May 15, 2000 - Publications Unit - The University of Western Australia

10 UWA news UWA news 11Human ResourcesReview by peers works wellMost UWA staff who applyfor a reclassification of theirposition are successful.The Classification Review Committee,a group of eight staff membersfrom a broad spectrum across thecampus, say that there is almost a 90per cent success rate forreclassification applications.Last year, 41 applications forreclassification were received, of which35 were successful.The committee, whose membershipchanges annually (but not all memberschange each year) has been inoperation for more than three years.As each decision is made by thecommittee and not by a single person itis a much more democratic method ofassessing University staff’s duties andresponsibilities.Committee members haveexperience in a wide range of differentfields and on joining the committee areprovided with extensive training in thearea of classification and work-valueassessment.The committee meets on the firstThursday of each month but a subcommitteecan make assessments onnew positions if these need to beurgently classified. Applications forreclassification are generally dealt withwithin two months, consistent with theUniversity’s Enterprise BargainingAgreement.The certification of the General StaffAgreement 1999 has seen a change inthe appeal process. Any appeals againstthe committee’s decision will now bereferred to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, who will have access to allthe material submitted by the applicantand/or department. If the appeal isdismissed, the applicant may refer thematter to the Australian IndustrialRelations Commission.Human Resources staff are alwayshappy to assist other staff who areconsidering applying for reclassification.The Classifications section can becontacted on ext. 1239 or 2155. Thereis also information on the web at: http://www.acs.uwa.edu.au/hrs/policy/part07/attachments/8_schedC.htmThe reclassification application formis at: http://www.acs.uwa.edu.au/hrs/policy/download/att10-1.rtf.Still keeping an eye on the timeAclock has been chosen as the most fitting memorial to MargaretKnight, who worked so loyally at University House for 23 yearsuntil her death last year.University House Manager, Cathy Tang, said one of Margaret’s greatestconcerns was to ensure that members got back to work on time after lunch.“It was Margaret who set all University House clocks five minutes fast!” MrsTang said. She said, apart from its appropriateness, a clock would be somethingthat could fit in to the present University House or the new one.About $400 has already been donated by members. If you would like to contributeto the Margaret Knight Memorial Fund, donations can be made at the office.The current Classification Review Committee:(standing) Professor John Cordery—Head ofthe Department of Organisational andLabour Studies and Vice-Chancellor’s rep;Bob Farrelly—Director, Human Resources;Mary Macpherson—Industrial Officer; IdaGambaro—Assistant Industrial Officer(Classifications).Seated: Rob McCormack—UniversityStatistician, CPSU rep; Shirley Oakley—Associate Librarian and General Staff rep;Steve Parkinson—Chief Technician, Anatomyand Human Biology and General Staff rep;Matthew King—Electrician, ALHMWU rep.Syllabus Plus ProjectHow’s yourtimetablelooking?Timetabling changes thisyear should be makingthe most of the campus’venues and should be moreconvenient for staff andstudents.How successful these changesto centralised timetabling are willbe reviewed by a small workingparty, which the Teaching andLearning Committee hasestablished.The group will assist SyllabusPlus Project Manager, Dr MichaelPartis, and consider input andfeedback on any difficulties arisingin the first semester, so thatadjustments and modificationsmight be made for secondsemester.The working party is: ProfessorColin McLeod, convenor, andHead of the Academic Board; TimHuggins, Guild President,representing the students; JudyAllen from the Law School; and DrArmando Scolara from theDepartment of Electrical andElectronic Engineering.Dr Partis and his team spentmost of last year working on thenew centralised timetabling, tryingto keep changes to the minimumbut benefits to the maximum.You can find art in the most unexpected places — undera microscope, inside a computer or even in a mathsequation.The University’s Gallery is offering the opportunity fordepartments and research centres to mount exhibitions of theirart, under the Access Exhibition Program.The Gallery facilitates up to three exhibitions a year incollaboration with departments. New Gallery manager, KateLewis, said the program promotes skills of learning throughexhibitions and, in a broader sense, is part of the University’scommitment to innovation in teaching and learning.Under the program, the Lawrence Wilson ArtGallery provides gallery space, security and gallerystaff, exhibition advice and costs of installation —at no cost to the department.The department or centre mustselect, supply and frame its works ofart and supply photographs forpublicity purposes.The Gallery and thedepartment work together onpromotion of the exhibition anddevelopment of any publicprograms related to the subjectmaterial (lunchtime talks, schoolvisits).Kate Lewis is keen for Universitystaff to take the opportunity of usingthe Gallery for its prime purpose.“The Gallery has become anincreasingly popular venue for holdingspecial University functions such asprize givings, welcomes and launches.However, it’s first and foremost aworking gallery and so our primaryobjective is the exhibition program.We would very much like toencourage contact from departmentsand centres who feel they couldcontribute to this through the AccessExhibition Program,” she said.Written applications for mountingan exhibition in the 2001 academicyear must be at the Gallery byThursday June 1.Professor Max Kamien has won the biennialLouis Arriotti Research Award whichrecognises innovative research in rural and remotehealth in Australia.The Foundation Director of the West Australian Centrefor Remote and Rural Medicine, Professor Kamien hasmade exceptional efforts to expose medical students toLawrence Wilson Art GalleryPut yourwork onthe wallsLWAG’s newmanager, KateLewis, with theGallery’sconservator,Slobodan Binevski.Ms Lewis has taken over the management of the Gallery for a yearwhile its Director, Dr Anna Gray, is in Canberra, editing thediaries of Australian artist Donald Friend.“It ‘s a great honour to be invited to spend a year at the National Gallery andundertake this important work,” Dr Gray said before she left in March.“It’s an ambitious and exciting publishing project — compiling 44 volumes intofour! During his long and notorious life, Donald Friend kept detailed diaries,lavishly illustrated with exquisite drawings.“He wrote in the back of one of his first diaries: ‘I am Donald Stuart LeslieFriend, and am 16 years of age, being blessed with a genius for art and a talent forwriting.’ ““He is an acute observer, expressing a very strong sense of life lived to the full. Hisdiaries form an impressive chronicle in words and pictures of the life and times of thisremarkable artist, who was also a published writer — a rare combination of talents.”The project is funded by the Morris West Trust Fund and the University hasgiven Dr Gray a year’s leave without pay to take up this prestigious fellowship.Kate Lewis, an experienced arts administrator, was previously ExecutiveOfficer to the Vice-Chancellor.Champion of country practice recognisedcountry practice. His work in training doctors for ruralareas has had a beneficial impact right across the state.Professor Kamien is now the Head of the Departmentof General Practice.The Louis Arriotti Award was made at the AustralianRural Remote Health Scientific conference and issponsored by the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation.THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA • 15 MAY 2000 THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA • 15 MAY 2000

12 UWA newsCycling – be in itCyclists queued up to tryout Jonathon Thwaites’electric bike at the recentBike to Breakfast.The twin targets that driveUWA’s Bike to Breakfast (acleaner environment and healthierbodies) were joined this year by athird sibling: alternative technology.Jonathon Thwaites,the University’sRadiation andSafety Officer,turned up tothe Bike toBreakfast onhis Taiwaneseelectric bicycle,which was aninstant hit.Mr Thwaites isalso the Presidentof the Alternativewith or without a motorTechnology Association,WA Branch, (ATA) and heand his fellow membersimported half a dozen kitsto transform ordinary bikesinto electric bikes, about ayear ago.“After trials and researchinto other kits, we havedecided to import for salesome kits from China,which will transform any oldbike into an energy-efficientand easy-to-ride electricbike for around $800,” MrThwaites said.As long as the electricmotors are 250 watts orless, the electric bikes canbe ridden anywhere a legpoweredbike can beridden, and by the samepeople.“We are bringing in thekits so we can offer alegitimate alternative topetrol engine-powered cars,not to make big profits,” hesaid.He rides in to Universityfrom Cottesloe (at a speedof about 20kph) and plugs the batteryinto a recharger in his office for a coupleof hours, before riding home again. Hehas calculated the energy cost at around10 cents. At home, he recharges his bikebattery on his solar panels.“You can pedal a bit when you’regoing uphill, to help the motor, but itonly feels like riding on the flat. Most ofthe time, you just sit and steer anddon’t need to move your legs at all.You get some funny looks from otherpeople, especially other cyclists youpass!” Mr Thwaites said.He uses his electric bike on campusto save time walking between Zoologyand QEII and everywhere in between.If you would like to find out moreabout the electric bike conversion kits,call Jonathon Thwaites on ext. 7932 oremail him at jthwaites@admin.uwa.edu.au.Meanwhile, the University is againtaking part in the Department ofEnvironmental Protection’s CyclingProject 100.Last year, 22 staff volunteers gave uptheir cars for a year and rode to workat leaSt two or three times each week.They, together with volunteers fromother Perth businesses, rode more than130,000 kilometres.Gordon Walsh, UWA’s EnvironmentalManager, who co-ordinates theproject, said the equivalent of 28tonnes of green house gas emmissionshad been saved.Another team of 17 UWA staff hassigned up for the project this year.There are still a couple of positions left,so if you live between five and 15kilometres from campus and would beprepared to ride to and from work twoor three times a week for a year, giveGordon Walsh a call on ext. 3534 oremail him at gwalsh@acs.uwa.edu.au.Lee Carter, from the Department ofPhilosophy, said she thoroughly enjoyedher year of cycling last year and thebenefits were great.“I became fitter, felt fantastic …I loved to see theenvironment I was cyclingpast and to feel the wind,sun and rain on myskin. Even in thewildest weather, Istill wanted tocycle because Iloved it somuch,” she said.Ms Carter’sbeloved bike wasstolen from theArts Buildingrecently, soshe advises allcyclists toinvest in thestrongestpossible lock.GraduatesrewardsportingstudentsA hockey player and a rower, both in their third yearof study, have won the annual UWA Graduates’Association Sports Bursaries.Michael Boyce was awarded the bursary for hisachievements in hockey. A law and commerce student, hehas represented the state several times in hockey and hasbeen selected in the WAIS hockey program.Ben Hopkins has represented WA and Australia inrowing. He was a member of the eight which won the King’sCup last year and the Oxford and Cambridge Cup in 1997.Ben, studying Human Movement, has been named StateChampion at many regattas.Presenting the bursaries, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor,Professor Alan Robson, said that UWA was blessed withsome of the best, if not the best, sporting facilities of anyAustralian university.UWA received a five-star rating in the Good UniversitiesGuide (2000) for areas which contribute to the overallstudent experience — which includes sporting facilities.But, as Professor Robson said, the Universityadministration can take only part of the credit for thosefacilities.He acknowledged the work of the sports clubs and theUWA Sport and Recreation Association.The hard-working and high-achieving sports playersamong the student population have to juggle their trainingcommitments and study, as well as holding down jobs tofund both. The Graduates’ Association Bursaries helpalleviate some ofthe financial burdenso that studentshave the chance toexcel in theirchosen sport.Ben Hopkins (right)and Michael Boyce(above) … rewardedfor their excellence.UWA news 13CallADVERTISEMENTKenataRentalsand book a one, two or three bedroom townhomeabsolutely fully equipped with everything! Short or longstay. From $350 per week, including all amenities.Location: cnr Fairway and Edward Streets, Crawley(opposite Mechanical Engineering)Enquiries: 0412 953 100 or fax 9389 8326Kenata Rentals providing short term, fully furnished accommodation to UWA since 1982.Don’t missthis bus!Mechanical engineers had an opportunity toinspect the world’s most environmentfriendlymeans of transport recently when thenew NEBUS stopped outside their department.The fuel-cell powered bus is a research project ofDaimler-Benz and is not yet for sale but even theresearchers and developers are reportedly amazed atthe speed at which the fuel cell has advanced towardsproduction standard.It has emission-free operation and makes minimumnoise (the tyre and the electric motor are the onlynoise sources) and its wheelhub drive allows a lowfloor design with stepless entrances.Mechanical engineering lecturer Dr Kamy Chengarranged for the bus to visit the department.THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA • 15 MAY 2000 THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA • 15 MAY 2000

14 UWA news UWA news 15CLASSIFIEDSWANTED TO RENTHOUSE IN NEDLANDS/SUBIACO/CLAREMONTfrom 1 November 2000 until 1 May 2001, for anacademic couple with no children (sabbaticalvisitor and wife). Preferably furnished. Pleasecontact Ken Ilett on 9346 2987.TO LETFOUR-BEDROOM HOUSE available from 19June 2000 for rent until December or longer ifpreferred. Unfurnished, low maintenance,reticulated, dishwasher and a/c, in cul-de-sacclose to Uni. $500 p/w. Ideal for academic familyon leave until Christmas or for longer period.Contact Livia Hool on ext. 3307 or atlhool@cyllene.uwa.edu.au.BUSSELTON BEACH COTTAGE, just 200mfrom placid Geographe Bay. Close to theBroadwater Resort and only a short walk alongthe beach to cafes and restaurants etc. Sleeps4+. Available school and public holidays. Contactlyndam@cyllene.uwa.edu.au.FOR HIREDAVID POWERBEAM V DIGITAL PROJECTORfor hire. Suitable for data and video projection.Easy to use, lightweight and portable. Highresolution with wide compatability. Cost: $95per day or part thereof. Please call Susie on ext.3085 for bookings.FOR SALEKB LASER HATCHBACK (1985), white,mechanically A1, reliable and in good condition.$2,750. Contact Caroline at home on 93871471.CAMRY (1998), white, $37,000km, auto, PS, CL,under new warranty until mid 2001. Excellentcondition. $19,900 ono. Call Sharon on ext.2562 or 9305 3736.UWAEmployeeAssistanceProgramUNIVERSITYPHYSIOTHERAPYANDSPORTS PODIATRYPHYSIOTHERAPISTSSally BigwoodGerard HurstPODIATRISTClayton ByrneUWA Recreation Centre9380 2316STUDENT RATESSports Card Holders20% discountThere are times when all of us have challenging issuesto deal with. When personal or work related issuesmake life difficult, the University has an EmployeeAssistance Program (EAP) to help staff manage theseissues more effectively.The EAP is a professional, confidential counselling andconsultation service. The services of Davidson Trahaireare available FREE to you and your family for up to sixsessions a year.For appointments, please ring Davidson Trahaireon 9382 8100 or if urgent 9480 4847(24 hours).Their offices are located at Suite 11, 100 Hay St,Subiaco. Further information can be obtained atwww.admin.uwa.edu.au/shoThankyouFinal-year Agriculturestudents will becompeting for a new$1000 prize fromBankWest.The bank has sponsoredthe award for the studentwho achieves the highestmarks in the final year ofthe Bachelor of Science inAgriculture this year.Redundant Equipment for SaleITEM PRICE AGE COND. CONTACT DEPARTMENT EXTCanon 270T fax machine ................................... $400 15 2 Miho Asian Studies 2080Netcomm cardmodem 56 ................................. $200 as new 1 Miho Asian Studies 2080Kflex for MacPanasonic multifunction ..................................... $300 - 2 Miho Asian Studies 2080plain paper fax machineMacII SI, Mac 05 7.1, ........................................... $150 - - Vicki Music 20525MB RAM, 38 Meg HDQuadra 605, Mac 05 7.5.5 ................................. $200 - - Vicki Music 205220MB RAM, 250 Meg HDLC 630, Mac 05 7.5.5 .......................................... $300 - - Vicki Music 205236MB RAM, 350 Meg HDPB 150 CS Laptop, Mac 05 ............................... $250 - - Vicki Music 20527.1.1, 4MB RAM, 128 Meg HDPB 1400 CS Laptop, Mac 05 ............................. $1600 - - Vicki Music 20527.6.1, 12MB RAM, 770 Meg HDBids should be accepted by Monday 29 May with departments to have first optionDepartments are reminded that all University equipment available for sale must be advertised in the UWA News. Receipts should be PeopleSoftaccount coded 490 (computing with barcode), 491 (non-computing with barcode) or 493 (items with no barcode). If equipment has an existing barcodeplease contact extension 3618/2547 for details.CONDITION refers to the general condition of item ( 1 = as new; 2 = good; 3 = serviceable; 4 = unserviceable). AGE refers to the nearest year.AINSE RESEARCH TRAININGKarl Heinz Wyrwoll, Geography: “10B datingof alluvial terrace successions in north-eastTibet”—$6800 (2000).AUSTRALIAN GREENHOUSE OFFICE/RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAMDr Pauline Francis Grierson and A/ProfMark Andrew Adams, Botany: “Review ofunpublished biomass related information”—$74,000 (2000).AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OFABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAITISLANDER STUDIESAlistair Graham Paterson, Anthropology andN. Gill and M. K. Japanangka (external): “Athome on the Murranji”—$31,645 (2000).AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH COUNCILDr Dylan Jayatilaka and A/Prof G. S.Chandler, Chemistry and A/Prof M. D. Gould(external): “A new projection-based approach tochemical valence concepts”—$46,000 (2000);$43,595 (2001); $43,940 (2002).Simon John Drew, Mechanical and MaterialsEngineering: Fellowship “Coupled vibration andtorsional damping of geared rotors”.Dr Andrew Harvey Millar, Plant SciencesGroup: Fellowship “Mitochondrial metabolism inrice following anoxia and the implications forresistance to oxidative stress in crops followingsubmergence”.Dr Leigh William Simmons, Zoology:Fellowship “Sperm competition and sexualselection”.AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH COUNCIL—SMALL GRANTSProf. Andrew Anderson Brennan,Philosophy: “Animals, science and ethics”—$4088 (2000).Prof. Kenneth William Clements and DrQiang Ye, Economics: “Curbing greenhouse gasemissions and the WA economy”—$8872(2000).Dr John Hewlett Hogben, Psychology and DrD. V. Bishop (external): “Low-level perceptualprocessing as a predictor of reading ability”—$8872 (2000).Dr Lawrence Joseph Abraham,Biochemistry: “Role of Ets transcription factorsin tissue-specific expression”—$8000 (2000Dr Boris Martinac, Pharmacology and Dr J.Dobson (external): “The effect of magnetic fieldson the activity of bacterial mechanosensitive (MS)ion channels” —5790 (2000).Research&GrantsContractsDr Zheng Xiang Li, Geology and Geophysics:“820 million-years-old zircon grains from SouthChina deposited in Australia?”—9963 (2000).Dr Stefan Kleffmann, Geology andGeophysics: “A high-resolution seismic reflectionexperiment for direct imaging of iron-oredeposits”—$10,525 (2000).Dr John Joseph Kinder, European Languagesand Studies: “A reference grammar of Italian in asociolinguistic perspective”—$4000 (2000).Prof. R Street, Physics: “A study of exchangeinteractions in rare-earth rich permanentmagnets alloys”—$10,500 (2000).A/Prof Jie Pan, Mechanical and MaterialsEngineering: “A study of some fundamentalproblems in ship board acoustics”—$15,226(2000).Dr Lesley May Vidovich and Prof. RogerClement Slee, Graduate School of Education:“Accountability in Australian and English highereducation, in a global context”—$8427 (2000).A/Prof Thomas Anthony O’Donoghue,Graduate School of Education: “An historicalanalysis of the lives of teachers who taught inWestern Australian Catholic Schools from 1929to 1973”—$8122 (2000).Dr Alan Walmsley, Classics and AncientHistory: “Archaeological investigations atGharandal (Arindela) in Jordan: the regionalsurvey”—$12,257 (2000).Dr Brenton Knott, Zoology: “Can thepolychaete worm, Ceratonereis aequesetisremove nitrogen from the Swan River Estuary,Western Australia?”—$6833 (2000).Dr M. L. Cambridge and A/Prof Diana InezWalker, Botany: “Clonal growth strategies inthe formation and maintenance of seagrassmeadows in submarine landscapes”—$9790(2000).Dr Michael Paul Burton, Agriculture:“Consumer attitudes to genetically modifiedorganisms in food in the UK”—$7871 (2000).WANTED: AWARD WINNERDepartmental staff are reminded that the Teaching and LearningCommittee is offering a $20,000 award for Distinguished DepartmentalTeaching and Learning. The aim of the award is to promote and rewardexcellence in teaching and learning at the departmental level. Theaward is open to all teaching departments and is judged on thesubmission of a departmental teaching portfolio.To be considered for this award a departmental teaching portfolio should besubmitted by Friday, 28 July 2000.Details and guidelines are on the web at: http://www.acs.uwa.edu.au/reg/sec/ddtla/2000-ddtla.htmFor further information contact Sue Smurthwaite, Executive Officer, Teachingand Learning Committee, ext. 2459, email: ssmurthwaite@acs.uwa.edu.auA/Prof Brendan James Waddell, Anatomyand Human Biology: “Does progesterone act asan endogenous anti-glucocorticoid to promoteplacental growth?”—$6834 (2000).Prof. Robyn Anne Owens and Dr AmitavaDatta, Computer Science: “Fast transformationsfor image processing on parallel computers withoptical buses”—$12,000 (2000).GENERAL PRACTICE EVALUATIONPROJECT GRANTSDr Alison Marie Ward and Dr D. Field,General Practice: “Profile of non fee for servicework performed by general practitioners inWestern Australia”—$26,016 (2000).GRDC (GRAINS RESEARCH ANDDEVELOPMENT CORP.)Dr T. J. Ridsdill Smith, Legumes inMediterranean Agriculture: “Developingresistance to pests in lupins with low alkaloidcontent”—$49,817 (1999); $51,829 (2000);$53,772 (2001).Dr Michael Gregory Francki, Botany: “Travel- to attend 6th International Congress of PlantMolecular Biology, Quebec, Canada”—5000(2000).HEALTHWAYProf. John Phillips Newnham and Dr S.McDonald, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, J. A.Sharp, A. Bartu, Dr S. F. Evans (external):“A preventive intervention for illicit drug usingmothers and their infants”—$65,036(2000,2001,2002).Watch out for moreResearch Grantsand Contractsin the next issueof UWA News.UWAnewsPublished byThe University of Western AustraliaDesigned and produced byPublications UnitThe University of Western AustraliaEDITOR-IN-CHIEF/PUBLIC AFFAIRSColin Campbell-FraserTel.: 9380 2889 Fax: 9380 1020Email: cam@acs.uwa.edu.auEDITOR/FEATURE STORY WRITERLindy BrophyTel.: 9380 2436 Fax: 9380 1192Email: lindy.brophy@uwa.edu.auCAMPUS DIARY/ADVERTISING/CLASSIFIEDS/REDUNDANT EQUIPMENT/DISTRIBUTION LISTJo ThompsonTel.: 9380 3029 Fax: 9380 1162Email: uwanews@publishing.uwa.edu.auPrinted byUniprintThe University of Western AustraliaUWAnews onlinehttp://www.publishing.uwa.edu.au/uwanews/THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA • 15 MAY 2000 THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA • 15 MAY 2000