The Melbourne Graduate
THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE The Graduate Union of The University of Melbourne Inc.
December 2015 Volume 68 No. 2 Page 1
The Melbourne Graduate
We don’t receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us. Marcel Proust (1871 – 1922)
Editorial and Photography The Publications Team: Shirley Ho, Tina Hasiotis and Eliah Castiello. All other images have been obtained from publicly sourced domains. Printing
City Copy
The Melbourne Graduate December 2015 – Volume 68, Number 2 Periodical Newsletter of The Graduate Union Print Post Approved PP337834/00022 Incorporated Association Registration Number A0023234B December 2015 Volume 68 No. 2 Page 2
The Melbourne Graduate Contents ADDRESSES President of The Graduate Union Chair of Council CEO and Head of College
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THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 103rd Annual General Meeting Dr Ken V Loughnan AO
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DONOR THANK YOU LUNCHEON Celebrating Benefaction and Generosity The Honourable Ted Baillieu
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MEMBERSHIP Welcome to new Members Valete Donations 2015 Honours Lists Our Members Dr Kester Brown Dennis Danipog Jingyao (Betsy) Yu Abraham Arief Ann Grave David Allinson Parisa Shiran Dr Richard Harcourt Alexandra Veuthey Riyan Stephan Oliver Lovell Dr Srebrenka Letina Cr Keith Ryall National Student Leadership Forum
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OUR PATRONS Acknowledgement of Patronage
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The Melbourne Graduate from the President
from the Chair of Council
This year I was appointed as President of the Graduate Union, succeeding the irrepressible Major General Professor Jeffrey V Rosenfeld. I am immensely honoured to now be part of this great association at such a time where this dynamic organisation is well placed for a continued exciting future, made not only possible by staff and Council, but also with the continued support of its Members.
Our college is unique because it was founded by an association of graduates for graduates. Their creation of an inclusive collegiate life enables us to welcome graduates from around the world, who are attracted to a place where great minds collide. Our vision of an active collegium which advances education and its application for the good of society is an important part of who we are. The vision and generosity of our members continues to seek new ways to meet the changing needs of graduates throughout their various stages in life.
I hope that my global experience can bring a new dimension to focus on meeting Member’s needs, not just in Melbourne and not just in Australia, but also everywhere in the world that our graduates may reside. I will do what I can to continue to build upon the Association’s strong foundation composed of an international multi-age, multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary collegium. Since starting my tenure in August, I have already begun to seek out past residents and other Members worldwide, and start a new conversation with them. Working closely with your Council is something I also look forward to, so as to ensure that we can provide a range of innovative offerings for our membership – not replicating what other organisations offer, but rather focusing on filling gaps and tailoring something of greater and unique value. I thus encourage Members to actively participate in the Graduate Union surveys and to encourage their fellow graduates to become members of your organisation. As 2015 draws to a close, I would like to extend my best wishes to all of our Members and their families for a successful, healthy and rewarding 2016. I look forward to meeting Members at our functions in Melbourne and at other locations during 2016.
Mr Ken V Loughnan AO President of The Graduate Union December 2015 Volume 68 No. 2 Page 4
When Gladstone Terrace was purchased, it was beyond the fence around the university campus. Today we are part of a vibrant community in the midst of a campus, which now extends to Queensbury Street. The proposed metro rail link will establish a new station under Grattan Street that will further enhance access to the college for all our members. As an international collegium we pause to reflect on the festive season, the spirit of giving and spending time with family and friends. On behalf of your Council, I thank our CEO / Head of College, Dr Kerry Bennett and her team for their dedication and commitment during the year. Together we join to extend our best wishes to all our members, friends of the college and staff for a happy, peaceful and safe festive season.
Mr Rhys Watson Chair of the Council of The Graduate Union
The Melbourne Graduate from the CEO and Head of College ‘graduate pathway’ is unique, as is each of our Members! Hail, farewell and thank you Major General Professor Jeffrey V Rosenfeld AM, OBE, KStJ who served The Graduate Union as President of The Graduate Union over the past three years with wise counsel and ethical strong leadership. In addition to his many other contributions to society, Professor Rosenfeld has established and is leading the Monash Institute of Medical Engineering (MIME) to integrate engineering and medicine/ surgery for new healthcare technology. We wish Professor Rosenfeld and his team all the very best with this important and needed endeavour. Welcome to the December edition of The Melbourne Graduate, the stories of which reflect the diversity of our unique membership. We hear from Dr Kester Brown of life’s coincidences - a story that saw its origin when we sent a thank you note for his generous donation and he responded by sending his greetings to Professor Rosenfeld who responded that he recalled Dr Brown as a ‘legend in his own time’! We learn about the research of Dennis Danipog who used his Graduate House Research Scholarship funds to present at the 2015 European Science Education Research Association (ESERA) Conference in Finland. We feel the pride of seeing our Resident Member representatives, Jingyao (Betsy) Yu and Riyan Stephan, at the National Student Leadership Forum in Canberra where they explored the roles of faith, values and character in leadership, just in time to be at one of the first public addresses of our current Prime Minister. We thank Resident Members Abraham Arief (finance), David Allinson (law), Parisa Shiran (literature), Oliver Lovell (education), Alexander Veuthey (sports law) and Srebrenka Letina (psychology) for this edition’s ‘graduate pathway’ stories and for their collegial contributions through the Graduate House Student Group, the Research Talks, the welcome tables, environmental and social justice causes, and much more. Gratitude is also extended to Ann Grave, James Bond (AKA Dr Dick Harcourt) and Council Member Keith Ryall for sharing stories about life after graduation from arts and science degrees. We confirm, in the most unlikely event of your not knowing, that each
We welcome acclaimed leader and philanthropist Dr Ken V Loughnan AO as the 16th President of The Graduate Union of The University of Melbourne and thank him for his inspiring presentation to Members at the annual general meeting dinner in May (see pages 9 to 11). Dr Loughnan is already working on our behalf around the clock and the globe to inspire the ‘advancement of education for the benefit of the community’ (our Association’s principal purpose). We urge all Members and, indeed, graduates of all universities around the world to join him in implementing innovation and social good internationally and intelligently. At our Donor Thank You Luncheon in August we extended our sincerest gratitude to those who have shown support through benefaction over the last few years. As shown on pages 12 to 17, the Luncheon was a spectacular affair made all the more so by a moving and historically informative address by The Honourable Ted Baillieu, who studied architecture, and his tribute to the youth who established Melbourne in the mid-1800s, as well as to those who left their homes around University Square to fight in the First World War. As Chair of the Victorian Anzac Centenary Committee, The Hon Ted Baillieu is working with Victorians to honour the legacy of men and women who made/make the sacrifices that enable our peace. From all in our ‘house’ and our ‘union’, thank you for being a contributor to our vibrancy, intellect and action. May it long continue.
Dr Kerry Bennett CEO and Head of College December 2015 Volume 68 No. 2 Page 5
The Melbourne Graduate The Annual General Meeting (AGM) May 28th 2015 marked the 103rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) - a vibrant event where Members and residents participate in an open discussion about the matters that are important to them. Prior to the AGM, the winners of the 2015 Graduate House Research Scholarship and Bursaries were announced. As President of the Graduate Union Major General Professor Jeffrey Rosenfeld AM OBE KStJ was delayed due to work (in surgery) commitments, Chair of Council, Cr Rhys Watson presented the awards. 2015 Graduate House Research Scholarship and Bursaries This year’s winner of the Graduate House Research Scholarship was Dennis Danipog for his research Teaching for Scientific Literacy: Exploring Teachers’ Science Enquiry Practices and Students’ Achievement in Science. Upon presentation of his trophy, Mr Danipog gave a brief presentation to demonstrate that his research will provide evidence-based documentation of specific science inquiry teaching practices associated with students’ improvement with scientific literacy. He hopes that his work will inform the Philippine Department of Education on increasing teachers’ capacity to use science inquiry teaching practices as they implement the new K to 12 science curriculum. He outlined his intent to use the scholarship funds to attend the 2015 European Science Education Research Association Conference in Helsinki. The questions to be tested by Mr Danipog’s research on Teaching for Scientific Literacy are: • What teaching practices implemented by teachers exhibit elements of science inquiry? • What is the extent of implementation by teachers of these practices in classrooms? • What is the relationship between teachers’ implementation of science inquiry practices and students’ achievement in science? Across four public schools in Manila, Dennis will observe 12 Grade 7 Science Teachers, each for 6 hours with their regular student classes. He will also assess the achievements in science (inquiry skills and scientific knowledge) of 600 Grade 7 students. The 2015 Bursaries were then announced. David Allinson (Law, Juris Doctor, The University of Melbourne), Jingyao Yu (Master of Management, Faculty of Business and Economics, The University of Melbourne), Oliver Lovell (Master of Teaching, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, The University of Melbourne) and Fatema Yasmin (Master of Public Policy, School of Global, Urban and Social Sciences, RMIT) received their awards from Cr Watson.
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Research Scholarship winner Dennis Danipog receives his trophy from Cr Watson, Chair of Council.
Bursary awardees David Allinson, Oliver Lovell and Jingyao Yu with Cr Watson
Research acknowledgement awardees Dr Stuart So, Parisa Shiran and Dr Srebrenka Letina with Cr Watson
Coursework acknowledgement awardees Riyan Stephan and Abraham Arief with Cr Watson
The Melbourne Graduate The Annual General Meeting (AGM) Research acknowledgement awards were then presented to Srebrenka Letina, Parisa Shiran and Dr Stuart So. Finally, coursework acknowledgement awards were presented to Abraham Arief, Roberta Grant, Riyan Stephen, Wenjin Wang, Teresa Jamie Gunawan, Yaoqin He and Ai Vy Oerstroem Moeller. 103rd Annual General Meeting of The Graduate Union of the University of Melbourne Inc. The 103rd AGM was then declared open by Cr Rhys Watson who welcomed Members of the Association to the meeting. Introducing each of the members of Council, he acknowledged their efforts in contributing to the success of the Association and welcomed newly elected members (Cr Cowie, Cr Davis OAM, Cr Green and Cr Kelleher). The Auditor, Mr Anthony Law, Accountant, Mrs Kay Gulenc, and Returning Officer, Mr Ron Ritchie, were also introduced. Cr Rhys Watson then gave a report on the last twelve months and on the future plans for the Association. He noted that Council had made great progress with the strategic plan on the key priorities of financial stability, college facilities, strategic relationships and advancement; and announced the current development of a long term Master Plan for the Association. In noting Council’s intent to establish a bequest society, Cr Watson acknowledged the contributions and importance of past benefactors in building, sustaining and continuing to grow the Association. In thanking all Council members for their dedication, Cr Watson acknowledged, in particular, the support of Cr Cheryl Kidston (Vice-Chair of Council) and Cr Sparks (past Chair of Council). He then presented retiring Council members, Ms Kidston, Mr Cleghorn and Mrs Fisher, with awards to acknowledge their long and dedicated service to the Association. Cr Watson concluded his address by thanking all staff and Members for working together to advance education for the good of society.
Cr Watson with retiring Council members, Mr Andre Cleghorn,
Mrs Glenda Fisher and Ms Cheryl Kidston. The CEO/Head of College, Dr Kerry Bennett, then provided her report, explaining firstly that 2014 had been a year of significant change and activity for The Graduate Union. The events and activities presented by the Association had proven again to be popular and well attended - from Monthly Luncheons and the Twilight Lectures to the new and successful College Table initiative. She reported that more than 20,000 people had come to Graduate House over 2014 for meetings, particularly of groups undertaking education, charitable and professional development work. Graduate House is an economically viable and welcoming venue for these organisations. Additionally, and through the Association’s publications and social media, each group receives greater visibility of their worthy endeavors.
Dr Bennett explained that collegial development had also continued with great momentum. Leading Resident Members in 2014 established and constituted the Graduate House Student Group as a member of the Graduate Student Association of The University of Melbourne. The elected appointments to a GHSG committee, as well as representation by four Resident Members on subcommittees of Council and the continuing College Tutor programme, increased the engagement of the residents with collegiality. An increasing number of students from around the world call Graduate House home. These channels thus afforded a rich variety of Resident Member voices. As Dr Bennett explained, such organisation-wide structures and processes to listen and respond to these voices foster a truly inter-disciplinary, multinational, multi-life-stage and multi-experience international collegium.
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The Melbourne Graduate The Annual General Meeting (AGM) Professor Rosenfeld then arrived and began his address. He thanked those who work hard to serve The Graduate Union including all on Council. He congratulated the efforts and dedication of retiring Council members Cheryl Kidston, Glenda Fisher and Andre Cleghorn, and thanked Dr Kerry Bennett for her leadership and the staff for their dedicated service. He continued by stating that The Graduate Union is in good shape, is a vibrant and innovative organisation and that its progress continued to be pleasing. Cr Leo Santalucia, Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee, then presented the key results for the financial year ending 31st December, 2014. These included a small surplus and an operating revenue of $3.17M. With negotiations commencing in the second half of 2014 to capitalise on the low interest rate environment, he was pleased to report successful refinancing early 2015 and a marked reduction in loan interest costs which boded well for continued and increasing surpluses in the future, as well as for paying down the loan. In response to a question about donations, it was explained that generous bequests had been received in previous years from Dr Phillip Law and Dr Thomas (Ron) Davey; that the 2015 annual appeal was in aid of refurbishing the resident rooms; and that a Bequest Society was being established. Following adoption of the Financial Report for the year ended 31 December, 2015 as published in the April 2015 edition of The Annual Report, Cr Santalucia thanked the staff, as well as the accountant and the auditor, for their sound management of the financial affairs of the Association. Mr Ron Ritchie then gave the Returning Officer report, explaining that nominations had been called in January/February for three vacancies on Council, after which a further vacancy arose. As five nominations were received for four positions, a ballot was called. The vote count on the 26th May was in the presence of one scrutineer. Of 170 envelopes containing votes, 3 were informal. 167 ballot papers were tallied. Mr Ritchie announced David Cowie, Mary Kelleher and Kingsley Davis OAM elected to Council until 2018, and John Green until 2017. The candidates were then welcomed to Council and congratulated by the President. Members then voted in favour of the appointment of Mr Anthony L Law to undertake the independent audit for the financial year ended 31st December 2015. Members then heard discussions for and against motions that had been submitted to the meeting by Members for amendments to the Rules of the Association. One motion for special resolution was to amend rule 54.3 to include reference to co-options and appointments. The other motion for special resolution was to amend rule 42.1(b) to include proxy voting. The required 75% of Members voting at the meeting in favour of these special resolutions (rule 43.1) was not obtained for either motion when each was put to the vote.
President Rosenfeld addresses Members at the 2015 Annual General Meeting.
Cr Santalucia, Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee, delivers his report.
Returning Officer, Mr Ron Ritchie, gives his report and announces the results of the election.
The Chair of Council, Mr Watson took to the podium to thank Members for their engagement in robust discussion and debate on these motions. Acknowledging the voting pattern for both, he expressed a commitment to continue raising discussions on these matters at upcoming Council meetings. Professor Rosenfeld then concluded the meeting, indicating that the discussions during the meeting were a healthy debate on a range of important issues pertaining to The Graduate Union; and advised Members that the next annual General Meeting was scheduled for Thursday, 26th May, 2016. After a brief interlude, the Annual General Meeting Dinner commenced. December 2015 Volume 68 No. 2 Page 8
The Melbourne Graduate Dr Ken V Loughnan AO
Our guest of honour for the Annual General Meeting Dinner was Ken V Loughnan AO who is President of Variety The Children’s Charity Africa and the Middle East, and also Vice-President of Variety Asia-Pacific. His presentation entitled Building a Global Charity - taking us on a socio-economic journey from a theatre in Pittsburgh in 1927 to Istanbul in 2017 - building tents! told the story of this charity, from its founding to establishment, and of Ken’s pivotal role in establishing tents outside the USA. The history of Variety The Children’s Charity is a compelling one. As Ken explained, the 1920s saw an explosion of the silver screen, dance and the arts. A melting-pot of styles and events was just the influence that was needed for a group of gentlemen from various entertainment industries (a variety) to form a group where they could regularly convene and speak in an open forum with friends - and so October 1927 saw the birth of the Variety Club. Just over a year later, on the 24th December, 1928, at 4.00pm, a man cleaning the Sheridan Square theatre in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania found a baby on a seat. A note from ‘heartbroken mother’ had been pinned to little Catherine indicating that the mother’s husband was out of work and that she had eight other children. She asked for the goodness of show-business people to look after her child. Variety Club did just that. They took the baby, oversaw her adoption and aptly named her Catherine Variety Sheridan. This, of course, made headlines right across the United States. From that day, fundraising events began for Catherine. Over time, these became more and more elaborate, so much so that the guest list increased to over 1,000 for each event. For one such function, a huge marquee was raised in the top floor grand ballroom of a swanky hotel, and sawdust was scattered around the marquee to create a circus atmosphere. And so there it was – the first Variety Tent established in Pittsburgh. From this grew a Charity that expanded throughout the United States. Great awareness was raised, and the Charity became known as the “Entertainer’s Charity.” All of the biggest names - from Bob Hope to Presidents of the United States - became members of Variety, and it was a tremendously successful organisation. Variety then spread across to the United Kingdom, and other parts of Europe, and then came to Australia and New Zealand. December 2015 Volume 68 No. 2 Page 9
The Melbourne Graduate Dr Ken V Loughnan Variety had blossomed, and was doing remarkable work for so many children around the world. The story of Ken’s involvement was similarly serendipitous. Twenty years ago Ken was chairing a Skilled Engineering Board meeting during which the marketing director delivered a presentation about ‘the Variety Bash’ and the reasons why Skilled should invest in Variety. A Variety Bash is where people get together, find cars that are more than 30 years old and drive them across Australia to raise money for children in need. With one thing leading to another, Skilled purchased a 1965 Volkswagen Beetle and the Board members participated in the Beetle’s off-road drive from Melbourne to Cairns. Ken drove first. As Ken made his way across Australia, he reached Broken Hill and phoned his wife. “How is it going?” she asked. Ken replied, “I’ve never had so much fun in all my life!” - and that was all it took. Ken became a devotee of the Variety Bash and went on to purchase his own Beetle which he adorned with a large yellow fibre glass hat, long red plaits, a polka-dot skirt on the running board, ribbons on the red-plaits (polka-dot also), a beautiful smile on the front and eyes with eyelashes. Of course, also, she could speak! The off-road drive to Cairns was a 5,000 kilometre trek. For Ken, this means that with 11 bashes under his belt he has driven 55,000 kilometres off-road. While on the 11th bash, his Beetle finally gave-in. Though sad to leave the journey, Ken left with a sense of accomplishment, safe in the knowledge that he and all the other participants had helped and were continuing to help many children around Australia. From then, Ken joined the Board of the Victorian chapter of Variety, became the Australian Chairman, and was then appointed international Vice President on the Board in Los Angeles. When Ken joined the Board in 2007, 38 tents were in operation (today Victoria houses Variety’s 77th tent). This number wasn’t representative of the good work of Variety. Ken attributed this to the management of the organisation: there wasn’t the vision and there weren’t the people. Additionally, many people involved in the past on the international Board had roots in the entertainment industry, had inherited their money and had little experience in running a business. In Ken’s words, they didn’t really understand the challenges, risks and the opportunities of a charitable organisation. Ken’s message was pertinent: “Variety is no different from any other organisation. We want to do things to help other people, and we will do things to help other people, but unless we lead it, unless we manage it properly, then it is not going to result in the optimum benefits for the kids.” Thus the road to reparation began. One of the first changes was to the Variety Club’s name - the word ‘club’ having connotations that were not in accordance with the purposes and actions of a charity. Thus the name was changed to Variety The Children’s Charity. An improved vision for what Variety was, and what it wanted to continue to be about, was then established. It was decided that work by the Charity would be directed to three main categories: Freedom: mobility, enablement and action that would allow kids to move around and get to places (e.g., wheelchairs). Caring:
life-saving medical equipment, and services and infrastructure for children.
Future:
from education to other activities that support children and their future in the world.
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The Melbourne Graduate Dr Ken V Loughnan When the organisation was initially structured and at its previous historical height, there were 80 tents around the world reporting to a one-person staffed office in New York. Ken explained that this, of course, made it extremely difficult to manage a large organisation worldwide, to get uniformity in approach and to obtain the accountability and transparency that is required for such an organisation. The decision was then made to relocate the headquarters to Los Angeles as it was a city more associated these days with the entertainment industry, particularly in ‘Hollywood’. With further restructuring, headquarters were setup in main regions across the world, from North America, South America and Asia-Pacific to Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The tents in Australia were built with a vision and focus that enabled them to continue to raise money. Notably, Ken explained, funds raised through Variety within one geographic location were distributed for use only in that same location. This is a different modus operandi from many large international charities that move money from more affluent areas into more economically disadvantaged areas. Ken continues to strive to establish new tents, and has established some in Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia. The aim for the governing Board of each tent in these regions is for 60% of the available positions to be filled by each country’s nationals. To illustrate this composition further, Ken spoke to his approach in establishing the Hong Kong tent Board. He approached KPMG (Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler accounting firm) to conduct a pro-bono search for eminent and experienced Board members in Hong Kong. He felt it important to embed within each Board not only the required expertise, but also appropriate representation of the rich cultural diversity of the children whom each Variety tent was helping. The Board in Hong Kong is now filled with Hong Kong nationals, such as a leading paediatric psychiatrist, the Medical Superintendent of one of the major hospitals, together with leading lawyers and social workers. Their combined influence leads to tangible and well supported outcomes. The stories of how Ken establishes tents in different regions illustrate coincidence and the importance of embracing of opportunities as they arise. For the tent in Jakarta, by way of example, Ken was a guest at the Australian Open for Motorola, when he struck up a conversation with fellow spectators - a man and his daughter - only to find that the man was the fifth richest person in Indonesia. Ken saw this as a great opportunity to discuss Variety and immediately, their thinking aligned. Today the daughter is the Chairperson of the Board in Jakarta, and their company is paying for all the marketing costs and for the CEO. Similarly Variety is looking to establish a tent Board in Istanbul after meeting a gentleman there with daughters who are keen to help out. Establishing headquarters in disparate locations ensures a more varied cultural and ethnic application of Variety’s good work. From the presentation that Ken delivered, it was clearly evident that he was truly a philanthropicallyminded gentleman. “It’s my passion. It’s what we can do.” Ken enthused. Like any good businessman, Ken is interested in increases, but his focus is on increasing the number of children that he can help. According to statistics from Variety’s website, the number of children globally that Variety has helped since 1928 is over 45 million. Ken admitted telling his children that he is indeed spending their inheritance, but of course for Variety. His rationale is simple: he’s multiplying their inheritance from 4 children, to 4 million children who are in desperate need of what resources they can get. The presentation concluded with advice. “One of the greatest things that you can do is to make a contribution to the society in which you live and work. I encourage everyone to do something within your society, to do something to make a difference.” Ken’s presentation was inspirational, warming and educational. We felt honoured to have had such an esteemed gentleman in our midst.
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The Melbourne Graduate Donor Thank You Luncheon “The greatest pleasure I know is to do good by stealth and have it discovered by accident.” – Charles Lamb. Earlier this year Graduate House began an initiative to commence an annual appeal. Postgraduate students do not ask for much, but they do require the bare necessities like bookshelves, comfortable beds, desks and wardrobes. Whether Graduate House is home for those who are far from home, or staying a few nights we feel it important to ensure that we keep the exceptional standards of our rooms. And so the Annual Appeal was a way that we could reach out to our membership - to you - to ask for your support to help us reach the funding goal. From April 2015 until June 30, we were honoured to have received generous donations. From $10 to $1000, every single dollar helped us help our residents. Although the age old adage goes that no good deed goes unpunished, we would like to attempt to rephrase this: no good deed goes unnoticed. And so we designed invitations, organised eminent speakers, planned a wonderful menu for our very first Donor Thank You Luncheon. * Sunday afternoon was humming at Graduate House. Firstly, it was open day. Crowds were milling about the college, asking questions, peering into all corners of our building, and staff were most accommodating to the inquisitive nature of newcomers during their tours. Meanwhile, the guests for the invite-only donor luncheon had begun arriving. By 12:00pm the invitees including The Hon Ted Baillieu, Dr Ken V Loughnan AO, Major General Professor V Rosenfeld AM OBE KStJ, Council members and others were in Graduate House mingling and engaging with other members. * “Your attendance shows your support for the Graduate Union,” announced Professor Rosenfeld, the first speaker of the afternoon. Professor Rosenfeld gave a memorable presentation to demonstrate just how our donors are helping us so greatly. “This just shows the great support that we have for the Graduate Union and the numbers that we have today. And look at the beautiful way the tables have been set by Dr Bennett and her wonderful team, and I really hope you enjoy the lunch and the afternoon and I’d like to particularly welcome the Honourable Mr Ted Baillieu, our former premier of this fine state, and his lovely wife Ms Robyn Baillieu,” began Professor Rosenfeld.
Beautiful table settings with splendour by our talented Events services team
Professor Rosenfeld presents his address on the spirit of collegiality
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The Melbourne Graduate Donor Thank You Luncheon Professor Rosenfeld proceeded with his presentation which expressed the values of Graduate House, from the spirit of collegiality and advancement of education to hosting the best and brightest students from Australia and around the world, and supporting them financially. He explained that donations to the Graduate Union have supported scholarships, buildings and residents in need. “This year your support has helped to provide chairs, bookshelves, beds and wardrobes in our terrace wings ... Thank you for your generosity this year and in past years. Our 2015 annual appeal achieved a fivefold improvement on the past year raising $37,465 to date,” said Professor Rosenfeld. “Your support has provided a level of richness for our college in a way that only an Association of Members for Members, can. We are graduates for post graduates. You have made a difference for the life of our college. We thank you very much,” concluded Professor Rosenfeld. Our following speakers were Resident Members Jingyao (Betsy) Yu who is completing a Master of Accounting and Finance and Abraham Arief who has now graduated with a Master of Finance, and who was also co-president of the Graduate House Student Group. Both gave in-depth and entertaining stories of their graduate pathways, and how Graduate House has played a positive and valuable role in assisting not only their student lives, but their general wellbeing though social support and the friends and memories they have made being a resident at Graduate House. At just 20 years old, Betsy has achieved a great deal, having already gained double degrees in events management. “I feel Graduate House is the right place to stay because it’s vibrant and really rich. It gives me a lot and much more than I expected,” she said. “It’s like a cultural exchange,” explained Betsy of the multi-cultural environment of Graduate House, addigin that due to its multidisciplinary environment, she has been able to talk to a wealth of students from many other faculties. “Without Graduate House I don’t think I would have had such precious opportunities,” she said. “It’s much more than a college and I feel lucky and happy to be here.”
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The Melbourne Graduate The GU Donors Luncheon Abraham then addressed the audience. He began by greeting the crowd in Indonesian, “Selamat Siang dan Selamat Datang ke Graduate House” - Good afternoon and welcome to Graduate House. He took us through his academic journey, and while doing so rested on a similar message as that from Jingyao: the environment that Graduate House provides is essential to ensuring enriched residents, especially through donations. “When one door closes, another door opens, but make sure you know where the back door is in case of emergency. Your donations open a door or an opportunity for someone else and maybe save them from misery,” said Abraham. As Abraham noted regarding a saying from his home country, Graduate House importantly fosters “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika - Unity in Diversity.” Abraham ended his presentation, his passion for Graduate House clearly evident, safe in the knowledge that his time here has provided him with great opportunities that he may have not received elsewhere. As the afternoon progressed, guests enjoyed their culinary delights served on the day: tender scallops or minestrone soup, tender duck, beef or fish, and a classic French millefeuille or a coldset blueberry cheesecake. It was at this time our final speaker for the afternoon was ready to deliver his, what was most definitely, great missive.
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The Melbourne Graduate The Honourable Ted Baillieu
Our esteemed speaker for the Luncheon, The Honourable Ted Baillieu, former Premier of Victoria and a Member of The Graduate Union since 1976, is an absorbing public speaker. His address captivated the room; his words were applicable to both young and old; and his moral, universal. Mr Baillieu began by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land upon which Graduate House stands, the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation and paid his respects to their Elders both past and present and any Elders present at the Luncheon. He commented next on how impressed he was with the commitment of Resident Member speakers Betsy and Abraham to postgraduate study and education. “I don’t think you’re working hard enough, you’re 20, get on with it, come on!” joked Mr Baillieu as he acknowledged Betsy and her presentation. “Abraham, likewise, congratulations, I know you’re suffering the trauma of having been replaced as President. I can identify with that,” he teased, much to the delight of those in the audience. He then acknowledged Ted Holder, Bert Groves, Charlie Johnson, Bert Larcombe, John O’Sullivan, Harry Taylor and Harry Woolf, mentioning he will come back to them later on. “But may I also acknowledge the Indigenous communities whose love of our land, love of our country, whose love of our city, love of this place in particular has left us with an extraordinary legacy, one we should seek to cherish at every opportunity. What a legacy it is.” Elaborating upon the great history of The Graduate Union, starting with its first President General Sir John Monash, whom Mr Baillieu explained was, in his mind, the greatest Australian of all time, he stated “The civic legacy that we have enjoyed in Victoria is a product of an extraordinary generation of Australians.” Post settlement in Victoria holds a remarkable story, outlined Mr Baillieu. For fifty years people came to Melbourne as one of the go-to places. Melbourne, he mused, was seen as one of the best places internationally and as a vibrant centre of opportunity, promise and potential. Young people came here from all over the world. Indeed his own great grandfather left Wales, one of sixteen children, and made his way to Australia.
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The Melbourne Graduate The Honourable Ted Baillieu We cannot ignore Australia’s immigrant past, for these people began a legacy, a foundation that we continue to build upon to this day. “Those people who came here - they had to be courageous, they had to be ambitious, they had to have aspiration, they had to have dreams about the future and they had to have a focus on family and looking forward,” he said. “The young minds, the young bodies of that era, spent their money on the future. They invested in the future. It’s there in our cathedrals, our Town Hall, our court houses, our masonic lodges, our bridges – the Monash legacy alone is an extraordinary one. And that’s a Victorian legacy we don’t necessarily have in other states,” said Mr Baillieu. An intricate speech woven with his passion for Victoria and its greatness made possible by those, as he describes, as being ‘young at heart’, by those who were courageous and ambitious, who dared to move on, whether with ball, whether with chain. The great legacy in this city, explained Ted, is the product of extraordinary decisions from extraordinary people. People like John James Clark, who came to Victoria in the early 1850s at the age of 13, and who at 19 designed the Treasury building at the intersection of Collins and Spring Streets, or Josef Reid who designed the Exhibition Building, now a UNESCO Heritage listed site just after 125 years. “I am very much a devotee of the theory that it’s the legacy that distinguishes Victoria. That multicultural legacy, young people from all over the world, coming here in this direction ... with wisdom in their hearts,” said Mr Baillieu. This is the essence of Graduate House, explained Mr Baillieu, adding that it is important that we do pursue an intellectual outcome and that we do pursue the best of everything. Mr Baillieu began his studies at The University of Melbourne in 1973, his major in architecture. “This start in architecture, said Mr Baillieu, “was a life-changing experience as it equips you for life, no matter what you do.” Architecture is composed of many disciplines, even part politics. This, explained Mr Baillieu, is how he became involved with politics, because fundamentally an architect, like a politician, is somebody who has a mind for the future. This foundation in architecture is what prompted Ted to pursue his politics career as he was involved in the master and strategic planning of schools, which took him into long-term decision making and long-term thinking. A domino effect, which after graduating in 1976, not only led him to work as an architect for a number of years, but also simultaneously playing with politics. In time, Ted finally found himself as Premier of this state. It was increasingly evident and inspiring to hear that the language that Mr Baillieu was using was the language that is so frequently used here at Graduate House – the meeting of minds being a great example. “Where you gather people who have a mental facility and it’s just a joy to witness it, and that’s what happens in this place - people like Betsy and Abraham come here, and they bump into each other, comets from all over the world in their own right, with the little Graduate Union spacecraft now firmly in their pockets,” he said. “This” explained Ted, “is a joy that sustains us all. The joy of being touched by somebody else’s brilliance is something that stays with you for the rest of your life,” he reflected. “In Victoria, every day, we live and breathe the unassailability of aspiration because it is the legacy we inherited and it is what Graduate House seeks to promote.” But what Graduate House also provides is a sense of place and belonging because as Mr Baillieu said, the most significant joy of all is the power of place and the understanding that throughout history others have experienced that which we experience today; there is a thread of connection between the past and the present, and therefore an eternal thread of place. “Place is something that our indigenous communities understand very, very well. They talk about place … they talk about tribe and there’s a little test that you can do that makes sense of that,” said Mr Baillieu. He asked how many people could name both of their parent’s surnames. Hands were raised. He asked then how many people could name all four of their grandparent’s surnames. Some hands went down. What about all eight of your great-grand parent’s surnames? More hands were lowered. What about all sixteen of your great-great grandparents? No hands were left raised. This, explained Mr Baillieu, is a typical response. We may seem lost, but what binds us is the eternal thread of place. December 2015 Volume 68 No. 2 Page 16
The Melbourne Graduate The Honourable Ted Baillieu Take for a moment to recall the names he referred to at the start. These were the young Australians who not only were enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) but also resided here at Leicester Street. • Edward Holder, 27 years old, 228 Leicester Street • Albert Groves, 18 years old, 208 Leicester Street • Charles Johnson, 47 years old, 230 Leicester Street • Burt Larcombe, 21 years old, 210 Leicester Street • John O’Sullivan, 24 years old, 234 Leicester Street • Harry Taylor, 26 years old, 226 Leicester Street • Harry Wolf, age unknown, 212 Leicester Street
Gladstone Terraces
“They were the young people of 100 years ago, who shared this place. And they went and served in the AIF in the First World War, among a total of 26 of Leicester Street, and 15 more from Barry Street, 40 boys from this little patch 100 years ago. There’s a thread of connection there, which is an eternal thread of place.” Mr Baillieu is connected to Graduate House through membership and through spirit. We thank him for giving such an awe inspiring speech that we will remember for many years to come thanks to the eternal thread of place. Closing Address and Presidential Transition Professor Rosenfeld then gave the closing address thanking The Honourable Ted Baillieu for words and sentiments that he believed would endure, and for reflecting the networked heart and soul of our ‘house’ (place) and our ‘union’ (people). “The diplomatic quality of this college is not be underestimated”, he said, referring also to the tremendous achievements of Betsy and Abraham and their potential as champions of our international collegium to advance education and society. Professor Rosenfeld, the 15th President of The Graduate Union, commenced his tenure in the December of 2012 so bestowing upon The Graduate Union and its Members the highest honour. In this, his handover speech, he said “It has been a privilege to work with such a professional and forward looking group, who always act in the best interests of The Graduate Union.” He then announced Dr Ken V Loughnan AO as the 16th President of The Graduate Union, explaining that among many other prestigious positions The 15th President of The Graduate Union, held, Dr Loughnan AO is the International Vice President of Variety, The Major General Professor Children’s Charity, a global institution which focuses on improving the lives Jeffrey V Rosenfeld AM, OBE, KStJ with the 16th President, of children in need. In accepting the Presidency, Dr Loughnan announced Dr Ken V Loughnan AO. his excitement in commencing work with The Graduate Union Council, committees and staff and in helping to contribute to the meeting of minds and innovation within The Graduate Union. In thanking Professor Rosenfeld for propelling The Graduate Union even further during his term as President, he expressed his delight and honour in presenting to Professor Rosenfeld an award of Signal Honour on behalf of the Association. Thank you to all The success of the Donor Luncheon was another sign that The Graduate Union is of an international standard, resting on the efforts of many great, distinguished and eminent individuals. We were honoured to have had an attendance of 106 guests, and we are honoured to be an Association for Members, by Members. Thank you to everyone who attended our luncheon, but really this luncheon was for you all. You all made it the very special day that it was. December 2015 Volume 68 No. 2 Page 17
The Melbourne Graduate New Members We extend a warm welcome to new Members of the Association. You have joined a membership association for graduates, a residential college for graduates and a meeting place for graduates.
Life Subscriber Members
Organisation Members
Ms Elita Jeanne Frazer
Australia-China Association for International Exchange of Personnel (ACAIEP)
Ms Anne Gibney Ms Elizabeth Anne Shellard
Department of Social Work, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne
Honorary Members
European Union (EU) Centre on Shared Complex Challenges
Ms Sarah Banks
John Cain Foundation
Dr Ken Vincent Loughnan AO
Landsend Lodge Melbourne Research Office
Associate Members
Professional Historians Association (VIC) Inc
Ms Maisarah Nasution Binti Waras
Project Services, The University of Melbourne
Mr Tim Ditcham Ms Sally Doolette Mr Renzo Fenati Mr Tristan Kilmartin Mrs Josephine Ann Le Grew Professor Claire Lenehan Mr Simone Madaras Ms Rachel Popelka-Filcoff Ms Caroline Watson
December 2015 Volume 68 No. 2 Page 18
Research, Innovation and Commercialisation, The University of Melbourne The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health Turkish Teachers Association of Victoria (TTAV) Academic Services and Registrar, The University of Melbourne Victorian College of Health Psychologists (VCHP)
The Melbourne Graduate New Members Our key purpose is to advance education for the benefit of the community. It is the collective intelligence and actions for this purpose that make this organisation influential and effective; and each Member’s input is important and of value.
Members Ms Agnes Banyasz
Professor Daryl Le Grew
Ms Lesley Merle Bawden
Mr Ken Lewis
Mrs Kathleen Cameron
Mr Michael Lynch
Mr Ronald J Carne
Mr John Mantesso
Mr Francesco Caso
Dr Clare Louise McKenna
Dr Deborah Colville
Ms Karen McMillan
Mr Graham John Craig
Dr Tracey McGuire
Ms Amanda Davidson OAM
Mr Roger Peacock
Mr Erick Fibich
Mrs Jo-Anne Purssey
Ms Faith Mary Fitzgerald
Mr Rhys Roberts
Mr Aidan John Flynn
Mrs Margaret Claire Sawyer
Mr David Fong
Mr Darcy Seller
Mr Barney Foran
Mr Kevin Silberberg
Mr Peter Frueh
Mr Kevin Michael Stevenson AM
Professor Henry Deeb Gabriel
Ms Emily Stewart
Ms Nanette Gibson
Ms Diana Warnock AM
Ms Jennie Gorrie
Ms Pamela Whitehead
Mr Max Rodney Hardman
Dr Keith Wise
Mr George Hazim
Ms Grace Li Peen Wong
Dr Claire Higgins Mr Neville John Ms Helen Mildred Keneley Mr Thomas Edward Keplar Jr
Non Resident Student Graduates Dr Chen Bifen Ms Jow Wei Wei
December 2015 Volume 68 No. 2 Page 19
The Melbourne Graduate Membership Resident Members Ms Soohyun (Julia) Ahn
Ms Abby Chen
Ms Veena Gullipalli
Mr Prakash Akurathi
Ms Maria T Christensen
Ms Teresa Gunawan
Dr Rina Alam
Ms Jin Chun
Mr Ping Guo
Mr Lachlan Alexander
Mr Mitch Clarke
Ms Katharine Gupta
Mr David Allinson
Mr Pasquale Comberiati
Mr Yaoqin He
Dr Ahmed Al-OMary
Professor Lurene Contento
Mr Xiaoji He
Ms Maryam Alqassab
Mr Matthew Cottrell
Mr Christopher Hunter
Mr Meshaal Al-Saffar
Miss Charlotte Cowley
Mr Ryan Hutchinson
Ms Nana Amissah
Ms Marie Creighton
Dr Julien Jaubert
Mr Orlando Andrade
Mr Pedro Crous
Mr Nisitha Jayatilleke
Dr Anurag Arora
Mr Dennis Danipog
Ms Karen Jones
Ms Sonia Aujla
Ms Andrea Danna
Ms Jessica Joy
Mr Yuzo Baba
Ms Dhivya Dargani
Ms Hima Kavuri
Mr Puneet Bahuguna
Ms Femke Demolder
Ms Chirapoan Khitdee
Mr Adam Baines
Mr Piyush Dhawan
Mr David Kim
Ms Tracey Bates
Professor Johann D Dunnen
Ms Minjee Kim
Mrs Katherine Beaumont
Mr Morgan Edwards
Professor Dong Kwang Kim
Miss Elizabeth Biggs
Mr Thorsten Ehlers
Ms Yuka Kobayashi
Mr Elton Borges
Ms Suzanne Ehrenberg
Ms Vicky Koh
Professor Martin Bossert
Dr Briony Elliott
Mr Thuan Tzen Koh
Ms Liliana Bray
Mr Zijing Fan
Ms Florence Kok
Dr Jillian Brooke
Mr Gyorgy Feher
Ms Tomoka Koshiba
Mr Robert Brown
Ms Maria Gallardo
Mr Johan Koskinen
Ms Marisel Bruqueta
Dr Jennifer Gamble
Ms Lauren Kotze
Mr Kevin Burgoyne
Mr Kepan Gao
Ms Grace Kpeli
Ms Bernice Carrick
Mr Xiangxuan Gao
Ms Florence Kun
Ms Iris Chan
Dr Patricio Garcia
Dr Kai Kysenius
Ms Carys (Xi Wen) Chan
Ms Martha Garcia
Mr Bowei Lai
Ms Yvette Chan
Mrs Alwani Ghazali
Ms Andrea Lee
Mr Erich Chang
Mr Patrick Gleeson
Mr Wu Lei
Dr Seema Channappagoudar
Emeritus Prof Patrick Griffin
Ms Madeleine Leonard
December 2015 Volume 68 No. 2 Page 20
The Melbourne Graduate Membership Resident Members Dr Srebrenka Letina
Dr Murat Ozmen
Mr Rofan Teo
Dr Inbar Levy
Dr Ramon Pardo
Ms Chloe Thirkell
Ms Changyi Li
Ms Sapana Patel
Ms Emily Thompson
Ms Ke Li
Mr Manuel Pavon Garcia
Dr Michael Thompson
Ms Wei Li Lim
Ms Catherine Pearce
Mr Simon Thomson
Dr Thanegi Lim
Ms Kate Pedersen
Ms Signe Timm
Ms Ana Lima
Mr Thanh Quang Minh Pham
Mr Benjamin Trist
Mr Shuntaro Lizuka
Ms Amanda Potter
Mr Hisashi Tsubone
Mr Oscar Lopez
Ms Dangjie Qiu
Mr Allistar Twigg
Mr Oliver Lovell
Mr Tyson Retz
Ms Yuliia Velichenko
Ms Melissa Lucas
Dr Stine Roenholt
Dr Marc Walden
Mr Damon Luo
Mr Aminiasi Rokocakau
Mr Haoqu Wang
Ms Dolly MacKinnon
Mrs Alison Row
Ms Dinali Wickramanayake
Professor Susumu Masuda
Mr Mark Sadka
Mr Anusha Withana
Ms Ivy Mbiza
Ms Fatema Samina
Mr Julian Wormann
Dr Ryan McCann
Ms Shukti Sharma
Ms Emmeline Wu
Mr Ciaran McCreesh
Ms Imogen She
Mrs Fatema Yasmin
Mrs Yamileth Mejia
Ms Shengwen Shu
Dr Kazuhiro Yasunaga
Mr Ben Moginie
Miss Mandy Shum
Ms Hui Ping Yaw
Ms Claudia Moreira
Ms Adaeba Sinclair-Blakemore Mr Owen Yi
Mr Aidan Morgan
Mr Mohammad Sohail
Ms Wan Hui Yip
Ms Tomoko Morikawa
Professor Daniel Sokol
Ms Aveline Ylanan
Mr Andrew Murray
Ms Katrina Soo
Ms Jingyao Yu
Ms Helen Myers
Ms Jennifer Stables
Ms Gloria Zanin
Ms Milena Nadgorny
Mr Riyan Stephan
Mr Mohamed Zayed
Dr Suranga Nanayakkara
Mr Mitchell Stewart
Dr Marco Zuccato
Mr Thomas C Nantz
Mr David Strapac
Mr Ghulam Nawrozi
Mr Jeroen Swinnen
Ms Khin Htwee Oo
Mr Vincent Tafur
Mr Yongfu Oon
Ms Christina Jui Hui Tan
Ms Anna Oyarce
Ms Sanne Ten Broeke December 2015 Volume 68 No. 2 Page 21
The Melbourne Graduate Valete We extend condolences to the family and friends of Members deceased in 2015. The year of joining The Graduate Union is indicated.
Mrs Sheila Bignell, 1950
Dr Peter Forsell, 1973
Mrs Jessica Hope Black, 1963
Dr Georg Freed, 1965
Mrs Shirley Ruth Cohen, 1955
Mrs Mary Patricia Kelly, 1984
Professor Robin Lorimer Sharwood AM, 1968 Professor Sharwood, an Honorary Life Member of our Association, joined as a young graduate in 1968 and was our President from 1986 to 1989. He gave generously of his time and expertise in law and legal education and was a much loved and deeply respected contributor to our graduate membership association. The photograph on the left was taken from the September 1990 issue of the Melbourne Graduate in a farewell message when he completed his term of office as the ninth President of The Graduate Union. With an outstanding and distinguished career, Professor Sharwood AM contributed greatly to the community, particularly to the law. He was a Foundation Fellow of the Melbourne College of Divinity and a Fellow of Trinity College, Melbourne. - Vale Professor Sharwood
Professor Richard Cotton, 1966 Dick completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at The University of Melbourne before gaining a PhD and a DSc. The photograph on the left was from the April 1966 issue of the Melbourne Graduate when Dick, a new resident at Graduate House, was captioned as Mr R.G.H Cotton, 24, B.Agr.Sc. PhD candidate for research in bacteriological enzymology, Department of Microbiology. Awarded a Fulbright Travelling Fellowship in 1972 and a Queen Elizabeth II Fellowship in 1973, he worked in paediatric and genetic research and became the foundation Deputy Director of the Murdoch Institute. Professor Cotton initiated the Human Variome Project in Melbourne in 2006. A world-renowned specialist in genetic variation, he was fundamental in the establishment and development of both the Human Genome Organization Mutation Database Initiative (HUGO-MDI) and the now globally accepted Human Genome Variation Society (HGVS) and led these organisations for many years. - Vale Professor Cotton
Mrs Patricia Eileen Balsamo, 2008 We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Member Mrs Patricia Eileen Balsamo who passed away on the 1st November, 2015. Stylish, elegant, multilingual, academic, articulate and humane, Eileen - as she preferred to be called - was the epitome of a Member of this Association. Though a relative newcomer, joining in 2008, she soon became an active contributor to the Women’s Forum and a regular at lunch in our dining room with her husband Franco and their many friends. Notwithstanding her long illness and obviously increasing frailty, Eileen greeted all, young and old, with respect, kindness and a smile. Here at Graduate House, we shall miss our dear friend. We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to Franco, as well as to her family and friends. - Vale Mrs Balsamo
December 2015 Volume 68 No. 2 Page 22
The Melbourne Graduate Valete Gordon David Maurice Goldberg, 1960 Gordon became a Life Member in 1960, graduating from The University of Melbourne in 1962 with his LLB. He worked with his father, Maurice Goldberg, at Goldberg and Window Solicitors in Richmond and became known as a ‘colourful figure’ who rode to Courts all over Melbourne on an ancient bicycle and in a threepiece suit. He later became a Reader in Law at Buckingham University where he taught Banking, Constitutional and Administrative Law, Contracts, an Introduction to Legal Studies, Private International Law, Sale of Goods and Trusts. He was also Master of Moots (Mooting is for students to present a legal matter against opposing counsel and before a judge in simulated court conditions) until his retirement in 2003 - he is pictured in 2004 above left at a reunion - after which he settled in Perth. Our deepest condolences are extended to his wife Kerry and their family. - Vale Mr Goldberg
The Honourable Frank Hortin Callaway RFD, QC, 1969 Matriculating from Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, Frank obtained a first class Honours Law degree and then a Masters of Laws from The University of Melbourne. Mr Callaway began his career as a solicitor with Mallesons, becoming a partner at the age of only 29 years. Signing the Bar Roll in 1977, Frank was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1987 and a foundation member of the Court of Appeal from 1995 until his retirement in 2007. In retirement, as a Southby Visiting Fellow, he established the Philosophy Club at Geelong Grammar School and was referred to fondly as “an intellectual Timbertop”. He also introduced a “Positive Education” program at St Paul’s College at the University of Sydney, of which he was an Honorary Academic Fellow. - Vale Mr Callaway
Dr Chester Murray Robin Gray, 1983 Robin (as he preferred to be named) Gray attended Caulfield Grammar from 1941 to 1951, to later become a member of the teaching staff (1968 to 1985). In his final year as a student, he was School Captain and Dux of the School. Robin was the President of the Caulfield Grammarians’ Association 1980 to 1981 as well as Worshipful Master of the Caulfield Grammarians’ Lodge for two consecutive years. Dr Gray received a doctorate in Educational Psychology from Monash University (his thesis being entitled Explanations that Enhance Learning in Science), a Master of Education from The University of Melbourne, as well as a Diploma in Mathematics and another in Applied Science from Curtin University. With particular interests in science education and in researching the teacher/student interaction, he assisted in the establishment of an annual program for the Department of Genetics to teach seven to nine year olds. Dr Gray became a Fellow of The Royal Institution (in the United Kingdom) and a Member of the Australian College of Educators, The Royal Australian Chemical Institute and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. - Vale Dr Gray
December 2015 Volume 68 No. 2 Page 23
The Melbourne Graduate Donations We are grateful to the following for your donations. Miss Joan Ansell
Mr Francesco Caso
Dr Eric Gilford
Mr Stanton Archer
Mrs Diana Cherry
Mr Francis Wilson Goding
Dr Peter Ashton
The Reverend Stephen Cherry
Mr George Goode
Mrs Lois Baglin Mr Leonard Harold Bailey Mr Michael Barden Mr Alan Bell Ms Marja Berclouw Dr Geoffrey Bishop Dr Kaspars Bitans Mr Michael Bolam Ms Gweneth Mable Bowles Mr John Edward Brearley Dr Desmond and Ruth Bright Mr Clive Hele Brookes Dr Thomas Brown Mr John Burns Mrs Nancy Burns Ms Elizabeth Butt OAM Mr Albert Leslie Campain Mr Paul Carlin Mrs Dorothy Carroll Ms Elizabeth Carvosso Dr Allan T Casey
Ms Wendy Cobcroft Mr Eric M Cohen Mr Ewan Russel Colson Professor Lurene Contento Mr Roger Cook Mrs Grietje Croll The Family of the late T R A Davey Mr Lloyd Davies Mr Kingsley Davis OAM Dr John Dawborn Mr Arthur Day Mr Edward Dickinson Miss Betna Dryden Mr Graeme Ivallan Duke Mr Kurt Eppinger Associate Professor Joseph Epstein Ms Francesca Folk-Scolaro Mr Frank Ford Mr Eric Ford Mr John Franklin
December 2015 Volume 68 No. 2 Page 24
Dr Brendan Grabau Mrs Wendy Graham Ms Roberta Grant Mr John Green and Mrs Diana Green Ms Beryl Green Professor Daryl Le Grew Ms Kay Gulenc Mr John Haasz Ms Olive Hamilton Ms Joan Harcourt Mr Richard David Harcourt Mr Roy Hardcastle Mr Max Rodney Hardman Dr Marian Hill Professor Brian Howe Mrs Wendy Seng Hpa Dr Frank Jones Dr Michael Jones Miss Janet Gwendoline Kay Miss Betty Keay Ms Mary Kelleher
The Melbourne Graduate Donations Your benefaction is reflective of the generosity of our membership. Thank you. Ms Helen Keneley
Mr Alan Noble
Mr Eric Stokes
Mr Brian Krahnert
Mr Philip Norman
Mr Stephen Stuart
Mr David De Krester
Mr Donald Pemberton
Dr Rodney Taft
Mr John Landy
Dr Marinis Pirpiris
Dr Bernadette Taylor
The Family of the late Philip Garth Law
Mrs Joan Mary Pretty
Ms Margaret Toomey
Miss Judith Price
Mr Ian Tyler
Ms Nancy Price
Dr Geoffrey Vaughan AO
Dr Joanna Pyper
Mr John Vernon
Mrs Joyce Richards
Mr Ben Wadham
Mr Ron Ritchie
Mr Geoff Walls
Mr John Heath Roberts
Dr Sam Walsh
Dr David Robson
Mr Rhys Watson
Mr James Rowan
Mr Brian Webb
Mr Keith Ryall
Ms Joy Gladys Wellings
Dr Brian Salter-Duke
Dr David Westmore
Mr Darcy R Seller
Mr Peter Wetherall
Mrs Elizabeth Sevior
Ms Susan G Wilson
Dr Elizabeth Shaw
Dr Jennifer Woods
Mr Peter Sholl
Mr Mark Worsnop
Mr David Lea Mr Kenneth Lee Dr Sharon Lierse Dr Susan Lim Mrs Helen Lloyd Incentive Logic Sheila Margaret Loudon Mr Richard William Manuell Mr George Markou and Mrs Connie Markou Dr Lynette Frances Martin Mrs Mary Maslen Mr Kenneth C Mawson Ms Margaret Mayers Mrs Desma McDonald Mr Edward Miller Mrs Anne Mulholland and Mr James Mulholland Mr Edward Muntz Dr Anthony Nicholls Mr Roy Bruce Nichols
Mr John Skuja Mr David Sparks and Mrs Prue Sparks Dr Walter Stephens Mr Kevin M Stevenson AM Ms Bethia Stevenson
Thank you also to those who contributed to our Donations Box and to those donorswhohavenominated to remain anonymous.
Professor John Stillwell
December 2015 Volume 68 No. 2 Page 25
The Melbourne Graduate Our Members Recognised
Australia Day 2015 Honours List Emeritus Professor (John) Henry Bennett
awarded Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division for significant service to tertiary education and research in the field of genetics, and the analysis and preservation of science history.
Mr Stephen Charles Spargo
awarded Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division for significant service to the community through a range of executive roles with business, agricultural, sporting and health organisations.
Council Member Mr R. Kingsley Davis
awarded Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for service to the community through youth and heritage organisations, and to the law.
Dr George Zbigniew Luk-Kozika
awarded Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for service to the Polish Community of Victoria workplace bullying initiatives.
Queen’s Birthday 2015 Honours List The Honourable Justice Christopher Murray MAXWELL
awarded Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the General Division for eminent service to the law and to the judiciary, particularly administrative reform of the appeals process, through contributions to legal education and professional development, and as a leading supporter of human rights and civil liberties.
Ms Helen Leslie SMITH
awarded Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division for significant service to fencing as an Olympic athlete, coach and mentor, and through a range of leadership and administrative roles.
Ms Merle Estelle THORNTON
awarded Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division for significant service to the community as an advocate for women, and Indigenous rights, and to the arts as a writer and director.
Mrs Emily LENNIE
awarded Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for service to music, to musical education, and to the community.
Mr Francis PECK
awarded Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for service to education, and to professional organisations. December 2015 Volume 68 No. 2 Page 26
The Melbourne Graduate Our Members Dr Kester Thomas Brown AM, Life Member, 1981 Dr Brown AM AM, MD FANZCA FRCA FCA(SA) is a retired anaesthesologist who, coincidentally, worked previously with our just retired President, Major General Professor Jeffrey V Rosenfeld. He gained his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery/Chirurgery (MB ChB) in 1960 from the University of St Andrews in Scotland, became a Fellow of the Faculty of Anaesthetists of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1967 and obtained his Doctor of Medicine (MD) from The University of Melbourne in 1981. Dr Brown worked at The Royal Children’s Hospital from 1967, as the first appointed Medical Officer to the Intensive Care Unit, until 2006, during which time he was Director of Anaesthesia, Director of Theatre Services and Chairman/Director of the Division of Specialist Services, amongst many other positions. The Australian Society of Anaesthetists named a lecture in his honour in 1997 and he was President of the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists from 2000 to 2004. A prolific traveller, he has published a book entitled Travels to the Ends of the Earth: The Far North and South Depicted in Paintings, Poems, Photographs and Stories. This is a compilation of 250 images that Dr Brown painted and photographed while travelling in Antarctica, the sub-Antarctic islands, Greenland, Spitzbergen, Lofoten Islands in Norway and northern Canada. He is now writing a number of different articles relating to his experiences in the 1950s while at St Andrews and on the history of anaesthetics. Having accepted an invitation to submit stories for our publications, we are most honoured to present to Members Dr Brown’s article on Coincidences. Coincidences are the connection with individuals which would not normally be expected. It seems that coincidences occur more often in the lives of some individuals. Is there a hereditary factor or is it how one responds to comments or questions? The latter point has interesting ramifications in the development of conversation. An example illustrates this. I was going on a trip to Britain and planned to travel to Scotland. I told my travel agent that I was going to Edinburgh. “Oh!” She said “ I spent a year in Edinburgh.” I could have replied “Did you.”(end of conversation) Or I could have asked if she enjoyed it or what did she like about it. This might have led to some conversation if I knew Edinburgh. Instead I happened to mention that I went to school there when I was 11. I got an unexpected reply, especially from a girl of Italian origin. “What school did you go to?”. “Heriots” I replied. She happened to have worked in the office of that school for 6 months. Any other response from me would not have enabled us to find out we had something in common. Before that trip I had found a card on my desk with four phone numbers. One was a friend in Florence with whom I had no contact for 9 years. I rang the number and to my surprise he answered, and told me he had retired to the hills north of Pisa and that his son now lived in his 500+ year old house. He had just called in for ten minutes when I rang!
December 2015 Volume 68 No. 2 Page 27
The Melbourne Graduate Our Members Then I met a fellow I had worked with who came from the north of Scotland. I said “I am going to your part of the world in a couple of weeks.” He replied that Barbara, with whom we had both worked, was visiting her mother in Dundee. I responded “I am going there too. I’ll probably meet her in the street.” Walking up the street with my friend there was suddenly a cheerful “Hullo Kester” and there she was with her mother. And that was not the end of it. The next day I was driving through Aberdeenshire and stopped in a village for lunch. A mutual friend told me that a lady who had been grouse beating with us when we were students over 50 years before lived in the area. I asked the fellow who served me if he happened to know her. I was in for a surprise. “She is my mother” he said. In 1980 my secretary, Pam, asked if she could have the next day off so that she could meet her mother at the airport. I said “Yes” and then asked where she had been. “China” she replied. It was still a closed country then. “Had she been on a tour?” the reply was that it was a special trip organized for former pupils of Chefoo School. They kept in touch with a newsletter. The conversation could have stopped at any point and no coincidences would have appeared. A few days later I remembered that there was a girl at university with me who had been born in China and her father was a teacher. I asked if Pam’s mother recognized the name. A week later Pam brought me a 10 year old copy of the newsletter which contained an article by this man telling about his children. The one I knew was teaching in Chile. A few days later I remembered that my brother in law had two uncles who went to China, I knew not where in that vast country. On enquiring it turned out that the daughter of one of them was Pam’s mother’s best friend in England. The uncles had also taught there. Amazing coincidences at such long odds which would not have developed if the converstion had stopped earlier or questions had not been asked. My brother wrote books on historical events in East Africa. On one occasion when he was writing on the exploration of north west Kenya I visited him. “How is your book going?” I asked. He replied “It is complete except I cannot get replies from the library in Parma, Italy about an Italian explorer called Bottego.” What a coincidence. We had had a surgeon from Parma at work with us for the past year and when he was leaving two weeks before, I took his address. I had it in my diary in my pocket. I wrote to him. He replied, inviting my brother to visit him next time he was in Europe and he would help him which he did. It turned out that there was a grand statue to this explorer in front of Parma station but it had not been cared for. My brother wrote to the mayor of Parma saying it was a disgrace that this statue to a great son of Parma had been allowed to fall into disrepair. I heard later that it was fixed up! He was writing another book on the first great safari in Kenya. He wrote and asked me to try to find out about two Australians who went to the Boer War (1899-1902) and they went to Kenya. They were Victor Newland (NSW) and Charles Tarlton (SA) and he gave their year of birth. My initial reaction was “What a stupid request – 90 years ago”. A few weeks later, I had a brain wave. Contact the War Memorial in Canberra. They must have some information about them. Not so. They suggested I employ a researcher to investigate for me. It was before Google and the information available today. Then I remembered Malcolm Newland who was 25-30 years older than myself. I managed to contact him. Yes, he was Victor Newland’s nephew but there were five brothers and the families did not keep in contact. Some time later, he wrote to tell me that he had tracked down Victor Newland’s two granddaughters and one of them had all his journals from Africa. I contacted her and she invited me to dinner when I visited Adelaide two months later. What excitement it was when she brought the little brief case and opened it. There was a manuscript full of information about the earliest days of Nairobi and Kenya. Just what my brother needed because it was about the time his tale took place. She generously let me take a photocopy for my brother. These two men became safari outfitters amongst other occupations and were involved with this safari. Newland also became an auctioneer and sold many of the blocks for the first and second time in the main streets of the new town of Nairobi about 1904 till 1906. He was also on the first town council in Nairobi and the first legislative council in Kenya. He returned to Australia in 1923, became an eminent South Australian and was knighted.
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The Melbourne Graduate Our Members My hostess told there is a Tarlton Street in Brighton, Adelaide. She would investigate that on her return from overseas. “Where were they going ?” I asked. “ To visit the west of Scotland where her husband’s family came from.” Then I remembered that the former clan chieftain, who had recently died there, was a friend of my parents. He lived over the back fence when with the British army in Kenya. Another connection. My brother then found someone in U.K. who told him that Tarlton had a nephew in Melbourne who I visited once. Later, in Perth, I regaled this story to an old friend who had been at school with me in Kenya half a century earlier who then added another coincidence. He had met Tarlton at a friend’s place while holidaying with him at the coast. His friend who was also at school with us was Tarlton’s godson. So, against all odds I had been able to help my brother unexpectedly twice through coincidental connections. When I was a student in U.K. I twice bumped into old school friends – one walking round Trafalgar Square in London and the other walking along Princes Street in Edinburgh. I was playing hockey in Vancouver. After the game I was talking to the fellow who played in front of me. We discovered that we had played in opposing teams in Belfast a few years earlier when we were students. When I was in Vancouver I visited friends who told me that a lad form Kenya lived over the back fence. When I investigated I found that he was an old family friend of whom I had not heard for several years. David invited me to dinner. There was a lady there alone as her husband was not able to attend. My host thought I might have met him. I hadn’t. Late in the evening I mentioned a school which I had attended in Nairobi by name. She immediately responded that she had attended it too. She had been in the class below me! The strange thing was that I hardly ever mentioned that school. Why on this occasion? My host had come to work with me. It turned out that his father was a contemporary of my brothers at school. I had not known this before he came. I later met David at a Congress in Paris. I asked if he was going to London as my brother was there at the time and I knew David wanted to meet him. He was but only briefly. I also went to London and when I went to Victoria Station to catch a train to the airport for my flight to Bulgaria, there was David in the next parallel queue. It was another coincidental meeting. I gave him my brother’s phone number and he contacted him from his train. I could have missed him if I had not looked around. My youngest son also has some amazing coincidence stories which made me wonder if there is an inherited tendency or does acute observation play a part. He certainly developed the latter. I picked him up from a house where he was living temporarily when he was a student. I commented on a purple couch lying on the verandah. He told me that it belonged to a girl he had met at a party who had lived there before going overseas. He then met her by chance in London and again at the Glastonbury festival which was attended by about 100,000 people. Then he told me that he had met a Swede in Guatamala in Central America and a few months later he met the same fellow walking down the street in Stockholm. The interesting question is “Why do some people experience more coincidences than others?” Is it due to the nature of conversation, an enquiring attitude, acute observation or is that just the way things are, or do some people fail to recognize them due possibly to disinterest. Coincidences can enhance conversation either by telling the story or by the nature of the coincidence. Kester Brown (Higher MD 1981)
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The Melbourne Graduate Our Members Dennis Danipog , Resident Member 2014 The 2015 Graduate House Research Scholarship recipient I am currently undertaking a PhD in Education at The University of Melbourne, having been awarded an Australia Awards Scholarship. I also recently obtained a Specialist Certificate in Teaching for Graduate Researchers (SCTGR) at the Centre for the Study of Higher Education, The University of Melbourne and I hold a Master’s degree in Chemistry Education from the University of The Philippines. My current PhD studies are about the Philippines’ Kindergarten to Year 12 science curriculum of the Assessment, Curriculum and Technology Research Centre, a joint initiative of The University of the Philippines and The University of Melbourne. My research interests include assessment in education, scientific inquiry and teacher professional development. Recent efforts have been directed to improve science teaching and learning of the basic education in the Philippines. The Department of Education initiated a curriculum reform which resulted in the implementation of the Enhanced Basic Education (K to 12) Program. The K to 12 Program covers from kindergarten level to year 12 of basic education. In this Program, the new science curriculum emphasis is on the learning of inquiry skills in addition to knowledge acquisition of science content. Due to this reform, I am motivated to pursue research on the nature of classroom instruction of teachers – particularly their enactment of scientific inquiry practices as they implement the new K to 12 science curriculum.
Dennis receives the Graduate House Research Scholarship award from Chairman of Council, Mr Rhys Watson.
These are the objectives of my PhD project. •
To provide an evidence-based documentation of specific scientific inquiry teaching practices of teachers in Philippine classrooms;
•
To provide information on the extent of implementation of these practices and how it is related to student achievement of inquiry skills and science content; and
•
To inform the Department of Education on increasing teachers’ capacity to use scientific inquiry teaching practices associated with greater achievement of students in terms of inquiry skills and science content.
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One of the planning sessions with secondary school science teachers in Manila to develop together a research lesson plan in chemistry.
The Melbourne Graduate Our Members
On the 31st August, 2015, I presented my research paper at the 2015 European Science Education Research Association (ESERA) Conference which was held at the University of Helsinki in Finland. The 2015 Graduate House Research Scholarship which I received helped me be a part of this excellent opportunity. I am a professional secondary school teacher and I have taught Chemistry and Science Research in the secondary schools in Manila. I also work as a Science Education Specialist at the University of the Philippines National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development.
Observing a Grade 7 chemistry class in secondary schools in Manila as part of my PhD research project.
My work involves planning and conducting research projects related to science education; developing training materials on science teaching; conducting training programs/short-term courses on science teaching; assisting in curriculum development and in conceptualization of development projects in science education and I participate in the evaluation of curriculum project materials. I have very much enjoyed my stay here at Graduate House and in Melbourne and thank Members for their generosity in donating the Scholarship funds which enabled me to present at the conference in Helsinki!
Dennis Danipog at the 2015 European Science Education Research Association (ESERA) Conference
My research involving children in a classroom.
Enjoying the company of my good friends at Graduate House.
Dennis Danipog’s research topic is Teaching for Scientific Literacy: Exploring Teachers’ Science Enquiry Practices and Student’s Achievements In Science.
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The Melbourne Graduate Our Members Jingyao (Betsy) Yu, Resident Member 2014 Recipient of the Graduate Union Bursary in 2015 I am 20 years old and doing a Master of Management (Accounting and Finance) at The University of Melbourne. I started my tertiary pathway with a Bachelor of Management at Sun Yat-sen University in China, where I was born. For my entrance, I achieved first place in the independent recruitment of two universities that were part of the Project 985 (involves national and local government funding at various selected universities), Sun Yat-sen and Beihang Universities where I was pre-enrolled in the elite class of economics. I then made my way to Queensland where I completed a Bachelor of International Hospitality and Tourism Management. My switch to accounting and finance was because my family nurtured me to proceed within the finance field. I am also interested in maths and the business subject area as I think business and economics play crucial roles in social development. I believe that with more advanced economic development, few people will be homeless, helpless and hopeless. During my tertiary studies I also ventured to gain some professional experience in which I successfully gained three valuable opportunities. In Hong Kong I was an intern at Grandtag Financial Group, in Germany I assisted with the world’s leading travel show ITB Berlin, and in Australia I was engaged with the festivities of the Brisbane Fringe Festival.
Jingyao on Graduation Day. Congratulations from all of us at Graduate House!
My time at Graduate House was wonderful and during my stay in 2015 I was lucky enough to be awarded the Graduate House Bursary where I used the generous funds to finance my summer school venture at The University of Cambridge where I undertook an international politics course. Outside of University life I also enjoy drawing, skating, cooking and fashion design. Jingyao speaking at the Donor’s Luncheon in August 2015.
Betsy receiving her Bursary, just before the annual General Meeting, from Chairman of Council, Mr Rhys Watson.
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With friends at Graduate House.
The Melbourne Graduate Our Members Abraham Arief, Resident Member 2014 2015 Research Acknowledgement Awardee When you are born and raised in a developing country with a modest or even poor living standard, managing money is the first priority in the family. Struggling with economic development and finding a way to gain a better living condition is a daily activity. However, I realised that the people in the community sometimes neglect the financial education to support what they are fighting for. I realised that by studying finance, it will help my family in the first place to have a better economic condition and to help the community to break the vicious cycle of poverty.
This photo was taken on one of my trips along Great Ocean Road.
I was born in Bandung, Indonesia. It is the capital of West Java province, which during the Dutch colonialisation, was called Paris van Java, or Paris in Java. Indonesia struggled a lot during the Asian Financial Crisis that was amplified by the social-political crisis in 1998. Today, Indonesia is somewhat revitalised. Thanks to regime changes and a dynamic political condition, Indonesia is on the verge of becoming the world’s next economic power. Currently, the Indonesian government is taking significant reforms and building infrastructure to support growth in the future. My first encounter with finance was during my undergraduate studies with the School of Business and Management at the Bandung Institute of Technology (SBM-ITB). It was then I saw that my interest in mathematics and logic are realised in finance. Finishing my degree, I felt that I did not have enough knowledge to start my finance career and so decided to undertake my Master’s degree. My dream was to take an MSc in Finance in the United Kingdom, however, after debate with my family, I applied to overseas universities that are close to Indonesia, such as Singapore, Malaysia and Australia. However, before I went to Australia, I was accepted to Magister of Management, University of Indonesia, and took one semester before eventually being transferred to Australia. I received three letters of offer: one from The University of Sydney, another from The Australian National University and the third from The University of Melbourne. In the end, I accepted the Master of Finance, The University of Melbourne offered in conjunction with the scholarship of International Postgraduate Coursework Award (IPCA) in 2013. My first year in Melbourne was quite rough in terms of adapting to a different culture and life and catching up with the classes as it was my first time studying overseas. Even though things were tricky, I also took the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level II and III exams for my professional designation. The CFA designation has become the most respected and recognized in investment in the world. I also participated in the Melbourne Business School Career Mentoring Program that connected me to professionals in Australia and overseas. I learned a lot from them. One of them told me “find an organisation and participate there at least to get the title for my CV”. At first I thought that I would be just an ordinary student that works to finish my degree and do something else. However, things changed in my second year here. By March 2015, my world had changed 180 degrees from ordinary into extraordinary. My second year was interesting as I was involved in a lot of extra-curricular work. I began an internship in Astra Credit Company (ACC) in Indonesia for the summer holidays, and I also became involved with the Graduate House Student Group (GHSG). GHSG was formed in August 2014 with the goal to provide a medium for Residents of Graduate House to interact outside the usual meal times. Taking into account my mentor’s advice, I applied for the position of Treasurer late November, as it would have been vacant. When I returned from my internship in Indonesia, everything had changed: the GHSG President of that time was also leaving and there was no replacement. I then felt the need to take on this challenge and so instead of treasurer I became a co-President with my fellow Resident Candice Tan. December 2015 Volume 68 No. 2 Page 33
The Melbourne Graduate Our Members Graduate House is a dynamic place with high turnover, and with diverse and multicultural Residents. Variation in age, field of study, language, etc. are common here which reminded me of my country, Indonesia. Indonesia is a multicultural society with different cultures, languages, and religions, yet we are united as one nation. Bhinneka Tunggal Ika - Unity in Diversity - that is our national motto and this is the inspiration that I used - this spirit - to develop this group. Together, Candice Tan and I achieved great milestones from the GHSG. We organised the monthly Social Mixer, where residents can mix and get to know each other in a relaxed social event. We had Bollywood Night, Games Night and a BBQ party for the first semester of 2015. We started the Resident Research Talks, to give opportunity to discuss what they are currently researching. The talks involve a broad range of topics from education, media and communication, to computer science, medicine, physiology, business and economics. This event opens Abraham addressing Resident members at the Residents Research talk. up the opportunity to discover insights on a new area of research in the many different fields that Residents at Graduate House represent. Additionally, we also started our own website and improved our communications channels to involve more Residents in the events. I have now finished my study in Melbourne and I will hand over my work to the next president in the Bi-Annual General Meeting (because of the turnover, we need to have two AGMs in a year!). I feel really grateful with all the experiences in Graduate House and I am sure this will help me achieve great things in my career. This is what the schools and universities cannot teach: leadership and soft skills. Finance is not always about complicated calculation, long confusing prospectuses, or money. It involves a lot of soft skills, like negotiation, strategy, and psychology. I graduated and will head back to Indonesia, maybe not with my best academic marks but with wonderful experiences. Currently, I am searching for investment and consulting jobs in Indonesia or in South East Asia. In the future, my dream is to build my own company, which can help Indonesia become a better nation with more financial knowledge and professionalism. Behavioural Finance: Thinking, Fast and Slow (by Abraham Arief) Though postgraduates may rely on either their scholarship or allowance from institutions to support their study, with money either bestowed in a lump sum or monthly payment, some may still struggle to make ends meet. Many people think of finance as being somewhat complicated, but it doesn’t have to be, especially when the topic is approached from a psychological perspective. There are currently two major bodies for finance knowledge: traditional finance and behavioural finance. Traditional finance assumes that humans are rational, self-interested, and instantly update their decision when new information is presented. On the other hand, behavioural finance acknowledges that humans are not rational, think of others, and sometimes lag in updating new information. As behavioural finance further explores how humans make decisions, psychology becomes a very powerful tool to analyse this. In his book, Thinking, Fast and Slow, Daniel Kahneman – who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for his work in applying psychological insights to economic theory – talks about a breakthrough in decision-making knowledge. He and Amos Tversky, a cognitive mathematical psychologist and Kahneman’s collaborator, developed a new understanding of decision-making. Rather than using ‘rational’ decision-
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The Melbourne Graduate Our Members making, he proposed that humans use two systems to think: System 1 and System 2. System 1 is fast, intuitive and emotional. System 2 is slower, more deliberative and more logical. These two systems interact and can make good or bad decisions depending on how they’re used. Let’s look at an example on how we spend our money. When we see a sale System 1 will kick in and we might say, for example, “that chocolate seems tasty and it is cheap, I want it!” The desire and the speed from System 1 frame your decision that chocolate is tasty and cheap – but do you really need it? Have you checked your chocolate stash in your house? Researchers divide the deviation from the rational decision-making or behavioural biases into two: cognitive error and emotional biases. Cognitive errors – cognitive distortions like overgeneralisation, jumping to conclusions, and emotional reasoning – cause us to take sub-optimal decisions by influencing us to construe situations inaccurately. Cognitive errors are easier to be corrected through education (that’s why you need to continue your study!). On the other hand, emotional biases, as the name suggests, see deviations because of our emotion. From a financial perspective, emotional biases can include overconfidence and self-control and loss aversion. These need to be adapted or moderated in a strategic manner, perhaps through better planning or trying to enhance emotional awareness. One of the most common biases when it comes to finance is loss aversion and the associated prospect theory. Prospect theory (Kahneman & Tversky, 1979) says that people are taking more risk to avoid the loss. In the event of loss, people choose to gamble rather than to get a sure amount, which is conflicting from what we know from utility theory (people try to maximise the utility they get, or in loss position, they want to minimise the utility they lose). A simple example is Myki fines. When you are caught by the officers without a valid ticket, you have two options: pay $75 on the spot, or go to court where you may be fined $0 or $223. Your System 1 may say, let’s go to court and I have the chance of a free ticket. Yes, but what is your probability to win the case? The problem with System 1 is the unwillingness to conduct a mental calculation, so we may ignore our unlikely probability to win the case. We take a higher risk when our probability is low and rather than just pay the sure amount of $75, you pay the maximum penalties. System 2 on the other hand, would cause you to deliberate and consider the outcome a little more – pay the fine on the spot and be done with it (although we do advise that you always have a valid MyKi!), or go to court and go through all the time consuming motions, and more than likely paying a much higher fine. Understanding behavioural finance means understanding how we make our decisions towards our investments. Understanding how your System 1 and System 2 work will help avoid the common mistakes and reach the best possible outcomes for financial investments and finance in general. I am encouraging you to read Kahneman’s book and ask other people who are experts in the field to learn more about this. Remember – let your System 2 take control! References: Kahneman, D., & Tversky, A. (1979). Prospect Theory: An Analysis of Decision under Risk. Econometrica, 47, 263-91.
Abraham Arief graduated with a Master of Finance from The University of Melbourne in August 2015. He is the former Co-President of the Graduate House Student Group and former resident of Graduate House. We wish him all the very best for the next phase of his Graduate Pathway in Indonesia.
Receiving his Research Acknowledgement Award from Chairman of Council, Mr Rhys Watson.
Abraham was a speaker at the Donor’s Thank You Luncheon in August 2015.
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The Melbourne Graduate Our Members Phyllis Ann Grave, Life Member 1984 Phyllis Ann Grave has been a Member of The Graduate Union since 1984 just after having been conferred a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Melbourne, the annual report at that time recording also that the ‘foundation SecretaryWarden of the Graduate Union, Mr W. Berry, retired’ and a scheme had been negotiated ‘whereby Alumni Association members can have Graduate Union membership at a reduced rate, and vice versa’. After school, Ann pursued a Dress Design Diploma at Melbourne Technical College (now RMIT). Her career in that field didnt take off because of few opportunities at that time. Having married at aged 22, Ann had the luxury of pursuing her passions of dressmaking and painting. She jokes, “I painted everything that stood still”. “And don’t stand next to me or you’d be painted!”, she warned. In recent years, Ann has pursued her interests in travel, the arts and general knowledge. The following is her story of travel in the Balkans in 2010. Some five years ago I first visited the Balkans, namely Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). The centuries of Ottoman occupation have left a strong impression on the architecture and the culture. There is considerable natural beauty - the Dalmation coast, rugged cliffs and heavily wooded mountains. For Australians there was the added novelty of seeing storks nesting on chimneys. Noticing a tour entitled ‘Treasures of the Balkans’ I just had to book a place and by May I had arrived in Budapest. On the journey to my hotel I was struck by the number of derelict buildings lining the route. By contrast the accommodation was of a good standard and well situated close to the Danube and the Chain Bridge which boasted two stone lions couchant at each end. Opposite on the Buda side were the Houses of Parliament and other impressive public buildings.
Ann graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1985 from The University of Melbourne.
The tour was not to begin until evening the following day so that morning I strolled by the river in the spring sunshine Route of the Treasures of the Balkans tour admiring the sometimes whimsical bronze statues. I have Sourced from the Insight Vacations website usually travelled in small groups of about twenty but we were forty in all! Our tour director Karen was very efficient so all went smoothly during the trip. After a delightful group dinner at a restaurant named ‘Gundel’ we spent the next morning on a city tour visiting the impressive Heroes’ Square for a group photo. That evening we enjoyed a highlight – a trip down the Danube which included a delightful smorgasbord meal. The return trip was magical with both banks ablaze with light. Our next stop was Belgrade which continues to show the result of the bombing raids of the nineties. We then headed through the Bosnian mountains to Sarajevo which was founded by the Ottomans in the fifteenth century. We visited the site of the 1914 assassination of the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand
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The Melbourne Graduate Our Members
and his wife. There are various theories. One is that the driver of the car was in league with the assassins and deliberately drove down the wrong street where the killers were waiting. Another involves a plot by the ‘Black Hand Gang’! Then came a reminder of a more recent war when we visited the War Tunnel Museum where our guide or ‘local expert’ was a delightful young woman who showed us a section of the tunnel that was the city’s lifeline during the Bosnian war. It was dug by hand and entered from a house owned by a local woman. Our young guide had lost her parents and a cousin in a bombing raid in that horrifying conflict. Our next stop was Mostar and the reconstructed bridge the Stari Most. I had looked forward to seeing it but was not especially impressed.
Dubrovnik Harbour
Dubrovnik with its city walls and impressive harbour was our next destination – it is really special. Our hotel was some distance from the ‘old town’ and on returning from a sightseeing tour we were surprised to several policemen outside. It seemed the occasion of a graduation ball for senior secondary students was the reason for their presence but, in the event, the young people were very well behaved. Some of the girls were very good looking and beautifully attired. That evening we had a walking tour scheduled before heading for dinner and the heavens opened! The guide struggled on regardless but I just wanted to Bunker in Albania get warm and dry. I think we all did! We arrived at the restaurant which was outdoors to find a warm rug on each chair – so welcomed! The following day was warm and sunny so I returned to the old city and the square to visit the Rector’s Palace. One difficulty on the trip was that most of the country used the local currency so once again I changed some euros which was never difficult but I now have an assortment of notes and coins to find a home. The Rector’s Palace was well worth seeing. I think he was appointed for a month during which time he could only leave if accompanied. An amusing incident occurred soon after; a number of small dogs were out for Sunday ‘walkies’. One was ‘loitering with intent’ and approached a living statue who became very agitated and warned the dog off before he could raise his leg! The following day we were on the road again driving to Kotor in Montenegró then across yet another border to Tirana capital of Albania. There were fewer signs of the communist era than I had seen on my earlier visit but the traffic was just as frightening! A common feature of Albania is the number of concrete bunkers dotted over the country. They look like dwellings for creatures from outer space! I imagine many people went hungry during their constructions. Next stop was Ohrid situated on the lake of the same name which straddles the border between Albania and the FYROM. On our arrival we were greeted by the call to prayer from a nearby minaret. Once again rain arrived so we scurried to our hotel as water lapped on our path from the very choppy lake.
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The Melbourne Graduate Our Members Next stop was Skopje. I think it was outside that city that we visited the remarkable church of St George (I don’t keep a travel journal so sometimes locations become confused!). The church interior was covered from floor to ceiling with mosaics. Another amazing site was the Rila Monastery founded in the tenth century. To quote from the brochure ‘from the outside the monastery looks like a fortress yet once through the gates you are bedazzled by a series of kaleidoscopic frescoes and red and cream striped brickwork!’ The Bulgarian capital Sophia is a delightful city named for St. Sophia – the patron saint of Bulgaria. We proceeded to the old capital Veliko Tarnovo then on to the UNESCO World Heritage village of Arbanassi where we visited the Church of the Holy Nativity which featured beautiful frescos covering the walls – I would have loved to spend longer studying them. That evening I experienced one of the strangest sights of my long life at a Bulgarian Folklore show in an open air restaurant. In this area many locals make their own brandy. The meal began with a shot of this firewater. To one side a huge bonfire blazed. Dinner was, as always, more than ample although on the tour I did miss my daily serve of green veges! The entertainers danced and unfortunately, sometimes, sang! The diameter of the fire pit was roughly four to five metres and a middle aged man spent some time raking the embers. When all was prepared he and a companion crossed barefooted several times then extracted young women form the audience to carry across the pit, safely! Another day another country! Our destination – Romania. We were of course accustomed to presenting our passports at various borders to sour looking officials. Romania proved the most trying. Our Driver Goran was obliged to unload half our luggage from the hold but no contraband, no stowaway. After much delay we crossed the border and entered Romania then travelled on to Sinaia too late to visit the summer residence of the royal family. It seems there is still a King but he wields no power. The following day we joined our guide Vlad for a tour of Bran Castle. The castle’s former owner was the notorious Vlad the Impaler. I don’t know if our guide was named Vlad by coincident or design but he managed to look suitably sinister especially when he briefly turned away then reappeared sporting an impressive set of fangs! Apparently Bram Stoker the author of Dracula had not visited Transylvania but was believed to have based his character on the Count. The notoriety certainly gives a boost to the local economy! Finally we toured the royal palace and this proved to be quite an experience – it was very elegant. House with ‘eyes’ in Romania.
Village scene in Romania.
Then on to our final destination, Bucharest, where the big highlight was a tour of the enormous Parliament Palace, one of the largest buildings in the world. It is still under construction and suitably magnificent. After all, it was intended to serve as a monument to Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife while the people went without! The following morning we departed to our various countries, notably Canada and Australia. Then things fell apart. My booking clerk was unable to secure my Dubai to Melbourne boarding pass. It think I know that vast airport from one end to the other now! Eventually the boarding pass was obtained. Certainly the approach to Dubai at night is spectacular but I never want to see it again! Possibly my overseas travels are over now, but there is still so much of the world to visit so we shall see. I feel so privileged to travel by choice and return safely to a prosperous and peaceful country.
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The Melbourne Graduate Our Members David Allinson, Resident Member 2014 Recipient of the Graduate Union Bursary in 2015 I am currently in my second year of law at The University of Melbourne, having begun the Juris Doctor in February 2014. Since then I have been working for a National Property Law firm, and as Submission Coordinator for the Melbourne Journal of International Law. In my elected position of Vice-President of the Graduate House Residents’ Committee I am responsible for researching and providing advice on policy issues that face the Committee as a small, but growing, organisation. I am also an informal tutor for law students at Graduate House. My first degree was a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Philosophy from the University of Queensland. I have also pursued a PhD in legal philosophy at the University of Sydney, and have worked for Government as a policy officer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services Queensland. While a very general degree, my interest in philosophy has always been in the practical interaction between theory, law, and politics. In particular, I am interested in the way Australian democratic processes are influenced, and frequently subverted by, economic and legal pressures. My Honours thesis, and later my PhD research, both problematised the concept of democratic statehood as a purely political concept. There I explored the pervasive economic subtext in contemporary arguments about democratic legitimacy.
On a tram, having made friends with an errant (yet charming!) cockatoo!
I hope to remain in Australia, where I have come to call home after having lived in the UK, Germany and Singapore. Following my JD studies I would be equally pleased to return to a career in government or to explore private legal practice. Wherever I am, however, my ultimate goal is to be in a position to make positive changes to the public culture of this sometimes troubled, but wonderful country.
Receiving his 2015 Bursary Award from Chairman of Council, Mr Rhys Watson.
Canberra in 2014, re-enacting (perhaps with some creative licence) the landing of Captain Cook at the Museum of Australian Democracy.
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The Melbourne Graduate Our Members Parisa Shiran, Resident Member 2014 2015 Research Acknowledgement Awardee You see things; you say, ‘Why?’ But I dream of things that never were; and I say ‘Why not?”, George Bernard Shaw thus said, reflecting the hope which has always been blazing in my heart with which I fought through my life and climbed up the ladder of success. Though deaths and pains were not my choices, to live was a decision I made early in my life when I found myself deprived of the unparalleled love and welfare that the presence of my parents could have guaranteed. No more than five years old, I lost my father in an accident. My mother, however, died another death when she abandoned me to time, destiny and my grandparents whose affectionate nurturing assured my growth and progress. The desire to unfetter myself from the chains of a marginalized social status as an orphan encouraged me to become educated. Literature, stories and their deep entwinement with life and reality enthralled me and made me determined to write the story of my life the way I wanted. -Parisa Shiran, PhD candidate in English and Theatre Studies, The University of Melbourne. Parisa at the National Gallery of Victoria.
Parisa kindly contributed this opening extract, and the content that ensues is from an interview between Parisa and The Graduate Union Publications team. Parisa was awarded the Graduate House Research Acknowledgement award for her PhD work in women’s literature at the 2015 Annual General Meeting in May. Born in Isfahan, Iran, Parisa Shiran lost her parents at the age of 5 and was raised by her grandparents. From the time she started learning and reading her grandfather began to instill in her an appreciation and interest in literature by letting her read poems to him. “He loved poems and had a story-telling nature, and loved telling stories of his life and his past, and stories that he had heard,” said Parisa. Greatly inspired by her grandfather, Parisa started learning English when she was 9 as her Grandad was always emphasising that English is an international language and it needs to be learned as it can open more promising pathways of success in the future. Parisa’s Grandad also always had a strong emphasis on education, “he always emphasised that no matter what happens in life you have to put education as the most basic activity in your life. These ideas are the most prominent ideas in my mind and they still shape how I think and how I go through life,” said Parisa. With this powerful influence from her Grandfather, Parisa then decided that this would be her pathway for education. When Parisa commenced her tertiary education, she sat for a Bachelor of English Language
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and Literature at the University of Isfahan in Iran. Throughout her four-year study, Parisa remained a top student and was then awarded a Master of Arts (MA) of English literature at her university. During her MA, Parisa continued studying English language and literature while simultaneously working as a freelance translator for university students working in various fields and required translation from English to Persian. Parisa was then immersed in literature and English language, confidence in her craft, building. “During the MA, I also tried to attend workshops and conferences. At one conference at The University of Tehran I presented my work, and a couple of faculty members from another university who had attended my presentation, approached me and asked me to start teaching at their English department,” enthused Parisa. Parisa’s teaching career then flourished: she commenced teaching English literature at Shahrekord University (an hour’s distance from Isfahan). She also started teaching at an Institute of Higher Education in Isfahan. She taught English prose, poetry, and developed curriculum around core readings including a wide variety of figures from 18th Century literature to 20th Century figures such as T. S. Eliot and Virginia Woolf. These activities propelled Parisa’s interest in further research, as during this time she was also working on a research project that she wanted to do for her PhD and decided to apply to an overseas university. “I applied to Melbourne and got a scholarship which enabled me to come here. I received the International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) and Australian Postgraduate Award (APA). Today I am completing my PhD in English and Theatre Studies, in the School of Culture and Communication,” said Parisa. Her research project is a feminist philosophical study of a group of women writers and is examining women’s literature from a feminist philosophical perspective. “I would like to arrive at a theoretical account of women’s literature – I want to see whether I can come to a theory or a philosophy that would show how gender, sexuality and culture form the literature of women,” said Parisa. Her work is proving successful as on July 15th, she passed her PhD confirmation (converts PhD student to PhD candidate) and she will soon commence tutoring in English and Theatre studies. “I am excited about tutoring this semester and I will also target conferences at the University of New South Wales (modernist studies). I am also aiming to go to the University of Maryland to seek out unpublished papers and manuscripts by one of the female writers I am researching,” said Parisa. While Parisa has only been at Graduate House since July last year, she has developed a certain fondness for Graduate House. “I like it here! At dinner I can sit with people from all over the world and different cultures – it’s very exciting,” enthused Parisa.
Receiving her award from the Chairman of Council, Mr Rhys Watson.
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The Melbourne Graduate Our Members Dr Richard D. Harcourt, Life Member 1951 Dr Richard D. Harcourt, known here at Graduate House and amongst friends and colleagues, as Dick, is a regular in the dining room, often sitting with colleagues wearing beautifully knitted jumpers, debating fine chemistry, yearning for a Brownlow Medal notwithstanding a dubious history with the then VFL, deserving (definitely) of a Nobel Prize, giving us a daily pun (with, again, dubious levels of actual humour) and mentioning his former daily family ritual of reading Barry Humphries. An Honorary Research Fellow with the School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science at The University of Melbourne since 1994, Dick is a member of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and, publishing since 1975, has nearly 160 articles in international peerreviewed journals, his latest in 2015 in the prestigious Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation (Volume 11) published by the American Chemical Society and entitled Three-Electron Bond ValenceBond Structures for the Ditetracyanoethylene Dianion. A Wesley College alumnus, (earlier, Ripponlea State School for primary schooling), Dr Harcourt has a Bachelor of Science and a Diploma of Education from The University of Melbourne. As a bonded(!) student teacher with the Victorian Education Department, he taught for three years (+6 weeks unbonded!) at Box Hill and Sale Technical Schools. He then returned to The University of Melbourne for further Maths/ Science study, and travelled overseas for a year. In 1963, Richard gained a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Monash University, becoming Monash Graduation Day at The University of Melbourne in 1952. University’s first PhD graduate! From 1963 to 1964 he was a Postdoctoral Fellow in the School of Chemistry at The University of Melbourne, before moving to the Department of Physical Chemistry between 1965 and 1993, first as a Lecturer (until 1968) and then as a Senior Lecturer. He is married to Melbourne University Graduate Alison Harcourt, who tutors in the Maths/Stats department and is also a Life Member of The Graduate Union. They have two children (both graduates of The University of Melbourne) and two grandchildren. In his story ‘A Career in Bonds’ in which all puns are intended, Dick explains how he feels lucky to have been in the right place at the right time to be able to produce a new conceptual basis for descriptive chemical bonding theory, and to become arguably one of the world’s best theoretical chemists in this area of research.
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The Melbourne Graduate Our Members A Career in Bonds In 1957, when I was a supply teacher at Acton Technical School, London, I chanced to see a notice about a forthcoming Summer School in Theoretical Chemistry at Oxford University. A friend suggested that I should attend it – and remarked that one never knows where it might lead.
Professor David P. Craig (1919-2015)
Professor Ronald D. Brown (1927-2008)
Doctor Dick (Richard) D. Harcourt
One of the lecturers at the Summer School was the late (ANU) Professor David P. Craig (above left). I asked him if there were anyone at the Melbourne University Chemistry School with whom I could work on Theoretical Chemistry. He suggested Doctor Ronald D. Brown (above middle). I wrote to Doctor Brown, and he accepted me. In March 1958, I began my research for a 2-year MSc degree. At first, I did not settle down well to work. Late in 1959, Doctor Brown (subsequently, Foundation Professor of Chemistry at Monash University) suggested that I should test a theory proposed by others to explain why the chemical bond between the two nitrogen atoms of O2N-NO2 (dinitrogen tetroxide) was long and weak. We thought that the testing would take only a few weeks. But because of the nature of the theory, the testing took much longer, and spilled over into the initial stages of my PhD research. In September 1960 (during the VFL grand final week!), my calculations suggested a new theory that provided a better explanation for the origin of that long, weak N-N bond. In 1961, Professor Brown and I (now both at Monash University) published a short account of the theory in the Proceedings of the Chemical Society. It was then recognized in the Highlights from the Current Literature section of the journal Chemistry & Industry. For (lucky) me, the consequences of this theory have been enormous. Since March 1963, they have formed the basis for much of my research at the Melbourne University Chemistry School, where I am now an honorary fellow. These initial studies led me to develop a reformulation of how, using mostly qualitative procedures, we can represent simply the primary distributions of electrons for a very large class of molecules. Since 1968, I have designated this reformulated theory as the “increased-valence” theory.
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The above diagram shows two bonding structures for dinitrogen (two nitrogen [N] atoms) tetroxide (four oxygen [O] atoms). A dot represents an electron. A line represents an N-N or N-O electron-pair bond. A thin bond line represents weakened N-N or N-O electron-pair bond. When proceeding from the (Lewis-type) structure 1 to the “increased-valence” structure 2 (that is, with increased bonding), four electrons are moved (or delocalized) from two of the oxygen atoms into four of the N-O bond regions, thereby increasing by four the number of electrons involved in N-O bonding, (and weakening the N-N bond in particular).
a
Lecture Notes in Chemistry by R. D. Harcourt.
The 2nd Edition - Bonding In Electron-Rich Molecules.
In 1982, I published a volume on “increased-valence” theory for the Springer Lecture Notes in Chemistry series. In 2013, a representative from Springer invited me to produce a 2nd edition, writing: “Your work is a valuable contribution to scholarly communication and the history of science. It therefore deserves to be preserved and used by future scientists.” The 2nd edition, “Bonding in Electron-Rich Molecules”, will be published shortly. With some exceptions1, others working in the field of chemical bonding have not given consideration to the “increasedvalence” theory. But in 1993, a reviewer for funding wrote that this theory “shows promise of producing a new conceptual framework for chemistry”. Naturally, I hope that the 2nd edition of the Lecture Notes in Chemistry volume will help substantially to widen its use. A smaller, non-related component of my research has involved further development of a Bohr-type orbit theory for electrons in atoms and molecules. 1
see for example, T. M. Klapötke in “Moderne Anorganische Chemie” (de Gryter, Berlin: editor, E Riedel) 3rd edition (2007).
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Nobel Laureate Professor Linus C. Pauling and Dick Harcourt at the Linus Pauling Institute, Palo Alto, California. July 1982.
The Melbourne Graduate Our Members Alexandra Veuthey resided at Graduate House from 2011 till 2013, her story published in the Melbourne Graduate December 2012. Alexandra returned to stay at Graduate House in February 2015, and is currently pursuing her doctoral research studies. Below is her recount of her trip to New Zealand where she was an invited speaker at a seminar on Legal and Medical Issues Surrounding Concussion in Sport’. My name is Alexandra Veuthey. I graduated from the University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, in February 2007 (Master of Sports law and judicial professions), and passed the Swiss bar examination in July 2009. During my studies, I was also a research assistant for Professor Denis Oswald, and a scientific collaborator at the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES). After completing my legal training in 2009, I returned to this institute in order to work on a new research project. In addition, I worked in several sports and business law firms in Switzerland. As the author of numerous published works (particularly in the field of sports law and entertainment law), I have spoken at international conferences and taught, as a guest speaker, at several universities, both in Switzerland and abroad. My international experience also includes the completion of an LLM (sports law) at Melbourne Law School (2013). In February 2015, I started a Ph.D in sports law at Melbourne Law School, with a central research focus on the regulation of concussion in sport. Concussion is a serious problem for both current and retired professional athletes. The main controversy in this area occurred in American football, where a wave of suicides, together with a class action involving 5,000 players, recently alerted the general public to the potential long-term medical complications associated with multiple instances of concussion. These complications, long denied by the National Football League (NFL), include memory loss, impulse angercontrol problems, disorientation and even dementia. Other team sports, such as ice hockey, Australian Rules Football, rugby and soccer, are also increasingly facing this issue, suggesting similar large-scale scandals in the near future. My main supervisor, Prof. Hayden Opie, is a leading expert in sports law. He is very supportive and thanks to him, I have already found a part-time job as a research assistant at the University. Additionally, I have had the opportunity to present for an afternoon as a guest speaker in the Melbourne Law Masters programme. I have also been invited to New Zealand to speak at a seminar entitled ‘Legal and Medical Issues Surrounding Concussion in Sport’. This seminar, organised by the Australian and New Zealand Sports Law Association/ANZSLA, took place on 3 June 2015 in Auckland/New Zealand. It provided a unique opportunity for me to present my research and develop my international network. I notably met some partners from the law firm Minter Ellison. This firm has the largest sports law practice in New Zealand. Additionally, the seminar was beneficial for my own thesis, as it enabled me to learn more about the current regulation of concussion in sport in New Zealand The two other speakers were Keith Binnie (NZ Rugby Union legal counsel) and Stephen Kara (Auckland Blues team physician). I also took the opportunity of my stay to discover Auckland. Auckland is located in the North Island of New Zealand. It is the largest and most populous urban area in the country (almost 1.5 million inhabitants). Despite the bad weather and the continuous rain, I enjoyed my visit. I walked to the industrial harbour, and went on a half-day tour to see the city highlights. I also went to the sky tower (328 meters tall), which looks down on the whole city, and had lunch in its 360-degree revolving restaurant. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to see the most famous islands encircling the city (Rangitoto, Waiheke and Devonport). After four days, it was already time for me to go back to Melbourne and my thesis!
Sky view of Auckland, New Zealand
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The Melbourne Graduate Our Members Riyan Stephan, Resident Member 2014 2015 Research Acknowledgement Awardee I was born and brought up in Trivandrum, the capital city of the South Indian state of Kerala. I did most of my school and college life there. In 2004, my family and I moved to Dubai and those were the best years in my life. Living in United Arab Emirates (UAE) helped me start a new life in a new country, changed my outlook, provided me with friends from around the world, and gave me many opportunities to grow, develop and shape myself into a better individual. I enjoyed every moment of school life. I completed my Bachelors in Electronics and Communication Engineering in India, where I had the opportunity to focus more on the practical side of electronics which made me curious to participate in SATELLITE BOTRICKS and SWARM ROBOTICS. My interest in this area has also propelled me to be a student member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics and Engineers (IEEE), which I have been for the past three years. I am currently completing a Master’s Degree in Telecommunications Engineering at The University of Melbourne.
Receiving his award from Chairman Rhys Watson at the AGM.
Encouraged and inspired by my experiences with the Sat-Botricks project and the Swarm Robotics workshop, I designed, built, and tested an RF(radio frequency)-Based Smart Zone Vehicle Speed Control to regulate the speed of the vehicles. Control System is actually a device which can modify the existing fixed speed limiters to change their speed limits according to a RF signal sent from outside. I then wanted to do something for the speech impaired community. It was high time to bridge the gap between the vocally challenged community and the speaking community so I designed, built, and tested a sign language interpreter for the mute community. My sign language interpreter is an electronic device that translates sign language into speech by using gesture mapping. I wrote a description of my design in an article that was published in the International Journal of Advanced Research in Electrical, Electronics, and Instrumentation Engineering. (See IJAREEIE Certificate No: V3I05C121, Volume 3, issue 5, May 2014). I was the coordinator of the event Persona in the tech-cult fest Crossroads 2013 where students from other colleges came to showcase their talents and got the chance to take classes on several occasions which created an affinity towards teaching. When you teach you get the chance to know more about the subject. India is a developing country with a great potential in the communications sector. To serve the needs of this developing industry and more important, its vast population, communications is going to become of utmost importance. With the knowledge gained from my studies, I hope to make a positive impact on the world around me using communications systems.
Having fun with other Resident Members at the 2nd Graduate House Ball in October 2015.
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My time at Graduate House has made me feel that I am not alone and I always feel welcomed. I have made wonderful dear friends from different walks of life and from different parts of the world. It has also given me many career and life building opportunities such as my position as events coordinator on the Graduate Committee where I organised events such as rock climbing and speed friending. I was also nominated for the National Student Leadership Forum in Canberra (see pages 52 and 53).Other Residents at Graduate House are wonderfully proactive and we united to pack medicine and other essentials for the victims of the Nepal Earthquake.
The Melbourne Graduate Our Members Oliver Lovell, Resident Member 2014 Recipient of the Graduate Union Bursary in 2015 From July 6th till 8th, 2015, thanks to the help of a very generous Graduate House Bursary award, I was lucky enough to attend the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers’ (AAMT) national conference at Adelaide University. The three days brought together several hundred teachers from across the country to meet, network, and discuss how best to teach mathematics students and keep them engaged and motivated. It was an amazing three days. I met some incredibly inspiring teachers and learned some fantastic techniques for the mathematics classroom. Some of the most inspiring things for me were to learn about the ‘Scaffolding Numeracy in the Middle Years’ project, a project that has worked successfully with Year 5 to 9 students to help them develop their multiplicative thinking. I was also fascinated by the work of Erin Gallagher in training pre-service primary school teachers in Canberra. By using a mastery approach (i.e., allowing students to re-sit tests as many times as they want and requiring high marks on all competencies in order to pass) Erin has greatly improved the abilities of these primary school teachers in training, along with their attitudes towards mathematics.
Oliver Lovell with a whiteboard and pen making mathematics compelling.
Finally, I was fascinated to learn of how new basketballs with motion sensors in them are now being used to engage Indigenous students more in Mathematics, by tracking key information whilst playing that can then be analysed later on in the classroom. I now feel much more connected to the Australian Mathematics Teaching community and I’m currently coplanning a workshop entitled ‘A Practical Introduction to Appropriate Social Media for Teachers’ for the upcoming Mathematics Association of Victoria conference in December. I’d like to sincerely thank Graduate House for its support to attend this conference. It has been a formative experience in my development as an educator.
Head of Maths at Hawker College, Erin Gallagher working in a non-traditional classroom set up. Photo source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/ cutting-class-rekindles-love-of-maths-20130312-2fyte.html#ixzz3rbpAPkWn
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The Melbourne Graduate Our Members Dr Srebrenka Letina, Resident Member 2014 2015 Research Acknowledgement Awardee Having been in Melbourne’s Graduate House for only six months, Dr Srebrenka Letina was surprised and grateful to have been awarded a Graduate House Research Acknowledgement Award at this year’s Annual General Meeting. “I am really happy about that. It will look really good on my CV.” “In science there is an effect called the Matthew effect. It describes this phenomenon where in science, as in other areas of life, when you get something, you are more likely to get in the future. Getting a reward opens up your possibility to get more rewards.” The Matthew effect is attributed to sociologist Robert K Merton and follows the logic from a bible verse in the Gospel of Matthew: “for whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.” It is also called the ‘accumulated advantage’ and is the guiding logic behind the rich (not only in wealth, but say rich in proclivity for something, e.g. reading) getting richer and the poor getting poorer as smaller differences grow into larger ones. Srebrenka receving her award from Chairman Rhys Watson
Srebrenka’s proclivity for psychology, started during her undergraduate years where she was one of the highest achieving applicants to commence a psychology course in her mother country, Croatia. “Studying psychology was a natural choice in my environment because I grew up in an area where there’s war so there are many people who are really suffering – post-traumatic stress disorder is something that is common. Also social psychology has many insights for why people do things like commence war – although it’s not sociology, I think it has many useful insights for research” said Srebrenka. “At that time it seemed to me that psychology can give you any answer for anything that you want to know, that is important” added Srebrenka. Graduating with a degree in Psychology from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Zagreb, Srebrenka found her interests slowly changing and that she showed greater aptitude for Methodology and Statistics. As a twin, she was also interested in behavioural Genetics. She thus continued her studies and undertook her doctoral research on “Network analysis of scientific collaboration in the three fields of social science from 1992 to 2012″. With this research she investigated determinants of scientific productivity using an interdisciplinary approach combining theories and research from different disciplines: organisational psychology, the sociology of science and the new approach from network science. She had found overwhelming emperical evidence that the basic organisational unit in modern science is a team of researchers, not an individual scientist. The first study in Croatia to use a social network approach
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to scientific collaboration, she demonstrated that patterns of collaboration are strongly connected with measures of scientific efficiency often used to measure individual scientists. In time, Srebrenka was employed as a research assistant. Working in this area, however, she discovered something much more interesting than anything else, and that is social networking. Social network analysis assists with understanding (by mapping and measuring) relationships and flows between people, groups, organisations and other connected entities. Social networking measurements give insights into the various roles and groupings in a network. “I came around full-circle because I was interested in the individual and I learned just how much we are determined by our genes, and also our environments,” said Srebrenka. “Social networking is something that has existed for 70 years, but only recently have new statistical models developed, and [this new] area isn’t something that I had opportunity to learn in my postgraduate or undergraduate study – I had to learn it on my own. So that was the reason I came to Australia (The University of Melbourne has a lead on social networking research). There aren’t any experts in psychology who are working in social network back home,” explained Srebrenka. Her time here at The University of Melbourne, from February to August, 2015 has been supported by an Endeavour Fellowship, an internationally competitive, merit-based fellowship funded by the Australian Government that support citizens around the world to undertake study, research and professional development in Australia (and for Australians to do the same overseas). Srebrenka has worked alongside Professor Jenny Louis at The Melbourne School of Political and Social Sciences learning about exponential growth models in social network analysis. With her ongoing research, she has aimed to advance the approach that she had commenced in Croatia by including other attributes of scientists beside the basic socio-demographic variables (e.g., personality traits that could explain network behaviour and job performance); focusing on smaller organisational units in another scientific community; providing information about informal as well as formal collaboration; and using multidimensional measures of job performance. She also sought to investigate the factors important in choosing one’s collaborators, and to shed light on mechanisms involved in establishing contact and stable collaboration patterns with other scientists inside and outside the scientist’s field and country. As her time comes to an end at Graduate House, she fondly reflected on her experiences in Melbourne. “Melbourne is such a beautiful city. Melbourne is special. Being here it is evident that Melbourne has the best of both worlds – it’s a big city and it’s exciting but it’s not too much. Melbourne is beautiful in every sense,” enthused Srebrenka. “It is different psychologically because your mind is formed in a different way because you see all these differences; it is different to actually hear about these things than to actually experience them.” Srebrenka’s thoughts on Graduate House are composed of the same fondness that she has of Melbourne. “Graduate House is really special. It’s close to campus, and it has a warm atmosphere – almost a family atmosphere. I was lucky to come to Graduate House.”
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The Melbourne Graduate Our Members Keith Ryall, Member 2005 BSc.BEd.GradDipHR Keith Ryall has been a Member of the Graduate Union for 10 years, having joined the Association in November 2005. During his time with The Graduate Union he has served on Council, and is currently the Chairman of the Membership and Marketing committee. Keith’s engagement with The Graduate Union has been immense. From his participation in Member events, and his involvement with the Rotary supported Twilight Lecture series over 2015 on Health, Happiness and Wellbeing, we felt it fitting to share the story of a man who has shared so much with The Graduate Union. Keith was raised in a tightly knit farming community. His father worked in the Law Courts in Bendigo during the day, and ran a small mixed farm by night, as well as a quince orchard – the largest in the area. His mother ran the Strathfieldsaye Post Office which had been passed down through her family for many decades. Keith and his younger brother and sister took turns in helping out in the post office, sorting the mail and handling the telephone/telegraph service, all of which were manual at the time.
Keith with wife Gabrielle at his 70th birthday celebration here at Graduate House.
During his formative years, Keith began his schooling at a oneteacher school, Strathfieldsaye Primary School, on the outskirts of Bendigo. Now with over 300 students, in Keith’s time a total of 30 students filled the classroom. Qui Patitur Vincit – He/She who perseveres conquers, was the motto at Bendigo High School, where Keith completed his high school education. “I will never forget the school motto,” said Keith. Ironic he felt, as one of his best subjects was Latin, which he completed up until Year 11, not being available in Year 12. As he graduated from High School, it was then time for him to decide on his career. “Career options were limited in those days for country kids, boys either stayed on the family farm or moved into a trade, the really bright ones did Medicine or Law,” said Keith. “I opted for secondary school teaching which was a popular option for boys and girls, and girls also opted for nursing or going back to assist on the family farm,” he added. In 1963, Keith then moved to Melbourne, having been accepted into a Science degree course. His university years saw him flourish. He was appointed Captain of the International House Cricket Team, and was also a regular member of the First 18 Football team. His academic life saw him pass through first year, but it was his second year that he met with great success, attaining several honours, enabling him to transfer into Chemistry 3A – at that time regarded as Honours/PhD preparation. In 1966, he was offered Honours, but decided to pursue his passion of teaching and began a Diploma of Education “to get into teaching sooner rather than later,” he said. One year later in 1967, Keith began teaching at Beaufort High School, 40km west of Ballarat where he taught Year 11 and 12 Chemistry as well as Middle School Maths and Science. It was there where he fell in love and married Bronwyn in 1968, a gifted teacher of children with intellectual disabilities. At that time, transfers were unheard of, and so that Bronwyn could continue with her career, Keith resigned from the Education Department and managed to obtain a new position at Haileybury College, teaching senior Chemistry and Mathematics. It was at this time that he also commenced a Bachelor of Education at Monash University. December 2015 Volume 68 No. 2 Page 50
The Melbourne Graduate Our Members
From here, Keith made the move to industry. “I received very useful advice from the Careers Adviser at Monash University so accepted a position in the Research and Development Laboratories of Dulux Australia (then called BALM Paints and part of the then ICI Group),” said Keith. To his slight dismay, he was offered a job in Human Resources (HR), as he found that research environment very stimulating. Even in this busy time, Keith managed to complete another Graduate Diploma in HR at RMIT University while doing his Bachelor of Education – both part time evening lectures. Imbued with a great understanding for successful HR, Keith’s next job saw him working at the Australian Wheat Board, his job to introduce a professional HR function including the first ever graduate recruitment program. “It was my first experience of a statutory authority and another great learning opportunity,” said Keith. In 1978, he was headhunted by Arthur Andersen & Co., an international Accounting/Professional Services organisation which was one of the Big 5 accounting firms along with PricewaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, Deloitte and EY. Keith did not have an accounting background, yet joined the team along with 20 other graduates. AA&C thrived during Keith’s 15 years at the firm, AA&C had grown from the smallest of the Big 5 to be the largest, recruiting over 100 graduates from all disciplines. It was also during this time, a separate consulting arm was formed, it was called Andersen Consulting, later to be renamed Accenture, which now employs over 336,000 people around the globe. Keith’s tireless pursuit for success saw him become President of the Australian Association of Graduate Employers. “Exciting times,” he said. This was followed by the initiation of his own company, Keith Ryall & Associates, which continued to provide leadership training and development services to Accenture. This was for 15 years, and also included several years acting as the Accredited Representative for the Covey Leadership Centre in Melbourne.
Keith with Julie and Des celebrating 70!
From seeing an invitation to assist in a consortium to recruit CEOs and senior managers for the newly formed Health Care Networks in the 1990s, to working within the team that recruited the entire workforce of the new Epworth Eastern Hospital in Box Hill, Keith rose to the challenges for each. “I was always attracted by the challenge and later did many recruitment assignments for the Epworth Health Care Group,” he said. His spirit for philanthropy grew, and eventually saw him joining the Rotary Club of Carlton in 1999. His involvement grew rapidly, and received the honour of being appointed Governor for RI District 9800, serving as Chair-Leadership and Personal Development for District 9800 – the largest Rotary District in Australia – for two years.
Keith with friends in warm climes.
Enter Keith’s beginning at Graduate House, and the rest is history. We are extremely honoured to have Cr Keith Ryall as a Member of The Graduate Union, and look forward to his continued proactive and altruistic involvement with us.
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The Melbourne Graduate National Student Leadership Forum Every year we venture to seek out Resident Members who are suitable to represent The Graduate Union and willing to participate in Australia’s eminent youth forum, the National Student Leadership Forum in Canberra. Running from September 17th till September 20th, the forum focuses on faith and values, giving delegates the opportunity to share their own journeys and relationship with faith, values, character, and what the role of leadership is in their lives. The two residents who not only passed our selection panel, but the panel of the NSLF were Betsy (Jingyao) Yu and Riyan Stephan. Their journey started September 17th where they began by meeting the other delegates – university students from all over Australia to participate in this great national event. Things certainly started in full-swing, witnessing Question Time in the House of Representatives: the Liberal and Labour parties debating on a free-trade agreement and development in Western Australia. “It was a great privilege to witness this,” said Betsy. Riyan Stephan, left with Betsy (Jingyao) Yu on Day One of the Conference.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull addressing delegates at the Parlimentary Theatrette.
A grand welcome dinner for the attendees.
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From there they moved to Parliamentary Theatrette where they received a welcome address from Mr James Blackwood, Director of the National Student Leadership Forum. He explained that he took the initiative and worked with his colleagues because he believed that the future is in the hands of the young generation, it is therefore up to those who can to mould them into better leaders. Mr Blackwood emphasised that this is what he and his colleagues sought to achieve. This was followed by an address from the newly appointed Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who shared with the delegates a pertinent piece of advice: “Even if you are alone and no one seems to support you, you can still make a huge impact, but you must go for it with confidence.” After an introduction to the theme of leadership, faith and values, by Dr Stuart Bade, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, The Honourable Jason Clare MP and The Honourable Scott Morrison MP – who are from opposing political parties, welcomed the delegates to Parliament House. They came together to foster a spirit of partnership and reconciliation by initiating the first Mateship Trek. Even though different regions and countries may deal with the ordeal of racial profiling, their mateship trek helps to build a strong bond and fortify positive cultural relationships. On the second day, after breakfast at the Hyatt Hotel, the delegates visited Canberra’s war memorial (Reflective Pool). There they ruminated upon Australian history, and on the importance of cherishing and doing what we can to strive for
The Melbourne Graduate National Student Leadership Forum a peaceful tomorrow. A walk down ANZAC parade found them at Lake Burley Griffin, later making their way to Parliament House for a diverse leadership panel with Rabbi Zalman Kastel, Shaykh Sonor Coruhlu and Greg Moriarty. Rabbi Zalman Kastel is the National Director of The Together for Humanity Foundation, a charity that works to teach children about the value of respect, despite race or religion. Raised within the realm of the Chassidic tradition, he has a heightened sense of empathy for cultural differences, and aims to foster interfaith cooperation among young Australians. Shaykh Sonor Coruhlu is a senior lecturer at Auburn Gallipoli Mosque and Mount Druitt Mosque. He too looks towards interfaith harmony, and organises various multifaith events throughout Australia. The third panellist Greg Moriarty is the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, as well as previously having served overseas as Ambassador to Iran. Their discussion was pivotal, edifying, and moving, drawing inspiration from Napoléon Bonaparte’s words, “a leader is a dealer in hope.”
Betsy’s Group
The groups got together and commenced some leadership exercises, including a healthy dose of physical activity courtesy of the Forum Sports Fest, which saw fun games and activities test not only their physical stamina, but their ability to work in groups. The delegates then welcomed dinner including an address from The Honourable Michael and Kerryn Baird, and continued with their group discussions.
Riyan Stephan’s group
Saturday, the third day, saw delegates continue their group work, in particular through community seminars. The day ended with a traditional Aboriginal Bush Dance at Yarralumla Woolshed. Sunday, 20th September marked the final day of the forum. Delegates checked out of their rooms, had breakfast, and concluded with student responses.
Thank you Betsy and Riyan for representing our ‘house’ and our ‘union’ on the national stage. You have done us proud.
Reflective pool at the shrine in Canberra
Riyan at the Shrine of Remembrance.
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The Melbourne Graduate Acknowledgement of Patronage We thank our Organisation Members for their continued patronage.
CATHOLIC EDUCATION
BELBIN
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The Melbourne Graduate Acknowledgement of Patronage
AUSTRALIAN ASIAN ASSOCIATION
RUSHALL CONSULTING GROUP
December 2015 Volume 68 No. 2 Page 55
The Melbourne Graduate
THE GRADUATE UNION of The University of Melbourne Inc.
Australian Business Number: 55610664963 Incorporated Association Registration Number: A0023234B 220 Leicester Street, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia Telephone: +61 (0)3 9347 3428 Facsimile: +61 (0)3 9347 9981 www.graduatehouse.com.au admingh@graduatehouse.com.au
December 2015 Volume 68 No. 2 Page 56