The Graduate Union December 2022 Newsletter

NEWSLETTER

DECEMBER 2022

The University Club of San Francisco Celebrating Graduate House: 60 years a

College - Interview series

A group interview with eleven residents of Graduate House Review

October Monthly Luncheon with Professor Milé Terziovski

November Monthly Luncheon with Brigadier (Ret’d) Bob Slater AM

Graduate House News

Splendid: The Roger Brookes Bequest collection

ACAN 2022 29 University of Melbourne ranked highest Australian university 30 Melba Group Luncheon with guest speaker Nicola Foxworthy 31 Rotary Club meeting with guest speaker Steve Layt 32 John Drennan’s 88th birthday celebration

Parkville Station building site tour 33 Thank you for your feedback 34 Some events at Graduate House

VASSP Lunch reunion

Professional Historians Association (PHA) Victoria & Tasmania Happy birthday Dr Max Stephens

Graduate Dinner - B-COM Honours (Actuarial Studies) 35 Organisation Groups in September and October 2022

Editor: Shirley Ho

Email: shirley.ho@graduatehouse.com.au/ publications@graduatehouse.com.au All images used in this publication are the resources of The Graduate Union and public sourced domains.

CHAIRMAN’S COCKTAIL PARTY

Friday, 2nd December

5:30pm – 7:30pm

This is a member event and by invitation only.

BRIDGE NIGHT

Wednesday, 7th, 14th December

7:15pm – 9:30pm

All levels of bridge players welcome. Player fees: Members $2, non-members $5. Food and beverages at bar prices.

SPECIAL MORNING BREAKFAST

Friday, 9th December

7:30am – 8:30am

Come in for a hearty breakfast at Graduate House. Free for Resident Members. Non-resident Members $12, Non-members $20.

WOMEN’S FORUM

Wednesday, 14th December

10:00am for 10.30am start

Bring in any clippings from publications that have amused you and share the laughters with the friendly ladies!

MEMBERS CHRISTMAS PARTY

Friday, 16th December 6:00pm for 6.30pm start

Join us for an evening of fun in a Christmassy atmosphere and enjoy our traditional Christmas fares, music and dance. More details inside.

Graduate House is closed during the festive season.

Our last day of operation is Tuesday, 20th December 2022 and we reopen on Monday, 23rd January 2023.

We thank you for your support and look forward to welcoming you back in 2023.

THE GRADUATE UNION of The University of Melbourne Inc.

Chairman’s Cocktail Party

Mr Vincent J Mirabelli

Chairman of Council of The Graduate Union of The University of Melbourne Inc.

cordially invites Members/ Special Guests to the

chairman’s cocktail party on Friday, 2nd December 2022 at 5:30pm to 7:00pm Dress Code: After Five attire at Graduate House 220 Leicester Street, Carlton

Kindly note, this is a Member event and by invitation only

RVSP by Monday, 28th November 2022 email: publications@graduatehouse.com.au or phone: (03) 9347 3428

Entrée

Dessert

Main

Dessert

End of Year

Christmas Barbeque

The University Club of San Francisco

800 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA 94108

Phone: (415) 781-0900

Email: info@uclubsf.org Website: https://www.uclubsf.org/

The University club of San Francisco is a private club nestled in the heart of the city. Located in the Nob Hill district in San Francisco, it is a historic gathering place for cultural and intellectual life where a diverse membership can enjoy the fellowship of an social club, as well as a world-class center for the sport of squash.

The Club’s prestigious exterior was designed by renowned architects Walter Bliss and William Faville who drew inspiration from the Italianate style of the Renaissance to create an impressive, timeless structure. The elegance and inviting atmosphere of the Clubhouse is the ideal setting for the Club’s many member events.

The University Club of San Francisco was founded in 1890 at a meeting of the Harvard Club of San Francisco to foster fellowship in the furthering of academic, social and athletic pursuits.

Front view of The University club of San Francisco

After the first clubhouse in downtown San Francisco was destroyed during the 1906 earthquake, the present Italianate Renaissance four-storey clubhouse was built in 1909 at the top of Nob Hill and has spectacular views of the city skyline and San Francisco Bay beyond, and cable cars outside the front door to board and travel the hills and dales.

Visiting Graduate Union Members get to enjoy the same benefits as the members of the University Club of San Francisco in a comfortable and friendly community with an array of amenities, including:

• 22 overnight rooms in total, with 16 traditional and 6 contemporary. The rooms are available all year round for members and guests, and every room has a single queen size bed, Keurig Coffee Machine, flat screen TV, and private bathroom.

• 8 unique venue spaces for intimate gatherings or grand affairs.

• exceptional dining featuring local and seasonal cuisine.

• historic library with rare edition books.

• world-class squash facility.

• executive gym with men’s and women’s locker rooms, each containing saunas and steam rooms.

• Robust events calendar.

• Rotating art gallery and permanent fine art collection.

Lounge area with a view of the city skyline

Accommodation room

The dining room

Celebrating Graduate House: 60 years a Residential College

A Group Interview Special:

Following dinner at Graduate House one evening, Martin Comte sat down for a ‘chat’ with eleven residents of Graduate House (the last two of whom have previously been interviewed individually). All of them are from overseas.

Seated at the table and enjoying after dinner drinks before the interview

Martin Comte:

Thank you for allowing me to sit with you for this ‘group chat’. I know that you frequently eat together and some of you socialise with each other. In addition to wanting to get to know you a little better, I would also like to glean your impressions of life as a resident at Graduate House. Let’s begin with you telling me how long you have been staying here.

Alessandra Quarta:

I’m from Italy and have been here for five months. I have a Research Fellowship and am also doing some work at the university as a trainee.

Laura Pisanu:

I was here for a few months in 2019 and then returned to Italy. I came back earlier this year and have been here for nine months. I’m doing a PhD.

Gianluca Natrella:

I’ve been here since the beginning of October and am also from Italy –Genoa. I’m a PhD student in electrical engineering and am on a six-month exchange program.

Yara Alvarez:

I’m from the Basque country in Spain and am studying for a PhD. I’ve been at Graduate House for four months.

Alba Sanchez:

I’m also from the Basque country and have been at Graduate House for four months, but we arrived in Australia six months ago and will be staying until the end of December. We’re on a kind of exchange between our university and The University of Melbourne. Like Alessandra and Yara I’m working in the Chemical Engineering Department.

Patricia Flemming:

I’m from Germany and have been here for a month and will be staying for four months. I’ve been working on the same research project as Alessandra and have just submitted my PhD thesis, but I still have to defend it.

Andrea Andreolli:

I’m from Italy and I’ve been here since September – for two-and-a-half months. I’m here for six months on exchange. I’m actually doing my PhD in Germany in the field of fluid dynamics and am based here in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. (I know it’s a bit confusing!)

Kristiina Brunila:

I’m a Professor from the University of Helsinki in Finland. I’ve been here for one-and-a-half months doing research in my field of Sociology of Education. I’m giving a lecture at the Graduate School of Education next week. After leaving Melbourne in a few weeks I’m going to Adelaide for further collaboration with university colleagues.

Manuel Caracuel:

I’m from Seville in Spain. I’ve been here since the beginning of October and will be here until the end of December. I’m doing some research here in psychology as part of my PhD studies.

Tze Jian Chin:

I’m a PhD student in Medicine and Health Science. I’m the Duty Resident and also the Sports Coordinator. (And I was interviewed for the last Newsletter)

DS Magid:

I was interviewed in a previous Newsletter. But about this cohort, when I arrived here in May it was always ‘that table’, with Mark the Mathematician from New Zealand, Phia from Namibia who was doing architecture, Domi from Rome, who left last week, and Rosemary from Geelong, and others who were always eating breakfast and dinner together, and I was happy to join in. There’s something about that table! In fact, they tried to separate it into small, individual tables for a while and we all got very upset! The table attracts such interesting folks and we enjoy very varied conversations.

Martin:

Thank you everyone! I am so delighted to meet you all. This came about because I asked Magid if she could suggest someone I could interview for the next edition of our Newsletter. She mentioned this to Kristina who cleverly said, “Why doesn’t he interview all of us together?”

You have just given me a lovely overview of some of our wonderful residents at Graduate House. It is our residents – and our brilliant staff – who make this place special. Many of you are obviously here for short-term residencies – and we are delighted to welcome you and encourage this. Incidentally, this year we are celebrating sixty years since we first began offering accommodation to graduate students. Having met all of you I am convinced that we must continue doing it for sixty-plus more years! I’m wanting to ask if there is a good ‘vibe’ here? Are we doing things ‘right’? And what can we do better? We have a simple vision for Graduate House: to be the best provider in the world of short and long term residential accommodation, primarily for graduates undertaking post-graduate studies at any of our universities in Melbourne – but also for visiting academics and members from interstate or overseas.

Let’s start by you telling me why you chose to stay at Graduate House.

“A few of us arrived in Melbourne at the same time and we looked but couldn’t find anything on the internet. And then we met someone who was living here and they were very happy. We decided to try it and felt very spoilt because we can have breakfast and dinner and our rooms are cleaned. It’s also very convenient. We tried it and we liked it.”

“It was much the same for me. I was looking for somewhere to stay and discovered this place. I’m a student at The University of Melbourne and was pleased that I could meet other people who are also studying here.”

“Before I arrived here one of my colleagues suggested Graduate House as a possibility. (She had been a PhD student at the university.) I’m very happy here.”

“My supervisor suggested Graduate House to me. I’ve made a lot of friends. It’s a really happy environment.”

“I’ve stayed here before, but this time I’m here with my husband. It’s good that Graduate House accommodates our partners.”

“My supervisor back home gave me the contact number for another one of her students who told me that she was really happy here; she said that the ‘vibe’ was good. She also said how nice it was to

meet other international students and mentioned that they often organised things to do together. I’ve also come to appreciate how nice it is to meet people of different ages and backgrounds who are studying for Masters or PhD degrees in a wide range of fields; it’s really enriching. We come from different places and environments and have an opportunity to learn from each other. I love meeting people who are so open-minded and have so much experience that they can share.”

“My colleague in Spain recommended Graduate House to me; she had stayed here a few years ago. She spoke very highly of the environment and the facilities.”

“My friend and colleague from The University of Melbourne organised my stay here. I had no idea what it would be like – but I checked it out on Instagram and saw so many pictures of older people! It made me feel good that I would not be the only older person here! (I didn’t realise that the older people I saw in the pictures were not residents here.) There’s a sense of community. On my first night here one of the residents came to my table and asked if she could sit with me. And she introduced me to this lovely community. I never have to eat by myself.”

“I found Graduate House online and before I even arrived I was welcomed and felt very comfortable. I’ve met so many wonderful people – more than just those of us who are seated around this table. We’re a big and supportive community.”

“My professor suggested that I come here to Graduate House for just a very short period whilst I looked for more permanent accommodation for the six months that I will be in Australia. But I liked it and have decided to stay for the whole time here. I must say though that I was looking for reviews of Graduate House on the internet on Google, Tripadvisor etc. and I couldn’t find anything.”

“I had always wanted to stay in a residential college, and when I came to Australia I had the opportunity. I chose the cheapest residential college, which was not Graduate House. But I soon realised that Graduate House is more suitable for people my age, and its rules are more relaxed, so I eventually came here. I really like meeting people with different and broader life experiences.”

Martin: Thank you for giving me such lovely insights. Let me now ask you, if we could change just one thing about Graduate House to make it even better, what would you suggest?

“Keep the common room kitchen open longer. This is the kitchen that we can do our own cooking in. They close it at 7.00 p.m. This is so early. It would be lovely to cook ourselves sometimes and share the food with others. Some of us come from countries where we don’t even think about eating until much, much later.”

“It would be nice to have some sports facilities, like a small gym or a sauna. I’m sure it would appeal to many residents.”

“I would like more events that residents can participate in. Like going bowling, or arranging to go out to eat somewhere, or going to the cinema, or having a board game night; perhaps the sort of thing that we could do once or twice a month. It could be a nice way of us meeting some residents whom we only see in the dining room. It brings people together.”

“Some of us have travelled to parts of Victoria and even interstate. And recently, fifteen of us went to the ‘footy’! Perhaps this too could be encouraged more.”

“I’ve loved going on trips with other residents. It has been a great feeling getting to know each other more. It makes you feel that you are part of a special community – your Graduate House family. And this leads to simple things like someone asking how your day has been. Simple but special! You don’t have to join in everything, and your privacy is always respected, but you also know that if you want to, you will be welcomed warmly by others.”

Martin:

This gives me an idea. If I could give you a free ticket to go to a lovely orchestral concert next week by the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra at the Melbourne Recital Centre, would you like to go? It is a superb orchestra comprising many young musicians, and the concert venue itself has a reputation for its brilliant acoustics. The concert is next week. [Everyone accepted – along with some of their friends!]

“More friendly places to sit and relax would be nice. There is a little courtyard alongside the dining room; perhaps this could be made to look more appealing with easier access. At present, it’s not really inviting. And there are also other places that could be made more accessible for relaxing and just meeting other residents.”

“It’s lovely having the new grand piano here. Some of us are quite competent pianists, but, of course, we did not bring any of our music here with us. It would be really helpful if there was a cupboard that had a range of sheet music that we could play. We can’t play from memory all of the music that we have learned, but it would be lovely if we could have access to a range of printed music across many genres that we could read`and play for ourselves and others.”

“We need proper blinds in our rooms that block out the light. It is so bad that some of us are trying different ways of covering up the windows so that we aren’t woken by the light so early in the morning – a few of us are even using duvets to cover the window! One resident even gave me an eye mask, which helped.”

“I know they are doing some renovating with tiles in the new building; some rooms have been done, but the carpet in my room in the central block is old, stained and threadbare. I hope they will continue making the floors nice. It’s pretty grubby at present.”

“Some of us from overseas have been really surprised to see that the dining room is covered with carpet! A dining room with carpet!”

“It would be nice if breakfast could continue until 9.00 in the morning – to close the kitchen at 8.30 is a little too early for those of us who have been working into the late hours of the evening or early morning.”

“And it would be nice if the main kitchen attached to the dining room could remain open until 8.00 in the evenings. Some of us are not used to having dinner so early.”

“Having said all of this, I think that we would all agree that Graduate House is already doing a pretty nice job in accommodating us. We have just been highlighting things that would make the experience even better. But it would be nice to have even further opportunities to engage and exchange more. If we were in Spain at this time [9.00 p.m.] we would just be starting to think about having dinner. But here, the place is already largely deserted.”

Martin:

“I think all of these ideas are really, really good. But I want to go back to Instagram again: I think the pictures there are a little bit sad – mostly of old white men and just a few young people. We need more pictures that show the vitality of the place that we have experienced tonight. When I think of the pictures on Instagram I think that these are what you show for a retirement home. If you want to attract younger people you have to show something different. One of the strengths of Graduate House is this community. This is basically what we have been saying throughout this evening’s conversation. Highlight it more! Let people know that they are going to meet a lot of interesting people from all over the world. Some of the events that have been held since I have been here have not had wide appeal. It you want to attract younger people give more thought to what you offer. And if you want to attract younger people you have to do something about your marketing. Some of the talks that have been given since I have been here will not, in general, engage younger people. Highlight more the strength of this broad and diverse community! (And whilst lunchtime events might be appropriate for some people – this might not necessarily be the case for the majority of people.)“

“I think that it would be nice to meet the members of the Council. We can see their names and photos –but it would be nice to engage with them from time to time.”

You have been wonderful and so delightfully forthcoming in your reflections and suggestions. I will make certain that the Council members read what you have said (and I will arrange for you to meet them!)

Thank you for sharing such frank insights. All of us at Graduate House are indebted to you. I wish you every success not only for your time here – however short it is in some instances – but into the future.

Special thanks to Councillor of The Graduate Union, Emeritus Professor Martin Comte OAM who worked tirelessly with our Publication team to bring you a year-long series of interviews with our residents. These interviews were initiated to commemorate the significant milestone of our celebration ‘Graduate House: 60 years a Residential College’ in 2022. To all the residents who took part in these interviews, we thank you and we wish you the best in 2023.

In the foyer of the Melbourne Recital Centre after the performance

October Monthly Luncheon

Wednesday, 5th October

Professor Milé Terziovski, PhD

Post-covid Wake-up call for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to adopt Digital Innovation

Professor Milé Terziovski, PhD is the Department Chair, Business Technology and Entrepreneurship, at Swinburne University of Technology.

Milé began by outlining the four objectives of his presentation. They are:

• Digital technologies during COVID-19 - the challenges faced and the opportunities for SMEs.

• Latest Productivity Commission report - on Australia’s global innovation performance.

• Preliminary findings - two focus group discussions with SMEs during the pandemic.

• And Implications for SMEs - post-pandemic innovation ecosystem.

Here are some salient points taken from Professor Terziovski‘s presentation.

Covid-19 is indeed a wake-up call for companies and has certainly changed the way digital technology strategy is viewed. As Mohit Joshi, President of Healthcare and Life Sciences, Infosys Ltd, in a World Economic Forum article commented, “the pandemic is the ultimate tipping point for the 21st century. Few industries will avoid being either reformed, restructured or removed. Agility, scalability, and automation will be watchwords for this new era of business, and those that have these capabilities...will be the winners.”.

In a recent report, titled “5-year Productivity Inquiry: innovation for the 98% - interim report”, published by Productivity Commission, diffusion of international bWest practice has slowed and only 2% of Australian businesses are global innovators, Australian Financial Review (AFR), 27 September 2022.

Productivity Commission Deputy Chairman, Dr Alex Robson was quoted in the AFR that there were likely to be bigger economic gains from encouraging “everyday, incremental innovation” than trying to make Australian businesses world leaders.

In the latest report on Global Innovators, the shift focus to 98%:

a. adopt established technologies and practices. b. develop manager’s ability to exploit innovation. c. expand employer-nominated migration program. d. leveraging the innovation ecosystem: industry bodies – to learn new and better ways of operating.

stronger linkages with universities beyond direct commercialisation.

assessment of business performance - major motivator and path to improvement

Focus Group Findings

SMEs have limited resources as our focus group discussion revealed, and these enterprises were dependent on large companies to shape the innovation ecosystem by engaging with new innovations, incubating start-ups and providing trained workers.

SMEs recognise that digital technologies are seen as enablers of productivity improvement but lack digital strategies on how to develop new business models for post-pandemic business continuity.

Cloud computing was adopted by some SMEs who felt safer to get through the pandemic and they recognise the urgent need to implement cyber security systems.

Milé Terziovski

SMEs recognise the need to build innovation capability through digital transformation to transform their existing business models and to upskill, reskill, and train their workforce for the post-pandemic future.

Digital Transformation is not about technology alone but also about: people – implementation and change management.

process – business decisions, measurement, feedback loops. data – security, reliability, quality, integration, management.

technology – execution capability, analytic and reporting tools, data management process.

Implications for SMEs

SMEs have an opportunity to make greater use of digital technologies to transform their business processes, and empowering their employees to work in new ways, including reskilling, upskilling, cross-sector digital collaborating and implementing cybersecurity systems urgently.

According to Chief Security Officer (CSO) at Interactive, “the global cybersecurity threat is spreading to small to medium enterprises that are unprepared for cybercrime, putting clients, organisational viability at risk.”

So preventions in place can include: educating staff on the importance of cybersecurity. using two - factor authentication. applying patches - released by vendors promptly. restricting access to data - only to people that need it.

Encrypting data – which is of no value to outsiders.

Physical security – preventing physical access to data.

In conclusion

COVID-19 is a wake-up call for SMEs to develop a digital innovation strategy to ensure business continuity by implementing digital transformation (people, process, data, technology). Digital technologies have emerged as key enablers for SMEs, as the world emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic.Cloud computing, automation, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity systems would help SMEs to develop resilience and agility to ensure business continuity.

Thank you Professor Terziovski, for the interesting talk! We are so grateful for your time and effort to reschedule (twice!) during the pandemic!

Professor

November Monthly Luncheon

Wednesday, 9th November

Brigadier (Ret’d) Bob Slater AM RFD FIEAust FILM FAAG

Remembrance Day: Remembering University of Melbourne Involvement in World War I.

Synopsis:

This talk will be a reflection of Australia’s involvement in WWI, the nature of involvement of Australian universities, in particular The University of Melbourne and it’s connection to The Graduate Union. I will also reflect on the motivation underpinning Australia’s and The University of Melbourne’s support for Australia’s involvement in WWI with reference to the kind of support that might be expected in any current and future conflicts involving Australia.

Remembrance Day is a sacred day to the allies of Great Britain, commemorating those who fought and, especially those who fell in battle. It is the primary day of general commemoration in Great Britain, whereas in Australia our primary day of commemoration is ANZAC Day. However this does not mean that Remembrance Day should be seen as any less sacred to us.

As an opener I would like to acknowledge our forefathers of all races and ethnicities who have fought to keep this nation the lawful, inclusive, tolerant and free-thinking community that our forefathers provided for us. And I implore all our elders of all races and ethnicities, past, present and emerging to maintain, without undue distraction, the national character that

An overview of WWI for Australia

The statistics of WWI are staggering. Australia played an exceptional role in the war. 416,000 enlisted from a population of less than 5 million. More than 330,000 served overseas (including over 2,000 women as nurses). 60,000 were killed (54,000 in battle) and 155,000 were wounded. My talk today will concentrate not so much on the war itself or individual battles and general politico-military aspects of the war. I will instead be addressing the influence and connection universities had in contributing to Australia’s war effort. I intend on examining the motivation of the nation and universities in giving their seemingly inherent support to ‘the cause’ and speculating on universities’ position

Australians past and present have recognised and celebrated as special within a world of many troubled, discriminatory, and dysfunctional peoples who would attempt to change us for their own disrupting, misguided and self-seeking purposes.

in support of any national conflict today. I impress that the views I present are purely my own. I may well make some comments that some will find controversial, and maybe even offensive to some. Others will agree with my comments but not openly. I hope that any such comments are at least thought provoking within a learned group whose academic leanings should welcome challenges to popular thinking as a test to common beliefs. I could be wrong, however I think Plato has not yet been canceled and in The Republic he states words to the effect ‘Knowledge’ does not become ‘truth’ until it has been challenged”. I do hope that in the name of learning and resilience this truism still applies.

The national motivation towards being involved in WWI

Involvement in WWI was generally underpinned by a strong community sense of national pride, a sense of sovereignty and loyalty to ‘Mother England.’ Universities in Australia mirrored this and their support to the war effort was universal albeit stronger in some universities over others. In remembering sacrifices made at that time, it is worth contemplating whether ‘sovereignty’ and ‘loyalty’ may have been replaced by ‘corporatism’ and ‘activism’ to the extent that support for defence of sovereignty and loyalty for traditional values are in question.

An overview of the involvement of Australian universities

Firstly, let’s consider how established the Australian universities were at the time of WWI (this will give some idea of their relative sizes and potential to contribute).

1850 University of Sydney

1853 University of Melbourne

1874 University of Adelaide

1890 University of Tasmania [100 students by 1914]

1909 University of Queensland [Insignificant numbers]

1911 University of Western Australia [Insignificant numbers]

Let’s look at some figures in relation to University of Melbourne’s involvement:

• 1723 past and present students, teaching, administrative and grounds staff of The University of Melbourne enlisted for active service overseas.

• two hundred and fifty-one former University of Melbourne students died in battle or from wounds, illness or accidents associated with their active service. Of this number, fifty were former students of law.

Law and Medical faculties are the only University of Melbourne faculties to have placed detailed information on their websites. Other faculties and university colleges must surely have access to such information. The connection that motivated the Law and Medical faculties is possibly explained by the nexus these faculties have with military leadership and professional service. From my perspective it is not simply coincidence that these two faculties have taken this interest. University staff, students and graduates played a big part in Australia’s largely volunteer army. There is a strong correlation between careers/ faculties of study and the various Army Corps, and these two faculties are more identifiable than most.

You could say that most professional careers are largely for individuals. Army service provides for team players and leaders.

Sentiments of the Australian population at the time of WWI

Next, let’s reflect on the sentiments of the Australian population at the time of WWI as personified by the attitudes of those in the education system. Schools, particularly the GPS (NSW) and APS (Victoria) schools, were enthusiastically supportive of the war effort, and this would naturally carry over into universities.

I feel that these sentiments were captured well in the following extract from Australians At Home – World War I by Michael McKernani.

quote:

‘One of the most affecting deaths reported from the schools was that of J. D. Burns, an ex-pupil of Scotch College, Melbourne. Burns had an outstanding career at Scotch from 1911 to 1914. A prefect, the editor of the Scotch Collegian, he won first place in the Shakepeare Society’s examination, won a scholarship to Ormond College at Melbourne University, gained first class honours in history and Latin at the public examinations, rowed in the first crew, and in 1914 became school vice-captain. Burns became famous with his poem ‘For England!’ which he wrote and published in the Scotch Collegian and which captured perfectly the sentiments of many of the pupils, teachers and parents associated with schools like Scotch. It expressed the patriotism that these schools taught and demanded of their pupils. Unlike the rest of the literature poured out by Australian pupils, it was popular in other parts of the Empire and it endured and was used to stimulate recruiting in the early days of WWII. J.T.Laird, who was a scholar and a compiler of information about WWI, describes it as the archetypal war poem of these years:

The bugles of England were blowing o’er the sea, As they had called a thousand years, calling to me; They woke me from dreaming in the dawning of the day, The bugles of England – and how could I stay?

The banners of England, unfurled across the sea, Floating out upon the wind, were beckoning to me: Storm-rent and battle-torn, smoke-stained and grey, The banners of England, how could I stay?

O, England, I heard the cry of those that died for thee, Sounding like an organ across the winter sea: They lived and died for England and gladly went their way, England, O, England – how could I stay?

Burns went, reaching Gallipoli in August 1915; after three weeks in the trenches, he was killed. Doubtless his poem and his life inspired many similar Australian boys to follow his example.’

What would be the response of a lecturer or fellow students if that poem were presented today in relation to supporting the UK or US in an overseas conflict?

I suspect derision, claiming it was something out of Boys’ Own Annual or Ripping Yarns. But we must remember it was the mood of the times and young men responded.

Also consider universities’ and students’ reaction to involvement in South Vietnam, despite the considerable communist terrorism occurring in most other nations in our region at the time. The widely held ‘Domino Theory’ was largely ridiculed, not necessarily because it wasn’t agreed with, but rather, questionably, because it didn’t suit other narratives that were more ‘personal convenience’ than preservation of sovereignty.

Some key factors in the Australian community’s overwhelming support for WWI, especially at the

outbreak of war and before the carnage on the Western Front hit home were (with reference to Geoffrey Blainey’s The Tyranny of Distance)ii:

1. The overwhelming majority of the population had British origins (although it should be noted that the 1st AIF had many enlistees who had come from countries that were more aligned to Britain and her Allies; those of German descent who didn’t approve of Germany’s actions; and numerous indigenous men who it is understood served with unity and distinction).

2. Australia had a great inter-dependence with Britain that would be threatened if Britain were defeatedii

3. There was a lot of territorial unrest in Australia’s region involving countries that were generally hostile to Britain and could be a threat to Australia if Britain didn’t maintain its military and geopolitical standing and influence in the regioniii

I acknowledge and accept that times change, usually for good reason. I know in my own experience if a prospective recruit was asked the common question: “Why do you want to join the Army” and gave the answer: “I want to go to war, be brave under fire and die for King and country”, he or she would not be accepted without a thorough psychological assessment. The Army expects soldiers to act rationally and courageously under adverse conditions in accordance with their training. Certainly, they would be expected to take considered risks to achieve the objective at hand, but this shouldn’t extend to rash stupidity that would needlessly cause danger and casualties.

Thirdly, I wish to compare then and now in relation to what the original ANZACs fought for.

In the early 20th Century in the years soon after Federation, there was a strong national spirit and pride in country, and a very traditional outlook. The community of the time could have been considered largely uncomplicated and unsophisticated. Boys were boys and men were men, with the only confusion when boys wanted to be men so they could enlist. So they put their ages up. And they certainly knew what women were.

We get a glimpse of the character of the kinds of men that became ANZACs through the poems of C J Dennis, Banjo Paterson and Henry Lawson. And they didn’t need scientists and government grants to tell them about climate – they had Dorothea Mackellar.

Australian ANZACs were proud to serve under the newly chosen national flag with its connection with heritage (irrespective of individuals’ own heritage) plus the iconic distinguishing Southern Cross and Federation Star. Of course there were rough edges in the community and maybe there were sections of the

community that were not all that inclusive, however we do know that loyalty to tradition, the rule of law and moral virtues through strength of family and respect for religious teachings were uppermost and comprised the cornerstone of what promised to be a hugely strong and successful nation.

For all the current outrage about colonisation, no one can deny that British colonialism established sound and enduring administrative systems, the rule of law and, ultimately, self-governance. Even if ‘inclusion’ was not universal, it was probably an underlying aspiration that manifested itself over following decades culminating in an almost totally cohesive society by the late 20th century, to the point where now in Britain and Australia, we have Prime Ministers of Indian and Italian extraction respectively. And yet there is accusation about ‘racism’ that, amongst other slurs, disrupt the stability of our nation. Much of the success of colonisation in Australia led to what we identify as ‘the ANZAC tradition’. So I wonder how the ANZACs would feel about the growing divisiveness in the community and the potential for destroying the stability and freedom of thought that they fought to preserve. What would they think and say about gender fluidity, cancel culture and pronoun mixing? There is so much ‘anti-tradition’ and virtue signaling that defies common sense in the community, especially amongst younger generations and in classrooms that the ANZACs might wonder how this could develop in the country they fought for. I doubt that they would understand that to be openly critical would be interpreted as total prejudice.

This reminds me of a saying: “Intelligent people with common sense remain silent for fear of being cancelled by the virtue signalers claiming that the highly indulged and the easily led will feel offended”.

Returning to Burns’ poem:

Whatever we may think about sentiments and actions of the time, it is disingenuous to try to re-write history in modern terms as many so-called intelligent people are currently inclined to do. The young men who went to fight did so in good faith out of enthusiasm and loyalty; both fine qualities. They deserve remembrance then as they do now and it is testimony to the loyalty of the nation that we still observe Remembrance Day, especially in respect to those who didn’t return.

As wholehearted as universities were in supporting the war effort in Europe in WWI, it is instructive to consider what stance universities would take today in the face of adversity.

In WWI, our new nation was full of pride at its recent independence, like young adults who have left home but very much loyal to parents who suddenly need help. As I said earlier, universities were also guided by a strong sense of sovereignty and loyalty to heritage.

Now let’s compare these sentiments to today, where universities are corporations with, seemingly, aspirations for expansion and funding over freedom of thought and academic excellence. If this is not so, it is certainly the impression the wider community has.

Whereas before the 1970s, demand for graduates came in the form of cadetships from prospective employers with adequate scholarships for top students to select courses of their choice. Universities were there to supply highly motivated, high quality graduates, headed by Vice-chancellors motivated by maintaining academic excellence and contributing to the knowledge base of our sovereign nation.

More recently, demand for students is from within the universities for more ’bums on seats’ irrespective of the demand (or lack thereof) of any particular professions thereby causing over-supply in some fields. This situation is over-seen by administrators whose legacies appear to be the amount of property acquired, how many buildings (including in their own name) and how many paying students (irrespective of source and quality).

So where does this fit with support of Australia?

Might I suggest that recent military action in Ukraine (and beforehand in Crimea) is an example of the Domino Theory, with the difference that Western nations are providing equipment and off-shore training rather than troops on the ground. And in this, universities play no part.

Might I also suggest that the Beijing Chinese government has it’s own form of Domino Theory that is through financial and educational/doctrinaire infiltration with military only as a last resort? The book Hidden Handiv explains graphically how (and I quote) ‘Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is the ultimate instrument of economic statecraft or, more accurately, economic blackmail. It...(supplies)...the investment needs of other countries who are short of capital (and) offer low interest loans without environmental or other conditions. However the objectives of the BRI...go well beyond providing an outlet for surplus Chinese capital or helping poorer nations develop; the initiative is Beijing’s primary mechanism for reordering the global geopolitical system...(and now) almost all Chinese government activity abroad — commercial, technological, academic, cultural — (cannot) be separated from the PRC (People’s Republic of China)’s diplomatic engagement. Beijing’s financial initiatives has tied up African nations and is embarking on the Pacific region. Educationally, China is influencing overseas financial and communication systems and seats of learning by the very clever, long-term exploitation of nations’ ideological traits and weaknesses, including greed. Success in these areas is tantamount to invasion by stealth. Arguably, this includes Australian policy that allows overseas

purchases of land and businesses, and, could mean that future generations won’t look back at the current generation so much for ‘climate change’ policy as for the allowance of a Trojan Horse that invades and erodes our sovereignty from within. But if this is a possible scenario, who can discuss it if it doesn’t suit the Administration’s narratives and, unlike the SAS’s motto ‘Who Dares Wins’ I suggest a university’s motto for its academic staff and students could be ‘Who Dares Loses’ as Peter Ridd found out at James Cook University.

So back to Remembrance Day

We have much to admire and thank for the character and resilience of our ANZAC forefathers, and hope and trust that our present and future generations are prepared and have the intelligence and courage to keep Australia as free and content as we think we are today.

Within The University of Melbourne theme of Remembrance, it is worth remembering, recognising and honouring two great personalities associated with both the University and The Graduate Union: Sir John Monash and Sir William Johnston.

Sir John Monash

Monash has had several biographies written about him, one of the more recent and detailed being by Geoffry Serlev. Monash certainly knew prejudice, being a Jew in a Prussian family. Rather than ‘play the victim’ he simply applied himself to his life and career and proved himself without question whilst maintaining his values. Monash studied engineering at The University of Melbourne as well as law and arts and was commissioned through the Melbourne University Rifles into the Artillery Corps. He enjoyed a very successful engineering career as well as reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel in the militia. He was the first President of The Graduate Union when it was established in 1911; and given his dedication to the pursuit of learning and the value of collegiate activity; I presume he had a hand in the establishment of The Graduate Union. He later became Vice-Chancellor of The University of Melbourne and of course his name has been honoured in so many ways. His progress in the Army was not easy given he was a Jew with a Prussian heritage. On the outbreak of WWI he immediately joined the AIF (Australian Imperial Force) in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel for overseas service, soon to be promoted to Colonel and made Commander of the Victoria-based 4th Brigade which he commanded with distinction at Gallipoli (including a leading role in the successful evacuation) and later as a Major General, he commanded the newly raised 3rd Division on the Western Front. He planned the Battle of Hamel in which 3rd Division distinguished itself for its courage and achievement under his strong

leadership. At that time, most Army commanders were British and there was a reluctance to give higher command to a colonial Jewish ex-Prussian militiaman. But higher command he did achieve, being promoted to Lieutenant General commanding the newly formed Australian Corps. It was as Division Commander and Corps Commander that Monash really shone, notably the planning of the Battle of Hamel which became a blueprint for allied success and a turning point of the war. This was the battle that he predicted would be a decisive win in 90 minutes and it took 93 minutes. His successes came from a combination of his superior intellect, his general military knowledge, his training in artillery, command of language through his arts and legal studies, and his mathematical logic and engineering project management that enabled him to combine all his resources in a major attack on the German enemy hastening the end of the most bloody war of all time and an armistice that was meant to end all wars. For his effort he was knighted in the field by King George V, the last such occurrence ever. Monash returned to a hero’s welcome after being left in the UK for a period, ostensibly to maintain morale and oversee the orderly return of troops to Australia, in reality (it is alleged) because the then Australian government was concerned about his popularity being a threat to their governance, was tasked with developing the SEC and Yallourn Valley. As was the custom, he was given an honorary promotion to General. He died in 1932 at the age of 67.

General Sir John Monash GCMG KCB VD

William Johnston

William Johnston (for whom The Graduate Union Johnston Library was named) was born in 1887 in South Yarra and was educated at Melbourne Grammar School and The University of Melbourne (Medicine and Trinity College). He was a medical resident at (Royal) Melbourne Hospital when WWI broke out. In July 1915 he was appointed a captain in the Army Medical Corps and in October he sailed for the Middle East on the hospital ship Karoola. Where he was posted to the 3rd Field Ambulance and April, he was sent to the Western Front as Regimental Medical Officer of 12th Battalion. In August, outside Pozieres, he braved intense enemy artillery fire to treat wounded soldiers, for which he was awarded the Military Cross. He was promoted to major in 1917 and was mentioned in despatches. In September, near Ypes, he attended wounded soldiers under fire until he was wounded himself and evacuated to England where he recovered. He was recommended for a Victoria Cross and received a Distinguished Service Order. He returned to Australia in 1919 and forged a distinguished medical career as well as maintaining a military involvement, rising in rank and holding senior medical positions in WWII in both the Middle East and New Guinea where he was instrumental in helping to combat malaria that was affecting the troops. In later life he continued his distinguished medical career, including distinguished service with the St John Ambulance Brigade (including Chief Commissioner),

the Red Cross Society, and the Royal Australasian Society of Physicians (Vice-President 1958-60). He was the President of the Graduate Union from 1959 to 1961 and was a Councillor until he died in 1962, aged 75. He was knighted in 1960 and awarded an Honorary LLD in 1962. Sir William’s character and legacy are summed up as follows in a display in the Graduate House’s Johnston Library:

‘Sir William was regarded with respect and affection. His reputation was not due to any outstanding ability as a physician. He was able, hardworking, and conscientious but not more so than many of his contemporaries. The true measure of the man lay in his nature and character. His grave and quiet manner, whimsical humour, kindness and humility, disguised a spirit of service and a determination to do what he considered fair and just. ‘He never did ‘right’ so that he might be seen to do right, but because he could not do ‘otherwise’. Despite the number and the variety of the positions he held, there was never one whisper of criticism. Few have possessed his qualities of courage, integrity, humility, faith and kindness. He taught and inspired others by personal example.

Serle notes that Monash, as is the case with many great leaders, had his share of personal flaws. However his dedication to Australia and the good of its people never faltered. We know what Monash and Johnston stood for: Loyalty and service, using their own individual and remarkable skills for human and national benefit. In their own different ways they were both special sons of Australia. Both died relatively young by today’s standards but both packed their lives with exemplary service to Australia and its people. Would that we had a Monash today to help sort out our energy future and have the stature to bring reason to the growing destructive ‘cancel culture’.

Similarly, what would Johnston have thought of the current level of ‘activism’ that attempts to re-write history and people of courage and integrity simply because they disagree with them?

Would they be satisfied with what they would see today?

We can only speculate.

At this time every year, we ‘remember’. Primarily we remember those who died in service to their country to preserve a society that honoured ‘freedom’ and ‘opportunity’ as a way of life.

We also remember and reflect on such ‘stand-outs’ as Monash and Johnston for their dedication, courage and determination to ‘preserve our values and way of life’. We should remember and reflect on their outstanding characteristics and personal values and attributes so that we might strive to emulate them in whatever our own callings, and how we might inspire our youth to do likewise.

Brigadier Sir William Johnston Kt CBE DSO MC KStJ mid VD

But we should also remember and not forget the environment in which they became involved and the context of their engagement in this ‘war to end all wars’.

The way so many of them died is now seen largely as folly. It is sadly still the case in most nations that in preparing for national defence, we plan for ‘the last war’ rather than anticipate the next. In WWI, the British commanders were largely using tactics that were successful at Waterloo but were now using them against Germans who now had mass killing machine guns. We still think of ‘war’ as military invasion of sovereignty such as Russia in the Ukraine. But a greater common threat worldwide is a kind of ‘Trojan Horse’ invasion by infiltration and covert incursion by a variety of means including property acquisition, creation of financial dependence and ideological indoctrination through the education system and control of communications. Australia has been traditionally secure through its isolation.

As Geoffrey Blainey observes: ‘Future threats to sovereignty are likely to develop slowly through erosion of institutions that teach and maintain stability and common sense in a moral and ethical framework such as family and religions that promote love and community. Where now do young people learn the morals and lessons of the ten commandments and the stories and parables of the Bible? This erosion is largely achieved by targeting the young by offering plausible causes that undermine traditional successful beliefs and encourage them to question and rebel against those who are likely to object to these causes. Once the next generation is indoctrinated to believing that the older generations have it all wrong and are a scourge to the planet, a would-be invader has a ‘loyalty vacuum’ that makes a take-over possible. After such control through property acquisition and indoctrination of the young, military success could be achieved by crippling a defence force by cyber-attack. Victory could be achieved with only the threat of weapons being fired without needing to fire them.

‘There are those in positions of authority who are prone to replacing things that work with good ideas that don’t’.

We have choices upon which future generations may reflect either with gratitude or regret:

Is the legacy of our ANZACS being honoured today? Consider these factors:

Mood of the Nation:

Do we value and take pride in our heritage and our forefathers’ attributes of national spirit , respect for rule of law, sense of duty and personal courage or are we prepared to see the founders of our heritage debased?

Attitude to national sovereignty:

Do we value sovereignty and national identity with a preparedness to defend them at all costs or are we prepared to let our achievements and identity be squandered?

Role of Universities:

Do we prioritise and foster academic excellence, respect for heritage and freedom of thought, critical thinking and debate or do we prioritise growth for growth’s sake and acquiesce to foreign influence and social engineering?

We are continually being told that future generations will be hostile to previous generations due to our colonial past and the way they have helped destroy the planet through materialism. But perhaps future historians will recognise that what was a happy and stable sovereign state was overturned by an internal undermining of society through education at all levels shifting towards an overly enthusiastic concentration on perceived past faults. Surely we should also appreciate strengths, no matter how pure and simple, that create a successful societal structure in which all citizens have an opportunity to have a satisfying life. This shift is largely being pursued through redefining history and by social engineering that breaks down traditional stable structures such as family and established religion. The result is de-stabilisation leading to chaos and dysfunction similar to the situation in Rome that led to the fall of the Roman Empire and the advent of the Dark Ages.

Xi Jinping, who was installed as the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for a third term during the past week or so, has repeatedly stressed three ideological beliefs. The first is that socialism with ‘Chinese characteristics’ will eventually supplant capitalism. The second is that socialism is a step to the ultimate destination of communism. Thirdly, autocratic, totalitarian rule is superior to liberal democracy and will replace it globally. Xi has not hidden these beliefs; he has spoken and written about them continuously for the past decade. He has also urged the Chinese people to resolutely pursue these goals. It is mystifying that some notable people in the West continue to believe that the CCP is a benign force for good in the world and that cooperating with and appeasing it will result in global peace and harmony.

Three maxims:

• ‘Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.’ - George Santayana

• ‘There are those in positions of influence who have a propensity for replacing things that work with good ideas that don’t’ - Anon

•

‘Stupidity succeeds when wise people remain silent.’ - Anon

May I pose the question: If the Beijing Chinese government offered The University of Melbourne funds that included the building of a Chinese Cultural Centre, a faculty for teaching Chinese politics and philosophy and in return required a position on the University Council with an added condition that any reference to teaching virtues of a British or US alliance would be barred from University teaching, how vigorously would The University of Melbourne argue against it? Would our sovereignty, way of life, and retention of academic independence and integrity be the deciding factors? Or would money and a new building be the decider?

In remembering the past we must learn and prepare for the future. Especially in relation to our sovereignty and the way of life for which our forefathers have fought so we might continue to enjoy and prosper.

LEST WE FORGET!

The speaker: Bob Slater is a Life Member of The Graduate Union. He graduated from Royal Military College Duntroon into the Royal Australian Engineers.

He served for 23 years in the Australian Regular Army followed by 17 years in the Army Reserve and 8 years as the Honorary Colonel Commandant, Royal Australian Engineers, Southern Region.

Bob and his family lived in most Australian states and Territories and the United Kingdom. Bob served in South Vietnam and visited Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Canada during his service. His final full-time posting was as Army’s Chief Engineer in Western Australia where he oversaw the early development of counter-terrorist training facilities for the SAS.

Following his fulltime service, Bob settled in Melbourne and was involved in project management with Caterpillar Australia and various engineering consultancy companies. He then became General Manager of an aged care organisation followed by fundraising for a variety of charitable organisations.

His community involvements include Engineers Australia (including former Chair of Victoria Division), various school boards, Rotary (both Carlton and Kew) and Stroke Association of Victoria board (current).

Bob is a graduate of the Royal Military College Duntroon, University of NSW (Civil Engineering), University of Canberra (Administration), LaTrobe University (Gerontology), Business School of Oslo (MMgt) (in conjunction with AIM), Australian Staff College (military strategic and operational studies) and Royal Military College of Science (UK - military operational equipment requirement and project development studies).

Footnotes

i Australians At Home – World War I: Michael McKernan: The Five Mile Press: 1914 pp 59,60

ii The Tyranny of Distance: How Distance Shaped Australia: Geoffrey Blainey: Sun Books, 1966 pp 320-321

iii Ibid pp 328-332

iv Hidden Hand: Clive Hamilton & Mareike Ohlberg: Hardie Grant Books, 2020 pp 3-5

v John Monash – A Biography: Geoffrey Serle: Melbourne University Press, 1985

Thank you Bob, that was a brilliant presentation! We received many positive feedback on the presentation and look forward to welcoming you back to Graduate House in 2023.

Splendid: The Roger Brookes Bequest

A magnificent collection of silverware gifted by Roger Brookes (1929-2020).

The Johnston Collection (TJC), an award-winning boutique museum located in East Melbourne, will soon be home to Splendid: The Roger Brookes Bequest – a brilliant collection of silverware gifted by Roger Brookes (1929-2020).

A carefully considered connoisseur’s cumulation of sterling silver ranging from the late 16th century to the mid-19th century, the exhibition features work by silversmiths William Cawdell, Matthew Boulton, Paul Storr, Hester Bateman, Ann Bateman, Susannah Barker and more.

As well as silver, the showcase also includes pretty ceramics, furniture, clocks, watches, glass and fine paintings. History buffs will be pleased to know this is the first time that Roger Brookes’ treasured items will be displayed together in a gallery, and not his private residence.

Splendid: The Roger Brookes Bequest collection will be open from 28th September to 26th February, 2023, with three daily tours running on Wednesdays through to Sundays.

Concession and senior tickets start from $25 per person, and bookings are essential.

Renowned for its compilation of English Georgian, Regency and Louis XV fine and decorative arts, TJC is the legacy of William Johnston (1911-1986), a prominent 20th century collector and antiques dealer. TJC is Johnston’s gift to the people of Victoria.

A heads up: because TJC is located in a residential area, all visitors will be picked up in a courtesy bus from the nearby Pullman Melbourne on the Park Hotel 10 minutes before the session. Coffee, tea and bikkies will be provided prior to the tour.

Source: https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/things-todo/splendid-the-roger-brookes-bequest

Roger Brookes’ spectacular silver collection (Photograph by: Adam Luttick)

About The Bequest

Source: https://johnstoncollection.org/SPLENDID-The-Roger-Brookes-Bequest~68497

The Brookes Bequest is a carefully considered connoisseur’s collection of sumptuous sterling silver of outstanding merit due to the rigour involved in its distinguished selection.

This impressive collection was amassed over a period of time, initially by the bequestor’s mother (Mrs. Betty Brookes (1900-1968), family gifts and bequests plus acquisitions by his father Sir Wilfred Deakin Brookes, CBE, DSO, AEA (1906-1997), and then added to in a deliberate and very focused manner by Mr. Roger Brookes for over two decades.

As well as brilliant silver (ranging from the late 16th century to the mid-19th century), this extensive collection includes gorgeous ceramics, dignified furniture, glorious glass, excellent clocks and watches, very fine paintings including miniatures, and objets d’art predominantly of English origin.

The Brookes Bequest of English silver ranges from the late 16th century to the mid-19th century and includes in its vast array objects from ecclesiastical wares, argyles (gravy warmers), pap boats and porringers, tankards and trophies, to immense serving salvers and delicious strawberry dishes.

Notable early silversmiths include William Cawdell, the elusive communion cup maker ‘IP’ (formerly attributed to John Pickenyge), Matthew Boulton, Paul Storr, John Bridge and John Angell. The Brookes Bequest has a glorious roll call of women silversmiths, especially selected with TJC in mind. The makers include Hester Bateman, Ann Bateman, Susannah Barker, Elizabeth Cooke, Elizabeth Eaton, Rebecca Eames, Elizabeth Jones, Dorothy Mills, Elizabeth Oldfield, and Mary Rood[e]. There is a revealing selection of London Huguenot silversmiths including John (Jean) Jacob, Jacob and Samuel Margas, David Willaume I, and David Willaume II.

The Brookes Bequest will become a fundamental reference resource to increase the enthusiasms, knowledge, display, and interpretation of Elizabethan through to Georgian and Regency period, illustrative of stylistic development, technical production, and cultural issues especially through the medium of silver.

The Brookes Bequest is a lasting legacy of Roger Brookes’ discernible enthusiasms as a collector.TJC would like to acknowledge the oversight and appraisal of the collection by TJC Ambassador Mr. Andrew

Dixon, long-term supporter of and adviser to Mr. Roger Brookes; Mr. Matthew Lafite, collection curator to Mr. Brookes; Mrs. Robyn Ives, independent curator and lecturer, as well as Mr. Andrew D. Brookes, Mr. John H H Brookes and Perpetual Trustee Co. Ltd. the Executors of the estate of Mr. Roger Brookes. This exhibition and accompanying publication (fairhall 33) are supported by a specified fund established from the estate of Mr. Clive Hele (Roger) Brookes.

Fairhall 33 SPECIAL EDITION | THE ROGER BROOKES BEQUEST can be purchased here: https://shop.johnstoncollection.org/collections/ tjc-exclusive-fairhall-magazine/products/fairhall-33march-2021

This exhibition is also supported by The Friends of TJC and TJC Ambassador, Mr. Andrew Dixon.

The late Clive Roger Hele Brookes was a Life Member of The Graduate Union. He joined after graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics) degree from The University of Melbourne in 1955.

Roger always felt very strongly that The Graduate Union — through, particularly, residency in Graduate House — has an important role to play in bringing together people from across the globe, not only to develop business networks and provide opportunities but also to learn models of working together for the world’s benefit.

Roger was a major donor of The Graduate Union, giving generously to support the needs of college residency. "With college life you form a very close association with a number of individuals, and you particularly recognise the worth of students in other faculties."

It is indeed an honour to have Mr Brookes as a ‘lead’ and ‘leading’ donor. True to his family’s legacy, Roger has set an example which will inspire and guide others to support us.

ACAN 2022

Australasian Course in Advanced Neuroscience (ACAN) held an intensive three week course at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and The University of Melbourne in October. During the duration of the course, the group booked the Graduate House meeting rooms and accommodation rooms for their delegates.

A total of 42 rooms were booked and the delegates arrived on Sunday, 9th October and enjoyed a Welcome BBQ at the Graduate House courtyard.

About the ACAN course:

The course teaches both advanced theory and handson-practice of latest neuroscience techniques and is designed to give students the skills to design and implement state-of-the-art experimental techniques in neuroscience. The Australasian and International faculty guided each participant in the latest research methods in cellular and systems neuroscience. The course was structured into three weeks with each supporting distinct but interrelated themes.

To learn more about the ACAN course, go to: https://ans.org.au/acan/

University of Melbourne ranked highest Australian university

The University of Melbourne is the highest ranked university in Australia for the thirteenth consecutive year, according to the latest Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.

THE ranked the University of Melbourne 34 in the world, compared to 33 last year.

The University of Melbourne performed the strongest in the research and teaching pillars, which measure research reputation, number of research papers and research income, and teaching reputation, studentto-staff ratio, proportion of graduate researchers, and overall revenue.

University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Duncan Maskell paid tribute to the University’s staff.

“The University of Melbourne has been consistently ranked among the world’s finest universities for over a decade now,” Professor Maskell said.

“It’s a reputation earned by the University’s staff who continue to produce outstanding research and work tirelessly to educate our students.”

Professor Maskell said the THE rankings reflect the global standing of Australian universities.

“Australian universities’ recognition in THE rankings highlights their contribution during the global pandemic and the value universities bring to society,” he said.

The University of Melbourne continues to rank among the best global universities, holding a top 35 position across the three major ranking systems - THE (34), the Academic Ranking of World Universities (32) and the QS World University Rankings (33).

The THE results are based on 13 performance indicators grouped into five key pillars – teaching (30 per cent), research (30 per cent), citations (30 per cent), international outlook (7.5 per cent) and industry income (2.5 per cent).

Source: https://www.unimelb.edu.au/newsroom/ news/2022/october/university-of-melbourne-rankedhighest-australian-university

Melba Group Luncheon

Friday 30th September, 2022. with Nicola Foxworthy

on Victoria’s Housing Crisis

The speaker for the Melba Group Luncheon in September was Nicola Foxworthy, who is the Reason Party candidate for the seat of Melbourne in the upcoming state election.

Nicola drew on her 20 year background in social and affordable housing delivery to provide the group with an overview of the significant housing crisis Victoria is currently facing and the Reason Party policy to address the issue.

The presentation highlighted that pressure is showing right across the housing system, in social housing, private rental and home ownership. There are new cohorts showing significant growth in housing stress and/or homelessness, including older women who are currently the highest growing cohort with a 31% increase in homelessness between 2011 and 2016. The data also shows new pressures in regional housing markets. Inability to access appropriate housing at affordable prices is affecting an increasing number of households, and in an increasing number of locations.

In short, our housing system is not delivering the outcomes the community needs, with disastrous impact for households, communities and the economy.

The Reason Party affordable housing policy highlights that we will need major change to the way it’s delivered in Victoria, if we are to meet the housing needs of our community now and into the future. Ad hoc funding –even the large amounts the current Government has committed - won’t fix it.

The Reason Party policy is to establish a sustainable, systemic approach to affordable housing delivery – one with clear social and affordable housing targets and a dedicated pipeline of investment to achieve them. The Reason Party will be pushing for development of a system that can enable urgent investment in social housing and underpin the development of build to rent and other institutional investment in affordable housing.

Nicola Foxworthy, left, addressing the Melba Group ladies at the September Luncheon

Rotary Club meeting with guest speaker Steve Layt

By President of Rotary Club of Carlton, Ian Ada

At a recent meeting, the Rotary Club of Carlton had as speaker, Steve Layt, who is Partnerships Manager with the Pat Cronin Foundation. The Foundation was established by the family of Pat, after this death from a single punch in the back of the head while assisting a friend in danger, resulting in a skull fracture. Two days later, his family tragically had to make the agonising decision to turn off his life support. Steve spoke about, and showed a video, on how the tragedy is affecting the Cronin family, their friends and the wider community forever. The Pat Cronin Foundation believe that social violence does not have to remain a part of Australia’s culture, rather that it is something that is preventable. The title of Steve’s presentation was “Let’s end the Coward Punch”.

Steve noted that Pat will always be 19 years old. He will never have another birthday, or play another footy game, or finish studying health science and physiotherapy under the scholarship he was awarded.

The Pat Cronin Foundation provides an optimistic voice and empowering approach to awareness, education and research about social violence among young people. They work with schools, clubs and community groups to make positive change. Steve Layt is the Partnerships Manager with the Foundation, and first came across Pat as his coach at the Lower Plenty Football Club.

A ”Be Wise Presentation” has been developed for secondary schools in consultation with teachers, psychologists, researchers, community members and parents to bring a whole community approach to learning important wellbeing lessons. It covers Pat’s story, anger and aggression, strategies for violence prevention, and the consequences of violence. Steve said the Foundation expects to talk to 500 groups this year, 400 of which are schools and 100 are community groups.

Further information about the Foundation can be found at Let’s End the Coward Punch | Pat Cronin Foundation

In the first year of the COVID pandemic, the Rotary Club of Carlton provided $1,000 to the North Carlton Railway Neighbourhood House (House) to contribute to stocking the pantry the House had set up to support families in economic stress.

The Rotary Club has more recently been identifying ways our members can volunteer to support the work of the House in a range of their activities. These include mentoring individual clients of the House, helping clients negotiate forms used by Government agencies, and ferrying children to after school activities. However more volunteers are always needed and welcome, but in almost all situations will require a Working with children check.

More information can be found at Volunteer – North Carlton Railway Neighbourhood House

“The Rotary Club of Carlton meet at Naughtons Hotel, Royal Parade, Parkville, 6.30pm on the third Tuesday of each month. Luncheon meetings on 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month are held at Graduate House.

If you would like to join us on any of these meetings, to find out a little more about Rotary, please contact Paul Kruspe on 0423 025 962 or pkruspe@gmail.com and we would make you most welcome.”Ian Ada

President, Rotary Club of Carlton email: iada@bigpond.net.au /mobile: 0447 173 084

Rotary members with Steve Layt, Pat Cronin Foundation (second from right)

John Drennan’s 88th Birthday celebration

member John Francis Drennan (fourth from right) celebrating his 88th birthday (9th October) and 70 years’ association with The University of Melbourne (from 1952), with 12 guests, mostly cousins and their spouses.

A Life member of The Graduate Union, John Drennan began at The University of Melbourne as a young student in 1952, and his association in several capacities with the university has extended over the following 70 years, thus being coterminous with the reign of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

After completing an honours degree in Philosophy and History, he acquired 16 more degrees and diplomas at The University of Melbourne, studying in all of its ten faculties, and 6 other degrees elsewhere, including Monash and London.

He worked as a teacher at most levels, and in other education-related capacities, in several countries, including briefly at The U140niversity of Melbourne.

Stemming from his special field of Applied Philosophy, he is concerned about the understanding of and the cooperation between the various disciplinary fields of learning and research. He is also much involved with animal rights and welfare, having chaired Catholic Concern for Animals continuously since its inception in 1971.

In the Melbourne Graduate December 2019 issue, we featured a story on John Francis Drennan - A Life of Teaching and Learning. The story is available here, on page 38-39:

https://issuu.com/graduatehouse/docs/melbourne_ graduate_december_2019_online_version

Life

Parkville Station building site tour

Staff and some residents at Graduate House had the opportunity to attended a tour of the Parkville Station Building site on Monday 3rd October. Starting at the Barry Street site office, the group gathered for a short safety briefing and summary of progress to date before heading out onto the site.

’Thank you so much to the CYP Design & Construction Parkville Station Precinct Team, for showing us around the Parkville Station construction site.

Amazing progress has been made and it was impressive to get a sense of the sheer size and imagine the meticulous team effort and project management that has gone into the building of the new station. Graduate House looks forward to the opening. What a difference it will make for the precinct!’

Heading down to see the construction progress of the new Parkville Station.

Made it down to one of the tunnels. It looks so good! The tracks still need to be laid. What an amazing opportunity to see this progress and to get a feel of the space and impressive size!’

Thank you for your feedback!

Meeting Services Feedback

The function room and spaces absolutely suited our needs. The food was great with excellent choices. Catering options for dietary needs were wellmanaged. Rosie, Marwa, Bill and student staff went beyond expectations, and dealt promptly with any specific requests.

And yes, I would recommend other groups and organisations to hold their meetings, functions and conferences here at Graduate House.

Anthony Hoare, Action Education

I just wanted to thank Rosie and her team for a wonderful Cre re-group day yesterday. The team had such a wonderful time and you supported us in a great way! Thank you again for all your help. My warmest wishes.

Nishi Raja, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health

Accommodation Feedback

Thank you so much for making our stay at Graduate House a wonderful one! Thanks for the assistance and support given throughout our stay. We highly appreciate your service during when we were down with Covid-19. It was indeed a great strength for us!

Bye Bye Graduate House, thanks for being our first home in Australia.

Resident members Samangi & Oshan

Some events at Graduate House

VASSP Lunch reunion

The Victorian Association of State Secondary Past Principals (VASSP) luncheon in October was held in the Stillwell room and attended by 27 patrons. VASSP is the peak professional association for principals and assistant principals of government secondary education in the Australian state of Victoria.

Professional Historians Association (PHA) Victoria & Tasmania

The event was held on Sunday, 13th November with 56 people in attendance. PHA is a thriving dynamic community of historians who communicate history in diverse and interesting ways.

Happy Birthday Dr Max Stephens!

Students and Residents got together recently to celebrate Dr Max Stephens’s birthday in the dining room.

Department of Economics, UoM

The graduation dinner was held on 18th November in the combined Hewlett and Taylor room for graduates of B-COM Honours (Actuarial Studies), Master of Commerce (Actuarial Studies) and Master of Actuarial Science from The University of Melbourne.

Organisation Groups

We thank the following groups for their event bookings at Graduate House in September and October 2022

Action Education (Mental health First Aid)

Australian Institute for the Certification of Inspection Personnel (AICIP)

Australian Society for Music Education (ASME)

Victorian Chapter

Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) Victorian Division Committee

Australian Psychological Society

Australian School of Applied Management Filming

Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network (AURIN)

Stroke Association of Victoria Business Services, Teaching and Learning Domain CFMEU Manufacturing Division

Chancellery (Research and Enterprise)

Child and Community Wellbeing Unit

Committee of Convocation

Dental Health Services Victoria Department of Chemical Engineering Department of Infrastructure Engineering Department of Mechanical Engineering

Department of Social Work

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Faculty of Business and Economics

Florey Institute

John Drennan Birthday celebration

London Business School Alumni

Melba Group Luncheon

Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance (co WEHI)

Melbourne School of Population and Global Health

Melbourne School of Professional and Continuing Education (MSPACE)

Mental Health First Aid Australia (MHFA) Michael Quin (ex PAV Group)

Old Scotch Collegians Melbourne Reunion Opticum Pty Ltd

Order of St. John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller Incorportated

Parkville Conference of St Vincent de Paul

Per Capita Inc. (The John Cain Luncheons)

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Phoenix Australia - Centre for Posttrauamtic Mental Health

Probus Club of Carlton Probus Retired Veterinarians Group

RIC Business Development and Innovation Richard Thwaites event Rotary Club of Carlton School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science Slavery Links Social Education Victoria St George’s College

The University of Melbourne TreeAge Healthcare Training University of Melbourne

Victorian State Secondary Past Principals’ Association inc.

THE GRADUATE UNION

of The University of Melbourne Inc.

220 Leicester Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia Telephone: +61 (0)3 9347 3428

Australian Business Number: 55 610 664 963 Incorporated Association Registration Number: A0023234B

www.graduatehouse.com.au