Planet Saver a Winner

"Mary D'Souza, sister of our Treasurer, has been internationally acclaimed for her development reported below. She is currently in London presenting her research.

"An Australian has won an international prize for her plan to stop a 330m-diameter asteroif from hitting Earth in 2036.

Mary D'Souza, a PhD student at University of Queensland's School of Engineering won the Space Generation Advisory Council's Move An Asteroid 2008 competition.

Her plan involves using enhanced solar radiation pressure to move the asteroid off its path to Earth by wrappign it with Mylar film, "a step up from Kevlar" she said.

Ms D'Souza said a satellite could orbit the asteroid to wrap half of it in Mylar ribbon.

The ribbon would change the asteroid's surface to reflective, using solar power to move it away from sun and Earth."1

Source 1: Herald Sun, Melbourne, Saturday 23 August 2008.

Goenkar in the RAAF

Savio Pereira, a recent Aerospace Engineering graduate from RMIT University, Victoria, Australia graduated as an officer of the RAAF last Friday 15 June 2007 at the Graduation Parade at RAAF Base Williams, Victoria, becoming one of the first Goans in The Royal Australian Air Force

Read a report by Chris da Costa.
See the event in pictures.

Building Surveying Student - Best in Victoria

VU student, Thomas D'Souza was named the best student in Victoria in the field of Building Surveying, across all years of study, by the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors in October.

Thomas, who hails from Coburg and studies at Footscray Park Campus, is studying for a Bachelor of Engineering – Building Surveying, and a Bachelor of Engineering – Architectural Engineering.

“Thomas is an outstanding student," said VU senior lecturer, Dr Paul Clancy. "He was dux of third-year courses in the School of Architectural, Civil and Mechanical Engineering at the University in 2003.

“Originally, Thomas was studying at The University of Melbourne but he became inspired by building surveying and architecture, so he moved to Victoria University to undertake study in the areas he has a passion for.”

VU’s Professor Akhtar Kalam, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology said that Thomas is not only an excellent student, he also undertakes considerable charity work for the community.

"He drives a truck for St Vincent de Paul on a weekly basis and also does charitable work for St Bernard’s Church in Coburg East," Professor Kalam said. "Thomas is to be congratulated for his outstanding achievement.”