JANUARY/FEBRUARY
2021
THE GRADUATE UNION NEWSLETTER
WHAT’S ON
MONTHLY LUNCHEON Wednesday, 3rd February 12:00pm for 12:30pm start with Diana Bryant AO QC. Dine in: Members $35, Non-members $40 Virtual attendance: Members $10, Non-members $15. Wednesday, 3rd March 12:00pm for 12:30pm start with Victor Perton. Dine in: Members $35, Non-members $40 Virtual attendance: Members $10, Non-members $15.
BRIDGE NIGHT Wednesday, 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th February 7:30pm – 9:30pm Do you enjoy a sociable game of duplicate bridge? Register at reception. All levels of bridge players welcome. Members $2, Non-members $6. Includes tea/coffee/biscuits.
ITALIAN CONVERSATION DINNER Tuesday, 9th, 23rd February 6:00pm – 8:30pm Dine while learning to speak Italian with an experienced teacher. Members $17, Non-members $25.
SPECIAL MORNING BREAKFAST Tuesday, 9th February 7:30am to 8:30am Non-resident Members are welcome to join Resident Members for a hearty breakfast at Graduate House. Free for Resident Members, Non-resident Members $20.
WORLD PULSES DAY Wednesday, 10th February 12:00pm to 2:00pm In conjunction with international World Pulses Day, we are including pulses and legumes in our menu. Come in for lunch and enjoy a delicious and hearthealthy meal. Lunch is at Member and non-member prices.
WOMEN’S FORUM Wednesday, 17th February 10:00am for 10:30am start The Forum is free. All are welcome. Lunch is at Member and non-member prices. BOOK NOW: www.graduatehouse.com.au I (03) 9347 3428 I admingh@graduatehouse.com.au
CONTENTS INTERNATIONAL DAYS 4 January/February POEM 9 Words by Life Member, Louis A Coutts FEATURES 10 Listening to Lyn Yeowart 15 Jack of all trades — a nurse can go anywhere by Life Member, Janie Mason AM, DLitt 20 Practise Fearless Love by Frederick Krasey REVIEWS 24 December 2020 Special Event with Megumi Miki 28 Members’ Christmas Party MEMBERS’ CONTRIBUTION 30 Musing on Reading by Life Member, Mac Nicoll GRADUATE HOUSE NEWS 32 The Graduate Union – Council Notice of Election GU COLLEGIATE 33 2021 Year at a Glance 34 February Monthly Luncheon 35 March Monthly Luncheon PROMOTIONS 36 Chinese New Year Menu 37 Graduate House Dine-in and Takeaway Menu 38 Office Rentals 39 Room Types, Prices and Features 40 Graduate Women Victoria — Scholarship Program 2021 INNOVATION 41 Drones — an alternative to fireworks? 3
INTERNATIONAL DAYS JANUARY/ FEBRUARY IN TERNATI O NAL DAYS
1st January – World Day of Peace A feast day of the Roman Catholic Church, the World Day of Peace was first observed on 1st January 1968. The Pope uses this occasion to give messages to the world on the United Nations, human rights, women’s rights, labour unions, economic development, diplomacy, peace, globalisation and terrorism.
11th January – International Thank-You Day There is little known about the origins of International Thank-You Day though some propose that it was established to support greeting card sales. Graduate House will not be sending you cards, but we do extend gratitude to all who contribute to our Association for social good. We truly are very grateful for your time, involvement, donations, bequests and all other contributions. Our thanks go also to our wonderful staff and to our governing body members. Today is a day for reflection about those who do things for you and for our world.
4th January – World Braille Day World Braille Day was first celebrated in 2019 to raise awareness of the importance of braille as a means of communication and as a human right for those who are blind and visually impaired. The date marks the birthday of Louis Braille, creator 24th January – International Day of of this writing system. Education International Day of Education is to acknowledge the role of education for peace and development, and as a human right and a public good and responsibility. The 2021 theme is Recover and Revitalize Education for the COVID-19 Generation through international solidarity and collaboration to place education and lifelong learning at the centre of the recovery. The global event for 4
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this day has three foci: (1) learning heroes; (2) innovations; and (3) financing. UNESCO, the Global Partnership for Education, the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies and partners from the Global Education Coalition are collaborating to give the Learning Planet Festival. Accelerating Education for the SDGs in Universities is a guide from the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) that aims to help universities, colleges, and tertiary and higher education institutions take action. It gives strategic and practical approaches for implementation in a university and an in-depth analysis of transformative examples.
4th February – International Day of Human Fraternity Established late-December 2020, International Day of Human Fraternity acknowledges the 4th February 2019 signing by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed alTayeb, of the Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi, a significant event in ChristianMuslim relations. Co-sponsored by 34 United Nations Member States, the day is to promote peace-building, interreligious and intercultural dialogue and to counter growing religious hatred, conflicts and their impacts on human rights.
31st January – World Leprosy Day Observed on the last Sunday in January, this day was chosen by French humanitarian Raoul Follereau in 1953 to coincide with the anniversary of Mahatma Ghandi’s death on 30th January 1948 and to raise awareness of a disease that still sees 600 new diagnoses each day and with millions estimated to be undiagnosed and thus forgotten. Leprosy is a chronic disease caused by a bacillus, Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae), an organism that multiplies very slowly and with incubation periods varying from a few months to 30 years. Affecting mainly the skin and peripheral nerves, if left untreated, leprosy can lead to progressive and permanent damage of nerves, loss of sensation and sweating in the extremities and paralysis of hand, feet and face muscle. Fortunately, over 99% of the population has adequate natural immunity, over 85% of the clinical cases are non-infectious and an infectious case is rendered non-infectious quickly and usually after the very first dose of treatment.
4th February – World Cancer Day World Cancer Day is a global uniting initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to raise awareness, improve education and encourage personal, collective and government action towards preventing cancer deaths, enabling equitable access to treatment and care. The 2021 theme of I Am and I Will is about each individual committing to actions and the goal to reduce by one third the number of premature deaths from cancer and noncommunicable diseases by 2030.
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6th February – International Day of Pulses Day is to increase public awareness of the Zero Tolerance for Female Genital nutritional and environmental benefits of pulses as part of sustainable food production. Mutilation Female genital mutilation (FGM) involves altering or injuring female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It is a violation of the human rights, health and integrity of girls and women. In addition to short term complications — severe pain, shock, excessive bleeding, infections and urination, longterm consequences include sexual, reproductive and mental ill-health. FGM is of universal concern with continuing practice predominantly in Africa and the Middle East, as well as across Asia, Latin America and amongst immigrant populations in Western Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. Coordinated and systematic efforts are needed to engage whole communities and focus on human rights, gender equality, sexual education and attention to the needs and suffering of women and girls.
11th February – International Day of Women and Girls in Science Less than 30 per cent of researchers in science and technology worldwide are women and only around 30 per cent of all female students select Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related fields in higher education. Biases and stereotypes in real life and onscreen are steering girls and women away from science-related fields. International Day of Women and Girls in Science is to encourage full and equal access to, and participation in, science for women and girls, and to advance Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9 to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.
10th February – World Pulses Day Pulses (legumes) include dried beans, lentils and peas, and are staples in many diets. With high nutritional value, pulses are an ideal source of protein, low in fat and rich in soluble fibre. They are recommended by health organisations for the management of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and heart conditions. Pulses are an important crop for farmers to sell and to eat, and the nitrogen-fixing properties of pulses improve soil fertility, increasing and extending farmland productivity. Using pulses for intercropping and cover crops promotes farm and soil biodiversity, keeps pests and diseases at bay and reduces dependence on synthetic fertilizers (the manufacturing and application of these fertilizers leading to the release of greenhouse gases). World 6
12th February – Chinese New Year – Year of the Ox 2021, the year of the (Metal) Ox, begins 12th February 2021 (Chinese lunar New Year Day) and ends 30th January 2022. The Ox is the second of all Chinese zodiac animals (to arrive at Jade Emperor’s party after the rat jumped off the Ox’s back and came first!) and is associated with the Earthly Branch Chou, the 1:00AM to 3:00AM morning hours and the Yang. Oxen
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are hardworking, intelligent, reliable, never 14th February – International Book demanding praise and honest. Recent years of the Giving Day Ox include 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, The aim of International Book Giving Day is to 1997 and 2009. Happy Chinese New Year! get books into the hands of as many children as possible and to increase children’s regular access to and enthusiasm for books. Donate your books to a charity or drop them off at Graduate House and we will ensure that they get to an appropriately placed charity. We suggest also that you connect with others volunteering on the global initiative in over 44 countries, including Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, 13th February – World Radio Day Jordan, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malawi, Mexico, The first radio signal is attributed to Guglielmo New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, the Philippines, Marconi in Italy in 1895. Radio continues today Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Serbia, Singapore, for vital communications and as a platform South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, for democratic discourse. It is the most widely Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United consumed medium worldwide. Reaching diverse States. Share the love of books and take action audiences, radio is an arena for all voices to speak to help children in need in your community by out, be represented and be heard. 2021 marks reading, sharing and passing on a book. the 10th anniversary of World Radio Day and will be celebrated with three main sub-themes: (1) Evolution, radio continuing to evolve, while being resilient and sustainable; (2) Innovation, radio adapting to new technologies to remain the go-to medium of mobility, accessible everywhere and to everyone; and (3) Connection, radio serving society through natural disasters, socioeconomic crises, epidemics, etc. UNESCO encourages the importance of radio broadcast and asks participating States to improve international cooperation among radio broadcasters and encourage decision-makers to create and provide access to information through radio.
20th February – World Day of Social Justice Social development and justice are important to achieve and maintain peace and security within and among nations, and will not be attained in the absence of peace, security and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Globalisation and interdependence give opportunities through trade, investment, capital flows and technology advances for world economic growth and improved living standards. However, there remain serious financial crises, insecurity, poverty, exclusion and inequality within and among societies and considerable obstacles to further integration and full participation 7
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in the global economy for many countries. The 2008 International Labour Organization (ILO) Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization is a major statement of principles and policies reflecting the agreed need for a strong social dimension towards fair outcomes for all. It gives a compass for the promotion of a fair globalization based on Decent Work, includes practical tools to accelerate progress in the implementation of the Decent Work Agenda at the country level, and highlights the importance of sustainable enterprises in creating greater employment and income opportunities.
21st February – International Mother Language Day Observed since 2000, International Mother Language Day celebrates cultural and linguistic diversity for sustainable societies, peace, tolerance and respect for others. Globally, 40 per cent of the population does not have access to an education in a language they speak or understand; and every two weeks a language, and thus an entire cultural and intellectual heritage disappears. This Day is to acknowledge that multilingual and multicultural societies exist through their languages and thus through the transmission and preservation of traditional knowledge and cultures in a sustainable way.
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22nd February – World Thinking Day World Thinking Day, an initiative of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, is to think about “sisters” (and “brothers”) in all the countries of the world and the meaning of Guiding and its global impact; and to study and appreciate other countries, cultures and global concerns. The date is the birthday of both Lord Robert Baden-Powell and of Lady Olave Baden-Powell, his wife, who both founded Scouts and Guides. Donate to the Thinking Day Fund to support projects to help Girl Guides and Scouts around the world.
PO EM
WORDS There are words unsaid, unsung, unshared words by whom naked beauty’s bared words that lie beyond my reach words that would splash waves upon the beach and spend my passion to unveil beauty’s inexhaustible and sensuous tale. — Life Member, Louis A Coutts 9
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Lyn Yeowart 10
Listening to Lyn Yeowart Lyn Yeowart is a consulting writer and editor with more than 25 years of experience in writing and editing everything from captions for artworks to speeches for executives. Lyn has a Bachelor of Education, a Post-graduate Diploma in Creative Writing and a Master of Creative Writing. Her debut novel, The Silent Listener, is loosely based on events from her childhood in rural Victoria. She is now happily ensconced in Melbourne, where there is very little mud, but lots of books. Lyn spoke with us recently via an email interview. *** What was your educational background? What did you study at university and why did you choose to study that?
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my parents had neither a lot of money nor an understanding of the opportunities that such a degree would offer. When I received my Higher School Certificate (HSC) results, I was also offered a studentship to study teaching. This generous government allowance that would give me financial independence was the grandest present I’d ever received … wrapped up with an obligation to teach in the Victorian education system for three years. My parents told me that the only way I could go to uni was to forget about ANU and accept the studentship. So a teaching degree it was – at Rusden State College of Victoria (which, like the ANU scheme, and indeed studentships, is now defunct). Perhaps not surprisingly, I elected to become a Shorthand, Typing and Legal Studies teacher, emulating that young energetic teacher who had offered me alternatives. I also studied Linguistics and Literature so that I could teach English, because I had always loved words and reading. And because I harboured a secret, never-uttered desire to be a writer.
Growing up in working-class rural Victoria in the 1970s, I went to a state high school, where, as a 14-year-old female, I was all but forced to study shorthand and typing, so I could get a ‘good steady job’ as a secretary. My shorthand and typing teacher was a young energetic female who recognised that I was never going to be a secretary, so she encouraged me to study Legal What did you learn during your tertiary Studies, which she also taught, and which I loved. education – not just academically, but what ideas did you form and what perceptions? Did Towards the end of Year 12, I was accepted into any of your views change significantly when you Arts/Law at the Australian National University went to university? (ANU) on a scheme that selected students based on a history of academic success, which landed At 17 and two months of age, I was living in me on the front page of our local newspaper. Monash Uni’s Howitt Hall and within days, my I was eager to accept the position at ANU, but WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant) jaw was 11
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well and truly dropped. I was totally stunned by the incredibly diverse, talented, and interesting people I encountered: Italians and Greeks and Asians and Swedes … and Catholics and Jews and heathens (all of whom, despite my father’s insistence of the opposite, were far too kind to end up in hell) … and gays and dope-smokers and ‘women-libbers’ and music fiends … and academics (male and female) and … people who were loud and confident and generous and … and … and ... As elements of my debut novel depict, my life at home had not equipped me with any level of self-assurance or audacity – I was quiet, shy, and easily intimidated. Although I developed friendships (some of which I still have today), I was constantly bewildered by others’ confidence (“how could someone be 17 and so outspoken and adventurous … and happy?”). But rather than being emboldened by them, I was overawed and often retreated to my tiny room where I was comfortable with my books and my essays and lonely cups of tea. My studies challenged and expanded my intellect, but my interactions with all of these people had a far greater impact on me because they washed away many prejudices and replaced them with an understanding that there were many ways that a human could be. What is your earliest memory of having an interest in your field? I grew up in a house that essentially had just two books: What Bird Is That? and the Bible (several versions of, in fact!). We never visited libraries or bookshops (to the best of my knowledge, there wasn’t a bookshop in either of the nearby towns), so my early reading was limited to the three to four shelves of books at my tiny primary school. Nevertheless, I read voraciously, cycling and recycling through those shelves, oblivious to the fact that the world was populated by hundreds, thousands, millions of books. So when I began high school, I was ecstatic to find that the three walls of Room 1 were lined with book-filled shelves. I was equally fascinated by the item of furniture beside the librarian’s desk. Full of rows of tiny drawers, the catalogue contained an index card for each and every book. This was my first 12
encounter with meta-writing, which remains a strong area of interest. One day, when I was 12, my brother lent me a book he had read for Form 5 English, saying as he handed it over, “You must read this’” It was the first ‘grown-up’ book I had ever read, and I was astonished that such books existed. When I finished reading the final page, a tiny idea crept into my mind: what if I could write a book like that? How magnificent it would be if I could pen something so grand (and dark) as Albert Camus’ The Plague. I never told anyone, but the idea never left me. What has been your pathway since graduating? What was your first job after graduation and how did that job prepare you for your later positions? Any lessons learnt? I finished my Bachelor of Education and was duly sent to Horsham High School, where I taught Shorthand and Typing (of course) and a few other subjects. It was there that I began to come out of the shell that my university days had cracked, but not broken. Horsham High School had many people who helped me explore possibilities of my future self, even though I doubt they realised that was happening – indeed, I hardly knew that it was happening! One colleague told me that she enjoyed reading my end-of-term reports of the students in her form; that reports from other teachers were adequate, but mine were a delight to read, plus she knew they would be free of any grammatical errors. Another colleague asked me to write a student handbook about a new structure for the middle school “because I know you’re a good writer”. I struggled a little with these expressions of confidence in me and my writing, but these and other seemingly insignificant throw-away lines from colleagues helped build a self-confidence I had lacked – while also feeding the idea that maybe one day I could be a writer. What are the goals of your company/ organisation and what are you ultimately trying to achieve? As well as my creative writing endeavours, I run a small business that provides writing and editing services to businesses, governments and individuals. We write and edit everything
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from captions for art to complex reports for governments, speeches for executives, and academic theses. I also help other creative writers by assessing and editing manuscripts, and developing documents such as bios, pitches and tasters. In all of this work, I’m ultimately aiming to help people and organisations communicate more clearly so that they can achieve their aims. I firmly believe communication is one of the most important skills we can develop, and when I help others communicate more effectively, it’s incredibly satisfying.
she whispers), but I wasn’t, and that’s something that kind of haunts me as I watch others half my age achieve what I wanted to do at their age. But my life had a different trajectory, for all sorts of reasons. Certainly, I didn’t have the self-belief when I was 30, and maybe I didn’t have the skills either … who knows?
I’m also particularly proud that I completed a Post-graduate Diploma and a Master’s degree as a mature student and a single mother. Deciding to go back to university and complete one subject a semester while running my own business and bringing up two teenagers was without a doubt one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, but Who has been the biggest influence on your life also one of the best. and what lessons did that person teach you? What are some of the greatest challenges in your The teacher who taught me Shorthand & Typing line of work and how did you overcome them? and Legal Studies was without a doubt one of the biggest influences in my life. Jan believed in Writing a novel is hard: much, much harder than me, openly acknowledged the skills I had, and I thought it would be. Even though I knew I could convinced me that I could go to university and write reasonably well (having made a living out of discover and revel in new opportunities that I it), I still had to overcome profound self-doubt, couldn’t even imagine. and am endlessly grateful to my writing teachers and buddies who enthusiastically praised my As an interesting mirror of that experience, one writing and encouraged me to continue. I also of the other great influences in my life is a student had to carve out massive amounts of time that I met in my first year of teaching at Horsham was really not possible before my children were High School. I was her Form 3 form teacher, and independent. And to do this, I gave up a lot … Deanne was a stand-out student. We became everything from Spanish lessons and weekends friends when she was in Year 11 when we worked away with friends, to income and sleep. on the school magazine together and performed in a play together, and have remained friends What did you develop during this time – since then. I’m very proud that she is delivering professionally and personally – in terms of your a speech at the launch of my novel. Now a ideas, and did they change? philanthropist and media entrepreneur, Deanne Having completed this novel, I have even more has shown that setting goals and believing in admiration for novelists. I understand the yourself (and others) can help you achieve great sacrifices and sheer hard work that any novelist things. Most importantly, though, she has proven has put into finishing a novel. Starting is easy, that you do not have to compromise your values but finishing — well, that’s a completely different and morals to achieve financial, personal or story. And I feel the same about other writers, professional success, and that has been something such as poets, playwrights, screenwriters and I have endeavoured to hold on to. songwriters. That it looks so easy to outsiders is in What have you been most proud of in your fact testament to their hard work. career? Friends and mentors in the writing community I am most proud of the fact that I signed my first have consistently demonstrated not only the publishing contract when I was 60. Of course, I importance and value of being respectful and wish I had been a novelist at 30 or 40 (or even 50, supportive of everyone who is writing, but also 13
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that books that you might not personally enjoy or choose to read do have a readership – and are still the culmination of considerable hard work and commitment. What is the most important thing that can make you successful at your job? I tend to frequently reiterate the need for hard work and dedication to your goals. But I also firmly believe in the importance of education. My post-graduate studies were wonderfully inspiring and rewarding, thanks to the creative and intellectual challenges they provided, and the people teaching me and the people learning with me. But much of my education has been informal as well. By frequently talking to other authors, poets, and artists, and by reading, listening to and viewing their work, I’ve developed a far deeper appreciation of the diversity of possibilities in the creative process, and I hope that I’ve drawn on this in writing The Silent Listener, particularly during the long and intense editing process. And on that note, I want to stress how much I learnt from my publisher and editor at Penguin Random House. They are both talented and dedicated people who challenged and educated me about every single aspect of novel-writing. I don’t have an additional qualification as a result, but I have certainly expanded my knowledge. What are you working on for the future? I was fortunate to land a two-book contract with Penguin Random House, so I’m working on the next novel. I’m also building up my work to support other creative writers, and have several really talented writers who I’m working with. What advice would you give graduates? Identify and celebrate your strengths. Know who you are. Understand the difference between your exotelic and autotelic goals, and decide which ones you are going to aim for – and how you plan to achieve them. Never underestimate the value of your past education, and always look forward to your future education (formal or otherwise), and its possibilities … and surprises. *** 14
Lyn Yeowart’s debut novel, The Silent Listener, is a literary suspense thriller loosely based on events from her childhood in rural Victoria. Published by Penguin Random House Australia, it went into re-print and was also sold into three international territories before publication on 2nd February 2021. Reviewers have said it is “totally addictive”, “a cracking thriller with heart”, “steeped in atmosphere and with taut, intricate plotting”, “stunningly accomplished”, “unputdownable”, and “should be atop of everyone’s reading list”. To purchase or read more about The Silent Listener see https://bit.ly/3iorNbg.
Jack of all trades — a nurse can go anywhere by Life Member, Janie Mason AM, DLitt (Janie) Elizabeth Anne Mason née Donald AM, RN & RM, MSc, DLitt was born in 1941 and has had a long, successful and amazing career as a nurse and in academia.
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Friendships from those three years have continued over more than 60 years. Social life, snatched between shift work demands, was intense, whether outside or packed into a bedroom in the Nurses’ Home. A thinning bunch known by my husband1 as the “Prince Henry’s girls”, they are still in touch for monthly lunches, special celebrations and Christmas news.
She was made a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia “for significant It was three years of very hard work and some of service to nursing and to the community of the it was disgusting. This March intake was the last Northern Territory”. to have to scrub the fouled linen before transfer to the laundry but worse, were flowers and sputum *** mugs. I had never been so hungry, and the food Refusing to transfer to a new school to complete was overcooked, strange, and sometimes at second year 12 after school upheaval, nursing was a life sitting, it had run out. Pay, after accommodation pathway set by default for me. A careers booklet deducted, scarcely covered toiletry and clothing produced by the Melbourne Church of England necessities and a weekly bus trip home on days Girls Grammar School advised that the School’s off. I learnt to have no pride when it came to culture of independent thinking and democratic bargaining a lay-by to buy clothes. principles could make difficult the compliance required in the defence forces, police and nursing. Into an antiquated and conservative culture And indeed, I was to be accused of ‘dumb We entered an extremely conservative culture with insolence’ more than once by Senior Sisters over a narrow and rigid training system. From nursing the next three years of general nurse training! procedure to anatomy and physiology, with Prince Henry’s Hospital – School 3/59
few text books and no library, the presentation was “this is the right and only way” and “this is right and don’t question it”. After the firstyear state examinations, 3/59 numbers dropped dramatically. A cynic might suggest that anyone could get in and perform as cheap labour until weaned out at the end of first year!
The choice of a Melbourne-based hospital was dictated by the quality of the nurses’ home and hurriedly arranged visits through the School’s careers advisor. I easily decided on Prince Henry’s Hospital on St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Nursing and Prince Henry’s Hospital were inspired choices! The all-female group was an egalitarian Trainees also left because of physical damage or mix which started 11th March 1959 (School 3/59). illness contracted in this demanding workplace. 15
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Janie Mason AM, DLitt 16
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The official timesheet was 40 hours per week, despite 45 to 50 rostered weekly hours, often including three or more broken shifts per week. From 24 starters, less than 15 finished in 1962. Except for a preliminary training block of four weeks and a one-week block at the end of first year and third year, all other lectures, tests (which all had to be passed), first year and final state examinations were in off-duty time.
having a place in a life which encompassed the social story of a life as well as the scientific story of cause, effect and treatment. I worked in the general surgical ward of Queen Victoria Hospital and then entered the midwifery program. Despite objection to entry because I was married, I completed the program in 1964. Actually, I found the wedding ring to be a considerable advantage when working with women both during mid-training and in later practice, in acute care and the community. The educational philosophy was little advanced on my general training but at least, we were directed to some texts3 which were to serve me well later when practising often alone, and sometimes, remotely.
More than once, a disciplinary issue for me was the antiquated uniform2 of starched cap, cuffs, collar, apron and belt, all held together with white-topped berry pins instead of studs; and a purple pin-stripe dress, held together with adhesive tape at the armpits and a large safety pin at the neck. A red half-slip petticoat with lace completed this horror This “pro feminis, a femina” (“for women, by for Matron and Deputy Matron. women”) Hospital, better known for its maternity, Community ownership of the hospital was about to welcome its first male medical specialists and students as it affiliated with Monash Prince Henry’s did not cover any of the ‘posh’ University, the new university south of the Yarra. suburbs. The Hospital served the Ports, Again, there was the experience of the hospital in Garden City, South Melbourne before Housing the community. Starting in Little Lonsdale Street, Commission towers, Middle Park and into the the street of the brothels, though the brothels were Jewish area of East St Kilda. There was a strong long gone, women several generations later still sense of local ownership of the Hospital. Trainee came to Queen Vic. Street workers, call girls from nurses on a sunny off-duty day could get a beer and St Kilda, exotic dancers in nightclubs, they came to feel safe at the Bleak House Hotel, in the days when the Hospital’s ‘Little Lon’ clinic, in preference to the women could not drink in the bar. When football government STD4 clinic. was finished and pubs closed on Sundays, and few with the recently arrived television, there could be Into a remote landscape of bush and sea the family outing to Prince Henry’s Casualty with a With my husband Jon, I came to Darwin by varied litany of ills. road in 1964 and what a land of opportunity! Many regulars came in late Christmas Eve, I followed him to various mining towns. I mostly single men having “fallen over and lost learnt to live and practise against a backdrop consciousness”. They knew the rules: four hours of of the awesome landscapes of bush and sea. I observations and if late enough, stay for breakfast found many surprises as a nurse not long out and as it was Christmas, lunch too. From clanking of a southern training school, yet so far from a carry-all, some handed bottles to the nurse to put training of clinical practice of a science of cause in the fridge (actually, the blood fridge). There was and effect. My first job was at Batchelor Hospital, some serious emergency business but alongside, a bush nurse working mostly alone and then, so was time for a truly splendid Christmas Day, for far from Darwin5. When there were no nursing staff and patients with “possible head injuries”! jobs, I worked variously as mailroom lady, first aid attendant and editor of the local paper. I 1962: State Registered Nurse (SRN) discovered that I had unidentified skills from Emerging in 1962 a State Registered Nurse – an SRN nursing – working with people, coping, always – and shortly to be married, I knew that nursing able to cope, able to make decisions, planning and was for me. I liked being part of the patient’s story, structuring the work environment. 17
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I nursed in acute care and in community health (urban and remote) and post-Cyclone Tracy, completed an Infant Health certificate at Tresillian (Royal Society for the Welfare of Mothers and Babies [1918], known as ‘Tresillian’ from 1921) in Sydney in 1975. I was now a triple certificate Registered Nurse. Living with husband and dog in a 16-foot caravan, I started tertiary studies in 1976, more by accident than design, at the new Darwin Community College (DCC)6. I completed the four-year education degree in 1981, because it was fun. I became a teacher, first with Darwin Hospital trainee nurses in 1976, and then had three years in secondary school science and maths. Needing to improve my chemistry and science generally, I enrolled in a post-graduate program with WA Institute of Technology (later Curtin University). A changing nursing environment I entered academia in 1983 as Territory nurses finally gained local access to tertiary nursing studies at DCC. External study was difficult after the workday commitment for developing nursing programs as nursing education transferred from hospital to university7 and I withdrew with a graduate diploma in 1987. Plans for sabbatical leave down south were deferred as changing tertiary education structures8 meant a heavy participatory role for me as a representative of the local education union.9 In 1991, I was able to take a double sabbatical and enjoy a wonderful but lonely year in History and Philosophy of Science (Arts) at The University of Melbourne. I was lucky not to have to tutor at one of the various colleges. I will always be grateful for my little room at Graduate House overlooking the laundry and the friendly and supportive staff, especially Fran and Brenda. I did enjoy my weekly treat of ‘Italian’ on Lygon Street but missed the unique Asian flavours of Darwin. I had a great time looking at how knowledge is made, accepted and changed, enabling close examination of my thinking about changing nursing practice and knowledge and claims for nursing theory. I completed my thesis back home and was awarded a Master of Science in 1993. 18
From the 1980s and into the 2000s, I served as Associate Dean/Head of School of Nursing/ Health. I served on the University Council in various capacities and on the Academic Board, including as Chair, and retired as Senior Lecturer in 2014. In the community I have worked for and supported many community organisations over the years, both locally and nationally, from sailing to voluntary euthanasia, in professional nursing and cultural bodies and the trade union movement. I was honorary secretary of what became the National Tertiary Education Union for many years. A labour studies program (initially VET diploma, later Adelaide University degree) provided a fascinating opportunity to develop understanding of Australia’s labour movement. I was the first woman President of the NT Trades and Labor Council 2000-2004. My service professionally and in industrial organisations has been recognised with Life Membership of the National Tertiary Education Union (1997), the Centenary Medal (2003), in the Tribute to Northern Territory Women for “contribution to nursing and the trade union movement” (2005), with Life Achievement award from Unions NT (2011) and life membership of the Historical Society of the Northern Territory (2020) in recognition of “service as Secretary between 2003 and 2020”. I was awarded the Australian Honour of Member of the Order of Australia in 2019 “for significant service to nursing and to the community of the Northern Territory” and a Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa by the Council of Charles Darwin University in 2020 in recognition of an “outstanding contribution to the development and advancement of the nursing profession across the Northern Territory”. At the end of a working life Originally from 1987 as a voluntary extra with some wonderful volunteers, the Charles Darwin University10 Nursing Museum11 became my full-time focus after 2014, with an honorary appointment as a Fellow of the University and Curator of the Nursing Museum. With Museum volunteers, I am currently working on a history of
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the Museum with biographies of people important to the Museum and illustrated from Museum collections.
Rum Jungle mine”, Occasional Paper 29 (2017), Historical Society NT 6. Predecessor institutions of Charles Darwin University (2004- ) were Darwin Community College (1974-1984) becoming Darwin Institute of Technology (1985-1988), and Northern Territory University (1989-2003)
At the end of a working life of over 60 years, I look back on a wonderful life as a nurse. Don’t talk about ‘dedication’! That was just used to excuse the pitiful pay rates. Wage parity for knowledge and professional practice was achieved by nurses 7. Janie Mason, From hospital to university: through the 1970s and 1980s and the bias against A Northern Territory nursing story (2019), the married nurse lessened. I was of that first Historical Society NT generation of married nurses who continued in a lifelong career as the nursing workforce ceased 8. ‘Dawkins revolution’: John Dawkins, federal Labor politician responsible for significant to be cheap, discardable trainee labour. Trained re-structuring of tertiary education in the late as jack-of-all-trades, nurses have such a rich skill 1980s base, much of it unacknowledged, which can take you anywhere and it has been such an exciting 9. Honorary Secretary over the years for the NT adventure! Branch/Division of the Federation of College Academics, Union of Australian College *** Academics and National Tertiary Education Footnotes Union 1. Jon Peter Mason, 1937-2015 10. Charles Darwin University (2004- ) was 2. Vera Brittain, Testament of Youth (1933); 2004 successor institution to Darwin Community edition with preface by Shirley Williams and College (1974-1984), Darwin Institute of introduction by Mark Bostridge, Penguin UK, Technology (1985-1988), and Northern page 453: writing of her WW1 experience Territory University (1989-2003) as a VAD Nurse in 1933, was highly critical 11. For the start of this Nursing Museum, see Janie of the conservatism of nursing and its very Mason, “A Teddy Bear’s Story” in Collectors & impractical uniforms. How surprised she Museums – Two Centuries of Collecting in the would have been to see survival even into the Northern Territory (2009), Historical Society 1970s of archaic cultures of compliance and NT – pp. 75-81 obedience with the unchanging, impractical uniforms. The only changes from Victorian times were the length of the sleeves and height of the skirt hem! 3. Margaret Myles (1892-1988), author of Textbook for Midwives in 1953: popular and well-loved midwifery text over many decades and many later editions, latest 2020 – online 9/12/20; Vera Scantling-Brown (1929), revised by Kate Campbell 1946 and later editions, A guide to the care of the young child, Department of Health (Vic) 4. Sexually Transmitted Diseases 5. Janie Mason, “Beginning Experiences: Bush nurse and wife at Batchelor, living area for 19
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Frederick Krasey Certified NLP Practitioner – INLPTA Certified Behavioural Modeler – Behavioural Modelling Research Industrial Electronics Technician RMIT Sales Management – Montfort Nationally Accredited Mediator – Fred Stern 20
Practise Fearless Love
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by Frederick Krasey Beyond my resume, which is really just a bit of paper that tell employers what you’re good at, I am a people and culture professional: specialising in counselling, life and business coaching, mentoring and consulting.
includes web design and IT support, in addition to being a certified neuro-behavioural modelling professional and a certified neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) practitioner, which I now bring to the allied and general health industry.
All of that takes a backseat to what I do best: the The combination of counselling, coaching, act of being a human being living on this planet. mentoring and consulting, in conjunction with my knowledge and practical application of My background in various fields spans more business and technology skills, enables me to than forty years. These combined skill-sets, bring unique insights to thought leadership, synergistically complementing each other, allow strategic conception and pragmatic execution of me to connect honestly and authentically with transformational outcomes in culture, behaviour people at any level, whether that is culturally, and training, resulting in team and individual socioeconomically or otherwise. performance improvement. But what is the Aside from employment and serving as greatest lesson I have learnt as I circumnavigate all consultant for some small and medium of these modalities and approaches to professional enterprises (SMEs) and large corporations, and personal development? I have, likewise, experienced both success and My passion is people! I recognise that people growth as an entrepreneurial business person, are central to organisational and interpersonal being the owner of my own successful companies. success. My approach is energetic, dynamic and I have also experienced the less discussed side of influential, and leverages a lifetime of learning business success: failure. The times of struggle and life experience. One of my recent projects was and existential questioning that leads to an even delivered in people leadership, within the digital greater awareness of where we’ve been, and where sector of the National Australia Bank (NAB) in we want to go. It is easy to talk about success, but 2018. Moreover, I offer and deliver counselling, not so easy to talk about the hard times in between life and business coaching and mentoring, all of that make you question everything. which also underpins strategic leadership, which I believe that creating healthy discussion about further fortifies the effective alignment of strategy, these factors is crucial to understanding every people, capabilities and culture. facet of a successful life of purpose. Although a staunch believer in the positive I have a strong background spanning over 20 years results of collaboration and teamwork, I can also of IT experience and online marketing which be exceptionally self-directed, and can easily 21
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communicate across all levels in the effort to engage people and encourage personal and team ‘buy-ins’. Most importantly, I apply myself to these mediums of professional qualities and skills, utilising my technical skills, to support the allied health industry and the general health industry, as a point of focus. Put simply, I am passionate about enabling people to become the difference in organisational performance, enjoining them to form part of an institution, where excellence is a given, and recognition is identified through the outcomes of results and behaviours. I seek to inspire people and cultures towards more choice, wisdom and maturity so that whatever position they find themselves in the future, they will continue to thrive and benefit the work culture of the company or organisation in which they are currently employed. My newest and possibly final grandest venture in my professional life has come about as a result of the impact of COVID-19 that escalated in 2020. Bearing witness to the pain and suffering of people I had known and worked with over a 20year period was hard to watch. I was working with Sage Active Clinic at the time, with a great team of sports rehabilitation and fitness trainers, helping people reach their weight and mobility goals. As lockdown hit us hard in Victoria, I was receiving an increasingly alarming number of calls, emails and messages through social media. People I knew -- and some I had never met before -- all sharing the common ailments of isolation and loneliness, and severe impacts on their mental health. This tore me away from the current position I was in, and right back into the fields of counselling, coaching and mentoring. FKC Health (Frederick Krasey Consulting) was born from this collective need. FKC adopts an allied health approach, drawing in an eclectic team of professionals in various fields such as women’s health, youth work/ mentoring, and personal counselling. It is a funny thing to be pulled back into something you thought you had walked away from, and if there is one bit of golden advice I would give here, is that you cannot escape your life purpose. 22
Eventually you stop struggling against it. You stop going against the grain and choose to go with it, and in doing so, a new world of perpetual growth and opportunity opens up to you. When you are in that flow, and it all feels ‘right’, doing anything else feels like lying to yourself. At my age, and after years of accumulating knowledge, experience and skills in the various fields I have been involved in, you’re able to compartmentalise it all and utilise every aspect of that knowledge base in whatever you have chosen to do in life. Another piece of advice: knowledge isn’t wisdom until you put it to use. To fund this new venture and support my growing team while we found our footing, I pulled on my years of working in the IT and digital world. We named it FKC Digital to keep in-line with the other work we were striving to do and to keep it congruent. I called on my worldwide network of coders, web developers and graphic designers to create a digital social-enterprise where half of the money we made from building websites and brands fed back into the allied health work. In doing so, we were also able to create new opportunities for people in third-world countries like the Philippines and Africa. The outcomes we have managed to create through these two projects have been amazing, even through lockdown. We have been able to help many people, and now going into 2021, we are primed to increase that impact not only on a local community scale, but also at the global level. Mentoring has always been a key modality of mine. I have had many of my own mentors, teachers and other people that inspire me and have created new ways of thinking and doing in my personal and professional life. One is Anthony Robbins, among other personal development gurus. Another is my own father who taught me the value of being a support to others as well as of self-discipline, the latter having got me through a few tight spots over the course of my adult life. But over my years of mentoring and coaching others, I have found no better mentor than those I have walked beside. Reverse mentoring is one of most powerful and amazing results of that work. And I have learnt
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just as much about myself from insights and My mission, and the mission of the other coaches, reflections of my clients than I have from world youth workers and mentors I am connected with, is thought leaders and motivational speakers. to raise consciousness and awareness in myself and others. I wish to help people give more and have Those reflections and testimonials are milestones more, so that life starts being about something in my career. But there has also been a number worth living, and not something to fear. It is about of other milestones in my professional life: building bridges, not walls. Detroit Group of companies in my early years; a large privately-owned security company, Cogent It is about redefining what it means to be human. Solutions International; a light engineering and And linking people in with opportunities and sheet metal fabrication business; an IT and online experiences that promote growth and success. web company; a business and life coach; and the One last parting piece of advice: Find a mentor. FKC Group of companies now in my twilight years. Each one has taught me, shaped me and You may have heard the old adage: pushed me forward to reach higher heights. Each “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.� profession, business or body of work has led me, in hindsight, to discover one major understanding I don’t prescribe to that, and never have. that links the professional and personal together: We may be waiting forever for the Gandalf, Yoda, Integrity, compassion and empathy for others is Obi-Wan Kenobi or Merlin to appear, but in this day and age, those mystical encounters are few and what creates a leader. far between. Looking towards the future, it has been my lifelong dream, and something that has permeated Find someone you look up to or admire. Someone throughout everything else I have done, to create you can learn from, and someone who will make a multi-dimensional vision encompassing a their name synonymous with your own. They will strategic collaborative alliance with many other give you access to knowledge about yourself you people and businesses to create a worldwide may never otherwise discover. network of uplifting and supportive enterprises *** contributing to the betterment of all concerned. For more information, see: Together with my ever evolving network of friends and colleagues, I am working toward establishing www.fkchealth.com.au an international health retreat that will act as www.fkcdigital.com.au a restorative place for both the corporate and community worlds to connect, find peace of mind www.youtube.com/c/FKCHealth from their busy, chaotic lives, and as a platform for thought leaders to hold conferences and to share their knowledge for the betterment of humanity. This international retreat will also, more importantly, be used as an intercultural bridge between our society and indigenous wisdom from around the globe, as well as our First Nations people in Australia. We have an incredible youth branch too, led by a young man who I mentored in the past, who will be leading a revolutionary approach to mentorship and community connection by holding rites of passage retreats for parents/elders and teenagers/ young adults so that they can be properly initiated into new transitional stages of life. 23
December 2020 Special Event Megumi Miki REVIEWS
A ‘Graduate Pathway’ Story The presenter for our 2nd December 2020 Special Event – the last for this interesting year – was Megumi Miki. Megumi is an author, speaker and consultant in leadership, culture, diversity and inclusion, with a background in strategy, economics and finance. Her client list includes Bank of New Zealand, Ernst & Young, JBWere, National Australia Bank, Roche, state and federal government departments, and smaller for-profit and not-forprofit organisations. Megumi is the author of Quietly Powerful: How your quiet nature is your hidden leadership strength. This has won two very highly prestigious awards: the Australian Career Book Award of 2020 by RSA Oceania and the Best Leadership Book for 2020 by the Australian Business Book Awards (ABBA). She has also published Start inspiring, stop driving: Unlock your team’s potential to outperform and grow. Her work has prompted organisations to challenge their usual approaches to identifying, selecting and developing their leadership talent to harness their hidden talent, often of diverse backgrounds. Megumi began her presentation by noting her reflections, while preparing for this talk on her ‘graduate pathway’, that at the beginning of her career, she never thought she would write any books, let alone that these would receive awards. 24
In briefly characterising these reflections, she noted themes in this ‘graduate pathway’: a journey that was not expected, being ‘on the outer’ – seeing things from a different perspective and that others might not see – and many forks in the road with her often taking those that were less well trod and less obvious. Showing a picture of a boggy path, she noted that this seemed to represent best to her the feeling throughout her career of not really knowing where she was going and making things up as she went along. Megumi then pointed to her childhood as possibly laying the foundations and patterns for her life. Her family moved frequently – every three to five years. Born in Melbourne but living here for just one year, Megumi then lived in different cities across Australia, Japan and Canada – attending eight different schools before she was 18! Raised by a Japanese family, she recalls starting school in Sydney and knowing only the words ‘yes’, ‘no’ and ‘toilet’ and occasional instances of being picked on because there were not many Asian children at that time – the first time she began to realise that she was different to others. Going back and forth to Kobe in Japan, Megumi began to feel restricted by the strict requirements in her senior year schools (uniforms, hair styles, etc.) and again a feeling of being treated differently due to such things as her hair being a different colour (slightly bleached due to
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swimming). She did not fit in Japan either and thus decided that she would escape. This escape came in the form of a one-year exchange student placement in ‘the middle of nowhere’, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Though a great experience, this year was very challenging particularly with her host father losing his job. Her father than got a job in Adelaide, and though initially thinking that she would return to her senior school in Japan, Megumi headed back to the land down under for her Year 12.
Megumi in her first years of primary school (left) and Megumi’s daughter at a similar age (right).
Continuing in Adelaide, Megumi gained her Bachelor of Economics (Honours) from the University of Adelaide emerging without a real sense of what she wanted to do and then looking at a range of job opportunities in different sectors. The job market was not great in the early 1990s, so she took the first job that she got, which
fortunately was with Anderson Consulting, now known as Accenture. She describes this as a great six-year learning experience but absolutely exhausting, with her ‘burning out’. She then joined ANZ’s Finance and Performance Analysis team. She started then to find herself drawn to something quite different. ANZ was running a major cultural change program called Breakout Cultural Transformation. Attending an off-site workshop, Megumi was, at first, the cynic at the back of the room. However, by day three she was amazed by the personal insights that she had, as well as the potential for positive impacts on the business. One big realisation was that her life and career were being run based on the expectations of others. Though her business career was, to all intents and purposes, successful, her heart was not really in it. Upon discovering this organisational leadership and culture field, she found herself really wanting to be a part of it. About a month after this workshop Megumi thus volunteered to become an Internal Facilitator. While it was really challenging – Megumi not having a background in HR, psychology or facilitation – she worked very hard and ended up eventually running similar workshops. With the birth of her daughter and wanting to be a quality parent, and the subsequent return to 25
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part-time work in a job that she loved, Megumi experienced the real dilemma of the working Mum. In June of 2012, she branched out on her own to establish Megumi & Associates and specialising in organisational culture and leadership/team development and change. Notwithstanding her quietness and her desire to not be the centre of attention, she began speaking at conferences and working with major companies. However, after a very big project with NAB, and suddenly hitting a lull in business, she refocused her efforts on how 26
to help individuals and on the concept of being ‘quietly powerful’. With many leadership consultants, Megumi began the process of defining and refining this niche work and movement. She thus focused on the things that had been challenging for her as a more quiet and reserved person. Noting also the continued bias towards selection/recruitment of outspoken, dominating and confidently spoken people for leadership positions (notwithstanding the literature at the time, such as Robert K Greenleaf ’s Servant Leadership or Jim Collins’
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Level 5 Leadership), she focused additionally on how she could assist those individuals who had been overlooked or discouraged from leadership roles because they did not fit a ‘take up the space’ mould. Starting experimentally with small breakfast sessions in the free meeting spaces at the NAB Village, the popularity of her ‘quietly powerful’ presentations soon saw Megumi’s sessions regularly over-subscribed and her presenting to increasingly larger audiences, including at a Victorian ICT for Women event, at an Ernst & Young internal forum and then to an audience of 1,200 at a Victorian State Government ‘Empowering Women for the Future’ event. Megumi then undertook interview research with 29 leaders who she identified as humble, understated and highly influential. These included board members, CEOs, CFOs, a CIO, partners of professional services firms, entrepreneurs, a Paralympic Gold Medallist, and a former Rear Admiral of the Australian Navy. As detailed further in her book, she noticed three key attributes in these leaders. They were: 1. comfortable – in their own skins, happy with their own strengths and weaknesses, comfortable with their discomfort, continually identifying (and working on) areas for self-improvement; 2. present – during the interviews, interacting with people, listening, creating a presence and a feeling of safety for people to approach them, having in-depth relationships; and 3. purposeful – stepping up to leadership roles because they saw value in their work and their contribution, rather than because they were seeking to gain control, power and status or attention.
and coming in ‘knowing all of the answers’. They are happy to listen to others and harness others’ expertise and talents. Concluding her address, Megumi reflected on the question of what she had learnt throughout her life. The first, and one that was the most difficult to learn and only learnt in the last five years or so, was that of feeling OK to have her own style and to not have gone down the same roads as everyone else, to whatever was considered normal or the mainstream. Having always been on the outer, why bother continuing to fit in? The second lesson was on the focus of giving. Whenever she has focused on being of service and giving – based on her experiences, what she knows and what she is capable of – Megumi found that it was less about her and more about the work and others. She tapped into her own acquired purposeful nature as well as sought to emulate that attribute in the leaders whom she had interviewed. This focus on the work and others enabled her to have more courage to do things she never thought she would do. The third was on being OK with not knowing. As she shared through this story, there were lots of twists and turns with Megumi not knowing where things were going to lead; but she just thought to herself ‘have a go’. We thank Megumi very much for her presentation. *** A signed copy of her book Quietly Powerful: How your quiet nature is your hidden leadership strength is available at www.quietlypowerful. com.au/book.
Turning to recent articles on the pandemic revealing the weakness of strongmen, Megumi clarified her perspective as being on the weakness of the strongmen-style of leadership. She has come across men who reject that strongman type style of leadership, who are not at all ‘weak’ and not necessarily dominating, speaking a lot 27
Members’ Christmas Party REVIEWS
11th December 2020
It was an honour to welcome Members and guests back to Graduate House for our annual Members’ Christmas Party, held on Friday, 11th December 2020. We were so happy to see many familiar faces after a long absence. The dining room was transformed into an atmosphere of festivity with decorations and traditional Christmas colours, trimmings, lights, a Christmas tree and with Christmas-themed songs playing in the background. Our long-time Resident Member, Tim Stephens once again donned his Santa suit and handed out lollies just before guests sat down to a sumptuous threecourse dinner. After a quick registration, our party goers were shown to their seats and the party began … CEO/Head of College, Dr Kerry Bennett welcomed all to Graduate House, acknowledging the attendance of the President of the Graduate Union (GU), The Hon Diana Bryant, the Chairperson of Council, Vincent Mirabelli and Council Members Natalie Gray, Keith Ryall, Martin Comte, Molina Asthana, Max Stephens and Muan Lim, and thanked everyone for their attendance. Our master of ceremonies for the evening was then introduced as none other than Operations 28
Manager, Mr Daniel Clark, who then took over the microphone, in a role that he has held for many of our Christmas parties. The delicious entrée course of prawns, crusted chicken pieces and ravioli were savoured, followed by main courses of turkey breast and seared salmon. For desserts, our master chefs prepared plum pudding, mud chocolate Christmas cakes and summer fruit salad. The table draw competition resulted in one guest from each table winning the central table gift hamper. Next was the Christmas Trivia quiz. The scores were close and the winning table was Table 1! Many prizes were won throughout the evening from the raffle tickets drawn with nearly everyone going home with a prize! We apologise to all those Members who wanted to attend but missed out on our party. Due to physical distancing and capacity limit restrictions, we were not able to take any more bookings after having reached the maximum allowable capacity. We wish everyone a very happy new year and look forward to seeing you at our next Members’ Christmas Party on 10th December 2021.
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29
MEM BE RS’ CO NTRI BUT I ON
Musing on Reading by Life Member, Mac Nicoll My Mother’s best gift to me was a love of reading. For many years of my childhood she read me to sleep. Raggedy Andy, Tom Brown, Biggies, Tom Sawyer, Uncle Remus, Long John Silver and Captain Bligh often accompanied me to dreamland. Somewhere along the way I became an independent reader, accompanied at a tiny northern suburbs school by some inspired teachers who fostered a love for the written word. Mr. Foxcroft encouraged us to memorise Keats’ sonnet On first looking into Chapman’s Homer and even today I can recall Wordsworth’s memorable phrases as, on my morning bike rides, I gaze across at the city skyline. Dull indeed of soul would he be who could pass by a sight so touching in its majesty. Retirement has provided more opportunities to expand my reading horizons. What a delight to visit the local library, to drop in at Readings, to spend an hour each month for the last 18 years with the local library book group. What riches I have found in the hundreds of books about exploration, history, politics, theology, adventures of the mind as well as of the body, books about ordinary people and books about those extraordinary ones who turn things on their head. And then all those wonderful novels by Achebe and Astley, by Brookner and Bouras, by McCall Smith and Garner, not to speak of that wonderful quintet of Dickens, 30
Austen, Trollope, Hardy and, perhaps best of all, George Eliot. I often feel like one of J.D. Salinger’s characters who claimed, “What really knocks me out is a book that, when you’re all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it.” I don’t know that we need to justify reading beyond the fact that it is a pleasant experience which is enjoyable for its own sake, what Chesterton calls “the mere brute pleasure of reading – the sort of pleasure a cow must have in grazing”. However for some people reading is more problematic, often being associated with feeling guilty. How many can recall a scene from their youth when a harassed mother, finding her oldest child curled up in a chair reading would snap, “Haven’t you something better to do? Put that book down and finish your jobs.” Another source of guilt can be imposed by one’s subculture. In my teens, having become serious about Christian faith, I used to feel a bit guilty about reading ‘secular books’. ‘Christian books’ seemed somehow more worthy! Fortunately I stumbled upon a fine book by Ruth Etchells called Unafraid to be, which encouraged me to explore the world of literature as a way of learning about life, faith and the world we live in. I soon began to
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realise that everything I read could contribute to my understanding of myself and could enrich my understanding of other people and the way we all relate to one another. So, for the last 60 years I have plunged into reading all manner of books, unafraid to discover lots of knowledge and even some wisdom. I want to echo Flaubert’s advice: “Read in order to live.” Some will say ‘Reading is an escape’. Of course reading is an escape. It is flight from our current perception of reality, a means of transcending our present mood of fear, or loneliness, anxiety or boredom or whatever experiences or moods may be clouding our mind and emotions. What a wonderful means of escape, what a rich source of renewal, of hope, of relief from those demons which haunt the human spirit, irrespective of age, experience or intellect. Emily Dickinson recognises the value of reading as an escape:
There is no Frigate like a Book To take us Lands away Nor any Coursers like a Page of prancing Poetry The Oxford Dictionary, in defining the word escape, uses literature as an example. This ability to be distracted from reality by reading books is a sometimes neglected and often undervalued means of maintaining our equilibrium, and that in itself ought to justify our turning to books more frequently. I was shocked recently to discover a comment of E.M. Forster: “It is a mistake to think that books have come to stay. The human race did without them for thousands of years and may decide to do without them again.” Over my dead body!
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G RAD UATE HO USE N EWS
THE GRADUATE UNION - COUNCIL Notice of Election Nominations are hereby called for the election of three (3) Council members to hold office for three years from the date of the annual General Meeting to be held on Thursday, 27th May 2021. Any other vacancy occurring prior to the close of nominations will be included within this election. The terms of current Council members are set out in the tables below. The elected members who are retiring in May 2021 and eligible for re-election are indicated by the asterisk*. An Election Kit, available by application to the Returning Officer, contains the following essential information for any member who seeks election to Council: 1. the Nomination Form; 2. The Graduate Union Nomination and Election to Council Regulation; 3. forms for completion by the nominee to inform Members of their qualifications, experience and skills for governance; 4. declarations to be signed; and 5. other relevant information. Members should note the following key dates in 2021: - Opening of Call for Nominations - Close of Nominations - (if ballot is required) Election Material is to be submitted - Close of Voting
3rd February 11th March 18th March 21st May
The Election Kit is available from The Graduate Union offices or website, or by application to the Returning Officer at the postal or email addresses below: PO Box 265, Mount Waverley, VIC, 3149
ronritchie@optusnet.com.au
The closing date and time for Nominations is 11th March 2021, 4.00PM. The completed Nomination Form and other forms provided in the Election Kit should be lodged by post to the Returning Officer’s address above or by email (signed, scanned and as an attachment) to ronritchie@optusnet.com.au or placed in the ballot box at the offices of The Graduate Union. The completed Nomination Form is to be received by the Returning Officer by the stated closing date and time. Ronald G Ritchie Returning Officer Date: 14/01/2021 Elected Council members as at 31st January 2021 Until May 2021 Mr Kingsley Davis OAM Ms Mary Kelleher* Mr Muan Lim*
Until May 2022 Mr Vincent Mirabelli Mr Keith Ryall Dr Max Stephens
Until May 2023 Ms Molina Asthana Mr Martin Comte Ms Natalie Gray
Appointed Council members as at 31st January 2021 Appointed until March 2021 Ms G Reilly
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G U COLLEGIAT E
2021 GU Collegiate Year at a Glance We thank you for your support in attending and promoting these functions.
FUNCTION MONTH
Italian Conversation Dinner
Monthly Luncheon
Special Morning Breakfast
Bridge Night
Residents’ Meet and Greet
Women’s Forum
College Table
JANUARY
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
FEBRUARY
9th, 23rd
3rd
9th
3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th
—
17th
—
MARCH
9th, 23rd
3rd
9th
16th
17th
12th
APRIL
13th, 27th
7th
13th
7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
—
21st
16th
MAY
11th, 25th
5th
11th
5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
—
19th
14th
JUNE
8th, 22nd
2nd
8th
—
16th
—
JULY
13th, 27th
—
13th
7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
23rd
21st
—
AUGUST
10th, 24th
4th
10th
4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
—
18th
13th
SEPTEMBER
14th, 28th
1st
14th
—
15th
10th
OCTOBER
12th, 26th
6th
12th
6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
—
20th
15th
NOVEMBER
9th, 23rd
10th
9th
3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th
—
17th
—
DECEMBER
14th
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14th
1st, 8th, 15th
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3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st
2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th
1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
Single Date Events 2021 RESIDENTS’ WELCOME BBQ
GU INFLUENZA AND VACCINATION DAY
GU ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND DINNER
RESIDENTS’ CHRISTMAS IN JULY PARTY
26th MARCH
13th APRIL
27th MAY
23rd JULY
DONOR THANK YOU DAY
CHAIRPERSON’S COCKTAIL PARTY
MEMBERS’ CHRISTMAS PARTY
3rd OCTOBER
26th NOVEMBER
10th DECEMBER 33
G U COL L EGI ATE
Monthly Luncheon DIANA BRYANT AO QC W E DN E SDAY, 3 R D F E B RUA RY 2 0 2 1
40 years old - the Child Abduction Convention Throughout her career, Justice Bryant has worked – success or failure? to advance women in the law. She was involved in establishing the Women Lawyers of Western Australia The Hon Diana Bryant AO QC is the President of and is a Patron of Australian Women Lawyers (since our Association and an Australian jurist. In 2004 2009 and in recognition of her support for women she was Chief Federal Magistrate of the then Federal lawyers and efforts to promote equality of opportunity Magistrates Court of Australia, to then be appointed for women in the community) and a member of the Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia serving Australian Association of Women Judges. in the latter role from July 2004 to October 2017. In 2012 The Hon Diana Bryant was made an Officer The Hon Diana Bryant AO QC holds a Bachelor of of the Order of Australia for “distinguished service to Laws degree from The University of Melbourne and a the judiciary and to the law, particularly to family law Master of Laws degree from Monash University. policy reform and practice, through the establishment Admitted as a legal practitioner in Victoria in 1970, of the Federal Magistrates Court, and to the Diana Bryant worked from 1977 to 1990 as a partner advancement of women in the legal profession”. She with Phillips Fox in Perth where she practised as was inducted into the Western Australian Women’s a solicitor and counsel specialising in family law. Hall of Fame in 2018. She was also a Director of Australian Airlines from Her Honour chairs a working group for the Hague 1984 to 1989. She then practised at the Victorian Permanent Bureau in relation to Article 13(b) of the Bar specialising in family law and de facto property Child Abduction Convention, while also working disputes. She was appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 1997 with the National Judicial College to facilitate and was a founding member of Chancery Chambers, workshops for the judiciary throughout Australia. She Melbourne. From 2000 to 2004 Her Hon was head of was the Judge in Residence at Melbourne Law School, the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. The University of Melbourne in 2018 and 2019. 12:00NOON ARRIVAL FOR 12:30PM START (ONLINE: 1.15PM PLEASE LOGON 1.10PM) GRADUATE HOUSE 220 LEICESTER STREET, CARLTON, VIC , 3053 ONLINE BOOKING: WWW.GRADUATEHOUSE.COM.AU/COMING-EVENTS/MONTHLY-LUNCHEON-2021-FEB/ PHONE: (03) 93 47 3428 EMAIL : ADMINGH@GRADUATEHOUSE .COM. AU DINE IN PRICING: MEMBERS $35, NON-MEMBERS $ 40 VIRTUAL AT TENDANCE PRICING: MEMBERS $10, NON-MEMBERS $15
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G U COLLEGIAT E
Monthly Luncheon VICTOR PERTON W E DN E SDAY, 3 R D M A R C H 2 0 2 1
Victor Perton asks people what makes them arbitrator, businessman and board service. He was optimistic. a Senior Engagement Adviser to the Australian G20 presidency focused on the G20 Finance Victor is Chief Optimism Officer at the Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meetings, Melbourne-based Centre for Optimism. Formed and the Brisbane G20 Leaders Summit described one year ago as the offspring of The Australian by the Prime Minister as “the most important Leadership Project, the Centre’s members are gathering Australia has ever hosted”. drawn from 56 countries. The evidence for the health impact of optimism Victor’s underpinning beliefs are “The leader is now so strong, Professor Laura Kubzansky, looks like the person in your mirror” and “All good Harvard’s’ Lee Kum Kee Professor of Social and leadership is infectiously optimistic”. Behavioral Sciences, said in September “Optimism He is the author of Optimism: The How and is a health asset and a potential target for public Why and The Case for Optimism: The Optimist’s health interventions.” Voices; and editor and founder of The Australian Leadership Project. Victor’s life experience includes stints as Commissioner to the Americas, 18 years as a parliamentarian, practice as a barrister, mediator,
12:00NOON ARRIVAL FOR 12:30PM START (ONLINE: 1.15PM PLEASE LOGON 1.10PM) GRADUATE HOUSE 220 LEICESTER STREET, CARLTON, VIC , 3053 ONLINE BOOKING: WWW.GRADUATEHOUSE.COM.AU/COMING-EVENTS/MONTHLY-LUNCHEON-2021-MAR/ PHONE: (03) 9347 3428 EMAIL : ADMINGH@GRADUATEHOUSE .COM. AU DINE IN PRICING: MEMBERS $35, NON-MEMBERS $ 40 VIRTUAL AT TENDANCE PRICING: MEMBERS $10, NON-MEMBERS $15
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PROMOTI O NS
HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR YEAR OF THE OX MENU Tuesday, 16th February 2021 Roast duck (gf, df) Hokkien stir-fried noodle Steamed prawn dumplings (df) Chinese vegetable stir fry (v, gf, df) Steamed rice (v, gf, df) DESSERT Dessert of the day (gf) gluten free (df) dairy free (v) vegetarian PRICES Lunch (12noon – 2pm) Members $12 Non-members $20 Loyalty Card Holders $15 Dinner (6pm – 7.30pm) Members $17 Non-members $25 Loyalty Card Holders $20 36
PR O M OT IO NS
G RA DUATE HOU S E
DINING ROOM IS NOW OPEN FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER
GRADUATE HOUSE IS NOW AVAILABLE ON
DOORDASH, DELIVEROO, MENULOG AND UBER EATS DOORDASH: HTTP://BIT.LY/2NMWQZV DELIVEROO: MENULOG: UBER EATS:
HTTP://BIT.LY/3P8NK0N HTTPS://BIT.LY/3O01Z6W HTTPS://BIT.LY/397C9JI
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PROMOTI O NS
OFFICE RENTALS Book a day, a week, a month – the hours you need! Offices are in the iconic Gladstone terraces on University Square. Close to public transport stops (trams, buses), and with onsite secure bike and car parking, they are a short walk away from Melbourne’s CBD, The University of Melbourne and RMIT. Separate single user offices are available. Each has a desk, a lamp, shelving and a cupboard. The majority also have a basin. This means no open plan spaces, no lifts and low numbers sharing washrooms and staff facilities – thus COVIDSafe! Booking your Office Space at Graduate House To ask about renting offices at Graduate House – a one-off booking or something more regular (e.g., two days a week) or longer term – please telephone or email. We have humans at the end of the phone (03 9347 3428) from Monday to Friday between 8.00AM to 6.00PM who will check availability on the spot and talk you through the options. If you call after hours, leave a message with your phone number and we will return your call on the next workday. We have a similar turnaround for emails to admingh@ graduatehouse.com.au.
Offices are available between 8:00am and 6:00pm Monday to Friday. Minimum booking of one day. Subject to requirements, offices may be available at other times. Services included in the rental fee, and options that can be added: • reception services, including contact tracing records (included)
Indicative office rental fees:
• post/package receipt and inform services (included)
• 1 to 5 days = $85 per day
• Internet Wi-Fi^ (included, and with upgrade options)
• 6 days up to 3 months (90 days) = $70 per day
• casual meeting and breakout spaces (included subject to capacity limits and availability)
• 3 to 6 months (91-180 days) = $60 per day
• office services (e.g., printing, meeting scheduling, website) (option) • event/function areas and management (option) • breakfast, lunch, dinner and other catering (option) • café bar and BBQ facilities (option) • vending machine • regular cleaning and sanitising (included) • shower facilities (option) • secure bicycle shelter (included) * Car Parking fees apply (and are not included in the rent). ^ Standard Wi-Fi (suitable for web browsing and emails) is provided for free. Packages are available for the connection of additional devices and for higher speeds – contact us by phone (+61 3 9347 3428) or email (admingh@graduatehouse.com.au), or visit us at reception to ask about the costs for different plans.
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• car parking (option)*
Get in touch! Phone: +61 3 9347 3428 Email: admingh@graduatehouse.com.au
PR O M OT IO NS
ROOM TYPES, PRICES AND FEATURES The safest place to stay while in Melbourne over the summer break
• Single room private bathrooms
• Bed linen
• Double room private bathrooms
• Weekly housekeeping
• Stella Langford large/medium apartments
• Wi-Fi
• Double rooms with separate lounge and private bathrooms
• Utilities (electricity, gas, water) included in rent
• Barkly Place and Barry Street apartments
• Short term accommodation – one night, a few weeks • Long term accommodation – months, semesters, years
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PROMOTI O NS
GRADUATE WOMEN VICTORIA Scholarship and Bursary Program 2021
Graduate Women Victoria (GWV) is pleased to announce their 2021 scholarship program for women enrolled in universities in Victoria. GWV scholarships and bursaries range in value from $3,500 to $9,000 and are offered to female students enrolled in 2021 at Victorian universities, or at the Victorian campuses of the Australian Catholic University. Scholarships and bursaries are available to female students enrolled in the following courses: • PhD: Scholarships and Bursaries, including the Judith Rodriguez Scholarship for a student of literature, poetry or the visual arts; • Masters Coursework or Masters Extended or Masters Research: a Scholarship and Bursaries including the Lara Irvine/Meg Endersbee Bursary for a student enrolled in literary or a similar art area; • Master of Education/Teaching Scholarship and a Bursary for students preparing to teach STEM; and • Fourth Year Honours in Arts – Taines Scholarship. GWV is also offering a scholarship ($5,000) to an Indigenous female student enrolled in an undergraduate degree. Students applying for the PhD, Masters or Masters of Education may also apply for the Centennial Scholarship ($9,000) which marks 100 years of continued existence for our organisation. Only Australian citizens or permanent residents are eligible for the above scholarships. Applicants are asked to demonstrate that they are or have been experiencing disadvantage in the pursuit of their studies. An online application system has been established to make the process easier for students and their referees. Applications open in January and close on 31st March. More information: see http://gradwomenvic.org.au/scholarships/. 40
Workshops for Applicants GWV committee member and experienced researcher, Dr Barbara Murray, will be conducting two workshops on preparing applications for GWV scholarships and bursaries. The aim of these workshops is to assist postgraduate students and early career researchers who are looking for grants or scholarships to support their career development. The workshops are informal and allow for discussion of individual situations. To book a place, please email Barbara at barmaxmurray@westnet.com.au. Scholarships and Bursaries 2021 Closing date for applications: 31st March Indigenous undergraduates 4th Year Honours – Arts/ Humanities
Marilyn Godley Scholarship
$5,000
Taines Scholarship
$7,000
Education – Masters
WISENet Donor Bursary*
$3,500
E.D. Daniel Scholarship
$7,000
Lara Irvine/Meg Endersbee Bursary*
$3,500
SWAN Bursary*
$3,500
Bursary
$3,500
Bursary
$3,500
Philippa McCall Scholarship
$7,000
Feminist Fathers Bursary
$4,000
Feminist Fathers Bursary
$4,000
Madeleine Capicchiano Bursary
$4,000
Nancy Millis Bursary*
$4,000
Judith Leedham Bursary*
$4,000
Judith Rodriguez Scholarship*
$8,000
Yvonne Aitken Scholarship
$8,000
William and Elizabeth Fisher Scholarship
$8,000
Centennial Scholarship*
$9,000
Masters: Coursework, Research & Masters Extended
Research – Masters by Research and Doctoral degrees
Education Masters, Masters and Research
INNOVATION Drones - an alternative to fireworks?
IN NOVAT IO N
Lockdown, social distancing and curfews have become the new normal way of life that we are all getting used to as we live through this global pandemic. After a very challenging year, most cities around the world welcomed 2021 without the usual fanfare and public gatherings. As we have adapted to a new way of life, industries are also making changes. Hence the introduction of a new concept for fireworks – using drones. While everyone loves watching fireworks, these big and spectacular displays that light up the night sky are expensive. Globally, more than A$3.5 billion literally go up in smoke each year to celebrate the New Year.
noise pollution. While it is more cost effective in the long run, drone displays cannot be performed during bad weather, namely strong winds. To create a show is a straightforward process. First, the design team creates a storyboard timeline showing the desired images and effects. These are then animated in a specialised piece of software that translates them into synchronised flight paths for each drone, and usually a soundtrack is created to accompany the show. Complete shows are sent to the drones via radio signals from a ground control station operated by a pilot. When the pilot is satisfied that everything is safe and ready to go, the show starts, and the drones take off to draw the storyboard in the sky.
Drone light shows are performed by illuminated, synchronised, and choreographed groups of To learn more about creating a drone light show, lights. The display uses multiple unmanned aerial go to https://verge.aero/everything-about-dronevehicles that fly in a coordinated fashion and light-shows/. are usually equipped with LEDs (light emitting diodes). Depending on the design and purpose, these drones arrange themselves into various aerial formations and they may be arranged to produce images. Almost any image can be recreated in the sky by a computer program that turns graphics into flight commands and communicates them to the drones. Using this technology, displays have also been used for promotion purposes.
One of the significant differences between a drone People watch a drone show during New Year’s Eve celebrations light show and a fireworks display is that drones at a park on 1st January 2021 in Manila, the Philippines. are reusable, and do not contribute to the air and Photo credit: Ezra Acayan/Getty Images. 41
THE GRADUATE UNION of The University of Melbourne Inc.
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