Edition 2, 2010 (PDF 2.1MB) - University of the Sunshine Coast

CommunityVIEW | EXITEdition 2—2010Universityappoints newVice-Chancellor p5USC to build Olympic pool p3Research team visits China p8Engineer launches scholarship p10VIEW | EXIT

VIEW | EXIT4Tara Swansborough, Hennim Lee, Lisette Knight, Aicha Leclercq, Jemma Spinks and Ashleigh Maynard model nursing uniforms from the past.Uniforms highlight nursing historyNursing uniforms from the past 125years were paraded at the University ofthe Sunshine Coast’s annual celebration ofInternational Nurses Day on Saturday 8 May.Nursing Science students modelled morethan a dozen nursing uniforms—dating backto 1885, the Boer War, World War I and II,from the early 1900s, and throughout the1960s and 1970s—that had been made bySenior Lecturer in Nursing Dr Leonie Williams.The parade was part of USC’s “In MyDay: Celebrating International Nurses Day”event that attracted past, present andfuture nurses, and other members of thecommunity.A highlight of the event was a keynoteaddress by the Director of the UnitedKingdom’s Centre for the History of Nursingand Midwifery Dr Christine Hallett.She discussed “Containing Trauma in aworld of chaos: nursing work in the FirstWorld War”.The nursing celebration also featuredother activities, including tours of USC’sstate-of-the-art teaching facilities and videointerviews to record nurses’ memories andaspirations about nursing.USC’s Professor in Nursing Dr MargaretMcAllister said collecting and passingon stories about nursing was vital to theprofession’s future.“It’s about narrative pedagogy—the powerof story-telling to engage nursing students,”she said. “When a story is told well, you learnits lessons. And stories about nursing oftenconsider professional values and what makesnursing a fulfilling career.“If we tell our stories, we can gain a senseof how far the profession has come.”Thousands attend majorcommunity events at USCPrimary students check out the science expo.Annual expo inspiresbudding scientistsFrom extracting the DNA of peas tosolving a cattle duffing case, more than 260students from across the Coast put scienceinto practice at an expo at USC in June.Year 5 and Year 9 students testedtheir skills over two days in USC’s sciencelaboratories as part of the annual PICSEScience and Technology Expo.PICSE—the Primary Industry Centre forScience Education—is a national partnershipof universities, schools, industry andgovernment.Crowds of more than 4,000 peopleattended two major community eventshosted by the University of the SunshineCoast in early June.The 30th annual Sunshine Coast WorldEnvironment Day Festival on Sunday 6June attracted an estimated 4,500 peoplewho celebrated along the theme of “Manyspecies, one planet, one future”.This event was jointly organised bythe Sunshine Coast Environment Council,SEQ Catchments, Sunshine Coast RegionalCouncil and USC.The following two days of June saw4,000 students from across the region visitthe University campus for the 15th annualVoices on the Coast festival, held jointlyby Immanuel Lutheran College and USC.The festival featured presentations bytop authors, illustrators and performanceartists.Annemarie Van Hees and her daughter, Angie, have funat the World Environment Day Festival at USC.VIEW | EXIT

University appointsnew Vice-ChancellorThe University of the Sunshine Coast hasappointed Professor Greg Hill as its newVice-Chancellor and President.A special meeting of the USC Councilin late May approved the appointment ofProfessor Hill, who has been the University’sDeputy Vice-Chancellor since 2005.Chancellor John Dobson said theselection panel received more than 20high-quality applications for the position,with applications from as far away as GreatBritain and the United States.He said the panel was impressed byProfessor Hill’s strong vision for the future ofthe University and his commitment to USC’skey goals like sustainability, research and theeducational advancement of the region.Chancellor Dobson said he and the USCCouncil expressed complete confidence inProfessor Hill’s ability to lead USC to anexciting future in this great region.Professor Hill, whose career has includedplacements at the University of Queenslandand at Charles Darwin University, said hisappointment was a “dream come true”.“After working here for five years, I thinkI’ve become part of this institution and partof the region as well,” he said.“The opportunity to move the Universityforward is pretty exciting stuff. The growthrate in student numbers and research hasProfessor Greg Hill.been quite extraordinary. We’re the fastestgrowingcampus in the country, but we can’tafford to rest on our laurels.”Professor Hill said he plans to developfurther research concentrations at USC,particularly in areas like health andeducation which support the largest teachingprograms.He will also encourage the communityto become business partners with USC byco-investing in research, education andcommunity development.VIEW | EXITEcology a key issuefor Professor Greg HillProtecting the environment andboosting education have long beenpassions for USC’s new Vice-ChancellorProfessor Greg Hill.Professor Hill began his careeras a primary school teacher, beforecompleting a Bachelor of Arts (Honours)in Geography and his PhD in Wildlife/Statistical Ecology at the University ofQueensland (UQ).He then taught at UQ for 15 yearsand gained national recognition for histeaching innovation and technologytransfer to developing countries.He was appointed as Reader inGeographical Sciences and UQ’sDirector of the (ARC) Key Centre in LandInformation Studies. He established andmaintains research interests in remotesensing, wildlife ecology, environmentalplanning and education.In 1995, Professor Hill acceptedthe Foundation Chair in TropicalEnvironmental Science at Charles DarwinUniversity and was a Dean from 1997.At CDU, he was actively involved inthe establishment, management andgovernance of University and nationalresearch centres, and held variousgovernment appointments includingChair Northern Territory Board of Studiesand membership Kakadu National ParkResearch Advisory Committee.Professor Hill has been USC’s DeputyVice-Chancellor since 2005.5Fond farewellto foundingVice-ChancellorThe retirement of Professor Paul Thomas AMas USC’s founding Vice-Chancelloron 11 June was suitably marked asthe end of an era for the University.Community representatives andstaff members gathered at twospecial send-off events in earlyJune to thank Professor Thomas forhis work in guiding USC through itsestablishment and rapid growth overthe past 16 years.A community send-off at USC’sInnovation Centre auditorium on 4 Junewas attended by the region’s civic, business,education and community leaders, a dozenof whom made short speeches aboutProfessor Thomas’s achievements.And hundreds of University staff gatheredat the same venue on 9 June to say farewellProfessor Paul Thomas, above, enjoys a humorous speech during a farewell event.Left: USC staff line up to say goodbye to Professor Paul Thomas.to Professor Thomas and pay tribute to hisenergy, vision and leadership.Professor Thomas said his final week atUSC had been an emotional roller-coasterand he described it as a “real wrench” to letgo of the University he has led since initialplanning in 1994.USC opened as a University College in1996 with only 524 students, two buildingsand a choice of only two degrees.It gained full University status in 1999,and now has more than 7,000 students, 16buildings and more than 100 undergraduateand postgraduate study programs.VIEW | EXIT

Trio gainsHonoraryDoctoratesThe University of the Sunshine Coastrecently presented Honorary Doctorates tothree men whose distinctive careers havebeen of national significance.The honorary awards recognised the workof diplomat Richard Woolcott AC, Clean SeasTuna founder and chairman Hagen StehrAO, and renowned businessman, grazier andcompany director Tim Fairfax AM.The Honorary Doctorates were presentedat USC’s annual Graduation ceremony on9 April before a crowd of 3,000 people.Mr Woolcott, whose extensive diplomaticcareer has included carrying out specialenvoy roles for Prime Ministers Holt,Whitlam, Howard and Rudd, also deliveredthe Graduation Address.Mr Stehr was honoured for his company’sground-breaking research into producingTim Fairfax AM, Hagen Stehr AO and Richard Woolcott AC celebrate becoming HonoraryDoctors of USC.tank-bred Southern bluefin tuna in SouthAustralia.Several USC academics and studentsare still heavily involved in this importantproject.And Mr Fairfax was recognised for hisVIEW | EXITextensive business achievements and for hisstrong involvement and support of USC.He recently retired from his roles asDeputy Chancellor and Chairman of theUSC Foundation that he had held for thepast 12 years.6‘Corporate hippies’ become Senior FellowsThe “corporate hippie” owners of highlysuccessful paint, render and coating systemscompany Rockcote have become HonorarySenior Fellows of the University of theSunshine Coast.Bob and Chris Cameron were commendedat the 2010 USC Graduation Ceremony fortheir visionary and professional approachto sustainability and exemplary businessdevelopment.The couple turned their original, Yandinabasedheadquarters into a multi-milliondollarnational business—one of the mostsuccessful on the Sunshine Coast.Rockcote’s products, people and buildingshave been recognised with multiple nationaland international awards for their innovation,leadership and environmentally friendlybusiness practices.In 2009, the company was awarded anAustralian United Nations World EnvironmentDay Green Building Award and theQueensland Premier’s Award for leadership inbusiness sustainability.Bob and Chris said they were delighted toreceive the Honorary Senior Fellowships. Thecouple has ongoing links with USC’s Facultyof Business including mentoring, providingscholarships and participating in studentresearch.Professor Paul Thomas and Chancellor John Dobson congratulate USC’s newest Honorary Senior FellowsBob and Chris Cameron and Tomas Passeggi.Honour surprisesentertaining larrikinTOMAS Passeggi this year became the firstUSC graduate to gain an Honorary SeniorFellowship of the University.Professor Paul Thomas presented theaward to Mr Passeggi at the 2010 Graduationceremony to recognise his contribution to thesocial life of USC.“His wonderful sense of humour, coupledwith his mature and professional attitude,has meant that he has been invited both asa student, then a graduate, to officiate asMaster of Ceremonies for many Universityevents,” he said.Mr Passeggi, who graduated with aBachelor of Social Science (Community Work)in 2008, said he was surprised by the honour.VIEW | EXIT

Politics student earnsChancellor’s medalChancellor John Dobson chats with the 2010 Chancellor’s Medal winner Elyse Wohling.When asked her ambitions, there’s nohesitation from outstanding 22-year-oldUniversity of the Sunshine Coast graduateElyse Wohling.“I have to have my doctorate by 25,”said Elyse, who received the Chancellor’sMedal along with her combined degree inArts/Business at the 2010 USC GraduationCeremony on 9 April.The annual medal is presented toa graduate for excellence in academicperformance, University governance,community service and student welfare.Now in her fifth year at USC, the formerBeerwah State High School student is doingHonours in politics while working full-timefor the Department of Foreign Affairs andTrade (DFAT).Elyse said the award recognisedher support for the University and thecommunity in general.“USC is an amazing institution and thelecturers always encourage you to go further,to find your passion,” she said.“I wanted to help foster this campus‘family’, as well as give back to the widercommunity.”USC Chancellor John Dobson OAMsaid Elyse had made significant contributionsas a student representative on theUniversity Council, as a student ambassadorand as a member of committees such asStudent Appeals.She also was instrumental in establishingUSC’s chapter of the Golden Key InternationalHonour Society.VIEW | EXITSecond graduationceremony plannedfor late 2010Significant growth in the numbers ofgraduates from the University of theSunshine Coast has prompted USC, forthe first time, to hold two graduationceremonies a year.The University previously held onlyone annual graduation ceremony, but thenumbers of graduands and guests at themost recent ceremony in April reachedthe 3,000-person capacity of USC’sSports Stadium.USC even provided a live screening ofthe ceremony on a large screen outsidethe stadium for family and friends ofgraduates who were unable to get ticketsfor the event.The University’s inaugural secondsemester graduation ceremony is plannedfor Friday 1 October and it is expected toattract a crowd of about 1,000 graduandsand guests.That will help reduce numbers for nextyear’s first semester ceremony in April,which would have exceeded 3,000.The most recent graduation eventfeatured plenty of pomp and ceremony,including an academic procession, thepresentation of medals for outstandingacademics and students, and thepresentation of honorary awards.USC Chancellor John Dobson OAMconferred degrees and certificates ongraduands, while Australian diplomat andauthor Richard Woolcott AC delivered thegraduation address.The ceremony was a bitter-sweetoccasion for USC’s founding Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Thomas AM, asit was the final graduation he presidedover before retiring in June.7Whiz scores perfect GPANicole Ertl, 29, of Doonan has graduated from herBachelor of Science at USC with a perfect grade pointaverage (GPA) of 7.Her attention to detail in her studies, in which shemajored in Microbiology and Biotechnology, earned herthe 2010 University Medal for the highest-achievingundergraduate student across all faculties.She is now studying Honours in Aquaculture andworking part-time at USC as a laboratory assistant.Nicole also received the 2010 Faculty Medal for theFaculty of Science, Health and Education.The medal for the Faculty of Arts and Social Scienceswent to Michele Gilchrist, who gained a near-perfect GPAof 6.955 in her Bachelor of Arts degree.Samantha Lillie received the medal for the Faculty ofBusiness after achieving a GPA of 6.75 in her Bachelor ofBusiness.Faculty Deans Professor Evan Douglas, Professor Pam Dyer and Professor Rod Simpson congratulateFaculty Medal winners Samantha Lillie, Michele Gilchrist and Nicole Ertl.VIEW | EXIT

Scientist gainsclimate changeresearch fundsVIEW | EXITEmma Barton, right, watches as fish areprepared for sale in Shanghai.8Associate Professor David Lee is assessing how hardwood trees can better absorb carbon from the air.University of the Sunshine Coast plantscientist Associate Professor David Lee hassecured a $300,000 Federal Governmentgrant to assess how hardwood trees can bebetter used to combat climate change.Dr Lee is an Associate Professor ofPlant Genetics at USC and a SeniorPrincipal Research Scientist with Agri-Science Queensland in the Department ofEmployment, Economic Development andInnovation.He said he was delighted to have receivedthe grant in May from the government’sForest Industries Climate Change ResearchFund for his Forestry Adaptation andAcademic wants safer festivitiesA USC academic who is researching ways to limit crowdproblems at public events, such as New Year’s Eve celebrations,says harm reduction is vital.Counselling Lecturer Neil Mellor, pictured, recently presenteda seminar at the University based on his PhD research andevents studied over a dozen years across three states.“Celebrations need to be considered in the context ofreducing harm, not just law and order,” he said.“For example if you ban drinking alcohol in one area,dangerous drinking may move into unsupervised areas.Ambulance statistics suggest this result.”The social worker andcounsellor has been developingcollaborative strategies toaddress public health andsocial problems relatingto alcohol and druguse, gamblingand publiccelebrationssince the1980s.Sequestration Alliance (FASA) project.This large collaborative project—involvingUSC, CSIRO Plant Industries, and Agri-Science Queensland—establishes the groupas the major tropical forestry researchproviders for Australia in addressing climatechange.The project will involve assessingthe drought adaptation and carbonsequestration rates (the rates at whichtrees absorb carbon from the air) in tropicalhardwood plantations.“Tropical plantation forests haveenormous potential to combat climatechange by sequestering carbon,” Dr Lee said.Research teamcracks seafoodtrade in ChinaDodging flying fish scales whilesurveying traders preparing fresh seafoodin the cold, wet markets of Shanghai wasjust part of the challenge for a studentresearch team from the University of theSunshine Coast.“We became accustomed to the stink,even fish scales stuck in our hair, butwe were offered chowder and a chatwhile one family finished gutting andcleaning six whopping fish brought inby a customer on a bike,” said Businessstudent Emma Barton, 28.“It opened my eyes to a mesmerisingcountry and a dynamic industry I hadnever considered before. I now plan towork towards seeing our product furtherpenetrate the Asian market.”Emma, who is studying Marketingand Public Relations at USC, was one of10 students conducting on-the-groundresearch into the Aussie seafood trade atChinese markets and restaurants.Led by USC International BusinessLecturer Dr Joanne Freeman, the teamwill now report to industry on itstwo-week China trip examining exportopportunities for Australian abalone,Southern rock lobster and Pacific oysters.Dr Freeman said exporting,particularly by small to medium-sizedbusinesses, was vital to Australia’sregional locations because of its potentialto boost jobs, income, infrastructure andproduction facilities.She said the University studentsfound the international market researchboth challenging and rewarding.“Some were pleasantly surprised to betreated as equals doing real work, not asstudents on a field trip,” she said. “It addsso much value to their business degrees.”The China trip was partly fundedby the Australian Seafood CooperativeResearch Centre.VIEW | EXIT

South Africabeckons forGO studentsLions and giraffes will become familiar sights totwo University of the Sunshine Coast students asthe Sippy Downs campus establishes its first linkswith South Africa.Buderim’s Jennifer Castell, 24, and Nambour’sPatrick Walsh, 29, will be the first USC studentsto travel to the country with funding from theUniversity’s Global Opportunities (GO) Program.Jennifer, an Honours student, will leave inJuly to spend six weeks at Rhodes Universityin Grahamstown, doing research and assistingleading environmental education expert ProfessorRob O’Donoghue.Patrick will spend a month from Septemberwith South Africa National Parks at Kruger, thecountry’s biggest park and one of its most populartourist attractions.The Design student will develop website pages,posters and brochures for a native plant nurseryand promote the importance of projects aimed atregenerating environmentally degraded areas.VIEW | EXITPatrick Walsh and Jennifer Castell look forward to working in South Africa.Brad Bonning explains one of his three-wheeled vehicles to USC student Brendan Somerville.Three-wheeled treat for innovative studentsStudents at the University of theSunshine Coast enjoyed an entertainingpresentation by concept car enthusiastBrad Bonning in early May.Mr Bonning, who spent more than20 years developing his impressivethree-wheeled Bonning Roadster, wasa guest speaker for two lectures inthe subject Innovation, Creativity andEntrepreneurship.He also displayed some of his inventionson the USC campus.Innovation, Creativity andEntrepreneurship lecturer Selina Tomasichsaid Mr Bonning’s story of followinghis passion to achieve success wasinspirational.Ms Tomasich said his visit wouldencourage students to be imaginative,inventive and constructive.Accountant talliesup a dozen awardsWarana businessaccountant DonnaCreevey’s commitmentto excellenceand capacity forcalculations earnedher two top Faculty ofBusiness prizes at USCrecently.Ms Creevey, 40, ofBuderim, received the$500 CPA AustraliaPrize for the BestBusiness graduateDonna Creevey.Third Year Graduating Accounting Studentand the $500 Professional InvestmentServices Prize for the Best Third YearFinancial Planning Student in late March.The latest prizes for Ms Creevey, whomajored in Accounting and FinancialPlanning, takes her tally to 12 awardsachieved during her Bachelor of Businessstudies at USC.“It’s nice to have my academicachievements recognised, knowing my hardwork has paid off,” said the Mackay-bornmother of one who moved to the Coastfrom Bundaberg in 2001.Ms Creevey is now a senior accountantwith Save-on-Tax at Warana.VIEW | EXIT9

10Cardnoboss backsEngineeringat USCTurning 60 recently has prompted SunshineCoast civil engineer Graham Tamblyn toconsider how he can give back to an industryhe has enjoyed being part of for decades.Mr Tamblyn, the Deputy Chairman andExecutive Director of the Cardno group ofcompanies, decided to personally sponsoran annual scholarship at USC to helpinspire engineering students majoring inenvironment and water engineering.In late April, he relished the opportunityto present the $5,000 Graham TamblynScholarship in Engineering to second-yearBachelor of Civil Engineering student LiamOwen of Golden Beach.Mr Owen, 39, was one of four engineeringstudents to receive awards at the inauguralEngineering Awards Ceremony held at USC’sArt Gallery on Tuesday 27 April.The other recipients were SunshineBeach State High School graduate StephenKime of Peregian Springs (who receivedDominic Tyacke, Stephen Kime, Liam Owen and Amy Turco display their Engineering scholarships and prizes.the $5,000 Les and Mary Hall FamilyScholarship in Engineering), Amy Turco ofAlexandra Headland ($1,000 LEW MoselPrize in Engineering), and Dominic Tyacke ofCaloundra ($500 Mark and Susan BradleyPrize in Engineering).Mr Tamblyn’s work as an engineerhas seen him involved in major propertydevelopment projects at Kawana Waters,Noosa Waters, Twin Waters and PelicanWaters. He also has been heavily involvedin the Urban Development Institute ofVIEW | EXITAustralia and was the Sunshine Coast Branchpresident for six years up to 2002.“I’ve just turned 60 and am starting tothink about my retirement plans, so I wanteda way to continue making a contribution tothe world of engineering,” he said.“This scholarship is about giving backto the industry and putting greater focuson environmental and water engineeringbecause these are important to help manageany impacts of climate change and thegeneral management of the world.”Peter Hall, Trevor Harch, Professor Paul Thomas, Ken Down, Professor Brendan Burkett, Cameron Hall,and Andrew Pentland inspect plans for the Olympic pool at USC.Champions step up for pool campaignWith the construction of USC’s longadvocatedOlympic swimming pool now insight, a few members of the community areworking together to close the funding gap.About $300,000 in private donationsis needed for the budgeted $2.4 millionproject, and half of that amount has alreadybeen pledged.An ad hoc committee that includes RodForrester, Ken Down, Peter and CameronHall, Trevor Harch and Matthew Evans hasformed to spearhead the fundraising effort.All have committed to the project withtime and funds, including key in-kindconstruction support from Hall ContractingPty Ltd and Evans Harch Pty Ltd.Foundation Board Member JocelynWalker has also pledged her support.USC Foundation Board member andGeneral Manager of Hall Contracting,Cameron Hall, said he was pleased to beinvolved in the project. Hall Contractinghas pledged excavation costs for the pool,at an estimated value of $50,000.Annual appeal isan opportunityto pay tributeUSC’s annual appeal—sent out to alumniand friends of the University in May—provides an opportunity to make a gift inhonour of USC’s founding Vice-Chancellorand President Professor Paul Thomas AM.Funds will go directly to areas thatdonors choose to support, such as campusenhancement, scholarships and bursaries,research, art gallery exhibitions, orUniversity initiatives.Participating donors also will be addedto a list of individuals and organisationswho are giving in honour of a pioneer whogave so much of himself to USC.Chancellor and University FoundationChair John Dobson said making a gift toUSC was a perfect way for alumni andfriends to honour Professor Thomas’sservice to the University.Donation forms for the 2010 appealcan be downloaded from the USC websiteat , or contact theUniversity Foundation on +61 7 5430 1104for more details.VIEW | EXIT

Malaysian alumni meetingGraduate divesinto covetedcurator’s roleVIEW | EXITUSC graduates chat at the Malaysian reception.More than 65 alumni met in Kuala Lumpurfor an alumni reception in March. Thegraduates, mostly from USC’s MBA program,enjoyed the opportunity to network andbuild on the foundations for future alumniactivities, established by local coordinatorJimmy Lee (MBA 2006). The event was hostedby Professor Paul Thomas AM during his visitto Kuala Lumpur to receive the Asia-PacificChief Executive Leadership Award from theCouncil for Advancement and Support ofEducation (CASE).Upcoming alumni eventsThe 2010 Outstanding Alumni AwardsCeremony will be held at USC on Tuesday14 September from 5.30–7.30pm. This eventis an opportunity for alumni to reconnectwith USC and celebrate the achievementsof its outstanding alumni. Invitations will beemailed in late August.The Class of 2000 Reunion will be held atUSC on 30 October for those alumni whograduated in 2000. Graduates from otheryears and guests are welcome. Contact USC’sAlumni Relations Officer Anita Edmonds atalumni@usc.edu.au or Tel: +61 7 5459 4564.Update your contact detailsUSC’s Alumni Relations Office is keento ensure it has the current emailaddresses of graduates, so that theycan receive alumni e-newsletters andinvitations to events. Please contactalumni@usc.edu.au to updateyour details.Kate Willson is enjoying her new role as Curator of Fishes at UnderWater World.When Kate Willson researched thegrowth rates of moon jellyfish during herUniversity of the Sunshine Coast degree,she became hooked on the Coast’s amazingmarine ecosystem.Now the former Nambour State Highstudent has been promoted to Curator ofFishes at UnderWater World.Ms Willson, 26, of Bli Bli, has worked atthe premier Mooloolaba tourist attractionsince studying a combined degree inBusiness and Science at USC.“I’m excited by this challenge becauseI’m responsible for the daily operations andstaff within the Curatorial—Fish and Sharkdepartment,” she said.“We care for the sharks, stingrays, fish,turtles, crabs, snakes, lizards, insects—prettymuch everything except the seals andotters.“Our work includes looking after animalhusbandry needs and feeding, maintainingdisplays and water quality, diving andmeeting health requirements.”Ms Willson, who majored in Tourismand Environmental Science at USC beforegraduating in 2004, said she met curatorialstaff at UnderWater World during herresearch on the common moon jelly(Aurelia aurita) in the third year of herdegree.“I volunteered for a few weeks beforegaining a casual, multi-skilled position andI conducted further research there as partof my tourism studies,” she said.“My University degree relates perfectlyto my job: I work in a tourist attractionwhile looking after animals. It has allowedme to understand both sides of thebusiness.“The science taught me how ecosystemsoperate and how the environment is linkedto the way we live.“The business aspect helped meunderstand the tourism industry and howit relates to the environment.”11Chris works for mindshift on binge drinkingA USC graduate is using skills developed in his degreeto shift Australia’s dysfunctionaldrinking culture.Chris Raine, who graduatedin 2008 with a Bachelor ofCommunication (Public Relationsand Marketing), said he wasdelighted with the snowballingeffect of his community blog,“Hello Sunday Morning”.It has grown from an individualblog into a website (www.hellosundaymorning.com)where more than 75 people are undergoingthe program that encourages a threemonthminimum break from alcohol.Through their networks, the messagenow reaches more than 9,000 Aussies.Caloundra born-and-bred Mr Raine,a former marketing manager at a Coasttavern, discovered how to enjoy a fun,happy and full life without alcohol when heabstained for a year in 2009.He now hopes the program will helpothers achieve their personal goals andcreate a healthier relationship with alcohol.USC graduate Chris Raine — Photo by Mark Lobo PhotographyVIEW | EXIT

VIEW | EXITCoast kangaroos seek perfect match’SENDING dominant male and femalekangaroos on “blind dates” to otherpopulations across the Sunshine Coast mayhelp increase genetic diversity among themarsupials.Preliminary research by a USC sciencestudent has suggested that some residentkangaroo populations are a hop, skip and ajump away from isolation and inbreeding.It’s believed to be the first Australianstudy of the faecal microsatellite DNA ofkangaroos, which is a type of DNA used inforensic science.USC Honours student Amberlee Marker,pictured, found what appeared to be a fivefolddecrease in genetic diversity among theEastern Greys on the Sippy Downs campus.“If further research shows this is alsohappening in neighbouring populations, Irecommend moving some of the dominantkangaroos of both genders between groupsfor breeding,” Amberlee said.“They need to be ‘dating’ outside theirfamily group to be sustainable long term.However the side effects, such as socialacceptance of the new animal, are unknown.“Another option is to create more wildlifecorridors to encourage natural migration butthis would be costly, difficult to implementand time-consuming.”Amberlee said she was not surprised by theresults of her research, which compared theDNA of local roos with previous studies andwild populations in Brisbane and Charleville.Her research has attracted plenty of mediaattention and Amberlee will soon star in anepisode of Channel 10’s Totally Wild program.Gallery exhibitionsEntry to the University of the Sunshine Coast Gallery is free and the public is welcome. Gallery hoursare 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday. The Gallery is closed Sundays and public holidays.Reeds Talking, MountainsWalking: Lin Martin, andA Focus on the Invisible: MervynJefferson, 22 July–21 AugustCreative Generation: ExcellenceAwards in Visual Art andDesign—regional exhibition 201026 August–16 SeptemberThe 2010 University of theSunshine Coast Galleryexhibition program isproudly supported byCoastline BMW and theKurz family.Reeds Talking, Mountains Walking traces ajourney of spiritual discovery presented as eightchapters of 10 photograph-essays exploringnature, beauty and connection in these timesof impending ecological calamity. Lin combinesa scientific background with an artist’s eye andwriter’s ability to present her thoughts, storiesand intimate knowledge of the landscape.Mervyn Jefferson’s A Focus on the Invisibleexhibition presents a series of paintings inspiredby the effects of the weather on man-madeand organic surfaces. His work is beautiful andsurprising as he presents a different way oflooking at the actionsof nature.Image top: Lin MARTIN,mangrove flow, giclee print,35 x 50 cm, 2010, (detail).Image Below: MervynJEFFERSON, extremities,910mm x 760mm, acrylic oncanvas, 2008 (detail).The Creative Generation Excellence Awardsin Visual Art and Design recognises andpromotes excellence in senior visual artseducation throughout Queensland’s stateand non-state schools. This program hasbeen conducted annually since 1990 andhas helped raise community awarenessabout the degree of sophistication inconcepts, diversity of technical competence,and the high standard of arts educationin Queensland’s secondary schools. Thisexhibition presents the art work of seniorhigh school art students from the SunshineCoast region. The exhibition is presentedin association with the QueenslandGovernment, Department of Education andTraining.12 Degrees of Latitude—RegionalGallery & University Art Collections23 September–6 NovemberThis is a touring exhibition from Museums andGallery Services Queensland, which will be heldin association with the Caloundra Regional ArtGallery. It is the first major exhibition of workscurated solely from Queensland’s regionalgallery and university art collections. Theexhibition explores, at a State level, the cultural,social, geopolitical and other factors involvedin the emergence and growth of Queensland’sregional and public gallery collections.VIEW | EXITr e g i o n a l g a l l e r i e sA S S O C I A T I O N O F Q U E E N S L A N D