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Issue 1 - Wednesday 23 January

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

Orientation Week and other key dates

Thousands of new ACU National students are expected to take part in Orientation Week, beginning Monday 11 February. The academic year will formally commence in the week starting Monday 18 February.

Visit http://www.acu.edu.au/student_life/orientation_week for details of Orientation events at each campus.

Visit http://my.acu.edu.au/student/applying/handbooks/2008/general_information/academic_year for other key dates in ACU National’s academic calendar.

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Professor Peter Sheehan

Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Sheehan AO will complete his tenure at Australian Catholic University on Thursday 31 January, after ten years in the role.

The University community continues to give thanks to Professor Sheehan for his leadership and vision as he prepares to depart.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Professor Gabrielle McMullen recently paid tribute to Professor Sheehan at the final meeting of Academic Board for 2007. Read the tribute here.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and International) Professor Peter Wilson invites Sydney staff to a Mass in honour of Professor Sheehan at 11am on Tuesday 29 January in the Chapel of the Strathfield Campus (Mount Saint Mary) and followed by morning tea in the Atrium. RSVP to robyn.vandy@acu.edu.au or (02) 9701 4000.

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Professor Peter Sheehan

Community engagement presentation

The Vice-Chancellor warmly invites staff in Sydney to attend the presentation of the inaugural Vice-Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Community Engagement.  The Award will be presented to the collaborative partners of the Clemente/Catalyst Program.

The presentation will be held at 9.45am on Tuesday 29 January 2008 in the foyer of the Edmund Rice Building, Strathfield Campus, immediately prior to the Mass mentioned above.

RSVP to Robyn Vandy robyn.vandy@acu.edu.au by the morning of Friday 25 January.

New Vice-Chancellor to visit all campuses

Chancellor Brother Julian McDonald CFC AO invites staff to welcome the University’s new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Greg Craven, who will take office on Friday 1 February.

Professor Craven will visit each campus to address staff in February, as follows:

•    Strathfield Campus (Mount Saint Mary) at 10.00am on Monday 4 February;
•    North Sydney Campus (MacKillop) at 2.30pm on Monday 4 February;
•    Brisbane Campus (McAuley at Banyo) at 12.30pm on Monday 11 February;
•    Ballarat Campus (Aquinas) at 10.00am on Monday 18 February;
•    Melbourne Campus (St Patrick’s) at 2.30pm on Monday 18 February; and
•    Canberra Campus (Signadou) at 10.00am on Friday 22 February.

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Professor Greg Craven

Farewell to Tim O’Hearn after 34 years of service

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sheehan, has paid tribute to the Dean of Students Associate Professor Tim O'Hearn for the tremendous contribution he has made during his 34 years with the University and its predecessor colleges.

“Tim has a deep commitment to the University and has played a key role in its development over many years, including in the important leadership role of Dean of Students.  Australian Catholic University has indeed been most fortunate to have his service for over three decades. He has given us his all and we have been enriched by his talents, his personal deep faith and his many gifts.

A farewell afternoon tea for Professor O'Hearn will be held at 3pm on Tuesday 29 January in the foyer of the auditorium at the North Sydney Campus (MacKillop). RSVP by contacting mary.evripidou@acu.edu.au or (02) 9739 2927.

Ms Anne Cummins, a former member of the University’s Senate who has served on the University’s ACT Chapter for many years, has been appointed Acting Dean of Students for five months from 1 February 2008.


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Professor Tim O'Hearn

Chair of Nursing Research (NSW and ACT)

ACU National and St Vincent’s and Mater Health Service (SV&MHS) have appointed Professor Sandy Middleton to the newly created Chair of Nursing Research (NSW and ACT).

Professor Middleton currently holds the position of Professor of Nursing (NSW & ACT) at ACU National.

“I congratulate Professor Middleton on her appointment,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Sheehan AO. ”She is a highly regarded researcher in the nursing field, with a strong record of publication, teaching, service and leadership.”

“I strongly believe Professor Middleton will build on the existing productive working relationships between clinicians and academics, with regard to nursing practice, policy and education.”

SV&MHS CEO Mary Foley said: “St Vincent’s & Mater Health Sydney is happy to welcome Professor Middleton to her new position. We look forward to her insights, and know her strong commitment to nursing will make a lasting positive impact.”
SV&MHS forms part of the Sisters of Charity Health Service which is the largest diversified health care organisation within Australia’s not-for-profit and Catholic health care sectors. SV&MHS comprises St Vincent’s Hospital, St Vincent’s Private Hospital, Sacred Heart Hospice, Mater Hospital, St Joseph’s Hospital and St Joseph’s Village.

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Professor Sandy Middleton

AusAID ALA Fellowship Seminar in Vietnam

Staff from ACU National’s Flagship for Creative and Authentic Leadership, the School of Educational Leadership, the School of Education (NSW), the School of Nursing (NSW) and Institute for the Advancement for Teaching and Learning took part in a recent Australian Leadership Awards (ALA) Fellowship Seminar in Ho Chi Minh City. Participants were hosted by members of the local Faculty of Education at the University of Social Sciences and visited the Vietnam National University (VNU).

A formal meeting between staff of VNU, ACU National visitors and two principals from schools in the Parramatta Diocese allowed information, ideas and gifts to be exchanged, and demonstrated opportunities for cooperative teaching, research and other activities.

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ACU National staff, ALA Fellows and staff of universities in Vietnam

Lenten Lecture connects Lent to modern life

As Easter approaches, Lent provides an opportunity for spiritual reflection. The 2008 Lenten Lecture, open to the public, will be delivered by Reverend Dr Gerard Kelly in the Leone Ryan Auditorium at the North Sydney Campus (MacKillop) at 6.30pm on Ash Wednesday 6 February.

Dr Kelly, President of the Catholic Institute of Sydney, Deputy President of the Sydney College of Divinity, and a priest of the Archdiocese of Sydney, will speak on how To keep a true Lent: Finding a place for an ancient practice in contemporary society. Dr Kelly will discuss the origins of Lent and how the season of Lent can be made more meaningful, in preparation for Easter Resurrection celebrations. 

Members of the wider community are invited. A light supper will be served at the conclusion of the Lecture. RSVP (for catering purposes) to rsvp.vc@acu.edu.au by Friday 1 February. For more information, please telephone (02) 9739 2943.

Holocaust Memorial Day

Staff are advised that Sunday 27 January is the International Day for Holocaust Commemoration.

The UN General Assembly adopted by consensus on 1 November 2005 the resolution establishing 27 January as the annual international day for commemorating and honouring Holocaust victims. Australia was among 104 co-sponsors of the resolution. 27 January is the anniversary of the day in 1945 when Russian troops liberated the Auschwitz concentration camp
Holocaust Memorial Day serves as a strong reminder to us all of the need to remain vigilant and take steps to prevent such horror from happening again.

The official site for the commemoration is http://www.un.org/holocaustremembrance/emainpage.shtml

Canberra Campus welcomes US students

The Canberra Campus (Signadou) recently welcomed 26 US university students on a study tour, Australian society: Identity, culture and social change.

Part of the Upper Midwest Association of Intercultural Education, the study group is touring Australia throughout January, providing the students with valuable insights into Australian culture and the Australian way of life. The students, from several US universities, will receive credit for the tour equivalent to one subject of their course.

“The tour is a great opportunity for the visiting students to contrast Australian and American society,” said Canberra Campus Rector Professor Peter Camilleri.

“ACU National provides many student exchange opportunities with the US, and we are happy to have American students here engaging with Australia.”

The group has spent nearly half the tour exploring Australian history and culture in Canberra, visiting the Australian War Memorial, the National Museum of Australia, Parliament House, and in true Aussie tradition, a day at the beach, complete with surfing lessons.

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US students exploring all aspects of Australian life on their recent study tour

2008 Handbook available for collection

Copies of the 2008 ACU National Handbook are now available for collection. The handbooks are produced on a cost-recovery basis, to cover typesetting and printing. This year, they will cost $33 per unit.

To arrange for collection, staff who have placed an order for handbooks are invited to contact the relevant local member of staff:

•    Brisbane Campus (McAuley at Banyo) - trent.pardey@acu.edu.au or (07) 3623 7491
•    Strathfield Campus (Mount Saint Mary) - nicole.alsemgeest@acu.edu.au or (02) 9701 4231
•    North Sydney Campus (MacKillop) - ted.doherty@acu.edu.au or (02) 9739 2363
•    Canberra Campus (Signadou) - bea.brickhill@acu.edu.au or (02) 6209 1194
•    Melbourne Campus (St Patrick’s) - laura.plotnek@acu.edu.au or (03) 9953 3300

A limited number of additional handbooks are available for purchase, for any staff or department that may have not placed an order. Please contact ted.doherty@acu.edu.au or (02) 9739 2363 for further information.

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Institute for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (IATL) news

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Professor Gabrielle McMullen has announced that IATL Director Associate Professor Paul Chesterton is taking long service leave and, following this, will retire from the University in early 2009.

“The appointment of a new Director is in progress and anticipated for early March 2008,” Professor McMullen said. “In the meantime Ms Ann Applebee, Director of Flexible Teaching and Learning within the IATL, has generously agreed to accept the extra role of Acting IATL Director.  I am most grateful to Ms Applebee for her willingness to assist the University in this further way.

“I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding contribution of Associate Professor Chesterton as foundation IATL Director and previously Academic Staff Development Coordinator as well as during his long years of service as a member of the School of Education (NSW). His involvement with the University and its predecessor colleges spans a period of almost 30 years. Associate Professor Chesterton has brought to each of the above roles exemplary professionalism, dedication and integrity and won the esteem of both his colleagues and his students. I am sure that staff will join with me in wishing Associate Professor Chesterton well for his long service leave and retirement.”

e-Learning appointment

Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean Professor Gail Crossley has welcomed Ms Alison Blair to the new role of Faculty e-Learning Coordinator.

“Alison has considerable expertise and experience and will provide support for our staff and Schools to develop our online learning portfolio,” Professor Crossley said.

Alison, based at the Brisbane Campus (McAuley at Banyo), invites faculty staff to contact her for information on enhancing their teaching and engaging students with online learning options. Contact alison.blair@acu.edu.au or (07) 3623 7425.

Children’s health and spirituality conference

More than 130 international experts are gathering this week at the Ballarat Campus (Aquinas) for a major conference on the role of spirituality in children’s health and education.

The Eighth International Conference on Children’s Spirituality will explore new research on the role of spirituality, education and health in the lives of young people.

“This conference brings together many renowned scholars to explore issues, successful practice and innovative approaches for creating healthy and nurturing environments that promote spirituality and wellbeing in children and adolescents,” said Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Professor Gabrielle McMullen.

Since commencing, the Conference has already received a number of positive comments for excellent organisation and the wide variety of topics being presented.

“There is a general buzz and a sense of animated excitement among the participants,” said School of Religious Education Senior Lecturer Marian D’Souza. “A strong spirit of international collaboration, excellent keynote speakers, quality discourse and a memorable visit to Sovereign Hill have made this conference a very wonderful experience.”

Conference papers address topics such as global responses to youth spirituality, happiness, inter-faith dialogue, educators’ attitudes and new approaches to teaching spirituality. The results from a number of broad-based national studies on Australian youth attitudes towards spirituality will also be presented.

Visit www.acu.edu.au/conferences for more information.

New website for international students

The International Education Office recently launched a new website for prospective and current international students, staff and education agents.

Staff are encouraged to visit the new website at www.acu.edu.au/international

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.

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