Van Gogh's Ear, No. 8, October, 1993
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/ 8TH EDITION HI!? EA~ ORGANUM DECONSTRUCTUM THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE Reg. NBH3127 ISSN 1320-4289 WI-/AT DO WE WAN,? CREEN DAlR\SS WE WP.NT \\-\EM7 \'~:;-}"" 0"') . WE tAlA~T W£TLA~D5 NOW! cows GRE£N£R 0:1 pAstuRES rr.r FEATURE: ENVIRONMENT WEEK In this issue: • The Big Picture • Research and Scholarship • Achievements "Van Gogh's Ear" is published monthly and is edited by Lindy Burns, with layout and design by Gillian Stack. Letters to the Editor (no longer than 300 words and signed), reports on outstanding and unusual research, news and human interest ,uories are welcome. Please contact either Lindy Burns or Rosemary Roohan at the University's Information and Public Relations Unit on 216440 or 216463. "Van Gogh's Ear" is printed on recyded stock. SIR BEDE CALLAGHAN (1912-1993) Sir Bede Callaghan, after whom the rather than spend a lot of time thinking University~s geographical location was about. He always tried to spend some time renamed in 1992, died from a heart attack during the weekend relaxing. Pastimes that in mid-September, aged 81. He was the were particular favourites were lawn bowls University's second Chancellor holding and following the football, especially the the position from 1977 to 1988 after serving t:Ound ball variety. Having spent some time as Deputy Chancellor to Sir Alistair in London, his allegiance to the Chelsea McMullin from 1973 to 1977. Born and soccer club remained with -him until his educated in Newcastle. he was General death. Sir Bede liked all types of sports and Manager of the Commonwealth Develop took such roles as his Chairmanship of the ment Bank (1959-65) before being appointed Institute of Sports Medicine very seriously. Managing Director of the Commonwealth Although closely interested and involved Bank in 1965; a position he held until his in government matters throughout his life; retirement in 1976. During- a distinguished Sir Bede never had the desire to go into career, he also held the post of Chairman of .. pOlitics. That he left to his son-in-law t fonner the Foreign Investment Review Board and NSW Premier, Nick Greiner, whose wife. Executive Director of the International Kathryn survives her father together with Monetary Fund. He was awarded the John her two sisters and mother. Mollie. Storey Medal in 1974 by the Australian Shortly after Sir Bede's death, the Vice Institute of Management and in 1977 - knighthood, Sir Bede commented on his Chancellor, Professor Mortiey spoke on received the Sydney Rotary Club's annual work ethic til suppose it was rtiy Catholic behalf of those who remembered him well. Vocation.al Service Award. He was knighted background and iny parents' attitudes "He worked tirelessly in his II years as for distinguished services to banking in towards work that strongly influenced my Chancellor and was dedicated to making 1976. own approach. I do believe ,there is a certain the University of prime importance not only Despite his achievements, or perhaps moral obligatien involved. We have a re for the Hunter' Region, but also for New because of them, his theory on life and work sponsibility to work to the best of our ability South Wales and Australia. When he was a straight-forward one. He always arid we have an obligation to those we work stepped down in 1988 he still mainiained found his work satisfying and therefore did for," close links with the University and he will itto the best of his ability. In the year of his However, work was something he did be sadly missed by many good friends that ~e had on campus." r·!,;VIR()N0..'ll"·NT \VEr::K ENVIRONMENT \VEEK ENVIRONivlENT wr;:EK ENVIRONMENT WEEK OPENING OF WETLANDS CENTRE Chairman of Environment Week. Kevin McDonald displays the project's promotional T-Shirt Thanks to the initiative shown by former planner, Dr Don Morris, the University now has ,its own Wetlands area. The area, situated ,<, behind the engineering buildings, The new We/lands area: " ... 0 special place," was officiaUy opened,appropriately by Dr Morris, -during Environment Week. University Environmental Affairs Officer Kent Gillman, said that during the 1970's, Dr Morris used to go down to the swamp behind Engineering on weekends to clear the lantana. "Now we've got a wetlands which is sustainable. It has all sorts of fish and frogs and birds. It really is a special place." ENVIRONMENT WEEK ENVIRONMENT WEEK ENVIRONMENT WEEK ENVIRONMENT WEEK ENVIRONMENTAL ART MAKES AN IMPACT To see people pause, then stand back to appreciate, then move in closer to carefully study the artworks on display in the foyer of the Great Han was a reward in itself for curators, Herbert Heinrich and Anne Llewellyn, both members of staff in the Department of Fine Arts. The Exhibition by thirteen invited artists was based around an,environmental theme. It was held to complement the University's Environment Week, a week which focussed on the important issues of having respect for. appreciating and preserving ourenvironment and featured educational, social and cultural events. The Exhibition was opened by the Direc tor of the Northern Regions Environment Protection Authority. Mr Brian Gilligan. Mr Gilligan said that the art reflected people's reactions to what is happening in One of the worlG that captured people's attention ; "The uncovered male skull" (oil on canvas) the environment. He said that at last people by John Baily. are becoming more aware of the need to protect our environment. tho-ugh, people are incorporating environmental activities into their mainstream activities, "Artwork is an integrating mechanism. It pulling it into their consciousness." brings together our feelings, interaction and "It's interesting to note how much our emotions are bound up in the environment. Some of perceptions about our surroundings," Mr this art is an expression of our anguish that our environment is needing protection," he said. Gilligan said. "This is one of the main aims of the Environment Protection Authority. We work hard "We have tended tocompartmentalise the to make sure that environmental awareness is not an add-on, but integrated into people's environment and think of air, water and the daily lives and work," he added. land as separate components of it. Now, WHY FIGHT NATURE, MAKE IT AN ALLY According to its Chainnan, Mr Kevin mulching and conservation of water are McDonald, the University's Environment now starting to come into their own. He Week fulfils three purposes. These are to be also said that the recycling initiatives for proud of our natural bushland campus. to bottles. paper and other products enhance show that we practice what we preach in these initiatives. environmental management and to make The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Raoul sure that we join in the global effort to Mortley, endorsed these sentiments and protect the environment. announced that the Hunter Water Corpora Kevin was speaking at the official opening tion will set up an endowment to sponsor of Environment Week, the second to be held a Chair in Environmental Engineering. and now an annual event on the University He said that Engineering. Science, calendar. Philosophy. Economics and Management The week was filled with activities centred as well as Architecture are important areas around environmental issues. Bushland of academic pursuit that need to consider campus walks, clean up the campus projects, environmental issues. displays, an environmental art exhibition The Environment Week opening was and a 'plant a tree' campaign were some of attended by the Newcastle Lord Mayor. Cr. the features. The NRMA conducted John McNaughton and the Deputy Mayor a test station to see how vehicles rated as of Lake Macquarie. Cr. Bob Tsousis. A tree pollution producers whilst a vehicle free planiing ceremony took place outside the day saw many people travel to campus by Chancellery after the function. Trees were alternative means, no mean feat in the planted by the President of the Student commuter era. Union, Ms Karen Watts, Crs. McNaughton Kevin said it is particularly evident that and Tsousis. the Vice-Chancellor, Warden The Vice-Chancellor. Professor Raoul Mortley The University of Newcastle is environ of Convocation~ Ms Jean McGarry and assists the University's Bushland Regeneration mentally conscious. He said the current President of the Friends of the University. Officer. Mim Woodlands. to plant one of the landscaping initiatives which use self Mr Keith Barbour. many trees pili in during the opening of sustaining methods such as mounding, Environment W uk ENVIRONMENT WEEK ENVIRONMENT WEEK ENVIRONMENT WEEK ENVIRONMENT WEEK KEEPING OUR DAIRIES GREEN The 1980's were unparalleled in awaken dairy industry. The Dairy Research and system in retaining and removing nutrients ing human consciousness to our impact on Development Corporation has, however, will be examined. the global environment. Pollution of land, recently produced guidelines for on-site The project will also involve the const waterways and the ocean is no longer waste treatment and management. But are ruction of pollution control systems, acceptable, and new ways of waste disposal these guidelines sufficient to combat the incorporating various wetland configurations. are constantly being sought by the general nutrient problem? at a number of locations in the lower Hunter community. industry and agriculture. In the "While the guidelines represent good Valley. According to Phil, systems can Hunter region, dairy farmers are being management practice in terms of suspended be constructed relatively cheaply and the asked to consider more environmentally and organic matter in the waste, they do not technology demonstrated by farm visits sound ways to dispose dairy wastewater. particularly address the situation regarding and field days. "The environmental impact Agricultural practices contribute a nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen," • of this intensive industry can be minimised if significant amount of nutrients, such as Phil said, adding that artificial wetlands dairy wastes are treated on the farm and "nitrogen and phosphorous, to water bodies.