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THE GRADUATE UNION of The University of Melbourne Inc.
PERIODICAL NEWSLETTER OF THE GRADUATE UNION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE INCORPORATED PRINT POST APPROVED PP337834/00022 REGISTERED ASSOCIATION No. AA0023234B November 2010 Volume 63 No. 4 www.graduatehouse.com.au
CONTENTS CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2 VALETE 2 LETTERS 2 DONATIONS 2 EVENTS 5 SPEAKERS 6-7 NEW MEMBERS 8 RESIDENTS 9 HEAD OF COLLEGE REPORT 10
pg 8)
MELBOURNE GR ADUATE 2010 GRADUATE HOUSE RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP Simone Kowitz, the inaugural recipient of the prestigious 2010 Graduate House Research Scholarship, received the award at the 2010 Annual General Meeting. Simone has been a resident at Graduate House since April 2010. She is enjoying her stay at Graduate House, and particularly values the many interesting events, as well as the many friendships she has made with like-minded scholars. She received her Bachelor of Science with first class honours from the Open University in the United Kingdom and is currently a thirdyear Clinical Psychology doctoral student at Monash University, conducting research into the impact of childhood trauma on the experience of subsequent traumas. The Graduate House Research Scholarship has enabled Simone to conduct complicated analyses using Structural Equation Modelling, as well as supported her in presenting the initial results of her research at the Australian Conference on Traumatic Stress 2010 in Brisbane.
OFFICE BEARERS President: The Honourable John Cain Vice President: Dr Robert Gibson Chairman: Mr David N Sparks Vice Chairman: Mrs Glenda Fisher Head of College and CEO Mr Eugene Spanti
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Simone became interested in anxiety disorder when working as a research assistant at the Institute of Psychiatry in London. She currently is working as an intern clinician at Austin Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). She is also working on a project conducting psychological screening of children and adolescents affected by the 2009 Victorian bushfires. Simone’s doctoral research focuses on how people who have experienced trauma in childhood adjust to a new trauma later in adulthood, and to investigate
whether they are more likely to develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression or general anxiety than people without a history of childhood trauma. Up to two thirds of people are likely to experience a traumatic event in their life, and many are likely to experience more than one traumatic event. A traumatic event may be a car accident, a natural disaster, such as bushfires, floods or earthquakes, a physical or sexual assault or war. One of the psychological reactions to trauma is PTSD. Most people will initially have some post-traumatic stress reactions, such as nightmares or anxiety in response to reminders of the trauma. Many people will recover without any help a few months after the traumatic event. However, a sizeable number of people will continue to have symptoms. In recent years, researchers have been investigating how and why some people continue to have post-traumatic stress symptoms, while others recover. Simone is investigating how people who have experienced trauma in childhood react to a new trauma later in life, in particular whether they are more likely to develop PTSD or other psychological difficulties. Identifying those at higher risk of developing PTSD or other psychological difficulties, and finding out more about why and how these people develop PTSD, is likely to improve assessment and treatment options. November 2010 Volume 63 No.4 – 1
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THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE CALENDAR of EVENTS 2010 30 November 2011 Tour General Information Evening with Kenneth Park 1 December Monthly Luncheon Speaker: Dr David McCredie, Topic: The Power of “P” 10 December Chairman’s Cocktail Party 17 December Members Christmas Party Santa, Prizes & a Special Entertainer (Draw of Bistro Prize)
TO ALL MEMBERS FROM GRADUATE HOUSE MERRY CHRISTMAS
The Melbourne Graduate is normally published four times a year by The Graduate Union of The University of Melbourne Incorporated. It is edited by Eugene Spanti and Lyn Weston, under the direction of the Graduate Council and its Executive Committee. The Melbourne Graduate welcomes letters from readers and reserves the right to edit them for publication. Please keep word count to a maximum of 250 and address to The Editors, The Melbourne Graduate. Registered Address: The Graduate Union, 220 Leicester St., Carlton, Vic. 3053 Australia. Telephone: (03) 9347-3428 Facsimile (03) 9347-9981 www.graduatehouse.com.au – email: sec@graduatehouse.com.au Printed by: FSG Design & Print, 1 Argent Place, Ringwood, Vic 3134. Tel: (03) 9873 5144
LETTERS From Richard Boaden Dear Eugenio, I am writing on behalf of Priscilla and me – and mostly on behalf of Poppy, of course – to thank all the staff and members of Graduate House for the kind notice you published about Patricia. Thank you too for all the great support and companionship which you provided to her. It was her nature and an integral part of her life to be deeply involved and engaged in her various pursuits and the environment at Graduate House provided her with many friendships which she treasured and with the stimulation that kept her bright and young at heart right into her late eighties. We have many happy memories of Graduate House and we are both very grateful to you for everything which you did for Patricia. She would have wanted us to pass on her thanks too. July 2010 From: Extract of email from Dr Damian Powell to Dr David Runia and Heads of Colleges Subject: ‘congratulations` Having just thumbed through the pages of the August edition of the ‘Voice’, I think you need a vote of congratulations for the work that has been achieved in putting the colleges into ‘the University story’. Ten years ago we were right on the periphery - mentions of various colleges in various contexts in this edition underline how far we have come. I know it could always be better, but we could not have hoped for such even-handed coverage a decade ago. To this end, it was a masterstroke by Eugene to put up Shane Cahill at Graduate House as he prepared his leading story. I think we need to stand back and celebrate our successes every once in a while - I would like to note my thanks to the Executive for its efforts in helping to change the perception of the Colleges within the University. August 2010
On mov gav epis the hea wou unb can
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From E (Hux) Carver, Life Member since 1953 It was a pleasant surprise to receive your card conveying good wishes for my recent birthday – thank you for it. I regret that, as I live in Adelaide, it is not practicable for me to attend the Graduate Union functions but I do appreciate being kept informed of Graduate Union development and activities. September 2010
From Michael Cohen OAM, Life Member since 1952 Fifty-eight years after joining the Graduate Union, it is a thrill to receive good wishes on the occasion of my eightieth birthday. Thank you very much for your card. September 2010 From Councillor Andre Cleghorn, following the death of his mother on 19 August 2010 Thank you Councillors, Head of College and members of the Graduate Union for the death notice and all the kind wishes I have received. September 2010 From Ms Antigone Vasilopoulos, Melbourne School of Land and Environment The Graduate House restaurant has a relaxed and civilised atmosphere. These are qualities which I appreciate tremendously. Rosie and Bill are always polite, friendly and prompt. They do make an extra effort to ensure that lunch will be an enjoyable experience. Rob, the chef, is extremely capable and his dishes are amazing. His chocolate pudding is pure fine art! I am comfortable to say that the aforementioned staff members are an asset to Graduate House. And, in general the Graduate House restaurant experience has been a pleasant one. October 2010
VALETE
DONATIONS
Since publication of the last edition of The Melbourne Graduate we have been notified of the deaths of the following members: Mrs P Boaden, (Life Member joined 1981) Mr S Hulme, (Life Member joined 1951) Mr D Leary, (Life Member joined 1955) Mr H R Smart (Life Member joined 1952) Dr B Widmer, (Life Member joined 1959)
Building Fund: $100 Mr J Rowan, H Richards
The Graduate Union appreciates the support of these members and extends condolences to their families. We regret that space constraints do not allow individual acknowledgement of each deceased member
Residents Assistance Fund: $100 E Sevior $100 G Ogilvy, L Thomson, N Tulloh
Stella Langford Project Appeal: Mrs V Prendergast, Mr G Vaughan Scholarship Fund: $200 J Franklin, E Butt $150 J Doyle $100 L Richards $15 P Tsitas $10 E Fisher
2 – November 2010 Volume 63 No.4
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THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE What a remarkable woman, what a great lady! I was Born and raised in Napier, New Zealand, Patricia had privileged to call Patricia my friend for nearly 30 years. known from an early age that she was adopted, she had long She was a confident, warm and welcoming woman, always harboured a desire to know more of her genetic background. interested in the world around her and ready to embrace With retirement from a career of many years in teaching those within it. While books were her greatest joy, Patricia she had the time to do some sleuthing. A trip to New enjoyed discussing with others the ideas Zealand and determined digging prompted by her reading and she had a into public records, as well as some PATRICIA FLORENCE great talent for bringing together people serendipitous personal contacts and MABEL BOADEN from diverse backgrounds with a capacity sharp intuition, produced not only a BA (Hons), Dip Mus, LMus, TCL for lively debate. Conversation during clan of welcoming cousins but also formal dinner parties hosted by Patricia some other surprising and satisfying and her husband Ross provided the outcomes – her birth mother stimulus for the format of the Graduate possessed considerable musical talent House Women’s Forum. Each provided and her birth father and grandfather an opportunity for the thought-provoking were lawyers. The genetic links are discussions she enjoyed so much. evident in Patricia’s own love of, and talent in, music and the fact that Patricia possessed a formidable capacity both her son and daughter pursue to commit herself totally to her chosen successful careers in Law. causes: first and foremost, her family. The combination of love and physical Whatever Patricia undertook, and emotional support she extended to she did with passion, energy and her children, their families and all their commitment. She was a longendeavours, was awe-inspiring! She standing and loyal member of and Ross provided the unquestioning Graduate House, where she served 28 May 1922 – 10 July 2010 faith, steadfast optimism and much on the Council; was a regular at of the physical labour that saw “The First Wednesday Lunches and Italian Perfumed Garden” (for propagating, growing and selling Conversation dinners; established the Women’s Forum and David Austin roses) develop from a bare paddock in volunteered in a variety of ways. Moorooduc to a showplace garden and thriving business My life has been immeasurably enriched by my in little more than three years. She also had great interest, friendship with Patricia. I, like so many others, feel a involvement and pleasure in the growth and development of great loss in her passing but remain inspired and her grandchildren, and, at the end of her own life, was able motivated by her inexhaustible energy, her zest to see, and respond with a smile, to a photo of her first great- for life and her genuine interest in each person she met grandchild, born in England a few weeks earlier. along the way. VALE PATRICIA Anne Mulholland
THE GRADUATE HOUSE WOMEN’S FORUM Perhaps a timely and fitting tribute to Patricia Boaden, a founding member and one of its keenest participants till her death in July this year, is to let more women know how it began and how it functions. The Forum meets in the residents’ library from 10.30am till 12.30 on the third Wednesday of each month except January. It was conceived about 15 years ago by Patricia and her friend Shirley Horne (also now deceased) to provide a structured environment in which women could express their views on mutually pre-determined topics without fear of interruption or judgement. The rules are few and simple: depending on the numbers present, each person has 5 to 10 minutes to express her views: no interruptions (questions or comments) are permitted while someone is speaking and no discussion takes place till each person present has had her say. When each person who chooses to contribute has spoken, it is open forum – usually a very lively discussion which continues with conversation over lunch in the Bistro for those who are able to stay and frequently gives rise to two or three more topics for future Forums. No minutes are taken and there is no obligation to speak or to attend each month. The Forum is a great exercise in attentive, disciplined listening! If the format sounds interesting, come along and enjoy the mental stimulation that comes from exposure to a variety of viewpoints and encourages the confidence to participate knowing that no view is right or wrong!
November 2010 Volume 63 No.4 – 3
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THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE
Graduate Council
In the August edition of The Melbourne Graduate I reported that your Council was planning to conduct a retreat which would consider the current situation of The Graduate Union and future its aims. I also promised to share with you the outcome of the retreat in the next Melbourne Graduate. Planning commenced early in the year with a small working party meeting to consider an agenda and facilitator. Possible future impacts on the Graduate Union were also taken into account. Because of our close ties to The University of Melbourne, we invited the acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Dewar to open the retreat which he agreed to do, His presentation was entitled The University of Melbourne - current context and future directions. There was 100% attendance at both retreat days which presented an excellent opportunity for the exchange of views and constructive discussion. Revision of our Mission Statement was the first Agenda Item and it was finally agreed the Mission Statement decided upon exemplified the role of the Graduate Union: A SWOT analysis was completed prior to the retreat by all councillors and the CEO and this was dissected and discussed. It then formed the basis
Eve the who our staff Sch
for a half-day follow up retreat day, two weeks later at which we arrived at the following five goals, which we plan on achieving over the next year. 1. To ensure good corporate governance. 2. To maintain and improve residents’ services and satisfaction levels. 3. To grow and maintain a strong and active membership base. 4. To continue to operate with strong and appropriate financial prudence. 5. To consider future projects and opportunities.
Mission Statement The Graduate Union, historically related to and affiliated with The University of Melbourne, is an incorporated association of university graduates and its mission is to embrace academic, cultural and generational diversity. The Graduate Union provides • Quality residential facilities • Social interaction and support for graduates, visiting academics, members and staff • A caring, secure and collegiate environment • Engagement in intellectual and social stimulation for the wider community of Graduate Union members. David Sparks, Chairman
NEW DUTY RESIDENT– Andre Havrylyshyn Andre has been at Graduate House since February 2010. He is currently undertaking the JD course here at the University of Melbourne law school. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto in June 2009 with a double major in Political Science and Drama. Currently, he lives in Wellington, Ontario, a small town about an hour east of Toronto. He also spent his youth growing up in Washington DC and Geneva, Switzerland.
Guildenstern are Dead. In the past, he has worked at various jobs, such as heading the promotional department at a gym, working as a camp counsellor and acting/waiting tables at a dinner theatre show. Andre also enjoys singing and recently studied classical singing/opera and performed in a rock band during high school, recording two demonstration CDs and performing in various live shows. He played ice hockey for many years, ran cross country and started playing soccer during university with friends on the weekend. In his free time, Andre also enjoys writing and sketching.
During university, Andre was actively involved in various university dramatic productions, such as Doctor Faustus, Rumours, Henry V, Lysistrata, and Rosencrantz and
Andre says he is looking forward to helping out as the new duty resident and hopes to assist in making the Graduate House a welcoming and enjoyable place for all.
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THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE
Christmas in July Karaoke Everyone who attended the annual Christmas in July celebrations enjoyed a happy evening singing and dancing into the late hours. While the evening was primarily a special occasion dinner for residents of Graduate House, members who attended had no problem getting into the singing and dancing spirit of the evening Kitty Van Wees Miller and our Chairman David Sparks were amongst the group who stayed to the end, as were the Head of College and other staff members who were still on the premises at midnight. Long term residents were happy to catch up with Margaret Schintler, who until last year was the breakfast chef and a very well known figure at ‘the House’.
WINE APPRECIATION DINNERR Nearly 100 residents, members and guests attended the Wine Appreciation Dinner on 14 October. Following a welcome by the Chairman, once again our Chef, Robert Goodman and his London associates presented a wonderful five course gourmet dinner, complemented with wines by WineFusion and Distillery Works. The Chef introduced each course and representatives from both wine companies presented the wines, explaining their characteristics and how they complemented the dishes being served. The dinner concluded with Vince Calafiore of Vivo Coffee giving an expresso coffee demonstration.
November 2010 Volume 63 No.4 – 5
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THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE
SPEAKERS TWILIGHT LECTURE SERIES Alan Kohler is chief executive of Australian Independent Business Media Pty Ltd, which publishes the online investment newsletter ‘Eureka Report’ and the free, 24-hour business news and commentary website ‘Business Spectator’, a similar publication to ‘The Financial Review’ which he edited in the 1980s. Alan appears on the ABC’s ‘Inside Business’ and ABC News. He has been chairman of Melbourne University Press for the past 18 months and values this connection to the University of Melbourne. The Business Spectator is three years old and a sister publication to the Eureka Report. It is virtually the history of the credit crisis over the past three years. Alan said that writing for a 24 hour financial publication had given him a unique and interesting perspective on the credit crisis. The publication has an audience currently of 350,000 per month. To a very interested audience, Alan summarised the beginnings and progress of the recent credit crisis, saying that it began much earlier than most people realised when in early 2007 sub-prime lenders in the United States started going broke. He recounted a chance airport meeting with Harold Mitchell who credits Alan with saving him $20M after their conversation on this subject. Alan said that the financial system of the world rests on the banks dealing with each other and on their confidence in each other. From August 2007 this confidence was eroded resulting in the faltering of flow between banks. With the ‘bust’ in 2008 of Lehmann Bros the financial flow ceased all together. Trading stopped and a terrible recession ensued. Although the recession is over, world uncertainty still prevails. What does the future hold for the world? Alan looked at what we know and the facts are these: In the USA there is no boom nor will there be one. Their housing industry is depressed and the banks are still in a state of trauma. Consequently the banks are starving business for investment. Whether there will be another recession in the US remains to be seen and Europe overall is a mixed bag. China, upon whom Australia depends, is trying to slow down their economy. So, the problem for stock market investors is that the world economy will not have its usual recovery and growth will be very slow over the next few years. The traditional trading world is also being squeezed by the on-line world which is putting pressure on many areas.
Paper currency is in trouble, with too much being printed. Gold has proved to be one of the best investments over the past 10 years, having the characteristic of both inflation and deflation. Alan briefly touched on the recent Federal election which he said was in part the punishment meted out to the Government by the less prosperous Australian States such as Queensland and NSW. This is reflected in the result. During the credit boom, before the bust, there was a huge growth of small banks and lenders focused on Queensland property development. When the bust came the money dried up and a large number of people suffered. Values in Queensland have declined more than anywhere else and the tourist industry has suffered with the rise in the $A. There is a lot of hardship. The overall message for Australia’s future is that careful management is required and growth will be slow. It will be some time before the next ‘boom’ arrives. LUNCHEON SPEAKERS AUGUST Currently appointed Philosopher-inResidence at the Melbourne Business School, Professor John Armstrong is also a frequent contributor on art and culture for The Age and The Australian. He has given many public l i l di five fi series of talks at the National Gallery lectures, including of Victoria. John is currently the Inaugural Knowledge Transfer Fellow at the University of Melbourne. At our Monthly Luncheon in August, the topic centred on particular theme concepts. He started his address with the first theme which he called “The Call” He said people’s life quest should be to find their own place in the world and not be defined by the world; to discover their own understanding; to be dignified and to become a thinker. He said Mahler, Proust and Plato were people who had followed this quest. People should be sensitive to others and to their needs. People should not be embarrassed to show sensitivity. The next theme touched on was the idea of “Love” which he said is the most important concept of all. Love is an attempt to enhance quality, and love can be felt for many things, be it a relationship, a building, an idea or even a memory. He stressed that when you love, you would want what is good for that thing and for it to become the best thing in itself. If you don’t have that notion it is not love. Love is indeed a rare thing, he added. Professor Armstrong went on to the third theme, ‘Leadership”. Leadership, he said, is an area in which to
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THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE
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discuss obedience, authority and power. It is an aspiration to glory. People like the power associated with being obeyed. Sadly, this is often abused. He also said that leadership can become a terrible thing when the yearning and the desire to control becomes overpowering. On his last theme, ‘Beauty”, he said people should be moved by beauty. Beauty can be found in anything. He gave many examples, such as a piece of music or an episode in a book; being moved to utter tenderness by the action of another person. To experience anything heart-rending reminds us all of what we should be or would like to become. Being moved by beauty can be unbearable even for supposedly strong people and many cannot cope with the experience. Professor Armstrong concluded by answering questions from the floor and the impact of his address could be measured by the applause from the audience.
ng to
SEPTEMBER
2010
Major General David McLachlan AO (Ret’d), State President, Returned & Services League (RSL)
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In commencing his address, Major General McLachlan paid tribute to John Monash as the architect of the Battle of La Hamel in 1918, who he said had brought together all of the technology available in the world at that time, namely air, artillery, armour and infantry. It was the first time an Allied commander had ever brought all of these together on the battlefield at the same time. The battle was very successful and lasted for 93 minutes, rather than the planned 90 minutes. A memorial to John Monash was built on the site and has recently been refurbished by the RSL through the Department of Veteran Affairs. The Returned and Services League was formed in Melbourne in August 1915 at which time 12 people came together in Collins Street in order to bring together a group of people who would look after those coming back from the First World War. It became the Federal body in June 1916 and the main thought of its founders at that stage was to provide an instrument and a channel for perpetuating the comradeship of the battlefield. But primarily, it was there to look after those people returning from the war who were injured and maimed because for so many of them the period of time spent convalescing was such that they had no-one to look after them and get them ready to re-enter the workforce. Over 90 years the organisation worked hard and evolved. It became apparent around 1996 at the time of the 50 year anniversary of the Second World War
that the League was seen to have emerged into its position, publicly assured and unassailable. In recent times there has been a concerted effort to change the beer-swilling, poker machine playing image of the RSL. Nationally the League has a membership of over 200,000 and Victoria has 63,000 Service and Affiliate Members. The Affiliate category was introduced to enable a veteran’s family to become members. It is hoped this will sustain the membership numbers as veterans age. The League’s mission is to support servicemen, ex-service men and women of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and their dependants. Services provided include advocacy in claims to Veterans Affairs. A ‘virtual’ sub-branch has been established for those people who are currently serving in the ADF so that they can use modern communications to join the RSL, know what is happening in the RSL and seek support if required. More than $500,000 is spent on welfare annually and sub-branches provide even more to their local areas. The RSL is involved in many community activities including the ‘Mate for a Mate’ program, in community aged care and youth welfare services; they adopt schools and are involved in the local area activities including the Lord Somers Camp for disadvantaged children. Together with Legacy, the RSL plays an integral role in the community as well as caring for service personnel and their families. It is hard to imagine an Australian society without the RSL OCTOBER Green Myths of Australian Farming Dr David Smith works in the School of Agriculture and Food Systems at the University of Melbourne. He is a former farmer and was also Director-General of Agriculture for Victoria. These days agriculture has a bad name in Australia. We are told that: It has exhausted the soil, and yields of crops have collapsed. It has caused massive erosion. It has polluted some rivers, made many others salty and used all the water from the rest. Its animals make methane, a main cause of global warming. Clearing the land has made too many species extinct. Put simply, we shouldn’t have come here – we should have left it to the Aborigines who were so much more in harmony with the land than we are. Popular writers such as Jared Diamond and Tim Flannery have written books that widely promulgate such views. David opened his address saying the public is being bombarded with myths and false assertions. The true story of Australian agriculture is generally one of aware people farming sensibly, problems being identified and researched (largely with their own funds) and amelioration carried out (Contd. pg 8)
November 2010 Volume 63 No.4 – 7
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THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE CHRISTMAS – NEW YEAR PERIOD SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION RATE
From $60 per night (no meals) Between 25 December 2010 and 24 January 2011
NEW MEMBERS The following members joined the Graduate Union. We welcome them and look forward to their participation in our members’ programs.
Life Members Mr Christopher Huggins, Ordinary Member since 2005 Mr Ian Miller, BA(West Australia) Corporate Members Career Education Association of Australia Department of Health Lowitja Institute Melbourne Graduate School of Education Ordinary Members Mr Ian Ajzenszmidt, BAHons; GradDip(Monash) Ms Elizabeth Beerli, BA(WA), GradDipEd(Murdoch) Mr Russell Bell, BComm Ms Margaret Bright, BAgrSc(LaTrobe), MSc; GradCertAppEpid(Curtin)
Mr Phillip Cobbin, BComm Dr Elizabeth Fisher, BA(London), PhD(Monash) Ms Raya R Goldtwig, BAHons(Monash) Mrs Connie Markou, Dip.Bus Ms Janet Reed, BA Dr Mattias Reumann, MEng(UK), PhD(Germany) Assoc Prof Harold Richards, DipCivEng Mrs Louisa Richards, DipMus Dr Marcus Spiller, BTRP, MCom; PhD(RMIT) Dr Jennifer Strauss, PHD(Monash), BA Mr Bruce Turner, BScHons(ANU), DipEd Ms Barbara Tynan, BA(Griffith) Ms Judith Willis, BA, DipEd(UNE), MSocPol Mr Ross Philip Wilson, BVSc(Qld) Dr David F Smith AM, M Ed Admin, New England
All degrees are from University of Melbourne unless otherwise noted. Degrees are stated as presented on members’ application forms
OCTOBER Green Myths of Australian Farming From the Head of College (Cont’d. from pg 10) (Cont’d. from pg 7)
and adaptations devised. This is the basis of sustainability. Good examples of this are the zerotill sowing of crops and reduction of methane. The sowing machine is frequently guided by Geographical Positioning Systems (GPS), with successive years avoiding the same row site which means large reductions in energy inputs, greatly increased absorption of water and better yields. Based on its intelligently adapted farming systems, Australia has developed a considerable trade in agricultural products, all of which come at least in part from areas that have had native vegetation cleared. There is raised awareness of the need to take great care with the environment, discussion of global warming and the need to use the earth’s resources wisely. Given the myths and loose assertions, it is not difficult to link just about any product to some alleged misdemeanour in land management and such assertions can come to have great importance. It seems it is not just a matter of whether we want honest intellectual analysis, but whether the unchallenged assertions may take root as truth and therefore have important economic consequences in the life of our country. It is important that we are well informed and able to challenge these myths.
Next year, 2011 will be the Centenary Year of our College which came formally in existence as The Melbourne University Graduates Association on 14 July 1911. A working party has been convened to put together a program to celebrate this special occasion. ‘Founders Day’ will be celebrated on 14 July 2011 with an Oration followed by a dinner at Graduate House. Members will be kept informed of the program as it comes together. The theme of the year will be ‘Leadership’ and speakers at functions throughout the year will carry on this theme. Again, I ask you to consider the Graduate Union when looking to support a worthwhile cause. There are still naming rights available for Stella Langford Wing apartments and the car park, and the terraces are always in need of repair and refurbishment. At Graduate House we are always striving to offer more facilities and services to our members and residents. My very best wishes to you all for a safe and happy Christmas. I thank you for your support and generosity during 2010 and look forward to a happy, prosperous and very exciting Centenary Year in 2011. Eugene Spanti
The Graduate Gorillaz Residents of Graduate House have recently formed a soccer team “The Graduate Gorillaz”. The team plays every Thursday in the Footscray Men’s League and would welcome the support of members to cheer them. The Graduate Gorillaz got off to rocky start, losing their first three games, but went on to win their following two matches. Let’s hope the winning streak continues.
Chef’s
PEAR & GINGER CHUTNEY CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA
$7 from reception
The soccer team provides a great opportunity for staff and residents to get together in a relaxed environment, cheer on the team and enjoy a meal together after the game.
4–7
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THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE
RESIDENTS Takanori Sato I was born and raised in the countryside in Japan, Akita. I received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in education in Akita National University. After graduating from graduate school, I worked at a public senior high school as an English teacher for two years. However, experience in the high school made me realize that I am more interested in doing research and contributing to English education through research. So, I resigned as a teacher and enrolled in the Master’s Program in Linguistics (TESOL) at Sophia University, and received a master’s degree in linguistics. In October I started the PhD Program in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics in the University of Melbourne. My research interest is in language testing, in particular assessment of second language speakers’ speaking performance. Kevin K M Hong Kevin, also known as Kyung Moo, is originally from Seoul, Korea. He moved to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia when he was six, graduated from International School of Kuala Lumpur before moving to the US to complete his bachelor’s degree at Boston University. He has worked at various international companies such as Oracle and Andersen Consulting, and also has deep exposures in broadcasting, advertising and venture capital business. Currently his main residence is in Jakarta, Indonesia where he is running his own business in the coal and natural resources industry. Kevin decided that it was time to upgrade his education so decided to join MBS in May 2009. He is an avid golfer and always looking forward to meeting new friends on and off the golf course. Professor Syed Kamal-ud-Din Professor Syed Kamal-ud-Din is from Quetta, Pakistan. Since August 25, 2003 he has been working as the National Project Coordinator in National Education Assessment System (NEAS), Ministry of Education, Islamabad. He is the recipient of Best Teacher Educator Gold Medal awarded by the Government of Balochistan, Education Department in 1999. Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan also awarded him a Gold Medal as a successful Project Administrator of NEAS in April 2009. Kamal’s range of interest is travelling, visiting historical places and attending
social events. Now he is enrolled in Assessment Research Centre (ARC), University of Melbourne as a PhD student in assessment. He has conducted many research studies on female education carried out in Balochistan sponsored by UNESCO, Asian Development Bank and other Government and private organisations. Jens Feuerlein Jens is an MBA candidate at the Sauder School of Business in Vancouver, Canada, and currently on exchange at Melbourne Business School. He grew up in Switzerland where he obtained a Master’s degree in mechanical engineering with a focus on lightweight constructions. During his employment with Oerlikon Space AG, Jens worked for 5 years as a project manager for space applications serving customers like ESA, NASA and BMW, establishing and improving the manufacturing process for high-end, high-tech products made from carbon/glass fibers for space applications. After his promotion to process manager, he was responsible for achieving highest process demands in the space industry. He came up with an idea on how to manufacture carbon / glass fiber products more efficiently, flexible and less costly and has turned this idea into success during the MBA program with two successful participations in business plan contest and pitches to venture capitalists and business angles. In his spare time, Jens has crossed the Himalayas by mountain-bike. As a snow-and kite boarding instructor, he has travelled all over the world for the best spots. Speaking five different languages has helped him to overcome language and culture barriers during his travels. Foong Hoh Yun Foong was brought up in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and graduated from Monash University (Malaysian Campus) in 2005 with a Bachelor of Engineering Degree (Electrical & Computer Systems). During his undergraduate days, he spent a year in the Clayton campus. After graduation, he worked briefly for Diamond Key International (an oil and gas company) before joining a financial advisory firm as a technical support engineer. He is now continuing his studies in RMIT pursuing Masters degree in Engineering (Network Systems). Foong likes to watch movies and he is passionate about fitness. He has been practising and teaching Goju-Ryu style Karate for many years. He has been to Melbourne many times and he loves living here.
9 – November 2010 Volume 63 No.4
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THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE
FROM THE HEAD OF COLLEGE The year has been full of activity. The Stella Langford Wing was officially opened by the Governor in March and has been in full use from the beginning. While we believed that the self contained apartments would be popular, especially with the University’s visiting academics, we could not have anticipated just how popular and they have been fully occupied for the entire year, with a waiting list in some cases. Members have taken advantage of the accommodation with several in residence for short periods. We have enjoyed their company immensely as it adds a new dimension to the club and college atmosphere of ‘The House’. Accommodation has generally been excellent, with high occupancy each month. The opening of the Stella Langford Wing conference rooms has meant increased conferences, especially for smaller more intimate groups, for which previously we were unable to provide. Car parking is now available for members at very reasonable rates and is free at lunchtime for attendees of the monthly luncheons and those enjoying the bistro. We have had some excellent speakers at the popular monthly luncheons, and the twilight lectures and wine dinners have continued to attract members. Our
Chef, Robert Goodman and his London colleagues put on another wonderful dinner in October. A very enjoyable evening with an Italian theme and wines supplied by WineFusion and Distillery Works, who specialise in the importation of Italian Wines. There have been many achievements over the year. We have updated our new website which is very professional and eye-catching, but perhaps even more important, the website is very user-friendly and offers members the ability to make comments and send suggestions to us, and an innovation which came from a member’s request at the Annual General Meeting in May. Some of you will have read the article in ‘Voice’ mid-year detailing ‘A day in the life of the University’. The story’s writer, Shane Cahill, spent the night at Graduate House for his pre-dawn start, and took part in the residents’ Christmas in July Karoake fun – as an added bonus! This year we have also expanded our list of Reciprocal Clubs. During my trip in August/September I visited the University of Malaya where a reciprocal agreement was negotiated. Travelling on to Italy, I had meetings at the University of Venice where an Agreements was signed. Prior to my overseas trip, the Graduate Union and Melbourne’s Monash University entered reciprocity discussions which led to an the invitation by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ed Byrne, to visit the Monash campus in Prato, Italy, which turned out to be very interesting and informative. I also visited the University of Pavia.
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(Contd. pg 8)
To:
PERI THE UNIV INCO PRIN PP337 REGI AA00 Novem Volum www.
The Graduate Union
All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible (gift under S20-25 of the ITAA 1997)
220 Leicester Street Carlton Vic 3053
Please send me information regarding Wills and Bequests to The Graduate Union I/We would like to make a donation to THE GRADUATE UNION ANNUAL APPEAL (Please select)
Stella Langford Building Project Naming Rights of Apartments ($10,000 each) (7 left) Naming Rights of Car Park Spaces ($5,000 each) Building Fund - for the upkeep of the Graduate House Terraces
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Residents’ Assistance Fund - to assist residents experiencing financial difficulties Residential Scholarship Fund Enclosed is my cheque/money order for $........................ or please debit this amount to my credit card account M/card
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Phone: …………........................………………… November 2010 Volume 63 No.4 – 10
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