The newsletter for alumni and supporters of UNE
unique
LE HIGH TACK
Volume 1, Issue 1 JUNE 2014 ISSN 2203-8000
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unique
What's in a name? The study experience for UNE students has many facets, whether as a distance education student, college or town resident, part time or full time student. Within our communities, collaborations and partnerships with UNE have distinctive identities. Each experience and situation is unique. With this refresh of the alumni newsletter, we have taken inspiration from your many perspectives of UNE. We hope you enjoy this first edition of 'unique'.
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UNE Office of Advancement
UNE IT building
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Dear Alumni and friends
vC
The Hon John Watkins has recently resigned from his position of Chancellor of UNE. Since his appointment to this role in April last year, John has been a passionate advocate for UNE especially during a period of enormous change in the sector.
It has been a privilege to have him as our Chancellor. He has played a significant role in shaping the current direction of UNE and will be missed. Dr Geoff Fox, the Deputy Chancellor, will chair the Council until the election of a new Chancellor. Dr Fox is a UNE graduate and has a long association with the Universityhe is the Chair of the UNE Foundation and has been on the University Council since 2010. He will be able to provide stability and oversee the governance of the university during this time. The search for a new Vice-Chancellor at the University of New England is well underway, with an executive recruitment firm engaged to expand the search on the international stage. UNE is seeking a leader who can build on the University’s strong financial position and achieve further growth in both on-campus and online enrolments and in quality research output. The qualities we are looking for include an open, transparent and constructive leadership style to effectively work with our academic and professional staff to further build the University’s research and teaching capabilities. We are seeking someone who will understand UNE’s key strengths, recognise the University is a key part of a vibrant local and regional community and who has a vision to continue our recent growth and build a strong future in the global Higher Education sector. In the interim, we are not standing still. Over the past four years, there has been a particular focus on ensuring that UNE not only survived the removal of caps on student numbers, but capitalised on the opportunity this represented. This required an emphasis on the ‘business’ side of the University. It is now time to return our focus to academia, on our students, our academics, our teaching and our research. To that end, I have implemented a restructure of Senior Executive positions at UNE to bring a renewed refocus on our research, teaching and learning role. I believe this was the right moment to reallocate portfolios and responsibilities, allowing time for the restructure to settle into place prior to a new permanent Vice-Chancellor being appointed.
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ANNABELLE DUNCAN
It is now time to return our focus to academia, on our students, our academics, our teaching and our research. I have made moves to strengthen UNE’s Senior Executive by adding two senior academic leadership roles to it: the Pro Vice-Chancellor (PVC) Academic and the PVC Research. This means we now have four academics within the Senior Executive, and four other members representing the service side of the University. It is my intention and hope that this structure will ensure that academic ideals, experience and expertise are supported by innovative business management practices in order to ensure a more holistic decision-making process. Already, the new Senior Executive is working very well together and we are engaging in productive and pragmatic discussion and planning in order to make sure that UNE continues to go from strength to strength into the future, for the benefit of all current students, prospective students, alumni and staff members. Finally, the recent Federal Budget has confirmed the expected tightening of the fiscal reins by the Government. The tertiary sector faces significant change, those with university aspirations and their families are understandably concerned at the likely increased cost of a university education. There is little doubt that the reduction in government contributions to course fees,
Annabelle Duncan
coupled with the move to increase the interest charged on student loans, will have a significant impact on the cost of a university degree for students. I believe that open access to education is one of the greatest contributions to society and the individual that we can offer. Despite the difficulties on the horizon, there may be a silver lining for the University of New England and the regions in retaining more of our regional students and even attracting more students from metropolitan areas. For the past decade, UNE has consistently rated five stars for student experience and graduate outcomes in the Good Universities Guide, while the quality of teaching in our specialty fields equals or surpasses the best of Australia’s older metropolitan universities. Price does not reflect quality. I would conclude by encouraging all UNE alumni to remind any students with tertiary aspirations not to be disheartened at the higher long term cost of your degree. UNE aims to educate the whole person not only as experts in their field, but as engaged and informed citizens. The benefit both to society and to the individual through education is undeniable. Annabelle Duncan / Vice-Chancellor UNE Office of Advancement
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Transformational reform of our time
lobby politicians as they entered meetings to allocate resources and lend support. The lecture may be viewed at: une. edu.au/ndis-lessons and slides downloaded from the same page. After the lecture, Dr Bonyhady and his wife, Rae, joined alumni, staff and students at a dinner hosted by the UNE Alumni Association, Armidale. He engaged attendees with stories about his forebears living in “good living street” in Vienna at the turn
George Battese, Jennifer Rindfleish, Bruce Bonyhady, Michael Stuckey
of the 20th century and how their world changed drastically leading
The National Disability Insurance
– the clever use of the slogan ‘every
Scheme (NDIS) has the power to
Australian counts’ highlighted the
change society according to the
broken nature of the old disability
Chair, Dr Bruce Bonyhady AM, who
system, and indicated that the NDIS
recently presented a well-attended
would create an insurance scheme
public seminar at UNE. His lecture,
that is relevant to ALL Australians not
titled ‘The transformational reform
just people with disability. Disability
of our time: the NDIS and lessons
came to be understood as an
for change.’ explained why the NDIS was an idea that had reached its time. He described it as "a nationbuilding reform like the Hydroelectric scheme, that has combined compassion with economic sense”. The NDIS shifts power to individuals,
up to WW2. Relatives, including his mother, migrated to Australia and eventually to Armidale and so began the Bonyhady connection to UNE.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has the power to change society
including people living with disability, their carers and their families in a financially sustainable way, and that
economic issue with the Productivity
Dr Bonyhady is a distinguished graduate of
this control and choice will drive a
Commission, which concluded that
UNE, having achieved first class honours
new marketplace for how services
the benefits of the NDIS would
are delivered. The NDIS moves away
outweigh the costs. The ways in
from a deficit-based approach to
which the NDIS campaign united
building the supports that people
people with disability, carers and
need to maintain loving relationships
service providers certainly made the
and productive lives.
change possible.
In describing the lessons learnt as the NDIS has come into being, he said that language framed the debate
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This campaign importantly used technology to tell stories, and made use of instant communication to
and a University Medal. He was recognised with a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2013.
high
tackle
Hosted by Rugby League super coach, Ricky Stuart,
The Coach will air on Fox Sport and will be filmed over a 10 week period, with production planned to take place in October 2014. Athletes from across Australia, Asia and The Pacific’s brightest young talents will compete for a
Hundreds of rugby league hopefuls have rushed to nominate for The Coach, a new reality TV program to be filmed in Armidale and on campus at UNE.
highly sought after NRL contract. UNE Life’s Director, David Schmude, said, “This joint bid from Armidale Dumaresq Council and UNE was successful because of the state-of-the–art sporting and
For further information contact: David Schmude | P 02 6773 3071 E: dschmud2@une.edu.au
campus facilities at UNE, in addition to the proximity to national parks and Armidale’s reputation as a thriving regional centre.”
View the video trailer at: thecoach.cc/#!video/cceq
“The reality TV Show will be a vehicle to showcase UNE’s sporting academic programs and facilities as well as its on-campus college experience, with the contestants and crew staying at the new Wright College. Armidale is in an enviable position for a regional centre, with sporting facilities that rival many of the big cities in Australia.” UNE Office of Advancement
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Regional Australia at War As part of New England History Week 2014, and to coincide with the centenary of the First World War, the University of New England is hosting a public conference on ‘Regional Australia at War’.
Both academics and members of
The conference has an intentionally
the public have been invited to
broad scope to encourage
participate by presenting papers
participation on the broader
and joining discussions on the
Australian experience of war
regional Australian experience of war,
throughout conflicts in the past and
including both the experiences of
present and forms part of various
service personnel in the armed forces
activities taking place during New
and of civilians on the home front.
England History Week 11-17 August
Professor Bruce Scates will present
2014. For more information:
the Annual Russel Ward lecture on 14
frontlinenewengland.org.au
August as part of the conference.
33rd Battalion, Armidale 1916, UNE Archives
have your say
A vacancy exists for a member of Convocation to join the Standing Committee of Convocation. The primary function of the Standing Committee is to provide an avenue for communication between Convocation and the University, for mutual benefit. Details about the role of the Committee are available on the UNE web site: une.edu.au/convocation As meetings may be attended by teleconference, you do not need to be living in Armidale to be a member of the Committee. Members of Convocation interested in being considered for the vacancy are invited to contact the Chair, Dr Jack Hobbs: jhobbs4@une.edu.au
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Dr Amanda Kennedy UNE graduate and Deputy Director, Australian Centre for Agriculture and Law
SACUNE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN CHAPTER OF UNE ALUMNI
Dr Amanda Kennedy, UNE graduate and Deputy Director, Australian Centre for Agriculture and Law, UNE Law School, recently presented a breakfast seminar in Adelaide on ‘Environmental justice in land use decisions: the case of coal and coal seam gas’. This very topical presentation, to attendees who had a business, professional or personal connection to the issue, addressed the intensifying conflict over land use, particularly where coal mining and coal seam gas extraction developments are under contemplation. Such conflicts are often intractable, and existing regulatory and policy approaches have struggled to alleviate the disputes. Using examples from NSW, where many argue that the relevant legal and political framework prefers development interests and minimises opportunities for genuine public participation in land use decisions-ultimately failing to recognise those who bear the cost of any environmental and social harms, she engaged the audience in understanding the political and legal dimensions of these disputes and impressed
Wendy DiMonte, President SACUNE joining other alumni at a
attendees with her breadth of knowledge on the subject.
special cocktail event at Government House, hosted by UNE
This is the second year that the South Australian Chapter
alumnus, His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce AC CSC RANR
of UNE alumni (SACUNE) has sponsored such an event during Law Week, using expertise from UNE’s School of Law. Like to connect with alumni in South Australia? Please email alumni@une.edu.au UNE Office of Advancement
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mhpremiumfarms.com
MH Premium Farms NEW SCHOLARSHIP DONOR SNAPSHOT
"UNE’s reputation in producing graduates who service Australian agriculture is well known and being based right here in Armidale, of course we chose to support UNE" 10
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NEW SCHOLARSHIP DONOR SNAPSHOT
Directors Chris Cull & Austin Rummery with the inagural recipient of the MH Premium Farms scholarship, Shae Parsons
What is MH Premium Farms? MH Premium Farms is the trading
So why did you decide to fund a
recipient of your scholarship.
scholarship at UNE?
What kind of experiences can you provide?
name of the agricultural investment
"In a move to address a shortage
entity in Australia of the Michael
of agronomists, and agriculture
"Yes. We see it as an important part
Hintze Pension Fund (MHPF), the
graduates more generally who may go
of the scholarship that the recipient
beneficiary of which is the Hintze
on to service Australian agriculture,
would be willing to work for at least
family. Sir Michael Hintze AM, is an
M H Premium Farms funds an
eight weeks of the summer break on
Australian residing in the United
undergraduate scholarship for a
MHPF farms, most likely in North
Kingdom.
student commencing 2nd year and
West NSW. This work experience
studying Rural Science or Agriculture
opportunity would be split among
at the University of New England.
the different farms giving experience
It encourages the recipient of the
in a range of locations and operations
award, upon graduation, to pursue a
and exposure to management
career in agronomy in Australia. UNE’s
decisions when accompanying our
reputation in producing graduates
agricultural advisers. It would include
who service Australian agriculture
spending time with the agronomists
is well known and being based right
when they come onto the properties.
The agricultural operations of the group are managed by Growth Farms Australia, a specialised farm management service. MHPF has acquired a diverse portfolio of properties producing: •
fat lambs, wool and cattle,
here in Armidale, of course we chose
The type of work experience could
•
broad acre cropping of cereals
to support UNE.”
also be tailored to fit in with the
and oilseeds, and •
irrigated cotton and sugar.
I understand you also offer work experience to the successful
normal rules of the UNE School for the completion of work experience/ field work."
UNE Office of Advancement
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London calling
Meet your UNE colleagues in London
There are University of New England
and Southwark Bridge and immediately
students, graduates and former staff
adjacent to (western side) The Golden Hind
living and travelling the world. This is an
sailing ship. In former times it was a
opportunity to meet people with UNE
spice store.
connections in the London area. Your hostess for the evening is Marianne
the weather and popularity of the pub on
5:30 to 8 pm
Young. She is a graduate of the University, is
the evening, we will gather on the outdoor
Old Thameside Inn
on the Standing Committee of Convocation
terrace immediately next to the Golden Hind
Clink Street SE1
of the UNE and is also a member and past
or in the basement.
President of the South Australian Chapter of the UNE Alumni Association. Marianne will be touring in Cornwall and Glasgow, so please contact her if you are going to be in those areas at the end of July. Where is the Old Thameside Inn? Nearest station is London Bridge. It is on Clink Street, London SE1. The Old Thameside Inn is on the South Bank between London Bridge
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Look for the (discreet) UNE sign. Subject to
Thursday, 17 July 2014
UNE Office of Advancement
Please rsvp by 15/07/14 if you are interested in the idea of meeting up with people connected to the University of New England in London or elsewhere in the UK and advise whether or not you can join us on the 17 July. Email: marianne.young001@ gmail.com Pub's website: nicholsonspubs.co.uk theoldthamesideinnlondonbridge/findus
Little Red and the Wolf performing at this year’s Fashion Parade
Earle Page College fundraising still going strong Many Earle Page College alumni will remember being
Two of the leads gave a taste of the production at this
involved in fundraising for the Children's Medical Research
year’s Fashion Parade, performing the Little Red Riding
Institute. The Coast Run began in 1980 and has continued
Hood and Wolf duet.
to this day. Currently, the College Musical Society is hard at work putting together this year’s production of Into the Woods which retells some of the classic brothers Grimm
For more information about how you might continue to be involved, please contact the College: epc@une.edu.au
fairytales.
MEASURING UP Autumn graduation this year for pharmacy graduates was a very special occasion. They are the first cohort to graduate with a pharmacy degree from UNE, having had the benefit of a purposebuilt building during their studies and also the option of studying by distance. The course is accredited by the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency which means that students become registered pharmacists on completion of their intern year. In another boost for the reputation of the course, Callan Beesley was named NSW Pharmacy Student of the Year, and Rachel Tarrant was the highest pharmacy academic achiever in 2013. For more information about the course, go to: une.edu.au/aboutune/academic-schools/school-of-science-and-technology
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Arthur Boyd: artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/works/
Former Chancellor, the Hon John Watkins and the Joseph Family at the event.
Revealing portrait A distinctive self-portrait of famous Australian artist Arthur Boyd has been gratefully received by the University. The artwork Figure sitting in rushes was donated by Dr Lynn Joseph in memory of his nephew, UNE and Earle Page College alumnus Andrew Joseph, and is displayed in Dixson Library. Sadly, Dr Joseph passed away before seeing the portrait hung but several members of the Joseph family travelled from Sydney and other regional areas of NSW to attend a recognition ceremony. John Watkins said the addition of the Boyd self portrait to the University’s collection would long serve as an inspirational influence to UNE students.
Arthur Boyd Figure sitting in rushes donated by Dr Lynn Joseph
“The artwork itself is significant, not only as a valuable piece by a highly-regarded Australian artist, but more so because it is so revealing about the artist himself,” Mr Watkins said. “Painted at a time when Arthur Boyd was questioning his very calling and even his own great talent, it illustrates the lesson that can be drawn from the imagery and from Arthur Boyd’s own life. “I hope the portrait might serve to remind UNE students that although we all question ourselves from time to time,
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we still have a valuable contribution to make to society and to our community. “I am sure Andy Joseph, in whose memory this artwork was given, met with days of confusion and self-doubt. Yet the values instilled in him by his own family, and throughout his time here at UNE, all contributed to make him a successful businessman and generous member of the University's extended community.”
SHARON HODGETTS
LOOKING OUT FOR OUR LAND Sharon Hodgetts is doing her dream
development zones. She is also involved
job-managing, surveying and assessing
in the protection of sites through co-
development impacts on Aboriginal sites.
operation with National Parks, State
A Wiradjuri woman originally from the
Forests, local councils and private land
central west of NSW, she is now located
holders.
on the central coast working for the Darkinjung LALC as their Cultural and Heritage Project Officer.
She is encouraged by the fact that more and more Aboriginal people are reconnecting with their heritage. “It’s great
After completing some study in
to see an increased self-esteem and sense
conservation and land management,
of self-worth through regaining what’s
she enrolled as a distance education
been lost for so many Indigenous people.”
student in UNE’s Diploma in Indigenous
She is passionate about helping others
Archaeology. She had previously
to understand more about Indigenous
completed consultancy work for the
culture and heritage and does this
LALC, and this formal qualification led
through educational presentations.
to a full time position and strengthened her expertise in environmental mattershelpful when appearing before the Land and Environment Court.
While she is a busy person with work and family commitments-like many of UNE’s distance education students-she is, nevertheless, contemplating further
Sharon undertakes field work to identify
study. “After getting over what I thought
Aboriginal sites of significance and
would be a daunting first residential
completes exploration and reporting
school, I realised that I could cope with
on behalf of developers to ensure there
the demands of study. I’m looking
aren’t any Aboriginal sites within the
forward to my next challenge.” UNE Office of Advancement
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VICE-CHANCELLOR’S
Scholar Program
Robert Evered studied an 8-week intensive language course in Xi’an at Shaanxi Normal University
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UNE Office of Advancement
SCHOLAR PROGRAM
The University of New England introduced
To date, Vice-Chancellor’s Scholars have
a new program in 2013 to recognise and
used their awards for activities ranging from
reward academic achievement amongst
intensive engineering and language courses
undergraduate students. The Vice-
in Germany, Japan and China to attending
Chancellor’s Scholar Program is the
industry conferences from Malaysia to
University’s way of acknowledging both on-
Singapore and France. They also attended
campus and off-campus students who have
conferences and courses in Melbourne,
achieved outstanding results with a Grade
Sydney and Brisbane.
Point Average (GPA) of 6.7 or above after completing at least four units of study at UNE.
The Vice-Chancellor’s Scholar Governance
UNE recognised 150 Vice-Chancellor’s
UNE alumni as to how they feel they could
Scholars, from across the whole university,
contribute to the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholar
in the inaugural year of the program. Vice-
program to give our Scholars opportunities
Chancellor’s Scholars can be of any age and at
to complement their courses or help to enrich
any stage of their degree. Of the first group
their time at university.
of recipients, 68 students are studying full time and 82 part-time, while 39 students are on-campus and the remaining 111 study by distance education. Students come from across Australia and some are living overseas.
Committee is seeking suggestions from
Further information on the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholar program is available at: une.edu.au/vc-scholar or email vcscholars@une.edu.au.
Vice-Chancellor’s Scholars were eligible to apply for two competitive awards: the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholar Engagement Award (worth up to $4000) and the ViceChancellor’s Scholar Academic Development Award (worth up to $1000), to contribute towards additional professional development opportunities outside their degree programs. There were 7 recipients of the ViceChancellor’s Scholar Engagement Awards and 5 recipients of the Vice-Chancellor’s Academic Development Awards.
The Vice-Chancellor’s Scholar Program is the University’s way of acknowledging both on-campus and off-campus students who have achieved outstanding results.
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Criticism matters As recipient of this Prize, Ley is named 'Australian Critic of the Year' and awarded $15,000
James Ley has been awarded this year’s Pascall Prize, Australia's only major national prize awarded for critical writing. This annual prize is awarded to an Australian critic whose work over the previous 12 to 18 months has contributed significantly to public debate, appreciation, enjoyment and understanding of a particular branch of the arts. As recipient of this Prize, Ley is named 'Australian Critic of the Year' and awarded $15,000. In his acceptance speech, James said he was drawn to study literature because it represented the “beating heart of the humanities”. When he was studying at UNE in the 90s, arts students were regularly reminded by their peers of the “uselessness” of their studies. It was this very “uselessness”-the conspicuous lack of any clear practical function- that made literature appealing to him as a subject. He firmly believes that criticism’s obligation is to talk about literature and all forms of art and as if they matter, and in doing so remind us why they matter. Ley is the editor of the Sydney Review of Books, an online review site focusing on Australian writers and writing sydneyreviewofbooks.com His most recent publication is The Critic in the Modern World bloomsbury.com/au/the-critic-in-the-modernworld-9781623569310/
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SCHOLARSHIPS
UNE Scholarship Recipients and Donors Recognised On Thursday 22nd May, the University of New England presented approximately $7.1m worth of scholarships to 122 undergraduate and 114 postgraduate students at a ceremony attended by student recipients and their guests, scholarship donors and members of the UNE community. Scholarships were presented to students in a wide range of academic and extra-curricular pursuits; with many scholarships directly supporting students from rural and regional areas and those from low socio economic backgrounds. Eve Woodberry, Academic Registrar of UNE, who oversaw proceedings on the night explained: “The annual scholarship presentation ceremony is a wonderful opportunity for us to recognise the hard work and dedication of our students, as well as the great generosity of the scholarship donors. This financial support assists students to focus on their studies and reach their potential. Each and every one of the recipients should be very proud of their achievement in being awarded a scholarship.” Kodie Noy, recipient of the Keith Entwistle Honours Scholarship which is funded by the Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI), is completing a Bachelor of Science with Honours, and expressed his gratitude to the scholarship donors for making his research possible.
Geoff Straub and Kirby Knowles and with New England Mutual's Dane O'Connor (centre)
I work with nocturnal animals, which means I can’t even get a night job to support myself during my studies. I am so appreciative that people are willing to give me such great support while I complete my research.”
“Supporting yourself while doing research can be very difficult, because it takes up the time of a full-time job,” Mr Noy said. “I work with nocturnal animals, which means I can’t even get a night job to support myself during my studies. I am so
Photographs from the event can be found at: flickr.com/photos/unepix/ sets/72157644609367487/
appreciative that people are willing to give me such
For more information about donations to
great support while I complete my research.”
UNE Scholarships, please contact the Office of
Cyclists Kirby Knowles and Geoff Straub both received a New England Mutual Sporting
Advancement on (02) 6773 2870 or email advance@une.edu.au.
Scholarship, which recognises their outstanding sporting ability. Both athletes said the scholarships go a long way in helping them to balance their studies and their sport. “I race anywhere between 50 and 100 days a year, so any help I can get is really appreciated,” Mr Straub said.
UNE Office of Advancement
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STUDY TOUR
Great tour of China In November, fifteen UNE students will have the opportunity to go on the study tour of a lifetime in China. During the eleven day tour, the students will be immersed in intercultural learning, particularly in relation to business development opportunities in one of the world’s fastest growing economic powers.
This exciting initiative of the Business School demonstrates UNE’s commitment to educating students who are globally active In Beijing students will meet with economic advisors and Government officials before visiting a farm which produces 80,000 cattle and 200,000 sheep each year. In Shandong Province students will be able to experience the enormity of a 60,000 hectare vegetable farm which exports vegetables worldwide. The tour will incorporate visits to manufacturers as well as identifying the power of small business enterprise in China. The tour will also include a visit to Hong Kong, where students will be involved in trade and business meetings in the financial industry. Professor Alison Sheridan, Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at UNE, said the tour will be an opportunity for students to broaden their understanding of the economic world around them. “This exciting initiative of the Business School demonstrates UNE’s commitment to educating students who are globally active,” Professor Sheridan said. “We are very grateful to the donors who have given to this priority project through the UNE Foundation. Their financial support assists students to take part in this exciting program.” Dr Lou Conway, one of the Business School academics accompanying the tour, said the value of the learning opportunity for business students will be profound. “Students will see the relevance of what they learn in their degrees and they may identify career opportunities that they may not have otherwise considered possible.” If you would like to meet with students while they are in Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong, please contact Mr Allastair Hall on +61 2 67732604 or ahall4@une.edu.au or Dr Lou Conway on +61 2 67733919 or mconway@une.edu.au
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UNE RESEARCH PRIORITIES
TOP
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UNE scholars and scientists have established international reputations through their contributions in areas such as rural science, agricultural economics, educational administration, linguistics and archaeology. Through its research UNE assists in the economic, social and cultural advancement of Australia and in the advanced training of undergraduate and postgraduate students. UNE aims to be Australia’s university of choice for research into regional issues of global significance. Our reputation for highquality research is reflected in our involvement in seven national Cooperative Research Centres, two of which are based on the UNE campus. The University also houses a large number of specialised research centres, including centres of national and international significance such as the Australian Centre for Agriculture and Law (AgLaw Centre) and the National Centre of Science, ICT and Mathematics Education for Rural and Regional Australia (SiMERR National Centre).
Research at UNE is underpinned by five thematic research priorities: 1. Australia’s future food and water security - smart science, smart technology 2. Climate change and environmental sustainability - protecting biodiversity, effective policies 3. Health and wellbeing in rural communities - social exclusion, health inequity, mental health, social policy 4. Our past, present and future - Australia’s regional history, regional memory, regional identity; protection and promotion of cultural heritage 5. Our communities, our neighbours - regional and rural development, sustainability, prosperity and peace.
In future editions of Unique we look forward to featuring research projects in each of these key priority areas. For more information about Research at UNE please visit: une.edu.au/research
UNE Office of Advancement
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WRIGHT COLLEGE
Moving in The new Wright College at UNE has welcomed the first students through its freshly installed doors. The first group of 33 students unpacked their bags in the state-of-the-art residence, and more will be joining them in the coming months. Despite being UNE’s newest residence, Wright College has a long history as the new incarnation of the original Wright College which stood on the same location. The exciting new buildings, which are spacious and filled with natural light, will offer students modern facilities as well as a strong link to UNE’s collegiate heritage. Wright College provides students with selfcontained living in either studio or one-bedroom apartments. Each of the buildings has common spaces which will allow students to come together for social and academic purposes. In addition, students will be living at the college all year round, including during university breaks. Head of College, Caroline Pflaumer-Winter, said that the response to the new college has been excellent. “It is wonderful to have welcomed this group of students into the first completed block of Wright
with an election occurring in Trimester 2. “Wright College & Village will work in partnership, particularly concerning the social welfare and academic programing of the
College,” Ms Pflaumer-Winter said.
residents. It means that new Wright College
“We have been extremely happy with the strong
supportive community.
demand for the apartments, which allow students to enjoy independent living, while still
residents will join an already strong and
“In addition, the support shown by members of
having all the benefits of being on-campus.
the Wright College alumni has been fantastic,
“We already have a very diverse group of
Wright College community in the spirit of its
domestic and international residents who are
predecessor.”
studying across a wide range of disciplines, both
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Village to establish a joint residential association
and we look forward to further developing the
at the undergraduate and postgraduate level.”
If you are interested in touring the Wright
In a nod to their shared name and shared history,
contact the Future Students team to set up a
Wright College will join forces with Wright
tour: 02 6773 5001.
UNE Office of Advancement
College or any of the colleges at UNE please
ROBB COLLEGE
Robb roundup
In January the UNE Council approved to spend $3.0m on fixing-up the interior of Robb’s residential Courts. Half will be spent on firecompliance requirements, the rest on carpets, painting and other cosmetics. The Robb Foundation Association wish to match the UNE funds to bring forward the development of the College to a quality to meet the current and future accommodation demands of students. It also wishes to leave a perpetual fund that will help to underpin the College’s scholarships and secure its future. Donations to the Robb Appeal are tax-deductible with special accounts established with the UNE Foundation ensuring the funds will be spent on Robb. For further information you can go to the Robb Foundation website: robbfoundation.com The Robb Community is swidespread throughout Australia and Internationally. Over the last 18 months a great deal of support has been generated from news of the College’s future developments not only as a building but also as a focus for so many who regard
themselves proudly as “Robbers”. The Robb Alumni now feel the time is right to mobilize this support into a more formal group to be known as the Robb College Alumni Association (RCAA). The Association will operate in conjunction with the University of New England (UNE) Alumni but with a focus on Robb College. Over the next few months we will be communicating with as many ex Robbers as we can to let them know of the plans for the College and the relaunch of the Alumni. We are in the planning stage for several functions (Robbers love a gathering) to get things started and we encourage you to contact Geoff Perry gsperry@bigpond.com or Hugh Sutherland hughsutherland@bigpond.com so we can keep in touch.
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MBA & Postgrad Studies Expos Would you like to discuss in person details of postgraduate certificates, diplomas, masters and doctorates in all disciplines?
2 Sep 2014
11 Sep 2014
Sydney
Adelaide
Sydney Town Hall
Adelaide Town Hall
Level 1, Centennial Hall, Corner of
Adelaide Town Hall Level 1,
Druitt and George Streets, Sydney (483
Auditorium 128 King William Street,
George Street, Sydney) 12pm - 7pm
Adelaide 12noon - 7pm
This is a once-a-year opportunity
4 Sep 2014
16 Sep 2014
to elaborate on your specific needs
Brisbane
Melbourne
face-to-face with staff, to gather the
Brisbane City Hall
Melbourne Town Hall
most current details or to make the
Adjacent to King George Square,
Level 1, Grand Ballroom (Main Hall),
final well-informed decision, all at a
Brisbane, Adelaide and Ann Streets
Corner Swanston & Collins Streets,
convenient single event.
12noon - 7pm
Melbourne (90-120 Swanston Street, Melbourne) 12noon - 7pm
9 Sep 2014 Canberra National Convention Centre National Convention Centre Level 1, Murray Room, 31 Constitution Avenue, Canberra 12noon - 7pm
Snippets from the School of Humanities
18 Sep 2014 Perth Perth Town Hall Corner of Hay and Barrack Streets, Perth 12noon - 7pm
UNDERSTANDING PEACE /
Peace is possible.
Not only possible, but an inherent part of what makes us human. That’s the point Michael Allen Fox, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the University of New England, makes in his new book, Understanding Peace: A Comprehensive Introduction. Professor Fox says there is a strong case to make that in examining human societies, it is peace that is the norm rather than conflict and violence.
ARTS IN THE PUB / The School has established a
This new book examines historical accounts of war and
regular Arts in the Pub series. One of the main aims of
peace, war myths, as well as the many onerous costs of
this series is to forge links between UNE and the New
war. He also tackles philosophical arguments surrounding
England community, and to entertain and engage people
violence, aggression and non-violence, and the ethics of
with some of the 'lighter' aspects of UNE research and
war-making, as well as the ways in which we can move
work. The first series in 2014 saw presentations on a
forward to build a culture of peace.
range of popular topics, such as Ancient Roman drinking habits, attitudes towards drunkenness and temperance in Australia, crime-scene staging, and attitudes towards fashions. Events are usually the first Tuesday of the month, upstairs at the White Bull in Armidale from 7 pm.
MEDIEVAL HISTORY / The teaching of medieval history has taken on a new focus with the appointment of Dr Thomas Fudge to the staff. He is especially interested in heresy, deviance, crusades, witch hunting, law, theology, movements of reform, Martin Luther, iconography, and alternative ways of understanding medieval history. He is a specialist on Jan Hus and Hussite history.
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UNE Office of Advancement
UNE’s FutureCampus will be hosting the following Chamber of Commerce Business Before 9 Breakfasts. They will commence at 7.00am in the lecture room located on
before
breakfast
alumni awards Know someone who deserves a distinguished alumni award?
level 1 at 232 Church Street, Parramatta. More specific details will be available closer to the time. 17 July
Red tape business essentials – are you complying?
21 August
Privacy Act and using people’s data – privacy law reform,
what’s changed?
18 September
Intellectual property – are you safeguarding your assets?
16 October
Work Health and Safety - what’s new?
UNE gives a number of awards each year to outstanding alumni in recognition of their service to the University, their professions and the community: Distinguished Alumni Award Distinguished Graduate Fellow of the University Young Distinguished Alumni Alumni Achievement If you know graduates who deserve one of these awards, why not nominate them? You can find details of how to nominate, who is eligible to nominate, who is eligible to receive these awards, and information on previous recipients at: une. edu.au/award-criteria or contact the Alumni Relations Officer on 02 6773 3365. The next round of nominations close 30 July 2014.
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EVENT CALENDAR
What's on 7-28 July 2014 UNE Council elections In the event that more than two nominations are received for graduate positions, voting will take place electronically via secret ballot. If you wish to vote and have not received an email notice, please email: graduateelections@une. edu.au 17 July 2014 London Calling Alumni in the London area are invited to an informal dinner at Old Thameside Inn. 17 July 2014 Business before 9 Red tape essentials 18 July 2014 Let’s Hang it The UNE School Acquisitive Art Prize was established by
11-17 August 2014 New England History Week New England History Week has been timed to coincide with the centenary of the First World War, and will include a ‘Regional Australia at War’ public conference on 14-15 August. The second day of the conference will focus on the history of the New England region during wartime. More information on the Frontline New England website 13 August 2014 Frontline Exhibition The launch coincides to the day with the centenary of the launch of the Australian Red Cross in 1914. The Booloominbah homestead served as a convalescent home for wounded and returned soldiers during the First World War. During the course of this event, Booloominbah will exhibit a collection of historical items and narratives that document the history of the homestead during its time as a convalescent home.
the School of Education to encourage talented young artists in schools across regional New South Wales. The annual exhibition held at the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) exhibits the work of over 60 finalists with the winners announced on opening night. The first prize Infants, Primary, Junior Secondary and Senior Secondary artworks become part of the UNE Art Collection displayed in the School of Education. 30 July 2014 Nominations close for alumni awards
14 August 2014 Russel Ward lecture This lecture honours the memory and legacy of one of the University’s most renowned scholars, Emeritus Professor Russel Braddock Ward. It will be delivered by Professor Bruce Scates as part of the “Regional Australia at War” conference. 16 August 2014 SACUNE Alumni Association AGM The AGM will commence at 10.00 am at the City Library
1 August 2014 Michael Kirby seminar The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG - one of Australia’s longest serving High Court judges - will be present a public lecture as part of the School of Law’s Kirby Seminar series. The lecture will be video conferenced to the Parramatta Future Campus.
and be followed by a guided historical walking tour of the city. 21 August 2014 Business before 9 Privacy Act and using people’s data 2-18 September 2014 MBA and Postgrad Expos
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UNE Office of Advancement
EVENT CALENDAR
11 Sep 2014 Frank Archibald lecture This lecture honours Mr Frank Archibald, a revered Aboriginal community member of the Armidale area. He was renowned for his knowledge and interest in all issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly education. 18 September 2014 Business before 9 Intellectual property 10 October 2014 UNE Tablelands Clinical School launch The UNE Tablelands Clinical School will have the benefit of a purpose-built building in the grounds of the Armidale Hospital. The School offers vertical integration of teaching, research and professional practice and will continue to build strong relationships with Tablelands communities. 10 October 2014 SACUNE visit Jurlique biodynamic farm Following the farm visit in the Adelaide Hills, lunch will be at Hahndorf.
150 years of Armidale In 2013, Armidale NSW turned 150. A book has been published that documents the area’s history in short essays supported by an
16 October 2014 Business before 9 Work, health and safety
extensive range of images. 'Armidale 150 years’ was written by over 60 volunteers, each with a special interest in some aspects of the development of the region since early settlement. For more information, and to order a copy, please visit armidale150.com
For more details about these and other events, please visit: une.edu.au/connect/events or alumni.une.edu.au/events
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Animal House, University of New England
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UNE Office of Advancement
UNE Office of Advancement
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Office of Advancement Ground Floor TC Lamble Building University of New ENgland Armidale NSW 2351 P: 02 6773 2870 advance@une.edu.au Publication Information Published by the University of New England ABN 75 792 454 315 Published June 2014 ISSN 2203-8000 If you would like to contribute to future editions of 'Unique’ we would love to hear from you!
une.edu.au