Southern Cross Matters

I have expressed to the University community on several occasions over past weeks my deep gratitude for the manner and spirit in which we have rallied together, looked out for each other and worked with incredible resolve and energy to play our part in helping our communities beyond crisis.

But I have also encouraged everyone at the University to reflect with hope and optimism on the strong progress we continue to make in our teaching and research and on the enormous reserves of talent and excellence we are blessed to be drawing upon and building as we do this work. I think that shines through very much in the pages of this edition of Southern Cross Matters.

This month, in addition to the written material, you will notice a link to a video that captures aspects of our experience of and response to the devastating flooding events of recent weeks.  I think you will find it captivating and evocative, particularly because in the stories it reveals about a number of our amazing colleagues and students it captures the spirit of so many others at Southern Cross.

In facing the worst, we have given of our best and we have learned much. If we continue to encourage each other, exercise our creativity, maintain our ambition for the positive impact we can bring to the lives of others and hold on to our hope and optimism, there is very little that has the power to hold us back.

Professor Tyrone M Carlin
Vice Chancellor and President

Staff members showed up in so many different ways and shone, taking on responsibilities far beyond their day-to-day duties. Faculty of Business, Law and Arts faculty manager Cindy Harvey worked for more than two weeks straight at the recovery hub on Lismore campus, accepting the truckloads of food, bedding and clothing that poured in, making sure they got to the people who needed them.

“Many donations were from people who were flood-affected themselves, who wanted to give back the extra they had to other needy people, it was really inspiring,” she said.

Dean of Health Julie Jomeen was among the many volunteers at the donation hub and she praised the tireless effort of staff. “It’s been very emotional and truly amazing how people come together, how people support each other, even under really difficult circumstances and how resilient our staff have been,” she said.

Together with the many health and community services now housed on Lismore campus are our colleagues in secondary education. Trinity College recommenced classes for all students on Lismore campus just two weeks after the first flood devastated their school buildings. Acting Principal Jesse Smith praised the University staff who had made the transition so easy. “It is wonderful to keep the education journey happening and alive for our students,” he said. Trinity School Captain Daniel Perreira (whose siblings are either past or present Southern Cross students) said the University campus had provided the calm they needed. “I think we all had a sense of relief just to know that we do have a place to be able to come together and still learn.”

“It’s an important role that the College plays and it’s really transformative in regional Australia where we know there are lower rates of higher education participation and higher numbers of non-traditional students, who might be the first person in their family to study, or those who come from low socioeconomic backgrounds or students who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander,” Professor Thomas Roche, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic Quality) and Dean of SCU College said.

He believes providing a pathway to tertiary studies for all students, regardless of their previous educational background or ATAR score is at the heart of the College.  

“What we do in the College is open up doors to study and future careers for students who otherwise wouldn’t gain admission to university,” he said.

“We track our students as they go on to further study and results show that students who have completed an SCU College pathway program are actually more likely to succeed in their studies than their peers,” Professor Roche said.

Professor Roche and Associate Dean (Education) Suzi Syme have presented research on this topic: ‘Bridging programs transform students’ lives – they even go on to outperform others at uni’.

SCU College now provides a suite of courses, including six diplomas, five undergraduate certificates, domestic and international preparation programs, and two English language units which were awarded a prestigious gold standard NEAS rating in 2021. Behind their success is a team of passionate staff, dedicated to seeing each student succeed.

“Our curriculum and pedagogy are underpinned by a culture of care that helps students develop into confident, independent and critical learners. The College is their starting point to connect to Southern Cross and gain a sense of belonging. They share a powerful message with their families and communities that it is possible to succeed academically, creating intergenerational change,” Associate Professor Suzi Syme said.

Happy 10th birthday SCU College!

Before becoming an academic, Lynne worked for more than 25 years as a senior social work manager and practice leader in child protection and the wider child, youth and family sector. She has extensive experience as a senior policy adviser, including a decade leading a state-wide unit in the Department of Human Services in Victoria.

The three-year project will see her research team working in nine residential sites across NSW, with the aim of finding practices that create a better life experience for teenagers who have experienced abuse and neglect within their families or within the care system itself.

She was ‘over the moon with excitement’ when she found out she’d successfully obtained her very first ARC Linkage grant, in conjunction with the CCYP’s lead researcher, Professor Anne Graham, as well as Dr Kathomi Gatwiri who received the University’s Early Career Researcher of the Year in 2019.

“It’s a wonderful endorsement. With this project we have a host of local talent and we are drawing on the expertise of a global team of experts who have joined the project by invitation,” she said.

The project has won more than $875,000 in contributions including $429,569 from the ARC, and $446,005 in cash and kind from the Centre for Excellence in Therapeutic Care – a division of the Australian Childhood Foundation.

“In the wake of these devastating floods, it’s heartening to see that within our University we have the research expertise to support community and environmental recovery. Whether that’s Professor Damien Maher’s team investigating water quality in our river catchment, Professor Anne Graham’s work on processing of grief and trauma, or Professor Bradley Eyre’s research on stream metabolism and greenhouse gas emissions. All of these projects contribute to rebuilding the community, one way or another.”

In her expanded role as Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Academic Capability) Professor Spongberg will be focusing on embedding research deeply within each faculty and strengthening the University’s equity agenda.

“Research is critical to the future of the University and so it needs to be the bedrock of our strategy. We want to build and strengthen our research capabilities, make sure that we can attract and retain great staff and build a great community of higher degree research students across the university,” Mary said.

So, what’s on the horizon for research at Southern Cross?

“The two big ticket items are really building research in health and education, and rebuilding our edge in engineering. In science, we are seeing new success in our longstanding areas of excellence such as marine science and biogeochemistry, but also in emerging areas such as aquaculture and agriculture.  We just submitted a large funding request for a Natural Products Hub, which would be unique in Australia, if we are successful. We’re doing well in both ARC funding as well as working more closely with industry,” she said.

“I think we’ve seen tremendous successes over the last couple of years despite some pretty big challenges presented by COVID and now the floods, but we’ve managed to continue building our capacity and even increase our HERDC (Higher Education Research Data Collection) income which is pretty incredible. I’m excited by what’s to come.”

What’s your experience been like working on the Great Barrier Reef with Distinguished Professor Peter Harrison?
Incredible. We typically go out into the field with a large team and he takes great care in selecting team members. So, we all get along great. Coral spawning can be very intense! Late nights, a lot of anticipation, and a huge flurry of activity. Having a well-rounded, cohesive team makes all the hard work fun. We work hard, laugh a lot, and in the process do amazing, worthwhile research. And I love seeing the senior academics come alive with excitement at the sight of coral spawn. It shows me that the passion for our work likely won’t fade with time. Because, really at the end of the day, that passion for the reef is the driving force behind my work.

What are your hopes for the future of the reef?
It is going to take a combined effort of reducing carbon emission and human intervention to help turn the tide on reef decline. But I am hopeful for the future of reefs. The work Professor Peter Harrison is doing really does seem to be making an impact. The challenge now seems to be scaling up and reducing human input to streamline our larval restoration efforts. Getting more people involved, not just researchers but communities and local governments as well, will help make people aware of how each and every one of us can make a difference for the future of coral reefs.

“I’m passionate about developing a distinctive difference in our research and education profile that focuses on rural and remote healthcare and getting our nursing graduates excited about these opportunities,” Jennene said.

“I want to link up with different communities to find out what their needs are for the healthcare workforce. We need hundreds more Indigenous nurse graduates, so I want to honour the Indigenous healing knowledge that goes back tens of thousands of years and build a program that’s integrated and attractive to Aboriginal people,” she said.   

With a strong research background in aged care and improving outcomes for patients with dementia, Jennene is also focused on preparing nursing students with the skills and experience for a rewarding career in the aged care industry.

“I want be part of developing a culture where aged care is less stressed. Our nursing students can be excited about the possibilities of working in this field. It’s sometimes tricky and sophisticated, but it’s such a great place to work when you look at the difference you can make in people’s lives,” Jennene said.

In terms of the University’s research and education partnerships, Jennene believes developing connections within the Asia Pacific region is a critical step.

“International partnerships are really important. As we look towards a post-COVID world, we need to be developing stronger links with our neighbours in the Pacific nations, New Zealand and Indonesia to build regional connections, research and exchange opportunities,” she said.

Outside of work, Jennene is both an art and nature lover. “One of the first things I did when we moved back to the Gold Coast was join the Royal Queensland Art Society and do some art classes. I really missed the rainforest while I was living away, so I’m looking forward to bushwalks and nature paintings.”