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Issue 12 - Wednesday 20 June

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.

Beyond Today leadership program

Some 20 young Australians in Melbourne from the Islamic tradition recently took part in a three-day Beyond Today leadership program at ACU’s Strathfield Campus (Mount Saint Mary). The program included home stays with staff, students and friends of the University.

ACU’s Institute for Advancing Community Engagement (IACE) and La Trobe University’s Centre for Dialogue hosted the program which was sponsored jointly by the Islamic Council of Victoria and the Victorian Government.

Participants were welcomed by Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Sheehan AO and explored leadership issues with University students and graduates  and staff from the University’s Mission Engagement Team, Yalbalinga Indigenous Unit, the Asia-Pacific Centre for Inter-religious Dialogue, and Flagship for Creative and Authentic Leadership as well as members of partner organisations including the Affinity Intercultural Foundation, Columban Mission Institute, Diocese of Parramatta, Edmund Rice Centre, Islamic Council of  NSW, and Islamic Friendship Association of Australia.

People involved in the program gained new insights into different faith traditions and cultures which provided a rich basis for understanding the role of young leaders in today's diverse and rapidly changing world.

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Beyond Today leadership program participants

Queen's Birthday honours

School of Theology (National) Associate Professor Very Rev Archpriest Dr Brian Lawrence Cross has been congratulated by ACU Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Sheehan AO for receiving a medal in the general division, OAM, for service to religious education, particularly through the University, to the promotion of ecumenism and interfaith dialogue, and to the community.

Friends of ACU have also received Queen’s Birthday honours, including Allan Myers QC and his wife, Maria, and Susie Pascoe a senator of the University.

Both Allan and Maria have been named officers in the general division, AO, Allan for service to the community through support and sponsorship of a range of educational, Indigenous, heritage and art organisations, to the law, and to business, and Maria for service as a philanthropist supporting and endowing a range of charitable, Indigenous, heritage and art organisations. Allan is a recipient of an honorary doctorate from the University, and Maria is currently a member of the Victorian Chapter.

Susie Pascoe has been director of the Melbourne Catholic Education Office and Catholic Education Commission in Victoria has received an AM for service to education through a range of executive roles, particularly in the Catholic education sector, to curriculum policy development, to international relations through initiatives to provide opportunities and resources for educators in the Pacific region, and to the community.

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Maria and Allan Myers. Photo: Richard Crawley 2004.

Spotlight on reconciliation in The Wednesday Lectures

ACU’s School of Philosophy free public lecture series is under way, this year addressing the topic “Whatever happened to reconciliation?”

The two-hour lectures are held on Wednesday nights during June and July at the Christ Lecture Theatre on the Melbourne Campus (St Patrick's), beginning at 6.30pm.

Tonight the guest speaker will be Professor Mick Dodson of Australian National University. ACU’s Chair of Philosophy Professor Raimond Gaita will take the podium on 27 June; and Professor Paul Patton of the University of New South Wales will speak on 4 July.

ACU’s Institute of Legal Studies Professor of Law Professor Frank Brennan SJ AO will speak on 11 July; and Professor Robert Manne of LaTrobe University will speak on 18 July.

Review of merchandise

University Relations is reviewing the ACU merchandise and memorabilia, such as pens, t-shirts and bags, available for purchase. Staff and students are invited to propose additional items and give feedback on existing goods.

University Relations has also received some requests for ACU uniforms as a voluntary option for staff and students representing the University or in customer service roles. Items such as blazers, ties and formal shirts are being considered, to supplement current informal shirts.

  • To comment or provide suggestions, please contact Marketing Officer, Advertising and Merchandise, Amanda Forsyth at amanda.forsyth@acu.edu.au
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New graduates maintain links with University

Nearly 1,200 new graduates have joined ACU’s Graduate Association following recent graduations in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Ballarat and Melbourne, bringing member numbers to almost 5,000.

“It was fantastic to see all of the new graduates at the ceremonies and pleasing that so many of them indicated an interest in keeping in touch with the University,” said Graduate Relations Manager Nicole Alsemgeest. The association was founded in late 2005.

“All graduates, including those from our predecessor colleges, staff members and friends of the University are warmly welcome to join the Graduate Association.” To do so, please visit www.acu.edu.au/graduates

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Charles Firth of The Chaser and Frank Brennan to discuss the future

Comedian Charles Firth of ABC TV’s The Chaser’s War on Everything program will join a panel of informed thinkers including ACU Institute of Legal Studies Professor Frank Brennan at a hypothetical, Advance Australia - Where? Global issues for Australian citizens in this election year.

Australian identity, global warming, reconciliation, community life, health, education, war, refugees, work and family will be up for discussion.

It will be held at Wentworth Falls School of Arts on Sunday 24 June at 2pm.

Social work community seminar

A community seminar on the intersection of politics, ethics, social justice and international social work practice will feature social worker and consultant Sylvia Winton as guest speaker.

She will be joined by School of Education Lecturer Maya Cranitch who has been involved in the Sudanese Pathways Project, also called Community Futures Australia.

The seminar will be held at the Strathfield Campus (Mount Saint Mary) in room C2.60 in the Edward Clancy Building at 163-167 Albert Rd, Strathfield on Monday 25 June between 9.30am and 11.30am. RSVP to jennifer.pace-feraud@acu.edu.au

Spaces and places for learning

A forum aimed at improving learning environments, Spaces and places for learning, will involve intensive learning environment design workshops and seminars around Australia, sponsored by the Carrick Institute.

Academics with interests in improving teaching practice, AV/IT experts, design and architectural practitioners, and representatives from property and building divisions are invited to apply.

Seminars will be held between 17 and 21 September and will feature former Glasgow Caledonian University Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Information Services) Les Watson and Associate Professor Peter Jamieson of Melbourne University.

Attendance is free but places are limited and participants must be available for the entire week. Applications for registration open today and will close on Thursday 28 June.

Social workers as agents of change

UnitingCare Australia National Director and Australian Council of Social Workers President Lin Hatfield Dodds will speak on social workers as agents of change at a seminar in the rose garden at the Canberra Campus (Signadou) on Thursday 28 June from 5pm to 6pm.

Lin has worked as a counseling psychologist and policy adviser on health, health ethics, and community services within federal and state governments, in government and community settings, in drug rehabilitation and with young people at risk, with a particular interest in trauma and abuse.

The rose garden seminars are a joint venture between the Australian Association of Social Workers ACT Branch, ACT Health and ACU School of Social Work. RSVP by Friday 22 June to gabrielle.culhane@acu.edu.au

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Guest speaker Lin Hatfield Dodds

Dealing with diversity in a complex, global world

Postgraduate students completing their professional psychology training are encouraged to present their research findings at ACU’s Centre for Social, Emotional, Cognitive, and Behavioural Development and School of Psychology’s annual conference, Dealing with diversity in a complex, global world.

It will be held on Saturday 20 October and Sunday 21 October at the Melbourne Campus (St Patrick’s).

For more information, please contact barry.fallon@acu.edu.au or terry.bowles@acu.edu.au

Lowy Institute Internship in International Security

Applications are open for the inaugural Michael and Deborah Thawley Bursary in International Security at the Lowy Institute for International Policy. This is an exceptional opportunity for an MA or PhD student to take part in the work of an independent Australian think-tank dedicated to generating original and policy-orientated ideas and research on world affairs.

The bursary will award $5,000 to help a postgraduate student to undertake an internship with the Lowy Institute. The deadline for applications is Wednesday 6 July 2007.

For further information contact Rory Medcalf, Lowy Institute for International Policy on (02) 8238 9005 or rmedcalf@lowyinstitute.org

Melbourne media studies screening

There may have been a lack of limousines and paparazzi, but for media students at the Melbourne Campus (St Patrick’s) it was as exciting as the Oscars.

Aspiring filmmakers from MEDA100, Introduction to Media Production, and MEDA201, Video/Film Production, recently screened their films to an enthusiastic full-house audience at Christ Lecture Theatre. The evening saw the culmination of a semester of hard work and creativity from first-year, second-year and third-year students in an atmosphere of inspiration and encouragement.

The award for best MEDA100 film went to Anthony Gray, Sofia Riccio-Rodriguez, and Jana Nichols for their comedy Ransom: Puppy Love. The award for best MEDA201 film went to Michael Whelan, Carissa Smith, Jasmine Menta, Sarah Moss, and Theresa Hamilton for their puzzling time-travel film Shift.

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Media students Anthony Gray (left), Jana Nichols and Sofia Riccio-Rodriguez.

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.