Two Griffith REVIEW authors have won Australia’s top honour in journalism with their essays receiving Walkley Awards.

Melissa Lucashenko won the long feature category with Sinking below sight: Down and out in Brisbane and Logan, detailing urban poverty and the day to day struggles of three mothers living in the area known as the ‘Black Belt’.

Kathy Marks’ essay Channelling Mannalargenna, about the survival and sense of self among Tasmania’s aboriginal population, won the Indigenous Affairs category.

Griffith REVIEW editor Professor Julianne Schultz said the awards, announced in Brisbane on Thursday night, were welcome news, particularly as the publication celebrates a decade in print.

“The awards for extended journalism and essays have been wound back in recent years. There are not a lot of awards for which we are eligible anymore, so to win two Walkley awards in our anniversary year is especially good news.”

Ms Lucashenko’s recognition is viewed as a milestone for Griffith REVIEW.

“The long feature category, which Melissa has been shortlisted for and then won, is one that is new this year, and so to be included as the only non-mainstream publication is a real honour and speaks to the quality of the work we publish,” Professor Schultz said.

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Kathy Marks

Kathy Marks

 

Ms Marks’ award is evidence of the importance Griffith REVIEW places on Indigenous affairs.

“The Indigenous category is important, because detailed and tough-minded coverage and writing about Indigenous issues is something which is central to every edition of Griffith REVIEW and has been since the start.”

Both writers are long-term contributing authors to the publication, each with numerous pieces published over the last 10 years.

“We have published a lot of Kathy’s and Melissa’s writing over the years, so this is particularly important and it is nice that people who are so much a part of our group of writers should be recognised in this way,” Professor Schultz said.

Griffith REVIEW has had success with the Walkely Awards in the past with Margaret Simons being nominated for Magazine Feature Writing and Frank Moorhouse winning the Social Equity Journalism category for his piece The writer in a time of terror. Both were published in 2007.

By Communications intern Amy Brticevich and Dean Gould

Whole body vibration therapy (WBV) is the kind of buzz-treatment that causes exercise scientists to raise a skeptical eyebrow.

However after a four-year pilot study of the therapy by Associate Professor Belinda Beck from Griffith Health Institute’s Musculoskeletal Research Program she has found that long term WBV therapy may reduce the skeletal degeneration associated with ageing.

“Historically, human bone responses to this treatment have been inconsistent,” says Associate Professor Beck who is presenting her research at this year’s Gold Coast Health and Medical Research Conference 2013.

“It has some real supporters and detractors because, while the animal evidence is very clear, effects in humans have been less clear.

“Supporters have suggested the inability to detect vibration-induced skeletal adaptation in some studies may have been because of inadequate trial size or duration and that longer-term stimulus was required, so I decided to test the issue of timing.”

As its name implies, the therapy involves simply standing on a device much like a large set of bathroom scales – it feels a bit like the vibration you would feel standing up in the bus.

The mild stimulus and easy technique is appealing to the more frail among us, such as the ones who are most at risk of osteoporosis and falls. There are many people looking for an alternative to osteoporosis medications.

Associate Professor Beck’s study measured the bone density and muscle function of a group of post-menopausal women as they undertook a WBV program of between 10-20 minutes a day.

Her results found a clear difference between her control and test groups indicating WBV may have some very positive benefits to long-term users in inhibiting the degeneration of bone density, which can cause osteoporosis.

“In combination with other techniques WBV could be a very positive therapy for people with bone and muscle degeneration conditions,” she says.

 

WHAT: Gold Coast Health and Medical Research Conference 2013 WHEN: Thursday November 28 and Friday November 29.

Registration from 8am.
WHERE: QT Hotel, 7 Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise.

 

The Griffith Law School celebrated the official opening of its newly established entrance and concourse with a gala function at the Gold Coast campus this week.

Renovations include a modern fascia to the school entrance that encloses the existing Moot Court on the lower level of the building. The improved concourse and entrance provides a striking and distinct gateway to the School’s renovated reception and foyer.

Vice Chancellor Professor Ian O’Connor said the re-designed space had transformed the Law School.

“Not only do we have an outside walk-through, but have an entrance and concourse that is fitting for a school ranked No. 1 in Queensland in this year’s QS World University Subject Rankings or 43rd in the world overall, “Professor O’Connor said.

“The Moot Court is now integral to the building and there is a wonderful meeting space in the atrium for students to gather and talk.”

The improvements to the Griffith Law School were made possible through the generous support of Mrs Alison Kearney DUniv and the late Mr John Kearney AM QC DUniv.

Mr Kearney and his wife Alison shared a deep commitment to education and were generous benefactors to Griffith University. The John and Alison Kearney International Scholarships in Law were established through their generosity.

Mr Kearney also funded the establishment of a named Chair of Law and he and Mrs Kearney were founding patrons of the Moot Court at the Gold Coast campus.

Mrs Alison Kearney and her son Dr John Kearney attended the opening, which included the unveiling of a plaque commemorating Mr John Kearney’s life and contributions to Griffith University.

Capping the opening was a vigorous mooting competition between current students as well as presentations from alumni.

View photos

Looking at the reasons why young men drink and swim is the focus of new Griffith research which aims to reduce the number of drownings.

Drowning, a largely preventable problem, continues to be a serious issue worldwide, with young men particularly at risk.

The Royal Life Saving Society National Drowning Report 2011 revealed an 11% increaseon the five-year average in drowning fatalities. Due to this rise in drownings, the Australian Water Safety Strategy 2008-2011, aims to have a 50% reduction in drowningby 2020.

Although on track with persons in the 0-4 year age group, urgent work is needed withinthe male 18-34 group (which has seen a 3% increase in drowning deaths on the five-year average) to ensure this target is achieved.

Alcohol consumption is a known risk factor for drowning and men in this age group oftenengage in risk taking behaviour that is often heightened by alcohol.

Research conducted by Dr Kyra Hamilton from Griffith Health Institute’s BehaviourialBasis of Health, used questionnaires to survey 211 Australian males in the target age group, regarding the beliefs underlying their intentions to engage in drinking andswimming.

The first-of-its-kind research used The Theory of Planned Behaviour belief-basedquestionnaire to ask participants about their attitudes towards the intention to engage in risk-taking behaviours.

A range of beliefs were significantly correlated with males’ intentions to drink and swim,the study found.

“We found that the social context for drinking and swimming is very important for thisgroup,” says Dr Hamilton who is presenting her research at this week’s Gold Coast Health and Medical Research Conference 2013 (Thursday 28 and Friday 29 November).

“Not surprisingly, they told us that drinking provides for a more relaxed and fun time whilstswimming and that people are not really thinking about the more risky, negative aspects of the danger involved.

“Participants also told us about beliefs relating to gaining approval from friends and thepotential peer pressure involved. The men stated that these were often likely factors in seeing them engage in drinking and swimming.

“We also found that this age group is more likely to indulge in swimming while intoxicatedwhen they believe that other people are around to provide help if they encounter danger.

“Unfortunately this is a myth that does not hold true.”

A well-known psychologicalphenomenon called The Bystander Effect has shown that although people may haveothers around to help them in an emergency situation, this help does not alwayseventuate.”

Dr Hamilton says these key beliefs should provide appropriate targets for futureintervention strategies.

“In order to challenge and ultimately change young males’ alcohol use in or around water,these beliefs warrant change and it is imperative that myths such as ‘people will always help me in an emergency’ are dispelled.

In conclusion, Dr Hamilton says that intervention campaigns designed to reduce drowningdeaths may benefit from targeting the key beliefs revealed from this research.

“Although one of the over-riding beliefs is that alcohol provides a fun and relaxedenvironment, the dangers of drinking and swimming need to be heavily emphasised inorder to highlight the potentially devastating consequences of such behaviour.”

Griffith’s School of Urban and Environmental Planning has won two awards and been highly commended in another two categories of PIA Queensland’s 2013 Planning Excellence Awards.

Discipline Head Professor Darryl Low Choy said he was delighted by this recognition from the Planning Institute of Australia.

“It is vitally important that the significance of good urban and environmental planning is recognised not only within our profession but also by the broader community,” Professor Low Choy said.

“These awards are testament to highest standard of work being undertaken at Griffith in both teaching and research”.

Cutting Edge Research and Teaching Award

Associate Professor Eddo Coiacetto won the Cutting Edge Research and Teaching Award for his book Understanding Land Development — A Project-based Approach.

Community collaborations

A joint project involving Griffith’s Urban Research Program and the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) won the Wendy Chadwick Encouragement Award which acknowledges innovative and the promise of achieving the vision of excellence in Queensland.

Lead researcher on this project, Professor Low Choy said recognition of this ground-breaking work would help encourage more such important collaborations.

Another community-based project, The Cardwell & District strategic Action Plan 2012-2030 was commended. This project involves Griffith’s Urban Research Program and the Cardwell & District Community Futures Forum.

Student success

And a team of third year Urban and Environmental Planning students was commended for their entry in the Outstanding Student Project Award (Tertiary) category. Kari-Ann West, Brendan Barnes, Lorena Moynahan, Madison Ruygrok and Scott Mainey submitted a project entitled South East Queensland Climate Change Management Plan 2013-2033.

The judging panel said the students had submitted a very comprehensive and innovative planning report, exploring a suitable strategic policy framework for the future management of South East Queensland under a climate change regime.

Professor Darryl Low Choy said he was especially proud of this student success.

“Future environmental planners will be the guardians of environmental planning practice. I am very proud that our students will take their place among those setting the highest professional, ethical and environmental standards,” he said.

Professor Andrew O’Neil , Griffith Asia Institute researchers, and members were pleased to host a roundtable on China’s Reform with Dr Zhao Yongchen, Consul-General, Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Brisbane on the 22 November. Click here for more information on Consulate News.

Griffith Law School academics Dr Olivera Simic and Professor Brad Sherman are among five recipients who have been awarded AEL Research Excellence Awards.

Olivera received the Early Career Research Award, while Brad received the Research Leader Award.

Professor Gerry Docherty announced the awards last night on behalf of the Pro-Vice Chancellor for the Arts, Education and Law group. He also announced that all five recipients have been nominated for the Vice Chancellor’s Research Excellence Awards.

The AEL Research Excellence Awards recognise and celebrate the strength and breadth of research undertaken within the Arts, Education and Law Group.

Dr Simic has quickly established herself as one of the school’s most prolific scholars, capable of producing high quality and timely legal research.

Olivera’s publications have appeared globally and include a number of highly regarded books, edited volumes and articles on topics such astransitional justice and war crimes.

Professor Brad Sherman

Professor Brad Sherman recognised for Research Leadership.

Professor Sherman returned to the Griffith Law School in 2010 and has been an important part of the management team.

Brad has provided leadership and brought innovation to his role as Deputy Head of Research.

Despite all of the administrative demands, Brad continues to produce highly regarded scholarly works and has also secured a number of research grants.

For a complete list of all the Research Excellence Award winners click here.

Griffith has celebrated the launch ofIMPACT@Griffith Sciences; a quarterly magazine, website and lecture series.

The inaugural lecture, From Mungo Man to Moreton Bay: A Journey Through Time and Sediment, was presented by Professor Jon Olley at the Brisbane Square Library before an audience of more than 100 people.

Pro Vice Chancellor of Griffith Sciences, Professor Debra Henly said she was delighted that this new forum would allow information about research being undertaken at Griffith to be made available to the broader community.

“There is so much extraordinary work being done in science at Griffith, from research into quantum dynamics, to drug discovery, engineering and IT and, of course, environmental science for which Griffith has long been regarded a leader,” Professor Henly said.

“We have developed IMPACT@Griffith Sciences as part a multi-faceted response by the University to address the Australia-wide need to boost science, technology, engineering and maths skills.

“I am delighted that so many members of the public and the Griffith University community were able to help us celebrate the launch of IMPACT@Griffith Sciences by attending the inaugural lecture.”

During his presentation Professor Olley described how environmental forensic science is helping to solve problems. This ranges from dating the earliest known human ritual burial at Lake Mungo, to identifying the factors impacting on the health of Moreton Bay.

These are the sorts of the fascinating stories of discovery which will be told through IMPACT@Griffith Sciences.

Subscribe for free to Impact@ Griffith Sciences at app.griffith.edu.au/sciencesimpactand receive our e-magazine, monthly updates and invitations to lectures and other events at Griffith.

It’s all about celebration this month, with our annual Celebrating a Musical Christmas, theGala Concert for the Lisa Gasteen National Opera School, and The Australian Voices celebrating their 20th anniversary.

Read more at What’s on at the Con.