The first professors of accounting in Australia

A range of contributions in the accounting history literature deal with "the first". While such studies set out to identify key points in time in the development of accounting, they may also narrow perspectives on accounting's past. This study on the first professors of accounting in Australia seeks to clarify the historical record while, at the same time, pointing out the difficulties of the task. A call is also made to set such studies within the ambit of a theme identified by Carnegie and Napier (1996, 2000) as "comparative international accounting history".

A chance to bloom: female migration and salvationists in Australia and Canada, 1890s to 1939

Migration is usually analysed as a function of state policy of sending and receiving countries in the context of global movements of people. Thus, despite their sponsorship and support of thousands of migrants, independent, voluntary, religious and ethnic organisations have often been marginalised in international migration studies. This article arises from a broader investigation into the role of such organisations in the peopling of Australia and Canada from the 1890s to 1939: their visions, relationships with governments, significance and legacies. The aim is to bring a new perspective to comparative migration and population research and to assess how far such organisations paralleled, or stepped outside of, the racialised, gendered and class structures of ofŽficial immigration policies and  practices of the time. Here the focus is particularly on the place of women and girls in the migration schemes of some of the organisations operating in both Australia and Canada. The use of case studies such as the British Women’s Emigration Association, the Salvation Army and Dr Barnardo’s Homes provides an opportunity to examine the sexual distinctions implicit in these schemes and the direction of both women and men into what were seen at the time as gender-appropriate societal roles and occupations.

Thermal simulation studies of a low energy university building in Australia

A key criterion by which any building will be judged when its environmental impact is assessed is its thermal performance. This paper describes the simulation of an office module in a three-storey university building in south eastern Australia. The module, located at the north-west corner of the top floor of the building, was chosen because it is likely to have the highest cooling load - a primary concern of energy conscious designers of commercial buildings for most parts of Australia.

In the paper, the initial key assumptions are stated, together with a description of a "reference" or base case, against which improvements in thermal performance were measured. The simulation process identified the major influences on thermal performance. This enabled changes in materials and construction, as well as basic design concepts to be evaluated. Features incorporated into the base case such as a metal roof and glazed walkway were found to have adverse influence on energy consumption, and were consequently rejected in preference for an improved design which included a hypocaust slab system on the roof of the office module. The final design was predicted to reduce the annual energy consumption for heating and cooling by 72% and 76% respectively.

La performance thermique est l'un des critegraveres cleacutes de l'eacutevaluation environnementale de tout bacirctiment. Cet article deacutecrit la simulation d'un module de bureau appartenant agrave un immeuble de trois eacutetages d'une universiteacute du sud-est de l'Australie. Ce module, situeacute agrave l'angle nord-ouest de l'eacutetage supeacuterieur du bacirctiment a eacuteteacute choisi car c'eacutetait lui qui, vraisemblablement, avait la charge de refroidissement la plus eacuteleveacutee, ce qui est une preacuteoccupation majeure des concepteurs conscients des problegravemes d'eacutenergie des bacirctiments commerciaux dans la plus grande partie du pays. Le processus de simulation a fait apparaicirctre trois influences principales sur la performance thermique par rapport agrave un cas de base. Cela a permis d'eacutevaluer les modifications apporteacutees aux mateacuteriaux et agrave la construction ainsi qu'aux avant-projets. Les caracteacuteristiques inteacutegreacutees dans le cas de base comme le toit meacutetallique et la passerelle vitreacutee avaient une influence neacutefaste sur la consommation d'eacutenergie et ont donc eacuteteacute rejeteacutees au beacuteneacutefice d'un concept ameacutelioreacute qui comprenait une dalle de type hypocauste sur le toit du module de bureau. Le concept final devrait reacuteduire la consommation annuelle d'eacutenergie pour le chauffage et le refroidissement de 72 % et 76 % respectivement, ce qui donne une ideacutee de la valeur ajouteacutee au processus de production agrave partir de proceacutedures avanceacutees de modeacutelisation et de simulation.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emission loads and profiles from the burning of locally grown wood species in Victoria, Australia - Some pilot project results

A testing facility for combustion of biomass and sampling of emissions has been established at Deakin University. In this pilot project using this facility, four kinds of locally grown wood species were burned and the particle emissions sampled and analysed for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). The selected wood species covering pine, red gum, yellow box and sugar gum, are the most popular domestic fuel wood in Australia. Particulate matter emissions from burning of each load of wood were sampled from the flue using a standard stack emission sampling train. The particle-laden filters were extracted and the .extract analysed to determine PAH concentrations by Gas Chromatographyl Mass Spectrometer (Gc/MS). The sampling was conducted under two different burning conditions with the air inlet of the combustion chamber fully open and with it half open. A suite of 15 PAHs, ranging from naphthalene (C IOHB) to dibenzolahlanthracene (C12H14), were selected for analysis. PAH profiles for the four wood species, under the different burning regimes, have been generated. Some preliminary emission factors for the different wood species have been derived as microgram of summed PAHs (rPAHs) emittedlkilogram of wood burned. Total Particulate Matter (TPM) emission factors were also obtained from gravimetric measurement of the sample filter before and after the combustion. Based on these emission factors, pine displayed the highest level of rPAHs emitted from the combustion of the four wood species, with sugar gum showing the lowest level of rPAHs emission. Emission factors associated with the slow burning condition clearly showed higher l:PAH levels compared to the faster burning condition. During the faster burning condition, red gum and pine show a higher percentage of rPAH to TPM than sugar gum or yellow box. Under the slower burning. the l:PAHlTPM ratio in every case was greater.

RE Kevin and the right of transsexual persons to marry in Australia

This article considers the decision of the Family Court of Australia in Re Kevin (Validity of Marriage of a Transsexual) [2001] FamCA 1074, which was upheld by the Full Court of the Family Court of Australia in February 2003. Re Kevin was the first case in Australia to deal directly with the question of whether a transsexual person could marry under Australian law. In the past, Australia had adhered to the judgement of Ormrod J in Corbett v Corbett [1971] P. 83, which set the benchmark for what is ‘male’ and what is ‘female’ under the common law. Prior to Re Kevin the question of what is a man and what is a woman for the purposes of marriage in Australia mirrored the strict biological test established in Corbett. In other words, the Australian courts relied upon biological factors, as espoused by Ormrod J, when determining a person's true sex. In Re Kevin, Chisholm J examined in detail what it is to be a man or woman, but unlike Ormrod J considered ‘brain sex’ to have a significant impact on a person's view of their own innate sexual identity. The Full Court of the Family Court agreed with the powerful and well-reasoned judgement of Chisholm J at first instance.

Public definitions of success in weight management

Objective: To examine perceptions of success in weight control and future weight-control intentions in a community sample. Design: Cross-sectional postal survey. Subjects: There were 1500 adults randomly selected from the Electoral Roll of Victoria (47% response). Setting: Community. Main outcome measures: Retrospective weight change over previous 12 months; perceived weight-control success; future weight-control intentions. Statistical analyses: Pearson's χ² tests were used to compare perceived weight-control success by sex, and by age, education level, initial BMI, amount of weight change and weight-loss behaviour within sex. ANOVA was used to compare mean weight change associated with perceived weight control success within sex, and within age, education, body mass index and weight-loss behaviour by sex. The distribution (frequency) of weight-control intentions are reported within perceived weight-control success and amount of weight change. Results: One in two (53%) reported maintaining their weight within 1kg in the preceding 12 months, 26% of men and 21% of women reported weight gain and 20% of men and 26% of women reported weight loss. Almost one-third (30%) of those who maintained their weight considered themselves unsuccessful. A majority of those who lost weight considered themselves successful at controlling their weight. However, more than 45% of men who gained weight also considered themselves successful. Those who considered themselves unsuccessful experienced less weight loss (1.1 ± 3.9kg) than those who considered themselves quite successful (-1.4 ± 4.5 kg, P < 0.001) or very successful (-1.3 ± 7.8 kg, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Public views of what constitutes successful weight control may need to be reoriented to be consistent with public health goals.

The early detection of postpartum depression: midwives and nurses trial a checklist

Objective: To evaluate the use of a standard pen-and-paper test versus the use of a checklist for the early identification of women at risk of postpartum depression and to investigate the experiences of nurses in using the checklist.

Design: A prospective cohort design using repeated measures.

Setting: The booking-in prenatal clinic at a regional hospital in Victoria, Australia, and the community-based postpartum maternal and child health service.

Participants: 107 pregnant women over 20 years of age.

Main Measures: Postpartum Depression Prediction Inventory (PDPI), Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), demographic questionnaire, and data on the outcome from the midwives and nurses.

Results: The PDPI identified 45% of the women at risk of depression during pregnancy and 30% postpartum. The PDSS and EPDS both identified the same 8 women (10%), who scored highly for depression at the 8-week postpartum health visit. Nurses provided 80% of the women with anticipatory guidance on postpartum depression in the prenatal period and 46% of women at the 8-week postpartum health visit. Nurse counseling or anticipatory guidance was provided for 60% of the women in the prenatal period.

Conclusion: The PDPI was found to be a valuable checklist by many nurses involved in this research, particularly as a way of initiating open discussion with women about postpartum depression. It correlated strongly with both the PDSS and the EPDS, suggesting that it is useful as an inventory to identify women at risk of postpartum depression.

Molecular phylogeny and zoogeography of the freshwater crayfish genus Cherax Erichson (Decapoda: Parastacidae) in Australia

The evolutionary history and biogeography of freshwater-dependent taxa in Australia is of intrinsic interest given the present-day aridity of this continent. Cherax is the most widespread and one of the most species-rich of Australia's nine freshwater crayfish genera. The phylogenetic relationships amongst 19 of the 23 Australian Cherax were established from mitochondrial DNA sequences representing the 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA gene regions. The relationships among species support an initial east–west separation, followed by a north–south divergence in eastern Australia. Molecular clock estimations suggest that these divergences date back to the Miocene. The phylogenetic relationships support endemic speciation within geographical regions and indicate that long-distance dispersal has not led to recent speciation as previously hypothesized. This new evolutionary scenario is consistent with the climatic history of Australia and the evolutionary history of other similarly distributed freshwater-dependent organisms in Australia.

New species of the Bryozoan Genera Batopora and Lacrimula (Batoporidae) from Australia

Examination of samples of bryozoans from the south- eastern slope sediments of Australia ("Franklin" SLOPE Stations 6, 7), has revealed the presence of many specimens of several genera with species which have minute, rooted colony forms. Among these are new species of the genera Batopora Reuss (B. problematica) and Lacrimula Cook (L. affinis). The structure of colonies is briefly described. The family Batoporidae is considered to contain only these two genera, although they have relationships with the discoidal genus Orbitulipora, and similarities in colony form to the genera assigned to the Conescharellinidae.

Assessing the case for mandatory folate fortification : policy-making in the face of scientific uncertainties

This paper presents the view that policymakers face scientific uncertainties in assessing the case for mandatory folate fortification as a policy response to epidemiological evidence of the relationship between folate and neural tube defects. Moreover, the resolution of these uncertainties is confounded by the under-resourced state of nutrition information systems in Australia and New Zealand. The uncertainties relate to potential risks and benefits associated with the intervention for the target group and the population in general. These risks and benefits reflect the mismatch between evidence and policy that arises when addressing a presumed genetic abnormality in at-risk individuals with an intervention that is population-wide in its scope. There is an urgent need to conduct ongoing national nutrition surveys and monitor and evaluate policy interventions to strengthen the capacity of nutrition information systems to inform decision-making for this current, and future, public health nutrition policy.

The history of distance education in Australia

This article presents a history of distance education in Australia. Australia's large distances and widely distributed population has meant that distance education has been an important part of its history. From the earliest provision of schooling by mail through a series of correspondence schools, both state and federal governments have provided a sound infrastructure to support distance education. Innovative uses of technologies to provide communication and interaction and ease the isolation of distance have also been a feature of Australia's distance education history. The impact of this history is particularly relevant as the Internet and information and communication technologies are changing this field and making distance educators of all institutions and sectors.

What are we scared of? The absence of sociology in current debates about drug treatments and policies

The official public policy related to recreational drug use and abuse in Australia is harm minimization or harm reduction. Definitions of harm minimization vary but a general statement is that harm minimization is a policy or programme intended to decrease adverse health, social and economic consequences of drug use, even though the user may continue to use psychoactive drugs. This type of definition is most often compared to a zero-tolerance policy that aims to eliminate all recreational drug abuse by legal and other means. Sociologists have historically scoffed at this latter policy. Unfortunately, what this has meant is that harm minimization in all its forms has not been the object of analytical work on the part of sociologists.

A historical review of the nurse practitioner role in Australia

Internationally, the nurse practitioner role has been shown to be cost-effective, safe, and instrumental in improving patient outcomes. The nurse practitioner role in Australia is in its infancy. Major stakeholders such as the nurses' boards and state departments of health throughout Australia were contacted to identify major policies and discussion papers. Database searches were conducted in CINAHL and EBSCOhost. Disparity between states exists in all facets of the nurse practitioner role, especially in definition of the role, scope of practice, educational qualifications, and specialized functions. Access to Medicare funding is unobtainable, resulting in inequity of access to health services for disadvantaged communities. The State Nurse Practitioner Taskforce Reports highlight the disparity between the role of nurse practitioner in each State of Australia and has led to fragmentation of the role at a national level. There is a need for consistency, which could be achieved if it were coordinated by a national nursing body with a voice in national health policy development and implementation

Browsing the modern kitchen - a feast of gender, place and culture (part 1)

Assembling 10 essays from around the globe which engage variously with the space in which food preparation occurs—the kitchen—revealed stunning diversity but also commonalities. In this first of two sets of theme papers on this vital but often unexamined domestic space, the discourse of modernity unites the look and use of twentieth-century kitchens in Australia, Britain and Finland. Imbued with notions of scientific management, the modern kitchen had some common designs which prescribed women's place within it—first as the main occupant and then as the family overseer. The construction of this semi-private space also involved particular domestic technologies which, as the new century dawns, now literally connect the kitchen to the world beyond via the internet fridge. This Introduction begins the two-part feast of gender, place and culture—with an overview of Australia and sketch of subsequent essays—Supski on mid-century migrant Australia, Saarikangas on Finland, Bennett on rural Britain and Watkins on the fridge.

Referral of the Halocypridina Thaumatocypris (Miocene, Australia) to the Cladocopina (Ostracoda, Halocyprida)

B. K. Nadeau in 1955 identified as Thaumatocypris ostracodes from the middle Miocene Glenample Clay of Victoria, southeastern Australia. Nadeau's collection of Ostracoda from the Glenample Clay was located in the collections of the Museum of Victoria, Melbourne. Examination of that material indicates that the Glenample Clay specimens attributed by Nadeau to Thaumatocypris belong to Polycope sanctacatherinae Whatley & Downing 1983. As a result, it is concluded that Thaumatocypris has not been collected in the Miocene of Australia. Furthermore, in a broader  biostratigraphic/palaeobiogeographic context, the result confirms that no member of the Suborder Halocypridina has been reported so far from the Tertiary Period.