This month’s graduation ceremony was a mother - daughter affair for Bond University graduands Sue and Genevieve Colling.

The pair was among 430 graduating students to receive their degrees on Saturday 2nd February, and they couldn’t have been more thrilled.

"Neither of us ever expected to study together let alone graduate together, so we are very excited," said Sue.

Graduating from a Bachelor of Business, Sue stood proudly by as her daughter Genevieve became Bond University’s first Master of Psychology (Forensic) graduate.

Sue said watching her daughter successfully progress through university as she completed her undergraduate and postgraduate studies inspired her to make the leap into tertiary education.

"I thought, gosh, I know I’m a lot older than Genevieve but I’m sure I can do it.

"As you mature you challenge and doubt yourself, and you think that maybe you can’t do it – the young ones are so enthusiastic and so clever.

"But then I realised the benefit of my business knowledge and work experience," Sue said.

Sue needn’t have worried about keeping up with her ‘Gen-Y’ classmates; along with successfully completing the requirements of her degree, she also appeared on the Dean’s List and received two Faculty awards: the Waterhouse Award for the Best Marketing Graduate and the Thomson Learning Australia Award for the Best Marketing Major.

She says while finding the time to return to study between raising a child and juggling her career was difficult, it was well worth it.

"I would encourage other mature age students to go back and study, especially with all the help and support offered by all the Bond Lecturers, staff and the library.

"It’s been challenging, but so rewarding," Sue said.

Daughter Genevieve said it wasn’t at all weird having mum on campus with her, rather, she welcomed the healthy competition it provided.

"It wasn’t us against each other, just us pushing each other to achieve our best", Genevieve said.

The Colling family joined the many other proud families and friends who attended the graduation ceremony to celebrate the achievements of their loved ones.

Valedictorians Elizabeth Scott (undergraduate) and Christine Oglethorpe (postgraduate) delivered stirring speeches to their fellow graduates; while the undergraduate and postgraduate Occasional Addresses, given by Bond University Council Member Mrs Kathryn Greiner AO and chairman of the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) Mr Maurice Newman AC respectively, relayed some insightful advice to graduands as they embarked on the next chapter of their lives.

View our Graduation Photo Gallery

Read Elizabeth Scott’s Valedictory Address

Read Christine Oglethorpe’s Valedictory Address

Read Mrs Kathryn Greiner AO’s Undergraduate Occasional Address

Read Mr Maurice Newman AC’s Postgraduate Occasional Address

Bond College’s first cohort of students graduated on Friday 1 February, after successfully completing their Year 12 equivalent Foundation Program in just eight months (two semesters).

All seven of the inaugural graduates are now realising their ambition of studying at university, having commenced undergraduate degrees at Bond University this semester in programs such as Law, Criminology, Business, Journalism and Sustainable Development.

Nicholas Nigg was among those graduating and scooped an impressive seven of the ten awards available, including six Top of Class subject awards, and a special Director’s Award for Academic Excellence.

This, from a student who says he underperformed in High School.

"I hated school – I mucked around a lot. I knew I was a lot smarter than my grades showed and knew I could do better," Nicholas said.

After leaving High School, Nicholas spent six months working in trade labour before deciding to enrol in Bond College to pursue his ambition to study at university.

He says his success has been due largely to the open and relaxed learning environment of Bond College.

"It’s very different to High School. There was no teacher standing at the front yelling orders - it was more about interacting with each other and being treated like an adult.

"It brought out the best in me and made me want to learn and be involved in class.

"Now I’m studying a degree in Business and Finance and definitely feel prepared for my uni studies. Actually, I even feel one step ahead of others in my class who still have to get used to what it’s like to study at university," he said.

Delivering the Student Address at the ceremony, Nicholas thanked his teachers for helping him and his classmates to "perform at our optimum academic levels and achieve our best."

"The new program is definitely a great success and it would not have been as enjoyable without the people in it.

"Bond College gave us a second chance we will always be thankful for," Nicholas said.

Bond University Chancellor Mr Trevor C Rowe also addressed the graduating class, congratulating them on their achievements and speaking of the important role Bond College plays as a pathway to Bond University.

"As well as providing an alternative pathway to university entry, Bond College offers students the opportunity to step away from a traditional high school campus and prepares them for a university lifestyle," he said.

"The Foundation Program provides the skills necessary to survive and flourish in a university environment. It follows Bond’s tradition of offering small class sizes, engaging students and letting them share experiences.

"I congratulate you all on your enthusiasm and passion for learning and your successful transition to university," Mr Rowe said.

Bond College was established by Bond University in May 2007 to provide students with an alternative pathway to enter university by studying a Year 12 equivalent program.

Bond College’s rapidly growing reputation for quality has seen its enrolments in its Foundation Program swell significantly in 2008, with 64 new students commencing studies in the January semester this year.

The road to graduation for Bond Law graduate Christopher Jasek wasn’t always an easy one.

After fracturing his spine in a skiing accident while on Exchange in France, Christopher faced the challenge of balancing his demanding study schedule with months of surgery and rehabilitation.

But the 21-year-old took it all in his stride, and with the support of the Faculty, this month graduated with his Bachelor of Laws.

A Geelong College graduate, Christopher moved from Melbourne to the Gold Coast in 2005 to study Law at Bond.

He says the ‘prestige factor’ played a big part in his decision to pack his bags and move north.

"Bond has a reputation for an amazing law program. I’d heard that everyone who comes out of Bond Law has so many possibilities and opportunities to choose from – and that has turned out to be true," he said.

In May 2006, Christopher decided to take up the opportunity to study a semester of his law degree abroad in Strasbourg, France.

It was while he was holidaying in the ski town of Tarbes that he took a five metre fall off a ski jump and broke his back – and his well laid plans took an unexpected turn.

"I’d crushed my vertebra by 30% and burst one of my lumbars on the outside. If it was to burst on the inside, I would have been a paraplegic – that was the difference. In that regards, I’m really quite lucky.

"I had to have a complex operation on my back to inject fluid into my spine. It’s a world class operation that is only available in two hospitals in the world – one being Strasbourg hospital. If I’d been in Australia, the surgery wouldn’t have been possible.

"When I got back to Australia, there was lots of rehabilitation to do. I’d lost nearly 10kg, needed physio twice a week and had a demanding exercise schedule – it was so tedious.

"But I knuckled down. Although it was difficult, I had a lot of support from the Faculty, particularly [Dean of Law] Duncan Bentley and Tina Hunter.

"I also decided that I needed some work experience to gain extra perspective on my studies, so I approached Bond Alumnus Derek Cronin, of Cronin Litigation. He took me on and has given me a lot of help.

"It was really challenging balancing the work experience, my law studies & the rehabilitation, but I’m so proud to have done it," Christopher said.

Christopher is now undertaking his Professional Legal Training course at (PLT) at Bond to be admitted as a legal practitioner.

"I really want to travel overseas to work, but need to get my grounding first, so I plan to work on the Gold Coast for a little bit before I head off.

"I never actually saw myself pursuing law, I had always thought I wanted to start my own business; but Bond’s really given me the passion for it. Now I really want to be a lawyer."

Ambassador for the European Commission to Australia and New Zealand, His Excellency Mr Bruno Julien will be deliver a public lecture at Bond University on Wednesday, March 12, on the topic "The Lisbon Strategy: Harnessing Globalisation for a Stronger Europe".

As the world’s largest economy and the world’s largest trader, Europe is deeply embedded in the international systems of trade and finance.

The recent turbulence in financial markets has shown that the European economy remains inextricably linked to global developments. Globalisation is at the top of Europe’s policy agenda. 

At the start of the millennium, Europe launched the Lisbon Strategy, an overarching policy response to the challenges and opportunities posed by globalisation.  Economic reform, a global vision, and a low-carbon economy are key parts of this agenda.  

In 2006, four priority areas – research and innovation, a better business environment, greater employability, and energy and climate change – were agreed by the Members.  

The Ambassador will speak on how Europe is using the Lisbon Strategy as a lever for reform and harnessing the challenges and opportunities posed by globalisation to achieve a stronger Europe.

An understanding of the European strategy will provide Australia with insights about how to refine its own strategy to harness globalisation and build a stronger nation.

Hosted by Bond University’s Tim Fischer Centre for Global Trade and Finance and the Faculty of Law, the free public lecture will be held in Bond University’s Cerum Theatre, with canapés and drinks beginning at 5.30pm.

Bookings are essential; please reserve your place by emailing Rachel Black at rblack@bond.edu.au or phone 07 5595 2065.

This month we congratulate Professor Laurence Boulle AM, on his appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia; Professor Paul Wilson on his appointment as an expert for the International Criminal Court, and Assistant Professor Tim Jay on his recruitment to the Royal Australian Air Force’s specialist reserve legal panel. Well done to Laurence, Paul and Tim on these prestigious appointments.

If you have a success story you would like to share with the Bond community, please email kwelsh@bond.edu.au.

Congratulations to Deputy Dean of Law Professor Laurence Boulle on his appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM); "For service to the law, particularly in the fields of mediation, alternative dispute resolution and education, and as a contributor to legal publications."

A seasoned legal practitioner, Professor Boulle AM (pictured above) has worked tirelessly to improve mediation practices within Australia and, as a foundation staff member, has been helping Bond Law students to master the intricacies of the legal profession for 20 years.

Laurence Boulle taught at the Universities of Natal and Adelaide before joining Bond University in 1988. He has taught and worked at universities in Europe, Africa, North America and Australasia and his books on constitutional law, employment law, mediation and dispute resolution have been published in seven countries.

He served as Chair of the Federal Government's National Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Council from 1999 until 2003 and is currently a part-time member of the National Native Title Tribunal. He is accredited as a mediator of the Supreme Court of Queensland and conducts a private mediation practice.

Despite his success and his contribution to the field of law, Professor Boulle was taken aback when his efforts were recognised with the award.

"I was rather embarrassed actually, I wanted to find the nominator," he said.

"However, it's a great recognition of the place of mediation in Australia's justice system today."

Professor Paul Wilson has just been appointed to the list of experts for the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a consultant in forensic psychology and criminology. The court only appoints experts after a thorough and comprehensive vetting process.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an independent, permanent court that tries persons accused of the most serious crimes of international concern, namely genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.  The ICC is based on a treaty, joined by 105 countries.

The ICC is a court of last resort.  It will not act if a case is investigated or prosecuted by a national judicial system unless the national proceedings are not genuine, for example if formal proceedings were undertaken solely to shield a person from criminal responsibility.  In addition, the ICC only tries those accused of the gravest crimes.

Professor Wilson says he is delighted and humbled with his appointment. "I have admired and respected the work of the court for a number of years" he said. "Some of the work I have done in genocide and in miscarriages of justice will serve be useful for any work I do with the ICC in the future".

Professor Wilson, who frequently gives expert evidence in Australian criminal and civil courts, says that the experience with the ICC will be invaluable for teaching students at Bond in forensic psychology and criminology courses.

Assistant Professor of Law Tim Jay has recently been recruited by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to join its specialist reserve legal panel, operating from RAAF Base Amberley, Qld.  Panel members provide a wide variety of legal advice and assistance to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) at all levels.  Tasks may involve anything from duties on a board of inquiry, accident investigation or court-martial, down to the making of a will or power of attorney for a serving member of the ADF.

Tim is no stranger to military service; before embarking on a legal career, he completed twenty years of service in the RAAF as an aeronautical engineer and pilot.  Tim flew operations on C-130E Hercules aircraft with No. 37 SQN, and became a captain on that aircraft type.

Tim rejoins the RAAF at his former rank of Squadron Leader.

We remember the compassion and generous spirit of former Assistant Professor in Sports Management Denis Callinan, who passed away on January 16, 2008, of a heart attack, at the age of 53.

Generosity Knew No Bounds

``SURF for Life'' -- it was the slogan of the Surfers Against Nuclear Destruction, the peace/environmental/charity group founded by Gold Coast lawyer and former Assistant Professor in Sports Management Denis Callinan in the early 1980s and which became, post-glasnost, the Surfers Against Nature's Destruction.

Surf for Life was also Mr Callinan's personal credo. Known as the surfing solicitor, he lived for the waves. But as his huge funeral service heard in January, he also lived to help others, especially those less fortunate.

Tributes from two former world surfing champions as well as Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett and Callinan's old Miami High schoolmate, Premier Anna Bligh, were a measure of the enormous love, goodwill and respect he commanded.

His death from a heart attack last week at the age of 53 sent shockwaves through the surfing and legal communities where he was revered for his passion and compassion.

More than 1000 mourners, including surf stars Mark Occhilupo, Joel Parkinson and Dean Morrison, packed Miami High's Great Hall to hear Mr Callinan eulogised as a man with an infectious zest for life and a generous spirit that knew no bounds.

The eldest of three siblings, Denis Terence Callinan was born in Brisbane but settled on the Gold Coast with his family as a child. Adventurous, fun-loving and determined, he was quickly dubbed Denis the Menace, his sister Ann recalled.

In 1968, his father Bill was appointed headmaster at Miami High where Denis attended school with the likes of Bligh and Wayne ``Rabbit'' Bartholomew, who went on to become world surfing champion.

Bill Callinan was a forward-thinking educator and it was probabl y with his son's cajoling that Miami High became the first school in Australia to adopt surfing -- now a multibillion-dollar industry -- as a school sport. Denis also persuaded his father to cut his mate Bartholomew some slack at school to allow him to follow his pro surfing dream.

Mr Callinan's love for the surf did not sidetrack him from studies and he was admitted as a solicitor in 1978.

He worked with various Gold Coast law firms and went on to specialise in family and sports law. He was a partner for 10 years in the firm Moynihan and Callinan at famed surf spot Burleigh Heads, a location which invariably allowed him to get in a wave before work.

``He set his daily schedule not so much by the clock but more so by the swell at Burleigh Point, which he could see from his office window,'' his former law partner, Justin Moynihan, recalled.

But despite often turning up late for meetings with his hair still wet from the surf, Mr Callinan would work into the night to make up the time. Mr Moynihan remembered his former colleague as a tenacious advocate with a compassionate streak that saw the firm take on more than its fair share of pro bono and cut-price work -- not to mention its sponsorship of many charity surfing events.

``That was the calibre of the man,'' Moynihan said.

``He had the knack of getting people to do things.

``He was never afraid to ask.''

Mr Callinan established community legal centres on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane. He also set up the innovative Gold Coast Traffic Offenders Program -- a ``shock therapy'' scheme for first-time drink drivers who could receive reduced penalties in return for attending lectures from frontline emergency service workers.

He also lectured in sports law and management at the Gold Coast's Bond University.

In the early 1980s, he set up the Surfers Against Nuclear Destruction (SAND), which held a series of high-profile surfing tournaments to protest against the nuclear arms race.

Top surfers including Occhilupo took part and Mr Callinan persuaded Peter Garrett's band Midnight Oil to play at one event and Garrett later became SAND's patron.

With the end of the Cold War and the demise of the Soviet Union, SAND became the Surfers Against Nature's Destruction, highlighting environmental causes and raising an estimated $1 million for charity through surfing events and functions.

``Denis was the people's champion,'' Mr Bartholomew said yesterday.

``(From an early age) he developed a very strong sense of justice and a very strong sense of doing the right thing. He gave 100 per cent effort and an extra 20 per cent in compassion.''

Mr Callinan was also an ardent traveller and made 29 trips to Hawaii where he ``surfed his brains out'', Bartholomew said.

He was close friends with Hawaiian surfing luminaries including surfboard shaper Dennis Pang and the late big-wave great Mark Foo.

He also travelled extensively in the Pacific, fearlessly surfing remote big-wave spots on his own.

Mr Callinan never married but always charmed the women in his life with flowers and a smile. Following his father's death, he made it a point to take his mother Joyce and Bartholomew's mother Betty to lunch every week.

He is survived by his mother, sister, brother Mark and partner Andrea McKay.

Obituary written by Greg Stolz, The Courier Mail.

Denis Callinan - "The Surfing Saint": www.deniscallinan.com

Postgraduate Information Sessions - Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Gold Coast

Attend these free information sessions to hear about the exciting postgraduate study and research options available at Bond University, across our four Faculties:

• Business, Technology and Sustainable Development
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Health Sciences and Medicine
• Law

Dates and Times:

Sydney
Registrations open at 5:45pm
Presentation to begin at 6:00pm
Monday 4 March
The Forum One room, Hyde Park Inn, 271 Elizabeth Street, Sydney

Brisbane
Registrations open at 5:45pm
Presentation to begin at 6:00pm
Tuesday 5 March
Ryan's Private Dining Room, Conrad Treasury, George Street, Brisbane

Melbourne
Registrations open at 5:45pm
Presentation to begin at 6:00pm
Tuesday 17 March
Novotel Melbourne on Collins

Gold Coast
Registrations open at 5:45pm
Presentation to begin at 6:00pm
Tuesday 18 March
Cerum Theatre Foyer, Level 3 University Centre, Bond University, Gold Coast

To receive further details about these upcoming information sessions, please contact:
Charlotte King
(07) 5595 1114
events@bond.edu.au

Children's Services Professional Development Series Workshop

Workshop: 'Practical Ideas for the Early Years'

What: Head of the Children's Services Program at Bond University Professor Caroline Fewster will present on practical ways to spark imagination and creativity in the early years. This workshop will prove to be a wonderful opportunity for educators and parents alike.

When: 5pm, Wednesday 26 March, 2008

Where: Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University

Cost: $55 per person

Please book early, as our last professional development session sold out quickly!

More information:

Visit: Children's Services Professional Development Series 2008

Or contact, Kelly Palmer, Assistant Professor Children's Services, on 07 5595 4161, or email children@bond.edu.au.

The Lisbon Strategy: European Commission Ambassador

The Ambassador for the European Commission to Australia and New Zealand, His Excellency Mr Bruno Julien will be delivering a public lecture at Bond University on Wednesday, March 12.

The lecture, entitled "The Lisbon Strategy: Harnessing Globalisation for a Stronger Europe", will be hosted by Bond University’s Tim Fischer Centre for Global Trade and Finance, and the Faculty of Law.

When: Wednesday 12 March, 2008; from 5.30pm

Student for a Semester
Next intake: May Semester, 2008

Student for a Semester is open to Grade 11 and 12 students in January, May and September each year. As an enrolled Bond University student, participants complete a university level subject for which they gain credit towards their future degree. This is a great opportunity for students to experience university life – both academically and socially – and gain an insight into study areas of interest. For more information or to apply, interested students should see their school’s Career Advisor or click here for an application form. 

Open Day

Date: Sunday, 17 August 2008

Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm

Put this date in your calendar today! Open Day 2008 will show you what makes Bond University so unique as you meet students, Alumni and professors and get inspired to bring your ambition to life on the beautiful Gold Coast.

Visit Open Day to find out why Bond University is the highest rating university in Australia in the 2008 Good Universities Guide.

Our Open Day is not the only time you can come and visit the Bond University campus there are various events available to you all year round.

Or why not take advantage of a personal session with a Bond University Admissions Manager to discuss your study options, scholarships and career ambitions.

Contact an Admissions Manager in your state to schedule your appointment.

All Upcoming Events

View the Bond University Events Calendar

DEPUTY DEAN OF MEDICINE
PROFESSOR PETER JONES