Community: Edition 2 2015
Vice-Chancellor’s Comment
State-of-art equipment to give USC students an edge
This semester the University of the Sunshine Coast will become a world leader in immersive learning.
Cutting-edge 3D and virtual reality technology has been installed in USC’s Engineering Learning Hub, which was built and fitted out over the past year as a joint project of USC and the Australian Government’s Education Investment Fund.
The most impressive components of the new facility are the 240 degree surround theatre, called Cave2TM, and a massive interactive wall—both of which were the stuff of science fiction until only recently.
There are only three other organisations in the world that have this Cave2TM technology and they use it solely for research.
USC is committed to making it accessible to our teaching staff and students, and we have a team of dedicated software designers working to facilitate this.
The team is keen to see what suggestions are made by academics and students when they begin using it this semester so that the technology can be better tailored to their learning and teaching needs.
What all this means is that our students, starting with those studying Engineering and then those in other disciplines, will gain a profound advantage over those elsewhere.
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Selvan Pather has been providing sessions for USC staff in how the technology can be used, and this has created quite a buzz around campus.
Another new facility that is attracting plenty of attention is the University’s first multi-level carpark.
This $10 million carpark was jointly funded by USC and generous donors Roy and Nola Thompson, and revenues raised from its operation will go towards new merit and equity scholarships.
So the carpark will serve two significant purposes: keeping the University ahead of the requirement for parking bays on campus by building upwards, rather than taking up green space; and providing some amazing scholarships that will be life-changing for the recipients.
Professor Greg Hill
Vice-Chancellor and President
Around USC
01 THE first new butterflies have spread their wings in a garden specifically designed to attract them to the University of the Sunshine Coast. The joint project of USC and the Innovation Centre was officially opened by Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill on Sunday 7 June as part of the World Environment Day Festival. The Innovation Centre’s Finance and Operations Manager Paul Lloyd, also a keen ecologist and conservationist, incorporated 45 plant species from local nurseries into the garden design. These include ground covers, shrubs, small trees and vines.
02 A Mumbai stockbroker now living at North Lakes has gained a Faculty medal along with a Bachelor of Business from USC. Urmila Dani, 31, officially received her degree at the April Graduation Ceremony and was congratulated by her proud parents who flew in from India to witness their daughter’s success. Ms Dani achieved a grade point average of 6.69 out of 7. Meanwhile, USC has signed its first Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Mumbai that will prompt collaborations in teaching and research.
03 USC’s women’s hockey team emerged as a surprise victor at the 2015 Northern University Games held in Toowoomba in early July. The team, which almost withdrew from the competition due to a lack of numbers, won six of its eight round fixtures to finish on top of the table before beating QUT 4–2 in the final. USC athletes also won silver in golf and women’s touch, bronze in women’s futsal and women’s volleyball, and finished fourth from 11 universities overall.
04 THREE Environmental Science students recently spent a month volunteering at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre in Malaysia as part of their studies. Hayley Beck, Caitlyn Turner and Emma Hambleton worked at the centre that was established for the care, rehabilitation and release of orphaned and ex-captive sun bears. USC Environmental Science, Ecology and Animal Ecology students have opportunities to assist with research and conservation projects at a game reserve in South Africa, in the Amazon Rainforest, the Andes, coastal Ecuador and sun bear care facilities in Malaysia, Cambodia and Laos.
05 USC’s Moving Feast community food garden—which celebrated its first anniversary at the World Environment Day Festival on 7 June — is proving to be a perfect classroom for teaching about sustainability and food security. The garden has been expanded and incorporated into the curriculum of various subjects across a range of degrees from Nutrition and Dietetics to Social Science, Science, Engineering, Urban Planning, Health Promotion, Communication and Marketing.
World of possibilities at Imaginarium
Trip to an exotic research location up for grabs
VIisitors to the University of the Sunshine Coast’s annual Imaginarium on Sunday 9 August will be in the running to win a trip to an exotic overseas location.
By registering at the fun family event, which includes USC’s Open Day, one lucky person will receive flights and accommodation for two to one of three countries where the University is currently conducting research.
The winner will be able to choose between travelling to Malaysia, Cambodia or the Pacific island nation of Tonga, up to the value of A$10,000.
USC academics and students are working to assist the conservation and rehabilitation of sun bears in East Malaysia (on the island of Borneo) and Cambodia, and studying Tonga’s established Swim With Whales industry to see how new operations in Australian can develop.
The Imaginarium prize winner will be able to inspect one of these great international projects and enjoy their own sight-seeing as well.
There will be plenty of other prizes and fun activities on offer at Imaginarium, which is designed to open the community’s eyes to a world of possibilities.
It will run from 10am to 2pm and feature food and entertainment, fun activities for all ages and the opportunity to find out more about USC’s range of undergraduate and postgraduate study programs.
Among the line-up will be crowd-pleasing crooner Darren Percival and young Coast duo Hoo8Hoo.
Head along to try flying the perfect paper plane, wander through a giant maze, see if you can fit in a giant bubble, try rock climbing on free-standing climbing walls, watch a game of Quidditch or simply explore the Global Village.
For more details about USC’s Imaginarium and Open Day and for the terms and conditions of the prize draw visit Imaginarium.
Whale of a time for tourism researchers
A group of USC students are now at the forefront of international research into humpback whale tourism after travelling to Tonga in late-July for a study tour.
The six Tourism, Psychology and Human Geography students are taking part in a cross-disciplinary research project that will compare Queensland’s emerging Swim With Humpback Whales (SWW) tourism with the Pacific nation’s more established industry.
USC International Relations Projects Manager Dr Sheila Peake said the research team prepared for the trip with the support of dive operator Sunreef Mooloolaba.
The trip was funded by a grant from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s New Colombo Plan.
Inspirational students earn University’s top medal
Award recognises achievements and community contributions
Chancellor's medals were awarded to two outstanding students at USC’s graduation ceremonies in April.
Environmental Health Science graduate Ashleigh Morris of Coogee and Doctor of Creative Arts Lynette Maguire of Buderim were recognised for their high academic achievements and contributions to the community.
Ms Morris, who left school after Year 9 and turned her life around in 2011 by enrolling in USC’s Tertiary Preparation Pathway program, is now pursuing a career to rid the world of toxic waste caused by old electronic equipment ending up in landfill. She is now studying an Environmental Management Honours degree at the University of NSW.
Ms Morris received numerous scholarships at USC and even won a A$53,500 Prime Minister’s Australia Asia Award in 2012 to travel to Indonesia. At USC, she tutored other students, worked as a student ambassador, was an Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience volunteer and did community work with Coolum District Coastal Care.
Dr Maguire is a local marriage celebrant whose PhD thesis examined links between narcissism, social networking and violence.
Her research led to her writing a young adult novella ‘Lepidoptera’, which touches on cyberbullying, trolling, society’s desensitisation to violence, and narcissism in teens. Dr Maguire was a member of the USC Council and the Student Guild, was president of the USC chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society and a tutor in communication.
SouthBank graduates
When lawyer Patricia Aaroe came to Australia 16 years ago as a Peruvian refugee who spoke only Spanish, she wanted to improve her local knowledge and communication skills to help other people in difficult circumstances.
In April, the 52-year-old from Wishart graduated with a Bachelor of Justice and Legal Studies from USC, after completing the degree at its SouthBank campus. She also received a Faculty commendation.
Ms Aaroe joined Amy Bowles, 20, of Arana Hills, in becoming the first two USC graduates to complete their studies entirely at USC SouthBank in Brisbane.
Miss Bowles also gained a degree in Justice and Legal Studies and intends to work in the legal system.
Honorary award for former Chief Scientist
USC has recognised Queensland’s first Chief Scientist’s significant contribution to scientific research and Australia’s biotechnology industry by awarding him an Honorary Doctorate at its graduation ceremony on Friday 17 April.
Emeritus Professor Peter Andrews AO served as Chief Scientist from 2003–2010, during which time he played a major role in shaping and implementing the Queensland Government’s Smart State agenda that boosted funding for scientific research and development.
Before his appointment as Chief Scientist, Professor Andrews worked for more than 30 years in academia, leading multidisciplinary scientific teams and establishing entrepreneurial research centres and laboratories at several universities.
Meanwhile, USC also awarded Honorary Senior Fellowships to local philanthropist David Kirk, Mooloolaba GP Dr Peter Welsh and the former principal of Matthew Flinders Anglican College Anthony Vincent.
Mr Kirk was recognised for his significant contributions to the University over the past decade through the Kirk Foundation, which funded numerous student scholarships and contributed to the construction of USC’s Olympic-standard pool.
Dr Welsh received his award for his support of the discipline of Sport and Exercise Science and for his work on USC’s Human Research Ethics Committee.
And Mr Vincent was lauded for developing and leading academic excellence at Matthew Flinders Anglican College at Buderim, where he was principal for 15 years.
High-tech boost for Engineering
Visualisation project is world-first for learning and teaching
University of the Sunshine Coast students competing in a global humanitarian engineering contest to help residents of a poor, remote African village this semester will have a high-tech advantage over their rivals.
World-leading immersive 3D visualisation equipment has just been installed as the centrepiece of a A$37.2 million Engineering Learning Hub on the USC campus at Sippy Downs.
The equipment will enable USC’s Engineering students taking part in the annual Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Challenge to virtually walk around Bambui village in Cameroon to see what work is required and accurately assess the likely impacts of that work.
A team of simulation and visualisation designers have focused on creating this virtual village for what will become a world-first learning and teaching project.
The EWB Challenge involves more than 60 universities and is designed to introduce first-year engineering students to the concepts of humanitarian engineering, such as poverty alleviation and environmental protection, by working on real-world development projects.
USC Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Selvan Pather said humanitarian engineering used a people-centred, strength-based approach to improve community health, wellbeing and opportunity.
The three-storey Engineering Learning Hub is an initiative of the Australian Government’s Education Investment Fund and USC.
It is due to be officially opened later this year.
‘The Danish Twist’ wins spaghetti bridge contest
A 137.2 gram bridge nicknamed ‘The Danish Twist’ took out the honours at USC’s annual Spaghetti Bridge Challenge for Engineering students at USC in mid-April.
The bridge, constructed by Brad Sayle, Mick Schmidt, Ankit Subedi, Sophie Tran and Kellie Thomsen, was one of the lightest entries in the competition but was able to hold a weight of 27.6kg.
Sophie explained that twisting the string had provided the bridge with extra strength to withstand tension.
Fifteen teams of Civil and Mechanical Engineering students tested their theoretical and practical skills in the challenge, which was sponsored by Covey Associates.
USC Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Dr Selvan Pather said the teams had spent weeks designing and building bridges out of only spaghetti, superglue and string.
Research projects gain A$1.4 million in grants
Funding for studies into work safety, driving and koala health
The University of the Sunshine Coast has won competitive grants valued at more than A$1.4 million for three major research projects aimed at improving workplace safety, encouraging safer driving practices and boosting koala conservation.
Federal Minister for Education and Training Christopher Pyne announced in early July that the USC projects were among 252 research projects nationally that gained funds through the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Projects scheme.
USC’s Professor Paul Salmon and Dr Natassia Goode are leading a project that received A$497,600 to assess how reporting systems can be used to reduce workplace injury that currently affects more than 600,000 Australian workers a year.
“We intend to develop, implement and test a process for translating incident reporting system outputs into appropriate and effective injury countermeasures, and then evaluate the safety effects of adopting the new incident reporting and learning cycle,” he said.
USC microbiologists Professor Peter Timms and Associate Professor Adam Polkinghorne are leading research that gained A$488,235 to develop a vaccine against koala retrovirus—a disease that infects more than 95 percent of koalas and has been strongly linked to lymphoma and leukaemia.
And A$438,000 has gone to a research project, led by USC’s Dr Bridie Scott-Parker, which aims to develop a best-practice model to enable professional instructors to teach higher-order skills to young learner drivers.
Meanwhile, USC Engineering academic Dr Helen Fairweather and Professor of Geography Roy Sidle are contributing to a QUT-led research project that gained A$397,000 to create a more effective way of assessing the quality of waterways.
Scientist seeks to provide affordable avalanche detector
A USC academic who is developing an affordable avalanche detection device thinks the recent devastating earthquake in Nepal will create an even greater need for his invention.
Lecturer in Geotechnical Engineering Dr Adrian McCallum said he was inspired to build the device after his own Himalayan tragedy 14 years ago when an avalanche killed three of his colleagues during an expedition to climb Mount Everest.
“My plan is to create an affordable early warning system for villagers living among the hazardous slopes using home-built radars,” he said.
“It would not have helped during the recent earthquake but that will have caused even greater slope instability in the region, so avalanches are even more likely now.”
A specialist in remote area science and engineering, Dr McCallum is no stranger to ice and snow, having led research projects in the Arctic, Antarctica and the Himalayas.
He plans to do some initial testing of the early detection system with some USC Engineering students at Mt Beerwah soon.
Funding supports Fraser Island dingo studies
USC academics have won two out of four Queensland Government grants to research dingoes on Fraser Island and are involved in a third grant project won by the University of Queensland.
A team led by USC’s Dr Clare Archer-Lean, who researches in critical human and animal studies as well as Indigenous and Australian literature, won the biggest single grant of A$24,500 to evaluate the interaction between people and dingoes.
Dr Gabriel Conroy, an Ecological Genetics and Modelling expert with USC’s Genecology Research Centre, won A$15,000 to provide an estimate of the current Fraser Island dingo population.
And Associate Professor of Geography Jennifer Carter will be among researchers collaborating on a A$16,000 University of Queensland project to find non-invasive
ways of monitoring dingo diet and health on the island.
Josh wins wildlife photo competition
Being in the right place at the right time is what USC student Josh Millican credits as his secret to winning the University’s inaugural wildlife photography contest in April.
Josh’s entry — simply named ‘Ducks, The Ponds’ — so impressed the judges in the first ‘Life’s Wild at USC Photo Competition’ that he was awarded the top prize of a complete camera kit and professional lighting equipment provided by Ted’s Cameras Maroochydore.
The photograph shows a brood of ducklings setting off with trepidation across a pond near the University’s Facilities Management buildings.
“For this photo, it was definitely all about being in the right place at the right time,” said Josh, of Rangeville, who is doing a combined degree in Arts and Science.
The community section of the photo contest was won by Mooloolah carpenter Phil Bender, for his image ‘Honeyeater bath time’.
USC’s Mobile Health Clinic hits the road
Vehicle to help provide greater access to health care services
The University of the Sunshine Coast now has a purpose-built mobile clinic to help boost access to health care services across the region and give USC students greater opportunities for clinical placements.
This $300,000 facility — a long wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter, with custom-built hydraulic push-out sides to optimise internal space — is able to transport five people to provide services ranging from immunisation clinics to baby and child health and occupational therapy clinics.
It was officially launched by Member for Fisher Mal Brough in late April.
USC’s Mobile Health Clinic project manager Bronwyn Doyle said USC students from various health-related disciplines were involved.
“We are exploring partnerships with health care providers on the Coast, and together we could provide services to people in our community who may not normally be able to access care,” Ms Doyle said.
“It has the capacity to host all different types of clinics, and staff at USC are currently planning new, additional clinics for Semester 2.
“We also have our own staff who facilitate clinical training in certain disciplines, so this allows us to take our staff and students to the clients where there is a gap in service provision.
“This initiative will provide our students with the all-important professional practice that they need.” The project was funded by Health Workforce Australia, an Australian Government initiative to grow clinical placement capacity.
Memorial tree honours Stacey
A simple tree-planting ceremony at USC in May held special significance for students and staff in the discipline of Occupational Therapy and for the family of the late Stacey Mowle.
Stacey, of Tewantin, was just 22 and in her third year of an OT degree at USC when she died last year from a heart condition called hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.
Occupational Therapy clinical trainer Marie Bridgman said Stacey’s classmates and academics were inspired by Stacey’s bravery as she battled ongoing health problems and were keen to honour her.
Stacey’s efforts to help others suffering from various health conditions included setting up a charity called Smiles of Strength, which her mother is now continuing. Details about this charity are at Smiles of Strength Facebook page.
Skin cancer prevention in the spotlight
Award-winning academic to lead specialist research
In a region that boasts some of Australia’s most popular beaches, it’s fitting that the University of the Sunshine Coast is turning its attention to the relationship between sun, skin and health.
USC recently welcomed its Foundation Professor of Cancer Prevention Michael Kimlin as a joint appointment with Cancer Council Queensland.
The former Director of Queensland University of Technology’s Centre for Research in Sun and Health will continue his research into the environmental factors that lead to cancer, particularly skin cancers including melanoma.
“I think population health research in Queensland is very Brisbane-centric,” he said. “There is very little work that occurs on the Sunshine Coast on risk factors, on control measures and early detection that’s specifically relevant to this community.
“The Cancer Council and I are keen to start this relationship with the Sunshine Coast community and engage them in our research projects and work on issues that are relevant to locals to reduce the burden of cancer here.”
Professor Kimlin has moved his research programs to USC, where plans are well underway to establish a UV research laboratory and a specialist research team.
USC’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Roland De Marco said it was a coup for USC to attract a world-leading scientist of Professor Kimlin’s calibre. Professor Kimlin was the lead author of an article that was named one of the 10 best published by the American Journal of Epidemiology during 2014. It assessed the factors affecting the body’s production of Vitamin D.
Startup Weekend inspires business ideas
The exciting online business ideas of USC students Alysse Skilton of Sippy Downs and Simon Doonican of Maleny were among 43 contenders at the second annual Startup Weekend Sunshine Coast from 8–10 May.
This 54-hour competitive marathon on campus saw budding entrepreneurs, developers, designers and startup enthusiasts connect with mentors and build business plans to present to industry leaders and win thousands of dollars in prizes.
Journalism student Alysse, 20, and Psychology student Simon, 42, were among dozens of USC students who participated in the event that involved almost 200 people from across the region.
Alysse, whose YouTube channel under the name Alysse Paris has 11,000 subscribers and one million video hits, wants to start a dedicated social media platform for the millions of people making the videos.
And Simon has plans for his website ‘Berdy’ — for Better Earth Deals — to sign up subscribers interested in ethical products and companies, from organics and clothing to fair trade goods.
While neither of their ideas made the final of the contest, Simon joined the team of USC Journalism student Jessie Lee, whose business idea for cloud-based wedding planning software took out the top award.
USC Lecturer in Entrepreneurship Dr Retha Scheepers was the lead organiser for Startup Weekend Sunshine Coast, which was run in partnership by USC, the Queensland Government, Sunshine Coast Council, Regional Development Australia Sunshine Coast, and the Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast.
The national sponsors were StartupAus, Intuit Quickbooks and Elance Odesk. Global sponsors are Google for Entrepreneurs, .CO and Coca-Cola.
Writer brings past to life with new novel
Acclaimed author and USC Associate Professor of Creative Writing Gary Crew recently launched his latest novel — a recount of the fate of two young castaways in the Torres Strait.
‘Voicing the Dead’ is based on the true story of two English boys whose lives were spared during a grisly massacre following the shipwrecking of the Charles Eaton in 1834. “I’m fascinated by these unfinished tales, so to be able to go back and explore them is so ultimately intriguing to me,” he said.
Meanwhile, a 25th anniversary edition of Dr Crew’s 1990 novel ‘Strange Objects’ was launched in Canberra on 5 July.
Students pitch in to help enhance wildlife reserve
Volunteers plant future eucalypt forest on campus
Students at the University of the Sunshine Coast have jumped at the opportunity to help enhance the status of USC’s campus at Sippy Downs as a wildlife reserve.
Dozens of students and staff gathered in late April for a special tree-planting exercise organised by USC’s Wildlife Management Committee and funded by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor.
Lecturer in Wildlife Ecology Dr Scott Burnett and Master of Science student Beth Brunton helped the volunteers plant 350 trees in an area close to the lakes on the southern side of the Sippy Downs campus.
“We’re aiming to recreate a eucalypt forest and habitat for forest animals like gliders, possums, bearded dragons and marsupial mice,” Dr Burnett said.
“The area doesn’t conflict with any other land uses and hopefully we’ll create a wildlife corridor through campus and into the national park.”
Meanwhile, Ms Brunton is leading the South-East Queensland Eastern Grey Kangaroo Conservation Project at USC and has called for greater community involvement and vigilance by motorists at Sippy Downs to help preserve the local kangaroo population.
“We are also asking South-East Queensland residents to be part of this research by taking part in our online survey,” she said.
“Local residents can assist in our regular head counts at USC, where we walk the campus for three days every six weeks carrying out a census. Quite a few of our new students recently signed up to volunteer for this project, which is great.”
To take part in the survey, visit SEQ Eastern Grey Kangaroo research project.
USC makes final at Quidditch carnival
USC’s Quidditch team has earned a place in sporting history by making the final of Australia’s first official university Quidditch contest in late-May.
USC was outgunned by a stronger University of Western Sydney team, but clawed back some pride by capturing the elusive ‘golden snitch’ in the dying moments of the match to make the final score 60-30.
Quidditch is a ground-based version of the high-flying fictional game made famous by the Harry Potter book series by JK Rowling.
Quidditch was one of four developing sports included in Australian University Sport’s (AUS) inaugural Unibattle carnival on the Gold Coast from 15–17 May, along with dodgeball, softball social 7s and 3x3 basketball.
About 200 students from across the country took part in the friendly but competitive weekend of sport that AUS has added to its well-established University Games program.
USC’s Quidditch League president Alise Thomas said the carnival gave her team its first taste of how physical the game could be, with players responding well to the challenge.
Lucy moves from haunting study halls to spooking clients
Brisbane-based USC student Lucy Delaforce has glided easily into a spooky new career, even before finishing her degree.
Lucy, 21, of Boondall, was part of the first cohort of students to complete a Bachelor of Business (Tourism, Leisure and Event Management) at USC’s SouthBank campus in Brisbane in June, but she had already gained employment with Ghost Tours Pty Ltd at the Boggo Road Gaol.
“I had completed an assignment on the Ghost Tours group previously and, in my final semester, I was fortunate enough to work with them again,” Lucy said. “During this time, one of my lecturers suggested I apply for a job they’d advertised and was lucky enough to take up the position with them in May.”
The Clayfield College graduate had completed a Diploma of Events through TAFE Queensland which enabled her to go straight into the second year of a Bachelor of Business degree at USC SouthBank.
For more details visit Study at USC SouthBank.
Behind-the-scenes tour set to amaze
All USC graduates have been invited to a special afternoon tea and a behind-the-scenes campus tour from 3.30–5.30pm on Saturday 7 November.
The tour is for alumni, their friends and family to experience the significant changes that have occurred on campus since its early days.
USC’s Alumni Relations Officer Anita Edmonds said this year’s highlight would be seeing the University’s new 3D visualisation theatre, one of only four in the world.
“Another exciting addition is that Public Health graduate Amanda Poeppmann is organising her 10-year reunion to coincide with the event, followed by an informal dinner,” she said.
To register interest or find out more, contact Anita Edmonds on alumni@usc.edu.au or Tel: +61 7 5459 4564.
IT award for one of USC’s first graduates
Australian Government recognises skills of talented professional
A Twin Waters information technology professional who was among the University of the Sunshine Coast’s first graduates in 1999 has won a national award for her skills.
Sunshine Coast Council employee Ann Yardley was recently named the Australian Government’s 2015 ICT Professional of the Year.
The Commonwealth Department of Finance holds annual awards to promote excellence, innovation and professionalism in the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) across all government agencies.
Ms Yardley, a long-time council employee who is now its Business Solutions and Strategy Coordinator, said her USC Bachelor of Business (Information Systems) had contributed to her success.
Celebrate our outstanding alumni
USC will hold its annual Outstanding Alumni Awards Ceremony on Thursday 24 September.
This event recognises the significant achievements of graduates in their fields of endeavour, ranging from professional and academic achievements to research and community work. The three award categories are Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, Regional Achievement and Rising Star.
All graduates and supporters are welcome to attend the celebration, which will be held at USC’s Innovation Centre auditorium from 6-8pm. An update on the University also will be provided. There is no charge to attend and refreshments and finger food will be served. For more details, contact Anita Edmonds on alumni@usc.edu.au, Tel: +61 7 5459 4564, or visit Outstanding Alumni Awards.
Get in quick for Graduate Walk
USC alumni have been urged to get in quick if they want to be part of the University’s Graduate Walk initiative, with only 80 of the 400 pavers available to purchase.
The pavers will be used in a pathway, near the main entrance of the USC Library, to be unveiled during the University’s 20th anniversary celebrations in 2016.
The Graduate Walk initiative is aimed at honouring the achievements of former students while providing assistance to future students. A tax-deductible gift of A$200 will secure a paver, with all funds raised going to the USC Study Support Bursary that assists students experiencing financial stress.
For details visit Graduate Walk or contact USC’s Development Office on development@usc.edu.au or Tel: +61 7 5430 1104.
Update your details USC’s Alumni Relations Office is keen to ensure it has the current email addresses of graduates, so they can receive news of the University and opportunities to stay involved. Contact alumni@usc.edu.au to update your contact details.
A gift that will keep on giving
Crowd attends official opening of A$10million multi-level carpark
A multi-level parking facility unlike any other in the region was officially opened at the University of the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday 15 July.
The $10 million carpark development, which contains a total of 515 parking bays, was funded by a $5 million gift to USC last year by philanthropist and property developer Roy Thompson and his wife, Nola, that was matched dollar-for-dollar by the University.
Its significance goes beyond just providing additional parking bays for the growing campus, as revenues raised from its operation in USC’s regulated parking zone will fund the Thompson Excellence Scholarship scheme for high-achieving students and the Thompson Study Support Scholarship scheme for students in financial need.
A crowd of invited guests and USC staff attended the official opening which saw USC Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill and Chancellor John Dobson thank Mr and Mrs Thompson for their generosity, before the couple became the first motorists to drive into the carpark.
The four-storey facility was built by Badge Constructions.
Top coach moves swim squad to USC
USC has appointed one of Australia’s top swimming coaches Chris Mooney to lead a high-performance swim program at USC.
Mr Mooney, who has previously assisted coaching legend Denis Cotterell on the Gold Coast and worked in similar roles at the University of Hawaii and at Indooroopilly Swimming, began his new role at USC in April.
He has brought with him most of his stable from Indooroopilly including four swimmers—Taylor McKeown, Jake Packard, Leah Neale and Kylie Palmer. Other big names in the training squad are Sunshine Coast sensation Chelsea Gillett and international champions Jennie Johansson of Sweden and Julian Layton of New Zealand.
Mr Mooney, who was on the Australian coaching team for the FINA World Championships in Russia in July, said USC offered an ideal environment with great facilities, including the Olympic-standard swimming pool and ready access to a gym.
Sarah gains Vic Walker Memorial Scholarship
USC Parademic Science student Sarah Conrad has received the 2015 Vic Walker Memorial Scholarship.
This scholarship was established in 2000 by Jocelyn Walker in memory of her late husband, Vic Walker, and is awarded to a Year 12 graduate of Immanuel Lutheran College who undertakes a degree at USC.
Sarah is a 2014 graduate of Immanuel Lutheran College, where she was a prefect, sports captain and Eco Club member.
Tara’s working on global crop harvest research
USC Environmental Science graduate’s career takes off
A strong commitment to improving the livelihood of farmers in Australia and the South Pacific has led to an exciting career opportunity for a USC Environmental Science graduate.
Tara McKenzie, 32, of Sunshine Beach has started a one-year graduate officer role at the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), an Australian Government agency that assists and encourages Australian scientists to use agricultural research to benefit developing countries.
After starting at ACIAR in Canberra in April, Tara has been assigned to the crops research cluster and will work on various international projects in Africa, Asia and the South Pacific.
She is thankful for the opportunity to start her career in the field she is so passionate about.
“During my degree I undertook two research projects related to post-harvest horticulture and improving farmer livelihoods in the South Pacific,” Tara said.
“I was fortunate to travel to Fiji and Tonga and gained exposure to international practical research for development activities. The ACIAR position will really boost my knowledge and experience in this area.
“My career ambition is to improve farmer livelihoods working at the grass roots level for socio-economic development and global food security.
“Communities of the South Pacific face immense and unique challenges and I want to help implement solutions.
“My goal is to create, manage and work on projects with a focus on food security, climate change, horticulture, supply chain development and policy.”
USC’s Professor of Horticulture Steven Underhill congratulated Tara on receiving a position with such an important organisation.
USC Sunshine Coast Gallery Exhibitions
USC Art Gallery | USC Art Gallery Facebook page
Entry to the University of the Sunshine Coast Gallery is free and the public is welcome. Open: 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday. Closed Sundays and public holidays.
Gubbi Gubbi Gun’doo Yang’ga’man
9 July—15 August
Gubbi Gubbi Gun’doo Yang’ga’man is a research and reconstruction project that revisits the skills and traditions of bark canoe making by the Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubbi people. This exhibition documents these activities and promotes the project’s national significance and value for the community. This exhibition, curated by John Waldron is a Sunshine Coast Council initiative supported by the Sunshine Coast Heritage Levy.
AWIS Artis Blong Vanuatu
9 July—15 August
Ona and Arthur Filloy — with the help of Simix Simeon, the leader of the Mataso village artists group — turned their rented cottage in Port Vila, Vanuatu, into a productive workshop in July 2014. They returned to Brisbane with more than 100 pieces of colourful art, some of which are displayed in this exhibition. Ona and Arthur’s mission is to bring Mataso art to the world, to establish a permanent workshop to further develop the skills of the Mataso artists and sell their art. This exhibition is presented with the help of Arthur and Ona Filloy and Andrew Baker Art Dealer, Brisbane.
Creative Generation
20 August—12 September
The annual Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art recognises and promotes excellence in senior visual arts education throughout Queensland’s state and non-state schools. Held in conjunction with the Queensland Department of Education, Training and Employment, the North Coast (South) regional exhibition showcases the best of this region’s senior high school art work.
Tess Baldessin-Edwards: Metaphysical Fishing
17 September—31 October
A founding member of the Baldessin Press Studio, Tess Baldessin-Edwards creates small works using old documents such as sheet music, old mathematics books and other documents. This creates a visual dialogue with the text, and can evolve either by completely obliterating it, or incorporating the text into the final image.
Judith Rosenberg: The Magi and other works
17 September—31 October
Former zoological and botanical illustrator Judith Rosenberg will present a series of limited edition prints that include large-scale artist proofs, artist books and recent drawings. Celebrating the difficult and exacting art-form of printmaking, Rosenberg explores the sensual nature of ink on paper.