The Graduate Union Newsletter — August 2016 —
W elcome
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to the
A ugust 2016 N ewsletter
Founders and Benefactors Day GU Collegiate
Christmas in July Twilight Lecture with Sue Zablud College Table with Gaby Silver Features Revisiting the Deeper Questions, Q&A with Karen Stephen
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Academic and Professional Development Meetings Listings for June 2016
32 34 35
Puzzles
Professor Profiles: Johan Den Dunnen
Resident and Member News:
Farewell but Welcome! Rotary Carlton Changeover Dinner
Learning from those in the know: Mentoring at Graduate House
The Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) June Women’s Forum
Stories at Graduate House
For The Better of Education
Youth Philanthropy Initiative
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Discovering Melbourne
Family Mulholland at Graduate House
Discovering Melbourne
Reviews
Innovation Innovation in Health Care Extracurricular Seeing Red
August Monthly Luncheon with Professor John Roberts Coming Monthly Luncheon Speakers
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University Sector News
39
Feedback
Caring for Community: Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-Operative Congratulations to Member Sheila Byard, OAM Resident Research: Nattaya Thongspee, PhD Candidate, Physiology
www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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Julian Burnside National Living Treasure, Human Rights Law Awardee, and Sydney Peace Prize recipient ‘... for his unflinching defence of the rule of law as a means to achieve a more peaceful and just society,’ Mr Burnside will speak about his pathway from graduation to where he is now as Australia’s leading public lawyer.
Founders and Benefactors Day Sunday 21st August, 2016. High Tea from 2.00 PM. An invitation only event for our donors. Enquiries (03) 9347 3428.
ABN 55610664963 IARN A0023234B
GU Collegiate
We invite you, Members and non-members, to attend the coming events.
AUGUST I TA L I A N C O N V E R S AT I O N D I N N E R
6:00pm
Tu e s d a y, 2 n d , 1 6 t h Come along to dine while learning to speak Italian with an experienced teacher. Members $15, non-members $20. M O N T H LY LU N C H E O N
12:00 midday for 12:30pm
We d n e s d a y, 3 r d Join Professor John Roberts for our August Monthly Luncheon with his topic: “How is digital dexterity changing marketing?� Resident Members $10, non-resident Members $30, general public $40, (concession $35). BRIDGE NIGHTS
7:20pm for 7.30pm
We d n e s d a y, 3 r d , 1 0 t h , 1 7 t h , 2 4 t h , 3 1 s t Join a game or learn to play the card game Bridge. Enjoy a shared platter for supper, as well as tea and coffee. Members $2, non-members $5. C A R E E R R O U N DTA B L E
T h u r s d a y, 4 t h , 1 8 t h Join in discussions, guided by expert career strategist Agnes Banysz, and learn about ways that can help you achieve your career goals. Resident Members gold coin donation, non-resident Members $30, non-members $30 S P E C I A L M O R N I N G B R E A K FA S T
7:30am to 8.30am
Tu e s d a y, 9 t h Non-resident members are welcome to join Resident Members for a hearty breakfast. Free for Resident members, non-resident Members $15. TWILIGHT LECTURE
Ta s t i n g s 5 : 3 0 p m Seminar 6:30pm
T h u r s d a y, 1 1 t h Join Sue Zablud, and our regional food and wine providers for the last Twilight Lecture of the year! Resident Members FREE, non-resident Members $20, general public $25, (concession $22.50). www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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WOMEN’S FORUM
10:00am for 10:30am
We d n e s d a y, 1 7 t h The topic for August is “Too many die alone.” Join the ladies for the discussion and stay for lunch if desired. Forum is free. Lunch is at Member and non-member prices. C O L L E G E TA B L E D I S C U S S I O N Media Communication
12:00midday for 12:30pm
Fr i d a y, 1 9 t h Join us for lunch discussion, guided by Gaby Silver, Senior Digital Strategist. Members $12, Loyalty card holders $15, Non-Resident Members $18 G U F O U N D E R S A N D B E N E FAC TO R S D AY
2:00pm onwards
S u n d a y, 2 1 s t High Tea at table with special guest Julian Burnside AC QC. The event features Resident Members David Allinson and Yuliia Velichenko. This is an invitation only event. T h e G R A D U AT E U N I O N O P E N D AY
10:00am to 4:00pm
S u n d a y, 2 1 s t Held in conjunction with The University of Melbourne’s Open Day, Graduate House is open to welcome potential students and families. All are welcome. RESIDENTS MEET AND GREET Join us in welcoming new and returning Resident Members to Graduate House over drinks and dinner as we share collegial approach.
Tu e s d a y, 3 0 t h
Free for Resident members. Non-resident members $17.
Book Now via our website, by phone 03 9347 3428, by email to admingh@graduatehouse.com.au or at the venue, 220 Leicester Street, Carlton. www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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The Monthly Luncheon with
Professor John Roberts How is digital dexterity changing marketing? Wednesday August 3rd Resident Members Non-Resident Members General Public Concession RSVP by Monday, August 1st ABN 55610664963
12:00 noon for 12.30pm $10 $30 $40 $35
220 Leicester Street, Carlton, 3053 (03) 9347 3428 admingh@graduatehouse.com.au www.graduatehouse.com.au
IAR No. A0023234B
www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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Professor John Roberts How is digital dexterity changing marketing? John Roberts is a Professor of Marketing at the University of New South Wales and a Fellow at Fudan University, the Australian National University and London Business School. John has won the American Marketing Association’s John A. Howard Award for the top Doctorate in the U.S., its William O’Dell Award for the most influential piece of research published in the Journal of Marketing Research five years previously, and its Advanced Research Techniques Forum Best Paper Award. His research interests include branding and marketing strategy. John has thirteen years senior management experience as a market research manager, marketing operations manager and marketing director. The company that he founded, Marketing Insights, became an international leader in marketing strategy. It is now a part of Nielsen Research. John is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Social Sciences, the Australian Institute of Management and Australian Marketing Institute. In 2011, he was awarded the Australian Marketing Institute’s Sir Charles McGrath Award for lifetime contributions to marketing. He sits on the Australian Research Council’s College of Experts.
www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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To help you plan ahead, our coming Monthly Luncheon speakers are:
7th September
Mr Arthur Bolkas Melbourne University (MA Criminology) and Winston ChurchillMemorialFellow2000
5th October
Ms Kay Dunkley Program Coordinator of the Pharmacists’Support Service.
11th November
Dr Ross McMullin Senior History Fellow at the UniversityofMelbourneandthe author(mostrecently)ofFarewell, Dear People: Biographies of Australia’s lost generation.
www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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Christmas Lunch is back again for every Wednesday in July!
The Graduate Union celebrates
Christmas In July Join us every Wednesday in July for a Christmas themed lunch Book via our website, telephone 03 9347 3428, email admingh@graduatehouse.com.au or in person at the venue, 220 Leicester Street, Carlton. Members: $12 non-Members: $18 Loyalty card: $15
Yes, we are open to the general public ABN: 55610 664 963
IAR No. A0023234B
www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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Successful Graduate Pathways Lecture Series and GU Tastings are proudly brought to you by the Rotary Club of Carlton and The Graduate Union of The University of Melbourne Inc
from 5:30pm
GRADUATE UNION TASTINGS The
T WILIGHT Lectures PRESENTS
SUE ZABLUD Director, Human Asset Development Group Coaching - Simply Successful, Mentoring - Simply Effective, Networking - Simply Valuable
T h u r s d a y , A u g u s t 1 1 th from 6:30pm
Resident Members Non-Resident Members Adults Concession
FREE $20 $25 $22.50
ABN: 55610 664 963
Book by Wednesday, 10th August via our website, telephone (03 9347 3428), email admingh@graduatehouse.com.au or in person at the venue, 220 Leicester Street, Carlton
IAR No. A0023234B
www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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INTRODUCING OUR SPEAKER:
MS SUE ZABLUD Sue Zablud is an experienced non-executive director, human resources professional, internationally accredited executive coach, mentor and facilitator. Sue is responsible for growing Human Asset Development Group (HADG) into a highly respected international consultancy and has grown her own portfolio of appointments to include board positions in the public and private sector. Sue has recently commenced serving a second term on the board of the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne and is a director for a number of private entities.
OUR TASTINGS ARE PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY The finest olive oils in Australia, sourced locally from The Grampians.
other wineries and regional providers to be confirmed soon ...
ABN: 55610 664 963
IAR No. A0023234B
www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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The Graduate Union Presents
College Tables Senior Digital Strategist Gaby Silver will lead the discussion on “ Digital Marketing: Changing the Face of Media & Communications Sciences� B o o k o n l i n e a t w w w. g ra d u a te h o u s e . co m . a u , by p h o n e 9 3 4 7 3 4 2 8 , t h ro u g h e m a i l to a d m i n g h @ g ra d u a te h o u s e . co m . a u o r a t t h e ve n u e , 2 2 0 Le i ce s te r St re e t , C a r l to n .
College Tables are informal collegial lunch-time discussions on a grand challenge issue in a graduate school field.
Friday, August 19th 12 noon for 12:30pm Usual Dining Room prices apply ABN: 55610 664 963
IAR No. A0023234B
www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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Gaby Silver
Gaby Silver is a seasoned sales and marketing professional with global experience in various niche industries. Gaby spent almost a decade in California building a biotech start-up into a multi-million dollar business, a role that took him all over North America, Europe and Asia, before returning to Melbourne, where he has since been immersed in the cutting-edge world of digital marketing. At the College Table discussion. Gaby will talk about how Digital media have revolutionised the way that companies and brands communicate and interact with their audience. The pace of change is unprecedented and digital marketers are constantly striving to keep pace with rapidly changing trends and technologies. This session will explore some of the most important strategies in the digital marketer’s toolbox, how they have evolved over time and ways in which they can be deployed to effectively market businesses for growth. ABN: 55610 664 963
IAR No. A0023234B
www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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FEATURES
Revisiting the Deeper Questions Q&A with Karen Stephen, Director, National Student Leadership Forum, Canberra What was your undergraduate degree and what led you to make that decision? I finished my undergraduate at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at The University of Denver, which I found fascinating. I'd also studied English at the University of Texas – a degree I enjoyed, but didn't feel engaged in. When I switched courses, I finally felt ‘at home’ academically – challenged and inspired and interested in learning for its own sake. Upon graduating what pathway did you take to reach your career goals? Two weeks after finishing University I got married and moved countries – not a great career pathway in anyone's imagination! My husband joked that the only International Study I really completed was on him. So definitely I followed my heart rather than any professional pathway. What was your first job and what was the most important thing that you learned during your first job? I emigrated to Sydney and took a job with an international IT company that was just planting an Australian office. Not being particularly technical or computer savvy, I'm not entirely sure why I took (or was even offered!) the job. But as a part of a very new, very small teama long way from a head office – we had to do everything. The most important thing I learned was "fake it til you make it!" I think as a young woman particularly, I didn't have the confidence to put myself out there in
the work place until I felt supremely competent, but in this job – that competence was going to come as a by-product of the work, not before it. I learned it's ok in the beginnings to not know everything – and just step out anyhow. Also – to have a bit of grace and humility when you fail (you will) and not take yourself too seriously! How and when did you start working at NSLF? I started working with the Forum office at the beginning of 2007. At that time, I had been involved with the Forum in a voluntary capacity for a number of years, so I knew the team and the organisation and was 100% sold on the vision. Being offered an official role running NSLF was a real gift – not one I was looking for, but one I was very excited to step into.
I also realise for me it's about remembering that it's always much easier in this line of work (in the not-for-profit sector) to love ideas rather than people.
What do you enjoy about working there? So many things! I am so grateful for the chance to spend my time, energy and skills doing something I feel strongly about, and being reminded often about the best in people – whether it's seeing the human side of our
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politicians, the compelling stories of our speakers, generosity of sponsors, interacting with the communities we work with in the South Pacific, or meeting inspiring new delegates. I also find it's really healthy to keep wrestling myself with the bigger life questions we ask of our Interns and delegates. At my stage in life it's easy to get comfortable, out of touch or to become a bit rigid in your thinking; it's been really good for me to keep revisiting these deeper questions and being willing to change and grow. Also I thoroughly appreciate the flexibility and versatility in my role and having a high level of integration between work, family and community. The fact that the different parts of my life overlap brings challenges, but also a deep sense of continuity and meaning, which I prize.
vision, foundation and direction) and the inner team isn't unified- the rest doesn't play out very well and we lose authenticity and integrity with our message and work. I also realise for me it's about remembering that it's always much easier in this line of work (in the not-for-profit sector) to love ideas rather than people. For me – changing the world starts at home. If I can't love those close to me well – my husband, kids and close friends – how can my ideas have weight? It keeps me humble and humility is always a pretty good place to start. What advice would you impart to graduates who are making their first foray into the world of work? Don't despise or resent the jobs that don't seem to be the perfect fit. Be faithful with the tasks, relationships and opportunities in front of you and you will be surprised both at the skills and capacity you acquire along the way and how in the long run, those seemingly unrelated jobs fit into the tapestry of your life.
What is the key to your success? The Forum is so much bigger than one person that I don't think I really the success of the event or the organisation as having much to do with me. Success for me seems much more about keeping the concentric circles in their appropriate order and working from the inside out. If the core isn't right (a common www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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FEATURES
Professor Profiles
Johan Den Dunnen Leiden University Medical Centre Professor Johan Den Dunnen is at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), where he is currently working on the latest technologies of DNA sequencing and developing new assays to apply in the hospital. His current focus is on two things: reading the entire DNA code of a patient and measuring the activity of all genes. In Den Dunnen’s opinion, at some point the hospital will decide to offer a full genome sequence for every patient. What you can learn from that is whether there is a genetic component in the health problem of the patient thereby improving the proper diagnosis and the best treatment for the problem is. After all, everybody has genes that influence how you, your body, is built and how you cope with the drugs that you take. It is not very difficult to read that information and then to start with the best drug and its optimal dose, explains Den Dunnen.
Johan Den Dunnen is a molecular biologist who worked with DNA sequencing during his entire career. His main reason for dedicating his life to biology was due to his interest in DNA when he was young. “I was fascinated by the fact that such a small molecule more or less determines who I am and what I do in life,” he says.
Professor Den Dunnen is also working with technology which examines the activity of all genes as blood is taken from a patient. Through sequencing the ribonucleic acid (RNA) you can see what exactly goes on in a body at the time the blood sample is taken. It will be very helpful to combine that with how the patient feels, as there will be measurements from throughout the body which can also be compared with those of other patients and the diagnosis and treatment they received. When the disturbances are identified, and a proper treatment is commenced, all the measurements should return to normal values, and can therefore determine whether or not the treatment that is given is effective.
After graduating from a Bachelor and MSc of Biology, he commenced his PhD at Nijmegen University in the Netherlands, where he worked on proteins in the eye lens. At this time, it was the early days where it became possible to read the DNA sequence, and also to clone pieces of human DNA in bacteria so that you could make enough to study it and read the DNA code. “I sequenced specific sets of genes which are expressed in the eye lens,” he says. “And while reading these four letters in a row where you could recognise these genes and the code to make the proteins expressed in the eye lens I realised I was the first ever to see this.”
Johan Den Dunnen photographing a butterfly. Photo: Hannie Melisse, ©
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After his PhD, he wanted to apply what he learned to find the cause of genetic diseases. He then moved to Leiden University where he commenced work on a project to find of the gene for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a progressive neuromuscular disorder occurring in childhood that mainly affects boys. It affects 1 in 3500 live male births throughout the world. Working in a hospital, as soon as the gene was identified, his project team designed diagnostic tests so that when a family came to the hospital, they could diagnose whether or not the problems in the child were caused by mistakes in the DMD gene. His work then split a little. First he studied in detail the gene itself, in the hope that they could identify exactly what the disturbance was and think of a potential therapy. He also applied the same technology to find the cause of many other diseases, first limb girdle muscular dystrophy then any muscular dystrophy, and finally on very rare diseases, particularly intellectual disabilities in young children. Here with the latest technologies, looking in one experiment at all the genes in our body, it becomes feasible to find the cause. When it became possible to read a DNA sequence, more and more data was coming out of the machines, which meant that a new type of expertise was required: bioinformatics. Den Dunnen’s role was to promote the exchange of expertise by organising meetings and (international) courses, setting up a local (LUMC) and national expertise centre and developing bioinformatics as a new specialisation that young people could study. “You had biology and you had computer science or informatics and the combination of these two opposite expertises was a challenge. Initially it was quite difficult to find people who could work on the combination. My role was more initiating that these types of studies became possible and I organised a lot of conferences in Holland where this type of information was shared,” said Professor Dunnen. Around 1995 Den Dunnen met the late Professor Dick (Richard) Cotton who was active in collecting information on variants found in people and their consequences with causing a disease or just being a variation that you can have without problems. Professor Cotton firstly involved Professor Den Dunnen in a group which designed recommendations regarding when a change in DNA is found
and how to then express that on paper, so that when information is reported or published everybody will immediately understand. These recommendations are now known as HGVS (Human Genome Variation Society) nomenclature and used as a standard worldwide (see www.HGVS.org/varnomen). “Another shared interest with Prof. Cotton were the gene variant databases, freely accessible databases collecting all reported observations of variants and their potential consequences, associated with disease or not. Prof Cotton pushed me to work with him on these databases, develop standards and software to allow people to start such databases. The software that den Dunnen build with his team in Leiden, LOVD (www.LOVD.nl), is freely available and developed into a world-standard. “Our frustration was that although everybody agreed that it is important to have that information available on the Internet and, although few people actively contribute, everybody expects that the information gets into the database by itself and for free” he says. “Inspired by Professor Cotton I became one of a group of a people that was always promoting that people should share their research and diagnostic data,” says Den Dunnen. “Professor Cotton invited me many times to come to Melbourne to work on this shared project, especially after the Human Variome project was initiated in 2006 in Melbourne. Last year (May) I finally accepted his invitation, but unfortunately in the summer Professor Cotton died. This was a big loss but I still decided to go to Melbourne to work on the subject. I was sure that he wanted me to do so because it was for a good cause.” His contributions to the field, and dedication to research, includes studies towards a potential therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. His team developed a specific technology in Leiden called exon skipping which is being tested now in phase three clinical trials. The idea of exon skipping, he explains, is now applied widely because it might also work for other diseases. While exon skipping for DMD worked in cultured cells (mouse and human) and in a mouse model for DMD, in the end you
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need to work with patients. That is highly specialised work a little too much for a small research group in the hospital. The group filed for a patent, received it, and used the patent to collaborate with the company that could perform all the analyses in patients (phase I, II and III clinicaltrials). Although his influence on the project slowly disappeared, the work continued and patients in hospitals worldwide receive the potential treatment to determine whether the treatment is effective. “At that time, I focused more on my research to finding causes of genetic diseases and I started to make databases which everyone could use through the Internet. The idea of the databases was when you find something on a patient, you put that result in the database so that others can see when they find the same variant, whether or not it has been seen before, supporting the conclusion of the researcher for that specific change in the DNA – is it related to the disease or not?” he explained. With so many successes through his great contributions to his field, he surely must have a strategy for success. “That’s difficult to say,” he admits. “First, when you have a really good idea and believe in it then you should never give up. Try to find money to prove that it works and to apply it,” he says. He shares a personal example during his time as head of the LUMC’s Leiden Genome Technology Centre, following the purchase of a new expensive instrument. After checking what type of research you could do with it he tried to interest people to use that new technology. The main problem was that a lot of people were apprehensive to look into new technology. “Why should I try something new when I know that for sure with this old trick I have the answer in two or three weeks, while the new technology might fail and then I have nothing,” colleagues would say. “And that is a big problem when you have an innovation that needs a lot of convincing for people to try it. They always want you to prove that it works, before they are going to start to use it. I think that’s a Catch-22. You need the opportunity to show and a real-life example that it works,” he said. “And it’s quite difficult to find
money to do so, through research grants, and that again means to try, try, try until you are successful,” he urges. “Although everybody now is very fond of our Exon Skipping technology, when we first applied for money to do it, people said it was a ridiculous idea, it will never work.” In the world of biology, genetics and its associated research, finding money to progress your ideas can be hard – probably like most fields. But what Den Dunnen found most difficult for himself, was making the change from the laboratory to the desk. Den Dunnen, is at heart, a researcher. He likes to be in the laboratory. “At some point you start to make a career and the consequence is that you end up doing something that you are not trained for,” he says. “I was trained to do experiments in the lab and research and then I ended up behind the desk. I have to look at finances, I have to guide people, I have to go through all kinds boring meetings, and the most difficult part for me was to learn to like that as a job,” he says. “It took me many years. I still find it a little bit strange that you get very expensive training to do something and then after 10-20 years when you are successful in that you end up doing something more or less completely different.” Despite the challenges, Den Dunnen is certainly an advocate for biology, and is especially keen to promote and extol its values to younger people and graduates. He explains that young people today have many options in life, and consequently, it can be hard to make a decision.
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“I have to work still for another 10 years, I think that I can easily fill that time by developing this technology further so we get knowledge in databases behind every variant we encounter because in the end we need that to understand a DNA sequence.” He sees this in his own children who struggle with what kind of choices to make in the present, that will more than likely profoundly affect their lives in the future. Looking towards DNA is one answer. “I try to interest people in my field of research by explaining to them that what drives you is your DNA as well,” he says. “It is already possible to read the entire code and based on that have an analysis of who you are, and what talents or risks are hidden inside you. That is a topic that immediately interests everybody. Everybody is interested to know about all possible talents but at the same time everybody is afraid of mistakes which might be in the DNA and the uncertainty about how far the influence of the DNA is. And you cannot change your DNA.” he adds. “I’m convinced that when we read the entire DNA code of somebody you learn a lot. In the DNA code of a person, you find roughly 4 million differences with the reference in the database. We still do not know yet for every of these 4 million variants what they mean,” he explains. But a lot is known and that information is very valuable. One of the things you can see for instance, is what type of blood group that somebody has, whether you can taste bitter, what your eye colour is, etc. It can also offer deeply invaluable information when a child is born: DNA sequencing can be used to replace the heel prick where after a few days a few drops of blood are taken to test for some very specific diseases. This way, of course, you can identify what kinds of diseases or health issues that child may have, and treat them. Looking at DNA can identify whether or not people have a high risk for certain cancers. And as the risk is known, conducting regular checkups to see whether or not the cancer is present in the person means that it can be detected early, and therefore the patient has a higher chance of timely and effective treatment. “You can read all that information from the DNA code, and the cost of that at the moment is €1k-2k. I think that’s a lot of very valuable information that helps you to guide people through the rest of their life for health risks they may have,” he says. And with the power of technology, the information that can be gleaned from such tests is only getting more prolific.
In 2003 the entire human genome was sequenced to an accuracy of 99.99 per cent, by Cambridge Scientists in a global consortium with laboratories from the US, France, Germany, China and Japan. At the time, Director of the Sanger Institute, Allan Bradley, told The Guardian that the sequencing of chromosome 20 – just one part of the work – has already accelerated the search for genes involved in diabetes, leukemia and childhood eczema. The work costed £150 million. Today it only costs around £1000, purports Den Dunnen, and the only difference there is technology. Every time, these new machines produce more data for roughly the same price or even less. Combined with the power of computers to analyse all that data, and of course the internet, the future of having reliable knowledge about our health and wellbeing is looking good. “I have to work still for another 10 years, I think that I can easily fill that time by developing this technology further so we get knowledge in databases behind every variant we encounter because in the end we need that to understand a DNA sequence,” he says. “And what I’ve been working on a lot lately also is explaining to lay people what you can do with a DNA sequence because people don’t have a very good understanding of genetics, and also of what you can and cannot see when you analyse DNA.” He continues, “I think it’s very important that before the hospital starts offering this service – research into your entire genome and what you want us to tell you – that people know what it’s about and know exactly what is to be looked for because the DNA code is partly determining your life. Improving education on the topic of DNA and what you can and cannot do with that.” As Professor Den Dunnen’s work takes him around the world, from hospital to hospital, university to laboratory, and yes, even to desk, he looks back at his time at Graduate House fondly. “I liked the time in Melbourne a lot,” he says. “I also liked the environment at Graduate house. It was great to meet people from all over the world.” We look forward to seeing you again Professor Den Dunnen!
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FEATURES
Youth Philanthropy Initiative
Since their adoption in 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals have meant that each country has a social and civic responsibility to ensure protection of the planet, an end to poverty and prosperity for all. It’s about equality. It’s about justice, and most importantly it’s about progressing the agenda for sustainable development. While everyone is encouraged to do their part, from government to communities, youth play just as important a role in engineering a more sustainable future around the world. Goal 16 which is partnerships for the goals, urges links between our governments, private corporations and society. The Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) on the SDGs is one such entity that aims to build greater capacity and create a better environment for youth philanthropic organisations to support the implementation of the SDGs by creating opportunities for youth to learn and make connections with international leaders by building strong partnerships between youth philanthropic organisations, the UN, government bodies, media and academia. At regional and national levels, the Initiative also facilitates the launch of a range of activities including the Youth Philanthropy Forum on the SDGs that will encourage youth philanthropic engagement in developing innovative and transformative solutions to achieving the SDGs. The workshop will be divided into multiple segments to engage with the 17 areas of the SDGs and the means of involvement in implementation, reporting and monitoring. Emmanuel Marfo, co-founder of the Global Alliance for Development Foundation (GADeF), believes that youth empowerment is imperative. Mentoring can be transformational for youth and to help grow the capacity and the capability for building supports and funding, as well as specific budget allocation for youth philanthropy development and sustainability by corporate sectors, governments and international development agencies. The foundation for the organisation was laid in its first five years. “I had a challenge of getting technical assistance and mentors to support and
shape my skills and expertise,” said Marfo. “A setback to the organization’s objective of building institutional capacity was the perception that government is solely responsible for solving every problem in the communities and the ability to mobilize resources locally. Through small grants and technical assistance a m o n g community foundations, youth-led organisations and similar Youth Philanthropy Initiative co-founder philanthropic Emmanuel Marfo organizations, we were able to enable them to build social capital and enhance local decision-making processes in their communities.” Marfo says he also encountered a challenge in letting the youth believe that they can influence decisions among policy makers, governments, international development agencies and corporate agencies. With the little opportunity he had to participate in learning about youth development, social enterprise and community development through workshops, conference and seminars, he was able to overcome some of these challenges. “These empowerment opportunities help young people engage in a process in which they can identify potential issues and grantees; secure monetary and in-kind donations; and evaluate outcomes. I believe though young people need mentors and connections to help them find solutions in their communities, they need to be empowered to understand partnerships for sustainable development,” he said. Marfo, who is currently working on his thesis on Youth Philanthropy and Social Entrepreneurship for MSc Development Management at Kwame University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana, was inspired by his entrepreneurship lecturer, Dr Ralph Nyadu-Addo. During his lectures he would say ‘the solutions are out there’. Inspired and motivated, Marfo took the initiative to
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start looking for these solutions. He became determined to build a team of change-makers and philanthropists, and find solutions to challenges faced by youth and communities in his village. “After we identified challenges of the youth in pursuit of their dreams and to make their communities a better place, I decided to build an alliance to support youth and young women to find sustainable solutions starting from one community. This in turn would expand to other communities, nations and youth-led global impact and transformation. I encountered many challenges in sharing the vision with some youths and adults,” he said. “Along with co-founders Peter Nsiah, Gifty
Mensah and Lord Nkrumah, we envisioned an organisation that would empower youth, young social entrepreneurs and women in local communities to address the social, environmental, political and economic issues that they face locally and globally, by creating a strong local network that worked with grassroots youth philanthropists and social entrepreneurs worldwide. With the cofounders, we also wanted to provide young people the opportunity to channel their energy toward becoming involved in both their local and global communities.” Graduate House is proud to announce its partnership with Youth Philanthropy Initiative, assisting wherever possible with the progression of the SDGs.
The Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) Supporting the very best in cancer care for Victorians in the heart of Melbourne’s biomedical centre Melbourne’s Parkville Biomedical Precinct welcomed a new purpose-built facility for cancer research, treatment, education and care. Jointly funded by the Victorian and Australian governments, the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) is the new home of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Patients will have access to the latest equipment and facilities, including a new wellbeing centre, supporting the very best in care. Graduate Union CEO and Head of College, Dr Kerry Bennet, along with Graduate Union Councillor Vincent Mirabelli, and immediate past chair David Sparks toured the facility upon invitation from the Convocation Committee with their Members Irene Jablonka, John Harcourt and Dr Beverley Rodan. The new centre is also fitted with conference facilities and collaborative work environments for world-leading research, education and clinical activities.
green areas, to allow patients, guests and staff to enjoy the outdoors and views of Parkville’s cityscape. The vibrant green theme is carried through to the laboratories on level seven. Ten world-leading cancer organisations have come together to form the VCCC Alliance to share resources, and to drive the next generation of cancer research, education, treatment and care. There are also cancer research and clinical spaces for Royal Melbourne Hospital, and cancer research facilities for The University of Melbourne. The site has undergone various transformations to arrive to this current structure. John Harcourt, who is a long time Member of the Graduate Union, contributed his memories of the current VCCC site. Originally, the ‘Haymarket’, in the 1940s, the triangular site was set aside for the future home of the Dental Hospital and School of Dental Science, Harcourt writes.
The facility also includes four above-ground www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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FEATURES
T HE N Words, John K Harcourt, OAM, DDSc, FRACDS, FDSRCSEd(Hon), Principal Fellow and former Associate Professor and Reader in Restorative Dentistry, University of Melbourne. On July 1st 2016, a number of us were privileged to be given a short tour of the newly opened Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre on the island site bonded by Flemington Road, Grattan Street and Royal Parade. This triangular site was originally the Haymarket and in the 1940s was set aside for the future home of the Dental Hospital and School of Dental Science. As a final year dental student in 1953 I remember a photograph of two of my demonstrators, Bill Walker and Bob Ewart turning the first sod on the site. However, it was not until September 1956 that the foundation stone for the new dental hospital and school was laid by Sir Herbert Olney. It was a grey rainy Melbourne day, following several days of rain, and the site was very muddy for the ceremony. The assembled guests were glad to be able to shelter under the remaining hay sheds along Royal Parade. Building of the sub-basement, basement and ground floor slab commenced shortly afterwards to a design which had been developed in the 1940s. It was then realised that the internal design was not adequate for the sorts of changes that were then taking place in the delivery of dental services, so that on completion of this initial ground floor slab, construction stopped for around 18 months while a rethink of the internal design took place ably led by Professor Henry Atkinson. He met at least once a week with the architects and builders to finalise the redesign to include more clinical operating space. In 1952, the Australian College of Dentistry at 193 Spring Street underwent a transformation of its first floor clinic to replace some 70 chairs fitted with a few ex-army electric engines and many old-fashioned foot engines with specially designed chairs and units in preparation for transfer to the “new dental hospital� which was expected to be built and occupied in the next few years. However, by the time it came for this transfer in late 1962, early 1963, the high speed air-rotor had been invented and refined to a level where it had become the standard for
Outdoor Garden at VCCC
from the 10th floor on the outdoor seventh floor garden with umbrellas that look like flowers. tooth preparation so these units were modified by the addition of these high speed units. Building at the Haymarket site recommenced and February 1963 was set as the date for the opening of the hospital and school, even though some building activity was still going on. At the completion of the academic year in 1962, preparations began for the transfer from 193 Spring Street to the new address at 711 Elizabeth Street ready for the commencement of the 1963 academic year. To say that this was an exciting and exhausting period is an understatement as we moved into a building which was some seven times larger in floor space. Professional movers were employed for most of the transfer and of course suitably qualified installers were needed to install the dental chairs and units in their new home. Funds did not permit utilising all the clinic floor space at this time so areas in the clinics were left with holes in the floor for when future funds became available. There was also a full wing on the second floor which was set aside for future development but in
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the meantime was used as a painter’s store and general storage space. The completed hospital and school was six storeys – a sub-basement for plant and equipment, a basement for maintenance services, some hospital clinics and student lockers and recreation area known as the dungeon. The ground floor was for patients, reception, administrative offices and hospital treatment areas, the first floor for the Dental School Removable Prosthetics department, the second floor for the Conservative Dentistry department, the third floor for the School Office, Oral Medicine and Surgery department, operating theatres, recovery areas and a multibed ward. The fourth floor was an eating area and cafeteria, and relaxation and meeting rooms and outdoor open areas. The eastern outdoor area was later closed in and refurbished as a continuing education area named to commemorate the late Dr Geoffrey Wylie and paid for by donations from the dental profession. Donations from the dental profession also enabled a fully functioning animal house to be built in the basement courtyard. Not long after the hospital and school became functional, it was recognised that dental chairs were no longer made for the dentist to stand during treatment and so many of the 1952 chairs and units were replaced with more modern (for the 1970s) sit down type treatment areas. Money was also found to develop the painter store area into a modern state-of-theart treatment clinic for orthodontics. There was a major problem not long after the building was occupied. Gas leakages were found due to incorrect testing of the pipes which led to corrosion of some of the joints. For more than 12 months while the gas pipes were replaced, a temporary gas supply was installed with bottled gas being fed from gas bottles from outside the building.
out to a 16 mm film group. In the 1980s it was recognised that there was an asbestos problem in some areas where it wasused for insulation of hot water pipes. Areas had to be systematically closed and cleared of this hazardous material. In 1989 the Faculty of Dental Science was amalgamated with the Medical Faculty to form the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry with a School of Dental Science and a School of Medicine. Later the Faculty was expanded to include Health Sciences. In the late 1990s and early 2000s planning and building of a new dental hospital and dental school at 720 Swanston Street took place. The clinical and teaching areas were gradually transferred from the old building over this time period until the transfer was completed in 2006. Once the old hospital was vacated, it was then demolished with great care because of the continued presence of asbestos and the site was cleared and excavated ready for the construction of this new modern outstanding building which is now the Comprehensive Cancer Centre. This is a very short synopsis compiled from my memories as a student and then of working first at 193 Spring Street from my graduation in December 1953 and then in the 711 Elizabeth Street school building from February 1963 until my retirement in December 1996 and from other sources written by Professor Henry Atkinson and others.* After retirement I have continued my interest in the school as a member of the Committee of Convocation since about 2001 and as a teacher for one or two sessions a week on a pro bono part-time basis from 1997 until the present time. Thank you Mr Harcourt for your contribution!
The Flemington Road, Grattan Street corner of the building housed a large auditorium and the caretaker’s residence and later on an electron microscope suite. The auditorium was used for some time for meetings by various bodies including the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch and for some years was hired www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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REVIEWS
Women’s Forum Review Wednesday, 15 th June, 2016 “What is a good friend” The following are salient points discussed at this forum. 1
7
A good friend is someone who brings out the best in oneself. True friendship is rare and it takes time to develop. People are cautious and careful. One cannot be friends with people they fear. E.g., “greater love hath no man other that he will lay down his life for another.”
Many men will admit to not having a “best” friend - fewer opportunities for forming intimacy (e.g., shared experiences requiring support such as mothering, parenting). Professional association rarely present opportunities for developing close friendships.
2
8
Commitment through marriage equals lifelong friendship, which can equal turning lust into love.
Occasionally, increasing age or circumstances will necessitate limitation or boundaries on the expectation of friendship (e.g ill health, geographic distance).
3
People who abuse the trust, intimacy, generosity of a “friendship” will eventually bring an end to a previously “good” friendship. 4
True friends are sensitive to the central need of reciprocity in a real friendship. Real friendship is rare. Real friendship demands respect and sensitivity; the basic tenets of real friendship. Friendship begins with shared experiences, both positive and negative. 5
True friendship may experience “time out” (e.g., children, careers, etc.) but can resume (sometimes after many years) with no sense of the hiatus of the passing of months or years. 6
Some friendship can come from unexpected places if one is open to the concept and circumstances of friendship 9 e.g., the cleaning lady, one’s hairdresser).
9
3 categories of friendship: • L ifelong friends with shared past, values and experiences. Reunions (e.g., school, clubs, etc. People who make the effort to attend, even from interstate or overseas, indicate the nature and value of past “friendships” • Temporary friends such as work colleagues • Very temporary friends (e.g passing exchanges with people who we will not meet again) 10
Marcus Tullius Cicero wrote about friendships: it is part of human nature - without it, life is not living only “good”. People can be friends, people who are honest, reliable, virtuous, moral. Attraction of virtue draws people of like minds together.
The next forum is on 17th August, with the topic “Too Many Die Alone”. The forum is free. Lunch is at Member and non-member prices. www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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RESIDENT AND MEMBER NEWS
Caring for Community Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-Operative Words, Julia Melanson, PhD Candidate, Physiotherapy. I am currently working on a health promotion project as part the final year of my Doctor of Physiotherapy degree. The aim of this project is to determine the health needs of a community and develop and implement a sustainable health promotion project to address at least one of the identified needs. My group members and I chose to work with the Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-Operative near Shepparton; a community centre founded in 1958 that provides culturally-sensitive services, including an Aboriginal communitycontrolled health service, housing services, family services, financial services, and aged care. The centre services Greater Shepparton and the towns of Kyabram, Nathalia and Bearii, a catchment area of 2,100 Aboriginal individuals, the largest stable population of Aboriginal people in Victoria. The centre employs 200 staff members, with the majority of them identifying as Aboriginal. Nationwide, there are approximately 713,060 Aboriginal people, accounting for 3 percent of the population (Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS], 2014). In the last census, children and youth aged 0-25 years comprised 57 percent of the total Indigenous population, compared to 33 percent of the non-Indigenous population (ABS, 2014). Consequently, we narrowed our project’s target population down to local Aboriginal youth.
I have loved working with this community and learning about a culture so different from my Canadian and American upbringing. I learned that repetitive naming, such as Yorta Yorta or Wagga Wagga, indicates that a river runs through the area and the same tribe inhabits both sides of the river. As a culture that respects and values its elders, I was blown away by the beautiful aged care facility where the staff are so passionate and caring, to the extent that the lady who does the laundry, irons every article of clothing - even the jocks. I also learned about the history of Rumbalara, which means rainbow, from Uncle Leon and feel so honored to have been welcomed to country by a Yorta Yorta elder. He also gave us a tour of a concrete house from the 1940s that was the start of the Rumbalara community that eventually evolved into a community-controlled organisation providing services with a budget of nearly $20 million. The housing project was the result of a failed attempt to shield Queen Elizabeth from the Aboriginal people living on the river flats during her first trip to Australia. The locals had hung a curtain to conceal the homeless Aboriginal people visible on the way to Shepparton. Of course, this curtain was soon torn down and the sight of homeless Aboriginal children
Based on last semester’s findings of our Health Needs Analysis, which included a focus group with eight staff members, we are now working to establish a Rumbalara Youth Advisory Council to allow for youth input into services offered by the centre, to encourage positive peer role modeling, to foster leadership and to provide opportunities for youth to engage with their Indigenous identity, culture and community. www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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waving to her spurred the Queen to call for aid for the people living on the river flats. Subsequently, ten prefabricated, concrete, 3-bedroom houses lacking hot water and sewerage were built to house around 500 Aboriginal people. Uncle Leon’s family was one of the ten chosen to live at Rumbalara and he can still remember how hot the concrete house was in the sweltering summers and how cold it was under thin blankets in the winter. One of the most noteworthy differences between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians is the gap in life expectancy, which according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare is about 10 years lower for Aboriginal people. I find this statistic incredibly alarming and
saddening. Our community mentor has told us she can’t even remember the number of funerals she has attended now that she is in her 30s. Hopefully with the establishment of a youth council in the coming months we can educate the next generation about healthy lifestyles and provide them with opportunities for the future. In addition, Rumbalara hopes to become a gathering place where people come not only to access services, but to socialize and celebrate Aboriginal culture, because being truly healthy encompasses the mind, body and spirit.
Congratulations to Member Sheila Byard, OAM Our Member Sheila Byard appeared on the 2016 Queen’s Birthday Honours List as a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia for ‘services to women’. Now President of the National Council of Women Victoria (NCWV), and Board member of National Council of Women Australia (NCWA), Ms Byard became interested in the principle of equal rights and equal responsibilities from an early age. “My grandmothers enrolled to vote in Australian elections as soon as it became possible to do so, and supported organisations like ‘Women for Canberra’,” Sheila Byard and Jenny Standish of the Melba group, she said. discussing the factors in under representation of women in the Honours List! Photo: Eleanor Holden.
“My generation thought we were living in a more egalitarian society. But in recent years it has become clear that for women, especially those of diverse backgrounds, life outcomes are still far from equal, especially at point of entry into the world of work,” she added.
In the late 1960s she was fortunate to take part in the first intake of the University of Melbourne Political Science MA Preliminary program (the start of the current Masters in Public Policy and Management in the School of Government). Over the time of her involvement with civil society organisations like the UN Association of Australia, she has been keen to promote
opportunities for students to have placements, to intern or be mentored, and for them to learn more about the mechanisms relating to Australia’s involvement with the UN human rights treaty system. To enhance one’s advanced study by interaction with key people in the public, private and community sector is critical to the key to the success of such programs, Ms Bayard explained. Ms Byard said that it is plain from the work of the University’s Centre for Workplace Leadership and the School of Government’s Women’s Leadership Institute Australia even high achieving women are not seen on a
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basis of equality in corporate boardrooms, in government and other institutions.
in Australia, and through the International Council of Women, to the world”.
“It was this realisation that led to my involvement with organisations that encouraged a partnership approach the issue, advocating for more equal participation between men and women in public life and promoting civics education as a way for all to learn how to take part in the formation of policy,” she said.
“Now when we can no longer imagine Australian women as being able to speak with a single voice, it has been a pleasure to work for more than a decade with others who still share some of the optimism for the founders.”
“It is in this spirit that the NCWA and NCWV operates. Marian Quartly and Judith Smart’s 2015 history of the NCWA, Respectable Radicals shows how NCWA was once the peak body representing women to government
“It is no longer about wearing hat and gloves as they were in the 1970s and beyond, but that they politely persisted with the truly radical idea that women the world over should be equal with men.”
Resident Research: Nattaya Thongspee, PhD Candidate, Physiology
Image: Lee Nachtigal,FlickrCC
Words, Nattaya Thongspee My name is Ms. Nattaya Thongsepee. I am a PhD candidate in the Department of Physiology, Prince of Songkla University (PSU) Hatyai, Songkhla, Thailand under Associate Professor Siriphun Hiranyachattada’s supervision. My PhD thesis at the Department of Physiology, PSU is entitled “Effects of camboginol and morelloflavone on cardiovascular and renal function in 2K1C renovascular hypertensive rat”. Camboginol and morelloflavone are benzophenone and biflavonoids, respectively. Those are pure compounds from the Garcinia dulcis Kurz, a plant that belongs to the Guttiferae family. This tree is found widely in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries. Camboginol and morelloflavone were purified by Associate Professor Wilawan Mahabussarakum, Department of Chemistry, Prince of Songkla University (PSU), also. My research in Thailand looked at camboginol and morelloflavone. These compounds had been previously shown to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-HIV,
anti-atherosclerosis and hypocholesterolemic activity. My study aimed to evaluate the diuretic and hypotensive effect of camboginol and morelloflavone in anesthetized two-kidneysone-clip (2K1C) renovascular hypertensive rats. The vasorelaxation (reduction of vascular tension) of camboginol and morelloflavone were also investigated in the isolated thoracic aorta, the descending aorta from the heart. It is shown that camboginol or morelloflavone exert the diuretic, hypotensive and vasodilation effects. Therefore, camboginol and morelloflavone have a beneficial effect in lowering blood pressure and have potential to be developed as antihypertensive drugs or supplements. After I completed all of my experiments in Thailand, I received a scholarship from the Faculty of Sciences, PSU to research abroad. Now, I am doing research entitled “Understanding the neural pathways involved in the blood pressure response to acute stress” under the supervision of Professor Andrew Allen, Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne.
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Innovation
Innovation in Health Care
Dr.Farouk, stethoscope / Flickrcc The five finalists for the Westpac Innovation Challenge have been announced. The challenge encourages innovators and entrepreneurs to put forward innovative new solutions to further improve Australia’s healthcare sector. Now in its third year, the Westpac Innovation Challenge has previously unearthed entrepreneurs with innovations for the agribusiness and property sectors. Here are the finalists for this year: OnCallogist: Clinical task management mobile app that empowers clinicians with real-time information to see patients faster and provide better patient care. OnCallogist aims to disrupt the pager space, without disrupting hospital workflow. Surgical Partners: Financial management platform for medical practices and their doctors. Surgical Partners integrates any practice management system with any accounting system, and splits doctors’ billings into practice share, and doctor share, in real-time. Cyph MD: Communications platform for secure data-sharing between stakeholders within the healthcare industry. Cypher MD leverages blockchain technology to streamline communication and data-sharing across the entire healthcare network.
Aipoly: Artificial intelligence (AI) responding to the needs of the 285 million visually impaired people worldwide. Its first product, Aipoly Vision, is an app for smartphones containing AI that describes objects in real-time. SkinView: Converts a smartphone into a device that allows anyone, anywhere, to obtain an automated diagnosis of skin cancer with the option to send it into the cloud for dermatologist confirmation. The finalists will each make a pitch to a panel of leading business representatives who will decide the overall winner at an event on 19 July. The competition will award one winner a $40,000 cash prize and further assistance from Westpac and BlueChilli to help take the winning idea to the next level. A People’s Choice prize of $5,000 will also be awarded to one finalist based on popular vote. “With the five finalists announced, voting is now open for this year’s People’s Choice award. This is everyone’s opportunity to learn more about our finalists and cast a vote for the innovation they think is the next big thing in healthcare,” said Mr Berkovich. Westpac’s Head of Healthcare. If you’re intersted in voting and supporting local innovations in healthcare, visit http://bluechilli. com/votenow
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Extracurricular Seeing Red
inna de, red white blue / Flickrcc At Fotheringhay Castle, Queen Mary of Scots, or Mary Stuart, slowly ascended the wooden scaffold. It was February 8, 1857, she was 45 years old and she was to be beheaded. She turned to her ladies-in-waiting, ne crie point pour moi, j’ai promis pour vous, she said. Her eyes were bound with a white embroidered cloth in gold which Mary had herself chosen, documented Lady Antonia Fraser in her book Mary Queen of Scots. Mary then slowly removed her outer garments to reveal chemise of deep red, red the litrugical colour of martyrdom in the Catholic Church. It was this image of red that Mary Queen of Scots left with the world. The colour red is symbolic. It links to history, and religion like Mary Stuart. It links to behaviour, such as one study which showed that waitresses wearing red received more tips (from males) than those wearing other colours. And now, it even links to certain personality types. In a recent study published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology, researchers found that for the sensation seeking personality type the colour red causes rebellion rather than compliance.
Previous studies have shown that red - think stop signs, danger signs and so on - causes, generally, people to comply. But in new experiments it showed the exact opposite. The problem began with a Dutch helpline that was continuously recieving prank calls, with no actual intent or need for genuine counselling. They sought help from researchers who conducted an experiment seeing participants shown three different colours, including red, on a chat screen. The results showed that when seeing red participants exemplified non-compliant behaviour. “To our surprise, the prank chatting was higher with the red color background than the white or blue,” said study author Ravi Mehta. “Prank chatting occurred about 22 percent of the time with the red background, compared to 15 percent for the white or blue.” But it was the personality type of the individuals that led researchers to the conclusion that there was a certain cognitive response at work: the colour red can increase non-compliant behaviour in people with sensation-seeking personality types. The findings suggest that the assumptions about the color red may not apply to everyone, and this could have implications for things like anti-smoking and safe sex campaigns.
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Academic and Professional Development Meetings
The following groups from The University of Melbourne have convened meetings, workshops and seminars at Graduate House in June 2016 Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network (AURIN) - Board Meeting 6th June 14 attendees
Centre for Health Policy, The University of Melbourne Short course 1st June 9 attendees
Chancellery, The University of Melbourne International Plan Strategic Workshop 8thJune 7 attendees
Department of Finance Lunch 3rd June 5 attendees
Department of Infrastructure Engineering Staff Meeting and UCI-Water PIRE UPP Down Under 7th, 30th June 63 attendees
Melbourne University Alumni Bushwalkers 25th June 34 attendees
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health Indigenous Health Equity Unit SOPGH 17th June 12 attendees
School of Physiotherapy Evening Session 14th June 20 attendees
Research, Innovation and Commercialisation - RIC Health & Medical Team, Professional Certificate in Education (Positive Education), Certificate in Positive Psychology & Network of Schools 3rd, 6th, 7th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 30th June 351 attendees University Services AALT Planning Day 7th, 10th, 24th June 137 attendees
Uom Commercial Indonesian Language Refresher Program 29th, 30th June 30 attendees
The patronage of organisation Members in charitable, not-for-profit, government and professional development sectors is acknowledged, as is that of our many Members who organise functions. Thank you for your patronage. Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) 2nd June 20 attendees
Australian Asian Association (AAA) 6th June 6 attendees
Australian School of Applied Management (ASAM) 6th, 8th, 10th, 20th, 21st , 28th June 183 attendees each day
Bionic Vision Australia (BVA) 1st June 4 attendees each day
Carlton-Parkville Probus Club Inc 14th June 70 attendees
Carlton Rotary - District 9800, Heritage Cluster, Lunch and Board meetings 2nd, 6th, 7th, 14th, 15th, 21st, 28th June 187 attendees
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Academic and Professional Development Meetings Career Education Association of Victoria (CEAV) - Career Development Practice 6th, 21st, 22nd June 49 attendees
CRC for Spatial Information CRCSI River Lines Workshop 2nd June 14 attendees
Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV) Leaders Connect 9th June 50 attendees
Environment Protection Authority (EPA)Victoria 22nd June 38 attendees
John Cain - The JC Foundation Lunch 1st, 20th June 68 attendees
Ex PAV Group
Lunch Meeting
Melba Group 24th June 18 attendees
Michael Quin Ex PAV Group 22nd June 10 attendees
Modern Greek Teachers Association of Victoria (MGTAV) 1st, 4th, 14th June 67 attendees
Order of St. John Evening Meeting 6th June 8 attendees
Organisation Development Australia (ODA) - Women in Football 28th June 20 attendees
Primary Industries Climate Challenges Centre (PICCC) - Meeting 23rd June 7 attendees
Professional Historians Association (PHA) Victoria 14th June 8 attendees
RSA A+NZ Melbourne - Rethinking the Economy and 2016 AGM 4th June 39 attendees
MURL Lunch Sandy Bennet 24th June 10 attendees
Social Education Victoria (SEV) Committee Meeting 8th June 12 attendees
Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA) 16th June 6 attendees
The Graduate Union Collegiate Events and Governance Meetings 1st, 7th, 8th, 10th, 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 27th, 29th June 295 attendees
The Public Land Consultancy - Public Land Leases and Licences 17th June 10 attendees
Turkish Teachers Association of Victoria (TTAV) Turkish Language Workshop 4th June 40 attendees
UNSW Canberra at ADFA Writing Effective Arguments: Rational Persuasion in Organisations 2nd, 3rd June 74 attendees
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Puzzles
Mind benders for our Members
Sudoku
Sudoku is an 81 square grid comprising of nine square blocks, each with nine cells. To complete this puzzle, all blank cells must be filled with a number between and including 1 and 9. Each number can only appear once in each nine celled block, row and column.
Last edition’s results
Kakuro Use the numbers 1 to 9 to fill the empty cells so that the sum of each horizontal block equals the clue on its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the clue on top. Each number can only be used once per row/column..
Last edition’s results
Please note that there might be more answer combinations possible.
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Cryptic Crossword Clues Across
1. Graduate following copper in island (4) 3. Seaman with girl left rum (8) 9. Demonstrate brother coming back for saw (7) 10. Grub of a popular variety (5) 11. A chap with millions in capital (5) 12. Decree in road construction (6) 14. Spice girl following eccentric (6) 16. Director’s call for battle (6) 19. Trial involved old part of Venice (6) 21. Don’t go to restaurant epicure’s opening a can (3,2) 24. Awry, like part of London (5) 25. Insects on a vegetable, not so short (7) 26. Terribly neat Tory lawyer (8) 27. Farm building, apart from narrow opening (4)
Clues Down
1. Officers in Spain act oddly (8) 2. Cleaner making loud noise? That’s about right (5) 4. Primate giving bishop a blessing (6) 5. Abandoned lodge regarded with desire (5) 6. Name of chap with one drink (7) 7. Shakespearean king left listener (4) 8. Making a scene, in which spirits might be produced (6) 13. One sister, one child — as one (2,6) 15. Stupid alien found in underbrush (7) 17. Chlorine’s always sharp (6) 18. Sound made by turkey or wolf (6) 20. Inferior cow? (5) 22. A loose woman rising in US city (5) 23. Twice per annum father is seen (4)
Last Edition’s Answers Cryptic crossword Across: 1. Abstruse 5. Aria 8. Lloyd 9. Acrobat 11. Dogrose 12. Agile 13. Bandit 15. Ghosts 18. Carpi 20. Iceland 23. Hitchin 24. Slips 25. Side 26. Barnsley Down: 1. Medic 2. Prosaic 3. Edam 4.Yielding 5. Uncle 6. Athens 11. DingDong 12. Apathy 13. Express 15. Bambi 17. Daisy 18. Star
Brainteaser Riddle Both cups end up having the same amount of the other liquid in it. When you take the spoonful of coffee (B) and put it in the tea (A) it increases the volume of the tea (A) by that spoonful. Then when you take a spoonful of the tea (A), part of that spoonful is coffee, taking away the proportional amount of coffee. This makes the amount of coffee in the tea and tea in the coffee equal.
Brainteaser Riddle You have been given the task of transporting 3,000 apples 1,000 miles from Appleland to Bananaville. Your truck can carry 1,000 apples at a time. Every time you travel a mile towards Bananaville you must pay a tax of 1 apple but you pay nothing when going in the other direction (towards Appleland). What is highest number of apples you can get to Bananaville? Answer in the next issue. www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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FEATURES
Discovering Melbourne We are very proud to have such a disparate and varied membership. Graduate Union Members are all over Australia and the world. This month we present to you the latest Melbourne gems that should be explored, whether you are temporarily passing though the world’s most livable city, or you reside here.
Words in Winter Masterclass, Sunday, 7th August
Lake House, King Street Daylesford 3460 Victoria, Australia As part of Daylesford’s Words in Winter festival, you can join famed patissiere Adriano Zumbo for a masterclass and three-hour cooking demonstration. For more information visit http://www. lakehouse.com.au/whats-on/cooking-school
Matcha Mylkbar
72 Acland St, St Kilda Melbourne’s long affinity for the kooky is well documented. Matcha Mylkbar in St Kilda is a purveyor of all things kooky, delicious and vegan. Known for their vegan interpretations of brunch classics, you can now even try the blue algae latte. It’s all fantastically enigmatic.
Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) Various theatres around Melbourne
From 28 July until 14 August, the Melbourne International Film Festival will bring film from around the globe including Denmark, Israel, Turkey, China and more, from the best MIFF shorts to the critically acclaimed.
Hellenic Hotel
28 Ferguson St, Williamstown In case you didn’t already know, Masterchef ’s George Colombaris is passionate about Greek food. His souvlaki bar Jimmy Grant’s has only grown in popularity faster than you can say Mr Papadopoulos (check their menu). He’s brought a touch of Greece to The Press Club, and to Kew with Hellenic Republic, and now he’s opening his latest venture Hellenic Hotel in Williamstown. If it wasn’t already Greek to you, it will be now. Oupa. If you have any recommendations for places or events of interest for our Members and Residents, email publications@graduatehouse.com.au www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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STORIES AROUND GRADUATE HOUSE
Farewell but Welcome! Rotary Carlton Changeover Dinner demographic,” he says. “The bulk of our Membership is baby boomers and they’re all in their 60s.” “I also think we need to find a better fundraising system. We’re still very focused on the Carton community, as well as some international service,” he said.
It was yellow and blue, the colours of Rotary, at Graduate House Friday July 8 in the Ian Potter room. The dinner for the night was to farewell outgoing President Craig Chester, and to welcome the new President of Carlton Rotary Alan Pettitt. Mr Pettitt has been a Rotarian since 1976, having also been part of the Nunawading and Essendon North clubs, for which he was President for both, and has been part of the Carlton branch for two years. Pettit, 81, says he is very pleased and proud to lead this club. “I’ve had a lot of experience in Rotary, and I’ve held a lot of positions in Rotary,” he says. “I’m continuing working with Rotary because I believe in it, and I believe it’s needed more now than ever before.” Being President wasn’t something that Mr Pettitt sought out, and is very surprised. “I’m flattered by their trust and their support that they’ve offered,” he said. During his tenure, some of the issues that he would like to address include the membership demographic.
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They are just about to complete a project in Indonesia, which will come to a conclusion in August. A continued project, or a new project is needed in Mr Pettit’s views. As for the dinner, he was very pleased with its turnout. “The changeover dinner went brilliantly,” he said. “ I thought that both the staff at Graduate House and Phillip Morrissey, our Member, did an excellent job. We were very happy about it. I thought the room looked terrific, it was a good buzz there. It was an excellent night.” Congratulations Alan, and farewell Craig. We look forward to seeing you all at Graduate House very soon!
Would you please pass on to everyone involved in our Changeover last evening my thanks. The dining room looked great, the service as always done professionally, the food first class, and your oversight in the overall success of the night. What more could we ask for. A special thank you to Bill who is always there ensuring we are well looked after in the drinks department. - Des Jones
“I believe we need to change our age www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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Family Mulholland at Graduate House Mulhollands en masse are a formidable force but the Graduate House Team Terrific was more than up to the challange. Superb culinary offerings and excellent service are a given and at any time but you really excelled yourselves for our event. Where else would we find a room big enough to seat us all at one table and afford the privacy to be our usual noisy and exhuberant selves?
Long time Members Anne and James Mulholland brought their family to Graduate House for a private function. Suffice to say, they were beyond pleased with the service. But more importantly, we are very happy to see that they enjoyed themselves so much, and felt comfortable enough to bring the family along and be their exhuberant selves. Mr and Mrs Mulholland wrote a lengthy letter of appreciation, which we share here. To all of Team Terrific at Graduate House, Congratulations and a hearty round of applause from the Mulholland family for your efforts on our behalf for our recent family gathering.
Thank you one and all for one of the best gatherings we have experienced: no one’s home to be reorganised, spare chairs to be borrowed, none of the women stressed out about menus and cooking and none of the males complaining about heavy-lifting and fuss! All in all, a most relaxed and enjoyable time was had by all. We would recomment it to anyone looking for a place to enjoy the company of a large gathering. With sincere appreciation from us all - individually and collectively, Anne and James Mulholland. Thank you for the kind words Family Mulholland, you are certainly Family Fantastic in our books!
For The Betterment of Education Our Resident’s fund is used to help and assist our Resident Members with their academic The donations that we receive, from the annual pursuits. appeal and other sources, go towards assisting students with vital activties in their academic This year so far, we were very happy to have lives. assisted Julia Melanson with funds so she could complete her placement in Shepparton. We thank you for your support, and are hopeful for it to continue. Funds were also given to the recipients of the bursary awards, as well as the scholarship award of $3,000 which was awarded to Yuliia Velichenko for her work in organic chemestry. Yuliia used the funds to attend a conference in Japan.
Thank You.
www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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Learning from those in the know: Mentoring at Graduate House Do you know what Larry Page, Steve Jobs and Richard Branson all had in common? Apart from introducing ground-breaking products and services, and life-changing technology, they all, through any stage during their careers, had mentors. A trial mentor program began at Graduate House in late June, when Member Robert Heaton, shared his insights on logistics and supply chain management with interested and eager graduates Aruna, Albert and Prisci. “What I’ve done for Albert, Prisci and Aruna is I’ve connected them into half a dozen people of influence,” said Mr Heaton. He has connected them with the Chief Executive of one of Melbourne’s most successful transport businesses, and has connected them with the chief executive of a recruitment firm that specialises in supply chain. His efforts have also seen an opportunity appear with the President of the SCLAA asking if any of the three people would be interested in joining the Victorian committee. The brief from Graduate House was for someone to meet with these students who are at different stages in their careers and study. As a past Vice President of Supply Chain Logistics he was the prime candidate to meet with them and give them some guidance about finding career options in supply chain. Mr Heaton came with three core objectives. The first was to try and get them some connections to people that they could engage with, and that would help them. One Resident, explained Mr Heaton, was currently seeking positions, another was looking to change paths, and the other was in her final year of study and was interested in finding some placements. The second one was to talk about the value of joining the SCLAA as a student member so that they could use it as a networking function. And the final objective was to talk about what sort of roles exist in the supply chain logistics industry, and where the realistic entry points are for people who have just come out of university. “Mr Heaton emphasised that we should be mobile and be willing to work in different places,
as opportunity knocks on the door when you least expect it. Also, networking is key, and one very effective way to do it is via membership with professional bodies,” said Aruna, one of the participants who would like a successful career in finance, and who is currently studying financial planning. “I believe that informal chats like this with industry leaders would indeed benefit student members who are about to enter, or return to the workforce in Australia ... There is no better person to learn from than someone who has been down a similar path.” Prisci, who is undertaking a Master of Supply Chain and Logistics at RMIT, also says that the session lent her invaluable advice. “There’s a number of avenues that have opened up for them that they didn’t have when they walked in. I think if I’ve done that, I’ve done my job well,” said Mr Heaton. Albert Li, says his career objective is to find a project managing role within the supply chain and logistics industry. “I find the biggest challenge is transitioning from academic life to one that requires you to be much more proactive and opportunistic,” he said. “Meeting with Mr Heaton really put into perspective the challenges that lie ahead and how to best tackle them. He gave invaluable insight into the industry outlook and networking opportunities for the three of us to seize.” Li believes that these opportunities would benefit all people in similar positions and will serve as the springboard for them to reach their ambitions and career objectives. “I think [these sessions] are brilliant. All three of those graduates showed initiative and asked for guidance because they want to be in supply chain,” he said. “It’s my responsibility to make myself available to the younger people starting out on their career journeys. If I can help, guide, connect, then I’m living up to my creed as a senior manager to promote and encourage younger people.”
www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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speech on the importance of the day, and of course, gender equality. The details When: Tuesday, August 23rd Where: Graduate House, and University Square What: A presentation from President Loughnan, 9:30am, photo opportunities, Q&A with the organisers, and of course receiving and distribution of flowers! We encourage you to BYO to sell. All proceeds will be directed to the Royal Womens Hospital Foundation. President Loughnan and Chair of Council Rhys Watson have both sent statements of encouragement to the Residents, of which we have excerpts below.
In the July newsletter you would have seen an article about the HeForShe gender equality campaign that Residents are currently planning.
We hope to see you there, and if you are unable to attend, we hope that you continue to support gendery equality in any way that you can. For more information about HeForShe, visit www.heforshe.org
These plans are close to being finalised, and we are very excited to announce the August 23rd will be the launch date of the Graduate House HeForShe. More specifically, the campaign centers on the notion of ‘give a flower, get a smile’, whereby everyone is to hand out flowers to attendees. Men will give out flowers to women, women to men, men to men and women to women. This is not a romantic gesture. This gesture is purely representative of gender equality. President Loughnan will also attend and give a
We have an opportunity to work together to be advocates for change for gender equality. The promotion of gender equality in our communities is an important expression of our respect for all of humanity. It is essential that girls and women are treated as equals, with respect and given equal opportunity. - Cr Rhys Watson, Chair of Council In my capacity as International Vice President of Variety the Children’s Charity, almost every day I am aware of inequalities faced by women and girls in so many countries. I still see thousands of young girls who are deprived of opportunities to a better life, better health and education, and basic necessities that we so often take for granted, but to them are life-changing. Malala Yousafzai the Pakistani activist and youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate, has been a fantastic, passionate and high profile activist for female education – her crusade is making a huge difference. - President, The Graduate Union www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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Some APDM Feedback I am writing to record my high level of appreciation for the service accorded to myself and my colleagues during our conference in July this year. I would like to acknowledge Bill’s attentiveness and the high standard of cleanliness reflected in all of the amenities. The cheery atmosphere is continued throughout the intereactions between staff with one another and their promotion of a friendly environment in the workplace Peter Whitford, Indian Language Refresher Program The organising of function at Graduate House was efficient, the function room and spaces suited our needs. The food, both in terms of quality and quantity was good and the staff were very helpful in the lead up to our event and during and following the event. Keep up the good work! Faith FitzGerald,The John Cain Foundation The organising process was seamless. The team at Graduate House are exceptionally professional and helpful in every way. Everything we could have needed was covered. I am very grateful of the foresight of the Graduate House staff. Nothing is too much trouble. I am able to ask their advice on an array of things and always made to feel welcome. The function spaces were ideal. Great inclusions, layout and AV. Food always of a high quality and quantity along with choices. Timing of service and flexibility when small changes occur are always met with great aplomb. Staff were helpful keeping us on track without stress. Everything was perfect. Small issues, changes from our side, not inadequacies on your behalf, were handled quickly and politely at all times. Kerrie Borrie, ACHPER Victorian Branch Hi Rosie, Would you please pass on to everyone involved in our Changeover last evening my thanks. The dining room looked great, the service as always done professionally, the food first class, and your oversight in the overall success of the night. What more could we ask for. A special thank you to Bill who is always there ensuring we are well looked after in the drinks department. Warm regards Des Jones, Carlton Rotary Dear Rosie, this is a personal note of personal thanks for the outstanding service by you, Bill and your staff. The quality of service and the provision on individual needs and preferences was excellent. Please pass on my thanks to all who made last night such an outstanding event. Sincere thanks! Paul Carlin, Carlton Rotary Much impressed by crowd management, especially separating the two queues. Loved the mixed vegetables. Life Member, John Johnson Excellent Customer service, food and beverage and great value for money. I visit once every two or three months. Life member, Olive Hamilton
The lucky feedback-giver for April is Olive Hamilton who won a bottle of Emeri De Botoli Chardonnay Pinot Noir Your feedback is important Submit a Dining Room Feedback Form to be in the monthly draw and in the running for the year-end prize of a $500 Coles Myers Gift Voucher www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B
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