bag; unfortunately I wasn’t. I rocked Singapore UWA alumni network and Since moving from Perth to Lowlands consortium for managing greenhouse up with minutes to spare, looking like a has offered to host a ‘welcome back near Albany in the early 1990s, Malcolm gases (GHGs) in Asia. The Action on piece of seaweed washed up on to Singapore’ event for graduating has carved out a career as Albany’s Emissions of GHGs for Integrated a beach!” students returning home. foremost public historian, first as Local Sustainability (AEGIS) consortium Amir is a proud supporter of various ANDY SIERAKOWSKI (BSc 1973, PhD 1976) Studies Librarian in the Albany Public brings together research, policy internships and prizes at UWA. He says Perth, WA Library and then as Programs Officer and outreach partners to address the quality of graduates is extremely DANNY MA (BCom, BE 2002) Andy completed his BSc and PhD at at the Museum of the Great Southern. multi-scale science discovery and high, “...many of the students we bring Perth, WA UWA and carried out postdoctoral Inspired by UWA history teachers and innovation, evidence-based policy in (to Takor) end up staying on in some Danny is in business development at work overseas before deciding to take Reid Library staff, he now tutors several development, training networks and capacity or another.” Sapura Energy. He says UWA not only up a research position in industry back undergraduate history units at the UWA stewardship of collective knowledge. helped him find a pathway to a great in Australia. Albany campus and is a committee A recent AEGIS workshop was Above: Andrew Mack at his recent Master of career, it was also the place he met Currently, Andy is Chairman of the Laws graduation with parents: Linda and his life partner. At his first Engineering member of the Friends of UWA Albany. organised by UWA, the Rice Adjunct Associate Professor Peter Mack. international committee of International He is also Chair and founder of Creative Department in Thailand and the lecture, love bloomed! “I obviously will Technology Transfer Network China as Albany, a key group in the flourishing Food and Agriculture Organisation never forget that day,” he says. “We well as working on APEC projects in the cultural life of the Great Southern. (FAO) of the United Nations, with became friends for four years, and then Asia-Pacific region. Alongside being a UWA alumni part of the planning. dated for one. On the evening before director of his own investment entity, my graduation ceremony, I proposed Levey Rise Investments Pty Ltd, he and she said yes. We got married a few mentors young people seeking careers in 1980s years later, have had two awesome science and technology transfer. children and have just celebrated our 13th anniversary.” Danny believes all students deserve the chance to HILARY LAU (LLB, BCom 1999) experience UWA like he did. He made Hong Kong his first donation to UWA Alumni Hilary is currently living in Hong Scholarships in 2010 and has been Kong and is a partner at Herbert giving annually from 2012. MARIA FIFIELD (BA 1986, LLB 2003) Smith Freehills Law Firm. He fondly Perth, WA remembers his first lecture at the Law Maria opened the Alternative Dispute School and felt honoured to be a UWA student. Resolution (ADR) Centre in November. Above: Professor Murphy with alumni; The first of its kind in WA, it promotes Fadly Yusran (PhD 2006), Professor and alternatives to the Court for conflict Head of Soil Science, Lambung Mangkurat University, Kota Banjarmasin, Kalimantan resolutions. The Hon. Chief Justice Selatan, Indonesia; and Suman George Wayne Martin AC (LLB 1974) attended (PhD 2005). the official opening and UWA Associate SHARE YOUR CAREER STORY Professor Jill Howieson (PhD 2009) was Help students envision their the keynote speaker on the night. Calling all Currie Hall alumni! future by sharing the story of your Did you reside at Currie Hall (now UniHall) in the late 1960s and own career journey. Please go to Above: Maria Fifield (R) with the 1970s? If so, we would love to reconnect with you. Contact former Hon. Chief Justice Wayne Martin AC. alumni.uwa.edu.au/grad-briefs residents at [email protected].

42 | Uniview Stay in touch or update your details at: [email protected] Uniview The University of Western Australia | 43 GRAD BRIEFS GRAD BRIEFS

Lee in 2009. Each year, a team of plastic and maxillofacial surgeons, anaesthetists, FAMILY CONNECTIONS dentists, speech therapists and nurses Australia travel to Hainan, China to treat patients The University recently hosted a Ashley with cleft lip and palate problems, as well special visitor to campus: Kendall, great-great-grandson of Sir Day Honours STEVE BONNY (BCom 2004, MBA 2010) DANTE GIACOMIN (MNursSc 2012) as teaching local clinicians the skills to John Winthrop Hackett through his Fifteen graduates and two Heidelberg, Germany Perth, WA continue the care of these patients. eldest child, Dr Verna Kendall. staff members from UWA Steve spent a day recently talking to After completing a Master of Ashley and fiancée Hannah stopped have been recognised in prospective students in Germany about Nursing Science, Mr Giacomin is off in Perth on a whirlwind visit as this year’s Australia Day Perth and the UWA experience. The now a shift coordinator on an acute part of a 12-month trip from the UK. Honours list. students loved talking to Steve and ward at the mental health unit of They were treated to a legendary Olympic gold medallist and getting a first-hand report on what Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Last ‘Terry Tour’ by former Visitor’s Centre former Hockeyroo Rechelle it’s like to study here and be based in December, he graduated with a manager Terry Larder, during which Hawkes (GradDipMktg 1998), Western Australia. second degree from the University of they learned the impact of Sir John’s who was awarded a Medal of Sydney after two-and-a-half years of legacy, took in the Hackett Memorial the Order of Australia (OAM) in Above: Steve Bonny (R) with Thomas juggling full-time shift work and jetting Sandholt Lund (BA 2017) (L), UWA’s Buildings, and viewed the family 1989, was appointed a Member between Perth and Sydney every few Regional Manager Europe. portraits hanging in the Senate of the Order of Australia months for intensive classes. Ashley Kendall with his fiancée, Hannah and Chancellor rooms within Whalley, outside Winthrop Hall. (AM) for “significant services Winthrop Hall. to hockey, particularly as SALLY FORBES (BA 2012) Ashley was born in Chester, national captain of multiple 2010s by the British Academy of Film and Albany, WA UK, and now lives in London. He is tournament-winning teams, KATHARINE GRAHAM (BCom 2010) profoundly deaf and dedicated to Television Arts (BAFTA) in 2014 for his and as a role model and Vejle, Denmark Sally is the Regional Landcare Facilitator breaking down barriers between work on the UK TV programme Magic commentator”. From a small town called Vejle in at South Coast Natural Resource hearing and non-hearing children. Hands, which translates poetry into UWA graduates David Jutland, Denmark, Katharine Graham Management. Sally’s memories of the He was named a Breakthrough Brit British Sign Language. Coventry (PhD 1976), Adjunct writes of the beauty of the area. “It Albany campus are of respect and Professor at Adelaide used to have a lot of cotton mills so companionship. She remembers small University, and Professor Hugh there are many nice old buildings class sizes, which enabled everyone, Above: (L-R) Rebecca Penco (BSc 2012 DMD 2017), Richard Cheng (BE 1986), Yael Davies (BSc 1956, MSc 1964), and it is surrounded by forests.” She including the lecturers, to get to know each other. Now, she volunteers and Friedland (BSc 2013, BMedSc 2014, MD 2017), from The University of Papua moved there a year ago when offered Professor ST Lee, Joshua Cheng, Dr Jia Tin New Guinea, were among 895 a job as Global Category Manager for shares her story with high-school Lao, Dr Li Fuan. Australians to be recognised Innovation at LEGO. “It sounded like an students in the Albany area, as well with an Officer of the Order of interesting role that was too good to as volunteering to support Australia (AO). turn down,” she says. “I’m interested in international students. Recipients of the Member product design, technology innovation of the Order of Australia and material innovation." She recalls (AM) included Michael Gurry loving her time at UWA’s Reid Library. (BSc 1970), Clinical Associate “It was a charming place to go and Professor Phillip House (MBBS work. At the end of each day, one of 1979), John Schaffer (BCom the library officers would play a special ANGEL CHEN (LLB, BCom 2015, BCom 1972), Roger Underwood (BSc instrumental over the PA. I can still Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater and Chancellor Robert French with (Hons) 2016) Hon Doc recipient Adrian Fini OAM (BCom 1983). 1964), Lawrence Wilson (BCom hear it now!” Perth, WA 1970), Dr Michael Philip, Dr Angel is a co-founder and Strategy Chief at Jennifer Rosevear (MMusEd Katharine Graham outside DrawHistory, a brand and digital agency AUTUMN GRADUATION HONORARY DOCTORATES 1997), Dr (Bob) Chin Huat Tan Lego's Denmark HQ. that amplifies the impact of changemakers. UWA’s graduation ceremonies were held in March, with two (MBBS 1975) and Dr Hugh REBECCA PENCO (BSc 2012, DMD 2017) In the past two years, DrawHistory has Tyndale-Biscoe (PhD 1963). honorary doctorates bestowed. YAEL FRIEDLAND (BSc 2013, BMedSc worked with more than 100 non-profit Recipients of the Medal of 2014, MD 2017) organisations. The amazing work Angel The achievements of highly respected Perth businessman and property developer the Order of Australia (OAM) Hainan, China and co-founder Jeffrey Effendi (LLB, BCom Adrian Fini OAM and internationally renowned music conductor Simone Young AM included Peter Cole (BJuris In November 2017, graduates Rebecca 2014) have carried out with DrawHistory were both celebrated. 1980, LLB 1981), Walter Ferrell Penco and Yael Friedland were invited to has led them to be named on the Forbes For more than 40 years Adrian Fini (BCom 1983) has driven significant urban (BA 1964; GradDipEd 1968), participate in the Hainan Smile Medical 30 under 30 list in Asia 2018 for media, transformation projects in Perth, revitalising the city and creating vibrant places and Nicholas Grifiths (LLB 1974), Mission by UWA alumnus Richard Cheng marketing and advertising. spaces that have been embraced by the community. He was at the centre of specialised James Savundra (MBBS 1993) (BE 1986). Angel remains engaged with the boutique developments such as Little Creatures in Fremantle and the Alex Hotel in and John Sherwood (BA 1967; In 1992 Richard's son Joshua, who UWA community through a range of Northbridge, as well as entire precincts such as Cathedral Square. GradDipEd 1968; MA 1979). was born with a bilateral cleft lip and initiatives. She says she is a true believer Simone Young’s wcareer in music saw her become both the youngest person and The Australian Fire Service palate, was operated on by Professor Lee that education is paramount to reducing the first female to be appointed as a resident conductor of the Australian Opera. As both Medal (AFSM), awarded for Seng Teik. Wanting others to experience inequalities in all communities and will be artistic director of the Hamburg State Opera and Music Director of the city’s Philharmonic outstanding service, went to the same standard of care his son a lifelong champion of the work UWA Orchestra – a dual role normally occupied by two people – she has bought music from Kelly Gillen (BSc 1976). received, Richard founded the Hainan seeks to do. the likes of Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Wagner, Strauss, Hindemith, Britten and Henze to Smile Medical Mission with Professor ST DCS214965891 audiences around the globe.

44 | Uniview Stay in touch or update your details at: [email protected] Uniview The University of Western Australia | 45 Legacy passes on a love of learning

Growing up in Byford during the Great Depression, Harry Leaver OAM had to leave school aged 14 to work on his family dairy farm. However his love of learning continued. Harry’s painstaking independent research into early WA explorers led to an OAM in 2009.

When he passed away at 95, Harry’s “I chose my double major in Physics To find out more please contact vision was to pass on his love of learning and Environmental Science because our Bequest team at to future generations of country students of my passion for exploring the [email protected] and support their university education, Universe and how everything within or by phone on 08 6488 8537 which he had to forego. it works – much like Harry.” UniPrint 149397 “Receiving the generous Harry Leaver If you would like scholarship has made me so thankful for the people in my life,” scholarship to give the gift of recipient Gillian Altham said. “I have been learning, consider given opportunities that many rural students such as Harry never had.” UWA in your will. 00126G Code: Provider CRICOS