Univiewvol.40, AUTUMN 2018
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UniviewVOL.40,VOL.40, AUTUMN SUMMER 2018 2018 THE MAGAZINE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA M GoingLI to the endsI ofT the earth LES to make changeS 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”.