Issue 4 Volume 10 December 2007 UOWcampus news

City of Innovation’s Alumni Edition Special Alumni feature starts on Page 7 flagship taking shape Wand wins Chancellor’s award Page 7

Anna’s mastered journalism Page 10

Engineer’s This aerial view of the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus – a flagship for Wollongong’s title of City of Innovation – shows the first two buildings nearing completion, with the city in the background. golden touch Wollongong is undergoing a major construction boom in high-rise residential, tourism and retail development and redevelopment of Port Kembla harbour. The Innovation Campus is contributing vital Page 10 commercial opportunities and R&D impetus to the city’s growth. Full story - Page 3.

UOW retains Top Cunningham connection

200 world ranking Page 11 he University of Wollongong has been listed in The Times’ ranking process. Major organisations from TTimes Higher Education Supplement Top 200 World across Australia, as well as the United States, China, University Rankings for the second successive year. Switzerland and Pacific island nations participated in the survey about their experiences employing More than 17,500 institutions worldwide vie for a place Lawyer keeps UOW graduates. in The Times’ Top 200, and UOW is one of 12 faculty links Australian universities to have been included in the “It’s clear that employers who have staff trained who 2007 rankings. graduated from UOW had positive things to say about the quality of our graduates,” Professor Sutton said. Page 12 “This ranks Wollongong among the top two percent of universities in the world for the second year in a row. The Vice-Chancellor said The Times ranking, coupled That’s really good news not just for the University and with the recent news that UOW has been placed in our staff and students but for our graduates who are the Top 500 academic rankings of world universities Campus News is produced for community, industry, government competing for jobs in a global economy, knowing that a by the respected Institute of Higher Education at and other educational institutions as well as staff, students and degree from Wollongong is very highly regarded Shanghai Jiao Tong University, was clear testament to graduates of the University of Wollongong. It provides an overview internationally,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor UOW’s standing in the international community. of University news and achievements on a quarterly basis. Gerard Sutton. The Shanghai Jiao Tong University rankings are strongly weighted in favour of research. Submissions for publication can be made to the Media Unit. This year employers of many of the University’s Phone (02) 4221 5942 or email [email protected] graduates were surveyed for the first time as part of The Universities in The Times Top 200 rankings are PRINT POST APPROVED : PP255003/00173 continued on page 4.

1300 367 869 www.uow.edu.au University of Wollongong Campus News December 07 1 OPINION LET’S TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT RAIL

With the world facing a growing shortage of fuel oil, This report noted the benefits, as quantified by a ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR PHILIP LAIRD, Honorary The railway at Stroud Road in the Hunter Valley, UOW-Rail CRC project, of one rail deviation. Principal Fellow at the School of Applied Maths and with its 19th Century alignment and excessive Construction of a new 67km line from Hexham to curves, is a classic example of a track that Statistics and a national authority on rail transport, Stroud Road would get rid of 97 km of steam age needs upgrading to improve efficiency. Photo: alignment (with 18 circles), cut train transit times argues that energy efficiency, climate change and Mark Carter/ GRMS Med safety are all compelling reasons to upgrade from 82 to 42 minutes, and reduce fuel use in the track section by 40 per cent. Australia’s rail networks. Upgrading and straightening mainline tracks for Since Australia's first steam trains ran during the faster and heavier freight trains has worked well in 1850s, railways have moved people and assisted Queensland. It allowed Queensland in 1998 to start economic development. From the 1950s, rail has an electric tilt train passenger service at speeds up to faced increasing competition from road transport and 160 km/h. Within a year, the service was providing planes. As a result, many train services have been strong competition to regional aviation. withdrawn, branch lines closed and some main lines not upgraded. Conventional trains in Victoria and Western Australia also travel at 160 km/h. Why not in NSW? However, with selective investment, rail has excellent prospects. For example, in 1981, the Perth urban Turning to freight, the railways in the Pilbara region of lines had only 6.5 million passengers per year and Western Australia are now moving over five million were marked for closure. tonnes of iron ore per week and operate at world’s would give transit time savings and fuel savings of best practice with incredible energy efficiency. Instead of closing the lines, a decision was made to 12 per cent when compared with the present track. Queensland Rail now moves over two million tonnes invest in major improvements including new lines Rebuilding to modern standards would result in of coal per week, and their use of electric traction and the introduction of modern high voltage electric gains of about 25 per cent. saves nearly 200 million litres of diesel each year. trains. Today Perth has Australia's best urban rail Another example is that construction of the system with annual patronage exceeding 35 million In moving freight between Australia's five major cities, Wentworth deviation coupled with tilt trains would journeys. A new 71km Perth to Mandurah line has rail's performance varies from world class in moving halve Mittagong-Sydney journey times. This deviation been completed this year, capable of taking six trains over 80 per cent of interstate land freight in and out would tie in well with completion of the Maldon to each way each hour during peak periods with a of Perth down to poor performance on the corridors Port Kembla line – the rail link between the south- journey time of just 48 minutes. linking Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Quite western Sydney and Port Kembla abandoned half- simply, freight trains using “steam age” alignments On the other hand, the Sydney rail system that gave completed by the NSW Government 20 years ago. are no match for B-Doubles using the reconstructed a gold medal performance for the 2000 Olympics is The NSW North Coast line started by joining up Hume and Pacific Highways. The solution, following now struggling to cope. A 70 to 73 km peak hour branch lines. No less than 47 per cent of the the current rehabilitation of the existing track, is to journey that will take 48 minutes from Perth and 60 Maitland to Grafton track has curvature of radius commence track straightening. minutes in Brisbane or Melbourne requires at least less than 800m. A train moving from Maitland to 70 minutes from Sydney's Central Station to Woy On average, rail uses half the energy to move people Grafton turns about 110 circles – some 55 to the left Woy or Blaxland, or at least 79 minutes to Thirroul compared to cars. In peak hour loadings and traffic, and 55 to the right. and 87 minutes to Douglas Park. electric rail is five times more energy efficient than Reflecting terrain and better standards, the cars. For moving line haul freight, rail uses one third Rail in regional NSW also presents considerable corresponding percentage for the Melbourne-Perth of the diesel that trucks do. Rail can also use electric scope for improvement. During the 1910s, much of rail corridor is just three per cent. traction, while road vehicles and planes are reliant on the track from Picton to Cootamundra was oil. In addition, rail is some 20 times safer than duplicated with deviations to ease ruling grades for A recent House of Representatives Standing trucks to move freight. steam trains. The result was extra track length and Committee on Transport and Regional Services excessive curvature. One striking example, as found report entitled The Great Freight Task: Is Australia's Energy efficiency, climate change and safety are all in a University of Wollongong project, is that a transport network up to the challenge? concluded compelling reasons to invest in rail. Other reasons modern superfreighter moving over the old 19th that Australia’s greatest need is the reconstruction include improving export supply chains and the need Century alignment between Goulburn and Yass and realignment of the main freight networks. to reduce road congestion in Australia's capital cities.

Braccesi (M Sc UOW) on campus and The mathematics of railway research Max Michell off campus. Gabriella's numerous contributions included I am often asked Wollongong’s roads. Surely there could In extending my research from pure specification of track parameters how a be a more efficient and safer way to mathematics to land freight transport mathematician move coal from the mines to the coal research in the early 1980s, I was (gradients and curvature) of existing became involved loader at Port Kembla. fortunate in having the support of track, past track, and potential rail many heads of department and Deans deviations, while Max's included in transport Another factor was moving between computer simulation to find the transit research. Canada and Australia on a series of starting with Professor John Blake in 1981. I was also fortunate in gaining time and fuel use for a train to traverse There are plenty study leaves going back to the 1970s. financial support for three major a section of track. Other contributors of precedents in It was very obvious that rail freight in projects (the former Energy R and D included Moya Collett (BA Hons UOW) Australia and Canada was highly efficient while in Associate Professor Corporation, ARC/NSW Railways and overseas. NSW it was inefficient. on campus (initially to help with a Philip Laird Rail CRC) and receiving research However, in my Since then NSW rail freight has 2001 joint authored book Back on assistance from many people. case a major improved, but track upgrades are Track - rethinking transport policy in motivating factor was the excessive needed for further efficiency and Two longer term transport research Australia and New Zealand) and Alex number of coal trucks clogging productivity gains. colleagues were Gabriella Adorni- Stoney. - Philip Laird CN

2 Campus News December 07 University of Wollongong 1300 367 869 www.uow.edu.au for Wollongong Noreen Hay visited iC in November to Innovation Campus part of announce a $4.8 million contribution from the NSW Government towards the digital media centre. Mr Campbell said the facility would provide a city-wide building boom specialised recording and sound stage area, computer laboratories, a display area for student works, virtual reality and audiovisual facilities and seminar rooms, as well as multimedia and design facilities. The centre is a joint UOW-TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute initiative that from 2009 will offer diploma and degree programs in digital media and telecommunications. iC’s four buildings and associated landscaping and infrastructure such as roads and carparks represent a $100 million investment by UOW in stage one of the iC Master Plan. Two large commercial buildings of more than 6000 square metres are also currently being planned for corporate tenants and it is anticipated that these buildings will be funded by private investors. Global IT services company Accenture will be a major anchor tenant in one of these buildings, moving its new service centre from the UOW campus to iC early in 2009. The iC development is the key commercial component of Wollongong’s construction boom. The city is Minister for the Illawarra David Campbell and Member for Wollongong Noreen Hay announce the joint education experiencing a surge of high-rise residential, tourist initiative at the site of the Innovation Campus. They are flanked by UOW Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and and retail developments. International) Professor Rob Castle and TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute Director Dianne Murray. “Completion of the first buildings at the Innovation Campus ties in well with other developments that are he first two buildings are nearing completion at the Information Service (IRIS) and recruitment specialists happening across the city and Wollongong City University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus (iC), the DMW Group will be among the first residents of this T Council’s efforts to revitalise the city with projects like a creative research and development and business iconic building. the Blue Mile redevelopment along the foreshore,” community being built on 33 hectares north of the The Australian Institute for Innovative Materials will said iC Director David Fuller. Wollongong CBD. house two of UOW’s flagship research centres in “Wollongong is really taking off with new hotels and nanotechnology, bionics and fuel cells - the Institute for The central services building, iC Central, and the residential developments and the expansion of Port Superconducting and Electronic Materials and the Australian Institute for Innovative Materials research Kembla. The University is making a major contribution Intelligent Polymer Research Institute. complex will be occupied by mid-2008. through its investment in the Innovation Campus, iC Central will have a café, gymnasium and A third building for the Global Centre of Excellence for which will be the catalyst for generating more jobs in a conference and function areas. Most of its 2,800 Transnational Crime Prevention is now underway and wide range of areas.” due for completion in late 2008. The Graduate School square metres of commercial space has already been Mr Fuller said enterprises on the Innovation Campus of Business and Digital Media building should be ready reserved for innovative and growing IT firms and would eventually employ 5000 people, helping the city early in 2009. companies that will provide essential business services retain and attract talented graduates and for the iC community. The Illawarra Regional Minister for the Illawarra David Campbell and Member professionals. NH

Careers Service rated best in Australia

he University of Wollongong’s Careers Service has engage with business and industry on a regional, Tbeen named Australia’s ‘Best Careers Service for national and international basis. Employers’ in a nationwide competition for universities. “We understand what employers value in potential The UOW Careers Service was short listed in the graduates and this pervades all programs, services category, along with Swinburne and Deakin and resources. It ranges from the production of the universities in Victoria, before being named the job seeking resource, The Edge, to the provision of a winner at the Australian Graduate Recruitment suite of workplace learning programs designed to Industry Awards in November. refine career choices and increase employability,” Mr Smith said. Accepting the award at the presentation ceremony in Sydney, UOW Careers Service manager Martin He said the last 12 months had seen a “war for Smith praised his “fantastic team” - including talent” intensify which presented challenges for Employer Programs Co-ordinator Beth Hammersley how UOW services its employer clients. BG who he said was at the hub of the service’s day-to- day activities. Right: Martin Smith and Beth Hammersley pictured at a UOW Careers Fair which has helped cement the Mr Smith said the University encouraged its staff to national accolade for the Careers Service.

1300 367 869 www.uow.edu.au University of Wollongong Campus News December 07 3 FOCUS ON RESEARCH UOW’s No. 1 Discoveries change view for teaching of early human behaviour University of Wollongong he University of Wollongong has shared first These new findings move back the scientist has played a key role place in the Federal Government’s 2008 A timeline for the evolution of modern T in uncovering evidence of early Learning and Teaching Fund. human behaviour, and show that Homo sapiens living on the coast in lifestyles focused on coastal habitats Education Minister Julie Bishop in October southern Africa, harvesting food and resources may have been crucial announced the allocation of $83 million to from the sea and using red to the evolution and survival of these reward excellence in teaching and learning at pigments 164,000 years ago - far early humans. Australia’s universities, with UOW and the earlier than previously documented. University of Technology Sydney the only The researchers also report that diet Dr Zenobia Jacobs, a Research universities to make the top A1 band for all four expansion was accompanied by the Fellow at the School of Earth and discipline groupings. early use of pigment, most likely for Environmental Sciences and symbolic behaviour such as body According to a league table based on Fund GeoQuEST Research Centre, was ornamentation or rock art. allocations drawn up by The Australian responsible for dating of the Dr Zenobia Jacobs Archaeologists view symbolic newspaper, the overall results placed UOW and archaeological deposits at Pinnacle behaviour as one of the clues that UTS as equal first. Point, located on the southern Cape coast of modern language may have been present. Previous Twenty three of Australia’s universities will receive South Africa. discoveries in other coastal caves in South Africa – also a share of the $83 million with UOW allocated Dr Jacobs is part of an international team of dated by Dr Jacobs – showed that symbolic behaviour $5,896,225. researchers from Australia, South Africa, Israel, occurred as early as 75,000 years ago, much earlier than the first evidence elsewhere in the world. UOW has been rewarded for its commitment to England, Greece and the United States that reported high quality learning and teaching across the their findings in the authoritative international science The new evidence doubles the known time-depth of multiple discipline groups of: (a) science, journal Nature in October. symbolic behaviour. “Our results support a growing body computing, engineering, architecture and The research team was led by Dr Curtis Marean of evidence for the simultaneous anatomical, genetic agriculture; (b) business, law and economics; (c) (Arizona State University) and funded by a US$2.5 and behavioural origins of Homo sapiens between about humanities, arts and education; (d) health. million grant from the US National Science 195,000 and 164,000 years ago in sub-Saharan Africa, and confirms that Africa was the cradle for human UOW Vice-Chancellor Professor Gerard Sutton Foundation’s Human Origins: Moving in New evolution, in all its different forms,” said Dr Jacobs. described the announcement as a stunning Directions (HOMINID) program. result which reinforced Wollongong’s strong Their findings show that humans had expanded their Dr Jacobs analysed thousands of individual sand-sized performance over the previous two rounds. BG diet to include shellfish and other marine resources by grains of quartz to date the archaeological deposits, 164,000 years ago in coastal southern Africa, perhaps using a method known as optically stimulated as a response to harsh environmental conditions. The luminescence (OSL). This technique dates the last time UOW retains Top research team says it is the earliest known observation that grains of sand are exposed to light, and UOW is of this behaviour, pushing back the previous recognised internationally as a world leader in this field 200 world ranking benchmark by 40,000 years. of science. BG continued on from page 1.

ranked by several indicators of academic and research performance including academic peer Fish chips review, recruiter review, student faculty ratio, citations per faculty member, proportion of international faculty and proportion of aid survival international students. he Marine and Freshwater Centre at UOW’s Professor Sutton said UOW’s inclusion again in TShoalhaven Campus is playing a key role in the Top 200 rankings was a great tribute to all helping to conserve critical species of native fish. UOW’s general and academic staff as well as to Tiny transmitters have been fitted to estuary perch and the University’s graduates who had proven Australian bass released into the Shoalhaven River. themselves in the workforce. Listening stations placed for 70km along the river will Marine and Freshwater Centre research assistant, Craig Professor Sutton also paid special tribute to the monitor and log the fish movements over the next two Burnes, with one of the tagged Australian bass to be spawning seasons. many employers who were prepared to used in the two-year study. [Photo courtesy of the South participate in The Times’ survey determining how Understanding the migration cues of the fish will help Coast Register] employers rated UOW graduates. conservation and recreational fishery managers holding tanks at the Marine and Freshwater Centre for sustainably manage the two species. “I think that indicates employers of our graduates later release. feel a strong affinity with the institution that NSW Department of Primary Industries fisheries Little is known of the migration cues, including timing trained their staff, and that’s a very positive sign researcher Chris Walsh is hoping to glean information and location of spawning of either species in the for our future graduates,” he said. about the two species’ biology, ecology and the effects Shoalhaven, so researchers will examine inter-annual of environmental flows in the river. In August UOW also received a maximum five movements and annual spawning migrations and the star ranking from the Good Universities Guide in Anglers from Shoalhaven freshwater fishing clubs relation with salinity levels and river discharge. the graduate outcomes category – further recently caught more than 200 fish from which 40 Associate Professor Ron West of UOW’s School of confirmation of the strength of the University’s were selected to carry transmitters. graduates. BG/NH Biological Sciences said during December the Transmitters were surgically inserted into 20 fish, centre will also be setting up some experiments on which were then released, and another 20 kept in freshwater crayfish and trials on holding bream. BG

4 Campus News December 07 University of Wollongong 1300 367 869 www.uow.edu.au FOCUS ON RESEARCH Researchers win $14.7m in ARC grants

he University of Wollongong’s UOW remains a leader in the field of Treputation for research has been nanomaterials. enhanced with $14.7 million allocated The Discovery grants included a in this year’s Australian Research number of research fellowships. ISEM Council (ARC) Discovery Grants and received three fellowships for Dr Alexey Linkage Grants announced in Pan (Australian Research Fellowship), September. and Dr Jung Ho Kim and Dr Xuebin Yu They included 32 ARC Discovery (Australian Postdoctoral Fellowships). A stand out in the ARC grant recipients list was the Institute for Superconducting and Project grants totalling $11.3 million. Members of the School of Earth and Electronic Materials (ISEM) which received $4 million. ISEM Director Professor Shixue Dou (centre front) is pictured with some of his research team (from left) Dr Germanas The Institute for Superconducting and Environmental Sciences’ new Peleckis, Dr Sihai Zhou, Professor Chao Zhang and Dr Jung Ho Kim. Electronic Materials (ISEM) received $4 archaeological science team working million in funding for seven Discovery on projects in Africa, Arabia and Asia, Projects for its work on energy materials have also been rewarded with Professor Lee Astheimer said. one Linkage International, hot on and technology, including energy fellowships. Professor Richard (Bert) Professor Astheimer said a pleasing the heels of her recent success generation, conversion, efficiency, Roberts was awarded an Australian aspect of this year’s outcomes was the of two Linkage Projects in a transmission, storage and conservation. Professorial Fellowship and Dr Lee awarding of grants to researchers in previous round. Arnold and Adam Brumm awarded the humanities and social, economic The Intelligent Polymer Research And she said that one of UOW’s Australian Postdoctoral Fellowships. and behavioural sciences. Institute (IPRI), received more than newest research strengths, the $1.1 million in ARC funding and an “It’s an extremely good result for the Professor Astheimer highlighted the Centre for Statistical Survey and additional grant with Engineering’s University and clearly shows that our successful outcome for the Faculty of Methodology (CSSM), received two Professor Elena Pereloma to purchase academics are at the forefront of Commerce’s Associate Dean of Discovery Grants through Professor a scanning electron microscope valued research activity in this country,” Acting Research, Professor Sara Dolnicar who Ray Chambers and Professor at $600,000, which will ensure that Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) received two Discovery Projects and Matt Wand. RC Backyards a window on Aussie attitudes

ow do we think about our and nurture others. Our neighbours Hbackyards? What do we think may have different ideas and different about nature? Cats or birds? Vegies, boundaries,” she said. flowers or native shrubs? What are Among its diverse sample, the book’s the ethics of lettuce? How do we research identifies both commonality manage water? and differences in our environmental These and many more questions are positioning. Trees, lawn, cats and answered in a new book by Professor native plants provoke a spectrum of Lesley Head and Pat Muir from responses between love and hate. In UOW’s School of Earth and comparison, there is much more of a Environmental Sciences that uses shared ethic when it comes to water suburban backyards from Sydney, and birds. These findings have Wollongong and Alice Springs as a important implications for how we window into Australian environmental create sustainable cities. attitudes and practices. Backyard book co-authors Professor Lesley Head (left) and Pat Muir. The beautifully illustrated book Backyard: Nature and Culture in but we are all enmeshed with the backyards – they are places of originates in the discipline of Suburban Australia features in-depth non-human world. It is artificial to relaxation and havens from the interviews with backyarders and draw a dividing line between cities outside world,” Professor Head said. geography but has relevance for scholarly mapping of broader and nature,” said Professor Head, “But our backyards can also be zones readers interested in urban studies, historical and social trends to create who heads the School of Earth and of conflict and passionate argument. environmental science, ecology, planning, sociology and popular an accessible discussion of current Environmental Sciences. “They are places where we establish theories about the environment and culture studies. “Focusing on people in their boundaries about which plants, ideas of nature and change. backyards brings to light a great animals and people are allowed to Backyard: Nature and Culture in “It is often argued that urban diversity of environmental belong. We fence some things in and Suburban Australia is a University of Australians are alienated from nature experiences. Many of us love our other things out. We kill some things Wollongong Press publication. BG

1300 367 869 www.uow.edu.au University of Wollongong Campus News December 07 5 Garden memorial to body donors

he University of Wollongong paid fact there can be no more generous Ttribute to participants of its Body donation. Donation Program with a Ceremony of “It is simply not possible to produce Appreciation and the inauguration of a first class health professionals without memorial garden at Lakeside Memorial these donations. Park in October. “So you will make a difference. It is an UOW launched the program in 2006 important contribution to the training because of increasing demand for of the next generations of doctors and UOW graduate Anna Harris (left) and Body Donation Program Coordinator Darryl anatomy studies with the opening of other health professionals and leaves a McAndrew with Dr Winifred Ward, a Fellow of the University who was one of the first the Graduate School of Medicine legacy to your children, your people to register with the program. earlier this year. Program coordinator grandchildren and the community Darryl McAndrew told attendees that generally.” Australia Chief Executive Officer appropriate symbol for a garden that already 27 people have donated Richard Davis unveiled a plaque in the honours people who have donated their their bodies for medical science Professor Sutton assured donors and memorial garden that Lakeside bodies for the advancement of medical research while a further 146 have their families that an over-riding issue Memorial Park has donated to the science for the benefit of future joined the register. for the University was that body program. generations. donations be treated with dignity and “This has been a wonderful response, respect at all times. Mr Davis, whose company operates Among the attendees at the ceremony and without this kind of support we Lakeside, said he couldn’t imagine a was Dr Winifred Ward, 87, who was one couldn’t operate,” Mr McAndrew said. This point was reinforced by recent more worthwhile cause. “This of the first people to join the register Medical Sciences graduate Anna Speaking at the ceremony, which was memorial garden is an when the Body Donation program Harris, who spoke on behalf of attended by the families of donors and acknowledgement of this special gift, opened in 2006. She is also one of the students who study in the UOW those who have joined the program as but we also hope it will be a reminder Program’s most enthusiastic supporters. Anatomy Laboratory. She said how well as University staff and students, for people of happier times, of the much students appreciated the “The University of Wollongong is very UOW Vice-Chancellor Professor good times they shared with their opportunity to study human tissue precious to me,” said Dr Ward, who Gerard Sutton said the University was loved ones,” he said. gained her PhD in 1999. Dr Ward rather than models and respected the deeply grateful to the people who achieved a life-long ambition to study at donors who had made that possible. Student representatives Domonic made the decision to join the Manessa and Helen Freeborn planted university when she enrolled as a register, and their families who “There are really no words to express a Brunfelsia pauciflora bush in the mature age student in 1979 after the supported them. my gratitude to the donors and their garden. This bush, which has beautiful death of her husband. families and friends who have made it “We understand this is a most difficult purple flowers that fade to white as For more information on the Body possible,” she said. decision … for individuals and their they age, has a common name of Donation program, contact Darryl families,” Professor Sutton said. “In Professor Sutton and Invocare Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow – an McAndrew on (02) 4221 5143. NH

on a range of Royal Initiative Discovery projects to Thai Minister reinforces warm relations help ensure Thailand’s environmental sustainability is maintained.

hile Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports The minister pointed out that tree planting was being WDr Suvit Yodmani used his visit to the University encouraged on a major scale, plastic bags being of Wollongong in October to outline his country’s reduced as much as possible, biodegradeable assault on global warming, it was warmth of a containers used for food, more bicycle riding in appropriate areas of the country being urged and the different kind that he extended to UOW staff and development of eco-friendly cars. students. Dr Suvit said Thailand was also developing “green “UOW is now very well known in Thailand,” he told hotels” with tourists encouraged to become green staff and students attending a lecture he delivered leaf members. entitled Low Emissions: Tourism Thai. Vice-Chancellor Professor Gerard Sutton described The minister referred to UOW’s strong involvement in the Minister and his wife as “great friends” of the the United Nations Young Environment Envoys His Excellency Dr Suvit Yodmani and his wife Khunying University and said the University had very strong Program which provided opportunities for many Songsuda Yodmani welcomed to UOW by Vice- ties with Thailand. young Thai students who were interested in Chancellor Professor Gerard Sutton and his wife, Sylvia. environmental matters to visit UOW. In 2002 UOW conferred an Honorary Doctorate on with 369 now studying at UOW and Wollongong the King of Thailand, His Majesty Bhumibol Dr Suvit is one of Thailand’s most respected College Australia. UOW also has a range of teaching Adulyadej – the only time a Doctor of the University environmentalists and academics and is a Fellow of and research links with Thailand. award has been made. This followed the awarding in the University of Wollongong. His wife, Khunying 1999 of an Honorary Doctorate to Professor Dr HRH Songsuda Yodmani, who accompanied the minister In his address, Dr Suvit referred to how the King of Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol, who travelled to Thailand had made his people aware of the dangers on his visit, is also a Fellow of the University. Wollongong to receive the degree and to sign an of global warming back in the 1980s. Wollongong has one of the highest proportions of Education and Scientific Agreement with the Thai student populations of any university in Australia He said with that in mind the country has embarked University. BG

6 Campus News December 07 University of Wollongong 1300 367 869 www.uow.edu.au Alumnigraduates of our university...

Chancellor’s Awards celebrate contributions to the community

aul Wand has won the alumni category of the The Chancellor said Mr Wand, who donated his PUniversity of Wollongong’s inaugural prizemoney to UOW’s Woolyungah Indigenous Chancellor’s Awards for Achievement in Community Centre, was a fitting winner of the inaugural award Service. The award recognises his long-term for alumni of the University. commitment and contribution to disadvantaged The community category winner, Illawarra Cancer Indigenous communities across Australia. Carers, is a group of committed volunteers who Chancellor Michael Codd AC instituted the community since 1991 have worked tirelessly to support service awards this year to recognise the many ways Illawarra cancer patients and their families. Since people support the University and the community. 2005 the group has donated more than $270,000 to the University, allowing researchers to make There were two award categories, each carrying a significant progress and advancements in the monetary prize of $2,000 – one for UOW alumni, search for an effective formulation for anti- won by Mr Wand, and one for general community cancer therapy. members or groups won by the Illawarra Cancer Carers group. Top: Members of the Illawarra Cancer Carers are pictured Mr Codd commended the quality of all the award accepting their award from UOW Chancellor Michael nominees and said that the selection panel was Mr Wand, who graduated with a Bachelor of Codd AC. Inset: The Chancellor with alumni award- Metallurgy degree from UOW in 1976, had a long and winner Paul Wand. extremely impressed by the level of commitment distinguished career in mining and metals processing being shown to the community by UOW’s graduates. with Rio Tinto. During his career, Mr Wand had been Through his consultancy he has been involved in Mr Codd also paid tribute to the alumni volunteers regarded as one of the country’s pioneers in the field many significant projects that have benefited who continue to dedicate their time to the Science of assisting organisations to build respectful and Aboriginal communities, such as leading the Wand Centre and Planetarium, Graduate School of mutually beneficial relations with Aboriginal Review of native title claim processes in Western Medicine, Alumni Bookshop, mentoring activities, communities across Australia, and to meeting their Australia, working with the Federal Government to advisory committees, research teams and as corporate responsibilities in this sensitive area. promote Aboriginal employment opportunities, and guest speakers. working with Reconciliation Australia to provide He was Rio Tinto’s first Vice-President Indigenous improved banking services to Aboriginal Vice-Chancellor Professor Gerard Sutton praised Mr Relations, during which time he forged key communities. Wand and the Cancer Carers for their efforts and partnerships between Indigenous groups across also commended everybody at the function for Almost 150 people attended a ‘Celebrating Australia. He was also founding chairman of the Rio contributing in some way to his or her community. Tinto Aboriginal Foundation, which distributed $10 Community’ event at the University in October, million in funding for Indigenous health, cultural, where Mr Codd made presentations to the winners “We have a community of giving that is very education and youth projects in the 10 years he of his inaugural awards. prevalent in the region,” he said. chaired the organisation from 1996. “The University has a special relationship with its “These awards are a wonderful initiative of the Mr Wand, who retired from Rio Tinto in 2000, is head community,” Mr Codd said during his presentation. Chancellor and the UOW Council and give some of the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research “Even before becoming Chancellor here, I had structure and formalisation to what has been a Centre based in Alice Springs, and operates an already heard that UOW was the best in the country reality since UOW was established and started Indigenous relations consultancy. for maintaining its strong linkages to the community.” making very strong links with its community.” RC

1300 367 869 www.uow.edu.au University of Wollongong Campus News December 07 7 Alumnigraduates of our university... return of a marked essay for which he had received Journalist with passion for teaching a High Distinction. “There in the margin was a mini- scoreboard from an Ashes Test match which Clem Judge Marcus Einfeld.” had attended in England during semester break. I Peter O’Brien often wondered how much the setting in which the Peter also tutors junior and senior editorial staff on Master of Arts (Journalism) 1993 assignment was marked contributed to my HD! News Limited’s ground-breaking online learning As Editorial Training Manager for Nationwide News courses, and facilitates training and accreditation for “Clem loved sport and he loved journalism. His in Sydney, UOW graduate Peter O’Brien each year the company’s journalists from external passion for the profession is something I have screens hundreds of would-be journalists for organisations like the Rural Fire Service. always tried to copy.” positions with The Australian, Daily Telegraph and Peter was already a senior journalist working as From the Mercury Peter moved to Sydney, first as other papers in the News Limited stable. Chief Sub-editor at the Illawarra Mercury when he Deputy Editor of the medical weekly Australian “We receive hundreds of applications a year for started the MA (Journalism) degree at UOW. Doctor, before realising his passion was in daily newspapers. “I was lucky enough to gain a position entry-level journalism positions,” says Peter. “My “The University approached the Mercury to see if with The Australian in 1995 and have been with role allows me to screen the applicants and expose working journalists would be interested in enrolling News Limited ever since.” them to the newsrooms through a short-term in a start-up post-graduate journalism course,” he internship program from which most of our cadets says. “I jumped at the chance to formalise my Peter loves his teaching and mentoring roles, and are selected. education as a journalist and to exchange ideas in a says his immediate career goals are to keep pace new forum.” with the changing news environment and the growth “It’s very rewarding, especially when you watch a of online journalism. young person who you helped get into journalism go He has many fond memories of studying under the on to win a Walkley Award, as happened last year course’s founder, well-known journalist and educator “If I were to leave News, I would love to move to a when Viva Goldner won a Walkley for her reports on the late Professor Clem Lloyd – none more than the tertiary teaching role in media studies,” he says. NH

Second choice had first rate outcome Irene O’Brien Bachelor of Arts 1980 Studying history at the University of Wollongong wasn’t Irene O’Brien’s first choice when she finished Year 12 at Corrimal High School. Irene desperately wanted to study Law at the Australian National University. However, her father was facing retrenchment from the Port Kembla Irene and Peter O’Brien relax at home. Steelworks at the time and when she missed out on a scholarship, studying in Canberra was not Irene and her husband Peter (featured in the story “One of the really fun parts of my job is being in financially possible. above) still live in Wollongong, and she has watched charge of sponsorship for major charity and with interest as UOW has built its reputation since her “So I turned down law at ANU and enrolled in a community events in my groups,” she says. time as a student in its first years after independence Bachelor’s degree in history at Wollongong. It may (from UNSW) in 1975. be the best decision that was ever forced upon me,” After graduating from UOW in 1980 Irene worked as a “I have really fond memories of my time at the Irene says. journalist at the Illawarra Mercury, before being approached by the then NSW Health Minister University of Wollongong and I made a lot of friends,” She certainly hasn’t looked back since completing Peter Collins to join his staff as press secretary. she says. “Being a bit of a social creature, the union her degree in 1980, forging a successful career in bar features heavily in my recollections and I used to She spent five years working for the Government, journalism and public relations. tell everyone that I majored in cafeteria. first for Mr Collins and later John Hannaford in his Irene is a Division Director at Macquarie Bank, roles as Industrial Relations Minister and later “I liked working under pressure and sometimes used Head of Public Relations and Communications for Attorney-General. to leave my assignments to the last minute. I spent three groups within the bank – Financial Services, many a Sunday afternoon sitting on the floor of the Funds Management and Investment Lending. She is When the Coalition lost office in 1995 she joined the reference section of the library surrounded by notes based in Sydney, but with global responsibilities as Australian Securities Commission (later the Australian and books, with the librarians frowning at me, madly all three groups have an international focus. Securities and Investments Commission), which gave taking notes to finish my assignments. her the opportunity to “learn a massive amount about Irene and her staff look after all media, issues “Only once did my absolutely favourite lecturer, Dr everything corporate and financial”. management and internal communications for these Stuart Piggin, tell me that he knew I could do better groups, while she and her fellow Communications She then had a short stint as the ABC’s National and that I had two days to re-write a 5000-word essay Managers from other divisions are involved in major Corporate Communications Director before joining …. So it was back to the library floor and frowning bankwide issues. Macquarie Bank six years ago. librarians, and Dr Piggin gave me a Distinction!” NH

8 Campus News December 07 University of Wollongong 1300 367 869 www.uow.edu.au Husbands and Wives Ulla’s putting her degree to a cool use Ulla Doyle Bachelor of Education (PE/Health) 1996 When Ulla Doyle (nee Ovaskainen) was completing her PE teacher training at UOW in 1996, it’s a safe bet that she couldn’t have imagined it would lead to a job taking groups of mainly Arabic women walking around an air-conditioned shopping mall in Dubai. But that’s one of Ulla’s jobs in Dubai, and she loves it. Ulla, who moved to the Middle East with children Annalise, Elina and Eamon, when husband Chris “In Dubai I see my main role as being a wife and helps me get out and meet a lot of people.” NH accepted a job there two years ago, has part-time jobs mother, especially with Chris travelling so much with as both a fitness instructor and a remedial massage his job,” she says. “I’m just lucky to have been able to Chris and Ulla Doyle with their children Annalise, Elina therapist. Three nights a week she takes a group for find some part-time work that I really enjoy, and which and Eamon, during a visit home to Wollongong this year. evening runs in a park, and three mornings a week she takes 35 women walking in the mall. The walking group has the use of the giant Mall of the Emirates for 11/2 hours before the shops open at 10am. Chris kicking career “It’s ideal because we can walk in air-conditioned comfort, which is important because some of our Arabic members are in their seventies and even goals in Middle East eighties,” Ulla said. “The mall is so large that we have Dr Chris Doyle 2005 after being appointed Bovis Lend Lease’s a 1km loop and we do three or four laps. Environmental Manager for the Gulf Region to look “It’s the perfect job. I’m getting paid to keep fit, and Bachelor of Environmental Sciences after the 14-island Durrat Al Bahrain project in getting to meet a lot of people from different (Honours) 1995 Bahrain, was formerly Sustainability Coordinator for nationalities. It starts after the girls start school, and PhD (Fluvial Geomorphology) 2003 the Port Kembla Port Corporation. He was also an there is always one of the group willing to push Eamon Honorary Fellow at UOW’s Coastal Research group, UOW-trained environmental scientist and champion in his stroller! supervising UOW students researching the port’s rugby player Dr Chris Doyle has kicked some big maritime environment. “The walking group is designed to encourage women goals since moving from Wollongong to the Middle to exercise and make it part of their life, which hasn’t East two years ago. He said the move to the Middle East had obviously really been the case for Arabic women in the past. been a major one for his wife Ulla (also a UOW Chris this year was promoted to Head of Environment, Apart from the walk, we also do a lot of stretching graduate – see story left), and their children Annalise Health and Safety and Sustainability for the Middle exercises.” 6, Elina 4 and Eamon 2. “It has worked out really East, Africa and Europe for the global construction Husband Chris joins Ulla’s evening running group company Bovis Lend Lease, based in Dubai. well. We have a pretty good outdoors lifestyle with lots whenever possible, and Ulla has also competed in of swimming, and the girls really like their school,” Chris’ “patch” includes 100 construction sites in 15 three half-marathons during her time in Dubai. he said. countries “from Madrid to Moscow to Muscat”. She also works as a remedial masseur two days Chris’ environmental credentials were not the only “I’m spending a lot of time in aeroplanes at the a week. skills recognised when he moved to the Middle East. moment, as I get acquainted with the projects, the He is an accomplished rugby union goal-kicking five- Ulla has had a variety of career changes since her teams and the geography,” he said. “And I am really eighth, having represented Illawarra and NSW Country student days at UOW, where she worked part-time at enjoying the job. The company has lots of very the Recreation and Aquatic Centre. interesting projects across Central and Eastern from Wollongong Shamrocks club and played first Europe, as well as the Middle East, so I am getting grade in Sydney with Southern Districts. He was After graduating in 1996 she spent a year teaching at to see a lot of countries and experience a lot of quickly snapped up by the Dubai Hurricanes when he Caroline Chisholm College in Canberra, before different cultures.” arrived in the Middle East. returning to Wollongong to marry Chris, whom she had met at UOW. She then joined the NSW Sport and In the first few months in this new job Chris visited The Hurricanes were one of Dubai’s perennial also- Recreation Department as a sports development officer. construction sites in Madrid, Milan, Muscat, Bahrain, rans before his arrival, but this year the team went Abu Dhabi, Warsaw, Prague, Brno, Bratislava, Moscow through the season undefeated, winning the Arabian Ulla spent 1999-2000 teaching at a special needs and St Petersburg, and attended conferences in Gulf League and Cup competitions – the club’s first school in England while Chris was doing part of his London and San Francisco. successes. PhD at Birmingham University. When the couple returned to Wollongong she completed a Graduate “I’m certainly getting to see a lot of the world,” he told “I enjoy the rugby, but the heat can be incredible. The Diploma in Massage Therapy, and worked part-time at Campus News, in something of an understatement, Cup final against the Kuwait Nomads kicked off at during a family visit to Wollongong this year. a physiotherapy clinic as well as doing some teaching 1.30pm in 38 degree heat – not an experience I am at Cedars Christian College. Chris, 33, who moved to the Middle East in November keen to repeat in a hurry,” he said. NH

1300 367 869 www.uow.edu.au University of Wollongong Campus News December 07 9 Alumnigraduates of our university... His appointment to head the Mark’s golden touch Johannesburg-based Anglogold Ashanti ALUMNI BRIEFS: – a global giant that has 21 mines in 10 countries on four continents and New Council members Mark Cutifani produced 5.6 million tonnes of gold in Bachelor of Engineering - Mining 2006 - is the latest in a series of senior UOW graduates Dr Stephen Andersen (First Class Honours) 1982 management roles that began when he and Kelly Knowles have been elected was appointed manager at Coal Cliff as alumni representatives on the UOW Mining Engineering graduate Mark colliery four years after he graduated University Council. Cutifani has taken over as Chief from UOW. Executive Officer of one of the world’s Dr Andersen has a long connection largest gold miners. Other roles since then have included with the University, both as a graduate General Manager at Kalgoorlie and in an advisory capacity. A Mark’s appointment as CEO of the South Consolidated Gold Mines, head of prominent Wollongong pathologist and African-based Anglogold Ashanti Ltd in businessman, Dr Andersen holds a Mark Cutifani Western Mining Corporation’s nickel September continues his highly Bachelor of Science and MBA degrees business based in Perth, Group successful career in the global mining from UOW, and was made a Fellow of Executive in charge of Normandy industry, that started when he joined “The lecturers were always very helpful the University in 1998. He currently Mining’s global gold operations based Coal Cliff colliery straight from high and tried to accommodate our work chairs the Alumni Development Group, in Adelaide and Managing Director of school in 1976. schedules as much as possible,” he is a member of the Vice-Chancellor’s says. “And they didn’t take it personally gold and tantalum miner Sons of Mark enrolled at UOW in 1977 but Advisory Board and is an Honorary if we occasionally fell asleep in class.” Gwalia in Perth. In 2003 he moved to continued to work at Coal Cliff as he Clinical Associate Professor at the Canada to join Brazilian mining giant completed his Mining Engineering He remembers Associate Professors Graduate School of Medicine. CVRD INCO, where he was President, degree in a mixture of part-time and Naj Aziz and Bill Upfold as being Since completing her Bachelor of Arts North America and Europe before full-time study. particularly inspiring to the group of in Industrial Relations and Politics in young miners. taking over as Chief Operating Officer He remembers his time at UOW as like 2000 Ms Knowles has been working earlier this year. being part of a big “family” of dedicated And Mark mustn’t have slept through as a public servant for the young miners combining study with too many classes, because in 1981 he Mark, who has seven children from two Commonwealth Department of work in the local coal mines - and a little won the Atlas Copco Travelling Bursary marriages, is a dedicated community Employment and Workplace Relations sport and socialising! Mark says the – awarded to just one student in worker who last year was awarded a and more recently as a Senior Adviser students looked out for one another as Australasia - which provided him with Paul Harris Fellowship Award from at the Australian Industry Group. She they juggled shift work in the mines with the chance to visit Europe and tour Rotary in Canada for outstanding was also elected as a Councillor to their classes and their need for sleep. some of its biggest mines. service to the City of Sudbury. NH Sutherland Shire Council in 2004 and chairs the Shire’s business incubator.

“Professor Lloyd gave me an Business star enormous amount of encouragement Anna’s University of Wollongong graduate and inspiration,” she says. “He was Rachel Chippendale (Arts/Commerce an excellent teacher and had a great 2004) won the regional category of the mastered sense of humour, which made the NSW BizStar 2007 Competition in classes enjoyable.” her craft September with her business Anna remembers being exhausted by www.rubyscloset.com.au the schedule of day-time study and Rachel impressed the judges with her Anna Patty night work. “But being much launch product – the Ruby’s Closet younger, I had enough energy to Master of Arts (Journalism) Jewellery Display Hanger and her enjoy campus life and the friendships 1992 long-term business and marketing I made,” she says. “And working at Anna Patty really mixed the practical strategies to drive the online shopping night was fun because there were with the theoretical when she Anna Patty and gift store forward. often opportunities to write late- completed her Master of Arts breaking page one stories, and then (Journalism) degree at the University Herald’s Education Editor. pick the paper off the rolling printing College reconnection of Wollongong in 1992. “When I joined the Mercury I had an press an hour or two later.” The Alumni Office wants to hear from Anna was a young journalist at the undergraduate degree, majoring in Anna moved from the Mercury to graduates who lived in UOW Illawarra Mercury when she studied English literature, from the University The Sun-Herald and then The Daily residential accommodation. at UOW, working the late “police of Sydney,” says Anna. “I thought the Telegraph in Sydney before working in rounds” shift from 6pm to 1.30am. Masters degree would provide a good You could win a $200 or a $100 Athens during the 2004 Olympics She’d finish work, grab a few hours opportunity to expand my skills in an amazon.com gift voucher by simply and The Times, on a News sleep, and head off to university for area directly relevant to my career.” updating your details at Corporation exchange. She returned her Journalism studies under www.uow.edu.au/alumni/newcontact/ Anna says she was also attracted by to Australia to work at the Telegraph's Professor Clem Lloyd. index.html the idea of learning from the late state parliament bureau. In 2006 she So please reconnect with your college Since completing her course, Anna Professor Lloyd, who had an was appointed Education Editor at the today. The competition closes on 31 has worked on some of the biggest outstanding career as a journalist and Herald, where she oversees the December 2007. Authorised under newspapers in Britain and Australia, media educator when he established paper’s coverage of secondary and NSW Permit No. LTPM/07/20490. including The Times in London. She the Master of Arts (Journalism) tertiary education and reports on is currently The Sydney Morning course at UOW in 1990. school-based issues. NH

10 Campus News December 07 University of Wollongong 1300 367 869 www.uow.edu.au Scientist named 2007 ANZAAS Medallist Professor John Professor Boldeman’s award was in recognition of his sustained and Boldeman outstanding contributions to nuclear PhD 1971 science and particle accelerator physics. The long and distinguished career of scientist and UOW graduate Professor Professor Boldeman, the former John Boldeman has been recognised Director of the Physics Division at with Australia’s premier science ANSTO, has been engaged in recent Professor John Boldeman (centre) proudly displays his 2007 ANZAAS Medal. He is award – the 2007 Australian and New years in the building of the National pictured with 2005 Nobel Prize winner Professor Barry Marshall (left) and research Synchrotron which was opened Zealand Association for the biologist, Sir Gustav Nossal. Photo courtesy: Dave Cohen, ANSTO. Advancement of Science (ANZAAS) recently in Melbourne. He was the Medal. Foundation Technical Director for the supervision of the late pioneering Technological Sciences and Australian Synchrotron until 2002 UOW mathematician, Professor The medal was presented to Engineeering, Professor Boldeman before being appointed as the Austin Keane. He visited UOW earlier Professor Boldeman at a ceremony in was also a Professorial Fellow at UOW Principal Scientific Adviser to the this year for the unveiling of a display Melbourne in front of 2005 Nobel for several years working with the Victorian Government on the project. in the Austin Keane Building linked to Prize winner for Medicine Professor Director of the Institute for some of Professor Keane's work. Barry Marshall and the renowned Professor Boldeman undertook his Superconducting and Electronic research biologist Sir Gustav Nossal. PhD at Wollongong under the A Fellow of the Australian Academy of Materials Professor Shixue Dou. BG

lot of my fellow students were Representatives. Cunningham retrenched steelworkers who had been The party kept faith with Sharon, and re-training as teachers,” she says. she convincingly won the seat in 2004 connection Sharon spent five years as a casual and repeated the effort this year. relief teacher at Illawarra high schools She says she has great pride in being Sharon Bird before taking a permanent position at a UOW graduate, and watching the TAFE for the next seven years. A university develop over the past two Diploma of Education 1985 member of the Labor Party since the decades. age of 15, she then spent two years The University of Wollongong is right in Shellharbour …. there certainly wasn’t working for the then Member for “UOW is certainly a social, cultural the middle of the federal electorate of and economic driver of the Illawarra much time for socialising,” she says. Throsby Colin Hollis before joining Cunningham, and so perhaps it is only region. The University experienced Juvenile Justice, working in the field of fitting that the Member of Parliament “But I was very impressed with the tremendous growth under the youth justice conferencing. for the seat should be a UOW relaxed atmosphere at Wollongong. I previous Labor Government in the graduate. sometimes had to bring Michael with Sharon had long harboured 1980s and early 1990s, and I and my me, and even took him to tutorials, parliamentary ambitions and jumped at parliamentary colleague from this Sharon Bird, who won the seat for which is something I couldn’t have the chance to represent the Labor area, Jennie George, are certainly Labor at the 2004 election and considered at the University of Sydney. Party in a by-election in Cunningham committed to continuing our advocacy retained it with a significant swing in Michael became a bit of a travelling after the long-standing MP Dr Stephen on behalf of the University to the the November 24 election that saw a exhibit, and we even sometimes used Martin (a UOW graduate and former Government,” she said. Labor Government elected, graduated him to test language development staff member) resigned in 2002. from UOW with a Diploma of Education “And I have always been impressed theories.” in 1985. However, things didn’t follow the Labor with the University’s commitment to There was another aspect of the script in the 2002 by-election and affordability, access and equity. I She had an Arts degree from the classes that made an immediate Michael Organ (also a UOW graduate commend the University’s leadership University of Sydney and had been impression. “It was just after the big and staff member) became the first for not going down the path of full fee- intending to combine it with a Law down-turn in the steel industry, and a Greens MP in the House of paying students.” NH degree at Sydney (in the days before UOW’s Faculty of Law opened). However, having met and married a school teacher she decided that full despite being virtually 1997). Last year she defied teaching would be a good career. IN immobilised since birth by the rare medical science when she gave genetic condition spinal muscular birth to two children, Jemimah and She remembers her year at UOW atrophy. She was unable to move Issac. Both were born three studying for her DipEd as a hectic but MEMORIAM her legs or torso and had limited months prematurely but have rewarding one. Her eldest son Michael One of UOW's most courageous use of her hands. grown into healthy young children. (now a UOW student) had been born graduates, Jennifer Lee (nee Hay), the previous year and she sometimes Yet Jennifer fullfilled three of her Her husband Graham told the died in November after came to classes with baby in tow. life’s ambitions - marriage and Illawarra Mercury that the word complications from pneumonia. children and an Arts degree from "never" was not in Jennifer's “I was basically just coming to uni, Jennifer, 34, was well-known for UOW in communication and vocabulary. :"There was always a doing my classes and going home to her determination to live life to the cultural studies (graduating in way to do something," he said. NH

1300 367 869 www.uow.edu.au University of Wollongong Campus News December 07 11 Alumnigraduates of our university... at University fresh out of Smith’s Hill Angela’s High School in Wollongong. Lawyer “I obviously wasn’t ready for uni the inspiring first time around,” Angela candidly admits. “I hadn’t been very focussed keeps up comeback at high school and did so badly in my first year at uni that I gracefully Faculty withdrew and got a job as a Angela Taylor secretary.” association Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of But bored after a few years in the job, Laws 1999 she explored a career change to Ashley Tsacalos private investigator. “I spent some Ashley Tsacalos Graduate Diploma in Legal Bachelor of Commerce 1999 Practice 2000 time with a private investigator who had been a solicitor, and he put the Bachelor of Laws (1st Class of student-centred learning is that it When Angela Taylor began her idea of studying Law in my head,” Honours) 1999 teaches you to be an independent second attempt at a tertiary education she says. “But the Academic University Medal for Law 1999 learner. Effectively, you learn how to the local newspaper, the Illawarra Registrar at UOW told me I had no learn and all the skills that come Mercury, published a story with the chance of being accepted for Law High-achieving lawyer Ashley with it such as lateral thinking, headline: HSC slacker to Uni attacker with the TER (Tertiary Education Tsacalos has such positive research skills, initiative, Rank) I had achieved in the HSC.” memories of his student days at the That was in 1994, and The Mercury commitment and so forth.” University of Wollongong that he reported that Angela, who having Not to be deterred, Angela quit her wanted to continue his association Ashley described those skills as a dropped out of a science degree in job and enrolled at TAFE to sit her with the Faculty of Law once he necessary ingredient for success in 1986, had re-sat her Higher School HSC again. She doubled her TER, established himself in the legal the work environment, especially the Certificate and done so well that she and easily qualified for the Law profession. legal profession. had been accepted to study Law at degree – prompting the Mercury story the University of Wollongong. and headline. As a consequence, he has been He said his elevation to partner at coming back to UOW each Deacons had been immensely “It’s amazing what can be achieved summer session for the past five satisfying. when you’re motivated, and I had years to teach an intensive unit on given up the security of full-time “I am proud to be a partner of a firm Insurance Law. employment to study so I was which is going from strength to certainly motivated to do well.” After winning the University Medal strength. It is satisfying to be for being the best Law student in recognised within the firm and Angela graduated in 1999 with First his graduating class of 1999, among clients as having achieved Class Honours in Law and an Arts Ashley has forged a stellar career a certain level of expertise … but it degree majoring in Sociology. In 2000 as a commercial lawyer. is also satisfying because Deacons she worked with the Department of is where I started my legal career Public Prosecutions in Wollongong This year he became one of the as a summer clerk while studying youngest partners at Deacons, one while completing her Graduate in 1998-99.” Diploma in Legal Studies at UOW. of Australia’s largest national law firms. He is a partner in the firm’s He joined the firm full-time as a To cap off an impressive comeback to Angela Taylor Commercial Dispute Resolution graduate solicitor in May 2000 University, Angela won the William Practice, working in Sydney and and became a Senior Associate in Macquarie Law Prize in her post- Canberra. July 2004. In a story that should inspire anyone graduate year. Ashley has a passion for education, who didn’t succeed at their first His practice involves acting on Angela spent 2001 overseas working and believes it is a dynamic attempt at tertiary studies, Angela behalf of various government in the intellectual property division of process that allows students and attacked her second chance at departments and providing them one of London’s biggest law firms and teachers to learn from each other. university with gusto. As a result she with advice in relation to contractual travelling, before returning to Apart from his commitments at has had great success, first as a issues, insurance issues and dispute Wollongong where she joined leading UOW summer sessions, he has student and then as a lawyer. resolution services, with a particular firm Kells The Lawyers. focus on all forms of alternative also taught subjects at three other Angela is now UOW’s Legal Counsel, universities in NSW and South However, a chance opportunity to dispute resolution. He also provides heading up the Legal Services Unit Australia. teach a Law subject (Law of Business similar services to commercial that provides a variety of legal Organisations) at UOW in 2004 led to clients, including insurance “I began teaching as a personal services to the University. Angela renewing her association with companies. interest, through a desire to contribute to the education of Angela describes the unit’s primary UOW. That year she combined work Ashley says he is proud to be a others and to continue my role as protecting the University, in at Kells with teaching and pregnancy UOW graduate and a partner of association with the University of fields as diverse as safeguarding (she gave birth to twins Lexie and Deacons. Wollongong and the Faculty of Law intellectual property to the drawing up Didier), and in 2005 successfully “I chose to study at the University of to which I owe a great deal. of contracts and helping to ensure applied for the lawyer’s position at Wollongong because of its emerging However, it has also assisted my that the University’s internal processes UOW’s Legal and Commercial Unit. reputation at the time and its professional development and has meet all legal requirements. In August this year Angela’s innovative approach to education helped me to communicate with Angela’s life and career have really position was re-titled Legal Counsel and with student-centred learning,” he my clients in a more practical and come full circle since her first attempt her unit renamed Legal Services. NH says. “One of the important features efficient manner.”NH

12 Campus News December 07 University of Wollongong 1300 367 869 www.uow.edu.au Postcard from Dubai The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) has been operating since 1993 and is now one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the United Arab Emirates. UOWD currently has an enrolment of approximately 2,200 students undertaking Bachelors and Masters degrees in Business and Computer Science at its location in Dubai’s Knowledge Village. Fernandes flying high Medical Dean’s

niversity of Prior to joining UOWD in 2001, Dr UWollongong in Fernandes worked in the airline Dubai lecture Dubai’s College of industry for 12 years and was Graduate Studies instrumental in establishing joint edical schools Describing the Dr Cedwyn Chair Dr Cedwyn ventures around the world. Mare increasingly curriculum development Fernandes Fernandes this year moving away from “It was an honour to be part of the process adopted by served on a panel of traditional curriculum Aviation Business Awards. As judges, UOW, he said the choice distinguished judges for the Aviation and adopting a we had a difficult task in selecting was either to take a Business Awards in the Middle East. modern approach winners from a region that has curriculum off the shelf dictated by the The Awards were organised by the produced some of the world’s leading or create a new one changing nature of international ITP Business group and organisations in aviation,” Dr from scratch. They illnesses. aimed at recognising individuals and Fernandes said. opted for the latter, businesses that have made a significant These include building on the best The Awards were presented at a gala Professor contribution to the aviation industry. patients with John Hogg practices of medical dinner in Dubai in November, attended multiple illnesses colleges from across “Dr Fernandes’ appointment is a tribute by more than 250 executives and and chronic Australia, the United to his standing and leading role in the aviation industry professionals. diseases, Professor John Hogg Kingdom, Germany, France and professional community, and also a Emirates won Airline of the Year and told an audience of medical the US. major accolade for UOWD as an the award for in-flight services, while professionals and government Professor Hogg said that UOW's organisation,” said UOWD’s Dean of Air Arabia was named Low-cost Carrier officials at a lecture at the Graduate School of Medicine, Academic Affairs Professor Raed of the Year and its CEO Adel Ali was University of Wollongong in Dubai which opened its doors in Awamleh. named CEO of the Year. in October. January 2007, had adopted a Professor Hogg is Foundation multi pronged approach to UOWD awarded Quality membership Dean of the Graduate School of produce well-rounded medical Medicine at the University of practitioners, by introducing he University of Wollongong in Dubai “We will endeavour to use the EFQM Wollongong. curriculum with spiral integration, has been awarded membership of resources to enhance our standards case-based learning, clinical T Delivering a lecture on A medical the European Foundation for Quality further, to reach the levels attained by skills laboratory, use of school for the 21st century, Management (EFQM), a prestigious body technology, community focus and EFQM’s member organisations.” Professor Hogg said the that recognises and promotes excellence primary care context. UOWD’s commitment to quality traditional pattern of medical in organisations. UOWD Chief Executive Officer management goes back to 1996 when education was being challenged Professor Nick Van der Walt, in UOWD is one of 17 organisations and the it broke new ground by introducing the by the complexity of illnesses, first university in the UAE to have and cited the case of the UAE his welcome address, said the Master of Quality Management (MQM) strong turnout of medical achieved the coveted EFQM where '30 per cent of the program in association with the Dubai professionals and government membership. The only other academic population is diabetic and Quality Group (DQG), which is officials from Dubai, Ras Al institution that has EFQM membership is another 30 per cent pre-diabetic.' sponsored by the Dubai Department the e-TQM College, Dubai. Khaimah and Ajman was proof for Economic Development. The Presenting his personal that the topic had strong EFQM is a network of organisations that UOWD MQM is a one-of-a-kind degree experience in helping to build a relevance in the region. share the same ambition to drive new medical school at UOW in program that provides new graduates Earlier, Professor Hogg had the excellence and achieve better results. Australia, Professor Hogg said the as well as experienced managers with opportunity to join UOWD's The non-profit body harnesses the best the specialised skills and knowledge of need to train doctors to practise postgraduate students for an practices of globally-minded organisations quality management as well as other medicine in non-metropolitan inter-community Iftar, which is and turns this knowledge into practical management functions. areas was urgent. Australia, like offered daily on campus resources. the rest of the developed world, throughout the month of EFQM membership includes over 700 “Being admitted into the elite EFQM club faces a significant shortage of Ramadan. He praised the members in 35 countries. More than is a great honour for UOWD. It is an qualified doctors and medical initiative which brings together endorsement of our relentless pursuit of 18 excellence awards in various personnel. The problem is the staff, faculty and students of quality and excellence in the field of countries are based on the EFQM compounded in rural areas as the University, providing an higher education for the past 15 years,” Excellence Model including the Dubai the majority of doctors choose to opportunity for dialogue, social said Dean of Academic Affairs Professor Quality Awards and the Sheikh Khalifa establish their practices in integration and cross-cultural Raed Awamleh. Awards in the UAE. main cities. understanding.

1300 367 869 www.uow.edu.au University of Wollongong Campus News December 07 13 Awards, achievements and accolades Canadian university national board as well as Los Angeles subsequently recruited Dr Wicks as an NSW branch president international fellow to organise a second honours Don Iverson and treasurer. international think tank in April 2007 for 27 occupational scientists from 14 countries. Canada's University of Waterloo has honoured ACHPER awarded UOW's Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences Professor Patterson his The aim of the second think thank was to Executive Dean Professor Don Iverson for his work Fellowship at a restructure ISOS. She was elected Chair of an in establishing a national cancer research network Recognition Dinner in interim board to develop a new strategic plan for that has generated $200 million in research funding Sydney in December. ISOS. After the launch of the new plan, Dr Wicks was elected ISOS president for three years to lead over the past 14 years. The citation described the way forward. The University presented Professor Iverson with an Professor Patterson as Honorary Doctorate of Science in October. having been at the Dr Wicks has been a teacher in the USA and New Professor John Patterson forefront of curriculum Zealand as well as a visiting scholar in Ireland, Professor Iverson, a Canadian, established the change in his major England, Canada, and several US states. BG network when he was Director of Behavioural discipline area of physical and health education. Research and Program Evaluation at the National This has been particularly evident in the area of Cancer Institute of Canada in 1993-1995. UOW finalists for teacher education, where he has been a member of The network of cancer research units at Canadian state and national task forces dealing with issues Learning Impact Award universities has grown into a major research related to physical activity and health, and a leader The University of Wollongong has triumphed against organisation doing important behavioural research in curriculum development in physical and health 10 other Australian institutions to be ranked top into cancer treatment, screening and prevention, education in NSW. finalist for an international Learning Impact Award. and the pyscho-social problems associated with He has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to palliative care for cancer patients. The award recognises the Graduate School of professional development for physical and health Medicine’s (GSM) Online Learning Environment The University of education teachers, not just in discipline areas but (OLE) which was designed by Associate Professor Waterloo, situated one also in regard to policy development and information Lori Lockyer in the Faculty of Education and the and a half hours south technology innovations. GSM’s Educational Technology Manager Martin of Toronto, is one of the He has also demonstrated a commitment to Olmos. key universities in the ensuring that physical and health education plays a research network. The online learning environment allows GSM prominent role in ongoing curriculum change and students to access resources and learning activity To mark its 50th innovation. outlines in the school’s integrated outcomes-based anniversary, Waterloo Professor Patterson was a high school PE teacher curriculum. last month awarded the for five years before joining the old Wollongong five honorary Teachers College as a lecturer in 1976. WTC doctorates to people it Professor Don Iverson became Wollongong Institute of Education in 1978, considered had made before merging with UOW in 1982. NH major contributions to Canada in their fields. The university's Faculty of Applied Health chose Professor Iverson as its Shoalhaven academic’s recipient. international appointment Professor Iverson said he was deeply honoured to Dr Alison Wicks, Director of the Australasian have his work recognised in this way. Occupational Science Centre (AOSC) at UOW’s "I started the network because I thought it would be Shoalhaven Campus, has been elected President of a good idea to get the whole country working the International Society for Occupational Science Associate Professor Lori Lockyer and Martin Olmos together, so it is wonderful to see how it has evolved (ISOS). have designed an online learning environment for since I left," he said. "The network gave real UOW’s Graduate School of Medicine that is gaining The mission of ISOS is to facilitate a world-wide international recognition. credibility to behavioural research, and the amount network of individuals and institutions committed to of research funding it has generated shows how research and education on occupation and to successful it has become. It effectively doubled the Professor Lockyer and Mr Olmos will attend the IMS promoting occupation for health and community money available for behavioural research on cancer Learning Impact conference next year in Texas to development. in Canada." represent UOW in the international awards. Dr Wicks has been involved in occupational science Professor Iverson said another Canadian who now The Learning Impact Awards are an initiative of the at an international level for eight years. She played a also works at UOW, Associate Professor Lori IMS Global Learning Consortium and recognise the leading role in establishing ISOS in 1999 and then use of technology to support and enhance learning Lockyer, had been a key person in the development took on the role of Executive Assistant. of the network. NH featuring the highest levels of innovation, adoption In 2006, she convened and learning impact. the Inaugural PE/Health educators International IMS Global Learning Consortium is a global, non- recognise Patterson Occupational Science profit member organisation that strives to enable the Think Tank which was growth and impact of learning technology in the UOW Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Operations) Professor hosted by AOSC at the education and corporate learning sectors worldwide. John Patterson has been honoured for his long-term Shoalhaven Campus. The OLE has also been chosen as a finalist in the commitment to physical education by being made a Twenty occupational Australian Society for Computers in Learning in Fellow of the Australian Council of Health Physical scientists from 10 Tertiary Education Awards for Improving Education and Recreation (ACHPER). countries participated in Teaching and Learning using information and the think tank. ACHPER is the professional body for educators community technology. The winner will be working in the physical and health education field, The University of announced at the society’s annual conference in Dr Alison Wicks and Professor Patterson has served on ACHPER’s Southern California in Singapore in December. RC

14 Campus News December 07 University of Wollongong 1300 367 869 www.uow.edu.au Adams receives Carrick Award Schools Challenge sparks Woolyungah Indigenous Centre senior lecturer Dr Michael Adams has been named as one of the interest in engineering recipients of the highest award for teaching and learning in Australia. Dr Adams is the only NSW academic to have won a Carrick Award in the early career academic category. Minister for Education, Science and Training Julie Bishop announced Dr Adams has been awarded a $25,000 Award for Teaching Excellence. The Carrick Awards for Australian University Teaching started last year as Dr Michael Adams a means of providing better recognition for the contribution of all staff at tertiary institutions to the quality of teaching and learning. The prizes are awarded by the Carrick Institute for Learning and Holy Spirit College students display their trophy for winning the inaugural High School Challenge at UOW. Teaching in Higher Education, which is the Australian peak body for the advancement of teaching and he University of Wollongong hosted the 32 students coming from each of the schools. The learning in universities. Tinaugural High School Challenge for the 32 students from each school were given eight Illawarra and South East Region of NSW in diverse projects to choose from with teams of four The award is an acknowledgement of Dr Adams’ November as part of a program designed to students working on their choice of activities. commitment to teaching and learning - in particular, encourage school students to consider careers his dedication to innovation in the area of experiential The participating schools were provided with the in engineering. learning in Indigenous and environmental education. building materials they needed to undertake their The Challenge was initiated in 2000 by the different projects which ranged from developing a Dr Adams specialises in integrated collaborative and University of Newcastle and is now held system simulator to power the different needs of interdisciplinary studies that can bring people from a nationwide involving more than 10,000 students energy users to building a bridge strong enough to number of areas together to discuss key issues. from several hundred high schools. transport a mine trolley full of gold. Dr Adams has worked in areas such as Indigenous The first-ever program to be held in the and environmental conservation, working for National Challenge Operations Director Dr Bob Illawarra/South East Region was jointly hosted by organisations such as the National Parks and Wildlife Nelson said the event at UOW was probably the UOW’s School of Electrical, Computer and Service and Greening Australia. Dr Adams has also most hotly-contested of all the competitions held Telecommunications Engineering, the Rotary worked in consultancies with Indigenous land in Australia. Holy Spirit College at Bellambi won, Club of Wollongong, Engineers Australia and the councils and government departments on Cedars Christian College came in second and University of Newcastle. biodiversity, native title and land management issues. Smith’s Hill High School third. Organisers are already planning to expand the Dr Adams said he was proud to work with a talented The event was sponsored by CSC GIS Global scope of the Challenge for 2008 (possibly to be team of colleagues at the Woolyungah Indigenous Solutions and Technology, Wollongong City held in late June) to include schools from Centre where he teaches Indigenous Studies. Council, Illawarra Regional Development Board, southern Sydney, the South Coast and Southern Andrew Corporation, Integral Energy, BlueScope “I am passionate about supporting students to learn Highlands. Steel, Roads and Traffic Authority, the National about Indigenous, environment and geography The inaugural event attracted 224 Year 10 Australia Bank and the Integral Energy Power issues, and the links between them. students from seven Illawarra high schools with Quality and Reliability Centre. BG “While I am an early career university teacher, I have a 20-year professional background in these areas so I am very aware of the real-world relevance of what I teach,” Dr Adams said. BG organisation dedicated to the promotion in Australia Australian Journalism Educators in November. of scientific and engineering knowledge to practical The magazine, the brainchild of final year journalism purposes. BG Engineer elected students Ben Morgan, Donna Kilby and Sarah Fellow of Academy Lucre, took out the coveted Dr Charles Stuart prize Magazine wins top in a highly competitive field of magazines, The Head of UOW’s School of Mechanical, Materials newspapers and online publications produced by and Mechatronic Engineering Professor Kiet Tieu has student publication prize over 20 of Australia and New Zealand’s top been elected to the Fellowship of the Australian The University of Wollongong’s latest student journalism courses. Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. publication Paper Rock was named the best student The annual awards are judged by media executives The Academy is an independent, non-government publication of the year at the annual meeting of the in Australia and New Zealand. BG

1300 367 869 www.uow.edu.au University of Wollongong Campus News December 07 15 SPORT Hockey club riding high

ockey is riding high at the HUniversity of Wollongong after the women’s first grade team won its fourth straight Illawarra Division One premiership with a crushing 10-0 victory in the grand final. The women’s team’s fourth successive premiership spearheaded the hockey club’s outstanding year, with club championships in the women’s, men’s and junior competitions. The club also won premierships in the women’s second grade and men’s The victorious University of Wollongong women’s team after winning a fourth successive Illawarra Division One hockey grand final. Photo courtesy of the Illawarra Mercury/Robert Peet. second and fifth grades.

But the all-conquering women’s first “We were prepared for a tough game, we were up 4-0 at half-time, and just players as students graduate and grade team’s 10-0 victory over Wests and talked about being patient,” said kept knocking them in.” move on. Illawarra deservedly stole the limelight. Rob. “But we scored an early goal and Rob Davis, who has been involved “For years we had a high turnover, then another and just got on a roll.” Led by the father-daughter with UOW hockey since 1978 as a but in recent years we’ve been able combination of coach Rob Davis and Melissa said the secret to the team’s player and coach, said the club had to establish a core of experienced captain Melissa Davis, the team success was that all the players got on focused on building a strong junior players,” he said. “It goes in cycles, dominated all season but the ease of so well. “We’re a good bunch of mates program to help overcome the so you enjoy the good times and work their grand final victory still came as and try to do the best by each other at perennial problem that most university hard in the bad times. And we’ve a surprise. all times,” she said. “In the grand final teams face of a high turnover of worked hard with our juniors.” NH UOW wins National Indigenous Games

he University of Wollongong’s TWoolyungah Indigenous Centre team won this year’s National Indigenous Tertiary Education Student The UOW team that won the National Indigenous Games, held in Wollongong in September. Games in September. Campus News is produced Super Middleweight Champion UOW hosted the annual event, which All teams are mixed with at least by the Media Unit. attracted Indigenous sporting three players competing in each Anthony Mundine. During the 1970s celebrities and university students team at any one time. All participants Tony held Australian titles in the Editorial Nick Hartgerink from across the country. also play a traditional local Middleweight, Light Heavyweight and Bernie Goldie Indigenous game. Heavyweight divisions. Renée Criddle The Games have become a major Layout Artist Paul Martens event in the Indigenous university This year, the event’s major sponsor • South Sydney Rabbitohs player Dean student calendar since they were was QANTAS. Support was also Widders, who was recently awarded Photographers Sean Maguire Mark Newsham established in 1996 as a joint-class provided by UOW’s Woolyungah NRL’s Ken Stephen’s Medal for his project for 13 students. They now Indigenous Centre, the Student positive work with youth in the Telephone +61 2 4221 5942 attract hundreds of students Health Alliances for Rural Populations community. Dean was also recently Facsimile +61 2 4221 3128 each year. (SHARP) and the Wollongong appointed to the Federal Government’s Email [email protected] Undergraduate Students’ Association The event comprises sport, social National Indigenous Council. He has Web media.uow.edu.au (WUSA). events and the sharing of culture. played for the Sydney Roosters and Address University of Special guests included: Parramatta Eels. Wollongong The Games are made up of four NSW 2522 Australia sports – volleyball, touch football, • Tony Mundine – former champion • Bo Della Cruz from the Australian netball and basketball. boxer and father and trainer of World Women’s Touch Football team. RC CRICOS Provider No: 001202E ISSN 0312-2018

16 Campus News December 07 University of Wollongong 1300 367 869 www.uow.edu.au