melbourne university magazine EDNA AND ME Cultural icon Barry Humphries goes back to where it all began ISSUE 2, 2015 EARTHQUAKES STEMMING A FATAL TIDE 2015_MUM4_p1 Cover.indd 1 27/08/15 12:00 PM 3 unimelb.edu.au/3010 unimelb.edu.au/3010 EDITORIAL WE WELCOME ADVISORY BOARD YOUR FEEDBACK DR JAMES ALLAN Email your comments to: DIRECTOR, ALUMNI RELATIONS [email protected] EOIN HAHESSY Write to us at: ADVISOR COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS, ENGAGEMENT The Advancement Office The University of Melbourne DR JENNIFER HENRY Victoria 3010, Australia (BAgr(Hons) 1990, PhD 2001) EARTHQUAKES DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT (SCIENCE) Call us on: Dealing with a PETER KRONBORG +61 3 8344 1751 (MBA 1979) UNIVERSITY OF violent nature 6 MELBOURNE ALUMNI COUNCIL With millions of people under threat from SIÔN LUTLEY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ADVANCEMENT earthquakes, University researchers are working to minimise the risks. ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR TIMOTHY LYNCH GRADUATE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES UNIVERSITY NEWS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES Improving the student experience 4 SIMON MANN EDITOR, THE CITIZEN, OPEN FOR BUSINESS CENTRE FOR ADVANCING JOURNALISM 6 A fresh wave of entrepreneurs 10 CATRIONA MAY CONTENT SPECIALIST (ENGAGEMENT) AND CRIME AND PUNISHMENT TEAM LEADER, EXTERNAL RELATIONS Defending those on death row 12 MAXINE McKEW TEACHING’S NEW CLASS VICE-CHANCELLOR’S FELLOW Transforming our schools 15 PROFESSOR PETER McPHEE AM (BA(Hons) 1969, MA 1973, PhD 1977, LLD BY THE NUMBERS 2009, TRINITY COLLEGE) MELBOURNE Towards a greener University 18 GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY PUBLISHING THE ESSAY DR DAMIAN POWELL A global climate challenge 22 (BA(Hons) 1989) PRINCIPAL, JANET CLARKE HALL ANOTHER DIMENSION The wonder of 3D printing 24 EDITORIAL TEAM 12 22 WORK IN PROGRESS VAL McFARLANE Seeking equality in the workplace 26 MANAGING EDITOR KEN MERRIGAN BODY OF EVIDENCE EDITOR, MEDIAXPRESS Forensic dentist Pamela Craig 28 BILL FARR CLOSE ENCOUNTER DESIGN, MEDIAXPRESS Kitty Chiller’s Olympic quest 30 This publication is produced on a Forest Stewardship Council ALUMNI PROFILES AND NEWS (FSC) certified paper that is Making a mark 32 produced at an FSC certified paper mill under an ISO14001 environmental management system, ALUMNI MILESTONES using elemental chlorine-free whitening processes. Printed by Complete Colour, an ISO14001 Appointments and accolades 36 environmental management system and ISO9001 quality management system certified printer 15 30 THE LAST WORD with FSC (Chain of Custody) certification and My life as an illusionist 38 Sustainability Victoria Wastewise Gold certification, on an ecologically rated printing press using a chemical recirculation system and produced with vegetable-based inks made from renewable resources. This publication is fully recyclable COVER STORY 19 — please dispose of it wisely. Views expressed by contributors are not A megastar necessarily endorsed by the University. is born ISSN: 1442-1349 Produced for the University of Melbourne ON THE COVER: by MEDIAXPRESS mediaxpress.net.au Barry Humphries recalls the night Edna Everage first hit the stage at the ISSUE 2, 2015 University’s Union Theatre. COVER PICTURE: NIC WALKER For more exclusive content visit: unimelb.edu.au/3010 2015_MUM4_p2-3 Contents.indd 2 27/08/15 12:15 PM 2015_MUM4_p2-3 Contents.indd 3 27/08/15 12:16 PM 4 universitynews 5 PLAN PARTNERSHIPS SYNTHESISER CAMPAIGN EXHIBITION Strategy to improve student New opportunities A note or two Alumni back Rare prayer book experience and promote research for Indigenous from Dr Who students in need goes on show engineers For the past 20 years one of the world’s One of the world’s most exquisite The University is leading a rarest synthesisers, the EMI Synthi manuscripts is on display at the nationwide initiative to vastly 100, sat idle in a University storage University until November 15. improve opportunities for Indigenous facility. Now, thanks to the passion of The 500-year-old Rothschild engineering students and increase Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) Prayer Book is one of the most the number of Indigenous engineers Senior Technician Leslie Craythorn, valuable illuminated manuscripts working in Australia. it has been restored to its former glory and is considered one of the most The Partners for Pathways project and will be available for students. important books of its type in aims to create scholarships and The Synthi 100 was delivered to existence. devise strategies to promote entry the University’s Electronic Music The 16th century prayer book into engineering for Indigenous and Studio in 1975. Soon after, Leslie was is at the centre of a free exhibition, other students who do not have the employed as the studio’s technician. An illumination: the Rothschild Prayer required background in maths and “On my first day at work, the first Book & other works from the Kerry science. thing I did was walk through to look Stokes Collection c 1280-1685 at the A former Chief Executive Officer at it,” he said. “I remember thinking Students in need have received new Ian Potter Museum of Art. of Sinclair Knight Merz, Professor it was the best day of my life!” support, thanks to the generosity of On loan from the Kerry Stokes Paul Dougas (BE(ChemEng) 1971), Nearly two metres long, the Synthi alumni and friends of the University. Collection, the exhibition contains is leading the program, which is 100 is more of a laboratory piece More than 1400 donors contributed rare masterpieces of breathtaking backed by a Commonwealth grant than a musical instrument. And with a record $940,557 to a fundraising beauty and power including the of $700,000. an overwhelming number of knobs, appeal held over just a few weeks in monumental work of Calvary by The first National Indigenous joysticks and patch-pins to navigate, May and June. the Flemish artist Pieter Brueghel Engineering Summit was held in ‘playing’ it is certainly not for the The money raised by the campaign, the Younger. The exhibition is June and brought together industry, faint-hearted. According to Leslie, part of the University’s Annual Appeal, accompanied by a series of public professional bodies, representatives you’d need three months to gain a will provide scholarships, bursaries lectures and floor talks. of most of the major Australian basic understanding; two years to and fellowships to students facing The Rothschild Prayer Book was university engineering schools and become a master. financial problems. made in the Belgian cities of Bruges policy leaders to exchange ideas. The Synthi 100 is most often The Annual Appeal has been and Ghent in the early 1500s. It is Indigenous engineers from around associated with the Doctor Who running since 1989 and over the years illustrated with gold and contains A commitment to improve the will grow in the key areas of the country also took part. theme although, as Leslie points out, has helped thousands of students to 67 full-page miniature paintings, student experience and increase engineering and science to ensure “We heard from a number of “there are about 20 different versions continue their studies. each considered a masterpiece. international research collaborations the University can be globally practising Indigenous engineers who of that tune and only one was ever Master of Teaching student These types of manuscripts is part of the University’s latest competitive. “There will be some agreed that education was the key to a played on it”. Courtney Rose (pictured above) is were created in monasteries and strategic plan, Growing Esteem programs in other faculties that may better future for themselves and their The restored instrument is housed among those who have benefited. used by priests and monks for 2015-2020. grow at the graduate level, but this families,” Professor Dougas said. within the VCA’s new Brian Brown “Last year I considered giving up my liturgical purposes. They were often The plan, published in July, is going to be done in a targeted and “These engineers can now be Recording Studio. It joins a number of Rare instrument: studies due to financial pressures,” commissioned by people of means aims to build on the strengths and considered way,” he says. mentors to current students coming other remarkable vintage synthesisers Leslie Craythorn she says. such as emperors and princes, achievements of the University’s past “The development of graduate through the ranks and are able to in the University collection. To watch with the Synthi 100 “However the generosity of donors and in the 13th and 14th centuries decade while creating a secure future online programs will also play a part, provide advice on what barriers and the Synthi 100 in full-flight visit: at the Victorian meant that I was able to access private persons bought and used for the institution. and create a truly global student cohort FACULTY experiences they had, to help build a unimelb.edu.au/3010 College of the Arts. a crucial bursary, giving me the “books of hours”, which contained Under the plan, students will that will experience the University in FACTS tangible pipeline into the profession.” opportunity to continue my education prayers to be recited throughout the benefit from increases in quality different and exciting ways.” at Melbourne and make the most out day. The Rothschild is one of about 30 accommodation, work-based learning Professor Davis says the current of my studies.” remaining illuminated manuscripts opportunities such as internships, and environment means the University 1553 Donations to the Annual made as private worship books study abroad options. needs to make some big decisions Number of research A new face Appeal count towards the target between 1500 to 1510. Timetables will be made more about how it continues to evolve. and teaching staff of Believe – the Campaign for the flexible and new opportunities created “In many ways we are thriving, but within the Faculty of at the helm University of Melbourne.