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Events for the public
 October 2012
Monday 22
12:00 - SEMINAR - LIWA Medical Research Seminar Series : Dr Keith Giles presents "Tumour suppressor activity of microRNA-7 and microRNA-331-3p" Website | More Information
LIWA invites you to a free seminar on: "Tumour suppressor activity of microRNA-7 and microRNA-331-3p" by Dr Keith Giles, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR). Time: 12 noon for light lunch with 12.30pm – 1.30pm presentation.

18:00 - PUBLIC LECTURE - Genetics and the Future of Medicine Website | More Information
This 2012 Ian Constable Lecture will be given by Matt Brown, Professor of Immunogenetics & Director, Diamantina Institute University of Queensland.

Genetics is a relatively recent discipline of medical practice and research. The field has always promised much in terms of the insights into causes of disease, and its use to predict disease risk, but only in recent years has it looked likely to deliver on that potential. Genetics may now enable medicine to move from therapy to disease prevention, and is providing fascinating insights as to how human diseases arise. There is much to be done to prepare us for the genetics era - and to protect us from it. However the potential of this one field to radically improve the health of our community makes these worthwhile tasks.

The annual Ian Constable lecture is presented by the Lion's Eye Institute and the Institute of Advanced Studies at UWA.

Free. RSVP via: http://www.ias.uwa.edu.au/lectures/2012-ijclecture
Tuesday 23
18:00 - PUBLIC LECTURE - **SOLD OUT** Universities in 2020 � will we need them? Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and their impact Website | More Information
An Inquiring Minds Lecture by Associate Professor David Glance Director, UWA Centre for Software Practice.

The availability of free online university courses from the world’s most prestigious institutions threatens to bring about radical change in the way the world accesses education. The first course offered by Stanford University in this way attracted 160,000 students. For the first time, anyone with an internet connection in any part of the world can take a university course and receive a credit for it. With this access comes the possibility of millions of people who could only dream of taking courses at Harvard or MIT being able further their education and with it the range of possibilities in their lives. Critics however have been quick to raise objections: it has been done before and failed; online courses will provide no support for students who struggle; universities will give up once they discover they can’t make money from the process; and how do you verify that someone actually did the course? From an Australian perspective, there are questions of how our universities will respond to the MOOCs which are largely coming from the United States. Will the world really benefit from a US focussed view? Can Australia bring something unique to the world in both its expertise and culture? Using examples from a course that the speaker actually completed “Introduction to Sociology”, David Glance will discuss what a MOOC is, how it is run and how it is different from previous distance learning and online courses. There is no doubt that this is a huge change in the education landscape and Associate Professor Glance believes that Australia does and will have something to contribute to that change.

Cost: Free, but reservation essential. Book a seat (unreserved): http://www.ias.uwa.edu.au/lectures/david-glance
Wednesday 24
16:00 - SEMINAR - CWR Presents : ‘Tropical Limnology; Is there such a branch of limnology? If so, what does it represent?’ Website | More Information
The branch of limnology often referred to as ‘Tropical’ limnology is represented by lake studies as diverse as those from alpine, high elevation lakes in Papua New Guinea to athallasic saline lakes located in tropical desert climes.

Thus it can be argued that the internal variability in the limnological characteristics of tropical lakes may well be as great as that found between tropical lakes and temperate and sub-temperate lakes. We will discuss the properties that are assumed when we discuss ‘tropical’ limnology and whether the assumption of their jurisprudence or ‘special’ characteristics is sound. These will include:

- Water Temperature and Density

- Gas solubilities and their implications

- Nutrient cycling and primary production

- Metabolic rates

Bio:

Kevin Boland obtained his Ph.D. from James Cook University. He spent many years as Principal Scientist (Water Quality) with the Northern Territory Government and for the past 17 years has been the Managing Director of Tropical Water Solutions Pty. Ltd., a small, specialist company working in the field of tropical limnology and water quality management.

He has studied tropical limnology for 35 years and is internationally recognised as a leader in this field. He has been involved in studies that encompass most of the lakes located in tropical North Australia and many in South-east Asia and further abroad. His insight into tropical lakes includes both the technical and social issues that affect contemporary attitudes to lakes of the tropical belt.

In recent years Kevin has observed a renewal of respect for the value of tropical lakes not only as resources but also as a source for social cohesion within indigenous and non-indigenous communities. In his words paraphrased from Ivan Illyich ‘ We now talk about H2O and water as separate entities and are starting to understand their interactions and future roles for communities and social well-being’.

PS* This seminar is free and open to the public & no RSVP required.

****All Welcome****

Thursday 25
13:00 - ALUMNI EVENT - Council of Convocation Annual Elections : Annual Election to the Council of Convocation Website | More Information
Nominations are now open for election to be member of the Council of Convocation. Download nomination forms from http://www.graduates.uwa.edu.au/news

Nominations close at 5.00pm Friday, 14 December 2012

13:10 - PERFORMANCE - School of Music Presents: Free Lunchtime Concert: UWA String Orchestra led by Paul Wright Website | More Information
Be transported away from the everyday with our exciting line-up of Thursday 1.10pm, free lunchtime concerts. This year's revamped Lunchtime Concert series features the best of our students in solo and small ensemble performance.

18:00 - PERFORMANCE - Sung Eucharist for the Friends and Alumni of The Winthrop Singers : Sung Eucharist with the Winthrop Singers at St George's College Chapel Website | More Information
Introit: Purcell Hear my prayer, O Lord

William Byrd: Mass for Four Voices

Motet: Bruckner Christus factus est

Hymn: My song is love unknown

18:00 - EVENT - SOLD OUT *** Is Australia going west? Will Perth be the capital of Australia by 2050? Website | More Information
A public forum with Professors Geoffrey Blainey AC and Geoffrey Bolton AO, presented by the UWA Institute of Advanced Studies and Faculty of Arts.

The discussion will be chaired by renowned Australian journalist and broadcaster, Geraldine Doogue.

Two of Australia’s most eminent historians, Professors Geoff Bolton and Geoff Blainey, long-time sparring partners, discuss Perth’s increasing significance on the national scene. Today Western Australia’s booming economy bankrolls the nation. Are there parallels with the past? Were there similar trends during the Western Australian gold boom of the 1890s, when the population of the colony quadrupled and thousands of the unemployed, professionals and labourers alike, fled depressed conditions in the eastern colonies. In the 1890s the vast majority of new West Australians were male. Is this the case today? And what does it mean for the future? By 2050 will Western Australia’s natural resources — its iron ore and natural gas — have generated such vast increases in population and wealth that the economic centre of the nation will have shifted west? Or will our riches have all run out?
Friday 26
16:00 - MEMORIAL LECTURE - Australia: Security Council Member and Foreign Policy : Dr Joan Trevelyan Memorial lecture by Dr Sue Boyd. More Information
Sue Boyd spent 34 years as an Australian diplomat, including as High Commissioner in Fiji, also accredited to Tuvalu, Nauru and the Pacific Islands Forum (1999 -2003). She was Consul General in Hong Kong (1998-9), Ambassador in Vietnam (1994-98) and High Commissioner in Bangladesh (1986-89). She is a member of the Senate of the University of Western Australia and chair of the External Environment and the Centenary Planning Committees; an Independent Director of Volunteering WA and the Australian Institute of International Affairs; External Advisory Board Member of RRRT – the Pacific regional Human Rights Organisation and works as an executive business coach.

Her experience includes working with Australian Aboriginal communities, with government and with business. She was born in India, went to thirteen schools in five countries, speaks several languages, and has been based in Australia since 1966. She is an Arts Graduate from UWA and also has a Diploma in education and an Honorary Doctorate. She was the first woman President of the UWA Guild of Undergraduates.
Sunday 28
9:00 - EVENT - The UWA Science Experience 2013 : A three-day program of science events Website | More Information
Applications CLOSE 30th November for the Science Experience 2013. Current year 9 and 10 students apply on-line at the Science Experience website. Late applications will be accepted if a place is available. To check whether a program is fully booked at any time go to www.scienceexperience.com.au/when-where/wa

The Science Experience is a three day program of events for students about to enter Year 10 and Year 11. The program is held Tuesday 15th - Thursday 17th January 2013 and is designed to excite students about science and technology and introduce the students to the variety of career options in science and engineering, with the aim that more will choose to study and pursue a career in science.
Tuesday 30
16:00 - PUBLIC LECTURE - The Islamisation Phenomenon in Malaysia : Mr Bob Olivier will be discussing the Islamisation phenomenon that has been occurring around the world in recent decades that has had a significant impact on Muslim communities. More Information
The Islamisation phenomenon that has been occurring around the world in recent decades has had a significant impact on Muslim communities, whether they are in Muslim-majority countries, or as immigrant communities in host countries such as Europe, the US and Australia. It has also had an indirect impact on the non-Muslim communities of the above- mentioned countries. Both types of impact have at times been negative.

Malaysia has also been affected by this phenomenon, and over the last forty years or so has seen some significant changes as a consequence. The question arises if the generally modern professional Muslim classes of Malaysia are comfortable with this phenomenon, or not? The lecture sets out the context for exploring their reactions by discussing the extent and nature of the Islamisation phenomenon in Malaysia.

Bob Olivier is a doctoral candidate at the Centre for Muslim States and Societies, and Political Science and International Relations at the University of Western Australia. He is undertaking research into the nature and extent of the Islamisation phenomenon in Malaysia, why and how it occurred, and probes with a selection of the “professional classes” their response to what is happening. Bob founded an executive search company, ASPAC, in Kuala Lumpur. ASPAC grew very rapidly, at its peak having about 60 employees, mostly in Kuala Lumpar, but about 7 in Singapore. Offered services to all sectors, but particularly strong in Financial Services, and Technology. Bob now divides his time equally between Kuala Lumpur and Perth.
Wednesday 31
12:00 - SEMINAR - Accomplished Education Researcher Seminar Series : NAPLAN: Driving school improvement or doing the work of the devil? Website | More Information
Controversy continues to surround national student assessment in Australia. However, I argue that testing is neither good nor bad: the devil lies in what people – teachers, school, systems and even parents – do about the tests and the data they generate. I report the experiences of principals, teachers and curriculum consultants in one educational authority to describe how responsibility for interrogating, interpreting and applying data has gradually shifted from an external top-down approach to an internal bottom-up model in a planned, sustained and centrally supported manner, during the past eight years.

16:00 - SEMINAR - CWR Presents : Pointing at Peak Phosphorus Website | More Information
South-western Australia was a part of Gondwanaland, and some of the most ancient parts of the Earth’ crust can be found here. Other parts of the landscape originated more recently from calcareous marine deposits [1]. Therefore, the soils of Western Australia are amongst the most heavily leached and nutrient-impoverished in the world. Moreover, the soils on lateritic profiles tightly bind phosphate, so that, phosphorus (P) is also poorly available to plants that are not adapted to these conditions. The old, climatically buffered ancient landscape (OCBIL) of south-western Australia is also one of the world’s hotspots of higher plant species diversity [2]. Therefore, this environment offers a unique opportunity to study plant adaptations to nutrient-poor conditions [3, 4].

A relatively large proportion of species from the P-poor environments in Western Australia cannot produce an association with mycorrhizal fungi, but, instead, produce cluster roots or dauciform roots [5, 6]. These specialised roots are an adaptation both in structure and in functioning; they release large amounts of exudates, in particular carboxylates [7]. Cluster-root-bearing Proteaceae in Western Australia occur on the most P-impoverished soils, whereas the mycorrhizal Myrtaceae tend to inhabit the less P-impoverished soils in this region [8].

The functioning of cluster roots in Proteaceae and Fabaceae has received considerable attention. Dauciform roots in Cyperaceae have been explored less [9, 10], but they appear to function in a similar manner [11]. The growth of specialised cluster or dauciform roots in species of the Cyperaceae, Fabaceae and Proteaceae is stimulated when plants are grown at a very low P supply, and suppressed when leaf P concentrations increase [5, 7]. These specialised roots are all short-lived structures, and they release large amounts of carboxylates during an ‘exudative burst’ at rates that are considerably faster than reported for non-specialised roots of a wide range of species. The carboxylate release plays a pivotal role in mobilisation of P from P-sorbing soil [5].

Because the world P reserves are being depleted whilst vast amounts of P are stored in fertilised soils, there is a growing need for crops with a high efficiency of P acquisition. Some Australian native species have traits that would be highly desirable for future crops. The possibilities of introducing P-acquisition efficient species in new cropping and pasture systems are currently being explored [12, 13]. In addition, possible strategies to introduce traits associated with a high P-use efficiency into future crop species are considered promising.

High P-use efficiency in Proteaceae includes a highly efficient and proficient mobilisation of P from senescing leaves [14]. In addition, many species operate at extremely low leaf P concentrations exhibiting rates of photosynthesis similar to crop plant; expressed per unit leaf P, their rates of photosynthesis are extraordinarily high [4, 14]. I will explore what traits these species have that allow them to exhibit high rates of photosynthesis at very low leaf P concentrations.

Biography

I was born on a farm in the Netherlands in 1950 and completed my undergraduate degree in biology (1976), with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, followed by research projects in plant physiology and microbiology. I finished my PhD degree (1979) at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, working on (cyanide-resistant) plant respiration and effects of flooding. My PhD supervisors were Dr Rinie Hofstra, and Professors Pieter Kuiper and Rienk Brouwer.

After completion of my PhD, I did postdoctoral work at the University of Western Australia, with Professor John Pate, Melbourne University, with Dr Michael Dalling, and the Research School of Biological Science at the Australian National University, with Professor Barry Osmond, working on various aspects of the metabolism and transport of carbon and nitrogen in wheat, white lupins, and a range of other species. After two years as a postdoctoral fellow back in Groningen, I was offered the chair in Ecophysiology at Utrecht University (in 1985).

While in Utrecht, I continued work on plant respiration and started a new program on the physiological basis of variation in plant growth rate and productivity. Twenty eight fascinating theses have come to fruition under my supervision during that great time.

My teaching activities in ecophysiology have led to the completion of a textbook, Plant Physiological Ecology, Springer, New York, just before I moved to UWA. The textbook was translated in both Chinese and Persian. The second, completely revised edition of this book appeared in 2008.

For three years, after my move to UWA, I maintained a fractional appointment at Utrecht University, to promote exchange of students between Utrecht University and UWA and to build collaborative research programs.

PS* This seminar is free and open to the public & no RSVP required.

****All Welcome****

18:00 - PRESENTATION - 'Becoming an Engineer with UWA' info evening : Prospective students and their parents are invited to attend one of our info sessions to learn more about how to achieve an engineering career with UWA. Website | More Information
Prospective students are invited to attend one of our info sessions to learn more about how to achieve an engineering career with UWA. These sessions will explain course details, career opportunities, prerequisite subjects and how to apply, as well as providing the opportunity for attendees to ask questions and meet Faculty staff.

Whether you're coming to the end of your time at high school and are considering your university study options, or you already have an undergraduate degree and are looking to re-skill or complete postgraduate study, our 'Becoming an Engineer with UWA' information sessions will provide you with the information you need to get your career in engineering headed in the right direction.

If you can't make it to this session, a further session will be held in on 28 November.

Please visit the website for more information and to register your attendance.

 November 2012
Thursday 01
13:10 - PERFORMANCE - School of Music Presents: Free Lunchtime Concert: UWA Flute Choir and Wind & Brass Ensembles Website | More Information
Be transported away from the everyday with our exciting line-up of Thursday 1.10pm, free lunchtime concerts. This year's revamped Lunchtime Concert series features the best of our students in solo and small ensemble performance.

17:30 - VISITING SPEAKER - From Convicts to Carrollup: a history of Fremantle Prison art : Guest Lecture - Fremantle Prison Curators More Information
In the late 1970s pioneering art teacher Steve Culley transformed the Fremantle Prison art program from traditional watercolour painting into a course where ‘ideas unfold in the mind and lock into the creator’s hands, as each pursues his own style of art.’ (Shackles prison newsletter, Spring 1984). Jimmy Pike developed his unique style as a pupil of Steve Cully’s whilst serving time at Fremantle Prison. In this evening talk, Fremantle Prison’s curatorial staff will speak about the history of the prison art program at Fremantle and explore the richness and diversity of the Fremantle Prison art collection, which encompasses graffiti, murals, painted furniture, and more traditional works on paper and canvas.

18:00 - PERFORMANCE - Evensong for All Saints' Day : Evensong with the Winthrop Singers at St George's College Chapel Website | More Information
Evensong for All Saints' Day featuring Britten's Hymn to St Cecilia

Introit: Victoria O quam gloriosum

Responses: Smith

Canticles: Noble in b minor

Anthem: Britten Hymn to St Cecilia
Friday 02
10:00 - EXHIBITION - "In my beginning is my end.." : Perth Arena design and Perth Entertainment Centre demise More Information
Rare insights into the demolition of the iconic Perth Entertainment Centre and the intriguing ideas behind the design of new Perth Arena will be revealed at an exhibition at UWA's Australian Urban Design Research Centre for the month of November. As the Perth Arena begins to host its very first events, the exhibition, In My Beginning is My End, presents the first public glimpse of the secrets within its design while exploring the memory of its predecessor, which for 28 years provided Perth audiences with their first concerts, the bands that influenced them and dates that marked their lives. The exhibition including still and moving image photographs, video, animation, drawings and sculptural constructions brings together renowned West Australian artist, UWA lecturer Dr Jon Tarry and Australia’s most inventive and controversial architects, ARM Architecture with joint venture partners Cameron Chisholm & Nicol.

Free entry, weekdays throughout November 10.00am - 5.00pm

16:00 - ORATION - 2012 WESFARMERS HARRY PERKINS ORATION : Opportunities and challenges for cancer research and treatment - perspective from a cancer centre Website | More Information
Professor Trapani is a world leader in cancer research. His research interests include the immunopathology of viral and auto-immune diseases and cancer immunotherapy. Professor Trapani has published over 230 research papers.

Professor Trapani’s address will focus on the future of cancer treatment. If researchers are claiming so many ‘breakthroughs’, why are so many of my friends getting cancer? Are we really making progress? The answer is a definite ‘yes’ there is much hope and good news… come to hear about how we can work together to reduce the burden of cancer on patients and carers.

The Oration has been established in memory of the late Harry Perkins, who was WAIMR’s inaugural Chairman and the driving force behind the formation of the Institute, whilst he was also Chairman of Wesfarmers. He believed that without a high quality research environment in WA, it would be difficult to recruit and retain the best doctors and, as a consequence, service delivery to the community would suffer.

The Harry Perkins Oration is a FREE event for the community but registration is essential as places are limited.

16:00 - PERFORMANCE - School of Music presents: Music Ensembles Concert More Information
The School of Music invites you and your guests to join us as we celebrate the musical achievements of students from across UWA, who have chosen to broaden and enrich their degrees with music!

In a concert that will take you on journey from the heady lights of Broadway, to the carnival beats of Brazil and beyond. Under the direction of Lee Stanley and Aaron Hales, the Percussion Ensemble and Show Choir will entertain you in a performance showcasing their semester’s work.

Friday 2 November - 4:00- 5:00pm Callaway Music Auditorium Entry is Free

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