27 diverse student societies were also present, and more than $1400 was raised to support the work of the UN Women International Committee Australia to end violence against women and girls in the Pacific region.

As of today, visitors to mgsm.edu.au will encounter a brand new website for the Macquarie Graduate School of Management. A key component of the Shared Identity project, the new site aligns MGSM with the University’s new identity while still maintaining a distinct brand look for the leading business school. Other major improvements include responsive mobile-friendly design and a new site structure that better meets audience needs.

[Front row, left] Emeritus Professor Jim Piper from the Department of Physics and Astronomy. [Back row, centre] Dr Lee Spitler from the Department of Physics and Astronomy. [Back row, far right] Dr Alfonso Garcia-Bennett from the Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences.

‘Science Meets Parliament 2016’ Science & Technology Australia President, Emeritus Professor Jim Piper and delegates Dr Lee Spitler from the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Dr Alfonso Garcia-Bennett from the Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences met with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in his office at Parliament House earlier this month.

The 16th annual Science meets Parliament brought 200 working scientists to Canberra for a two-day program of professional development and networking aimed at helping them better communicate their science to the media, policymakers and parliamentarians.

[Left] The newly refurbished Department of Linguistics. [Right] Unveiling of the ‘We Are Ubuntu’ artwork by the Head of the Department of Linguistics, Associate Professor Jan-Louis Kruger (pictured right), and Macquarie University Visual Voices Art Group artist, Olegario Gonzalez.

The long awaited refurbishment of The Linguistics Department C5A building has been completed, in the record time of five months, by the company Inaphase. The new interior has proven to be a hit among staff, showcasing crisp modern features in neutral tones, complemented with splashes of turquoise and copper.

To celebrate, the Department of Linguistics held an opening last Friday afternoon in the elegant space, during which they unveiled the newly installed artwork created by members of the Macquarie University Visual Voices Art Group. The group was established in August 2014 by speech pathologist Christine Sheard in the Macquarie University Speech and Hearing Clinic. The group encourages people with some physical paralysis and language communication difficulties (aphasia) following stroke, to use art as a medium to practise friendship, social participation, renewed self-identity and autonomy.

The unveiled piece pictured is called “We are Ubuntu” from three artists from the group, John Giliberti, Olegario Gonzalez, Alasdair MacLennan and their artistic facilitators Viviene Mewing, Romny Vandoros and Karlene Wilcox; who named the piece after the African term ‘ubuntu’ which means “l am what I am because of who we are”. The artwork rejoices in the fact that communication can occur in more ways than just via speech and that its ultimate success resides also in the attitudes and engagement of people in all our social contexts.

Congratulations to the Macquarie University Catering team on receiving the New South Wales Banquet and Catering Award at the Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) industry awards for the second consecutive year.

The Award recognises organisations that provide catering services for business events either as a stand-alone catering business or as a banquet department providing food and beverage services for conferences and events.

This adds to the long list of awards the team have received throughout the years for their outstanding effort.  Learn more about their achievements.

Late last month more than 800 mathematics teachers from across New South Wales, including many from regional and remote areas came to campus to take part in the Higher School Certificate (HSC) Mathematics Review day.

Run by the Mathematic Department in partnership with the Mathematical Association of New South Wales, and with the assistance of the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards New South Wales, the day included a number of sessions reviewing each of the mathematics papers from the 2015 HSC. It was an opportunity to highlight areas of concern and provide information and insight to help classroom teachers better prepare their students.

From our very beginnings, Macquarie has been consciously inclusive. From paving a path for women to pursue tertiary study, to the incredible number of nationalities and cultures to be found amongst our staff and students, ours is a place where different perspectives are welcomed and celebrated.

On Wednesday 23 March we will celebrate the diversity of our Macquarie community at a free Harmony Day event for all students and staff.

From 12pm to 2pm, the Central Courtyard will be alive with colours, sounds and tastes from around the world, with plenty of delicious food on offer.

Award-winning slam poet Abe Nouk will be performing a selection of poems reflecting on his upbringing in war-torn Africa and his new life in Australia.

As a signatory organisation to the Racism. It stops with me campaign, there will also be a screening of Unified Ryde – a film produced by Macquarie students and staff in partnership with the City of Ryde and the Salvation Army.

Harmony Day at Macquarie University
When: Wednesday 23 March
Time: 12pm – 2pm
Where: Central Courtyard

Learn more about the event.

Tuesday 8 March, International Women’s Day, is an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions made by Macquarie women to our University, the economy and our communities.

With this year’s theme being “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality”, it is also a time to look at how women are progressing at Macquarie, especially in terms of positions of leadership and influence.

There is much to celebrate in this regard. Figures published in The Australian last month rank Macquarie as the third best university in Australia in terms of female representation in management.

The broader picture is also encouraging, as this snapshot – prepared with the assistance of the Equity and Diversity Unit – shows.

Kate Wilson, Director of Equity and Diversity says that while these are excellent results, there is always more to be done.

“The top areas of concern right now are the need to attract and keep women in the sciences (STEMM – Science, Technology, Engineering,  Mathematics and Medicine); the need for flexible workplaces which appreciate the complexity of women’s lives; and the need to address the perennial issue of the gender pay gap.”

“Macquarie continues to take action on all of these and gender is now explicit in the Vice-Chancellor’s Key Performance Indicators and in high level University plans.”

Kate encourages all University staff to join tomorrow’s festivities, where they can find out how to support these initiatives and gender equality more broadly.

“I’d like to wish everyone a fabulous International Women’s Day tomorrow. It’s a day to celebrate, a day to reflect and a day to take action!”

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International Women’s Day at Macquarie
Date: Tuesday 8 March
Time: 12pm to 2pm
Location: Central Courtyard

Register now.

All staff and students are invited to celebrate the successes of women past and present and make a commitment to eliminating violence against women by joining Macquarie University’s  International Women’s Day event.

Date: Tuesday 8 March
Time: 12pm to 2pm
Location: Central Courtyard

Hosted by the Equity and Diversity Unit, Campus Life and the Women’s Collective, the event will include a barbecue, information stalls and displays, sporting activities and performances. It will also raise funds to support UN Women’s programs and policy work to stop violence against women and girls in the Pacific Region.

Register now.

For more information on the event, contact Eleanor Sanderson from the Women’s Collective: eleanor.sanderson@students.mq.edu.au

“The Green Paper provides an opportunity to consider how Macquarie University can bring real change to Indigenous education. The Green Paper offers seven strategic directions to build our cultural footprint and develop our future Indigenous leaders,” says Associate Professor Shane Hearn, Director of Indigenous Strategy.

Access a copy of the Green Paper.

Feedback is invited until Friday 29 January and can be made via the online feedback form.

Indigenous Strategy Green Paper forum

All staff are invited to hear more about the Green Paper’s vision and priorities from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and the Director of Indigenous Strategy.

When: Wednesday 10 February
Time: 12.30pm – 2pm
Where: Building C5C, Collaborative Forum

Register your attendance now.

The Office of Indigenous Strategy has commenced meetings across campus to discuss how the strategies of the Green Paper can be implemented across campus.

To book a meeting with the Office of Indigenous Strategy to discuss the Green Paper, please contact alex.swain@mq.edu.au

As a proud White Ribbon accredited workplace since 2013, more than 250 staff from across campus came together at a special lunch time event in Marxine’s Courtyard last Wednesday 25 November, to mark White Ribbon Day and show support for the national campaign.

Guest speakers included Professor Sakkie Pretorius, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research); Wendy Shepherd, Director of Mia Mia Child Study Centre, Institute of Early Childhood; and Adam Joyce from the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and President of the Macquarie University Rugby Club.

It was apparent from the moving speeches made, the matter of domestic violence is one close to the heart, with many impacted by this global issue. The diversity of the speakers also highlighted the willingness for all areas of Macquarie community to come together to raise awareness and lead change as a workplace.

“As one of the world’s first accredited White Ribbon Workplaces, Macquarie is committed to being a leader in the prevention of violence against women and the promotion of respectful relationships in our workplace and community,” said Nicole Gower, Director of Human Resources and MC at the event.

As part of the event, Nicole announced new guidelines and online resources now available for staff about domestic violence prevention and support, furthering Macquarie’s commitment to create a positive and supportive workplace environment in which staff members who are affected feel comfortable requesting assistance and confident of receiving support.

Read more about the White Ribbon Workplace program at Macquarie

“The Green Paper aims to start a dialogue across the University about what we can do over the next ten years to address the challenges and opportunities for Indigenous education and proposes a set of strategic directions and priorities to bring real change in the future of Indigenous education at Macquarie,” says Associate Professor Shane Hearn, Director, Indigenous Strategy.

Over the coming months, Shane and his team will coordinate face-to-face opportunities for discussion about how this strategy can best be implemented.

“We invite everyone to read the Green Paper, and consider how we can work together to transform Indigenous education at Macquarie,” says Shane.

Access a copy of the Green Paper

Staff can provide feedback in a number of ways:

1. Submit a response using the online feedback form
2. Email alex.swain@mq.edu.au

All feedback is required by Friday 29 January 2016.

Watch an interview with Shane about the development of the Green Paper, below.

Introducing Walanga Muru
To coincide with the launch of the Green Paper, the Office of Indigenous Strategy (OIS) is pleased to announce a new Darug language name: Walanga Muru, meaning ‘follow your path’.

Shane explains the name was developed in consultation with the local Aboriginal community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to reflect a new stage in the journey being taken by Macquarie and the Darug community. The new name has been accepted by the local Aboriginal community, and as a result, the OIS will no longer be known as Warawara.

“Our change in name marks the beginning of a new era, not only with strengthened community relationships, but also a commitment to mutual respect, reciprocity and engagement,” says Shane. “It also reflects our ambition and vision to support Indigenous students to become leaders in their chosen fields and provide a culturally safe ‘home away from home’ while they pursue their tertiary aspirations.”

The new language name Walanga Muru reminds us of the pathways we each take in life and the role of the OIS to support our communities to follow their pathways and realise their potential. As Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Walanga Muru links us back to the pathways of Land and our linkages to past, present and future.

The below story was supplied by key members of the local Darug Community, Aunty Edna Watson and Kerrie Kenton in conjunction with Sue Pinckham, Macquarie’s Cultural Adviser to provide the University with the narrative behind the Black Snapper Fish, the totem given to Walanga Muru.

“The black snapper fish is a shy but clever fish, who uses the shadows and patterns created by the mangroves to protect the younger fish. The mangroves are their nursery, their school and their home. The mangroves represent life – the obstacles and tangles that we need to navigate. At Walanga Muru, we seek to support students to choose the right path to take, assist them to navigate the obstacles and tangles of life, and to emerge as strong, resilient leaders for the future.”

Updated Welcome to Country and other Indigenous Ceremonies Policy and Procedure
The OIS has released an updated Welcome to Country and other Indigenous Ceremonies Policy and Procedure. The amended policy and procedure is available from Policy Central and provides staff with a comprehensive guide for all Indigenous Cultural Ceremonies and allows for bookings to be actioned through OneHelp.

A Welcome to Country or Acknowledgement of Country ceremony is conducted during official proceedings and events and the new procedure provides a streamlined approach for staff to action bookings.

For more information about Welcome to Country proceedings or other Indigenous cultural matters contact Emily Sutton (emily.sutton@mq.edu.au) or call ext 4209.

The new logo should be unambiguously GLBTIQ-affirming, welcoming and celebratory and include the rainbow colours.

The winning design will replace the current Ally Network logo and will be used on all associated Network promotional material including a lapel pin, stickers and posters.

The winner will have the choice of either a $500 Coles Myer gift card OR a $500 Co-op Bookshop gift card.

Entries close Sunday 18 October 2015.

Read more about the logo entry requirements.

View the Terms and Conditions.

How to submit your design
Email: Daniel O’neill (daniel.oneill@mq.edu.au)
Deliver: Equity and Diversity Unit, Level 4, Building C5C

For more information contact Daniel O’neill (daniel.oneill@mq.edu.au) or call ext 9765.

As an employee of Macquarie you are welcome to make comments on the report directly to the university via email (equityanddiversity@mq.edu.au) or to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency.

Please refer to the Agency’s guidelines on this process.

“The Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared history, culture and achievements, and to explore how each of us can join the national reconciliation effort,” said Emily Sutton, Team Leader, Indigenous Support Services.

Celebrated every year, National Reconciliation Week recognises the dates which commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey – the anniversaries of the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision.

Emily said this is an opportunity for all of us to play a part in the movement towards building unity and respectful relations between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.

“The Week encourages all of us to join in the reconciliation conversation and to think about how we can positively contribute to closing the gap for the benefit of all Australians,” said Emily.

Emily explained staff can show their commitment just by attending an event.

“The celebration of National Reconciliation Week is not just the responsibility of Indigenous Australians, it is the responsibility of all Australians nationwide. I encourage all staff to promote the events we have planned and get involved as best they can to play a part in bettering our nation’s future,” she said.

Reconciliation Week events: All staff and students welcome

Tuesday 26 May
What: National Sorry Day
Time: 12pm – 3pm
Where: Central Courtyard (Atrium if wet weather)
About: Take part in traditional Indigenous games and enjoy a free barbecue.

Wednesday 27 May
What: Sea of Hands
Time: 12pm – 3pm
Where: The Learning Circle
About: A sea of hands will be planted to commence The Week. Each set of hands planted will symbolise the Australian people’s rights-based movement towards reconciliation.

Thursday 28 May
What: Indigenous film night: Charlie’s Country
Time: 6pm – 9pm
Where: Level 3, C10A
About: See the screening of the Indigenous film, Charlie’s Country. Indigenous bush tucker will be served along with the movie essentials of popcorn and ice cream.

Friday 29 May
What: Barbecue and reconciliation tree signing
Time: 12pm – 2pm
Where: Central Courtyard
About: Sign the reconciliation tree in show of your support and enjoy a free barbecue.

Wednesday 3 June
What: Mabo Day film: Mabo
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Where: The Atrium
About: See the story of Mabo and celebrate this significant day with popcorn and ice cream.