The awards recognise, celebrate and reward excellence in University teaching.

The awards will be presented by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education, the Honourable Julia Gillard at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday, 25 November.

Congratulations Joseph and Rick.

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All their work can be seen on the Fairfax Digital website, WAtoday.

Lecturer Jo McManus said it's a fantastic opportunity for the students.

"Having to file stories to strict deadlines is a great experience," she said.

"Our students are now filing a lot of stories for WAtoday, not just during the Show. They really enjoy it and are producing excellent, professional quality work."

The students will continue working at the show until Saturday.

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Melanoma is now the most common cancer among young men in Australia, and as bricklayers work in the sun all day long they are particularly exposed to the dangerous UV rays that can lead to Melanoma.

ECU's Associate Professor Melanie Ziman and her research team have found a way to detect this aggressive disease early - by doing a simple blood test - and this discovery has the potential to save thousands of lives.

For the Back a Brickie campaign, bricklayers will gain the support of friends and family who will pledge an amount per brick, with all funds raised through being put towards further research for this groundbreaking test.

Bricklayers interested in participating should contact Dr Melanie Ziman at ECU on 6304 5171 or m.ziman@ecu.edu.au.

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In ECU's largest graduation ceremony yet, 648 graduates from the Faculties of Business and Law and Computing, Health and Science crossed the stage on Sunday evening. Earlier in the day 266 graduates crossed the stage at the Faculty of Education and Arts Ceremony.

Following each ceremony, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) Professor Ron Oliver led the Toast to Graduates giving graduates a chance to celebrate their achievement with family, friends and staff.

Congratulations to our newest ECU graduates.

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Dr Chaney spoke about the work of Desert Knowledge Australia in creating an economically and socially sustainable future for people in remote communities.

He said that addressing the issues facing remote Australia is everyone's responsibility and that the voices of remote Australians need to be heard.

Dr Chaney was Chair of Reconciliation Australia Ltd from 2000 to 2005 and continues as Director. He is also the Chair of Desert Knowledge Australia.

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Candidate Statements
Candidate statements will be displayed on notice boards on each campus and copies may be obtained from the Returning Officer on request. Candidate statements are also available at: www.ecu.edu.au/GPPS/governance_services/elections.html.

Polling Day - Tuesday, 7 October
All students of the University who were enrolled at the close of nominations are eligible to vote at the election. PolIing will take place on Tuesday 7 October 2008 between the hours of 8.00am and 8.00pm.

Polling will be conducted at the following locations;

• Joondalup Campus: Library Foyer, Building 31
• Mount Lawley Campus: Library Foyer/Reception, Building 8
• Bunbury Campus: Library Foyer, Building 3

Postal Vote Applications
External students, or any eligible voter who has reason to believe that during the hours of polling he or she will be unable to attend a polling place may apply for a postal vote. Postal vote applications are available from the Returning Officer, or may be obtained from the website:www.ecu.edu.au/GPPS/governance_services/elections.html.

Election Enquiries
Election enquiries should be directed to the Returning Officer appointed for this election, John Blahusiak, Policy and Project Officer, Governance Services, by telephone to 08 6304 2627 or email j.blahusiak@ecu.edu.au.

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The Life series follows the development of 11 young Australians as they grow up. Professor Sims' research involves monitoring the stress levels of the children and the impact of stress on their long-term development.

The second instalment in the series, Life at Three will be screened at 8.30pm on 2 and 9 October, with Life at One repeated at 8.30pm on 23 and 30 September.

For more information about the series, visit www.abc.net.au/tv/life/default.htm

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Applications are now open for the 2009 Vice-Chancellor's Learning and Teaching Awards and the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) Awards, Grants and Fellowships. The ALTC was formerly known as the Carrick Institute.

Download the Awards summary sheet or the Grants and Fellowships summary sheet for relevant details and information about Mount Lawley and Joondalup lunch-time information sessions - lunch is provided.

Visit the ALTC home page www.altc.edu.au/carrick/go for more information about ALTC Awards, Grants and Fellowships.

Check your September edition of the CLT Newsletter, Learning and Teaching Matters, for additional information.

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Vice-President (Resources) and Chief Financial Officer, Warren Snell presented the students with their scholarships today at the Joondalup Campus.

Mrs Mac's established the scholarship program to assist students from rural WA in 2004. Valued at $1,000 per year, the scholarships go a long way to assist with the expense of relocating, travel, study materials and textbooks.

Congratulations to Daisy Smith, Stevie Marwick, Megan Hall, Sarah Isbill, Erica Mueller, Kirsten Foster, Renae Coles, Lynda Enright and Caitlyn France.

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ECU was represented by the Faculty of Business and Law's Team Criminology with Executive Dean, Professor Robert Harvey joining the team for the opening ceremony.

Teams camped out at Arena Joondalup, passing a baton around the track for 24 hours with entertainment and 'party rounds' ensuring participants had a great time. Candles were lit for cancer survivors and to remember those who have lost their battle.

Team Criminology put in a huge effort walking through the night despite rain and windy weather up until 12noon when the event finished early.

Well done to Sharan Kraemer, James McCue, Jenny Kessell, Karen Woods, Linda Williams-Kerr, Kirsten Williams, Jessica Gately, Christina Markussen, Chris Nunn, Jarrad Fleming, Kira Harris and Natalie Gately.

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Global Illumination sees significant landmarks and monuments around the world lit in pink each year, raising awareness for the National Breast Cancer Foundation's research into the prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer.

ECU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kerry Cox says the University is proud to support the important work of the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

"ECU has a strong commitment to research into chronic diseases such as cancer so it is highly appropriate that we support the National Breast Cancer Foundation in raising awareness," he said.

The Chancellery Building will be lit pink until Sunday, 28 September. For more information about activities and events during Breast Cancer Month, visit www.nbcf.org.au.

Click here to view photos of the Chancellery Building.

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Earlier this month, the pair gave a 20 minute presentation on their invention, the Novel Integrated Digital Photonic Link (for RF-to-Digital Conversion and Data Transport) which has applications in military and civilian radio, mobile networks, radio satellites and Bluetooth.

The final round involves presenting a pitch to the judging panel on their invention and its potential for further development and commercialisation. The runner-up and winner in each category will be announced by the Premier at a presentation ceremony in October.

In 2007, Professor Kamal Alameh won the Early Stage Category for his High-Speed Inter-Chip Optical Interconnect, a low-cost device which improves the speed and efficiency of computers.

Budi is currently undertaking a PhD in MicroPhotonics at ECU's Centre of Excellence for MicroPhotonic Systems.

The Inventor of the Year Award assists inventors and researchers to commercialise their ideas and promote innovation and entrepreneurship in WA.

Kamal and Budi were supported in preparing their award submission by ECU's Office of Research and Innovation.

For more information about the awards program, visit www.doir.wa.gov.au/inventor/index.html.

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Caroline is one of Australia's leading experts in the area of sexual violence against children and adults. Her discipline backgrounds are criminology/sociology, psychology and philosophy.

She has an excellent capacity to engage with various stakeholders on social justice and human rights matters, and her work in this field has much relevance to some of the major issues facing the community today.

Caroline is currently Senior Research Fellow at the University of Ballarat, leading two substantial Australian Research Council (ARC) grants. She has a team of several researchers transferring to ECU including postgraduate research students.

Professor Taylor commences joins ECU in early November 2008.

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These conversations support the development of the Equity Action Plan, Indigenous Action Plan and the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan which can be found at www.ecu.edu.au/equ/pol_leg

Colleagues have made many wonderful suggestions in meetings and reflective emails. Some of these include:

• Much wider range of access pathways to study in all kinds programs is needed;
• Have student workers/volunteers to welcome and act as explainers in some areas to assist new students/visitors;
• Easy find access to Learning Support and Student Support on webpage;
• Flexible approaches to professional development, as different parts of ECU are available at different times of year;
• More colleagues to undertake EO training and become better educated about some issues, eg disabilities in the workplace; and finally and perhaps most importantly
• A SMILE: Staff commit to asking people who look lost if they can assist.

Thanks to all staff who have participated, and I encourage the entire ECU community to take up the personal daily challenge to ensure Equity Reaches its Potential @ ECU.

Professor Brenda Cherednichenko
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Equity and Indigenous) and Executive Dean, Faculty of Education and Arts.

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The full list of winners can be viewed at: www.hr.ecu.edu.au/shr/html/staff_feedback_survey_2008.cfm

The survey was well supported by staff with over 1200 respondents (a 67% response rate). The last time the full survey ran in 2004 a 50% response rate was achieved. The results will be communicated to staff through staff newsletters, local area leadership and posted on the dedicated web page above.

Cross-university focus group meetings will also examine the results in more detail in order to contribute in the identification of improvement opportunities and strategies.

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Sky will compete against three other contenders accompanied by the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra.

WAAPA was well represented on the night with fellow WAAPA student Sam Roberts-Smith receiving the Tinkler Encouragement Award.

The Mathy Awards are part of the prestigious Australian Singing Competition, which recognise and encourage exceptional young classical singers.

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The Life series follows the development of 11 young Australians as they grow up. Professor Sims' research involves monitoring the stress levels of the children and the impact of stress on their long-term development.

The second instalment in the series, Life at Three will be screened at 8.30pm on 2 and 9 October, with Life at One repeated at 8.30pm on 23 and 30 September.

For more information about the series, visit www.abc.net.au/tv/life/default.htm

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Each student may enter one of the three divisions (longest distance, longest airtime and most acrobatic flight) to test their skills against all other participants. The superior pilot at the end of the competition in each division will go in the running to represent Australia at the World Finals in Austria against 65 other countries.

The local competition will be held at the Sports Centre, ECU Joondalup on Wednesday, 17 September. Registration will commence at 10.00am with event take off at 12 noon.

For more information visit www.redbull.com.au.

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Get a team of 10 - 15 people together and keep the baton going around the track at Arena Joondalup for 24 hours. All fitness levels and age groups are welcome.

Cancer survivors are welcome to share their courage and triumph in the 'Survivors Lap of Honour' leading the first lap of the event.

Organisers are also seeking volunteers to assist with the event, email joondaluprelayforlife@gmail.com to register your interest. For more information or to register your team, visit www.cancerwa.asn.au or call 1300 65 65 85.

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The Group Award is presented for demonstrating outstanding innovation or best practice within the records management field, and for contributing highly to the profession.

The award was given for the work undertaken in as part of the Workplace Productivity Program funded by DEEWR. The project analysed the University's major Business Information Systems (BIS) against the compliance requirements of the WA State Records Act, and proposed practical solutions to integrate these systems with the University's recordkeeping system (TERMS).

The outcomes of the project provide for greater efficiency of the University in the capture and management of its records, the use of technology to provide solutions that are invisible to users, and improve the University's compliance with its recordkeeping obligations.

ECU is the first university in Australia to win this prestigious group award.

The award was presented at the RMAA International Convention held in Sydney on Monday, 8 September. Colin Meek, Manager RAMS; Sue Adams, Business Analyst; and Bart Gagatek the project Team Leader, accepted the award on behalf of ECU.

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Since 2007, the Department for Health and Ageing has offered grants of between $10,000 and $200,000 for healthy eating and physical activity initiatives at the local level.

Dr McGuigan's project aims to tackle the problem of childhood obesity through the delivery of an evidence based resistance training program for primary school aged children.

Children from a number of Perth schools will undergo an eight week training program which will be supervised by ECU students and Exercise Physiologists.

The training program is based on previous research by Dr McGuigan and Professor Robert Newton which has demonstrated the effectiveness of this type of intervention.

Dr McGuigan is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Exercise, Biomedical and Health Sciences.

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In collaboration with FESA, St John Ambulance and police, students responded to the mass-casualty emergency.

After the explosion, paramedic students gave first aid, before the police and ECU Security arrived at the scene. Once the police cleared the scene and two ambulances arrived, the students carried out pre-hospital trauma life support. After the victims were secured within the ambulances, the students were involved in a debrief discussion.

Course co-ordinator Dr Richard Brightwell said the exercise was a great success, giving students a chance to practise their skills in a safe but realistic environment under staff supervision.

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The study, the results of which were recently published in the prestigious Journal of the American Medial Association (JAMA), showed adults with memory problems who participated in a home-based physical activity program experienced an improvement in cognitive function, compared to those who did not participate in the program.

Dr Foster and his colleagues conducted a randomised controlled trial to test whether a physical activity intervention would reduce the rate of cognitive decline among 138 adults age 50 years and older at increased risk of dementia.

As stated in the paper, "unlike medication, which was found to have no significant effect on mild cognitive impairment at 36 months, physical activity has the advantage of health benefits that are not confined to cognitive function alone, as suggested by findings on depression, quality of life, falls, cardiovascular function, and disability."

Dr Foster is also conducting related research with Professors Ralph Martins and Rob Newton through the WA Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research and Care to extend the findings reported in JAMA.

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Following in the tradition of Andrew Stewart-Wynne (2006) and Peter Polmeartagami (2007), Meredith Simpson was awarded the state title in the 2008 Open Division.

According to the judges, Meredith's speech Real International Travel was delivered fluently and with confidence.

ECU graduate Aimee Webber was awarded third place in the Open division, with ECU's Gil Hwan Kim taking first place and Krystal Tobias taking second place in the Beginner division.

Good luck to Meredith and Gil Hwan as they prepare for the national final which will be held in Sydney on Saturday, 18 October.

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Remember, ECULTURE 2008 is about presenting your research and ideas about teaching and learning. It does not have to include anything about technology or culture!

So don't let your work go to waste. ECULTURE 2008 welcomes previously published papers, poster presentations, papers that are still in preparation and student submissions.

As an incentive, $300.00 for each full paper accepted for inclusion in the conference programme (and $100.00 for every nuts and bolts abstract accepted) will be deposited into an alternative income account.

The deadline for nuts and bolts abstracts is Sunday, 12 October. For more information, please visit the conference website.

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The camera crew went behind the scenes in ECU's simulation ward where third-year students Richard Cornall and Stacey Slabbert (pictured) gave emergency care to 'Mr McLaren' a high fidelity training mannequin.

Following the demonstration, a number of students spoke about their experiences of the WA health system while on practicum placements.

Head of School Professor Cobie Rudd, thanked students for their involvement and said it was a great opportunity to showcase ECU's world-class training facilities.

The report aired on Stateline on Friday, 29 August.

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Guest speaker Professor Andrew Bernat, Executive Director of the Computing Research Association gave a presentation about an emerging technology called Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) - small devices that have computer functionality without the need for a hard drive, a monitor or a mouse.

Research into CPS is currently being undertaken at ECU by Professor Paul Maj, Dr David Veal, Dr Alfred Tan and Dr Leisa Armstrong in collaboration with Carmel School in Dianella. This is the first time the technology has been used in the school sector in Australia.

The SunSPOT project has produced some exciting results and four students from Carmel School were presented with certificates of recognition for their involvement in the project.

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As a member of the University's governing body, the elected candidate will be involved in setting the University's strategic direction, and in high level decision-making.

Information sessions about University Council and the election process will be held on the following days:

Joondalup
12.00 - 1.00pm on Monday, 8 September, Room 1.238

Mount Lawley
10.00 - 11.00am on Tuesday, 9 September, Room 3.116

Bunbury
12.00 - 1.00pm on Wednesday, 10 September, Room 1.107

Tea and coffee will be available, please RSVP to John Blahusiak at j.blahusiak@ecu.edu.au.

For more information about the election and nominations process, contact John Blahusiak on 6304 2627. The nominations deadline is 12noon on Monday, 15 September - please refer to www.ecu.edu.au/GPPS/governance_services/elections.html for the election notice and nomination form.

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The theme of the conference is Australasia-Asia: Change, Conflict and Convergence and imaginative cross-disciplinary interpretations are being sought. Abstracts not exceeding 200 words should be submitted by Sunday, 31 August.

For more information, please contact ECU's Dr Cynthia vanden Driesden, Chair Organising Committee, on 9370 6357.

The conference is supported by Edith Cowan University.

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Australian estimates suggest that increasing levels of fruit and vegetable consumption by just one serve per day would save between $8.6million and $24.4 million in health care costs associated with breast, colorectal, prostate and lung cancer in Australia.

"Many chronic diseases are considered to be preventable because some of the risk factors can be modified - particularly diet - so it is vital to get the message out to people to up their vegetable and fruit intake," she said.

An initiative of the WA vegetable industry, the Vegetables and Fruit for Health and Healing report was commissioned to bring all of the available research together. The full report and a research brochure are available online.

Dr Devine is a senior lecturer in Nutrition at ECU's School of Exercise, Biomedical and Health Sciences.

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