PERIODICAL NEWSLETTER OF THE GRADUATE UNION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE INCORPORATED
OUR NEW CHAIRMAN by Mr Neil Taylor As the 2004-2005 Chairman of The Graduate Union Council, it has been suggested I provide members with a resume of my background and goals for our Graduate Union.
PRINT POST APPROVED PP337834/00022 REGISTERED ASSOCIATION No. AA0023234B August 2004 Volume 57 No. 3 www.graduatehouse.com.au
CONTENTS Calendar Of Graduate House Events New Members Letters Annual General Meeting Residents and Members Valete Luncheon Speakers Property Report Book Review Donations to the Building Fund
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Born in Bendigo, my primary education was at the local rural school and secondary education at what is now Bendigo Senior Secondary College. I attended Bendigo Teachers’ College and have qualifications from the University of Melbourne and the University of Toronto and New England in Science, Education and Local History respectively. I retired from teaching in 1988 and have been involved in our publishing business established in 1967 since that time. We specialise in plan and record books for teachers entitled, Australasian Teachers Chronicle and in recent years a computer program under the title Electronic Teachers Chronicle.
I am a Life Fellow of the Australian College of Educators. As a Graduate Assistant at Toronto University, I had the good fortune of studying with students of twenty or so nationalities and have made lifelong friends from those days. This is the background which makes me enthused about the Graduate Union – not only do I envisage the importance of it to our residents, both local and international, but also as meeting a wide variety of needs of our members in all age groups. Your Council is investigating the whole range of Graduate Union activities. For example, the Graduate Union could become the city base of our country members. I can assure readers many ideas will be considered to make full use of our new facilities. With a talented and hardworking staff and a committed and enthusiastic Council, the Graduate Union’s members can look forward to a great future where new directions and visions can build on our proud and substantial past.
I have been a Life Member of The Graduate Union since 1974 and a member of Graduate Council since 2001. In 2004 I was elected to the office of Vice Chairman, Chairman of House Board and a member of the Accounting and Audit Committee. In the past I have been Chairman of a Staff Association, the Mornington Information and Support Centre Incorporated, the Peninsula Science Teachers’ Association and President of the Mornington Historical Society Incorporated.
I married my wife Dorothy in 1957 and we have four adult children and six grandchildren. We have lived in Mornington since 1964. My daughter Carole, a graduate of the University of Melbourne is Deputy Director of the Law Library at the Ohio State University, her husband, also a graduate of the University of Melbourne is a Professor of Equine Studies at OSU. My son Chesley is a Director of EL&C Baillieu and our younger daughter, Wendy is a former social worker writer for The Age on Human Resources. Our youngest child Philip, a graduate of Monash University, manages our business.
PROGRESS ON THE NEW BUILDING
Upper floors under construction
THE GRADUATE UNION of The University of Melbourne Inc. August 2004 volume 57 No.3 1
THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE CALENDAR OF GRADUATE HOUSE EVENTS FORTHCOMING LUNCHEONS AND DINNER 1 SeptProfessor Peter McPhee, Deputy ViceChancellor (Academic) 6 OctMs Laura Muman, CEO Melbourne Zoo 29 OctSpring Dinner - Speaker: Professor Geoffrey Blainey 3 NovMr Adrian Collette, CEO Opera Australia 1 DecMs Dianne Riley, CEO State Library 17 DecMembers Christmas Party REGULAR EVENTS 1st Monday each monthItalian Conversation Dinner 6.30 for 7pm 1st Wednesday each monthLuncheon, 12.30 for 12.50pm 2nd Friday each monthGradlinks’ Dinner 6pm for 6.30pm 4th Friday each monthSolos’ Dinner 7pm for 8pm Last Monday each monthWomen’s Forum 10am The Melbourne Graduate is normally published four times a year by The Graduate Union of The University of Melbourne Incorporated. It is edited by Geoffrey Dye and Lyn Weston, under the direction of the Graduate Council and its Execurtive Committee. The Melbourne Graduate welcomes letters from readers and reserves the right to edit them for publication. Please keep word count to a maximum of 250 and address to The Editors, The Melbourne Graduate. Registered Address: The Graduate Union 224 Leicester Street, Carlton Victoria 3053 Australia Telephone: (03)9347-3428 Facsimile (03) 9347-9981 www.graduatehouse.com.au email: sec@graduatehouse.com.au Printed by: FSG Creative Design & Print 1 Argent Place, Ringwood. 9873 5144
2 August 2004 volume 57 No.3
LETTERS
NEW MEMBERS
To the Administrative Assistant from resident, Jill Baird Thank you for all your kindnesses during my time in Graduate House. I have enjoyed my stay here immensely and loved meeting up with people from all around the world. As Melbourne is my second home, I daresay I will be back before too long!! Look forward to seeing you again. April 2004
The following new members joined the Graduate Union in the period April to August 2004. We welcome them and look forward to their participation in our members’ programs.
To the Assistant Secretary from Geraldine McFarlane, wife of member Brian McFarlane Many thanks for yesterday’s excellent party. The catering was very good and everyone had a happy time. May 2004 Extract of letter to the Assistant Secretary from James Guest, Member I called at Graduate House after our recent meeting to thank you for your generous billing and also to compliment the chef on an excellent meal. The staff members who looked after us were very attentive and cheerful. It all made for an excellent evening. ……. we are hoping that the new conference facilities at Graduate House will suit us so that we can have our meeting and dinner at the same location. I will contact you regarding this later in the year. June 2004 To the Editors from Barbara Funder, Life Member I was shocked to learn of the untimely death of John Gill in the April Graduate. I had known him since early days when he was Secretary of the Commerce Graduates’ Association, then affliliated with the Graduate Union. Margaret Robins deserves congratulations for her sensitive and wellresearched tribute to John. I hope that the 2004 Editorial Committee will consider requests in The Graduate for articles and/or stories from the members. We have a wide circulation, local, interstate and global and while the monthly mail-out is excellent with local news, I am sure others would appreciate hearing from overseas members in faraway countries as is done in the "Melbourne University Magazine". Meanwhile, I wish the Editorial Committee well in the 54th year of ‘The Melbourne Graduate’s History’. July 2004 Ed.Note: The Editors warmly welcome and request contributions from members in each edition of The Melbourne Graduate
Life Members Dr Fiona Bainbridge, MBBS Mrs Yvonne McCredie, BA, GradDip(LaTrobe) Ms Jeanetta Munro, BA(Monash), GradDip, MA(RMIT) Mr Stephen Murby, BScHons(LaTrobe), GradDipEd(Melb) Mrs Leslie Deague, BA, DipEd, GradDip(MCAE) Ordinary Member since 1992 Mr Peter Monkivitch, BA, GradDip(Sculpt), Ordinary Member since 1989 Mr John Petterson, Cert Ed ATTI(Deakin), Ordinary Member since 1993 Mr Graham Ryles, BE(LaTrobe),MA(Michigan), Ordinary Member since 1989 Mr Trevor Tiller, BEngHons(Mech), Ordinary Member since 1985 Mr Graeme Tupper, BSc, MSc(Melb), DipEd(Syd) Ordinary Member since1961 Ordinary Members Dr Eric Chu, BSc(Hong Kong), MSc, PhD(UK) Ms Jennifer Crynes, BEd(Deakin) Ms Keri Ann Whitehead, BA, BSW Ms Carole Grey, BCom(Qld), LLB, LLM(ANU) Assoc Prof Alan Holder, BScHons, PhD(UK) Ms Lisa Marshall, DipAppSc, GradDip(RMIT) Ms Greta Smith, BA(Monash) Ms Maria Spizzica, BA(LaTrobe), GradDipEd, GIDESE, MEd Ms Ann Thornton, BEd(LaTrobe), BSW Mr Steven Turula, BBus(VUT) Honorary Members Dr Jane Munro, Head International House Dr Damian Powell, Principal Janet Clarke Hall Ms Phillippa Connelly, Principal Medley Hall Fr Peter L’Estrange, Rector Newman College Prof Hugh Collins, Master Ormond College Prof David Runia, Master Queen’s College Dr Evonne Paddison, Warden Ridley College Mrs Barbara Green, Principal St Hilda’s College Sr Maureen Burke, Principal St Mary’s College Prof Donald Markwell, Warden Trinity College Dr Deborah Seifert, Head University College Dr Brenda Holt, Warden Whitely College All degrees are from University of Melbourne unless otherwise noted. Degrees are stated as presented on members’ application forms
Letter to the Chairman from Brian Bayston, Life Member It was kind of you to take the trouble on 17 June to write to me following the Queen’s Birthday award. I became a member of Graduate Union shortly after my graduation but regrettably have made very little use of its facilities over more than four decades. I did however have the pleasure of acting for Master Bergere in the making of his Will in which the Graduate Union received a substantial benefaction. July 2004 Closing date for November issue is 1 October 2004. Items for inclusion would be appreciated
Open for Lunch and Dinner - Tuesday to Saturday Private Room Available 10% off meals for Graduate Union Members Tuesday to Thursday on presentation of card. 766 Whitehorse Road, Mont Albert, Vic, 3127 Tel: 03 9898 5188 Fax: 03 9898 5348
SPECIAL NOTE: The bound volume of The Melbourne Graduate Vols. 30-35 (1977-1984) has been missing from the Library for several months, without record in the Borrowers’ Register. It would be greatly appreciated if this could be returned promptly, as we have had several enquiries for it from members. Geoffrey E Dye Honorary Librarian
THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Annual General Meeting of The Graduate Union was held on 27 May 2004. The President and Chairman of the meeting, Mr Frank Lees, addressed members. He spoke about the importance of all facets of The Graduate Union, especially its role as a College. He said he regretted the absence of Dr John Binns and paid tribute to Dr Binns’ achievements during his time as Chairman, saying the foundations had been laid for present achievements during his tenure. He also congratulated outgoing Chairman Dr David Bellair for the very professional way he had achieved a harmonious union between Council and staff, saying a great deal had been achieved during his term of office. After thanking the President for his kind words, Dr Bellair said it had been a privilege to have been Chairman of The Graduate Union and that he had learned a great deal from the experience. He added his own tribute to past Chairman Dr John Binns, saying he had built on the foundations laid by Dr Binns and that the Union was prospering. Dr R Gibson, Chairman of the Accounting and Audit Committee spoke to the financial statements, noting the report contained in The Melbourne Graduate was very comprehensive and that the results were very satisfying. The Returning Officer announced the results of the election of Council Members, noting that there had been five vacancies, the fifth being the remainder of the late Mr John Gill’s term of office. As there were five nominations an election had not been required. He announced the results of the ballot as being Dr David Thomas Bellair, Mr John Andrew Binns, Dr David McCredie, Ms Cheryl Anne Kidston until 2007 and Mr Neil Taylor until 2006 and the President declared them to be elected. The meeting continued the appointment of Mr A Law as Auditor for the year 2004. Before the close of the meeting, the President invited the SecretaryWarden, Mr Eugene Spanti to address the members. Mr Spanti thanked Council members for their advice, assistance and support over the past year, saying he particularly wished to thank the Chairman of Graduate Council, Dr David Bellair, who had helped him to see and understand the different aspects of The Graduate Union. He thanked all the staff and duty residents of Graduate House and all others involved in the day-to-day activities of The Graduate Union for their support. He spoke also about the recent Heads of Colleges retreat and his acceptance into the College community over the past three years. He said The Graduate Union and Graduate House were once again recognised as part of the University college community. In closing, he congratulated Ms Cheryl Kidston and welcomed her to Graduate Council. After thanking the Secretary-Warden, the President read out three letters which he felt showed the good standing of The Graduate Union. One from the Governor accepting the invitation to open the new
building, a second from the granddaughter of Sir John Monash appreciative of the proposed Sir John Monash Oration and a third from Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, also approving the proposal. He said he was very happy to have received this correspondence which he believed was indicative of the current direction of The Graduate Union.
NEW MEMBER OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL Ms Cheryl Kidston Cheryl is a graduate of the University of Qld and University of Western Australia. In the late 1970's while working on Tom Uren's controversial Australian Assistance Plan (that could have ultimately changed the face of government), she became interested in local government and has since devoted her entire career to service within the local government sector. Cheryl is also a qualified company director and has committed to applying the probity and ethics of that role to her responsibilities to the Graduate Union.
A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT Our Journey Together When travelling along a road sometimes you climb a hill – you pause and look back and observe the path by which you arrived at this particular hill. You recall and reflect upon the journey along the way. Our 2004 AGM and the following Council Meeting were two such metaphorical hills on the long journey of our Graduate Union. Hopefully our Graduate Union has left by the wayside the rocky road, the financial constraints, unorthodox management practices and above all the pitfalls of disharmony and misunderstanding which can bedevil any enterprise. Our new building is symbolic of how far and well we have travelled. The road ahead for 2005 is signposted with optimism, growth and expansion. Our Annual Report and the presentations at the AGM are evidence of the diligence and the contribution of Councillors and our professional staff, for and on behalf of our Members. We will need your involvement and new members to match our development and aspirations. As well as our regular dinners, monthly speakers and social activities there will be participation with our neighbours on University Square. We already have bookings for events in 2005. At the AGM I foreshadowed that we plan a Sir John Monash Oration, the official opening with our Governor Mr John Landy and an address by our new Vice Chancellor. We invite you to share in the comprehensive life of your Graduate Union. Any questions or elucidation you may seek, please do not hesitate to contact our Secretary-Warden and CEO, Mr Eugene Spanti or our new Chairman, Mr Neil Taylor. A rewarding journey awaits us along the road. F A M Lees August 2004 volume 57 No.3 3
THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE
Graduate House Australian Centre Internship Program 2004 During July Graduate House was host to Samantha Frost, a Bachelor of Arts Public Relations major at Drake University, Des Moines USA. Samantha is in Australia for two months during which time she will be assisting Graduate House staff, attending classes at The University of Melbourne and travelling within Australia. In addition to assisting the Secretary-Warden and staff with the many aspects of Graduate House, her marketing expertise has been particularly valued. Samantha says her time at Graduate House has been memorable and she appreciates the time given to her.
Functions at ‘THE HOUSE’ It is very gratifying that members are holding more functions at Graduate House and over the past few months we have been delighted to host the following events.
Afternoon Tea with Dame Elisabeth Murdoch On 10 June Graduate House hosted an afternoon tea. Building Appeal patrons Sir Zelman Cowen and Sir Gustav Nossal and a small group of Graduate Councillors entertained Dame Elisabeth Murdoch who was very interested to hear about The Graduate Union’s aspirations and view the plans for the new development.
Birthday Party for Dr Brian McFarlane Reminiscent of similar events held in the 1980s and with a certain degree of nostalgia, a cocktail party was organised by Gerry McFarlane, wife of life member Dr Brian McFarlane, to celebrate his 70th birthday. A group of approximately 100 friends and colleagues met at Graduate House on Monday, 24 May to wish Brian a very happy birthday and to enjoy the hospitality for which Graduate House is becoming renowned.
THE MEDICAL HISTORY SOCIETY The Medical History Society of Victoria Incorporated has been holding regular dinner meetings at Graduate House this year. The dinners are organised by Mr James Guest, a charming gentleman and resigned member of The Graduate Union, who reinstated his membership early in 2004. The group, the oldest medical history society in Australia, celebrated their Golden Jubilee in 2003. The Society consists of medicos, dentists, historians, nurses and other health professionals and students. They encourage the study of the history of medicine and the preservation of historical material. 4 August 2004 volume 57 No.3
Former Staff of the CSIRO Division of Protein Chemistry Gordon Crewther, a Life Member since 1972, organises four dinners each year at Graduate House for retired CSIRO staff and their wives. Francis Gordon Lennox first organised these functions in 1976 when he returned from overseas and wished to reinforce the strong bonds he felt with his former staff. Gordon took over the task in the 1990s. The group has enjoyed many years of relaxed and friendly hospitality at Graduate House. New members have been welcomed as they retire from the Division and old friendships have been rekindled.
MEMBERS OF THE GRADUATE UNION Patricia Boaden has been a Life Member of The Graduate Union since 1981 and also served on Council during the 1980s. She is a great supporter of The Graduate Union, attending all monthly luncheons and dinners and is also organiser and hostess at the Italian Conversation Dinner and Women’s Forum each month. A stalwart of the regular mailouts at Graduate House, many of Patricia’s innovative ideas for improving and streamlining the process have been put into practice, resulting in mailouts becoming more efficient and less stressful for all concerned. Recently, Patricia’s family presented her with a computer to enable her to keep in contact with them by email. This new challenge led Patricia into direct confrontation with modern technology when she enrolled in an eleven-week TAFE course in Microsoft Word. The staff at Graduate House have endeavoured to assist Patricia as she has grappled with some of the more complicated aspects of the program. Happily, thanks to over-the-telephone instruction and Patricia’s tenacity and dedication, ‘Tabs’ were finally mastered
QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST 2004 The Graduate Union congratulates Councillor Mr Gordon Duxbury who was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for service to visually impaired people through the Guide Dog Association and to the community, particularly through the programs of Rotary International and Apex. Gordon served on the Board of Prince Henry’s Hospital for 25 years, including a term as President. He is a Life Member of Apex and currently a member of Camberwell Rotary. A lawyer by profession, Gordon was solicitor and senior partner of Darvall McCutcheon, practising principally in the international field. Married to Margaret in 1961, their three daughters have followed Gordon into the legal profession, two practising lawyers and the youngest Senior Lecturer in International Law. The Graduate Union also congratulates the following members who were recognised in the 2004 Queen’s Birthday Honours List AM: Member of the Order of Australia Colonel John Beckwith, Mr Oliver Clark, Ms Morag Fraser OAM: Medal of the Order of Australia Mr Brian Bayston, Mr Eric Cohen, Mr Maurice Pawsey
THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE
Residents at Graduate House Aravind PUPPALA I am from India where I trained in Dentistry and I have come to Melbourne to undergo a five month intensive training course at the Royal Dental Hospital. I am staying at Graduate House for the first time and would like to thank the staff there for being so warm and very helpful and making me feel at home in Melbourne which for me has been a very pleasant place with good people around.
Jane MILLER As a manager at Kildonan Child & Family Services, a UnitingCare agency, I manage inhome social work programs such as Families First and Strengthening Families, provided for vulnerable families in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. I learned about Graduate House through Rebecca Owen from Toronto, Canada, another Graduate House resident for the past year. Rebecca just completed her Masters in Social Work and did a management practicum at Kildonan, as part of her studies, and I was her supervisor. I came to Graduate House in mid January for two or three months to escape home renovations. The back of my cottage in North Fitzroy was demolished to make way for a new bathroom and kitchen, with me as ‘owner-builder’ for my first – and definitely last time! I am the ‘titular head’ and puzzle over how to manage builders. My building job must have commenced about when major works next door to Graduate House began. Now, six months later, I’ve finished my Masters in Social Work at Melbourne University, had a holiday in April in Peru, where I joined my daughter, Jessica and trekked to over 5,000 metres on the Andes’ magnificent Mt. Salcantay trail, joining the Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu. I returned to my Graduate House room where I sit and read on the balcony on warm weekend afternoons. I love my balcony room with its brass plaque on my door reading: ‘This room is furnished by the Cawthorn family to commemorate M. Elizabeth Cawthorn, B.A,.Dip Ed,1898-1966’ and I wonder who she was and what she was like. It has a great park view, with young people showing off skateboard talents.
Margaret GOMES This is Margaret's second stay at Graduate House and she hopes to return on a regular basis. She is normally on staff at Central Queensland University in Bundaberg but comes to Melbourne to teach ESL (English as a Second Language) contracts at an international college in the city. Originally a graduate of Aberdeen University, Scotland and also holding a Diploma in Multi-cultural Education, she enjoys the welcoming, friendly atmosphere of Graduate House, its convenient location and its multi-racial residents."
Raghad Al-ATTIYAH Originally from Iraq and educated at Baghdad University, Raghad is now an Australian citizen and lives in Sydney with his wife Shadha and two children. Raghad is in Melbourne for five months studying at the Royal Dental Hospsital to obtain qualifications which will allow him to practice in Australia. Shadha is a doctor at Gosford Hospital. Graduate House was highly recommended to Raghad by friends in Melbourne. He says he enjoys living at Graduate House because of the relaxed and friendly ambiance and also the security and safety it provides. He appreciates the multi-national and collegiate atmosphere, saying he has learnt many traditional things about other countries. Learning to drive on the ‘wrong side’ of the road has been the most nerve racking experience he has encountered. He says even after seven years in Australia, if he is not concentrating he occasionally finds himself facing oncoming traffic!
Sirinun KRISNACHINDA and Duangkamol THITIVESA Sirinum and Duangkamol come from Bangkok, Thailand. Sirinum is a lecturer of English at Rajabhat Institute Phranakhon, formerly a teachers college. She is here for six months to finish writing her PhD thesis on TESOL Policy. She says she enjoys Melbourne and the varieties of cultural performances, operas and concerts. She is also enjoying her stay at Graduate House with its homelike cosy atmosphere, friendly staff and residents. Duangkamol is completing her doctoral degree at The University of Melbourne. She has visited Melbourne every year for the past four years but this is the first time she has stayed at Graduate House. She says she is very impressed by the wonderful meals, the companionship at the table tennis table and the diversity of the other residents which have made her stay very memorable.
Christmas in July A large assembly of members and residents enjoyed Christmas in July at the annual Winter Dinner on 30 July. The fragrant and spicy mulled wine warmed guests as they arrived and the glow of the Christmas tree and carol singing welcomed those who braved the elements on a cold and bleak winter night. Santa was in attendance, handing out good cheer along with sweets and merry chatter. Vice-Chairman David McCredie and Councillors David Bellair, Andre Cleghorn and Gordon Duxbury happily donned bright felt deer antlers, signifying they were office-bearers of Graduate Council. Santa (bearing a striking resemblance to resident Tim Stephens) and Secretary-Warden Eugene Spanti, the Master of Ceremonies for the evening, handed out the many gifts donated by generous suppliers to Graduate House.
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THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE
VALETE Apology to Emeritus Professor Norman Tulloh In the April edition of this magazine, Professor Tulloh was listed in Valete as being recently deceased, Graduate House having been informed to this effect. We are happy to advise that Norman Tulloh is alive and well and recently visited Graduate House Bob Croll Robert Deveraux Croll, who died recently, was first elected to the Council of the Graduate Union in 1982, in the ‘time of the troubles’, and played an active part in the governance of the Union during the 1980's. Together with his wife Grietje (also a Member in her own right as a graduate from Holland), Bob regularly attended the monthly luncheons and numerous other functions. Not one to blow his own trumpet, his autobituary - a term invented by his father – reveals much that was unknown to friends at the Grduate Union about what a manyfaceted life he led. Born of largely scottish parentage in Camberwell, Victoria, in 1924, after graduation at Melbourne he worked all of his life in positions associated with agriculture, culminating in senior positions in the CSIRO. The many friends of Bob and Grietje Croll will find much of interest in Bob's autobituary, a copy of which has been given by Grietje for inclusion in our library. It is full of anecdote, from his childhood to retirement at a marvellous home in Olinda, largely designed by Bob and Grietje. Grietje intends to be a regular visitor at future monthly luncheons, well into the future. Dr Ron Davey
Connie Anthony Constance Mary Anthony, red haired and with a personality to match, was born on 20 March 1921 and died, aged 82, on 23 February 2004. Connie attended MacRoberston’s Girls High School, then went to a business college before working at a firm of chartered accountants in Melbourne. She attended the National Gallery Art School at night for four years, a fellow pupil with Joy Hester. Connie married her first husband, who worked for the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation at Fishermen’s Bend, when she was twenty-one. She continued to work, one of her many jobs being as a copywriter and account executive, where, rarely for the early post-WWII times, she received equal pay with the men. Later jobs included working at General Motors; Personnel Officer and Share Clerk at Glazebrooks; and then as accounting traveller in the Housing Commission. After her children arrived Connie worked on the School Council, became Vice-President of the Mother’s Club, Secretary of the School’s Op Shop and also wrote a history of the school her children attended. Connie’s first husband died when he was fifty. Connie remarried but her second husband also died. Connie’s two children and their children and a great grandson who was born just a few weeks before Connie’s death, were most significant in her life Connie worked at the State Department of Social Welfare until she retired, aged 61, and her retirement provided an opportunity to flourish and undertake tertiary study. Connie went to the Council of Adult Education and did a ‘return to study’ course as a forerunner to going to Toorak College (Victoria University) where she studied for three years and received a Bachelor of Arts with high distinction. She then moved 6 August 2004 volume 57 No.3
on to the University of Melbourne where she completed, over three years, a Bachelor of Letters, to be followed by studying Fine Arts History for three years. After this Connie taught, as a volunteer, literature and writing at Hawthorn U3A for three years. She found this a most happy and rewarding time. Connie was bright, bubbly and irrepressible, with a great sense of humour and a dedicated appetite for life. She was a voracious reader, a garage sale devotee, a painter and artist, gardener, loving mother and grandmother, a fine friend with a twinkle in her eye, the gift of surprise and a well of sympathy - and an enthusiastic member of Grad House. Her many friends and colleagues will miss her enthusiasm, wryness and good cheer. Ben and Kay Bodna
Mr Laurence Oxley Jones – ‘Memories of an old friend’ About 25 years ago, prior to a Graduate Union luncheon, two cars – white Triumphs – parked side by side in the Bowling Club grounds. The two drivers stepped out, smiled and congratulated each other on their good taste in cars. One of those drivers was myself, the other was Lawrence Oxley Jones and the friendship which started then lasted untl his death on 4 July 2004. We always sat together at lunches, enjoying the food, the conversation and plenty of red wine! When his wife, Phyll, retired from the NGV, she joined in and made the occasions even more enjoyable. This went on until the untimely death of Phyll but Laurence continued attending lunches and the volunteers’ group for the mail outs. Sadly, his health began to deteriorate so we did not see him so often. However, I kept in touch with regular phone calls and had arranged to visit him on 14 July, but it was not to be. I have just returned from a service for him at which he was remembered with love and admiration by family and friends. What a wonderful person he was! Heather Kudeviita Since publication of the April edition of The Melbourne Graduate we have been notified of the deaths of the following members: Mr Elton Cutler, Life Member joined 1953 Prof Emeritus David Danks AO, Life Member joined 1962 Dr Alexander Reith, Life Member joined 1963 Mrs Barbara Sharp, Life Member joined 1957 Mr Abner Shavitsky, Life Member joined 1948 Mr Keith Stewart, Life Member joined 1963 The Graduate Union appreciates the support of these members and extends condolences to their families. We regret that space constraints do not allow individual acknowledgement of each deceased member.
THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE
APRIL LUNCHEON
JULY LUNCHEON
The Honorable JOHN CAIN and Mr JOHN HEWITT John Cain and John Hewitt addressed a largely sympathetic audience at our April Monthly Luncheon on "The University – where is it going?" following the publication by Scribe in January of their co-authored Off Course: From Public Place to Marketplace at The University of Melbourne. They had presented simultaneously a digest of their views in the opinion pages of The Age, and an approving review of their book (Private income, public tension) by Professor Sellick, a Professorial Fellow in our university’s Centre for the Study of Higher Education appeared in The Age in March. Also in March UNI NEWS carried Deputy Vice-Chancellor Peter McPhee’s attempted rebuttal, "Depiction of a university goes bewilderingly off-course." The gist of Professor McPhee’s arguments is that the book‘s "methodology is compounded by a number of simple but serious errors" specifically that there is no evidence that the standard of teaching or research at The University of Melbourne has declined, or that this has been due to the substitution of commercial standards and values for scholarship. Professor McPhee claims that University testing has shown that teaching standards have in fact improved in recent years, despite the increasing claims on staff due to the great increase in student numbers (especially the full-fee paying overseas students) and the severe cuts in government funding.
Ms Gill Glazebrook, Alzheimers Australia Chairman of Council Neil Taylor introduced Gill Glazebrook, whose topic was The Future of Dementia. The biggest risk factor in the development of dementia is age : at 85 years, one in four of the population will have dementia.
Essentially the position of Cain and Hewitt is that the commercialisation that has occurred at Melbourne has been to its detriment, both academically and financially. They believe that over the last twenty years it has moved to a more commercial mode of operation, treating students as clients and the staff as employees rather than as scholars. There has been progessive concentration of power in the Vice-Chancellor and a large cohort of corporate-style bureaucrats (three deputy vice-chancellors, a senior vice-principal, six viceprincipals and 47 administrative department heads). There has been waning academic dissent, and a compliant Council. Numerous attempts by the Vice-chancellor to supplement inadequate government funding by business ventures have been unsuccessful, and have cost the University a great deal of money, instead of providing funding to achieve "world-class status". These failures have been shrouded in secrecy, despite critical reports by the Victorian AuditorGeneral, and the public must bear some blame in allowing governments to walk away from their responsibility to build the future of higher education, and permitting privatisation to proceed as in the ill-fated "Melbourne University Private". Perhaps the whole meeting could be summed up by the impression on the audience of an interjector at a lecture in England by a Thatcher representative: "We are not employees of the University – we are the University". Dr. T.R.A. Davey
It is expected that by 2050 the numbers of people with dementia will peak. The terms ‘dementia’ and ‘Alzheimer’s’ are used synonymously : most people who have dementia have Alzheimer’s. Small strokes can cause irreparable damage to brain neurons. A person has no control over which part of the brain will be affected. It is important to understand a person’s general habits and behaviour, so that appropriate responses can be made to the person, rather than to the disease. There is no need to be fearful about facing dementia. There are five medications available today which affect the brain in different ways. The aim of treatment is to hold cognitive ability. Neuron damage may not be the cause of a person’s symptoms : sometimes what appears to be dementia may really be vitamin deficiency. New generation medications are 5 – 10 years away. At The University of Melbourne, Professors Colin Masters and Ashley Bush are working on the development of a medication which will have permanent effectiveness. Research is continuing into the causes of neuron decay. Further community education is needed to remove the stigma of dementia and to promote educational and assessment programs. The Alzheimer’s Australia organization provides information and assessment services, counselling, placement services, carer programs and outreach workers for isolated areas in the State. A Helpline is available, manned by trained counsellors. Gill Glazebrook advocated mental exercises to help keep the brain active and the maintenance of physical fitness, with control of cholesterol levels, as essential for overall health in old age.
Strengthening Links..... Secretary-Warden Eugene Spanti attends the regular meetings of several University committees and associated organizations, including Heads of Colleges (one of these monthly meetings was held at Graduate House early this year); College Bursars; Joint Academic Board and Heads of Colleges; Accommodation Officers (held at Graduate House); the annual Heads of Colleges Retreat; the Town and Gown Dinners; Association of Heads of Australian University Colleges and Halls Inc. and Australian Association of College and University Housing Officers. He attended the recent launch of the book 'Of Many Nations' (a history of International House) with President Frank Lees, Assistant Secretary Lyn Weston and Librarian Geoffrey Dye. Eugene has also conducted Food Audits for two Colleges in the University and has given numerous presentations on the new building development to groups from within and outside the University.
From the Archives ENGRAVINGS OF OLD CAMBRIDGE [The Melbourne Graduate, 1 September 1969, p. 32] We have received, for exhibition in Graduate House, a fine collection of engravings of Old Cambridge from a friend in London who wishes to remain anonymous. The engravings have been cleaned, mounted and framed by the Prints Section of the National Gallery and are available for inspection in the Graduate House Common Room. Ultimately they will be hung in the Library (Stage III). The engravings, eighteen in all, were dedicated to Their Majesties King William and Queen Mary and were executed by David Loggan, born at Danzig about the year 1630. They formed part of a series of thirty plates to illustrate ‘Cantabrigia Illustra’, published in 1688. Loggan died in London in 1693. August 2004 volume 57 No.3 7
THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE PROPERTY REPORT ‘Notice of a new musical work to be performed once only SYMPHONY 216 TO 220’ A subtitle for this work presented at its premier (and only) performance is ‘The Graduate House New Building’ by (Conductor) Dr Robert Gibson, Chairman of Development (with apologies to all musicians and musicologists) The score was commissioned by the Graduate Council from Perrott Lyon Mathieson (Architects) who were assisted by others including Connell Mott Macdonald (Engineers) who advised on technical performance and ensured the work could be performed as required by the score. The builders Contract Control Constructions constitute the strings and play the underlying themes. The movements are not defined in the score but rather the breaks in the performance are determined by industry lock-down times, weather, public holidays and other irregular events. The ensemble plays at variable tempos which are paced as the performance proceeds so that groups of players from time to time find they are all playing the same part of the score. The subcontractors constitute the wind and percussion sections. As is usually the case, they are all capable of solo performances. There are occasional miscues and even dischordant notes and intonation. They are more generally in step with the major themes than the off-stage band. The off-stage band (subcontractors) perform segments which are sometimes apparently oblivious to the part of the score presently being performed by the on-stage sections of the orchestra. However, there is one point on which all the performers are equally concentrating. Many of them have already contracted to move on to other works by other composers. What sometimes seems to be variations in tempo or even variations on the principal theme are variations designed to ensure that just like an amateur orchestra, the performance will all finish at the same time. For the last final chord the conductor will appear on the podium and all will play the final note as the conductor waves the baton for the last time.
BOOK REVIEW by The Reverend Peter Omond Elizabeth Rushen’s book Single & free: Female Migration to Australia, 1833-1837 (Melbourne: Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2003) is an account of the first scheme for female migration to Australia from Britain and Ireland in the 1830s. Dr Rushen’s research brings to light primary sources previously unexamined. Her analysis of London Emigration Committee (LEC) records, as well as a variety of other primary sources, papers and letter-books, presents a varied and
interesting picture of the 2,700 women who were carefully selected by the LEC to come to Sydney, Hobart and Launceston between 1833 and 1837. They were a diverse group drawn from cities, towns and villages. They were chosen for their skills in agricultural work, sewing, specific domestic tasks as well as general household work. Some were educated and employed as governesses; some were semi-literate. The scheme was administered for the colonial office by the LEC, a committee comprising evangelicals, Quakers, philanthropists and merchants whose main concern was the welfare of the women chosen for emigration. The involvement of the Clapham sect, a group of wealthy Anglican evangelicals, the majority of whom worshipped at Clapham parish church, included people such as the Rector, John Venn, a pious and zealous minister, one of the founders of the Church Missionary Society; Zachary Macaulay, an evangelical philanthropist who campaigned for the abolition of slavery and became the governor of the model colony of Sierra Leone; William Wilberforce, a philanthropist and advocate of the abolition of slavery, who led a strictly Christian life and was persuaded by John Newton to serve the cause of Christianity in Parliament; Hannah More, a leading humanitarian of the day who was influenced by Wilberforce to combine religious education with training in spinning, designed to relieve poverty. They shared a keen sense of moral responsibility and the belief that religion must be manifested in good works. Members of the Religious Society of Friends will be particularly interested to read of the significant contribution made by influential Quaker families such as the Gurney family (Elizabeth Fry’s family) and the Hoare family. Samuel Hoare was one of the original members of the 1832 emigration subcommittee and assumed a leading role in the LEC. His son John became the Refuge treasurer in 1849 when Edward Forster died. It was at the instigation of Forster that Elizabeth Fry devoted herself to the welfare of female prisoners in Newgate. There were many other important connections through marriage which enabled these families to exert their humanitarian influence for the welfare of the women. The combination of evangelicals and Quakers was a powerful one and they used their social position, wealth and marriage connections to maintain an active involvement in welfare work, exercising an influence on parliament and public opinion out of all proportion to their numbers. The conditions of the women’s three-month journey to Australia, their reception and employment opportunities are well illustrated from diaries and letters and their positive contribution to early Australian society is evaluated. The Index and the various Tables and Lists are clear and useful. The book is divided into three parts; written in a lucid and pleasant style, it is a fascinating story which tells us a great deal about the calibre of the women who came here, as well as something of the LEC and the Christian values which motivated their scheme.
DONATIONS TO THE BUILDING APPEAL TOTAL AT 12 JULY 2004: $111,307 Prof P Bailey Mr T Brown Dr G Duke Mr R Johnson Mr E Muntz Prof R Sharwood Mr N Taylor
Mr J Baxter Miss E Butt Mr D Francis Dr J Kardos Dame E Murdoch Mr R Skilbeck Mr L Thomson
Mr D Berry Mr D Casey Mrs S Horne Mrs C Kellam Dr F O’Rourke Mrs C Smith Mr G Tupper
Mrs P Boaden Mrs G Croll Mrs C Hughes Mr K Lee Dr A Parker Dr M Smith Mr M Worsnop
DONATIONS TO THE BUILDING FUND $100 B Wadham, $40 D Adams, $25 P Cenek, $10 M Awburn DONATIONS TO THE RESIDENTS’ ASSISTANCE FUND $50 H Miller, $10 M Awburn 8 August 2004 volume 57 No.3
Dr M Breidahl Mr L Dawes Mr J Johnson Mr E Miller Mr L Penn-Tonkin Ms B Stevenson