Issue 3 - Thursday 21 February
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.
- Apology to Indigenous Stolen Generations celebrated
- Dr Vaughan Monamy awarded biodiversity grant and joins Gene Ethics Committee
- ‘Baby Brain’ confirmed
- The countdown to World Youth Day
- Win one of four $250 book vouchers
- Students take radio training for ‘ACU National Wired’
- Exercise Science students battle ‘Street Socceroos’
- Professor Neil Ormerod selected to attend Catholic Theological Conference
- Professor Vanessa Rice makes appearance in new DVD
- Who’s Who from ACU National
- Blackboard – The New Learning Management System
- Queensland Community Choir
- Anglican Archbishop applauds ACU National Flagship Leadership Program
- Orientation Week festivities
- Application Deadline for the Carrick Competitive Grants Program
- Silver Anniversary for Ted Doherty
- Upcoming Events
Apology to Indigenous Stolen Generations celebrated
Across all six campuses of the University, ACU National reaffirmed its commitment to reconciliation and support for Indigenous Australians by holding formal viewing sessions for the Australian government’s apology to the Stolen Generations.In Strathfield, over 160 Indigenous students and 100 staff gathered in the Gleeson Auditorium to watch the apology. Following the Prime Minister’s speech, the gathering was treated to a cultural performance designed by three ACU National students: Mervyn Jones, Bobby Lair and Aaron Swan. Their performance included traditional dancing and a didgeridoo recital.
In Melbourne and Ballarat, staff attended emotional flag raising ceremonies led by the Jim-baa-yer Indigenous Affairs unit. ”Today was a day that many in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities thought would never come” said Jim-baa-yer coordinator Naomi Wolfe”It has been a bittersweet occasion.”
The Canberra Campus was visited by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and National Race Discrimination Commissioner Tom Calma in the lead-up to the apology. Mr. Calma held a seminar discussing the apology and how social work continues to play a vital role in Indigenous human rights. He said the apology had “a significant emotional effect on the people who were forcibly removed from their families, and will help them to begin a healing process.”
All levels of the University were involved in apology events. Chancellor Brother Julian McDonald felt the apology was one of the most significant moments in the history of Australia. Vice-Chancellor Professor Craven reaffirmed the University’s continuing commitment to help bridge the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Christine King (ACU National PhD student and Co-Chair of the Stolen Generation Alliance) and Tom Calma.
Dr. Vaughan Monamy awarded biodiversity grant and joins Gene Ethics Committee
Researcher and Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science Dr Vaughan Monamy from has been awarded an $185,000 biodiversity research grant by the New South Wales Department of Environment and Climate Change, the largest of all grants awarded last year.Dr. Monamy’s research project will look at mosquito control, saltmarsh and insectivorous bats. It examines the importance of threatened saltmarsh communities as feeding habitat for up to 12 rare insectivorous bat species and whether mosquito spraying impacts on bat numbers and home ranges.
The research project aims to seek a balance between controlling nuisance biting of people by mosquito species and conserving important bat habitats.
Dr Monamy has also recently been appointed to the Australian Government’s Gene Technology Ethics and Community Consultative Committee (GTECCC). The appointment was confirmed on 31 January by Senator the Hon. Jan McLucas, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Aging.
GTECCC was formed on 1 January 2008 and is one of two gene technology advisory committees which operate within the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. GTECCC advises the Gene Technology Regulator and the Gene Technology Ministerial Council on ethical issues relating to gene technology and on matters of general concern to the community in relation to genetically modified organisms.
Dr Monamy has been appointed to the committee for a period of three years.
Dr Vaughan Monamy
‘Baby Brain’ confirmed
Associate Professor Dr Peter Rendell has published research confirming subtle memory impairment in women up to a year after they have given birth.The study, co-written by Dr. Julie Henry of The University of Sydney and published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, is the first to ‘meta-study’ on pregnancy-related memory loss, consolidating data from many previous studies and other analyses into a concrete scientific format.
"Regular, well-practiced memory tasks - such as remembering phone numbers of friends and family members - are unlikely to be affected," says Dr. Rendell. "It's a different story, though, when you have to remember new phone numbers, people's names or hold in mind several different pieces of information, such as when multi-tasking ."
The research showed that between 50 and 80 per cent of women reported impaired cognitive ability, particularly increased forgetfulness. The ‘baby brain’ story has appeared in major media outlets including the Today Show, The Age, CNN, and The Sunday Observer (UK), Yahoo News, ABC radio, and the Sydney Morning Herald.
The countdown to World Youth Day
Thousands of pilgrims visiting Brisbane for World Youth Day and the ‘Days in the Diocese’ program in mid-July will make ACU National’s Brisbane Campus their first port of call. The Brisbane Campus will act as a registration hub and welcome centre for all participants.The pilgrims are planning to learn about life in the individual diocese through local parish and deanery events, as well as offering a day of social service to the community.
Students from ACU National’s Canberra Campus also joined in the World Youth Day preparations by participating in the carrying of the World Youth Day Cross and Icon to the steps of Parliament House on 18 February. The students were moved by the experienced citing it as a life enhancing opportunity. ACU National students passed the Cross and Icon to students from a rural school community. Students then participated in the celebration that took place inside the Great Hall.
World Youth Day Stall at Strathfield Campus Orientation Week
Win one of four $250 book vouchers
Each year ACU National conducts a survey of commencing (incoming) students. The purpose of the survey is to better understand the student experience and the ways the University communicates with its students.University Relations would like your help in encouraging students to participate in the survey. Please note this survey is only open to new students enrolling for the first time at ACU National in 2008.
The survey will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete.
Every student who takes part will be entered into our prize draw and the first four names out of the hat will receive a $250 book voucher. Competition draw closes on Friday 28 March and winners will be announced on Monday 31 March.
To complete the survey please click here
Students take radio training for ‘ACU National Wired’
Students from all six campuses recently attended the ACU National Wired Radio Camp on the Strathfield Campus, learning all the skills necessary to run their own campus radio stations.On the two-day camp, students learned many aspects of radio production including DJ technology form ITCS staffer John Dixon and broadcast report writing from media lecturer John Hillel. By the end of the camp, the budding professionals felt confident in their ability to contribute to the new community radio station for ACU National.
The students enjoyed the experience immensely and look forward to coming to you on the airwaves!
Visit the Wired site for more details: http://www.acu.edu.au/student_life/acu_radio
Teresa Georges and John Dixon
ACU National Wired team
Exercise Science students battle ‘Street Socceroos’
In partnership with The Big Issue, Exercise Science students from the Melbourne Campus battled against the ‘Street Socceroos’ as part of their Orientation Week activities.Playing inside a giant inflatable pitch at Albert Park, The Street Socceroos, a team of disadvantaged and homeless Melbournians organised by the Big Issue and led by coach George Halkias, faced off against the ACU National students in short 20 minute matches.
“The battle with the 'Street Socceroos' was a great introduction for our new students to the spirit of studying at ACU National where engagement in the local community and consideration of social justice issues are encouraged” said, School of Exercise Science (VIC) Course Coordinator Dr Elizabeth Bradshaw.
“The students and the ‘Street Socceroos’ shared a mutual sense of fun and passion for physical activity,” she added.
The program also has great benefits beyond physical fitness. Being a ‘Street Socceroo’ has been shown to have many significant positive impacts, with many participants finding stable accommodation, beginning counselling, starting vocational training and securing regular employment.
Training sessions with over 50 Street Socceroo teams from around Australia will take place throughout the year in the lead up to the Homeless World Cup in Melbourne this November.
For more details visit: http://www.bigissue.org.au/Content.aspx?id=18
Sam Charlton and Kieran Seenan students of exercise science
Professor Neil Ormerod selected to attend Catholic Theological Conference
Professor of Theology Dr Neil Ormerod has been elected the Asia-Oceania representative of the Conference of Catholic Theological Institutes (COCTI) at their annual meeting in Paris.
Professor Ormerod attended the general assembly, which was called to implement a refoundation of COCTI as a sectoral group within the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU), of which ACU National is a member.
The conferences included representatives from Latin American, North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania and some 40 Catholic theological institutes and faculties.
The next General Assembly will be held in India, to be hosted by the Pontifical Institute of Philosophy and Theology at Pune, in 2011.
Professor Vanessa Rice makes appearance in new DVD
Dr. Vanessa Rice from the School of Exercise Science in Victoria was recently interviewed in a new DVD entitled Setting the Pace: Women and Sport.The DVD, produced by Video Education Australasia, explores the history of women in sport. Dr Rice felt pleased to contribute to a product that addresses such an important aspect of our lives.
“I believe women need to be active from an early age,” said Dr Rice. “Physical activity is important across the lifespan; it's not just about competitive sport, although we can draw our inspiration from such high achieving women.”
Further details are available at: www.vea.com.au
Who’s Who from ACU National
Dr Robert Compton, Head of the School of Business and Informatics (NSW), has just been listed in the 2008 inaugural NSW edition of Who’s Who. Dr Compton was recognised for his contribution to business education in Australia, SE Asia and the sub-continent. He has also taught MBA programs in each of those areas.Congratulations are also in order for Dr Janet Currie, who was recently recognised with a ‘High Commendation’ by the NSW Fitness Industry Awards for Fitness Professionals in 2007. Dr Currie has spent 25 years service as a community fitness leader.
Dr Robert Compton
Dr Janet Currie
Blackboard – The New Learning Management System
The University’s new learning management system has changed its name from WebCT to Blackboard. All staff and students are advised to remind their colleagues of the name change to help implement a smooth transition. All course outlines should now refer only to Blackboard.For help or further information, please contact the Institute for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning’s online advisers at IATLonlineadvisers@acu.edu.au or as detailed below:
The online advisers for 2008 are:
Evan Harris ex 7264
BJ Johnson ex 5375
Alanah Kazlauskas ex 2884
Brian King ex 7199
Joe Perry ex 3190
Annette Schneider ex 5349
Queensland Community Choir
The ACU National Queensland Choir is a community choir that rehearses at the ACU National Brisbane Campus. The choir sings a wide variety of music from many different styles and genres and performs in its own right and in collaboration with other music organisations. The choir is a mixed voice ensemble (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) that draws its membership from the student body, staff, alumni and members of the Brisbane and south-east Queensland communityRehearsals take place on Wednesday evenings. For further details contact Judy Fromyhr on (07) 3632 7186 or judy.fromyhr@acu.edu.au. Scholarships are available for those who can provide choral leadership.
Anglican Archbishop applauds ACU National Flagship Leadership Program
On 14 February, senior leaders from Anglicare, the welfare arm of the Sydney Anglican Church, received awards for their completion of a 60-hour intensive Leadership Development Program (LDP) led by ACU National.
The Australian Leadership Consortium is a partnership between the Flagship for Creative and Authentic Leadership at ACU National and the Australian Centre for Educational Leadership at the University of Wollongong. Twenty-five Anglicare staff completed the program, including Chief Executive Officer Mr Peter Kell, other members of the Leadership Team and Anglicare Managers. The award ceremony was hosted by the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Peter Jensen, and included presentations by the LDP participants of their final group projects.
The audience, comprised of senior representatives of a number of Anglican agencies and faculty from ACU National and the University of Wollongong, heard an opening address from Emeritus Professor Patrick Duignan, the Foundation Professor of Educational Leadership at ACU National, and Archbishop Jensen. In closing his address, Archbishop Jensen warmly applauded the work achieved through the Leadership Development Program developed and conducted by the ACU National Flagship with UOW. Program organisers have been asked to prepare for another such program in 2008.
The picture shows a member of the Anglicare cohort receiving the certificate of completion from the Archbishop in the presence of Professor Brian Ferry, Deputy Dean of Education at the University of Wollongong, Emeritus Professor Patrick Duignan, Archbishop Peter Jensen and the Project Director, Adjunct Professor Anne Benjamin.
Orientation Week festivities
Orientation Week was recently held at each of ACU National’s campuses, with reports of great success and much participation in local activities.National and local organisers of Orientation events would like to thank the many students and staff who volunteered to assist throughout the week. Your contributions made the transition for new students as smooth as possible.
Orientation activities at the Strathfield Campus
Strathfield Campus Student Assosiation (SCSA)
Application Deadline for the Carrick Competitive Grants Program
Applications for the 2008 Competitive Grants Program close on Thursday 27 March. The 2008 Competitive Grants Guidelines are available to download.For further information please visit the Carrick Institute: http://www.carrickinstitute.edu.au/carrick/go/home/grants/pid/54
Pro-Vice-Chancellor sees way forward on climate change
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Professor Gabrielle McMullen was recently published in Chemistry in Australia magazine, the magazine of The Royal Australian Chemical Institute, advocating for an interdisciplinary approach to climate change.Professor McMullen sees “very hopefully signs” of scientific participation in addressing the key issues surrounding climate change. She notes a number of discussions around necessary changes to society that are needed to help curb Australia’s environmental impact.
“As Australia faces the effects of global warming on its environment and water supply, heavy responsibility falls upon scientists from all disciplines to provide leadership to governments and to business and, in particular, to work with their counterparts in the humanities and the social sciences to address such global issues,” she wrote.
Silver Anniversary for Ted Doherty
ACU National’s Printing and Publications Adviser Ted Doherty today celebrates 25 years of service to the University.
Ted commenced work as Printing Manager with the University’s predecessor institution the Catholic College of Education Sydney, on 21 February 1983. Ted now works within the University Relations directorate at the North Sydney Campus.
National Communications Manager Anthony Hillis congratulated Ted on the anniversary, and on his service to the University.
Ted brings a wealth of experience to the University’s communications work, in particular to the quality of our publications” said Anthony. “His reliable support and advice, both to University Relations and the University community, is consistently professional and valued. There are few people in the University who would work with so many members of staff across the country as Ted does, and I’m sure they will all join me in recognising and thanking Ted for his work and service”
Ted Doherty
Upcoming Events
- Thursday 21 February - Socratic forum (Melbourne)
- Friday 22 February - New Vice-Chancellor visit Campuses (Canberra)
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.
