Duke speaks on conservation

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Queensland University of Technology Newspaper • Issue 221 • March 5-25, 2002

by Margaret Lawson

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relaxed and witty Prince Philip used a speech to QUT's Business Leaders' Forum chis month co describe his work for the environmental lobby and his wish for the conservation of all "cuddlies and creepy crawlies".

More than 500 people listened as the Duke of Edinburgh addressed the joint QUT and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) event, which was the only formal speaking engagement on his four- day visit to Australia.

The Queen's husband condemned countries which exploited their forests "for ready cash" and drew attention to the fight co prevent further animal extinctions.

He cold the $150-a-head crowd they could make a difference by adopting a triple-bottom-line approach and considering the impact of their business dealings on the environment.

"Managers generally should be concerned about the sustainability of their inputs, the resources which they require," Prince Philip said.

"They should be concerned about the cleanliness of their processes and the environmental impact of their produces.

"They should be interested in nature and the natural environment."

Arriving l 5 minutes late for his address, Prince Philip explained in typically incorrect fashion chat he had been "dangling in a gondola over the rainforest" (he rode the Kuranda Skyrail) before rushing to Brisbane for the forum.

He then related some impromptu tales from his tours as WWF president, making a joke out of the effect of his royal status on his ability to see the creatures he was trying to protect.

HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, told QUT's Business Leaders' Forum ahout his experiences as a conservationist and urged guests to consider the impact of their activities

on the environment. Picture courtesy of The Courier-Mail.

"I did manage on one occasion to see some elephants ... and chat was one of my more successful excursions," Prince Philip said.

"In most cases ... overzealous police meticulously.

swept the area in the name of security.

"It was now safe, but inevitably there was nothing to see."

The Duke's visit, which lasted about 20 minutes, took more than three months' planning and involved half a dozen national and international agencies, according to event organiser Renee Brewer from the Faculty of Business.

No previous speakers - including former New Zealand Prime Minister David Lange and United States Ambassador to Australia Genta Hawkins Holmes - commanded near

the same levels of planing and security needed for the post-September 11 royal visit.

"We had to submit a list of everyone attending a week prior to the event so every name could be police-checked,"

Ms Brewer said.

"Every person the Duke walked past or came into contact with had to have special security screening.

"There was also a lock-up for an hour just before and during the visit, where no one could enter or leave the ballroom for any reason."

Ms Brewer said the event was still a sellout despite the tight restrictions, attracting a mostly business crowd rather than royal watchers.

"Most of our guests were regulars to the Leaders' Forums, who probably came for the experience more than anything," Ms Brewer said.

"Whether you like royalty or not, I chink it's a once-in-a-lifetime event to actually be in the same room and hear Prince Philip speak."

Ms Brewer said organisers were now looking ,0 the intern.uional stage for ocher guests for chis year's series.

"I don't know how we're going to top Prince Philip as a drawcard,"

she said.

Ms Brewer said the next QUT Business Leaders' Forum would be held in April.

The guest speaker's identity will be revealed later this month.

Maths whiz has the perfect numbers

Statistically, the chances of doing an honours degree and acing every unit with a grade of seven are infinitesimal.

Exactly how tiny, Matthew Rodger is not sure, but that's only because he's never tried co work it out.

The modest 23-year-old has just achieved chis almost impossible task and graduated on February 21 with a university medal and a perfect honours degree in mathematics.

Noc only did Mr Rodger ace every subject he completed, but he was also the top student in 17 out of 24 of his undergraduate subjects.

"You don't chink when you first start chat it will happen chat way," he said.

"But when it happened in my first semester I thought I may as well keep going, or keep crying anyway."

Mr Rodger is only the third science student in the past 10 years to achieve chis feat, and admitted

as he drew closer co the end of his course he became increasingly nervous at the thought of breaking his streak of success.

"I would do exams and hope it all came out again the same to keep my GPA (Grade Point Average) in tact," he said.

After the pressure of four years' study, Mr Rodger said he would now enjoy a much-needed break from university and focus on his work as a statistician for Suncorp-Mecway's insurance section.

He leaves one piece of advice for students who may aspire to his level of perfection.

"You have to realise chat there's a lot of work in each subject, and you can'cleaveic until SWATVAC to study because it's such a huge task," Mr Rodger said.

"So, my advice is to go through the cute exercises, and start early ... chat's the key."

- Margaret Lawson

Expert offers shade advice

Recent graduate Matthew Rodger is only the third science student in the past 10 years to emerge with an overall course GPA of 7.

Peace message at service

Surfing the law and the Internet

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Commercialising research brings results

The Federal and State governments' focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, technology transfer and the commercialisation of research has received a lot of media attention recently.

In a climate where government support for universities is harder to

come by, the higher education sector needs to support and capitalise on innovation activities.

In particular, as a result of Commonwealth Government measures encouraging return on investment in university research, universities must work hard to reap a benefit.

One way we can do this is by producing spinoff companies led by QUT researchers. Such initiatives will ensure that the community recognises the value of our research, and this puts us in a better position to attract government and industry support.

Professor James Dale and his research team at newly launched QUT spinoff company Farmacule Bioindustries is a shining example of QUT's ability to

commercialise research.

In commercialising the discovery of INP ACT (In-Plant Activation) technology, Farmacule Bioindustries will push to develop a molecular farming industry in Australia. Such an industry will create jobs and contribute to business growth.

By commercialising our research, we can make a contribution to the community, and ultimately contribute to social and economic prosperity.

Furthermore, with the support of government and industry, universities like QUT can ensure Australia is a substantial force in the new global knowledge economy.

- Professor Dennis Gibson

Poverty link probed in fresh food study

by Toni Chambers

Research has found there may be a link between fruit and vegetable consumption and higher rates of cancer and other diseases among people from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Postgraduate research student at QUT's Centre for Public Health Research Katrina Giskes has analysed data from the 1995 Australian National Nutrition Survey to determine fruit and vegetable consumption and nutrient intakes among Australians from different socio-economic backgrounds.

"Epidemiological evidence shows a link between fruit and vegetable consumption and less cardiovascular disease and some cancers," she said.

"Fruit and vegetables are a major source of anti-oxidants and phytochemicals which are· thought to protect against cardiovascular disease and some cancers, thus contributing to lower rates of these diseases."

Ms Giskes found that people from disadvantaged backgrounds were less likely to eat fruit and vegetables compared to people from more advantaged backgrounds; they also consumed a smaller variety of fruits and vegetables.

"Despite this, they were less likely to want to increase their fruit and vegetable

consumption compared to their more advantaged counterparts," she said.

"People from disadvantaged backgrounds reported that price and storage were factors stopping them from increasing their fruit and vegetable consumption more so than those from more advantaged backgrounds."

When looking at the nutrient intakes of Australians, she found that there were no significant differences between socio- economic groups in fat and saturated fat intakes, which also may contribute to cardiovascular diseases and some cancers.

"All socio-economic groups had fat and saturated fat intakes higher than Australian Dietary Guideline Recommendations," she said.

Ms Giskes also found that people from disadvantaged backgrounds had lower intakes of anti-oxidants than their

·more privileged counterparts which was consistent with a lower consumption of fruit and vegetables.

"Public health nutrition messages should reflect the findings by targeting all socio-economic groups to improve their diets," she said.

Messages promoting inexpensive ways of increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among poorer people should be developed, she said.

About Inside QUT

Inside QUTis published by QUT's Corporate Communication Department.

Our readership includes staff, students and members of the QUT community.

This paper is also circulated to business, industry, government and the media.

Each story has been checked with the source prior to publication.

Letters to the editor are welcome via email [email protected] or mail (Editor, Inside QUT, Corporate Communication Department, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, Qld, 4001).

Inside QUTis located at Room 501, Level 5, M Block, at Gardens Point.

Opinions expressed in Inside QUT do not necessarily represent those of the university or the editorial team.

Colleen Clur (editor) ... (07) 3864 2361 Toni Chambers ... (07) 3864 4494 Margaret Lawson

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Page 2 Inside OUT March 5-25, 2002

Caboolture welcomes students

Students at the new Caboolture Community Campus were given a taste of their study experience at the inaugural Orientation Day held last month in Caboolture.

North Point Institute ofTAFE, QUT and the Caboolture Shire Council are partners in the State's newest community campus which has attracted almost 200 students to the four courses being offered, including 43 to QUT's Bachelor of Business Information Management degree.

Orientation Day was a fun event where students met staff, gathered information about their courses and the support available to them.

They toured the facilities at the interim campus, situated at 33 King Street, Caboolture.

They enjoyed a barbecue lunch and an afternoon of social activities, ahead of the start of lectures on February 25.

Commencing Bribie Island student Clinton McIntyre, who works part-time as a waiter, said he was excited about starting his studies.

'Tm looking forward to this new phase in my life," he said.

"I think the next few years are going to be challenging but also lots offun."

QUT Bachelor of Business Information students Ian Archer and Nicole Zerbst at the Caboolture Orientation Day.

New compound will

stimulate bone growth

A

new discovery by researchers at QUT may soon allow patients undergoing procedures such as hip replacements to heal - and get back on their feet - more quickly.

The disco~ery by post-doctoral fellow Dr Mei Wei and colleagues in engineering and life sciences is a special combination of natural compounds that stimulates bones to grow and attach onto implants more efficiently than current methods.

The new compound is being developed into a coating to bond joint replacements and other orthopaedic devices to patients' bones.

QUT's Professor of Biomedical Engineering Mark Pearcy, who is

supervising the project, said the compound was discovered during collaborative research to find a stronger bonding substance for use m orthopaedic work.

He said current joint replacements often failed after 10 to 15 years - usually because· of loosening in the bond between the implant and the bone - requiring a new replacement joint.

"We created a substance in the laboratory that is chemically identical to one already found in human bones, and then added another natural element that makes it much more effective,"

Professor Pearcy said.

"The substance stimulates bone cells to grow and develop faster than the best

currently used material. When coated onto implants it could significantly extend the life of most joint replacements."

Professor Pearcy said the QUT team hoped to soon begin trials of the compound on implants.

"This will involve taking the powderous material and coating it onto rhe prosthetic joints using existing methods," he said.

Professor Pearcy said if the trials were a success, the work would be extended to look at how the compound could be used to attach prosthetic limbs and to enhance regeneration in bone grafts.

The compound, under a provisional patent, could be in general use within five years if the work progresses as planned.

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Sun protection warning to local councils

A

QUT public health study of more than 150 local government facilities has found two thirds do not provide adequate shade.

The study by QUT lecturer and PhD researcher Melissa Stoneham also found that in many cases where sun protection was provided, it was not effective enough to meet 1997 guidelines.

Ms Stoneham's research analysed natural and manufactured shade at 73 parks, 23 pools, 25 sporting grounds as well as skate bowls, bike paths, look- outs and malls around Queensland. It found:

• only 27 of73 parks complied with the existing guidelines;

• nine out of 23 pools complied;

• three out of 25 sporting grounds complied; and

• no skate bowls complied.

Ms Stoneham warned that while the guidelines were not a legislative requirement, councils were risking future legal action if they could not demonstrate due diligence in providing sun protection for users.

To encourage councils and developers to adopt sunsafe practices, Ms Stoneham has released an updated set of shade guidelines and a resource book for councils.

"We have provided new guidelines for shade creation, case studies of councils who have excellent sunsafe

policies and practices, model policies for councils to adopt, and information about what types of shading devices work in particular situations," Ms Stoneham said.

"We have also provided a tool to help councils prioritise in which public facilities to install sun protection, because they often don't have the money to do them all straight away."

Ms. Stoneham said a priority should be to create shade at facilities used often by young people, such as at sporting grounds and skate bowls.

"Sun exposure during the first 18 years oflife is a very important risk factor for later developing skin cancer, so it is vital young people are protected where they are regularly outdoors," she said.

Ms Stoneham said while many councils were well-intentioned, her study found some shade structures that were positioned incorrectly (so direct sunlight entered the covered area), and some that wrongly used materials like shadecloth, creating "a false sense of security".

She said she hoped the new resource book with guidelines would result in councils creating their own shade policies and improving their practices.

Ms Stoneham's project was funded by Queensland Health, is endorsed by the Local Government Association, and has received input from the Qld Cancer Fund, landscape architects and other experts.

Queensland Health Minister Wendy Edmond with QUT public health researcher Melissa Stoneham. Ms Stoneham has found many public facilities lack adequate shade.

'War on terrorism protects

human rights abuse' - lecturer

QUT graduates to teach English in Chinese schools

by Toni Chambers

The war on terrorism 1s allowing countries with poor human rights records to escape scrutiny, according to a lecturer at QUT's School of Humanities and Human Services.

Ross Daniels told the recent "Current Civil Liberties in Australia" seminar in Brisbane the International Coalition Against Terrorism was harbouring human rights abusers such as Pakistan, Russia, Chechnya and Saudi Arabia.

"Many countries with profound human rights violations have signed up to be part of the international coalition and partner governments are less likely to question them about their abuses," he said.

"But countries like Iran and Iraq who haven't joined the grouping have the finger pointed at them. The others get away with blue murder."

US President George W Bush recently named Iran, Iraq and North Korea as an "axis of evil".

Mr Daniels said the war on terrorism had also allowed the US to justify the killing of innoce·nt people.

"The coalition, Australia included, has killed more innocent citizens in Afghanistan than were killed in the US attacks on September 11, and have created a human disaster as a result," he said.

"Why were we so appalled when innocent people died as a result of the attacks in the US, but not when innocent people die in Afghanistan? We should be equally horrified by both events."

School of Justice Studies lecturer Jane Chester said there was evidence that the basic human rights of citizens in Australia were also being eroded post- September 11, sparking a need for legislative protection.

She cited expanded Australian Secret Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and federal police powers denying people the right to a lawyer when held in detention and holding people in custody for long periods without being charged as examples of this erosion.

"Human rights are not something granted to us by governments and they may not be taken away even if a person has committed the most atrocious of crimes.

"Human rights apply to the worst of us as well as the best of us, which is why they protect all of us.

"Since the Government is making moves to deny people's human rights, a charter to protect them is paramount."

The seminar is part of the "Talking Justice Seminar" series aimed at facilitating public debate on current issues.

QUT is working with China's education authorities to meet the urgent demand for native English-speaking language teachers.

Late last month, eight TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) masters and certificate graduates flew to China to take up teaching internships in three Chinese schools.

TESOL director Associate Professor Penny McKay said many schools in China relied on backpackers to teach young people English.

"They so desperately need native English speakers that they're employing inexperienced travellers who are looking for extra money and they really can't be sure of the quality of these people,"

Professor McKay said.

"We' re sending over teachers who have been trained and checked, and at the same time giving our certificate course graduates overseas teaching experience."

Professor McKay said the eight graduates who were currently in China on three-month internships were considered the "pathfinder" group.

"This is the beginning of a much larger project," she said.

"Eventually, we will be offering the program to Bachelor of Education students and perhaps beyond that to other students at QUT who want to be trained to teach TESOL."

Professor McKay said the schools in China were covering all costs for the pathfinder group including fees for the certificate program, ·airfares, accommodation and a spending allowance.

"It's a wonderful way for us to internationalise the curriculum and the student body."

For more information about the program, contact Debra LeBhers at [email protected] or on 3864 3259.

Spinoff company appoints US expert

QUT spinoff company Farmacule Bioindustries has begun its push to develop a new molecular farming industry in Queensland by appointing former Dow Chemical chief scientist Dr Paul Zomer to its board of directors.

Farmacule chief scientist and QUT Professor James Dale said the San Diego-based Dr Zomer (pictured) - who is a member of Premier Peter Beattie' s biotechnology advisory group - would provide valuable strategic advice to the company as it moved to commercialise new research.

A QUT research team led by Professor Dale last month announced the discovery of new INPACT (In- Plant Activation) technology that will allow medical and industrial proteins to be grown cheaply and in large amounts in plants. Small-scale production of protein-rich plants is planned within 12 months.

Professor Dale said Dr Zorner's internationally recognised expertise in agricultural biotechnology and bioprocessing would contribute greatly to Farmacule's production, marketing and licensing efforts in the US.

Picture courtesy of The Courier-Mai/

"His research at Dow focused on improving agricultural productivity and on the expression, production and recovery of proteins in organisms for use in industrial and human health applications," he said.

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Inside OUT Inside OUT March 5-25, 2002 Page 3

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Orientation Week - - - -

WelCOme mat out for new students

Students fill a newly refurbished lecture theatre at QUT Case/dine.

Social science (Human Services) students Leonie MacDonald and Jessica Flatt take a break from O Week activities at QUT Carse/dine.

Sisters Elke and Bee McConnell of the Phoenix Fire Tribe entertain Carse/dine students.

Thousands of new students were eased into university life from February 18-22 with a week of activities aimed at learning vital information and having fun.

Apart from buying books in preparation for classes and attending courses on how best to survive life at QUT, 0 Week was a chance for students to find their way around campus and meet new friends.

All campuses held BBQs, movie and karaoke nights, and market days.

New optometry students (l-r) Ramy Tadros and Liz Kearney find their way around Gardens Point campus with help from student ambassador David Vicig and science student Richard Grant.

Service hears calls for peace Dean's Scholars congratulated

President of the Queensland Board of Deputies Laurie Rosenblum gives a reading on behalf of the Jewish community.

Page 4 Inside OUT March 5-25, 2002

Attacks on Muslim institutions and schools in Australia after the events of September 11 were an indication of rising intolerance, according to Imam Mohamad Abdalla, who addressed QUT's Commencement Service late last month.

Imam Abdalla, from the Logan Mosque, said educational institutions and the media had a responsibility not to propagate views which made Muslims victims of stereotypes and misrepresentation.

"We need inter-faith dialogue to

try to understand each other," he said.

He said the inter-faith QUT Commencement Service was a good example of such an effort.

"Learning to become tolerant is a big step towards achieving peace ... to achieve world peace we need to work for justice and address the suffering and the gap

between rich and poor," Imam Abdalla said.

The service, with the theme

"Uniry in diversity - In pursuit of world peace and justice for all", was held this year at St John's Anglican Cathedral.

Representatives from the Aboriginal, Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist and Christian communities gave readings.

Musical presentations were performed by the QUT Singers, the Seventh Chapter of Fine Brass, music lecturer Andrea Morris- Campbell and the organist and director of music at St John's Cathedral, Dr Robert Bough en AO.

At the conclusion of the service, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dennis Gibson awarded the annual Composition Prize to music students S-enn Woods and Tarin Stewart for their composition,

"switch".

- Colleen Clur

BEE Dean's Scholar William Ward is embarking on a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil).

All the hard work has paid off for 18 budding engineers who have been offered places in the inaugural Built Environment and Engineering Dean's Scholars Program.

The program is offered to OPl or equivalent students. It means they can accelerate their four-year undergraduate degree and one-year masters course to

complete the two degrees in four to four- and-a-half years.

William Ward, who has chosen to

study civil engineering, said the scholarship was a great opportuniry and he appreciated receiving the funding.

The scholarship is valued at approximately $30,000 each.

Dean welcomes Indigenous students

Faculty of Business Dean Professor Sandra Harding welcomed commencing Indigenous students to a special orientation workshop earlier this month.

The special day is part of a range of equiry activities to be undertaken by the faculry in 2002.

The Faculty of Business Equity Committee is also inviting first-year students to apply for one of five $ 500 bursaries aimed at helping students from

· low socio-economic back~rounds. For more information email Gabrielle O'Brien at equityofficer [email protected].

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New QUT Law . School head debates law of the surf and the Internet

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by Toni Chambers

W

atching 6E$an Fitzgerald paddle out into ·me surf on a perfect summer's morning, it's easy to understand the se~se of freedom he feels alone in the vast ocean.

However, Professor Fitzgerald, who has moved from Byron Bay to Brisbane to become the new Head of QUT's School of Law, doesn't have much time to engage in a sport he began at 13.

But he's happy to be part of a city culture again after spending years away from the place where he studied.

After graduating from QUT in 1988 as university medallist and with first- class honours, Professor Fitzgerald went on to receive postgraduate law degrees from Harvard and Oxford.

He was also the 1998 Faculty of Law Outstanding Alumni award winner.

He has spent the past four years as head of the School of Law and Justice at Southern Cross University.

During this time, his profession and his passion have intersected, with the law of the surf now becoming a serious legal issue.

"We've now got a lot more people living at the beach and wanting to swim or surf and engage with the beach lifestyle," Professor Fitzgerald said.

"The crowded nature of the surf, combined wii:h aggressive or reckless behaviour, ignorance as to appropriate conduct in the surf and the dangerous nature of modern surfboards, means that people are now more at risk of being injured.

New head of QUT's School of Law Professor Brian Fitzgerald contemplates the law of the surf and laws governing digital property rights.

"This is where the law comes in.

The law of negligence, in particular, regulates conduct that causes physical harm."

Professor Fitzgerald initiated two law of the surf forums in Byron Bay which were attended by high-profile surfers and lawyers, including a Harvard law professor and a Supreme Court judge.

The seminars were designed to consider the role, if any, law should play in regulating surfing.

"As a surfer, the last thing I would like to see is the surf being taken over by lawyers. We surf to get away from the confines of everyday life, but it's inevitable that, as on land, society will not tolerate reckless behaviour or unjustifiable aggression which harms others," he said.

He said self-regulation, including the ethical norms of fairness and respect, was preferable to the last resort of very restricti'l.e legislation.

The issue of using codes of conduct is also a hot topic in another area of interest for Professqr Fitzgerald - that of Internet law.

"The self-regulatory notion of 'netiquette' which was the backbone of the cyberworld before the onset of

Bare dance Hook collection finds a new liome ori campus -

Jennette Johnstone smiles at the memory of the excitement an unexplored bookshop would bring in her collecting days.

"I would -~~e a bookshop, give a sniff and off!' d go to find the dance section."

But it wasn't until last year, when Mrs Johnstone decided to make some room at her St Lucia home and donate her collection of 30 years to QUT, that she actually sat down and catalogued her prized purchases.

programs, magazines and some calendars from all over the world."

e-commerce is strikingly similar in content and purpose to the customary norms of surfing," Professor Fitzgerald said.

He is now examining the degree to which information, soft infrastructure and networks should be open or closed - a central topic of his latest ground- breaking book on cyberlaw.

"It is an age-old problem that most lawyers talk about in terms of property.

For the next generation of lawyers this is a question of digital property - the commodity of our age," he said.

Professor Fitzgerald's agenda in teaching recently at Santa Clara University in the heart of Silicon Valley in the US and now at QUT is to take students through the legal construction of digital property.

He also aims to build on the already impressive record of the Law School in the area of technology law.

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As she and her husband Alan travelled the world, her favourite pastime involved discovering new places to fossick for rare or compelling books about subjects that fascinated her - namely, the art of dance.

"Cataloguing them involved going through every one ... at the same time remembering when and where I bought it. There are some wonderful memories," Mrs Johnstone said.

The process of donating such a collection to the university also required a valuation to be done, and Mrs Johnstone said she was surprised to learn that her books - some of which cost her $1 or less - were now worth more than $20,000.

Among them were many first editions and rare, complete magazine collections dating from post-war times to the 1980s.

Thursdays 8pm-late

"I used to haunt the bookshops, second-hand shops and book sales," she said, describing time spent on her travels through Moscow and New York, and living in Johannesburg and Melbourne.

"When I finished I found I had 508 books, 300 journals, 154

Book donor Jennette Johnstone at home with her cat Rudolf.

QUT head of dance Associate Professor Cheryl Stock said the collection was a rare historical resource, featuring works about some of the great 20'h century dancers including Rudolf Nureyev and Dame Margot Fonteyn.

"The collection is invaluable in that there are rare books that Mrs Johnstone has personally collected that would not be found in many dance libraries," Professor Srock said.

"It reflects an absolute dance and ballet passion on the part of the collector, which is something we want to instill in our students."

Mrs Johnstone said she hoped her collection's presence in QUT's Kelvin Grove library would help keep alive the memory of the great dancers in the minds of students and researchers.

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Inside OUT Inside OUT March 5-25, 2002 Page 5

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,_

Concern mounts over bicycle security

Safer bike sheds, warning signs and recommended use of D-locks are some of the measures QUT's security section has put in place to prevent bicycle thefts at Gardens Point campus.

B

^icycletheft has become the most common crime at QUT and the university's security section is working hard to get cyclists to help outwit thieves.

In 2001, 87 bicycles worth a total of

$62,895 were stolen from staff and students, all from Gardens Point except for one theft from Carseldine.

Fortunately, QUT's security team managed to assist in recovering 30 bikes from just one suspect.

The number of bikes stolen has more than doubled since 2000, when 34 bikes were taken from QUT.

Security manager Fergus Ross attributed the increase to organised gangs of thieves seeing the inner-city campus as an easy target.

"QUT is no more risky a place to park your bike than anywhere in the city or any shopping centre bur we've got crowds of rogues who target the campus to steal bikes," Mr Ross said.

"They carry bolt cutters in a big bag

just like a student would have so they don't look suspicious.

"They go to a bike rack, conceal what they're doing and quickly cut the lock."

Mr Ross and his team have put in place an active program to encourage students and staff to use high-tensile steel

"D locks" rather than the popular cable locks which are easily cut.

The university has also recently built several bike sheds that can only be accessed by swipe card, and Mr Ross said these were proving very effective.

"We' re keeping cables that have been cut and putting them on all bike racks with a bright red and yellow warning sign to draw people's attention to the fact that bikes have been stolen, and to suggest they use a D lock.

"The bike thieves also pinch the signs bur we keep replacing them."

Another security initiative paid off in 2001, when the number of"insecurities"

- rooms or buildings being left unlocked - was reduced by one third.

Mr Ross said the improvement came from a strategy implemented in 2000 which involved g1vrng people infringement notices if they left rooms unsecured, and issuing a $20 fine for a second offence.

- Carmen Myler

Leaders honoured

QUT recently awarded honorary doctorates to two Brisbane community leaders.

Former Lord Mayor Dr Clem Jones AO and former Griffith University Vice-Chancellor Professor Roy Webb were honoured for their contributions ta the community.

Dr Jones, who was Lord Mayor from 1961 to 1975, chaired the Commonwealth's Darwin Reconstruction Commission from 1975 to 1978.

Dr Jones has a BSc from the University of Queensland and furthered his postgraduate srudies in public administration at the University of California.

He is an authorised surveyor and a Fellow of both the Institute of Surveyors and the Royal Geographical Society.

Addressing a graduation ceremony last month, QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Dennis Gibson praised Dr Jones for his contribution to local government and town planning, and for his involvement in a range of other organisations.

Dr Jones is recipient of two honorary doctorates and numerous awards, including the Order of Australia and Advance Australia Award for contribution to sport and community.

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In 1990 he was named Queenslander of the Year.

Professor Roy Webb received his honorary doctorate for his contribu

0

tion to the community through education, Professor Gibson said. He was Vice-Chancellor of Griffith University from 1985 until 2001.

Professor Webb has carried out consultancies and inquiries for government and the private sector in the areas of international trade, micro economic policy and education.

He has headed or been members of many organisations, including the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee and the Committee of the Sir Robert Menzies Centre for Australian Studies.

contact Translnfo on 13 12 30 or visit www.transinfo.qld.gov.au

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Among other awards recognising his service, Professor Webb was awarded the rank of Cavaliere in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 1995.

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IT reaches out to

Indigenous students First group of ambos graduate from · auT

Marsden SHS students (l-r) Tynika Melville and Samantha Jennings.

The Faculty oflnformation Technology invited 13 Indigenous Year 10 female students to take part in a three-day exploration of the world ofIT in January.

The students, who came from Beaudesert, Mabel Park and Woodridge State High Schools, and Kingston College, thoroughly enjoyed the experience, School of Computing Science and Software Engineering lecturer Ruth Christie said.

"Many of the students have had limited exposure to IT in the past. We are trying

to inform them of options that are available to them."

The students had a crash course in a variery of IT fields.

"We were trying to give them a range of exposures to help them visualise future careers," Ms Christie explained.

She said the faculry wanted to address the problem of under-representation of both Indigenous students and women in its courses. About a dozen Indigenous students are enrolled in the faculty.

Erratum: bookshop/campus shop -

The February 12 edition of Inside QUT published incorrect details for the QUT bookshops and the Srudent Guild's campus shops for which we apologise. The correct details are:

KG- C Block, 8.30am-5pm Mon-Thu, 8.30am-4pm Fri during semester and during breaks/exams. 3864 3125.

Cars - Level 3, C Block, 8.30am-5pm Mon-Thu, 8.30am-lpm Fri. 3864 4569

Campus shop details are available at www.guildonline.net

by Carmen Myler

ueensland' s first university-trained paramedics graduated from QUT a Faculty of Health graduation ceremony last month.

The group of 10 ambulance officers were awarded the State's first degree for emergency care workers, the Bachelor of Health Science in Emergency Health Services.

The course was created in 2000 by QUT and the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS).

Course co-ordinaror Melinda Service said the graduate group was made up predominantly of intensive-care paramedics.

She said their high-level clinical qualifications had earned them credit towards the degree, allowing them to graduate in two years instead of the usual three.

Ms Service said the course had been very successful because of the "great relationship" between QUT and QAS.

"It is working well because the students have support from us and QAS," she said.

"They receive financial support from QAS, have a dedicated administration person at QUT who makes sure they receive all their notes.

"The units offered were chosen because they will be useful to paramedics," she said.

The course was the vision of the QAS commissioner who wanted ro upgrade the ambulance service workforce.

Bookshops are located on all campuses and they also sell computer software. Visit www.bookshop.qut.edu.au - Shop online through QUTVirtual (via Personal Profile).

Email [email protected]

GP - Y Block, 8.30arn-6prn Mon-Thu, 8.30am-4pm Fri. 9am-4pm during recess.

Phone the shop on 3864 1681 or office: 3864 1677. Email [email protected]

"The qualification will also enable these paramedics to move into other areas of the.health sector if they want to, for example to take a break from being out on the road."

Ian (Zach) Unverzagt was among the first paramedics to graduate from the emergency health services course last month.

Extended hours available in weeks 1 and 2 of each semester.

GP-ground level, Y Block, 8.30am-6pm Mon-Thu, 8.30am-4pm Fri during semester.

8.30am-5pm Mon-Thu, 8.30am-4pm Fri during breaks/exams. 3864 2433.

KG - located opposite the bookshop in C Block. Includes a post office and newsagency.

6am-5.30pm Mon-Fri, ?am-noon Sat, 7am- 1 lam Sun. Call 3864 3330or0409 644 417.

Email [email protected]

Among the graduates was intensive care paramedic Ian (Zach) Unverzagt, who said the course had spurred him on to undertake further study to enhance his career.

"This is really important in our evolution as a professi~n," Mr Unverzagt said. "We are a non-physician profession and a lot of times what we do in the field is dictated by the medical profession and by data from that profession.

"It's important for us to own our own body of knowledge and gain ownership over our profession."

Mr Unverzagt said he hoped to enrol in postgraduate study in intensive care training within the next six months.

Graduate finds old treasure in the trash

Electrical Engineering graduate Tony Smith found this sign at the tip about 25 years ago.

It has been in his garage ever since.

The sign appears to date back to 1965 and may have been the original George Street entrance sign to Queensland Institute of Technology and its predecessor, the Central Technical College.

Both organisations were originally part of the State Education Department and the department crest features on the sign.

Mr Smith donated the sign back to his alma mater in February.

New bridge well

used, students find

An analysis by QUT undergraduate students of traffic on the Goodwill Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge has found the Brisbane l'andmark is receiving heavy, constant use.

Surveying students Peter Bull and Paul Mowbray counted and classified bridge users during peak and quiet times and observed an average traffic flow of more than 350 people per hour.

The students said the study, which was conducted for a statistics class during summer semester, probably underestimated the volume of traffic on the bridge as it was carried out during the quietest time of the year.

"Because most students were on holidays at the ;ime, this sector of the community is almost certainly under- quoted in our study," Mr Bull said.

"We thought it would be used mainly as a scholarly and business connection, so we were very surprised to see how well it was being used for other purposes too."

The students found almost two thirds of all traffic on the bridge was directed towards the city, with 89 per cent of users heading north between 8am and 9am on the weekday surveyed.

On weekends however, the direction of traffic was split almost equally, with many more people travelling to South Bank in the middle of the day.

The students also analysed the type of pedestrians using the bridge, and found it was particularly popular with sportspeople.

These included:

• 67 per cent of users who were walkers;

• 27 per cent who were cyclists;

• 5 per cent who were runners; and 1 per cent who were rollerbladers.

"We found the bridge was well utilised by many sectors of the community, and we thought it was a worthwhile investment despite the controversy," Mr Bull said.

A second group of students studied the bridge on different days and came to similar conclusions.

Antony Mapfumo, Simon Marr and Mark Thackham also found that men used the bridge more often than women, and were much more likely to use it for sporting activities such as cycling.

The Goodwill Bridge was opened in October 2001, after three years of construction.

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Inside OUT Inside OUT March 5-25, 2002 Page 7

(8)

7 Zhen helps smooth the road to Beijing

S

teps being taken to prepare for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games will present some rare research opportunities for QUT, thanks to recent Master of Health Science graduate Zhen Xiaozhen.

Ms Xiaozhen is part of a small team that is preparing the way for a formal organising committee for 2008 that will come into being later this year.

The World Health Organisation fellowship student was completing the second year of her studies at QUT's School of Public Health when she was invited to attend a meeting of China's bid committee in Sydney after the Olympic Games in December 2000 in preparation for the upcoming IOC evaluation.

Then, with the blessing of her employer, the Beijing Mun· cipal Health

Bureau (BHMB), she was "loaned" to the bid committee on a full-time basis.

Her first role was to prepare important health-related statistics that formed part of her country's presentation to the International Olympic Committee. Then, in July last year, when Beijing was announced as the successful candidate, Zhen was formally co-opted into her present role.

She has since helped draw together Q_UT, the BHMB and the Queensland Health Department in a partnership that is set to address key health and medical issues in the city in the run up to 2008.

With the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU), researchers in QUT's Schools of Public Health and Physical and Chemical Sciences are set to get some rare opportunities.

The Jungle star Zoe Naylor turned down a place at NIDA to study at QUT. She already has an impressive list of acting credits including parts in Fearless, Home & Away and Breakers.

One Teacher School

Museum opens its doors

QUT's Faculty of Education is holding two open days for its One Teacher School Museum this month.

The open days for staff, students and other members of rhe university community will feature tours and displays in the facility.

Administrator Carol Partridge said the open days would teach visitors about primary education in the early days of the 20th century.

"It's a good resource tool for students, and possibly lecturers who are teaching their students about the history of education," Ms Partridge said.

Ms Partridge said the open days would be held on March 11 and 25 from 9am to 4pm.

For more information e-mail Ms Partridge at [email protected] or call on 07 3864 3424.

- Margaret Lawson

To find out

What's On at QUT visit www.whatson.qut.edu.au

"They will be able to conduct extensive before and after. checks on a very large population to assess the effectiveness of particular interventions and public health promotion strategies,"

she said.

Head of QUT's School of Public Health Professor Brian Oldenburg, said QUT would initially provide education and training to some of Beijing's 160,000 healthcare staff in the areas of heal th services management, health care finance and chronic disease prevention and management. Research projects in these areas are already progressing.

"The MOU formalises a long-term co-operative relationship between the university and one of the largest health services areas in the world," he said.

- Trina McLellan

Health science graduate Zhen Xiaorhen is part of a team helping prepare the way for a formal organising committee for Beijing 2008.

The urban jungle Students

challenges actors listen to

the National Institute of Dramatic Art

refugee

by Toni Chambers

Working as a barmaid at a strip club and watching mothers interact with their children were some of the activities final- year acting student Zoe Naylor did in preparation for her performance in The jungle.

The Creative Industries production - a play by Louis Nowra - sees a small- time crim, a crooked cop, a homeless kid, a prostitute, a has-been pop singer and a waiter united by chance and circumstance.

With the murky undercurrents of the city as a backdrop, The jungle highlights the drama in the lives of everyday people.

Ms Naylor has two roles - she plays Nikki, a prostitute, and an older female character known as "Woman" who opens the play and violently beats a young girl before dying of a heart attack.

"It is very disturbing and confronting, trying to find out what allows a person to do such a thing," she said.

"At first I couldn't understand it, but I've been sitting in the Queen Street Mall watching women yelling at their children as part of my research and I'm beginning to understand.

"I've also been working at a strip club and while prostitution is not a career path that I'd choose, I can now understand how people get involved in it.''

Ms Naylor, 23, came to QUT from Sydney after also being accepted into

(NIDA).

She had worked as a presenter, reporter and producer for the likes of MTV Australia, Escape with ET, National Nine News and A Current Affair.

She has also had guest roles on Home and Away and Breakers and featured in several films including Fearless, directed by Charlie Haskell.

"Most of my theatre experience to date has been in the classics, but The jungle is a contemporary script that looks at the ugly side of characters. It requires a gritty and harder edge to acting," Ms Naylor said.

It's this sort of experience she'll need if she's to reach her career goals.

'T d like to be considered and respected as a credible actress for stage, film and TV," she said.

'T d rather do a small amount of top- quality work than a lot of mediocre work.

"While I have done well to date, this course has given me the belt of armour I need to believe in myself as I enter the competitive acting world."

The jungle will be playing at the Woodward Theatre at Kelvin Grove from March 7-23 at 7:30pm.

Second-year acting students will also showcase their work in David Mamet's Edmond at the Woodward Theatre from March 7-16 at 6pm. Bookings can be made by telephoning 07 3864 5998.

Wogboy director

shows students and staff how it's done

Director of The Wogboy Aleksi Vellis came to QUT recently to share his expertise with Creative Industries staff and students.

The team from communication design, creative writing, and film and television are working on community service announcements for the New South Wales Government and Kids Help Line.

QUT has been involved with Kids Help Line over the past six months, developing a series of resources to help web counsellors.

Recent funding from the NSW Government has made possible the production of television community

service announcements, postcards, posters and a bus shelter advertising campaign, encouraging young people to contact the counselling service.

Mr Vellis is best known for his fast<- paced comedy film The Wogbiry , starring Nick Giannopoulos, which became one of the five highest grossing Australian films of all time after its cinema release in 2000.

He has also produced the Twelve Days of Christmas campaign for the Transport Accident Commi~ion, which was a gold winner at New York's prestigious One Show awards.

Mr Vellis also produced the Problem Gambler campaign for the Victorian Government.

stories

Eight young refugees shared stories of their survival with delegates who attended the Golden Key International Honour Society's Asia Pacific conference held on the Gold Coast last month.

More than 170 students and staff from 25 universities across Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia attended the four-day event, which QUT students helped organise.

At a breakfast session, delegates heard about a community service project, the Refugee Tutoring Program, which is run by students from QUT, Griffith University and the University of Queensland.

"It was an enlightening experience for many who had never had the opportunity to hear refugees speak of

·their experiences," the president of the QUT Golden Key chapter, Majella Hurney said.

"Their insights had a profound effect on delegates who left the conference with a strong commitment to help alleviate the struggles of refugees in our community," she said.

The theme of the conference was

"Imagine", aimed at inspiring delegates to imagine how they could not only achieve individual successes, but also make a difference in other people's lives.

Director of The Wogboy, Aleksi Vellis, shares his expertise with staff and students at QUT.