School of Geography - Theses
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ItemA comparative analysis of litter generated at shopping centres, roadsides and riverside-foothpaths within the Plenty River catchment and the extent to which litter from these sources is reflected in the composition of bank litter along the Plenty River( 1996)Litter studies often face the problem of category overlaps when attempts are made to classify litter items. This study proposes a classification that is aimed at minimising the problem of category overlaps. It then employs this classification in comparing litter characteristics at various generation points within the Plenty River catchment and the extent to which the litter found entangled on banks of the river relates to that at the various source sites. In addition, the local litter policies and management strategies are reviewed against experiences from other parts of the world. The litter classification employed in this study describes litter items on the basis of their use-origin and material-type. Litter generation areas at which survey was undertaken were Greensborough, Montmorency and Lower Plenty shopping centres; roadsides adjacent to bridge sites and riverside footpaths along the Plenty River. Riverbank litter sampling was undertaken at points near roadside and riversidefootpath survey sites. A comparative review of litter policies and management strategies from various parts of the world revealed some desirable aspects that could benefit litter management in Australia. The `Systems Approach' as the guide to litter policy and management strategy formulation in Victoria was found to have inherent weaknesses that partly account for the persistence of litter pollution. Using data from litter survey at shopping centres, roadsides and riverside footpaths, it was found that: (a) Litter generated within different shopping centres was not significantly different but smoking-related litter pose the most serious cause of concern owing to its dominant frequency, (b) litter at roadsides next to bridge-sites within the catchment had significant differences leading to a conclusion that roadside litter is mostly a function of factors specific to a site. At the same time, a higher relative incidence of litter was observed at roadside points nearer bridges than further up the road; (c) significant differences exist in material-type frequency composition of litter between riverside footpath sites and this was viewed as indicative of a higher likelihood among individuals to improperly dispose of certain litter items than others. On the basis of data from riverbank litter survey, this study found that: (a) the distribution of litter by type of material on different types and extent of riverbank vegetation cover is random; (b) riverbank morphology does not to influence the distribution of total litter items entangled on a riverbank; (c) litter generated at riverside footpaths has a higher relative likelihood of polluting the river banks than that generated at more remote locations (shopping centres and roadsides).
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ItemTelework and child-care : life stage factors and preference for telework( 1996)Telework is a type of work practice that is claimed will provide many employees the opportunity to more satisfactorily balance their work and family commitments, whilst also providing benefits to employers and society. Past research indicates that telework has so far been mostly taken up by women (Huws et al 1990 p.96; Schneider De Villegas 1990, p.425), and suggests that telework, as practiced overseas has been of particular interest to women with young children (Kraut 1989 Fig.2; DuBrin 1991 p. 1230; Yap & Tng 1990 p.234; Dawson & Turner 1989 pi8; Korte 1988 p.168). The reasons which are proposed by this previous research for the interest which mothers of pre-school children have in teleworking, centre on their need or desire to combine employment with the care of their young children (eg. Huws et al 1990 p.145). It is surprising therefore, that none of these studies have considered the impact of telework on the conventional strategies employed by individuals to accommodate child-care responsibilities. The impetus for this thesis was the passing of the Australian Public Service Home Based Work Interim Award in February 1994, for federal public service employees. The award is Australia's, and possibly the world's, first. Much of the media fanfare surrounding this award has concentrated on the notion that telework provides a good opportunity for women to combine work and child-care (quotes from press articles are provided in Appendix 1). However, the research literature which addresses women and telework is inconclusive as to whether women with young children in Australia will view telework as a superior alternative to their existing child-care options. This gap in the research literature was reflected in a 1989 report by the Department of Employment, Education and Training in Australia (Dawson & Turner 1989 p.64), which recommended that research was required to answer the questions:- "Is increasingly 'flexible' employment protecting and encouraging full and equitable participation by women in the [Australian] workforce? Are there other employment options which should be encouraged?" Given that no empirical research had emerged with which to answer these questions, it seemed appropriate for the present study to review the current situation, and contribute in a practical way to the discourse on telework in Australia. This study therefore aims to explore women's attitudes to telework across life cycle stages (expanding from Huws et al 1990); it explores key factors which are likely to influence demand for telework among women; and it compares preference for telework with preference for other work/no work options (updating Vandenheuval 1991). The sample for the study is restricted to computer professionals (programmers, systems analysts, and data processing managers). This study therefore, does not consider 'clerical teleworking' by clerical/secretarial and data entry staff, but only 'professional teleworking' by higher paid staff. This is a significant point, as the two forms exhibit different characteristics (Tomaskovic-Devey & Risman 1993; DiMartino & Wirth 1990 p.537; Weijers, et al. 1992 p.1049; Huws et al , 1990 p. 176; and Bailyn 1988 p.144). Bailyn (ibid) posits that "some of the confusion in the discussion of working from home has resulted from not clearly differentiating these two types of employees". In respect to this point therefore, the focused approach of this study provides some needed specificity.
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ItemA perspective on elderly, chronic and alcolholic homeless men in inner city Melbourne( 1996)We often read and hear in the media, about homelessness such as youth homelessness, family breakdown and homelessness, unemployment and homelessness, but only once in a while it is brought to our attention about the elderly alcoholic, homeless and destitute men. These men are undersocialised, lonely and completely disregarded by society. They are on the scrap heap of our society, disadvantaged, neglected and ignored and to a great extent forgotten because of their plight. This thesis will examine some major causes of why these men have become homeless and destitute, their health related problems and family breakdowns. Many of these men, despite the wide range of education and occupation they have gained in their younger years, have all come to live the same life style. They are disaffiliated mainly because of their addiction to alcohol and substance abuse, which in some cases could has caused mental illness. Consequently, they depend on welfare, charity organisations and reception centres for their everyday survival.
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ItemProtecting refugee women: policies and procedures for Australia's 'Woman at Risk' program( 1996)It is estimated that 80% of the world's refugees are women and their dependant children. The Australian Woman at Risk program has met its annual allocations in 2 of the 7 years of its operation. The following research asks why this has occurred. This is done by examining the program logic, and commitment to program success present in the two main organisations involved in the program's administration; UNHCR and the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs. Differing perspectives of the target group, `women at risk', and the best ways to serve it, are presented by these bureaucracies, NGOs and feminist literature. A subsidiary question to the thesis is the extent to which NGOs, research and community concerns have been influential in the far reaching developments now taking place in the two groups responsible for the program operation.