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THE MURDOCH UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

july/august 2009 Vol 5 / ISS 5

Double reason to celebrate $25M for desalination and $5m lotterywest grant for institute for immunology and infectious diseases page 2-3

Prestigious building award for health research Innovative design and quality construction have earned a prestigious award for Murdoch University’s health research building. The building won the Health/Aged Care Building category of the 2009 Master Builders Association (MBA) WA – Bankwest Excellence in Constructions Awards. The $35 million building was designed by architectural firm Hames Sharley and built by Pyramid Constructions (WA), in close consultation with the University. The building was designed to not only provide health researchers with world-class facilities, but also has lobbies and linking spaces to foster collaboration between the teams from the various institutes and centres that will be housed there. The first three floors accommodate the main facilities including offices, consulting rooms, laboratories, chemical and cell culture rooms, cold and cool rooms and research and meeting rooms. The fourth floor houses a centralised plant to service the building. The building is designed to minimise energy

consumption in line with Murdoch University’s commitment to addressing global environmental concerns. Wherever possible during manufacture the University avoided the use of materials that were toxic, scarce or implicated in the emission of greenhouse gases. Pyramid Constructions (WA) also took particular care to protect the delicate flora surrounding the building. The building will become a hub for health research at Murdoch University, housing the highly acclaimed Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases. Murdoch University Vice Chancellor, Professor John Yovich, said he was proud that Murdoch had once again been recognised for the quality of commercial development on campus, having previously won the best fit-out for a new and/or existing building in the MBA’s 2008 awards for the University’s learning common. Professor Yovich congratulated Murdoch’s project consultant Charles Giglia and building consultant Jerry Masaryk of Pyramid Constructions (WA). The new health research institute will be officially launched later this year.

Left to right: Professor John Yovich, Principals of Pyramid Constructions (WA) John Jones and Jerry Mazaryk, and project consultant Charles Giglia.

$25 million for National Desal Centre at Murdoch Murdoch University has been awarded its largest ever research grant - $25 million - to host Australia’s new National Centre of Excellence in Desalination.

Explore magazine is for the Murdoch University community. It is produced by the Office of Corporate Communications and Public Relations. The views expressed in Explore are not necessarily those of the University.

Managing Editor Tanyia Maxted

Editor Hayley Mayne [email protected] Telephone: 9360 2474 Facsimile: 9310 4233

Writers Freya Contos Denise Cahill Pepi Smyth Tanyia Maxted Hayley Mayne

Photography Brian Richards Liv Stockley Dejan Stojanovic Rick Dawson Big hART

Design Nany Kusumo

©2008 Murdoch University

This publication is printed on environmentally friendly stock from sustainable managed forests.

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Technology and expertise from chemistry, environmental science and nanotechnology are being used in the new Centre.

Federal Government funding of $20 million will be topped by an extra $5 million from the Western Australian State Government to see Murdoch become an integral part of the federal government’s 10-year $12.9 billion Water for the Future strategy. Based at Murdoch’s Rockingham campus, the Centre will bring together the country’s leading desalination and water science research organisations, combining many of Murdoch’s research strengths. Vice Chancellor Professor John Yovich said the new Centre would draw together the nation’s top scientists in desalination to provide solutions to the water crisis, building on Murdoch’s historical strengths in renewable energy, water and environmental sciences. “Murdoch is excited to lead and coordinate this national and international research collaboration in energy-efficient desalination technology for use in Australia’s unique circumstances - and indeed rural, city and industrial locations around the world,” Professor Yovich said.

“This important new national research hub will offer energy-saving solutions to safeguard future water supplies for both consumers and industry, and these new technologies will have widespread application for the benefit of all Australians.” Murdoch’s reverse osmosis pilot plant at the Centre currently produces about 100 litres an hour of desalinated seawater. By treating the seawater prior to the reverse osmosis process, Murdoch scientists hope to reduce energy use and costs by up to 10 per cent. Professor Yovich said the Centre’s location at Murdoch’s Rockingham campus would enable immediate use of existing infrastructure including laboratories, offices and pilot plant facilities. It was ideally placed near commercial areas, the coastal strip and major industrial water users at Kwinana, providing a major boost to the regional City of Rockingham and employment for Murdoch graduates. Interim Director Professor David Doepel said the Centre would work closely with industry and commercialisation partners. He has recently returned from a tour of the United States and South-East Asia, meeting with venture capitalists and industry to explore commercialisation opportunities and partnerships. Watch the YouTube clip on the announcement at: http://www.youtube.com/ user/MurdochUniversity

THE MURDOCH UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

Murdoch’s award-winning $35 million health research building is the new home of the Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases.

Lotterywest grant rewards hard work Murdoch University had cause to celebrate when Lotterywest announced a $5 million grant towards the establishment of the Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases (IIID) at the end of July. The grant was awarded to the Murdoch University Foundation, which was established to advance the strategic priorities of the University for the benefit of the community. Lotterywest Chief Executive Officer, Jan Stewart, said it was one of the largest grants ever awarded for medical research projects. “Lotterywest’s approach to medical research

is to support projects that significantly build the State’s capacity and assist in achieving or retaining international standing,” Ms Stewart said. “Grants are considered for major infrastructure that supports research already endorsed and supported by key national and international funding bodies. “We were satisfied that the Institute’s work was endorsed at the highest international level, and the groundbreaking research in developing personalised medicine tailored to the individual’s DNA had already produced health and social benefits.” Vice Chancellor Professor John Yovich said the Lotterywest grant was significant and would play an important role in keeping the state at the global cutting-edge in infectious disease response and research.

“The University is committed to ensuring that the Institute’s researchers have the best possible resources to enable them to tackle the world’s most significant health issues,” Professor Yovich said. “The grant will help fund the new $35 million health research building - which houses IIID. “The building has already received $19.5 million from the Australian Government, $2.3 million from the WA Government, $500,000 from the McCusker Charitable Foundation and $500,000 from the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation.” The Genesiis Campaign, one of the Murdoch University Foundation’s public fundraising campaigns, was established to ensure IIID’s lifesaving research achieves its goals. “The Genesiis Campaign has now raised

more than $6 million of the original $10 million target and I’d like to congratulate the Office of Development team and Diana Duff in particular for their efforts to achieve this grant and the other donations.” Some of the IIID staff have now moved from Royal Perth Hospital and taken up residence on the first and second levels of the new building. The remaining staff will also move in before the end of the year. The Office of Commercial Services is now investigating commercial partnership opportunities with other health research companies to lease the third level of the health research building. For more information on making a tax deductible donation to the Genesiis Campaign contact the Murdoch Foundation on 9360 2894 or visit www.genesiis.murdoch.edu.au

Teaching English – Murdoch actors head to Chile A troupe of Murdoch’s theatre students flew to Chile in July to perform two plays that will aid in the teaching of English.

Jaime Wilson-Ramirez and Murdoch’s theatre students prepare for their Chilean performances.

july/aug 2009 / Vol 5 / Iss 5

Murdoch’s Senior Lecturer in English, Dr David Moody, said the idea originated in discussions between a Murdoch honours student, Jaime Wilson-Ramirez, and an educational resources company in Chile. “Mr Wilson-Ramirez is an experienced, professional actor and director,” Dr Moody said. “The Chilean education company have paid for the airfare and expenses of the students, who will be on a minimal wage for the duration of the tour.”

Dr Moody and Mr Wilson-Ramirez conducted a preliminary writing workshop in December which resulted in a play called Words... . “Words … looks comically at the history of the English language and the other play the group performs, on bullying, was provided by the Chilean company,” he said. The third-year students involved were chosen for their ability and professionalism. Mr Wilson-Ramirez directed the two shows, which Dr Moody says have great potential as touring vehicles to schools in Australia and Asia as well. “We are hoping that through the experience in Chile we might be able to set up a regular student exchange with universities in Chile.”

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Professor Hill wins National Teaching Fellowship Murdoch University’s Chair of South-East Asian Studies has received a 2009 National Teaching Fellowship from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council, valued at $350,000. Professor David Hill, also Director of the Murdoch-based Australian Consortium for ‘In Country’ Indonesian Studies (ACICIS), has been awarded the fellowship in recognition of his leadership in learning and teaching in higher education. Only three National Teaching Fellowships were awarded by the ALTC this year. Professor Hill’s fellowship involves a ‘whole of sector’ analysis of the state of Indonesian language learning and teaching in Australian universities, to be undertaken during 2010-11. “All universities teaching Indonesian will be consulted and staff within all such institutions will be involved in the strategic analysis of the problems facing, and strategies viable for, the promotion and advancement of Indonesian language learning,” Professor Hill said. “In a consultative process, a national colloquium of Indonesian language teachers will be held to evaluate the proposals, and then the fellowship will develop a national strategy for Indonesian in the Australian university sector. “This will be presented to government and the universities as a policy paper in 2011, thus potentially providing a model for strategies for other languages.” National Teaching Fellowships are awarded to outstanding scholars who undertake a significant program of fellowship activities, contribute to various ALTC events and develop national and international networks appropriate to the fellowship activities.

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More than a stage production: the unique Ngapartji Ngapartji.

Ngapartji Ngapartji: about giving and taking Already eight years in the making, Ngapartji Ngapartji is a unique project bringing together Pitjantjatjara and non-Pitjantjatjara people in an unprecedented process of exchange and cross-cultural collaboration. Murdoch University’s community development expert Dr David Palmer has had the privilege of monitoring the progress of the project. “In Pitjantjatjara language, Ngapartji

Ngapartji means ‘I give you something, and you give me something’,” Dr Palmer said. “Behind the stage production of Ngapartji Ngapartji – an enthralling drama in itself is a rich and multidimensional community development program, targeting Indigenous young people who live either in town camps in Alice Springs or in Pitjantjatjara communities.” Dr Palmer’s role is to evaluate the effectiveness of the projects and workshops over a period of two-and-a-half years. “Specifically, I am looking at the community development elements which focus on making a difference in the Indigenous community,” he said. “The Big hART crew run a range of projects

and workshops, with various art techniques, to improve literacy of Indigenous young people, and also have an online project.” The project centres on literacy development and the concern for language loss. Australia has already lost half of its 300 Indigenous languages; and 110 of the 145 surviving are on the critically endangered list. “The community development elements of Ngapartji Ngapartji’s work is at least as beautiful as the show, feeding the performance with community members acting and singing alongside some of the country’s most celebrated professionals.” Find out more at http://ngapartji.org

THE MURDOCH UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

Saving the Carnaby’s cockatoo

Murdoch has taken top honours in the Best Rebranding Campaign category of this year’s WA Business News branding survey. Murdoch was a clear winner in its category, beating SGIO, Red Rooster, RAC and HBF for top spot. Murdoch was also fourth in the Best Emerging Brand category. Director of Public Relations and Brand Marketing, Dr Lianne Cretney-Barnes said the award came after a long journey of selfdiscovery for the University. “A lot of work was done in trying to find out about what it was that was special about Murdoch, and being here as a staff member there is something about Murdoch, about its culture, about its sense of wanting to make a difference in the world,” Dr Cretney-Barnes said. “What is encouraging is that the uptake of this brand has been astounding, in particular, internally the take up of the concept has been amazing.” Dr Cretney-Barnes credited the win to the teamwork from the CCPR team along with brand agency Meerkats and digital agency Market United who both played a fundamental part in the rebranding process.

Murdoch University PhD student and Perth Zoo veterinary resident Anna Le Souëf is working to solve the problem of tracking rehabilitated black cockatoos. Carnaby’s cockatoo populations that have faced injuries from vehicle strikes and shootings are, wherever possible, rehabilitated before being released into the wild. However there is no knowledge of how the birds fare after release, as only small trials of tracking black cockatoos have ever been conducted in Australia, and never before in Western Australia. “The skills involved with caring for and treating the cockatoos have been well-honed but there is still no information on the survivability and movements of released rehabilitated cockatoos,” Dr Le Souëf said. In collaboration with Carnaby’s BlackCockatoo Project researcher, Dejan Stojanovic, Dr Le Souëf is using different types of radio and satellite transmitter attachments on captive black cockatoos. “Challenges associated with tracking wild birds include the risk of damage to the transmitters by their powerful beaks, injury to birds caused by snagging of the transmitter attachments and obtaining transmitters within the very light weight range required to lessen the impact on flight,” she said. The trial, which is still underway, involves Carnaby’s cockatoos, Baudin’s cockatoos and red-tailed black cockatoos housed at the Black Cockatoo Rehabilitation Centre in Martin. Dr Le Souëf said so far, the cockatoos appear to be very comfortable wearing their transmitters and most have not attempted to remove them. Murdoch’s program Chair of the Conservation Medicine Program and Dr Le Souëf’s PhD supervisor, Dr Kris Warren, said the team hoped to follow up on the trial with collaborative research involving Perth Zoo, Alcoa and DEC, to radio-track black cockatoos which are released following treatment for injury and rehabilitation. Dr Warren said the research provided the only opportunity in Australia to access large numbers of wild black cockatoos, allowing sampling and fitting of radio-transmitters to collect previously unattainable demographic, health, movement, critical habitat and breeding data.

july/aug 2009 / Vol 5 / Iss 5

Murdoch’s rebranding campaign voted best in WA

Adjunct appointment for uni law lecturer Murdoch’s Environmental Program Manager Caroline Minton (bottom left), oversees the placement of nestboxes to encourage the Carnaby’s cockatoo to breed on campus.

Law lecturer Dr Ken Shao has been appointed as an adjunct professor of the Zhongnan University of Economics and Law. The University invited Dr Shao to speak at China’s highest-level Intellectual Property Summit Conference in Guangzhou, China earlier this year. Dr Shao spoke about how China must take careful measures to offset the side-effects of economic globalisation in intellectual property sectors, drawing on lessons from the current global recession.

New Research Institute Directors

A Carnaby’s cockatoo wears a transmitter.

Professor John Howieson has taken Directorship of the Institute for Crops and Plants, a role he has been carrying out in acting capacity for several months. Professor Bernie Dell has been appointed to the role of Director in the Institute for Sustainable Ecosystems. Professor Dell takes over from Professor Giles Hardy, who has decided to go back to his new State Centre of Research Excellence in Climate Change and Forest and Woodland Health, after his contributions as Acting Director of the Institute since 2008. Professor Peter Drummond has become the Acting Director of the Integrated Health Research Institute now that Professor Jackie Phillips has moved to NSW.

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New WA Tropical Research Initiative Murdoch University has launched a new Western Australian Tropical Research Initiative (WATRI) to bring together international project specialists with governments and industry to preserve and sustainably develop the state’s tropical north. WATRI will build on Murdoch’s longstanding work in tropical regions around the world, including sub-sahara Africa, with expertise in agriculture, minerals, marine science, biosecurity, sociology, healthcare, medicine, education, Indigenous expertise, eco-tourism, environmental science, ecology and climatology. The University has already received strong expressions of interest in WATRI from WA departments and non-government organisations. Earlier this year Murdoch’s Institute for Resource Technology Research Director, Professor David Doepel, met

with representatives of the Northern Territory Government to discuss partnership opportunities, and travelled to Townsville to participate in a national workshop on tropical Australia. Professor Doepel said he was excited about the opportunity for collaboration with Territory and Queensland stakeholders. “Queensland is to be applauded for organising the meeting in Townsville and bringing together so many prominent researchers focused on the tropics,” Professor Doepel said. Murdoch’s sustainable agriculture expert specialising in Asia, Professor Richard Bell, will be WATRI’s interim Director. “An increasing focus on the need to adapt to climate change, combined with the many development issues in northern WA, have spurred Murdoch to task its tropical expertise onto this vital area of the state,” Professor Bell said. “Murdoch has a strong tradition of interdisciplinary research on such complex issues, and recent efforts to develop the Kimberley are bringing many environmental and social issues to the fore.”

Professor Richard Bell will be the interim Director of the Western Australian Tropical Research Initiative.

Murdoch Singapore marks its first anniversary In its first year of operation, Murdoch University’s International Study Centre in Singapore increased its student enrolments by almost 30 per cent. The Centre, operated by the SMa School of Management, opened in June 2008 with 900 students and within a year enrolments had increased to 1144 students and are still rising. Murdoch’s Deputy Vice Chancellor (Faculty, Enterprise and International) Professor Gary Martin said the growth indicated the Centre was on track to double its intake by the end of the year. “Murdoch Singapore has exceeded its expectation in terms of growth and development and has a bright future going forward,” Professor Martin said. Since opening, Murdoch Singapore has expanded its facilities to include additional computer laboratories and another six classrooms to accommodate the burgeoning student population. A new Library and Student Learning Centre is also being constructed, which will allow

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students to access improved resources on campus. “The University is committed to providing innovative course offerings, as well as enhancing the learning experience of Murdoch students in Singapore through the provision of strong student and staff support mechanisms,” Professor Martin said. Much of the Centre’s success can be accredited to flexible double-major options for its Bachelor degrees that allow students in Singapore to pursue a higher education through an Australian university, and to graduate with a degree in two major academic disciplines. “Students are also given the option to travel to Western Australia and complete their studies as a Murdoch international student,” Professor Martin said. Dr Moh Chong Tau, Chairman of the SMa School of Management said the collaboration with Murdoch will help maintain Singapore’s status as a magnet for top talent in the region and as a conduit for research and development. “We want to continue playing an active role in contributing to Singapore’s industrial needs by enhancing the capabilities of our workforce in remaining relevant and competitive in our global economy,” Dr Moh said.

THE MURDOCH UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

Toxoplasma may pre-date Australian domestic cats

Eroded country can be seen behind this local farmer leading his cattle.

It takes a community to change South African policymakers are working with Murdoch’s researchers to tackle issues of environmental degradation, sub-optimum productivity and the constrained economic development of land held in traditional communal tenure. Murdoch University’s Crop and Plant Research Institute collaborative project, involving experts from the University’s Centre for Rhizobium Studies and Institute for Sustainability and Technology Policy, has brought together agricultural research bodies in Australia and the Eastern Cape to address the perceived problems in communal lands of the former Ciskei and Transkei. Murdoch’s Professor John Howieson, expert in legume forages and rhizobium (root-nodule bacteria) research said the project built on the work of South Africa’s Agriculture Research Council, Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture

and the National Woolgrowers’ Association. “Any proposal to alter management of formerly cultivated lands in the Eastern Cape communities requires careful assessment of their often complicated history of prior ownership, use and current degree of ‘abandonment’,” Professor Howieson said. The Eastern Cape Communal Arable Lands (ECCAL) project has been working with the local communities since 2006 to introduce legumebased pastures into ‘abandoned arable lands’. The project aims to improve grazing, and thereby increase livestock production, on abandoned arable lands that were underused and at severe risk of erosion. Mr John Davis, Lecturer at Murdoch’s Institute for Sustainability and Technology Policy said a key component of the research was active participation from the communities. The project is co-funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, and as a spin-off for Australia, the research has uncovered under-used perennial forage legumes which may help low-rainfall regions of southern Australia adapt to climate change.

Community members meet to discuss the arable lands project.

march 2009 / Vol 4 /5 Iss/ Iss 3 5 july/aug 2009 / Vol

New findings by Murdoch’s parasitology research group indicate the domestic cat may be off the hook for introducing the Toxoplasmosis disease to Australia. Professor Andrew Thompson, Chair of Parasitology at Murdoch, said recent field studies have shown the disease is far more common than anticipated. “We’ve seen some native animal populations where up to 80 per cent were affected by Toxoplasmosis, but all were healthy animals with

no clinical diseases,” Professor Thompson said. “This raises the interesting question of how the disease is so prevalent because there are not enough cats in Australia to account for such a high level of disease in native wildlife.” Until now, cats were thought to be solely responsible for the introduction of Toxoplasmosis into Australia, however the new findings indicate there may have been an Australian carnivore that was helping to spread the disease before the cat’s arrival. “We know the cat is highly important to the spreading of Toxoplasma because it’s able to contaminate the environment through its faeces and its coat,” Professor Thompson said. “It’s currently the only known animal to do that, but following our research we may need to look more closely at some of the native carnivores.” Professor Thompson said most infections were a result of handling or eating poorly cooked meat. Postgraduate students Nevi Parameswaran and Shuting Pan will continue to investigate the occurrence and genetic diversity of Toxoplasma in Australia’s native mammals, alongside Associate Professor Alan Lymbery and Dr Andy Smith from Murdoch and Michael Grigg from the National Institute of Health in the United States. The collaboration is part of an Australian Research Council and Department of Environment and Conservation project.

Research income rises The implementation of IRMA (Integrated Research Management Applications), Murdoch’s new Research Management system - as part of the Murdoch 2010 efficiency program - has helped generate an overall 10 per cent increase in verified research publications for the Higher Education Research Data Collection (HERDC). Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), Professor Jim Reynoldson, said there had been an overall nine per cent increase in HERDC points scored compared to last year as a result of the upgrade to the new management system. “The increased publication output will result

in additional research income for Murdoch and is an outstanding result of collaboration between Research and Development, Murdoch academics and the Murdoch 2010 Program team,” Professor Reynoldson said. Experiencing the largest gain, Murdoch’s total number of research-authored books increased in volume by 23 per cent in 2008, generating a 28 per cent increase in HERDC points scored in the ‘Book Authored-Researched’ category compared to 2007. The largest portion of Murdoch University’s publications collection – journal articles – increased by 18 per cent in 2008, generating a 12 per cent increase in HERDC points scored in its category. Following the success of the IRMA publications module, the Division of Research and Development is expecting to generate similar beneficial results with the implementation of the remaining modules: Grants and Contracts; Human and Animal Ethics; and Higher Degree by Research.

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open your mind day, august 30, 2009

Sugar Army headlines Open Your Mind Day

Headline act for Murdoch’s Open Your Mind Day, Sugar Army is eager to share with anyone with “open minds and a pair of ears”.

For this year’s Murdoch University Open Day, August 30, Sunset Events have lined up an exciting program of bands and entertainment, including: Sugar Army (Headline act); Abbe May and the Rocking Pneumonia; Harlequin League; Brash and Sassy; and Voltaire Twins.

The free concert is part of the University’s Open Your Mind Day, a great opportunity to chat with career counsellors, professors and researchers about pathways available at Murdoch, and discover some of the other aspects of university life. Between 10am and 4pm there will be lots of activities to explore, including opportunities to: • Drive solar-powered hydrogen cars; • Check out the Engineering pilot plant and make a robotic hand move; • Try your hand at forensic science and do some facial reconstruction;

• Take wetland tours; • Build your own computer game; • Test your nervous system and posture for chiropractic and sports science; and • Try something new in Pharmacy and take the challenge to walk on custard. The day’s entertainment will also include a Bucking Mad Cow, a Cup & Saucer ride, Indonesian Gamelan music, sumo wrestling, a baby animal farm, pony rides and an array of food and beverages. To find out more go to www.murdoch.edu. au and type ‘Open Day’ in the search box.

Walking on custard Science tells us that humans can’t walk on water – but how about custard? For the most part, the laws of physics apply: humans are generally too big and heavy to be supported by surface tension, and not buoyant enough to float. But the School of Pharmacy says humans can walk on custard and will be showing how at Murdoch’s Open Day, August 30, on the South Street campus.

World Environmental Summit Five Murdoch University students joined the 2009 World Student Environmental Summit for the opportunity to enact lasting and positive environmental, economic and social change. Emma Bryce, Rowena Burch, Samuel Green, Bruce Greatwich and Selene Moonbeams joined 80 world delegates chosen from more than 40 universities, and will be at Murdoch’s Open Day to share their experiences. The June event united leading students in environmental sustainability with the aim of acting as a platform for global student engagement and innovation. Five senior Environmental Science, Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development undergraduate students put their energies into the environmental challenge of addressing climate change.

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Murdoch University was the only Australian university selected to be involved in the event. “Participating in the summit was a unique opportunity to meet other students from around the world with similar values and aspirations,” said Emma Bryce, one of Murdoch’s students attending the conference. The gathering was addressed by Dr R.K. Pachauri, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Nobel laureate; Ray Anderson, founder of Interface Global; Andrew Weaver of the IPCC; and Leith Sharp from Harvard Sustainability. Murdoch’s Head of Environmental Science, Professor Nick Costa, said that initially two students were to be selected from the five applications from Murdoch University. “However, given the organisers’ assessment of the quality of the applications from our environmental science students, the organisers sponsored all five students from Murdoch,” Professor Costa said. “We were delighted that the University was also able to provide all five students with travel

Murdoch’s students joined 80 world delegates at the summit. support, enabling them to fly to Vancouver for the summit.” The proposal formulated at the 2009 summit will contain applicable solutions for local

and international levels and will be submitted to the University G8 Summit, the 35th Summit of the G8 in 2009, and the 2009 UN Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen.

open your mind day, august 30, 2009

John McMullen says the new OCP course will give graduates the needed ‘edge’ in their career choices.

Gain the career edge in Online Communication and Production A new Online Communication and Production course is being launched on August 30 as part of Murdoch’s Open Day festivities. Combining an exciting mix of web design and creation, screen production, marketing and public relations, the course mirrors current industry production demands. “The course is highly relevant to those wanting a career in creative communication,”

Course Coordinator John McMullan said. “It will give students the opportunity to create campaign plans, advertisements, video blogs, websites, digital photographs, viral videos and other online media under the guidance of industry experts.” Students will study a range of communication theories and concepts, while developing technical and practical skills to become innovative and professional online communicators, graduating with the edge to compete in an emerging and evolving industry. “In the current job market, everyone wants

to have that ‘extra something’. These days that means understanding how to communicate with various digital media effectively online - and that’s what we’re giving our students at Murdoch through this new course,” Mr McMullan said. “Taught by industry professionals, who are artists in their own rights, graduating students will be well positioned to meet the everchanging needs of professional communication.” To find out more, head to the Media Suites on Murdoch’s Open Day, August 30, 10am – 4pm.

Investigating the global crisis Murdoch University’s School of Sustainability is offering a new unit studying the global crisis, taking into account environmental, material, economic, social and political issues. It is unique in that it deals with a major event which is still unfolding and combines content with new approaches from the fastdeveloping discipline of futures studies. Unit coordinator Dr Peter McMahon said the global crisis will be studied as a phenomenon with different dimensions but basic root causes. “These causes include the economic meltdown, growing urgency of climate change and peak oil, shifts in global power relations, and underlying drivers like accelerating technological change,” Dr McMahon said. “This unit will show how the roots of the

crisis go back at least as far as the origins of modern civilisation and the rise of core dynamics, especially militarism, economic development and technological advancement. “The crisis has highlighted the need for forward thinking and planning, and the unit will present a range of methodologies developed by futurists to facilitate this endeavour. “These methodologies are increasingly used in private sector, government and NGO planning, so students will learn valuable analytical tools for change management.” Continuing the School of Sustainability’s cutting-edge approach and Murdoch’s active role in meeting current challenges, the unit fits in with the concept of sustainability as a means to understanding events from an overall perspective. The unit will run internally and externally in semester two this year and throughout 2010.

open your mind day, august 30, 2009

Teaching as it happens: Peter McMahon coordinates the inaugural global crisis unit.

open your mind day, august 30, 2009

Italian law experience

Thirty-five Murdoch University law students travelled to Italy in June and July to study at the Universita` di Macerata and increase their knowledge of international and European law. The European Summer Program in Law’s Program Director, Dr Fernand de Varennes, said the University was responding to the changing needs of its students and industry by introducing the program. “As the world becomes increasingly globalised there is a greater demand for jurists who understand and can operate comfortably between the international community’s diverse legal systems and cultures,” Dr de Varennes said. “We are responding to this demand in an innovative way and making our students better equipped and more responsive to these challenges and opportunities.” The law students completed up to three out of four law units: public international law - European Union law, comparative law and international intellectual property law during a four-week period from June 22 to July 17. Dr de Varennes said Italy had a vast influence in the formation of European and international law, which was one of the reasons it was chosen as the location of the program. “The Università di Macerata is one of Europe’s oldest universities and has been teaching law since 1290,” he said. “It has remained over the centuries a prestigious institution of higher education and linked to distinguished jurists from all over Europe. “I can’t think of many better places than this for the type of program and experience we seek to offer our students.” The program is open to any student of good standing studying at an Australian law school who has completed at least one year and the necessary prerequisites. For further information on the course, contact Dr de Varennes on 9360 6510, or [email protected], or visit the School of Law stand at the Murdoch Open Day on August 30.

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Leg-up for Equine Centre A state-of-the-art bone scanning tool that will help to diagnose lameness problems in horses was unveiled at Murdoch University’s Equine Centre. The nuclear scintigraphy (bone scanning) unit works by injecting a radioactive ‘marker’ into the horse’s bloodstream that localises in areas that have been damaged or are undergoing repair in the horse’s soft tissues (such as tendons, ligaments or muscle) and bones. The unit has the first custom-made gantry

arm of its kind in the world, which supports the gamma camera that measures the radioactive marker uptake in the horse at specific times after the marker injection. Literally taking pictures of the horse’s skeleton, the camera looks for hot spots that indicate active tissue repair or bone activity from the increased marker uptake. The remote-controlled mount was custom made to position a camera over any part of the horse that a clinician may require. The technology is 100 times more sensitive than radiographs in detecting bone abnormalities and adds significantly to the Equine Centre’s already impressive array of diagnostic capabilities.

Dr Fozdar (second from right) with the community engagement workshop participants.

Firing up cultural awareness Western Australia’s emergency services are working with Murdoch sociologist Dr Farida Fozdar to engage with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. “We met with leaders of migrant communities and ran through some scenarios based on a bushfire and a storm to identify what they thought the main issues would be,” Dr Fozdar said. “The leaders also advised on the best ways to provide information about emergency services to the communities and suggestions on how

they can be prepared and respond in a crisis, or to help prevent one.” This WA initiative is part of a federally funded national program, bringing together the Fire and Emergency Services Authority, the Western Australian Local Government Association, Red Cross, Multicultural Services Centre and the Office of Multicultural Interests. “We are also targeting the emergency services staff and volunteers to develop their cultural awareness,” Dr Fozdar said. A recent workshop was held in the City of Wanneroo with representatives from the Sudanese and Vietnamese communities, and another is planned with the Burmese communities. A community engagement strategy is now being designed.

New guide to WA’s past More than 500 writers came together to produce a detailed encyclopedia of Western Australia’s history, launched by WA Premier Colin Barnett in June.

The state-of-the-art scanning tool now in operation at the Murdoch equine centre.

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Murdoch University’s Senior Lecturer in History, Dr Jan Gothard, has been working on the project as general editor from 2002 alongside co-editor Jenny Gregory, a history professor at UWA. “The Historical Encyclopedia of Western Australia is 1000 pages long, had over 600 contributors, many from Murdoch, and 900 entries,” Dr Gothard said. Work on the definitive guide to WA’s past began when one of the editors realised it had been nearly a century since the last WA

encyclopedia was produced by well-known state librarian J.S. Battye in 1912. The Historical Encyclopedia of Western Australia is the only central resource on detailed WA history in existence and includes research into the history of groups that were previously marginalised or ignored. The depth of research and intriguing entries within the book cover topics such as the Ugly Men’s Association, race riots, convict labour, beauty competitions, Aboriginal servicemen and women and landclearing, among many others. Mr Barnett said at the launch that the Historical Encyclopedia of Western Australia would become an outstanding reference for researchers, teachers, students and the general public throughout Australia, enabling them to locate information about significant events, institutions, people and places, themes and topics in the state’s history.

THE MURDOCH UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

Rottnest Island history rediscovered The rediscovery of an historical cache of interviews about Rottnest Island has illuminated the island’s pivotal role in Fremantle’s World War II defences. Murdoch University historian Dr Jan Gothard said the 17 interviews included war veterans, gunners and instrument operators who gave detailed anecdotes of World War II conditions, with particular focus on the women who served on Rottnest during the war. “These interviews demonstrate the critical role oral historians have in creating and preserving historical records,” Dr Gothard said. The interviews were collected 22 years ago when the Murdoch University History Club, including Dr Gothard (then a postgraduate student), spent a weekend on the island

exploring its history and environment, undertaking interviews with people connected with the Island and its memories. “It wasn’t until Rottnest Heritage Officer Patsy Vizents discovered the boxes of tapes languishing in the Rottnest Museum that their value as priceless documentation of times past was recognised,” Dr Gothard said. “All the tapes were copied, and complete sets are held in the State Library, at Rottnest and in Murdoch’s library.” Murdoch University’s library also has a collection of photographs taken in 1987 during the oral history project. Ms Vizents came to Murdoch in April to scan the collection and is now coordinating the huge task of scanning and preserving all the photographs which document almost a century of the Island’s history, having the interviews transcribed to facilitate their accessibility and preserving all audio tapes in digital format.

Rottnest Heritage is delighted with Murdoch’s historical cache from Rottnest Island.

Strengthening ties with India Murdoch University and the Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT), India, have agreed to develop new collaborative projects in the areas of nanotechnology and biotechnology. IMMT is one of the premier laboratories of India’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, located in the mineral-rich state of Orissa, and is highly regarded for its work on minerals and materials. IMMT and Murdoch University have just signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will see joint postgraduate teaching programs developed in renewable energy and the co-supervision of PhD students. Dr Pritam Singh, Murdoch’s Emeritus

Professor of Chemistry, said the signing of the MoU was timely. “Currently the Australian and Indian Governments are both very keen to strengthen economic and research collaboration ties,” Dr Singh said. “Our MoU will enable us to take advantage of the prevailing atmosphere.” IMMT’s laboratory specialises in providing research and development support for process and product development, with special emphasis on conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. The laboratory has expertise in conducting technology-oriented programs in many areas, including mining and mineral/bio-mineral processing; metal extraction and materials characterisation; pollution monitoring and control; use of medicinal and aromatic plants and appropriate technologies for societal development.

Robyn Bett with a young friend in the children’s play therapy room.

Community Counselling at South St Murdoch’s community counselling centre, Caladenia Counselling, has moved from its Cottesloe address to the University’s South Street campus. Psychology lecturer Robyn Bett said the Centre would continue to offer counselling to individuals, couples, families and groups.

“Our counselling centre provides a safe, supportive and affordable environment to assist people who are experiencing major challenges in their lives, or who are dealing with a difficult situation,” Ms Bett said. Postgraduate psychology students work in the centre under the supervision and guidance of qualified psychotherapists. Caladenia Counselling is located in office 2.32 in the Social Science building. Appointments can be made by calling 9360 7848.

july/aug 2009 / Vol 5 / Iss 5

Murdoch has signed an MoU with the Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology.

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Cheerleaders lend their support Murdoch University now has its very own cheerleading squad with ten talented Murdoch students. Bonnita Rossimeno, Director and Head Coach of the Visual Sports Academy, trains the team for three hours a week. So far the cheerleaders have performed at a number of events including the Intervarsity Games and the Faculty Sports Day. Their next big event will be the University Games at the end of September on the Gold Coast. Ms Rossimeno says cheerleading is one of

the fastest growing sports in Australia and has gained popularity over the last decade. “To become a Murdoch cheerleader students don’t need any experience but it does help to have good coordination and you do need to work hard and be committed,” Ms Rossimeno said. “Some of the cheerleaders have come to us with no experience, have tried out and have been presented on the National Elite team which travels throughout Australia.” Students interested in attending a tryout should check the Visual Sports Academy website, www.visualsportsacademy.webs.com for details.

Club Murdoch Manager Mel Jorgensen with Fairtrade coffee and Thank You Water.

Fairtrade coffee on campus With the vast majority of Murdoch University coffee outlets now choosing to sell certified Fairtrade coffee, it is proof that staff and students are doing their bit to make a difference in the world. At the University’s South St Campus, Aroma, Kadjininy Café, Sir Walter’s Café, Lunchbox Café and most recently Club Murdoch and the Law Café have all chosen to supply Fairtrade coffee. Murdoch’s Rockingham Campus café Open Book Coffee House is supplying direct-trade coffee – a Fairtrade alternative. During the past decade, prices for coffee fell to a 30-year low, with as little as three cents from a $3 cup of coffee reaching the farmers who grew the beans. This affected 25 million small-scale farmers and their families, with widespread poor nutrition and children being taken out of school. Buying certified Fairtrade coffee helps ensure farmers get a fair deal. The additional price they

receive can mean the ability to eat nutritious meals, send their children to school and access the health services that they need. Club Murdoch Manager Mel Jorgensen said they made the switch because coffee farmers were paid a fair wage for the work they do. “We have also been stocking something called Thank You Water as well, which gives someone in a poverty-stricken country water for a month for every bottle purchased - we think that every little bit helps so we are trying to do our bit for those less fortunate,” Miss Jorgensen said. “Once people find out about the water and the coffee they are making the switch, especially with the water, so we are trying to ‘pay it forward’, as they say.” Guild Manager Gerry Georgatos said the Guild outlets had been supplying Fair Trade coffee for the last four years. “The differential in cost is very small and over time is makes no difference (to profits),” Mr Georgatos said. Australia is the world’s fastest-growing Fairtrade market. Australian Fairtrade retail sales in 2003 were estimated at $151,000 and are now estimated to have grown to more than $20 million.

Meaning of life: fact or fiction? Why do we read novels? According to Brett Jenkins’ recent study, novels are read to better understand the meaning of life. “In the modern world where the answers to the question of meaning are no longer given, readers search for answers within novels, specifically realist novels,” Murdoch University’s English and Comparative Literature PhD student Mr Jenkins said. Mr Jenkins has examined the way novel

readers look to fictional characters to derive the warmth of wisdom and insight into both the creation and revelation of meaning. “These insights come from the reader’s evaluation of the characters’ choices of meaningful projects and their actions.” Mr Jenkins said these insights enabled the reader to better inform his or her own meaningful choices. He said the novel’s representations of fictional characters were arguably more valuable to the reader than real people and non-fictional representations, such as an autobiography or biography.

Bonnita (top), Minerva, Connor, Erin, Hayley, Christine, Moni, Rebecca and Ashley make up the Murdoch cheerleaders.

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