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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Western Australia'
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1
Utting, Muriel. "Astronomy in Western Australia." Thesis, Utting, Muriel (1993) Astronomy in Western Australia. Masters by Research thesis, Murdoch University, 1993. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/51548/.
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This thesis is devoted to a study of the origins and achievements of astronomers in Western Australia from 1829 to 1912. It addresses the questions about the role of astronomy in WA society, the reasons for the establishment of the Perth Observatory, and its achievements between 1896 and 1912. More widely, the thesis addresses the general question of the role of astronomy in our society and the contributions which astronomers have made to the development of Western Australia.
The first Premier of Western Australia, Sir John Forrest, persuaded his Government to build an Observatory, promising that it would house necessary services for the State, that is, timekeeping, meteorology, geodesy, tidal predictions and education services, to provide a scientific basis for society.
This service developed despite continuing opposition and interference from the Government and some sections of society. The thesis assesses the role of Lord Forrest and the Government Astronomer, W.E. Cooke, and his staff.
The thesis examines the historical context of the founding of the Observatory, the initial tasks set for it by Cooke and the extent to which these goals were achieved. Cooke's experience in establishing a modern Observatory in a fledgling society is examined in detail in order to understand the reasons for his resignation in 1912 and the nature of his achievements.
This study is intended to be both a scientific and social history of astronomy in Western Australia. It examines the scientific achievements of the Perth Observatory over its first 1 6 years in relation to its original objectives. The thesis also examines the social impact of the Observatory on WA society. The extent of its contribution is best assessed in the long-term where the benefits and costs of years of painstaking work can be more clearly understood.
This thesis is intended to provide an insight into the role of astronomy in society and the costs and benefits of major scientific institutions. By focussing on the origins and early development of astronomy in WA we can see how the interplay of political, economic and social factors influences the development of science. We can also see how long it takes for scientific projects to reach maturity and how a long-term perspective is required in order to assess their outcomes.
2
Dawes, Walter J. C. "A history of Australia-Japan trade: A Western Australian perspective." Thesis, Dawes, Walter J. C. (1997) A history of Australia-Japan trade: A Western Australian perspective. Masters by Research thesis, Murdoch University, 1997. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/51492/.
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This thesis is an intellectual and personal journey, written not so much to prove a particular point about the relationship between Australia and Japan, but so that I might understand changes which have taken place in my lifetime.
As a schoolboy voluntary worker at a military hospital, my earliest impressions of Japan were coloured by meeting victims of the Japanese invasions of Indonesia and New Guinea and the bombing of Darwin. My heroes included members of Sparrow Force, which fought on behind the Japanese lines in Timor, and Julius Tahija, winner of the Orange Cross for a valiant rearguard action in which hundreds of Japanese were killed. By the time I graduated from university my hatred of Japan, like that of most of my generation, had softened as memories of the war faded and Australia entered a period of full employment and rapid growth. Then, while working with a trading house in Indonesia in the late 1950s, I started to relate to Japanese as fellow human beings, as business competitors - and as members of the same golf club. It was not until the 1960s, working in a variety of industries as a management consultant, that I became aware of how much Japan could influence Australia's future: on the one hand as the dominant customer for our wool; and on the other as the maker of such things as synthetic rope which would put Australian rope and twine makers out of business. Upon joining the mining industry, the profitability of my company and my own income were inextricably linked with the success of Japanese industry.
And yet my colleagues and I knew little about the country and the people upon whom we were so dependent. The desire to learn more about the strange symbiotic relationship between Japan and Australia was the genesis of this thesis. Its objective is very simple: to trace the history of Australia's relationship with Japan and to identify the role played by governments, the bureaucracy and private individuals as Australia responded to changes in the Japanese economy. It will show that the complementary relationship is dynamic, calling for constant change and adaptation…
3
Robinson, Michael V. "Change and adjustment among the Bardi of Sunday Island, North-Western Australia." Master's thesis, University of Western Australia, 2022. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/280368.
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4
McLoughlin, Nicola. "Earth's earliest biosphere : Western Australia." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.433368.
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Jewell, Trevor. "Martu tjitji pakani : Martu child rearing and its implications for the child welfare system." University of Western Australia. Social Work and Social Policy Discipline Group, 2009. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2009.0147.
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In this research, I explore my belief that one the reasons for the continuing poor outcomes for Indigenous people was that State-wide and national programs ignored unique local Indigenous culture and did not actively involve local Indigenous people in the development of programs for their area. I chose to examine this perception through investigation of the tension between Indigenous culture and worldview and the dominant White values of the child welfare system (broadly defined), through description of Martu child rearing practices and beliefs in the remote Western Australian town of Wiluna. The Martu live in a remote environment of material poverty, high levels of unemployment, low levels of educational achievement and poor health outcomes. The research sponsored by the Ngangganawili Aboriginal Health Service and located in its Early Childhood Centre, uses an Indigenous research approach based on Brayboy's (2005) TribalCrit to explore Martu child rearing practices, beliefs and values. It uses the stories told by the Martu in Wiluna about the way they and their families were brought up and observations of Martu families to answer research questions around Martu definitions of children and families, their concerns for their children, ways of ensuring the well being of their children, and whether there is a Martu child welfare approach. The research then considers the implications of these Martu practices for the broadly defined child welfare system. The stories told by the Martu show that they have a unique way of bringing up their children that is different to those in the dominant White culture. This uniqueness is derived from a combination of the recent colonisation of the Martu, their culture and their post colonisation experiences. The implications of Martu child rearing for the child welfare system are based on the assumption that Martu are wholly dependent on poorly designed and targeted government provided or funded services, and the current ways of delivering these services is failing the Martu. The research concludes that the key to improving outcomes for Martu children and their families is for the agencies delivering these services to form close working relationships with the Martu; operate within, understand, appreciate, and respect Martu Law and culture; understand their (personal and agency) and Martu post colonisation histories; and allow for Martu control, definition of priorities and development of strategies to address the problems.
6
Edmonds, Leigh. "Western air ways: Making aviation in Western Australia 1919-1941." Thesis, Edmonds, Leigh (1991) Western air ways: Making aviation in Western Australia 1919-1941. PhD thesis, Murdoch University, 1991. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/51496/.
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This thesis is about the development of aviation in Western Australia from 1919 to 1941. It includes a detailed description of the major events which took place in the state during that period and of many related events in other places which combined to create the direction which the development of aviation took in this state. The thesis concludes that Western Australia’s isolation from the rest of Australia, politically and geographically, and its even greater isolation from the centre of the British Empire, meant that Western Australians had almost no control over the aviation services which they used.
Aviation started early in Western Australia but the state's small population and large distances, as well as the factors of isolation, meant that it developed slowly during the 1920s. There was a brief flowering of activity at the end of the decade but it withered under the pressure of the depression. Developments in the 1930s were the direct result of Commonwealth government planning for the introduction of air services to Britain and growing local commercial support for aviation which followed from government led developments. Preparations for war and the first couple of years fighting, before Japan entered the war, led to even greater Commonwealth control over aviation.
The evidence used in this thesis is analyzed from various perspectives but most commonly as politics, imperial relations and administration. This is because they were the main factors to influence aviation’s development when almost all successful air services in Australia were regulated by and often subsidised by the Commonwealth government.
7
Buchanan, David. "Contextual thesis Part I & Part II : Book of poems, "Looking off the Southern Edge" ; Stage play (full-length): Ecstasis." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2001. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1015.
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This thesis, which accompanies my book of poems Looking Off the Southern Edge and my full-length stage play Ecstasis, is submitted in two parts: Part-I and Part-II. Part-l contextualises the writing practice of the above poems in considering the epistemological, autobiographical and landscape contexts of my poetry. Part-I then discusses how the poetry is involved in the process of decentring subjectivity within the southern India/Pacific arena. It should be pointed out that Part-I was submitted and marked last year, as the first year component of the Master of Arts (Writing) course. It is included this year because much of its thesis informs Part-II (and indeed is referred to and referenced by Part-II), especially in terms of my general theoretical approach to writing poems, plays, as well as the relevance of my music, painting and stained glass practices. Part II mostly addresses the writing of the play Ecstasis. I have however, discussed why I have re-edited, augmented and re-submitted my book of poems. I have then contextualised the writing of the play, by addressing the areas of Apophasis and the Aporia of 'the story', An Ecstatic Dramaturgy and the Undecidable Subject, and Ecstasis and an Endemic Specificity. This play was written, workshopped and enjoyed a partially moved reading (as late as the 11th, November) in the course of this year. While the writing of the piece is addressed under the previous headings, the workshopping and reading process is discussed in Workshopping the 'Spectacle Text' in the Co-operative Medium of 'Theatre. I have also included Appendix (i) in support of this process, in particular, the changes inspired by the reading. The conclusion discusses some of the boundaries for my writing of A Poetry and The Spectacle Text for theatre, and hints at the context required for any writing of experimentation in the southern Indian/Pacific arena.
8
Brooks, David William. "Dreamings and connections to country : among the Ngaanyatjarra and Pintupi of the Australian western desert." Phd thesis, Canberra, ACT : The Australian National University, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/146666.
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In broad terms, this thesis has a two-fold aim. Firstly, it is a study of Aboriginal connectedness to country over a large area of the Australian Western Desert, sufficiently large that it embraces the main country of two recognised desert peoples, the Ngaanyatjarra and the Pintupi. This breadth of coverage enables me to undertake a comparison in respect to certain aspects of culture, social organisation and the relationship to land. There have previously been few detailed studies of these matters in the desert, and none in which two large scale groupings have been able to be compared in this way. Secondly, the thesis sets out to fill a 'gap' in the anthropological record, inasmuch as it provides the first detailed ethnography of the Ngaanyatjarra. Of the two peoples, these are the ones with whom I have predominantly worked, and about whom I have by far the greater amount of material. The aims of the thesis in regard to the Pintupi,who have already been the subject o fa major ethnographic work by another author, are more modest. Their connectedness to country is something that is of vital importance in the life world of the desert people, but it is a complex and elusive matter that has proven baffling to many scholars. The thesis reviews this earlier work, and also shows that while in recent decades there have been major improvements in the level of understanding, many questions still remain. This thesis grapples with some of these questions, in the process also problematising some areas that had previously been unexamined. A major focus of the thesis is on the tjukurrpa (Dreaming). While every account of the Aboriginal relationship to the land has necessarily addressed this subject, the coverage provided here is more broad-ranging and more detailed than most. I saw it as essential to address this phenomenon in all its aspects that I could think of. The Dreaming permeates desert life so thoroughly that it is hard to gain a clear analytical perspective on it without this exhaustive approach. For the same reason, there is also a tendency to assume that the Dreaming provides reasons, prescriptions or justifications for virtually every aspect of life, which I am able to show is not the case. This makes it possible to tackle the subject of the Dreaming on another level, considering questions not only about its achievements as a system of thought and practice, but also about its limitations. In other words, a more critical perspective becomes possible. The other major focus is on the forms of social organisation that are related to country. After the abandonment of earlier, inappropriate models of patrilineal descent organisation, the desert has come to be seen as an essentially 'structureless' place. I consider this proposition at length, and on the basis of my ethnographic evidence and analysis of the Dreaming, suggest that in fact two 'modes' of social organisation and relationship to country are to be found here, one having much more 'structure' than the other.
9
Ferris, David Glen. "Evolutionary differentation in Lolium L. (Ryegrass) in response to the Mediterranean-type climate and changing farming systems of Western Australia." University of Western Australia. School of Plant Biologyd%695 Electronic theses, 2008. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2008.0040.
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Adaptation of exotic species to the Australian landscape poses a serious threat to the integrity of natural ecosystems and profitability of current farming systems. Ryegrass, an outcrossing species complex (Lolium spp.) and an intractable weed of cropping systems, was used as a candidate to further investigate adaptation within Mediterranean-type environments. Evolutionary differentiation in naturalised populations and their adaptive potential were examined in common gardens by characterising the genetic variability within and between 80 populations collected across 8 cropping regions, and 30 populations from adjacent paddocks differing in key management inputs. Morphological variability within and between populations was not found to be simply the consequence of variable distribution in the number and frequency of taxonomic species which colonised Australia with European settlement. Most plants were intermediate in appearance between L. rigidum Gaud. and L. multiflorum Lam. Ecotypic differentiation between regions was clearly evident even though the vast majority of variation in life history traits was found within sites (except for flowering time, 18%). Overall, as growing season length decreased flowering time and spikelet number per spike also decreased; conversely, florets per spikelet, flag leaf size, and population uniformity increased. Larger leaves and lower maternal investment per seed may confer an adaptive advantage in more arid, cropping intensive habitats where competition to intercept light is intense and moisture availability during seed fill more uncertain. By contrast smaller, more numerous leaves and a wider diversity in life history traits may confer an adaptive advantage in higher rainfall, grazing intensive habitats where the risk of predation (consumption) of plant parts is greater and a wider range of biotic pressures abound. iv However, in spite of the large amount of variability in morphological traits upon which selection could act, no evidence was found to support the claim that ryegrass would change in response to mechanical seed collection at harvest (chaff-cart use) to circumvent such control. The frequency of a deleterious adaptation to acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase inhibiting herbicides appeared stable in one population after 13 years without herbicide use. Notwithstanding, the frequency of herbicide resistance declined sharply within a 20 m zone adjacent to a susceptible area but this has only limited agronomic benefit. By contrast, the potential to decimate the frequency of resistance by sowing herbicide-susceptible tetraploid ryegrass was identified, and glasshouse results were consistent with the minority cytotype exclusion principle. Possible experimental approaches to field validate this novel concept and key issues to be resolved are discussed.
10
McKenna, Tarquam. "Heteronormativity and rituals of difference for gay and lesbian educators." University of Western Australia. Graduate School of Education, 2008. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2008.0129.
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This research provides an ethnographic and phenomenological study of how lesbian and gay educators in Western Australia employed adaptive rituals of conformity and nonconformity within their educational culture. This thesis depended on these educators telling their own story and it became a more complex study of their perception of and adaptation to homophobic distancing and repression. Through private interviews and collaboration with the co-participants in the research the study makes sense of the roles lesbian and gay educators enact in the educational culture in Western Australia around the time of Law Reform in 2002. The study is not an historical account but presents data from a specific historical context as a contribution to knowledge of how lesbian and gay educators view themselves and construct themselves in educational settings. The stories of everyday experience of Western Australian lesbian and gay educators present layers of gestured meanings, symbolic processes, cultural codes and contested sexuality and gender ideologies thereby reconstructing the reality of lesbian and gay educators. The research provides a range of embodied narratives and distinctive counter-narratives experienced by this group of educators in Western Australia. The study demonstrates that there are social practices in schooling that assist in the recognition and construction of their own gender identity even though the law in Western Australia at the time of writing, precluded the public promotion of lesbian and gay activities, and by association, silenced what many take to be their preferred mode of public behaviours. More importantly the study maps the extremely subtle processes involved in generating and expressing homophobia resulting in a sense of double invisibility, a constitutive silencing of personhood, which makes even the identification of rituals problematic. The very different stories reveal various interpretive strategies of belonging to the dominant homophobic culture, furthering our understanding of the contemporary identity formation issues of a hitherto invisible and silenced group of educators.
11
Arthur, William Stewart. "Between two worlds: Aboriginal cultural autonomy and economic assimilation in remote Western Australia in the 1980s." Master's thesis, University of Western Australia, 1990. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/269914.
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This thesis explores the possibility that in remote regions of
Australia there may be some contradiction between the aim of
economic assimilation as reflected in the policy of self management, and the aim of cultural autonomy as reflected in
the policy of self-determination. This is done by analysing
the way the work performed by Aboriginal people was organised
in the industries of a region of the west Kimberley of Western
Australia during 1985 and 1986.
The thesis concludes that cultural factors did appear to
influence the way that Aboriginal people were involved in the
economy, and that these factors were most prevalent where
Aboriginal control was greatest. However, it was noted that
other factors also influenced Aboriginal involvement in the
economy. These included the very low levels of training in all
industries and in economic management, as well as the
restrictions on full-time employment imposed by the region's
seasons.
The thesis also proposes that the Aboriginal traditional
attachment to remote regions, such as the west Kimberley, makes
economic assimilation and self-management difficult because of
the limited potential of such regions to provide the necessary
economic activity, within the mainstream economy of the nation state
12
Kala, Jatin. "Land-atmosphere interactions in Southwest Western Australia." Thesis, Kala, Jatin ORCID: 0000-0001-9338-2965 (2011) Land-atmosphere interactions in Southwest Western Australia. PhD thesis, Murdoch University, 2011. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/10624/.
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The Southwest of Western Australia (SWWA) is a region of extensive land cover change with an estimated 13 million hectares of native vegetation cleared since European settlement. Whilst previous studies have suggested meteorological and climatological implications of this change in land use, no studies have explicitly focussed on the detailed mechanisms behind the impacts of land-cover change on individual meteorological phenomena. This thesis seeks to identify the physical mechanisms inducing changes within the atmosphere by using the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS V6.0) to simulate the impact of land use change on meteorological phenomena at different scales and evaluate these model results against high resolution atmospheric soundings, station observations, and gridded rainfall analyses where appropriate. Sensitivity tests show that land-cover change results in an increase in low-level atmospheric moisture advection associated with the southern sea-breeze due to a reduction in surface roughness. It also results in a decrease in convective precipitation associated with cold-fronts and convective clouds associated with the surface heat trough, due to an increase in wind speed, and a decrease in turbulent kinetic energy and vertically integrated moisture convergence within the PBL. Large-eddy simulations further highlight the role of land-cover change and soil moisture, as well as the contributions of surface versus entrainment fluxes on the growth of the PBL and development of convective clouds. These results are discussed within the broader context of the meteorology of the region.
13
Savini, Giovanni. "The epidemiology of Sarcocystis in Western Australia." Thesis, Savini, Giovanni (1994) The epidemiology of Sarcocystis in Western Australia. PhD thesis, Murdoch University, 1994. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/53233/.
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This work was designed to determine the prevalence of infection with Sarcocystis in a variety of domestic and non-domestic animals in Western Australia (WA), identify factors associated with infection, examine new diagnostic methods and to investigate the effect of experimental infection in animals which had naturally been exposed to the parasite.
Climate and management practices were found to significantly affect the prevalence of infection with Sarcocystis. The dry climatic conditions of WA, in particular the fluctuations in daily ambient temperature were found to be the major climatic factor limiting the prevalence of infection.
As the prevalence of infection in the State was relatively low, it was possible to determine which management factors were predisposing to the infection and which were protecting it from spread. The analyses of these factors revealed that owning pet animals did not necessarily imply infection with Sarcocystis in the herds. However, feeding these dogs raw meat and allowing their contact with domestic farm animals significantly increased the likelihood of infection with S. cruzi in cattle. Inadequate disposal of bovine carcases was also found to enhance the risk of infection with Sarcocystis in cattle. This may also account for the high proportion of foxes (42%) found to pass sporocysts in their faeces. Foxes, therefore may play an important role in spreading Sarcocystis in WA.
Fifty two percent of cattle were found to be infected with Sarcocystis. Sarcocystis cruzi was found to be the most predominant species (99%) in WA cattle. It would appear that bovine sarcocystosis in WA usually occurs as a chronic or low grade infection. However, the postal survey highlighted the fact that nearly one third of the abortions occurring annually in infected herds could be associated with the presence of this parasite.
An isolate of S. cruzi from WA was shown to be highly pathogenic to pregnant cows even though they had previously been exposed to a natural infection. Conversely, isolates of S. tenella/arieticanis were not able to induce signs of acute disease in naturally infected ewes. However, reproductive failure and premature birth were observed in both cattle and sheep. A meront found in the CSF of a newborn calf suggested that Sarcocystis could invade the foetus, however in this work, as congenital sarcocystosis was not seen, it is likely that abortion occurred as a result of a systemic effect upon the dams.
A new ELISA, that used antigens produced from merozoites of S. cruzi grown in vitro, was developed and tested to diagnose infection in naturally infected animals and to study the kinetics of different classes of immunoglobulins in cattle and sheep after experimental infection. This assay proved to be a useful and reliable tool for general sero-epidemiological investigations. It was also able to detect increases in the levels of IgG in animals naturally infected with Sarcocystis and challenged with S. cruzi, earlier and more accurately than did existing serological assays.
Merozoites of S. cruzi grown in vitro retained their ability to infect the natural intermediate host complete their life cycle in vivo and induce an immune response. When merozoites of S. cruzi grown in vitro, were inoculated into pregnant ewes reduced weight gain, premature deliveries and an increase perinatal mortality were observed. Meront-like organisms were also seen in several organs of the infected ewes. This result indicates that in nature the failure of S. cruzi\o infect sheep may be related to some impediment on the development of this species during the first phase of its life cycle in the host.
In conclusion, the findings of this thesis have shown that infection of Western Australian sheep and cattle with the suitable species of Sarcocystis may limit the production and performance of these animals.
14
Mhoma, Jumanne R. L. "Studies on swine dysentery in Western Australia." Thesis, Mhoma, Jumanne R.L. (1992) Studies on swine dysentery in Western Australia. PhD thesis, Murdoch University, 1992. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/53597/.
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This work was conducted with the primary aim of determining the prevalence of swine dysentery (SD) amongst piggeries in Western Australia. Accordingly a serological survey to detect evidence of infection with the causative bacterium, Treponema hyodysenteriae, was conducted. The lipopolysaccharide of T. hyodysenteriae of serogroups A, B and E were used as antigen in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests that were developed. Cut off litres for seropositivity were determined by testing 400 sera from herds known to be free of SD, and sera from immunised or experimentally infected pigs. Forty serum samples from bacon-weight pigs were collected from each of 106 herds at two abattoirs.
To validate the test, 19 herds were re-sampled and retested, and faecal samples from 20 herds were cultured for T. hyodysenteriae. Thirty five of the 106 herds (33%) had serological evidence of infection when only one batch of sera from each herd was tested. The set of ELISA tests using 40 sera was estimated as having a sensitivity of 77.3% and a specificity of 81.8% based on the owners’ opinion of their herds diseases status, although based on the results of retesting actual figures were more likely to be 84.6% and 90.2% respectively. Prevalence of infection within herds ranged from 2.5% to 47.5%, with a mean of 18%.
A questionnaire was also sent to 101 of these piggeries in order to determine which management, husbandry and health factors were associated with the presence or absence of SD in Western Australian piggeries. The owners of 77 herds responded to the survey (76.2% of all herds surveyed). Analysis of the questionnaires revealed that amongst other things the purchase of pigs from saleyards and the presence of frequent visitors to the piggery were significantly correlated with the presence of SD.
Conversely, the provision of overalls and gumboots to visitors and the purchase of replacement stock from one source significantly reduced the risk of introducing SD to a piggery. No individual herd in Western Australia was identified that was disseminating infection to other herds via the movement of pigs. It was concluded that adopting management practices which included the purchase of replacement stock from herds known to be free of SD, a reduction in the number of visitors and the provision of boots and overalls for visitors will assist in preventing SD from entering non-infected herds in Western Australia.
15
Gunawardene, Nihara. "Arid zone ant communities of Western Australia." Thesis, Curtin University, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/1178.
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This thesis is prepared in three parts; the first part is a study of the ant species of the southern Carnarvon Basin, which was undertaken in order to determine the patterns of ant species distribution in this arid zone area. The distribution patterns were looked at in terms of biogeographical regions and they demonstrated the transitional nature of this particular area. Recommendations to alter the border between the South-west Province and the Eremaean Province were supported. The next chapter of this thesis analysed ant species from long unburnt and burnt areas of three main vegetation types (two Triodia species grasslands and Acacia aneura woodlands) in the Gibson Desert Nature Reserve. This study was carried out to observe the recovery of ant populations after fire. The results provided further evidence that invertebrates are measurably impacted by fire in the arid zone. The final chapter is a comparison of these two arid zone studies with six other ant community studies from throughout Western Australia. It demonstrated the uniqueness of some arid zone sites as well as related each study to each other according to their ant communities.
16
Gunawardene, Nihara. "Arid zone ant communities of Western Australia." Curtin University of Technology, Department of Environmental Biology, 2003. http://espace.library.curtin.edu.au:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=16212.
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This thesis is prepared in three parts; the first part is a study of the ant species of the southern Carnarvon Basin, which was undertaken in order to determine the patterns of ant species distribution in this arid zone area. The distribution patterns were looked at in terms of biogeographical regions and they demonstrated the transitional nature of this particular area. Recommendations to alter the border between the South-west Province and the Eremaean Province were supported. The next chapter of this thesis analysed ant species from long unburnt and burnt areas of three main vegetation types (two Triodia species grasslands and Acacia aneura woodlands) in the Gibson Desert Nature Reserve. This study was carried out to observe the recovery of ant populations after fire. The results provided further evidence that invertebrates are measurably impacted by fire in the arid zone. The final chapter is a comparison of these two arid zone studies with six other ant community studies from throughout Western Australia. It demonstrated the uniqueness of some arid zone sites as well as related each study to each other according to their ant communities.
17
Westphal, Darren W. "Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases in Western Australia." Master's thesis, Canberra, ACT : The Australian National University, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/135771.
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I commenced the Master of Philosophy in Applied Epidemiology
(MAE) in February 2015. My field placements were shared between
the Communicable Diseases Control Directorate, Public Health
Division at the Western Australia Department of Health (CDCD) and
the Telethon Kids Institute (TKI), both located in Perth.
Two of the three projects that I completed at the CDCD involved a
statewide protracted mumps outbreak that went on for the duration
of my MAE and reached almost 900 cases. The epidemiology of this
outbreak including a discussion about vaccination is presented in
Chapter 1. This satisfies the outbreak investigation requirement
of the MAE.
Chapter 2 comprises a late draft manuscript that explores the
vaccine effectiveness (VE) of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine
among paediatric cases during the mumps outbreak. I designed and
carried out a matched case-control study using paediatric
outbreak cases and controls from a population database. I
measured VE using a conditional logistic regression model and
compared it with the screening method. Both methods yielded a
very low VE this population. This is likely due to a multitude of
factors that are discussed in the chapter.
My work at TKI involved a data analysis using
linked-administrative data on a total population birth cohort
involving all children born in Western Australia between
1996-2012. I explored the burden of hospital separations that
resulted from otitis media (OM), the most common infectious
disease in children, and a common related procedure, myringotomy
with ventilation tube insertion (MVTI). I calculated the
age-specific hospitalisation rates for OM and MVTI over the study
years. The second part of this analysis involved investigating
the maternal and infant risk factors and population attributable
fractions for OM-related hospitalisation in early life. This work
was important because of its implications for practice. All of
this is presented in Chapter 3.
Chapter 4 is an evaluation of SmartVax, a novel, real-time
Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) surveillance system
using SMS text messages to communicate directly with vaccinees
after their vaccination. This was the third project that I
completed at the CDCD. The chapter begins with a peer-reviewed
publication, Continuous active surveillance of adverse events
following immunisation using SMS technology, that describes the
system and analyses data outputs for children <5 years from
2011-2015. I have included the publication first to provide a
brief system overview including summarised surveillance data, to
give context to the evaluation since SmartVax is a relatively new
and developing system. The publication is followed by the formal
evaluation.
Finally, I include a summary of the teaching exercises that I was
involved in during my MAE. The first was a “lesson from the
field” where I prepared an exercise for my fellow scholars. The
exercise was useful for me and the feedback from my colleagues
was positive. The second was a collaborative teaching exercise
about confounding that we taught to the first year MAE scholars
on their last day of courseblock.
These combined activities at both placements have enriched my
understanding of epidemiology while working in health and
research environments.
18
Dall, Natalie. "Perceptions of financial counselling in Western Australia." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 1996. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/934.
Full textAbstract:
The development of financial counselling in Australia during the past decade has been complex and fragmented. Financial counselling and rural counselling services within Western Australia are funded from a range of government, non-government and church based groups. This has contributed to problems in the identification of basic definitions of the need for services, the role of the financial counsellor and service models or functions. The failure to define the role of the financial counsellor and the needs to be addressed by financial counselling services, "appears to be the most important historic weakness in the field." (Wyse et al., 1990, p.2). A consequence of the initial failure to define the role of the financial counsellor has meant that definitions have evolved retrospectively rather than in a planned fashion in response to need. This conflict and confusion over the role of financial counsellors has created a situation where financial counsellors may not have a shared philosophy of their profession. Central to the debate has been the lack of clarification of the role of financial counsellors and the relative priorities of casework, community education and policy action. Casework and advocacy on behalf of clients have typically been regarded by funding bodies as the most important responsibilities, since casework statistics provide quantitative accountability for public funds. (Wyse et al., 1990, p.2). A study conducted by Ryan (1990) suggested that different ideological beliefs among financial counsellors would have a significant effect on their casework practice. Different ideologies may result in counsellors assessing cases differently and recommending different courses of action to clients. Other implications of counsellors having different ideologies are that they may have different perceptions of client problems and the role they adopt in assisting clients. (Ryan, 1990, p.31). It was thought that financial counsellors would have different views of the purpose of their work and the outcomes they hope to achieve as a consequence of being recruited from a wide range of different educational and experiential backgrounds. Other factors such as the diverse range of prior experiences, lack of uniform training, different work locations and available resources were suggested as being likely to influence the perceptions that financial counsellors have of their work. Individual counsellors may be working from very different paradigms making it difficult to identify a clear philosophy for financial counselling as a profession. The study was designed to investigate the perceptions of financial counselling in Western Australia by conducting in-depth interviews with financial counsellors and their clients. The interviews were analysed and interpreted to draw conclusions about the relationships between the perceptions of financial counsellors and their clients regarding the intended and actual functions of financial counsellors in meeting client needs. The responses from both financial counsellors and clients indicate that perceptions of the role of the financial counsellor, outcomes and strategies used to achieve outcomes are consistent. The results of this study indicate that financial counsellors are in fact working toward similar goals and have similar views of their work. The findings do not support the literature and anecdotal evidence which suggests that financial counsellors may not share the same philosophy of their profession. It is anticipated that the results of this study will assist in the development off future policies, practices and training programs for financial counsellors in Western Australia.
19
Ujma, Susan. "A comparative study of indigenous people's and early European settlers' usage of three Perth wetlands, Western Australia, 1829-1939." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2012. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/547.
Full textAbstract:
This study takes as its focus the contrasting manner in which the Nyoongar indigenous people and the early European settlers utilised three wetland environments in southwest Australia over the century between 1829 and 1939. The thesis offers both an ecological and a landscape perspective to changes in the wetlands of Herdsman Lake, Lake Joondalup and Loch McNess. The chain of interconnecting linear lakes provides some of the largest permanent sources of fresh water masses on the Swan Coastal Plain. This thesis acknowledges the importance of the wetland system to the Nyoongar indigenous people.
The aim of this research is to interpret the human intervention into the wetland ecosystems by using a methodology that combines cultural landscape, historical and biophysical concepts as guiding themes. Assisted by historical maps and field observations, this study offers an ecological perspective on the wetlands, depicting changes in the human footprint on its landscape, and mapping the changes since the indigenous people’s sustainable ecology and guardianship were removed. These data can be used and compared with current information to gain insights into how and why modification to these wetlands occurred.
An emphasis is on the impact of human settlement and land use on natural systems. In the colonial period wetlands were not generally viewed as visually pleasing; they were perceived as alien and hostile environments. Settlers saw the land as an economic commodity to be exploited in a money economy. Thus the effects of a sequence of occupances and their transformation of environments as traditional Aboriginal resource use gave way to early European settlement, which brought about an evolution and cultural change in the wetland ecosystems, and attitudes towards them.
20
Henningsgaard, Per Hansa. "Outside traditional book publishing centres : the production of a regional literature in Western Australia." University of Western Australia. English and Cultural Studies Discipline Group, 2008. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2008.0255.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis provides a study of book publishing as it contributes to the production of a regional literature, using Western Australian publishing and literature as illustrative examples of this dynamic. 'Regional literature' is defined in this thesis as writing possessing cultural value that is specific to a region, although the writing may also have national and international value. An awareness of geographically and culturally diverse regions within the framework of the nation is shown to be derived from representations of these regions and their associated regional characteristics in the movies, television and books. In Australia, literature has been the primary site for expressions of regional difference. Therefore, this thesis analyses the impact of regionalism on the processes of book production and publication in Western Australias three major publishing houses a trade publishing house (Fremantle Press), an Indigenous publishing house (Magabala Books), and an academic publishing house (University of Western Australia Press). Book history, print culture studies and publishing studies, along with literary studies and cultural studies, roughly approximate a disciplinary map of the types of research that constitute this thesis. By examining regional literature in the context of its 'field of cultural production', this thesis maintains that regionalism and regional literature can avail themselves of a fresh perspective that shows them to be anything but marginal or exclusive. Regionalism has been a topic of peripheral interest, at least as far as scholarly research and academia are concerned, because those who are most likely to be affected by and thus interested in the topic, are also those who are most disempowered as a result of its attendant dynamics. However, as this thesis clearly demonstrates, access (or a lack thereof) to the field of cultural production (which in the case of print culture includes writers, literary agents, editors, publishers, government arts organisations, the media, schools, book clubs, and book retailers, just to name a few) plays a significant role in establishing and shaping an identity for marginalised 3 constituencies. The implications for this research are far-ranging, since both Western Australia and Australia can be understood as peripheries dominated in their different spheres (the 'national' and the 'international', respectively) by literary cultures residing elsewhere. Furthermore, there are parallels between this dynamic and the dynamic responsible for producing postcolonial literatures. The three publishing houses detailed in this thesis are disadvantaged by many of the factors associated with their distance from the traditional centres of book publishing, while at the same time producing a regional literature that serves as a platform from which the state broadcasts its distinctive contributions to the cultural landscape and to a wider understanding of concepts such as space, place and belonging. These publishing houses changed the way in which Australians and others have come to know and think about 'Australia', re-routing public consciousness and the national imagination.
21
Kickett-Tucker, Cheryl S. "Urban Aboriginal children in sport: Experiences, perceptions and sense of self." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 1999. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1258.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this study was to describe the sense of self for a group of urban Western Australian Aboriginal children through analysing their perspectives and experiences in school sport and physical education. A symbolic interaction inquiry paradigm complemented with qualitative data collection methods was utilised. Informal conversational interviews and nonparticipant observations were employed. Interviews were conducted with participants and those whom they reported as their significant others. Participants were also observed in the school sport setting during physical education classes and intra and inter school sport competitions. Eight Western Australian Aboriginal children who resided in an urban suburb of Perth, Western Australia and attended a coeducational state school were the participants. Upper primary students, aged 11 to 12 years were included with an equal representation of both males and females. Data were analysed in accordance with Colaizzi’s (1978) procedure. Significant participant responses were extracted and meanings were identified in order to group the meanings into various themes. It was found that Aboriginal students mostly experienced positive interactions with others in the school sport setting. They demonstrated above average sport skills and were consistently rewarded with praise from their fellow peers and teachers. Aboriginal students did not enjoy physical education since it limited their participation, social interaction with others and their enjoyment. Team sports were preferred, but females reported that they disliked coeducational sport competition. Aboriginal students reported that participating in sport (particularly team sports) made them feel happy about themselves since it provided an opportunity for them to feel proud of identifying as an Aboriginal. Opportunities for equality and acceptance from others were more accessible in the school sport domain, since feedback for performances was constant and contained positive information. Feedback was often supplied immediately after a performance and was directed to the student concerned. For some though, sport participation could also result in students experiencing shame. This occurred when a mistake was performed or when significant "others" were present and observed their participation. In all, school sport provided the opportunities for Aboriginal students to develop positive and favourable self-perceptions, particularly with regard to their Aboriginal identity.
22
Doole, Graeme John. "Value of perennial pasture phases in dryland agricultural systems of the eastern-central wheat belt of Western Australia." University of Western Australia. School of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 2007. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2007.0213.
Full textAbstract:
Over the past thirty years, price relativities and technological development have motivated an increase in the area of land allocated to cropping, as opposed to pasture production, throughout the central wheat belt of Western Australia. Nevertheless, reducing the proportion of pasture in these rotations has challenged the future productivity of farming systems in this area. First, the frequent application of selective herbicides for weed control in extended cropping rotations has promoted the development of herbicide resistance in a number of major agricultural weeds. Second, the primary use of annual plants has promoted the development of soil salinisation by allowing a significant proportion of rainfall to recharge saline water tables. The inclusion of perennial pasture phases between extended periods of cropping may mitigate or delay these constraints to production through (a) allowing the use of costeffective forms of non-selective weed control, and (b) through creating a buffer of dry soil that absorbs leakage occurring beneath subsequent crops. This study consequently explores the value of including perennial pasture phases in dryland agricultural systems in the eastern-central wheat belt of Western Australia, accounting for benefits related to herbicide resistance and water table management. A novel computational algorithm for the solution of multiple-phase optimal control problems is developed and used to conduct a conceptual analysis of the value of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) pasture for managing annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaudin), the primary weed in wheat belt cropping systems. The competitiveness and fecundity of annual ryegrass provide strong economic incentives to maintain a low weed population, irrespective of herbicide-resistance status. Consequently, the ineffectiveness of selective herbicides primarily reduces the profitability of cropping by motivating the adoption of more costly non-selective forms of weed control. The inclusion of lucerne in land-use rotations is only optimal in the presence of severe herbicide resistance given (a) the low efficiency of alternative weed-management practices available during the pasture phase, relative to selective-herbicide application; (b) the significant cost of establishing this perennial pasture; and (c) the high relative profitability of cereal production in the absence of resistance. The value of lucerne, relative to annual pastures, for weed management is explored in greater detail through the use of compressed annealing to optimise a sophisticated simulation model. The profitability of candidate rotations is also manipulated to account for the long-term production losses accruing to the recharge of saline groundwaters that occurs beneath them. Sequences incorporating lucerne are only more profitable than those that include annual pasture at the standard set of parameter values if (a) annual ryegrass is resistant to all selective herbicides, (b) the water table is so shallow (approximately less than 3.5 m deep) that frequent rotation with perennials is required to avert soil salinisation, or (c) sheep production is highly profitable. The value of perennial pasture is sufficient under these circumstances to overcome its high establishment cost. Consistent with intuition, these benefits are reinforced by lower discount rates and higher rates of leakage occurring beneath annual-based systems. Formulation of an effective communication strategy to report these results to producers is justified given the complexity involved in determining the true magnitude of these intertemporal benefits through alternative means, such as field trials.
23
Swarts, Nigel. "Integrated conservation of the rare and endangered terrestrial orchid Caladenia huegelii H.G. Reichb." University of Western Australia. School of Earth and Geographical Sciences, 2008. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2008.0044.
Full textAbstract:
The Orchidaceae is characterized by a remarkably diverse range of life forms and some of the most highly specialized interactions with soil fungi and insect pollinators found in the flowering plants. Many species are rare or threatened with extinction either directly through loss of habitat or over-collection or, indirectly through debilitation or loss of mycorrhizal association or pollinator capacity. Australian temperate terrestrial orchids represent one of the most threatened groups in the Australian flora with many taxa clinging to existence in urban and rural bushland remnants, road verges and unprotected bushland. The aim of this study is to research and develop integrated conservation based on critical aspects of terrestrial orchid biology and ecology, towards the recovery of the rare and endangered Western Australian terrestrial orchid Caladenia huegelii. This study identified key aspects involved in an integrated conservation approach and research focused on conservation genetics, mycorrhizal interactions and in situ and ex situ conservation strategies for this species. Using polymorphic microsatellite molecular markers, high levels of genetic diversity were found within remnant populations of C. huegelii, while weak differentiation was observed among populations over the species geographic range. These results indicate historic genetic exchange between C. huegelii populations, a possible consequence of the sexually deceptive pollination strategy and the capacity for widespread seed dispersal. Symbiotic germination studies revealed compatibility barriers to C. huegelii germination with the orchid possessing a highly specific orchid-mycorrhizal association relative to common sympatric congeners. These results were reflected in a phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences, revealing C. huegelii associates with only one endophyte species within the fungal family Sebacinaceae across its geographic range. Large scale in situ seed baiting demonstrated that endophytes compatible with C. huegelii were limited in distribution relative to common and widespread orchid species, a feature for C. huegelii that may be a major contributing factor in limiting the distributional range of the species. Detailed, within site seed baiting methods identified hotspots for mycorrhizal fungus compatible with C. huegelii that were unoccupied by the orchid. These mycorrhizal hotspots where used to investigate the effect of endophyte presence on survival of transplanted mature plants and seedling outplants. The in situ survival of glasshouse propagated seedlings was further optimized by incubating seedlings in growth containers before transfer to soil and outplanting seedlings in their second growing season. The findings of this study will substantially advance the recovery of C. huegelii and provide benchmark knowledge for similar projects with other rare and threatened terrestrial orchid species.
24
Cowan, Sean. "Cracking the code: Why Western Australia abandoned rugby for Australian rules football in 1885." Thesis, Cowan, Sean (2015) Cracking the code: Why Western Australia abandoned rugby for Australian rules football in 1885. Honours thesis, Murdoch University, 2015. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/29624/.
Full textAbstract:
This study of the early years of football in Western Australia investigates the reasons for the abandonment of the Rugby Union rules and the adoption of the new Victorian rules in 1885. Through an examination of the newspapers of the day – which are the only known primary material concerning those events – it will be established that the people of Western Australia were not wedded to a particular code before the 1880s. This changed in 1882 when the first clubs were formed and the Rugby Union rules were adopted.
Advocates for the Victorian rules were immediately active, claiming the British game was on its way out elsewhere because it was too violent and not entertaining to watch. As a result, playing that code would rule W.A. out of intercolonial competition in the future, they argued. The ad hoc nature of the matches played in Perth did little to convince people that football was moving in the right direction under the Rugby Union rules, while the footballers who enjoyed playing under them were also able to embrace the Victorian rules because the two codes were not as dissimilar in 1885 as they are today.
While historians have previously named Bill Bateman, Harry Herbert and Hugh Dixson as being responsible for forcing the adoption of the new rules, the situation was actually much more complex. Each club voted separately on whether to play under the Victorian or Rugby Union rules in 1885 and there were lobbyists for the new code at each club. Herbert’s importance to the decision taken by the Fremantle Football Club has been over-stated by previous historians, while Charles Bishop has never been recognised for his efforts at the Perth Rovers Football Club.
Migration from the eastern colonies and social class were also factors in the change. Before 1885, the homogeneity and insularity of the groups of footballers at each club had weighed against the adoption of the Victorian rules. At the crucial juncture in 1885, however, a group of South Australians, led by Dixson and supported by working class West Australians, formed a new football club. This tipped the balance in favour of the new code.
25
Smith, Michelle. "The role of Lorikeet Clubhouse in psychiatric rehabilitation." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2001. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1063.
Full textAbstract:
Previous studies have suggested that participation in psychosocial support groups such as the Foundation House (Clubhouse) model have psychological benefits for patients with major mental disorders. In this research, 47 members of the Lorikeet Clubhouse in Shenton Park, WA completed the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Level of Expressed Emotion Scale and the Coping Scale for Adults to investigate whether differences existed between active and inactive Clubhouse members. Analyses of variance found no group differences on these measures, although trends in the data suggest that Clubhouse participation have a protective effect for members who report high levels of expressed emotion (EE) in their home. These conclusions are tentative due to the small sample size. Members perceived the Clubhouse to have lower levels of EE than their home environments, however these measures were correlated.
26
Eid, Mahmoud M. "Public schools or Islamic colleges? : factors impacting on parental choice of schooling for Muslim children." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2008. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/192.
Full textAbstract:
This portfolio focuses on issues associated with the education of Muslim children in Western Australia, within the broader national context. Based on ABS 1996 Census, Clyne (2001) states "there is a considerable potential demand for education within the Muslim community with at least 60 000 children within the compulsory years of schooling (5-15 years)" (pp. 118-119). However, according to the Islamic schools' principals, "approximately 10 percent of these children are enrolled in Islamic schools" (p 119). This means 90% of Muslim school children are enrolled in non-Islamic schools despite the fact that the community has 30 full time Islamic schools nation wide. At the moment, most Islamic schools are relatively small. In this respect, Buckley (1997) states: If we accept a total figure of 300,000 Muslims in Australia, and we estimate that 70% of them are school-age students, then these Muslim schools are catering for less than 2.5% of the total Muslim student population (p. 6)
27
Xie, Shaohua. "Links between devolution and changes in curriculum policy : a case study of year 8-10 social studies curriculum in Western Australia since 1987." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 1998. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/975.
Full textAbstract:
This study investigates the links between devolution and Year 8-10 Society and Environment (SAE) curriculum policy in Western Australia (WA) since 1987. It explores whether changes to the structure within which SAE resides, the process through which curriculum decision making occurs, and the content of SAE are consistent with the principles and practice of devolution. An attempt is made in the study to determine whether these changes would have occurred anyway, even if devolution had not been introduced. The investigation is based on a radical humanist model of social inquiry, As such, it uses a critical theory conceptual framework to inform a qualitative research paradigm. Two sources provide qualitative data for the study, namely, interviews and documentary material. The interview material comes from discussions with twenty six senior education officers, school staff, academics and other stakeholders. The documentary material includes key system-wide policy documents, Year 8-10 curriculum frameworks, guidelines and syllabi, and relevant school level publications. Generally, the analysis of data gained from those two sources support the claims made by critical theorists about the impact of devolution upon curriculum policy. More specifically, the findings show that in WA, since 1987, state curriculum development has contributed to a reinforcement of social control, a widening of social inequality and an intensification of the school's role as an agent of narrowly defined economic interests. These links are shown to be consistent with the critical theory argument that devolution is underpinned by corporate managerialism and that it involves not only a decentralisation of responsibility but also a recentralization of power. The study concludes by suggesting that the implications of WA's experience of devolution for China depend largely on whether China's context and needs are examined in terms of a consensus model or a critical theory model of society.
28
Howe, Margaret L. "The bio-sociological relationship between Western Australian Aboriginals and their dogs." Murdoch University, 1993. http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20060815.151043.
Full textAbstract:
The hypothesis central to this study is that distinctly Aboriginal patterns of relationship between humans and dogs are still evident in contemporary Aboriginal groups. The relationship's sociological characteristics in traditional and contemporary settings and its implications for canine and human health are also investigated.
Field research employing survey, quantitative observation and specimen analysis techniques was conducted in 9 Western Australian Aboriginal groups of various
backgrounds and settings. Results were compared to historic-traditional accounts and dog ownership studies in non-Aboriginal groups.
Traditionally dogs served Aboriginals most importantly for supernatural protection and to assist the collection of small game by women. In non-isolated groups, traditional
utilitarian motives were superseded by the Western concept of dogs as companions.
Demographically, the Aboriginal dog populations surveyed were relatively large, and most dogs were classified as medium sized non-descript cross-breds.
Dogs were more commonly owned by adult and aged individuals, rather than by family units as is the Western cultural norm. Most dogs remained with their original owner
and retained their original name for life.
Traditional values of respect towards dogs were compromised to the discriminatory care of higher status animals only, effecting selection pressure against undesirable dogs, particularly females. Similarly, while many aged people were opposed to culling, most respondents regarded community pup production as excessive and accepted culling as necessary. Nevertheless prevention was the preferred option, with strong support for the previously unfamiliar concept of ovariohysterectomy.
Pups were raised in some respects like children in the traditional manner, indulgence giving way in adulthood to expectations of self-reliance rather than obedience.
Most dogs were in good physical and psychological condition, though more likely to be afflicted by sarcoptic mange than other Australian dogs. Other parasites occurred
at or below expected frequencies.
Close physical contact with dogs coupled with favourable microclimates allowed ample opportunity for transmission of canine zoonoses, but the actual risk to human health
remains poorly documented.
29
Port, Katrina. "A profile of consanguineous couples in Western Australia." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2007. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/277.
Full textAbstract:
The present study investigated consanguineous unions in Western Australia, irrespective of ethnic background, with attention paid to associated demographic variables. Despite its vast area, Western Australia was an excellent setting for a study of this nature, as virtually all cases of inherited diseases are referred and investigated via Genetic Services of Western Australia based in Perth. Four data sources were used to identify and investigate consanguineous marriages: Genetic Services of Western Australia, the Registrar General's Office of Births Deaths and Marriage, the Disability Services Commission and the Roman Catholic Archbishopric of Western Australia.
30
Brestovac, Brian. "Human papillomavirus and cervical cancer in Western Australia." University of Western Australia. School of Biomedical and Chemical Sciences, 2005. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2006.0037.
Full text
31
au, h. owen@uq edu, and Helen Clare Owen. "Detection and Characterization of Rickettsiae in Western Australia." Murdoch University, 2007. http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20071204.92921.
Full textAbstract:
The aim of this study was to address the shortfall in current, in-depth knowledge of Western Australian rickettsiae investigating in particular, the role of native and feral animals as reservoir hosts. Two novel species of rickettsiae were detected in ticks collected from native and feral animals and humans, these were characterised using molecular methods. A preliminary investigation into the pathogenic potential of one of the isolates was also undertaken.
To facilitate investigation, ectoparasites (principally ticks) were opportunistically collected from across the State, with an emphasis on native and feral animals and people. All ectoparasites were screened for rickettsial infection using a polymerase chain reaction incorporating Rickettsia-specific citrate synthase gene (gltA) primers. Preliminary sequencing was performed on representative PCR-positive samples from each geographical location, vertebrate host and ectoparasite in order to identify and characterize the infecting rickettsia. Isolation in cell culture and further genotypic characterization was then performed. Finally, a serosurvey and questionnaire were implemented in one of the study areas to determine whether people were being infected with a Rickettsia spp. and whether infection was associated with clinical signs.
Ectoparasite collection produced three genera of ticks (Ixodes, Amblyomma and Haemaphysalis) from native animals, feral pigs and people, primarily from the southwest of Western Australia and Barrow Island in the Pilbara region. Ticks from a number of sources were shown to be infected with rickettsiae by the PCR, including feral pigs, people, bobtail lizards, kangaroos, bandicoots, burrowing bettongs, common brushtail possums and yellow-footed antechinus. Genotypic characterization of positive amplicons from ticks revealed the presence of two novel spotted fever group rickettsiae. Rickettsia gravesii sp. nov., named in honour of Dr Stephen Graves, was identified extensively throughout the southwest of the State and on Barrow Island in Ixodes, Amblyomma and Haemaphysalis spp. ticks from multiple hosts. Candidatus Rickettsia antechini was detected in Ixodes spp. only from yellow-footed antechinus in Dwellingup. In addition, a novel Bartonella spp. (Bartonella sp. strain Mu1) was also detected from Acanthopsylla jordani fleas collected from yellow-footed antechinus in Dwellingup.
Rickettsia gravesii sp. nov. is most closely related to the Rickettsia massiliae subgroup of the spotted fever group and to R. rhipicephali in particular. Sequence similarities between this novel species and the subgroup were 99.7%, 98.4%, 95.8% and 97.4% based on its 16S rRNA, gltA, ompA and ompB genes respectively.
Candidatus Rickettsia antechini also demonstrated a close relationship to the R. massiliae subgroup (99.4%, 94.8% and 97.1% sequence similarity based on its gltA, ompA and ompB genes respectively). The two novel Western Australian species demonstrated 98.4%, 96.3% and 96.7% sequence similarity to each other based on gltA, ompA and ompB genes respectively indicating separate species. The novel Bartonella spp. (Bartonella sp. strain Mu1) detected in fleas collected from yellow-footed antechinus in Dwellingup demonstrated greatest gltA gene sequence similarity to Bartonella strain 40 at 86.1%.
Results from the serosurvey and questionnaire-based investigation into the zoonotic importance of R. gravesii sp. nov. on Barrow Island supported the results of the tick study and suggested that a tick-borne rickettsia(e) was infecting people on the island. However, a significant association between seroconversion and a history of symptoms consistent with a rickettsiosis was not found, and it is possible therefore, that R. gravesii sp. nov. produces only asymptomatic infections.
Future work on rickettsiae in Western Australia will involve phenotypic characterization of the novel species, further investigation of their epidemiology and pathogenicity and an ongoing search for additional undiscovered species.
32
au, C. Bath@murdoch edu, and Caroline Jacobson. "Scouring and Dag in Sheep in Western Australia." Murdoch University, 2006. http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20070831.155237.
Full textAbstract:
Diarrhoea (scouring) in sheep increases the risk of faecal soiling of the breech (dag) that in turn causes significant production losses for sheep producers and increases susceptibility of sheep to breech blowfly strike. The common causes of scouring in sheep of post-weaning age in Western Australia have not been well described.
In a written questionnaire sent to sheep producers in the south west of Western Australia, about half of the respondents reported lamb, hogget and ewe flocks with moderate or severe dag. Flocks with moderate or severe dag were reported more commonly in the winter and spring months in all age groups. Young sheep and mated ewes were most susceptible to moderate or severe dag. The utilisation of professional worm control advice and parasite management tools did not reduce the risk of moderate/severe dag.
A study conducted at an abattoir showed that large strongyle worm egg counts (WEC) were frequently identified in lamb lines but were much less common in adult lines. The relationship between WEC and scouring was not clear, suggesting that factors other than large strongyle infections were important, particularly in adult sheep. The low WEC and seasonal scouring pattern observed in adult sheep was consistent with the larval hypersensitivity scouring syndrome and/or factors related to green pasture as potential common causes of scouring in adult sheep. This observation was consistent with detailed investigations of flocks with low WEC scouring that found larval hypersensitivity scouring syndrome or factors associated with green pasture were the most likely causes of scouring in eight of the nine flocks examined. Large immature worm burdens were common and the scouring sheep had more fourth stage larvae than normal sheep. Treatment with a fully effective drench and an ivermectin controlled-release rumen capsule did not result in a reduction of faecal moisture content between three and seven weeks after treatment.
The effects of dietary soluble non-starch polysaccharides were studied using carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) as a model. The CMC model was used to demonstrate that significant interactions between diet and strongyle larvae determined both faecal consistency and strongyle establishment. Sheep fed CMC had softer, looser and wetter faeces, but the factors that determined faecal consistency were complex. Establishment of T. colubriformis was significantly greater in sheep fed CMC suggesting that the environment within the gut may affect establishment of T. colubriformis in the small intestine. The findings suggested that dietary factors may interact with strongyle larvae to determine both worm establishment and severity of scouring.
The results of the studies described in this thesis suggested that factors related to immature strongyle larvae, diet and the immune response interact to determine the severity of the scouring observed in sheep of post-weaning age in the south west of Western Australia.
33
Owen, Helen Clare. "Detection and characterization of rickettsiae in Western Australia." Thesis, Owen, Helen Clare (2007) Detection and characterization of rickettsiae in Western Australia. PhD thesis, Murdoch University, 2007. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/240/.
Full textAbstract:
The aim of this study was to address the shortfall in current, in-depth knowledge of Western Australian rickettsiae investigating in particular, the role of native and feral animals as reservoir hosts. Two novel species of rickettsiae were detected in ticks collected from native and feral animals and humans, these were characterised using molecular methods. A preliminary investigation into the pathogenic potential of one of the isolates was also undertaken.
To facilitate investigation, ectoparasites (principally ticks) were opportunistically collected from across the State, with an emphasis on native and feral animals and people. All ectoparasites were screened for rickettsial infection using a polymerase chain reaction incorporating Rickettsia-specific citrate synthase gene (gltA) primers. Preliminary sequencing was performed on representative PCR-positive samples from each geographical location, vertebrate host and ectoparasite in order to identify and characterize the infecting rickettsia. Isolation in cell culture and further genotypic characterization was then performed. Finally, a serosurvey and questionnaire were implemented in one of the study areas to determine whether people were being infected with a Rickettsia spp. and whether infection was associated with clinical signs.
Ectoparasite collection produced three genera of ticks (Ixodes, Amblyomma and Haemaphysalis) from native animals, feral pigs and people, primarily from the southwest of Western Australia and Barrow Island in the Pilbara region. Ticks from a number of sources were shown to be infected with rickettsiae by the PCR, including feral pigs, people, bobtail lizards, kangaroos, bandicoots, burrowing bettongs, common brushtail possums and yellow-footed antechinus. Genotypic characterization of positive amplicons from ticks revealed the presence of two novel spotted fever group rickettsiae. Rickettsia gravesii sp. nov., named in honour of Dr Stephen Graves, was identified extensively throughout the southwest of the State and on Barrow Island in Ixodes, Amblyomma and Haemaphysalis spp. ticks from multiple hosts. Candidatus Rickettsia antechini was detected in Ixodes spp. only from yellow-footed antechinus in Dwellingup. In addition, a novel Bartonella spp. (Bartonella sp. strain Mu1) was also detected from Acanthopsylla jordani fleas collected from yellow-footed antechinus in Dwellingup.
Rickettsia gravesii sp. nov. is most closely related to the Rickettsia massiliae subgroup of the spotted fever group and to R. rhipicephali in particular. Sequence similarities between this novel species and the subgroup were 99.7%, 98.4%, 95.8% and 97.4% based on its 16S rRNA, gltA, ompA and ompB genes respectively.
Candidatus Rickettsia antechini also demonstrated a close relationship to the R. massiliae subgroup (99.4%, 94.8% and 97.1% sequence similarity based on its gltA, ompA and ompB genes respectively). The two novel Western Australian species demonstrated 98.4%, 96.3% and 96.7% sequence similarity to each other based on gltA, ompA and ompB genes respectively indicating separate species. The novel Bartonella spp. (Bartonella sp. strain Mu1) detected in fleas collected from yellow-footed antechinus in Dwellingup demonstrated greatest gltA gene sequence similarity to Bartonella strain 40 at 86.1%.
Results from the serosurvey and questionnaire-based investigation into the zoonotic importance of R. gravesii sp. nov. on Barrow Island supported the results of the tick study and suggested that a tick-borne rickettsia(e) was infecting people on the island. However, a significant association between seroconversion and a history of symptoms consistent with a rickettsiosis was not found, and it is possible therefore, that R. gravesii sp. nov. produces only asymptomatic infections.
Future work on rickettsiae in Western Australia will involve phenotypic characterization of the novel species, further investigation of their epidemiology and pathogenicity and an ongoing search for additional undiscovered species.
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Owen, Helen Clare. "Detection and characterization of rickettsiae in Western Australia." Owen, Helen Clare (2007) Detection and characterization of rickettsiae in Western Australia. PhD thesis, Murdoch University, 2007. http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/240/.
Full textAbstract:
The aim of this study was to address the shortfall in current, in-depth knowledge of Western Australian rickettsiae investigating in particular, the role of native and feral animals as reservoir hosts. Two novel species of rickettsiae were detected in ticks collected from native and feral animals and humans, these were characterised using molecular methods. A preliminary investigation into the pathogenic potential of one of the isolates was also undertaken.
To facilitate investigation, ectoparasites (principally ticks) were opportunistically collected from across the State, with an emphasis on native and feral animals and people. All ectoparasites were screened for rickettsial infection using a polymerase chain reaction incorporating Rickettsia-specific citrate synthase gene (gltA) primers. Preliminary sequencing was performed on representative PCR-positive samples from each geographical location, vertebrate host and ectoparasite in order to identify and characterize the infecting rickettsia. Isolation in cell culture and further genotypic characterization was then performed. Finally, a serosurvey and questionnaire were implemented in one of the study areas to determine whether people were being infected with a Rickettsia spp. and whether infection was associated with clinical signs.
Ectoparasite collection produced three genera of ticks (Ixodes, Amblyomma and Haemaphysalis) from native animals, feral pigs and people, primarily from the southwest of Western Australia and Barrow Island in the Pilbara region. Ticks from a number of sources were shown to be infected with rickettsiae by the PCR, including feral pigs, people, bobtail lizards, kangaroos, bandicoots, burrowing bettongs, common brushtail possums and yellow-footed antechinus. Genotypic characterization of positive amplicons from ticks revealed the presence of two novel spotted fever group rickettsiae. Rickettsia gravesii sp. nov., named in honour of Dr Stephen Graves, was identified extensively throughout the southwest of the State and on Barrow Island in Ixodes, Amblyomma and Haemaphysalis spp. ticks from multiple hosts. Candidatus Rickettsia antechini was detected in Ixodes spp. only from yellow-footed antechinus in Dwellingup. In addition, a novel Bartonella spp. (Bartonella sp. strain Mu1) was also detected from Acanthopsylla jordani fleas collected from yellow-footed antechinus in Dwellingup.
Rickettsia gravesii sp. nov. is most closely related to the Rickettsia massiliae subgroup of the spotted fever group and to R. rhipicephali in particular. Sequence similarities between this novel species and the subgroup were 99.7%, 98.4%, 95.8% and 97.4% based on its 16S rRNA, gltA, ompA and ompB genes respectively.
Candidatus Rickettsia antechini also demonstrated a close relationship to the R. massiliae subgroup (99.4%, 94.8% and 97.1% sequence similarity based on its gltA, ompA and ompB genes respectively). The two novel Western Australian species demonstrated 98.4%, 96.3% and 96.7% sequence similarity to each other based on gltA, ompA and ompB genes respectively indicating separate species. The novel Bartonella spp. (Bartonella sp. strain Mu1) detected in fleas collected from yellow-footed antechinus in Dwellingup demonstrated greatest gltA gene sequence similarity to Bartonella strain 40 at 86.1%.
Results from the serosurvey and questionnaire-based investigation into the zoonotic importance of R. gravesii sp. nov. on Barrow Island supported the results of the tick study and suggested that a tick-borne rickettsia(e) was infecting people on the island. However, a significant association between seroconversion and a history of symptoms consistent with a rickettsiosis was not found, and it is possible therefore, that R. gravesii sp. nov. produces only asymptomatic infections.
Future work on rickettsiae in Western Australia will involve phenotypic characterization of the novel species, further investigation of their epidemiology and pathogenicity and an ongoing search for additional undiscovered species.
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Order, Simon. "Community radio in Western Australia: Notions of value." Thesis, Order, Simon (2013) Community radio in Western Australia: Notions of value. PhD thesis, Murdoch University, 2013. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/17050/.
Full textAbstract:
Although community radio in Australia is now well established and considered an important part of the radio sector, in today’s economically driven world it is at the bottom of the media money pile. In order to argue for its continuing existence, funding and development in an ever-changing media landscape, some means of capturing its value is essential. This thesis develops a theoretical framework of value for community radio from existing literature and through the testing of the framework at three community radio stations in Perth, Western Australia. Through a combination of interviews with staff, observation/participation and audience focus groups the testing exercise provides a multimodal insight into the values and operation of community radio as reflected in real life practice. The analysis will reveal whether the framework of value can be successfully operationalised in the field, how value is perceived by the study participants, and to what extent value is contingent upon the characteristics of the individual community radio stations. The evidence collected also has the potential to inform policy-making at a community radio station.
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Fogliani, Cory. "Unjust enrichment and employee overpayments in Western Australia." Thesis, Fogliani, Cory (2017) Unjust enrichment and employee overpayments in Western Australia. Masters by Research thesis, Murdoch University, 2017. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/39345/.
Full textAbstract:
Overpaid remuneration is an ordinary aspect of the employment relationship. From time to time, it happens. What is extraordinary is the lack of attention that this issue has received from the legislature, and from legal scholars. The resolution of overpayment disputes between employers and employees has been left almost entirely to the common law.
This thesis looks at how employers and employees in Western Australia can use the law to resolve an overpayment dispute. It does so through the lens of unjust enrichment law. In particular, this study examines how the truck provisions in the Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 (WA) and in the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) limit an employer’s ability to unilaterally deduct an overpayment from the pay of an employee; what an employer needs to prove in order to establish a prima facie case for restitution of an overpayment; how an employee can use the restitutionary defences to rebut the employer’s prima facie case; what strategies an employee can utilise to defend against a claim by their employer for overpaid tax or superannuation; and, the remedies that are available to an employer who is successful in an unjust enrichment-type claim against an employee.
This thesis concludes that the common law is not always a practical mechanism for resolving overpayment disputes between employers and employees. This is because of the costs involved in litigating in the common law courts. This thesis recommends that the Western Australian and Commonwealth legislatures should make legislative changes in order to better facilitate the resolution of overpayment disputes that arise in an employment context. This thesis also provides some suggested wording that the legislatures could adopt to implement that recommendation.
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Williams, Allyson. "Climate change in the Southwest of Western Australia." Thesis, Williams, Allyson (1991) Climate change in the Southwest of Western Australia. Honours thesis, Murdoch University, 1991. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/41550/.
Full textAbstract:
Previous studies in the southwest of Western Australia suggest a trend of decreasing rainfall in both a spatial and temporal sense. What are the primary influences of this climatic change?
This analysis is a four step process involving examining the spatial distribution of rainfall, determining the major influences of the climate, determining what spatial and temporal changes have occurred, and explain possible causes of these changes.
Climatic data for winter and summer seasons and,.over four time periods (1900-45, 1946-90, 1946-68, 1968-90) is examined at thirtyfive stations in the southwest for any longterm trends, their degree of statistical significance, and how they relate to widespread climate change and regional changes. Of special interest here is the possible effect a rapid, large scale change of vegetation has on the precipitation of this region.
For the period 1946-90 the winter rainfall is decreasing along the west and south coasts. The trends are as predicted by the proposed Greenhouse effect. However the high degree of natural variability of climate data is reinforced with trends being within the scope of the natural fluctuations.
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Fialho, Malcolm. "Acculturative stress among Iranians in Perth Western Australia." Thesis, Fialho, Malcolm (1992) Acculturative stress among Iranians in Perth Western Australia. Masters by Research thesis, Murdoch University, 1992. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/50603/.
Full textAbstract:
The present study investigated the experience of acculturative stress through the adoption of a holistic experiential approach. It was premised on the notion that refugees are a distinct cultural group owing to the involuntary nature of their decision to settle in Australia, the status conferred on them in accordance with United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) conventions and Australian Governmental initiatives.
The major aim of the study was to further understanding of the relationship between the process of migration and resettlement on an individual's mental health through an examination of the cultural, social and individual variables involved. The conceptual foundation of this study involved the integration of a central theory (Berry & Kim's theory of acculturative stress) with three ancillary ones (Kunz's theory on refugee adaptation. Kessler & Neighbors coping model and Tajfel & Turner's theory of social identity). The present study responded to Berry and Kim's (1987) call for further comparative studies which examine acculturative phenomena across a variety of cross-cultural dimensions. The elaborated version of Berry and Kim's model was utilised to account for and explain the differences and similarities in the psychological adjustment process between Iranian migrants (Muslim) and refugees (Baha'i) in Western Australia. A cross-sectional research design utilising the survey technique was adopted. The theoretical constructs were assessed using a battery of tests for which reliability and validity data have been presented.
Results indicated that there were no significant differences between the refugee and migrant sample on the experience of acculturative stress. There were, however, differences between the set of predictors of acculturative stress for the refugee. migrant and the total sample. Cultural, emotional and material factors together with self-esteem were the most important predictors of acculturative stress. Social support and mode of acculturation were positively correlated with acculturative stress but failed to make a significant contribution to the explained variance in stress scores. Policy implications for migrant services delivery for refugee populations per se and other small ethnic minorities have also been discussed.
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Colic-Peisker, Val. "Croatians in Western Australia: Migration, values and identity." Thesis, Colic-Peisker, Val (2000) Croatians in Western Australia: Migration, values and identity. PhD thesis, Murdoch University, 2000. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/50691/.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis explores the process of integration of two post-war waves of voluntary Croatian migrants to Australia. The study is focused on changes in migrants’ values and the feeling of identity. The research starts from the proposition that differences in the socio-economic background (class) of the two waves of migrants, largely coinciding with their rural versus urban origin, will be significant factors in determining their migration experience.
The first group of Croatians migrated to Australia in the 1960s - early 1970s. This is the largest wave of Croatians that reached Australia. The second group is a smaller but still clearly identifiable wave of late-1980s - mid-1990s arrivals. Most of the 1960s wave of migrants are of peasant origin, with little formal education and limited English, who took working-class jobs upon arrival to Australia. They remain relatively uninvolved with the mainstream English-speaking society and mainly socialise within their ethnic communities. These communities have an important role in maintaining their traditional values and sense of identity, which are firmly connected to their native land and communities of origin.
The recent wave of migrants arrived in Australia from Croatian cities. Most of them have a tertiary degree and hold professional jobs in Australia. Their sense of identity is based on their education and professional work rather than their ‘Croatianness’. They do not form ethnic communities and are integrated into mainstream society through their work and socialising with non-Croatians.
Both groups experienced changes in their values and identity following migration, but to various degrees and in different ways. The 1960s group experienced ‘enlargement’ of their ethnic identity from local to national; this process can be viewed as a ‘modernisation’ of their ethnic identity. The turbulent political developments in Croatia in the 1990s influenced this process. The 1980s wave of urban professional migrants further ‘Westernised’ following migration by incorporating Australian cultural narratives, practices and values, and is developing a culturally hybrid identity. The meaning of the homeland and the type of connection to it significantly differ in the two groups. While the 1960s cohort fits into the idea of ‘diaspora’, the 1980s migrants do not define themselves by their connection to the homeland.
The fact that the two groups of Croatians came from a communist country, dominated by authoritarianism in social and political life and egalitarianism in its ideological matrix, is relevant in the process of identity and value change following migration to Australia. Changes in Australian immigration policies, and society as a whole from the 1960s to the 1980s, also influenced the migration experience of the two groups of Croatians.
This study challenges the way in which ‘outsiders gaze’ stereotypes the ethnicity of migrant groups on the basis of their country of origin. The two groups of Croatians do not form a single ethnic community in any sociologically meaningful way. The class differences between them largely outweigh the fact that they came from the same country.
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Taylor, Noela. "Adult franchise in local government in Western Australia." Thesis, Taylor, Noela (1998) Adult franchise in local government in Western Australia. Masters by Research thesis, Murdoch University, 1998. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/50895/.
Full textAbstract:
Adult franchise was introduced to local government elections in Western Australia in 1984 by the then Burke Labor Government to predictions of disaster and local government mismanagement by the then conservative Opposition.
After nine previously unsuccessful attempts, Western Australia became the last State in Australia to accord this right to vote to all its citizens. This tenth attempt was successful because the Government manipulated urban/rural council interests by offering differential rating power as a trade off for adult franchise.
The intention of this thesis is to demonstrate that the predictions made about the negative impact of adult franchise in the parliamentary debates prior to the legislative changes did not eventuate.
The historical background to the local government electoral system and the circumstances under which adult franchise was successfully introduced in 1984 are examined. This is done within the context of understanding the political ideologies which underpinned the respective positions of the Government and Opposition at the time of the parliamentary debates. Liberal democratic theory proposes that good government is inclusive government which embodies the right to vote for all. Conservative political theory on the other hand is based on the preposition that property ownership is a fundamental prerequisite for good government.
The study goes on to examine the impact of the electoral changes by analysing voter turnout throughout the State and examining similarities in and differences between socio-economic profiles, political affiliations, beliefs and attitudes of ratepaying and non-ratepaying councillors. Two case studies, one a large metropolitan council and the other a small rural council, demonstrate the outcomes of the electoral changes where most changes were predicted. It also shows that party politics have always played a role in local government elections.
In assessing the impact of adult franchise more than a decade after its introduction the study shows that conservative fears of a local government takeover by irresponsible non-property owning councillors have not materialised. The study adds weight to the liberal view of representative democracy that granting people the right to vote develops their sense of social responsibility and stimulates them to participate in political life.
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Stephanson, Jillian Marianne. "Biology and immunobiology of Spirometra in Western Australia." Thesis, Stephanson, Jillian Marianne (1985) Biology and immunobiology of Spirometra in Western Australia. PhD thesis, Murdoch University, 1985. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/51745/.
Full textAbstract:
Parasites of the genus Spirometra collected in Western Australia, were classified as s. erinacei on the basis of their host range (natural and experimental), developmental rate, morphology and host-parasite relationships.
Experimental results, in particular those from an inbred isolate, indicated that earlier workers had underestimated this species phenotypic plasticity.
Variation was associated with experimental (infection, collection, processing and examination procedures), environmental (temperature, pH and salinity), host (species, strain, age, size, sex, diet and immune status) and parasitic (age and numbers) factors.
The inbred isolate was compared with other Western Australian isolates, Spirometra from other localities in Australia and abroad, and published data on Spirometra and Diphyllobothrium. This showed that several taxonomic criteria are of limited or no value (e.g. the host range of the procercoid, plerocercoid and adult, the prepatent period, and periodicity of egg production), or of use at the specific rather than generic level (e.g. adul t neck length).
Infections with Spirometra plerocercoids evoked both humoral and cell mediated immune responses, but the plerocercoids were seldom killed by their host. With time the parasites growth rate, migratory activity, parasite-induced host weight gain, and host mortality these changes are thought to be immunologically mediated. This outcome was not markedly affected by active immunization (with live plerocercoids, plerocercoid tail antigens or secretory antigens), by infections with Taenia taeniaeforrmis or by Bacillus Calmette-Guerin, Corynebacteriwn parvum or Freunds complete adjuvant.
A slight immunosuppression (assessed in vivo), was seen in infected mice. This immunosuppression may be caused by plerocercoid secretory products, but whether it contributes to their ability to survive in a wide range of hosts could not be ascertained.
The study concluded that perhaps as few as three other forms (S. pretoriensis, Baer, 1924; S. theileri, Baer, 1924 and S. trinitatis, Cameron, 1936) are sufficiently different from the cosmopolitan form(s) of Spirometra to rank as independent species. This study does not support the view, held by some other workers, that Spirometra and Diphyllobothrium should be amalgamated. Thus the genus is clearly in need of taxonomic revision but because of the parasites variability, there is insufficient detailed data on "rare" species for a satisfactory revision at the present time.
The similarity between the Australian Spirometra and those in other localities, in particular Japan, and the absence of any records of definitive hosts among animals native to Australia, suggests that this parasite has been introduced to Australia, possibly by mans activities.
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Thorogood, Carol. "Politics and the professions: Homebirth in Western Australia." Thesis, Thorogood, Carol (2000) Politics and the professions: Homebirth in Western Australia. PhD thesis, Murdoch University, 2000. https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/52312/.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis explores the historical, social, political and economic influences on the politics of Australian homebirth, specifically the processes whereby the state enables or restricts independent midwifery practice.
By using documentary sources of letters, official correspondence, literature reviews, interviews with key stakeholders and case studies the thesis provides an historical overview and interpretative critique of the cultural, political and bureaucratic processes surrounding the provision of midwife-managed homebirth services. It shows how authoritative knowledge about birthing is created, promulgated and challenged, highlighting the nexus between authoritative knowledge and the distribution of medical power. The Commonwealth’s Alternative Birthing Services Program is used as a case study to illustrate how the medical discourses of 'risk' and 'safety' legitimate medical power and practice as well as the relative lack of power of midwives. Just as importantly, the thesis demonstrates how birth activists overcame the obstacles placed in their paths and in doing so used the Alternative Birthing Services Program to create new models of woman-centred birthing.
This thesis argues that an important objective for both bureaucrats and the midwifery profession is to continue to challenge and indeed change entrenched patriarchal, state-supported medical practices. Only then will homebirths be regarded not as an alternative but one of a range of core, mainstream birthing options.
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Twomey, Luke J. "The phytoplankton ecology of Wilson Inlet, Western Australia." Thesis, Curtin University, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/770.
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Twomey, Luke J. "The phytoplankton ecology of Wilson Inlet, Western Australia." Curtin University of Technology, School of Environmental Biology, 2000. http://espace.library.curtin.edu.au:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=9801.
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Wibisono, Gunawan. "Laboratory stiffness characterization of Western Australia asphalt mixtures." Thesis, Curtin University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/1955.
Full textAbstract:
Stiffness is an important input in mechanistic-empirical pavement design method. The present study investigates asphalt performance and stiffness of Western Australian mixtures, namely creep, resilient modulus, beam fatigue and dynamic modulus. The Witczak and Hirsch predictive models were used in this research. Results show that WA asphalt mixtures have acceptable creep, flexural stiffness, resilient and dynamic modulus. There is a good correlation between the predicted and laboratory measured dynamic modulus values.
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Jahn, Inalee C. "Crustal evolution of the Capricorn Orogen, Western Australia." Thesis, Curtin University, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/75146.
Full textAbstract:
The Capricorn Orogen, Western Australia records the Palaeoproterozoic convergence and collision of the Archaean Yilgarn and Pilbara Cratons during the formation of the West Australian Craton, and over one billion years of subsequent intracontinental crustal reworking. This study uses an integrated analytical study of the isotopic and geochemical systematics in zircon from Capricorn Orogen granites in order to identify the magmatic sources and the fundamental geodynamic processes that have contributed to its crustal evolution.
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O'Beirne, Cameron. "Online Strategies for Sport Organisations in Western Australia." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2003. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1741.
Full textAbstract:
The globalisation of communications has brought with it the ability to increase the efficiency of various business aspects of sport organisations. Although the use of the Internet may be seen as a promotional and strategic eBusiness tool, there is little empirical evidence or analysis of the influence of organisational strategy on Internet initiatives within sport organisations. Little is known about the nature and effects of eBusiness developments in voluntary sport organisations and the extent that various sport management constructs influence organisational strategy to deliver sport business growth. Most of the existing research on the subject has simply provided what amounts to check lists of desired outcomes, or descriptive analysis of use of the Internet by sport organisations. This study has sought to investigate factors that contribute to voluntary sport organisations in Western Australia developing online strategies. To do this it was necessary to define characteristics of online sport organisations and development of a framework through an extensive literature review. Using sport strategic types from the literature, 5 imperatives of sport organisation strategy were identified and used to assist in developing research questions for the study. Specifically, the research sought to investigate what computer technologies are currently being utilised by sport organisations, how the Internet was being used by sport organisations, what were the features of sport organisation websites, which strategic imperatives contributed to the development of online strategies, and how do these strategic imperatives contribute to the development of online strategies. The research utilised complementary methods incorporating both qualitative and quantitative measures. The study used descriptive methodology to report what actually happened whilst examining relationships between strategic imperatives and the sport organisations through case study analysis. The major methods of data collection were survey analysis and interviews with key stakeholders within the sport organisations. The use of computer technology by sport organisations, and the use and role of the Internet within sport organisations was investigated. This was followed by an exploration of the features and characteristics of sport 2 organisation web sites which was analysed and contrasted with previous studies. This survey analysis provided a starting point for the main part of the study that entailed interviews with a number of participants from volunteer sport organisations in Western Australia. Using an interview guide approach, participants provided responses grouped around strategic imperatives for sport strategy that included fundability, the size of the client base, volunteer appeal, support group appeal, and total costs. Phenomenological nodes that arose from the research based on the qualitative method were analysed using a statistical computer program, NUD•IST. Using a case study analysis, the study explored a number of themes and issues that emerged from the data which influenced the development of Internet strategies within sport organisations. These included themes of strategic capability, intermediation effects, financial aspects, the issue of control, as well as measuring value. A plan of strategic preparedness for the online sport organisation was subsequently developed utilising the themes and results that emerged from the data coupled with planning models identified from the literature. The results of this research have many implications for the voluntary sport organisation in maximising online innovations to drive sport business growth. At the conclusion of the thesis, extensive recommendations for further research are provided.
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Gwakuba, Umile. "Police engagement with African communities in Western Australia." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2022. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/2565.
Full textAbstract:
Utilising a qualitative, grounded theory methodology, this research investigated police engagement with the African communities, especially youth in Western Australia. Voices of African youth, police officers and African leaders’ perspectives and experiences were captured through in-depth interviews and focus groups in relation to the nature of their relationship. Factors contributing to the relationship and considerations for effective engagement between the multiple parties were explored.
Overall, the study found that the relationship between African youth and police in Western Australia was tense and filled with mistrust. There was a gap between standard policing and the community policing models when addressing non-law-abiding African youth, particularly around the Perth commercial business district (CBD). Community policing was found to effectively engage African community leaders and their associations but unable to address ongoing tension between patrol officers and African youth in entertainment precincts around Perth CBD. African leaders were concerned with the harsh treatment of African youth by police and disappointed with non-law-abiding youths’ refusal to attend support events they organise for them. Youth accused police of being racist towards them. Many participants evidenced excessive monitoring and movement restrictions (through move-on notices), arrests and hefty charges in Perth CBD as being racially motivated. Police participants accused African youth of disorderly behaviour, including challenging police authority and involvement in violent crimes. Police, youth and African elders noted a lack of cultural sensitivity and training of patrol officers, as well as a lack of understanding of legal and policing matters by African youth. Considering community engagement models from both community development and community policing engagement perspectives, a community policing engagement model for culturally and linguistically (CaLD) communities has been proposed based on data obtained.
Participation of African communities, especially youth, on policing matters, recruitment of African people into WA Police, cultural training of police officers and providing education to African communities on policing and legal matters are key to resolving tensions and building trust between the two parties. The continued tension and reported racism towards African youth in Perth CBD has brought into question WA police’s legitimacy, commitment to procedural justice and protection of basic human rights in terms of freedom of movement and inclusion of all citizens. While youth were interviewed from various Perth suburbs, there was a suggestion that the major concerns they had related more to the Perth CBD. By not prioritising non-law-abiding African youth and relying on African leaders to report community policing issues, police are not effectively addressing ongoing crime issues. Therefore, community policing needs to prioritise members of community who engage most with police, driven by core business needs and achieved by aligning standard policing and community policing priorities to work together in addressing African youth challenges.
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Storer, Timothy. "Ethology and production of freshwater crayfish in aquatic polysystems in Western Australia." Thesis, Curtin University, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/2442.
Full textAbstract:
Aquatic polyculture has been recognised as a potential way of increasing the costeffectiveness of farming marron (Cherax tenuimanus), as it can lower average costs of production, increase system yields, and reduce economic risks associated with monoculture operations. Polyculture also increases ecological stability and assists recycling processes, which can result in synergistic benefits to participating species. In aquaculture, this synergism can result in increased profitability through advanced growth rates and/or reduced feed input. However, many of the inherent advantages of aquatic polyculture rely on cohabitants occupying distinct ecological niches within the system. In Western Australia, opportunities to multi-crop aquatic species are limited by species choice due to low natural diversity and strict translocation policies. This creates a situation where available aquaculture species exhibit overlaps in occupied niches. Effects of this overlap can include direct predation, increased intraspecific conflict, and competition for resources such as shelter and food. Prior to this study, silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus) were identified as a prime candidate for duoculture with marron, based on favourable schooling and feeding characteristics, and preliminary trials demonstrated commercial benefits, including synergistic growth advantages to marron. However, investigations also showed that silver perch will predate on both small and moulting crayfish under certain conditions, and that growth of silver perch was inhibited when held in cages to prevent predation. The work reported in this thesis was undertaken to address the niche overlap existing between marron and silver perch, and therefore assist the marron industry in Western Australia in implementing appropriate management strategies for diversification.Research focussed on investigating the ecological issues underlying interspecific interactions in marron polysystems, with the eventual aim of presenting information that could assist system managers in determining optimal conditions required to reduce antagonistic relationships and maximise synergism, ultimately leading to higher yields. Seven trials were conducted in three culture systems (54L aquaria, 250L aquaria and 720m2 experimental ponds) examining the ability of marron to detect, recognise and respond to a range of information cues (chemical, visual, tactile) from two potential predators (silver perch and Murray cod), with and without competition from conspecific and heterospecific crayfish (Cherax albidus). The ability of marron to interpret and respond appropriately to these variables was tested under a range of system-specific conditions, including stocking density, stocking size, shelter/habitat complexity, food availability, light intensity and life stage. Cage culture conditions were also examined to determine if the addition of shelter would mediate growth inhibition previously recorded, and to determine the desired stocking regime to return market sized fish in one growth season (8 months). Results from laboratory research and field-based trials did not support the free-range culture of marron and silver perch, even where turbidity and habitat complexity is high. Although both male and female marron (various sizes) demonstrated an ability to detect and differentiate between chemical and visual cues from potential predators, avoidance responses were only displayed upon attack from predators, or following predation of conspecifics; and avoidance strategies employed by marron were relatively ineffective.Although marron showed some capacity to recognise an impending predatory threat, high initial mortalities and growth inhibition due to reduced foraging, would greatly reduce system yields. In addition, intraspecific competition between marron is likely to increase as avoidance responses would lead to high relative densities within shelters. The lack of avoidance behaviour displayed by marron when only visual and chemical cues from predators are present strongly supports cage culture of silver perch in marron ponds. As marron did not appear to alter their general behaviour (e.g. foraging) based on cues associated with silver perch held in cages they stand to benefit from cohabitation. Field-trials examining the pond culture of marron and caged silver perch demonstrated synergistic growth advantages to marron, compared to monoculture, and also identified several system variables that appear to improve polyculture production. The addition of bank shelters (within 1m of waters edge) was suggested to give marron a competitive advantage when moulting, expressed through growth and survival. Survival of marron was also increased in caged polyculture ponds, compared to monoculture, most likely due to increased health status (due to improved recycling) and/ or increased habitat complexity owing to the presence of fish cages. Growth inhibition previously reported when silver perch are held in cages was mediated to some degree by cage shelters, which appeared to increase feeding behaviour, reduce general anxiety and resulted in increased growth. The introduction of advanced silver perch fingerlings in order to produce market-sized fish in one growth season was also supported. However, it is recommended that cage culture dynamics require further elucidation if silver perch are to be commercially successful as a stand-alone crop using this growout strategy.Significantly, the synergistic growth advantages experienced by marron when grown with fish demonstrate value from polyculture even if fish are not depended on as a secondary income. In this case, other species may also provide similar advantages, and a native candidate such as freshwater cobbler (Tandanus bostocki) would also redress problems associated with translocation laws restricting the use of silver perch in some areas of Western Australia. As no density effects were recorded in any of the trials conducted for either species, further investigation into increased system loads is required. In addition, as nutrient loads, and thus phytoplankton density, usually increases proportionately with pond biomass it is recommended that an additional herbivorous species, for example white eye mullet (Mugil cephalus), be examined in conjunction with increased density trials. Field research reported in this thesis was carried out in earthen ponds utilising remediated water from a acidified mine lake. Over a three-year period water quality parameters were maintained within optimal ranges for marron and silver perch, and survival and growth of both species was comparable to industry levels. These results validate the effectiveness of mine-water treatment technology; and accordingly, results support commercial viability of crayfish polyculture utilising remediated acid mine water. The large water resources offered by the numerous artificial lakes created from open cut mining has the potential to sustain a large successful aquaculture industry for Collie (Western Australia), and in other areas with extension of water treatment technology.The incorporation of caged silver perch into marron ponds not only takes advantage of the inherent economic and risk-spreading benefits from a diversified management strategy, but also incorporates a number of within-system benefits due to synergism between species. The ecological approach to aquatic polyculture research reported in this thesis has elucidated key communication factors underlying interactions within crayfish polysystems, which is critical to a knowledge-based approach to system management.
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Murray, Kaye. "Irene Greenwood: A voice for peace." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2002. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/722.
Full textAbstract:
The thesis establishes the contribution to feminism and the peace of Western Australian broadcaster, (Dr.) Irene Greenwood (AM). In spite of efforts by organised peace groups to persuade governments of the social, political and environmental consequences of violence and warfare, ours is still a violent and war-torn world. Feminism has made significant contributions to peace and justice and Greenwood’s social activism provides the opportunity to explore these links. The media are a powerful tool for social change. In a global climate where violence and warfare are the media’s currency, Irene Greenwood’s broadcasting career provides opportunities to explore the historical connections between internationalism, feminism and peace.