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A palpable spirit of togetherness energised yesterday’s inter-campus bushwalk to mark National Reconciliation Week 2017.
The first of two Walk and Talk events this week, each hosted by GUMURRII Student Support Unit, took a record number of participants from Griffith’s Mt Gravatt campus to the Nathan campus under the soft autumn sunshine.
Amidst the mix of students, staff and a 20-strong group from the Murri School was Professor Martin Betts (right), Deputy Vice Chancellor (Engagement), Griffith University.
“This important event, now in its seventh year, has developed into a platform where the university community can enthusiastically celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“Through walking and talking, we continue to foster new understandings, new relationships that bring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader Australian community together.”

National Reconciliation Week is an Australia-wide observance held each year, giving people the chance to come together and share in steps towards healing for the

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The world’s first long-term assessment of mental health effects from adolescents’ late-night mobile use has shown some concerning results.
Research conducted by Griffith University and Murdoch University tracked changes in late-night mobile phone use, sleep, and mental health indicators over three years in a large sample of Australian teens.
They found that adolescents’ late-night mobile phone use was directly linked to poor quality sleep, which subsequently led to poorer mental health outcomes, reduced coping, and lowered self-esteem.
Lead researcher Dr Lynette Vernon, who conducted the study as part of her PhD, said this was the first longitudinal study that had investigated how night phone use and mental health were connected.
“We have demonstrated how poor sleep is the key link connecting an increase in night-time mobile use with subsequent increases in psychosocial issues,” Dr Vernon said.
Overtaking time set aside for sleep
“Heavy mobile phone use becomes a problem when it overtakes essential aspects of adolescent

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Property values around light rail stations on the Gold Coast have risen 30 per cent more and spiked the most during the early planning phases, new research has found.
Researchers from Griffith University, the University of Sydney Business School and the University of Queensland are uncovering new insights into how property values rise when new public transport systems are launched.
Using residential property sales data from 1996 to 2016 the research team compared what happened within 800m of light rail stations with what happened in the area just beyond 800m.
They found property values rose significantly in both locations in the 20-year period but rose 30 per cent more around the light rail stations than they did in the locations further away.
The research from the team behind the ‘Funding on the Line’ Australian Research Council – Linkage Project is being presented at the upcoming World Symposium on Transport and Land Use Research, held

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An Indigenous Support Scholarship will help Kiarna Broomhead focus on her studies alleviating the worry for part-time work as she settles into life as a Griffith University first-year engineering student.
The 17-year-old has been awarded an Indigenous Support Scholarship as part of developer Grocon’s commitment to National Reconciliation Week and wants to become a role model for other indigenous students.
“Going to university and studying engineering is important to me, because I want to be a person that can help others see that their background does not influence their future,” Kiarna said.
Grocon, the builder of the Parklands Project, adjacent to the University’s Gold Coast campus, presented Kiarna with a scholarship to assist with student expenses.
Parklands partnership
Kiarna’s scholarship is the centrepiece of a partnership between Griffith University and the Parklands Project that provides work-integrated learning, graduate placement programs, professional development and industry expertise.
The former Browns Plains State High School student is now living at Southport with

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The powerful role of music in the process of reconciliation has been highlighted by a Griffith University researcher.
Associate Professor Brydie-Leigh Bartleet made her comments as Griffith marks National Reconciliation Week 2017 with the annual Walk and Talk events on Tuesday (May 30) and Thursday (June 1).
This year’s events have added significance nationwide as 2017 marks 25 years since the historic Mabo decision and the 50th anniversary of 1967 referendum where Australians voted overwhelmingly to amend the constitution to include Aboriginal people in the census and allow the Commonwealth to create laws for them.
It is also the 10th anniversary of the launch of Griffith’s Statement on Reconciliation—a public declaration of the university’s commitment to promoting an environment valuing the traditions, protocols and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“Through music and through songs we’re able to acknowledge both past and present injustices,” Associate Professor Bartleet said. “I think that acknowledgement is

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Dog owners rejoice – if your fur friends are inclined to ignore your pleas and commands, help could be at hand.
Social Marketing @ Griffith, in partnership with Redland City Council, is launching ‘Leave It’ a pilot dog training program that starts with a dog friendly event, called DogFest.
A 2017 Griffith University survey of Redland dog owners found that:

57% of dogs dig holes
32% have chewed furniture
10% have caught wildlife and 9% have killed wildlife

DogFest, to be held from 10am to 3pm on Sunday June 4 at Capalaba Regional Park, will feature live music, food trucks, plenty of giveaways and, of course, dog competitions and demonstrations for your four-legged companions.
“Free puppicinos, temporary tattoos, dog tea and more will also be on offer,” said Sharyn Rundle-Thiele, Director, Social Marketing @ Griffith.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the fun-focussed event has a more serious purpose – encouraging dog training.
“This is an exciting initiative that uses innovative techniques

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