alumni magazine August 2009 s Actor Gyton Grantley’s awards success contentsVOLUME 12 NUMBER 2 Profiles Features Acclaimed artist William A $200M Science and Robinson is QUT’s 2009 Technology Precinct is 1 Outstanding Alumnus. 8 being developed at Gardens Point. Meet Australia’s top deal maker – QUT Old Government House 14 law graduate Teresa 12 is now open to the public. Handicott. Energy cuts, rubbish A trio of Michaels are recycling and pedal power: making architecture 16 part of a green QUT. 8 15 waves. Employment expert reveals 17 how to be the perfect boss. Research Regulars A QUT scientist is casting NEWS ROUNDUP 6 new light on why IVF 7 treatments sometimes fail. RESEARCH UPDATE 18 12 ALUMNI NEWS 21 Donations research reveals our most general 10 jobs and postcodes. KEEP IN TOUCH 22-24 Shopping centres are LAST WORD a key to older people’s by Vice-Chancellor Professor 11 wellness. Peter Coaldrake - SEE INSIDE BACK COVER Our Fulbright Scholar is 15 19 fighting cyber crime. Editor Janne Rayner In focus links p: 07 3138 2361 Sudanese refugee e: [email protected] Sara Kueth has an inspirational story Contributors of finding success Sharon Thompson, Mechelle McMahon, – thanks, in part, to Niki Widdowson, Rachael Wilson the QUT Learning alumni magazine alumni Images Erika Fish Design Richard de Waal Potential Fund. See page 20. QUT Links is published by QUT’s Marketing and Communications Department in cooperation with QUT’s Alumni and Development Services. Editorial material is gathered from a range of sources and does not necessarily reflect the opinions and policies of QUT. CRICOS No. 00213J Our cover Acting alumnus Gyton Grantley has won accolades for his role in TV’s Underbelly, including a Special Excellence Award from QUT. See page 5 for his story. QUTLINKS AUGUST ’09 1 Artist accolade QUT Chancellor’s Outstanding Alumnus William Robinson HE’S regarded as Australia’s Landscape Painting twice (1990, greatest living landscape painter, 1996), and two Archibald Prizes has won two Archibald Prizes for (1987, 1995). irreverent self portraits, and his Today, QUT holds Australia’s work hangs in the National Gallery largest collection of William of Australia and The Metropolitan Robinson works. Museum of Art in New York. The artist said it was important Now William Robinson has also for the history of his career to be been honoured by QUT as the 2009 preserved for the public by QUT. Chancellor’s Outstanding Alumnus, “Because I taught at the college as well as the Faculty of Education and university for so long even my award winner. first feeble attempt at printmaking The award is a fitting tribute for should be kept on record,” he said. Robinson, who studied teaching and “Also, I felt a responsibility art at the university’s predecessor because of the support the institutions, and went on to teach at university has given me over those colleges for 32 years. the years.” He retired from teaching in He said that support had ranged 1989 to devote himself to painting from a college lecturer (Mervyn fulltime but has maintained strong Muhling) collecting his work links with QUT ever since. since his first show in 1967, And this month, a new William to Professor Coaldrake being a Robinson Gallery opens at Old major force behind the gallery Government House on QUT’s and the restoration of Old Gardens Point campus. Government House. At the Outstanding Alumni The William Robinson Gallery Awards on July 22, Mr Robinson will be open to the public and spoke of his fondness for QUT and provides the first permanent gallery his time at the Queensland Teachers of Robinson’s work. Training College (QTTC). - Mechelle McMahon He gained a Certificate of Teaching from the QTTC in 1954 and later completed a Diploma in Drawing and Painting, and a Diploma in Art Teaching, at the Central Technical College. The three decades of teaching that followed culminated in his appointment as head of painting at the Brisbane College of Advanced Education (another QUT predecessor). After he left teaching, his many achievements included winning the prestigious Wynne Prize for Alumni 2 QUTLINKS AUGUST ’09 Health winner Dr Shaun Larkin Science and Technology winner Mr Mario Pennisi DR Shaun Larkin has been a general MARIO Pennisi is recognised nationally point of contact for domestic and manager at HCF – Australia’s largest as a leader in the field of clinical international organisations seeking to not-for-profit health insurer – since trials for newly developed drugs and conduct clinical research in Australia. 1997. therapies. Prior to this, he was national Since its establishment in 2000, Focused on commercial outcomes, business development manager for he has also guided the development his activities have been a significant the Mayne Group and a scientist and of the HCF Foundation’s research contributor to the development of the client services manager with Sullivan funding program that has seen over $6 biotechnology industry in Queensland Nicolaides Pathology. Mr Pennisi is million invested in 30 projects spread and Australia. active on numerous Biotechnology across Australia for the benefit of the In 2005, Mr Pennisi was appointed community. CEO of the newly established industry bodies including AusBiotech, Dr Larkin was appointed to the Queensland Clinical Trials Network, the peak industry body in Australia, Federal Government’s National an association of life sciences research and is its representative on the Preventative Health Taskforce in April organisations and related entities Pharmaceuticals Industry Development 2008. established under the Smart State Taskforce. He holds a Bachelor of An alumnus of Harvard Business Initiative. Applied Science (Medical Laboratory School, his Master of Health Science He has developed it into the primary Science) from QIT. and Doctor of Health Science were attained at QUT. Law winner Lieutenant Colonel David Freeman LIEUTENANT Colonel David Freeman has made an outstanding contribution to the Australian Defence Force, exemplified by a distinguished service career as a legal officer and academic achievements in human rights and international humanitarian law. Over the past decade, he has served in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan, providing advice on rules of engagement, targeting, proper treatment of detainees and human rights abuses. Lt Col Freeman has received military and civilian awards including the Chief of Army’s Commendation in 2003. For his community work, he has received Australian and international awards including the Knight of Honour in the Sovereign Order of St John of Jerusalem and being made a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Lt Col Freeman’s first degree was a Bachelor of Laws from QIT. Following his admission, he completed postgraduate qualifications in legal practice, criminology, international politics and human rights law at other institutions. Alumni THE OutstanDING aluMNI AWARDS, SPONSORED BY THE NatiONAL AustRALIA BANK AND VENDING SOLUTIONS, RECOGNISE THE PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF GRADuatES OF QUT AND ITS PREDECESSOR institutiONS. THIS YEAr’S CEREMONY WAS HELD ON JULY 22. Built Environment and Engineering winner Ms Kirsti Simpson OUTSTANDING design talents have to workplace design. taken Kirsti Simpson to the top of her In addition to her design skills, her field. leadership on family-friendly work The interior design graduate arrangements has been recognised is a director of Hassell Ltd – one by the National Association of of Australasia’s largest and most Women in Construction and the successful planning and design Urban Design Institute of Australia. consultancies – and also its joint Ms Simpson was also named the leader of interior design in Queensland Government Smart State Queensland. Designer of the Year in 2007. The practice has received many She has a Bachelor of Built industry awards as a direct result Environment (Interior Design). of Kirsti’s innovative approach Creative Industries winner Ms Natalie Weir NATALIE Weir is artistic director of for the American Ballet Theatre. Expressions Dance Company, and a Steppenwolfe, created for the standout Australian choreographer Houston Ballet, received the Choo of her generation. San Goh Award while Turandot Over a 25-year career, she has won at the 2004 Hong Kong Dance contributed more than 150 works Awards. to the repertoire of Australian Ms Weir was the recipient of a and overseas classical and Lord Mayor’s Fellowship and an contemporary dance companies, Australia Council Fellowship for many to international acclaim. outstanding commitment and further These include Dark Lullaby artistic development in her field, an for the Australian Ballet, Jabula award made only once in a person’s for the Queensland Ballet (also lifetime. performed in London by the Royal She holds an Associate Diploma Ballet School) and Harmonium of Performing Arts (Dance). Business winner Australian Premium Coals Pty Ltd, which went on to become Macarthur Coal. Ms Nicole Hollows As chief financial officer and company secretary, Ms Hollows was involved in the NICOLE Hollows is one of the first female 2001 floatation of Macarthur Coal and has CEOs of a mining company worldwide. been instrumental in the company’s growth. She has been chief executive officer and She is the first female president of the managing director of Macarthur Coal since Queensland Resources Council and was this 2007, and oversees the world’s largest year named a “Rising Star” at the Veuve seaborne exporter of low volatile PCI coal, Clicquot Businesswoman of the Year Awards. and an annual turnover over $400 million. She holds a Bachelor of Business, She began her career at Ham and Graduate Diploma in Advanced Accounting, Partners Chartered Accountants, where she and Graduate Diploma in Company became an associate. She then moved to Secretarial Practice. 4 QUTLINKS AUGUST ’09 Outstanding Young Alumni Special Excellence Award winner Award winner Ms Tammy Williams Sir Brian Bell TAMMY Williams has made a SIR Brian Bell is chairman and significant contribution to economic and managing director of the Brian Bell social justice for Indigenous people.