christmas issue 2012

Newsletter 2012 Christmas IssueUpcoming Events • 2

Tin Alley Players • 3

2013 GU Collegiate • 4 November Monthly Luncheon Reviewed • 6

Members’ Christmas Party • 8Academic and Professional Development Meetings • 10

Testimonials this Month • 12Monthly Luncheon and The University of Melbourne Free Public Lectures in 2013 • 13

University Sector News Flashes • 14The Charitable and Not For Profit Sector • 15

Seen at Graduate House • 16Florence May McCredie Memorial Lecture • 17

What’s happening In Council • 18 Reciprocity with Other Colleges • 19

Friday Drinks and Dinner and College Garb • 20

www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B

Graduate House is closed as of 22nd December 2012.We wish you and yours joy and celebration over the festive season

and look forward to welcoming you back on the 7th January 2013.

Early New Year events and functions are shown below For bookings and to RSVP telephone: 03 9347 3428

or email: [email protected]

JANUARY 2013Monday, 7th GRADUATE HOUSE RE-OPENS

Tuesday, 29th GRADUATE HOUSE RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP Open for ApplicationsResident members enrolled for post-graduate research studiesare eligible to apply. Applications close 10th April, 2013.The application form is on our website. Alternatively, ask at reception.

Tuesday, 29th RESIDENTS MEET and GREETResident and Non-Resident Members 7:00pm meet in the Dining Room for drinks and nibbles.

FEBRUARY 2013Friday, 1st SUMMER BBQ 6:00pm

Join residents to welcome in the New Year. Resident Members FREEEnjoy freshly prepared salad and Non-Resident Members $20 and perfectly grilled food. Guests $30Socialise and reminisce about the holidays. Concession $27.50

Tuesday, 5th ITALIAN CONVERSATION 6:00pmand 19th Dine and speak Italian with Members $15

an experienced teacher. Non-Members $22RSVP by the Monday prior. Concession $20

Wednesday, 6th MONTHLY LUNCHEON 12:00 midday for 12:30pmSpeaker Dally Messenger presents: Resident Members $10Ceremonies and Celebrations Non-Resident Members $30RSVP by January 30th. Guests $40 Concession $35

Wednesday, 6th QUIET BOARD GAME NIGHT 7:30pm to 10:00pm13th, 20th, 27th Bring your own group or join others to play Members FREE

bridge, scrabble, chess or another quiet card or board game.

Friday, 8th FRIDAY DRINKS and DINNER 6:00pm to 8:00pmMeet with fellow resident and Non-Resident Members $15non-resident members for convivial Guests $20end-of-week drinks and a meal. RSVP by Thursday 7th.

Tuesday, 12th RESIDENTS SPECIAL BREAKFAST 7:30am to 8:30amResident and non-resident members Members FREEmeet for a hearty breakfast.

Wednesday, 20th WOMEN’S FORUM 10:00am for 10:30amJoin this lively discussion on a topical issue Forum is FREEand stay on for lunch if desired.


The Tin Alley Players (T.A.P.), so named after the fenced lane running between Swanston Street to Royal Parade, commenced November 1939 (near the onset of World War II) through the initiative of graduates who included Keith Lamont Macartney and Cynthia Sutton. Associate Professor Maurice Belz became the first President.

The aim of this amateur dramatic society was to provide an avenue through theatre for graduates to continue associating with the university in the university atmosphere. T.A.P. was distinct from the Melbourne University Dramatic Club for undergraduates.

The first production was Judgment Day by Elmer Rice, with opening night on Friday the 17th May, 1940 at the Union Theatre of The University of Melbourne, and directed by Macartney and Lance Carlson.

Fourteen years later, in 1954, the affiliation between The Graduate Union and T.A.P. was made formal; and following the refurbishment of all seven terraces from 222 to 234 Leicester Street, The Graduate Union became home for T.A.P. in 1968 and so began their use of the M V Anderson Room and the Johnston Library for meetings and play-readings. In August of that same year, The Tin Alley Players, with Christopher Bell as its President, produced David Williamson’s first play, The indecent exposure of Anthony East. Seven years later the back page of the program for The Déjà vu Revue shows a list of T.A.P.’s 124 productions from 1940 to 1975.

By 1978, T.A.P. was on the decline, and in 1981 was wound up. The final production of The Tin Alley Players was Cinderella on the Box, a panto-revue produced by Tim Blood, and last performed on the 5th December, 1981.

College Development discussions over 2013 will explore the establishment of a college dramatic society, TAP II. We are thus calling for old T.A.P.s to get in touch so that we can learn from their experiences and for budding dramatic performance TAP IIs to indicate interest and get involved.

The first President of The Tin Alley Players, Maurice Belz (left, in a photograph from the mid-1950s) and a key founder, Keith Lamont Macartney

(photographed in 1930 while at Cambridge).

Announcement in The Argus, 17th May, 1940 Page 8, of the first Tin Alley Players production.

Tin Alley Players

Back page of the program for The Déjà vu Revue listing the 124 productions from 1939 to 1975.


2013 is shaping up to be another full year of events and functions for members and guests to meet here at Graduate House. Take a look at the snapshot preview on the opposite page to plan your 2013 GU Collegiate program.

We kick off with a Summer BBQ on Friday the 1st of February to bring together resident and non-resident members in our elegant gardened courtyard as a welcome to college, Melbourne and the New Year. Kris, our Head Chef, barbeques a delicious grill for meat and non-meat-eaters alike, and also provides a banquet array of salads and desserts. Book in early so that we cater appropriately.

Monthly luncheons begin in February and are on the first Wednesday of each month, the final luncheon for the year being in November. Come along for a two-course meal with wine followed by a 45-minute presentation by a first-rate speaker on a topic that ranges from the arts to the sciences, and from the theory to the practical. Don’t forget to book well ahead. Over 2013, in the tradition of the OxBridge Combination Rooms, we invite you stay on after each luncheon to mingle and share stories with resident and non-resident members in the M V Anderson Room.

Also commencing in February, 2013 are the Women’s Forums held on the mornings of the third Wednesday of each month. If you enjoy intellectual conversation with articulate women of all ages, disciplines and backgrounds, feel free to drop by for a stimulating discussion on a topical matter. No need to book for the forum but please let us know if you require lunch.

If it is difficult for you to make it during the day, come along to evening events that include Italian Conversation Dinners on the first and third Tuesday of each month commencing in February; and a Quiet Board Game Night every Wednesday, where you may choose to join the existing high-level Bridge group or to form your own card or board game group, as long as it is quiet! You might also like to come along for Drinks and Dinner on the first Friday evening of each month either joining the regulars or

meeting with like-minded friends and colleagues after work on this or any weekday night.

Our three Twilight Lectures in 2013 will be preceded by gourmet food and wine tastings and for the four Sunday Music Concerts, we not only have a wonderful program of music but other activities throughout the entire Sunday including art exhibitions, and poetry and book readings.

Come one and all to the GU Collegiate program for 2013.

2013 GU Collegiate

Dear Ladies,There is no

Women’s Forum in January, 2013.

The first session for the year is on Wednesday, 20th February.

The topic for discussion will be notified in our next

newsletter


Function Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Welcome Summer BBQ 1st

Chinese New Year 10th

Excursions tbc tbc tbc

Italian Conversation 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month over dinner

Special Residents Breakfast 2nd Tuesday of each month

Residents Meet and Greet last Tuesday of each month for college dinner and drinks

Monthly Luncheon 1st Wednesday of each month for a two-course lunch and speaker

Combination Room following the luncheon, resident and non-resident member forums

Board and Card Games every Wednesday night

Women’s Forum 3rd Wednesday of each month to discuss topical issues

Finance Seminars 28th 18th 18th 19th

Resident Mid-Year Party 19th

Flu Vaccination 15th

GU Open House 15th

AGM and Dinner 30th

Gourmet Tastings and Twilight Lecture 20th 26th 18th

Friday Drinks and Dinner 1st Friday of each month

Sunday Music Concert 21st 16th 11th 13th

Chairman’s Cocktail Party 6th

Members Christmas Party 13th

2013 GU Collegiate


November Monthly Luncheon reviewed

The speaker for the last monthly luncheon of 2012 on Wednesday, 14th November, was Mr Shane McSweeney who spoke on Survival in a visual world when you cannot see it, and gave us fascinating insights into the no and low vision world, together with useful strategies on how we can all use to ensure inclusion and participation by those with no or low vision in our sensation-rich and socially complex world.

Mr McSweeney is an occupational therapist, working at both Guide Dogs Victoria and the Centre of Eye Research Australia (CERA), a member institution of the national consortium of researchers, Bionic Vision Australia.

He reminded us that sight is our main information provider. For those of us with vision, it ‘tells us’ when it is safe to cross the road, where our food and drink are located on the table when we are dining, the presence or absence of people in a room, etcetera. Yes, other senses are important and we can all learn to use them more acutely and efficiently, but these and other resources in our body do not provide this information as clearly, conveniently, quickly and with such assurance as the sense of vision.

Of all the senses, sight must be the most delightful Helen Keller

Epidemiology studies of vision impairment from 2004 indicated then that approximately 10% of people over the age of 55 years have vision impairment of some type. Most are corrected by optometry. Within this 10%, 1.2% are legally blind, the contemporary reference being ‘people with light perception vision impairment’, due to hereditary factors, acquired brain injury, congenital damage, injury to the face or eye, age-related conditions (e.g., macular degeneration) or viruses. Of the 8.2% with low vision, the leading causes are identified as cataracts (37%), macular degeneration (26%), diabetic retinopathy (13%), glaucoma (8%) and neuro-ophthalmic damage caused by a head injury or a stroke (5%).

Shane asked the audience to ‘put on their vision impairment hat’ to think about what it would be like to go out in public with no vision.

He gave the example of being in the ‘pub’: Do I have a bar attendant or a floor staff member in front of me? Is she/he talking to me, or the person possibly next to me, to the left or the right? How will I meet someone of the opposite sex? Why is there a pause in this conversation? Has the person I was talking to left and I did not realise that I have been talking to the wall for the past few minutes? Where are the toilets? Is there someone nearby to ask and will they laugh if I ask?

As learnt by the CEO/Head of College when blind-folded for a lunch at Guide Dogs Victoria, eating and drinking with dignity is an art form that needs to be learnt and that can be supported both by clever technology – for example, a battery-operated device that hangs over a drinking cup and signals when poured liquid nears the top - and by nearby visual guests giving assistance. Pouring liquid can be scary and dangerous, particularly if the fluid is hot or if it is incorrectly identified as being something that can be imbibed. In teaching people this essential skill, Shane explained that making mess is accepted and common and that it is an important element in the learning process.Shane McSweeney (second from right) on excursion with a men’s group.


In his role as a therapist, Shane sees it as being extremely important for people with no or low vision to explore real-life experiences so that they are free to ‘make the mistakes’ in a safe environment with him alongside as a supportive coach. His input is before, during and after such excursions. Hence, before a group of young males visits a ‘pub’, he works with them on personal hygiene, grooming and dressing strategies. While at the pub, he provides support for interaction with the opposite sex, for example, giving tips for approach and for a listening style of conversation. Following the social occasion he encourages the group to speak of their different experiences so that they can work collectively to address different issues. He explained that those in the group who had lost their vision after having had sight for several years were helpful in explaining to those who had had never had vision, the different nuances of social engagement. Conversely, those who had never had vision were able to assist those who had experienced vision on how to ‘unlearn’ approaches that do not work as well without sight.

Shane advocates for providing to the person with no or low vision detailed verbal information about what is happening in the surrounding environment, about what is perceived as being normal behavior by a society that is majority visual, and about how to act with dignity and pride particularly for someone who does not know they are not fitting in. He uses a rich and descriptive language to describe beautiful art works that they cannot see or touch, to explain the concept of colour and how it can be considered and incorporated into every-day life (e.g. for colour-coordinated fashion and for interior design) and to give the sense and feel of public events and functions, such as the Olympic Games.

Throughout this thought-provoking speech, Mr McSweeney put forward the various ways in which no and low vision can impact lives. He pointed to the imperative of having an awareness of our environment for safe and confident operation, and to make us feel good about doing the things that we all like to do. There are so many visual wonders that can never be appreciated by someone with vision loss regardless of any verbal description. For the person with no or low vision, this affects learning, knowledge about the world and the degree to which they fit in (and feel as if they fit in) socially. With lower learning and a higher number of negative experiences (e.g., through being teased or not-included), the incidence of physical, cognitive and psychological/psychiatric impairments increases. Hence depression and learning difficulties are more common, as are difficulties in forming and maintaining relationships. Indeed, it is very difficult to woo someone (are they making eye contact?) and to feel that the other person really likes them. Having said this, Shane was careful to stress that, of course, many relationships were very successful between non-sighted and sighted pairings alike.

After a number of other examples, the audience became acutely aware of the take-home messages to not take our vision for granted, to protect our eyes at all times (e.g., using goggles when operating machinery, tools or anything that could cause eye vision loss) and to have regular eye checks so that any damage or disease is detected sufficiently early for the initiation and success of a therapeutic intervention.

Shane concluded by affirming the need for vision impaired people to have time to explore and to learn; and by suggesting that sighted people might gain some advantage in learning to slow down in this very busy world. He regards vision impairment as a challenge only when it is not understood.

Guide Dogs Victoria breeds and trains more than 70% of the working Guide Dogs in Victoria for blind or vision impaired people. It also provides many free services to facilitate independence and mobility.

Tour the Melbourne Kew Campus to see the large puppy breeding centre and, possibly, new puppies frolicking!

Telephone (03) 9854 4476 to book well ahead or email [email protected]

November Monthly Luncheon review continued


The Members’ Christmas PartyJust a week after the Chairman’s Cocktail Party on the 7th of December, Graduate House welcomed members and guests to our final member event of the year.

The Christmas Party on Friday the 14th of December 2012 was, as always, a festive affair. The dining room had been decked with bows of holly, adorned with colourful decorations and filled with white clothed tables abundant with fare and laden with goods.

Members arrived in colours a’splendour and Christmas-best garb to be greeted with drinks and canapés served by Graduate Union staff wearing the usual silly hats that made them resemble elves of a rather different genre that those found closer to the North pole.

Santa Claus was strangely familiar and his beard this year resembled the low hanging jeans of a teenager. Mrs Claus had obviously also seen to the removal of all traces of November. Generous to a tee, and from deep and mysterious pockets, Santa gave each and every arrival lollies and sweets. His Ho Ho Hoing and bell-ringing reverberated around the majestic halls of our grand college, as The GU elves then distributed raffle tickets galore in the hope that everyone would win.

Following plattered entrées of traditional cured meats and the fresh local seafood found only off Australian shores, Chair of the Council of The Graduate Union, Mr David Sparks, welcomed members and introduced

Members and guests enjoying the traditional Christmas dinner.

Major General Professor Rosenfeld AM, the new President of The Graduate Union, getting to know members over pre-dinner drinks.

Resident member Wren was all smiles with her prize and a colour-coordinated hat.

The trio of singers mixed traditional carols with swing jazz and blues.


the MC for the evening, Mr Daniel Clark who was also celebrating his three-year anniversary with The GU.

And thence began a heady cycle of lucky draws, yelps of delight as members won prizes that included the beautiful Poinsetta table centrepieces and the Lupe portable wine, and traditional carols sung by the talented Trio The Moodists put into a sometimes giggling mode by green antlers.

The main course was of traditional oven-roasted turkey cuts and fillet of salmon and dessert was a traditional Christmas pudding with custard and fresh cream, and a pavlova that looked and tasted remarkably like a summer pudding (and perhaps, indeed, it was).At 9:30pm the jazz band fired up in the Stella Langford Wing rooms to be greeted by the groovy dance moves of members from all nations and dance influences! While some remained in the dining room for a gentle conclusion to a wonderful evening, others danced the night away. Twas truly a magical affair.

Member Mr David Eyres and Santa without moustache.

Fiona McConnell was all smiles after winning the $500 Myer-Coles Voucher.

The green antlers waved at the carol singers from a resident member’s head resulting in a new form of giggle carols.

The Members’ Christmas Party

An impromptu resident rendition of song and piano. Members and guests enjoying festivities.


Academic and Professional Development MeetingsThe following groups from The University of Melbourne have convened meetings and workshops and seminars at The Graduate Union.

AURIN AURIN Technical Committee Meeting - 10th December, Attendees = 15

Australian Health Workforce Institute (AHWI) AHWI 2012 Review Dinner - 3rd December, Attendees = 13

Centre for Psychiatric Nursing Strategic Planning Day - 3rd December, Attendees = 15

Campus Operations Group TERSEC Meeting - 6th December, Attendees = 20

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Strategic Planning Workshop - 11th December, Attendees = 33

Department of Infrastructure Engineering Farewell for Chris Charman and Alistair Shepherd - 13th December, Attendees = 100Chinese South and North Diversion Project Delegation - 13th December, Attendees = 25

Department of Ophthalmology 13th December, Attendees = 2

Department of Pathology 7th December, Attendees = 61

eResearch Endocrine Genomics Virtual Laboratory Workshop - 4th December, Attendees = 20

Faculty of Business and Economics Business and Economics Alumni Council - 3rd December, Attendees = 15

Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Services FACD Dinner - 12th December, Attendees = 60

Sustainability Unit Staff Environment Advocates Meeting 4th December, Attendees = 20

Melbourne School of PhilosophyMelbourne School of Philosophy Dinner (Terry Pope) - 3rd December, Attendees = 7

Primary Industries Climate Challenges Centre PICCC board Meeting - 4th December, Attendees = 7

Property and Campus PCS Directors Workshop - 10th December, Attendees = 10PCS Executive Workshop - 14th December, Attendees = 10

School of Population and Health Meeting - Professor Terry Nolan - 13th December, Attendees = 5


Academic and Professional Development MeetingsThe patronage of organisation members in the not-for-profit, government and professional development sectors is acknowledged. Thank you.

AMA (Arts Management Associates) AMA Dinner - 4th December, Attendees = 19

Business Networking Strategies Word Of Mouth Marketing (WOMM) Think Tank - 13th December, Attendees = 8

Bionic Vision Australia BVA Board Meeting - 10th December, Attendees = 12

Council of Professional Teaching Association of Victoria (CPTAV) CPTAV Outstanding Professional Service Awards 2012 - 11th December, Attendees = 10

CSIROMelbourne Research Commercialisation Professionals Breakfast - 5th December, Attendees = 20

Hope Street Melton and Whittlesea Youth Reconciliation Program - 13th December, Attendees = 15

International Coach Federation (ICF)AGM Future Directions 2013 and Festive Season Celebration - 6th December, Attendees = 30Special Interest Group - Developing your coaching skills - 11th December, Attendees = 30

MLTAV (Modern Language Teachers Association Victoria)Annual General Meeting and Project Celebration dinner - 4th December, Attendees = 18

RotaryCarlton Rotary Weekly Lunch Meeting - 4th and 11th December, Attendees = 26 and 30

Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA)End of Year Celebration - 6th December, Attendees = 47

SAI Global Advanced Food Safety (AFS)Introduction to Food Safety and HACCP Awareness - 10th December, Attendees = 10Principles and Applications of HACCP - 12th, 13th and 14th December, Attendees = 16 each day

The Graduate Union - a 100 year old international membership association and a 50-year old residential college and meeting place for graduates aged early 20s to early 100s who are studying, working, collaborating, meeting and/or contributing to our local and global societies

Council Meeting - 3rd December, Attendees = 16Italian Conversation Dinner - 4th December, Attendees = 8The Chairman’s Cocktail Party - 7th December, Attendees = 120The Members’ Christmas Party - 14th December, Attendees = 90

WTAA (Workplace Training Advisory Australia)The Australian Applied Management Colloquium - 3rd and 4th December, Attendees = 23Advanced Leadership Program - Day 8 - 5th December, Attendees = 13Advanced Leadership Program - Day 3 - 7th December, Attendees = 20

The Graduate Union offers a flexible configuration meeting service for the advancement of collaboration and education.

With the above acknowledgement of patrons we illustrate the types of organisations, large and small, the vast majority charitable and not-for-profit, that come into

Graduate House.

Graduates from all walks of life meet here for the smallest of meetings and focused small groups through to large symposiums and celebratory functions.


Testimonials this Month

A ‘special thank you’ to you and your team for making our CEAV Awards night such a wonderful and very well received event by all who attended.Your professionalism and organisation really ensured that the evening went without any concerns. As a team, we were able to relax and really enjoy ourselves because you had organised everything to an exacting standard. The food and service was exceptionally good and the members were able to really enjoy their time with one another. As a small, not for profit organisation we were able to provide a quality graduation evening and awards ceremony with elegance that was within our budget. You and your team are a real credit to The Graduate House and we are happy for you to put our names forward to anyone who may be considering an event at The Graduate House.On behalf of our President and Committee of Management we thank you for your assistance and continued support of our programs throughout 2012. We look forward to working with you again in 2013. Wishing you and all at The Graduate House a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Bernadette Gigliotti

Career Education Association of Victoria

The Graduate Union thanks the many organisations and people who use our services for meetings. You

are all extremely hard working, particularly at this time of the year. We are thus all the more grateful for the time and care that you have taken in providing

the following acknowledgements.

It is a privilege to work with you and we look forward to seeing you all again in the New Year.

The process of organising a function at Graduate House was very professionally done The staff were most helpful and the communication was excellent. There were quick responses to our emails and there were no mistakes or mix-ups which was what we needed when running events. The function room suited our requirements perfectly. When our numbers expanded and our allocated room became too small, Rosie went to some extent to move us to a larger venue.The quality and quantity of food was perfect and the catering was enjoyed by all of our guests. David Cookson described the working lunch as over-the-top, in a good way! There was plenty of food at each of our events. The staff were fantastic, before and during the events. Nothing is too much trouble. Thank you so much, Rosie and Marwa for all of your support. It is always a pleasure to see you and work with you.

Jane Pontikis, Melbourne Research

Thank you for the wonderful service that was provided by yourself and your staff, Rosie. There was excellent quality and the timing for coffee, tea requests and other requests were spot on. I look forward to holding more meetings at Graduate House in the future.

Bernie Holland, Professional Learning ManagerAustralian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Victorian Branch


Date Time Venue Faculty/School Title Speakers Bookings and Enquiries

Tuesday29th January, 2013

5.45pm - 8:00pm

Sidney Myer Asia Centre

Building 158, Parkville Campus

(Corner of Swanston Street and Monash Road)

Mathematics of Planet Earth (MPE) Australia

Launch of Australia’s participation in the International Year of Mathematics and Planet Earth.

MPE2013 Simons Public Lecture Australia launch and Public Lecture

Professor Ian Chubb AC, Chief Scientist of Australia

Professor Simon Levin George M. Moffett Professor of Biology

Bookings http://events.unimelb.edu.au/events/2739-maths-of-planet-earth-australia-launch-and-public-lecture?utm_campaign=digest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=subscription

MONTHLY LUNCHEON Wednesday, 6th February, 2013

12.00 noon for 12.30pm

Dally Messenger III

Ceremonies and Celebrations

Dally Messenger III is referred to as the Pioneer and Don of Civil Celebrancy. As noted by Ruth Van Gramberg, he has the gift of instantly captivating an audience, guiding and impacting with verbal dexterity.

Beginning his career as a celebrant in 1974, Dally soon became the first secretary of the Association of Civil Marriage Celebrants of Australia (ACMCA) and in 1977, Foundation President of the Association of Civil Funeral Celebrants of Australia, known now as the Australian Federation of Civil Celebrants. Dally is currently Principal of the

International College of Celebrancy and provides consultancy and training internationally on the non-theological nature of ceremony. His talk will be on his celebrated book ‘Ceremonies and Celebrations’ and on the world of ceremonies, vows, tributes and readings for occasions that include weddings, funerals, namings, graduations, house dedications, special birthdays, step-family unions and divorce.

Resident Members $10 Non-Resident Members $30 Non-Members and Guests of Members $40 Concession $35

RSVP by Monday, 4th February, 2013Book via our website or telephone 03 9347 3428


University Sector News Flashes

A new Graduate School of GovernmentThe University of Melbourne is establishing a new graduate school for the study of policy, public administration and governance, and for the development of future political leaders and public servants. This Melbourne School of Government will be in the Faculty of Arts and will absorb the Centre for Public Policy. The Graduate Union congratulates Professor Helen Sullivan on her appointment as the new School’s inaugural Director.

Voluntary Research Assistant OpportunityThe Foundation for Young Australians, a not-for-profit organisation for youth, is seeking volunteers during the Victorian summer break and possibly for longer over 2013 to undertake small research projects, some with credit. The Graduate Union encourages resident and non-resident early career members to take advantage of this opportunity to gain valuable applied research experience in the not-for-profit sector. Take a look at www.fya.org.au for more information.

The Asian Women’s Leadership University (AWLU) Project is for the establishment of a liberal arts women’s university in Malaysia based on the “Seven Sisters” model in the United States and incorporating a leadership and entrepreneurship curriculum of relevance to Asia.

Anticipated for opening in 2015, the university is planned to be built on a 40 hectare site in Penang. $8 million is being raised through international efforts as seed capital to initiate this private, not-for-profit residential learning community.

As AWLU points out and as identified by Kofi Annan, Former UN Secretary-General, “study after study has taught us that there is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women”.

The Graduate Union has female graduate members of the highest calibre from all over world and with the range of disciplines, skills and experience that will be necessary for the academic staffing of such a high level teritary institute. Take a look at http://awluproject.org to assess these future employment opportunities and how you might be able to contribute or plan for a career with this University.

Orientation Day for Graduate ResearchersThe next Orientation Day for Graduate Researchers at The University of Melbourne is Friday, 1st March, 2013. This day is set aside by The Melbourne School of Graduate Research (MSGR) to welcome all graduate researchers who are undertaking PhDs, Professional Doctorates, Masters by Research or MPhils.

Register New and not-so-new resident and non-resident members of The Graduate Union who are enrolled in post-graduate studies are encouraged to register for this day to learn about the many opportunities for research training and professional development offered at the University of Melbourne.

Host Those of you who know Melbourne School of Graduate Research and The University well are encouraged to act as hosts for this orientation day. This involves welcoming, sharing experiences and showing new candidates around. We hope also that you will welcome them into Graduate House, show them around, and encourage their membership, their use of our graduate centre as a dining and meeting place and their participation in our GU Collegiate functions throughout the year.


The Graduate Union is a charity and a not for profit organisation. It is thus interested in and affected by the significant changes occurring in this sector at both state and federal levels.

Australian Charities and Not-for-profits CommissionNationally, the major and historical change has been the opening of a new Australia-wide regulatory body called the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). As from December, The Graduate Union is registered with this federal regulator and is thus required to provide information about its purposes, activities and financial performance.

Much credit is to be given to Ms Susan Pascoe AM for the establishment of this new independent regulator. Since her appointment mid-2011 as Head of the ACNC Implementation Taskforce, she and her team have worked tirelessly to move Australia from many years of reviews and recommendations to this significant and momentous change in legislation and governance for the charitable and not-for-profit sector.

The ACNC came into operation early December this year with the Governor General assenting to the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission Act 2012 and the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission (Consequential and Transitional) Act 2012. Shortly after came the well-deserved appointment of Susan Pascoe AM on the 7th December, 2012 as the inaugural Commissioner of the ACNC in acknowledgement of her strong leadership and significant contributions over the last 17 months. In extending an official welcome to The Graduate Union and to all other registered charities in Australia to the ACNC, Commissioner Pascoe noted the historic significance of Australia meeting the call of advocates over the last decade by establishing a national dedicated regulator for registered charities, and, eventually for the broader not-for-profit sector.

Commissioner Pascoe brings significant experience in the charitable and not-for-profit sector. She has held statutory appointments and worked in significant governance and senior management positions in Victoria, in both the private and public sectors. From 2003 to 2006, Commissioner Pascoe was the Chief Executive of the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria before being appointed Commissioner of the State Services Authority. Prior to heading up the ACNC Implementation Taskforce from the middle of 2011, she was one of three Commissioners for the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission.

The Graduate Union extends its congratulations to Commissioner Pascoe and welcomes the changes that will bring great benefits to the many charitable and not-for-profit organisations, small and large, across Australia and to our giving and generous society.

Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012In Victoria, and in parallel with these changes nationally, the major change has been the replacement of the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 with the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 which became operational in November. The Graduate Union is an incorporated association registered with Consumer Affairs Victoria and is thus now subject to this new Act.

The legal status of The Graduate UnionThe status of The Graduate Union as a legal entity has been considered comprehensively over many years, as has the need to modify significantly the Rules and Regulations of this organisation.

With release of the Associations Incorporation Reform Regulations 2012, it is made apparent that these ‘model’ Regulations may not be suitable to serve and sustain The Graduate Union and its members from now and into the future; even with the significant modifications required to tailor them for The Graduate Union context,

Over the last three years, The Graduate Union has seen significant growth with revenue now exceeding $3M and increasingly complex business requirements. It is thus taking advantage of this time of, and need for, great change to propose to members a change of incorporation to a company limited by guarantee. We are thus moving towards a new constitution and in the New Year, will be advising of the dates and times for consultation forums with members on this transition.

Commissioner Susan Pascoe

The Charitable and Not for Profit Sector


American VisitorsOn 18th November, we welcomed Darren Room and his nephew, Alexander Room with wife Katie. Alex and Katie live in San Francisco and are here on holiday visting family and friends. Darren, a valued life member of The Graduate Union since 1964 and previously on the Council of The Graduate Union, is a familiar face at Graduate House. He enjoys riding his bicycle in for lunch and to attend other functions. He is very happy to have aquired skills learnt at our ICT series, held bi-monthly and is always seen with his i-pad.

Norwegian VisitorsDuring November, Barbara and Magnus Fonnes from Norway discovered the delights of Graduate House as guests of David Sparks, our Chairman, and his wife Prue. The Fonnes and Sparks families were connected some years ago when Elizabeth Fonnes spent a year with David and Prue as an AFS exchange student. Since then they have visited each others respective countries. Prior to Melbourne, the Fonnes had toured the south west of Western Australia, Ayres Rock, Adelaide and Great Ocean Road.

Former Staff of The Graduate UnionOn the 27th November, we welcomed Life Member Barbara Funder and her special guest, Brenda Greaney. Brenda was a familiar face at Graduate House in 1980s and 1990s, having joined the staff in 1986 as housekeeper. Brenda retired in 2003, after 18 years of long and loyal service to The Graduate Union. She is a proud grandmother and lover of horses and was impressed to see the Main Building and Stella Langford Wing, neither of which had been constructed at the time of her retirement.

Former Resident of The Graduate UnionJan Anderson (née Hurley) is pictured here with her husband Donald Anderson. Jan was a resident of Graduate House in 1967 and is now the managing director of Jan Anderson Publishing Services in Melbourne.

Jan Hurley and Dick Stanley

Seen at Graduate House

Barbara and Magnus Fonnes (left) with David and Prue Sparks.

Barbara Funder (right) with Brenda Greaney.

Darren with Alexander (centre) and Katie having lunch in the Dining Room.


The ‘FBE MBS’ arrangementThe Graduate Union wishes its good neighbour, Melbourne Business School (MBS), and The University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Business and Economics (FBE), great success in their merger under a single Faculty.

The arrangement is scheduled to be formalised in May 2013 and will see continuation of Professor Paul Kofman as Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics, and of Professor Zeger Degraeve as Dean of Melbourne Business School while also becoming Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics. Melbourne Business School will offer all postgraduate business degrees, including the MBA.

With this significant and sensible move, Professor Degraeve believes that our neighbouring precinct will become a global hub for management development in Australia.

Honorary Life Member Dr David McCredie is pictured here with Professor Patrick Niaudet at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Professor Niaudet presented the 10th

Florence May McCredie Memorial Lecture, a sponsored lectureship program established by Florence Amelia McCredie in memory of her daughter Florence May who died as an infant at the Royal Children’s Hospital in 1919 from kidney problems.

Current generations of the McCredie family stand true to this memory and have continued supporting the visit to Melbourne of internationally renowned academics in nephrology or a related field.

The 2012 lecture was given as part of the Grand Rounds Seminar Series, a weekly educational meeting jointly sponsored by The University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Dr Patrick Niaudet is Professor of Pediatrics at the Université Paris V René Descartes in France and a world-expert on hereditary renal diseases. He has served on many international bodies, including as Secretary General of the European Society of Pediatric Nephrology, Assistant Secretary of the International Pediatric Nephrology Association and as President of the Société de Néphrologie Pédiatrique. Professor Niaudet has contributed to many medical education programs across the world and has over 290 peer-reviewed scientific articles.

Florence May McCredie Memorial Lecture

Professor Niaudet (centre) with McCredie family members.

Professor Niaudet (left) with Dr David McCredie.


What’s happening in Council?This year has passed quickly but contained much activity for The Graduate Union. Your Council (the governing body) has worked consistently to meet the challenges that were before us, yet we have maintained our focus on the future, and are delighted in having achieved a number of important milestones - two of which were the introduction of a Council Code of Conduct as a new General Regulation and our two-day planning retreat, held on the 22nd September and the 6th October and resulting in a draft strategic plan which will be made available to members early 2013.

I am confident that your Council continues to provide a sound and high level of governance and critical expertise towards sustainability and continued growth of this Association. Your Councillors and CEO/Head of College have worked extremely diligently and with best practice all year. As will be demonstrated in the Annual Report to be sent to you before the next annual general meeting, we have met on over 35 occasions over 2012 in both scheduled meetings of Council and its standing committees, and in special meetings to address defined projects and specific issues in a timely and efficient manner. We work continuously to monitor and improve the strategic and policy environment of The Graduate Union and have introduced many initiatives to strengthen the performance of Council and the CEO/Head of College and to work within governance and reporting structures that will be enable us to meet both the incoming national regulatory framework of the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission and new requirements at state level under the new Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012.

It is disappointing to learn that some members have received correspondence recently from three of four recently resigned Councillors regarding the reasons why they resigned from Council. Your Council has not expanded or commented to you on their resignations and I as Chairman see no benefit in continuing the debate. I note that you, our members, expressed your opinion very strongly in support of the Council during the election, and on behalf of Council, I would like to thank you for your ongoing encouragement this year, as we focus on meeting the challenges of importance and necessity to sustain and grow this institute. I announce also that we have been successful in co-opting three new members to Council, Mr Keith Ryall, Dr Meredith Doig and The Honourable Justice Tony Pagone, profiles of whom are provided in the next edition of the Melbourne Graduate. Additionally, we thank those members who responded to our newsletter invitations to express interest in joining a ‘skills pool’ from which Council could seek assistance for particular governance matters. We welcome Peter Clark who is joining the Accounting and Audit Committee and Glenys Goricane and Richard Cameron who will be working with the CEO and other members on college development.

As we draw to the conclusion of the year, we say good bye and thank you to many of our residents for their time with us, and wish them successful futures. We hope that they will continue as members of our expanding international association of graduates and that they will come together regularly on interdisciplinary and international societal matters so that their collective skills and expertise are used effectively for sustained societal benefit. December is a very enjoyable time of year at Graduate House. We see many of our collegiate supporters in our function rooms enjoying end-of-year activities and meals in our dining room with friends. We are also seeing many of our organisation members coming in to recognise their achievements over the past year and to acknowledge their own members and contributors for a full year of academic, professional development and educational pursuit with many productive outcomes.

Major General Professor Jeffrey V Rosenfeld AM (left) with Mr David Sparks at the Chairman’s Cocktail Party on the 7th December, 2012.


Reciprocity with other CollegesOur members enjoy the benefit of being eligible

for short term accommodation at other colleges and university clubs across Australia and

the world.

T h e G r a d u a t e U n i o n provides letters of introduction which our members use before and during their travels when making individual arrangements with these colleges and university clubs for accommodation.

This benefit is available because The Graduate Union has individually negotiated reciprocal arrangements interstate and overseas and because it is also a member of The Association of College and University Clubs (ACUC). The full list of the near 100 associations of this worldwide network is at www.acuclubs.org.

By the time you receive this newsletter I shall have hosted the Chairman’s Cocktail Party and will have spoken to those members who were able to attend on the evening of Friday the 7th of December. On this evening we welcomed our new President, Major General Professor Jeffrey V Rosenfeld AM, and opened the Phillip Law Members’ Lounge. Phillip’s brother, Peter Law, together with the our President, unveiled the relief that has been designed and made by the world renowned sculptor Michael Meszaros. If you were not able to attend on that evening, please do come in to view this wonderful artwork and commemorative piece. We were also proud to award the inaugural M V Anderson medals and awards to resident members Jennifer Wu and Matthias Könning. The Members’ Christmas party followed on Friday, 14th December. We celebrated with a traditional dinner in the dining room with gentle carol singers followed by a Latin-American party in the ground floor rooms of the Stella Langford Wing. Delicious food, most pleasant company and joyful entertainment. A wonderful evening.

In conclusion and to all members, please accept our appreciation for your support and we hope that your festive season is safe and happy.

David SparksChair of Council


DINNER & DRINKS AT GRADUATE HOUSEFriday 8th February, 2013

Members and guests are invited to drinks and then dinner at Graduate

House.

Drinks are at members’ bar prices from 6:00 to 7:00pm.

Dinner is at 6:45pm sharp.

$15 for Graduate Union members. $20 for guests and non-members.

Dinner is a college style buffet dinner comprising soup, main course and dessert.

To avoid disappointment, please book and pay by the Thursday before (7th February) online or by calling 9347 3428.

For information, email Andre at: [email protected] or phone 03 9584 2087 during business hours,

03 9515 3432 after hours, or 0408 594 859.

t-shirt $30

windcheater with hood $50

Cap $20

merino pullover

$110

mens polo$40womens polo

$40

knitted vest $50

College Garb Our apparel range is made from the highest

quality materials and to last. These items are also available at our offices and can be purchased

online from our website.

christmas issue 2012

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