FREE Publication Adelaidean NEWS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE Volume 14 • Number 1 • March 2005 inside this issue 4 Joint forces in new Early-warning weather radar on uni grounds battle to save water 7 Older drivers get green light: study 8 Graduations photo spread 14 Olivia takes Adelaide to the world 5 From left: Associate Professor David Chittleborough (Earth & Andy prepares Environmental Sciences) and Professor Graeme Dandy (Civil & for another mission Environmental Engineering) toast the new Water Research Cluster Environment 11 Secret’s out on latest The interests of researchers, industry at the launch of the Water Research In the above context, the university’s Guild production and the general community alike Cluster last month. Water Research Cluster has are being served by a new research the potential to benefi t large The “cluster” concept is designed initiative launched at the University to build large cross-disciplinary communities. of Adelaide, the Water Research teams with expertise to tackle big It covers a wide range of water- 12 Cluster. research questions and to enable related topics, such as impact Cherie Blair says University of Adelaide researchers to hi to Adelaide Water, a major geo-political issue of climate change, water supply with local, national and international work more effectively with industry, infrastructure, water-effi cient resonance, is the theme of one of other research organisations and the buildings, river ecology, river four Research Clusters supported community. health, water recycling, and coastal 15 within the university. The work of researchers early in management. From law to laughter – their careers will be particularly interview with Shaun Micallef “In South Australia in particular, The Water Research Cluster draws on water has become a crucial encouraged through the Clusters. a long tradition of water research at community issue as the population “Clusters will be a forum for the university. begins to face the reality of water developing dynamic partnerships, Adelaide researchers have restrictions and higher water prices, making more effective use of our contributed to a dynamic water while at the same time demanding talent and resources, and creating industry in South Australia, leading that our rivers and water bodies even more innovative educational the world in innovative delivery and be protected and restored,” said and training programs by building on management of water systems. the University of Adelaide’s Vice- cross-sector relationships,” Professor Chancellor, Professor James McWha, McWha said. Story continued on page 2 Adelaidean Adelaidean has a readership of more than 31,000 per month – 13,000 in print and 18,000 online Editor: David Ellis Design and Layout: Chris Tonkin Writers: Ben Osborne Howard Salkow David Ellis McWha’s Words Media student writer: Sukhmani Khorana I like the fi rst six months of the year. It is a time to look afresh We need to have as one of our priorities informing the Contributors: at the opportunities and challenges we are presented. It community – whether that be industry, professions or Alison Beare is also the time to start thinking about visits to the various the general public – about the quality of our work and Lisa Edwards schools, departments and units around the university. the contribution the University of Adelaide makes to our Edward Joyner community and society as a whole. Greg Zweck While it’s true that Vice-Chancellors always have openings Printed by: and launches to go to, and speeches to give, I also like to This not only refers to research but also our teaching. The Lane Print Group have informal meetings with staff in their own environment. new teaching year has just begun, and thousands of new Tel: +61 8 8179 9900 These meetings tend to be more frequent in the fi rst half of students have commenced their educational experience Fax: +61 8 8376 1044 Email: [email protected] the year because the pressures on everyone build up as the with the University of Adelaide. Many more thousands are Web: www.laneprint.com.au year progresses, and the opportunities to visit seem to get continuing their experience with us. I’m fi lled with great Distribution: fewer. Over the past two years I’ve managed to visit every pride for the individuals and teams of people working hard area at least once (and I’m hoping that none have been to make it all happen. These include both academic and Lane Print Group Passing Out Distribution Co. missed out – if they have, please get in touch with my offi ce!) general staff, and the many volunteers and students who also help out in a variety of ways. Advertising: Although I prefer an informal atmosphere at these meetings, KRL Media the importance of such visits cannot be overstated, certainly Universities are such complex organisations; if it weren’t for Tel: +61 8 8231 5433 Fax: +61 8 8212 1238 not from my perspective. Being able to see fi rst-hand the all of these people, there would be no gems of discovery, no Email: [email protected] vast amount of work being done at the university is so challenging viewpoints, no enrolment of new students, no Coming Events: much more tangible than reading a report about it, and it future for our society. gives staff, postdocs and postgrads the opportunity to ask All coming events must be University of 2005 will bring us many challenges and opportunities. As Adelaide related and of public interest. questions – and, in many cases, provide the answers. Please send details of events via email to: we take the time to work through everything that is presented [email protected] What I take away from these meetings is something that to us, let’s also take the time to show others at the university Deadline for next issue: many members of the public don’t get a chance to see – an and the wider community why we are proud to be a part of Monday, March 14, 2005 amazing level of expertise at this university, evidence of true the University of Adelaide. Room G07 Mitchell Building, enthusiasm for the work, and a sense that what is being South Australia, 5005. done in each and every area is somehow of benefi t and/or Tel: +61 8 8303 5174 interest to the wider world. Fax: +61 8 8303 4838 Email: [email protected] Frequently when I visit an academic department I come www.adelaide.edu.au/adelaidean/ across some gem of information. It is true that there is Material may be reproduced without a great wealth of talent at this university, across all its permission but acknowledgement must campuses, the quality of which continues to surprise me. be given to the Adelaidean. Now entering my third year at Adelaide I know these things JAMES A. McWHA Registered by Australia Post No Vice-Chancellor 565001/00046 shouldn’t surprise me anymore, but they do. Editor’s note Sadly, this is my last issue of the Adelaidean as editor. Since taking on the role in the year 2000 the publication has Joint forces in new battle to save water changed in many ways – I continued from page 1 on our lives and our environment, would like to think for the better. Academics from the Cluster have and as well as on those of our Today the Adelaidean is read already made a difference to water neighbours in the Asia-Pacifi c by more people than ever, and research in Australia through such region,” Professor McWha said. not just within the walls of the projects as: “For example, the Cluster already university; people on buses and in cafes may be reading these • identifying the impact of human has links with the Centre for Water words even now! activities on coastal Australia; Supply and Drainage at the Harbin Institute of Technology, China. The aim of the Adelaidean is to • assisting the Murray Darling Basin spread the good word about Commission identify how much “The provision of clean water supply the University of Adelaide, its water the River Murray needs; is a major issue in China, where it is staff, students and graduates. not possible in many cities to drink If each issue is just a glimpse of • reducing the costs of installing water out of the tap without fi rst what the university is achieving, piped irrigation systems to replace boiling it.” it should give you some idea channels in the Riverland; and of how much great work goes The other University of Adelaide • devising soil treatments to reduce on here. Research Clusters are: Healthy loss of nutrients from catchments. Ageing, Healthy Development, Thanks to all of the contributors Defence and Security. over the years, thanks to my “The Water Research Cluster has the colleagues, and thanks to capabilities and resources to have Story by Howard Salkow & everyone for reading! an even greater impact in the future Sukhmani Khorana David Ellis Adelaidean | Volume 14 Number 1 March 2005 2 Eve to tempt concert goers Eve Vocal Trio (from left): Greta Bradman, Emma Horwood and Christie Anderson Music A mix of international performers be joined by Melbourne-based Music. For their concert on April 15 performance of Peteris Vasks’s Violin and high-quality local talent will be pianist Benjamin Martin to perform three musicians from the Adelaide Concerto with Margaret Blades on display when the popular Elder Schumann’s much-loved Piano Symphony Orchestra (ASO) will (leader of the ASO) as soloist with Hall Lunch Hour Concert Series Quintet Op.44. join them. Their program includes the Elder Conservatorium Chamber returns to the University of Adelaide some stunning new compositions by Orchestra on June 17.