With recent national and global news, we understand this may be a particularly challenging and confronting time for our community. Please remember we are here to help and there is always support available.  

The Voice referendum

We acknowledge the outcome of the Voice to Parliament referendum and understand the result may be upsetting for members of our community. You can read the Chancellor’s full statement on the Voice referendum. Support is available to staff through the Employee Assistance Program and the ANU Psychology Clinic on 6125 8498 or psychology.clinic@anu.edu.au.

Conflict in the Middle East

We also understand the escalating conflict in the Middle East is deeply concerning and distressing for many in our community. ANU upholds values such as respect, collegiality, and community, and strictly prohibits discrimination, harassment, and bullying in all work and educational contexts, whether on or off campus. The University treats all forms of discrimination with the highest level of seriousness. We encourage staff members to access support through the Employee Assistance Program.

If you need to support a student in distress please refer to the guide that was developed by the Student Safety and Wellbeing team.   

Campus incident 

A man appeared in court today in relation to the incident on Monday 18 September. If you have been impacted or upset by any of the news reports this week regarding the incident and would like to talk to someone, please reach out to support services listed on the incident support hub.

Following consultation with the Vice-Chancellor designate and ANU Council, Chris Price has been appointed the University's interim Chief Operating Officer. Chris, who is currently the Chief of Staff at ANU, and Director of the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, will work closely with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International and Corporate) Professor Sally Wheeler over the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition, prior to Sally's departure from the University to take up her Vice-Chancellorship in London. 

Chris has been an instrumental figure in supporting Professor Brian Schmidt’s leadership since 2016, and has extensive executive responsibilities across governance, communications and engagement, and our relations with government. He has worked closely with the Deans and other Executive members for seven years and will work collaboratively with every part of the University.   

“I am confident Chris is the best placed member of the University's leadership group to take on this role until we are able to launch a competitive recruitment process in 2024,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt. 

Pictured: Tom Perissinotto and Claudia Petrie, Johns College XXIII. Image: Australian Red Cross Lifeblood.

Did you know ANU is a leader when it comes to donating blood?  

Over the last three years our community have made almost 10,000 donations and introduced close to 700 new donors to the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood program – more than any other organisation in the ACT and among the top 20 in Australia.  

Hear from regular donor Safi Wheeldon from Burgmann College about why she and her peers are ready to roll up their sleeves and help save lives – and learn how you can take part. 

If you would like to get further involved with promoting blood donation on campus, either in your residence or faculty, please contact Mbryce@redcrossblood.org.au or lifebloodteamsnswact@redcrossblood.org.au.

Nanoscience focuses on a tiny world that can’t be seen with the human eye, but holds the potential to address global challenges, from climate change mitigation to space tech.

ANU Professor Yuerui (Larry) Lu (pictured above) has long been fascinated by the field because it proves that from a small place you can make a big difference.

His work in nanotechnology and nanoscience has won him the Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year in the 2023 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science, as well as the Australian Academy of Science Pawsey Medal.

Phase 1 recipients of the ANU Strategic Learning and Teaching Grants have been announced. Established to accelerate the University’s program of educational renewal, the Learning and Teaching Grants support the strategic goals of ANU by 2025. 

These projects represent a vision to create impact at scale within colleges (e.g., Holistic Redesign of First-Year Mathematics at ANU), across colleges (e.g., Developing Transdisciplinary Health Humanities Education at the ANU), and for the wider University (e.g., ANU Indigenous Perspectives Network). More information about these important projects and their teams will be published throughout the next year. 

The second round of grant applications will open in early 2024. Details will be published on the ANU Strategic Learning and Teaching Grants website.

Wednesday 18 October, 5-7pm 

The ANU School of Culture, History and Language is hosting a memorial in honour of Emeritus Professor Jack Golson. Staff and students are welcome to join and contribute to this commemoration of Jack’s life and work.

Thursday 26 October, 7-11pm 

Immerse yourself in an enchanting evening of classical music at the ANU Orchestra Concerto Gala, conducted by Rowan Harvey-Martin. The ANU Jazz Orchestra will be playing in the Athenaeum after the main concert. 

Featuring soloists Chloe Law on cello, Arky Vogt on Bassoon, Jackson Boyd on trumpet, Michael Anthrak on piano, and James Monro on cello. Plus, don't miss the world premiere of "Dying to Know; Afraid to Find Out" by ANU Composition student Grace Abigail. 

Friday 27 October, 6-7pm 

Be transported by this charming concert spanning over four centuries of music including William Byrd, Monteverdi, Handel, Sibelius and a premier by a student composer. The ANU Chamber Choir and Chamber Orchestra, directed by Tobias Cole and Tor Fromhyr, will delight and inspire in their first collaboration for many years.

Sunday 3 December, 9.30-2pm 

Join us at this end of year celebration with the ANU staff community and their families, for a fun-filled day and a visit from Santa. All ANU staff are invited to bring their families along to the annual End of Year Kids Party, a beloved tradition of the ANU staff community, to celebrate another successful year. 

Proposed new ANU Enterprise Agreement 2023-2026 

The proposed new ANU Enterprise Agreement 2023-2026 is now available for staff to consider, ahead of the staff ballot commencing on Monday 23 October 2023. 

Staff are encouraged to access the proposed new Agreement and explanatory resources, as well as attend an information session in advance of next week’s vote.

Further information

The ANU Enterprise Bargaining webpage has been updated with a range of information regarding the proposed Agreement and staff vote processes.

Staff are also welcome to contact the ANU Bargaining team with any questions via ea.comments@anu.edu.au.

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Carers Week 2023 and the results of our Carer’s Survey | People and Culture

Sunday 15 to Saturday 21 October is National Carer’s Week. This is a time to recognise and celebrate all of the carers across our workforce who do a tremendous job of balancing work and caring responsibilities. Caring roles can be challenging, diverse and complex. They are often unplanned and can arise at any point in our working lives.  

In September, People and Culture invited staff to complete a survey to better understand the diverse caring roles of staff and the factors or conditions that support people in balancing work and caring responsibilities. Thank you to those staff who took their time to provide detailed insights. This has been incredibly helpful and has informed a number of improvement actions to be implemented in early 2024.  

See the results of the Carer’s survey and the actions we have committed to for 2024. 

Focus on the now 

Focusing on the present moment is a powerful tool that can significantly impact our mental health. By redirecting our attention to the here and now, we can cultivate a sense of inner peace, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. 

This month, we encourage you to explore how being present and focusing on the now plays a vital role in taking control of your mental health.  

Are you taking full advantage of the beautiful and peaceful walking trails we have on campus? Are you practising mindfulness? 

If you're a podcast enthusiast, here are some good options: 

Not Alone - a Beyond Blue podcast 

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos on Apple Podcasts 

The Imperfects on Apple Podcasts 

Review of ANU Mental Health Strategy 

The University is undertaking a collaborative and consultative review of the current ANU Mental Health Strategy. The Mental Health Strategy Review Taskforce - led by Professor Lyndall Strazdins - is currently developing its website for inputs. In the meantime, the Taskforce is meeting with stakeholders and will be inviting all members of the ANU community, staff and students, to participate and engage in consultation and co-design groups. 

The review is keen to hear your thoughts on the University’s current approach to the mental health and wellbeing of students and staff, and what steps ANU should take for the future. We want to hear your ideas on prevention, such as building culture, changing systems or processes, and creating a strong, kind and equal community as well as your thoughts on what services and support might be needed, either on or off campus. Our review will think broadly and inclusively on the sorts of things the University could do to make learning, working or living here better. 

We will keep you updated on the progress of the work of the Taskforce as it develops and on the opportunities for input (as we organise them). If you would like to contribute or have any questions, we would love to hear from you. Please send us an email to inclusive.communities@anu.edu.au. 

We acknowledge and respect the Ngunnawal people, their ancestors and Elders, past and present, the traditional custodians of the land on which the Australian National University is situated. We are committed to honouring First Nations Peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.
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