The University of Adelaide | Alumni Magazine Winter 2013 Shining a light on rural champions The University of Adelaide Alumni Magazine www.adelaide.edu.au/lumen The Lumen masthead is derived from the University Message from of Adelaide motto “Sub Cruce Lumen” meaning ‘light the Vice-Chancellor under the [Southern] Cross’. Today, almost 140 years elcome to this edition of Lumen Herein lies an opportunity to make a since our establishment, which has a distinctly rural feel. difference for the University of Adelaide. the University of Adelaide The University of Adelaide We will take a leading role in helping to Whas enjoyed strong links with rural drive solutions to these grand issues; community is united in its community, and with agricultural research to address the needs of agriculture quest for discovery and the and education, since its establishment today through targeted research while light of new knowledge. in 1874. producing the next generation of Today that connection is as vibrant outstanding scientists. And we will do as ever and will receive a tremendous this in collaboration with industry and boost through the largest investment in local communities. agricultural crop production and animal This year is also significant as we research in Australia’s history. mark the centenary of Peter Waite gifting Earlier this year, the University his estate at Urrbrae to the University. announced it would commit more than Elevating the profile of the Waite precinct $50 million from its endowment to create together with our partners in agricultural six new research professorships at the research and development is a key Waite and Roseworthy campuses, a new ambition in the University’s Strategic Plan animal research centre at Roseworthy, 2013–2023 Beacon of Enlightenment. In new postdoctoral fellowships, and to November we will be holding a centennial purchase new research equipment. dinner to celebrate the Waite, and I look What does this mean for our rural and forward to sharing more details on this regional communities? And for farming initiative in the coming months. in Australia? As alumni and friends of the University, I It means a great deal. hope you enjoy reading the diverse stories At a time when our agricultural sector in this special edition of Lumen. is facing critical challenges at home, global issues of food security, climate change and natural resource management Urrbrae House at Waite campus present an alarming threat to communities Photo by Rany Larcombe across the world. Professor Warren Bebbington Vice-Chancellor and President Editor: Kim Harvey Contents Winter 2013 Sub Editor: Candy Gibson Editorial Committee: 4 Peter Davies, Connie Dutton, Paul Finn, 24 Kim Harvey, Kate Husband, Robyn Mills, Joy Prior, 2 Genevieve Sanchez, Chris Tonkin. Contributors: Andrew Cook, Connie Dutton, Candy Gibson, Kate Husband, Robyn Mills, Catriona Neil-Dwyer, Ben Osborne, Graeme Pope, Genevieve Sanchez. Design: 9 Chris Tonkin Editorial Enquiries: 22 University Engagement 13 Telephone: +61 8 8313 5800 Facsimile: +61 8 8313 5808 Circulation: 48,000 in print, 67,500 online 20 www.adelaide.edu.au/lumen Printing: Finsbury Green, www.finsbury.com.au Printed by a carbon neutral process using world’s best practice ISO14001 Environmental Management Systems. 2 $50-million boost for animal 14 A global vision to fight blindness and plant research Dr James Muecke on a mission Research plans for Waite and Roseworthy 3 The benefactors 16 Vale Harry Medlin John Andrew Tennant Mortlock and A remarkable man, a remarkable life John Stanley Davies The University of Adelaide, SA 5005 Australia, CRICOS Provider Number 00123M 4 An animal science legacy 18 Supporting a noble goal Professor Stefan Hiendleder’s work in The 2013 University of Adelaide Appeal Copyright © 2013 the field of epigenetics The University of Adelaide ISSN 1320 0747 Registered by Australia Post No 56500/00097 6 Planting the seed for 20 Anna writes her own success story agricultural achievement Graduates start their own publishing company Views expressed by contributors in Lumen are not A lifetime of agricultural research necessarily endorsed by the University of Adelaide. No responsibility is accepted by the University, 7 Waite Arboretum – 22 Scientific pioneer ahead of her time editor or printer for the accuracy of information for Science and Solace Botanist Constance Eardley contained in either the text or advertisements. 30 hectares of research and recreation Material may be reproduced without permission from Lumen with acknowledgment of its origin. 8 Reaping the rewards in 24 A life changing legacy regional Australia Veronika Sacco’s bequest supports Our alumni making their mark medical research Front cover image: 9 Rural roots beckon for Martin 27 Building a Thai life Professor Stefan Hiendleder Dr Martin Downs counts himself among John Anderson: from the Barossa Valley at The University of Adelaide “the lucky ones” to Bangkok Roseworthy campus Photo by Chris Tonkin 10 Engineering a career in the outback 28 Alumni on the move Madeleine Iles loving life and work in the Pilbara Sharing alumni achievements 11 King of the crops 30 Alumni Snapshots 2012 Australian Farmer of the Year Events from around the world Would you rather read Lumen online? Peter Kuhlmann As part of the University’s commitment to sustainable practices we encourage you 13 Raising a glass to Mary 32 You can make a difference to receive Lumen online. 2012 RIRDC Rural Woman of the Year The Ronald J. Lienert scholarship Mary Retallack To join our online mailing list please email [email protected] 1652-2 The University of Adelaide | Alumni Magazine 1 story by Robyn Mills $50-million boost for animal and plant research The University has announced the largest ever investment in university-based research into animal and crop health and production in Australia. Lumen takes a look at what this means. he University of Adelaide has University Vice-Chancellor and “It’s now a century since Peter Waite ambitious plans for research at its President Warren Bebbington outlined made his extraordinary gift of his Urrbrae Waite and Roseworthy campuses: the creation of six new research estate to the University. Ta Waite Campus that’s likely to become professorships at the Waite and “Today Waite is the focus for key major one of the most powerful concentrations Roseworthy campuses, a new animal research organisations, and we plan to of agricultural, food and wine research in research centre at Roseworthy, new help the Waite achieve global prominence the world; and Roseworthy, as the most postdoctoral fellowships, and the as an agricultural science research significant research hub for food and fibre purchase of new research equipment. consortium. Not since Peter Waite have animals in Australia. “These initiatives will make a major we seen an investment even close to These visions were brought a step contribution to international research this magnitude for agricultural science closer this year with the announcement in agriculture and animal production, research in this country.” of a $50-million investment in animal and and confirm Adelaide as the leading The $50-million endowment fund comes crop health and production research using centre for animal and agricultural from the gifts of two benefactors, JAT funds from the bequests of JAT Mortlock research in Australia,” Professor Mortlock and JS Davies, whose express and JS Davies. Warren Bebbington said. wishes were to support these fields. 2 Lumen | Winter 2013 story by Robyn Mills “We are extremely proud to be able to outstanding research community at honour their memories in a way that will the Roseworthy campus,” Professor not only support South Australia’s farming Abbott said. community, but also address global issues At the Waite campus the University will of food security and climate change establish: adaptation,” Professor Bebbington said. > The JAT Mortlock Chair in Agricultural, At the Roseworthy campus, the Horticultural and Pastoral Science, University will establish: who will also be Director of the Waite > The JS Davies Animal Research Research Institute; Centre—building on existing strengths > Three further professorships—the JAT with a focus on production, global food Mortlock chairs in Plant Stress, Crop security, biosecurity and animal welfare; Protection and Crop Improvement – > Two professorships—the JS Davies supported by research staff in crop Chair in Animal Health and the JS epigenetics, stress response biology, Davies Chair in Animal Production—to plant–pest interactions, genetics of take leading roles in the new Centre, resistance, reproductive biology and including research equipment and crop performance. research infrastructure and post Waite Research Institute Director (and doctoral research and technical new JAT Mortlock Chair) and Head of support staff. the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine The benefactors These two new professorships will Professor Mike Wilkinson said: “The Waite supplement the existing JS Davies Chair Campus is increasingly focusing on two The new $50-million endowment has been made possible by the in the area of epigenetics and genetics, global grand challenges: food security and generous bequests of John Andrew currently held by Professor Stefan food production for healthier outcomes. Tennant Mortlock and John Hiendleder. “In the next 40 years, the world must Stanley Davies. “This is a very significant investment increase food production at rates higher in the future of animal based research at than ever in history and this must be done JAT Mortlock (1894–1950) was a the Roseworthy Campus,” said Professor through increasing yields, not area of successful pastoralist and stud Merino Iain Reid, Executive Dean of Roseworthy production, and sustainably. It also needs breeder and great philanthropist. During Campus. “It will allow us to continue to to be done in the face of climate change his life he made significant donations to build the campus as a focus of animal and with a need to increase quality of agricultural research. On his death, his science in Southern Australia.” food, not just quantity.