Laura Waldie has received the Griffith Sports College Award for Most Outstanding Griffith Student Player in the 2108 AON Rugby Uni 7s Series.
The Bachelor of Oral Health Dental Science student was also named Players’ Player of the Series at an awards ceremony held at Griffith’s Gold Coast campus.
Laura, who was among 10 Griffith students to feature during the series, had a stellar season across the five weekends of tournament competition.
Griffith clinched the series in the final round in Adelaide with a third successive tournament win.
Wallaroo and Aussie 7s star and Bachelor of Education graduate Shannon Parry attended the ceremony for the inaugural presentation of the Shannon Parry Award to acknowledge the Most Outstanding Player which went to all-action player, Charlotte Kennington.
The Leadership Award was presented to team captain and Bachelor of Public Relations and Communication student Kiri Lingman (above), while Bachelor of Education student Kahli Henwood, who burst on to the sevens scene this year, received the Rookie of the Year Award (below).
“An award named after Shannon Parry sets the standard very high for any recipient and Charlotte certainly reached those heights with some magnificent performances during the series,” Director of the Griffith Sports College, Duncan Free OAM, said.
“Laura’s commitment both to her studies and her sporting endeavours is remarkable. She maintained the highest of standards on both fronts throughout the series. She is a worthy recipient of the first Griffith Sports College Award.”
Duncan Free OAM paid tribute to the work of players and coaching staff in taking out a highly-competitive national title.
“They have been great ambassadors not only for Griffith University but also for the sport of rugby sevens.”
Humanities graduates possess a unique set of transferable skills, are capable of working across disciplines and adept at finding solutions to complex problems.
“A humanities degree has two great values. First, it gives students a deeper understanding of society, culture and people and develops the skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing global environment,’’ says Professor James Carson, Head of Griffith University’s School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science.
“But it is also the perfect degree for the knowledge economy that will define future employment because a humanities degree delivers those core skills that creative and entrepreneurial employers are looking for: the ability to find and synthesize information, the ability to create new knowledge, to think critically and creatively and to communicate new knowledge effectively.”
Indeed, a new report by Deloitte Access Economics about the value of humanities echoes this sentiment.
It identifies more than 30 technical skills that may be acquired in a humanities degree including “quantitative analysis skills, policy development, software use and foreign language skills. Precisely because of their diversity, and not being common to all degrees, these skills can be difficult to neatly summarise but are nevertheless highly valued by employers.”
Griffith’s suite of humanities degrees cover a diverse range of areas. Students can complement their professional interests with study in sociology, security studies, politics, international and literary studies, creative writing, Islam/West relations, Indigenous studies, languages and history.
“What you’ll get from studying humanities is knowledge that will serve for the rest of your life and what we really need for a healthy, functioning democracy in Australia is informed citizens, says lecturer Associate Professor Halim Rane.
“This is really the graduate of the future, someone who is informed, who is ready to be able to occupy a position where they make a meaningful, constructive contribution.”
A new study of250,000 year-oldNeanderthal teeth has revealed the oldest exposure to lead and the first natural weaning from breastfeeding in a fossil hominin (humans and their close ancestors and relatives).
Thenew study published today inScience Advancesreportsa major breakthroughin the reconstruction of ancient climates – a significant factor in human evolution, as temperature and precipitation cycles influenced the landscapes and food resources our ancestors relied on.
Thin sections of teethfromtwo Neanderthals and one modern human(5000 years ago)from a French archaeological sitewereimaged with polarized light microscopy to document each day of their childhood growth.
Teeth have biological rhythms akin to tree rings, but on a much finer scale, leading to numerous applications detailed in Smith’s new popular science book from MIT Press,The Tales Teeth Tell.
“This allowed us to relate their development to ancient seasons, revealing that one Neanderthal was born in the spring, and that both Neanderthal children were more likely to be sick during colder periods,” Professor Smith said.
“At the time they grew up, 250,000 years ago, this region of southeast France was much more seasonal than it is today.”
The teethsections also traveled to theIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, where experts in environmental health mapped the concentrations of metal in the teeth, including barium, a marker of milk consumption.
The team was surprised to discover that the two Neanderthal children either ingested or inhaled lead during their childhood, representing the oldest documented lead exposure in any hominin (humans and their close ancestors and relatives).
This occurred multiple times during the cooler seasons, potentially happening in caves as underground lead sources have been found within 25km of the archaeological site.
The tiny amount of barium also showed that one Neanderthal appears to have breastfed for 2.5 years, weaning in the fall. This individual survivedinfancy butwas unlikely to have reached adulthood.
ProfessorSmith and her team are keen to explore the childhoods of other hominins using this novel paleobiological approach, as many questions remain about why humans survived while our many evolutionary cousins, including the Neanderthals, were not so lucky.
Professor Smith will sign copies of her book and share more details of her work atQueensland Museum as part of theAfter Darksessions in her talk ‘What Primates Teach Us About Being Human’, on November 16.
The official book launch forThe Tales Teeth Tellwill be held at The Ship Inn, Southbank, on November 21 as part of Griffith’sImpact lecture series.
The Year 4 teacher and leader of the PPP robotics and dance clubs, has set up school partnerships with Google, IBM, Cancer Council Queensland, BOP Industries (hologram), Suncayr and Technology One. This year she was awarded a RMIT scholarship to study Apple Swift Programming.
A former professional dancer, it was while she was living in Japan and teaching English that Natalie found she really enjoyed being with children.
“I thought this is something I can do when it’s time to hang up my dancing shoes, and because I knew Griffith had a great reputation for teaching education returned to Australia to study,’’ she says.
When she first began teaching Natalie wanted to inspire in her students a love of dance and the arts, but soon became passionate about science and technology.
“I volunteered to be one of the school’s first iPad teachers and it showed me the possibilities of integrating technology into teaching. So I learnt to code and to do as much as I could with the kids to engage them in learning.
“I was also inspired during my student practical placement by teachers who were passionate about science. The lecturers and tutors were so supportive and engaging.”
Natalie encouraged five of her students to enter the Tech Girls Movement Search for the Next Tech Girl Superherocompetition, which they subsequently won at a state and national level before being named as one of 20 global semi-finalists for Global Technovation.
“Two years ago, when I came across the Tech Girl Superhero competition I thought it would be really valuable for my students,’’ she says.
“We were the first state school to win and it opened a lot of little girls’ eyes to the possibilities of being involved in science and technology.”
Tech Girls Club
From this Natalie started a Tech Girls Club and currently about 30 girls in Years 4 to 6 attend each Thursday for one hour to learn about drones, robots, blended reality, stop motion and basically anything related to science and technology.
“For children to contribute as digital citizens in the workforce, they need to be digitally literate and fluent if they are going to succeed.
“Winning the QCT award is so special and rewarding. You don’t teach for awards but because you love what you do and to be recognised by your peers is humbling.”
The Queensland College of Teachers Excellence in Teaching Awards are the only state government awards that recognise teachers from all schooling sectors state-wide. The awards were announced on October 25, on the eve of World Teachers’ Day celebrations in Australia.
Academics and esteemed industry experts will address one of Australia’s enduring social crises at the 2018 Affordable Housing Symposium to be held in the CBD this month.
The event is jointly hosted by Griffith University, the National Affordable Housing Consortium (NAHC) and Sustainable Living Infrastructure Consortium (SLIC), with support from the Queensland Government.
Griffith Business School researchers Professor Eduardo Roca, Associate Professor Richard Chung and Dr Benjamin Liu convened this year’s program, which focuses on delivering and managing a Build-to-Rent market within a whole-of-life approach, alongside NAHC Chairman and SLIC CEO Professor George Earl and NAHC CEO Mike Myers.
“In Australian society, housing affordability has become a major social, economic and political challenge, and one of increasing importance and urgency,” Professor Roca said.
“In conjunction with our friends at the NAHC and SLIC, we expect to engage in robust discussion with thought leaders from across government, businesses and the community to determine how best to deliver a whole-of-life-informed Build-to-Rent market, and what the economic and social impacts of such a market may be.”
Topics to be canvassed at the symposium include government/industry strategies for addressing the nation’s housing crisis (such as the establishment of a Management Investment Trust for Affordable Housing), sustainability, and other economic and social opportunities and barriers that could potentially affect the development of viable affordable housing solutions at a national level.
“This symposium will present a range of high-quality research into a variety of aspects of social and affordable housing,” Professor Roca said.
“It is our hope that we are able to work effectively across industry and governmental lines in order to help the vulnerable people at the core of the country’s housing problem, and provide the nation with workable recommendations and solutions to help put roofs over their heads.”
Joining Professor Roca, Professor Earl, Professor Carmignani and Mr Myers on the symposium’s speakers’ list are Michael Zorbas of the Property Council of Australia, JLL’s Mr David Rees, Griffith academics Professor Mark Brimbleand Associate Professor Leigh Shutter, UNSW Professor Hal Pawson, Port Phillip Council member Gary Spivak, and industry representatives Nils Miller (Investec), Ryan Rathborne (Clean Energy Finance Corp) and Chris Menz (Commercial & General).
Griffith has an extensive history of research in the field, being the home of the Social and Affordable Housing Program, a group of more than 25 academics from a range of Australian and international universities, colleges, SLIC and the NAHC.
The program provides a platform to bring together academics, researchers, practitioners and policy-makers to carry out research and exchange ideas to develop innovative solutions to the financing of social and affordable housing.
TheQueensland College of Art Graduate Exhibitions are a must-see forart lovers on the lookout for the “next big thing”.
The Queensland College of Art will open its doors to the public this week for a series of exhibitions featuring the work of its graduating students.
The annual QCA Showcase will take over the South Bank and Gold Coast campuses, showcasing the work of final-year students from Fine Art, Photography, Design and Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art.
Many of the works on display will be on sale, helping kick-start the careers of emerging artists.
Homegrown talent
Director of the QCA, Professor Derrick Cherrie (pictured right), said the exhibitions were an opportunity for the community to see the talent being nurtured in their hometown.
“The QCA is Australia’s oldest and one of the country’s largest art academies and has produced some of Australia’s leading contemporary artists,” he said.
“The showcase exhibitions are an ideal way to see the many diverse and exciting art forms the QCA has on offer and the extraordinary work being made here.”
Events across the QCA Showcase will include industry previews, student awards, panel discussions, exhibition displays and more.
Finding your passion
Graduating Bachelor of Fine Artstudent Kierra-Jay Power is exhibiting ‘Anatomise’, a series of 3D printed jewellery pieces made based on anatomical models and cast in sterling silver.
“I came to the QCA intent on studying art theory, but you get addicted to making things, and I fell in love with jewellery design,” she said.
“I’ve had fantastic mentors and been able to access all kind of cutting-edge equipment and materials.”
A powerful journey
Bachelor of Photography photojournalism student Shaun Singleton is exhibiting a series of photographs that tackle issues of ageism in the workplace – an issue close to his heart.
“I’m in my late 50s and came to study at the QCA after being retrenched,” he said.
“The photos I’m exhibiting are designed to create an emotional response in the viewer and make them think about how it feels to be without employment or purpose – a broken dinghy, disused industrial buildings.”
Shaun said his studies at the QCA had been life changing.
“My studies here have made me a different person – I haven’t just learnt a lot about photography, my whole world view has changed,” he said.
“As part of the degree I’ve travelled to Goa and Nepal and worked with internationally renowned photographers – it’s been wonderful.”
Designing the future
Design student Jaeda Abraham is exhibiting a collection of stunning workfrom her portfolio, from tote bags and button badges to art prints and activity books.
The graphic designer and illustrator works across a range of mediums, from digital design to typography, screen printing and hand lettering.
“I believe creativity is everywhere and for everyone,” she said.
“My time at the QCA has given me amazing freedom to experiment, and I feel like I’ve had a chance to taste everything I wanted to study.”
The QCA Graduate Exhibitions will be held from 31 October – details of individual shows are available online.
You can follow the QCA’s talented graduates on Instagram.
The concert will be directed by Opera Queensland Artistic Director Patrick Nolan, who will helm a team of award-winning creatives, including internationally renowned conductor Natalie Murray Beale, designer and fire artist Alex Podger with video and lighting by Mark Howett.
Griffith University Deputy Vice Chancellor (Engagement), Professor Martin Betts, said the partnership with Bleach* Festival would provide a remarkable opportunity for students involved in the creative arts at Griffith.
“For our students to be involved in an event like this, and work hand in glove with Opera Queensland is an invaluable opportunity.
“Our partnership with Bleach* Festival gives our students absolute access and participation in a world-class event.”
Queensland Conservatorium Director Professor Scott Harrison said the partnership would give orchestral students a chance to be part of a high-profile professional production.
“For students to be an integral part of the Bleach Festival and the Gold Coast musical ecosystem is incredibly important,” he said.
Bleach* Festival Artistic Director and CEO Louise Bezzina, herself a Griffith alumnus, said the partnership would provide opportunities for students across the university, from marketing and events management to urban planning.
“We are thrilled to announce Griffith University as our major partner over the next three years,” she said.
“It’s more than just a logo on a program, it will provide great practical outcomes for students, from performance opportunities and internships.”
The partnership deal will provide industry experience for students enrolled in the new Bachelor of Creative Industries, which launches on the Gold Coast next year.
Bleach* Festival has attracted more than 470,000 people since 2012. The program features work across all genres including dance, theatre, contemporary music, opera, installations, circus and major public events.
The full program for Bleach* Festival will be announced in February 2019.
Tickets for Verdi’s Requiem are on sale now at hota.com.au
Rising athletics star Ella Connolly loves to work with and help young people achieve their goals.
The first-year education student said her parents, both teachers, have had a major influence on her decision to study teaching at university.
“Being able to make a positive difference to other people’s life and to call that your career I think is something truly special,’’ she says.
“I’ve chosen to teach secondary education as there is more opportunity to engage in athletics and other sporting programs at school.
“I would love to work at a school that values sport and athletics as this is what I am really passionate about and it’s where I think I can make a positive difference.”
As a member of the Griffith Sports College Ella says the best thing about studying at Griffith is the overwhelming support given to student athletes.
“My sporting scholarship and support from the Griffith Sports College has enabled me to train twice a day, six days a week while travelling overseas with my sport, without hinderingacademic results.
The 400m specialist recently returned from the Czech Republic where her team placed third in the 4×400 metres mixed relay (3:18.55). She placed fourth in the World U20 Championships held in Finland in July in an impressive time of 52.82.
Ella also received a Moreton Bay Regional Council Australia Day Award in January and in 2017 won three medals at the Youth Commonwealth Games.
She was also the youngest selected for the Australian team at the IAAF World Championships in London and is currently hard in trials training for the 2019 World University Games in Italy.
“Griffith has enabled me to compete at my best through financial and study support. I’m also grateful for the advice from Olympic gold medallist Naomi McCarthy OAM (Griffith Sports College Manager), who has been there before and went through what we are striving for now.”
“It is recognised that elite athletes perform better asdual career athletes, balancing a career in sport and a career in something else,’’ Naomi says.
“The Griffith Sports College is proud to be able to assist almost 600 elite athletes to manage the pressure of high performance sport and also academic studies, allowing them to have this dual career.
“Ella is a great example of an athlete competing on the world stage and still managing to excel in her academic studies. She works extremelyhard on the track and in the classroom to achieve this.”
The contributions to Indigenous education of Aunty Anne Leisha have been recognised today (Thurs) at a World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium (WINHEC) Awards Conferral Ceremony.
Aunty Anne receives her award from Dr Hohaia Collier.
Former Governor General the Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO hosted the prestigious ceremony at Hymba Yumba School in Brisbane where Dr Hohaia Collier, Chancellor of WINU and past Executive Co-Chair of WINHEC, conferred the International Elders Award on the Elder in Residence at Griffith’s Logan campus.
Aunty Anne was joined by Professor Boni Robertson, Director, Indigenous Community Engagement at Griffith University, for the special occasion.
“I’m both shocked and delighted, and genuinely very honoured to have received this award,” Aunty Anne said. “I firmly believe there should be more Elders whose wealth of knowledge is used to greater advantage in our education curriculums.”
Aunty Anne with the Hon Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO and Dr Hohaia Collier, the Chancellor of WINU.
Aunty Anne paid tribute to Griffith University for its ongoing support of Indigenous education on both domestic and international fronts, and described the award as an endorsement of this commitment.
The WINHEC Award recognised the immense contributions Aunty Anne has made to the advancement of Indigenous education in Australian education through transformational leadership, diligence and innovative spirit as an Elder.
Members of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium (NATSIHEC) nominated Aunty Anne for the award in recognition of her efforts over a sustained period of time through Griffith University and her engagement in WINHEC.
Aunty Anne (right) with Dr Hohaia Collier and Professor Boni Robertson.
Aunty Anne is also the co-chair of the Griffith Council of Elders and the COOEE Indigenous Family and Community Education Centre in Cleveland.
Recently, the centre’s Pathways program – set up by local Elders and Griffith University – won the inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander category at the 2018 Mental Health Week Awards for its holistic work addressing the emotional and educational wellbeing of First Peoples youth in the Redlands prior to, during and after their enrolment at Griffith.
WINHEC was launched in 2002 in Canada heralding a new era in higher education for First Peoples. Each year it recognises Indigenous educators, scholars, Knowledge Holders/Elders who have been inspirational leaders in education in member countries of WINHEC.
Griffith University celebrated the 24th year of its award-winning Industry Mentoring Program holding gala events at the Brisbane Convention Centre and The Island Bar, Gold Coast.
Organized by program manager Nicole Graham and the Careers and Employment Team, the events brought together a group of motivated individuals including industry professionals, students, graduates and key employability leaders at Griffith University.
Each group comprised an interesting mix of those yet to start their careers, some at the very beginning and others with decades of experience, all with a shared goal to improve Griffith students’ future employability prospects through mentorship.
Both events kicked off with speed networking, where mentors were grouped based on their industry and mentees rotated around to network with different groups.
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Engagement), Professor Martin Betts delivered the key note speech for the Brisbane event, and spoke highly of his experience with the program. He highlighted the Industry Mentoring Program as one of Griffith’s key employment initiatives in 2019. Martin stated to mentors.
“The contribution you are making to helping students have their lives changed, not through education but by helping them to find their first steps to employment is very special.”
Communications and Public Relations student Hannah Fraser delivered the mentee vote of thanks, bearing a glowing testimony of her experience with her mentor, Hannah Lancini, from Brisbane City Council. Hannah is soon to commence a six-week internship in Hong Kong and attributes this opportunity to her mentor’s recommendation to apply for a student exchange through Global Mobility.
“Every achievement I have celebrated through this program, my mentor has celebrated with me and it was always heart-warming to see how genuinely interested she was in helping me grow.” Hannah said/
At the Gold Coast event, the key note was delivered Professor Sarah Todd, Vice President Global, who declared the Industry Mentoring Program to be one of the founding pillars of Griffith’s employability strategy. Professor Todd also spoke about how proud she felt towards students involved in the program.
“I would like to congratulate all of the mentees. I think recognizing the need for a mentor and the importance of developing a mentor relationship while you’re still studying is just incredible.”
Troy Dobinson and Sean Jacob (Author of ‘Winners Don’t Cheat: Advice for Young Australians from Young Australians’).
The eventsrecognizedall mentors and mentees for their dedication to the program through a series of awards including “most engaged mentee” and awards for three, five and ten years of serviceformentors.A total of fivementors were awarded fortheirten years of serviceto the program.
Manager of Griffith’s Careers and Employment Service Troy Dobinson said the program continues to deliver outstanding outcomes.
“We are proud of the long-term success of this initiative and excited to see what the future holds for the Industry mentoring Program.”
Mentor Brooke Clancy (Gold Coast Suns) with Vice President (Global) Professor Sarah Todd
The Leadership Award was presented to team captain and Bachelor of Public Relations and Communication student Kiri Lingman (above), while Bachelor of Education student Kahli Henwood, who burst on to the sevens scene this year, received the Rookie of the Year Award (below).
“An award named after Shannon Parry sets the standard very high for any recipient and Charlotte certainly reached those heights with some magnificent performances during the series,” Director of the Griffith Sports College, Duncan Free OAM, said.
