Issue 22 - Wednesday 7 November

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.

• Central Hall restoration celebrated
• Conversazione on community engagement
• Inaugural Chair in the study of Islam
• Leunig cartoon exhibition offers love of others as therapy
• Grant success for research into nursing care of stroke patients
• Students raise funds for people who are homeless
• ACU Visual Identity Toolkit expands
• Introduction to latest requirements for ethical conduct in human research
• Course application statistics available
• Research into attracting and retaining quality teachers recognised
• Being a Good Samaritan in an Age of Terror
• Launch of the Master of Human Services
• Upcoming Events

Central Hall restoration celebrated

The restoration of Melbourne’s Central Hall was celebrated with an official reopening of the 103-year-old venue by Lady Primrose Potter AC of the Ian Potter Foundation and Archbishop Denis Hart, and with musical performances by pianists Keaton Cloherty and Kate Webber, mezzo soprano singer Ann Vercoe and organist Paul Taylor.

Central Hall, at the city end of Brunswick Street in Fitzroy and adjacent to the University’s Melbourne Campus (St Patrick’s) has undergone a $3 million restoration thanks to the assistance of The Ian Potter Foundation, the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, the Australian Government Department of Environment & Water Resources and ACU.

ACU Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Gabrielle McMullen said Central Hall was an architectural treasure that would serve as an integral part of University life as part of the Melbourne Campus.

“Since it was first opened in 1903, Central Hall has been a significant part of the Fitzroy landscape, the local Catholic community and the cultural life of Melbourne. However, with no major works being undertaken since 1934, the hall had fallen into disrepair in recent years and needed some special attention to bring it back into working order,” she said.

Governors of The Ian Potter Foundation (left-right) Dr John Rose AO, Mr Allan Myers QC, Lady (Primrose) Potter AC, Mr John Gough AO, Professor Thomas Healy AO and Mr Charles Goode AC

John Hillel and Chris Thomson

Conversazione on community engagement

Community engagement will be discussed when Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Sheehan AO chairs a conversazione on Monday 26 November in the Vice-Chancellery.

The two-hour lunch time discussion will provide a significant opportunity for dialogue with a small, invited group of business leaders and senior personnel to explore ideas on how to best maximise the benefits and ensure the sustainability of the University's community engagement, both nationally and internationally.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Quality and Outreach) Professor John O'Gorman and Institute for Advancing Community Engagement Director Professor Jude Butcher will assist the Vice-Chancellor in this discussion.

Inaugural Chair in the study of Islam

ACU has appointed Dr Ismail Albayrak as its inaugural Fethullah Gülen Chair in the Study of Islam and Muslim-Catholic Relations. Dr Albayrak will be located within ACU’s Asia-Pacific Centre for Inter-religious Dialogue (APCID), based at the Melbourne Campus (St Patrick’s).

“Dr Albayrak’s strong academic background, his experience of teaching and research in the study of Islam, and his understanding of interfaith principles make him a very worthy appointee to this important new role,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Sheehan AO. Recent world events, from September 11 to the Cronulla Riots, continue to reflect the unrest and tension between followers of different faiths. In promoting greater interfaith dialogue through focused teaching, research and community engagement, the Fethullah Gülen Chair will play a key role in tackling this issue locally.”

The Chair is named in honour of Fethullah Gülen, a Turkish–born scholar, educator, spiritual and social leader, and renowned advocate for inter-religious dialogue and peace. The role will be funded through a partnership with the Australian Intercultural Society, a non-government organisation aimed at promoting greater dialogue between Australia’s various faith communities.

Dr Albayrak was born in Ankara, Turkey, and is currently an Associate Professor at the School of Divinity, within the Department of Basic Islamic Studies, at Sakarya University in Turkey. He holds a doctorate in Qur’anic narrative from the University of Leeds, England, and is the author of Approaches to the Qur’an in Classical Modernism (2004). He has also authored numerous book chapters and refereed journal articles in English and Turkish, and was co-editor of Re-reading Orientalism: Islamic Studies in the West (2003).

Leunig cartoon exhibition offers love of others as therapy

Cartoons by Michael Leunig are on show at City of Sydney libraries until mid December. Leunig was awarded an honorary doctorate by ACU earlier this year for his services to the arts, to public discourse, and to promoting a greater understanding of humanity.

The exhibition, Things are great, relationships in the community, has been curated by School of Business and Informatics Lecturer Girija Krishnaswamy from the North Sydney Campus (MacKillop), in collaboration with cartoon researchers Sundar Ramanathaiyer and Jim Bridges.

The 64 cartoons were shown in Martin Place, Sydney, as part of Mental Health Week, organised by the NSW Mental Health Association Inc. “I am passionate about mental health and I love Leunig’s work,” Ms Krishnaswamy said. “The exhibition shows a society of individuals more disconnected than ever, alienated from nature and from each other. It ends with the Leunig-prescribed therapy of loving one another.”

The exhibition continues at the Ultimo branch of the City of Sydney Library until 14 November, at the Waterloo branch from 15 to 29 November, and at the Kings Cross branch from 4 to 16 December.

Grant success for research into nursing care of stroke patients

Professor of Nursing Sandy Middleton has received a $476,350 research grant over three years from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) with UNSW colleagues to investigate the nursing care of people who have had strokes.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor(Research and International) Professor Peter Wilson has congratulated the team for their successful application for funding for the project, Health Services Research: A Randomised Controlled Trial to evaluate a Model of Comprehensive Stroke Care.

Students raise funds for people who are homeless

Technology students from the Strathfield Campus (Mount Saint Mary) recently helped raise funds for people who are homeless. They paraded costumes they had created from recycled materials at the Oliver Twist Ball, held at the Central Coast Leagues Club by Gosford Lionesses and Donaldson Street Restaurant for the homeless.

“Our students designed costumes from recycled garments and fabrics in keeping with Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist,” said School of Arts and Sciences Technology Lecturer Dr Louise Duvernet. “For each costume, the students reflected on the plight of the homeless and the strength of character illustrated in the novel. Susannah Williams’ outfit, titled Who will buy this wonderful morning? was particularly outstanding, featuring computer linked embroidered roses, showing a passion for life and hope. Scenes from the novel were depicted on the crinoline under the costume, symbolising the resilience of people in overcoming devastating experiences.”


Technology Lecturer Dr Louise Duvernet (centre) with Technology (left to right) students Jennifer Donald (left), Debbie Truman, Sharon Marley and Susannah Williams

ACU Visual Identity Toolkit expands

The University’s public profile and image is enhanced by consistent use of the ACU logo and a professional look and style for all publications, internal and external.

In keeping with the University’s approved visual identity guidelines, updated templates for University letterhead, faxes, memos and PowerPoint presentations are now available as part of the visual identity toolkit on myACU. The toolkit also includes guidelines on the use of the University’s logo, preferred fonts and other resources.

The visual identity toolkit will continue to expand with a range of resources over coming months. For further information or any queries, contact Jeanne Dorner, Visual Identity Officer on (02) 9739 2514 or jeanne.dorner@acu.edu.au

Introduction to latest requirements for ethical conduct in human research

Research staff and higher degree students are invited to workshops explaining the new National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research, which involves many significant changes to the process for approving Human Research Ethical Conduct (HREC) applications.

The workshops will be presented by the University’s Acting HREC Chair Dr Peter Rendell and colleagues at the Strathfield Campus (Mount Saint Mary) on Wednesday 21 November from 12 noon to 2.30pm in room TS01, at the Brisbane Campus (McAuley at Banyo) on Thursday 29 November, and at the Melbourne Campus (St Patrick’s) on Tuesday 4 December. Lunch will be provided.

For more information and to book, please contact robina.bamforth@acu.edu.au or telephone (03) 9953 3838.

Course application statistics available

Staff are invited to access detailed information on applications, admissions and entry score trends for ACU courses.

The information, prepared by University Relations in cooperation with the Admissions Office and the Statistics Unit, is expected to enhance course planning processes, admissions systems, and student recruitment strategies.

Weekly application statistics for the current Change of Preference period, updated at 9am on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, are expected to be of particular interest. These reports provide trend analysis of our course applications for this year compared to last year.

Data is sourced from QTAC, UAC, VTAC and the University’s student records system, Banner. To access the data, visit http://my.acu.edu.au/staff/services/marketing_and_communication, log in, then click on "Marketing Statistics" on the left hand side of the screen.

For more information and to give feedback, please contact Planning Policy and Systems Manager Ms Maria Wagner in University Relations at maria.wagner@acu.edu.au or (07) 3623 7489.

Research into attracting and retaining quality teachers recognised

School of Arts and Sciences (NSW and ACT) Assistant Head of School Dr Tony Stokes and researcher Ms Sarah Wright from the School of Arts and Sciences (NSW & ACT) have been awarded the Best Paper Award at the 2007 International Business and Economics Research conference and Teaching and Learning conference held recently in Las Vegas. The conferences were attended by 368 presenters and attendees from 21 nations.

The Best Paper Award was given for their paper The challenge of attracting and keeping quality teachers in Australian Schools. It discusses the growing shortage of secondary teachers in Australia, especially in certain regions and subject disciplines and the factors that have contributed to this situation. The paper also considers various policy initiatives that could be adopted to help alleviate this growing problem.

A copy of the paper can be found at http://www.cluteinstitute.com/Programs/Las_Vegas_2007/Article%20232.pdf

Being a Good Samaritan in an Age of Terror

Climate change and “aggressive neo-liberal capitalism” are as much a source of terror as nationalism and religious fundamentalism, according to former Caritas Internationalis Secretary General and ACU Visiting Professor Duncan MacLaren, who recently gave the Aquinas Lecture at the Brisbane Campus (McAuley at Banyo).

“In answer to our question of what being a Good Samaritan in the 21st century is about, we see it is about immediate relief and long-term development, from the institutional side,” Professor MacLaren said. “But it is also about radical compassion within us leading to acts of solidarity, including action and dialogue.

“For Christians, our aim must be to rid the world of hunger and poverty that dehumanises people created in the image of God ... In other words, the world should know us not just by our presence or our professionalism but by our passion, our solidarity and commitment that put the common good of all humanity first.”

Professor McLaren also gave a well received lecture ‘The contribution of faith to global development and peace’ on 1 November at the Melbourne Campus (St Patricks).


Professor John O’Gorman with Professor Duncan MacLaren


Professor Duncan MacLaren with Mission Engagement Officers Andrew Beiers (top right), Eric Robinson ( Far left standing), Father Bernie Thomas Brisbane Campus Chaplain and students.

Launch of the Master of Human Services

The Master of Human Services degree was recently launched at the Canberra Campus (Signadou) by Campus Rector Professor Peter Camilleri.

The Master of Human Services, which will be offered at the Canberra Campus from 2008, was developed in close consultation with the human services sector to equip industry professionals with the up-to-date skills and knowledge required to support leadership roles in the field. It includes a child protection component developed in collaboration with the ACT Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services.

The launch took place as part of the recent Practice Talking Conference, attended by more than 140 human services professionals.


Canberra Campus Rector Professor Peter Camilleri speaking at the launch

Upcoming Events

Details on these and other upcoming events can be found at www.acu.edu.au/133237

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