Ms Gabrielle Rolan, the Director UNE International, told the students that the ceremony was “to honour you and thank you for everything you’ve brought to our community . . . to mark the end of your studies, and to wish you well for the future”.

Speaking on behalf of her fellow students, Jambay, a student from Bhutan who has completed her Bachelor of Science thanked the University “for organising this wonderful event”.

“You represent success for us,” said the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jim Barber, addressing the students before presenting each of them with a Certificate of Completion. “You’re joining tens of thousands of UNE alumni all over the world.”

“We pride ourselves on getting to know our students,” Professor Barber said, “and hope you’ve felt welcome here.” 

In her speech, Jambay described how the natural beauty of Armidale, particularly in Autumn, combined with the friendliness and helpfulness of people within the University and Armidale communities had contributed to making their time at UNE both enjoyable and academically rewarding.

There are currently 820 international students– 738 in degree programs and 82 in English Language programs enrolled on campus at UNE. They come from 48 countries.

Professor Shaw will take up the role of NSW Director for the AMEB immediately, following the resignation from the role of Dr Karl Kramer, Dean of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

 UNE Vice-Chancellor Professor Jim Barber said the appointment was well-deserved recognition of the valuable contribution Professor Shaw continues to make to the arts.

“This is a ministerial appointment on merit and well-earned recognition of Jennie’s dedication to music and the arts within the local region as well as across NSW and internationally,” Professor Barber said.

“The AMEB is well known in NSW and nationally and it is pleasing to note that UNE’s strong connections with the Board continue. UNE’s Head of School of the Arts, Prof Darryl Poulsen, has also served on the federal board of the AMEB and another current NSW board member, Dr Rita Crew, is a distinguished UNE alumna.

Professor Barber said it was doubly pleasing that the new NSW Director was a true regional advocate.

“Jennie’s enthusiasm would be well known within the Armidale community. She is the founding Director of the Arts New England Centre for Research and Innovation in the Arts and currently serves as deputy chair of the Board of Directors of the New England Conservatorium of Music.

“I understand she is also a major individual sponsor of the Armidale Eisteddfod, which UNE also sponsors through UNE Music and the School of Arts,” Professor Barber said.

Professor Shaw said she was honoured by the appointment. “The AMEB has a long history of setting standards of excellence for music, speech and drama in Australia,” Professor Shaw said.

“Those standards are upheld across the nation, not just in the cities but in those rural and remote centres like Armidale and Tamworth, where AMEB-trained teachers and AMEB examiners are strongly supported by students, schools and families.”

“I look forward to contributing actively to the strategic direction and ongoing success of the AMEB.”

Well now is the time to take that curiosity and interest further with enrolments now open to study Deviance, through uneOpen – a new online courseware offering.

In an Australian first,  uneOpen allows you to study the course online for free and then if you wish to take your new found knowledge further you can pay to take an exam and if you pass gain credit into an accredited course at the University of New England, (UNE). 

Deviance is one of the first subjects to be offered and UNE Professor of Sociology John Scott says the topic of Deviance is always popular as it intrigues people.

“From sexual and gender deviations, to alcohol and drug consumption and even actions such as rudeness and lateness, the term deviance covers a veritable multitude of sins. This unit provides an entry level introduction to a range of sociology topics including abortion, mental illness, disabilities or body imagery to gang formation, gang warfare and other criminal behaviors,” Professor Scott said.

“With the prevalence of deviance in the news, in print and on television, and the popularity of criminal investigation television programs, these are questions that society is interested in. Deviance is a core concern of the social sciences and fundamental to studies in sociology and criminology, providing a pathway into law and order, psychology, social work, health and education. Plus, it’s something that touches most of our lives.

“So whether you are just curious about deviance or you think this is something you would like to study further, the unit offers an interesting insight into society and why people act the way they do,” Professor Scott said.

uneOpen heralds the future of higher education in Australia – offering a more flexible study option for people. uneOpen will offer a range of fee-for-service products, alongside the open courseware, letting students choose what academic services they need. 

Fee-for-service products will include tutorial support, examinations and ultimately students may choose to have their learning recognized for credit into a UNE degree.

To find out more information and to enrol go to https://www.uneopen.com/.

Each year, National Families Week celebrates and highlights the critical role of families in Australian society and coincides with the UN International Day of Families on 15 May. Hundreds of community groups, businesses and government departments will be holding local events around the country.

During National Families Week, everyone is encouraged to think about the way families can work together to achieve a happy and healthy lifestyle. Let’s take the time to work together to get the best balance in all life’s activities.  When families work together, everyone benefits.

“Families are the foundation for shaping children’s physical, social, emotional and cognitive development.  A child’s earliest learning experience happens at home, with family,” said Families Australia CEO, Brian Babington. “Families give children a sense of belonging and of self-identity, and provide a network of support for children as they grow.” he said.

Professor Sims said; “National Families Week is a time to remember how important our families are in our lives. It’s a time to keep in mind that our families provide the contexts in which children are reared, and that the experiences we provide today set the foundation for the rest of their lives. What we do in our families today sets the foundations for our nation’s future. ”

National Families Week is a time to celebrate with your immediate family, make contact with your extended family and friends and share in the enjoyment of family activities within the wider community. It is a time to celebrate the meaning of family and to make the most of family time.

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with the primary intention to “investigate opportunities for co-funded research and development”.

UNE Vice-Chancellor Professor Jim Barber said the MoU was an important first step in building a long term and mutually beneficial relationship.

“Costa is a highly reputable and progressive organisation and we look forward to working closely in a wide range of research with them. Our expertise in horticulture and development of sustainable agricultural processes fits very well with Costa ideals,” Professor Barber said.

“This relationship will put UNE’s world class researchers in the box seat, with one of the biggest players in the horticulture industry, to identify areas of greatest benefit for industry as a whole.”

The two parties will work closely to investigate sustainability opportunities, including recycling programs and by-product development from organic waste matter – around 150 tonnes per week at Guyra – and environmentally sustainable and efficient water usage including recycling technologies. Biological pest management, leaf and water testing protocols, and robotic applications will also be addressed.

General Manager of Costa Tomato Exchange Oliver Flint said the agreement was the first step in a logical partnership between two institutions in Australian agriculture.

“We are excited about the opportunities that this relationship presents, as we believe there are some important synergies between our business and UNE,” Mr Flint said.

“At Costa Group, we’re always looking for the latest research and new techniques to improve our productivity, quality and sustainability. UNE is Australia’s premier Agricultural Education provider with a global reputation for excellence in Agriculture research.”

“We’re interested in co-funding valuable research in horticulture and here at UNE, right on our doorstep, we have world-renowned scientists available.”

Leading the Australian contingent is UNE Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Professions, Victor Minichiello who believes the Inaugural Australia- Argentina Binational Workshop in Bahia Blanca is a great opportunity for collaboration between the two countries.

“Australia and Argentina have a number of areas in common, they are both located in the southern hemisphere, they have strong and evolving agriculture and mining sectors, and they have growing industrial and technological sectors,” Professor Minichiello said.

“We also both face the challenges of delivering health and education services to rural and remote communities.

“The workshop will explore the first steps for the development of new relationships between Argentina and Australia in the fields of science, health and technology. We hope these will lead to academic exchanges, shared research, and technological programs,” Professor Minichiello said.

Argentine Convenor, Dr Guillermo Crapiste, Chancellor of the Universidad Nacional del Sur, said the workshop would include the drafting of a binational action plan to develop collaboration opportunities into reality.

“The binational action plan will support specific projects for the two governments to consider and to foster further scientific and technological collaboration between universities from these two southern hemisphere nations,’ Dr Crapiste said.

Professor Minichiello said presenters will include academics, scientific national organisations, government officials, inventors and ministerial advisors from both countries, all coming together to explore opportunities to collaborate on projects such as Massive Open Online Courseware, science innovations in farming, agriculture and robotics and tele-health.

“UNE has taken a leading role in these areas, developing SmartFarming technologies, agricultural innovation, health and tele-health innovations to promote services to regional communities, and there are countless opportunities to expand and extend these innovations into South America,” Professor Minichiello said.

The binational discussion builds on the work of an Argentina delegation visit to Australia last year, that included discussions with the Commonwealth Government, several Australian universities, CSIRO and a visit to Parliament House with meetings with the Australian Minister of Education and Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.

Australian Federal Member for New England, Tony Windsor, who facilitated discussions in Canberra during the Argentina-Australia mission visit last year, said the talks leverage the ability of high-speed broadband to overcome geographic distance.

“Students, academics and scientists in both Australia and Argentina will benefit from this collaboration, and the sharing of expertise will benefit both countries more broadly,” Mr Windsor said.

“The provision of a university education will become increasingly competitive in an online world, and this collaboration will help universities from both nations carve out space in the global marketplace.”

“The new residential college will offer students a fully self-contained residential college experience,” Mr Cushway said.

The colleges are an integral part to UNE, as they accommodate about half of its on-campus students.

 “To ensure we continue to attract students, we need to expand and modernise our college offerings and construction of new college is the first step in that process.”

 The construction of new college is part of the nearly $50 million capital infrastructure spend on the Armidale campus in 2013.   

Robb College has also been earmarked for redevelopment however uncertainty surrounding a heritage application on the building has halted any further work. We have been advised this week (1 May 2013)by the Heritage Council that they will take a further six months to consult with stakeholders, including UNE,  on the project.

“We continue to work with the Heritage Council to resolve this issue and next week at the invitation of the Robb College Alumni, I will meet with the original architect of the building, Michael Dysart, to discuss the proposed redevelopment.   

“Robb College is an important institution at UNE and we are committed to working with stakeholders to find a suitable way forward,” Mr Cushway said.

The new college is expected to open to students in the first half of 2014.

It has been 23 years since Senator Joyce graduated from the University of New England with a commerce degree. Three of his brothers graduated from UNE as did his wife Natalie. UNE was the impetus for his accountancy career and later his foray into politics. Currently the Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Water, Senator Joyce is also the Nationals’ Candidate for New England.

The importance of Australian universities within a regional and national context will be discussed by Senator Joyce in his lecture: The Australian reality of the Australian University.

Senator Joyce said of his role as guest speaker, “I am truly honoured to have been given this opportunity. As a UNE graduate and having a strong background and affinity with Regional Australia, I look forward to speaking about the positive impact regional universities and education have on students and the future development of our nation.”

“Regional universities are an extremely important part of our nation. They provide research, economic, cultural and social opportunities which otherwise would not be available in towns such as Armidale.” Senator Joyce said.

“We are really delighted that Senator Joyce has agreed to be our Guest Speaker at this year’s Memorial Lecture,” said Edwina Ridgway, the Principal of Drummond and Smith College. “This is a very important annual event for the College and we will value the views that Senator Joyce will share with us”.

Anyone wishing to attend this event is welcome to do so but must have reserved a seat. Please call 6773 6700.  The Lecture will begin at 6pm and will be held in the Duval College Dining Hall. 

UNE Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Annabelle Duncan said the visit was a further opportunity to strengthen the long standing association between UNE and  Bhutan.

“The Royal University of Bhutan has now been operating for ten years – a significant achievement – and has more than 40 UNE graduates employed as academics and working in other areas of the Bhutanese economy,” Professor Duncan said.

“UNE currently has 27 Bhutanese students studying here in Armidale, many of whom will return home to use their newly acquired knowledge to improve the lives of their fellow countrymen.

“Together, UNE and the Royal University of Bhutan are greatly improving the education opportunities and quality of life of the Bhutanese people.

“In addition to these and past students, UNE has welcomed more than 150 Bhutanese educators over the past twenty years, conducting short courses and intensive schools in multi-grade education, helping develop small schools and education programs in remote areas of Bhutan,” Professor Duncan said.

Australia Awards are prestigious international scholarships and fellowships funded by the Australian Government, which offer the next generation of leaders from around the world the opportunity to study, research and undertake professional development in Australia, while high-achieving Australians can do the same overseas. 

Australia Awards Fellowships provide short term opportunities for senior officials and mid-career professionals to undertake study, research and professional development activities, hosted by Australian organisations. They aim to develop leadership, address regional development priorities and strengthen links between Australian organisations and partner organisations in developing countries.

Royal University of Bhutan Director of Research and External Relations, Dr Dorji Thinley, who received his Doctorate Cum Laude from UNE in 2011, leads the delegation of Bhutanese Australia Awards recipients.

“The central theme of the program is about building capacity in leadership to improve education and research at the Royal University of Bhutan,” Dr Thinley said.

“All of the participants are Deans and Heads of School and leaders in their fields in research, education and learning in Bhutan.

“Each of us will spend a large part of the next three weeks shadowing our UNE counterparts, learning all we can and generating ideas that we can adopt or adapt to our work at the Royal University of Bhutan.”

The project, funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, is led by Dr Julian Prior.  Dr Prior comments “The objectives of the project are threefold. Firstly to analyse the livelihood and survival strategies used by the poor in order to develop targeted agriculture technologies that meet their needs. Secondly to identify the most appropriate agricultural extension strategies and lastly to expand and increase the effectiveness of Myanmar’s agricultural research.”

UNE will be collaborating with Myanmar’s only agricultural university, Yezin Agricultural University (YAU). YAU’s lecturers and postgraduate students will help with research field work and at the same time UNE will be responsible for building their research capacity. Dr Prior states another outcome of the collaboration “will be the development of an agricultural extension curriculum at the University.”

Although YAU is embarking on an aggressive expansionary phase, Myanmar is just emerging from 50 years of a secretive and oppressive military regime, hence lasting progress will take time and hard work. According to Dr Prior, Professor Tin Htut, YAU Rector, “is a man of strong leadership with a great vision for his university, so he will meet the challenges head on. Despite limited educational resources he produces 400 graduates each year but currently they struggle to find jobs. UNE aims to help address this issue by supporting the government in tackling institutional constraints..’

Dr Prior comments “With the opening up of Myanmar things are changing rapidly and in the last 18 months cities have seen a major growth in vehicle traffic, building construction and the influx of international businessmen.”  A symbol of the country opening up to the West was the visit of President Obama in August 2012 and in the weeks that followed, Professor Tin Htut received overtures from five American universities. It is hoped in this changing environment that the benefits of the collaboration between UNE and YAU will flourish as the level of trust and engagement with Myanmar organisations builds.

Dr Prior’s project is one of two research projects UNE is undertaking with Myanmar, the other, led by Professor David Herridge focuses on grain legume breeding.

In a recently published article in The Journal of Sex Research, UNE School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Science researcher Professor John Scott and his colleagues document how sex work has increased its geographic and client reach in recent years.

Professor Scott said the research shows male sex workers are a widely diverse group.

“Male sex workers are frequently in their 20s and 30s, some hold university qualifications, come from diverse socioeconomic households and sexual orientations,” Professor Scott said.

“Likewise their clients are equally as diverse.  They are aged in their 30s or 40s and identified as ‘middle class’ and it is not uncommon for both men and women to seek the sexual services of male escorts.

“Our research found that less than half the clients were identified as being gay and a significant number were identified as bisexual or straight’.”

The researchers argue the use of the internet is playing an important role in changing the nature of men selling sex to others.

 “This is one of the major changes in the sex industry. Escort sites for both female and male sex workers are big business, with some sites attracting more hits than major industries, such as airlines,” Professor Scott said.

“We used to think about sex work as being a highly urban phenomenon, but we have seen increases in sex work in rural areas in recent years and most recently the phenomenon of fly-in-fly-out and drive-in-drive-out sex workers.”

Professor Scott argues that one of the consequences of the increased reach of sex industry services through the internet and mobile phone is that sexual services have become increasingly specialized, catering to a broader range of tastes and desires.

“The Internet and e-sexual health provides great opportunity to create healthier and safer sexual interactions between clients and escorts and opportunities to explore the diverse range of sexual fantasies found in human behaviour,” he said.

The project is now seeking to interview clients of male sex workers to learn more about the experiences of this diverse group.

“Despite evidence of significant growth in the industry, there is little previous research engaging with the clients of male sex workers,” Professor Scott said.

“If you have been a client of a male sex worker, we would like you to become involved in our study, which allows you to share your experience and speak confidentially on a toll free line 1800 885 240.”

To learn more about this research, please visit http://www.talkaboutmalesexwork.com.

Blood injection injury phobia is classified as a specific phobia which includes a persistent, intense and irrational fear of the presence or anticipation of blood, injury and/or injection. The phobia can affect sufferers in a number of different ways and in extreme cases restrict or limit a sufferer’s everyday life and career options.

Sufferers of blood injection injury phobia can be affected by the personal experience of injury or injection or the experience of seeing a third party in a situation which triggers the presence of blood, injury or injection (either human or animal third parties).

A distinctive feature of this phobia is its unusual manifestation – in many cases it leads to lowered blood pressure and ultimately, fainting. However, a number of sufferers respond with an accelerated heart rate, high level of anxiety or arousal or a sick feeling to the stomach.

1 – 3% of adults face blood injection injury phobia, however many don’t do anything about it. Phobias generally result in high anxiety and avoidance; this can be dangerous to individuals if they avoid injection or faint and hurt themselves or others around them in an emergency situation. 

The University of New England study is open to people suffering from blood injection injury phobia who are interested in finding out more about the disorder. Researchers will provide participants with greater information about the phobia and then analyse the effects of the information.

Participation in the study would take a minimum of 60 minutes and initially involve the completion of a short questionnaire, followed by receiving to information about the phobia and later filling in another questionnaire. Some participants might be requested to complete a final 5-minute follow up questionnaire about 8 weeks after that.

To participate in the study, individuals must be 18 years or older and have a blood-injection-injury phobia.

Any information or personal details gathered in the course of the study will remain confidential

For more information on the project, or to discuss the possibility of participating, please contact psychology student Ava Read at aread3@une.edu.au or Associate Professor of Psychology John Malouff at jmalouff@une.edu.au.

The fashion parade, which will take place on the 4^th of May at the Armidale Ex Services Club, helps raise funds in support of the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI). Last year almost $10,000 was raised but this year will see an even bigger extravaganza with the Vice Chancellor, Jim Barber, participating in one of the dance routines which will kick off the show.

Nearly half the residents of College will be involved as will much of the local community and sponsor New England Mutual. Hayley Simpton, Fashion Parade Coordinator, comments “The whole community works together to create this night. We have fun and we are giving back to the community. It is an event that we strongly urge the community to support and participate in as we work to link the students, university and community to work towards a successful and happy night.”

All are welcome to the fashion parade, one of the largest charitable events in the residential colleges of the University of New England, which draws attention to local Armidale Fashion Houses. The funds raised will be combined with other components of the fundraising campaign coordinated by the Coast Run Committee and presented to the CMRI during the fashion parade.

Entry will begin at 7 pm for a 7.30 pm start. Tickets – $30 for adults, $25 for students and $15 for children under 15 – can be bought from the Earle Page College Office (phone 6773 5300). Tickets will also be available at the door. Tables for 10 are available: please book in advance.

UNE Vice-Chancellor Jim Barber said this week’s announcement was welcome recognition of the quality work of the collaborative research partnerships between UNE and NSW State and Federal Government Departments.

“The University of New England aims to be the nation’s university of choice for research into regional issues of global significance and is highly regarded for the quality of its research that is of particular significance to rural and regional communities,’ Professor Barber said.

“Through this program, UNE has been a significant contributor to the Federal Government’s Climate Change Research Program, and this week’s announcement will allow our leading agricultural and environmental scientists to continue their groundbreaking research into farming management practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and store additional soil carbon.”

UNE received grant funding for the following three projects under Round 2 of the Federal Government’s Filling the Research Gap Program:

• Genetics to reduce methane emissions from Australian sheep                $810,314
• Impacts of Carbon Farming methodologies on whole-farm systems     $532,613
• Importance of ‘deep’ soil carbon to long-term carbon storage                $513,414

UNE Professor of Animal Nutrition, Roger Hegarty, leads both livestock emissions projects and says this research is the next step in delivering real greenhouse management tools for farmers.

“Our UNE-NSW Department of Primary Industries partnership has previously shown that methane emission yield from livestock is a heritable trait, so genetic improvement is possible” Professor Hegarty said.

“This funding boost will enable us to develop simpler ways of measuring these emissions in order to make genetic change in emissions commercially viable across large numbers of animals.

Dr Brian Wilson who leads the soil carbon component of the work emphasised the value of research partnerships with NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, CSIRO and ANSTO in building this key research project to examine long-term carbon storage to offset greenhouse gas emissions.

Each of these projects paves the way for farmers and landholders to employ different management strategies to manage emissions without compromising productivity and to draw benefit from the current Carbon Farming Initiative.

 Mr Watkins is a former NSW Deputy Premier and Education Minister and is currently the CEO of Alzheimer’s Australia- NSW.

 UNE Vice-Chancellor Jim Barber said Mr Watkins was an excellent choice as the University’s eighth Chancellor. “I am looking forward to the fresh approach and ideas Mr Watkins will bring to the position,” Professor Barber said.

 Mr Watkins said he was honoured to take on the position. “UNE has a proud history of being innovative in its approach to the delivery of education and I look forward to continuing that tradition,” he said.

 “Since joining the UNE Council in 2012, I have gained an appreciation of the challenges and opportunities which lie ahead for UNE. I have great respect for Professor Barber and believe we will work well together to deliver the strategic vision of the University.

 “I would like to thank the Deputy Chancellor, Dr Geoffrey Fox, for his on-going hard work and leadership, especially during the transition between Chancellors.”

 Professor Barber said that Mr Watkins takes over the leadership of the University at a very good time in its history.  “UNE has turned the corner financially and over the last three years we have seen record growth in student enrolments. Our healthy financial position has allowed us to finally embark on delivering our capital works program, which includes the building of a new residential college and a new agricultural education building.

 “We are also making significant progress on achieving our ambitious Strategic Plan which is focused on finding innovative solutions to the new demand driven higher education environment.

 “The launch of our Future Campus this week in Parramatta is further evidence of our innovative approach to the delivery of higher education. Through state-of-the-art technology, the Future Campus will offer our students better access to flexible tertiary learning, enhancing their overall student experience.

 ”I look forward to working with Mr Watkins on delivering UNE’s Strategic Plan and ensuring we remain a leader in flexible learning in Australia,” Professor Barber said.

The University of New England will today unveil the future of flexible tertiary education with the opening of its first Future Campus in Western Sydney.The UNE Future Campus is a technology-enabled learning innovation hub in the heart of Parramatta to support the more than 2,000 UNE students living and studying in the region.

UNE Vice-Chancellor Jim Barber said the Parramatta pilot would be the model for new Future Campuses to be rolled out across Australia, with a second Future Campus to be opened in Tamworth in 2014.

“We have a long history of pioneering distance education that began in the 1950s with Australia’s first distance learning courses,” Professor Barber said.

“Now technology has allowed us to remove the “distance” from education and bring face-to-face online learning to people in the areas in which they live.

“With increasing numbers of people looking to study later in life, they need to know there are support facilities available that will allow them to juggle lifestyle commitments such as work and family.

“They also benefit from close personal support from staff, something that UNE is renowned for, and the Future Campus is proof of our commitment to making it easier for people of all walks of life, to access quality tertiary education.”

The campus delivers the latest in teleconferencing and telepresence technology that will enable students to participate in lectures, tutorials and study groups being conducted at the UNE’s Armidale Campus or other locations around the world, allowing them to actively participate in discussions as if they were actually present in the campus lecture rooms.

“Parramatta is fast becoming an area of high economic growth and the new Future Campus brings us closer to this growing market, as well as our thousands of existing students in the greater Western Sydney area,” Professor Barber said.

“Next year, we will be expanding the concept into Tamworth, delivering these same opportunities to UNE’s thousands of students across the North West.”

The Parramatta Future Campus was made possible through financial support from the Australian Government’s Structural Adjustment Fund.

UNE will celebrate the opening of the Future Campus today (April 19, 2013) with an academic procession, a graduation presentation ceremony, interactive technology displays and a community street party.

The series will explore some of the major factors which influence mental health and the way in which nurses’ contribute to the well-being of rural communities. The six topics that will be addressed include; mood & food, natural disasters, suicide, adapting to change, social media and mental health first aid responses.

Following serious government cutbacks in the last 18 months, most notably a decrease in funding for the Medicare funded Mental Health Nurse Incentive Program (MHNIP) and the Better Access programs, rural areas have been left vulnerable.  ‘Bush Remedies’ delves deeply into the complex issues that influence mental health in rural  locations in order to promote rural mental health resilience, raise awareness of the enduring problems these communities face and highlight the channels of support  available.

With the government withdrawing funds from these areas and mental health problems far outweighing those in urban areas the research and resources of regional universities have become increasingly important.  Presenter of this series Rhonda Wilson, lecturer in Mental Health Nursing at University of New England, is currently collaborating with other academics in this field to publish an important review on the impact of social media on mental health in rural areas. Bush Remedies will examine this area in week five and try to answer fundamental questions such as; how it is being used, the adaption rate and whether it is an effective tool.

Whilst extensive research for this programme has been undertaken at the University of New England, the issues it raises are applicable nationally and the patterns found are essential in helping rural communities plan for the future

The new Australian curriculum will gradually see each key learning area implement a new syllabus nationwide over the next few years and the social sciences will be taught as separate disciplines in contrast to the current integrated Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) syllabus. UNE is proactively leading the response to the changes by focusing on the relationship between students and local resources and actively looking at how learning at the site will help students meet the outcomes of the new curriculum.

“It is crucial for us to teach students both the current HSIE syllabus and new History and Geography syllabuses to ensure they are ready to implement the new syllabuses after they graduate. Having first-hand experience of fieldwork, the skills needed and how to put these into practice from both a learning and planning perspective should prove invaluable for our social science students in their future careers” commented School of Education lecturer, Madeline Fussell.

The Saumarez site which was established in the 1830s, includes a house, gardens and farming areas all of which remain largely untouched, providing students with an insight into family life, changes in technology and an understanding of the class structure of the time. The fieldwork trip will teach university students how to plan and programme a unit of study as they will simulate the role of primary students and learn firsthand the practicalities involved in leading a local excursion.

“We are extremely grateful to Saumarez for their assistance with this fieldwork and their enthusiasm in setting up an educational program for primary students that meets the requirements of the Australian Curriculum in history and geography” said School of Education lecturer, Kim Porter.

Les Davis, property manager, at Saumarez homestead said; “It is a wonderful opportunity to expose students to Saumarez House – the house, the gardens and farm so they are aware of the richness and diversity the areas offer for studies in history and geography. The partnership with UNE creates awareness that Saumarez exits and this can benefit students both personally and in their future careers.” 

The fieldwork trip was also hailed a success by UNE’s education students who noted that the trip would have huge benefits for students, demonstrating clearly how to make teaching history a hands on experience.

For more information about Saumarez homestead please visit: http://www.nationaltrust.org.au/nsw/SaumarezHomestead

UNE Vice-Chancellor Jim Barber said that day one of the Autumn graduations in 2013 will see five awards conferred for the first time.  

“Five years ago we started a Joint Medical Program (JMP) with the University of Newcastle and today that partnership marks an important milestone with 46 students graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine,” Professor Barber said.  

“Many of these students have already gained employment in regional and rural referral hospitals across NSW, including in Tamworth, Dubbo, Port Macquarie and Taree.

“Our medical program prides itself on actively recruiting students of Indigenous, regional, rural and remote backgrounds and giving them a practical mix of metropolitan, regional, rural and remote experience.”

Professor Barber said that alongside our medical graduates is our first cohort of graduates from the Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying), Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science and Graduate Certificate in Precision Agriculture. 

“UNE is proud to be a regionally-based, globally networked university focussed on research, training and education that is of particular importance to rural and regional communities.

“Today we have demonstrated our commitment to this goal.

“I wish all the graduates every success in their chosen careers and am pleased to welcome them into our alumni,” Professor Barber said. 

Over the next eight days UNE will graduate more than 2000 students, 900 of whom will attend one of the four graduation ceremonies in Armidale.

Ms Gillard acknowledged the occasion as a ‘wonderful landmark’ of achievement for the graduates and wished them every success. “I know each of you will make an outstanding contribution to our nation and its future. It’s also a landmark in the life of UNE — the first ever graduates from the School of Rural Medicine,” said the Prime Minister.

Professor Victor Minichiello, Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of The Professions, oversaw the development of UNE’s School of Rural Medicine. “This day belongs to everyone who played a role in the graduation of these fine men and women who will make a difference to Australia’s medical workforce, and particularly to the determination of these students to reach their aspiration and dream of being responsible and caring doctors. The Prime Minister, like the previous Commonwealth government, has been great supporters of the School of Rural Medicine and the Joint Medical Program, and we thank them for their support,” said Professor Minichiello.

The development of the JMP expands on the long-term commitment of many medical and community stakeholders within the region to improve equity of access to health care for patients and improve health services in rural areas of Australia.

Ms Gillard also congratulated graduates from the School of Science and Technology and the School of Health, including UNE’s first Social Work graduates.

Click to view Prime Minister Gillard’s message to UNE graduates.

The visit, titled the Tour of Honour, will enable the recipients of one of our nation’s most prestigious awards program to meet with university students and staff to share their stories and inspire national pride. The one hour Q&A session (11.45am-12.45pm) will allow students and staff an opportunity to listen to and ask questions of these great Australians.

Shane Phillips has dedicated much of his life to working with young people in child protection, juvenile justice and the law. Currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Tribal Warrior Association Inc, the organisation is passionate about providing quality training for employment skills, empowering youth and extending practical support by distributing food and groceries to struggling families. 

“I was humbled to be named the 2013 Australia’s Local Hero, because there are so many people who deserve this award,” said Shane Phillips.  “I’m particularly excited about the Tour of Honour throughout NSW because it will give me an opportunity to speak directly with young Australians in regional communities about the importance of supporting one another.”

Young Australian of the Year, Corey Payne, shares a similar passion for improving the lives of  young people and believes a visit to the area will provide a great opportunity to learn more about the regional and rural challenges that are faced by young people in securing equal educational opportunities.

“I am honoured to be Australia’s Local Hero for 2013, because I am representing the thousands of Australians who work hard every day to make the lives of their community better in their own special way,” said Shane Phillips.

To register your intent to attend (and to assist with seating), please email events@une.edu.au

Replicating a ‘real life’ workplace online, the purpose built learning environment is designed to support students by providing in situ scenarios and content, focusing on the development of practical skills. This allows students a self paced online learning experience while supporting UNE’s strategy to create flexible and interactive online learning scenarios.

The project was developed in response to feedback from former students and potential employers in the local business community who highlighted the need for the development of practical skills and understanding of interactions between concepts to further improve the work readiness of graduates.

The program features several types of video content and accompanying academic content. This includes topic-specific engagement videos centred on a main case study (lasting from between 1-7 minutes), pre-recorded ‘lectures’ (from a workplace perspective) and previous example database content with questions and step-by-step solutions linked to theory.

This content ensure students meet the same learning outcomes as before in a non-threatening environment – encouraging students to think back to the basics, ask colleagues and friends for help or pose questions using online forums.

The project also assists lecturers to break down barriers and encourages students, particularly international students, to feel comfortable approaching their lecturers without fear of offense.

Leopold Bayerlein says “If students are encouraged to interact with their teacher and feel that questions, comments and feedback are welcome and encouraged they can get so much more out of the course and maximise their learning outcomes.”

Activities, assignments and exams in the program are also presented from the perspective of a workplace. Students will receive weekly emails prompting them to complete online tasks based on the workplace scenario, including things like emails from their supervisor or colleagues.

UNE are currently monitoring student feedback and the learning outcomes achieved by students with hopes to publish findings in peer reviewed academic literature in the second half of 2013. Student testers are currently working through the alternate reality learning environment and feedback has been positive.

On 6 March 2013, The University of New England hosted a showcase event at Booloominbah, to discuss the project, attracting approximately 50 guests from across UNE, the Armidale (and regional) business community and business studies coordinators/career advisors from local high schools.

The APS award recognises excellence in psychology and is awarded annually to one student from each tertiary or higher education provider offering an APS programme in psychology. The APS is committed to spreading the message that psychologists make a difference to peoples’ lives through improving scientific knowledge and community wellbeing. Michael’s thesis, Understanding Hypersexuality, which helped define him as UNE’s top student, draws on scientific research to help the community understand the personality profile of persons engaging in unsafe sexual practices and “sex addicts.”  

Michael’s research explores the dimensions of hypersexuality, the extremely frequent or sudden increase in sexual activity, through the examination of sexual theories of dual control, impulsivity and compulsivity. He explores the mood and personality factors associated with sexual inhibition and exhibition, and sexual impulsivity and compulsivity, to predict what type of character is predisposed to hypersexuality.

From a sample of 507 participants Michael concluded that whilst hypersexuality was most common in those who were both easily sexually excited and sexually inhibited, and in those who suffered from anxiety or depression, generally mood and personality factors did not interact to predict hypersexuality. Notably age and gender were the most accurate indicators predicting hypersexuality. Contrary to what one might expect, child sexual abuse, bipolar disorder and openness to new experiences were unrelated to hypersexual behaviour. Michael concluded that although multiple theories exist to predict hypersexuality, a core personality that predisposes people toward hypersexual behaviour may exist.

Michaels’s research both answers and asks many questions relevant to today’s society. With this award, Michael is granted a one year associated membership to the APS, which will give him the ideal medium to explore this important topic further.

Sarah has been selected for the cover under the 2013/14 theme Keeping Our Communities Healthy, which recognises the selfless Australians who go above and beyond to improve the quality of life for locals in their area.

In 2001, after her brother Ben died following a battle with schizophrenia, Sarah established Walking Feat Inc, to raise awareness about mental health and to honour plans her and Ben had made to go on a trek together. Beginning with a 600 kilometre walk along the Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia, Sarah has since embarked on a number of epic walks across France, Spain and Japan.

In total, Sarah’s walks have raised $20,000 for SANE Australia. On the way, Sarah has also hosted numerous information sessions to increase regional Australia’s awareness and understanding of mental illness.

Most recently, Sarah embarked on her fourth Walking Feat Inc trek, a three-month walk from Armidale to Melbourne, arriving at her destination on World Suicide Prevention Day in 2012.

“I feel so lucky and honoured to be selected by Sensis for the cover of the Tamworth phone book. It is such a great opportunity to really spread the word and increase awareness and understanding of mental illness,” Sarah said.

Each year, Sensis^®, the publisher of the White Pages^® and Yellow Pages^®, recognises the efforts of local people in their communities by celebrating their achievements on the cover of its books.

White Pages^® Product Manager Sarah Simpson said this year’s theme, Keeping Our Communities Healthy, celebrates people committed to improving the health of Australian communities.

“Health is an issue that affects us all and at the centre of good health are the selfless men and women who devote their time to improving others’ quality of life,” she said.

“We are delighted to recognise Sarah’s efforts keeping her community healthy. She is someone who is making a positive impact on health and wellbeing in the Tamworth region.”

Local cattle producers in particular are encouraged to attend the informal lecture, which will focus on “Key findings of North American beef feed efficiency studies”, a topic of  benefit to researchers and cattle producers seeking to improve feed efficiency in their herd.

Dr Shike is in Australia as a guest judge of cattle at the Royal Easter Show and is visiting UNE at the invitation of the NSW Department of Primary Industries, the New England branch of the Australian Society of Animal Production and the Angus Society of Australia.

Following the free lecture, attendees will have the opportunity to inspect the new beef cattle chambers on the UNE campus. With 10 chambers, it is the biggest facility in the world for studying methane greenhouse-gas burped out by beef cattle.

The talk will be held on Wednesday 27 March 2013, at 1pm in the Animal Science Lecture Theatre, located upstairs in the NSW DPI Beef Industry Centre, on the UNE campus.

Please contact Robert Herd, 02 6770 1808 and robert.herd@dpi.nsw.gov.au, for further information.

UNE Chancellor Richard Torbay has congratulated Vice-Chancellor Jim Barber on being named in The Australian newspapers “Top 50 in Higher Education” list for 2013.

“Professor Barber is just one of five Vice-Chancellors to make the list and along with Professor Sandra Harding (James Cook University) is one of only two based at a regional university,” Mr Torbay said

“This is a great achievement and is testimony to the high regard in which he is held within the higher education sector.

“Professor Barber is willing to be innovative and push the boundaries to ensure that UNE maintains its competitive edge.

“For example, UNE is the first university in Australia to announce its open online courseware offering, UNE Open, will provide the opportunity for students to gain advanced standing into a range of UNE degrees.

“This has the potential to make study more affordable and available to both domestic and international students.

“I applaud the Vice-Chancellor on making this year’s list and look forward to seeing his innovation in action throughout this year,” Mr Torbay said.

The Conference aims to be a regular, national forum to exchange ideas and provide updates on the opportunities and challenges faced by agriculture in Australia’s digital economic future.  The conference will involve business leaders, technology developers, farmer groups and regional development groups.

Ultimately a national broadband communications network offers enormous opportunities for Australia’s agricultural sector. In turn, connected farms and their supporting industries and communities will play a significant role in Australia’s digital economic future.

Registration will open soon, but you are invited NOW to submit abstracts addressing aspects of the Conference themes:

1. Smart technology: including sensors and sensor networks, immersive and sentinel vision and communication technologies, far-end control and autonomous systems (including UAVs and robotics) for environment and agricultural production.

2. Data and information management: including cloud-based services, interoperability, sharing and security, crowd sourcing and citizen science, remote surveys, web-supported smart phone apps etc.

3. Smart services and decision support systems: application cases including precision agriculture, farm-to-customer retail, remote on-farm product support, teleworking, remote diagnostic and advisory systems including tele- veterinary and tele-agronomic support, assisted living, tele-health, remote extension and training , consumer surveys, intelligent networks for power grid control, emergency and environmental risk management.

The Digital Rural Futures Conference is about building networks and raising awareness of challenges and opportunities across a broad range of fronts. We encourage abstracts designed to introduce your research, your group or institution, your business or your activity to other Conference delegates.

Please visit theConference website www.une.edu.au/smart for submission details.

The Pella Exhibition features artefacts from the ancient city of Pella in Jordan, which is considered one of the significant archaeological digs of our time.

The exhibition goes on public display from Thursday, March 7, in the Dixon Library at UNE.

Adjunct Senior Lecturer in Archaeology at UNE, Dr Pamela Watson, said the generous donation by the Near Eastern Archaeology Foundation at the University of Sydney would be a significant addition to UNE’s extensive collection of artefacts from the Eastern Mediterranean region, already on display in the University’s Museum of Antiquities.

Dr Watson has been involved in the Pella project for 30 years and has recently returned from her latest visit to the site, along with two recent UNE graduates.

“Pella is a magnificent site in the eastern foothills of the north Jordan Valley, situated at the confluence of the major north-south and east-west routes for trade and military conquest,” Dr Watson said.

“The site is significant because it has been more or less continually occupied for the past 10,000 years, while regular conquest and earthquake activity mean that the settlement has been destroyed and rebuilt many times throughout history. Evidence for hominid activity in the immediate region goes back half a million years.

“As we work through more than 20 metres of occupation debris at the Pella excavations, we are uncovering a wealth of information and artefacts about the daily life of the inhabitants through thousands of years.

“Recent discoveries at Pella have led archaeologists to re-examine accepted timelines in relation to significant historic events, such as the precise year of invasion by the Jewish king Alexander Jannaeus in the 1^st Century BCE, or more generally, the first ever flowering of urban settlement at the beginnings of the Early Bronze Age.”

Director of the University of Sydney’s Pella Excavations, Dr Stephen Bourke will present a public lecture Pella through the Ages: Key discoveries in the light of recent work, at 10am on Thursday, March 7, in the Letters Room at Dixon Library.

The Pella Exhibition will be open to the public from 8am to 5pm, weekdays, throughout March in the Dixon Library at UNE.

From 1703 papers published between 1985 and 2012, Associate Professor Andrew’s group examined how climate change affecting insects is being assessed, what factors are being tested and the localities of studies. The team found that while research predicting how insects will respond to a rapidly changing climate is still in its infancy, current research gives a good basis for how the scientific community are attempting to assess insect responses.

In particular, the team identified a crucial need for broader studies of ecological, behavioural, physiological and life history responses across a greater range of geographic locations, particularly in areas of high human population growth and habitat modification.

 “It is well understood that species that are rare and have a restricted distribution may be highly vulnerable to human-induced climate change. However, the responses of common species to climate change are still poorly understood. It is anticipated that because they are common they are resilient and have a high adaptive capability to rapid change. However, extreme ecological changes can occur when the populations of common species go through a rapid and severe fluctuation.” Associate Professor Andrew said.

This research directly links to Associate Professor Andrew’s long-term achievements in climate change research, entomology, ecology and zoology with his recent achievements in physiology, behaviour, and genetics research.

 Associate Professor Andrew’s research interests span a range of interlinked topics of significance to biological and geographical diversity.