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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
Page 8 and 9: Dr BotellaGreen light for newplant
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Page 14 and 15: Bin briefDrug abuse studyA study in
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Page 20 and 21: conference callForum infocus at UQT
Page 22 and 23: Bin briefrecent appointmentsVale Pr

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