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AdelaideanVolume 11 Number 9 News from the University of Adelaide October 2002
I N S I D E
Students tasteAdelaide
page 7
Dairy vs.red meat
page 5
Jazz singerreturns
Page 9
Student Joshua van Konkelenberg plays the new organ for the first time at the recent graduation ceremonies. Photo: Ben Osborne.
AN $8 million upgrade of the ElderSchool of Music will begin next month.The work, which is being funded by theUniversity of Adelaide and theCommonwealth and State Governments,follows the formal merger of the ElderConservatorium and the Flinders StreetSchool of Music on January 1 this year.
The refurbishment will enhance professionalmusic training for the School's 400 studentsand will be completed in February 2004.
Major elements of the upgrade include:
• Development of soundproofed music studiosin the Schulz Building
• Creation of rehearsal and practice studios forjazz and percussion in the Madley Building
• Improvements to the Elder Music Libraryon Kintore Avenue
• Development of a colonnade (walkway) aspart of a "music hub" centred on PfitznerCourt linking the Hartley, Madley andSchulz buildings with the Scott Theatre
• Refurbishment of teaching and office spacesin Elder Hall.
Elder School Director, and Elder Professor ofMusic, Professor Charles Bodman Rae saidthe work would improve teaching spaces,practice rooms, office accommodation, andgeneral amenities.
"It will directly enhance the experience of ourmusic students," Professor Bodman Rae said.
"The provision of properly soundproofedfacilities, particularly for the louder types ofmusic such as jazz and percussion, will be amajor step forward.
"These are exciting times for the School. Ourlunchtime concerts in Elder Hall have beenselling out regularly this season, and audiencesfor our evening performances have alsobeen excellent.
"The concerts are an important way in whichthe University engages with the community,and we value the strong support we receivefrom the public," he said.
The Elder School provides a comprehensiverange of specialist music programs, from pre-degree Certificates, through several Bachelorsdegrees (including Honours), Masters degrees,to Doctorates (including the higher Doctorateof Music).
—John Drislane
Music school to get S8m upgrade
With its two-metre-high speakers, theorgan is the largest digital instrument inAustralia and one of the largest organs of itskind in the world.
It has been installed at Bonython Hall as aninitiative of the previous Vice-Chancellor,Professor Cliff Blake, who had overseen theinstallation of digital organs in the halls ofseveral other university campuses.
The installation included the challenge ofmeeting strict heritage requirements for thehistoric Bonython Hall.
"The beauty of this organ is that it isacoustically indistinguishable from a pipeorgan," said project officer Mr PeterBurdon, Administrative Assistant in theVice-Chancellor’s office.
"Fine organs have long been features of thegreat universities and cultural centres of theworld, and there is no doubt that this organcontributes to the status of the Universityof Adelaide.
"It supplements those organs that alreadyexist in Adelaide, including the neo-classicalorgan in Elder Hall, and is intended tocontrast with them.
"Anyone who doubts how good the organsounds should attend the recital and hear forthemselves. I'm sure they'll be surprised athow good it is."
Tickets to the first recital cost $4 and will beavailable at the door.
—David Ellis
IT'S been 40 years since theGothic architecture of Bonython Hallresounded with organ music.
That experience is about to be repeatedthanks to the hi-tech digital age ofmusic technology.
Bonython Hall is now equipped with astate-of-the-art digital pipe organ that usesno pipes but reproduces the sound of apiped organ identically.
The very first open-to-the-publicperformance of the new organ will be heldat 1.10pm on Thursday, October 3.
The performer of the inaugural recital isAustralia's foremost organist, David Druryfrom Sydney.
ADELAIDEANPAGE 2 OCTOBER 2002
Adelaidean
Deadline for next issue: October 24.Room G07 Mitchell Building, South Australia, 5005.Tel (08) 8303 5174; Fax (08) 8303 4838; Email: [email protected]://www.adelaide.edu.au/pr/publications/Adelaidean/Material may be reproduced without permission but acknowledgement must be given to the Adelaidean.
EditorDavid Ellis
LayoutChris Tonkin
WritersBen OsborneJohn DrislaneDavid Ellis
ContributorsHelen SimpsonJoan SoonMax TateChris WainwrightLee WelchJoe Wiskich
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Coming EventsPlease send all coming events to the editor at theaddress below. There is no charge for comingevents, but they must be University related.
From theVice-Chancellor
Time to GrowThere are many fine examples of architecture aroundthe university's campuses, Bonython Hall not leastamong them. In my early days as Adelaide's Vice-Chancellor I've already had the pleasure of attendingBonython Hall on a number of occasions—theChancellor's dinner on my very first day, the graduationceremonies in August, and now my first University ofAdelaide Forum.
The Forum will be held in Bonython Hall onWednesday, October 23 at 1pm, and I invite all staff,interested students, postdocs and others to join theChancellor and me. I especially hope that those at theWaite, Roseworthy and Thebarton campuses will beable to be there. At the Forum you'll be hearing areview of the last six months, and we'll discuss wherethe University is headed, and what directions we cannow take.
That topic is something I've been thinking very hardabout over the last few weeks as I've been learning moreand more about the university. The quality of thisuniversity is great, and I see it as my job as Vice-Chancellor to help Adelaide to build on its excellenceand grow. We need to build a stable platform on whichthe university can build success well into the 21stcentury, and beyond.
The process now is to underscore our excellence andsecure our future through growth—growth of ourstudent base, of our external research monies, and ourlinkages with the community. The university will beasserting its presence in the community much morethan it has in the past, and we can expect thecommunity to pay much more attention to us thanbefore, and hopefully to embrace us.
A strong sense of community is exactly what I saw inoperation during the recent Australian UniversitiesInternational Alumni Convention in Melbourne, andat the Homecoming for international alumni thatfollowed in Adelaide. I'm impressed with theenthusiasm of our international alumni for the City ofAdelaide and for their University, and it was a pleasureto meet with them and extend our hospitality to them.We have among our international alumni (and indeed,our local alumni) some inspirational people who havemade their mark on the world. They are true examplesof the value of university education.
There is much about higher education today that is influx, and with the Minister's Review of HigherEducation there is bound to be more change. Togetherwe can look for opportunities and ensure that changesare for the better, for the prosperity and growth of theuniversity and of our community and country.
I look forward to seeing you in Bonython Hall.
PROFESSOR JAMES A. McWHAVice-Chancellor
NOTICE TO ACADEMIC AND GENERAL STAFFOn Wednesday, 27 November 2002 there will be an election of three members of the Academic staffelected by the Academic Staff and two members of the General staff elected by the General Staff forthe period 6 March 2003 to 5 March 2005. The following members retire from Council on 5 March 2003: PM Gill, GC Dandy and RJ Crewther(elected by the Academic Staff); and JD Cecchin and JA Dibb-Smith (elected by the General Staff). They are not ineligible for re-election as members.Nominations to the positions are invited. A nomination must be made on the prescribed form, and mustreach the Returning Officer at the University before 12 noon Friday, 18 October 2002. Nomination formsand further information may be obtained from University Reception, Mitchell Building, North TerraceCampus or by phoning 8303 4194 or from http://adelaide.edu.au/governance/council/.Please note that the University of Adelaide Act 1971 is currently under review and may be amend-ed before 5 March 2003. It is possible that Council membership categories will be changed. Ittherefore cannot be guaranteed that any or all staff elected will actually take up a position on theUniversity Council. However, elections are proceeding in accord with current requirements.
SUSAN GRAEBNERReturning Officer
FIVE of South Australia's Young Tall Poppies ofscience for 2002 are staff at the University of Adelaide.The Tall Poppy campaign, established by the AustralianInstitute of Political Science, promotes an awareness ofAustralia's intellectual achievements and aims to recognise,value and support achievements in science.
The campaign also encourages young Australians to pursue aninterest and career in science.
The inaugural South Australian Tall Poppy Day was held onSeptember 24—the birthday of Sir Howard Florey, one ofState's (and the University's) greatest tall poppies in the fieldof medical science.
The Young Tall Poppies of SA represent and highlight "thewealth of scientific knowledge, expertise and excellence
From left: Dr Holger Maier, Professor Simon Stewart andDr Sandra Orgeig.
Adelaide staff are Tall Poppies of sciencegenerated by so many of those working in our universities,hospitals, research institutes and health corporations", said DrJohn Best AM, Chairman of the Tall Poppy Campaign.
Of the six Tall Poppies chosen this year, five are University ofAdelaide staff:
Dr Cathy Coulter—NHMRC R.D. Wright Research Fellow,Department of Physiology. Dr Coulter is one of the ChiefInvestigators on the recently funded NHMRC ProgramGrant investigating the “Early Origins of Adult Disease”.
Dr Michael Lee—joint appointment of the SA Museum andthe University's Department of Environmental Biology. DrLee's research interests are in the systematics and evolutionarybiology of reptiles, particularly in the origin and evolutionof snakes.
Dr Holger Maier—Senior Lecturer, School of Civil &Environmental Engineering. Dr Maier's primary researchinterest is the utilisation of examples from nature for solvingenvironmental and water engineering problems. This includesusing a model based on the way the brain works to predictsalinity and blue-green algal blooms in the River Murray.
Dr Vivienne Moore—Lecturer, Department of PublicHealth. Dr Moore is a social epidemiologist who isparticularly interested in the way the social environment andbehaviour patterns of individuals can influence their health.In her work, Dr Moore focuses on the health of womenand children.
Dr Sandra Orgeig—ARC Research Fellow, Department ofEnvironmental Biology. Dr Orgeig's research examines therelationship between cholesterol and phospholipids in thepulmonary surfactant system in vertebrates. In 1999, sheobtained an ARC Research Fellowship to examine theevolutionary processes that govern the development of thepulmonary surfactant system in a range of vertebrates withwidely differing birth strategies.
The sixth Tall Poppy is Professor Simon Stewart, NationalHeart Foundation of Australia/Roche Chair of CardiovascularNursing, UniSA.
A STUDENT owes her life to the quick thinking andexpertise of one of the University's security officers, andthe help of her fellow students.Last August, security staff at the North Terrace campus werecalled to the aid of a female student who had collapsed aftersuffering a serious asthma attack in the Equinox café whereshe was participating in fencing practice.
Security officers Rohan Main and Jeff Mitchell immediatelyresponded to the call for help, and found the student lying onthe floor being supported by two other students.
Her colleagues had tried to assist by administering threepuffs of her inhaler, but she had collapsed and was put in thecoma position.
Mr Main attempted to speak with the student and receivedno answer.
Security officer praisedfor saving student's life
He noticed her eyes were closed and breathing was very shortand rapid.
An ambulance had been called. Soon after the securityofficers arrived on the scene, the student’s breathing becameextremely shallow and then ceased altogether. Mr Main andthe other students rolled her onto her back. He beganExpired Air Resuscitation which he continued for about sevenminutes until the arrival of the ambulance team.
"This action by Rohan without doubt saved the woman's life,and once again proved the wisdom of having highly trainedSecurity Officers who can and will respond rapidly to assistour wonderful students," said the Manager of SecurityServices, Mr Owen Godfrey.
"We commend Rohan for his work, and the student's familyare very grateful for his actions."
ADELAIDEAN OCTOBER 2002 PAGE 3
AN ADELAIDE engineering studenthas been chosen from among aninternational field to participate in thismonth's Space Generation Summit atHouston, Texas—the home of NASA.
University of Adelaide PhD studentKimberley Clayfield (MechanicalEngineering) will attend the Summit fromOctober 11-13.
Ms Clayfield is strongly involved in aerospaceengineering. She's a coordinator of the SouthAustralian Space School, was the foundingchairperson of the University's student branchof the American Institute of Aeronautics andAstronautics, and was Program Director of theSpaceFutures 2000 conference in Canberra.
Aerospace engineering is a growing field ofinterest at the University of Adelaide, and in2004 the University will offer a brand newdegree in Aerospace Engineering. (Moredetails about the new degree will be madeavailable next year.)
Ms Clayfield was selected as one of 200 youngpeople aged between 18-35 from around theworld to attend the Space Generation Summitin Houston.
The Summit will be held in conjunction withthe World Space Congress 2002 (October 10-19), for the purpose of "articulating the visionof young people on the future utilisation andexploration of space".
PROFESSOR Jack McLean, Director ofthe Road Accident Research Unit at theUniversity of Adelaide, has received theworld's most prestigious award in the areaof alcohol, drugs and traffic safety.
He was presented with the award at the 16thinternational conference of the InternationalCouncil on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety(ICADTS) in Montreal, Canada.
The Council's Widmark Award is the highesthonour conferred on individuals andorganisations for "outstanding contributionsto our basic knowledge of the effects ofalcohol and other mood-altering drugs ontraffic safety".
Jack receives top safety honour
Professor Eric Widmark's pioneering researchacross three decades of the 20th centurytouched almost all significant facets ofalcohol physiology, pharmacology, andanalysis, especially those related to motorvehicle operation.
His development of the "micro-method" ofblood alcohol analysis in 1917 made possiblethe introduction of legislation based on bloodalcohol concentration, initially in criminalcases in Sweden in 1934 and later in relationto road crashes.
Professor McLean is the 25th recipient of aWidmark Award since it was first awarded in1965. Previous recipients include the lateProfessor Robert Borkenstein, the developerof the Breathalyser.
The award was also made to Professor RalphHingson of Boston University.
A graduate of Adelaide and Harvarduniversities, Professor McLean is knownworld wide for his research and commentaryon road safety research issues.
He has been Director of the University's RoadAccident Research Unit since 1973. Amongother positions, he was also head from 1988-92 of the World Health Organisation'sCollaborating Centre for the Prevention andControl of Road Traffic Accidents.
Professor McLean had made a significantcontribution to scientific knowledge andpublic policy in Australia and around theworld, the Council said.
Houston, we have a studentThe theme of the Summit is "Accelerating ourPace in Space", and discussions will focus onfour key streams: "Peacekeepers", "Pioneers","Prospectors" and "Protectors".
As a delegate to the Space GenerationSummit, Ms Clayfield is one of only six peoplechosen to represent Australia, one of only twoAustralian women, and the only SouthAustralian delegate.
"For me, attending the Space GenerationSummit will be an outstanding opportunity toraise the profile of Australian and SouthAustralian space activity to internationalprofessionals not only within the science,engineering and technology arena, but alsofrom business and commerce, government andacademia," Ms Clayfield said.
"The World Space Congress will be the largestgathering of space scientists for a decade, andwill provide a unique opportunity to presentthe global youth perspective on space issues toworld leaders. It’s a great honour to be chosento contribute to this global youth forum and torepresent Australia to the rest of the world.
"It’s particularly inspiring to know that therecommendations we create at the Summitwill be brought to the attention of space policymakers, through both the Space PolicySummit and the UN Committee on thePeaceful Uses of Outer Space, and hopefullyincorporated into global policy, where it canpositively benefit future generations," she said.
Professor Jack McLean. Photo: Brenton Edwards.
Kimberley Clayfield. Photo: Ben Osborne.
NEWS IN BRIEFPrescott wins Verco Medal—again!
Nearly 70 years after his father receivedthe honour, Emeritus Professor JohnPrescott (Physics & MathematicalPhysics) has been awarded theVerco Medal of the Royal Society ofSouth Australia.
The Medal is awarded for distinguishedscientific work published by a Fellow ofthe Royal Society and is the highesthonour the Society can bestow on oneof its Fellows.
Professor Prescott's research has been inexperimental nuclear physics, cosmic rays,instrumentation and, more recently, in theapplication of physics to archaeology andQuaternary geology. His father, the lateProfessor James Prescott, was awarded theVerco Medal in 1933 for his work on thefoundations of soil science. The medal hasbeen awarded 54 times since 1929.
Biologist gives free public lecture
The last Inaugural Lecture for 2002will be given by Professor RogerSeymour (Environmental Biology), onThursday, October 3.
Professor Seymour's lecture is “A role fornatural history in modern biology”, whichexplores the creative and innovativeapproach to science of observing natureand looking for patterns, and howtransferring techniques across fields canresult in unexpected discoveries.
The Inaugural Lectures are given byrecently appointed professors to theUniversity, who speak on the latestresearch and developments in theirparticular areas of expertise. All lecturesare held at 1.10pm in the Council Room,Level 7 Wills Building.
Brooker made Fellow
Dr Peter Brooker of the Department ofGeology & Geophysics has been made aFellow of the Modelling and SimulationSociety of Australia and New Zealand Inc.
The award recognises his 30-year record ofresearch in geomathematical modellingand service to the society.
Dunstan Foundation website
The Don Dunstan Foundation has a newwebsite. For information about theFoundation's news and events, visit:www.dunstan.org.au/
Uni property sale
A number of University-owned propertiesat North Adelaide are to be sold aspart of a strategy to develop more, andbetter, student accommodation andother facilities.
The buildings, used mainly for studentaccommodation, are no longer suitable forthat purpose and are under-utilised. Threeof the buildings are unoccupied and fewerthan 20 students live in the others.
Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWhasaid selling the properties was the firststep in a strategy that would enablethe University to offer a varietyof more appropriate accommodationoptions to country, interstate,and international students.
Correction
A story last month about the StephenCole the Elder Prizes for Excellence inTeaching mistakenly listed Dr AnnaChur-Hansen as being with theDepartment of Surgery. She is asenior lecturer with the Departmentof Psychiatry.
ADELAIDEANPAGE 4 OCTOBER 2002
THE USE of South Australia’s abundantcoal reserves for electricity generationmoved a step closer with therecent opening of a research reactorat the University of Adelaide’sThebarton campus.The reactor is part of the research program ofthe Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) forClean Power From Lignite, and was officiallyopened by the South Australian Minister forEnergy, Mr Pat Conlon.
Chemical Engineering PhD studentAlexandra Briedis will operate the reactor aspart of her studies.
She will study the process of turning browncoal—also known as lignite and oftenconsidered a “dirty” fuel—into “clean” gas,which can then be used in a combined cycleelectricity generator.
“Eventually, this technology will allow us toproduce electricity with lower greenhouse gasemissions than is currently possible usingexisting processes,” said Ms Briedis, “but westill have a long way to go.”
South Australia has abundant deposits oflignite, which have the potential to provide forthe State’s energy needs for many decades.However, lignite has a high moisture and saltcontent and presents particular technicalproblems, which the CRC aims to overcome.
The CRC is a joint venture of industry,universities, CSIRO and others to developtechnologies for clean cost-competitive powergeneration from lignite.
CRC Chief Executive Officer Mr DavidBrockway said the Thebarton reactor was anexciting development in South Australia’spush to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and
Reactor aims togenerate clean gas
Chemical Engineering PhD studentAlexandra Briedis.
Professor Alastair MacLennan. also paid tribute to the University ofAdelaide’s involvement.
“A lot of the CRC’s research in SouthAustralia is undertaken by PhD students atthe University of Adelaide,” he said.
“The level of training these very talentedyoung people are receiving at the Universitywill enable them to make significantcontributions to SA industry and thecommunity in future years.”
—Ben Osborne
A DIVERSE range of people—including an economist, lawyer, Englishlecturer, and film and televisionproducers—have joined together to forma new multimedia research group atthe University.The Convergent Communication ResearchGroup (CCRG) has been set up by theUniversity’s School of Electrical andElectronic Engineering and will focus onthe fast-emerging area of convergencein multimedia.
“Convergence is occurring as media contentand personal telecommunications both godigital. This is opening up new possibilities,like adding interactivity to broadcastingor delivering television-like services overthe Internet,” said CCRG HeadDr Matthew Sorell (Electrical andElectronic Engineering).
Dr Sorell said the group’s broad approachwould be an exciting addition to currentdebates about convergence.
“We will be conducting research into thetechnical, commercial and regulatory issueslinked to convergence,” he said.
“While there is a strong academic presence inthe CCRG, we are entirely self-funded andour focus is on helping government andbusiness respond effectively to convergence.
New research group tacklesconverging technologies
“Our cross-disciplinary approach is essential.Convergence is cutting across traditionalboundaries: the old style of thinking, whereEngineering, Economics and Law dotheir own thing, simply won’t work intoday’s environment.”
The CCRG has drawn on expertise from bothinside and outside the University of Adelaide.Among those from outside the University areformer industry economist Dr Paul Chapman,a senior adviser from the AustralianCommunications Authority Mr Peter Ramsey,and Ms Cate and Gabrielle Kelly, whohave extensive experience in film andtelevision production.
From within the University come Humanitieslecturer Dr Chika Anyanwu, who specialisesin media and culture, and Law School lecturerMr Robert Chalmers, an expert in intellectualproperty and regulation.
Dr Sorell said through its mix of experienceand independent thinking, the CCRG willadd a voice of reason to a field which is proneto inflated claims.
“We will try to resist the hype which is all toocommon in the convergence field—we are agroup with its feet on the ground,” he said.
—Ben Osborne
More than 3000 South Australianswere surveyed for the study by theUniversity's Department ofObstetrics & Gynaecology (ProfessorAlastair MacLennan) in conjunctionwith the SA Department of HumanServices (Dr David Wilson and MsAnne Taylor).
The study, published in last month's issueof the prestigious American journalPreventive Medicine, compares expenditureand usage of alternative therapies in theyear 2000 with a previous study conductedby the department in 1993 (and publishedin Lancet). The comparison shows anumber of worrying trends, according tothe study's key investigator, ProfessorAlastair MacLennan.
"Australians now spend four times asmuch on unproven therapies as onprescribed pharmaceuticals," ProfessorMacLennan said.
Concern over S billionboom spending onalternative medicine
"While a few alternative medicines andtherapies are proven to help some patients,what concerns me is the increased usage ofunproven alternative therapies, many ofwhich are costing the public more andmore each year. Allowing for inflation,there has been a 120% increase in thecost of alternative therapies between1993 and 2000."
The most recent survey shows a significantincrease in the use of alternative therapies,with 44% of men and 60% of women usingalternative medicines, and 20% of menand 26% of women now consultingalternative practitioners.
The public often assumes that alternativemedicines promote health and are safe, butin many cases their effectiveness and long-term safety remains unknown or has beendisproven, Professor MacLennan said.
"Even pregnant women make theseassumptions without checking with theirdoctor," he said.
Professor MacLennan called foralternative medicines to face the samerigorous testing and labelling requirementsas standard pharmaceuticals.
"Our study shows that 93% of people whouse alternative medicines would likeproduct information on the packaging tothe same standard as pharmaceuticals—such as the dosage, contents, potentialside-effects and their evidence ofeffectiveness," he said.
"The public should have better evidencethat their $2.3 billion a year is being put tosound use, and that the money they arespending on alternative medicines is notdoing more harm than good."
—David Ellis
AUSTRALIANS now spend an estimated $2.3billion a year on alternative medicines andtherapies, according to a major new studyconducted by the University of Adelaide.
ADELAIDEAN OCTOBER 2002 PAGE 5
Is dairy protein healthierthan red meat?
NEW research from the University ofAdelaide suggests that dairy productscould be a healthier source of proteinthan red meat.According to the research, protein-richdairy products could be more effective inweight loss programs and provide betterprotection against colon cancer.
The research is being conducted byPhysiology PhD student DamienBelobrajdic at the CSIRO's Division ofHealth Sciences and Nutrition.
He compared two key sources of protein—red meat and dairy—by feeding kangaroomeat and whey to laboratory rats.
In one study, he compared the impact ofboth foods on the rats' colons.
"Previous studies have suggested that ahigh-protein diet could help to preventcolon cancer, but the evidence is limited,"Mr Belobrajdic said.
"Whey and kangaroo meat are both highin protein, so I wanted to see if they bothhad the same effect in helping to preventcolon cancer."
Rats administered with a carcinogen and fedred meat-based diets had significantly morepre-cancerous growths on their colon tissuethan rats fed with whey, irrespective of theprotein content of the diet, he said.
Mr Belobrajdic is quick to point out thatthere was no increased risk of cancer fromhigh intakes of kangaroo meat. However,early indications are that whey can providesome protection against colon cancer whileat the same time being a good sourceof protein.
"This could have implications for theamount of whey used in cheese, or for otherdairy foods that are high in protein or usedas a protein source in processed foods," MrBelobrajdic said. "They could prove to be agood source of protein and provide reducedrisk to colon cancer, which is a major healthproblem in Australians."
His other study looked at claims that high-protein diets could reduce weight gain andlead to other benefits, such as increasedsensitivity to insulin—an important issue forpeople at risk of maturity-onset diabetes.
His studies showed that a high wheyprotein, high fat diet was effective in helpingrats avoid fat deposition, while the rats thatwere fed a high kangaroo meat, high fat dietactively gained weight. The rats fed onwhey were also more sensitive to insulin.
"The early indications from these results arethat high-protein diets alone may notimprove weight maintenance—in fact, a dietof high-protein red meat resulted in anincrease in weight," Mr Belobrajdic said.
"By contrast, dairy protein was clearlyeffective in reducing fat deposition."
He said his results should not be taken as amessage for people to cut red meat out oftheir diets.
Weight loss, cancer links tested
Damien Belobrajdic with a sample of dairy protein. Photo: David Ellis.
"These results have been very illuminatingand will hopefully form the basis for furtherstudies," he said.
Mr Belobrajdic's research is funded by theDairy Research and DevelopmentCorporation (DRDC).
He has recently presented some of hisresults on dairy protein and weight loss atthe World Dairy Congress in Paris, withsupport for his trip from the DRDC.He will present his other results on dairyprotein and its effectiveness against coloncancer at the Australian GastroenterologyWeek conference in Adelaide this month(October 15-18).
His supervisors are Professor Julie Owens,Head of the Department of Physiology atthe University of Adelaide, and Dr GraemeMcIntosh from the CSIRO Division ofHealth Sciences and Nutrition.
— David Ellis
COMMENTS by South AustralianDemocrats leader Mike Elliott inState Parliament have raised someserious issues about the effects of longhours on all of us, according to alabour studies expert from theUniversity of Adelaide.Mr Elliott broke down in August whilegiving a speech to the Legislative Councilabout working hours, saying that longworking hours had contributed to thebreak-up of his marriage.
Dr Barbara Pocock, an Associate Professorin the Department of Social Inquiry, saidMr Elliott's personal case was borne outby the results of research that confirmedlong working hours are having adetrimental impact on the community.
"Long hours are bad for families,communities and workers," Dr Pococksaid. "They make us less productive andthey are personally very costly, as MrElliott's experience shows.
"It is time for a closer look at theinternational and national picture andmore action to combat the effects whichhe has bravely spoken off publicly.
"The international evidence shows thatAustralia's hours of work amongst full-time employees are growing—contrary tothe situation in many other industrialisedcountries. We are now second only toSouth Korea in terms of long hoursamongst these countries. Is this a leaguetable we really want to be on?"
Dr Barbara Pocock recently returned full-time to the University following 14months working as a senior adviser toAustralian Democrats Senator NatashaStott Despoja.
Politician puts workhours in spotlight
ADELAIDEANPAGE 6 OCTOBER 2002
G R A D U AT I O N SAugust 2002
The third and last of the midyear graduations was extra specialfor Chancellor Mr Robert Champion de Crespigny (right), with hisson Stuart Champion de Crespigny graduating with a Bachelor ofCommerce (Accounting).
Korean student Lee Jae-hyung (right) received his PhD in Politics,and supervisor Dr Felix Patrikeeff was at the ceremony to sharethe occasion. Dr Lee has just taken up a teaching post atSungshin Women's University, Seoul.
A HOST of prestigious awards wereconferred during the University ofAdelaide’s recent midyear graduationceremonies.More than 900 students took part in thethree ceremonies, held in statelyBonython Hall.
The former head of the WaiteAgricultural Research Institute andExecutive Dean of the Faculty ofAgricultural and Natural ResourceSciences, Professor Malcolm Oades, wasconferred the rare award of Doctor ofthe University in recognition for nearly40 years of service to the Universityand his internationally respected workas a scientist.
Professor Oades joined the University’sthen department of Soil Science in 1963,and retired in January this year.
Australian National University-basedacademic and geologist Dr Patrick DeDeckker received a Doctor of Sciencedegree in absentia, for his internationallyrenowned work as a micropalaeontologistand Quaternary geologist. Dr DeDeckker studied at the University ofAdelaide for his PhD from 1978 to 1981,and has gone on to make an indeliblecontribution to Australian geoscience.
Other highlights of the ceremonies were:
• The attendance of South AustralianGovernor, Her Excellency MarjorieJackson-Nelson, at the last ceremony ofthe three;
• The first public performances ofthe state-of-the-art digital organin Bonython Hall, as playedby Elder School of Music studentJoshua van Konkelenberg;
• The prestigious Alumni UniversityMedal was awarded to Najmeh Habili(see page 11).
The University’s two most recent Vice-Chancellors—current Vice-ChancellorProfessor James McWha, and hispredecessor Professor Cliff Blake AO—were also honoured.
They were both awarded a PhD degree adeundem gradum, in recognition of theirpast academic achievements. Ad eundemgradum degrees are given to recogniseindividuals who have a degree at the samegrade, or level, as those given by theUniversity of Adelaide.
The last 2002 University of Adelaidegraduation ceremonies take place inBonython Hall from December 16-20.
Left: Science graduate Beverly Mühlhäusler(centre) has been named among the verybest students at the University of Adelaide,receiving a University Medal for heracademic excellence. She is flanked by herfather, Head of Linguistics Professor PeterMühlhäusler, and her mother Jackie.
Right: Malgorzata O’Reilly celebratesreceiving her Mathematics PhD withdaughter Julia.
Dr Mike Geddes from the Department of Environmental Biologyand Mrs Elizabeth Geddes, Director of the Prospective StudentsOffice, with their son James (centre), who graduated with aBachelor of Arts degree.
From left: Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWha with SouthAustralian Governor Marjorie Jackson-Nelson and ChancellorRobert Champion de Crespigny after the graduation ceremony ofthe Faculty of the Professions.
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) graduate Adam Klau is also astaff member with the University's Finance Branch, pictured herewith Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWha and the ExecutiveDirector of Finance and Infrastructure, Paul Duldig.
Professor Charles Bodman Rae, Director of the Elder School ofMusic (left), accompanies the previous Vice-Chancellor, ProfessorCliff Blake, who received a PhD ad eundem gradum.
ADELAIDEAN OCTOBER 2002 PAGE 7
A TEAM of third-year ChemicalEngineering students will flythe University of Adelaide flagat an international “Chem-E-Car”competition early this month.The team—consisting of Danny Jenkins,Felicity Lloyd, Stephen Bryan and AnnePhilcox—will travel to New Zealand afterwinning a recent qualifying competition atthe University.
Chem-E-Cars are model cars. They must besmall enough to fit in a shoebox, and bepowered only by a chemical reaction. Teamsare allowed a budget of no more than $500 todesign and build their cars.
Shortly before the competition begins, teamsare told how far the cars should travel—whichis a random distance usually anywherebetween 15 metres and 30 metres.
They have about an hour to make minoradjustments before the competition begins,with the car that can then travel the closest tothe prescribed distance the winner.
The University of Adelaide team will competeagainst teams from the Asia-Pacific region aspart of a chemical engineering conference tobe held in Christchurch.
Team member Anne Philcox said their designfeatures a steam engine from a steam enginekit set, and a reactor made from stainless steeland copper piping.
“The chemical reaction we used was thedecomposition of hydrogen peroxide, whichwhen you add potassium permanganate to it,produces oxygen gas which in turn pushes thepistons—it’s very much like the way a normalsteam engine works,” she said.
— Ben Osborne
Racing to a chemical car finish
Chemical Engineering students (from left) Danny Jenkins, Felicity Lloyd, Stephen Bryan and Anne Philcox and their “Chem-E-Car”. Photo: Ben Osborne.
GASTRONOMY students fromaround Australia and overseas aregetting a taste of some of the bestAdelaide has to offer this month.Most of the 10 students are from the sameclass, studying for a Master of Arts inGastronomy at the University ofAdelaide—but with themajority from interstate andtwo from overseas (Norwayand the Philippines), manyof them have never meteach other!
The graduate program inGastronomy, offered inconjunction with the world-renowned French culinaryacademy Le Cordon Bleu, hasbeen offered online in 2002.From 2003 students will alsohave the opportunity to studyon campus.
The students are coming together inAdelaide (September 28-October 10) totake part in a series of lectures, workshopsand tours that supplement their studies.
Included on the agenda are, naturally, someof Adelaide's finest cafes and restaurants,
but the students are also getting down tobusiness, dealing with the subject ofGastronomy and Communication.
Among their many activities the studentswill hear from and interact with food writerand Art Gallery guide Cath Kerry andwriter and editor Dr Kerryn Goldsworthy.
They will analyse and critique a range oftelevision food shows, look at how film,literature and art portray food, and studythe messages food and food preparationcan convey.
"The Gastronomy course is unique toAdelaide and Australia, and it has a great
deal of international appeal," said theprogram manager at the University of
Adelaide, Dr Barbara Santich fromthe Department of History.
"This program of events is aimedat stimulating the students
and giving them a chanceto share the learningexperience, as well asgiving those from outsideAdelaide the chance to
see why we're so highlyregarded nationallyand internationally."
While in Adelaide,the students will alsovisit the University'sWaite Campus, whichis among the world's
premier agriculturalresearch institutes.
"Research into all kinds of foodsis conducted at the Waite, as well aswine, and our students will be seeingand taste-testing for themselves thefruits of those research labours,"Dr Santich said.
—David Ellis
Students get taste of Adelaide
ADELAIDEANPAGE 8 OCTOBER 2002
C O M I N G E V E N T SO c t o b e r 2 0 0 2
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 312noon Obstetrics and Gynaecology Seminar:“Early trophoblast development with pregnancyoutcomes” by Dr Jan Jaap Erwich (UniversityHospital, The Netherlands). Seminar Room, Level 6,Medical School North.1.10pm Inaugural Lecture: “A role for naturalhistory in modern biology” by Professor RogerSeymour. Council Room, Level 7, Wills Building.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 44pm Obstetrics and Gynaecology Seminar:“Comparative Placentation in the Light of MolecularPhylogenetics” by Dr Anthony Carter (University ofSouthern Denmark). Seminar Room, Level 6,Medical School North.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 81.10pm Learning and Teaching Development UnitSeminar: “SELT–Big Brother or Staff Development”by Associate Professor Geoffrey Crisp (LTDUDirector). Seminar Room 2, Level 2, Schulz Building.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 910.10am Electrical and Electronic EngineeringSeminar: “Perceptually Realistic Simulation ofMotion in Computer Displays and Movies” by MrAndrew Straw (Electrical and ElectronicEngineering). S112, Engineering South Building.1pm Environmental Biology Seminar: “Islandsunder the desert: evolutionary origins ofsubterranean water beetles from calorete aquifersof central Western Australia” by Dr Steve Cooper(South Australian Museum). Lecture Theatre G03,Ground Floor, Napier Building.1.10pm Student Workshop: “The PerfectProcrastinator”. Counselling Centre, ground floor,Horace Lamb Building5.30pm Centre for Biomedical EngineeringSeminar: “Peptide and Protein Toxins: Structure &Mechanics” by Dr Ray Norton (Walter & Eliza HallInstitute of Medical Research, Melbourne). HoneLecture Theatre, SG15, Ground Floor, MedicalBuilding South.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 102pm Adelaide Research and InnovationWorkshop: “Paths to Commercialisation” with RobMcInnes (leading technology lawyer from BaldwinShelston Waters). Level 11, 10 Pulteney Street – formore information, phone Georgia Sherry on(08) 8303 6099. Cost: $120.7.45pm Field Geology Club of South AustraliaLecture: “Astronomical updates” by Mr PaulCurnow. Mawson Lecture Theatre.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 114pm Obstetrics and Gynaecology Seminar: “Amouse model to study Flt-3 ligand mobilisedprostatic dendritic cells and the effects ofcastration” by Dr Michael Brown (Hanson Institute).Seminar Room, Level 6, Medical School North.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1311.30am Don Dunstan Foundation Seminar:Special Refugee Forum, featuring Dr Anthony Burkeand Professor Kay Schaffer (both University ofAdelaide), and Dr Amir Al-Obadi (former Iraqidetainee now working with Woomera lawyers).Governor Hindmarsh Hotel, Port Road, Hindmarsh.$22 (light lunch included) – bookings are essential,phone Tricia on (08) 8303 3364.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 1412.30pm Surgical Grand Round: “Surgery,Medicine and the Coroner” by Mr Wayne Chivell(State Coroner). Robson Lecture Theatre, Level One,Eleanor Harrald Building.1pm History Seminar: “Not made for the Army:Nora Heysen’s time as a war artist” by Dr CatherineSpeck (History). Common Room 420, Level 4,Napier Building.1.10pm Student Workshop: “Meditation”.Counselling Centre, ground floor, Horace LambBuilding.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 151.10pm Learning and Teaching Development UnitSeminar: “Plagiarism or language development?”by Ms Ursula McGowan (LTDU Deputy Director).Seminar Room 2, Level 2, Schulz Building.1.10pm Student Workshop: “Surviving aPhD”. Counselling Centre, ground floor, HoraceLamb Building.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 161pm Environmental Biology Seminar: “REVEG: arethere enough native pollinators to sustain theseplant populations” by Mr Alex Coombe(Environmental Biology). Lecture Theatre G03,Ground Floor, Napier Building.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 171pm Chemical Pathology Seminar: “EnzymeReplacement Therapy in MuccopolysaccharidosisType IIIA mice”, PhD presentation by BrionyGliddon, (Chemical Pathology, WCH). SeminarRoom 1, 4th Floor, Reiger Building, WCH.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 184pm Obstetrics and Gynaecology Seminar: “Howorally administered medicines reach the systemiccirculation: new mechanisms, theories and
techniques” by Professor Andrew Somogyi (Clinicaland Experimental Pharmacology). Seminar Room,Level 6, Medical School North.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 2112noon Law School/Australian NationalUniversity Centre of Tax System IntegritySeminar: “Pleased to Meet You…Can’t You GuessMy Name’ – Identity Fraud, Cyber Crime and WhiteCollar Delinquency” by Professor Henry Pontell(University of California, Irvine). Lecture Theatre 2,Level 3, Ligertwood Building.12.30pm Surgical Grand Round: Title to beannounced, by Professor Bill Runciman (Departmentof Anaesthesiology). Robson Lecture Theatre, LevelOne, Eleanor Harrald Building.1pm History Seminar: “John Spargo: Letters toFriends and Enemies” by Dr Ric Zuckerman(History). Common Room 420, Level 4,Napier Building.1.10pm Law School Seminar: “In the Public Good– A Study of the Work of the Woomera LawyersGroup” by Ms Margaret Castles (University ofAdelaide) and Mr Jeremy Moore. Room 2.16, Level2, Ligertwood Building.1.10pm Learning and Teaching Development UnitSeminar: “Evaluating online learning experiences atAdelaide University for staff and students in 2001”by Dr Susan Shannon and Mr Dan McHolm (LTDUEvaluation Service). Seminar Room 2, Level 2,Schulz Building.1.10pm Student Workshop: “Meditation”.Counselling Centre, ground floor, Horace LambBuilding.8pm Classical Association of South AustraliaSeminar: “Romans and Barbarians as Seen inCoinage: Contrasting Reality and Propaganda” byProfessor Tom Burns (Emory University). CouncilRoom, Level 7, Wills Building.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 231pm University Forum: All staff are invited toattend forum, to be hosted by Vice-ChancellorProfessor James McWha. Bonython Hall.1pm Environmental Biology Seminar: “Featherstars and sea lilies; their evolution since the Permianextinction event” by Dr Greg Rouse (SouthAustralian Museum). Lecture Theatre G03, GroundFloor, Napier Building.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2412.45pm Chemical Pathology Seminar:Departmental Update by Dr Michael Fietz,(Biochemical Genetics), Dr Peter Clements, Ms Viv
Muller, and Dr Barbara Paton (PeroxisomalDiseases). Seminar Room 1, 4th Floor, ReigerBuilding, WCH.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 251pm Environmental Biology Seminar: “Thepopulation ecology of an invasive social insect,vespula germanica, in South Australia” by Ms MartaKasper (Environmental Biology). Room LG29, LowerGround Floor, Napier Building.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27Field Geology Club of South Australia Excursion:“Gold in the Parra Wirra Conservation Park” byMr Bob Major.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 2812.30pm Surgical Grand Round: Title to beannounced, by Professor Hock Tan (Women’s andChildren’s Hospital). Robson Lecture Theatre, LevelOne, Eleanor Harrald Building.1pm History Seminar: “Connections betweenbiography and hagiography: The Life of the BlessedHermann-Joseph of Steinfeld” by Dr SabinaFlanagan (History). Common Room 420, Level 4,Napier Building.1.10pm Student Workshop: “Meditation”.Counselling Centre, ground floor, Horace LambBuilding.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 291.10pm Learning and Teaching Development UnitSeminar: “Current practice in BridgingMathematics” by Dr Geoff Coates (LTDU MathsLearning Service). Seminar Room 2, Level 2, SchulzBuilding.1.10pm Student Workshop: “Performing Your BestAt Exams”. Counselling Centre, ground floor, HoraceLamb Building.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3010.10am Electrical and Electronic EngineeringSeminar: “A social ecosystem view of electronicsupport networks” by Richard Boywer (DSTO).S112, Engineering South Building.1pm Environmental Biology Seminar: “Studies inenvironmental biology: a terrestrial perspective” byMr Michael Askew (Environmental Biology). LectureTheatre G03, Ground Floor, Napier Building.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 311pm Chemical Pathology Seminar: “NewDirections for Health in SA - the pointy end” by MrJim Birch (CEO, Department of Human Services).Seminar Room 1, 4th Floor, Reiger Building, WCH.
THE University of Adelaide'sRoseworthy Campus will becomethe Australian supplier of some ofthe world's top dairy cattle andgenetic stock, thanks to a new contractsigned by the University and a majorinternational company.The Roseworthy Campus, which operates itsown dairy herd, has signed a contract withSEMEX Pty Ltd, the Australian arm of theCanadian-based SEMEX Alliance, aninternational supplier of dairy genetics.
Under the deal, an "elite herd" of the Holsteinbreed of cattle will be created at theRoseworthy Campus. Holstein cattle arewidely regarded as among the world's bestdairy cattle.
The agreement means the University ofAdelaide will become the first Australiancentre of elite Holstein genetics, with access tothe best genetic stock available.
The dairy herd at Roseworthy is alreadycounted among the top 30% of Holsteingenetic stock in Australia. It will become anelite herd over the next five years, with benefitsto industry both nationally and internationally.
Adelaide dairy cows to become the world's cream
From left: Jim Conroy and Paul Larmer from SEMEX, "Roseworthy Mandel Mandy", who generatedsome interest at the Royal Show Holstein sales, and Professor Simon Maddocks and MatthewBekker from Roseworthy Campus.
The agreement between the University andSEMEX was announced at the RoyalAdelaide Show's Holstein sales, by Mr PaulLarmer, Sales and Marketing Manager for theSEMEX Alliance Canada and Director ofSEMEX Pty Ltd Australia, and Mr Jim
Conroy, General Manager for SEMEX PtyLtd in Australia.
Mr Larmer, in Adelaide to judge the Holsteinsection at the Royal Adelaide Show, said theconcept of the elite herd at Roseworthy was an
exciting development for both the Universityand SEMEX.
"It is our objective to obtain a global geneticsprofile in all the major dairy populations of theworld," Mr Larmer said.
The Director of the University's RoseworthyCampus, Professor Simon Maddocks, said theagreement significantly enhanced theRoseworthy vision of the provision of first-class training facilities in agriculture, as well ascontinuing the development of commercialsuccess for Roseworthy's farming operations.
"The Roseworthy Farm has to be acommercially viable enterprise for it to fulfil itspurpose as a teaching unit," ProfessorMaddocks said.
"It is critical that the Roseworthy facilitiescontinue to offer students access to bestpractice as part of their training. Themanagement of this elite herd will give ourgraduates unique first-hand training andexposure to the processes and skills needed tobe among the best in this industry, not onlynationally, but on an international level."
—Lee Welch—David Ellis
ADELAIDEAN OCTOBER 2002 PAGE 9
Acclaimed jazz singer returns for concertTWO superb and quite diverse concerts are on offerfrom the Elder School of Music's Evening ConcertSeries this month.
On Saturday, October 5 at 8.00pm in Elder Hall, the ElderConservatorium Symphony Orchestra performs anoutstanding program under the baton of Keith Crellin.
The concert opens with Sibelius' popular Valse Triste,followed by Carl Nielsen's Flute Concerto, a haunting andbeautiful work brought to life by the inspired playing ofHonours Performance student Imogen Henning.
The second half of the program is devoted to Shostakovich'shighly acclaimed and dynamic Symphony No. 1, the first ofhis 15 symphonies.
"If you haven’t been to any of our concerts so far inthe season, this would be a wonderful opportunity todo something different on the long weekend," saidthe coordinator of the Evening Concert Series,Ms Helen Simpson.
Two weeks later, on Thursday, October 17 at 8.00pm inScott Theatre, the cream of the Elder School's jazzensembles will perform an exciting program of instrumentaland vocal jazz.
The evening will feature the popular Adelaide Connectionjazz choir, directed by both Jo Lawry and Luke Thompson,the Big Band under Hal Hall, plus the Honours JazzEnsemble and the Bruce Hancock Trio.
Special guest artist for the evening is Michelle Nicolle onvocals. Michelle, a former graduate of the Jazz Program atthe Elder School of Music, is now based in Melbournehaving completed both her BEd and Dip Jazz at theUniversity of Adelaide.
Michelle won the prestigious National Jazz Award at theWangaratta International Jazz Festival in 1998 when the
judges included the legendary singer Sheila Jordon andcurrent ‘Blue Note’ star Kurt Elling, both from the USA.
In 2000 her quartet was nominated for Australian MusicFoundations Best Live Jazz Act and Michelle herself wasthe recipient of the Australian entertainment industry’s MoAward - Jazz Vocalist of the year 2001.
Michelle’s second CD, After the Rain, was released last yearand was named one of six finalists for the ARIA AwardsBest Jazz Album.
The Weekend Australian's Kevin Jones described it as "thebest album by an Australian jazz singer I have heard in morethan a decade of reviewing music", while Kenny Weir fromthe Sunday Herald Sun wrote the album "confirms Nicolle’splace as Australia’s best jazz singer".
Michelle also works as a freelance vocalist, recordingbacking vocals for various artists including CharlotteChurch (Just Say Hello), and she can be heard on several TVadvertisements including Hallmark Cards, MitsubishiLancer and Banrock Wines.
She currently teaches vocal studies at the Victorian Collegeof the Arts and has been a guest lecturer and examiner atAdelaide's Elder School of Music.
Michelle's return to Adelaide is bound to be a majordrawcard of the jazz concert, which is already an extremelypopular concert in the evening series.
"Please book your tickets early to secure a seat,"Ms Simpson said.
Tickets for these concerts are $22Adult/$14Conc/$8student at all BASS outlets or at the door. All Universityof Adelaide staff receive the discount price.
Brochures available from BASS, or visit the Elder School'snew website at www.music.adelaide.edu.au, or contactHelen Simpson on (08) 8303 5925 (Tues/Thurs) ormobile 0402 120 478.Michelle Nicolle: “Australia’s best jazz singer.”
Graham Abbott.
FOR many students of the Elder Schoolof Music, the opportunity to be a memberof the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra(ASO) is something they have dreamedof for a long time. It came truefor four short days in a real-lifeworking experience in the ASO's recent"Futures Project".This project evolved because of the orchestra’scommitment to the education of the musiciansof tomorrow, and their desire to developstronger ties with the Elder School of Music.
Elder Professor, and Director of the School,Professor Charles Bodman Rae said of theUniversity’s relationship with the ASO: "Overthe last year, there has been a greatly enhancedrelationship with the ASO through thestaffing of the School with leading membersof the orchestra, such as AssociateConcertmaster Margaret Blades and principalcellist Janis Laurs."
During the four days of rehearsals, the 48students worked alongside members of theAdelaide Symphony Orchestra to prepare fourdemanding twentieth century works for publicperformance. Performed on August 30 at theASO’s new city home, the GraingerStudio, were pieces by Stravinsky, ThomasTallis, Benjamin Britten, and theUniversity of Adelaide’s resident composer,Graeme Koehne.
In addition to learning those complex pieces,the Futures Project also created the
Elder School students see the futurethanks to Symphony Orchestra project
opportunity for professionals to pass on skills,knowledge and techniques of professionalpractice in the orchestral workplace.
The Futures Project has been "outrageouslysuccessful", said Project Conductorand Artistic Advisor for the MelbourneSymphony Orchestra’s Education program,Graham Abbott.
"I was extremely impressed with how well allof the students fitted in with the ASO, and Iloved the way that the ASO players sharedtheir knowledge," he said.
Professor Bodman Rae, also enthused aboutthe project’s success, said: "In part this can beattributed to [Elder School staff member]Keith Crellin who is doing a terrific job intraining the Elder Conservatorium’sSymphony Orchestra, which ensured that thestudents could successfully go into the projectat such a high level."
At the end of their four days of rehearsals,many students had high praise fortheir experience.
"It was good to experience what it’s likeworking with a professional orchestra," saidstudent percussionist Rachel Rodwell.
"It helped to give me a view with mycareer choices. Participating in it was arewarding challenge."
Students involved with Futures Project will beperforming with the Elder Conservatorium’sSymphony Orchestra on Saturday, October 5,at 8.00pm. Conducted by Keith Crellin,they will perform Nielsen’s Flute Concertoand Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 1[see story above].
—Christopher Wainwright
Christopher Wainwright is a recipient ofthe inaugural 2002 Helpmann Academyand Arts SA Professional PartnershipsScheme, which provides him with an artsjournalism mentorship with music writer,critic and musicologist Graham Strahle.
PIANIST Stephen Kovacevich,described as “one of the finest pianistsin the world today”, will give his firstchamber music collaboration inAustralia this month when theAustralian String Quartet (ASQ)presents its last Season 2002 concert,Storm and Passion.Mr Kovacevich is known to Australianaudiences for his past orchestral and recitalperformances, but the ASQ is bringinghim to Australia for his first ever chambermusic performances, with concerts inAdelaide, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
Mr Kovacevich will join the ASQ (theUniversity of Adelaide's, and Elder Schoolof Music's, quartet-in-residence) to playBrahms’s quintet for Piano and Strings inF minor, Opus 34, considered thecomposer’s most epic chamber work—richly imaginative, passionately dramatic.
Other works on the program areShostakovich’s emotional String QuartetNo 7, written at the end of his life, andString Quartet No 2 by Perth composerRoger Smalley. Smalley’s piece wascommissioned by the ASQ and premieredat the 2000 Adelaide Festival.
ASQ - Storm and Passionwith special guest Stephen Kovacevich7pm Thursday, October 17Adelaide Town HallPhone BASS on 131 246Tickets: $15-$43 (service fees apply)www.asq.com.au
ASQ adds pianotalent for concert
ADELAIDEANPAGE 10 OCTOBER 2002
PETER Brownell was educated atGirton, Kings and St Peter’s Colleges.He graduated from RoseworthyAgricultural College (1947) and workedfor the SA Department of Agriculture(1951-54) as a Soil Conservation Officer,which entailed the construction ofcontour banks in the mid-north.He graduated from the University of Adelaidewith BAgSc in 1951 and Honours in 1954.His Roseworthy studies were interruptedwhen he enlisted in the RAAF (1943-6),serving in Canada and UK.
Peter’s PhD (1958) studies in the BotanyDepartment at the University of Adelaideestablished that sodium was an essentialnutrient for some, but not all, plants. This waspioneering work in many ways. Plants had tobe grown in a sodium-free environment,which entailed extensive purification of thenutrient salts, distilling water in quartzequipment and stringent purification of the airto remove all traces of sea spray. Seeking anextremely sensitive method for measuringsodium, Peter was one of the first botanists touse atomic absorption spectrometry.
His postdoctoral experiments in Botany(1958-64) demonstrated a spectacularresponse of saltbush seedlings to sodiumdeficiency. Many arid species and commongarden plants were investigated, without anycommon thread among the responsive plants.
O B I T U A R YPETER FERGUSON BROWNELL DSc OAM (1922-2002)
Before accepting a tenured lectureship atJames Cook University (1967) he was aResearch Fellow in Agricultural Biochemistryand Soil Science at Waite, investigating theeffects of sodium on the growth and nitrogenmetabolism of Anabaena.
At JCU his enthusiasm and happy, friendlypersonality attracted many research students.By now a photosynthetic variant (C4 pathway)had emerged and Peter’s responsive plantsbelonged to this group. In an effort todetermine the role of sodium, highconcentrations of CO2 were shown to relievethe effect of sodium deficiency and Petersurmised that sodium was involved in thetransport of bicarbonate into chloroplasts.
In 1994, Peter was rewarded for thisfundamental research, with both the SirJoseph Verco Medal from the Royal Societyof SA and a DSc from the Universityof Adelaide.
In Townsville, his abiding interest in thewelfare of students and his role as mentor wasso appreciated that he was made a life memberof University Hall, and the Seniors CommonRoom is now the Peter Brownell Room.
At the University of Adelaide as a mature-agestudent, he was introduced to, and very muchenjoyed, Rugby Union. He became Patron ofthe JCU Rugby Club in 1969 and ofTownsville and District Rugby Union in 1967,holding both positions until his death. In1970, he joined Legacy, serving as EducationOfficer, and past President. Theseachievements in science and services to JamesCook University and Townsville led to anOAM in 1998.
In May, about 95 people attended asymposium at JCU to celebrate his 80thbirthday, many being his fellow students fromRoseworthy, and colleagues from theUniversity of Adelaide. The world is truly abetter place for the life and work of Peter, anincisive scientist, a much-admired colleagueand a wonderful friend.
— Max Tate and Joe Wiskich
AUSTRALIA'S involvement in aUS-led attack on Iraq may leave usvulnerable in the Asia-Pacific region,according to a University of Adelaidedefence analyst.
Dr John Bruni, a Visiting Research Fellowwith the University's Centre for AsianStudies, said Australia's already limiteddefence capabilities would be stretched tobreaking point if the nation engaged in afull-scale assault on Iraq.
The author of the book On WeaponsDecisions: How Australia Chooses To ArmItself (1963-96), Dr Bruni said Australiashould not engage in a new war on Iraq,for political and economic reasons.
"The country simply cannot afford to keeppushing its defence resources to the limit,and we cannot afford to see the goodwillin our own neighbourhood dry up,"Dr Bruni said.
"We have enough defence problems in ourown backyard. Too much attention on theMiddle-east detracts from Australia'sown areas of responsibility, such as PNG,Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, toname just a few.
"If we commit too many resources to aconflict with Iraq there is no option for theAustralian Government but to ignore theregion, and Australia ignores the region atits own peril."
Dr Bruni said Australia's role in a USattack on Iraq would also be politicallydamaging within the region.
"The government will have a hard enoughtime trying to sell the idea to theAustralian public, but there is muchdissent among our Asia-Pacificneighbours to the way the US hashandled its approach to Iraq and itswar on terrorists.
"Australia will win very few friends amongour immediate neighbours if we take anuncritical approach to the US response.
"This is not to say that terrorists shouldnot be dealt with. However, not everyonerespects brute force. Australia should notbe so keen to fall in line with theAmericans' brute force approach."
—David Ellis
Expert warnsagainst Iraqattack
At a time when Australia is doingmore business than ever withAsia, and at a time when theneed for security is at itsgreatest, our nation is indanger from a lack of "Asiaknowledge", according to a
new national report.
Asia knowledge in jeopardy
The report, called MaximisingAustralia's Asia Knowledge, waslaunched at the University of Adelaidelast month.Among those attending the launch wereAustralia's Minister for Foreign Affairs,the Hon. Mr Alexander Downer, and theUniversity's Chancellor, Mr RobertChampion de Crespigny, who officiallylaunched the report.
Compiled by the Asian StudiesAssociation of Australia (ASAA), thereport cautions that Australia's capacityto engage with Asia is diminishing,not growing.
It says Australia's "Asia knowledge base" isin jeopardy at a time when economicglobalisation and security concerns make itmore vital than ever for Australians toknow their neighbours.
"Our capacity to do original research andproduce new knowledge about Asia isdeclining," said Professor Purnendra Jain,Professor of Japanese Studies at theUniversity of Adelaide (Centre for AsianStudies) and a member of the ExecutiveCommittee of the ASAA.
"Australia's trade with economicallyrecessed Japan has risen more than 40% inthe last five years and we maintain a hugetrade surplus with Japan. We also havevested interests in forming, nurturing andstrengthening political and even defenceties with Japan. Yet there are only a coupleof academics in Australia who know thelanguage, can do original research andbuild knowledge of Japan on issuespertaining to its politics, foreign policyand defence/security orientation.
"The report gives several similar examplesof specific countries, countries that are notjust increasingly powerful nations likeChina, but some that will haveconsiderable impact on Australian policyby virtue of their geographic proximity.The Indonesian example comes first tomind here.
"The report takes a proactive stance inproposing a series of concreterecommendations and makes a particularlystrong case for why this field of study isimportant to Australia."
—Ben Osborne—David Ellis
“Pleased to meet you…won’t you guess my name?”
Identity fraud, cyber crime andwhite collar delinquency
by Professor Henry PontellUniversity of California, Irvine
12 noon, Monday, October 21Lecture Theatre 2, Level 3Ligertwood BuildingUniversity of AdelaideNorth Terrace Campus
Jointly presented by the University ofAdelaide Law School and ANU’s Centre forTax System Integrity.
Professor Pontell is a widely publishedsociologist and criminologist. His lecture willexplore the growing relationships amongidentity fraud, cyber crime, and "white-collardelinquency" (which refers to adolescents—primarily hackers—who, by virtue of access tocomputers and the internet, can now engagein crimes that were once the exclusive realmof adults).
Serious cyber crimes, including that ofidentity fraud, are increasingly committed bycomputer savvy teenagers, whose expertiseallows them to engage in major economiccrimes, including the theft and destruction ofdatabases, and personal information.
Issues of cause and control are addressedthrough a review of case studies andtheoretical ideas in criminology regardingthe areas of juvenile delinquency and white-collar crime.
To attend the lecture, please RSVP toDr Andreas Schloenhardt, Law School,phone: (08) 8303 6223, or email:[email protected]
Free PublicLecture
A L U M N I N E W S
ADELAIDEAN OCTOBER 2002 PAGE 11
LEADERS of University of AdelaideAlumni chapters in Singapore andMalaysia were honoured withDistinguished Alumni Awards at therecent Homecoming event in Adelaide.The recipients were the Chief Minister ofSarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) HajiAbdul Taib Mahmud, who is the inauguralpresident of the new Sarawak AlumniChapter, and Mr Michael Khor TeikHean, immediate past president of theSingapore Chapter.
Alumni leaders honouredat Homecoming event
Library donors thanked
The awards recognise outstandingcontributions to the University of Adelaideby distinguished graduates, and werepresented to the recipients at a HomecomingDinner hosted by the Premier of SouthAustralia, Mr Mike Rann.
The Chief Minister of Sarawak, GovernmentMinisters from Malaysia and Mr Khor were
The prestigious Alumni University Medal was recently presented to Najmeh Habili, whograduated with Bachelor of Laws (Honours). Najmeh is pictured here with Alumni Chair GregCrafter. Nominees for the Alumni University Medal are Honours students of outstandingacademic merit, with the winner being the most outstanding among them.
Mr Michael Khor Teik Hean.
Professor Tom Shapcott speaking to donors.
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Haji AbdulTaib Mahmud.
Business Woman of the YearLyn Pearson, the Director of AmbulanceOperations for the SA Ambulance Service,was named the Telstra SA BusinessWoman of the Year for 2002. Ms Pearson,a graduate of the University of Adelaide'sMBA program, rose through the ranksfrom a volunteer to being in charge ofthe Ambulance Service budget and 1800staff and volunteers. Ms Pearson was alsothe winner of the Community andGovernment Category.
Another MBA graduate, Larissa Vakulina,was a finalist in the Private and CorporateSector Category.
"Since their inception in 1995, the TelstraBusiness Women's Awards have celebratedthe achievements of some truly remarkableAustralian women," said Pamela Lee,President of the Adelaide MBA AlumniAssociation. "These extraordinary peoplehave achieved amazing goals, set newbenchmarks in business excellence andhighlighted the significant contribution that
women across all levels and types of businesshave achieved," she said.
1952 Golden JubileeEach year the University of Adelaide’sAlumni Association has the great pleasure oforganising a 50-year reunion for itsgraduates. This event is known as theGolden Jubilee and this year we celebrate the50th anniversary of 1952 graduates.
The 1952 Golden Jubilee commemorationceremony will be held on October 18,10.30am at Bonython Hall.
The University of Adelaide AlumniAssociation invites all staff and graduates toparticipate in this celebration. Furtherinformation can be obtained by contactingthe Alumni, Community Relations andDevelopment office on (08) 8303 5800.
30-Year ReunionThe Alumni, Community Relations andDevelopment office is developing a reunionprogram that includes both year anddiscipline-related events.
The inaugural 30-year reunion, planned forlater this year, has been postponed due to themany challenges in tracking missinggraduates. We now plan to hold our first 30-year reunion in 2003 with a grouping ofyears to include 1972, 1973 and 1974.
If you are graduate of these years and wouldlike to assist our office in developingthis program please contact us on(08) 8303 3196.
Cornell ChapterThe Cornell Chapter will be holding itsAGM and Annual Dinner this year in theBall Room (formerly the Senior CommonRoom) at St Mark’s College on Friday,November 22. The AGM will begin at6.00 pm, the Annual Dinner at 7.00 pmfor 7.30 pm.
Young Alumni ProgramThe Alumni Association is establishing aYoung Alumni Program aimed to cater tothe needs of alumni aged between 18-30years. We are compiling a list of alumni who
are interested in being involved, so if youwould like to be part of this new venture andhave the opportunity to meet other youngalumni we would like to hear from you.
Further information can be obtained fromMs Joan Soon at (08) 8303 3317 or by email:[email protected]
Medical Vignerons LuncheonThe Florey Medical Chapter will be hostingits annual Medical Vignerons Luncheon andAnnual General Meeting on November 3 atthe Glenelg Golf Club. Please contact theAlumni, Community Relations andDevelopment office on (08) 8303 5800 forfurther details.
Friends of the University LibrarySeminar—Thursday, November 7, 6.30pm:"From carbon copies to computers:literature in Australia between 1950and 2000" by Tom Shapcott, Professorof Creative Writing. Ira RaymondExhibition Room, Barr Smith Library.Enquiries: (08) 8303 5223.
among 60 international alumni and guestswho returned to their alma mater for theHomecoming event. The event was hosted bythe University of Adelaide in conjunction withHer Excellency the Governor, the Premier andthe Lord Mayor.
The Homecoming (September 8-9)immediately followed the AustralianUniversities International Alumni Conventionin Melbourne (September 5-7).
Adelaide alumni were prominent at theconvention, with four Adelaide graduatesbeing speakers at the event and one sessionbeing chaired by the Vice-Chancellor,Professor James McWha. The Chief Ministerwas also a patron of the event.
Among those attending were an impressivecontingent from Sarawak and Sabah, EastMalaysia, and delegates from West Malaysia,Singapore, Indonesia and Cambodia.
The Homecoming event offered anopportunity for many of those delegates toreturn to Adelaide and to see their Universityas it is today.
During their brief visit back to Adelaide, oldscholars attended:
• a dinner hosted by the Lord Mayor ofAdelaide, Mr Alfred Huang
• the official Homecoming Breakfast atthe Equinox Restaurant, hosted byProfessor McWha
• a tour of the campus, including the newSantos Petroleum Engineering Building
• a presentation of key areas of research beingconducted at the University, by ProfessorPeter Rathjen, Professor Geoff Fincher andAssociate Professor Gus Nathan, held atSt Mark's College.
The Chief Minister and Law graduates alsotoured the Law School, including visits to theLaw Library and a lecture in progress, andmet with the new Dean of Law ProfessorPaul Fairall.
A full report on the Australian UniversitiesInternational Alumni Convention willbe included in the November issue ofthe Adelaidean.
—David Ellis
DONORS to the Barr Smith LibraryAppeal were given a special thank youin the library's magnificent ReadingRoom recently.Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWhathanked the more than 300 people whocontributed to the appeal. They raised inexcess of $35,000 to support the library, whichis one of the University's (and the State's)most treasured resources.
Professor McWha said the assistance providedto the University by donors was invaluable,because they also brought with them "a wealthof goodwill".
"Investment in the University will provideimmense benefits for the students and staff,develop our expertise and provide for thecontinuation and improvement of our uniqueresources, such as the Barr Smith Library,"he said.
Guest speaker at the event was well-known author Professor Tom Shapcottfrom the English Department's CreativeWriting program.
The event also saw the launch of the Friendsof the University of Adelaide Library—thenewest chapter of the Alumni Association.
ADELAIDEANPAGE 12 OCTOBER 2002
NEWSMAKERS
ONE of Adelaide’s most public figures,Peter Goërs, brings Noël Coward’s PrivateLives to the stage for the Universityof Adelaide Theatre Guild’s final productionin 2002.Mr Goërs is director and designer of whatis regarded as one of the finest plays in theEnglish language.
Private Lives is a comedy of bad manners set inthe early 1930s, and features the divorced Elyot(played by Ben Passehl) and Amanda (MarthaLott) fortuitously reuniting—and falling backin love—on their subsequent honeymoons tonew partners.
What follows is politically incorrect hilarity, fullof exquisite quips and boorish bonking from theidle Riviera rich.
Mr Goërs, an Honorary Life Member of theTheatre Guild and its artistic director from 1982to 1985, promises theatregoers a worthy climax towhat has been a very successful year for the Guild.
“This year has been an excellent one for theTheatre Guild, with very successful productionsof Amadeus and Much Ado About Nothing,”he said.
“There’s a great vibrancy to Adelaide theatre atthe moment, a vibrancy I haven’t experiencedbefore outside of the Fringe and Festival, withshows like Much Ado About Nothing and TheMerchant of Venice.
“There also seems to be a surge ofgood young actors in Adelaide, and I’mdelighted to be using five of them inthis production.”
Other actors in the show are MaggieO’Grady as Sybil, John McCall asVictor, and Karen Bannear as Louise.
—Ben Osborne
Director Peter Goërs strikes aCowardesque pose.
Private LivesLittle Theatre, Union House
Saturday, October 19
Tuesday, October 22-Saturday,October 26
Tuesday, October 29-Saturday,November 2
All performances start at 7.30pm
Tickets $20/$15, available fromthe Guild on (08) 8303 5999,BASS on 131 246, or online atwww.adelaide.edu.au/clubs/theatreguild
Peter’s private lives exposed
Genetic modification and geneticengineering are “on hold” in the wineindustry, according to Professor Peter Hoj.In an interview with the Epicure section ofThe Age (September 10) he said that, in thelong run, consumers and the market woulddecide what happens.
Dr Graham Elford told The Australian(September 7) that a fireball seen in the skyby Fleurieu Peninsula residents was morethan likely a small meteorite. On 891 ABC(September 14) Dr Paddy McGee outlinedwhat sky-gazers are likely to see nearCeduna during the solar eclipse onDecember 4.
Channel 9 News interviewed postgraduateresearcher Heather Morton about obesity
among children and the role played by TVfast food advertisements. On Triple J, DrTony Parker spoke about the success of“buddy systems” in helping students settleinto university life. Dr Bertram Ostendorftold 5CK (September 13) of a threefoldincrease in wombat numbers in the state’s farwest in the past 20 years—a developmentthat has prompted calls to kill the animalsfor their meat.
Stem cell research continued to generatestrong media interest. Dr JeremyThompson wrote a column for The SundayMail (September 1) arguing the scientists’case, and Professor Peter Rathjen told TheAustralian (September 9) that amidst all the“hysteria”, people were losing sight of the
power of science to overcome as well ascreate moral hurdles. Dr Simon Koblar wasinterviewed by 891 ABC (September 10) andother media outlets about his team’s researchinto using neural stem cells to repair braininjury damage.
The Sunday Mail (September 8) spoke toBruce Hancock about a doubling in thenumber of women applying to study jazzvoice in the past five years. ProfessorAlastair MacLennan’s study of alternativemedicine use attracted widespread mediainterest, including front-page reports in TheAge and The Sydney Morning Herald andcoverage on BBC Radio and Radio National.The challenge that ageing HIV sufferers willpose to the aged care sector was discussed by
Dr Gary Rogers in The Australian(September 3). On Phillip Satchell’sprogram on 891 ABC (September 9), Dr IanMusgrave spoke about the fifth-largestcause of death among people over 65,Alzheimers disease.
The RAA’s magazine, SA Motor, interviewedProfessor Nigel Jones about the work of theAdelaide Head Injury Research Groupand also spoke to Dr Robert Andersonabout the Road Accident ResearchUnit’s work into protective helmets andheadbands for drivers.
On The World Today on ABC (September 17)Dr Peter Szekeres discussed a new reportthat the hole in the ozone layer is onthe mend.
