After years in the making, Griffith’s Cities Research Centre has launched the first book length academic research history of the Gold Coast.
‘Off the Plan – The Urbanisation of the Gold Coast‘ is a collaboration between researchers at Bond University, Queensland University of Technology, Southern Cross Universityand Macquarie University involvingfour years of work.
Cities Research Centre Director Professor Paul Burton at the book launch
The book covers planning, policy, tourism, real estate and architecture on the Coast. Each chapter’s author was specifically chosen because of their expertise in thatfield.
It addresses the historical circumstances, both accidental and intentional, that led to the Coast’s transition from a collection of settlements unburdened by planning restrictions to become Australia’s sixth largest city.
“The Gold Coast is a very unique city, particularly in terms of its urban landscape,” she said.
“It’s not just a regional city anymore, even though there’s a perception in the media as well as from people who come here that the Gold Coast is just Surfers Paradise, and it’s not.
“There’s a lot more going on here than a regional city so that requires careful analogy.
“One of the findings of this book is we keep repeating the mistakes of the past and we usually do that if we don’t know our past.”
The book is available from CSIRO Publishing.
Griffith University’s Professor Alan Mackay-Sim has been named the 2017 Queensland Australian of the Year for his work with stem cells and how they can be used to help repair damaged spinal cords.
The Emeritus Professor at Griffith’sEskitis Institute for Drug Discoveryhas given hope to thousands of Australians with spinal cord injuries through his world-leading research.
“What an honour it is to win amongst such a group of wonderful Queenslanders,” Professor Mackay-Sim said at the awards, held at Customs House in Brisbane.
“For myself, I represent a whole team of scientists and clinicians who have been part of the success of contributing to the award.”
Click on the link above and selectClem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research from the dropdown
Professor Mackay-Sim is recognised as a global authority on the human sense of smell and the biology of nasal cells.
He led the world’s first clinical trial using these cells in treatment of spinal cord injury. The trial results were key to the world’s first successful operation to restore mobility for a quadriplegic man in 2014.
Paralysed man walks again
At the time of the successful 2014 operation British Professor Geoffrey Raisman likened the outcome for the paralysed man,Darek Fidyka, as ‘more impressive than man walking on the moon’.
Professor Mackay-Sim has championed the use of stem cells to understand the biological bases of multiple brain disorders and diseases such as schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease and Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia.
He said the award reflected the quality of research that was being done in Australia and would help raise awareness of stem cell research.
“It raises the issue of disability in the community and the importance of scientific research to advance clinical therapies,’’ he said.
Professor Mackay-Sim will join other states and territory finalists for the national awards, which will be held in Canberra on January 25, 2017.
Researchers at the Griffith University Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, are preparing to conduct clinical trials by 2018 focused on restoring motor and sensory function to badly injured people. The research builds onProfessor Mackay-Sim’s research.
Griffith alumnusDr Nora Amath wasalso a Queensland finalist for the awards.
Scientist and international leader in stem cell research Professor Alan Mackay-Sim and Griffith University alumnus and humanitarianDr Nora Amath are Queensland finalists in the Australian of the Year Awards.
Professor Mackay-Sim, the former Director of the National Centre for Adult Stem Cell Research Centre, and Emeritus Professor at Griffith’s Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery has given hope to thousands of Australians with spinal cord injuries.
A global authority on the human sense of smell and the biology of nasal cells, Professor Mackay-Sim led the world’s first clinical trial using these cells in treatment of spinal cord injury.
His research has championed the use of stem cells to understand the biological bases of brain disorders and diseases such as schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease and Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia.
Professor Mackay-Sim said his Australian of the Year nomination was a fantastic honour and would help raise awareness of stem cell research.
“It raises the issue of disability in the community and the importance of scientific research to advance clinical therapies,’’ he said.
Dr Amath completed her PhD at Griffith University in 2014 in the field of sociology of religion.
In 2006, she received the prestigious award of Australian Muslim Woman of the Year. In 2007 and again in 2012, she received the Australia Day Community Awards.
Dr Nora Amath.
Queensland’s Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Local Hero Award recipients will be announced tonight (November 23, 2016) at Customs House in Brisbane.
The Queensland Award recipients will then join recipients from all other States and Territories as finalists for the national awards, which will be held in Canberra onJanuary 25, 2017.
The ACVPAs recognise good practice in the prevention or reduction of violence and other types of crime in Australia.
“The Smart Start project began in June 2014 and grew to become the world’s largest preloading study. It’s one of the first research projects of its kind to include research engagement together with front-line police and focus on operational outcomes,” said Griffith University’s Associate Professor Grant Devilly.
“The project continues to be funded by the National Drug Strategy Law Enforcement Funding Committee, and has so far enabled front-line police and researchers from Griffith University to survey and breath test people as they start their night out, and as they leave Brisbane’s entertainment precincts.
“Reception towards the project has been extremely positive with many in the community keen to contribute and compare how intoxicated they feel with an accurate breath test,” Associate Professor Devilly said.
Engaging with the community
Inspector Corey Allen, manager of Queensland Police Service Constable Development said front-line police enjoyed the opportunity to engage with the community in such positive terms.
“This project enabled front-line police to engage with and educate the community on a serious topic, helping contribute to some tangible operational outcomes, as the engagement is still taking place in and around areas linked to alcohol related violence,” Inspector Allen said.
“The results from the engagement will also help influence prevention and engagement strategies into the future.”
“There is no doubt that the recognition and acknowledgement that comes with winning the ACVPA is a significant honour, but the real benefits are in sharing innovative ideas, connecting with other crime prevention practitioners and knowing that great work from all over Australia will influence better outcomes for the community well after the trophy is presented.
“The ACVPAs challenge the crime prevention community to articulate the good work being done in ways that promote innovation and provide and evidence base for others to build on.”
This year, the ACVPA celebrates its 25th year of rewarding outstanding community-based crime and violence prevention projects
“This project was recognised by the ACVPA as it combines academic research and police-community engagement to contribute to reducing violence and anti-social behaviour in the night-time economy,” said acting Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) Director, Chris Dawson APM.
The projects are assessed each year by the ACVPA Board, which consists of senior law enforcement representatives from each state and territory police service and is chaired by the AIC Director.
The awards are a joint initiative of the Australian, state and territory governments, coordinated by the AIC and co-sponsored by the Law, Crime and Community Safety Council.
The awardaims to recognise Higher Education institutions working with industry in a way that goes beyond standard commercial relationships and is genuinely reciprocal, mutually beneficial, and highly valued by both partners.
The 2nd annual AFR Higher Education Awards, held on November 16 and presented by UniSuper, highlight the tremendous contribution that the sector makes to Australian prosperity and quality of life.
The awards were judged by an independent panel of eminent higher education veterans.
Griffith University and agricultural product company Agnova Technologies collaborated to produce Fruition, the nation’s first non-toxic response to fruit flies.
The trap attracts and catches femalefruitflies before they lay eggs in fruit and offers the potential for a brighter future for Australia’s $4.8 billion horticulture industry.
Each year the Pro Vice Chancellor (Sciences) recognises the remarkable achievements of the group’s alumni, academic and professional staff.
This year the group alsoapplauded its industry partners and high schools that have contributed to its achievement.
The 2016 Griffith Sciences Awards were held at the Southbank Campus’s Webb Centreand featured school themed test tube cocktails.
Griffith Sciences Group is the research engine of the university and was recognised as such through the awards, which celebrated outstanding alumnus of the year Dr Jenine Beekhuyzen, young alumnus of the year Ethan Bowering and recognised GHD’s outstanding industry contribution and Upper Coomera State College with theGriffith STEM Ambassador School Award 2016.
Dr Beekhuyzen is a social entrepreneur, diversity expert and champion for women in technology, being named among the 2016 Australian Financial Review/Westpac 100 Women of Influence. She is also the founder and driving force of the Tech Girls Movement and has written books encouraging and inspiring young girls into tech-based careers.
Planning graduate Ethan Bowering
Ethan recently completed a scholarship at the prestigious University of Cambridge in England and is currently a fiscal policy adviser at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in Canberra. He studied a double degree with a Bachelor of Urban and Environmental Planning with Honours, and a Bachelor of Science (Environment).
GHD in South Queensland has been a great champion of the Work Integrated Learning and Industry Affliliates Program offered by Griffith Sciences.
Upper Coomera State College promotes Griffith tertiary pathways to students, parents and the broader community as well as hosting numerous Griffith Sciences events.
Watch our highlights from the annual schools science competition:
Griffith University has launched a new cutting-edgeengineering program in an environment that is being hailed as one of the best learning spaces of its kind in the country.
A new $60 million building at Griffith’s Nathan campus will provide a state-of-the-art“experiential learning” space for engineering students and an added civil engineering program.
Launched in Brisbane last night, the civil engineering program will give graduates the competitive advantage they need to succeed on the world stage.
Industry demand for highly skilled graduates in southeast Queensland has prompted the civil engineering program at Nathan, which has its first intake in 2017.
Head ofSchool of EngineeringProfessorGeoff Tansleysaid the new teaching space would be the best experiential learning space for engineering in the country.
“There’s some serious investment in engineering and Griffith sciences and I have not seen anywhere better,” he said.
“It’s learning by doing and it’s going to be phenomenal.
“Certainly industry wants graduates to be able to hit the ground running and what I’m keen to do is make sure our graduates have seen and used the systems that engineers are using. They’ll have the practical skills they need when they graduate.”
Dr Cheryl Desha with CEO of Engineers Australia Stephen Durkin at the launch
Dr Cheryl Desha, who will head the new program at Nathan, said the plan was to produce civil engineers with 21st Century knowledge and skills ready to take on the world.
“Think spatial information technology — meets smart buildings and infrastructure — meets biophilic urbanism(or nature loving cities) and energy efficiency,” she said.
“This program is unlike anything seen internationally to date.
“It will also be closely aligned with an initiative to implement architectural engineering and will give our graduates a cutting-edge point of difference that will give them a competitive advantage to work anywhere in the world.
With Australia producing 6000 engineering graduates a year and other countries upskilling their graduates to compete for jobs, Dr Desha said now was an important time to ensure students were set up with the skills they needed to take on the world.
Arup deputy chairman Tristram Carfrae with architect Michael Rayner and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Engagement) Professor Martin Betts
Tristram Carfrae, deputy chairman of Arup — a global engineering consultancy firm — was guest speaker at the launch. He said over the past few years there had been a lack of connection between industry and academia.
“I am delighted that the Griffith University engineering program is getting a greater input from members of industry, including my colleagues from Arup, and also that they are considering offering an engineering course with an architectural major,” he said.
“It is also important that engineers understand more about architecture, and architects understand more about engineering. The big problems of this century will be solved by people who can think holistically in addressing all sides of the problems that we face.”
A new double degree of a Bachelor Engineering with Honours/Bachelor of Environmental Science will also be offered next year.
From 2018 there will be new majors including Civil and Architectural, as well as a redesigned Bachelor ofEngineering Technology in Electronic, and Computer Engineering that will prepare students foremployment as engineering technologists in the electronics discipline.
There will also be a suite of new double degrees available in 2018.
Music fans take note.You can catch Australia’s best young performers in action at the Queensland Conservatorium’s Popular Music graduate showcase this week.
Queensland Conservatorium Deputy Director Dr Donna Weston, who heads up the Popular Music program, said it was a great opportunity to spot some of the country’s most talented young artists before they hit the big time.
“These amazing musicians are on the cusp of their professional careers,” she said.
Break-out stars
“Many of this year’s graduates have already proved themselves favourites on the local scene and are well on their way to becoming break-out stars on the national stage.
“The Queensland Conservatorium has a reputation for producing music professionals of the highest calibre, and our program combines the necessary skills with the business know-how required to make it in the industry.
“This year’s graduates are some of the best we have seen, and we are expecting big things from them in the years to come.”
Griffith University is stepping up preparations for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) as another milestone was reached over the weekend for Australia’s biggest sporting event of the decade.
Along with the 500-day countdown to the Opening Ceremony, the wraps were taken off the stunning Queen’s Baton design heralding the much anticipated relay that will cross the globe from Buckingham Palace before making its way to the Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast on 4 April 2018 for the GC2018 Opening Ceremony.
The Queen’s Baton, which carries a message from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the nations of the Commonwealth, is the official curtain raiser for the Games.
Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Ned Pankhurst said Griffith University had been a part of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games journey from its early stages.
“This latest milestone, with just 500 days to go, brings into focus the tremendous efforts of all stakeholders to make GC2018 the best Games ever,” Professor Pankhurst said.
“It is a transformative event for the City of Gold Coast and it is equally transformative for the students and staff who have worked so closely with the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) to ensure the success of this event.”
Griffith University and GOLDOC have developed a strong working relationship in the lead-up to GC2018 with Griffith graduates now comprising about 17 per cent of all GOLDOC employees.
GOLDOC currently hosts dozens of Griffith interns across a range of disciplines including Sport Management, Engineering, Communications, Marketing and Information Technology. This number will build to more than 250 by 2018 and many more student interns will be placed with other Games partners.
Elite sporting programs
Griffith University Games Champion Cameron McEvoy
The links with Griffith University’s elite sporting program have also been strengthened after science student Cameron McEvoy was named as an Official GC2018 Ambassador. Cameron has also been named the first Griffith Games Champion, representing the face of the University’s involvement with GC2018.
Griffith University has also been working on ancillary programs such as GAPS (Gather Adjust Prepare Sustain). This program, administered by Griffith Sports College, involves 50 elite athletes from 12 countries in the Oceania region participating in a series of training camps on the Gold Coast from December this year.
The program is designed to improve the sporting performances of elite athletes in the Oceania region by giving them access to first-class facilities.
“Initiatives such as these are only part of Griffith’s story of involvement in this wonderful event,” said Professor Pankhurst.
“The University, its students and sporting communities far and wide will for years to come continue reaping the rich rewards that GC2018 was always intended to provide.
“We are proud to be a part of the journey and look forward to what is shaping up to become a Commonwealth Games to remember.”
In 2010, a bunch of gamers at Halfbrick Studios developed the world’s most addictive app.Fruit Ninjais now the second most downloaded app across the globe and is set to become a major Hollywood movie produced by New Line.
Ms Swinburne began filming at Halfbrick Studios as part of a 6-week artist-in-residence project, funded by the Australia Council. She kept shooting for the next three years.
The documentaryexplores how success changed thecompany forever, destroying friendships along the way.
Indie studio to gaming superpower
“When I began, they were a small, indie gaming company,” she said.
“But the CEO, Shaniel Deo, could see an opportunity for the company to grow and become a real superpower in the games industry.
“For the guys he built the company with, that was never their ambition.
“It wasn’t long before I could see the cracks starting to appear.”
The price of success
Ms Swinburne said she become emotionally invested in the story after following the major players over several years and three continents.
“Last year, 35 people left the studio, including the senior staff that had founded the company,” she said.
“It was heartbreaking watching these very close relationships fall apart.
“These guys had spent 10 years working together, and went through tough times and incredible highs.
“The film examines the price of success, particularly in an industry that is constantly changing.”
Life mirrors art
Ms Swinburne began her career on the ABC’s 7.30 Report in Brisbane, before working as a freelance producer and director on observational documentary series for Channel 4 in the UK.
She is currently completing a PhD at Griffith Film School, exploring the creative and commercial possibilities for interactive factual storytelling, with a focus on games.
The film screens on ABC TV on 22 November at 9:30pm.
