Events The Indonesia Update seminar will be held in the Coombs Lecture Theatre on September 19­20. The conference attracts those in government, the diplomatic community, academia and business. An annual event since 1983, the theme this year will be "Technology in Indonesia's Development". The conference will look at policy; analytical issues; business case studies; international cooperation and transfers; and economic issues in various sectors of the economy. Attendance is free. Phone (02) 6249-3794 for information. ANU Open Day is on Saturday, September 13 from 10­4 at the Student Union and the Manning Clark Centre. For the first time this year ANU, University of Canberra, Canberra Institute of Technology, the Signadou campus of the Australian Catholic University and the Australian Defence Force Academy share the same open day. A bus will link campuses throughout the day. Potential students and the local community will have access to information on ANU academic programs and campus life. Inquires to (02) 6249 4803. The ACT Tournament of Minds, a team competition in problem solving for students in years five to nine, is on the weekend of September 6­7. This year, 658 primary and 343 high school and college students from the Canberra region are enrolled in the event to be held in the Manning Clark Centre. Inquiries to Giles Pickford on (02) 6249 0794. "Monga", a cross-disciplinary exhibition combining works of ANU artists and science students, inspired by the Monga State Forest near Braidwood, is showing at the Canberra School of Art until August 29. The exhibition, which opens at 6pm tonight, aims to demonstrate the cultural, aesthetic and educational value of the Monga forest which is being considered for logging. The Ensemble Gradiva will perform at the Canberra School of Music on August 20. Sponsored by the Alliance Française, the ensemble has earned acclaim for their interpretations of 17th and 18th century music. ANU staff and students are eligible for special ticket prices. Phone ANU Ticketing Services for information. Dr John Polkinghorne, President of Queen's College, Cambridge will deliver the 1997 Burgmann College Lecture on "Faith in science: the relationship between science and religion." It will be given in the Charles Hawker Common Room at Burgmann College on Friday, September 12 at 8pm. For information phone (02) 6267 5211. The ANU Mountaineering Club presents a talk by two of Australia's most accomplished mountaineers, Tim Macartney-Snape and Lincoln Hall, on Friday, September 26, Manning Clark Theatre. Phone William Keogh on (02) 6249 4914. The Canberra Cross Country Ski Club is holding the Kosciusko Tour on September 14. It is open to all levels of skiers. Contact coordinator Brian Bateman on (02) 6231 5618 or Keith Vallard on (02) 6254 0115. People Five ANU staff members have received Council Medals for General Staff Excellence for 1997. Faculty of Asian Studies administrator Elizabeth Kat; Fenner Hall business manager Loc Luu; ANU Health Service nursing sister and disability adviser to the Academic Registrar's Division Margaret Miller; Public Affairs Division Community Relations Manager Giles Pickford; and Dana Sanchez, a senior technical officer in the Faculty of Science's Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, were selected from a list of 33 nominees. The scheme, to recognise and encourage outstanding contributions of members of the general staff of the University, has been extended for a further five years. The recipients will receive their medals at the September conferring ceremonies. A rise in nominations this year, from the 20 put forward last year, has resulted in a wider representation of men and women; classification groups and locations throughout the university. Ray Whitrod will be presented with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws on August 25, to mark his commitment to justice, equity and high professional standards in policing. The honour will be presented by Chancellor Professor Peter Baume at a special conferring ceremony at the University of Adelaide. In the citation, Mr Whitrod is recognised for his distinguished career as Commissioner of Commonwealth Police, Commissioner of Police for the Territory of Papua and New Guinea, and Commissioner of Police in Queensland. The citation says Mr Whitrod's career in PNG was distinguished by tact and humanity in the face of problems characteristic of the late colonial era. He made significant contributions to raising the educational qualifications and professionalism of police in Australia, especially his efforts to help establish the Commonwealth Police College and the Australian Police Staff College. PhD student Michael Grimm has won the Fenner Medal for an outstanding thesis in the John Curtin School of Medical Research. His thesis looked at inflammatory diseases of the intestinal tract and the role of peptide molecules called chemokines in perpetuating the disease. The award was presented by Professor Frank Fenner at a ceremony held early this month. Only the second time ever awarded, the medal bears the likeness of Prof Fenner and was designed by Horst Hahne at the Royal Australian Mint. Dr Penny Olsen, ARC Research Fellow, Division of Botany and Zoology in the Faculty of Science, has been awarded the 1997 Serventy Medal for outstanding contributions to Australian ornithology. Mr Bryce Bayley is leaving the university after 38 years of service. He started his career at the ANU in the Zoology Department and later in The Faculties Business Manager's Group. Recently he has worked in University Purchasing. He and his wife Robyn will be moving to Mogo on the South Coast where they have bought a craft shop. Professor Prapon Wiliarat was joint winner of the 1997 "Outstanding Scientist of the Year prize" in Thailand for his work on the biochemistry of red blood cell membranes. His twin brother Professor Prapin Wiliarat is involved fulltime with the Doping Control Centre, preparing the laboratory for the Asian Games in December 1998 by obtaining IOC accreditation. These identical twins are remembered fondly at the ANU for the confusion they caused. The administration computer had convulsions trying to deal with two students named P Wiliarat who received identical results. Professor John Niland, Vice-Chancellor of the University of New South Wales, has been elected President of the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee (AVCC). Prof Niland will take up the position for two years on January 1 when the term of the current President, Professor Fay Gale, expires.