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© QUT 2000 Produced by QUT Publications 210471 5678

Alumni Review Fitness and sports centres – QUT's fitness centres are open to the public at competitive rates.

Call 07 3864 2945 (Gardens Point), 07 3864 3710 (Kelvin Grove) or 07 3864  4716 (Carseldine).

Special discounts are available for QUT alumni. Call the Alumni Office on 07 3864 1837 for a letter of introduction.

Library benefits – QUT graduates and alumni are invited to rejoin the library after graduation for a discounted membership fee of $75 a year. Call the Alumni Office on 07 3864 1837 for a letter of introduction.

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SUMMER 2000 Volume 3 Number 9 QUT’s outstanding alumni Art collection unveiled Moody looks to stars

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International alumni

make valuable contribution

qut.com

A university for the real world

I recently attended the launch of the Indonesian chapter of QUT’s alumni.

This event was a great success with more than 70 graduates in attendance, and reflects the growing links that QUT is developing with its international alumni.

QUT values all of its graduates for many reasons.

They help us to establish and maintain our standing in the community, especially in their workplace and professional bodies.

The success of our graduates enhances QUT’s reputation and provides a strong endorsement of the value of a QUT award.

The importance of the links established between alumni, here in Australia and overseas, cannot be overemphasised – these graduates have built up a strong professional network that assists them in their chosen career paths.

These links are becoming more global. Over the past few years, we have seen a dramatic growth in the numbers of our alumni living and working overseas.

This growth comes not only from our graduating international student population, but also from locally born alumni, whose expertise is keenly sought after in the international market.

Our international alumni are extremely active, are currently involved in many university activities, and are excellent advocates of QUT as a place to study and Brisbane as a place to live.

I have been particularly excited about the enthusiasm of our alumni groups overseas, and have recently attended alumni events in Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore and London.

Next year, QUT will be hosting an Alumni Fest, which we hope will attract a strong domestic attendance from all over Australia.

We will extend a particularly warm welcome to returning alumni from overseas to this important event.

Professor Dennis Gibson Vice-Chancellor

QUT Links is published by the QUT Corporate Communication Department, in co-operation with the QUT Alumni Relations Unit.

Design and production by QUT Publications Unit.

Edited by Carmen Myler.

Photography: Tony Phillips, Suzanne Prestwidge.

Editorial material is gathered from a range of sources and does not necessarily reflect the opinions and policies of the QUT Foundation or QUT.

1 1

Energy and integrity keep David on top

2 2

2000 Outstanding Alumni Award winners

4 4

In brief...

6 6

Art unveiling sees Clare’s dream realised

7 7

Arts Minister sings praise for new precinct

8 8

Brett Hooker’s going at full throttle

9 9

Graduate’s success is no secret

10 10

Young graduate looks to the stars

11 11

New research centre tackles rugby

12 12

US company buys patent

13 13

Focus urged in kids’ rejection of peers Funding fails arts audiences

14 14

IVF research brings hope to infertile couples

15 15

Richard finds his niche in New York Family law proves rewarding for Rachel

16 16

Vacation project puts Susan in the hot seat Catholic schools face new challenges

17 17

Graduate takes the leap to a dot com future QUT farewells oldest male alumnus

18 18

Ad guru finds success in best mistake he ever made

19 19

President’s column

20 20

Alumni news

21 21

Alumni calendar of events

22 22

Keep in touch...

Cover:

Clare Glazebrook and Kate Ryan in front of John Coburn’s painting, Kakadu (1990), donated to the QUT Art Museum by John and Doreen Coburn in 1998.

CONTENTS

New film to come for full page ad.

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Energy and integrity keep David on top

Chancellor’s Outstanding Alumnus for 2000 David Moffat

“My greatest business achievement is conceiving and building a profitable, successful and sustainable financial services franchise for GE…”

Q

UT’s 2000 Chancellor’s Outstanding Alumnus Award winner is CEO of General Electric (GE) – Australia and New Zealand David Moffatt, a Bachelor of Business graduate.

At age 39, David is responsible for sales of $1.5billion, almost 4,000 employees and more than 2.5million customers.

At the award ceremony held on August 2, he won both the Chancellor’s award and the Faculty of Business Outstanding Alumni Award.

David’s career at GE is the result of leadership, innovation and vision, values that were tested when he launched, from nothing, GE Capital – Australia and New Zealand in 1995.

The venture proved to be an important milestone for him.

“My greatest business achievement is conceiving and building a profitable, successful and sustainable financial services franchise for GE in the highly competitive Australian market,” he said.

David developed GE Australia into an organisation with more than $8billion in assets and became a member of GE Capital’s global leadership council, the world’s largest non- bank financial institution.

Just 15 years after graduating with a Bachelor of Business (Management) from QIT – one of QUT’s predecessor institutions – he is well positioned to take advantage of Australia’s business opportunities.

“The combination of e-business and Australia’s developed intellectual capital base is a perfect incubator for the development of world-class businesses,” he said. “I propose to be right in the middle of that equation.”

It seems that David has been right in the middle of things since he decided that he wanted a career in management.

At 24 – while he was still studying at QIT – David became one of the youngest assistant vice-presidents and managers at Citibank.

In 1987, he co-founded InterFinancial Limited, a boutique investment bank that arranged

$140million worth of debt and $28million of equity transactions, advised acquisitions and completed two Australian Stock Exchange listings.

In 1989, he moved to Chicago to become chief financial officer for Palmer Tube Mills.

Following that, he joined GE in 1991 and has been rising through the ranks ever since.

David’s drive and vision extends beyond the world of business – he has proved to be just as dedicated in his involvement with the community.

He is founding director of Giant Steps (Sydney) – part of an international organisation supporting education for autistic children – founding chairman of a volunteer organisation of GE employees promoting community service, and he regularly raises funds for hospitals in Melbourne.

David attributes his success to energy, integrity and having a plan and a very supportive family.

Alumni who would like to hear more from David Moffatt can attend the Melbourne Alumni Reception on December 8 at Rydges Melbourne, Exhibition Street. See page 21 for details.

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2000 Outstanding Alumni Award winners

2

Robert Tannion

FACULTY OF ARTS 2000 OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD WINNER: ROBERT TANNION

Since graduating from QUT in 1992, Robert has steadily built a reputation in the competitive world of professional dance.

He has performed with several of the world’s leading dance companies in Australia and overseas, and is currently based in London with premier contemporary performance company DV8 Physical Theatre.

Robert’s roles in DV8’s productions such as Enter Achilles (1998) and The Happiest Day of My Life (1999) have promoted the innovation and quality of his work and training at QUT, and Australian dance.

He recently performed in DV8’s Wasted, which premiered at the Sydney Olympic Arts Festival in August before returning for a London season.

Robert’s achievements also include choreography for promotional work in film and TV, and providing dance masterclasses in countries across Europe.

Recently he choreographed and performed in an upcoming Chris Cunningham film.

FACULTY OF BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND ENGINEERING 2000 OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD WINNER AND PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNER FOR 2000: NOEL ROBINSON Leading Brisbane architect and designer Noel Robinson is known for his award-winning building designs, urban scale designs and interiors.

His outstanding achievement in business has been developing Robinson DesignInc, an entrepreneurial design firm that is active internationally.

The firm has been appointed to design the new city of Jiangbei and the Pujiang Tunnel in Shanghai, China.

Noel was instrumental in forming the Asia Pacific Design Group, cited by Austrade and the Federal Government as the most appropriate model for new networks to use as their export vehicle. He has received more than 45 awards for achievements in architecture, environment and business. He takes a sustainable approach to design and has been heavily involved in community action groups. Noel has also worked as a university lecturer.

FACULTY OF EDUCATION 2000

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD WINNER:

VICKI WILSON OAM

Champion netballer Vicki Wilson OAM has made an outstanding contribution to sport and the promotion of sport in education.

Representing Australia in netball since 1985, Vicki has been a sports promotion officer for Education Queensland since 1992 and also served as a ministerial policy adviser on sport.

Earlier this year, Vicki became a project manager in events co-ordination for the Premier’s Department.

Noel Robinson

A teacher until 1992, Vicki has served on numerous committees including the Australian Institute of Sport Advisory Board and the National Breast Cancer Centre.

Vicki’s sporting achievements include three World Championship awards, the first Commonwealth Games gold medal for netball, and playing 99 Tests for her country.

She has received numerous civic awards for sporting excellence.

Vicki is a graduate of QUT predecessor institution, the Brisbane College of Advanced Education.

Vicki Wilson

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FACULTY OF HEALTH 2000 OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD WINNER: GLYNIS NUNN-CEARNS OAM

Renowned athlete and coach Glynis Nunn-Cearns OAM has extended her career in athletics to managing the Sports Super Centre at Runaway Bay, a purpose-built training facility she hopes will become the best in Australia.

Glynis’s sporting achievements include gold

medals for heptathlon at the 1982 Commonwealth Games and 1984 Olympics. She has also coached national youth teams and athletes in Australia, Germany and America. Her programs for children, coaches and people with disabilities help participants achieve their goals and allow her to share her love of sport and health with others. A PE teacher for many years, Glynis was also a school sport development officer and chair of the State Government’s Youth Action Program. Glynis also helped develop an education unit at Couran Cove resort, South Stradroke Island, to enhance children’s interaction with the environment. Holder of numerous civic awards, Glynis regularly attends Camp Quality, Paradise Kids respite unit and is a patron of ACCESS, a group assisting IVF couples.

Glynis Nunn-Cearns

FACULTY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 2000 OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD WINNER: BRETT HOOKER

Outstanding IT graduate Brett Hooker has established an exceptional career in the global IT industry. As senior director of software development at Oracle at their headquarters in California, Brett leads a team of 60 developers.

Read more about his outstanding career on page 8.

FACULTY OF LAW 2000 OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD WINNER: JANE MACDONNELL

Twelve years after graduating from QIT with honours in Law, Jane Macdonnell is Director-General of the Department of Justice and Attorney-General in Queensland. In 1988, Jane received the James Archibald Douglas Prize for the law student with the most promise to enter practice. She has certainly fulfilled that promise – Jane is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court in Queensland and the ACT, a practitioner of the High Court of Australia, and can practise as a barrister in any Australian Federal Court. Jane is a career public servant, having held a number of positions in State and Federal Government over the past 25 years. Prior to making law her career, Jane headed State Government aged-care and corporate services programs. After graduating, she spent time in private practice before moving to Queensland Treasury, and then to the Department of Justice and Attorney-General.

Jane Macdonnell

FACULTY OF SCIENCE 2000 OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD WINNER AND EXCELLENCE IN CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY AWARD WINNER FOR 2000: MARY MAGEE As one of the first women to build a career in pharmacy in Queensland, Mary Magee brings extensive business experience to her role as the President of Zonta International, the

prestigious women’s organisation that is active in 71 countries worldwide.

Mary has given nearly 30 years of her life to Zonta, which aims to raise the status of women, and has personally assisted the development of numerous Zonta clubs worldwide. Mary has also assisted a variety of community organisations

including the Red Cross, the Brain Foundation, and the Breast Cancer Association of Queensland, among others. She serves a critical role on the Premier’s Council for Women, advising on health and violence against women and children. The owner of two thriving pharmacies in Brisbane, in 1998 Mary received the Telstra Business Woman of the Year (Qld) Award and the Westpac Business Owner Award. She remains a tremendous advocate for the advancement of women.

Mary Magee

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In brief...

4

INDONESIAN ALUMNI CHAPTER FORMED

Graduates living in Indonesia have formed their own alumni chapter to develop their relationships with each other and the university, and enjoy the benefits of this collaboration.

The group aims to work with graduates, business, professions, industry, government and other educational institutions in Indonesia.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dennis Gibson travelled to Jakarta to launch the chapter at a poolside buffet held on September 10. Around 70 guests attended including the Queensland Trade Commissioner in Jakarta, Wilfred Schultz.

More than 40 graduates are members of the chapter, which has the support of IKAMA, Indonesia’s national association of graduates of Australian educational institutions.

Co-founders of the chapter are graduates Harry Muharam, Ambar Djasman, Frida Arifin, Witra Sekarasri (featured in the last edition of QUT Links) and Angelica Bunanta.

Angelica, an Indonesian/English language teacher, was in Brisbane earlier this year on a study tour with a group of students from Bina Nusantara High School where she works.

The school curriculum is based on the West-Australian high school curriculum, and all subjects are taught in English.

JOHN CORDEROY RETIRES After 16 years with the university, Pro-Vice- Chancellor (Research and Advancement) Professor John Corderoy retired in October.

Professor Corderoy joined predecessor institution QIT in 1984 as Head of the School of Engineering and became the inaugural Dean of the Faculty of Engineering five years later.

In 1990, Professor Corderoy was a member of the steering committee that restructured QUT after amalgamation with the Brisbane College of Advanced Education. In the same year, he was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment and

Engineering, and led that new faculty through the difficult period of amalgamation.

Four years later, he was made acting Pro-Vice-

Chancellor of the Division of Research and Advancement and subsequently appointed to the position.

Throughout his time with research and advancement, Professor Corderoy has overseen a rapid increase in research activity, fundraising, international student intake, consulting, community service and alumni involvement.

NOEL PRESTON LOOKS TO NEW CHALLENGES

QUT academic, political commentator and erstwhile activist Associate Professor Noel Preston retired from QUT in April this year. Professor Preston was with the School of Humanities and Social Science for 13 years.

Highlights of his academic career included establishing an applied ethics major within the Bachelor of Arts (Humanities), the formation of the Australian Association for Professional and Applied Ethics and founding the Centre for Public Sector Ethics.

Angelica Bunanta

INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS ELECTS QUT ACADEMIC

Associate Professor Doug Hargreaves from QUT’s Faculty of Built Environment and Engineering is the first mechanical engineer in 25 years to be elected president of the Queensland division of the Institution of Engineers, Australia.

His appointment is a highpoint in a career that has spanned more than two decades since graduating from QIT in 1976.

Professor Hargreaves said he planned to use his new role to promote awareness about engineering.

Professor Hargreaves is a specialist in tribology (friction, lubrication and wear) and is director of the Tribology Research Concentration and the Fuchs Chair in Tribology.

Professor John Corderoy

Associate Professor Doug Hargreaves

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David Megarrity

FILMMAKERS REEL IN AWARDS QUT graduate filmmakers have found themselves in the spotlight this year after being recognised for their celluloid successes here and overseas.

Drama graduate David Megarrity was thrilled to take part in the Cannes

International Film Festival in May, where a film he was heavily involved in was the only Australian film to be selected for official competition.

A co-writer/producer and actor in Stop, David said the film was the result of a collaborative effort with fellow filmmakers, Anthony Mullins and Kier Shorey.

Another alumnus who has achieved success recently is film director and writer Maxine Williamson who graduated earlier this year with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in film and television.

Maxine’s film, Drunken Bath, won two awards at the Warner Roadshow Studios Queensland New Filmmakers Awards held in April.

For Drunken Bath, Maxine won a Highly Commended Award for New Female Filmmaker and a Tertiary Drama Highly Commended award.

Graduate Caroline Moody also won an Encouragement Award for Cinematography, sponsored by the Cinematographers Society, for the same film.

Maxine Williamson

NEW CREATIVE INDUSTRIES PRECINCT ESTABLISHED The Queensland

Government has awarded QUT $15million to develop a high-tech education and creative industries precinct at Kelvin Grove.

Premier Peter Beattie announced the news in London on July 7.

Mr Beattie said the term

“creative industries”

comprised a sector of the knowledge economy in which creative input was as important as information and technology.

“I am determined that Queensland will be Australia’s

‘Smart State’ and that means we must encourage the development of creative industries such as digital and interactive production, new on-line and e-commerce services, and new electronic art forms.

“Industries such as these will help provide thousands of long-term, new-age jobs for Queenslanders and further diversify the State’s economy,” the Premier said.

Mr Beattie said the initiative would see alliances forged between industry and QUT’s creative arts and academic research, in an environment conducive to innovation and

entrepreneurship.

QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Dennis Gibson said the precinct would be a dynamic place, with teaching and research producing highly skilled graduates and providing creative ideas ripe for development.

Other Warner Roadshow award winners include QUT graduates Bronwyn Ketels and Susan Jones (Tertiary Documentary Award);

Sean Gilligan, Sara-Jane Woulahan and Naomi Just (Independent Other category);

and Natalie Bailey (another Highly Commended Award for New Female Filmmaker); and Davin Patterson (Highly Commended Award for Sound Design).

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b y M a r g a r e t L a w s o n

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T

he story of QUT’s art collection is an inspiration to those who believe that dreams can come true.

In 1945 a junior lecturer at the Queensland Teachers’ Training College had a dream – to establish an art collection that would improve the surroundings of the college and be appreciated by staff, students and visitors.

Clare Glazebrook (nee Hunt), who was 21 at the time, recalls that this seemingly simple goal at first seemed unachievable.

“It was during the war and our whole set-up of the art department at Kelvin Grove was very makeshift and functional, so it seemed unrealistic for us to establish an art collection,”

Clare said.

“But I was full of youthful confidence when we decided to start a fund so we could purchase some originals to hang on the walls and

Art unveiling sees Clare’s dream realised

make it seem like a proper art department.”

Together with colleagues Mina Laing and Clare van Homrigh (now both deceased), Clare asked students to make a small, voluntary contribution of around threepence each week to the art fund.

“One of the first works I remember that Mina and I chose (along with) two student representatives in 1945 was a William Bustard called Rocky Headland, Magnetic Island,” Clare said.

“Also that year, Hans Heysen and Kenneth Macqueen generously donated original works to the collection.

“It was amazing how quickly the contributions added up, and we had bought quite a few originals before I left work at the end of 1947 to be married and raise a family.

“I lost track of the collection after that, but I always hoped it would grow into something.”

Until recently, Clare did not know that the collection had been continued by staff and sustained through amalga- mations as the college became part of what is now QUT.

“A few years ago, QUT tracked me down as a QTTC alumnus, and I began to receive correspondence, including a catalogue of the university’s art collection,”

Clare said.

“I couldn’t believe it when I saw the William Bustard in the catalogue and realised that the collection had been going all this time.”

In May this year Clare attended the opening of the QUT Art Museum as a special guest.

She enjoyed meeting with QUT staff, students and graduates including one young artist, Kate Ryan, who has three paintings in the collection (Kate is pictured on the cover of this edition of QUT Links with Clare).

Kate is a visual arts and education graduate from QUT.

One of her works, Overturned lettuce and peel (1999), featured in the inaugural exhibition Unveiling … the QUT Art Collection.

Clare was thrilled to see the collection, now the second-largest in Queensland, finally on display.

“I am amazed and delighted at how the collection has turned out,”

Clare said.

“It is a wonderful thrill to see it launched for the public to enjoy for years to come.”

Clare Glazebrook

Dancers at the QUT Art Museum launch

“It is a wonderful thrill to

see it launched for the public

to enjoy for years to come.”

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Academy of the Arts’ dancer

S

tate Arts Minister Matt Foley burst into song at the official opening of the QUT Cultural Precinct on July 28.

“Brown paper packages tied up with string…” the Minister sang, referring to the backdrop image of a parcel

representing the new precinct as QUT’s gift to Brisbane.

The precinct encompasses the university’s new facilities – The Gardens Theatre and QUT Art Museum – as well as Old Government House and the City Botanic Gardens.

Almost 400 guests turned out to celebrate the launch and were greeted by a theatre foyer awash with colour.

The university’s head of music, Andy Arthurs, composed the fanfare played by QUT music students while dance lecturer Shaaron Boughen

choreographed dance students from QUT’s Academy of the Arts who performed in the atrium of the theatre.

Inside, Academy of the Arts’ actors provided a dramatic interlude by performing a scene from They Shoot Horses Don’t They, while the QUT Big Band put on a swinging show.

QUT Chancellor Dr Cherrell Hirst, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dennis Gibson, precinct director Dr Sue-Anne Wallace and National Gallery of Australia director Dr Brian Kennedy addressed the crowd during official proceedings.

The opening of a nationally significant exhibition, announcement of multimillion dollar capital works and an advisory board were part of the event.

It was also an opportunity for the university to recognise the significant support of organisations and individuals who had philanthropically supported the precinct’s development. Special mention was made of major donors Queensland Government, Corrs Chambers

Westgarth, Australia Post, Diana Gibson, and Robert and Kay Bryan.

To coincide with the launch, the QUT Art Museum opened its travelling

exhibitions’ program with an exhibition from the National Gallery of Australia – techno craft: the work of Susan Cohn 1980 to 2000.

The first survey of a contemporary jeweller and metalworker to be mounted by the National Gallery, the exhibition included more than 150 pieces from highly acclaimed Australian craftsperson and ardent modernist Susan Cohn.

During the proceedings, Dr Wallace also announced that close to $2million had been allocated to developing the backstage facilities for The Gardens Theatre, further extending the university’s multimillion dollar commitment to developing a first-class cultural precinct.

In a further announcement, she said an advisory board had been established to have input into the programming and strategic direction of the QUT Cultural Precinct.

Headed by former ABC managing director Brian Johns, the 15 leading arts and business identities appointed to the board would bring a multidisciplinary focus to the management of the precinct, Dr Wallace said.

Members include Queensland Theatre Company artistic director Michael Gow, Queensland Performing Arts Trust chief executive officer Dr Tony Gould, Queensland Museum director Dr Ian Galloway, visual artist Eugene Carchesio, and Corrs Chambers Westgarth Lawyers chief executive officer John Story.

Dr Wallace said the board would ensure the precinct’s long-term focus reflected the interests of the community and the university, for whom the cultural precinct provides professional venues for the Academy of the Arts, the School of Media and Journalism and the School of Architecture, Interior and Industrial Design.

Arts Minister sings praise for new precinct

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Brett Hooker’s going at full throttle

8

Brett Hooker

Brett likes to use images of speed and energy to sum up his style.

“If you don’t do it first, someone else will,” is how he sums up the lightning- paced computer industry.

His foray into the world of fast cars is among his few indulgences away from an 80- to 100-hour-a-week work schedule.

“ A year ago I said ‘this 24 hours by 7 days a week work schedule has to slow down a little’,” he explained in an interview during a recent visit to Brisbane.

“I grew up a Brissy boy – I liked fast cars, big motors. I always dreamed of owning a Corvette. So recently I bought two 400 horse-power Corvettes and started working on them.”

In his first race on a closed- off Nevada highway he came third travelling at more than 250km/h.

“It’s fully controlled rally racing, but just for fun the police set up a radar, and that’s how we got the speed-warning photograph,” he said.

Brett’s been playing with computers since he was 13 and said he always knew his destiny was to make computers useful to people.

“ I find now that’s exactly what I’m doing – putting

information in the hands of people so they can make business decisions.”

By the time he entered Queensland Institute of Technology in 1988 (which became QUT a year later) to study a Bachelor of Business Information Systems degree, he was already experimenting with database construction.

“QUT pitched its degree as a business computing one which was quite new in those days. We (the graduates) were to be the conduit between programmers and business people who were trying to understand what computers could do for them.”

At QUT he studied a new subject, Introduction to SQL, a database- oriented programming language.

As a student he was interested in

“relational databases”, enabling data to be crosslinked. His skill in this area was put to good use in his final year.

Instead of opting for a one- or two- person third-year project, he and three other students were given the go-ahead to build a database-driven generic inventory system.

Brett’s lecturer was the head of QUT’s School of Information Systems, Associate Professor Alan Underwood.

“I told Brett that I thought he was biting off more than he could chew – the students were attempting a project well beyond the scope of the

requirements of the course,” Professor Underwood said.

Brett and his friends bought the best computer they could find, a 386 PC with two megabytes of ram. They networked the PC to two older computers and spent a year designing and building their inventory control system.

“It was probably one of the most important learning processes for every one of us,” Brett said.

“All of us ended up (working) in business software and the process of having to put personalities outside the

b y C o l l e e n R y a n C l u r

B

rett Hooker’s computer screen is adorned with a photograph of a Corvette speeding down a Nevada highway, accompanied by a police radar sign which warns: “Posted speed limit 50 miles an hour – your speed 167.”

That image reflects the computer whizkid’s philosophy: “Ignore the speed limit. Go as fast as you can”.

Brett, a Brisbane-born QUT Information Technology graduate, propelled himself into the very fastest lane in California’s Silicon Valley five years ago.

At just 30, he is a senior director of the world’s second-largest software company, Oracle, and he says he might make it to a vice-president before his next birthday.

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room, getting in there and focusing on the business problem, was a major learning experience.”

At the end of the year the students loaded their network into Brett’s 1972 Toyota Corolla, drove it to the building which housed the IT Faculty at Gardens Point campus, and set up the computers on Professor Underwood’s desk.

“I’m pretty sure we blew his socks off,” Brett said.

They did – the work they put in earned them high distinctions for two subjects and Professor Underwood’s high praise.

Brett has been applying the lessons learnt at QUT ever since he graduated.

He spent two years at the Queensland Investment Corporation creating a database spreadsheet solution to cope with its massive share investment portfolio, using Oracle software.

After QIC, he then joined Oracle as a consultant and developed a formidable

L

iving, learning and working in England, Germany, Switzerland, Papua New Guinea and Australia, it would appear that QUT’s first Humanities PhD graduate, Greg Terrill, has done it all in less than four years.

During that time, Dr Terrill has co- edited a book in the United Kingdom, published his own book in Australia, and managed the international team of the Australian Greenhouse Office in Canberra. The office is responsible for international negotiations on a range of technical and political greenhouse issues.

Dr Terrill’s ties with environmental organisations began when he went to work for the Climate Change Secretariat of the United Nations in Geneva.

Graduate’s success is no secret

While there, he completed his PhD thesis and returned to Australia to graduate from QUT in September 1997.

Unintentionally, his thesis proved to be the basis of Dr Terrill’s book, published earlier this year and titled Secrecy and Openness: the Federal Government from Menzies to Whitlam and Beyond.

Dr Terrill said he found the book

“very difficult” to research.

“The history and rules that I was researching were the very reason – ironically – that I was not able to access certain information,” he said.

“A number of other people had tried to write similar books before me and all had given up as the material was too hard to get, and the Government was too secret.

set of tools creating spreadsheets with business functionality for companies and corporations across Australia.

Brett moved to Oracle’s headquarters in Silicon Valley in San Francisco five years ago and has developed hugely popular Applications Desktop Integrator (ADI) software.

His rise in the ranks of the software giant has been as fast as his Corvettes:

programmer, project leader, development manager, group manager, director and senior director.

“I now have two product streams, with 50 people reporting to me, and five more in Brisbane.

“I’d like to try to make vice- president... but I’m not too focused on that. I’ve always let the product speak for itself.”

Brett laughingly admits he did take time off to get married. His wife, Lexie, is also a QUT graduate.

“I’ve known Lexie since I was 18.

She knew I was not a nine-to-five type,

“But, I was lucky, I was persistent and I had good contacts. It became easier for the government to just give me the material than keep justifying why I couldn’t get it.”

Dr Terrill said that despite having access to a huge range of secret material, he found very few real secrets.

“(I uncovered) lots of small stuff, nuances, twists that hadn’t been known – but no big surprises,” he said.

“This in itself was my biggest surprise.”

After a hectic four years, Dr Terrill shows no signs of slowing down in the coming year with plans to write another book, undertake an overseas assignment with the United Nations and continue international negotiations as an Australian official.

but we live life to the full. There’s no routine in our lives but we take advantage of what comes our way.”

Brett washes down his strong coffee with a tall glass of water as the interview ends. He has imparted his life history in an hour-long interview.

He has places to go before lunch, like visiting his fast-paced, Brisbane-based development team.

It’s no surprise that he’s in a hurry to get there.

Brett Hooker will be the first alumnus to speak at the QUT Alumni Speaker Series to be launched at Gardens Point campus on November 22.

For details, see page 21.

“If you don’t do it first,

someone else will.”

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Young graduate looks to the stars

b y M a r g a r e t L a w s o n

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F

or someone who spends most of his days looking to the stars, James Moody is surprisingly down to earth.

The 23-year-old QUT IT and engineering graduate was this year named Young Queenslander of the Year, is actively working to reignite Australia’s space program and is the Young

Engineer of the Year – but ask him and he’ll tell you that he’s only doing what he loves.

James, who graduated in 1998, is a systems engineer on what is the biggest event in Australia’s space industry in three decades – the FedSat satellite.

“When FedSat is launched in November next year it will be over 30 years since Australia’s last satellite went into orbit,” James said.

“It’s funny, because space was always my hobby, but was never meant to be my career. Then FedSat came along and I suddenly realised what it was I really wanted to do.

“I think it was the beauty and mystique of the stars that started me in the space area, and of course, Star Wars the movie was a great influence as well.

“The work on FedSat is an important step towards reigniting the space program in Australia, and it’s great to be involved and be recognised by the Institution of Engineers, Australia for my part in the project.”

James’s accolade from

Australia’s peak engineering body not only recognised him as Australia’s top young engineering talent and a high-achiever (he was awarded QUT’s university medal), but also as an energetic contributor to community service.

“I am passionate about the environment and helped to organise a number of tree planting days at QUT with the Golden Key club,” James said, recalling student days that were slightly less hectic than his current schedule.

“Now I am also involved in education and have been helping out with outreach programs and even had the opportunity to teach English in schools in Vietnam.”

After graduating, James spent time in Vietnam’s Vun Tau province teaching English for the Australian Vietnam Veteran’s Reconstruction Group (AVVRG).

While there, he also did a needs analysis for the AVVRG aimed at fighting the information poverty in Vietnam.

“We have to make sure that developing countries are not left behind during the digital revolution. It is very hard to catch up on innovation.”

James’s efforts to help Vietnam’s technological development are part of a larger commitment he feels to

sustainable development.

He recently returned from a trip to the United States, where he was the Australian youth representative to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), providing input into

deliberations of the UN Commission for Sustainable Development.

“I’m also involved in organising the UNEP Department of Technology, Industry and Economics Asia-Pacific Roundtable to bring together some of the region’s top experts to talk about sustainable consumption.”

It sounds like a lot for one 23-year- old, but James sees this all as something he has to do.

“I find that if you are passionate about what you do, there is always time to fit it all in.”

James is also in the process of writing a PhD and giving academic papers about the management of complex systems (like satellites), and rarely finds himself at home for very long or with much time for recreation.

“I do like to snowboard, which is the best sport in the world, and I play the clarinet, double bass, bass guitar and I like to swim, play tennis and rollerblade whenever I get the chance as well,”

he said.

“In the past eighteen months though, I haven’t spent more than three weeks in a single country.

“I’ve most recently come back from Newbury, in England, where I was based for much of the development of FedSat.”

As the systems engineer, James spent time at a satellite integration facility learning about the construction of the entire FedSat system.

If anything goes wrong when the satellite is back in Australia, he will be part of a three-person team that fixes it.

James is not sure yet where his career will take him in the long-term, though he does have a clear goal.

“I’d like to help save the world,” he said thoughtfully. “And have fun!”

James Moody

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S o l u t i o n s

QUT’s Head of Human Movement Studies, Professor Tony Parker, said the centre would research issues including performance enhancement, nutrition, biomechanics, injury prevention, rehabilitation and talent identification.

“There is a growing interest in rugby research around the world, but sports science knowledge about rugby is less than in other sports,” he said.

“Research and increased knowledge in this area will help raise the level of performance and the quality of sports science and sports medicine support at all levels of the game.

“This will enhance professional standards in rugby and contribute to Australia’s reputation as a leader in sports science research.”

Professor Parker said the centre would disseminate information to teachers, coaches and community and professional groups associated with the sport.

“We are also looking to establish national and international links with other groups interested in rugby and seek opportunities for collaborative research and educational activities,” Professor Parker said.

QRU Chief Executive Steve Thornton said the initiative would provide an enormous boost for rugby union.

“The Centre for Rugby Studies will help prospective teachers in QUT’s physical education degree develop an expertise in the game and take that expertise to schools throughout Queensland,”

he said.

Former assistant Wallabies coach and Queensland Rugby Union skills co-ordinator Alec Evans has been appointed as the Centre for Rugby Studies’

foundation coach-in-residence.

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Professor Tony Parker with Reds player Daniel Herbert

an overview of research initiatives undertaken by QUT

Rugby union in Australia is entering a new stage of development with the launch of a research and educational centre dedicated to rugby studies at Queensland University of Technology.

The Centre for Rugby Studies is the first of its kind in Australia and builds on the existing partnership between Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) and QUT through the Reds Rugby College.

New research centre tackles rugby

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S o l u t i o n s S o l u t i o n s S O LV I N G real problems

an overview of research initiatives undertaken by QUT

The Co-operative Research Centre for Diagnostic Technologies, based at QUT, has negotiated the sale of an important biotechnology patent which helps in the detection of genetic diseases and traits.

American biotechnology industry leader Affymetrix Inc has bought the technology, known as First Nucleotide Change (FNC), in a multi-million-dollar deal.

The QUT scientists responsible for the discovery of FNC are project leader Professor James Dale, Associate Professor Peter Timms and Dr Terry Walsh.

Affymetrix develops and markets GeneChip technology which facilitates the analysis of thousands of gene sequences in a single test.

Professor Dale said the FNC technology would help Affymetrix to develop a powerful tool for identifying and analysing critical gene sequences in DNA samples.

“First Nucleotide Change is a technology for identifying single alterations in genes (called Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) and it can be automated,” Professor Dale said.

“SNP analysis – and,

therefore, FNC – is becoming the cornerstone for the rapid analysis of genes, which will be one of the major practical outcomes from incredible advances in the sequencing of the genomes of humans, animals, plants and micro- organisms.”

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie announced the agreement between

Affymetrix and QUT at a press conference in May this year.

Mr Beattie said FNC would have significant impact on human health through better disease diagnosis and drug development.

FNC can be used as a single test – for example, diagnosis of a particular genetic disease in an individual – or to screen for one genetic disease in many individuals. It can also be used to analyse large numbers (up to thousands) of gene variations in an individual.

The technology enables the quick detection of gene mutations or gene sequence variations which are indicators of particular genetic diseases or traits.

Commercialisation award for CRC

The Co-operative Research Centre for Diagnostic Technologies, which has its headquarters at QUT and involves four other organisations, has received a national award for its efforts to use and commercialise its research.

Presented by the Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Resources, Senator Nick Minchin, the CRC was one of three such bodies to receive acclaim at the CRCs’ Association Conference held in Brisbane in mid-May.

The other partners in the CRC for Diagnostic Technologies include CSIRO Health Sciences and Nutrition, La Trobe University in Melbourne, the Child Health Research Institute in Adelaide, and Brisbane-based biotechnology company PanBio Pty Ltd.

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US company

buys patent for QUT

biotechnology discovery

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S o l u t i o n s

Solutio n s

an overview of research initiatives undertaken by QUT

Peer rejection and anxiety could lead to long-term social problems for up to one in 10 children if not addressed early by parents and teachers, new QUT research has found.

QUT School of Early Childhood PhD student Susan Walker interviewed and observed 187 preschoolers to determine factors that influenced their relationships.

She found most young children who were rejected by their peers tended to lack the same easily learned social skills.

“Children who lacked the ability to successfully enter a group, manage conflicts or interact normally (through sharing and co-operation) were those who were consistently unpopular,” Ms Walker said.

“About 14 per cent of the children in my research spent most of their time alone, and temperament was one of the important differences between them and popular children.”

Focus urged

on kids’ rejection of peers

Ms Walker said it was essential for parents and teachers to instruct children about appropriate behaviour before early-childhood rejection turned into a long-term problem.

“Parents should try to get their child interacting early and observe their peer relations to identify possible problems,”

she said.

“They can then work with their children on problem areas by assisting them with the skills for group entry and co-operative play.

“Parents should frequently engage their children in conversations so they can learn appropriate ways of responding to others.”

Ms Walker said preschool teachers also had an important role to play in identifying rejected children early as they were in a good position to observe group behaviour.

The Federal Government is being urged by a QUT academic to review its policy of “propping up”

Australian arts organisations or watch them fall into further financial difficulty.

Faculty of Business assistant dean Dr Jennifer Radbourne has recently completed research into the effectiveness of government arts’ marketing initiatives.

The study followed the Nugent report which found 31 arts organisations were at risk unless they could improve their commercial performance – the Federal Government responded by giving the organisations a $43million package to improve their financial viability and build audiences.

Dr Radbourne found this type of funding could push

fledgling arts organisations further into debt and said future funding allocations for marketing and audience development

“The arts have always relied on subvention but the more government intervenes the weaker arts organisations become at building those relationships with audiences that will result in their ongoing viability,” she said.

She said governments historically funded arts organisations because they believed exposing people to the arts was a social responsibility, but that concept had become direct market intervention.

Dr Radbourne said her research suggested organisations must recognise the value of relationship marketing to secure audience trust and ensure long-term financial stability.

It found that, as a result of government marketing intervention, arts programs were shaped by the need to secure funding, not satisfy audiences.

She conceded that less reliance on government funding could force the closure of smaller, state-based performance companies in the short term, but would make for a more

Funding

fails arts audiences

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S o l u t i o n s S o l u t i o n s S O LV I N G real problems

an overview of research initiatives undertaken by QUT

Researchers at QUT and the Wesley IVF Service are engaged in a world-first study to improve in vitro fertilisation (IVF) success rates by

investigating bacteria that attach to sperm.

Postdoctoral research fellow Dr Christine Knox is leading the research which may give hope to thousands of couples using IVF procedures. The current success rate of IVF procedures in Australia and New Zealand is 16 per cent.

Dr Knox – who is based in the Centre for Molecular Biotechnology in QUT’s School of Life Sciences – said her study aimed to identify cases in which IVF failure was caused by the bacterium Ureaplasma urealyticum (ureaplasma).

“Ureaplasmas are commonly present in both male and female genital tracts without causing any problems,”

Dr Knox said.

“But when a pregnancy occurs this bacterium sometimes infects the placenta and leads to pregnancy failure or pre- term delivery.

“If we can identify when and why this happens it might be possible to develop ways to recognise and treat the problem before patients enter IVF programs.”

Dr Knox said one in three couples on IVF programs was infected with ureaplasmas and was likely to have problems conceiving.

“We suspect bacteria attached to sperm are the source of infection and have shown that standard sperm-washing does

Solutio s

not remove these bacteria in 50 per cent of cases,”

she said.

“This increases the risk of infection of the embryo and placenta and decreases the couple’s chances of conception.”

Dr Knox has received funding from the Wesley Research Institute to screen infertile couples.

“Over the next two years all couples using the Wesley IVF Service will be asked to participate in the research project,” Dr Knox said.

“That will involve testing semen for this organism before and after washing as well as examining a swab from the female partner.”

Dr Knox said researchers would then monitor the progress of each couple in the program and identify whether the presence of the organism in either partner hindered their success.

IVF research

brings hope to infertile couples

Dr Christine Knox

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Richard finds his niche in New York

Richard Baumfield

L

aw graduate Richard Baumfield lives in an apartment just under 16 feet square. It doesn’t give him much room to move but he could not be happier with his fashionable New York address.

Richard lives in the heart of the city’s West Village on Bleecker Street, one of

“the” streets on the west side of downtown Manhattan.

His neighbours include actress Uma Thurman, supermodel Amber Valletta and notorious Whitehouse intern Monica Lewinsky.

Just metres from his doorstop are legendary New York landmarks like Washington Square Park and Tribeca, as

well as hotspots such as the Village Vanguard – an old hang out for performers like Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin and Dinah Washington.

If you are going to pay good money for a New York brownstone, this is the place to be.

It is a big leap, in many ways, from the home on the Gold Coast where Richard grew up – and a long way from QUT where he was one of 1993’s top law graduates and a medal winner.

“New York takes a bit of getting used to, but once you’re over the culture shock it is the greatest place to live,”

Richard said during a recent visit to QUT.

“It’s impossible to get bored because there are so many people, cultures and many different things always going on.”

Richard moved to New York to study a Master of Law degree at Columbia

University, after two years practising law with Clayton Utz in Queensland.

When he graduated from Columbia, Richard accepted a position in the New York office of Texas firm Andrews &

Kurth and now says he cannot see himself working anywhere else.

“I love the firm, I love the work and I especially love New York,” Richard said, displaying just a twinge of a local drawl.

“I work with significant corporations – corporate, financial and investment banking clients – which are either creditors or debtors in bankruptcy proceedings. New York is very

competitive but, at the same time, if you want to work and strive to get ahead it’s the best place to do it.”

And the only way to do it, it seems, is to work and work hard.

Richard said he tried to come back to Australia twice a year to visit his family, and hang out at his favourite beaches on the Gold Coast.

Occasionally, he pays a visit to his former lecturers at QUT.

“I got my foundation in law at QUT and I attribute a great deal of what I have today to that education,”

Richard said. “Especially my Bleecker Street apartment.”

Q

UT Law graduate Rachel Bourne likes to point out that although the glamour and excitement portrayed on television does not always come with the job, she can’t imagine doing anything else.

“Being a lawyer involves very hard work, long hours and a career that deals with conflict and personal tragedy every day,” Rachel said. “If I went out drinking and dancing as often as the lawyers on Ally McBeal I would never manage to drag myself to work in the morning.”

An accredited family law specialist, Rachel handles cases – often between 50

Family law proves rewarding for Rachel

and 100 at a time – involving separated families and disputes over children and property.

“I was drawn to family law because it seemed to offer more in terms of dealing with people than property or company law,” Rachel said.

“That also means you have to be able to deal with tragedy, conflict and warring parties with sympathy, respect and understanding.”

Rachel graduated from the Bachelor of Laws at QUT in 1991 and prepared for practice with a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.

She began her career in 1993 in a medium-sized suburban firm where she became head of the family law section just 18 months after graduating.

Three years later, Rachel joined a city firm, and two years later was asked to join Nicol Robinson Halletts.

She is now a senior associate and one of Brisbane’s top family lawyers.

“Despite the drawbacks, like any job, family law can be really rewarding when you have a positive outcome that benefits people, especially children,”

Rachel said. “It’s in those moments that I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

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Vacation project puts Susan in the hot seat

16

b y N o e l G e n t n e r

W

hen QUT MBA student Susan Carmody took on a special client project last year for extra credit, it turned out to be the best career move of her life.

Susan, who graduated this year, has recently been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of her client’s organisation, Gold Coast-based homecare service Domicare. She commenced the position while still in her final semester of study.

“When my workgroup took on the project it was a way of getting some experience in business planning and getting some study out of the way during the semester break,” Susan said.

“The way it has turned out has changed my life and my career plan.”

Susan said she worked with three other students on the project, preparing a business plan and recommendations for Domicare’s owners.

“We gave the owners two options, but recommended that they should grow the business Statewide by buying Domicare’s Brisbane operation,”

she said.

“We presented our plans to the board in November and the next thing I knew I was in discussions about a job.”

Susan was appointed CEO of the new Domicare Queensland company in April and has not looked back.

She said completing a professionally focused program like the MBA had given her opportunities to make new contacts.

“I use something from my studies every day at work.

“The students I worked with on the project were great and have now gone on to start their own company doing business plans and analysis,” she said.

“Our special project really turned out well for everyone.”

S

ince graduating from Kelvin Grove Teachers’ Training College in 1955, Alan Druery has spent his working life attempting to meet his own high expectations of what it takes to be properly equipped to educate young people.

Today, Alan is Director of the Queensland Catholic Education

Commission, and has played a major role in policy adjustment to the overall community attitudes towards Catholic education in the State.

“The playing field has changed in a number of dramatic ways over recent years,” he said.

“(For example) we have seen changes in the nature of staff in Catholic schools. Schools used to be staffed

Susan Carmody

Catholic schools face new challenges

almost exclusively by members of religious orders, but now we have fewer than 2 per cent on the teaching staff.

“At the same time, we have had to maintain the traditions, customs and values that have characterised our schools.”

Alan said that, historically, Catholic parents sent their children to Catholic schools because there was a church edict that said they should.

“Those sorts of edicts don’t wear too well with people in today’s world,” Mr Druery said.

“Schools today have to be

appreciated for what they can offer, and that challenges us to be clearer about our identity as we are dealing with quite a different clientele.”

Alan said that, in the past, most children at Catholic schools had regular church-going parents – but that was not the case anymore.

“I think parents generally – whether they have children in Catholic, other denominational or State schools – are seeking something for their children that they sometimes can’t even define.

“They are looking for something pretty much value based,” Alan said.

“They suspect there is something better out there for their kids than they have experienced themselves, and they want them to have it, but they can’t tell you what it is.

“So they commit their children to your care in the hope you’ll work the miracle.”

b y M a r g a r e t L a w s o n

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Graduate takes the leap to a dot com future

Q

UT graduate Stephen Chant has made the leap from the stable, corporate world of Ernst & Young, to the dynamic, fast-paced IT industry as CEO of a Brisbane-based dot com, Network 33.

“I started work on the day of the crash, when all the dot com stocks went through the floor,” Stephen said.

“I thought ‘things can only get better from here’, and they have.”

Stephen, 33, studied a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) and then an MBA (specialising in

entrepreneurship) at QUT, finishing his postgraduate study in 1999. He made the move from senior manager to CEO shortly afterwards.

He has big plans for his new company, including alliances with at least two global IT heavyweights and a sharemarket float planned for 2001.

“Network 33 specialises in streaming video, which is basically TV and video over the Internet,”

Stephen said.

“We’ve spent the past six months refining technology initially developed by Microsoft to a standard which lets us deliver video on the Net without that jerkiness people have come to expect.

“It’s streets ahead of the streams delivered at the moment and we hope to have 200 channels up and running by 2001.”

As potentially one of the world’s first on-line TV stations, Stephen says Network 33 has aroused considerable interest from advertising and IT players.

Microsoft requested a special demonstration – we streamed the video directly from our Brisbane office and it blew them away,” he said.

“What we’re doing now will have implications for the way people consume media and the way marketing is done in the future.”

Stephen Chant

QUT farewells oldest male alumnus

T

he QUT community has been saddened by the death in September of its oldest alumnus, Walter Kerrison, at the age of 97.

Walter graduated with a Diploma of Architecture from QUT predecessor institution the Central Technical College in 1925.

His son, Russell, followed in his father’s footsteps by graduating in architecture from the college in 1967, while grandson Paul was awarded a Bachelor of Business (Communication) from QUT in 1993.

Walter’s architecture career began with the Brisbane City Council designing public buildings including the library at West End which is signified by its prominent clock tower.

Walter told QUT Links in 1998 that the library was one of the buildings he was most proud of.

Following his time with BCC, he started a private practice before entering into partnership with Harold Cook – a partnership lasting 40 years.

Walter’s side of the practice mostly concerned church work and, throughout his career, he designed more than 200 churches and church buildings

throughout Queensland.

In April last year, Walter returned to QUT to officiate at the opening of the refurbished and extended architecture building, D Block.

In his opening speech, the

nonagenarian spoke of the importance for every architect, planner and designer

of having a place to “see visions and dream dreams”.

“Every project, be it large or small, deserves (and I underline ‘deserves’) a place in the designer’s dreaming program,” he said at the ceremony.

“The question then is – ‘What to do with our dreams and visions’.

Walter said QUT was a place where dreams and visions met with reality.

“As the result of such meshing, it is hoped that creations will be achieved that will satisfy designers and provide worthy contributions to the built environment.”

Walter is survived by two sons Graham and Russell, their wives Ruth and Penny, and his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

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Ad guru finds success

in best mistake he ever made

18

Anthony Heraghty

I

t was the best mistake of his life.

When 26-year-old advertising dynamo Anthony Heraghty left school, his ambition was to be a lawyer.

But, after making a simple error on his university application, he had to settle for advertising studies instead.

Some would say it was fate.

As the youngest-ever managing director of McCann Erickson Brisbane – a branch of the world’s largest advertising agency – the Bachelor of Business (advertising and marketing) graduate has made his mark as one of the industry’s top executives.

Anthony’s achievement is amazing for someone who, just four years prior, was doing work experience at that same agency.

It’s also not bad for someone who, two years before that, was starting a university degree he did not really want to do.

Although he could easily pass for a successful lawyer in his impeccable black suit, black hair and 23rd-floor office in Central Plaza One – accessorised in black – Anthony’s happy with the career he chose and where it has taken him.

“Getting this job was a combination of good timing and being given lots of opportunities to prove myself,” said Anthony, now in his second year as leader of the 40-strong McCann team.

He said he never really set out to be managing director.

Anthony was working as a business developer in McCann’s Sydney office when his predecessor resigned.

He was simply told to pack his things and start in Brisbane the next day.

“It can be like that in this business.

But once you’re in the chair you either perform or get out.”

Anthony has performed well – after just two years with the agency he won an Advertising Federation of Australia award for an effectiveness study he wrote for Conrad Jupiters.

Plum jobs working on the Federal Government’s Tax Reform campaign and a special assignment in New York soon followed.

“It is all about performance. If I hadn’t performed, I would have been out the door pretty fast,” he said, gesturing past the agency’s blown glass and purple walled foyer and to the mirrored lifts beyond.

But, despite the enormous

responsibilities he carries, Anthony’s face shows no sign of being troubled by his 26 years. He said being a “young guy was an issue at first”, until he won the trust of clients.

“It was definitely a bit strange, but again that’s where performance comes in, letting results speak for you.

“The clients know I didn’t come here to muck around.”

Anthony expects the same attitude from his team but is quick to point out that “this isn’t an autocracy, it’s a partnership”.

Demonstrating his reluctance to be anything but a team player, Anthony reflects modestly on how he has come to be so successful.

“I stayed in my advertising degree because I really loved it and couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

“But really, it’s just happened that I’ve been in the right places at the right time.”

b y M a r g a r e t L a w s o n

QUT Alumni Board The Alumni Board Annual General Meeting was held on October 4 2000. At this meeting elections took place for board membership for the 2001/2002 term. The following alumni were appointed:

Alan Chambers President Steven Cohen Board Member Peter Crooke Board Member Graham Drummond Board Member Paul McGahan Board Member Michael Ryan Board Member Karyn Brinkley QUT Council

representative Ann-Maree McDiarmid QUT Council

representative

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