28 Aug : Vol 25, #12 - UWA News staff magazine - The University of ...

UWAnewsThe University of Western Australia ESTABLISHED 191128 AUGUST 2006 volume 25 Number 12The busy hospital operatingtheatre with surgeons, nursesand anaesthetists jostling forroom around the table maybecome a scene from thepast.Surgeonswon’t get theirhands on patientsLEFT: Neville Veitch,who had roboticsurgery on hisprostate cancer,with CTEC director,A/Professor BernardLaurence“I was out of hospital two days after surgeryand three days later I was swimming”NEVILLE VEITCH, TREATED BY THE DA VINCI SYSTEMSurgery of the future is likely tobe conducted by a medical specialistconcentrating on a computer screen,metres away from the patient on theoperating table.Robotic surgery was demonstrated toabout 40 practitioners recently at UWA’sClinical Training and Education Centre(CTEC).The da Vinci surgical system is in usein North America and Europe and thereare four da Vinci robots in hospitals in theeastern states.This was the first opportunity forWestern Australian surgeons to try theirhand at robotic surgery. Its advantages arethat it is minimally invasive and gives thesurgeon far better vision and far greaterdexterity, especially in relatively inaccessibleareas in the chest and abdomen.The surgeon works at a console whichprovides a three dimensional view of thepart of the body being operated on. It hasexceptional clarity and magnifi cation. Fourrobotic arms with jointed wrists, capableof exceeding the natural movements ofthe human hand, are controlled remotelyby the surgeon.Patients benefi t from the minimallyinvasive nature and increased precisionof the surgery which result in less postoperativepain, lower blood loss, leading toshorter recovery time, and earlier returnto normal activity than after conventionalprocedures.Neville Veitch, a farmer from MargaretRiver, told the surgeons of his experienceswith the da Vinci system. Mr Veitch wentto Adelaide, which has Australia’s onlyrobotic surgery system in a public hospital,for treatment for prostate cancer.continued on page 2

UWAnewsThe campus conservation team: (REAR) Shobha Cameron, GillianLilleyman and (FRONT) Ron Bodycoat and Robyn TaylorWhat’sworthsaving?Is there a corner of theCrawley campus thathas special significancefor you?No matter how personalthe reason is, you are invitedto submit it to the Crawley Conservation team forconsideration.At the request of the Heritage Council, the Vice-Chancellor asked the team to develop a conservation planfor the campus, which includes the Park Avenue and Nedlandssites. The plan will enable physical development of the campusin the future while, in the words of the project manager,Shobha Cameron, “safeguarding all that is precious to staff,students and members of the community.”The conservation plan team is Ron Bodycoat (heritagearchitect), Robyn Taylor (historian), Gillian Lilleyman(landscape historian) and Shobha Cameron (UWA heritageofficer).They are seeking contributions from consultants in avariety of areas, but most importantly, they want to knowwhat staff, students, alumni and community members thinkshould be conserved.“We are interested in knowing whether there areparticular buildings or places or features of buildingsand places on campus which either have great personalsignificance for you or which you feel the University shouldregard as having heritage value,” Shobha said.“We would like you to email us a brief reason why eachplace is significant or why it should be conserved.“You may assume the Hackett Buildings (Winthrop Hall,Hackett Hall and the Administration building), the SunkenGarden, Tropical Grove, Somerville Auditorium and ShentonHouse have already been assessed as having considerableheritage significance.“If you believe there are buildings or places on campuswhich have no heritage significance or are actually intrusiveand should be removed, we would also like to know yourreason,” she said.Please email Shobha with your responses: ccmpcampus@uwa.edu.au by September 30. Youremail will be acknowledged but theteam will only contact you further ifclarification is needed.Don’t miss this rare opportunityto include your personal preferencesfor consideration in the future of thecampus.continued from page 1Robot Surgery“I was out of hospital two daysafter surgery and, three days later,I was swimming,” he told surgeons.Incontinence and impotence whichare often suffered by men who haveconventional prostate surgery have notbeen a problem for Mr Veitch.“I had the surgery six months agoand there were six small incision scars. Ican only just see four of them now andthey’re fading fast,” he said.His surgeon, Peter Sutherland,says he does about five operations aweek using the robot. “I could do morebut the instruments needed are veryexpensive,” he said.“It costs about $3,500 per case forthe special instruments.”Mr Sutherland said Mr Veitch wasa good example of how much betterit is for patients to be treated with therobotic system.“It doesn’t work for all procedures,especially extensive operations,” he said.“But it is fantastic for radical surgeryin early prostate cancer. Improvedaccessibility reduces the risk ofdeveloping incontinence or impotence.”The robots have also provedsuccessful with cardiac surgery whichcan be done without painful accessthrough the breast bone.CTEC director, Adjunct ProfessorBernard Laurence, said the fasterrecovery times and shorter postoperativestays in hospital for patientsof the da Vinci system had the potentialto ease pressure on overtaxedhospitals.Mr Sutherland said the surgeonsto whom he demonstrated the systemwere very enthusiastic. “I am hopefultheir energy will continue to helpthem persuade the government ora philanthropist to get the system inWA,” he said. “I was lucky. I had a veryrich person as a patient, who wrotethe multi-million dollar cheque for meabout two years ago.”The three other robotic surgicalsystems in Australia are in privateinstitutions in Melbourne (two) andSydney.A surgeon tries out the computer consoleTHE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA • 28 august 2006

UWAnewsUWA EXPOsedAn unexpectedly glorious day set the scene foranother successful EXPO.The sun gleamed on the rain-washed campus as staff literallythrew the doors open and created a friendly welcoming feeling.Balloons bobbed everywhere and the smell of sizzling sausageswas on the air as prospective students did the rounds with theirparents and schoolmates.They attended lectures, tried their hands at different skills,found out what the Guild was all about and went home with paperbags stuffed full of information.It was clear that some young men were thinking aboutenrolling in engineering as they watched the engineering students’racing car put through its paces, with some very tricky moves andlots of noise.A smoke ring machine, made from an old compost tumbler,was another noisy attraction outside the School of Physics.Professor Alan Robson thanks all the staff who volunteeredtheir time and energy once again.THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA • 28 august 2006

4 UWAnewsVice-Chancellor’scolumnWorking LifeSurvey 2006The University of WesternAustralia’s reputation forteaching, research andoperational excellence isdue in a very large part tothe quality, commitment anddedication of our staff.This is why we continue toput great emphasis on recruitingdeveloping and retaining the highestquality staff, and supporting thedevelopment of their full potential.It’s also why I’m keen for everyonein the university to embrace a ‘onestaff, one University’ philosophythrough which we acknowledge thatwhile working within separate andoften autonomous faculties, schools,centres or administrative units, we allcontribute to, and are responsible for,the performance of the University.To get our policies right weneed to listen to our staff. We needto learn about their experiencesand we need to hear their concerns.One very positive way we do thisis through the Working Life Surveywhich is conducted every threeyears. In the past we have been ableto use the results of the surveyto understand those things whichare most important to our staffand to identify areas where weneed to do more to improve theworking environment and workingexperience.The Working Life Survey alsoallows us to compare results overtime, examine trend data acrosscomparable questions and makesome national comparisons. In thisway, the results of the Working LifeSurvey are important for the futuredevelopment of the University andthe betterment of our working life.Everyone working within theUniversity should have received acopy of the survey in recent weeks(if that’s not the case, please contactHuman Resources: Sasha Gablelish6488 3004). Our 006 survey isthe fourth since the survey wasintroduced in 1997. Over the years,we have found that the WorkingLife Survey provides the Universitywith a very valuable insight into theviews, perceptions and experiencesof UWA staff. More specifically,information from the Working LifeSurvey 006 will be used to:• help determine what needs to beimproved at UWA;• provide data on which to test thesuccess of new strategies; and• help identify issues to featurein future collective workplacebargaining.If our University is to remainat the forefront of quality in theAustralian higher education system,it is important we continue tounderstand everything we can aboutthe nature of work and the workingexperience. The Working Life Surveyalso reflects the importance thisUniversity puts on developing asupportive working environment.The survey results containa mass of useful and interestinginformation which we can all use,as individuals and within faculties,schools, centres and administrativeunits, to better understand theenvironment and to plan for change.To those who have not yetcompleted the survey, I would urgeyou to take the time to completethe questionnaire and return it toHuman Resources this week. Weneed your thoughts and advice ifwe are to continue to enrich theUniversity’s working environment.Alan RobsonVice-ChancellorSpreadingwith love,and a boardA community health educationscheme has rural Indigenouspeople talking about nutrition,lifestyle and health.Health professionals see it as a hugeleap forward for the health of Indigenouspeople in rural WA but the woman whoput it all together had to be convinced itwas worth turning into a PhD.Dr Julie Owen, the School ofPopulation Health’s fi rst Indigenous PhD,said the idea was so simple that she didn’tthink it had enough academic rigour. Butshe was encouraged by her partner andher colleagues in the School and is nowdelighted both with her results and withthe effect her work is having in areasaround Albany, Bunbury and Narrogin.The program she devised is a culturallysensitivemode of delivering cardiovascularhealth education to Indigenous Australiansin south-west towns, using lay educators ascommunity role models.“I was working as a lecturer inAboriginal literature, art and music atEdith Cowan University and wanted toget back into health work, so I applied(successfully) for a health scholarship forAboriginal people to do project-basedresearch work in UWA’s School ofPopulation Health,” Dr Owen said.“I became aware that communityhealth workers were not having muchsuccess getting the healthy heart messageacross to Indigenous people. So I askedsome of the people in Albany why theyTHE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA • 8 AUGUST 006

UWAnews 5the health messagetrustgameweren’t following the health worker’sadvice.“It turned out that they oftenfelt health workers were not trainedadequately, they didn’t like doctors, wereintimidated by nurses and were frightenedby hospitals.“Well, who do you trust? I asked.And the answer: Auntie Mary. She’s hada heart operation and leads a healthy life.She knows what to do. So I said: Can youtake me to meet Auntie Mary?”Dr Owen started a program to trainwomen who are ‘the aunties and grannies’in their town, to deliver the healthyheart message. She developed a kit witha National Heart Foundation videoand information, to be delivered with ahealthy lunch and followed by a boardgame that asked questions about whatthe participants had learned that morning.“It’s non-threatening and it makes somuch sense,” she said. “We all sit aroundtalking with our mothers and sisters andlearn so much from them because welove and trust them. It was obvious to methat these people would have an impactto those within their social network.”The lay educators are mentored bycommunity health workers, but they goout and run their ‘HeartAware’ parties(“like Tupperware parties,” said Dr Owen)on their own in someone’s home.“The message is getting throughto them and they feel that they areempowered to do something abouttheir own health and the health of theirfamilies,” she said.“In Narrogin, a group of Indigenouswomen have started a walking group.In Albany, some of the aunties realisedtheir potential and got together withthe people who run the local recreationcentre about the needs of theirgrandchildren. They want them to growup healthy.”Dr Owen said she had three childrenby the time she was 4 and found herselfthinking that there must be more to lifethan dropping off kids to sporting eventsand trying to remember if she’d taken themince out of the freezer that morning.“I was living in Adelaide when theUniversity of South Australia set up aprogram encouraging Aboriginal people totrain as teachers, around 1979. So I tookit on and got a lot of support from othermature-age students and our tutors.“I fi nished my degree and started toteach just as my youngest, Shey, startedschool. I started as a teacher and shestarted as a student, at the same schoolon the same day. Now she is in her fourthyear of a veterinary science degree.“It works because it’s aboutlifestyle, not medication, andthat can mean somethingas simple as cutting the fatoff the chops before you putthem on the barbecue!”“From a classroom teacher, I becamea health education consultant, and movedto Darwin where I fell into a job inAboriginal Health Promotion and I knewthat was what I wanted to do. Whileworking in Darwin, I did my Masters inPrimary Health Care externally throughFlinders University, then worked in fourstates of Australia.I came to WA about 10 years agoand was living in Broome working as theAboriginal Health Promotion offi cer, butmy partner returned to Perth, so I cametoo, and that’s when I started teaching atECU, but I was always looking for a wayback into health education.”Dr Julie Owen … training the‘aunties and grannies’“Professor D’Arcy Holman gave methat opportunity and he talked me intodeveloping a proposal for Indigenous layeducators that then become the topic formy PhD.”Dr Owen hopes to get funding fromthe Heart Foundation or Healthway todevelop her kit to be used all over ruralAustralia.“It can be modifi ed to spread theword about all sorts of health issues,including diabetes and men’s specifichealth problems,” she said.“The people who have learnt to beheart-aware through this program havedone so by having fun together and nowunderstand and appreciate a message thatno doctor or nurse could have been ableto deliver as effectively.“It works because it’s about lifestyle,not medication, and that can meansomething as simple as cutting the fat offthe chops before you put them on thebarbecue!”Dr Owen thanked her principalsupervisor, Associate Professor RobDonovan (now at Curtin University), andco-supervisors Professor D’Arcy Holmanand Dr Ann Larson, Director of theCombined Universities Centre for RuralHealth in Geraldton.THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA • 8 AUGUST 006

6 UWAnewsNew neighbours enjoyextendedcampusUWA Press has a big production room onsite for the fi rst time, the Confucius Institutehas a home after being in limbo for a year,and UWA Extension can run classes duringthe daytime.Together with the Australian Music Examinations Board(AMEB), these are the new tenants in the heritage-listedformer Claremont Teachers’ College.And they are all very happy campers.“It’s been like moving from a slum to a mansion,” saidAssociate Professor Terri-ann White, Director of UWAPress.“In our old premises, we were cramped, there was nopersonal space for anybody, it was noisy and we didn’t evenhave any work benches.“Now we have a fantastic big light room with hugebenches which has become a brilliant production space.“Now I feel I can really become the Director,” she said.A/Professor White said the morale of the 10 staff hadlifted when they made the move from Park Avenue toClaremont. “We’re a lot more spread out now, but we didsome team building exercises before we left to ensure thataspect doesn’t change.“Everybody works really hard here. I feel we are nowbeing properly recognised for the work we do.”The Press’s downstairs neighbours, uWa extension,are also delighted with their new premises. They have sixspacious classrooms and a big lecture theatre.“Best of all, we can now offer daytime classes, for whichthere is certainly a demand,” said UWA Extension Director,Karen Reynolds. “At the Nedlands campus, the classroomswe used at night were used by other students during the dayso were not available. And parking would always have been aproblem for daytime extension students.”Extension’s Working Life series of classes, running fromAugust to November are very popular, including programson accounting for non-accountants, effective negotiating skills,managing workplace performance, and the art of effectivemeetings. The highlight of the Spring School is a two-dayinternational seminar, Globalisation, Law and Justice, which willbe run at the University Club.Globalisation is creating major shifts in all areas of law.This seminar brings prominent thinkers from around theworld to help us understand the role of national law in aglobal society.For more information on the seminar and the latestcourses, please visit www.extension.uwa.edu.auRosslyn Feast, the state co-ordinator for the aMeB,said exams for students of piano, woodwind and stringinstruments were already under way, and that speech examswould begin this month.“We have three sound-proofed rooms for the exams andeverything is going well,” she said.Music exams are constant throughout the year fromMarch to November. The AMEB has three FTE staff.the confucius institute celebrated its fi rst birthdaywith the offi cial launch of its new home on the Claremontcampus.THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA • 8 AUGUST 006

UWAnews 7mission to marsa risky businessUWA Press publishing manager, Janine Drakeford (centre)works on a new book with production offi cersOlivier Breton and Linda MartinThe opening of the Confucius Institute’s new home.The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alan Robson, takes part in aribbon-cutting ceremony at the Claremont campusThe non-profit Institute runs Chinese language andculture classes and organises events that are relevant toChinese relations with WA in business, government andacademic areas.Institute Director Dr Gary Sigley said next year would bea signifi cant one for the Confucius Institute, as they host theirfi rst major public forum focused on the future directions ofthe WA-China relationship.“With the recent visit of Premier Wen Jiabao to Perth,the fi rst shipments of LNG from WA to China, and the likelyFree Trade Agreement with China next year, it is a vital role ofthe Confucius Institute to provide WA business, government,academic and community groups with up to date perspectiveson developments in China, and assist in providing the support,training and skills that individuals and companies will need todeepen their engagement with China,” he said.Also housed at the Claremont Campus is UWA’sFoundation Program for International Students. It is run byUWA’s partner, Study Group Australia’s Taylor’s College,through which UWA previously offered a Foundation Year forthese students.They were the fi rst UWA tenants at Claremont, startingoperations at the beginning of the academic year.Risk and perceived risk can be very different,but people’s perceptions are just asimportant as the real thing in planning forcontingencies.Sarah Joyce, a PhD candidate in the School ofPopulation Health, studied risk perception in her Honoursyear and, as a sideline to her PhD in environmental healthin WA, she is conducting a survey on the risks ordinarypeople perceive will be part of NASA’s Mars SampleReturn mission.It is likely her Australian results will be used by NASAto add to their US results from a similar study 10 yearsago.“So far, I have only surveyed people who are interestedin Mars, science and astronomy, and their perception of therisk of introducing microbes from Mars to Earth is quitelow,” Sarah said.Men and people with higher education tended to haveeven more trust in NASA than others in the fi rst surveyround.“Generally, people say they trust NASA’s technicalexpertise, but they wonder if NASA will be honest witheverything they tell us about Mars and the material theybring back,” she said.Sarah said there was a possibility that microbes fromMars could prove toxic to humans. “It could be somethinglike our blue-green algae, which are quite nutritious for fi sh,but have highly toxic properties for humans. It’s not usuallya problem because the algae do not occur in waters usedfor drinking.“NASA has acknowledged that they can’t rule outthe possibility of problems such as this one. They needinformation on risk perception so they can anticipateconcerns and work out how to deal with them before aproblem occurs,” Sarah said.So far her survey shows respondents rate health risksfrom Mars on a par with the risk from vaccines and x-raysand much lower than genetically modifi ed food.Sarah plans to survey schoolchildren and members ofthe general public to see if her fi ndings can be generalised.THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA • 8 AUGUST 006

2 3 4ourcolourful1Yellow stairwells, bright green lift lobbies and orange foyers have catapulted UWA buildingsinto the 21st centuryInside the traditional sandstone or modern pale buildings is whatcould be described as a controlled explosion of colour.Over the past few years, dazzling colours have been used tobrighten walls around the campus but as Facilities Management’spainting supervisor, Alan Falconer, says, it is not a period of wildabandon but a carefully controlled move to create some upliftingspaces for staff and students.“It started with the SIMS building,” Alan said. “It needed doingup for the SIMS (Student Information and Systems) implementationteam and, as it was going to be a temporary workplace, we wereencouraged to have a bit of fun.”Consultant project architect Eng Hock Kong chose bright, boldand vivid colours which the staff loved. “It gives everybody a bit ofa lift and was defi nitely a talking point in the beginning,” said SIMSassistant director John Murray.“We had to create some guidelines so we didn’t end up witha campus looking like a kindergarten,” Alan said. “We decided thatcolours should align, where possible with a faculty’s brand colourand that bold colours would only be used in foyers, stairwells andopen places. We wouldn’t as a rule use bright colours that could beoverwhelming in offi ces, laboratories and workshops.”An exception was made for the offi ces of the former Pro Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) Professor Belinda Probert. At herrequest, they were painted a glowing mango yellow.But other splashes of colour are in areas where they can beenjoyed by everybody. Some of the walls in the entrance to thezoology building are a dramatic green.“The idea was that green was the colour of the Faculty of Naturaland Agricultural Sciences and the colour would be the backdrop forthe faculty logo on the glass walls and doors at the entrance to thebuilding,” Alan said.Similarly, orange is the colour of the Faculty of Life and PhysicalSciences and anybody who has visited the faculty offi ce will have seenthe glow that extends down the corridor from the bright orange

5 6campusfoyer and passageway walls. There is also a contrasting wall of deepblue as a foil for the orange faculty logo.When the Study Abroad and Student Exchange offi ce needed afacelift, Manager Milly Ingate requested a startling lime green for someof the walls.“I wanted a bright happy atmosphere in here and I think it worksreally well,” she said.Next door, the Prospective Students offi ce has a mix of aubergineand rich creamy yellow walls. The Graduate School of Education hassome deep blue walls while the Education, Fine Arts and Architecturelibrary, in the same building, has pillars of bright green. The ReidLibrary has a warm but not overwhelming buttery yellow in thestairwells.“When we use strong colours, we like to use them in blockswhere they have most impact, rather than as a trim,” Alan said. “We’veopened the door a bit to using colour, but we don’t want to open thefl oodgates.”The latest room to get the colour treatment is the new EarthSciences Discovery Centre in the geology building. The colours ofdeep red and rich yellow were chosen by Jenny Bevan, the School ofEarth Science’s museum curator.“The colours give the room an earthy theme and the wavy linethat connects them echoes the wavy line in our School logo,” Jennysaid.The Discovery Centre was fi rst used by high school visitorsduring science week and during Expo. It houses a screen andprojector system that creates three-dimensional images of rockformations and ore bodies, which will fascinate visitors and helpstudents in their geology studies. A bank of computers can take userson a virtual 3D fi eld trip to the Pilbara.The Octagon Theatre is in the throes of a major renovation andAnia Badziak from FM’s planning and design team has chosen a deepmagenta, contrasted with a pale lilac to complement dark greencushions on benches in the theatre foyer.New carpets, furniture and possibly art works will complete therenovation in coming months. “ A theatre is somewhere you can userich beautiful colours without hesitation,” Ania said.81 Ania Badziak is very happy with the newcolours of the Octagon Theatre foyers2 Green walls were chosen as a backdropfor the faculty logo in the zoology building3 Mango – the choice of former Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Belinda Probert4 Faculty orange for Life and PhysicalSciences foyer5 Lime green makes students feel happy asthey study overseas travel choices6 Contrasting blue and orange in theEngineering building7 The deep blue entrance to the NanoSIMSfacility works well next to the bright orangeLife and Physical Sciences logo8 Painters Garry Brownlie and GraemeGoldspink put the fi nishing touches to theEarth Sciences Discovery Centre7

10 UWAnewsWinningpartnershipFinal year Oil and Gas Engineering students Tom Roach (REAR),Ben Morley and John Tranfield (RIGHT) make use of theresource centreResourcesfor theresourceindustryStaff and senior students in the School of Oiland Gas Engineering are benefiting from therecords of a geological consulting companywhich worked with the industry for 25 years.Cundill Meyers and Associates was dissolved in 1986 butafter a quarter of a century providing services for the oil andgas industry, the partners wanted to commemorate theiraffiliation.The company’s records were bequeathed to the Schooland they have formed the basis of a Technical ResourceCentre, purpose built to house the Cundill Meyers andAssociates collection, as well as books donated by the Societyof Petroleum Engineers, theses from past students andother texts relating to the school’s three disciplines: processengineering; petroleum engineering; and offshore engineeringand naval architecture.The creation of the new resource centre was financiallysupported by the UWA Futures Foundation for Oil and GasEducation and was opened earlier this year.Acting School Manager Amanda Hall said the centrehouses 140 theses from post-graduate students over theSchool’s first 11 years. “We often get requests from all overthe world for copies of our students’ theses. They have donesome great work,” she said.The School currently has 140 postgraduate students and160 undergraduates.UWA and the WACA – two institutionsfostering excellence – have becomepartners.The University is supporting the WA CricketAssociation’s Retravision Warriors’ 12-day pre-seasontour to India next month.It is part of a major new partnership in which theUniversity will help to financially support the premiermen’s cricket team and they, in turn, will help to promoteUWA while they are in India.Some UWA staff members, including Professor HemaSharda, who is marketing the University in India, willaccompany the Warriors on tour.Professor Hema Sharda, who is accompanying the cricketers,meets Warriors captain Justin LangerWarriors captain Justin Langer said there was nogreater challenge for a young cricketer than playing Indiain India on their spinning wickets. “It will really help ourplayers develop,” he said.“But the WACA’s trying to produce good people, notjust good cricketers, and spending time in India makesyou a much more grounded and a better person,” hesaid. “Visiting India is one of the great life and cricketexperiences.”Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alan Robson, said theUniversity would benefit from the partnership and thistour from a raised awareness of UWA in the region and“being identified with a strong and proud cricket teamthat nurtures world class players.”WACA Chief Executive Tony Dodemaide said thepartnership was a perfect fit. “We both share a similargoal of fostering international excellence,” he said.THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA • 28 august 2006

UWAnews 11All five directors of CLIMA were at thecelebration for Professor Siddique’s newposition and the Institute: AssociateProfessor Mike Ewing, Professor AlanRobson (inaugural director), AdjunctProfessor John Hamblin, Professor Siddiqueand Adjunct Professor Neil TurnerGlobal brainstormAgricultural scientists fromIran, Egypt, Pakistan and Chinaare joining their Australiancolleagues to fight the effectsof disease, drought, salinity,waterlogging and temperatureextremes on legume crops.UWA’s Centre for Legumes inMediterranean Agriculture (CLIMA) hasbeen hosting the international visitorsas they work with scientists fromUWA, CSIRO and the Department ofAgriculture and Food WA (DAFWA).Iranian researchers are poolingresources with local experts to finddrought tolerant chickpea genotypes tobenefit drought-affected areas in bothcountries.Associate Professor NasserMajnoun Hosseini from the Universityof Tehran is in WA for six months tohelp develop agronomic and geneticstrategies to increase yields duringdrought.“There is a need in both countriesfor chickpea varieties that can emergeearly, with limited soil moisture andthen withstand cold and dry winterconditions, so we are screening forsuitable genotypes under simulatedconditions in the glasshouse at CSIRO,”Professor Hosseini said.Visiting WA on an AustralianGovernment Endeavour Fellowship, DrMagdi Abdelhamid, from the NationalResearch Centre, Cairo, is working withCLIMA to improve water use efficiencyin faba beans and studying how they fixnitrogen when moisture-stressed.“Drought is extremely stressfulfor crops and understanding how theygrow at that time will allow us to definedrought resistant traits and ultimatelybreed cultivars better able to withstandstress and produce respectable yields,”Dr Abdelhamid said.Asia Gulnaz from the NuclearInstitute for Agriculture and BiologyPakistan Atomic Energy Commission,is exploring the interactions betweenwaterlogging and salinity and theireffects on legumes.Funded by the International AtomicEnergy Agency her study, using radioisotopetechniques, will help legumebreeders develop and select salt- andwaterlogging-tolerant cultivars.“Salinity and transient waterloggingare important production constraints inboth Pakistan and Australia,” she said.WA will also benefit from thegenomic research skills of Dr RuimingLin from the Chinese Academy ofAgricultural Science, Beijing.He is collaborating with UWA andDAFWA to identify a marker in lupinto create an anthracnose-resistantplant using the Microsatellite-anchoredFragment Length Polymorphisms(MFLP) technique.Developed by CLIMA, MFLP showsDNA patterns and produces geneticmarkers.Dr Lin will use the MFLP techniquehe learns in WA to develop a yellowrust-resistant wheat variety when hereturns to China.Professor Siddique has left the helmof CLIMA to take on the new Chairin Agriculture and the directorship ofthe reinvigorated UWA Institute ofAgricultureThe Minister for Agriculture andFood, Kim Chance, recently launchedthe new institute and celebrated withthe Vice-Chancellor, Professor AlanRobson and other members of theagriculture industry the appointment ofProfessor Siddique.His successor, the interim directorof CLIMA, is Adjunct Professor NeilTurner.Eric Setiadi23 July 1972 – 9 August 2006The Restaurant Managerof The University Club,Eric Setiadi died in theearly hours of August 9 ina traffic accident. He was34.Eric was a thoughtful andgentle man for whom nothingever seemed too much. He hada special awareness that allowedeverybody he encountered to feelso very special.For all his gifts, Eric has leftthe restaurant a finer place andwill be sorely missed by membersand staff alike.Our prayers are with hisfamily and friends.Management and Staff of TheUniversity Club.THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA • 28 august 2006

12 UWAnewsPush for doctors in the bushUWA and the University ofNotre Dame have pooled theirmedical school resources tocreate a joint rural medicaltraining program.It si the first time that two medicalschools in Australia have joined forcesto share expertise to create enhancedlearning opportunities for theirstudents.The UWA-Notre Dame RuralClinical School was the subject of amemorandum of understanding signedthis month. It is supported by theCommonwealth Department of Healthand Ageing’s regional health strategy.“The new School will increasethe availability and viability of ruralhealth services in the long term,” saidUWA Vice-Chancellor Professor AlanRobson.Notre Dame’s Vice-Chancellor, DrPeter Tannock, said he hoped providingmedical students with excellentrural experiences would encouragegraduates to practise in remote areas,meeting a huge need in rural Australia.UWA set up its Rural ClinicalSchool in 2002 with its headquartersin Kalgoorlie. Since then, more than90 medical students have completeda year of study in the bush at one ofeight sites. The new School will addtwo new sites, Bunbury and Narrogin,to the mix, and 25 per cent of medicalstudents in third year at Notre Dameand fifth year at UWA will spend theiryear at one of these centres next year.Vale Dr Jennifer Chappillby Professor Hans Lambers, Head, School of Plant BiologyDr Jenny Chappill joinedthe Department of Botanyin 1990, from Har vardU n i ve r s i t y a s a p l a n ttaxonomistFor her, taxonomy was alwaysfar more than identifying a plant. It isthanks to Jenny that UWA remainsthe only institution in WA, and oneof only two in Australia, still offeringcomprehensive training in formalplant taxonomy.The focus of Jenny’s researchapproach was that “withoutphylogenetic understanding, biologyis lifeless and dull, and biologicallyimpor tant information goesundetected”.Her study of the evolution oflegumes involved the analysis of morethan 300 plant features ranging fromgross morphology, through anatomyand genetics to the molecular level.Jenny’s taxonomic versatilityis evident in the work of the postgraduatestudents she has supervised.This has included groups fromthe Epacridaceae, Stylidiaceae,Sterculiaceae, Proteaceae, Cyperaceaeand, most recently, the mosses. Herwork was highly regarded in theAustralian botanical community, andher tireless, quiet dedication to theadvancement of plant systematicswas greatly admired.Jenny took care of the plantcollections in the Herbarium.Collection of specimens, coupledwith field excursions and intensivelaboratory work covering all plantgroups, gave her students muchconfidence in their knowledge ofthe southwest flora.We can but admire and marvelat Jenny’s incredible courage. Despiteher illness and the enormouspersonal challenges she has facedthese past four years, she maintainedher personal and professionalcommitments to the end, alwayswarm and generous with those whoknew her well.She had a great love of epicureandelights and greatly appreciated thegood company of intelligent people.She displayed a deep love and loyaltytowards her family and friends, and agreat passion for botany. The Schoolof Plant Biology is grateful to Jennyfor her contribution to Australianplant taxonomy.NOTICEsFriends of The University of WesternAustralia Library MeetingDna and the Law13 September 2006 7.30 for 8.00pm talkLibrary meeting room, ground floor, Reid LibraryMembers free; non-members $5.00 donationPhone enquiries: Liz Tait 6488 2356Description: DNA technology has had the biggestimpact on the legal system since fingerprints inthe early 1900s. The ability of scientists to takethe most microscopic samples from a crimescene, and then to be able to determine who leftit, has given detectives an incredibly importanttool. But this technology also uncovers caseswhere the legal system ‘got it badly wrong’. Usingreal cases from different countries, Robin Napperdiscusses the impact this remarkable technologyhas had on the legal system.About the Speaker: Robin Napper is the formerDirector of Marketing and Development at theCentre for Forensic Science at UWA. He is acareer Police Officer of 31 years’ experience,and has been involved in many hundreds ofserious crime investigations. He was seconded toAustralia in 1998 as a Detective Superintendentwith the New South Wales Police in Sydney.During his time there Robin was instrumentalin introducing DNA technology across Australia,and was a consultant for both Federal and Stategovernments. He has also advised the Singapore,Thailand and Middle East countries on theimplementation of DNA in their regions. In2001 Robin joined UWA to set up the ForensicCentre.Attention postdoctoralstudentsTeaching scholarships, valued at approximately$17,500, are available to recently-completedUWA postdoctoral candidates.A three year pilot scheme - UWA TeachingScholars Program (formerly the UWAPostdoctoral Teaching Scholarship scheme)provides for six Teaching Scholars between 2006,2007 and 2008, one in each semester. Guidelinesoutlining eligibility, funding and the applicationprocess are available on the web at http://www.teachingandlearning.uwa.edu.au/tl4/for_uwa_staff/grants_and_fundingThe deadline for submissions is Friday, 29thSeptember 2006.Postdoctoral Supervisors: Please bring this program tothe attention of postdoctoral students, or immediatepast students, who you believe are (or will be) eligibleand would benefit from the program.THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA • 28 august 2006

UWAnews 13See UniPrint for allyour printing needs• Colour Printing• Full Design Service• Digital Copying• Colour Copying• Bureau Service• Annual Reports• Brochures• Newsletters• Business Cards• Envelopes• Office Stationery• Magazines• Posters• BannersUniPrint is located on Campusin the Guild VillageCustomer Support: 6488 3624Graphic Design: 6488 8792Fax: 6488 1125Email: uniprintjobs@admin.uwa.edu.auWeb: www.uniprint.uwa.edu.au• Labels• Rubber Stamps• Badges• Student Readers• Course Notes• Lecture Notes• Conference Proceedings• Spiral Binding• Hard Case Binding• Thermal Binding• Mail Outs• Paper Supplies• Pickup and DeliveryPaper stock orders: www.paperorders.uwa.edu.aupromotion briefsBriefs provided by Elizabeth Hutchinson, Executive Officer, Promotions and TenureCommittee, Human ResourcesLECTURER TO SENIOR LECTURERDr Jie Chen School of Social and Cultural StudiesThe main focus of Dr Chen’s work has been in the field of InternationalRelations. His publishing record includes one of his books being chosen asone of the outstanding academic titles of 2003 by Choice.Dr Chen’s teaching ranges across international relations and internationalpolitics, to courses on transnational civil society, the foreign policies of Chinaand Southeast Asian countries and democracy in China.He has been influential in keeping the local and overseas Chinese communityaware of developments in the Asia-Pacific region, and has assisted thecommunity with his translation skills as an interpreter.ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR TO PROFESSORProfessor Geoff Hammond School of PsychologyProfessor Geoff Hammond’s research is in the control of reflex activity byenvironmental stimulation, and the asymmetrical function of the brain, mostparticularly in the control of hand movements.He has demonstrated innovation in teaching with an emphasis on activesmall group learning. Professor Hammond has developed undergraduateand postgraduate psychology programs for students interested in applied andprofessional career options.He has been Head of School and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Life andPhysical Sciences. He has been a member of the University’s Teaching andLearning Committee and has chaired a Committee for Human Rights (nowthe Human Research Ethics Committee) the Library Committee, and theTeaching and Learning Committee.ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR TO PROFESSORIAL FELLOWProfessor Brett Kirk School of Mechanical EngineeringProfessor Kirk’s research projects have ranged from wear particle analysis forindustrial applications to the development of an endoscope for biomedicalapplications. He has made exceptional contributions in bioengineeringand many scientific contributions in challenging multidisciplinary areas ofengineering.Professor Kirk has played an important role in the new ChemicalEngineering undergraduate program and the new Masters in EngineeringAsset Management which includes significant industry involvement andsponsorship. He is currently Head of School.School of Population Health – Summer School 2006The School of Population Health is a leading research, teaching and serviceorganisation committed to the discovery and communication of knowledgethat will influence health policies and practices. It has a reputation for astrong evidence-based approach to epidemiology, health services research,health promotion, health economics and environmental health.The School’s 2006 Summer School Programme offers convenient andflexible education opportunities for our current postgraduate students aswell as those wishing to participate in the individual short-courses.WEB ADDRESS: http://summerschool.sph.uwa.edu.auRegistration and Payment can be made online for professionaldevelopment participants onlyFor further assistance, please contact:Mrs Leandra CorichAdministration OfficerSchool of Population Health (M431)The University of Western Australia35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009Email: leandra.corich@uwa.edu.auTel: +61 8 6488 1261 Fax: +61 8 6488 1188Short-courses (units) on offer for 2006Week 1 – 20th to 24th November 2006 Ecology and Health Advanced Topics in Economic Evaluation of Health Care 2 day course in Economic Evaluation of Health Care Introduction to Data Management and Data Analysis Using SPSSWeek 2 – 27th November to 1st December 2006 Clinical Epidemiology Evidence Based Clinical Practice Fundamentals of Genetic EpidemiologyWeek 3 – 4th to 8th December 2006 Introductory Analysis of Linked Health Data Aboriginal HealthWeek 4 – 11th to 15th December 2006 Advanced Analysis of Linked Health DataPlease note: students enrolling for credit, must enrol through student administrationnot by the Summer School web process. If correct enrolment procedure is notfollowed, results will not be recorded on student’s academic records.THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA • 28 august 2006

14 UWAnewsUWA Extension Spring SchoolThe International Court of Justice and World PeaceIn their first shared visit to Perth, we are privileged to present:His Excellency Judge Christopher Weeramantry, former VicePresident of the International Court of Justice, founder of the WeeramantryInternational Centre for Peace Education and Research, member World FutureCouncil and recipient of the 2006 UNESCO Prize for Peace Education.Dr Arthur Eyffinger, former librarian of the International Court of Justice,award winning historian of the international institutions in The Hague, founderof JUDICAP international law and peace studies research and publishingcentre, and the world’s leading authority on influential Dutch jurist HugoGrotius.Enjoy an illustrated introduction to the history of the court and take a brieflook at the magnificent Peace Palace in The Hague, where the InternationalCourt of Justice sits.How effective has the court been? Has it met the hopes that were held at itsinception in 1945 under the Charter for the United Nations? How optimisticshould we be about the future of the International Court of Justice? Hear thelatest thinking from two eminent speakers.065054 Wed 7-9pm Sep 6 $39Dr Xavier AmadorForensic Science, Crime And Mental HealthDr Xavier Amador has served as forensic expert in some of the mostfamous US court cases, including the Unabomber, the Capitol Shooter, theElizabeth Smart Kidnapping, and the Twentieth Hijacker. He is the best-sellingauthor of five books and more than 100 scientific papers. He is professor ofClinical Psychology at Columbia University in New York and is a Directorof the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. Dr. Amador’s expert opinion isfrequently sought by the media in the USA and overseas, and includes CBS60 Minutes, ABC Prime Time Live, CNN, NBC Dateline, Fox News Channel,Court TV, A&E Network, Discovery Channel, BBC, PBS and the New Yorker.Dr Amador will discuss his involvement in the above cases and will share hisexpertise and insights on issues of crime, mental health and medication.Dr Amador’s tour of Australia for Schizophrenia Awareness Week issponsored by Eli Lilly Australia and promoted by the Mental Illness Fellowshipof W. Australia Inc.065250 Thu 7.30-9pm Sep 7 $20Mongolia: In the Footsteps of Ghengis KhanDavid Bellatalla, Anthropologist An opportunity to hear a detailedportrait of the modern day descendants of Genghis Khan, their history andcultural traditions, drawing on David’s unique personal archive of photographsand films recorded during 11 years of anthropological fieldwork amongMongolian nomads. The journey will include the story of a very isolatedTsaatan ethnic nomadic group who still practise their traditional lifestyle,tending their reindeers in northern Mongolia.065140 Tue 7.30-9pm Sep 5 12 19 26 Oct 3 $124From ‘Goo’ to YouHow do Children Learn Language?Daniel Midgley, Linguistics UWA By about three years of age, humanshave performed one of the most complex cognitive feats in the animalkingdom: learning a language. How do children cobble together a completelanguage from the scraps they hear in so short a time? How can we generateand understand sentences we haven’t heard before? Is language learned, or aresome aspects of language inborn?065064 Mon 6.30-8.30pm Sep 4 11 18 25 $124A Journey through Italian ContemporaryHistoryDr Fausto Butta Italians were among the last of the Europeans to gain unityand independence. This course will provide an insight into the last 150 yearsin Italy through pictures, movies, documentaries and storytelling. Explore themain events of Italian contemporary history, namely the building of a unitedcountry, the fascist dictatorship, the intervention in two world wars, the birthand development of a democratic life and the ‘Long 68’, right up to the lastpolitical elections in 2006.065062 Tue 7.30-9pm Sep 5 12 19 26 Oct 3 10 $124UWA Extension — now at the Claremont Campus6488 2433 extension@uwa.edu.auhttp://www.extension.uwa.edu.auInstitute of Advanced StudiesAugust-September eventsMoney and PoliticsWhat role do donations to political parties and candidates play in ourdemocratic system? Do we have a system of differential representationfor those with and without significant financial resources? Will theproposed public funding of candidates electoral expenses in WesternAustralia address this issue, or are other reforms required?These questions and more will be investigated by a panel including politicalscientists and Members of Parliament.Monday 28 August at 6.15pmSocial Sciences Lecture Theatre, UWA (free)Poetry reading by Melbourne poetMichael FarrellMichael Farrell’s first book ode ode was shortlisted for The Age Poetry Book ofthe Year award. He is researching the poetics of recycling and has just publisheda book of cartoon poems BREAK ME OUCHThursday 7 September at 5.30pmOld Senate Room, the Institute of Advanced Studies, UWA (free)JOSEPH GENTILLI MEMORIAL LECTURENATURE CONSERVATIONThe role of Refugia in Biotic NatureConservationJamie Kirkpatrick is Professor in the School of Geography and EnvironmentalStudies at the University of Tasmania and Vice- President of the Instituteof Australian Geographers. His main loves are alpine, grassy, coastal andgarden ecosystems, nature conservation and understanding the politics ofenvironment. He has been recognized by several national awards and prizesfor his work developing methods for planning reserves and his contribution toforest conservation and world heritage matters.Monday 11 September at 6pmUniversity Club Theatre Auditorium (free)Contested Nature in the British countrysidefrom the nineteenth centuryto the present dayDr Robert A. Lambert, Business School (TTRI) School of HistoryUniversity of Nottingham and Fred Alexander Fellow 2006This lecture seeks to explore the idea of ‘contested nature’ in the Britishcountryside over the late nineteenth and the twentieth century. It will use keycase studies of British species and landscapes to illuminate the often complexand changing relationship between nature and people, both in the past andpresent. The lecture will be principally historical and geographical.Tuesday 12 September at 6pmGeography Lecture Theatre 1, UWA (free)Enquiries: (08) 6488 1340 orias@admin.uwa.edu.au; www.ias.uwa.edu.auTHE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIAinvites all graduates and other members of Convocation to attend theSECOND ORDINARY MEETING ofConvocation, the UWA Graduates Associationwhich will be held onFriday 15 September 2006at 6.30pm for 7.00pm startin the Lawrence Wilson Art GalleryThe Guest Speaker, Professor George Stewart, DeanFaculty of Life and Physical SciencesWill deliver the Occasional Address :“Beggars’ Chicken, Long Jin Tea and Mao-tai –—the ups and downs of workingfor UWA in China”If you will be attending we advise you to ensure that you are warmlydressed, as it can be quite cool in the Gallery due to the need to maintain aconstant temperature for the collection.Also, should you require assistance with accessing the Gallery, please call theConvocation Officer, Ms Juanita Perez Scott, on 6488 3006.THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA • 28 august 2006

UWAnews 15RESEARCH grants & contractsSTAFF ADSClassified advertising is free to all university staff.Email: staffads@uwa.edu.auAINSE RESEARCH TRAININGDr Robert Woodward, A/ProfTimothy St Pierre, Dr ElliotGilbert, Prof Judy Riffle, ProfColin Raston, Physics, Biomedical,Biomolecular and ChemicalSciences, External: ‘Characterisationof Nanoparticles Produced usingDifferent Production Techniques’—$18,790 (2006)AION DIAGNOSTICSDr Charles Musca, Prof LorenzoFaraone, Electrical, Electronicand Computer Engineering: ‘AionDiagnostics Contract’—$14,133(2006)AUSTRALIAN RESEARCHCOUNCIL LINKAGEINTERNATIONALA/Prof Timothy St Pierre, DrRobert Woodward, Dr MartinSaunders, Physics, Centre forMicroscopy and Microanalysis:‘Materials World Network forthe Study of MacromolecularFerrofluids’—$150,000 (2006-08)AUSTRALIAN RESEARCHCOUNCIL: DISCOVERYPROJECTSDr Richard Merifield, Dr ALyamin, Centre for OffshoreFoundation Systems, External:‘Rigorous Three DimensionalPlasticity Solutions for Soil and RockSlopes’—$82,875 (2006)AUSTRALIAN WOOLINNOVATION LIMITEDDr D Revell, Centre for Plant BasedManagement of Dryland Salinity,Faculty of Natural and AgriculturalSciences: ‘Enrich - Multipurpose‘Healthy’ Grazing Systems UsingPerennial Shrubs’—$150,000 (2006-09)BHP BILLITON IRON OREPTY LTDProf Peter Davies, Centre ofExcellence in Natural ResourceManagement, Faculty of Natural andAgricultural Sciences: ‘VegetationValues and Cultural Issues Associatedwith Freshwater Refugia in thePilbara’—$28,355 (2006)CARL ZEISS NTS GmbHA / P ro f B re n d a n G r i f f i n ,Centre for Microscopy andMicroanalysis: ‘Investigation of theGas Luminescence and SecondaryElectron Detection in a Zeiss 1555Variable Pressure Scanning ElectronMicroscope’—$25,267 (2006)DEFENCE SCIENCEAND TECHNOLOGYORGANISATIONA/Prof Thomas Kirk, MechanicalEngineering: ‘Condition-basedMaintenance Data Management forANZAC Class Systems II’—$93,367(2006)DEPARTMENT OFCONSUMER ANDEMPLOYMENT PROTECTION(WA)Dr Patricia Todd, A/Prof JoanEveline, Economics and Commerce:‘Analysis of the Implementationof Work/Life Policies in theDepartment of Industry andResources, Western Australia,Utilising a ‘Whole-of-Workplace’Framework’—$17,000 (2006)DEPARTMENT OFEDUCATION AND TRAININGWAMr Roger Dickinson, Faculty ofLife and Physical Sciences: ‘The SPICEProgram’—$1,425,000 (2006-08)DEPARTMENT OFIMMIGRATION ANDMULTICULTURAL AFFAIRSA/Prof Samina Yasmeen, Socialand Cultural Studies: ‘UnderstandingMuslim Australian Identities’—$140,000 (2006)DEPARTMENT OFTRANSPORT ANDREGIONAL SERVICESDr Matthew Tonts, Dr Julia Fry,Earth and Geographical Sciences: ‘AnAnalysis of Skilled Labour Shortagesin the Great Southern Region’—$21,224 (2006)DEST ISL FAST (French-Australian Science& TechnologyProgramme)A/Prof Michael Tobar, Physics:‘Investigation of FrequencyStandards: From Microwave toOptical’—$15,000 (2006-09)FOREST PRODUCTSCOMMISSIONMr John Beale, Architecture,Landscape and Visual Arts: ‘UWAFPC Joint Venture’—$389,897(2006-07)Geoscience B CDr Craig Hart, Centre forExploration Targeting, Earth andGeographical Sciences: ‘Metallogenyand Geochronology of the Bralorne-Bridge River Gold District’—$41,950 (2006)GOVERNMENT OFTHAILANDProf Richard Weller, Architecture,Landscape and Visual Arts: ‘TsunamiMuseum and Memorial InternationalDesign Competition’—$34,777(2006)GRACEDALE HOLDINGS PTYLTDMr Marco Vittino, Architecture,Landscape and Visual Arts: ‘DesignResearch and Proposal for aGravity Fed Wine Making Facility atGracedale Hills’—$20,900 (2006)HASSALL ANDASSOCIATIONINTERNATIONAL ex CARDDr Steven Schilizzi, Dr Le Xan,Dr Nguyen Xuan, Agriculturaland Resource Economics, External:‘Technical and Economic Feasibilityof Applying the Better ManagementPractices (BMP) to HousholdAquaculture in Vietnam’—$292,043,(2006-08)WANTEDACCOMMODATION/HOUSE-SITTING: Mature, responsible UWAStaff Member seeks 1 or 2 bedhouse/unit in Perth area for shortterm rent / housesit from beginningSeptember to end of December.Non smoking couple, no pets,housesitting experience (referencesavailable). Willing to look after petsin a housesit (partner at home allday). Contact Sebastian Malcolm onsmalcolm@admin.uwa.edu or 64887306.CALCULATOR: HP Calculatorwanted: HP42s, HP15c, HP11c,HP41c or similar scientific RPNmodel only. My calculator has beenlost and I need a replacementurgently, will pay any reasonable cost.Other similar models considered.Please ring or sms 0413 333 892 orrangerwayne@yahoo.comACCOMMODATION: Sydney familyseeks fully furnished accommodationfrom 16th December 2006 to 14thJanuary 2007. Preference westernsuburbs, 3-4 bedrooms, 1-2bathrooms plus air conditioning andswimming pool if possible. Pleasecontact Steve Felsher at steve@physio4all.com.au or 02 9922 2212or 0421 063 587.ACCOMMODATION: Visitingpaediatric physician requiresaccommodation (self-contained,fully furnished, 2-3 bedroom houseor unit) for 3-4 months. Close toPrincess Margaret Hospital. Caraccommodation required. Email:Mark.Patrick@health.wa.gov.au orphone 0438 004 305.FOR RENTSOUTH PERTH: Luxury fullyfurnished3-bedroom 1st floorapartment in the “Belltower” (60Mill Point Road - on the peninsula).Two bathrooms (ensuite has largespa). Internal area 114 sq.m, plus 3under-cover balconies (36, 5 and 5sq.m). Includes 2 secure parking bays.Complex is fully secure, and includesswimming pool and gym. Apartmentoverlooks swimming pool area. Shortwalk to Mendes Street shopping areaand ferry to the city. Rent $690 perweek, minimum 6 month lease, butlong-term lease available. Availablefrom mid-September. For furtherdetails phone 6488 3519, or 93643886.NEDLANDS: Bedroom and studyin art deco styled ground floor unitwith lock up garage, courtyard. Closeto UWA, shops, public transport.Share with 26 year old female. $80per week plus expenses, bond.Female preferred, students ok, butno party animals please! Availablenow. Contact Zoe on 0429 109 821or email: zozzabeth@bigpond.comNedlands: Three bedroomtownhouse in a small complex inNedlands available for rent fromOctober 15, 2006. Close to KingsPark, UWA and Charles GardnerHospital. Telephone 0401 807 444 oremail: sravi@cyllene.uwa.edu.au.Wembley Downs: Do you havea visitor coming to the Universityand need to find accommodation?Rooms for rent are available andwould suit visiting academics orstudents. Includes all amenities,fully furnished, ADSL remote andethernet connections. Close tobeach, public transport and largepark (Butlers reserve). $120 perweek. Available for any time periodbetween now and until the end ofthe year. Contact: Michael Tobar Ext3443 or mike@physics.uwa.edu.auBUSSELTON: “Driftwood Cottage”.New holiday house right in town.Only 250m to the beach or towncentre, but quiet and secluded underbig peppermint trees. Sleeps 8, withbig spa in main bedroom, and fullyself contained. Only need to bringlinen. Contact Nick Gibson on0413 622 269 or Tel: 9305 9059 orngibson@cyllene.uwa.edu.au and askfor a brochure.NANNUP: Holiday rental property.Beautiful secluded house set on6 acres. Sleeps 7/8. Fully fittedthroughout to a high standard.Contact Nicky Davison on Ext4671, 9380 6508 or nicky.davison@uwa.edu.au. Also see website www.kanjarralodge.com.auFRENCH PYRENEES: Holidayrental property. Characteristicrental property in the small Frenchvillage of Rodes at the foothills ofthe French Pyrenees. 40 minutesfrom Perpignan and 2.5 hours fromBarcelona. Sleeps 7. Fully fittedthroughout. Contact Nicky Davisonon Ext 4671, 9380 6508 or nicky.davison@uwa.edu.au. Also seewebsite http://www.eyeinthesky.com.au/voletsbleus.htmlProperty ExchangeRetired University academic withapartments in England and Spainwould be very interested in a homeexchange. Property in North Westof England is in the South Lakesdistrict. The Spanish property issituated in a village in the hills closeto Alicante. Property in or aroundPerth is preferred and most suitabledates would be late November2006 to late April 2007, althoughother reasonably close dates couldbe possible. Contact through SandyGordon ext 2375 or sandy.gordon@uwa.edu.au or directly to Dr. RMalcolm Reid RMR@talktalk.net2222That’s the number to callin an emergency.Whether you need the police, anambulance or the fire brigade, it isquicker and more efficient to callour internal emergency number,2222Then security staff can direct theemergency services to the appropriateentrance to the University and makeany provisions necessary for them.THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA • 28 august 2006

16 UWAnewsTHELast WordBruce thompsonDirector, Facilities ManagementThe physical demands of a small cityTennis player, cyclist, hockey coach, father,husband and Director of Facilities Management:the work of our department, like my life, coversa multitude of areas.In many ways it covers anything to do with the physicalenvironment of the campus, which is similar to running asmall city.The physical demands are much the same: planning anddevelopment, building projects, maintenance, environmentalissues, security and parking, control of the central plant, careof the grounds, property management and more.These days we are very conscious of being sustainable inall our work practices. There is a terrifi c opportunity in theoverall management of the campus to run a whole series ofservices strategically such as effective use of energy, and totake this into account in everything we do, from the planningof a new building, its construction, its potential effect onpeople, traffi c and the environment of the campus, to themaintaining of the building, its air-conditioning, its cleaning,everything that is at the interface of people and buildings orother amenities.FM is also responsible for campus planning and propertymanagement and development.UWA currently has some exciting joint ventureopportunities with the State Government, such as Sunset(depending on whether the Bill is passed in Parliament thatwill allow us to develop it) and the Sports Park at McGillivrayOval as well as the development of a strong researchpresence in what could become world class health campusesat QE II and Fiona Stanley hospitals.In this sense FM contributes to meeting the vision ofUWA attaining a world ranking in the top 50 universitieswithin 50 years time.I really enjoy collaborating with a diverse range of peopleand skill sets to make things happen.This is one of the pleasures of working in a universityenvironment with people engaged in a rich range ofendeavours.My work echoes my life in some ways, with engagementin many areas. Recently I have been roped into hockey againas the onfi eld coach for the Uni 9s, my son’s team. He hasrecently taken a liking to the sport and loves scoring goals.I get quite a buzz working with the kids and helping themthrough their matches.I have become quite passionate abort cycling and investedin one of those lightweight carbon numbers which is apleasure to ride, and a quick spin around the rivers on theweekend is a great way to clear out the cobwebs.My enthusiasm for that side of my life spills over into myrole at the University. I have now been in the role as directorof Facilities Management for 10 months. It has been a terrifi cexperience and I have valued the support from the broad anddiverse FM team. I am very pleased that more people aroundthe campus are talking to us a lot more about future buildingneeds and how we could assist with other services in FM.It has also been a tremendous experience to be involvedin our new chemistry building, the University Club and thestart of construction of the New Business School.Other projects which have been different and fascinatingare the acquisition of UWA Claremont and the potentialacquirement of the Sunset site.Last but not least has been development of a new plan forour Sports Park in partnership with the State Government. Atthe end of this process, UWA will have access to one of thebest integrated sports precincts in Australia.Like the majority of staff, students and visitors to ourcampus, I get a great deal of pleasure from our beautifulgrounds, another area which comes under the wings ofFacilities Management. It is most satisfying to contribute to anenvironment which is regularly endorsed by University staff inthe Working life Surveys, and cited in tourism documentariesand magazines around the world.UWAnewsEDITOR/WRITER Lindy Brophy Tel: 6488 436 Fax: 6488 119Email: lindy.brophy@uwa.edu.auEDITOR-IN-CHIEF Colin Campbell-Fraser Tel: 6488 889 Fax: 6488 100Designed, typeset and printed by UniPrint, UWAUWAnews online: http://uwanews.publishing.uwa.edu.au/UniPrint 47341THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA • 8 AUGUST 006