Griffith University’s squad for round three of the Aon Uni 7s Series has been announced, and features four current students in Ellen Field (exercise science), Lauren Brown (sports management), Laura Waldie (dentistry) and Katie Curtis(education).
Griffith will be aiming to maintain a pattern which saw them finish fourth in round one and third in round two by qualifying for the gold medal final this weekend at the University of Qld.
The full Griffith squad is: Eseta Fangaloka, Sam Treherne, Nareta Marsters, Lauren Brown, Laura Waldie, Katie Curtis, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, Phoebe Thomas, Ana Afuie, Ellen Field, Alana Elisaia, Tayla Eldridge.
All games in Round 3 of the Aon Uni Sevens Series will be live streamed on the ARU website at www.aru.com.au.
Category: Griffith University Feed
Art lecturer wins People’s Choice Award
Queensland College of Art lecturer Dr Julie Fragar has won the $15,000 Ramsay Art Prize People’s Choice Award.
The biennial art award recognises Australian contemporary artists under 40 working across any medium.
Dr Fragar’s oil painting, Goose Chase: All of Us Together Here and Nowhere, won the popular prize and has been acquired by the Art Gallery of South Australia.
“I am blown away by the support I’ve received – to be selected as the people’s favourite from an exhibition of such high-quality works and artists is an honour,” she said.
“The money will help keep my practice going, but more than that, it is about recognition from those you respect and a great opportunity to network with artists from around Australia.”
This year’s judging panel consisted of Rhana Devenport, Director of the Auckland Art Gallery, contemporary Australian Artist Nell, and Leigh Robb, Curator of Contemporary Art, Art Gallery of South Australia.
Dr Fragar was one of 21 finalists, selected
Alumnus Barry changing future on medical devices
When Barry Thomas chose to major in information technology and marketing at Griffith University more than 15 years ago, his choice of majors was seen as an odd match.
But this combination of skills helped shape this business powerhouse into the innovator and leader he is today, in the process changing the future of the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.
Today Barry is Vice President of Cook Incorporated and Director of Cook Medical Asia Pacific, a global medical device manufacturer.
His passion for Australian innovation and manufacturing sees him continually exploring ways to improve the overall industry by doing what he can to create a better outlook for the future.
“I believe that our future global competitiveness requires Australia to produce cutting edge products and services to the markets of the world,” says Barry. “Commodities are short term and cyclical at best.”
Barry graduated from Griffith University with a Bachelor of Commerce (IT & Marketing) in
Griffith research highlights driverless car legal concerns
New research from Griffith University suggests that current fault-based liability processes fail to accommodate autonomous vehicles.
The research paper argues the legal definitions for ‘accident’ and ‘personal injury’ will require major reform to account for the inability to establish fault where a vehicle is highly automated.
Griffith PhD Law candidate Mark Brady said the question of whether a driver is at fault in the event that an autonomous vehicle harms another person or causes damage is important.
“With a fault-based system, most require a person in control of the vehicle or a driver,” Mr Brady said.
“An autonomous vehicle doesn’t fit the current legislative definition. So, in order to establish who is in control, they need to create a legal fiction and displace that blame to somebody else – whether that be the manufacturer, the software provider, or some other fault.”
He also said that existing compensation and insurance schemes, such as the compulsory third
Adam revelling in vital Commonwealth Games role
As soon as the Gold Coast won the right to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Adam Jarrett wanted to be part of the big event.
That was in 2012 when Adam was studying Building Design and Technology. A few years later, however, Adam was studying a Bachelor of Urban and Environmental Town Planning at Griffith University when the opportunity arose to truly follow his Commonwealth Games dream.
Selected for an internship as part of Griffith’s partnership with the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (GOLDOC), today Adam is Venue Transport Manager for the event next April.
With responsibilities including integrated planning and decision-making, transportation administration, streamlining communications with partners, and making presentations to stakeholders such as City of Gold Coast and Transport and Main Roads, Adam is relishing his busy and vital role.
He believes the Commonwealth Games will be stellar moment in the history of the Gold Coast.
“I went to
Political refugee dedicates nursing career to giving back
Eva Ballai fled war-torn Yugoslavia with just two suitcases — one filled with clothes; the other with nursing books.
The registered nurse came to Australia in 1992 as a political war refugee. Just 25 and already heartbroken at leaving her parents behind, Eva’s qualifications were not recognised in Australia and, with limited English skills, she had no idea how she was to build a new life.
However, she set to work, pursued her goals and has spent every minute since trying to make a difference.
Today Eva has a successful nursing career in which she proudly wears three important professional ‘hats’.
Operations Manager for Sydney-based aged care group Synovum Care, Eva is also a Commissioned Nursing Officer in the Australian Defence Force and the volunteer Director of the Australian Foundation for Disability Board.
The three roles might seem an unusual combination, but they allow Eva to care for society’s most disadvantaged and vulnerable citizens.
Eva Ballai
Toohey Trail Run early bird offer to fly tonight
Today’s the day if you’re after early bird registration for the 2017 Griffith Sport Toohey Trail Run.
You have until midnight tonight (Tuesday, September 12) to get in and get the best deal for the eagerly awaited third running of the popular annual trail run on Sunday, October 8.
Early bird tickets start from $30 with discounts available for team entries.
EARLY BIRDS – Register here
Runners geared up for the scenic bitumen to bush event can take on either the 5km course, the 10km course or the 21.1km Half Marathon challenge.
Diabetes Queensland is the official charity partner of this year’s event, which starts at Griffith’s Nathan campus from 6.30am here.
Legendary distance runner, Pat Carroll, will be the race announcer and Griffith University business student, Casidhe Simmons, has been announced as this year’s student ambassador for the 2017 Toohey Trail Run.
Children with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder get QLD funding boost
Care for children and their families dealing with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is to be expanded in Queensland following new funding for a Griffith University project.
The news follows the recent International Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Day (9 September) when we are reminded that there is no known safe limit of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The day is about acknowledging the lifelong physical, neurological, developmental and behavioural problems for children if their mother drinks alcohol while pregnant or breastfeeding. These problems are proven and are collectively known as Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
A consortium consisting of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast University Hospitals, Institute for Urban Indigenous Health, Kummara Association, the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (UNSW), the University of the Sunshine Coast and the University of Queensland is being led by Professor Sharon Dawe from Griffith’s Menzies Health Institute Queensland.
$1.37m funding
This will allow for the expansion of the
Griffith musicians powering Opera on the Beach
Students from the Queensland Conservatorium are the musical powerhouse behind this year’s Griffith Opera on the Beach, to be presented by Opera Australia.
The talented students make up 80% of the orchestra – providing a lush musical backdrop for the spectacular open-air production of Verdi’s Aida.
This unique event brings together sand, surf and sopranos over six nights on Coolangatta Beach (September 21-30).
The production builds on the success of the inaugural event held in 2014, which attracted an audience of 8,000.
Griffith University is the naming sponsor for the 2017 series, which features star alumni from the Queensland Conservatorium, including conductor Tahu Matheson and mezzo soprano Sian Pendry, who plays the jilted Egyptian princess Amneris.
The production also gives current Queensland Conservatorium students the opportunity to work alongside some of Australia’s best classical musicians.
Queensland Conservatorium Director Professor Scott Harrison said Griffith Opera on the Beach was a rare opportunity for Queensland Conservatorium students
Conrad Gargett supports an Indonesian World Heritage listing application
Architecture students from Griffith University have undergone a detailed cultural heritage study in Indonesia.
Conrad Gargett, a leading Australian practice in architecture, urban design and planning, interior design and
landscape architecture, supported the study tour, underpinned by the Semarang local government’s World Heritage listing application.
The tour culminated with Griffith hosting a photographic exhibition – Culture: Urban Future / Asia proudly sponsored by Conrad Gargett, the Australian
Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Institute of Architects (Qld Chapter).
This was in support of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) ‘Global Report on
Culture for Sustainable Urban Development’ initiative, which is focused on strengthening efforts to protect the
world’s cultural and natural heritage.
Lawrence Toaldo, a Director of Conrad Gargett stated, “We were proud to support Griffith University’s study tour of a Dutch Colonial precinct in Semarang Indonesia. Conrad Gargett advocate that the conservation of heritage is integral to protecting a precinct’s