December 2011

GRADUATE HOUSE The Graduate Union of the University of Melbourne Inc.

The Graduate House Newsletter December 2011

ABOUT THE GRADUATE UNION The Graduate Union is a residential college and a conference and event centre in Melbourne; as well as a private club for graduates of all Universities across the world.

Affiliated with The University of Melbourne as its eleventh College, The Graduate Union of The University of Melbourne Incorporated is located on the corner of Grattan Street and Leicester Street, Carlton, just south of The University's main Parkville campus and opposite University Square.

The unique feature of The Graduate Union is a focus on graduates. The 120 residents of Graduate House are post-graduate students (e.g. masters and doctoral) from all over the world; or post-graduate fellows and scholars visiting Melbourne on sabbatical, or as part of an education, research or professional development partnership with a university in Victoria.

Our interest is in providing our Members and their guests with intellectual and social stimulation, by organising and hosting a variety of events. The following pages will outline what we have available and we hope you will visit us in the near future.

MEMBER CELEBRATION Eileen and Franco Balsamos’ 50th Wedding Anniversary Spending half a century in love with one person is a wonderful statement about the joys of married life and Graduate House was privileged to host the Golden Anniversary of Eileen and Franco on Friday the 14th of October 2011.

Eileen and Franco met in Italy while Eileen was teaching English. They fell in love and married soon after at St Mark’s Square with no family or friends to witness this auspicious occasion. Fifty years later, with children and grandchildren making their appearances over the years and many friends made along the way, Eileen and Franco decided they would like to share their milestone 50th wedding anniversary - and that is exactly what they did when 70 family members and friends joined Eileen and Franco for a cocktail party in the Stillwell and Ian Potter Rooms where guests were attended by attentive Graduate House staff.

An array of cold and hot canapés were served including delicious grilled mushrooms with blue cheese mayonnaise and chicken tenderloins with roasted onion dipping sauce. The quality of the food was remarked upon and certainly none of the guests went home hungry! Eileen and Franco were copious in their praise for the efficiency of the Hospitality Manager and her staff both in the organising and execution of their celebration. Eileen and Franco have received numerous calls from friends and family complimenting them on a wonderful night. We wish Eileen and Franco much happiness for the future.

Website: www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | No: A0023234B

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Wine Dinner The October Wine dinner was popular with wines from De Bortoli complementing the Greek cuisine. The night commenced with canapés accompanied by Rococo Rosé and followed by a welcome from Dr Kerry Bennett, CEO of Graduate Union. The event was attended by Mr Stephen Webber, Chief Winemaker at DeBortoli’s Yarra Valley Vineyards and his wife Leanne DeBortoli, together with Anne Caruso, Area Manager and DeBortoli representative to Graduate House.

A variety of De Bortoli wines- Rococo Blanc-de-Blanc, BellaRiva Pinot, Grigio Vermentino, BellaRiva Sangiovese Merlot and Deen Vat 5 Botrytis Semillon were served with the food courses and Mr Webber gave a short annotation on each of them.

At the evening’s conclusion Dr Bennett thanked members for supporting this Graduate House event and the De Bortoli representatives for their presence. A Zorba dance led by staff concluded the evening at 10pm.

General Safety and Security Presentation On 6 October, Leading Senior Constable Nick Parissis joined residents for breakfast at Graduate House. This is a regular event at Graduate House each year and is organised through Victoria Police Liaison Office. Its purpose is to educate new residents in particular, and to reiterate to long term residents, the need for vigilance at all times to ensure their own safety when away from Graduate House and the importance of maintaining safety and security within Graduate House. Personal safety issues generally were discussed and, among other things, an insight was given into crime trends in the Carlton area such as theft of bikes, laptops and handbags.

Residents were also made aware of the volunteering opportunities available to them with the Police Community Consultative Committee for events such as barbecues.

Nick Parissis speaks at a number the Residential Colleges around The University of Melbourne focussing in particular on issues which are prevalent in the area and especially any which may specifically affect students, in particular those from overseas who may not be familiar with local issues. Judging from the number of questions asked, the information was of interest to Graduate House residents and greatly appreciated.

Website: www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | No: A0023234B

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The Australian Boat Race The misty weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the rowers or the attendees of the big race between The University of Sydney and The University of Melbourne on Sunday the 30th of October. The course of the race was over 4.2km starting from Victoria Dock, under the Bolte Bridge, past Southbank, through Princes Bridge and concluding at the Melbourne University Boat Club Boathouse.

Together with a group of the University of Melbourne’s special guests and members of the University Alumni, 25 Graduate Union members boarded a Yarra River Cruise Boat to follow the Boatrace and enjoy a buffet lunch and drinks. While guests watched the men’s and women’s race in comfort, a representative from the University commentated on the race and also detailed the race’s history and the athletes’ backgrounds.

The University of Sydney defended their 2010 win on Sydney Harbour, this year’s result being that Sydney University retained the Men’s Race Crown, and Melbourne University won the Women’s Race Crown. Hopefully Melbourne University will triumph next year in 2012 winning both the Men’s and Women’s races and many of crew members will be vying for a spot on the Australian Olympic team.

November Monthly Luncheon “We won, we have won, we have won the right to vote! The state of Victoria have granted women the right to vote!” Wilma Farrow announced as she surprised the members of the luncheon with her dramatic staged entrance, fully dressed in early 1900 attire.

On Wednesday 9th of November Wilma became Vida Jane Mary Goldstein, feminist and suffragist spruiking the cause of Woman Suffrage, advocating the vote for women and entreating all to follow her lead. She drew in the crowd as she described the many important events in Vida’s life; from birth, through her time in the public eye to her resting place.

Wilma not only performed for our group of members and guests she also shared thought-provoking and fascinating knowledge while she entertained.

Wilma had a wealth of information to share of Vida’s history and was requested back by members to perform other strong and influential women such as Louisa Lawson and Caroline Chisholm.

A video clip of Wilma’s performance will be available on our website shortly at www.graduatehouse.com.au for those who were unable to make the luncheon.

Website: www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | No: A0023234B

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NOVEMBER 2011 MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT SUN

1

2 Bridge Evenings 7.45pm

3

4

5

6

7

8 Residents Special Morning Breakfast 7.30am

9 Monthly Luncheon 12noon Bridge Evenings 7.45pm

10 Twilight Lecture 6pm

11 Friday Night Drinks 6pm

12

13

14

15 Italian Conversation Dinner 6pm

16 Women’s Forum 10.15am Bridge Evenings 7.45pm

17

18

19

20

21

22

23 Bridge Evenings 7.45pm

24

25

26

27

28

29 Residents Meet and Greet 6pm

30 Bridge Evenings 7.45pm

DECEMBER 2011 MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT SUN

1

2

3

4

5

6 Italian Conversation Dinner 6pm

7 Monthly Luncheon 12noon Bridge Evenings 7.45pm

8

9 Chairman’s Cocktail Party 5.30pm

10

11

12

13 Residents Special Morning Breakfast 7.30am

14 Bridge Evenings 7.45pm

15

16 Members Christmas Party 6.30pm

17

18

19

20

21 Women’s Forum 10.15am

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Website: www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | No: A0023234B

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DECEMBER The Graduate Union welcomes members and friends to the following events.

Upcoming Events from 1st December to 22nd December 2011

Cost/ Time

ITALIAN DINNER

6th DEC Tues

Members $15 Guest $20 6pm

Enjoy dinner and Italian conversation.

Excellent & experienced teacher Book by Monday prior.

7th DEC Wed

MONTHLY LUNCHEON Listen to Phillipa Challis speak on ‘Live Life Laughing’

RSVP: 5.12.2011

9th DEC Fri

Members $30.00 Guests $37.50 12noon for 12.30pm start

CHAIRMAN’S COCKTAIL PARTY All members are invited to attend this final event in celebration of our Centennial Year

5.30pm – 7.00pm

RSVP: 2.12.2011

RESIDENTS SPECIAL MORNING BREAKFAST

13th DEC Tue

Join residents over breakfast

Members $44.50 Non-Members $54.50 6.30pm for 7.00pm start

MEMBER’S CHRISTMAS PARTY

16th DEC Fri

FREE 7.45pm

Celebrate the end of the year with us!

RSVP: 14.12.2011

For enquiries and to book, telephone 03 9347 3428

MONTHLY LUNCHEON Wed 7 Dec Noon for 12.30pm

Topic: Live Life Laughing Ms Phillipa Challis

Listen to Phillipa Challis speak on the benefits of laughing out loud; laughing for no reason, other than to feel a rush of endorphins, a connection with your colleagues, shared merriment and gaining the health benefits.

Laughter Lady Phillipa Challis is a recognised Laughter Ambassador only one of six in Australia and a certified Laughter Yoga Teacher and Trainer. A classified member of the National Speakers Association of Australia, Phillipa is also an experienced broadcaster, writer and business trainer.

Admission (pre-paid only). Members: $30 Guests $37.50 RSVP Monday 5 December Bookings Essential. For enquiries and to book Telephone Graduate House 03 9347-3428

Website: www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | No: A0023234B

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Website: www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | No: A0023234B

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Website: www.graduatehouse.com.au | ABN: 55610 664 963 | No: A0023234B

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