Annual Review 2019 The Playford Memorial Trust supports high-achieving South Australian tertiary students studying in areas of strategic importance to the State
playfordtrust.com.au The Playford Memorial Trust Inc. 02 From the Chair: 2018 in review
• We received about 190 applications I take this opportunity to thank all of for scholarships and awards, far more them most sincerely. than in previous years. This is testament not only to the prestige associated with Sadly, we lost one of our illustrious winning a Playford Trust award, but members during the year. Danny Watson, also to the effectiveness of the Board’s Chair of the Investment Committee and communications and marketing. long-time Trust member, died in July 2018 marked 35 years since the (see story below). His contribution to Three new organisations joined our Playford Memorial Trust began the Trust over almost a decade was growing list of partners, between them immensely valuable, and on behalf of contributing to South Australia’s making possible an additional eight new the Board I salute him. Our new Board scholarships. Nyrstar of Port Pirie has research and knowledge base member is Jacqui McGill, most recently funded four scholarships in engineering by providing scholarships and a senior executive at BHP, who we for 2019, with the offer of paid work welcome formally on page 16. internships for high achieving experience at its smelter during university tertiary students. vacations; national engineering consulting The primary purpose of this Annual company, Aurecon, has offered a fourth- Review is to shine a spotlight on the The organisation continues to thrive year engineering scholarship aimed at achievements of current and past Playford and expand its reach and value. women; and Open Gardens South Australia Scholars. Their stories make particularly In fact, we have achieved a number committed to three awards for TAFE SA illuminating and interesting reading, of significant records: students undertaking horticultural or and I hope you enjoy them. On page environmental management studies. three, we announce the winners of our • Our partner list topped 26. Our achievements in 2018 were certainly 2019 university awards – 44 outstanding • Our non-government partners will not all about numbers. The development students with enormous potential. The contribute $180,000 to our pool of and implementation of a new online system accomplishments of all the Playford scholarship funding this financial year. has made it easier for students to apply for Scholars featured in the following pages scholarships – and for the members of our • New partners alone are currently are laudable and should serve to reassure Scholarship Committee to assess them. contributing $56,000 between them. us all that the future of this great State is Our website received a make-over and in very good hands. • More than $470,000 in scholarships, our relatively new electronic newsletters internships and awards was spread our students’ stories and reduced distributed in the year to 30 June 2018. the Trusts’ costs. Several months ago, we teamed up with not-for-profit donations • The Trust supported 82 students platform GiveNow to ensure that our last calendar year. We awarded 48 The Hon Dean Brown AO supporters could make donations online – scholarships and awards; continued Chairman one-off or regularly – easily and securely. to support a further 12 PhD students at the three major universities; and All of these achievements are in no small 22 students undertook defence measure due to the fine work of our support COVER and STEM internships through staff, Mary Anne Fairbrother and Vicki 2016 Flinders University/Playford Trust PhD Scholar our partnership with the former Evans, and the countless hours of unpaid Olivia Davies on the hunt for bees to support her Department of State Development. work contributed by members of the Board. research into parasites. See story page 14.
Vale Danny Watson
It is with great sadness that After retiring, he acted as financial we pay tribute to long-serving advisor to a number of boards. He was Chairman of The Mary Potter Foundation Playford Trust Board member, and a member of the Investment Danny Watson, who died on Committee of Minda Inc. 4 July 2018 after a short illness. He was also a member of a number Danny had been a dedicated and of industry bodies and had served as enthusiastic member of the Board since a panel member on the Disciplinary 2009, serving with distinction as Chairman Tribunal of The Australian Securities of the Investment Committee for all of that Exchange and as a Trustee/Director of time. He was a sharebroker by profession NGS Super, an industry superannuation and Chairman of Day Cutten Ltd prior to its fund focused on the non-government acquisition by The Macquarie Bank Group. school sector.
University of South Australia South of University High Achievers) Achievers) High
| | Mechatronic) and (Electrical (Honours) for Program (Enhanced (Honours)
Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor | Fuller Joshua Bachelor of Science Science of Bachelor | Tonkin Samuel
The University of Adelaide of University The | Sciences
Codan / Playford Trust Scholarship Trust Playford / Codan
High Achievers) Achievers) High
Animal and Veterinary Veterinary and Animal | McCarthy Niki
for Program (Enhanced (Honours)
The University of Adelaide of University The
Playford Trust PhD Scholarship PhD Trust Playford
Bachelor of Science Science of Bachelor |
Laura Schroder Laura | Mining) and (Petroleum (Honours)
/ International Foods Thomas
(Honours) (Nanotechnology) (Nanotechnology) (Honours) Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor | Zanardo Adam
Flinders University Flinders
Bachelor of Science Science of Bachelor | Sahlos Susanne
The University of Adelaide of University The
| Biotechnology | Nicholas Booth
Program for High Achievers) Achievers) High for Program | (Geology) (Honours) (Advanced)
Flinders University Flinders
) (Biotechnology) (Enhanced (Enhanced (Biotechnology) ) ( Honours Bachelor of Science Science of Bachelor | Symonds George
| | Genomics Fisheries |
Bertram Andrea
Bachelor of Science Science of Bachelor | Meyers Jai Adelaide
The University of Adelaide of University The | Petroleum
(Digital Media) Media) (Digital The University of of University The | (Mining) (Honours)
Australian School of of School Australian |
Arouri Yazan
(Honours) (Software) / Bachelor of IT IT of Bachelor / (Software) (Honours) Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor | Bosch Ainsley
Playford Trust PhD Scholarships Scholarships PhD Trust Playford Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor |
Evans Matthew Scholarships
The University of Adelaide of University The | Wine and Food Flinders University Flinders AusIMM / Playford Trust Minerals Industry Industry Minerals Trust Playford / AusIMM
Playford Trust Honours Scholarships - - Scholarships Honours Trust Playford School of Agriculture, Agriculture, of School | Lucien Alperstein Lucien
The University of Adelaide of University The | Environmental)
Scholarship – To be determined be To Scholarship Scholarship
(Honours) (Civil, Structural & & Structural (Civil, (Honours)
Coopers Brewery / Playford Trust PhD PhD Trust Playford / Brewery Coopers
Seeley International / Playford Trust Trust Playford / International Seeley Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor | Chin Ashleigh
University of South Australia South of University Adelaide Engineering Scholarship Engineering
| | Electronic) and (Electrical (Honours) The University of of University The | Finance of Bachelor Aurecon/Playford Trust Electrical Electrical Trust Aurecon/Playford
Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor | Mallamo Liam (Honours) (Civil and Environmental) with with Environmental) and (Civil (Honours)
The University of Adelaide of University The
Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor | Radford Douglas
Scholarship Scholarship
| Energy) Sustainable and (Mechanical
SA Power Networks / Playford Trust Trust Playford / Networks Power SA
WSP / Playford Trust Scholarship Trust Playford / WSP Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Honours) Engineering of Bachelor
The University of Adelaide of University The | Student) (Commencing Lachlan Ryan Lachlan Environments (Honours) (Honours) Environments
| Geoscience) (Mineral (Honours) Bachelor of Sustainable Sustainable of Bachelor | The University of Adelaide of University The Randell Anthony
Bachelor of Science Science of Bachelor | Morgan Braden
| | Science of Bachelor with (Mechanical) (Honours) (Electrical and Electronic) Electronic) and (Electrical (Honours)
Industry Honours Scholarship Honours Industry Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Honours) Engineering of Bachelor | Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor | Du Andrew
OZ Minerals / Playford Trust Minerals Minerals Trust Playford / Minerals OZ
Student) (Continuing Thomas de la Perrelle Perrelle la de Thomas Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science Pharmaceutical of Bachelor
Playford Trust Residential Scholarships Residential Trust Playford The University of Adelaide of University The / (Honours) Research Biomedical
/ College Ann’s St / Chartwells | Processing) Minerals (Chemical, Bachelor of of Bachelor | Dharmayanti Cintya
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Honours) Engineering of Bachelor Flinders University Flinders | (Geography) (Honours) (Honours) (Honours)
| | Year) (Third Barbara Karageorgos Bachelor of Science Science of Bachelor | Bachelor of Science Science of Bachelor | Russell Dalgleish Oliver Jacob
University of South Australia South of University Scholarship University of South Australia Australia South of University
| | (Mechanical) (Honours) Engineering of Adelaide Hills Council / Playford Trust Trust Playford / Council Hills Adelaide Playford Trust Honours Scholarships - - Scholarships Honours Trust Playford
Bachelor Bachelor | Year) (Third Thomas Jackson
The University of Adelaide of University The Finance
of Adelaide of
| Astrophysics) and Science (Space (Honours) (Chemical) with Bachelor of of Bachelor with (Chemical) (Honours)
The University University The | Finance of Bachelor with
Science of Bachelor | Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor | Rogers Henry Fyfe Tristram
(Chemical) (Honours) Engineering of
The University of Adelaide of University The Bachelor of Finance Finance of Bachelor
Bachelor | Year) (Fourth Rebecca Tan
| Astrophysics) and Science (Space (Honours) (Electrical and Electronic) with with Electronic) and (Electrical (Honours)
Australia
Science of Bachelor | Bachelor of Engineering Engineering of Bachelor | Reilly Jonte Feeney James
University of South South of University | (Mechanical)
(Honours) University Flinders | Achievers)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Honours) Engineering of Bachelor
Bachelor of Science Science of Bachelor | High for Program (Enhanced (Honours)
Draper Jenna
| | Year) (Fourth Princess Mae Ladra Ladra Mae Princess
Bachelor of Science Science of Bachelor | Pedler Rebecca Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) (Chemistry) Science of Bachelor
Nyrstar / Playford Trust Scholarships Trust Playford / Nyrstar
Flinders University Flinders | (Robotics) (Honours) Engineering (Honours) (Chemical) with with (Chemical) (Honours) Engineering
The University of Adelaide of University The Engineering of Bachelor | Bachelor of of Bachelor | Donaldson Maximilian Parker Clayton
| (Geology) (Honours) (Advanced) and Sustainable Energy) Energy) Sustainable and University Flinders | Achievers) High
Bachelor of Science Science of Bachelor | Romyn Teagan (Mechanical (Honours) Engineering for Program (Enhanced (Honours)
in Earth Sciences Earth in of Bachelor | Science of Bachelor | Heus de Thomas Graham Nicholas
GSA / Playford Trust Honours Scholarship Scholarship Honours Trust Playford / GSA
Flinders University Flinders and Pharmaceutical) Pharmaceutical) and
Flinders University Flinders | (Honours) Science | Science of Bachelor (Secondary), (Chemical (Honours) Engineering
Medical of Bachelor | Education, of Bachelor | Bachelor of of Bachelor | Alagiyage Keshika Woods Taylor-Jade Angove Breigh
The University of Adelaide Adelaide of University The Sciences Health in Scholarship Honours Scholarships Engineering
- Scholarships Honours Trust Playford Trust Foundation/Playford Fuller Fay & Science Regional Trust Playford
The University of Adelaide on Wednesday 10 April 2019. April 10 Wednesday on Adelaide of University The
The winners received their Awards at a ceremony at at ceremony a at Awards their received winners The
Scholarship Winners Winners Scholarship
to our 2019 2019 our to
Congratulations Congratulations
04 2018 TAFE SA Award winners
The Playford Trust was pleased to honour eight worthy students at the Playford Trust / TAFE SA Awards at Urrbrae Campus in November 2018.
Karren Raper, TAFE SA said: “These annual Awards provide a fantastic opportunity for both TAFE SA and its students. They ease the financial pressure on students, and open L to R Dean Brown (Board Chairman), Cassandra Rogers, Daniel Carney, Jason Cullen, doors for their careers. The Awards provide Elleca Polson, Cathryn Apps, Francene Connor, Joe Kupke, Lyn Edwards (Open Gardens potential employers with insight into these SA), Yuri Rancen, Leanna Read, Don Bursill, Alex Reid (Acting CEO, TAFE SA), students’ achievements, as well as develop Jacqui McGill and Dean Standish. networks with other Award recipients across disciplines. Open Gardens SA / Playford Trust / TAFE SA Award “For TAFE SA, the relationship with Playford Trust / TAFE SA Award Jason Cullen the Playford Trust adds prestige to our programs and is highly valued by our Lu-Wei Spinks Certificate III in Conservation Land Management, students, enhancing their study and career Certificate III in Conservation Land Urrbrae Campus aspirations. It helps strengthen partnerships Management, Certificate III in Horticulture, Jason became a volunteer with Trees For Life with universities, particularly with the Mount Gambier Campus and the Friends of Sturt Gorge early in 2018, Waite Campus and Arboretum.” Lu-Wei embarked on her TAFE studies to after noticing a ‘Bush For Life site’ sign in the develop practical, on-ground fieldwork skills Blackwood Hill Reserve behind his house. Twenty and experience to address environmental Bush Action Team events later, he was inspired Open Gardens SA / conservation and land management issues. to study conservation and land management. Playford Trust /TAFE SA Award She is doing an internship and hopes to Jason’s commitment is reflected in his extensive Elleca Polson inspire an interest in native plants and conservation volunteer work, including in Diploma of Horticulture, Urrbrae Campus gardens through community environmental Guatemala, where he initiated a public waste education. disposal project to protect a local water source. Elleca was inspired to pursue a career in horticulture after working for Greening Australia on a mine rehabilitation project Playford Trust / TAFE SA Award Playford Trust / TAFE SA Award in 2015. In 2016, she was involved in Joe Kupke a revegetation study involving several Cathryn Apps week-long trips to remote regions of SA Diploma of Landscape Design, Certificate III in Arboriculture, Urrbrae Campus and Victoria. Urrbrae Campus Joe started a tree pruning and removal business Elleca works full-time in garden care at Cathryn has been gardening since 2003. in 2017. Prior to that he had worked as a sub- Bunnings, is an aspiring apiarist, and her Her greatest motivation is to transition from contractor, cutting trees for power line clearance, goal is to work with a team of passionate gardener to landscape designer. and disliked how trees were treated. He wanted horticulturalists and landscapers designing to develop his skills and learn more about A graduate member of the Australian Institute ecologically friendly and environmentally maintaining the health of trees. of Landscape Designers and Managers, and sustainable gardens around Adelaide. a student member of Master Landscapers of As well as educating himself, Joe is sponsoring SA, Cathryn aims to to enter a show garden in the retraining of his employee into the London’s famous Chelsea Flower Show. arboriculture industry. Open Gardens SA / Playford Trust /TAFE SA Award Cassandra Rogers Playford Trust / TAFE SA Award Playford Trust / TAFE SA Award Diploma of Arboriculture, Urrbrae Campus Daniel Carney Wanphen (Yuri) Rancen Diploma of Conservation Land Management, Certificate II in Horticulture, Urrbrae Campus Cassie took on the Diploma of Arboriculture Urrbrae Campus to improve her skills and knowledge as an In 2017, Yuri received an Australian Government administrator at Arborman Tree Solutions. Daniel has worked as an assistant arborist Volunteer Award and this encouraged her to link She already has a Bachelor of Biotechnology and with the Department of Education in a her interests in community and gardening. She and Bachelor of Teaching in Secondary variety of roles, and volunteers with Trees volunteers at her local kindergarten, where she Education (Science) and is a Quantitative For Life and Bush For Life. shares her passion of gardening, culture and Tree Risk Assessment Registered User. family values with children. He plans to undertake further study in Cassie is hooked on the idea of becoming holistic management practices – particularly She plans to complete a Certificate III in an urban planner so she can actively promote permaculture. His longer-term goal is to Horticulture, volunteer, seek work in a nursery the retention of trees in future developments. work in the industrial hemp industry in SA. and start her own market garden. 05 2018 Regional Science & Engineering Scholarships
For my first year of university I commuted I plan to pursue a career in medical from the Barossa to Adelaide. The costs research, as I wish to contribute to associated with travel, including buying my the development of technologies and own car, were alleviated and made less treatments that will improve the health stressful by the Playford Trust Scholarship of our community. South Australia is a I received. Although the extra travel and leader in health and medical research, navigating the train system were initially so Adelaide is an ideal place to achieve difficult, I quickly learned to use my time these goals. on the train to study, and also found it a great way to keep in touch with high school friends who caught the same service. I greatly enjoyed my first year of university and absolutely loved finding many like- minded friends. I really enjoyed all of the biology subjects I took, along with chemistry, and liked the strong practical Renae Kretschmer focus of each. At the end of my degree, Bachelor of Science (Animal Science) I am hoping to major in genetics and The University of Adelaide biochemistry and pursue a career involving research. Growing up on my family’s organic farm in the Wirrabara Forest, I developed a strong interest in agriculture – specifically sustainable, regenerative and ethical animal production. I had a good education at Booleroo Centre Eliza Watt District School, became interested in science Bachelor of Robotics (Honours)/ subjects early on, and that led me to study Masters of Electronics, Flinders University Animal Science at The University of Adelaide. My move to Adelaide in 2018 was a challenge I finished my schooling in 2017 at St because of my big involvement on the farm. Mark’s College and left my family and my However, the Playford Trust Scholarship, home town of Port Pirie to begin studying which was an honour to receive, gave at Flinders University. me confidence that the move was the My Playford Trust Scholarship not only right decision, as finances had been a big eased the financial strain of moving concern. St Ann’s College and its welcoming to the city but has encouraged me to community of people experiencing similar Samantha Edwards always make the most of any opportunity changes helped me adapt to a new lifestyle thrown my way. Over the past year, my right from Day One. Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences love of maths and science has grown, (Advanced), The University of Adelaide and I’ve discovered a new love of coding I am from a farm near Avenue Range, in and creating real life solutions to real life the South East of South Australia, but I problems. completed secondary school at boarding I’ve enjoyed meeting a huge range of school in Adelaide. amazing people, my confidence in my abilities has improved and I feel extremely My Playford Trust Scholarship eased proud of where I am today. Highlights of the financial strain of shifting to new my year include participating in a Women accommodation, allowing me to focus on my in Engineering workshop for rural schools studies. and being selected to represent Flinders Most of the subjects I studied were health at the Australian Institute of Nuclear and biology-related, and I particularly Science and Engineering (AINSE), in enjoyed the Essentials of Neuroscience Sydney, as a member of the Women in course, as the complexity of the nervous STEM and Entrepreneurship School. system is endlessly interesting. The latter enabled me to connect with industry professionals and develop the soft In September, I was a cast member in the skills that are essential in industry. I also Alison Roennfeldt university’s French play, and this was one gained employment at Global Pumps as of the highlights of my year. I also tutored Bachelor of Science (Advanced) a Project Assistant in the Major Projects two Year 12 students and appreciated the The University of Adelaide department, where I work side by side with opportunity to use and share my knowledge. experts and engineers. I grew up in the Barossa Valley and Next year, I am looking forward to a more completed my secondary schooling at permanent role tutoring boarding students Faith Lutheran College. at Immanuel College. 06 2018 Playford Trust Honours Scholars Research Reports
Samuel Arthurson Nicholas Booth Angus Butler Bachelor of Civil and Structural Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology), Bachelor of Science, Engineering (Honours) with Bachelor of Flinders University The University of Adelaide Mathematical and Computer Sciences, The University of Adelaide Characterising abiotic stress responsive A genetic dissection of grain and genes in chickpea for use in molecular reproductive traits in barley Brickaids – Bandaids for bricks plant breeding Barley is the second most widely grown My research focused on using carbon Chickpeas are an economically important crop in Australia, with exports valued at fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP) to food crop, but production of this legume is $2.42 billion in 2016-17. Improvements in retrofit unreinforced masonry buildings. limited by its sensitivity to abiotic stresses, traits that contribute to quality and yield This is something that has been used in including drought, salinity and extreme deliver financial benefits to growers, as practise before, however the innovation of temperatures. Through molecular plant well as processors such as maltsters. my project involved the implementation breeding it is possible to select for chickpea Plant breeders aim to continually improve of mechanical anchors also made from cultivars that have an increased tolerance to the genetic yield potential of barley, and CFRP material. these stresses. sophisticated new techniques are being used to increase the grain industry’s During my Honours research I identified It is crucial to retrofit unreinforced profitability. masonry buildings as they are highly a suite of genes that were responsive to susceptible to failure under earthquake abiotic stress and accumulated to greater My project is being conducted at Australian loads. To do this, we performed some levels in stress-tolerant chickpea cultivars Grains Technology (AGT), Australia’s largest experimental modelling on single brick when compared with stress-sensitive plant breeding company, headquartered in specimens and found that both strength cultivars. It is possible, with further Roseworthy, South Australia. A major aim and ductility of the unreinforced masonry research, that these genes will become of the project is to use a technique called was increased. We were able to use this suitable biomarkers for use in the national association mapping to identify regions of knowledge and create and validate a chickpea breeding program and improve the genome that are associated with traits model that can output the displacement the agricultural viability of chickpeas in of interest. These traits include yield, grain of a complete unreinforced masonry wall. Australia. Flinders University has provided size and grain density. me with the opportunity to continue my This displacement was dependent upon Association mapping offers both a research, screen a larger number of the force applied on the wall itself. high level of accuracy and the ability to chickpea varieties and validate these analyse the genetically diverse plant I found this research to be particularly genes as molecular biomarkers of stress populations used in breeding programs. I rewarding as I believe there is a great tolerance. value for society in using CFRP in have gathered physical and image-based The Playford Trust Honours Scholarship, data from the AGT barley population for practise – it may actually save someone’s along with the support of my supervisors, each target trait. I will soon begin to use life in the event of an earthquake! enabled me to travel to the Legume Hub this information alongside genetic data At the university’s Ingenuity event, where Annual Meeting, and to the ComBio 2018 provided by AGT to perform my analysis. all Honours projects are showcased conference, where I was able to present I will also seek to validate previous to the public, my group was awarded my research to the greater scientific research findings that suggest the the Structural Engineering Group community. These opportunities to network significance of particular genetic regions. Presentation Prize. In 2019, I will begin extended my passion for scientific research Following my project, AGT will be able my final year of tertiary education and and have encouraged me to continue to use any significant findings as a basis have been accepted to study at Lund, my research through post-graduate to select barley lines with improved trait Sweden, on exchange for Semester One. opportunities. performance. 07
Tanya Charlson Georgina Duguid Arthur Crichton Bachelor of Sustainable Environments, Bachelor of Engineering (Civil), Bachelor of Science, Flinders University University of South Australia Flinders University One-million-year-old mammal fossils Burning bush may save a threatened Halloysite Kaolin as microfiller in slag evidence changes in species composition South Australian plant from extinction and fly ash-based geopolymer mortar and body size in response to changing Australian climate Many Australian plants have dormant seeds The aim of my research was to investigate that only respond to a hot summer bushfire. environmentally sustainable and property This study offers the first stratified record But how hot is too hot? enhancing filler materials for geopolymer of faunal change from the early-through- Fire intensity is the fundamental key to concrete – an emerging material that could middle Pleistocene epoch in Australia. survival of my study species Logania one day replace the unsustainable Ordinary A key finding is a general shift towards recurva. Logania is a small shrub related Portland Cement (OPC)-based concrete increasingly arid-adapted fauna over this to the strychnine tree and is endemic to mixes that we currently use in construction. period, consistent with the growing body of South Australia in the Mount Lofty and evidence for increasing aridity in Australia Samples of halloysite kaolin, a type of clay Fleurieu Peninsula regions. However, it is over the past one million years. This arid with natural and unique nano-tubular struggling to survive without bushfires. shift was associated with declining small properties – and found abundantly in South mammal diversity and species richness. My research has proven that the absence Australia – was donated to me by Minotaur of fire is contributing to the disappearance Exploration for my experimental analysis. The study also provides the first of viable populations. Through The high halloysite clay showed marked successional evidence for cyclic change experimentation in controlled incubators improvement in both the compressive and in faunal composition, as well as body at the Seed Conservation Centre of SA, tensile strength of the mortar mixes, as well size, during the early Pleistocene, likely we have identified that the barrier to as improving other physical and mechanical in response to a glacial-interglacial germination and recovery is the lack of properties. In an environmental analysis that cycle of 41,000 years, or intermediary a low or medium-intensity fire. South compared OPC concrete with halloysite- duration between 41,000 and 100,000 Australian heathlands will need vegetation based geopolymer concrete, embodied years. Significant inverse body size burn-offs that are carefully planned and 3 timed throughout the seasons to ensure CO2 emissions/m could be reduced by trends were recorded for the three native fire-stimulated species receive sufficient 120-132 per cent. rodent species investigated: a dietary generalist; and two arid flora specialists. heat and smoke, while entire communities During my final year, I am working part- These body size trends are consistent of plants are fully protected. time for Australian mineral processing and with food availability, as opposed to design company Mineral Technologies. The organisation of burn-offs must focus thermoregulation, as the principal Having support from my employers, not only on the reduction of fuels and mechanism influencing body size change Minotaur Exploration and the Playford Trust competition but also on intense fire and in semi-arid to arid conditions. smoke to break seed dormancy and has given me the opportunity to pursue my promote germination. By simulating interest in mineral processing and structural Geochronometric dating will provide conditions of low, medium and intense engineering design as a career. I hope to invaluable further insights to evaluate fires that would naturally occur seasonally, work towards learning more about the these inferences. I presented the results of we confirmed thatL. recurva seed Australian and global mining industry, and my Honours project at the Earth Sciences dormancy was broken when exposed ways in which we can improve engineering Student Symposium, intend to publish to a low to medium-intensity fire, and efficiency, reduce environmental impacts, my findings in the coming year and am germination was significantly stimulated and encourage economic growth and local planning to build on this study through in the laboratory. employment. undertaking a PhD. 08 2018 Playford Trust Honours Scholars Research Reports
Sarah Graham In this project, we developed a synthetic Benjamin Madigan approach in which we functionalised Bachelor of Biomedical Research, Bachelor of Science, the backbone of non-thermoresponsive University of South Australia The University of Adelaide polysaccharides with small molecules, Development of thermally responsive enabling them to undergo a thermo- Metal-organic framework materials for polymers for biomedical applications reversible transition. It was found that by use in gas separation processes altering the degree of substitution, the Thermoresponsive temperature at which the transition takes Gas separations polymers place can be tuned. Additionally, initial are of major (polymers which in vivo toxicity studies suggested that importance, with can transition the polymers are biocompatible with all one key example from solution to major organs and tissue types within mice. being their gel with response Two polysaccharides were investigated – use to isolate to temperature) dextran and amylopectin. Functionalised the harmful have been a amylopectins showed limited solubility in gases produced growing field water, however functionalised dextrans in industrial of interest over displayed interesting thermoresponsive processes. recent years. The properties and trends that would make Current gas potential applications of these polymers them useful in biomedical applications. separation technology is rather energy are wide reaching, and include drug From this work we published a review intensive, and hence expensive, so delivery, cell therapies, tissue engineering article and also intend to publish the research into alternatives is of significant and 3D bio-printing. This project focused results obtained through these studies. interest. on developing thermoresponsive Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are polysaccharides for potential use in a class of highly porous materials that these applications. Bradley Kirk have been shown to have potential for Polysaccharides are generally Bachelor of Science, Flinders University use in gas separations, and the research considered biocompatible, and many conducted during my Honours year was are biodegradable in humans, thus they Optimisation of polymer solar cell focused on the synthesis and investigation are ideal for biomedical applications. fabrication via slot-die printing of new MOFs for this application. However, most are not naturally With advancements in third-generation Undertaking my research has proven thermoresponsive and those which do solar cell technology, there is a push to be a valuable and rewarding experience, exhibit thermoresponsivity are limited by towards the large-scaling of these devices. and has allowed me to develop lab skills the temperatures at which they gel. This has led to interest in the research as well as skills associated with planning and development of large-scale printing and maintaining an individual project. methods compatible with roll-to-roll The research culminated in the successful fabrication. These methods would allow synthesis of a new copper-based MOF Bradley Kirk continuous fabrication of devices with material that displays a very interesting minimal waste of materials. The project crystal structure. Future work will involve investigated how the adjustment of the investigation of the gas adsorption active layer ink affects the performance properties of the new MOF to assess of the polymer-based solar cells with the its suitability for use in gas separation use of die-slot printing. processes. Six months into the project, we have observed how different solvents and additives can affect the performance of the Sarah McDonald device. We have also used several analytical Bachelor of Science, techniques, including the Atomic Force The University of Adelaide Microscope, Auger Nanoprobe microscope and the neutral impact ion scattering How has the East Asian Monsoon spectroscopy at Flinders University to get changed over the last 8000 years? a better understanding of the physical The East Asian structuring and elemental distribution Monsoon controls throughout the active layer. the water In December 2018, I took part in a poster resources for a presentation at the Australasian Community region covering for Advanced Organic Semiconductors China, Korea Symposium, discussing the results and and Japan. potential this technology has for the solar Around a third cell industry. At the symposium, I was also of the world’s able to gain a better understanding of the population relies different types of research being conducted on this rainfall for in Australia and New Zealand fresh water and sustaining agriculture and in relation to organic semi-conductors. is therefore at risk from climate disasters 09
such as drought and floods. Understanding how the monsoon may evolve is thus crucial for characterising future climate risk. One of the ways we can try to understand future changes is to use natural archives to look at how the monsoon has varied in the past. My project used a combination of lake sediments from near Mt Fuji, in Japan, together with statistical analyses of published records to investigate how the monsoon has changed over the past 8000 years. My analysis identified differences in the controls on monsoon rainfall between continental and coastal Asia. This research contributes to a growing body of knowledge on what causes changes in monsoon rainfall. This knowledge can be used to model future monsoon changes and then help with the future management of water resources across one of the world’s most Sasha de Vries populous regions.
Kara Paxton Andrew Vorrasi including leading a team in the development of an autonomous ground vehicle with maze Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of Biomedical Research, navigation, obstacle avoidance and target (Mechatronic), University of South Australia University of South Australia detection capabilities. I look forward to the next chapter, starting my career in South Using different ingredients to improve Agile flight control of a multi-rotor Australia’s growing defence sector with the absorption of antipsychotic drugs airframe Lockheed Martin. currently on the market Unmanned aerial The major result vehicles (UAVs) of my project are becoming Sasha de Vries was that the increasingly Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic antipsychotic popular in both Engineering, The University of Adelaide drug, Risperidone, commercial and civilian had reduced Enhancing cybersecurity for children’s applications, performance in all mobile devices formulations, while particularly multi- an alternative, rotor airframes My project was referred to as the ‘penetration such as quadrotors. Lurasidone, testing’ of the Spacetalk safety watch. The This is due to their simple structure, ease showed improved aim was to investigate the security of this of use and flight capabilities. At the core of performance across all formulations. specific GPS tracking smartwatch marketed any UAV lies the flight controller, a software for child safety. We investigated connectivity This demonstrated the dependence component that controls the UAV’s motion. such as WiFi and 4G connection, user interface of formulation performance on drug on the device, interconnection between the physicochemical properties. My project developed a flight controller smartwatch and the parent application, and more adept for agile, military focused flight, The key benefit of increasing the absorption hardware connections such as USB. using a design, test and build approach, of existing antipsychotics is the potential and undertaking a combination of MATLAB The project was able to determine to reduce dose – and, in turn, dose-related software simulation and hardware vulnerabilities and flaws, within both the adverse effects – toxicity and compliance testing. It achieved improved performance device and application, that necessitated with medication. During my Honours study, compared with the commercial baseline improvements being undertaken by the I was able to go to Singapore and present offering and set the foundation for future developing company. The identification of my research in a poster. University of South Australia students to these flaws provided an opportunity for the I am currently working at The Australian build on the UAV system. Most importantly, device’s security to be enhanced so it was Wine Research Institute as a laboratory the project required me to adapt to much more secure. changing requirements (not uncommon in technician to analyse taints in wine. The As part of my Honours project, I completed commercial industry) as a result of altering aspect of Honours that I found most a cybersecurity summer school in Estonia. hardware platforms. challenging was the fact that the project While there, I was involved in presenting my was solely my responsibility, and I therefore I enjoyed my final year of engineering, work at the international Interdisciplinary needed very good time management to particularly a variety of hands-on courses, Cybersecurity Research Conference. complete all experiments. 10 2018 Playford Trust Partner Scholarships Research Reports
Chartwells / St Ann’s College / mantle. My Honours research encompassed Playford Trust Residential an investigation of these rocks, to answer questions as to the nature of ancient Scholarship (two-billion-year-old) subduction regimes. Thomas de la Perrelle Questions like: how are such rocks Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) transported from great depths all the way to (Mechanical)/Bachelor of Science, the Earth’s surface? The University of Adelaide This research has demonstrated that ancient eclogites, after their formation at My family currently depth within subduction zones, may have live in Port Lincoln, made their way back to the Earth’s surface where I completed relatively rapidly in terms of geological my secondary timescales – that is, about five million years. schooling. This may not have been all that dissimilar to On moving to those operating today in the modern Earth. Adelaide, I found travelling in the city These findings are especially significant challenging to get because they say something about the nature Ellen Fryar to extracurricular of large-scale tectonic processes operating activities. in the ancient Earth – a research area that is not without debate. Perhaps of more My scholarship enabled me to transition value, this research reflects an undeniably AusIMM / Playford Trust without the need to work during term time. worthwhile exercise in scientific curiosity. I was able to stay involved in extracurricular Honours Scholarship activities and build my support networks Ellen Fryar without negatively affecting my study. This gave me time to enjoy my studies, especially Hillgrove Resources / Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mining), Playford Trust Scholarship The University of Adelaide dynamics, programming and mathematics. In mathematics, I gained new tools to apply Maddison Booth Investigating the potential use of to refreshingly unfamiliar problems in Bachelor of Science (Honours), microwaves for rock fragmentation – dynamics and programming. The University of Adelaide and potentially saving big bucks! I have enjoyed forming a close group of My Honours project investigated whether friends with other student engineers, having South Australia’s we could reduce rock strength by thermally a wide range of facilities available, and having Kanmantoo copper/ inducing micro-fractures in test samples. the freedom to learn topics and styles that gold deposit has The potential benefits for the mining industry, the university offers. On finishing my had a history of if successful, would be to reduce the energy degree, I aim to work in the space industry, exploration and required to crush and grind during ore possibly at the orbital launch facility at production since processing, saving huge amounts of money. Whaler’s Way on Eyre Peninsula. the 1800s. Despite this, there are still We applied a range of microwave exposure significant gaps in times to the sandstone and granite samples Geological Society of Australia / our knowledge of and tested them using a range of lab this deposit and its apparatus, including sonic velocity testing, Playford Trust Honours surrounds. uniaxial compressive strength testing, Scholarship acoustic analysis and CT scanning. Although My project, in collaboration with Hillgrove our results were not positive, literature Dillon Brown Resources, aimed to constrain the suggests that micro-fractures should have Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Geology), distribution and mineral relationships of gold formed, and the energy required to cause The University of Adelaide within the deposit. During my studies I gained rock failure reduced. We therefore proposed exposure to a variety of recently developed alternative testing parameters that may What can the oldest high-pressure rocks technologies and techniques. I had the achieve better results should the project be in the geological record tell us about the opportunity to undertake vacation work and undertaken again by another group. dynamics of ancient subduction regimes? research at the Kanmantoo mine, gaining valuable practical industry experience. In July, I organised an international trip for Eclogites are a group of five students and one supervisor metamorphic rocks My scholarship enabled me to attend and to the United States to see different mines in that form at high present at several industry events, including operation and visit the prestigious Colorado pressures and the South Australian Exploration and Mining School of Mines, which was eye-opening for low temperatures Conference and the Australian Geoscience us as mining students. After receiving quite during the process Council Convention. I was able to network a few offers, I have decided to take a position of subduction – with industry while communicating and with Rio Tinto at a bauxite mine in the NT. where the Earth’s promoting my research findings. I have My goal is to obtain my mine manager’s oceanic crust is enjoyed every aspect of my time at university certificate within 10 years and work at an consumed and and look forward to my future within the international operation at least once. delivered into the mining and resources industry. 11 2018 Playford Trust Partner Scholarships Research Reports
2018 AUSIMM/Playford Trust There has not been much research into understand how mis-matched expectations Scholarship & 2019 Nyrstar/ processing goethite, however, as high- influence policy decisions, profits and grade deposits run out, it is becoming consumer/resource-users’ behaviours. Playford Trust Scholarship more important to investigate how we The improved understanding could lead can beneficiate – or treat – low-grade Rebecca Tan to a number of positive outcomes. More iron ores to improve their properties and Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) than 50 percent of Australia’s land area is economic benefit. (Chemical) with Bachelor of Finance, managed as agricultural land, so improved The University of Adelaide Flotation is an attractive choice for natural resource use and agriculture- increasing grade, as it doesn’t require community relations could have In 2018, I completed high temperature or pressure, so it is widespread benefits, including a solid basis my Honours cheaper than processes such as roasting. to reform natural resources management project with CSIRO I used three different industrially available decision-making. Minerals. Through collectors and evaluated which of them an electrochemical study, I aimed could separate goethite from silica and to improve alumina most effectively. The collectors WSP/Playford Trust Scholarship understanding of provided little beneficiation. However, upon Hoang-Cuc Nguyen the dissolution looking at their molecular structures, it Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) mechanism became evident that collectors with long (Civil and Structural), and interfacial carbon chains are more effective than The University of Adelaide properties of chalcopyrite heap leaching. those with cyclic carbons. Modifying other flotation conditions can create a more I have become immersed in the industry Brickaids – Bandaids for bricks 2 through my minerals-related Honours effective flotation environment. Unreinforced project, my experience in the industry, and I was fortunate to have OZ Minerals my involvement with the AusIMM Adelaide masonry support me with this project, and it was Student Chapter. buildings are definitely a big help not only to receive the particularly I have had work experience with ExxonMobil scholarship, but also to have an industry vulnerable under and with natural gas pipeline operator SEA mentor who I could speak to about my earthquake Gas. In 2019, I will be Vice President of the project. AusIMM Adelaide Student Chapter. These loads. Due to experiences have inspired me to build a their heritage value and the career where I can work on site and be Thomas Foods International/ exposed to South Australia’s most important cost of rebuilding, industrial facilities. Playford Trust PhD Scholarship many of these structures still exist but need I volunteered with Project Everest in Nikki Dumbrell strengthening and rehabilitation. Seismic Cambodia and represented the School of Centre for Global Food and Resources retrofitting using fibre-reinforced polymer Chemical Engineering at the International The University of Adelaide (FRP) plates is popular because it is Engineering Summer School in China. I lightweight, easy to install and durable. received a New Colombo Plan Scholarship The social licence to operate in the However, the use of FRP anchors is limited and had the opportunity to network with like- Australian agricultural industry is an by the lack of understanding of their minded peers from all over the world. economics problem combined reinforcement behaviour and ‘Social licence to a lack of specific design guidelines. OZ Minerals/Playford Trust operate’ refers My Honours project sought to model the Minerals Industry Honours to the ongoing behaviour of masonry strengthened with approval of an Scholarship FRP plates and anchors. Our numerical activity or industry model prediction was found to be James Babas by stakeholders comparable with experimental results. Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) or members of A simplified approach was also developed (Chemical) and Bachelor of Science, society affected to analyse retrofitted masonry walls and The University of Adelaide by that activity/ this could lead to the future development industry. Failure of a design method. We presented our Beneficiation with bubbles: Increasing to meet social research at Ingenuity 2018 – The University the grade of iron ore expectations can affect the profitability of of Adelaide’s showcase of engineering contested activities/industries and lead to Honours projects – and our team won the Australia has policy change. However, the economics Best Structural Engineering Award. abundant deposits of social licence issues are not well of goethite iron, understood. In July and September, I undertook but it is seldom work experience with the Transport & mined because it My project seeks to: detail the economic Infrastructure group at WSP. I was exposed is of lower grade foundations of the social licence to operate; to a wide variety of projects and work, went compared with describe multiple understandings and on site visits, visited one of their project other iron ores, drivers of social licence issues as seen by offices, and even had the opportunity to such as hematite different groups (policy-makers, resource attend the 2018 Australasian Structural or magnetite. users, public); and use case studies to Engineering Conference. 12 2018 PhD Scholars Research Reports
Playford Trust PhD Scholarship Thyne Reid Foundation / Playford Trust PhD Scholarships Belinda Boehm School of Physical Sciences Kaili Stacey The University of Adelaide College of Science and Engineering Theory of self-assembly and charge Centre for Nanoscale Science and Technology, transport in semiconducting polymers Flinders University Production of novel photonic materials Alex Van Leeuwen Carbon- from silica particles. based organic semiconductors Currently, paints are a promising, and other coloured Alex Van Leeuwen and much coatings are made School of Natural and Built Environments cheaper, using a mixture of University of South Australia alternative to pigments, polymers How to heat the crust – radiogenic heat conventional and solvents. Once as a driving force for metamorphism inorganic the paint is coated on semiconductors the walls, the solvent Conventionally, geologists associate regions of like silicon. They evaporates, leaving high heat flow with tectonically and volcanically also have some interesting applications – behind a coloured active regions of Earth’s crust, eg. the Pacific think about folding phones, flexible solar film. However, these ‘Ring of Fire’. My project seeks to understand panels, and curved TV screens. However, solvents can be unhealthy for humans and a very different mechanism of heating crust — they are not commonly used, largely due are the cause of the ‘paint smell’ when drying. via the natural decay of radioactive elements. to their performance, which is not as good These polymers often come from materials If present in high enough concentrations, as the currently available technologies. produced by the petrochemical industry, which these elements can produce a significant amount of heat. is not considered ‘green’, or environmentally- In my work, I look at organic friendly. In the northern Flinders Ranges, Arkaroola semiconducting polymers, which can hosts some of the hottest rocks on Earth in be thought of as molecular spaghetti. Silica (a.k.a. sand) nanoparticles have been terms of radiogenic heat production. One of They are long chains of molecules and used in nature to create stunning optical the aims of my project is to investigate what and can be either all tangled up, or stuck effects – most famously, opals are made role the heat played in metamorphosing the alongside each other. If spaghetti is from these particles. Since discovering this, younger sedimentary rocks which overlie scientists have been replicating this ‘opal cooked in water, you would expect it to them. Thermodynamic modelling used in be tangled when you drain it, but organic effect’ with great success – and with the use of tandem with microanalytical procedures polymers, depending on what liquid you green solvents. However, there has been very enables us to quantify the age, pressure and ‘cook’ them in, will either be tangled, or little exploration into what other effects could temperature conditions of metamorphism stacked together in neat rows, or a bit be produced by silica particles arranged in recorded by these rocks. This allows us to of both. different ways. determine whether radiogenic heating is The amount of stacking affects how well I recently had the opportunity to visit a plausible mechanism to metamorphose the device performs, and my work is Cambridge University for a short-term rocks in the crust. focused on trying to predict this. I have study trip. My main purpose was to gain an Developing an understanding of how radiogenic used computer simulations for these understanding of how materials can interact heat can thermally perturb the crust is key predictions and obtained some interesting with light, and to learn how to simulate these to developing more comprehensive models of results that will be combined with larger behaviours. This simulation is a key step in how our planet works. The interplay between models of the polymers to determine how discovering which materials will actually radiogenic heat and crustal metamorphism stacking affects the interactions between produce interesting colours and, as a result, may be key in unravelling the complex and chains. Hopefully, this will lead to some how I need to arrange the silica particles in multifaceted geological framework of ancient rules for designing polymers that are order to create these effects. continents like Australia. efficient enough to use commercially.
Playford Trust PhD Scholarship Among the most exciting and often important genera that I have never seen before, and aspects of research is the field work, and this probably enough data for several more PhD James Dorey is certainly the case for me. I am currently projects! working my way up the entirety of Australia’s College of Science This kind of research will not only contribute eastern states, trying to discover new species and Engineering to our understanding of bee and ectotherm of Australian native bees and collect existing Flinders University evolution, but it will also inform us about species. My aim is to determine their genetic which processes are threatening our native Road tripping to relationships and uncover reasons why we pollinator diversity and how we can conserve uncover Australia’s have an estimated 2000 to 3000 native bee them. Of course, I believe that this work is unknown and new species in Australia alone – and not just one. native bees important as it’s very likely that many bee Already, I have identified potentially species have been, and will be, lost before undescribed and undiscovered species, they are even found. 13 Partners and Scholars working together
Codan / Playford Trust Scholarship 20 years of study into biologically-inspired own uses and in Engineering ‘spiking’ robotics systems. We were able characteristics. to use our results to accurately control the My project has Alexander Makarowsky position of a swinging propeller arm, and this involved conducting Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) constituted a major step forward. very small (Telecommunications), I have been awarded a John Monash fermentations and The University of Adelaide Scholarship to further my studies and have tests to assess in what conditions Drone control with animal brain structures applied to undertake a Master of Philosophy in Energy Technologies at Cambridge these Tasmanian My team and I University. I hope to examine the reliability of wild yeasts can simulated the energy systems in the context of intermittent survive and thrive, structure and energy sources and energy storage. what characteristics they might bring to the information- Codan has been extremely supportive of traditional fermented beverage, and how processing my research and I recently undertook an well they survive in alcoholic fermentation. behaviour of animal internship with them, which gave me Some of these yeasts may be unique to neurons in order an opportunity to broaden my knowledge. Australia, and we are hoping to better to tackle difficult understand how they work. problems in robotics I was lucky enough to go on a field trip to and control. Coopers Brewery / Playford Trust collect samples from rare Cider Gums at Our supervisor from the CSIRO is motivated Honours Scholarship a plantation, and attend a conference in by smarter flight control because it may allow Lucien Alperstein Sydney. I look forward to discussing my drones to operate more safely and robustly. ongoing fermentation research with Coopers This may create wider applications for drones Bachelor of Science (Honours), and appreciate very much their support. in confined or dangerous environments, such The University of Adelaide John Meneses, the Supply Chain Manager as in underground mines. Yeasts from traditional Indigenous at Coopers applauded the high calibre of One of the turning points in our research alcoholic drinks the students who have received Coopers was formally analysing the effect of Brewery/Playford Trust Scholarships. My Honours project has involved working with finite-precision, computer-based neuron ‘Their research has provided good insights more than 1000 yeasts and bacteria isolated simulation instead of idealised, infinite- into ways to improve the great range of from Way-a-linah, a Eucalyptus sap, which precision neurons and synapse models. products coming out of Coopers’, he said. was fermented by Tasmanian Aboriginal The ‘timing’ of the neuron-to-neuron spikes ‘Coopers encourages other South Australian people using the aptly-named Cider Gum. represented very accurately in computers to companies who are looking to support high achieve good performance. This noise-like There are many different types of wild yeasts achieving students to consider supporting effect had never been formalised in some found across the world, each with their the Playford Trust’s scholarship program.’
Nyrstar / Playford Trust Scholarships Nyrstar is excited to join as a Partner with the Playford Trust in 2019 and the feeling is mutual. This year the Nyrstar/Playford Trust scholarships have been awarded to four outstanding chemical and mechanical Thomas Jackson Princess Mae Ladra engineering students. They are Barbara Karageorgos, Thomas Jackson, Princess in the maintenance systems. All tasks were Bill Watt, Nyrstar's Manager - Technology Mae Ladra and Rebecca Tan. carried out to a high standard and their and Continuous Improvement is very happy with his involvement with the These scholarships involve an eight-week commitment and work ethic was excellent. Playford Trust. He advised that: “the placement at the Nyrstar Port Pirie smelter. Barbara undertook a study to determine impact from the work placements gives Barbara, Thomas and Princess undertook the best methodology for reducing the real financial benefits to Nyrstar, including their placement in January and February concentration of chlorides in residue from greater reliability and longevity of equipment; and Rebecca’s will commence soon the copper plant. She came up with some significantly lowered costs; and options Both Thomas and Princess joined the site innovative and ‘out of the box’ thinking to that deliver better outcomes for treating reliability engineering team, working on deliver low-cost, fit-for-purpose options. more high value residues in their plant.” improving site infrastructure documentation; These are now being piloted to determine He said that: “Nyrstar staff are also highly inspections of civil structures; seal design the best option to implement later this year. impressed with the scholars, not just their for screw conveyors; heat exchanger Again, the project Barbara worked on was level of expertise, but how they interacted designs; reviewing risk assessments around delivered to a high standard with a high level with personnel and contractors.” flammable gases; and greater efficiencies of commitment to safety and work ethic. 14 Continuing PhD Scholars Research Reports
2016 Flinders University / these mechanisms in A. morosus and other related bee species to look for patterns of Playford Trust PhD Scholarship infection and susceptibility. Olivia Davies The transition from parasite to mutualist (pictured front cover) was a key step in the evolution of complex life on Earth, hence the question: Is Lab of Evolutionary Genetics and Sociality, Wolbachia starting to make this transition College of Science and Engineering millions of years later? Can parasites be beneficial? The role of the bacterial parasite Wolbachia in native Australia bees 2016 The University of Adelaide / Parasites are hyper-diverse and can Playford Trust PhD Scholarship have a long list of disastrous effects on their hosts. But can these devastating Troy Rogers parasites transform into an ally with School of Biological Sciences mutual benefits for themselves and their The University of Adelaide hosts? My project explores the role of a Troy Rogers widespread insect parasite, Wolbachia, in Using fish ears to uncover the life history a group of very successful Australian native of an iconic South Australian species bees – the Hylaeinae, or masked bees. My PhD investigates the early life history history will influence the development A common species of native hylaeine bee, of King George whiting in South Australia, of management strategies to ensure the Amphylaeus morosus, is very unusual, as it using the biological information stored in longevity of this iconic local species. is afflicted with the condition ‘mitochondrial fish ear stones (otoliths). Specifically, I have One manuscript from my PhD has recently heteroplasmy’, where every individual has determined that multiple spawning sources been published in Marine and Freshwater two different types of mitochondria. contribute to the SA population, and that Research, and another has been submitted fish in different regions of the state were I am investigating whether the parasite to Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. spawned in different areas. Wolbachia has formed a dependant Last year, I presented some of my work at relationship with its hosts’ strange I am currently working with oceanographers the 6th International Otolith Symposium, in mitochondria. This bacterium can have to connect the dots between spawning Taiwan, and the Australian Society for Fish a multitude of effects on insect hosts, and nursery areas, which will help to Biology Conference, in Melbourne. Support however the mechanisms that dictate these close the life history loop. The improved from the Playford Trust is fundamental to effects are not well known. I am examining understanding of King George whiting life successful outcomes in my project.
New Partner list grows
In 2018, three new Partners joined forces with the Playford Trust to offer even more scholarships and work opportunities to South Australian students. They are:
Aurecon is an engineering and Nyrstar is a market leading, global metals Open Gardens SA was established as infrastructure advisory company which business producing zinc, lead and other a stand-alone organisation in 2015 after serves clients across a range of markets, base and precious metals. Nyrstar Port the national scheme closed after 25 years in locations worldwide. Aurecon’s DNA Pirie is the largest single stream primary of showcasing local gardens to the public. is hardwired to leave a legacy using lead smelter in the world and has recently Each year, tens of thousands of visitors engineering, design and the deep need. undergone a A$660m site upgrade to are welcomed to more than 130 private improve its environmental performance gardens across SA, with funds raised and increase its flexibility as a multi- going back to garden owners and their metal production facility. chosen charities. 15 Reports from Past Scholars
2014 AusIMM / Playford Trust Honours Scholarship Michael Dello-Iacovo The University of Adelaide
Adapting earthly geophysics to the exploration of space I received the AusIMM/Playford Trust Scholarship for my Honours degree in geophysics in 2014 for the thesis topic ‘heat flow and geothermal energy in South Australia’. After completing that degree, I stayed in the geophysics industry and worked for an Australian energy company for several years as a geophysicist. Daniel Austin In 2016, I began a PhD in space science at the University of New South Wales, where I am looking at the feasibility of using 2007 TAFE SA / Playford Trust the same time begin a career as a Lecturer geophysical techniques to map the surface Award in Horticulture for TAFE SA. and interior of asteroids and other planetary In the years since, I have worked in bodies such as the Moon and Mars. Daniel Austin horticulture around the world, touring the I spent 2017 interning in Los Angeles From scholar to lecturer via Africa, South African nursery industry and working at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory – the Solomons and Israel with subsistence farmers in Tanzania. I took a partnership between NASA and the up a placement to manage a horticultural I was an apprentice in horticulture when California Institute of Technology – where training body with AusAID, and this allowed I was awarded my Playford Trust Award I was able to use their lab equipment me to live and work in the Solomon Islands in 2007. I don’t think I’d ever had a bank to further my research. For example, I for two years. Before getting too settled back balance as large as the $2000 that came used a vacuum chamber to recreate the in South Australia, I gained a scholarship that with the award and it truly opened up atmospheric environment on Mars and allowed me to work in Israel at the Jerusalem a world of opportunities. I immediately examine the effect of atmospheric pressure Botanic Gardens for nine months, where on seismic data collection. It was completely benefitted from the networks and I worked with the region’s rare plants and novel research. prestige associated with the Trust tropical conservatory stock. I was also able and my career has since involved to visit Egypt, Jordan and Turkey and was I am now finalising my lab work and a snowballing of opportunities. asked to write about their horticultural computer modelling in preparation for I earned the title ‘South Australian enterprises for Hort Journal Australia, finishing several papers – and my thesis. which I continue to do today. Outside of my day job, I have been interested Apprentice of the Year’ in 2008 and in environmental and animal welfare issues this exposure allowed me to become I am now back working as a lecturer at for a long time. an intern in horticultural media with TAFE SA and sit on the Board of the Michael Keelan on Radio 5AA and at Nursery and Garden Industry of SA. I have received several prizes for essays about climate change in Australia and the future ethical concerns around space exploration.
We are thrilled to welcome back as a Partner the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden, in Port Augusta, which was established in 1993 to research, conserve and promote Australia’s arid zone flora. The Trust recognises the importance of supporting trainees in regional Australia and has been able to assist in funding several trainees at the garden since 2013. Michael Dello-Iacovo 16 Support the Playford Trust
How partnering works… between partners and scholars. Partner- student relationships can involve work Playford Trust Partners include experience, site visits, project work, respected SA businesses and industry mentoring or involvement in committees. groups, the tertiary and research sector, state and local governments, charitable foundations and individual donors. All How you can help funds provided by partners or donors If you’re inspired by the students the go directly to the students. We work Playford Trust supports, you might wish with the universities and TAFE to match to consider a donation to add to the value Welcome to our newest students and research projects with each and reach of our work. partner organisation’s specific needs or, Board member, Jacqui McGill For information about donations, in the case of foundations and individual Our newest Board member, Jacqui McGill, bequests and partnering, please visit donors, their passion or preference. is a highly accomplished Executive and playfordtrust.com.au/funding. Non-Executive Director with more than Scholarships, grants and internships To make a secure online credit card 30 years of leadership experience. are made either in the donor’s name donation, simply visit givenow.com.au or jointly with the Trust. The support of She is the Chairman of TAFE SA, a member and then search ‘Playford Trust’. contributing partners is recognised in of the Economic Advisory Committee for SA a variety of ways and organisations can and leadership consultant. Prior to joining be involved in determining the type of the Playford Trust, Jacqui held a range of support to be provided, the selection of key leadership roles with BHP, including recipients and the monitoring of their Asset President of Olympic Dam and progress. BHP Mitsui Coal. While the Trust looks after all Jacqui serves on the Art Gallery of applications, administration and South Australia Board and joined the payments, we encourage interaction Trust in October 2018.
Our Partners
CONTACT US Our Executive Officer, Mary Anne Fairbrother can put you in touch with a Board member to discuss options for supporting the Trust’s work. Contact Mary Anne by calling (08) 8429 5220 or email: [email protected]. SUBSCRIBE to our eNewsletter to keep up-to-date with what’s happening – www.playfordtrust.com.au/subscribe. ADDRESS The Playford Memorial Trust Inc. GPO Box 2343, Adelaide SA 5001. Phone: (08) 8429 5220 Email: [email protected] PLAYFORD TRUST NEWS EDITORIAL TEAM Francene Connor, Bunty Parsons and Vicki Evans. Feedback from scholars and partners is welcomed – please send [email protected]
Playford Trust Board Members Hon Dean Brown AO, Chairman; Hon Don Hopgood AO, Deputy Chairman; Dean Standish, Public Officer; Prof Don Bursill AM; Francene Connor; Prof David Day; Dr Kate Delaporte; Hon Robert Lawson RFD QC; Jacqui McGill; Bunty Parsons; Dr Leanna Read; Keith Yates playfordtrust.com.au The Playford Memorial Trust Inc.