The newsletter for alumni and supporters of UNE Volume 1, Issue 2 / OCTOBER 2014 / ISSN 2203-8000
unique creative industries UNE Distinguised Alumni Awards 2014 New England: a place of influence Prof Annabelle Duncan
UNE Office of Advancement
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Opening of the Tablelands Clinical School Barnaby Joyce, Minister for Agriculture and Member for New England, and Councillor Herman Beyersdorf try out some of the equipment with students Symone Speeding and Eli Stalidzans The Tablelands Clinical School is one of five regional clinical schools operating within the BMedJoint Medical Program to assist students in learning clinical skills. The new purpose-built building within the grounds of Armidale Hospital was officially opened in October. The School offers vertical integration of teaching, research and professional practice and will continue to build strong relationships with Tablelands communities.
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UNE Office of Advancement
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Dear Alumni
vC
It was with great pleasure that I accepted the position of Vice-Chancellor of UNE permanently in August this year.
I joined UNE in 2010, initially as Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, then briefly as Deputy Vice-Chancellor. With Professor Barber’s departure in February this year I became interim Vice-Chancellor and am both delighted and honoured to be able to continue on in the Vice-Chancellor role. My disciplinary background is in microbiology with a research background in the ecology of water and waste water treatment. I have also acted as an advisor to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Biological Weapons Control and worked with the United Nations as a Biological Weapons Inspector in Iraq. I spent 16 years in CSIRO before moving to the University sector nine years ago. I took on the role as Vice-Chancellor because I believe this is a university that makes a difference to the lives of our students and to our communities through education and research. The reach of UNE is widespread and I believe this is best illustrated by a member of our examinations office who recently wrote to me about her experiences. Annabelle Duncan
I note with interest your comments about our narrative and want you to be aware that it is not just Australia which has a UNE student in almost every town. We have a global cohort of students who are extremely mobile and active. I know this directly as we arrange exams for all of those students, wherever they are. Almost half of the 400 established exam venues we have are overseas. We routinely hold exams on customs ships and warships on active service and in war zones. Many of our students are special forces soldiers, foreign aid workers and reporters and we find ourselves holding exams in remote Ghana in places only accessible by canoe; in Antarctic Research Stations during winter; in Siberia, Afghanistan, Yemen, Uganda (where we once had to arrange payment for a tank of petrol and some chickens in return for the exam supervision we had arranged for our student! Finance didn’t know how to handle that one!) We also hold exams in the usual places like London, Tokyo, New York, Paris and Berlin as well as Wee Waa, Alice Springs and remote Aboriginal communities where our student is the only teacher at the remote school. As part of our alumni, you play an important role in being advocates for UNE in the jobs you undertake, the community positions you hold and through spreading the word about your experiences at UNE. This will become even more important as government funding continues to decline for both education and research and UNE has to work harder to attract students.
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ANNABELLE DUNCAN
In the coming years I would like to see UNE incorporating more developmental activities into our offerings for those students who are hungry for practical experience. The provision of opportunities for job placements, mentoring and contribution to community building activities are all areas in which you may be able to help us and we will be working with the Alumni office to progress this initiative." We know that any increase in fees, to compensate for a decline in Federal Government funding, will adversely impact our students. That is why I will work to keep any increases as low as possible but this, in turn, will mean we need to increase our student numbers to manage financially. If you enjoyed your UNE experience please let others know. Tell them that UNE is dedicated to giving our students support and to helping them to get the qualifications they need to pursue the life they desire. In the coming years I would like to see UNE incorporating more developmental activities into our offerings for those students who are hungry for practical experience. The provision of opportunities for job placements, mentoring and contribution to community building activities are all areas in which you may be able to help us and we will be working with the Alumni Office to progress this initiative. We are grateful for your assistance in helping us to grow and to thrive in the years ahead. Regards, Annabelle Duncan / Vice-Chancellor
UNE Office of Advancement
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UNE Distinguished Alumni Awards 2014 UNE graduates are UNE’s Alumni Awards diverse in their interests, recognise those who have occupations and passions. achieved distinction UNE’s Alumni Awards recognise those who have achieved distinction either in their work or within the community at large, or both. This year, we acknowledge the outstanding achievements of Dr Rita Crews, Dr Kiran Regmi and Dr Guanghua Wan with a Distinguished Alumni Award, the significant achievements of Ms Gina Milgate with an Alumni Achievement Award, and the outstanding professional and community achievements of Ms Emma Hegarty with a Young Distinguished Alumni Award. For more information about these awards, go to: http://alumni.une.edu.au/?page=alumnirecognition
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UNE Office of Advancement
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS
Dr Guanghua Wan
□ Dr Wan has won international respect for employing his truly exceptional abilities in efforts to alleviate poverty.
Dr Guanghua Wan, one of the world’s leading development
Dr Wan is recognised as one of the world’s leading experts
economists and experts on China, has made outstanding
on inequality and poverty. He has served as a consultant
contributions to alleviating poverty and addressing
for several international organisations – as well as for
development issues in China and elsewhere. Renowned for
the Chinese Government – on projects aimed at rural
his research output, Dr Wan is ranked among the top 8 per
development and poverty reduction in China. He has also
cent of economists globally, and the top 4 per cent in Asia.
led major studies – and published widely – on topics such as
Currently Principal Economist and Head of the Poverty Group at the Asian Development Bank, he is also the Founding Director of the Research Institute for Indian Ocean Economies at China’s Yunnan University of Finance
inclusive growth and urbanisation. He has received many research grants, including funding from the China National Science Foundation for his work on the important project Urbanisation with Efficiency and Equity.
and Economics, and an Honorary Professor in more than 10
During his time at the University of New England and the
of China’s top universities.
University of Sydney he held senior positions in several
Dr Wan holds Master of Economics and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the University of New England. After completing his PhD research he lectured at UNE before moving to the University of Sydney. He then served for six years as a Senior Research Fellow and Senior Economist at the United Nations University’s World Institute for Development Economics Research, based in Helsinki. He
university and community organisations representing Chinese people in Australia. These included roles as President of the Chinese Students’ Association at the University of New England, Council Member of the Chinese Australian Academics Society, Executive Member of the Ethnic Communities Council of NSW, and Honorary Chairman of the Australian Federation of Chinese Organisations.
has also held the positions of Dean and Professor in the
Dr Wan has won international respect for employing his
College of Economics and Management at Northwest
truly exceptional abilities in efforts to alleviate poverty.
A&F University in Shaanxi Province, China, and Assistant
He is indeed a worthy recipient of UNE’s Distinguished
President of Yunnan University of Finance and Economics.
Alumni Award.
UNE Office of Advancement
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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS
Dr Kiran Regmi
Dr Kiran Regmi is one of Nepal’s most influential health professionals and scholars, and a major international force in the improvement of women’s reproductive health. As Director of the Family Health Division of Nepal’s Ministry of Health, Dr Regmi is one of the most important health policy makers in the country. For example, she
□ Her dedication to the development of health care in her country is outstanding and universally admired.
played a key role in designing a national strategy for the prevention and management of uterus prolapse, and assisted in revising Nepal’s Reproductive Health Strategy. In addition, she continues to conduct important research to improve health care in Nepal, and to practise as an obstetrician – working directly with the most disadvantaged and neglected patients. In 2001 Dr Regmi, together with Professor Jeffrey Kottler from California State University, founded the Nepali Girls Foundation, which works to empower and support neglected, marginalised and at-risk girls and young women in Nepal – especially those at risk of being forced into an early marriage, sold into sex slavery, or abandoned
marketing organisation working in family planning and community health. Once a fortnight she conducts an hourlong question-and-answer radio program on gender and contraception issues. Funded by CRS, the program reaches more than a hundred thousand listeners. Dr Regmi is an Executive Member of the Nepal Family Planning Association, a Life Member of the Nepal Medical Association, a Member of the Nepal Medical Council, and a Member of the Nepal Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
as orphans. The Foundation now supports more than 200
Her dedication to the development of health care in her
girls – providing living expenses, scholarships, mentoring,
country is outstanding and universally admired, and UNE
and career guidance for girls who would not otherwise
is proud to name her one of its Distinguished Alumni.
have the opportunity to attend school and pursue careers in medicine, engineering, business, teaching and other professions. The Nepali Girls Foundation was originally named the Madhav Ghimire Foundation after Dr Regmi’s father, Madhav Prasad Ghimire, one of Nepal’s greatest poets. Dr Regmi, who holds a PhD degree from the University of New England, has published widely on obstetrics and maternal health, and has undertaken consultancies for the World Bank, the United Nations Population Fund, the United States Agency for International Development, and the Family Planning Association of Nepal.
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She is Chair of the Board of CRS, a non-profit social
UNE Office of Advancement
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS
Dr Rita Crews
Dr Rita Crews, OAM, President of the Music Teachers’ Association of NSW and Deputy Chair of the NSW Branch of the Australian Music Examinations Board [NSW], is one of Australia’s most distinguished music educators. Her teaching experience, at both private and tertiary levels, spans more than 30 years. From 1996 to 2006 Dr Crews was Head of Professional Development at the Australian International Conservatorium of Music, where she taught research and coordinated the pedagogy stream of the Bachelor of Music program. For many years she lectured in professional
Dr Crews is the editor of the journal The Studio, and has
development courses for private music teachers at
published many reviews and articles in that journal as
the University of New England, and she continues to
well as in others – including Ossia, Sounds Australian, Piano
conduct workshops for music teachers, conservatoriums
Rendezvous, and the Newsletter of the British Music Society.
and examination organisations both nationally and
She is also the co-author of the book One Hundred Years: Music Teachers’ Association of New South Wales 1912 – 2012.
□ This year, for her “service to performing arts as a music teacher, examiner and composer”, she was honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
She is the author of the new Handbook of analyses to accompany the No. 17 Piano Grade Series published by the AMEB. She has been a Fellow of the Australian Society of Musicology and Composition since 2002. A long-standing examiner with the Australian Music Examinations Board, Dr Crews was presented with the Board’s Examiner Award in 2013 for 25 years’ service as a Written Examiner. For her services to music education she received the
internationally. She has fostered and mentored hundreds
accolade of International Woman of the Year 1992-93 from
of music teachers over the years, helping them to raise
the UK’s Cambridge Biographical Centre. Her biography
the level of professionalism in studio music teaching
appears in several international biographical dictionaries,
throughout Australia.
and in 2008 was included in the first edition of Who’s Who
A distinguished musicologist, Dr Crews is the author of
in NSW.
several articles in The Oxford Companion to Australian Music,
This year, for her “service to performing arts as a music
and musicology courses published by the University of
teacher, examiner and composer”, she was honoured with
New England. Research for her Honours and doctoral
a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Queen’s
degrees at UNE made a vital contribution to the analysis
Birthday Honours List.
and cataloguing of Australian piano music, and she has written texts programme notes accompanying recordings and scores of music by composers such as Miriam Hyde
The University of New England is proud to recognise Dr Crews as one of its Distinguished Alumni.
and Roy Agnew as well as texts set to music by several Australian composers. And, as a composer herself, she has written and published piano pieces for children – some of which are included in the Australian Music Examinations Board syllabus. UNE Office of Advancement
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UNE Office of Advancement
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS
Gina Milgate
Gina Milgate is an Aboriginal woman from the Kamilaroi
evaluated training in the delivery of health services to
and Wiradjuri peoples of NSW. As the Research Fellow
Indigenous people in Central Australia. She also reviewed
Indigenous Education at the Australian Council for
the Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage Report, which
Educational Research (ACER), she undertakes research and
involved conducting extensive and sensitive consultations
provides an important Indigenous perspective that informs
with governments, Indigenous organisations and research
the organisation’s research, policies and employment
bodies.
strategies. She has assisted ACER to develop a framework for Indigenous research, a Reconciliation Action Plan, and
As a consultant for MindMatters, the leading national
an Indigenous employment strategy.
mental health initiative for school students, Gina has
Gina holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and two
communities focusing on social and emotional wellbeing
graduate qualifications from the University of New
for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families
England, where she worked as a lecturer in marketing
and communities.
developed and delivered programs for schools and
and management for six years before joining ACER as an Indigenous Education Research Fellow. Her research has informed Indigenous education policy and practice, and she has published professional learning booklets for school leaders about creating culturally inclusive learning environments to enhance outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. She is often invited to present her research and facilitate workshops on issues such as community and parental engagement,
□ Gina’s outstanding personal qualities have enabled her to successfully engage with her colleagues and in developing their understanding of Indigenous issues.
leadership, transitions and pathways, curriculum, social and emotional wellbeing, reconciliation, and educational
While at UNE, Gina lived in Duval College, where she
environments, and in May this year she facilitated a
immersed herself in college activities, was elected to
workshop at the World Indigenous People’s Conference
several student committees, and won a number of
on Education in Honolulu. In September she delivered a
sporting awards. In her fourth year of residency she was
keynote presentation focusing on transitions and pathways
appointed one of the College’s eight Resident Fellows. She
for Aboriginal and Torres Islander learners at the inaugural
has maintained her contact with UNE, providing advice to
Bangamalanha conference in Dubbo.
UNE’s Enactus team as a member of its Business Advisory
Gina wrote a community engagement discussion paper for Aboriginal Affairs NSW that highlighted several
Boards. Earlier this year she gave an inspirational talk as guest speaker at a formal dinner in Duval College.
strategies for effectively engaging Aboriginal communities
Gina’s outstanding personal qualities have enabled her to
throughout the State, and more recently she co-authored a
successfully engage with her colleagues and have helped in
research paper on “Balancing Indigenous perspectives in the
developing their understanding of Indigenous issues. She
curriculum”. She is co-editor of the book Two Way Teaching
has given significant service to the Indigenous communities
and Learning: Toward culturally reflective and relevant education,
of Australia, and is a worthy recipient of a UNE Alumni
which is being used in universities to inform teaching
Achievement Award.
practice. She has been a Senior Policy Officer and Manager with the Aboriginal Early Years Service Branch of the Victorian Government’s Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, and has led a major project that
UNE Office of Advancement
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YOUNG DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
Emma Hegarty
Earlier this year Emma Hegarty was included in the inaugural list of “100 Women in Australian Agribusiness” in a national program that celebrates and promotes the success of women in agribusiness. That recognition reflected her many achievements in supporting Australia’s beef producers. As a beef extension officer in north-west Queensland, working for the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Emma is part of the FutureBeef team that helps producers improve their sustainability, resilience and profitability. One of the major projects she is involved in is the SavannaPlan, a beef business management program developed to build the prosperity and sustainability of the beef industry and improve the ecosystem health of grazing land in the savannas. This program involves negotiating with family and management teams, and Emma has built exceptional rapport with the producers involved. North-west Queensland has been severely impacted by continuing drought conditions, and Emma’s role in helping
She also coaches the Australian National Meat Judging
producers deal with the problems they face under those
Team, which she takes to the United States each January
conditions has been widely recognised. Her exceptional
for an industry study tour. Many UNE students have
ability to raise external funding has enabled the delivery
benefited from her industry knowledge when preparing
of grazing management, herd productivity and business
for this competition. She is also involved in CSIRO’s Science
management services to beef producers.
in Schools program, and in hosting final-year university
Emma, who grew up on a merino property west of Longreach, graduated from the University of New England
Having lived with Type 1 diabetes for most of her life, Emma
with a Bachelor of Livestock Science degree in 2009 and
has set herself the goal of competing in the Julia Creek
a Graduate Certificate in Rural Science in 2011. Before
Dirt ‘n’ Dust triathlon early next year, and raising at least
joining the Commonwealth Department, she worked in
$8,000 to support the work of Diabetes Queensland. She
animal nutrition consulting services and meat processing
and her team are already well on track, having raised over
facilities. This experience, combined with her rural
$4,000 so far.
background and tertiary training, makes her one of the Department’s leading beef supply chain specialists. Emma is passionate about educating young people and encouraging them to participate in the meat and livestock industries. She is heavily involved as a volunteer in the Australian Intercollegiate Meat Judging Association, which educates university and agricultural college students about meat science and career options in the industry.
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students to expose them to all facets of the beef industry.
UNE Office of Advancement
Her outstanding professional achievements and dedication to community involvement make Emma a worthy recipient of a Young Distinguished Alumni Award.
UNE GRASS
GRASS
Growing Regional and Agricultural Students in Science
UNE’s Growing Regional & Agricultural Students in Science (UNE GRASS) program leads the development and delivery of education programs that inspire students towards science careers, and helps create high-calibre science graduates who are business-ready for Australia's primary industries. The repertoire of activities and opportunities for science school teachers and students run by the UNE GRASS program include the Science Investigation Awards, the Industry Placement Scholarship and the Teacher Professional Development event.
□ The program leads the development and delivery of education programs that inspire students towards science careers Science Investigation Awards
Megan Tyers (NEGS) and Mary Koch (Calrossy) completing a lab prac at the UNE GRASS Teacher PD event
After completing science investigation projects in school, students who register projects, prepare display boards to
way to see what these industries have to offer graduates.
describe their project and attend the Science Investigation
The Industry Placement usually takes place in January.
Awards event at UNE to present (one on one) their projects to scientists who judge the projects to select the award-winning projects. As the event is sponsored, those students and in some cases, schools, with award winning projects are offered cash prizes in the awards ceremony at the conclusion of the event.
Teacher Professional Development Internationally recognised scientists and educational experts contribute to this two day intensive professional development opportunity for practising teachers. It’s an opportunity to learn about the smart science and research
Industry Placement Scholarship
developments supporting local primary industries.
The UNE GRASS Industry Placement Scholarship
syllabus and present the smart rural and environmental
showcases to tertiary bound Years 11 and 12 students
science offering global solutions. Supporting resource
the broad range of exciting science based careers
material is provided to assist with classroom teaching.
supporting the primary industries. Full Industry Placement Scholarships are available. An industry student camp is followed by a 5 day Industry Placement to those who
Sessions support content from the secondary science
For more detail about these and other exciting initiatives that make up the GRASS program, please contact:
receive the scholarship. This could be a placement with an industry or research scientist, an experience which allows
Susanna Greig, Science Education Officer
students to gain first-hand experience into the area of work
Phone: +61 2 6773 2809 or +61 457 562 680
of their hosting scientist. Participating in the real world
e:susanna.greig@une.edu.au
of research science in the primary industries is a hands-on
www.une.edu.au/grass • facebook.com/unegrass
UNE Office of Advancement
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www.une.edu.au/came-to-new-england
New England: A Place of Influence
BOOK LAUNCH
Professor John Ryan, Vice-Chancellor
revelations, “on considered career changes of
Annabelle Duncan and Dr Suzanne
direction, and on the individual’s getting of
Robertson were among guests at the recent
personal wisdom”. The co-editor was Warren
book launch of 'Came to New England,' at
Newman, an educator and historian of note,
Booloominbah.
who died before seeing this project finalised.
The book was conceived as a project to celebrate 75 years of the institution, from its
chapter in the book.
beginnings as a College of Sydney University
The book can be purchased for $35 at: www.
(New England University College) in 1938, to
une.edu.au/came-to-new-england
its autonomy in 1954 and to the present. It is intended to add to the rich history covered by Matthew Jordan’s 'A Spirit of True Learning' which was published in 2004. It contains a series of reflective pieces about coming to New England, and covers the University and Teacher’s College and generally the influence on people’s lives of spending some time in this part of the world. In his forward, Professor John Ryan explains that the emphasis of the book is on personal
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The late Eilis Magner also contributed to a
UNE Office of Advancement
NEW ENGLAND: A PLACE OF INFLUENCE
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Annabelle Duncan, discussing the book with editor, Professor John Ryan and book contributor, Dr Suzanne Roberston
Book contributors Frances Letters and Geoff Fox
UNE Office of Advancement
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UNE Office of Advancement
ALL ABOUT LOLA
A musical memoir her teaching career, has been considerable. It was there
AFTER GRADUATING FROM ARMIDALE TEACHERS’ COLLEGE LOLA WRIGHT WENT ON TO LEAD A REMARKABLE LIFE. HER LIFE STORY, AS RELATED BY LOLA HERSELF, HAS BEEN ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY ONE OF UNE’S CURRENT DIPLOMA OF EDUCATION STUDENTS, CHRISTINA MIMMOCCHI.
that she raised a family, fought for equal pay for women, supported miners’ rights, learnt songs from wharfies, and played music in local pubs. In 1958 Lola founded the South Coast Bush Band. “Our band was formed not to make money but to spread Australian folk songs,” she says. “At the time we were being inundated with Yankee folk songs, and ours – which are equally as good – were being ignored. We played at trade-union functions, to raise funds for schools and lifesavers, at miners’ functions to raise strike funds – and in 1959 we played in Petersham Town Hall to celebrate Dame Mary Gilmore’s 90th birthday. We played at the Diggers Rest Homes, at May Day celebrations . . . . You name it, we were there.” The National Library of Australia has recorded interviews
Lola, now aged 88, was born in Childers, Queensland. Her father worked for the railways cutting sleepers, and the family lived in a tent that contained little more than a double bed, a gramophone and a sewing machine. Bush dances and campfire sing-songs were an important part of this environment, and Lola developed a passion for music that continues to this day. She won a bursary to study at the Catholic school in Grafton, and then went on to Armidale Teachers’ College. In one scene of the stage production she’s shown – during a College assembly – receiving the news of her father’s release from a POW camp on the island of Ambon. Through her dedication and creativity as a teacher, as well as her passion for social justice and love of Australian folk music, Lola’s impact on the social history of the Illawarra region, where she lived and worked throughout
with Lola for its folklore and social history archives. Christina Mimmocchi, a Sydney-based musician, has used those recordings in preparing the stage version of Lola’s life, titled Lola’s Keg Night. “All the words used in the play are words that Lola herself has used either in the interviews or in her autobiography,” Ms Mimmocchi said. Work-in-progress readings of the script, together with songs and music, have already been presented at the Illawarra Performing Arts centre in Wollongong, and at the Illawarra Folk Festival in Bulli and the National Folk festival in Canberra. At the Bulli performance Lola surprised everyone when she spontaneously climbed onto the stage to take the lagerphone in the show’s sing-along finale. Ms Mimmocchi said that, after the premiere season of the full production in October, they’re hoping to take the show to Sydney, and then on tour as far south-west as Morundah in the Riverina, the small town where Lola now lives.
Alumni Discounts Vision Direct was established in 2006 by 3 Australian entrepreneurs committed to a vision of bringing an improved online experience to Australian shoppers, Vision Direct has now grown to become one of Australia's largest online eye-wear stores stocking over 80,000 products and 180 different designer brands. UNE alumni receive 10% off the cost of sunglasses and glasses (contact lenses excluded) when ordering online. International shipping is available on all products. The discount code is available at alumni.une.edu.au for registered members by selecting “Member Benefits”. Through the company's Buy One, Give One Program, over 1 million dollars worth of prescription eye-wear has been donated globally and this is set to increase to 2 million dollarsofsoon. UNE Office Advancement
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Photo Š Gleb Raygorodetsky
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UNE Office of Advancement
INTELLECTUAL BRIDGES
Indigenous rituals lead to skin infection treatment A group of scientists from the University of New
contribution of the elders from the Kamilaroi
England have discovered a link between traditional
Nation.
indigenous smoking rituals and the treatment of a variety of skin infections.
“We are building intellectual bridges between
Associate Professor Graham Jones said they have
The knowledge the indigenous people have is
simulated traditional smoking ceremonies in the
impressive; they knew this a long time before we
laboratory using a plant called the ‘Emu Bush’ in
did. We have just demonstrated what they have
order to identify components in the smoke.
been doing for years.”
He said heating the plant produces compounds
He said the indigenous communities are interested
that are highly active against bacteria and can be
in developing business opportunities using these
used to treat skin fungal problems.
traditional medicinal plants.
modern science and traditional medicine.
“There is a key ingredient in the Emu Bush that is only activated when the leaves are heated. We have characterised the compound and found that it kills microorganisms very efficiently and we are now using it to develop antifungal creams and ointments.” Recently completed UNE PhD student Nicholas Sadgrove who did the isolation work said this has the potential to be used in anti-fungal creams to treat acne, staph infections, boils and athlete’s foot.
We are building intellectual bridges between modern science and traditional medicine."
“The indigenous people used these smoking ceremonies after child birth and circumcision when the antibacterial effects were very useful. It also helped bring on breast milk and stop bleeding after childbirth.” A/Prof. Jones acknowledged the intellectual
UNE Office of Advancement
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SMART FARM
Smart Work The Japanese Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications and a delegation of high-ranking trade officials visited the University of New England’s Armidale Campus and the Kirby SMART Farm facility earlier this year. Head of the Kirby SMART Farm project, Professor David Lamb said that the Japanese delegation, headed by the Minister, Mr Shindo Yoshitaka, was keen to see the technology being used at the Kirby Farm, including precision farming, soil moisture mapping, electronic tracking of livestock, internal telecommunications networks, the use of satellite monitoring systems and the National
Professor Lamb said Mr Shindo’s visit paves
Broadband Network.
the way for more cooperation between Japan
Minister Shindo expressed interest in learning about how information and communications
agricultural organisations in Japan.
technology (ICT) is being used at the
The delegation toured some of the facilities at
SMART Farm because Japan is promoting
the working farm and saw a demonstration of
the utilisation of ICT for resolving social
cattle and sheep handling.
issues, economic growth and productivity improvement such as in the agricultural sector.
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and UNE, especially with leading research and
UNE Office of Advancement
More information on the SMART farm: www.une.edu.au/smartfarm
Minister Yoshitaka from Japan and Professor David Lamb on a visit to UNE’s SMART farm
UNE Office of Advancement
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2014 Sports Awards Laurie Daley, Karl Schmude, John Harris
Emily Hart and Alice Gemmel-Smith
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UNE Office of Advancement
Adrian Gray, Emma Gray , Murray Scown UNE Office of Advancement
2014 Sports Awards
Oliver White, Zac Economou, Harry Pendlebury
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MY STORY
my
STORY Isaac Kojo Arah
Isaac Kojo Arah, from Ghana
to the city centre to activate my
expression meaning “he passes by all”
West Africa, is currently studying
bank account. I saw deserted streets
(jobs) – Jack of all trades.
Masters of Science in Agriculture
with virtually no activities. When I
with a special interest in post
asked where all the people were, I
harvest technology. He teaches
learned they were in their offices.
in the post harvest engineering
Even though I love to be in a country
section of a Polytechnic in Ghana
community because I am a country
and so this study is very relevant
boy, I realised life in Armidale would
to his work. Recently, he spoke on
not be easy at all.
They have helped me with such
Starting academic work wasn’t
proofreading and writing skills, and
special leaving ceremony at UNE.
challenging until I attended my first
with their friendship. I wouldn’t have
EndNote lessons at the Dixon Library
met all these wonderful people if I
It was a dream come true to find
where I had to test my computer
had stayed in my room or the library
out I was going to come to Australia
skills. I thought I was a computer
all day. I met them when I ventured
to further my education as every
literate when I left Ghana, but, before
out. Life as a student should go
student from a developing country
I could log on to my account, the
beyond just books and that is the
like Ghana wants to taste student life
class was half way gone. I quietly
reason why we have extracurricular
in another country like Australia. But
sat there because I was ashamed to
activities in our schools.
I had mixed feelings: happy because
admit that I had just finished logging
I would be travelling abroad for the
in. But then I realised almost all my
first time in my life but worried when
assignments and most part of my
I knew I wasn’t going for sightseeing
study would require me to use the
but to study. I wasn’t sure if I would
computer and internet and I started
be able to fit in.
questioning, “Can I fit in here? Can I
behalf of international students about to finish their studies, at a
meet very wonderful Australian families who have added a lot of colour in my life here in Armidale and I will miss them when I am gone. things as a bike and now a car, with
To pass the time in Armidale, I decided to be active as work and studies were not enough, so I joined the Wright Village men’s soccer team and it was a wonderful experience.
make any impact even if I fit in?”
It is fun playing with people who
straight away saw that some things
I quickly learnt that the sooner I
yet trying to keep up your fitness
would be different. I missed my flight
adapted to my new environment
level with those young enough to be
in Sydney so I decided to buy a 375
the better for me and this I did
your kids. I still play soccer and enjoy
mL bottle of Fanta and I was told
with perfection. I was very bold to
playing despite my age and tight
$3.50. I quickly took out my phone
jump onto the streets of Armidale
schedules.
and converted that into Ghana Cedis
in search of a part time job to
and I realised that twice that amount
supplement my income even though
was enough to buy a crate of Fanta
I had a sustainable income from
back at home. I reluctantly paid for
my sponsor-any additional income
the drink but didn’t even have the
would be useful. I did all sorts of jobs
appetite to drink because of the
ranging from gardening, painting,
price. Eventually I did as I was dying
cleaning, pushing of trolleys and the
of hunger because I couldn’t manage
like which gave me some additional
the food served on the flight.
income until finally I ended up at
I got to Australia in January 2013 and
I knew UNE was located in a country community but I didn’t know how quiet Armidale was until I was taken
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Through these jobs I was able to
UNE Office of Advancement
Booloominbah as wait staff, even though I knew nothing about this job. No wonder my landlady gave me the title “il passe par tous”, a French
are old enough to be your parents
There were also nights when I have joined friends for BBQ parties and ended up in the pub-I love dancing to music and having a few drinks. For a moment you forget all the assignments and the incoming exams and you just enjoy yourself. Some of you may be wondering what happened to my studies as I kept on jumping from job to job, playing soccer and clubbing. As much as I
MY STORY
Friends Van Touch from Cambodia and Isaac Arah from Ghana
was working hard on these activities,
were not what I was looking for to
carried on with me and helped me
I worked even harder in my studies.
be an exceptional student, what I
unknowingly. I will miss them very
I was lucky to be in flat of six (6)
had achieved was more than good
much when we go our separate ways.
were four (4) of us where studying
and graduating with a distinction at
the same program. We worked very
the master’s level is an achievement
hard as a group always reminding
which comes with hard work. I
ourselves it was getting time to
couldn’t have done this on my own
submit our assignments and I am
and thank my former flat mates
proud I never asked for any extension
and other course mates who helped
because I was doing casual jobs.
me when the going got tough. I
I only realised the success of my hard work when my college recognised me in the top 20% of all residents in Wright Village for my academic results. Even though my grades
can still remember when I returned from pushing trolleys very tired yet had to submit an assignment. My
Without this place, most of us would have never found each other. I would have never met all these amazing people I have mentioned. They've become my mentors, confidantes, loved ones - and most importantly my new family. Thank you UNE for being more than just a place to study but a home.
involvement in group discussions on those days can be described as virtually nil yet my flat mates
UNE Office of Advancement
25
Cover story
ADDING VALUE THROUGH
creative practice The School of Arts will be showcasing its creative side at the FutureCampus, Parramatta, on 11-12 December this year. Including talks, demonstrations and workshops from staff in Theatre Studies, Music and Writing, the School will display the great work done by staff in creative practice, research into creative practice, and the School’s links to the creative arts and industries.
Dr Eve Klein, Convenor of Music, opera singer, composer and music technology expert. Photo: Ravi Glasser-Vora
The event – spread across two days – will start with an evening social function on Thursday, 11 December for invited guests including UNE alumni and professionals
Creativity takes courage Henri Matisse
from creative industries, where staff will talk about the School’s engagement with creative practice. It will also be an opportunity to meet one of our Distinguished Alumni Award recipients, Rita Crew OAM, who has an extensive background in music performance and teaching. The next day’s activities will include talks, demonstrations and workshops. This will be an exciting event that demonstrates UNE’s commitment to the creative arts generally, and highlights some of the outstanding research and practice that is being done within the School of Arts. If you are working in creative industries in Sydney, and would like to be involved or find out more, please contact Associate Professor Alan Davison: artshos@une.edu.au
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UNE Office of Advancement
SHARON HODGETTS
Edge Management is run by a volunteer executive,
AT THE CUTTING EDGE
two of whom were able to take advantage of time off farm to finish a degree at UNE. Charlie Coventry graduated with a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics and Graduate Diploma in Financial Managements and Will Burnheim with a Bachelor
Farming can be an isolating experience so where
of Agribusiness. They both lived the college
do you turn when you want to discuss new ideas
experience at Robb College, though decades apart,
and plans with people who have a similar mind set?
and have seen the benefits of integrating their
Edge Management has been facilitating this type
University knowledge and life experience in the
of entrepreneurial and innovative thinking for over
practical running of farm enterprises.
20 years. Small groups of farmers meet regularly throughout the year in a supportive environment
Charlie describes the value of Edge Management
to talk ideas through and take advantage of lateral
as helping to identify “light bulb” moments that
thinking to assist with farm and personal issues.
can make a difference to farm planning for years to come. When thinking through a possible
Farmers often stay with the group for up to
association with Ermenegildo Zegna, for example,
6 years and can get assistance with any farm
he was able to use the Edge Management
challenge from succession planning to new
structure as a sounding board. One part of this was undertaking an intense goal-setting exercise
Charlie describes the value of Edge Management as helping to identify “light bulb” moments that can make a difference...
which accelerated the final decision to sell a majority share of his New England sheep property to Ermenegildo Zegna, while maintaining a substantial interest in the business. More about this partnership: www.stockjournal.com.au/ news/agriculture/sheep/wool/zegna-buys-intoaus-wool-dynasty/2704589.aspx
business opportunities to personal development. Professional development is also a priority with
To find out more about how Edge Management
guest speakers and facilitated sessions being part
might assist you, please call +61 428 406 561 or visit
of the overall benefit of membership.
the website: www.edge-management.com
UNE Office of Advancement
27
WHAT MAKES ME TICK?
Jo Newton, Kim Usher, Alex Robson
For the last two years, the Armidale Alumni Association has organised a series of gatherings where speakers address the question of “What Makes Me Tick?” At a recent meeting, Professor Kim Usher, Head of the School of Health, gave some background as to why she now has a broad range of research interests, focusing mainly on mental health issues. Jo Newton, PhD candidate, spoke about the influence that the student group Enactus has had on her interpersonal skills and confidence, and Alex Robson delighted with his presentation on why the dramatic arts are important.
To find out more about these speakers and their interests: Kim Usher: www.une.edu.au/staff-profiles/kusher Jo Newton: www.facebook.com/uneenactus Alex Robson: www.felttiptheatrecompany.com
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UNE Office of Advancement
SCHOLARSHIPS
ADELAIDE
If you are in Adelaide and want to know more about the
Elections resulted in the following appointments:
history of the CBD area, Yella Umbrella Walking Tours will
President, Wendy DiMonte; Vice-President, Caroline
take you on an informative historical tour. Members of the SACUNE Alumni Association undertook the tour after this year’s AGM. The tour proper started across the road from the library, just below street level where they viewed an installation describing the story, history and art of the Kaurna people, the original inhabitants of the Adelaide Plains. Along North Terrace, they learnt many interesting facts about Old
Adams; Secretary, Janet Skewes; Treasurer, Bruce Dommenz Ed; Membership Officer, Caroline Adams; and Committee Members Alan Martin, McAlister, Louise Townsin (Social Media manager),Marianne Young, Chris Harbinger, Bert Stock. Next SACUNE event: Friday, 10 October: Tour of Jurlique Farm, Hahndorf
Parliament House, Parliament House, Government House
For more information on SACUNE, please contact the
and the State Library, and gained a greater understanding
president: wdimonte@stpeters.sa.edu.au
of the Mortlock Room. They also visited the original Police Barracks tucked in behind the SA Museum and were entertained with further interesting facts and anecdotes along the way about the original colony of South Australia as they headed for Victoria Square.
UNE Office of Advancement
29
EVENT CALENDAR
What's on For more details about these and other events, please visit: www.une.edu.au/connect/events or www.alumni.une.edu.au/events
Date
Event
Location
Contact
8 November 2014
Australian Alumni Awards and UNE alumni networking
Ho Chi Minh City
email: alumni@une.edu.au
9 November 2014
Alumni Cocktail function
Ha Noi
Email: alumni@une.edu.au
11 November 2014
Alumni Cocktail function
Melbourne Town Hall
email: alumni@une.edu.au
27 November 2014
Alumni Dinner
Canberra
email: alumni@une.edu.au
4 December 2014
MAAC 5th Annual Australian Alumni Gala Dinner
JW Marriott Hotel
11-12 December 2014
Creative Industries
FutureCampus Parramatta
Ph: +61 2 6773 3365
Ph: +61 2 67733365
Ph: +61 2 6773 3365
Ph: +61 2 6773 3365
Kuala Lumpur
Instructions on how to purchase tickets: www.emaac.org/global_files/pdf/MAAC_ Gala_Dinner_Flyer_2014.pdf email: artshos@une.edu.au
UNE PhD gown in very good condition. Please contact Phillip Tow. e: pandmtow@internode.on.net
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UNE Office of Advancement
UNE RESEARCH PRIORITIES
FROM THE
archives Top: New England Music Ensemble Below left: Fancy Dress, Booloominbah Below right: Dixson Library Bottom: Matriculation 1939
Office of Advancement Ground Floor TC Lamble Building University of New England Armidale NSW 2351 P: 02 6773 2870 alumni.une.edu.au Publication Information Published by the University of New England ABN 75 792 454 315 Published October 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