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Issue 21 - Wednesday 24 October

ACU Update is produced fortnightly for staff, students and friends of Australian Catholic University (ACU). To submit a news article or event, please email editor@acu.edu.au or call 02 9739 2514.

Unique performance through Clemente/Catalyst program

A unique drama performance at the Brisbane Campus (McAuley at Banyo), Kin, featured students who are homeless and marginalised sharing moving snapshots of their lives. The students study at ACU through the collaborative Catalyst/Clemente program, with Mission Australia, the St Vincent de Paul Society and volunteer training partners.

A number of ACU staff attended the performance including National Coordinator Student Recruitment Shawn Walker. "Many of the stories brought a tear to my eye" he said "After the performance I spoke to a few of the Catalyst students who asked me to extend their thanks to ACU. One of the students, who had spent some time in prison, told me that this program has been a high point of her life and that she has felt so welcome here."

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Quality and Outreach) Professor John O'Gorman recognised the work of Dr Lindsay Farrell and Dr Tracey Sanders and their team, who coordinate the program in Brisbane. "The wonderful work and outcomes of the Clemente/Catalyst program are inspiring for the entire University and broader community. There are no doubt significant challenges in such projects at times, but there are also immeasurable rewards. You are living the Mission of the University."

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Dr Tracey Sanders (front, centre) with performance participants

Visit from colleague in East Timor

Australian Leadership Awards Fellow Jose Manuel Mendes recently returned from the Strathfield Campus (Mount Saint Mary) to the Catholic Teachers' College in Baucau, East Timor, where he is Director of Student Services.

While in Australia, Jose spent time with the Mission Engagement team, assisting with weekly liturgies, facilitating a seminar on East Timor for staff and students, liaising with the Institute for Advancing Community Engagement and learning from the staff of Student Services and Student Administration.

"We also learnt a great deal from Jose about the difficulties faced by students and staff at the Institute in Baucau and were constantly reminded of how lucky we are to work and study in a university that is so well resourced" said Mission Engagement team member Lisa Boys. "We look forward to building stronger relationships between ACU and our brothers and sisters in Baucau."

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Australian Leadership Awards Fellow Jose Mendes (centre) with Mission Engagement team members Colleen Malone (left) and Lisa Boys

Indigenous cultural awareness workshops

There are still some vacancies at the Ballarat and Melbourne Campuses for the well received Indigenous cultural awareness workshops currently being run by nationally by the University's Indigenous Employment Coordinator Antonia Graham.

"This is a workshop not to be missed" said Strathfield Campus (Mount Saint Mary) Mission Engagement Manager Anne Ferguson, who is among some 80 staff who have already attended a workshop.

"We can have all the head knowledge in the world but this workshop challenges us to not only walk in the shoes, but to touch the hearts, of our Indigenous sisters and brothers. It's challenging and one can't walk away without having made a decision to be different and to make a difference."

The workshop will be held at Ballarat on Monday 12 November and in Melbourne on Tuesday 13 November. For more information, please email fiona.budniak@acu.edu.au or phone her on (02) 9739 2481.

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Indigenous Employment Coordinator Antonia Graham (front row, centre) with Strathfield staff at the Indigenous cultural awareness workshop

Protecting Human Rights

Professor Frank Brennan SJ AO, Professor of Law with ACU's Institute of Legal Studies, recently gave a speech on Australia's approach to human rights at the Higgins Forum at Malvern Town Hall.

A copy of the speech What can we do to further protect human rights in the next Commonwealth Parliament? is available here

ACU staff recognised

Weemala Indigenous Education Unit Coordinator Dr Nereda White from the Brisbane Campus (McAuley at Banyou) has been awarded the Neville Bonner Award for Indigenous Education by the Carrick Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education. "The award brings great honour to Nereda and to the University through her achievement," Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Sheehan AO said. "I am sure all staff would wish to acknowledge this wonderful recognition."

School of Arts and Sciences (Victoria) Reader Professor Shurlee Swain was recently elected a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, which is devoted to the advancement of knowledge and research in the various social sciences. "This also is a great honour and I congratulate both Nereda and Shurlee on their significant achievements," Professor Sheehan said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Professor Gabrielle McMullen has congratulated School of Theology Senior Lecturer Dr Mary Coloe PBVM, who has been elected to membership in the prestigious Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas Biblical Society. Members of the society have produced high quality research and publications. School of Theology Associate Professor and Reader Dr Jamie McLaren and Theology Senior Lecturer Mr David Sim are also society members.

Quality learning outcomes, including recognition of ACU's Carrick Award recipients, are the focus of the current edition of acunique, available online at here

Wellbeing Expo

A recent Wellbeing Expo at the Strathfield Campus (Mount Saint Mary) featured belly dancing, yoga, meditation, manicures, egg and spoon races, and even laughter workshops. Staff and students facing assignments, exams and marking enjoyed taking time out together to de-stress and learn more on caring for physical, emotional, spiritual and financial wellbeing.

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Students do the YMCA in a dancing competition

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Students join in the belly dancing

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Middle eastern dancer Shiva

Variety show at Melbourne Campus

Central Hall at the Melbourne Campus (St Patrick's) was recently the venue for a night of fun and frivolity entitled 'Hot August Nights'.

The variety show was a national event with performances from staff and students including Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Sheehan AO, community singing led by "resident Scotsman" Psychology Head of School Associate Professor Michael McKay and a trivia quiz led by Institute of Legal Studies Executive Officer Michael Dean.

Nursing Expo Canberra

School of Nursing (ACT and NSW) staff recently attended the Royal College of Nursing Australia's inaugural Nursing and Health Expo in Canberra.

The expo provided staff an excellent networking opportunity with representatives of other peak industry bodies and gave ACU the chance to showcase the alternate entry, two-year Bachelor of Nursing program at the Canberra Campus (Signadou). The course generated much interest among current Enrolled Nurses, school leavers, and those interested in a career change.

The two-year Bachelor of Nursing program in Canberra offers Enrolled Nurses the opportunity to study to become Registered Nurses upon completion of a bridging course offered by the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT), in conjunction with ACU. Credit is also available to students who have completed the first year of a recognised undergraduate degree at other Australian institutions. 2008 was the first year of the degree in Canberra.

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Cassandra Nicholson (left) with Dr Cindy Leigh, Dr Christina Campbell and Dr Violeta Lopez

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(left – right) Dr Cindy Leigh with nursing students Emma Macintosh and Catherine Trevaskis

Brisbane Archbishop visits ACU

Brisbane Archbishop The Most Reverend John Bathersby DD recently led mass on the University's Brisbane Campus (McAuley at Banyo), as pilgrims from the 2006 Dreaming of the Heart Conference in Alice Springs reunited. The conference was a celebration of the anniversary of Pope John Paul II's visit to the heart of Australia in 1986.

Archbishop Bathersby also took the opportunity to inspect and bless the new ACU Wired radio booth, following the station's launch last month. Visit http://www.acu.edu.au/student_life/acu_radio for more information on the radio network.

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Father Bernie Thomas (left), with student Heather Steen, National Student Recruitment Officer Shawn Walker (rear), Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Quality and Outreach) Professor John O'Gorman, the Most Reverend Archbishop John Bathersby DD and student Shane Webb in the ACU Wired radio booth

Videoconferences on award-winning teaching and learning outcomes

Staff are invited to congratulate and gain inspiration from a number of their ACU colleagues who received 2006 Carrick Citation awards. The winners will speak at a series of videoconferences to be held by ACU's Teaching and Learning Committee in November. Staff will be notified of venues closer to the date of each videoconference.

On Wednesday 7 November from 10:30am to 11:50am ADST (9:30am to 10:50am Queensland time), Associate Professors Peter Howard, Peter Bastian, Michael Griffith and Dr Graham English and Ross Keating will speak on Transformational teaching and learning contributions within a unique Australian community-based tertiary education program for homeless and marginalised people. Mrs Nereda White and Mr Evan Harris will speak on Providing a supportive and constructive environment that enables Indigenous student learning in "away from base" education programs.

On Tuesday 13 November from 11am till 12 pm ADST (10am to 11am Queensland time) Dr Tony Stokes will speak on Teaching and promoting learning in economics for university students and the wider educational community.

On Tuesday 20 November from 3pm - 4pm ADST (2pm to 3pm Queensland time) Professor Peta Goldburg will speak on Engaging and motivating pre-service religion teachers through the Critically Engaging Creative Arts (CECA) approach.

East Timor graduation and fundraising event

Staff are invited to a fundraising cocktail party for the Catholic Teachers' College in Baucau in East Timor. It will be held on Wednesday 7 November at 6.30pm in the Jubilee Room of NSW Parliament House in Macquarie St, Sydney, by the New South Wales Parliament Asia Pacific Friendship Group.

Some 50 students graduated from the college earlier this month with Bachelor of Education (Primary) degrees accredited by ACU. The University's Institute for Advancing Community Engagement (IACE) Director Professor Jude Butcher CFC, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Professor Gabrielle McMullen, Dean of Education Professor Marie Emmitt and Flagship for Creative and Authentic Leadership Professor Tony D'Arbon FMS were among those that attended.

Tickets to the cocktail party are $55 a head, by donation. For more information and to RSVP, by Friday 2 November, please email camille.smith@parliament.nsw.gov.au or contact Judy Hopwood MP on (02) 9476 3411.

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Flagship for Creative and Authentic Leadership Professor Tony D'Arbon FMS (left) with East Timor graduates, Catholic teachers' college Director Brother Fons van Rooij FMS and Institute for Advancing Community Engagement Director Dr Jude Butcher CFC

Staff to showcase art and skills

Staff from all campuses are invited to share their art, craft, collection or other hobby at the sixth annual exhibition, Cabinet Extraordinair e, to be held at the Melbourne Campus (St Patrick's) on the ground floor of 26 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, from 16 - 22 November.

Exhibition coordinator Dr Ross Moore from the School of Arts and Sciences has asked exhibitors to take responsibility for the transport of their items to and from the show.

Work to be exhibited must be delivered to the gallery with necessary hooks and wires on Wednesday 14 November to allow installation on Thursday 15 November, and will be available for collection on Monday 26 November. Volunteers are invited to donate several hours to sit with the exhibits.

To participate or for more information please email christine.small@acu.edu.au or ring her on (03) 9953 3380.

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Artwork by Christine Small

Christmas Card competition winners

Christmas cards designed by primary school students as part of an annual competition are on sale at all ACU campuses, with proceeds going to support students who are refugees.

Competition organiser School of Arts and Sciences (Victoria) Head of School Associate Professor Margot Hillel OAM said most will be available from campus receptions. The cards cost $10 for a pack of ten.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor's Prize in the competition was won by Rebecca Svab from St Anthony's Primary School, Alphington. The Primary Student winner was Ayden Frigerio from St Anthony's Primary School, Alphington, the Secondary Student winner was Lucinda Cvitcovic from Catholic Regional College, Caroline Springs, the People's Choice Award went to Blake Curran of St John's Primary School, Dennington, and Elena Elefantis of St Bridget's Primary School, North Balwyn, received an honourable mention.

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(Left-right) Ayden, Lucinda, Rebecca and Elena at the presentation.

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Christmas_card_Elena_Elefantis Christmas_card_Lucinda_Cvitkovic

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End-of-year Masquerade Ball

An end-of-year Masquerade Ball, hosted by the North Sydney and Strathfield Campus student associations, will be held on Thursday 22 November at Le Montage, 38 to 42 Frazer Street, Leichhardt.

The price, $90 for student association members, $100 for non-member ACU students and staff, and $110 for students from other institutions, includes a four-course meal, beer, wine, soft drinks and juices and entertainment all night long.

This event is a unique opportunity for the staff and students of the ACU community to build on ties which have been established during the year in a relaxed and fun social setting, to celebrate another productive year and to farewell graduating students.

The black tie event is a masked ball. RSVP by Monday 5 November to maksa@mackillop.acu.edu.au or phone the MAKSA office on (02) 9739 2557.

Graduate to launch documentary

Brisbane Campus (McAuley at Banyo) education graduate Pat Webster, 24, is launching Happiness is a Mindset, a documentary he made during a visit to Bangladesh. Inspired by fellow ACU graduate Rob Thiel-Paul, Pat delivered second hand cricket gear donated by Brisbane schools to Bangladeshi children. The documentary is the result of his decision to record his experiences to share with others.

The launch will take place at Marist College Ashgrove on Tuesday 30 October from 6.45pm to 9pm.

"The documentary is a teaching resource," Pat said. "It has a clear social justice theme, but is also about personal growth, showing that it is important to get out of your comfort zone and explore the world. It is about sharing a love of cricket. For me, it shows the insignificance of material wealth in comparison to spiritual wealth."

Pat held throngs of school students spellbound at the University's annual Social Justice Youth Forum at the Brisbane Campus earlier this year. He then completed a tour of the UK with the Australian Universities Rugby League squad and has begun teaching at St Augustine's College in Cairns.

Proceeds of donations for copies of the video will go to Melanoma Patients Australia. Please email websterpa@sac.qld.edu.au for more information.

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Education graduate and documentary maker Pat Webster (right) in Bangladesh with interested students

Book Sale

Co-op Bookshop outlets at all campuses are selling a wide range of books at half price until the end of October. Books include select popular hardcover and paperback fiction and nonfiction titles.

Upcoming Events

Details on these and other upcoming events can be found at www.acu.edu.au/events

Promote your event by listing it on the myACU events section and by emailing details to editor@acu.edu.au.