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Issue 4 - Thursday 5 March, 2009
Commencing the new year
ACU and Trinity Theological College unite in a sharing of resources
ACU students assisting bushfire victims
Shrove Tuesday assists bushfire victims
New staff appointment
ACU Strathfield Student Raises over $1000 for East Timor
Professor graciously accepts Award of Excellence
ACU lecturer receives award at international research conference
Acting Dean of new faculty speaks on God, science and Vatican II
A night of Christian-Jewish history at Australian Catholic University
Melbourne campus choir to sing new Mass
Ash Wednesday Liturgy
Interfaith education in focus
Presentation of Theological PhD
Airport to bring business to Brisbane’s Northside
Upcoming events
Commencing the new year
The Brisbane Campus (McAuley at Banyo) celebrated the beginning of a new academic year with the annual Commencement Ceremony Mass in the Holy Spirit Chapel.The Mass formally welcomed new and returning staff and students, as well as the wider university community.
The service was concelebrated by the Archbishop, Most Reverend John Bathersby DD AO and the Auxiliary Bishops of Queensland, while the Most Reverend William Morris DD led the mass as the Principal Celebrant and Homilist.
During the service the Brisbane Student Council for 2009 was formally recognised and inducted.
Archbishop, Most Reverend John Bathersby DD AO, the Most Reverend William Morris DD and Chancellor, Br. Julian McDonald cfc AO.
Acting Associate Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peta Goldburg rsm and Chancellor, Br. Julian McDonald cfc AO with the newly inducted Student Council for 2009.
ACU and Trinity Theological College unite in a sharing of resources
On February 25, Australian Catholic University (ACU) and the Uniting Church’s Trinity Theological College signed an agreement pledging a sharing of teaching, resources and research.
The partnership represents a historic moment ecumenically, and will enable collaboration in theological education and open up further opportunities for theological research.
Rev Dr David Rankin, Principal of the College, said the affiliation would be a great benefit to both parties.
“From next year we will contribute by developing and teaching a number of units which will be part of the Bachelor of Theology at ACU,” he said. “As well as contribute to the supervision of PhD students and participate in research programs at the University.”
Rev Douglas Jones, General Secretary of the Uniting Church in Queensland, Rev Bruce Johnson, Moderator of the Uniting Church in Queensland and Professor Greg Craven, Vice-Chancellor of ACU.
ACU students assisting bushfire victims
As Victoria comes to terms with the country's greatest natural disaster, students at the Australian Catholic University are joining together to help the bushfire victims.
Melbourne Campus (St Patrick’s) education student Jayden Lillyst, 25, recently decided to offer support to the victims through his music.
Jayden, a talented Gunditjmara man, sang and played original songs on his guitar to a large crowd at the Sagi Bar in Northcote.
“I have lots of family and friends who have been affected by the bushfires so I really wanted to help out as much as possible,” Jayden said.
The event raised more than $500, with all proceeds donated to the Red Cross Bushfires Appeal.
Jayden performs to raise money for the Red Cross Bushfires Appeal.
Shrove Tuesday assists bushfire victims
Shrove Tuesday was celebrated throughout ACU with pancake stalls.
Melbourne Campus Student Association (MCSA) donated all proceeds to the Red Cross Appeal, assisting Victoria’s bushfire effort.
MCSA Student President and volunteer firefighter Christian Colangelo has experienced the bushfire devastation firsthand. Over the past few weeks, Christian has assisted fighting the fires at some of the worst affected areas, including Kinglake.
“The devastation and loss of life is unbelievable,” said Christian.
MCSA Vice President Brendan Davey said the pancake stall was a success, with many staff and students pleased to donate knowing so many individuals have been affected by the disaster. 
MCSA Student President Christian Colangelo and MCSA member Erin Lawler.
New staff appointment
A long-serving ACU staff member, Dr Pam Gibbons, has recently been appointed the foundation Dean, Internationalisation.
Professor Gibbons’ new role has a key focus on coordinating the work of the faculties and the International Education Directorate, to promote the internationalisation of the University.
Prior to this appointment, Dr Gibbons has held a variety of roles at the North Sydney Campus (MacKillop), including Academic Adviser to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and International) and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
Professor Pam Gibbons.
ACU Strathfield Student Raises over $1000 for East Timor
ACU Strathfield Campus (Mount Saint Mary) student Nancy McKibbin has raised more than $1,000 for the Catholic teachers’ college (ICFP) in Baucau, East Timor.
Having previously worked for a variety of social justice and charitable organisations, Nancy couldn’t help but feel concerned for the difficulties faced by students studying to become teachers in East Timor.
As her husband Patrick’s birthday approached, the pair decided that in lieu of gifts they would ask guests to donate money to Mission Engagement at the campus, which assists the college, where ACU accredits teaching degrees and collaboratively offers scholarships and other support.
Through the generosity of their guests, Nancy and Patrick raised $1,075, enough to provide a scholarship for one student for a year.
Nancy is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Theology at ACU, with aspirations to become a primary school teacher. 
Strathfield student Nancy McKibbin presents her donation to Mission Engagement Facilitator Lisa Boys.
Professor graciously accepts Award of Excellence
ACU Canberra campus (Signadou) Theology Professor Anthony Kelly CssR has been awarded the 2008 Award for Excellence in Postgraduate Research Supervision.
Professor Kelly was nominated for the award in recognition of his work supervising some 30 research projects across four of the six campuses.
Accepting the award, Professor Kelly said “other colleagues of mine with large teaching and administrative loads, have, proportionately speaking, been contributing far more.”
All of his research students have gone on to complete their degrees, with a large proportion gaining publication in their field of expertise.
Professor Anthony Kelly meets Pope Benedict XVI as a part of his work for the International Theological Commission.
ACU lecturer receives award at international research conference
Strathfield Campus (Mount Saint Mary) economics lecturer Dr Sarah Wright recently received an award for Best Paper at the 2009 Applied Business Research and Teaching and Learning Conference in Hawaii.
Co-written with Head of School of Arts and Sciences Dr Tony Stokes, the paper, What are the alternatives to student loans in higher education funding?, looks at problems faced by US students studying at university.
The paper has since been accepted for publication in the international journal, Contemporary issues in education research.
A copy of the paper has been made available online.
Dr Tony Stokes and Dr Sarah Wright.
Acting Dean of new faculty speaks on God, science and Vatican II
ACU Acting Dean of Theology and Philosophy Professor Neil Ormerod spoke at a popular Charles Darwin Symposium recently at the Australian National Museum in Canberra.
As part of a session on the legacy of Charles Darwin, Professor Ormerod discussed the ongoing debate between evolutionists and creationists, and the concepts of chance and intelligent design.
Concluding that religion and science cannot rule each other out, Professor Ormerod invited scientists and religious leaders to join the “dance of faith and reason, together”.
Professor Ormerod was also given the privilege of speaking on developments in the Church and the Second Vatican Council at the University of Melbourne’s Newman College. The address paid tribute to Cardinal John Henry Newman and his legacy in the Catholic Church.
A podcast of Professor Ormerod’s symposium address will be available on the museum’s website in coming days. The Newman address is now available on the ACU website.
A night of Christian-Jewish history at Australian Catholic University
On Tuesday 3 March 2009, ACU and the embassy of Poland co-hosted a unique presentation on Christian and Jewish history at the University’s Canberra Campus (Signadou).
Professor Zbigniew Nosowski, Co-Chairman of the Polish Council of Christians and editor-in-chief of the Catholic monthly review WIÊŹ, was invited by the Australian Institute of Polish Affairs to present his work, Christian-Jewish Dialogue in Poland to the public.
The presentation will be a timely reminder of how Christian-Jewish relations have changed over time and how Polish-Jewish relations continue to be shaped by the Nazi’s genocidal assault during World War II.
"The generation of my children are discovering that [the Jews] are a part of us,” said Professor Nosowski. “It [the Holocaust] was a loss to Polish identity."
Melbourne campus choir to sing new Mass
Under the direction of Choirmaster Andrew Wailes, the ACU Melbourne Campus Choir (St Patrick’s) will be singing in the world premier of the new Mass for Mary MacKillop later this year.
The Choir will perform alongside the Music Glenelg Festival Singers at the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in Portland on 8 August, the Performing Arts Centre in Penola on 9 August and at Central Hall on the Melbourne Campus on August 16.
The new Mass for Mary McKillop is written by Nicholas Bus, who also wrote the Centennial Flourish for the 100th birthday of Central Hall in 2004.
Ash Wednesday Liturgy
The commencement of Lent was celebrated this year at ACU campuses with an Ash Wednesday liturgy on February 25.
Coordinated by Mission Engagement, the service at the Brisbane Campus (McAuley at Banyo) was led by Father Tony Girvan.
Accompanying the liturgy was a group of singers and musicians comprised of staff, students and Student Association members.
Mission engagement staff Eric Robinson and Andrew Beiers with Father Tony Girvan
Interfaith education in focus
A book launched recently by Australian Catholic University interfaith education specialist Associate Professor Kath Engebretson draws on the experiences of respected Jewish, Muslim, Catholic and other Christian educators.
“In your shoes: Inter-faith education for Australian Schools and Universities, published by Connorcourt, is ultimately aimed at helping teachers reduce prejudice, discrimination and misinformation against religions with which they are unfamiliar,” she said.
Associate Professor Engebretson, based at the Melbourne Campus (St Patrick’s) is a member of the International Seminar for Religious Education and Values and the Association of Professors and Researchers in Religious Education.
Kath Engebretson
Presentation of Theological PhD
On Friday March 6 2009, The School of Theology will host the final presentation of Father David Ranson’s PhD prior to its submission.
Father Ranson’s PhD focuses on the Politics of Mysticism and the Mysticism of Politics and particularly the implications of the Universal Call to Holiness within the Roman Catholic Tradition.
The presentation will be held in the video conference labs on all campuses of ACU from 12:30 to 2:30pm (AEST).
ACU partners with Australian Museum science competition
ACU is partnering with the 2009 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, which recognises great Australian science, once again offering a prize for Research in Ethics.
The competition rewards scientists in the categories of Research and Innovation, Leadership, Science Communication and Journalism and School Science.
The competition is an excellent opportunity to gain professional recognition, raise awareness of scientific research and make professional connections.
Entries for the 2009 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are now open, with entries closing at midnight on 1 May 2009.
There are 18 prizes to be won worth over $180 000, including several new prizes for 2009.
Further details are available online.
Airport to bring business to Brisbane’s Northside
On Wednesday 11 February 2009, the Brisbane Campus of ACU hosted the Agenda North Business and Community Leaders Forum.
The forum was an opportunity for local business owners and members of the public to ask questions about Brisbane Airport’s proposed Master Plan, which promises to create around 50,000 jobs in the area over the next 20 years.
“This growth in jobs alone is almost the population of the Redcliffe peninsula working at the Brisbane airport,” said Brisbane North Development Forum President Mr Gary Fulton.
“The flow-on effects of the level of growth at the airport will impact businesses in retail, services, property, transport, health, education and more,” he said.
The plan proposes new cycle paths and pedestrian links aimed at providing environmentally-friendly access to the airport precinct, underpinning Brisbane Airport Corporation’s push for sustainable outcomes. 
Left to right: Associate Professor Nasir Butrous with Mr Paul Coughlan and Mr Gary Fulton from Brisbane Airport Corporation and Brisbane Campus Acting Associate Vice-Chancellor Professor Peta Goldburg
Upcoming Events
Catalyst / Clemente Australia National Forum- 18-19 March (Sydney)
Edmund Rice Business Ethics Forum – 25 March (Sydney)
Mercy Foundation 'Housing When?' Forum – 2 April (Sydney)
Details on this and other upcoming events can be found on the events page of the website. Promote your event by listing it on the myACU events section and by emailing details to editor@acu.edu.au
