Avondale forms research linkage with industry partner headed by former student

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Cedric Greive

Duane Vickery (Avondale alumnus of 1993) is the founder and managing director of ETM Perspectives Pty Ltd, a business that provides advice, training and research in relation to indigenous affairs in Australia. Following his graduation from Avondale with a Bachelor of Education, Duane completed a Master of Education at the University of New England and worked for the Federal Government in Indigenous Affairs. He founded his business in 2002.

Duane Vickery conducting business from his mobile “office” in the Australian desert.

ETM Perspectives has twice collaborated with Avondale staff in submitting successful applications for research projects totalling more than a quarter of a million dollars. These external funds were provided by the Federal Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and resulted in confidential reports to different indigenous communities. The Avondale senior lecturers who worked with ETM Perspectives were Dr Cedric Greive (both projects) and Dr Keith Howson and Dr Peter Morey (second project).

Work on the second report involved a community whose traditional land has provided rich resources to the Australian Commonwealth for more than fifty years. Yet it has only been in very recent years that the community has received financial benefits. This community is exemplary in the way it has engaged with the broader Australian community. It is cohesive with a fully documented language and strong and positive leadership provided by a mix of traditional eldership and democratically elected officers. More than one-third of adults have undertaken some form of post-secondary education. Approximately one-fifth of households own their own homes and toward two-thirds of adults are in permanent work. The business entity of the community has proved itself to be a good steward of the money it has received, using it to create bank investments, obtain tangible assets and spread benefits over the whole community. There is an optimism within the community—a belief that the community and its members have a future, and a confidence that community members have a contribution to make to the cities and towns in which they reside.

The research collaborations between Avondale College and ETM Perspectives Pty Ltd benefit the institution on a number of levels. First, they fit the criteria of industry-based external funding. Second, the nature of the research fits within the scope of Avondale College’s mission. Third, these projects contribute to Avondale’s growing track record of success in obtaining external grants and in forming collaborative research partnerships with external agencies to the benefit of Avondale and the partner organisation.

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