Queensland Conservatorium alumnus Katie Noonan has been appointed director of music for the Gold Coast 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 learning
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Griffith University teams up with South Pacific central banks in ongoing research agreement
Griffith University has signed three new Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) in recent weeks with South Pacific central banks, formalising the institutions’ commitment to work together in pursuit of positive, lasting change in the region.
Griffith’s South Pacific Centre for Central Banking program convenor, Dr Parmendra Sharma, met with representatives of the Bank of PNG, Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) and Reserve Bank of Vanuatu (RBV) to sign the agreements, which join a previous MoU established with the Reserve Bank of Fiji in October 2015.
Griffith is the only academic institution with MoUs with the South Pacific central banks, providing opportunities to accomplish the institution’s high-level goal #5: “To enhance our engagement with Asia and the near Pacific and to consolidate our reputation as one of Australia’s most Asian-engaged universities.”
(L-R) Dr Parmendra Sharma, Branan Karae (assistant to governor) and Governor Simeon Athy sign the MoU between Griffith and the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu.
“The main objective of the
Life after stroke on the Gold Coast
Understanding the experience of stroke survivors and realising that there is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach to rehabilitation are the findings from a new Griffith study.
Conducted on the Gold Coast by Griffith Masters of Medical Research, Occupational Therapy student Ms Kim Walder and Professor Matthew Molineux from Griffith’s Menzies Health Institute Queensland, the study explored the process of adjustment post-stroke from the survivor’s perspective.
In the study, six stroke survivors, based mainly on the Gold Coast, and aged between 34 and 76, shared their personal journey of adjustment via a series of in-depth interviews.
They each highlighted a period of ‘disconnection’ from self, others and reality following stroke and the process of re/establishing connections.
A unique experience
“We realised quite early on from our study, that each survivor’s stroke experience and the way they deal with their rehabilitation process, can be quite unique,” says Ms Walder, who will be discussing the study
Why Gold Coast is the ideal host city
Here’s a couple of questions to consider as the year nears its end and the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) loom large on the Queensland horizon: Why is the Gold Coast a great city to host a major event like GC2018? How can hosting GC2018 benefit the city into the future?
Two of Griffith University’s leading researchers on the Gold Coast will combine their academic powers to provide answers at an event to be hosted by City of Gold Coast Libraries on Wednesday, December 6.
City of Gold Coast Libraries presents 2018 Inside Scoop at Robina Library and Community Centre where Professor Paul Burton, Director, Cities Research Institute, and Professor Susanne Becken, Director, Griffith Institute for Tourism, will bring their expertise to bear on two of the prevailing themes surrounding the build-up to next year’s major event on the Gold Coast.
“The city has the infrastructure and a great track record of
Are tax havens really all bad?
By Pascalis Raimondos, Professor of Economics, Head of School, Queensland University of Technology &
Sara L. McGaughey, Professor of International Business, Griffith University
The recently released Paradise Papers have again turned the media spotlight on small tax havens. The only difference from last year’s Panama Papers is that the contracts leaked to the public are from a respectable law firm in Bermuda (Appleby), and not from a suspicious and less-known firm in Panama (Mossack Fonseca). Otherwise, the key message is the same; individuals and firms use the services of tax havens to avoid paying taxes in their own countries. Appleby’s media response was shift and clear: there is nothing illegal in their actions. In short, Appleby uses tax law loopholes that allow individuals and firms to transfer their wealth in countries where taxation is zero.
The immediate reaction by some was that we should regulate and close these loopholes. That is the traditional
Aviation students fly high in a computer lab!
Griffith University’s reputation as a world-class training centre for aviation students has been strengthened with a brand new lab.
The flight procedures lab features a room full of computers equipped with simulators to put students in the cockpit of a plane.
Students are able to choose between single or twin engine controls and practise in the labs whenever they need further study.
Aviation lecturer Arie Korf said the lab would give students the opportunity to further develop their skills and prepare them for real flight training.
“This lab will provide innovative teaching for our students and research opportunities for our staff,” he said.
A range of coping strategies needed for Emergency Department staff
Workplace stress amongst hospital emergency department staff is prevalent despite the working environment being generally perceived positively amongst nursing and medical staff who use a range of coping strategies.
These are some of the outcomes of a collaborative study undertaken between Griffith University, University of the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast Health, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service and Göteborgs Universitet.
The study, funded by the Emergency Medicine Foundation, surveyed 150 clinical emergency staff from two Sunshine Coast hospitals.
“We found that even people that have been in their positions for a long time, still find the environment stressful,” says Research Fellow Dr Amy Johnston from Griffith’s Menzies Health Institute Queensland (MHIQ) and Gold Coast Health.
“The staff stressors and coping strategies were found to be similar across EDs and professional roles. This research provides foundational evidence to inform and support strategies for staff within EDs. These strategies need to consider individual and organisational approaches
Financial Planning Association Award confirms star GBS student is right on the money
Griffith University student Azaria Bell has had a spectacular year in 2017, and her latest achievement – being named University Student of the Year at this month’s Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) Awards – is yet another proverbial feather in her bountifully plumed cap.
Announced at the annual FPA Professionals Congress in Hobart, Azaria’s award came as something of a surprise for the Financial Planning major, who says she had “no idea” that her name would be called out at the event.
“I originally got nominated by Griffith, and about two or three weeks ago I found out I was a finalist, in the top three, which was really exciting,” she said. “I didn’t know that I was the winner until they announced it on stage. It was a huge shock to me.”
“It’s something that I honestly would never have dreamed of,” she continued. “For me, it was confirmation that I was
Griffith Film School scores record nominations at awards
Griffith Film School has scored a record 10 nominations at this year’s Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM) awards.
The awards, established in 1982, recognise the best Australian and New Zealand screen content from film schools and screen industry professionals.
Acting Head of Griffith Film School, Professor Trish FitzSimons, said the strong showing reflected the calibre of talent nurtured at GFS.
“We are very proud of what our students, graduates and faculty members are producing, and are delighted to see their work recognised at this level,” she said.
“ATOM is the second-longest running film and media awards in Australia, behind the AFI/AACTA Awards.
“Competitions like this allow our filmmakers to make industry connections and build a wider audience for their work.”
Among the projects recognised was She’s Not There, nominated for Best Experimental Film.
The pioneering film was conceived by Griffith Film School animation lecturers Dr Peter Moyes and Dr Louise Harvey.
Motion capture technology, a live orchestra and the skills of a
Griffith grad Kate Miller-Heidke to headline Festival 2018
Queensland Conservatorium alumnus Kate Miller-Heidke has been announced as the first headline act for Festival 2018.
The multi-platinum selling artist will be a major drawcard at the multi-arts festival, which will run alongside the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games from 4-15 April.
Miller-Heidke graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium in 2002 with a Bachelor of Music, majoring in classical voice. She will feature on the Queensland Music Stage, which will showcase Queensland’s best musical talent.
Queensland Conservatorium Director Professor Scott Harrison said the Con had produced many remarkable vocalists who had transformed the Australian music scene – from Dami Im to Katie Noonan and Megan Washington.
“Kate Miller-Heidke is one of many talented alumni making their mark on the world stage,” he said.
“We remain the dream destination for aspiring young musicians from around the world – this has been confirmed by our position among the top 50 performing arts programs in the world, and our