Vol. 23 No. 1 FEBRUARY 2004

Alex Harris Memorial Award ADAPE Science and State and National Environment TertiaryAwards Publication Registered Print Post no 602669/00256 Construction

A landmark monument to the highest University ideals.

This state-of-the-art building will incorporate teaching and learning facilities, as well as the new University Club of Western Australia.

Weʼre proud to be helping create a magnificent resource which will serve the University community, including graduates and friends, for generations to come. Vol. 23 No.1 February 2004

CONTENTS

FEATURES In Focus: campus news and views 2 Spirits soar in ʻcathedral of scienceʼ 7 UWAʼs new Vice-Chancellor 8 Researching Rottnest 10 Graduate Profile: Brian Easton 18 The pulse of percussion 20 UWA Snapshots 23 Grad News 26 UWA Events 30 Grad Briefs 31

COVER: UWA graduate Laura Groombridge and Pedro Arandia who are running UWA Extensionʼs A Taste of Tango (see In Focus)

CONTENTS PAGE PHOTOGRAPHS: TOP: WA Balletʼs Munaldjali for the UWA Perth International Arts Festival (see In Focus) CENTRE: Artist Lisa Roetʼs digitally edited photograph: Three Wise Men, Antwerp Zoo at the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery (see In Focus) BOTTOM: UWA graduates Craig Ogden and Paul Tanner (see The pulse of percussion)

Editor-in-Chief: Colin Campbell-Fraser ([email protected]) Editor: Trea Wiltshire ([email protected]) • Grad Briefs: Terry Larder ([email protected]) • Production: Craig Mackenzie, UniPrint Design Team • Printing: PK Print Pty Ltd • Advertising: Peter Edwards, Edwards Media, 25 Triton Avenue, Waikiki, WA 6169, Phone: +618 9594 0102. Fax: +618 9594 0105, Mobile: 0418 933 445 ([email protected]) • Address Changes: Phone +618 6488 2447, +618 6488 7992 and +618 6488 8000, Fax: +618 6488 7996 (terry. [email protected])

Editorial: Public Affairs, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Telephone: +618 6488 1914, Fax: +618 6488 1192

UNIVIEW is published three times a year, in February, June and October and is sent free to all UWA graduates. It is printed on environmentally friendly oxygen-bleached paper. Material from UNIVIEW may be reproduced accompanied by an appropriate credit.

UWA Internet: http://www.uwa.edu.au

1 IN FOCUS

(l - r) Maree Jones, Coordinator, Employability (joint nominators of UWA, with South Metropolitan Personnel), Bob Farrelly, UWA Director of Human Resources, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Kevin Andrews, Malcolm Fialho, Diversity Officer, Minister for Family and Community Services Kay Patterson, Shirley Russell, Marketing Coordinator, South Metropolitan Personnel, and Beverley Hill, Manager, Equity and Diversity. LEADING THE WAY

UWA is consistently acknowledged as an invaluable community resource said that diversity went far beyond fixing numbers to creating an inclusive and an employer that ʻleads the wayʼ by giving a high priority to equity environment: “Equal employment opportunity is about opening the door. and diversity. Towards the end of last year these twin commitments were Diversity builds on this to open the mind.” recognised by a string of high profile awards and commendations. Having been a finalist in the Premierʼs Award category of Leadership In November, the University was highly commended by the State in Equity and Diversity, November saw the University carry off the GU Government for its contribution to the Western Australian community Corporate Award in The Australian HR Awards for assisting its employees through support – over more than a half century – for the UWA Perth to find a balance between their personal lives and work. Deputy Vice- International Arts Festival. The festival, now in full swing across venues Chancellor, Professor Margaret Seares, said that UWA Human Resources throughout the State, had its modest beginnings on the campus that still strategies played a significant part in employees choosing to work at the accommodates many performances. The accolade came at the 2003 State University. These include taking into account family responsibilities and Arts Sponsorship Scheme Awards. offering permanent part-time work, job sharing, flexible hours, on campus UWA also featured prominently in the 2003 Premierʼs Awards for child care, and courses on achieving a good work/life balance. Excellence in Public Sector Management. The UWA Perth International Lucette Cant, an Employee Relations Officer in the Human Resources Arts Festival and its partners (the Department of Culture and the Arts, Department, is one of many who benefits from UWAʼs family friendly and the Department of Industry and Resources) won the Innovation approach which allows her to take off all the school holidays. “Rather than category of the awards for the Western Australian Indigenous Arts farming my two children out to relatives, I can spend time with them, and Showcase; and with its partners (the Mid West Development Commission, have a break myself,” says Lucette. “It works really well.” Geraldton University Access Group and Geraldton Universities Centre) The award judges commented on the high levels of staff satisfaction at the the Education and Skills Development category. University and “innovative and ground-breaking initiatives that serve as a role A month earlier, UWA had – for the second year running – been model for other organisations”. Among the staff of just under 3,000, about named winner of the Prime Ministerʼs Employer of the Year Awards. ten per cent have worked on campus for 25 years or more. With more than 100 employees with disabilities in a range of academic The Federal Governmentʼs Equal Opportunity for Women in the and general staff positions, UWAʼs commitment to diversity and to Workplace agency also confirmed the Universityʼs on-going status as an changing the culture of the University had been accelerated through Employer of Choice for Women. strategies introduced in 2000. Human Resources Director Bob Farrelly

(formerly an Executive Director with entertainment industry. For others Famous; lawyers Murray Campbell, NEW APPOINTMENTS the Australian Research Council) who – like Peterʼs brother, the highly Tim Coyle and Michael Fagan (now is UWAʼs new Pro Vice-Chancellor regarded epidemiologist Dr John based in Hong Kong); Professor The University of Western Australia (Research and Innovation). Other Kaldor, Professor of Epidemiology Owen Hughes, Academic Director begins 2004 with a new Vice- new appointments include Professor at The National Centre in HIV of the Australia and New Zealand Chancellor, Professor Alan Robson, Robyn Owens taking on the role of Epidemiology and Clinical Research School of Government; Attila who we profile in this issue of Dean of Postgraduate Research and at the University of New South Ozsdolay, a graduate of Mathematics the magazine, and several new Ms Gaye McMath assuming the post Wales (who is also an inspirational and Physics, who is a Library Officer appointments to the University of Executive Director (Finance and guitarist and clarinet player), music at UWA and has a varied career in Executive. Professor Margaret Resources). has remained an abiding interest. music, television and theatre; Scott Seares, who had held the post of UWA graduates like nothing more Says Haydn Pickersgill, Wise, who majored in Geology but Pro Vice-Chancellor (Community an engineering graduate who is a is now a world class luthier and and Development) moves into the GRADS PLAN MUSICAL musician and production manager: musician based in Margaret River; role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor that REUNION “Back in the 70s, university life went Arts graduate Dave Warner who Professor Robson had held for a hand in hand with live music and is writing novels and screenplays decade. Professor Seares has played than an excuse to get together, and many bands featured students from in Sydney; and Curtin University a major role in the arts in Australia. next month will see an unusual that era. Twelve of the best will be graduate and actor Terry Serio who The former head of UWAʼs reunion of graduates with a shared featured playing in a variety of bands has been closely associated with School of Music spent four years interest in making music. For some for the Old Day Out – the first such UWA through theatre and music. as Chair of the Australia Council – like composer, performer and gathering of its kind since we all went The Old Day Out day-long and is currently a board member music producer Peter Kaldor, who our separate ways.” concert, the brainchild of UWA of the National Portrait Gallery was behind the success of many Performers will include guitarist graduate Joe Fisher who created in Canberra, the Australia-Japan bands and now runs a production and CEO of Kingʼs Park, Dr Steve and operated Clancyʼs Fish Pub, is Foundation and the ABCʼs Arts company in Sydney – making Hopper; Gary Burke, an instigator on March 13 at Princess May Park Advisory Committee. Another new music eventually eclipsed all other of the Community School in in Fremantle. For more information appointment to the UWA Executive interests, and they went on to make Fremantle, who played a major role visit Clancyʼs website at www. is Professor Doug McEachern highly successful careers in the in the formation of the band Rich and clancysfishpub.com.au or at www.

2 theolddayout.com liver disease, aortic aneurysms and UWAʼs School of Indigenous A GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE neurological disorders. Towards the end of last year the INDIGENOUS AWARD UWAʼs National Estate-listed BREAKFAST Studies recently won an Australian gardens are a favourite retreat NETWORKING Award for University Teaching for many. Students rendezvous that acknowledged its innovative beneath shady fig trees filled with Australian Council of Deans of and practical approach to providing the fluting of parrots. Academics Education and the Australian Council services to Indigenous students. enjoy lunch on benches set among of Deans of Science expressed Vice-Chancellor Professor groves of palms, sometimes in concern at both the decline in Alan Robson said that the schoolʼs the company of kookaburras. university enrolments in science, outstanding work has been supported Such surroundings encourage mathematics and technology and in by staff across the campus and in teacher shortages in secondary schools moments of reflection, and attract particular from Law and Medicine. in Australia. And with 30 per cent of visitors beyond those working on The School and the Centre for teachers abandoning the profession in Aboriginal Medical and Dental campus. their first few years of teaching – well Health, located in Shenton House, Towards the end of last year, before they reach their full potential offer three enabling programs that the campus acquired another – itʼs little wonder that local science lead on to the full range of UWA ʻgreen retreatʼ with the opening teachers have much to discuss when degree courses. of a Memorial Garden that pays they gather at UWA. The Aboriginal orientation tribute to those who donate their UWA graduate Pam Garnett, course develops generic study bodies to medical research and who addressed a recent Science skills and offers units in physics, teaching at UWA, and to their Networking and Strategic Planning chemistry, mathematics, law, human families. Breakfast hosted by UWAʼs Faculty biology and Aboriginal studies. The The garden, situated at the of Life and Physical Sciences, Aboriginal Pre-Law program is a School of Anatomy and Human believes that three steps are vital to highly successful five-week course Biology, was created with a halt the losses and make good the that leads into Law studies while generous donation from the current shortage of science teachers. the Aboriginal Pre-Medicine Summer Hans Arkeveldʼs Celestian late Julius and Jean Tahija, an “Schools need to mentor their School offers an intensive course young staff better,” says Dr Garnett that prepares students for Medicine, Australian/Indonesian family whose granddaughter Cindy is currently studying at UWA. Former who is a member of the Premierʼs Dentistry or a Health Science degree. Science Council and winner of the The school also provides a range patients of Adjunct Professor Richard Vaughan, the Tahijas hoped the funding of the garden would encourage close Indonesian/Australian Prime Ministerʼs Prize for Excellence of resources and services such as in Science Teaching. “I also believe academic advice, tutorial assistance, relations. Within the garden is a bronze winged embryo set upon a wheel, that teacher training and support financial and accommodation need to extend beyond the university created by the Schoolʼs resident artist Hans Arkeveld and symbolising information. Shenton House, a degree, and government needs to favourite meeting place, provides a the cycle of life . look at reducing the teaching load computer lab and study rooms. The Associate Professor Brendan Waddell, Head of the School of for first year teachers. WA Student Aboriginal Corporation Anatomy and Human Biology, said that without the donation of bodies, “Another challenge is to develop organises social, cultural and sporting the School and the UWA-based Centre for Medical and Surgical Skills school science curricula that cater events on campus. would not be able to train surgeons. Approximately 50 people per year for the needs of all students. We If you would like to know more bequeath their bodies to the School. Further information about this tend to overemphasise teaching what about the School, visit: www.uwa. program can be obtained from Ms Lesley Hicks on 618 6488 3288. we already know and not address edu.au/prospective/undergraduate/ potential developments in science. special/aboriginal It is these frontiers of science that With some 4,300 phones on campus and Bone Research Group at Sir dance shoes, go to www.extension. Charles Gardiner Hospital, and is uwa.edu.au and find A Taste of capture the minds of our young.” Dr Garnett is Dean of CALLING UWA currently completing specialist Tango which runs from 8 March to training in nuclear medicine. But, 5 April. It could be your first step in Curriculum at St Hildaʼs Anglican as she puts it, “When the sun goes learning to tango. Another website School for Girls and Chair of the and in teaching hospitals, UWAʼs Curriculum Council Chemistry communications hub is the University down, out come the tango shoes…” you might like to visit is www. Five years ago Laura met Pedro tangomate.com Syllabus committee. She has built a Communications Services which strong science department within the at a tango conference in Argentina, Health and medical research projects acquires about 100 new numbers school and has pursued considerable and he abandoned tertiary studies each year. At the start of this year, research into classroom practice. to come to Australia. In Buenos a new prefix was introduced that UWA MAJOR WINNER IN Making it her mission to attract more will ensure the University has the Aires he lived in the port city of La RESEARCH GRANTS girls into sciences, she has had the capacity to expand over the next Boca where, decades ago, the tango AWARDS satisfaction of knowing that more decade. The new prefix is 6488. originated. It evolved during evening than half of the schoolʼs students The old prefixes (9380 and 9347) all-male dance sessions when dock now select science-related careers. will remain operational for a period workers shaped the dance routines at The University of Western Australia aimed at improving health The UWA graduate is during 2004. they would later display to impress enthusiastic about the benefits Our eye-catching cover – designed female partners. outcomes for Australians suffering from a range of diseases have gained for cross-sectorial networking “The tango was choreographed provided by the annual Science YOU TOO CAN TANGO! by street people – not by a dance more than $9.9 m of support from Australiaʼs peak health funding body, Networking Breakfasts held at elite – so although it has virtuosic the National Health and Medical UWA. She is also enthusiastic about to tempt you to don your dancing versions, basically it is easily the State Governmentʼs initiative shoes in 2004 – introduces you to Research Council (NHMRC) which learned and can be danced by people supported a total of $10.2m to of allocating $50,000 to each local that most sensuous of dances, the of all ages. In South America I have Western Australia. university for the next four years to tango, and to one of many courses watched 90-year-old women dance UWA Vice-Chancellor, run a peer tutoring program. This on offer over the next two months and Pedroʼs school has pupils from Professor Alan Robson said that involves university students tutoring through UWA Extension. The 14 to 70! And because it is a very some 26 Western Australian research secondary school science students fetching exponents of the dance are masculine dance, men donʼt feel projects have benefited from the and becoming valuable role models. UWA graduate Laura Groombridge silly doing it. Apart from being a grants, 25 of which are being The university students also benefit and her partner, Argentinian Pedro very social dance, itʼs a gentle way undertaken at UWA. In addition, by learning to communicate their Arandia, a professional dancer who to exercise, because itʼs a walking the Universityʼs researchers were science. runs the Tango Takes 2 dance studio. dance. Tango now has a worldwide awarded three career development Another recent faculty initiative The pair present workshops and reach, so you meet exponents of the grants totalling $1.2m. Projects in this area was a UWA professional performances across Australia. dance in all major cities.” winning NHMRC support include development workshop during which In her other life, Laura is a So, if you have dreams of research on aspects of fibrotic science teachers were able to draw on Research Registrar with the Calcium slipping on those highly polished lung diseases, asthma, heart and the teaching and learning experiences

3 our present electromagnetic senses, such plants in areas that might become but gravity waves will unravel this affected by salinity.” puzzle,” he predicts. “The funding boost will also be New detectors are coming on used to increase our understanding line. They are enormous structures of the impact of agriculture on which use lasers and mirrors to detect native species so that we make the waves. In Europe and the USA sure new farming systems have an three of these detectors are being overall positive impact, and that tuned up. Australia is playing a key we donʼt release any plants into role in developing this technology the environment that could become through the Australian International environmental weeds.” If youʼd like Gravitational Observatory at Gingin to know more about this CRC, visit and through collaboration with the website www.crcsalinity.com detectors in the US and Europe. Friends groups flourish on campus, “We know how to do it,” says Professor Blair of gravity wave WITH A LITTLE HELP detection. “It is only a matter of time FROM OUR FRIENDS The WA Balletʼs Munaldjali (Photo: Jon Green) before we will give humanity bionic ears to listen to the sounds of the supporting the UWA PIAF, the DANCE AT PIAF universe for the first time.” UWA Library, the Berndt Museum The WA Government recently of Anthropology and the Edward de Dance is also on offer at the UWA Perth International Arts Festival, announced funding to allow the Courcy Clarke Geological Museum, with the WA Ballet offering three world premieres in its under-the-stars Gingin facility to be developed as a UWA Press, the UWA Grounds and program at Quarry Amphitheatre that includes the return of Stephen Centre of Excellence – and since the the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery. Pageʼs extraordinary Munaldjali. opening of the Gravity Discovery The gallery, acknowledged as one The Festival has always been a meeting point for different cultures Centre in November, the capturing of Australiaʼs premier university – and nowhere is that more apparent than in Guan Weiʼs Ned Kelly of young imaginations will be a art museums, now has additional encounters the troopers in the Mystic Mountains, 2003. You can see this certainty. UWA NEWS editor, Lindy support from a new chapter of the work and others by one of the most significant painters to emerge from Brophy, writes about the opening in Friends of the Lawrence Wilson China at The Church Gallery in Claremont until 7 March. The exhibition this issue. Art Gallery that has been formed is entitled Guan Wei Prediction-Reflection and the artistʼs work draws on The opening of the Gravity to encourage new and youthful the experience of his move to Australia and the cultural differences he Discovery Centre was followed by involvement with the gallery. The encountered. the launch of Extraordinary Plants group, known as Artique, will assist More much-discussed art works will be on display at the Lawrence which focuses on the plants found the gallery in achieving its goals Wilson Art Gallery as part of the Festival. Lisa Roet: Pri-mates opens on the pristine Gingin site. Featuring and will provide members with on 15 February and runs to 20 April. The artist has worked with apes photographs by Damon Annison opportunities for active engagement as the subject of her drawings, sculpture and video for many years. Her and a text by Palenque Blair and with the Universityʼs collection. digitally edited photograph Three Wise Men, Antwerp Zoo appears on the Tiki Swain, the book covers the Invites to openings and VIP events Contents page of this issue. botanical, historic, ecological will be part of Artiqueʼs attractions, Meanwhile, champagne, picnic hampers, movie buffs and fine films and cultural significance of the and if youʼd like to know more, email continue to be a winning mix at the Lotterywest Film season at UWAʼs plants. Published with the support [email protected] or Somerville Auditorium and Joondalup Pines. The season that opened of the Gravity Discovery Centre phone the gallery on 618 6488 3707. with comedy in early December, will close with the psycho drama of Foundation, it is on sale at the UWA In this issue of UNIVIEW we range The Mother, which runs until 28 March. Check the program at www. Co-op Bookshop, the Maritime perthfestival.com.au Museum in Fremantle and the State Library Shop. IN THIS ISSUE… The Federal Minister for through diverse territory, visiting FUNDING BOOST TO the UWA Perth International Arts FARM RESEARCH Festival, exploring current UWA research, and relishing the music Communications, Information of current percussion students Technology and the Arts, UWA and graduates. We also journey to graduate Daryl Williams, launched a Rottnest, very much in the news new research program at the UWA- right now as a task force (headed by based Cooperative Research Centre UWA Senate Member Alex Allan) for Plant-based Management of considers its future. We explore the Dryland Salinity in December. many ways in which UWA research Ned Kelly encounters the The Salinity CRC, also funded by is contributing to the bank of Detail of Guan Weiʼs knowledge that could well inform troopers in the Mystic Mountains 2003 industry and in-kind support from its national research partners, was awarded future management decisions an additional $5m in the latest round relating to this iconic island, and of a team of UWA physicists. about the networking breakfasts of Commonwealth funding. This speak to graduate Brian Easton, “The key to nurturing contact Ms Eva Chye on (08) 6488 will support research into livestock a former CEO of the island who the scientific imagination lies 3263. remains a committed member of the in fostering positive learning When Dr Pam Garnett talks about production from salt-tolerant pastures and into conserving wildlife through Rottnest Foundation. environments in our schools and The paintings that illustrate this new approaches to farming. universities where teachers and EXPLORING THE DARK major feature – and capture the academics can continue to increase Professor Phil Cocks, Chief essence of Rottnest – are by artist Jan their potential in their field, and SIDE OF THE UNIVERSE Executive Officer of the CRC, Grainger, who has found the island produce benefits that substantially says that salt-tolerant plants – such an inspiration for many works. Mrs multiply the appreciation of science frontiers of science that capture as saltbush – have long been Grainger, a graduate in Microbiology by their students,” says Professor young imaginations she could well grazed by livestock, but as the from the University of Queensland George Stewart, Dean of Life and be referring to gravity waves that Stateʼs agricultural land falls prey and a former microbiology tutor Physical Sciences at UWA. remain the holy grail of physics. to salinity, such plants are now at UWA, now paints and teaches The workshop provided science Since 1993 when the Nobel Prize being used commercially. UWA from her Mt Claremont studio. This teachers with the opportunity to was awarded for proof of their researchers have done much to award-winning artist has held solo engage in cutting edge science existence, the search for Einsteinʼs increase our understanding of the exhibitions of watercolours, acrylics with nine UWA physicists, many elusive waves has intensified. It is mechanisms of plant tolerance to and mixed media works of Rottnest, of whom have been recognized for a quest that has absorbed UWAʼs water-logging and salt. “In the last few the Kimberley region and the Karri their outstanding contributions to Professor David Blair. “The black years, the use of salt-tolerant pasture has forests of the Stateʼs Southwest. their field of research. holes and dark matter which grown rapidly,” said Professor Cocks, UWA Press, one of a diminishing If you would like to know more dominate the universe are beyond “and we need to explore the use of number of academic presses, is

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HIS MAJESTY’S Western Potatoes THEATRE Zoo Twilight Concerts Come to Perth Zoo's original and best Twilight Concerts with some of WA's best bands

7 Feb Slim Jim and the Phatts - Popular Favourites 14 Feb British Legends in Concert - Tom Jones and Freddie Mercury Tribute 21 Feb Crowded Enz - Split Enz and Crowded House Tribute 28 Feb Time Out - 80s hits 6 Mar Executives - 60s, 70s, 80s and Elvis Tribute 13 Mar Abbasalutely - ABBA Tribute 20 Mar Fab Four - Beatles Tribute 27 Mar Ross Avins - Neil Diamond Tribute Animals on display until 6.45pm, entertainment begins at 7.30pm. Pre-booking is recommended through BOCS ticketing on 9484 1133 CELEBRATING A CENTURY IN 2004 (booking fees may apply) or at Perth Zoo (no booking fees apply). CENTENARY EVENTS NOW ON SALE AT BOCS

FOR A CENTENARY EVENTS BROCHURE For further ZooFever details visit www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au Telephone His Majesty’s Theatre 92650900 or call the 24 hour recorded information line on 9474 3551. or visit www.hismajestystheatre.com.au 1265 PZ 12/03 2004 Centenary Events are proudly supported by Media Partners

5 PRESS CONTRIBUTES TO Another successful tour in its DEBATE eighth year is the UWA French- in-Action program that involves a three-week linguistic tour to widely recognized – through awards and national sales – as a publishing Paris and Provence. Originally a house that produces quality books refresher course for local French that make a vital contribution to language teachers, this tour soon debate about the environment, gained a life of its own as its history and culture in Australia. appeal to current UWA language Last year saw the release students and those studying at other of many notable titles including institutions (plus Francophiles Legacies of White Australia: keen on polishing their language Race, Culture and Nation edited skills) became apparent. The tour by Laksiri Jayasuriya, Jan Gothard is now offered in June/July and and David Walker; and Contested in December and is led by UWA Country by noted historians Trish Senior Lecturer Hélène Jaccomard. and Ian Crawford. Apart from providing expert Two of the Pressʼs most recent guidance, Hélène sets various tasks titles look set to be winners. John for participants that encourage His Majestyʼs Theatre leather sandals at Vindolanda… conversation with Parisians. functions such as get-togethers for ”For more information, contact If youʼd like to know more, contact alumni who work in the city, and for [email protected] or Hélène at [email protected] other groups and individuals with whom +618 6488 2150 and see www.arts. we have important relationships,” says uwa.edu.au/Classics/RB_Tour_2004. Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor pdf Margaret Seares. “There are many people in both the private and public sectors, working in the CBD, with whom we have had limited contact up to now. The lounge provides a venue clearly identified with UWA to which staff of the University can invite alumni and other colleagues so they can renew acquaintances and develop long-term relationships. It would UWA Pressʼs City of Light also provide an opportunity for staff to introduce final-year students to potential employers.” Dowsonʼs Old Fremantle has already The UWA lounge will be used won high praise for its lively text for hospitality by the University and and evocative photographs that span other Foundation sponsors and will be a century. In City of Light, a History an ideal venue for small city functions, of Perth since the 1950s, historian and theatrical entertaining. Some of Dr Jenny Gregory charts our capital the Universityʼs early photographs cityʼs transformation from years and artworks now adorn the loungeʼs of postwar reconstruction to more walls. recent endeavours to revitalize the The theatre is planning a series city in the mid-90s. Coverage of of celebratory events during the major events – conscription during year, including an evening of live the Vietnam War, the Poseidon entertainment during which the boom, WA Inc, the Americas Cup theatre will celebrate the careers triumph to mention but a few and talents of Jill Perryman, actor – allow us revisit the stories that Edgar Metcalfe, ballerina Lucette shaped the once-isolated capital city Aldous and opera singer Gregory dubbed the ʻcity of lightʼ by a lone Yurisich. Another highlight will be astronaut back in the 1960s. a production of Carmina Burana, All UWA Press titles are which (for the first time) brings The Tall Poppies (Photo:The West Australian) available at the Universityʼs Co-op together the West Australian Bookshop and major book stores. Symphony Orchestra, the WA Ballet TALL POPPIES MAKE MUSIC His Majestyʼs Theatre has been the and the WA Opera. elegant centre of a host of theatrical When Noise, a month-long publicity initiative sponsored by the Federal happenings for a century and UWA Last yearʼs Study Tour of Roman Britain organized by Professor Government, showcased the work of young WA artists, musicians, writers and filmmakers last October, UWA students and twin sisters Catherine UWA SUPPORT’S ENCORES FOR and Susan Hay were among those featured. The sisters (Catherine is a ‘THE MAJ’ SUCCESSFUL TOURS commerce graduate, Susan a medical student) have been writing their own music and performing as an acoustic guitar pop duo – Tall Poppies is very much a part of its centenary – for more than two years. In 2002, Susan took a break from studies to David Kennedy of UWAʼs School celebrations. accompany her sister to London where the pair performed and recorded a of Humanities was so successful Having played a central role demo that they hope could lead to a CD this year. in Perth cultural life since its own that there are plans to repeat the “We went to London because there is a real buzz in the music scene,” inception in 1911, the University tour in July of 2004. Says Professor says Susan, who returned from the UK trip to the very different world of is a keen supporter of the His Kennedy: “The tour ran for three obstetrics and gynaecology at Perthʼs teaching hospitals. At the beginning Majestyʼs Theatre Foundation weeks and took us around some 40 of 2004, the sisters were back in London, talking to a producer and which fundraises to enhance sites from Kent to Aberdeenshire. It working towards production of a CD. and promote the theatre, and to included behind-the-scenes access Having music as a sideline to medicine is, of course, far from rare. underwrite its community programs. at some excavations and museums; Some 120 doctors from around Australia exchanged stethoscopes and As a foundation sponsor, UWA has the Roman Palace at Fishbourne; a scalpels for violins and cellos late last year for the 10th anniversary concert acquired the naming rights to one of guided tour around Hod Hill fort by of the Australian Doctorsʼ Orchestra. Some 23 WA doctors (most of them the theatreʼs attractive dress circle a ʻRoman legionaryʼ; a walk along a UWA graduates) and 11 medical students were among the performers lounges. few kilometres of Hadrianʼs Wall and raising funds for the Cancer Foundation of WA. “UWA will use the lounge for a sniff of newly excavated Roman

6 Spirits soar in cathedral of science Professor David Blair (Photo: The West Australian) Lindy Brophy, Editor of UWA News, was among guests attending the opening of the Gravity Discovery Centre – the embodiment of a dream for UWA physicist Professor David Blair. She reports that some of Perthʼs top innovators and entrepreneurs have sponsored displays that aim to revitalise science education.

The day the foundation stone for the machines. Sound artists explore the they were soaking up the lessons of physics Gravity Discovery Centre was laid, sharp sounds of gravity waves and a giant and the universe by having fun, and making winds whipped cold rain from the grey mural depicts the history of the universe. themselves look and sound strange. skies into the faces of the assembled Waves ripple across the floor and a giant Emeritus Professor John de Laeter, guests. Eighteen months later – amid mosaic depicts the largest single structure Chair of the Gravitational Observatory the heat and dust of summer in Western in the universe. Board, said the centre was a gift to Australiaʼs mid-west – guests gathered to The complex includes the biggest the children of Western Australia and celebrate the centreʼs official opening. described David Blair as having Inside the stunning cathedral-like “unchecked rampant enthusiasm.” interior, the centreʼs soaring ceiling, It is a gallery of ideas, a It was one of many similar epithets magnificent mural and intriguing gallery of concepts and a applied to David Blair at the opening of hands-on exhibits clearly represent gallery of questions – the big the centre, which the visionary physicist the embodiment of a dream for UWA questions of the universe. A accepted with his usual grin. Premier Dr physicist, Professor David Blair. huge team of scientists and Geoff Gallop said: “We need a formula Funded by donations from the corporate for David Blair!” world, the Gravity Discovery Centre at artists have collaborated to Paul Davies, whom Professor Blair Gingin aims to revitalise science education create art that has grown out described as “one of the greatest drawcards and reverse the decline in science graduates. of the quest to understand in science on this planet” talked to the It also provides an exciting destination for space, time and the universe. gathered schoolchildren and guests about local and overseas visitors, and is welcomed gravity and anti-gravity, about Einsteinʼs by local business. equations replacing Newtonʼs theories, The Gravity Discovery Centre is a and how, in some trillions of years, these gallery of ideas, a gallery of concepts and public astronomy centre in the Southern forces would finally pull the universe a gallery of questions – the big questions Hemisphere and the largest telescope in further and further apart. of the universe. A huge team of scientists Western Australia. Day time viewing “But trillions of years will be ample and artists have collaborated to create of stars is possible, and there is a one time for somebody like David Blair to art that has grown out of the quest to kilometre scale model ofthe solar system, finally come to grips with these waves,” understand space, time and the universe. ʻthe walk to the end of the universeʼ. he said, reassuringly. Some of Perthʼs top innovators and The Gravity Discovery Centre is the Professor Blair himself says he doesn't entrepreneurs have sponsored displays of public arm of the Australian International know what difference the discovery of Western Australian innovations, and the Gravitational Observatory and was gravity waves will make to humanity, but creativity of local inventors. opened in November by the Premier, Dr adds: “Heinrich Hertz, the discoverer of An enormous tower houses a set Geoff Gallop, along with Australiaʼs electromagnetic waves, could not have of extraordinary pendulums that pre-eminent cosmologist and science imagined the mobile phone and all the mysteriously gain energy and move communicator, Professor Paul Davies. other devices of the electronic revolution to hidden forces. Acoustic devices Students from the local Gingin school of the 20th century either!" allow you to hear yourself in the past. and Shenton College amazed the throng The Gravity Discovery Centreʼs Supermagnets exert unbelievable forces of adult guests by diving straight into the website is www.gdc.asn.au and light slows down. Lasers expose experimental exhibits, almost unaware that curved space and telescopes become time

7 UWAʼs New Vice-Chancellor There was a time when many Australian institutions felt almost compelled to import their CEOs. Perhaps it is a sign of the nationʼs international standing, its assurance and maturity, that increasingly organisations are selecting those with a proven track record within the institutions they are chosen to lead. One of the strengths of their candidacy is the fact that they have already won the trust and admiration of colleagues and can claim an intimate knowledge of the workings of the institution before they take the helm. Such is the case with Professor Alan Robson, who assumes the Vice-Chancellorʼs chair in February 2004.

Alan Robson arrived at UWA in 1966 to begin research the fact that UWA was able to persuade farmers to put a levy aimed at discovering why pasture legumes failed to thrive on production to pay for research. That idea was the basis of on Australiaʼs acidic soils. Wider cultivation of the legumes what became a national funding program. promised economic rewards, and his PhD study was the first “The result is that today Australia spends more on in a series that significantly advanced our understanding of agricultural research in terms of gross volume of production the legumes that are today cultivated on a wide range of than most other countries and the whole area has become a Australian soils. very internationally competitive field. The fact that we are UWAʼs new Vice-Chancellor grew up in rural Victoria out there successfully competing is very much due to those among relatives evenly divided between the two professions initial levies that are now matched by government. of farming and teaching, so his career path seemed ordained. “Technology has of course totally changed the research Holidays were spent doing hands-on farm work that ensured scene – collecting data that would once have taken a day, he was inured to the industryʼs highs and lows before now takes 10 minutes. In a way there are no new questions beginning studies in agricultural science at the University in science. There are just better ways of understanding of Melbourne during the 1960s. them, better ways of describing them and better technology. “While I was growing up, farming was all about hard, And the growth of molecular techniques gives us a far heavy work, but it was a time of transition,” he recalls. “I greater capacity to answer questions we once posed, but did went to university on a cadetship funded by Victorian wheat not have the techniques to answer. growers and was required to work for five years for the “What disappoints me is that people still tend to think of Victorian Department of Agriculture in return. agriculture as a mud-on-the-boots industry bumbling along “When I joined the department I was the first person as it copes with droughts and floods and fire. Agriculture with a PhD in my section, even though good research in today, as reflected in UWA teaching and research, is a high agricultural sciences had been done for decades. The real tech, high science, very efficient operation – its productivity spur to invest more in Australian research came with an growth far exceeds that of many other sectors. awareness that if we were going to be globally competitive, “The industry is internationally competitive, relatively agriculture had to have a scientific base; we needed well- unsubsidized and the fact that it is now so efficient is trained people.” important for the entire community in terms of maintaining How did the industry respond to the new breed of rural infrastructure and ensuring good opportunities for kids agricultural scientists? from rural areas. In Alan Robsonʼs experience, the agricultural community “Today the real challenge for Australia is to build has been incredibly ready to accept new ideas. “This is sustainable agricultural production. The industry has to particularly so in WA,” he says. “I think that is borne out by be three things: financially viable, ecologically sound and

8 UWA VICE-CHANCELLOR

socially acceptable. The environmental degradation that has pictureʼ. He admits to being something of a workaholic. happened on and off the farm clearly cannot be allowed He wakes at five, walks with his dog, spends 20 minutes to continue and that is why the UWA-based Cooperative meditating (a tried and tested way to reduce stress, he says) Research Centre for Dryland Salinity is so important. and is at work by seven-thirty. When he closes his office “Sustainability is not something you ever fully achieve. door, he is invariably the last out of the Vice-Chancellery. You think you have a sustainable system and then another UWAʼs new Vice-Chancellor enjoys sport, having played problem appears. Sustainability is a goal you have to be cricket, tennis and squash at a competitive level. He loves constantly working towards.” spending time with his three children and wife Gwenda (a Alan Robson also sees issues surrounding water use in UWA Arts graduate he first met at primary school and later agriculture as being one of the nationʼs major challenges. during student days in Victoria). On the day we spoke there was media coverage of the The Universityʼs new Vice-Chancellor has always been possibility of pumping excess water from the Fitzroy River involved with innumerable research committees, having to boost agricultural production in WAʼs North-West, while chaired the Federal Governmentʼs Grain Legumes Research on the other side of the continent, attempts are being made Council and helped to establish the Grain Research and to tackle the monumental problems created by irrigation in Development Council, the amalgamation of four research the Murray Darling Basin. councils. As Foundation Director of the Cooperative “The question increasingly is going to be irrigated agriculture Research Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture versus using the water in other ways. (a cooperative venture with the It is a big issue in terms of social and CSIRO and Murdoch University) economic policy and it is a complex he has also had the satisfaction of one. Frankly, not addressing it is not seeing research affiliations forged an option. What is important is that “At the end of the day, the across Australia. we address these issues based on the In 2001 he headed the State best information that is available. students are the reason Governmentʼs Review of Secondary “I think that while we have many we are here, so our first excellent scientists working in these Education, is on the Premierʼs Science vital areas, some are better than responsibility must be to Council, and in 2003 was appointed others at influencing governments to the board of the CSIRO. He because they make the effort and take provide a stimulating and concedes that, in assuming the the time to explain their science in rewarding intellectual life mantle of Vice-Chancellor, the language that people can understand. demands on him will increase, but The ability to communicate your for them on this campus.” he is determined to get full value science is hugely important.” for the University from the areas in Alan Robson was well aware, – Professor Alan Robson which he becomes involved. when he came to UWA, that “It is important in a position such the University had pioneered as this that you connect the internal agricultural research since its and external worlds in which you benefactor and first Chancellor, Winthrop Hackett, had move,” he says, “and to be able to do that, you have to have personally endowed a chair of Agriculture. Today he a very good understanding of the internal world.” proudly notes that UWA ranks 36th in the world in terms of Alan Robson is passionate about equity within the citations in agricultural science and is the only Australian workplace and about advancing tertiary education opportunities faculty to be ranked within the top 100. for Indigenous Australians. “A fair go is probably a major As he assumes the helm of the Stateʼs leading University, driving force for me,” he says. “I am delighted that we have what strengths does Alan Robson bring to the job? He is won – for the second time – the Prime Ministerʼs Employer confident that he has earned the trust of colleagues and staff of the Year award. I want to ensure that we continue to be a during a decade as Deputy Vice-Chancellor and that he has model employer.” demonstrated a strong commitment to the University. He is also passionate about the quality of the Universityʼs “I believe I am approachable and straightforward,” teaching and learning. he says. “I also think I have a clear idea of where we “At the end of the day, the students are the reason we should be heading. My focus will be on UWA achieving are here, so our first responsibility must be to provide a international excellence and we will be pursuing a whole stimulating and rewarding intellectual life for them on this range of strategies to bring this about – the most important campus,” says Alan Robson. being to build our resources, and our research and teaching “We pride ourselves on being a research-intensive infrastructure. university and in my experience the qualities that make a “I think our staff are currently very stretched. As a truly outstanding researcher – enthusiasm and passion for university we achieve well above our funding level because their subject – are those that make an excellent teacher. of their commitment. I want to retain that commitment but The people that most influenced me in my academic career lift our capacity by increasing our budget base. There is no had both and one of my jobs is to ensure that we provide single way of doing this – we have to work on our research our academics with the sort of support that enables them to funding, our international and local fee-paying students, excel in both.” our development fundraising, our commercialisation of intellectual property and our investments.” It will be a big challenge, but Alan Robson clearly relishes such challenges and has the capacity to appreciate ʻthe big

9 Researching Rottnest

Rottnest Island, Western Australiaʼs favourite playground, faces many challenges. It has a unique and fragile environment and UWA researchers – who have long been involved in research on the islandʼs flora and fauna – hope that their studies can help preserve one of this Stateʼs great icons. Trea Wiltshire reports.

Because of its unique environment, scientists have for a researcher the diminutive quokka had been among the decades used Rottnest Island as a base for research and additional attractions which UWA had for Dr Waring. His learning in a range of disciplines – from zoology and avowed aim was to ʻmonograph work on the quokkaʼ so that geology to history and marine science. it would become ʻthe best known animal in the worldʼ...” UWA postgraduate students are currently studying areas Since then several UWA academics and postgraduate as diverse as the ocean currents that keep the islandʼs waters students have added significantly to our knowledge of warmer than those off the mainland and the mutton birds Rottnestʼs unofficial emblem: the quokka (Setonix that are fast multiplying on the West End. Their studies will brachyurus), and to its impact on the islandʼs vegetation. contribute vital data to the body of information that informs UWAʼs Professor Don Bradshaw of the School of Animal future management decisions. Biology believes that salmonella infections in the islandʼs Two noted scientists from The University of Western quokka population are a clear indication of its degraded habitat. Australia — Dr Ernest Hodgkin and Professor Horace “We took over 2000 samples from tammars on Garden Island (ʻHarryʼ) Waring – turned Rottnest into a ʻlaboratoryʼ for where the tree canopy is intact and never had a single positive themselves and their students in the 1950s. isolation for salmonella,” he says. “We also found that quokkas Writing about Professor Waring in his history of UWA, in poor condition are more susceptible to the disease.” Campus at Crawley, published by UWA Press, the late “I have always been in favour of research as a means of Emeritus Professor Fred Alexander noted: finding solutions to intractable problems and the problem “It was more than a little ironical that it was not until with the quokka is that the population is too high and is the middle of the twentieth century that any Australian regulated by starvation and death of the young and infirm in university had made a substantial research attack on major late autumn.” scientific problems of Australia's symbolic national animal, “Research has also shown that any available water over the kangaroo. The fact that Western Australia also offered the hot dry summer would improve chances of survival, Paintings of Parakeet Bay, Cottages at Thomson Bay and Windswept Melaleucas (on page 14) by Jan Grainer (see In Focus) Website: Jan Grainger Art.com.au

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however in the 1970s available freshwater swamps were from WA tertiary institutions, plus government officials and bulldozed to get road marl and these swamps became community representatives.” saline and undrinkable. At least now, after much urging, the Dr Eliot is currently supervising the PhD studies of Rottnest Island Authority is trying to rehabilitate Lighthouse Kristy Olivia Winn who hopes to show how science and Swamp.” management can be integrated from the bottom up (see “What the island needs to do is to return the Rottnest Using the past to chart the future). vegetation to something like Garden Island and this would Probably the most dramatic UWA research in relation to result over time in a much smaller but healthier population Rottnest involves the islandʼs only marsupial – the quokka of quokkas.” – which, in the 1960s, was studied by UWA student, Byron Professor Bradshawʼs research on salmonella in quokkas Kakulas. was presented to the Rottnest Island Authority during the 1970s. He says that attempts at revegetation are ongoing but Marsupials and Muscle progress is very slow – due in part to the quokkaʼs appetite for saplings and the consequent need to fence revegetated The quokkas of Rottnest were the starting point for areas. Much of the island is still degrading from the point groundbreaking research that ultimately led to a dramatic of view of effective vegetation cover. reduction in the incidence of muscular dystrophy and put Professor Bradshaw and other researchers have benefited WA at the forefront of neuropathology. from having a research base on the island. Over the years, a research station Before UWA postgraduate on Wadjemup Hill was student Byron Kakulas well utilised by visiting began feeding paralysed academics and students. quokkas Vitamin E tablets When this building near in the 1960s as part of his the main lighthouse (which MD studies, the world had housed female naval assumed that once muscle officers during World had degenerated, it was War II) was restored as incapable of regeneration. a heritage attraction, the The UWA studentʼs research station moved astonishing results to an alternative house – revealed in the thesis near the airport . Today Man, Marsupials and researchers from most of Muscle – changed that the State's universities thinking and proved to be use this as a base for the starting point for far- projects that will provide reaching medical advances a better understanding in a range of neuromuscular of the island's unique disorders. environment. Professor Professor Kakulas Bradshaw also holds a discussion course for fourth-year still recalls his delight as he watched his caged quokkas Honours students there each year on the History, Philosophy make a dramatic recovery – and assume ʻstarʼ status on and Ethics of Science. the international stage. His discovery aroused worldwide Whereas in the past the island's management – through interest, as did further research that revealed the biochemical the Rottnest Island Authority (RIA) – and scientists doing causes of diseases such as muscular dystrophy, and has seen field research have tended to work in isolation, there is the development of gene therapy techniques that put WA at now a wide appreciation that sound scientific research must the forefront of neuropathology. underpin future management decisions. Professor Kakulas, who established the Neuropathology Dr Ian Eliot, Senior Lecturer in UWAʼs School of Earth Department at Royal Perth Hospital, is Medical Director and Geographical Sciences and a member of the Rottnest of the Australian Neuromuscular Research Institute and Island Environmental Advisory Committee, says that the a past director of UWAʼs Centre for Neuromuscular and committee is called upon to look at issues as diverse as Neurological Disorders, both of which are furthering our waste recycling, water supply, sewerage disposal and dune understanding of inherited neuromuscular disorders, diseases erosion. such as Alzheimers and raising the possibility of repairing “The aim is to go through layer after layer of fundamental human spinal injuries. research that has been done over the years and reinterpret it “Royal Perth Hospital is one of the few centres in the so that it is useful and readily available to the RIA,” says Dr world that offers a comprehensive and integrated molecular Eliot. “A university scientist doing fundamental research in genetics service,” says the much honoured UWA academic. a specific area does not always interpret it in a management “This means we can provide accurate diagnosis, prognostic context and RIA employees are usually not trained to information, carrier detection and pre-natal counselling.” interpret academic research in a way that is useful to the As a result of research at the UWA centre, the incidence of islandʼs management. There needs to be a buffer between muscular dystrophy has been cut by two-thirds in WA. the two. That is one of the tasks of the committee which There is worldwide interest in the research happening comprises environmental officers from Rottnest, researchers at UWA, with both France and Japan sending scientists to

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Zebra fish (above) and Yellow Zoanthids on sponge (next page) in Rottnest waters (Photo: WA Tourism Commission) learn gene therapy techniques and PhD students from China, beneath the Leeuwin Current and we need to know how Europe, India, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand and the Middle these currents interact.” An oceanographic cruise, headed East doing postgraduate studies at the centre. by Prof Pattiaratchi, aboard the National Research Vessel, Southern Suveyor, investigated the interaction between the Studying the ‘good life’ current Abrolhos Islands and Cape Leeuwin, last November. Another aspect of the Leeuwin that interests researchers UWA research is unlocking the secrets of the warm Leeuwin is the currentʼs eddies and PhD student Michael Meuleners Current that has a major impact on Western Australiaʼs has developed a computer model to simulate these eddies. enviable climate. “We are trying to find out why the Leeuwin Current has so many eddies and to predict how, why and where they Without the south-flowing warm Leeuwin Current, says occur,” says the UWA researcher. “The eddies are important Professor Chari Pattiaratchi, we would not enjoy the good because they carry heat and salt and larvae of both fish and life on offer in ʻthe Westʼ. rock lobsters. They have their own environment in terms of “We would not have the rain or the climate, the wines biota and weʼd like to find out how the physical processes or the lobsters,” he points out. “While we would still have a affect the biology of the plants and animals within these Mediterranean climate, weʼd have half the rainfall, winters eddies.” An oceanographic cruise last October, headed by would be colder and so would the waters of the Indian Dr Anya Waite of the School of Water Research, further Ocean. And there would be no coral reefs at Rottnest and far advanced our understanding of these eddies. fewer tropical fish and plants.” For the north-flowing shelf currents, Rottnest Island is a big The Professor of Coastal Oceanography within UWAʼs barrier that they are forced to move around, creating a patch of School of Water Research has been charting the impact of cool water that sits to the north of the island. The action of the the Leeuwin Current with some of his PhD students. He currents moving around the island brings colder water from the points out that the large body of warm tropical water driven Rottnest canyon to the surface. The patch of cold water is also down our west coast brings the benign winters and the high associated with higher biological productivity. rates of evaporation off the north-west coast that increase The Rottnest canyon reminds us of a very different our rainfall. The tropical cloudbands generated in the north- coastal landscape. It marks the old river bed of the Swan west interact with storm systems coming up from the south- River. Some 18,000 years ago, the Western Australian west, providing far more rainfall than is enjoyed by other coastline was 12km west of Rottnest and the canyon traces coastal locations at a similar latitude. the path of the river in a landscape that was drowned when At present several students (including Christine Hanson sea levels rose with the melting of glacial ice. and Mun Woo) are studying how the Leeuwin Current “The canyon begins at a depth of 50 metres and falls interacts with the continental shelf currents. to 5,000, making it one of the worldʼs largest submarine “The Leeuwin flows outside the continental shelf along canyons. It is a fascinating area that annually attracts pygmy the continental slope where the water depth is 200 metres. blue whales, drawn by an abundance of krill. During summer, Especially during summer, the Capes and Ningaloo Currents as many as 20 whales may be found at one time at this site. that flow north bring cooler water, nutrient-rich, from “The whales eat up to 10 tonnes of krill a day and we

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want to find out whether there is a correlation between the with low tides, exposed large areas of the rock platforms and presence of the canyon and the physical oceanography and we had a couple of big die-off events. One of the reefs was the biological productivity of krill.” completely devastated. This year, depending on the strength Susan Rennie, who is jointly supervised by Prof of the current, we hope to be able to follow the recolonisation Pattiaratchi and Dr Rob McCauley from Curtin University process on this reef. of Technology, is examining oceanographic processes of the “Most of the animals we study have a lifecycle that involves a canyon with funding from the Royal Australian Navy. The planktonic stage. This is a very risky process (that also applies to latter want to know what attracts the whales to the canyon many fish stocks on Rottnest) in which larvae may be swept far which is also the closest water (of sufficient depth) for away from the colony that produced them. Because of this, it is submarine exercises. vital to replenish the marine populations with new recruits carried down from the north on the current. Monitoring the “With climate experts predicting status of invertebrate more frequent El Nino events populations there will undoubtedly be implications in relation to good Dr Jane Prince of UWAʼs fish recruitment – and of course School of Animal Biology is fishing is one of Rottnestʼs the current Officer-in-Charge attractions.” of the Rottnest Island Research UWA has a long association Station which has been a base with marine research on Rottnest for research activities for half – with Dr Ernest Hodgkin, who a century. Working alongside died five years ago at the age of Associate Professor Bob Black, 90, doing pioneering work on she monitors the status of the island. A research laboratory populations of invertebrates has been named after him at the – abalone, limpets, cowries and Fisheries Research Laboratory at sea urchins – that live on the Waterman where current UWA islandʼs limestone platforms. PhD students work. Dr Prince has been snorkelling Last year, UWA researchers in Salmon Bay for two decades and Dr Jane Prince and Associate has never lost her sense of wonder Professor Bob Black of UWAʼs at the diversity of the fish life. In a School of Animal Biology single dive she may see 50 species. recorded massive deaths on She was introduced to Rottnest as Rottnestʼs limestone platforms a fieldwork location in 1967, when apparently due to the El Nino participating in Zoology camps as effect. Global climate change an undergraduate. Her biological appears to be increasing the studies have made her a regular frequency of El Nino events visitor to the island ever since. that affect the all-important “At present we have only Leeuwin Current. The latterʼs monitored areas where people warm water plays a vital role in tend not to go and I am discussing keeping waters around Rottnest stocked with tropical fish with the RIA the possibility of extending our research to and invertebrate species. look at frequented reefs to monitor the impacts,” says Dr “While our monitoring has recorded no measurable human impacts on the islandʼs populations of invertebrates, A good place to burrow we do notice big oceanographic changes,” says Dr Prince. “Because our study is long-term, we can see patterns in the Prince. populations and relate them to oceanographic or weather One of the great summer sights on Rottnest is watching events like El Nino. flocks of mutton birds wheeling over Cape Vlamingh as they “The warm south-flowing Leeuwin Current is driven by return to their burrows in the evening. PhD student Wes the build-up of water flowing through the Timor Sea from the Bancroft is studying the birds and their effect on the fragile Pacific. However, El Nino conditions direct the water back to ecology of the island. the Pacific, so you donʼt get that build-up that is the driving force behind a strong Leeuwin down our west coast. When the If youʼve explored Cape Vlamingh, you will know the current is affected, it doesnʼt bring larvae from the tropics to importance of keeping to the boardwalk so that you donʼt replenish the islandʼs populations of invertebrates or fish. damage the burrows of the wedge-tailed shearwaters (or “The strength of the current also affects sea levels on muttonbirds) that nest in this arid corner of the island. UWA Rottnest: the stronger the current, the higher the levels. When PhD student Wes Bancroft is currently in the final stages of it is weak – as happened last year – low sea levels, combined a study of the birds and the impact of their burrowing on the

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fragile ecology of Rottnest. “The Rottnest Island Authority seeks to promote the “My study ties into the theory of ecosystem engineering, island as a model of sustainability, but in order to do that which suggests that organisms can physically modify their we need to understand how the environment has changed. habitat in a way that affects the ecosystemʼs resource flows. While there has been a lot of biological research done on The way they live, the way they breed and feed, will impact the island, there has not been much that relates to the coastal on the environment.” environment, or human impacts on the environment. We Wes has established that there are some 11,500 muttonbird need to look at the impacts of quokkas, fires, coastal erosion nesting burrows on Rottnest – and numbers have almost and tourism developments,” says Kristy. doubled in a decade. While muttonbirds displace soil to “One of my key goals is to indicate how one can integrate create a burrow that may be two metres long, 30cm wide science and management. My study has brought me into and may end 1.5 metres below the surface, there has been contact with all levels of management within the RIA, from little evidence to suggest that the birds are a serious threat to directors down to on-the-ground officers. All have the same the environment. However, the fact that they turn over about goals, but all are approaching those goals from a different 210 tonnes of soil per hectare, clearly has an impact on the angle.” vegetation by reducing the number of species. “While there might have been quite a lot of research done in “In areas where the birds are present, the heathland the past, there has not been effective communication or application shrubs tend to be replaced by introduced plants that are of that research. However, in the last decade the Authority has been mostly succulents – like very proactive in improving the iceplant, that is able relationships with scientists. to survive the soilʼs high There has also been a shift nutrient content as a result in the aims of research, with of the accumulation of much of it now being steered guano.” into areas that have direct Wes has also looked management implications.” at the birdsʼ impact on For instance, Kristy fauna. In this windswept is looking at the stability part of the island, there are of coastal dunes and quokkas, Kingʼs skinks identifying areas of and house mice. “We need significant erosion – such to know if the birds are as at Narrow Neck – to altering the habitat and assess their impact on making it unsuitable for infrastructure such as roads. other animals. It appears “I am also looking at the that it is quite common environmental impact of for the birdsʼ burrows to the roads and buildings that be used by other fauna were built in the last half – particularly skinks that century and I hope to come need to regulate their up with multiple landscape temperature and shuttle between areas that are warm and scenarios as to how more sustainable management can be cold. They appear to go down the burrows mainly for achieved,” she says. shelter. They may also take the odd egg, but once the chicks The Rottnest Island Authority has been actively engaged are hatched – and there is one per burrow – they are almost in the implementation of a woodland restoration strategy predator free. on the island. Baseline information is limited and the UWA “The wedge-tailed shearwater is a tropical seabird that, student is investigating key restoration processes to develop in WA, mostly inhabits the waters of the mid- to north-west. a conceptual framework for woodland restoration. She will However, global warming means that many of these birds be examining the loss and fragmentation of woodlands are extending their breeding areas and establishing colonies resulting from the impacts of fire (1941 to 2002); and further south,” explains Wes. Associate Professor Dale Roberts determining the extent to which the terrain, biotic grazing of UWAʼs School of Animal Biology and Dr Mark Garkaklis and planting techniques are influencing the growth rates of of Murdoch Universityʼs School of Biological Sciences, are woodland species in the restoration plots. This information supervising the study. will be used to devise a framework for woodland restoration on the island which has a long-term goal of creating a self- Using the past to chart the future sustaining system. Kristy is using geographical information systems (GIS) UWA PhD student Kristy Olivia Winn is currently studying technology to examine spatio-temporal changes in landscape changes in the terrestrial landscape of Rottnest Island over patterns associated with the terrestrial vegetation, coastal the past 60 years and her research could provide useful data and built environments. “These GIS systems are emerging for future environmental management. globally as powerful tools for analysis of environmental change and as decision support systems for environment PhD student Kristy Olivia Winn is analysing environmental management given their ability to integrate, manipulate and change on Rottnest in the hope of developing sustainable rapidly analyse a wide range and volume of geographical management practices. data,” she says.

14 RESEARCHING ROTTNEST

Kristyʼs PhD studies are being supervised by Dr Ian found a Gilbertʼs potoroo – a marsupial that had not been Eliott and Dr Kimberly Van Niel of UWAʼs School of Earth seen since 1869 and which was thought to be extinct. After and Geographical Sciences and Professor Richard Hobbs of a flurry of newspaper headlines, the UWA zoology student Murdoch University. resumed her search for quokkas that were the subject of her PhD thesis. Rottnest’s unique geology “Rottnest Island quokkas had been the subject of Rottnest was attached to the mainland before melting glaciers numerous PhDs before my time, so I was able to design my from the last ice age caused the ocean to rise and isolate sampling based on this earlier work. I sampled from five it. The island boasts sites of locations that corresponded with geological significance contained previous ʻpopulationsʼ and also on the Register of the National from mapped ʻsub-populationsʼ Estate. on the West End of the island.” “I used a combination of five Associate Professor David Haig morphological measures, protein of UWAʼs School of Earth and variation and mitochondrial DNA Geographical Sciences annually sequences to look at the broad scale takes his Geology 309 class for geographic patterns in variation. a weekend of study on biogenic I found differences were mostly sedimentation at Rocky Bay. between the two island populations. “Rottnest lies on the outer The inheritance of the morphological continental shelf which represents characters was examined by one of the largest subtropical marine comparing island populations with platforms in the world covered by those of the captive colony at UWA calcium-carbonate sediment formed (made up of animals originating by the skeletons of organisms,” from Rottnest Island).” says Professor Haig. Her study revealed that the “We work from the UWA mainland populations contained Marine Research Station and the the highest amount of genetic students undertake transects from diversity, with each population the shoreline out into the bay having a unique set of sequences. and then analyse the grain-size “Of the 20 Rottnest Island animals and composition of the sediment sequenced, only seven had unique to determine the sources of the (but very similar) sequences, sand and sediment transport consistent with a small founding pathways. They also compare the Rottnestʼs rocky coastline make it an ideal population. Overall, the patterns sand composition – a mixture place to study geology – and the resident of genetic variation reflect a of skeletons from tropical and birds. (Photo : Pat Barblett, The Colours of relatively recent history of temperate organisms – with that Rottnest.) fragmentation, but with restricted from the north and south coasts gene flow across the species' of WA. range. More significantly, the “Rottnest is a perfect site for this study because it comes majority of genetic diversity exists within the very small, under the influence of the warm Leeuwin Current and contains isolated mainland populations: those experiencing the most more tropical elements than the adjacent mainland coast.” serious threats to long-term survival (through introduced Dr Jenny Bevan, Curator of the E de C. Clarke Geology predators and loss of habitat). Museum on the UWA campus, has taken groups of the “There was very limited protein variation in the species museum Friends on field trips to the island. On such and evidence for a small founding population from the DNA occasions, Dr Bevanʼs ʻbibleʼ is the Guidebook to the sequences - a result of island formation 6,000 to 10,000 Geology of Rottnest Island, written by UWA graduate years ago. Significant heterogeneity was observed among Phillip Playford, who surveyed the island extensively when the Rottnest Island populations, but not within the West working with Geological Survey in the 1970s. End. The population level subdivision may be playing an important role in slowing the rate of loss of variation, Comparing island and mainland quokkas however more variable genetic markers will be required to better understand patterns of variation at this level.” While quokka populations on the mainland have declined Her research was funded by UWA and a grant from dramatically, large populations of the marsupials still exist Alcoa of Australia and resulted in several publications. on Rottnest and Bald Island. UWA graduate Dr Elizabeth Since submitting her thesis in January 1998, Elizabeth Sinclair completed a PhD on the relationship between island has been working as a research fellow in integrative biology and mainland quokkas. with Keith Crandall at Utahʼs Brigham Young University in the United States. She has been involved in population In 1994 when searching for quokkas near Albany, UWA genetics research with many different species. zoology students Elizabeth Sinclair and Adrian Wayne “I'm now looking at defining species boundaries, using molecular markers, in salamanders and Central American

15 RESEARCHING ROTTNEST

lizards, as well as being involved in applied conservation and Economics from the University of Natal. genetics projects on the giant Tasmanian freshwater lobster “Quokkas and fire have been the most important and miniature Andean deer,” she says. variables affecting Rottnestʼs vegetation. Prior to the arrival of settlers, occasional lightning fires would have swept through the island – we know that from cores taken from The impact of fire and quokkas the sediments in the swamps. The fires would have reduced quokka grazing for a time, and the burned tea trees and UWA graduate Elizabeth Rippey recently completed a pines would have released their seeds,” she says. study of the dynamics of the vegetation of Perthʼs offshore “Once the settlers and the prisoners arrived there were islands. far more frequent burns and the fire-tolerant acacias began to dominate what had been a forested landscape. Then, when If, during visits to Rottnest, you have acquired some of the quokkas were protected, they became the most important attractive brochures on the islandʼs flora and fauna, you will factor in reducing the vegetation cover to a prickly heath.” already be acquainted with Elizabeth Rippeyʼs work – for Elizabeth Rippey and Barbara Rowland are authors of she illustrated all of them and wrote a number. The UWA Plants of the Perth Coast and Islands, a popular book that won a Premierʼs Award in 1995. This book will be reissued by UWA Press in 2004 as a slimmer volume, but covering the flora of the entire coastline of the Swan Coastal Plain from Dongara to Dunsborough. Rottnest: an Indigenous perspective

When UWA lecturer Grant Revell ran a Landscape Architecture Design Studio – the Human Terrain Project – that focussed on Rottnest Island, it had a profound effect on students who participated.

Working together with Ms Jill Milroy, who heads UWAʼs School of Indigenous Studies, Tjalaminu Mia, Research Fellow in Oral History, and UWA design tutor Richard Coldicutt, Landscape Architecture Lecturer Grant Revell challenged his students to research the cultural landscapes of Wadjemup – Rottnest – through Indigenous and non- Indigenous eyes. Through the dark prism of the islandʼs term as a prison, the students were exposed to a perspective many had never confronted and that led some to question the current use of the old prison quadrangle as bizarre and insensitive. As Murdoch Senior Lecturer Len Collard, and Aboriginal elders presented their Rottnest perspective, the students appreciated the undercurrent of suffering and injustice that exists on the ʻholiday islandʼ. “The experience really highlighted the need for inquiry, Elizabeth Sinclair with a photo of the Gilbert’s potoroo she sensitivity and respect for the cultural significance of any encountered when searching for quokkas in the State’s site, which is something I will benefit from in my future southwest during her PhD studies. She is now studying work as an architect,” wrote one student. “ I admire the population genetics at Brigham Young University in the US. connectedness Aboriginal people have to the land and spirit (Photo: The West Australian) and I hope to see paths of cross-cultural communication open to allow for a more sympathetic understanding between peoples and the land.” graduate has a long association with the island, having This, of course, was the intention of the design studio joined the Rottnest Voluntary Guides soon after arriving in which resulted in several excellent design projects. Students Western Australia 20 years ago. designed a raised walkway along the shoreline of the salt In 2002 she completed a PhD at UWAʼs School of lakes; a water feature in front of the Visitor and Information Earth and Geographical Sciences on the dynamics of the Centre and a ridgeline walk trail that linked major features vegetation of islands off Perth. of the island. Each project also made them consider both the “Garden Island today is probably what Rottnest used to islandʼs ecological problems – its fragile physical environment be like – it has not had the same level of human pressure and lack of water – and its ecological strengths in relation to so you still see beautiful stands of Rottnest Tea Trees available renewable energy sources. (Melaleuca lanceolata) and Rottnest Island Pines (Callitris “One of the first exercises the students did was to identify preissii),” says Dr Rippey, who has a degree in Geography and map the islandʼs bio-regions and that exercise suggested

16 RESEARCHING ROTTNEST

the orientation of the walkway. The students were encouraged continues to affect families and communities. One result is the to use ecologically responsible materials for the walkway and disproportionate rates of incarceration of Aboriginal men and to devise water conservation features as part of it.” women throughout Western Australia.” Following discussions with Len Collard, other students “Wadjemup has always been, and always will be, produced a site design to protect the Aboriginal burial important country for Nyoongar people, its history not new grounds and allow the public to interpret it. “This work but thousands of years old, part of Nyoongar Dreaming. could in future assist Indigenous peoples to develop their Sitting uncomfortably atop the landscape, the renamed, own design options for the conservation and interpretation illegally claimed, ʻRottnest Islandʼ is a far more recent of the burial grounds,” says Grant Revell. colonial construct, its history a painful one for Aboriginal Each participant in the design studio made a clay and peoples throughout Western Australia.” wax mask that was cast in bronze. The striking and varied “For nearly one hundred years, from 1838-1931, Rottnest masks of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people associated Island was a prison for more than 3,600 Aboriginal men and with the island now reside in a bronze boat, for the students boys, shipped in chains from the mainland, not just from the wished the collection to remain intact. The boat seemed an Southwest, but from the Kimberley, Pilbara, Murchison and appropriate vehicle for them – for it was a boat that took Goldfields, following colonial ʻexpansionʼ.” prisoners to and from the island and, in this art work, that is “In association with the exhibitionʼs theme and to highlight the link between the past and the present. this, a major cultural component of this project was the launch “The Human Terrain project launched a radical voyage of Nyoongar writer and poet Graeme Dixonʼs latest published for design students interested in opening themselves up to work – Holocaust Revisited: killing time. Graemeʼs book is a an important part of WAʼs living history,” says Grant Revell. personal chronicle of aspects of his life through oral histories “It quickly became a personal journey that acknowledged and poems. It shows us a boy growing up with the certainty of the chasm between Western Australian cultures. We learnt experiencing what other members of his family had: the reality that how one deals with this deep subjective gap really of being one of the over-represented Aboriginal juveniles and defines oneʼs Western Australian identity. men incarcerated in juvenile detention facilities and maximum “Previous design studio experience had taught us that the security prisons.” critical thing with sharing Aboriginal culture is firstly to create “It is hoped the significant collection brought together for the mutual space to stop and spend real time with Aboriginal the project, and accompanying components like Holocaust people. The rewards are great for those that wise up to the Revisited: killing time, will play a further role in reconciliation, ongoing obligation and need to read and experience a deeper as it is envisaged in the future that the exhibits may journey understanding of a place like Wadjemup.” through Western Australia to Aboriginal communities and As a result of this some students had access to what Jill hopefully overseas.” Milroy and Grant Revell describe as the ʻcross culture spacesʼ accessible to those who make such a journey. Architecture and Landscape Architecture students at UWA are frequently involved in design studios, some of which are real life projects.

Archives and artworks focus on human rights

The artworks produced by Landscape Architecture students as part of the design studio on Rottnest were part of a wider project mounted by UWAʼs School of Indigenous Studies.

The suite of bronze masks exhibited at the WA Maritime Museum following the UWA design studio on Wadjemup were part of a wider project curated by Tjalaminu Mia, a Nyoongar Research Fellow in Oral History and the Arts at UWAʼs School of Indigenous Studies. The project entitled Gnyung Waart Kooling Kulark – released: going home, focussed on human rights and social justice. The exhibition was a major cross cultural exchange initiative comprising the perspectives of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists. Says Tjalaminu Mia: “The exhibition displayed archival photographs, objects, artworks and literary material related to the dispossession of Aboriginal people from traditional lands, the removal of children from their families, and the incarceration of Aboriginal men – all of which have left a legacy of cultural disruption, physical displacement, neglect and exploitation that

17 GRADUATE PROFILE

BrianUWA graduate Brian Easton – aEaston former CEO of the Rottnest Island Authority – believes that there is no place as special and as historically important to Western Australians as Rottnest. He says you canʼt expect the revenue return from the islandʼs business interests to cover the costs of restoring the islandʼs ageing infrastructure and managing its fragile environment.

When he left UWA with a degree is Psychology, Brian loyal holidaymakers – who had supported it for years, even Easton envisaged using it to provide counselling in a service generations – were beginning to holiday elsewhere,” he area before moving into clinical work. But…“I was high recalls. “There were complaints about the absence of true jacked quite early in the piece,” recalls the well-respected customer service and of less than satisfactory facilities at a graduate. time of rising customer expectations.” The former CEO of Rottnest Island is known for his “Western Australians were travelling more, had a taste vision, administrative skills and environmental commitment for good wines and were demanding improved eating-out – all of which have seen him playing essential roles in diverse opportunities beyond the islandʼs pub and bakery – and they areas of the Federal and State Governments, including posts especially wanted a decent coffee shop. They were also tired as CEO of Rottnest Island and Perth Zoo. of hard mattresses, generally inefficient cleaning regimes In 1995 he was asked by the then Premier and Minister and were more aware of the islandʼs fragile environment.” for Tourism, Richard Court, to undertake a comprehensive His report made some 150 recommendations and when review of all aspects of Rottnestʼs operations. be become CEO of the island, he had the satisfaction of “The island had become somewhat run-down, and many seeing more than 95 per cent implemented as the government provided much needed funding for an upgrade of accommodation and When he left his job as CEO of some major administrative changes – Perth Zoo in July last year, Brian including the outsourcing of cleaning Easton was planning to retire, but and other services and the relocation he was lured to Melbourne Zoo to of staff formerly accommodated on the oversee major changes aimed to island. These were changes that people create ‘a zoo for the 21st century’. long associated with the island agreed were vital and they resulted in improved His varied career has seen the facilities and service, the abolition of UWA graduate making good use of some visual eyesores – and a decent cup his psychology degree. of coffee! “One of my first jobs for the Federal Mr Easton then moved on to Government was in employment become CEO of Perth Zoo for four years. He retired in July of last year after 43 years counselling,” recalls Mr Easton, “and in the public service – and then came the from there I went on to initiating offer from Melbourne. training schemes for undergraduates Brian Eastonʼs association with and graduates for the Public Service Rottnest continues as one of the legion Board. Later I moved into the of Western Australians who are intent broad public service area and into on preserving one of this Stateʼs greatest icons. He is a member of the Rottnest Aboriginal Affairs where I ended Island Foundation (which raises funds up working for over a decade in for important environmental and Federal and State agencies. And conservation projects) and the Rottnest of course my psychology degree Society. was of enormous value because “Rottnest is hugely important all of these areas involved complex in terms of its built and natural environment, because of its historical human relationships.” links – from its discovery and the early history of Aboriginal incarceration, to its Brian Easton (Photo: Perth Zoo/InterSector) wonderful heritage of colonial architecture

18 – and its geological, terrestrial and marine these needs. And while accommodation environment. Rottnest presents as an island should be appropriately costed, we have in the sun. It is very attractive to visitors, to accept that the cost of repairing old especially locals – but its popularity results dwellings and an ageing infrastructure in enormous pressures. needs the continuing support of the “While the island needs a single government of the day.” administration, there has to be a clear Invariably, when the island fails to recognition of its two very different balance its budget, there are calls for agendas: the need to maximise revenue it to open itself to private development. from tourism (commercial opp—ortunities, Having occupied the CEOʼs chair, licensing fees and so on) and the need Brian Easton says that such pressure is to balance this side of operations against ongoing. the historical, cultural and environmental “There are always calls to develop the aspects – all of which require the sort of island as a typical international tourism investment that cannot possibly be met by des—tination, which usually ends up revenue raised from tourism. pushing locals out. I canʼt see the people of “The island needs sufficient resources to Western Australia allowing that to happen, fund sound environmental management because the island has always catered practices. It has to look after the principally to locals. But that doesnʼt mean environment in a grass roots that you canʼt have a hotel that offers high way and also to monitor the behaviour quality accommodation for international of both business operators and holiday- and local visitors, or that you canʼt do more makers – making sure that boat-owners to attract day-trippers.” do the right thing in terms of sullage; Is he confident about the islandʼs that recreational fishers are not greedy; future? that ferry operators donʼt overload the “There is no place as special and island during peak periods. To me it is as historically important to Western all about people taking responsibility Australians as Rottnest,” says the FREEFREE for the way they behave on the island, former CEO. “Many of us have the most plus careful monitoring by the Rottnest wonderful memories of the island as Australian Island Authority. children, students, young lovers, parents Permanent “The cost of running the environmental and grandparents. No one wants to lose management side of the island is always the essential characteristics of the island Residency going to be considerable and includes – laid back, casual, no cars, safe. I think restoring the salt lakes and repairing past people will ensure it stays that way.” Assessment damage. You canʼt expect the revenue A QUALITY SERVICE return from business interests to cover all WITH INTEGRITY BY UNIVERSITY GRADUATE

EXTEND YOUR ADVERTISING REACH IN UNIVIEW Graduates from Australian universities are now more than ever likely to be eligible for Permanent Residency in Australia. A decade ago UWA s flagship publication UWA graduate Keith Cook BEd, MSc, UNIVIEW appeared in its current format. It has registration number 0108109 of A & M since been judged the best university publication in Australia and New Zealand and has also won Australian Migration, is offering a several state awards as the best local tertiary special service to UWA alumni. Keith has publication and the Alex Harris Award for over 20 years experience in migration science and environment coverage. The and the tertiary education sector. magazine has a print run that is expected to reach Keith also conducts free seminars 50,000 in 2004. UNIVIEW is read by the in Malaysia and Singapore on nation s leaders and decision makers, including “OPPORTUNITIES IN AUSTRALIA” chief executives of major corporations, top for Business, Employment, Retirement, Advertising queries: government officials, parliamentarians and Study, Partner. For details about these Peter Edwards of Edwards Media diplomats — as well as UWA graduates in seminars, email Keith. Phone: 618 9594 0102 Mobile: 0418 933 445 Australia and across the world covering the Email: [email protected] spectrum of professions. Copies are distributed TO CONTACT: Email: to every secondary school in Western Australia [email protected] UNIVIEW magazine is produced three times a and all public libraries. To date our advertisers PHONE (61) 0414 360 201 year by Public Affairs, have included technology, tourism and theatre The University of Western Australia companies, banks, wineries, bookstores and FAX (61 8) 9593 6307 Phone: 618 6488 1914; international and national conservation and In your first communication with our office Email: [email protected] charity foundations ask for Keith Cook and mention this flier for a special deal offered to graduates of UWA.

19 UWA MUSIC

THE PULSE OF PERCUSSION

UWA graduates Craig Ogden and Paul Tanner Photo: Tony Harrison

While the composition and repertoire of the world’s great classical orchestras seems to defy change, the instruments that comprise percussion are experiencing a radical change in contemporary performance. Percussion is increasingly becoming the instrument of choice – in Tertiary Entrance Examination music it has overtaken the violin in terms of popularity. The marimba, the vibraphone and a whole host of instruments borrowed from other cultures are giving percussionists a strong profile in contemporary music and UWA-trained students are leading the way.

When UWA teacher Tim White was studying for a Master Suddenly percussion is hugely popular and WA seems to of Music degree at the University’s School of Music in be leading the move towards making music on instruments the 1980s, he sat performance exams in Perth, but had such as the marimba and the vibraphone. Of course to go to Denmark to study his repertoire with noted solo percussion makes use of a huge range of instruments – Tim percussionist Gert Mortensen. Since then the percussion White has some 350 ranging from the traditional to the scene has changed dramatically. bizarre. “Classical percussion is now a very different instrument Along with what Tim White calls ‘the percussion boom’ because our techniques and repertoire have grown so quickly has come the birth of several impressive ensemble groups – it’s been something of a revolution!”says Tim White who – from the well known and highly professional Nova is now principle percussionest with the WA Symphony Ensemble and Tetrafide Percussion (which performed in Orchestra. “The best music for percussion has been created Kalgoorlie as part of the UWA PIAF) to Defying Gravity over the past 20 years and one reason for the change is that which comprises percussion students, half from UWA, half Western musicians have become more open to the music of from the WA Academy of Performing Arts at Edith Cowan other cultures. University. “Over the last half century, composers have been looking Defying Gravity was formed in 1987 with a far more for new ideas that break away from the musical traditions of traditional name. When Tim White took over the running of past centuries. Percussion today represents a whole new the group in 1994, he approached Carl Vine – one of UWA’s world of sound. As a result, it has moved from being a fringe most distinguished music graduates – to request use of the instrument to being seen as a fresh and exciting new avenue title of one of the composer’s most dynamic compositions: of expression for composers. Defying Gravity. At that time the group was performing “Twenty years ago there were no classical percussion once a year; last year the award-winning group gave 23 students at UWA. Now there are nine and it is growing every concerts, was involved in a radio broadcast for Classical year. Twenty years ago it was unusual for a TEE student FM, and was also featured on ABC TV. to study percussion. Today it is the sixth most studied Two current members of Defying Gravity, Helena Cook instrument – ahead of the violin and cello!” and Louise Conroy, are joint winners of the 2003 Vose Prize

20 UWA MUSIC

for Music. Both began percussion in Helena and Louise envisage high school and are now fourth year forming a duo after postgraduate Bachelor of Music (Performance) study overseas and Tim White says students. that in doing so they will swell an “The highs of playing percussion already vibrant percussion scene in come from the sheer diversity of the Perth. field,” says Helena, “and the fact “Employment prospects are that the best music is being written relatively good for percussionists,” now, which makes it exciting. The he says. “In the old days your only only low is transporting equipment option was getting into an orchestra, – we’re always first to arrive and last but today there are lots of other to leave any gig! opportunities – being a soloist, joining “We love being part of Defying an ensemble, working with shows, Gravity and have done concerts teaching, freelancing or creating your in Burswood, the WA Art Gallery own options – as has Paul Tanner, a brilliant local percussionist who is and Forrest Place, plus many gigs “Percussion today represents a whole both performing and composing (see around Perth. We have also taken new world of sound. As a result, it has box story). part in many of the Totally Huge moved from being a fringe instrument “So far we have had 19 percussion New Music Festivals’ – one year to being seen as a fresh and exciting new students graduate in WA, and all this took us to Mt Wogarno for a avenue of expression for composers.” - are making a living from music drummers in the outback venture. Tim White (above). – an outstanding success rate. WA “In Defying Gravity, we play has also had an extremely strong anything from timpani, drums, gongs, record of getting performers into xylophone to smaller percussion the Australian Youth Orchestra. We instruments. We also do some body have had 15 percussionists perform percussion and have even played with the orchestra over the last spoons on tables!” decade and in one year the entire For the Vose Prize they played timpani and percussion section was marimba and vibraphone in Anders from WA!” Koppel’s virtuosic Toccata for If you would like to know Vibraphone and Marimba with what more about studying percussion their teacher Tim White describes as at UWA, contact Tim White at “grace, beauty and a special sense of [email protected] magic.” Vose Prize winners Louise Conroy and Helena Cook

The upbeat tempo of Tanner & co Talk to UWA graduate and percussion teacher Paul Tanner The pair performed in Australia and the UK, have appeared and you get the feeling that the racy excitement that drives his on ABC TV and radio and in mid-2005 plan to tour performances is echoed in the upbeat tempo of his musical Europe. They have released a CD Songs from the Forest career. (www.ogdentanner.com) and their first performance had Paul Tanner has Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Music music critics suggesting the pair were well on their way to from UWA, and, recalling his time at UWA, he says: “I was international stardom. heavily into contemporary classical music and performed Paul Tanner, observed The West Australian, “displayed many avante-garde multi-percussion works by composers a nonchalant mastery of a battery of instruments seemingly like Stockhausen and Xenakis that involved huge set-ups unfazed while steering a faultless way through music that is of many different instruments. “These composers are the a closed book to any but the most adept and experienced of greatest challenge for percussionists.” musicians.” In 1991 an Australian Postgraduate Research Award took “Vibes and marimba have always been my favourite Paul to San Diego where he studied with virtuoso percussion instruments and when Craig wanted to form a duo, this was soloist Steve Schick. Touring the US, Latin America and the excuse to buy a full five-octave marimba (still fairly rare Africa not only augmented his diverse range of percussion in Australia) and to memorise the repertoire for our duo, techniques, but gave him a taste for the music of continents plus a complete solo repertoire for vibraphone and marimba. that are adventurous in their use of percussion. When we tried the repertoire together, it just fell into place,” Steeping himself in an eclectic range of musical styles, says Paul. he has moved between orchestral percussion with WASO, WASO, Nova and UWA teaching continue to be Paul contemporary percussion with Nova Ensemble and Magnetic Tanner’s main income support as he continues to explore the Pig, and jazz with the Scope quartet he formed. potential of percussion. Recently he formed a quintet with his In October 2000, Paul formed OgdenTanner with UWA fiancé, UWA graduate Cath Cahill (clarinet), Zak Rowntree graduate and guitarist, Craig Ogden, who is gaining an (violin), Pete Jeavons (bass) and Tom O’Halloran (piano). international reputation from his base in the United Kingdom.

21 The University of Western Australia

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22 UWA Snapshots ... research and innovation

living in her native Bulgaria. She couple of years ago that is related to is now acknowledged as a world diseases of the peripheral nervous authority on their complex genetic system.” make-up, shaped by centuries of “Such studies also help migration, marriage within the researchers to understand the group and genetic drift. normal function of the human While other genetically isolated body. For example, our recent populations, such as the Finns, have discovery of the mutation causing been studied in great details, little a novel developmental disorder, was known about the Gypsies published in the October issue of until Professor Kalaydjieva, her Nature Genetics, is likely to change co-workers in Perth, and a team the concepts of how human cells of researchers at the Medical regulate gene expression.” University in Sofia began their “The Roma we have studied clinical and molecular genetic live mainly in Bulgaria. In this area studies and appreciated that the the traditional structure of Gypsy Gypsies represent in microcosm the society is well preserved and has major issues in human population been studied in detail by excellent genetics. Such studies allow cultural anthropologists,” says scientists to understand genetic Professor Kalaydjieva who was dispersal, to compare genetic and formerly head of the molecular linguistic diversity and to get an genetic laboratory at the Medical UWAʼs Professor Kanagasingam Yogesan (Photo: The West Australian) insight into the genetic basis of University in Sofia. human disease. “When the Roma arrived in WORLDWIDE DEMAND FOR DEVICE The UWA researcherʼs studies, Europe, some settled in the Balkans, published in leading journals and and others continued to other Doctors in developing countries this new device. The digital device in The Nature Encyclopedia of parts of Europe, but the Balkans are eagerly awaiting the is easy to operate and gives us the Human Genome, indicate that remains their major homeland. The commercialisation of a portable, images that assist in the diagnosis some 10 million Roma currently worldwide diaspora began in the low-cost hand-held imaging of glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy living in Europe descended from 1890s, with new waves of migration device that will radically improve and other diseases. a small group of Asian ancestors, to Europe in the last decade because the screening of patients for eye “The dental, dermatology and probably originating in India about of the war in Yugoslavia. And when diseases in remote areas and that has otolaryngology modules are also 1,000 years ago. After their arrival that happened doctors in central the potential to be further developed ready for testing and this will be in Europe, the Roma split to take and western Europe began seeing for use in dentistry, dermatology done with our collaborators at different routes of migration, diseases they hadnʼt known existed and otolaryngology. Stanford Medical School in the and form numerous socially and and my research group got many Designed by a team headed by United States. genetically divergent endogamous referrals for diagnostic analysis from Associate Professor Kanagasingam “We are in the process of setting groups. countries like Austria, Germany, Yogesan at The University of up a National Centre for e-Health in Genes that predispose to disease Italy and Ireland, and even Utah in Western Australiaʼs Centre for order to expand our expertise to are often easier to find in genetically the US. Ophthalmology and Visual Science other medical fields and develop homogeneous populations. “When “The Gypsies remain isolated (which incorporates the Lions Eye affordable remote diagnostic there is a common ancestor, leading from the mainstream partly because Institute), the device is currently technologies. We have received to the so-called founder effect, of their social traditions – some being tested and discussions are interest from the World Health it is easier to identify the causes groups discourage intermarriage being held with US companies Organisation and major universities of single-gene and, hopefully, with other populations – and to a interested in commercialising it. in Australia, the United States, of complex disorders than in the large extent because of xenophobia The portable device – the only India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia, all general population. Once you and discrimination. Their access to product of its kind – enables both of whom are interesting in working identify a gene linked to a specific medical care is limited, particularly retinal (back of the eye) and anterior with us on clinical trials and the disease, you can then go back to in countries with generally poor segment (front of the eye) pictures development of training programs.” individuals of diverse ethnicity all health care systems. to be captured. “At present there The Centre and the Lions over the world, and examine that “It has been very important are two types of imaging devices: Eye Institute have a well-earned gene to find additional causes for to establish a clinical team that the slit-lamp device and the retinal reputation for the development related diseases. We have just done people could go to for help at any camera which capture images of of products used in the detection, that with a gene we identified a time. If you just take DNA samples the front and the back of the eye diagnosis and treatment of eye respectively. We have developed problems. This development marries a single device – substantially less expertise in the design of ophthalmic expensive – that does both,” says imaging instruments and systems Professor Yogesan. with the extensive experience of “So far we have tested the front UWA ophthalmologists. of the eye module on 196 patients and it is being used in Carnarvon RESEARCHER TRACKS hospital on a regular basis for CLUES TO GENETIC remote diagnostic purposes. The DISEASES retinal module is being tested in the clinic at the Lions Eye Institute.” Known as Roma, Gypsies or Professor Yogesan predicts Travellers, those belonging to worldwide demand for the device what is now a worldwide diaspora and related software that enable have indeed travelled far from images to be studied by specialists their country of origin: India. far from remote health centres Once thought to have come from where screening takes place. The Egypt – a belief that probably development of both the device and gave rise to the name ʻgypsyʼ – the software has been supported by Roma have lived in Europe for grants from the National Health and at least 800 years. Their long and Medical Research Council. difficult history has encompassed Professor Yogesan says that enslavement and discrimination, yet imaging devices currently used in this long-suffering group may well all-important eye disease screening reward the world with invaluable programs are costly and that GPs in clues to genetic diseases. developing countries simply cannot UWA researcher Luba afford them. Kalaydjieva, Professor of Molecular “We are already getting Genetics at the WA Institute for Professor Kalaydjieva (far left) with some of the members of Gypsy Genetic emails from doctors in developing Medical Research/UWA Centre for Heritage Consortium in Paris, when the group was founded in 1998. The countries who have heard about our Medical Research, was among the wheelchair-bound Gypsy suffering from limb-girdle muscular dystrophy has research and are keen to acquire first scientists to study the Roma since died. His mother and aunt stand beside him.

23 UWA Snapshots ... research and innovation

and go, itʼs no good. You need to PhD student David Johnson and Centre for Water Research – and “As new industrial processes establish a long-term relationship of Professor of Coastal Oceanography in demand around the world – was become available that are less polluting, trust. In some communities, we are Chari Pattiaratchi hope that in in action measuring rip currents one senses that environmental now introducing disease prevention understanding these strong, narrow and sediment concentration. The protection authorities around the world programs that are starting to work. currents that flow seaward through accumulated data will also help the will make pollution legislation more Young people now appreciate that the surf zone, UWA research will researchers analyse the effects of stringent so that industries are forced they are better off having tests improve beach safety and the wave conditions and tide-induced to adopt environmentally-friendly that can reveal a predisposition to management of our coastline. water level changes on rips. technologies.” certain untreatable diseases. Often Professor Pattiaratchi of UWAʼs “Some major multinational we rely on young people to organise Centre for Water Research is an chemical companies are already campaigns for collecting new blood authority on oceanic currents, and MINDING THE converts to green chemistry – samples and whenever we do field he has seen rips in action, having MOLOCULES they appreciate that it can solve work, they make us feel welcome. been involved in at least one surf costly problems related to waste “I have been heavily involved rescue. His current research project, Chemists have revolutionised management. Already green in field work in Bulgaria, and which is nearing completion, will our material world over the last chemistry techniques mean that the we now have a network spread be as relevant to beach safety in century, however the industries manufacture of paper is possible throughout Europe, with workshops other parts of the world as it will in that gave us synthetic fabrics, without chlorine bleach and that organised by the European Australia. plastics and fertilisers, have also, water can be used as a solvent rather Neuromuscular Centre, and with a “We need to increase our in some instances, proved to be than traditional toxic solvents.” large collaborative research project understanding of where, when polluting and problematic. Enter “Itʼs all about the triple bottom prepared for submission for funding and why rips occur and to use this the ʻgreen chemistsʼ who aim to line – being economically viable, to the European Union. I have material to educate the public,” produce products that are better environmentally feasible and found the Gypsies very cooperative says the UWA researcher. “There and cleaner than those produced by socially acceptable. Green chemistry - firstly because this study brings are several different types of rips, conventional industrial processes, is driven by innovation. Adopting them medical attention and secondly including mega rips associated and who envisage a 21st century its solutions may not be cheaper because they are by nature kind, with headlands and coastal features in which the waste of one industry at the outset, but eventually they hospitable and helpful. It has been a – such as those off Trigg Island will become the fuel of another. will be. And this entire movement pleasure and a great life experience – and others that occur adjacent One such visionary is UWAʼs new will become even more relevant to work with them.” to breakwaters and groynes, as Professor of Chemistry, Colin as resources such as oil and coal

UWA researchers are gaining new understanding of the nature of rips that are a dangerous feature of our coastlineʼs exhilarating surf.

Professor Kalaydjievaʼs research is at Cottesloe Beach. While these Raston who had already garnered are depleted. Why wait until then supported by grants from National permanent rips are fairly easy to an international reputation in the before we question burning some Health and Medical Research predict, the transient rips, while not world of green chemistry. 14 million tonnes of waste from Council (NHMRC), the Australian as strong, occur in a more random This year, UWA becomes only Western Australiaʼs wheat crop Research Council, the Muscular way but may cause greater danger the third university in the world annually when this biomass could Dystrophy Association of the USA, to swimmers.” to offer a Batchelor of Science be used to generate energy and the French Association against “Until recently, some people (Green Chemistry) – a degree commodity chemicals? Chemists Muscular Dystrophy and The questioned whether transient rips that is expected to rapidly gain need to communicate widely with Wellcome Trust. existed, but the Centre for Water international recognition as the industry and agriculture because our Research now has data to prove that move towards global sustainability interests can be integrated. The take they do. We made small floating gains momentum. home message is that the future is RESEARCHERS STUDY GPS receivers, called drifters, In 1999 Professor Raston looking good if we engage science THE DANGERS OF RIPS and set them adrift when we saw established Australiaʼs first centre and engineering to solve the issues transient rips forming. I believe of excellence in green chemistry at of sustainability.” The powerful ocean that washes weʼre the first people to study these Monash University and has lectured Professor Raston and his Australiaʼs coast claims about 50 transient rips.” widely on its benefits. Awarded team have received an Australian lives each year, and rips are among its During the past 18 months, the Royal Australian Chemical Research Council linkage grant greatest dangers. While surfers may UWA PhD student David Johnson Instituteʼs Green Chemistry for green chemistry research. His ʻrideʼ a rip to reach their favourite deployed surf zone instrument Challenge Award in 2002, he research interests also encompass surfing break, to the uninitiated they stations on metropolitan beaches. thinks that being in the vanguard nanotechnology, an exciting branch can be terrifying. The nature of rips They monitored current velocities, of the green chemistry movement of the discipline that is creating – and in particular, the unpredictable mean water levels and suspended is important for UWA in that it molecules – at a billionth of a metre transient rips (also called flash rips) sediment concentrations. A range anticipates an inevitable shift to in size – capable of solving all – is little understood, but UWA of instruments developed by the sustainable industrial practices. sorts of environmental and health

24 UWA Snapshots ... research and innovation

Agriculture). Dr Wang, an Honorary tissues, the development of novel Research Fellow at CLIMA, is magnetic measurement and currently testing 25 legumes from detection techniques for biomedical the centreʼs unique gene library of applications, and the development Mediterranean legumes. of new magnetic materials for “We believe there is untapped biomedical applications. potential for the utilization of The work is highly forage legumes,” says Dr Wang. interdisciplinary and involves “On the medical side, we know collaboration between physicists, that in Asia, where soy products chemists, biochemists, gastro— are widely used, breast cancer rates enterologists, engineers, are lower than in the West. Soy and hepatologists, haematologists, other legumes contain isoflavones psychologists, radiologists and which may have a role in inhibiting many others. the proliferation of breast cancer The Biomagnetics Group cells and in protecting against was first formed to investigate hormone-dependent cancer. To some of the fundamental physical date, only one case-control study properties of biological tissue. Says conducted in the United States has Associate Professor Tim St Pierre: indicated that tofu consumption was “Most of our research has been protective in both premenopausal in relation to elements like iron and postmenopausal women. In (which is strongly magnetic) in animal models, isoflavones appear biology and medicine. There is iron to reduce growth rates and may in proteins like haemoglobin that prevent formation of tumours. carries oxygen in the blood, and “The phytoestrogens that exist in less well-known proteins such in red clover and other legumes as ferritin which we use to store UWAʼs Dr Shao Fang Wang whose legume research could benefit have stirred interest as cancer iron in our bodies. Ferritin has very both medicine and agriculture (Photo: Lindy Brophy) preventatives and as treatments unusual magnetic properties and for menopause, osteoporosis and a our research group has been a world range of other conditions. Legumes leader in uncovering the magnetic problems, while at the same time IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL are also thought to contain generating profits through patents. ANTI-CANCER DRUGS properties of this protein.” chemicals that may prove useful Members of the Biomagnetics “It is about sensors for health for their antioxidant, antiviral, University of Western Australia Group have developed new ways and the environment, computer parts, antimicrobial, antiallergenic and researchers are currently studying of probing the magnetic properties smart materials that ʻthinkʼ, catalysts anti-inflammatory activities.” the chemical make-up of forage of very small particles of matter for cleaning up the environment, Turning to the aquaculture feed legumes in the hope of identifying that are only a few atoms across. catalysts for making compounds component of the research project, compounds that could be used in Such particles are sometimes called without generating waste,” says the Dr Wang says that advances made anti-cancer drugs. Their major ʻnanoparticlesʼ. The results of enthusiastic professor. “The world at CLIMA in the understanding of market for nanotechnology can be research program also hopes that experiments they have carried out aerial seeding of annual pasture counted in billions of dollars.” legumes will become the source of on small iron-containing particles legumes means that researchers can Recently Professor Raston was a new product to compete with or inside proteins have resulted in new awarded an ARC Discovery Grant replace soy as an aquaculture feed now look for appropriate genotypes ways of thinking about the magnetic with co-researchers Professor Alan in the burgeoning Southeast Asian with which to develop secondary properties of nanoparticles. White (who supervised his PhD market. industries for WA farmers. The research was initially back in 1976) and Dr Mohammed The ambitious five-year However, first they need to study driven by curiosity but has since Makha (who is currently at UWA research project, that promises the basic chemical constituents of opened up the possibility of several on a fellowship funded by the public health benefits as well pasture legume germplasm. new biomedical applications. As an UKʼs Engineering and Physical as improving the cash-flow of Aquaculture is an emerging example, a spin-off company, Inner industry in Australia, and a vibrant Sciences Research Council). farmers, is supported by industry Vision Biometrics Pty Ltd, has been They will be working in the area one in Southeast Asia (a market created which is commercialising a and the Rural Industries Research which imports over 250,000 tonnes of supramolecular chemistry. One and Development Corporation non-invasive method of measuring of their aims is to produce a new of feed, primarily as soymeal, and imaging iron concentrations (RIRDC). from the US). Local production range of water soluble container Professor Clive Francis of the within the human liver. The of aquaculture feeds would be technology is being used to monitor molecules. UWA-based Centre for Legumes an advantage not only to the WA “The fundamental aspect of the in Mediterranean Agriculture liver iron levels in people affected marine prawn industry, but as by iron-overload diseases such as project is to gain control of how (CLIMA) says that RIRDC funds an export item for the region. It molecules assemble at the nanometer product-orientated research and that would benefit the seed industry hereditary haemochromatosis and level so that we can manipulate the centre is excellently placed to and growers in southern Australia thalassaemia. The potential global them to make unique materials that conduct this major research project by developing a new niche product application for the IVB technology have specific properties. True to the because it has a unique genebank that fits synergistically with broad- is significant given the incidence of name of these grants, the research of Mediterranean legumes, plus acre agriculture. disorders of the liver. process really is a journey of international linkages. Some of The UWA research group ʻdiscoveryʼ because you are looking the legumes being studied – such currently has an NHMRC grant to for clues to develop new areas of FRONTIER RESEARCH IN as red clover – have already been USE OF MAGNETS further research the non-invasive nanochemistry and its applications. developed as pharmaceutical measurement and imaging of iron in We know where we have to go to products, while others are not Almost all materials – from human the liver. The principal researchers are satisfy our ARC funding, but on known commercially. cells to plastic – have magnetic Professor St Pierre, Professor John the way we are going to make new Dr Shao Fang Wang, who properties, but very often the Olynyk, Associate Professor Gary discoveries – and our track record is has wide international research magnetism is too weak to be Jeffrey, Dr Wanida Chua-Anusorn, proof of that.” experience in natural product observed in everyday life. Once and PhD student Paul Clark. Professor Rastonʼs track record chemistry and traditional Chinese we knew little about such magnetic “The interdisciplinary and is indeed impressive with more than medicine, is conducting the research materials but technology now international collaborations involved 460 publications and several patents, in collaboration with medical allows us to measure the magnetic with the research are extremely including one for a benign anti- Professor Peter Leedman and Ms properties of a human cell, and to important,” says Professor St Pierre. fouling paint for boats. He is the Viki Russell from the Centre for see how they can be usefully used. “It would be almost impossible for Chair of the editorial board of the Medical Research (WAIMR) Apart from its frontier research into any one group of researchers to journal Green Chemistry published and School of Medicine and the use of magnets in the delivery have enough expertise in all of by the Royal Society of Chemistry Pharmacology at UWA) and of drugs to targeted sites in the the different areas to make such in the UK and a Topic Editor of the agricultural scientists (Associate body, UWAʼs Biomagnetics Group advances in biomagnetic medical journal Crystal Growth and Design Professor John Howieson from in the School of Physics carries applications.” published by the American Chemical Murdoch University and Dr Kevin out research into the fundamental Society. Foster from the WA Department of magnetic properties of biological

25 GRAD NEWS

A MAN OF MANY TALENTS Professor Alan Harvey, School of Anatomy and Human Biology will be guest speaker at the First Ordinary Meeting of the UWA Graduates Association. Rita Clarke discovers that Alan Harvey comes close to being the complete all-rounder – or he Photo: Terry Larder will be when he writes his book.

At the age of four, Alan Harvey wrote of a team of about 15 collaborating on he wrote when he was four consisted his first musical composition. He brain and spinal cord repair including of a series of notes on music paper. plays piano, guitar and mandolin. He Dr Giles Plant, who directs the spinal His Scottish aunt came down to stay composes and performs. He played cord laboratory, and Dr Qi Cui, who and played it to him. Good? “Utter soccer and was opening bat for school- runs peripheral nerve repair studies in rubbish,” he says, but that didnʼt put boy county cricket in the UK. Heʼs the visual system. Both are ex- students him off. He still composes songs and even tried stand-up comedy. of Professor Harvey and both decided thoroughly admires his cousin, the For a day job he researches and to come back to Perth to further their song-writer and performer, Eric Bogle, teaches in the School of Anatomy and careers at UWA. who, he says, will leave a wonderful Human Biology – and heʼs a good The team in UWAʼs School of legacy. “Just think of ʻAnd the Band choice for speaker at the First Ordinary Anatomy and Human Biology works played Waltzing Matilda.ʼ” Meeting of the UWAGA. What couldnʼt closely with the neural regeneration Although having considered he talk about - especially as heʼs all group based in the School of Animal dropping out to become a musician and geared up to write a book about why Biology led by Professor Lyn Beazley composer, fate and family circumstances humans respond to music. and Associate Professor Sarah Dunlop. sent Alan on to academe. He won a Weʼll have to wait to hear more about “Overall, weʼre looking at areas of series of scholarships to good schools that, however, because on 19 March damage and trying to decide what kind and Emmanuel College, Cambridge, 2004, at UWAGAʼs First Ordinary of bridges you can make to repair them where he discovered folk music while Meeting, the UWA neuroscientist is and promote regrowth,” says Professor studying neuroscience. But every time an going to talk about what the future Harvey. opportunity in music came up where he holds for neural repair. Growing up in north east London, could have switched careers, he somehow Professor Harveyʼs research currently Alanʼs principal interest was music. didnʼt. concentrates on neural transplantation He lived within an echo of the famous After studying physiology at and genetic manipulation of tissue in the Walthamstow Assembly Hall recording Cambridge, Alan resisted the lure of nervous system. studio. But he didnʼt know that at the music and decided to do a PhD. He “Iʼm looking into the developmental time. was told about a great lab in Canberra as well as the repair process, because “To think I could have watched and won a scholarship to the Australian if you know how the brain puts itself while the most famous musicians in the National University to study under together in the first place you can use that world were recorded,” he says ruefully, Professor Peter Bishop, a Fellow of the information to reconstruct it, or perhaps certain that the caretaker would have Royal Society. you can find ways of getting the adult let a little boy in through the back “I arrived in Canberra at the age neurons to think theyʼre young again and door. of 21. It felt a bit isolated and lonely regenerate.” He bought his first LP – Swan Lake at first, but I got to like it there very When Alan Harvey first arrived at - in Walthamstow market at the age of much in the end.” He even got close UWA in 1984, he was the only neural seven, and sat clutching it all the way to musing about a career as a stand-up transplanter on campus. Now heʼs one home on the bus. The composition comic having been very successful on

26 GRAD NEWS

the University boards. “There certainly great progress, but funding remains a big have been moments when I almost bugbear. In WA, I hope we can bring all jacked it all in to do music.” But he the neurotrauma researchers together into didnʼt. a new centre that will help us to secure Letʼs hope what he calls the “bad major long-term funding.” funding situation” wonʼt make him Getting back to that book he intends jack it all in either. It frustrates him to write about humansʼ response to that although UWA provides a fertile music. Now, why doth music soothe environment for growth, and people the savage soul, but not make adequate come here to study neuroscience from funding for medical research a given? all over - the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Thereʼs a neural element to the answer. Sweden, USA, Czech Republic WA But, as I said, weʼll just have to wait a sometimes seems irrelevant to the bit to read about it. eastern states, where so many of the decisions on funding are made. UWAGA, First Ordinary “We often donʼt hear about Meeting, Friday 19 March, developments or announcements on 6.30 for 7 pm University funding. Itʼs difficult to know whatʼs going on and thereʼs never enough House. Guest Speaker: money coming. Even so, Australia has Professor Alan Harvey. punched above its weight in fields like “Neural Repair – what does neuroscience, immunology and cancer the future hold?” research for many years. Weʼre making

Convocation, the UWA Graduates Association Subscribing to Excellence Prof./Dr/Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss/other title FAMILY NAME GIVEN NAMES ADDRESS

POSTCODE COUNTRY Telephone Home ( ) Work ( ) Convocation Fax ( ) Email YEAR OF GRADUATION DEGREE Student number if remembered/name at graduation if different

SUBSCRIPTIONS (GST inclusive) Please tick Subscribe to Excellence! NEW SUBSCRIBER RENEWAL $27.50 a year makes you a part of it! ANNUAL ...... $27.50 10 YEAR ...... $220 3 YEAR ...... $77 LIFE ...... $550 Cheques payable to UWA Graduates Association, or you may pay by credit card: Bankcard Mastercard Visacard THE UWA GRADUATES ASSOCIATION Expiry Date � encourages student excellence through funding, prizes and awards Card No. � helps steer the course of education at UWA by providing four of the 21 members of Senate—the University’s governing body— Signature Date and acting as a body of review over statutory amendments Please return this form to: � communicates with graduates concerning University-affiliated The University of Western Australia interest groups and special events Convocation, the UWA Graduates Association REPLY PAID No. 61050 For more information contact the UWA Graduates Association office CRAWLEY, WA 6009 on +618+618 93806488 3006. 3006

27 UWAGA Travel Awards

The UWA Graduates Association Postgraduate Research Travel Awards assist full-time postgraduate research students of UWA to travel interstate or overseas to augment their research. If you would like to donate to this Postgraduate Research Travel Award, please contact Juanita Perez, Graduates Coordinator on +618 6488 1336; fax 6488 1110; email: [email protected]

(Winners: Abigail Klopper and Ryota Nishino were not able to attend the ceremony.)

Award winners from left: Nigel Lengkeek, Nadine Zillmann, Andrew Gargett, Shane McCarthy and Shuzhi Peng with Stewart Ford, President of the Postgraduate Students Association.

Andrew Gargett with Professor Graeme Nigel Lengkeek with Clinical Professor Shuzhi Peng with Mr Colin Stevenson, Martin, Interim Dean of the Postgraduate Alex Cohen. Manager (Credit Risk) BankWest. Research School.

THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN CONVOCATION, THE UWA GRADUATES AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION ANNUAL ELECTIONS

• Election of Warden and Deputy Warden invites all graduates and other members of • Election of thirteen members of the Council of Convocation Convocation, the UWA Graduates Association Nominations are now called for these positions. to attend the

Mr Peter Clifton will complete his one-year term as Warden of FIRST ORDINARY MEETING Convocation, the UWA Graduates Association in March 2004. Mr Matthew Zilko will complete his one-year term as Deputy of Warden of Convocation, the UWA Graduates Association in March 2004. Convocation, the UWA Graduates Association Eight members of the Council of Convocation, the UWA Graduates Association will complete terms in March 2004, which will be held on Friday 19 March 2004 and there are 5 additional vacancies. Nomination forms for all of these positions now are available from Convocation, the UWA Graduates Association. Please at 6.30pm for 7pm start at University House telephone Juanita Perez, the Convocation Officer on 6488 3006, or email on [email protected] including your The address - Neural Repair – What does postal address. the future hold? - will be given by Please consider nominating for one of these positions. Professor Alan Harvey The closing date for nominations of the positions listed is 5pm Friday, 23 January 2004. Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences of Nominations received after this date will be declared invalid. The University of WA .

28 Reunion luncheon for graduates

More than 150 people attended the 50th reunion luncheon of the graduates of 1953, at which the principal speaker was Ms Katharine Brisbane AM. An arts student, Katharine went on to co-found (in 1971) the influential Currency Press, Australia's performing arts publisher. Until her retirement Peter McCrann, Flip and Bill Kelliher in 2001, she remained its managing Katharine Brisbane, Alison Kennedy, editor and publisher. She also founded Julie Michael and Rose McAleer the Australian National Playwrights' Conference in 1972. Honoured and awarded for outstanding service to theatre, music and publishing, Katharine has also written extensively on Australian theatre. Graduates who have previously celebrated their 50th reunion, were Jean and Ernest Biddiscombe also invited to attend. This annual Cathy Tang, Ken and Julie Michael function is fast becoming known as the UWA Graduates Associationʼs ʻ50 Year Clubʼ. Friends and graduates of previous years, who have not attended the reunion for their year, are also welcome to attend. For information contact Juanita Perez, Graduates Coordinator on 618 6488 3006, or email on [email protected] Jean Rushton, Faith Richardson and Frank Wheatley, Freda Livingston, Jane Weare Peggy Vickery and Barbara Wheatley

69.95 per month

29 Alumni reunion in Geraldton

REUNION FOR MID-WEST GRADS

The provision of university services to the Geraldton region was recently acknowledged by a 2003 Premierʼs Award to UWA and its partners (see In Focus), and Geraldton has also been the scene of an alumni reunion for UWA graduates resident in the Mid-West region. Hosted by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alan Robson, the reunion was held in the Geraldton Universities Centre and attracted some 58 graduates and guests. Many had studied Agriculture under Professor Robson. The Geraldton Universities Centre presents courses from UWA, Edith Cowan University and Curtin University and is the base for the Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health. Catering to students in the Mid-West region, demand for the centreʼs services is such that a new building is currently being designed for a neighbouring site. The Geraldton University Centre

Helen and Alan Trevakis and Professor Robson Isabelle Ellis and Christine Zaicou

Alan Pritchard, Agatha Broomfield and Felicity Mitchell Ross McLaren and Peter Leunig

30 GRAD BRIEFS

he was Associate Professor at Curtin ■ Gregory Jenkinson (BSc 1972) has University of Technology and Director been working as a self-employed Busy with bees… of the Indian Ocean Centre. When veterinarian in the Mandurah area the Centre closed, the University of for the past 20 years. He writes that Heidelberg recruited him to establish his oldest son, Charles commenced an Indian program and to teach South studies at UWA last year. Asian history in the Post-Graduate ■ Colin Raston (BSc(Hons) 1972; PhD South Asian Institute. He has also 1976). After almost 16 years interstate worked for the EU in 2003 as an expert and overseas in Chair positions at consultant on South Asia. Griffith University, Monash University and the University of Leeds, he has returned to Perth as Professor of Chemistry at UWA. He writes that it is exciting to be making a contribution to the University and the State, drawing on a wealth of experience elsewhere, including a period as President of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. (See UWA Snapshots in this issue). ■ Kevin Findlay (MusB 1973; DipEd 1977) writes that he married for the second time last year and has been Roderick J, Hale (Ph.D UWA 20Ol) and his wife, Dr Marie L. Cooper retired for the past eight years - and (Ph.D UWA 20Ol) have been working with an East European authority loves it! He is still involved with music, on the medicinal properties of wildflowers. Their field work took them especially jazz. Kevin lives on a two through the Pirin Range of south-west Bulgaria. acre property in Lewisham Tas. ■ Ian Smith (BA(Hons) 1973; MA The UWA graduates who were on detachment from the UKʼs ■ Zhukov Pervan (MB BS 1969) has 1979; PhD 1986) and Robin Smith University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, and were helping Assistant been practising in Midland, WA, Professor Ekaterina Kozuharova of the Department of Pharmacognosy (BA 1972) own Neergabby Organic since 1971, specialising in clinical Farm, a bed and breakfast farm on 20 and Botany of the University of Sofia. nutrition and chronic fatigue hectares on the banks of the Gingin A paper by Dr Cooper (with other researchers), Impact of Landscape syndrome since 1977. His recent Brook. The rammed earth and timber Management on the Genetic Structure of Red Squirrel Populations, appointments include directorships homestead has three double rooms appeared in the journal Science in September 2001. to the boards of Visionglow Global and can be booked through their Dr Roderick Hale is currently making a three-year study of the Ltd, Australian Biogen Ltd. He is email contact: [email protected] Convocation's nominee to UWA's impact of farm management practices on bumblebees. It is thought the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry eradication of favourite foods-sanfoin, clover-by herbicides causes bees Advisory Board. to migrate, reducing their activity as pollinators. Professor Kozuharova's research into the pollination of wildflowers may throw new light on this. 1970’s An offshoot of Dr Hale's work on Australian grasshoppers, the subject of his doctoral dissertation, was a chapter The Gryllacrididae ■ Tim Hantke (BCom 1970) stepped for a book then in preparation. He is at the School of Biology, Porter down as Snap Printing Groupʼs Building, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 7RU, Tyne and Chief Executive last year after a 14 Wear, UK. year career with the company. He presided over a period of enormous Photo: Dr Roderick Hale and Professor Ekaterina Kozuharova growth which saw the company grow into the southern hemisphere's ■ Vijay Bhatnagar (MSc 1975) is 1940’s United Kingdom and the United biggest printing network and one States, and is an Emeritus Senior of Australia's most successful Managing Director of Alena ■ Alexander Gorrie (BE(Hons) 1948) Researcher at the Geological franchise operations. He began his Chemicals of Canada. He is the writes that he has been retired for Institute, in Jerusalem. Dr Arkinʼs career with Bradford Insulation after author of 19 books and over 120 several years. He lives in Melbourne recent geotechnical activities include graduating, and then worked for CSR research papers. His research work and enjoys travelling to Perth to visit consulting on bridges, tunnels and and Universal Waldeck. Tim now and teaching was conducted in family and friends and attending the ground stability problems and runs his own consultancy business, universities in Czechoslovakia, Italy, annual November gathering of UWA research using remote sensing Franchising Solutions. France, USA and Canada. Vijay graduates in Winthrop Hall. techniques. In 2001, he presented ■ Pauline Bunce (BA 1971; DipEd is married with three daughters ■ Jack Gubbay (BSc 1949) lives in his latest research in the geological 1975; BEd 1978; MEd 1982) continues and one son and lives in Ontario, Burnside, SA and writes that he is planning application of satellite radar imagery to live and teach in Hong Kong. She Canada. an extended overseas holiday this year and at the University of NSW and at joined the Hong Kong International expects to visit and view developments at UWA's Geology Department. A School two years ago and has ■ UWA. graduate of the Imperial College, successfully introduced geography to Gary Collinson (BSc 1975) is a 1950’s London and the University of the curriculum of this American school. paediatric emergency nurse at Royal London, Yaacov has served on Pauline is currently undertaking Perth Hospital. He still enjoys coming ■ David Baker (BA 1953; TCert 1955; several Israeli National Committees doctoral studies externally from the back to the campus when attending DipEd 1963; MA 1968) taught history including the Mediterranean-Dead Northern Territory University. exhibitions and concerts. Gary is at St Stephen's College, University of Sea Hydroelectric Scheme. ■ Leonora Ritter (BA(Hons) 1971) is married with two children. ■ Delhi from 1969, retiring as Reader in . Roderic Hollingsworth (BSc(Hons) Associate Professor in History and ■ Neal Enright (BA(Hons) 1975) 1997. In 1999 he returned to his former 1958) retired recently as Executive Politics and has recently accepted the completed a PhD at ANU, then taught position as tutor of the college's Rudra Director of Stuart Petroleum, in new position as Head of School of at McGill University, Canada and South block, a hostel of 55 students. In Adelaide, although he remains a non- Social Sciences and Liberal Studies at Auckland University, NZ. He joined the addition, David is preparing his third executive director on the board. Roderic Charles Sturt University. University of Melbourne's Geography book on the history of Madhya Pradesh and his wife now live in Brighton, and in 2005 will begin work on a Vic, where he will spend most of his ■ June Boddy (BA 1972) has always history of St Stephen's College from time with occasional visits to South been passionate about the need to 1881 to the present day. David became Australia. preserve cultural and natural assets and an Indian citizen in 1990. has maintained a constant and active ■ Muriel Snow (BSc(Agric) 1953) writes 1960’s commitment over the past 30 years that she made a mid-life career change through her close association with ■ from teaching secondary school science John Williamson (BEd 1961; MEd the Fremantle Society, Fremantle City to psychology and is still working as a 1972) was recently inducted as a life Council and the Fremantle Arts Centre senior psychologist at the Armidale member of the Australian College of and other cultural organisations. June Community Health Centre and as Area Educators and last year was awarded a was recognised for her contribution to Adviser (Psychology) for the New Centenary Medal for services to music the protection of Fremantle heritage England Area Health Service in NSW. education in Western Australia. and was presented with a heritage ■ In her spare time, Muriel has become a Kenneth McPherson (BA(Hons) 1967; award, as pictured, in June 2003. She breeder of silver Abyssinian cats. She MA 1969) was the Mercator Professor, also volunteers her time as a Justice can be contacted at mmsnow@bigpond. South Asia Institute, University of of the Peace and at UWA's Visitors com Heidelberg in 2003 and will return to Information Centre. ■ Yaacov Arkin (BSc 1958) has the university as Permanent Visiting worked extensively in Israel, the Professor in March 2004. Until 2001,

31 GRAD BRIEFS

Department in 1989, becoming a hopes to work either as a volunteer an IVF Embryologist in Perth then research and two years as a quantitative Professor in July, 2000. Neal has on- or on part-time basis and is currently moved to Kununurra where she lived risk analyst for National going collaborations with colleagues working as a carer for Brightwater. for six years. Paulene writes that the Australia Bank and BHP Billiton. ■ - at UWA and Curtin University Debra Fitzsimons (BEd 1984) has family is now living in Carnarvon and ■ Lindsay Cocks (BSc 1994; BE 1996) concerning the ecology of high density been the Health and Physical Education her two children are adjusting well works in IT as a contract analyst Mediterranean-type shrub lands in teacher for the past 18 years at Cyril to the cooler climate. She has been programmer. He writes that he has South-West Australia and regularly Jackson Senior High School, in Perth. working in the banking industry for the just finished building a new house returns to Perth for research. ■ Wing Keung Patrick Fong (BE 1984) past three years and studying financial and is the proud parent of a baby ■ Suryakumar Shah (MEd 1977) was the writes that after working in Canada planning which she hopes to continue. first Professor of Occupational Therapy for six years, he is now working Former classmates can contact Paulene daughter and identical twin boys. in England for five years. He then for the Government of Hong Kong. at [email protected] ■ Lyle Gurrin (BSc(Hons) 1994; PhD retired in 2001 and went to the USA Former classmates can contact him at ■ Natalie McDonald (née Mairs) (BCom 1999) has recently become senior in 2002. He joined the University of [email protected] 1989) transferred to US in 1992 with lecturer in the Epidemiology and Tennessee in Memphis and became the ■ Sumathy Tamilselvan (née Deloitte & Touche, working in Miami Biostatistics Unit, at the School of first professor of occupational therapy Rajaratnam) (BA 1984) worked for for two years and New York City for Population Health, University of at the universityʼs Health Sciences Singapore's Ministry of Education for four years. In 1999, she opened her own Melbourne. He previously spent Centre. Last year, the Tennessee six years before joining her husband's accounting firm. Natalie lives in Rhode several years as a biostatistican in Association honoured his outstanding business, specialising in aviation Island and is married with two children. medical research and two years as a and exemplary research leadership in security and communications. She Former classmates can contact her at quantitative risk analyst for National the field of occupational therapy. writes that they have three sons and [email protected] Australia Bank and BHP Billiton. ■ Marisa Serra (BA 1977; DipEd former classmates can contact her at ■ Craig Walton (BSc(Hons) 1989) is a ■ Annemarie Sparrow (MB BS 1978) is an export sales executive [email protected] policy analyst and ecologist with the 1994) has completed her training in ■ Nikki Fitzgerald (née Weinman) Queensland Department of Natural (BSc(Hons) 1986) writes that she finds Resources and Mines. He married in Paediatrics and is presently Paediatric her new role as an advocate for People 2001 and writes that he and his wife Consultant at Alice Springs Hospital. with Disabilities (WA), both rewarding are happy living in Brisbane with She will undertake a Master of Public and challenging. After 10 years working their cat, Tigger Health degree at Harvard School of in medical research as a microbiologist, Public Health in 2004. Nikki's career change has given her the 1990’s ■ Stephen Cummins (BEc 1996) commitment and passion to further worked in Kalgoorlie-Boulder and advance the rightsand equity of West ■ James Bannerman (BEc 1991; Perth as an Economic Research Australians with a disability. DipEd 1992) teaches political and Officer with the Goldfields Esperance ■ Taj Ul-Islam Hashmi (PhD 1987) was legal studies, economics and social Development Corporation and the Visiting Professor in Asian Studies studies, at Frederick Irwin Anglican Department of Commerce and Trade. at the University of British Columbia in School, in Mandurah. He then spent a year with his wife, 2003. His previous appointments were ■ Tamara Kamien (BSc(Hons) as Professor of History and Dean of the 1993) lives in San Francisco and Linda, teaching business English at Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is completing her PhD in cultural the American School in Japan. After Independent University 1998-2002 anthropology at the University of a few weeks back in Perth, they and Senior Lecturer in History at the California. went to Europe and ended up staying National University of Singapore 1989- ■ Judith 'Vikki' MacQueen (BA 1993) for four years. Stephen worked as ■ Iain Massey (BA(Hons) 1979) is 1998. Former classmates can contact runs her own recruitment and training a Business Analyst in London for the Vice-President of the Fremantle him at [email protected] company, Omni Training Solutions, the Department of Environment, Chamber of Commerce. He is ■ Jeremy Leggoe (BE(Hons) 1988; PhD based in Bangkok. She completed Transport and Regions, Clifford Principal of Iain Massey and 1997) worked at the Water Corporation an MBA at Edith Cowan University Chance LLP and Woolworths UK. Associates, a company specialising for four years, before he returned to UWA and now, returned to Thailand, she is They also worked in Luxembourg in helping management teams and completed his PhD. He then took enjoying her third year as proprietor of with Europe's largest clearing and maximise the business benefits of up a post-doctoral appointment at Los Omni. Former classmates can contact settlements bank, Clearstream Alamos National Laboratory in New her at [email protected] their computer systems. Iain and his International. After traveling through wife also run the Stoneridge Cottages Mexico. He is now a Professor in the ■ Abigail Bartell (née Wheatcroft) (BA at Balingup www.stoneridge.com.au. Chemical Engineering Department at 1994) and her husband are Managers Europe and Egypt, they decided to Texas Technical University, in Lubboch, of Camp Kennedy, a youth camp at settle back in Perth to be with family Texas. Perkins Beach, situated 20 minutes and friends. west of Albany. ■ Genevieve Ng (MBA 1996) and has been living in Italy since ■ Haia Ber (BPsych 1994) writes that is Manager, Special Projects, 1978. Marisa has two daughters. she has completed her PhD and will International Carrier Services for graduate in April this year. Haia is Singtel Optus Pty Ltd in North 1980’s planning to take a six-month holiday Sydney. Singtel is the largest listed and travel the world. company in Singapore. ■ Tammi Compton (née Short) ■ Lyle Gurrin (BSc(Hons) 1994; PhD ■ Jane Hoy (née Ingram) (BSc(Hort)(Hons) (BSc(Agric)(Hons) 1980) is research 1999) has recently become senior 1998) is the proud mum of daughter No 2, assistant at the CSIRO's Cooperative lecturer in the Epidemiology and Ella Alexis. Jane and her husband recently Research Centre for Plant-Based Biostatistics Unit, at the School of sold their floriculture business. They live Management of Dryland Salinity, Population Health, University of in Floreat. Tammi was previously a in Albany. Melbourne. He previously spent several ■ research assistant at Curtin University's Long-Xuan Dang (BCom years as a biostatistican in medical Muresk campus for several years. 1999) is currently working as an She has three children. ■ Jason Gardosi (MB BS 1981) left Do you wish to meet like-minded Singles? Perth in 1984 with his wife for a Professionals who enjoy dining out planned short spell in the UK. The ■ Michael Schaper (BA 1988) has visit extended indefinitely when Jason been appointed to the inaugural decided to specialise in Obstetrics chair in small business and and Gynaecology. He has since set up entrepreneurship at the University the West Midlands Perinatal Institute of Newcastle, NSW effective from in Birmingham (www.perinate.org) 1st December 2003. Prior to this, and is Professor of Maternal and Michael spent six years lecturing in Perinatal Health at the University of the School of Management at Curtin Dining and social opportunities for Singles Warwick. They write that they miss University. He was the UWA Guild WA's sun and sea, but try to make President in 1986 and a Member of DINNER FOR SIX co-ordinate relaxed dinner groups of three men and up for it with annual sailing holidays UWA Senate from 1985-88. in the Mediterranean. They have two three ladies at various restaurants throughout Perth – good conversation girls (16 and 12) and return to Perth is our bottom line! Have a chat with Lynley 9312 2731 to find out how regularly to visit grandparents and ■ Roslyn London (BSc(Hons) 1988; PhD DINNER FOR SIX can help you meet discerning Professionals. old friends. 1996) is senior researcher at the Storr ■ Roma Sayers-Wiseman (BA Liver Unit at the Westmead Millennium 9312 2731 1983) writes that she has moved Institute, in Sydney. Email: [email protected] ■ to Melbourne to be closer to her Paulene Vassiliou (née Matthews) www.dinnerforsixwa.com.au daughters and grandchildren. Roma (BSc 1988) worked for 10 years as

32 GRAD BRIEFS

assistant director in the corporate governance area of the National Health and Medical Research Scholarship visit recalled Council (NHMRC). He writes that he originally moved from Perth to Canberra in August 2000, as part of the Department of Health and Ageing's graduate intake. He was one of the 46 graduates recruited that year and indicates that the graduate program was very effective in developing his career. Former classmates can contact him at long. [email protected] or sending SMS to 0419 129 768. ■ Richard Keane (BA 1999) travelled through Europe for two years on a working holiday, after graduating. He has been working for the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) since 2000. Richard writes that both he and his partner have accepted positions and will be working this year in DIMIA's Central Office. ■ Christopher Leggett (BCom 1999) has worked in the Australian Public Service for the past five years. He previously worked in the Australian UWA students benefit from many scholarships provided by individuals and major corporations – some help to Taxation Office and now is an Executive in the Commonwealth finance further studies, others provide a window onto a world of employment opportunities. Treasury. Christopher moved to For graduate Ga Vin Lee, who has a combined BSc/BE degree, a scholarship visit to Japan sponsored by the Mitsui Canberra in 2000 to work on business Educational Foundation capped five years of study at UWA, and let him sample life in Japan – a chance that the law reform and is also studying for a enthusiastic graduate clearly relished. His recollections of the trip underscore the importance of embracing other law degree at ANU and a Master's cultures – which is very much part of study at this University. degree at UNSW. Recalling some of the tripʼs highlights Ga Vin remembers: “Being taken out on a ʻtypical dateʼ in Yokohama City by graduates Mitsui were employing in 2003, singing karaoke and chatting about life... Visiting the Toyota factory, 2000’s and seeing cars built on an assembly line ... Visiting the smallest Ginza bar weʼd ever been to (3 x 2 metres) run by a really funky 40- year-old Japanese guy with a ponytail … Catching a glimpse of geishas as they rushed past into ■ Craig Medley (BEc(Hons) 2000) a taxi in Kyoto ... Travelling via Shinkansen, going at 270km/hour up and down the mountainous terrain, and then After graduating, Craig moved to going past Mt Fuji ... Dressing up in kimonos for a tea ceremony with my host family ... Going up a small mountain Singapore for 14 months and worked in Hakone, and looking out over the awesomely quiet lake and its surroundings and bathing in hot springs in a nearby in Business Development for a start- Japanese inn – we looked for yakuza but we didn't see any! ... Meeting elite Japanese students from Keio University up IT company. He then moved to and chatting to them about student life in Japan ... Watching Kabuki in Tokyo – a play filled with murder, suicide, Sydney, where he is now part of the magic, love and intrigue; it had everything! ... Meeting two Mitsui ex-presidents at head office and wandering graduate program with the State Transit through a corporate art gallery with works by Renoir, Monet and Cezanne ...” Authority. Craig is also studying for his The UWA graduate stayed with a host family just outside Tokyo. “I had told my host father that Iʼd never seen MBA at the Australian Graduate School snow – and at 3am he woke me to see it fall. Watching snow fall in the darkness was one of the most beautiful of Management. Former classmates memories I have. And we were lucky because it almost seldom snows in Tokyo in December!” can contact him at craig_medley@sta. Ga Vin is currently working for the Kingston International College as Director of Operations. He is a Council nsw.gov.au Member (and Assistant Secretary) at the WA Chinese Chamber of Commerce Council. ■ Daren McKennay (MBA 2000) “My Engineering studies at UWA helped me build very solid analytical skills and I know that my Electrical spent a short time in Melbourne then Engineering and IT Systems majors will be very relevant to my future work. I see my future path in business and moved to Sydney to become Chief while Iʼm still very much in a training phase at the moment, my goal is to be one of those brave people who forge Operating Officer at MIA Group their own destinies! My passion is in building businesses and in focussing people towards goals.” Limited. He will be getting married Ga Vinʼs family are Malaysian-Chinese and they emigrated from Malaysia in 1988. He began studies at UWA in November this year. in 1998, getting involved with the International Networking Club and the University Buddhist Club. He was also ■ Alexander Simpson (BE(Hons) involved in starting a part-time business at UWA – which was one of the reasons he was selected for the Mitsui 2000; BSc 2000) is completing PhD scholarship. studies at the Whittle Laboratory, University of Cambridge, UK. Former classmates can contact him doing a short course on reliability at [email protected] and risk engineering at UWA's ■ Paul Devlin (LLB(Hons) 2001; BA School of Oil and Gas Engineering. 2001) recently graduated from Harvard ■ Bradley Young (MEdMan(Hons) Law School with a Master's degree 2002) is a science teacher at Hale in Law. He started working in a New School and also has a role as a France York law firm last October. Former pastoral care leader. He is the classmates can contact him at paul. conference convenor for the Science Apartments & Cars [email protected] Teachers' Association of WA and is Perth owned French Holiday Houses and ■ Tito Tezinde (MMktg 2002) also President of the Wavewalkers is managing the commercial Longboard Club, in Scarborough. affordable new French Cars. For example: ■ and marketing department for Michael Davidson (BA(Hons) 30 days Car for 2 ______$1175 Mozambique Television. He also 2003) works for the Department of lectures part-time at a local university Health and Ageing in their Graduate 28 days Apartment for 2 ____ $2000 in Maputo and lists his favourite Scheme, in Canberra. He writes that Other countries, other options. hobby as parachuting. so far the job has been fantastic, ■ Daryl Pranata (BE(Hons) 2002) is even though it is only early days. a risk and safety engineer working Contact Pauline Ollivier with Perth-based company, Vanguard Phone: (08) 9367 4074 Mobile: 0428 674 074 Solutions, that specialise in oil and Email: [email protected] gas engineering risk management. Daryl writes that last year he enjoyed In association with Travel Success – T.A.L. No. 9TA 1234

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