Early Childhood staff prove they’re hot stuff in the tropics

Staff from Campus Life Children’s Services and the Institute of Early Childhood were up in Darwin earlier this month for the Early Childhood Australia (ECA) National Conference.

Macquarie proved itself as a provider of high quality, forward-thinking early education with presentations on topics including empowering self-respect in the early years, representations of queerness in early childhood education and changing the culture of outdoor play.

Maria Bennett, Children’s Services Manager, noted that Macquarie’s presentations were very well received, with some being presented a second time due to demand.

---

ACE result for ACEN conference

Photos: Kylie Twyford

Macquarie recently played host to over 250 delegates attending the 2016 Australian Collaborative Education Network (ACEN) National Conference, which was held at the University for the first time.

Alongside the many stimulating papers and workshops presented by Macquarie staff during the conference, there were some other notable events:

• The inaugural ACEN National Award for Collaboration was presented to Nathan Moulds of the Salvation Army, a long-time PACE partner of the University. More than 70 Macquarie students have completed PACE projects with the organisation to date (see Macquarie Unversity’s PACE Program: The Salvation Army and the City of Ryde on YouTube).
• Professor John Simons officially launched Learning Through Community Engagement, a book edited by Judyth Sachs and Lindie Clark that tells the story of PACE and its impact on Macquarie and the wider community.
• PACE Systems Manager Mallika Ganesan was recognised with an award from Planet Software for her work in developing innovative IT solutions to better serve the needs of students, staff and partner organisations involved in the PACE program.

---

Richard Kefford joins health and medical science elite

Professor Richard Kefford (pictured, left) Head of the Department of Clinical Medicine and Head of MQ Health’s Cancer Clinical Program, has been inducted as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.

On inducting the 50 new Fellows earlier this month, Academy President Professor Ian Frazer said: “The new Fellows bring great skills and experience to our Academy… their election will help to ensure that the Academy can promote use of the best in research-informed healthcare for all Australians.”

---

Rising Stars camp out at Macquarie

In late September Macquarie played host to 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander secondary students for Walanga Muru’s first ever Rising Stars camp.  The pilot project allowed the students to experience university life and gain skills that will support them throughout their HSC and beyond.

---

GLP staff show good cause

Global Leadership Program team members Alisha, Jeanette and Caroline recently used their community service leave to volunteer for Good On You, a social enterprise that makes it easier for consumers to rate brands on how they perform on labour rights, the environment and animal protection.

They spent their time at Good On You researching ethical issues within the cosmetic industry and working on the company’s new rating tool that assesses clothing brands on their impact on workers, the environment and animals.