Architecture student Sarah Paige was at university during the holidays when lecturer Karine Dupre approached her with a project that would enhance and invigorate her studies in a way she could never have anticipated.
The project will reach a spectacular culmination on Wednesday night, April 4, when the Official Opening Ceremony of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games is beamed to Australia and the world.
On the back of the approach from Associate Professor Dupre, Sarah teamed up with fellow architecture students, Kirra Keating, Brian Mates and Nikki Findlay, to create a 3D model of Carrara Stadium that has played a central functional role in the design of what promises to be a memorable Opening Ceremony.
The talented student group was charged with the task of creating a 1:100 scale model of Carrara Stadium that would enable the ceremony designers to picture and plan each step for the gala show.
“It’s only when you
Category: Griffith University Feed
Griffith’s Checklist for Clubs
Being mindful of your ‘capacity for growth’
Increasing participant or member numbers typically requires that you have enough coaches and managers to cater for the increase in demand. Understand that a ‘waiting list’ of names is not a legacy – it is actually a failure to cater for the increase in demand. From another angle, there is no point taking on another 100 members this season, if it burns the committee out and none of the volunteers or coaches want to come back the following year, and we know this is the reality of growth in community sport.
Has your club/committee discussed what is realistic to expect around Games-time? What would be an ideal scenario? What would you need in place to achieve that? What adjustments do you need to make so this growth is sustainable?
Creating a festival effect
Many people will be fortunate enough to have tickets to attend events, and others
When feathered visitors fly in – it’s OK to give them a feed
Australia’s leading expert on birds says it’s OK to feed wild birds – if done correctly – at home, challenging a widely held attitude that feeding birds is all bad.
Professor Darryl Jones from Griffith’s Environmental Futures Research Institute, has published a new book The Birds at My Table, which has sold exceptionally well since its March 14 release.
More than one-third of Australians feed birds at home, a practice that has seen opposing views from certain groups. Professor Jones encourages people who feed birds at home to enjoy the experience but to be careful not to offer inappropriate foods or too much.
“It’s a treat not a three-course meal,” Professor Jones says.
“This is the only country on the earth where feeding wild birds is strongly discouraged, but despite that, literally millions of people do it and sadly there is very little advice available.
“Part of the responsibility in writing this book is to develop
Griffith Fellow takes up two-year secondment sponsored by Rio Tinto
When Professor Jennifer Marjorie Corbett arrives on 31 March to take up the role of Fellow with Griffith University’s Asia Institute, she won’t have long to adjust to her new surroundings before embarking on another remarkable journey.
From April, Professor Corbett will undertake a two-year role at the University of Tokyo’s School of Engineering as the first Professorial Fellow in the Rio Tinto Australia-Japan Collaboration Program.
During her time in Tokyo, Professor Corbett will be spending her time helping the University to identify, develop and promote collaborative research programs, exchanges and other activities to engage in with academic and industry partners both in Japan and at home in Australia.
“I am honoured to be appointed the inaugural Rio Tinto Fellow, and look forward to helping develop new cooperative research links that deepen and enrich the Australia-Japan relationship,” Professor Corbett said in a statement.
Given Griffith’s commitment to being Australia’s most Asia-engaged university and its long
Griffith grad strikes gold with Games uniforms
Queensland College of Art alumnus Jenna Lee has created stunning artworks that feature prominently on the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Australian team uniforms.
When the Australian athletes enter Carrara Stadium for the Games opening ceremony, they will be decked out in the traditional green and gold. However, the athletes’ formal wear has been given a distinctive twist, with Jenna’s unique print emblazoned on the ties, scarves, belts and blazers.
A proud Larrakia woman, whose family hail from the Northern Territory, Jenna’s work celebrates her diverse heritage.
“My Mum is Caucasian, and my Dad is a mix of Larrakia, Chinese and Japanese – I think that has all shaped my work,” she said.
“I had a very culturally rich upbringing – a lot of my aunties and uncles are artists, and there was always heaps of Aboriginal artwork all over our house.
“My parents are super proud that my work will be showcased at the Games.”
Jenna’s designs
Dami Im lends the X factor to the GC2018 Queen’s Baton Relay
Queensland Conservatorium alumnus Dami Im will be one of the Batonbearers for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) in her hometown of Daisy Hill on April 1.
“To be part of the Queen’s Baton Relay celebration is extra special for me after being part of the GC2018 Charity Gala last year,” she said.
“I am thrilled to be involved in the Queen’s Baton Relay not once – but twice! I got the chance to perform at the shared celebration in Sydney, and will now carry the Queen’s Baton in my hometown.
“The Games are shaping up to be incredible and I can’t wait to be involved again.”
The Masters of Music Studies graduate shot to stardom after winning The X Factor in 2013 and represented Australia in the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest.
Dami joins a host of QBR Batonbearers from Griffith University including:
Professor Emeritus Alan Mackay-Sim, 2017 Australian of the Year
Griffith grad Katie Noonan hits the right note at the Games
Queensland Conservatorium alumnus Katie Noonan is the musical director for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games’ opening and closing ceremonies – an epic production destined to be viewed by a global television audience of up to 1.5 billion.
Noonan, a five-time ARIA Award-winner and a former Arts, Education and Law Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, was among a host of home-grown talent appointed to produce and perform in the ceremonies.
“I’m a fiercely proud Queensland musician,” she said.
“I think we make some of the best music in the world and indeed some of the best art in the world,” she said.
“There’s some truly world class dance and music being made here, so it’s a good time to focus on our cultural identity and realise that we’re really good at what we do.”
Director of the Queensland Conservatorium Professor Scott Harrison said Noonan’s appointment was further evidence of the high calibre of teaching and
Raising money for Stillbirth Foundation in London Marathon
Griffith academics raise money for Stillbirth Foundation in London Marathon Raising money for the Stillbirth Foundation Australia is the goal for Professor David Ellwood and his partner Associate Professor Anne Sneddon from Griffith’s School of Medicine as they get set to run next month’s London Marathon.
‘Team Stillbirth’ is aiming to increase awareness of stillbirth, and raise money for research into its causes and prevention, a tragic outcome of pregnancy which affects 6 families a day in Australia.
Professor Ellwood says the couple are preparing diligently for the 22 April event, with running schedules sometimes covering up to 50km per week. No stranger to running, Professor Ellwood first completed a marathon in Sydney back in 1988.
“I did a pretty good time then – three hours and 45 minutes. I’m sure I will not be able to do the same again in London but I will be giving it a good go,” he
Griffith as one for inaugural Outstanding Alumni Awards
40 years since the first cohort of students graduated, Griffith University will celebrate the inaugural winners of the Outstanding Alumni Awards.
For the first time the University will come together for a singular major awards night to be held in September.
Vice Chancellor and President Professor Ian O’Connor AC said the Outstanding Alumni Awards presentation will be a calendar highlight.
“It will be exciting to gather as one and celebrate the remarkable achievements of our alumni family and hear the amazing stories and contributions of former students from all our groups.”
Nominations are now open in the following categories:
Outstanding Alumnus Award
Celebrating remarkable alumni with more than five years work experience since their first Griffith University degree, who demonstrate sustained professional success and substantial contribution to the community.
Outstanding Young Alumnus Award
Recognising alumni who are under 40 years of age with at least four years work experience since their first Griffith University degree, who demonstrate professional
Griffith hosts world music stars in lead up to Festival 2018
The Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University will host some of world music’s superstars in the lead up to Festival 2018.
Associate Professor Vanessa Tomlinson will feature in an all-star 12-piece ensemble that will perform at Festival 2018 on 13 April.
Susheela Raman
Ecstatic will feature musicians from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, UK and Australia – bringing together some of the Commonwealth’s diverse musical traditions for an epic gig on the beach.
The band, led by legendary Indian-British vocalist Susheela Raman, will spend a week rehearsing at the Queensland Conservatorium’s world-class facilities in the heart of Brisbane’s South Bank cultural precinct.
Vanessa Tomlinson
Associate Professor Tomlinson heads up the percussion program at the Queensland Conservatorium, and will be playing a variety of instruments at the high profile gig, including vibraphone, marimba, bells and gongs.
She has collaborated extensively with South Indian musicians, and will be improvising new material under the guidance of UK-based musical director Sam Mills.
“Improvisation is like walking a musical