graduations december 2003Tenor tuning up forcareer in medicineDr George Forgan-Smith has tworeasons to be singing — he hasgraduated with his UQ medicaldegree <strong>and</strong> was among the firstmembers <strong>of</strong> the acclaimed group“The Ten Tenors”.Also a long-time singer with theQueensl<strong>and</strong> Opera Company, DrForgan-Smith said he would behumming tunes from favouriteoperas such as Madam Butterfly <strong>and</strong>Carmen in the lifts at LoganHospital this year.The Ten Tenors perform in themusic hall tradition, <strong>and</strong> togetherhave a broad training in opera, musictheatre <strong>and</strong> theatre. In 2002, theyextensively toured Germany,Austria, Switzerl<strong>and</strong>, <strong>and</strong> Australia.This year, they performed in theUnited States <strong>and</strong> Europe.In 2002, Dr Forgan-Smith tooka year <strong>of</strong>f his Bachelor <strong>of</strong> MedicineDr George Forgan-Smith with his father Dr Ross Forgan-Smith (left)<strong>and</strong> Surgery studies to perform withThe Ten Tenors both here <strong>and</strong>overseas but recently left the groupbecause <strong>of</strong> his busy schedule.His graduation ceremony onDecember 19 also featured graduatesfrom the Schools <strong>of</strong> Dentistry <strong>and</strong>Pharmacy.School <strong>of</strong> Medicine Head Pr<strong>of</strong>essorKen Donald said Dr Forgan-Smith was one example <strong>of</strong> the changingface <strong>of</strong> young medical students.“The traditional medical studenthailing from a strong sciencebackground is now being joined bystudents from a range <strong>of</strong> disciplines,interests <strong>and</strong> influences thanks to theGraduate Entry Program introducedsix years ago,” he said.“UQ is now turning out doctorswith improved communication skills<strong>and</strong> a better underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> bothpatients <strong>and</strong> an increasingly complexworld.”Dr Forgan-Smith’s family hasstrong UQ connections with the mainGreat Court building named after hisgreat-gr<strong>and</strong>father who was Premier<strong>of</strong> Queensl<strong>and</strong> from 1932 until 1942.Both George’s father Ross <strong>and</strong> uncleJeffrey graduated from the UQMedical School, working as a pathologist<strong>and</strong> physician respectively.“There was a definite medicalflavour to my upbringing. Getting aday <strong>of</strong>f school was not easy as itusually involved the taking <strong>of</strong> bloodjust to make sure,” Dr Forgan-Smithjoked.Family also played an importantrole in his singing. “My gr<strong>and</strong>mother<strong>of</strong>ten harassed me to sing for her <strong>and</strong>at Brisbane Grammar School, I wasnot doing so well in history sodropped it for singing. This was whenI was ‘dis<strong>cover</strong>ed’ 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 <strong>of</strong> computing.He said he was also keen onanaesthetics <strong>and</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong>the body, from swollen painfuljoints to problems with the heart <strong>and</strong>kidneys) in 1997 so this has givenme insight into the daily strugglewith this tragic disease,” he said.The first cohort <strong>of</strong> 28students graduated fromthe Bachelor <strong>of</strong> AppliedScience (VeterinaryTechnology <strong>and</strong>Management) program. The<strong>only</strong> program <strong>of</strong> its type inAustralia, it combinesanimal production <strong>and</strong>clinical studies across UQ’sSchools <strong>of</strong> Animal Studies<strong>and</strong> Veterinary Science.A book tracing thehistory <strong>of</strong> the establishment<strong>of</strong> UQ Ipswich wasreleased as part <strong>of</strong> thecampus’ graduationcelebration. Pr<strong>of</strong>essorTrevor Grigg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International<strong>and</strong> Development), <strong>and</strong>author 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 <strong>of</strong> involvement with UQ<strong>and</strong> the awarding <strong>of</strong> her graduatecertificate in writing, editing<strong>and</strong> publishing at a Faculty<strong>of</strong> 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 t<strong>of</strong>ully appreciate the value <strong>of</strong> not <strong>only</strong>knowing what to write “but also theimportance <strong>of</strong> knowing how to writeit.”“Beginning the course, I quicklyrealised the necessity that I had tocatch up on the latest writingmethods <strong>and</strong> brush up on mycomputer skills,” she said.Ms Atkinson began her careerat the <strong>University</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>only</strong> 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 <strong>and</strong>under, Dr Munns said university was<strong>of</strong>ten a difficult option for Aboriginalpeople, especially those from countryareas.“Family is extremely important toAboriginal people <strong>and</strong> to come awayto study is a big step. I was lucky as Iwas married to Robyn <strong>and</strong> accommodationwas provided courtesy <strong>of</strong>my 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 h<strong>and</strong>s,” 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 <strong>of</strong> theSchool <strong>of</strong> Dentistry, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor GregSeymour, <strong>and</strong> the <strong>University</strong>’sAboriginal <strong>and</strong> Torres Strait Isl<strong>and</strong>erStudies Unit (ATSIU) staff for theirsupport.“They helped with tutors <strong>and</strong> computers,but especially encouragement,”he said.’I nearly chosecarpentry instead as Iwanted a career in which’I could use my h<strong>and</strong>scomplaints as Emmanuel was an allmalecollege; not <strong>only</strong> was I female butadditionally, I had a husb<strong>and</strong>,” she said.“College tradition dictated that Ieat my lunch apart from the malemembers <strong>of</strong> staff because the dininghallwas out <strong>of</strong> bounds to women.“This was relaxed in 1975 whenthe College became co-residential.”In 1984, with retirement looming,Ms Atkinson decided it was time t<strong>of</strong>ulfill her lifelong dream <strong>of</strong>completing an Arts degree at UQ.“Acceptance as a mature-agestudent at the <strong>University</strong> 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 <strong>and</strong> a Master <strong>of</strong> Arts.“The longer I studied at university,the more I desired to increase myknowledge; so many options presentedthemselves, so many avenues forall kinds <strong>of</strong> exciting fields <strong>of</strong> study,”she said.Before enrolling in the graduatecertificate, Ms Atkinson wrote twoplays, Walking the Wire, <strong>and</strong> OneDarby, Two Joans.Walking the Wire was short-listed<strong>and</strong> commended in a national playwriting competition organised by theSpeech <strong>and</strong> Drama Teachers’Association <strong>of</strong> Queensl<strong>and</strong> for theirDiamond Jubilee.One Darby, Two Joans wasselected <strong>and</strong> performed at the Short<strong>and</strong> Sweet Season <strong>of</strong> plays atNewtown Theatre in Sydney.For the final project <strong>of</strong> hercertificate, Ms Atkinson extendedOne Darby, Two Joans into a fulllengthscript, <strong>and</strong> was delighted to berewarded with a mark <strong>of</strong> seven for hereffort.UQ NEWS, february 200419