A school-based initiative for First Nations students has shown promising results in reducing suicidal ideation through connection to culture.
Piloted by Indigenous owned and managed youth mental health organisation Youth2Knowledge in conjunction with Griffith University’s Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, Project Yarn Circle delivered five weekly sessions to 276 students across nine schools in southern Queensland.
The program was centred around the traditional concept of yarn circles, a model that has facilitated exchanges of knowledge by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities for thousands of years.
Students were engaged in cultural knowledge and practices including storytelling, painting, learning about bush tucker, dance and Indigenous languages with Elders, artists and local cultural knowledge facilitators.
Lead researcher Mandy Gibson said First Nations young people have been found to experience markedly higher suicidality than non-Indigenous youth in Australia, yet there have been very few effective programs to address or reduce this issue.
“We need to be more preventative and proactive in this space,” Ms Gibson said.
Mandy Gibson
“We know First Nations young people who die by suicide are less likely to have ever had any support within the classic mental health support systems, so we need to actually reduce risk and increase protective factors in community, not just wait and hope we catch those who need help before it’s too late.
Ms Gibson said discrimination is one of the stronger risk factors for Indigenous suicide, which is why building on connection to culture, identity and hope for the future are key to improving outcomes.
“Often these young people don’t see their own future very clearly, but bringing Elders and cultural knowledge holders in to work with them helps them know they are part of a proud heritage that connects hundreds and thousands of years of the past to centuries into the future.”
It’s hoped the program can continue to reach and help more young people, and possibly even be expanded to run camps where participants can be taken out on Country, or integrating past attendees as leaders or facilitators in subsequent years to further build the sense of community and cultural continuity.
“What we’ve seen so far shows us we can try new and different things, and it does work,” Ms Gibson said.
“We’ve had decades of Elders saying we need to promote connection to culture to reduce suicide risk and we’ve got evidence that after participating in the cultural program, suicidal ideation among participants significantly reduced.
“They had higher self-esteem, higher reasons for living and were looking forward to the future.
“Even our facilitators have benefited from the experience.
“While they all have their own busy lives and competing priorities, they’ve appreciated the chance to come together and share their knowledge and to see how much value they’re adding to others’ lives.
“It’s been wonderful seeing young peoples’ confidence and pride grow.”
In the aftermath of the unsuccessful Voice referendum, Australia faces a pivotal moment in its relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As an Aboriginal academic advocating for a rights-based approach to education, I believe this juncture demands renewed commitment and decisive action, particularly from non-Indigenous educators and leaders within our education system.
The referendum’s outcome does not diminish Indigenous Australians’ fundamental rights to quality education that respects our cultures, languages, and traditions. These rights, enshrined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), remain intact and more pressing than ever. Recognising that the responsibility for upholding these rights and improving Indigenous educational outcomes is not solely on Indigenous shoulders is crucial. Non-Indigenous educators and leaders have a vital role to play in this work.
The imperative for non-Indigenous engagement
Non-Indigenous educators and leaders occupy positions of influence within our education system. They have the power to shape curricula, policies, and institutional cultures. With this power comes a profound responsibility to advocate for and implement changes that support Indigenous rights and student success.
The journey towards a truly inclusive and rights-respecting education system requires more than just the efforts of Indigenous educators and communities. It necessitates active ally-ship, commitment, and concrete actions from non-Indigenous educators at all levels—from classroom teachers to university chancellors.
Critical actions for non-Indigenous educators
Educate Yourself
The first step for any non-Indigenous educator is to commit to ongoing learning about Indigenous histories, cultures, and contemporary issues. This means engaging with Indigenous scholarship, participating in cultural competency training, and critically examining one’s biases and assumptions.
Amplify Indigenous voices
Non-Indigenous educators must create platforms for Indigenous colleagues to share their expertise. This involves advocating for increased Indigenous representation in decision-making bodies and supporting Indigenous-led initiatives within educational institutions.
Critically examine curriculum and pedagogy
Review teaching materials for bias and work to incorporate Indigenous knowledges across all subject areas. Adopt culturally responsive teaching practices that respect and value Indigenous ways of learning, being, and knowing.
Build genuine partnerships
Reach out to local Indigenous communities to understand their educational priorities. Involve them in curriculum development and decision-making processes. Remember that meaningful partnerships are reciprocal, built on trust and respect.
Advocate for systemic change
Use your position to push for policy changes that support Indigenous rights and student success. Challenge practices that undermine Indigenous rights, even when it’s uncomfortable or meets resistance.
Support Indigenous languages
Advocate for Indigenous language programs and support initiatives that integrate Indigenous languages into the broader curriculum. Recognise the crucial role language plays in cultural identity and knowledge transmission.
Create safe learning spaces
Make your classroom, learning environment, or office welcoming not only for Indigenous students and colleagues, but also a safe space for everyone to engage in conversations around Indigenous topics. Be proactive in addressing racism and discrimination and foster an environment where Indigenous perspectives are valued and respected.
Overcoming Challenges
This work has its challenges. Non-Indigenous educators may feel discomfort or fear making mistakes. It’s important to remember that this discomfort is often a sign of growth. The fear of making mistakes should not paralyse action; instead, it should encourage careful reflection and consultation.
You may encounter resistance to change from colleagues or institutions. Use your position of privilege to persistently advocate for Indigenous rights. Be prepared to have difficult conversations and challenge long-held assumptions about education.
Another challenge is maintaining momentum and commitment in the face of setbacks or slow progress. The referendum result might have been disappointing for many, but it should serve as a catalyst for renewed determination rather than resignation.
The Path Forward
The unsuccessful Voice referendum has sparked crucial conversations about Indigenous rights and recognition. Now is the time for non-Indigenous educators to translate these conversations into meaningful action within our education systems.
I encourage all non-Indigenous educators – from early childhood teachers to university professors – to commit to concrete actions:
Advocate for curriculum reform in your institutions.
Push for increased Indigenous representation in leadership roles.
Engage with local Indigenous communities and integrate their perspectives into your teaching.
Demand and participate in robust cultural safety training.
Support and promote Indigenous language programs.
As we move forward, let’s remember that this work isn’t about charity or guilt – it’s about recognising and upholding fundamental human rights. It’s about creating an education system that truly serves all Australians and benefits from the rich knowledge and perspectives that Indigenous peoples bring.
The referendum may not have delivered constitutional change, but it has highlighted the ongoing need for meaningful action. Non-Indigenous educators have a unique opportunity and responsibility to lead the way in recognising, respecting, and realising the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within our education system.
Your role is crucial. Your actions matter. The time for leadership is now. By embracing a rights-based approach and taking concrete steps to support Indigenous education rights, non-Indigenous educators can play a pivotal role in shaping a more just and inclusive future for all Australians.
An annual climate action survey has highlighted concern for the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), a desire for renewables over nuclear power, however, Australians impacted by the cost-of-living crisis seem less enthusiastic on taking climate change actions, despite being strongly supportive of the need to address this global challenge.
Griffith University’s Climate Action Beacon conducted the third of five planned Climate Action Surveys, asking what Australians thought, felt and did about climate change. Most Australians believe in the reality of climate change with some respondents noting local impacts:
“Change in the seasons cycle, that is, seasons starting or finishing earlier than normal. For example, warm weather starting earlier than normal has resulted in fruit and vegetables maturing earlier. So, as a gardener, I’ve had to change planting and harvesting routines.”
The survey found several important and interesting highlights:
Australians rated clean energy sources more favourable than nuclear or high emissions energy sources.
The reasons most commonly cited by 2023 new respondents for not engaging in pro-environmental behaviours included insufficient time and/or money, entrenched routines/habits, doubts regarding the efficacy of these behaviours, and lack of knowledge of actions to take. Similar barriers to climate action were noted in 2021 and 2022, suggesting that not enough is being done at individual and institutional levels to motivate action.
Australians exhibited temporal and spatial distancing of climate changes, underplaying the proximity of impacts to themselves and the time at hand to act.
“We don’t need to convince Australian’s that climate change is real anymore – that work has been done,” Dr Karlien Paas said.
“The immediate task at hand is to communicate that climate change requires urgent action now – and critically, that any action individuals – and the governments they vote for – take now, is consequential.
“Australians can make a huge difference to the future.”
The survey gathered data from two Australian populations: 1,184 participants from the 2021 and/or 2022 survey (‘repeat’ respondents) and 2,874 previously unsurveyed people (‘new’ respondents) – the total 2023 sample comprised 4,058 Australian adults, a larger sample than used in most other national surveys.
The survey acknowledged that some respondents’ answers may have been influenced by external factors that happened in the previous 12 months, including increased cost of living pressures. Only 1% of Australians indicated they are not at all concerned about cost of living, and a large majority (84%) indicated they are moderately, greatly, or extremely concerned about cost of living.
Importantly, the survey found that most respondents were concerned about both the cost of living and the pace of climate change – it was not as if concerns for the former had replaced concerns over the latter.
The sample of new respondents was recruited to ensure it was demographically representative of the Australian population in terms of age, gender, and geographic state or territory of residence.
In 2023, Griffith University worked with CSIRO to explore Australian’s attitudes to climate change and the much-loved Great Barrier Reef. The survey found that half of Australians strongly agreed that the GBR was part of their Australian identity.
Most Australians (71%) believed climate change posed an immediate threat to the GBR, necessitating prompt action; only 30% of Australians were optimistic about the future of the GBR, and 26% were afraid when hearing about climate-related damage to the GBR.
“Growing up in Qld, the Great Barrier Reef was stunning. I used to go out every few months… How I’ve seen a big difference in over 20 years. It’s bleaching & decreasing, quite sad. Also, I am just watching the Antarctic melt away, leaving a lot of animals that depend on icebergs stranded.”
Associate Professor Graham Bradley said it was no surprise that survey questions around climate change and the Great Barrier Reef were met with responses that favoured greater action to care for the Reef, as well as a strong sense of pride and duty for its future.
“A significant majority, almost 8 out of 10, expressed a strong sense of pride in the GBR being a World Heritage area, with 6 out of 10 believing that the GBR should be on the World Heritage Danger list – an interesting result given efforts by governments and industry to keep the GBR off the list,” Associate Professor Graham Bradley said.
“Seven out of 10 Australians see protecting the GBR as a responsibility that all Australians share, fostering a sense of collective duty and unity.”
The survey consistently found that individuals with firsthand experience with natural disasters or adverse climatic events demonstrated a greater understanding of climate change, heightened awareness, concern, and distress regarding its impacts.
They also exhibited more pro-environmental behaviours and greater efficacy in addressing climate change.
“Recent thunderstorms, thunder and lightning like I have never experienced. The sky sounds angry! Then, we experience heat waves in the following days. I cannot remember the past having such extreme changes so quickly.”
While the increase in climate change awareness following disasters was heartening, Associate Professor Sameer Deshpande cautioned that “waiting for widespread disaster events to occur and spur action is not feasible nor responsible”.
“It is reasonable for Australians to perceive climate change as disaster events and miss the significance of everyday actions like recycling and repurposing, reducing consumption, considering diet changes, walking or using public transport, planting trees and so on,” he said.
“There is time between and away from disasters where Australians can act locally – literally in their own backyards. Alongside important government and industry discussions around energy transitions, changes in individual and household behaviour matter enormously to climate action and a better future.”
The survey found many were making changes and that there was room for more Australians to join the fray. Read more on the Climate Action Survey 2023 here.
Griffith University Art Museum has been recognised at the 2024 Queensland Gallery and Museum Achievement Awards (GAMAA) this week, winning ‘Best Project – Organisation with Paid Staff’ for their exhibition Taring Padi: Tanah Tumpah Darah (29 February – 25 May 2024).
The annual awards, hosted by Museums and Galleries QLD, celebrate the achievements of organisations and individuals in the arts and cultural heritage sectors.
The Best Project Award recognises the high artistic quality of the exhibition as well as its outcomes for the artists, staff, and local community.
Tanah Tumpah Darah had strong competition from several finalists so it’s fantastic that this important artist-led project has been recognised.
Image: Taring Padi: Tanah Tumpah Darah installation view, Griffith University Art Museum, March 2024. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Louis Lim
Tanah Tumpah Darah began with an invitation from local Aboriginal artist collective proppaNOW to Indonesian artsworker collective Taring Padi, to come to Meeanjin/Magandjin (Brisbane) to collaborate during a month-long residency on a large-scale banner Ngaliya Budjong Djarra (Our Mother Earth) (2023-24), which was displayed on the western façade of Griffith University Art Museum at South Bank.
Supported by GUAM, Creative Australia, and an anonymous donor, Taring Padi and proppaNOW shared a six-week residency at The Paint Factory, Yeronga, which included opportunities for engagement with First Nations and artist communities.
Alongside the residency, GUAM mounted Tanah Tumpah Darah which surveyed Taring Padi’s almost three-decade long history. The exhibition included over 120 painted banners, woodcut prints, and cardboard puppets from Taring Padi’s beginnings in the turbulent post-Suharto period of the 1990s through to current issues concerning environmental destruction, violence, unemployment and marginalised communities.
Image: Taring Padi and proppaNOW, Ngaliya Budjong Djarra (Our Mother Earth) (2023-24), oil on canvas, 900 x 650cm. Taring Padi: Tanah Tumpah Darah installation view, Griffith University Art Museum, March 2024. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Louis Lim
Over the course of the exhibition GUAM hosted almost 50 public programs and tours, involving local school, artist, and First Nations communities, including an artist-led symposium and numerous workshops with Taring Padi and students from local schools, the Queensland College of Art and Design’s Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art (CAIA) program, the Griffith University Printmaking Club, and the Indonesian Student Association of Griffith University (ISAGU).
Image: Taring Padi workshop with ISAGU, Griffith University Art Museum, March 2024
In addition, GUAM co-facilitated the Arts, Education and Law Summer Scholarship with Griffith University Law Futures and the Creative Arts Research Institute (CARI), which enabled six students from QCAD, CAIA and Griffith Law School to work alongside Taring Padi and proppaNOW and develop their cross-disciplinary research skills.
Taring Padi: Tanah Tumpah Darah was made possible by members of Taring Padi and proppaNOW as well as project supporters Sarazin; Creative Australia; Framer Framed, Amsterdam; Milani Gallery, Brisbane; The Paint Factory, Yeronga; and the Simon Lee Foundation, Institute of Contemporary Art, Art Gallery of Western Australia.
A Griffith University researcher has shed light on the tragic and often overlooked human-wildlife conflicts surrounding a vast, picturesque lake that supports the livelihoods of villagers in a remote Zimbabwe region.
Dr Joshua Matanzima.
Dr Joshua Matanzima, from the Australian Rivers Institute based at Griffith, is a Zimbabwean researcher whose personal connection to the dangers of living by Lake Kariba offered insights into the risks – his late brother’s wife was taken by a crocodile while fishing in the lake, which is an all-too-common occurrence in the region.
Lake Kariba, a man-made reservoir built in 1957, is a striking landscape near Victoria Falls, known for its breath-taking views and quintessential African wildlife – including elephants, buffaloes, lions, birds, hippos, and crocodiles – that depend on its bountiful fish stock.
The location of Lake Kariba, which borders Zambia and Zimbabwe.
However, beneath the surface of this picturesque setting lies a grim reality. The lake, once home to nearly 60,000 people before it was dammed, has become a sacred and dangerous space where humans and wildlife compete for food and territory. This competition result in conflict, a theme that Joshua uncovered in depth in his recent book.
In Zimbabwe, villagers rely on the lake for food and livelihoods, often venturing into crocodile and hippo territory with little awareness of the dangers.
Unlike in Australia, where clear signage warns against the risks of crocodile-infested waters in the northern states and territories, Lake Kariba lacks proper safety measures or reliable recorded data on the deaths and injuries that occur each year. His research discovers that often incidents involving minor injuries go unreported. Lack of data prevents the proper and effective management of the conflicts.
“Several fishing communities are in the immediate vicinity of the Lake, but people from communities far from the Lake, such as Kariba town, visit the Lake on a daily basis for their livelihoods. exposing themselves to attacks from crocodiles and hippos,” Dr Matanzima said.
“Human attacks by hippos and crocodiles are perpetuated by inadequate awareness campaigns, and economic hardship that drives people to encroach on the lake, even when it is dangerous.”
Dr Joshua Matanzima
Climate change has only intensified the struggle. As food sources for wildlife become scarce, people and animals are drawn into even closer, more dangerous proximity. Men in canoes and women fishing on the banks are routinely at risk of deadly encounters.
Dr Matanzima’s latest release The Materiality of Lake Kariba: Water, Livelihoods, Belonging and Conservation calls on the Zimbabwean government to take action, urging them to fund awareness campaigns about the lake’s dangers and to support alternative income streams for the villagers, who face over 90% unemployment.
Dr Matanzima on a speed boat owned by the tourism company Bewildered Safaris with Blessed Chalibamba.
His work aims to bring international attention to this tragic situation, where life by the lake is a daily fight for survival.
“The villages are calling for the culling of crocodiles and hippos to reduce their number from the lake,” Dr Matanzima said.
“One villager said: ‘We now have too many crocodiles in the lake and there is no culling that is going on. National Parks stopped culling a long time ago’.
“The villagers also want the problem crocodiles to be shot immediately after an incident so that they do not keep attacking humans.
A fishing village known as Musamba located in the immediate vicinity of the lake.
“However, some villagers bemoan that when an incident occurs – National Parks takes time to arrive at the scene and also they do not kill crocodiles involved in conflicts. As one fisherman noted: ‘they shoot in the sky’.
“There is a need to listen to communities and incorporate their suggestions into conservation policies and the management of human-wildlife conflict in this region.
“This will minimise human-to-human conflicts over wildlife that are also a wicked problem at Kariba that often exacerbates these animal attacks on humans.
“Culling of crocodiles and hippos is required in instances where communities feel like the creatures’ numbers are increasing.”
The second phase of a trial to implement a heat-detection system inside the homes of senior Australians will this time put the power directly in the hands of participants.
The team at Griffith University’s Ethos Project (Extreme Heat and Older Persons) are once again calling on Queenslanders over the age of 65 to take part in Phase 2 of an in-home early warning system for heat in a warming climate.
Using small sensors to monitor home temperatures and humidity via a smart phone app developed by the research team, the Ethos system alerts users when these levels become dangerous and provide personalised cooling recommendations to reduce heat health risk.
The Ethos research team from Griffith University.
As a new addition to the technology for this year’s trial, the team has developed a mobile app for use as the system interface.
Associate Professor Shannon Rutherford, who co-leads the Ethos Project, said the second phase of the trial – to take place from November-March – would also expand into more locations.
“We had a great response from South East Queensland for our first trials, but we want to hear more from those living in warmer regions, where prolonged heat exposure may be more prevalent and more risky for our older community members,” Associate Professor Rutherford said.
“By testing the app-based version of our system, we’re making heat-health monitoring more accessible. With the higher heat-health risks this population faces, real-time insights into their home’s temperature will empower users to act quickly, reducing exposure to extreme heat. Their feedback is crucial in refining the app to better meet their specific needs.”
Extreme heat kills more people in Australia than any other natural disaster. In Queensland alone, more than 100 lives are lost each year from exposure to high temperatures.
Without taking the right steps to protect ourselves and keep our homes cool, extreme heat can lead to heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
The Ethos system works by:
Collecting real-time humidity and temperature data from inside and outside the home using four non-invasive sensors;
Connecting to the local weather station and displays that information to the user to assist with planning daily and weekly activities;
Providing individualised heat alerts when projected core temperature is increasing;
Suggesting cooling strategies that are acceptable and accessible to the user.
Upon installation, Ethos team members input the user’s height, weight, age and sex into the app. This allows the system to individualise heat alerts to that specific person.
In last year’s phase one of the trial, the Ethos team travelled more than 4,500km in total to install, repair, and collect the systems from their 78 participants.
After the trial concluded, the team found:
13% of participants reported being extremely concerned about the effects of heatwaves on them personally after the trial compared to 1.3% before the trial
36% of participants were well informed about the consequences of heatwaves on their health after the trial compared to 12.9% at the beginning of the trial
46% of participants strongly agreed that heatwaves pose a risk to their health after the trial compared to 32.1% before the trial.
85% of participants felt that they were well prepared for heatwaves after the trial compared to 70% before the trial.
For the upcoming phase two of the trial, participants can also opt to trial the Ethos app with a Fitbit (which they will get to keep), and receive a $50 gift card for participation, or a Fitbit if they are involved in the Fitbit sub-study.
Ethos team member Connor Forbes demonstrates the device.
To join the trial, participants must be:
Aged over 65 years,
Live in Southeast Queensland or Hervey Bay
Have an iPhone (model 6s or higher)
Willing to complete a confidential health history questionnaire
Do not have a diagnosis of a psychological or cognitive disorder such as schizophrenia or dementia.
Register your interest by emailing [email protected] or call (07) 5552 7903.
For more information about the Ethos Project and other ways to be involved, visit the website, www.climate-ethos.com
This research is part of a large $2.35 million research project funded by Wellcome with an objective to develop an individualised early warning system (EWS) for heatwaves that can be used across diverse settings.
A new study conducted at Bonnie Doon Creek on the lower Burdekin River in Queensland has demonstrated a significant reduction in sediment yield through large-scale remediation of alluvial gullies.
The research, led by Associate Professor Andrew Brooks from Griffith University’s Coastal and Marine Research Centre, used a Before After Control Impact (BACI) design field experiment, to measure the effectiveness of GBR water quality improvements that can be achieved through targeted gully remediation.
The study focused on four large alluvial gully complexes, covering an active area of approximately 17 hectares.
Associate Professor Andrew Brooks
Prior to remediation, these gullies were estimated to be contributing 5,800 ± 1,500 tonnes of fine sediment (particles smaller than 20 µm) per year, based on a 20-year baseline average.
The remediation efforts resulted in a remarkable reduction of 96%-99% in fine sediment yield within one year, translating to an annual reduction of approximately 5,500 tonnes from just these four gullies.
”Before we started this research, these big alluvial gullies had been put in the too hard basket for being tackled by local Natural Resource Management groups. So a key objective of this study was to demonstrate how these large gullies can be remediated, and what sort of sediment reductions can be achieved through the remediation process,” Associate Professor Brooks said.
“Associated research by our group has demonstrated a small number of these large gullies, representing around 2% of the gully population in the Bowen catchment, are contributing 30% of the gully sediment sourced from this catchment.
“Hence, given the significance of these large gullies as sediment sources, it is not an option to leave them untreated if GBR water quality targets are to be achieved.”
Researchers employed high-resolution lidar Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) of Difference (DoD) to measure sediment yields in the unremediated gullies. These DEMs were acquired by research partners Airborne Research Australia, using their unique powered glider aircraft, which are ideal for the high resolution (0.1m) lidar acquisition needed for this research.
However, even these lidar-derived yields were found to be on average 58% lower than those derived from monitored suspended sediment concentration (SSC) data.
Another key finding of this research was the identification of the greatest uncertainty in predicting sediment decrease from gully remediation.
The study suggested that even high-resolution lidar might miss erosion processes driven by rainfall across internal gully surfaces that fell below the lidar’s limit of detection, particularly in the unremediated gullies.
Baseline sediment yields at the study sites may be as much as 270% higher than initially estimated, when widespread downwearing erosion is taken into account, with the analysis suggesting that original assessments may have been overly conservative.
“If you underestimate the pre-remediation gully sediment yield – you might actually be underestimating the sediment yield reductions that have been achieved,” Associate Professor Brooks said.
“However, perhaps more importantly, given that decisions about where resources are directed are based on the ‘dollars per tonne’ of sediment abatement, some sites will not be remediated if the sediment yield side of this equation is underestimated.
“Current methods employed by those responsible for funding gully remediation, have been underestimating the yields from these large alluvial gullies, and likely overestimating yields from other gullies. The result of this is that some of these high yielding gullies are not given the go ahead for remediation and resources are redirected.”
Associate Professor Andrew Brooks
“This research underscores the importance of developing a detailed understanding of baseline sediment yields and the processes driving gully evolution over time.
“Such knowledge is crucial for the economic justification of remediation efforts and for ensuring that the scale of the works matches the scale of the problem.”
The findings also highlighted that achieving similar sediment reduction results in smaller-scale gullies would require treating more than 40,000 gullies, emphasising the effectiveness of remediation efforts in these large gullies.
Associate Professor Brooks and the team called for future research to improve the understanding of baseline sediment yields and to enhance the accuracy of sediment abatement predictions in various gully types.
Salivary biomarkers could be the way forward in diagnosing liver fibrosis thanks to a partnership between Griffith University and Gallipoli Medical Research (GMR).
Liver fibrosis is a condition characterised by the excessive accumulation of scar tissue which replaces normal liver tissue and disrupts the organ’s structure and function.
The condition can lead to more severe liver damage culminating in cirrhosis which can cause significant complications such as liver failure, portal hypertension, and an increased risk of liver cancer.
Liver fibrosis is like a tsunami, with its incidence rate significantly higher in individuals over the age of 50 years.
Professor Chamindie Punyadeera
Griffith University researcher Professor Chamindie Punyadeera is leading the salivary biomarker research, along with Professor Darrell Crawford from GMR, and said the current diagnosis method is a liver biopsy which is both invasive and painful, and cannot be repeated frequently.
“Coupled with the biopsy, diagnosis also entails using a combination of imaging techniques and blood tests, which have their own advantages and limitations,” Professor Punyadeera said.
“We anticipate the use of salivary biomarkers can overcome these limitations for a variety of reasons, and provide significant benefits in the diagnosis of a serious disease.
“It can be used for early diagnosis, used to monitor progression of the diseases routinely, is non-invasive so is less painful and can be repeated multiple times even in people living in rural and regional communities where the disease burden is high, and is expected to be more affordable.”
Professor Darrell Crawford, from GMR believes that we need to change our approach to the diagnosis of liver fibrosis given the huge global prevalence of fatty liver disease. He said, “An accurate and easily administered point of care test that identifies those patients at risk of more advanced liver fibrosis would be a major step forward in the fight against the surging incidence of cirrhosis and liver cancer.”
“GMR are delighted to partner with GU and US Ochsner Clinic Foundation on this innovative, world class diagnostic test for liver fibrosis. The potential if this trials succeeds would be ground breaking for global access and cost effective for health outcomes and improving lives”, said GMR CEO Miriam Kent.
The study will evaluate the novel biomarkers identified in a cohort of 250 patients, provided by collaborator Ochsner Clinic Foundation in the US, and then compare the data with hepatic histology in patients and position the use of these biomarkers as a potential saliva-based test for liver fibrosis.
Griffith Enterprise, Griffith University’s technology transfer office, is interested in discussing the technology with industry partners who could take it to the market to provide quick, efficient and affordable ways to diagnose a serious disease.
In a significant milestone for Queensland’s thriving arts community, the Queensland Academy of Excellence in Musical Theatre (QAEMT) has received its highest ever number of applications for the prestigious Bachelor of Musical Theatre program.
This year, more than 400 aspiring performers are competing for just 20 coveted places in the 2025 intake, marking an exciting moment for both Queensland’s cultural scene and Griffith University.
Griffith’s musical theatre program has built an exceptional reputation in little more than a decade, which has routinely seen graduates securing professional roles in major productions and achieving success as performers, directors, choreographers and producers.
Wicked, currently showing in Brisbane, stars alumni Courtney and Emily Monsma, and Jordan Malone playing Glinda; Liam Head as Fiyero, and Dominic Woodhead as the Associate Music Director.
Vidya Makan has been playing Eliza in Hamilton at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre, and Shubshri Kandiah and Jackson Head have been lighting up the stage as Belle and Gaston in Beauty and the Beast.
Director of QAEMT, Professor Paul Sabey, said the success of these graduates and many more was likely a driving force behind the increased interest in Griffith’s musical theatre program.
“The fact that so many of our graduates are now working on some of the world’s biggest productions is a testament to the quality of education we offer here at Griffith,” he said.
Director of the Queensland Academy of Excellence in Musical Theatre, Professor Paul Sabey
“We go well beyond technical training to focus on the whole performer — their mental health, their individuality, and their sense of community.
“We want to build artists who are ready for the challenges of the industry.”
The audition process, which has just taken place at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), offered applicants a unique opportunity to showcase their talent.
Hopefuls were taken through a warm-up in which their improvisation skills were explored, followed by demonstrations of their acting, singing, dancing, and spoken voice skills.
According to Professor Sabey, these experiences prepare students for the intensity and diversity of professional musical theatre.
“We offer an education unlike any other because our students are embedded in QPAC — the only Musical Theatre program of this kind worldwide where students train within a major performing arts venue,” he said.
“This real-world experience really sets the program apart with students not only gaining unparalleled access to industry professionals through QPAC, but also participating in fully staged productions.
“They swipe in at stage door every day, giving them unrivalled access to a magical world of professional performance.”
The QAEMT’s reputation for fostering talent through rigorous ‘quadruple threat’ training in acting, singing, dancing and being a good ‘company member’, combined with strong industry ties, is a major draw for aspiring performers from around the world.
The judging panel looks forward to welcoming a new cohort of students who will be not only technically proficient, adaptable and resilient, but also prepared to make an impact and transform the future of musical theatre.
With Queensland’s election scheduled for October 26, the state will enter ‘caretaker mode’ today, October 1. From this date until the election results are known, the government will face several restrictions under what are known as “caretaker conventions“.
What are they?
Caretaker conventions aim to check the power of the executive when there is no Parliament to which it can be accountable. They prevent the current government from making significant new policies, financial commitments, or appointments that could bind an incoming administration. These conventions also reduce the risk of the government using public resources to gain an unfair advantage in the election campaign.
Yet the business of government continues during the caretaker period, and this is where confusion arises. The challenge lies in determining what constitutes the ongoing business of government and what actions would constrain a future government.
Fixed terms reduce political uncertainty
Caretaker controversies are not uncommon in election campaigns, but the introduction of four-year fixed terms in Queensland may reduce some of these conflicts. Fixed terms provide a more orderly lead-up to elections, eliminating uncertainty over election timing. This allows parliamentary business to be completed smoothly, and major contracts and appointments can be finalized before the caretaker period begins.
One recurring issue is government advertising. When an election is called, one of the Premier’s first responsibilities is to decide whether to suspend or limit government ad campaigns. Public interest ads, like those promoting road safety or health, may continue. However, ads that highlight government achievements or policies, particularly on contentious issues, are considered political. Ultimately, it is up to the Premier to decide, though the Opposition can challenge these decisions. Yet, because these conventions are not legally binding, they cannot force a reversal.
Melbourne, Australia – July 2, 2016: A polling station in the rural town of Mossman in Queensland, Australia, on federal election day.
Opposition rights and electoral fairness
During the caretaker period, the conventions ensure the Opposition, as a potential future government, is treated fairly. Meanwhile, the governing party is expected to voluntarily restrain its actions to avoid taking advantage of incumbency. With so much at stake, decisions made during this time often become contentious. The ethical judgment required for following caretaker conventions can be overlooked amid the heat of an election campaign, and because these conventions are based on precedent rather than law, it is difficult for outsiders, including the media, to definitively call out violations.
Caretaker government after polling day
While the conventions are well-understood during the election campaign, their application after polling day has become an emerging issue. In the event of a hung Parliament or a prolonged vote count, establishing a new government could take time. During this transition, the previous Premier and Cabinet remain in office to ensure continuity. This is crucial in case of emergencies such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or financial crises.
To avoid locking in decisions that could bind an incoming government, any urgent or unavoidable actions during this period should be made in consultation with the Opposition.
