The Graduate Union October 2022 Newsletter

NEWSLETTER

OCTOBER 2022

IN THIS ISSUE

GU Collegiate

5 October Monthly Luncheon

6 November Monthly Luncheon

GU Promotions

7 Spring BBQ Lunches in October

8 End of Year Traditional Christmas menu

9 End of Year Christmas Barbeque menu

Reciprocal News

10 Althoff St. James’s Hotel & Club Mayfair in London

Celebrating Graduate House: 60 years a Residential College - Interview series

14 Interview with Tze Jian Chin

17 Interview with Yuxuan Luo

Member’s Contribution

19 The flaw in Mabo and the issue of sovereignty by Life Member, Louis Coutts

20 Rotary helps mark Nelson Mandela Day with Youth summit by President of Rotary Club of Carlton, Ian Ada

Review

22 August Monthly Luncheon with Annalise Jennings

Graduate House News

25 The Womens Forum

26 A Wedding at Graduate House

27 Graduate House Dining Room

27 Thank you for your Feedback

28 Residents Christmas in July Party

30 Valete - Mrs Nancye Cain

30 Organisation Groups

31 2022 Mid Year Annual Appeal

Editor: Shirley Ho Email: shirley.ho@graduatehouse.com.au/ publications@graduatehouse.com.au

All images used in this publication are the resources of The Graduate Union and public sourced domains.

MONTHLY LUNCHEON

Wednesday, 5th October

12:00pm – 2:00pm

Guest speaker Professor Milé Terziovski will be speaking about “Post-covid Wake-up call for Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to adopt Digital Innovation”

Dine In: Members $37, non-members $42.

Virtual attendance: Members $10, non-members $15

BRIDGE NIGHT

Wednesday, 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th October

7:15pm – 9:30pm

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

SPECIAL MORNING BREAKFAST

Tuesday, 11th October

7:30am – 8:30am

Members and their guests are welcome to join Resident Members for a hearty breakfast at Graduate House. Free for Resident Members, Members $12, non-members $20.

WOMEN’S FORUM

Wednesday, 19th October

10:00am for 10.30am start

The topic of this forum is “What should be done about the women and children detained in Syria?”

The Women’s Forum group extends invitation to new members and welcomes new ideas. Discussions are held in an informal and friendly atmosphere. The group then adjourns for lunch in the dining room. The forum is free. All are welcome.

(03) 9347 3428

admingh@graduatehouse.com.au www.graduatehouse.com.au

NOTICE

We regret that the September Monthly Luncheon was cancelled and apologise for any inconvenience caused to those who pre-booked and were looking forward to this event.

Our hospitality and kitchen department require a weeks notice in order to cater and roster staff properly and we did not meet the numbers required for catering at the closing date of booking.

Therefore we advise that all future bookings be made by the RSVP date. Thank You.

Monthly Luncheon

event)

Monthly Luncheon

(Hybrid event)

It’s never too early to plan your End of Year Christmas party!

Choose between a Traditional Christmas menu or a Summer BBQ menu.

End of Year 2022

Traditional Christmas Menu

Available from 7th November to 19th December. Set menu for lunch or dinner - Table service is 50/50

Entrée

• Seafood salad (gf)

• Herb crusted beef with dijon cream sauce

• Spinach and mushroom quiche (v)(vegetarian option)

Main Course

• Seasoned turkey breast with cranberry and chestnut stuffing served with roasted vegetables and gravy

• Grilled salmon with pineapple salsa served with green pea and pumpkin puree (gf) (df)

• Spinach and ricotta ravioli with creamy mushroom sauce (v) (vegetarian option)

Dessert

• Plum pudding with custard brandy sauce (v)

• Mixed berry pavlova (gf) (v)

• Summer fruit salad (v+) (gf)

• (gf) gluten free (v) vegetarian (v+) vegan (df) dairy free

2-courses $62.00 per person

3-courses $72.80 per person

Minimum 15 guests

Christmas Barbeque Menu

Updated Reciprocal Club Rates from our reciprocal Club partner

Althoff St. James’s Hotel & Club Mayfair in London

Dear fellow esteemed reciprocal clubs, It is a great pleasure to share news of our reciprocal club rates for the remainder of 2022 here at the Althoff St. James’s Hotel & Club - Mayfair, London.

Quoting the sentiment of Samuel Johnson, “when one is tired of London, one is tired of life” hence there is never a good reason needed to justify a visit to the magnificent city of London time and time again, and we are honoured to continue to welcome reciprocal club members from around the globe, welcoming them with our warmest spirit of St. James’s hospitality to their quintessentially British ‘home from home’ here in the British capital, perfectly located in the heart of it all.

We kindly thank you for sharing these details with your members and rest at your disposal for any questions you may have.

Yours Sincerely

Francesco Sardelli – General Manager (email: Francesco@stjameshotelandclub.com)

Yubin Park – Club / Front of House Man (email: Yubin@stjameshotelandclub.com)

The historic Althoff St. James’s Hotel and Club London, renowned for its fabulous Mayfair location, quintessential British design, personalised service, and exquisite Michelin starred gastronomy, is delighted to extend a special rate to Reciprocal Club members.

Located in a discreet and quiet cul-de-sac in the heart of the prestigious area of St. James’s in London’s Mayfair, we are just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace, St. James’s Palace, the Royal Academy of Arts and the exclusive shops of Bond Street, Jermyn Street and the Burlington Arcade, not to mention offering our guests direct access via a discreet passage into the peace and tranquillity of Green Park and only a short stroll to reach the dazzling excitement of the theatres and night life of London’s West End.

Our 60 sumptuous guest rooms and suites afford a truly relaxing, residential environment, some with their own private balconies. Each is luxuriously furnished with beautiful cashmere upholstery and silk-lined walls. Our suites offer additional space to work, relax or entertain, including our wonderful Penthouse Suite with its own private roof top terrace.

Whilst making the Althoff St. James’s Hotel & Club your ‘home from home’ in the British capital, savour award winning Michelin starred gastronomy as well as one of the most extensive wine offerings in the capital.

Seven Park Place by William Drabble Michelin-starred gastronomy in the heart of Mayfair, London

Executive Chef, William Drabble expertly marries Modern-French cuisine with the best British produce the seasons have to offer. His acclaimed tasting menus feature signatures such as Poached Lobster Tail, Seared Hand Dived Scallops, Foie Gras and Lune Valley Lamb. Sample our award-winning wine list as our head Sommelier offers perfectly matched wines for every occasion ranging from our Signature pairing to the most unique wines with our highly exclusive ‘Once in a lifetime pairing.’ – Your culinary journey awaits you!

Discover the world of port and wine at 1857 The Bar

Relaunched in 2021, 1857 The Bar’s menu includes limited, rare, and unusual wines, aged tawnies, single quintas, vintage ports and an extensive range of wines by the glass along with premium spirits and cocktails.

1857 The Bar is the perfect place to drink, dine, socialise and truly immerse yourself in a casual dining and wine experience, surrounded by a chic and relaxed atmosphere, surrounded by an array of delightful art from our resident Rosenstein Art Collection.

We are delighted to extend to our Reciprocal Club Members the following special rates and added benefits during 2022.

Special Reciprocal Club Members Rates 2022

Superior Guest Room: £305.00

Deluxe Guest Room: £330.00

Executive Guest Room £380.00

One Bedroom Junior Suite £480.00

Additional suite rates are available on request. Rates are quoted per room per night, include VAT and are based on double occupancy. A discretionary 5% service charge is applicable.

Your Reciprocal Club rates include: Complimentary Continental Breakfast for 1 Guest –please note a supplement is applicable for a second guest.

Early Check-in and a Complimentary Upgrade* Late Check-out until 2pm*

* Subject to availability

These special conditions are subject to availability at the time of booking and are valid for stays throughout 2022.

Blackout dates apply - Not available on 31st December 2022.

For more information, please contact your respective Club Secretary to inquire with our Reservations team on +44 (0)207 316 1651 or by email at reservations@stjameshotelandclub.com.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Althoff St. James’s Hotel and Club.

St. James’s Hotel & Club, 7-8 Park Place, London SW1A 1LS, United Kingdom Phone: +44 (0) 207 316 1600

Email: info@stjameshotelandclub.com, Website: stjameshotelandclub.com/en

Celebrating Graduate House: 60 years a Residential College

Our interview series continues. Councillor of The Graduate Union, Emeritus Professor Martin Comte OAM sat with two members, Resident member Tze Jian Chin and Student member Yuxuan Luo who, although providing different perspectives, share one common sentiment - both are proud to be a part of the Graduate House collegiality!

Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed. Several people have told me that I must talk to you because of your valuable contribution to Graduate House, not least because you have been extremely successful in getting students involved in sporting activities. Before you tell me about this, let me ask, how long you have been living at Graduate House?

I came here in December last year.

I understand that you are enrolled at The University of Melbourne.

Yes, I am a PhD candidate and just submitted my thesis last month.

Congratulations! Working on a Phd requires a huge commitment. What is your field?

Medicine and Health science. I have been working on it for about four years. (I took a little leave during the height of covid).

Bravo on coming to the end of the journey! Were your prior studies in Malaysia?

Yes, I was born in Ipoh, which is about two hours north of Kuala Lumpur. My undergraduate and master degrees are both from Malaysia – a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and a Master of Biomedicine.

What was your Phd research on?

Basically, it’s about the effect of statins on cognition. In my group, we have 30 years of data, from 1992. We looked at statin usage in people. When the participants in this ongoing research came in, we looked at their statin usage and cognition, and gave them various neuro-cognitive tests. Essentially, we compared the results from statin users and non-statin users. We have found some very interesting and important results.

Have your results shown that cognition can be affected by statin usage over time?

Yes. But, of course, cognitive impairment can also just be related to age, not necessarily to statin usage.

Interview with Resident member Tze Jian Chin

How will your research be used?

That’s a very good question. My research definitely showed that something is going on in relation to statins and cognition. But my results cannot be generalised: they apply to a particular, defined cohort.

What would you like to do now?

I am applying for jobs in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology fields. The particular job I would like is in Medical Science Liaison (MSL). I have been trying hard with applications, but even though the advertisements don’t always say they require someone with experience, it is only after I enquired that this is mentioned. I am only ‘entry level’ but I’m competing with others who have experience. This has been a bit disheartening. I’m also applying for jobs in medical departments; maybe clinical research.

You are not alone in feeling this frustration; many others in your situation have expressed similar thoughts. The irony is that you need to get a job in order to get the experience that companies are looking for. Don’t give up! And, of course, the research that you have been engaged in for your PhD has given you valuable experience in itself. You’re at the point where not only are you on top of current thinking in the field – but you also, clearly, have the desire and enthusiasm to continue learning and researching. Indeed, there are some who believe that people like you, who have just completed a PhD, are so keen that they work twice as hard as some others – and often bring new insights and perspectives to whatever the task is.

Thank you for this encouragement.

You came to Melbourne about four years ago?

Yes, when I arrived at the end of July in 2018, I stayed initially in a ‘homestay’ in Brunswick. It was a very good experience because it helped me to get to know quickly more about the culture here. And then, in 2019 I moved to Newman College until September 2020 when I returned to Malaysia because my mother was sick. I remained there for 15 months, partly because of travel restrictions and also because I took leave from my PhD studies for five months. I resumed my studies in March last year but didn’t come back to Melbourne until last December when I was part of Victoria’s International Student Arrival program; the government arranged a flight for us. I decided to live in Graduate House because I think that most residential colleges are more suitable for undergraduates.

I had heard great things about Graduate House, which focuses on graduates. I feel that the life of a graduate research student can be very lonely and isolated and I believed that by coming here I would get to meet people from all walks of life – not just students. And others who are in residence here have life experiences that I can also learn from. It has been a good decision. As a postgraduate student, and at my age, I didn’t want the ‘scrutiny’ that is associated with most residential colleges.

I understand what you are saying. I have lived as a postgraduate student in a college, and also been a Deputy Head in one and an Associate Dean in another. Many people at Graduate House have spoken so positively of what you have done since coming here in trying involve the residents in various sporting activities and other events.

I’m a member of the committee of The Graduate House Student Group (GHSG). I’m the Sports Coordinator. I play a lot of sports, even though I don’t excel in every one of them. I’m certainly a sports enthusiast and very passionate about sports. I also watch a lot of sports, mostly soccer, but since coming here I have a new favourite sport – AFL. I support Geelong. I’m also a Duty Resident here and am most grateful to Daniel Clark for the trust he has put in me in appointing me to this position. I had a similar appointment at Newman College where I was a Duty Tutor. All of this has given me very valuable experience.

Tze Jian Chin

I’ve been told that you have really encouraged students (and other residents) to get involved. We would like to get even more resident involvement at Graduate House, not only in sports, but in other areas as well. What you have managed to do with respect to sport is such a wonderful example to all of us. What else should we be doing in order to make the place a more vibrant and inviting one?

Apart from sports, we also have an Activities Coordinator as part of our Graduate House student group; unfortunately, she has left and her position have not been replaced. Sometimes we have organised activities like a movie night or a games night. I’m a little disappointed that this semester has not been as successful as semester 1. Part of this, I feel, is that there is not the same sense of coherence among us. Of course, in semester 1, it was the start of a new year and everyone was much more interested in meeting people and socialising. But I don’t feel the same sense of collegiality this semester. Part of the problem, I think, is that the student group itself needs to be much more active; we ourselves need to show more leadership.

It concerns me when I see several residents eating at a table alone. (I realise, of course, that sometimes people do just want to eat by themselves - but I don’t think this is the norm.)

I agree. My experience of living in a residential college convinces me that a round table is more conducive to conversation. Certainly, long tables are not as effective because it is impossible to engage in conversation with everyone. Meal times can be an important way of meeting other residents and making friends. It’s understandable, of course, that some people tend to feel more comfortable eating with those from their own language group – but it would be nice if they could also be encouraged to mix more as they develop confidence. In other words, the residents themselves have to be encouraged to be open to meeting others; and in one sense they have to help themselves before anyone can help them.

Perhaps the student committee could take a lead in encouraging students to meet and engage in conversation at meal time – and, of course, at other times as well?

I agree. I think we on the student committee need to re-examine our structure and role so that we can do more to involve residents and help make Graduate House even more vibrant. It is important that we function effectively as a team; and we need to show more enthusiasm ourselves.

Is there anything that the management or The Graduate Union Council can do to assist?

I think it is best if it comes from the residents themselves. As I have said, I think that our student committee needs to reflect on what we do and how we can contribute more effectively into the future.

It is a challenge for all of us. But I do think that we have not been as effective this semester as we were in semester 1.

I am sure that coming out of two years of Covid lockdowns has not made things easy for anyone but, as you say, now is the time for re-examining past practices and considering new possibilities as we confront the ‘post-covid’ era which has also seen the admission of a limited number of undergraduate students as residents.

Can you give us some advice about how to start afresh at the beginning of next year?

I hope there will be a new student committee that will be highly engaged with all residents, recognising that we have different age groups, students at different stages of their university experience, and residents who are here as visiting professors for various periods of time. It is important that the enthusiasm and ‘momentum’ be maintained throughout the year and not drop off the in the second part of the year, as has tended to be the case this year.

I thank you for what you have done since coming here last December. you sense of enthusiasm and love of sport has clearly been of benefit to many residents. Thank you too for your important contribution as Duty Resident. And you have done all of this valuable work whilst completing your Phd thesis! All of us at Graduate House are indebted to you. Good wishes for the next stage of your career.

Jian (centre) with Resident members - all three were winners of the Inhouse Graduate House Tennis tournament held in May.

Interview with Member Yuxuan Luo

Thank you for agreeing to this interview.

I understand that although you are from Mainland China, you did much of your schooling in Singapore, then came to The University of Melbourne to study for your Bachelor degree in Chemistry, and now you’re enrolled in a PhD in Chemical Engineering. How many years were you living in Singapore?

My parents, who live in Guanzhou, wanted me to study in Singapore and I was there for eight years, from 2008. I remember that I arrived just three days after the beginning of the Beijing Olympics in August of that year. I was enrolled at an English-speaking school, but my English was poor and I initially found it hard to fit-in because communication was not easy. But I came to enjoy it. I completed secondary school and then enrolled in a Diploma in Applied Chemistry (Pharmaceutical Science) at the Singapore Polytechnic. After graduating I worked for two companies, both of which were involved in research. One was with MSD pharmaceutical making drugs for Type 2 Diabetes. I then came to Melbourne in June 2016 and enrolled in a Bachelor of Science with a Major in Chemistry. I was given exemptions in six subjects, so completed my degree in two-and-a-half years.

My parents came here for my graduation. I had planned to get engaged to my girlfriend (also from China, but she studied in Singapore as well) and we were going to work in Singapore. But The University of Melbourne offered me a scholarship to do a Master by Research degree – and they gave me a stipend as well which was supported by a company called Ixom.

You must have been an excellent student to have been offered such a scholarship. These are only given to outstanding students.

I just worked very hard. At first I didn’t want to take the scholarship because of the plans my girlfriend and I had. But her parents and my parents encouraged me to continue studying in Melbourne. So too did my girlfriend, so our plans were put ‘on hold’. Our parents are friends and all of them live in Guanzhou, including my girlfriend.

That was a very big decision you made. And now you have another scholarship with stipend to pursue your PhD?

Yes, I’m very grateful to have a stipend for this as well. And I’m still working as a consultant with Ixom, the company that supported my Master’s project.

What are you researching for your PhD?

I’m working on a project involved with mineral processing. The aim is to produce dry stackable mineral tailing that is geotechnically stable. Mineral tailings sometimes have properties of high water content which may lead to the collapse of the storage facility. Our research is trying to prevent this from happening. We are hoping to complete the experimentation within the three-and-a-half years of my PhD studies and produce some relevant publications.

How did you get involved in Graduate House?

I’m not living here. I have a friend, Kushimoto Kizuku, a visiting Assistant Professor from Japan, who is living in Graduate House. He is working in our laboratory and we have become close friends. Earlier this year he took me to Graduate House for lunch and dinner and I thought that the food is good, and I liked the people – they are very friendly. So I started eating here and made friends with some of the other residents. I have lunch here almost every day – and I have brought many of my friends and colleagues here. These are friends from chemical engineering, chemistry, aeronautical engineering – most of them studying for a PhD.

Yuxuan Luo

But you are not living here?

No, I am living by myself in a flat in North Melbourne. I share it with my dog and pet rabbit.

I’m most impressed that you have introduced many friends to Graduate House who, like you, are not residents but come here for lunch or dinner.

Yes, they love the food here. Also, I organise some events. I’m the co-ordinator of the Postgraduate Association of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Researchers (PACBER), We’re planning a lunch for the PhD students later this month – a group of 35 to 40 people.

You are such a good publicity agent for Graduate House!

I would love to bring more people here. Graduate House has nice food and it’s a good place for people to socialise. But I don’t think that many students know about this place.

This is something that we are trying really hard to address. We want university students like you to visit us and see what we have to offer. And hopefully many more students will want to use our services.

Some of the students I have introduced to Graduate House are now considering taking out a membership – which for graduate students is extremely cheap. And then lunch or dinner is even cheaper! And I also use the car park sometimes; it is much cheaper than the university parking. I also socialise sometimes with residents on weekends. For example, we have gone on road trips. At other times some of the residents have come to my place and we have all cooked together. Several of my colleagues from the university laboratory have also joined in. I know that the residents at Graduate House also have their own sporting and other activities and I’m looking forward to becoming involved in some of them.

You are a wonderful example of what Graduate House offers to students who are not residents. I wish that more postgraduate students like you knew about the things we offer.

Thank you. And sometimes I have both lunch and dinner here. I was surprised at first that many of the friends I had introduced to Graduate House had never been before. But I have discovered that the reason is they didn’t know anything about it. They didn’t know how affordable the meals are. And many thought that

it looks a bit ‘fancy’ from the outside and the price for lunch or dinner might be too expensive. You need to have a sign that encourages them to come in and look around. Most students just walk straight past.

I have also brought students here who are studying at other universities but live close by. Some of them, for example, are studying at Monash University.

I think we should appoint you as a publicist for Graduate House. What else could we do to make Graduate House more welcoming to people who just normally pass by?

I also think that Graduate House should promote some of the activities and events that it offers. This needs to be seen by people as they walk past. For example, some of the lunches that feature special speakers, or some of the student activities that have the potential to involve non-residents. There are many possibilities. Even the car parking is cheaper than the university car parking! But I don’t want to say this too loudly in case it becomes difficult for me! [Laughs]

Basically, there are so many good things about Graduate House. We just need to get people to come in through the front door and it will be easy to convince them of the benefits it offers. I had walked past here hundreds and hundreds of times during my years at the university, and I had no idea of what it offered. There is the challenge. A banner alone is not enough. Show people the menu – and the pricing. We have a group chat at the university for our PhD students and most days I check what the luncheon menu is and I circulate it to the 27 members of our group. Several of us eat here every day.

Thank you Yuxuan. You’re a wonderful publicist for Graduate House. I wish you every success with your PhD and your future. You are indeed a special person.

Yuxuan’s dog and pet rabbit relaxing at home.

The flaw in Mabo and the issue of sovereignty

By Life Member, Louis Coutts

Louis is an Honorary Life Member of International Commission of Jurists Victoria and a lawyer of many years standing. Also, a Life member of The Graduate Union, Mr Louis A. Coutts contributes regularly to our newsletter publications. He recently conducted a lengthly research into the issue of sovereignty and shares the outcome of his research below.

The thirtieth anniversary of the decision of the High Court in the Mabo case, recognising Native Title, has been celebrated as though it was the final and official expurgation of the crimes committed in this country against the indigenous population over the past two hundred years. It was nothing of the sort and in fact constructed an impenetrable legal fortress around the one principle that is the fundamental grievance of the descendants of the original occupiers of this county. That is the issue of sovereignty. The refusal of the High Court to permit the Aboriginal people to challenge the legality of sovereignty was an essential step in firstly enabling the Court to recognise Native Title and secondly to establish that because sovereignty vested in the Crown after Captain Cook’s proclamation in 1770, the Crown had the right to dispossess the indigenous people of their land. In the words of Brennan J “Native Title has been washed away by the tide of history”.

The fact that the High Court refused to permit the indigenous people from challenging the validity of sovereignty is a get out of gaol pass to keep that genie locked in the bottle. In 1979 an Aborigine by the name of Coe applied to the Court in a challenge to the validity of the proclamation of sovereignty only to be told ty by the Court that he couldn’t argue the case in our Courts. In Mabo, the High Court followed that decision and thus enabled it to justify the dispossession that has taken place over the past two hundred years on the grounds that the dispossession was the right of the sovereign..

I cannot believe that legal scholars have overlooked the fact that this decision to prevent the challenge of sovereignty has no foundation in law. It is based upon a doctrine established in a scandalous decision of the Privy Council in 1791 in which it legitimised the pillage of the wealth of the Nabob of Carnatic without giving him the opportunity to argue his case. The Privy Council came up with the principle that issues arising out of a treaty between two sovereign people cannot

be adjudicated in an English Court. Such a treaty is said to be an Act of State. But here is the rub. For an Act of State to operate to deny a party access to justice in an English Court, there must be a treaty between two sovereign people. Accordingly, to claim that an Act of State deprived the Aboriginal people from challenging the validity of sovereignty in our Courts it would be necessary to establish that they are sovereign people, not to mention the necessity for a treaty. The very refusal to allow them to challenge sovereignty would need to be based on an admission of sovereignty. No wonder the High Court won’t let them argue the case because it would then have to adjudicate on the validity of sovereignty which is precisely what the Aboriginal people want to establish. It is also interesting that in 1970, the High Court in England refused to follow the decisions upon which the High Court relied in refusing the indigenous people the right to challenge sovereignty..

So, was the proclamation of sovereignty by Captain Cook and others legal?

In 1770, the laws of England and International law provided that sovereignty could only pass to an occupier of territory if the land was unoccupied, obtained by conquest or by treaty. In the event of conquest, the laws of the conquered continued until altered by Parliament (but as the land was said to be unoccupied, it could not be conquered). Thus emerged the scandalous doctrine of “Terra Nullius” which was enshrined in our Constitution until 1967. So, in 1770 and again in 1788, this land was occupied by an ancient civilisation, there was no treaty and it certainly was not conquered. Perhaps this makes it clearer why the High Court clings desperately to discredited legal theory to prevent the Aboriginal people from challenging the validity of sovereignty.

Once it is established that sovereignty never passed to the Crown in 1770 or 1788, the argument that the Crown had a sovereign right to dispossess the then ancient occupiers of this land collapses.

Rotary helps mark Nelson Mandela Day with Youth summit

By President of Rotary Club of Carlton, Ian Ada

Nelson Mandela International Day, established by the United Nations, was celebrated on 18th July. Nelson Mandela Day is a global call to action that celebrates the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world, and the ability to make an impact.

Since 2020 the Centre for Optimism in Melbourne has organised a Nelson Mandela Youth Leadership Summit on this day to bring together a diverse group of youth to create a gathering of connected future leaders. This year eighty-eight students from a number of Melbourne and Shepparton schools came together in the Legislative Assembly Chamber of the Victorian Parliament to listen to international leaders and to experience speaking in the Chamber.

The Rotary Clubs of Carlton, Fitzroy, Collingwood and Richmond were responsible for liaising with secondary schools in their area to have about twenty students selected to attend the Summit. Seven students from Princes Hill Secondary College participated, accompanied by assistant principal Anthony Avotins. Key note speakers included the President of Nelson Mandela Day Australia Dr Steve Rametse, the Ambassador for Ukraine Vasyl Myroshnychenko; and

the Consul General for the USA, Kathleen Lively. Students had the chance to sit in the Speaker’s chair and chair individual speaker’s sessions.

Dr Rametse had been imprisoned in apartheid South Africa before escaping to Botswana and eventually being accepted as a refugee in Australia. He provided many examples from Mandela’s speeches about the role of leadership, optimism and resilience. He noted that everyone can make a difference if they are dedicated to, and passionate about, what they do, and when people are determined they can achieve anything. One of Mandela’s well-known quotes was ‘resentment was like drinking a poison and expecting it to kill your enemies’.

Ambassador Myroshnychenko gave a potted history of his own leadership journey. He was an exchange student for a year in the USA at age 15. He studied at a range of universities in Kyiv, the United States and United Kingdom, and joined the European Youth Parliament at 19. He has helped 800 young people get scholarships at the best European and North American universities. The Ambassador co-founded the youth public organization European Youth Parliament - Ukraine

of which he was the President for the first three years. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Kyiv. He also spoke about resilience and the role of young people in changing the world. He said resilience comes from optimism in a better future. Youth can make a difference by using social media and their phone was their most powerful tool.

Consul-General Lively focused her talk on the role of women in leadership and foreign policy, particularly in the United States. She noted that the first female Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and new Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy were trailblazers. She also noted that resilience came from youth who believe in themselves, and staying vigilant and informed about issues.

Other speakers included Mount Everest summiteer Daniel Bull, Rotary District Governor Mandi Wendt, and South East Water CEO, Lara Olsen.

The key message from these speakers was that, although they all had different stories and backgrounds, all agreed that having optimism and being resilient and persistent helps make a great leader.

The youth were then invited to come to the microphones and share their views on optimism and leadership. About 20 took advantage and expressed optimism for the future, although from different viewpoints.

The conclusion was that the Summit provided such a positive environment to empower the youth present to believe that change was possible. This was emphasized in the conclusions drawn by a couple of the Princes Hill students

“

Great opportunity to meet like-minded people to discuss some generational type plans and share hope and optimism.” — Thomas Zarro, Year 10.

“

So many different speakers leading the way on leadership, hope and optimism. Thanks so much. Awesome.” — Celeste Rose, Year 8.

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

If you would like to join us on any of these meetings, to find out a little more about Rotary, please give me a ring beforehand, and we would make you most welcome”Ian Ada

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

Princes Hill Secondary College (PHSC) students

Ambassador for Ukraine, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, speaking at the Summit

August Monthly Luncheon

Wednesday, 3rd August

Annalise Jennings

The four ancient age-old principles of ‘the making of community’ and its application to the corporate and the mainstream

At the August Monthly Luncheon, guest speaker

Annalise Jennings shared her remarkable story of how empowering people and helping them gain a sense of connection and belonging could transform a disadvantaged aboriginal community.

Annalise’s family moved from Sicily, Italy to Australia several decades ago and resided in Carlton. This presentation was in honour of the entrepreneurial spirit of the migrants who came to Australia all those years ago that have helped shape the Italian business community.

Annalise’s story was about the aboriginal community of Napranum. Napranum (when translated, means ‘meeting place’) is situated on the western coast of Cape York Peninsula in remote Far North Queensland and is home to approximately 1000 indigenous people. She started her presentation with a tribute to her tribal mother, Thanikwithi Elder and Traditional owner, Maryann Coconut, whose language name Amomanja means sugar glider.

Annalise was in corporate banking for 25 years and it was during a holiday to Cape York in 2010 where she chanced upon the community while visiting friends and became deeply connected with some indigenous Cape elders, and learnt that they were interested in community ownership. In these conversations, Annalise heard the aspirations and hopes from a young group of women. What really struck her was when they told her, ‘nothing is ever going to change around here’. To aspire for better education, jobs and careers were a far away dream from the reality of these aboriginal people and she was left breathless. Together, they began to wonder how her corporate experience might be adapted to help recognize the dreams of this hopeful community; and so in November 2011 Napranum, in partnership with Dynamic Exchange embraced the ‘Whole of Community Change’ philosophy, embarking on a journey that led to community transformation and the path to self determination.

The program began with extensive community engagement and the identification of community values. Annalise shared with us the core principles from her time in banking, but it wasn’t until she starting working with these aboriginal people that she

was able to impart her knowledge, adapt and refine these principles to meet the challenges ahead.

• Belonging - which comes with a sense of engagement, inclusion, and creation and accountability for their part in creating this strong and connected community. Belonging is also about connection to country.

• Connectedness - Des and Estelle Bowens were the first two elders who introduced Annalise into their community, taking her out to their billabong and outer country and sharing stories of their fight of the aboriginal people. Hearing those heartbreaking stories only confirmed that she felt called to do something and would not be returning to corporate banking anytime soon. Annalise had no idea at that time, on how long she will be in the community but 6 years later, she was still completely immersed in their development . Connectedness is a sense of oneness.. where we are each connected to one another’s successes or failures

• Caring for the Whole - involving leaving individual agendas and egos behind, coming together where everyone is equal and taking part in creating a community that works for all.

• Shifting from problem to possibility – from paternalism, punishment and prohibition to community owners and self-determination. A community change was created by working towards economic and community growth, with focus on balancing and building the spiritual wellbeing of the Napranum people.

• Welcoming the stranger – an important factor to the people of Napranum so we may all tap into one another’s wisdom. Welcoming the stranger is the essence of a restorative community

When she began, Annalise knew nothing about aboriginal people, their policy and so relied on her capacity to listen, learn and co-create with the community. Gathering enough data, she pulled together a visionary plan and the workshops were represented by the local community, other organisations, federal and State government who all came together to plan

and create as one community. When asked to paint their vision for the future that they imagined would be, the list were :

war memorial, school, buses, supermarket, takeaway food, restaurants, roads, library, civic centre, sports oval streetlights, speed bumps, birthing centre, playground...etc.

This ‘wish list’ looked like a basic list which most take for granted…but imagine living in a town where there was no supermarket to buy groceries. There was no library, few streetlights and no public transport. The reality was that Napranum was labelled as the 2nd poorest community in Queensland and youth suicide was increasing at a younger age, with numeracy, literacy, health standards and career opportunities falling short of national standards.

After about 18 months into working in the community, Annalise felt drowned and began to question if she was really making a difference. While feeling homesick and doubting and if she could really support the shift to community ownership, Maryann shared this quote “Life is like a rose….never take your eyes off the rose at the end of the stems… along that stem there are many thorns’, and with that, she took a deep breath, continued on and overcame every challenge that came along the way.

Annalise ran workshops with more than 500 people from a broad cross-section of the community from youth, workers and parents and a programme called Women of Worth which saw many women speaking up and taking leadership roles for the first time. Within two years, the direct result of SHIFT in action could be seen. They included:

• a 60 per cent increase in employment.

• a 40 per cent increase in community owned infrastructure.

• Housing joint venture established for the first time.

• Indigenous people designing their own homes.

• a massive 50 per cent decrease in adult domestic violence.

For twelve years, Napranum didn’t have a supermarket. Residents made do with a little ‘knock-knock’ shop, a little place with a shutter that opened when you knock and sold a variety of things. Annalise recalled attending the supermarket opening.

More construction included a music centre, accommodation units and new roads. With the erection of the town signage, a proud community was formed. A new library was established in the name of Maryann Coconut and at the opening, excited kids were lining up and banging at the door to get into the library. A war memorial was established in the spot where Napranum men were enlisted and it was a proud military historical day and especially significant

Napranum Supermarket

Annalise Jennings

Napranum War Memorial

because aboriginal men were not always recognised as veterans. The new cultural centre represented the healing of the community. The Napranum community had by then become a part of Annalise’s family.

So the ’Whole of Community Change’, with five community values, which took 3 month to establish were:

• Community Ownership – we take responsibility to create a community that belongs to us.

• Accountability – all our actions are transparent, seen felt and heard.

• Community engagement – listening and hearing with mutual respect, creating a sense of belonging.

• Fairness – Community in unity, focused effort

• Working together – a 1000 ‘deadly’ voices singing the same song.

A key outcome was the development of a strong community responsible for social change. The degree to which the community and government was responding to community priorities had also improved. In 2011 a values survey was carried out and the index showed a community in crises. A second survey in 2013, after implementing leadership, strategy and community programmes , revealed the index dropping to a healthy community. Further surveys were undertaken in 2014 and 2016 to benchmark progress. And so as the ripple affect continued - the focus was on ‘possibility’.

With these results Annalise and Maryann were invited to attend the CTT International Conference in Toronto where Maryann and Annalise stood on the global stage to share the story of Napranum’s community transformation and deliver a key note address of hope, love and infinite possibilities. Together, they shared the journey, approaches and lessons learned with leaders looking to build full spectrum communities globally. It was a moment beyond emotional.

Annalise’s program Whole of Community Change was selected as a finalist in the prestigious 2016 Banskia Foundation Sustainability Awards, in recognition of her achievements in addressing the United Nations Global Goals for Sustainability and Leadership. In 2017 she was invited to the Oslo Nobel Peace Prize Awards in recognition of her community work.

About 6 years into the community, Annalise was taken to Bouchat Traditional Land where she became the adopted tribal daughter of Mary Ann Coconut’s clan and was blessed with the aboriginal name “Kili”. Kili represents the Lorikeet totem and is a symbol of the bridge between the human and the Divine…. the messenger between heaven and earth, an honour that Annalise held close to her heart.

Annalise concluded her presentation with a message from Mary Ann Coconut:

“My feeling is that this is a spiritual journey, and I’m so over joyed at the transformation of our community; which I have witnessed.”

Thank you Annalise, for an emotionally charged and extraordinary story of a journey that seemed impossible; was actually possible.

Annalise (right) with her tribal mother, Maryann Coconut

The Women’s Forum

The Women’s Forum meets at Graduate House on the 3rd Wednesday each month. The forum was founded by someone who found that when going to dinner parties with her husband, the women in the group scarcely got a look-in in the conversation.

At the forum, everyone is welcome to speak. Only two rules need to be observed. The first is that, each person wanting to speak may do so for up to ten minutes without interruption, after which the session will transit to become an open discussion. Some attendees have preferred to join in at this stage where the discussion is general, having learnt something from the previous speakers.

The other rule is that while regular attendance is encouraged, if something comes up, there is no need to apologise, though of course we like to know how people are. And if we can help.

At every meeting we choose topics for future meetings. They are not particularly academic - just topics we have read about or heard about and would like to discuss in a friendly atmosphere, perhaps with people who are more informed than we are since we all have different backgrounds and experience.

We arrive in time for a 10.30am start, finish about 12noon and have lunch at the Graduate House dining room, if we want to.

For the last meeting of the year, we bring cartoons which have amused us from newspapers or magazines to share with the rest of the group.

We would welcome new members to have fun with us and sometimes to share surplus fruit or jams.

extends invitation to new members and welcomes new ideas. Any age, any discipline are welcome.

Discussions are held in an informal and friendly atmosphere room. The forum is free.

A wedding at Graduate House

On the 8th August, Graduate House was transformed into a wedding venue for graduate students Xingkun Xu and Lihuan Guan. Fifty closest friends of the bride and groom gathered at 9am in the Johnston Library to witness the exchanging of vows and signing of marriage papers. Both Xingkun and Lihuan hail from China and although their parents were not able to attend in person, they were able to witness the ceremony via live streaming.

This was followed by a wedding reception in the combined Stillwell and Ian Potter room which was transformed into a glamorous and stunning setting

with wedding bouquets and floral table centrepieces. Canapes and pre lunch drinks were served.

Donned in traditional wedding outfits, the newly weds joined their guests at the reception and took part in the popular “Chinese wedding door games”. Other activities included speeches, performing the traditional “crosscupped” wine drinking ceremony and cutting the wedding cake. After changing into modern formal attire, the newly weds had their first dance as husband and wife.

The Graduate House Team wishes them a harmonious union and a happy life together!

The Johnston Library transformed into a wedding ceremony venue with an aisle and chairs lining both sides of the room.

The stunning setting wedding reception in the Stillwell/Ian Potter room

The wedding cake

Traditional “cross-cupped” wine drinking

First dance as husband and wife

Thank you Graduate House team for making sure that this event was a huge success!

Graduate House Dining Room

Thank you for your feedback!

I have had the pleasure of attending a Leadership Victoria Course for 5 days over the past month at Graduate House which has always been a pleasure to visit in previous years. What I wanted to do though was provide particular feedback about the staff who catered in the dining area and looked after us on our course in the rooms there.

I am very remiss to say that I didn’t retain any names, but there were in particular two ladies and one gentleman who not only looked after both the technology and setup but also kept an eye on clean crockery, coffee, morning tea setup etc.

It was an absolute delight to be looked after by your staff. I am a morning person so was onsite at 7.30am every day of my course, and sat in the space, and the graciousness of your teams, to make sure I was just okay, that I was comfy, that there was a pleasant smile and a little morning discussion just to say hello and check in was really thoughtful and it made the experience just so much better.

I know at times we focus on the spaces, and the course, but without that team that just ensured during breaks - making sure that everything was cleaned up, that they looked after us in the dining hall, were there just to help with any queries - cannot be understated enough as to how that enhances an experience for an attendee and I wanted to pass on my sincere thanks to the crew and hope to have the opportunity to have another course at Graduate House soon.

Many thanks, Rudi Pavani

Along with my friends, I enjoyed the CHRISTMAS IN JULY function. The food was outstanding, the pavlovas were so tasty and the prawns were splendid. Equal to the best ever! Then we saw Shirley’s great photo in the latest magazine, and our enjoyment was made obvious! To mention that the staff were so friendly is not new and is always a regular feature of Graduate House which makes lunch so pleasant. Thus our thanks go out to all the staff, and my best wishes are extended to everyone who made our Christmas delights come true.

The meats were tasty and the seafood was especially enjoyed. Pity Christmas cannot be every week! The roast was enjoyed and the roast vegetables are always great at the Bistro, especially the roast pumpkin.

The dining room was decorated as expected for a Christmas lunch. Pity not everyone donned the party hats offered. Everything was tasteful and not overdone. My friends never refuse an invitation to CHRISTMAS IN JULY!

Life member, Darren Room

Thanks for a great event and an impeccable delivery. Serving, food, flowers, and the rest of the settings were amazing!

Nicolás S. Diban, Master of Engineering Management and Master of Enterprise - The University of Melbourne

Full house@Graduate House Dining Room. Life Member Darren Room and friends enjoying Wednesday Roast.

Seen at the piano: Regular patron Mac Nicolls.

Residents Christmas In July party

The Residents Christmas In July Party on 29th July was a fun event that was enjoyed by all! The atmosphere got livelier as the evening went and as resident and Graduate House Students Group (GHSG) event organiser Chika Tada put it, “it was the best time in Graduate House ever for me!” Chika was instrumental in assisting the staff with the organising and setting up for this party from initial planning right up to the last minute details.

Members, guests and Resident members started arriving from 6pm onwards, chatting and gathering at first around the rear end of the dining room which had tables decorated with Christmas trimmings and bonbons. By 7pm, the tables were full and everyone enjoyed the seafood fare for entreé, traditional Christmas for main meals and desserts to follow.

The karaoke session gradually began just before 8pm. Many took to the microphone, belting out popular songs and some sang non-English songs and by 9:30pm the floor was turned into a disco dance area. The dancing and singing continued until after 10:30pm.

The art and craft tables attracted great attention, showcasing the brilliant works of some of our very talented Residents. Victor had a collection of origami figurines and Rosemary had her amigurumi (the Japanese art of crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures) which were admired by all. Residents also enjoyed table games of chinese checkers.

As Chika said, “A good time flies by so quickly! I enjoyed it fully from the beginning till the end. It was also a good opportunity to get to know new residents who arrived recently for the second semester ”.

Valete

Mrs Nancye Cain (4/1/1932 - 6/9/2022)

The Graduate Union extends its deepest condolences to the family of Mrs Nancye Cain, adored wife of The Honorable John Cain (deceased).

Nancye passed away peacefully on Tuesday, 6th September 2022. Nancye and John were married for 64 years. John passed away in December 2019, after suffering a stroke.

The Honourable John Cain was the 14th President of The Graduate Union from November 2005 until November 2011, serving two full-terms. During John’s role as office bearer, Nancy was a supportive wife who attended most of the events at Graduate House.

Nancye was also seen on many occasions accompanying John to functions during his tenureship as the 41st Premier of Victoria.

Rest in Peace, Nancye.

Organisation Groups

We thank the following groups for their event bookings at Graduate House in July and August 2022

Academic Administration, UoM

Australian Society for Music Education (ASME)

Victorian Chapter

Association of German Teachers of Victoria Inc. (AGTV)

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

Australian Asian Association (AAA)

Australian Italian Lawyers Association (AILA)

Australian School of Applied Management (ASAM)

Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network (AURIN)

Brigadier Bob Slater AM’s event

Child and Community Wellbeing Unit

Darcy Seller event

Department of Infrastructure Engineering

Dept of Social Work

IHemp Victoria Association

Leadership Victoria

Master of Engineering Management Student Community

Melba Group

Melbourne Graduate School of Education

Melbourne School of Professional and Continuing Education (MSPACE)

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Australia

Order of St. John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller Incorportated Parkville Conference of St Vincent de Paul Per Capita Inc.

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Phoenix Australia - Centre for Posttrauamtic Mental Health

Probus Club of Carlton

Quiet Revolution Group Research, Innovation and Commecialisation

Retired Veterinarians Group

Rhodes Scholars’ Association, Victoria Richard Thwaites

Rotary Club of CarltonRulethirteen Slavery Links

Social Education Victoria (SEV)

Social TransformatIon and Education (MGSE)

Soil Productivity Group

Teacher Education Academic Group

Xingkun XU and Lihuan Guan’s wedding event

The Honourable John (deceased) and Nancye Cain

2022 Midyear Annual Appeal

Funding Graduate House Residential Scholarships

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