THE GRADUATE UNION
NEWSLETTER A PR I L 2 0 2 2
IN THIS ISSUE 4 Message from the General Manager 5 Celebration of 60 years of Graduate House as a Residential College
GU Collegiate 6 April Monthly Luncheon 7 Ramadan Iftar Dinner 8 AGM Dinner
Reciprocal News 9
- Member benefits
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- New South Wales Masonic Club
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- Clubs in the United Kingdom
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- Reciprocal Clubs Drinks Night
Feature Stories 12 Graduate House: 60 years a Residential College Interview series 13
- Interview with Minghao (Tiger) Yan
14 Aeyons - World leading platform for online instrumental teaching 16 They all looked in wonder at the moon, by Member Louis A Coutts
Review 18 March Monthly Luncheon with Victor Perton, by Cr Keith Ryall 20 Some thoughts on Optimism, by Member Pat Smith
News from Graduate House 21 Former Chairman awarded a Member of the Order (AM) 21 Organisations patronage and feedback 22 Welcome BBQ Seen at Graduate House
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- Women’s Forum group
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- Memorial Dinner for the late Ruth Stark
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- Students from UoM Resident members News
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- GHSG Committee Valete
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- Judith Anne Mulholland
Editor: Shirley Ho Email: shirley.ho@graduatehouse.com.au/ publications@graduatehouse.com.au All images used in this publication are the resources of The Graduate Union and public sourced domains.
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ITALIAN CONVERSATION LUNCH Tuesday, 5th, 19th April 12:00pm – 2:00pm Enjoy lunch while learning to speak Italian with an experienced teacher. Members $12, non-members $20.
MONTHLY LUNCHEON Wednesday, 6th April 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Professor Alfred Poulos will talk about his book, The Secret Life of Chemicals. Dine In: Members $37, non-members $42. Virtual attendance: Members $10, non-members $15
BRIDGE NIGHT
Wednesday, 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th April 7:15pm – 9:30pm A fantastic opportunity to play social bridge. All levels of bridge players welcome. Player fees: Members $2, non-members $5. Food and beverages at bar prices.
RAMADAN IFTAR DINNER Friday, 8th April 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Resident Members free, Members $20, Students: $21, Loyalty Card Holders $23, non-members $25.
SPECIAL MORNING BREAKFAST Tuesday, 12th April 7:30am – 8:30am Members and their guests are welcome to join Resident Members for a hearty breakfast at Graduate House. Free for Resident Members, Members $12, non-members $20.
WOMEN’S FORUM Wednesday, 20th April 10:00am for 10.30am start The topic of this forum is “What is tree policy today for the state and the local government?” The Women’s Forum group extends invitation to new members and welcomes new ideas. Discussions are held in an informal and friendly atmosphere. The group then adjourns for lunch in the dining room. The forum is free. All are welcome.
APRIL EVENTS BOOK NOW: (03) 9347 3428 admingh@graduatehouse.com.au www.graduatehouse.com.au
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Message
From the General Manager
Welcome to 2022 and to another great college year at Graduate House! To our current residents, we hope you are enjoying your stay with us. To our new residents, a very warm welcome – we trust you have settled in comfortably and are making new friends. Thank you for choosing to make Graduate House your ‘home away from home’ and we hope that you will have a memorable time during your residency here. From all the staff at The Graduate Union, we hope that every member is safe and well as we continue to transition out of this pandemic. The start of the year has been promising with members and their guests returning to the dining room and attending events. There has been an increase in the number of new residents checking in and residents returning to our college after the vacation to start the summer academic term. It is so uplifting to see everyone again. The lively atmosphere of Graduate House is definitely returning and the place is beginning to hum again. Over the past two years it had been very quiet and, at times, too lonely. The team and I here are working hard and the words of support received from members and residents have been tremendously motivating. Our aim for 2022 and 2023 is to rebuild the College and the Association to its pre-pandemic vibrancy. As you will see on page 5 of this Newsletter, we are making a concerted effort to engage more with the Association’s membership and are inviting you to tell us your special interests. Perhaps you might be interested in mentoring one of our residents, or teaching a short course (for example, thesis writing, or a less academically focused topic that might be of interest to our residents). We welcome your suggestions. Considering that the Association has now been active for 110 years, and that 2022 marks 60 years since Graduate House became a residential college for graduates, there is no better time than now to reinstil what makes The Graduate Union and Graduate House so special. Your support might involve referring others to join our membership, or putting your hand up and joining a subcommittee to help drive the Association. We will keep you informed of new events planned in conjunction with these two significant milestones. The 110th Jubilee Anniversary Endowment has only recently been set-up and is progressing well, and we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Graduate House as a residential college with a Life Membership drive. We look forward to seeing and hearing from all members of this great Association. Sincerely, Daniel Clark
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Celebration of
60 years of Graduate House as a Residential College
We want to hear from you if you: •
have lived at Graduate House at any point since 1962.
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belong to a cohort of members who took up Life Membership decades ago.
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want to take out a generational membership, e.g a Jubilee Legacy Life Membership, which could be passed on to a nominee or descendant.
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want to become a part of the ‘1911 Circle’ or a ‘Jubilee 110 Donor’, in recognition of 110 years of The Graduate Union as an association.
Special Interest Group Initiatives We thrive to bring more services to our members and residents. To make The Graduate Union more relevant to you, we are asking for your expression of interest. Tell us what you would like to see at Graduate House or how you can be a part of our organisation. Some suggestions already in place are: •
a mentoring role.
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activities to cater for different age groups, e.g ‘happy hour’ drinks.
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joining any of our subcommittees.
Send your enquiries and suggestions to: Tel: 03 93473428/ Email: admingh@graduatehouse.com.au or publications@graduatehouse.com.au
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GU COL L EGI ATE
Monthly Luncheon (Hybrid event)
with Professor Alfred Poulos W E D N E S DAY, 6 T H A P R I L In this presentation, Professor Poulos will talk about his book, The Secret Life of Chemicals which provides extensive information on chemicals that inhabit our environment, food, water and air and explores the impact chemicals may be having on human health.
Born in Australia of Greek parents, Professor Alfred Poulos has worked in universities, research institutes and hospitals in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. Alfred has a PhD from London University, a law degree from Adelaide University and a professorship from Adelaide University, for his research into genetic diseases, fats and fat metabolism. He held the position of Chief Medical Scientist at the Adelaide Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide, South Australia, for many years and has published over 150 papers in international scientific and medical journals. He is a current member of the Alfred Health Ethics Committee, reviewing research projects for Alfred Health and Alfred Research Alliance partners. While Professor Poulos’ medical and scientific research has been wide and varied, it has chiefly focused on the role fats play in health and disease. His recent interests are in nutrition, and in the chemical pollutants present in our food, water and the environment. To learn more on his other publications, go to: https://professoralfredpoulos.com/about-professor-alfred-poulos/
12:00noon arrival for 12:30pm start (Online: 1:15pm Please logon 1:10pm) Graduate House 220 Leicester Street, Carlton, VIC, 3053 Online Booking: https://www.graduatehouse.com.au/coming-events/monthly-luncheon-2022-april/ Phone: (03) 9347 3428 Email: admingh@graduatehouse.com.au Dine in Pricing: Members $37, non-members $42 Virtual Attendance Pricing: Members $10, non-members $15
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G U CO LLEGIAT E
Ramadan Iftar Dinner at Graduate House Friday, 8th April 2022 6:00pm — 7:30pm In Islamic culture, Iftar is the evening meal after sunset that breaks the daily Ramadan fast. We invite you to join us at this event for an evening banquet and celebration. We welcome guests of different faiths and cultures. Please advise us of special dietary requirements. Our culinary team will provide alternative options.
Menu Entrée • Lentil soup with lemon (v, gf) Main Course (served f rom the servery) • Boneless roast chicken thighs with roz bil khalta • Mint yoghurt lamb cutlets with roz bil khalta
RSVP:
Monday, 4th April 2022 Resident Members: Free Members: $20.00 Student: $21.00 Loyalty Card Holders: $23.00 non-members: $25.00
(meaning of roz bil khalta – a traditional favourite, Saudi style white rice with Baharat, pine nuts, raisins and almonds)
• Pita Bread Vegetarian option • Mousaka From the salad bar • Tabouli and hummus Dessert • Dates stuffed with walnuts • Baklava • Oum Ali • Fresh f ruits
ABN: 55610 664 963 IARN: A0023234B
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GU COL L EGI ATE
Peter McMullin
Australian lawyer, businessman and philanthropist
Topic: The University, Human Rights and Philanthropy’
Annual General Meeting Dinner Thursday, 26th May 2022 Hybrid event
Time for those attending at Graduate House 7:00pm drinks and canapés in the Members’ Lounge 7.30pm dinner in the Ian Potter and Stillwell Rooms for those joining online for the presentation 7:45pm link is provided when registering
Bookings RSVP by Monday, 23rd May 2022 Phone (03) 9347 3428 Email admingh@graduatehouse.com.au Online Venue Graduate House, 220 Leicester Street, Carlton
Tickets for those attending at Graduate House $37 Members (non-resident) $10 Members (Resident) $42 non-members $39 non-members (concession) for those joining online for the presentation $10 Members $15 non-members ABN 55 610 664 963 | IARN A0023234B
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Peter is the Chairman and Director of McMullin Group and Special Counsel for Cornwall. He has an extensive legal and business career encompassing prominent roles in public and private sectors. With a deep-seated interest in community affairs, Peter uses his experience wherever possible to further many causes. He believes in the important role of the private sector in leading to resolution pressing societal issues. Peter has spent his career forging positive, constructive partnerships between the private sector and governments, the not-for-profit sector and educational institutions. As an active philanthropist, Peter seeks to collaborate with other individuals and organisations to maximise the impact of his contributions. A recent example is his generous support to establish the Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness at the Law School of The University of Melbourne. Well-known and well-respected, Peter’s previous roles include: •
Councillor and Deputy Lord Mayor, City of Melbourne
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Councillor and Mayor, City of Greater Geelong
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President, Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI)
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Chairman, Melbourne International Comedy Festival
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Deputy President, Museums Board of Victoria
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Board Member, Philanthropy Australia
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Board Member, Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
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Director, National Portrait Gallery of Australia
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President, Geelong Art Gallery
R EC IPR O CAL NEWS
Reciprocal Clubs around the world for Members of The Graduate Union One of the many benefits of becoming a member of The Graduate Union is to be able to enjoy reciprocal arrangements with similar organisations, colleges and university clubs across Australia and the world. This benefit is available because The Graduate Union has individually negotiated reciprocal rights interstate and overseas and; because we are also a member of ACUC (Association of College and University Clubs). This means that you, our members, may access their facilities and theirs, ours. The full list of the Clubs was published in the January/February 2022 issue of our Newsletter and is also available at https://www.graduatehouse.com. au/join-us/reciprocal-associations/. Members who are travelling interstate and overseas may book short term accommodation at these venues. Please contact us before you start your journey and we will provide a letter of introduction which you can use before and during your travels when making individual arrangements with these colleges and university clubs for accommodation and other services. We will be featuring a club in each issue to bring you information about its facilities, starting with New South Wales Masonic Club on page 10.
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REC IPROCAL NEWS
New South Wales Masonic Club Founded in 1893, The NSW Masonic Club is ideally located in a refined heritage property in Sydney’s city centre, on bustling Castlereagh Street, in between Hyde Park and the Queen Victoria Building. It offers a convenient and affordable CBD hotel stay for corporate and leisure guests with theatres, and Sydney’s best dining. It is also within easy walking distance to train and bus transportation services and commercial, retail and most entertainment centres. The popular attractions of Darling Harbour, Sydney Tower, Hyde Park, Royal Botanical Gardens, Harbour Bridge and Opera House are also within easy walking distance. The NSW Masonic Club has social club facilities with Boutique hotel accommodation operating under the banner of Castlereagh Boutique Hotel, encompassing an array of different room types including a selection of twin, double, queen and deluxe suites. All 83 accommodation rooms provide air-conditioning, ensuite, TV, Internet access, refrigerator, mini-bar and tea and coffee making facilities. Adjoining family rooms are also available.
The NSW Masonic Club, front entrance
The Castlereagh Boutique Hotel features a sandstone frontage and stunning art deco architecture which is accentuated by the elegant and luxurious furnishings. Holding a small but significant piece of Sydney’s history, the building was the first reinforced concrete construction seen in Sydney and became the yardstick for all of the other buildings built in the 1920s. This is a remarkable example of period architecture to experience during your stay. The versatile function venues in the club include Cellos Grand Dining Room, the intimate and private Adam Room, The Boardroom, meeting rooms and a variety of bars and restaurant dining areas to suit the needs of members and guests.
Cellos Grand Dining Room, fourth floor
The reciprocal arrangements held between this prestigious Club and The Graduate Union means that our members are guaranteed a warm welcome when choosing to stay at the NSW Masonic Club; and that we, in turn, extend a warm welcome to their members when they choose to reside in Carlton when visiting Melbourne. If you have visited a reciprocal association or been to another college or association which you would recommend to members, please send us your story and share your experience. And dont forget to include holiday and work- related snaps! For more information on The NSW Masonic Club, please go to: https://www.nswmasonicclub.com.au/
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Executive suite
R EC IPR O CAL NEWS
Are you travelling to the UK soon? The Graduate Union has reciprocal arrangement with the following Clubs in London.
Goodenough College Goodenough College is located in Bloomsbury, a vibrant and trendy area in central London, and is close to the underground, bus and mainline transport links. It is an ideal location for sightseeing of all the attractions in London and they offer a choice of accommodation either at London House, The Goodenough on Mecklenburgh Square or William Goodenough residence which are all located on the picturesque Mecklenburgh Square. For bookings and details, visit: www.goodenough.ac.uk
The Oxford and Cambridge Club The Oxford and Cambridge Club is an exclusive private members club in the heart of London. Spacious, private and well-appointed, the Club enables members to meet friends and colleagues in magnificent surroundings, host a party, relax or simply find a quiet place to work. With its elegant Coffee Room, large and well-maintained library, two bars, more than 40 bedrooms and its own sports facilities, the Oxford and Cambridge Club is ideally located for entertaining, relaxation and business. For bookings and details, visit: https://oxfordandcambridgeclub.co.uk/
St. James’s Hotel and Club St. James’s Hotel and Club is a five star townhouse hotel tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac in St James’s, near Mayfair and Piccadilly. It is ideally located within central London and is the perfect base for shopping, culture as well as business meetings or events. It houses fabulous penthouse suites and some of the best guest room terraces in London with stylish, sleek, contemporary and elegant interiors. For bookings and details, visit: https://www.stjameshotelandclub.com/en
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REC IPROCAL NEWS / F E ATU R E STORY
Inaugural Reciprocal Clubs Drinks Night hosted by the Chairman
Friday, 3rd June, 5.30pm onwards at Graduate House, 220 Leicester Street, Carlton This event is the first in a series of initiatives aimed at bringing together our members with members from our reciprocal associations and friends of the University. Future ‘Drinks Night’ events may be held in other venues throughout the year, with details to be announced in the coming Newsletters. Bar prices apply. To book: call 03 9348 3428 or email admingh@graduatehouse com.au
Graduate House: 60 years a Residential College Interview series In the January/February Newsletter we featured ‘Graduate House: 60 years a Residential College’. In commemorating this significant milestone we initiated a year-long series of interviews with residents, particularly undergraduate students who, for the first time in its history have been admitted to Graduate House. These interviews are being undertaken by Emeritus Professor Martin Comte OAM who is a member of the Graduate Union Council. In the previous issue of the Newsletter Martin interviewed residents Ashley Viegas and Stefan Wojcik. This Newsletter features an interview with Minghao (Tiger) Yan, a 1st year undergraduate resident. 12
FE ATU RE STO RY
Minghao (Tiger) Yan
1st Year Undergraduate resident
engineering. I will be majoring in mechanical engineering in my third year and I think that will be a pathway to aerospace engineering. My parents are very supportive. What is it like living in a college with other people? I’m enjoying it very much. I’m meeting friends every day and also meeting new people. So far we’ve mostly met during breakfast or dinner, but last week we were asked to select activities that we would like to do, and we can also suggest other things. This will be good. I’m also keeping in touch with my friends from secondary school; some of them are also studying at Melbourne University.
Minghao (right) pictured here with Cr Max Stephens. This photo was taken at the Welcome BBQ on 25th March
Tell me something about yourself. I finished my VCE at Haileybury College in Melbourne last year, having come here from Beijing about five years ago. What was your favourite subject at school? And what are your hobbies? Physics was my favourite subject. And my favourite hobbies are badminton and fishing. What led you to Graduate House? Firstly, it’s very close to the university. And breakfast and dinner are provided. Also, I have a comfortable room and bathroom – and it gets cleaned every week! It’s very convenient for me, and I’m able to focus on my studies and have more free time. I didn’t want to live in a share house. Did you know that this is the first year in the sixty years since Graduate House was established that undergraduate students have been able to live here? Yes. I’m very lucky. Have you made many friends in the short time you’ve been living here? I have, and the people here are very nice. What degree are you enrolled in? A Bachelor of Science. Although you’ve only just begun this degree program, have you thought what you might do after you finish it? I’m thinking that I would like to keep studying and do a Masters degree. I’m aiming for aerospace
Are you enjoying living with graduate students as well as undergraduates? Most of the students I have met are graduate students doing their Masters or PhD, and they have been very friendly and helpful. We’ve had really nice discussions and they have given me some new and different ideas. One graduate student I met had been working and has now returned to university to do a Masters degree; this is quite different from what I know. I have also met people from different countries. It is very interesting and I have learnt new things about their country and culture. I recently went with a student to a Japanese restaurant which is close to Graduate House and I liked the food very much. So you’re enjoying your studies and living at Graduate House? Yes, and this semester one of my subjects is a ‘breadth’ subject – French. I have not studied French before, but I’m enjoying it. You mentioned to me that you haven’t been able to go back to Beijing for more than two years because of the pandemic. Are you hoping to go home for a holiday at the end of this year? I hope so. I didn’t go home during the pandemic over the last two years because my teacher in school told me that it might be difficult for me to return to Australia because of the pandemic. Have you travelled very much around Victoria? I’ve been to several beaches – including Lakes Entrance – mostly to go fishing. Whenever I have time I love to fish. I’ve caught a lot of snapper and flathead. Sometimes I have gone on a professional fishing boat with a group of people and have caught some very nice trevally – and even shark. It’s such a relaxing hobby. 13
FEATUR E STORY
Aeyons
World leading platform for online instrumental teaching
A new music platform has brought work to hundreds of musicians globally who have suffered dramatic income losses due to COVID-19. The online platform, Aeyons, has connected worldclass musicians with students of all ages across 17 countries for hundreds of real-time private tutorials since its launch. It is the creation of musician and former Drummond resident Geoff Collinson. In 2006, Geoff saw a need and an opportunity to create an online learning hub for music education. It needed outstanding audio and picture quality and a collection of the world’s most dedicated and celebrated teachers. Fast forward to today and Aeyons, founded in 2019 is now leading the world in the digital technology, making it possible to have a music lesson with a teacher from the other side of the world and experiencing an almost synonymous-like quality as with being there in person. Collinson was on the verge of launching the online music teaching platform in China at the beginning of 2020 but said he had a “complete other opportunity to help musicians around the world when COVID struck”. “We decided to make a change to help right now,” he said. Throughout the pandemic, Collinson has seen dozens of talented musicians and friends lose everything as events and venues shut down overnight. “COVID has impacted the music sector in a devastating way,” he said. “There have been no gigs since March and sadly being out of work has become a common story. We know there are musicians out there who need something like this.”
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His business pivot has been exactly that for at least 170 musicians now connecting and sharing their talents across the globe, including 40 Australian professionals with room for more. Award-winning percussionist David Jones is one of those who came on board and described Aeyons as a “lifeline” during the Melbourne lockdown period. Aeyons, which stands for Another Eight Year Overnight Success is a platform that can be used on its own or in conjunction with booking and payment facilities. It allows musicians from anywhere in the world to connect with their ideal teacher - imagine being able to communicate directly with your hero, or simply cutting down your commute time by having a mix of online and in-person lessons with your current teacher. The one-on-one tutorials are on AEYONS’ own video conferencing platform and each tutor (more than 150 of them from 17 countries around the world) sets their own price. The tutors are from the London, Chicago, Los Angeles and Sydney symphonies, platinum-selling recording artists, conservatoriums and festivals. The exemplary quality has even attracted high profile businesses to use the platform as their online meeting tool, relishing in the ease of conversation and the increased connectedness experienced over other meeting platforms. “The response has been incredible. It just boomed! We have now partnered with global investors. The whole thing has kind of gone ballistic,” Collinson said.
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Geoff Collinson, creator of a music platform, Aeyons to bring work to musicians around the world.
Aeyons is partnering with musicians from the world’s great orchestras such as Australian World Orchestra, LA PHIL, London Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic and Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Collinson himself has more than 30 years of professional industry experience including principal horn of Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, head of brass at the University of Melbourne and co-founder of the Melbourne International Festival of Brass. Aeyons has an exclusive partnership with the Australian Music Examinations Board including a Chinese distribution licence. The burgeoning Chinese classical music instrument education sector will be a key component.
Says Gérard Patacca, who took over as CEO of the company in September 2020, “We built the platform with musicians in mind so both the visuals and audio are of a very high quality as needed for music lessons online.” Collinson and Patacca met as students at the Canberra School of Music, studying under the legendary Hector McDonald who’d just returned from Europe playing in the Berlin Philharmonic. “Hector embodied the ideals of teaching and mentoring. We learnt what it was like to learn from a true master. Hector inspired us on a path of lifelong learning.”
More recent connections have formed with the Be Earth Foundation: an organisation working closely with the UN and private sector to improve sustainability.
With the capability of creating a bespoke hub for any business and their needs, what began as a tool created by musicians for musicians has fast become the one stop shop for online meeting needs.
The foundation will work with partners like Aeyons to replicate the Recycled Orchestra Project by transforming household waste into musical instruments for those with otherwise limited access who will also be linked to lessons.
The platform also offers a feature called the Learning Hub that enables a fully password protected environment to operate all teaching or other activities incorporating the capacity to store multimedia resources with peace-of-mind security.
Collinson said the idea behind Aeyons was to make the highest level of music education accessible to everyone and inspire sharing musical talent. “Music has been my life and music education is incredibly important to me,” Collinson said.
https://aeyons.com/learning-hub
“Music is one of our greatest learning resources and can make so much difference to our other learning experience.”
If you are interested to learn more, please contact the founder, Geoff Collinson at gcollinson@aeyons.com or 0413806224 and if you are in Sydney, CEO Gerard Patacca at gpatacca@aeyons.com would love to be in contact. Story source: Geoff Collinson
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FEATUR E STORY
They all looked in wonder at the moon. by Member Louis A Coutts
I am not sure if other people have an experience that frequently visits me. Someone says something or I read something and suddenly a train of thought locomotes itself through my brain and I end up in a space that has absolutely nothing to do with what the person said or what I read. And so it was that recently, in my insomniacal state I was gazing out of my bedroom window and contemplating the spectacle of a full moon which seemed to be peering at me with all its immense luminosity. At that very point, a message appeared on my phone. It was from my son in Japan, and it contained a picture of the very moon that was holding me in its spell. Underneath the photo, my son quoted Neil Diamond “And they all looked in wonder at the moon”. And that is when my thought train took off. I was suddenly in Columbus circle opposite to the entrance of Central Park in New York on a hot humid evening. The humidity was so intense that it seemed to form an invisible amphitheatre populated by an audience enchanted by the music of a young man with a guitar playing all the wonderful songs of Paul Simon. “Sounds of silence”, “Mrs Robinson”, “Bridge over troubled waters”, “slip sliding away”, “I am a Rock”, “Homeward bound”, “Scarborough Fair” and I can’t remember what else. Song after song, sung beautifully by this lone guy with his guitar. The sounds of the music echoed off the pressing atmosphere and remained trapped in our magical invisible theatre.
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Several hundred of people were captivated by to this magic and no one uttered a sound as though this huge City no longer existed. The audience, like me, was mesmerised by this talented young man who completely mastered the purity and simplicity of the music of Paul Simon. At times I had the feeling that I was alone in the audience, standing on the warm bitumen and that this guy was playing and singing only for me. He created such an exquisite sense of intimacy with his audience. Sadly, he finally finished what seemed to be an endless repertoire and the crowd, after dutifully expressing their gratitude with dollar notes, faded away into the night of this enigmatic city. But having so beautifully disturbed my night, the train kept going and I found myself beyond the moon and alone in the universe somewhere in the galaxy of Andromeda, about two million light years from earth. I wished I was Neil Diamond or Paul Simon or even John Denver so I could translate into music this feeling of dumbfounding awe in the presence of billions of galaxies like our own milky way and trillions of stars like our sun as they crushed the boundaries of our universe at speeds which some calculate to be close to the speed of light. Out here in the universe, unhindered by human interference or malevolence I felt that I was seeing reality for the first time. This was nature performing its celestial acts according to ancient and immutable laws. The magnitude and enormity of these nuclear power houses defied any
FE ATU RE STO RY
puny intervention. The unimaginable power of nature so embarrassingly emphasised my insignificance. And then I thought of my home; Earth. The trifling issues which preoccupy us. Someone is planning what is promoted as the most wonderful achievement of sending people to Mars. And yet, in this imaginary journey beyond the moon I find myself a couple of million light years from earth and no where near the billions of light years to the extremity of our universe. Mars is a few light seconds from earth. How insignificant! I am told that earth governments spend over one trillion dollars each year on what is euphemistically called “defence” but in reality, is expenditure on technology and people with the capacity to kill other members of the human race. Up here, witnessing the breathtaking splendour of this phenomenal institution of our Universe, I can’t believe we as humans, in an insignificant corner of our universal home, can be so preoccupied with such stupid and brain-dead enterprises to which millions of people devote most of their living moments. My goodness, we are so smart that we have built technology capable of actually destroying our planet. And if that nuclear disaster ever
occurred, do you know what? The universe wouldn’t notice and would continue on its miraculous journey according to its ancient and never changing laws. We have developed an economic model that depends upon ever increasing consumption without taking pause to consider what happens when we run out of stuff or if we wreck the environment before that catastrophic finale. The subjects of political toxicity are so trivial that if the planet does survive, people in a thousand years will reflect on our infantile stupidity. And so, my thought train takes me back to Columbus Circle and that humid night when a loan person stopped the world and trapped a few fellow travellers in the simple purity of the music of Paul Simon. How wonderful it would be if we could have so many more magic moments like that and more time to contemplate the majesty of the Universe and less time doing so many stupid things.
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REVIEW
March Monthly Luncheon Wednesday, 2nd March 2022
Is the Lack of Optimism a Global Risk?
For many Graduate Union members, Victor Perton needs no introduction. Victor was the guest speaker at our Monthly Luncheon in March 2021, held face-toface during a temporary respite from the lockdowns endured over the past two years. His topic then was The Heart of Optimism: What makes you Optimistic for 2021 and Beyond?. In October 2020, he presented a Special Online Only event titled Optimism - your superpower - the why and the how.
every adversity but Pessimists see adversity in every new opportunity.”
Victor is the son of refugee parents from Latvia and Lithuania. He completed a Law/Economics degree at Monash University with additional studies at both Melbourne and Peking Universities. He was a Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 1988 to 2006, representing the electorate of Doncaster for the Liberal Party. In December 2008, he was appointed as the Victorian Government Commissioner to the Americas by then-Premier John Brumby.
2. Hang out with Optimists…choose your company wisely.
In 2015, he founded the Australian Leadership Project and in 2019, the Centre for Optimism. In 2022, Victor in association with friends of the Centre for Optimism and Rotary Clubs, will be assisting with the Fourth Annual Nelson Mandela Youth Leadership Summit on 18th July (Nelson Mandela Day) in the Victorian Parliament’s Legislative Assembly and Queens Hall. Victor began his most recent presentation by reminding us of what he said about Optimism twelve months ago and the quote from Dr Steven Pinker, a Harvard Cognitive Psychologist, who said…””Optimism is not generally thought cool, and it is often thought foolish. With choice comes freedom and therefore Optimism is about possibilities for the future.” He also quoted an unknown writer who said that “Optimists see an opportunity in
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Below are the eleven Habits of an Optimist; not all were quoted by Victor but we thought it worthwhile to include the full list… 1. Consider using better greetings - instead of….How are you? Try…What’s the best thing that’s happened for you?
3. Turn down the News…share positive stories instead. 4. Practise Gratitude — at the end of the day, share with yourself 3 things that you can be grateful for today. 5. Perhaps start a Gratitude Journal — write down (if that’s your style ) those 3 things each day. 6. Write Positive Affirmations — focus on your own wisdom and insights and write them down. 7. Mediate and pray for Optimism — Combine Meditation and Mindfulness. 8. Visualize your Best Positive Self — Review each one every 3 months. 9. Laugh like an Optimist…laughter improves the immune system. 10. Ask others….What makes you Optimistic? 11. Smile like an Optimist…get into the habit of smiling at strangers and say….Good Morning/Afternoon/ Evening…whatever is appropriate.
R EVI EW
Victor’s presentation concluded with members of the audience being invited to share their own thoughts on what makes them optimistic and we wrapped up with a raucous round of laughter to conclude the first Monthly Luncheon for 2022. Thank you again Victor for your totally infectious optimism — so desperately needed while war rages on in Ukraine. References: Start with www.centreforoptimism.com for more details about the Centre for Optimism, founded in 2019 and now with over 6,000 members from 65 countries. Do a Google Search on the Nelson Mandela Youth Leadership Summit 2021 to obtain a glimpse of what will be happening in Melbourne on 18th July 2022. More details will be in future editions of the Graduate Union Newsletters.
Victor Perton with Heather Wheat
Summary provided by Councillor Keith Ryall, Vice Chair of The Graduate Union and President of the Carlton Rotary Club. Members were invited to write to us with their thoughts on optimism. Read positive thoughts from Pat Smith on page 20, who told us about a very successful teaching program that she was proud to be a part of in Ukraine in 1999.
Fiona McConnell, Victor Perton and Elizabeth Carvosso (back facing us)
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REVIEW
Some thoughts on optimism by Member, Pat Smith We lived in optimistic times. With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine became an independent state, formalised with a referendum in December 1991. At this time philanthropist George Soros was publishing his ideas about how a democratic society might work. He set up Open Society Foundations in all the former Russian bloc countries including Ukraine. He believed that societies can only flourish when they allow for democratic governance, freedom of expression, and respect for individual rights — an approach at the core of the Open Society Foundations’ work. In 1999, the International sub-committee for the International Reading/Literacy Association sent a delegate to Mr Soros explaining the need for a democratic teaching philosophy in schools. Students have to experience and understand democracy if they are then to truly operate in a democratic nation. What they were experiencing was lecturing. They didn’t have the tools to think. He saw the sense in this argument and agreed to fund the Literacy for Democracy programs. Universities, mostly American, provided our salaries. The work books were written and translated into the relevant languages and we all set out for Summer School in Hungary where we met the teams from each country. We were allocated Ukraine, probably because we were used to long distance travelling. Four times a year for 2 and 3 weeks at a time we took training sessions in Kyiv and travelled to Odessa, Kharkiv, Simferopol, and, in fact, to all the cities now being attacked. It was wonderful to see teachers and students, debating, discussing texts critically and writing persuasive essays. I have many photographs but have selected few as representative of those exhilarating sessions helped especially by my talented interpreter Giorgi, photographed in front of a senior school in Kyiv. The program in Ukraine was a resounding success. There was no need for the program after more than 20 years. The strategies were incorporated in the teacher education curricula. It seems likely that the determination of Ukrainians to have a democratic society indicates that they continue to be optimistic. Photo source: Pat Smith
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N EWS FR O M G R A D UAT E HO U SE
Former Chairman awarded a Member of the Order (AM) Congratulations to The Honourable Tony Pagone AM QC on his award as a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia in recognition for his significant service to the law, to the judiciary, and to professional associations. Mr Pagone was a Council member and then Chairman of The Graduate Union Council from 2012 until 2014, and again from 2017 until 2020. The Graduate Union are grateful to Mr Pagone for his strong and stable leadership over the years.
We thank the following organisations for their event bookings at Graduate House in January and February 2022 Australian Society for Music Education (ASME) Victorian Chapter Australian Calabrese Cultural Association (ACCA) Australian Centre for Heart Health (ACHH) Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM) Victoria Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network (AURIN) CFMEU Manufacturing Division Child and Community Wellbeing Unit Department of Social Work End of Life Care and Palliative Services Health Economics Unit, UoMelbourne
Infrastructure Engineering Department, UoM International Research Training Group Melba Group Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Oncology One Pty Ltd Order of St. John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller Incorportated Parkville Conference of St Vincent de Paul PC4 Peter MacCallum Cancer Center Probus Club of Carlton Parkville Rotary Club of Carlton
Thank you for your feedback Always a pleasure to speak with Rosie who organises our function at Graduate House without any issues, the room was perfect. The food, both in terms of quality and quantity were excellent and the staff at Graduate House are always helpful. Veronica Shingler, AURIN The process of organising a function at Graduate House was very easy, very clear. Everything was done online with no problems at all. The function room and spaces suit our needs the food was excellent. Staff were amazing, polite, helpful and discrete. Linda McArthur, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
We wanted to thank Rosie, Bill, Connor, and other members of the team for an excellent event that made us feel very welcome. The food, room, facilities and the seamless team service made it a relaxing venue for us and our members (in person and online) to enjoy the AGM and the fascinating presentation by the Webuild senior leadership team. We look forward to more events with you and the team in the future. Thank you. Stephen Wells, ICE VLA: AGM and Dinner Event
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N EWS F R OM GRADUAT E H OU SE
Welcome BBQ Friday, 25th March 2022
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N EWS FR O M G R A D UAT E HO U SE
It really felt like a real BBQ! It’s been a long while since we’ve seen a BBQ event at Graduate House this vibrant and ‘happening’! The Welcome BBQ on Friday, 25th of March, had it all — the chargrilled aroma, the chattering, the bustle, and most importantly, our members - Resident members and non-resident members, who made the event possible by just being there. Open to all members of our association, the BBQ is held every year at the start of the summer semester term to welcome our new residents, returning residents and for everyone to meet and greet one another while enjoying good food. Non-resident members who attended — Howard Hutchins, Emily Cross, Cr Max Stephens, Cr Muan Lim, former member of Council Andre Cleghorn, Katrina Goodman and others — we hope you enjoyed the evening as much as our Resident members did. The outdoor courtyard was a full house as Resident members took advantage of the sunshine and enjoyed the rich and smoky smell from the fire which was burning until sunset.
It was also pleasing to see everyone savouring the last minute addition to the menu, the Malaysian chicken satay, served with peanut sauce and with compressed rice, fresh cucumber and onions as accompaniments. The raffle ticket draws drew much excitement from the crowd. Congratulations to our lucky winners who walked away with bottles of wine and chocolates! Thank you Resident member Suzy, for your feedback: Great! two thumbs up! I love the food! The chicken is so tender, you can taste a bit of charcoal and it’s just perfect BBQ chicken. The chicken satay skewers are just heavenly, so flavoursome and I think I ate 10. The night just smells great. The background noise of people chit chatting is music to the ears. The food is too good to feel anything other than thankfulness and satisfaction. Thank you Shirley for the yummy satay! The best!!
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N EWS F R OM GRADUAT E H OU SE
Seen at Graduate House Welcome Ladies! A very well attended first Women’s forum session in February 2022. The ladies seen here enjoying lunch are, from left: Inge Morgan, Georgie Scillio, Michela Cardamone, Maxine Cooper, Elizabeth Carvosso, Rosie Maddick, Fiona McConnell, Margaret Mayers, Katrin Ogilvy and Jo Elvins.
Memorial Dinner On Friday, 4th March, a special dinner was organised to honour the late Ruth Stark, Israeli pianist and partner of member Howard Pascoe. The dinner was attended by eight close friends. Ruth Stark was an established pianist, having learnt to play the piano at age 4, and
had been playing professionally and entertaining in the hotel scene around Melbourne for years. Ruth was a regular attendee to The Graduate Union Members’ Christmas parties for a number of years.
Students from UoM enjoying Lunch Students from the Faculty of Business and Economics were seen enjoying lunch in the dining room. The four students, who are from Malaysia and are in their final year, are pursuing their Bachelor of Commerce degree from The University of Melbourne. They have been returning to the dining room since discovering it from their seniors at the university. All agreed that the food was delicious and great value for money which keeps them coming back. “We check out the menu on your website everyday before coming here”, they said.
24
From
left: Irfan, Nadia, Zahrah and Fauzan
N EWS FR O M G R A D UAT E HO U SE
GHSG 2022 Committee Congratulations on the formation of a new committee Congratulations are extended to the newly elected members of the Graduate House Student Group (GHSG) Committee, affiliated with Graduate Student Association (GSA), following a Resident members inhouse election process held at Graduate House on Wednesday, 16th March. The GHSG committee has a succession process to ensure its continuation with the ever-changing population of Graduate House. All resident members are encouraged to engage and contribute to the collegiate experience.
The aims of the Graduate House Student Group are: •
to facilitate greater interaction amongst student residents in Graduate House and encourage a common feeling of collegiality;
•
to increase socialisation among the multi-cultural student residents of Graduate House and facilitate cultural exchange and understanding;
•
to enhance communication and consultation between the Graduate House student residents and the wider graduate community of the University of Melbourne.
Adeeba Ahmad
Victor Sun
Laura Pisanu
President
Vice President
Secretary
Jinqi Ye (Suzy)
Tze Jian Chin
Sarah Eastham
Chika Tada
Treasurer
Sports
Publicity
Events
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VALETE
Anne Mulholland (1935 - 2022)
We are saddened to learn about the death of Life Member, Anne Mulholland, who passed away on the 13th February 2022. Our sincere condolences are extended to the Mulholland family. Judith Anne Mulholland (nee Hamilton) was the third of four daughters born in Newcastle, New South Wales (NSW), in 1935. Anne attended the local state primary school, and later at Newcastle Girls’ Grammar School till the end of 3rd year (Year 9), completing the school leaving certificate at Newcastle Girls’ High School. She attended the Women’s College at Sydney University in the Faculty of Arts with a Commonwealth scholarship in 1952 and graduated in 1955. From the time of graduation, her career took many unanticipated, but always interesting, twists and turns. Her first job was as a secretary in the NSW Health Department. She then became an advertising copywriter for newspaper and radio. Marriage to James Mulholland came soon after and for the next ten years, Anne was a stay-at-home mother, looking after four children. With her last child in school, Anne spent a year as a kindergarten assistant and had a wonderful opportunity to observe and appreciate the process and progress of early learning. After a brief period at home again, Anne went back to the educational arena as a research assistant at Monash University, working on projects and curriculum development programme for secondary school students. In 1971, she enrolled in the humanities (English and social studies) teachers to be trained by the then State College of Victoria in Hawthorn (formerly a technical
26
institution only for the trades). Following her formal studies, Anne spent five years at Swinburne Junior Technical School where she designed and introduced a subject called Living Skills which she delivered twice a week to Year 7 and 8 students, receiving help along the way from a part-time programme run by Delys Sargent at the Social Biology Resources Centre (SBRC) at The University of Melbourne. During her time with SBRC, Anne completed a Graduate Diploma of Educational Administration through State College, Hawthorn, as an evening student. In 1981, she resigned from the Education Department to join Toorak College, Mount Eliza, a school she had been consulting with since 1976 at the request of the then principal and Director of Studies. She introduced and taught in a living skills programme there for Year 7 to Year 10 till she retired from teaching in 1991. Since retirement, Anne had remained involved with the archives group of the school. She became a Life Member of The Graduate Union in 2006 and enjoyed involvement with our association of graduates through the monthly “Womens’ Forum”, volunteering for the mail-outs that used to run every month and attended many of the GU Collegiate activities such as the Monthly Luncheons and Christmas parties. Her other great interests and pleasure came from watching her nine grandchildren learn and shape their own lives. In 2016, Anne and James Mulholland brought their family to Graduate House for a private family celebration private function. Rest in Peace Anne, you will be sorely missed by all of us here at Graduate House.
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