New Dean of Arts and Science for Fremantle Campus

Plant ecophysiology, ecology and histology – just some of the areas of research undertaken by The University of Notre Dame Australia’s new Dean of Arts and Science on the Fremantle Campus.

Vice Chancellor Professor Celia Hammond announced that Associate Professor Dylan Korczynskyj will commence in January 2011.

“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Assoc Prof Professor Dylan Korczynskyj as Dean,” said Professor Hammond.

“Dylan has been at the University since 2003, and has been acting in the position of Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, Fremantle since the middle of 2009.

“He has been a regular recipient of letters of commendation for teaching excellence and in 2009 was a recipient (alongside colleagues) of an Australian Learning and Teaching Council’s Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning.”

Assoc Prof Korczynskyj has played a pivotal role in developing the Science program on the Fremantle Campus since 2003. He has also maintained a research profile alongside his teaching and leadership roles at the University.

Assof Prof Korczynskyj said that he welcomed the opportunity to work amongst such a range of disciplines and talented people.

“I believe the School of Arts and Sciences speaks volumes about what this Catholic University strives for: commitment to teaching excellence; preparation of our students for professional and meaningful careers; commitment to social justice and indigenous issues; pastoral care for our students and our fellow colleagues; we have built a reputation for research rigor; and we continue to further develop our research profile,” he said.

“I also value the chance to stay in contact with teaching and research and to have the chance to head to places such as Tanzania with our students for immersion programs to explore issues of social justice, subsidiary and community development!

VIDEO: Notre Dame Parade

Notre Dame Parade

Call to double foreign aid

Mr Cullen said that the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) were intended to halve world poverty by 2015, but were “not currently on track”.

‘Stand Up’ was a part of the Hulbert Street Sustainability Fiesta in South Fremantle

TransPests - travellers need training

 read an article last week about a man who punched another man on the train for talking loudly on his mobile phone. I thought to myself, I know your anguish; but surely that’s a little extreme?

By a little; I mean a lot. Whilst people talking on their phones annoy the living hell out of me, so much so that I refuse to answer calls whilst on public transport, I’d never consider punching someone in the head as a means of shutting them up.

Well, actually, I lie. A part of me would consider it, but I’d never actually do it. Probably because I’m just a 20 year old girl who wouldn’t dare lay a hand on half the people on public transport.

I say half based on the stereotypes I’ve encountered as part of the 47% of people in WA who use public transport on a regular basis .

Firstly, I’d never stand a chance against the angry-at-the-world-for-no-reason pubescents; sprawled across the back seats with their cigarettes tucked behind their ears. Where did they get such a high horse, at such a young age, for such a good price? I mean, cigarettes are pretty expensive these days.

Then there’s that one person who plays their music that little bit too loud…Only, they must be deaf if they don’t think everyone else can hear it. Whatever the case, they never catch through the back of their eyelids, all the dirty looks being thrown their way. I will never understand how they manage to sleep through that crap.

Then there are the Asians. Now, I’m not a racist, in fact my best friend is Asian, but they usually come in a group of at least three or more, leaving me slightly outnumbered. Luckily they have either their mobile phones or their weekly grocery shopping to distract them.

Then there are the school kids, whom, despite averaging a height of about 4 ft, are all equipped with significantly oversized schoolbags. Now, those bags take up a lot of room on a vehicle that sees overcrowding as one of its biggest concerns. Lucky for them they’re cute; because being smacked in the face with their bags is anything but.

Then there’s the blue rinse set. When they’re not accidently leaning on the bell causing the driver to stop for no reason…they’re making friends. How lovely. It doesn’t seem to matter who with either. It could be the driver, or whoever is within hearing distance, really. But where are they when I have some random next to me trying to a spark conversation, when all I want to do is stare out the window?

Speaking of drivers, sheesh, talk about loving your job! I mean, I’ve never met a bunch of more cheerful, obliging human beings in my life. Their sheer determination to make my day, is enough to make me want to pat them on the back, not punch them in the face.

Yes, folks, meet sarcasm. The only way you’ll ever hear “cheerful human beings” and “bus drivers” in the same sentence. Unless you’re looking at the Transperth website, which states they are “recruiting enthusiastic, friendly people for a rewarding job serving the community” . Mmm, They must still be interviewing.
Anyway, I swear drivers know what we think of them. The way they take off at the lights so fast that everyone standing loses balance. Here’s an idea, rather than getting grumpy when we can’t physically squish any closer, don’t let so many people on in the first place! See that sign in the top left hand corner, driver? Yes, it says ‘this vehicle holds 25 passengers’…

Then again, I’d hate to be a passenger who’s waited all that time for a bus, to then be told “hey folks, we’re full, you’ll have to wait for the next one.” Oh wait - I have been that passenger.

I catch one of the busiest buses out there, the circle route, to both uni and work. I leave half an hour early each time; it’s my leeway in case the bus is late, full, or simply a no-show. Out of the 9,600 timetabled services, and over 1185 buses and trains currently on the Transperth system , you wouldn’t believe the amount of mornings I still rock up late.

Luckily enough, public transport is just that reliable at being unreliable – that getting to work or uni late because of ‘the bus’ is always a legitimate excuse reason. Anyway, I think back to the days in school when the best part about going on excursions was the bus trip. Now days, that joy is gone – and I’ve just booked a driving test.

20,000 new homes for Fremantle

Fremantle city council has just announced plans for a $22 million redevelopment of the historic Fremantle Dalgety Wool Store, as part of the State Government’s plan to build 20,000 new and affordable homes by 2020.

The council is planning to create 58 new and affordable apartments which forms part of a redevelopment project that will build a total of 241 new apartments on the Dalgety Wool Store site