MAY JUNE 2008 Child protection studies go global Neuroscientists recognised for obesity research NEW MEDIA SCHOLARSHIPS 84154 Bulletin May08 v5b.indd 1 3/6/08 10:02:34 AM LA TROBE UNIVERSITY NEWS IN THIS ISSUE Home theatre Home theatre – the end of spaghetti junction 2 Mr Boardman says his concept was more Respect for diversity begins The end of complex then just incorporating wireless in schools 3 sensors. ‘The sensors had to be resistant to New media scholarships 3 interference from other wireless signals, Indonesian alumni win awards 4 spaghetti so I needed to source high-quality chips,’ National superannuation – he says. ‘I did some research and found a reflections on the birth company in England that made high-quality of an idea 5 junction? wireless chips for streaming audio, and College life connects with ELecTRONICS GRADUATE Glenn then built a circuit around the chip to make the world 6 Boardman has won the 2008 Victorian it work.’ Dubai womens’ art 6 Institution of Engineering and Technology He also had to figure out how to make it Student Prize for designing wireless Research in Action easy to use by developing intuitive controls, speakers that can reproduce hi-fi sound good compatible with other hardware in the Soil test for safer enough for home-theatre systems. nuclear waste 7 entertainment unit – and how to ensure it In the era of cordless, mobile, and Neuroscience tackles wouldn’t ‘overcook’ itself. obesity epidemic 8 infrared, Mr Boardman asked himself: ‘It also had to look good, so there were Social maps strengthen why persist with meters of cords from the many elements I needed to figure out as I support for abused children 10 amplifier to the speakers of his surround- went along.’ sound system? Having ticked all those boxes, Mr Child and family welfare His answer won the University’s annual Boardman had to find a reasonably priced, studies go global 11 Hooper Awards – which showcase the high-quality amplifier that could accept Dig probes Ned Kelly drama 12 Department of Electronic Engineering’s audio inputs from a range of audio-visual Higher education plans for most outstanding developments – and then devices used in the home. Goulburn Valley 12 so impressed his professional colleagues With the prototype now working Widely quoted, top economist state-wide that he took out the Victorian beautifully in his lounge room, he intends to joins La Trobe 13 prize. develop his project for the consumer market. Global push for sustainable ‘Glenn found a hole in the home theatre business education 13 ‘There really aren’t any Australian audio market,’ says his supervisor, Darrell Elton, Forget me not – servicing your companies. My challenge is launching memory for old age 14 lecturer in Electronic Engineering. ‘The a high-end home theatre product to an Viewpoint: The great water only similar products available are wireless audience other then the “in-the-know” audio debate 15 computer speakers, and they don’t have hi-fi market on the internet,’ he says. Keeping Olympic athletes quality.’ • in top form 16 Mr Boardman and his new wireless speaker system. Cover: Child protection studies go global, see stories pages 10 and 11. The La Trobe University Bulletin is published by Media & Communications, La Trobe University. Articles may be reproduced with acknowledgement. Enquiries and submissions to the editor, Ernest Raetz, La Trobe University, Victoria 3086, Australia Tel: (03) 9479 2315, Fax (03) 9479 1387 Email: [email protected] Articles: Rhonda Dredge, Adrienne Jones, Ernest Raetz, Mikhaela Delahunty Photos: La Trobe University PDI Design: Campus Graphics, 84154 La Trobe University. Printed by Work & Turner. Website: www.latrobe.edu.au/bulletin 2 La Trobe University BULLETIN May June 2008 84154 Bulletin May08 v5b.indd 2 3/6/08 10:02:35 AM NEWS Respect for diversity begins in our schools The new project Photo: Kabir Dhanji extends to teachers, students and other members of primary school communities high-quality, long term professional development in the areas of cultural diversity and conflict resolution. ‘This enables them to build strong school communities where diversity is embraced and valued,’ Professor Wertheim says. ‘Conflict and The project team, from left, Merlyne Cruz from the Centre for Equity and Innovation differences between in Early Childhood, La Trobe’s Professor Wertheim and Jo Hutton and Elizabeth people are a part of life, Freeman, University of Melbourne. and offer rich opportunities for developing awareness and N AWARD-WINNING PROJecT understanding the values, needs, interests by La Trobe University psychologist and cultures of other people. Professor Eleanor Wertheim and her A ‘However, if handled badly, conflict colleagues aims to help teachers ‘build’ schools that respect cultural diversity. can lead to damaged relationships, intolerance, racism, aggression – and this ‘If we are to continue to advance as is often exacerbated between groups from a prosperous society, social cohesion is different cultural backgrounds. critical. It is therefore as important to ‘By beginning at an early age boost the capabilities of our schools in through schools, we can encourage a OuR WORLD respect for cultural diversity and ability more peaceful society which embraces Mr Boardman and his new wireless speaker system. to handle differences between people differences between people and cultural IN CRISIS and groups, as it is to teach maths and groups, one that has the skills to sciences.’ integrate differing values and interests in La Trobe offers new media Professor Wertheim is highly constructive ways.’ scholarships respected both as an educator and Professor Wertheim says the original psychological researcher for her work KENYAN-BORN freelance project involved twelve Melbourne on conflict resolution and health issues. photojournalist Kabir Dhanji and Megan primary schools. It has now been extended She is among a select group which has Byrne from The Age newspaper have to another ten schools and will be won a coveted ‘Australian Award for been awarded the La Trobe University evaluated during 2008 to 2009 with the University Teaching’ and the Australian Centre for Dialogue’s first annual Media help of the new research grant. Psychological Society’s ‘Excellence in Scholarships. Teaching Award’. • The project is being conducted with The scholarships enable them to The new project – Creating researchers from the University of attend the Centre’s ten-week Our World culturally respectful primary schools: Melbourne (Faculty of Education and in Crisis course. Now in its seventh year, Enhancing relationships through Centre for Innovation and Equity in the course is led by Joseph Camilleri, strategic professional learning – has Early Childhood) in partnership with Professor of International Relations and been supported by funds from the Federal the Scanlon Foundation, Catholic Director of the Centre for Dialogue. Government’s Australian Research Education Office Melbourne, Australian The course comprises ten weekly Council. Psychological Society and two primary evening sessions. It is held at the schools (Haig Street Primary School, It is based on earlier research for Fitzroy headquarters of Australian Heidelberg, and St Anthony’s Primary which Professor Wertheim and her Volunteers International (AVI) and School, Alphington). collaborators won the Australian • draws on the resources of supporting Psychological Society’s Robin Winkler Community Psychology Award. Continued page 6 La Trobe University BULLETIN May June 2008 3 84154 Bulletin May08 v5b.indd 3 3/6/08 10:02:36 AM NEWS His Lippo Group He says a milestone employs some next year, for his Group and 35,000 people and Indonesia, will be a new generates more comprehensive cancer centre than US$2.5 billion named after his father, the in annual revenue first such private centre in from ventures which Indonesia. It will be assisted in include a network its work by the Mochtar Riady Dr Riady, right, receives his award of banks and Institute for Nanotechnology, from Australia’s Ambassador to financial services a cancer research institute Indonesia, Mr Bill Farmer. – the original core established in 2006. business set up by Dr Makmur Sunusi Dr Riady’s father, directs the Indonesian Alumni win Mochtar Riady, in the Government’s efforts to fight 1960s – and today poverty, protect children and extends into a wide people with disabilities, the inaugural awards range of areas from elderly and those with HIV NTERNATIONAL Employment and Workplace property development, Aids and narcotic problems, Ibusiness leader, banker Relations. The awards department stores and in order to strengthen families and philanthropist Dr James recognise outstanding talent, insurance to IT, multi-media, and communities across Riady was one of two achievements and contributions healthcare, hotels and tourism the country’s thirty-three La Trobe University alumni made to Indonesia by the development. provinces. who took out prizes at the 30,000 Indonesians who have Dr Riady is founder An Indonesian delegate recent inaugural Indonesian studied in Australia. and chair of a non-profit to the UN High Commission Australian Alumni Awards Dr James Riady is Deputy education foundation which on Human Rights, Dr Sunusi held by the Australian Chairman of the Lippo oversees three universities and has been recognised by the Government in Jakarta. Group which includes twenty eighteen schools, a teacher President of Indonesia for his Dr Riady, recipient of listed companies in Asia as training college that provides