Dear Colleagues,

It is my pleasure to announce that A/Prof Matthew Sellars will be our first Deputy Director (Infrastructure). I’d like to thank the other applicants who all demonstrated their passion for the technical excellence and facilities in our School. My gratitude goes to A/Prof Penny King from RSES and Mr Graeme Cornish for their contribution to the selection process. Matt will lead initiatives that will support our technical capability and knowhow that makes the ANU a distinctly different research university.

Congratulations go to the three proposals, shortlisted to progress to Stage 4 of the ANU Grand Challenges scheme.  It is notable that RSPE is represented in all three GC’s!  An excellent outcome for all.

• Your Health in your Hands: Future Personalised Medical Technologies for a Sustainable and Effective Healthcare
  Antonio Tricoli, Robyn Lucas, Matthew Cook, Hanna Suomi, Dragomir Neshev

• Living Fluids: Understanding collective behaviour for bio-inspired engineering
  Hua Xia, Steve Lee, Gaetan Burgio, Lexing Xie, Michael Shats 

• Zero-Carbon Energy for the Asia-Pacific
  Ken Baldwin, Paul Burke, Kylie Catchpole, Alex Hewitt, Yun Liu

For those who missed the notice, the Voluntary Early Retirement Scheme has commenced and eligible staff have been provided with the closing date of Wednesday 11 October 2017 to register for the Scheme.  Please see Director HR’s email for details.

Above is a photo of our late dear friend, Professor Neville Fletcher, entertaining us with his witty poetry.  This was taken at the EME farewell for him in early April.  If you would like to pay your respects there is a condolence book at the Front Desk, and the funeral will be held from 10:30 am on Tuesday, 10th October, at Norwood Park, 65 Sandford Street, Mitchell.

I hope you have a restful weekend.

Tim