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Issue 10 - 29 May 2009
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 07 3623 7491.
Launch of ACU Wired at the Melbourne and Ballarat Campuses
Skating on Sandgate Road
Research project seeks to improve the lives of single parent, low-income families
A bad night’s sleep for a good cause
National Sorry Day at ACU
University Games
Juanita Nielsen Memorial Lecture 2009
Bush Regeneration program
Blankets for fire victims arrive in time for winter
NSW Premier’s Literary Awards
A Variety of Voices
ACU Strathfield Goes Greek!
Ken Smith breakfast
Ballarat Campus raises money for charities
Launch of book at Melbourne Campus
The Vice-Chancellor’s Development Awards for 2010
Golding Centre Colloquia 2009
Upcoming Events
Launch of ACU Wired at Melbourne and Ballarat
The Melbourne and Ballarat Campuses recently launched an on-campus live radio station, ACU Wired.
Ballarat Campus (Aquinas) Station Manager, Meegan Dalton, said the station would provide a great opportunity for community involvement and allow further connection with each other at individual campuses and nationally.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor(Academic) Professor Gabrielle McMullen launched the Victorian stations of ACU Wired and congratulated all who contributed to the program.
“May ACU Wired give you great satisfaction as it enriches your and our experience of Australian Catholic University and builds community in a unique way across our campuses,” Professor McMullen said as the program was launched.
Acting Head of School of Arts and Sciences, Mr Roger Hillman, was pleased to see the station up-and-running: “It’s been a long wait to get the project off the ground but we are very excited to see it come to fruition.”
Ballarat Station Manager Meegan Dalton (left), with students Jayne Earle and Tom Cochrane.
Skating on Sandgate Road
In connection with Queensland’s 150-year celebrations, drama students at Brisbane Campus recently performed their much anticipated play, Skating on Sandgate Road, to an audience which included Brisbane Lord Mayor, Campbell Newman.
Written by Australian Writers’ Guild award-winning playwrights Margery and Michael Forde, Skating on Sandgate Road was a compilation of stories, words, images and memories of the elders from the Golden Years Senior Centre at Nundah, Brisbane.
"I don't think you can make meaningful drama without having strong and direct contact with our culture and society,” said Senior Drama Lecturer Dr Tracey Sanders. “This was a fantastic opportunity to connect students with our elders, to bridge the generation gap, and to develop a whole new framework of respect and understanding.”
“We are contributing to Queensland's history in a way that will tell the stories of some of our oldest and wisest seniors in this area,” she said.
Speaking about the production, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said: “ Skating on Sandgate Road encapsulates what our state’s 150th Anniversary Celebrations are all about: the past informing the present and shaping the future.”
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman (left), ACU Senior Drama Lecturer Dr Tracey Sanders, Golden Years Senior Centre Director Don Rudd and Queensland Parliament Member for Nudgee and Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services, Neil Roberts.
Research project seeks to improve the lives of single parent, low-income families
The Institute of Child Protection Studies (ICPS) at the Canberra Campus recently presented to the ACT Children’s Plan Community Network Forum its findings on the day-to-day experiences of vulnerable parents with low incomes, and their use of services in Canberra.
The project seeks to improve the social connection and capability of vulnerable and hard to reach parents and the safety and life chances of their very young children in Inner North Canberra.
Keynote speaker, senior research fellow of the Institute and ACU staff member, Dr Gail Winkworth, presented the findings of the research project to 80 service providers at the Community Network Forum.
One of the most influential findings was the aspirations of participants to be good parents, to obtain further qualifications to get better jobs, and to find employment which would enable them to increase their financial income; while still spending time with their young children.
The research findings prepared by the ICPS will inform Northside Community Services on how to better facilitate its community outreach services such as public housing, Centrelink, legal aid and ACT Maternal and Child Health nurses to single parent, low income families.
Megan Layton-Thompson (left), Associate Professor Morag McArthur and Dr Gail Winkworth of the Institute of Child Protection Studies.
A bad night’s sleep for a good cause
Students at the Canberra, Ballarat and Brisbane Campuses recently braved the winter chill and slept outside for the St Vincent de Paul winter appeal.
Over 50 students across the campuses participated in ‘A bad night’s sleep for a good cause’, giving up the warmth and comfort of their own beds to experience homelessness for a night and raise awareness and money for those living on the streets.
ACU Signadou Student Association President and sleep out participant, Esther Ross, said: “The money raised will help St Vincent de Paul buy and distribute specially designed swags for people who sleep on the streets every night this winter.”
The St Vincent de Paul night patrol van which distributes warm food and drinks to the homeless visited the Canberra Campus to support the students and their cause.
The money raised will help St Vincent de Paul provide relief to the homeless through crisis accommodation, domestic violence support, budget counselling and legal advice.
ACU Canberra students with the St Vincent de Paul night patrol crew.
National Sorry Day at ACU
Staff, students, community members and elders gathered at the Brisbane Campus this week in acknowledgement of National Sorry Day.
The ceremony recognised the Stolen Generations while reflecting on the past, with the inclusion of personal stories, history of day, music and prayer.
Waiata Telfer, Residential Officer at the University’s Weemala Indigenous Unit, said the day was an opportunity for everyone to come together and acknowledge the events of the past.
“For me, hearing personal stories was very emotional. The stories were powerful and connected the issues better than statistics ever could,” she said.
Guests had the opportunity to donate money towards the planting of a symbolic foot, representing all Australians walking together in the journey of healing.
All money raised was donated to the National Sorry Day Committee.
A sea of feet representing all Australians walking together in the journey of healing.
University Games
Registration for the 2009 University Games is now open.
Sports offered at each of the University Games include basketball, beach touch football, beach volleyball, soccer, hockey, lawn bowls, netball, tennis, ultimate Frisbee and water polo.
This year the Southern Games will be held in Melbourne (for Melbourne and Ballarat Campuses), Eastern Games in Bathurst (for Canberra, North Sydney and Strathfield Campuses) and Northern Games on the Sunshine Coast (for the Brisbane Campus).
To find out more information or register your interest, visit: www.acu.edu.au/student_life/sport_and_recreation/
ACU's mixed touch football team at last year's University Games .
Juanita Nielsen Memorial Lecture 2009
The 2009 Juanita Nielsen Memorial Lecture will be held on Monday, 1 June, with speakers Professor Larissa Behrendt and Eleanor Gibbs.
The lecture is in memory of Juanita Nielsen, publisher of the independent paper NOW and active campaigner against high-rise development in Kings Cross, who disappeared in July 1975.
This year’s topic is Indigenous people and human rights: a litmus test for social policy.
Eleanor Gibbs, a Greens Councillor in the Blue Mountains, will speak on the life and times of Juanita Nielsen, while Professor Larissa Behrendt, a Eualeyai/Kamillaroi woman and Professor of Law will explore Indigenous policy.
To RSVP please contact Linda Wilhelm on (02) 9230 3551 or linda.wilhelm@parliament.nsw.gov.au.
Bush Regeneration program
Over 200 first-year education students at the Brisbane Campus (McAuley at Banyo) recently completed a Bush Regeneration project supporting sustainability in areas across north Brisbane.
At the project awards ceremony last week, Moreton Bay Regional Council Bushcare Officer, Adam Christenson presented prizes to students whose projects best reflected the work of the Bushcare Community Groups they visited.
The community service program provides an opportunity for the students to contribute to the sustainability of the natural environment by studying forest ecology of degraded bushland and working with local Bushcare regeneration groups across the Brisbane City and Moreton Bay Shire councils.
Education students with Bushcare Officers Janet Mangan (front left) and Adam Christenson (back row, second from left), and Education Lecturer, Barbara Odgers (Back row, far right).
Blankets for fire victims arrive in time for winter
Blankets of friendship knitted by staff, students, friends and families of the Canberra Campus have been delivered to those affected by the Victorian bushfires.
The ACU Student Association Social Justice Group, led by Naomi Jacob and assisted by Mrs Margaret Carmody from Student Services, have donated a total of six blankets to the Lions Club of Traralgon, who are assisting families affected by the fires.
Social Justice Commitee members with Margaret Carmody (second from right), of Student Services.
NSW Premier’s Literary Awards
Premier of New South Wales, the Hon. Nathan Rees, recently presented the annual Premier’s Literary Awards at a dinner held at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
ACU History Lecturer, Professor Malcolm Prentis was shortlisted in the Community Relations Commissioner’s Prize category, for his book The Scots in Australia (University of NSW Press, 2008).
ACU academics Dr Jennifer Carpenter, Associate Professor Peter Bastian, Dr Tony Stokes, Associate Professor Marea Nicholson and Dr Karen Lamb also attended the event.
Professor Eric Richards was the eventual winner of the prize with his book Destination Australia: Migration to Australia since 1901 (NSW Press).
Dr Jennifer Carpenter (left), Associate Professor Peter Bastian, NSW Premier Hon. Nathan Rees, Dr Tony Stokes, Professor Malcolm Prentis, Associate Professor Associate Vice-Chancellor (North Sydney Campus) Marea Nicholson and Dr Karen Lamb.
A Variety of Voices
The Brisbane Campus ACU Choir recently held their annual concert, A Variety of Voices, together with special guests, the Conservatorium of Music Children’s Choir.
Conducted by Ralph Morton, the Brisbane Campus Choir is comprised of students, staff, alumni and community members.
Money raised from the event will go to Rosie’s Youth Mission.
The Brisbane Choir during the performance.
ACU Strathfield goes Greek!
Students at the Strathfield Campus (Mount Saint Mary) recently held a souvlaki barbeque in celebration of their newly formed Greek Society.
Open to all students, the Greek Society was established with the intention of bringing cultural awareness to the University and to encourage the formation of other cultural groups.
The souvlaki barbeque raised over $450 which will go towards the Greek Society’s cultural activities in semester two.
“We plan to organise events such as plate smashing, bouzouki nights, dancing events and Taverna nights,” said Greek Society Vice-President, Maria Boulatsakos.
To become a member of the Society contact Martha Lazarou at the Strathfield Campus Student Association Office.
Greek Society Vice President Maria Boulatsakos (left), Committee member Michael Angeli and President Martha Lazarou.
The ACU Greek Society serves up souvlaki.
Ken Smith breakfast
A breakfast hosted by Ken Smith, Director General of Queensland Government Department of the Premier and Cabinet, was held today in partnership with the University and Eidos Institute.
In his first public presentation on the new architecture of the Queensland Government, Ken Smith outlined the Queensland Public Service’s new vision for greater integration and effectiveness of service delivery.
Ballarat Campus raises money for charities
Staff and students at the Ballarat Campus (Aquinas) recently held a sausage sizzle to raise money for the East Timor Friendship School and health services in Vanuatu.
A total of $1600 was raised with $800 given to each charity.
The event was coordinated by Ballarat Assistant Head of School, Nursing and Midwifery, Betty McGuinness with the assistance of students.
Ballarat Assistant Head of School, Nursing and Midwifery, Betty McGuiness (second from left) with East Timor Friendship School representatives, Head of School, Nursing & Midwifery in Victoria Michelle Campbell (left), Education Lecturer Ann Gervasoni and Bachelor of Education student Amanda Binion.
Launch of book at Melbourne Campus
Dr. Joseph Leach and the Very Reverend Professor Lawrence Cross recently launched their book Spirit and Fire at an event held at the Melbourne Campus.
Clerics from the Orthodox Churches, Eastern Rite Catholic Churches and the Latin Rite Catholic Church, along with academics from ACU and the University of Melbourne gathered to celebrate the launch.
Written in Russian, Spirit and Fire explores the nature of the Holy Mysteries (Sacraments) in the Byzantine Church, with both authors describing it as “a gift of love to the Russian Church”.
Dr Joseph Leach (left), the Very Reverend Lawrence Cross, Pauline Allen, of the Centre for Early Christian Studies and the Very Reverend Michael Protopopov.
The Vice-Chancellor’s Development Awards for 2010
Applications for the Vice-Chancellor’s Development Awards for 2010 are now being invited from general staff.
The Vice-Chancellor’s Development Awards are valued at $10,000 each and up to two awards may be granted to support projects that will contribute to the Strategic Plan of the University.
These important awards are a significant developmental opportunity for general staff of the University.
Individuals or groups of general staff interested in applying for a 2010 Award will need to submit a proposal to Learning and Development, by close of business on Tuesday 30 June 2009.
Golding Centre Colloquia 2009
The eighth annual colloquia of the Golding Centre for Women’s History, Theology and Spirituality recently took place on the Strathfield Campus.
Three colloquium were held throughout the day, with the first responding to a paper presented by Dr Catherine Thom rsj on Mary MacKillop and Cornelia Connolly. The second was inspired by the paper of Dr Trish Madigan op, and explored the impact of fundamentalism on women’s lives and their responses to it in Roman Catholicism and Sunni Islam. The third was a response to Dr Damian Gleeson’s paper ‘The Professionalisation of Australian Catholic social welfare, 1920-1985’.
The conversations following the papers were led by Dr Rosa MacGinley pbvm, Pauline Rae smsm, and Dr Pat Hansen.
Back row: Catherine Thom (left), Broken Bay Institute; Damian Gleeson, Notre Dame University; Rosa MacGinley, ACU Brisbane Campus; Front Row: Pat Hansen (left), ACU Strathfield Campus; Tricia Madigan, Broken Bay Institute; and Pauline Rae, Columban Institute.
Lecture Series: "Gaza: Law, Morality and Politics" - 10 June
Student Experience Ballarat, Early Childhood Educatio n - Monday 29 June
Details on this and other upcoming events can be found on the events page of the website. Promote your event by emailing details to editor@acu.edu.au.
