Murdoch University Explore Magazine Vol 2I

New green energy

$2 million to turn algaeinto clean biofuel

& 1st to use 15% GreenPower

THE MURDOCH UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

August 2008Vol 2 / ISS 5

Open Day special, august 31

2 THE MURDOCH UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

The twin problems of high

oil prices and climatic

change provide a compelling

reason to prepare for

transition to new zero or

low carbon energies in a

socially and environmentally

sustainable way. Murdoch University will continue to play an

important role as a catalyst for this change. Murdoch has a longstanding commitment

to renewable energies, sustainability and environmental science that is embedded in our teaching, research and engagement with business and the community.

This was highlighted at the recent launch of Murdoch’s GreenPower initiative when Professor Phil Jennings mentioned that he had been researching renewable energy systems at Murdoch for nearly 30 years.

Murdoch’s approach to renewable energy is unique in Australia because it covers the social, economic and environmental aspects as well as the technical aspects.

This enables our graduates to work in energy policy and planning, energy management and renewable energy engineering.

Indeed Murdoch graduates are in high demand to fill the skills gap created in Australia’s new green economy - and Murdoch

will continue to lead the nation in shaping and creating these specialist qualifications.

The attitude underpinning Murdoch’s approach brings together three of the intrinsic values of the Murdoch University culture - Global Responsibility, Sustainability, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

It’s clearly time for the Australian community to ‘catch up’ to Murdoch in helping to build a truly sustainable future.

This has been recognised by the Federal Government with the development of its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and a commitment to alternative energies as a core component of its environmental and economic platform.

Reflecting our longstanding commitment to all aspects of environmental and social sustainability, Murdoch is taking a lead position in addressing the nation’s capacity to respond to the challenges it faces in a carbon constrained world.

Biodiesel from algae, photovoltaic research, quality assurance and testing programs, climate science and greenhouse accounting, sustainability planning, sustainable energy management and demonstration facilities such as our Environmental Technology Centre - the quality and breadth of Murdoch’s research showcase our ability to lead Australia into the new carbon economy.

Importantly, we are putting that commitment into practice on campus and in the community.

In this issue of Explore you’ll read how our

deal to use 15 per cent GreenPower makes Murdoch the highest percentage user of nationally accredited renewable energy of any university in the country.

You’ll also read how we’ve worked with Bunnings to reduce water and energy usage

in their stores nationwide. It’s an exciting time

to be offering solutions to the nation’s most

prominent debate.

Professor John Yovich

Vice Chancellor

Explore magazine is published four times a semester for the Murdoch University community. It is produced by the Office of Corporate Communications and Public Relations. The views expressed in Explore are not necessarily those of the University.

ContributionsWe welcome all contributions but cannot guarantee their publication.

Material for Explore should be forwarded by email to the editor or saved to CD and sent to The Editor, Explore, Office of Corporate Communications and Public Relations, Level 2, Chancellery Building.

Managing EditorTanyia Maxted

EditorHayley Mayne [email protected]: 08 9360 2474 Facsimile: 08 9310 4233

WritersFreya ContosHayley Mayne Tanyia Maxted David Cohen

DesignLee Hardman Murdoch Design

PhotographyBrian Richards

©2008 Murdoch University

Synergy Managing Director Jim Mitchell congratulates Professor John Yovich on Murdoch’s

commitment to reduce its carbon footprint.

Australian High Commissioner

Miles Kupa officially opened

Murdoch’s International Study

Centre in Singapore in June

in front of more than 100

invited guests, lecturers,

alumni and students.

Murdoch University’s Deputy Vice Chancellor (Faculty, Enterprise & International) Professor Gary Martin said the launch built on Murdoch’s partnership with the Singapore Manufacturing Federation’s (SMa) School of Management.

“The Centre, which was previously SMa branded and hosted various international universities, is now solely dedicated to Murdoch University courses,” Professor Martin said.

Murdoch’s partnership with SMa has grown from 22 students studying two majors in the Bachelor of Commerce in 2004 to over 1000 students now studying in eight undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses.

Murdoch plans to increase the number of students studying at the Centre to 1800 by the end of 2009.

It spans six floors of prime city space which includes a dozen classrooms, a computer lab and newsroom for journalism students. It’s conveniently located opposite the Singapore National Library.

Professor Martin said the facilities were impressive and significant thought had gone into the creation of a program providing high quality courses as well as strong academic support.

“Support initiatives include the appointment of an onsite Murdoch University

Academic Dean, delivery of student learning skills workshops and ready access to teaching staff in both Singapore and Perth,” Professor Martin said.

Murdoch also launched its first international study centre in Dubai earlier this year where course delivery starts this month.

Murdoch launches study centre in Singapore

(Left to right) Dr Moh Chong Tau, Chairman SMa School of Management and Australian High Commissioner Miles Kupa officially open Murdoch’s International Study Centre in Singapore with Professor Gary Martin.

3August 2008 / Vol 2 / Iss 5

Murdoch’s Interactive

Television Centre Executive

Director, Professor Duane

Varan, is leading development

of a media and advertising

research laboratory for The

Walt Disney Company.

The most comprehensive laboratory of its kind, the facility for Disney’s Media Networks division in Austin, Texas will research emotional drivers of audience behaviour and physiological reactions to advertising.

Professor Varan said results would open new horizons and identify promising new opportunities for television and digital platforms.

“The advent of digital technologies like personal video recorders, interactive TV, portable video devices, digital and internet protocol television is rapidly changing the entertainment industry,” said Professor Varan.

“It’s forcing industry players, including advertisers, to move from a paradigm centred on exposure to one increasingly focused on engagement with the viewer.

“Television networks need to create new programming and advertising models to ensure television continues to offer ‘compelling viewing’ in the face of increased competition from constantly emerging media technologies.”

The state-of-the-art Disney research laboratory in the US will test traditional and alternative models for advertising using the most advanced research techniques - including biometric measurement tools - to evaluate engagement and emotional responses to

advertising across media.“We will test interactivity, split screens,

brand integration, sponsorships, addressable advertising, broadband video and mobile devices,” Professor Varan said.

The new laboratory will feature a small theatre, multiple viewing suites and an

adjacent observation lounge. Anne Sweeney, Disney-ABC Television

Group President and Co-Chair, Disney Media Networks, said the research led by Murdoch University would allow them to explore the connection that viewers of all ages have with Disney entertainment, news and

sports programming.“We look forward to working with Duane

and Murdoch to learn more about the viewing experience across audiences and, in doing so, to heighten its value for the public, our advertising and distribution partner and the industry as a whole,” Ms Sweeney said.

Learning the art of facial reconstruction

Triple major Forensic Science student Lisa Holmes moulds muscles from clay in the facial reconstruction class.

Perth is a hotbed of

academic forensic science

activity according to

Dr Martin Evison, Visiting

Professor of Forensic

Science from the University

of Toronto.

“Murdoch University is particularly attractive because of the wider emphasis on the biological sciences side, especially with the State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, ancient DNA research and so on,” Dr Evison said.

Dr Evison asked to come to Murdoch to work with Associate Professor Robert Mead in his forensic unit, Bodies of Evidence, teaching students how to undertake a forensic facial reconstruction.

“We offered lectures and workshops focusing on Forensic Anthropology and Facial

Reconstruction - both the traditional clay-based approach and computerised methods,” Dr Evison said.

“The lab classes introducing the basics of plastic facial reconstruction were great fun.”

Dr Evison said forensic science was not at all like CSI and that most forensic scientists never see a dead body.

“It’s the problem solving and, for me, the technological aspects that are particularly rewarding.”

The students in Dr Evison’s classes were given a cast of a bare skull, building on the musculature, fat, skin, nose, eyes, lips and ears.

The lab also involved Dr Stephen Knott, WA’s Forensic Dentist, and Susan Hayes, a Murdoch graduate who completed a Masters in Fine Arts at Monash and is currently completing a PhD in facial reconstruction.

Create your own avatar and view ‘Forensic City’ on Murdoch’s Island in Second Life at Open Day August 31 - a glimpse of how real forensic scientists collect evidence following a crime.

Helping Disney research audience reaction

Professor Duane Varan is leading the development of a media and advertising media laboratory for the Walt Disney Company.


Murdoch is the first

university in Australia and

the largest organisation

in WA to use 15 per cent

nationally accredited

GreenPower.

Currently the only other two universities to sign up to GreenPower are in New South Wales and use 2.5 per cent.

Murdoch Vice Chancellor Professor John Yovich said the University was purchasing GreenPower from Synergy sourced from windfarms in Albany and Emu Downs. The contract commences on December 1.

Murdoch’s initiative will prevent at least 3500 tonnes of CO² (or 3.5million kg) being released into the atmosphere each year - equivalent to the emissions generated by the electricity consumption of 500 households.

Professor Yovich said Murdoch was also working with Synergy to investigate ways to further reduce its energy usage and emissions.

“We are now taking the lead to go even greener and we hope Murdoch University’s commitment to reducing emissions with this high quality renewable energy program will encourage other large organisations to follow suit.”

Professor Yovich said the University had taken the initiative to reduce its emissions several years ahead of anticipated mandatory reporting for universities as part of its overall strategy to ‘green’ its operations.

It already undertakes voluntary reporting through the national Greenhouse Challenge

program.Synergy Managing Director Jim Mitchell

congratulated Murdoch for its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint by purchasing Synergy’s accredited GreenPower product, NaturalPower.

“Murdoch is a dynamic and progressive university, and its agreement to purchase accredited renewable energy reflects its future focus,” Mr Mitchell said.

Professor Yovich said that in addition to its 15 per cent GreenPower deal, Murdoch University has also worked hard to achieve a 10 per cent reduction in electricity usage on its South Street Campus during WA’s energy crisis in June and July.

“The larger the energy users signing up for GreenPower, the greater the demand for accredited renewable energy will be - we are committed to helping stimulate further investment in WA’s renewable energy sources,” Professor Yovich said.

Murdoch’s Research Institute for Sustainable Energy (RISE) runs entirely off renewable energy with its own solar roof panels and wind turbines actually sending power to the grid.

Professor Phil Jennings welcomed the sign up. He has been researching renewable energy at

Murdoch for 30 years.

Western Australian

researchers aim to turn

vast saline ponds of algae

into clean, affordable fuel

to help solve the global

energy crisis in a new $2

million Federal government-

backed research project by

Murdoch University.

Murdoch - a leader in environmental solutions and renewable energy - has received $1.89 million to begin the innovative project from the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.

The groundbreaking research will see 20 scientists develop and oversee large scale open ponds or ‘photo-bioreactors’ of algae growing in saline water in Australia, India and China - as part of Australia’s commitment to the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate.

Murdoch Professor Michael Borowitzka, who leads the project, claims algae is the most promising biofuel option on the planet as it doesn’t compete with food production, can be grown in saline water, and produces 10-20 times the oil produced by other crops.

Australia was ideally placed for large scale algae biofuel production, he said, given its quantities of sunlight, easily accessible saline water and non arable land. However, it was currently too costly a process to be economically viable.

“At present the cost of producing biofuel from algae is too high,” said Professor Borowitzka.

“It costs $12 a kilogram, but we need to bring that down to $1 a kilogram using well adapted algae strains and improving all the production processes.”

Professor Borowitzka has been working on finding elite strains of algae and developing applications for microalgae for 30 years and says the size of land required to produce fuel from algae was tiny compared to that needed for agricultural-based biofuels such as canola, sugarcane or corn.

“For Australia to produce one per cent of biodiesel from algae you’d need a 100 square kilometre size plant - which is small compared to up to 2000 square kilometres required for the same amount to be produced from canola.”

The Murdoch-led project will also investigate the anticipated low levels of carbon emissions produced in algae fuel production and possible further energy generation from algae waste.

The University of Adelaide, Parry Nutraceuticals in India and South China

Institute of Technology are partnering Murdoch University in the research.

Murdoch Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Jim Reynoldson said the Federal funding success built upon the University’s growing research

commitment to renewable energies and low carbon technologies.

Turning algae into fuel and other recent Murdoch success stories can be seen online at the University’s YouTube news site.

Knowing your caffeine habit is helping support struggling coffee producers inevitably makes a skinny latte taste all the more sweet.

Murdoch University Guild shifted its food outlets to fair trade products in 2005.

Vicky Noonan, Murdoch’s Students Without Borders (SWB) Administration Officer, said Braziliano Fair Trade coffee is used at both of the Guild’s coffee outlets on campus.

“The reason we sell Fair Trade coffee is because it ensures the companies that provide this coffee are committed to paying sustainable prices, which must never fall below the market price, to the workers who provide the coffee beans used at Murdoch University,” Ms Noonan said.

Students can get involved with many different sustainability campaigns through SWB, and more details are on the website, www.studentswithoutborders.com.au. Alternatively contact Ms Noonan directly: 9360 6307, or on [email protected].

The Guild’s Kadjininy Café, located in the front of the library, will be hosting the Open Day’s Philosophy Café if you’d like to stop in and sample a Fair Trade hot beverage.

How much does that cup of coffee really cost?

Documentaries of the University’s research successes - such as Murdoch Professor Micheal Borowitzka’s work to turn algae into fuel - are making their way onto YouTube.

Turning algae into clean fuel

First to sign up for 15% GreenPower- preventing 3500 tonnes of CO² emissions each year


If only 10 per cent of

Perth’s homes were eco-

renovated with insulation

and solar panels, the

equivalent of one new coal

or gas-fired power station

could be saved and demand

reduced on existing ones.

That’s according to Murdoch University environmental engineer Dr Martin Anda, whose preliminary research shows WA can benefit immensely from environmentally-friendly home renovations.

Dr Anda is calling for a concerted effort by the State Government to support such a program - especially in light of WA’s gas crisis - which would result in massive industry growth and employment in the environmental technology sector.

“We could rid ourselves of the enormous risk we face if WA had substantial installations of solar PV, solar thermal, wind, wave and biomass installations and a more diversified energy supply mix instead of just dependency on coal and gas,” said Dr Anda.

He claimed that new talk of a second gas

pipeline from the north to the south was a very expensive bandaid and not a solution to WA’s energy security.

“We must follow the example set by other places such as Germany and California and focus more on home, office and factory renovations for energy efficiency as well as quickly moving to build up our energy security with renewable energy systems.”

Dr Martin Anda wants to see energy efficient renovations.

Murdoch helps Bunnings reduce its carbon footprintBunnings will be able to

further cut energy use

across its stores nationwide

thanks to recommendations

made by Murdoch University

experts.

Murdoch’s consulting arm, MurdochLINK Pty Ltd, won a large contract with Bunnings Group Limited last year to identify cost-effective options to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and energy use - in some cases by up to 50 per cent.

Mark Gomm, Bunnings’ Sustainability Manager, said the company has focused on reducing its energy use for a number of years now and the process has snowballed to the point of needing some scientific research - which is where Murdoch came in.

“Bunnings has been extremely pleased with the outcomes of working with Murdoch and the Research Institute for Sustainable Energy (RISE), and Murdoch’s recommendations have both affirmed our approach, as well as highlighted new opportunities that will allow us to continue lifting our energy efficiency.”

Mr Gomm said that 71 per cent of Bunnings’ energy use was from lighting systems.

“The systems that we’re investigating now are likely to produce a 35 per cent reduction in our overall electricity use, which is fantastic.

“Bunnings is also looking at other opportunities like increasing skylighting in the stores to increase natural light and reducing the

amount of artificial lighting we need in stores .We’re considering other out-of-the-box

solutions such as parasol roofing and underslab insulation in our tropical areas to help off-set the amount of electricity we use for cooling those stores.”

MurdochLINK general manager Richard McCulloch said Murdoch had been able to find significant costsavings for Bunnings, compared with the much higher cost of offsetting emissions with GreenPower without addressing improvements in energy efficiency.

Professor Philip Jennings, Dr Trevor Pryor and Dr Jonathan Whale from Murdoch’s Energy Studies worked with the University’s RISE experts Professor David Harries and Adjunct Professor Garry Baverstock to assess energy use in all Bunnings warehouses across Australia.

“MurdochLINK has recommended that Bunnings retrofit existing stores and replace energy-using equipment and technologies with more efficient products and controls, and recommended changes to the new warehouse designs to suit their individual climatic regions.

“The project also assessed opportunities for using onsite solar, wind, biofuel and gas micro-generation systems to reduce the amount of electricity supplied from the grid.”

Mr McCulloch said this project demonstrated the opportunity for Australian businesses to reduce the cost of their operations while reducing or eliminating their greenhouse gas emissions.

“This can only be good news in light of the current climate change and energy crisis.”

Mark Gomm, Bunnings Sustainability Manager (far left) talks about energy efficiency with Richard McCulloch from MurdochLINK. (Background left to right): Dr Trevor Pryor (Murdoch Energy Studies),

Adjunct Professor Garry Baverstock and Professor David Harries (RISE) worked on the contract.

Eco-renovate just 10% of homes to replace one power station

Job ready for the new green economyMurdoch’s pioneering Energy

Studies is one of the

few specialist university

disciplines in Australia

geared to fill the skills

gap created in the new

global carbon economy.

Murdoch Vice Chancellor Professor John Yovich said new greenhouse reporting and emissions trading requirements would quickly result in the creation of a large number of new ‘green’ jobs in the next few years.

“Murdoch has been researching these areas and developing new units and degrees for these growing fields for at least 10 years - the University had the foresight back then to be a pioneer in this area,” said Professor Yovich.

“Indeed Murdoch, through its Energy Studies led by Professor of Energy Phil Jennings, is one of the few institutions in Australia already providing the training needed for these new jobs and we are continuing to respond to the increasing need.

“Over the past 10 years Murdoch has been training people in greenhouse science and greenhouse accounting, and the University now offers a postgraduate diploma in Energy and Environment, examining climate science and greenhouse accounting.

“This Murdoch University diploma will cater to the increasing numbers of Australians involved in reporting greenhouse emissions, cutting emissions and finding alternative energy sources.”

Professor Yovich said Murdoch was recognised internationally as having a long-established track record and the best, most comprehensive and relevant set of courses in these subjects.

“Murdoch University has already trained hundreds working in the field of energy efficiency and greenhouse accounting, and we will continue to step up our efforts in response to this increasing national need.”

Energy Studies and other groups at Murdoch, including the University’s Research Institute of Sustainable Energy (RISE) led by Professor David Harries and Renewable Energy Engineering, are focused on bringing down the cost of renewable and low emission technologies.

RISE also runs accredited training programs to teach Western Australians how to design and install photovoltaic systems in homes and businesses.

Murdoch has also had an Institute of Sustainability and Technology Policy for two decades, now led by Dr Brad Pettitt, and offers leading courses aimed at this new growth area including Sustainability Planning.

Sustainable Energy Management is offered through Murdoch’s School of Engineering and Energy.


Dr Mathew Francis, Senior Analyst for the desalination project, and Chemistry Professor Ric Pashley, ARC Professional Fellow, with the desalination mechanism.

Revolutionary desalination process createdA Perth-based scientist

has created a process to

extract drinking water

from sea water that could

revolutionise desalination

and reduce energy costs.

Murdoch University Chemistry Professor Ric Pashley has patented a process that separates salt and water by exploiting their molecular properties and, for the first time, can do this without boiling the water - which dramatically reduces the costs and carbon emissions.

“If you can run a process at low temperatures to produce drinking water, then you can use ‘low quality’ industrial waste

heat to produce the water, almost for free,” Professor Pashley said.

“All you do is build the desalination plant next to a suitable industrial plant and use the heat that the industry wastes every day to run the process.”

Professor Pashley and his two PhD students have been drinking the water from their lab model of the invention for some time - successfully producing drinking water at temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius and below.

Professor Pashley also has a patent pending which he says could solve the problem of high-salt water being returned to the sea, as is the case with WA’s desalination plant at Kwinana.

It’s no surprise that Professor Pashley hopes to play a vital role in the establishment of Perth’s new National Centre of Excellence in

Water Desalination. The Centre will be funded with $20 million

over four years from the Federal Budget and $3-5 million from the State Government, and should place WA at the forefront of global desalination research and development.

“Even in the best desal plants in the world - and the Kwinana plant is at the cutting-edge - we are still some way from what’s possible. There really are a variety of innovative technologies that can reduce the energy costs of producing water by a factor of two to three.”

Professor Pashley has formed a company called Desal(Australia) Pty Ltd to commercialise the technology he developed at Murdoch, which has already received venture capital investment and interest from several companies.

The increasing social and

economic crisis in Remote

Australia has disturbing

ramifications for Australia’s

national security, former

WA Governor Lt Gen John

Sanderson warned at this

year’s Banksia Association

Lecture.

Lt Gen Sanderson called for deeper security structure in the north of the country and new alliances as global climate change and the demise of the North Atlantic culture as dominant forces in this region were the new realities.

Lt Gen (Retd) John Sanderson AC is the WA government’s Special Adviser on Enhanced Aboriginal Participation in the Social and Economic Development of the State.

Speaking at Murdoch University in July, he said Australians had pulled back from the remote reaches of the continent leaving it in a neglected and dysfunctional state.

“We must admit that we have been relatively unhindered in plundering the riches while enjoying a comfortable lifestyle near the beach,” he said.

“Australia’s defence against possible threats and breaches of security, including biosecurity, from South-East-Asia and the South Pacific is made all the more difficult when Remote Australia itself is gripped by social and economic crisis.”

He said that in order to survive and sustain our cultural identity under the challenges ahead - including climate change - many fundamental issues would need to be addressed by the nation such as correcting the environmental damage of unfettered exploitation of natural resources.

Read the full speech online at www.murdoch.edu.au/News/Latest-News

Growing security ramifications


Research is dispelling the

myth that first cousin

or ‘same blood’ marriages

between relatives

adversely affects their

children’s health.

Adjunct Professor Alan Bittles from Murdoch’s Centre for Comparative Genomics has spent 30 years studying the effect of same blood marriages on health outcomes and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

He was the lead speaker in a highly publicised debate in London in May on whether the rise in first cousin marriages among the UK’s Pakistani migrants was cause for concern.

“There’s a widespread misconception that these marriages are rare,” Professor Bittles said.

“In reality there are over 1000 million people worldwide living in regions where 20-50 per cent of marriages are between blood relatives.

“These types of unions are common in many Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, and Jewish communities.”

Professor Bittles believes there will be a greater incidence of first cousin marriages here as more migrants from these communities move into Australia.

“Britain has seen a rise in first cousin marriages among its Pakistani migrant population which has led to debate there about the health outcomes,” Professor Bittles said.

“In Western culture there’s a general belief that these marriages lead to negative genetic outcomes, yet a large majority of children born to first cousins are healthy.

“A global analysis has shown that early death or major ill-health is only on average four to five percent higher in children of first cousins.”

Given the global numbers of cousin marriages, Professor Bittles believes comprehensive health-based studies of short and longer-term outcomes are long overdue.

“Simply banning these marriages, which has

been suggested by some opponents in Britain, is simplistic and of limited relevance,” Professor Bittles added.

He recommends identifying the families in which genetic disease occur as part of genetic counselling for first cousin partners.

A groundbreaking Peel Child

Health study tracking

unborn babies through

to their teenage years

has begun recruiting 2000

pregnant women.

Murdoch has appointed certified clinical research professional and registered nurse Melonie Allen to manage the study, called Our Children, Our Families, Our Place.

The world-first research will assess how children are affected by services such as daycare, schooling and other community supports.

Mrs Allen, who is studying a Masters in Public Health and Tropical Medicine, has run health programs such as malaria and HIV/Aids initiatives for needy communities in the African Congo.

Mrs Allen said the child health study covering the socially diverse 6000 square kilometre Peel region was unique because it would investigate the impact of all three areas of biological, social and environmental factors on child health.

Study findings would be used to influence policymakers to ensure the Peel community was supported with the services it needed.

“It’s the first time such a complete study looking at biological, psycho-social and environmental factors has been done,” Mrs Allen said.

“The Peel region - home to industries as broad as mining, tourism, fishing and refineries - is recognised as being one of the most socially diverse areas in the country.

“Peel is also home to a lot of fly-in, fly-out workers who require different support systems.

“Our study will enable us to see where further support may be needed by way of community services.”

Research partners include the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Curtin and Edith Cowan universities.

Primary schools in the Peel region were invited to take part in a competition to draw a picture that could be used as logo in line with the study’s theme “Our children, our families, our place”.

The winning logo was designed by Elly Bernhardt, a Year One student from Greenfields Primary School.

Cousin marriage risks a myth

Examining global food deathsScientists from the

internationally renowned

Parasitology Section at

Murdoch University are

working on new World Health

Organisation (WHO) research to

estimate the global burden

of foodborne disease.

The only Australians invited to join the project, Research Fellow in Parasitology Dr Andrew Smith is coordinating the five-year Murdoch-based study alongside Professor Andrew Thompson, who heads the Parasitology Section in Murdoch’s School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences.

Nearly two million children die every year of diarrhoeal diseases often transmitted by food, yet to date the magnitude of the global foodborne disease burden caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites and chemicals remains unknown.

“We’re compiling baseline data to determine the extent of the problem globally and identify highly affected areas, evidence of recent emergence, and areas where data is inadequate,” Professor Thompson said.

“Murdoch University’s research and international recognition in this field has been acknowledged by this invitation from WHO to carry out the consultation.”

While gastroenteritis is the most commonly known foodborne disease, others include hepatitis, allergic and neurological syndromes, kidney failure, and cancers.

Examining global burden of foodborne disease: Professor Andrew Thompson,

Head of Murdoch’s Parasitology Group.

Inside info sought

Adjunct Professor Alan Bittles says the large majority of children born from first cousin unions are healthy.

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Open Day, August 31 2008

AfricanOz Idol

AfricanOz Idol dancers performing at KULCHA last year.

AfricanOz Idol is giving young

African Australians the

chance to explore the

challenges of a bicultural

identity.

Murdoch PhD student Peter Wakholi, founder and coordinator of the African Cultural Memory Youth Arts Festival, said such arts-based performance techniques helped youths develop a more empowered approach to their bicultural existence.

“African cultural memory and African migrant youth experiences are explored as a source for strengthening bicultural identity and

harmony,” Mr Wakholi said. “My research shows the importance of having

a critical understanding of African cultures that gives philosophical, psychological and spiritual perspectives that can enrich the bicultural identities of youth through the creation of knowledge about themselves.”

Mr Wakholi, who also works as a high school teacher with the Department of Education and Training, said as an outcome of his research he would be proposing an artistic-education approach to strengthening bicultural identity.

AfricanOz Idol will be showing at Murdoch’s Open Day, August 31, with a panel of judges to add to the tension and fun of the performances - items will range from song, dance, drumming and satirical comedy.

Pulling biotech out of a box

School lab assistant Sue Frestal trys the Biotech Box

A ‘Biotech Box’ of practical

science tools developed by

Murdoch University is helping

teachers excite their

students about DNA, gene

technology, stemcells and

cloning.

‘Biotech Out of the Box’ was sent out to several Western Australian schools at the end of July to give teachers tools to implement hands-on activities and experimental learning in their classrooms.

Murdoch University Biotechnology Program Chair, Carolyn Jones, said 150 teachers had trialled the boxes before they started being sent

out around the state. “Using the Biotech Box teachers can

demonstrate biotech laboratory procedures using science equipment they may not have had access to previously,” Ms Jones said.

“The professional development opportunities Murdoch provides to teachers gives them biotechnology information and tools for the classroom, and backing that up, our scientists are here on-hand as a support network.”

The kits will be rotated between science teachers at metropolitan and regional schools over the next two years - reaching about 150 State Government and 80 private schools.

The ‘Biotech Out of the Box’ program will be run at Murdoch’s Open Day on August 31, along with extractive metallurgy demonstrations, DNA profiling and other exciting science activities.

Be a Nurse, just for one day

High school students from

all over Western Australia

were able to see

firsthand what it’s really

like to be a nurse at

Murdoch University’s recent

“Be a Nurse for a Day.”

Running for the first time at Murdoch’s Nursing School in Rockingham, high school students in years 10, 11 and 12 were able to look over the $13 million purpose-built facilities and participate in a range of activities.

Students learnt how to do a basic assessment, administer an injection, respond to an emergency situation and take a patient’s temperature, pulse, respiration rate and blood pressure.

Those who missed out on the experience will be able to check out the Nursing M.A.S.H.-style tent at Murdoch’s Open Day at the South Street campus on August 31.

Murdoch’s Summer Law Program students will head to Università di Macerata.

Murdoch’s European Summer

Program in Law has just been

launched, recognising the

School of Law’s ability to

respond to the changing needs

of students in an increasingly

globalised world.

The program will be centred on both international and European law at the Università di Macerata, one of Europe’s oldest universities.

In addition to providing a setting where students will be able to interact with Italian judges and European jurists, many other functions and activities are planned including Italian language courses and local tours.

The first group of Murdoch students will head to Italy this summer.

Murdoch’s Moot Court will be open to dissect the legalities of drinking on Rottnest during Open Day on August 31.

Summer Law in Italy

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Open Day, August 31 2008

WA’s native freshwater

fish are being given a helping

hand to overcome artificial

barriers and reach new

habitats.

Murdoch University researchers David Morgan and Stephen Beatty have been assessing and monitoring the effectiveness of five fishways, or ‘fish ladders’ as they are often called, in South-West river systems.

Dr Beatty said 80 per cent of freshwater fish in the South-West were affected by artificial structures such as dams and gauging stations which stopped them migrating upstream to breed.

While such structures were necessary for regulating and monitoring the flow of water in many rivers and streams in WA, he said they had the potential to adversely affect aquatic ecosystems.

“For example, the Goodga River, east of Albany, is one of the only known waterways in WA where the critically endangered trout minnow Galaxias truttaceus is found.

“When the 1.5m high concrete gauging weir was installed there many years ago, trout minnow were unable to travel upstream to breed.

“In just one year after construction of the fishway in the Goodga River we found fish again breeding upstream of the weir and there was an overall population increase.”

He said fish ladders were just one example of how Murdoch’s Centre for Fish and Fisheries Research worked collaboratively with a wide range of government departments and community groups to conserve native freshwater fish stocks.

See how fish ladders work at Murdoch’s Open Day on August 31.

What do Antarctic

photography, a wonky donkey

and cutting edge technology

have in common?

They were all on display at Murdoch’s Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences School when it opened its doors in May to showcase its state-of-the-art facilities to alumni, veterinary colleagues, families and friends and members of the Murdoch Veterinary Trust.

School Dean Professor John Edwards said a proud history of the Veterinary Science Program was revealed as well as a taste of things to come - Murdoch’s future vision for veterinary education.

“Our vision is to maintain our status as a world class veterinary school and therefore we’re continually striving to improve the standard of education we provide,” Professor Edwards said.

Open Day, August 31, will include tours through the small animal Emergency and ICU department and the Vet Hospital’s cutting edge diagnostic imaging units.

Veterinary & Biomedical open doors

Murdoch’s Open Day will include the DNA profiling of black cockatoos, such as this one

pictured at the Vet Open House.

River use surveyed by students

Fish ladders to the rescue

New Zealand’s alternative rock group Shihad headline Murdoch’s Open Day. Bands start from 1pm at South Street campus.

Sustainability students are helping the Swan River Trust develop a river protection strategy for the Swan and Canning Rivers.

Supervisor Allan Johnstone, from Murdoch’s School of Sustainability, said the rivers were cherished state assets with enormous environmental, economic and social value.

“These rivers and their foreshores have a diverse range of users and many people feel a strong sense of connection and stewardship with them,” Mr Johnstone said.

“As Perth’s population and economy

continue to grow, there’s likely to be increased recreational use and more riverfront development, so it’s timely to consider how we can accommodate these while also protecting ecological health.”

Murdoch students have been undertaking a river use survey at a range of locations to help identify particular pressures for the Trust strategy.

Murdoch’s Open Day is an opportunity to participate in the Wetland Safari and find out about how environments can be maintained sustainably.


Professor John Edwards, Dean of

Murdoch’s School of Veterinary

and Biomedical Sciences, and Senior

Biotechnology Lecturer Dr Philip

O’Brien have been appointed to the

newly formed Biosecurity Council

of Western Australia.

The Council replaces the Agriculture Protection Board as the principal advisory body on biosecurity issues to the Minister and the Department of Agriculture and Food’s Director General.

Professor Edwards is well known in national and international circles for his experience in biosecurity and expertise in invasive species, animal, plant and public health.

Dr O’Brien has worked in microbial biochemistry and molecular biology with a particular interest in plant pathogenic fungi and water moulds.

Dr O’Brien helped establish the Centre for

Phytophthora Science and Management at Murdoch to better examine the eucalypt dieback disease.

“The presence of two Murdoch staff as members of the Biosecurity Council is a significant step in the colocation of the Department of Agriculture and Food’s Biosecurity Laboratories to the University and the establishment of a state biosecurity centre,” Professor Edwards said.

Agriculture and Food Minister Kim Chance announced the new 15 person Council, saying it would cover not only the protection of agriculture and related resources, but also the prevention and management of biosecurity threats to commercial activities related to agriculture, forestry, fishing and the environment.

In its first year, Mr Chance said the Council would focus on providing advice on implementation of the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007, on agricultural industry funding schemes and recognition of biosecurity groups around the State.

The Council includes representatives of both community and industry organisations and met for the first time in April.

New council to guide Biosecurity

WA’s Biosecurity Council appoints Dr Philip O’Brien (left) and Professor John Edwards.

The gift of warmth

Left to right: Kath Wilson, Hazel Collier (UniCredit Branch Manager), Penhale Martin and Bobby Riddell showcase some of the donations to World Vision’s Guardian Angel knitting program.

Murdoch University’s Unicredit

Branch Manager Hazel Collier

is busy enlisting the help

of Murdoch staff, family, and

friends in a knitting frenzy

that will provide the gift

of warmth to children in

Caucasus.

Ms Collier said she first joined the World Vision Guardian Angel knitting program last year for children in Mongolia and that the appeal had really touched her.

“This year’s appeal is for the children in

Caucasus (which borders Russia, Turkey and Iran) who are freezing in unheated draughty orphanages, many taken there by their own families who are too poor to look after them,” Ms Collier said.

“Hopefully we can make a difference, we already have lots of wonderfully knitted items from various departments but time is running out, we have until the end of August to pass the donations on for shipment.

“I would like to ask all departments to join in and add to our growing pile.”

Donations of knitted clothes and toys can be dropped into the Unicredit branch of Murdoch University’s South Street campus before the end of August.


Murdoch University continues

to secure extensive research

funding for its diverse

scientific endeavours. The

following are some of the

most recent Australian

Research Council (ARC)

and Australian Learning and

Teaching Council grants.

Bid to stem annual wheat losses of $60 million

Dr Peter Solomon, Professor Richard

Oliver and Dr Richard Lipscombe (Proteomics International) have received $77,880 over four years to use new state-of-the-art techniques to investigate a fungal disease which inflicts almost $60 million of wheat losses on WA each year. The Murdoch research team will investigate the proteins Stagonospora nodorum needs to cause this debilitating disease.

Dr Solomon is confident his team’s project will increase the understanding of the infection and ultimately lead to novel strategies to combat the disease.

Addressing the teacher exodus

A collaborative research project between Murdoch University, the University of South Australia and Edith Cowan University has just been awarded $140,000 over five years to investigate how beginning teachers develop resilience and sustain their commitment to teaching.

Murdoch’s City of Rockingham Chair in Education, Professor Barry Down, said this research would produce new knowledge and strategies while examining how new teachers dealt with threats to their wellbeing and identify which internal strengths and external strategies promoted their resilience.

“This study will provide the evidence for interventions to increase teacher commitment and reduce teacher attrition,” Professor Down said.

Examining reproductive loss in beef cattle costing industry $15 million a year

Collaborating scientists have received $410,000 over four years to investigate Bovine genital campylobacteriosis (herpes) - one of the major risk factors associated with reproductive losses due to the inability to accurately diagnose the disease.

Investigator Professor Matt Bellgard from Murdoch’s Centre for Comparative Genomics will work with collaborating partners Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Pfizer Australia, Gribbles Veterinary Pathology and the University of Queensland.

This research integrates genomics and bioinformatics with infection and vaccination models to improve understanding of the disease’s biology to develop appropriate control strategies securing Australia’s beef industry.

Boost for teaching and learning projects

Murdoch Senior Lecturer Dr Josko Petkovic has secured $219,254 for a two-year project to formally define, test, validate and regulate academic standards, assessment and reporting practices for creative works produced by graduating film school students in 19 Australian film schools. In another win, Lecturer Dr Susan Roberts has secured $119,084 to identify and define the roles and expectations of Unit Coordinators in Higher Education to clarify tasks and responsibilities, and the competencies and attributes required.

Murdoch University and a

Malaysian clinical research

organisation are set to

deliver accredited drug

analysis to Western Australia

replacing reliance on

interstate services.

Murdoch and Info Kinetics have signed a deal to develop a commercial operation supporting WA biotech and drug development companies.

The initiative coincides with the State Government’s push to secure the future of local clinical trials.

Murdoch University’s Dean of Pharmacy, Associate Professor Robert Coltrona said the partnership would start with analysis work but could grow to deliver a broader suite of clinical services.

“This will be the first time that a WA operation has achieved the necessary accreditation to produce clinical data that is widely accepted and it will possibly lead to

the development of new and exciting drug therapies,” Professor Coltrona said.

“The partnership will see drug development and biotech companies benefit from reduced costs and a quicker turn around on results for local players.

“By signing this Memorandum of Understanding with Murdoch, Info Kinetics now has access to our state-of-the-art Separation Science Laboratory which boasts some of the most advanced analytical research equipment in Australia,” Professor Coltrona said.

“With the establishment of the new Fiona Stanley Hospital campus at Murdoch, this will open up future opportunities for the University to provide the hospital with clinical services.”

In recognition of their links with Asia, Murdoch’s School of Pharmacy recently made a large donation of respiratory masks, torches and batteries to earthquake victims in China.

Professor Coltrona said he felt particularly compelled to provide assistance as Info Kinetics consultant and Murdoch’s Adjunct Professor Dr Yap Kok Wei is of Chinese origin.

Murdoch moves into clinical trials services

Signing of MoU - (back left to right): Associate Professor Robert Coltrona, Adjunct Professor Yap Kok Wei,

Associate Professor Robert Trengove, Tim Morrison. (Front left to right): Professor Jim Reynoldson,

Adjunct Associate Professor Lee Toong Chow.

Professor Richard Oliver is one of the team members studying fungal disease in wheat.

Funding success for research projects

Inaugural theologianMurdoch’s Inaugural International Theologian gave a series of public lectures in July on Islam, Muslim-Christian relations and interreligious dialogue in the Catholic Church.

Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, the Vatican’s Ambassador to Egypt, said that one of the striking features of the last four decades was the increased mobility of nationalities.

“The first Muslim immigrants were mainly single men seeking work, but as these workers were joined by their wives and children, permanent communities were formed,” he said.

“The development of these communities, of different ethnic origins and not at all homogenous, has presented a challenge to the Christian communities of the host countries and has made dialogue or the establishment of good relations imperative.”

Generous donations of $750,000 were raised to fund an annual visiting theologian.


Murdoch University’s recent

restructure has seen the

creation of six new faculty

dean positions and seven new

research institute director

roles.

The final two faculty deans and three of the new research institute directors have been recently appointed.

Professor Rhonda Marriott is the new Faculty Dean, Health Sciences. She was

previously School Dean and Professor of Nursing at Murdoch’s Peel campus and the first Indigenous Dean of a university School of Nursing in Australia. Professor Marriott was recently named Indigenous Nurse/Midwife of the Year by the Nurses and Midwives Board of Western Australia.

Phil Hocking had been appointed as Murdoch’s Faculty Dean, Minerals and Energy. Mr Hocking has been involved in management accounting in the higher education sector since 2001. He was previously a business manager at Murdoch and spent 22 years in banking, including several years in business risk analysis

and as a business banking manager.Professor John Pluske is Director of the

new Institute for Animal Research. Previously Associate Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, working in the School of Veterinary and Biomedical Science, he has a strong interest in fostering collaborative research and identifying opportunities to enhance research performance. His personal research interests include comparative digestive physiology, feedstuffs evaluation, interactions between nutrition and enteric bacterial diseases, and nutrition of the young.

Professor Jacqueline Phillips has been

appointed as Director of Murdoch’s new Institute for Health Research. Professor Phillips taught within Veterinary Physiology and Biomedical Sciences at Murdoch, and is a neuroscientist with recognised expertise in autonomic and sensory neurophysiology. Her research spans over three major biomedical health areas: cardiovascular disease, chronic pain and tumour neurobiology. Professor Phillips’ research expertise is recognised by her role as both a member and co-chair for National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and National Heart Foundation Grant Review Panels.

Professor Craig McGarty is Murdoch’s new Director of the Institute for Sustainable Societies, Education and Politics. Former Director of the Centre for Social and Community Research in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor McGarty is one of the world’s leading social psychologists in the fields of social categorisation, stereotype formation and social identity research. His current ARC-funded research focuses on how best to promote positive social change.

Left to right: Rhonda Marriott, Phil Hocking, John Pluske, Jacqueline Phillips and Craig McGarty.

Murdoch staff were

persuaded to swap their

offices for the sports field

in July for the university’s

first Staff Interfaculty

Sports Day.

Organised by Murdoch Guild Sports, the event drew seven teams from the schools of Information Technology (IT), Psychology, Environmental Science, Biological Science & Biotechnology, Education, Human Resources (HR) and Finance.

Sport & Recreation Manager Adrian Fisher said teams showed their sporting prowess competing in games of dodgeball, indoor soccer, tug of war and table tennis.

“In dodgeball, Environmental Science met Finance in the final in a classic academic verses administration showdown with Environmental Science taking the crown,” Mr Fisher said.

Competition in indoor soccer was intense, but it was Psychology and IT which battled it out with IT delivering the final golden goal in extra time.

“Special mention needs to be made of IT School Dean Peter Cole who did a sterling job

throwing himself down on the ground at least half a dozen times,” Mr Fisher said.

In the ultimate test of strength, tug of war, Finance and Environmental Science met in the final with Finance handing out a thrashing.

“Notable mention must go to the ladies from Education who took on the Biological Sciences and Biotechnology boys and showed them who was boss,” Mr Fisher said.

In the final event for the day, table tennis, teams fought tooth and nail with Psychology losing out to Biological Sciences and Biotechnology.

“After reviewing the results for the day we faced a situation we hadn’t planned for - a tie between Psychology and Environmental Science,” Mr Fisher said.

“A quick contingency plan was formed and a game of pool became the tie-breaker,

“As if Psychology had planned this all along, their number one pool shark broke well and it was not long before they claimed victory,”

Second place went to Environmental Science, with HR judged the loudest team.

The event will now become an annual contest. Murdoch Guild Sports intends to hold another sports day early in the summer break.

Faculties go head-to-head in sports

The best-dressed Psychology team come up trumps at the Staff Interfaculty Sports Day.

Appointments: leadership changes


Historic classic on bookshelves

A new Australian classic by

eminent historian Professor

Geoffrey Bolton documenting

WA’s history was officially

launched at Murdoch

University in June.

Land of Vision and Mirage - Western Australia since 1826 is the long-awaited short history of WA covering the social, cultural, political and economic development of the state.

Emeritus Professor Bolton is the former Chancellor of Murdoch, and the author of 13 books including Claremont: a History.

Named WA’s 2006 Australian of the Year, Professor Bolton (above right) was joined by Murdoch Vice Chancellor Professor John Yovich (left), the Hon Fred Chaney and many of Perth’s leading dignitaries in celebrating the launch of book - the first in 27 years on WA’s colourful history.

The book, published by UWA Press, is available from Murdoch’s bookshop and all good bookstores.

Western Australia’s native

forests are in such poor

health that Murdoch

University scientists are

injecting trees with chemicals

and implanting mineral

supplements in a bid to stop

them dying.

The incidence of native tree decline has been rapidly increasing since first identified in the 1990s according to Murdoch’s Research Associate Dr Paul Barber, based at the State’s Centre of Excellence for Climate Change, Woodland and Forest Health (ECCWFH) at Murdoch.

“It’s getting to the stage where it is becoming difficult to find a healthy tree,” Dr Barber said.

He said the deteriorating health of key native species was becoming worse throughout the South-West and Wheatbelt.

“We are running out of time to save some of these iconic trees,” Dr Barber said.

“What we need to do is try some treatments, see if we can manage to reverse the decline and save the trees while we keep working to find the causes.”

Hundreds of trees including tuart, flooded gum, marri, jarrah and peppermint are being analysed by the Murdoch University research team.

While dieback is a big problem, other factors considered include salinity, disease, fungal pathogens and changes in soil microbiology.

Treatment trials have been delivering promising results since they began three

years ago, and Landcare officers are now training local communities to use the techniques for implanting stems with capsules containing macro nutrients plus zinc, manganese and iron.

They are also injecting stems with liquid phosphite, a biodegradable fungicide which acts as an immune booster to guard against

dieback disease. Green Skills has been working with the

Centre, and will run native tree decline workshops to help local communities and small landholders identify sick trees and apply a range of treatments, including nutrient implants and understorey restoration.

Saving WA’s native trees with mineral implants and injections


Wastewater solutions win prizesTwo of Murdoch University’s

PhD students have won

prestigious international Huber

Technology Prizes in Munich,

Germany.

The prizes honour ideas, concepts and results of research that are innovative contributions to the reuse of energy and valuable materials from wastewater.

Kayu Cheng won a trophy and a cheque for 5500 euros (AU$9035) for his entry based on his PhD project concept of producing electricity from wastewater using a microbial fuel cell.

John Hunt also won a trophy and a cheque for 4000 euros (AU$6571) for his PhD-based

project developing software to rate land developments for their water use efficiency.

Head of Murdoch’s School of Environmental Science, Professor Nick Costa, said the achievements were a credit to supervisors Professor Goen Ho, Dr Martin Anda (School of Environmental Science) and Dr Ralf Cord-Ruwisch (School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology).

“This is an outstanding achievement by Murdoch postgraduates,” Professor Costa said.

“The use of energy and valuable materials recovered from wastewater is an important contribution to sustainable water management.”

If wastewater use and eco-friendly options interest you, visit Murdoch’s Open Day on August 31 to learn from our experts how to create an eco-friendly home.

Two groups of chiropractic

and nursing students

travelled to India during

mid-semester break to

provide healthcare and

gain international hands-on

experience.

For the third year in a row, a team of 25 chiropractic students travelled to West Bengal to treat children and adult rock-breakers who crush stones for a living.

Students spent two weeks in Silguri providing free chiropractic care, first aid and basic medical supplies.

Associate Professor Brian Nook, Dean of Murdoch’s School of Chiropractic and Sports Science, said the students were escorted by five qualified chiropractors and a paramedic.

“The reality in these communities is that children aged two to 14 have to earn a living rock-breaking and face appalling living conditions coupled with inadequate healthcare,” Professor Nook said.

“This initiative provides a much-needed community service to the people in India who

request our services and support.“It also gives our students the opportunity to

experience unique conditions and interactions with other qualified supervisors.”

Eight students from Murdoch’s School of Nursing also flew to India – taking part in a pilot program offering five weeks’ hospital and village clinic experience.

School of Nursing Associate Lecturer Gabrielle Davie said students spent three weeks at the Chettinad Hospital in Chennai, then a further two weeks at a village clinic working in children’s health, maternal and infant care and community nursing.

She said the placement gave students a global perspective on health and deeper respect for other cultures, along with firsthand knowledge of different healthcare delivery practices.

“This is essential for nurses in our multicultural society.”

Both sets of students funded their own airfares, with the aid of generous public donations.

The Murdoch University Foundation supports student initiatives such as these. If you would like to make a donation, please contact Justine Taylor on +61 8 9360 7281 or email her at [email protected]

Taking healthcare to India

Two of the locals who received treatment from the chiropractic students.

KYLI

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John Hunt and Kayu Cheng receive their Huber Technology Prizes in Germany.

Murdoch and Rangsit

University, Thailand, signed

a deal on July 31 to give

students who have completed

three years of Information

and Communication Technology

at Rangsit the opportunity

to complete a double

degree with just one extra

year of study at Murdoch.

President of Rangsit University, Dr Arthit Ourairat, said the MoU built on the agreement made by the two universities in June 2007 to explore academic collaboration.

Deputy Vice Chancellor (Faculty, Enterprise, International), Professor Gary Martin said that from September, Rangsit students who finished a Bachelor of Science in Information and Communication Technology could apply to Murdoch to study a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems or Computer Science as a single major or a double major in both areas of specialisation.

“Students will be given credit for prior learning at Rangsit and as a result will be able to receive a degree from Murdoch after completing two semesters of study in Perth,” Professor Martin said.

Top student performers• ThreeofMurdoch’seliteathletestudents

are representing Australia at the Beijing Olympics. Hope Munro, enrolled in a BEd/BA, is a member of the Women’s Hockey team. James Stanton (BA History) is competing as a member of the Men’s Water Polo team. Clare Burzynski (B Legal Studies) is representing Australia at the Paralympics in Wheelchair Basketball.

• AYear12BioGENEiushighschoolstudentmentored at Murdoch has won third place in the North American BioGENEius Challenge held at the Bio Conference in San Diego. Oliver Tester, of Murdoch College, conducted his prize winning research under the dedicated mentorship of Adjunct Associate Professor Chris Florides from Murdoch’s Saturn Biotec. Using a mass spectrometer, he developed a seed purity test for the Department of Agriculture.

• AstudentinMurdoch’sAfterSchoolandVacation Program in Mathematics and Physical Sciences has topped 178 students in Open Universities Australia (OUA) Physics to win the national Jonathan Searcy Prize in Physics SCI16. Annabelle Anandappa is a student of Adjunct Senior Lecturer Jennifer Searcy.

Thai connection


Gudthaykudthay and John Mawurndjul. These five artists have established reputations

and each has developed a highly individual approach while working within traditional media and subject matter. Croft colloquially refers to this group as ‘the big guns’, as their respective careers span the four decades since the 1967 Referendum.

Jikapayinga, an ochre painting on paper by Baptiste, is a recent acquisition for the Murdoch University collection. This stunning work combines traditional Tiwi design (Jilamara) and the artist’s contemporary style.

Jikapayinga references the distinctive traditional patterns used on Tiwi ceremonial poles and carvings while also referencing the textured patterned hide on the back of the crocodile. Jean Baptiste Apuatimi (right) photographed by Todd Buswell. Curator Mark Stewart (left) with 'Lauren’ by Patrina Hicks in The Company of Women exhibition which runs until the end of August at Murdoch.

For someone who’d never

been to Murdoch until this

year, Alan Dodge is excited

about the University’s

future direction.

The former Art Gallery of Western Australia director is the newest member of Murdoch’s Art Board.

But when he was invited to take the position, he was initially going to say no.

“I already belonged to a number of boards and the last thing I needed was another,” said Alan.

“I knew very little about Murdoch and its collection, except curator Mark Stewart: I knew and respected his work at Craftwest Centre for Contemporary Design (now called

FORM) and other places.”When Mark and Corporate Relations

Manager Nathan Giles invited the arts aficionado to Murdoch, they devised a well-choreographed tour of the campus and its artworks - and Alan was struck by two things.

“I was really impressed by the quality of the collection: real curatorial rigour had been applied to what was collected and the rationale behind it,” he said.

“The strengths of Murdoch’s collection are its works on paper, its prints and its Indigenous artworks.

“Secondly, I’m acutely aware of the arguments for and against gallery spaces and university collections, and the fact they’re called ‘Cinderella collections’.”

Alan spoke at a conference about university art collections and challenged the

rationale of having large galleries on campus.“It’s not that I don’t believe in them, but

I wanted really good arguments about what the interaction is between the academic community with a collection,” he said.

“What I loved about Murdoch is that it has integrated the collection into the university community and throughout the campus: not just put it around the campus, but actually built special walls so the lighting was right so people could truly enjoy the collection.

“And even though Murdoch has a gallery space in the library they use the same rigour in how they have hung or installed works throughout the campus.”

It was enough to persuade Alan to take on the board member’s role.

The job entails looking after policies that guide future acquisitions and how they’re displayed, providing the curator with a body of advice on which to draw, and strengthening Murdoch’s links with the greater artistic community.

Alan joins other external board members Margaret Way of Way Architects and art collectors District Court Judge Kate O’Brien (former Murdoch Pro Chancellor and Senate member) and Chair Chris Hill on the Murdoch board.

“Maintaining the quality and the contacts and the knowledge will help the future collection,” he said.

“What would be really nice too is helping find donations that fit Murdoch’s collection, and I hope I can help in that way too.”

If anyone can do all that it’s Alan Dodge. Despite standing down as the AGWA director last year, he’s still on many boards and keeping strong links with the arts all over the world.

Alan is on the board of the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra and the Perth

International Arts Festival, and is a member of the Committee for Perth’s Arts Taskforce.

He admits to working well above 40 hours a week but says it’s second nature.

“I think enthusiasm and interest and having 37 years of art museum and collection experience, and exhibition experience, and fundraising help,” he says.

“It’s easy to call on that understanding, and all of it allows me to really put together a vision for myself that I see for the future of Perth.”

Alan is a noted contributor to arts journals and is passionate about the power of the arts in this state.

“This is a fantastic place with a set of unique circumstances, which include isolation and the resources sector and it’s asking itself where it’s supposed to go,” Alan says.

“This is the last big chance WA has to be visionary.”

He remembers being at the function where Premier Alan Carpenter announced his vision for the city waterfront and was immediately enthused.

“I said to him, ‘Let’s go down and I’ll put some bricks down right now’,” Alan recalls.

“I hope we’re able to think big like that, because that’s our future.

We need to get a critical mass happening back in the centre of the city - and I want that driven by arts and culture.”

In the meantime Murdoch is a top priority. The University’s newest Art Board member says it’s a pleasure coming on campus.

“Just the fact of walking onto the grounds and seeing the fabulous quadrangle of Bush Court, it’s such a lovely first statement,” he says.

“I thought on my first visit that anyone associated with this has to be looked at more than once. It’s very impressive.”

Though small in stature, Jean Baptiste Apuatimi is arguably

the most senior and celebrated female artist from the Tiwi

Islands north of Darwin.

Her artwork is represented in significant public collections including the National Gallery of Australia, the US National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington and Sammlung Essl Museum, Austria.

Most recently Baptiste’s work was showcased in Canberra’s inaugural National Indigenous Art Triennial, Cultural Warriors. This exhibition is touring the country, highlighting the work of 30 Australian artists.

Curator Brenda L Croft has showcased the work of five significant senior artists - Apuatimi (the only female inclusion), Aurukun artist Arthur Koo’ekka Pambegan jnr and bark painters Lofty Bardayal Nadjamerrek, Philip

Art inspiration

Alan Dodge is the newest member of the Murdoch Arts Board.

Latest exhibitions

The secret double life

of Ningaloo’s whale sharks

has been discovered by

Murdoch University scientist

Brad Norman and his Swansea

University (UK) colleague

Professor Rory Wilson.

In a world-first scientific discovery, the two Laureates of the international Rolex Awards for Enterprise revealed that whale sharks undertake

astonishing dive and ascent behaviour to conserve energy.

This type of behaviour has not been quantitatively recorded in sharks or fish before.

Mr Norman says the dynamic bounding underwater ‘flight’ of the world’s biggest fish contrasts with its reputation as a slow surface cruiser.

The collaborating researchers discovered the whale sharks’ double life while recording their actions on electronic wildlife monitors at Ningaloo.

They’ve been able to record the giant creatures’ every swimming action in minute detail (eight times a second).

Mr Norman says the new technology will reveal how and where the whale sharks feed and breed, enabling those areas to be protected from human activity and pollution.

“This research offers us an incredible window into how they live and what they do when out of our sight,” he says.

“This information will be vital in helping protect this magnificent, but threatened species.”

The collaborative whale shark research is being supported by Australian basketball champion Luc Longley who lent his 20 metre vessel to the project. It’s also being funded by Murdoch University, and cosponsored by Rolex, National Geographic and the non-profit group ECOCEAN.

Care for wonky donkey helps to exceed target

Top left: An electronic wildlife monitor used to record the movement of whale sharks. Above: Brad Norman attaches the monitor on the move.

Secret life of whale sharks

Equine surgeon Dr David Murphy nurses six-week-old patient Lonegan the miniature donkey.

An appeal to raise $25,000

to correct a miniature

donkey’s deformed legs

exceeded $40,000 within

weeks.

Barely five weeks old, Lonegan the miniature donkey needed urgent surgery at Murdoch if there was any chance of him having a quality life.

Just 14kg and the size of a medium dog, Lonegan is only one of four sets of miniature donkey twins ever born.

Lonegan’s veterinary doctor at the Murdoch University Equine Centre, Associate Professor David Murphy, said the foal’s angular leg

deformity was the worst he’d seen.Murdoch’s Media and Communications team

and the WA Donkey Society appealed to the public to help Lonegan’s owner Barbara Bracken bear the costs of surgery and medical care.

Within four days the appeal surpassed its goal, much to the delight of Ms Bracken, and donations have now exceeded $40,000.

“Lonegan has crept into the hearts of so many people and I’m overwhelmed and thankful,” Ms Bracken said.

Money left over from veterinary costs is being given to Princess Margaret Hospital’s orthopaedic department.

The Equine Centre and Murdoch University Veterinary Hospital will be open to view on Open Day, August 31.

Murdoch University Explore Magazine Vol 2I

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Transcript of Murdoch University Explore Magazine Vol 2I