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Dr BotellaGreen light for newplant technologyBin briefBrilliant green turf allyear round, needingless maintenance andmowing, could soon beavailable through newtechnology beingdeveloped at UQ.UQ Associate Professor JimmyBotella hopes to develop newturf varieties based on his discoveryof a common plant gene that can be“switched-on” to make a plant greeneras well as produce more flowers.This technology and two othersdiscovered by Dr Botella and his UQteam have been patented andpackaged into a deal valued at $3.26million, by UniQuest Pty Ltd, UQ’smain technology commercialisationcompany.UniQuest has licensed the technologyto Origo Bio Biotech, whichin turn has contracted AssociateProfessor Botella to develop newplant cultivars, including turf, withunique growth habits.Origo Biotech, backed by OrigoInvestments Pty Ltd, is an Australiancompany majority owned by SpanishinvestorsUniQuest Innovation and Comm-ercial Development manager AndrewCecil said the new turf cultivar wouldbe ideal for golf courses.“We intend for this new grass tobe lush, slow-growing and require lessfrequent mowing and fertilising thanexisting cultivars,” Mr Cecil said.“Other new products will includeunique varieties of flowering plantsfor potted colour and a cultivar ofpapaya that is slow to ripen.“ Also, the technologies could beapplied to substantially increase theproduction of important crops likerice.”UniQuest Managing Director,David Henderson, said he was delightedthat Origo had recognised thepotential of the technologies developedat UQ.“Professor Botella is renowned asan expert in his field. Origo’s investmentprovides a great opportunity torealise a commercial return fromthese promising technologies,” MrHenderson said.Origo Biotech will begin theresearch and development programearly this year.’.........new products willinclude unique varieties’of flowering plantsGottschalk MedalThe Australian Academy ofScience has awarded AssociateProfessor Melissa Little from UQ’sInstitute for Molecular Bioscience(IMB) the prestigious GottschalkMedal for medical sciences.The award recognises herwork to understand the complexgenetic messages controllingkidney development and how thismay be applied to prevent or curechronic renal failure.It was the second time anIMB researcher has received theMedal, the first being Deputy-Director (Research), ProfessorBrandon Wainwright.Pharmacy awardsNine students from UQ’s Schoolof Pharmacy have won PharmaceuticalDefence Limited prizesfor academic excellence.The on-course honoursstudents were awarded the prizesfor receiving a grade point averageof at least 6.44 for their third year ofundergraduate studies. They eachreceived a cash prize of $1200 anda further $1000 contributiontowards their research projects.The successful students wereHung Tran, Mathew Yeung, JodieBrown, Claire Vickers, RachelHsu, Andrea Lennie, Susan Hua,Khiem Tran and Sherry Wu.Child health studyFindings from one of the world’smajor longitudinal health studies,run by UQ and the Mater Hospitalin Brisbane show a child’s longtermhealth by the time they are14 may be affected by the socialand economic characteristics oftheir family.Professor Jake Najman, fromUQ’s Schools of Social Sciencesand Population Health, who headsthe study, said the new researchshowed that by age 14 somechildren from disadvantagedsocio-economic backgrounds hadalready had the basis of theirfuture health compromised.Business leadershipUQ Business School PhD studentMarie Dasborough has beenawarded the 2003 Kenneth EClark Student Research Award forbest student paper in leadershipby the Centre for CreativeLeadership in the United States.Ms Dasborough’s paper,Cognitive asymmetry in employeeaffective reactions to leadershipbehaviours, presented a theory thatleaders’ behaviours were importantsources of positive and negativeemotional responses in employees.She will receive $1500 andtravel to the Centre to present herpaper at a colloquium this year.8 UQ NEWS, february 2004

Trail of destructionThe Great Court at the University’s St Lucia campus took thefull brunt of a wild storm that lashed Brisbane on January 30.Two school children were struckby a falling tree during apowerful storm that hit UQ’s StLucia campus on January 30.The children, part of a studygroup from South Korea, werestruck by a tree in the Great Courtduring the storm and were taken tohospital to receive treatment fortheir injuries.One of the girls was releasedshortly after and the second, whosustained extensive injuries,remains in hospital in a stablecondition.Six of the trees brought downUQ NEWS, february 2004were in the Great Court. The Bureauof Meteorology reported that windsin Brisbane during the storm rangedfrom 80 kmh up to 120 kmh.Groundskeepers were called outto clean-up debris as soon as thestorm had passed. A cherry pickerwas also brought in from the Gattoncampus to help clear hazardous treebranches.UQ Property and FacilitiesDirector Alasdair McClintock saidalthough many trees were broughtdown across campus, propertydamage was minimal.“No buildings had major hits,and there were no major leaks ordisasters other than those two poorchildren,” Mr McClintock said.A School of Journalism andCommunications building; GlasshouseII; the Goddard Building; andthe Richards Building all sufferedminor damage.Falling trees brought down powerlines in Walcott and Rock Streets,damaged a number of cars, andServices Road was blocked by a fallentree.Flags from the Forgan SmithTower were blown off their flagpolesinto the Great Court.The Great Court afterthe storm. PHOTO:Shawn AshkanasySearch forjobs getssimplerA UQ-specific online employmentservice enabling students tosearch for jobs within their field ofstudy will be launched later thismonth.The new service, calledCareerHub, will be similar to popularemployment sites such as Seek andCareerone.However, it will specifically focuson facilitating a connection betweenUQ students and prospectiveemployers.The site is based on softwareoriginally developed by a formergraduate employment officer atGriffith University and is now usedby 21 universities in Australia andNew Zealand.Student Support Services (SSS)graduate employment coordinatorMark Krost, who has coordinated theproject, said CareerHub would allowSSS to provide a more efficientemployment service to students.“Currently we have to put all ofour employment information on theInternet manually,” he said.“This requires a lot of administrationwork and often there is crossduplicationof information with thefaculties.“This new system will get rid ofmost of this, because it is a dynamicdatabase where employers can updatetheir own information and facultieswill be able to link all of theirinformation to one place.”SSS has been working directlywith the faculties to develop the newwebsite .It will include a number offeatures students have come to expectfrom online employment services.Registered students can receiveweekly email updates about jobswithin their field of study, as well asinformation on upcoming careerrelatedevents at the University.As well as employment information,the site will also advertise workexperience, vocational work andindustry placements.Mr Krost said the best way forstudents to ensure the website reachesits full potential was by ensuring theytook the time to register.He said the website was on targetfor release in mid to late February“If all goes to plan we intend tohave this site up by O-Week,” MrKrost said.9

Academic appraisalof Helpmann’s lifeFrom left: Christopher Pate, Jonathon Hardy and Sir Robert in Michael Pate's The Mango Tree.PHOTO: courtesy Dr BemroseAlthough Sir Robert Helpmannwas one of this country’s mostfamous international performers,his work in Australia has receivedlittle academic attention.This has changed thanks to UQPhD scholar Dr Anna Bemrose, whorecently completed her thesis AServant of Art: Robert Helpmann inAustralia.As well as researching private andpublic collections, Dr Bemrose interviewedmany of Helpmann’s professionalcollaborators in Australia andoverseas.These included Michael Paton,Garth Welch, Richard Bonynge, PeterSculthorpe, Dame Alicia Markovaand the late Dame Ninette de Valois.Dr Bemrose said while there wasinformation on Sir Robert’s workduring his time overseas, little had beendone on his life before and after histriumphant return.“Most people seem to think that hewent to England and that was whereDr Bemrosehe learnt his craft, but even before heleft Australia he had explored mostaspects of the arts,” she said.“He had been involved inexperimental theatre in Adelaide andhad already choreographed his firstballet.“While Helpmann’s artisticversatility led him to explore manyareas of the arts, it was initially balletthat drew him back to Australia towork with the Australian Ballet,which he showcased to the world.”ADVERTISEMENT10 UQ NEWS, february 2004

Bridging thescience gapMore than 180 high school students fromQueensland and New South Walesconverged on UQ in January to discoverthe wonders of science and technology.UQ has played host to the SiemensScienceExperience – a fun threedays of hands-on science activities forstudents starting Year 10.During the event, which ran fromJanuary 20 to 22, participants visitedmine-sites and museums and tookpart in various laboratory workshopsconducted by some of UQ’s leadingscientific minds.UQ Director of The Siemens ScienceExperience Dr Adrian Bradleysaid the university environmentprovided experiences not normallyavailable in schools.“Often the bridge between schooland university is a large one to cross.The Siemens Science Experiencedemystifies university and givesstudents a hands-on opportunity tolearn from various experts and findout what careers are available withinthe scientific field,” Dr Bradley said.Workshops covered areas includinganatomy, physics, engineering, mathematics,entomology and robotics.Students were challenged to build amicroscope using nothing more thancommon household materials.Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Internationaland Development) ProfessorTrevor Grigg delivered the welcomeaddress at the opening ceremony onJanuary 20 at the Steele LectureTheatre.Executive Dean of the Faculty ofBiological and Chemical Sciences(BACS) Professor Mick McManusand the Director of Studies for BACSProfessor Susan Hamilton alsoattended the ceremony.Professor Hamilton delivered anaddress of encouragement to Queensland’sfuture scientists during theclosing ceremony at the UQ Centreon January 22.About 400 students attending TheSiemens Science Experience hostedSiemens Science Experience participantsby Griffith University and QueenslandUniversity of Technology joinedthe UQ participants for the closingceremony.During the ceremony, The NationalScience and Technology Centre,Questacon presented their Smart Movesshow that highlighted significantAustralian innovations and inventions.The Siemens Science Experiencewas introduced in Melbourne in 1990and is currently operated by 34universities throughout Australia.The event was supported byRotary and Queensland Rotariansplayed an active role hosting and supervisingstudents. Program sponsorsincluded Education Queensland andthe Department of Innovation andInformation Economy.EPSA held two other eventsduring January designed to givebudding engineers and scientists anacademic head start.The 2004 Australian StudentMineral Venture from January 10-22allowed students to visit mine-sitesand research centres while the FutureEngineers Australia ManagementProject from January 12-16 taughtstudents team-building, problemsolvingand time-management skills.’....................The SiemensScience Experiencedemystifies universityand gives students ahands-on opportunityto learn from’various expertsAbalone and humans relatively closeAn abaloneUQ NEWS, february 2004We may be at different ends of thefood chain but a UQ researcherhas drawn a link between abaloneand humans.Dr Liz O’Brien, who studied partsof the genetic code of the tropicalabalone for her PhD thesis, foundhumans and abalone shared genes thatwere also active in the brain andsensory system.“When we analyse DNA code wefind incredible genetic similaritybetween very different animals,” DrO’Brien said.“Some genes are so well-suited tothe roles they play they have remainedunchanged despite millions of yearsof evolution.”She said conservation of suchgene code and expression in animalsthat had evolved independently formillions of years also indicated anessential function for these genes.“They are so well-suited to the rolethey play that they have not beenaltered for millennia,” she said.“It’s amazing to think about howpowerful evolution can be. A commonstarting point gave rise to animals ascomplex and as different as abaloneand humans.”Dr O’Brien said her work was veryeasy to get excited about.“The discovery of these genes andtheir proposed function adds another bitto the puzzle and reaffirms that at onetime we all had a common ancestor.”11

orientation week 2004Student lifestarts with funand fact-finding12 UQ NEWS, february 2004

Orientation helps new students get to know each other,find out about UQ services and facilities and exploreUniversity life and culture.MY.UQ FOR YOUby Chris Saxby. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Orientation can be a dauntingtime for many students new touniversity life. The UQ OrientationWeek from February 23 to 27 hopesto make the experience easier byproviding information sessions, tours,and social activities.UQ Student Centre ActingManager Sherrie Hoang said this year,for the first time, the orientationprocess would be split into Pre-Orientation, Orientation Week andRecovery Week.“It’s designed to give students timeto adapt to university life while theylearn about the facilities and serviceson offer and get to know otherstudents,” Ms Hoang said.The UQ Union’s biggest event ofthe year, the St Lucia campus MarketDay, will take place on Wednesday,February 25 where students can graba free showbag and diary and sign upwith any of 140 clubs or societies. TheIpswich and Gatton campuses willeach hold a Market Day on Thursday,February 26.2002 UQ Master of Philosophygraduate Aimée Heuzenroeder, whowas recently awarded a $150,000General Sir John Monash Scholarshipto study at the University of Cambridge,remembers her orientationexperience well.“Whether you’re new to Brisbaneor just new to the University you haveto be prepared to ask questions, evenones that seem silly,” she said.“Let people know when you needa bit of help, be it with your course orfinding work or accommodation.You’ll be surprised how willingpeople are to lend a hand and it’sinvaluable to develop a supportnetwork.”An important part of orientationwill be the social activities that allowstudents to relax.The highlight of these will be theUQ Union’s Big Gig concert at the StLucia campus on Friday, February 27.Acts will include Pete Murray, SomaRosa, Hilltop Hoods and Kid KayFerris.UQ Ipswich will hold a Parents’,Partners’, Friends’ and Students BBQon Thursday, February 26. This willbe followed by a welcome from UQ’sDeputy Vice-Chancellor (Internationaland Development) Professor TrevorGrigg.UQ Gatton students can sign upfor on-campus accommodation onThursday, February 26. The sameevening, the UQ Gatton Studentassociation will host the Boxers,Boots and Hats free dance at theCampus Club from 8pm.A free UQ Orientation Guide hasbeen produced with informationabout all activities, includingacademic advisory sessions andLibrary/Cybrary services. Studentsattending Library/Cybrary tourssessions will receive a free coffee orice cream.“A library tour was an essentialpart of the orientation experience; Ican’t recommend that highly enough,”Ms Heuzenroeder said.“If you become familiar with thelibrary services right from the beginningthen you have a head-startand you also know who to approachwith tricky questions when theyarise.”’Students can find out aboutOrientation activities by loggingon to www.uq.edu.au/orientation.................It’s designed togive students time toadapt to university lifewhile they learn aboutthe facilities and’services on offermy.UQ for students websiteThe Student Portal, my.UQ, isa personalised gateway tothe services students need.The Web-based systemwill improve access tostudent applications andinformation.Students can use theportal to access UQ email;view their calendar andaddress book; access onlinecourse information; receiveimportant reminders; find outwhat’s happening at UQ andaround the world; and searchthe Web.Once students havecompleted the sign-in, thefirst page they will haveaccess to is myPage, theirpersonalised portal to onlineservices.The portal can beaccessed from any computeron the Internet, anywhere inthe world.http://my.uq.edu.auA library tour at the St Lucia campusStudents taking a guided tour of UQ IpswichMarket Day in the Great CourtUQ NEWS, february 200413

Bin briefDrug abuse studyA study into the prevalence of drugabuse among people beingarrested could have implications forpolice and the community at large.It showed 86 percent of peoplearrested had a substance-usedisorder compared to just sevenpercent in the general population.The research, supervised byUQ’s Head of the Department ofPsychiatry Associate ProfessorGerard Byrne and Professor JohnSaunders, Chair of Alcohol andDrug Studies, found amphetminesto be the most abused drug.The study, published in theMedical Journal of Australia, wasauthored by Brisbane psychiatristDr Edward Heffernan withassistance from Joe Finn.Grey nurse sharkVolunteers from UQ’s UnderwaterDive Club (Unidive) have publisheda report into vital habitats of theendangered grey nurse shark.The team has created georeferencedmaps and conductedbaseline surveys at severalhabitats in south-east Queensland.Chris Roelfsema, whocoordinated the study with CarleyBansemer from the QueenslandParks and Wildlife Service saidUnidive volunteers had dedicated10,000 hours to collectinginformation to better understandgrey nurse shark habitats.A four-page handout hasbeen produced that will bedistributed to dive operators.Minoritiesof majorimportanceUQ academic Dr John Bradleysays he will use his YachadFellowship to study minoritygroup tensions in Israel.Dr Bradley is one of two UQacademics to have won the recentlyannounced scholarships, along withPhD student Ruth Knibble.He will travel to Israel in July toinvestigate how minority Jewishgroups from different backgroundssought to maintain the traditions oftheir homeland.The Yachad Scholarship Fund is anational award giving Australians theopportunity to do research in Israel.Dr Bradley said inspiration forthe research came from his ownexperiences as a Jew and his researchinto Indigenous Australians.“I’m trying to show that the Jewishworld is not just one monolithicstructure, but that there are all thesetensions in the structure and I’mreally interested in these tensions,”he said.“And I’d like to know how theyplay out in day-to-day life.“I think you will find manysimilarities between Australianminority groups and other groups allover the place.”It is the second time an academicwith a background in Indigenous Studieshas won the Australian YachadFellowship. Leading Indigenousacademic Professor Marcia Langtonfrom the University of Melbourne wonin 2002.Ms Knibble, who is completinga PhD in chemical engineering, willuse her scholarship to travel to theTechnion Institute in Israel to workMs Knibbleand Dr Bradleyon fuel cells in its microscopydepartment. “My research will bein the same field as my PhD, whereI am trying to develop a fuel cellsystem for small-scale operation,”she said. The fund pays for all traveland accommodation expenses, andorganises a research program.UQ racers revving up for USFirstlink fundUQ researchers are invited toapply for grants from the FirstlinkFund to help prepare competitiveARC Linkage – Project Grants orNHMRC Development Grantapplications.The fund is a joint initiative ofthe Office of Research andPostgraduate Studies (ORPS) andUniQuest UQ’s main technologycommercialisation company.The Firstlink grants, worth upto $2000, can be used for travel orresearch assistance. Applicationsclose at ORPS on March 1, 2004.Information: 07 3365 3571,d.ford@research.uq.edu.auThe UQ Formula SAE team willbe taking their hi-tech car tocompete in the United Statesnext year after leading theAustralian entry of 15 in an internationalevent at Tailem Bend inSouth Australia in December.Despite having to stay up allnight to replace a problem gearbox,the UQ team finished third overallbehind Georgia Institute ofTechnology (USA) and ChalmersUniversity (Sweden).The hard work was rewarded onthe second day of the event when theUQ car, which weighs 243kg and hasa 55kW engine which propels it from0 to 100kmh in 4 seconds, won thefirst enduro section.The $5000 grant from the Societyof Automotive Engineers (Australia)(SAE-A) will allow the UQ team totest the car in races and trials againstthe world’s toughest opposition.Associate Professor David Mee,the Engineering, Physical Sciencesand Architecture Faculty advisor tothe UQ team attended thecompetition at Tailem Bend andsaid he was impressed with theteam’s dedication in the face ofadversity.“They worked together verywell, under some difficultconditions, and were able to preparea very competitive vehicle for theimportant endurance events,” saidDr Mee, from the School ofEngineering.Besides the Australian teams,the Tailem Bend competitionattracted three of the top fiveAmerican teams and one each fromSweden, Japan and Germany.14 UQ NEWS, february 2004

Willow takento technologyUQ researchers are using video wizardryto discover why some batsmen areheroes while others score zeros.When you are trying to find outhow to be a better batsmen youshould go to the best.That’s exactly what UQ researchershave done by looking at whatvisual skills elite batsmen have thatmake them better players.And with the project funded byCricket Australia and the QueenslandAcademy of Sport (QAS), theresearchers are also getting access tothe best of the best through theAustralian cricket team and theleading rising stars through the QAS.The research is being conductedby PhD student Sean Müller,Professor Bruce Abernethy and DrGuy Wallis from the School ofHuman Movement Studies and DrDamian Farrow from the AustralianInstitute of Sport.Mr Müller said while reactiontimes for both novices and eliteplayers could be similar, his projectis trying to discover what visual cuestop players pick from a bowler thatmakes them superior.And they are using the latest invideo technology available throughUQ’s Information Technology Servicesto do it.“We filmed bowlers from abatsmen’s perspective and then,through video manipulation, weoccluded different parts of thedelivery such as all the informationafter the ball was released,” MrMüller said.“We then asked the batsmen towatch the video and to predict thetype of ball bowled.“Next we removed individualbody parts, such as the hand or thearm, from the footage of the bowlerand measured how this alters thebatsman’s prediction of ball type.”Mr Müller hoped this would leadto a way of reliably anticipating abowler’s delivery so batsmen werebetter prepared.“By getting those visual cues fromthe players at the highest level we candesign a training program to not onlymake current players better, but alsoto identify and train the next generationof batsmen,” he said.Eyes open – Australian batsman Matthew Hayden. PHOTO: AFP PHOTO/William WESTResearch leaps aheadDr HudsonUQ NEWS, february 2004Can a frog known to bury itself inmud for months on end hold thekey to avoiding muscle wastage inpeople with broken bones?That’s the question being posed byUQ researcher Dr Nick Hudson whowas recently awarded his PhD intohow the green striped burrowing frog(Cyclorana alboguttata) can laydormant for long stretches withoutany effect on its muscles.Muscle-wasting is one of thebiggest problems for people whoexperience long-term physicalinactivity.Dr Hudson said the frogs werecommonly found across easternAustralia.His research showed they enter astate of inactivity – called aestivation– for up to nine months.He said aestivation was characterisedby metabolic depression where theheart-rate and breathing slowed down.“It’s a bit like hibernation, whichbears go through in winter,” he said.“Despite being in such a state forlong periods, there was no sign ofmuscle-wastage or bone-deteriorationas would be expected.”Dr Hudson, who was also theAustralian 800m running championin 2002, said his research could haveapplications for humans.“The structure of frog muscles aresimilar to ours,” he said.“As such, someone might be ableto take my research and carry it overinto human research.“Who knows, it is possible in 50years humans might be able to use thisfrog’s technique to stop musclewastage.”15

graduations december 2003High degree of celebrationThere were broad smiles on the faces of around 5500students awarded degrees at UQ’s December graduationceremonies. Eight high-achieving Australians were alsoawarded honorary doctorates during the month.16 UQ NEWS, february 2004

Queensland Premier the HonourablePeter Beattie MP wasamong a group of prominent Australiansfrom a wide range of fields to beawarded honorary doctorates by theUniversity at graduation ceremoniesheld in December.The University conferred around5500 degrees at the 14 graduationceremonies held during the month.Mr Beattie, a UQ graduate, becamean honorary Doctor of Science andwas guest speaker at a December 10ceremony for 300 graduates fromUQ’s Faculty of Biological andChemical Sciences.The honorary doctorate recognisedhis leadership and commitment tohigher education through Smart Stateinitiatives and support for biotechnologyand nanotechnology research.Richard Stringer was awarded anhonorary Doctor of Philosophy at aFaculty of Engineering, PhysicalSciences and Architecture ceremony onDecember 8 in recognition of hisdistinguished career and contribution topreserving Queensland’s architecturalheritage.A great deal of Mr Stringer’s earlywork was conducted for the NationalTrust of Queensland. His most recentexhibition Vanishing Queenslandhighlighted significant lossesQueensland’s built environment.At the UQ Gatton graduationceremony on December 13, wellknownconservationist Dr Aila KetoAO was awarded a Doctor of Sciencein recognition of her distinguishedcareer and contribution to environmentalconservation.Dr Keto helped achieve an end toall rainforest logging on Queenslandpublic land in 1994.An Adjunct Professor in UQ’sSchool of Agronomy and Horticulturesince 2002, she is helping develop UQGatton’s Centre for Native Floriculture.Dawn Casey PSM, the formerDirector of the National Museum ofAustralia, received an honorarydoctorate at the Faculty of Social andBehavioural Sciences ceremony onDecember 16.Ms Casey was presented with aDoctor of Philosophy in recognitionof her distinguished career andcontribution to Indigenous society.An honorary fellow of the AustralianAcademy of the Humanities, MsCasey has received numerous otheraccolades including three CommonwealthPublic Service Australia DayMedals and a Centenary Medal.Supreme Court Judge of Appeal theHon. Justice Glen Williams wasawarded an honorary Doctor of Lawsat a ceremony on December 16.The degree recognised JusticeWilliams’ distinguished career in lawand his contribution to the University.Justice Williams was admitted asa barrister in 1962 after completingArts and Law degrees, both with firstclasshonours, at UQ. In 1978 hebecame a Queens Counsel.He chaired the Queensland LawReform Commission between 1993and 1996 and was appointed thepresident of the Industrial Court ofQueensland in 1998 and to the Courtof Appeal in 2000.Former Queensland GovernmentMinister Pat Comben was made anhonorary Doctor of Philosophy at aDecember 17 ceremony for hiscommitment to heritage, environmentand wildlife conservation issues.He grew up in England and immigratedto Australia where he worked asa jackaroo, then with a miningcompany before completing aBachelor of Arts at UQ and a MBA atBond University.He entered State politics in 1983 andbecame Minister for Environment andHeritage before becoming the Ministerfor Education. He is a now Councillorwith the Royal Historical Society andthe Royal Geographical Society.Also on December 17, poet RodneyHall AO was awarded a Doctor ofLiterature in recognition of his distinguishedcareer and his contributionto Australian literature.An internationally renownedauthor, he has written 11 novels. Hehas twice won the Miles FranklinAward for Just Relations in 1982 andin 1994 for The Grisly Wife.In 1994 Mr Hall was honoured witha membership of the Order of Australia.Bioscientist Dr Chev Kidson, wasawarded an honorary Doctor ofScience in recognition of hiscontribution to the development ofscience in Queensland and internationallyon December 19.Previously Professor of MedicalBiochemistry and Head of Departmentin Biochemistry at UQ, DrKidson is currently a Professor withthe Faculty of Tropical Medicine atBangkok’s Mahidol University.Other honourees included NoelMeurant who was awarded the 2003Gatton Gold Medal.He graduated with a Diploma inHorticulture at the QueenslandAgricultural High School and College(now UQ Gatton) before joining theQueensland Department of PrimaryIndustries (QDPI) in 1953.He is widely known as the “fatherof the Australian mango industry”.During his 50-year career with theDPI, he established the BowenHorticulture Research Station.Premier Beattie and UQ Vice-ChancellorProfessor HayFrom left: Professor Hay, Dr Casey and UQ Chancellor Sir Llew EdwardsJustice WilliamsUQ NEWS, february 200417

graduations december 2003Tenor tuning up forcareer in medicineDr George Forgan-Smith has tworeasons to be singing — he hasgraduated with his UQ medicaldegree and was among the firstmembers of the acclaimed group“The Ten Tenors”.Also a long-time singer with theQueensland Opera Company, DrForgan-Smith said he would behumming tunes from favouriteoperas such as Madam Butterfly andCarmen in the lifts at LoganHospital this year.The Ten Tenors perform in themusic hall tradition, and togetherhave a broad training in opera, musictheatre and theatre. In 2002, theyextensively toured Germany,Austria, Switzerland, and Australia.This year, they performed in theUnited States and Europe.In 2002, Dr Forgan-Smith tooka year off his Bachelor of MedicineDr George Forgan-Smith with his father Dr Ross Forgan-Smith (left)and Surgery studies to perform withThe Ten Tenors both here andoverseas but recently left the groupbecause of his busy schedule.His graduation ceremony onDecember 19 also featured graduatesfrom the Schools of Dentistry andPharmacy.School of Medicine Head ProfessorKen Donald said Dr Forgan-Smith was one example of the changingface of young medical students.“The traditional medical studenthailing from a strong sciencebackground is now being joined bystudents from a range of disciplines,interests and influences thanks to theGraduate Entry Program introducedsix years ago,” he said.“UQ is now turning out doctorswith improved communication skillsand a better understanding of bothpatients and an increasingly complexworld.”Dr Forgan-Smith’s family hasstrong UQ connections with the mainGreat Court building named after hisgreat-grandfather who was Premierof Queensland from 1932 until 1942.Both George’s father Ross and uncleJeffrey graduated from the UQMedical School, working as a pathologistand physician respectively.“There was a definite medicalflavour to my upbringing. Getting aday off school was not easy as itusually involved the taking of bloodjust to make sure,” Dr Forgan-Smithjoked.Family also played an importantrole in his singing. “My grandmotheroften harassed me to sing for her andat Brisbane Grammar School, I wasnot doing so well in history sodropped it for singing. This was whenI was ‘discovered’ by my musicteacher,” he said..........Dr Forgan-Smith’There was a definitemedical flavour to my’upbringingHis singing was recognised witha Centenary Medal in 2003.As far as medicine was concerned,Dr Forgan-Smith said hewas interested in a career in radiologyas it was a way he couldcombine his other interest of computing.He said he was also keen onanaesthetics and psychiatry.“I would like to combine thesetwo areas to assist people living withchronic pain. My mother died fromLupus (an autoimmune disease inwhich the body attacks its ownconnective tissues leading toproblems with almost all systems ofthe body, from swollen painfuljoints to problems with the heart andkidneys) in 1997 so this has givenme insight into the daily strugglewith this tragic disease,” he said.The first cohort of 28students graduated fromthe Bachelor of AppliedScience (VeterinaryTechnology andManagement) program. Theonly program of its type inAustralia, it combinesanimal production andclinical studies across UQ’sSchools of Animal Studiesand Veterinary Science.A book tracing thehistory of the establishmentof UQ Ipswich wasreleased as part of thecampus’ graduationcelebration. ProfessorTrevor Grigg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Internationaland Development), andauthor Judith Nissenlaunched The Road to UQIpswich. The book spansthe period from 1863, whena university in Ipswich wasfirst proposed, to 1999,when teaching began atUQ Ipswich.The art oHeather Atkinson celebrated 40years of involvement with UQand the awarding of her graduatecertificate in writing, editingand publishing at a Facultyof Arts graduation ceremony.It was the fourth degree the 80-year-old Ms Atkinson has receivedfrom UQ.She said receiving her certificateon December 17 had enabled her tofully appreciate the value of not onlyknowing what to write “but also theimportance of knowing how to writeit.”“Beginning the course, I quicklyrealised the necessity that I had tocatch up on the latest writingmethods and brush up on mycomputer skills,” she said.Ms Atkinson began her careerat the University in the 1960s whenshe was employed by EmmanuelCollege.While working there, she sawmany changes, including her ownappointment as its first female bursar.“The College received several18 UQ NEWS, february 2004

Indigenous role forAboriginal dentistDr Munnsf lifelong learningDr Evan Munns, the first AboriginalBachelor of Dentistry graduatefrom UQ, said he planned to workamong Indigenous communities.Dr Munns, who graduated with hisdegree at a ceremony on Friday,December 19, also said he was happyto be seen as a role model for hispeople.“If my efforts encourage otherAboriginal people to not only beginuniversity studies but more importantlyto finish them, then I’m happyto be seen as a role model,” he said.Completing his five-year degree asa mature-age student while marriedwith four children aged seven andunder, Dr Munns said university wasoften a difficult option for Aboriginalpeople, especially those from countryareas.“Family is extremely important toAboriginal people and to come awayto study is a big step. I was lucky as Iwas married to Robyn and accommodationwas provided courtesy ofmy mother-in-law Ruth Williamswhile in Brisbane,” he said.Ms Atkinson...........Originally from Mount Isa, DrMunns worked as a dental technicianin the town for nearly nine yearsbefore deciding on a dentistry degree.“I nearly chose carpentry instead as Iwanted a career in which I could usemy hands,” he said.He said he planned to spend a fewyears working as a dentist in Brisbanebefore returning to the country lifestyle.He thanked both the Head of theSchool of Dentistry, Professor GregSeymour, and the University’sAboriginal and Torres Strait IslanderStudies Unit (ATSIU) staff for theirsupport.“They helped with tutors and computers,but especially encouragement,”he said.’I nearly chosecarpentry instead as Iwanted a career in which’I could use my handscomplaints as Emmanuel was an allmalecollege; not only was I female butadditionally, I had a husband,” she said.“College tradition dictated that Ieat my lunch apart from the malemembers of staff because the dininghallwas out of bounds to women.“This was relaxed in 1975 whenthe College became co-residential.”In 1984, with retirement looming,Ms Atkinson decided it was time tofulfill her lifelong dream ofcompleting an Arts degree at UQ.“Acceptance as a mature-agestudent at the University delighted meas the terminology seemed to befit aseasoned old cheese,” she said.“Here at last was my chance toindulge in my passion for literature”.’...........Here at last was mychance to indulge inmy passion forliteratureNot satisfied with just an Artsdegree, Ms Atkinson went on to completeHonours and a Master of Arts.“The longer I studied at university,the more I desired to increase myknowledge; so many options presentedthemselves, so many avenues forall kinds of exciting fields of study,”she said.Before enrolling in the graduatecertificate, Ms Atkinson wrote twoplays, Walking the Wire, and OneDarby, Two Joans.Walking the Wire was short-listedand commended in a national playwriting competition organised by theSpeech and Drama Teachers’Association of Queensland for theirDiamond Jubilee.One Darby, Two Joans wasselected and performed at the Shortand Sweet Season of plays atNewtown Theatre in Sydney.For the final project of hercertificate, Ms Atkinson extendedOne Darby, Two Joans into a fulllengthscript, and was delighted to berewarded with a mark of seven for hereffort.UQ NEWS, february 200419

conference callForum infocus at UQThe relevance of Informationand CommunicationsTechnologies (ICTs) to Australiaand impact in Queensland willbe the focus of a forum to beheld at UQ later this month.World Summit on the InformationSociety: how should the‘Smart’ State respond, will featurea keynote address from UNESCOassistant director-general forCommunication and Information,Dr Abdul Waheed Khan.Dr Kahn is a major figurewithin the ICT debate, coordinatingUNESCO’s contribution toboth the UN ICT Taskforce andthe World Summit on theInformation Society (WSIS) heldin Geneva late last year.School of Journalism andCommunication Head ProfessorJan Servaes, said the forumwould be a localised translationof WSIS.“We hope that the forum willcontribute to a more in-depthassessment of the strengths andweaknesses of ICTs in Australiaand Queensland,” ProfessorServaes said.“This debate has fundamentalimplications for the future of themedia and the journalisticprofession on the one hand, andfor the way media products aregoing to be used and consumedby the public on the other hand.”Dr Kahn will discuss findingsfrom WSIS, which aimed to makeICTs a priority for policymakers.The forum will involve a paneldiscussion with a number ofleading media academics and willbe moderated by Victoria’s PrivacyCommissioner, Paul Chadwick.The forum is being organisedby the School of Journalism andCommunication and will be heldon February 19 at the University.Professor ServaesEDUCATIONMarketing education:beyond the brochure:March 14-16, Surfers ParadiseMarriottHosted by UQ’s School of Education,the conference is designed for anyoneinvolved with marketing an educationalinstitution. Themes includeidentity and reputation building;public and media relationships; andmarketing for international students.Speakers include the chief executiveof the Heist education marketingagency Dave Roberts; Professor NickFoskett (University of Southampton,UK); Arthur Stephen (Wilfrid LaurierUniversity, Canada); Colleen Clur(UQ); and Dr Stephen Holmes (UQ).HEALTHInternet, media andmental health 2004conference: April 21-24, CarltonCrest Hotel, BrisbaneStrong media representation, includingstage and screen personalities, isexpected at this event focusing onoverlaps between media and Internet;Internet and mental health; and mentalhealth and the media. Ideas forsymposia and abstracts are welcome.Information: 07 3858 5416,www.immh04.im.com. auSOCIOLOGYInternational RuralSociology Association(IRSA) World Congress of RuralSociology: July 25-30,Trondheim, NorwayThis international conference willfocus on unevenness, risks, resistanceand dialogue in relation to ruraleconomies and societies. It willconsider themes including foodsupply chains; gender challenges inchanging ruralities; and alternativeagricultures in the global economy.Information: www.irsa-world.org,l.herbertcheshire@uq.edu.auENTOMOLOGYXXII InternationalCongress ofEntomology: August15-21, Brisbane Convention andExhibition CentreThis landmark event will cover topicsincluding genetics and evolutionarybiology; managing insects on plants;biodiversity and biogeography; andphysiology and immunity. Abstracts forthe congress must be received by March31. Speakers include Peter Raven(Director, Missouri Botanical Gardens,US); and Professor May Berenbaum(University of Illinois, US).Information: www.ice2004.orgHypersonicspace quickensAn historic agreement tocoordinate and exploit thecountry’s research in hypersonicsand scramjet technology wassigned in December.The agreement between three ofAustralia’s largest universities, twostate governments and the CommonwealthGovernment, formed thebasis of the Australian HypersonicsInitiative.Hypersonics is the study of velocitiesgreater than five times thespeed of sound (Mach 5). It hasbeen an area of specialised researchin Australia since the earlydays of rocket flights fromWoomera.The Initiative will build onAustralia’s leading role inhypersonics, demonstratedlast year when UQ successfullylaunched the world’s firstexperimental flight of an airbreathingsupersonic ramjet engine(scramjet), and commissioned theworld’s largest interplanetary flightsimulation wind tunnel.This success paved the way forwidespread interest nationally andinternationally in supporting Australia’shypersonics research.The technology will be useful forlow-cost satellite launches and highspeedmissile propulsion.A Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) establishing the AustralianHypersonics Initiative wassigned at the University during theceremony, exactly 100 years after theWright Brothers historic December17, 1903, first powered plane flightat Kitty Hawk in North Carolina.The purpose of the MOU is toformalise the links between thevarious expert groups in thecountry, and to create thestrongest possible platform forcapitalising on Australia’sFrom left: Mr Walsh, Mr Anker, Dr Lough, Professor Siddle and Professor Bairdpotential to be a leading participantin a major industry of the future.Guests at the ceremony includedthe Chief Defence Scientist; Dr RogerLough; UQ Vice-Chancellor ProfessorJohn Hay and Deputy Vice-Chancellor(Research) Professor David Siddle;Professor John Baird of the AustralianNational University; James Walsh ofthe University of New South Wales;Director of Technology and ServiceIndustries with the Department of StateDevelopment Brian Anker; andProfessor Joseph Lai of the Universityof New South Wales at the AustralianDefence Force Academy.The parties will work cooperativelyto develop hypersonics technology inAustralia, and take a coordinatedapproach to marketing the expertiseinternationally.Professor Hay said Australia hadthe largest pool of University-basedhypersonic researchers in the world,with some of the most advancedequipment for simulating velocitiesup to 50 times the speed of sound.“We have more than 20 years ofexperience in hypersonics researchand today’s agreement gives us theopportunity to build on that successby advancing hypersonics expertise inconcert with our colleagues in otheruniversities and Defence,” he said.20 UQ NEWS, february 2004

Larry lapping it upby Lynda Flower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A tired, hungry andhomeless dog hasbeen given a newlease on life by aUQ Gatton animalphysiotherapystudent.Every dog has his day and for 10-month old Border Collie Larryit was the day he was adopted by UQMaster of Animal Studies(Physiotherapy) student LesleyHarrison.But three months earlier, as anRSPCA cruelty case, it seemed as ifLarry’s days were numbered.Larry had been almost starved todeath and when rescued by theUQ NEWS, february 2004RSPCA weighed just over three kilos.He was nursed back to health byFairfield Refuge veterinary staff DrAnne Chester and Dr Anne Covilleuntil his condition stabilised and hisweight reached 12 kilos.Then it was discovered that Larryhad hip displasia, a hereditarydisease in dogs, and needed anoperation.Lecturer in Surgery at UQ’sSchool of Veterinary Science SueSommerlad performed the femoralhead osteotomy operation and Larrywent into Ms Harrison’s care forpostoperative physiotherapy.Ms Harrison is undertakingpostgraduate studies in animalphysiotherapy at UQ Gatton, one ofonly two Masters programs in thisfield in the world.The program provides qualifiedhuman physiotherapists withtraining to transfer their skills toanimals, particularly performanceand companion animals such as dogsand horses, to meet a growinginternational demand.Ms Harrison is studying therehabilitation of dogs after femoralhead excision surgery, and is seeingclinical cases at UQ’s VeterinaryTeaching Hospital.“The project is studying whetherpostoperative physiotherapytechniques, which have provedsuccessful for humans, are useful foranimals as an adjunct to veterinarymedicine,” Ms Harrison said.“It’s early days yet, but the signsare very encouraging. After eightweeks there have been significantchanges to Larry’s gait and anincrease in his muscle bulk,evidence that an established exerciseregime is beneficial.”Larry’s muscle-building regimeinvolves an on-leash, one-kilometrewalk each day and selected off-theleashactivities. He also walks up anddown hills, slopes and stairs andwalks regularly on sand. Futuretherapy will include swimming.Ms Harrison said Larry’srehabilitation would take another sixmonths before his muscles werestrong enough to withstand a secondoperation on his other hip.From left: Ms Sommerlad,Dr Chester and MsHarrison with LarryAll-togetherfor a differentDiversity WeekUQ will be celebrating differenceduring this year’s Diversity Week.Under the theme of “All-Together-Different”, Diversity Weekwill run from May 10-14.Diversity Week began last year topromote the diversity of the UQcommunity and to encourage furtherimprovements to the work and studyenvironment.A highlight for 2004 will be theinaugural presentation of the Vice-Chancellor’s Equity and DiversityAwards, which will be ongoing, andthe Diversity Action Project Awards.The Vice Chancellor’s Equity andDiversity Awards will recognisecontributions that improve equity anddiversity, or raise awareness of equityand diversity within UQ. There willbe one $5,000 award for an individualand $10,000 for an organisationalunit. These Awards were launchedduring last year’s Diversity Week.Four Diversity Action Projectawards, valued at $2,500 each, will beprovided to an individual or group for aproject that will advance or supportdiversity at UQ, particularly inenhancing cross-cultural understandingand anti-racism policies.These Awards will be funded frommoney remaining from the Vice-Chancellor’s Committee AgainstRacism, whose role has now beentaken up by a subcommittee of the newSenate Standing Committee for Equity,Diversity and the Status of Women.All awards will be presented byUQ Vice-Chancellor Professor JohnHay AC, at a lunch to be held on May14 at Brisbane Customs House.Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)Professor Margaret Gardnersaid Diversity Week was an opportunityto celebrate the diversity of theUQ community.“The student and staff populationsof UQ are becoming increasinglydiverse. Different cultures, worldviews and points of view contributeto the richness of work and life at UQ,and benefit us all,” she said.“Diversity Week means we canshowcase and celebrate diversity and,through the awards, acknowledge thegreat work already going on and providesome well-deserved support for theindividuals and organisational units thatcontribute to diversity at UQ.”Information: www.uq.edu.au/about/diversityweek21

Bin briefrecent appointmentsVale Professsor FrancisDr Jane Mitchell from UQ’sUQ’s first Professor of VeterinaryPreventative Medicine died onDecember 17, 2003, aged 88.Professor John Francis tookup the position in 1952 withwhat was then the Faculty ofVeterinary Science where hewas Head from 1952 until 1980.He served as Dean of theFaculty from 1955 until 1960.Retiring in 1983, ProfessorSchool of Education said theinternship represented an effortwithin the School to internationalisethe teacher educationprogram.The students received supportto participate in the exchangeby the Commonwealth-fundedUniversity Mobility in Asia andthe Pacific scholarship, andEducation Queensland.Francis was responsible for theoriginal development of theSchool of Veterinary ScienceFarm and its Droughtmastercattle heard. He took a key rolein the establishment of theVirology Research Unit, now theJohn Francis Virology Laboratory.AppointmentsThe University of QueenslandSenate in December voted topromote 12 leading academicsfrom Associate Professor toProfessor effective January 1this year.The appointees are: ProfessorLinda Blackall, ProfessorIan Cameron, ProfessorGeoffrey Cleghorn, ProfessorSusan Hamilton, ProfessorMichael Jennings, ProfessorDavid Kavanagh, Professor JurgKeller, Professor Brian Key,Professor Jeffrey Lipman,Professor Doune Macdonald,Professor Victor Rudolph andProfessor Maree Smith.Canadian internshipThree Bachelor of Educationstudents last month began a 12-week internship at secondaryschools in Vancouver, Canada.Simon Fox, NicoleDenington and Yoshiko Ozawa,students in the Graduate Entryprogram, underwent acompetitive selection processto be chosen for the exchange.The students will beenrolled in the Bachelor ofEducation program at theUniversity of British Columbia(UBC).After returning to Australiaat the end of May they will beeligible to graduate and startwork as secondary schooolteachers.Clean-up dayA clean-up day will be held atUQ on Sunday, March 7, tocoincide with the nationwideClean-Up Australia Day.The event is being organisedby the United Nations StudentAssociation and will take placebetween 9am and 11am.People wishing to participateshould meet at the UQUnion Complex. All participantswill be provided with gloves andrubbish bags.New scholarshipsUQ will offer more than 300 newscholarships this year as part ofthe Federal Government’shigher education reforms.UQ has been allocated thehighest number of CommonwealthLearning Scholarships inthe country with 319 worthbetween $2000 and $4000 each,totalling more than $1 million.Two types of scholarshipswill be available: one valued at$2000 a year for up to four yearsto help low-income studentsmeet the cost of education’ andanother valued at $4000 a yearfor up to four years to help meetthe accommodation costs forlow-income rural students whohave to move away from hometo attend university.For both scholarships,students must be in a full-timestudy in a Commonwealthsupportedplace.UQ has been allocated 135Commonwealth EducationCosts Scholarships. The totalgrant amount is $1,006,000.Information on how to applyfor the scholarships will beposted on the UQ websitewww.uq.edu.au later this month.Professor MinchinChair of MolecularPharmacologyBy bringing together some of thebest minds and some of the bestdrug research facilitiesin thecountry, UQ’s new Chair ofMolecular Pharmacology is hopingto save thousands of lives.That is the plan of Professor RodMinchin who recently joined UQ’sSchool of Biomedical Sciences fromthe University of Western Australiawhere he was Associate Professor ofPharmacology.He said his new role would bringtogether scientists from manydisciplines to spur on research in drugdiscovery and drug development.“If there is enough infrastructureand enough talented people, which wehave here, then we increase thelikelihood of developing newtherapies,” he said.He said his focus would beparticularly growing the drugdevelopment stage at UQ, somethingthat has been almost non-existentbefore in Australia.“We already do great work in drugdiscovery and at the other end inclinical trials,” he said.“But by adding in that pre-clinicalphase of development, we can valueaddto the work we do.”Professor Minchin studiedtoxicology at the National CancerInstitute in Washington DC and hasspent time at the University of NewSouth Wales as a QEII Fellow.He said he believed UQ was theplace to be in terms of biotechnology.“There is a lot that can be donehere with the support UQ and theState Government is giving,” he said.“Right now in Queensland, wehave the resources and the skills tobring together a critical mass that canachieve great things.“There is the potential here to savethousands of lives with the work weare doing and that will be the payofffor the Queensland public.”Dr UngererUnderstanding thethreat of terrorismA newly appointed UQ academicis warning Australians not to becomplacent when it comes toterrorism threats.Dr Carl Ungerer, from UQ’s Schoolof Political Science and InternationalStudies, believes the threat of a terroristact in Australia has been heightenedsince the case of suspected terroristWillie Brigitte last year.“I think Brigitte clearly showedthat there is a potential threat toAustralia,” he said.“Here was a man with known linksto Al Qaeda who was thought to beplanning a terrorist act in Australia.“Australia’s profile as a target hasbeen raised because of our involvementin Iraq but we are also a targetjust because we are a liberal westerndemocracy.”He said 2004 would see furtherunrest in the region, particularly asIndonesia moved towards directelections.“That won’t be the cause of problemsbut in such a chaotic politicalatmosphere, it is easier for extremiststo emerge,” he said.Dr Ungerer is a new addition to theteaching staff this year coming fromformer Labor leader Simon Crean’soffice, where he was foreign policyadvisor before the leadership change.He previously worked for theDepartment of Foreign Affairs andTrade (DFAT) as well as the Officeof National Assessments.At UQ, he will lecture in InternationalRelations where he will teachthe next generation of diplomats aswell as further his own research.“We are developing at UQ a coregroup of people who are well-versedin Australian foreign policy andsecurity issues,” he said.Dr Ungerer said he planned tomake the international relationscourses practical so students wouldperform roles expected of diplomats.22 UQ NEWS, february 2004

around campusuq in the newsConcerts, special lectures, seminars and UQ events of general interest arepublished in this section. Entries, including date, time, contact name andtelephone number, should be sent to c.saxby@uq.edu.auSSEMINARS■ Tuesday, February 17School of Biomedical Sciences,The role of organic anion anddrug transporters in the liver:from SLC to ABC, Professor BrunoStieger, University Hospital, Zurich,Switzerland (1.30pm, Skerman Bldg).■ Friday, February 20School of Biomedical Sciences, Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 in thesignalling pathway from cholinergicand glutaminergic receptors, ProfessorJoanna Strosznajder, Polish Academyof Sciences, (1pm, Skerman Bldg).■ Friday, March 5School of Social Science and theAboriginal and Torres StraitIslander Studies Unit, Workingpapers in archaeology seminar series,Analysis of the Camooweal SurfaceCollection, Tamara Brown, (11am,Michie Bldg).■ Wednesday, March 10School of Geography, Planning andArchitecture, State growth anddevelopment, Colin Wade, SpatialInformation Coordinator SEQ2021,(11:45am, All Ords Auditorium,Executive Annexe, 102 George St, City).■ Friday, March 12School of Social Science and theAboriginal and Torres StraitIslander Studies Unit, Workingpapers in archaeology seminar series,Dirty archaeology: a soilmicromorphology approach, Ann-Maria Hart, (11am, Michie Bldg).■ Wednesday, March 17TC Beirne School of Law, Liabilityinsurance, The Honourable Dr DesDerrington QC (8am, CustomsHouse). Details: 07 3365 3498■ Friday, March 19School of Social Science and theAboriginal and Torres StraitIslander Studies Unit, Workingpapers in archaeology seminar series,Neo-Darwinian selectionism, casualityand truth in the explanation of culturechange, Dr Tom Loy, (11am, MichieBldg).CONCERTS■ Sunday, February 29UQ Ipswich, Service tocelebrate the commencement ofthe academic year, Pastor MarkEdwards, Ipswich Region CommunityChurch (2.30pm, Rooms 116 and 117,Bldg 12 UQ, Ipswich). Details: 073381 1463OUQ LIBRARY HOURS FOR 2004OTHER EVENTS■ Sunday, March 14UQ SPORT, Come ’n trytriathlon, (6am, UQ AquaticsCentre).CLASSIFIEDSTO RENT/HOUSE-SIT■ St Lucia: 2bd + study unit,spacious, f/furn, $350/wk fromJan 1. Graham:ghn@maths.uq.edu.auWANTED TO RENT/HOUSE-SIT■ House-sitter needs 6 monthminimum stay from March 20.Catherine: 0417 541 030 orvintagepetal@hotmail.comLibrary hours are available on the Library’s homepage atCwww.cybrary.uq.edu.auPRIZES■ Queensland Freemasons’Scholarships 2004: for atleast fourth-year, fulltimeundergraduate students whoare Freemasons or children ofFreemasons of five years’good standing. Worth: $1000each. Closing: March 4.Information: 07 3365 1984.■ Clem Jones SportingScholarships 2004: foracademically able studentswho can demonstratepotential to perform at a highlevel in their chosen sports.Worth: $5000. Closing:March 5. Information:07 3365 1984.■ EOH Handy MemorialScholarship 2004: forIndigenous people ofQueensland to attend UQ.Worth: $500. Closing:March 12. Information:07 3365 1984.■ WH and HW HarrisBursary 2004: for a femalestudent who attended aQueensland secondary schoolin 2002 and is a linealdescendant of a personeligible to be accepted as amember of the War WidowsGuild, Australia, QueenslandBranch. Worth: $750 perannum for three years.Closing: March 19.Information: 07 3365 1984.■ Alfred and Olivea WynneMemorial Scholarships2004: for Maryborough anddistrict students to attend UQ.Closing: March 31.Information: 07 3365 1984.■ George Essex EvansScholarship 2004: for anoutstanding student tocomplete honours or agraduate diploma inphilosophy in English.Worth: $1300. Closing:March 31. Information:07 3365 1984.SOME OF THE STORIES THATPUT UQ STAFF IN THE MEDIAJanuary 2004BIRD FLUABC Darwin radio interviewedvirologist Dr Paul Young from UQ’sSchool of Molecular and MicrobialSciences on the rapid spread of thebird flu virus.INFORMATION TECHNOLOGYJamie Gillespie from the AustralianComputer Emergency ResponseTeam at UQ was interviewed bySydney 2UE radio station about therecent MyDoom computer virus.OBESITYThe Redcliffe and Bayside Heraldreported that a team from UQ’s Instituteof Molecular Bioscience hadmade a world-first discovery,isolating a “drugable” gene that playsa vital role in accelerating metabolicrate and weight loss.QUEENSLAND ELECTIONThe Sydney Morning Herald, AustralianFinancial Review, The QueenslandTimes, ABC and B105 radio wereamong media reporting commentsfrom Associate Professor PaulReynolds and/or Dr Rae Wear from theSchool of Political Science and InternationalStudies on the announcementof the Queensland election and MerriRose’s resignation from Cabinet.STEVE IRWINThe Courier-Mail, The AustralianFinancial Review, The CanberraTimes, ABC television’s The 7.30Report and ABC radio’s BackgroundBriefing were among numerousmedia outlets that quoted ProfessorJeff Wilks from UQ’s Centre forTourism and Risk Management and/or Professor Matt Sanders from UQ’sSchool of Psychology, on thecontroversy surrounding Steve Irwinholding his baby son while feeding acrocodile.UQ NEWS DEADLINES 2004ISSUE NUMBER COPY DEADLINE (FRI) PUBLICATION DATE (TUE)533 February 27 March 16534 March 26 April 14/15Mid-semester break: April 12-18535 April 16 May 4536 May 28 June 14Mid-year vacation: June 28-July537 July 5 July 23/26538 August 20 September 7539 September 17 October 5Mid-semester break: September 27-October 3540 October 22 November 9Semester 2 ends: November 20541 November 26 December 14School and Centre Reviews for Semester 1, 2004SCHOOL REVIEW SUBMISSIONSDATE DUEHealth and Rehabilitiation Sciences 19–23 Apr 8 MarLife Sciences 17–21 May 5 AprHistory, Philosophy, Religion and Classics 24–28 May 13 AprSocial Science 31 May–4 Jun 19 AprCENTRENational Research Centre for 10-12 May 29 MarEnvironmental ToxicologyMicroscopy and Microanalysis 16-18 Jun 5 MaySubmissions are invited from all interested persons. Terms ofReference for each review can be obtained from the Academic BoardOffice by telephoning extension 51321.Please note that submissions must be received by the due date.UQ NEWS, february 200423