Valuable experience from Ariadne's ups and downs

iii

Gardens Point

iii

Kelvin Grove

QUT ⁱⁱⁱ

Kedron Park

iii

Carseldine

L·l·N·K·S

The bulletin of the QUT Foundation Inc., GPO Box 2434, Brisbane 4001 Tel (07) 223 2821 Issue 5 •November 1990

Valuable experience from Ariadne's ups and downs

Tony Conde has worked for Ariadne Australia Limited for over 14 years. This generally surprises people, not just because 14 years is a long time but because Ariadne is not per- ceived to be that old.

As an accountant, Tony joined a small group of companies which were 'back-door listed' into South Pine Quarries Limited. South Pine Quarries operated a series of quar- ries and pre-mixed concrete plants until it underwent a change of control in 1982.

In 1982, after ownership and board control changed, the Company dis- posed of those activities, changed its name to Ariadne, promoted Tony to Company Secretary, and imple- mented a busy and aggressive growth strategy. The next five years were days of huge expansion with many acquisitions and takeovers. The expansion was halted by the stock market crash.

"Following the world stock market crash in October 1987, Ariadne found that it had an over-exposure to price sensitive areas of the world stock market, an over-investment in poor or non-performing assets and an inability to service its high level of debt," Tony said.

Ariadne entered into a debt moratorium agreement with its bankers and commenced an asset realisation program through which debt has been reduced from a peak of $1.3 billion to $90 million.

Tony considers being Company Secretary for Ariadne over the last eight years has felt like a long-term roller-coaster ride. "It's been a uni- que experience."

Tony Conde, Ariadne has been a "unique ex- perience"

He has gained valuable knowledge and experience negotiating for ac- quisitions, completing takeovers, liaising with the Company's bankers after the crash and selling major in- vestments, such as Sanctuary Cove, Repco and Wreckair to reduce the debt to the current level.

Amongst all the turmoil and conflict Tony has reported to 24 different Directors and five Chief Executives since the crash.

Ironically it was in 1982, the year Ariadne was announced, that Tony completed his Bachelor of Business course at OUT Kedron Park Cam- pus (then BCAE), majoring in finan- cial administration. Although no course could possibly have prepared him completely for what the next eight years would bring, his course must have proved very valu- able and very timely.

Working 60-80 hours each week, studying Law with the Barrister's Board, and a family are keeping Tony busy. He is interested in the work of the OUT Foundation and, with more time available, would like to be involved in its management.

As Company Secretary through Ariadne's growth, financial crash and rationalisation, Tony is one of its particularly valuable resources. If he had time to write a book about it he believes it would be "better than any- thing written".

Carseldine Campus Theatre in demand

Carseldine campus has a multi- purpose theatre, suitable for semi- nars, lectures and stage produc- tions, which is available to Founda- tion members at very reasonable rates.

Capable of seating 500 people, the theatre is complete with sophisti- cated light and sound equipment, a large stage with two side aprons, removable seats which can be positioned for 'theatre in the round' and a covered area suitable for

informal gatherings 'after the event'.

To date the theatre has been used for large conferences by Amway, insurance groups and the Asthma Foundation as well as drama, music and dance performances by various production groups.

Anyone interested in enquiring about using the theatre can contact Deanne Betten on 263 8042 or 263 6222 (ext 358).

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• L·l·N·K·S •

QUT helping Astra Panels reach for the stars

The name Schloman has been linked with OUT for nearly 40 years.

In 1951 Charles 0. Schloman senior graduated from OUT in Chemistry and began a career dominated by a highly successful family business.

Four years after graduating, Charles Schloman started his own business which became the Astra Group of Companies. He called his company Astra because it represented his goal of reaching for the stars.

He was at the forefront of what was

then a very young expanded polys- tyrene industry and developed his business to include the manufacture of insulated building panels and as- sociated technologies.

He developed many patents and new processes that were the hallmark of his very talented career.

His talent and attraction to chemistry was inherited by his three sons Craig, Carl and Lance.

Craig graduated from OUT in

The Astra team (left to right) Lance, Craig and Carl Schloman

Chemistry in 1976 and won the Castlemaine Perkins Scholarship, awarded to an achieving student. He worked with Castlemaine for 10 years before joining his father's company in 1986.

At Astra, Craig is now involved in administration, computer systems development and research relating to the laminated panel industry.

Carl graduated from OUT in Chemistry in 1980 and joined Astra after working with CSR for seven years. He is now involved in process production and developments in plastics, adhesives and building panel technology.

Lance worked with his father throughout the development of Astra gaining valuable hands-on training which has qualified him for his current responsibilities in marketing, plant design and product development.

In 1987, Charles 0. Schloman senior passed away leaving Astra in the capable hands of his three sons.

The family feels close to OUT and appreciates the role it has played in developing their careers and their company. As part of its commitment to the development of OUT and its students, and in honour of their father, Craig, Carl and Lance have established an Award within the Chemistry Department.

"This link with OUT will grow as we develop the family business," Craig said.

"The knowledge gained from OUT is put to use in our day to day tasks.

The hands on common sense ap- proach in developing and managing specialised products and im- plementing quality control systems have helped position us well in these unpredictable times."

The Astra Group plans to maintain its links with OUT for a long, long time.

QUT's hidden treasure is a valuable collection

OUT is literally lined with treasure. Hanging quietly on office walls, often unnoticed in hallways, positioned subtly on tables and displayed securely in cabinets are the 750 pieces of the OUT Art Collection worth more than $1.4 million.

Next time you are walking through a corridor of one of the OUT cam- puses take a second look at that bunch of flowers. It could be 'Wildflowers in a basket' a valuable 1947 painting by Grace Cossington Smith or a flower study woodcut by Margaret Preston.

Other valuables include 1945 draw- ings by Hans Heysen and the 1972 'Row of Figures' painting by Ian Fair- weather.

The collection was started in 1945 by what was then the Queensland Teachers Training College. Through donations from thankful students and public fund raising appeals the collection grew quickly.

Used initially as a training resource for art students the collection is now the fourth largest art collection in Queensland and incorporates paint- ings, ceramics and works on paper.

OUT Curator in charge of the art collection, Mr Stephen Rainbird, has helped establish 'Friends of the Art Collection', a group which works to maintain and develop the collection through acquisitions, mainly of con- temporary Australian art pieces.

"The strength of the collection is the Australian art of the 1970s but it also incorporates a small but valuable international collection of American, Japanese and British pieces,"

Stephen said.

The collection incorporates a small collection of 19th century Japanese woodcuts and a substantial number of pots by Carl McConnell.

The 'Friends of the Art Collection' hope to share the collection further with students and people outside OUT by eventually displaying the art

Stephen Rainbird, Curator of the QUT art collection worth more than $1.4 million

in one central place. In the short- term, a catalogue will be published next year to detail the pieces. The catalogue is expected to be launched with an exhibition of the collection in a public art museum.

Stephen is happy to show the collec-

tion to interested Foundation mem-

bers and hear from members inter- ested in being involved with the 'Friends of the Art Collection'. He can be contacted on 352 8240.

A Decade of Continuing Education

It has been 10 years since the Con-

tinuing Education Unit began provid-

ing courses and programs on northern campuses.

Teaching everything from 'Dress Pat-

tern Making' to 'Talking Your Wa

y to

the Top', the courses reflect the time of

year and the economic situation.

Peter Deshon of QUT'

s

Kelvin Grove Campus believes there is no pattern to non-award education. Its popularity is dependent on how much time and money the market has and wha

t

profes- sionals are currently demanding.

Continuing Education runs hundreds of courses, seminars and conf erences each year which attract people for both professi onal or personal r easons. Some may wish to 'brush-up' on a skill:

others may want to learn a new hobby.

Peter believes there are no restrictions on how to teach peopl e and has helped to develop the

University's diverse

methods which include teaching throush print ma

terial, teleconferenc-

ing faci

lities, television via the

University's satellite TV studio or the traditional face to face method.

Even the face to face method has its variations

.

Continuing Education conducts courses on campuses and takes its courses to a business or or- ganisation by sending the

lecturer to

the students.

For details about continuing educa-

tion programs call

223

2822 (Gardens

Point campus) or 352 8222 (nor

thern

campuses).

Seminar discussed two schools of environmental thought

The QUT Foundation recently hosted a seminar on Sustainable Development which discussed business's role in protecting the environment.

More than 60 members and guests heard Peter Beard (M.I.M.) and Rasey Crisp (Queensland Conservation Council) discuss the, often very dif- ferent, interests of the conservationists and the business community.

Associate Professor Tim Robinson, Head of the School of Management at QUT, chaired the seminar guiding some very interesting questions.

Peter Beard called for the two groups (business and the environmentalists) to work together and find common ground. He felt that if Australia adhered too strongly to either group we would be

living

in "jungle caves" or an "in- dustrial swamp".

Stating that people will only think of the environment when they are safe, fed and housed, Mr Beard said Australia had to trade its way out of its economic problems, "zero or negative economic growth

is

not on".

Mr Beard expressed doubt that the much publicised greenhouse effect even existed.

"It's highly dubious and built on shaky ground," he said.

He said reaction to the greenhouse effect was incurring massive costs Australia could not afford.

"The money would be better spent on researching what the greenhouse effect

is

and getting some scientific proof."

Specifically discussing mining, Mr Beard said that non-renewable resour- ces had received a lot of publicity and there was a fundamental misconception about them.

"The earth

is

a store, resources are con- tinually developed ... coal resources will never run out because people's needs change and other forms of energy will be used ... the market will take care of it- self," he said.

Rasey Crisp disagreed with many of the points made by Peter Beard.

"Greenhouse must be acknowledged ...

we have a need to introduce energy efficiency and renewable energy."

Rosey Crisp, Coordinator of the Queensland Conservation Council

Ms Crisp said Australia was not getting true monetary value for what it mines compared to overseas costs.

She called for a greater number of green industries with less reliance on primary industries.

Ms Crisp said self regulation was not working and that the Government must

Peter Beard, External Relations Manager for M.l.M.

regulate a 'polluter pays'

tax through

which

the

money is spent on the en- vironment by way of, "tax incentives for the development of technical equipment, incentives for green industries, research and development for technical matters and resources for degradable properties where no-one is responsible".

Use the library without leaving your desk

Foundation members can access the OUT library's vast electronic re- search service without leaving their office.

The library's Expert Information Ser- vice will access worldwide databases for information from books, journals, reports, govern- ment records and other sources.

The contacts the library has, and the speed with which the operators can access the necessary information, makes using the service far more cost effective than manually gather- ing your own information.

The service is popular with com- panies developing a new product, for example, who need patent infor- mation, competitor details and market statistics.

Manufacturers, marketing consult- ants and businesses can call the library with their request and receive

the information quickly by fax.

The cost of the service depends on the request and how much time it takes to fill. The average cost of completing a request is $200.

The service is currently available through Gardens Point campus - telephone 223 2719 or 223 2493.

Members often do not need to ac- cess electronic databases and many find the needed information among the library's resources - standards, specifications, statistics, directories, regulations, periodicals and books.

The staff will answer simple ques- tions over the phone free and are available to research the library on your behalf, at a cost which can be quoted to you when )lOU call. For busy executives this can often be the cheapest and most economical way to research.

Tony Biggar servicing Monto solo

Although well qualified with a law de- gree (OUT 1983) and a graduate diploma in legal practice (QUT 1984), Tony Biggar believes nothing can quite prepare you for life in the country.

Tony has spent the last four years practising in Monto, two and a half hours inland from Bundaberg. His business, Bandidt and Biggar, ser- vices the North Burnett region which has a population of approximately 4,000 people.

As the Magistrates Court only visits he town three times per year, Tony oesn't do a lot of court work but keeps busy mostly with conveyancing and estate procedures.

Tony's consultant, Mr H N C Bandidt MBE, died earlier this year leaving Tony the only solicitor in the firm, sup- ported by four staff. When Monto's other solicitor, Greg Cooper died in 1989, Tony took responsibility for his clients and is now kept very busy as the only solicitor in Monto.

Keeping close contact with his col- leagues from OUT is high on Tony's priority list.

"I have colleagues working in nearby

towns, and in Brisbane, whom I can call on if I'm faced with a new situation or want a second opinion," Tony said. He also values his OUT Foundation membership and the link it continues to give him with OUT.

"1t's certainly really nice to get the

Tony Biggar as seen through the eyes of artist Gill Jamieson

Foundation mail and news of what has been happening."

Tony recently felt honoured when well known local painter, Gill Jamieson, returned to Monto and offered to paint Tony's portrait. The larger than life

painting is 4'6" x 3'8".

Tony is originally from the Queensland Sunshine Coast and plans to stay in Monto, at least for the foreseeable future, with his wife and 18 month old son.

Dance Department has the world at its feet

In 1977, OUT Kelvin Grove (then BCAE), offered a minimal amount of dance instruction in the courses conducted by its physical education department. Today, its inde- pendent Dance Department offers two of the most prestigious and sought after courses in Australia, so popular, that this year 250 ap- plicants had to be turned away.

The transition has been steady.

There was first a Music and Dance Department, next a Drama and Dance Department and, in 1988, when the student and staff numbers were large enough, the Dance Department was formed.

The Department is intentionally

small so as not to over-supply the market with graduates and is proud that 75% of its graduates are employed during their first year.

The Department offers a two-year Associate Diploma course which concentrates on developin~ techni- cal dance ability and artistry. Its three-year BA degree course incor- porates written and comprehensive skills as well as dance instruction.

With a quota of 15 and 20 respec- tively, the course administrators have to be very selective.

Applicants, usually from throughout Australia and New Zealand, must pass a lengthy audition before being accepted.

Audition interviews help identify applicants' career preferences to make sure students do not all have the same goals. Less than 25% of dance students actually embark on a performance career, with the rest keen to teach in the school system or work in related areas such as dance administration.

OUT dance graduates who have chosen to perform have done very well - 1985 graduate Susan Laraghy has a full-time contract with the world renowned Neder- lands Dance Theatre and graduate Catherine Quinn is with the Ram- bert Dance Company in London.

Convocation News iii

• L·l·N·K·S •

What Is Convocation?

By Mark Raymond, Warden of Convocation

Role of

Convocation

Convocation

D is the link between graduates, and through them industry, and the University decision-making processes

Many members seem to be unsure of what Convocation is and where the name came from. The history of university Convocations can be traced back to Oxford and Durham universities in England where legis- lative assemblies of graduates with the degree of Master of Arts met.

Convocations normally had the power of discussing and expressing an opinion on any university matter.

The Oxford English Dictionary lists an entry on the Oxford University Convocation dated 1432. The Mac- quarie Dictionary defines Convoca- tion as an assembly of the graduates and friends of a university.

In June, elections for the new OUT Council were held. Two members of Convocation are elected by and from Convocation to the Council, which remains in office for three years. Convocation elected June Dunleavy and Merline Muldoon to the Council. They are also members of the Convocation Standing Com-

mittee. D encourages greater cooperation

between industry and OUT

Before OIT gained university status, the OIT Foundation took an active role in developing friends of the In- stitute. Now that the institution is a university, Convocation is vested with authority, under the OUT Act, to be the focus for graduate input into University affairs. The Foundation continues to raise friends for OUT.

OUT's Convocation is a forum of OUT graduates, including those of the former BCAE and OIT, academic staff and past and present Council members. Convocation is con- cerned primarily with the interaction between graduates and OUT at both a professional and legislative level, and assembles formally at least once a year. Elections for the posi- tions of Warden and Convocation Standing Committee members are held annually and will be held at the first meeting in 1991, in accordance with the provisions of the OUT Act and Statutes.

Following the Convocation meeting in April of this year, OUT Council approved a statement of the aim, objectives and the role of Convoca- tion. It also established a Convoca- tion Standing Committee, which per- forms the function of Convocation throughout the year.

QUT Convocation

Convocation is a forum largely of OUT graduates with active repre- sentation on OUT Council. It is con- cerned primarily with the interaction between graduates and OUT at both a professional and a legislative level.

Aim

Convocation represents the inter- ests of OUT graduates through its influence in the University decision- making processes, including teach- ing and applied research areas.

Objectives

D to ensure that courses and programs at OUT maintain a high standard

D to be committed to the profes- sionalism and life-long learning of OUT graduates

D to ensure curriculum is relevant to industry, professions and the community

D to ensure provision of a quality learning environment

D to forge relationships with graduates, business, profes- sions, industries, government and other educational i nstitu- t ions in pursuance of Convocation's aim and in liaison with OUT Foundation.

D is a forum for debate on policy and relevant issues

D formulates and refines policy for submission to OUT Council D uses its representation on Coun-

cil committees to ensure the graduates' and professional viewpoints are expressed D has input into academic stand-

ards and content

D protects the interests of OUT

graduate~

D encourages social contact be- tween graduates across the professions.

Convocation structure

Convocation has two members elected to OUT Council. Convoca- tion is chaired by a Warden and served by a Standing Committee.

These positions are elected at the annual general meeting of Convoca- tion. The full Convocation meets an- nually. The Standing Committee performs the functions of Convoca- tion throughout the year, meeting every six weeks.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Science Alumni Newsletter

Welcome to the QUT Science Alum- ni supplement of QUT Links. The QUT Science Alumni aims to pro- vide its members with the oppor-

tunity to be both informed about

scientific issues and contribute infor- mation that may be useful to the graduates of biological, chemical, geological, mathematical and physi- cal sciences.

Anyone wishing to gain membership of the Science Alumni, or be placed on our newsletter mailing list, should contact the QUT Foundation (223 2821).

Peter White (President)

New subject - MAB110

Introductory Mathematics

The 1991 and subsequent intakes of students into the Bachelor of Ap- plied Science Course (AS/226) will include students who have not com- pleted Maths 1 units, 1, 2 and

3.

In troductory Mathematics will be offered in the first semester, with a

Alumni News ii

value of

6

credit points and

3

hours contact per week.

This new subject will complement existing introductory subjects in physics, chemistry and biology. The subject is not available to students who have a level of Sound Achieve- ment or better in a Senior Mathe- matics 1 course which includes units 1, 2 and

3.

Directory of professional groups

Our professional directory continues to grow. We hope to produce our first directory early next year. If you would like to have a professional group added to our list and promoted to Science Alumni mem- bers, send relevant details to the Science Alumni Editor, 97 Palm Avenue, Shorncliffe, Brisbane 4017.

Employment opportunities

The QUT Science Alumni Newslet- ter is published on a monthly basis and now has a circulation of around 230 and reaches graduates in the

Central Queensland News

Due to the large industrial and min- ing organisations in Central Queensland many past graduates of QUT and QIT now call this region home. As a past employee of Queensland Cement and Lime at Mount Larcom and Queensland Alumina Limited at Gladstone, and now the Stanwell Power Station Site Environmental Chemist, I would like to hear from other past graduates who now live in the Central Queensland area. As President of the QUT Science Alumni, I would also welcome any information that you like to share

with other Alumni members. I can be contacted on (079) 349 300.

For those in the Central Queensland area, you can now ac- cess information on just about everything. The University of Central Queensland has launched Info-Serve which provides busi- ness, industry, government and in- dividuals with all the information they need at low cost. For further information, contact Mrs Appleton on (079) 360 481.

. . . . . . . . . . .

biological, chemical, geological, mathematical and physical sciences.

If you are an employer, or there is a vacant position at your workplace, consider the advantages of using the QUT Science Alumni Newsletter to help fill that position. Forward details to the Science Alumni Editor,

97

Palm Avenue, Shorncliffe, Brisbane 4017.

Conversely, if you are a student, consultant, or seeking alternative employment, consider using our newsletter to advertise to potential employers. Be sure to supply contact information and state if you do not want your name published.

Asbestos

breakthrough

"Safety in Australia" has reported that medical researchers in Western Australia, headed by respiratory ex- pert Dr Bill Musk, have launched a radical treatment program in which Vitamin A is hoped to prevent cancer in former workers at Wittenoom blue asbestos mine.

If successful, the progress will have national and international sig- nificance for the treatment of people at high risk of developing cancer, especially asbestos-related cancer.

Membership

The QUT Science Alumni member-

ship now stands at 231. QUT Foun-

dation membership grades for mem-

bers are Life Members (31), Special

Members (116) and Annual Mem-

bers (84). Membership of the QUT

Science Alumni is free for QUT

Foundation members. To become a

member of the QUT Science Alum-

ni, contact the QUT Foundation on

(07) 223 2821.

Alumni News •

• L•l•N•K•S •

Home Economics reunion huge success

The first celebratory reunion of the Home Economics Alumni was held at Kelvin Grove Campus in Septem- ber. Although all graduates were welcome those who graduated in decade years (1930, '40 etc) were especially honoured.

The dinner was preceded by a cock- tail hour in the foyer of the Depart- ment of Human Ecology where past graduates could admire (with envy) the modern facilities available to cur- rent home economics students.

Those who graduated in 1930 must have noticed some real differences. The facilities have certainly changed from the one room facility under 'A' Block, which still exists.

Eighty-three graduates attended the reunion which will become an an- nual event with next year's dinner honouring graduates from 1931,

1941, 1951 etc.

The reunion was more than simply a fun night, it attracted a lot of new members.

The management committee is preparing a comprehensive register of graduates as a result of the response the reunion received. Fu- ture reunions are expected to put the

committee in touch with even more graduates.

The increased financial base will take the Home Economics Alumni even closer to achieving its goals.

Miss Audrey Lawrie graduated in Home Economics in 1950 and later founded the Home Economics Alumni. She was guest speaker at the recent reunion. Now retired, Miss Lawrie was most recently a schools inspector for the Depart- ment of Education.

Guest speaker, Audrey Lawrie

Home Economics Alumni objectives

The Home Economics Alumni

is

dedi- cated

to fostering the further develop-

ment of Home Economics

.

It is constantly

working towards this goa

l by planning grants and awards for

postgraduate

work, sponsoring

lec- tures, providing reunion opportunities and donating an annual resourceful gift to the Home Economics Department of QUT Kelvin Grove Campus.

Each year the Alumni gives a substan- tial

gift to the Department to benefit the

course and student training. The gift

is

purchased partly with interest from the Alumni's trust fund.

To date these gifts have included dinner

services,

dress making models, cutlery and computer software. Always of

sub- stantial value,

the 1989 gift of kitchen knives was valued at $1,000.

The Alumni

is open

to all QUT Home

Economics graduates.

For further details contact Sylvia Napier on 352 8522.

ESA Seminar Competition

The Engineering and Surveying Alumni held its inaugural Seminar Competition in August. Ap- proximately 150 people were in at- tendance to witness the high stand- ard of student presentations. The competition was close, but there can only be one overall winner. Ian Smith, a surveying student, was presented with the overall winner's prize for his presentation on "The Role of Surveying in the Future in Far North Queensland". The other three finalists were also com- mended on the high standard of their presentations.

This year's competition has set the scene for an even more successful competition next year. Enquiries may be directed to Barbara Hosegood at OUT on 223 2813.

ESA takes on more

responsibility

The Engineering and Surveying Alumni has been established for a number of years. It has progressed from the days of the humble sausage sizzle to the occasional full

a

la carte dinner, lecture evenings and seminar competitions are now well established.

This year the ESA is getting more involved in the Engineering Faculty's activities. The most recent example of this was the recent facul-

ty "Five Year Strategic Planning

Workshop". A number of members of the ESA attended this workshop and took an active role in making it a success.

The ESA is looking forward to giving even more back to OUT in future.

--- Foundation ---