UNSWISSUE 1 2019 magazine

Young Woman of the Year How Angelica Merlot is shaping the new frontier of cancer research

Inside Opal Tower Liquid gold Surviving our roads Engineering Dean Mark Hoffman The breakthrough that offers Simple steps to keep more describes what went wrong clean water to the world pedestrians and cyclists alive 02 / CONTENTS UPFRONT / 03 IN THIS ISSUE ISSUE 1 2019 UPFRONT From the Vice-Chancellor LEADING RECYCLING INNOVATION • UNSW will lead Welcome to the the new NSW Circular Economy first edition of 25 Innovation Network, UNSW Magazine a state government initiative to drive for 2019. The Australia Ensemble, waste management n delivering the Gandhi the renowned and recycling. It will link industry with Oration earlier this year, chamber music group resident government, local The Reverend Tim Costello at UNSW Sydney, councils and researchers to stimulate new O is performing Ocean impacts and diverse biology: A mother and child at one of the cancer screening ways of tackling the challenges of the reminded us of the power of ordinary Dr Daniel Falster and Dr Laurie Menviel. clinics in Northern Uganda. people to do good, drawing on Bapu’s much-loved circular economy. Founding Director of classics and UNSW’s Centre for Sustainable Materials timeless advice that “in a gentle way invigorating new Research & Technology (SMaRT), Professor you can shake the world”. works for its Top honours from the Cancer screening expands Veena Sahajwalla (pictured), has been Alongside an edited transcript 40th season. It Australian Academy of Science Uganda health program appointed Executive Director of the new promises to be a of Costello’s Oration, this issue of network. “We need to rethink attitudes to all worthy birthday of the materials we discard and start to see UNSW Magazine is overflowing with celebration. cientia Fellow Dr Laurie Menviel of ore than 1500 women from northern them as renewable resources if we want to stories of the many ways UNSW UNSW’s Climate Change Research Centre Uganda have been screened for cervical live more sustainably,” she said. students and staff make a positive Inside and Dr Daniel Falster of the Evolution and breast cancer as part of a community impact – both gently and quite S& Ecology Research Centre are among 20 Mhealth program set up in part by UNSW. KELLEHER LEADS KIRBY INSTITUTE 03–07 / Upfront 22 / Lighting up Malawi powerfully – on the world. University news, research and achievements A very personal mission to change Australian scientists recognised with honorific Launched in 2016, the Transforming • Leading lives in southern Africa international HIV I found it heartwarming to read 08–09 / Cover story: Dancing with the enemy awards by the Australian Academy of Science. Community Health Program is a partnership researcher and about the spirited display of inclusion Angelica Merlot takes on some of 23 / The Bulldog bites Dr Menviel, an early career researcher between UNSW, Gulu University and clinician Professor the deadliest cancers Dean Towers takes the field and community that was our third and ARC Future Fellow who received the the Ugandan Health Ministry to improve Anthony Kelleher is for the UNSW-ES Bulldogs appearance at the Sydney Gay and 10 / Marching with pride Dorothy Hill Medal, aims to help improve women’s and children’s health, reduce non- the new Director of Lesbian Mardi Gras, and to learn that Students and staff take to the streets at Mardi Gras 24 / Building for better living projections of climate and sea-level rise communicable diseases and mental illness, and the Kirby Institute. How to design a built environment The Dean of UNSW the Australia Ensemble, which has 11 / High dramas using research focusing on the role of ocean introduce online learning in the Gulu University that works for everyone Medicine, Professor been resident at UNSW since 1980, has Inside the investigation into the Opal Tower circulation in climate change. She has made Master of Public Health program. Rodney Phillips, said Professor Kelleher exciting plans for the future, after four 25 / Hitting the right notes major contributions to understanding oceanic Before the program, Ugandan women had (pictured) was “an accomplished and highly 12–13 / Exposing the defects The Australia Ensemble celebrates turning 40 respected academic and clinician in the decades delighting classical music fans UNSW’s project to protect unit buyers circulation, its variability and its impact some of the poorest prospects in the world when field of immunology and HIV research, with across Australia and the world. 26 / In conversation with Margaret Atwood on global climate, the carbon cycle and the it came to surviving cervical cancer. Now cancer 14-15 / In search of hope a long career in various leadership roles The award-winning author of There is ample inspiration to be The annual Gandhi Oration: Tim Costello cryosphere. clinics for women are being launched in health across the Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney and The Handmaid’s Tale visits UNSW found in the story on Dr Angelica “Given increased atmospheric greenhouse centres across northern Uganda. St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney”. The Kirby 16 / Let the water flow Merlot’s pioneering work on drug- 27 / Speaking to the planet gases, this knowledge is crucial to improving “By the time the five-year plan for the Institute’s inaugural Director, Professor A breakthrough offers the hope of clean water resistant pancreatic and brain The art project taking Indigenous climate and sea-level projections,” says Dr Transforming Community Health Program David Cooper, passed away last year. The Kirby Institute has been at the forefront of cancers, as well as in news of our 17 / 100 Indigenous graduates voices around the world Menviel. “This year my research will focus on finishes, we should have really well-trained UNSW Law celebrates an important milestone infectious disease research, in Australia and University’s new global outreach 28 / Out of this world understanding some of the warmest periods of nurses and midwives in cervical cancer globally, for more than 30 years. efforts to improve eye care services 18 / Vision for the future Sarah Brough is answering questions the recent past and attempting to pinpoint the screening in all the major health centres in Uganda and access to electricity How UNSW is helping to change eye care in Uganda of galactic proportions feedbacks that led to high latitude warming, loss across northern Uganda, as well as trained JOHNSTON WINS CLARKE MEDAL in Malawi. 19 / Walking in two worlds 29 / Vale Sir Rupert Myers of continental glaciers and higher sea-levels.” health educators, researchers and clinicians,” • Professor Emma Johnston, Dean of As always, UNSW pushes the Graduate Dylan Booth has big plans Remembering UNSW’s second Vice-Chancellor Ecologist and early career researcher says Professor Robyn Richmond, of UNSW Science, is the winner of the Royal Society for Indigenous people boundaries of what it means for a 30-31 / New reading Dr Falster received the Fenner Medal for his Medicine. of NSW 2018 Clarke Medal, for her research on the impact of human activities in 20–21 / Keep your lid on Books on thinking women, gun control, university to serve society. But what contribution to predicting and understanding The UNSW team also surveyed women about complex marine ecosystems. “A deeper How helmets, speed limits, preserve life on our roads the value of junk, and more is most clear reading these stories is the distribution of plant types. domestic violence to better understand the understanding of our coastal ecosystems the depth and breadth of the impact “I use maths and modelling to understand underlying social issues affecting efforts to is critical to human survival in a rapidly UNSW people make. Cover image: Angelica Merlot, Managing editor: Peter Harrison why evolution favours diversity of plant types, provide better health services for women. changing world,” Professor Johnston said. She is now leading the development of I hope that you enjoy exploring this cancer researcher and the NSW Designer: Bill Farr/MediaXpress and why the mix of plant types varies from place The group is screening children for aural, Young Woman of the Year. Contributors: Lucy Carroll, Selina Day, Isabelle Dubach, molecular approaches to monitoring the edition of UNSW Magazine as much to place,” said Dr Falster, who is also an ARC ocular and oral health this year, and will survey biodiversity and functioning of estuarine Photo: Anna Kucera Lachlan Gilbert, Belinda Henwood, Quentin Jones, as I did. Our people can and do “shake Future Fellow. “Computer models and large non-communicable diseases among those ecosystems. The Royal Society of NSW UNSW Magazine is published by Ibrar Khan, Ben Knight, Anna Kucera, Jacquie Manning, the world” in the most diverse and data sets have enabled us to test fundamental seeking information on nutrition, tobacco use Clarke Medal is one of the most highly the UNSW Media and Content team. Neil Martin, Megan Maurice, Stefanie Menezes, prized awards for natural sciences, with the inspiring ways. Email: [email protected] Diane Nazaroff, Nyasha Nyakuengama, Louise Reily, ideas about the processes shaping biological and alcohol consumption, with emphasis on disciplines of botany, zoology and geology Professor Ian Jacobs Issue 89 ISSN 2209-282X Ivy Shih, Lori Youmshajekian communities.” cardiovascular problems and mental health. considered in rotation every three years.

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COVETED ROME RESIDENCY PM’S FOND VIEW OF UNSW • Award-winning • UNSW Sydney President and sculptor and Vice‑Chancellor Professor Ian Jacobs UNSW Art & Design offered congratulations to Prime graduate Alex Seton Minister Scott Morrison on his re-election has been awarded in May. “As many of you will know, Mr the coveted Morrison is a UNSW alumnus and the first Mordant Family/ of our alumni to hold the role of PM,” Australian Council Professor Jacobs said. Speaking about Affiliated Fellowship UNSW last year, Mr Morrison said: “It’s a to study in Rome. The Fellowship will enable great institution … UNSW is going to play Mr Seton (pictured) to spend two months a huge part in Australia’s economic future UNSW President and Vice-Chancellor One of the world’s leading scholars of international in residence at the prestigious American Professor Lisa Harvey Smith: UNSW is already well engaged Professor John Church: We are dangerously close to triggering [and] Australia’s future when it comes to Professor Ian Jacobs at the summit. Photo: Maja Baska environmental law: Scientia Professor Rosemary Rayfuse. Academy. Mr Seton, who graduated from in developing diversity of talent and an inclusive culture. “many metres of sea level rise over coming centuries”. technology and innovation – the future UNSW in 1998 with a Bachelor of Art of science and technology – and leaders The big question: Law professor elected to the Theory and History, is renowned for his Ambassador for women Global sea level expert wins into the future. I thank UNSW for all the contemporary applications of traditional opportunities I had when I went there and why does your work matter? Academy of Social Sciences marble carving techniques that explore in STEM joins the team leading climate change award I know that it’s going to be an institution difficult human experiences. He also works that continues to serve Australia well.” in sculpture, photography, video and ore than 200 of the world’s brightest NSW Scientia Professor Rosemary ustralia’s first ambassador for Women he world’s top sea level expert, UNSW Mr Morrison’s appointment follows installation. Most recently, Mr Seton’s work the re‑election of NSW Premier Gladys minds converged on UNSW for an event Rayfuse has been elected a Fellow of has shone a light on the plight of refugees in STEM, astrophysicist Professor Sydney Professor John Church, is Berejiklian, who is an alumna of UNSW. that underscored the need for higher the Academy of the Social Sciences and migrants around the globe. Lisa Harvey-Smith, has joined UNSW the first Australian to win the BBVA Meducation institutions to outwardly champion Uin Australia (ASSA) for distinguished SydneyA as Professor of Practice in Science TFoundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in THE SCIENCE OF SUCCESS FIRST RESEARCH CENTRE IN CHINA the value and significance of their research. contributions to her discipline and to society. Communication. UNSW has also been named Climate Change for his work projecting and • The science The Times Higher Education Research ASSA is the peak body devoted to the • UNSW Sydney has opened its first the host organisation for her Women in STEM interpreting the threat of global warming on behind innovation, Excellence Summit: Asia Pacific at UNSW advancement of knowledge and research in the overseas research centre in Yixing, China, Ambassador role. accelerating increases in sea levels. and what makes a facility that will drive research and some start-ups Sydney in February challenged university social sciences within Australia. commercial opportunities in environmental Professor Harvey-Smith is an award- Professor Church is recognised for thrive while others leaders and researchers from around the world The new Fellows have significantly advanced protection, especially water treatment, winning astrophysicist with 15 years’ narrowing the causes of rising seas, fail, is the focus to better showcase how they are tackling the research knowledge and developed new resource recovery and environmental experience conducting and publishing linking satellite observations with in-situ of the world- world’s major problems. approaches to areas as diverse as accounting, management and sustainability. The UNSW fundamental astrophysics research at measurements and numerical modelling first Future Minds Centre for Transformational Environmental Lab at UNSW. The UNSW President and Vice-Chancellor linguistics, political science, psychology and law. Technologies (CTET) will operate through universities and research institutes across to identify the human impact on sea level purpose-built research and applied science Professor Ian Jacobs implored higher education Professor Rayfuse researches and teaches in the Torch Innovation program in partnership the world. She is a presenter of the popular changes and discovering that the rate of lab will include 20 scientists, designers and leaders to continue to fight for research in the the area of public international law. She is one with Yixing Industrial Park for Environmental ABC television show Stargazing Live, author increase is accelerating over time. psychologists. They will work with industry public interest and to work better together. of the world’s leading scholars of international Science and Technology, the only hi-tech of When Galaxies Collide and a prolific He shares the prize and €400,000 ($633,000) on the brain science and psychology behind (Torch) zone focused on the development of new tools for businesses and workers Professor Jacobs said flagging enthusiasm for environmental law and specialises in areas such an environment protection industry in China. public speaker. prize money with French space geodesist Anny dealing with change. Founder and director public funding for universities and research was as law of the sea and climate change law. The Centre has already secured more than Professor Harvey-Smith says she is excited Cazenave, a specialist in satellite altimetry Professor Joel Pearson (pictured) says the a challenge. Environmental law is a field for which $3 million in funding from partners including by the new challenge after more than a decade (the measurement of the form and dimensions centre wants “to help supply the Australian “Academics and university leaders must Professor Rayfuse has quite literally put her the Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research of research and is looking forward to “helping of Earth) and British climate scientist Professor workforce with the skills they will need for Institute (JITRI), Goldwind Environment and the future of work”. be proactive in sharing their stories and body on the line. She has undertaken adventures Puxin Environment for research activities at smash barriers to inclusion in STEM and to Johnathan Gregory, an expert in ocean heat emphasising the link between universities and in some of the wildest places on Earth, including UNSW Sydney and in China. creating a stronger, more inclusive STEM uptake and climate sensitivity. KAYESS EXPANDS UN ADVOCACY the research that, ultimately, advances society,” the Arctic, Antarctic and Greenland. In 2006 she sector fit to drive Australia’s economic Forecasts developed from their research WINNERS AT VETERANS’ AWARDS • Rosemary Kayess, an internationally Professor Jacobs said. “We have to make our became the first Australian woman to attempt success in the coming decades”. A mainstay warn that without drastic greenhouse gas respected lawyer, researcher and academic communities care enough to champion our work to ski from the North Pole to Canada, to raise • The outstanding work by two UNSW of that work is helping to develop and launch reductions, sea levels could rise more than one and Director of Engagement at UNSW and influence the government to care as well.” awareness of polar governance issues. Canberra alumni and associated businesses Australia’s 10-year plan for Women in STEM. metre by the end of this century, threatening Sydney’s Disability Innovation Institute, John Gill, editor of Times Higher Education, ASSA is one of the country’s four learned was recognised at the Prime Minister’s Dean of Science, Professor Emma Johnston, the homes of 100 million people. Their has been elected to Vice-Chair of the Veterans’ Employment Awards. Ben Whitham United Nations Committee on the Rights of said negative media coverage in some places academies. This year, it was noted that 53% of from Penten Pty Ltd was the winner of the said she was thrilled to welcome Professor findings have been instrumental in improving Persons with Disabilities. The committee around the world had contributed to the the ASSA Fellows are female, including leading Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year, whilst BCT Harvey-Smith to UNSW: “We are proud the understanding of how the Earth system monitors implementation of the UN disconnect between universities and the public. practitioners and Indigenous scholars. Solutions was named Outstanding Employer to welcome Lisa to UNSW as Australia’s works, enabling more solid projections. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Closing the event, Professor Jacobs said: Professor Rayfuse joins Professor Ross of the Year. General Manager BCT Solutions, first Women in STEM Ambassador – the “This award is a recognition of the importance Disabilities. “I’m honoured to be appointed David French, said that participating in the to the executive of the committee and “We have reinforced the value of ... research. Buckley, Professor Janet Chan, Professor UNSW Canberra mentoring program was appointment is crucial for Australia, as we of the science, the progress that has been made look forward to the opportunity to bring We have reinforced the importance of linking Megan Davis, Professor Martin Krygier, a valuable way of supporting veterans’ need more women to enter, stay, and succeed over recent decades, and of course the role that my legal and public policy knowledge our research and educational efforts more Professor Jane McAdam, Professor Louise transition to the civilian workforce. The in STEM areas. One way to work towards that the three of us have made in contributing to the to promote the rights of people with closely. And we have formed a consensus ... that Chappell and the Dean George Williams awards recognise businesses that support is to ensure girls and women have role models science,” says Professor Church. disability,” Ms Kayess said. Her research and employ veterans and ADF spouses, as and advocacy fields include access to the research produced in our part of the world as Fellows of the Academy representing well as veterans who are making significant to look up to, and Lisa is an inspiring scientist The award was presented at a ceremony in justice, social inclusion, housing and has enormous potential yet to be tapped.” UNSW Law. contributions to their workplace. and communicator.” Madrid in June. employment for people with disability.

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CAMPAIGN AGAINST S25+ REVIEW CONSOLIDATES PFAS CHEMICALS PURSUIT OF GLOBAL GOALS

• UNSW researchers are collaborating Left to right, • A revised strategic framework, known as with several industry partners in a from top: S25+, is being developed for the University’s $3 million campaign to develop sustainable Professor Sally keystone 2025 Strategy. An extensive remediation technologies to clean up Dunwoodie, consultation process involving staff, emerging contaminants in water. PFAS Professor students, alumni and external partners is chemicals, which recently have been Helen taking place to inform an options paper associated with serious contamination Christensen, expected in October. New priorities identified at firefighting training facilities, airports Dr Louise in the process will then be confirmed when and industrial sites, are the target of the Causer and the new strategic framework is finalised program. The chemicals are also more Conjoint and announced in early 2020. The President Connie Levett (right) is helping students develop skills “Outstanding track record of leadership”: widely present in the broader environment. A still from Angelica Mesiti’s Professor and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Jacobs, relevant to modern newsrooms. The inaugural UNSW Provost, Professor Anne Simmons. The work is being led by Professors ASSEMBLY, 2019. Photo: Bonnie Elliott Jane Butler. said the 2025 Strategy was backed by a Mike Manefield and Denis O’Carroll and planned $3 billion funding investment and a research team from UNSW’s Water underpinned the University’s ambition to New publication puts students in Simmons appointed Research Centre. Venice Biennale entry examines Academics honoured with become Australia’s global university. the beating heart of a newsroom inaugural Provost HYDROGEN STORAGE the power of ‘the people’ prestigious NHMRC awards NATIONAL HONOURS FOR FOR RENEWABLES TEACHING EXCELLENCE ewsworthy, a news website featuring rofessor Anne Simmons has been three-channel video installation our UNSW Sydney academics have been writing, audio and video produced by appointed the inaugural Provost at • Researchers at UNSW Sydney with created by UNSW alumna Angelica honoured with National Health and School of the Arts & Media students, is UNSW Sydney. partners H2Store are developing a first-of- Mesiti is entered in this year’s Venice Medical Research Council (NHMRC) 2018 its-kind hydrogen storage system that could Nadding a new voice to Australia’s news media PThe recent Pro Vice-Chancellor, Academic Biennale,A one of the most prestigious cultural FResearch Excellence Awards for outstanding mean cheaper, safer storage for renewable industry. Excellence and UNSW alumna has served in energy. Professor Kondo-Francois Aguey- institutions in the world. contributions to health and medical research. A network of contributors from across the senior leadership roles in Australian higher Zinsou and his team at UNSW’s School of The work, ASSEMBLY, was created by Scientia Professor Helen Christensen, Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences are also education for 20 years. As UNSW Provost, Chemical Engineering expect the system Ms Mesiti during a two-month residency Director of the Black Dog Institute and will provide a new alternative for energy contributing to the site, which is run under Professor Simmons is the senior deputy to storage within two years. Professor Aguey- at UNSW Art & Design. In it, she says, a Professor of Mental Health at UNSW Medicine, the guidance of a former editor of The Sydney the Vice-Chancellor and a member of the Zinsou says the invention will be more communal gathering is a means for making was awarded the Elizabeth Blackburn • Academics from Science and Art & Morning Herald news app, Connie Levett. University’s Management Board. efficient, more long-lasting and safer than those with authority recognise the collective Fellowship in Public Health. Professor Design have taken out accolades in the 2018 Australian Awards for University Ms Levett, who has more than 30 years’ UNSW President and Vice-Chancellor current power storage solutions for home power of ‘the people’. Christensen is a leading expert on using solar systems, such as the Tesla Powerwall Teaching. Associate Professor Elizabeth experience in the industry, came on board Ian Jacobs highlighted Professor Simmons’ battery. The team hopes to have a 5kW home “ASSEMBLY is looking at all the meanings technology to prevent and treat depression, Angstmann (pictured, left) was recognised as Newsworthy’s editor because she saw the breadth of experience in university leadership. storage system on the market late in 2020. of that word, at this historical moment where anxiety and suicide. for developing online and face-to-face value in students gaining practical experience “Anne has an outstanding track record of we are dealing with multiple crises, whether Medical epidemiologist Dr Louise Causer, materials and experiences for first-year SOLAR EFFICIENCY RECORD physics students, encouraging active in online publishing. leadership at UNSW and her experience and it’s political, humanitarian or environmental,” from The Kirby Institute and UNSW Medicine, learning and problem solving. Associate “Newsworthy is about student learning,” skills make her an ideal candidate for this she says. “More than ever, we feel the human was awarded the Frank Fenner Early Career Professor Snepvangers was recognised Ms Levett says. “The experience of working in important new role,” Professor Jacobs said. need to assemble, to come together, to Fellowship. Dr Causer’s work focuses on point- for developing innovative resources in the a high-powered digital newsroom ... it can be a Professor Simmons said she was delighted exchange, for individual voices to be heard, of-care diagnostics for sexually transmitted field of creative professional experience in art, design and media, especially brutal world. You need some basis before you and honoured to join UNSW as its first Provost. that are coming from different perspectives.” infections. Point-of-care testing allows people in by fostering placements in small and get thrown into that. “I look forward to helping the Vice- She says the idea is explored through a series remote areas to be tested and treated in one visit. large organisations such as start-ups, “We made a decision to have a place where Chancellor and the University deliver on of translations and reinterpretations, both Conjoint Professor Sally Dunwoodie, a collectives, galleries and design divisions the students could publish their work, because UNSW’s strategic plan over the coming years.” musically and choreographically, through biomedical researcher at the Victor Chang of companies. one of the big things when you’re leaving Professor Simmons has been the head of performance and a range of generative actions. Cardiac Research Institute, was awarded INDUCTED INTO THE university is to have a portfolio and get that two schools in the Faculty of Engineering, and The artist used the high recognition factor the NHMRC’s Project Grant. Professor ACCOUNTING HALL OF FAME first job.” has had a successful career in industry with the The UNSW Sunswift solar car team has of the Venice Biennale to approach the Dunwoodie and her team are examining the • Business School academic Scientia The publication aims to cover topics Nucleus Group, which included Telectronics cruised into the record books, driving from eminent writer David Malouf, who allowed impact of environmental factors on prenatal • Perth to Sydney to set a Guinness World Professor Roger Simnett has been inducted including justice, society, technology and and Cochlear. Record for the lowest energy consumption her to use his poem To Be Written in Another cell division. Their work could prevent some into the Accounting Hall of Fame for gender. Ms Levett believes Newsworthy She chairs the Australian government’s while driving across Australia in an electric Tongue. Other collaborators include composer developmental defects. his impact on accountancy. “I feel an provides a point of difference by covering the Advisory Committee on Medical Devices and car. The team of 14 students completed Max Lyandvert and curator Juliana Engberg. Conjoint Professor Jane Butler, principal overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude at being recognised by my peers for the issues facing 21st century Australia through is a member of other national committees the 4100km journey two days ahead of The artist doesn’t want to be seen as a research scientist at NeuRA and conjoint schedule, averaging 3.25kWh/100km, about contributions I have made as an audit the eyes of the generation who will live it. involved in the medical technology area. 17 times less than an average Australian representative of a nation – “it’s too heavy academic at UNSW Medicine, won the researcher, educator, and my contribution “We wanted to have a flavour of youth, both She is a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers car. Travelling an average of 600 kilometres a mantle” – but has put a lot of thought Elizabeth Blackburn Fellowship in Clinical to practice and standard-setting, both in in terms of subject material and contributions. Australia, a Fellow of the Australian Academy a day, the car used about the same energy into presenting the diversity of Australia Research. Professor Butler’s work is on neural Australia and internationally,” Professor Simnett said. He is only the fourth UNSW We want to mould our coverage to something of Technology and Engineering and was made each day as a standard household. UNSW in ASSEMBLY. control of respiratory muscles. Her research Dean of Engineering Professor Mark Business School academic to be awarded that talks to our students and to the things a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for Hoffman said the feat showed the potential The Venice Art Biennale runs until 24 aims to improve respiratory health in the the prize and joins Ray Ball, Philip Brown they are engaged with.” services to biomedical engineering in 2013. of electric cars for Australia’s future. November. critically ill and those with quadraplegia. and Ken Trotman as inductees.

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As an undergraduate she became focused such as HER2 have been important in on cancer research. “Seeing the impact improving and defining treatment options cancer was having on the community and for years. But for other cancers, such as my family pushed me to pursue cancer pancreatic or brain, with no detection tests research. It’s been hard work. I’m very and complex molecular diversity, there has determined and passionate and that has been little progress. helped along the way.” “My hope is that cancer will become Her interest in aggressive cancers, such as a more manageable disease. Something pancreatic and brain cancer, was motivated that is less feared and dealt with like any by lack of improvement in survival rates other disease. There is significant stigma over the past decades, largely due to late around the word ‘cancer’ – there are cancer diagnosis, a lack of screening programs, types that are deadly, which we hope to low awareness of symptoms and a lack of ‘The future of treatment won’t revolutionise, but there are many cancers treatment options. Pancreatic cancer has be about one miracle cure; that you can survive or live with for many some of the lowest survival rates, often years now.” diagnosed too late and at an advanced stage, it will be about a combination Dr Merlot emphasises the importance with about 90% of patients dying within five of funding early career researchers, Dancing years of diagnosis. The five-year survival of treatments that will provide particularly in areas such as pancreatic and rate for brain cancer is about 20%. It kills brain cancer that have traditionally been more children than any other disease. the best survival outcomes for under-funded. After moving to UNSW Medicine as a each unique patient.’ “More funding equals more research with the Scientia Fellow in 2018, Dr Merlot focused which means better outcomes for patients. on understanding the mechanisms by We’ve seen improvements in breast cancer, which cancer cells grow and adapt to developing nanoparticles prepared from a melanoma and prostate cancer survival rates their environment, why drugs become protein found in the body known as human but brain and pancreatic cancer still have a enemy less effective and the development of serum albumin. We’ve seen that this protein dismal prognosis,” she says. nanoparticles to improve drug delivery. helps the delivery of these metal-binding Dr Merlot’s current projects are Photos: Anna Kucera Her work into metal-binding agents drugs and helps their anti-cancer activity.” investigating part of a human cell called the Scientia Fellow Angelica award for her work developing new targeted generate funding for more research. contributed to a phase 1 multi-centre Most of Dr Merlot’s project-based endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The ER is a medicines that combat drug-resistant “There are almost 150,000 people clinical trial in Australia, treating patients work takes place at the Children’s Cancer type of organelle, or subunit within a cell, Merlot is determined to cancers and cancer spread, with a specific diagnosed with cancer in Australia each with advanced tumours. Institute labs, at UNSW’s Kensington that has been shown to help cancers grow, outmanoeuvre some of the focus on pancreatic and brain cancer. year. It is wonderful to be acknowledged “Metal-binding agents have been shown to campus, where a typical day involves spread and develop drug resistance. “The power of research is that every day for the work the researchers do behind deprive cancer cells of essential metals such conducting experiments in the lab, working “I’m looking at understanding how this deadliest cancers, writes you can discover something new, solve the scenes,” she says. as copper and iron that are vital for cancer with mouse models, patient tissue, writing part of the cell helps to induce cancer Lucy Carroll. problems and push barriers using your Born to French and Syrian parents, cell growth and proliferation. These agents grants and publications and supervising progression. This knowledge will help to curiosity to address some of the major Dr Merlot is the youngest of three girls. have been tested on advanced cancers and staff and students. identify new targets and therapeutics to r Angelica Merlot has achieved what health issues in the community,” Dr Merlot “My father was a high school maths teacher they take advantage of the fact that cancer Dr Merlot believes the next two decades stop the advancement of cancers,” she says. many medical researchers could only says. “For me, a career in medical research and my mother taught French. They cells have altered metal metabolism and of cancer research will be defined by Some of the major advances in cancer accomplish in a decades-long career. is about a lifelong discovery and education.” encouraged us to do what we enjoyed. But require a greater amount of these essential improvements to personalised medicine now, says Dr Merlot, are understanding DShe completed a PhD in anti-cancer drug Dr Merlot received her award at a also instilled a real drive to learn.” nutrients than normal cells,” Dr Merlot through better understanding of the the tumour itself – how it consists of more development at the age of 24. Four years ceremony in Sydney for the NSW Women After receiving her undergraduate degree says. “These drugs have been shown to be genetics of the disease to predict patient than just cancer cells but other important later, she became the youngest recipient of of the Year Awards. The Premier, Gladys in medical science at The University of effective in drug resistant cancers that are response to therapy. cells that help the cancer adapt and a National Health and Medical Research Berejiklian, congratulated the winners and Sydney, she went on to complete a PhD with no longer able to be treated by standard “The future of cancer treatment will be survive. A major area of advancement is Council Grant. finalists in seven nominated categories. a team that is developing metal-binding chemotherapy. Metal-binding agents have making sure that every patient receives the immunotherapy and understanding of the Now, at 29, she leads a research team “Your achievements,” Ms Berejiklian said, agents, a new class of anti-cancer drugs. also been shown to not only stop the growth right treatment for their cancer type. In the interactions of the immune system with at UNSW Sydney exploring targeted “are paving the way for generations of “In high school, I was influenced by of the primary tumour, but also block age of personalised medicine, identifying cancer. Immunotherapy can help boost the treatments for some of the deadliest forms women to come.” medical television shows and my biology metastasis.” precise molecular characteristics and immune system to attack the cancer. of cancer. Dr Merlot hopes the award will encourage teacher. I think that sparked my interest in These metal-binding agents work on a genetics are critical for clinicians to identify “We are understanding more about the The UNSW Scientia Fellow, who is based more women to study science and medicine medical science in general and how each cell broad range of cancer types but also target which types of drugs are most suitable and genetics of the disease and, with a more at the Children’s Cancer Institute, this and pursue careers in health and cancer in the body is quite different, but they all specific proteins such as NDRG1 which can effective for each patient,” Dr Merlot says. personalised approach, we are hopeful that year achieved another first: in March, she research. She believes it will raise the profile work together as one combined unit which act to suppress the spread of cancer. For breast cancer, screening programs and we can improve survival rates for children received the NSW Young Woman of the Year of cancers with poor survival rates and is so fascinating,” Dr Merlot says. “One of my current projects looks at identifying genomic classifiers or proteins and adults with cancer,” she says.

UNSW Magazine UNSW Magazine 10 / LGBTIQ+ BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION / 11

LACHLAN GILBERT Can you tell me about how you came to be involved in the Marching fearlessly Opal Tower investigation? MARK HOFFMAN On Christmas Eve, some people living on the 10th floor of the Opal UNSW’s third appearance at Tower heard a loud bang and they went out Mardi Gras created a sense of and saw that some external walls had cracked, empowerment for students and so they called in the onsite building manager. The building manager got the authorities staff, writes Lori Youmshajekian. involved and they cleared the building. And on the morning of the 27th, the eyond policy and words, the Sydney then NSW Minister of Planning, Anthony Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in Roberts, decided that he really needed some March was a chance to exhibit UNSW independent advice. And so I was contacted, BSydney’s commitment to community and as was [Newcastle Emeritus Professor] inclusion. John Carter, who is a geotechnical engineer, A towering float of Clancy the Lion, because a lot of the rumours flying around at the official UNSW mascot, led the way for the time were saying there was an issue with more than 80 students and staff parading the foundations, and that’s his area. along Oxford Street for the ‘fearless’ 41st Mardi Gras. LG So how did that conversation go? “It was a true and generous collaboration MH I was about to head off on a family with staff and students from Engineering, holiday – I was actually at Bunnings at the Art & Design and Built Environment,” time when the Planning Minister calls up. UNSW event organiser Fergus Grealy says. So I went through all this about the Opal “For the young LGBTIQ+ community, Tower with him in Aisle 17 of Bunnings at making networks within the University, Chatswood with my nine-year-old daughter UNSW’s Mardi Gras marchers were emblazoned especially finding commonalities with with a gold representation of the University’s going, ‘Dad, this is boring, come on!’. students they wouldn’t have much mascot, Clancy the Lion. Photos: Nyasha Nyakuengama Anyway, that afternoon John [Carter] and interaction with, was a really positive I went out to the site for a look around. experience.” issues, aiming to start conversations and It was quite obvious, early on, that there The cross-faculty collaboration marks the lead debates on campus and in the wider was a significant issue with reinforced third year that UNSW has participated in community. concrete fracture. the annual parade. Five new Diversity Champions And that’s when we got [UNSW Head “It was a really heart-warming experience. commenced in January 2018 to make change of Civil and Environmental Engineering] We were able to see the tangible and positive in equity, diversity and inclusion as part of Professor Stephen Foster involved. Steve impact it had on the student community – the Division’s key priority to make UNSW actually wrote the Concrete Structures they were really empowered,” Mr Grealy says. a place for everybody. High Standard for Australia, so he was a great “We want to make sure students feel they The Division also offers training to the asset to have onboard. are heard and respected and are our partners. community – educating individuals on I think this was a good example of that.” disability, flexible work and women in LG Were there residents still in the building The student-led initiative is supported leadership, among other resonating topics. when you arrived? by the Division of Equity Diversity and “The end goal for the Division is for dramas MH On the afternoon of the 27th we were Inclusion (EDI) – the advocate for a sense “Our participation is both a symbol inclusivity, diversity, respect and equity going in as everybody else was coming out – of belonging for all staff and students on and a genuine activity that signals our to be the normal way that the University When the Opal Tower at Sydney Olympic Park started the lifts were packed with people who were campus. commitment to that group of students and works – these behaviours shouldn’t be cracking, residents were fearful their home was trying to move. There were some pretty Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Equity Diversity staff,” Professor Baldry says. “It is one of considered remarkable any longer,” distressed-looking people too, I have to say. and Inclusion, Professor Eileen Baldry the key ways we can show our support for Professor Baldry says. falling down around them. Lachlan Gilbert asked says Mardi Gras is a platform for the the LGBTIQ+ community and celebrate “The more equitable, diverse and inclusive the Dean of Engineering, Mark Hoffman, about his LG: What were your first impressions? University to engage in conversations with them.” we become, the more innovative and MH We worked out quite quickly it wasn’t about the challenges facing the LGBTIQ+ Initiatives pioneered by the Division extraordinary research and teaching we leadership of the investigation into the building’s the foundations at all – they were fine. So we community. draw attention to a range of community will have.” structural integrity. CONTINUED PAGE 12

Mark Hoffman. UNSW Magazine UNSW Magazine 12 / BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION / 13

FROM PAGE 11 hob beam’s strength, and so it failed. Another issue is there’s no clear process lucky that it happened on Christmas Eve started reviewing the site, doing calculations, Another beam was found to have failed for changing an original design. When you’re because it got such wide media coverage. speaking to people. The engineering because a lower strength concrete was used. building, things happen, designs need to be The article implied there were many company WSP was very open and helpful, as Different strengths of concrete are often used changed or, for example, the concrete truck unreported other cases in NSW. What do were the builders, Icon. We worked through when you’re building a large building. And of that came in and poured the concrete for you think about that? it all and came out with an interim report on course, they’re bringing trucks in all the time that beam – it was the wrong truck. With MH There are very rarely major structural the fourth of January, because people just to pour the concrete, and during this process hundreds turning up in the course of the issues with the design and construction wanted to know what was happening. they poured one of the beams with a lower The Opal Tower will building, it’s no surprise there’s one mistake. of buildings in Australia, as we saw here. strength concrete than the others. now be far stronger There should have been a formal sign-off However, things are often not built as they than it would LG What were your findings? Then we had to ask, why wasn’t this dealt have been before process by qualified and registered people should have been, such as leaking showers, MH We identified a combination of with at the time? We discovered that various the damage was and there wasn’t. leaking pipes, or the electrical work is not design and construction issues which we versions of the design drawings indicated repaired. The same independent checking would quite done as it should have been. All of Photo: Shutterstock confirmed in the final report on February 22. different strengths of concrete. Some people have clarified the design ambiguities we also these issues are happening way too often Essentially, there were some changes made were claiming ‘this is what it should be’, while identified. and that’s the gap in the system. to the initial design during the construction others pointed to another design document Australia’s National Construction Code LG How was it not transparent? What we’ve said is, designs and any changes So yes, quality is a real issue. But the process which raised the loads on some and said ‘no, this is what it should be’. It was is based on the principle that we want MH For example, we had a ministerial to them have got to be signed off by qualified safety through the National Construction beams. There were then some inappropriate not immediately clear to us who were correct. our buildings to be structurally safe. And directive and it still took us quite a lot of time and registered engineers. Once that is in Code is more robust. From a quality point aspects to the construction, and when What was clear, however, was that one beam they are! But the full breadth of consumer to get some of this documentation – people place, your system becomes much more of view, there are definitely problems in combined, they led to the damage. The was made from lower strength concrete than expectations regarding building quality is weren’t being obstructionist, they just robust and it’s not that much more expensive, the construction industry, from an overall ultimate issue was, however, around the others and it was the one that failed. not really addressed in that code. This is couldn’t access it easily. We recommended if one focuses on critical components. building structural safety point of view, design approvals and monitoring during There was also a grouting issue. left to the state governments, and they have that all of this documentation should be on we’re in reasonable shape. construction. This meant some non- been lax in this regard. a curated website. If it’s transparent and LG It looked like a stressful time for the standard practices slipped through. LG So what were your recommendations? In NSW to date, much has been vested people’s names have been put on it, they have residents who had to find somewhere to LG So what do you think will happen MH The first recommendation was around in a sign-off from a building certifier, and a far different approach to doing the work live really quickly around Christmas. What moving on from this? LG Can you elaborate? the process to fix the structural damage in then it’s all okay. Now in the case of Opal than when they know that it’s just going to was your impression of that? MH I think this whole incident will be a real MH In one case the initial approved design the building. Very quickly, the risk factor was Tower, the certifier had done that, and had be filed away in some ‘drawer’. MH The builder acted extraordinarily well. watershed for the construction industry was changed, specifically to reduce the amount reduced by inserting some grout and bracing done nothing wrong that we could see. As soon as it was clear that people had to and the way it’s regulated in NSW. There’d of grout between a pre-cast concrete panel around the damaged sections. Some highly But the certifier’s job is not to check that LG What were other recommendations? leave they found them accommodation and been a number of reports and anecdotal and the hob beam. When the amount of grout reputable independent engineering teams everything’s okay, it’s just to check that all the MH NSW doesn’t register engineers so they gave them a living allowance for a long discussions about these sort of problems was reduced then the local load on the hob have designed structural rectifications and by appropriate approvals have been signed off. anyone can basically put up a website and period of time. but no one really wanted to grasp the nettle. beams increased. In the level 10 case, which the time they’re finished, it will be far stronger So the certifier basically signs off on a whole say ‘I’ll manage the project and sign off But now the Opal Tower incident has was heard on Christmas Eve, it was incorrectly than it would have been normally. tiered approach where somebody signed off on designs and check the construction’. LG A newspaper opinion piece in February brought it all into very sharp focus, so placed electrical conduit and reinforcing steel, Other recommendations were about something that wasn’t right. But there’s no And so we’ve recommended the registering made the point that in one sense, the hopefully the construction industry will and a repair to the panel, which reduced the how to avoid these incidents in the future. real double-checking, nor is it transparent. of engineers. people living in the Opal Tower were be the better for it.

NSW Sydney’s City Futures Research As well as identifying the prevalence of “Despite [this], there is no comprehensive data work out what’s going on – which ones have Professor Randolph hopes to see the Centre will address the severe and significant building defects, the project will available on defective apartment buildings defects, what are the defects if they have them balance of power shift towards the consumer, Researchers to growing concern about building quality seek to understand the causes and provide … what kinds of defects exist, or why they’ve and, importantly, how much it is going to cost with increased transparency, extensive building Uissues in the multi-unit housing sector. innovative solutions to improve housing quality, occurred. to fix and by whom.” documentation, and more information about The centre has been awarded a $273,702 which could bring about sweeping changes to “We have now put together a team of He believes the project will further uncover track records. investigate major ARC Linkage Grant for a two-year project to the sector. industry partners to support a new research fundamental issues in the housing sector – “Thousands of consumers are buying tackle major defects in strata housing in NSW. The multi-unit housing sector in Australia project to address this knowledge gap.” being undermined by cascading risks, blame properties and they really don’t know whether building defects The project, led by UNSW City Futures is estimated to be worth more than $1 trillion The research will focus on three areas of shifting and lack of oversight. they’re good, bad or indifferent. Director Professor Bill Randolph (pictured), and provides almost half of new Australian Sydney’s biggest high-density housing markets “There’s a whole series of places where “We need to get this information and The City Futures Research will build on previous research to housing. A previous study conducted – City of Sydney, Parramatta and Canterbury- things can go wrong,” he says. knowledge into the hands of the consumers accurately identify the scale of major by the City Futures Research Centre Bankstown. “There’s a whole chain of risk which is which will help shift the balance into their Centre is investigating the defects threatening to undermine found that between 72% and 85% of Professor Randolph says the project pushed further and further down the chain hands rather than have it all on the side of the multi-unit housing sector the multi-unit housing sector. The owners’ corporations had identified methodology is one of the most ambitious from the developers right down to the developers. project team also includes UNSW at least one significant defect in undertaken by the research centre and subcontractors, where people can cut corners, “The good developers will welcome it and and will propose changes to Built Environment Professor Martin their building. will engage stakeholders across industries, as they did in the Opal Tower, and nobody really welcome a more knowledgeable consumer,” Loosemore, UNSW Scientia Fellow “It is generally recognised that including strata, insurance and law. checks up on them. he says. “The bad ones will be squeezed out of protect people buying units. Dr Hazel Easthope and UNSW City developments in residential buildings “We’re actually going to do an in-depth data “Quality control methods need to change, the market.” By Ben Knight. Futures Research Fellow Dr Laura have a high proportion of defects when gathering exercise on about 600 of these blocks and our project will give some pointers as to An interim report on the project findings will Crommelin. they’re built,” says Professor Randolph. in these three areas, with a view to trying to how that might happen.” be released at the end of the year.

UNSW Magazine UNSW Magazine 14 / GANDHI ORATION GANDHI ORATION / 15

Reverend Tim Costello A fair and just society will encourage Wherever World Vision works, our focus on ordinary Australians to continue to engage on delivers the democratic principles of equality, equity is for all people. the issue of refugees and inform the debates Gandhi Oration. In search Photo: Jacquie Manning opportunity, and mobility. It will also provide Meanwhile, overseas aid provided by the about an offshore detention system that a legal framework for human rights. federal government has hit rock-bottom. imprisons vulnerable people. Every just society must try to reduce the gap Australia spends $4.04 billion on overseas aid When we are either complacent about this in income and wealth among its citizenry. This – that’s just 0.22 per cent of our gross national issue or complicit in the punitive approach to of hope is achieved through some form of monetary income (GNI), or 22 cents in every $100. This asylum seekers, we have lost something that redistribution and taxation and political will to is set to drop even further to just 19 cents in sits at the core of our democratic ideals. We all have the power to change the do the right thing. every $100 of GNI by 2021. Polling from the Australia Institute This means that, despite being one of the CAN ETHICS AND PROFIT GO TOGETHER? course of history, says Tim Costello consistently shows that the Australian public wealthiest and lowest-taxing nations and one Can ethics and profits mix? Absolutely. in this edited version of his Gandhi would prefer higher levels of spending on of the most robust economies in the world, Companies that lay the framework for Oration delivered at UNSW. public services than lower tax collection. Australia is one of the least generous when business ethics in all facets of operations are In a just society, there must be a political it comes to aid. more likely to become and remain profitable and legal framework that protects and than those that conduct business in an or most of his extraordinary life, Albert the marginalisation of minorities. “Justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, enhances the rights of the people. Laws A MORE SECURE WORLD Providing aid is the unethical manner. Einstein hung portraits on his wall of Still relevant are Gandhi’s Seven Deadly opportunities and privileges within a society.” that discriminate against specific groups right thing to do in a moral sense, but it also There are many inherent challenges to moral two scientists, Isaac Newton and James Social Sins that lead to disconnection and I would add to that definition. Social justice (racial, ethnic or religious), under the guise advances global security. leadership in a nation wedded to the notion FMaxwell, as role models to inspire him. violence: Wealth without work, Pleasure is about all having equal rights to basic of protecting the majority of people or The challenge from international terrorism that “the richer I am, the happier I will be”. Near the end of his life, Einstein replaced without conscience, Science without humanity, liberties and needs and a just society is one preserving a way of life, are morally wrong. is a call to concern ourselves with the fate of It’s really important that businesses realise them with a portrait of the Mahatma Gandhi. Knowledge without character, Politics without that challenges injustice and values diversity. They must be challenged. the marginalised in poor countries where aid they are trading in a global village and they Einstein said he realised he needed role principle, Commerce without morality and It is about sharing a common humanity. It is can reduce the breeding grounds for violence need a global ethic. Too many in this nation models, not of success, but of humility. He Worship without sacrifice. about fairness. CAN POVERTY AND INJUSTICE BE SOLVED? and fanaticism. are constantly fearing about tomorrow and called Gandhi one of the greatest moral Our world is characterised by paradox. Economic modelling from The Australian living one day at a time. leaders of all time. GLOBALISATION Gandhi was not against WORLD VISION’S WORK Gandhi believed in Overall globally, there is unparalleled National University has found that every They are always looking for the light at the Einstein wrote: “I believe that Gandhi’s globalisation. But he did believe that it could the power of small communities to overcome prosperity but we are beset by political, additional $1 spent on Australian foreign aid end of the tunnel. views were the most enlightened of all the lead to environmental hazards and hyper- poverty and injustice. economic, social and environmental issues. in Asia has resulted in $7.10 in Australian But what if WE are the light at the end of political men of our time.” consumerism. He was right. Over the past few years, World Vision There are many reasons why global poverty exports. that tunnel? What if we are the only light? Gandhi was a great revolutionary but Some development and connectedness has has been working to demonstrate how endures, and also some challenging truths Our consciences call us to encourage his revolutions were peaceful. He fought been greatly improved but richer nations still community-led development can provide an to face. economic development and reduce global WHAT WE MUST DO injustice by practising justice, he fought get richer and poorer nations remain poor. effective model for change. Political will is vital, as is global stability poverty. But it is also in our national interest In Gandhi, we find a source of optimism – against violence non-violently, he opposed We must look beyond our borders to the We recognise that poverty is not just limited and the protection of the natural world. to do so. a belief that our world can change for the discrimination by embracing the oppressed. wellbeing of our 7.4 billion brothers and to a low income, but also includes a lack of The solution also requires compassion We now need to ask ourselves as a nation better. His ideals of non-violence and universal sisters on the planet. access to services and essential goods. It and global citizenship by all people to ensure what more we can do to inspire justice. All of us have to be a part of the solution. humanity still inform and inspire. A socially just society must put people first includes financial poverty, but also inequity of politicians have a mandate to act. I believe there is an urgent need for We all have gifts, privileges and talents to He said all our activities should be centred — not property or profits. opportunity, health, education, information, I don’t suggest for a moment that the make a difference. in truth. He said truth would always conquer protection and civic participation. solution is easy. But we have made some To quote Mahatma Gandhi, “in a gentle untruth. SOCIAL JUSTICE Why do some people get At home, we know that enormous gaps exist great advances. way you can shake the world” with the In this era of the post-truth 21st century, more than they need and some people miss between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Literally millions of children who are alive power of your beliefs, with the power of where politicians stoke irrational fears to out? I have always felt that the great lottery Australians. today wouldn’t be if we hadn’t given it our your conviction, with your devotion to the hold on to power, we certainly need devotion of life is unfair. There needs to be change in the way that best shot. Millions more receive an education. invincible truth. “Love and truth are faces of to truth. If injustice was merely a matter of evil funding is provided to support Indigenous Currently, World Vision is deeply involved the same coin, both very difficult to practise, people somewhere committing evil deeds, it development. in working with other aid organisations and and the only things worth living for.”So let’s HOW RELEVANT IS GANDHI’S would be easier to cope with. Gandhi said it Our approach provides opportunities for governments around the world to achieve live in hope, be productive and useful. Once PHILOSOPHY? It is undeniable that Gandhi was “not caring” that was the real problem the Indigenous communities we work with Sustainable Development Goals. we choose hope, anything’s possible. was one of history’s momentous figures. in this. He said we win justice quickest by to determine their own objectives, their own These are a set of 17 globally agreed goals Reverend Tim Costello is one of Australia’s Seventy-one years after his assassination, rendering justice to the other party. measures of success and a way to realise their and targets designed to end extreme poverty leading voices on social justice and humanitarian Gandhi’s global influence is still enormous. The But what exactly is social justice? Some own vision for the future. by 2030. The annual Gandhi Remembrance Ceremony and issues. He is the Chief Advocate for World fundamental issues he addressed – poverty on the Left would argue it means equality of Gandhi Oration is held at UNSW in co-ordination Vision Australia. and hunger, violence, war and injustice – outcomes, those on the Right are more likely THE CHALLENGE AHEAD I’ve learnt that FOREIGN AID Of every dollar donated to with India’s Martyrs’ Day, the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination on 30 January Hear the full speech at www.centreforideas.com/article/ remain with us as we struggle with the mixed to argue for equality of opportunities. The ordinary people can change the course of World Vision, 83.3 per cent goes to field 1948. The Remembrance Ceremony is held at at the benefits of globalisation, retribalisation, Oxford Dictionary defines social justice as: history. programs and advocacy work. Gandhi bust on the Library Lawn (pictured). tim-costello-ordinary-people-can-change-course-history

UNSW Magazine UNSW Magazine 16 / GLOBAL IMPACT A JUST SOCIETY / 17 How a liquid First to 100 – and planning for many more metal discovery UNSW is the first university to graduate 100 Indigenous Law students. The University’s commitment could solve a to law reform to benefit Indigenous people is as deep as ever, writes Belinda Henwood. he many and significant achievements UNSW Sydney Pro of the first 100 Indigenous graduates Vice-Chancellor, global challenge from UNSW Law form a story that Indigenous, Professor Tdemands to be told, Dean of Law, Professor Megan Davis, at the A tenth of the planet’s population celebration of 100 George Williams, says. Indigenous graduates. could get access to clean “The graduation of 100 Indigenous BELOW: Founding drinking water at low cost thanks students from UNSW Law is a significant Dean, Hal Wootten. to breakthrough research by milestone. These students have gone on to extraordinary careers, ranging from Professor Kourosh Kalantar-Zadeh. high judicial office through to political and By Lachlan Gilbert. community service,” Professor Williams said at a celebration in March for the respective alumni and the ‘community’ of hen UNSW chemical engineer countries, coming in at more than $100 their families. Professor Kourosh Kalantar-Zadeh a unit. By contrast, each aluminium oxide “Their success reflects the efforts of the first placed a chunk of aluminium filter produced from liquid gallium can be students themselves, their families, their Winto some liquid gallium, he was hoping produced for as little as 10 cents. teachers and the many others who have Hal Wootten AC QC, who set the faculty nature would reveal some more of her Professor Kalantar-Zadeh says the provided support to ensure that they have on a path of promoting and supporting secrets to add to our knowledge of the technology can be put to good use in Africa access to a world-class legal education.” Indigenous legal education back in 1971. mysterious world of liquid metals. and Asia in places where heavy metal ions Pro Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous, “As Foundation Dean with no Faculty yet But after seeing the results – sheets of in the water are at levels well beyond safe Professor Megan Davis, said at the event appointed, it fell to me to respond during aluminium oxide that formed at the surface human consumption. that the proudest and most active Aboriginal 1970 to a challenge from young Aboriginal of the gallium – he soon recognised a “You pour the contaminated water in the and Torres Strait Islander lawyers came leaders in Redfern, who saw the new Law practical use of his discovery that could help Professor Kourosh Kalantar-Zadeh. top of a flask with the aluminium oxide filter. from UNSW. School’s vision as directly relevant to the achieve one of the biggest challenges facing Wait two minutes and the water that passes “UNSW Law has been home to so many harsh and often illegal treatment they the planet: giving people in the developing material could be made so cheaply using through the filter is now very clean water, Indigenous Law students, with academic received at the hands of police,” he said in a world access to clean drinking water. simple equipment and at room temperature. completely drinkable. And the good thing is, staff who are very genuinely and deeply booklet, Celebrating 100 Indigenous UNSW Professor Kalantar-Zadeh wondered “If you really wanted to, you could make this filter is very cheap,” he says. committed to the education of Aboriginal Law Graduates, produced for the event. whether the extremely porous and layered this in your kitchen,” he says. “Up until now, to produce aluminium and Torres Strait Islander students as well “To meet this challenge, I worked with wafers of aluminium oxide that emerged “We published this concept and released oxide, you needed to process aluminium as research and advocacy for law reform that these young leaders, and others in the from the liquid gallium could be used to it to the public domain, so people around at above 1000 degrees or use other energy impacts the lives of Indigenous peoples,” Redfern community, to establish The filter water polluted with toxic chemicals the world can use the idea for free and intensive processes. Now we’re talking about Professor Davis said. Aboriginal Legal Service, the first such and make it drinkable. implement it for enhancing the quality of something you can do even under the sun in The event wasn’t all talk. The crowd “They [the Faculty] were really invested community-controlled organisation in “When we tested it, we pushed water their lives. summer at 35 degrees.” arrived to the sound of Evie J Wylie’s singing in getting us not only into the degree, but Australia.” contaminated with 10 times the safe level “This is all about a new paradigm. Professor Kalantar-Zadeh was awarded an and Rhyan Clapham (Dobby), hip-hop artist through the degree,” she says. In time, the Aboriginal Legal Service of lead in it through the filters and found We haven’t even begun to explore how ARC Australian Laureate Fellowship soon and UNSW’s first Indigenous Bachelor of “When I was really struggling with my became a network of government-funded the filtered water was completely safe and we can use liquid metals as a base for after joining UNSW’s School of Chemical Music graduate, performed. studies, I received help that I didn’t even ask legal services for Indigenous people all over drinkable,” Professor Kalantar-Zadeh says. manufacturing things that are cheap, green Engineering as part of the University’s Many alumni sent a strong message for. Jeni Engel [the Director of Indigenous the country. In 2000, the Millennial Summit of the and safe for humans.” SHARP program in 2018. that their individual achievements were Legal Education] talked to Shalom College Emeritus Professor Wootten said the United Nations identified clean water access Professor Kalantar-Zadeh says a German His research that details the science grounded in the support they had received and Nura Gili to get me a residential place experience led him to take the first steps to as one of the challenges facing humanity. It manufacturing company is looking into behind making the water filter material was from their families. They also acknowledged when I didn’t have anywhere to live.” ensure that there was an avenue of special is estimated that 800 million people, or one replicating the technology to produce published in the journal Advanced Function the Law School and academics. As well as celebrating alumni admission available to Indigenous students in 10, do not have access to clean water. portable water filtration devices at low Materials with former colleagues from Jenavive Westbury (2018), now working at achievements, the event paid tribute to in every UNSW faculty, should they need it. What made Professor Kalantar-Zadeh’s cost. The portable filtration products that RMIT. The work was funded by The ARC Legal Aid as a project officer, worked closely the Founding Dean’s commitment to Now, UNSW Law School graduates more discovery a possible solution to this already remove heavy metals from water are Centre for Future Low-Energy Electronics with the Faculty to interview alumni for social justice for Indigenous Australians. Indigenous Law students than any other law challenge was the fact the water filter prohibitively expensive to use in developing Technologies (FLEET). both the video and booklet for the event. Among the many distinguished guests was faculty in Australia.

UNSW Magazine UNSW Magazine 18 / GLOBAL IMPACT SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT / 19 Eye care Walking between two worlds Business School graduate Dylan Booth is determined to reshape the landscape revolution of Indigenous affairs in Australia. By Ibrar Khan. or many UNSW Sydney students, School, and my other siblings, Brodie and for millions the idea of their culture, tradition, CJ, have ambitions to do the same. I am who they are, and their professional immensely proud of them.” Fcareer, is one and the same as they After graduating, Mr Booth joined KPMG In a country where optometrists progress through life. and “fell in love with consulting”. are one in 4 million, UNSW According to UNSW Business School “I decided to leave KPMG after my grad is supporting a dramatic graduate Dylan Booth, for many Indigenous year to take up my current role at EY people it isn’t as simple as that. and pursue what I am passionate about expansion in health care that “Walking in two worlds – it’s a concept – improving outcomes for Aboriginal will change how many people that I’m sure everyone has heard. It’s and Torres Strait Islander people. In the see their world. By Lucy Carroll. the idea that as Aboriginal and Torres Indigenous Sector Practice we work with and Strait Islander people we often live in two for our clients to do exactly that.” distinctly different worlds: that of our He relishes the opportunity to work with partnership between UNSW Sydney ABOVE: Makerere University School of Optometry and locally in Uganda using internationally professional careers and that of our culture,” the Indigenous community and address academics and Makerere University Vision Science students practise contact lens insertion developed teaching materials and advanced Mr Booth says. equality issues at a national level. and removal. in Kampala, Uganda, will train equipment will help ensure the population Mr Booth is a proud Kamilaroi man, Mr Booth has worked on projects that BELOW: Dr Kathleen Watt and Associate Professor optometristsA and transform access to eye care Isabelle Jalbert with students at the Makerere University receives basic services including prescription a UNSW Sydney alumnus and a consultant focus on improving outcomes for Aboriginal services for thousands of people affected by Optometry and Vision Science Teaching Clinic. eye glasses, eye exams, contact lenses and the in professional services firm EY’s Indigenous children in out-of-home care and supporting vision problems. prevention and detection of eye disease. Sector Practice and Transaction Advisory Aboriginal families, and has designed policy The team, led by Associate Professor outside of the visits. The optometry faculty at Dr Anguyo Dralega, Head of the Optometry Services. frameworks for state government agencies Isabelle Jalbert and Dr Kathleen Watt from Makerere University is in the process of being School, Makerere University, says: “Young His relationship with UNSW Business to increase Indigenous participation in the School of Optometry and Vision Science, built up and is very stretched in covering all optometrists are the building blocks for a School began in 2012 as he was getting ready procurement, employment and community will oversee the training of local optometrists, the teaching required,” says Dr Jalbert. sustainable eye care service in Uganda. They to sit his Higher School Certificate and make development. the creation of specialist eye health programs The School of Optometry at Makerere will relieve the country’s 45 ophthalmologists a decision about his future. His latest project aims to ensure that every and curriculum development for the first University is a collaboration between UNSW, from the management of eye conditions, “My careers advisor at school set up a Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person optometry degree ratified in Uganda. the Brien Holden Vision Institute, the allowing them to concentrate on other areas meeting with Nura Gili, the Indigenous A UNSW family: Dylan Booth (second from left) with living with a disability has access to the “There are less than 10 practising Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and of specialties. The optometrists will help Programs Unit at UNSW. Next thing I was siblings Ariel, Brodie and CJ. essential medical services they need. optometrists in Uganda to service about 40 Trade, Optometry Giving Sight, Light for the improve the quality of life for many Ugandans invited to the inaugural UNSW Business “I feel as though I have a cultural obligation million people,” Dr Jalbert says. “All of them World, and the Optometrist Association of with uncorrected vision impairment by School Indigenous Accounting forum.” to do what I can,” he says. “During my career received their training overseas. Uganda. The first group of Ugandan-trained providing refraction services and appropriate The Indigenous Accounting forum was ‘Choice is something that too I’ve come to understand that it’s not always “It’s a really young profession and there is a optometrists graduated from Makerere glasses. The benefit of this simple measure an initiative of Rebecca Harcourt, Program few Indigenous people have. what you can gain but rather what you huge need to train and build up the workforce University in January. cannot be underestimated by a life Manager Indigenous Business Education at endeavour to give back that’s important.” to provide primary eye care.” Uganda is one of the African countries diminished through poor vision.” UNSW Business School. This is something that I am Being a graduate from one of the most The team from UNSW Science, supported supporting optometry as a public health Dr Jalbert says the growth of the school “I attended the forum, met industry prestigious business schools in Australia is by UNSW’s Institute for Global Development, priority to address the growing need of and ongoing work of Makerere University leaders, UNSW staff and current students and determined to change.’ a stepping stone, he says. will spend the next year visiting Makerere uncorrected sight. Training optometrists is helping to establish Uganda as a leader that was it, I was sold,” Mr Booth says. “Through education, I have the privilege of University to teach students and support in developing a sustainable East African “I couldn’t believe that I had been accepted Undeterred, however, he completed choice ... something that too few Indigenous the faculty, particularly in specialised fields optometry program. to study at one of Australia’s leading business internships at AMP Capital NSW people have. This is something that I am of advanced contact lenses training, “The current ophthalmologists working schools. I was excited to start the next Procurement and Allens-Linklaters, and determined to change. I am motivated to binocular vision, paediatric in Ugandan hospitals are unable to meet chapter of my life.” in 2016 he graduated with a Bachelor of change the landscape of Indigenous affairs optometry and ocular diseases. demand. By training local optometrists, The journey of navigating the two Commerce, majoring in International in this country, one way or another.” “Our team will travel to Uganda we are helping to supply primary eye overlapped worlds had well and truly begun. Business and Business Law. The UNSW alumnus attributes his success four times this year to teach care services which is key for triaging Living away from home for the first time and “I was the first person in my family to finish to the hard work done by his Elders. through practical workshops patients and providing vision adjusting to university life was challenging. year 12, go to university and get a degree,” he “I am a firm believer that I am here because and provide online training screening and services across The UNSW Business School graduate says the says. “I’m proud to say that my sister Ariel I am standing on the shoulders of the giants material that students can access regions,” she says. hardest part was being away from his family. is currently studying at the UNSW Business who have come before me,” he says.

UNSW Magazine UNSW Magazine 20 / ROAD SAFETY ROAD SAFETY / 21 Keep Slow down to save lives believe it to be true, and won’t question it The speed limit in areas with high pedestrian activity should be because they’ve heard it so often,” he says. reduced to 30 to 40km/h, say UNSW researchers. By Isabelle Dubach. “These are the people who have made your lid calls to repeal or weaken bicycle helmet legislation in Australia. The results from this otor vehicles shouldn’t be allowed to study are not supportive of those initiatives.” go faster than 40km/h – preferably on Professor Grzebieta takes this idea 30km/h – in high pedestrian active further: “If Australian helmet laws were Mareas, a UNSW Sydney study has found. repealed there would be a sudden [increase] A high pedestrian activity area includes any in the rate of serious head injuries and part of a city’s CBD, shopping strips along fatalities among cyclists involved in a crash. roads in suburbs and country towns, roads The subsequent increase in hospitalisation in front of schools during morning peak- costs would further exacerbate the hour arrivals and afternoon departures, and already overwhelming demand for crash sports venues with crowds crossing roads. trauma treatment at hospitals and cause a “Pedestrians struck in vehicle crashes significant increase in health costs.” are the largest group of traffic fatalities worldwide – and excessive speed is the nstead, both authors call for strategies biggest factor in such crashes,” says 28km/h, 10% at 36km/h, 50% at 57km/h, to improve cycling safety such as UNSW Professor Jake Olivier, who 75% at 67km/h and 90% at 78km/h. appropriately designed segregated presented the findings to the US National “So, for example, if a pedestrian gets hit Ibicycle infrastructure, something that Academies of Sciences, Engineering, by a vehicle at 30km/h impact speed, the Professor Olivier says is sadly lacking in and Medicine’s Transport Research average risk of death is at 6% – but when the Australia when compared with European Board’s annual meeting. The work is an impact speed increases by 1km/h, the odds countries where there are often clearly international collaboration of researchers of a pedestrian fatality increase on average designated spaces for pedestrians, cyclists at UNSW Sydney and UHasselt in Belgium. by 11%,” says Professor Olivier. Photos: Shutterstock and motorists. “Even an impact speed of as low as around “Therefore, assuming a vehicle travelling A UNSW study has shown a clear link between mandatory helmet have deterred people from cycling and have He notes that “this senseless focus on 30km/h is equivalent to what you would at the speed limit will slow down by at least laws and a drastic reduction in cycling fatalities, defying critics of reduced the number of fatalities only by helmet legislation detracts from the more experience if you fell off the roof of your 25% prior to impact, speed limits for areas lowering participation rates. important concerns about construction of house,” Professor Olivier says. with high pedestrian activity should be set the laws, writes Lachlan Gilbert. The authors of the study (‘The impact dedicated cycling infrastructure, education However, there’s still a lot of debate to 30 to 40km/h.” of bicycle helmet legislation on cycling of all road users, and supportive legislation around what safe maximum speed limits are The researchers stress that it is important he evidence is in: Australian mandatory bicycle helmet legislation,” he says. “This fatalities in Australia’, published in the to protect cyclists, such as minimum for vehicles in high pedestrian active areas, for policy makers to prescribe speeds that helmet laws brought in to reduce decline has been maintained since 1990 and International Journal of Epidemiology) passing distances”. because the odds for any given particular are safe, i.e. survivable, for all road users. fatalities in cycling have worked, with we estimate 1332 fewer cycling fatalities address this by pointing to numerous Professor Grzebieta agrees, saying “it is speed vary extensively between studies. They say their recommendations are in Ta world-first study of such laws at UNSW associated with the introduction of bicycle international studies, including their own, well known the primary reasons for not “That’s why we wanted to see how the line with international best practice. Sydney showing they led to an immediate helmet legislation to date.” that found no strong evidence for MHL cycling in urban Australia are the lack of likelihood of a pedestrian dying in a crash “The speed limits we propose for high 46% drop in fatalities and have saved billions Australia does not have national road leading to fewer people cycling. Emeritus infrastructure and safety concerns due to changed at different speeds – and our study active areas are commonly used by best of dollars in medical costs since 1990. laws as such, but after Victoria brought Professor Raphael Grzebieta, also of TARS, interactions with motorised vehicles”. is the largest to date with data on over practice countries – such as Sweden, the Study lead author, Professor Jake Olivier in mandatory helmet laws in 1990 the says a small but vocal group of anti-helmet Next the authors will be looking at the 37,000 pedestrians,” Professor Olivier says. Netherlands and the UK – that have the of UNSW’s School of Mathematics and remaining states and territories had advocates are ill-informed and incorrect in health benefits of cycling when not using In the study, the scientists searched four lowest road fatality rates and that practise Statistics and Deputy Director of the followed suit by 1992. This study is the claiming that MHL has been a disaster for a helmet versus those of introducing MHL electronic databases to identify studies a Safe System Approach to road safety,” Transport and Road Safety (TARS) Research first in the world to examine the effects cycling in Australia. on a population rate basis. that reported data on pedestrian fatalities says Professor Raphael Grzebieta, Emeritus Centre, says the statistics offer clear, solid of mandatory helmet laws applied on a Professor Olivier concurs and says “There are numerous claims that or serious injuries from motorised vehicle Professor at UNSW Science’s School of and indisputable scientific evidence that national scale where those laws apply to misinformation such as this has been the benefits of cycling far outweigh the crashes with known estimated impact speed. Aviation. “Our urban limit of 50km/h is mandatory helmet laws (MHL) have been all ages and are dutifully enforced. present from the beginning. ‘disbenefit’ of introducing mandatory They then analysed data from 20 studies simply much too high.” effective in reducing injuries in Australia. The findings of the study are in stark He doesn’t expect the most vocal helmet laws,” Professor Grzebieta says. – containing data from six countries – for In Australia, 5.34 in 100,000 people die “There was an immediate 46% reduction contrast with claims made by anti-helmet advocates to be moved by the research. “We are highly sceptical of this claim and their meta-analysis. in a motorised car crash every year, placing in the rate of cycling fatalities per 100,000 advocates who believe helmets do not “It is one of those things where it has been suspect poor assumptions are being made The analysis found that risk of a fatality Australia 15th lowest out of the 31 nations population following the introduction of reduce fatalities. Instead, they say, MHL repeated so many times that people just in the scientific methodology.” reaches 5% at an estimated impact speed of with available data.

UNSW Magazine UNSW Magazine 22 / GLOBAL IMPACT SPORT / 23

In energy-poor Malawi, life stops when the lights go out. Finding his inner Bulldog Shanil Samarakoon is illuminating When Dean Towers was de-listed by the Sydney Swans, it was an opportunity the future, writes Ibrar Khan. at UNSW that put him back in the game, writes Megan Maurice.

usiness School academic Shanil rom the AFL to the Sydney club Samarakoon is on a mission to provide competition and student life – the last ‘When the clock electricity to 10,000 homes in rural few months have been quite a ride for BMalawi by 2023. Fformer Sydney Swans player Dean Towers. hits that hour, you Mr Samarakoon, who teaches Social and After being de-listed by the Swans in have to be able to Environmental Sustainability on the Master October last year, Mr Towers decided to of Commerce program at UNSW Business reassess his career goals and focus on study. switch off from uni School with the Centre for Social Impact However, at 28 he still felt he had a lot to offer (CSI), says the project is close to his heart. in the football world. and fully switch on “There’s a very personal connection for Through the Elite Athlete Program me,” Mr Samarakoon says. “I grew up across at UNSW, he came across the perfect to sport.’ Botswana and Malawi in southern Africa, opportunity – studying Exercise Physiology, although my parents are both from Sri Lanka. while taking on the role of player-coach at My early childhood was spent across UNSW-ES Bulldogs. “I talked to a lot of the various unis here and eventually settled on Exercise Physiology as a career pathway,” he says. “Talking to some exercise physiologists Let there BE LIGHT who I knew, they said UNSW’s course is ABOVE: Energy access can be transformative LEFT: Bulldogs president Stephen Dunkley those three countries and I have very fond for children in developing communities, says highly recognised and they haven’t heard a (left) introduces new coach Dean Towers at memories growing up there. I’ve always had Shanil Samarakoon. bad thing about it. the club’s first pre-season training session. a passion to want to contribute when I was LEFT: UNSW Business School academic Shanil “UNSW was also good at communicating Samarakoon at work in Malawi. older and my work as a social entrepreneur with me, and helping facilitate transferring and as an academic is very much geared my credits from previous studies, and were “To make it as an elite athlete, sport has towards making contributions in those is to generate revenue for non-profit work. just very welcoming. to be a main priority for you, and even then countries I have grown up across.” “The direct benefits of solar are replacing “They made the process very easy on me.” it might not work out, so you also have to do In 2010, Mr Samarakoon and his partners existing sources of energy – people might Mr Towers is excited about his decision and well at uni. established Empower Projects, a non-profit have once used kerosene lamps and now feels that he has made the perfect choice. “So it’s just really being good at time organisation which helps rural communities they’ve moved to torches powered by “It took me a while to realise after football management. You have to be right on to it – in Malawi establish cooperatives as a vehicle batteries, but that’s an ongoing expense,” that I wanted to work with different people – Photos: UNSW-ES Bulldogs AFL Club when the clock hits that hour, you have to be for development. a huge issue and a major constraint to Mr Samarakoon says. not the same people every day,” he says. his career into the already excellent structure able to switch off from uni and fully switch on Empower helps them establish community development,” he says. “Energy access Using solar power eliminates that “I also wanted to make a difference in and culture of the club. to sport. banks and form agricultural co-ops, and creates so many opportunities, particularly expense, with lighting delivering the social people’s lives – and you can do all of that with “I feel like I’m a pretty approachable “But as soon as that clock switches over works with schools to promote sustainable for low income households … I have really and safety benefits. Exercise Physiology. person, so if anyone wants to talk to me about again, you have to be able to change your solutions such as solar, food gardens, eco- seen how transformative the impact of “Often the social and economic “The field’s just growing, so there’s my journey, or they have any questions about mindset and get straight back into being a uni sanitation and water sanitation. energy access can be.” activity ends once the sun sets; the different types of jobs popping up for exercise the pathways and how to stand out and get student and doing what’s right by you.” Mr Samarakoon is a PhD Candidate Malawi has a population of 17.5 million, social benefits of having access to physiologists everywhere, which really better, then I’m an open book and they can With the club setting its sights on (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences) in but only 10% of residents have access to lighting means extending the productive appeals to me – I like the idea of not getting come and speak to me,” he says. defending all four of its premierships, an emerging interdisciplinary field called grid‑based electricity. Mr Samarakoon day,” he says. stuck in the same routine for a whole year.” Mr Towers certainly has a lot to offer and maybe even picking up a few more, Energy Justice. says this is one of the reasons for the “Having access to good source of light Towers is not making sweeping changes at student-athletes, off the field as well as on. Mr Towers’ experience and leadership is vital Focussing on issues relating to solar establishment of Zuwa Energy – a social means that there can be more social and the AFL club, which has had plenty of success Having balanced study with a professional for the 2019 season. adoption in Malawi, he says “energy access” business that sells affordable solar household livelihood activity. Children are able to study in recent years with four premierships across sporting career in the past, he is well And while he is enjoying his mentoring role is paramount to developing communities. systems. The pay-as-you-go technology at night. At a community scale, [having] the grades in 2018 and a swathe of players positioned to give advice to those embarking with up-and-coming footballers, Mr Towers “What I’ve noticed across the last decade means Malawians can take up to 21 months lighting means there’s an increased sense of drafted to AFL and AFLW clubs. on that journey. is also cherishing the opportunity to be on of work in the social sector in Sri Lanka to pay for a system. safety. There’s more vibrancy if people Instead he is integrating his knowledge and “It is really tough to balance sport and the other side, striding down the path of life and in Malawi is that energy poverty is He says the other function of Zuwa Energy are able to interact with one another.” the elite coaching he has received throughout study,” he says. at the UNSW School of Medicine.

UNSW Magazine UNSW Magazine 24 / SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT MUSIC / 25 Building for better living Life is good at 40 for Australia Ensemble The best built environment is inclusive, designed for people UNSW’s renowned chamber music ensemble is tuning up for a significant birthday, writes Neil Martin. who are ageing and living with disability, writes Ben Knight. Concert dates for the uilt Environment staying in their homes] 2019 subscription series: Professor can reduce the need for Catherine Bridge is care by 47% and lead to Sat August 17, 8pm Cool Fire Bdetermined to improve a 40% improvement in Sat September 14, 8pm Heart * Beat the accessibility of the quality of life.” Sat October 12, 8pm Guilty Pleasures built environment and “If we can effectively All concerts held in UNSW’s improve life for some delay [institutional care] Sir John Clancy Auditorium. of the most vulnerable by just five years through populations – the elderly ageing-in-place,Photo: that Shutterstock and the disabled. is huge for not just the Professor Bridge runs individual’s wellbeing, The Australia Ensemble has been resident the Livability Design but also the taxpayer and at UNSW since 1980. L-R Ian Munro (piano), Lab at UNSW Built the healthcare system.” Dene Olding (violin), Irina Morozova (viola), Environment, which Professor Bridge is Julian Smiles (cello), Geoffrey Collins (flute), Dimity hall (violin), David Griffiths (clarinet). pioneers inclusive also the Director of the Centre: Paul Stanhope (Artistic Chair). design using cutting- Home Modification Photo: Quentin Jones edge technology such Information as motion capture and Clearinghouse (HMinfo), biomechanical analysis an information service ooking forward and looking back is the ‘It was a real leap of Although the Australia Ensemble has a software to analyse the which provides the fitting way Artistic Chair Paul Stanhope significant loyal following of music lovers, barriers to accessibility Professor Catherine Bridge (right) is determined to improve the accessibility of the built environment evidence base for housing describes the Australia Ensemble’s faith that the University Mr Stanhope is keen to welcome new people. in the built environment. through inclusive design that attends to the needs of diversity. retrofit in Australia. Lhistoric 40th season for 2019. He believes this is the perfect season to She says that current “People historically The Australia Ensemble, resident at originally made to put on come along and experience a wide range of assumptions about design are preventing Professor Bridge says the need to improve ... have focused on only one aspect, either UNSW Sydney, was set up in 1980 and has a professional ensemble different styles. the built environment from being inclusive. the inclusiveness of the built environment disability or sustainability, but no one become widely regarded as this country’s “The programs are full of diversity. It’s “The idea of wellbeing is modelled on a is becoming especially urgent as the looked at how they intersect,” she says. finest chamber music group. like this and it’s become not just a string quartet performing all healthy, middle-aged man, and so that is demographic shifts towards an ageing “[HMinfo] is unique in that it bridges this The ensemble consists of seven of night. There are different combinations of how it [the built environment] is designed,” population. gap between the wants, needs and desires Australia’s leading instrumentalists, something of a trademark.’ instruments that come together, plus guest she says. “This is not representative of “The ‘solution’ to a challenge such as of the older person or the person with the performing a wide range of pieces during artists such as mezzo soprano Fiona Campbell the population ... especially those who population ageing is usually to build more functional disability, and that of the industry its annual subscription season of Saturday the very last piece in the whole season. But and harp player Alice Giles. Those new people experience functional impairment.” hospitals or aged-care facilities. – the built environment sector and the evening concerts. looking forward, there are new pieces bring a new energy to the performances.” The accessibility of the built environment “Instead, what we should be asking is: what health sector.” This year’s season kicked off in March – including a new commission by Jessica Mr Stanhope already has one eye on is a factor of inclusion that is often else could we do that would prevent people The information service combs through and April with concerts at UNSW’s Sir John Wells who is a Sydney composer,” he adds. next year when the Australia Ensemble overlooked, Professor Bridge says. from going to the hospital in the first place, or academic literature, industry best- Clancy Auditorium. Others are scheduled “We’re also doing the Australian will celebrate 40 years since their very first Even designs that are accessible are prevent people from going into an aged care practice principles and combines this with for August, September and October. premieres of a couple of pieces. In the first concert back in 1980. typically not aesthetic, which prevents people facility, which will cost less and, in fact, have research from the Livability Design Lab to As this is the 40th season, Mr Stanhope concert we have David Bruce’s Steampunk Plans for potential pieces are underway from engaging with their environments, better economic and social outcomes?” develop user-friendly materials, including has crafted a program that includes many of and later in the year we have a piece by Paul and the group’s artistic chair believes it will particularly in the home, she says. Professor Bridge believes the solution lies factsheets and mobile applications, which the players’ favourite pieces, as well as new Moravec. They are both really established be a momentous occasion. “Historically, modifications such as within the home. She hopes to see people have been used by more than 200,000 music never heard before in Australia. composers in America, but we don’t really “I want to acknowledge the University’s handrails and ramps have been designed empowered to live in their homes for longer, people, from consumers to industry and “This year, there are some retrospective get to hear much of their music over here. support during what has been 40 years of by modifying industrial equipment … or which can reduce the need for care, while policymakers. things that the players really wanted to share “One of the things we like to do is introduce great music-making,” he says. they’re things you would see in a hospital improving quality of life in every metric. She says HMInfo provides practical with the audience, such as the Pierné Piano new pieces to our audience and I’m especially “It was a real leap of faith that the or in a public access bathroom, which are “Overwhelmingly, the research shows support and empowers individuals to age Quintet, which is not so well-known, but is a interested in the Steampunk piece. It’s really University originally made to put on a stigmatising because they scream ‘disability’. that people want to remain in their homes, in place for longer, enabling them to have late-Romantic gem,” Mr Stanhope says. lively and there is a theatrical element to it professional ensemble like this and it’s “The goal should not be just to meet the rather than enter institutional care greater autonomy and reduce the burden on “We also have some of the players’ favourite as well, which I think the audience is really become something of a trademark that they minimum standards.” facilities,” she says. “We know that [people Australia’s healthcare system. pieces such as the Brahms Serenade which is going to love.” should be justifiably proud of.”

UNSW Magazine UNSW Magazine 26 / LITERATURE CULTURE / 27 Atwood woos with tales of creativity Voices in

ombining serious concerns with basically scoop out their brains.” mischievous humour, Margaret Atwood She told the audience that she “luckily had the water encouraged her listeners to reconsider a tomboy mother” who was “a very athletic Cthe future humanity is building during an person … a speed skater” and a scientist Artist Allan Giddy’s new project exclusive event on Kensington campus. father, both of whom “weren’t interested in is creating a unique connection After a sold-out UNSW Centre for Ideas housework or gloves”. between young Indigenous appearance at the Opera House the previous Ms Atwood didn’t shy away from politics. day, Ms Atwood spoke with a mostly female When asked about the power of words and poets, writes Diane Nazaroff. undergraduate audience at the more her favourite written sentence, she said, intimate UNSW event. “It is true that words are very powerful, llan Giddy’s Flow uses the movement Dr Fiona Morrison, Literary Studies but they can be used negatively as well as of water to convey the voices of senior lecturer in the Faculty of Arts & positively … Donald Trump tweets words.” Indigenous children reading their Social Sciences, led the discussion of Among the serious issues, the author poetryA in their first language. Atwood’s rich body of work. also revealed her lighter side. At the Opera “The children’s words, recorded and Ms Atwood has written 16 novels, eight House event, she sang the Arrogant Worms’ edited into a soundscape, are ‘released’ into collections of short fiction, and 50 volumes ‘national anthem’ – Canada is Really Big – the water to flow to the oceans,” the public of poetry, children’s literature, fiction and unaccompanied. At UNSW, she talked about artist and director of the Environmental non-fiction. As well as the 11 Emmy-award- writing really silly birthday songs for her Research Institute for Art (ERIA) at UNSW interconnected oceans of our globe. winning The Handmaid’s Tale, there is a TV friends and relations. Art & Design says. “This intermingling of First Words will adaptation of Alias Grace, and MaddAddam At the end of her appearance at UNSW, The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney version symbolise both the strength and support Trilogy has just gone into production. Margaret Atwood explained how she ended of the installation is called Cookaroo Flow – that First Cultures draw from establishing “She is, of course, a great untold adaptor up writing the introduction to Lewis Hyde’s ‘Cookaroo’ being the Gadigal name for the relationships with each other globally, and and reviser of works by others, including One of the world’s most 1983 non-fiction bookThe Gift, which land where the Garden is located. the interdependent nature of all humanity,” writers such as Homer and Shakespeare, celebrated authors and explored the value of giving over receiving. Recently on display in the Garden, it is Mr Giddy says. and is involved very much in finding new thinkers is engaging a new Hyde described the book as being about invisible to passers-by but can be accessed Flow, which features on UNESCO’s shapes and forms for your work as counsel, the value of creativity and of its importance via a stick held with one end in the water, the International Year of Indigenous Languages as commentator and artistic force,” generation of fans after in a culture increasingly governed by money other against the ear. website, was conceived last year at Parihaka Dr Morrison said. the runaway success of and overrun with commodities. Poetry for the Botanic Garden installation Pa, Taranaki, New Zealand, with children Described by The New Yorker as the the TV adaptation of The “It’s the only book I recommend to young was created by Aboriginal students from speaking te reo Māori (Māori language). “prophet of dystopia”, Ms Atwood takes us writers,” said Ms Atwood. Sydney and the Northern Territory during The New Zealand-born sculptor is a into many speculative worlds in her novels, Handmaid’s Tale, writes “It’s about the difference between the gift workshops hosted by poetry creation pioneer in the use of sustainable energy including futures which are centred in Diane Nazaroff. economy which art exists in, and the money organisation Red Room Poetry last November. systems and light in ‘time-based sculpture’ present-day reality – such as lack of action economy that a work of art touches and has to Mr Giddy has received two grants to take and has worked with alternative energy on climate change and extremist politics. Margaret Atwood at UNSW Sydney. Photo: Louise Reily pass through in order to turn back into a gift.” his inventive Royal Botanic Garden Sydney systems in his sculpture and installation art The world literary figure said her most Many years ago, the author did a favour water installation to other parts of NSW for more than 20 years. terrifying dystopian plot was the 2003 we could go – is that where we want to for her publisher and, in return, asked her and Australia. Mr Giddy’s work has been shown at speculative fiction bookOryx and Crake, live?’,” she said. “If we don’t want to live publisher to read The Gift manuscript, The funding from Create NSW and the the Tate Modern, in Heidelberg and adding that she would “have had more there, maybe not go there. Maybe rearrange which he later published. Australia Council for the Arts will enable Mr Rotterdam Town Halls, and numerous other plastic in the ocean [if] writing it today”. the blueprint so that we’re going to be in a “People trade stuff all the time. That’s how Giddy to exhibit the installation in regional international venues including Canada, TOP: Artist Allen Giddy (left) with Gadigal participants “So, I think the scariest thing facing us different kind of future.” human beings go about their daily lives, and NSW (Ballina, Menindee and Broken Hill), listening to their own voices. Ireland and Finland. In recent years, he is the ocean warming and acidifying. And Ms Atwood also talked about 18th and 19th in The Gift you will read why,” Ms Atwood the ACT and Victoria. ABOVE: Testing a version of the Flow installation. has completed a number of large public is that kind of it for us, because the oceans century novels which “were both happily said. During this period, he will work with Photos: Tad Souden commissions in Australia, China, Ireland, make 60% to 80% of the oxygen we breathe?” quite female-centric” but noted a change “And the difference between gifts and school students to record poetry across Indigenous name of the location. Germany, the UK and New Zealand. Ms Atwood said. particularly after the ’50s, when there was the things you buy is that if you receive a multiple languages in urban, regional and “As the project progresses, the words A past winner of NSW’s most prestigious The author was asked if she thought “a concerted effort to get women back into gift, you owe – either to the person that you possibly remote communities. that flow from children in Australia and travelling art scholarship (the NSW – now speculative fiction was an important the home after the war”. received from or to somebody else. He will also take Flow to Aotearoa (New around the world will, metaphorically, the Helen Lempriere – Travelling Art genre to deal with contemporary political, “And to get them back into the home, “And with writing, usually you receive the Zealand) in October, and hopes to exhibit eventually meet and mix with each other, Scholarship), Mr Giddy regularly engages in economic and ecological issues. [women] were told that their true nature, gift from previous writers, you incorporate it elsewhere overseas, with the title of each and with words from other First Cultures industry and other partnerships to achieve “Speculative fiction says, ‘This is where and the path towards fulfillment, is to it and then you pass it on.” iteration of the work incorporating the around Australia and overseas, in the his projects.

UNSW Magazine UNSW Magazine 28 / ASTRONOMY VALE / 29

Sarah Brough wants to know how time has shaped our galaxies Formative voice of – and she is a gender equity The sky champion for the next generation an emerging university of astronomers, writes Ivy Shih. should UNSW pays tribute to renowned when I was a student, and he impressed me leader Emeritus Professor from that day right through to the present. s an observational astronomer, He was a wonderful, wonderful man,” Associate Professor Sarah Brough Sir Rupert Myers KBE AO, after Mr Gonski says. looks to the stars for answers – but be the his death in February at the age “Sir Rupert was a renowned materials herA perspective wasn’t always crystal clear. of 98. By Stefanie Menezes. scientist and academic who will be deeply After completing an undergraduate degree missed by the UNSW community. He led the in Physics, Associate Professor Brough spent University at a pivotal time in its history, a year travelling and working, uncertain of limit materials scientist, academic one that was plagued with the student what to do next. and distinguished university unrest of the ’60s and ’70s and a decline in It was a New Scientist article that pulled administrator, Emeritus Professor funding. Sir Rupert’s calm and prepared her back into the trajectory of scientific SirA Rupert Myers was in 1948 one of the first nature ensured UNSW remained peaceful research and astronomy. The article was two people to be awarded a PhD from an during these times.” about an amazing new discovery, exploring Australian university. As UNSW’s second Throughout his illustrious career, Sir how the universe was not only expanding, Vice-Chancellor, he was instrumental in Rupert held numerous appointments and but swelling at an accelerating rate, an establishing the University’s character and had been director or chairman of more unknown force pushing it apart. presence in the academic world. than 20 boards and foundations, and The work was jointly led by astrophysicist After developing processes for producing president, councillor or member on at least Professor Brian Schmidt, who would go uranium powder and converting plutonium another 12 occasions. on to be awarded the 2011 Nobel prize for deep space, and so further back in time. selected to be in the Homeward Bound compounds into metal as a metallurgist in Among his honours, Sir Rupert was this work. He is now the Vice-Chancellor at But how far back in time are we talking? leadership program, which brings together England, Sir Rupert joined UNSW in 1952 as appointed a Knight Commander of the Australian National University. Associate Professor Brough wants to look all future female leaders in STEMM and the Foundation Chair of Metallurgy. In 1961 Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1981. “I found myself missing my identity as a the way back to the Big Bang 13.8 billion years empowers them with skills to impact policy he became Pro Vice-Chancellor and then in He was also appointed an Officer of the scientist,” says Associate Professor Brough. ago. By piecing together images of galaxies, and decision-making. 1969 he became Vice-Chancellor, continuing roving diplomat, he was recognised as the Order of Australia in the 1995 Australia “I remember just being really excited by she can map the different stages of evolution These days, Associate Professor Brough in that role until 1981. “essential consolidator”. Day Honours for his efforts in promoting the idea I could study really big galaxies.” of galaxies over time, including massive is leading Australia into a new astronomical The political climate of the ’70s meant He was instrumental in establishing innovation and commerce in the fields of She is particularly interested in what galaxies thousands of times the size of the survey of the southern sky. that Sir Rupert’s term was a colourful and UNSW’s partnership with the Australian science technology and engineering. changes the shape of a galaxy over time. Milky Way. The Cerro Pachón ridge in north-central vocal time for students on campus, and his Defence Force Academy in Canberra, an UNSW Sydney President and Vice- For instance, how did the Milky Way galaxy, Equal to Associate Professor Brough’s Chile will soon be home to a new telescope strong moral leadership saw him engage achievement which gave him immense Chancellor Professor Ian Jacobs met Sir home to our own solar system, evolve to get passion to unveil the evolution of some of that will be able to survey the whole meaningfully, generously and often with a personal and professional satisfaction. Sir Rupert on a number of occasions. its distinctive, beautiful spiral arms? our most massive galaxies is a keen drive Southern Hemisphere sky in just three days. sense of humour. Rupert pushed to provide degree studies to “He was always supportive, interested, The pursuit of such an answer has taken to support the next generation of female The goal for the 8.4-metre Large Synoptic He was also just as willing to be a figure uniformed officers because he believed in the charming and thoughtful,” he says. Associate Professor Brough to observatories astronomers. Survey Telescope (LSST) is to take 800 of fun in his interactions with students benefits of a balanced and liberal education. “It was an inspiration to be able to meet a around the world. The former Chair of the Astronomical separate images of each region of the night as he was to be a serious advocate for the He was responsible for establishing the man who had such a big impact in the early To her, telescopes are like time machines Society of Australia’s Inclusion, Diversity sky over 10 years. University and its mission. His first day Faculty of Law, and the decision to locate years of UNSW.” that allow us to travel back to study the and Equity in Astronomy Chapter founded Locked within those images are new data, as Vice-Chancellor coincided with the Australia’s first national school of business Professor Jacobs expressed the evolution of galaxies. For example, Proxima the first Australian Women in Astronomy opening up exciting new research, including inauguration of Prince Charles as Prince administration, the AGSM, here at UNSW. University’s condolences to Sir Rupert’s Centauri, the closest star other than the Sun, workshop in 2011 to establish leadership mapping the evolution of massive galaxies. of Wales. As such, Sir Rupert allowed the By 1976, just 27 years into the University’s four children, Philippa, Gillian, Michele is 4.5 light years away from Earth. Whenever support networks among women in the field. It’s those ‘Aha!’ moments that truly students to inaugurate him as ‘Prince relatively young life and mid-way through and Stuart, and his second wife, Nancy. we peer at it through a telescope, we are “I really believe in mentoring and light up research for Associate Professor Rupert’ – with a wheelchair throne and Sir Rupert’s tenure, UNSW became “Many will also remember Sir Rupert’s looking at light of a star that began its journey encouraging the younger generation, Brough, a feeling she wants to preserve and broom-handle sceptre, he was pushed Australia’s largest university with more than first wife Io. They made a formidable to Earth 4.5 years ago. particularly women,” says Associate communicate to the general public. among the student throng. 18,000 students. partnership and promoted the University By collecting that light from a distant Professor Brough. “It is about having those “It is keeping that feeling of fundamental Sir Rupert’s formidable leadership The current Chancellor, David Gonski, with enthusiasm.” source, powerful telescopes can capture an conversations more openly and having that wonderment alive,” she says. paired with his warmth and down-to-earth says he had a particularly special Family, friends and alumni attended image of what a galaxy looked like billions of top-down leadership.” “We as a society value that understanding nature garnered him deep respect from relationship with Sir Rupert. a memorial service at UNSW Sydney’s years ago. It is possible to look further into In 2015, Associate Professor Brough was and curiosity about the universe.” colleagues and students alike. As CEO and “He was the Vice-Chancellor of UNSW Kensington Campus on 11 March.

UNSW Magazine UNSW Magazine 30 / BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS / 31 Capturing Nature: Early Scientific Photography The Australian Students’ Guide Indigenous art the turning point for how Australians see themselves at the Australian Museum 1857–1893 to Writing and Grammar Vanessa Finney (NewSouth Books) Claire Duffy (NewSouth Books) In the mid-19th century, some of the earliest adopters Do you ever think about the structure and A pioneering book gives evident in Absence of Evidence, an of• the revolutionary new art form of photography arrangement• of what you say and write? And why it’s exhibition on women and madness were scientists. Museums around the world were said and written like that and not some other way? a complete recasting of held at the Fremantle Arts Centre quick to see the huge potential for capturing fleeting Has anyone ever asked you to catch a red big ball? No. Australian art through in 1994. moments of life, death and discovery. At the Australian Because in English we would say “big red ball”. Why is “It was about women driven mad exhibitions, writes Museum, curator Gerard Krefft and taxidermist Henry that? Best-selling author of The Australian Schoolkids’ and locked up in the building that Barnes began to experiment with photography in the Guide to Debating and Public Speaking, Claire Duffy, Diane Nazaroff. is now the Fremantle Arts Centre, 1860s, preparing and staging their specimens – from turns her hand to helping students write well. With which was formerly seen as a whales and giant sunfish to lifelike lyrebird scenes and practical tips and helpful examples, in an easy-to-use lunatic asylum because they [the fossils – and capturing them in thousands of beautiful and fun guide, students (aged 12+), their parents and hen artist and then women] didn’t want to fit domestic and arresting images. Capturing Nature reveals this teachers can master everything from apostrophes to Assistant Director of the norms,” Dr Mendelssohn says. “It’s fascinating visual archive for the first time. essay writing. Art Gallery of NSW Tony that constant challenging which WTuckson curated the first national results in interesting exhibitions.” The Thinking Woman Dr Space Junk vs The Universe touring exhibition of Aboriginal art One powerful influence on art Julienne van Loon (NewSouth Books) Alice Gorman (NewSouth Books) in 1960, it was widely believed to be exhibitions that the book discusses Can our capacity for wonder change who we are? From humble beginnings viewing flakes of glass a landmark exhibition. has been the effect of the dramatic How• important is good friendship? Is fear inevitable? under• a microscope, intrepid cocktail-loving The exhibition symbolised a injection of funding in the 1970s, or Award-winning author Julienne van Loon turns her archaeology maven Dr Space Junk found her true shift in Australia’s perception of ‘the lucky break’, as Dr De Lorenzo attention to the work of six contemporary female calling exploring the traces of humankind into the Aboriginal art from ethnographica describes it. thinkers including key international philosophers and far reaches of the solar system, thanks to an evening to the status of fine art. The funding boost coincided writers. In six long-form essays, Van Loon discusses epiphany over a beer on a verandah in outback “Aboriginal art is at the core of with the first exhibitions to feature topics relevant to everyday life, from love and Queensland. Dr Alice Gorman takes readers on a the understanding of Australian Anawari Mitchell (front), Nora Nyutjanka Davidson (middle), Julie Porter (far) touching women artists and with the start of friendship, to work, play, fear and wonder. Travel with journey which captures the relics of space forays from art now, and this exhibition was Tjukurrpa Kungkarrangkalpa — Kulyuru and Kuru Ala, 1994 by Betty Laidlaw and the women’s art movement. her across the globe to meet each of her subjects as Sputnik to Skylab, Mir to Mars Pathfinder, and uncovers instrumental to the transformation,” Nyumitja Laidlaw, Warburton Arts Project, at the Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters Australian curatorship is they discuss philosophy and ask the big questions, the cultural value of detritus all too readily dismissed Honorary Associate Professor at exhibition at the National Museum of Australia, Canberra. continually changing, and now there constantly linking the personal and the political, and as junk. This entertaining collection of essays is a must UNSW Art & Design Dr Catherine De is an increasing use of collaborative engaging in a warm and lively exchange of ideas. read for anyone interested in our place in the universe. Lorenzo says. art history books by examining commemorate all the Indigenous relationships for greater impact. That Australia has learnt to art exhibitions in publicly owned people who, since 1788, have lost The authors point to Songlines: The Seventies: The Personal, The Political and Paper Emperors – The Rise of accept Aboriginal art as being art museums and art galleries from their lives defending their land. Tracking the Seven Sisters, which the Making of Modern Australia Australia’s Newspaper Empires Australian and able to be shown in 1960 to 2017. “This community … wanted us was held at the National Museum of Michelle Arrow (NewSouth Books) Sally Young (NewSouth Books) lots of different contexts is partly “We thought that taking a history to know that colonialism was even Australia in 2017, as a key example Women’s liberation, gay liberation, the sexual Before newspapers were ravaged by the digital age, due to the skill of curators to alter of art that looked at curated worse than we could possibly of the effect of collaboration. revolution:• these movements created seismic change they• were a powerful force, especially in Australia perception. exhibitions would bring in some imagine,” Dr De Lorenzo says. The Songlines exhibition was an in public and private life. Together with the advent of – a country of newspaper giants and kingmakers. The role of art exhibitions and new perspectives, and I think that “And it’s taken quite a long time initiative of the Anangu people who multiculturalism, and a new urgency in campaigns for A corporate and political history of Australian curators in shaping Australian was a correct assumption,” Dr De for that to be easily shown and collaborated with people from the Indigenous rights, the 1970s was the decade that created newspapers spanning 140 years, Paper Emperors culture is the focus of a pioneering Lorenzo says. named in quantities in gallery Martu, Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara contemporary Australia. The decade is often framed explains how Australia’s media system came to be new book, Australian Art Exhibitions: “As a result, we have produced spaces. I think that shows a and Ngaanyatjarra lands to share as one of missed opportunities for economic reform. dominated by a handful of empires and powerful Opening Our Eyes. a history that weaves the changing maturity that we’ve grown as an one of the great songlines (or But award-winning historian Michelle Arrow argues family dynasties. Writing with verve and insight, The book was written by four understandings of Aboriginal art, Australian culture.” ‘Dreamings’). that if we reframe the ’70s as the story of the personal Sally Young, Professor of Political Science at the authors associated with four the transformation of Australia The authors also point to With The exhibition described the becoming political – and as the birth period of the University of Melbourne, shows how newspaper universities from three states, away from a purely Anglophile Secrecy and Dispatch, a 2016 narrative of seven sisters who feminist and sexual revolutions and of multiculturalism owners influenced policy-making, lobbied and bullied including two from UNSW – perspective, reassessments of the exhibition which marked the 200th were pursued across the land and – it becomes instead a story of hope and change. politicians, and shaped internal party politics. Honorary UNSW Associate position of women, the power of anniversary of the Appin massacre, into the sky by a lascivious shape- Professors Joanna Mendelssohn photography and the significance the first government-authorised shifting man. The story was told Stop Being Reasonable Gun Control: What Australia got right and De Lorenzo, along with of centres outside the Sydney/ massacre of Aboriginal people, through art, film and installations. Eleanor Gordon-Smith (NewSouth Books) (and wrong) Associate Professor Alison Inglis of Melbourne axis,” she says. ordered by Governor Macquarie. “It wasn’t a case of the institution • What does it take to change our mind? Why do Tom Frame (NewSouth Books) the University of Melbourne and The authors say exhibitions often Curated by UNSW Director of imposing its curatorial model onto we ignore compelling evidence? And does it always • In the aftermath of the Port Arthur Massacre, John Professor Catherine Speck from the start where written histories have Indigenous Programs Tess Allas, and the artists,” Dr Mendelssohn says. matter? When Eleanor Gordon-Smith hits the back Howard, then just six weeks in office, moved swiftly to University of Adelaide. stopped or explore the artists left a First Nations artist from Canada, “It was the artists and Elders streets of Sydney’s red-light district to interview revolutionise Australia’s gun control laws. The National Largely funded by an Australian out of earlier narratives; they can David Garneau, and presented at working with the institution so that catcallers for radio program This American Life, she Firearms Agreement – produced 12 days after the Research Council (ARC) Linkage challenge what is shown in art Campbelltown Arts Centre, it made those stories would be preserved thinks persuading them to change their mind won’t be massacre, with support across politics – is held up Project in conjunction with five art museums; and they can extend our the massacre more widely known. visually.” too hard. In Stop Being Reasonable, she explores the around the world as a model for gun control. In this museums, the book was six years art history knowledge. “That’s the wonderful thing The authors say the Songlines complexity, stakes and emotion involved in changing book, Tom Frame explores gun ownership in Australia, in the making and was only made For example, the most important with exhibitions – they tell stories exhibition “is a reminder of the our mind, from rusted-on hecklers to people whose the political aftermath of Port Arthur, the public possible after a grant from the work in the Biennale of Sydney like nothing else ever can,” importance of revisiting and partners have committed gruesome crimes. Weaving response to the gun restrictions, and the repercussions Gordon Darling Foundation. held in 1988 was the Aboriginal Dr Mendelssohn says. rethinking ways of seeing art, contemporary philosophy with illuminating real-world two decades on. He examines whether the government The authors say the book Memorial – 200 hollow log coffins Australians’ ability to deal history, geography and gender stories, Gordon-Smith grapples with how we change achieved its intention, and what it might have done in differentiates itself from previous from Central Arnhem – which with challenging topics was also in an ever-changing world”. our mind about who we really are – or don’t. response to the massacre but didn’t.

UNSW Magazine UNSW Magazine UNSW x SYDNEY SCIENCE FESTIVAL 6 – 18 August

Over 30 UNSW researchers, academics and international guests participating in more than 20 talks, tours and events revealing the science that will blow your mind.

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