The Graduate Union Newsletter March 2017

The Graduate Union Newsletter March 2017

Contents GU Collegiate

Media

4

March Monthly Luncheon Professor John Roberts

22 BBC World Service Interview

5

Coming Monthly Luncheons

6

Welcome BBQ

7

College Table Professor Jeff Borland

Academic and Professional Development Meetings

8

Investment for Your Future Seminars

Features 9

GUCA Profile Kamakshi Perera Mubarak

12 Interview Jess Kingford

News 14 Health News 2017 Influenza Vaccine

Review 9

February Monthly Luncheon Reverend Keith Whitford

Graduate House News

The Graduate Union Podcast

25 January 2017

Innovation 26 Can paint help clear the air? The tightest knot

Other News 28 Chinese New Year The MSO conducted by Tan Dun Yu Sheng Toss 29 Discovering Melbourne 30 Feedback and Prize Winners

6

20 First Aid at Graduate House Remembrance Day Poppies 21 Expanding Our College 22 Seen at Graduate House Melbourne Conservatorium of Music reunion A 50th birthday celebration A celebration of 60 years of marriage His Excellency Dr Obaid Alketbi

Join us in welcoming in 2017 with a mixed grill BBQ at Graduate House.

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GU Collegiate Tue 28th

FEB

Residents’ Meet and Greet

from 6.00pm

Join us in welcoming new and returning Resident Members to Graduate House over drinks and dinner. Free for Resident Members, non-members $20.

Wed 1st

MAR

Monthly Luncheon

12noon for 12.30pm

with Professor John Roberts on “Marketers nudge, should we stop them” Resident Members $10, non-resident Members $30, general public $40 and concession $35.

Wed

Bridge Nights

MAR

Join in a game or learn to play the card game Bridge. Enjoy a shared platter for supper, as well as tea and coffee.

1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th

7.20pm for 7.30pm

Members $2, non-members $5.

Fri 10th

MAR

Welcome BBQ includes Residents Meet & Greet

6.00pm

Join us at Graduate House for a mixed grill BBQ as we welcome new and returning Resident Members to the new academic year! Resident Members Free, non-resident Members $22, guests and non-members $32, concession $27.

Tue 14th

MAR

Special Morning Breakfast

7.30am to 8.30am

Non-resident Members are welcome to join Resident Members for a hearty breakfast. Free for Resident Members, non-resident Members $20.

Tue Tue th 14 28thth 14th,, 28

MAR

Italian Conversation Dinner

6.00pm

Come along to dine while learning to speak Italian with an experienced teacher. Members $15, non-members $20.

Wed 15th

MAR

Women’s Forum

10.00am for 10.30am

The topic for March is “How to help the needy without attracting the greedy”. Join in the discussion and stay for lunch if desired. Forum is free. Lunch is at Member and non-member prices.

Fri 17th

MAR

College Table Discussion

12.00 noon for 12.30pm

Join Professor Jeff Borland who will lead the discussion on Economics. Members $12, non-members $20, loyalty card holders $15

BOOK NOW

via our Website, by phone 03 9347 3428, by email admingh@ graduatehouse.com.au or at reception, 220 Leicester Street, Carlton

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Monthly Luncheon

1st March

Professor John Roberts “Marketers nudge should we stop them?”

J

ABN 55610664963 | IAR No. A0023234B

ohn Roberts specialises in branding and marketing strategy. He is a UNSW Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales and a Fellow at Fudan University and the London Business School. He has a Ph.D. and M.Sc. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Master of Commerce and Honours Arts degree from the University of Melbourne. John has thirteen years senior management experience as a market research manager, marketing operations manager, and marketing director. He has extensive consulting experience and the company that he founded, Marketing Insights, became an international leader in marketing strategy. It is now a part of Nielsen Research, the world’s largest market research company. From 2003 to 2009 he was an Academic Trustee of the Marketing Science Institute, the top international marketing industry-academic liaison body (based in Cambridge, Ma.). He currently sits on the Advisory Boards of the Chief Marketing Officer Council (in Palo Alto), MarketShare (in Los Angeles), the Brand Management Institute (in Hamburg), and the Centre for Advanced International Marketing (in Tilburg). He is also Vice President, Practice of the International Society for Marketing Science.

When Wednesday 1st March 12.00 noon for 12.30 pm RSVP by Monday 27th February Where Graduate House Bookings (03) 9347 3428 Email: admingh@graduatehouse.com.au Website: graduatehouse.com.au Cost $10 Resident Members $30 non-resident Members $40 general public $35 concession

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COMING

Monthly Luncheons

First Wednesday of the Month Wednesday 5th April

Mrs Diana Butler OAM Founder and CEO of the Care for Africa Foundation.

Wednesday 3rd May

Professor Prakash J. Singh Head of the Department of Management and Marketing, The University of Melbourne.

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Welcome BBQ Friday 10th March 6.00pm The Graduate Union welcomes you to the new academic year! Join us in welcoming in 2017 with a mixed grill BBQ at Graduate House. There are vegetarian options and a wide range of salads. Resident Members FREE Non-resident Members $22 Guests and non-members $32 Concession $27

RSVP by email admingh@graduatehouse.com.au contact us on (03) 9347 3428 or come to the Reception desk

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College Table Professor Jeff Borland will lead the discussion on “Economics”

Friday 17th March, 12 noon for 12:30pm Usual Dining Room Prices Apply

College Tables are informal collegiate lunch-time discussions on challenging issues in a graduate school field

Jeff Borland is Truby Williams Professor of Economics at the University of Melbourne. His main research interests are analysis of the operation of labour markets in Australia, program and policy evaluation and design, Australian economic history, and sports economics. His current teaching is in the areas of microeconomics, sports economics, and Australian and world economic history. At The University of Melbourne he has been a recipient of the Ed Brown University Teaching Prize and the Dean’s Award for Individual Teaching, and at Yale University he was awarded the Raymond Powell Prize for Excellence in Teaching in the Department of Economics. In 2007 he was awarded a Carrick Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning. In 2010 he was Visiting Professor of Australian Studies at Harvard University. He has also been a Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Economic Policy Research at the Australian National University between 1996 and 1998, and has had visiting teaching positions at the University of Iowa and University of WisconsinMadison.

Book online at www.graduatehouse.com.au by phone 9347 3428, through email to admingh@graduatehouse.com.au or at the venue, 220 Leicester Street, Carlton. A B N 5 5 6 1 0 6 6 4 9 6 3 | I A R No . A 0 0 2 3 2 3 4 B

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INVESTMENT FOR YOUR FUTURE

FREE for MEMBERS $15 per seminar for non-members

FOUR SEMINARS 27th April 29th June 31st August 26th October book online call +61 3 9347 3428 email admingh@graduatehouse.com.au

S

cott Fisher is a Senior Relationship Manager with Lanyon Partners Private Wealth. He holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning, is a Certified Financial Planner and a member of the Financial Planning Association. He also holds a Bachelor of Biological Science from La Trobe University. Scott joined Lanyon Partners in 2006. With experience in superannuation, Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs), Centrelink, tax structures, insurance, direct shares and managed investments, Scott’s breadth of advice is extensive.

As a financial advisor, Scott helps to plan, build, manage and protect everything his clients need for a confident financial future. Mr Fisher is past Chair and now member of Lanyon Partners Investment Committee which oversees the construction of model portfolios and is involved with the research and valuation of direct shares. Scott grew up on a small hobby farm in Arthurs Creek (north of Melbourne) with all the usual pets – horses, emus, geese, dogs, snakes, lizards and birds.

Scott Fisher Trading the sprawling acres of Arthurs Creek for the innercity life Scott now resides in Hawthorn East with his wife and two children, Olivia (2 years old) and Jackson (4 months). When time permits, Scott enjoys keeping fit, gardening, playing golf and watching his favourite football team, Carlton. We are grateful to Scott for his many years of managing and growing the William Berry Post-Graduate College Trust and know that our Members and others attending these seminars will be in capable and professional hands.

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FEATURE GUCA PROFILE

In Conversation With

Kamakshi Perera Mubarak, Graduate Union College Alumnus

Kamakshi Mubarak

You are currently a social development specialist at the World Bank in Washington DC. What chain of events led you to such a prestigious institution? I joined in September 2015 through the Young Professionals Program. This is a global recruitment program targeting young professionals who have both a passion for international development and leadership potential to grow into senior technical and managerial roles in the World Bank Group. The selection process is highly rigorous and competitive and I feel extremely privileged to have got in. What is social development at the World Bank all about? The social development agenda at the Bank basically helps governments in developing countries build inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities, villages and communities with the World Bank Group’s twin goals in mind: ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity. What about your work specifically? My work focuses on the East Asia and Pacific Region, countries like

Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea. The work is both operational and analytical and involves community driven development projects, ensuring inclusion of marginalized groups in urban and rural areas, and implementing social sustainability standards which seek to prevent and mitigate undue harm to people and their environments in Bankfunded projects. It’s certainly indispensable kind of work. Yes. This type of work has much value to add to countries in the region and the Bank’s broader goals. Extreme poverty in East Asia and Pacific has declined rapidly but around 379 million people still lived in poverty in 2014 and were vulnerable to falling back into extreme poverty. Linked to this is the serious issue of social exclusion. Ethnic minorities are particularly vulnerable, especially those living in areas of sub-national conflict. Women, migrant workers, the elderly, children, the disabled, and the homeless are also marginalized because of their identity or place in society. Social development is crucial to promote livelihoods, improve access to

health, education and other social services, and foster people’s voice and capacity to hold the state and service providers accountable to their needs. Aside from having a thorough understanding of the intricacies of social development, how you think you can succeed in this role? To succeed here I will need to continuously build my skills, gain diverse experiences and broaden my impact. My genuine passion for social development will be worthwhile as well as my multidisciplinary exposure in this field. My previous nearly four years of working for the Government of Sri Lanka in the project management unit of the World Bank-financed Metro Colombo Urban Development Project gives me the unique advantage of being able to understand realities and issues in project implementation from both a client’s (government) and community’s (beneficiary / project affected person) point of view. But I would still need to broaden my outlook and perspectives, ensure they are relevant to the World Bank and its clients, and be ready to adapt to innovation in this fast changing world. 

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FEATURE GUCA PROFILE You have also had a number of internships in a similar field. As a postgraduate looking to enter such a field as social development, how were you so successful in finding all these internships? Experience comes in many forms. I think the fact that I was engaged in a broad range of (enjoyable!) activities throughout my school and university life made a difference. My focus was never purely academic – I made maximum use of the variety of extra-curricular activities my school had to offer and was awarded the best all round student award for several years. So you must have also persevered even at an undergraduate level? As an undergraduate I volunteered and interned at organisations like International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Oxfam Australia, various NGOs in the aftermath of the 2004 Asian tsunami, and in the sustainable development unit of a private sector company. I was active in university life – student unions,

drama, and sports. I loved sports and had represented Sri Lanka in swimming, was a ballet dancer, and played cricket while at Oxford University. All of this was significant because of the attributes that they allowed me to develop – leadership, communication, team work, and delivering under pressure. Not being just technically able in my field but being able to demonstrate transferable skills was important. At the time you were undertaking these internships what did you learn? Interning and volunteering in NGOs impacted my perspective of the realities and complexities of poverty and of being in socially disadvantaged groups. Being involved in post-tsunami aid delivery operations in Sri Lanka was partly a trigger for my Honours degree and PhD thesis. Participating in aid coordination meetings and spending time in villages and transitional shelters revealed myriad inconsistencies between macro level aid interventions and village level realities. This led me to assess the pros and cons of the livelihoods recovery framework, commonly used by aid organizations to target post-disaster aid, in my Honours year and then later through my PhD look more closely at the role of social networks, local level corruption, and coping strategies of women in disaster recovery. Volunteering as a teacher to a young migrant student under a project established by the Oxfordshire County Council in the UK was another eye-opening experience.

Do you see a difference around the world from when you were interning to now? What has prompted these changes? If there hasn’t been much change, why not? I do see some shifts from the past in the development and aid sectors. There seems to be more awareness among governments in developing countries where overcoming poverty means more than just getting economic policies right. Yet staff, budget and management issues continue to constrain progress in areas like health, education and gender empowerment. NGOs seem more committed to enhancing local ownership and effectiveness through their aid interventions. The gap between emergency humanitarian assistance and longterm development aid is better understood now but there is more to be done to ensure a smooth transition to longer-term assistance to help people recover their lives and livelihoods. Information, communication and technology has a stronger presence in the poorest parts of the world and is helping to close the knowledge gap. Interning in corporate social responsibility was a completely different ball game! It helped me to sharpen my communication skills, learn how to turn company insights into compelling reports, and see the bigger picture of how a company fits in with the greater cause. Back then the concept of corporate social responsibility was contested and its activities largely reactive, attempting to stem or prevent criticism rather than promote real development. Today I find there is more recognition that aligning corporate social responsibility projects with

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business models and goals is necessary and beneficial, both to communities it benefits and to companies. Ethical production and concepts like fair trade have helped align corporate goals with community needs, especially in agriculture and trade. The growth of social media has also had implications as consumers across the world are now more aware and conscious of their responsibilities to sustainable development. Is it possible to have the key for successful social development? There is no single model for successful social development. Countries are in different stages of development, torn by conflict or violence, afflicted by corruption and lack of people’s voice, or affected by inequality of opportunity based on gender, race or ethnicity, amongst others. Strategies will therefore vary across countries, reflecting local contexts. But there are some key issues to consider. Whilst we have seen more policy based, top down approaches to uplifting social wellbeing, moving towards a cohesive approach driven from both ends of the spectrum is important. Community driven development, in other words empowering communities to decide how to allocate resources for enhancing their wellbeing, is a very useful approach in this context. Strengthening links between people and their government representatives through better communication links and transparent processes can provide for more responsive, accountable government structures. Inefficient or inadequate policies, programs and projects can be avoided through better, timelier analysis of context, be it environmental, social or political. In all this, special attention must be paid to ethnic minorities, women,

the elderly, children, migrants, the disabled, the homeless, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups who often fall through the gaps.

through the Clarendon Scholarship at Oxford University reflected a decision to further pursue posttsunami livelihoods recovery from a human geographic standpoint.

Initially you studied geography and human geography – what led you to these subjects?

There is certainly a lot to be proud of, but what are you most proud of?

I come from a family that is very strong in the pure sciences – chemistry in particular – and I was expected to follow suit. In Sri Lanka it is a given that ‘A’ grades at the Ordinary Level Examination would mean science for Advanced Levels or at the very least commerce. I chose geography because I was fascinated with learning about people, their societies, economies, cultures and the physical environment. I was the only student from my school batch who wanted to study geography.

Perhaps that I chartered myself a course in life which is not stereotypical in the system in my home country. I broke away from the generally accepted path in school and dared to be different so I could follow my passion. Looking back now, I am so glad I went down this path. The exposure has been great and helped me broaden my horizons.

You must have had other pressures telling you to go down a different path? Yes I did! At the juncture at which I had to choose an undergraduate program, I was pressured into choosing law or architecture by my friends, teachers and family. I applied and was accepted into the Faculty of Law at the University of Colombo. Thankfully, I stuck to my initial passion and chose Geography and Environmental Studies through the international scholarship program at The University of Melbourne! Towards the final year of my undergraduate course I was leaning towards the human geographic side of things – people, communities, and development in different places and spaces. Experiences from my internships and volunteer experiences in post-tsunami Sri Lanka became points of departure for my Honours degree thesis and later research paper at the University of Melbourne. My PhD

What are your steps for the future? I would like to develop various hands-on skills and experiences needed to manage projects, gain more field experience, and deepen and extend my technical expertise in other areas of social development. Working in other regions under the Bank’s mandate, such as Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Africa, will help me to widen my exposure to different circumstances of development. My ultimate goal is to be better able to help underprivileged people around the world.  Graduate Union College Alumni (GUCA) is for previous Residents of Graduate House. This extensive network allows previous Residents to continue their ties with Graduate House. For more information about GUCA, visit www.graduatehouse. com.au/join-us/types-ofmembership/

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FEATURE

Interview with

Jess Kingsford 2016 AFGW Fellowship Winner

Jess Kingsford, 2016 Australian Federation of Graduate Women Fellowship Winner

PhD researcher at The University of Sydney, Jessica Kingsford was a recipient of the prestigious Australian Federation of Graduate Women Fellowship (AFGW) Winner in 2016.

in the stories,” says Kingsford. Over time, however, she found it dissatisfying to engage only with the questions of life, and instead became increasingly interested in finding answers to some of the more enduring questions about human behaviour, human emotions and the human condition. “The theatre was a great arena for raising those questions, but I felt that I needed to go into science and psychology to satisfy my curiosity for what the possible answers to some of these questions might be,” she says. From here Kingsford enrolled into a postgraduate Diploma of Psychology, progressed to honours, and is now completing her PhD on the emergence of moral identity in children.

Kingsford’s research involves developing a new measure of moral identity that is appropriate for children under the age of 12. If accomplished, such a measure could potentially be used in both a research setting and an applied setting in schools to help understand whether or not children of a certain age have yet developed a moral identity and indeed what the content of that identity might be.

Moral identity refers to how a person sees themselves as a moral person. For instance, for some people kindness might be central to their moral identity, whereas for others, fairness or generosity might be central. For other people still, moral values may be of little concern to them and they may instead see their identity primarily in political or cultural terms. For someone with a strong moral identity, moral traits thus constitute the most self-relevant components or values of their identity.

Kingsford’s intellectual journey began during her days as a theatre director where she often chose ideas-based plays to direct. “I loved grappling with the ideas

Developing a more comprehensive understanding of moral identity is important as it can help researchers and psychologists see why some people act in moral ways and why

others do not. For a time, it was thought that what determined the difference between moral and amoral people was how complex their thinking was, how developed their reasoning skills were, how empathic they were, or the degree to which they’d simply learned to be a good person. In moral identity research, however, it is claimed that perhaps more than those things, what might be guiding people’s behaviour is their own subjective sense of themselves as a moral person, i.e., their moral self-perception. The motivation to behave in ways that are consistent with one’s own identity is claimed to be a fundamental aspect of human nature. Accordingly it is claimed that the need to behave in ways that are consistent with one’s moral identity may be the primary motivator of moral conduct. “In moral contexts we’re finding that people are driven to be consistent with their moral identity and that is a very strong predictor of how they’re going to behave – in many cases even more so than their reasoning skills or how empathic they are,” said Kingsford. Kingsford’s research concerns the developmental question of what age moral identity first emerges in children, and consequently when it is that they come to be guided by the motivation to be consistent with their identity more than they are be guided by concern

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for the environmental or material consequences of their behaviour such as, for instance, the likelihood of being punished. In developing her doctoral research Kingsford found that there was a great deal of debate regarding the initial emergence of moral identity. Generally, it is assumed that it does not develop until adolescence, but there is another camp of researchers who say that it can be detected, in a less mature form, in early childhood (or from around three and four years of age). However, Kingsford was not convinced by either of these accounts. “Through my research it just became very plausible to me that it was more likely that children develop their moral identity in middle childhood - which is between eight and twelve years of age,” she says. “There are reasons why that period wasn’t being focused on,” she explains. “And they are largely to do with the measures that were being used, so it seemed like a potentially fruitful developmental window to be examining.” In contrast to either of the two current models, Kingsford designed her study specifically to look at middle childhood and to test whether there was any evidence to suggest that children were developing a moral identity during that developmental period. As it is quite difficult to directly test for something that young children are not able to consciously describe, Kingsford needed to find a way to test for a sense of moral identity indirectly. Through her readings, she was persuaded by an account of the relationship between shame and identity being espoused in some of the adult shame literature.

According to these researchers, the ability to experience, recognise and attribute shame depends upon having an awareness of one’s own identity in the first place. “That was a bit of a key for me, I thought - I’m persuaded by that and I’m going to use moral shame as an indicator for the presence of an emerging moral identity,” she said. She wrote stories and manipulated variables and measured the difference between seven and nine-year-old children in their ability to recognise and attribute moral shame in contexts where a character’s moral identity had been violated. Her results demonstrated that only the nine-year-old children seemed to be capable of this, whereas seven year olds did not seem to be recognising any violations of moral identity. She concluded this was because they had not yet developed a sense of their own moral identity. Accordingly, they seemed unable to recognise moral identity failures in the characters from the stories presented to them. On the strength of these findings Kingsford is calling for the research community in her area to pay greater attention to middle childhood. “I think it’s just going to be a lot more fruitful because there are questions as to why this area of research isn’t moving forward, and I’m saying I think it’s because we’ve been looking in the wrong place,” she says. “My first hope concerns the impact it will have on the research that’s already being conducted in this area.” Additionally, Kingsford believes that as this research area matures and finds its way into the public arena, it could have an impact on how adults speak to children as they approach and move into

the middle childhood age range. This is largely because children seem to undergo a specific shift in their sense of self during this period. In time, research into the emergence and development of moral identity is likely to influence how educators, parents and adults in general understand children’s moral development, potentially impacting the way they interact with children in moral contexts and how they engage with the development of children’s moral characters during different developmental windows. It may become important to understand, for instance, that children aged 7 and 9 are likely to respond quite differently to affirmations about their developing moral characters. Kingsford’s ambition is to apply her research in primary school settings. She believes there is great potential, for instance, to develop programs for early childhood aged children that would facilitate and enhance later moral identity development during middle childhood. This would largely entail the encouragement of certain habits of behaviour in moral contexts, upon which the later development of moral identity in middle childhood would likely be founded. For parents and educators and indeed anyone who cares about the moral development of our children, this certainly seems to be a promising and exciting area of research to look out for in the future.  To learn more about Jess’s work you can email her at jkin5746@uni.sydney.edu.au Congratulations are extended from The Graduate Union to Jess Kingsford for being awarded the 2016 AFoG Fellowship.

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HEALTH NEWS

Quadrivalent Vaccine to be used for the 2017 Influenza Vaccine Each year the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee (AIVC) works on the formula for influenza vaccinations based on recommendations from the World Health Organisation. These recommendations from the AIVC are then reviewed and accepted by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in Canberra, the authority responsible for regulating medicines, medical devices, blood and tissue in Australia. The committee recommended that the TGA should adopt the September 2016 World Health Organisation recommendations so that this year’s influenza vaccination is a new quadrivalent (QIV) vaccine replacing 2016’s trivalent (TIV) for the 2017 flu season. The TGA has accepted the recommendations of the AIVC. The quadrivalent influenza vaccine for the Australian 2017 influenza season will contain the trivalent influenza vaccine components and the additional B strain: B/Phuket/3073/2013 like virus. The use of a four-strain influenza vaccine can reduce the risk of B lineage incompatibility, which may lead to a decrease in the influenza burden, Dr Jane Long, Head of Medical Affairs, Asia Pacific told the Australian Journal of Pharmacy in 2016. Influenza remains a serious concern in Australia. According to the Influenza Surveillance Report, reporting period 15-28 October, for the year to 20 October 2016, a total of 83,092 notifications of

laboratory confirmed flu cases were reported to the Australian National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS). While for the fortnight of 15-28 October 2016, reporting notifications of influenza had decreased, the numbers were higher than notifications reported at the same time in recent years. Vaccine effectiveness studies regularly assess and confirm the value of flu vaccination as a public health intervention. But it is important to remember that study results of vaccine effectiveness can vary based on study design, outcomes measured, population and season. The lasting reality is that vaccination remains as the single most effective means of prevention. In our May 2016 Newsletter, we asked Kim Sampson, CEO of the Influenza Specialist Group (now Immunisation Coalition) a few questions to clarify any concerns regarding influenza vaccination: What are some misconceptions that people have about flu vaccines? Perhaps the most common myth is that influenza is not a serious disease. Many confuse “the flu” with a bad cold, but the two illnesses are caused by entirely different viruses. The second most common myth is that you can get influenza from being vaccinated, which of course you cannot. The vaccine that we use in Australia is inactivated, meaning it has been killed and broken up, so that it is only fragments of the virus that are used when making the vaccine.

Can you think of some of the most common questions that you receive (in regards to the shot) and how you answer them? Will it hurt? The answer is no, but there maybe some soreness or stiffness later. If the person has a fear of needles it is hard to convince them otherwise! I had a flu shot last year, why do I need another now? There are many different strains of the influenza virus, and different ones circulate in any given year. The virus also continually mutates, so each year a new vaccine has to be produced. Will the flu shot protect me from bird flu? No, it will not. Avian flu (bird flu) is a very different kind of flu virus to the ones that typically circulate each year. Human acquired avian flu is extremely rare in Australia in any case. What should people expect after they receive the shot? The flu shot does not hurt, but some people do experience soreness or redness at the injection site sometime later. It should be noted that when receiving a vaccine of any kind, it is a requirement to wait 15 minutes before leaving the premises so that you may be observed for any reactions. Severe reactions however are very rare. Thursday, April 6th we will hold our annual Influenza and Vaccination day in conjunction with the Immunisation Coalition (formerly Influenza Specialist Group). Details will be released in the coming weeks.

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Government funded vaccines • Diphtheria-tetanuswhooping coughhepatitis B-polioHaemophilus 4 months influenzae type b • Diphtheria-tetanus(Hib) whooping cough• Pneumococcal hepatitis B-polio• Rotavirus Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) • Pneumococcal • Rotavirus

Birth • Hepatitis B

• Diphtheria-tetanuswhooping cough-polio

6 months

2 months (from 6 weeks)

BABIES

4 years

ADOLESCENTS

• Diphtheria-tetanuswhooping cough-hepatitis B-polio-Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) • Pneumococcal • Rotavirus

CHILDREN

12 months

• Measles-mumps-rubella • Hib-meningococcal C

Early adolescence

18 months • Measles-mumpsrubella-chickenpox • Diphtheria-tetanuswhooping cough

PARENTS: Make sure your child’s immunisation is up to date before they start childcare, kindergarten or primary school.

• Human papillomavirus • Diphtheria-tetanuswhooping cough

PARENTS: Look for immunisation consent booklets coming home from secondary school.

Age, health, lifestyle and occupation will determine which vaccines are recommended:

ADULTS 20-59 years • Diphtheriatetanus

AGE At different stages in your life you need different vaccinations to protect you from infectious diseases. HEALTH Health issues such as premature birth, asthma, diabetes, heart, lung, spleen or kidney conditions, will mean you can benefit from immunisation.

PREGNANCY

LIFESTYLE Lifestyle choices such as overseas travel, sexual activity or smoking increase your need for immunisations.

During Pregnancy From 65 years • Influenza • Pneumococcal

OCCUPATION Some jobs expose you to a greater risk of contact with diseases, for example, working in a hospital or daycare centre. These occupations increase your need for certain immunisations.

Influenza The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends annual influenza vaccination for any person ≥6 months of age for whom it is desired to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza.

• Influenza (any time when pregnant) • Diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough (from 28 weeks pregnant)

From 70-79 years • Zoster

ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDERS • For the latest update check with the current edition of the Australian Immunisation Handbook and your state health deparment.

OLDER ADULTS

Published by the Immunisation Coalition 2016 Suite 1222, 1 Queens Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004 T: 03 9863 8650 E: info@immunisationcoalition.com.au Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/immunisationgap Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/immunisationcoalition

Advocating for immunisation across the lifespan

www.immunisationcoalition.org.au Brochure supplied by Immunisation Coalition 5626 ISG IC Vaccination Guide.indd 2

3/11/2016 1:21 PM

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REVIEW

Monthly Luncheon with Rev Keith Whitford Prologue: It can be difficult at the best of times to convey to readers the true sentiments behind a speaker through mere words on paper, particularly when taking into account the speaker’s voice, inflection, tone, breathing, pronunciation, pauses and mannerisms. If, dear readers, you could, for the duration of this review, imagine a gentle voice, perhaps no mightier than the gentle rustling of leaves, you could be able to get a sense of the moving story of sorrow and the overcoming of great difficulty that Reverend Keith Whitford delivered.

R

everend Keith Whitford was born in Ungari, a little village that stands outside Griffith in the middle of the Murrumbidgee irrigation area. His grandparents were the first people to settle the Murrumbidgee irrigation area, having come from Broken Hill, where his grandmother was born. Ungari School was his first school, and his first six years were of a family of 11 who could eat well. He went to school at six with his brother. Soon after that war tumbled into their lives, where his father, elder brother and sister went to the army nursing core, leaving the Whitford family depleted and their “descent into poverty and hell”.

feeling keenly that something was terribly wrong. His brothers, he says, felt much the same, and they were prone to bursting into tears at night when she had not made her appearance.

Each day when he went to school, he took a sixpence with him, instructed by his mother to go across the road to the school and buy a bag of broken biscuits for his lunch. It was there where he would see his mother pass the school during playtime, on her way to catch the train that took her into Griffith. From that point in time, young Keith’s mother descended into a mother that he seldom saw,

Come 1944 and they were turfed out of the house that had been their family home, his mother telling the family that they were being evicted as she had never paid the rent since his father had left for the army. The Whitford family made their move to a farmhouse alongside McWilliams Winery in Hanwood, a young Reverend Whitford thinking that this was a passing

When she did make her appearance, he said, she was in a car with some man who conveniently parked out of sight. From time to time, his guts froze as she informed them that the man who she was currently with was to be their father. He had met children in school that had been in front of him, crying their eyes out because their parents had separated and the mother had informed them exactly what Whitford’s mother had told him: this will be your father.

location, but indeed it was their new residence. “It was a tin shed of reasonable size, walls and roof of sheet metal, and when we went inside, it had poles around which were stretched hessian, and they were the ‘walls’ of this house,” he described.

“It was hell. I was introduced to my first packet of candles to light this dingy place, and it was as hot as hell, or freezing in the winter. There was no kitchen, there was no bathroom, there was another tin structure that looked like a country dunny out the back and when you went to a little irrigation ditch which happened to be flowing you could get water put it into a can and summer and winter have a lovely shower, until it ran out.” After one year, the family was thrown out again. This time his

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mother declared that they were to move into the main canal near the town of Griffith. She purchased a large tent, assuming that the family would live happily ever after. But no tent emerged. Luckily, his grandparents said that they could have the little house that was on their farm and that would be their home.

“It was a magnanimous gesture by my grandfather who at the age of 16 had thrown my mother out of the house because she became pregnant. Maybe that is the beginning of the hellish thing that wrecked her life and ours. Maybe,” he pondered. They made their way to their grandparent’s place where the family could enjoy the simple and basic pleasures of living in a proper home. For a year they stayed there, until the birth of a little girl, Gloria Jean, to whom young Keith became “the mother” as his mother frequently disappeared and Keith was left home alone with the child. His mother would arrive days later, rendering Keith unable to attend school – a mere mile away. His mother’s upsetting behaviour continued, until one day she partook in activities with the belief that she would be paid in accordance. And they did. “The ubiquitous fiver first appears and haunts my life until I am 15. That was the standard charge,” he said. A group of women who had taken the lease on their land, learned of these goings on and the Whitford family was on the move yet again to a property owned by a man with six chaff burners – Harry the Horseman.

“Off we went again, all of our stuff packed onto a railway carriage and we went to the Town of Barellan in the middle of the wheat country. There was nothing we could borrow, there was simply a huge six bin wheat silo, wheat stacks and 640 people who did not like gypsies. That’s what we were named, no sooner we were off the train.” They went through the railway yards, young Keith, carrying the little Gloria Jean on a bitter day in March. They proceed past the corner hotel and there it was, he recalls, welcome to hell: A big house standing there with no windows, no doors, had not been painted in centuries, a large gum tree along the side with little saplings all over and a common fence with the hotel next door. Even his mother was taken aback. Harry, however, did not own the property, but nevertheless, they walked in to their new home. There was one thing about that house, recalls Reverend Whitford, which was impressive – it had a lot of cellars. The trouble was that when you looked into the cellars, you would see the dirt underneath which was the house. There were five big holes in each room. Harry the Horseman supplied ‘airconditioning’ straight away, bags tacked to the windows, bags tacked as doors and they settled into the front room as his mother attempted to cook something on a stove that had very much expired its use by date, perhaps by centuries. The family then sat down to some polony, a beef sausage, that his mother cut up, as he sat with a

Rev Keith Whitford

blanket around his little sister, eating the sausage by the light of a hurricane lamp supplied by Harry. All of a sudden black boots began kicking in the door, and there emerged into the room, two police officers, one of which unleashed a torrent of interrogative abuse. Harry proceeded to speak with the officers outside, by which Keith heard one sentence, “if you’ve got any winners tell us.” And with that, they were allowed to stay. A week later, Keith goes to school and he hears the tag that followed him around as he and his family moved across New South Wales: gypsies. He and his brother go in to see the principal who was, unfortunately, a vicious man who recorded their names and addresses, declaring that he “dishes out black eyes and bleeding noses for people who get on my nerves in this schoolyard.” The principle displayed an unrelenting and cruel prejudice where even upon a young Keith being champion of an intra-school sports carnival, this man eschews his winning athleticism. At a school assembly, the principal congratulated all of those who attended the carnival, apart from one obvious omission. 

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REVIEW

“Fred and John, my elder brothers got told don’t look for work in this place, get out! So they leave, leaving Keith, Allan and little Gloria Jean and my mother with a suspicious bulge. Three weeks later Fred and John arrive back and mother had another baby,” he said. Perhaps, however, notes Keith, that the baby is very much his to look after. Starvation begins. It can be difficult to convey the exact tone with which Rev Whitford describes his experience with starvation, but it is sombre yet gracious. He asks if it is known how the pangs of hunger can overwhelm you. It is easy he says softly. Drink water and keep drinking it, tricking your stomach into thinking that it has been filled. The relief is only temporary, and the solution hurts more than it heals, so young Keith set off with his brother to source food for themselves. Nearby their home was a local showground, with an old training track for greyhounds where rabbits ran everywhere. “We got ourselves thick sticks and began to persuade the rabbits to come home for lunch,” he said. “They do, and we ate rabbit, rabbit, rabbit and friends, look, I don’t mean to be rude to you, but when I go up to you, you will notice I always face you because if I turn there will be fur behind my ears.” They discovered other means of feeding themselves, from raiding the wheat stacks at night, adding the wheat to the rabbit, and roasting it in a small camp

oven they found at home. They also discovered the local town tip, (which Keith referred to as "Bunnings") where every fortnight the man who had the grocery store in the town would discard unwanted food in the bin. Coming to dusk, Keith and his brothers would sift through the waste to find their dinner. His home did not have water, but fortunately, a young Keith discovered a local pub that had burned down, but had not had its water supply disconnected. With his three gallon buckets, he would venture off at night to the pub to claim the water. At this point, their mother was, from the hours of 10am to 6pm at the pub next door. The louder she snored, the more drunk she had gotten. His mother’s ‘business’ became more demanding as she required funds for her drinking, smoking and back brace ulcers, the latter taking a lot of the money away from the family.

“We had trouble with our shoes. Our shoes kept falling to bits on us. By sheer luck out at Bunnings one day, we found a piano, and to our delight, inside the case was this fine wire, so we got a needle, threaded it and it kept our shoes tied until they just fell apart,” he recalls. Shoes, it would seem play a symbolic role in Keith’s story. He recalls there was a shelter shed with the local ministers as well as a Methodist fellow who came into town with a Harley Davidson bike (later selling it to get a car with costly headlights). He was

preaching in the church one night and the Whitford brothers heard a local man who was the blacksmith saying that the brass lights on the car of the Methodist who had come to town that night were worth a lot of money. With that, a young Keith made a decision to borrow the headlights. They find a spanner, sneak across one day, and attempt to steal the headlights although unknown to them to whom they would sell the parts, but the Whitford children still needed shoes. It was a brightly moonlit Sunday night, Allan and Keith making their way to the Methodist church. The two brothers were ready to take the lights, but Keith hovered closer to the window, drawn by the lights and organ music. His brother Allan, saw a figure approaching and realised it was the Methodist man they were about to steal the headlights from, ‘he’s coming!’ warned his brother, and ran away, leaving Keith by himself. Suddenly Keith felt an arm on his shoulder. It was, of course, the Methodist preacher. “Hello Keith, are you interested in coming in?” he asked, gently pushing Keith along to join him inside. “No shoes, windows in my dacks, a shirt I had not been able to wash for weeks, he takes me around, sits me on the seat next to tall men in suits. And in I go and I’m put beside a big, tall man who looks at me,” he recalls. “Hello lad,” he says. “Welcome. Here is a book for you, the red Methodist hymn book.” Keith looked at the book and the man starts to talk, they then stand up to sing, although he feels he can’t sing. While he is looking at the

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words, the tall man notices that Keith did not have any shoes. Keith tells him that they had worn out. It was at that moment, when a young boy, so impoverished, without shoes was introduced to good will. A few days later the tall man from the church strode across the field with two boxes, one under each arm, and gave the boxes to Keith and his brother.

“I didn’t have a journey on the road to Damascus with lights shining around me … I didn’t have a preacher telling me that my sins would rot in my soul and I should reform. I didn’t have any of those things. I came to God with a pair of shoes. And my did they hurt,” he said. He continued going to church where he came across a young man who turned out to be the son of the shoe-giver. So they talked, and to this day they continue speaking, having been friends ever since that time because of God and a pair of shoes. In the next chapter of his life, his sisters were taken away at 6am one morning. A black car pulls out front, the children get in. It was not until 32 years later they were reunited.

“I remember the day that Nancye and I and the two girls drove up to a house in Queensland, and she came out the door. Little Gloria Jean. You have no idea what it felt like to put my

arms around her. Jean. I’d found her, and she found us. We found Margie later and we keep in touch with them now.” He left Barellan and went to Griffith, his sister gave him a room, arranging for Keith to have a job with the McKay family with whom his sister had gone to school. He started that Monday morning, with enough money, and did something that he always wanted to do. He recalls school sports days and used to notice the children who would wear white undergarments, but had not seem them before. He asked his mother, to which she replied that it had nothing to do with him. He was battling to get a singlet to go to the school sports that cost him six pence at the local second-hand store. But he was still determined to discover the mystery of the white undergarment. One day on his way to Griffith, he decided that was what he would do. So he went to Fossey’s store, and saw them there on the counter, paid for them, went home, went back to work, and found they were far too tight. “I was walking around with these things, and I thought that they would stretch but the next day it was getting worse and I was having trouble in a place not to be named.” Mr McKay instantly recognised what he was and gave Keith a job. He went to school, he went to Wangaratta, he candidated as a minister, he went to Preston where he met his wife Nancye, and then he went to Queen’s College. But it was an event prior to these that changed the course and content

of Keith’s life indefinitely. One day Allan and Keith went to "Bunnings" and found the book, took it home and opened it. “There was a magic world. There were all sorts of descriptions of all sorts of things. I didn’t know what it was, but I read it and read it and it got me into trouble,” he said. The headmaster one day asked where the colour purple comes from. Keith’s hand shot up, it comes from a snail he uttered, divulging all the information that he had stored in his memory from the words of the book.

“But I was able then to open my whole mind and could read of all these things, and it was the same thing when I went to a magic place called Queen’s College as an accepted candidate for the Methodist Ministry. Because what the university did to me was the same thing that day with that book.” “And I did hear the sound of lapping water, and I do hear it every time I come to a certain place within The University of Melbourne, where I graduated with a Master of Arts, a Bachelor of Education and the Diploma of Education Administration. I do hear the sound of that water. Where? The Graduate Union of The University of Melbourne. You.” Thank you Keith.

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GRADUATE HOUSE NEWS

First Aid at Graduate House Functions and Guest Services Manager, Marwa El-Tantawy recently completed her first aid training, and is now fully qualified to perform first aid including emergency life support and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. She first completed an extensive online pre-course prior to the practical component. Marwa says she was a little nervous prior to completing the course, but was very proud to say that she passed after her first attempt.

Having completed all accredited units, Marwa is also qualified to tend to spider and snake bites, use EpiPens, tend to anaphylaxis and asthmatic problems. “I feel very proud to have the knowledge and practical skills required to tend to those in need, not only within Graduate House, but also outside with the general public if help is needed,” she said. Her qualifications will be renewed annually. All of us at Graduate House extend a great congratulations to Marwa!

Remembrance Day Poppies

Last year the Remembrance Day poppies were an amazing success and we would like to continue the creative vibe for goodwill. This year we aim to make 500 poppies and we are calling on you to help. It can be crocheted, knitted, felted or in any other technique you have in mind to create poppies. So, drag out those needles, crochet hooks, yarn and craft supplies. Our preferred poppies are small to medium, about 5cm in diameter. Slightly larger is okay so long as they don’t “wilt”.

It would be very helpful if you could attach a pin to the back but if that’s not possible then it’s not a major problem.

If you are new to the creative world, we will conduct some tutorials during those sessions.

If you need help with some patterns for poppies, contact us, or come to our office.

All proceeds will go to The Royal Women's Hospital Foundation.

We will be keeping a tally on our progress. We hope to organise sessions every 2-3 months or as requested so contributors can get together and share ideas.

Lets do this.

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GRADUATE HOUSE NEWS

The Graduate Union Expands College The Graduate Union has bought 13 new apartments, expanding their current college accommodation offerings. Located at 50 Barry Street, Carlton, most of the stylish new apartments have had slight renovations completed, including painting and repairs, with the others now undergoing continuing maintenance and refurbishments. All apartments are fully furnished with a kitchenette and en suite. While the new apartments are not situated within the current Graduate House building, Resident Members located at Barry Street will enjoy all the benefits that are currently available to all Residents. Housekeeping and meals will be available as well as maintenance. Barry Street Residents can phone, email or come by the reception at 220 Leicester Street within operating hours, or call duty residents after hours. “The off-site rooms offer some independence, but Barry Street Residents have the ability to come

here for meals and have the feel of the college,” said Mr Clark.

months,” said Accommodation Manager, Mrs Diana Bachman.

When Barry Street Residents are checked-in they will first come to Leicester Street as it is essential that new Resident Members are shown the main college and understand the value of residency and Membership at Graduate House, as well as that of socialising with the other Residents and participation in the activities run by the Graduate House Student Group (GHSG).

Mrs Bachman says that there have been many enquiries and those who have viewed the rooms are very happy with them. “They liked having a small kitchenette. We have had a really good response to the rooms that we have shown … I have no doubt that we will fill these rooms in no time, via word of mouth,” she said.

All their mail and packages are to still be delivered to Leicester Street and the Barry Street Residents will receive all regular communications such as event invitations, print and digital publications and more. Although only recently listed online, the accommodation team has received numerous enquiries about the rooms. “We have sold eight rooms with three Residents checking in during February and two more the following week, with stays ranging from between one to eleven

“There is a definite demand out there for graduate-only accommodation,” said Mr Clark. The purchase of these apartments is an initial move into a demanding market, with further plans to build a 16-storey development behind the terraces from 222 and 234 Leicester Street pending permit approval from Melbourne City Council. All 13 apartments will be ready in the coming months and will be advertised on the Graduate House website.

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GRADUATE HOUSE NEWS

Seen at Graduate House: Councillor Mary Kelleher Celebrates MCM Reunion at Graduate House Since the past graduates from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (MCM) first came to Graduate House to reunite, they have kept coming back for more. Cr Mary Kelleher along with nine friends celebrated yet another reunion at Graduate House to reminisce about their musical days at MCM.

The group all studied piano and singing. “Piano and singing were two subjects that you had to study if you wanted to teach in Victorian high schools,” said Cr Kelleher.

Back: Mary Kelleher, June Ball, Margaret Henderson, Jim Coady, Margaret Mottram, and Maureen Duke Front: Geraldine Moloney, Peta Murray and Rhonda Coady

Past Graduate Union President Interviewed by BBC World Service Past President of The Graduate Union, neurosurgeon and Director of the Monash Institute of Medical Engineering, Major General Professor Jeffrey V Rosenfeld AM OBE KStJ, spoke with the BBC World Service about his work on bionic eyes to help the blind see again by implanting tiny “ceramic microelectrode tiles” into the brain’s visual cortex of blind volunteers this year. Listen to the podcast here at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/ p04mnsff

Major General Professor Jeffrey V Rosenfeld AM OBE KStJ

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GRADUATE HOUSE NEWS

In January Member Marcus Bogdan celebrated his 50th Birthday at Graduate House. Of the event he said: The “pathway” from organising to actually having the event at Graduate House was seamless. Graduate House staff are very accommodating in providing information on function rooms, choice of foods and drinks. Before

the event the Graduate House team were very conscientious to ensure that numbers of guests, suitability of catering and room size was appropriate. On the evening I arrived early (1 hour before the event started) to ensure that everything was going smoothly.

Staff were very friendly, ensured that I had a drink, and attentive to any suggestions. At the event the catering, drinks and function room were ideal for my 50th birthday gathering.

A Celebration of 60 Years of Marriage Life Members Anne and James Mulholland celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at Graduate House. “We feel amazed, delighted, blessed and any other positive emotion you can think of knowing that we have been happily married for 60 years,” said Mrs Anne Mulholland. James and Anne are good friends with their four children and delighted to find they are all good friends with each other. With nine children between them all the cousins are good friends too so they love any excuse for a family gathering.

She also said that she couldn’t think of a better venue than Graduate House, suggested by their son, to celebrate this great milestone. “We have come to think of GH as our second home and its staff as extended family,” said Mrs Mulholland.

60 years of marriage is a remarkable anniversary to celebrate, to which Mrs Mulholland attributes patience and commitment as contributing factors to their successful marriage. James and Anne Mulholland grew up in the same town, sharing the same cultural, social and educational backgrounds. Their parents were also good friends. “We have lots of shared memories from childhood and we are both strong personalities but are not afraid to have different opinions on some subjects – which means we always have lots to talk – argue!? – about,” said Mrs Mulholland. “I can only speak for myself but I am pretty sure neither of us has found anyone we would rather spend time with.”

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GRADUATE HOUSE NEWS

His Excellency Dr Obaid Alketbi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, visits Graduate House

T

he Graduate Union will host a welcome gathering for His Excellency Dr Obaid Alketbi, Monday 27th February along with The President of The Graduate Union, Dr Ken V Loughnan AO, The Chair of Council, Mr Rhys Watson and CEO/Head of College, Dr Kerry Bennett. Members of His Excellency’s team will also be in attendance including, His Excellency Saeed Matar Sultan Alsiri Alqemzi, Consul-General;

Mrs Rawdha Almansoori, Attaché (Cultural); Major Abdulla Khamis Saeed Maheel Alkaabi, Deputy Defence Attaché; Major Majed Mefareg Awadh Alameri, Police Attaché; Mr Abdulla Omar Alahmed, Second Secretary; Mr Abdulaziz Salem Mohamed Al Junaibi, Vice-Police Attaché; Mr Khalid Putres, Head of Academic Section. During his visit, His Excellency will also partake in a tour of the facility as well as a brief tour of the University of Melbourne

to show its general layout and the major institutes with which the University has teaching and research relationships. The Graduate Union is honoured to welcome His Excellency Dr Obaid Al Ktebi to Graduate House, his first visit since accepting our President's invitation to Honorary Membership, late 2015.

The Graduate Union Podcast Bright Sparks is the new podcast produced by The Graduate Union, sharing stories and conversations from Members and the general community. They are available on our website, on the iTunes store, and a transcription from every episode is also available for download. Episode One explored the pathway to social good by our President Dr Ken V Loughnan AO. Our coming podcast is with Orthodontist, Dr Ted Crawford, founder of the Give A Smile program, which facilitates probono dental work for those unable to access it. Stay tuned!

www.graduatehouse.com.au/ category/podcasts/ https://itunes.apple.com/au/ podcast/graduate-union-podcastbright/id1149800598?mt=2

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Academic and Professional Development Meetings The following groups from The University of Melbourne have convened meetings, workshops and seminars at Graduate House in January 2017 Faculty of Architecture Building and Planning 11th January 2 attendees

University Services Business Intelligence and Reporting Dr Karen Murphy Farewell 25th January 120 attendees

The patronage of organisation Members in charitable, not-for-profit, government and professional development sectors is acknowledged, as is that of our many Members who organise functions. Thank you for your patronage. Carlton Rotary - Lunch and Board Meeting 17th, 18th, 24th , 31st January 100 attendees

Birthday Celebration

Ian Barnes' Birthday Celebration 27th January 8 attendees

INTEUM - User's Group 30th January 40 attendees

Family Gathering

James & Anne Mulholland Family Event 19th January 14 attendees

Birthday Celebration

Marcus Bogdan's 50th Birthday Celebration 20th January 35 attendees

John Cain Foundation 23rd January 8 attendees

Lunch Meeting

Private Event

Melba Group 27th January 13 attendees

MosaicLab & New Democracy Foundation (NDF) 30th January 18 attendees

Swinburne University of Technology 25th, 31st January 20 attendees

The Graduate Union Collegiate Events and Governance Meetings 11th, 18th, 25th, 31st January 53 attendees

Trinity College London 25th January 25 attendees

Turkish Teachers Association of Victoria (TTAV) 10th January 6 attendees

Victorian Rotary District Governors Nominee Meeting 23rd January 5 attendees

Vietnamese Community of Australia Victorian Chapter - TET Lunar New Year Festival - Volunteer Briefing 14th, 29th January 60 attendees

Zita Unger 10thJanuary 3 attendees

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Innovation

Can paint help clear the air?

Another issue is that the troposphere (0-11kms above sea level, the lowest layer of the earth’s atmosphere) is where ozone (03) – that is, a by-product of human activities, such as burning coal, oil, gasoline, trash and car exhaust – can also cause great harm to plants, destroy living tissue and threaten those who exercise outdoors or have respiratory issues. Adding to this is ambient air pollution – the air that we breathe everyday. PM10, particulate matter that is 10 micrometers or less in diameter, is a common widespread pollutant and is a mix of course dust particles as well as liquid droplets. According to the Environmental Protection Authority of Victoria, high levels of PM10 in the air can irritate our eyes and throat, and can cause an increase in symptoms like wheezing, chest tightness or difficulty breathing for those with

existing heart or lung conditions. The national standard for PM10 emissions are at 50µg/m3 over an averaging time of 24 hours. Looking at the Air Quality Index (AQI) for areas around New South Wales, figures range from 15-67, indicating a very good

“When dirty air blankets our cities the most vulnerable urban populations—the youngest, oldest and poorest—are the most impacted.” According to WHO, more than 80% of people living in urban areas that monitor air pollution are exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO limits. Ambient air pollution, they state, is the greatest environmental risk to health—causing more than three million premature deaths worldwide every year.

to fair air quality according to the air quality categories. However, there are other key pollutants which are present worldwide and in Australia, such as sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dust (i.e. PM10) and lead. The problem of air pollution is mainly concentrated in metropolitan areas, where the traffic, the industrial plants and the heating of the buildings have harmful effects on the quality of the air and the health of the inhabitants. “Air pollution is a major cause of disease and death. It is good news that more cities are stepping up to monitor air quality, so when they take actions to improve it they have a benchmark,” said Dr Flavia Bustreo, WHO Assistant-Director General, Family, Women and Children’s Health.

Airlite, a specially engineered paint, with its “advanced nano coating” claims to absorb these irritants. “Our advanced nano coating product combines photocatalytic and superhydrophilic features together, which can be widely used in environment protection, healthcare, food, chemicals, buildings maintenance, construction and energy industries to provide excellent and amazing function,” said an Airlite representative. It also claims to eliminate 99.9 percent of mould and bacteria, and when exposed to light, Airlite eliminates the effects of pollution from the walls. Cesare Zanchi cesarezanchi63@icloud.com

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(source: http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/your-environment/air/air-pollution/pm10-particles-in-air)

Sometimes it may seem that no matter what we read, the message is still very much the same: stratospheric ozone levels are decreasing due to some nasty human-made pollutants, mainly chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). This is certainly a serious problem, as stratospheric ozone, part of the upper atmosphere, protects us from ionizing radiation coming from the sun. In other words, as these ozone levels decrease, harmful UV-B radiation can reach the surface, causing devastating effects for human, plant and animal life.

Extracurricular

Manchester scientists tie the tightest knot ever achieved Being able to make different types of molecular knots means that scientists should be able to probe how knotting affects strength and elasticity of materials which will enable them to weave polymer strands to generate new types of materials.

strands has been developed which enables tighter and more complex knots to be made than ever before.

We’re not talking about marriage, though, but rather the tightest knot ever achieved.

The breakthrough knot has eight crossings in a 192-atom closed loop - which is about 20 nanometres long, 20 millionths of a millimetre.

The ‘eight crossings molecular knot’, has been tied by scientists at Manchester University and is the most tightly knotted physical structure ever known. This is a scientific achievement which has the potential to create a new generation of advanced materials. Led by researchers Professor David Leigh in Manchester’s School of Chemistry, a way of braiding multiple molecular

The eight-crossings molecular knot is the most complex regular woven molecule yet made by scientists.

To achieve their knot they used a technique called ‘self-assembly’ in which molecular strands are woven around metal ions, forming crossing points in the right places just like in knitting - and the ends of the strands were then fused together by a chemical catalyst to close the loop and form the complete knot.

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(source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-01/uom-mst010617.php

Do you know if you have tied the knot? Or do you know not if you have tied the knot?

Think of bullet proof vests and body armour, which, as Professor David Leigh explained, are made of kevlar, a plastic that consists of rigid molecular rods aligned in a parallel structure and interweaving polymer strands have the potential to create much tougher, lighter and more flexible materials in the same way that weaving threads does in our everyday world.

OTHER NEWS

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra delighted audiences with their East Meets West Chinese New Year Concert at Hamer Hall. Conducted by Tan Dun, who is also a UNESCO Global Goodwill Ambassador, the night was a masterful production showcasing the union of Eastern and Western classical music. From the west, the program included Manuel de Falla’s El Amor Brujo, a piece drawing its influence from an old Andalusian folk tale of a beautiful gypsy girl who is haunted by the revenant of her unfaithful, murdered husband who prevents her from reciprocating the love of her new boyfriend. The Firebird: Suite by Stravinsky, also echoed through

Hamer Hall, a piece deriving its influence from Russian fairy tales. Audiences were privileged to be part of the world premiere of Suona Concerto: 100 Birds Flying Towards the Phoenix, by Guan Xia, a reinterpretation of a folk tune well-known throughout China’s central provinces, based on a legend about the genesis of the phoenix. Crowds were also privy to the Australian premiere of the piano concerto for piano and Peking Opera Soprano, Farewell my concubine and the world premiere of the Vocal Concerto: Song Lines of China by Tan Weiwei and Tan Dun.

In attendance was CEO/Head of College, Dr Kerry Bennett who extolled the musical wonder of the evening. The night featured Tan Weiwei, vocalist; Liu Wenwen, souna; Ralph Van Raat, piano; Xiao Di, Peking Opera Soprano. The East Meets West, Chinese New Year Concert was Sponsored by the Li Family Trust, the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Melbourne, the Ministry of Culture of China, AsiaTopa, Emirates, Creative Victoria and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Yu Sheng

Traditionally called ‘Yu Sheng”, it is also known as the Prosperity Toss. As the name suggest, ‘Yu” means fish and “Sheng” means raw. So besides raw fish, the other ingredients are a combination of raw vegetable shreds, some fresh, some pickled and they are all

tossed together with an amazing dressing of plum sauce, honey, lime, sesame oil and spice. The superstition goes that the higher the salad is tossed, the more luck will come in the new year.

the most significant day to have it is on the 7th day of Chinese New Year as it is the day to celebrate Human’s birthday. We at Graduate House were fortunate to be able to hold it on the Friday 3rd February.

It can be served any day during the 15 days of Chinese New Year but

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

OTHER NEWS

Discovering Melbourne Moomba Festival 10 - 13th March

French Film Festival 8 - 30th March Check the website for session times Vous-êtes un admirateur du cinema français? Le festival du cinema franais c’est votre billet pour un event cinèmatique fantastique. French cinema is famous for beautifying the human condition through drama, comedy and more. Head to a cinema or theatre in Melbourne CBD and discover the magic of France’s best cinematic masterpieces, from past and present.

Celebrate the zany and the uniquely Melbourne with Moomba, the largest free community event in Victoria. A 4-day long festival lets you discover the Birdman Rally, the Moomba Parade and more with a Fireworks display planned for the last night of the festival. Head down to the Yarra and celebrate the Labour Day long weekend in style. http://moomba. melbourne.vic.gov.au/

Victoria’s Multicultural Festival Saturday 25th March

Sovereignty Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) 111 Sturt Street, Southbank until Sunday 26th March

Discover Melbourne’s diverse and multicultural society with this festival that highlights the diversity that permeates every Victorian’s life. Food, dance, arts and craft, music and many more activities will be featured on the corner of Swanston and Flinders Streets.

Discover the exhibition focusing on the contemporary art and key historical pieces of the First Nation's peoples of South East Australia, exploring the culturally and linguistically diverse narratives of self-determination, identity, sovereignty and resistance.

If you have any recommendations for places or events of interest for our Members, email publications@graduatehouse.com.au www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B | 29

FEEDBACK We visit about twice a month. The customer service is excellent and so is the food. It is great value for money. - Marg Nicoll We were given a very nice welcome. You looked after 2 "oldies" very well. It was an enjoyable event. - Robert Lennie If it ain't broken, don't fix it! Can't get much better than 'excellent'. Keep doing what you do so well (individually and collectively). The on-going presence of staff says it all about the management, team spirit and customer satisfaction. - James Mulholland Rosie (Hospitality Manager) and Bill (Guest Services and Functions Manager) made the event very easy to organise and to run the evening beautifully. Food was excellent in terms of quality. All staff were first class and the event was perfect. Thank you. - Marcus Bogdan Organising our function at Graduate House was an excellent process, all queries and requests were dealt with in a polished, professional and most pleasant manner. No requests were too much trouble, including alteration of seating requirements on the day of the event. The function room and spaces were suitable to our needs. The food, both in terms of quality and quantity, was good. The staff were very helpful. - Barbara Latham, National Council of Women of Victoria Organising a function at Graduate House is as easy as always. The function room and spaces were great. The food was excellent and just enough, which is what we wanted. The staff were helpful. Bill was excellent. - Terri Montalto, CEAV Institute Thank you, the organising process was smooth and seamless. The function room and spaces were perfect. The food, both in terms of quality and quantity, was excellent. An absolute Thank you Rosie. - Penny Beeston, Geography Teachers Association of Victoria

The lucky feedback-giver for January is James Mulholland who won a bottle of Emeri De Bortoli Chardonnay Pinot Noir

Your feedback is important Submit a Dining Room Feedback Form to be in the Monthly Draw AND to be in the running for the Year-End Prize of a $500 Coles Myers Gift Voucher

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

9347 3428 mingh@graduatehouse.com.au www.graduatehouse.com.au

DONATION

uaTe union of The universiTy of Melbourne inc.

Phone: 03 9347 3428 Email: admingh@graduatehouse.com.au Website: www.graduatehouse.com.au

Funding for Futures

The GraduaTe union of The universiTy of Melbourne inc.

The Gradua 220 Leicester Street VIC, Austr

D onati on Form

The Graduate Union 220 Leicester Street Carlton VIC, Australia, 3053

Donation Form

D onat i on For m 2 0 1 4

From its establishment in 1911, Members Donation Formhave lived, learned and met together to continue the experience of ‘the meeting of the minds’ beyond university as they entered the workforce, had families, became leaders, From its establishment in 1911, Members have lived, learned and met volunteered across the world andofretired. together to continue the experience of ‘the meeting the minds’ beyond university as they entered the workforce, had families, became leaders, volunteered across the world and retired. These Members built the organisation through great generosity in the

form of These donations of funds and buildings, bequests and sponsorship, Members built the organisation through great generosity in the togetherform withof volunteer pro work. We seek always to honour donations ofand funds andbono buildings, bequests and sponsorship, together with volunteer and proofbono work. Wecontributing seek always to honour this legacy and to foster a culture active and membership. this legacy and to foster a culture of active and contributing membership.

PleasePlease give give to our unique association of graduates. to our unique association of graduates. giftdeductible is tax deductible and acknowledged in in TheThe Melbourne Graduate Your giftYour is tax and acknowledged Melbourne Graduate (please specify if you wish to remain anonymous). (please specify if you wish to remain anonymous).

Donor Information

or Information TiTle: naMe: daTe of birTh: naMe of orGanisaTion, Group or universiTy deparTMenT/ school: (for orGanisaTion MeMbers only)

of birTh:

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of orGanisaTion, Group or universiTy deparTMenT/ school:

business : GanisaTion MeMbers only)

afTer hours:

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eMail: address: (nuMber, sTreeT naMe or posT office box, suburb, sTaTe, posTcode and counTry) tact Information

ss:

My donaTion will be $aud:afTer hours: aT frequency:

once-off

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MonThly

annually

i auThorise The GraduaTe union To send Me a reMinder To send in a cheque or puT Money inTo The Gu accounT

ss: (nuMber, sTreeT naMe or posT office box, suburb, sTaTe, posTcode and counTry)

onaTion will be $aud:

equency:

complete this section, and the sections oPlease nce-off weekly MonThly overleaf, and send to The Graduate Union

annually

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220 Carlton, Victoria uThorise The GraduaTe union To send Me Leicester a reMinder Street, To send in a cheque or puT Money inTo The Gu accounT Australia, 3053.

www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association Registration No. A0023234B | 31

DONATION

Phone: 03 9347 3428 Email: admingh@graduatehouse.com.au Website: www.graduatehouse.com.au

Funding for Futures

The Graduate Union 220 Leicester Street Carlton VIC, Australia, 3053

D o nat i o n F o r m 2 0 1 4

The GraduaTe union of The universiTy of Melbourne inc.

Method of Payment

Please tick choice of payment and write the amount you wish to donate

cheque aMounT $ payable To The GraduaTe union of The universiTy of Melbourne incorporaTed

bank Transfer accounT naMe: The GraduaTe union of The universiTy of Melbourne incorporaTed bank: naTional ausTralia bank bsb: 083 170 accounT nuMber: 515612137 swifT code: (for inTernaTional Transfers) naTaau3303M descripTion of Transfer: your surnaMe or Group/ orGanisaTion and The word ‘donaTion’ crediT card aMounT $

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The fund of highest priority and need at the time of my donation Buildings Resident Members Capital Fund I am Interested in Gifting to Name: a space wiThin The GraduaTe union (buildinG, floor, rooM or oTher space) a scholarship or an award To a residenT MeMber a recoGniTion of excellence award for a residenT or non-residenT MeMber a career or reTireMenT developMenT proGraM for an in-career or a reTired MeMber

My Bequest (will) i would like To provide for The GraduaTe union in My will

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To donate, please cut along this line and send the completed form to 220 Leicester Street, Carlton, VIC 3023, Australia

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