8 0 0 2 r e t n i w ExperienceThe UNE Where cultures meet How UNE is contributing to Bhutanese Gross National Happiness
INSIDE Autumn graduation Mary White turns 50 Dogs make happy guinea pigs
ISSN 1835-5439 Creating business solutions to improve individual performance and organisational capability
Exceptional vocational pathways through UNE Partnerships to university qualifications at the University of New England
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ABN: 74 003 099125 UNE Partnerships Pty Ltd - Education & Training Company of the University of New England ExperienceThe UNE AUTUMN 2008 The UNE Experience
Cover: Kezang Sherab, an academic from the Royal University of Bhutan, enjoys some traditional Australian fare outside Booloominbah during his recent visit to UNE’s Armidale campus as an Australian Leadership Awards fellow.
Vice-Chancellor’s message 4
In Brief 6
UNE making a difference in Bhutan 10
Mary White turns 50 14
Autumn graduation 18
My View: bridging the language gap 20
Alumni Profile: Dr Theresa Smith-Ruig 21
Campus Calendar 22
The UNE Experience: The official magazine of the University of New England. Produced by: Marketing & Public Affairs, The University of New England, NSW 2351 Contact: Ph: (02) 6773 3771 Fax: (02) 6773 3315 Email: [email protected] Editor: Leon Braun Staff writers: Leon Braun, Jim Scanlan, Alex Dunn Photography: David Elkins, Michael Watson Design: Leon Braun
upFront The UNE Experience AUTUMN 2008
Vice-Chancellor’s welcome
uring April, I listen to occasional Perhaps even more had the great addresses from some most importantly, I was Dpleasure of interesting guest speakers. touched by their participating in four We were delighted that, comments about their graduation ceremonies on this occasion, two UNE experience. Dr at the University of of these were delivered Schott emphasised to New England. Over by UNE Distinguished graduands that “you are four beautiful Armidale Alumni - Dr Kerry Schott graduating from a fine Autumn days, some (1969) and Mr John university” and Mr Ellice- 2300 people graduated Ellice-Flint (1973). Flint reflected that “my and I was struck by the time on this campus was Dr Schott, who was rich contribution that the best time of my life”. awarded first-class these new UNE graduates honours in Arts, is now I invite you to keep their will be able to make the Managing Director comments in mind as you locally, nationally and of Sydney Water. Mr enjoy this edition of The internationally. Ellice-Flint, who studied UNE Experience. UNE’s 75,000 alumni Geology at UNE, has until are already represented very recently been the around Australia and Managing Director and throughout the world Chief Executive Officer of and are having an impact worldwide oil company, in many and varied SANTOS Ltd. Prof Alan Pettigrew ways. Our most recent Vice-Chancellor and CEO Both Mr Ellice-Flint and graduates will, I hope, be Dr Schott spoke, from able to use the knowledge different perspectives, and experience they have about the global gained during their time challenges of climate at UNE to make their own change. I was struck by contribution, large or the way in which their small, to the wider world. careers reflect how UNE At each of the Autumn is achieving its strategic Graduation Ceremonies, objective of ‘regional to we were fortunate to global impact’.
upFront AUTUMN 2008 The UNE Experience
Professor Alan Pettigrew, Pam Morgan, Eve Woodberry and Gary Pollock at the signing of the MOU between New England Institute of TAFE and UNE. TAFE MOU ‘opens horizons’ A memorandum of understanding between UNE and the New England Institute of TAFE promises benefits for both institutions. Getting the he University of New Mr Pollock said. He throughout the New “ England and the New mentioned nursing, England region. whole of the New England Institute of film and television, and T The broadband network England Institute TAFE have entered a new children’s services as links UNE’s eight Regional areas that were already phase of collaboration Access Centres – all on aligned with UNE benefiting from such that will further enhance local TAFE campuses pathways. the range of educational – with each other really opens our opportunities for people in “Getting the whole and the University’s the region. of the New England Armidale campus and horizons. The Vice-Chancellor Institute aligned with Tamworth Centre, helping ” of UNE, Professor the university really students overcome the Alan Pettigrew, and opens our horizons,” disadvantages of isolation. the Director of TAFE’s Professor Pettigrew Professor Pettigrew and New England Institute, said, “particularly as Mr Pollock agreed that the Gary Pollock, signed a government policy use of the Access Centres new Memorandum of encourages greater would continue to grow Understanding last week collaboration between throughout the three-year – the latest in a series of different sectors of life of the new MOU – MOUs that have facilitated education.” particularly when students from UNE’s new School UNE-TAFE collaboration In recent years, of Rural Medicine begin over the past 12 years. collaboration between their clinical placements the two educational One important aspect of in regional centres. this collaboration has institutions and the local been the development Area Health Service has The sharing of facilities of educational pathways enabled the establishment and services between UNE from TAFE to UNE. – with Commonwealth and TAFE will soon be Government funding extended by an agreement “Articulation between – of a broadband to allow reciprocal TAFE and university network integrating and library borrowing rights qualifications has enhancing education and to the students of both enormous potential,” health communications institutions.
inBrief The UNE Experience AUTMUN 2008
These dogs are happy to be guinea pigs Cooperation between a UNE researcher and Armidale dog owners is leading to smiles (and wagging tails) all round.
ogs and their owners are ‘purpose-bred’ and maintained for better care for dogs, but, as the dog enthusiastic participants in research. At UNE, however, we is widely used as a model in studies research at the University of conduct only non-invasive dog of human health and nutrition, D there could be positive spin-offs for New England aimed at improving research, so borrowing people’s the health and welfare of “man’s pets is a realistic and kinder option those studies too. best friend”. than having a colony of purpose- “Our most recent study ventures bred dogs that would never have a Dr Wendy Brown started dog into the area of canine genetics, loving home to go to.” research at UNE in 1997. “UNE requiring a single blood sample to doesn’t own any dogs,” she said. “I Dr Brown’s research at UNE is in be collected from many pure-bred borrow people’s pets for all of my collaboration with the WALTHAM dogs. In this case, dogs weren’t research activities, and return them Centre for Pet Nutrition in the UK. required to stay on-site, but were to their owners at the end of their met at a local veterinary clinic “WALTHAM-sponsored research where they received a health check stay.” has led to more than 1,500 prior to donating a sample of The dogs are well cared for, and, in publications, supporting their claim blood, and owners were quizzed return for their participation, they to be the world’s leading authority about various aspects of their dog’s receive free veterinary treatments, on pet care and nutrition,” she diet and history.” health care products or dog food, said. “Their search for collaborators “People’s willing participation has so that the dogs themselves benefit. across the globe with similar ethical allowed the research to be done in “Armidale dog owners have been standards, and expertise in specific a ‘dog-friendly’ manner,” Dr Brown particularly cooperative in allowing areas of interest, has led to several concluded. “And, in the end, the their dogs to participate in various collaborative ventures in recent whole dog world could benefit from research projects over the years,” years between WALTHAM and UNE. the results.” Dr Brown said. “Most of the research has been Pictured: Dr Brown (left) “It is illegal to use pound dogs for nutrition-related, although I also “interviewing” one of her project research in NSW,” she explained, conduct research in the areas of participants - Bonnie - at a local “and for some institutions this has dental health and behaviour. The veterinary clinic, with Bonnie’s led to the use of animals that are primary goal of the research is owner Desley Williams.
inBrief Dancing away depression New study looks at tango lessons as possible treatment for depression.
osa Pinniger third will attend free AUTUMN 2008 The UNE Experience wants to know meditation classes (a if people can widely-recognised R alternative therapy for Tango their way out of depression. depression), and the rest (the “controls”) will do Ms Pinniger, an neither. The “controls” Honours student in will get free lessons psychology at the – their choice of either University of New Tango or meditation Sydney and realised that with – your partner, England, is organising – after the end of the it was “just the thing” for and so you can’t have a “Tango trial” to help trial. her study of alternative extraneous thoughts. In her find out. Rosa Pinniger comes therapies for depression. other dances you can still have thoughts – but not She’s invited people from Barcelona in Spain “In learning Tango in Tango.” with depression to take and lives in Sydney, movements you have part in an experiment where the “Tango trial” to focus your attention Such “mindfulness”, she in which a third of will begin next week. Not and be completely in believes, can “switch off the participants will a Tango dancer herself, the present moment,” the automatic negative get six free, weekly she was taken by surprise she explained. “You thought patterns that Tango lessons. At the when she was invited need to be constantly contribute to anxiety and same time, another to a Tango session in aware of – and connect depression”.
Sculptures add new dimension to UNE
generous gift has enabled interest in his work – and the work garden adjacent to the Oorala the University of New of many other artists. Mr King is Aboriginal Centre. England to mount the first a leading figure in the remarkable A Pictured below: sculptor Stephen two works of outdoor sculpture to sculpture movement that is King, Susie Dunn and Professor adorn its campus. transforming the town of Walcha. Alan Pettigrew. The donor of the two sculptures, The other sculpture, The Rainbow Mrs Susie Dunn, attended a special Serpent from Outer ceremony beside the sculptures Space (late earlier this week. During the 1990s) by ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor, the local Professor Alan Pettigrew, expressed Indigenous his gratitude for the gift, placing sculptor it in the context of Mrs Dunn’s Reuben committed involvement in a Lockwood, is number of regional communities in the – particularly in her support for Indigenous rights. One of the sculptures, Mrs Woodrough from Walcha (1992), is mounted on the lawn between Lazenby Hall and the Pat O’Shane Building. The tall figure of a woman, carved from a single piece of wood, was affectionately named “Mrs Woodrough” by Mrs Dunn’s family. The sculptor, Stephen King, speaking at the ceremony, said it was a product of his “Eve period”. He thanked Mrs Dunn for her inBrief
by the assembled students Farewell of both colleges. The Vice-Chancellor of Narelle UNE, Professor Alan Pettigrew, said that the arelle Dowse, personal relationship the Dining Hall Narelle had developed NSupervisor who “with all those 10,000 retired last week after 38 students” was “a fantastic years of devoted service testament” to her in residential colleges contribution to the life of at the University of the colleges – and of the New England, is fondly University as a whole. remembered by more than 10,000 former affectionate messages of Master of Earle Page. The Over the years Narelle and college residents. from all over the world. current Master of Austin fellow supervisor Dianne College, Dr Alan McKenzie, “Narelle leaves us after Cundy have brought life The UNE Experience AUTUMN 2008 Some of those former and Austin’s first Master, and laughter to the dining 38 years of exceptional residents returned to UNE Dr Brian Seppelt, joined Mr halls, dancing through service to the members for a farewell function Ward in expressing their their daily clearing-up to of Earle Page College for Narelle at Earle Page heartfelt thanks to Narelle ’60s rock ‘n’ roll music. College on Thursday 3 and (since it was built in for the nurturing role she April, while many others 1972) 36 years of service had played within the Pictured: Alan McKenzie, – including well-known to the members of Austin college “family”. They were Narelle Dowse and David public figures – sent College,” said David Ward, enthusiastically supported Ward.
Earle Page continues charitable tradition
tudents living at the University of SNew England’s Earle Page College have begun their annual program of fund-raising activities that last year raised $30,000 for the Children’s Medical Research Institute.
Now in its 29th year, the Earle Page College charity campaign includes the sale of a discount card sponsored by 41 local businesses. Purchasers of the $10 card can get ongoing discounts of up to 15 per cent – or a range of special deals – from participating happy to support it for the The campaign has which gives the entire businesses until the end third year in succession”. already raised about campaign its name. of November. $13,000 this year. Its “The students’ involvement official launch marks Peter Bedford, from the The Vice-Chancellor of in raising funds for a the beginning of a series organising committee, UNE, Professor Alan worthwhile charity adds of fund-raising events said, “It’s an Earle Page Pettigrew, bought one of to their own lives as well – including a fashion tradition – and a worthy the discount cards when as the reputation of the parade and a charity cause.” he officially launched this University,” he said. “It is auction – culminating year’s campaign. Professor one of the highlights of in September in the Pictured: Kamal Sohi, Pettigrew, the campaign’s their time at Earle Page annual Armidale to Professor Alan Pettigrew, patron, said he was “very College.” Coffs Harbour Coast Run and Ben Bowman.
inBrief Access all areas he first UNE “For me what really student to complete maintained a sense of his degree entirely ‘belonging’ and ‘non- T AUTUMN 2008 The UNE Experience through the UNE Access isolation’ to UNE was Centre at Inverell [access to these facilities graduated in April. at] the Inverell Access Michael Taylor heaped Centre,” Michael said. praise on the centre’s UNE maintains ten access facilities and thanked centres throughout the Access Centre Manager region, which provide Frances Munro for space and facilities for her “tireless work” students to study, complete in maintaining and assignments and contact promoting the centre. lecturers via e-mail, The key to Michael’s bulletin board or video successful completion of conferencing. Centres at his degree, he said, was Tamworth and Taree also the ability to liase with have staff on site to assist UNE staff and lecturers with enquiries relating to via videoconferencing degree patterns and other and the Internet. queries.
Midnight ball keeps kids out of trouble NE is participating in an international movement that Uis helping teenagers keep out of trouble late at night. An Armidale tournament of Midnight Basketball will begin at Sport UNE on Saturday 3 May. Midnight Basketball was established in the United States in 1986 to provide an alternative activity for Shot”, emphasises the rule that “We’ll also need about 25 volunteers teenagers at that time of night when a night to help us run the program: they are most likely to be engaged in participation in a workshop on each people to travel with the participants (or victims of) antisocial behaviour. It evening is a prerequisite for playing in that evening’s basketball games. on the buses, to help with the now operates in about 100 locations catering, and team leaders for the in the United States and the UK, and Participants are boys and girls games and workshops. Anyone about 15 tournaments were staged in aged between 12 and 18. They will interested in volunteering can Australia last year. be picked up by bus at 7 pm and contact the local office of the NSW travel to Sport UNE, where dinner The program, held on successive Department of Premier and Cabinet will be served at 7.30. The program Saturday nights over a nine-week on (02) 6771 5781.” continues till midnight, when the period, combines basketball games teenagers return home by bus. Pictured: John Kauter (Marketing with life-skills workshops on and Public Affairs, UNE), Maureen topics such as drug and alcohol Sport UNE’s Angela Collongues, Chapman (NSW Premier’s awareness, sex education, nutrition the manager of the Armidale Department), Angela Collongues (Sport and health, anger management, and tournament, said that she and her UNE) Rob Lasker (Youth and Family financial literacy. The organisation’s colleagues were hoping to involve Services NSW), and Tracy Wright slogan, “No Workshop, No Jump about 60 teenagers. (Operations Manager, Sport UNE).
Making a difference in Bhutan
For more than a decade, academics from the University of New England have been contributing to the tiny nation of Bhutan’s “Gross National Happiness”.
tepping off the plane at Bhutan’s only “The Bhutanese have a policy called ‘Gross National international airport in Paro, UNE lecturer Dr Happiness’,” Margaret says, “and it’s threaded through SMargaret Brooks was struck by the sight of so everything they do. Basically, it means measuring many Bhutanese in national costume. progress not just in terms of wages or consumption “Like colourful dressing gowns,” is how she describes - the things we mean when we talk about gross the gho and the kira, Bhutan’s traditional attire for domestic product - but in terms of, ‘How is this going men and women respectively. “What’s remarkable is to improve people’s lives?’, ‘How is it going to make that they don’t just get them out for special ocassions. the people happier?’” They wear them all the time.” For the past decade and a half, the University of New What Margaret was observing was the effect of England has been contributing to Bhutan’s gross a nationwide edict requiring Bhutanese to wear national happiness on a range of fronts. Since 1992, national costume in all public places and on UNE has run the Bhutan Multigrade Attachment formal occasions. It’s one small, but highly visible Program, an annual six-week program that bring example of how Bhutan is attempting to preserve its groups of Bhutanese teachers to Australia for training national character as it undergoes the upheavals of and classroom experience, equipping them with the modernisation. skills to teach children of different ages in a single classroom. It’s an important initative given Bhutan’s Like a slow-moving car about to merge onto a overcrowded classrooms and chronic shortage of speeding freeway, this tiny, remote nation in South schoolteachers. Asia is cautiously moving out of its isolation to join the modern world. It’s a delicate maneouvre, requiring “It’s very worthwhile work, and has been a a balancing act between traditional values and a source of tremendous professional and personal desire to embrace modern advances in medicine, satisfaction over the past decade,” says Dr Tom education, and technology, but the Bhutanese Maxwell, an associate professor in the School are approaching it with characteristic grace and of Education who took over coordination of the intelligence. program from Dr David Laird in the late 90s.
10 AUTUMN 2008 The UNE Experience 11 Dr Margaret Brooks, from UNE’s School of Education, with colleagues opposite Tiger’s Nest monastery, one of Bhutan’s most famous religious landmarks.
Tom has visited program for academics long way in a very short forwards so they can go classrooms in Bhutan at Bhutan’s Royal time,” she says. to school early. Starting before and after teachers Institute of Management, school at 4 years old “The kids face a very completed the program, hosting six Bhutanese and always being two difficult first transition and seen the difference fellows of the Australian years younger than your into primary school. the program has made. Leadership Awards peers is a problem all English is the language program, and several the way through school. “About 150 teachers of instruction, and many consultancies to the It is noticeable from have been through of them are also learning Bhutanese government day one, but becomes the program now and Dzongkha, the national - including one that most noticeable when that’s had an impact,” language, for the first took Margaret Brooks they reach puberty. he says. “Even the time after speaking a and School of Education It’s something we’ve physical changes are regional dialect at home. colleague Robin Jones suggested they address.” noticeable, like the way So they’re coming from a to Bhutan earlier this the desks are arranged rural community, and all Margaret says she was year to assist with early and the children’s work of a sudden they have to particularly inspired by childhood material put on display. The walk two hours to school the lack of corruption for the Bachelor of classrooms have become to get talked at for four in Bhutan. Her visit Education at the Paro places where children hours in a language they was sponsored by Save Teacher’s College. are speaking as well as don’t understand. It’s the Children USA, and listening and assisting Margaret says the hard for them. Margaret says it and each other. One of the Bhutanese want to similar organisations “Despite that, there is an ideas that has gone back develop a world-class can be confident their enormous impetus to get is that children talking to education system, and contributions are an education. Parents one another doesn’t have they are rapidly acquiring reaching the intended want their kids to go to mean a disruption - it the knowledge to do so. recipients in Bhutan. to school and secure a can be a way to assist “There wasn’t any better future. In some “All too often, aid money their learning.” education system in places, that desire is so doesn’t get to the people Other UNE activities Bhutan to speak of until strong it’s actually a it’s supposed to. But in involving Bhutan the 1960s, so they have problem. Some parents Bhutan, if they say they include a graduate come an extraordinarily put their children’s ages will do something, they
12 AUTUMN 2008 The UNE Experience
After centuries of isolation, Bhutan is modernising - cautiously. do it. If you give them lecturer at Paro Teacher’s it going?’ Everyone has money and say, ‘We want College, recently had made us feel welcome.” this to go towards books the opportunity to With so much contact for schoolchildren’, that’s visit UNE’s Armidale between UNE and where it will go. And campus as an Australian Bhutanese educators and when they’ve finished, Leadership Awards officials, it’s unsurprising they’ll invite you back fellow. It was his second many of Kezang’s to show you what visit to UNE, and, he colleagues have a they’ve done. It’s very says, a particularly connection to UNE. There’s a real refreshing.” productive one. “ “Bhutan is a small sense of working Margaret says she was “We have been attending country, so of course we also impressed with the classes on action research, know many people who for the greater level of openness she and next week we have have studied here. Even found in the Bhutanese to present our proposals good, whether our vice-chancellor is a bureaucracy, and that on how we intend to use UNE graduate. UNE has a she was surprised by these techniques when we it’s achieving very good reputation in how accessible even get home. My research has Bhutan.” senior officials made been focused on the topic universal education themselves. of student engagement, Among the UNE or protecting the “At one point, we had and it has been highly academics who have some critical questions beneficial for me to have worked, and continue environment. for the minister of access to UNE’s online to work, in Bhutan, a ” education, and we resources,” he says. common refrain is that they feel “privileged” to got in touch with the “Although we have be participating in the department to see if access to the Internet ongoing development of we could speak to him. back home, we don’t this remote nation. Two days later, we sat have subscriptions to the down and met with him. scholarly journals that you Margaret Brooks says: It was amazing to be have here at UNE. With “Everyone we spoke able to sit down and access to this literature, we to there was talking discuss the issues with don’t even need a teacher about wanting to someone in a position - we can learn so much on improve conditions, of power like that. It’s our own.” not for themselves as that kind of openness individuals, but for the Kezang says the that makes Bhutan such good of the country. atmosphere in Armidale a wonderful country to There’s a real sense is “highly conducive to work in.” of working for the learning”, and that the greater good, whether For their part, the climate is not unlike they’re talking about Bhutanese are northern Bhutan. appreciative of UNE’s achieving universal efforts in the country “People here are very education or protecting and pleased to take friendly. When you are the environment. It’s a advantage of UNE’s walking in the street, wonderful attitude and knowledge and resources. they always have a smile something we could Kezang Sherab, a and say, ‘Hello, how’s learn a lot from.”
13 The UNE Experience WINTER 2007
14 AUTUMN 2008 The UNE Experience
Mary turns 50
One of UNE’s oldest purpose-built residential colleges will celebrate its 50th anniversary with events in Sydney, Canberra and Armidale, writes Mary White College principal Barb Shaw.
ary White College will celebrate its silver with meals taken at Booloominbah. The shortage of jubilee in 2008, marking 50 years of fond accommodation for the 1961 academic year meant that Mmemories and outstanding achievements for several students had to be placed in houses in town, its residents. and approval was gained for the building of more student accommodation. The governor resolved that Mary White College was founded on June 10, 1957, as in planning a building to provide an additional forty one of the first purpose-built residential colleges on the places, allowances should be made for the construction campus of the University of New England. of a common room. The college opened in 1958, and was named after Miss Block 4 was officially opened with a sherry party in the Mary White of Saumarez, who was a member of the new common room on July 27, 1963. Construction of Advisory Council of what was then called the New Block 5, which included offices for the principal and England University College from its inception in 1938 secretary of the college, as well as the dining hall began until her death in 1948. in May 1967, with the official opening held on 30 March At first only six students moved into the top floor 1956. Marnie Yeates, principal of the college, reported to of Block 1 in March 1958, with neither water nor the UNE Council, that: “At last, in her 10th years Mary electricity. By Easter 1958, the ground floor rooms White is self-contained and virtually complete.” were ready and sixteen students moved in there. In It was twenty years later that Block 6 and 7 were June 1958, thirty-two students moved into Block 2, added and the Dining Hall extended to provide for although hot water was not available for a month, and the extra student numbers. No doubt those very first in November of that year, fifteen students moved in the students, remembering their curtainless windows and top floor of Block 3. half furnished rooms, would be amazed today to see The ground floor of Block 3 was completed over that the paired rooms with their own en-suites, astonished summer and a further 17 students moved into those at the sight of a telephone and Internet connection rooms for the start of the 1959 academic year. These in each room and impressed with other such things early students had no common rooms or dining hall, that today’s students take for granted, like tutorial
15 The UNE Experience AUTUMN 2008
Volunteer residents for Mary White’s Garden Day rest their weary green thumbs.
and common rooms, the The house staff of the College students raised To celebrate Mary computer lab and the college are an integral more than $6000 for the White’s milestone 50th extended administration part of the college team, Leukemia Foundation and year, there are a number facilities. which also consists of breast cancer research of events planned, the principal and two through Shave for a Cure including cocktail parties The oldest official administrative assistants. and other fundraising in Canberra (May 30), occasion is the activities. and Sydney (May 31), valedictory dinner, first The College continues to and culminating in a Today, Mary White celebrated in 1958 and be involved in the Mary weekend of activities, College is co-educational continued ever since, Bagnall and President’s including a formal and has the reputation along with the valedicts’ Trophy Intercollegiate dinner, on October 4-6. farewell gift to the Sporting Competitions of being a quiet, friendly college and the reading of and the Sir Frank Kitto college catering for all Details about these valedict’s poems. Intercollegiate Cultural ages, all nationalities functions, along with Competition, as well and all tastes. There is registration for the Other traditions that as community service an area for mature-age events, are available at continue in college are activities, including the students, an alcohol-free alumni.une.edu.au/ the chancellor’s dinner, annual gardening day zone, and an all-female events/ , or by following the commencement at Saumarez Homestead, block. There are also a the link from the Mary dinner, Christmas in where Frances Mary number of rooms for White College homepage winter, the international Fletcher White was born casual guests and visitors (www.une.edu.au/ night and the awards in 1882. to campus. campus/mary-white/). dinner. This day sees students The College provides a Many of the Mary There continue to be an from the college mow, home away from home White College Alumni involved senior common rake, trim hedges, and for about 200 residents, are “lost” and a list is room, committed to the pull weeds. the optimum number to available from the above overall “support network” ensure the collegiality webpage. If you know of the college, a junior Charitable activites also and closeness one looks where these people are, common room, resident receive the support of for in a residential college please encourage them assistants and academic Mary White residents. at the University of New to register or email the mentors. In 2007, Mary White England. college.
16 SPRING 2007 The UNE Experience
Mary White’s artistic residents bare their creative souls on Art Day.
... And getting down and dirty on Pink Day.
17 Autumn graduation UNE’s Autumn graduation ceremony saw the awarding of more than 2000 degrees, as well as the presentation of alumni and teaching awards, and an honorary doctorate.
The UNE Experience AUTUMN 2008 n international his outstanding and lawns with my mother leader in the oil significant contributions at my own graduation Aand gas industry, to the oil and gas industry, ceremony,” she said. (Her speaking during a and his active engagement mother graduated from graduation ceremony with the community Armidale Teachers’ College at the University of on many levels – from in 1929.) Going on to gain New England in April, participating in gruelling a Master’s degree from urged graduands to fund-raising events to the University of British help Australia realise its serving as Chairman of the Columbia in Canada potential leading role in South Australian Museum and a PhD from Oxford the global response to – he was presented during University in the UK, climate change. the ceremony with a UNE she found that her UNE Distinguished Alumni training had been as good John Ellice-Flint said Award. – and, in most cases, better that, by becoming “an – than that of her fellow “My time on this campus international crucible” students at those two was the best time of my My time on for the development universities. “ of renewable energy life,” he said, recalling this campus was technologies, Australia some of the internationally In another highlight of could help to “sever the renowned scientists who the ceremonies, UNE the best time of nexus between economic were his teachers, and Deputy Chancellor my life. growth and carbon how they fostered an James Harris presented emissions”. atmosphere of camaraderie an honorary degree ” with their students that of Doctor of Science Mr Ellice-Flint, a member “allowed us to grow”. to one of UNE’s most of the Council of the distinguished scientists, Altogether, more than Australian Petroleum Emeritus Professor Stuart 2,300 people (including Production and Barker. In introducing those unable to attend the Exploration Association, Professor Barker, the ceremonies) graduated and of the Energy Vice-Chancellor, Professor from UNE this autumn. Governors of the World Alan Pettigrew, said he Economic Forum, recently Besides Mr Ellice-Flint, was an “internationally retired after seven years granduands enjoyed recognised” and as Managing Director and occasional addresses from “extraordinarily Chief Executive Officer of Professor Ron McCallum, productive” scientist with SANTOS Limited. He gave Victorian Senator Kay a career in animal genetics the Occasional Address Patterson, and Dr Kerry “now spanning more than at a ceremony for people Schott, Managing Director five decades”. graduating from UNE of Sydney Water, who told “He is still very active in disciplines within the graduands to “care for in his research and Sciences and Health. the planet” and “plan for collaboration with national change”. Mr Ellice-Flint holds and international scientists a Bachelor of Science Dr Schott holds an Arts and still travels extensively (Geology) degree with degree with First Class to undertake this Honours from UNE. Honours from UNE. “Over collaboration,” Professor In recognition of 35 years ago I sat on these Pettigrew said.
18 Dr Kerry Schott, Managing Director of Sydney Water, Professor Alan Pettigrew, and Isabel Tasker, winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching.
John Ellice-Flint, recipient of the UNE Distinguished Emeritus Professor Stuart Barker, recipient of an Alumni award for 2007. honorary Doctor of Science degree, with wife Maureen.
19 myView
Australia. But imagine if you couldn’t understand what people around you were saying - or go a step further and imagine you couldn’t understand the motivations behind different interactions. For example, why is it that on Monday’s everyone repeats the phrase “did you have a good weekend?” but hardly expects a descriptive response? Why is it that people ask questions like “could you close the
The UNE Experience AUTUMN 2008 door please?” if they are really giving an order? A linguist can investigate these interesting aspects of language. But linguistic analysis can delve even deeper. In my research I look at Linguistics bridging a patterns of “information flow” in Kriol. My aim is to characterise and cultural divide describe the ways in which people manage Sophie Nicholls (pictured, right) writes about her experiences information in speech both teaching and learning in a remote NT Aboriginal community. cognitively and in terms of interaction. By information I mean the kinds of things hen I started academically – but I was communication, people discuss, for example my PhD in lucky enough to have a interpreting services and people’s names, events, 2004, I wanted wonderful mentor and Aboriginal women in W ‘new topics’ and ‘old to research Aboriginal teacher: an Elder who academia had become information’. This involves Australian languages – but spoke many languages, a cornerstone of my investigating languages in what I quickly realised was and was a keen linguist research. Today, I research natural cultural contexts. that you can’t learn about herself. She understood Kriol, a language spoken these languages just by why living in this new by hundreds, maybe My PhD has thus far reading about them. culture was difficult for thousands of Aboriginal involved adventures to me. Together we straddled So I suspended my PhD people in that area, far off places like the a great cultural divide, and for a while and went with the hope of further Australian Outback and the I learnt to speak Kriol. to live in a remote bridging the cultural divide United States, but I spend most of my day in front of Aboriginal community in This experience continues and continuing her good the computer. I examine Southeast Arnhem Land. to influence every aspect work. I often find myself the ways people use their I worked in this isolated of my research. Every year face-to-face with serious language. And I try to community as a linguist I try to spend a couple of ethical and humanitarian develop ways of describing for six months. During months visiting or working considerations, many of this language use that will this time I worked with for this community as a them well beyond the facilitate further cross- Elders on a number of linguist. I do this to keep in scope of my PhD. cultural understanding endangered Aboriginal touch with the community One of the interesting between different languages, including and to make sure my PhD things about linguistics linguistic groups. Cross- the language spoken is well guided from both is learning to think about cultural communication by most people in the cultural perspectives. different languages as community: Kriol. is an essential tool at In 2006, my mentor tools of interaction and this point in Australia’s Mostly I made tea, drove died suddenly of kidney social maintenance. It history, and I hope I can the car and learned to failure. She was not is easy to take language continue to contribute listen. I felt completely out yet 55 years old. By and interaction for to its development, both of my depth – culturally, then, her ceaseless work granted if you are a theoretically and in linguistically, and promoting intercultural native English speaker in practice.
20 alumniProfile Dr Theresa Smith-Ruig, UNE lecturer and Young Distinguished Alumni Award recipient for 2008 AUTUMN 2008 The UNE Experience
When did you graduate? I first graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce Honours (1st class) in 2000 at UNE, also receiving the university medal at that graduation. I then graduated with my PhD in 2006. What degree did you do? I specifically chose UNE as I felt the staff were going to be very helpful and accommodating of my vision impairment. The staff I met before coming to UNE had such a positive and welcoming attitude. Why did you choose UNE? My fondest memories of my time at UNE were spent living in Mary White College (one of the residential colleges). I met some fantastic friends who I am still in regular contact with today, even though they live throughout Australia. MWC had such a collegial atmosphere and I really enjoyed the myriad social events held over my four years of residency. What are your memories of UNE? After graduating from UNE I lived and worked in Sydney for 18 months in the banking industry. I then traveled overseas before returning to UNE to undertake my PhD. Whilst completing my PhD I performed some casual teaching. This made me realize that I enjoyed teaching and was interested in pursuing an academic career. I also loved the lifestyle of living in Armidale. This How has your degree helped your career? is ironic as when I first left UNE I was so looking Well my PhD has led me down the path of pursuing an forward to moving to Sydney and could not academic career. even entertain the idea of returning to Armidale. However on my return, I soon realized how Armidale What do you enjoy about your job now? offers a cosmopolitan lifestyle in a peaceful and I really enjoy teaching and trying to make a difference rural setting. in students’ lives. I remember the challenges of balancing study and lifestyle as a student so I try and What have you been up to since graduating? keep this in mind with my internal students. Since leaving UNE I have also done a lot of volunteer work; performing a number of voluntary managerial Who or what inspires you? roles in the disability sector at both a national and Through my volunteer work I have met so many international level. I am currently a director of Vision inspiring people, many of whom have had the Australia, the largest provider of blindness and low challenge of living in third world countries with a vision services in Australia. disability and little social and governmental support. My volunteer work has provided me with the It has made me realize how truly lucky we are here opportunity to travel overseas to participate in, as in Australia and how blessed my own life has been well as run seminars and leadership workshops in with positive, supportive and tolerant people towards Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, and I will be my own vision impairment. traveling to Switzerland later this year. The experience has enriched my life, broadened my knowledge and What are your plans for the future? cultural appreciation for others. I plan to continue living and working in Armidale.
21 inPrint Painting a ‘rich and Campus Calendar evocative portrait’ Events t’s as if I am slowly u MAY 11-13 u JULY 24 & 25 sinking in the water, Come and see what Mid-year just occasionally I UNE has to offer at orientation. making it back to the its display at Wool top for a gulp of air u Expo, Australia’s JULY 31 - to a sort of memory of Celebration of premier wool event what life can be - what Sharing (UNE’s life SHOULD be - and u MAY 22 annual charity then down down down appeal) begins. I go again. And each Scholarships
The UNE Experience AUTUMN 2008 Presentation Dinner, time the surfacing gets u OCTOBER where scholarship harder and harder and The Children of donors will meet with requires a greater feat of NEUC: a social recipients and their will, kicking and turning history display parents at this annual and fighting against the will be mounted at undertow...” event. Dixson Library, UNE, The only child of two famous but self-absorbed artists, u MAY 31 Armidale. For more Zelda Steele is adopted by her parent’s patrons when The SACUNE Alumni information visit: she is just a baby. Great things are expected of this Association Annual http://alumni.une.edu. privileged young woman, but at twenty- seven Zelda is Dinner will take au/event/display. dead, leaving two young children and a body of work place in Adelaide. that only hints at her promise. For more information For more information about these or any Years later, Zelda’s daughter Ruth returns to her visit: http://alumni. other general UNE childhood home to find the diaries her mother is une.edu.au/event/ events email events@ rumoured to have kept. What they reveal will send Ruth sacunead on a journey into the past - and transform her future in une.edu.au, phone ways she can’t even begin to imagine. u JUNE 7 (02) 6773 3955, or High school students visit http://calendar. Weaving together the narratives of three very different une.edu.au. women, living in vastly different times, The Steele from throughout the Diaries paints a rich and evocative portrait of the region will hear a For information Sydney art scene from the thirties to the seventies, and series of inspirational about reunions and examines the eternal conflict between maternity and lectures at the Step other alumni-specific creativity, motherhood and self. to the Future youth events, please visit forum, hosted by http://alumni.une.edu. Wendy James is a research assistant and sometime lecturer UNE. au/events. at UNE. Her first novel, Out of the Silence, won the Ned Kelly Award for first crime novel and was shortlisted for the Nita May Dobbie Award for women’s writing. Out of the Silence was described by Sydney Morning Herald reviewer Mindy Laube as a “stunning debut” and “that rare novel in which a gripping story is underlaid alumni.une.edu.au by a fully realised ethical framework”. “James has a rich appreciation for the depth and n keep in touch with your peers breadth of feminine sensibility, which she conveys in n make new friends transparent, naturalistic prose,” wrote Ms Laube. The novel “flows ever so gently, its deceptively smooth n find career information surface powered by a compelling narrative”. n know what’s happening at UNE Her short stories and articles have been published in literary journals, magazines and newspapers. n share your UNE experience Wendy lives in Armidale NSW with her husband Visit http://alumni.une.edu.au to register. Registration and children. is open to alumni, students, past and present staff. The Steele Diaries is published by Random House.
22 Know someone who deserves a distinguished alumni award?
Recognising our outstanding alumni The title of Distinguished Graduate Fellow of the University may be conferred upon distinguished UNE gives a number of awards each year to alumni who have a continuing association with outstanding alumni in recognition of their service to the University and who display outstanding the university, their professions and the community. personal qualities and an active interest in the success of UNE. The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to alumni who display outstanding leadership, Know someone who meets these criteria? professional and human qualities; and contribute If you know somebody you think deserves one of to their profession, business or community at local, these awards, why not nominate them? national or international levels. You can find details of how to nominate, who is The Young Distinguished Alumni Award is eligible to nominate, and who is eligible to receive presented to alumni aged 30 or younger who these awards at: demonstrate outstanding professional achievements http://alumni.une.edu.au/?distinguished or community involvement and are likely to be an inspiration to the next generation of graduates and or contact the Alumni Relations Officer on (02) 6773 3365. the community at large. Nominations close July 31, 2008.
‘The UNE experience stays with you for life.’ l Bachelor of Advanced Science with Honours l Bachelor of Music l Bachelor of Agriculture/Bachelor of Business l Bachelor of Psychological Science l Bachelor of Biomedical Science l Bachelor of Theatre Studies l Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) l Graduate Certificate in Accounting l Bachelor of Communication Studies with Honours l Graduate Certificate in World Religions l Bachelor of Criminology l Graduate Diploma in Acute Care Nursing l Bachelor of GeoScience l Graduate Diploma in Accounting l Bachelor of International Studies with Honours l Master of Business Research l Bachelor of Marine Science and Management l Master of Business Research with Honours l Bachelor of Medicine - Joint Medical Program l Postgradute Diploma in Psychology
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