On the verge of greatness

When Russell Walker says “Geelong is on the verge of greatness” he is not talking footy.

He is talking about the university town he is not just proud, but thrilled, to call home again.

“I know it sounds hackneyed to say that about Geelong, but I genuinely believe it, it’s on the verge of greatness,” says Russell, who along with Chris Hum (www.deakin.edu.au/research/stories/dynamic.php?story_id=68), has just joined Deakin University’s Research Services Division as a Research Development Manager.

“In terms of infrastructure and opportunities for business it has all the advantages of a large city but few of the drawbacks.

“I am certain that Deakin University is going to be such a huge part of Geelong’s greatness and in my new role, I want to be part of that too.

“It has been really fantastic to have had the opportunity to work and study all over the world, but then to come back to my home town at this incredibly exciting moment in its history.”

Russell’s journey from high school drop-out to highly credentialled physicist and consultant has taken him to Europe, Asia and North America.

“I left Geelong at 19, as you do,” he chuckles.

“I worked in insurance in Melbourne but decided I wanted to do more with my life.

“I got into university as a mature age student, I obtained my PhD from Melbourne University and did post doctorate work in Ireland.

“I also worked in the United States but after September 11, I made the decision to return to Melbourne where I worked as a consultant in the science technology and higher education areas and then with the Victorian Government.

“After a while, I began to feel the pull of Geelong, the lure of the lifestyle obviously, but also I was becoming aware, because of my work with the Victorian Government, of some of the really great science and business opportunities here.

“Geelong is not yet as well known for its science as it should be, but a big part of this job at Deakin is to change that, to leverage the relationship between the university and the State government to its full potential in terms of scientific partnerships.”

Another of Russell’s goals is help Deakin reach its target of 60 industry partnerships housed on the GTP by the year 2012.

“One of the great benefits of these partnerships in addition to the great scientific work is the creation of jobs,” he said. “Deakin is playing an important part in creating new, sustainable employment opportunities in Geelong.

“That, as I have discovered since coming back, has changed the relationship between the city and the university.

“There is a greater interaction between Deakin and the Geelong community then there was when I was growing up here.

“People in Geelong who don’t normally have a lot to do with the university are now expressing a pride and a connection with Deakin.

“What is happening reminds me of some of my experiences in Cork in Ireland, where the university is a very important part of the city, or in Chapel Hill in the United States where I also spent some time.

“Geelong is becoming a university town. There are these great synergies between the townspeople, between businesses and between the researchers.

“There has never been a better time for business or government to make the move to Geelong and to Deakin.

“If I was in a business looking for develop a partnership with a university, I would be jumping in with Deakin right now because in five years time, well it could be too late, a lot of the opportunities might have been taken up by others.”

Russell was well aware of that when he made the decision to buy a new home for his family, wife Vivien and son Byron.

“We were being priced out of the Melbourne market, but we could get the house we wanted in Geelong, and within walking distance of the university,” he says. “I don’t expect that will be the case in five years time as more and more, the word gets out about how you can mix a great lifestyle with being involved in world-class, cutting-edge research.

“I can tell you, I am more than happy to be home!”

By the way, if you want to talk Geelong the footy club to Russell as well as Geelong the town, he will tell you exactly the game thing: “Geelong is on the verge of greatness!”

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