Play Duration: 4 minutes 11 seconds4m 11sPresented by Independent Kate Chaney has retained her Perth seat of Curtin despite the Liberal Party doing its best to reclaim it. The granddaughter and niece of Liberal parliamentarians, Ms Chaney believes the party may have retained more female voters if it had elected Julie Bishop leader in 2018. Featured: Kate Chaney, Independent member for Curtin Curtin MP Kate Chaney and her supporters gather ahead of the 2025 federal election result in Curtin. May 3, 2025. Photo taken by ABC photographer Andrew Mayes.(ABC News: Andrea Mayes) Kate Chaney: Well, it's very difficult to know how things could have turned out differently. But certainly if Julie Bishop had been leading the Liberal Party instead of Scott Morrison, I think she was likely to be a lot more aligned to the values of my electorate and perhaps would have resisted this shift to the right that we've seen in the Liberal Party in the years since then. Samantha Donovan: You're one of the so-called Teal members. Do you think that the Teal movement, which saw several independent female MPs elected in 2022, would have even developed if Ms Bishop had been Liberal leader or if the party had had more women MPs wielding power? Kate Chaney: Well, I certainly think that if there had been greater female representation in the Liberal Party, there may have been more women may have seen that there was a role for them down that path. I myself was not looking for a political career. So I don't know that I would be here other than if having been asked by my community to run. But certainly I think that that it would have shown a very different perspective on where the Liberal Party was going to to women all over Australia. Samantha Donovan: In Australian politics, there's been a habit of installing a woman as leader when things are going downhill for a party or government. Do you think Sussan Ley should be the next Liberal leader? Samantha Donovan: Your seat, Curtin, in WA was tipped to be one of the so-called teal seats that could be reclaimed by the Liberals. You've hung on to it. Why do you think you managed to retain it? Samantha Donovan: Your family has a long connection to the Liberal Party. I'm not sure you want to give them advice, but how do you think the party, the Libs, do need to regroup? Kate Chaney: I think it would be really helpful if they have a good, hard think about what it is that they stand for. Not so much how do we win back power, whose votes do we need to get, but more what is it that actually holds us together? What is our vision for the long term of the country that is a positive vision and start to rediscover some of the courage, I think, that the Liberal Party has had in years gone by. Samantha Donovan: That's Independent Kate Chaney, who has retained her seat of Curtin in Perth. Download the ABC listen app to hear more of your favourite podcasts Share via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe West Australian Liberal leader Basil Zempilas says his party is no longer relevant to enough Australians and the federal opposition bungled its nuclear power policy after the Coalition fell to a crushing election defeat SaveLog in or to save articleShareCopy link Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you. Analysing lava flows that solidified and then broke apart over a massive crack in the Earth’s crust in Turkey has brought new insights into how continents move over time improving our understanding of earthquake risks New research by Curtin University has revealed the Tuz Gölü Fault Zone – a more than 200-kilometre-long geological structure visible from space – is slowly pulling apart providing a rare glimpse into the forces that shape Earth’s crust when tectonic plates collide Lead Australian author Professor Axel Schmitt from Curtin’s John de Laeter Centre and School of Earth and Planetary Sciences said the study solved a long-standing mystery about the fault’s movement in a breakthrough not just for assessing seismic hazards but also for improving global models of continental deformation “While Turkey is well known for its earthquake-prone strike-slip faults, this study confirms for the first time that the Tuz Gölü Fault is an extensional fault meaning the land on either side is moving away from each other rather than sliding sideways as was previously thought,” Professor Schmitt said “Several lava flows from Hasandağ volcano flowed over the fault and cooled We were able to reconstruct their original shape and determine their age This allowed us to track how rocks that were once connected have shifted apart over time “Our findings unambiguously reveal the fault is pulling apart at a rate of about one millimetre per year, rather than shifting sideways. Understanding these movements is crucial not just for assessing volcanic and earthquake threats but also for improving global models of continental deformation.” The research team used cutting-edge techniques, including remote sensing data, the John de Laeter Centre’s ion microprobe and helium dating at the Western Australia ThermoChronology Hub (WATCH) Facility to precisely date the lava flows and track their displacement over thousands of years Curtin co-author Associate Professor Martin Danišík said tiny zircon crystals in the lava flows worked as geological clocks capturing helium produced by the radioactive decay of tiny amounts of naturally occurring uranium and thorium we can accurately determine when the lava flows erupted spilled across the fault and subsequently cooled,” Associate Professor Danišík said Curtin co-author and remote sensing expert Janet Harvey, also from the John de Laeter Centre, said that since earthquakes on the Tuz Gölü Fault occur less frequently than those on the fast-moving plate boundary faults in northern and eastern Turkey, landscape deformation studies like this provide data that the modern seismic record alone cannot. “The fault sits at a key location where the Eurasian Arabian and African plates are all interacting,” Ms Harvey said “Studying its movements helps us understand how strain is distributed when continents collide – insights that can be applied elsewhere along the Alpine-Himalayan mountain belt and to other continental deformation zones around the world “This research highlights the importance of revisiting long-held geological assumptions and using modern techniques to precisely measure how continents respond to the immense pressures of tectonic collisions.” The study was co-authored by researchers from Konya Technical University (Turkey) Heidelberg University (Germany) and University of Toronto (Canada) Curtin University researchers will play a key role in a major new national push to strengthen Australia’s advanced manufacturing capabilities… New Curtin University research has revealed that a massive meteorite struck northwestern Scotland about 200 million years later than previously… Curtin University and Chevron Australia have officially opened the doors to an Australian-first research facility that promises to transform how… TEQSA PRV12158 Thousands of space enthusiasts flocked to Curtin University this weekend to be taken out of this world at the Cosmos on Campus event aimed at inspiring the next generation of earth and planetary scientists An estimated 9000 people attended the free community event which lit up Curtin’s Bentley campus with a unique combination of art showcasing Western Australia’s world-class research stories to the public Attendees were able to inspect every crater, valley and mountain of Mars and Earth thanks to giant seven-metre-wide planet replicas featuring detailed NASA imagery created by UK artist Luke Jerram A vibrant neon lights trail led showgoers between the planets which were accompanied by a variety of musical performances and a range of telescopes offering views into the night sky Globally renowned experts delivered talks and fireside chats ranging from the secrets locked in ancient rocks and the mysteries of the deep ocean to how space science can help us find water and resources — both on Earth and on Mars Each story revealed how earth and planetary science are interconnected tackling big questions and global challenges from climate change to the search for life beyond our planet Curtin University Properties, Facilities and Development Director Tim Urquhart said Curtin was the ideal location for an event aimed at capturing the hearts and minds of the next generation of space enthusiasts “Cosmos on Campus was a celebration of curiosity creativity and community,” Mr Urquhart said “It was wonderful to see our community bearing witness to Earth as astronauts do pondering the vast mysteries of the universe and losing themselves in the endless wonder of the night sky.” Curtin University Faculty of Science and Engineering Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark Ogden said a powerful interaction with a world-renowned scientist had the potential to ignite a life-long passion in tomorrow’s space explorers and planetary scientists we’re aiming to inspire young explorers and innovators — and show them they can chase their interstellar dreams right here in Western Australia,” Professor Ogden said “Curtin is ranked first in Australia for earth sciences and we are proud to be at the forefront of space research from planetary science and radio astronomy to space situational awareness “We are thrilled we can share that journey with the wider community.” the John Curtin Gallery also showcased interactive research produced within Curtin’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences plus videos by Luke Jerram talking about his captivating artworks For more information about Curtin’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, visit here An international team of researchers may have answered one of space science’s long-running questions – and it could change our… A Curtin University astronomer for whom a day at the office includes unlocking the inner workings of supermassive black holes… Curtin University researchers have discovered the world’s oldest known meteorite impact crater which could significantly redefine our understanding of the… Curtin University researchers will play a key role in a major new national push to strengthen Australia’s advanced manufacturing capabilities through next-generation 3D printing technologies The Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC) brings together universities industry partners and government to build a nationally connected additive manufacturing ecosystem aimed at transforming sectors including defence Additive manufacturing – also known as industrial 3D printing – is the process of building products layer by layer from digital designs stronger and more complex parts with less waste corrosion and advanced manufacturing will be central to the AMCRC’s work with researchers from the John de Laeter Centre and the Curtin Corrosion Centre working alongside major industry partners including Austal – one of Australia’s leading shipbuilders – to deliver industry-led innovation Curtin University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research Professor Melinda Fitzgerald said the AMCRC would accelerate the shift towards smarter and more sustainable manufacturing industries in Australia “Additive manufacturing is reshaping the way products are designed built and delivered across the world,” Professor Fitzgerald said “Curtin is proud to contribute to this national initiative helping to drive cutting-edge research that will advance Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability and unlock new economic opportunities.” Curtin researchers Dr Karl Davidson and Associate Professor Zakaria Quadir from the John de Laeter Centre and Associate Professor Kod Pojtanabuntoeng and Professor Vladimir Golovanevskiy from the Curtin Corrosion Centre will represent the University on AMCRC projects Dr Davidson said the AMCRC has opened the door to major advances in materials science and manufacturing innovation additive manufacturing is poised to transform supply chains increase production efficiency and reduce waste,” Dr Davidson said “Our teams at Curtin will be applying world-leading expertise to develop stronger and more sustainable materials for use in industries like defence and marine engineering.” Associate Professor Quadir said Curtin’s world-class research facilities and industry scale large 3D printing platforms offer a strong opportunity for Western Australia to advance in manufacturing research Curtin will support projects focused on mining agriculture and marine-grade additive manufacturing technologies – helping deliver sovereign capability in critical sectors Funded with $58 million from the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres program the AMCRC will bring together 14 research partners and more than 50 industry collaborators to drive innovation commercialisation and skills development over the next seven years Corporate Communications Specialist (Mon-Wed) Corporate Communications Specialist (Wed-Fri) Analysing lava flows that solidified and then broke apart over a massive crack in the Earth’s crust in Turkey has… Link copiedShareShare resultsBy chief election analyst Antony Green posted Fri at 2:00pmFriday 2 May 2025 at 2:00pmFri 2 May 2025 at 2:00pm Updated 1h ago1 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 12:05pm updated 6h ago6 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 7:20am Cunningham | Dawson Curtin covers 92 square kilometres in the affluent and established western suburbs of Perth. It lies between the Swan River and the Indian Ocean and extends as as far north as Karrinyup Road. Curtin includes Scarborough, Floreat, West Leederville, Subiaco, West Perth, Nedlands, Dalkeith and Peppermint Grove, but does not include North Fremantle. Only a minor change with the loss of Karrinyup and Gwelup in the north to Moore. The Independent margin is unchanged. See polling place result map below for detail of the boundary change. (Victories by a party of government are indicated by thick coloured underlining.) White is a former Federal President of the Young Liberal, was Chair of the WA Party's Policy Committee and worked as a policy adviser during the Barnett government. Outside of politics he set up Uber's first WA office in Subiaco and spent five years as a senior executive with Uber in Japan and South Korea. While there he completed a Master's degree in AI Ethics through the University of Cambridge. White won a hotly contested plebiscite pre-selection to contest this formerly safe Liberal seat. Hemsley works in the disability sector as a speech pathologist and also volunteers with the Friends of Galup in trying to revitalise Galup/Lake Monger. Dr Ko was born and raised in Australia as the eldest child to Cantonese parents. He is a City of Perth Councillor, a former State Trauma Registrar at Royal Perth Hospital and a local family doctor. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) with the seat of Curtin held on a 1.1 per cent margin Link copiedShareShare articleThings don't tend to move quickly in Western Australia's most affluent electorate Curtin takes in some of Perth's wealthiest suburbs where beautiful homes look out over sweeping coastal views and stereotypes abound of residents vehemently opposing any change which really only represent a portion of the electorate the political landscape in Perth's western suburbs has changed rapidly over the last few years as blue as they come for almost all of its 73 years Climate 200-backed independent Kate Chaney made history at the last election when she turned it teal The Liberals' 13.9 per cent margin was destroyed by a campaign focused in large part on climate change drawing economically conservative but socially progressive Liberals away from a party they saw as drifting further to the right the issue is nowhere near as prominent as Ms Chaney attempts to maintain her 1.1 per cent margin cost of living pressures weigh heavily on voters' minds many people are still deeply concerned about the climate," Ms Chaney told the ABC Ms Chaney says voters are still thinking about climate "The cost of living challenges that people are under has meant that's become a very immediate focus for people "But I don't think it changes the underlying need for good long-term thinking that will affect things like inflation former international Uber executive Tom White has picked up on the same feeling among voters Tom White says politicians should be focused on national issues "It's very rare that someone brings up climate change when I'm doorknocking," he said more fundamental hip pocket issues are confronting people but we have many public policy problems and we can't be overly distracted by one thing at the expense of others." That shift is reflected in ABC Vote Compass data — which showed a 19 per cent drop in the proportion of Western Australians who think more needs to be done to address climate change at this election Kelvin Fewings is traditionally a Labor voter and has noticed his own priorities shifting too with Perth's continuing housing crisis now his dominant concern That's despite being in what he describes as a "very fortunate" position with support from his parents and a healthy fly in-fly out wage Curtin voter Kelvin Fewings wants all sides of politics to be more ambitious "It's still a pressing issue in my mind but it's not as pressing because it's not right in your face," he said The 25-year-old wants to see more bold action from politicians "I think it'd be great if we could go back to talking about environmental policy as a crisis instead of everyday living as a crisis," he said Both Chaney and White seem to reflect deeply on the role of politicians in tackling both short- and long-term issues on electors' behalf Ms Chaney says her supporters show her campaign is a "grassroots" effort each has a different view on what the role of a local MP is While some of the Liberals' campaign has been about promises — upgrades to local infrastructure and nuclear power as a low-emission energy source — there's also been a focus on what they argue is the lack of power an independent can wield Signs for both candidates have covered the electorate ahead of polling day Among the flood of pamphlets filling local letterboxes have been flyers carrying messages like "Let's make Curtin matter" and "Don't risk it with Chaney" A letter from John Howard sent in the final week of the campaign tells voters: "If you want a change of government there is nothing to be gained by parking your vote in the middle." Chaney's campaign messages were reflected in signs she and her supporters waved in what they've dubbed a "'flute flurry" along local roads like the busy West Coast Highway In the mix are a few with messages like "climate action now" and "Kate for climate" Ms Chaney says her campaign reflects the concerns of her community "Honk for transparency" one read Ms Chaney said she demonstrated the latter when last year she changed her position from supporting the end of the live sheep trade to opposing it and I think that if politicians are not willing to change their mind we've got a real problem," she said It is that aspect of the job — representing the views of her community in political debate — which Ms Chaney sees as central to the role of a federal MP "We've got these national challenges that we need to deal with climate — these are the things that federal government should be focused on," Ms Chaney said "And if governments think that they can buy people's votes with little infrastructure projects at a local level we're missing the opportunity to really set a direction for the country." Mr White says it's important to operate in a party "where a cheque can be written" and said he wanted to "elevate" discussions about how to grow the national economy as one example But he also believes there is a legitimate role for federal representatives to play in funding "justifiable investments in local community infrastructure" just need the clout of operating in a party where a cheque can be written rather than a letter being written," Mr White said or whether Ms Chaney's views can translate to much more than debate will be decided by the makeup of the Parliament and whether either Labor or the Coalition can govern in their own right Want even more? Here's where you can find all our 2025 federal election coverage Neither is leaving anything on the table though when it comes to what they do control Ms Chaney's donor wall showed $930,684 in donations so far this year about a third of which came from Climate 200 Ms Chaney says she's proud to have overseen a positive campaign Mr White would not say how much he has received in donations but that: "if your opponent is spending well over seven figures then there's an obligation to respond" both seem content they've given it all they can Tom White says he's happy with the campaign he's run "I'm feeling really positive … it's going to be close but I'm feeling good about it," Ms Chaney said Mr White described himself as being "at peace" "I think I've done just about everything I can do," he said Having trouble seeing this form? Try this link. CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced By Hamish Hastie Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time Navigating the corflutes and a-frames scattered outside the Claremont polling booth on Wednesday a voter makes a beeline for Liberal Curtin candidate Tom White He mentions his daughter studying at uni and asks the 37-year-old why his party doesn’t support Labor’s plan to cut 20 per cent of student debts Liberal candidate for Curtin Tom White meeting candidates at the Claremont polling booth on Wednesday.Credit: Colin Murty White fires back that the $16 billion policy will add to the already ballooning generational debt contained in the budget papers and that it was a “cynical attempt to buy votes” the voter retorts before shaking White’s hand and heading inside acknowledging his responses were “forthright” but there was no point in telling him something he wanted to hear “I’m not gonna tell them what they want to hear just to convince them at the last minute as they walk into the booth I think we owe them more than that,” he says It’s the most testing conversation White has with a punter in the hour or so that WAtoday is with the former Barnett government staffer and Uber executive at the busy booth but one he relished in these final days of what has been a gruelling campaign for both him and his opponent With the help of significant funding from Climate 200 Chaney created history at the 2022 election as part of the teal wave that wrested control of Curtin from former Liberal MP Celia Hammond who happened to be handing out how-to-vote cards for White while we were down there Chaney’s grip on the seat is the second weakest for an independent in the country at 1.3 per cent and both candidates have likely already spent north of $1 million on their respective campaigns While some in the Liberals lament the party’s continued focus on formerly blue ribbon seats at the expense of fertile outer suburban areas including by opposition leader Peter Dutton himself that the Coalition’s path back to government requires them to win back teal-held seats like Curtin White’s roots in the western suburbs and work with Uber made him a standout candidate within Liberal circles to take on Chaney He left his role as a political staffer in the Barnett government in 2014 to work in the Uber Perth office as the business was establishing itself in WA and within six months was running the place Within another six months he was also running the company’s Adelaide operations “I came to the realisation that I was on the wrong path that I’m not a financially motivated person.” At the age of 27 he was in the melee erupting with taxi companies and governments as the business battled court cases and protests in the taxi industry By 2017 he moved to Vietnam to help establish the business there before moving to Japan in 2018 to start the business from scratch It wasn’t until late 2022 when he was running Uber’s joint venture in Seoul South Korea that his mind turned to politics White at the polling booth with his corflutes.Credit: Colin Murty “I went back to Seoul and was sitting at my desk one day I came to the realisation that I was on the wrong path that I’m not a financially motivated person,” he says “What I realised is the time at which I was most passionate and energetic at Uber was in the first few years I was part of a mission that happened to be a business I found myself feeling like I was more and more just in a business and I came to this realisation that I need to be doing something meaningful White spent two weeks in Perth gauging interest in his tilt at politics and on his return gave nine month’s notice He said there was no plan B if he didn’t win this weekend “I haven’t even contemplated what I’m going to do if it doesn’t work out on Saturday It was widely agreed in Liberal circles in WA that the Coalition’s problem at the 2022 election was tethered to the unpopularity of former Prime Minister Scott Morrison Insiders in both major parties suggest that Dutton’s leadership has not corrected that issue in any great way None of White’s material at the booth has any obvious imaging of Dutton but White says when it comes down to it “People understand that he’s vastly superior to the alternative I don’t think I need to convince many people of that in Curtin,” he says Tom White and 98-year-old Joan.Credit: Colin Murty “Either Peter Dutton or Anthony Albanese will be the prime minister after Saturday and when you put it in those such stark terms I think the people of Curtin understand that it’s an obvious choice.” Climate change was also considered a major voting factor in the 2022 election that got Chaney over the line White has vehemently backed gas and contentious projects like Woodside’s North West Shelf extension proposal and disagrees that climate is an issue this time round climate change has tumbled down the list of concerns and demands,” he said “She doesn’t talk about climate change nearly as much as she once did because she can read the tea leaves as well as anyone “When you’ve got a record number of small businesses going broke anemic productivity and virtually non-existent economic growth the conversation all of a sudden becomes a lot more real and fundamental.” Chaney’s website includes a list of priorities around climate and environmental reform including phasing out fossil fuel subsidies creating an ambitious emissions target for 2035 and supporting renewable energy White is called over by a punter to meet his 98-year-old mother Joan who was there to vote When she meets him she says: “I hope you get rid of those bastards.” He says with sincerity the best part of the campaign has been meeting residents of the suburb and hopes they don’t just see him as a robotic figure whose face is plastered over countless corflutes I’ve been able to present myself with a bit of humanity to people,” he said He mentions his daughter studying at uni and asks the 37-year-old why his party doesn\\u2019t support Labor\\u2019s plan to cut 20 per cent of student debts White fires back that the $16 billion policy will add to the already ballooning generational debt contained in the budget papers and that it was a \\u201Ccynical attempt to buy votes\\u201D \\u201CMight have to agree to disagree\\u201D the voter retorts before shaking White\\u2019s hand and heading inside acknowledging his responses were \\u201Cforthright\\u201D \\u201CI\\u2019m not gonna tell them what they want to hear just to convince them at the last minute as they walk into the booth I think we owe them more than that,\\u201D he says It\\u2019s the most testing conversation White has with a punter in the hour or so that WAtoday is with the former Barnett government staffer and Uber executive at the busy booth Chaney\\u2019s grip on the seat is the second weakest for an independent in the country at 1.3 per cent that the Coalition\\u2019s path back to government requires them to win back teal-held seats like Curtin White\\u2019s roots in the western suburbs and work with Uber made him a standout candidate within Liberal circles to take on Chaney Within another six months he was also running the company\\u2019s Adelaide operations It wasn\\u2019t until late 2022 when he was running Uber\\u2019s joint venture in Seoul \\u201CI went back to Seoul and was sitting at my desk one day that I\\u2019m not a financially motivated person,\\u201D he says \\u201CWhat I realised is the time at which I was most passionate and energetic at Uber was in the first few years White spent two weeks in Perth gauging interest in his tilt at politics and on his return gave nine month\\u2019s notice He said there was no plan B if he didn\\u2019t win this weekend \\u201CI haven\\u2019t even contemplated what I\\u2019m going to do if it doesn\\u2019t work out on Saturday I have no idea what\\u2019s going to happen It was widely agreed in Liberal circles in WA that the Coalition\\u2019s problem at the 2022 election was tethered to the unpopularity of former Prime Minister Scott Morrison Insiders in both major parties suggest that Dutton\\u2019s leadership has not corrected that issue in any great way None of White\\u2019s material at the booth has any obvious imaging of Dutton but White says when it comes down to it \\u201CPeople understand that he\\u2019s vastly superior to the alternative I don\\u2019t think I need to convince many people of that in Curtin,\\u201D he says \\u201CEither Peter Dutton or Anthony Albanese will be the prime minister after Saturday I think the people of Curtin understand that it\\u2019s an obvious choice.\\u201D White has vehemently backed gas and contentious projects like Woodside\\u2019s North West Shelf extension proposal and disagrees that climate is an issue this time round climate change has tumbled down the list of concerns and demands,\\u201D he said \\u201CI don\\u2019t think that\\u2019s any secret but just look at Kate Chaney\\u2019s website \\u201CShe doesn\\u2019t talk about climate change nearly as much as she once did because she can read the tea leaves as well as anyone \\u201CWhen you\\u2019ve got a record number of small businesses going broke the conversation all of a sudden becomes a lot more real and fundamental.\\u201D Chaney\\u2019s website includes a list of priorities around climate and environmental reform When she meets him she says: \\u201CI hope you get rid of those bastards.\\u201D He says with sincerity the best part of the campaign has been meeting residents of the suburb and hopes they don\\u2019t just see him as a robotic figure whose face is plastered over countless corflutes \\u201CI just hope that in the last 12 months I\\u2019ve been able to present myself with a bit of humanity to people,\\u201D he said \\u201CI came to the realisation that I was on the wrong path that I\\u2019m not a financially motivated person.\\u201D Inner-city independents took six seats from the Liberals in 2022 but some drivers of that success no longer apply At least two are vulnerable – but a new one could also be in play Liberals targeting Curtin and Goldstein argue independent wave has passedInner-city independents took six seats from the Liberals in 2022 White returned home in 2023 with the aim of winning the seat back for the Liberals. He’s seen enough in the period since to feel confident of one thing. “Times have changed,” White says. Read moreWhether that statement holds true may well determine if White and his fellow Liberal candidates in the seats of Goldstein and Kooyong in Melbourne are able to regain the once-safe turf lost in 2022 – and if aspiring teal MP Nicolette Boele wins the north Sydney seat of Bradfield Was the teal wave an anomaly, the consequence of a perfect storm of factors that no longer exist or have largely subsided? Or was it a realignment in Australian politics that won’t be reversed in one election cycle – if ever The success of the six teal independents in 2022 (including Kylea Tink, whose North Sydney electorate has now been abolished) was widely attributed to a groundswell of discontent that built around Scott Morrison and his government’s inaction on climate change political integrity and the treatment of women With Morrison gone and cost-of-living consuming voters’ attention, Liberals are optimistic about regaining at least one teal seat, even as Peter Dutton focuses his attention and messaging on the outer suburbs Zoe Daniel in the bayside Melbourne seat of Goldstein and Kate Chaney in Curtin are considered the most at risk followed by Sophie Scamps in Mackellar on Sydney’s northern beaches according to Liberal sources familiar with party strategy and internal research But Liberals are worried about Bradfield “They [the Boele campaign] are throwing lots of money at it – it’s out of control,” one Liberal source said the climate of 2022 has been replaced by one defined by “collapsing living standards” The Liberal candidate for Curtin, Tom White, says ‘times have changed’ since the teal wave of 2022. Photograph: Richard Wainwright/The GuardianHe says the Liberals – at least in Western Australia where the party’s brand was in tatters in 2022 – are now a more “competent and trustworthy” brand while the teals have been exposed as “radical” The comments were made before the WA Liberals’ disastrous state election where the party won just seven of 59 seats says the underlying cause of her success is still prevalent “We’ve seen a long-term decline in primary support for the major parties and I haven’t seen anything in the past three years that would change that,” she says It is a view shared by Allegra Spender who is attempting to defend Malcolm Turnbull’s old seat of Wentworth against the Liberal Ro Knox but I come back to the principle of why did the independents get elected?” Spender says “It’s because they stood up for the issues that mattered to their community where they felt that the major parties were not standing … up for their values.” “Peter Dutton is testing Donald Trump’s lines and that doesn’t speak to the values of an economically sensible socially progressive electorate like mine,” she says It means any misstep could shift enough votes to turn the result When Guardian Australia meets Chaney at Matilda Bay on the banks of Perth’s Swan River the MP is caught in a media storm after describing the extension of Woodside’s north-west shelf gas project to 2070 as “unacceptable” including dire warnings about the “nightmare” prospect of Greens and teal-tinged hung parliament Chaney clarified she was open to the project proceeding subject to certain conditions “The idea that I would hold the country to ransom over a single gas project is absolute nonsense,” she said at the time The episode highlighted the intensifying scrutiny on the teals, who are no longer considered political outsiders but potential kingmakers in a minority parliament. Asked who she would side with in a hung parliament – a question she’s fielding on a near daily basis – Chaney vows to decide each vote on its merits. “I’ll retain my independence – that’s the promise that I’ve made to my electorate,” she says. Read moreA ‘luxury product’Of the six Liberals vanquished in the teal wave, Tim Wilson in Goldstein is the only one attempting to win back his old job Liberal MPs and strategists view Goldstein as the most winnable teal seat where law and order and antisemitism (the electorate has a large Jewish population) are frontline issues a former Australian human rights commissioner senses a “dramatic change” in voters’ political priorities since 2022 “People are realising that the teals are essentially a luxury product in a market where people are struggling to pay their mortgages and afford their energy bills and their grocery bills,” he says Liberal candidate for Goldstein Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPWhile continuing to advocate for climate action the independents – in particular Daniel and Spender – are focusing increasingly on economic issues Daniel says arguing for tax reform is consistent with her overarching political raison d’être: to advocate for long-term changes the major parties are afraid to touch “They won’t do it on tax because it’s too big “They won’t do it on climate because it’s too big One similarity with 2022 will be the budgets of the teal-Liberal contests The battle for Curtin has been billed as a “seven-figure” fight between Chaney and White, who has used large fundraisers with conservative figures, including the former prime minister John Howard, staffer-turned-Sky News host Peta Credlin and columnist Janet Albrechtesen After spending $973,200 in 2022, Chaney has raised more than $1m in the three years since to fund her re-election campaign, according to donations disclosed on her website That includes more than $277,000 from the fundraising vehicle Climate 200, which helped bankroll the teal independents in 2022 and is backing 35 independent campaigns in 2025 This will be the last federal election in which such sums can be doled out before new laws capping individual donations at $50,000 come into force After railing against the major parties for passing the laws the independents and Climate 200 have used paid ads on Meta platforms attacking the caps to drive donations to their campaigns The Bradfield candidate spent more than $100,000 advertising on Facebook and Instagram in 30 days before the campaign started making her the 12th-biggest spender of any politics-related entity in the country Boele is considered the most likely of the non-incumbent teals to win a seat after running Liberal frontbencher Paul Fletcher close in 2022 Fletcher’s retirement and a boundary redistribution which cut the seat’s nominal margin to 3.4% has made it even more winnable The finance and clean energy expert never stopped campaigning after 2022 – at one point branding herself the “shadow member for Bradfield” “People have always just thought that Bradfield is one of those places that when election night comes around it’s a fait accompli who’s going to win,” she says Nicolette Boele an independant standing for election in Bradfield Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The Guardian“And what they are seeing considering that this is a seat that’s in play is that they actually might have a choice in how they vote that can make a difference.” The size of Boele’s volunteer army (it has doubled to 1,000 since 2022) combined with her campaign spending has Liberals concerned The Coalition started the campaign needing to win 19 seats to form a majority – a target that has seemed increasingly out of reach as their polling position slumps – and defeat in Bradfield would make an already uphill task even steeper The salesforce executive candidate Gisele Kapterian beat anti-voice campaigner Warren Mundine to win Liberal preselection averting what some insiders feared would be a disaster for the party’s hopes of holding the seat “I think she is relatable to a lot of teal voters,” one Liberal says of Kapterian After a perfect storm hit the Liberals in 2022, Kapterian was confident voters would view the Coalition as best placed to handle the “complex challenges” of 2025, including the declining living standards in Australia and the global uncertainty of Donald Trump’s tariff war. “People know this is not just a vibes election, this is not just about soundbites,” she says. Watch 59sFootage verified by the ABC shows a Plymouth Brethren Christian Church member campaigning for the Liberal Party in the Curtin electorate, in WA. The Faculty of Science and Engineering’s STEM Outreach team connects students and communities with engaging STEM experiences From school partnerships to holiday programs and community events we’re making STEM accessible and exciting for everyone Empower your students with engaging STEM experiences through our school-based programs and events we work alongside teachers to inspire the next generation of STEM innovators Discover the exciting world of STEM through hands-on programs our STEM programs and activities offer fun ways to explore your passion for STEM Connect with STEM through interactive events and activities designed for the whole community and family-friendly workshops to experience the wonder of STEM and discover how it shapes our world Join our dedicated programs supporting young women and non-binary students in STEM we’re building confidence and creating pathways for students to thrive in STEM fields Discover what’s happening in STEM at Curtin This week-long residential camp at Curtin University introduces Indigenous students in Years 9-12 to the world of engineering Participants explore engineering pathways through site visits and hands-on activities while connecting with other Indigenous students from across Australia Download the IAES 2025 Flyer A forum for Year 9 and 10 girls and their teachers to explore engineering through hands-on workshops and a Q&A with engineering role models Contact our team or head to the links to keep up to date with STEM programs New Curtin University research into the overlooked environmental impact of pet dogs has found far-reaching negative effects on wildlife While ecological damage caused by cats has been extensively studied as the world’s most common large carnivores present a significant and multifaceted environmental threat Lead researcher Associate Professor Bill Bateman from Curtin’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences pet dogs disturb and directly harm wildlife “As well as predatory behaviour like chasing wildlife which can disrupt animal behaviour long after the dogs have left,” Associate Professor Bateman said “Studies have found that animals like deer foxes and bobcats in the US are less active or completely avoid areas where dogs are regularly walked “Dog waste also contributes to pollution in waterways and inhibits plant growth while wash-off from chemical treatments used to clean and guard dogs from parasites can add toxic compounds to aquatic environments Associate Professor Bateman said addressing these challenges required a careful balance between reducing environmental harm and maintaining the positive role of dogs as companions and working animals “Dogs are incredibly important to people’s lives and their roles range from providing companionship to contributing to conservation efforts as detection dogs,” Associate Professor Bateman said combined with uninformed or lax behaviours by some owners is driving environmental issues that we can no longer ignore.” The study also sheds light on barriers to sustainable pet ownership finding that while the dog food industry is a key factor in national sustainability action plans only 12 to 16 per cent of dog owners are willing to pay more for eco-friendly pet food a lack of awareness among owners about the impact of dogs on the environment compounds the issue “Many owners simply don’t realise the environmental damage dogs can cause from disturbing wildlife to polluting ecosystems,” Associate Professor Bateman said “Others may feel their individual actions won’t make a difference leading to a ‘tragedy of the commons’ where shared spaces like beaches and woodlands suffer cumulative degradation “Restrictive measures such as banning dogs from sensitive areas are necessary for protecting vulnerable species but they are not a complete solution We are calling for a collaborative effort between dog owners conservation groups and policymakers to develop strategies that balance pet ownership with environmental care.” The paper, ‘Bad Dog? The environmental effects of owned dogs,’ has been published in Pacific Conservation Biology and can be found online here: https://doi.org/10.1071/PC24071 The chance sighting of a dead snake beside a sandy track in remote Western Australia Spiders might be silent heroes in helping us understand and keep track of animals with new Curtin research revealing their… A new study by Curtin and Flinders Universities has found that what were thought to be two different species of… Watch 3m 13sWA's most affluent electorate is also its most marginal, as Liberal Tom White fights to win back Curtin from independent Kate Chaney. Curtin University researchers have developed a new technique to make glass water-repellent a feature that could improve safety in vehicles reduce cleaning costs for buildings and enhance filtration systems published in the prestigious journal Advanced Functional Materials shows how an innovative and non-toxic process using ultrasonic sound waves can alter the surface of glass making it either hydrophobic (water resistant) or electrically charged Lead researcher Associate Professor Nadim Darwish an ARC Future Fellow at Curtin’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences (MLS) explained that the process uses ultrasound to trigger a chemical reaction that permanently alters the surface of glass “The sound waves create microscopic bubbles in a diazonium salt solution which then collapse rapidly creating tiny bursts of heat and pressure,” Associate Professor Darwish said “This triggers a reaction that forms a stable making it either permanently water-repellent or positively charged depending on the type of diazonium salt used our method creates a chemical bond at the molecular level making it far more durable and environmentally friendly.” a Research Associate at Curtin’s School of MLS said the ability to modify glass surfaces in a simple and sustainable way has far-reaching implications across multiple industries “Glass is used everywhere—from cars and buildings to industrial filters—but its natural tendency to attract water limits its performance,” Dr Li said “Unlike traditional coatings this film won’t peel off dissolve in water or deteriorate so it’s ideal for real-world applications where reliability and durability are key This could mean clearer windshields in heavy rain self-cleaning skyscraper windows and solar panels that stay dust-free.” highlighted another unexpected benefit—the ability of the modified glass to attract bacteria “This is very exciting as we can tailor glass properties for specific uses including in advanced filtration systems and biofuel production,” Mr Datson said the coated glass can help bind yeast in brewing capture bacteria in wastewater filtration systems or act as a chemical barrier to microorganisms in air filters.” The research team is now seeking industry partners to test and scale up the technology This research was supported by the Australian Research Council and highlights Curtin University’s leadership in materials science innovation It was conducted in collaboration with The University of Queensland The University of Western Australia and Charles Sturt University The full paper titled, ‘Sonochemical Functionalization of Glass,’ can be found online here time spent in nature and mentally engaging activities are strongly linked to better mental health according to new Curtin University research that highlights the power of simple The study surveyed more than 600 Western Australian adults and found people who chatted with others daily scored 10 points higher on a standard mental well-being scale than those who did so less than once a week Spending time in nature every day was associated with a five-point increase practising spirituality and helping others were also linked to improved mental well-being Lead author Professor Christina Pollard from Curtin’s School of Population Health said the findings offer clear evidence that low-cost accessible actions can play a meaningful role in maintaining good mental health and well-being “These aren’t expensive programs or clinical interventions – they’re behaviours that are already part of many people’s lives and can be easily encouraged through public health messaging,” Professor Pollard said can make a measurable difference to how people feel spending time outdoors or doing something that requires thinking and concentrating like doing crosswords reading or learning a new language provides an important mental reset.” The research evaluated 15 behaviours promoted by the Act Belong Commit campaign and found mental well-being increased consistently with the frequency of participation in these behaviours with 86 per cent of participants recognising it while nearly all agreed that mental health should be prioritised alongside physical health Despite being conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic when restrictions limited social interactions 93 per cent of respondents reported no psychological distress and average mental well-being scores were comparable to international pre-pandemic norms Professor Pollard said the study provides a strong case for long-term investment in population-wide mental health promotion campaigns that go beyond awareness and empower people to take meaningful action “This research confirms that when people are supported and encouraged to engage in mentally healthy behaviours the benefits can be felt across the community,” Professor Pollard said not just treatment – helping people stay mentally well before they reach crisis point.” A new Curtin University study has challenged the perception heavy social media use has a significant impact on mental health,… Curtin University researchers are calling for participants for a national study into how best to support children’s mental health and… Curtin University has been awarded $8.1 million by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care to conduct Australia’s… Curtin University researchers have discovered the world’s oldest known meteorite impact crater which could significantly redefine our understanding of the origins of life and how our planet was shaped The team from Curtin’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences and the Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) investigated rock layers in the North Pole Dome — an area of the Pilbara region of Western Australia — and found evidence of a major meteorite impact 3.5 billion years ago Study co-lead Professor Tim Johnson said the discovery significantly challenged previous assumptions about our planet’s ancient history the oldest impact crater was 2.2 billion years old so this is by far the oldest known crater ever found on Earth,” Professor Johnson said Researchers discovered the crater thanks to ‘shatter cones’ distinctive rock formations only formed under the intense pressure of a meteorite strike about 40 kilometres west of Marble Bar in WA’s Pilbara region were formed when a meteorite slammed into the area at more than 36,000km/h This would have been a major planetary event resulting in a crater more than 100km wide that would have sent debris flying across the globe “We know large impacts were common in the early solar system from looking at the Moon,” Professor Johnson said the absence of any truly ancient craters means they are largely ignored by geologists “This study provides a crucial piece of the puzzle of Earth’s impact history and suggests there may be many other ancient craters that could be discovered over time.” Co-lead author Professor Chris Kirkland, also from Curtin’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences said the discovery shed new light on how meteorites shaped Earth’s early environment “Uncovering this impact and finding more from the same time period could explain a lot about how life may have got started as impact craters created environments friendly to microbial life such as hot water pools,” Professor Kirkland said “It also radically refines our understanding of crust formation: the tremendous amount of energy from this impact could have played a role in shaping early Earth’s crust by pushing one part of the Earth’s crust under another or by forcing magma to rise from deep within the Earth’s mantle toward the surface “It may have even contributed to the formation of cratons stable landmasses that became the foundation of continents.” ‘A Paleoarchean impact crater in the Pilbara Craton, Western Australia’ was published in Nature Communications to be taken out of this world at the Cosmos… Study your degree at two global campuses and discover a world of career opportunities Curtin’s Global Scholars Program lets you earn an Australian degree while developing a global perspective You’ll start at a Curtin global campus in Malaysia then transfer to Curtin Perth in your second year to complete your degree and pursue a global career Curtin Malaysia has advanced learning areas It’s also located in one of the world’s most biodiverse areas vibrant campus based in a regional economic hub in one of the world’s safest and most well-connected cities modern environments and be part of a global community Study commerce or IT at Curtin Mauritius – based centrally in Moka City – and experience an island paradise renowned for its biodiversity and ecology Curtin’s newest global campus puts you at the centre of economic activity making it an excellent place to build your professional networks Complete 200 credits of your degree (about one year of study) The Curtin team will support your transition to Perth and you won’t need to re-apply for your course.1 1 How many years you study at Curtin Perth will depend on your course duration for an eligible 3-year bachelor degree course such as the Bachelor of Commerce you’ll study for two years (full-time) at Curtin Perth For an eligible 4-year bachelor degree course such as the Bachelor of Engineering you’ll study for three years (full-time) at Curtin Perth including gaining a global perspective and connections Experience living and learning in two global locationsDevelop your cross-cultural skills in preparation for a global career Build your global peer network while you studyYou’ll be part of an exclusive academic cohort studying across two Curtin campuses giving you the opportunity to build lifelong global connections Connect with industry and develop professionallyYou’ll attend industry networking events and academic speaker sessions which will grow your knowledge as a budding professional and increase your career networks You will have the opportunity to attend the annual Global Student Summit in Perth This special event is designed to connect you with students from Curtin’s global campuses and help you to build your network and access professional development initiatives All students accepted into the Global Scholars Program will receive a A$15,000 scholarship credited towards tuition fees I began my studies at Curtin Singapore and came to Curtin Perth in the second year of my course I was excited because I’d heard great things about the Perth campus it is extremely big and has many facilities for students I was able to group up with students from different countries and this put my leadership skills to the test I loved it and I’m glad that I got to experience it Download and complete the Global Scholars Program application form Submit your request form by completing the International Application Enquiries form Review all sections of your Letter of Offer. Once you have met any conditions of your offer, complete the ‘Acceptance of Offer’ (attached to your letter of offer) and submit the form via the International Student Request webform. Note: Your Global Scholar Program Offer Letter will contain country-specific details related to your selected study location(s) This ensures that you have the essential information regarding regulations requirements and support services tailored to the country where you’ll be studying If you are not a citizen of the country in which you will commence your course you may need to obtain a visa to study at that campus Please contact the Student Services team at that campus for more information In the second semester of your first year of study our Curtin Perth team will contact you about the ‘Confirmation of Enrolment’ document you need to apply for your Australian student visa to transfer to Curtin Perth to complete your degree.1 A student visa will allow you to study in Australia and work up to 48 hours in paid employment per fortnight while you are studying.2  For more information about student visas, visit curtin.edu/student.visas You are considered a domestic student if you are: New Curtin University research has revealed that a massive meteorite struck northwestern Scotland about 200 million years later than previously thought in a discovery that not only rewrites Scotland’s geological history but alters our understanding of the evolution of non-marine life on Earth Previously believed to have occurred 1.2 billion years ago, the impact created the Stac Fada Member a layer of rock that holds vital clues to Earth’s ancient past including how meteorite strikes may have influenced the planet’s environment and life Lead author Professor Chris Kirkland from Curtin’s Frontier Institute for Geoscience Solutions within the School of Earth and Planetary Sciences said the research team used tiny zircon crystals as geological ‘time capsules’ to date the impact to 990 million years ago “These microscopic crystals recorded the exact moment of impact with some even transforming into an incredibly rare mineral called reidite which only forms under extreme pressures,” Professor Kirkland said “This provided undeniable proof that a meteorite strike caused the Stac Fada deposit it partially resets the atomic clocks inside the zircon crystals and these ‘broken timepieces’ are often unable to be dated but we developed a model to reconstruct when the disturbance occurred confirming the impact at 990 million years ago.” Professor Kirkland said this impact event occurred at a similar time to the emergence of some of the earliest freshwater eukaryotes “The revised dating suggests these life forms in Scotland appeared at a similar time to a meteorite impact,” Professor Kirkland said “This raises fascinating questions about whether large impacts may have influenced environmental conditions in ways that affected early ecosystems “While the impact crater itself has yet to be found this study has collected further clues that could finally reveal its location “Understanding when meteorite impacts occurred helps us explore their potential influence on Earth’s environment and the expansion of life beyond the oceans.” The research was done in collaboration with NASA Johnson Space Center The paper, ‘A one-billion-year-1 old Scottish meteorite impact,’ has been published in Geologyand is available online here: https://doi.org/10.1130/G53121.1 Curtin University and Chevron Australia have officially opened the doors to an Australian-first research facility that promises to transform how the oil and gas industry tackles corrosion The $4 million Extreme Service Flow Loop facility based at the Curtin Corrosion Centre in Perth with simulation testing underway as part of the final validation process The state-of-the-art facility replicates the conditions inside oil and gas pipelines helping researchers develop more effective ways to manage corrosion – an issue for offshore operators worldwide Project Chief Investigator Dr Ammar Al Helal said the flow loop will allow detailed studies of how materials break down over time costing billions of dollars every year in maintenance and can pose a serious safety risk if left unmanaged Our research will help industry adopt safer more efficient ways to stop corrosion before it starts,” Dr Al Helal said “Made from Hastelloy – a high nickel alloy capable of withstanding extreme corrosive conditions – the flow loop can simulate some of the toughest conditions pipelines face This enables advanced research to improve material selection and management methods helping to mitigate environmental risks and reduce costs.” John Curtin Distinguished Professor Mark Buntine said the opening of the Extreme Service Flow Loop marks a turning point for Australian research and innovation such corrosion tests were only available overseas The Australian-based facility is also the world’s only flow loop capable of safely replicating corrosive conditions in the presence of toxic mercury vapour which requires a highly controlled environment,” Professor Buntine said “This cutting-edge research facility will not only address critical industry challenges but also create training opportunities for postgraduate students setting the foundation for future research and development in this field that will benefit industries worldwide “This achievement also pays tribute to the vision and dedication of the late Professor Ahmed Barifcani whose contributions were pivotal to the project’s success.” The Extreme Service Flow Loop was also made a reality through the efforts of former Curtin Corrosion Centre Director who initiated discussions with Chevron Australia and established the foundation for the research collaboration Chevron Australia Director of Operations Danny Woodall said the project reflected Chevron’s commitment to innovation technology development and local research expertise “Chevron Australia is proud to partner with the Curtin Corrosion Centre to deliver a world-class research tool that will enhance the safety efficiency and sustainability of major energy projects in Western Australia and across the world,” Mr Woodall said “The facility is testament to the value of collaboration between industry and academia driving local innovation and creating new opportunities for the state’s leading energy sector.” Beyond supporting Chevron Australia’s operations the Gorgon and Wheatstone natural gas developments the flow loop will be available to other companies in the future making it a valuable resource for addressing global corrosion challenges Further information on the Curtin Corrosion Centre can be found here Curtin is situated in Perth’s most affluent area in the suburbs just north and west of the city-centre The seat’s weekly median family income is more than $3200 While the count in Curtin went well into the following day in 2022 Ms Chaney came out with a 1.3 per cent margin Get the first look at the digital newspaper curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox Get the NewsletterBy continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.A slight redistribution sees Curtin lose a few suburbs in its north but it is not expected to change the notional margin Ms Chaney’s stunning 2022 victory was seen as a prime example of the discontent many female voters felt against the Morrison Government especially given her own uncle was a former Liberal Minister under Malcolm Fraser It was just the second time in the history of the seat it had left Liberal hands the first time being in 1995 when sitting MP Allan Rocher failed to get Liberal preselection but ran anyway The seat was held by former foreign minister Julie Bishop for more than 20 years but retired at the 2019 election after a failed leadership challenge which was ultimately won by Scott Morrison Looking to regain the seat for the Liberals is Tom White a former president of the Young Liberals and former Uber executive Curtin has seen a lot of money spent on both campaigns with reports of both campaigns putting in seven figure sums to try wrestle the seat in their favour Labor have also named Viktor Ko as their candidate although he is not expected to challenge for the seat Latest EditionEdition Edition 5 May 20255 May 2025All-powerful Anthony Albanese says give me some R.E.S.P.E.C.T New Curtin University research has found exposure to outdoor air pollution and extreme temperatures during pregnancy may increase the risk of prolonged pregnancy offering new insights into the impact of climate change on maternal health The study analysed data from nearly 400,000 births in Western Australia and found that higher exposure to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) and biothermal stress (a measure that combines air temperature and human physiology) was associated with pregnancies lasting beyond 41 weeks Lead author Dr Sylvester Dodzi Nyadanu from Curtin’s School of Population Health said while climate exposure has long been linked to preterm births this is the first study to examine its impact on prolonged pregnancies “We know that being ‘born too soon’—preterm birth—has well-documented health risks but little attention has been given to the risks associated with being ‘born too late’,” Dr Nyadanu said “Our findings show that exposure to air pollution and biothermal stress during pregnancy increases the likelihood of prolonged pregnancies particularly among mothers over 35 years old including climate-related exposures during pregnancy have been associated with maternal stress response and subsequent disruptions in endocrine and inflammatory activities which increase towards the end of pregnancy resulting in prolonged pregnancy in some cases.” Dr Nyadanu said prolonged pregnancy can have serious health implications for both mother and baby including the need for medical interventions such as labour induction or caesarean sections early childhood behavioural and emotional problems “With climate change driving more frequent extreme weather events and worsening air quality it is essential that we recognise the potential impacts on maternal and child health,” Dr Nyadanu said policymakers and pregnant women—particularly those in vulnerable groups—must consider climate-related exposures when assessing pregnancy risks and planning interventions “This study highlights the need for targeted policies and preventative measures to reduce climate-related health risks including better air quality regulations and public health initiatives aimed at protecting expectant mothers and children from extreme climatic conditions.” Published in Urban Climate, the study is titled ‘Maternal climate-related exposures and prolonged pregnancy: Findings from a statewide population-based cohort study in Western Australia’ and can be accessed here People living with concussion in regional Western Australian communities will now have access to a groundbreaking national study which will… New Curtin-led research has found that young people who have had contact with the youth justice system face an increased… Curtin University has announced the winners of its 2024 Research and Engagement Awards celebrating exceptional research and media engagement highlight Curtin’s commitment to advancing impactful research that benefits society and the planet Curtin’s Researcher of the Year was awarded to Professor Penelope Hasking from the School of Population Health for her outstanding work in youth mental health suicide prevention and non-suicidal self-injury Professor Hasking has secured funding to expand the initiative nationally to help university students across the country Professor Hasking also leads a program at Royal Perth Hospital to train nurses in compassionate care for self-injury patients The 2024 Early Career Researcher of the Year went to wildlife ecologist and geneticist Dr Brenton von Takach a WA Premier’s Early to Mid-Career Fellow and Research Fellow in the School of Molecular and Life Sciences Dr von Takach uses environmental and genetic data to help better manage and conserve threatened species The following award categories – People Planet and Partnerships – reflect Curtin’s strategic pillars People (celebrating outstanding research in any discipline with a focus on making a difference for society) John Curtin Distinguished Professor Marylène Gagné from the Future of Work Institute Dr Shelley Walker from the National Drug Research Institute Planet (celebrating outstanding research in any discipline that makes a difference for the planet) John Curtin Distinguished Professor Zongping Shao from the WA School of Mines: Minerals Dr Yijun Zhong from the WA School of Mines: Minerals Partnership (celebrating outstanding research in any discipline that makes a difference through partnerships) Associate Professor Vinicius Cavalheri from the School of Allied Health Dr Cass Lynch from the School of Media The winners of the 2024 Curtin Media Engagement Awards were also announced in recognition of the researchers who have played the greatest role in raising the profile of the University in the media Anthony Clarke and Professor Chris Kirkland – A Scottish Provenance for the Altar Stone of Stonehenge Most Prolific Media Commentator for the Faculty of Health Sciences Dr Renee Carey Most Prolific Media Commentator for the Faculty of Science and Engineering Anthony Clarke Most Prolific Media Commentator for the Faculty of Business and Law John Curtin Distinguished Professor Alan Duncan Most Prolific Media Commentator for the Faculty of Humanities Associate Professor Alexey Muraviev Dr Adam Crowe Louise Francis and Joshua Newton Highest Contribution to ‘The Conversation’ Dr Nicole Lee Highest Readership of an Article on ‘The Conversation’ John Curtin Distinguished Professor Steven Tingay Highest Contribution to the Australian Science Media Centre John Curtin Distinguished Professor Peter Newman Curtin University has acknowledged a trio of respected leaders for their exceptional service in their fields two Curtin University students will travel overseas to help tackle major issues Four Curtin University undergraduate students are set to take their studies global after being awarded prestigious scholarships in the 2025… A Curtin University astronomer for whom a day at the office includes unlocking the inner workings of supermassive black holes and discovering the remains of rare stellar explosions has been named the 2025 recipient of the Nancy Millis Medal which recognises women scientists for their outstanding contribution to research and leadership Associate Professor Natasha Hurley-Walker from the Curtin University node of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) was awarded the medal today by the Australian Academy of Science. Her research uses supercomputers to process vast amounts of data from WA telescopes, in particular the Murchison Widefield Array, to map the southern sky in ‘radio colour’ revealing a dazzling new view of the cosmos. Associate Professor Hurley-Walker also led the discovery of a new class of astrophysical objects powerful energy pulses repeating on unusually slow timescales she led the first identification of an optical counterpart shedding new light on these mysterious cosmic signals Through participation in many documentaries Associate Professor Hurley-Walker is recognised publicly and internationally as a leader in her field and continues to inspire the next generation of scientists and space enthusiasts. Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne congratulated Associate Professor Hurley-Walker on being recognised for her outstanding contributions to science. “Associate Professor Hurley-Walker is an internationally acclaimed researcher whose groundbreaking work has led to advances in fields as diverse as radio galaxy life cycles supernova remnants and high-energy astrophysics,” Professor Hayne said. “Her achievements are a testament to her exceptional dedication and expertise and receiving the Nancy Millis Medal is a fitting recognition of her outstanding career to-date.” Associate Professor Hurley-Walker said she was humbled to receive recognition from the Australian Academy of Science alongside other respected leaders and researchers. “My work has uncovered new perspectives in radio astronomy and highlighted the surprising beauty of our unseen universe to the public I am delighted to receive this award and thank the Academy for recognising the value of this research and its impact on my discipline and beyond,” Associate Professor Hurley-Walker said. I am deeply committed to advancing equal opportunities fostering equitable and sustainable workplaces and leading diverse teams to success. Curtin University’s more than 20-year tertiary education partnership with the Sri Lankan government was elevated to a higher level in 2024 with the launch of Curtin’s fifth international campus Colombo is the country’s largest city and the capital of Sri Lanka’s Western Province tropical climate and for being Asia’s biodiversity hotspot The transition of Curtin’s education premises into a full Curtin University global campus represents the University’s ongoing and significant commitment to the Sri Lankan community and the broader South Asian region The state-of-the-art campus is located in the heart of Colombo next to Gangaramaya Lake – popular for the Gangaramaya Park urban retreat – and within walking distance of the city centre Curtin University Colombo will continue to expand upon our existing suite of higher education programs ensuring that the programs meet local needs and build on the academic capabilities and world-class teaching and learning facilities of the campus Curtin University Colombo is also focused on developing a research culture through projects that aim to address real-world challenges for Sri Lanka’s communities the transition to a global campus will provide unique opportunities for Curtin University Colombo students to study at Curtin’s other global campuses Curtin University’s logo still carries with it a connection to our days as the Western Australian institute of Technology (WAIT) and the symbol we used then The original WAIT design was developed in 1967 by David Walker a WAIT art and design teaching staff member: “The symbol represented the cross-disciplinary nature of the new Institute its technology focus and the evolving and changing nature of tertiary education,” said David Walker the symbol provided a visual essence of an Institute of Technology There were to be no rampant swans entwined with kangaroo paws.” In 1986 work progressed on changing the status of WAIT to that of a university A number of reasons were behind this change At this time WAIT was generating research outcomes commensurate with university level standards or results as a College of Advanced Education there was no recurrent government funding to support WAIT research elevation to university status would unlock access to increased Commonwealth funding Source: Director Don Watts letter to staff During 1986 and in preparation for our change in status we began developing a new symbol and logo design One of the first ideas was a shield in the shape of a star In a lengthy discussion at its 1986 November meeting the WAIT Council resolved there should be more connection to the WAIT symbol The proposed star shape was replaced with a device that referenced the original WAIT tetrahedron design Council saw retaining elements of the WAIT symbol as an integral element of the new design. Moving on from the WAIT symbol was also described by the WAIT sub-committee tasked with the design work as a practical solution to technical problems with reproducing and printing the three-dimensional shape in a flat two-dimensional format (i.e The new 1987 Curtin University of Technology corporate style manual described how the new design would denote our new university status through a shield design This would be in keeping with the form adopted by other universities yet maintain our connection to our history as: removing the words “of technology” in our name 1975 was a year of consolidation at the Western Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT) (now […] the Archives recognised the significant nature of Western Australia’s first satellite mission […] We are celebrating Pride Month with records of the LGBTQIA+ community on campus from our […] The family tree that evolves into Curtin University begins with the various trade schools and […] Curtin University has officially launched its newest global campus, Curtin University Colombo Curtin now has five international campuses the joint highest number of any university in the world It complements Curtin’s already established facilities in Singapore the UAE and Mauritius and further solidifies Curtin’s Global Campus Network around the Indian Ocean Rim Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne attended the unveiling celebration and said the new campus showcases Curtin’s commitment to offering students worldwide top tier learning opportunities “Transforming our presence in Sri Lanka into a fully-fledged campus strengthens our commitment to the region and builds on our long-standing, successful partnership with the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT),” Professor Hayne said “We have already seen more than 2500 Sri Lankan students graduate with Curtin degrees since the early 2000s and now we will not only see those numbers grow but will also be able to expand our current offerings in engineering computing and business into new industry-relevant fields such as health “Curtin University Colombo marks an exciting new chapter for Curtin and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this campus will have on both Sri Lankan and global communities.” Curtin University Colombo will operate from a purpose-built It plans to broaden undergraduate and postgraduate offerings and further enhance research opportunities in the region There are 700 students currently enrolled in Curtin courses in Sri Lanka and applications to study at the new Curtin Colombo campus for Semester 1 2025 are now open Curtin University Colombo Chairman and SLIIT Vice Chancellor said he was proud the strong partnership between Curtin and SLIIT has culminated in an official campus “The partnership has successfully brought international best practices into Sri Lankan higher education while providing local students with access to high quality international education,” he said “Having a fully-fledged campus of Curtin University which is consistently ranked within the top 1 per cent of universities globally is of national significance and augurs well for the future of higher education in this region “Curtin University Colombo will enhance its contributions to Sri Lankan education and research while fostering Sri Lanka’s progress by nurturing a skilled and competitive workforce.” Curtin University Colombo will also provide students with the opportunity to begin their higher education journey in Sri Lanka and then seamlessly transfer to any of Curtin’s campuses in Australia This model supports knowledge exchange and collaboration within Curtin’s international network while allowing students the flexibility to gain global exposure without disrupting their academic journey Visit the Curtin University Colombo website for more information on courses and offerings Thousands of students from across Western Australia and around the world will begin their higher education journey at Curtin’s Perth… New Curtin-led research has revealed that water played a far bigger role than previously thought in shaping Earth’s first continents transforming the planet’s early crust and helping to build the landmasses we see today Published in Nature’s Communications Earth and Environment Journal the research team studied 1.6-billion-year-old rocks from the Georgetown Inlier in northeast Queensland – home to some of the best-preserved pieces of continental crust on Earth who completed the research at Curtin’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences but is now based at ETH Zurich in Switzerland said the findings could redefine our understanding of water’s role in Earth’s early evolution and its importance in shaping the continents we see today volcanic rocks erupted on the ocean floor and were then altered by hot water as they cooled down and solidified these water-rich rocks were buried deep within the Earth’s crust where the introduction of additional water caused them to partially melt at temperatures ranging from 700 to 750°C,” Dr Volante said “By analysing the oxygen levels within the rocks the research team found a clear difference between the original volcanic rocks and the granitic rocks they turned into – suggesting an additional source of water from deep within the Earth’s mantle “The two sources of water which formed the continental crust rocks – one from the volcanic rocks themselves and more surprisingly also from deep within the Earth – fuelled a chain reaction of melting which lasted millions of years and helped form the building blocks of the continents we live on today.” Co-author ARC Laureate Fellow John Curtin Distinguished Emeritus Professor Zheng Xiang Li also from Curtin’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences said the team was fortunate to be able to study Australia’s ancient rocks which offer a rare and well-preserved record of how the Earth formed “We had an incredible opportunity to work in unique locations such as the Georgetown Inlier which is one of the only places in the world where we can see all stages of continental crust formation locked in billion-year-old rock,” Professor Li said “Our next step is to investigate whether similar water-based melting processes occurred in even older crust fragments Finding more well-preserved examples will help show just how crucial water movement in the Earth’s mantle was in shaping our planet’s early landscape.” This research was funded by an Australian Research Council (ARC) Project The paper was co-authored by Dr Amaury Pourteau and Dr Hugo Olierook from Curtin’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences Dr Laure Martin from The University of Western Australia and Associate Professor Matthijs Smit from the University of British Columbia The full paper titled, “Oxygen isotope shifts reveal fluid-fluxed melting in continental anatexis,” can be found online here Curtin University has announced Jason McFarlane as the new Western Australian GreenTech Hub Director Curtin University’s home of entrepreneurship at our Bentley campus As part of our commitment to fostering a culture of entrepreneurship in WA Curtin University have invested in building a dedicated flexible co-working space for startup teams and entrepreneurs to grow their business right here in the heart of Curtin’s new dedicated industry-connected innovation precinct The Entrepreneurs Hub is situated on the ground floor of Curtin’s School of Design and the Built Environment Boasting a 6-Star Green Star Design & As Built sustainability rating B418’s design reflects the school’s culture of creative thinking and innovation with state-of-the-art facilities and modern architectural qualities Surrounding the school, you’ll find a series of hospitality and retail spaces as well as a hotel and residential apartments, providing you with additional benefits outside the Hub to offer guests or employees. For more information about these facilities, visit Exchange at Curtin The Entrepreneurs Hub is designed to facilitate business development and foster connections The Hub is available to alumni of our Entrepreneur Programs students and researchers wanting to work on their business idea in and around their work or studies Access to the Curtin Entrepreneurs Hub is reserved for members of the Curtin Entrepreneurs community reach out to a member of our Entrepreneurship team for more info In year 12 and getting ready to take the next step Here’s everything you need to kickstart your journey at Curtin From TISC applications and receiving offers to changing preferences and keeping track of key dates you’ll apply through TISC (Tertiary Institutions Service Centre) On this page you’ll find information to help you understand the application process 2025 TISC applicants: The second round offers were sent on Tuesday 21 January 2025. If you received an offer, make sure you accept your offer before the deadline. Haven’t received an offer? Contact Curtin Connect to explore your options or explore our frequently asked questions below Navigating your way through the TISC preference system can be tricky That’s why we’re here to step you through the process and answer all those important questions #1 in WA for graduate salaryCurtin graduates earn the highest median salary of all WA’s public universities #1 in WA for graduate employment #1 in WA for  graduate employment #1 in WA for top-qualified academicsFour out of five academics at Curtin hold a doctoral degree Explore the seven best things to look forward to when you’re studying at Curtin – according to TikTok Opening hours: Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 4.30pm Note: Curtin Connect will have modified hours over the limited service period A Curtin University and WA Country Health Service Alliance-led research project to improve healthcare outcomes for rural and remote communities in Western Australia has been awarded more than $3.6 million in funding from the Federal Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) conceived by the Western Australian Rural Research and Innovation Alliance (WARRIA) – a new NHMRC recognised Emerging Research Translation Centre focused on health systems in regional rural and remote WA – will develop the Rural and Remote Health Outcomes Monitoring Platform (RHOMP) to enhance delivery of services by providing timely data to healthcare providers The initiative, led by epidemiologist Dr Sharmani Barnard from Curtin’s School of Population Health will integrate de-identified data from multiple sources “People living in rural and remote areas often experience poorer health outcomes compared to those in metropolitan regions partly due to reduced access to primary and specialist care,” Dr Barnard said “RHOMP will give healthcare providers and policymakers better insights into patient pathways helping them allocate resources more effectively Curtin University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research John Curtin Distinguished Professor Melinda Fitzgerald congratulated the team on being awarded funding support from the Federal Government through the MRFF “This significant investment will enable our researchers to work closely with healthcare providers to create a more comprehensive picture of healthcare needs in rural and remote regions,” Professor Fitzgerald said “This project will translate research into improved health outcomes for Western Australians and exemplifies Curtin’s commitment to making a difference through partnerships.” WA Country Health Service Chief Executive Jeff Moffet said the organisation was consistently harnessing new and emerging ways of supporting the healthcare needs of remote communities “Our remit is more than 2.55 million square kilometres and working in partnership with organisations like Curtin University means we are consistently finding new and improved ways of connecting even our most remote communities to worldclass healthcare,” Mr Moffet said “The collaborative project provides a digital platform for WA Country Health Service and our service partners to present insights into patient care pathways and clinical outcomes it will support the provision of frontline care in hospitals and health services throughout country WA – allowing us to drive improvements across patient transfers.” The system will include two main tools: RHOMP Interactive designed for healthcare providers and policymakers to monitor patient care pathways and track clinical outcomes to foster research aimed at further improving rural healthcare Key partners include the WA Country Health Service Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service and WA Primary Health Alliance Further information on the MRFF is available from the Department of Health and Aged Care. Curtin University has again been named Western Australia’s top public university for undergraduate employment according to the latest Good Universities Guide released today Curtin has outranked all other WA public universities for undergraduate outcomes in full-time employment and staff qualification Curtin also has the highest proportion of PhD qualified staff reflecting the University’s strong focus on delivering a world-class education to its students Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne said the results highlight Curtin’s well-founded reputation for aligning education with industry needs “These achievements reflect our commitment to providing students with the skills and experience they need to confidently step into the workforce from day one,” Professor Hayne said “It’s also gratifying to see Curtin recognised for our highly qualified academic staff who play a pivotal role in delivering a top-tier education and shaping the future careers of our graduates.” The Good Universities Guide 2025 also revealed outstanding results for Curtin’s postgraduate coursework students with 86 per cent (up from 81 per cent) in full-time employment following graduation Curtin’s other leading outcomes at an undergraduate field of study level include: For more on the Good Universities Guide visit here. assessments and big decisions about your future – high school is a lot. When you summit the mountain that is your final year of schooling you’ll also be opening the door to a world of opportunities at uni. But what exactly do you have to look forward to What does life at Curtin actually look like? If you’re chasing good the best insights to what’s so great about student life there’s one place to check: TikTok. we’ll uncover what our students think of life at Curtin and all the possibilities waiting for you. commune and connect – between lectures and beyond. Second-to-none facilities make studying a breeze delicious eats are around every corner and there’s always an event happening somewhere on campus Here’s what stands out to our students about Curtin campus life. Studying at Curtin is about more than your academic journey alone you can create Universe of opportunities for fun Let’s discover what TikTok ranks as the best aspects of life at Curtin. While your go-to snacks of the moment might be whatever you can find in the fridge Curtin is about to change that. Spoilt for choice is an understatement when we’re talking about food on campus From inexpensive options to indulgent dining there’s so much to enjoy. You’ll likely be a fast friend of the five Curtin Student Guild cafes in the bustling Guild Precinct and the iconic Basement Cafe in the Engineering Precinct The icing on the cake: Guild members can save 10% on every order. Let’s see what our students’ favourite spots are. And that’s not to mention the food trucks – a rotating selection of some of the finest eats and drinks around Your tastebuds will be thanking you. Curtin’s campus is the gift that keeps on giving hidden nooks and secret parks all just waiting to be discovered. you’ll take the long way between classes or wander to a part of campus you’re not usually in and continue to stumble upon something new. Take a peek at some of the hidden gems on campus. so we’ve chopped the list down to three gems to keep an eye out for: Woven throughout our campus are creations by some incredible artists. From Hayley Welsh’s whimsical creatures to Borondo’s elusive multi-level mural, there’s much to be admired, pondered and photographed. Find out more, here If you’re keen to blow off some steam and get those legs moving after some intense study – you’ll want to visit our games spotted and dotted around campus Play life-sized chess at the Pines in Henderson some three-on-three basketball in the Creative Quarter or ping pong at one of the tables across campus When the afternoon siesta calls, the Hammock hotel always answers Renowned (campus-wide) as the best spot for a casual chat or a blissful nap If you’re keen to explore (and rack up that step count) you can uncover our full map of hidden treasures, here. is jam-packed with the best grub around from Pretzel’s deliciously indulgent carbs to Banh Mizzle’s fresh and flavourful bánh mì – and we’re just scratching the surface. It’s where you’ll refuel between tutes, meet with friends after class and grab meals during big study seshes. There are always events on too, with pop-ups like our Summer Sundowner Series happening year-round. Take a look at five must-try spots (but be warned it’ll make your stomach rumble). Another highlight of Curtin life: our Library. The TL Robertson Library is something else – six stories of diverse working spaces modern architecture and engaging activities await you. you’ll hang out on the ground floor – open space plenty of comfy study nooks and the delicious Guild Cafe Library for all your snacking needs. level 6 and the Reading Room are your hubs for quiet individual study The fresh decor makes focusing on your studies a breeze. you’ll head to the outdoor terrace on level 4 people watch over Henderson Court and enjoy the smell of fresh air You’ll walk back into the Library rejuvenated and ready to rumble. This is where you’ll find The Makerspace – a hub of the tech equipment and materials you need to bring your creative ideas to life. Watch how Maggie spends a study day at the Library. but did you know that’s just the beginning of the places to study and hang on campus? like the award-winning School of Design and the Built Environment the facilities around campus are second-to-none. Discover the spots our students love. you’ll want to check out these outdoor spaces too – nothing like some fresh air and sunshine to get the creative juices flowing! and you’ll love picking a new spot to set up each day. “There’s always something going on around campus” – every student says it campus is bustling with life year-round. When you’re at Curtin, you’ll be blocking out your calendar for events like Pasar Malam celebrations and cuisines from around the globe flood the laneways You’ll love the chance to get networking and upskill professionally at events like our Student Startup Weekend. The casual pop-up events across campus are a highlight too – like the new Summer Sundowner Series or our Barefoot lunches. Those looking to make the most of the offerings on campus will follow Explore Curtin and keep a keen eye on what the Curtin Student Guild is up to. One of the best parts about university life is that you’ll be meeting new people discovering different perspectives and building lifelong friendships. You might meet people in class, on campus, at clubs and societies or through Curtin Volunteers! – the list goes on. they had some things to say about making friends at uni. Wanting to make new friends at uni but not sure how to go about it? Here are some great tips from our current students! #unilife #studentlife Extra curriculars and social clubs are credited by a fair few students as their friendship-making tool Here’s how some of our students are getting involved. Peek behind-the-scenes at the fun and impactful work of our Curtin Women in Business crew. Feeling inspired? We thought you might be. Get the ball rolling and have a look at all the ways you can get involved in clubs, societies and volunteering, here. It’s waiting for you to craft it into something amazing and the opportunities ahead are vast. When you choose to study at Curtin you’re not just making an investment in your future career you’re opening the door to new opportunities industry connections and your own personal development. #CurtinLife on socials for a look into what your new day-to-day will be. If you need advice on our degrees or the different pathways to uni, we’re here to help. Discover the opportunities at Curtin online and chat to our Future Students Team for support Furthering your academic journey in a new city in a new country is an exciting prospect – especially when your… There are many ways to get into university One of the most common pathways is the STAT test The group chats are filling up and the DMs are flying back and forth Your notifications are lighting-up fast and… People living with concussion in regional Western Australian communities will now have access to a groundbreaking national study which will help to improve their recovery and wellbeing The Australian Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Study (AUS-mTBI) is partnering with the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) to broaden its reach into rural and remote areas and better understand the experiences of concussion among people living in regional communities Lead researcher Curtin University Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research Professor Melinda Fitzgerald said previous studies have largely focused on sports-related concussion – particularly in young athletes “This study will fill a crucial gap by focusing on how concussion also impacts individuals in the general population,” Professor Fitzgerald said over 180,000 concussions are likely experienced each year with approximately 30 per cent of individuals experiencing ongoing often debilitating symptoms that affect their health A significant number of people who experience concussions don’t seek medical care creating a knowledge gap about brain injury recovery in everyday Australians “We aim to understand the factors that predict delayed recovery from concussion which will allow us to provide more timely and personalised care for those at greatest risk This will ultimately improve patient outcomes and reduce the community burden of concussion.” Patients at selected WA Country Health Service hospitals and health centres across regional Western Australia will be asked if they would like to participate in the study and access support in their concussion recovery WA Country Health Service Executive Director Strategy Melissa Vernon said there is a commitment to ensuring people in country communities have the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from this important research “The WA Country Health Service is keen to support the study in country communities ensuring people living outside of the metropolitan area have access to information about mild traumatic brain injury recovery,” Ms Vernon said Participants in the study will use HeadCheck to track their symptoms and guide their recovery over 12 months or until symptoms resolve The app’s recommendations will be refined based on data collected through the study which will help create personalised care plans for each participant Researchers will apply cutting-edge machine learning techniques to develop a predictive model that can identify individuals at risk of delayed recovery People experiencing concussion in the past 14 days are encouraged to download HeadCheck and participate in the AUS-mTBI Study For more information, visit www.connectivity.org.au/connecting-to-current-research-projects/aus-mtbi-participant-information/ New Curtin University research has revealed child food insecurity in developed countries is not solely driven by poverty but is… university is where some of the world’s biggest tech founders met and started businesses that would change the game for ever Student Startup Weekend is an event for Western Australian university students looking for the chance to test a new business idea in 54-exciting hours the experience equips young people with the skills to pursue a career as an entrepreneur whilst connecting them with Perth’s top mentors This year’s event takes place from 4:30pm Friday 4 to 4:00pm Sunday 6 April at Curtin’s Bentley campus We’ve assembled a SWAT team of leading startup experts to support you throughout the weekend former entrepreneur in residence at Woodside and experienced mentor in global startup ecosystems Jasmin brings a wealth of expertise in innovation and venture capital and has delivered multiple Startup Weekends events around the world Former Curtin University Women in Business President Angela is now a brand consultant passionate about creativity Curtin University lecturer and founder of Synapta and strategic insights to accelerate growth and innovation and specialist in product validation and growth strategies within WA’s vibrant tech ecosystem Malcolm is passionate about growing WA’s startup scene Shivani thrives at the intersection of strategy she is a catalyst for fresh ideas and impactful change she brings diverse perspectives to turning bold visions into reality founder of Publish My Web and IdeaBank Ventures Filipp is an experienced consultant advising listed companies and governments on tech and strategic growth across key industries Supported by the entrepreneur teams at Curtin and Bloom this event will guide you through the process of developing an idea for a new business venture you will have learned how to test your idea Tickets are now on sale for Student Startup Weekend 2025 Don’t miss out – join us for our next event taking place from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 April 2025 at Curtin’s Bentley Campus Tickets are just $15 and include food and drinks for the whole weekend Curtin University’s Accelerate program has unveiled 12 innovative startups for its 2025 cohort including self-heating baby milk packaging and sustainable mineral supplements made from native seaweed set to transform industries and improve lives resources and industry connections to help startups succeed said this year’s program had drawn a record number of applications capital and human resources into expanding the impact of our entrepreneur programs including Curtin Accelerate,” Ms Cross said “To receive more than 70 very strong applications – the most in the program’s history – is a strong indicator that our pipeline approach to entrepreneur development is reaping rewards.” self-heating packaging that warms baby milk to the perfect temperature on the go reliable and portable solution for parents and carers “Feeding a baby outside of the home can be stressful and unpredictable I have witnessed firsthand the challenges of warming baby milk safely and quickly,” Ms Rees said “CuddleCup was created to give families and healthcare professionals a foolproof solution that fits seamlessly into their busy lives “Curtin Accelerate offers an incredible platform to refine CuddleCup and bring this need-to-have product to parents everywhere providing a meaningful answer to a challenge faced by families every day.” a project by Seaweed Australia to create 100 per cent natural seaweed-based health products derived from locally cultivated green seaweed Founder Joel Wynhorst said Organic Ocean’s cultivation system is highly sustainable and has been optimised to produce seaweed with multiple health benefits compared to traditional products which are often high in heavy metals and use wild harvested seaweeds “Our mission is to provide a healthier and more sustainable option to people looking for organic and safe nutritional supplements,” Mr Wynhorst said we’re looking forward to rapidly upscaling the business by learning how to meet and pitch to investors and explore new marketing opportunities.” The 2025 Accelerate cohort represents a diverse group of exciting innovators and startup businesses at varying stages of growth In addition to CuddleCup and Organic Ocean participants include: Curtin Accelerate’s 2025 program will begin in February culminating in the annual Demo Night on Thursday where teams will showcase their innovations to investors and industry leaders To find out more visit: https://www.curtin.edu.au/engage/entrepreneurs/accelerate/ Curtin University is encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs innovators and early-stage business founders to apply for the 2025 Curtin Ignition program –… New research by Curtin University has achieved a breakthrough in eco-friendly display technology creating highly efficient and stable blue quantum… An ingenious new approach to reducing Emergency Department waiting times was the main winner of the WA Health Hackathon 2024,… In March this year, Curtin University Library launched the new Copyright Toolkit The toolkit is a user-friendly guide for the Curtin community when tackling copyright questions related to teaching One of the new features is a re-mastered ‘copyright decision tool’ which guides the user to advice based on the type of copyrighted material (books For further information, please contact Library-Copyright@curtin.edu.au Enjoy reading Library news? Sign up to our newsletter The National Library of Australia is implementing a new national Resource Sharing system from April to June 2025 Reading time: 1 minute The Library Illuminates: A Path to Sustainability exhibition offers an opportunity to engage with critical sustainability… Reading time: 1 minute Christine Huggins recently joined the Library as Communications and Engagement Coordinator More than 300 new teachers will be qualified to lead classrooms in 2025, thanks to Curtin University’s one-year Graduate Diploma in Education program In response to Western Australia’s teaching shortage Curtin took a leadership role by reintroducing a Graduate Diploma in Education in 2024 allowing graduates with a relevant Bachelor’s degree an intensive fast-track pathway to meet the requirements to become a registered teacher the course will produce 340 graduates qualified to teach in WA primary and secondary schools Head of Curtin’s School of Education, Professor Jeff Brooks said Curtin had taken the lead in addressing the critical need for more primary and secondary teachers in WA “The teacher shortage is having a major impact on Western Australian schools and families,” Professor Brooks said “Adding hundreds of teachers to the workforce in just 12 months is a great example of Curtin’s strong industry ties and flexibility “We heard our schools’ call for more teachers as soon as possible and have provided an agile response to help them address the challenges they’re facing.” Professor Brooks said preliminary enrolment numbers indicated the course would create even more qualified teachers over the next year “The Graduate Diploma of Education will continue to add even more qualified and classroom ready graduates to the teaching pool — at a time of immense need.” With primary or secondary teaching pathways Curtin Diploma of Education students get the opportunity for hands-on experience during their studies with 45 days spent learning in the workplace “In 2025, the Curtin School of Education is celebrating its milestone 50th anniversary,” Professor Brooks said “Curtin has offered innovative programs in teaching and learning since 1975 the School has grown to more than 4500 enrolments and serves every Australian state and territory “Our staff and students have been leaders in developing theories and practices aimed at preparing highly skilled knowledgeable graduates equipped to teach and work in a fast-changing world.” The Graduate Diploma in Education is part of the Curtin School of Education’s comprehensive range of offerings which also include the Bachelor of Education at Early Childhood John Curtin Gallery brings Once Known to the Old Perth Boys’ School for the first time as part of the… Six Curtin graduates are set to have a significant impact in their local communities the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (ACSES) has unveiled the Trials Registry New Curtin University-led research has uncovered what may be the oldest direct evidence of ancient hot water activity on Mars revealing the planet may have been habitable at some point in its past The study analysed a 4.45 billion-year-old zircon grain from the famous Martian meteorite NWA7034, also known as Black Beauty and found geochemical ‘fingerprints’ of water-rich fluids Study co-author Dr Aaron Cavosie from Curtin’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences said the discovery opened up new avenues for understanding ancient Martian hydrothermal systems associated with magmatism “We used nano-scale geochemistry to detect elemental evidence of hot water on Mars 4.45 billion years ago,” Dr Cavosie said “Hydrothermal systems were essential for the development of life on Earth and our findings suggest Mars also had water a key ingredient for habitable environments during the earliest history of crust formation.” “Through nano-scale imaging and spectroscopy the team identified element patterns in this unique zircon These elements were added as the zircon formed 4.45 billion years ago suggesting water was present during early Martian magmatic activity.” Dr Cavosie said the research showed that even though Mars’ crust endured massive meteorite impacts that caused major surface upheaval, water was present during the early Pre-Noachian period “A 2022 Curtin study of the same zircon grain found it had been ‘shocked’ by a meteorite impact marking it as the first and only known shocked zircon from Mars,” Dr Cavosie said “This new study takes us a step further in understanding early Mars by way of identifying tell-tale signs of water-rich fluids from when the grain formed providing geochemical markers of water in the oldest known Martian crust.” Lead author Dr Jack Gillespie from the University of Lausanne was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Curtin’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the time of the study, which was co-authored by researchers from Curtin’s Space Science and Technology Centre, the John de Laeter Centre and the University of Adelaide with funding from the Australian Research Council University of Adelaide and the Swiss National Science Foundation titled ‘Zircon evidence for early hydrothermal activity on Mars’ An international team of researchers may have answered one of space science’s long-running questions – and it could change our understanding of how life began Carbon-rich asteroids are abundant in space yet make up less than 5 per cent of meteorites found on Earth An international team of scientists from Curtin University’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, the International Centre for Radio Astronomy (ICRAR) the Paris Observatory and more scoured the globe to find an answer researchers analysed close to 8500 meteoroids and meteorite impacts using data from 19 fireball observation networks across 39 countries — making it the most comprehensive study of its kind Co-author Dr Hadrien Devillepoix from Curtin’s Space Science and Technology Centre and Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy (CIRA) said the team discovered Earth’s atmosphere and the Sun act like giant filters carbon-rich (carbonaceous) meteoroids before they reach the ground carbonaceous material doesn’t survive atmospheric entry,” Dr Devillepoix said “What this research shows is many of these meteoroids don’t even make it that far: they break apart from being heated repeatedly as they pass close to the Sun “The ones that do survive getting cooked in space are more likely to also make it through Earth’s atmosphere.” Carbonaceous meteorites are particularly important because they contain water and organic molecules — key ingredients linked to the origin of life on Earth Paris Observatory’s Dr Patrick Shober said the findings reshape how scientists interpret meteorites collected so far “Carbon-rich meteorites are some of the most chemically primitive materials we can study — they contain water organic molecules and even amino acids,” Dr Shober said we have so few of them in our meteorite collections that we risk having an incomplete picture of what’s actually out there in space and how the building blocks of life arrived on Earth “Understanding what gets filtered out and why is key to reconstructing our solar system’s history and the conditions that made life possible.” The study also found meteoroids created by tidal disruptions — when asteroids break apart from close encounters with planets — are especially fragile and almost never survive atmospheric entry “This finding could influence future asteroid missions impact hazard assessments and even theories on how Earth got its water and organic compounds to allow life to begin,” Dr Shober said Other institutions involved in the study were the Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy National Museum of National History and Aix-Marseilles University The study was supported by funding from the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research Perihelion history and atmospheric survival as primary drivers of the Earth’s meteorite record was published in Nature Astronomy which will see him take a leading role in the State’s journey towards a more sustainable future A key component of the WA Government’s $40 million partnership with the Chevron-operated Gorgon Joint Venture, the GreenTech Hub aims to fund and fast-track green technologies to address climate change reduce environmental impacts and promote sustainable resource use Mr McFarlane will oversee the GreenTech Hub’s operations which will include driving innovation and collaboration in sectors including renewable energy He brings a wealth of experience to the role having forged a career collaborating across government most recently as the Global Leader Urban Advisory and Economics Director for international consultancy firm chair and advisory board positions in organisations including Economic Development Australia Cyberwest and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal Curtin Institute for Energy Transition Director Professor Peta Ashworth said Mr McFarlane’s appointment would have a significant impact on the GreenTech Hub and Western Australia “Jason’s extensive experience in the innovation space and collaborating and engaging with diverse stakeholders will help embed sustainable practices into business government and community across Western Australia,” Professor Ashworth said “This appointment will help the GreenTech Hub achieve its goals and see WA emerge as a world leader in developing sustainable real-world solutions.” Mr McFarlane said he looked to forward to harnessing WA’s deep knowledge expertise and context into developing green technologies which could have a global impact “Fostering innovative solutions that contribute to environmental health climate action and waste mitigation whist unlocking opportunities for Western Australian entrepreneurs businesses and communities resonates deeply with my professional journey and values,” Mr McFarlane said “I am eager to support Western Australia to continue to evolve into a powerhouse of innovation and entrepreneurship providing solutions to some of the existential challenges of our time including Curtin’s extensive activities and networks will drive commercially successful technologies that support the State Government’s economic diversification agenda and meets the expectations of the Western Australian community.” A new Curtin University-led paper published in Nature Cities has called for action to reduce the burning of plastics for… A Curtin University-led report has revealed Western Australia consumes more than three times the global average of raw materials and… Curtin University is helping Western Australia take giant strides towards a net zero future announcing the first Innovation Challenge as… A 3D animation of a former AFLW player and an immersive virtual reality ‘Welcome to Country’ experience were among the inspiring creative projects on display last night at ‘Yoowarl Koorl: ReconciliAction and Indigenous Futures’ a showcase event highlighting Indigenous voices cultural resilience and a shared commitment to ‘reconciliAction’ Hosted by Curtin University the event celebrated a series of innovative collaborative research projects created by Indigenous Fremantle Dockers past players together with researchers from Curtin’s Faculty of Humanities community and cultural connection through creative expression Curtin’s Dean of Indigenous Futures, Associate Professor Mandy Downing said the showcase was a visually impressive and thought-provoking display of creativity “These unique creative projects exemplify Curtin’s dedication to Indigenous engagement reconciliAction and innovation,” Associate Professor Downing said is part of our ongoing journey of reconciliAction creating a meaningful space for Indigenous stories “The project is a continuation of Curtin’s long-running partnership with the Fremantle Football Club and celebrates a remarkable AFL record where Fremantle had at least one Indigenous player take to the field during an AFL match over an incredible 30-year streak The four key projects that featured at the showcase event combined cultural heritage with advanced technology and storytelling, including a podcast done by former Fremantle player Troy Cook and Curtin journalism lecturer Dr Glynn Greensmith community impact and the importance of Indigenous storytelling Another project, produced at the Curtin HIVE by Cassandra Edwards, Dr Kerreen Ely Harper and former AFLW player Alicia Janz offered an immersive virtual reality ‘Welcome to Country’ experience A collaboration involving former player Dale Kickett, writer Dr David Whish-Wilson and animator Jonathan Pillai produced a 3D animation portraying Dale Kickett’s story combining visual art with Indigenous narrative Also on display were the results of a song workshop led by renowned Indigenous author John Curtin Distinguished Professor Kim Scott which explored the power of music as a medium for sharing community stories Professor Scott collaborated with Dockers legend Jeff Farmer who lent his voice to an Indigenous language and stories project Attendees engaged with these projects through interactive displays and VR headsets while a short film produced by project co-ordinator Dr Michelle Johnston and telling the stories of the projects’ creation was screened The event gave attendees a firsthand and interactive experience of the innovative ways Curtin is working in partnership with the Fremantle Football Club to support Indigenous storytelling and cultural integrity Curtin University is proud to celebrate the successful pilot of the Moombaki Cultural Learnings Project