ELECTION ISSUE
PERIODICAL NEWSLETTER OF THE GRADUATE UNION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE INCORPORATED
In the Notice of Election published in the February issue of The Melbourne Graduate I indicated that there were four regular vacancies to be filled and any other vacancies which occurred prior to the close of nominations. Prior to the close of nominations, a vacancy was created because of the recent death of Council member John Gill (see Obituary below). For these elections,therefore, five vacancies are now to be filled.
PRINT POST APPROVED PP337834/00022 REGISTERED ASSOCIATION No. AA0023234B March 2004 Volume 57 No. 2 www.graduatehouse.com.au
CONTENTS Calendar Of Graduate House Events New Members Valete Letters
Term of Office*
BELLAIR, David T BINNS, John Andrew KIDSTON, Cheryl MCCREDIE, David Alexander TAYLOR, Neil James
2007 2007 2007 2007 2006
*Term of Office until AGM of year stated Ronald G Ritchie RETURNING OFFICER
JOHN GILL 27/9/1937 - 25/2/2004)
2 2 2 2
Graduate Council News Annual General Meeting Agenda 3 Annual Report 5 Statement of Financial Performance 5 Statement of Financial Position 5 Notes to the Financial Statements 8 Statement by Council 8 Independent Audit Report 10 Members and Residents 11 Luncheon Speakers 12 Donations to the Building Fund 12
THE GRADUATE UNION of The University of Melbourne Inc.
Candidate
Members of the Graduate Union and residents of the House were shocked to learn of the sudden death of John Gill, who served on the Council for the past five years and died in office. John was a Life Member from graduation and always a strong supporter, initially as Secretary of the Commerce Graduates’ Association and lately as Chair of the Development Committee.
PROPERTY REPORT by Dr R Gibson, Acting Chairman, Development Committee Lunchtime 11 March, the concrete panels of the façade of The New Graduate House filled the space between the two terraces that was there the day before. A giant crane which weighs over 60 tonnes on the road and 100 tonnes when the counterweights are added, drove up Church Street into the carpark behind the Annexe. This was needed to lift the panels from the trucks and place them near the Leicester Street frontage. The building activity has its inevitable variations and not surprisingly our builders and our architects have to resolve debates about allowances for lost time caused by factors outside the builder’s control. Our consultants are well capable of dealing with these matters. Whatever adjustments may be made to the construction schedule, we remain confident that the building will be finished in November. The four-storey building is Stage 1 of the development. When Stage 1 is finished, the following stages involve the necessary alterations within the existing terraces. The building is progressing at such a rate that conversations are already underway with the suppliers of equipment, furniture and fittings to ensure that these items all arrive at the right time according to the building schedule.
His professional life was spent in agricultural cooperatives and his interest continued with the Victorian Cooperatives’ Federation where he and Dr Dooley of Monash University developed an educational program for agricultural cooperatives and instituted the Annual Agribusiness Cooperatives Leadership and Guidance Forum for chairmen and directors in the field in Australia and New Zealand. In recognition of John’s work, Monash University is to establish a scholarship in his name which will allow a representative from one of the smaller cooperatives to attend the Forum each year. John came from a clan long resident in Williamstown, an area which he always loved. He attended Wesley College, but played cricket and football with local Methodist teams. He followed Melbourne Football Club and was an ardent member of the MCC. The only overseas tour he ever led, not connected with his cooperatives, was a cricketing one. After his marriage to Angie, he moved from Williamstown to be nearer her friends. These friends remember wonderful meals and companionship around their table. We offer Angie our deepest sympathy at her loss. We also send our sympathy to John’s sister, Joan, her husband, her children Cecilie and Andrew and their families in New Zealand.
March 2004 volume 57 No.2 1
THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE CALENDAR OF GRADUATE HOUSE EVENTS FORTHCOMING LUNCHEONS AND DINNER 5 MayMr Philip Mudie, Vice Counsul, British High Commission 27 MayAutumn Dinner (following the AGM) Speaker: Ms Debbie Sheezel, Master Enamellist/ Gold & Silversmith/ Muralist/Artist 2 JuneAssociate Professor Ian Smith, Baker Heart Research Institute 7 JulyMs Gillian Glazbrook, Alzheimers Association 30 JulyWinter Dinner Christmas in July 4 Aug Mr David McAllister, The Australian Ballet REGULAR EVENTS 1st Monday each monthItalian Conversation Dinner 6.30 for 7pm 1st Wednesday each monthLuncheon, 12.30 for 12.50pm 2nd Friday each monthGradlinks’ Dinner 7pm for 8pm 4th Friday each monthSolos’ Dinner 7pm for 8pm Last Monday each monthWomen’s Forum 10.30am The Melbourne Graduate is normally published four times a year by The Graduate Union of The University of Melbourne Incorporated. It is edited by Geoffrey Dye and Lyn Weston, under the direction of the Graduate Council and its Execurtive Committee. The Melbourne Graduate welcomes letters from readers and reserves the right to edit them for publication. Please keep word count to a maximum of 250 and address to The Editors, The Melbourne Graduate. Registered Address: The Graduate Union 224 Leicester Street, Carlton Victoria 3053 Australia Telephone: (03)9347-3428 Facsimile (03) 9347-9981 www.graduatehouse.com.au email: sec@graduatehouse.com.au Printed by: FSG Creative Design & Print 1 Argent Place, Ringwood
2 March 2004 volume 57 No.2
cont. page 1... We will remember and value John as ‘a quiet, private man of great depth’. His funeral was remarkable for the number of old friends he retained from various spheres of his life and there were many more from across the state who could not come. Those who knew him around the Council table will miss that characteristic tilt of the head and the glint in his eye, which indicated that he was about to raise a point that should be answered. He quite often got that answer. Margaret Robins
LETTERS To Chairman, Dr David Bellair, from Sir Gustav Nossal, Honorary Life Member Many hearty thanks for the very great honour that you did me in making me an honorary life member of the Graduate Union and for putting on such a delightful little afternoon tea. I am also very pleased that your building project is moving ahead in leaps and bounds. February, 2004 To the Secretary-Warden from Professor David Runia, Master, Queen’s College Thank you for the impressive presentation yesterday and the honorary membership. You are doing a terrific job down there and I feel that there is an awful lot that I can learn from you. February, 2004 To the Administrative Assistant from Helen Edwards, Resident Thank you for great stay, am looking forward to coming back next year and will contact you later in the year. February, 2004 To the Staff of Graduate House, letter from Robert Nicoli of Western Australia Just a few lines to express my appreciation for providing me with a comfortable and congenial place to stay in Melbourne. Should Bec, May, Christian or the two Indian men (current residents) be heading for Perth, please give them my telephone number. February, 2004 Extract of email to the Secretary-Warden from Alan Abbott, Member …… I became aware of the emerging issue of doing what we can as members to assist the achievement of high occupancy rates in the new facilities as soon as possible after they become available. In my recently retired state I was subsequently able to apply some time and thought to this matter. A few ideas which may be of some value ….. have occurred to me….. I took the liberty of contacting David Bellair to offer whatever assistance I am able to on this task. Should you or the Council see any benefit from my thoughts I can be contacted by email ..….. I wish you every success for the project, and for 2004. I have just downloaded the February Newsletter. It keeps getting better. Please pass my congratulations to Lyn and Geoffrey. February, 2004
NEW MEMBERS The following new members joined the Graduate Union in the period February to April 2004. We welcome them and look forward to their participation in our members’ programs. Life Members Prof Hatem Salem, Prof MBChB(Iraq), MRCP, MRCS(Eng), LRCP(Lond), FRACP, MD, FRCPA Mr Paul Grimwood, BSc, MSc BEngHons(Syd), MEng, PhD(Cornell), Ordinary Member since 1983 Prof Paul Kosky, BSc, DipEd, MBBS, MD(Monash) Ordinary Member since 1997 Ms Catharina Van Wees-Miller, BA(Deakin), BEd, ACCT, PostgradDip, Ordinary Member since 1998 Mr Robert Martin, BEc, BSc, BEng(Qld), Ordinary Member since 1994
Dr Shing Tung Fan, MBBS, Ordinary Member since 1996 Mr William Banks, BEngHons, Ordinary Member since 1951 Dr Sonali LeBrocque, BScHons, PhDBiochem, Ordinary Member since 1994 Ordinary Members Ms Pamela Begley, CertRadiology Mr Ben Bodna, BA(Hons), DipSocStud Mrs Karen Bodna, DipSocStuds, BA, GradDipPol&Law Ms Gail Costello, BSc, BEd, Med(WA) Mrs Marie Gammon, BA, MA, GradDip(Melb), MEnvSc(Monash) Mr John Green, BEc(Tas), LLB(Deakin) Mr James Guest, BSc, MBBS Mr Andrew Neal, BA(Hons), DipEd, MEd(Monash) Prof Michael Pryles, LL.B, LL.D All degrees are from University of Melbourne unless otherwise noted. Degrees are stated as presented on members’ application forms.
VALETE Since publication of the February edition of The Melbourne Graduate we have been notified of the deaths of the following members: Mr Rongomai Burton, Life Member joined in 1948 Dr Harold Collins, joined in 1966 Dr Harold Eizenberg, Life Member joined in 1975 Miss Margaret Hetherington, Life Member joined in 1950 Dr Lorna Sisley, Life Member joined in 1956 Emeritus Professor Norman Tulloh, Life Member joined in 1947 Mr Frank Wood, Life Member joined in 1977 Mr Gordon Wilson, Life Member joined in 1963 The Graduate Union appreciates the support of these members and extends condolences to their families. We regret that space constraints do not allow individual acknowledgement of each deceased member. Major Frank Wood, died 25 February 2004 – Life Member Frank Wood was among the pioneers of the Graduate House in the 1960s in the important role of catering management. Employed in 1964 to manage catering in the soon-to-beopened residents’ and members’ dining room, his first major function was the reception at the official opening of Graduate House in March 1965 by the then Governor of Victoria, Sir Rohan Delacombe. For the next 15 years, Major Wood oversaw catering operations through an extensive building conversion, looking after residents and arranging numerous functions. For his long and special service to The Graduate Union, Frank Wood was one of a small handful of nongraduates admitted to Life Membership. Our sympathy goes to his sons and daughters and their families.
Barbara Funder
THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Annual General Meeting of the Graduate Union of the University of Melbourne Incorporated ("The Graduate Union") will be held on Thursday, 27 May 2004 at 5.30pm, Theatre 4 – Level 1 Melbourne University Private, University Square, Parkville, Victoria Eugene Spanti, Secretary-Warden, April 2004
AGENDA 1.
WELCOME, APOLOGIES AND RULES FOR CONDUCT OF THE MEETING
2.
MINUTES To confirm the minutes of the 2003 Annual General Meeting held on 29 May 2003
3.
BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
4.
REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2003
5.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR 2003 Consider and, if thought fit, adopt the accounts of The Graduate Union as printed in this issue of The Melbourne Graduate.
6.
SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS Graduate Council recommends the following proposed amendments to the members to be passed as Special Resolutions. (1) RULE 16 REGISTER OF MEMBERS – ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION It is proposed to incorporate the option of electronic addresses. This matches a proposed change to Rule 76 to allow notices to be given by email or fax. Special Resolution: Amend Rule 16 by adding after "postal address" the words "or email or fax address" Rule 16 will then read: The Association shall keep a register of its members which shall be available for inspection by members at the address of the public officer. The Register shall contain the full name of each member and the last postal address or email or fax address of which the member has given notice in writing to the Secretary and the date of admission to membership and qualification therefor and the date of the latest payment of subscription or admission to life or honorary membership and the date of the cessation of membership. Separate registers shall be kept of ordinary, life and honorary members and the register of ordinary members shall show the class to which each member belongs. In any dispute or proceeding involving the Association and any of its members the Register shall be prima facie evidence of the matters contained therein. (2) RULE 21 (a) GRADUATE COUNCIL TERM OF OFFICE This amendment is intended to clarify the time of commencement and ending of the term of elected members of Graduate Council. Special Resolution: Amend Rule 21(a) by inserting after the words three years, the words "commencing from the time of the declaration of the poll at the Annual General Meeting and ending at the declaration of the poll at the Annual General Meeting at the conclusion of the three year period" Rule 21(a) will then read: An elected member of the Council shall hold office for three years commencing from the time of the declaration of the poll at the Annual General Meeting and ending at the declaration of the poll at the Annual General Meeting at the conclusion of the three year period unless elected to fill a vacancy pursuant to Rule 20. Four of the elected members referred to in clause(c) of Rule 19 shall be elected in each consecutive year. (3) RULE 32 CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN TERM OF OFFICE This amendment is consequential from the proposed amendment of Rule 21(a) Special Resolution: Amend Rule 32 by adding after the words term of one year, the word "provided they continue in office as a member of Council"
March 2004 volume 57 No.2 3
THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE
Rule 32 will then read: The Chairman and Vice Chairman shall be appointed from among the elected members of the Council and shall hold office for a term of one year provided they continue in office as a member of Council. They may be re-appointed for a subsequent term but shall not hold the same office for more than three consecutive terms. (4) RULE 76 NOTICES TO MEMBERS – ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION It is proposed to allow members to request and to cancel such a request to receive notices by email or fax by incorporating a rule copied from the text of Rule 34 in the model rules included in the Regulations under the Associations Incorporation Act Special Resolution: Amend Rule 76 by inserting "(a)" before "at their last address" and also adding after "Register of Members" the words "or (b) by fax transmission or by email transmission if the member has requested that the notice be given to him in this manner". Rule 76 will then read: Subject to the provisions of the Act relating to special resolutions, the notice of a general meeting shall be sent to all members of the Association addressed to them (a) at their last address shown in the Register of Members or (b) by fax transmission or by email transmission if the member has requested that the notice be given to him in this manner. in time to reach them not less than fourteen days prior to the date of such meeting in the ordinary course of post. The notice shall specify the date, hour and place at which the meeting shall be held and the nature of the business to be transacted thereat. (5) RULE 87 INSPECTION OF BOOKS – PRIVACY IMPLICATIONS The right to inspect records is inherent in the legislative framework for associations. However there are times when commercial confidentiality, personal matters of staff, relationships with the University, the Privacy Act and other legislation may make it inappropriate to allow unlimited access. It is proposed to make a minor allowance for these factors without trying to anticipate all circumstances by inventing a comprehensive list of "reasonable restrictions". Special Resolution: Amend Rule 87 by inserting after the words "any reasonable restrictions" the word "including". Rule 87 will then read: The books and documents of the Association shall, subject to any reasonable restrictions including as to time and manner of inspecting the same that may be imposed in accordance with the Rules or Regulations of the Association for the time being, be available for inspection by members at the address of the public officer. (6) RULE 73 ACCOUNTS – PRIVACY IMPLICATIONS Consistent with the change to Rule 87, a similar amendment to Rule 73 is proposed. Special Resolution: Amend Rule 73 by inserting after the words "reasonable restrictions" the word "including". Rule 73 will then read: True accounts shall be kept of the sums of money received and expended by the Association and the matter in respect of which such receipt or expenditure takes place and of the property, credits and liabilities of the Association and subject to any reasonable restrictions including as to time and manner of inspecting the same that may be imposed in accordance with the regulations of the Association for the time being, shall be open to the inspection of the members. The Association shall cause to be kept proper books in accordance with the Act. The books shall be balanced as at the end of the Association's financial year and a statement of the financial position shall be presented to the members of the Association at the next following annual general meeting in accordance with the provisions of the Act. 7.
ELECTION OF COUNCIL MEMBERS The Returning Officer will announce the result of the election and the President will declare the names of the elected Council Members.
8.
RE-APPOINTMENT OF THE AUDITOR
9.
OTHER BUSINESS
10. CLOSE
4 March 2004 volume 57 No.2
THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE
ANNUAL REPORT Your Council presents its report on the Association for the financial year ended 31 December 2003 The names of Graduate Council members are listed below: President Mr F A Lees (from 25 July 2000) Vice-President Dr R W Gibson Chairman Dr D T Bellair Vice-Chairman Mr N J Taylor Ex-officio and nominees of Vice-Chancellor Position vacant Position vacant Twelve elected members Until May 2006 Ms E A Shellard (from May 2003) Mr A G Cleghorn (from May 2003) Mr J Gill (from May 2003)–Deceased Feb.2004 Mr G Duxbury (from May 2003) Until May 2005 Dr J C Binns (from May 2002) Dr R W Gibson (from May 2002) Ms M Panichi (from May 2002) Ms M R Robins (from May 2002) Until May 2004 Dr D T Bellair (from May 2001) Dr D A McCredie (from May 2001) Mr N J Taylor (from May 2001) Mr J A Binns (from May 2003) Nature of operations and principal activities The principal activities during the year were the conduct of a residential postgraduate college affiliated with the University of Melbourne, and the provision of facilities for members of the Graduate Union to enjoy social and intellectual activities. There was no significant change in the nature of these activities during the year. Results and review of operations The net operating profit for the year ending December 31, 2003 was $278,379 (compared with $184,010 in the previous year) and this excellent surplus includes general donations from our members of $100,224. In addition (not included in the general donations), our members have most generously donated $82,880 towards the Building Appeal. Unlike previous years, the revenue for this year did not include the substantial rents received from Kidd’s Warehouse and the Bouverie Street property which were demolished and sold to the University of Melbourne respectively. However, it did include interest of $246,659 earned on the proceeds of about $5 million from these property sales.
It is noteworthy that the surplus was achieved despite undertaking more maintenance and renovation to all ten existing terraces than had been possible in recent memory, at a cost of approximately $100,000. The elegant facade is very evident to passers - by on the outside and our residents are most appreciative of the improvements to the inside. Some of this work continued into 2004 because of time constraints, such as the need to delay the façade work until the car park tunnel had been completed so that any damage could be identified for a possible compensation claim. This 2004 calendar year will see a transition while our invested monies are gradually spent on the new buildings with the interest earnings reducing. The 2004 budget indicates a break-even result from trading operations with a net cash deficit of about $93,000 after completing the maintenance and renovations. The following year, 2005, will require sound management of our resources while we operate the new building and shake down all the little things involved in this significant new undertaking. While we expect to grow our revenue it will be critical to grow our membership, and we may need to create new forms of membership which recognise the reluctance of many people today to make long term commitments which is an issue confronting many non-government voluntary associations. The Accounting and Audit Committee has in association with our staff developed a Schedule of Risk Factors and the status of each item is reported to each meeting to ensure that there is regular monitoring of issues such as statutory and regulatory registrations and returns, insurance, fire protection measures and a review of all recorded incidents. The overall occupancy rate for the House of 85% for 2003 was a good result compared with 90% for 2002, taking into account the ongoing renovations and the construction of the car park tunnel. While finances are important, the Graduate Union Council and staff are well aware of the real reasons our members participate in the Graduate Union. The regular monthly luncheons for our members were very well supported, as were functions for other groups of members such as the Solos and Grad Links. It is estimated that 25,920 meals were served to our residents and another 2,390 at functions throughout the year. New Building The construction of our new four-storey building commenced in October 2003 and is scheduled for completion before the commencement of the 2005 academic year, more than doubling our residential accommodation and greatly improving the facilities for our members. We have made arrangements to borrow up to $2.5 million from the National Australia Bank to assist in funding the project
March 2004 volume 57 No.2 5
THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE Membership Our membership is ageing, totalling 2,362 at the end of 2003, of whom 1,857 were Life members. The long term decline since the 1970s has been due mainly to social change and while we cannot expect to return to the former peak levels, the new building and its facilities provide an opportunity to at least arrest the decline. We expect that our much improved Club facilities will be attractive to graduates working in the vicinity of University Square, and that the vastly superior accommodation will appeal to country and interstate graduates visiting Melbourne, and that we can expand our reciprocal arrangements with sister institutions elsewhere. We are developing a marketing plan to capitalise on these new facilities. Councillors Barbara Funder and Mitchell McKenzie retired at the end of their terms and did not seek reelection in 2003, and we thank them warmly for their contributions over many years. Barbara has been a passionate supporter of the Graduate Union since her many years on the staff, and Mitchell, together with John Binns, handled the complex negotiations with the University of Melbourne for the construction of the car park tunnel and sale of our property and subterranean rights. Their positions were filled by the election of Gordon Duxbury (previously a coopted member) and Andrew Binns. Staff We warmly thank our Secretary-Warden, Eugene Spanti, and his staff for their wonderful work. At the end of 2003 Brenda Greaney retired after 18 years as Housekeeper at Graduate House, and her commitment to caring for our residents and accommodating their needs made a significant contribution to creating a happy college community. We wish her well in her retirement.
Achievements The striking turnaround in the fortunes of the Graduate Union over the last few years illustrates what high quality staff working with a harmonious Council can achieve. Some of the recent achievements at Graduate House include the repair, renovation and painting of the façades of our ten terraces, the repair, renovation, refurbishment and recarpeting of the rooms in the Main Wing, the waterproofing, repair, replastering and refurbishment of the Stella Langford Wing and the installation of fire sprinklers throughout the Main Wing. We have also had a successful fundraising initiative for the new building, updated our web page at www.graduatehouse.com.au and increased membership. We are also pleased that relationships with Heads of the other Colleges and the University of Melbourne have been strengthened, and that the University of Melbourne web site now contains links to Graduate House. Future initiatives During 2004 we intend to prepare a new Marketing and Strategic Business Plan, upgrade our office computers and accommodation booking system, and introduce a new membership identification card. Significant events after year-end There have been no significant events since 31 December 2003 which may affect the operations or financial position of the Graduate Union. Future developments We look forward to an exciting future with the new building scheduled to come into operation early in 2005. Signed pursuant to a resolution of Council. Dr David Bellair Chairman February 19, 2004
Attendance at Council and Committees Council Councillors Mr F Lees Dr R Gibson Dr D Bellair Mr N Taylor Ms E Shellard Mr A Cleghorn Mr J Gill Mr G Duxbury Dr J Binns M R Robins Mrs M Panichi Dr D McCredie Mr A Binns Miss B Funder Mr M McKenzie
Mtgs held 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 4 2 2
6 March 2004 volume 57 No.2
No Attd. 3 5 4 4 6 5 6 5 3 4 4 5 3 2 2
House Board
Acct&Audit
Membership
Developmnt
Fundraising
Mtgs held
No Attd.
Mtgs held
No Attd.
Mtgs held
No Attd.
Mtgs held
No Attd
Mtgs held
No Attd
5 5 5
5 5 4
6 6 6
6 6 6
4
3
2
1
8
5
4 4
2 4
2 2 2
0 2 2
4 4 4 4 1
4 2 4 3 0
2 2
1 1
8 8
4 0
8
5
4
4
5
3
3 2
0 1
6
5
6
4
2
1
THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 December 2003 2003 2002 $ $ INCOME Subscriptions 68,617 49,221 Accommodation 372,078 411,730 Property rentals 15,582 131,657 Catering 226,797 233,527 Donations: Building Appeal 82,880 Nil Donations: Other 108,382 7,437 Interest received 248,009 114,775 28,760 Other income 15,866 1,138,211
977,107
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 December 2003 2003 2002 $ $ CURRENT ASSETS Cash (See Note 4(a)) Receivables Stock (See Note 4(b)) Prepayments TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS NON-CURRENT ASSETS
4,892,202 45,118 13,987 19,447 4.970,754
5,212,599 41,017 17,801 102,718 5,374,135
Property, plant & equipment (See Note 5) TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS
7,542,936
6,846,101
7,542,936 12,513,690
6,846,101 12,220,236
137,214 17,586
101,944 32,137
154,800
134,081
16,619
22,263
16,619 171,419
22,263 156,344
12,342,271
12,063,892
11,951,397 390,874 12,342,271 ========
11,829,447 234,445 12,063,892 ========
EXPENDITURE Employment costs 380,337 Catering supplies 104,976 Utilities 64,884 Communication costs 44,616 Rates & government taxes 9,371 Professional fees 55,771 Legal expenses 292 Insurances 21,124 Interest & bank charges 15,371 Repairs & maintenance 147,997 Depreciation 15,093
379,354 116,991 68,830 41,986 7,671 40,220 2,273 19,115 9,081 91,020 16,556
859,832
793,097
Creditors and borrowings (See Note 6)
278,379
184,010
TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
NET SURPLUS
LESS ABNORMAL ITEM Donations Building Appeal 82,880 NET SURPLUS 195,499 (After deducting Building ===== Appeal Donations)
Nil 184,010 ======
TOTAL ASSETS CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors and borrowings (See Note 6) Provisions (See Note 7) TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
TOTAL LIABILITIES NET ASSETS MEMBERS’ EQUITY Reserves (See Note 8) Retained Funds (See Note 11) TOTAL MEMBERS’ FUNDS
March 2004 volume 57 No.2 7
THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1(a) STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES These financial statements are a special purpose financial report prepared for use by members of the Association. The Council has determined that the Association is not a reporting entity. The statements are prepared in accordance with the requirement of the following applicable Accounting Standards and other mandatory professional reporting requirements: AAS 5: Materiality AAS 8: Events Occurring after Reporting Date No other applicable Accounting Standards or mandatory professional reporting requirements have been applied. The statements are also prepared on an accruals basis. They are based on historic costs and do not take into account changing money values or, except where specifically stated, current valuations of non-current assets. The following material accounting policies, which are consistent with the previous period unless otherwise stated, have been adopted in the preparation of this financial report. 1(b) DEPRECIATION OF FIXED ASSETS Depreciation is calculated on the straight line basis for plant and equipment and diminishing balance for motor vehicles. 1(c) VALUATION OF PROPERTY (LAND & BUILDINGS). Graduate Council received advice from professionals in real estate prior to deciding to adopt valuations in the 2001 accounts for land and buildings. 1(d) OPERATING REVENUE Details of operating revenue are in the Statement of Financial Performance. Consistent with the previous year, life subscriptions & donations have been brought to account on a cash-received basis. This policy is considered appropriate by the Council. 1(e) INCOME TAX The Association’s income is exempt from income tax by virtue of Section 23(e) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (as amended). 2.
Term Deposits Unbanked Deposits Melbourne University Cash Float Building Appeal Account Cash at Bank
4.
COUNCIL MEMBERS’ EMOLUMENTS
The Council members of the Graduate Union of the University of Melbourne Inc have not received and do not receive any remuneration for their services.
4,808,842 Nil
5,191,266 5,571
1,000 84,230 (1,870) 4,892,202
1,000 Nil 14,762 5,212,599
(b) STOCK – AT COST
The Short History books Wine and Jackets
5.
2002 $
(a) CASH
13,267 720 13,987
(a) Occupied Properties (i) Nos 210-214 Leicester Street, Carlton Freehold land and buildings at Council’s valuation November 2001 1,950,000 1,950,000 1,950,000
1,950,000
(ii) Nos 222-228 Leicester Street, Carlton Freehold land and buildings at Council’s valuation November 2001 2,600,000 2,600,000 2,600,000 2,600,000 (iii) Nos 230-234 Leicester Street, Carlton Freehold land and buildings at Council’s valuation November 2001 1,950,000 1,950,000 6,500,000
6,500,000
(b) Property Development (i) Consulting Fees re Redevelopment The Graduate Union has incurred the following preliminary costs of re-development including consulting fees, legal fees, architects and engineers fees which will not be reimbursed and have been capitalized in the accounts. 597,336 (ii)
114,948
Structure Contributions
Contribution to cost of foundation supports as part of contract with University of Melbourne 162,000 (iii)
162,000
Building Costs
The Graduate Union has entered into a contract with Contract Control Constructions Pty Ltd to erect a 4storey residential accommodation building at 216-220 Leicester Street, Carlton at a cost of $5,767,445. With the addition of consultants (architects, engineers and quantity surveyors) fees and furniture, fixtures and equipment, the total project cost is estimated to be $6,746,057 (excluding GST). 229,340
8 March 2004 volume 57 No.2
16,851 950 17,801
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
AUDITOR’S REMUNERATION
For audit of accounts 6,668 4,350 For other services Nil Nil (no other benefits were received by the auditor) 3.
4.
2003 $
Nil
THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE 2003 $
2002 $ 9.
(c) Plant and Equipment Plant and equipment at cost 307,624
307,424
Provision for depreciation
(268,871)
(258,281)
38,753
49,143
28,490 (12,983)
28,490 ( 8,480)
15,507
20,010
7,542,936
6,846,101
(d) Motor Vehicles Motor vehicle at cost Provision for depreciation Total Written Down Value (Items (a) to (d)) 6.
CREDITORS AND BORROWINGS
Current Creditors Net Accruals Hire Purchase Liability GST Payable Residents’ Bonds Non-Current Members’ Deposits Hire Purchase Liability
69,777 50,983 5,644 Nil 10,810
32,670 46,559 4,832 747 17,136
137,214
101,944
1,040 15,579
1,040 21,223
16,619
22,263
In order to complete the finance for the new building, arrangements have been made to borrow up to $2.5m over a 10 year period from the National Australia Bank 7.
PROVISIONS Employee Entitlements
17,586
32,137
(a) Building and Administrative Reserve
423,010
423,010
(b) Graduate House Extension Reserve Balance at 1 January Interest Credited Donations
644,730 29,561 6,491
613,059 25,180 6,491
Balance 31 December
680,782
644,730
(c) Asset Revaluation Reserve Balance at 1 January 10,744,580 Revaluation Increment Nil
10,744,580 Nil
8.
RESERVES
17,127 1,668 18,795
16.067 1,060 17,127
(e) Building Appeal Reserve Donations 82,880 Interest Received 1,350 84.230
Nil Nil Nil
2002 $
(a) Cashflows from operating activities Members’ subscriptions 62,777 52,218 Accommodation & meals 620,540 620,771 Donations & other income 203,969 32,798 Payments to suppliers & employees (883,463) (739,432) Net cash used in Operating activities 3,823 (33,645) ======= ======= Cashflows from investing activities Property rentals 15,582 150,962 Proceeds on sale of Property Nil 5,150,000 Funds expended on structure contributions Funds expended on re-development Funds expended on asset purchases Interest on property investment accounts Payments relating to property investments Net cash provided by investing activities
Nil
(162,000)
(664,364)
(125,611)
(220)
(4,638)
334,870
28,271
(10,088)
(8,138)
(324,220) 5,028,846 ======= ======= Net increase in cash held (320,397) 4,995,201 Cash at the beginning of the financial year 5,212,599 217,398 Cash at the end of the financial year 4,892,202 5,212,599 ======= ======= (b) Reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to operating surplus after abnormal items Operating surplus after abnormal items 293,466 184,010 Depreciation of non current assets 15,093 16,556 Changes in net assets and liabilities Increase/(Decrease) in provision for employee entitlements (14,551) 9,156 Decrease(Increase) in receivables, prepayments and inventory 82,472 (65,134) Increase/(Decrease) in other creditors & borrowings 15,051 (17,802) Decrease/(Increase) in non-current assets (711,928) 4,868,415
Balance 31 December 10,744,580 10,744,580 (d) Residents’ Assistance Reserve Donations
2003 $ STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS
Net Increase Cash Held 10.
(320,397) 4,995,201 ======= =======
SHARE CAPITAL
The Association has no share capital. The Association was incorporated under the provisions of the Associations Incorporation Act on 12 June 1991.
11,951,397 11,829,447 March 2004 volume 57 No.2 9
THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE 2003 $
2002 $
11. RETAINED FUNDS Retained funds at 1 January 234,445
83,166
Add Net Surplus for year
278,379
184,010
Less Interest to Graduate House Extension Reserve
(29,561)
(25,180)
(1,350)
Nil
(91,039)
(7,551)
Less Interest to Building Appeal Reserve Less Donations transferred to other Reserves Retained Funds at 31 December
A L LAW
390,874 234,445 ======= ======= 12. The Graduate House Extension Reserve includes an amount of $86,094 constituting donations made in 1993 to 1995 to the Graduate Union Building Appeal and an amount refunded by the University of Melbourne in 1995 for general building or maintenance purposes. An appeal was made in 1980 for funds to redevelop a building (which was subsequently demolished) to provide additional low-cost student accommodation. On 16 March 2004, Council received court approval to apply the funds from the Appeal in 1980/81, and accummulated interest, towards new residential accommodation for graduates. 13. Following the determination by the Supreme Court of Victoria referred to in Note 12 above, The Graduate Union of the University of Melbourne Incorporated is not a trustee of any trust at the date of this report.
STATEMENT BY COUNCIL The Council of The Graduate Union of the University of Melbourne Incorporated is of the opinion that: (a) the accompanying Statement of Financial Performance is drawn up so as to give a true and fair view of the operations of the Association for the year ended 31 December 2003; (b) the accompanying Statement of Financial Position is drawn up so as to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Association for the year ended 31 December 2003 and; (c) there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Association will be able to pay its debts as and when they fall due. By resolution of the Council D.T. Bellair E.A. Spanti
Chairman Secretary-Warden
Carlton, April 2004
10 March 2004 volume 57 No.2
Chartered Accountant The Graduate Union of the University of Melbourne Incorporated INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT TO MEMBERS Scope I have audited the financial report, being a special purpose financial report, of The Graduate Union of the University of Melbourne Incorporated for the year ended 31 December 2003 as set out in the Annual Report on pages 3 to 8. The Council is responsible for the financial report and has determined that the accounting policies used and described in Note 1 to the financial statements which form part of the financial report are appropriate to meet the requirements of the Associations Incorporation Act (Victoria) and the needs of the members. I have conducted an independent audit of the financial report in order to express an opinion on it to the members. No opinion is expressed as to whether the accounting policies used are appropriate to the needs of the members. The financial report has been prepared for distribution to members and for the purpose of fulfilling the financial reporting requirements under the Rules of The Graduate Union and the requirements of the Associations Incorporation Act (Victoria). I disclaim any assumption of responsibility for any reliance on this audit report or on the financial report to which it relates to any person other than the members, or for any purpose other than that for which it was prepared. My audit has been conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. My procedures included examination, on a test basis, of evidence supporting the amounts and other disclosures in the financial report and the evaluation of significant accounting estimates. These procedures have been undertaken to form an opinion whether, in all material respects, the financial report is presented fairly in accordance with the accounting policies described in Note 1 so as to present a view which is consistent with my understanding of The Graduate Union’s financial position and performance as represented by the results of its operations and its cash flows. These policies do not require the application of all Accounting Standards and other mandatory professional reporting requirements in Australia. The audit opinion expressed in this report has been formed on the above basis.
Audit Opinion In my opinion, the financial report presents fairly in accordance with the accounting policies described in Note 1 to the financial statements, the financial position of The Graduate Union of the University of Melbourne Incorporated as at 31 December 2003 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended. A.L. Law FCA Registered Company Auditor
Carlton, April 2004
THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE MEMBERS AND RESIDENTS Graduate House is home not only to a large number of international students but, also to several country and even suburban members. At present in-house we have Megan Walker from Wahroona NSW studying Bachelor of Primary Teaching at The University of Melbourne, Ian Parrish from Canberra, doing a PhD in medical research at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Bob de la Lande and Tony Young who are often in Melbourne for reasons of business and Jane Miller is staying to escape the renovations at her home in North Fitzroy. In addition we often have Frank Rutherford and other outer suburban members who stay overnight after attending late night functions around Melbourne. Members are welcome to use Graduate House for overnight accommodation at any time if rooms are available.
Ian Parrish, Megan Walker and Jane Miller
Lee Farrington-Flint Lee Farrington-Flint has been at Graduate House since January. He is a visiting academic from the United Kingdom studying for his PhD in Developmental Psychology. Not knowing anyone in Australia, he was apprehensive about his time here, but says the welcoming atmosphere of Graduate House and the diverse nationalities of the other residents has made his stay truly memorable. He hopes the return later in the year to continue his research.
DENTAL CONTINGENT Presently resident at Graduate House is a group of postgraduate dentists, mostly from India and the Middle East. They are already Australian residents in many States around the country and have come together in Melbourne to undertake the Melbourne orientation program for overseas dentists at the Royal Dental Hospital. This will bring their qualifications in line with Australian standards to allow them to practise here.
SISTER MARIE SINCE 1997
KEHOE,
LIFE
MEMBER
Australia’s first meals on wheels service celebrated its 50th anniversary on 24 June 2003. A tricycle, painted in the South Melbourne Council colours of red and white, delivered the first meals to elderly citizens in South Melbourne. In 1948, Marie Kehoe’s mother, Mary, supervised a canteen which provided meals to the frail and elderly in two military huts in Ferrars Street for twelve years. By March 1950 it was serving daily meals to around fifty people, subsidized by the Community Chest. Kath Kehoe, one of Mary’s six children, recalls that many of the elderly were World War I or even Boer War veterans who lived in rooming houses and otherwise spent their days on park benches. A remarkable band of women formed the Home Help Auxiliary in 1947 to provide live-in emergency housekeeping, but was extended to sick or elderly residents on an hourly basis. The idea for a meals on wheels service came from a magazine article about a scheme operating in England as an extension of a service provided during World War II, when authorities trucked in meals to bombed-out areas. The South Melbourne Council’s service began in June 1953 with Mrs E Watts setting off on the tricycle to deliver a meal to a local resident. Numbers of meals grew beyond the capabilities of the tricycle and in 1954 the Red Cross supplied a car and volunteers to carry out the service. The meals on wheels service pioneered in S o u t h Melbourne became the model for local government throughout Australia. Kath Kehoe (left) and her sister Marie with the tricycle used to deliver meals on wheels around South Melbourne in 1953. (Photo: Carmel Shute)
STAFF AT GRADUATE HOUSE Suada Duradbegovic. Suada came to Graduate House in July 2003 and waits on tables each night at the residents’ dinner. During the day she attends the Council of Adult Education where she is studying six subjects. She hopes to continue on to The University of Melbourne and study Psychology. She has lived in Carlton for fourteen years with her family and three much-loved cats.
Open for Lunch and Dinner - Tuesday to Saturday Private Room Available 10% off meals for Graduate Union Members Tuesday to Thursday on presentation of card.
The dental group (l-r): Sireesha Nimmagadda, Mamtha Arya, Sayma Nahid, Shraddha Murdeshwar, Prathap Kripakarian, Suman Bidya
766 Whitehorse Road, Mont Albert, Vic, 3127 Tel: 03 9898 5188 Fax: 03 9898 5348
March 2004 volume 57 No.2 11
THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE FEBRUARY LUNCHEON – PETER CHURCHER, OFFICIAL WAR ARTIST Peter Churcher was introduced by Council Vice-Chairman Neil Taylor. The arrangements for the day were varied to allow for slides to be shown in the Anderson Room before lunch was served in the Dining Room. Peter Churcher studied at Melbourne University Conservatorium of Music for six years before deciding to further his drawing talent at Art School. He found post-modernism ugly : deconstruction was the predominant style when he trained.. On leaving Art School, he established himself as a portrait painter, always desiring to portray emotional aspects of the human condition and never working from photographs, due to their lack of the ‘life’ he needs to sense in a subject. He prefers to use non-professional models, where he is able to capture an honest and direct portrayal of subjects in moments of their ‘true’ lives. Slides were shown of a local butcher, a Spanish backpacker and several street people, painted in Melbourne. As a war artist, Peter Churcher’s first assignment was in the Persian Gulf, on HMAS Kanimbla for three weeks. Working alongside the crew on active duty, he produced a variety of paintings under difficult conditions. Some of these were shown as slides and included the operations room, recreational activities and individual portraits. Some paintings were done at the RAAF Base at Bahrain and later with Australian SAS troops in Afghanistan. Illustrations of these included bombed quarters in Afghanistan, damaged and derelict aircraft from earlier wars, crewmen off duty and groups of the local people going about their business on dangerous terrain. After lunch, Peter Churcher answered questions from members and was thanked by Dr John Binns. The Graduate Union congratulates the following members who were recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours List. AM: Member of the Order of Australia
Dr Harold Ramsay Down, Life Member joined in 1952 Dr Ernst Heinz Ehrmann, joined in 1980
LIBRARY ACQUISTIONS The following books have been added to the Johnston Library. When borrowing, please record your name, date and book title in the Borrowers Register, located in the Library. Loans are for 4 weeks, renewable. CURREY, John. David Collins: a colonial life. Carlton South, M.U.P., 2000. GARDEN, Donald. The Melbourne teacher training colleges. Richmond, Heinemann, 1982. WEBBY, Elizabeth (ed). Walter and Mary: the letters of Walter and Mary Richardson. Carlton South, M.U.P., 2000. FALK, Barbara. D.J.: Dorothy Jean Ross, 1891-1982. Carlton South, M.U.P., 2000. HASSAM, Andrew. Through Australian eyes: colonial perceptions of Imperial Britain. Carlton South, M.U.P., 2000. McCULLOCH, Jude. Blue army: paramilitary policing in Australia. Carlton South, M.U.P., 2001. FOX, C.J. Fighting back: the politics of the unemployed in Victoria in the Great Depression. Carlton South, M.U.P., 2000. HEADON, David (ed). Makers of miracles: the cast of the federation story. Carlton South, M.U.P., 2000. BADCOCK, Blair. Home truths: property ownership and housing wealth in Australia. Carlton South, M.U.P., 2000. ZIMMERMAN, Beverly. The making of a diocese: Maitland, its bishop, priests and people, 1866-1909. Carlton South, M.U.P., 2000. CLARK, Manning. The ideal of Alexis de Tocqueville. Carlton South, M.U.P., 2000. LA NAUZE, John A. No ordinary act: essays on federation and the constitution. Carlton South, M.U.P., 2001. COLLINS, Paul. Upon this rock: the Popes and their changing role. Carlton South, M.U.P., 2000.
DONORS TO THE BUILDING FUND.
MARCH LUNCHEON – JOHN COULSON, PRINCIPAL, WELLINGTON SECONDARY COLLEGE Dr David Bellair, Chairman of Council, introduced John Coulson, whose topic for this luncheon was ‘Taking Turks to Turkey’. John Coulson is Principal of Wellington Secondary College, in the Waverley region of Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. In 2001, after visiting his son in the UK, John attended the ANZAC Day Service at Gallipoli as a personal pilgrimage. Having served in the Army Reserve from 1959 until 1995, retiring with the rank of Colonel, he saw active service in South Vietnam and served for a time with the British Army. He was so moved by his visit to Gallipoli, he decided to offer the same experience to his students as part of a study tour, incorporating the ANZAC Service. John’s invitation to the student body brought responses from parents and students, including Australian Turkish students, some of whom spoke fluent Turkish even though they were born in Australia. Eight students, including five Turks, two parents and two members of staff went on his school’s first visit to Gallipoli. The first two days were spent in Istanbul. The group then went by bus to the Gallipoli Peninsula. John described entering Gallipoli as like ‘entering a cathedral’ : a hushed atmosphere allowed the crowds of Australians and New Zealanders already there to contemplate the battleships, the landing craft and the soldiers making their way to the shore at the foot of the massive cliffs they would have to scale, under heavy Turkish fire. A point of focus was the grave of ‘Simpson’ [Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick, of 3rd Australian Field Ambulance, killed in action 19 May 1915], with its permanent Australian flags and remembrance poppies as a tribute to the man who, with a donkey [‘Duffy’] from 25 April to 19 May, worked continuously between Monash Valley and ANZAC Beach, his donkey carrying a brassard around its forehead and a wounded man on its back. A visit to Gallipoli is an intensely personal and emotional experience, especially for Australians and Turks. John felt that his student group had matured while they stood on the shore where men, many of whom were in their ‘teens and captivated by a sense of adventure, had fought and died in the Gallipoli campaign. Owen Suffolk’s days of crime and years of suffering. Kew, Victoria, Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2000. STUART, Francis. Merchants in marvellous Melbourne: Frank Stuart. Balwyn, Victoria, 2002. CHARLWOOD, Don. Wrecks and reputations. 2nd ed. Warrandyte, Victoria, Burgewood Books, 1988. Settlers under sail. 3rd ed. Warrandyte, Burgewood Books, 1999 The long farewell. Warrandyte, Burgewood Books, 1998 GALLAGHER, Hector. We got a fair go: a history of the Commonwealth Reconstruction Scheme 1945-1952. Kew, 2003. MACINTYRE, Stuart. A short history of the University of Melbourne. Carlton, MUP, 2003. BOURNE, William. A regiment for the sea, and other writings on navigation Cambridge UP for the Hakluyt Society, 1963. The travels and controversies of Friar Domingo Navarette 1618-1686. 2 vols. Cambridge UP for the Hakluyt Society, 1962. WILLIAMSON, James A. The Cabot Voyages and Bristol discovery underHenry VII. Cambridge UP for the Hakluyt Society, 1962. AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL OF NATIONAL TRUSTS. Historic public buildings of Australia. North Melbourne, Cassell, 1971. The world’s last mysteries. Philippines, Reader’s Digest, 1977. The Churchill years 1874-1965 [Text by The Times]. London, Heinemann, 1965. SMITH, Robin. New Guinea: a journey through 10,000 years. Melbourne, Lansdowne, 1969. The literary work of John Sutton Melbourne, MUP, 1925.
Geoffrey Dye – Honorary Librarian
DONATIONS AT 5 MARCH 2004 : $88,550
Mr L Bailey, Mr J Balmford, Professor R Bishop, Mr T Brown, Mr M Caplan, Ms N Couchman, Miss H Davies, Judge B Dove Miss M Edmonson , Ms A England, Dr R Esdaile, Mr G Goode, Miss B Green, Dr W Hamilton, Miss M Holt, Mrs C Hughes Mrs C Iseli, Mr A Jack, Mr D Kerr, Mr J Kilmartin, Mr J Lacey, Dr P Law, Mr R McIntosh, Mrs M Merchant, Mrs J Pretty Mrs A Salter, Professor A Shaw, Mr N Stevens, Mr S Stuart, Dr J Syme, Mr K Truscott , Mr G Wilson March 2004 volume 57 No.2 12