www.uq.edu.au/news

0RIENTATION WEEK 050RIENTATION WEEK 05

UQ NEWSUQ NEWS

Top post for DVC 5 Tsunami terror 8

FEBRUARY 2005 NO. 541

LEAPING INTO UQ

2 UQ NEWS, september 2004

St Lucia Ipswich Gatton

Whether you want to boost your qualifi cations or make a career

change, the innovative and career-tailored postgraduate coursework

programs at UQ will help you truly succeed.

Find out how at www.uq.edu.au/study

What triggers the passion to truly succeed?

3UQ NEWS, february 2005

December 2004 graduations

Margaret Gardner on the move

Orientation 2005

A look at hotheaded fi sh

The Asian tsunami and the UQ community

Siemens Science Experience 2005

Science students learn communication skills

UQ hosts Big Brother auditions

Increasing profi ts for beef farmers

In Print: Telepediatrics

UQ Ipswich’s health promotion program

Around campus

Painting a history of the tattoo

MESSAGE FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR

A new year always brings fresh opportunities and inevitable change, and so it is with 2005.

This will be a year of considerable challenge for UQ as we implement the higher education changes initiated by the Nelson reforms.

One of the most signifi cant outcomes is that the Commonwealth Government decided against the Universities’ preferred funding option of increased federal funding per student. Instead, individual universities may raise HECS fees by up to 25 per cent, with the exception of programs in education and nursing.

The issue of how to best index university grants into the future remains on the agenda.

The Nelson reforms also include extra Commonwealth-provided places, particularly at the Ipswich and Gatton campuses, which mean there are even more opportunities to study at UQ in 2005.

For Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Margaret Gardner, 2005 offers new prospects as the Vice-Chancellor at RMIT in Melbourne.

Professor Gardner has my warmest congratulations on her appointment and my thanks for the outstanding contribution she has made in her four years with UQ.

She is passionate about quality teaching and learning in universities.

Of course, the year has started on a tragic note, with the terrible loss of life, livelihoods and communities in the tsunamis that struck on Boxing Day.

On behalf of the UQ community, I offer condolences to students, staff, alumni and their families and all those who have been affected by this terrible event.

Since the disaster struck, individual UQ staff, students and graduates have selfl essly offered their assistance to those affected. You can read some of their stories in these pages.

February 15, 2005 Issue 541

Cover photo : UQ student ambassadors Gerard Hinchliffe and Anushka Bandaranaike

UQ NEWS is produced by the Offi ce of Marketing and Communications, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia Telephone: (07) 3365 3367 Facsimile: (07) 3365 1488 Editor: Brad Turner (07) 3365 2659, b.turner@uq.edu.au Editorial: Chris Saxby (07) 3365 2479, c.saxby@uq.edu.au; Miguel Holland (07) 3365 2619, m.holland@uq.edu.au Art: Wendy Oakley Photography: Chris Stacey (07) 3365 1735, c.stacey@uq.edu.au; Diana Lilley (photo librarian) (07) 3365 2753, d.lilley@uq.edu.au Printing: Scanlon Printing, Virginia Circulation: 14,000 Advertising: Tina Hannan (07) 5460 1739Registered by Australia Post Publication No. QBH 0104The University of Queensland’s Web address is www.uq.edu.au

UQ newsStudent Centre refurbishment

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Professor John Hay, AC

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From the welcome roundabout to the heart of the St Lucia campus – the University is being spruced up above and below the ground.

Building projects worth about $5 million will be fi nished in the coming months.

Some of these include: an upgrade of one of the campus’s busy roads, Mansf ield Place; improving the University’s entrance roundabout; building a new glasshouse; a boating and diving base; Student Centre; and extension to the rowing boathouse.

Mansfi eld Place has been resealed as part of a $2 million redevelopment, which includes landscaping, new paving and lighting, improved pedestrian and bike access and new bike racks and seats.

UQ site planner Ross Meakin said underground water, communication and power supplies had also been upgraded.

He said about $40,000 would be spent to “tidy up” the entrance

The University is upgrading and expanding its Student Centre at

St Lucia to bring it in line with current student needs.

The Centre is being refi tted and extended into the old Traffic and Parking Offi ce across the ground fl oor of the JD Story building.

The fi rst stage was open in time to welcome students during Orientation.

New student lounges, eight service counters, 14 self-serve counters,

cashiering facilities and three meeting rooms will be built in the 660-square-metre Centre.

Student Centre Manager Kate Heffernan said the Centre was being rebuilt to be a one-stop-shop to improve student services.

Ms Heffernan said it would house UQ’s Higher Education Contribution Scheme and FEE-HELP offi ce and take over student cashiering as the existing cash offi ce is demolished and rebuilt.

Australia Post, also on the same level, will stay.

She said integrating the cashiers into the Student Centre was more convenient than having students walk between each offi ce.

“Previously, if students had wanted an academic transcript they

The St Lucia Student

Centre is undergoing a

facelift and by April will

be a one-stop-shop for

all student services.

roundabout at the intersection of Sir Fred Schonell Drive and Coleridge and Munro Streets.

Three new signage poles and lights have been installed and the site has been landscaped with new walkways and a safer pedestrian crossing across Coleridge Street.

Equipment has been installed to allow for the future use of an electronic LCD display unit.

The new $800,000 glasshouse, near the multi-level parking at St Lucia, is UQ’s biggest and most specialised glasshouse.

State-of-the-art air conditioning allows exact temperature control.

About 50 metres away from the glasshouse, the Centre for Marine Studies is starting to move its fl eet of research boats under one roof at its new $500,000 boating and diving base.

And UQ Sport’s rowing base – the Eric Freeman Boathouse – has also had a $500,000 refi t and extension.

A fourth storage bay was built, extending safe storage capacity from about 120 to 200 boats.

Our changing face

would have had to walk out to the cashier, pay for that, then come back to the Student Centre,” Ms Heffernan said.

Centre staff have traditionally provided a face-to-face service for requests for information about course offerings, admissions, enrolments, fees, study options, examinations, scholarships and loans, but provisions are also being made for a student enquiries call centre.

Project Manager Sherron Irwin said the open-plan Centre was des-igned to be vibrant, stimulating, casual, family-friendly and to glow from within thanks to modern lighting.

“We told the interior designers Cottee Parker to make it glow so it would be people’s fi rst port of call

at the University and they could see that something exciting was here,” Ms Irwin said.

She said the dated décor and fl uorescent lights would be replaced with an orange and lime colour scheme, vinyl artwork, bright lights and a glass wall featuring a sepia plan of UQ from the 1930s.

Work started in November 2004 and was followed by stage two, which began on February 14.

It is expected to be fi nished by April 1.

UQ Traffic has now moved to Building 76A, next to the Warehouse Complex.

Cash payments in the new Centre will be limited to $50, with EFTPOS, cheque and credit cards accepted for larger amounts.

The end of a great storyJanine Schmidt marked her fi nal month as University Librarian with a farewell dinner at Customs House on January 28.

The celebration of Mrs Schmidt’s 11 years of dedicated service was attended by Chancellor Sir Llew Edwards, AC, and Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay, AC.

Hundreds of staff also showed their appreciation at a farewell morning tea the previous day.

Mrs Schmidt has now taken up the position as Trenholme Director of Libraries at McGill University, Montreal, Canada.

She has had a distinguished career at UQ, the State Library of New South Wales, and as a senior lecturer in information studies.

Ms Heffernan oversees the refurbishment

From left: Sir Llew, Professor Hay and Mrs Schmidt

Student Centre gets a makeoverStudent Centre gets a makeover

4 UQ NEWS, FEBRuary 2005

UQ soon will bid farewell to Professor Margaret Gardner, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), who is set to become Vice-Chancellor at RMIT in Melbourne.

All part of the learning curve

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Higher education

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enhances society

as a whole

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay, AC, has warmly congratulated Professor Gardner on her appointment. He said she had played an invaluable role in the University’s Senior Executive team.

“Among her many achievements, Margaret provided outstanding leadership in the develop-ment of a new teaching and learning enhancement plan for UQ, which is making a real difference in students’ lives,” he said.

“Margaret also showed exceptional skill in manag-ing the Australian University Quality Agency audit process that affi rmed UQ’s embedded culture of quality.

“She has shown a great passion and concern for Australian higher education and will be greatly missed at UQ.

“We wish her everything of the best in her exciting appointment as Vice-Chancellor of RMIT.”

FAREWELL FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR

by Lorann Downer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Professor Gardner

M argaret Gardner’s is a passionate life.

Her dedication to constantly enhancing the quality of teaching and learning at universities is evident in her conversation as well as her significant achievements as Deputy Vice-Chancel lor (Academic) at UQ since 2000.

Her commitment to education in all its forms and love of culture have seen her take on positions as diverse as Trustee on the Brisbane Grammar School Board and a Director of the Queensland Festival of Music.

And her enthusiasm for a new challenge is clear in her career achievements to date and her decision to take up the position of Vice-Chancellor at RMIT in Melbourne, from April this year.

“I think higher education is one of the most exciting and creative institutions you can be engaged in,” Professor Gardner said.

“First, there are people who are passionately committed to new ideas or inquiries across a spectacular spectrum and that makes it an exciting environment to work in.

“Second, these ideas are com-municated, discussed and developed with students and this is when they often have the greatest impact.

“Higher education contributes to the inner life, betters the everyday life and enhances society as a whole.”

During her time at UQ, Professor Gardner has had a particular focus on teaching and learning.

“Fundamentally, teaching and learning are about two things - being able to harness new ways of approaching learning and being able to ensure innovation to keep teaching engaged with the new,” she said.

Professor Gardner has always had the teacher and the student in mind as she introduced or reshaped policies and systems.

One of her key achievements at UQ has been the development of

a new teaching and learning plan that includes a focus on fl exible learning and enhancing the experience of fi rst-year students.

“We wanted to develop a culture that helped teachers to think about ways of improving the student experience, and provided the space and the support for them to do so,” she said.

“The outcomes include new ways of looking at teaching and interacting with students, renewed curriculum and better feedback for students.”

A number of tools were developed to achieve the aims including the fi rst-year student experience project.

“This project assists faculties to f ind ways to make teaching more exciting, draw on more fi eld or research experience, and make teaching a less lonely experience by bringing students into bigger groups,” she said.

“I think we will start to see the impact of this project this year.”

UQ also adopted a new University-wide e-learning system, giving teachers more fl exibility and permitting greater innovation in teaching, and is developing an online course profi le project.

Professor Gardner also initiated the annual Teaching and Learning Week, to complement UQ’s Teaching and Learning Awards that recognise and encourage dedication and achievement in teaching.

In addition, she contributed to major education and training reforms being undertaken by the State Government.

In 2002, she reviewed the links

between senior schooling and further education, training and work and her report helped shape reforms on senior schooling in Queensland.

Outside UQ, Professor Gardner sits on a number of boards ranging across education, industrial relations and local government.

She and husband, Professor Glyn Davis, also ensure there is family time with their two children.

“How do you balance it all? I guess you just keep trying to squeeze it all in,” she laughed.

Life will be no less busy in Mel-bourne, especially as Professor Davis has just taken over as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne.

“What is exciting about RMIT is that it has a long tradition and connection with education,” she said.

“It also offers excellence in design across a range of disciplines including the creative arts, architecture and engineering.

“As well, it is an urban campus and that gives it a city, cutting-edge feel.”

Then there are the attractions of Melbourne itself.

“The book shops, the arts, culture, it is more of a city you can walk around. I’m looking forward to it,” she said.

“But I also love Brisbane, I have been here for a long time and I’m really fond of it.

“We will still keep our connections here and I won’t forget Brisbane or UQ at all.”

5UQ NEWS, FEBRuary 2005

Queensland’s student population is about to explode with the

annual infl ux of school leavers ready to start University.

Around 6500 fi rst-year students from all over the world will converge on the University for Orientation Week 2005 from Monday, February 21 to Friday, February 25.

The event is one of the highlights of UQ’s student calendar and will include the Ignition rock concert on the 25th featuring Spiderbait, as well as sporting activities and free barbecues throughout the week.

But it won’t be all fun and games for these young people as many leave home for the fi rst time to juggle the demands of academia with finding part-time work and somewhere to live.

The University’s Student Centre Manager Kate Heffernan said Orientation was designed to help new students make the transition to University life easier through information sessions, tours and social activities.

She said the key was to be involved and informed.

New arrivals fast-tracked into UQ life

The 2005 Orientation program combines fact fi nding and fun for

the thousands of new students starting their tertiary studies at one

of the three UQ campuses.

orientation

ST LUCIA CAMPUS ORIENTATION 2004 UQ IPSWICH ORIENTATION 2004. PHOTOS: Richard Waugh

6 UQ NEWS, FEBRuary 2005

by Chris Saxby. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

“Orientation is not just about learning where your classrooms are and fi lling in forms, it’s about introducing new students to the vibrant University community,” she said.

“Group meetings will be held throughout the week covering every aspect of University life including ac-commodation, transferring programs, academic preparation and information technology.

“There will also be special sessions for international students and those who are new to Brisbane.”

A new state-of-the-art Student Centre (see page 4) will provide a one-stop-shop for student services, while the invaluable Library/Cybrary tours will be an important part of the Orientation program, with those students who attend receiving a free coffee or ice cream.

The UQ Union’s biggest event of the year, the St Lucia campus Market Day, will take place on Wednesday, February 23.

Students can grab a free showbag and diary and sign up with any of the 140 clubs or societies.

The Ipswich and Gatton campuses will each hold a Market Day on Thursday, February 24.

Fourth-year Arts/Law student Anna Caldwell can still remember her fi rst week at the St Lucia campus.

“Market Day is perhaps the quintessential fi rst-year experience,” she said.

“Not only does the information available on the day stand you in good stead to start UQ life, but the day itself is great entertainment value.”

Ms Caldwell said Orientation was part of the initiation into University life.

“It is an ideal opportunity to discover ways to minimise inevitable academic challenges,” she said.

“It may sound mundane, but getting organised and taking good notes really is the key to survival and success.”

UQ GATTON ORIENTATION 2004. PHOTOS: Lyle Radford

7UQ NEWS, FEBRuary 2005

A free UQ Orientation Guide has been produced with information about all activities, including academic advising sessions and Library/Cybrary services.

Students can fi nd out about Orientation activities by logging on to www.uq.edu.au/orientation.

Dates to note:

> Parents’ Partners’ & Friends’ Welcome: – St Lucia: Wednesday, February 23 – Ipswich and Gatton: Thursday, February 24

> Campus Market & UQ SPORT Expo: – St Lucia: Wednesday, February 23 – Ipswich and Gatton: Thursday, February 24

> Many Voices – One Song tsunami benefi t concert: Thursday, February 24

> Ignition rock concert: Friday, February 25

YOUR GUIDE TO ORIENTATION WEEK 2005

On Boxing Day 2004 a violent earthquake under the sea near northern

Indonesia sent huge waves crashing into coastal areas across south

and east Asia, causing devastation and destruction on an unimaginable

scale. In this special report Chris Saxby and Shirley Glaister examine

the impact of the tsunami on some in our UQ community.

Gallant graduate The sickening smell of rotting debris and decomposing bodies was UQ graduate Dr Paul Shumack’s introduction to Banda Aceh.

What before December 26 had been a thriving Indonesian city, was now little more than a giant sewerage system, clogged up by the destruction left behind by the Asian tsunami as it drained back into the Indian Ocean.

“The smell was the first thing we became aware of and which we lived with for the next 12 days,” Dr Shumack, the leader of one of two Australian Government appointed surgical teams, said.

The teams were the fi rst medical support to arrive in Banda Aceh, one of the worst affected areas.

“The utter destruction, and unbelievable suffering of the Achinese people defi ed description,” he said.

Dr Shumack, an Ipswich GP who graduated from UQ’s MBBS program in 1974, said he had never witnessed suffering on such a scale.

“We took one look, started operating on the invitation of our overwhelmed Indonesian colleagues, and didn’t stop working until we left,” he said.

Dr Shumack said his Aus Bravo

Statement by Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay, AC

On behalf of the UQ community, I offer deepest condolences to the students, staff, alumni and their families – and all those from the many countries affected by the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami on December 26, 2004.

This shocking event caused incalculable suffering to millions of people who have lost loved ones, homes, infrastructure, communities and livelihoods.

UQ has close connections with many of the affected countries, with international students coming from Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, India and the Maldives.

We have made urgent efforts to establish the whereabouts and safety of students and staff who may be in tsunami-hit countries by contacting country ambassadors, alumni associations, private agents, student association representatives and students’ families.

The University has also been offering counselling and other support to students and staff who may have been affected by this tragedy.

The generosity and support shown by the Australian and global communities reminds us of how the world is brought closer together in times of adversity.

Reconstruction and rebuilding will require long-term commitment from many quarters, and UQ is cooperating with the Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee to establish where our expertise can be employed best in the months and years to come.

Our Chaplaincy is coordinating a memorial concert during Orientation in February 2005, and the University will also support student and staff fundraising initiatives.

I again express the University’s greatest sympathy to the many people and countries affected by this terrible natural disaster.

Wave of terror

Team were there to help their Indonesian medical colleagues wherever they were able.

When the team landed on December 29, they unloaded 17 tons of medical and support equipment, by hand and in the dark, from their RAAF 707.

There was no infrastructure and the hospitals were deserted, with staff either dead or too traumatised to work.

At Kasdam hospital the surgeons worked between two operating tables – sharing one light.

The hospital lost its electricity numerous times; the one light would become one torch.

Dr Shumack’s team would start early in the morning and work until late into the evening, when their Indonesian colleagues took over.

“We did 126 major procedures over 10 days – we started operating and did so until the team was physically unable to do any more,” he said.

As each day passed the extent of the physical suffering advanced with common medical problems turning into life-threatening sepsis.

“The infections were beyond belief,” he said.

Amputation became a common sight. It was a last resort but a necessary one.

Dr Shumack said in many cases patients were reluctant to undergo the procedure. They live in a country where prosthetics are not readily available.

Their choice was not an easy one – death or a desperate future.

In what seemed hopeless conditions, where the medical team worked with minimal resources in an area robbed of its people and possessions by the forces of nature, there was one thing that kept them going, optimism.

They were people who had lost everything but the will to live.

Dr Shumack said that like many of the people he had treated in Banda Aceh, he had put emotions aside.

“You don’t even remember what day it is. You don’t feel anything, you just keep going,” he said.

“We became part of an incredibly resilient and likeable family with our neighbours, the Indonesian people.”

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Foreign tourists far out on the sand after the water receded react as the fi rst of six tsunami start to roll towards Hat Rai Lay Beach, near Krabi in southern Thailand. PHOTO: AFP PHOTO

8 UQ NEWS, FEBRuary 2005

Staff surviveGabby Magnus, 2005 BMW Australian Barista of the Year, is a familiar face to many UQ staff and students as co-owner (with husband Josh) of the Mr Beans Coffee carts at the St Lucia and Ipswich campuses. On December 26, Ms Magnus, her husband and their two children were caught up in the tragedy when the tsunami hit the Thai island resort they were staying at.

Ms Magnus said the fi rst inkling she had that something was terribly wrong was when her husband Josh grabbed her and their two young sons out of a Phi Phi Island barber shop and shouted at them all to run.

They joined a throng of about 200 terrifi ed people running down a narrow side-street with death, in the guise of a column of black water laden with debris, just seconds behind.

“I remember a loud, crackling sound like a fi re and this thick, smelly wall of mud and rubbish gushing behind us,” she said.

Mr Magnus, acting on instinct, called at them to break away from the crowd to follow a local man.

The man turned out to be a builder on a nearby site who pulled them all up on to scaffolding just as the water rushed in below.

It was just after 10.30am on Boxing Day – the family’s sixth day

on the idyllic island and two-thirds of the way through their fi rst-ever holiday together.

Ms Magnus tells a harrowing tale of her family wading through water seeking higher ground with the dead and the dying all around them.

After leaving the building site, they found their way to a popular drinking spot, which had been converted into a makeshift hospital.

They then climbed a 150-metre slope through snake-infested jungle with thousands of others, all frightened more waves were on the way.

Eventually, the family returned to their hotel, salvaging what belongings they could.

Using a set of maid’s room keys left in their room, they took anything useful they could fi nd to assist the injured.

“Common injuries included severe facial cuts, protruding bones and lacerated feet,” Ms Magnus said.

“Luckily, we had been wearing shoes but a lot of people, especially on the beach, had been barefoot, and then had to walk through dirty water unable to see what they were stepping on.”

Some of the most harrowing stories the family heard haunt them to this day – the Australian doctor and his wife who worked 10 hours straight assisting the injured despite their own daughter being missing, and the English woman who turned to Mr Magnus at the mainland airport and said her husband and two sons were dead.

But their worst memory was of disembarking from the rescue boat the next day on the mainland to face a hushed crowd of Thai people desperate to see relatives and friends.

“They were staring at us and there wasn’t a sound and all the tourists, including us, just broke down and cried,” she said.

“I t wasn’t guil t , rather an overwhelming sorrow for the local people, who had lost everything.”

Despite the trauma, she said she hoped to one day return to Thailand.

“It’s such a beautiful place. I want to stand on the beach at Maya Bay again with my arms outstretched and feel as free and as happy as I did that day before Boxing Day,” Ms Magnus said.

Student saviour Edward Meaby’s idea of working for three months on a tropical island went horribly wrong on December 26.

Mr Meaby, an international student from the UK, is studying for a Master of International Studies at UQ.

During the University break he was working in Sri Lanka with the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) Mine Action Team, coordinating the logistics of a demining project.

His role suddenly changed when the tsunami hit and he was required to coordinate the NPA’s relief operations.

Mr Meaby has been working 15-hour days in the Vanni region of Sri Lanka, coordinating food distribution and helping construct the internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.

He said until you stand in the middle of it all you cannot truly comprehend what has happened.

“I have always thought it strange how we aid workers come to these environments and see the most horrendous sights, but we have to switch off to them and get on with our work,” he said.

“It really is a strange thing how you become immune to suffering.”

Mr Meaby said going from land-mine logistics to humanitarian aid had been a steep learning curve.

“The response by the Tamil Elan authorities has been amazing, they have established the IDP camps very quickly and had people sheltered and fed very quickly,” he said.

He said he hoped his work would make the lives of the survivors easier.

“These people have just lost everything, it is very hard to fully comprehend, they have just lost everything, try to imagine getting up one morning to suddenly see everything just disappear, all of it gone,” he said.

Asian Tsunami disaster supportCounselling is available to UQ staff or students requiring support. Please contact: 1800 800 123.

Below are some helpful websites fot those wanting more information. > Australian Government: Tsunami Assistance www.tsunamiassist.gov.au > Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Indian Ocean Tsunamis www.dfat.gov.au/tsunami.html > Study in Australia: Message to Students Affected by the Indian Ocean Tsunami http://studyinaustralia.gov.au/Sia/en/Tsunami.htm

Many voices to raise money for tsunami victimsThe University will hold a multi-faith – multicultural concert this month to raise money for those affected by the Indian Ocean earthquake disaster.

The Many Voices – One Song concert will be held in the University’s Great Court on Thursday, February 24 from 11.30am to 1.30pm.

All donations and proceeds from the concert and fund-raising barbecue (including Halal and vegetarian), will go to Rotary International for 100 percent distribution to the affected countries.

Performers taking part include rock band Alibi, an Indonesian choir, UQ’s School of Music, the Brisbane Muslim School, as well as singers, dancers, musicians and guest artists from various faith groups, and the UQ Union Clubs and Societies.

Concert coordinator Reverend Peter Rama Rau from the UQ Chaplaincy Services said members of the general public were invited to join the UQ community.

“I encourage students, staff, graduates, visitors and St Lucia residents to attend the concert,” he said.

“I believe the UQ community can contribute towards this enormous hum-anitarian response.”

Information: Reverend Rama Rau (telephone 07 3365 7059,

How you can helpA list of aid agencies involved with the fundraising effort can be found at the Australian Council for International Development website www.acfi d.asn.au/campaigns/asiaearthquake.htm

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From left: Dr Shumack treats a boy in Banda Aceh. PHOTO: AFP PHOTO/Philippe Desmazes; the Magnus family; and a lane of shops on Phi Phi Island (before and after). PHOTOS: courtesy Ms Magnus

9UQ NEWS, FEBRuary 2005

Forget lying by the pool or tossing a football in the local park – more than 400 high school students decided they would rather spend their summer holiday learning human anatomy and playing with telescopes.

The students took part in the Siemens Science Experience, an intensive three-day workshop for high school students from Queensland and New South Wales, who began Year 10 this year.

The program ran from January 18 to 20 and involved workshops, lectures, disco dances and games, allowing students to explore the world of science in an exciting and fun way.

It was hosted by major university

and education institutions in Brisbane, with a number of workshops taking place at UQ’s St Lucia campus and the University Mine at Indooroopilly.

The focus of the program was to show students the breadth and diversity of science while also allowing them to learn about the courses and options university has to offer.

UQ’s anatomy laboratory began hosting excursions for the program in 2004 and participants were given the opportunity to learn from current University science students.

Matthew Flinders Anglican College student Damien Verrinder said the program had been worthwhile.

“It has been a good experience because I have been able to learn a lot of different stuff that I could not learn at school,” he said.

Australia honours its own

School’s in for the summer“I have really enjoyed it. It has

been great.”UQ Director of the Siemens

Science Experience Dr Adrian Bradley said the program allowed students to understand the link between science and industry and the practical uses of science.

He said the program gave high school students a taste of university life and helped bridge the gap between high school and the daunting progression into tertiary education.

“Often the bridge between school and university is a large one to cross,” Dr Bradley said.

“The Siemens Science Experience demystif ies university and gives students a hands-on opportunity to learn from various experts and fi nd out what careers are available within a scientifi c fi eld.”

Innovative fundingTwo UQ projects will receive

Australian Government funding

as part of the Higher Education

Innovation Programme.

PhD graduates three to

fi ve years out: employment

outcomes, job attributes and the

quality of research training will be

the fi rst phase of a longitudinal

study of PhD graduates from

seven Go8 universities.

The other UQ project will

look at The development and

implementation of a curriculum

articulation model for nursing

Vet science prizeThe work of a dedicated

veterinarian will be remembered

through an annual memorial

prize giving the next generation

of veterinary science students

the chance to fulfi l their

commitment to the profession.

The annual $1000 Jack

Cunningham Memorial Prize will

between the university and

TAFE sectors.

The government will provide

$2.84 million to fund a total of 24

projects across the country.

be maintained by a gift from Mr

Cunningham’s daughter Jacki

Clayton and granddaughter

Alessandra Atkinson.

Mr Cunningham, a

veterinarian for 62 years, died in

1995 aged 97.

Ms Atkinson said her

grandfather had been highly

regarded by the veterinary

community for his dedication.

An annual $500 Atkinson

Prize for Animal Welfare has

also been established and will

be maintained by a gift from Ms

Atkinson.

UQ congratulates the following recipients with associations to the University, on their Australia Day awards.

• Companion of the Order of Australia (AC)

Dr Jean Calder, a former lecturer in physical education, for human-itarian service in the Middle East.

• Offi cer of the Order of Australia (AO)

UQ Adjunct Professor of Law Elizabeth Nosworthy, for service to business.

• Member in the General Division (AM)

Professor William Coman, head of the Division of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at UQ, for service to medicine.

Senator since 1999 and UQ graduate Professor John De Jersey, for service to science education.

The late Dr Peter Henry, former Director of the Central Animal Breeding House, for service to veterinary science.

Former senior lecturer in civil engineering at UQ and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southern Queensland, Professor Peter Swannell, for service to higher education.

• Medal in the General Division (OAM)

Dr Penny Tripcony, former Deputy Director of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit, for services to the Indigenous community.

UQ MBBS honours graduate and St George GP Dr Pam Turnock, for services to rural medicine and the community.

Dr John Stanton Mellick, an honorary research consultant and former senior lecturer in English language and literature, for service to the community.

Vincent Vandeleur, a UQ law graduate, for service to the law and to the community of Innisfail. • Public Service Medal

Adjunct Associate Professor in the Schools of Agronomy and Horticulture and Land and Food Science, Edward Gardner, for outstanding public service.

Congratulations also to the many students and staff who received Australian citizenship.

10 UQ NEWS, FEBRuary 2005

School students attend an anatomy workshop. PHOTO: Leo Brown

in brief

Acclaimed Australian playwright David Williamson, AO, has

received an honorary doctorate in recognition of his contribution to theatre and the arts.

He was one of seven prominent Australians to receive honorary doctorates a t UQ g raduat ion ceremonies in December.

Dr Williamson is one of Australia’s best-known and most widely-performed playwrights.

Over the past 30 years, his plays have been performed throughout Australia and produced in America, Canada and Europe.

A number of his works have been adapted for the screen and television and he has received numerous awards, including four for best screenplay by the Australian Film Institute and 11 Australian Writers’ Guild awards.

The production of his two new plays, Infl uence and Operator, early this year will bring his total output to 35 plays, 12 fi lms and fi ve television mini-series.

Dr Williamson received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters at the graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Arts on December 6, at the UQ Centre.

Other recipients included:

• Former Ipswich City Council Mayor John Nugent was presented with his award at the graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law on December 6, at the Ipswich Civic Hall (see page 14).

• Renowned painter and Archibald Prize winner Ray Crooke, AM, and former National Art Gallery Director Betty Churcher, AO, were honoured at the graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Arts at the St Lucia campus on December 7. Dr Crooke’s paintings can be found in many major collections, including the National Gallery of Australia, State art galleries, regional art galleries, Australia House in London and in the Vatican Museum collection. Dr Churcher is an accomplished artist, writer, critic and historian

Playwright takes centre stage at UQ graduations

who has shown a commitment over many decades to bringing art to Australian audiences.

• Chairman of Westpac and Deputy Chairman of Rio Tinto Leon Davis, AO, received an honorary doctorate at the graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law on December 7 at the St Lucia campus. Dr Davis has had a distinguished career in the Australian and international business world.

• Queensland Supreme Court Judge, The Honourable Justice Bruce McPherson, CBE, was presented with his award at the graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law on December 9 at the UQ Centre. He has had a distinguished legal career spanning four decades and his contribution to law in Queensland, Australia and the Commonwealth is highly regarded.

• At the graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Engineering, Physical Sciences and Architecture, held at UQ St Luica on December 15, the Chair and Chief Executive Offi cer of Silicon Graphics Robert Bishop received an honorary doctorate in recognition of his distinguished career and contribution to the development of computing science. At the Gatton campus, renowned

wildlife documentary maker and television presenter Tina Dalton was honoured with a UQ Gatton Gold Medal at the graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science on December 17 (see page 13).

Graduates at all the ceremonies listened to advice and words of inspiration from guest speakers including the non-executive Director and incoming Chair of the National Australia Bank Michael Chaney, AO; Ipswich Girls Grammar School Principal Susan Just; head of the Department of Peace and Confl ict Research at Uppsala University, Sweden, Professor Peter Wallensteen; Director-General of the Queensland

Department of Child Safety Dr Robin Sullivan; and Chair of Leucaena Network and former President of the Cattle Council of Australia Wally Peart, CBE.

Graduates included the head of the Language Service of the German

Seven prominent Australians from the arts, science, legal, public service and business communities received honorary doctorates at graduation ceremonies held in December.

graduations december 2004

Embassy in Tokyo Beate von der Osten (see page 12), Darryl Savage, who fi nished his PhD after recovering from a serious car accident (see page 13), and 16 animal physiotherapists (see page 14).

Dr Williamson

11UQ NEWS, FEBRuary 2005

Beate von der Osten moved Down Under to do things back-to-

front.While most UQ students obtain

good jobs after their studies, German-born Ms von der Osten took leave from a senior position to become a student.

She took two years leave from work to study for a Master of Arts in Japanese Interpreting and Translation, from which she graduated in December.

Next month she will return to the position she held for six years before moving to Brisbane – head of the Language Service of the German Embassy in Tokyo.

A graduate in Japanese Studies from the Free University of Berlin, Ms

Two of the Australian soybean industry’s foremost scientif ic

leaders received the University’s highest academic awards at a December 9 graduation ceremony.

Professor Bob Lawn received a Higher Doctorate in Agricultural Science for his contributions to crop improvement and sustainable agriculture.

These included his work, while a postgraduate student at UQ in the late 1960s, that contributed to the establishment of the soybean industry in the early 1970s.

Professor Lawn is the Foundation Chair of Tropical Crop Science at James Cook University.

CSIRO research scientist Dr Andrew James received a PhD for his research identifying traits for drought resistance in soybeans.

Dr James leads the Australian national soybean breeding program hosted by CSIRO and funded partly by the Grains Research, the Sugar Research and the Rural Industries R e s e a r c h a n d D eve l o p m e n t Corporations and partly by Australian and Japanese companies.

Dr James is one of 15 postgraduate students Dr Lawn co-supervised while acting as an honorary research consultant with UQ`s School of Land and Food Sciences.

von der Osten acquired her language skills through 10 years living in Japan, including three years teaching German culture at Niigata University.

“I was very fortunate to get such a good job at the Embassy before I had any real qualifi cations in interpreting and translating,” she said.

“But wi th the number o f international events at the Embassy increasing quickly, I wanted to get qualifications and formal training in English-Japanese simultaneous interpreting and translation.”

Ms von der Osten chose to study at UQ after researching universities in English-speaking countries with a good reputation in Japanese translation and interpreting studies.

“I wanted to brush up on my English at the same time and as soon as I saw that UQ was in Brisbane and had a nice tropical atmosphere, I couldn’t wait to get here,” she said.

A marathon runner in Japan, the 41-year-old also put herself through a torturous exercise regime so she could compete in an ironman triathlon before leaving Australia.

Fluent translation

“I could only swim breastroke, so I did the University’s learn-to-swim program to master freestyle,” she said.

In November, she competed in the Ironman Western Australia Triathlon, fi nishing in 13 hours and 27 minutes.

“I know I could have done better but I was so determined to fi nish I paced myself a bit too much,” she said.

Pulse on soybean science

graduations december 2004

The University has honoured two important researchers who have helped turn soybean cropping into a lucrative and thriving industry.

An international student

fi nished her studies with

enhanced career skills

and a big smile after

achieving a personal

sporting ambition.

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I saw that UQ

was in Brisbane and

had a nice tropical

atmosphere, I couldn’t

wait to get here

Professor Lawn (left) and Dr James

12 UQ NEWS, FEBRuary 2005

Ms von der Osten

Leading wildlife documentary maker Tina Dalton was awarded

the prestigious UQ Gatton Gold Medal at the campus’ December graduation ceremony.

Ms Dalton received the award in recognition of her distinguished career in documentary production and as an environmental educator, supporter of UQ Gatton and role model.

More than 350 students graduated from programs in agribusiness, agriculture and hor ticulture, animal studies and environmental management, including the Associate Diploma in Wilderness Reserves and Wildlife that Ms Dalton received in 1981.

The program was Queensland’s first tertiary environmental qual-ifi cation, introduced 25 years ago at the request of the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service (QNPWS) and subsequently produc-ing many leading environmental authorities.

Executive Dean of the Faculty of

Recovery from a serious car accident is hard enough without trying to fi nish a PhD at the same time.

But for UQ PhD graduate Dr Darryl Savage a job offer as a lecturer within the School of Rural Agriculture and Science at the University of New England motivated him to fi nish his doctorate despite a painful three months in hospital.

He received his degree at UQ Gatton’s graduation ceremony, accom-panied by his wife and parents.

His car was hit by a truck as he drove along the Cunningham Highway at Christmas two years earlier.

Following the accident, Dr Savage was airlifted to the Princess Alexandra Hospital then transferred to the Mater Private at Redlands, enduring severe pain and three major operations mainly to his right knee and leg.

His doctorate has established new benchmarks for northern Australian beef production and is the fi rst study in this region linking nutrition, breeding rates and herd management to be completed since trials in 1965.

Funded by The North Australian Pastoral Company, Ridley Agri-products, the Northern Territory Government and Meat and Livestock Australia, Dr Savage spent fi ve years examining four herds of cattle at the world’s second-largest cattle station, the 4.4-million-acre Alexandria Station, 350 kilometres from Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory.

Dr Savage found that with appropriate nutritional management, pregnancy rates in northern Australia could match those of the more favourable southern regions of New South Wales and Victoria.

Northern Australia is home to around 57 percent of Australia’s total beef cattle industry.

Green and golden

Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science, Professor Roger Swift, said Ms Dalton was a very worthy recipient of the UQ Gatton Gold Medal.

After graduating, Ms Dalton joined the QNPWS as a researcher and member of the media unit before embarking on her fi lm career as producer and presenter of the children’s environmental TV series Bushbeat.

From there she went on to work with renowned British naturalist Sir David Attenborough on the Trials of Life series and then as an environmental consultant on Channel Nine’s travel program Getaway.

“The fi rst story we did was on

the whale sharks of Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia, and after that one story they said you may as well be the reporter,” she said.

Ms Dalton has made a number of award winning fi lms, produced and directed hours of TV, written three wildlife books and developed a stock footage library, Absolutely Wild Visuals, which licenses wildlife images around the world.

A crowd of more than 900, including beef industry identity and former Landcare Chair Wally Peart and valedictorian Nellie-May Shannon, celebrated the achievements of the graduates.

Ms Shannon was awarded the Queensland Cotton Award for Excellence as the top achiever in the Bachelor of Agribusiness program.

The ceremony also saw the fi rst graduates from Australia’s only professional animal physiotherapy qualifi cation receive their Master of Animal Studies (Animal Physiotherapy) (see page 14).

A career in wildlife and environmental conservation made Tina Dalton a popular recipient of the 2004 UQ Gatton Gold Medal.

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after that one story

they said you may as

well be the reporter

Beefi ng up on cattle nutrition

Ms Dalton. PHOTO: Lyle Radford

Dr Savage. PHOTO: Lyle Radford

13UQ NEWS, FEBRuary 2005

Honorary doctorate for former mayorJohn Nugent has been honoured for his 16 years

of dedicated service to the people of Ipswich.

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most under-educated

bloke to be offered

one of these. I only

made it to grade

nine at school

graduations december 2004

Sixteen newly graduated physiotherapists are turning their hands to assisting animals recover from injury.

They are the fi rst graduates from Australia’s only professional animal physiotherapy program, receiving their Master of Animal Studies (Animal Physiotherapy) at a ceremony in December.

Having already qualifi ed as human physiotherapists and holding at least two years experience in human clinical practice, the graduates spent the past two years training in the application of physiotherapy to both small and large animals.

Program coordinator Dr Catherine McGowan sa id UQ’s an imal physiotherapy program was a unique example of cooperation between the physiotherapy and veterinary professions.

“It is only the second of its kind in the world, following the lead of the Royal Veterinary College in London and representing a new era in animal health,” Dr McGowan said.

“It takes a holistic approach to animal health that mirrors the approach applied to our own human health where physiotherapy has been used for years to support medicinal and surgical healthcare.

“In the same way we can treat arthritis in people, we can treat arthritis in dogs.

“In the same way we treat footballers recovering from injury-inspired surgery, we can treat racehorses to deliver faster and more effective recovery and provide future injury prevention.”

Dr McGowan said the program had been developed in collaboration with UQ’s School of Animal Studies, School of Veterinary Science and the Division of Physiotherapy within the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.

Among the graduates was Michelle Monk, who received the program’s Combined Research Award.

Ms Monk runs the Dogs in Motion specialist physiotherapy clinic for dogs in Victoria.

“I found UQ’s animal physiotherapy program invaluable in providing structured, evidence-based training in the problems of animals, particularly dogs and horses, as well as the practical aspects of the adaptation of physiotherapy techniques to animals,” Ms Monk said.

Physios turn their hands to animals

Dr Nugent

Dr Nugent accepts his award from UQ Chancellor Sir Llew Edwards, AC. PHOTOS: Kaylene Biggs

14 UQ NEWS, FEBRuary 2005

After a life in dairy farms, aviation and local government,

former Ipswich Mayor John Nugent was surprised to hear of his honorary doctorate.

Dr Nugent, OAM, was given the honour by the University in recognition of his service to Ipswich and support of UQ’s Ipswich campus.

He received his award at an Ipswich graduation ceremony on December 6.

“I’m probably the most under-educated bloke to be offered one of these. I only made it to grade nine at school,” he said.

Dr Nugent quickly became accustomed to hard work early in his life, growing up on dairy farms at Esk, Flinders View and Goodna.

After a fi ve-year-apprenticeship, he became an aviation electronics technician with the Department of Civil Aviation.

“I worked for them until 1959. I had a girlfriend by then and running around Australia as I was, wasn’t very conducive to my view on things,” he said.

“So I left them and became a bread vendor for 18 months, selling bread door-to-door.”

In 1960, Dr Nugent went back to electronics, this time working on the internal electronics of mainly military aircraft for the Amalgamated Wireless of Australasia.

He married Glenis in the same year and raised two daughters and a son and now has seven grandchildren. Glenis passed away suddenly in December 2003.

Dr Nugent ended his electronics career in 1988 when he became the full-time Mayor and Chair of the Moreton Shire and Mayor of the Ipswich City Council in 1995.

Until his retirement on March 27 this year, Dr Nugent had been a tireless community worker in local government as a councillor, chairman and mayor since 1973.

For 16 of those 31 years he was Mayor of Moreton Shire and of Ipswich City Council.

He coordinated the regional approach to fi x the water quality of Moreton Bay and was proud to have lead the council that introduced Ipswich’s environmental levy.

Dr Nugent also served on many local and State Government forums.

He now works with regional water management groups and the World Technopolis Association.

The 69-year-old said he relished opportunities for international travel, which brought investment to Ipswich.

“Age is just a state of mind. I know some fellas who are 29 that are too lazy to get out of their own shadow,” he said.

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We wanted the

students to explain

the signifi cance of the

research in terms of

the lay person

> by David WoodIn an article that could rock the scientifi c community, Professor John Mattick states what was thought to be microscopic trash may in fact hold the key to complexity.

Professor Mattick is so fi rm in his beliefs that he feels the future of science lies in the research of “junk” RNA, which may have many other hidden, yet very important, roles.

RNA refers to very tiny particles found in cells that act as the go-between for life’s genetic blueprint, DNA, and life’s building blocks, protein.

Protein is the basis of living tissue like human muscle or the leaves of a tree.

While only a few percent of the RNA in humans are known to make protein, the remainder had been regarded as useless garbage, but Professor Mattick argues it’s not junk at all.

Rather, this type of RNA interacts with both DNA and protein to ensure that the system that makes life is both tough and cost-effective.

Put simply, if genes were words and the sentences these words formed were proteins, then the hard task lies not in writing down a list of randomly generated words, but putting those words into a sentence which is both logical and makes sense.

> by Richard HargreavesSo called “junk” DNA may be the overlooked key to the astounding complexity of human beings.

Research suggests this “junk” DNA is the master control for our trillions of precisely patterned and positionally distinct cell types.

If you’re confused about how this all works, take the example of a simple fruit cake recipe: Step 1) Mix fl our, baking powder, sugar; Step 2) Let the dog out; and Step 3) Add fruit and bake.

DNA is the instruction page that encodes the steps for assembling the fi nished protein we’ll call Fruit Cake Protein.

Each step of the recipe is copied on to an RNA molecule, which performs its particular part in putting the Fruit Cake Protein together.

Step two in the recipe has no obvious reason for being there.

It does not help in building the fi nished fruit cake and as such would be classifi ed as “junk” DNA.

In our fruit cake example, letting the dog out may mean when the baker down the road sees the dog running around, he knows not to make any more fruit cakes himself because chances are he won’t sell very many to you.

Edited examples… two third-year biological sciences students write on “junk” DNA.

What’s it all about?

Research on “junk” DNA by UQ scientist Professor John

Mattick was recognised as one of the top 10 discoveries of 2004 by the world-leading journal Science.

Investigations into the role of “junk” DNA in genetic programming and regulation by Professor Mattick, Head of UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) is leading to a reappraisal of the central dogma of molecular biology.

Explaining the importance and impact of the research being carried out by Professor Mattick and his team, in collaboration with scientists from the University of California at Santa Cruz, is fairly simple to the learned readership of Science.

However, a common complaint about scientists is their inability to communicate in terms the average person can understand.

Professor Mattick has many years of experience communicating his research to people with different levels of scientif ic knowledge, however, most undergraduate students do not.

Two UQ academics are there-fore working to change science communication problems by targ-

eting the source – the students who become these scientists.

Dr Philip Poronnik and Dr Roger Moni, from the School of Biomedical Sciences, are getting third-year biological sciences students to try their hand at breaking down a complex piece of scientifi c research into a newspaper article the general public can understand.

“It doesn’t sound very hard and both us and a lot of students assumed the same,” Dr Poronnik said.

“But when you start off by asking students to explain what DNA is to the average person, then they hit a snag because third-year students take this knowledge for granted.”

He said science and research were often viewed by the general public as having little relevance in their daily lives.

“It has been said the life-enhancing potential of science and technology can’t be fully realised unless the public in general comes to grips with essential elements of science,” he said.

“So we need to improve the scientif ic literacy of the students – the next generation of scientists – to help the general public in becoming science literate.”

And rather than set another academic essay task, he turned instead to the media for inspiration.

“We often forget or ignore the key role the media plays in informing and shaping the public perception of scientifi c advancement,” he said.

So a lecture was organised with Dr John Harrison from UQ’s School of Journalism, where third-year students were given essential insights into writing for the media and then

asked to write an opinion piece for a newspaper based on a recent article from a science journal.

“We chose a signif icant and challenging article by Professor Mattick from the IMB on his research into “junk” DNA,” Dr Poronnik said.

“We wanted the students to explain the signif icance of the research in terms of the lay person and the results we got back were pretty encouraging and impressive.” (See adjacent column for examples.)

Head of the School of Biomed-ical Sciences, Professor David Adams described the initiative as “an example of UQ’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the students’ learning experience by combining our excellence in teaching and research to produce quality graduates who are prized by diverse employer groups”.

The success of this initiative is helping Dr Poronnik and his colleagues develop and implement a cohesive writing program in science communication for the undergraduate courses from fi rst-year through to honours.

Science students are learning that to promote their research they must communicate their work to the public.

by Andrew Dunne. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Professor Mattick

Dr Poronnik

15UQ NEWS, FEBRuary 2005

More than 3000 Big Brother “wannabes” descended on the

UQ Centre in January, hoping to enter the nation’s most famous house.

Auditions for the cult reality TV show were held at the University on January 22 and 23.

It was the first time producers Endemol Southern Star had conducted live auditions. Applicants in the previous series had been required to send in homemade videos.

UQ lecturer in Contemporary Studies Dr Toni Johnson-Woods, the author of Big Bother: the reality TV media sensation, said the reasons

people auditioned for the show were as varied as the contestants themselves.

“Some say they think it will be fun or challenging while others seek fame and use it to launch a career or create awareness of an issue,” she said.

During the Brisbane auditions there was no shortage of characters to choose from including a giant cross-dresser, a grandmother and a punk-rocker sporting a foot-long Mohican style haircut.

The Brisbane hopefuls got a taste of what Big Brother life would be like from host Gretel Killeen, who kept the crowds in order while they

waited in line to audition. They were entertained by B105 radio station, which broadcast live from UQ.

Contestants were split into groups of 30 and had 15 minutes to talk about why they wanted to be on the show.

Those selected from this f irst stage went on to a one-on-one interview.

A select group from auditions in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth will undergo further auditions before the fi nal 12 are picked later in the year.

Dr Johnson-Woods said, while there were the die-hard fans who tuned in series after series, the show also attracted new viewers each year.

“Those who have not been allowed to watch it before or who have not previously been interested may tune in,” she said.

Famous for 15 minutesThe opportunity to turn

fantasies into reality TV

drew a huge crowd to

the St Lucia campus.

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Some say they

think it will be fun

or challenging while

others seek fame

Slicing rocks, grinding coral and extracting pollen – it’s all in a

day’s work for laboratory manager Peter Colls.

“I’ve had 20 years experience in cutting up all sorts of weird and wonderful things,” he said.

“Like gall stones out of horses, mangrove wood, crocodile bones and fossil lungfi sh teeth.”

Mr Colls runs UQ’s Earth Sciences Sample Preparation Laboratory.

The laboratory has lapidary stations to produce samples for microscopy and a palynology station for extracting pollen and spores.

“The standard thin section is 30 microns thick, so you can look at the minerals in a rock,” Mr Colls said.

There are also crushing, grinding and abrasive machines to crush and separate minerals, granulometric machines to sieve through particles and centrifuge techniques to separate clay.

Most of the laboratory work involves sectioning rock or fossils but it has been used to make samples of meteors and date Indonesian fossils and dinosaur teeth.

Students are currently making thin slices of mangrove wood to study its

The cutting edge of scienceSlicing, grinding and crushing in laboratories provides the basis for many important scientifi c advances.

Mr Colls sets a jig on a precision lapping machine.

cell structure and another researcher is sieving sands to investigate contaminants in Moreton Bay.

The laboratory, in the Steele Building basement, underwent a $1.2 million refi t in 2003.

Mr Colls said some universities were still sending their sampling to commercial laboratories.

He said people could be trained to use the instruments themselves or request experienced workers.

Several laboratory training courses

are held throughout the year, which take between two to four days.

Information: bookings can be made through Mr Colls on (07) 3365 3174.

16 UQ NEWS, FEBRuary 2005

Crowds of Big Brother hopefuls line up to audition (left and right) with host Ms Killeen (centre). PHOTOS: Kaylene Biggs

in brief

Contemporary Samoan tattoo is the focus of TATAU, a pro-vocative

new exhibition at the University Art Museum from February 12 to May 1.

Featuring the photographs of Mark Adams and a short film by Lisa Taouma, TATAU examines the traditional male tattoo, the pe’a, named after the legendary fl ying fox, and the traditional female tattoo, the malu, named for its association with ideas of shelter and protection.

Exhibition co-curator Sophie McIntyre said TATAU documented the cross-cultural history of tatau since the 1970s, when it was transported with the migrant communities of New Zealand and various international cultures, including the Netherlands.

“While the designs of the pe’a have long been admired, there has not been a corresponding focus on its sister pattern, the malu,” Ms McIntyre said.

“For the fi rst time, TATAU brings these two traditions together, affi rming

TATAU February 12 – May 1, 2005

University Art Museumwithin The James and Mary

Emelia Mayne Centre,UQ St Lucia

Opening hours: 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Sunday

Telephone: 07 3365 3046 or visit www.maynecentre.uq.edu.au

the continuing vitality of an ancient cultural practice.”

The series of 43 pe’a photographs by New Zealand photographer Mark Adams is based on a 25-year association with the tufuga tatatau (tattoo artists) of the ‘aiga Sa Su’a (tattoo family), and in particular on the friendship of tattoo master Paulo Sulu’ape.

The intimacy of these photographs refl ects a close collaboration between

the tattooists, the tattooed and the photographer.

Rather than depicting tatau as an exotic practice, Mr Adams records the ancient rituals taking place in everyday settings – in the suburban lounge rooms of Auckland and the Netherlands.

Lisa Taouma’s f ilm, Measina Samoa – stories of the malu, explores the mythological origins of the tatau, through the legend of how two sisters brought knowledge of the tatau to Samoa.

Taouma’s f i lm jux taposes the legend with interviews with contemporary Samoan women, who speak about the malu and its impact on their lives.

The TATAU exhibition, curated by Ms McIntyre and Peter Brunt, is an Adam Art Gallery Touring Exhibition and is funded by The Getty Grant Programme (USA), the Arts and Humanities Research Board (UK), and Goldsmiths College, University of London.

Ancient art of tattoo

A confronting exhibition of photographs and a fi lm examining the history and culture of tattoo is set to open at the Mayne Centre.

1982. Farwood Drive, Henderson, West Auckland. Uli. Tufuga tatatau: Su‘a Sulu‘ape Paulo. RA colour print, 1200 x 1500 mm. PHOTOS: courtesy University Art Museum

LEFT: 1980. Tudor Towers, Government Gardens, Rotorua. Tony Fomison’s pe‘a. Goldtone silver bromide print, 480 x 320 mm. RIGHT: 1979. Grotto Rd, Onehunga, Auckland. Fuimaono Tuiasau, Tony Fomison, Sa Tolua Tuiasau, Noel McGrevy. Su‘a Sulu‘ape Paulo, Sese Lemamea and unidentifi ed man. Goldtone silver bromide print, 320 x 480 mm

Employment ratesThe Graduate Careers Council

of Australia’s Graduate

Destination Survey 2004

released in December revealed

UQ graduates continued to be

highly sought by employers.

Over an extended period,

the University has had fi ve

percent or less of its graduates

recorded as unemployed and

seeking full-time employment.

In national fi gures compiled

by the Department of Education,

Science and Training, UQ

achieved a full-time employment

rate for bachelor degree grad-

uates for 2003 of 80.44 percent

against the national full-time

fi gure of 79.7 percent.

Mobile phone studyPeople aged between 18 and

30 who are in part-time work,

have a mobile phone and are

moderately profi cient in SMS

texting are needed for a UQ

study on mobile phones.

The PhD research project,

to be completed by March

30, involves receiving and

responding to two SMS alerts

per day for one week.

Volunteers might then be

contacted by telephone for a

brief post-study interview.

Participants will be

reimbursed for their SMS costs

and will also go into a $100

cash prize draw.

Information: Lynda Fitzgerald, l.fi tzgerald@business.uq.edu.au

Follow past fellowsThe Past Fellowship Recipients

Web page of the Fellowship

Fund Branch of the Australian

Federation of University

Women - Queensland (AFUW-

Q) was launched by the then

University Librarian Janine

Schmidt in December.

Since 1972 AFUW-Q has

awarded 142 fellowships to

women from across the world.

The $20,000 a year

fellowships are currently

awarded to six postgraduate

students.

Information: www.afuwqfellowships.com/recipients.html

17UQ NEWS, FEBRuary 2005

18 UQ NEWS, FEBRuary 2005

Hotheads have eyes on prey

Predatory fi sh have been found to have a big advantage over their deep-sea quarry.

by Miguel Holland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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AUQ scientist has discovered deep-sea predators such as

swordfi sh, tuna and sharks warm their eyes and brain to give them superior vision when hunting.

Working with researchers from the US and Sweden, Dr Kerstin Fritsches showed that by keeping their eyes warm, the powerful predators could see 10-times better than their cold-blooded prey.

Big gamefi sh such as swordfi sh and marlin have a specially adapted heating organ in muscle near their eyes that warms their retinas and improves their ability to detect fast moving prey such as squid.

Swordfi sh, which hunt in water as cold as three degrees Celsius several hundred metres below the surface, can maintain brain and eye temperatures up to 15 degrees above the water temperature.

“The large, fast and sensitive eyes of swordfi shes give them a crucial advantage in pursuing and intercepting fast-moving prey in the cold and dimly lit depths of the ocean,” the scientists wrote in the science journal Current Biology.

The researchers spent most of

their time on board deep-sea fi shing boats trawling in the northern Pacifi c Ocean.

Dr Fritsches, a Research Fellow with UQ’s Vision Touch and Hearing Research Centre, uncovered the advantages of warm eyes while undertaking wider research into gamefi sh vision.

She is investigating whether tuna, marlin and other billfi sh see colours and movements differently, which could lead to specifi c fi shing techniques to reduce unnecessary and illegal catches.

To expand the research, she is installing a tuna holding tank at UQ’s Moreton Bay Research Station on North Stradbroke Island.

The tank will be stocked with mack tuna from Moreton Bay and will be used for experiments on vision and response to colours, schooling behaviour and night activities.

Much of the testing will be carried out on the f ish’s retinas, the light sensitive inner coating of the eyeball that only lasts between six and eight hours once removed.

Dr Fritsches said she believed tuna could be trained like dolphins to respond to different fl ashes and colours.

This could mean fl ashing lights and colourful lures could soon be added to long liners to allow for more selected catches.

The large, fast and sensitive eyes of

swordfi shes give them a crucial advantage

in pursuing and intercepting

fast-moving prey

Tuna. PHOTOS: courtesy Dr Fritsches

Southern Bluefi n Tuna being fed in aquaculture

Dr Fritsches and researcher Eric Warrant measure a swordfi sh

19UQ NEWS, FEBRuary 2005

ADVERTISEMENT

A UQ study could help improve profi ts for farmers by allowing more kilograms of beef to be produced per hectare without increasing herd numbers.

Dr Viv Perry, from the School of Veterinary Science’s Pastoral Veterinary Centre at Goondiwindi, is manipulating the protein intake of cows during pregnancy to see if it increases beef calf weaning weights.

She has demonstrated that protein supplementation directly affects placental growth and that varied maternal protein intake results in changes in calf growth and body composition at six-months-old.

Dr Perry said her studies indicated high dietary protein intake during the second trimester was associated with faster growth rates in the calves, while increased protein intake in the fi rst trimester resulted in increased body fat.

“Farmers are paid per kilogram of beef they produce. If you can increase weaning weights with relatively little

increase in cost it means farmers will increase profi ts,” Dr Perry said.

The current study will determine the effects of dietary protein during pregnancy on the postnatal development of the calf, and circulating hormone and growth factor levels known to affect foetal development.

The project has received funding from Meat and Livestock Australia and the world’s largest cattle producing company, the Australian Agricultural Company. Livestock feed company Primix have supplied the protein meal.

“In essence it is simply a process of replicating what is actually happening in range cattle,” she said.

“Cows usually experience a fall in protein intake during the autumn and winter.

“We are fi nding out if supplementing cattle with a simple protein supplement will enable farmers to obtain better growth rates in their calves.”

The study will also consider the possible effects of added protein intake during pregnancy on calving

difficulties, as changes in protein intake during pregnancy could cause an increase in birth weights.

Dr Perry said the study aimed to increase weaning weights without increasing calving diffi culties.

“The effects of varied protein content in the maternal diet during pregnancy are particularly relevant to the cattle industry in Australia

Fatted calves adding weight to farm dollar

as protein is the most def icient nutr i t ional component in the Australian rangelands,” she said.

During the study, the Goondiwindi team will take blood samples from the pregnant cows to measure circulating hormone levels and perform a monthly ultrasound examination to assess the supplement’s effect on foetal growth.

in brief

Cattle at UQ’s Pastoral Veterinary Centre. PHOTO: courtesy Dr Perry

It’s rocket scienceUQ rocket scientists have upgraded a key ground test facility ahead of three experimental scramjet fl ights in Woomera in late 2005.

HyShot™ international program leader Professor Allan Paull said the University’s T4 shock tunnel at St Lucia could simulate true fl ight conditions of Mach 10 (11,000 km/hour) at an altitude of 30km.

“It can operate at pressures as well as the world’s top facilities, yet it is still a small and comparatively cheap facility,” he said.

Professor Paull said the University had an asset that could ground test the world’s fastest supersonic combustion fl ight.

Three experimental test fl ights intended to further air-breathing scramjet technology will be conducted later this year.

Rugby reunionPast and present players of the

UQ Medicine Rugby Team are

invited to be part of the 2005

reunion.

Paddington Physiotherapy

and Podiatry is working with

the rugby team to organise

the event and is compiling

a database of member

information.

The organisers of the reunion

hope all past and present players

will register and that many will

be able to attend the reunion

celebration.

A date and venue have yet

to be set but will be announced

soon.

Current or past UQ

Medicine Rugby Team members

are invited to register their

details with Lauren Harms at

Paddington Physiotherapy and

Podiatry.

Information: 07 3511 6352 or www.paddophysio.com.au

20 UQ NEWS, FEBRuary 2005

Brisbane City Council, The Ideas Book $34.95The Ideas Book brings together i n s p i r a t i o n and innovation f r o m l e a d i n g Australian and

international thinkers, critics and activists. They offer ideas about the future, the past and the here and now, about what we are thinking and what we are. These ideas were aired during Ideas at the Powerhouse, Brisbane’s biennial ideas festival.

Tony Roberts, Frontier Justice: A History of the Gulf Country to 1900 $32.95T h i s e a g e r ly awaited history of the Northern Territory has been

25 years in the making. Throughout its research and development it has been supported by leading historians and Territory authorities from frontier confl ict historians Henry Reynolds and Ray Evans to academics such as regional language speaker and anthropologist John Bradley and Territory author Nicholas Jose.

John Arnold and Professor John Hay (ed), Bibliography of Australian Literature Volume 2 $175.00

The Bibliography of Australian Literature records details of all separately published creative literature by Australian writers over the past two centuries. Genres covered include poetry, drama, fi ction and children’s writing. It has no canon, aiming to include all works by Australian authors regardless of perceived literary merit. For each work details of the fi rst edition are listed, as well as signifi cant new or revised editions and translations. Awards won and additional information pertinent to an individual title or author is also included. The Bibliography of Australian Literature is an essential

reference work for the reading, study and collecting of Australian literature. John Arnold is a member of, and former head of the National Centre for Australian Studies in the School of Political and Social Inquiry at Monash University. He has published widely in the f ield of Australian literary research. Professor John Hay, AC, is UQ’s Vice-Chancellor. He has had a long-standing and wide ranging involvement in English and Australian literary studies and bibliographic research.

Bruce Beaver, The Long Game and Other Poems $22.95The Long Game and Other Poems is Bruce Beaver’s p o s t h u m o u s

collection. Written in the f inal years of his life, the poems reveal a looking ahead to daydreams of death‚ and looking back on the long game‚ a lifetime of poetry, love and obsession. As the f inal manuscript of one of Australia’s greatest poets, this volume will be the most anticipated poetry title of 2005.

Andrew Wilson (ed), Hayes and Scott: Post-War Houses $30.00Hayes & Scott: Post-War Houses i s t h e f i r s t c o m m e r c i a l

publication on the work of Edwin Hayes and Campbell Scott. These infl uential Australian architects were principals of architecture fi rm Hayes & Scott in the post-World War II period when Australian architecture was experiencing the infl uences of the German Bauhaus movement, Californian architecture and the need for affordable housing. Featuring scattered black and white photographs of Hayes and Scott’s distinctive city and beach houses, this important architectural history book features essays and interviews by key experts including Angela Reilly, Igea Troiani, Alice Hampson, Julian Patterson and Elizabeth Musgrave.

More than 2000 consultations by a virtual doctor have been provided to children in regional Queensland thanks to world-leading research by UQ and funding from the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation.

The children received virtual medical care from Brisbane spec-ialists as part of a research project lead by UQ’s Centre for Online Health (COH), in collaboration with the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH).

The project is the basis for the world’s fi rst book on telepediatrics, launched by the Executive Dean of UQ’s Faculty of Health Sciences, Pro-fessor Peter Brooks, in December.

The COH is an international leader in the development of telepediatrics for the delivery of clinical health services.

Telepaediatrics includes health-care and education delivered by video-conferencing, telephone, facsimile, email and the Internet.

The service allows doctors in remote areas to send e-referrals to a centralised call centre, operated by the COH in Brisbane.

Once a referral is made to the call centre, a guaranteed response by a specialist is arranged.

It is currently available to several regional and remote hospitals in Queensland, including Mackay, Hervey Bay and Rockhampton.

Local doctors are l inked with Brisbane clinicians in a wide range of f ields including: diabetes; endocrinology; burns; cardiology; dermatology; oncology; orthopaedics; gastroenterology; neurology; and paediatric surgery.

In the case of post-acute burns care, more than 1000 outpatient appointments have been conducted at a distance, meaning the patient and family did not have to travel to the specialist centre in Brisbane.

Instead, specialists from the burns unit were able to review scars via videoconference and discuss clinical management with local health professionals.

In a substantial number of cases, this service has saved a plane trip for the patient and parent.

The estimated savings to the health department are around $250,000 per year.

The book, Telepediatrics: Tele-medicine and Child Health, is edited by Professor Richard Wootton, Director of Research at the COH and Professor Jennifer Batch, the RCH’s Director of Research.

Publication costs for the book have been supported by the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Virtual medicine has real value for patients

in print

Telepediatrics: Telemedicine and Child Health, edited by Professor Richard Wootton and Professor Jennifer Batch

UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND PRESS NEW RELEASES: FEBRUARY 2005

Launch of Telepediatrics: Telemedicine and Child Health. PHOTO: Brian Condron

Professor Brooks

21UQ NEWS, FEBRuary 2005

An innovative health program being introduced at UQ Ipswich

for people at risk of heart disease has already sparked community interest.

Robyn Tyler, the UQ Ipswich Sport and Fitness Centre coordinator is spearheading the introduction of Heartmoves, a Heart Foundation program that helps people get active for life.

Ms Tyler, only the second Heartmoves accredited instructor in Queensland, said many people found it diffi cult to get started after their doctors identif ied them as being at risk of heart disease and recommended a healthier lifestyle.

“This program gives them a starting point, guidance and support

towards making exercise a part of their life,” Ms Tyler said.

“You don’t have to exercise at a vigorous level to achieve health benefi ts.

“This program is ideal for people wishing to exercise at low to moderate intensity.

“It is safe and appropriate for people with or at risk of heart disease, including those who have had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, arthritis, lung and chest conditions, depression, those who are sedentary and those with established heart disease.”

The group program begins in early March and participants must be referred by their GP.

The program will follow a set of safety guidelines, encouraging people to start slowly.

UQ SPORT also hopes to start the program at Herston and at the St Lucia Sport and Fitness Centre in the next year.

Information: contact Ms Tyler on 07 3381 1341 or email robynt@uqsport.uq.edu.au

Hearty responseA health promotion

program at UQ Ipswich

already has pulses

racing in the local

community.

More of Queensland’s future doctors are training and working in regional cities outside Brisbane, a new report has found.

While the number of overseas interns in the state has fallen, more Queensland medical students are choosing Rockhampton and Toowoomba for their internships, instead of being balloted.

The trends are revealed in a report by UQ medical trainers, published in the international electronic journal Rural and Remote Health.

It showed UQ’s Rural Clinical Schools (RCS) were having a positive impact on the intern workforce in regional hospitals associated with the schools.

Queensland has two RCSs, run by UQ in Rockhampton and Toowoomba, with students also studying in Hervey Bay and Bundaberg.

The report, the first evaluation of the impact on intern numbers, found intern f irst preferences in Rockhampton increased from six in 2001 to 10 in 2005 and in Toowoomba from fi ve in 2002 to 12 in 2005.

Rockhampton had two overseas

interns in 2001 and three from interstate in 2002, but UQ provided all interns in 2004 and this year.

Chief researcher Professor David Wilkinson said increasing the number of rural interns was important because there was evidence that they were more likely to subsequently become rural general practitioners.

“It is early because we have only got a couple of years of data, but it is encouraging that there is a positive sign,” he said.

Professor Wilkinson, Deputy Head of UQ’s School of Medicine, co-authored the report with Associate Professors Llew Davies and Peter Baker, both from UQ’s Rural Clinical Division.

They compared data from 2001 to 2005 such as fi rst preferences and sources of interns between Rock-hampton, Toowoomba and Mackay.

Professor Wilkinson said some rural students still returned to Brisbane seeking a breadth of experience but fi gures showed there was no academic advantage.

It is a government requirement that 25 percent of UQ’s medical students spend 50 percent of their time training in rural and remote areas.

A country practice

Ms Tyler monitors Estelle Shipplock

22 UQ NEWS, FEBRuary 2005

Professional Internships forUQ International Students

www.icte.uq.edu.au

Institute of Continuing & TESOL Education

For further information on theProfessional Internship Program (PIP)

Contact: Institute of Continuing &TESOL Education (ICTE–UQ)EMAIL: pip@icte.uq.edu.au WEB: www.icte.uq.edu.au

■ Gain valuable work experience in your chosen area of study

■ Receive professional training, a work report and reference

■ Internationalise your resume/CV

■ Enhance your career opportunities

1:30pm, Room 516/517,Joyce Ackroyd BuildingAt the end of the presentation, time will be madeavailable for students to speak with representativesto discuss the program in more detail.

INFORMATIONSESSIONFRIDAY 4 MARCH 2005

ENVIRONMENTThe North West Star, ABC News Online and Mackay 4MK reported that UQ researchers were working with a biodegradable packaging business, James Cook University and Queensland Health to design and produce biodegradable mosquito traps to help stop the spread of dengue fever.

HEALTHThe Sydney Morning Herald and The Age reported on UQ research, which showed that divorced, widowed and never-mar ried elderly women had signifi cantly better health than married women, challenging the belief that married people overall have better physical and mental health than un-married people. The research was conducted by researchers from UQ’s School of

Concerts, special lectures, seminars and UQ events of general interest are published in this section. Entries, including date, time, contact name and telephone number, should be sent to c.saxby@uq.edu.au

around campus

SEMINARSTuesday February 22 (St Lucia) and Wednesday, February 23 (Gatton)

Information Technology Services, Faster Internet access

and why you now sign-in (St Lucia – 10-11am, Senate Room, Brian Wilson Chancellery or Gatton – 2.30-3.30pm, Room 153, Animal Studies Bldg).

Tuesday, March 8

Queensland Alcohol & Drug Research & Education Centre, seminar series, Queensland smoking policy: an update, Manager of

Queensland Freemasons’ Scholarships 2005: for at least fourth-year, full time undergraduate students who are Freemasons or children of Freemasons of fi ve years good standing. Worth: $1000 each. Closing: March 2. Information: 07 3365 1984.

Clem Jones Sporting Scholarships 2005: for academically able students who can demonstrate potential to perform at a high level in their chosen sports. Worth: $5000. Closing: March 4. Information: 07 3365 1984.

George Essex Evans Scholarship 2005: for an outstanding student to complete honours or graduate diploma in philosophy in English. Worth: $1300. Closing: March 18. Information: 07 3365 1984.

Alfred and Olivea Wynne Memorial Scholarships 2005: for Maryborough and district students to attend UQ. Closing: March 24. Information: 07 3365 1984.

American Australian Association 2005 Australia to USA Fellowships: for Australian graduate and postdoctoral students in business, science, technology, medicine or engineering to conduct research and study at American universities and scientifi c organisations. Closing: applications must be submitted by 5pm New York time on March 15. Information: www.americanaustralian.org

PRIZES

UQ LIBRARY HOURS FOR 2005

Library hours are available on the Library’s homepage at

www.cybrary.uq.edu.au

PRIZESCLASSIFIEDS

* Classifi eds are free, but are available only to staff, students and visiting academics.

TO RENT/HOUSE SIT

Kelvin Grove: 3bd hse, can come furnished, avail. Aug 2005. Cls all facilities. Home exchange in Vancouver, Canada available. Haida:haidaluke@yahoo.ca or haida.luke@uq.edu.au

Sinnamon Park: f/furnished 3 bd, 2bth, A/C hse, short drive from UQ St Lucia. Ideal for overseas family. Short or long-term rentals considered. Patricia: 07 3372 9412 or 0407 376 133.

Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs – Queensland Health Kevin Lambkin (10am-noon, Room 113, School of Population Health Herston). Details: 07 3365 5189 (bookings essential).

WORKSHOPSThursday, April 14 – Friday, April 15

UniQuest, Research commercialisation workshop, for UQ PhD and postdoctoral

students, speakers from industry, start-up companies and venture capitalists. Details: www.uniquest.com.au (applications close March 18).

ISSUE NUMBER COPY DEADLINE (FRI) PUBLICATION DATE (TUE)

542 February 18 March 8

Mid-semester break: March 28-April 3

543 March 24 (Thurs) April 12544 April 29 May 17545 June 3 June 21

Mid-year vacation: June 26-July 24,mid-year orientation: July 15-22

546 July 1 July 19547 July 29 August 16548 September 2 September 20

Mid-semester break: September 26-October 3

549 October 7 October 25

Semester two ends: November 19

550 November 25 December 13

UQ NEWS DEADLINES 2005

conference call

Social Science and the Queensland University of Technology.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGYJamie Gillespie, a senior security analyst with AusCERT, the national computer emergency response team based at UQ, was interviewed by The Adelaide Advertiser in relation to computer fraud. Mr Gillespie said there had been a signifi cant increase in online fraud websites in the past six months.

LAWUQ Economist Professor John Quiggin commented in The Queensland Times on a new plan to base fi nes for minor crimes on an offender’s income. Professor Quiggin said he was convinced of the plan’s merit.

LITERATUREThe Canberra Times reported that Professor Robert Dixon from the School of English, Media Studies and Art History had been chosen to sit on the judging panel for the 2005 Miles Franklin Literary Award.

SOME OF THE STORIES THAT PUT UQ STAFF IN THE MEDIA IN JANUARY

uq in the news

HEALTH

Success and failures in telehealth

conference: August 4-5, Royal Children’s Hospital, Brisbane

This annual conference will explore the success and fail-ures in telehealth and will provide the opportunity for delegates to present the latest research and discuss the ad-vantages and disadvantages of telemedicine, telehealth and e-health. Abstracts of up to 300 words should be submitted by April 1. Proposals should re-late to original unpublished work in any area of telehealth. Papers evaluating the cost effectiveness and other benefi ts of well-established telehealth programs are particularly welcome. Email abstracts to sft@ccs.uq.edu.au

Information: 07 3346 4754, www.uq.edu.au/coh

PEACE AND CONFLICT

Justice, peace and

reconciliation in the Asia-Pacifi c region: April 1-3, University of Queensland

The objective of this conference is to create an environment within which academics, policy makers, foreign affairs, legal defence and security professionals, representatives from humanitarian and peace-building organisations; as well as students with an interest in sustainable peace in the Asia Pacifi c region, can meet and discuss ways in which peace, justice and reconciliation can be advanced in the region. The conference will also be open to members of the public.

Those interested in present-ing a paper should contact Professor Kevin Clements at k.clements@uq.edu.au

Information: Nadia Mizner, n.mizner@uq.edu.au

23UQ NEWS, FEBRuary 2005