Staff awards 2012- winners gallery v2

Congratulations! Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch
Louise Dixon community and how would you describe your role?
What contribution does your role make to the university
as a whole?

I first joined Murdoch in January 2002, as Administrative
2011 Senate Medal Assistant in the School of Education. I worked in the School
for exceptional service to the University for five years before moving to the Office of Legal and
Governance to take up the position of Secretary to the
Academic Policy Committee, then a sub-committee of
Academic Council.

In October 2008, I was seconded as Secretary to Academic
Council and took on this role permanently in November
2010. Academic Council is the senior decision-making body
on academic matters within the University, and plays a key
governance role at Murdoch. In supporting this significant
Committee, the Secretary to Academic Council makes an
important contribution to the University community.

Louise Dixon

Secretary to Academic Council
Office of Legal and Governance

Even great individuals usually have a team behind them. Is
there anyone from your team and the Murdoch community
you’d like to acknowledge for your success? What have

Congratulations! they done to help you?

Louise Dixon
My position as Secretary to Academic Council brings me into
contact with both Academic and Professional staff in many parts
of the University. I would firstly like to acknowledge the support I
receive from my colleagues in the Office of Legal and
Governance, and especially the Secretariat Team. In
2011 Senate Medal particular, Trudi McGlade and former Secretary to Academic
Council, Tamara Martin.
for exceptional service to the University
The way that information and ideas are shared among the team
makes a direct contribution to my ability to fulfill my role. In
addition, the knowledge and support provided by Faculty
Support Coordinators and members of the Systems
You’ve won a 2011 Senate Medal. Please tell us what Management Group is of great assistance. Finally, I would like
inspires you to go beyond the call of duty in your role at to thank the present President of Academic Council, A/Prof
Murdoch? David Holloway and former President of Academic Council, Prof
Bev Thiele for their support.
I believe that what inspires me in my work at Murdoch is that I
find it both stimulating and enjoyable. It is important for me to
What kind of achievements would you like to see from the
be challenged at work, and my current role certainly provides
Murdoch community in the next 3 -5 years?
that motivation. I care about the good reputation of the
University, and believe that I have a role to play in contributing
The current climate of change provides both a challenge and an
to that reputation.
opportunity for Academic and Professional staff to work together
to enhance the reputation and standing of our University. I
The last position I held prior to joining Murdoch was quiet and
believe that the Murdoch community can unify to ensure that the
uninteresting, and I found it difficult to be inspired under those
University achieves its full potential. From a Professional staff
circumstances. I promised myself that I would not complain
perspective, I would like to see Murdoch provide more
about being too busy again, and I hope I manage this most of
opportunities for further education, training and skill
the time!
development.

Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch

Congratulations! community and how would you describe your role?

Vicky Dodds as a whole?

I joined Murdoch University in 2003 as the Director of
Development and since then I‟ve worked with a growing
team of people in the Office of Development to increase
2011 Senate Medal support for the University and its work from our alumni, from
for exceptional service to the University leading businesses and from philanthropists.

The Murdoch University Foundation has played an important
role in that work and in the last 10 years has raised more
than $20 million to help fund students scholarships and
prizes, new buildings and equipment, staff
positions, research projects and community initiatives.

You’ve won a 2011 Senate Medal. Please tell us what
inspires you to go beyond the call of duty in your role at
Murdoch?

It‟s easy to stay committed to the University and its work
when I know how important that work is. It always amazes
me when I hear about the range of fascinating research
Vicky Dodds topics our staff work on. I also have the pleasure of working
with very generous local philanthropists who trust the
Director of Development University to help them achieve their aims. I have been
Office of Development inspired by so many of these people that I have met over the
last 8 years.

Congratulations! What kind of achievements would you like to see from
the Murdoch community in the next 3 -5 years?
Vicky Dodds As Murdoch heads towards its 40 year anniversary, I‟d like to
see more awareness of the University in the general
community and in particular a greater understanding of how
much is achieved by our staff in providing benefits back to
2011 Senate Medal the community through teaching, research and community
for exceptional service to the University projects.

Even great individuals usually have a team behind them.
Is there anyone from your team and the Murdoch
community you’d like to acknowledge for your success?
What have they done to help you?

It is my privilege to work with a great team of people who all
help to develop strong relationships with our University
colleagues and people and companies outside the University
who want to make a difference.

Everyone in the Office of Development, and all of our
University colleagues, help to make that happen. People
don‟t give money to us to help the University; they give
money to us to help change the world!

Congratulations!
Deborah Hamblin Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch
community and how would you describe your role?
as a whole?
2012 Vice Chancellor’s Award for I was employed by Murdoch University in 1978 so its been
Excellence in Professional Services an eventful 34 years. During that time I have worked
primarily in the University Library with secondments to
Regional Development and Workplace Learning. When
Rockingham opened I was the inaugural Library Manager
and after a number of years out of libraries , I am now back
as Manager of Regional Library Services looking after
Rockingham and Peel.

The joint use Library at Rockingham is recognised
internationally as “best practice”. Its contribution is critical to
the Rockingham campus

Deborah Hamblin

Library Manager
Rockingham Regional Campus

Congratulations! Even great individuals usually have a team behind
them. Is there anyone from your team and the Murdoch
Deborah Hamblin community you’d like to acknowledge for your
success? What have they done to help you?

I‟ve been very fortunate to work with a great team at
Rockingham and a very collaborative staff at South St. My
2012 Vice Chancellor’s Award for library officers and Librarians will all go that extra mile and
Excellence in Professional Services put up with my crazy plans for the future. I have a wonderful
deputy Pim McCready who has worked with me at South St
and at Rockingham…I can‟t do it without her.

All the Rockingham staff, both academic and general all
You’ve won an award for Excellence in Professional help each other out because of the remote location. I‟m
Services. Please tell us what you enjoy most about your lucky to be part of such a great team.
role at Murdoch?

I‟ve always enjoyed the service element to Librarianship so
the capacity to assist students and staff is the most What kind of achievements would you like to see from
enjoyable part of my job. the Murdoch community in the next 3 -5 years?

Many staff who have been at the university for a while There is an amazing amount of optimism this year and I‟d
become quite passionate about the university itself and as really like to see that grow and be maintained. Id like to see
one of a smaller number of staff at the Rockingham campus I us make the Rockingham campus a sustainable success and
enjoy making sure that students get a great service that can for Murdoch to be valued as a university that is prestigious
encourage them to see the benefits of a smaller campus. and still values the people who are critical to its success.

Congratulations!
Sarah Gillett Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch
as a whole?

2012 Vice Chancellor’s Award for I joined the Murdoch team in 1999 working in the On
Campus Accommodation section of the University when it
Excellence in Professional Services was then known as Student Village. During my time at the
Village I worked in many different roles and it was a great
experience as I got to meet and interact with students from
all over the world who were coming to study at Murdoch and
I am still friends with many of them today.

In May 2007 I applied for an administrative role in the
Veterinary Teaching Hospital and am lucky enough to have
been here ever since. I consider myself extremely fortunate
to have such a great place to come to work each day, as not
everyone gets to cuddle puppies, kittens and maybe even a
pony or two on a daily basis!

Sarah Gillett

Personal Assistant
School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences

Even great individuals usually have a team behind
Congratulations! them. Is there anyone from your team and the Murdoch
community you’d like to acknowledge for your
Sarah Gillett success? What have they done to help you?

The team of staff here at the Vet Hospital and School are
amazing and I couldn‟t do what I do without their continued
support. I am privileged to work with such a
2012 Vice Chancellor’s Award for dedicated, passionate and hardworking group of people
Excellence in Professional Services who devote their lives to the welfare of animals and
furthering the education of our Veterinary students.

You’ve won an award for Excellence in Professional
Services. Please tell us what you enjoy most about
your role at Murdoch?

I love my job here in the Veterinary Hospital as I get to see
firsthand the amazing work that we do here.

Congratulations!
Max Cake Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch
as a whole?

2011 Vice Chancellor’s Award for I joined the School of Biological Sciences & Biotechnology in
July 1978. For over 30+ years my main function has been to
Excellence in Teaching teach cell biology and biochemistry and to contribute to
(General Teaching Excellence) Murdoch‟s research effort. I have served as Program Chair
(several times), School Dean and as a member of the
University Planning committee and Academic Council.

I have been a contributor to the development of a number of
new courses now offered by the School and was
instrumental in initiating an active international recruitment
program that has, since 2000, resulted in an almost 10-fold
increase in the number of international fee-paying students
enrolling in courses offered by the School.

Max Cake

Associate Professor
School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology

You’ve won an award for Excellence in Teaching. Please
tell us what you enjoy most about helping people to
Congratulations! learn?

Max Cake I remember early in my academic career reading a statement
on a colleague‟s coffee cup. It read: “A student’s future is
built upon the lessons taught by a few outstanding
teachers”. I think we can all relate to our own student days
when one or two outstanding teachers either enthused us to
2011 Vice Chancellor’s Award for really engage with a subject or, in some cases, actually
Excellence in Teaching influenced our own career choice. Whilst I would not claim to
be an outstanding teacher I have tried to be a positive
(General Teaching Excellence) influence for students during my time at Murdoch.

I have particularly enjoyed my interactions with both
undergraduate and graduate students and have been
privileged to see many of them make important contributions
Even great individuals usually have a team behind them. to this university and the community at large through their
Is there anyone from your team and the Murdoch chosen endeavours.

I‟d like to thank my wife, Myra, for her constant support and What kind of achievements would you like to see from
encouragement. I am also grateful to all the the Murdoch community in the next 3 -5 years?
academic, technical and administrative staff in the School of
Biological Sciences & Biotechnology for providing such an I‟d like to see the continued development of a more inclusive
enjoyable working environment and for developing a team- interaction between the new administrative team and the
oriented approach in all that we do. staff and student body. I would be delighted if the
achievements of the university and its staff were more highly
valued in the community and I hope that the university
continues to be recognised as an institution that cares for
individuals.

Congratulations!
Helen Davis Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch
as a whole?
2011 Vice Chancellor’s Award
I first came to Murdoch as an Associate Lecturer in
for Excellence in Teaching Psychology in 1997. I am a Senior lecturer and Acting Dean
(General Teaching Excellence) of Psychology now. I have had two main roles as a teacher.
The first is equipping students with a scientific research
toolkit to enable them to identify and answer important
questions about human minds and behaviour.

The second is building an understanding of the complex
factors involved in constructing a human being, through my
teaching in Developmental Psychology. I have also
contributed over the years to Murdoch‟s teaching-related
policies and practices through various roles including
academic chair, faculty and university learning and teaching
committees.

Helen Davis

Acting School Dean
School of Psychology

Congratulations! Is there anyone from your team and the Murdoch
Helen Davis What have they done to help you?

My whole family are educators – albeit in very different fields
and with diverse approaches. I have been very fortunate to
be surrounded by such creative, reflective and argumentative
2011 Vice Chancellor’s Award sources of inspiration. I must also acknowledge the School
for Excellence in Teaching of Psychology for providing me with an abundance of
(General Teaching Excellence) opportunities to practice, refine and extend my teaching
philosophy and techniques, and the students and tutors who
have taken the trouble to share their constructive feedback
and ideas. I am particularly grateful to Angela O‟Brien-
Malone, formerly of Psychology, and Marian Kemp, of the
You’ve won an award for Excellence in Teaching. Please tell Student Learning Centre, for their mentoring and support.
us what you enjoy most about helping people to learn.

I enjoy the challenge of taking a difficult concept and thinking up
different ways of presenting it until it finally makes sense to What kind of achievements would you like to see from
everyone. It is rewarding to supervise or mark the research the Murdoch community in the next 3 -5 years?
projects that students undertake at the end of their degrees and
to see the concepts I taught back in their first year coming to life One of the hallmarks of a great university is its ability to
and helping to answer new questions. transform its students from consumers to producers of
knowledge. I would love to see Murdoch converting more of
It is also rewarding to see students whom I know have come its student talent into new discovery. I would also love to see
from disadvantaged backgrounds using their university Murdoch developing its systems and structures in ways that
education and the course content they are learning to start diminish the impediments faced by students and academics
solving problems and steering their lives in a positive direction. to gaining knowledge, thinking deeply about it and
discussing their ideas.

Congratulations!
Wayne Greene Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch
as a whole?
2011 Vice Chancellor’s Award for I joined Murdoch in late 1998 and currently contribute to the
Excellence in Teaching University in three major ways. As Academic Chair of the
(General Teaching Excellence) Biomedical Science course, I play a strategic, multi-faceted
role that includes providing day-to-day help and advice to
students. I also teach molecular genetics and aspects of
development and cancer biology to Biomedical and
Veterinary Science students.

Last, but not least, I conduct biomedical research into
lymphoid cancers, specifically human leukemia and canine
lymphoma. I also have a strong theoretical interest in the
molecular basis of evolution, which has recently yielded
several publications in peer-reviewed and popular science
journals.

Wayne Greene

Associate Professor in Molecular Genetics

Congratulations! Even great individuals usually have a team behind them.

Wayne Greene Is there anyone from your team and the Murdoch

The innovative unit “Advances in Medical Science” that I
2011 Vice Chancellor’s Award for coordinate would not be possible without the tremendous
Excellence in Teaching teaching contributions provided by academic colleagues
within the School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, as
(General Teaching Excellence) well as from scientists from various medical research
institutes around Perth. In addition, the laboratory and
workshop sessions in all my teaching units receive excellent
technical support within the School.

tell us what you enjoy most about helping people to What kind of achievements would you like to see from
learn? the Murdoch community in the next 3 -5 years?

I‟m a firm believer in the adage that “Education is not filling a I would like to see continued emphasis on high quality
bucket, but lighting a fire”. Thus, the thing I most enjoy about teaching and research, because if we get those things
teaching is wowing students with amazing and relevant right, everything else will look after itself. Being in the
examples that illustrate the scientific concepts being covered Biomedical field, I certainly would like to see the eventual
in class. It brings great satisfaction to observe how initially establishment of a Murdoch Medical School, which I believe
reluctant students can become intensely interested in the would provide manifold benefits and opportunities to the
subject matter as the semester progresses. University.

Congratulations!
Tanya McGill Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch
as a whole?
2011 Vice Chancellor’s Award for I have been at Murdoch University since 1990. I have taught
Excellence in Teaching a wide range of units at both undergraduate and
(General Teaching Excellence) postgraduate levels. The main units that I currently teach
relate to either developing information systems or to
conducting research.

I have also supervised quite a few research students and
have undertaken various administrative roles in the School of
Information Technology such as Academic Chair for
Information Systems and Academic Chair for Postgraduate
Studies. I am currently Chair of the Murdoch Human
Research Ethics Committee. I find my various roles
synergistic.

Tanya McGill

Associate Professor
School of Information Technology


Tanya McGill Is there anyone from your team and the Murdoch

The staff from the School of Information Technology have
2011 Vice Chancellor’s Award for developed a strong set of related majors that allow students
Excellence in Teaching to gain the core knowledge and skills needed to obtain a
wide range of jobs, but also to specialize in their areas of
(General Teaching Excellence) interest. I appreciate being part of that team.

tell us what you enjoy most about helping people to
learn?

After over 20 years teaching, I still really enjoy helping
students to learn. My teaching style as learner-centred. I aim
to be a facilitator or guide assisting students in their
learning, rather than the source of all knowledge. I find this
style of teaching very rewarding. I am constantly learning new
things, and find the interaction with my students very
satisfying. I particularly enjoy meeting up with past students
you are now making great contributions to the ICT industry.

Congratulations!
Denise Groves Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch
2011 Vice Chancellor’s Award for as a whole?

Excellence in Teaching I joined Murdoch University in 1996, as a lecturer with the
(Indigenous Teaching) Aboriginal and Islander Studies Program, now known as the
Australian Indigenous Studies program. I appreciate that
many students initially take Indigenous studies to learn about
one of the world‟s oldest cultures. However, I‟d like to point
out that Indigenous cultures and politics are dynamic, and
are in constant engagement of many areas with our
community.

It is because of this, that I encourage students to major in
Indigenous Studies, or to consider complimenting their
degrees with a minor in Indigenous Studies –particular those
students who are studying law, politics, media, community
development, and education.

Denise Groves
Lecturer - Australian Indigenous Studies Program


Denise Groves Is there anyone from your team and the Murdoch

I would like to acknowledge Professor Rhonda Marriott in
2011 Vice Chancellor’s Award for playing an important role in enabling me to receive this
Excellence in Teaching award. In 2011 Professor Marriott became the Director of the
Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre. During this time, Professor
(Indigenous Teaching) Marriott recognised my teaching abilities, and agreed to be
one of her referees for the Excellence in Teaching Award.
Professor Marriott also encouraged me in my pursuit of PhD
studies, and invited me to join her research team. I am very
grateful for her support and encouragement.
tell us what you enjoy most about helping people to What kind of achievements would you like to see from
learn? the Murdoch community in the next 3 -5 years?

I believe it is a privilege to be a teacher. Over the years I have Over the next 3-5 years I encourage the Murdoch community
had the opportunity to teach many students from all over the to continue to support the Australian Indigenous Studies
world. I value their decision to enroll in Indigenous Studies. program. I would like to see this support in terms of more
Watching students emerge as confident human resources to be attached to the program, to enable it be
beings, changed from their university experience, and excited recognised as one of Australia‟s finest Indigenous Studies
about wanting to change the world to be a better place, is programs.
deeply rewarding.

Congratulations!
Sarah Etherington Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch
as a whole?
2012 Vice Chancellor’s Citations for
I have been teaching physiology (the science of how bodies
Excellence in Enhancing Learning work) at Murdoch since late 2008. As physiology has wide-
reaching relevance, I teach students from a range of
science-based degree programs, including
veterinary, biomedical, chiropractic, forensic and sports
science.

As a biomedical researcher, I also make a particular
contribution to strengthening links between Murdoch
biomedical science students and the wider health science
community in Western Australia. These links are giving our
Murdoch research students access to a variety of
opportunities to tackle the medical challenges facing our
growing (and ageing) global population.

Sarah Etherington

Senior Lecturer in Physiology

Congratulations! community you’d like to acknowledge for your success?

Sarah Etherington Units in the School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
are commonly taught by a team of subject-specialists, so the
support and input of my colleagues has been critical in
allowing me to implement strategies for improving our
2012 Vice Chancellor’s Citations for teaching. In particular, I have received outstanding
Excellence in Enhancing Learning mentorship from Associate Professor John Bolton.

From my first day at Murdoch (in my first academic
appointment!), he has shown unwavering respect for my
You’ve won an award for Excellence in Enhancing professional opinion and has shared my passion for
Learning. Please tell us what you enjoy most about promoting quality learning. The depth of his experience has
helping people to learn? transformed some of my more „off-the-wall‟ suggestions into
effective innovations that have enhanced the student
For me, the most enjoyable aspect of helping people to experience.
learn is the people. Teaching in relatively large first and
second year units, I meet hundreds of new students every What kind of achievements would you like to see from
year. Our Murdoch students are a truly remarkable the Murdoch community in the next 3 -5 years?
group, with such a diversity of experience and
perspectives. As a Murdoch community, I feel we are moving towards
strengthening the links between our research and our
I relish the opportunity to get to know these students, as teaching. This will enhance the richness of the educational
they open my mind to what is possible, personally and experience for, and the achievements of, staff and students
professionally. Their wonder at understanding a body they alike.
have lived with for so many years is infectious, and I have
the satisfaction of knowing that they will be empowered by
this knowledge to make healthy choices well beyond
graduation.


Congratulations!
as a whole?
Gael Gibbs I first joined the staff at Murdoch University in 2008 as a
Disability Support Officer in the Equity, Access and Diversity
Office. I took up an academic role in 2010 initially as the
Regional Facilitator of Enabling programs and since mid
2012 Vice Chancellor’s Citations for 2011 as Equity Lecturer and OnTrack Coordinator. In my
Excellence in Enhancing Learning current role I coordinate the OnTrack program. OnTrack is an
enabling program that provides an alternative pathway into
Murdoch University for students from recognised equity
groups and other non-traditional backgrounds. It enrolls
approximately 200 students per semester across all three of
the University‟s domestic campuses.

You’ve won an award for Excellence in Enhancing
Learning. Please tell us what you enjoy most about
helping people to learn?

I enjoy seeing students who come from non-traditional
backgrounds, many who are the first in their immediate
Gael Gibbs family to undertake university study, engage with university
learning, life and culture. I have the privilege of sharing the
Lecturer (Equity) journey with students, as they become critical thinkers and
Office of Student Life and Learning active citizens. I get to experience how this journey
empowers and motivates students to reach out to and inspire
others to follow in their footsteps.


Gael Gibbs I would like to see the Murdoch community continue to
pursue social justice through social inclusion. As a
community we have embraced diversity and it is my hope
that we will be increasingly resourced and enabled to rise to
2012 Vice Chancellor’s Citations for the challenge of enrolling all students who have the desire
and capacity for University study.
Excellence in Enhancing Learning


Many people have helped, encouraged and motivated me in
my time at Murdoch University. The staff in Equity, Access
and Diversity have supported me in all my roles, particularly
Gerri Box as my manager, mentor and ALLY buddy. More
recently I have enjoyed the collegiality and encouragement
of the Student Learning Centre staff. Most importantly, and
particularly over this last year I have valued the endless
support and motivation offered by my colleagues in OnTrack.
The OnTrack facilitators and Administrative Support
staff, Penelope Loois, Daniel McGill and Tania Saetta, have
been infinitely supportive and encouraging in ways too
numerous to mention.

Congratulations!
Terri Trireksani Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch
2012 Vice Chancellor’s Citations for as a whole?

Excellence in Enhancing Learning I joined Murdoch Business School (MBS) in early 2010 as a
lecturer in accounting. My main roles are to teach accounting
units at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and to
actively contribute in research activities within the school.
Since joining Murdoch, I have been actively engaged in
promoting student learning by means of interactive
teaching, actively produced refereed publications and jointly
obtained a research grant.

I have also made contributions to the administration of
learning and teaching in the school by taking on the roles of
Deputy Academic Chair (UG) and a member of MBS
Learning and Teaching Committee. In addition, I coordinate
the MBS Working Paper Series.

Terri Trireksani

Lecturer in Accounting
School of Business


Terri Trireksani

I am a supporter of good teamwork and collaborative work. I
2012 Vice Chancellor’s Citations for recognise that synergy could be and should be built from
mutual interests and trust. I feel that we at MBS work in a
Excellence in Enhancing Learning collegial and supportive environment, and that has helped
greatly in terms of developing my skill set, finding my inner
strength and focusing on the areas that I need to develop
further. I appreciate the executive support, and always enjoy
You’ve won an award for Excellence in Enhancing the informal corridor conversation which is fun and valuable.
Learning. Please tell us what you enjoy most about helping
people to learn?

I feel enjoyment when I see that I can provide students with an What kind of achievements would you like to see from
environment that enables them to rejoice in the learning the Murdoch community in the next 3 -5 years?
process and at the same time inspire students‟ inbuilt curiosity
and challenge them to go the distance. To witness that the I would like to see Murdoch University continuing to enhance
students can experience the joyfulness in studying an its profile as a quality provider of higher education. At MBS
accounting unit and flourish in their learning journey is very particularly, I would like to see development of curriculums
satisfying. I that can enhance the quality and increase the ratings of our
courses, more PhD students and graduates, building of a
recognise the diversities of students and take those into stronger research capacity, and more research output.
account in my approaches to teaching. I believe that all
students can be encouraged to achieve success in their
learning irrespective of their diversities.

Congratulations!
Shahar Hameiri Please tell us when you first joined the Murdoch
as a whole?
2012 Vice Chancellor’s Award for
I have been part of the Murdoch community since my
Excellence in Research undergraduate days in 2003, going on to do a PhD at the
(Early Career Development and Achievement)
Asia Research Centre in 2006 and joining the faculty in
August 2009. I am currently an Australian Research Council
Postdoctoral Fellow at the Asia Research Centre and Senior
Lecturer in International Politics in the School of Social
Sciences and Humanities.

I am also the coordinator of postgraduate studies at the Asia
Research Centre, a role which involves me in the research
training of PhD candidates at the Centre through our
Postgraduate Seminar Series, as well as in coordinating the
application process for prospective candidates.

Shahar Hameiri

Senior Lecturer in International Politics
Asia Research Centre

Congratulations! What have they done to help you?

Shahar Hameiri The Asia Research Centre at Murdoch University has been
my intellectual home since 2005. It is a truly remarkable
Centre in which research excellence and collegiality are
interwoven seamlessly. Many in the Asia Research Centre
have over the years been both mentors and friends, and I
2012 Vice Chancellor’s Award for would not have won this award without them.
Excellence in Research
(Early Career Development and Achievement) In particular, I would like to acknowledge Professor Garry
Rodan and Dr Kanishka Jayasuriya (now in Adelaide
University), my former PhD supervisors, as well as the Asia
Research Centre‟s Director Associate Professor Caroline
Hughes and Emeritus Professor Richard Robison. These
You’ve won an award for Excellence in Research. Please individuals and others at the Centre regularly read and
tell us what you enjoy most about research? comment on my draft manuscripts and grant applications.
Their high scholarly standards and drive inspire me daily to
I enjoy research for two main reasons. First, as my research aim for international excellence in everything I do.
often engages issues of national or international
importance, such as cross-border security and development
aid interventions, I find it rewarding to know that my What kind of achievements would you like to see from
work, whether published in academic or popular media the Murdoch community in the next 3 -5 years?
publications, contributes to and hopefully influences political
and policy responses. In my view, the quality of public debate in Australia has been
declining in recent years. I would like to see Murdoch
Second, I thoroughly enjoy the intellectual challenges University researchers become more publicly involved in
provided by research. I love to work through problems and areas of national and international significance. We should
apply theoretical and conceptual frameworks to important endeavour to capitalise on our research expertise in a variety
issues. I also enjoy debating these issues with other of fields to enrich political and policy debates. This is the true
scholars, whether they are sympathetic or not to my position. role of a public university. We should also seek to cement
our position as one of Australia‟s leading research
universities.


Augusto Zimmermann
as a whole?

I have worked at Murdoch University since January 2007.
2012 Vice Chancellor’s Award for During this time my teaching duties have included
lecturing, tutoring and preparation of materials for units as
Excellence in Research varied as Australian Legal System, Employment Relations
(Early Career Development and Achievement) Law, Legal Research and Writing, Constitutional Law, and
Legal Theory. As Research Law Dean I am interested that
research activities and outcomes are a priority for the Law
School. As HDR Director I am the principal contact point for
HDR students and potential applications.

I have also contributed to research at Murdoch as a member
of the Research Degree and Scholarships Committee, which
plays a fundamental role in research policy, evaluation of
research outcomes and in scholarship matters. From 2008 to
2011 I was a member of the Vice Chancellor‟s Awards and
Citations Committee, which accesses VC‟s and ALTC
Citation applications for teaching and learning awards
against the relevant criteria.
Augusto Zimmerman

Senior Lecturer
School of Law


Augusto Zimmermann I would not have won this award were it not for the generous
support of my colleagues in the Law School. I wish in
particular to thank Professor Gabriel Moens for providing a
remarkable example of academic integrity and leadership. I
also wish to very deeply thank my colleague Michelle Evans.
2012 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Michelle and I teach constitutional law and over these years
Excellence in Research we have developed many exciting research projects in
(Early Career Development and Achievement) common. Professor Philip Evans has also been extremely
supportive of my research. Indeed, we have been extremely
fortunate for the level of academic leadership provided by
our last two Deans. The recent appointment of Professor
You’ve won an award for Excellence in Research. Please Jurgen Brohmer only confirms this tradition! Finally, please
tell us what you enjoy most about research? allow me to fully acknowledge the support of my wife
Flavia, who has always supported and encouraged me
I have a very strong passion and commitment to research. I throughout my whole academic career.
really love doing research and help the community with my
research findings. To be engaged in high quality research What kind of achievements would you like to see from
provides an opportunity to establish excellent contacts and to the Murdoch community in the next 3 -5 years?
meet numerous interesting people.
I would like to see Murdoch further enhancing its national
I wish very much to strengthen my position as a leading and international reputation as a leading research institution.
expert in some of my areas of legal expertise. An important I wish to see Murdoch internationally recognised not only as
career goal of mine is to be a researcher who deeply inspires an effective innovator in teaching and learning, but also one
his colleagues and students to research excellence. that is broadly recognised for its true research excellence. As
for my School I wish to see it further developing a range of
domestic and international opportunities for students. I also
envisage the Law School building on the practical legal
experience available to our students, including preserving
the School‟s quite impressive participation at mooting
competitions.


Peter Drummond
as a whole?

I first joined the Murdoch community as a lecturer in 1987.
My role now involves undergraduate and postgraduate
2012 Vice Chancellor’s Award for teaching and in the psychology program, supervising clinical
psychology trainees in their practical placements, and
Excellence in Research postgraduate research supervision. I am also director of the
(Outstanding Research Development) newly-established Centre for Research on Neuropathic Pain
and Inflammatory Diseases, and chief investigator on
projects supported by the National Health and Medical
Research Council, the Australian and New Zealand College
of Anaesthetists, and industry partners.

You’ve won an award for Excellence in Research. Please
tell us what you enjoy most about research?

It is very rewarding to contribute to scientific knowledge and
to see the subsequent application of this knowledge. I also
enjoy the intellectual challenge that research provides, being
able to work at my own pace on something that interests
Peter Drummond me, and working closely with others who share these
interests.
Professor in Psychology

Peter Drummond
I would like our university to consolidate research
partnerships with local universities, government departments
and private industry so that we can attract support from the
2012 Vice Chancellor’s Award for State Government to move our research effort forward in a
Excellence in Research coordinated way. The construction of the Fiona Stanley
(Outstanding Research Development) hospital presents us with an exceptional opportunity to
establish these links in the next few years.


I would first like to thank Dr Philip Finch for the many years
of enjoyable collaboration. Phil is an adjunct professor in
Health Sciences and a pain specialist in private practice.
Many years ago Phil alerted me to the need to clarify
mechanisms of chronic pain after nerve and tissue
injury, and he has been a source of motivation and
inspiration ever since. I would also like to thank my research
collaborators, post-doctoral researchers and postgraduate
students for helping to establish the Pain Research Centre.

Susan Moore community and how would you describe your role?
as a whole?

2012 Vice Chancellor’s Award for I joined Murdoch University in 1995 to teach in the
Environmental Science Masters program. Since then I‟ve
Excellence in Research helped establish tourism as a teaching and research area at
(Outstanding Research Development) Murdoch, and currently lead (with colleague David
Newsome) the Nature Based Tourism Research Group. I‟m
involved in collaborative research with colleagues in the
Biological Sciences, Social Sciences, and the Asia Research
Centre. In all cases, my passion and expertise is in bringing
the social and natural sciences together.

Using social and political theories to help solve
environmental problems is also a driving influence. My active
role in postgraduate research includes membership of the
University‟s Research Degrees and Scholarships Committee
and Postgraduate Director, School of Environmental
Science.

Susan Moore

Associate Professor
School of Environmental Science


Susan Moore Research for me is about collaboration. The Nature Based
Tourism Research Group functions well because of the
strong research performance and collegiality of members
such as David Newsome, Kate Rodger, Jim Macbeth and
Diane Lee, plus excellent research students. Recent
2012 Vice Chancellor’s Award for collaborations with Ross Taplin (Curtin University), Betty
Excellence in Research Weiler (Southern Cross University), and Ted Lefroy and
(Outstanding Research Development) Michael Lockwood (University of Tasmania) have added
excitement and complementary skills to my research efforts.
Ongoing collaboration with Lynnath Beckley has moved my
work into the marine environment, remote sensing and new
You’ve won an award for Excellence in Research. Please statistical methods, all contributing to high quality research.

Research is an ongoing process of discovery and just as
What kind of achievements would you like to see from
importantly translating findings into action. I enjoy defining
and refining the research questions that drive our
research, very often a dynamic process undertaken with
Murdoch University has highly talented, committed and
industry partners such as the WA Department of
creative researchers. Supporting creativity and diversity is
Environment and Conservation and Parks Victoria. Using
and will continue to be one of our great strengths. Providing
previous theories and ideas, drawn from the philosophy of
a well-resourced, collegial environment for early career
science through to systems thinking, continues to excite me
researchers will enable us to continue our international and
in designing my research and then interpreting the findings.
national research efforts. Also critical is retaining high
Collaboration continues to be one my favorite parts, bringing
performing staff, building further expertise in well-performing
people together from different disciplines to address a
areas, and being flexible and nimble enough to make the
shared problem, e.g. how do we ensure the political survival
most of emerging and as yet unknown research
of national parks in a rapidly changing world?
opportunities.

Congratulations! community and how would you describe your role?
Bernard Dell as a whole?

I joined Murdoch University in 1976 a few months after
submitting my PhD and was immediately immersed in
preparing units for the first crop of second year students in
2012 Vice Chancellor’s Award for the School of Environmental and Life Sciences. Although the
Excellence in Research School was young, it had a great ethos for teaching and
(Distinguished and Sustained Achievement) research, and this facilitated enormously the development of
my career. Over time I became Head of Plant Sciences and
in the past few years have worked as Research Director for
the university.

You’ve won an award for Excellence in Research. Please

Undertaking research is incredibly rewarding – I enjoy the
opportunities of working on applied problems where
solutions can make a real difference, such as improving the
micronutrient content of rice, increasing the productivity of
industrial tree plantations, and reforestation of degraded
lands. Research has provided the chance to travel and to
Bernard Dell work with a wide range of partners in government, university
and private sectors in many countries. I have had the
Research Institute Director privilege to work with and train PhD students in SE Asia and
Sustainable Ecosystems Australia. All of these people have enriched my life.
School of Biological Sciences and
Biotechnology

Bernard Dell I would like to see core research areas strengthened so that
they have increased capacity to undertake research of
international excellence whilst at the same time providing
practical outcomes for the local and international
2012 Vice Chancellor’s Award for communities. I would like to see greater international
Excellence in Research engagement with more high quality partners. I would like MU
(Distinguished and Sustained Achievement) to have a stronger visibility in the Indian-Ocean Rim and SE
Asia in the future, and to strongly engage with MU Alumni in
the region in this process. Finally, I would like to see the
return of the right ethos for teaching and research so that
Even great individuals usually have a team behind them. early career academics have the same chance for pursuing
Is there anyone from your team and the Murdoch research that I had 30 years ago.

I owe a great deal to the leading researchers who have
inspired my career, like Emeritus Professor Arthur McComb
(who set me on the road to research excellence), the late
Emeritus Professor Jack Loneragan (who initiated my
interests in micronutrients and jarrah dieback), Dr Nicholas
Malajczuk (who introduced me to mycorrhizas and
China), Professor Benjavan Rerkasem (who invited me into
the world of upland agriculture in SE Asia) and Dr Jean
Garbaye (who kindled my interest in wild and cultivated
mushrooms), to name a few.

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