FOR ALUMNI AND COMMUNITY SUMMER 2013

In this issue: The spirit of sport at UQ Best of the best: Alumni Awards 2013 Spotlight on UQ in Indonesia CONTACT

CONTACT is produced by the Office of Marketing and Communications and UQ Advancement, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia 10 Leaps and bounds Telephone: +61 (0)7 3346 7886 Email: [email protected] Since UQ’s earliest beginnings, uq.edu.au/uqcontact sport has played an integral role Advertising: Tina Hannan in University life. Email: [email protected]

Editorial Board: Shane Rodgers (Chair) – Director, Marketing and Communications, Brisbane Marketing Graham Bethune – Director, Office of Marketing and Communications Colleen Clur – Director, Compass Communications Group Doctor John Desmarchelier AM ED – Former General Manager, Sugar Terminals Limited Clare Pullar – Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Advancement)

Editors: Prue McMillan and Heather Watson

Project coordinator: Stacey Outram

Design: Craig Oddy and Paul Thomas

Contributors: Nicole Cowan, JP Crawford, Karen Gillow, Shirley Glaister, Michele Helmrich, Susan Hornbeck, Bruce Ibsen, Melissa Jeffreys, Fiona Kennedy, Kathryn Kerswell, Madonna King, Hayley King’s College during their win against St Leo’s at the 2013 King’s versus St Leo’s rugby match. Lees, Trent Leggatt, Samantha Littley, Professor Phil Long, Jessica Marshallsay, Sarah McCormack, Laurie McNeice, Dr Dean Moss, Professor Hugh Possingham, Ingrid Rubie, Mark Schroder, Matthew Taylor, + regulars + contact app Gina Wheatcroft, Lesley Whitteker Material in this publication does not necessarily reflect the policies of UPDATE The University of Queensland. 06 Director of Alumni and Community Relations Gina CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Please telephone: +61 (0)7 3346 3900 Wheatcroft discusses the “you” Facsimile: +61 (0)7 3346 3901 in UQ. Email: [email protected] Printing: DAI Rubicon IMPACT This product is printed on PEFC 35 Prominent energy expert paper from sustainably managed Professor Eric McFarland to lead forests and controlled sources the Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation. © Copyright The University of Queensland 2013 Books 42 A snapshot of Professor Ian Frazer’s COVER IMAGE: biography, The man who saved a Free iPad and Competitors in the 2012 Great Court million lives. inter-college relay (from left): Emilee Cherry (Women’s College), Emily Kraut Android Apps Remember When (Duchesne College), Simone Werndly available now – (St John’s College) and Kara Hoopman 43 Contact reflects on 100 years of (Grace College). graduations at UQ. See page 4 for details + features

20 26 38 40 UQ’s Best of Conserving Book of A learning THE Best our future treasures revolution Fifteen recipients were Professor Hugh Brimming with the names Having recently joined the recognised for their Possingham discusses of hundreds of alumni, prestigious edX consortium, achievements at the 2013 the economics of saving The Book of Student UQ will begin offering Courting the Greats alumni Australia’s unique Benefactors is a cherished Massive Open Online awards ceremony. biodiversity. University record. Courses from March 2014.

UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 3 Letters to the editor

oth Ken (Taylor) and I Dr Paul Eliadis “Art captures Breally enjoyed the profile that appeared in the Winter the eternal in the 2013 issue of Contact. The photograph of us with the two everyday, and it current UQ students on page 9 was also a treat. is the eternal that It seems like yesterday that we were in Australia, although feeds the soul – the we have been to Mexico, s an evening student whole world in a California, Afrom 1957 to 1962 (like Cannes, many teachers), I owe a debt grain of sand.” Versailles, of gratitude to Professor Keith Paris and Leopold (former head of the Thomas Moore Banff Department of German). The since. UQ department in the 1950s have just read the article mythology. As Thomas Moore is certainly was small in comparison to I“ A Man of Many Passions” says in his book Care of the doing a some; however, its academic in Contact [Winter 2013]. Soul, “Art captures the eternal wonderful influence far succeeded its Although my family and I in the everyday, and it is the job in its Global Outreach size, thanks to the inspiring won’t benefit directly from his eternal that feeds the soul Programme. We have seen and untiring enthusiasm of its munificence in funding a Chair – the whole world in a grain signs of it wherever we go. leader – and to lecturers like in Classics, I believe it is just of sand.” The world of the Congratulations! Dr Gunther Bonnin (Reader in what a “real” university needs. classics is eternal and uplifting German) and other colleagues. Dr Pat Taylor I have benefited – a far cry from choosing your immensely from the study vocation according to the Bachelor of Science (First Class Doug Godwin Honours) – ’54 (Bachelor of Arts) – ’63 of literature at university and salary posted on Seek. Latin at my secondary school. Do pass on my The advantages are not to be congratulations to the counted in terms of learning department and Dr Eliadis s a former graduate from the meaning of prefixes or himself. Gatton campus, I still A suffixes or expanding my Pax vobiscum! receive Contact, and enjoy vocabulary or teaching me reading the achievements of the rudiments of Roman Heather Jones alumni making a difference. I read in a recent copy of the magazine about the work being trialled by Professor Kendall We appreciate your feedback – if you have a letter for with the Nanopatch in Port tasks facing us is vaccinating the editor, please email the Contact editorial team at Moresby General Hospital children and women in remote [email protected] or write to us at: [Winter 2013]. locations and I wondered if Office of Marketing and Communications, As CEO of Ok Tedi Professor Kendall’s Nanopatch Development Foundation, we could be utilised? Level 7 JD Story Building, St Lucia Campus, have just facilitated a large-scale The University of Queensland, QLD 4072 primary health program in the Ian Middleton Middle and South Fly Districts Associate Diploma of Applied For Privacy Policy details, please visit: http://ppl.app. of Western Province, Papua Science (Farm Management) – ’90 uq.edu.au/content/1.60.02-privacy-management New Guinea. One of the biggest www.otdfpng.org

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4 UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 Mess age from the chancellErY

S hare your stories

hen people ask me about So, more than 30 years after the the most satisfying highlights University began its annual alumni awards, in a President and Vice- we have added new categories in an effort to Chancellor’s year, it is not easy more accurately represent the areas where toW nominate favourites. our graduates use their UQ Advantage to Graduation ceremonies are hard to beat, make a difference. as they are a chance to witness students As you will see from the brief biographies crossing the threshold between academic in this edition of Contact, the 15 recipients achievement and career and personal success. contribute to tackling issues such as Rivalling these moments are my childhood AIDS, cancer, youth substance interactions with former students who have abuse, Indigenous educational disadvantage, progressed months, years or decades nature conservation, gender inequality and down the track since graduation – whose Indigenous health issues. They also enrich contributions to society help validate the individual and community lives through the purpose of an excellent university such as UQ. arts, through motivating others to lead – and Many of them have recorded conspicuous much more. professional success, but many more are Collectively, their stories are a window quiet achievers, perhaps taking the to our global network of 205,000-plus counsel of Albert Einstein, who said graduates, which includes many visionaries words to the effect that “the value who create opportunities for current and of a person resides in what they future students, at the same time as they give, not in what they are help the wider community. capable of receiving”. As Chair of the awards selection panel, I In an ideal world, UQ was strongly impressed by the quality of the would put the names nominations – but I believe there are many of hundreds, if not others of similar calibre who have not yet thousands of alumni in come to our attention. neon lights, because Modesty and humility are admirable their actions not qualities that some of our awardees exhibit only benefit other in spades. However, it would be a shame if people, they these same qualities prevented students and also reflect alumni from gaining new role models. favourably That is why I am rallying the families, on UQ. friends and colleagues of UQ’s humble high-achievers to resist their protests and nominate them for future accolades. The nominators might be the catalysts for others to reach higher. I can assure you that outstanding alumni give pause for thought to people working at UQ, including senior staff. Stories of alumni impact help energise our ongoing quest for excellence. Our alumni give so much, we owe it to them to ensure that UQ’s calibre reflects merit on them. So alumni are part of UQ’s achievements, and when your institution rises within the top 100 of globally ranked universities – as we have done in recent months – alumni are entitled to be proud. No matter when you graduated, this university belongs to you, and you can have agency in delivering benefits to countless people locally, nationally and worldwide. Thank you.

Professor Peter Høj President and Vice-Chancellor

UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 5 update

THE “YOU” IN UQ

Director of Alumni and Community Relations Gina Wheatcroft discusses the importance of sharing your stories, successes and memories with UQ.

he University of Queensland prides and societies? If you have family members itself on not just being at the forefront “Do you have who are now studying at UQ, how is their Tof research and teaching, but also as experience different to when you were here? an institution that embraces inclusiveness. memories of your time In our next edition of Contact, we will I witnessed this first-hand during my be highlighting the effect World War I first year at UQ; a period that was filled with at UQ during times and subsequent conflicts had on UQ, its joyous alumni reunions, an engaging Global students and staff. If you have stories of Leadership Series program, the celebration of social upheaval your time at UQ during a time of war and of our alumni award winners, and visits by conflict, please contact us. international and interstate visitors. UQ is proud of the accomplishments of In addition to these events, the UQ or change?” our alumni and the impact they have had on community watched with pride as 8000 communities here in Australia and around the students, who now join our family of alumni, world. Please email us at contactmagazine@ reaped the rewards of their incredible hard Are you impacting the lives of people uq.edu.au with your submissions, or write work at their graduation ceremonies. overseas, or those who are in need closer to us at Alumni and Community Relations, Our alumni have demonstrated their to home? Has your life, or the lives of family Level 7 JD Story Building, The University of willingness to interact and engage with UQ, members or a friend, been touched by Queensland, QLD 4072. but we would really like to know more about research that was undertaken at UQ? We have an exciting program of alumni you, to hear your thoughts and tell others We are not only interested in what you events scheduled in 2014, so please make about your stories. are doing now, but also your experiences sure your contact details are up-to-date so Are you part of a family where several while you were on campus. you can receive all the latest news. You can generations have chosen UQ to study? Do you have memories of your time register your details on the alumni website Maybe your children are commencing their at UQ during times of social upheaval or at alumni.uq.edu.au degrees here? change? How were you involved with clubs We look forward to hearing from you.

Your reunion The first year of UQ’s reunion program has been a great success, with YouR UQ more than 500 alumni attending over 20 class reunions to celebrate their 20 to 50-year milestones. If you are interested in organising a Your global leaders reunion for your graduating class, the Alumni team can help you get started. Visit alumni.uq.edu.au/reunions to find out more. Hundreds of alumni and community members have had the opportunity this year to learn about the latest UQ research making an impact globally at the Global Leadership Series (GLS). From improving the reach of vaccines to the developing world, to the power of sport and more recently the future of food, all events have been well attended and have received very positive feedback. For a list of upcoming GLS events, visit alumni. uq.edu.au/global-leadership-series

Image: To come In July 2013, 31 Agricultural Science and Science (Forestry) alumni celebrated their 50-year reunion at Woodlands of Marburg and Gatton campus.

Your alumni benefits The value of being a part of the UQ alumni and community continues From left: Professor Lorraine Mazerolle, Dr Rebecca Wickes, Professor Mark Western and Dr Suzanna Ramirez from the Institute of Social Science Research with Chief to grow on campus too, with new deals and benefits listed on the Superintendent Alistair Dawson at the GLS event Strong, resilient communities. website. See alumni.uq.edu.au/alumni-benefits

6 UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 ExtenD Yourself

Improve your mind, body and spirit this summer at UQ Sport.

he benefits of exercise are far- Vinyasa Yoga is a dynamic style of yoga reaching. Apart from the obvious that emphasises breathing and awareness, Teffects on the body’s physical state, encourages detoxification, and assists exercise can improve mood, concentration in the development and maintenance and overall happiness. of suppleness, balance, strength and With UQ Community rates on offer for relaxation. Catering for beginners through to all alumni, why not take advantage of UQ experienced participants, Vinyasa Yoga will Sport’s wide range of sports facilities and leave you feeling calm and revitalised. classes this summer? From as little as $2 If this sounds a little too relaxed for you, a day, you can find yourself back on then Cardio Tennis is sure to get your blood campus, enjoying access to a three-level pumping. Combining a cardio workout with weights gym, cardio room, spin studio, the fun and excitement of playing tennis, pool, swim squads, tennis court hire Cardio Tennis is a fun group activity that (11am–2pm) and an Olympic-standard players of all levels can enjoy. running track. Ipswich and Gatton To find out more about what’s on offer campuses also offer a range of sporting for alumni, call +61 (0)7 3365 6612, go to facilities, including a fitness and aquatic uqsport.com.au/memberships, or visit centre, squash and tennis courts, and any of UQ Sport’s venues. numerous sporting clubs. A perfect start for anyone wanting to enjoy the rewards of a healthy lifestyle is UQ Sport’s group fitness program. With more than 60 classes to choose from, there is something for every age and level of fitness. Two of the most popular classes are Vinyasa Yoga and Cardio Tennis, which offer different yet equally valuable benefits.

UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 7 Wh at’s Happening on Campus

Hands on history for kids this summer

uring January 2014, the RD Milns Antiquities Museum will be running Da number of children’s workshops on Egyptian, Greek and Roman history as part of its Hands on History program. Running from Wednesday, 8 January to Friday, 17 January, the workshops will invite attendees to handle ancient objects and learn the secrets of the ancient world. To find out more, visit uq.edu.au/antiquities

Battle Against Ovarian Cancer

n Sunday, 23 February 2014, the third annual Battle Against Ovarian Cancer event will kick-off to raise money for gynaecological cancer Oresearch. The Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer (QCGC) is a recognised centre of research within UQ’s School of Medicine, dedicated to giving every woman in Queensland the best chance of surviving gynaecological cancer. This exciting beach volleyball competition, held at five-time Olympic champion Natalie Cook’s Sandstorm Beach Club at Nathan, will help raise much-needed funds. For details on how to donate or to register a team, go to battleagainstovariancancer.org

Self in a networked age

UQ Art Museum is playing host to two with an eye to Australia’s colonial past. His important exhibitions of contemporary art Indigenous heritage informs his art, which during the summer break. challenges even as it beguiles. With an impressive $50,000 acquisitive Danie Mellor: Exotic Lies Sacred Ties prize, The University of Queensland National is the first large-scale exhibition to consider Artists’ Self-Portrait Prize is the museum’s Mellor’s contribution to contemporary flagship biennial exhibition. Focusing on Australian art, focusing on the past decade the prevalence of the self-image in today’s of his career. Showing until Sunday, 27 April networked age, this year’s prize remix. post. 2014, the exhibition will continue its tour connect. showcases the work of 38 artists to the TarraWarra Museum of Art, Victoria from across Australia who were invited to (10 May – 13 July 2014), and the Museum consider the self and how it is constructed and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory and received in contemporary culture. (MAGNT), Darwin (29 August – Displaying artworks in a range of media 16 November 2014). that defy traditional notions of portraiture, The UQ Art Museum is open daily from including the winning entry by Sydney-based 10am to 4pm. To find out more, visit artist Nell, SUMMER 2012, the exhibition is artmuseum.uq.edu.au on show until Sunday, 16 February 2014. A major survey of the work of renowned Nell contemporary artist Danie Mellor will be SUMMER (Stills) 2012 on display in the lower-level galleries from digital video, sound, duration 0:03:00, edition of 10 Videography: Tina Havelock Stevens Saturday, 18 January 2014. Mellor works Sound: Ingrid Powell in a range of styles and media, but always Courtesy of the artist and Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney

8 UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 Sally Bledsoe Justin Golding People Partner North, NAB Supply Chain Manager, QGC

WHY DO FUTURE LEADERS CHOOSE THE MBA RANKED NO. 1 IN AUSTRALIA?

Business credentials, cutting-edge research programs, award winning academics, industry ties and flexible learning opportunities. No wonder The Economist ranks our MBA Number 1 in Australia and Asia Pacific. Graduates like Justin and Sally also agree. Justin took the full-time option and gained valuable insights into latest thinking in diverse fields of management. He also enjoyed being constantly challenged throughout his study and the stimulating interchange of ideas with fellow students. The flexibility of part-time study, including some weekends, meant Sally could meet travel, professional and personal commitments, while gaining all the skills and inspiration she needed to advance into a new career. To find out more contact UQ Business School on 07 3346 8100, or email [email protected]

business.uq.edu.au

UOQ 1429_297x210 [P] Contact.indd 1 29/08/13 2:31 PM FEATURE

Leapsand Bounds

10 UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 Th e spirit of sport at UQ Much has changed since UQ’s early days, but the passion for sport remains strong.

ince UQ’s earliest beginnings, The first clubhouse built at St Lucia was sport has played an integral role Laying the the Tennis Club in 1956 which, according in university life. It was a key to current club Honorary Secretary Dr Doug consideration when deciding foundations Bergman, was largely due to the advocacy where the University’s main The University’s commitment to sport was of former Brisbane Lord Mayor Clem Jones Scampus would be located, with the Daily Mail evident from the start, with the Sports Union AO, the UQ Tennis Club President at the time. newspaper reporting that, “there is much to established shortly after the first students This clubhouse, together with the Rugby recommend the proposed site of St Lucia… commenced classes. The University’s first Club completed in 1978 and Cricket Club its spacious grass swards, so suitable for Chancellor, Sir William MacGregor, was established in 2002, remain key fixtures at St sports of all kinds, its broad flowing river, so appointed the Sports Union’s first patron, Lucia campus today. much better adapted for boating…” and Vice-Chancellor Reginald Heber Roe its Even before the St Lucia site was first president. purchased in 1926 thanks to a significant Back then, the University was based donation from Dr James O’Neil Mayne and in the former Governor’s residence, Old his sister Mary, sport was a priority for both Government House, and one of the key staff and students. challenges for the Sports Union was UQ welcomed its first students in finding suitable places to practise. With no 1911 and it was around this time that the dedicated facilities, football players were first clubs for rugby union, tennis, cricket, forced to play on the uneven surface of athletics, rowing, boxing and women’s the Domain (now part of the City Botanic hockey were formed; sports that are still Gardens) and use an old pigeon loft covered thriving more than 100 years later, along in hessian as their dressing shed. with newer activities such as beach The site for St Lucia campus was volleyball, rock climbing and handball. purchased in 1926, but it wasn’t until 1937, While much has changed since those after the Depression, that construction of early days, the passion for sport that the sporting fields and buildings began, with helped shape the University’s culture and classes commencing at St Lucia in 1949. spirit remains strong, thanks in part to the The Sports Union had a long list of long history of sporting rivalry between the requests for the new campus, including four University’s faculties and residential colleges. hockey fields, two football fields, 50 tennis UQ Sport CEO Bryan Pryde said sport courts, and a sports oval with a football field, was a key part of the university experience. running track, grandstand and parking space. “Everyone knows the University’s Excavation commenced in 1937, and reputation for academic success, and Oval 1 (now named the Wep Harris Oval) another part of UQ is sport,” he said. was the first playing field established at St “Students don’t leave university and talk Lucia campus, followed by Ovals 2 and about a particular lecture or an assignment 3. However, World War II severely curtailed they wrote; what they remember are those both development and sporting activities, extra-curricular moments. with most competitions suspended from “It rounds out the university experience.” 1942 to 1946.

Clockwise from top: The University of Queensland Intervarsity Boat Race Crew in 1920 in Melbourne; softball players at St Lucia campus in 1962; construction of the sporting ovals at St Lucia campus in 1937; the St Lucia running track and Tennis Club today; and players from The University of Queensland and Queensland Combined School football clubs in 1917 at the Domain, now part of the City Botanic Gardens. Images courtesy of the Fryer Library and The University of Queensland Archives. Opposite page: UQ Athletics Club alumnus, UQ Blue and UQ Sport Life Member Tony Booth OAM (on the right) Bounds winning the Queensland 100-Yards Championship in 1949 ahead of Brian Butterfield.

UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 11 A university of champions

long with an early investment in sporting grounds and facilities, UQ has a long history of recognising sporting excellence. AThe first UQ Blues Awards were awarded in 1912, continuing the tradition that James Hanson and began in the 1800s during the intervarsity Bianca Hammett were challenges between Oxford and Cambridge named Sportsman and Sportswoman of the universities. Today, UQ continues to award Year at the 2013 UQ Blues for outstanding sporting achievement Sport Club and Sports at the annual UQ Blues Awards Dinner. Award Dinner. The University also presents awards for the most outstanding Sportsman and Sportswoman at the UQ Sport Club and Sports Award Dinner. In 2013, these (beach volleyball); were awarded to Bianca Hammett for her and John Eales contribution to synchronised swimming AM and James as part of the 2012 Olympic team, and to Horwill (Rugby Union James Hanson for his outstanding season Wallabies captains). with the UQ Rugby Club, Queensland Reds Perhaps even more and Australian Wallabies. impressive is that since Many well-known sports stars have the University began, almost 100 students London in 1948. This number is sure to rise studied at UQ, including Dr David Theile and alumni have competed in the Olympics in future, as UQ continues to support elite OAM, Kieren Perkins, Susie O’Neill and or Paralympics, beginning with silver athletes through its sporting scholarships Melanie Schlanger (swimming); Natalie Cook swimming medalist Nancy Welsh (Lyons) in program (see page 15).

A place to meet

lumnus Joe Clouston (Bachelor of pool, a retail area and new water filtration to Theile (Snr) won two consecutive Olympic Commerce ’76) started swimming ensure peak water quality. gold medals at the 1956 Melbourne and Aat the David Theile pool when it first What hasn’t changed is the community 1960 Rome Olympics for 100-metres opened at St Lucia campus in 1972. Forty atmosphere of the pool. Clouston recalls the backstroke. years on, he still swims there. time his son Bobby at age seven saw Olympian After his success in Rome, he returned “In the 70s, it was free to go to the Kieren Perkins at the pool and said to him, to the University to finish his medical degree pool, like most things back then,” Clouston “excuse me Mr Perkins, but this is my lane”. in 1962. (pictured above) said. “Everyone’s family here and that’s the way Theile went on to become a highly “There were eight lanes [now nine], no it’s always been,” Clouston said. successful surgeon and was District Chief lane ropes, and the pool wasn’t heated.” Over the years, a number of Olympic Executive Officer of the Brisbane Metro Today, the only element that remains athletes have swum at the pool, including South Health Service District, which of the old pool is the shell, after a $6.5 Hayley Lewis, Julie McDonald and alumni incorporates Princess Alexandra Hospital, million rebuild following the Brisbane flood Kieren Perkins, Susie O’Neill and Melanie until he retired in 2012. in 2011. Schlanger. The pool was named after the He is currently Chairman of Diamantina The rebuild included shady shelter areas, University’s first Olympic gold medalist, Dr Health Partners, an academic health science new change rooms, a café overlooking the David Theile OAM. centre in Queensland.

12 UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 Capoeira (a Brazilian martial art) is just one of Sdport to ay many activities on offer at UQ Sport. n contrast to the early days of the Many of these facilities have been University, today’s students, staff and supported by the generosity of UQ’s donors, alumni are spoilt for choice. who have also contributed to sporting The 114-hectare St Lucia campus scholarships and various club activities. Ifeatures many world-class sporting facilities, Staff and students are not the only including an athletic centre, 21 tennis courts, beneficiaries of these facilities, with alumni 10 sporting fields, a modern aquatic centre also eligible for UQ Sport discounts. with an Olympic-length pool, a three-level What hasn’t changed since those gymnasium and the multi-purpose indoor early days is students’ enthusiasm and UQ Centre. love of sport, with UQ one of the top three St Lucia campus also hosts the UQ Sport universities in the country in terms of student Academy, Queensland’s leading provider of participation in club, college or social sports. strength and conditioning services and coach And, with more than 30 sporting clubs, and athlete education programs. The academy 60 fitness classes a week, short courses, provides strength and conditioning to many social sports and inter-varsity competitions, Queensland sporting organisations, clubs and including the popular University Games, schools, and works with individual athletes to there is certainly plenty to choose from. help them reach their full athletic potential. To find out more about UQ Sport’s wide Those based at Gatton and Ipswich range of programs and facilities, visit campuses also have access to modern uqsport.com.au sporting facilities, including an indoor sports hall, gymnasium, tennis and squash courts. A recent addition to the Gatton campus is the state-of-the-art, $4.1 million Fitness and Contact acknowledges Ian Jobling and Rhonda Bushby’s Aquatic Centre, which features a 25-metre 1982 publication Seventy Years of Sport at Queensland year-round heated pool. University, which provided much of the content for this article.

UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 13 FEATURE

I nter-college rivalry reigns

College sport has a long and rich history dating back as far as 1914, three years after teaching began at the University.

he first competitions women’s regatta for the third were between the year in a row. earliest residential Other inter-college colleges, with King’s challenges include the King’s–St TCollege first to win football, Leo’s rugby match, King’s–St athletics and rifle shooting, and John’s basketball game, hockey St John’s College victors in and the annual swimming cricket and tennis. carnival. Since then, the strong Points are scored at each traditions and fierce rivalry sporting event, with the overall amongst current and past top men’s college winning the college residents have continued. Perpetual Men’s Old Collegian’s Each year, the 10 colleges Cup (currently King’s), and the compete at the prestigious overall women’s college winning annual rowing regatta, with the Inter-College Competition the winning colleges proudly Sport Shield (currently Women’s hanging their competitors’ oars College). in their respective residences. UQ Sport Director and In 2013, King’s College Vice-Chairman Richard Powell, The King’s College team who won the first University inter-college football competition won the men’s regatta, while who competed in two Olympics in 1913. Image courtesy of the Fryer Library. Women’s College won the as a rower, described the atmosphere of the inter-college Women’s College and King’s matches and regattas as College the current reigning “amazing”. champions. “It’s not unusual for up to The Great Court Race is 5000 people to come to the one of the University’s proudest annual King’s versus St Leo’s traditions. The 636-metre lap rugby match,” Powell said. of the Great Court was first run “Since there are around 2500 in 1984 to celebrate UQ’s 75th students currently residing at the anniversary, and is based on colleges, it shows the swell of the historic Cambridge race, as support from the college alumni depicted in the film Chariots community. of Fire. “Every year the traditions become stronger, deeper.” app • Download the UQ Another event steeped in Contact app to find out tradition is the Great Court more about the history Race inter-college relay, with of the Great Court Race. Women’s College hockey team (date unknown). Image courtesy of the Fryer Library.

St John’s College rowing team in 1936. Image courtesy of the Fryer Library. The Great Court Race is one of UQ’s proudest traditions and will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year.

14 UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 Sut ppor ing sporting success

hird-year Exercise and Sports UQ Sport offers 28 Sports Achievement Science student Brenden Hall Scholarships, also valued at $6000 (pictured right) has more than each, which are generously funded just study on his mind. by Alumni Friends of The University of THe is one of 70 UQ students training Queensland Inc., Saint Lucy Caffé e and competing as an elite athlete. Cucina, The University of Queensland Winning two gold medals and one Rugby Club, The University of Queensland bronze medal at the 2012 Paralympics for Australian Football Club, The University of freestyle swimming, Hall also holds world Queensland Hockey Club and UQ Sport. records in 400-metres, 800-metres and Scholarship holders receive financial 1500-metres freestyle in the S9 disability assistance and academic support, classification. including flexibility with assessment when On top of study, Hall trains for an they have sporting commitments. average of four to six hours every day. As an Elite Athlete Friendly University He said he appreciates the support he endorsed by both the Australian Institute gets from UQ to balance his studies with of Sport and Queensland Academy of the demands of elite-level sport. Sport, UQ has also provided academic, “I’m currently a Clem Jones Sporting nutritional and motivational support to Scholarship holder and the scholarship not many world-class athletes, including only helps me financially, but academically Wallabies, numerous national cricketers as well,” he said. and multiple Olympians. The Clem Jones Sporting Scholarships, For details on how you can contribute to valued at $6000 each, are generously the UQ Sporting Scholarship Program, funded by the Clem Jones Foundation. visit uqsport.com.au/scholarships UQ has amongst the highest number of sporting scholarship recipients and app • Download the UQ Contact app total available funds in Australia. As well to view a list of world-class as 10 Clem Jones Sporting Scholarships, athletes who have studied at UQ.

UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 15 The science of sport

From junior sport to elite athletics, UQ researchers are at the forefront of national research projects to improve Australia’s sports programs and performance.

I mproving junior sport Researchers from the School of Human important, because junior sport can do more Movement Studies have delivered vital harm than good if it’s not planned correctly.” research findings and recommendations to Rynne said another issue addressed the Australian Sports Commission’s Junior was the confusion between junior and Sport Framework, which assists sporting performance sport. organisations to develop positive sporting “Winning at a junior level does not necessarily experiences for young people. translate to winning at a senior level. Children Dr Steven Rynne said research had do best when they participate in a variety of shown that adults’ influence was a critical different sports, rather than specialising too component in the success of junior sport. early into specific positions or sports.” “We’ve found that it’s not only the sporting The research recommendations also clubs that influence junior sport, but every adult focused on ways to reduce the costs of that’s involved, including parents,” he said. junior sport, which Rynne said was more of “Getting all adults on board is really a barrier to participation than ever before.

Harnessing leg power Optimising leg power in elite athletes is the scientific recipe to optimise leg power, aim of a new three-year research study particularly on an individual and sport- being conducted by UQ’s biomechanics specific level,” he said. research group in partnership with the “What we’re aiming for are legs that Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). can produce more power and without Leg power refers to the explosive injury.” strength needed by athletes to perform Cresswell said the first stage of the fast, forceful movements in performance study would seek to understand leg sports that generally require high amounts power more generally, while the second of energy (e.g. rowing, cycling, swimming). stage would look at the leg power Lead investigator Professor Andrew required for specific sports and by Cresswell said little scientific research had athletes of different shapes and sizes. been done on the variables that optimise In addition to Cresswell, the research leg power in athletes. team includes Dr Glen Lichtwark, Dr “While various coaches have their own Dominic Farris and Scott Brennan from ‘hunches’, we still don’t know the precise UQ, and Dr Nick Brown from AIS.

Swell times for Indigenous youth Surfing, an iconic sport loved by many community and their peers. Australians, played a key role in a recent “This is especially important for youth who research project that looked at the impact of feel isolated and disconnected from others.” sport on Indigenous youth. However, Rynne said the research also The research, a joint venture between found that sport was not a cure for all social the School of Human Movement Studies, problems, and that positive effects took time the Australian Sports Commission and the to be revealed. Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, was “Sport can do some amazing things but conducted at various coastal regions across it doesn’t do them automatically. It needs Australia, with support from Surfing Australia. careful planning and the involvement of some Principal investigator Dr Steven Rynne said good people to make it happen,” he said. the research had found that surfing had a Rynne said the findings from the project strong alignment with Indigenous culture and were wide-ranging and would benefit not provided many positive benefits. only surfing but also other Indigenous “Surfing, and sport in general, has the sporting programs. capacity to bring people together,” he said. “It helps Indigenous participants connect To find out more about UQ’s sport with land and culture, and also to their research, visit hms.uq.edu.au

16 UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 Learnings from a legend

Success can be judged in many ways, but it would be hard to argue that alumnus and Australian rugby legend John Eales AM doesn’t belong at the top of its list.

eld in the highest esteem not only this day are people who I played with at the Do you think participating in university sport for his countless achievements club level, and there is a great affinity you feel leads to better engagement with the uni? on the sporting field but also in when you see them, even after a long absence. When a student first gets to university, it is business boardrooms and within Why is university sport so special? often the first time in their life that they are Hthe community, John Eales AM is an example truly making decisions for themselves and of how the qualities of toughness, leadership A sports club is a platform that promotes carving out their own pathway. When they and modesty are not mutually exclusive. equality. It does not matter whether you are choose to participate in university sports and After graduating from UQ with a Bachelor the star international player or the part-timer clubs, they are making that decision based of Arts with a double major in Psychology in who competes in fifth grade, there is the on their own wants and goals, rather than 1991 (where he represented the University sense that everyone belongs. University those of their parents. That is a significant in cricket), Eales became a household name sport is exactly like that, and that is one of moment in someone’s life. when he broke into the Australian Wallabies the most exciting things about participating. When you make the decision to be part of rugby union side the same year. that team, then you are also making the A Rugby World Cup winner in 1991 and choice to be an active part of the larger 1999, Eales represented his country in 86 tests, ‘‘ If you are physically university community. including 55 as captain. Other achievements included three Bledisloe Cups, two Tri-Nations, fit, healthy and active, Do you feel closer to UQ because you and a British and Irish Lions series victory. played sport here? As testament to his success, Eales was then it is going to give Definitely. Because of the people you made a Member of the Order of Australia interacted with on a regular basis, the bonds for services to the community and rugby in you enhanced results you shared, and everyone you met by being 1999, inducted into the Australian Institute of involved in the wider university community, Sport’s “Best of the Best” in 2001 and into you definitely feel closer. the International Rugby Board Hall of Fame elsewhere in your life, in 2007. Can university sports play a larger role in Success has also stayed with Eales in including your studies.’’ the overall sporting landscape in Australia? the business world. He is currently a board University sport is an under-utilised asset in member for Australian Rugby Union and Flight Australia, there is no doubt about that. Centre, a consultant to Westpac, and in May What impact do you think sport has on a I think there is a real opportunity to develop 2013 joined the Thiess Advisory Board. student academically? varsity sports again, and the evidence of He is also the author of two books titled If you are physically fit, healthy and active, what can be achieved is seen in what former Learning from Legends – one focusing on then it is going to give you enhanced results South African rugby captain Francois Pienaar business and the other on sport – and writes elsewhere in your life, including your studies. achieved with that nation’s Varsity Cup. The for The Australian Financial Review. Being part of sports and the wider UQ Varsity Cup is so successful in getting people Eales spoke with Contact about his time community helps to build a person’s feeling of involved and as a breeding ground for the at UQ and how sport helped him develop the self-worth. I know from my own experience code that they are expanding it to include qualities he needed to succeed. that when I feel better about myself, I perform some Olympic sports. Your achievements both on and off better in many other areas of my life. I think it comes down to understanding how the field are impressive. How has your Succeeding at university takes a different type varsity sports can fit into current structures, experience playing sport helped you in of discipline than what a student needed at but also in how creative they can be in your career? school. A lot more responsibility is put on a providing alternative pathways through to I could not begin to count the different ways tertiary student’s shoulders in terms of being high performance. sport has helped me in my life, and I am not responsible for their own actions, attending What are your thoughts about university just talking about the elite level. Some of my lectures and getting assessment in on time. sport in Australia? Email us at best friends and closest business contacts to Sport teaches you some of those disciplines. [email protected]

UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 17 OPINION Tra in nslat g success

With an exciting pipeline of licences and start-ups, UQ’s main commercialisation company, UniQuest, has tremendous potential for even greater global impact.

By Dr Dean Moss, CEO of UniQuest Pty Limited

here is debate within successfully involved in entrepreneurship and set to revolutionise vaccine delivery, while QRx governments and the innovation. The Massachusetts Institute of Pharma Limited and Spinifex Pharmaceuticals community on how to create Technology (MIT) story is one such success Pty Ltd, both UniQuest start-ups, are the optimum environment for story. MIT is responsible for creating 20 to 30 developing treatments for neuropathic and stimulating entrepreneurship new companies annually, and its alumni are inflammatory pain based on the world-class andT innovation, and the role of universities in credited with creating 900 new businesses a research of Professor Maree Smith from the that environment. While we may not be able year. As at 2009, the net result of this economic School of Pharmacy. to isolate the precise formula for success, activity was 25,800 companies founded by Joining this stable of commercial when it happens, success can be pretty MIT alumni. This equated to 3.3 million staff opportunities addressing significant unmet spectacular. and annual world sales of US$2 trillion, making medical needs is Professor Ranjeny Thomas People usually look to the United States it the world’s 11th largest economy (Kauffman from UQ’s Diamantina Institute (pictured for examples of how universities can be Foundation Study 2009). right), who is the driving force behind another While we can’t point to that level of UniQuest start-up company, Dendright Pty success (yet), I believe UQ is ahead of the Ltd. Dendright recently signed a research curve in entrepreneurship, innovation and and development collaboration and option- commercialisation, with a tremendous to-license agreement with US-based Janssen track record of commercialising its research Biotech, Inc. to develop and commercialise outcomes through UniQuest, its main Dendright’s innovative immunotherapy for the About the author commercialisation office. Over the past treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. 10 years, UniQuest has spun out more These commercialisation case studies As the recently than 70 technologies within companies, and others have helped foster a UQ culture appointed CEO of and has successfully licensed some of the that values intellectual property protection UQ’s main research most significant technologies created within and promotes the key role researchers commercialisation Australian universities. The net result for themselves play in determining its successful company, UniQuest, UQ has been to create global impact from exploitation. Researchers such as Frazer Dr Dean Moss (PhD research outcomes and create social and and Sanders have become role models to ’94) is responsible economic benefits on a much greater scale numerous aspiring innovators around them. for the strategic and than any other Australian university. The world is now more connected operational The global impact of the Gardasil vaccine and companies no longer expect to thrive management of the is astounding in its effect on controlling through innovation if they don’t look outside commercialisation disease associated with human papillomavirus their organisational boundaries. This has of expertise and infection. The associated reduction in cost led to more companies partnering with intellectual property originating from UQ. burden of disease is a multiple of the original other organisations, including universities, With 30 years’ experience in science, investment in research that Professor Ian to expand their research and development universities, business, management and Frazer and the late Dr Jian Zhou pioneered, programs. To take greater advantage of this commercialisation in Australia, the USA and and which Frazer continues today. Likewise, opportunity, UQ and UniQuest are now more UK, Moss has been Managing Director or a the successful commercialisation of the closely aligned to engage with industry. senior manager in a number of health and Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) system UniQuest is also engaging directly with biotech companies worldwide, including developed by Professor Matt Sanders and entrepreneurs. We are working more closely Agen Biomedical, Binax, Launch Diagnostics, his colleagues at UQ’s Parent and Family with the UQ Business School by actively AMRAD Corporation, United Drug, and his own Support Centre has had a profound effect involving students and staff in project-based successful start-up business in the UK, York on parenting skills globally. The program has commercialisation activities. A natural Medical Technologies. been translated into 20 languages and is now extension of this is the activities of ilab, He has also been a member of the available in more than 20 countries. the Queensland Government technology Investment Committees of Uniseed, the Other opportunities in the incubator now run by UQ through UniQuest. Medical Research Commercialisation Fund and commercialisation pipeline are also set to ilab is reaching out to innovators and KiwiNet, New Zealand’s pre-seed accelerator make a profound impact on human health entrepreneurs and providing mentorship and fund, and has assisted in raising over $100 and wellbeing. The Nanopatch, developed disciplined thinking to help get their “twinkle million of venture investment. by Professor Mark Kendall and his team at in the eye” of an idea a step closer to market. For more information about the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and There is much that alumni can do to help UniQuest, visit uniquest.com.au Nanotechnology, and commercialised through UQ and UniQuest in our mission of fostering UniQuest start-up company Vaxxas Pty Ltd, is innovation and entrepreneurship. You may

18 UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 Professor Ranjeny Thomas is founder and director of UniQuest start-up company Dendright Pty Ltd, which has developed an innovative immunotherapy to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

have business contacts and networks that mentors for our aspiring entrepreneurs. app • Download the UQ Contact could engage with UQ. Some of you may Innovation, entrepreneurship and app to find out more about the have started businesses of your own, and we commercialisation are about connections, successful Triple P program. would love to hear about your success, as and we welcome the involvement of you, the well as your possible interest in being business UQ alumni, in our network.

GRW O ing IDEAs Initiated and funded by the Queensland Government, and now a division of UniQuest, ilab supports early-stage, high-tech companies through the first few years of development.

ince its inception, ilab has help those in the program bring their incubated more than 120 start-up ideas to life. companies and helped them “As someone who has gone raise over $70 million in grant and through the experience of building a Sinvestment capital to fund their growth. new enterprise, I know how hard it is ilab Entrepreneur-in-Residence Mark without support,” Bathie said. Bathie (Bachelor “ilab and UQ are providing an of Information invaluable environment which allows Technology ’99), aspiring entrepreneurs to test their who founded ideas with the guidance of the ilab tech start-ups team, mentors and advisors. CVSDude “I’m excited to be involved and and freegler. really enjoy watching the participants com, draws grow and learn.” on his own experience as an To find out more, visit Mark Bathie entrepreneur to ilabaccelerator.com

UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 19 10 10

Featurefeature

U Q’s Best of the Best A lumni Awards 2013

Fifteen alumni were recognised for a diversity of achievements at the 2013 Courting the Greats alumni awards ceremony held at Customs House in October.

elebrating accomplishments The 10 recipients selected by UQ were in professional leadership, nominated and endorsed by their peers, and community service and academic selected by an awards committee headed excellence, this year’s award by the President and Vice-Chancellor. recipients represent a range “We had a strong pool of nominees Cof disciplines including the arts, science from our community of 205,000 alumni, and medicine, commerce, philanthropy, so to narrow it down to just 10 was engineering, social justice and academia difficult. I am not complaining, because (see a full list of 2013 award recipients reading all the nominations did provide a overleaf). welcome opportunity to explore the varied Presented since 1992, the alumni awards achievements of our alumni and to learn were updated and expanded this year to more about them,” Professor Høj said. more comprehensively reflect the range of The annual alumni awards are an alumni achievements and the positive impact important part of the University calendar, they are making in Australia and throughout giving UQ an opportunity not only to salute the world. the greats, but also to celebrate the many “Increasing interactions with alumni thousands of alumni who collectively make are improving the University’s awareness UQ great. of the expanding range of areas where They also serve as inspiration for current our graduates have a positive influence,” and future students, showing what can President and Vice-Chancellor Professor be achieved with a UQ degree, personal Peter Høj said. dedication and support from the global “These awards showcase and celebrate alumni network. the impact of our alumni around the world, Nominations for the 2014 Alumni and we felt we needed to recognise that Awards are now open. To nominate more broadly.” a UQ alumnus, please complete the The broadened awards include the new nomination form enclosed or visit Vice-Chancellor’s Alumni Excellence Awards alumni.uq.edu.au/uq-alumni-awards and Indigenous Community Impact Award, as well as the established International To see a list of current and past alumni Alumnus of the Year and Distinguished award winners, visit alumni.uq.edu.au/ Young Alumni Awards. Alumni Friends of uq-alumni-awards The University of Queensland Inc. also presented their awards – Alumnus of the app • Download the UQ Contact app Year and Graduate(s) of the Year. to view images from the awards ceremony.

20 UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 VICE-CHANCELLOR’S ALUMNI EXCELLENCE AWARDs UQ’s Best of Recognising the significant contributions made by alumni in their local communities and beyond.

Professor Adéle Green AC Ms Kathy Fagg Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor Bachelor of Chemical Engineering the Best of Surgery ’76; PhD in Social & (Honours) ’82 Preventative Medicine ’84 Kathy Fagg has held senior Professor Adéle Green AC has leadership roles across a Alumni Awards 2013 made significant contributions diversity of Australian business nationally and internationally sectors including banking, throughout her 25 years of cancer engineering and logistics. Since research, dedicating herself to the beginning of her professional understanding the preventable career, she has been active in causes of cancer and educating encouraging women to technical the public on how to control and and leadership positions, and prevent them. She has inspired has used her professional skills and mentored many students to advocate for change and through her melanoma research, “One of the greatest improvement in the business “I think many and as a senior scientist and rewards of public world and the wider community. engineers are builders former Deputy Director at the health research is Fagg is currently a member at heart. In my case, Queensland Institute of Medical of the Board of the Reserve Research (QIMR). Currently being able to ask big- Bank of Australia and chairs the I enjoy working serving as Head of the Cancer picture questions Melbourne Recital Centre. She with people and and Population Studies Group at about some of the is also on the Council of Chief organisations, not QIMR, her work focuses on the Executive Women, the Business impact of environmental factors on major chronic diseases Advisory Council of World Vision just things.” melanoma and genetic factors in in our country.” and the Victorian Development the development of the disease. Board of The Hunger Project (Vic).

Mr Robert Andrew Creeth Mr Graeme Wood AM Brice AM Bachelor of Economics ’72; Bachelor of Commerce ’65 Master of Information Systems ’98

Graeme Wood AM Andrew Brice AM is the co-founded groundbreaking co-founder of the online travel online travel booking service booking service Wotif.com. Wotif.com in 1999, and its He is also the co-founder of success has allowed him to the endowment fund UQef, give back to the community which supports scholarship and in a number of ways. These research programs including have included co-founding the Young Achievers Program, the endowment fund UQef; the Centre for Youth Substance establishing Wild Mob, which helps Abuse Research and the protect Australia’s most threatened Frank Finn Scholarships for species and ecosystems; and Business School students. As “Individuals make establishing Artology, which “The biggest a scholarship recipient in his things happen, and supports youth development and difference I can early academic career, Brice all should be given social change through the arts. make is encouraging, feels deeply about investing in that opportunity.” Wood’s philanthropic support also coercing and the next generation and giving helped establish UQ’s Centre for young people the opportunity to Youth Substance Abuse Research convincing people make the most of their talents. and the recently opened Global to challenge the Change Institute Living Building, a Andrew Brice AM was awarded an status quo.” Honorary Doctorate in 2011 by The world leader in sustainable design, University of Queensland. construction and operation.

Graeme Wood AM was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 2011 by The University of Queensland.

UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 21 DISTINGUISHED YOUNG ALUMNI AWARDS Recognising young alumni (35 years or younger) whose early accomplishments inspire and provide leadership to students and all alumni.

Dr Chelsea Bond Ms Lizzie Brown Bachelor of Applied Health Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours) ’01; Engineering ’02 PhD in Population Health ’07 “Humanitarian “I’m motivated by an engineering is becoming agenda of bringing a truly global movement Indigenous voices, and education of the knowledges and next generation of experiences to our engineers is key.” understanding of health and health improvement.” Lizzie Brown is the CEO of Engineers Without Borders Dr Chelsea Bond has worked Bond is a respected member (EWB), a not-for-profit volunteers and engineering within community, government of the Aboriginal and Torres organisation with 10 years companies to strive to create and university organisations to Strait Islander community in experience creating systemic change in areas such as clean improve Indigenous health in Inala and holds a number of change through humanitarian water, sanitation, energy and urban and rural communities leadership roles through her engineering. Her leadership engineering education across across South-East Queensland. work and in her community. and passion has inspired seven countries. a movement of members,

Ms Julie McKay Mr Tim Munro Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Bachelor of Music ’99 Business Management ’04 “I am inspired by women “My life is interval who, despite facing training for music: poverty, violence and lack crazed, diverse activities of access to opportunities, separated by just continue to want to play enough rest to barely an active role in making catch my breath!” our societies stronger for Two-time Grammy Award winner Tim Munro is currently future generations.” travelling the world as flautist Julie McKay is the Executive government organisation in the Chicago-based sextet today. Munro also finds time to Director of United Nations sectors, McKay works to eighth blackbird, performing at teach and mentor upcoming Women Australia, working support positive partnerships major venues in North America, musicians and is in high to promote women’s rights, between the community, Europe and the Asia Pacific demand as an experienced economic security and political private sector and government and receiving international writer and speaker on music. participation. With experience to tackle the complex issues recognition as one of the in both corporate and non- surrounding gender inequality. foremost ensembles in the world

INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD Recognising an alumnus whose outstanding contribution to Australian Indigenous communities has improved outcomes for Australian Indigenous people and contributes to reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Mr Kev Carmody Kev Carmody is an Aboriginal recording industry Hall of singer-songwriter who has Fame in 2009. Carmody is Graduate Diploma in achieved great musical also a respected advocate Education ’81 success during his career. His of the tradition of rural, oral much-loved song From Little storytelling and history, and is “We exist in a Things Big Things Grow was widely recognised not only as symphony of sounds, released with co-writer Paul a tireless performer but also and all music and Kelly in 1993, and he was as one of Australia’s leading lyrics essentially come inducted into the Australian Indigenous voices. from a non-written oral tradition.”

22 UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 INTERNATIONAL ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR Recognising and honouring the outstanding achievements of an international alumnus who has realised distinction in their chosen field and whose accomplishments enhance the prestige of the University.

Dr Ana Charles Dr Ana Charles is the Provincial has been working to prevent Master of Public Health ’05 Coordinator of the Ariel paediatric HIV and AIDS since Foundation in Mozambique, 2010 and has worked for the “I help others to pursue which works to increase and Mozambique government in their dreams regardless support countries to expand public and environmental health. HIV programs and empower Currently she is Head of the of age, gender or local partners. She was formerly Mozambique-Australia Alumni professional pathway. coordinator of the Elisabeth Glaser Association, known as “AMEA”. This is part of the skill I Paediatric AIDS Foundation, She is widely respected for gained while studying at which works to eliminate her leadership, passion and paediatric AIDS by providing versatility, and for her work in UQ: to think broadly yet education, care and treatment for helping people live healthy, act locally.” people living with AIDS. Charles productive lives.

Alumni Friends Of The University Of Queensland Inc. Awards

ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR Awarded by Alumni Friends of The University of Queensland Inc.

Dr Chris Anderson A talented anthropologist, with large organisations. Bachelor of Arts (Honours) ’75; business leader, linguist, Currently serving as the Diploma of Organisational museum director, and Americas Director, Communities Psychology ’75; Indigenous community and & Social Performance for Rio PhD in Anthropology ’84 environmental advocate, Dr Tinto, Anderson continues to Chris Anderson’s diverse develop and advocate for social “I help to raise awareness career has made a positive responsibility at the highest levels of the implications difference to numerous of international business. Indigenous communities of development, to throughout the world, Please visit the Alumnus understand the cultural ensuring their equality and of the Year Award at context.” ethical treatment in working uq.edu.au/alumni

GRADUATE(s) OF THE YEAR Awarded by Alumni Friends of The University of Queensland Inc. for academic merit

Mr James Bennett Ms Talia Pettigrew Mr Patrick Doolan Mr Scott Fisher Bachelor of Science (Physics) ’12 Bachelor of Arts ’11 Bachelor of Science Bachelor of Engineering Graduated with First Class Bachelor of Science (Hons) ’12 (Mathematics) ’12 (Mechanical and Aerospace) ’12 Honours and the University Graduated with First Class Graduated with First Graduated with First Class Medal Honours and the University Class Honours and the Honours and the University Medal University Medal Medal

UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 23 uq art museum Portrait of an artist Brisbane’s rich artistic and philanthropic traditions are reflected in the UQ Art Museum’s recent purchase of Jon Molvig’s Joy Roggenkamp 1963.

he acquisition of Jon Molvig’s artistic circles and was active in the The painting, sketches and dress are Joy Roggenkamp 1963, made development of contemporary art in the focus of a special display celebrating possible through the generosity of Queensland. the contributions of donors to UQ Art Alumni Friends of The University Under Molvig’s guidance, she had Museum in the current exhibition New 2013: of Queensland Inc. and alumna adopted an expressive style that suited Selected recent acquisitions, which runs TVeronika Butta (Bachelor of Arts ’89), sees a her flamboyance; something Molvig has until 15 December 2013. major painting by a significant Queensland captured in his portrait. Roggenkamp’s “New 2013 showcases a selection of artist enter the UQ Art Museum’s collection. showy black hat and patterned dress, artworks that have entered The University of UQ Art Museum Director Dr Campbell painted in animated brushstrokes, signify Queensland Art Collection over the past 18 Gray said Molvig was an “inspirational the ebullience with which she embraced life. months,” Gray said. teacher, revered by his students”. While the portrait did not win the “As a special highlight of the exhibition, “The art classes he ran in the mid-1950s at judges over, it was critically acclaimed. The we have devoted a gallery to donated St Mary’s Anglican Church, Kangaroo Point, celebrated critic Robert Hughes asserted it works, which has been rotated three times were a magnet for Brisbane’s aspiring artists, was “the obvious winner” and afforded “the over the course of the show.” including Joy Roggenkamp OAM, Andrew one real pleasure in the exhibition”.1 Six students from a range of disciplines Sibley, Gordon Shepherdson, John Aland and Molvig’s premature death in 1970, just worked with the exhibition’s curator, Mervyn Moriarty. Molvig’s lifelong friendship before his 47th birthday, was heralded as the Associate Director (Curatorial) Michele with Roggenkamp dates from this period.” end of an era by his one-time student Phyllis Helmrich, to select works and establish Molvig’s own career flourished at this time, Woolcock: “This is post-Molvig Brisbane. thematic groupings. Joy Roggenkamp 1963 with exhibitions at the Macquarie Galleries, There is no other way to describe the creative is currently on display as part of the final Sydney and the Museum of Modern Art and gap and, for some, the leaderless limbo in rotation, Assuming the feminine. Design, Melbourne. In 1955, he succeeded the art scene since [his] death”.2 “We’re delighted to have the opportunity for the first time in having an entry accepted Gray said the portrait and related to recognise our donors in this way, and for the Archibald Prize, having submitted materials were a significant acquisition for to give students from across the campus work to it since 1952. the museum. the chance to participate in our exhibition “For Molvig, the Archibald proved an “With the purchase of this painting, program,” Gray said. elusive prize but, as portrait painter, he was supported by donors, and the gift of related determined to win it,” Gray said. sketches and Roggenkamp’s dress by New 2013 continues until 15 December “His painting of Roggenkamp was his 11th her widower Mr Ross McCowan, UQ Art 2013. For more information, visit attempt, and he persisted until he won it Museum has acquired a body of work that artmuseum.uq.edu.au with a portrait of Charles Blackman in 1966.” speaks of the esteem in which Jon Molvig 1. Robert Hughes in Betty Churcher, Molvig: The Lost Roggenkamp’s vivacious personality continues to be held,” Gray said. Antipodean (Ringwood, Vic: Penguin Books Australia Ltd, 1984), 106. made her the perfect foil for Molvig’s “It’s a substantial acquisition of culturally 2. Phyllis Woolcock in Glenn R Cooke, A time expressionist style. From the 1940s, she significant material that will be a resource for remembered: Art in Brisbane 1950 to 1975 (South was an energetic member of Brisbane’s our students into the future.” Brisbane: Queensland Art Gallery, 1995), 63.

24 UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 Left:

Jon Molvig (1923–1970) Joy Roggenkamp 1963 oil on board 122.5 x 98.5 cm Collection of The University of Queensland. Purchased with the assistance of Alumni Friends of The University of Queensland Inc. and Veronika Butta, 2012. Photo: Carl Warner Reproduced courtesy Otte Bartzis

Below, from left:

Jon Molvig (1923–1970) Study for ‘Joy Roggenkamp’ c.1963 oil on newsprint 21.0 x 18.5 cm Collection of The University of Queensland. Gift of Mr Ross McCowan in memory of his wife Joy Roggenkamp OAM, through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2012. (Pending) Photo: Carl Warner Reproduced courtesy Otte Bartzis

Jon Molvig (1923–1970) Study for ‘Joy Roggenkamp’ 1961 charcoal on paper 76.5 x 51.0 cm Collection of The University of Queensland. Gift of Mr Ross McCowan in memory of his wife Joy Roggenkamp OAM, through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2012. (Pending) Photo: Carl Warner Reproduced courtesy Otte Bartzis

Phillipa Gowns (active 1950s–1960s) Dress worn by Joy Roggenkamp in her portrait by Jon Molvig 1963 printed cotton Collection of The University of Queensland. Gift of Mr Ross McCowan in memory of his wife Joy Roggenkamp OAM, 2012. Photo: Carl Warner

UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 25 Opinion

C onserving our future UQ researchers are leading the world in a new way of looking at conservation, with a focus on the economics of saving Australia’s unique biodiversity.

By Professor Hugh Possingham, Director of UQ’s Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science

ome readers may be surprised to World Universities (released by the National scientifically rigorous but easy-to-use learn that biodiversity conservation Taiwan University), and in the top 10 globally approach to determine biodiversity offsets. science has become one of the in the 2013 QS World University Subject Biodiversity offsets are the management world’s fastest growing areas Rankings. actions that companies and governments of research, with more than 40 While much of this growing research must take to ensure their impact on Sresearch journals of international standing. field is focused on the ecology of rare and threatened species and ecosystems UQ is no slouch in this field, with our threatened species and ecosystems, our ultimately deliver improvements in the environmental and ecology capabilities work at the Centre for Biodiversity and environment. This work is now federal policy ranked fifth in the world in last year’s Conservation Science is leading the world in and is being used across the country. Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers for a new way of looking at conservation. Another important area that we are Using economic, statistical and working with governments on is helping mathematical tools, we ask and answer them understand how to allocate their questions such as: Should we sell some conservation resources to ensure the national parks so we can build a better greatest possible outcome for the world’s About the author system of protected areas? How many times threatened species. do we need to fail to find an invasive pest Currently, most conservation dollars are Professor Hugh or weed before we can be confident that spent within 100 kilometres of where they Possingham it has been successfully eradicated? Are are raised, and the choice of which species is Professor of resources spent on monitoring species and to save is often based on charisma and Mathematics ecosystems delivering value for money? how close the animal is to extinction. This and Professor of Our research is tightly linked to solving in a highly inefficient way of choosing which Ecology at UQ, a real management and policy problems. animals and plants to save, and is leading to 2013 ARC Laureate For example, our freely available software extinctions that could be avoided. Fellow and Director Marxan is used by more than 100 countries According to the International Union of UQ’s Centre to build most of the world’s systems of for Conservation of Nature, there are for Biodiversity protected areas, both on the land and in currently around 1140 threatened mammal and Conservation the sea. species around the world, and many more Science. Marxan helps governments meet their non-mammals. However, only around 80 He sits on many international commitments to conserve mammal species are used by international committees and advisory boards outside the biodiversity, while at the same time non-government organisations (NGOs) to University, including the Wentworth Group of minimising the impact on industries and raise funds for conservation. These so-called Concerned Scientists. people who use the land and sea for “flagship” species, such as lions, rhinos and Possingham also directs two $15 agriculture, mining, forestry, fisheries and pandas, appeal to a broad audience and million research centres: the ARC Centre other activities. Most of the world’s marine enable conservation groups to achieve of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, reserve systems have been designed by considerable success with their sponsorship and the National Environmental Research Marxan, including the no-take areas in programs. Program Environmental Decisions Hub. our own Great Barrier Reef, where both This begs the question: if money is being To find out more, visit ceed.edu.au commercial and recreational fishing are raised for 80 charismatic species, what strictly prohibited. happens to the other 1060 threatened More recently, our work with the mammal species and 19,000 threatened Australian Government has delivered a plants, birds, reptiles, frogs, insects and

26 UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 THREATENED Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) A devastating disease that causes facial tumours has led to the decline of more than 90 per cent of adults in high-density areas, and 40 to 50 per cent in medium-low density areas.

THREATENED Bridled Nailtail Wallaby (Onychogalea fraenata) Threatened by land of one species, if it meant promoting clearing, feral predators “As well as conserving our recovery in another? and exotic grasses, it’s Values are a social issue, and the believed that only around unique biodiversity for public therefore has a critical role in 1000 of these critically determining how limited conservation endangered animals now future generations to enjoy, resources are spent. While our research exist in the wild. provides the knowledge and tools to there are economic benefits help inform decision-making, it is not our role to tell people what to do with their stemming from smart money. We teach people how to use smart economic sense, but ultimately the THREATENED decisions regarding how conservation conservation decisions.” Orange bellied parrot money is spent is the responsibility of (Neophema chrysogaster) our governments and conservation On the brink of extinction, obscure species? Is our dedication to organisations, who in turn should be guided by what the public wants to this Australian parrot, which endangered animal icons such as tigers only breeds in south-west and pandas leading to the further demise achieve with the available budget. Unfortunately, nationally and Tasmania, has been ranked of other species such as fungi, bats and as one of the world’s rarest invertebrates – species that, while certainly internationally, there has been little public discussion about this important topic. and most endangered not as charming, are nevertheless vitally Such discussion is critical, particularly in species. Image: Chris Tzaros important for our ecosystems? Australia, where we are responsible for The reality is that at current levels about five per cent of the world’s species of funding, it is not possible to save all diversity, despite only having about 0.3 per threatened species. However, a systematic cent of its population. And although we approach to choosing which ones to save THREATENED are a rich country, we are losing species will help ensure that a limited budget can as fast as much poorer tropical countries. Southern Corroboree achieve the best possible outcome. As well as conserving our unique Frog (Pseudophryne To assist with this, our researchers corroboree) biodiversity for future generations to enjoy, have developed an evaluation method that there are economic benefits stemming This critically endangered allows governments to estimate the cost to from smart conservation decisions. species has declined steadily secure a particular species. This method is Australia’s natural heritage generates since the mid-1980s and currently being used by New Zealand and tens of billions of dollars each year for the there may now be as few New South Wales governments to allocate economy, plus ecosystem services such as 50 adults left in the wild. millions of dollars of funds to cost-effective as water filtration, pollination, soil health Image: David Hunter OEH conservation actions. and nature-based recreation. Investing in Of course, this is only part of the puzzle. biodiversity conservation is therefore an Decisions regarding the best way to allocate investment in our economic future. resources among species depend a lot on what our society values. For example, what For details on how you can support the app • Download the UQ Contact app to view value do we place on different species? UQ Biodiversity Conservation Fund, a video about how UQ is helping to Would we be comfortable with the extinction visit uq.edu.au/giving/science conserve Australia’s native wildlife.

UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 27 FEATURE

Spotlight on UQ In INDONESIA UQ’s long-standing relationship with Indonesia has been further strengthened by the signing of two student exchange agreements and plans for a UQ office in Jakarta.

Q’s relationship with Indonesia had that experience of studying in Asia and was forged in the 1950s, when the understanding Asian societies and cultures U University first began welcoming will mean our students are very well placed.” Indonesian students, predominantly Professor Terry said the University’s sponsored by the Australian Government as efforts would also be strengthened by the part of the original Colombo Plan. federal government’s commitment to send Since then, UQ’s relationship with more students to Asia to study through its Indonesia has gone from strength to new Colombo Plan. strength, with Indonesia now considered “Indonesia has been part of UQ’s one of the University’s most important internationalisation for a long time, but the partner countries. fact that the Australian Government is so With deep academic links and shared committed makes it so much easier for us interests, UQ has developed strong to seek to further strengthen those ties,” relationships with some of Indonesia’s best she said. universities and research organisations, as Another outcome of the mission was well as government and non-government identifying and furthering opportunities agencies. for research with key Indonesian These relationships were further partners, including the Indonesian strengthened during the University’s fourth Institute of Science, the Eijkman consecutive Senior Executive Mission to Institute of Molecular Biology and Indonesia earlier this year, which saw UQ Bogor Agricultural University. sign student exchange agreements with UQ already has a long history of Universitas Indonesia and Universitas Gadjah research collaboration with Indonesia Mada, the country’s two major universities. and is the only Australian university listed Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor in the top 20 global universities to co-publish Debbie Terry, who led the delegation, said with Indonesian academics. the agreements would help set up students According to Professor Terry, Australia, for global careers. and particularly Queensland, shares many “What we want to do as an institution is of the challenges that Indonesia faces, such not only encourage more of our students to as sustainable agriculture, tropical health, study overseas, but to increase the numbers sustainable mining, and the strength of who go to Asia,” she said. coastal ecosystems – areas that UQ excels in. “That’s absolutely essential in the Asian “We are one of the top co-publishers in Century, and Indonesia is key – it’s a strong the world, but easily number one in Australia, economy, it’s our nearest neighbour to the and it’s because there are mutually beneficial north, and it’s incredibly important in the research links,” she said. region. “Many of our strengths in research relate “There are also many Australian to the very areas that are core to Indonesia’s companies and organisations that have links future, and indeed are core to the future of into Indonesia. In a global workforce, having the region.”

28 UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 UQ Indonesia Partnership Awards

he UQ Indonesia Partnership Awards were introduced in Above: Guests at the 2013 UQ Alumni Reception in Jakarta. 2012 to foster collaboration between UQ and Indonesian Below: From left: Dr David Engel, Deputy Head of Mission, alumni and partner organisations. Australian Embassy Jakarta; Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Debbie Terry; and Dr Tedjo Sasmono, Research Open to staff and PhD students at UQ or Indonesian Investigator, Eijkman Institute of Molecular Biology, at the 2012 partnerT institutions, the awards support collaborative research UQ Indonesia Partnership Award Ceremony. by providing up to AU$5000 to cover travel and living costs for reciprocal visits of up to 12 weeks. The awards are an extension of the UQ Indonesian Alumni Awards that were established in 2010, and members of Indonesia’s more than 1600 alumni are particularly encouraged to apply. PhD student Yusuf Aziz Amrulloh from the School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering was one of eight award recipients in 2012, chosen from more than 30 nominations. In collaboration with Drs Rina Triasih and Amaliya Setyati from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), and supervised by Dr Udantha Abeyratne from UQ, Amrulloh’s research involves analysing the sounds in a child’s cough to diagnose pneumonia, which is particularly useful in poor and remote areas. Amrulloh said the award had greatly assisted the research, the Main: Dr Chris Brown from UQ’s Global Change Institute findings of which were recently published in the prestigious journal conducting research in the mangroves of Raja Ampat. Annals of Biomedical Engineering. Photo by Meg Saunders. “Thanks to my scholarship, I was able to visit UGM to initiate the second phase of data acquisition and to interact with UGM researchers,” Amrulloh said. “The research has now reached a productive phase, with several joint research papers published in international journals. Such strengths include environmental “I am very appreciative to UQ for the valuable contribution science, and agriculture and forestry; towards my doctoral research.” disciplines in which UQ is currently ranked in the top 10 in the world in the To find out more about the UQ Indonesia Partnership Awards, QS World University Subject Rankings. visit uq.edu.au/study/scholarships Professor Terry said the University also had a strong role to play in helping Indonesia’s capacity building efforts. “Our Indonesian partners are very interested in building the next generation of scientists and academics, and that’s something we are deeply committed to,” she said. A number of initiatives are helping to achieve this, such as the UQ Indonesia Partnership Awards, which are aimed at bringing bright minds from Indonesia and Australia closer together, and a recent agreement for a joint masters in environmental management with Bogor Agricultural University. UQ’s office in Jakarta, expected to open later this year, will further support the University’s research, education and engagement activities in Indonesia. Professor Terry said the office could be co-located with the State Government’s new Trade and Investment Queensland Centre, also due to open in Jakarta in late 2013, enabling the University to contribute to a whole-of-Queensland approach to Indonesia. “It’s about coordinating our presence in Indonesia and ensuring that we deal systematically with a range of different projects and teaching,” she said. “This represents a substantial commitment, and many initiatives will flow from this to the benefit of Queensland and Indonesia.” Yusuf Aziz Amrulloh was one of eight Indonesia Partnership Award recipients in 2012.

UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 29 feature Su stainable teaching

Advanced Engineering Building Centre for Advanced Imaging

UQ’s building program scaled new heights in 2013 with the completion of three major developments at St Lucia campus.

he $138 million Sustainability in particular As headquarters for UQ’s of Australia’s benchmark for Advanced Engineering is a key consideration in the Global Change Institute (GCI), educational facilities. It also Building, the $38 million construction and design of the GCI Building is a project that represents the first structural Global Change Institute buildings at UQ. showcases UQ’s commitment use in Australia of geopolymer TBuilding and the $52 million The Advanced Engineering to sustainable design, concrete, a low-carbon product. Centre for Advanced Imaging are Building (AEB), designed by Mark construction and operation. It As well as being a triumph exemplars of UQ’s ongoing Roehrs (Bachelor of Architecture was also designed by Roehrs of innovative design and commitments to state-of-the-art (Second Class Honours) ’86) in partnership with Robert Keen sustainable operation, the AEB teaching and research spaces, as and Richard Kirk (Bachelor of from Hassell Architects. and GCI are embodiments of well as the highest standards of Design Studies ’87; Bachelor of Constructed over two the power of philanthropy. sustainable design and operation. Architecture (First Class Honours) years, the building harnesses GHD – an international Property and Facilities ’92), features a number of solar lighting, best-practice network of engineers, architects Director Alan Egan said the initiatives designed to reduce the construction techniques and and environmental scientists University prided itself on the building’s energy consumption, materials, natural ventilation, spearheaded by alumnus Des architectural expression of including 100kW of rooftop solar rainwater storage and recycling Whybird (Bachelor of Civil its built environment, which panels, solar hot water systems, to be one of the first in Australia Engineering ’74) – gifted $2.5 reinforced the natural beauty and and an energy-saving cooling to meet the standards of The million towards the AEB’s appeal of the various campuses. system that uses the thermal Living Building Challenge – a 500-seat GHD Auditorium, “Every building is unique and stability of a heavy concrete certification program that defines and the GCI was made reflects the values of excellence tunnel to pre-cool the air before it the most advanced measure of possible by a $15 million gift in design for research and enters the building. sustainability in a human-made from alumnus and Wotif.com learning,” he said. Other features include environment. co-founder Graeme Wood AM “The principles that guide sustainable building products, With 100 per cent of its (Master of Information Systems building development across the mixed-mode air conditioning power generated from solar ’07, Honorary Doctorate of entire UQ estate are an amalgam and bicycle facilities. The energy, the building aims to Economics ’11). of sustainability, low lifecycle building’s energy-saving features be in natural ventilation mode Pro-Vice-Chancellor costs, flexibility and adaptability, can be measured in real time, for 88 per cent of the year and (Advancement) Clare Pullar said a human scale which encourages meaning the AEB is literally a consume only 40 per cent of philanthropy had played an social interaction and, above all, living laboratory for engineering the energy target set out in important role in the development good contemporary design.” students. the Green Building Council of UQ’s world-class infrastructure.

30 UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 The Don Nicklin Building

escribed as “larger vaccine delivery device, also than life”, the late has fond memories of Nicklin. DProfessor Don Nicklin “He delivered my very (1934–2007) taught and first UQ lecture as an inspired generations of undergraduate engineering chemical engineering students. student in 1990,” Kendall said. In June this year, the “He was inspiring and Chemical Engineering Building entertaining. He got across the at St Lucia campus was idea that you can enjoy what officially named after Nicklin, an you are doing while being a alumnus (Bachelor of Applied leader in the field.” Science (First Class Honours) Professor Bill Clarke, ’57) and former Dean and Remondis Chair and Director Pro-Vice-Chancellor who had at UQ’s Centre for Solid Waste an enormous influence on Bioprocessing, was a tutor in chemical engineering at UQ, Nicklin’s thermodynamics class and on the broader profession in the late 1980s. both in Australia and overseas. “Don appeared at “Professor Nicklin had an most ‘tutes’ and took over amazing presence and oozed proceedings,” Clarke said. leadership,” said Professor “He could hold the attention Peter Halley, Acting Head of the class like no-one else, of the School of Chemical very rarely writing on the Engineering. board, as he explained why Halley remembers Nicklin processes went one way and as a “great family man” who not the other.” was equally at home talking Following his retirement in to government, industry and 1994, Nicklin continued his undergraduate students. association with the University “My recollection of as Emeritus Professor, sharing Professor Nicklin as my lecturer his profound knowledge and Global Change Institute Building in first-year thermodynamics experience in a number of was his handy tips on life (like ways. how to treat your significant His significant contribution other well) intermingled with to UQ is remembered not only thermodynamics – engineering through the naming of the and life skills taught at once,” Don Nicklin Building, but also “UQ has benefited from major One such facility is the he said. through the Nicklin Medal, acts of philanthropy throughout new Centre for Advanced Professor Mark Kendall which was introduced in 2009 its history, beginning with the Imaging (CAI), also based at from UQ’s Australian Institute to recognise individuals for Mayne family’s gift in the 1920s St Lucia campus. Managing for Bioengineering and their exceptional practical which helped establish St Lucia the most comprehensive Nanotechnology, and leader contribution to chemical campus,” she said. range of magnetic resonance of the Nanopatch needle-free engineering. “The Atlantic Philanthropies’ instrumentation in the southern investment in four of our hemisphere, the CAI is the only major research institutes facility of its type in Australia, and President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Høj (far right) with Professor Don was key in the establishment one of only a handful in the world. Nicklin’s family (from left): grandchildren Anna, Sam, Hannah and Lucy; daughter of much of our biomedical The centre serves as the Jane; sister-in-law Penny; and wife Joanna. infrastructure, and alumni headquarters for the National have been keenly supporting Imaging Facility, which has significant developments in received more than $4 million more sustainable learning and in federal government funding engagement environments. under the Collaborative Research “We are incredibly grateful Infrastructure Strategy funding for the generosity of private scheme. It was designed by John benefactors such as Graeme Wardle Architects in association and Des, and for support from with Wilson Architects. governments and industry, All three buildings are which enable us to continue to welcome additions to the develop outstanding learning and University’s landscape, ensuring research facilities to benefit future UQ continues to be a world- generations of students and the class environment in which to wider community.” study and conduct research.

• Download the UQ Contact app to take a look inside the new buildings.

UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 31 profile Life in the fast lane

440-yards titles in any one year since the As a National Senior Track and Field inception of the competition in 1897. That Coach since 1968, and former athletics same year he was awarded life membership coach at Church of England Grammar of The University of Queensland Sport Union School (1956 to 1979), Brisbane Grammar (now UQ Sport) for service to the Athletics School and Brisbane Girls Grammar, Booth Club (where he served as Captain from 1950 has coached thousands of young athletes, to 1954) and to university sport generally. who he credits for “keeping him young”. As part of the first cohort of students to “They are my elixir,” he said. study at St Lucia campus, Booth (Diploma Alumna Barbara Wilson (Bachelor of in Physical Education ’59) has witnessed Arts ’77), who competed at the 1976 the University and its sporting facilities Olympic Games in track and field and whose dramatically transform. daughter was trained by Booth in the early “As a student here in the first intake 90s, says Booth knows “just how much and in 1949, I trained on what was called the what type of work to put into young athletes”. Number 3 Oval, which is now Oval 5, where “Tony has the ability to make each of his the running track is,” he said. athletes feel special,” she said. ith a 70-year athletics and “There was also a cricket field and field “It is quite inspiring to watch the deep, coaching career under his that was used for rugby training, but never respectful affection these young people belt, Tony Booth OAM is for competition at that stage. hold for him. not showing any signs of “Since then, of course, there has been “Just as amazing is the large number of Wslowing down. a major improvement in facilities. Now, UQ reunions to which Tony is invited, decades His passion and dedication to his is one of the best sporting campuses in the after his athletes have passed from his care. charges still sees him standing beside the country, if not the best sporting campus.” He always remembers a face, a name and, track at St Lucia campus at least three Booth is well qualified to make such an quite amazingly, performances, no matter afternoons a week, sharing his wealth of assessment, having visited many university how many years ago. knowledge and experience with the young campuses during his career. As a former “Tony Booth has been, and continues to athletes he coaches. selector for the Australian Universities Sports be, a true gift to UQ athletics, as well as the It’s a place he knows better than most, Association and its Chef de Mission at the wider athletics community.” having trained at the track since the 1940s. World Student Games in Tokyo (1967), It was there that he forged his impressive Mexico City (1979) and Bucharest (1981), athletics career, winning the Queensland Booth has made a significant contribution Below: Tony Booth OAM with some of the young athletes he coaches at St Lucia campus (from left): Lauren State 100-Yards Championship in 1949 – to track and field athletics in Australia – a Frawley, Pascale Wehr, Josephine Aue, Jack Bruce, a performance that earned him a UQ contribution that saw him awarded a Medal Sarah Bellchambers, Bree Inwood, Libby Jacques and Blues Award. of the Order of Australia in 1994. Georgina Hill. In 1954, he became only the third However, it’s his role as a coach where Inset: Booth competing in the 4 x 110-yards relay at St intervarsity athlete to win the 100, 220 and his impact has been felt most strongly. Lucia campus in 1952.

32 UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 IMPACT

Dr Mark Loane AM and his team at the Cape York Health Project treat hundreds of patients in remote communities each year. An eye for ophthalmology t a time when newspapers and which provides eye health services 120 and 130 people, and we then booked television shows are often filled to remote communities in Far North 80 cases of surgery.” with people who seek fame and Queensland. Despite the success the program has fortune for actions that have little The program brings health professionals achieved, Loane says its future relies on a benefitA for anyone other than themselves, to small communities several times a year sense of collective responsibility rather than alumnus Dr Mark Loane AM (Bachelor of to treat hundreds of locals, while sending the efforts of any individual. Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery ’77) stands cases that require surgery to a central “All of these things are cooperative quietly apart from the crowd. location where they are operated on over efforts. Programs have to evolve and Quietly, not only because of his modesty the course of one week each September. change, because the people who are despite a mountain of achievements, but “It is a hub-and-spoke system that has involved change. also because too much individual attention been very effective not only in Cape York, “Governments change, expectations may hurt the long-term sustainability of a but in other areas in Australia, where similar change, and you have to keep flexibility all project that has profoundly touched the programs are doing fantastic work,” Loane the time, as communities don’t stay the lives of hundreds of Indigenous Australians. said. same, nor does where the funding comes “The more heroic you become, the “We do assessments in communities from.” less chance you have of being replaced,” such as Cooktown, Lockhart River, Laura While sports and medicine have their Loane was once quoted as saying, and it is and Hopevale, which form the spokes, and obvious differences, Loane says the imperative that he eventually be replaced. send cases that need surgery each year to lessons learnt on the rugby field have been A rugby legend who played 28 rugby Weipa, which is the hub. invaluable in his current endeavours. tests for Australia, as well as leading UQ to “We have reached a lot of the population “Sport teaches you a lot about a Grand Final victory in 1979, Loane now up there. Between May through to October, compromise, how to get along with other specialises in glaucoma, cataract surgery which is outside of the cyclone season, we people and persistence. When it comes to and general ophthalmology. have someone from our program in that structure, there really isn’t much difference For the last 15 years, he has been the region about every three weeks. between rugby and what we are doing in head of the Cape York Health Project, “In my most recent trip, I saw between Cape York.”

UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 33 IMPACT

With a successful career in investment banking, Matt McLennan believes in the importance of giving INVESTING back to society.

s a key decision-maker at a major fund in New York responsible for $81 billion under IN SOCIETY management, alumnus Matt McLennan (Bachelor of Commerce (First Class AHonours) ’91) knows all about the value of investment. He says one of the most important investments anyone can make in their lifetime is one that gives back to society. “We live in a time when people feel very entitled, and I think that if you look at the greatest societies of prior generations, they had people who felt a sense of civic duty,” McLennan (pictured right) said. “If you are truly thinking about long-term success, then you are thinking about your children, and your children’s children, and what kind of world you want them to live in. Without philanthropy, you can’t contribute to that vision. “Supporting things you think are worthwhile is important. We need to steer away from the culture of believing that it is the government’s responsibility to provide for everyone all the time.” As well as being the head of the Global Value Team at First Eagle Funds, McLennan is also a member of The University of Queensland in America Inc. foundation board. He and other board members work diligently to strengthen and expand research, education, business and philanthropy partnerships through the more than 8000 alumni living in the US and Canada. “I think it’s important for members of the alumni community to ensure UQ remains a great choice for students. The University is not just for people from Brisbane, but for anyone, anywhere, looking for the best higher education institutions in the world,” he said. “It is fundamentally important to realise that we are not just a citizen of any one location – we are citizens of the globe. “After a while, the boundaries blur – you stop being parochial and start looking for excellence wherever it is you can find it.” Born in Papua New Guinea, raised in Queensland and now working in North America, McLennan has experienced life within many different cultures, and his advice on how to choose a career pathway stays the same regardless of location. “Many people take advice from their parents and from mentors about what they should or should not do in their lives, but in most disciplines it takes a decade or more of hard effort to achieve any degree of mastery, and you’re only going to apply yourself to something that you feel passionate about,” McLennan said. “I think that any professional setting can be very humbling. You always face setbacks, so identifying something that you genuinely feel passionate about is very important.” To find out more about UQ’s activities in North America, visit northamerica.uq.edu.au

As Contact went to print, the University announced that Matthew McLennan was donating $1 million to The University of Queensland in America Inc. to support the Australian Institute for Business and Economics and a new scholarship at UQ’s Faculty of Business Economics and Law.

34 UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 INVESTING IN SOCIETY

UQ’s new Dow Chair in Sustainable Engineering Professor Eric McFarland (right) with President, Chairman and CEO of the The Dow Chemical Company, Andrew Liveris.

New energy leadership In his role as The Dow Chair in Sustainable Engineering, Professor Eric McFarland will drive UQ research and education into some of the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges.

rominent US energy expert Previously a Professor of Nuclear At the time the agreement was Professor Eric McFarland will Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute announced, Andrew Liveris, President, join the University next year to of Technology, where he received his PhD, Chairman and CEO of The Dow Chemical lead the new multi-million dollar McFarland also has a Doctor of Medicine Company (Bachelor of Engineering ’75 Dow Centre for Sustainable (MD) from Harvard Medical School. Over (First Class Honours), Honorary Doctorate PEngineering Innovation. the course of his career, he has been a in Science ’05) described Dow and UQ as To be known as The Dow Chair in start-up team member of several technology “natural partners”. Sustainable Engineering, McFarland will companies, including Symyx Technologies, “The University’s strategic intent and commence the five-year post in the first where he was a founding technical director. core strengths in science and engineering quarter of 2014. As inaugural director, he will President and Vice-Chancellor Professor align well with those of Dow,” he said. drive UQ research and education into some Peter Høj said McFarland’s commitment to “Dow’s culture of discovery and of the world’s most pressing sustainability the centre reaffirmed its potential to provide innovation, a focus on advanced challenges, such as the need for cleaner solutions to significant state, national and manufacturing and new markets, and a energy, clean water and conservation. global challenges. commitment to sustainability are closely McFarland said he was looking forward “Eric’s decision to move to UQ is a matched by the new initiatives driven by to the challenge. further sign that Queensland and Australia global sustainability challenges that are “This is a fantastic opportunity to have the capacity to deliver innovation with defining UQ’s strategic direction.” build something important for the global global applications – particularly if industry An advisory board of industry, community with an outstanding team of invests in high-quality R&D and works government and academic experts, colleagues at a great university,” he said. closely with universities,” Professor Høj said. investors and leaders, will support “I am very much looking forward to the The centre is a progressive initiative that McFarland in his role as The Dow Chair. challenge and I’m honoured to have been joins UQ’s research expertise in energy, water To find out more, visit selected.” and sustainability with its world-class science dowcsei.uq.edu.au McFarland is currently a member of and engineering education program. It is part the Faculty of Chemical Engineering at the of a groundbreaking $10 million science and University of California, Santa Barbara, engineering partnership between UQ and The app • Download the UQ Contact app and President and CEO of Urban Electric Dow Chemical Company (Dow) announced to watch a video about UQ’s Power, a spin-out company from the Energy last year – the first agreement of its kind collaboration with The Dow Institute of The City University of New York. between Dow and an Australian university. Chemical Company.

UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 35 UQ and war what’s your story?

The world wars, Korean and Vietnam wars had a significant impact on many UQ families and collegiate communities. The University is keen to hear your stories about how World War I and subsequent conflicts affected you and your family.

n 2014, the world will mark 100 years since the outbreak of World War I. IThroughout the year and those to follow, the University will commemorate the courage and sacrifice of those who served, as well as the suffering and devotion of their loved ones waiting at home. The world wars are central to the UQ story. The fledgling University’s commitment to World War I was considerable – from a small community of staff and students numbering just 263 at the war’s start, 154 actively served and a further 22 were engaged in munitions or other work. Of those who served overseas, 32 did not return and another died from his injuries. During the wars, there was a dearth of men on campus, and the years after saw an influx of mature-aged ex-servicemen. This was particularly marked after World War II. During this conflict, the Forgan Smith Building served as the headquarters for General Sir Thomas Blamey, Commander in Chief of the Australian Military Forces and Commander of Allied Forces in the South Alumnus John Denis (Jack) Fryer (Bachelor of Arts ‘23) who West Pacific Area under the command of died of injuries sustained in World War I. Image courtesy of General Douglas MacArthur. the Fryer Library (which is named in Fryer’s honour).

Please let us know how war and conflict has impacted and shaped your own experiences and family history by emailing [email protected], phoning us on +61 (0)7 3346 3916, or writing to us at Alumni and Community Relations, Level 7 JD Story Building, The University of Queensland, QLD 4072. Your reflections, comments, letters, photographs or any other memorabilia may then be included in special editions of Contact and our alumni website.

36 UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 IMPACT Helping hands for EQUINE research

Working with horses is a dream come true for Honours student Jazz Skinner.

he opportunity to apply theory A recent donation from equine feed and to real-life situations is a supplements company Agricure aims to dream come true for Science encourage and support students such as Honours student Jazz Skinner to continue their research in equine Skinner, who is spending her science. HonoursT year studying horse nutrition at The donation was inspired by Agricure’s UQ’s Equine Precinct. continuing involvement in the Australasian The world-class precinct, located Equine Science Symposium, a UQ Equine at Gatton campus, is one of the most Science initiative. comprehensive horse-related facilities “Our team was inspired by the research in Australia, featuring reproductive undertaken by Professor Wayne Bryden laboratories, dressage and show-jumping and Dr Judy Cawdell-Smith, who are both arenas, and even a mechanical horse- heavily involved with the symposium,” walker. Agricure co-founder Dr Ray Biffin said. “I have always been passionate about “We feel that the work being done at UQ horses and pursuing a career in the equine is worth investing in. People like Wayne and industry,” Skinner said. Judy are leaders in their fields, and we want Students examining a horse at the world-class Equine “UQ was the obvious choice for me with to encourage postgraduate study in equine Precinct at Gatton campus. its fantastic facilities and lectures, and it science. The donation was made primarily to has allowed me to further my interest in the assist graduates like Jazz reach their potential. Equine Science is part of the School of science of equine nutrition.” “We can see the value of the research Agriculture and Food Sciences, based Equine science encompasses nutrition, currently being undertaken at the school at Gatton campus. UQ is ranked first in reproduction, exercise physiology and and the significance it holds for the industry Australia and seventh in the world for health, as well as the welfare and behaviour now and in the future.” the subjects of Agriculture and Forestry of horses. As an undergraduate student, Bryden and Cawdell-Smith are in the QS World University Rankings. Skinner had the opportunity to work with supervising Skinner’s Honours year, where her own horse, in conjunction with expert she is examining the role vitamin K plays in For more information, instructors and lecturers. bone development in horses. visit uq.edu.au/agriculture

UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 37 IMPACT

Book of treasures

The Book of Student Benefactors is a work of art and labour of love rolled into one.

rimming with the names of hundreds of alumni, the almost 90-year-old Book of Student Benefactors is a treasured University record that charts the courseB and stories of its student benefactors from 1925 to 1983. Made using methods from the Middle Ages, the book was donated to the University by the University Union in the 1920s to record the names of past and future students who donated money to UQ and the purpose of their gifts. At that time, it was the only book of its kind in British or Australian universities. The book itself is a work of art. The Queensland maple panels that form the coloured, carved covers were a gift from the Queensland Forestry Department, and the book’s parchment sheets were sewn in with silk thread. Pure beaten gold was used in the illuminations, and the kangaroo skin for the parchment was tanned by students from Sydney Technical College. Two Sydney women – Eirine Mort and Nora Weston – were commissioned to prepare the book, with Mort designing, writing and illuminating the volume, while Weston prepared the binding, carving and Australian copper clasps. Two months in the making, The Book of Student Benefactors was first displayed in the Great Hall of The University of Sydney at a 1927 ceremony, where the then-Duke of York, later King George VI, was conferred with an honorary Doctor of Laws. The book was the brainchild of Dr Frederick Walter Robinson, a Professor of English and the man responsible for building the Australian literature collection today known as the Fryer Library. The library is named in honour of John Denis (Jack) Fryer (Bachelor of Arts ’23), a gifted student who died of injuries sustained in World War I. Many of the book’s entries are a touching reminder of lives lost in battle. An example is the final entry on the bottom of page six which reads: To the name and memory of Lieut Walde G. Fisher, killed in action in France 5th April 1918, B.A. 1916 – £2-2- for special equipment for classical studies.

The Book of Student Benefactor’s impressive cover (above), and (below) a donation dedicated to Lieutenant Walde G. Fisher, an alumnus who died in World War I.

38 UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 Fisher graduated with a Bachelor of Book of Student Benefactors that reinforce A donation by UQ Advancement staff (from left) Arts (First Class Honours) in 1916 and was UQ’s place in Queensland’s history. Ruth O’Hanlon, Karen Van Sacker, Heather Watson, Thanks to a recent donation by five Stephen Holden and Jude Alldred has ensured awarded a Foundation Travelling Scholarship The Book of Student Benefactors is preserved for for 1917. staff members from UQ’s Advancement generations to come. He enlisted instead and fought in World Office, the book’s ongoing preservation War I alongside many other young men, has been assured, with the funds used to including fellow graduate Charles Wonderley commission a special case to protect the (Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours) ’16). book in University archives. Both men died on the same day in 1918, just The Book of Student Benefactors has app Download the UQ Contact app to two years after graduating from UQ. also been digitised and is available to view view more entries from The Book Fisher’s story is one of many from The by downloading the UQ Contact app. of Student Benefactors.

THANK YOU! The University of Queensland would like to thank all our generous donors for their support

To see the donor honour roll go to www.uq.edu.au/uqcontact

UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 39 feature A learning revolution If you studied at UQ more than 15 years ago, or even more than 10 years ago, it’s likely that your learning experience was very different from that experienced by students today.

hanging technologies and an increased focus on eLearning have contributed to a higher education environment that is evolving rapidly. Today, students Chave access to an array of technologies to assist their studies. They are no longer tied to a physical campus, and will often use technologies to access or enhance core educational services. At the same time, new devices and applications are continually being developed. During a typical teaching week, more than 34,000 discrete staff and students use UQ’s online learning management system each day to download lecture notes, watch lecture recordings, complete quizzes, contribute to discussions and submit assignments. Students are also using their mobile phones and other devices to access learning materials on the go. The number of students who accessed their learning materials from iPhones, iPads and other smart devices doubled in 2013 compared to 2012, and this trend is expected to continue, with a recent University survey finding more than 97 per cent of students own at least one smart device. The in-class experience is also changing. All learning spaces now have wireless capacity, allowing lecturers and tutors to engage directly with students’ smart devices to enhance their learning experience. For those who can’t make it to class, there are virtual classrooms that allow students to view lectures and attend tutorials from their workplace or home. Perhaps the biggest potential for transformation, however, is the emergence of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), which many Australian and international universities, including UQ, have started to offer, or are in the process of developing. In May this year, UQ announced it had joined the prestigious edX consortium, a leading provider of MOOCs. UQ is one of only two Australian universities (the other

40 UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 commencing from March 2014. The subjects campus-based students is delivered primarily have been selected to showcase some of online, complemented by carefully designed the University’s top areas of expertise, such face-to-face learning activities, have already as psychology and environmental science, in been implemented at UQ across a number of which UQ is positioned in the world’s top 10 disciplines, including engineering, psychology in the QS World University Subject Rankings. and science, with encouraging results. Long said one of the key reasons UQ Long said students who completed such UQ is one of only two joined edX as opposed to any of the other courses performed just as well as those who MOOC providers was the group’s strong attended the traditional lecture and were Australian universities focus on enhancing and enriching traditional also better prepared for subsequent courses. campus-based education. “Feedback from instructors who have to have been accepted “Besides wanting to expand access to taught students after they have completed into edX, a non-profit education for everyone, which is something the flipped class is that students are more UQ certainly supports, edX is also interested engaged and more capable of doing the online education venture in how it will improve or impact the on- work they are teaching them,” he said. campus learning experience as much as the According to Long, there is overwhelming founded by Harvard online learning experience,” he said. evidence to suggest that a well-designed Ensuring that the advantages of massive online space, coupled with face-to-face University and the online learning flow back to students on activities where there are opportunities for campus is a key priority for Deputy Vice- interaction, debate and discussion, is Massachusetts Institute Chancellor (Academic) Professor Joanne Wright. “simply a better learning environment”. of Technology (MIT). “MOOCs provide a phenomenal “I think it’s well understood that the lecture opportunity to leverage technology-enhanced has a place, but more as a motivational learning to benefit our students,” she said. tool and a tool for sparking interest, rather “For example, MOOCs will build our than for acquiring knowledge. I expect the capacity to use learning analytics and track combination of online and active learning being Australian National University) to have learning patterns, which in turn will allow us to teaching models will become the norm, and been accepted into edX, a non-profit online further develop our approaches to tuition and that lectures will be done as an every-so- education venture founded by Harvard update our learning resources in real time.” often thing for the purposes of exciting University and the Massachusetts Institute of The opportunity to collect data and gain students about a particular topic.” Technology (MIT). greater insights into the online learning Long believes online learning initiatives As at October 2013, the edX consortium process, and to share those insights with such as MOOCs also offer opportunities for comprises 29 prominent institutions, including consortium members, is one of the key alumni and community members to remain the University of California, Berkeley; benefits of UQ’s involvement in edX. connected to the University and to continue University of Washington; University of Long believes the opportunity to collect their lifelong learning. Toronto; Karolinska Institutet; Peking data is “enormous” given the potential “MOOCs are particularly relevant for the University; Tsinghua University; and Indian number of students involved in a MOOC. alumni community because they allow Institute of Technology, Bombay. Membership “If we offer a large course once a year that alumni to continue to participate in the is by invitation only, and the consortium is has 1000 students in it, it might take us 10 intellectual community of the University from expected to limit its membership to around years to have the same number of students wherever they live, and sample disciplines 40 institutions globally. that we might have in a single eight-week that they may not have had the opportunity President and Vice-Chancellor Professor period in a MOOC. We can therefore do to try when they attended UQ. Peter Høj said UQ’s involvement in edX much more careful research to understand “It also gives them an opportunity would do more than give people from what aspects of learning and what patterns potentially to contribute to the teaching diverse economic, social, geographic and of material combined with what sorts of environment as guest lecturers, tutors or educational backgrounds unprecedented student capabilities lead to better learning.” mentors. There are many alumni who have a access to courses developed by leading UQ Flipped classrooms, where content for lot to offer our students in particular courses.” teachers and researchers. “Importantly, it will also allow us to explore new ways to enrich the on-campus student experience, and will enable a deeper understanding of how people learn. “The real education revolution may in fact lie in what this mass participation in online courses learning can teach us about knowledge and creativity. The insights gained from MOOCs will mesh with another exciting new UQ UQ will offer the following UQx courses commencing from March 2014: venture, the $16 million Science of Learning Research Centre, a national collaboration to – Biomedical imaging BIOIMG201, Professor Graham Galloway be based at UQ. – Hypersonics – from shock waves to scramjets “As well, engagement in MOOCs will HYPERS301, Professor David Mee enhance our global reputation, with implications for the currency of UQ – The science of everyday thinking THINK101, Dr Jason Tangen qualifications, and our ability to attract both high-calibre partners and discerning – Tropical coastal ecosystems international students.” TROPIC101, Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg Director of UQ’s Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology (CEIT) Professor To find out more, visit uqx.uq.edu.au Phil Long is coordinating the development of UQ’s MOOCs offering, with the inaugural four courses – known as UQx courses –

UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 41 BOOKs

S aving LIVEs One of Australia’s best-known scientists, Professor Ian Frazer is respected across the globe. Here, author and alumna Madonna King gives us a sneak peak of his extraordinary story, the subject of a new biography published by UQP.

Ian Frazer: The man who saved a million lives Madonna King

rofessor Ian Frazer, not long after Coast, without a budget or government or the establishment of Brisbane’s new striking gold with the virus-like university funding, and with his reputation on Translational Research Institute. It will particle (VLP) that would lead to the line, he resorted to begging. soon house 650 researchers under Ian’s a cervical cancer vaccine, found The Scottish-born Australian guidance, as CEO and Director of Phimself rolling a dice to keep the family home. immunologist asked companies to defer Research. It will allow scientists to focus He had scheduled an international accounts, wrote the HTML language to on medical breakthroughs that can then papillomavirus conference on the Gold create online booking forms, and then drove be trialled under the same roof. home to see his wife Caroline. Over dinner, That option wasn’t open to Jian and he asked the woman he’d met at Edinburgh Ian, who had to hand over their discovery University 30 years earlier whether he could so that pharmaceutical companies could take out a second $150,000 mortgage on bankroll trials and develop an international About the author their family home. She didn’t blink. manufacturing and distribution system. The rest is history. But that story says Professor Frazer is now on the brink so much about both Ian Frazer – who went of discoveries in both skin cancer and on to snag almost every big science award genital herpes. By anyone’s standard, a as well as being made Australian of the breakthrough in the treatment of herpes Year – and the priority afforded to scientific – which is also believed to aid in the research. He doesn’t give up, as his transmission of HIV – will dwarf the students know; they’ve heard him ask “what cervical cancer vaccine. It’s all part of a else should you try?’’ over and over again. day’s work for the scientist whose hobbies It was the same question that Professor include cooking and jumping out of Frazer and his co-inventor, the late Dr Jian helicopters to race down virgin ski slopes. Zhou, spent years trying to answer at The He’s the scientist you want working University of Queensland, where they made on your disease; the doctor you need their worldwide VLP discovery. And Ian in your corner. But he’s also a generous Frazer will never forget the lessons he learnt philanthropist, a handy builder, a keen Madonna King, a UQ Arts alumna along the way. cyclist and a master in the kitchen. (’85), is an award-winning journalist, Governments see science in three-year As long as it involves creating something, commentator and author. She has blocks, between elections, and cancer, like Ian Hector Frazer will give it a shot. And for spent 25 years working as a journalist other medical scourges facing the world, that, we should all be very grateful. both in Australia and overseas. She can’t be cured quickly. That limits funding promises. But universities, where many of For more information or to purchase also writes a weekly column for The a copy, visit uqp.com.au Courier-Mail, sits on three not-for- our top scientists work, can’t hand over the profit boards, and travels to Australia millions, or even billions of dollars, needed facilitating and moderating events. to take a discovery to market. This is King’s fourth book. No mouse ever thanked you for saving its life, Ian Frazer tells anyone who is app • Download the UQ Contact app interested, and that thinking is behind to read an extract from the book.

42 UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 Remember when

100 years OF GRADUations

Compared to the dignified occasions of today, UQ’s inaugural degree conferral ceremony held on 11 June 1913 was a rowdy affair, according to at least one source.

n his book A Place of Light and Learning, historian Professor Malcolm Thomis said early UQ ceremonies were events where “untamed spirits Ia little too much inclined towards rowdyism” prevailed. “This practice was said to frustrate those who believed degree ceremonies would be conducted with dignity and decorum,” Above: The inaugural graduation ceremony for The he said. University of Queensland was held at the Exhibition Hall In all, five students (two women and on 1 June 1911, where graduates who had completed their degrees elsewhere were awarded ad eundem three men) received their degrees – all gradum after moving into the area. Image courtesy of Bachelors of Arts – at the 1913 ceremony. The University of Queensland Archives. They were Philippa Kate Barkell (later Top: UQ graduates who completed their studies in 1913, Above: Sir William MacGregor, The University of listed as Mrs GH French of Roma), Jessie pictured at their graduation ceremony the following year. Queensland’s first Chancellor (1910–1915). Image Elizabeth Dakin (Second Class Honours), Image courtesy of Fryer Library. courtesy of The University of Queensland Archives. William Gates, Robert Campbell Hamilton and Austin Thomas Desmond. held in the Central Technical College in the Warwick Technical College and High School They were among the University’s first precinct of the then University grounds of from July 1914, according to an article in cohort of 83 students, 23 of whom were Old Government House in the city. the Warwick Daily News. He served in World women, enrolled in 1911. According to Then Chancellor Sir William MacGregor’s War I, joining in 1917 at the age of 36, and Harrison Bryan’s book The University of graduation ceremony speeches are reputed reached the rank of lieutenant. He also Queensland 1910-1960: An Essay Towards to have gone on all afternoon and into the served as a UQ Senator from 1944 to 1949. a History, all five had started their degrees evening. This, according to Thomis, could What is known is that these five graduates at other universities. have explained the hijinks that followed, were the first of more than 205,000 world- Technically, the very first University where restless audiences “amused class graduates who have since earned their graduation took place in 1911; however, this themselves, as is the wont of students, by degrees at UQ, and who continue to make an was for graduates who had completed their singing popular airs to which they added impact all around the world. degrees elsewhere and who were awarded their own words”. ad eundem gradum after moving into the Little is known about the life and career app • Download the UQ Contact app to area – a common practice at that time. of the first five graduates. Robert Campbell view more images from UQ’s early The 1913 graduation ceremony was Hamilton went on to become principal of graduations.

UQ Contact SUMMer 2013 43 CRICOS No. 00025B difference having access to all of this could make to you. make could this of to all access having difference Imagine the partnerships. and industry researchers, of facilities our leading and world-class programs, Yassmin’s achievements by were supported the combination Influence. of 100 Women inaugural the in Young Year the of Leader and Muslim Year, the of Young Australian Young Queenslander named was work, humanitarian her for accolades received also has She Team. Racing UQ the by managing motorsport for passion her graduating and with honours, fuelled first-class (Mechanical), While at UQ, Yassmin completed a Bachelor of Engineering change within their communities. that empowers young globally people to positive implement her. She founded Youth – Without an Borders organisation around world the but world, her change only to not driven is who someone is Abdel-Magied Yassmin Sudanese-born beyond. and classroom the in excel to need they everything with students our we provide At UQ facebook.com/uniofQLD

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