3 minute read
General Manager's Message
2022 brought such a positive outlook as residents returned to live in Graduate House. It was wonderful to see many, many members back in our dining room and at our collegiate events,. Also encouraging was the number of clients and attendees returning for meetings and functions.
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I am grateful for the work of all members of Council, especially President The Hon Diana Bryant AO KC and Council Chair Vincent J Mirabelli, for their leadership and advice throughout the year. The Chairs of all five subcommittees have dedicated themselves to their respective roles and responsibilities, given guidance and direction for the Association to advance after two years of being affected by the pandemic.
The hardworking team of Council and staff had three main objectives for 2022 which were successfully implemented, with each focus and actions taken. They were:
• Towelcomebackresidentsfor2022andrebuild thecollegecommunity.
The scene of over 100 residents in Semester 2, enjoying meals in the dining room was music to everyone’s ears. Occupancy for accommodation rose to 50% throughout Semester 1 and hit a high of 80% in Semester 2 with overall occupancy for the year being 59%. The pilot program to welcome under-graduates residents resulted in 14 undergraduate residents residing with us during 2022. This program will continue into 2023;
• Tore-connectthemembership.
Re-engagement began when we were able to resume postal communications with our members (ceased in 2020 due to cost) and then email communications and renewals for all members. Newsletters to our members and residents are bimonthly with an Events Update booklet circulated in alternate months.
• Towelcomebackourmembersandtheirgueststo GUCollegiateevents;andattendeestoMeeting Serviceevents.
We saw the return of meetings and events throughout the year. The hosting of the Chair’s Cocktail Party in December, after a two year absence, with more than 80 members and guests in attendance was a great way to end the successful year.
My thanks and immense appreciation to the team of staff here at Graduate House. Their kindness, smiles and dedication to the members of the Association and to the residents of Graduate House never wavered. Their hard-work is commendable and has positively impacted new residents and members returning to Graduate House. The increase in workload meant a demand for new staff recruitment and we welcome our new colleagues to our organisation and look forward to cementing the services and hospitality that we are well known for.
Discussions with The University of Melbourne began on the Stage 1 Project of the Master Plan and the University was very helpful in addressing the feasibility of the project. Stage 1 was placed on hold during the pandemic due to insufficient funds to proceed on its own. The Graduate Union has also recently entered discussions with other possible partners on this project.
We thank our generous donors who donated throughout 2022 as in past years. Our immense gratitude to all as this has enabled the Association to be in a solid financial position to look at future scholarships (through the 110th Jubilee Anniversary Endowment and the Mid-Year Annual Appeal Scholarship Fund) and refurbishment projects (Building Fund and William Berry and Barbara Funder PostGraduate Student Trust).
Looking ahead to 2023, we are seeing a greater return in numbers, of residents to Graduate House with levels of pre-pandemic years. This bides well for the college and the financial viability of The Graduate Union. Meetings and Events Services has also seen good numbers in advanced bookings throughout 2023 with many regular clients returning.
Members on Council and their Subcommittees met at the annual Strategic Planning Day in July 2022. We were able to derive a strong strategic focus for the Association and the College during the day. One key focus from the Planning Day was the analysis of the true membership of The Graduate Union and how and what needs to be done to ensure the future feasibility of it.
The Membership and Marketing subcommittee, in tandem with the Fundraising and Benefactions subcommittee, have taken on this important task. Work during 2022 saw an analysis of the active members of the association which include Life, Graduate Members and current Residents and the long list of past residents. Works in 2023 will further assess who the members of the Graduate Union are, what benefits a membership brings plus actions on how to promote The Graduate Union to all possible Post-graduate students and those in early to mid-career graduates. This work will hopefully bring about greater awareness of The Graduate Union and Graduate House to The University of Melbourne and wider communities beyond.
As we embark on 2023, I thank every person who contributes, assists, supports and connects with The Graduate Union throughout the year. I wish everyone a safe and healthy 2023 and look forward to The Graduate Union of the University of Melbourne Inc continuing for another 110 years.
Daniel Clark
General Manager of The Graduate Union
