Australian Catholic U niversity i1 The Chronicle

VOLUME 10 NUMBER 1 WINTER 2001

G.a,.GLiC UNIVERSITY

2 0 JUN 2001 And Now We Are 10!MACI'ILLC? CYUPUS

has reached a Victoria, ACT and Queensland. A total of Features very important 24,635 students have graduated since 1991. ACU milestone - our Student numbers have grown to 10th 'birthday'. 10,400 and those students can choose Page 3 Australian Catholic University (ACU) from 110 courses - almost double the 67 The Future For ACU commenced formally on January 1,1991. that were on offer in 1991. Page 4 Ten years on we can reflect on our ACU was formally proclaimed at a Vice-Chancellor's foundations, our achievements and our colourful inauguration ceremony at Message plans for the future. Sydney Town Hall on April 23,1992. The Page 5 The first academic year began on occasion was the biggest gathering of Archbishop Pell's February 18, 1991. Most of the 7500 academics and Catholic clergy in the his­ Strong Ties With ACU students came from eight colleges that tory of education in Australia, with one were amalgamated to form the nucleus Cardinal, five other Archbishops and 18 Page 8 x of the new university. Bishops taking part in the inauguration. Get A Life! In 2001 ACU has expanded to become Cardinal Edward Clancy, in accepting Page 9 a truly national university. We have six appointment as Foundation Chancellor, The Touring Blake campuses located throughout NSW, said establishment of Australian Catholic

3lg qn Page 1 chdo University would bring Catholic principles fully accredited and entirely independent the Governor-General Sir William Deane and attitudes into the University arena and member of the Unified National System an honorary degree as Doctor of the subject them to public and searching of Higher Education in Australia. In the University in recognition of his extraordi­ analysis. same year, degrees and diplomas were nary contribution to the Australian 'A Catholic University enables the established on a uniform and university­ community. His commitment to the Catholic point of view to enter fully, wide basis, supported by common process of Aboriginal reconciliation and publicly and equally into the great Academic Regulations, a common other social justice issues is particularly debate of our time, where that point of Student Code of Conduct and a common relevant to the Mission of ACU. academic calendar. view will stand or fall on its own intrinsic An Australian Catholic University merits', he said. An Australian University The University's first five year Strategic An important aspect of ACU's Development Plan was released by A vision realised 'Australian-ness' is our philosophical and Professor Drake in 1995. Its aim was to Ten years ago, it was expressed by the practical commitment to Australia's ensure that the University's Mission and University's Foundation Vice-Chancellor, indigenous people. objectives were met. It made special Professor Peter Drake, that the University, In 1998, the University Senate formally commitment to those aspects that in goodwill and with determination and adopted a policy for the University of identified the University as distinctly practice, would become a great university. total commitment to the process of Catholic. It aimed to be: reconciliation with our indigenous A new 10 year Strategic Plan was Australian - in community service population. On a practical level, the developed by Professor Peter Sheehan in and in an open, tolerant and relaxed, University has a strong commitment to 1998, shortly after he was appointed as style. providing educational opportunities to the University's second Vice-Chancellor. Catholic - in visible commitment and indigenous students. In 1999 enrolments Many key elements of the new Strategic example, and in respect of guiding the of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan emphasise the Catholic nature of the total development of students. students rose to the highest level ever, University. with more than 200 attending on a full or University - in being a self-governing In particular, the Strategic Plan affirms part-time basis. academic community in pursuit of that the University identifies with the excellence and characterised by free­ The University's new Mission, which Catholic Tradition and its beliefs, while dom of enquiry and expression, and was endorsed and approved by the reserving the right to comment on them, with broad and international vision. Senate in August 1998, states that a and to allow for a variety of theological, In our first decade ACU has well- 'fundamental concern for justice and institutional and cultural expressions fulfilled this vision. equity, and for the dignity of all human within the University. beings' guides all of the University's The Plan also highlights the A University endeavours. While not a uniquely University's responsibility for instilling Our status as an independent, quality Australian philosophy, it is one that the the values and principles of justice in its university is well established. University strives to instill in all of its students and in equipping them with the One of the highlights of our first ten students. skills to exercise moral and professional autonomy in a pluralistic society.

Above: Cardinal Edward Clancy congratulates Sir Bernard Callinan, right, recipient of ACU's first honorary degree, which was conferred at ACU's inauguration ceremony in 1992. Left: The face of ACU in 2001: students from St Patrick's Campus. The Future For ACU

The future of ACU lies in achieving our Mission. The Mission The next ten years, and those which Australian Catholic University shares with the universities world-wide follow, will undoubtedly be ones of great a commitment to quality in teaching, research, and service. It aspires to change within our community and with­ in the much wider human community of be a community characterised by free inquiry and academic integrity. which we are part. The University's inspiration, located within 2000 years of Catholic ACU's current Ten Year Strategic intellectual tradition, summons it to attend to all that is of concern Plan, which guides the University's to human beings. It brings a distinctive spiritual perspective to the future until 2008, clearly defines the common tasks of higher education. principles that will take us through the coming decade. Through fostering and advancing knowledge in education, health, Our students, graduates and staff will commerce, the humanities, the sciences and technologies, and the all share in the challenge of achieving creative arts, Australian Catholic University seeks to make a specific the ACU Mission and in meeting their contribution to its local, national and international communities. own dreams and goals of personal and The University explicitly engages the social, ethical and religious professional achievement. dimensions of the questions it faces in teaching and research, and The University will continue to grow, service. In its endeavours, it is guided by a fundamental concern for both structurally and academically. justice and equity, and for the dignity of all human beings. In 2003 we will celebrate the opening of the new Banyo Campus in Brisbane, Australian Catholic University has a primary responsibility to provide which will cater for 2000 students and 200 staff. excellent higher education for its entire diversified and dispersed student body. Its ideal graduates will be highly competent in their We will also see continued growth in our six Flagships: Early Christian chosen fields, ethical in their behaviour, with a developed critical habit Studies; Educational Leadership; of mind, an appreciation of the sacred in life, and a commitment to Lifelong Learning; Palliative Care; serving the common good. Spiritual, Moral and Religious Education; and Youth Studies. Each Flagship is making a significant contribution to the University's profile within the national and international academic community and within the broader community in which we all Ten Year Celebrations share. More than 120 current and former ACU staff attended the Mount Saint Mary Campus celebrations. Pictured at right are Ms Belinda Marsden- Celebrations commemorating ACU's Smedley, Student Administration, and tenth anniversary will be held on Professor Tony d'Arbon, School of campuses throughout the year. Educational Leadership, enjoying the memories evoked by a display of photos MacKillop, Mount Saint Mary and St and memorabilia celebrating our 10 year Patrick's Campuses held celebrations history. early in 2001. A 10th birthday cake was cut by former Celebrations by other campuses will be staff member Agnes Burke, School of reported in later issues of The Education (NSW), who was celebrating Chronicle. her 70th birthday. Page 3 Vice-Chancellor's Message

precisely in its Mission statement. The have to have the debate. Mission statement of ACU adds an The University has entered into the important feature to learning and the dialogue about euthanasia from inside tasks of higher education, namely, the our own Plunkett Centre and outside it. significance of a spiritual perspective. We are also associated with an excellent That perspective extends beyond the issue on business, ethics and education study of particular disciplines - be they that should have large currency in both theology, philosophy, social science, the educational and business sector. We nursing studies, or religious education. have been recognised by Government for It embraces concerns for the individual, our expertise in Lifelong Learning. From ethics and the sacred in our existence. the last two have come invitations to Ten years from our foundation, it defines have further discussion on the issues. our critical place in Catholic higher Several major organisations are talk­ education in this country. ing to us about establishing strategic As I travelled from campus to campus alliances with them. Shortly, we plan to Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Sheehan. earlier in the year to attend commence­ enter into one such alliance, which will ment ceremonies, I listened carefully to involve our own staff, an external consul­ what students and staff were saying. I was tancy firm, and an overseas university, his is a special year for all our struck by how many express pride in the to mount special adult-education courses campuses as we celebrate ACU's University and its achievements and by in business that should attract strong tenth anniversary. Across all T the genuine sense of enthusiasm in the air. interest from the business community. If campuses we are celebrating in some These words tell me something special that is successful, we will extend this highly imaginative ways. about our tenth anniversary. Since we initiative elsewhere into other cities, for The first mention of a Catholic became a University in 1991, we have other areas of learning, and to other university in Australia was as far back moved from being an institution trying corners of ACU's unique environment. as 1885. Cardinal Moran, Archbishop of to find its way to an institution others are When we talk about potential, we Sydney, spoke then of his dream in taking notice of and a place of learning must, of course, formulate achievable terms of 'United Australia would want a that is a force to be reckoned with. targets. This has been done, and our university' (though, he thought, just a I believe we have passed from a time priorities are being reformulated for the theological one). when we were being inquisitive to a time future. Fifty years ago, on March 1, 1951, when the mantle of maturity is upon us. Marketing is important for us, as is Premier Mr McGirr announced that State Searching for wisdom and maturity are locating our distinctiveness: the last two Cabinet approved the foundations of a particularly demanding goals, but are obviously related. We need to grow Catholic University and that enabling essential ones for us to pursue. In a sense, our research culture further; pursue our legislation was to be introduced into also, we have passed from dependency special expertise in quality professional parliament that would be received to independence, from youth to adult­ training; and, of course, reduce our high warmly by the community, particularly hood, from searching for an identity to dependency on Government income, by those interested in the promotion of finding one, and from a certain naivete to so that we have flexibility for fresh higher studies. locating more wisdom. initiatives. All this means that our people A little over forty years later, the What are some of the signs of these are very busy, but I sense that knowledge anticipated event finally took place and things occurring? People rail against us of our achievements is in the air. ACU became a reality. The realisation of in some political exchanges, which means I express my deep gratitude to all the extension of Cardinal Moran's dream, we have a place and are seen to have it. those who are working with me to help however, came well over a century after We have important public debates that realise the goals we have set ourselves. his words. For many reasons, the separa­ have sparked a response from the com­ Finally, I would like to offer my tion of ACU from mainstream universi­ munity. Some examples of these are our personal congratulations to the Most ties has taken a long time to happen and, East Timor debate, jointly sponsored Reverend George Pell, President of our for the last ten years, it has been achieved conversations about the Eucharist, our Company, on his appointment as the new uniquely through our status as a public, discussion of 'Faith and Reason', the ten­ Archbishop of Sydney. but Catholic, University. sion of the gap between work and play ACU has given, and is giving, and the role of spirituality in defining that detailed consideration to its Catholic gap. There is censorship, its restrictions Peter Sheehan character and defines that identity and its lessons for freedom and why we Vice-Chancellor

Page 4 New Archbishop For Sydney

The President of ACU, His Grace Dr Pell, born in 1941, was ordained Most Reverend George Pell, has been a priest in 1966 and has been a bishop appointed by His Holiness, Pope John since 1987. He has been Archbishop of Paul II, as the eighth Archbishop of Melbourne since 1996. Sydney. Dr Pell replaces His Eminence The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Cardinal Edward Clancy, who resigned Sheehan, has welcomed the Archbishop as Archbishop for reasons of age. in his new role and has extended to him Cardinal Clancy was the inaugural the best wishes of all at ACU. Chancellor of ACU. Archbishop Pell Has Strong Ties With ACU

Archbishop Pell's contribution to ACU's foundation Professor of Moral ACU has been enormous and stretches Philosophy. back many years before the University's Archbishop Pell's second major con­ formal establishment. His achievements tribution to ACU is enshrined within our on behalf of the University have been history. From 1974 to 1984 he was wide-ranging and exceptional. Founding Director of Aquinas Campus Three contributions immediately and in this position he led several signifi­ spring to mind when reviewing the cant developments, including renovation Archbishop's association with ACU. and building programs. One cannot go past his extraordinary In recognition of his work, Burke generosity to the Univeristy. He has been House was named to honour his mother. active in his encouragement of St The Pell Centre, which was built when Patrick's campus and, as Archdiocesan nursing studies were added to the Aquinas leader, his financial assistance has curriculum in 1987, was also named to contributed to the University's welfare honour his contributions to the campus. in so many tangible ways. During the early 1980s Archbishop His help to St Patrick's has extended Pell also held the joint position of Principal of the Institute of Catholic beyond the physical aspects of the the University's ethos and to the princi­ Education. For these, and many other campus and its surrounds to embrace ples of social justice.He has alsways been reasons, he has a very special affection our senior academic establishment. an active and courageous spokesperson for the University's Aquinas Campus. Significantly, for example, he has been on matters of major moral and social jus­ heavily involved financially and other­ Archbishop Pell was also the first tice relevance. These have included wise in supporting the appointment of Pro-Chancellor of the University and is euthenasia, homosexuality, abortion and currently President of drug abuse. It is also widely known that Australian Catholic he has championed the cause of adequate University Limited. public housing in Melbourne. Archbishop Pell's third With ACU's St Patrick's Campus now outstanding contribution to placed in an environment with substan­ the University is germane tial social need, Archbishop Pell has been to the vision and outreach acutely aware of our significance and the of this institution. He has important role ACU can play in the a fierce commitment to future of Melbourne. The congratulations of all within the Archbishop Pell (left) with ACU community are extended to Cardinal Clancy, who he replaces Archbishop Pell on his appointment as as Archbishop of Sydney. Archbishop of Sydney. Page 5 Associate Professor Pam Gibbons, Head of the School of Business (NSW) says, The ACU/William Blue School Hotel Management partnership program allows students to develop competencies relevant to future . .. with ACU & William Blue employment in the management of international hotels and resorts. The program aims to develop tertiary-level business skills focussed on managerial ACU has signed a partnership studies over four years, in which case decision-making, business and personal program with the William Blue they commence their ACU studies only leadership, and the ethics of value-based International Hotel Management School after completing their William Blue management.' to offer international students the oppor­ Diploma course. The degree program's first student tunity to obtain a Bachelor of Hotel The course is offered on a full-time, intake was in February 2001. A second Management degree by taking a course on-campus, face-to-face basis, and is course entry opportunity will be offered through both institutions. only available to international students. in July 2001. For course information The degree program is structured The William Blue course component and entry requirements contact the over three to four years. Students will requires students to undertake one School of Business and Informatics on undertake William Blue's Diploma in semester of industry experience. (02) 9739 2313. Hospitality Management and Advanced Diploma in International Hotel and Resort Management courses, while con­ currently completing Business Studies Signing the ACU/William Blue partner­ subjects at ACU. ship agreement are (back, l. to. r.) Professor The three or four year course program John Coll, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research offers plenty of flexibility for students. It and International) and M r Richard Doyle, can be structured to allow students to University Secretary, with Ms Jenny complete the course in three years, with Hannan, Head of School, Billy Blue Schools their third year being full-time at ACU. and Mr Bruce McKenzie, Chief Executive, Alternatively, students can spread their Billy Blue Group.

On-line Study For Teachers

We all face the constant challenge of communication technology. keeping apace with the rapidly changing The course is delivered on-line, world of information and communication giving students greater control over technology. No sooner do we learn which when and where they study. This is an button to press, than the button is moved! important feature for students who must For school teachers, the demand is balance their teaching commitments with doubled. They must come to grips with their own study loads. the technology and its constant changes Mr Anthony Camillos, ICT Manager and then use their own knowledge to Curriculum, CEO Sydney, says, give their students the essential under­ 'Professional development is a key standing and skills to master the technol­ priority of the CEO. Our collaboration ogy for themselves. with ACU ensures teachers have the A group of 20 school teachers from opportunity to keep up with the ICT the Archdiocese of Sydney are a step best customs and practice.' ahead of many others as they commence Dr Martin Maguire, Senior Lecturer their second year of studies at ACU. in the School of Education (NSW) at These teachers are enrolled in the ACU's Mount Saint Mary Campus said, 'The Postgraduate Certificate of Information challenge in the unit is to create a virtual and Communication Technology. learning community of learners. Pictured are teachers undertaking the The course is a special program 'Engaging in learning on-line, using Postgraduate Certificate of Information and supported by the Sydney Catholic state-of-the-art learning paradigms, Communications Technology with ACU and Education Office (CEO) to meet the allows students to reflect upon their Sydney CEO personnel who met in February professional development needs of experience and evaluate its effectiveness to discuss the ICT program for 2001. teachers in the area of information and in their own teaching situations.'

Page 6 tutorials together, so that the school Hey! This Could Be Me! student gains an idea of the course. Year 11 and 12 students may also take ACU units that count towards their For many school students, continuing The schools involved with the project Higher School Certificate. 'Unilink' their education at university is never are Christ Catholic College (Clare, Loyaia courses have already been successfully seen as an option they could or would and St Agnes Campuses), Emmaus operating before this project commenced. want to pursue. They have no experience Catholic College and St Paul's College. Ms Wendy Moran, Pilot Co-ordinator of universities and the opportunities they A variety of strategies is used to of the project for 2000, said there has provide and no role models who can increase students' awareness of the been very positive feedback and the share their own university experiences. choices available to them beyond school. schools appear to be delighted with the ACULink, an innovative project initiative. 'It gives the schools a link Goal Setting Workshops are run for being conducted by ACU during 2001, with a university profile within their Year 7 and 8 students to encourage them could change this for some school community and will hopefully enable to consider what their career future might students. The project encourages them to students to focus on important goals.' be. Year 9 students are shown a video broaden their life choices by considering produced by ACU titled You Can Too university as a post-school option. which reinforces the importance of ACULink provides opportunities for setting goals for their future. school students to increase their aware­ Year 10 students get a 'hands-on' feel ness of what university life involves, for what it is like to be at university to develop a clearer understanding of when they spend a full day on Mount the range of options for further study Saint Mary Campus. available to them after Year 12, and to undertake University units of study in Role modelling is provided for Year their last years of school. 11 students. This involves small groups of The project was established as a school students being given the chance to pilot project in 2000. It is funded by the talk with someone who attended their Equity and Equal Opportunity Unit of school and is now enrolled at ACU. ACU was the place for us! the University in collaboration with Year 11 and 12 students are able to Recent ACU graduates who are now Parramatta Catholic Education Office 'Shadow' an ACU student. Here, a school teaching in primary schools in the and is based on one that has been operat­ student pairs with an ACU student Archdiocese of Sydney, pictured with ing at the University of Newcastle for the studying in a faculty of interest to the Br Kelvin Canavan, Executive Director of last six years. school student. They attend lectures and Schools, Catholic Education Office, Sydney.

Making Homework Meaningful

During the first semester of this year, between Christ Catholic College and five fourth year students in the Bachelor ACU, with funding from the Catholic of Education program at Mount Saint Education Office and support from local Mary Campus worked with a group businesses. of Year 10 students from four junior Dr Ted Nettle, Lecturer, School of campuses of Christ Catholic College in Education (NSW) at ACU, told The an innovative after school homework Chronicle, 'We are currently evaluating Rebecca Crowe, 4th year ACU student and support program. the program, looking at changes in Jonathon Malaihollo, Clare College Year 10 The program aimed to extend the students' attitudes to homework, school student, working on Jonathon's homework. school students' literacy skills and and self esteem. We are also evaluating improve the quality of their homework. the students' ability to plan homework, Lecturer in the School of Education The ACU students served as mentors to analyse the meaning of homework (NSW) at ACU. to the school students, guiding them in questions, to write essays and the quality 'It gives them an opportunity to get their homework for all subjects. The ACU of homework completed'. to know the students as individuals not students were provided with strategies to Both school students and BEd just as a class, or a block of faces.' assist the school students in developing students have benefited from their It is hoped that the pilot program will their skills. The challenge was to select experience with the program. gain further support from the local busi­ strategies to suit the needs of individual 'It's wonderful for ACU students to ness community so that it can become a students. work with school students on a one-to- continuing feature of ACU’s relationship The program is a collaboration one basis', said Ms Maya Cranitch, with schools in the Mt Druitt area.

Page 7 This is a very personal thing, some­ thing surely of the soul ... the lack of dis­ cussion is especially concerning and Get A Life! ought to demand attention', she said. Ms Doogue noted although working hours had gradually reduced throughout much of the 20th century, from the early How often do we hear that short, modern, theological position on and offer 1980s they began to increase. The ACTU sharp phrase? useful guidance about. estimates that 60% of Australians now work unpaid overtime - the equivalent of It's part of the patois of our time - 'Generally I find stunning silence 300,000 fulltime jobs. a witty, if somewhat derisory, 'throw on the issue of how contemporary away' line. But journalist/broadcaster individual believers might approach the Where's The Balance? Geraldine Doogue believes it offers question of living a good life balanced 'The work/life balance is now the profoundly important advice. between work, family (or commitments major unsolved problem and there is a to others) and one's own search. It means restore balance; ensure some sense the family is losing the battle', Ms fun, joy; take time to 'chill out'; take Doogue said. time to keep things in perspective, A National Work/Life Forum in the which was not necessarily an UK in 1998 found the issues were com­ absolute thing. plex, and there was too much at stake to allow erosion of what was valued most dearly - our relationships, families and belief in what is important in our lives. 'These issues challenge our willing­ ness to change and pose fundamental questions for all of us', Ms Doogue said. 'The inevitablism (sic) about working commitments is particularly insidious. Finding the balance between work, family and There are always solutions, we may just one's own spiritual search poses great questions not like them', she said. and challenges for each individual When challenged to 'Get A Life' different cultures and generations would respond differently. These thoughts were offered by Ms Doogue when 'With an internationalised business she delivered the Lenten culture on the march, I really think it Lecture 2001, titled Spirituality behoves us to try to articulate what, up and Work - The Debate We Have until recently, have been implicit under­ to Have, on Ash Wednesday. standings about what's acceptable com­ mitment and acceptable ambition; and Ms Doogue is presenter of how one sells the challenge of building ABC Radio National's Life on one's stock of talents without tram­ Matters and ABC Television's pling on others', Ms Doogue said. Compass programs, both of which have pioneered coverage of pat­ terns of major social change in Australian society. Professor Peter Sheehan, Vice- Chancellor, in introducing Ms Doogue, said she believed the Church needed to define, and re-discover, its true context; Geraldine Doogue with and that the Church and the University (from left) Chancellor Br. Julian McDonald, cfc, needed to unite to communicate the right Pro-Vice-Chancellor images to the world. (Research and In her address, Ms Doogue said International) Professor spirituality and work were riddled with John Coll, and Vice- tension between competing principles. Chancellor Professor Peter Sheehan. 'The Church - churches generally - have simply left this one alone. It's (an issue which is) too hard to form a

Page 8 The Touring Blake

Twenty artworks from the 2000 Blake on show. The exhibition which will travel Prize For Religious Art began a 13 month around Australia until January 2002 - tour of Australia on January 18 at the The Touring Blake - comprises 20 works ACU Gallery, Mount Saint Mary from the main exhibition. Among these Campus. are Frances Bell Parker's 'The Journey', The Blake Society, which is named winner of the 2000 Blake Prize. after the artist and poet William Blake, The Touring Blake was open to the aims to encourage contemporary artists public at the ACU Gallery until February to explore the spiritual in art. The Society 18. It was supplemented by a series of has awarded an annual prize since Saturday Afternoon Gallery Talks which 1951 for an artwork with a religious or explored themes relating to William spiritual theme. In 1999 ACU agreed to Blake, art and spirituality. sponsor the Blake Prize for three years, The Touring Blake will be on commencing in 2000. display at ACU's St Patrick's Campus, The 2000 Blake Prize opened at the Melbourne, in October, 2001. SH Ervin Gallery in Sydney in November last year with 60 works of art

The Touring Blake Professor Chris Peterson, Chair, The Blake 2001/2002 Society; Ms Judith Carroll, Lecturer, School of Arts and Sciences (NSW); Cr Viginia New Norcia, Judge, Mayor, Strathfield Council; and Ms Western Australia Ellen Waugh, Executive Director, The Blake May 20 - September 16. 2001 Society at the opening of the Travelling Blake Exhibition at the ACU Gallery, Mount Saint Australian Catholic Mary Campus. University At left:Erances Bell Parker's 'The Journey'. St Patrick's Campus, Melbourne October 15 - October 26, 2001 The accreditation documentation and meeting was coordinated by Associate Carnegie Gallery, Professor Pam Gibbons, Head of the Hobart School of Business and Informatics November 9 - January 13, 2002 (NSW) and Mrs Alanah Kazlauskas, Bachelor of Information Systems Course Coordinator, School of Business and Information Systems Informatics (NSW). As a result of this classification, Courses Come Of Age graduates of the programs are eligible for Associate Membership of the ACS. ACU's Information Systems • Bachelor of Information Those graduates who already have courses have reached a milestone in their Systems industry experience may be eligible for development by attaining Professional • Bachelor of Business Studies Professional Membership of the ACS. level accreditation from the Australian (Information Systems major) ACS works to promote the impor­ Computer Society (ACS). The accreditation was granted to tance of professional competence and ACS has conferred its highest level of the University after a meeting between ethics in all work associated with infor­ accreditation on four ACU Information the accreditation panel and ACU mation technology. The Department of Systems study programs: Information Systems staff, current Immigration regards ACS accredited • Master of Information Systems students and graduates at ACU's courses as the benchmark against which • Graduate Diploma in Information MacKillop Campus, North Sydney in IT qualifications are measured when Systems December 2000. residency applications are considered. 'We have then discussed what Looking For Values In behaviour might be expected to be associated with such values teaching. The teachers have given us permis­ Mathematics sion to observe some of their classes to see whether their behaviour and that of the children suggest that the values planned to be taught are indeed taught. 'It seems that teachers can choose to For students of Year 8 at plan to put more emphasis on some St Joseph's Central values in a particular lesson. As well, the School, Oberon and behaviour that would be expected with teacher Nick Groves, such values teaching can be observed. maths lessons are as much The teachers in the project are quite about learning skills for surprised that they have been teaching f day-to-day living as they values in mathematics sessions, in some are about formulae and cases for many years. These teachers figures. have formed good habits of planning carefully the content of the mathematics they will teach, and they choose carefully 'When asked to think deeply about their number of teachers teaching mathematics the strategies they deem appropriate for teaching, teachers can identify the values to see whether they can analyse their particular groups. None of the teachers associated with mathematics and the art of practice and isolate the values that they had ever thought to think and plan for teaching.' might be teaching implicitly to their the values they might have been teaching students. According to Associate Professor in these sessions', said Associate Philip Clarkson, Acting Head of School in Tf teachers are able to do this, we have Professor Clarkson. the School of Education (VIC), and his then asked the teachers whether they The project has another year to run, colleague Professor Alan Bishop of could deliberately plan to teach particular during which the researchers plan to Monash University, these factors are values in some forthcoming lessons', said continue their close associations with becoming evident in the preliminary Associate Professor Clarkson. teachers. If a second grant application is results of a three year ARC Large Grant The values that we are most interested successful, Associate Professor Clarkson funded project titled Making Implicit in are those that arise from the cultural said he hoped to work with the students Values Explicit in Teaching Mathematics. processes that we call mathematics, and to identify the values they see being Throughout the project, Professors the accepted norms of the way mathemat­ taught, and whether such teaching leads Clarkson and Bishop have worked with a ics is taught in classrooms. to fruitful learning for them. Talking Exercise ACU At Disability Conference

The Schools of Human Movement 'This is a time of tumultuous educational from NSW and Victoria met at MacKillop change. Good, explicit technology accommo­ Campus in December 2000 to consolidate dating many learning styles benefits every­ and amplify content in the new Bachelor one, not only disabled students.' of Exercise Science degree, which was These words were part of Dr Loretta offered for the first time this year. Giorcelli's keynote address at the The Schools offer the same course in Pathways 5 National Conference on both States and were able to share ideas Disability in Post Secondary Education. and concerns. After discussing areas of The conference was held in Canberra mutual co-operation, attention was in December 2000 and attended by ACU < directed to the determination of areas of disability advisers and students from future collaboration and complementary Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and research potential. Brisbane. The group also toured the recently ACU joined with Australian National upgraded Bioenergetics and University, the University of Canberra, Psychomotor Laboratory facilities. Australian Defence Force Academy and Canberra Institute of Technology to Members of the Schools of Human Movement from NSW and Victoria at their December 2000 sponsor the Conference, which had the meeting on MacKillop Campus. Page 10 Creating Futures Vatican Visit

Creating Futures: Developmental Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Ms Sandra Carroll, Lecturer, School of Integration was the theme for the 5th Sheehan was welcomed by Ms Barbara Religious Education, represented the Annual Conference of ACU's Academic Hilliard, Academic Skills Coordinator, Sydney Archdiocese at the Vatican for Skills in November 2000. before presenting the Opening Address, the International Theological Pastoral The three day conference was attend­ which was fofr6wed by a speech from Congress last October. ed by members of the Academic Skills Dean of Students, Sr Rosemary Lewins op, Five thousand delegates attended Unit from all campuses. The conference the conference, titled Children: Springtime Vice-Chancellor Peter Sheehan with Sr included group discussions, workshops, of the Family and Society. Speakers repre­ Rosemary Lewis, Dean of Students (seated presentations and reflection on points sented a broad range of projects and left) and Mrs Barbara Hilliard, Academic raised at the conference. Workshop topics movements. Skills Coordinator (seated right) with were diverse, ranging from writing Sandra said vitality, pluralism and the representatives from the Academic Skills research reports to dealing with asthma Units in Queensland, NSW and Victoria. internationality of Catholicism were her and learning. main impressions of the conference. Tor us as a family it was a chance to renew our appreciation of a world-wide Church and the importance of the Catholic contribution in wider social and political forums on issues such as family life/

theme Reviewing the Past, Adapting to the Educational Leadership Future. Representing ACU at the conference Studies In New Zealand were disability advisers Ms Kim Rowles, Mount Saint Mary Campus, Ms Jacqueline Robilliard, St Patrick's Since 1998 the Catholic Education During the Summer School they Campus and disability contact, Ms Centre in Wellington, New Zealand, has addressed issues and contributed to Margaret Carmody, Signadou Campus. sponsored two cohorts of postgraduate workshops identifying the special They were joined by ACU students students in the Master of Educational character of Catholic education and the Emily Regan and Claire Lewington, Leadership course offered by ACU. context of Catholic educational leader­ Signadou Campus, and Nina Crawford, In the recent Summer School, 50 ship in New Zealand. McAuley Campus, at sessions on topics students from both cohorts from the The course was enthusiastically ranging from Quantum Technologies to North and South Islands gathered in supported by the New Zealand Bishops. The Microchip Revolution. Wellington to study two units of the During the Summer School, Cardinal Ms Carmody summed up the confer­ course presented by ACU's Associate Thomas Williams and Bishop John Dew, ence as providing '... an opportunity Professor Deidre Duncan, Head of the both from Wellington, met with the to learn about what is happening in the School of Educational Leadership, and students and encouraged them in their area of post-secondary education for Professor Tony d'Arbon, School of studies. They also expressed their people with disabilities, to gain inspira­ Educational Leadership. appreciation for the initiative of the tion from others and to strengthen the Course participants were drawn from School of Educational Leadership in network of people, both students and both the Catholic and non-Catholic making the course available to their staff, in the area of disability/ education sectors in New Zealand. educational leaders.

Page 11 ACU Research Highlights

From Bad To Worse - Rubbish On Sydney's Beaches

had 2664 items of debris per kilometre, an increase of 4.65% since 1996. The majority of debris was plastic orig­ inating from stormwater outflows or Utter­ ing by beachgoers. A small percentage of Australia's beaches are a the samples collected were found to be national icon but beachgoers fouled by potentially toxic micro-organ­ are often guilty of using isms. 'Surprisingly', said Daniel, 'beaches them as 'great sandy with the highest debris density were those rubbish tins'. within the least urbanised area/ According to Daniel's thesis, 'The distribution and varying extent of fouling Photo courtesy development suggested there was a long­ Megan Jones shore debris drift occurring from the Cleanup Australia. south to the north of the sample area.' Daniel believes his research indicates The amount of marine debris within In researching his Honours thesis, that pollution of Sydney's beaches is a the Greater Sydney Region is comparable entitled Survey of Marine Debris on Beaches problem that requires immediate attention to some of the most polluted areas in the of the Greater Sydney Region, Daniel and further research to avoid significant world. conducted a survey of marine debris on implications in the future. He stresses the That's the finding of ACU Bachelor of selected beaches in the Greater Sydney importance of addressing the sources of Science (Environmental Science) Honours Region over a period of five months. the debris, whilst at the same time main­ student Daniel Cunningham. On average, the beaches he sampled taining regular beach clean-ups.

Early Christian Studies Publishing Success For Pauline Allen Two members of ACU's Centre For Dr Mayer has also been awarded a Early Christian Studies have recently three year Australian Research Council been awarded major research grants Large Grant. In this project, the database Associate Professor Pauline Allen, which will enable them to further their of social information contained in John's Director of the Centre for Early Christian studies in their fields. homilies will be expanded, to produce as Studies, has contributed 37 articles to the Dr Wendy Mayer has been awarded complete a set of data as possible. recently published fifth volume of a prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Dr Bronwen Neil has been awarded Patrologia Dal Concilio di Calcedonia a Fellowship by the Australian Research a postdoctoral fellowship by the Giovanni Damasceno - 1 Padri Orientali. Council to expand the focus of her work Australian Research Council for the next The 720 page millenial edition is on Chrysostom to include an exploration four years. She will edit and translate published in Italian by Casa Editrice of John as a man. The five year project the Latin version of Pope Martin's Marietti - Genova. It is hoped an English involves an examination of John in eight Commemoration. translation of this volume will be contexts that have either been neglected The Commemoration offers a look at published within the next five years. or poorly examined in the past, with the Papal and Byzantine attitudes to power Associate Professor Allen is also the intention of producing a substantially in the realms of Church and State and author of the most recently published new picture of him. provides insights into the politics of volume in the Cambridge Ancient Dr Mayer said the grant demonstrates hagiography in late ninth-century Rome. History series. The 1166 page Volume the high value which is placed upon the An English translation of the document XIV, titled Late Antiquity: Empire and work of ACU's Centre for Early Christian will allow its wider use by both historians Successors, 425 - 600 AD, took ten years Studies, both nationally and internationally. and theologians. to prepare for publication.

Page 12 Olympic Park Soil Contamination

Much of the land that has become ponds had severely contaminated the soil Sydney Olympic Park has a long history and leached into the Parramatta River. of industrial use and is known to be In 1996 the Olympic Coordination heavily polluted. Authority agreed to include Wilson Park Pollution control and reclamation pro­ into the remediation plan for the jects have been in place over the area for Northern Precincts of the Olympic site. a number of years, but the question According to Dr Bicknell, contaminat­ always begging to be asked is 'Are they ed groundwater was a major concern working?7 because Wilson Park adjoins Parramatta During 2000 Bachelor of Science River. A series of sub-surface drains and (Honours) student Carrie Jeffers and Dr pumps were constructed to collect this Brian Bicknell, School of Arts and groundwater, which was transferred to a Sciences (NSW), conducted a study to holding dam. determine the bacterial biodegradation Since 1997, the holding dam has been and contamination in the soil at Wilson utilised as a trial biological treatment pond Park, which is part of the Northern in which bioremediation is encouraged. Precincts of Sydney Olympic Park. Dr Bicknell explains that bioremedia­ Their results show that at least one tion is a process that employs living Nothing was known about the Olympic Park pollution control and micro-organisms to degrade or detoxify bioremediation of PAHs at Wilson Park management project is working. environmental pollutants from soil, prior to the study carried out by Ms Between 1953 and 1974 Wilson Park water, sludge and air to acceptable levels. Jeffers and Dr Bicknell, which aimed to was the site of a town gas production 'One of the significant pollutants establish if bioremediation of PAHs was plant which produced an average of four found at Wilson Park is a group of occurring in the treatment pond. tonnes of tar sludge waste from crude compounds known as polycyclic Results from the study established oil each day. Most of this waste was aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). that the treatment pond is operating as a dumped into two on-site pits. 'PAHs are a major concern as pollu­ successful PAH-degrading ecosystem. When gas production on the site tants in the environment and they pose Bacteria in the treatment pond water and ceased in 1974 the remaining sludge was significant health risks. Many are toxic, the groundwater are well adapted to spread over the site, covered with fill and potentially carcinogenic or cause birth degrading PAHs. capped with clay. The area was then defects. The study showed that large used as parkland until, in 1994, Auburn 'The US Environmental Protection numbers of bacteria capable of degrading Council employees noticed a tarry Agency has classified 16 PAHs as priority all 16 PAHs exist in groundwater and substance oozing from the soil. pollutants. All 16 are found at Wilson water from the treatment pond and that An environmental assessment of the Park in the soil and groundwater7, said these bacteria effectively break down site concluded that the buried tar sludge Dr Bicknell. pollutants in the treatment pond water. Saving Women's History

ACU has recently established a Dr McGrath and research fellows Dr ground-breaking women's studies Rosa MacGinley pbvm and Dr Kim date has been concerned with women research program that is seen as the first Power have been appointed by the religious. This project will give the step towards the establishment of a University's Institute for the opportunity to focus on relationships, Centre for Research in Women's History, Advancement of Research to work with most significantly between the sexes, Theology and Spirituality at ACU. relevant ACU staff on the project. clergy and laity, and State and Church.7 Project Co-Ordinator, Dr Sophie The Central Project Team's first major Dr McGrath hopes that the research McGrath rsm, hopes the work undertaken research project is entitled The Catholic project will bring together other scholars will help break the cycle of loss of Community and Women's Suffrage in from around the country. women's history to society. Australia. The project is nationally orient­ Dr McGrath also notes that during Dr McGrath believes that the project, ed and focuses on lay women. this year the Central Project Team will be by studying and preserving women's Dr McGrath believes the lay focus of working to establish a database of history, '. . . will hopefully help save this project is an important one. She says, researchers and their work relevant to a women from being reduced again to 'With some notable exceptions, most of possible Centre for Women's History, reinventing the wheel!' Catholic women's history in Australia to Theology and Spirituality.

Page 13 The Fabric Of Our History Commemorative quilt depicts ten years of growth

The design shows a lion in the arms The School of Arts and Sciences (NSW) of Bishop Polding, the first Archbishop presented a Tenth Anniversary of Sydney and founder of Catholic Commemorative Quilt to Professor Peter Teacher Education in Australia. The open Sheehan, Vice-Chancellor, at the Sydney book seen in the crests of foundation col­ Campuses Opening Ceremony on March 7. leges symbolises learning and scholar­ The quilt depicts the development of ship, while the symbol of the dove at the ACU in NSW. It was researched, top of the Catholic Teachers' College designed and constructed by students of crest represents God's self-giving spirit. the Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of The orders associated with the foun­ Arts (Technology) under the direction of dation colleges - Marist Brothers, De La Louise Du Vernet. Salle Brothers, Christian Brothers, the The base of the quilt incorporates the Sisters of St Joseph and the Good colours of the colleges that amalgamated Samaritan Sisters - are represented in the to form the University. The traditional design. log cabin design signifies the strength of Associate Professor Malcolm Prentis, the foundations that the University was School of Arts and Sciences (NSW), Br built on', said Dr Gail Crossley, Head of Barry Lamb and Mr Tom Thorpe, School the School of Arts and Sciences (NSW). of Education (NSW) assisted in the A row of gold and red patchwork research of the quilt. Sr Kim-Maree reflects the tumultuous period of Goodwin, School of Education (NSW), restructuring when Castle Hill Campus Detail of the Ten Year Commemorative Quilt, and Mr Mark Berlage, Office of Research, closed for efficiency gains. This stage is on display at Mount Saint Mary Campus. donated fabrics and students Veronica recognised as a strengthening force in uous tree, the metaphor for the Bonnanno, Gillian Bryant, Naomi Vickers response to change. University - constantly renewing, and Fiona Donaghey donated much of From the restructuring grows a decid- nourished by the artefacts at its roots. their time in the making of the quilt. National Focus For Student Administration Miss Gay Westmore, ACU's new develop its national focus. well as those of Student Administration, and faculty and school administrators. Academic Registrar, believes it is impor­ 'Student Administration is a service tant for Student Administration to function - and our aim is to provide Miss Westmore believes that the contribute to the Mission and Strategic excellent services for students and staff. development of a user-friendly, intuitive Plan of the University and to further It's important to develop the national web front-end to the Banner system has focus of Student Administration, and in great potential in this regard. doing so we must ensure that quality ser­ Communication, collaboration and vices are available to students and staff cooperation are words that crop up fre­ on all campuses. To do this we need to be quently in Miss Westmore's conversation. flexible and creative in identifying and She believes it is essential to work assessing possible options', she said. closely with the academic community, 'Student Administration has moved and has invited its representation on a a long way, too, with the adoption of Student Administration Reference Group. common policies and procedures across This group will contribute to planning all campuses, and I am optimistic that and review of major functions emanating there is a great deal of goodwill among from Student Administration but which staff to advance this even further/ touch the broader University community. One of Student Administration's Membership of this Group also includes principal challenges, to be addressed in student representatives. collaboration and cooperation with staff T believe it is important to under­ of Information Technology and stand the needs and views of our Communication Services, is ensuring that customers, and we want to hear this at the Banner student system better meets first hand from them, not to assume that ACU's Academic Registrar, Gay Westmore. the needs of the academic community, as we know what they want/ Page 14 New Director Farewell To Cardinal Clancy Of Finance '.. .the perfect person to lead us from our days of rich Catholic heritage to our current time as a maturing public, but Catholic, university.' Newly appointed Director of Finance, Mr John Ryan, sees his role at ACU as These were some of the words providing pro-active financial services offered by Vice-Chancellor Professor support to the University community Peter Sheehan in his farewell address to This may vary from advising on Cardinal Edward Clancy on his retire­ developing business plans to ensuring a ment as Chancellor of the University. supplier or staff member is paid on time', Members of the University Senate he said. and the University Company, the Chair Mr Ryan commenced at ACU on of the NSW Chapter, senior staff, and the February 5 and is based at North Sydney Foundation Vice-Chancellor and He has had extensive experience in the Foundation University Secretary attended tertiary education sector and was the farewell function, which was held in previously Deputy Director, Financial Sydney on January 24. Services at the University of Technology In his farewell address Professor (Sydney). Sheehan went on to praise Cardinal He said ACU and UTS both operate Clancy with the following words. in similar environments of reduced 'His experience as President of the academic and administrative leadership government funding, increased competi­ Australian Bishops, his membership of in the discipline of theology in Australia tion from other service providers, both the Council of Cardinals for the Study have distinctively made him an excep­ within Australia and internationally, and tional Chancellor to head ACU. increasing economic pressures. of the Organisation and Economic Problems of the Holy See, and many 'His ability and demonstrated 'One outcome of this environment other positions and responsibilities give capacity bridge the politics of Church is the operative to develop alternative him inestimable significance as a leader and academia uniquely.' sources of income', he said. among others in Church politics in Cardinal Clancy retired as Chancellor Mr Ryan commented that the signifi­ Australia. of ACU on November 5, 2000. Br Julian cant differences between ACU and UTS, including the national focus of ACU, a 'His multiple academic qualifications, McDonald cfc succeeds him as strong sense of community, the relatively his professorship in sacred scriptures, his Chancellor. small size of campuses and a Catholic ethos, will help differentiate ACU from other institutions. Graduate Students Stay In Touch These are all key opportunities for ACU to market itself to potential Doctorate of Education students from work by peers as well as experts during students and partners', said Mr Ryan. McAuley Campus who completed their the coursework phase of the studies. Mr Ryan has a Bachelor of Business coursework last year have decided to They want to retain this cohesion as they from the University of Technology meet regularly during the time they are continue with their thesis research. (Sydney). writing their theses. Their first opportunity to get together The students, from diverse education­ as a group came when they celebrated al and demographic backgrounds, the end of their coursework component believe they had benefited from the with lecturer Associate Professor Denis cohesive learning environment and McLaughlin at a casual dinner held at his opportunities for critical review of their home in December.

Associate Professor Denis McLaughlin (back, 2nd from left) with Doctorate of Education students John Graham, Graham Harne and Yvonne Osborne and (seated) Chris Fry, Simon Watkins and Bob Bingham. (Not in photo: Nereda White and Director of Finance for ACU, John Ryan. Wayne Wildin). Page 15 Australia Day Medal Seminars - Issues Awards Ms Cheryl Rasmussen, School of Arts and Sciences (QLD), received an Australia In Nursing Day Achievement Medal for Outstanding Margaret Balint Award Service to the State Emergency Service The School of Nursing (QLD) is run­ The Margaret Balint Award for 2000 and the Community of Pine Rivers. She ning a series of professional develop­ has been awarded to Associate Professor received her award at Parliament House ment seminars open to all health care Patricia Malone, School of Religious in Brisbane on January 25. professionals. The series commenced in Education. The award, commemorating May 2001 and will continue to February Margaret Balint's contribution to the 2002. Academic staff from the School University and its predecessor colleges, of Nursing at McAuley Campus will pre­ was presented to Professor Malone in sent current research projects and find­ recognition of her service to ACU. ings for discussion. You can contact Ms Leah McDonald at the School of Nursing (QLD) - phone (07) 3855 7164 - for further information and to register to attend the seminars.

Seminar Program

Cheryl Rasmussen with her Australia Day Aged Care Issues Date: July 10, 2001 Achievement Medal. Time: 6.00pm Venue: Canossa Care Community Service Award Presenters: Ms Monica Nabauer Landscapes Of Care: Ms Rosemary Williams, Counsellor Caring practices in two dementia Associate Professor Patricia Malone displays in Student Services at St Patrick's units Kim Wylie the Margaret Balint Award plaque. Campus, is the recipient of the inaugural University Award for Outstanding Dementia Care Mapping: Understanding the everyday Community Service for 2000. world of dementia care Sports Medal Award The Award recognises Ms William's Health Teaching Issues Mr John McCarty, Manager Campus work as a volunteer psychologist-in­ Date: October 16, 2001 Operations at Aquinas Campus, was residence at the Regina Coeli Time: 6.30pm recently awarded the Australian Sports Community for homeless women in Venue: Education Centre Medal in recognition of his involvement North Melbourne. She has been involved Prince Charles Hospital Presenters: Ms Deb Nizette in Australian Rules Football as a player, with Regina Coeli since 1989, providing Perspectives On Patient Teaching coach and administrator. invaluable assistance to the women in Ms Maureen Austin the Community. Nurse Credibility And Client The Australian Sports Medal is a Education commemorative award within the Ms Williams received her award at a Australian honours system which recog­ Melbourne graduation ceremony in May. Clinical Education Issues nises the contributions of current and The award also consists of a prize of Date: February 12, 2002 Time: 5.30 - 7.30pm former sports participants and those who $2000 for use in an approved Venue: Royal Brisbane Hospital have provided support services to sport. Community Service related project. Presenters: Ms Heather Beattie Registered Nurses' Perceptions Of Clinical Teaching Ms Jennifer Kelly Socialisation And The New Graduate Ms Estelle Bartley The Midwife's Experience & Understanding Of Learning In The Transition To A Clinical Informatics Environment

The Chronicle is published by Australian Catholic University PO Box 968 North Sydney NSW 2059 Enquiries and contributions: John McCarty displays his Sports Medal and Kim Williams certificate signed by Prime Minister John Ph: (02) 9739 2091 Fax: (02) 9739 2004 Howard and Governor General Sir William email: [email protected] Deane. Rosemary Williams. Printed by Clarendon Print

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