Public Relations and Corporate Communications Manager
John Kauter
(02) 6773 2779
Public Relations Specialist/Journalist
Jim Scanlan
(02) 6773 3049
Corporate Communications Officer
Leon Braun
(02) 6773 3771
Photographer
David Elkins
(02) 6773 3770
Events Coordinators
Kerry De Jong
(02) 6773 3955
and
Tracey James
(02) 6773 2768
Administrative Assistant
Kathleen Harper
(02) 6773 2736
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July 2004
May 2004Green card for UNE courtyard revamp
June 30, 2004
Recycling concrete, laying frost-tolerant turf and introducing recycling bins are just some of the environmentally-sensitive features of the courtyard revamp at the University of New England.
Construction Manager Graham Johnson said the revamp’s design was the result of talks involving students, academics and general staff.
“The environmental features we have implemented with the revamp will save the university thousands of dollars,” Mr Johnson said.
Work on the Central Courtyard’s redesign started earlier this year and is scheduled to be completed by August.
The revamped courtyard is part of UNE’s master plan from 2002 and includes an extension of Graduates’ Walk, from Booloominbah to the cafeteria and Bistro buildings.
It was while workers were excavating around this site they unearthed gravel from a buried car-park base.
“The workers decided to recycle this gravel as a base for the new paths,” Mr Johnson said.
Other innovative ideas used in the project to make it environmentally friendly include:
* Mulching the trees removed from the site and using this as compost and ground-cover in other areas across campus.
* Introducing recycling bins in the courtyard. When the revamp is complete, the courtyard will have about 16 bins, each marked for recycling matter, plastics or metals.
* Recycling old concrete and bits of masonry dug-up in the courtyard. Some of this will be used to control erosion in and around some swale drains on campus and to fill in some of the excavated areas.
* Sourcing re-constituted concrete from Western Australia to build new paving stones.
* Replanting old turf from the courtyard to other areas across UNE, including around the Equity Office and the western Common Room.
* Planting a new, frost-tolerant type of grass, a cross between Buffalo and Fescue and sourced locally, in the courtyard.
Mike Quinlan, Director of UNE’s Facilities Management Services, said: “The intention [of the revamp] is to open [the courtyard] up so staff and students can sit in the sun in winter and have enough shade in summer.”
There will also be extra seating in the new courtyard.
Posted by Lydia Roberts at 03:58 PM
School-age scientists enjoy a Challenge
June 29, 2004
School students from throughout New England have experienced the thrill of
being part of a team as it solves a practical science or engineering problem. The 250 students were competing last week [Thursday 24 June] at the University of New England in activities that included designing, building and operating boats, bridges, catapults, and compressed-air “cannons”.
The Armidale Science and Engineering Challenge, held at Sport UNE, was a day-long exercise in creative teamwork. Year 10 students from schools in Armidale, Uralla, Guyra, Walcha, Inverell and Tenterfield (nine schools altogether) took part in the Challenge.
The activities gave the students an enjoyable experience of achievement through cooperation while gaining insight into basic scientific principles.
The annual Science and Engineering Challenge is coordinated by the University of Newcastle throughout the eastern States and South Australia, and is organised locally by committees chaired by Rotary Club representatives. The Regional Chair for the Armidale Challenge is David Steller, of Armidale Central Rotary Club. At the end of the day, Mr Steller presented a trophy of participation to each of the competing schools.
The Armidale School (TAS) finally emerged as the team with the most points. Professor Ingrid Moses, Vice-Chancellor of UNE, presented the TAS team with its winner’s trophy. Professor Moses thanked the University of Newcastle, Engineers Australia, Rotary, and her UNE colleagues for making the day such a success.
TAS will now send a team to the Super Challenge Series, to be held in Newcastle during National Science Week in August.
Last week’s event, one of 23 held at different times across the country, marked the involvement of Armidale / New England for the second year running. (The inaugural Armidale Challenge last year was also held at UNE.)
About 30 UNE lecturers, technical officers and students (supported by Rotary volunteers) were involved in guiding the teams through the activities. Sponsors of the Armidale Challenge included the Dean of UNE’s Faculty of The Sciences, and Engineers Australia.
Dr Sarah Pearson, a lecturer in Physics at UNE who was one of the UNE organisers of the Challenge, said: “The best part of the day is to watch all the students getting involved in the activities, including those who, at the start, were not confident of their ability. By the end of the day they are amazed that they have managed to achieve so much. This helps not only their confidence and enjoyment of science, but also in their personal lives.”
Media contact: Rex Glencross-Grant, School of Environmental Sciences and
Natural Resources Management, UNE, Armidale (02) 6773 2668, Dr Sarah
Pearson, School of Biological, Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, UNE,
Armidale (02) 6773 2061, or Jim Scanlan, Public Relations, UNE, Armidale
(02) 6773 3049.
Photographs are available. Please contact Jim Scanlan on (02) 6773 3049.
Posted by Lydia Roberts at 12:10 PM
UNE Centre to help regional maths, science students
June 28, 2004
A new National Centre, launched today at the University of New England, will help to ensure that school students throughout regional Australia have every
opportunity to excel in science and mathematics.
The launch of the Centre culminates five years of planning led by UNE’s
Professor John Pegg. The UNE team has worked closely with The Nationals,
whose leader, the Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson, announced on Saturday
a three-year Commonwealth Establishment Grant of $4.95 million for the new
Centre. The funds have been made available through the Government’s
“Regional Partnerships” program.
“The primary aim of the National Centre for Maths and Science is to improve
the quality of rural and regional students’ learning in mathematics,
science, and information and communication technology, ” Professor Pegg
said. “Data show that these students perform at a lower level than their
counterparts in large cities. The Centre will address this disadvantage by
encouraging and supporting the professional development of primary,
secondary, and tertiary teachers of these subjects.” Professor Pegg is to be
the Director of the Centre, which starts its operations on July 1.
Professor Ingrid Moses, the Vice-Chancellor of UNE, finalised an agreement
last week with the Commonwealth Government on the establishment of the
Centre within UNE’s Faculty of Education, Health and Professional Studies.
Professor Moses has been instrumental in negotiating the project with the
Commonwealth. At today’s launch, in congratulating all involved, she thanked
Professor Pegg for his commitment over the five years, and Professor Victor
Minichiello (Dean of UNE’s Faculty of Education, Health and Professional
Studies) for his support of the project. “The commitment of our staff at UNE
to teaching and teacher education is unparalleled,” she said.
Professor Pegg explained that the Centre would build upon and extend the
work of UNE's Centre for Cognition Research in Learning and Teaching. "The
Government was seeking to build on an organisation that already had an
impressive track record of research, and of completing large and difficult
research consultancies," he said.
In making his announcement on Saturday, Mr Anderson said: “The National
Centre will make a real contribution to improving the education and future
security of regional and rural school children and communities.”
Trevor Khan, The Nationals’ candidate for the Federal seat of New England,
and Jim Booth, Chief-of-Staff in the office of Senator Sandy Macdonald,
represented The Nationals at today’s launch. Professor Minichiello said: “I
want to express my appreciation to Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson and
Senator Sandy Macdonald from The Nationals for helping to create a funding
program that recognises the important contributions that rural institutions
such as UNE can play in promoting innovative solutions to address complex
challenges facing rural communities.”
Media contact: Professor Victor Minichiello, Dean, Faculty of Education,
Health and Professional Studies, UNE, Armidale (02) 6773 3952, Dr Debra
Panizzon, School of Education, UNE, Armidale (02) 6773 5061, or Jim Scanlan,
Public Relations, UNE, Armidale (02) 6773 3049.
For photographs, please contact Jim Scanlan on (02) 6773 3049.
Posted by Lydia Roberts at 03:48 PM
Second glance at roadside memorials
June 25, 2004
The first international symposium on roadside memorials will take place at the University of New England this weekend.
From Friday, June 25, lecturers from around the world will meet at the University to take part in discussions, present papers and lead seminars on the subject.
“Memorial culture and grief expression reflect social values,” said the organiser, Dr Jennifer Clark, a Senior Lecturer in UNE’s School of Classics, History and Religion.
“Research into the phenomenon is taking place around the world. As a community of scholars with common interests, it is timely that we meet to discuss our understanding and encourage each other to explore new directions.”
The symposium will focus particularly on roadside memorials to road crash victims, but will also discuss popular memorial practice in general. “The outpouring of grief at the death of the Princess of Wales produced an unparalleled response,” Dr Clark said. “So many people felt moved to write messages and leave flowers at significant places in her life and at the scene of her death. The extent of the public response may have been unique but the form was not. Everyday ordinary people who die tragically are remembered in similar ways.”
Speakers at the symposium will include Dawn Mathews from Colorado in the United States, who will talk about a roadside memorial project there, and Gerri Excell from the University of Reading in the UK, whose talk will be titled “Roadside Memorials in the UK: Private Grief made Public”.
Professor Michael Macklin, Dean of UNE’s Faculty of Arts, will introduce the symposium, and UNE academics Professor Majella Franzmann (with a talk titled “Highway to Heaven: the Cosmology of the Roadside Memorial”) and Dr Margaret Gibson (speaking on “The Death Drive”) will be among the participants.
Complementing the symposium is an exhibition of photographs entitled Cross Roads, by Sergeant John Robinson of the New Zealand Highway Patrol. This is at the New England Regional Art Museum. The photographs show roadside memorials in New Zealand.
For more information about the symposium, phone Dr Jennifer Clark on (02) 6773 2127.
Media contact: Dr Jennifer Clark on (02) 6773 2127, Lydia Roberts (UNE Public Relations Manager) on (02) 67732779, or Jim Scanlan (UNE Public Relations) on (02) 6773 3049.
Posted by Jim Scanlan at 10:01 AM
UNE extends nursing in Tamworth
June 24, 2004
At a time when health and nursing matters are prominent in the media and the minds of the public, the University of New England has taken steps to further engage with Tamworth in the delivery of quality Nursing courses. The Associate Dean of the Faculty of Education Health and Professional Studies, Associate Professor Jenny McParlane emphasised the importance placed by the University on establishing closer links with health colleagues in the Tamworth area. The University and health facilities in Tamworth have long co-operated in the education of nurses. Now this cooperation will be enhanced by the partial relocation of the University’s Bachelor of Nursing Studies to Tamworth.
The Bachelor of Nursing Studies is an innovative course that allows Enrolled Nurses to upgrade their qualifications by distance study. This course was the first of its type in Australia and has consistently attracted large numbers of applicants from all Australian States and Territories.
Ms Trish Thornberry, the Coordinator of the Bachelor of Nursing Studies says “ this is a program that meets the needs of students from rural areas who are unable to attend university, on a full time basis, to complete their Nursing degree.” She added that “ the partial relocation means that students in the course will now attend a number of residential schools in Tamworth during their course and may well come to see the Tamworth area as a desirable place for post graduate employment”.
The Bachelor of Nursing Studies will be largely administered from Tamworth. Ms Thornberry, the Program Co-ordinator for the degree, is located at the Tamworth UNE Centre. The Centre has been substantially refurbished and now includes state- of –the- art lecture theatres, tutorial room and computer laboratories. These facilities will be used for teaching during residential schools.
Key dignitaries from the New England region have been invited to inspect the facilities of the UNE Tamworth Centre when the relocation of the Bachelor of Nursing Studies is officially launched on July 14. Ms Thornberry said that she is “excited to see this initiative on behalf of the University” and that the “current students are looking forward to spending time in the Tamworth community”.
For more information phone Lydia Roberts on 6773 2779
Posted by Lydia Roberts at 12:02 PM
Reward an excellent result for lecturer
June 23, 2004
Dr Mary Notestine’s devotion to fostering a climate of fairness and equal opportunity at the University of New England has been officially recognised. The University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ingrid Moses, has presented Dr Notestine with the 2004 Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Equity. Dr Notestine, a Senior Lecturer in Zoology in the Faculty of The Sciences, comes originally from Utah in the United States. Working at UNE, she quickly developed (and has maintained) a strong commitment to the University. She has played a prominent role in committees and networks set up to develop and implement the University’s equal-opportunity and anti-discrimination policies, and has been a UNE Ombudsman since 1998.
“Mary’s commitment to equal opportunity principles in the workplace, and her untiring support of equity principles, have made an invaluable contribution to the University’s goal of providing an inclusive environment that is open and supportive of staff and students, and free from discrimination and harassment,” Professor Moses said in reading the citation for the award. Dr Notestine said she felt “very honoured” by the award. “It’s a highlight of my career,” she said. “I see it as a recognition of my commitment to equity and the University.”
She said she was very happy to have been part of a movement in which, over the years, people had become more tolerant of diversity. “I see women being more willing to speak out,” she said. “I see students, too, being more willing to speak out if they’re being discriminated against. I feel I’ve contributed to that.”
“Mary has always found time to provide advice and support to people facing difficult situations,” Professor Moses said. “Her courage in speaking out against injustice is exemplary. She is forthright and able to see clearly both sides of a situation and, as a result, is able to provide appropriate advice and assistance.”
As a prominent and active member of the UNE branch of the National Tertiary Education Union (which represents the individual, industrial and professional interests of all tertiary-education staff), Dr Notestine assists members on an individual basis whenever needed.
Media contact: Jim Scanlan, Public Relations, UNE, Armidale (02) 6773 3049.
A photograph of Dr Mary Notestine (right) after receiving the award from Professor Ingrid Moses (left) is at:
http://smithserver.une.edu.au/photography/media/notestine.jpg
Posted by Lydia Roberts at 11:38 AM
HSC students receive a practical science boost
June 22, 2004
About 350 science students from high schools throughout NSW are getting a boost to their Higher School Certificate studies this week. A three-day series of activities at the University of New England is giving them new insight into their HSC subjects as well as giving them a glimpse of university life.
UNE’s Faculty of The Sciences is staging its fifth annual “HSC Booster Activities” on June 21, 22 and 23. Year 12 students from 19 high schools in northern NSW (from Armidale, New England, and as far afield as Port Macquarie and Merriwa) are taking part in activities relating to their final-year studies in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology and Geography. Titles of the activities include: “Electromagnetism and Relativity”, “Genetics and Gene Expression”, “Wildlife Adaptation to Australian Conditions”, “Infectious Diseases and Human Health”, and “Chemical Aspects of Water Analysis”.
Wendy Hyde, Faculty Manager in the Faculty of The Sciences, is the coordinator of the “Booster Activities”. She said the activities gave the students the experience of working towards their HSC in a university environment. “We hope the experience helps them to realise that going on to study science at university would not only be possible for them, but also exciting and enjoyable,” she explained.
Will Morgan, one of a contingent of 14 students from Mackillop Senior College in Port Macquarie, emphasised the direct, practical nature of the help provided by UNE staff during the activities. In addition, staying at one of the University’s residential colleges had given him an insight into the social side of university life, he said.
The Royal Australian Chemical Institute’s annual Nyholm Youth Lecture (on Tuesday 22 June), for Year 10, 11 and 12 students, forms part of the “Booster Activities” program. In his lecture titled “Green Chemistry: Not Different, Just Smarter”, Dr Jason Harper from the University of NSW describes current efforts to make chemical processes more environmentally friendly.
Media contact: Wendy Hyde, Faculty Manager, Faculty of The Sciences, UNE, Armidale (02) 6773 2662 or Jim Scanlan, Public Relations, UNE, Armidale (02) 6773 3049.
Photographs are available at:
http://smithserver.une.edu.au/photography/media/booster04
Posted by Lydia Roberts at 09:51 AM
Alumni recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours List
June 21, 2004
The Rabbi of the Great Synagogue in Sydney is among alumni from the University of New England to have been made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO).
Rabbi Raymond Apple has been senior Rabbi of the Great Synagogue, Sydney, since 1972 and plans to retire in the next 12 months.
He said he was “delighted” to have been made an AO and said his studies at UNE provided him with an opportunity to “stretch my mind, especially in doing historical research”.
In his citation for being made an Officer of the Order of Australia, Rabbi Apple was mentioned as someone who worked for inter-religious harmony and to try raise awareness of ethical and spiritual issues.
Rabbi Apple was an external student at UNE in 1984, studying a Masters in Literature (MLitt). He was also made a distinguished alumni of the university in 1994, the first year such as award was bestowed.
“As an external student I did not see a lot of the university campus, although it would be good to return to UNE when I retire, but not in winter!” Rabbi Apple said.
Also honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List was UNE student Ms Jolyn Karaolis, bestowed as a Member in the General Division of Honours.
Ms Karaolis, principal of St Lucy’s School in Wahroonga, Sydney (an independent Catholic school for blind, visually-impaired and special needs children) is enrolled as an external student at UNE studying for a Bachelor of Psychology (Hons).
Other alumni to have been awarded honours in the Queen’s Birthday List include:
Joan Bielski (AO)
(BA DipEd)
Dr Robert Clements (AO)
(BRurSc [Hons])
Em Professor Paul Baumgartner (AM)
(Grad. Diploma in Tertiary Education)
Mr John Bowie (AM)
(BA Dip Ed Admin, Masters in Education Admin)
For more information phone Lydia Roberts on 6773 2779.
Posted by Lydia Roberts at 04:22 PM
Hospitals seek UNE Nursing graduates
June 18, 2004
Hospitals and Area Health Services across NSW are already preparing to
recruit next year’s Bachelor of Nursing graduates from UNE.
A total of 13 organisations between (and including) Sydney and Brisbane are
represented at a recruitment display in UNE’s School of Health this week.
Some of the organisations have also sent representatives to talk to the
final-year Nursing students about employment opportunities.
“UNE graduates are often successful in securing highly-sought-after nursing
positions both in Australia and abroad,” said Glenda Parmenter, UNE’s
Program Coordinator, Bachelor of Nursing. “The number of organisations
represented here today is an indication of our graduates’ high reputation
throughout the industry.”
The recruitment display is part of a two-day workshop (on June 17 and 18)
called “Preparation for Practice”, attended by 58 final-year students.
“This annual workshop provides the students with skills and information they
will need during their transition from the university environment to the
nursing workplace,” Ms Parmenter said.
The workshop includes sessions on career pathways and job applications and
interviews, and explains a simplified procedure that allows a single
application/interview to be considered by up to 10 hospitals.
Representatives of the Nurses’ Registration Board, the Royal College of
Nursing, and the NSW Nurses’ Association are attending the workshop.
Media contact: Glenda Parmenter, School of Health, UNE, Armidale (02) 6773
3683 or Jim Scanlan, Public Relations, UNE, Armidale (02) 6773 3049.
A photograph showing Glenda Parmenter (centre) instructing final-year
Nursing students (Sophie Byrne and Jessica Hunter) is available at:
http://smithserver.une.edu.au/photography/media/glenda.jpg
Posted by Lydia Roberts at 02:41 PM
UNE project to help Indigenous children
June 17, 2004
The University of New England is undertaking a study that will help schools
in country NSW accommodate Aboriginal children who move regularly, with
their families, from one area of the State to another.
UNE won State Government funding of $105,000 for the two-year project titled
“Murdi Paaki”. It is the first study of its kind in NSW.
Murdi Paaki is an Aboriginal region covering much of the Murray-Darling
Basin. UNE researchers are starting on the project by surveying, throughout
the second half of this year, schools and community groups from Lightning
Ridge in the north to the Victorian border near Mildura. Next year they will
visit schools and communities revealed by the survey to have a supportive
and positive approach to students from mobile families.
“Many Aboriginal families move regularly within and across NSW in search of
work and housing, and to fulfil family commitments,” said the project
leader, Professor Anne Eckermann. “The Government wants to know what schools
and communities are doing to acknowledge these movements and to support
children’s education within this context. It wants an idea of the services
they are providing to offset the problems that children can face if they’re
not attending one school regularly.”
“Maintaining traditional migration patterns can, for Indigenous people, be
an important way of preserving cultural vitality,” Professor Eckermann
explained. “Our project will help the NSW Department of Education and
Training ensure that children’s education is enhanced rather than hindered
by these traditions.”
Professor Eckermann is the Director of UNE’s Centre for Research in
Aboriginal and Multicultural Studies. The project is a joint venture between
that and another UNE research centre, the Centre for Cognition Research in
Learning and Teaching (CRiLT). The Director of CRiLT, Professor John Pegg,
is a member of the research team, along with Cynthia Briggs and Dr Neil
Harrison from UNE’s School of Education.
“Our final report, by providing the Department with examples of the most
successful strategies we find, will help it with policy-making for the
future,” Professor Eckermann said. “Schools throughout NSW will have access
to this information on current best practice.”
Media contact: Professor Anne Eckermann, School of Education, UNE, Armidale
(02) 6773 3849, Professor John Pegg, School of Education, UNE, Armidale (02)
6773 5070, or Jim Scanlan, Public Relations, UNE, Armidale (02) 6773 3049.
Posted by Lydia Roberts at 03:40 PM
Radical thoughts on educating children
June 16, 2004
Bringing empathy to the playground is more important than
“preaching and moralising,” according to a Canadian philosopher
visiting the University of New England.
Professor Michael Allen Fox, from Queen’s University, Canada, is
an expert on the teachings of the 19th Century German
philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, whose writings influenced
thinkers as diverse as Friedrich Nietzsche, Sigmund Freud and
Albert Schweitzer, as well as writers such as Thomas Mann and Samuel
Beckett.
Fox will deliver a public seminar, Boundless Compassion:
Schopenhauer's Relevance for Ethics Today at UNE tomorrow
(June 17) at 11am (Arts, Room 122). He will discuss these ideas as well as looking critically at Schopenhauer’s notorious attitudes toward women.
“Schopenhauer’s ethical views have a lot of relevance today,
especially when it comes to seeking inner and world peace,”
according to Fox.
For instance, Schopenhauer believed the unconscious -- desire,
will and instinct -- is responsible for a person’s behaviour, a
revolutionary thought during his lifetime (1788-1860). He also
held that suffering is the primary fact of life and something that we
all inevitably share.
As Fox explained: “Schopenhauer believed abstract moral systems
do not produce a good human being, that it was more important to
create the right personality. So, in terms of today’s practice, it is
better to bring out empathy in schoolchildren than to stress rules
and principles. Ultimately, this will make better humans and lead
to peace.”
“Schopenhauer was one of the first thinkers to appropriate ideas
of Buddhism into Western philosophy,” Fox said. “I will be investigating how his ethics of compassion makes a contribution to developing a better society and a better world.” Fox has just been made an Adjunct Professor at UNE.
Posted by Lydia Roberts at 03:09 PM
Artificial blood boils to restore life
June 16, 2004
An artificial substitute for blood, that could save the lives of many people suffering from severe blood loss, was the topic of a visiting lecturer at the University of New England.
Professor Claes Lundgren explained how the newly-invented substance, when injected in small amounts into the bloodstream, is able to transport oxygen around the body as efficiently as 200 times its volume of blood.
Claes Lundgren is Professor of Physiology and Biophysics at the State University of New York at Buffalo in the United States, and Director of that university’s Centre for Research and Education in Special Environments. He visited UNE on Tuesday [1 June] to present a lecture titled “Life without Blood”.
An emulsion containing particles of a liquid fluorocarbon, the blood substitute has a boiling point of 29 degrees C. This means that, when injected into the bloodstream (37 degrees C.) it boils, creating tiny gas bubbles that travel with the bloodstream to the lungs, pick up oxygen, and then deliver the oxygen to the vital tissues.
Professor Lundgren’s Centre, in collaboration with the American company Sonus Pharmaceuticals, is developing this use of the emulsion (which was originally made by Sonus as a contrast medium for ultrasound studies of the heart). Animal trials have demonstrated its life-saving potential. Although it will take at least two years (and a development cost of $20 million) for the blood substitute to be approved for human use, Professor Lundgren hopes that it will eventually be something carried in every ambulance.
Professor Lundgren, who was in Armidale visiting his cousin Bo Lundgren, describes himself as “a spare-time inventor”. He holds (with co-inventors) more than 120 patents. Many of these relate to human engineering (including breathing gear for divers) and pharmaceuticals (including the smoking-withdrawal product Nicorette). “I’ve always been interested in respiratory physiology: human function during diving, flying, and space travel,” he said.
Media contact: Jim Scanlan, Public Relations, UNE, Armidale (02) 6773 3049.
A photograph is attached. It shows Professor Claes Lundgren (centre) with his Univeristy of New England hosts Professor Ken Watson and Dr Gudrun Dieberg.
Posted by Jim Scanlan at 12:32 PM
Students help bring Armidale Markets online
June 16, 2004
University of New England students are working with stall-holders at
Armidale’s monthly Markets in the Mall, helping them create a “virtual
market” on the Internet.
The UNE project, called “Armidale Markets Online”, has won support from the
markets’ organisers as well as from stall-holders, and already has a
presence (in draft form) on the Internet.
Twelve students from UNE’s New England Business School are collaborating on
the project, which they have entered in the national Students in Free
Enterprise (SIFE) competition for 2004.
In last year’s competition, a team from UNE was named “Most Outstanding Rookie Team” for developing a program (the “Graduate Aware Outreach Program”) that encourages less-threatening recruitment meetings between university students and potential employers.
“Our aim is to extend the stall-holders’ access to their customers (and,
therefore, potential sales) beyond the one-day-a-month of the Markets,” said
one of the UNE team members, Grant Johnston. “The Web site will allow people
to ‘go to the Markets’ whenever they like.”
The team leader, Emma Falkenmire, said she and others had been talking to
stall-holders at the Markets for almost a year, and had stimulated considerable interest. She said the project had received enthusiastic support from Armidale Dumaresq Council through its Armidale Visitor Information Centre. “The Manager of the Information Centre, Stuart Allardice, has been very helpful,” Emma said. “We’re exploring links between ‘Armidale Markets Online’ and the Council’s ‘Thrive in Armidale’ promotion program. “
“One of our team, Andrew Kapinga, has developed the Web site, which should
soon be fully functional,” she continued. “We’ve had to find out a lot about
information technology along the way. On June 27 we’ll be holding seminars
at UNE for the stall-holders, discussing the Web site itself (www.akraweb.com.au/markets
Rick Hatch and Suzanne Forsyth Hatch, from Armidale’s Weemala Pottery, are
among the stall-holders who are taking advantage of the “Markets Online” Web
site. “The Web site communicates and promotes, on a continuous basis, the
high quality of art works, craft works and other products sold at Armidale’s
Markets in the Mall,” Mr Hatch said. “At the same time, it allows potential
customers to glimpse a little of the rich cultural life of Armidale.”
Emma Falkenmire and several other members of the team will travel to
Melbourne to present “Armidale Markets Online” at the national SIFE
competition on July 9-11. Other members of SIFE UNE will present a progress
report on the “Graduate Aware Outreach Program”. The mission of SIFE, which
was established in the United States in 1975, is to challenge university
students to make a difference to their communities through learning,
practising and teaching the principles of free enterprise. SIFE Australia
was established in 2000, and UNE entered the competition for the first time
in 2003.
Media contact: Grant Johnston, UNE SIFE member (e-mail:
gjohnst2@pobox.une.edu.au) or Jim Scanlan, UNE Public Relations (phone: 6773
3049). Contact Jim Scanlan for PHOTOGRAPHS.
Posted by Lydia Roberts at 12:02 PM
Pushing the pedals for a worthy cause
June 16, 2004
A computer specialist at the University of New England is booting up for a mountain-bike bash for which he hopes to raise $5000 for charity.
Mr Ross Dobson, a senior IT Project Officer, hopes to bicycle about 600km in just under a week, from Lightning Ridge in the far west of NSW to Tamworth.
He is one of about 50 other cyclists taking part in Westpac Rescue Service’s annual Mountain Bike Bash, which starts on Friday 17 September.
“I took up the challenge to take part in the charity bike bash two years ago, when cyclists took a week to ride from Tamworth through to Nundle, Hanging Rock, Walcha, Uralla, Inverell, Baradine and Bendemeer” Mr Dobson said.
In this, the fourth year of the mountain-bike bash, participants will take to the road and country tracks from Lightning Ridge, aiming to cycle about 600km in a week to Tamworth, passing through the towns of Collarenebri, Burren Junction, Wee Waa, Narrabri, Barraba and Manilla.
“We hope to travel around 100km a day,” Mr Dobson said.
“While some participants sleep out, most of us tuck into a hotel overnight, a feature of this year’s bash is an overnight camp at Mt Kaputar.” His bike is a 27-gear, full-suspension mountain bike, capable of travelling through gullies as well as tackling the bitumen.
“Part of last year’s ride involved us cycling just on 130km, in one day, through the Pilliga State Forest,” Mr Dobson said.
This year, Mr Dobson hopes to personally raise $5000 towards the Westpac Rescue Service and UNE colleagues across campus have pledged their support.
Safety and Security Manager Col McCallum has taken out gold sponsorship ($1000) of Mr Dobson’s ride, on behalf of UNEWISE. Said Mr McCallum: “As Safety and Security Manager at UNE a number of students have required urgent medical assistance and it is a great comfort to know the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service is there in support.”
Others who have delved into their pockets include Sport UNE with silver sponsorship and the UNE Union.
The Westpac Helicopter is based in Tamworth servicing the north west of NSW, including Armidale and the New England area.
Overall, the cyclists this year hope to raise $40,000 for the service.
Mr Dobson is hopeful more colleagues will come forward and sponsor him.
“It costs hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to keep this rescue helicopter viable. It’s a great cause and I hope people can match the generosity of the likes of Col McCallum and Sport UNE,” Mr Dobson said.
For more information, or to help sponsor the event, phone Mr Dobson on 6773 5034 or Lydia Roberts on 6773 2779.
Photographs are available on request.
Posted by Lydia Roberts at 11:37 AM