Flinders deal to prevent pain and deliver financial gain
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Vol 19 No 9 November 2008
Flinders deal to prevent pain
and deliver financial gain
Flinders University has signed a deal
with biotechnology firm, Xenome Ltd,
cascade that leads rapidly to acute
inflammation of the pancreas.
Inside
to license research that will assist in More than a fifth of patients with 2 Indigenous employment recognised
the development of drugs to arrest acute pancreatitis – one of the most 3 Exchanging ideas
acute pancreatitis, a condition that high profile victims of which was
causes hundreds of thousands of former Federal Labor Party leader, Mr 4 Farmer suicide risk
hospitalisations around the world Mark Latham (pictured above) – go on 5 Homelessness linked to violence
each year. to develop severe acute pancreatitis, a
The deal has the potential to generate potentially life-threatening disease. 6 Poverty marketing
multi-million dollar revenues for Flinders Using animal models of pancreatitis, 7 Private enterprise focus
University through milestone and the Flinders researchers have identified
royalty payments. two peptides that block the activity 8 Creative talent awarded
Researchers at Flinders University and of the galanin receptors, resulting in
Flinders Medical Centre, led by Chief amelioration of acute pancreatitis.
Medical Scientist Professor Gino Saccone, While there are existing drugs that treat
have discovered that surface receptors some symptoms and complications
in the central nervous and endocrine of pancreatitis, the peptide-based
systems, when activated by the peptide treatment promises the ability to treat
galanin, act as a step in the biochemical the condition directly.
continued on page 2
Events
Flinders a leader in Indigenous employment
Flinders University is playing a leading program, 13 have successfully been
role in the employment of Indigenous employed with the University in
people, according to the Minister for highly skilled positions including
Employment Participation, Mr Brendan lecturers, research associates and
O’Connor. academic advisors.
Visiting the University in late November, “Flinders University has been a leader
the Minister said Flinders’ Yunggorendi in many fields for many years and is
First Nations Centre for Higher
now emerging as a leading university
Education and Research had been the
in employing Indigenous people in
first higher education institution in
highly skilled jobs,” Mr O’Connor said.
Australia to become a Corporate Leader
for Indigenous Employment Projects. “It has developed an employment
Mr O’Connor met with participants strategy for Indigenous Australians
of a Structured Training and which has significantly improved the
Employment Project (STEP) to which recruitment, participation and retention
the Federal Government had provided of Indigenous people at the University,”
$152, 250 in funding. he said.
Of the 19 participants in the STEP Peter Gill
Former Chief Justice of the High Court,
Mr Murray Gleeson, delivered the 2008
Investigator Lecture – on the subject ‘Law
and Change’ – to a large crowd in the Attending the meeting were (left to right):
Adelaide Town Hall in mid-November. Professor Chris Marlin (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research), Minister Brendan O’Connor (Federal
Flinders’ annual public lecture was preceded Minister for Employment Participation), Mr Stephen Gonda, (Indigenous Employment Coordinator,
by the launch of a legal chapter of the Flinders University), Ms Donna Weetra (Indigenous Project Officer, National Centre for Education
University’s Alumni Association which and Training on Addiction), Ms Natasha Wanganeen (Trainee Records Clerk, Flinders University),
attracted many graduates and senior figures and Dr Jane Robbins (Chair of Flinders University’s Employment Strategy for Indigenous
from South Australia’s legal fraternity. Australians Advisory Group).
...... continued from page 1
Flinders Partners Pty Ltd, the technology and royalty income. “New treatments for pancreatitis are
transfer arm of the University, has Managing Director of Flinders Partners, desperately needed and we’re keen to
licensed the new technology to Xenome, Mr Anthony Francis, said it was pleasing take the technology from the Flinders
a company with extensive experience in to see ground-breaking science from group forward,”Dr Nisbet said.
peptide development. Xenome will use Flinders in the hands of a company such Charles Gent
its capabilities to modify the peptides as Xenome, which has a demonstrated
to create candidate products for ability to move peptide drugs through
pancreatitis treatment that will be then discovery into clinical development.
taken into pre-clinical development. Cover photo: Acute inflammation of
Xenome CEO Dr Ian Nisbet said the
the pancreas
Under the contract, Xenome will pay deal with Flinders complements the Inset photo: Former Labor Party Leader,
the University a series of milestone company’s internal discovery and Mark Latham
payments, as well as contracted research development activities. © Newspix, Torsten Blackwood, AFP
2 | Vol 19 No 9 November 2008
Research
Flinders and Chinese scholars exchange ideas
There are some new faces at Flinders
University: a group of Chinese
academics will be on the campus for
four months as part of a joint mentoring
scheme between the University and
the Beijing Teachers’ Training Centre for
Higher Education.
The 12 visiting scholars have been paired
with senior Flinders researchers across
all four faculties, working together on
areas of common academic interest.
The scheme is intended to assist in the
professional development of academics
working in Beijing’s municipal
universities, in order for the institutions
to become more internationally
connected and competitive.
Associate Professor Peter Monteath and Professor Liu Wenming
Capital Normal University historian
Professor Liu Wenming, who has been opportunity here not only to consult my colleagues.”
paired with Flinders historian Associate with Australian colleagues but also Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International)
Professor Peter Monteath, is full of to become familiar with and use the Professor Dean Forbes said he had high
enthusiasm for the scheme. library facilities.” expectations that the program would
“One major benefit comes through being And there are benefits beyond research continue and build in future years.
able to work with a mentor who has – Professor Liu said that he has also been “The mentoring program represents
similar research interests: like me, Peter able to observe teaching methods that yet another aspect of our growing
Monteath has expertise in European he can take back to China. collaboration with China’s universities
history and in the history of exploration,” “It is a great forum for the exchange of that enriches campus life and brings
Professor Liu said. ideas. I am learning a lot, and I hope it is real benefits to higher education in both
“The second benefit derives from not just a one-way street. Ideally there countries,”Professor Forbes said.
working in a new and different will be benefits for Flinders University Charles Gent
university environment. I have the into the future as well as for me and
Flinders student experience rated highly
A survey of international students has students at Flinders as exceptional, cultural, social and religious needs.
given Flinders University a glowing placing the University at the top of the Flinders also offers comprehensive
report both for its academic experience 102 ranked institutions support for students who need
and for the way it looks after the needs In academic terms, the assessment of assistance with teaching and
of its overseas students. the overall learning experience rated learning issues,” she said.
Flinders in the top five internationally, Ms Pattingale said the University, and
The International Student Barometer
and also rated the University’s teachers the International Student Services Unit
survey, which included responses
as the best among the six Australian in particular, had gone to great lengths
from students studying at a range of institutions in the sample. to make sure that support and advice
Australian and international universities,
Head of the International Office, offered by the various student service
rated the services and the support
Ms Virginia Pattingale, said it was providers was coordinated
offered to newly arriving international particularly pleasing to see that and sustained.
incoming students rated the assistance “Our success is clearly reflected in the
offered with their arrival and orientation responses, with student assessment of
so highly.
our support services topping the table,”
“While it is important that Flinders she said.
was rated highly for the quality of its
Responses showed that students were
teaching and courses, we also know that
also enthusiastic about the overall
the initial and the continuing practical
quality of life they enjoy while studying
support offered to overseas students is a
at Flinders, a rating that included factors
major consideration in choosing a place
to study,” Ms Pattingale said. such as cost of living and safety.
“We have put a lot of effort and “Our international students are saying
resources into assisting new arrivals Flinders is a good place to be,” Ms
in setting up their accommodation Pattingale said.
International students in the library and finances, and also in meeting their Charles Gent
Vol 19 No 9 November 2008 | 3
Research
Farmers face higher suicide risk
It is well established that rates of suicide women in the wider rural population
are higher in rural as compared with Dr Miller employed farm-related
urban areas in Australia – now a new statistics collated by the Australian
Flinders University study has found that Bureau of Agricultural and Resource
farmers are especially at risk, suffering a Economics and the Australian Bureau
significantly higher rate of suicide than of Statistics to calculate the number
the rest of the rural community. of farms and farm residents in South
The study by a lecturer in the School Australia for the first time, and plotted
of Social Work, Dr Keith Miller, found them against figures for suicides
that the rate of 34 suicides among each collected by the SA Coroner’s Office
100,000 farmers is almost 50 per cent from 1997 to 2001, examining the
circumstances of each of the 1,033 Dr Keith Miller
higher than the overall rate for male
rural suicides, which is calculated at 24 individual cases of suicide over the
five-year period. higher in rural areas than in cities,” Dr
per 100,000.
Miller said. “This study has shown
“This report confirms what has been It is likely that more recent statistics
will paint an even bleaker picture, Dr that a further distinction needs to be
a consistent, although anecdotal,
Miller said. made, and highlights the even more
message from the farming communities
serious problems faced by farmers,
around Australia, namely that the rate of Dr Miller, who has extensive first-hand
suicide amongst farming communities particularly men. In an ailing rural
experience as a counsellor in rural South
is much higher than rural rates,” Dr Australia, said stress and depression economy compounded by extended
Miller said. among farmers are directly related to drought, these findings require an
harsh socio-economic circumstances urgent response in the form of targeted
The risk attaches specifically to male
farmers: at around a rate of six suicides and social isolation. treatment of depression in the farming
per 100,000, female farm residents “We are already aware that suicide community,” he said.
share the lower rate of suicide of rates internationally tend to be Charles Gent
Keeping an eye on the environment
Flinders University’s environmental
eye-in-the-sky will have even sharper
vision thanks to the award of $450,000
of Australian Research Council
infrastructure funding.
With the current array of airborne
instrumentation complemented by a
new hyper-spectral scanning capability,
Airborne Research Australia’s (ARA)
light-weight aircraft, which are based
at Parafield Airport north of Adelaide,
now have a unique capacity for
environmental monitoring and research.
“This combination of instrumentation
is absolutely unmatched anywhere in
the world, even at much larger national
research facilities,” ARA Director Dr Jorg
Hacker said. Instruments mounted on the wing of an ARA plane
The use of hyper-spectral scanning,
in both visible and infra red forms, salinity monitoring, mineral mapping, grant for metastable induced
in conjunction with ARA’s existing vegetation mapping and classification, electron spectroscopic equipment, a
Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), algal bloom detection and farmland technology that enables highly sensitive
microwave scanning and synthetic monitoring and assessment. examination and analysis of the
aperture radar capacity, will give “ARA is providing, at low cost, airborne outermost layer of a range of materials
researchers the ability to monitor and remote sensing and airborne in-situ and minerals.
assess the types, condition and health capabilities for use in science and
science-related projects all over Australia The new equipment will boost
of land and water on both local and
regional scales (from metres up to tens and internationally,” Dr Hacker said. Australia’s strength in surface science,
of kilometres) in high resolution. and is important for both fundamental
Flinders University was also the lead
Applications for the equipment institution in a consortium of six and industry related research.
include soil moisture and water universities that received a $630,000 Charles Gent
4 | Vol 19 No 9 November 2008
Research
Funding shortage worsens domestic violence
of emergency housing alternatives. University study revealed that in 2003-
Conducted by Dr Selina Tually and Dr 04 67,000 individuals, including 34,700
Debbie Faulkner, along with Mrs Cecile children, sought refuge through to
Cutler and Associate Professor Michele escape domestic and family violence.
Slatter, the study claims the housing “Children are not funded as victims of
shortage is the result of a decade of domestic violence in Australia, so while
inaction by the Federal Government, a service might receive funding to help
including a failure to increase sector their client, no additional money will be
funding during that time. provided for the, say, six kids she is also
The study, which included a literature supporting,” Dr Tually said.
review and an examination of the “This is a particular concern for many
support and accommodation needs Indigenous women escaping family
of women affected by domestic and violence, many of whom present to
family violence, also revealed the services with a large number of children,”
lack of funding has rendered many she said.
Dr Debbie Faulkner and Dr Selina Tually
services inadequate. Commissioned by the Federal
Thousands of female victims of domestic “Domestic violence is becoming a Government’s Department of Families,
violence are being forced to choose problem not only because of the Housing, Community Services and
between homelessness and returning to increasing number of victims, but Indigenous Affairs, the study aimed to
their abusive partners after seeking help, because these women also have a more inform the Government’s White Paper
due to a severe lack of funding within complex variety of needs to be met,” on the support and accommodation
the crisis support sector. Dr Faulkner said. “Therefore, in addition needs facing of women (and children)
to the ’normal’ level of crisis care, these affected by domestic and family
A study by researchers from the Flinders
services are also having to deal with violence which is expected to be
Institute for Housing, Urban and
the issue of delivering a whole set of released this month.
Regional Research (FIHURR) has revealed
that every year in Australia around 50 ancillary services without the financial Dr Tually and Dr Faulkner presented
per cent of women are being turned support,” she said. the findings of their report to the
away by the Supported Accommodation While it is difficult to establish the total Department’s Social Policy Research
Assistance Program (SAAP) after asking number of women affected by domestic Workshop in Canberra on 2 December.
for assistance, due to an acute shortage violence each year, an earlier Flinders Emma Kibble
Phone-in targeted rising adolescent violence
Violent physical and verbal attacks at identify the extent of the problem
the hands of adolescents are becoming in South Australia, Ms McKenna
an increasing problem for many conducted a phone-in for parents and
Australian families, a Flinders University carers of children and adolescents
researcher has found. behaving badly at home at the Women’s
Previous survey results collected by Legal Information Service in Adelaide.
Studies Lecturer Mary McKenna over The aim of the phone exercise was
the past year indicate violent attacks to first identify the gaps in services
on mothers, siblings and pets, as well and supports offered to parents and
as property damage including smashed carers, and then target techniques and
windows and broken possessions, are on mechanisms the families would find Adolescent anger
the rise in children aged six to 25. most useful in providing the support
“Through the study family counsellors they need. this area, whether it be practical advice
revealed they are seeing an increasing “Previous research has indicated that or assistance to develop strategies
number of families grappling with child of the parents who had sought support within the home, we are aiming to gain
and adolescent family violence at home,” for adolescent family violence in the as much insight as we can.”
Ms McKenna said. past, almost two thirds said they did Ms McKenna said the data gathered
“More and more parents and carers of not get the support they needed from during the phone-in would also be
adolescents engaged in antisocial and professionals which is unacceptable” used to lobby various agencies to
illegal behaviour and violence at home Ms McKenna said. provide adequate family supports as
are seeking assistance from a range of “Then there is the issue of finding the well as provide information that will
support agencies, but few are receiving right avenue of support as all families be used as a precursor to development
the level of support they need,” she said. are different and may not be suited to of policy in the areas of Federal, State
In an attempt to highlight the the options that are currently available and Local government and Non-
seriousness of child and adolescent to them. This exercise will help us to Government organisation.
family violence in Australia and to properly identify the range of needs in Emma Kibble
Vol 19 No 9 November 2008 | 5
Research
Commerce gives the region’s poor a helping hand
Engaging corporations in alleviating of microfinance by banks.
poverty is a noble cause, but how “There is a profitable way of operating
wholeheartedly are Australian that can also alleviate poverty.”
companies embracing the concept?
Dr Mangos is examining the extent
Dr Nick Mangos of the Flinders to which Australian banks and
Business School is investigating companies operating in developing
the commitment of Australian countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam,
companies to supporting the Malaysia, India and in the South
Millennium Development Goals, Pacific region are servicing the Base
an initiative of the United Nations of the Pyramid markets, and whether
proposed in 2000 which aims to their involvement constitutes a
alleviate poverty by encouraging strategic priority.
major companies to engage
The “Business for Millennium
economically with the world’s
Development Summit”, held in
lowest income earners.
Sydney in October 2008, formulated
While there is a fundamentally the Australian response of Australian
altruistic aspect to the policy, companies to the Millennium
Dr Mangos said that the so-called Development Goals, creating
Base of the Pyramid earners – people benchmarks for poverty alleviation
earning less than US$1,500 a year – also that Dr Mangos will identify
represent a vast, untapped market, and measure.
estimated to comprise four billion “I’m going to be looking at what
people with US$5 trillion in stage they are at, and where they
purchasing power. could possibly improve to accelerate
“This new market is characterised their pace to meet with the Millennium
by large volumes and low margins,” Development Goals,” he said.
Dr Mangos said. Dr Mangos also wants to test the
With Asia the home of more than extent of the companies’ formal
half of these low income communities, strategic commitment.
Dr Mangos said a number of Australian “There is a counter argument that
companies have made a commitment Vietnamese commerce: Hanoi market
low income earners end up buying
to take up the dual strategy of wealth things that are not useful to them, right reasons and yet there are others,
creation and poverty reduction. and simply make the companies like the ANZ Bank, which has put a lot
“One way of doing this is to provide fatter in terms of profit. One of the of work and effort into villages and
products that poverty-stricken people papers on which I’m working will
communities in areas like Fiji and the
can actually afford,” he said. assess if there is a formal strategic
Solomon Islands, with a strategic intent
“This can take the form of the intent on the part of the companies
to do good, or whether it is just a PR in assisting them towards economic
restructuring of manufacture and
provision of consumer products in exercise,” Dr Mangos said. self-sufficiency with low interest loans.”
small, affordable units, or the supply “Some companies don’t do it for the Charles Gent
Myer family supports rural education
Flinders University aims to address improve access to high quality, relevant “We envisage there will be increased
inequalities in educational opportunities and affordable education for people retention of students, particularly
for rural and remotely located young who live in rural Australia. It is the first boys, in rural schools and Vocational
Australians with the backing of a time the University has established an Educational Training, together with
$1 million grant from Myer Family endowed chair in the field. increased retention of teachers and
Philanthropy’s 2009 Commemorative “This is a significant acknowledgement health professionals in rural and remote
Grants Program that will establish of the importance of rural education locations,” Professor Trent said.
a new Chair in Rural Education and communities to Australia’s Selection of an incumbent will follow a
and Communities. sustainability,” Flinders University national and international search.
The new position will commence in the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Flinders was one of only two Australian
School of Education in 2009, and will Barber, said. higher education institutions to receive
further enhance the University’s strong Executive Dean of the Faculty of funding from the 2009 Commemorative
reputation in the field of rural education. Education, Humanities, Law and Grants Program, which marks the 75th
The Baillieu Myer Chair in Rural Theology at Flinders, Professor Faith anniversary of the Sidney Myer Fund
Education and Communities will focus Trent, said she expected the Chair to and 50 years of The Myer Foundation.
on teaching and research designed to have a significant and enduring impact. Charles Gent
6 | Vol 19 No 9 November 2008
Around the ridges
Continuing the focus on private enterprise
The inaugural student business plan potential to stir the competitive he has also been heavily involved in
competition at Flinders will continue entrepreneurial spirit amongst Flinders the commercial aspect of research
the focus on private enterprise within students,” he said. development as well,” Mr Begakis said.
the University, according to Council “Good employees keep industry going, “This will ensure that the focus of
member Nick Begakis. but private enterprise is responsible for Flinders will continue to remain on
Having many years of experience providing the economic drive and high strengthening the way in which the
with, and an interest in, economic standard of living for our communities.” University networks and connects with
development, Mr Begakis was the ‘real world’ – the world that actually
“We can no longer rely upon government,
instrumental in establishing the creates employment through private
if we ever could, to provide that
competition, which offers students
leadership for us. Therefore, I believe enterprise which ultimately is for the
enrolled in selected topics the
there is an opportunity for the higher betterment of the community,” he said.
opportunity to create a high-quality
education sector to take a lead role in Emma Kibble
business plan aimed at, among
developing this area and Flinders is at
other things, nurturing the
the forefront of that push.”
University’s collaboration with
external organisations. Mr Begakis, who is in his third term with
For Mr Begakis, participation in this kind the Council, credits initiatives such as
of competition whilst at University will the Medical Devices Partnering Program,
help to expose students to more “real which connects researchers with
world” situations and also position them business, the newly re-developed and
not only as future employees, but as re-launched engineering courses and
potential private entrepreneurs creating the establishment of the Engineering
their own pockets of industry. Advisory Committee, which he chairs,
as examples of the University’s
“Creating business plans is already a
commitment to actively engage with
strong element of many of the courses
taught at Flinders, therefore it seemed the business community.
a natural progression to create an The appointment of Professor Michael
opportunity for students to explore this Barber as Vice-Chancellor of the
avenue further in the hope of piquing University has only served to enhance
their interest in developing a new subset this direction.
of skills,” Mr Begakis said. “Not only does Professor Barber possess
“And having a competition has the a strong academic background, but Mr Nick Begakis
The exuberant art of an independent PNG
The new exhibition at the Flinders and imagined. North Terrace, Adelaide.
University City Gallery offers visitors a Curated by Roger Butler, Senior The exhibition runs until January 18.
chance to trace the emergence of a new Curator of Australian Prints
nation through its visual arts. and Drawings at the
Imagining Papua New Guinea: prints National Collection, the
from the national collection celebrates exhibition is supported
Papua New Guinea’s rich history of by the Commonwealth’s
printmaking since independence, Visions of Australia
with print works drawn from the program.
National Collection. Imagining Papua
This exhibition showcases 30 prints by New Guinea will
five senior Papuan artists: Timothy Akis, be accompanied
Mathias Kauage, David Lasisi, John Man by Papua New
and Martin Morububuna. Guinea works
Imagining Papua New Guinea provides selected from
the University’s
a window on the experiences of the
own Art
people of PNG, beginning with the
Museum
transition from a tribal-based society
collection.
to a country of western influence,
and exploring the relationship to For more information about
the traditional practices of body art this exhibition visit
and patternmaking. The result is the www.flinders.edu.au/artmuseum/
use of patterns and textures to The gallery is located within the
create fantastical creatures, both real State Library of South Australia on ‘Independence Day’ Mathias Kauage 1975
Vol 19 No 9 November 2008 |7
Arts
Creative industry recognises student talent
Past and present students in the She was also named as a 2008 Rising
Creative Arts stream at Flinders Star within the Creative Arts at the
University are enjoying a particularly annual women@minterellison awards,
fruitful period, claiming several major receiving a $1,000 grant to help further
local and interstate awards for their her career.
performances on stage and in film. “Being recognised by my peers in such
In November, cinematographers Kirsty a competitive industry was particularly
Stark and Simone Mazengarb were exciting. It was a real boost to receive
recognised by two of Australia’s peak both awards,” Kirsty said.
industry bodies for work they had In addition, Drama Centre graduate
completed during their Screen Studies Mark Fantasia was last month named
coursework at the University. as the winner of the 2008 Keith Michell
Simone was recognised as the Best Performing Arts Award, a joint initiative
Australian Woman Cinematographer of the Helpmann Academy and the
at the 15th annual World of Women Southern Theatre and Arts Supporters
Film Festival for her work as the (STARS), which provides a $2,000 grant
Director of Photography for the film to an emerging talent in the industry.
Hair Today Gone Tomorrow, a student According to Kirsty, it is no coincidence
film she shot before graduating from that the work produced by Creative Arts
Flinders in 2007. students from Flinders is generating a
Meanwhile, Honours student Kirsty higher volume of interest from industry
won the Gold Award for Student bodies at present. Mr Mark Fantasia
Cinematography at the Australian “Over the past five years or so, the
Cinematographers Society Awards Bachelor of Creative Arts degree has and support the program, academics
(SA) for her work on the Flinders film really started to come into its own, willing to go out on a limb for students
The Threat That Came From Beyond with current students determined and lots of money coming in from
Tomorrow to Destroy Us All. to excel in their chosen areas, past industry grants,” she said.
students continuing to come back Emma Kibble
Flinders University’s breaking
stories can now be read – and
watched – on a dedicated news
page on the University’s web site.
The address is:
http://www.flinders.edu.au/news
In addition to reading articles
and news releases on research
breakthroughs and major
projects, visitors can access
video clips of mainstream
electronic media coverage
of Flinders.
A constantly updated websearch also shows
how the University’s activities are being reported across
the country and around the world. Current and back issues
of Flinders Journal can also be downloaded as PDF files.
Flinders-related news can also be accessed in the form of an
interactive blog page at http://blogs.flinders.edu.au/flinders-news/
The blog format offers readers the opportunity to comment on
University research and activities, and the blog’s archive of news
stories is searchable by various category headings.
Ms Kirsty Stark
The Media Team
Peter Gill Charles Gent Emma Kibble Photos: Ashton Claridge, Jonathon Guppy
Head of News and Media Journalist Journalist www.flinders.edu.au/news
Mobile: 0417 784 044 Telephone: (08) 8201 2965 Telephone: (08) 8201 2916
peter.gill@flinders.edu.au charles.gent@flinders.edu.au emma.kibble@flinders.edu.au CRICOS Provider No. 00114A
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