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

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