Interview with Ashley Viegas

Graduate House : 60 years a residential college

2022 marks sixty years since the first terraces of Graduate House was opened as a residential college. The inspiration of Melbourne Graduate House came about following the establishment of London House in 1930, to provide quality residence for graduates from the Commonwealth, USA and Europe. Acknowledging a similar need for The University of Melbourne, Gladstone Terrace was seen as a suitable model when it became available in 1957. Over the next five years, gradual refurbishment work began to take place. The first stage of Graduate House was officially opened by the chairman of Australian Universities Commisson, Sir Lesley Martin on 13th July, 1962. This was followed by two other stages of the building schedule. The first resident was Brian Alec Parker, an MA candidate from London, who moved into 228 Leicester Street in 1962. Brian graduated in 1964 from The University of Melbourne, one of only 18 that year, with a Master of Arts degree. Joining him in residency were six other postgraduate students and over the next decade, the number of residents at Graduate House grew to fifty four. In the last two decades, more extensions were added to meet the need for college accommodation in Carlton. Today Graduate House houses 145 accommodation rooms with 31 offsite apartments. Thirteen of these apartments are on the 7th floor of 50 Barry Street and eighteen are at 24 Barkly Place. Graduate House provides high quality college-like accommodation and is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled at any university in Melbourne, as well as for academics, researchers and clinicians visiting universities, research institutes and medical precincts in Melbourne. Variable stay durations are available. For rates and facilities, please refer to pages 6 or check our website for more details. As we welcome back students to their various campuses in Melbourne in 2022, we also extend a very warm welcome to our new residents and we thank them for choosing to make Graduate House their home away from home. We recently spoke to two new residents, Stefan Wojcik and Ashley Viegas and discussed college life and careers. Here are their stories.

Ashley Viegas

Resident at Barry Street apartment

Tell me something about yourself.

I was born in India and went to college in a state called Gujarat, which is on the western coast of India. After I graduated I went into the restaurant industry for a few years and then moved to Miami in the USA for four years. There I worked as a chef for a cruise ship company, which gave me a wonderful opportunity to travel and meet people from many nationalities and cultures. I then moved to Australia in 2018 and now have Permanent Residency.

And now you are about to commence another a course here?

Yes, I will begin a course in Workplace Health and Safety in February. I would like to work in a food manufacturing facility or become a Council Health Inspector. This would entail inspecting restaurants, commercial kitchens, and food self-service areas and the like. In addition to my studies this year I will be working two days a week in a local restaurant on the banks of the Yarra River. The restaurant focuses mainly on modern Australian food, incorporating local and seasonal ingredients sourced from Victorian farmers and suppliers.

What led you to Graduate House?

I was attracted to the idea of living with and meeting people from other schools or colleges who have different experiences, and making new friends. Besides that, I like living in the city. When I enquired, Daniel Clark pointed out to me that accepting undergraduate students is something new. Already I can say that the best part of living here is living with other students and the conversations we have; asking how they’re going etc.

How did you come to know about Graduate House?

I came across an advertisement in realestate.com.au and this connected me to the General Manager of Graduate House, Daniel Clark. I moved in about three months ago. I’m living in one of the Barry Street single unit apartments which gives me my independence but also opens-up the possibility of meeting other students. I’ve met some of the other residents and expect that more will move in when students begin the university year.

How do you feel about living with both undergraduate and graduate students?

It’s exciting. I think there are benefits from having a mix of students – undergraduate and graduate, and students from a range of cultural backgrounds and different ages.

Are there any other attractions in living in a residential university college?

Most university accommodation is centred around the city and this in itself is a further attraction. And the young ‘vibe’ is appealing, of people studying and working towards their various goals.

Imagine that you meet someone on a tram and they tell you that they’re looking for somewhere to stay whilst studying at university: what might you say to them? Give them a ‘spin’!

I’d tell them to have a look at Graduate House. Its close proximity to the city can be important; we’re right on the edge of the city. The affordability of the Barry Street apartments is also a winner. And we have our privacy.

Is there a common meeting room at Barry Street?

No, but this would be nice.

Based on your experience of the past three months, what can we do to make your stay even more enjoyable? What can we do to make the living and studying experience even richer?

Perhaps once a month we could have a meeting so that everyone has the opportunity to know each other.

Are there any other social activities that you could suggest?

There could be a ‘game’ night or a ‘movie’ night, for example. I personally like cycling; perhaps some residents might like to form a cycling group or a walking group. These are activities I picked up after I moved to Australia.

Are you familiar with any parts of regional Victoria?

These are so many places that one can travel to by train for day (or weekend) trips. Yes, I particularly like the Grampians. And I’m familiar with places like the Mornington Peninsula, Bendigo, Geelong and so on.

Would you be willing to host a meeting for residents just to get to know each other better? And, perhaps, to arrange some social activities?

Yes, I would. And it would be lovely if we could have such meetings here [at Graduate House in Leicester St.].

Have you found Graduate House to be welcoming of people regardless of their cultural background etc.?

Yes it is. So far, most of the students I have met are from overseas.

What are you most excited about in living with us?

I really love the cultural diversity amongst the people whom I’ve already met. And I’m looking forward to more places in the CBD opening up and – as a chef – visiting more local restaurants.

As a very experienced chef I have to ask you what your favourite Indian dish is.

I would say Jackfruit Curry. It’s a seasonal dish and I love it.