The Graduate Union of The University of Melbourne Inc
Newsletter November 2012 this issue Upcoming Events • 2 October Sunday Music Concert • 3 Readings @ Carlton and Melbourne Neuroscience Institute • 4 The University of Melbourne Free Public Lectures • 5 November Monthly Luncheon • 6 Share Your Story and The Gift of Membership • 7 September Twilight Lecture Review • 8 Seen At Graduate House • 9 Show Your Support for our Residents - City2Sea • 10 October Monthly Luncheon - Reviewed • 11 Academic and Professional Development Meetings • 12 The Delegation from China • 15 University Sector News Flashes • 16 News Of Publications • 17 End Of year Function Menus • 18 Week Of Visits from Ministers and News From Council • 19 Free Financial Information Sessions in 2013 • 20
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You are invited to attend the following events at The Graduate Union for Bookings please telephone: 03 9347 3428
OCTOBER Tuesday, 16th ITALIAN CONVERSATION Dinner and Italian conversation with an excellent and experienced teacher. RSVP by Monday 15th October. Wednesday, 17th WOMEN’S FORUM Enjoy a lively discussion on What is the Role of Government in Modern Western Society then a leisurely buffet lunch if desired. Wednesday, 17th, 24th and 31st BRIDGE NIGHTS If you play the card game Bridge, or would like to learn, join this group each week - see page 3 for more information.
6.00pm Members $15 Non-Members $20 10.00am for 10.30am Free 7.30pm - 10.00pm Free
Sunday, 21st SUNDAY MUSIC CONCERT 3.00pm Soprano Greta Bradman with guitarist Ken Murray will play Resident Members $15 Spanish and South American music, followed by a Non-Resident Members $25 Public $30 sumptuous afternoon tea. Non-Resident Students $20 Concession $27.50 Tuesday, 30th RESIDENTS MEET AND GREET Resident and Non-Resident Members meet for drinks and nibbles.
7.00pm Free
NOVEMBER Wednesday, 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th BRIDGE NIGHTS If you play the card game Bridge, or would like to learn, join this group each week - see page 3 for more information. Friday, 9th FRIDAY DRINKS AND DINNER Meet up with fellow Non-Resident and Resident Members for a convivial end-of-the-week drink and meal. RSVP by Thursday 8th. Tuesday, 13th SPECIAL MORNING BREAKFAST An invitation to all past-Graduates: join our post-graduates for a hearty breakfast.
7.30pm - 10.00pm Free 6.00pm - 8.00pm Members $15 Guests $20 Concession $17.50 7.30am - 8.30am Free
Wednesday, 14th MONTHLY LUNCHEON 12.00pm for 12.30pm Speaker Mr Shane McSweeney presents Living in the visual world Resident Members Free as a blind person. Enjoy a two course luncheon Non-Resident Members $30 Guests $37.50 with wine. RSVP by Monday 12th November. Concession $32.50 Tuesday, 20th ITALIAN CONVERSATION Dinner and Italian conversation with an excellent and experienced teacher. RSVP by the Monday prior (19th October). Wednesday, 21st WOMEN’S FORUM Enjoy a lively discussion on Sticks and stones will break your bones but names will never hurt you - a reflection of names in general. A leisurely buffet lunch to follow if desired. Tuesday, 27th
6.00pm Members $15 Non-Members $20 10.00am for 10.30am Free
RESIDENTS MEET AND GREET
Resident and Non-Resident Members meet for drinks and nibbles. Friday, 30th
END OF ACADEMIC YEAR CELEBRATIONS
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7.00pm Free 7.00pm Free Page 2
SUNDAY MUSIC CONCERT 21st October 3.00pm
Greta Bradman, soprano accompanied by Ken Murray, guitarist
Greta Bradman, soprano, is gaining a reputation as a vocalist of great beauty and skill. Currently nominated for a 2012 Helpmann Award and awarded the 2012 South Australia APRA AMCOS Performance of the Year award, Greta’s recitals are not to be missed. She is a Sony recording artist and much sought after as a soloist and recital singer. Ken Murray, well known guitarist, has a special interest in the music of Spain, South America and contemporary Australia. Their program features music from Spain (de Falla), Brazil (Villa Lobos), England (Britten) and Australia. Book online (www.graduatehouse.com.au) or in person (reception or phone 03 9347 3428). Tickets are available at the door from 2.30pm on the day but we cannot guarantee a seat. Most know to book well ahead. This event is open to members, their guests and interested potential members (who have graduated from a university in the world). Members use the car park for free. Non-members may book in advance ($5). A sweet and savoury afternoon tea follows the concert from 4.00pm. The bar is open before and after the concert. Bar prices apply for alcohol. Resident Members $15 Non-Resident Members $25 Non-Resident Students $20 Non-Members and Guests of Members $30 Concession $27.50 RSVP by Monday, 19th October, 2012 Book via our website or telephone 03 9347 3428
Bridge Nights Join the friendly group of Bridge players every Wednesday from 7.30pm - 10.00pm. Tea and coffee at 8.30pm is free for members and $2 for non-members. From 6.30 to 7.30pm, you may also choose to enjoy a college-style buffet dinner (soup, main course and dessert). $15 for members. $20 for non-members. To avoid disappointment, please book by calling 9347 3428.
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Readings @ Carlton Readings Carlton is a Melbourne icon and has long been a gathering place for the Australian literary scene. It began as a tiny stand-alone shop in 1969 and is now quite grand and at 309 Lygon Street.
Tim Soutphommasane in conversation with Robert Manne Monday 22nd October, 6.30pm
Tim's latest book is entitled Don't Go Back to Where You Came From and offers an “unflinching and informed defence of cultural diversity�. This event is free. Book on (03) 9347 6633 or by email to events@readings.com.au. We suggest that you meet to dine here at The Graduate Union from 5.30pm
Invitation from the Melbourne Neuroscience Institute Members who are interested in Neuroscience and Behavioural Science are invited to become affiliates of the Melbourne Neuroscience Institute (MNI) for free. Affiliates receive monthly newsletters by email and invitations to events, workshops and the MNI monthly public seminar series on topics ranging from Music and the Mind to Stem Cell Research and Ethics. Go to www.neuroscience.unimelb.edu.au or email info-mni@unimelb.edu.au
The University of Melbourne Free Public Lectures Dear Members, On the opposite page we list upcoming free events at The University of Melbourne, including a lecture by ex-Premier of Victoria, the Hon John Brumby. We invite you to use The Graduate Union as your meeting and dining place. Sated and in good company, you might then saunter or stroll to campus for the free presentation. Following this feeding of the mind, you might then reconvene in the newly named Philip Law Members Lounge for a scholarly social conclusion to your outing.
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The University of Melbourne Free Public Lectures 2012 Date
Time
Venue
Faculty/School
Title
Speaker
Bookings and Enquiries
Wednesday 5.15pm - Linkway 17 7.00pm Meeting Room, October 4th Floor, John Medley Building
Arts (Social and Political Sciences
Transformative policy for poor women: a new feminist network
Dr Bina Fernandez University of Melbourne
Bookings http://alumni.online. unimelb.edu.au/binafernandez Enquiries eveades@unimelb.edu.au Call 8344 6564
Wednesday 6.15pm - Basement 17 7.15pm Lecture October Theatre, The Spot, Business and Economics Building, 198 Berkeley St, Carlton Wednesday 6.30pm - Public Lecture 17 8.00pm Theatre, Old Arts October Building
Business and Economics
Corden Lecture
Professor Martin Wolf CBE Oxford University, Financial Times, London
Bookings www.tiny.cc/CordenLectureRegistration Enquiries fbelectures@unimelb.edu.au Call 9035 9940 www.tiny.cc/MartinWolf Oct17
Arts (Languages and Linguistics) in association with Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD) German Academic Exchanges Service Arts
Sexual, Gender and Women’s Rights in Cuba
Mariela Castro Espin Cuba’s National Centre for Sex Education (CENESEX)
Bookings http://alumni.online. unimelb.edu.au/marielacastro Enquiries jeremy.taylor@unimelb.edu.au Call 8344 4720
Dean’s Lecture Series
The Hon John Brumby
Bookings http://alumni.online. unimelb.edu.au/johnbrumby Enquiries tamsinc@unimelb.edu.au Call 8344 8985
How the Financial crisis has changed the world
Thursday 18 October
6.30pm - Public 7.30pm Lecture Theatre, Old Arts Building
Thursday 25 October
5.30pm - Linkway 7.00pm Meeting Room, 4th Floor, John Medley Building
Arts (Social and Political Sciences)
Citizen co-production of public services: What, who, when and how?
Professor John Alford University of Melbourne
Bookings http://alumni.online. unimelb.edu.au/jalford Enquiries georgina.cahill@unimelb.edu.au Call 8344 8550 http://alumni.online.unimelb.edu. au/jalford
Thursday 8 November
5.00pm - Basement 6.30pm Lecture Theatre, The Spot, Business and Economics Building, 198 Berkeley St, Carlton
Murrup Barak, Melbourne Institute for Indigenious Development
The Narrm Oration
Dr Megan Davis University of New South Wales
Bookings http://narrm2012. eventbrite.com Enquiries alaguerre@unimelb.edu.au Call 8344 3917 www.murrupbarak.unimelb. edu.au
Thursday 15 November
5.30pm - Theatre A, 7.00pm Alan Gilbert Building
Arts (Social and Political Sciences)
The Quotidian and the crisis in International Law
Hilary Charlesworth, Australian National University, and Professor Dianne Otto, University of Melbourne
Bookings http://alumni.online. unimelb.edu.au/crisisinlaw Enquiries georgina.cahill@unimelb.edu.au Call 8344 8550 http://alumni.online.unimelb.edu. au/crisisinlaw
After the Big Reforms – What’s Left and What’s Next?
Aboroginal Women: the right to selfdetermination
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MONTHLY LUNCHEON Wednesday, 14th November 12.00 noon for 12.30pm
Mr Shane McSweeney
Living in a visual world as a blind person Enjoy a two-course meal with wine and then a presentation by Shane McSweeney, an Occupational Therapist who works at Guide Dogs Victoria. Shane’s particular interest is in working with young adults and with people who have experienced vision impairment due to acquired brain injuries. His role includes assessing and providing life skill training appropriate to a person’s age, experience and goals. This may include working with a child to tie shoe laces, a teenager to shave or to apply make-up or a frail elderly person to increase home safety. A cute pup might be coming! Resident Members Free Non-Resident Members $30 Non-Resident Students $30 Non-Members and Guests of Members $37.50 Concession $ 32.50 RSVP by Monday, 12th November, 2012 Book via our website or telephone 03 9347 3428
Professor Nancy F Millis AC The Graduate Union extends condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Professor Nancy F Millis AC. Professor Millis served as Chancellor of La Trobe University for 14 years from 19922006 during which time she presented degrees and diplomas to an estimated 30,000 graduates. For many of us, Professor Millis has provided inspiration over decades as an academic, a researcher and a strong leader and supporter of regional and international expansion and development of quality education and collaborative research.
www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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Share Your Story Dear Members, We invite you to contribute to our Newsletter and to the Melbourne Graduate. Many of our members enjoy reading about the careers and lives of other members since graduation, and of how they came to be involved with The Graduate Union. Tell us about your goals and passions, your past, current and future learning and career pathways and your contributions to society. For Resident and Non-Resident Members, let us know: - where you are from in the world; - when and why you became a member of The Graduate Union; - details about your academic and professional career - past, now, future; - your involvement and special memories with The Graduate Union; - what you see in the future for The Graduate Union; - one or two photos of yourself, of your career activities, of your life or of something else that you think will be of significance to our members. For Organisation members, we want to know: - about your organisation, its key focus and news of interest to our membership of graduates from around the world; - the event(s) that you held at The Graduate Union; - your audience and the key messages from these meetings; - your experiences in belonging to The Graduate Union collegium; - one to two photos of your organisation and its activities, or of your team at The Graduate Union. We look forward to bringing these stories of our members to our members. Send 250-500 word articles and photos to shirley.ho@graduatehouse.com.au Download the Share your Story form from www.graduatehouse.com.au/contact/share-your-story We type the stories and copy the photographs for members who do not use computers.
The Gift of Membership Graduation provides an ideal opportunity for the new graduate to receive the Gift of Membership of The Graduate Union, an esteemed membership association of graduates from around the world. Email admingh@graduatehouse.com.au or call us on +61 3 9347 3428 to purchase a gift certificate and to request an application form which we will post or email to you. You may also download the application form from http://www.graduatehouse.com.au.
www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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September Twilight Lecture reviewed
19th September, 2012
For the final of our 2012 Health-themed Twilight Lectures, we were honoured with a presentation by ex-Vice Chancellor of The University of Melbourne, Professor Emeritus David Penington AC. He began by speaking about the ‘reality’ of bionic implants and their recent evolution and explained that the first major advance of this kind was the cardiac pacemaker which became a global technology in the 1970s after the Australian industrialist Paul Murray Trainor AO (1927-2006) had taken a controlling interest and a leading role in Telectronics. The second major development was the defibrillator which was implanted to assist people with attacks of ventricular fibrillation (rapid heartbeat). Though developed in the USA, this technology gained momentum through Telectronics and Trainor and was marketed well throughout the USA (in competition) and Europe. However, unexpected difficulties that arose because of this rapid expansion, and because Trainor wanted the company to stay in Australian hands, Telectronics was purchased by Pacific Dunlop in 1988. Professor Penington was then asked to join the board. Graeme Clark became a Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at The University of Melbourne in the same year as Professor Penington in 1970. Professor Clark was interested in producing a bionic ear implant for people who were totally deaf. Though others overseas were initiating similar projects, Professor Clark’s development in Melbourne was more sophisticated. Commencing in 1970, it had reached the stage of a prototype for implanting into a profoundly deaf person by 1978. It took another two to three years for the development of speech recognition capacity and the Australian Research Council (ARC) backed this development through a grant which enabled the work to be taken up by Paul Trainor’s Nucleus group of medical technological companies. The company, Cochlear, came into existence as a small subsidiary of Nucleus and later became an even smaller subsidiary of Pacific Dunlop. The ‘bionic ear’ was manufactured and marketed internationally. Three years later, a wire in the implant broke in a patient who subsequently died and this totally unpredictable occurrence crippled this division of Pacific Dunlop who then asked Professor Penington to lead Cochlear into a self-regulating company through an independent public offering. Floated on the stock exchange at an initial price of $2.50, Cochlear shares are now valued at around $65 and the company holds 70% of the global market of cochlear implants - a wonderful story of an implantable device and its development from a company based in Sydney. Professor Pennington then outlined the story of his involvement with the bionic eye. At Kevin Rudd’s 2020 Summit in 2009, the idea of the bionic eye was backed and Professor Penington was asked to put forward a proposal. Though there were initial discussions with an existing bionic eye development company in Sydney, safety assurances were insufficient so he established a company to compete for the government offering of $50 million over four years. Ultimately, by end 2009, the Australian Federal Government awarded a $42 million ARC grant to Bionic Vision Australia, an unincorporated joint venture of which Professor Penington is now Chair. Similar to the bionic ear, the bionic eye will have electrodes placed to stimulate nerves so that they can transmit messages. It shows great promise particularly for people with agerelated macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. Age related macular degeneration makes up 48% of people with vision loss. The macular is at the back of the eye and enables recognition of what it sees. It is a critical part of vision. Retinitis pigmentosa is a disease that comes on in adolescence and early adult life. It is the underlying condition in about 1.5% of people with real blindness and begins with night vision loss and then progressively smaller areas of vision. In May 2013, an early 24-electrode prototype was implanted in a patient with retinitis pigmentosa and stimulated through a sub-cutaneous wire leading to the eye. Of great encouragement is that this patient can now see light. To make the flashes of light into vision is a long slow process and is clearly the next required function for the device. With the initial four-year grant ending in 2013, Professor Penington is now planning to lobby for government at all levels and on both sides to gain funds for another 2-3 years of development so that the biomedical engineering processes can be refined and for commercialisation. Professor Penington explained that a key to success with the bionic eye is the health of the ganglion cells in the retina and the ability to get electrodes close enough to these cells. For the 10% of people with legal blindness associated with diabetes, there are concerns that the vascular changes of this disease that lead to retinal scarring may make it difficult to get the electrodes closer to the ganglion cells. For people with congenital blindness there may be some hope but much depends on the cause, the presence of healthy ganglions cells and the ability of the brain to learn vision. www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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Seen at Graduate House Non-Resident Members who have been part of our association for many years will know some of the history of The Graduate Union and hence the significance of recent visits from the new generations of families who have given significantly to The Graduate Union.
Family of Frank Stillwell September saw visits from the descendants of Frank Stillwell, his sisters Ellie, Florence and Olive and his niece Ella Jean Shaw. The support of this wonderful family is acknowledged in the naming of the Stillwell Room. In September, Elizabeth Shaw Wright and husband Michael Wright, visiting Australia from the United Kingdom, came in for lunch and gave a most generous donation towards the library. Thank you. Also in September, Jenny Stillwell, her sister Claire and two potential graduates came in for lunch. Here is their account of this visit:
Jenny Stillwell with her two sons and her sister Claire Ward enjoying lunch at the Graduate Union.
Our first stop after landing at Melbourne airport was a cab ride to Graduate House. We were aware that there was a conference on in The Stillwell Room on Friday 14th September and that our window of opportunity was small. Laden with bags, my sister, my two sons and I arrived during the lunch break to sneak a peek at the room that was much spoken about in family circles. We were warmly greeted and allowed to view not only the famed family room with the portrait of "Uncle Frank" but were shown the Library that housed some of Frank's artefacts and highlighted his Antarctic expedition, academic achievements and his long history with The University of Melbourne and Graduate House. We were truly impressed with the hospitality shown to us during our visit and came away feeling very grateful to have had the opportunity to bathe in the glory of our "Uncle Frank" and to know that others also appreciate Frank Stillwell's legacy. It was a wonderful start to our Melbourne adventure, the prime purpose of which was a Stillwell family reunion on the Sunday. Thank you for this wonderful visit. Jenny Stillwell and Claire Ward, nieces of Frank Stillwell
Family of William Berry Kate and David Preston arrived for lunch at Graduate House on the 21st September, 2012 to be greeted warmly and hosted by Life Members Barbara Funder and Heather Kudeviita. Kate is the daughter of William (Bill) Berry. Barbara and Heather are trustees of The William Berry Postgraduate Trust. Now residing in the United States, Kate and her husband take a continuing interest in Graduate House and were happy to experience first hand the vibrancy that they had heard about so much from friends, family and colleagues in Australia.
Heather Kudeviita (left) with David and Kate Preston
and Barbara Funder (right). Kate and David visit every two to three years and expressed their great delight during this occasion to be reminded of her father’s vision and tenacity in protecting the Graduate Union’s original investment and subsequent expansions, and to see his legacy being acknowledged and honoured in current times.
They were also pleased to learn that The Graduate Union continues its commitment to the charitable charter for ‘advancement of education’ and to Bill’s catch cry of ‘past graduates for post graduates’ with graduates acknowledging the privilege of education and the responsibility to give back. www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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The CEO/Head of College thank everyone for their generous donation and acknowledges resident member Rachel Conroy for suggesting and implementing this initiative. The Donations will go to the Brotherhood’s 23 community stores, their Hunter Gatherer store for vintage clothing or directly to people in need.
Show your support for our Resident Members On November 11th, two of our Residents Members, as well as one ex-Resident, will be taking part in the 14km City2Sea event. Rachel Conroy, Angela Band and Tristan Blackshaw will each be running to raise money for their chosen charities. Rachel’s charity is Headspace – Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, which provides young people with access to general health, mental health, counselling, education, employment, and alcohol and drug services. Angela will be running for the National Stroke Foundation, a cause which is close to her heart. Tristan has chosen Autism Spectrum Australia, which is the largest not for profit provider of autism specific services in Australia.
Tristan Blackshaw and Angela Band
Please support our members to undertake this challenge by making a tax deductable donation through these links: http://www.everydayhero.com.au/rachel_conroy http://www.everydayhero.com.au/angela_band http://www.everydayhero.com.au/tristan_blackshaw
For members who do not use computers, The Graduate Union will accept your sponsorship on their behalf at reception or by telephone.
Rachel Conroy
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October Monthly Luncheon reviewed
3rd October, 2012
A General Practitioner (GP) who worked previously with Diabetes Australia Victoria, Dr Audehm’s interest is in public health within and beyond GP clinic rooms. His presentation, entitled “Just another Pill?”, was on how medications are used in primary care. Dr Audehm outlined the problems and benefits of the rapid and increasing use of prescription pills. He explained ‘polypharmacy’ as now being the norm and outlined the significant challenges for practitioners in balancing their understanding of lots of medication being of benefit and lots of medication causing problems. He noted that there were very few studies on the effects of taking multiple medications for different health issues, particularly in the elderly where polypharmacy was particularly evident. The majority of research had been undertaken in controlled trials purposefully designed to minimise variance - testing one medication for one disease. Combining medications for people with ‘comorbidity’ - for example, with diabetes, a heart condition and a lung disease - is a much less tested territory with little real knowledge or understanding of how multiple medications react with each other, and whether or not new and often more expensive medications are more beneficial than some of the older medications that have been used, tried and tested for years. Dr Audehm sees responsible prescribing and responsible use of medications as important issues for all, not only with regards to health but also with regards to the cost to the health system and to taxpayers. Dr Audehm works in Broadmeadows in the community health sector. Only one in four of his regular patients do not take any medications while one in five take eight or more medications daily. The most commonly prescribed medications across Australia are for high blood pressure, with 20% of the population now taking at least one statin daily (to lower cholesterol). For people over 60 years of age, 45% are taking eight or more medications while only 6% are taking no medication. For Dr Audehm, it is not only the amount of drugs that are being taken that is of concern for this age group, but the difficulties in remembering what to take, particularly for those experiencing dementia and without support, and the expense to this population, even with concessions and subsidies. Dr Audehm used the condition of type 2 diabetes to illustrate that practitioners and their patients are faced with confusion when attempting to manage chronic diseases. He illustrated the significant number of drugs used in diabetes and the influence of drug companies on what is prescribed and on the maligning of older drugs that in Dr Audehm’s view work with less side effectives and are more cost effective. People with diabetes are often taking at least three different tablets for this condition each day, and after approximately ten years, it is not uncommon to see them additionally taking three different blood pressure medications plus a statin for cholesterol, possibly something to thin the blood and a host of other medications for additional illnesses. The reality of each day for these people is a ‘soup’ of pills. With no long term studies on the effects of taking 10-12 medications daily, are we confident with this approach? At the opposite end of the ‘soup of pills’ spectrum, Dr Audehm demonstrated the dangers of no or late prescription of important therapies, terming this behaviour by doctors as ‘therapeutic inertia’ - when doctors should prescribe but don’t. Results from research indicate that even when it is obvious that a patient requires an increase in medication, 50% of doctors do not do so, with the result that only 50% of people are controlled to target. Insulin, for example, is a good, safe and natural drug, yet many doctors are reluctant to prescribe insulin and do so only when patients are suffering. Patients too, contribute to therapeutic inertia, not wanting to take more medications, or not taking prescribed medications. Dr Audehm pointed out a sometimes ignored obviate: that medications are important and that they should be taken as prescribed. Three percent of all admissions to hospital are due to drug reactions and adverse drug problems. For older populations, 15-22% of all emergency admissions are related to drug reactions. In Dr Audehm’s view, most of these presentations - and thus costs to the health care system - could be avoided. He pointed to the responsibility in prescribing medications and the importance and urgency in defining where the responsibility lies in using medications wisely and appropriately. In conclusion, Dr Audehm argued for a better structured and systematic approach to polypharmacy, proposing that general practitioners and specialist physicians could work more efficiently and effectively with practice and community nurses, and with pharamacists in a shared responsibliity model, particularly with regards to medication reviews. www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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Academic and Professional Development Meetings The following groups from The University of Melbourne have convened meetings and workshops and seminars at The Graduate Union. AURIN (Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network) Board Meeting - 13th September, Attendees = 18 Lens 2 Interim Testing for CofFEE e Tools project - 21st September, Attendees = 6 AURIN/ABS Demonstrator Meeting - 21st September, Attendees = 10 Australian Society for Music Education Annual General Meeting - 12th September, Attendees = 15 UoM Commercial - Mass Transit Horizons New approaches to mass transit, access planning and infrastructure 27th and 28th September, Attendees = 13 both days UoM Commercial - Palliative Care Psychosocial Aspects of Palliative Care - 6th September, Attendees = 23 Family Centred Palliative Care and Cultural Issues - 7th September, Attendees = 17 Department of Infrastructure Engineering Infrastructure Engineering Staff Meeting - 4th September, Attendees = 30 Walkability Working Group Meeting - 19th September, Attendees = 12 House Working Group Meeting - 21st September, Attendees = 12 Employment Working group Meeting - 28th September, Attendees = 12 Human Resources Future Academic Leaders Program - 5th September, Attendees = 15 Melbourne Students and Learning Planning Workshop - 21st September, Attendees = 9 Student Administration Services Student Administration Services - 17th and 18th September, Attendees = 20 Sustainable Campus Staff Environment Advocates Meeting - 4th September, Attendees = 25 Victorian Centre for Climate Change VCCCAR Government Project Review Group Meeting - 19th September, Attendees = 25
The patronage of organisation members in the not for profit, government and professional development sectors is acknowledged. Thank you. ACHPER Victorian Branch (Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation Inc.) - representing professionals working in health and physical education. VCE Physical Teacher Examination - 3rd September, Attendees = 40 VCE Health and Human Development for Teachers - 5th September, Attendees = 40 VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies – 7th September, Attendees = 20 ACHPER/SRV Foundations for Competition Project Advisory Committee Meeting 13th September, Attendees = 10 VCE VET Spot and Recreation Teacher - 14th September, Attendees = 4 Aurora Project - professional development for lawyers of Native Title Representative Bodies. Project Management 2012, Tools and Techniques for Managing Native Title Projects 18th, 19th and 20th September, Attendees = 16 each day.
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Academic and Professional Development Meetings Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) - promoting technologies to improve and sustain Australia’s society and economy. ATSE Meeting - 6th September, Attendees = 21 Australian Asian Association of Victoria (AAA) - fostering friendship, understanding and good fellowship between the peoples of Australia and Asia. Australian Asian Association of Victoria - 10th September, Attendees = 12 Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM) - a non-profit for the promotion of media education. ATOM Victoria 2012 Media Exam Revision Conference - 10th September, Attendees = 20 Booked Out Speakers Agency - a speakers agency for writers, artists and thinkers. Booked Out Presents - Alcohol and Other Drugs: What are young people up to? 18th September, Attendees = 22 Carlton Rotary - making lives better and raising funds to assist the Carlton community. Regular Lunch Meeting - 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th September, Attendees = 32 each time. Board Meeting - 18th September, Attendees = 8 Council of Professional Teaching Associations of Victoria (CPTAV) - representing professional teaching associations in Victoria. CPTAV Annual General Meeting - 18th September, Attendees = 30 Environment Protection Authority Vic (EPA) - regulating and influencing for a healthy environment that supports a liveable and prosperous Victoria. EPA Victoria Meeting - 12th September, Attendees = 24 FaHCSIA (Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs) - a Commonwealth government department for social policy outcomes. Native Title Representative Bodies (NTRB) and Native Title Service Providers (NTSP) - 25th and 26th September, Attendees = 47 Geography Teachers’ Association of Victoria (GTAV) - for the education of geography. GTAV Geogspace Primary Validation - 17th September, Attendees = 16 Institute for Management Development International Alumni (IMD) IMD Alumni Roundtable Meeting - 10th September, Attendees = 20 Modern Language Teachers Association of Victoria (MLTAV) - a professional association for Languages teachers, and the umbrella organisation for approximately twenty-two Single Language Associations (SLAs) in Victoria. MLTAV Committee Meeting - 4th September, Attendees = 120 MLTAV Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) Seminar with Visiting International Expert Professor Do Coyle - 4th September, Attendees = 120 MLTAV Languages Networking Evening - 19th September, Attendees = 40 Organisation Development Australia (ODA) - supporting those working or with an interest in organisational development. The Relational Group World with John Batros - 26th September, Attendees = 15
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Academic and Professional Development Meetings Parentshop - helping parents to help kids through books, programs and online courses. Engaging Adolescents Course - 3rd September, Attendees = 8 Probus Carlton Parkville - a civic organisation for fellowship and intellectual stimulation. Probus Carlton Parkville Meeting - 11th September, Attendees = 50 Rotary D9800 - making lives better and raising funds to assist the community. Rotary Foundation Seminar - 24th September, Attendees = 70 SAI Global Advanced Food Safety (AFS) - providing training services to the Australian and New Zealand food industry. Introduction to Food Safety and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) Awareness 7th September, Attendees = 4 Food Safety QA Management, Advanced - 10th, 11th and 12th September, Attendees = 9 at each Internal Food Safety Auditor - 13th and 14th September, Attendees = 7 at each Slavery Links Australia Roscoe Howell - 19th September, Attendees = 4 Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA) - supporting professionals and practitioners in the fields of supply chain and logistics. Victorian Committee Meeting - 6th September, Attendees = 10 SCLAA Event - Intelligent Transport Systems Now and the Future – 20th September, Attendees = 37 Workplace Training Advisory Australia (WTAA) - providing employee development and leadership programs. The Australian Applied Management Colloquium – 13th and 14th September, Attendees = 21 and 20 Advanced Leadership Program - 18th September, Attendees = 18 Women and Leadership Australia - 20th September, Attendees = 33 Rethinking Leadership in Local Government - 25th September, Attendees = 61
Testimonial this month Australian Asian Association (AAA) I would like to thank Rosie Ellul for her friendly and helpful support throughout the planning for this event. All email requests were answered promptly. Graduate House exceeded our expectations. The rooms were excellent! We had a room set up in theatre style with water and mints for the speakers and the room where food and drink was served was beautifully arranged. There was a table with white linen and a vase of white tulips as the "eye catcher." The attention to detail is to be commended. There were many comments from guests in relation to the high quality of the food and the excellent waiter service. As this was an event to celebrate the success of University students who were receiving Asian Language Awards, we had Consular staff and guests present from several Asian countries. The food was culturally appropriate and notice was drawn to vegetarian dishes. I have already spoken highly of Rosie Ellul and I would also like to thank Bill for the quiet and efficient manner in which he assisted throughout the evening, from the arrival of our Committe to "set up" until the guests left.
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Academic and Professional Development Meetings Tsinghua University and Inland River Basins Delegation The Graduate Union is proud to welcome to Australia and to Melbourne distinguished delegates from China who are collaborating with The University of Melbourne on major water engineering projects. The delegation comprising of Professors from Tsinghua University, Senior Researchers from the Gansu Water Resources Research Institute and Water Managers from Gansu Shule, Shiyang and Taolai Inland River Basin Authorities visited Australia from the 4th to the 13th of October. A half-day session entitled the Gansu and Murray-Darling Inland River Basins Workshop was organised by the Melbourne School of Engineering and convened at The Graduate Union on the 11th of October.
Delegation Members Professor Guangqian Wang (Hydraulics and River Dynamics), Fellow of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Director of Engineering Sciences, the Natural Science Foundation of China; Director of the State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycles in River Basin, Tsinghua University; and Standing Member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. Professor Zhongjing Wang (Hydrology and Water Resources), Vice-Dean of the School of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua University. Professor Yuanhong Li (Water Resources Management), Director of the Gansu Water Resources Research Institute. Mr Dehai Ma, Vice Director and Chief Engineer of the Shule River Basin Water Resources Management Bureau. Mr Qiang Liu, Director of the Taolai River Basin Water Resources Management Bureau. Mr Dong Yang, Director of the Shiyang River Basin Water Resources Management Bureau.
AUS-AID Collaboration
In April 2012, an AUS-AID project entitled Managing the Threats to Sustainable Water Resources Development was completed successfully and was highly commended by the AusAid Synthesis Group led by Dr Neil Byron. With funding of $500K this major collaboration was led by The University of Melbourne and involved eight China based organisations including most of those represented by the visiting delegation.
The 2012 October Visit The purpose of this recent visit to Australia was to develop new collaborations between Tsinghua University, the Gansu River Basin Authorities and The University of Melbourne’s School of Engineering through a range of initiatives that include:
- joint postgraduate courses on International River Basin Governance;
- exchange programs for PhD students and post-doctoral researchers;
- exchange undergraduate summer schools;
- collaborative research and the submission of major funding applications.
Additionally, the delegation is seeking to industry collaborations for river channel measurement and control systems, water trading and integrated catchment management models.
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University Sector News Flashes University Rankings Two 2012 university ranking reports point to Australia’s success in the global tertiary education and research sector. Since 2003, the Shanghai Jiao Tong University has released a mid-year report that includes a ranking of 500 of the best international universities according to six objective indicators. Though no Australian university made it to the top 50 internationally, five (up from two in 2004) are in the top 100: The University of Melbourne (ranked no. 57), the Australian National University (64) and the Universities of Queensland (90), Sydney (93) and Western Australia (96). Of interest in this report is the increasing number of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan universities in the top 500: 16 in 2005 to 42 in 2012. The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings has just been released and congratulations are well in order for The University of Melbourne in rising nine ranks up to Number 28 in the world, number 2 in the Asia Region and Number 1 in Australia. Measures contributing to this ranking include quality of teaching, research, citations, industry income and international outlook. The Graduate Union’s international collegium of graduate members has contributed significantly to this well-deserved outcome over the last 100 years and is proud to be affiliated with this internationally reputed institution. Subsidies – worth it or not? The Grattan Institute recently released a report entitled Graduate Winners: Assessing the Public and Private Benefits of Higher Education in which lies the proposition that the $6 billion spent by the Commonwealth Government on subsidising higher education teaching is better spent elsewhere or returned to taxpayers. The author, Andrew Norton, argues that graduates are such big winners that people would study even without subsidies. Visit http://grattan.edu.au to view the report and view an interview. Basil Sellers Art Prize The Graduate Union congratulates Jon Campbell on being awarded the $100,000 Basil Sellers Art Prize 2012 for Dream Team – a series of 22 paintings of the nicknames of famous past and present Australian Football League (AFL) players. These are being exhibited until 4th November, 2012 at the Ian Potter Museum of Art, just around the corner from The Graduate Union in Swanston Street (www.art-museum.unimelb.edu.au/exhibitions). 150 Years of the Melbourne Medical School Acknowledging 150 years since foundation in 1862, Melbourne Medical School continues with a series of events, including the apt named Body of Knowledge exhibitions which are open until January 20th, 2013. One of these exhibitions, The Anatomy Lesson, is at the Ian Potter Museum of Art. Members might like to visit this on Friday 16th November, 2012 to take advantage of the last free Lunchtime Floortalk for 2012 where Dr Jennifer Conn will converse with famous Australian abstract artist Yvonne Audette. The other exhibition, The Art of Teaching, is in two venues: the Baillieu Library and the Medical History Museum in the Brownless Biomedical Library. Members might also like to attend the 150th Anniversary Special Dean’s Lecture on the 13th November, 2012 by Professor Stephen T. Holgate, Professor of Immunopharmacology, University of Southampton and Miegunyah Fellow. The lecture is entitled How do we Measure Research Output and Impact? and is in the Sunderland Lecture Theatre, Level 2 (ground floor) of the Medical Building from 6.00pm to 7.00pm. Doctors of Laws This 150 year Anniversary theme was reflected in the July conferring of Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) to individuals who had contributed significantly to Australia’s health: Professors Peter Charles Doherty AC, David Morritz de Kretser AC, Thomas John Martin AO, Peter John Morris AC, Fiona Juliet Stanley AC, Hugh Ringwald Taylor AC and Judith Ann Whitworth AC. Transcripts of the citations are at: http://medicine150.mdhs.unimelb. edu.au/honours-accolades. The Graduate Union acknowledges with great honour and gratitude these seven most worthy recipients. www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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News of Publications Meanjin (pronounced Mee-an-jin) For members of The Graduate Union who are new to Australia, we introduce you to an established and well-respected Australian literary magazine that was founded in 1940 by Clem Christesen. For those of you with writing and literature talents, we encourage you to contribute to this wellknown publication. The name Meanjin is derived from an Aboriginal word for the finger of land on which is sited central Brisbane in the north-eastern state of Queensland. The magazine moved its headquarters to Melbourne in 1945 at the invitation of The University of Melbourne and, to this day, continues to receive funding from this University. It is also supported by the Literature Fund of the Australia Council for the Arts, CAL and Arts Victoria, and generates income through subscriptions and sales. At the beginning of 2008, Meanjin became an imprint of Melbourne University Publishing. The Meanjin Update is a forum for members to share worthwhile ideas and thoughts in writing with peers. It is emailed directly to members of Meanjin each month as well as being archived on the Meanjin website. Please consider contributing items for future editions. These might include - relevant research or readings in literature - topics that you would like to see discussed - feedback on professional development events conducted by Meanjin Email contributions directly to David Macknish at dmacknish@igs.qld.edu.au
Recent publications from Melbourne University Press Exit Wounds: One Man’s War on Terror by Major General John Cantwell Gough Whitlam: His Time by Jenny Hocking Speechless: A Year in my Father’s Business by James Button
Dinner and Drinks at Graduate House Friday 9th November, 2012
Members and guests are invited to drinks and then dinner at Graduate House. Drinks are at members’ bar prices from 6.00pm to 7.00pm. Dinner is form 6.45pm. $15 for Graduate Union members. $20 for non-members. Dinner is a college style buffet dinner comprising soup, main course and dessert.
To avoid disappointment, please book and pay by the Thursday before (8th November) online or by calling 9347 3428. For information, email Andre at: andre@alphalink.com.au or phone 03 9584 2087 during business hours, 03 9515 3432 after hours, or 0408 594 859.
www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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The End of the Year is Nigh Yes, we are suggesting gently that you book early for groups of twenty or more.
The following set menus give options that range from a formal sit-down luncheon or dinner, to a lunchtime barbeque or an after-work courtyard function. For more information contact our Hospitality Manager, Rosie Ellul on (03) 9347 3428.
a Contemporary
$48.50 per person for a two-course meal and $62.00 for a three-course meal - includes canapĂŠs on arrival -
to warm up Sweet Potato and Leek Roulade with Sage and Garlic Stuffing or Poached Salmon Mousse en Croute with Caper Butter the main event Turkey Breast Stuffed with Fig and Pistachio with a Plum and Ginger Glaze or Fillet of Salmon on Mediterranean Couscous with Mango and Chilli a sweet end Plum Pudding with Traditional Favourites or Profiteroles with a Rich Chocolate Sauce and Fresh Strawberries Fresh Fruit Platter at an additional cost of $30 per platter
an elegant Courtyard BBQ
$45.00 per person Main Lamb Loin Chops, Rump Steaks, Gourmet Sausages, Tandoori Chicken Onions, Vegetable and Tofu Kebabs and a Selection of Fresh Summer Salads Dessert Fruit Salad and Ice Cream Prawn Kebabs and Oysters Natural at an additional cost of $9.50 per person Please discuss special dietary requirements in advance Alcohol at Bar Prices Minimum Numbers Apply for Set Menu Functions www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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Week of Ministers Workplace Training Advisory Australia (WTAA) On Tuesday 25th September we welcomed the Victorian State Government Minister for Local Government, The Hon Jeanette Powell MP who addressed a group of near 70 attendees from across Victoria on the topic of Rethinking Leadership in Local Government. The CEO/Head of College was fortunate to have a brief discussion with the Minister on her experiences of being mayor and in many leadership positions and has invited the Minister to return next year to present to members. UoM Commercial - Health System Management Graduation On Thursday 27th September we were visited by the Victorian State Government Minister for Health, The Hon David Davis and Karleen Edwards, Interim CEO, Commission for Hospital Improvement, Department of Health who were here for the Health Systems Management Graduation. As explained by MC Mariann Fee, Executive Dean, School of Melbourne Custom Programs this tertiary education program is innovative and new. It is designed specifically for staff of the Department of Health to gain degrees from The Faculty of Business and Economics at The University of Melbourne. Mariann explained that similar tailored programs were designed for staff in many other organisations in government or other sectors. The Graduate Union extends its congratulations to all graduates and invite you all to become members of our 100-year old association of graduates, many of whom, like yourselves are in the workforce at various career stages.
News from Council The General Meeting of Members originally scheduled for November 7th,2012 has been cancelled The Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission As members will be aware, The Graduate Union holds charitable status and is not for profit. The significant federal reforms in the not for profit sector are thus of significance to our association. By 2012 the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) will open its doors for business, with Susan Pascoe AM as Interim Commissioner. The Graduate Union is thus soon to be registered automatically with this new national regulatory body, and thence under a new regulatory framework which will require compliance with finance and governance standards to be specified further in 2013. Incorporated Associations Act The Graduate Union is incorporated at Victorian state level under the Associations Incorporation Act 1981. In parallel with the changes at federal level, this Act will be replaced in November this year (all going to schedule) with the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012. The new regulations under this Act also have implications for The Graduate Union. Your Council is monitoring The Graduate Union is reviewing these state and federal changes carefully and has considered the implications for our association at its recent strategic planning days. Late last year we scheduled consultation forums with members and a general meeting in November of this year. However, there have been delays in passing legislation and in developing new Model Rules which have meant that these events have now been cancelled. We will keep you posted. www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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Financial Information Sessions in 2013 Mr Peter Clark, a long term member of The Graduate Union, will donate his time to give a series of Financial Information Sessions over 2013. His accounting business - DCA Advisors Pty Ltd - is just around the corner from The Graduate Union at 249 Bouverie Street Carlton, and he and his team of twelve qualified accountants and administration staff have over 30 years in public practice. To foster attendance by different segments of our graduate membership, Peter will present both a lunch time and an early evening seminar on the Thursdays of: 28th February 18th April 18th July 19th September The Graduate Union would be most grateful for your advice on the four topics to select so that we meet the education and advice needs of our members and maximise attendance by members, their guests and potential members. The table below gives a list of the topics that could be presented. To give us your vote on the top four topics: Write the numbers 1 to 4 against your preferred topics (with the number 1 indicating the session you would be most likely to attend, number 2, the second most likely, etc.) and then tear of this page and send it to us at The Graduate Union, 220 Leicester Street, Carlton, VIC 3053; or telephone us on +61 3 9347 3428 and tell us your top four preferences; or email your top four preferences to admingh@graduatehouse.com.au; or drop by and let us know at reception. Estate planning: what you need to know Self-Managed Superannuation Funds: taking control of your future Superannuation made simple Transition to retirement Wealth building basics Aged care Wills: what can go wrong Borrowing through Self-Managed Superannuation Funds Debt and savings – managing debt Insurance for all stages of your life “Tax effective” death Taxing of capital gains
www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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