adelaidean may 2001 vol 10 no 4 - university of adelaide · science in recognition of her...

12
News from Adelaide University Adelaidean May 2001 Approved For Print Post 565001/00046 Volume 10 Number 4 Anzac flame takes an Olympic flavour page 3 National Science Week 3-14 May special edition Three maestros in concert feast page 11 I N S I D E SCIENCE education and research at Adelaide University is being given a major boost, with the announcement of a new Faculty of Sciences for 2002. The new Faculty will be formed by combining two current ones: the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Agricultural & Natural Resource Sciences. This will create a “powerhouse” of teaching and research in a wide range of science fields, according to Adelaide University Vice-Chancellor Professor Mary O’Kane (see her Voice column on page 2). The move, part of a process of reshaping academic structures in the University, brings together strengths in biological, physical, chemical, environmental and agricultural sciences. The change will further build on Adelaide’s reputation as an Australian leader in the sciences. The new Faculty of Sciences will have research and teaching programs throughout all four of the University’s campuses: North Terrace, Roseworthy, Waite and Thebarton. Dr Alastair Blake, Executive Dean of Science, said the move enabled Adelaide to offer a consolidated approach to the basic and applied sciences supported by active programs in research. “The new Faculty of Sciences will continue to offer the degree programs which have gained international reputations for excellence in agricultural and natural resource sciences, biotechnology, biomedical science, viticulture and oenology,” Dr Blake said. Continued Page 10 Unsung hero wields weapons of cold steel ADELAIDE University researcher Gil Hollamby has been named this year’s Unsung Hero of South Australian Science. The Unsung Hero award is one of the features of National Science Week. The annual award is made by the Australian Science Communicators (SA) to a scientist whose work has not received adequate public recognition. The recipient is also chosen as one who has shown a respect for science communication and actively promoted the benefits of science to individuals and society at large. In announcing the award, Mr Robert Perrin, coordinator of the South Australian Science Communicators, paid tribute to Associate Professor Hollamby’s achievements. Associate Professor Hollamby leads the wheat breeding research team at Adelaide University’s Roseworthy Campus. Since his appointment as Assistant Plant Breeder in 1961 he has released major new wheat varieties such as Spear, Machete, Trident and Excalibur, bred specifically to grow in the dry Mediterranean agricultural environments of South Australia. More recently, Mr Hollamby’s expertise has been called on for breeding experiments in Western Australia. The breeding of plant varieties requires scientific rigour, long-term planning and innovation, with conventional breeding considered to be the origin of modern molecular marker and genetic engineering technology. Mr Hollamby said he was “proud to represent the Australian wheat breeding community by bringing to the fore the important work they do”. “I’m very humbled that someone has chosen me as this representative, and I’m proud to be able to represent my colleagues in our wheat breeding team at Roseworthy,” he said. “I didn’t think of wheat breeders as being unsung heroes, because farmers know who bred a new variety, and what they think of it and thus of the breeder. “Most breeders name their varieties along some theme, and Roseworthy varieties are named after cold steel type weapons, so Halberd, Spear, Dagger, Machete, Trident, Excalibur, Stiletto, Bowie, Kukri and others are easily recognised as coming from Roseworthy, and so are expected to have some particular features,” he said. “I guess we are more unsung in the scientific community because, although we conduct a large number of scientifically rigorous experiments, these are to discriminate between likely good and bad lines within the South Australian wheat belt. As such they don’t produce results that are scientifically profound or even capable of extrapolation to other areas,” he said. The Plant Breeding Unit at Roseworthy has received steady external funding over the years, but has not attracted the input and prestige of the Waite centre, despite its fundamental role in continuing to provide new variety releases. However, the Grains Research and Development Corporation and the University have recently allocated $250,000 to upgrade and enhance the Roseworthy facilities—a direct recognition of Professor Hollamby’s abilities and his importance to the future of wheat breeding in South Australia. The Unsung Hero award recognises a scientist who also values science communication. “Professor Hollamby has always gone out of his way to communicate to all who would listen—students, growers, industry and the wider community,” said Mr Perrin. “Each year he speaks at farmer and adviser update sessions, Agricultural Bureau events and Research Centre field days. His down- to-earth practical approach is welcomed by farmers, and his extensive knowledge of agricultural crops and insects is an invaluable resource for his students and peers.” Mr Hollamby said: “I guess the most satisfying experiences are to drive through the wheat belt and recognise wheat crops that are partly from my handiwork, or to have farmers come up to you and shake your hand when they’ve had a good experience with your varieties.” Associate Professor Hollamby takes over the title from last year’s winner, Associate Professor Keith Walker, also from Adelaide University (Department of Environmental Biology), who was recognised for his work on the ecology of the River Murray. —Rob Morrison Associate Professor Gil Hollamby with a crop of cross-pollinating wheat at Roseworthy. VC named among science tall poppies PROFESSOR Mary O’Kane, Vice-Chancellor of Adelaide University, has been named one of Queensland’s Tall Poppies in Science in recognition of her outstanding research achieve- ments. The award, announced by the Australian Institute of Political Science (AIPS), was presented to Professor O’Kane at a Tall Poppy dinner in Brisbane on 1 May. The three other scientists to be honoured as Tall Poppies were Nobel Prize winner Professor Peter Doherty, gastroenterologist Prof- essor Lawrie Powell, and pathologist Professor John Kerr. The Queensland awards are part of a national campaign by the AIPS to celebrate Australian scientific and intellectual excellence. Queensland-born Professor O’Kane, a computer engineer, is a leading Australian specialist in her main research field of spoken language understanding and automatic speech recognition. She was awarded the Australian Telecommunications and Electronics Research Medal in 1990 for her research in this area. Professor O’Kane is a Fellow of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and an Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Engineers, Australia. She is also a director of leading Australian pharmaceuticals company FH Faulding and a member of the board of CSIRO. Continued Page 4 Faculty change to create “powerhouse of science”

Upload: others

Post on 19-Jul-2020

1 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Adelaidean May 2001 Vol 10 No 4 - University of Adelaide · Science in recognition of her outstanding research achieve-ments. The award, announced by the Australian Institute of Political

News from Adelaide University

AdelaideanMay 2001

Ap

pro

ved

Fo

r P

rin

t P

ost

565

001/

0004

6

Volume 10 Number 4

Anzac flame takesan Olympic flavour

page 3

National Science Week3-14 Mayspecial edition

Three maestrosin concert feast

page 11

I N S I D E

SCIENCE education and research at AdelaideUniversity is being given a major boost, with theannouncement of a new Faculty of Sciences for2002.The new Faculty will be formed by combining twocurrent ones: the Faculty of Science and the Faculty ofAgricultural & Natural Resource Sciences.This will create a “powerhouse” of teaching andresearch in a wide range of science fields, according toAdelaide University Vice-Chancellor Professor MaryO’Kane (see her Voice column on page 2).The move, part of a process of reshaping academicstructures in the University, brings together strengthsin biological, physical, chemical, environmental andagricultural sciences. The change will further buildon Adelaide’s reputation as an Australian leader in thesciences.The new Faculty of Sciences will have research andteaching programs throughout all four of theUniversity’s campuses: North Terrace, Roseworthy,Waite and Thebarton.Dr Alastair Blake, Executive Dean of Science, saidthe move enabled Adelaide to offer a consolidatedapproach to the basic and applied sciences supportedby active programs in research.

“The new Faculty of Sciences will continue to offerthe degree programs which have gained internationalreputations for excellence in agricultural and naturalresource sciences, biotechnology, biomedical science,viticulture and oenology,” Dr Blake said.

Continued Page 10

Unsung hero wields weapons of cold steelADELAIDE University researcher GilHollamby has been named this year’sUnsung Hero of South AustralianScience.The Unsung Hero award is one of thefeatures of National Science Week. Theannual award is made by the AustralianScience Communicators (SA) to a scientistwhose work has not received adequate publicrecognition.

The recipient is also chosen as one who hasshown a respect for science communicationand actively promoted the benefits of scienceto individuals and society at large.

In announcing the award, Mr Robert Perrin,coordinator of the South Australian ScienceCommunicators, paid tribute to AssociateProfessor Hollamby’s achievements.Associate Professor Hollamby leads thewheat breeding research team at AdelaideUniversity’s Roseworthy Campus.

Since his appointment as Assistant PlantBreeder in 1961 he has released major newwheat varieties such as Spear, Machete,Trident and Excalibur, bred specifically togrow in the dry Mediterranean agriculturalenvironments of South Australia.

More recently, Mr Hollamby’s expertise hasbeen called on for breeding experiments inWestern Australia. The breeding of plantvarieties requires scientific rigour, long-termplanning and innovation, with conventionalbreeding considered to be the origin ofmodern molecular marker and geneticengineering technology.Mr Hollamby said he was “proud to represent the Australian wheat breedingcommunity by bringing to the fore the

important work they do”.“I’m very humbled that someone has chosenme as this representative, and I’m proud to beable to represent my colleagues in our wheatbreeding team at Roseworthy,” he said.“I didn’t think of wheat breeders as beingunsung heroes, because farmers know whobred a new variety, and what they think of itand thus of the breeder.“Most breeders name their varieties alongsome theme, and Roseworthy varieties arenamed after cold steel type weapons, soHalberd, Spear, Dagger, Machete, Trident,Excalibur, Stiletto, Bowie, Kukri and others

are easily recognised as coming fromRoseworthy, and so are expected to havesome particular features,” he said.

“I guess we are more unsung in the scientificcommunity because, although we conduct alarge number of scientifically rigorousexperiments, these are to discriminatebetween likely good and bad lines within theSouth Australian wheat belt. As such theydon’t produce results that are scientificallyprofound or even capable of extrapolation toother areas,” he said.

The Plant Breeding Unit at Roseworthy hasreceived steady external funding over the

years, but has not attracted the input andprestige of the Waite centre, despite itsfundamental role in continuing to providenew variety releases. However, the GrainsResearch and Development Corporation andthe University have recently allocated$250,000 to upgrade and enhance theRoseworthy facilities—a direct recognition ofProfessor Hollamby’s abilities and hisimportance to the future of wheat breeding inSouth Australia.The Unsung Hero award recognises ascientist who also values sciencecommunication.“Professor Hollamby has always gone out ofhis way to communicate to all who wouldlisten—students, growers, industry and thewider community,” said Mr Perrin.“Each year he speaks at farmer and adviserupdate sessions, Agricultural Bureau eventsand Research Centre field days. His down-to-earth practical approach is welcomed byfarmers, and his extensive knowledge ofagricultural crops and insects is an invaluableresource for his students and peers.”Mr Hollamby said: “I guess the mostsatisfying experiences are to drive through thewheat belt and recognise wheat crops that arepartly from my handiwork, or to have farmerscome up to you and shake your hand whenthey’ve had a good experience with yourvarieties.”Associate Professor Hollamby takes over thetitle from last year’s winner, AssociateProfessor Keith Walker, also from AdelaideUniversity (Department of EnvironmentalBiology), who was recognised for his work onthe ecology of the River Murray.

—Rob Morrison

Associate Professor Gil Hollamby with a crop of cross-pollinating wheat at Roseworthy.

VC named amongscience tall poppiesPROFESSOR Mary O’Kane,Vice-Chancellor of AdelaideUniversity, has been named oneof Queensland’s Tall Poppies inScience in recognition of heroutstanding research achieve-ments.The award, announced by theAustralian Institute of PoliticalScience (AIPS), was presented toProfessor O’Kane at a Tall Poppydinner in Brisbane on 1 May.The three other scientists to behonoured as Tall Poppies wereNobel Prize winner Professor PeterDoherty, gastroenterologist Prof-essor Lawrie Powell, andpathologist Professor John Kerr.The Queensland awards are part ofa national campaign by the AIPS tocelebrate Australian scientific andintellectual excellence.Queensland-born Professor O’Kane,a computer engineer, is a leadingAustralian specialist in her mainresearch field of spoken languageunderstanding and automatic speech

recognition. She was awarded theAustralian Telecommunications andElectronics Research Medal in 1990for her research in this area.Professor O’Kane is a Fellow of theAcademy of Technological Sciencesand Engineering and an HonoraryFellow of the Institution ofEngineers, Australia. She is also adirector of leading Australianpharmaceuticals company FHFaulding and a member of theboard of CSIRO.

Continued Page 4

Faculty change to create“powerhouse of science”

Page 2: Adelaidean May 2001 Vol 10 No 4 - University of Adelaide · Science in recognition of her outstanding research achieve-ments. The award, announced by the Australian Institute of Political

ADELAIDEANPAGE 2 MAY 2001

Adelaidean

EditorDavid Ellis

Layout Julie Ryke

Printed by Cadillac Color

WritersRob MorrisonBen OsborneJohn Drislane

ContributorsSheila BryceDi KiddKim McBrideSharna Pearce

Room G07 Mitchell Building, South Australia, 5005. Tel (08) 83035174; Fax (08) 8303 4838; Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/Adelaidean/home.html

Material may be reproduced without permission butacknowledgement must be given to the Adelaidean.

Celebrating ourscientific strengths

National Science Week,traditionally held in the first weekof May, grows bigger each year. Infact, it is now more like NationalScience Fortnight.

This growth is a welcome sign. Science Week (3-14May) aims to bring science to the wider public, andthe ever-increasing number of presentations andevents shows that public interest in science andtechnology is undiminished.Adelaide University is one of the nation’s strongestperformers when it comes to an active involvementin science, and this profile will be boosted with theestablishment of our new Faculty of Sciences,combining the current Faculty of Science with theFaculty of Agricultural & Natural Resource Sciences.The new Faculty will embrace scientific researchand teaching programs across all four campuses. Itwill be a powerhouse of research and education in awide range of biological, physical, environmentaland chemical sciences, with applications toimportant national issues such as agriculture and theenvironment. Each of these fields will benefitgreatly from its new position within the one mainorganisational unit. This will, in turn, make us morecompetitive internationally.The new academic structures also provide for newresearch institutes and a graduate school. Thesewill enable us to focus more strongly on theparticular research strengths—such as food, wine,nutrition and the environment—for which theUniversity is internationally known.The changes will be implemented by 1 January,2002, the start of another important scientific year.The year 2002 marks the bicentenary of themeeting between Matthew Flinders and NicolasBaudin, leaders of two of the most significantmaritime and scientific expeditions ever mountedfrom Europe. Celebration of their meeting, underthe banner of Encounter 2002, will last fromFebruary until April, and the University’s roleincludes the creation of the Collex scholarship (seestory page 4), exhibitions, and progress towards thedevelopment of the Flinders-Baudin ResearchCentre on Kangaroo Island.We are heavily involved in National Science Week,too, of course. As well as being a celebration ofscience, the Week promotes science communica-tion—the importance of dialogue between scientistsand the general public, who need to understand thesignificance of science research and who ultimatelypay for it. A highlight of the week is the presen-tation of the award of the title Unsung Hero ofSouth Australian Science to a researcher who haswon distinction both as a scientist and a sciencecommunicator.Last year’s Unsung Hero was Associate ProfessorKeith Walker, who was recognised for his work onthe ecology of the River Murray. This year thehonour has gone to another Adelaide Universityscientist, Associate Professor Gil Hollamby, from theDepartment of Plant Science (our most successfuldepartment in terms of research earnings). Theaward recognises his outstanding work in breedingnew wheat varieties that are appropriate to theAustralian environment (see story page 1).Congratulations to Gil on a well-deserved honour.

MARY O’KANE

Deadline for next issue 24 May

Q&A: Charles Bodman RaeONE of the most prestigious positionsin Adelaide music will be filled in Julywhen Professor Charles Bodman Raetakes up the position of ElderProfessor of Music.Currently the Director of Studies at RoyalNorthern College of Music inManchester, Professor Bodman Rae willalso be the foundation Director of theElder School of Music, which is beingformed out of the merger between theElder Conservatorium and the FlindersStreet School of Music.Professor Bodman Rae was recently inAustralia in a reconnaissance capacity forhis new role, and took time out to speak tothe Adelaidean about the challenges facingnot only him but also the Elder School ofMusic as a whole.

Why take this job, and what were theattractions of the position?

The Elder Professorship is, of course, avery prestigious position, and I hope I willprove worthy of it. The real attraction,however, is that of directing the new ElderSchool of Music. The merger which istaking place, although it presents a certainnumber of problems, also presents lots ofinteresting challenges. So, somewhatperversely, the things which might determany people from taking on this job are,in fact, the things which attract me to it.What are the major issues facing you in yournew role?

The merger is, of course, the major issue.It is a question of bringing together twosets of staff, two sets of students, and ofmerging the different ways of operating.Then there is the question ofaccommodation for the new Elder Schoolof Music. Initially, it will make use ofexisting accommodation on the maincampus, but perhaps in the near futurethere may be opportunities to adjustthings so that the School will be cohesiveand have a clear focus and identity. Sothese matters of accommodation,buildings, and so forth, will doubtless takeup quite a bit of time and energy, not justfor me but for others as well.What are the difficulties associated with theforthcoming merger? Do you have thenecessary background in order to drive thismerger?

My present institution, the RoyalNorthern College of Music (inManchester) was created in the early1970s from exactly the same kind ofmerger which is now happening in

Adelaide (bringing together one long-established, venerable institutionwith a much younger and dynamic one).So I am well aware of the issues. At my previous institution, Leeds College of Music, I carried out a majorrestructuring which involved affiliatingthe College to Leeds University; which isdirectly akin to the present situation ofbringing the Flinders Street School ofMusic within the framework of AdelaideUniversity. So, as the saying goes, I have“been there, done that!” The presentmerger, of course, has its own particularcharacter, history, circumstances, and soforth, so there will inevitably bedifferences from the situations I have beeninvolved with before. But, at least—to usea musical expression—I won’t be “sight-reading”!What can staff and students expect from themerger? From your visits to Adelaide thusfar, how would you describe the mood ormorale of staff and students not only ingeneral but also towards the merger?

I hope that staff and students willgradually adjust so that they feelcomfortable in transferring theirallegiance from both of the currentinstitutions to the third one—the newone. One of the obvious advantages of anoutsider, such as myself, is that I have noprior allegiance—to either of the currentinstitutions—and my focus is firmly onthe concept of an identity for the newschool.

As far as morale is concerned, it is fair to

say that staff and students in bothinstitutions have been through a prettyunsettling period, and there are still plentyof fears, insecurities, and all the otherperfectly understandable reactions whichpeople inevitably have when they feel theyare taking a leap in the dark. But Isuppose it is part of my task to turn thelight on!

I think one of the crucial issues—to raisemorale—is to show staff and students thatthe new school will have a clear identityand will be visible, conspicuous, with ahigh public profile, not concealed from theoutside world.

How can you raise the profile of the newschool not only nationally but alsointernationally?

The best way of raising the profile of anymusic school is for its students to besuccessful, in the wider world of music,and for its staff to be active outside theinstitution. So the school needs to “reachout” in these ways. In Australia there areobvious geographical considerationswhich make this “reaching out” quitetricky, but it’s not impossible. Any musicschool needs to reflect the realities of themusic profession; thus its main mode ofcommunication is through live concerts,broadcasts and recordings. But there areother “modes” as well, such as conferences,publications, and so forth. The upcomingMusic Education Conference to be hostedby Adelaide University is a good example,so this kind of thing is already happening.

The new Elder Professor, Charles Bodman Rae. Photo: Ben Osborne.

Graduations’ official status

I am very concerned with whatto me are the misleading

assertions in the April 2001 Adelaidean(V.10, No.3, p.p. 2/3) that the University’sfirst official graduation ceremony held inSingapore was at the Westin StamfordHotel on 17 March last while the Malaysianceremony held at the Hotel Nikko in KualaLumpur was the eighth such event.Official graduation celebrations asapproved by and reported to the Councilwere first held in Kuala Lumpur at theHotel Istana on Sunday 29 May 1994 andin Singapore at the Shangri-La Hotel onSunday 28 May 1995. I presided as ActingChancellor with the approval of theChancellor on both occasions in thepresence of the then Vice-Chancellor (ProfGavin Brown) and the then Registrar (MrFrank O’Neill) together with Universitystaff, official Mace Bearers, graduates, notgraduands, and their friends and families.Testamurs were presented to all graduatesand in some cases certificates were

presented or re-presented to those who hadgraduated in absentia in Adelaide. Some500 attended in Kuala Lumpur and some200 in Singapore.It is a fact that the conferring of degrees wasregulated, until March 2000, by the thenChapter XI of the University’s Statutes.One condition was that admission to adegree be “at a meeting of the Council andSenate to be held at such time as theCouncil shall determine”. I am however theonly person who presided at a graduationceremony anywhere whom I ever heardeither declare it to be a meeting of theCouncil and the Senate or recognise thepresence of the Warden of the Senate.Graduands could also be admitted todegrees “at a meeting of the Council only”.Nevertheless it was deemed to be prudentto declare the off-shore occasions to begraduation celebrations rather than gradua-tion ceremonies. Apart from that theoccasions were indistinguishable. Onegraduand was indeed presented foradmission to an earned degree in KualaLumpur in 1994 but, just to be certain, that

admission was repeated later that year at aceremony in Adelaide.From March 2000 that Statute XI wasreplaced by “Rules for GraduationCeremonies” which, together with theconstraints of Chapter 89 of the Statutes,allow for greater flexibility in everyrespect. It is quite incorrect however toassert of the year 2001 off-shoreceremonies that that in Singapore was thefirst official one and that in Kuala Lumpurthe eighth. If, on the one hand, that inSingapore is asserted to be the first heldthere then that in Kuala Lumpur was thesecond held there. If, on the other hand,that in Kuala Lumpur is asserted to be theeighth held there then that in Singaporewas the second held there. I believe thatof the three constructions immediatelyabove the last is the more correct, is moreacceptable to our Asian graduates, and istherefore much to be preferred.

Harry MedlinEmeritus Senior Deputy Chancellor

University Alumni Envoy to East andSouth East Asia

L E T T E R ST O THE EDIT OR

Page 3: Adelaidean May 2001 Vol 10 No 4 - University of Adelaide · Science in recognition of her outstanding research achieve-ments. The award, announced by the Australian Institute of Political

ADELAIDEAN MAY 2001 PAGE 3

Anzac flame takeson Olympic flavourTHE OLYMPIC spirit lives on—butthis time in the form of the Anzac spirit.Adelaide University engineers, whodeveloped the flame for the Sydney 2000Olympic torch and cauldron, have nowadapted one of their designs to produce anEternal Flame of Remembrance for an RSLclub at Gympie, Queensland.

The engineers have made a burner based ontheir community cauldron, which travelledthroughout Australia during last year’sOlympic torch relay.

The burner was made at Adelaide University,while the cauldron for the Flame ofRemembrance was made by Air and GasIndustries, on behalf of the local CooloolaShire Council.

University researchers in the departments

of Chemical and Mechanical engineering, and their commercial partnerFuel & Combustion Technology, were chosenfor the Olympic work because of theirexpertise in environmentally friendlycombustion.According to Dr Peter Lanspeary,postdoctoral researcher with the Departmentof Mechanical Engineering, the systemdevised for the Gympie RSL “produces ahighly visible, bright yellow flame whichresists ‘blow-out’ at high wind speeds”.

Gympie RSL’s Eternal Flame was lit on theTuesday before Anzac Day and burntthroughout the Anzac Day celebrations onWednesday, 25 April.It will remain as a permanent symbol ofremembrance to those who lost their livesduring wartime.

(From left) Dr Peter Lanspeary and Dr Richard Kelso (Mechanical Engineering) with a prototype ofthe Olympic community cauldron. Photo: Ben Searcy.

New adjunctprofessors areworld leaders

TWO world leaders in the field ofeconomics have become AdjunctProfessors at Adelaide University’sCentre for International EconomicStudies.One is the Right Hon. Mike Moore,Director-General of the World TradeOrganization and former Prime Ministerof New Zealand, who brings a wealth ofexperience in the trade policy area and ineconomic reform generally.

During the 1980s he was New Zealand’sTrade Minister. He converted NewZealand from the most to perhaps the leastprotected of OECD countries.

“While we won’t see too much of him oncampus during the remainder of his tenureat WTO (which finishes September2002), we look forward very much to hisinvolvement in our teaching andconference programs thereafter,” saidProfessor Kym Anderson, Director of theCentre for International EconomicStudies (CIES).The other new Adjunct Professor is KeithMaskus, Professor of Economics at theUniversity of Colorado, a Research Fellowat the Institute for InternationalEconomics in Washington, DC, and asenior adviser to the World Bank.

“Keith has a wide range of interests ineconomics but is best known for his workon trade theory and policy, and intellectualproperty rights including the WTO’sAgreement on TRIPs,” ProfessorAnderson said.

“We look forward to welcoming Keithback to Adelaide on a regular basis.”

The Right Hon. Mike Moore.

Go8 to provide new scholarshipsTHE COALITION of Australia’sleading universities, the Group of Eight(Go8), has announced 128 equity and merit scholarships to supportundergraduate study at Go8 universities.The Go8 comprises Adelaide University, theAustralian National University, University ofMelbourne, Monash University, University ofNew South Wales, University of Queensland,University of Sydney and the University ofWestern Australia.Commencing in 2002, the scheme willprovide a greater opportunity for brightstudents from low socio-economicbackgrounds to study at a Go8 university,complementing a range of scholar-ships already provided by the eightuniversities.Announcing the scheme during an address tothe National Press Club in Canberra,

Professor Gavin Brown, Vice-Chancellor ofSydney University, said the Go8 stronglybelieved that the ability to succeed, not abilityto pay, should remain the central criterion foraccess to and academic progress at alluniversities.Although Go8 universities wereuncompromising in their academic standards,they were “strongly committed to equity ofaccess”, Professor Brown said.“We also believe in putting our money whereour mouths are,” he said.The scholarships, which are targetedprimarily at school leavers, are transferablebetween Go8 universities. Each scholarship,tenable in a HECS liable place, is worth$2500 per annum for a maximum of fiveyears, subject to satisfactory academicperformance.

“The winners will be paid the full value of the scholarship, enabling them to decide

what their priorities are. For some, thehighest priority will be to help support themselves while they study. Forothers it may be to retire some of their HECSdebt, or to pay for course-related books orequipment such as a computer,” ProfessorBrown said.

The first round of scholarships will be advertised nationally later in 2001,when further information will be provided on the procedure for applying for the four scholarships at each Go8 university.

Meanwhile, Professor Brown said the Groupof Eight would continue its efforts to secure abetter deal for universities, staff and students.

“The fact is that society benefits from theeducational investment in many ways, andthe ideal should be to increase and improveopportunity at all times,” he said.

Helder returns to help rebuild East TimorIT’S BEEN 18 months since the worst of the crisis in East Timor, and theprocess to rebuild the newly independentcountry is continuing—with the help ofan Adelaide University economicsstudent.Helder DaCosta has returned to his homecountry of East Timor to take up a seniorposition at the newly named NationalUniversity of East Timor.

Mr DaCosta is a PhD student with AdelaideUniversity’s School of Economics, and is dueto graduate this year. His PhD thesis dealswith foreign economic policy for theindependent East Timor.

Now back in Dili, Mr DaCosta is head of theresearch portfolio at the National Universityof East Timor.

He is also working with the United Nations,the Asian Development Bank and otherinternational agencies aiding thereconstruction and development process inhis home country.

Back in September 1999, Mr DaCosta joined with Adelaide University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mary O’Kane, topresent a public face of humanitarian supportfor people affected by the East Timor crisis.

At the time, Professor O’Kane announcedthat a long-term goal would be to establishon-going links with the university in East Timor, “to support the university as it

adjusts to its new situation in an independent country”.

Adelaide University’s commercial arm,Luminis, also compiled a detailed capability statement that outlined the many services which the University could provide to

help rebuild East Timor.

That capability statement, for which MrDaCosta was a key adviser, was registeredwith the World Bank, the AsianDevelopment Bank and AusAID.

—David Ellis

Helder DaCosta speaks with Professor Mary O’Kane on campus in 1999. Mr DaCosta is now headof research at the National University of East Timor. Photo: David Ellis.

Page 4: Adelaidean May 2001 Vol 10 No 4 - University of Adelaide · Science in recognition of her outstanding research achieve-ments. The award, announced by the Australian Institute of Political

ADELAIDEANPAGE 4 MAY 2001

Advertisement

Book celebrates historical meeting of minds

IN 1802, British navigator MatthewFlinders and French captain NicolasBaudin met in Encounter Bay, SouthAustralia. Both were involved in majorscientific voyages of discovery which wouldtax them and their crews to the limit.Much will soon be heard of this encounterand of the two voyages. Next year, SouthAustralia will celebrate the meeting’sbicentenary as Encounter 2002—a series ofevents that will run from early in the yearuntil the weekend of 8-9 April, the dates onwhich the two captains met.

Ill-starred Captains has been published withthis in mind. Anthony Brown is thehistorical consultant to Encounter 2002; ahighly appropriate appointment, if this bookis a measure. In a reversal of the normalsequence, it appeared first in paperback lastyear and appears now as the hardbackedition. Elegantly bound, it runs to morethan 500 pages, including text, references,appendices, 58 illustrations and 13 charts,with two rather inadequate maps; largeenough to trace the voyages, but too small to

record many locations cited.

The story is well enough known in itscondensed version—how Flinders andBaudin, technically at war, put hostilitiesaside for the sake of science and exchangedcourtesies and information.

What Brown provides, as far as anyone might,is the depth and setting of the story. Theconstruction of his book is well thought outand very effective. Brown has drawn extens-ively on original eye-witness accounts, logs,journals and other manuscripts to construct ahistorical account of each of the expeditions.

Alternating chapters keep the reader aware ofhow the two expeditions proceededsimultaneously, occasionally crossing eachother’s tracks or meeting; each captain waryof what the other might have discovered.

The research is meticulous. Purely as ahistorical account in the past tense, the bookwould stand as a scholarly offering, but Browninserts at intervals short italicised passages inthe present tense which vividly describeincidents, events, settings or encounters thatwere part of both expeditions.

This curious technique is wholly successful.Without compromising the historicalintegrity of the work, a succession of “rippingyarns” emerges. Brown is a strongly visualwriter and these sections, chosen for theirimagery, read like a film script.Brown is also a writer with a love of words,

revealed by his inclusion of additionalmaterial when it suits his purpose, such asaccounts from those who have tried to tracethe real fate of helmsman Timothée Vasse,the first of Baudin’s men to die.Dr Cullity’s letter on the subject (p123), is anempathic essay that would be hard to beat forthe way it captures the desolation thesesailors must have felt. It also reveals thefascination their voyages still hold for modernenthusiasts of maritime history.History often reduces its notable figures tocardboard cutouts, possessing a singledimension of heroism or villainy. Brown’saccount gives depth to personalities, both ofthe two leaders and many of their companions.Baudin’s leadership was flawed, and he can nothave been a charismatic man, but his courageand discipline emerge from these pages as,coughing blood, he struggles to continue thetask entrusted to him, increasingly aware thathis reputation, achievements, control and lifeare steadily slipping away.Brown’s book tells us just how close we cameto being a French colony instead of a Britishone, but it is also a celebration of attitude. InSouth Australia, towns with German namesbestowed by peaceful immigrants wererenamed in the First World War in a wave ofanti-German sentiment. In both world wars,citizens with links to the countries that wefought were interned.At the time of the Flinders and Baudin

expeditions, France and England were at war,and yet courtesies abounded, sciencetriumphed and discoveries were (at least inpart) honoured by the enemies of those whomade them. Today, French names proliferatealong our southern coastline. Next year we willcelebrate them. This book will tell you why.

—Rob Morrison

ILL-STARRED CAPTAINS: FLINDERS ANDBAUDIN written by Anthony J. Brown,Crawford House Publishing, Adelaide;Published in association with the RoyalGeographical Society of South Australia; rrp$49.95

Youth leader commended for info roleREBECCA Ebert from Truro is the inaugural winner of theAdelaide University Youth Leadership Award.Ms Ebert, founder of the Student Information Network (SINS)in the Barossa Valley, was presented with her prize by Mr IanCreagh, Adelaide University’s Executive Director of Student andStaff Services, at the South Australian Youth Awards Showcaselast month in Adelaide.In their citation, the judges commended Ms Ebert’s “outstandingcontribution” in providing rural youth with information andforums on relevant issues and raising awareness of the servicesavailable to them.The citation added: “She saw and filled, practically, the significantgap that existed between obtaining information and gaining theassistance to proceed that was needed.“She has produced the SINS pamphlets and has shownleadership, dedication and initiative of an extremely high order.”The Leadership prize was one of eight presented at the inauguralSA Youth Awards Showcase. The other categories were:achievement, community service, sports, environment, scienceand technology, initiative and inspiration. The Awards wereorganised by Paradise Community Services.

—John DrislaneMr Ian Creagh presents Rebecca Ebert with the Adelaide UniversityYouth Leadership Award.

From Page 1

She has served on numerous governmentcommittees advising on research, innovationand science, and is a former Chair of theAustralian Research Council’s ResearchGrants Committee.Professor O’Kane, who was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Adelaide University in 1996,said she was honoured to receive the award.“Awards of this type help to lift the profile ofscience in the community,” she said.“This is important if we are to ensurecontinued investment in science research atAustralian universities.”“Adelaide is one of Australia’s great scienceuniversities, and the creation of the newFaculty of Sciences [merging the Faculty ofScience with the Faculty of Agricultural andNatural Resource Sciences] is a key step insecuring our future as an international leaderin scientific research and education.”

—John Drislane

VC named tallpoppy of science

A VULNERABLE and unique part ofAustralia’s outback will be studied by thewinner of the Collex Flinders-BaudinAdelaide Scholarship.The scholarship, provided by wastemanagement company Collex Pty Ltd,commemorates the 200th anniversary of themeeting between England’s CaptainMatthew Flinders and France’s CaptainNicolas Baudin, who in the course of theirindependent naval expeditions met atEncounter Bay in April 1802. Bothexpeditions made significant progress inscientific exploration (see book reviewabove).Worth more than $17,000 per annum forthree years, the scholarship is awarded forpostgraduate research in environmental-based natural sciences.The winner is Mr Travis Gotch, who lastyear completed a Bachelor of EnvironmentalManagement with First Class Honours atAdelaide University’s Department ofApplied & Molecular Ecology.

Thanks to the scholarship, Mr Gotch is nowstudying for his PhD with the department,under the supervision of Dr Andrew Austinand Dr Mike Keller.His research will look at the ecology of wolf

spider species associated with MoundSprings, south of Lake Eyre.The springs are miniature oases in thedesert, formed by the upwelling of artesianwater.These “pockets of life” in the desert havedistinct and specialised animal and plantlife. The environments are unique, delicateand highly vulnerable, and can serve asmodels of ecological and evolutionaryprocesses.They are also potentially threatened bymining operations, which use largequantities of artesian water. For this reason,scientists such as Mr Gotch and miningcompanies such as Western MiningCorporation want to know more about theMound Springs environments and how theyare affected.Mr Gotch’s work is also part of AdelaideUniversity’s new Centre for EvolutionaryBiology & Biodiversity, of which Dr Austinis the director.

—David Ellis

Travis to study outback’s unique life

Travis Gotch. Photo: Ben Osborne.

Page 5: Adelaidean May 2001 Vol 10 No 4 - University of Adelaide · Science in recognition of her outstanding research achieve-ments. The award, announced by the Australian Institute of Political

ADELAIDEAN MAY 2001 PAGE 5

Cinema spin on classics a cut below real thingFORGET Russell Crowe stompingabout the Colosseum in his sandals, orAngelina Jolie twirling about ancienttombs in her too-tight shorts and tank-top—there’s plenty of excitement to befound in Classics without the makebelieve of modern-day cinema.That’s the view of Adelaide University’s headof Classics, Dr Anne Geddes.

Movies such as the highly successful Gladiator,and the upcoming action adventures TombRaider and The Mummy Returns, deal withvarious aspects of classic societies, cultures andarchaeology. But do these movies contributeanything other than sheer entertainment?And does their popularity translate intointerest in classics study?

Dr Geddes believes historical epics inparticular, such as Gladiator, are of greatinterest to the public and scholars alike. Butwhile most audiences are flinching during thegutsy, authentic battle scenes, the scholarstend to flinch at historical inaccuracies.

“There is a great Hollywood tradition offilms about Roman history—Quo Vadis,Cleopatra, Ben Hur, The Fall of the RomanEmpire, Spartacus and now Gladiator,” DrGeddes said.“There have been some Egypt ones too andsome dire attempts at Greek history andmythology (Richard Burton as Alexander theGreat, for instance) but somehow it is Romanhistory that the public seems to prefer.”Gladiator’s special effects and stunts were“amazing”, Dr Geddes said.“If you have only ever read about battles, onlyimagined the emotional experience, and sincethere is no possibility that ever again men willfight to the death with arrows and swords,the recreation of those battle scenes was vividand exciting.“The representation of Rome—of theColosseum, the gladiatorial ring—was betterthan anything we have seen before,” she said.“But where the film lets us down is in its lackof ‘book knowledge’.“It is perfectly easy to get the facts right. Noinvention can be more awesomely fascinating

than what actually happened in the period ofthe Roman empire under the Antonines [theRoman emperors from AD 138–180].”

Dr Geddes said Hollywood’s ignorance ofhistory is unreasonable. “There is plenty ofexpertise available; a professor at Harvard waseven in the list of credits. It is rumoured thatshe tried to have her name taken off the list,and it’s obvious why.”

While factual errors are disconcerting toclassics scholars, more annoying are some ofthe main themes used by Hollywood toreinterpret history and historical societies.

“Freedom, Hollywood style, is such a tiredold cinematic convention,” Dr Geddes said.

“No-one in the modern western world reallyknows anything at all about what slavery islike—not to choose your own food or yourown sex partner, your own way of spendingthe time, where to live, how to educate yourchildren, or even whether your children willstay in your home.

“It is against such losses of liberty that theancient world formulated its notion offreedom, and that is why freedom was soprecious to it. When the film has Marcus

Aurelius, half choking with emotion,dreaming about restoring the Republic orhanding back power to the Senate, it isworking from a script that was writtenespecially for Hollywood in the ‘30s and ‘40sof last century, and has no reference to thereal world of the past.

“There is plenty to be said about thegovernment of an empire, but this film didn’t say any of it. There is plenty to be saidabout freedom too, but it wasn’t said byGladiator.”

Continued Page 8

Maximus (Russell Crowe) faces off against a fierce opponent in Gladiator. Cinema fantasy might be amazing to look at, but it’s no substitute for thereal thing, according to classicist Dr Anne Geddes. Photo by Jaap Buitendijk, courtesy of United International Pictures.

THE SCIENTIST comes under thespotlight during Adelaide University’smain event for National Science Week.On 8 May, three of South Australia’sleading scientists and scientificcommunicators will present a free publiclecture about the complex makeup of ascientist.

Science journalist Dr Rob Morrison willopen with an entertaining examination ofwhat scientists do—how hypothesistesting works, how scientists collectinformation, and how they think aboutissues. Do scientists really makebreakthroughs? Why are most discoveriessmall, and why does science take so long?

Environmental biologist Dr ChrisDaniels will discuss scientists as people,using movie images to demonstrate thevast array of depictions of the personalitytypes of scientists. He will highlight theessential elements in the make up of ascientific personality and the scientific wayof life. Why do we so often distrustscientists (are they really out to destroy theworld?). Do you have to be mad, eccentricor have bad hair to be a scientist? How canyou spot a “pretend” scientist?

Genetics expert Professor Peter Rathjenwill discuss the role of the scientist at thecutting edge of technology and whyscientists are so important for the

economic, social and environmentaldevelopment of western nations. He willgrapple with the issues and role ofscientists in society, especially with regardto business and technologicaldevelopment. Why do scientists makesuch poor business people? Should they beabout making money? Are theyresponsible for the unethical use of theirdiscoveries?

Are you MAD? Do you WANT tobecome a scientist?Where: Union Hall, Adelaide University.When: 7pm, Tuesday 8 May. Cost: FreeRSVP to reserve your seat, phone 8303 4003.

Are you mad? Do youwant to be a scientist?!

A SERIES of free public lectures byrecently appointed Professors ofAdelaide University begins this month.Members of the public are warmly welcometo attend the lectures, which start on 11 May.Friday 11 May: Professor Barry Egan(Biochemistry): Genetic intelligence ofbacteriophage.

“Bacteriophage, literally bacterial eaters, areviruses that infect bacteria. Theirintelligence might be more that they help usappear more intelligent. In my case, thehelp is in understanding the principles andoperative mechanisms underlying geneticswitches that enable a genome to exist stablyin alternative states of gene expression.”

Friday 18 May: Professor Peter Cole(Electrical & Electronic Engineering):Radio frequency identification.

“A brief history of radio frequencyidentification systems highlighting thechallenges presented in system design and therange of physical principles which have beenbrought to bear in meeting those challenges.The economic importance of the technologyto Australia is described, and some views onappropriate training of engineers to advancethe technology are presented.”

Friday 25 May: Professor Guy Ludbrook(Anaesthesia) : Perioperative medicine — theanaesthetist reinvented?

“Hospitalisation for surgery has evolvedconsiderably in recent years. The anaesthetisthas needed to develop improved methods forpatient preparation for surgery, to developand optimally apply new anaesthetic and painmanagement techniques, and to provide rapidrecovery from both anaesthesia and surgery toallow early discharge from hospital.”

Friday 1 June – No lectureFull details of the June lectures will beavailable in the next issue of the Adelaidean.

Friday 8 June: Professor David Wilkinson:Major rural health challenges for Australia intothe 21st Century.

Friday 15 June: Professor Richard Hillis:The future of fossil fuels: neo-Malthusians,cornucopians, greenies and roughnecks.

Friday 22 June: Professor James Paton:Treatment and prevention of infectiousdiseases: challenges for the 21st Century.

Friday 29 June: Professor Graeme Dandy:Optimising water supply systems: a pipe dream?

Lecture Theatre 102, Napier Building,Adelaide University, Fridays, 1.15pm.The Inaugural lecture series is sponsored byVice-Chancellor Professor Mary O’Kane.All enquiries should be directed to RayChoate, University Librarian, phone 83034064 or email: <[email protected]>.

Free public lectures byour new professors

Page 6: Adelaidean May 2001 Vol 10 No 4 - University of Adelaide · Science in recognition of her outstanding research achieve-ments. The award, announced by the Australian Institute of Political

12.00 noon Plant Science Seminar: From plantpathogen to symbiont and back again by Dr P Murphy(Plant Science). Charles Hawker Conference Cen, Waite.1.00pm Clinical & Experimental PharmacologySeminar: Tox in the Rockies: Update on sabbaticalresearch on molecular mechanisms in acrolein toxicity byDr Philip Burcham (Clinical & ExperimentalPharmacology). Seminar Rm, Level 6, Med School Nth.1.10pm Law Seminar Program: The concept of dis-honesty by Mr A Steel (Uni NSW). Rm 216, Ligertwood.1.10pm Student Workshop: Learn deep relaxation,by Mark O'Donoghue. Counselling Centre, Ground Floor,Horace Lamb Building.4.00pm Soil and Water Seminar: The use ofmicrobial inoculants to enhance DDT degradation incontaminated soil by Duangpron Kantachote (Soil &Water). Room 301, Prescott Building, Waite Campus.

1.10pm Student Workshop: Weight Winner - Amind/body approach to weight loss. Pt 1 by Sue Barnard.Counselling Centre, Ground Floor, Horace Lamb Building.7.30pm Theatre Guild: The Threepenny Opera byBertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill. Directed by June Barnes,Musical Director Rowen Fox. Little Theatre, AdelaideUni. $15/$10. Bass 131 246 or Theatre Guild, 35999.

10.10am Electrical & Electronic EngineeringSeminar: Recent advances in electric tranportationplanes, trains and automobiles (and bikes) by Drs WenSoong & Nesimi Ertugrul (Electrical & ElectronicEngineering). Rm EM212, Engineering & Maths Bldg.1.10pm Student Workshop: Confident tutorial &seminar presentations by Sally Hebenstreit. CounsellingCentre, Ground Floor, Horace Lamb Building.4.00pm Physiology Seminar: TNF family members inbone physiology and pathology by A/Prof David Dinlay(Orthopaedics and Trauma). Seminar Room, Level 5,Med School South.5.30pm Centre for Biomedical Engineering:Activities at CSIRO; Microjoining - a new initiative by IanDick and Simon Doe (CSIRO Woodville). SG15 HoneLecture Theatre Ground Floor, Med School Sth.5.30pm College of Health Psychologists ContinuingEducation Seminar: The management of chronic pain:Issues and questions by Ann Thornton, Felicity Materazzoand Carmel Tapping. Seminar room 527, Hughes Bldg.7.30pm Theatre Guild: The Threepenny Opera byBertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill. Directed by June Barnes,Musical Director Rowen Fox. Little Theatre, AdelaideUni. $15/$10. Bass 131 246 or Theatre Guild, 35999.

12.10pm Psychology Seminar: Work teamperformance by Prof Natalie Allen. Room 526, Hughes.1.00pm Chemical Pathology Seminar: The SouthAustralian locust control program by Dennis Hopkins(Entymology). Seminar Rm 1, 4th Flr, Reiger Bldg, WCH.6.30pm Royal Society of South Australia Meeting:Verco medallist's address - opposing paradigms:Regulation on limitation of populations? by Dr Tom White.SA Museum's Natural Sciences Building (off Kintore Av).7.30pm Theatre Guild: The Threepenny Opera byBertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill. Directed by June Barnes,Musical Director Rowen Fox. Little Theatre, AdelaideUni. $15/$10. Bass 131 246 or Theatre Guild, 35999.7.45pm Field Geology Club of SA Lecture:Johannes Merge- mineralogist by Mr Bernie O'Neil.Mawson Lecture Theatre, Mawson Laboratories.

11.30 am Social Inquiry Seminar: A sense ofshame: a mother's moral responsibility in the bourgeoispatriarchal family by Pru La Motte. Seminar room, Level3, 10 Pulteney Street.

1.10pm Elder Conservatorium Lunch Hour Concert:Rosalind Martin - Soprano, Janis Laurs - Cello and AnneAdamek - Piano. $3 at the door. Elder Hall.1.10pm Centre for Asian Studies Seminar: 'Peerteaching' approaches for teaching/learning of grammar toincrease metalinguistic awareness among students byMs Akiko Tomita. Room 518, Ligertwood Building.1.15pm Inaugural Lecture: Genetic intelligence ofbacteriophage by Prof Barry Egan (Biochemistry).Lecture Theatre 102, Napier Building.4.00pm Obstetrics and Gynaecology Seminar:Autoimmunity and women's health by Dr MaureenRischmueller (Rheumatology, TQEH). Seminar Room, 6thFloor, Medical School North.7.30pm Theatre Guild: The Threepenny Opera byBertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill. Directed by June Barnes,Musical Director Rowen Fox. Little Theatre, AdelaideUni. $15/$10. Bass 131 246 or Theatre Guild, 35999.

7.30pm Theatre Guild: The Threepenny Opera byBertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill. Directed by June Barnes,Musical Director Rowen Fox. Little Theatre, AdelaideUni. $15/$10. Bass 131 246 or Theatre Guild, 35999.

12.00 noon Plant Science Seminar: Effect of heatstress and water stress on the physiological response inwheat by Mr Muhammad Usman Mufti (PhD Student)and Selenium in wheat by Mr Graham Lyons (PhDStudent). Charles Hawker Conference Centre, Waite.1.00pm Clinical & Experimental PharmacologySeminar: New insights into managing acute lung injury:It only gets more complicated by Dr Ian Doyle (FlindersUni). Seminar Rm, Level 6, Med School Nth.1.10pm Law Seminar Program: Conflict issues in thenational and international prosecution of genocide by DrC Reichert (Uni Pennysylvania). Minding the Gaps:Reflections on Causation in Law, Science and Medicineby Dr D Mercer (Uni Wollongong). Rm 216, Ligertwood.1.10pm Student Workshop: Learn deep relaxation,by Mark O'Donoghue. Counselling Cen, Horace Lamb.2.00pm English Seminar: 'The Happy folk and the oldsouth land': mythologising the landscape in PatriciaWrightson's "The Song of Wirrun" by Kerrie Le Lievre(English), and 'Watching the Detectives- No stringsattached' by Ros Prosser (Social Inquiry). 618, Napier.7.30pm Institute of Physics/Women in Physics andNational Science Week Free Lecture: GravitationalWaves: a new window to the universe byDr GabrielaGonzales (Pennsylvania State Uni/AIP 2001 Women inPhysics International Lecturer). Union Hall.

1.10pm Student Workshop: Weight Winner - Amind/body approach to weight loss. Pt 2 by Sue Barnard.Counselling Centre, Ground Floor, Horace Lamb Building.7.30pm Theatre Guild: The Threepenny Opera byBertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill. Directed by June Barnes,Musical Director Rowen Fox. Little Theatre, AdelaideUni. $15/$10. Bass 131 246 or Theatre Guild, 35999.

10.10am Electrical & Electronic EngineeringSeminar: Stability robustness of hybrid systems by DrMehmet Karan (Research Fellow). Room EM212,Engineering and Maths Building,.12.30pm Clinical Nursing Seminar: Maintaining andrestoring patency in enteral feeding tubes by Ms AnnieAlbrecht (Clinical Nurse Consultant, RAH). Room 36,Level 3, Eleanor Harrald Building, RAH.

1.10pm Public Health Seminar: Update on theSecond Australian National Blood Pressure Study by Dr PRyan & Ms K Willson. Sem Rm, 6th Flr, Bice Bldg, RAH.4.00pm Physiology Seminar: Antiarrhythmic effectsof omega-3 fatty acids in rat ventricular cardiacmyocytes by Mr Wayne Leifert (CSIRO Health Sciences& Nutrition). Seminar Room, Level 5, Med School Sth.4.00pm AFUW SA Forum: Asian - Australian/ PostColonial Literature by Yvette Tan (PhD Candidate).Narratives of belonging and the Antarctic Landscape byEmily Potter (PhD Candidate). Union Building, Level 5,Margaret Murray Room. Gold coin donation.7.30pm Theatre Guild: The Threepenny Opera byBertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill. Directed by June Barnes,Musical Director Rowen Fox. Little Theatre, AdelaideUni. $15/$10. Bass 131 246 or Theatre Guild, 35999.

12.10pm Psychology Seminar: Psychological andplacement outcomes of foster children in SA: Resultsfrom a two year longitudinal study by Dr Paul Delfabbro.Departmental library, Room 526 Hughes Building.1.00pm Chemical Pathology Seminar: Xenobioticmetabolism in Australian Marsupials by Dr I Stupans(School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences, Uni SA).Seminar Room 1, 4th Floor, Reiger Building, WCH.7.30pm Theatre Guild: The Threepenny Opera byBertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill. Directed by June Barnes,Musical Director Rowen Fox. Little Theatre, AdelaideUni. $15/$10. Bass 131 246 or Theatre Guild, 35999.

11.30 am Social Inquiry Seminar: Clinical pathwaysand time: a nursing opportunity missed - by Eileen Willis.Seminar Room, Level 3, 10 Pultney St.1.10pm Elder Conservatorium Lunch Hour Concert:James Cuddeford (member of Aust. String Quartet) -Violin, Natsuko Yoshimoto - Violin. $3 at door. Elder Hall.1.10pm Asian Studies Seminar: The Construction ofChinese Intellectual Lineages by Dr John Makeham.Room 518, Ligertwood Building.1.15pm Inaugural Lecture: Radio frequencyidentification by Prof Peter Cole (Electrical & ElectronicEngineering). Lecture Theatre 102, Napier.4.00pm Obstetrics and Gynaecology Seminar: Druginteractions and complementary medicines by Prof RogerNation (Uni SA). Seminar Rm, 6th Flr, Med School North.7.30pm Theatre Guild: The Threepenny Opera byBertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill. Directed by June Barnes,Musical Director Rowen Fox. Little Theatre, AdelaideUni. $15/$10. Bass 131 246 or Theatre Guild, 35999.

7.30pm Theatre Guild: The Threepenny Opera byBertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill. Directed by June Barnes,Musical Director Rowen Fox. Little Theatre, AdelaideUni. $15/$10. Bass 131 246 or Theatre Guild, 35999.

1.10pm Student Workshop: Learn deep relaxation byMark O'Donoghue. Counselling Centre, Ground Floor,Horace Lamb Building.

1.10pm Student Workshop: Weight Winner - Amind/body approach to weight loss Pt 3 by Sue Barnard.Counselling Centre, Ground Floor, Horace Lamb Building.8.00pm Classical Association of South AustraliaMeeting: "Monuments which Beggar Description"(Herodotus) How Egypt Looked to the Greeks by Dr Anne

Geddes. Council Room, Level 7, Wills Building.

10.10am Electrical & Electronic EngineeringSeminar: Cluttered Tracking by Samuel Davey (Postgradstudent). Room EM212, Engineering & Maths Building.1.10pm Student Workshop: To Sleep, Perchance toDream by Sue Barnard. Counselling Cen, Horace Lamb.4.00pm Physiology Seminar: Estrogen action inprostate development and disease by A/Prof G Risbridger(Monash Uni). Seminar Rm, Lev 5, Med School South.

12.10pm Psychology Seminar: Risk factors forattitudes and behaviours related to eating disorders infemale adolescents by Dr T Wade. Room 526, Hughes.1.00pm Chemical Pathology Seminar: The SouthAustralian Expanded Newborn Screening Program by MrEnzo Ranieri. Seminar Rm 1, 4th Flr, Reiger Bldg, WCH.

11.30am Social Inquiry Seminar: Workerscompensation policy: 1970-2000 by Kevin Purse.Seminar Room, Level 3, 10 Pulteney Street.1.10pm Elder Conservatorium Lunch Hour Concert:Hormingo Ensemble, directed by James Bailey.Members: Nick Parnell (vibraphone/marimba), TimIrrgang (vibraphone/marimba), James Bailey (drums),Ben Parkin (acoustic bass). $3 at the door. Elder Hall.1.10pm Asian Studies Seminar: Imperial Power andthe Grand Secretaries in the Ming Dynasty by Dr CarneyFisher. Room 518, Ligertwood Building.1.15pm Inaugural Lecture: Perioperative medicine -the anaesthetist reinvented? By Professor Guy Ludbrook(Anaesthesia). Lecture Theatre 102, Napier Building.4.00pm Obstetrics & Gynaecology Seminar: Breathis best by Professor Geoffrey Davidson (Gastroenterology,WCH). Seminar Room, 6th Floor, Medical School North.

12noon Plant Science Seminar: The study of theexpression of enzymes during barley germination with insitu hybridisation and immuno-staining techniques by MsCathy Gibson (PhD student). A study of meiotic genes inwheat by Mr Ryan Whitford (PhD student). CharlesHawker Conference Centre, Waite Campus.1.10pm Law Seminar: Public Understanding of Lawby Dr G Edmond & Mr L McDonald. Rm 216, Ligertwood.1.10pm Geographical & Environmental StudiesSeminar: Scanning the heights: the project to relocatemaps from the map library by Mrs P Scott (BibliographicServices Librarian, BSL). Rm 104, Environmental Studies.1.10pm Student Workshop: Learn Deep Relaxation byMark O'Donoghue. Counselling Cen, G/Flr, Horace Lamb.2.00pm English Seminar: A Girl's Guide to Evil: Buffythe Vampire Slayer by Catherine Driscoll (English). Room618, Napier Building.

1.10pm Student Workshop: Surviving a PhD by MarkO'Donoghue. Counselling Centre, Grnd Flr, Horace Lamb.7.30pm Musicological Society of Aust (SA Chapter)Meeting: Speaker: Graham Strahle. Rm 1107, Schulz.

10.10am Electrical & Electronic EngineeringSeminar: Signal Processing for T-Ray Systems by BradFerguson (Postgrad). Rm EM212, Engineering & MathsBuilding.12.30pm Clinical Nursing Seminar: The hyperbaricincident monitoring study by Ms Christie Pirone (ClinicalNurse Consultant, Hyperbaric Unit, RAH). Room 36,Level 3, Eleanor Harrald Building, RAH.4.00pm CSIRO Land & Water Seminar: Clays andtheir modification for environmental uses: Can weimprove on nature and can it pay? By Jock Churchman.Plant Research Centre Auditorium, Waite Campus.

ADELAIDEANPAGE 6 MAY 2001

C O M I N G E V E N T S7 t h M a y — 3 0 t h M a y

MONDAY 7 MAY

FRIDAY 11 MAY

WEDNESDAY 16 MAY

SATURDAY 19 MAY

MONDAY 21 MAY

TUESDAY 22 MAY

WEDNESDAY 23 MAY

THURSDAY 24 MAY

FRIDAY 25 MAY

MONDAY 28 MAY

TUESDAY 29 MAY

WEDNESDAY 30 MAY

THURSDAY 17 MAY

FRIDAY 18 MAY

SATURDAY 12 MAY

MONDAY 14 MAY

TUESDAY 15 MAY

TUESDAY 8 MAY

WEDNESDAY 9 MAY

THURSDAY 10 MAY

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS:

Applications are invited for the funding of amajor innovative health science researchinitiative of broad community appeal andsupporting the Faculty of Health Sciencesstrategic research directions. The FloreyMedical Research Fund has made $100,000available to be competitively awarded againstthe following selection criteria:

* The initiative should have the ability toincrease the health science researchproductivity of the applicant(s) to the extent ofgenerating a financial 'multiplier effect' over aperiod of at least 5 years.* The initiative should benefit health scienceresearch over a significant component of theFaculty of Health Sciences and ideally facilitatecollaborative research across departments.* The initiative should be demonstrably self-sufficient on the basis of the initial funding andthe likely levels of ongoing support.

* The eligible applicant(s) should demonstratea successful track record and/or potential forinnovative health science research in either aclinical or a laboratory-based setting.* The Head(s) of the University Department(s)in which the research initiative is to beundertaken must advise that the department(s)has the physical capacity to support theresearch.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR APPLICANTS:

Academic staff who hold at least a half-timesalaried position in the formal universitystructure for a term that includes the whole ofthe period for which funding is requested areeligible. Note that clinical and affiliate title-holders employed by other institutions mayapply in conjunction with a substantive staffmember of Adelaide University who must bethe first named chief investigator and who willcarry administrative and intellectualresponsibility for the project. In addition, the

project for which an award is sought must besubstantially carried out at one of thedepartments at Adelaide University, includingthose located at the teaching hospitals.All interested applicants are strongly advised toobtain a copy of The Florey Medical ResearchFund Project Grants-Information and Guidelinesdocument from Stella Richards (tel 8303 5274;email [email protected]) or theResearch Branch website: <www.adelaide.edu.au/RB/electronic.html> (Major External &Internal Schemes) where a summary of theinformation that applicants are asked toprovide can also be found.APPLICATION CLOSURE:Applications are to be submitted to Mrs StellaRichards, Committee Secretary, Faculty ofHealth Sciences, Medical School Office,Adelaide University, Adelaide 5005 by 5.00 pm,Friday 25 May, 2001. Late applications will notbe accepted.

Florey Medical Research Fund Grant for 2002Blackboard Inc. invites you to attend

‘Adelaide’s Blackboard Day’A Blackboard Day is an all-day free seminarfocused on e-Education and its effect on thetraditional classroom. Blackboard Days havebeen co-hosted by leading e-Educationinstitutions around the globe with thepurpose of gathering administrators, facultymembers, and instructional designers todiscuss their online teaching experiences. Inaddition, attendees have the opportunity tolisten to informative presentations andnetwork with other e-Education enthusiasts.

Wednesday 9 May 2001, 8.45am - 5.00pm,Upper Refectory, Level 4, Union Building,North Terrace Campus. Co-host AdelaideUniversity.

Register online at <http://company.blackboard.com/Adelaide>. Cost: free.

Queries to: Danielle Hopkins, 8303 3937 oremail: <[email protected]>.

Page 7: Adelaidean May 2001 Vol 10 No 4 - University of Adelaide · Science in recognition of her outstanding research achieve-ments. The award, announced by the Australian Institute of Political

Call for applicationsfor promotion toLevel E

Staff and titleholders wishing to applyfor promotion to Professor Level E(and equivalent) are now invited tosubmit their applications.

Applicants should refer to the revisedPolicy and Guidelines, and theappropriate Position ClassificationStandards. A promotions toolkitapplicable to the submission ofapplications has been developed andavailable for viewing at the followingWeb address: <http://www.adelaide.edu.au/HR/policies/promtn/acapromtntlbox.htm>.

Applications should be made on theapproved application form.

Applications from staff members(eighteen copies) must be submittedto the General Manager, HumanResources, by 15 June 2001.

Absolutely no supplementaryinformation will be accepted fromapplicants after the closing date forapplications, unless requested by theUniversity.

Please note that applicants areresponsible for contacting their ownreferees and forwarding them theirapplication, the appropriate positionclassification standard and the formletter requesting that the report besent to the General Manager, HumanResources by 15 July 2001.

The Policy, Guidelines and the toolkitare available on the Web at: <http://www.adelaide.edu.au/HR/policies/promtn/acapromtn.htm>

Adjunct, Affiliate and Clinical Title-holders should refer to the separateguidelines applicable to titleholdersalso on the Web at: <http://www.adelaide.edu.au/HR/policies/promtn/acapromtithol.htm>.

It is envisaged that applications forLecturer Level B and C will be calledon 31 May 2001.

STEVE DAYSHGeneral Manager

Human Resources

Call for applicationsfor promotion toLevel D

Staff and titleholders wishing to applyfor promotion to Associate ProfessorLevel D (and equivalent) are nowinvited to submit their applications.Applicants should refer to the revisedPolicy and Guidelines, and theappropriate Position ClassificationStandards. A promotions toolkitapplicable to the submission ofapplications has been developed andavailable for viewing at the followingWeb address: <http://www.adelaide.edu.au/HR/policies/promtn/acapromtntlbox.htm>Applications should be made on theapproved application form.Applications from staff members(eighteen copies) must be submittedto the General Manager, HumanResources, by 15 May 2001.Absolutely no supplementary informa-tion will be accepted from applicantsafter the closing date for applications,unless requested by the University.Please note that applicants areresponsible for contacting their ownreferees and forwarding them theirapplication, the appropriate positionclassification standard and the formletter requesting that the report besent to the General Manager, HumanResources by 30 June 2001.The Policy, Guidelines and the toolkitare available on the Web at: <http://www.adelaide.edu.au/HR/policies/promtn/acapromtn.htm>Adjunct , Affiliate and Clinical Title-holders should refer to the separateguidelines applicable to titleholdersalso on the Web at: <http://www.adelaide.edu.au/HR/policies/promtn/acapromtithol.htm>.It is envisaged that applications forProfessor Level E will be called on 30April 2001 and for promotions toLecturer B and C on 31 May 2001.

STEVE DAYSHGeneral Manager

Human Resources

ADELAIDEAN MAY 2001 PAGE 7

G E N E R A LN O T I C E S

The Stephen Cole the Elder Prizes forExcellence in Teaching 2001The Stephen Cole the Elder Prizes for Excellence in Teaching recognise andreward outstanding teaching. The prizes are awarded annually to academicstaff whose teaching is regarded by students and academic colleagues asbeing of excellent quality.

Applications are invited for the 2001 Stephen Cole the Elder Prizes forExcellence in Teaching at Adelaide University. Three prizes will be awardedfor undergraduate teaching, one of which will be awarded to an applicant inthe first five years of their teaching career, and one award will be made forpostgraduate teaching. Each prize will consist of a monetary award of$5,000 and a certificate presented at the appropriate commemorationceremony. The prize money is to be used by the winners to help them withthe further development of their teaching activities.

Each winner will be required to agree with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor(Education) on appropriate form of dissemination of their achievements inteaching (which might include a seminar, an article for the Adelaidean and/ora web-page article). Candidates with at least two years’ service to theUniversity in a teaching position are eligible for nomination by their studentsand academic colleagues. Teaching groups may also be nominated.

Nominations will be considered by a selection committee convened by theDeputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) and consisting of student and academicstaff representatives.

Nominations are now sought for The Stephen Cole the Elder Prizes forExcellence in Teaching for 2001. Guidelines and nomination forms can beobtained from Marie Reitano, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor(Education), Room G04, Mitchell Building, telephone: 35511, fax: 34873,email: [email protected] or downloaded from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s web-site: < http://www.adelaide.edu.au/DVC/quality/stephen_cole_prize.html>

Nominations must reach the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education)by Monday 4 June 2001.

RESEARCH BRANCH: SPECIAL NOTICESARC Linkage - Infrastructure grants for 2002

The main objective of this program is to fund relatively large scale initiatives(in excess of $100,000) to develop research infrastructure on a collaborativebasis among groups of institutions, across the higher education system as awhole, and with organisations outside the system. Approximately $24million will be available through the program in 2002. Funding is for oneyear only.

Final applications for this scheme are due in the Research Branch byThursday 24 May. Prospective applicants, including those involved inapplications to be submitted through other institutions, will be provided withfeedback on their draft applications during the week commencing 7 May.Final applications must be accompanied by an internal signature pagecertifying the support of the Head of Department, Dean of Faculty and of anyother institutions involved.

The application form and guidelines, an internal information sheet and theinternal signature page are available from the Research Branch web site.Contact Sondra Gould in the Research Branch for further information.

ARC Discovery - Indigenous Researchers Development Scheme

The key objective of this scheme is to develop the research expertise ofIndigenous Australian researchers to a level at which they can compete inopen competition for mainstream research funding. The minimum grant sizeis $3,000 per annum. Applications are accepted only from IndigenousAustralian researchers and all Chief Investigators must meet this criterion.However, as the scheme aims to develop the research expertise ofsuccessful applicants, it is strongly recommended that a mentor (who doesnot need to be an Indigenous Australian) is associated with the proposal toprovide specific expert advice on the subject of the research. Students whoare seeking a grant for a research project which forms part of their currentresearch higher degree may apply.

Application forms and guidelines are available on the Research Branchwebsite and further information can be obtained from Sondra Gould on ext33387. Applications close with the Research Branch on Monday 4 June.

Doing Business and Research: Australia and Germany - Inter-CulturalCommunication: 3 Day Workshop

Adelaide University, as part of the Australian-German Joint Research Co-operation Scheme, is offering an intensive training program designed tooptimise the development of successful business and research links withGerman industries and universities. The Workshop would be of interest toany one considering conducting research or studying in Germany.

The 3 day Workshop will be held at Urrbrae House, Waite Campus on June27, 28 & 29. Please contact Lynette Kelly of the Research Branch at<[email protected]> for further information.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Remember to check the Research Branch website <http://www.adelaide.edu.au/RB/fund.html> regularly for up-to-date information about currentresearch funding opportunities.

SSAU ConsultativeCommittee - Generalstaff electionCall for nominations

The Trust Deed of the Superannua-tion Scheme for Australian Univer-sities (SSAU) provides for there tobe a Consultative Committee.

Its functions are

(a) to advise and to make recommendations to the Trustee:

(i) on matters of difficulty inthe implementation orapplication of the Deed;

(ii) on matters concerning theprovisions of the Deed;

(iii) on any other matters onwhich the Trustee requiresadvice;

(b) to consider and if thought fit to give its consent in any matter requiring its consent in terms of the Deed.

The membership includes 2employer and 2 staff (1 generaland 1 academic) representativesof each institution that participatesin SSAU. The term of office forthe staff representatives is fouryears.

The term of office of the Universityof Adelaide’s general staffrepresentative on the ConsultativeCommittee (Mr Bob Wilson) hasended. The Trust Deed requiresthe general staff representative tobe “elected by such of the non-academic staff of the employerwho are members of the Scheme”.

Accordingly, nominations are nowcalled from any non-academicstaff member who is a member ofthe SSAU to be a member of theSSAU Consultative Committee.

Nomination forms are availablefrom the Secretariat, Room G10Mitchell Building, North Terrace, orby phoning 33408.

Nominations close at 12 noon onFriday 18 May.

Further information about theSSAU and the ConsultativeCommittee can be obtained fromShirley Sutherland, SuperannuationConsultant, on 35222, or from theUniSuper website <www.unisuper.com.au>.

SUSAN GRAEBNERReturning Officer

Women’s Professional DevelopmentNetworkThe WPDN is a development initiative for all women general staff of theAdelaide University. It focuses on issues affecting the professional andpersonal development needs of women general staff.

The WPDN runs a variety of activities More information and instructions onhow to join our listserver, visit our web site at: <http://www.adelaide.edu.au/wpdn> or contact Danielle Hopkins ([email protected], 33937) or Catherine Edis ([email protected], 36151).

Coming events:

“Financial Planning for Women” with guest speaker Karen Axford, RegionalCommissioner, Australian Security Investment Commission. 12.30pm,Wednesday 9 May, Ira Raymond Room, Barr Smith Library. Tea and coffeeare provided, bring your lunch.

The next Social breakfast will be on Tuesday 19 June. Check the website.

ACADEMIC WOMEN AREINVITED TO A SEMINAR ON

‘PROMOTION TOLEVELS B & C ATADELAIDEUNIVERSITY’

Friday 18 May, 12.00 - 2.00 pm,Edgeloe Room, Mitchell Building(top of the central staircase).

Seminar hosted by AcademicWomen’s Forum

Speakers include:

Anama Morriss (HumanResources)

Professor Judith Brine (Pro Vice-Chancellor, Special Projects)

Dr Jocelyn Davies (Agricultural &Natural Resource Sciences)

Chair: Assoc Professor MarthaAugoustinos

Lunch provided between 12 and12.30pm. RSVP Martha<[email protected]> if attending lunch byMonday 14 May.

LINCOLN COLLEGELike to experience College living?

Applications are invited from students wishing to take upresidence in Lincoln College for second term 2001. Members of the College live in well equipped and

comfortable single study bedrooms. The College offers full board to itsresidents. College facilities include a library, music practice rooms, laundries,weights room and a modern computer laboratory. Network connections in allrooms allow direct connection with the University’s network and theInternet. The ethos of the College emphasises active support for learning, thedevelopment of a vibrant international community and personal growth. Itprovides 15 residential tutors in a wide range of disciplines and organisesmentoring and short-course programs. Participation in college life isencouraged and consideration for others is expected. The student cluborganises a wide range of social, cultural, sporting and recreational eventsthroughout the year.Application forms are available by contacting the College on (08) 8290 6000during office hours or by writing to: The Principal, Lincoln College, 45Brougham Place, North Adelaide, SA, 5006.

Page 8: Adelaidean May 2001 Vol 10 No 4 - University of Adelaide · Science in recognition of her outstanding research achieve-ments. The award, announced by the Australian Institute of Political

ADELAIDEANPAGE 8 MAY 2001

Sharebroking andFinancial Planning

Providing a range ofservices including:

• Personalised InvestmentAdvice

• Research, Buying andSelling Shares

• Superannuation andRetirement Planning

• Investment and PortfolioPlanning

• Redundancy Planning

For a free, no obligationconsultation, with one ofour experienced advisersplease telephone Petra

8205 5754

Website www.abnamromorgans.com.au

Participating organisation of the Australian Stock

Exchange Ltd

33 Waymouth Street, Adelaide SA 5000

Creating Wealth forOur Clients

ABNA50211

FINANCIAL PLANNING ASSOCIATIONOF AUSTRALIA LIMITED PRINCIPAL MEMBER

Advertisement

From Page 5

There is no denying that movies such asGladiator, and even the less factually basedadventures such as Raiders of the Lost Ark,are immensely popular world wide. But DrGeddes believes that, rather than beinghelpful to the Classics cause, Hollywood’smodern-day interpretation of history has itsdangers.“The movies don’t give any information orencouragement to students who are moreand more decisively cut off from the past.The cultural shift which determines that‘only the present is relevant’ leaves a realhunger for knowledge, for which fantasy isa virtually worthless substitute.”The popularity of Classics courses atAdelaide University suggests that plenty ofstudents would like to know about the past.This year, more than 200 students enrolledin the first-year Classics course. There are

10 full-time Honours students and onehalf-time.“The range of courses they’re studying givesa good idea of what can be done these daysin Classics,” Dr Geddes said.“Archaeology is a popular choice, and ourstudents are working on Roman portraiture,burial practices and sun imagery. Onestudent is studying the representation ofwomen in myth, another the manifestationsof the goddess Artemis. We have historystudents and classical art and architecturestudents.”

Several Honours students are also attendingDr Geddes’s annual winter field trip tosouthern Turkey. The trip is designed forundergraduates, although interestedmembers of the public can and do attend.In Turkey, students get to see first-hand thewonderfully well-preserved Greco-Romancities of Pamphylia.

“These cities were at their most prosperousduring the 2nd century AD, the period ofMarcus Aurelius and Commodus,” DrGeddes said.

“The buildings were designed in the RomanBaroque style, faced with marble, coveredwith rich ornament and peopled withstatuary. Mosaics and variegated marblecovered the floors. Each of these cities hadits theatre and its stadium, and although theeastern Greek half of the Roman empire didnot have the taste for bloodshed asentertainment, which was more a westernphenomenon, most of the theatres had beenadapted for wild animals and gladiatorialfighting.

“There in Turkey, our students get thechance to make a transition from thefantasy world into the real world of thepast,” she said, “in a context where the truthis important.”

Cinema spin on classics a cut below real thing

Late homecoming for our greatest adventurerHOW DOES a man receive wideinternational recognition, awards and aknighthood for his scientific work, yetremain almost unknown in his homeland,let alone his home State?It happened to Sir Hubert Wilkins.

(George) Hubert Wilkins was born in 1888in a simple stone house at Mount Bryan East,north of Burra. One of 13 children, Hubertwas destined for great things. In 1904 hestudied both mechanical engineering andelectrical engineering at the School of Minesand Adelaide University, where he alsoattended the Elder Conservatorium forinstrumental and singing lessons.

Accounts of his life vary, but he seems eventhen to have been on the move, not completinghis studies before he began the next stage of hisextraordinary career, mastering the newtechnique of cinematography.It took him overseas and, in the first BalkansWar (1912), he is variously credited withbeing the person who shot the first film ofbattle, the first aerial film and the first aerialfilm of combat.He would later become the officialphotographer for the Australian FlyingCorps in World War I, in which he wasawarded the Military Cross and bar forbravery. Before that, however, he made hisfirst expedition to the Arctic, a region hewould revisit many times.

Wilkins entered the England-Australia airrace, but crashed (1919), was a photographeron an Antarctic expedition (1921), thenaturalist on Shackleton’s last expedition there(1921-22), and led the British Museum’sexpedition to northern Australia (1923-25).As a pioneer aviator he used many planes in hisadventures and sold Charles Kingsford Smith

the plane that, renamed as Southern Cross,would carry the much better rememberedaviator into record books and history.Wilkins himself made experimental flights inthe Arctic (1926), the first trans-Arctic flight(1928) for which he was knighted, the firstflights of Antarctica and, in 1929, a journeyaround the world by Zeppelin.He bought a US submarine for $1 and in 1931used it to make the first under-ice voyage inthe Arctic Ocean. From 1933-39 he managedfour Antarctic expeditions, reaffirming someof Australia’s claims in the face of threats tothem, and he tested cold-weather equipmentand rations for the army on Arctic andAntarctic expeditions (1953-58).Despite many offers of citizenship of othercountries, Sir Hubert Wilkins remainedstaunchly Australian to the end. That endcame suddenly from a heart attack in 1958when he was 70. Sir Hubert’s wife refused aBritish offer to have his remains interred inWestminster Abbey; instead, his ashes werescattered to the Arctic winds.His birthplace, the ruins of his home atMount Bryan East, has now been resurrected.The local community, determined to makeSir Hubert better known, sought sponsorshipfrom Dick Smith and Australian Geographic.Mr Smith has always regarded Sir HubertWilkins as his hero (he registered his planewith the initials SHW). The money raisedwas enough to rebuild the old house from itsoriginal stones and, with the replica SouthernCross flying overhead, the house was officiallyopened by Mr Smith on Sunday, 29 April.“He (Sir Hubert Wilkins) was Australia’sgreatest adventurer,” said Mr Smith, “and hewas a superb risk manager—he never lost aman on any of his expeditions.”Wilkins is also credited with having covered

a greater distance in his explorations andtravels than any other explorer in history. Sowhy has he faded into obscurity, when othergreat South Australians like Mawson, Floreyand Bragg are so well remembered?“He wasn’t a scientist,” said Mr Smith.“Mawson was a scientist and explorer, butWilkins was an adventurer. The scientiststend to recognise and remember their own.“Antarctica has a Mawson base, and evenCasey, named for a Governor–General, butthere is no Wilkins base.“Despite that, his vision for Antarcticweather stations was realised, and his verysignificant role in meteorology wasrecognised in his own time.”On the evening before the opening, visitorswere given a preliminary screening of a film

on the life of Sir Hubert titled Ice Maverick.Remaining scenes were shot on the day of thelaunch, and the film is due for release laterthis year.

—Rob Morrison

As the replica Southern Cross flies over the celebration, Dick Smith declares the rebuilthomestead open. Photo: Rob Morrison. Below: Sir Hubert Wilkins.

Postdoctoral fellows are often the “forgottenpeople” of university research, which is whythe Adelaidean is running a series of mini-profiles on postdoctoral fellows and theirwork.This month’s profile is of Dr NicoleMorcom, a postdoctoral fellow in theDepartment of Geographical &Environmental Studies. Dr Morcom’s workis aimed at establishing suitable methods forintegrating coastal and marine managementin South Australia.In a bid to provide examples of best practicewhich could be applied to SA, Dr Morcomhas been reviewing the internationalliterature and analysing South Australia’scoastal and marine legislation and current

procedures. A review of the legislation andprocedures of several other States will alsobe conducted, as a comparison with SouthAustralia.Dr Morcom’s research, with AssociateProfessor Nick Harvey, is in association withthe Coast and Marine Section of theEnvironment Protection Agency (EPA) and the South Australian Coast Protection Board. These industry partnershave already contributed significantly to herresearch.She is a member of the newly formedResearch Staff Association (RSA) atAdelaide University. For more informationabout the RSA e-mail: <[email protected]>.

DR NICOLE MORCOMP O S T D O C P R O F I LE

Dr Nicole Morcom. Photo: Ben Osborne.

Page 9: Adelaidean May 2001 Vol 10 No 4 - University of Adelaide · Science in recognition of her outstanding research achieve-ments. The award, announced by the Australian Institute of Political

ADELAIDEAN MAY 2001 PAGE 9

Uni-Super members can take advantage of our award winning 5 star home loan with;

• No application fees• No ongoing fees

• Free electronic redraw• No split loan fees

Brian Hession 8414 4010

*CANNEX Mortgage StarRatings. Fees and charges are payable. Our rates are subject to change. Conditions apply. Members Equity Pty Limited ABN 56 070 887 679.

Call & Save!

Advertisement

New internet research centreADELAIDE University is creating a newCentre for Internet TechnologyResearch, bringing together the manyareas of internet research at theUniversity.The new centre is part of Adelaide’sinvolvement in the recently establishedCooperative Research Centre (CRC) forSmart Internet Technology.Of the more than 70 CRCs established inAustralia, the CRC for Smart InternetTechnology is the first directed purely toresearch and development of the internet. Itinvolves nine universities and 23 companies,including Telstra, Motorola, Nortel andHewlett Packard, linked across seven cities.Adelaide University’s success in becoming apartner in the new CRC has further enhancedthe University’s role in the nation’s informationtechnology and telecommunications researchand development.The CRC for Smart Internet Technology hasfive research programs, of which AdelaideUniversity is in two—those dealing with thenetworks that underpin the internet, and the“user environment” that shapes the settinginto which products and processes enter themarket.Through the CRC, the University willreceive funding for staff and postgraduatestudents.“To facilitate the work of the CRC within theUniversity, and to meet the opportunitiesarising from other developments in South

Australia, the University is establishing aCentre for Internet Technology Researchthat draws together all of our contributors tothe CRC,” said the head of the new centre,Professor Lang White (Electrical &Electronic Engineering).These contributors are: the Centre forTelecommunications Information Net-working (CTIN), the Teletraffic ResearchCentre (TRC), the National Key Centre forGeographical Information Systems (GISCA)and individuals from other departments andcentres from across the Faculty ofEngineering, Computer & MathematicalSciences, Faculty of PALACE and Faculty ofHumanities & Social Sciences.Professor White said the new Centre forInternet Technology Research would become“the home for talented researchers fromacross the University—from engineers tosocial scientists, from economics to law—dedicated to simplifying a complex, oftenconverging technology where devices,application and needs are multiplying anddeveloping”.The three leaders of the principalcontributing research centres will also providecritical research leadership for the new centre;namely Professor Reg Coutts of CTIN,Professor Peter Taylor of TRC and ProfessorGraeme Hugo of GISCA.“Other senior researchers will be appointed tothe centre, as will a team of postgraduatestudents and postdoctoral researchers,”Professor White said.

The centre will also collaborate with otherSouth Australian-based institutions, such asthe Institute for TelecommunicationsResearch at the University of South Australia.Meanwhile, a special national internet training

program is being established as part of theCRC for Smart Internet Technology, of whichone node will be located in Adelaide to providetraining in the commercialisation ofintellectual property generated by the research.

Adelaide’s new internet centre to become “the home for talented researchers from across theUniversity”. Photo: David Ellis.

Free physics publiclecture makes wavesAS PART of National Science Week, international physicistDr Gabriela Gonzalez will present the Claire CoraniMemorial Lecture at Adelaide University on 14 May.Dr Gonzalez is Assistant Professor of Physics at Penn StateUniversity in Pennsylvania, USA.Her free public lecture is entitled Gravitational waves: a newWindow to the Universe.“Gravitational waves provide a new and unique way to look at theUniverse, making possible the study of black holes and stronggravity fields,” Dr Gonzalez said.“Even though their existence was predicted by Einstein at thebeginning of the century, they are weak enough to have escapeddetection so far.“Large-scale interferometric observatories are being built over theworld (including Australia!) to find the elusive waves and create anew and different map of the sky.“I will describe the allure of gravitational waves, the experimentalchallenge involved in their detection, and the exciting prospectsfor the near future.”Her lecture includes the presentation of the Claire Corani awardsfor achievement by female physics students, named in memory ofAdelaide physicist Claire Corani, who died tragically in 1994.The lecture is presented by the Australian Institute of Physics, inconjunction with the Women in Physics group and NationalScience Week.

Where: Union Hall, Adelaide University. When: Monday, 14 May,7.30pm. Cost: Free

125 years of geology in new bookA NEW book detailing the history of theUniversity’s Geology & Geophysics Departmentreveals just how important and varied its work hasbeen over the past 125 years: conducting importantresearch in Antarctica, pioneering the use of aircraftfor scientific reconnaissance and aerial photographyin Australia, and naming the Simpson Desert. Andthat’s just the work of one staff member!Records and Reminiscences: Geosciences at the University ofAdelaide 1875-2000 was compiled by current staffmember Dr John Cooper, with assistance from RowlTwidale, Jennie Bourne and the late Robin Oliver.

In the book’s introduction, current department head Professor Stewart Greenhalgh explains that it wasnot intended to be a formal history of the department assuch.

“Rather, and as its title indicates, it provides a record ofdepartmental activities and the people responsible forthem, over the past 125 years,” he writes.

“Geology has been offered as a field of study at Adelaideover its entire history, commencing in 1875 with RalphTate, a geologist, and one of the four foundationprofessors of the University.

“The department is the third oldest in the country, and isoften thought of as Sir Douglas Mawson’s department.He was professor here from 1920 to 1952.

“The University has an excellent reputation and proudtradition of geoscience education and research, with manyof its graduates going on to occupy prominent positions inacademia, government and industry, both in Australia andaround the world.”

One of the people responsible for geoscience’s proudtradition at Adelaide—and the one staff member referredto at the beginning—is Dr Cecil Thomas Madigan(1889-1947), who was with the department as lecturerfrom 1922 to 1947.

Dr Madigan had a fantastically varied career and life, asdetailed in Records and Reminiscences by Rowl Twidale,Leslie Parkin and Eric Rudd. He graduated fromAdelaide University in 1910 with a Bachelor ofEngineering, and was selected as a Rhodes Scholar,graduating from Oxford with a BA, First Class Honoursin Natural Science (Geology).

Among other things, he:

• accompanied Mawson to Antarctica in 1911, where hecarried out meteorological duties and several exploratorysledging surveys. He was also chosen as leader of thegroup which stayed behind for an extra year to wait for

the return of Mawson after his ill-fated sledging journey;

• fought on the Western Front in World War One, wherehe rose to the rank of captain, was wounded twice andtwice mentioned in dispatches;

• worked in the Sudan civil service for two years prior tohis arrival at Adelaide University;

• carried out groundbreaking research on Australia’s vastinterior, which included pioneering the use of planes foraerial research in Australia, and conducting the firstdetailed research on the MacDonnell Ranges;

• named the Simpson Desert after carrying out extensiveresearch on its sand ridges, as well as conducting researchon Lake Eyre (Madigan Gulf, a major embayment in thesoutheastern part of Lake Eyre North, is named afterhim).

—Ben Osborne

@ Adelaide

Dr Cecil Madigan astride a camel with his desert-crossingsupport team.

Records and Reminiscences is available from the GeologyDepartment at the non-profit cost of $22. Phone (08) 83035376 or email: <[email protected]>.

Page 10: Adelaidean May 2001 Vol 10 No 4 - University of Adelaide · Science in recognition of her outstanding research achieve-ments. The award, announced by the Australian Institute of Political

ADELAIDEANPAGE 10 MAY 2001

National and international recognition in any area ofexpertise can attract many opportunities for those who areable to present and promote their work with style andprofessionalism. And what better backdrop is there thanthe attractions of Adelaide’s internationally renownedentertainment, food and wine regions?

Which is why the Adelaide Convention & TourismAuthority (ACTA) provides free assistance through itsUniversity Project to attract and stage outstandingconferences. Our services include:

• Preparation of proposals to attractregional, national and internationalconferences to South Australia;

• Conference facilities, venue andcatering advice;

• Videos, posters and brochures forpublicity, delegate satchels andconference promotion;

• Conference budgeting, organisationand planning advice;

• Intensive conference training throughthe “Essential conference organiser’sworkshop”, held each quarter.

The opportunity to successfully promote your expertise andresearch to industry, government and the community willalways be important.With our local knowledge and an idealsetting to help, you will be able to focus on what you do best.

Find out more by contacting ACTA’s UniversityProject on (08) 8303 2333 or [email protected] Convention and Tourism AuthorityLevel 2, 18 King William St, Adelaide SA 5000Phone +61 8 8303 2333Facsimile +61 8 8303 2355http://www.visit.adelaide.on.net

Our help makes hostingyour conference easier.

AC

TA29

7

Advertisement

Recruiting firm keys in to local IT opportunitiesADELAIDE graduates are takingadvantage of a new service which aims togive university students the edge whenseeking a career in the informationtechnology market.While South Australia’s IT&T industry isone of the fastest growing in Australia, it alsoneeds a steady supply of highly trainedgraduates.Human resources firm ITD Recruiting hasinitiated and funded a program throughwhich university students are trained andmade “employment ready” for the SouthAustralian IT&T industry.In the first program of its kind in Australia,ITD Recruiting puts students through a seriesof training sessions while they complete thelast year of their university degree.“The program consists of six key elementsthat include professional skills training,career advice and counselling, workexperience and mentoring,” said ITDmanaging director Mr Con Liascos.“The integrated nature of the IT Graduatesprogram allows us to liaise closely with theIT industry in South Australia to clearlydefine their graduate requirements, both interms of technical skills and required personaltraits.“This can remove much of the anxiety that

many IT companies have about graduaterecruitment and enhances the graduate’schances of success.”

This year, ITD Recruiting aims tosuccessfully place around 25 graduates withlocal IT companies, double the number oflast year.

So far, two Adelaide University students have successfully undertaken the ITGraduates program: Computer Sciencegraduate Garth Terrell, who is now workingfor Quest Electronic Developments, andComputer Systems Engineering graduateRoland Peddie, who is working at EborComputing in the Defence ScienceTechnology Organisation (DSTO) facility atSalisbury.

Although the Adelaide IT market is relativelysmall in national terms, more than 35 major high-technology companiesand 14 world-class centres of IT excellenceare based in South Australia.

Adelaide is also home to the largest internetdata centre in the Southern Hemisphere andhas been recognised as a centre of excellence inIT research and development.

“Despite this, many of our best graduates aresnapped up by the large multinationals andmove to other States, where salaries arehigher and job opportunities seem to be

greater,” Mr Liascos said.“But the fact is that much of the mostinteresting and exciting work in IT is beingcarried out by small and medium-sizedcompanies in places such as Adelaide, and a

special effort must be made both to helpthese local companies capture talented localgraduates, and also to show those graduatesthe real job opportunities and benefits thatexist locally.”

(From right) Adelaide University graduate Garth Terrell, now a software engineer for QuestElectronic Developments, with ITD’s Mr Con Liascos and fellow Quest engineer Tim Schneider.

THE reseach team which developed theflame for the Sydney 2000 Olympic torchand cauldron has opened a new, state-of-the-art Laser Laboratory at AdelaideUniversity.The $1 million laboratory will assist theengineering team in its ongoing efforts todevelop technology which reducesgreenhouse gas emissions from combustion.Adelaide University’s Turbulence Energy andCombustion (TEC) group received nationaland international recognition for its work onthe fuel and combustion system for theOlympic torch, community cauldron andmain stadium cauldron.Based in two University departments—Chemical Engineering and MechanicalEngineering—the group’s work focuses onthe development and application of newtechnology for the control of turbulence, andto reduce the environmental impact ofcombustion.The TEC group has a strong track record inattracting commercial research contracts, andhas patented some of its biggest developments.Lasers play a pivotal role in this research,because they can be used to “look into” flamesand accurately measure their properties andprocesses.

The new TEC Laser Diagnostics Laboratoryis comprised of state-of-the-art laserequipment, purchased with the aid of fundsobtained through the Australian ResearchCouncil ARC.

This makes the research group one of themost highly equipped in the nation, andcompetitive internationally.

Pictured at the launch of the new laser lab are(from left) Professor Keith King, head of theDepartment of Chemical Engineering, andthe Hon. Wayne Matthew MP, Minister forMinerals and Energy.

$1 million laser lab opensFaculty change to create“powerhouse of science”From Page 1

“The new structure will allow us to offerstudents an increased range of programs,including the generalist degree of Bachelorof Science, with a significantly broad rangeof options for pathways to advanced studyin areas such as entomology, marinescience, nano-technology, plant genomics,biotechnology, photonics, genetics,viticulture and oenology,” he said.Professor Malcolm Oades, Executive Deanof Agricultural & Natural ResourceSciences and Director of the Waitecampus, added: “As well as our strengths inbasic and applied sciences, the Faculty willbe associated with Cooperative ResearchCentres in viticulture, molecular plantbreeding, weed management, drylandsalinity, wool quality, petroleum, mineralexploration, tissue growth and repair,freshwater ecology and pest control.“It [the Faculty of Sciences] will also hosttwo federally funded Special ResearchCentres in theoretical physics andmolecular genetics.”

Adding strength to these resources will be the significant contribution to education and research already provided by the close relationships with Waite andRoseworthy campus partners: the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), PrimaryIndustries and Resources SA (PIRSA), theAustralian Wine Research Institute,CSIRO and TAFE.“Ventures such as the soon-to-be launched Livestock Systems Alliance atRoseworthy illustrate the educationalexcellence and research potential that canbe realised by working together,” ProfessorOades said.“These partnerships mean students areexposed to and able to utilise thetechnology and latest research. Students inthe Faculty of Sciences will have uniqueexposure to ‘living science’, from theory tolaboratory to real application.”The new Faculty of Sciences is expected tocome into operation on 1 January, 2002.

—David Ellis

A NEW industry-linked scholarshipscheme has given two Chemical Eng-ineering students real-world experience.Second-year students Danny Jenkins andJulie Penna completed separate projects fortwo Adelaide firms under the scheme, whichoperates as a consultancy throughChemEngTest, the commercial arm of theDepartment of Chemical Engineering.

The scheme enables government organ-isations or companies to sponsor a ChemicalEngineering student to perform R&D forthem under the supervision of academic staff.The industry sponsor pays ChemEngTest formaterials and consumables, and funds thecost of a tax-free stipend, paid to the student.

Danny’s project, for Remove-All Rubbish,identified treatment options for organic wastefor a new municipal waste treatment facilityproposed by the company.

Julie investigated the feasibility of waterrecycling at International Hydroponics’greenhouses at Angle Vale. She showed how$100,000 could be saved in five years with apayback period of less than one year byrecycling water resources available at the site.Pictured (from left) are Danny Jenkins, MrDaniel Bolderoff (International Hydro-ponics), Mr David Bolderoff (Remove-AllRubbish), Mrs Jennifer Critchley(ChemEngTest) and Julie Penna.

—Ben Osborne

ChemEngTest

Page 11: Adelaidean May 2001 Vol 10 No 4 - University of Adelaide · Science in recognition of her outstanding research achieve-ments. The award, announced by the Australian Institute of Political

ADELAIDEAN MAY 2001 PAGE 11

Three maestros serve first in feast of concertsA SMORGASBOARD of operahighlights, orchestral music, wind bandpremieres, a huge jazz line-up and anexciting first-time percussion dancecollaboration are all featured in this year’sevening concerts at Elder Hall.The 2001 Elder Conservatorium ConcertSeries features five evening concerts in ElderHall starting in June.

The grand opening concert, Viva Verdi! on 2June, features the combined forces of the ElderConservatorium Vocal School, SymphonyOrchestra and the Pro Canto Choir in a nightof best-loved opera highlights and a centenarytribute to Giuseppe Verdi.

The three musical maestros in charge areConductors Keith Crellin and GrahameDudley, and Master of Ceremonies KeithHempton.

From Russia with Love is the second concerton 21 July, for which Keith Crellin conductsthe Elder Conservatorium SymphonyOrchestra in a stirring program of Kabelevsky,Rachmaninov and Dvorak. Best known as aviolist and foundation member of theAustralian String Quartet, Keith is nowresident Conductor and Coordinator ofChamber Music at the Elder Conservatorium,as well as Senior Lecturer in Viola.

Two Australian premieres, plus the mostfamous of Percy Grainger’s works for windband, Lincolnshire Posy, feature in A Galaxy ofWinds on 18 August. Robert Hower conductsthe internationally acclaimed Elder Conser-vatorium Wind Ensemble in an entertainingprogram of works inspired by astrology, bluesand big band, and English folk songs.

Dance ‘n’ Percussion on 15 September is anexciting inaugural collaboration between the

Elder Conservatorium’s award-winningpercussionists, directed by James Bailey, andthe elite dancers of the emerging DropArtdance company. Elder Hall is transformedfor this high-energy performance of twoworld premieres of dance works,choreographed by Sally Hederics andVeronica Shum, to the music of Mudra byBob Becker of Nexus, and A Doll’s HouseStory by contemporary Hungarian composerIstvan Marta.

For the series finale on 11 October, jazzafficionado and broadcaster Jim McLeodfrom ABC Classic FM, takes us on a guidedtour through Jazz—Then and Now. The

night looks at vocal styles past and presentwith international jazz vocalist AnitaWardell, the Adelaide Connection, theAdelaide University Big Band and the creamof Adelaide’s honours jazz crop!The 2001 evening concert series is sponsoredby Orlando Trilogy and supported by 5UVRadio Adelaide.Tickets are $22 per concert ($14 concession,$8 student) or at the discount price of only$16 per concert for all five in the series.Tickets are available from BASS outlets;phone 131 246.

—Di KiddConcert Manager

Three maestros (from left) Keith Crellin, Grahame Dudley and Keith Hempton. Photo: David Ellis.

Special discounts– alumni and staffAll Adelaide University staff can buytickets for any or all concerts at theconcession price.

Subscribe to three or five concerts and save up to $60, or try one at a time andsave $8.

To subscribe, pick up a brochure at theElder Conservatorium office or any BASSoutlet, and post or fax your completedsubscription form to BASS Subscriptions,along with a photocopy of your AdelaideUniversity staff card.

Discount tickets to single concerts are alsoavailable at BASS or at the door onpresentation of your staff card.

The same discount is available to AdelaideUniversity alumni who have received aspecial Alumni Voucher in their regularAdelaidean mail-out.

To receive the discount, simply present thevoucher at any BASS outlet, at the door,or by returning the voucher along withyour subscription form to BASS.

For those alumni who have purchased aService Package, a complimentary ticketwill still be made available, along with anextra ticket at concession price for allconcerts in the 2001 ElderConservatorium concert series.

Service package holders will soon receivedetails about this offer in the mail.

AGM ADVANCE NOTICEOn Tuesday 19 June, Union Hall, NorthTerrace Campus. Official proceedings willcommence at 5.30pm and will be immediatelyfollowed by a guest speaker. Refreshmentswill be provided. Visit our website at<www.adelaide.edu.au/alumni> for details.

SCIENCE CHAPTER AGMThe Annual General Meeting of the Scienceand Mathematical Sciences Chapter will beheld on 30 May at 5.30pm in the UnionGallery, Level 6, Union House. Followingofficial business there will be a presentationby Adelaide University science journalist DrRob Morrison on “Science and the Media”.The meeting is open to all students,graduates, former and current staff, and thegeneral public. Light refreshments will beprovided. For information contact KimMcBride, Alumni, Community Relationsand Development office at (08) 8303 3196.

INTERNATIONAL ALUMNIEVENTS

Singapore Chapter members and MBAgraduates joined Singapore Chapter ChairMr Michael Khor and Alumni AssociationChair the Hon. Greg Crafter for a luncheonand family day to welcome new graduates atthe Serangoon Gardens Country Clubfollowing the inaugural graduation ceremonyin Singapore.

A table of distinguished Malaysian alumnienjoyed an Adelaide University gathering atthe Hyatt Regency, Kota Kinabalu. Guestsattending the dinner included Tan Sri DatukAbdul Hamid Egoh (seated, front right) andthe former Chief Minister of Sabah, YbDatuk Seri Joseph P Kitingan (back far left)who addressed the dinner guests and spoke ofthe strong relations between alumni of hisregion and (their) Adelaide University.

ALUMNI RECEPTION

Pictured at the recent Alumni Reception areProfessor Mary O’Kane, Vice-Chancellor,the Hon. Greg Crafter, Chair of the AlumniAssociation, and Mr Bob Richards, SACoordinator for the International Year of theVolunteer. The reception, held on 23 May atUrrbrae House, paid tribute to theAssociation’s volunteers and sponsors.

OFFICE RELOCATIONThe Alumni, Community Relations &

Development office has moved from AlumniHouse to Level 1, 230 North Terrace. Ourcontact details remain the same: Alumni,Community Relations and Development,Adelaide University SA 5005. Tel: 6188303 5800, Fax: 618 8303 5808, Email:<[email protected]>.

ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY TOURS

Would you like to see the historic buildingsand beautiful grounds of South Australia’soldest University? Learn about the historyand heritage of Adelaide University on a freeof charge tour conducted by trained guidesfrom the University’s Alumni Association.Tours depart each Tuesday morning at10.30am from University Gate 20, next to theArt Gallery of South Australia on NorthTerrace. Groups may make arrangements fortours at other times by calling the Alumni,Community Relations and DevelopmentOffice on (08) 8303 3234.Tours of the Thebarton Campus onWednesday 16 May, Roseworthy Campus onThursday 10 October, and tours of the WaiteCampus and the University’s Art Collectionare planned during 2001 - bookings will beessential. Groups may make arrangementsfor tours at other times by calling JudithEdwards, Donor Relations Officer, Alumni,Community Relations and DevelopmentOffice on (08) 8303 3234.

A L U M N I E V E N T SIan Creaghoff to UK

THE ExecutiveDirector of Studentand Staff Services, MrIan Creagh, will leaveAdelaide University inJuly to take up an

appointment as Registrar andSecretary of the City University inLondon.Mr Creagh joined Adelaide University in1997 after holding a series of seniorexecutive positions in the Australianpublic service, predominantly in the highereducation area. These included ChiefPolicy Adviser and Secretary to theReview of Higher Education Policy andFinancing (the West Committee).

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor MaryO’Kane, said Mr Creagh had made atremendous contribution to AdelaideUniversity.

“While I am pleased that our staffcontinue to be recognised and head-hunted for important appointments, I amvery sorry that we will be losing someoneof Ian’s calibre,” she said.

“He has implemented major reforms ofkey administrative systems and has been adynamic member of the seniormanagement team. Administrativereforms can be difficult and challengingbut I have no doubt that this University will enjoy the benefits of Ian’svision and leadership even more fully overtime.”

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Adelaide,”he said. “It’s provided opportunities that I would never have been exposed to in any other job. The dedication and commitment of the staff in myareas of responsibility has been aninspiration and I’m sad to be leaving somany good friends.”

Page 12: Adelaidean May 2001 Vol 10 No 4 - University of Adelaide · Science in recognition of her outstanding research achieve-ments. The award, announced by the Australian Institute of Political

ADELAIDEANPAGE 12 MAY 2001

The appointment of Dr Charles BodmanRae as Elder Professor of Music evoked achorus of media approval.Tim Lloyd in The Advertiser (7 April)described the filling of the long-vacant postas a “cause for celebration”. He said the newprofessor “appears to fit the mould of someof our most successful Elder professors”.The Australian’s Graham Strahle (16 April)was equally enthusiastic. He saw theappointment as ending years of uncertaintyabout the future of music at the Universityand predicted “a period of resurgence for acity where university-level music haslanguished for too long”.Malaysia’s New Straits Times (27 March)gave prominent coverage to the University’sgraduation ceremony in Kuala Lumpur. A

report of the occasion was accompanied by aphotograph of Agriculture Minister DatukEffendi Norwawi (the speaker) with Vice-Chancellor Professor Mary O’Kane andmace bearer Idzham Fauzi. The ceremonywas also featured in the main evening newsbulletin on Malaysian television.In the Sunday Mail (22 April) Dr JaneVernon-Roberts discussed the success ofthe surrogate patients program for medicalstudents. The long-established programuses actors to test students’ communicationand investigative skills.Ecologist Margaret Wright was featured on5AN, 5CK and in The Advertiser (10 April)speaking about her work as part of the teaminvestigating Ovine Johne’s Disease amongkangaroos and tamar wallabies on Kangaroo

Island. She and her colleagues are worriedabout how the disease may have spread fromthe island’s sheep.Another animal in the news was the brush-tailed phascogale. Dr Peter Hornsbytold the Hills Messenger (10 April) that,despite some claims to the contrary,the animal is no longer to be found in thewild in the Adelaide Hills. In the same issue of the Hills Messenger, Dr GrahamCollins explained how cheap olive oil imports, high labour costs and a lack of demand had caused the collapse of thelocal olive oil industry early in the lastcentury.The crisis at Harris Scarfe prompted 5AA’sKeith Conlon and Tony Pilkington toquestion Professor Scott Henderson about

what might happen if the company wentinto receivership (5 April). On 5AN, DrChristina Twomey joined CaroleWhitelock’s Long Lunch for a discussion onthe portrayal of history in films. DrTwomey said war films had givengenerations of people an understanding ofwar which would have been difficult toachieve through text only.

Today Tonight on Channel 7 (30 March)interviewed Professor John Spencer aboutwhy bottled water may not be as good foryour teeth as tap water. The Australian (4April) had another water-related story: thetale of how Science student MichaelHammer found a previously unidentifiedspecies of fish—measuring only twocentimetres—in Lake Alexandrina.

NEWSMAKERS

Jazz awards concert showcasesvery best of our young talentTHE FIFTH annual ElderConservatorium Jazz Awards Concertcelebrating the talents of Adelaide’s topyoung jazz musicians will be held in theUniversity’s Scott Theatre on Wednesday9 May.This one-night-only concert highlights thebest musical talents of a vibrant group ofseven jazz performers from the University’sjazz music program. These high achievershave all been recognised as the top studentsin their fields.The winners will be rewarded by theAdelaide business and music communities,who have sponsored cash prizes to bepresented during the concert.The 2001 winners are:

Most Outstanding UndergraduateJazz Vocalist, Jo LawryJo will receive the 2001 City of AdelaideJazz Award of $500 cash, plus assistancetowards a paid, high-profile, publicperformance. Jo was also the winner of theJazz Voice award last year.

Most Outstanding Postgraduate WinnerSaxophonist, Adam PageAdam will receive $500 from BaronPartners. This award completes the hat-trick for Adam who won top undergraduateawards for saxophone in 1999 and 2000.

Undergraduate Award Winner - Jazz GuitarRoley Coulter$300 from Influence Presentations

Undergraduate Award Winner - SaxophoneAaron Lipp$300 from the Jazz Action Society

Undergraduate Award Winner - Jazz VoiceNaomi Crellin$300 from dB Magazine

Undergraduate Award Winner - PianoChristopher Martin$300 from Envestra Limited

Undergraduate Award Winner - BassLyndon Gray$300 from the Helpmann Academy for theVisual and Performing Arts

—Sheila Bryce

The 2001 Jazz Award Winners (from left): Lyndon Gray, Roley Coulter, Jo Lawry, Naomi Crellin,Aaron Lipp, Adam Page and Christopher Martin.

The 5th Annual Elder Conservatorium JazzAwards Concert starts at 8.00pm onWednesday, 9 May in the Soctt Theatre.Tickets are $11 or $5.50 concession and areavailable at the door.

WHORES, thieves and the odd beggaror two are just some of the charactersfeatured prominently in the University ofAdelaide Theatre Guild’s forthcomingproduction of The Threepenny Opera.The irreverent comedy, directed by JuneBarnes (last seen as Mistress Overdone in theGuild’s 2000 production of Measure forMeasure), has been described as neithermusical nor opera, but rather a play withmusic.It is set in the sleazy lowlife world of Soho,and follows its inhabitants of rogues, rascals,whores and thieves—alternatively known asentrepreneurs—as they cunningly go abouttheir daily business of trying to out-do eachother.Adelaide University Elder Conservatoriumstudents feature prominently among the castand crew.Rowen Fox, who is the Musical Director, is

presently completing his Honours in MusicComposition, as is Sound Designer GarethBarnes.

Cast member Rachel McCall, who receivedgreat critical acclaim for her portrayal ofCosette in Mayfair Theatre’s award-winningproduction of Les Miserables last year, is alsostudying at the Conservatorium.

The Threepenny Opera, based on John Gay’seighteenth century Beggar’s Opera, premieredon 31 August 1928 and was a phenomenalsuccess.

With its brilliantly original music by Kurt Weill contrasting with the outrageous,unconventional and almost cruel style ofBertolt Brecht’s dialogue and lyrics,The Threepenny Opera continues to enjoy a popularity matched only by the bestknown musicals or the most establishedoperas.

—Ben Osborne

Sleazy world comes to life in Guild’s new comedy

The Threepenny Opera Musical Director RowenFox (left) and Sound Designer Gareth Barnes,who are also both students at the AdelaideUniversity Elder Conservatorium.

Performance dates: Saturday 5 May, Tuesday8-Saturday 12 May and Tuesday 15-Saturday19 May, all performances starting 7.30pm.Tickets $15 full, $10 concession can bebooked at BASS on 131 246, or the TheatreGuild on 8303 5999.

THETHREEPENNYOPERA

LITTLE THEATREADELAIDEUNIVERSITY