Founders' luncheon, Open days - and the tropical agenda

Dear Colleagues,

Last Sunday was a very special day at the Cairns campus. Not only did we experience a very successful Open Day, with around 3200 visitors on campus, we hosted the ‘Founders’’ luncheon. This was an opportunity to honour members of the FNQ community who, 21 years ago, had been involved in fundraising for the purchase of the land on which our campus was built and supporting the development of JCU in Cairns.

Dr George Chapman provided the occasional address. It was interesting to hear about the group, their approach to achieving a University campus based in Cairns and, from George’s point of view, his hopes for the future of the University in Cairns.

Among other elements of the luncheon, the Chancellor and I sealed a time capsule, to be opened on the 50th anniversary of the launch of fundraising for the campus. That will be in 2038. A number of items had been placed in the capsule, including programs from current events around the city and, from the JCU’s Cairns-based law students, a list of laws that they hope they may have seen changed by 2038. It was a terrific occasion on a glorious, busy day on campus.

Tomorrow is Open Day in Townsville and I’m sure it will be just as successful as the Cairns event. Thanks to all staff who participated in the Cairns Open day and thanks also, but in advance, to all who’ll be involved tomorrow in Townsville. So important for us to showcase the University to the community – and prospective students.

Earlier in August, I spoke at Queensland’s ‘Science in Parliament’ day. The address was about the tropical agenda as one of the Next Big Things for science and for Queensland.

And while on the topic of the tropics, Queensland’s Chief Scientist Prof Peter Andrews and I recently hosted the ‘Torrid Zone Symposium’, with the much appreciated funding support of a Q150 grant from the Queensland Government. We had 43 invited participants to the 2 day event – folk from around the world and representing NGOs, business, the research community (universities, AIMS and CSIRO by means of Board member Dr Terry Cutler) and government, including an AusAID representative and Western Australia’s wonderful Chief Scientist, Professor Lyn Beazley) and members of the Troplinks Inc. Board and new CEO Graham Poon.

While all were welcome and made invaluable contributions, I must say it was fantastic to have Terry there. His focus on the tropics in the report of his review of the national innovation system, venturousaustralia, shone the spotlight on the potential of tropical solutions. Gotta love Annex 11. I know that Terry is serious about seeing this through.

It was an intense time as we examined the issues of the tropical world and then approaches to addressing these, including foreign aid, philanthropy, social entrepreneurship and business investment. A report is being drafted as I write that signals specific action that can and should be the subject of attention. Stephanie Hunter from my office did a champion job organizing the symposium, managing delegates and so much more besides.

Then, Peter Andrews and I took the tropical agenda to the Australian Leadership Retreat, run by the Australian Davos Connection (ADC) combining with the World Economic Forum. It was another excellent conversation with new ideas emerging about how to approach encouraging business to engage with the enormous opportunity of the growing tropical economy.

Much more happened this month, but maybe that enough for now……

Cheers,
Sandra