The 6th Exercise & Sport Science Australia and Sports Dieticians Australia conference ‘Research to Practice’ is to be held in Adelaide from April 10 to 12.

(Image Credit: ESSA Website)

Tamara Woolley’s soccer-based Honours research project is a ‘keeper’.

By Gabrielle Vacher

Bachelor of Sport & Exercise Science graduate Tamara Woolley is the first JCU student to be selected as a finalist for the Aspire Academy Young Investigator Award.

Tamara was chosen after submitting an abstract of her soccer-based Honours research project to the Committee of the Research to Practice conference to be held in Adelaide from April 10 to 12.

Her Honours project and contending presentation is titled ‘The Effect of Spatial Manipulation on Goalkeepers’ Anticipation of a Penalty Kick in Soccer’.

“It’s basically a study about the eye movements of a goalkeeper, observing where they’re looking when they’re trying to block the soccer ball from the goal, and then analysing how they can improve,” Tamara says.

Research to Practice is a biennial event organised by Exercise & Sports Science Australia and Sports Dieticians Australia, and is seen as an exceptional opportunity for both students and graduates to aid with professional development and networking.

The three-day conference implements a strong scientific program comprised of expert panels, interactive sessions, workshops, and presentations regarding Sports Science, Exercise Science, Nutrition, and Exercise is Medicine.

It attracts a number of high-level speakers, national exhibitors and representatives from multiple health associations.

JCU lecturer and Honours supervisor Robert Crowther encouraged Tamara to apply for the award.

“No JCU Sport & Exercise student has made the finalists or been nominated, it is quite a new award,” Robert says.

“Tamara will be up against some strong competition, but her topic is novel and it should be a good presentation.”

Of the nine awards bestowed at Research to Practice, the Aspire Academy Young Investigator Award is open to both current university students and students enrolled in the 2013 calendar year, granting $4000 prize money to the winner and $1000 to the runner-up.

A well-regarded committee has been appointed to undertake the judging of the finalist’s presentations on the basis of scientific quality, novelty, and potential impact.

“I am pretty nervous about speaking and presenting in front of such a massive crowd, but having the opportunity to further my studies and interact with such a wide range of professionals in my field will definitely make the experience worthwhile,” Tamara said.

To find out more about the Research to Practice conference, head to: Exercise Sports and Science Australia.

James Cook University students are crying out for more parking solutions on campus, but not making formal complaints to address the issue.

By Toni Gorton

James Cook University students have expressed their disappointment with on-campus parking, many believing it is unreliable.

Second year Occupational Therapy student Julia Stark said the parking situation was erratic.

“Some days you can turn up and there will be dozens of parks and other days there are none at all,” she said.

“All our tutors have said we can use the excuse of not being able to find a park if we can’t get to class.”

Other students said they believed staff and students used facilities irresponsibly, creating problems.

Third year German Language student Pippa Bray said being surrounded by other vehicles in the unmarked parking areas was also an issue.

“The worst problem I have encountered with the parking was probably when I was parked in by other people and couldn’t leave,” she said.

WHERE TO GO: A map detailing the parking areas at James Cook University Townsville.

JCU Estate Office deputy director Robyn Fallon said people who did not park legally or safely would be fined.

“We do fine people for parking on the grass, parking illegally and in dangerous situations,” she said.

Fines at James Cook University are linked to the State Government penalty points system with all infringements linking to a percentage of a demerit point.

On-campus parking is marked by signage at the university’s entrance so students who park in unsigned areas will receive an infringement notice.

Those who park in permit zones without a parking permit also risk being fined.

Mrs Fallon said the Estate Office had received less complaints this year than in the past, indicating students aren’t airing their frustrations with the situation formally.

She suggested the lessening complaints may be due to new permit parking areas opening around the Townsville campus.

“We opened the 350-bay car park on the eastern side of campus near Vet (the Veterinary Sciences building) and to date this park hasn’t been fully utilised,” Mrs Fallon said.

Students said they believed there were still ways to improve the campus parking congestion.

“There also needs to be a lot more areas to park, especially with the new lecture theatre complexes going in – that will add a lot of stress on car parking,” Ms Bray said.

JCU student Kelly Candelet suggested different level parking permits may be an option.

Less than half of the parking areas on campus are available for free parking with most available exclusively to permit holders and visitor parking.

“I have considered buying a parking permit but I don’t see the point, as they don’t guarantee a car park and most of the time, permit parking areas are just as hard to find places in anyway,” Ms Bray said.

“There needs to be bitumen areas instead of dirt, as I am always conscious of doing damage to my car driving on dirt areas.”

“Perhaps they could introduce another tier of parking where students could pay a premium to park closer to certain locations,” she said.

Mrs Fallon said a multi-storey car park had been discussed as a future option.

“The multi-storey is only a long term plan at this stage and may be a solution for not only JCU but also Townsville Hospital parking,” Mrs Fallon said.

The current parking arrangement is considered a ‘user pays’ system, but some permit-holders have expressed concern about where their fees had gone.

Mrs Fallon said the money raised from permits and fines went back into the parking infrastructure at James Cook University, but one parking bay alone cost approximately $3000 to build.

The Estate Office will conduct a parking review this year but the future of campus facilities is always in question.

“We will also be building more parking areas behind the library that will start to roll out this year,” Mrs Fallon said.

“It costs a lot of money to build car parks and it costs a lot of money to maintain them.

“We want to use some of the funds that we raised to seal some of the areas and maintain them,” she said.

Mrs Fallon said there were car parks currently available but students needed to be aware of where they were and how they used them.

“If you get here early, you will probably get a park,” she said.

Parking permits are available from the James Cook University Bookshop and cost $63 for a full year or $36.50 per semester.

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Looking back in time has provided a bright future for two of JCU’s Bachelor of Arts (Archaeology major) graduates, Caitlin Evans and Jeremy Hill.

By Krystin Prideaux

EXPLORING THE WORLD: Caitlin Evans on a dig site in Cambodia.

Having graduated last year, both Caitlin Evans and Jeremy Hill have begun to make names for themselves in the world of archaeology.

A field that encompasses a wide variety of subject areas, archaeology is essentially the scientific study of past human societies based on what they left behind.

Miss Evans is currently undertaking a Phd with JCU, as well as working casually for an archaeology consulting firm in Sydney. Her PhD looks at the development of communities past to present in a district of North East Thailand.

Miss Evans explained her decision to study Archaeology as part of her Bachelor of Arts degree was based on the a desire to explore the world.

“It (studying Archaeology) seemed to provide the opportunity to travel to interesting and unique locations,” Miss Evans said.

“I wanted to pursue a career that combined the rigorous techniques of the sciences and the challenging social/philosophical theories of the humanities.”

In her time studying at JCU, Miss Evans has travelled to Siem Reap in Cambodia as well as Ban Non Wat in central Thailand, both times to participate in fieldwork projects.

Miss Evans encourages others to consider pursuing a degree in archaeology but said it might not be for everyone.

“If you enjoy working closely with people in interesting, and often challenging, locations and don’t mind getting your hands dirty, you will enjoy archaeology,” she said.

ARCHAEOLOGY BUFF: Senior Lecturer of Archaeology at JCU, Shelley Greer

Senior Lecturer of Archaeology at JCU, Shelley Greer, said there are many opportunities for students who graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Archaeology.

“There are countless opportunities for post grads in both academia and in the field,” Ms Greer said.

“There will always be work in looking back at the past because the past is so rich with detail that we in the present can learn from.”

Jeremy Hill, also a graduate of JCU, shares Ms Greer’s belief that archaeology is a burgeoning field for graduates.

“There is more work in archaeology than people realise,” he said.

“For instance, mining companies rely on us to look at the cultural heritage of their land and make assessments and recommendations.”

“In fact, there is so much work for (just) mining companies. I could work as an archaeologist for at least the next 100 years.”

Mr Hill said his motivation for choosing archaeology as a career was a need to understand and interpret the past.

“I have always been interested in the people of the past and present. Archaeology and anthropology are the best ways to satisfy this. And the practical side is always a plus.

“The curiosity of humans about where they come from, where they have been and where they will go, will drive the need for archaeologists.”

To work as an archaeologist in Australia, you must have completed a fourth-year Honors on top of a three-year Bachelor’s degree. JCU currently offers an Honors program for students who major in Archaeology as part of a Bachelor of Arts degree.

To check out the course offered by JCU, click here.

Youth worker Alex Petrou has a rare quality – a drive to help those less fortunate, whatever it takes.

By Tania Clarke

Alex Petrou

Built with a muscular frame and sporting a tanned ‘Aussie’ appearance and warm smile, 27-year-old Alex Petrou doesn’t have to work hard to light up a room. Involving himself with projects that raise money to make a difference within the community is a passion he throws a great deal of energy into. His long-term goal ̶ inspire the youth of today.

“In five years I would love to say that I am in a position to reach out and influence people on a global scale,” Mr Petrou said.

After completing a year-and-a-half at JCU, where he undertook a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science and Sociology), Petrou moved to Melbourne in February this year.

He now works for St John of God (Geelong), as a mentor for disadvantaged kids, and is doing a Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy) by correspondence.

When he’s not at St John of God or studying, Petrou is busy working at the YMCA at Lygon Square in Melbourne.

Petrou is also co-founder and operations manager of community organisation Seed of Thought, which he focused on after leaving a soccer scholarship at college due to an injury. The injury left him unable to continue his passion of playing soccer and, at the same time in 2009, Petrou was struggling with the break-up of a long-term relationship.

After suffering what he describes as a “momentary flash of depression” Petrou embarked on personal challenges, driven by the motivation to change the world for the better.

He completed the Kokoda Elite Trail in 64 hours in April 2011, which entailed 96 kilometres of hiking. As a result, Petrou was able to raise funds for three North Queensland girls who underwent surgery to treat brain tumours.

His latest achievement, The Street Dreams Project accomplished in September 2011, took 48 days and involved Petrou cycling for 5000 kilometres.

Photo: Riding to raise awareness of homelessness

The journey, to bring attention to the issue of youth homelessness, began in Los Angeles and saw him travel across the USA to the finish line in New York City.

Few would choose to experience being homeless firsthand but Petrou opted to stay in homeless shelters throughout the challenge to further his comprehension of the issue.

“While sleeping on the streets I reached out to a number of people, and I also got to experience homelessness in a foreign country firsthand,” he said.

“This has put our organisation in a much better position to understand the issues that homeless youth face and therefore the future planning of projects can be based around what we know, not what we think we know.”

The company behind the challenge – Seed of Thought – is a volunteer-based community of passionate humanitarians who set up projects that target specific issues.

“Our goal (with the Street Dreams Project) was to raise awareness of and bring attention to the sad epidemic that is youth homelessness in both Australia and the USA,” he said.

Having never cycled until the Street Dreams Project, Petrou saw the challenge as an opportunity to test both his mind and body.

Never shy of a new task, strong-willed Petrou already has his next challenge planned ̶ Cycle for Kids. For this journey, in September this year, he’ll cycle 3600 kilometres from Perth to Melbourne in just 21 days. His aim is to raise funds for Camp Quality, which helps children who suffer from cancer as well as supporting their families.

Another project also on the drawing board will strive to assist with mental health in Fiji.

With an energised outlook on life and its challenges, Petrou believes that if you want something badly enough, you will make it happen. It is this passion that has truly made a difference in the lives around him.

“I know if I am mentally prepared I can overcome any obstacle in life,” he says.