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Staff Edition
Thursday 13 August
All the important campus news, events and opportunities for ANU staff.
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Video: College of Science and Medicine
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Scientists react to 80 years of history at ANU
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From bell bottoms and old-school labs to discoveries that have changed how we understand the world, a lot has happened in 80 years of ANU. Take a look back at eight decades of science and medicine, and the curiosity that continues to drive us forward.
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- North Road from ANU Sport to the John Yecken Building, and the Biochemistry car park will be closed from 7am to 5pm on Saturday 15 August to support ANU Community Day activities. Please remove your vehicle from the Biochemistry car park by 11pm on Friday and plan ahead for alternative parking and access routes.
- The formal event for the University House reopening and ANU by 2030 strategy launch is fully booked, but you can to watch the livestream and join colleagues for morning tea from 11.30am Friday 14 August at University House.
- are available for all staff to support a healthy campus this winter.
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Photos: Supplied. Image: Meet the project team behind the University House restoration.
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Restored University House to reopen
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The ceremonial and social heart of ANU is reopening in time for celebrations marking our 80th anniversary.
“University House is ready to resume its place in the life of the ANU and the broader Canberra community,” says Master of University House, Professor Peter Kanowski.
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When a devastating hailstorm damaged our beloved University House in 2020, a small team began a six-year journey to bring the iconic heritage building back to life.
Through complex restoration work, careful planning and countless challenges, their commitment to University House remained constant. As its doors reopen tomorrow, we celebrate the people whose care, persistence and collaboration made its return possible.
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The sky she brought inside
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Six ANU School of Art and Design graduates have created new prints for the newly refurbished University House. From Canberra sunsets and family photographs to windows and blankets, each work brings a personal story into the building’s accommodation suites, joining more than 150 works from the ANU Art Collection returning to its walls.
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Your guide to ANU Community Day
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ANU Community Day is on this Saturday 15 August from 10am-4pm.
There will be food trucks and fun activities for all ages, so bring your family, wander through campus, and meet the people and ideas that have shaped the nation. Come celebrate 80 years together. Everyone is welcome.
Register now and you'll automatically go into the draw to win a two-night stay at the newly restored University House, including dinner for two. Three runners-up will each receive dinner for two.
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Our people, places, and stories
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Thank you to everyone who shared photos and stories to celebrate 80 years of ANU. Explore these on the ANU 80 website and see them showcased at Community Day.
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Thank you to everyone who put their ANU knowledge to the test in our 80th anniversary trivia.
After weeks of questions spanning the University's people, places, history and hidden gems, the results are in. Our Grandmasters of ANU trivia are Vivian Wong (staff) and Sesil Bou (student). Please contact ANU Corporate Communications to collect your prize.
Congratulations to the following Colleges and Portfolios who provided the highest number of correct trivia answers in the fastest time.
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Congratulations to our recent trivia winners, staff winner, Ray Song and student winner, Rory Bennett. Please contact ANU Corporate Communications to collect your prize.
Last week’s question and answer:
What does the ANU Motto mean in English? Answer: First to learn the nature of things.
Did you know? The ANU motto, Naturam Primum Cognoscere Rerum, comes from the Roman poet Lucretius and his philosophical poem De Rerum Natura (On the Nature of Things).
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Bus route update from Monday 17 August
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The ANU-Civic Loop Bus route and timetable will change from Monday 17 August as the route continues to be tested throughout the pilot phase.
From next week:
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- a new stop has been added on University Avenue on every loop
- the bus will stop at the Canberra Centre (Ainslie Avenue) at 6.48pm each weeknight to assist students to bring shopping back to campus.
- the final loop will leave from Rimmer St at 7.18pm
- there will be minor time changes across all stops.
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Check the latest route map and updates on our before traveling.
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Graphic: Languages of Australia Survey
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Help map the languages of Australia
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How many languages are really spoken across Australia? ANU researchers have launched the Languages of Australia Survey to build a more accurate picture of the nation’s linguistic diversity beyond what is captured in the Census.
If you speak more than one language, take the short, anonymous survey and help researchers understand which languages are spoken, where they are spoken and by how many people.
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An update from our Interim Chancellor
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On Friday 14 August, a new ANU Strategy, recently approved by Council, will be launched at the newly refurbished University House. This milestone event follows extensive consultation across our community – thank you to everyone who contributed. Council’s focus now shifts to delivery – starting with a review of the funding envelope, followed by agreeing measures of success and reviewing the implementation plan.
Our governance reforms have fully reconstituted the Nominations, Finance, and Audit & Risk sub-committees with new Chairs appointed. Council is completing its six-month governance review and planning the next phase of reform, alongside our continuing work with TEQSA.
The University’s financial position has improved materially, though student growth has slowed across the sector. Council approved ANU One, as one response, creating new pathways for domestic and international students, and is now reviewing its implementation KPIs and milestones.
Council is also reviewing safety and wellbeing, academic and regulatory matters, and digital and cyber risks.
Thank you to everyone who contributed their thoughts and ideas to the Chancellor selection process. Council received the independent Chancellor Selection Panel's recommendation on Monday and expects to decide by Friday 14 August. An announcement will be made to the community in due course.
Dr Larry Marshall
Interim Chancellor
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Senior leadership updates
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Applications closing: Director, Research Services
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The is responsible for leading research support services, governance and major interdisciplinary initiatives to strengthen the national and international research profile, and advance University‑wide strategies for research excellence.
Applications close on Sunday 23 August, 11.55pm AEST.
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Graphic: Australian Red Cross
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Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has launched an urgent national appeal for people with O+, O-, A+ or A- blood to donate, with blood supplies impacted by the winter flu season.
Around 80 per cent of Australians have an O or A blood type, and if you don’t know yours, donating is an easy way to find out while helping save lives.
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- online or call 13 14 95.
- Donate blood at the in City Walk Civic East from 5-7 September.
- Donate plasma at the , open daily.
- to donate together and track our community’s collective impact.
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Graphic: Professional Services Leadership Forum
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Professional Services Leadership Forum: AI in Higher Education
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Registrations are now open for the seventh ANU Professional Services Leadership Forum on Friday 18 September. This forum will explore AI in higher education and what it means for the future of our work.
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WHSC07 Work Health and Safety (WHS) and Fieldwork Safety
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Heading into the field? This in-person course gives staff and postgraduate students the essential knowledge to plan and undertake fieldwork safely, covering everything from equipment and first aid to PPE, communications and fieldwork requirements. Training is valid for five years.
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People Manager Essentials program
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This program gives new and existing managers the foundational tools to effectively manage staff across the employee lifecycle. This practical introductory course is highly recommended within your first three months as a manager and is a mandatory prerequisite for future leadership programs. This is the only online session offered this year, providing an opportunity to learn about essential resources and connect with fellow managers across ANU.
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National Youth STEM Summit
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The National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) is bringing the National Youth STEM Summit to Canberra from Saturday 12 to Monday 14 September, with sessions across ANU, the University of Canberra and Australian Parliament House.
Open to STEM students and early-career professionals, the program includes keynotes, workshops, networking and career opportunities.
Tickets are $250 for all three days, with a 20 per cent group discount available for bookings of more than five. can also cover registration, travel and accommodation costs for eligible participants.
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Australia relies on undersea cables for around 99 per cent of its international communications and data needs, according to a new report from the ANU National Security College cited in . , by Dr David Brewster, Dr Samuel Bashfield, Dr Anthony Bergin, Jocelinn King and Mike Constable, warned that Australia’s submarine cables would be a high-priority target in any major conflict.
The Iran War has “metastasised” as Iran puts pressure on more US allies in the region, Ian Parmeter, of the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, told . Closer to home, Dr Liz Allen, of POLIS, explained to why it was important for Census data to be collected on a single evening.
Over the past week, ANU experts spoke to the media about a range of issues, including , , artificial intelligence, space junk, , native forest conservation, and.
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Here’s just a few of the exciting activities and sessions taking place this Saturday 15 August.
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ANU Art Collection’s First Nations artworks
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Discover one of the finest collections of First Nations art held by an Australian university. As part of the Community Day, join a guided tour exploring Indigenous works from the ANU Art Collection and the stories and perspectives they hold.
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Join Ngambri-Kamberri Walgalu -Wiradyuri custodian Paul Girrawah House for a tour of his contemporary tree carvings across campus. Hear Paul share his connection to Country and the stories, knowledge and belonging held within the trees.
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SoAD FUSE Glass Prize 2026 exhibit
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Discover some of the most exciting contemporary glass art from Australia and New Zealand. The FUSE Glass Prize brings 18 established and emerging artists to the ANU School of Art and Design Gallery, showcasing the creativity and possibilities of glass.
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The Odyssey presented by the ANU Film Group
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Celebrate 80 years of ANU and 60 years of the ANU Film Group with a free screening of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. Follow Odysseus on his epic journey home, with vengeful gods, deadly monsters and an all-star cast.
Doors open at 3.30pm for a 4pm film start. No registration or membership required – first in, best dressed.
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Discover the story of University House
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From “Oxbridge in the Bush” to a much-loved hub for our community, explore more than 70 years of University House through rare photographs, drawings, correspondence and other treasures from the University Archives.
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Take home a piece of student art
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Browse limited-edition prints, ceramics, blown glass and more, all made by ANU students. Find something you love, support emerging Canberra artists and help raise funds for the ANU School of Art ball.
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Saturday 15 August, 11.30am–12.30pm
Acclaimed political thinker John Keane explores the challenges facing democracy today. John will be in conversation with Andrew Leigh about his new book, Demagogues and Despots: Democracies on the Brink. The event is part of our ANU 80th celebrations and ANU Community Day.
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Thursday 27 August, 6–7pm
Fresh from the Sydney Festival of Dangerous Ideas, journalist Melissa Chan and activist artist Badiucao join John Garnaut to discuss You Must Take Part in Revolution, their gripping graphic novel exploring technology, authoritarianism, resistance and the fight for freedom in a near-future world.
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Three questions with Penny Swan, Operations Manager, Graduate Research School
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How did you come to be at ANU?
I joined ANU in 2007 as a Senior Coursework Adviser in CASS, after working in similar student advisory roles at UNSW. My first day at ANU was a baptism of fire at Melville Hall, advising new undergraduates on their enrolments in line with the requirements, back when the process was highly manual and the handbooks were still heavy printed books.
What are you most passionate about in your work?
I am most passionate about supporting higher degree by research (HDR) candidates and staff through complex issues with clarity, care and fairness.
What makes you most proud about working at ANU?
I am proud to be part of a university that has shaped four generations of my family as students, academics and professional staff. From my grandfather Professor Trevor Swan AO’s appointment as the University’s Foundation Professor of Economics in 1950 to my son Mathew now studying at ANU, our family’s connection with the University spans more than seven decades.
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This week’s picture was taken by Michael Anenburg, Research Fellow from the Research School of Earth Sciences, who captured this glowing globe after dark.
"This spinning light globe is like a beacon of light in the Research School of Earth Sciences building, which is surprisingly spectacular during winter nights when lights are off.” says Michael. 
See more of Earth Sciences for yourself at the Earth Sciences Discovery Hub this Saturday as part of ANU Community Day.
Got a photo you’re proud of?  and include a short description about why your snap is special to you. 
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ANU Security – (02) 6125 2249
For life-threatening emergencies first call 000 (or 0000 if dialing from an internal phone), then call ANU Security.
Media hotline – (02) 6125 7979
Contact the media hotline during business hours or email media@anu.edu.au for media queries regarding the University and its operations, or to track down experts that aren’t listed in our .
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Help is available if you need it. The University has a range of information and services that can be accessed by managers and staff.
Whether it's a work-related issue or a personal one, the University encourages you to seek counselling support through the .
If you need to support a student in distress, please refer to developed by the team.
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ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ National University, Canberra
ANU is a smoke-free campus, with all smoking products prohibited under the .
TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12002 (Australian University) | CRICOS Provider Code: 00120C | ABN: 52 234 063 906
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ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ National University acknowledges, celebrates and pays our respects to the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people of the Canberra region and to all First Nations Australians on whose traditional lands we meet and work, and whose cultures are among the oldest continuing cultures in human history.
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