IN THIS ISSUE COVER: Professor Ken elements - making sense of mathematics. Photogr~ph reproduced courtesy of The Newcastle Herald. Illustrations used througJwut this edition of Van Gogh's Ear are by Bob Seal.

FEATURE SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS

Valuing our Scientists 3 Science and the National Future 4 Careers in Science and Technology 5 Protecting Pure Science 6 Science Taken in Pieces or as a Whole 7 Aspects of B,iology - The Frozen Zoo 8 Making the Iacko Dolls go Further 9 Urban Planning -Who's Responsible to Whom? \0

Surviving Isolation at the Bottom of the World II Eureka! 'The Genesis of Gold Deposits 12 Aspects of Physics 13 Black Coffee, Jokes and Mathematics 14 Lessons from Mathematics Research Ignored 15 On Interdisciplinary Education 16

CATALYSIS

Homosexual Vilification 17

RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP

Asthma Knowledge 18 Stress and Your Brain 19 Breast Cancer Research 20 Coalfields Kids in a 'First' for Health 21 Free Speech and the Media 22 The Shape of Rolling Steel 23 Visualisation for Efficient Management 23 The Drama of Making Decisions 24 Bulk Solids and Equatorial Glaciers 24

ACHIEVEMENTS Frank Hawkins Farewells Friends and Colleagues 25 Celebrating Hunter Families 25 Prize for Meritorious Paper 26 Giving the Infonnation to the People 26 Child Care Receives a Boost 26 Library Links with Thailand 27

LETTERS 27

Sport 28

Van Gogh's Ear is edited by SonjaDuncan. with layout and design by Gillian Stack. Letters to the Editor (no more than 300 words and signed). reports on outstanding and unusuw research. news and human

interest stories are welcome.

Closing date for next edition is 20 May.

Contributions and medi~ enquiries should go 10 Sonja Duncan or Fnuices Wilden. Information and ~blic Relations Unit (ph. 049 21 6440, fax 049 216400)

Van Gogh's&risprintedonrecycledstock.

2

WHYFOCUSONSCffiNCEAND MATHEMATICS?

Fonner Prime Minister, Bob Hawke. was

all for the creation of a "Clever Country".

exhorting us to ''understand the role played

by science and technology in all aspects

of life and especially wealth generation and

the creation of a more productive culture,

and to encourage infonned debate and a

proper appreciation of the ways in which we

should use the scientific and technological

opportunities that arise l."

But, despite the craft of the wordsmiths,

science and maths are poorly understood by

most Australians and even in this age of

technology and gadgetry, they suffer from

an image problem. While primary school

children may love science2, brighter uni­

versity entrants avoid the subject because

they do not see it offering attractive careers.

And maths is definitely an acquired taste.

ButaccordingtoGascoigneandMetcalfe3,

in Public Communication of Science and

Technology in Australia, science is being

redefined "sometimes" they say, "rather

harshly". "Politicians are castigating

scientists for indulging in self-interested

activity - 'too much science for sciences'

sake'; governments are calling CSIRO to

'get its act together'; business and industry

leaders are blaming scientists for failing

to communicate their research results to

• industry as a reason for absence of commer~ cial use of research advances; anti~science

lobbyists and extreme conservation groups

have blamed science and scientists for all

the perceived harmful consequences of

the application of scientific results and the

media have made the most of all these

issues by the exercise of selective emphasis.

In fact, science has been made the 'whipping

boy' on which these groups have vented

their frustrations4."

So, as our contribution to understanding

and appreciating this ugly duckling, we

have asked the Faculty of Science and Math~

ematics to fluff its feathers and let us peek

beneath its wings.

1. Science and Technology Budget Statement 1990-91, AGPS, Canberra, 1990, p 2. Cited in Gascoigne

T.H. and Metcalfe I.E., Public Communication of Science and Technology in Australia (1994).

2. NatiofUll Board of Employment, Education and Training, What Do They Know? The understanding

of science and technology by children in their last year of primary school in Australia. Commissioned

Report No 23, AGPS, Canberra 1993. Cited in Gascoigne TH andMetcalfe lE, Public Communication of

Science and Technology in Australia (1994).

3. Gascoigne T.H. and Metcalfe J.E., Public Communication of Science and Technology in Australia

(1994). 4. A. G.L Rees, Science in Bondage, The Sir William Wark lecture, AustralianAcademyofScience, 1987.

p 7. Cited in Gascoigne T.R. and Metcalfe J.E., Public Communication of Science and Technology in

Australia (1994).

CONVOCATION PUBLIC LECTURE proudly presents .

Professor Anatoli Sosnovski and

Professor Larissa Sosnovskaya Hear these two eminent Russian visitors speak on the emerging Russian economy

at a Public lecture

in the Purdue Room of Great Hall,l1.00am to 2.00pm, Wednesday, May 18

Light luncheon provided

RSVP to Ms Anne Burtoft, Infonnation & Public Relations Unit,

Phone: (049) 21 6444 Fax: (049) 21 6400 by May. 13.

3 Feature

VALUING OUR SCIENTISTS

~ no' 1;" the ~ study of

~aitlih(sen~:~Qn~ dedUctlool ~ inferenres ~cb am ~ ·~.1IIld ~ Senerai laW* wbiCb tan be

furolu~ fi'om reproduCible ~ tions aud ~ of eveQl$ and

~ \¥i~ thf; univ~'.~ the

knowJedgo so ~ 1. systematised,

knowledge in general. 3. 8 ~cu1ar

bmnchortnowJedge.4.sldIl: proficiency.

(From LatinscientaJIl.CllDin&~iediei

By Professor David Finlay, Dean, Faculty of Science and Mathematics.

The hallmark of Science and Mathematics at Newcastle University is diversity. The nine Departments which make up the Faculty range from the expected Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics through Biological Sciences, Geology,

Geography and Psychology to Applied Science and Technology, and Aviation. The Mat:lJuarie Dictiotuuy,

Reviud E4ition 1985

After the heydays of the sixties when science and mathematics

were the areas that thrived in schools and universities there has

been a realignment of interest away from these areas. In a recent

report, Public Communication of Science and Te~hnology in

Australia' it is stated that "science and technology (S&T) were

the subjects about which most Australians admitted being ignorant,

and science was the only area where business, trade union and

Government leaders were as poorly infonned as workers. Even

the 'attentive groups' of people interested in S&T have a limited

understanding of scientific processes or tenns". This situation exists

in spite of increased focus on science and technology matters in

the print and electronic media and the obvious appeal of science

and technology centres like Questacon, the Power House Museum

and Newcastle's Supernova. A paradox exists then, between

obvious interest in, but an increasing gulf between understanding

and participating in Science, Mathematics and

Technology. This situation is not confined to

Australia and in many countries of the world

careers in Science and Technology are not seen

as attractive careers.

Is this a problem? At a variety of levels it

is clear that there is a problem here. Our

community is becoming increasingly

dependent on technology and on the

science which lies behind the technol­

ogy - televisions, computers, videos,

increasing computerisation of our

motor vehicles, etc, fonn integral

parts of most peoples lives - but

as users rather than as a group who under­

stands the basis of this technology. Medicine, the

fundamentals of which derive from Science and

Mathematics, is becoming increasingly technologically based.

Export development, new product development and the emergence

of a "Clever Society" must have as a base a sound infrastructure

in Science, Mathematics and Technology. Indeed there is a clear

link between our prosperity and standing in the world and our

development and evaluation of our science by an educated

community.

The role of the Faculty in education in the areas of Science,

Mathematics and Technology is as we started off diverse and

wide ranging. On top of the expected role of providing high quality

education and research in the discipline areas mentioned above,

the Faculty provides the background for Science, Mathematics,

Applied Science and Technology for future teachers. Science

summer schools are held regularly to - ---'

encourage participatioJl' in Science by

High School students. The Mathematics Department plays a similar

role in the area of Mathematics education. The University will this

year act as a judging venue for the assessment of projects construc­

ted by High School students. Each of the departments in the Faculty

has close links with industry to share the expertise and this was

highlighted this year through a Mathematics in Industry Study group

in which problems provided by industry were considered and in

many cases solved by mathematicians from around Australia who

gathered at Newcastle. Faculty members have also played a major

role in establishing the Newcastle Science Museum, Supernova to

stimulate and interest young people in a unique way. Other

examples of interest are contained in the articles

found in this edition of Van Gogh's Ear.

There is a desperate need in our society

to become sufficiently literate in

Science, Mathematics and

""-... Technology so that an educated

debate can occur on a whole

range of issues which will include

J,'l-J.:'::::~'::II environmental degradation,

diminishing natural resources,

alternative fuel sources

including nuclear power,

the increasing use of

biotechnology in agriculture and medicine. The list goes on.

The descriptions of the current situation of poor science literacy in

our community and the need to improve this literacy are easy to state.

Whatis not so clear is the direction to be taken to find solutions to these

issues. Universities and schools are playing their part, as is, somewhat

belatedly, Government, but essentially the community has to embrace

its scientists and value but question what ~hey do.

I. Gascoigne T.H. and Metcalfe I.E., Public Communication of Science and Technology in Australia (1994).

Feature 4

SCIENCE AND THE NATIONAL FUTURE by Julian Cribb, science writer, "The Australian" *

"Here future Newtons shall explore the skies Here future Priestlys, future Wedgwoods rise"

THUS did Erasmus Darwin, grandfather

of Charles, envision the glorious intellect­

ual future of the infant nation of Australia

shortly after its birth and almost half a

century before the great naturalist himself

set foot in it. Erasmus. a leading intellect

in his own right, saw the future w~th remark­

able clarity, perceiving the great mental

challenges and stimuli with which the

continent would confront its occupants.

He was wrong on a single count: Josiah

Wedgwood, one of the greatest of scientific

counterparts in the

Antipndes.

In Australia

per cent of

manufac­

turers

employ no

advanced

technology,

where just

790 of our

550,000

companies perfonn research,

found few

where only two of 500 board members of

our top 50 companies have both technologi­

cal expertise and responsibility .. We live in

a country where children think scientists

are nerds, where women are afraid of the

future and where businessmen think the

"clever country" is a load of political hype.

We also live in a country which owns

$200 billion in foreign debt, has lost $300

billion on its balance of payments- in the

last 30 years and has, using the accepted

international measure, almost two million

unemployed. In 1964 we had the fourth

highest living standard on earth. Currently

we are 18th and by 2000 will be 21st. What

is the connection? The answer is supplied

by Noble prizewinner Professor Paul

Rohmer and another economist Robert

Solow who together have revolutionised

economics by demonstrating that innova­

tion - how a country makes use of its and

others' ideas - is the factor which separates

the star performing nations from the pack.

Innovation, they say, accounts for up to half

of a country's national rate of growth. It is

virtually equivalent in value to that coun­

try's capital and labour combined. Australia

has never lacked for capital, though it

usually belongs to other people. And

its workforce is fair by world

standards. Yet our living

standard continues to fall,

both relative to other countries and in abso­

lute terms. Don't count on free education,

healthcare, welfare or a pension in the

21st century - we will have outspent our

capacity to supply such luxuries. The miss­

ing ingredients in the Australian formula

are innovation and technological awareness.

Science we have aplenty - but the national

lack of appreciation for its relevance and

usefulness is leading to a gradu_al erosion

in our capability even in this field. We have

yet to discover collectively the knack for

turning knowledge into wealth. In the

Federal Parliament there are just. 12 scien­

tists or engineers among 223 MPs. Only

six per cent wealth creators against 94

per cent trained wealth redistributors and

spenders. The graduate product of our

education system shows a similar

imbalance: herds of lawyers, economists,

• accountants, social engineers, paper

shufflers. Comparatively few farmers,

chemists, geologists~ miners, engineers.

Australia is almost unique in the Asia­

Pacific region in its disregard for the

means of advancing national wealth and its

obsession for redistributing the dwindling

remainder. Our per capita ratio of engineers,

for instance, is lower than that of practically

any other advanced or advancing nation.

And, in a reflection of the national belief

that wealth is to be had the easy way,

. Australians invest $10 billion a year on

slow horses and dogs, and less than $3

billion on research and development.

The real danger in all of this is that

Australians will wake up some time

early next century to find they have lost

control of their country. Its companies,

FA buildings, farms, mines

THE P4ST will be

qj WAlr ~ largely

\\\\\\" ~~. owned

" ~\ offshore. Even "'''''\\". ,0 ~" its universities,

schools and

hospitals will increasingly have foreign

owners. Its wages and work conditions

will be determined by those of Asia at large.

Its -sovereignty will be greatly diminished.

Throughout history, prosperous, successful

and dominant cultures have been defined by

their technology and how they applied it.

Weak, unsuccessful and subservient cul­

tures have been defined by their lack of it.

That is Australia's choice, at the horizon

of a new millennium. Science is the

foundation, the cornerstone of our future.

We can either build on it - or allow others

to do so. The decision can no longer be

postponed.

* Julian Cribb had lOOO science articles published within 30 months.

5 Feature

CAREERS IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY By SeTUltor Peter Cook, Minister for Industry. Science and Technology.

In the tenth Edition of Van Gogh's Ear, Dr Robyn Williams wrote that "a university should, above all, be a bastion for the challenging ideas of modern society". In that spirit, I would like to challenge some

conventional wisdom about careers in science and technology in Australia.

Firstly. there is a general perception that

scientists and technologists have a low pro­

file within companies and that there are

more opportunities for career advancement

through undertaking, say a law or conunerce

education. I understand that afthe top twenty

people in the management of three large

Australian companies - BHP, eRA AND

CSR - thirteen have science degrees. The

point is that once people reach top levels of

management, they are often not'~erceived as

coming from a science background. I am

sure you will find that most people who

initially trained in science and technology,

and subsequently moved o~ to other fields,

acknowledge that their initial~cientific train­

ing provided them with advantageous skills

for divergent careers.

The second myth, although it is not as

fashionable as it used to be, is that there is a

"brain-drain" of scientists from Australia. In

fact during the 1980s, migration became a

considerable source of engineers and scien­

tists for Australia, and each year there has

been a "brain-gain", with a net inflow last

year of 2500 engineers, 500 scientists and

500 academics. I think this reflects a recog­

ni~on overseas, that you can enjoy an excel­

lent quality of life in Australia, as well as

working in an environment where fIrst class

research is done - Australia publishes

almost as many scientifIc papers per capita

as the US, and significantly more than

France, Gennany and Japan.

Finally. there is the myth that Australia

is a "low technology" economy based on

agriculture and mining, and that therefore

we are being overambitious in producing

large numbers of people with degrees and,

particularly. postgraduate qualifications in

science and technology. In fact the OECD' s

database shows that at last count (1989) we

had about five research scientists and engi­

neers per thousand labour force, above the

average for the European Community, and

within sight of Gennany, Japan and the US.

Employment growth in high technology

industries in Australia

has been among the highest in the OECD

since the early eighties.

~ The opening of the Australian economy

in the 1980s, and the resulting structural

change in industry, took its toll in loss of

employment in some industries, with

areas such as Newcastle being particularly

affected. But the changes were necessary

if we were' to have internationally com­

petitive industries. The Tesult has been a

,rapid growth in Australia's manufactured

exports over the last fIve years. A study

on innovation by the Business Council of

Australia published in December last year,

confmned the emergence of a very wide

base of innovative, exporting Australian

finns, and the subsidiaries of foreign finns

who are outperfonning their parents. The

future of these industries depends on the

continued emergence of science and tech­

nology graduates with the skills to assist

finns to continuously upgrade their tech­

nology and production processes:

Feature 6

PROTECTING PURE SCIENCE By Professor Raul Mortley

In recent years the profile of Science has changed in many Universities. The tendency has been for fundamental scientific research to be displaced, on the grounds that it is an ivory tower affair, and that

universities are no longer like this.

This must be resisted. There is absolutely

no reason for abandoning totally the ivory

tower image of the University, since if there

is no fundamental research then applied

research will eventually dry up. Further,

there is absolutely no reason for which the

fundamental scientific disciplines should

not be carried out hand in hand with applied

science and technology, and with the

activity of research and development, as it

is called. This is a most important point. We

should emphatically reject any tendency to

drive a wedge between the two activities.

That there should be a gap between funda­

mental science and applied science is not,

nor has ever been, apparent to Medical

Faculties or Engineering Faculties, where

the two approaches tend

to evolve together. In many

respects they have always

done so. In Faculties of

Science, the two activities

have probably been less

well coupled, but there is

no contradiction between

the two, and the University

would be very unwise to

exalt one over the other,

or to put all its eggs in one

basket.

There is no doubt that

the transition from elite

higher education to mass

higher education, which

has been precipitated by

the Federal Government,

and which is in train in

many countries, has led to

a much greater demand for

universities to participate

in the economic programs

of Government. In this

sense pure scientists now

will always be under

pressure to encourage and foster the application of their work, but ifthe Univer­

sity is truly to advance knowledge it must

always protect those who are working in

the most remote reaches of pure science.

In the area of research and development

and applied science, this University has a

very good record, many of its activities

being associated with TUNRA, the research

commercialisation arm of the University. ID

recent times this company has been brought

closer to the central administration of the

University, with the Pro Vice-Chancellor

of Research now acting as Chainnan, as my nominee. This has successfully brought

the activities of TUNRA closer to those

of the research management office. and

ensured a greater degree of communication

and understanding.

I recently attended a presen~tion by Sir

Roderick Carnegie on ~ovation in the

Australian context. In the course of this

presentation, Sir Roderick Carnegie obser­

ved that the rule of thumb is that where a

successful commercialisation of an inven­

tion occurs, th~ pattern of expenditure will

have been as follows: $1 on research, $10

on development, and $100 on commer­

cialisation. This is an empirical finding,

based on his study of many cases. It is a

result which will come as a surprise to many

in the science and technology area, since

we are accustomed to regard the getting of

research funding as the main difficulty:

I suppose that many of us

would have put the figures

exactly the other way

around, namely $100 on

research, $10 on develop­

ment, and $1 on commer­

cialisation. If that is indeed

the way we think, it is

in stark contrast to the

empirical findings of Sir

Roderick Camegie's inno­

vations study committee.

It is clear that we in

the universities have to

grapple with these facts,

and we have to do better in

tenns of the commerciali­

sation process. We at

Newcastle are outstanding

at research, but putting the

Intellectual Property into

the commercial world on

a large ~cale, is a much

different problem. We

will have to address this

head-on in future years.

7 Feature

SCIENCE TAKEN IN PIECES OR AS A WHOLE by Associate Professor John O'Connor Head, Department of Physics

This fragmentation of science was a

consequence of the rapid growth in scien­

tific knowledge. It meant that individuals

could no longer keep in touch with the

essential elements of all aspects of this

diverse field. The disciplines of Biology.

Chemistry, Physics and Geology gradually

branched off as separate studies. These

divisions appear clear-cut to most members

of the community. They are, in reality. very

hazy and there is often a large area of

common ground between them. This view

is not new; Lord Ernest Rutherford is said

to have claimed that "Chemistry is the

Physics of the outer electron shell", thereby

claiming all Chemistry to be a component

of Physics. As I am sure I can already hear

the protests from my friends in Chemistry,

I will dampen down that comment by

drawing attention to other noted sayings

by Rutherford to establish his credentials

as an authority of note. (See quotes this

page.)

So are these disciplines real or a novelty?

Should we have them? One of the criticisms

of science is that it endeavours to break

down a problem to smaller and smaller

bits to analyse. It then puts the bits back

together and claims to understand the whole.

This has been likened to taking a picture

and cutting it into little bits, examining each

bit in detail and then making a declaration

on the original. Surely studying the original

is more constructive? To be able to achieve

this we need people interested in, and

trained in, more than one discipline; people

to work in the common ground between

disciplines.

There are well established common

grounds already and the number is growing.

It is interesting to hear people declare "llike Chemistry but I

don't understand Physics", or "I like Biology but not Geology",

Why are these subjects seen to be . so different if they are part of the

same whole? Are they really different?

These include physical chemistry, chemical'

physics, biochemistry, geophysics, bio­

physics, medical physics, geochemistry

and environmental science; surely the

subject with the greatest overlap. To

succeed in any of these areas one has to

have interest and experience in a range of

sciences. This may seem difficult but

don't forget that we are really not talking

about different subjects, just a component

of the whole which is called "science".

Difficult though you may perceive the

task, the rewards are excellent! There are

great challenges waiting in these fields. The

demand for trained personnel in the areas

mentioned above invariably outstrips sup­

ply and the salaries reflect that state.

Furthermore, the necessary training in

more than one discipline increases the range

of employment opportunities and improves

the long tenn employment prospects of

graduates.

How do I sign up for this marvellous

state? A science degree is already organised

to give an introduction to this approach.

Students are encouraged to take subjects

from four separate disciplines in their first

year to give them the greatest flexibility

'and choice in their final direction. It is up

to the student to make the most of this

opportunity and to work within it.

Perhaps you've already decided to

specialise in a particular discipline. Try to

maintain a strong link throughout your

studies with at least one other discipline.

This means not just scraping passes, but

giving them the same commitment as you

give your primary interest. Perhaps you

have already graduated and are in a

specialisation. Enter the grey region ot

your -chosen field to enrich your career.

Maintain and develop interests in other

science disciplines. This way you have two

specialities and furthennore you can work

comfortably in the overlap region between

these subjects.

May I first wish you good luck but, better

still, wish you a future that does not rely

on luck.

LORD RUTHERFORD MEMORABLE QUOTES.

, ., ,. ,

"Don'tletmecatChanyonetalkingabout

, theriJni~,~ i~ iny;bep~ent.~'

~'Ifybut .experimentneeds statisticS, YII» ought to hav!' (lOIIea />!>tIet:ex!'eri-· meDt~:.: :' . . . - ,-

''1ii. esserttlill f(j~meJj of science to talre . • aiiibterest hi the lulmiDistrati~n: of tlteir . ownafftllrsoteIselbeprofes"ioru.IcivU . sefvilft! Will step in and \l1en the !.:ord. help you." , . .

(OnBulstein'slb~Oftelativi(:y) ';h~ thatstuff. ~e.nCver oo\l1er wi!1t tblIthi

"The energy P!OduCe<l bYtb"'~ng dO\¥noftl)eatoln}savefyl!()O,jq"aof tbiDg-. Anyone ",hi; expeetS llsorirc'e' of POWer ftoin\l1e transIliiion 6rlbeSe. at-01llS js~g mQOnshine,"

i~$cie~~iliyjdMintolWo~tegories; •. i'h~~~lIijdsiamp ~.': <~StI! 'lblc#lit olx:e.n\li\ <lidl1ot

... '~!llrYiS the pbysics of the outer .e~sben."

Feature 8

ASPECTS OF BIOLOGY There's Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Genetics, Animal and Plant Physiology, Environmental Physiology and

Ecology. It all adds up fa a comprehensive study of "the science of life or living matter in all its/arms and phenomena ... "1 and it's all studied within the University's Department of Biological Sciences. Biology, by its very nature, is an area a/rapid change and as such the

emphasis is on the development of skills required/or continued education. In its 21 years, the Department has produced a number of outstanding graduates, many a/whom are now making distinctive contributions in their chosen fields. Among them are Associate

Professor Chris O'Neill. Director a/the Royal North Shore Hospital's /VF unit; Dr Danny Djakiew, Assistant Professor in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Georgetown University, Washington; Karemle Jurd, National Campaign Co-ordinator for the Wilderness Society; and Dr Mark Thomas, Senior Research Scientist (plant molecular biology) with the CS/RD, Adelaide, The three main

areas of research within the Department are reproductive biology, plant science and environmental biology. The following article provides just one example of the ground-breaking research being carried out within the Department.

THE FROZEN ZOO By Associate Professor John Rodger

The survival of many animal species is

threatened all over the world as the needs

and desires of humans and animals come

into conflict. This conflict ranges from

direct impact of hunting and poaching, to

the less obvious effects of agriculture and

urbanisation which destroy or profoundly

alter habitats. These problems are particu­

larly acute for large vertebrates, often

simply because they require large areas to

survive as self sustaining populaiions.

Recent advances in reproductive tech­

nologies for domestic animals and humans

have meant that scientists are now better

equipped to take active steps towards the

conservation of endangered species. Dedi­

cated groups of researchers are working to

save animals like the Black Rhinoceros

and White Puma at major zoos and fauna

reserves around the world.

Most of the work on new technologies

. is focused on improving or adapting

fertility enhancing techniques to control

breeding or increase production. Work is

also underway to develop a "frozen zoo",

that is, to develop methods to preserve the

spenn, eggs or embryos of living animals

to ensure their long term survival and input

of their

genetic

diversity

to the species gene pool. Loss of

genetic diversity is the greatest long term

threat to endangered species.

Research is currently being conducted

in this area for the conservation of Aust­

ralia's unique marsupials by a team of

postdoctoral fellows, postgraduate students

and research assistants in the Department

of Biological Sciences, headed by Associate

Professor John Rodger. Marsupials are

very different to the familiar placental

mammals in many aspects of their biology

and we must therefore develop methods

that are appropriate. The project, which is

funded by the Australian Research Council,

aims to develop minimally invasive repro­

ductive techniques to a level appropriate for

working with rare or endangered species.

The ability to store frozen gametes and

embryos indefinitely in liquid nitrogen,

together with the collection and transfer

technology will make assisted breeding

and gene banking (the "frozen zoo") feasible

for conservation of endangered mammals.

Techniques which have already been

established in the laboratory include

collection and freezing of marsupial

I The Macquarie Dictionary. Revised Edition 1985

(possum) semen; superovulation of

monovulatory marsupials for the purpose

of generating many eggs; and laparoscopy

for assessing the activity of the ovary and

technique to develop a reliable

artificial insemination system

and egg and embryo collection

and transfer protocol in the tammar

wallaby ~s a model system. This technical

work on matPpulating marsupial fertility

is supported by related projects which

are examining the fundamental cell and

molecular biology of marsupial fertility.

Preliminary investigations have revealed

that laparoscopically guided artificial

insemination into the uterus is likely to be

the mo'st widely applicable and potentially

useful technique. This technique has been

used in domestic animals for over a decade •

and even commercially in the sheep and

goat industries.

The development of the egg and embryo

collection and transfer protocols are integral

in developing NF in marsupials. Work on

gamete and embryo freezing in the tammar

wallaby is another major objective of the

project. To date there is no successful

protocol for freezing wallaby spermatozoa,

oocytes or embryos, although such tech­

niques are well established in domestic

animals. Taken together, freezing of

gametes and artificial insemination will

provide the first concrete steps towards

marsupials becoming part of the "frozen

zoo".

Research Associate Frank Molinia preparing frozen pellets of diluted waUaby sperm on dry ice for ultimate storage in liquid nitrogen.

9

MAKING THE "JACKO" DOLLS GO FURTHER by Associate Professor GeofJ Lawrance Head, Department of Chemistry

The following is ~n article with a suitable attention-grabbing title that I have written for Van Gogh's Ear. (No jokes about being a cut above

the rest will be inserted here, but I remain of the opinion that it is a very silly title - are there no famous lugless Australians to celebrate? Perhaps there are more recent celebrated cases of other appendages which have been sliced off and could be employed usefully?) But I

digress. Let the article begin ...

Oil No doubt you have seen the adver­

tisement where the "Jacko" (Australian

Rules footballer, Mark lackson) look-alike

doll ,is still going with its push-ups after

others have stopped. Or perhaps you recall

the advertisement where one bunny paddles

off into the sunset while others fall by the

wayside. The key to the alkaline batteries

which power these devices is the presence

of high-capacity electrolytic manganese

dioxide (EMD). This material is produced

in Newcastle by the Australian Manganese

Co. Ltd (AMCL), which now supplies an

impressive 20% of the world market for

alkaline batteries. In the Department of

Chemistry, forefront research supported by

AMCL is underway to both enhance the

performance of EMD and develop new

related materials.

Although we are fortunate to be geo­

graphically so close to AMCL, it is no

accident that we have taken on a significant

amount of fundamental research and

development for the company. Our invol­

vement with the plant commenced before

its completion, when the Newcastle

laboratories of BHP (Research) funded a

graduate student, Ms (now Dr) Sarah

Angus-Dunne, to examine the chemistry

of precipitation processes employed to

purify the manganese sulfate solution em­

ployed to make the EMD electrolytically.

Later, we were able to attract Dr Dom

Swinkels, a driving force behind the

establishment of the manganese

plant in Newcastle, as a research

associate in the Department. Dom's

expertise, drive and contacts have

assisted in the procurement of sig­

nificant industry and government

funds.

At present, the research in this

area involves a postdoctoral

research associate (Dr Andre Urfer), two

APRA (Industry) doctoral students (Mr

Rodney Williams and Mr Scott Donne)

and an honours student (Mr David Beach).

Collaborative research with groups such as

those at Middlesex University (Professor F.

Tye) in the U.K. and Queensland University

of Technology (Professor S. McElwain)

as well as industrial support [AMCL

(Australia), Duracell (USA and Europe)

and Kerr-McGee (USA)] have expanded

activity, and more projects are likely in the

future. Although the .work has a strong

applied nature, a number of fundamental

problems have become important. For

example, the rate at which protons diffuse

through the EMD and the way three­

dimensional structure relates to battery

activity are classical "academic" problems

which appeal to other academic staff

involved in the research such as Dr

Marcel Maeder and Mr Keith Grice.

The Department of Chemistry is pursuing

a wide range of research beyond the one

aspect described above, and anticipates

that the loss of senior academic staff under

the early voluntary retirement scheme,

while sorely missed as experienced and

active researchers, will quickly open new

avenues of

new staff

endeavour as

are appointed.

Feature

The transfer of Ms Helen Farrah and Dr

Stephen Beveridge from other departments

to the academic staff of the Department of

Chemistry has already added to the breadth

of both the teaching and research expertise

in the Department. The Department has

received two areas of research excellence

awards (to Dr Ellak von Nagy-Felsobuki

for his innovative work in photoelectron

spectroscopy, and to Associate Professor

Geoffrey Lawrance and Dr Marcel Maeder

for advanced research on inorganic reac­

tions) for their contributions to research

in the University, and is keen to build on

this and other records of achievement.

The government-promoted growth in

collaborative research by universities with

industry and government authorities,

provides an incentive for further industrial

liaisons involving this department. A recent

"taikfest" organised 'between staff of the

new Pacific Power Advanced Technology

Centre and the Department of Chemistry

may pave the way for new ventures, in the

same way that collaborative projects with

the adjacent BHP (Research) Newcastle

Laboratories have been established. One

notable success in the application of

academic expertise to "real world" situa­

tions has been the development by our

chemometrics expert Dr Marcel Maeder, in

association with Dr Peter King of Applied

Photophysics (lJ.K.), of the interactive

software which is now a key feature of the

instruments sold by th~t company.

From driving "Jacko"

dolls further, to driving

advanced instruments,

the Department of

Chemistry is quietly

making its mark in the

academic and industrial world.

Feature 10

URBAN PLANNING -WHO'S RESPONSIBLE TO WHOM?

Research currently being carried out by Dr Pauline McGuirk in the Department of Geography, is exploring the influence of central

government policy and economic restructuring on landuse planning and its practice at both state and local government levels.

Following earlier work carried out on

the urban planning system in Dub1in, Dc

McGuirk's focus is now the Federal gov­

ernment's Building Better Cities program

and the planned redevelopment of Ultimo­

Pyrmont in central Sydney. The Ultimo­

Pyrmont redevelopment is taking place

at a juncture in Federal/State/Local

government relations that is quite critical.

State governments are coming under

increasing pressure to raise their revenue,

giving rise to one of the priorities in the

redevelopment at UItimo-Pyrmont to

maximise the return on the many slate

government owned sites.

The unique nature of the large-scale

redevelopment offered by the Building

Better Cities projects creates an unusual

situation regarding local government

powers. At Ultimo-Pynnont, redevelopment

is under the auspices of the CityWest

Development Corporation. This authority

is answerable to the NSW Minister for

Planning, not to Sydney City Council.

Although Sydney City Council welcomed

the redevelopment in principle, events in

the planning process and recent departures

from the initial plan have sparked a good

deal of controversy surrounding issues of

accountability and the question of straying

from the priorities of the Building Better

Cities program. Though Sydney City

Council still has the power to grant or deny

planning permission to most proposed

developments in the area, there are a num­

ber of important circumstances under

which that right is removed and the decision

is passed to a higher authority. For ~r

McGuirk, it appears that the pressure on

State governments to attract investment and

to maximise their returns is causing the

planning process to be affected in a manner

not unlike that which has occurred in

Dublin; namely the reorientation of the

role and policy directions of urban planning

together with a decline in local autonomy.

Dr McGuirk' s aim is to examine the

manner in which the redevelopment is

being organised, planned and implemen­

ted. Understanding this is important if

the implications of such development on the

urban planning process is to be understood.

She also hopes that her work will shed

some light on the changing nature of

relations between different levels of

government under conditions of economic

restructuring.

•

•

I

-•

11 Feature _..-..iia. ,....~

::

SURVIVING ISOLATION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD ~d~'~~~ ~ ~"'~""' ~ ,j

Absolute isolation has its advantages. After the last ship

sails from Australia's Antarctic Territories, there is no-one to introduce new colds or fius, there are no stomach bugs or viruses, no infections and male testosterone levels decline. However, having to

endure temperatures of minus 20 degrees - "where the hairs

in your nose snap freeze as you step outside" - would make the prospect less than attractive to

most people.

Mc Graeme Armstrong, a high school

principal and_ guest lecturer in the Geogra­

phy Department's seminar series, recently

survived such isolation and, although he

enjoyed the experience, suffered the

consequences of returning to civilisation.

While delivering his lecture on the scientific

programs at Casey Base, Antarctica he was

suffering his first cold in quite some time.

As Casey Base's Station Leader, Graeme

was responsible for administration and

making sure his fellow inhabitants remained

in good psychological health. However, he

also participated in some scientific programs

and spoke about them to interested students

last month.

Becoming Station Leader involved a

gruelling selection process staged in the

semi-isolation of Tasmania's mountains.

He was subjected to treatment designed to

push him to the limit. He survived and was

selected to spend 13 months at the veritable

bottom of the world.

During the summer months Casey Base

is a hive of activity with up to 70 visitors

conducting experiments in upper atmos­

phere space physics, meteorology, biology,

geology. immunology and glaciology - which

Graeme singled out as one of the more

exciting projects.

During 1993 glaciologists drilled to

bedrock for the first time in Antarctic

history. The team of 11 scientists extracted

cores of ice assumed to be up to 10,000

years old. The project was a logistical

nightmare, requiring specialist equipment

and transport for the cores of ice. Those

cores recently arrived back in Australia

and, upon examination, will reveal vital

infonnation about climate change in the

Antarctic.

On a theme familiar to many researchers

at this and other universities, Graeme

discussed funding available for research of

this type and the necessity for scientists

to justify their work by linking it to "issues

of the day". Global wanning, greenhouse

gases and temperature changes are high

profile issues and funding is more readily

available for research in this area, he said.

Only 19 people wintered at Casey Base

(March to November), among them

biologist Ms Anne lackson who braved

temperatures lower than minus 20 degrees

to measure and record the environment of

snow algae and lichen.

During winter there are four daylight hours

and winds can increase in velocity from a

gentle breeze to 200kms per hour in minutes.

Occasionally Graeme said he woulq look

out the window and see station personnel

lifted off their feet and bowled along the

ground by the wind. Those venturing off

base had supplies for two weeks in case

they were stranded at outstations during

bad weather.

Despite the harsh conditions and isola­

tion, Graeme was awestruck by the

Antarctic environment, its flora and fauna.

He survived psychologically intact and is

proud his winter companions still speak

to him and each other. Those who doubt

this will have the opportunity to see for

themselves when later this year the ABC

screens an Andrew Denton documentary

on the visit to Casey Base.

Biologist Ms Anne Jackson in minlls 20 degree temperatures measuring the environment of

snow algae and lichensjound in the Afltarctic.

..

Feature 12

EUREKA!!! THE GENESIS OF GOLD DEPOSITS

By Associate Professor Phil Seccombe, Department afGeology

The gold that underpins our world

economy and has so many applica­

tions in electronics and space-age

technologies, is derived from almost

as many different types of geological

environments as the variety of uses

for this important metal. In Eastern

Australia, the principal source of gold

(responsible for gold fever in the mid­

dle of last century) and the resulting

prosperity of many of our major

centres in the eastern states - is lode

gold, associated with veins of quartz

and hosted by ancient sedimentary

rocks.

These deposits are the subject of

a substantial research effort in the

University'S Department of Geology.

Most of the work has focused on the

Cobardistrictin the State's west, which

is rapidly becoming a showpiece for

spectacular ore discoveries and mod­

ern mining developments. In this

region, almost three million tonnes

of zinc, two million tonnes of lead,

over a million tonnes of copper and

more than 5000 tonnes of silver are

added bonuses to the 120 tonnes of

gold mined from the district.

This study aims to obtain an under­

standing of the controls on gold depo­

sition for each mineral field, that is, to

establish the cause of such spectacular

concentrations of gold and other metals in a relatively restricted

region of the Earth's crust. By carefully mapping each environment,

we are able to document the setting of the deposits

and apply a number of geochemical tests to

the mineralisation. Principal among

these is the study of fluid inclusions

- small pockets of fluid confined

to the gold-bearing quartz veins,

no more than one-thirtieth of a

millimetre in diameter, which

represent trapped samples of

the mineralising solutions

from which the veins

formed, often over tens

of millions of years.

These samples, despite

their small size, are invaluable in unravelling the complex sequence

of events accompanying vein growth. They are time capsules for the

NSW gold deposits, in that they preserve unchanged, the composition

of the ore fluids from as long ago as 400 million years.

We now know that the gold deposits developed through multiple

episodes of fluid flow during major periods of folding and

faulting which affected the host sedimentary rocks. Temperature

data indicates that most deposits formed as the fluids transporting

gold and other metals cooled from around 40O"C to about 150°C

and as dissolved hydrogen sulfide and other gases, such as carbon

dioxide and methane, separated from the fluid.

Complementary to this research is isotopic analysis, in which

measurements of the relative abundance of the naturally occurring

isotopes of sulfur, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, present in vein

minerals or the accompanying fluid inclusions can be used to

'fingerprint' the source of these elements in an ore deposit. Although

ancient seawater or volcanic eruptions are among the possible

candidates for the supply of metals in the Cobar and Hill End

deposits, the principal source of the metals appears to be older rocks

at deeper levels in the crust. A model of ore formation has been

established whereby hot, slightly salty and gas-charged fluids,

moving through sedimentary strata during periods of folding and

mountain-building, may scavenge a variety of metals. Gold and

other base metals dissolved in the migrating fluid may then be

transported to shallower, cooler crustallevels where the metals are

precipitated in major fault zones. Our research has established a

variation on this theme, whereby a granitic intrusion, buried some

kilometres beneath the goldfield, has acted as the source

of heat. Metals and fluid to supply gold to faults, developed in the

overlying sedimentary strata.

. Application of these genetic models to mineral search allows

explorers to concentrate on locating structures along which ore may

have been concentrated and to focus on thephysical and chemical

reasons for ore accumulation. In this way, new

'greenfields' mineral

districts might

be defined, new

mines may

be located in

existing mines.

Who knows, perhaps we will

all be shouting "Eureka!" once more.

ASPECTS OF PHYSICS Determining the Correct Dose

Medical Physics. an applied branch of physics, involves the collaboration of physicists with other scientists and clinicians in the

University and its teaching hospitals. The medical physics group in the Department of Physics is concerned with the dosimetry of ionising

radiation used for the treatment of cancer patients. It is important to know the dose as accurately as possible: the aim of radiotherapy is

to get as much dose in the tumour as possible without causing intolerable side effects to the patient. A wide range oftechniques is available

for dosimetry. Measurements may be taken in the laboratory or in vivo directly on patients undergoing therapy. The research of the group

is aimed at the development of a new and exciting technology (NMR -dosimetry) as well as refining established means of assessing dose

distributions such as thermoluminescence dosimetry (TLD) and radiographic film. The latter was examined last year in an honour's project

on dose verification in radiotherapy phantoms by a student, Martin Ebert, who won the University Medal for his efforts.

Space Plasma and Geomagnetic Fields

Professor John Samson, Director of the

University of Alberta node of the Canadian

Space Research Network is currently

visiting the Department of Physics. He is

an expert in space plasma physics and is

working with the Space Plasma Waves

Group on collaborative projects looking at

geomagnetic field line resonances at high

and low latitudes, non-linear plasma ~ave

theory and the discrete wavelet transform.

A new direction for research in the Space

Plasma Waves Group is underway follow­

ing the acquisition, from the Space Science

Laboratory, University of California,

Berkeley, of a database with 15 months of

magnetospheric electric field observations

from the USAF-NASA Combined Release

and Radiation Effects Satellite (CRRES).

These electric fields have profound effects

on plasma motion and plasma waves in the

magnetosphere. Professor Brian Fraser,

Dr Yiding Hu and Mr Gavin Dowdell

have developed appropriate computer

software and commenced studies using the

new database in conjunction with other

CRRES data already available.

The Power of Combining the Elements

Alloys, which are made up of two or more

pure elements, have been used through the

ages. Alloys allow for the creation of a

material which can have the best features

of its constituents. To take a common

example, in the case of stainless steel, the

introduction of chromium can inhibit the

corrosion of the alloy.

Studies being conducted by the Uni­

versity'S Surface Physics group are aimed

at detennining the properties of the outer­

most layers of alloys. It is at this boundary

that all physical and chemical interactions

occur. The research will not only focus

on how the structure and composition of

the alloy's surface affects its physical

properties, but also on determining how to

better utilise surface alloys as catalysts

in chemical processes. One of the most

exciting developments has been the

creation of surface alloys. These are alloys

only one atomic layer thick on a substrate

of some pure material. By creating such

thin layers, it is possible to alter dramatic­

ally the chemical properties of the surface

and even introduce previously unknown

properties toeIements. Given the right growth

conditions it is possible to produce a mag­

netic form of copper. Developments on

these lines are aimed at producing very

high quality and high sensitivity recording

media for tapes and computer di~ks. The

surface alloy research undertaken at New­

castle is in collaboration with research

groups at the Technion University_ in Israel,

the University of Bonn and the Humboldt

University in Berlin, Germany.

-;:. El

~

Feature 14

BLACK COFFEE, JOKES AND MATHEMATICS by Professor lai" Raeburn

How on earth can you do research in Mathematics? I thought it had all been worked out.

Every mathematician has heard and

dreads these words. Especially when they

are spoken in social situations where the

mathematician and high-school teachers

are practical people, who concentrate on

teaching students how to solve problems.

In fact it is appallingly easy to write down

problems which nobody knows how to

solve. Thus, for example, everybody learns

how to solve quadratic equations, but

not quintic ones - because; after centuries

of trying, mathematicians proved that there

is no systematic way of solving quintic

equations. But people do sometimes

need an answer, so mathematicians

have therefore done a lot of research

on efficient methods of constructing

approximate solutions.

The Mathematics Department has

two main research groups. There is a

long-es'bblished group whose -members

work on mathematical problems asso­

ciated with relativity theory and

astrophysics. The Object of this kind

of research is to develop and analyse

models which explain and predict what

actually happens. To this end, the group

at Newcastle has acquired skills in a

broad range of modem mathematics,

from the pure mathematical theory, of

differential geometry, to the numerical

analysis necessary to calculate approx­

imate solutions to complicated systems

of equations.

Following my appointment to the Chair

in 1991, the Department has built up a very

strong research program in Functional

Analysis. Researchers are particUlarly

interested in operator algebras and

representation theory, which have

developed from their origins in quantum

mechanics into two of the most exciting

research areas in Mathematics. The

group has quickly earned an international

reputation, and has already attracted

visitors from Britain, Canada, Denmark,

Gennany, Norway, Russia, the United

States and Uruguay. This kind of activity

stimulates our own research, and gives

our postgraduate students valuable

exposure to the leading experts in the

field.

So, how does one do research in

Mathematics? Typically, one assembles

a few like-minded mathematicians, a

pot of coffee and a blackboard, and the

debate will start. Ideas are thrashed out,

ridiculed, maybe even proved. Iokes

are cracked, parenthood questioned, and

finally - the hard bit -someone has to lock

themselves away and write it down.

Jokes? Yes. Indeed, mathematicians

have a recognisable taste in humour.

Next time you find yourself making

a joke out of the literal meaning of

something, remember that there are

people who find that kind of thing

funny: .....

15 Feature

LESSONS FROM MATHEMATICS RESEARCH IGNORED 7111 X 792 =?

If your Year Five child could find the

answer to this rather difficult fractions

calculation, you would probably feel that

shelhe was receiving a more than adequate

education in mathematics. But what if this

same child was unable to respond correctly

to a request to give you one-third of 12

marbles? Professor Ken elements believes

our children ;rre being taught to arrive at

correct answers on mathematics tests

without having any understanding of the

meanings behind the calculations they use.

Speaking at an inaugural lecture, to mark

his appointment to a Chair in Education,

Professor elements said the recent findings

of Australian mathematics education

researchers are C?ither not known, or are

ignored, by politicians and bureaucrats

who set the curriculum for our children. The

Professor expressed concern that society

pays more attention to high scores on pencil

and paper mathematics tests than to whether

students understand sufficient maths to be

able to survive with dignity in everyday life.

"The aim of mathematics education

should be for students to gain a holistic

understanding of mathematics. Communi­

cations mismatches between teachers and

students, and hidden dimensions of math­

ematics classroom discourses, are of

fundamental importance for explaining

why many students find it difficult to learn

mathematics," Professor Clements said.

"We have whole generations of people out there who think

that mathematics has no connection with their daily

lives. They have no idea that mathematics can be powerful or beautiful."

Citing research that shows the main

problems children experience with school

mathematics arise from language factors

and from an inability to "mathematise",

Professor Clements suggested methods of

overcoming, these difficulties in the class­

room. "There is an important need for

school mathematics to link children's

personal worlds with fonnal mathematical

language and skills, so that learners can

pose problems in mathematical terms, and

then solve these problems using appropriate

skills. 'Filling by drilling' alone wi11 not

achieve this. The aim is for children to make

sense of mathematics, now. The need to

assist students to develop cognitive links

is a vitally important professional develop­

ment issue in mathematics education,"

he said.

"We have whole generations of people

out there who think that mathematics has

no connection with their daily lives. They

have no idea that mathematics can be

powerful or beautiful," Professor Clements

laments. "There seems to be an official

determination to introduce cunicula and

assessment procedures which actually fly

in the face of the findings of research."

Before taking up his position last June

as Professor of Education at Newcastle,

Professor elements was an Associate

Professor in Education at Deakin Univer­

sity. He has 14 years teaching experience

in Australian primary and sec·ondary schools,

and is the author, co-author and editor of

numerous books and articles advocating

change in the direction of school mathemat­

ics. He is currently working with the

Department of School Education on a

number of projects, including proposals

to alter the school mathematics curriculum.

Feature 16

ON INTERDISCIPLINARY EDUCATION By Professor Cliff Hooker

(Forgive crudity: One is asked to be incisive, and controversial, in a tiny space ... )

Proposition 1: The educated elite which

manage our planet ought to understand its

basic nature and have developed their skills

and values in that light, and our educational

process, however it differentiates and spe­

cialises, should ensure this. Is this how we

conduct ourselves? Not a bit of it.

The basic nature of our world is that it is

a highly dynamic, interactive, adaptive

and self-organising system, showing deep

and often sudden changes in fonn and!

or dynamics as its historical development

unfolds. The baby grown from a homogene­

ous few-celled being into the marvellously

differentiated but harmonious multi-celled

adult, the ecology surprisingly concentrates

DDT up the food chain and its complex

web degrades before our disturbed eyes, the

world transfonns into a global economy

organised through a global electronic

information highway. Medicos, farmers

and economists who are ignorant of these

transfonnations cannot guide us sensibly,

and the point generalises. Yet, for example,

our Humanities students, who will manage

systems of all, human socio-political

systems, can graduate with virtually no

contact whatever with these ideas.

Conversely, we coop up in the Engineering

and Science Faculties, that one group of

students who may know something about

the behaviour of complex systems and we

reinforce their silly cultural prejudice that

Humanities are fluff, and that they have

nothing to contribute to planetary manage­

ment and should not desire to do so.

The human species is currently increasing

its intervention on this planet, and its own

internal complexity, at ~n ever-increasing

pace, with increasing regards but also

increasing costs of failure. Managing this

will require the design of intelligent

institutions which will support our activit­

ies but regulate us within the confines of

resilient, planetary dynamics. Moreover,

there is no single important issue that can

be addressed, let alone solved,

within the resources of anyone University

department. Where in the University do we

educate our students to understand these

matters?- In our system of specialisation

and electives students experience at best

disGiplinary serial monogamy (DSM - it is

an intellectually sado-masochist affair).

There is no focus in our universities for

providing a framework of studies which

would lead students to some understanding

of our dynamic world and prepare them to

live wisely and contribute to our local

and planetary future.

The world is too complex for us to

produce a single stream of polymaths, or

. shove into one course all the disciplinary .

expertises (ultra-DSM). But there could be

a seasoning core of specific inter-discipli­

nary courses and/or of courses whic~ are

designed to reflect important features of

the whole in their necessarily more

confined subject matter. Something one

might associate with a community, rather

than a market, of scholars.

A female academic, "Jenny", comes to the EEO Unit, very angry and upset about a conversation she has just overheard in her departmental staff room.

A male colleague was commenting to others in the

room about the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, in

terms she found very offensive. He ridiculed the idea that a gay or lesbian

couple, whether or not they have children, could call

themselves a family and he referred to gay people as

perversions of nature, with something evil about them.

"Jenny" is lesbian, a fact she has neither concealed nor advertised around the department. She and her

partner have two children from her partner's earlier, failed marriage and they

definitely consider themselves afamily. The

reference to evil has alarmed and sickened her,

raising as it does the spectre of Hitlerian scapegoating and

extermination.

She doesn't know whether her colleague was aware

of her presence in the staff room, nor does she know whether he is aware that she is gay. In any case, it wasn't a personal attack but it was offensive and

disturbing.

17 Catalysis

HOMOSEXUAL VILIFICATION

Has an offence been committed?

From March 2, 1994, the Anti­

Discrimination Act (NSW) has included

the offence of homosexual vilification.

There are a number of tests an act

must pass before being considered to

be vilification:

(a) it must be a public, not private, act;

(b) it must be serious enough to be

capable of inciting others to hate, have

serious contempt for or severely ridicule

a person, or group of persons, because

they are (or are thought to be) lesbian

or gay;

(c) it must fall outside the limits of

acceptable free speech.

"Jenny"'s experience has a good

chance of passing all three tests. It was

not a private statement, that is, made

only to her in no-one else's hearing,

because several people heard it. The

ridiculing of the idea of gay families

mayor may not be "severe". depending

on the full context and the exact words

used. However, the words "perversions

of nature" and "evil" are strong words,

likely to be seen as capable of inciting

hatred andlor serious contempt for gay

people. The speaker's intentions are

not relevant here. Finally, although the

speaker would probably claim to be'

exercising his right of free speech, the

Act spells out the meaning of this term.

Free speech means:

(a) fair reporting by the media of some­

one else's act of homosexual vilification

(e.g. a report of an address to a public

meeting which has lead to a complaint

of homosexual vilification);

(b) acts done "reasonably and in good

faith" for academic, artistic, scientific,

religious instruction or research or

other purpose in the public interest; and

(c) acts done in Parliament, a court or

tribunal proceedings, or Government

Inquiries.

Only meaning (b) could possibly be,

relied on by "Jenny"'s colleague as a

free speech defence. However, he was

not teaching at the time and, even if

he had been, what he said may not

have been "reasonable" even if it was

said in good faith (that is, in a sincere

belief as to its truth).

"Jenny" could therefore decide to

lodge a formal complaint against her

colleague with the Anti-Discrimination

Board. Or she could ask the University

to deal with it, if she does not want to

do so herself; she may only want her

colleague advis~ and counselled on

the appropriate expression of personal

opinions. If "Jenny" was a student

who had overheard the conversation

among a group of staff, she would have

those same options.

The homosexual vilification amend­

ment to the Anti-Discrimination Act

is very recent. Until there is some

case-law to guide us, we can only

make reasonable assumptions as to

the meaning of the terms use~ to

describe the act of homosexual

vilification. As with ~any things,

commonsense is a very g~ guide;

however, anyone wanting to~discuss

the matter is encouraged to contact the"

EEO Unit. confidentially if necessary.

Note: This is a hyp~thetical ~ase. not based on actual events or people.

Susan M Jones

EEO Co-ordinator

,

~ : :

• •

i I

Research & Scholarship 18

ASTHMA KNOWLEDGE Afive-year-old boy has an attack of asthma and takes two puffs of Ventolin from a puffer (metered dose inhaler). After 5 minutes he

is no better. Give some reasons why this might have happened.

One .in five Australian children is

affected by asthma. It is the most common

reason that children are admitted to

hospital and the most common reason for

school absence due to a chronic disease.

Combining children and adults, more

Australians die from asthma each year

than from AIDS. Professor Richard Henry,

of the Department of Paediatrics, asked

people involved in childhood asthma the

above question as part of a survey of asthma

knowledge.

In an Inaugural Lecture, entitled Asthma

Knowledge, delivered last month to mark

his appointment to the Paediatrics chair,

Professor Henry said children are not

receiving -appropriate treatment for

asthma. "We have evidence that good

asthma treatments are available but that

many children have poorly controlled

asthma, so the line of enquiry we have

been looking at over a number of years is

whether adequate knowledge about

asthma is the problem," Professor Henry

said.

Finding there was no existing question­

naire to test this knowledge, Professor

Henry enlisted a medical student at the

University, Cherelle Fitzc1arence and

together they designed The Newcastle

Asthma Knowledge Questionnaire. Using

31 questions like the one above, Professor

Henry found that knowledge of the

treatment and management of childhood

asthma was alarmingly low among parents,

nurses, pharmacists, teachers and others.

For example, only 56% of surveyed

pharmacists were able to answer this

question correctly.

"Because of this great cause for concern,

we recognised that it was ti~e to see if

we could do something about it,"

Professor Henry said. 'He described the

results of a two-and-a-half-hour seminar

about childhood asthma delivered to

community nurses from Muswellbrook, in

which he gave a lecture about the principles

of a'sthma, then showed the nurses how

to use puffers, inhaler devices and peak

flow meters. Through the use of the

questionnaire before the seminar and then

six weeks later and 12 months later, Profes­

sor Henry demonstrated an enormous

improvement in the nurses' knowledge

that was maintained as long as a year after

a single afternoon seminar.

A similar asthma education seminar

for school staff was conducted, Professor

Henry said. Not only did this improve the

knowledge of both teachers and ancillary

staff at participating schools, but a later

survey revealed that the schools had

significantly upgraded their policies for

managing asthmatic childre~. Before the

seminar, for instance, only one of the 48

schools contacted had a written policy for

the management of asthma. This increased

to 20 after the seminar.

"I rather hope that in the near future,

when we ask the question 'do children with

asthma receive the right treatment', we

will be able to say yes," Professor Henry

concluded. "And if we are able to say yes,

it is certain that one of the reasons will

be because we have improved the knowl­

edge about asthma in parents, children,

health professionals and others."

19 Research & Scholarship.

STRESS AND YOUR BRAIN We all know that some stress is good for us - they say it makes us perform better. But just how much stress can the body cope with and when does stress turn to distress? According to researchers within

the University's Faculty of Medicine, certain forms of chronic stress can lead to distress in the form of neurosis and psychosis.

Visiting academic, Dr Inngard Roske

from the Research Institute of Molecular

Phannacology in Berlin, has joined forces

with Associate Professor Loris Chahl from

the University's Discipline of Clinical

Pharmacology, in an effort to isolate those

regions of the brain affected during times

of chronic stress ..

According to Dr Roske, the brain plays

an important role in stress processing. But

not all stress is processed in the same way.

In rats, inunobilisation stress, equivalent to

chronic emotional stress in humans, pro­

duces animals which become dependent

·on their own endogenous opioids. Social

isolation stress; on the other hand, leads to

increased alcohol preference in rats.

Dr Roske explained that during the

development of endogenous opioid

dependence, the regulatory mechanisms

for classical neurotransmitters (such as

noradrenaline) are changed. Animals have

a tendency to become hypertensive, show

sleep disturbances, and suffer from

memory loss. These animals have increased

production of endogenous kappa opioids

which are involved in endogenous opioid

dependence. Unlike mu opioids, which

produce a morphine-like sedative effect,

kappa opioids are dynorphines which do

not cause sedation, but rather lead to

strange behavioural characteristics.

Associate Professor Chahl's interest in

this work lies in the fact that the physiol­

ogical disturbances caused by stress can

be reversed by administering a peptide

known as Substance P. Furthermore, the

endogenousopioiddependenceiseliminated.

The role of synthetic Substance P is

still largely experimental and is not

available for use in humans at this stage.

However, the potential for therapeutic use

remains. Meanwhile, Associate Professor

Chahl and co-workers will continue to

map regions of the brain to determine

which areas are activated during stress.

They are also using a double staining

technique to elucidate which neurotrans-'

mitters are activated during periods of

stress. They hope this will provide some

clues about tberapeutic uses in the future.

A paral1el project involves mapping of

rteurotransmitters in the brains of schizo­

phrenics. PhD student, Mark Hughes,

explained that schizophrenics are more

likely to suffer an attack during times

of chronic emotional stress. He hopes that

identification of those areas of the brain

activated during stress in schizophrenics,

will eventually lead to a lessening of

schizophrenic attacks. The study is being

conducted in conjunction with Dr Michael

Williamson from the Discipline _ of

Psychiatry and is partially funded by a

grant from the Schizophrenia Fellowship

of NSW. The importance of this type of

research is highlighted by the fact that

one percent of the population suffers from

schizophrenia, which has been recognised

by the National Health and Medical

Research Council as a major health

problem in Australia.

PhD student, Mark Hughes (left); Associate Professor Laris Chahl and Dr lnngard Roske

(front) mapping regions of the brain.

· · • • i I

Research & Scholarship 20

UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR HEADS CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR BREAST CANCER RESEARCH AND TREATMENT

Amid the growing incidence of breast cancer and recent public debate over funding for breast cancer research, a team of researchers based at the Hunter Oncology Centre and headed by the University's Professor of Surgical Oncology, Professor John Forbes, is moving towards improving treatments for

breast cancer and improving quality of life for sufferers.

Professor Forbes is the coordinator of

the Australian and New Zealand Breast

Cancer Trials group which conducts a

national clinical trials program linked to the

International Breast Cancer Study Group.

This makes it the only truly international

breast cancer research program and pro­

vides access to large numbers of patients

and the latest data on new treatments.

Since the trials commenced on a world

wide basis, research has shown that less

radical treatment is required in order to treat

breast cancer. According to Professor

Forbes, the routine treatment 20 years

ago would have been radical mastectomy

followed by radiotherapy. Now many

women can be treated by simply removing

the lump with some radiotherapy to the

remaining breast tissue.

"In addition, the use of chemotherapy

and hormone therapy for patients with early

breast cancer has reduced mortality by 25 to

30 percent in the last 15 years," he said.

''There have also been improvements in

the way treatment is delivered. When

chemotherapy was first introduced, it was

given twice monthly over two years but

in recent programs many women have all their chemotherapy in just four visits over

10 weeks."

l1Iese advancements in treatment _have

also improved the quality of life for breast

cancer patients, another area of research in

which Professor Forbes' team is involved.

The term. 'quality oflife' includes toxicity,

energy, relationships, ability to work,

appetite, diet, physical ability as well as

pain control, and researchers are investi­

gating treatment outcomes in relation to

quality of life.

Yet another area of research involves

investigating the genetics of breast cancer

in a project which is totally new for

Australia. ''This is a very exciting project

and an example of collaborative research

in the Hunter," explained Professor Forbes.

''This work has been done in a patchy way

in other parts of the world but ours is

an international project. We are already

studyi,ng women at high risk and we now

feel we have a responsibility to find out

why they are at high risk."

While Professor Forbes stressed that

more than 90 percent of women will not

get breast cancer, the incidence of this

disease has increased on average by one

to two percent each year for the past 40

years. These figures will continue to grow

throughout the 90s as the b;:tby boomers

reach their 40s and 50s. Breast cancer will

be detected in a higher number of women,

both because more women will be in the

high risk group and because screening

methods and access to services have

improved.

Newcastle has emerged as the national

centre for cancer research and access

to services is substantially better than

elsewhere in the country. While less

than five percent of women can hope to

be included in clinical trials in other parts

of Australia, more than 50 percent of

eligible women with breast cancer in the

Hunter are included in the clinical trials

program.

21 Research & Scholarship

COALFIELDS KIDS LEAD THE WAY IN A 'FIRST' FOR HEALTH

A project started at Kurri Kurri Public School in 1991 to address health issues in

primary school children has been so successful that it has been taken up by 14 out of the

17 primary schools in the coalfields areas.

The Coalfields Healthy Heartbeat

Project, was undertaken because of growing

community awareness of the high rates of

heart disease among "the adult population

in the Region. The coalfields area has a

significantly higher mortality rate from

cardio-vascular disease for both sexes

compared to the State and National average.

These statistics were revealed in 1990 by

the Monica Project, a research project

undertaken by Professor Annette Dobson

for the University's Centre for Clinical

Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

The Coalfields Healthy Heartbeat Project

addresses the health issues by education and

the encouragement of healthy attitudes and

practices in young children.

Spokesperson for the Project, Mr Phil

Williams, a lecturer from the Discipline

of Behavioural Science in Relation to

Medicine, said the Project uses four

main strategies. These are health education

lessons, daily physical activity, community

and parental involvement and attention to

issues such as food provision in schools.

He said that funds provided through a

grant from the University's Research

Committee will enable him to conduct

research into the implementation of the

Project, undertake a thorough evalu~tion

and follow through on the progress of the

participants.

"We aim to improve the health of primary

school students through the implementa-.

tion of this project. We-specifically aim to

improve knowledge about nutrition,

smoking, physical activity, the heart and

heart disease," Mr Williams said.

'The fact that so many other schools in

the area now want to be involved is a

positive endorsement of the Project's

value to the students and the community

generally.

''The establishment of anetwork of schools

committed to health promotion is a positive

step towards addressing the inequities in a

number of health status measures which

exist in the Region," he said.

"It's really about kids helping themselves.

And it's about providing the skills and op­

portunities for them to make choices.

''The Coalfields schools are leading the

way and setting an example for other young­

sters," he added.

Newcastle Knights star, Matthew Johns; lecturer Phil Williams and students from the

Cessnock East Public School, at the launch of the Coalfield's Healthy Heartbeat Project.

,

I .

Research & Scholarship 22

"FREE SPEECH" AND THE MEDIA

The threat of libel action against journalists and their employers when reporting

events, contentious issues or litigation, remains very real.

So much so that legal protection has become a

significant aspect of media operations.

One person considered to be an

international expert in this field is New

York Times columnist, Mc Anthony Lewis,

who recently addressed a large audience

at this University. Visiting Professor in the

University's Faculty of Law, Mc Lewis is

twice winner of the Pulitzer Prize for his

books and reporting which have provided

insight into the highest levels of judicial

policy making.

His visit to Australia was timely. The

High Court recently found an implied

guarantee of free speech in the Australian

Constitution. A major Australian newspaper

group (The Herald and Weekly Times) is

now asking the Court to follow the lead

of the United States Supreme Court in the

New York Times v Sullivan case and

provide a Constitutional shield for the

media from defamation actions by politi­

cians.

Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law.

Associate Professor Ray Wattersori, said

the pro-free speech decision by the V.S.

Supreme Court in the Sullivan case has

been hailed as "unquestionably the greatest

victory won by the defendants in the modem

history of the law of torts".

Professor Watterson said that Anthony

Lewis' latest book, Make No Law: The

Sullivan Case and the First Amendment,

provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes

account of that landmark victory for

freedom of expression.

Mr Lewis said the New York Times

v Sullivan case has much to teach about

the essentials of a democratic society.

"I did not realise at the time that the

Court had made a revolution in American

libel law. Nor did I understand that the

decision was, more broadly, a signal ad­

vance for the whole theory of free speech

and freedom of the press," Mc Lewis said.

"Now it is beginning to have a certain

international reverberation. The subject

of defamation refonn is under discussion

here in Australia," he said.

Mc Lewis went on to explain. 'The case

arose from the civil rights movement that

swept the American South in the 1950' s

and 60's.

"Dr Martin Luther King If. set out to

change an oppressive racial system by

speech: by words and the symbolic expres-

sion of peaceful demonstrations. On March

29.1960. The New York Times published

a full-page advertisement seeking support

for Dr King and the movement. It

condemned brutal tactics used by Southern

officials without using any officials'

names. Nevertheless a city commissioner

of Montgomery, Alabama, L.B. Sullivan,

sued the Times for' libel. He claimed

that, altho1,lgh he was not named, the ad's

charges of police brutality would injure

his reputation because one of his duties

was to supervise the Montgomery police.

"The jury's decision resulted in Mr

Sullivan being awarded half a million

dollars. Meanwhile other officials sued over

the ad, including the Governor of Alabama.

The Times was facing damages of $3 mil­

lion, enough to put it out of business at

that time.

"Southern officials, in short, were using

the historic libel action, designed to repair

injbred reputation, for a new political

purpose. The idea was to intimidate the

national press out of covering the civil

rights story. If that had worked, Dr King's

strategy of arousing the American conscience

would have been frustrated," he said.

23 Research & Scholarship

THE SHAPE OF ROLLING STEEL The Departments of Mathematics and

Electrical and Computer Engineering have

a history of joint work with local compa­

nies, including Industrial Automation

Services (IAS). One of the results of this

collaboration has been the establishment

of an APRA - Industry postgraduate

scholarship jointly supported by IAS and

the Australian Research Council. Tino

Domanti was awarded this scholarship in

1990. and successfully completed his PhD

studies in 1993, under the supervision of

Associate Professor Rick Middleton and

Dr Sean McElwain.

Dc Domanti's thesis deals with technical

problems associated with the rolling of steel

(and other metals) into flat metal sheet. The

process of rolling metal dates back to about

1495 when de Vinci sketched a mill to do

this. Later in the eighteenth and nineteenth

centuries, Wales was instrumental in the

. continued use of metal rolling-particularly

with respect to tin-plate production. 11lls

century has seen an explosion in rolling

mill production, with modem, highly auto­

mated mills utilised for a range of products

including aluminium foil, steel panels,

roofing materials and so on.

The basic process of cold rolling may be

understood as the passing of a strip of metal

through a pair of rolls (cylinders). The aims

of the rolling process are to decrease the

thickness, increase the length of the strip,

and improve the hardness and strength of

the product. Typically, a series of cold roll­

ing mills is used to reduce an initial strip

5mm thick strip to one of less than Imm.

This process has become highly automated,

with good control of the thickness profile

of the resulting metal, and of the metall­

urgical properties achieved. One remaining

"minor" problem with the metal rolling

process is the "shape" problem.

The "shape" problem in rolling of metals

is concerned with the unifonnity of stresses

in the material during the rolling process.

Non-uniform stresses may arise from a

number of causes such as uneven roll profile

which results in differences in the "gap" the

metal is "pushed" through. Uneven stresses

may cause the desired flat plate to ripple or

buckle when used later. These poor quality

effects may account for the rejection of as

much as one percent of total production of

a mill. While this may appear to be a minor

problem, it is worth noting that the annual

production of a roIling mill may be as much

as $1 billion, and so clearly even modest

improvements in shape quality are of large

economic significance. This is apart from

any consideration of the cost of reprocessing

defective material andlor the cost of lost

markets due to poor quality control.

Dr Domanti' s thesis tackles the vexing

problem of developing .detailed mathema­

tical models for the rolling of flat metal

products. lbis line of study is complicated

by the difficulty of the mathematical tech­

niques required (three dimensional partial

differential equatiQDs with mixed boundary

conditions) and the virtual impossibility

of direct experimental measurement of

mechanical variables inside a rolling mill.

Not withstanding these difficulties, several

new results have been achieved using

asymptotic analysis and finite element

techniques. These techniques allow pre­

diction, using a mathematical model, of

material shape, and therefore may be useful

in eliminating defective material in metal

rolling.

VISUALISATION FOR EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT Since the mid-1980s, graphics work­

stations have become standard tools for

computer tisers. An important consequence

has been that information systems. once

handled textually. are now commonly

presented and manipUlated graphicallY.

Modem tools for project management,

computer aided software engineering and

network configuration usually include

functions for visualisation of data.

In an effort to gain adearerunderstanding

of th~ many new innovations in this area,

the University's Infonnation Visualisation

Group within the Department of Computer

Science, hosted a workshop on Information

V~sua1isation. The meeting attrac,ted. a

large number of national and international

researcilers who presented th~ir work and

exchange(lld~,"". •..•. •..•. . .•.. .. . . . .. Gu~ts~atlileWQ~b~P,DrKaz;.o

MisuefromFtijitSu ':"";'tI\toties'Tpliyo, ..

provided an insight into his D-Abductor

system which automates a classical Japa­

nese management ·process known as the

·"KJ-method". TIlls powerful technique is

used by management teams to focus their

ideas and determine courses of action. For

example, acompany may use the KJ-metbod

to analyse the results of market research and

detennine the direction of new products.

Co-ordinator of the workshop, Mr Bob

Cohen, described the benefits ofDr Misue's.

system: "Most managers currently

KJ diagrams by hand, laying ()lIt "maUCli#.lS·.

on a large table, or on the flo,,~ 'of "i:qqq, .• !?fc'~

Misue'.s system u~ lId'"l\I1i®d.<;Q teChnology to, SUPljQt:t.lh~.IQ"

interac:tiveiy V{ith. CQJllpjlteiidt~

aUQw~dWCtiii. JinjI[l\Ili!ti6Iiiil@;allll,fi~ii(jl.i . of changeS.'!.· .

The workShop covered bOth theoretical

and practical aspects ofinformation visuali·,

satioD. Professor Peter Eades from th~'

University of Newc~stle discussed

niques for helping computer users

diagrams and or Helen .Pw",lulS~fi'O! University of QueeD,sland sp,o~

Research & Scholarship 24

THE DRAMA OF MAKING DECISIONS Business spends vast sums of money on trirlning personnel in presentationskills and developing inte"",rsonal relationships. TrlIining

video.!! and lectures by social psycbologists, however, do not replace Ibe actua\ experience of making decisions, justifying Ibesewilb reasoned argument aod using yersuasive tact aod diplomacy. Exposure to de",aoding situations caonot coJlletoo early,

The Depanments of Manageinent an.dDrama are collaborating in a pilot project which looks forward to excitingfuture developments. Drama's ~taff baYe a ricb.background as professional-'!"tors,. directors and community arts workers .. This is being barnessed to assist Maoagements~dents come to tenns wilb buman problem solving, crisis situations, group dynamics aod presentation skill,usills ~ames and simulation exercises.

BULK SOLIDS AND EQUATORIAL GLACIERS

Timikalntemational Airport in Irian Jaya,

ajungle airstrip built by the Japanese, is one

of the more exotic destinations visited by

staff and consultants of TUNRA's Bulk

Solids Handling Division during the last

couple of years. Timika is the entry point

for site visits to the major copper/gold

mines operated in the highlands by Freeport

Indonesia.

A jolting drive on steep mountain ridge

roads in 4WD vehicles brings us to the mine

site village of Tembagapura, home for

5,000 mine and mill workers; we are now

at 1,700m. The village has bee? carved into

a valley which is frequently transfonned by

torrential rain.

We bounce along in our 4WD and arrive

at the mill at 2,800m; from here it's cable car

By Mr Owen Scott, Deputy Director, TUNRA Bulk Solids

to the mine office at 3,600m. The newly

developed Grasberg open pit is a further

600m up at 4,200m, within sight of one of

three equatorial glaciers in the world.

A glacier with pennanent ice and snow

on the island of New Guinea just 4 degrees

south of. the equator comes as a bit of a

surprise to most peoplel

Ore from the pit is transported to the

mill, a fall of 1400m, via a series of vertical

shafts called ore passes, which have been

raise-bored through the mountain. The

daily production is over 100,000 tonne of

mined ore;' with a stripping ratio of over

4.5:1; this means that more than half a

million tonnes of material are handled

through the ore passes every working day.

The importa!1ce of these passes cannot be

overstated and TUNRA Bulk Solids in

conjunction with Brisbane-based engin­

eering consultants MAMIC has been

awarded a $150,000 project to investigate

the design and operation of vertical ore

passes.

The project is to be completed in 40 weeks

and will investigate and report on wear

and methods of controlling or minimising

it, material blockages and "belching", along

with other associated air/solid interaction

effects. The first site visit regarding the

project is being made this month in con­

junction with another project regarding

monitoring of conveyor belt tensions in a

1.6 million tonne stockpile stack-out

conveyor at the mill site.

25 Achievements

After 21 years service to the University of Newcastle, Frank Hawkins will take early voluntary retirement on April 29th.

Frank has written to farewell friends and colleagues.

An administrator needs a challenge to

be happy at the workface and for me the

challenge has gone. When the early retire­

ment package became available I saw the

opportunity to advance my retirement by

at least three years and enjoy the relaxa­

tion retirement-offers.

m recent years I have been Deputy

Academic Registrar responsible for

admissions, enrolments, examinations and

services, student access and liaison and

student systems and records. I have main­

tained a special interest in student access

and liaison. One of the rewarding features

of this is contact with young people and

the dedicated team of careers advisers in

the schools. I have also become a member

of the Board of Directors of Evatt House,

and hope to continue in this capacity.

Since the Uriiversity's participation in

the Universities Admissions Centre

activities, I have been a member of the

Centre's Management Committ~e and

Chainnan of the Committee in 1990 and

1991. This was particularly satisfying

as it was the first time the Chainnan

had been appointed from an institution

outside of the metropolitan area.

The Hawkins family has had a long

association with the University of New­

castle, with my elder sister being the first

secretary to foundation Vice-Chancellor,

Professor James Auchmuty. My younger

brother, Cliff, graduated in 1960 with first

class honours in Chemistry and was a

member of the University's first team in

the Newcastle Rugby Union first gra'de

competition, He was also responsible for

the introduction of the University of

Newcastle's "Blues" which replaced the

Blues awarded by the NSW University

of Technology before autonomy.

After seeing the University develop,

with enrolments increasing from 4,600

to over 15,000, experiencing the amalga­

mation and working under four vice­

chancellors, I am confident that the

University will enter the 21st Century as

an institution recognised for the quality of

its research and courses. This University

has reason to be proud in its achievements

in administratiQn. The Equity ·Program

has been recognised nationally for its

excellence; the Student System has

generated much interest from other

institutions, particularly regarding compu­

ter transfer of transcripts and admission

data; no other university has achieved

CELEBRATING HUNTER FAMILIES Hunter International Year of the Family Committee spokesperson,

Ms Di J ames, believes the care and nurturing role of families needs to

be celebrated. The recent launch of the 1994 International Year of the

Family she said, was designed to focus attention on how this essential

role can be protected and enhanced.

''The Committee is planning a series of workshops to look at the

many different ways that the family can be addressed in the fonnulation

of public policy. For example, work and family care, health, education,

housing, taxation and welfare are just some of the areas which we will

look at through the coming year," Di said.

Mr Trevor Waring addressing the Hunter Launch of the International Year of the Family.

this. Both the enrolment of new students

and graduation have been praised by

people with experience in other

institutions.

~ I would like to thank all students,

graduates and staff of the University, my

colleagues at VAC and other universities,

and career advisers in the schools for

their assistance and friendship and I

hope to see many of them in the future

and possibly still assist if required.

Frank Hawkins

Achievements 26

PRIZE FOR MERITORIOUS PAPER Professor John Fryer of the Department of Civil Engineering and

Surveying has been awarded the James Kirkwood Curdie Prize by the

Institution of Surveyors, NSW Division, for a paper he published in

1993.

The conditions of the award state that it is for a meritorious paper

published in 'The Australian Surveyor" on aspects of land planning,

development, management or use. Professor Fryer's paper was entitled

"Photogrammetric Monitoring of Cliffs" and described the processes

involved with this type of land planning survey using photography

when other more conventional surveying methods were too difficult,

dangerous or inappropriate.

The prize consists of books which were presented at the annual

black-tie dinner of the Institution held in the new Australian National

Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour.

Professor Fryer holds the Adam-Kawaso chair of Photogrammetry

and is currently serving as President Df the University's Sports Union.

GIVING THE INFORMATION TO THE PEOPLE The Information Age is here. Right

here on our own doorstep in the form, of

an innovative project being piloted by

the University's Auchmuty Library,

Lake Macquarie City Librllry and the

Newcastle -Public Library. Gaining

information need no longer be tedious

and time consuming. Our local libraries

have joined forces to bring a range of

databases to us - at the touch of a button.

Co-ordinators of the project, Veronica

Lunn, Chris Wi11iams and Bill Linklater,

are confident that access to a Hunter

CommunitY Information Database will

have far reaching -benefits for members

of the community. The project will

also broaden public access to the Internet

system, making available. a wide range of

databases to the general public.

Locally developeddatabaseshavealready

been contributed by Lake Macquarie and

Newcastle Region Public Libraries. These

include the Newcastle Earthquake database

and the Lake Macquarie Local History

database. Other databases to be added this

year include Council Business Papers for

current sessions and for the past two years,

Community Directories, Council Reports

and Documents - particularly environmen­

tal reports.

The databases are accessed under the

University's Campus Wide Infomiation

System which staff in the Auchmuty

Library played a major role in implement-

. ing., A menu heading, "Hunter Commu­

nity Information" accesses the existing

databases. The Internet is currently

being accessed. by staff only, however

will be made available to the general user

when operating procedures ore defined.

The project has generated significant

interest and has provided cIos(,(r links

between the three libraries at several

levels. "We regard it as an exciting oppor-­

tunity for regional and cross-sectoral

c:o-operation," University Librarian

Bill Link1ater said. ''The partners are

committed to the further development

of the project and to the principle of

information sharing in the wider

community."

CHILD CARE RECEIVES A BOOST

"Kooinda", an innovative new child-care

facility was opened by the Vice-Chancellor,

Professor Raoul Mortley in March.

The Centre, (the name means "happy

place") is capable of caring for 40 children

up to the age of five. This includes 30 places

for children under. the age of three, which

provides an extremely rare opportunity

of care for parents of children in this age

bracket, where a two year wait is not

uncommon.

During his address, Professor Mortley

said that it was important to the University

that the skills and talents of its female

staff, in particular. be fully utilised. "This

Centre, by providing a quality child­

care environment on campus, is enabling

more of our people to remain in the

workforce," he added.

A major attraction of the Centre is the

fact that it was partic.ularly designed for

children under the age of three, incorporat­

ing suggestions from staff of the Early

Chilhood course at the University. The

result is an airy, efficient and pleasant

environment for both carers and children.

27 Achievements & Letters

LIBRARY LINKS WITH THAILAND

University Librarian, Bill Linklater

has developed a close association with

Chiang Mai University, Thailand, via

the International Development Program

(IDP) of Australian Universities and

C?lleges. One of the results of his links

with Chiang Mai was the recent visit of

Last month, with encouragement from the

Department of Physics, we brought you a reprint

of a letter to "Science" by Troy Shinbrot of the

Robert R. McConnick School of Applied Science,

Northwestern University, Illinois, USA. This month

we bring you Mr (?Dr) Shinbrot himself. We think

we'll send him a transcript of the Senate Estimates

Committee. It might restore his faith in the

American way.

Dear Editor

You are certainly welcome to reprint the letter

in Science in any context and with as much vigour

as you can muster. One of the (many) facts that I

was not able to include in the letter is that the total

budget of the University of Maryland scarcely

went down at all; 40% of the University's rev­

enues were taken out of general operating funds

(which as we all know come from taxes) at the

same time that 38% of revenues were put into

capital funds (which as we all know come from

bonds, which of course are delivered direct from

the Almighty, and have no effect on taxes at all).

The essential practical difference was that build­

ings were supported rather than people. The es­

sential political difference, which I wasn't able to

stress, was that lenders, buildings contractors and

realtors, all of whom contribute heavily to the

politicians in charge, got a windfall at the expense

of education.

I have heard from several educators that the

same thing is occurring across this country; I am

saddened that the pernicious and greedy influence

of uncaring people has reached as far as Newcas­

tle. I wish you the best in your efforts.

Sincerely

Troy Shinbrot

To the Editor

University Bulletin with the nasty name

Dear Editor,

The present title of what, I think, used to be

the University Bulletin, I fmd abhorrent. [t is in

unbelievable bad taste, and as a title is irrational

and meaningless. Whoever thought it up should

Reference Librarian, Mr Nopporn

Phianphiku and Computer Information

Specialist, Mr Paiboon Orprayoon from

Chiang Mai University Library, who at­

tended a one-week training program at

the Auchmuty Library.

During their stay, they were introduced

feel ashamed. The misuse of such a tragic event

affecting an ignored and later demented genius,

simply to draw people's attention to a paper, is

beyond the pale.

Much as I regret not to be kept infonned of

university affairs in future, I ask you to take my

name off the mailing list. I do not ask you to

publish this anonymously, and would like to re­

ceive notes from readers who support my view.

Yours disgustedly,

Bill Geyl

P.S. Various matters intervened and made me

forget about this letter. Sony to be so late with it.

Surprised no-one else has tackled the subject

meanwhile.

Dear Editor

I am writing to advise you that I have written to

both the Hon Justice E A Evatt AO, Chancellor,

University of Newcastle and Professor R J Mort­

ley, Vice Chancellor, University of Newcastle in

relation to the forthcoming closure of the Irene

Hall Hostel. Th~ lettertotheHonJusticeE AEvatt

AO read as follows: "As Mayor of the City of

Dubbo I am writing to you in regards to the

proposed closure of the Irene Hall Hostel.

As you would be well aware the expansion of

the University of Newcastle has catered for alarge

number of students who live in the Western and

Northern areas of New South Wales. Dubbo with

a population of 35,000 is the city that services the

whole Orana Region of 130,000 people and a

large number of students from this area move on

to tertiary education. Due to recent promotions in

the Newcastle area, coupled with the expansion of

your University, more students from this area are

selecting Newcastle as their preferred university

centre.

I have received various representations from

Dubbo students residing in the Irene Hall Hostel

regarding its proposed closure. They have ex­

pressed to me their great concern about the loss of

this Hostel accommodation.

As you would be well aware, over the last three

years Dubbo and the Orana Region have devel-

to key information technologies recently

installed at the University of Newcastle

Libraries including eARL Uncover and

document delivery services, CD-ROM

database network implementation,

Newcat. AARNet facilities as well as

Qther advances.

oped a very strong relations~ip with the Newcas­

tle and Hunter Region through the push for the

upgrading of the Dubbo Newcastle road and rail

link.

It is envisaged that Dubbo will become the

inland port for the City of Newcastle and this is of

tremendous value, not only for Newcastle and the

Hunter Region and Dubbo and the Orana Region,

but really, the whole of Australia. With Dubbo

being the inland port, road trains will service all

western areas and as far north as Darwin and then

link directly to Newcastle.

The development of the relationship be~ween

the two regions has strengthened areas such as

tourism and business, and more ~mportantIy for

you, Chancellor, your University and its available

educational facilities.

As you would appreciate, student acconunoda­

tion requirements play a major part in where

students choose to undertake th err tertiary studies.

Whilst not knowing the full fmancial ramifica­

tions of the trading entity of the Irene Hall Hostel,

the case has been put to me that the initial financial

teething problems have been overcome .and it is

now running more viably. I believe that its closure

would have tremendous ramifications not only to

the University. but also to the students who will

have to find alternate acconunodation in the city

and surrounding areas of Newcastle.

I ask that you reconsider your decision on what'

I and my Council, consider to be a most vital part

of the further development of the University of

Newcastle and the links with students from this

region.

May I also ask that a copy of this letter be

distributed to all members of the University Coun­

cil".

Foryour information, copies of the letter to the

Hon Justice E A Evatt AO have also been sent to

Councillor John McNaughton. the Right Wor­

shipful the Lord Mayor of Newcastle and to the

Editor, OPUS.

Yours faithfully

Anthony McGrane, Mayor

28

TENNIS CLUB TAKES HOME ADVANTAGE Eight months must be a long time in the world of University tennis, particuklrly at Newcastle.

After fini~hing in 15th position at last

year's Australian University Games

(A.V.G.), the University's men's team

recently shocked their opponents (and

possibly themselves) by placing first in

the Eastern Conference Games, one of

the qualifying tournaments for this year's

A.V.G. The team, consisting of Malcolm

Hamilton (2nd year Science), Scatt

Mallinson (4th year Engineering), and

doubles combination, Paul Griffiths (3ed

year Computer Engineering) and Simon

Groom (3rd year Arts) defeated Sydney

University 2-1 in the semi-final. before

accounting for Macquarie in the fmal, 2-0.

The fact that the tournament was held

at District Park, in Newcastle, may have had

a role to play, as the women's team also

petfonned well. They finished fourth; a

position which earned them a place at

the A.U.G., to be held at the University

of Wo lion gong in September. KylieMcLean,

Recreation Officer at Newcastle, sees a

strong future for the women's team. "All

four members are only in either the I st or

2nd year of their respective courses," she

explained. "So, the chance is there for

them to develop a strong combination

over the next couple of years." Encourage­

ment indeed for Katie Tull (2nd year

Medical Sciences), Christine Bedford (1st

year Music), Linda Neethling (Ist year

Commerce) and Jane Mulheam (2nd year

Education).

Kylie puts some of the success of the two

teams down to the current strength of the

Unversity's Tennis Club. ''They have a

hard-working committee, excellent admin­

istrative systems and a strong social

calendar. Now, they are starting to perfonn

as well on the court as they have been off

it, which is a credit to them."

In addition to the success enjoyed by

our tenn.is players, Newcastle teams also

performed superbly at another Eastern

Conference Games tournament; a large

"cluster" event, comprising 20 institutions

and nine sports, held at the University

of Canberra over Easter. Here, Newcastle

teams won the netball, men's and women's

hockey as well as the women's touch

football competitions. In addition, a further

eight teams in five sports (basketball,

soccer, volleyball, waterpolo and squash)

also qualified for the Australian University

Games in. September, by finishing fifth

or better in their respective events.