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Annual Review 2021 The Playford Memorial Trust supports high-achieving South Australian tertiary students studying in areas of strategic importance to the State playfordtrust.com.au The Playford Memorial Trust Inc.
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Highlights and achievements
The Playford Trust releases its Annual Review each April to
coincide with the announcement of new university scholarships.
This year it is a pleasure to be able to report on a very
successful 2020, despite the impact of the global pandemic.
Together with our both parties of the interaction between
Investing in partners, we provided scholars and supporting organisations.
South Australia’s financial support to 78 We are pleased to welcome four new
university, TAFE and
future leadership students
partners for our Mining and Petroleum
Engineering Scholarships (see story
during the year, and opposite) and thank a number of continuing
The Playford Memorial Trust assists
expect to that number partners for increasing their support.
high-achieving tertiary students who are
to rise to 109 in 2021. Aurecon, SA Power Networks and WSP
contributing to South Australia’s skills,
knowledge and research base. There were some hiccups, of course, Australia have been so impressed with
not the least being the need to cancel the calibre of students we have offered
Together with partners across industry, that they have doubled their commitment.
our annual university awards night
government, the education sector and Codan, which has been funding an Honours
because of COVID-19. This was a great
the community, it supports students scholarship, has committed to supporting
disappointment, as the event provides
undertaking undergraduate, Honours PhD scholars as well, recognising the value
an opportunity to hear about the work
or PhD programs at the three main of their research to the company.
our scholars are doing. They do stay in
universities, or studying through TAFE SA.
touch, however, through written reports The productive relationships we have with
There is a particular focus on five – a number of which are featured in this the three universities and TAFE SA go back
areas of strategic and economic publication – and it is inspiring to read decades and continue to strengthen as the
importance to the State: how some have adapted to cope in difficult value of our disbursements grows.
• Advanced manufacturing and new circumstances. I sincerely thank the members of the Board
technologies The Trust would not have the reach and for their countless hours of unpaid work,
• Agriculture, aquaculture and food impact it does without our many partners as well as our indispensable Scholarship
production in industry, government, the education Executive, Vicki Evans, and the executive
sector and the community. In 2020, with officers at the Department of Premier and
• Environmental sciences, including
their help, we were able to provide more Cabinet who have supported us during the
water, energy and climate change
than $500,000 in scholarships and awards past 12 months.
• Health sciences and enabling – including seven community leadership This June will mark the 40th anniversary
technologies scholarships in the Upper Spencer Gulf, in of the death of Sir Thomas Playford, whose
• Mining and resources development. partnership with the Leaders Institute of vision and leadership inspired the creation
South Australia. of the Trust.
Established in 1983 in honour of
Sir Thomas Playford, SA’s longest- In 2021, the value of our student To think it all started with just one PhD
serving Premier, the Trust has support will be more than $700,000 – scholarship in horticulture in 1987.
supported more than 600 students easily a record, and a testament to the We have indeed come a long way.
in the past decade alone. hard work of our Board and small team.
It’s worth noting that this figure doesn’t
In recent years, with the help of
a growing list of partners, it has include the dollar value of the various
internships and traineeships offered by The Hon Dean Brown AO
significantly increased its reach and
some of our partners, nor the value to Chairman
impact, the number of scholarships
and awards it offers and the value of
its annual disbursements.
Funds now come from a range of
Summing up success
sources, including income from its
own investment fund; contributions
78 tertiary students supported in 2020
or sponsorships from industry, the 100+ in 2021
education sector and the community;
an annual State Government grant; 29 industry, education and community partners in 2020
donations from individuals and
foundations; additional specific grants
33 confirmed for 2021
from government; and bequests.
The Trust is governed by a voluntary
$527,000 Playford Trust + partner support for students in 2020
Board and administered with assistance $700,000+ in 2021
from the Department of the Premier
and Cabinet. An independent body
operating under its own Deed, it
enjoys bi-partisan political support
as a not-for-profit, charitable trust. Inside 4 New scholarship winners 6 PhD research reports 8 Honours research reports
Donations are tax deductible. 12 Undergraduate student reports 14 Partnerships at work 15 Alumni updates
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Growing with the resources sector Trust Partners
Adelaide Hills Council
One of the success stories of the past 12 BHP, Beach Energy, Cooper Energy, Santos Aurecon
months has been an initiative to support the and Tri-Star have all come on board, and AusIMM
growing demand for engineering expertise OZ Minerals has committed to funding
Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden
in South Australia’s resources sector. two scholarships over the full five years.
This support is greatly appreciated, as is Beach Energy
Last year we reported on a five-year
collaboration with the State Government SACOME’s work in helping to promote BHP
and the SA Chamber of Mines and Energy these valuable opportunities. Chartwells
(SACOME) to provide more than $2 million This very targeted program highlights the Codan
in scholarships for students enrolling in collaborative way the Trust likes to work Cooper Energy
mining and petroleum engineering at the with industry and community partners.
University of Adelaide. Coopers Brewery
Our discussions with SACOME, the State
Government and the University of Adelaide Department of Mines and Energy
For each scholarship funded by industry,
the Government is providing another, and recognised the growing demand for Department of Premier and Cabinet
each student receives $20,000 over two years. engineering expertise in these key areas of Fay Fuller Foundation
Ten scholarships were awarded for 2020 – the national resources industry and made it
Flinders University
five each in mining and petroleum – and very clear that a partnership with the Trust
a similar number will be awarded for 2021. could make an important contribution. Government of South Australia
Geological Society of Australia
Leaders Institute
Alumni making their mark Nyrstar
Open Gardens SA
OZ Minerals
Internationally ever professor of physics – and in
her words, it’s her “dream job”. SACOME
respected Science
News magazine has Santos
Phiala’s research aims to calculate the
named Playford characteristics of protons and neutrons SA Power Networks
Trust scholar Phiala based on fundamental physics. She Seeley International
Shanahan in its latest wants to determine not just their size, St Ann’s College
list of elite young but also their mass and the nature of their
scientists “pushing TAFESA
components. These calculations can help
the boundaries of scientists put the ‘standard model’ – the The University of Adelaide
scientific enquiry”. theory that governs elementary particles Thomas Foods International
All of the SN10 honourees were and their interactions – to the test. Thyne Reid
nominated by Nobel laureates, recently Tri-Star
elected members of the US National “For me, support from the
Playford Trust directly translated Ultra-Electronics
Academy of Sciences, or previous
winners of the accolade. into more time that I had available University of South Australia
Phiala – now a Professor of Physics at to focus on my studies at WSP Australia
the prestigious Massachusetts Institute a critical point in my education.
of Technology (MIT) – grew up in Adelaide,
studied both undergraduate and
It is a fantastic program, and Trust Board
a delight every year to read the
postgraduate physics at the University Hon Dean Brown AO (Chair)
biographies of a new cohort of
of Adelaide, and won a Scantech/Playford Hon Paul Holloway (Deputy Chair)
inspiring young South Australian
Trust Scholarship in 2011. She later moved
scholars supported by the Trust.” Mr Dean Standish (Public Officer)
to the US where, after some postdoctoral
Prof Don Bursill AM
work, she was hired by MIT as its youngest Phiala Shanahan
Mr Nick Carne
Prof David Day
Dr Kate Delaporte
Helen Kim was named that aim to improve production efficiency,
Young Achiever of the environmental impact and safety. Hon Dr Diana Laidlaw AM
Year at the Premier’s Hon Robert Lawson RFD QC
Helen received an AusIMM/Playford
Awards for Energy and Ms Jacqui McGill AO
Trust Honours Scholarship in 2017.
Mining in December Ms Bunty Parsons
After completing her studies at the
2020. Dr Leanna Read
University of Adelaide, she began her
The honour recognised career in BHP’s graduate program. Mr Keith Yates
her work as a
production support Helen enjoys mentoring new graduates
metallurgist with and is involved in both university and COVER
BHP at Olympic Dam, school outreach programs, sharing her 2020 Playford Trust/Coopers Brewery
Honours Scholarship winner, Ryan
where she reviews process trends, conducts experiences in the resources industry
Edwards, who is studying a Bachelor of
in-field troubleshooting to optimise plant and “paying forward” the mentoring she Science (Biotechnology) at the University
performance, and leads technical projects has received. of Adelaide. See his report page 8.
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2021 university scholarship winners
Playford Trust Regional Science and Nyrstar/Playford Trust Scholarships Playford Trust Honours Scholarships –
Engineering Scholarships Chetan Gautam | Bachelor of University of South Australia
Rory Bowles | Bachelor of Engineering Engineering (Electrical and Electronic) Jerusha King | Bachelor of Science
(Civil) (Honours) | Flinders University (Honours) | University of South (Honours)
Joshua Graham | Bachelor of Science | Australia Kane O’Brien | Bachelor of Engineering
University of Adelaide Nelson Hayes | Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Mechatronic) (Honours)
Dana Hurrell | Bachelor of Science | (Electrical and Electronic) (Honours) | Playford Trust Honours Scholarships –
Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences | University of Adelaide University of Adelaide
University of Adelaide Josephine Matthias | Bachelor of Alec McCallum | Bachelor of Science
Jack Read | Bachelor of Engineering Engineering (Chemical) (Honours) | (Honours)
(Honours) | Flinders University University of Adelaide
Alison Roennfeldt | Bachelor of Science
Talia Robinson | Bachelor of Engineering Elsie Potezny | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Molecular and Biomedical
(Honours) | University of Adelaide (Chemical) (Honours) | University of Science)
Isabella Trigwell | Bachelor of Science Adelaide
Thomas Roocke | Master of Philosophy
(Honours) (Biotechnology) | Flinders OZ Minerals/Playford Trust Honours (Experimental Physics)
University Scholarship Nathan Van der Hoek | Bachelor of
Adelaide Hills Council/Playford Trust Emily Lewis | Bachelor of Science Engineering (Mechatronic) (Honours) |
Scholarship (Honours) (Geology and Geophysics) | Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer
Douglas Rhodes | Bachelor of Science University of Adelaide Sciences
(Honours)) (Environmental Science) | Santos/Playford Trust Honours Playford Trust Honours Scholarships –
Flinders University Scholarship Flinders University
Aurecon/Playford Trust Electrical Callum Crespan | Bachelor of Science Mitchell Griggs | Bachelor of Science
Engineering Scholarship (Honours) (Mineral Geoscience) | (Honours) (Physics)
Angela Vanderklugt | Bachelor of University of Adelaide Susanna Grigson | Bachelor of Science
Engineering (Electrical and Electronic) SA Power Networks/Playford Trust (Honours) (Molecular Biology &
(Honours) | University of Adelaide Scholarships Biochemistry) | Bachelor of Science
AusIMM/Playford Trust Scholarships Ishika Ghosh | Bachelor of Engineering (Mathematics)
Reuben Dowie | Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronic) (Honours) | Adam Perryman | Bachelor of Engineering
(Chemical) (Honours) | Bachelor of University of Adelaide (Civil) (Honours)
Finance | University of Adelaide Georgia Kappos | Bachelor of Philippa Tsirgiotis | Bachelor of
Josiah Park | Bachelor of Science Engineering (Electrical and Electronic) Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours) |
(Honours) (Geology) | University of (Honours) (Renewable Energy) | Master of Engineering (Biomedical)
Adelaide Bachelor of Computer Sciences |
Playford Trust PhD Scholarships
University of Adelaide
Zarin Tasnem | Bachelor of Engineering Jessica de la Perrelle |Physical Chemistry
(Chemical) (Honours) | University of Seeley/Playford Trust Scholarship (Ultrafast Spectroscopy) | University of
Adelaide Shane Harris | Professional Diploma in Adelaide
Chartwells/St Ann’s College/Playford Building Services | Australian Institute Isabella Reeves | Marine Biology and
Trust Residential Scholarships of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Conservation Genomics| Flinders
Lachie Hunter | Bachelor of Engineering
Heating University
(Civil) (Honours) | Bachelor of Finance | Thomas Foods International/Playford Undergraduate Mining and
University of Adelaide Trust Scholarship Petroleum Engineering Scholarships –
Kahli Lock | Bachelor of Engineering Harrison Bagley | Bachelor of University of Adelaide
(Chemical) (Honours) | University of Engineering (Mechatronics) (Honours) Mining Engineering
Adelaide | Bachelor of Mathematical and
Jack Haddad – BHP/SA Government/
Computer Sciences | University of
Codan/Playford Trust Honours Scholarship Playford Trust
Adelaide
Matthew Rehbein | Bachelor of Francesca Tew – BHP/Playford Trust
Mathematical Sciences (Honours) | Ultra Electronics/Playford Trust
Scholarship Mitchell Roberts – OZ Minerals/Playford
University of Adelaide Trust
Kieran Lobban | Bachelor of
Cooper Energy/Playford Trust Scholarship Guillaume Stander – OZ Minerals/Playford
Engineering (Robotics) (Honours)
Tuan Huynh Tran | PhD (Petroleum |Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Trust
Engineering) | University of Adelaide and Network Systems) (Honours) | Xiaoqian Zhang – OZ Minerals/SA
Coopers Brewery/Playford Trust Honours Flinders University Government/Playford Trust
Scholarship WSP/Playford Trust Scholarship Oliver Snoad | OZ Minerals/SA
Luke Wooley | Bachelor of Science Government/Playford Trust
Andisheh Lashgari | Bachelor of
(Honours) (Plant Science) | University of Engineering (Civil) (Honours) | Petroleum Engineering
Adelaide University of South Australia Salomon Mobutu Sese | Beach Energy/
GSA/Playford Trust Honours Scholarship Nathan Lines | Bachelor of Engineering Playford Trust
Thomas Burke | Bachelor of Science (Civil and Environmental) (Honours)
(Honours) (Geology) | University of | Bachelor of Finance | University of Additional scholarships confirmed during 2021 will
Adelaide Adelaide be announced in regular Playford Trust e-updates.
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TAFE Awards
In November, we honoured our
2020 Playford Trust / TAFE SA
Award recipients at a small but
special ceremony at Urrbrae.
TAFE SA has been a Trust partner for more
than 20 years and together we have helped
scores of talented students undertake further
studies in their chosen fields.
This year’s winners were no exception.
Brandon Woolley
Certificate III in Conservation & Land
Management, Barossa Campus
Brandon wants to be an ecologist, so he
can help conserve South Australia’s unique
vegetation, fungi and fauna. He has plans for Chairman of the Playford Trust, the Hon Dean Brown AM (centre) with (from left) Brandon Woolley,
further study, including either Conservation Chelsea Pedersen, Stephen Colloff and Annette Burmeister.
Biology or Science at the University of
Adelaide – and he’s keen to work with an
environmental consultancy so he can study
full-time as a Senior Project Firefighter for Pearl Dessart
the National Parks and Wildlife Service,
at the same time. Certificate III in Agriculture,
and leads a small team involved in fire
Port Lincoln TAFE
Brandon has been involved in preliminary management and district project works in
vegetation surveys for the Marna Bangarra her area. She is working towards a role as Pearl has always been interested in
Project, which is endeavouring to reintroduce a Park Ranger. agriculture, but it was her 2019 Year 10 work
locally extinct mammal species to the experience stint with the local PIRSA Animal
Southern Yorke Peninsula. Health Officer that confirmed her desire to
pursue a career in the field.
Stephen Colloff
Diploma of Conservation and Land In 2020, she took on a Certificate III in
Chelsea Pedersen Management, Barossa Campus Agriculture as part of her Year 11 studies –
Diploma of Conservation and Land on top of a farm-based agricultural
Stephen began a mature-age apprenticeship traineeship through which she is gaining
Management, Barossa Campus in 2013, while also studying a Certificate III hands-on, practical experience that
Chelsea is passionate about the environment in Horticulture. He was named Horticultural complements her TAFE studies.
and sustainability and wants to work in Student of the Year, nominated for South
this area long term. She comes from a Australian Apprentice of the Year, and
farming background and lives in the South among the finalists for Australian Apprentice
East but has been studying her Diploma of the Year.
at the Barossa TAFE Campus. She works
In 2016, Stephen gained full-time
employment with Burnside Council and is
now Team Leader of Natural Resources with
“These awards support responsibility for more than 40 biodiversity
students in many ways; the sites and a team of five people.
ever-present financial pressure,
connections with other Annette Burmeister
recipients, and promotion to Diploma of Horticulture |Diploma of
employers of award recipients’ Landscape Design, Urrbrae Campus
capabilities and passion. Annette says she’s been a horticulturist
and garden designer since, as a child, she
TAFE SA is extremely proud discovered an unused space in the BBQ area
to support the Playford Trust in her family’s backyard. She used to love
Awards. This partnership exploring the bush out from Alice Springs,
and the prestige surrounding where she grew up.
Pearl Dessart was unable to make it
them certainly adds value to Her career has included teaching from Port Lincoln for the awards night
children about organic food production in but we arranged for her local Member of
the student experience – Parliament, Mr Peter Treloar, to present
Queensland, restoring bushland for a mining
and our programs.” company and working in retail nurseries in
her with her certificate.
Wayne Sims SA. She now runs her own garden design
Education Manager, TAFE SA. business.
6 PhD research reports Kaili Stacey Bradley Kirk Alison Gill 2018 Thyne Reid Foundation/ 2020 Playford Trust PhD 2020 Playford Trust PhD Playford Trust PhD Scholarship Scholarship Scholarship Centre for Nanoscale Science and College of Science and Engineering, Plant Science, School of Agriculture, Technology, Flinders University Flinders University Food and Wine, University of Adelaide Nanoparticle surface chemistry and Investigating the stability of flexible organic Industrial hemp – is it a miracle crop suitable attachment as a route to functional materials solar cells fabricated under ambient for inclusion in South Australian cropping Nanoscale sized particles have interesting conditions systems? optical and physical properties that have a Photovoltaics (PV), commonly known as Industrial hemp has been labelled a miracle wide range of potential applications, including solar panels, have become quite popular in crop for its ability to produce seeds and fibre precision colour control and sensing devices. Australia as our society transitions towards for many different applications in clothing, My project is focused on the synthesis of the use of renewable energy sources. textiles, papermaking, cosmetics, construction, “raspberry particles”, in which particles are Currently, PVs require a large amount of biofuels and food industries. However, there is chemically bound to other particles, resulting energy to fabricate, are brittle and lack currently a lack of information regarding hemp in materials with mixed properties. flexibility, and there are limitations on where agronomy, particularly its water usage and The specific challenge is to develop reactions and how they can be placed or installed. drought tolerance. to attach different nanoparticles together at Because of these issues, there is interest As crops that require large amounts of water high density with control over parameters in researching and developing Organic are not viable in many parts of Australia, such as material, size and attachment density. Photovoltaics (OPVs). These devices use research is needed to determine whether This level of control allows you to create organic-based materials to absorb light and hemp has a place in low-water-use cropping structures that are iridescent, catalytic, self- convert it into power. As these materials can systems. Having confidence that it does could cleaning, etc. be dissolved in a solvent, they can be applied cause a significant shift in the agricultural These types of attachment reactions are highly to surfaces using a variety of printing and industry in southern Australia. dependent on the chemistry at the surface coating methods. This means less energy is In 2020, I focused my research on field trials of the particle, which can vary greatly from required to produce them and they can be that compared hemp varieties, and I conducted the bulk material, and they are often not well fabricated on flexible substrates, enabling controlled-environment experiments to understood. One key aspect of my research cheap and flexible solar cells to be used for determine the physiological response of hemp has been the discovery that the surface a wider range of applications. to water stress. I concentrated on optimising chemistry of silica (glass) based nanoparticles In my project, using a slot-die coater, methods to use in future water-stress studies. can change substantially with even very small I am aiming to understand and improve Key highlights were the development of changes in the particle synthesis method. the stability of scalable OPV devices that polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods to This change in surface chemistry has a are fabricated in the presence of oxygen and characterise hemp sex prior to flowering, and dramatic impact on the reactions that can be moisture. Over the past year, I have been observing significant differences in biomass used and the ways in which these particles developing more efficient solar cells by and physiology in hemp plants under drought can attach to others. This new knowledge adjusting printing conditions and varying stress. I am looking forward to conducting will allow for more effective control over the materials used. The next step is to exciting drought and growth studies at attachment reactions and, consequently, investigate the main reasons for the The Plant Accelerator, the SA node of the the final material properties. decrease in OPV lifespan. Australian Plant Phenomics Facility.
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PhD research reports
James Dorey Australia alone), they are hard to identify
and they are, quite often, literally below
2018 Playford PhD Scholarship people’s notice. And so, for me, much of
College of Science and Engineering, the year was dedicated to trying to get
Flinders University a handle on how Australia’s native bee
fauna might have been impacted by the
Uncovering Australia’s new bushfire season. Perhaps unsurprisingly,
native bee species the impacts have been pretty large for
2020 was crazy for everyone. We many species and the output is currently
transitioned smoothly from a bushfire crisis under review.
here in Australia to a global pandemic. As On top of that, I have been continuing to
shocking as the former was, it was quickly try to figure out what has happened with
eclipsed by the latter. But with 18.5 million the Fijian Homalictus bees. (Spoiler: it
hectares of Australia burnt in a single fire looks like people have had a pretty big
season, I was inspired to take something of impact and a surprisingly positive one!).
a tangent with my PhD project and time. I have also been working out how to
Insects usually get the short end of the tell the difference between low-light-
stick when it comes to conservation efforts adapted bees and the others, as well as
and, despite their importance, bees are no discussing threats to a particularly rare
exception. It’s not hard to see why, when northern bee that hasn’t been found for
there are so many species (1654 named in almost 100 years!
James Dorey
Robert Eyre Trott In the final stages of my research, community is considered to have a social
I developed the proposed controller, custom licence to operate.
2017 Playford Trust PhD engineered sensors to obtain the desired
The increase in attention paid to social
Scholarship signals and performed a participant study
licence has been attributed to changes
to explore the interaction between users
College of Science and Engineering, in public regulation and governance
and the controller. Sensor development is a
Flinders University arrangements; public access to information
major contribution of my research because
the resulting device can obtain superior about firms’ activities; and growing
The novel control of a unilateral exoskeleton awareness of, and related action in, the
signals in a more confined environment
for post-stroke gait rehabilitation global sustainability movement. My research
than other competing devices. Future
Losing the ability to walk work, post my studies, will be the further has found that social licence concerns arise
and having reduced development of the controller so that it in response to:
mobility after stroke can be used for its intended purpose in • Negative impacts of production or
results in a massive loss a clinical setting. company behaviour – for example,
of quality of life for many pollution – on third parties, like neighbours
individuals. Robotic or local communities
exoskeletal legs have Nikki Dumbrell
• Use of socially valuable assets, such as
been introduced as a 2018 Thomas Foods International/ water, to generate large private profits
therapy option to help
Playford Trust PhD Scholarship • Undersupply of goods that do not have
patients regain the ability to walk, however
their usefulness has been questioned and Centre for Global Food and Resources, market prices – for example, the aesthetic
their superiority to conventional therapy University of Adelaide value of the environment, ecosystem
is unknown. The way these devices are services, public safety and animal welfare.
How do natural resource-dependent
controlled is far more important than initially Understanding these drivers can help
industries gain and lose a social licence?
thought, and is the basis for my work. identify strategies to address the causes of
The term “social
I designed a controller to enhance patient issues, rather than the symptoms. I have
licence to operate”,
rehabilitation with robotic devices and found that, for natural resources companies,
introduced in natural
developed a framework for stimulating resource-dependent these strategies include a combination of net
neurological compensation mechanisms industries in the 1990s, economic benefits; stakeholder consultation;
that deliver functional recovery. This should has increasingly absence of media attention; absence of
lead to better long-term patient outcomes. become used to protests; and absence of well-defined and
The neurological framework outlines the describe the social enforced private property rights. Some
interaction between the controller and patient and environmental factors are within a firm or community’s
as well as the timelines for therapy. It also standards businesses should meet, as control; others are not. Ongoing work will
proposes several recovery mechanisms well as the guidelines for meeting them. apply these findings to the agricultural
stimulated from using the controller. A firm whose activities are accepted by the and future fuels industries.
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Honours research reports
Ryan Edwards
Coopers Brewery/Playford
Trust Honours Scholarship
Bachelor of Science [Biotechnology],
University of Adelaide
Changing malt characteristics of
barley grain by genetic modification
The aleurone is an important cell type
in the barley grain that surrounds
the core of the grain. Its role is to
produce enzymes which break down
the internal structure of the grain and
degrade starch, producing energy to
feed the growing plant embryo. This
function is biologically important but is
also harnessed by humans to produce
malt for the purpose of brewing beer
and whiskey.
My Honours project aimed to change
the size of the aleurone using strategic
genetic modification of our target
gene and to characterise the resulting
changes in the grain. We were
successful in changing the size of the
aleurone but, to our surprise, both
larger and smaller aleurones resulted
in slower germination and lower
production of malt-related enzymes.
We now know that the gene that we
chose to modify expression of must be
important in aleurone development.
Genes under regulation of our target
gene could be identified and modified
similarly, creating a positive impact
on barley malt quality and therefore Bradley Martin
increasing the quality – and value –
of the final product.
Bradley Martin My project investigated the distribution
Ryan Edwards of fish and macroinvertebrates from
Playford Trust Honours Coffin Bay, on Eyre Peninsula in South
Scholarship Australia. I evaluated the influence of trait
and species selection using survey data
Bachelor of Science [Enhanced Program
obtained from underwater video deployed
for High Achievers], Flinders University
across the Coffin Bay estuary system in
2015 and 2019. I compiled a trait database
Trait and species selection influences
and compared how the number of traits
the outcomes of marine monitoring
(few traits versus all traits) and species
Marine monitoring programs are influenced the results. The benefit of doing
increasingly using the characteristics this was to investigate the usefulness of
or traits of organisms to understand trait information and its application across
their response to environmental and dissimilar species.
anthropogenic pressures. Conceptually, I found no differences between years but
selective pressures favour certain traits detected trait and species differences
over others, influencing the types and between sites due to environmental
abundance of organisms in a given conditions. The results indicated that
space and time. Trait-based approaches applying a few ecologically informative
can therefore be applied across diverse traits across different species offer
species and environments to establish an efficient and practical strategy for
general trait baselines and inform coastal understanding how assemblages respond
management. to selective pressures.
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Honours research reports
Matthew Hill Brooke North
Playford Trust Honours OZ Minerals/Playford Trust
Scholarship Honours Scholarship
Bachelor of Engineering [Honours] Bachelor of Science [Honours] [Geology],
[Electrical], Flinders University University of Adelaide
Smart Meter Data Analytics – Increasing Investigating the relationship
network visibility to further the renewable between rare earth element and
energy hosting capacity of the South copper-bearing minerals to begin to
Australian electricity distribution unravel the formational history of
network Carrapateena
Accurate and reliable information on At Carrapateena, an iron oxide copper-gold
the rooftop photovoltaic (PV) generation (IOCG) deposit in the Far North of South
systems connected to the South Australian Australia, three mineralogical zones are
distribution network becomes increasingly distinguished largely based on copper
important as sections of the network begin abundance. Each zone exhibits a distinct
to reach their hosting capacity. My project rare earth element (REE) compositional
sought to employ smart meter data analysis signature. To investigate the relationship
techniques, such as machine learning between copper (Cu) and REEs, my project
algorithms, to validate and improve the aimed to date the REE-bearing minerals Jasper Willoughby
accuracy of SA Power Networks’ Distributed and characterise their geochemistry in
Energy Resources register (the database of each zone of the deposit. The ultimate
all known rooftop PV systems connected to goals were to improve understanding of
the South Australian distribution network). the temporal development of Carrapateena Jasper Willoughby
and explore the applicability of REE
Several PV identification and capacity Playford Trust Honours
estimation algorithms were developed, geochemistry to mineral exploration.
Scholarship
adapted and evaluated using a dataset The key findings of my research are that
Bachelor of Science [Honours]
containing data from approximately almost all of the dates recorded by the
[Marine Biology], Flinders University
154,000 customers. Through the REE-bearing minerals are younger than
performed assessments, the utility of these the published deposit age of Cu 1590 Ma
Investigating ecological communities
techniques in providing a mechanism to (million years). Copper may not have been
on coastal armour in South Australia.
validate and improve the accuracy of the introduced into the Carrapateena mineral
Distributed Energy Resources register was system until circa 1450 Ma. Additionally, Natural shorelines around the globe
demonstrated. This provides an opportunity one REE-bearing mineral (apatite) are being replaced with hard coastal
to improve the accuracy of dependant displayed different REE compositional armour, such as seawalls, to mitigate
business processes, such as when signatures in each zone of the deposit. coastal erosion and the effects of rising
assessing the rooftop PV generation hosting These trends are similar to those from sea levels. The replacement of natural
capacity of the network. other IOCG deposits in SA and offer insight shorelines with coastal armour leads
into evolving fluid conditions during IOCG to a loss of native biodiversity and a
Supported by the Playford Trust
deposit formation. shift in ecological community structure.
Scholarship, I achieved First Class
My project provides a snapshot of the
Honours and was selected to present OZ Minerals have been a tremendous
difference in ecological communities
my project at the 2020 virtual conference support this year, and I enjoyed getting the
between natural rocky shorelines and
hosted by the Electric Energy Society of opportunity to speak to members of the
coastal amouring structures along
Australia (EESA). I have now started my Executive Committee and record podcasts
the coastline of metropolitan South
career as an electrical engineer with about my experiences. I am now working
Australia.
SA Power Networks. with them as an exploration geologist.
While there was a similar suite of
species in both habitats, natural
shorelines showed higher diversity, and
coastal armour was dominated by one
or two turfing species. This difference is
thought to be due to greater availability
of microhabitats on natural shorelines
(for example, crevices and rockpools)
which coastal armour does not
possess.
In 2021, I am investigating the potential
difference in food webs and relating
this to the ecosystem services these
habitats provide to determine whether
Matthew Hill Brooke North coastal armour is an appropriate
substitute for natural shorelines.
10
Honours research reports
copper grade. Based on the positive
outcomes observed, it is recommended
to validate results with further testing,
followed by plant trials.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my research
with Magotteaux Australia and the
University of Adelaide – and the
experience this scholarship has
given me. I hope to see my research
improve plant performance and reduce
environmental safety concerns in the
industry.
Brandon Turner
Playford Trust Honours
Scholarship
Jackie Arends (left) Bachelor of Science [Honours],
University of South Australia
Beach day for frogs may cure
Jackie Arends Kevin Grant fungus disease
Playford Trust Honours AusIMM/Playford Trust My project looked at the relationship
between increasing salinity levels in
Scholarship Honours Scholarship freshwater bodies and the spread of
Bachelor of Engineering [Honours] Bachelor of Engineering [Honours] the deadly amphibian fungus disease
[Mechanical]|Bachelor of Finance, [Chemical], University of Adelaide chytridiomycosis. The aim was to
University of Adelaide investigate how far spread the fungus
Increasing copper recovery and grade has become in South Australia since
Next generation gas turbine combustors during flotation the last major survey in 2014, and
It is widely understood that the use of With growing demand for copper due to to see if housing infected frogs in
combustion in our everyday lives for its use in clean and renewable energy, a saline environment would cure
transportation and energy generation is not increasing copper recovery and grade them of the disease.
likely to change anytime soon. Unfortunately, is of interest to the minerals processing My research showed that the frogs
traditional combustion methods are notorious industry. An important stage in copper used – Common Eastern froglets
for emitting large amounts of pollution, recovery is flotation. An environmentally (Crinia signifera) – can be cured of an
which is harmful for our environment. friendly amino acid and high chrome infection, with 85% of the frogs housed
Existing research on moderate or intense grinding media have shown potential to having their infection status change to
low-oxygen dilution (MILD) combustion has improve copper flotation. negative. There is still a lot to be learned
found it reduces pollutant emissions and By completing laboratory scale grinding about the relationship between salinity
improves thermal and fuel efficiencies. and flotation tests, both the effects of high and chytridiomycosis, but my research
The research my team and I conducted chrome grinding media and the addition of shows great promise in one day curing
built upon existing work looking at how the amino acid were statically compared. this disease, which is threatening global
MILD combustion could become a reality for The results indicated that high chrome frog populations, and potentially saving
large-scale applications. Our work focused grinding media does improve copper many endangered species from losing
on developing a series of tools to aid the metallurgy and the amino acid improves their final wild populations.
experimental configuration of a confined-
and-pressurised jet-in-hot-coflow (CP-
JHC) burner, by predicting the combustion
conditions. This was explored using a variety
of facets, but my personal contributions
focused on exploring how machine learning
can be used to predict combustion conditions.
Our work showed that a decision tree
regression algorithm was able to
successfully make predictions of parameters
like temperature and chemical composition.
I can foresee that these tools will simplify
the staging and execution of many different
configurations of conditions within the
CP-JHC burner and will aid the understanding
of how combustion conditions change Kevin Grant Brandon Turner
with pressure.11
Honours research reports
Imogen Marshall Sean McGowan
Playford Trust Honours Playford Trust Honours
Scholarship Scholarship
Bachelor of Science [Honours] Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
[Biodiversity and Conservation], [Honours]|Bachelor of Mathematical
Flinders University Sciences, University of Adelaide
Restoration genomics of a threatened Battery-less sensors for ocean
small-bodied fish in the lower monitoring
Murray River My research aimed to design and build
Southern pygmy perch (Nannoperca an energy harvesting device capable of
Australis) are a small-bodied fish endemic powering subsurface ocean monitoring
to southeastern Australia. A population equipment in a wireless sensor network
from the lower Murray River would likely (WSN). The climate of the Earth is directly
have gone extinct during the Millennium influenced by the temperature of the
Drought if not for a genetically informed ex- ocean and, with accurate data, more
situ breeding and reintroduction scheme. reliable climate models can be produced.
My Honours project aimed to An important aspect of quantifying the April Van Der Kamp
characterise the long-term outcomes rate of climate change is subsurface
of the reintroduction program using temperature measurements, which Playford Trust Honours
genomic data. My results indicated low cannot be achieved using traditional Scholarship
inbreeding and strong maintenance of satellite methods, and hence requires
Bachelor of Science [Honours]
neutral and adaptive genomic diversity a novel approach. Harvested energy is
[Biological Sciences], Flinders University
across multiple generations post- a reliable power source that allows an
reintroduction. This is a great success for environment to be monitored without the
Invasion: The changes in a bacterial
the program as inbreeding can reduce need for a battery that requires regular
community during colonisation
the fitness of individuals, and genetic replacement. The need to eliminate
diversity is essential for the evolution battery maintenance is important when In 2020, I focused my research on how a
of populations through adaptation to the WSN is isolated or difficult to access. bacterial community establishes during
changing environments. There was also The developed system produces vortex colonisation, building on a study conducted
an increasing trend in the size of the induced vibrations from low-speed in 2017. This is an important research area
reintroduced population, consistent with subsurface ocean currents. These as current literature frequently focuses on
field monitoring data, and indicative of vibrations stress a magnetostrictive pure cultures, which eliminates important
continuing recruitment in the wild. smart material, producing a magnetic dynamics such as complex population
field which induces a voltage across a interactions that have major influences in
My study has therefore provided an
pick-up coil. community establishment.
empirical example that the adaptive
potential of a locally extinct population can Through simulation of the expected This research led to developing a lab-
be maintained via genetically informed dynamics, a prototype system was based model system to investigate how
conservation breeding and reintroduction developed. Vibration platform testing communities partition in microspatial
into the wild. Importantly, this knowledge determined that the maximum average environments, which is difficult to study
directly informs conservation initiatives power output of the device was 13.2 μW. in vitro. Flow cytometric results are
for the species and will help guide the This device has the potential to provide a fascinating as they depict prominent
genetic management of other threatened scalable, maintenance free, subsurface changes occurring between samples
species subjected to ex-situ conservation ocean monitoring system, to provide collected side by side. Results will be
programs. accurate data for climate models. further compared with sequence data
to identify bacterial species present in
samples and how the community has
evolved during colonisation.
Current findings reiterate the importance
of complex interactions in shaping how
bacterial communities invade and colonise
environments. This lab-based model
has the potential to be adapted for use
in modelling how infections spread in
wounds and in how natural communities
such as the gut microbiome partition.
My experiences during Honours have
inspired me to undertake a PhD, applying
the knowledge gained in modelling
complex community interactions to
Imogen Marshall Sean McGowan a clinical based setting looking at
diabetic foot ulcer infections.12
Undergraduate student reports
Ani Baker Holly Baldock
Playford Trust Regional Science Playford Trust Regional Science
& Engineering Scholarship & Engineering Scholarship
Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours), Bachelor of Science [Advanced] [Honours],
University of Adelaide University of Adelaide
Having always lived in My interest is chemistry
the lesser-known rural and I prefer to take a
district of Rockleigh systematic approach
and completed my to my studies,
secondary education while furthering my
at Oakbank Area understanding of research
School, the transition to concepts and scientific
studying in the bustling writing. In this first
city of Adelaide was year of my degree,
daunting. In 2020, I was not yet prepared to I found courses involving mathematics,
relocate and instead endured 1.5 hours of physical chemistry and the core principles of
travelling (each way) by car and bus for the scientific research most enjoyable. I want to
weeks before COVID-19 threw a spanner in major in chemistry and applied mathematics
the works of my campus experience. and hope to pursue postgraduate coursework
However, amidst the restrictions, I worked and a career in academia.
diligently and succeeded in achieving high After relocating from Mount Gambier to
distinctions for all my courses. I relished every reside at Lincoln College, I was awarded
opportunity to undertake practical work in the the first year Dux Litterarum for the science
university’s biology and chemistry laboratories. cohort within the college, and I maintained
My enthusiasm for these subjects has further a 7.0 GPA despite the challenges of online
flourished and I found great enjoyment learning. I was also nominated by a
in exploring additional topics such as representative at the university to participate
neuroscience and ecology in second semester. in the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science
My aspirations to pursue a career in and Engineering’s WISE (Women in STEM
biochemical or environmental research and Entrepeneurship) School, which provided
have been further solidified, and I am eager networking opportunities with mentors and
Curtis Kleinig to discover the opportunities that await me a virtual tour of Australia’s Nuclear Science
in the near future. and Technology Organisation.
Playford Trust Regional
Science & Engineering
Scholarship Jessie Grundy Joshua Mason
Bachelor of Engineering [Honours] Playford Trust Regional Science Chartwells/St Ann’s College/Playford
Electrical and Electronic, Bachelor of
& Engineering Scholarship Trust Residential Scholarship
Business, University of South Australia
Bachelor of Engineering [Honours] Bachelor of Engineering [Mechanical]
[Biomedical], Bachelor of Medical Science, [Honours], Bachelor of Finance,
In this first year of my degree,
Flinders University University of Adelaide
I completed a variety of topics relevant
to the field of engineering – and most I have just completed This year was the most
enjoyed mathematics, computer the first year of my difficult of my three
programming and electrical systems. double degree and have years of college and
I took a particular liking to these thoroughly enjoyed university so far. Having
subjects because they introduced new to move home for three
the transition from
and difficult concepts which will be months was challenging
secondary school
essential to my ongoing studies. and studying through
to the self-driven
those three months
I took the opportunity to join the UniSA learning environment
took a lot of motivation
Motorsport club, and this allowed me to of university. I was very
and effort. Online learning took a large
apply some of the skills I have learned to happy with my results from Semester 1 –
amount of getting used to and initially
a real-world engineering problem, and all High Distinctions – and despite an illness
I struggled with it.
to build networks with recent graduates in Semester 2, I was still able to achieve
and current undergraduates. In October Distinctions and High Distinctions. I am now back at St Ann’s for a fourth year
I joined the management team as in the role of President. I am extremely
I have particularly enjoyed the higher level excited to be able to continue to give back to
electrical manager and have already of learning in biology and chemistry. The
gained valuable leadership experience. the college that has given me so much more
up-to-date laboratory equipment has made than a home over the last three years. On
My goal remains to work in the all our practicals fun learning experiences. completion my degree, I hope to be able to
renewable energy or defence sectors I am hoping to earn an international get a job in Adelaide with a local engineering
once I have completed the Honours exchange in a biomedical field to enhance firm and to help give back to the wider
year of my degree. my exposure to future opportunities. community.13
Undergraduate student reports
Caitlyn Poel Ben Havelberg Paris Pauling
Playford Trust Regional Science Chartwells/St Ann’s College/ Playford Trust Regional
& Engineering Scholarship Playford Trust Residential Science & Engineering
Bachelor of Science/Master of Teaching Scholarship Scholarship
[Secondary], Flinders University Bachelor of Mathematics and Computer Bachelor of Science [Honours]
Science, University of Adelaide [Enhanced Program for High Achievers],
I began my double science and teaching Flinders University
degree focusing on biology, chemistry and
Having completed my secondary education
maths. I really enjoyed the challenge of My introduction to university has been
at Edward John Eyre High School in
university and am looking forward to the fantastic. Despite last year’s challenges,
Whyalla, I relocated to St Ann’s College at
experience of upper-level science topics. I have adored my course of study and
the beginning of 2020 and began studying
My favourite aspect was learning about the have found myself more enthusiastic about
mathematical and computer sciences at
adolescent brain and how to best assist my future in science than ever before.
the University of Adelaide.
during periods of learning.
I have really enjoyed all of my chemistry
My scholarship allowed me to focus on my Living at St Ann’s really helped me settle
topics, but especially CHEM1102 Modern
studies without the financial pressures often into Adelaide well. I have created many
Chemistry, as the unparalleled freedom to
borne by regional students at university. I’ve friendships and have had a lot of fun getting
problem-solve in the laboratory has built
been able to live in a residential community involved in all the activities of college life. This
my confidence and developed my skillset in
that balanced the academic nature of my year, I am serving as College Club Treasurer ways that would not be possible in a more
degree with the social experience that is and this will help me give back to the college typical content-driven topic.
critical to enjoying university and residential community.
I am aiming for a career in chemistry
college life. I have discovered a passion for computer research, specifically materials science,
I’m looking forward to practical teaching programming and working on some as I am passionate about the inherent
experience in my second year and hope it challenging projects has given me the critical thinking associated with this field.
is the start of an enjoyable and rewarding freedom to solve complex problems. I have I was incredibly excited to be able to gain
career as a secondary teacher. Combining my also enjoyed meeting like-minded individuals hands-on research experience at the
science degree with a teaching component and broadening my network. I now plan Chalker Research Lab, on-campus at
will give me the opportunity to teach STEM to to major in programming and expand my Flinders, over the 2020/21 summer break.
secondary students and hopefully inspire a industry connections to better gauge my
love of science similar to my own. career pathway.
Charlotte Mackenzie knowledge to real-life clinical scenarios in
classes and learning the complexities of
Adelaide Hills Council/ medicine and its effect on different parts of
Playford Trust Scholarship society, for example, rural communities.
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Although the year brought many challenges,
University of Adelaide it allowed me to adapt and discover new and
engaging ways of learning. I now look forward
Throughout 2020, I was able to experience to exploring many more of the clinical
university life and explore the many areas aspects of medicine and considering where
that medicine has to offer. We have covered a this could take me. In the future, I hope to
wide variety of content – from basic anatomy continue to work closely with others – and my
to clinical applications with patients. I have community – to find solutions to modern day
enjoyed exploring the importance of applying health concerns and accessibility.14
Partnerships at work
Throw them
was modelled, and the line layout mapped,” A fifth of the world’s copper is purified using
Wendy explained. “A unique tool had to an electrical process called electrowinning,
a challenge…
be designed for the robot to carry out the which requires a great deal of energy and is
manual handling, as well as additional generally continuous. This can be problematic
equipment to transfer the parts to this when energy prices are highly variable.
tool. These were imported into simulation The company tasked Adam with proving the
software where a robot was added and concept of intermittent electrowinning which
programmed to conduct the tasks. could use renewable energy as much as
possible.
“The simulation showed it was possible to
eliminate 90% of the labour requirement “Working at a laboratory scale, we proved that
during production and reduce the overall by utilising a very small amount of electricity
component cost to less than 25% of the – 10% of normal operational levels – the
original cost. electrowinning could be kept stable until
electricity prices returned to normal levels,”
“The overall design was implemented in Adam said. “This highlights the viability of
Wendy Beeston and Adam Freeling
a way that would not impact employee the process and allows work to continue with
are proof that there’s real value in
safety and would show a payback period scaling up from the laboratory.
asking Playford Trust scholars to address
of less than two years on the capital
practical problems in industry. “OZ Minerals supported us with technical
investment costs.”
In Wendy’s case, the outcome was of direct assistance throughout the project, and even
benefit to her sponsor, engineering company Wendy is studying at UniSA. She received welcomed us to their office to use the X-Ray
Aurecon. Her work-based project focused an Aurecon/Playford Trust Women in Fluorescence technology to determine the
on reducing the labour required to run the Engineering Scholarship in 2020. lead content of the copper we produced.”
company’s profile extrusion line – an area Adam’s work with OZ Minerals saw him Adam is studying chemical engineering at
the electrical and mechatronic engineering address a challenge for the mining industry the University of Adelaide. He received an
student suggests was “ideal for automation”. as it adapts to greater use of renewable AusIMM/Playford Trust Minerals Industry
“To conduct this research, the existing line energy. Scholarship in 2020.
Nyrstar nine brought ‘fresh insights’ For their part, the students greatly appreciated
the opportunity to learn. Here are just a few of
their comments.
With the support of Nyrstar, the Playford work to two students recommended by the
Trust offers two-year scholarships to Trust, making a nine-strong team in total. “The unique experience of working in a large,
students commencing their third year And all made quite an impression. industrial site with unique safety requirements
of undergraduate studies in chemical, will provide a different outlook in my future
“The students were capable, enthusiastic and
mechanical or electrical engineering at hard-working and we enjoyed having them career and should make me a better
one of the State’s three universities. as part of our team,” said Bill Watt, Nyrstar’s engineer.“ Thomas de la Perrelle
The bonus for each scholar is an eight- Manager, Technology. “It gives us confidence “The project management/engineering
to-12-week paid work placement at the in the future and an insight into the skills experience that I’ve received in my time here
company’s Port Pirie Smelter over the and interests of the next generation of will help me no end when I finish studying and
summer holidays. Working with senior potential staff. enter the full-time workforce, as I have already
staff, they undertake technical projects and “It was an important but fun learning worked on a couple of million and multimillion
have the chance to apply their university experience for the students and the dollar projects.” Conor Noonan
knowledge in an industrial setting. Nyrstar management teams valued their “By getting a first-hand insight into the
In 2020, the company also offered vacation fresh insights.” life of a metallurgist I learnt the important
attributes needed to preform daily tasks…
including problem solving, critical thinking,
communication and professional conduct.”
Elsie Potezny
“I now have a clearer idea of where my studies
can take me. I have also improved many of my
personal and professional skills throughout
my time at Nyrstar, making me more confident
and comfortable with many of the aspects of
being an engineer.” Josephine Matthias
“Although I have done project management
courses in university, firsthand experience of
Fresh from summer vacation work at the Port Pirie Smelter. L to R: Playford Trust Scholarship holders project management, and being able to run a
Josephine Matthias, Elsie Potezny, Conor Noonan (vacation student), Jack Walsh, Amelia Johnson, real project… was a different and motivating
Samuel Wallis (vacation student), Thomas de la Perrelle, Joshua Davis and Chetan Gautam. experience.” Chetan GautamYou can also read
