Graduation - past ceremonies

Tuesday, 27 April 2010 at 5pm

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

Faculty of Business and Law
Faculty of Science and Technology

Stage Party
The Chancellor, Mr David Morgan presided, assisted by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sally Walker.
The Mc was the Director, Division of Student Administration, Ms Fofi Hronopoulos.
The Mace-bearer was Mr Dale Warren.
The Faculty representative was Mr Darren Taylor.

Presenters were:
Dean, Faculty of Business and Law, Professor Gael McDonald.
Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology, Professor Chris Gray.
Deputy Chair of the Academic Board, Professor Julie Wolfram-Cox.

The student response was delivered by Ms Kristin Young

Doctoral Degree Recipients

Dr Rohan John Bilney - Thesis title: "Sooty Owl Ecology and Recent Small Mammal Decline."

Summary
This thesis investigated the ecology of the threatened sooty owl, which was used to improve understanding of recent small mammal declines and how a top-order predator adapted to changes in ecosystem condition following European settlement. This knowledge will help improve biodiversity conservation and management of forested ecosystems in south-eastern Australia.

Dr Matthew David Dell - Thesis title: "Phytogeography of Northeastern Tasmania with a Focus on Bryophytes."

Summary
Analysis of the distribution and ecology of bryophytes in the Flinders bioregion of Tasmania revealed a significant association between bryophyte composition and vegetation type. Variables important for predicting bryophyte richness and presence were identified at two spatial scales. A new census for Flinders Island comprises 223 species of which 21 are new records.

Dr Ke Li - Thesis title: "Reliable Algorithms and Attack Detection Schemes for Network Systems."

Summary
Network and information security and reliability is still a key issue in information technology. This thesis develops two algorithms to improve the reliability and stability of content delivery systems, and proposes three attack detection schemes with high effectiveness and accuracy in detecting network attacks.

Dr Leanne Ngo - Thesis title: "Transitioning towards an Improved I.T. Security Culture in Organizations."

Summary
The study developed a model to help
Australian organisations transition toward an improved IT security culture. The IT Security Culture Transition Model improved organisations' IT security awareness, knowledge, attitude and behaviour allowing them to better protect their IT security. The model can be implemented face-to-face and as an e-learning program.

Dr Arun Padiyar - Thesis title: "Epidemiology and Management of Penaeus Monodon Farms in Andhra Pradesh, India."

Summary
Disease outbreaks on shrimp farms studied in Andhra Pradesh were caused mainly by white spot syndrome virus significantly reducing yield. Shrimp seed was the major source of WSSV but several risk factors were also involved. Implementation of better management practices at farm and farm cluster level through formation of Self-Help Groups could significantly improve crop outcomes in farms.

Dr Michael Sale - Thesis title: "Comparative Ecology of Island and Mainland Swamp Antechinus Populations."

Summary
The demography, reproduction and behaviour of the swamp antechinus, a small carnivorous marsupial, were compared in island and mainland populations. Divergent demography and behaviour occurred between populations, with the island animals benefiting from increased productivity caused by nesting seabirds. However, evolutionary divergence in life-history and morphology, which occur in island rodent populations, were not recorded.

Dr Yiqing Tu - Thesis title: "Efficient Dimensionaltiy Reduction and One-Class Classification for Content- Based Image Retrieval."

Summary
The thesis investigates various machine learning approaches to reduce data dimensionality and the impact of asymmetric data for learning in image retrieval. It designs efficient algorithms for reducing the data dimensionality, and explores intergration strategies with one-class classification method to address asymmetric data issue and improve retrieval effectiveness.

Alfred Deakin Medal Recipient

George Christian Jacobsen

These Medals are awarded annually to candidates with a record of outstanding scholarship as well as service to the community and the University.
The awards are named in honour of Alfred Deakin after whom this University is named and were an initiative introduced by the University to commemorate the life of Alfred Deakin.

Occasional Address

The occasional address was delivered by Ms Fiona Campbell, Partner, Ernst & Young.
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 144,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.

Fiona Campbell is a Partner at Ernst & Young who has been client serving in the Assurance practice since 1991. Ms Campbell is also a Senior Partner in the Audit Support Group, a team that is nationally responsible for all assurance methodology, technology, standards, policies, guidance and enablers. This role provides key support to the Oceania Area Professional Practice Director. In October 2009 Ms Campbell was appointed People Leader, Victorian Assurance.

Since joining Ernst & Young, Ms Campbell has worked on audit clients in manufacturing, consumer and industrial product industries as well as not-for-profit sector organisations. She has gained considerable experience providing professional services to Australian and foreign controlled companies and project management of various audit teams and engagements across both large publicly listed and private companies. Her relationship management skills find her working closely with Boards of Directors, senior management clients and peer industry participants alike.

Ms Campbell has been involved in designing the firm's global audit methodology since 1996, and plays a key role in Ernst & Young's compliance with international and local auditing standards.

Ms Campbell is currently co-authoring a university textbook, designed to provide a fresh, relevant and practical approach to Auditing. Her areas of specialisation are Auditing Standards and Accounting principles.

Ms Campbell holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting, Law and Information Technology) from Deakin University and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.