Vol. 23 No. 1 Semester 1 (2012)
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InPrincipio in the beginning The University of Notre Dame australia magazine Volume 23 - Semester ONE 2012 CONTENTS From the Vice Chancellor 1 University News 2 Life at Notre Dame – One Day in May 10 Fremantle School of Education celebrates its 20th anniversary 12 Science students advance sustainability in irrigated horticulture 14 Business graduate’s ‘talent and drive’ rewarded 16 Lecturer recognised by peak body 17 World’s longest study of pregnancy and birth cohort 18 National recognition for the Academic Enabling and Support Centre 20 Canon Law scholar appointed 6th Bishop of Toowoomba Law/Arts student recognised for commitment to Indigenous issues 21 Nursing graduate develops tool to improve patient care 22 Signifi cant research grant for Professor of Palliative Nursing 23 New program for gifted and talented students 24 Partnerships key to graduating excellent physiotherapists 26 Rewarding results for research focus 28 Scholarship provides hope for a better future 29 Exceptional generosity provides opportunities for Theology students Cover: Bachelor of Nursing student, Kristina Houteas’s One Day in May entry. Photograph is of the fountain located on the Sydney Campus (Broadway). 1 FROM THE VICE CHANCELLOR On 21 March this year, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, was installed as the sixth Archbishop of Perth. In his inspirational homily, His Grace invited us all “to continually ask [yourself] the question: Where is Jesus in what I am doing?” He encouraged all of us who work in Catholic educational institutions to be motivated by these words: “The greatest challenge facing my school or college, university or seminary, the greatest challenge facing me in my classroom or lecture hall, is to return this place to Christ and return Christ to his rightful place.” These words echo the invitation of all Australian Bishops to us to “contemplate the face of Christ” in this Year of Grace gifted to us. In the day-to-day reality of life at Notre Dame, there are many times when we might fi nd it diffi cult to see, recognise or acknowledge the Face of Christ. As I sit in meetings, which are sometimes long and occasionally heated, it is more likely that I am battling impatience and frustration than contemplating the Face of Christ. When someone has parked in my car bay, albeit unwittingly, Grace is not the fi rst thing I think of, nor, if truth be told, what I exhibit. For our staff and students, the Face of Christ might appear to be well hidden in those moments when the email system falters, when assignments are due, when marking is due, when disputes arise, during exam weeks, when the processes take too long... Despite all of these irritations, the truth is that those of us who work in Catholic educational institutions are truly blessed with much Grace. It is not diffi cult to “contemplate the face of Christ” when engaging with people – young and old – who are seeking knowledge, understanding, enlightenment. Teachers and educators at all levels, from primary school to university all understand the beauty of the light bulb moment – that moment when students understand something that had previously eluded them. These moments are pure joy: a moment in which the face of Jesus, the glance of Truth itself, radiates from the students and the teachers in unity. For us at Notre Dame to accept the invitation of the Australian Bishops and to make our University a place of Grace this year, we need to rise above the temptation towards negativity. We need to resist the temptation to triumph in the negative, resist the urge to assume the worst and abandon the glass half empty approach to life. To assist us in this challenge, we are blessed that we can seek inspiration from Mary, after whom this University is named. Holy Mary, ‘full of Grace’ had a hard and unusual life but kept her eyes always on the face of her Son, sought to follow him and take guidance from him for all daily tasks. Mary, Seat of Wisdom, Pray for us. In March 2012, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Professor Celia Hammond Celia Hammond, welcomed Archbishop Barry Hickey and Archbishop-Designate Timothy Costelloe SDB to the Fremantle Campus. 2 UNIVERSITY NEWS Honorary Doctorate awarded for outstanding contribution For the fi rst time in the University’s was Group Director Medical Services history, the December graduation at St John of God Health Care and ceremonies for the Fremantle from 2009 he has been their Consultant Campus were held at St Mary’s Medical Advisor. Cathedral located in the heart of Professor Michael has been involved the Perth CBD. with the University since 2000, when Over three days, approximately 900 he became a foundation member of the graduands, along with their families and School of Medicine Advisory Board. He academic staff, gathered at the beautiful was appointed Chair of the Advisory and extensively renovated Cathedral. Board and Governor of the University in 2001, and a Director in 2005. Professor As part of the celebrations, Professor Michael has played a pivotal role in the Constantine Agapitos (Con) Michael development of the Medical School. AO, was awarded an Honorary Degree The Honorary Degree was awarded in of Doctor of Laws. recognition of his service to the Medical Professor Michael is a practising profession and to the University. obstetrician and gynaecologist. During the course of his professional career he has worked at the University College London Hospital and King Edward Professor Con Michael with Memorial Hospital for Women where his Honorary Degree. he was Head of Obstetrics between 1991 – 1996. From 2000 to 2009 he Broome student wins prestigious national teaching scholarship A mature age Education student “The most important thing for me is In 2011, Ms Davis became the fi rst at the Broome Campus has been that the children in the Kimberley have Indigenous student to win the Vice awarded the highly acclaimed a teacher who lives in their community Chancellor’s Medal in the School of Governor-General’s Indigenous and can act as role model for them. Education for her excellent academic Student Teachers Scholarship for “To have the opportunity to teach in achievement. She also received the Western Australia. Broome and the surrounding Dampier Student of the Year Award at the 2011 Peninsula is extremely special as I am Kullari NAIDOC Awards held in Broome. Sharon Davis, currently in the third surrounded by my people and my culture year of her Bachelor of Education K-7 – two things very close to my heart.” degree, said she was humbled at being announced as WA’s scholarship recipient. The scholarship is provided annually to one Aboriginal and Torres Strait She travelled from Broome to accept Islander student from each Australian the scholarship from the Governor- state through the Federal Government’s General of Australia, Ms Quentin Bryce Department of Education, Employment AC CVO, in Canberra in June. and Workplace Relations. Ms Davis, a Bardi woman from the Each scholarship is worth up to Kimberley region of Western Australia, $25,000 per annum for a maximum currently juggles her full-time study period of four years and aims to commitments with raising a family. provide fi nancial support for student “I am extremely honoured and teachers in their progression to future privileged to receive this prestigious employment. One of the award’s scholarship; it means so much to me objectives is to increase the number and my family,” Ms Davis said. of quality Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teachers in Australian schools. Sharon Davis accepts the Governor- General’s Indigenous Student Teachers Scholarship for Western Australia from Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO. Photo courtesy of Government House, Canberra. Dean of the School of Medicine, Sydney, Professor Christine Bennett, gives Nicola Roxon and Tanya Plibersek a lesson in CPR during the offi cial tour of the new clinical school with the Vice Chancellor, Professor Celia Hammond; Mercy Hospital CEO, Stephen Cornelissen and Chairman, Julien O’Connell. Government invests $11 million in new Victorian medical clinical school Federal Health Minister, Tanya Ms Plibersek said the Gillard “The new School further strengthens Plibersek, offi cially opened Government had invested $11.2 million Notre Dame’s presence in Victoria and the University’s purpose-built to construct the School, which will will make a valuable contribution to the Melbourne Clinical School at support the education, training and medical needs of the local community. Werribee, Victoria, in February. clinical placement of up to 80 Notre The building will also support the clinical Dame medical students. education unit at Werribee Mercy Vice Chancellor, Professor Celia Hospital which provides training for Hammond, hosted a visit by Ms Plibersek “This is a cutting edge Medical School, nurses and allied health professionals,” and the Federal Attorney-General, Nicola which includes teaching, training and Professor Hammond said. Roxon, to the latest addition to the research facilities that will play an University’s medical facilities. important role in training our future The 2,145m2 School, located on the medical workforce,” Ms Plibersek said. Werribee Mercy Hospital campus, includes a lecture theatre, tutorial rooms, She said the School was delivered clinical skills area, student common through the Government’s Health room, dry laboratory spaces, offi ce and Hospital Fund—the single largest space, library and consulting rooms. ever investment in national health The Victorian Government provided the infrastructure, with $4.5 billion allocated land for the School, valued at to 148 projects so far. $2 million. “By locating clinical teaching facilities in Notre Dame’s medical school outer Melbourne, the Government has curriculum focusses on ambulatory ensured Victorians are given greater models of care and the multi-skilling access to a locally trained health of staff in teams; the building design workforce which understands the therefore includes teaching rooms needs of the region,” Ms Plibersek said.