E-Newsletter
E-News Archive
June 2005
Alumni-Enews @ La Trobe is a free e-mail bulletin published monthly for La Trobe University graduates and friends around the world.
This issue includes:
- Alumni News
- What's On
- Career and Networking Opportunities
- University News
- Research @ La Trobe
- Alumni Benefits
- Contact Us
Alumni News
SUPER SPECIAL - REDUCED PRICE VILLAGE MOVIE TICKETS - ADULT
Tickets are valid until 30 June 2005, and available at a cost of $9.50 (adult), and can be used at Village Cinemas in VIC, TAS, and NSW only. Tickets are not valid on Saturdays after 5pm, valid at all other times.
Further information is available on the Order/Payment Form.
Offer available until SOLD OUT. Further tickets (valid until Feb 2006) are then available at $9.95.
AFTER LA TROBE
Tell us what you have been doing!
The Office of Alumni Relations searches for graduate profiles for the Alumni website, print publications such as the Agora, newsletters and prospectus booklets. If you would like to submit your profile, please email: alumni@latrobe.edu.au
BENDIGO CHAPTER GENERAL NEWS
The Bendigo Alumni Chapter is currently updating their contact and member database with a view to moving towards electronic communication in the future. All those on the data base will shortly be mailed a Newsletter and enclosed with this will be a request for an update of personal and contact details and, if available, an email contact address. All those who wish to remain on the database are requested to return the form. A postage-paid envelope will be enclosed.
GRADUATES ON THE MOVE
Ruth Chalwell BBsc 2003
Boundless curiosity, endless self-motivation and bottomless cafe lattes helped psychology honours student Ruth Chalwell earn the La Trobe University Psychology Alumni Chapter Award for scoring the highest grades during three undergraduate years.
By year 10, Ruth knew she wanted to pursue psychology. The human mind's malleability intrigued her: how much more is going on than we think? Where she was going to nourish those curiosities? La Trobe's serene landscape reminded her of her country roots, and the staff knowing students by name, not just number, pulled her.
'In terms of workload year 12 was much heavier than first year, so the transition in that sense was not difficult,' she recalls. 'I remember the workload in second year coming as a rude surprise though! But it was challenging and that's when I do best, so it proved enjoyable and fulfilling.
Hervey Bay's humpback whales are an inspiration and research focus for Trish and Wally Franklin, founders of The Oceania Project. During August, September and October each year, the Franklins take about 70 Interns/Eco-volunteers on their whale research expedition to the waters between Fraser Island and the Queensland mainland.
Their work contributes directly to the long-term management, monitoring and conservation of the recovering humpback whale population in Australian waters. With digital cameras, video and hydrophones they record the behaviour and social organisation of the humpback whales. Many humpbacks pause here during their return from breeding areas in the Great Barrier Reef enroute to Antarctic feeding grounds. Trish now has a photo-ID database of 23,000 digital images with information on over 2000 individual whales.
TO VIEW THESE, AND OTHER PROFILES IN FULL, PLEASE VISIT GRADUATE PROFILES
What's On
LA TROBE UNIVERISTY ART MUSEUM
Glenn College, Bundoora campus
Exhibition hours: Tuesday – Friday, 12 noon – 4 pm or by appointment.
Email artmuseum@latrobe.edu.au for further information.
9 June – 20 July 2005
Judy Holding: Place 1
Judy Holding is represented in the La Trobe University Art Collection by several works that explore the psychological effects of extreme weather conditions, moving from more literal renditions of observable phenomena into more metaphysical and emotional responses. This exhibition surveys Holding’s early to more recent installations and paintings.
Official Opening - Wednesday 15 June, 6pm - 8pm, by PROFESSOR MICHAEL MEEHAN, Head of School of Communication and Creative Arts, Deakin University.
Floor Talks by the Artist - Wednesday 22 June and Tuesday 5 July at 5.30pm. All welcome.
PHYLLIS PALMER GALLERY - BENDIGO
School of Visual Arts & Design, Gate 8, Sharon Street, Bendigo Campus
Exhibition hours: Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm.
Email visualarts@latrobe.edu.au for further information.
2 June - 27 June 2005
The Rhythm of Studio 2
Works by three diverse contemporary Ceramic Artists - Kerri-Ann Abbott, Flo Jones and Maria Vanhees
ALUMNI DINNER - BANGKOK, THAILAND
Sunday 12 June, 2005, 7 pm - 9 pm
Venue : Hotel Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit
250 Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Telephone : (+66) 02 6498664
Former La Trobe University students are invited to an Alumni Dinner to be held in Bangkok, Thailand. This event is organised by Heng Lim from the Language Centre, and Jane Tran of the International Programs Office at La Trobe University.
Please RSVP to Ms Ta on (+66) 1805 8705.
INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY SEMINAR
Wednesday 15 June, 4 pm
Seminar Hall, Institute for Advanced Studies Administration Building
"An Enzymologist’s approach to protect the Cell from the Cytotoxic effects of a Cyclophosphamide Chemotherapeutic Agent"
Guest Speaker - PROFESSOR HENRY WEINER, IAS Distinguished Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study at La Trobe University. Professor of Biochemistry, Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana USA
Henry Weiner is a protein chemist who is interesting in both the enzymology of a detoxifying enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase as well as the import of proteins into mitochondria. His work has been funding by the National Institutes of Health for most of the 39 years he has been at Purdue University.
Professor Weiner has published close to 200 scientific papers and book chapters. He has organized 12 international conferences relating to the enzymology and molecular biology of carbonyl metabolizing enzymes.
ART HISTORY ALUMNI CHAPTER GUIDED TOUR
Monday 20 June, 11 am. (Meet at the Information Desk by 10.45 am)
You and your friends are invited to a guided tour of The Joseph Brown Collection, The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square. Geoffrey Smith, Curator of Australian Art at the NGV, will guide us around the collection. This is an exceptional opportunity to hear one of the curators discuss this very important, once private, art collection.
RSVP by Friday 10 June to Vincent Alessi (+ 61 3 9479 2111) or email arthistoryalumni@optusnet.com.au. Cost - $22 Art History Alumni Members, $27 non-members.
DOWN TOWN LECTURE - BENDIGO
Tuesday 19 July, 5.30 pm
La Trobe University Visual Arts Centre, View Street, Bendigo
Come and hear Mr Owen Davies, Manager Public Relations, Bendigo Bank, tell 'A bloody good story: an inside look at Community Banking'.
Entry by gold coin donation (towards Bendigo Alumni Scholarship fund).
RSVP to bendigoalumni@latrobe.edu.au, or telephone +61 3 5444 7811. Proudly sponsored by Bendigo Community Telco.
2006 GENERAL SIR JOHN MONASH AWARDS.
Applications close 31 August 2005. Application forms are now available at www.monashawards.org.
The Awards are Australia’s prestigious equivalent to the Rhodes scholarship and the American Fulbright programme. The Awards offer up to $150,000 over three years for postgraduate studies (PHD, DPhil or professional Masters Degree) at the best universities overseas.
Only eight Awards are made each year to Australian citizens adjudged to have outstanding academic achievement, community consciousness and service and leadership potential of their field and the community. The Foundation expects Award Winners to make a significant contribution to the future development of Australia.
There is no restriction on the age of applicants or the fields of study. The average age of Past Winners is 26 and they have come from universities across Australia including from the fields of Science; Engineering; Law; Economics; Social Studies; Health; Arts and Music.
Profiles of the 2005 Award Winners can be found at www.monashawards.org/news.asp
ADELAIDE FESTIVAL OF IDEAS
From 7-10 July, Adelaide will play host to around 50 thinkers and activists from across the world who have been asked to respond to the question, 'What is to be done?'
As the Festival's brochure states: 'This is an age-old question, a rallying point for revolutionaries and clerics. It is true that we live peaceably and in considerable comfort, but...
- our Indigenous people have a life expectancy that is out of Africa;
- our abundance has given rise to 'affluenza', with obesity confronting us wherever we look;
- our land weeps salty tears at how we abuse it; and
- many of our boys languish at school.
There is, in short, no shortage of challenges; what is to be done about them is another matter.'
Speakers from Australia and overseas include civic-minded business people, social entrepreneurs, intellectuals, discoverers and teachers, as well as one or two revolutionaries and clerics.
La Trobe participants include Judith Brett, Professor of Politics, John Carroll, Professor of Sociology, and Kathy Laster, Associate Professor, Law and Legal Studies.
See www.adelaidefestival.com.au for the Festival of Ideas interim program and further information.
2nd NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE FUTURE OF AUSTRALIA’S COUNTRY TOWNS
11-13 July 2005 in Bendigo, Australia
Registrations open now (Reduced fee for La Trobe Staff and Students)
Further information available at www.latrobe.edu.au/csrc
Conference Themes
- Economic diversity and the changing nature of rural communities
- Population trends and the implications for infrastructure, social and economic development, and land and water.
- Climate change and its implications and opportunities for rural Australia.
- Community processes which foster greater community engagement and participation.
- Local governance issues and their changing role in rural community development.
- The Creative Community and its innovative edge.
- The policy overlay - how does it support the sustainable development of country towns?
We are also seeking to involve community groups and organisations, local government, and other State/Federal government agencies - if you have any ideas or suggestions on how your organisation could make a contribution to this conference beyond the usual presentations and workshops, please contact: maureen.rogers@latrobe.edu.au
MELBOURNE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY TOUR
Come on a guided evening tour at the Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary. Visit Red gum woodlands and discover the unusual and sometimes rare wildlife they support. Also see our world first 'Wildlife Web Cam' streaming live to the web. Infrared cameras placed in nest-boxes, allow you to observe never before seen animal behaviours.
Bookings essential on 03 9479 1206 or email wildlife@latrobe.edu.au
For further information, please visit www.latrobe.edu.au/wildlife.
WOODRIDGE PRE SCHOOL 30 YEAR REUNION
Woodridge Pre School in Novello Court, Eltham is celebrating 30 years with a Family Fun Day on Sunday 11 September, 2005 from 11 am until 3 pm.
For further information, and to register your name, please contact Joy Parsons on +61 3 9439 6248 (phone) or +61 3 9439 3584 (fax), or email Di Stewart at distewart@netspace.net.au.
Career and Networking Opportunities
CBD CHAPTER CULTURAL TOURS - Open to all La Trobe alumni, staff, families and friends
Eastern Europe - September 2005
The next tour to Eastern Europe will depart on 9 September, 2005 for 16 nights. The tour includes visit to Vienna, Budapest, Krakow and Prague.
The tour costs A$4,750 per person in twin share four star accommodation, and includes airfares flying with Malaysian Airlines, or $2950 for land content only. The group is limited to 30 people, so please book early.
Egypt - January 2006
For the last four years, the CBD Chapter has organised very successful tours to Egypt for La Trobe University, staff, their friends and families, in conjunction with RMIT and the Egyptian Federation of Victoria. A similar tour for 2006 is now organised by popular request.
The tour will leave Melbourne on 4 January, 2006 for 16 days covering Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and a 4-day cruise on the Nile. There will be optional visits to the American University of Cairo for professional development experience and the new library in Alexandria.
The tour costs $4290 that includes international and domestic airfares (Malaysian Airlines), twin share accommodation in five star hotels.
Vietnam and Cambodia - January 2006
This tour will leave on 16 January, 2006 for 19 days covering Angkor, Saigon, Hue, Hoi An, Hanoi and Ha Long bay.
The tour costs $3450 that includes international and domestic airfares (Malaysian Airlines), twin share accommodation in four star hotels.
Further details on any of the tours can be obtained from Professor Trang Thomas, email trang.thomas@rmit.edu.au.
ALUMNI TRAVEL - EXPLORE PAST AND PRESENT CULTURES
MEXICO & CUBA: A JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY, REVOLUTION & POPULAR CULTURE
January - February 2006
Lecturers: Dr Barry Carr & Dr Ralph Newmark
This new ASA tour will explore the ancient, colonial and modern cultures of two of Latin America's key countries - Mexico and Cuba. Led by Barry Carr (Director of the Institute of Latin American Studies, La Trobe University), Australia's leading Mexico and Cuba scholar.
For further information, please visit www.asatours.com.au.
University News
LA TROBE PARTICIPATING IN TRAVELSMART
TravelSmart is an innovative, program which helps people reduce their dependency on the car and choose sustainable travel alternatives. This means that La Trobe University is actively try to improve cycling, walking and public transport facilities at the Melbourne (Bundoora) campus.
The program begun by running series of surveys to determine travel habits of staff and students. 70% of staff and 50% of students drive alone by car. These people where then asked which alternate modes they were most likely to consider and the barriers preventing them from doing so. In response to this data, a Transport Access Plan is currently being formulated. This will outline actions to be taken by the University in order to change travel behaviour. It is hoped that there will be a significant decrease in the number of single occupant vehicles travelling to La Trobe.
TravelSmart helps all of us by creating less car traffic on the roads, less pollution and greenhouse gases, stronger local economies and improved community safety. Look out for a local government TravelSmart program where you live or work. www.travelsmart.vic.gov.au
CHILDREN'S CENTRE REDEVELOPMENT
La Trobe University Children’s Centre has embarked on the redevelopment of its facilities on the Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus, and the construction program is well under way. The builder, APM Group (Aust.) commenced work in November 2004 with occupation scheduled for September this year.
The design, by architect Vincent Chrisp and Partners, involves the construction of two new single-storey linked buildings, each containing children’s playrooms, service areas and administration units. Additions and alterations are also being carried out to the existing Sessional Care Building to accommodate a new Nursery Care area. This will create a combined new facility of approximately 1,100 square metres to provide for 101 day care places and 29 sessional care places, divided into semi-independent units based on age groups and care function.
In addition, new outside playgrounds for each of the children’s age groups will be established. These will have a combination of new rubberised safety-paved surfaces under new climbing and playground equipment, and grassed areas to the remainder of the playgrounds in keeping with the natural environment surrounding the facility.
NEW PREMISES AT SHEPPARTON
La Trobe University, Shepparton has moved to new premises at 127 Welsford Street, Shepparton. This move is the first stage in a planned development of a separate university campus in Shepparton.
Over the past 12 years, Shepparton Campus staff have worked from office and teaching space within Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE, in Fryers Street, Shepparton. While teaching areas will remain in Fryers Street for the moment, Campus Administration and academic staff have moved to Welsford Street.
Campus Director, Professor Brian Graetz described the move as a significant and symbolic change for La Trobe University in Shepparton, reflecting the University’s commitment to the region. ‘It will allow us to develop a stronger identity as a university, and to develop and enhance our teaching and research activities in the Goulburn Valley region,’ Professor Graetz said.
The next stage of campus development will be the building of separate university facilities. Discussions have been held with Federal, State and local governments and other stakeholders, and the Federal Government has committed $1.5 million towards the development of a university campus in Shepparton.
More news at: La Trobe Bulletin and Uni News
Research @ La Trobe
LOVE AND LIFE FOR LONESOME BACHELOR BIRDS
La Trobe University ornithologists have confirmed the success of an ambitious project to rescue a population of nationally endangered Black-eared Miners.
The project not only saved the birds from local extinction. In doing so it provided ‘wives’ for some lonely bachelor birds who had no hope of finding mates without the scientists’ help.
Dr Rohan Clarke discovered three breeding groups of the birds near Ouyen to confirm a major accomplishment by a National Recovery Team, working for the birds’ conservation for 12 years.
According to the leader of La Trobe’s team, Dr Mike Clarke (no relation to Dr Rohan Clarke), the Black-eared Miner is one of Australia’s most endangered birds.
‘It requires large areas of mature mallee vegetation not burnt for at least 40 years, now a rare and precious commodity.’
‘In the early 1990s it appeared to be suffering a catastrophic decline in the Victorian parts of its range to broad-scale clearing of habitat, loss of long-unburnt mallee due to fires and the threat of genetic swamping by its more common relative, the Yellow-throated Miner,’ Dr Clarke said.
In 2003, with funding from the National Heritage Trust, the Mallee Catchment Management Authority and Zoos Victoria, an ambitious and long-term solution was attempted. This involved a major collaborative effort by staff from La Trobe University, Healesville Sanctuary and Parks Victoria.
OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS: HOW MUCH AND WHEN?
The world of nutritional science agrees there are numerous benefits from consuming Omega-3 fatty acids.
Such organisations as the American Heart Association and the Heart Foundation of Australia recommend eating fish, particularly fatty fish such as mackerel, herring, sardines, certain types of tuna and salmon, at least twice a week.
Such fish are high in two kinds of Omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
In addition, some food like soybeans, canola, walnut and flaxseed, and their oils, contain a shorter Omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Enzymes in the body metabolise the ALA into the longer Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA.
When, in what quantities and in what form should Omega-3 fatty acids be taken? And is there a point when it could be harmful like the closely related saturated fat? (Saturated fat comes from animal fats and is found as hidden fat in many of the processed foods we in the Western world consume in high quantities).
The answers to these questions may soon be known. An international team, led by La Trobe University behavioural neuro-scientist, Dr Richard Weisinger, recently received a three-year $277,000 grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to find answers to these questions.
More research at: La Trobe Bulletin
Alumni Benefits
ALUMNI BENEFITS
Numerous benefits have been added to the La Trobe University Alumni Benefits Program. For further details, please visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au/alumni/benefits.html.
Please contact alumni@latrobe.edu.au if your business would like to be part of the Alumni Benefits program.
Contact Us
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND VALUABLE INPUT!
La Trobe University Alumni Relations is seeking interested alumni to assist with forming interstate or international networks. These networks are invaluable in maintaining a link with your fellow alumni. Meet fellow alumni from La Trobe University, participate in or organise networking opportunities and social activities with your fellow alumni in your region! We would like to hear from you! Contact us today!
CONTRIBUTIONS TO ALUMNI ENEWS
Your news and information is a vital source for material in this enewsletter. Be it a full-length article or a short snippet, we invite and encourage your contributions. Tell us what is happening in your Chapter or Network. Tell us about your plans and activities involving the University. Your contributions form the foundation for links between our chapters, students, graduates and friends, and which are the bonds of our 'alumni community'. Please email your contributions to alumni@latrobe.edu.au.
Please take a moment to update your details so that we can stay in contact. Please email your full name, Alumni number and details to alumni@latrobe.edu.au.
Further information about Alumni Relations can be obtained by emailing alumni@latrobe.edu.au
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NEXT EDITION
The next edition of E-News @ La Trobe will be published on Friday 1 July 2005.