Southern Cross Matters

What we see in the pages of Southern Cross Matters each month should be reflected on for its contrast with the tone and colour of a noticeable weight of commentary in the public domain in relation to the role, impact and ongoing relevance of Universities. And it should be reflected on for the way in which it demonstrates the many ways in which the work that we do is both representative of and additive to the fulfilment of our purpose.

As I survey the landscape in Australia, and in particular as I think about the grand challenges of preparing our society and economy for the vast changes that are upon us, it seems to me that institutions whose core focus is learning and indeed, in learning to learn can only have greater responsibilities and significance in future than even today.
 
We should take pride when we learn of students who are taking on the world and changing it for the better, or challenging themselves in ways that they may never have imagined possible, just as we should take pride when we see the strides that our researchers are making and the impact that the knowledge they are creating is having all around us.
 
As uncomfortable as it may be to find ourselves from time to time being asked to make the case for why Universities matter, and where Southern Cross University fits into that, the flip side of that proposition is that the kind of material that we are able to share within our community each month via Southern Cross Matters provides some pretty potent reasons for us to be very confident in our responses.
 
I hope that you truly enjoy the September edition of Southern Cross Matters and that it will not only help you to know a little bit more about your university, but also to more confidently and comprehensively advocate for the University in the broader community. We have every reason to be very proud of the institution that we are building and its positive impact on the regions we are so proud to call home and to serve.

“We’ve worked closely with Githabul traditional owners and having the frog welcomed with a song written for the occasion, just moments before we released them, was incredibly special and very moving,” he said.

Since 2021, David and Research Fellow Dr Liam Bolitho have successfully reared mountain frogs in a purpose-built laboratory on Lismore campus. In a world-first, they managed to breed the frogs in captivity, overcoming the challenge of their unique lifecycle, which lacks a free-swimming tadpole stage.

Their specialised breeding biology and dependence on cool, moist environments make them exceptionally vulnerable to climate change and habitat disturbance.

The frogs were released into a predator-free enclosure, a secret location chosen to maximise their survival, with the participation of Threatened Species Commissioner Dr Fiona Fraser, representatives from NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services, WWF Australia and Southern Cross colleagues and supporters.

“The Training Centre aims to provide knowledge and expertise to a broad range of stakeholders, from traditional Owners to industry employees, academics, professional archaeologists in the sector and of course, many university students”, said Professor Joannes-Boyau.

“As the Director of Research for the Training Centre, I will chair the committee that will enable synergies between Traditional Owners, industries and academics’ research initiatives.”

With $5 million in recent funding from the Australian Research Council’s Industrial Transformation Research Program, the Centre is a joint effort by Flinders University, The University of Queensland and Southern Cross University.

Professor Renaud Joannes-Boyau said the Centre would train a new generation of professionals who could operate in the complex intersection of mining and heritage protection. 

Some of these professionals might start their journey at the Southern Cross facilities in Lismore, where they can receive training in geochemical analyses.

“It’s been an amazing hands-on experience with dating methods that help us establish a timeline of the past. Combining dating with trace element analysis makes the results much stronger; together, they give a more complete picture of past lives. I’ve learned so much and gained skills I’ll carry into my future work,” said PhD candidate Sonia Reyes Hidalgo, who has been working at the dating facility on Lismore campus. 

Matt’s Fellowship will explore how salt-tolerant plants, known as halophytes, can help secure Australia’s farming future in a changing climate. He will travel across the Middle East, Europe, South America, and Southeast Asia to investigate cutting-edge approaches to saline agriculture. Matt’s proposal was further recognised with the Colin and Maggie Beer Sponsorship, awarded to just one outstanding Fellowship each year, underlining the potential impact of his work on global food security.

Churchill Fellowships are among the most respected awards in Australia, offering recipients a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pursue bold ideas internationally and translate them into benefits for communities back home.

Congratulations, Amanda and Matt.

Graduates such as Lily Trewin (Bachelor of Business in Hotel Management) and Thanidu Vithanage (Master of Business in Global Hotel Leadership) highlight the strength of The Hotel School’s programs, which blend academic excellence with industry immersion. Both secured career opportunities with leading Melbourne hotels during their studies, testament to the School’s strong industry partnerships. 

Professor Judith Mair, who recently joined as Academic Director of The Hotel School and Associate Dean (Education), said the integration will create more opportunities for collaboration and community. 

“By bringing students together on one campus, we can foster stronger connections across different programs and open up opportunities for new ideas and experiences to be shared,” she said.

The move for the Melbourne campus forms part of the University’s metropolitan campus strategy, which includes launching The Hotel School Perth in 2027 and extending additional programs to Sydney and Brisbane campuses. 

Professor Mair brings two decades of experience in tourism, hospitality and events, with a strong research focus on sustainability and event legacies. After beginning her career in the tourism industry in Scotland, she completed her PhD on convention decision-making – one of the early doctoral studies in event management. 

She says she was drawn to Southern Cross for its close industry connections and hands-on learning environment. 

“Southern Cross University and The Hotel School offer a much more industry-engaged setting. I’m excited about refreshing our curriculum to incorporate both emerging technologies such as generative AI and the human-centred service skills at the heart of hospitality,” Professor Mair said.

In her new role, Professor Mair will lead curriculum renewal and strengthen partnerships with industry to expand placements, internships and career pathways for students. She also sees major opportunities ahead linked to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. 

“The Olympics aren’t just about the three weeks of competition; they’re about the legacy. New hotels, infrastructure and precincts are already being planned, and that growth means more opportunities for well-trained, passionate professionals. Our students are ideally placed to be part of that story.”

Like all courses, the postgraduate certificates will be delivered using the Southern Cross model, which is structured to make it easier for professionals to balance study with work and other commitments. The emphasis is on combining new knowledge with immediate, practical application. Graduates will leave with plans and strategies they can take straight back into their workplaces, supporting employers to build capability and helping communities address their most urgent challenges. 

The development of these certificates shows how the University can bring together research, teaching expertise and strong industry connections to design offerings that have real impact. It’s another example of how our teams are working with partners to make sure Southern Cross qualifications are not only academically strong but also aligned with the needs of the regions we serve. 

About the courses  

Graduate Certificate in Neurodiversity: Grounded in evidence and driven by inclusion, it is designed for professionals who are passionate about creating inclusive environments where all minds can thrive. Co-created with people with lived experience of neurodivergence, this fully online course empowers you to lead change through neurodiversity-affirming practices and policies. 

Graduate Certificate in Circular Economy: Prepares organisations for the circular economy with practical, implementation-focused learning. This course equips professionals to lead ESG and sustainability transformation through real-world case studies, reporting readiness and strategy development.  

Graduate Certificate in Small Business Leadership: Builds confidence and capability to grow businesses with practical tools and expert guidance. This course results in individualised go-to-market strategies including financial plans and leadership blueprints for sustainable success.  

Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Leadership: Strengthens leadership in early education with a flexible, sector-aligned course designed to meet regulatory standards and support workforce capability uplift. This course builds confident leaders ready to drive improvement, inclusion and compliance.  

“These are state-of-the-art facilities for our current cohort of 50 veterinary technology students and also for our new cohort of veterinary medicine students starting in 2026. Together with clinical and procedural skills suites, we’ll also have a community practice where students will manage common companion animal problems. 

“The community practice will initially act as a doggie day care and grooming facility, where (well-behaved) companion animals will be part of the teaching and experience for students,” he said.

Students will also learn offsite in partner facilities such as the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital, where they experience a range of wild animal care with turtles, birds, lizards and marsupials.

“We have 35 places for the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours) and more than 300 applications for this degree so it’s proving incredibly popular,” said Professor Hill.

“We are aiming to train vets who want to stay and work in the regions, where there is the greatest demand. It’s wonderful to see this vision taking shape.”

“It was fantastic to see our osteopathy students contributing their skills to support athletes at the Darrel Chapman Fun Run. Opportunities like this not only benefit the community but also help our students gain valuable clinical experience and confidence as they transition into professional practice,” Ms Buist said.

Runners were invited to continue their recovery journey with follow-up treatments at the Southern Cross University student clinic, reinforcing the University’s commitment to accessible, community-focused healthcare.

Southern Cross University proudly served as the naming rights sponsor for the Darrel Chapman Fun Run Virtual Marathon, continuing its long-standing support of Our Kids, a local children’s charity. Funds raised from the event help purchase lifesaving equipment for Northern Rivers hospitals. Southern Cross has supported Our Kids for more than two decades.

Adding to the day’s energy, Team SCU was also out in force, with 10 staff members and students participating across the races.

The editorial team of Dr Aidan Coleman, Dr Jake Sandtner, Dr Lynda Hawryluk and Dr Chantelle Bayes, together with SCU students Kylie Evans, Belinda Genovese and Vanessa Howlett assembled this bumper double issue that included over 60 works of poetry, fiction, non-fiction, interviews and drama, by Southern Cross students, alongside renowned writers from around Australia.

“There is a wealth of writing talent in our student community, and Coastlines gives the opportunity to be published and read alongside some of Australia’s best writers,” Coastlines editor Dr Aidan Coleman said.

“The quality of work submitted was so strong that we had to make it a double issue”.

Kylie Evans, who is a student in the Associate Degree of Creative Writing, said of her experience as assistant editor: "For someone who loves reading and writing, editing for Coastlines not only gave me the experience I was seeking, but allowed me to immerse myself in so many wonderful pieces of prose. It was magic."

Dr Coleman adds, “Being part of the editorial board is the best apprenticeship for emerging writers, editors and publishers in our Creative Writing program, setting them up with new and lasting connections within Australia’s literary scene.” 

The Coastlines team are looking forward to the next issue, and to hosting more readings on all campuses and online, in the future. 

To check out Coastlines go to: https://coastlinesjournal.com/