Flinders University

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. J.S. Lee:

That this council—

1. Congratulates Flinders University for celebrating its 50^th anniversary in 2016;

2. Highlights the contributions made by Flinders University and its alumni throughout its 50-year history; and

3. Acknowledges the significant establishment and achievements of the university in South Australia, nationally and on the global stage.

(Continued from 25 May 2016.)

The Hon. S.G. WADE (17:27): I rise to support the motion of the Hon. Jing Lee, recognising the 50^th year anniversary of Flinders University. I must admit that what compels me to join the debate is not the excellence of the institution of Flinders University or its constellation of world-leading academics: I am compelled by just one star, one academic, my wife Tracey, who is a Professor of Psychology at Flinders University.

She has been able to bring together her academic research and clinical skills to save the lives of many young people and adults in her own clinics, through therapists whom she has mentored and through her research that impacts on eating disorder services around the world. I will never come near matching her achievements and impact. I am simply pleased to have been one of many who have played a part in supporting her important work. Tracey embodies the essence of Flinders University: in her 50s, yet youthful, scientifically robust but rigorously applied.

In the year that she was born (1963), the Playford Liberal government began work on a new tertiary education institution to deal with the rapidly increasing number of South Australian students, particularly in the southern suburbs. In 1966, The Queen officially opened the campus of what we now know as Flinders University. At the time of its opening Flinders University had 90 staff who offered less than 10 courses to 400 students, yet now, 50 years later, Flinders University hosts more than 2,600 academics and staff. There are about 26,000 students, including 4,000 international students.

Flinders University has become a treasured asset of the state. After 50 years of quality education, research and innovation, Flinders University has climbed to be in the top 2 per cent of universities worldwide. Flinders is strongly committed to engaging strongly and effectively with the city and the state of South Australia. In the area of health, Flinders plays a crucial role in supporting health services throughout the state through research, education and service delivery. The faculty of medicine, nursing and health sciences is a key provider of quality career-ready health professionals. I note that one of the schools in the faculty, the School of Medicine, states its vision as 'Local wellbeing. Global influence'.

Notable alumni from right across the faculty demonstrate the quality of the education offered by Flinders and the reality of that global influence:

Wang Kunhua and Miao Qilong are amongst a cluster of graduates who are now leaders in health care in the People's Republic of China.

Professor Chris Baggoley is the Chief Medical Officer for the Australian government.

Professor Deborah Anderson and Professor Catherine Turner are leaders in the nursing profession.

Dr Manny Noakes and Dr Peter Clifton are co-authors of the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet.

Professor Steven Wesselingh is the Director of SAHMRI.

To name a few.

The university's work in the education of the health workforce and its engagement with public hospitals, such as the Flinders Medical Centre and the Repatriation General Hospital, are a major benefit to local wellbeing. The integrated tertiary teaching hospital and medical school arrangements of the Flinders School of Medicine and the Flinders Medical Centre offer both first-class training for future health professionals and at the same time supporting first-class health care for South Australians. When Flinders talks about local wellbeing, they are not talking just about the southern suburbs. For Flinders, the whole of South Australia is local. Flinders Health has a presence in the Riverland, Mount Gambier, Victor Harbor, Murray Bridge, Barossa Valley and Burra. I had the privilege of visiting the nursing and medical training facility at the Renmark campus recently.

The integrated learning experience, which takes place within local health facilities in Renmark, offers a flexible learning experience for students and a positive way to maintain professional development in rural areas. Medical students are able to be based at the campus during their third year of study as part of the Parallel Rural Community Curriculum. Nursing students at the facility are able to receive both locally delivered material and curriculum delivered from the main Bedford Park site, and also be actively involved in the operation of the hospital. These initiatives have demonstrated success in encouraging health professionals to enter regional health services.

The university is not using the anniversary just to look back. The 2025 Agenda: Making a Difference Initiative is a strategic recommitment to quality and innovation. Coupled with major recent investments in infrastructure, the 2025 Agenda offers a bright and positive future for Flinders. I can only agree with the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Colin Stirling, when he says that Matthew Flinders would be extremely proud of the achievements made by the university established with his name. Matthew Flinders, of course, explored the Australian continent with courage and determination. As Matthew Flinders is reported to have said, 'I have too much ambition to rest in the unnoticed middle order of mankind.'

Flinders, as we know it today, and as expressed in the 2025 Agenda, is similarly a university that brings courage and determination to the exploration of the world of knowledge. As the shadow minister for health, I am delighted to associate myself with the motion moved by the Hon. Jing Lee, and in doing so thank Flinders for the past 50 years of services from the university and wish the university all the best in the years ahead.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. J.M. Gazzola.