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August 2026

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Graduate Union Council News

Special General Meeting

Incorporated Association Registration Number A0023234B

NOTICE OF MEMBER-REQUESTED

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING

The Graduate Union of The University of Melbourne Incorporated will hold a Member-requested Special General Meeting on: Wednesday, 16 September 2026 at 5.30pm at Graduate House, 220 Leicester Street, Carlton (and online using Zoom video conferencing)

AGENDA

MOTION ON NOTICE FOR SPECIAL RESOLUTION 1: RULE AMENDMENT To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following special resolution:

We resolve that Part 5 Division 1 Section 45.2 of the Rules,

"Council may exercise all the powers of the Association except those powers that these Rules or the Act require to be exercised by General Meetings of the Members." be amended as follows:

45.2 Council may exercise all the powers of the Association except if a) those powers that these Rules or the Act require to be exercised by General Meetings of the Members; or b) the real or personal property as set out in Rule 5.2(a) has a value of greater than $100,000, unless:

Graduate Union Council News

Special General Meeting

i. plans for acquisition, holding, and/or disposition of real or personal property, including alternate possibilities, have been made fully accessible to all Members; and

ii. all Members have had not fewer than 30 days to examine and discuss said proposals; and

iii. a Special General Meeting is held after the period stipulated in 45.2(b)ii to debate said proposals and others which may be raised at that meeting; and

iv. a vote is taken in which an Absolute Majority in favour of a course of action is reached; and

v. Council's subsequent action on the matter is a true and honest reflection of the result of the vote referred to in 45.2(b)v.

MOTION ON NOTICE FOR RESOLUTION 2:

To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolution:

We resolve Council be prohibited from engaging in any agreement regarding the disposition of the real property known as Graduate House, contractual or otherwise, until the terms of the above amendment have been met, whether or not the amendment is voted into being, and we further resolve that this prohibition be enforced retroactively to 28 May 2026, the date at which the 2026-27 Council assumed power.

Graduate Union Member News

Member Spotlight

Meet Graduate House Student Group CoPresident Edith Spiers

Graduate research can be immensely rewarding, but it can also be isolating. Between long hours of study, independent research and the pressures of postgraduate life, finding a sense of community is just as important as, and supports, academic success.

That is exactly what Edith, the newly elected CoPresident of the Graduate House Student Group, hopes to strengthen over the coming year.

Together with fellow Co-President Bethia Blond, Edith is leading a small but enthusiastic student committee with a worthy goal: creating opportunities for Graduate Union members (with a focus on students that live at Graduate House) to connect, have fun and support one another.

Although the student group currently consists of just the two organisers, they have plans to grow and expand member interaction.

The group was originally established several years ago by a larger cohort of six or seven students, who organised activities and secured funding through the University of Melbourne Graduate Student Association. Although participation has declined over time and the original funding has been exhausted, the group continues to operate. Its current focus is on strengthening its organisational structure, increasing membership to meet eligibility requirements for future funding, and continuing to organise informal social events that foster connections among students.

Creating Connections

Edith hopes to build stronger connections not only among student residents but also between Graduate House residents and the wider Graduate Union membership.

One idea currently in development is an evening bringing together student and non-student, resident and non-resident members with diverse professional, study and life experiences, to network and share areas of expertise.

“There are so many incredible people in the Graduate Union community whose stories many of us don’t know,” Edith says. “It would be wonderful to bring everyone together.”

The Student Group is also planning a range of smaller, low-key activities that encourage residents to meet one another outside of their research.

Recent and upcoming events include:

• Movie nights

• FIFA World Cup watch parties

• A weekly Firefly viewing group

• Board game evenings

• A new art group for creative residents

• Future book and discussion groups

Why Community Matters

Originally from regional Victoria, Edith says living at Graduate House has made an enormous difference to her PhD experience.

“It’s made my studies a million times easier,” she says. “It’s given me this wonderful community, I’m able to live close to where I work, and it’s a stable and supportive environment.”

Graduate House offers something that is difficult to replicate elsewhere: a multicultural community of researchers who understand the unique challenges of postgraduate study.

“You have people around you who understand what you’re going through,” Edith says. “You learn about different cultures, different festivals and different perspectives. It’s a really special place.”

“Having safe, affordable accommodation where you can focus on your research instead of worrying about housing makes such a difference,” she says.

Researching Malaria

Outside her role in student leadership, Edith is one and a half years into a PhD in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Melbourne.

Working in a malaria epidemiology and genomics laboratory, her research investigates genetic variation in malaria parasites and how mutations may affect the performance of future vaccines.

“It’s a bit like COVID,” she explains. “Different strains respond differently to vaccines, so we’re trying to understand how that works.”

Much of her work takes place “in silico”— using computational methods to analyse DNA sequences—although she has recently begun laboratory work as well.

“It’s mostly moving impossibly small amounts of clear liquid into other impossibly small amounts of clear liquid,” she explained. “Science is basically cooking with incredibly precise measurements.”

While she enjoys the community she’s found in the laboratory, Edith’s work contributes to understanding one of the world’s most significant infectious diseases.

A New Student Voice

Looking ahead, Edith hopes the Student Group can become a regular contributor to the Graduate Union newsletter, sharing updates about resident life, upcoming events and the everyday moments that make Graduate House so vibrant.

She also hopes to celebrate the people who make Graduate House special—welcoming new residents, acknowledging those moving on and highlighting the friendships and experiences that develop along the way.

“People come here from all over the world,” she says. “They become part of the community, and then eventually they head home again. It would be nice to celebrate that.”

As Graduate House continues its long tradition of supporting postgraduate students, Edith believes its greatest strength remains unchanged.

“It’s more than just accommodation,” she says. “It’s a community.”

The Graduate Union congratulates Edith and Bethia on their appointments as Co-Presidents of the Graduate House Student Group and looks forward to sharing regular updates on their activities in future editions of the newsletter.

Graduate Union Member News

A Letter from the Co-Presidents of the Graduate House Student Group (GHSG)

Dear members of Graduate Union,

We are thrilled to have been elected as the new coPresidents of the GH Student Group!

For those GU members who may not have heard of us, the Student Group was established by a group of GH Residents over ten years ago, under these three aims:

1. to facilitate greater interaction amongst student residents in Graduate House and encourage a feeling of collegiality;

2. to increase socialisation among the multicultural student residents of Graduate House and facilitate cultural exchange and understanding;

3. to enhance communication and consultation between the Graduate House student residents and the wider graduate community of the University of Melbourne.

We are a “Grad Group” affiliated with the Graduate Student Association of the University of Melbourne. Over the last couple of months, we have been busy getting the group organised for the year ahead, preparing to expand our membership and beginning to host small activities and events.

As the teaching semester kicks off, our focus for the month of August is learning how we can

help make it easier for new residents to make connections and get involved with the community.

We also have three August events in the works alongside our established weekly Firefly and House of the Dragon TV clubs:

• Games night excursion to Boardies, Fitzroy

• Thursday Cinematheque featuring Notorious! (1946), 8pm Thu 13 Aug in GH Dining Room

• Trivia night, last week of August, date TBC

Stay tuned for more details.

Most importantly, GHSG activities are not just for students and residents. In the spirit of the group’s third aim, we welcome all GU members to these events! (Just please don’t expect anything too fancy, we are low-key people). If you would like to know more or just get in touch, please reach out to gradhousestudentgroup@gmail.com! We would be genuinely delighted to hear from you - people in our age group don’t email a whole lot so that inbox is a bit of a desert right now.

Sincerely, and with best vibes, Edith Spiers & Bethia Blond

Graduate Union Member News

GHSG July Report and Upcoming GHSG Events

Another July in salubrious Melbourne has not disappointed. Graduate House residents were treated this month to the unique natural phenomena of horizontal rain, vertical wind, and a transparent sun. Students arriving to Graduate House from the warmer parts of Australia and the wider world were perplexed, and suffered greatly this month. Melbourne weather could not be contacted for comment.

Food has become especially important to the GH community under these conditions, and the kitchen continues to innovate. The pork buns which have appeared for breakfast have proved especially popular. In July, the World Cup has dominated much of the dinner conversation here at GH. Opinions differ on the merits of the winners and losers, but an

overwhelming consensus was reached that Mr. Haaland of Norway is a scary, scary man.

GH celebrated its 64th birthday on July 13th. Residents anticipate that the GH party on July 31st will be “a vibe”, with discussions on what will be worn, by whom, and why, commencing in earnest. GH celebrated many completed degrees this month with the conclusion of the teaching Semester, but bid farewell to a number of Residents returning home. Many have left their mark on the community here, and tales of their exploits live on, told over brimming bowls of lentil curry, by the flickering light of ABC News on the flatscreen TV. We wish them well as they go to leave their mark, now, on the world.

Bridge Night

The Graduate House Bridge Group has been a valued part of the community for more than 20 years. Beginning with just four to six players, it now regularly attracts over 20 participants each Wednesday evening. Most members join through word of mouth, with many later becoming Graduate Union members. The group’s success reflects its welcoming atmosphere, lasting friendships, intellectual challenge, and strong sense of community. However, the lounge accommodates only five Bridge tables, limiting attendance to 20 players each week. With around 25 active players already on the mailing list, the group is currently at capacity and cannot accept additional regular players.