UniSQ Donor Impact Report 2022

Donor Impact Report 2022

Thank you from the Vice-Chancellor

University of Southern Queensland.

The many wonderful achievements in 2022 include the announcement of UniSQ as one of the Australian Government’s six Trailblazer Universities for our Innovative Launch, Automation, Novel Materials, Communications and Hypersonics (iLAuNCH) program – a $180 million project to support Australia’s sovereign launch capability. In addition, the University achieved an overall 5-Star rating in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Stars University Ratings and, for the third consecutive year, a move upwards in Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023, taking us into the Top 350 (301-350) band.

As we move through 2023, we are encouraged by strengthening campus and community engagement, and the energy and enthusiasm it brings.

This report provides a collection of stories you have helped us create over the last year. Philanthropy enables us to do things we would not otherwise be able to do. Thanks to you, our students enjoy an outstanding education and experience, and we are able to deliver transformative research for the communities we serve.

We are grateful for your contributions and generosity. Thank you for choosing to be part of our growing community of donors.

Professor Geraldine Mackenzie Vice-Chancellor, University of Southern Queensland

2022 was a tremendous year for the

Support our First Nation communities in allied health

Closing the Gap is one of the most complex and challenging issues facing the nation. Training and supporting a new generation of First Peoples health practitioners is part of the solution.

In 2023, the University of Southern Queensland will offer will offer the inaugural Kambu Health First Nations Scholarship.

The scholarship was established through a founding gift from the Kambu Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Health (Kambu Health) and is co-funded by the University. It will be awarded to a First Nations student studying in health and medical sciences, psychology and wellbeing, or nursing and midwifery programs.

Kambu Health is a community-run, not-for-profit charity that provides health services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Ipswich and West Moreton region.

The scholarship aims to encourage First Nations students to undertake careers in health-related fields, boosting the First Nations health workforce.

Dr Anthony Bates, Executive Director of Health Services at Kambu Health, says most people are aware of the significant gap in health outcomes for First Nations people compared with their fellow Australians.

“You look at pretty much any health condition, any age range, basically every single aspect of the demographic, and there’s a significant gap in terms of life expectancy, quality of life outcomes, and health outcomes. Our goal is to really improve all of those,” Dr Bates says.

A lesser understood issue is the challenge to ensure that health services for First Peoples are delivered in culturally inclusive and safe spaces.

“When care is not provided in a way that actually addresses someone’s culture, their identity, often people can be hesitant or reluctant to seek services,” Dr Bates says.

University of Southern Queensland Academic Director (Health Partnerships) Professor Marion Gray agrees. “One of the things that’s really important is that, for a service to be truly culturally safe and appropriate, we need to have more First Nations health professionals actually working and delivering those services to their own communities.

“We’re hoping this boost in funding allows First Nations students a little extra money to cover costs and that it hopefully enhances their prospects.”

Research shows that someone from a specific area or region is more likely to return and work there after study. Professor Gray says this underpins the scholarship.

“It’s our responsibility to be training these students and offering opportunities,” she says.

At present, just 0.5 per cent of doctors and 1.3% of nurses working in Australia are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

Dr Bates says the benefits of this kind of partnership – and of funding a scholarship – are mutual and multi-faceted.

“Obviously it’s beneficial for the University and for the students, who are appreciative, but oftentimes they also want to give back. By partnering like this, not only are you benefiting the community and improving the way your organisation is perceived, but you’re giving the students a place to come. You’re essentially growing your own workforce.”

Allan Fisher (Chair, Kambu Health), Lee-Ann Roch (Deputy Chair, Kambu Health) and Professor Marion Gray (Academic Director (Health Partnerships)

Supporting the local community through scholarships

The iconic Australian Weis brand holds especially fond associations for Queenslanders, its mango ice cream bars are synonymous with summer in the “Sunshine State”.

That connection is strongest in Toowoomba, home to creator Les Weis and the company’s factory for more than 60 years.

After the company’s new owner Unilever made the difficult decision to cease local production in December 2020, it sought to continue Weis’s contribution and connection to the Toowoomba community. That aim led to the inaugural Weis Scholarship in 2022 at the University of Southern Queensland, which supported three undergraduate and three postgraduate students.

“The Weis team were known for being passionate, being entrepreneurs, being really innovative – they did that starting with quality agricultural ingredients,” says Unilever Marketing Manager Annie Lucchitti.

“We wanted to ensure that future scientists and academics had that possibility to receive a higher education. So one third from the sale of the site – matched by the University – went into ensuring that there is a Weis Scholarship with the University in perpetuity.”

In 2023 the Weis Scholarship will support three more undergraduates, and over time this number is expected to grow each year. The maximum value for each scholarship is $12,000, to be paid over three years.

With the scholarship’s main focus on agriculture science and engineering (along with business studies), the unique partnership also represents a broader investment in advancing industry best practice.

“We wanted to ensure that as time goes on, the agricultural industry can continue to blossom through new minds being exposed to education in different forms. It’s been an incredibly fulfilling and easy process to work with the University. It was far simpler to get our ideas up and running than we had expected or that we’ve seen in other partnerships,” Ms Lucchitti explains.

For two recipients, the scholarship enabled them to focus on their higher degree by research (HDR) without also juggling the demands of their existing jobs.

“Essentially, it’s giving us a buffer for life,” says Christina Harris, who completed her bachelor and honours degrees part-time while starting a family and working full-time.

Receiving the scholarship in the first year of her PhD allowed Christina to leave her job and focus on her studies, without financial penalty.

Christina’s research goal is to improve sustainability by increasing soil carbon levels and sequestration capability. She says many businesses are working towards net zero targets or a long-term sustainability plan.

Fellow Weis Scholarship recipient Terrina Bailey is also passionate about playing her role in a more sustainable world.

For three years, Terrina juggled her HDR part-time while working full-time as a secondary science teacher. Concern over the nectar sources during drought for bee hives located at her school is what started Terrina on her PhD path. She’s researching the potential effect on honey production of changes in eucalyptus flowering due to drought and climate change.

Given the essential role of bees to pollinate the fruit that have long made Weis’s products famous, it’s a full circle moment, made possible by a distinctly UniSQ partnership.

Nicky Sparshott (CEO Unilever Australia and New Zealand) with 2022 recipients of Weis Scholarship and Professor Karen Nelson (Provost)

Understanding screen use in young children

It’s a concern for many parents – the effect of excessive screen time on their children.

The exponential growth in personal technology has facilitated a more sedentary lifestyle across age groups –accelerating a trend that had started decades earlier with television and computer use.

University of Southern Queensland’s Professor Stuart Biddle was among the first to study this from a sport and exercise perspective more than 20 years ago.

With mobile devices now ubiquitous, professionals have begun highlighting psychological issues in young people associated with extended screen time. These troubled highly experienced Ipswich paediatrician Dr Bob McGregor enough that, upon his retirement, he approached UniSQ about conducting research into the issue.

The ensuing discussion between Dr McGregor and Professor Biddle led to a new research project being undertaken, enabled by a grant from the Ipswich Hospital

Foundation, with funds raised from various sources, including donations and support through Dr McGregor’s rotary club. For the Foundation, the public health focus of the project offered an opportunity to expand beyond clinical work into preventative research.

Professor Biddle leads the project, supported by UniSQ colleagues from psychology and the health and medical sciences. The team’s goal is to contribute to the body of research that informs existing screentime guidelines and best practice.

Interviews with around 20 parents of young children (ideally to age five) from the Ipswich area will be used to track children’s use of screens from birth.

“This started by linking with the local community, and it’s the best way for research to occur,” Professor Biddle says.

“There’s been a trend in the last few years for researchers to make sure they are well connected with the people that matter in research – the local community’s people who are at the coalface. We talk with them and make sure that we address the right questions. It keeps us grounded. It’s a true partnership, and it’s rewarding for everybody.”

The project’s collaborative approach leverages the strengths of clinical staff and researchers to ultimately assist local families.

“Academics don’t know everything and professionals in the field or community are experts in their local context,” Professor Biddle says.

“There may be behaviours they’re interested in studying, but they may not have the means to do it, whereas the academic experts do. Through pulling everybody together, it should come up with much better solutions, results and understanding.”

Professor Stuart Biddle

Art connects with the community through philanthropy

A new, world-class space on University of Southern Queensland’s Toowoomba campus is changing hearts and minds – one artwork at a time.

The Art Gallery opened in March 2022, and proudly sits within B Block. It is the first time the University has housed a specially built gallery with the exacting temperature, humidity, and lighting requirements to safely host valuable artworks and exhibits from around the world.

The project was conceived prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and championed by Vice-Chancellor Professor Geraldine Mackenzie. It complements the original Foyer Gallery, a popular meeting place in A Block for decades.

Art Gallery Curator (Arts and Exhibitions) and UniSQ alumnus Brodie Taylor says the University did not waste any time putting the new space to good use – collaborating with Queensland’s leading art institutions to engage with the wider community.

“Our very first exhibition was a partnership between the University of Southern Queensland and the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), as part of their Asia Pacific Triennial,” Mr Taylor says.

The inaugural exhibition was titled It’s Ok To Be Me and featured New Zealand artist Shannon Novak, whose work reflects the diversity and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Part of the engagement program was a project called Dear Toowoomba, modelled on the popular Dear Queensland initiative run by QAGOMA. In both instances, people were encouraged to write a fictitious letter to the place they call home.

“We had some exceptional contributions – with participants ranging from a 12-year-old boy to a 78-year-old physicist. So we had a really lovely response from the community, and it was a fantastic launch to the world,” Mr Taylor says.

The Art Gallery’s second exhibition was also a hit – thanks to the University’s iconic Japanese Garden. The muchloved space provided an open air gallery for popular Brisbane artist David Hinchcliffe to host an art-making event during the annual Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.

“We had students from the high schools, we had members of the staff, we had alumni, we had current students, we had professional artists. This was a chance for them all to come together and create, coming out of COVID to get away from the isolation and just to enjoy a day together,” Mr Taylor says.

The world’s leading art museums share something in common – the acts of philanthropy which allow new art to be acquired and community engagement programs to blossom.

Shannon Novak

Signs 2022

The UniSQ Art Gallery is already following in their footsteps, thanks to the generosity of artist Shannon Novak, who donated one of his works to the University following the success of the It’s Ok To Be Me exhibition.

“Our University really has a crowning jewel at the moment with this gallery, and the artworks involved, and the artists that we get to champion. And it takes our engagement with our community to a whole new level,” Mr Taylor says.

The University of Southern Queensland Art Gallery is located in B Block at the Toowoomba campus. It is open Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 3pm, and entry is free.

Building the future – supporting our surveying cohort

The eyes of the world will be on South East Queensland in the lead up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and UniSQ expertise will ensure that the resulting infrastructure boom is built on solid foundations.

The University of Southern Queensland is home to the nation’s largest surveying program, with approximately 750 students currently enrolled across three different degrees.

“Surveying is used in every single infrastructure construction development process that we go through within Australia,” explains Simon White, CEO of The Surveyors’ Trust.

“If somebody is building a new development – whether it’s industrial, commercial, residential, or government – then without surveying there’s no understanding of where it actually sits in the world or where it sits within that the city and within the precinct, within the suburb, and so on and so forth.”

Surveying is an exact and ancient science. For thousands of years, cities have needed accurate records of what’s known as the “cadastre” – the precise locations and dimensions of a parcel of land in relation to the areas around it – in order to regulate land ownership, valuation, and taxation. Borrowed from Ancient Greek, the word means “(organised) line by line”.

There are remnants of stone cadastral maps ordered by the Roman Emperors, who were keen to enforce the boundaries of their state-controlled lands.

While the core purpose of the surveying discipline remains, the technology involved in its execution is becoming more sophisticated by the day.

Professor Sherif Mohamed is the Head of School and Dean (Surveying and Built Environment). He explains that the University established its first surveying programs in 1978 and has continued to invest and refine the degree offerings ever since.

One of the defining features of UniSQ’s surveying programs is the incorporation of residential schools. These annual, intensive study blocks bring all surveying students on campus periodically to closely collaborate with each other, their lecturers, and industry representatives. Classes are conducted online for the rest of the year, allowing students to juggle their studies with work commitments.

Simon White CEO, The Surveyors’ Trust

Close industry connections are essential for an applied discipline such as surveying. The Surveyors’ Trust – which manages the copyright royalties generated by Australian cadastral plans – generously re-invests these funds to support research projects and the next generation of surveying professionals. In 2022, 70 UniSQ surveying students benefitted from bursaries funded by The Surveyors’ Trust to improve their residential school experiences. Since its establishment, more than 120 students have received a residential bursary.

The partnership between the two organisations is timely, given an ageing surveying workforce that is struggling to keep up with the demands of rapid development.

The path to becoming a fully accredited surveyor can take the better part of a decade.

“South East Queensland is a fast-growing region. I believe that there’s over $20 billion worth of infrastructure that is either proposed or under construction,” Professor Mohamed says.

“In order to meet this demand, there must be a supply of surveying and built environment professionals who can actually translate all these demands into reality.”

Another dimension is the complexity of copyright. Mr White cites a recent landmark case within the Federal Court of Australia, which explored whether artificial intelligence (AI) could be considered an inventor for the purposes of a patent. (The full court concluded that it could not).

“There’s some issues there around how long we can expect to own copyright on various things, especially as AI might start to rewrite boundaries and do other things based on geospatial technology getting better and satellite technology and drones and those sorts of things that are now being utilised to map the cadastre,” Mr White says.

The Surveyors’ Trust is currently funding UniSQ research that explores the implications of digital disruption to the traditional concepts of copyright.

True to its position as a leader in surveying education, UniSQ is also developing a new postgraduate program to complement the existing two-year (Associate), three-year (Bachelor), and four-year (Honours) offerings.

“We plan to introduce the new Master of Geoinformatics in 2024,” Professor Mohamed says.

“This program will help students to manage and integrate the data from numerous sources such as scanners and sensors, and in real time create the most accurate view of the environment. And then use that data to make more informed planning decisions.”

Professor Mohamed says that the opportunities and challenges facing the sector require teamwork to be fully understood.

“We take industry partnerships really seriously in our program, because ultimately we receive input from industry and will produce our own graduates who can work with and for the industry.”

“This is a two-way relationship where industry partners get invited to speak to our students about opportunities, nominate research projects that the students can work on, and develop this relationship where both parties have a common goal.”

Continuing a legacy in special education

The late Roselynne Anderson is remembered by her peers as someone with a ready smile and an absolute love for her work in special education.

Ric Day, who followed Roselynne to become President of the Queensland Association of Special Education Leaders (QASEL), says she was an exceptional advocate for the sector.

“I think people will most remember Roselynne’s optimism and her passion for making sure students with disabilities got the very best educational outcomes possible,” he says.

“She was really committed to developing and supporting leaders in the sector.”

QASEL, in partnership with UniSQ, has established the Roselynne Anderson Memorial Prize as an endowed academic prize. The gift will make a lasting and meaningful impact on the next generation of special education leaders, who support students across the entire state.

“One of the things people may not realise is that special education programs are offered in all schools, not just special schools. So, our work touches every classroom across the state, whether it’s in a special school or a primary or secondary setting,” Mr Day says.

The prize – awarded to the graduating student with the highest grade point average (GPA) in special education courses across Semesters 1 and 2 – will recognise talented students far into the future.

“One of the strengths of this endowment is that we can continue to contribute and encourage others to contribute, which keeps Roselynne’s legacy alive – something that’s really important to us and to Roselynne’s family,” Mr Day says.

Having met the first two recipients of the award, Mr Day says he’s certain that Roselynne would have approved.

“She would’ve been so thrilled to see that prize go to two young women who are so very focused – two very intelligent teachers starting their careers in special education. She’d certainly be encouraging them to go forward as teachers and in time as leaders as well.”

Roselynne’s unwavering commitment to supporting special education teachers and leaders is also echoed by Mr Day, who says the difference they make to the most vulnerable learners in Queensland is immeasurable, meaning supporting excellence is critical.

“We live in an age where there are workforce demands and shortages in every industry. Special education teaching is a challenging field, so we want to make sure

we’re attracting and supporting the best of those who are showing interest in entering the sector,” he says.

While Mr Day says partnering with UniSQ and establishing the fund was surprisingly easy, the value and benefits are measured in more than dollars and cents.

“I’d advise people interested in partnering to just reach out. It has facilitated meaningful connections for us as an organisation and for the recipients. And, of course, it has allowed Roselynne’s impact on the sector to live on in her name.”

Nikki Anderson, Ric Day (President, QASEL), Lovina Bailey (inaugural recipient of Roselynne Anderson Memorial Prize in Special Education), Professor Jo-Anne Ferreira (Head of School and Dean of Education) and Trevor Anderson

Celebrating 15 years of giving

The challenges of being a university student come in many shapes and forms. For Charlotte Dutton, they include experiencing the devastating 2022 floods.

Last year, the University of Southern Queensland Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science student’s house in Toowoomba was inundated, and she had to quickly find new accommodation. Thanks to the support of the Goondiwindi Region Scholarship, which she received at the start of her degree, she was able to relocate and continue her studies uninterrupted.

It wasn’t the first time the scholarship had been a lifeline. Earlier, Ms Dutton used the funds to buy her first car and become a member at the local PCYC to undertake driving lessons.

“Having that scholarship, especially when I wasn’t able to get a job, really, really, helped out,” she says.

Ms Dutton is one of 17 students to have received the Goondiwindi Region Scholarship since its creation in 2006. It was established by alumnus Alan Cory and his partner Janet Gibson and inspired by the memory of Alan’s parents

and aunt. Alan grew up in Goondiwindi, later attending boarding school in Brisbane.

“My parents and aunt were wonderful, giving people who contributed enormously to their communities and always supported me in any way they could,” Alan says.

The scholarship supports students from Goondiwindi and surrounding districts undertaking full-time study at UniSQ’s Toowoomba campus. It provides recipients with a generous stipend of up to $3000 per year.

Ned Hollis knows first-hand how such generosity makes a tangible difference. While studying for his Bachelor of Engineering Science, the cost of textbooks became prohibitive. Thankfully, a friend who worked at the University suggested he apply for the scholarship.

Today, Mr Hollis works as an engineering technologist for The Macfab Group in Toowoomba. He is keen to return to

Charlotte Dutton Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science and Goondiwindi Region Scholarship recipient

studies in the future to undertake a master’s in mechanical engineering, and is grateful to have received the scholarship at a pivotal moment in his education journey.

“This kind of money could make the difference between a young person’s potential being fully realised, and not. It has the potential to change someone’s entire life trajectory. I know it definitely changed mine.”

Alan, who completed his Graduate Diploma of Information Processing at the University in 1985, was motivated to help the next generation of students who, like him, have to leave their local community to undertake higher education.

“There are a lot of things that can derail a course of studies, but we hope that easing the financial pressure of living away from home will give recipients a better chance of success that leads to a satisfying career of their own,” he says.

“It is incredibly satisfying to know that the scholarship has had a positive impact on young people’s lives”.

Supporting cancer research

With one out of every eight Australian women diagnosed with breast cancer, there’s never been a more important time to support research into better patient outcomes.

While breast cancer survival rates have improved, a diagnosis brings enormous emotional upheaval for patients and their loved ones, which is where Blush Cancer Care and its partnership with the University of Southern Queensland makes a real difference.

Blush Cancer Care relies on donations to fund its vital work. In turn, they invest in research that links back to their outreach programs.

The need for Blush Cancer Care was driven by a lack of specific breast care support services in the Toowoomba and Darling Downs region. Dr Sharyn Donaldson, founder and Chair of Blush Cancer Care, says the organisation is focused on supporting patients from their diagnosis, through treatment, and beyond.

“There wasn’t any support (in the region) for advanced breast cancer,” Dr Donaldson explains.

“Basically, there were quite a few different groups that needed specific care and support that wasn’t available.”

Blush provides newly diagnosed patients with a care package, including iPads loaded with educational resources for use in hospital and during chemotherapy visits. Patient appointment diaries are another powerful tool they have developed.

Of Blush’s partnership with UniSQ, Dr Donaldson says that staying across new advances in research is vital.

“It’s such an evolving area and we need to be up to date,” she says.

“Our focus is always that the patient is number one, but you’ve also got to think about outcomes for patients beyond what we’re seeing now. In four or five years, it might be a very different milieu, and it’s researchers who are going to be ahead of that change.”

The supported UniSQ research informs two specific programs: an exercise intervention initiative, in partnership with FitLab and St. Andrews Hospital; and access to a psychologist for Blush’s Advanced Breast Cancer group. Dr Donaldson says the organisation’s connection with UniSQ strengthens and benefits both partners.

“Firstly, I think patients like being part of cancer research,” she says.

“They feel it validates the program and that they’re giving something back. Secondly, people who are interested in donating to Blush really like to know you’re using the most evidence-based interventions that are relevant to patients. It’s about making sure that every cent raised is spent wisely.”

Honouring an inspiring educator: Barry Fields

Dr Barry Fields dedicated nearly 40 years to the University of Southern Queensland, sharing his passion for special education with generations of future teachers.

As a PhD supervisor, he inspired not only doctoral candidates, but also his own two sons to follow in his academic footsteps.

While they chose different fields – Mark CottmanFields, human-computer interaction, and brother Tim, physiotherapy – both credit their father’s strong support as instrumental in achieving their own research goals.

So when Barry sadly passed away in 2017, he left a considerable legacy. Mark and Tim wanted to honour their father, and give back, as he had. They pondered an opportunity to keep Barry’s memory alive while extending his life’s work by continuing to inspire and help future students.

Even though they didn’t think their funds would be sufficient to fund a bursary, the brothers contacted UniSQ and asked the question anyway. They were surprised by the answer.

Not only were they able to establish the Barry Fields Memorial Bursary relatively quickly, in 2020, they also got to direct its criteria to reflect Barry’s belief that everyone deserves to access and participate in education.

“We wanted it to go to those who are keen and who need it,” Mark explains. “If you’re eager, and you need some support, we would like to help.”

After already providing a total of $12,000 to six postgraduate education students across three years, a hiatus until 2025 will enable the bursary to be offered to continue Barry’s legacy.

Barry Fields

Mark’s message to anyone wanting to honour a loved one in this way is to work with what you have, and to imagine the legacy you want to leave.

“We didn’t know that there aren’t many education-focused scholarships at universities. We were told many folks who want to support education direct funds to schools,” Mark says.

“UniSQ said: ‘We can work through things, and you can do it in your own way’, which we didn’t think would be the case. It’s worked out well.”

Dr