The Melbourne Graduate December 2011/ Centenary Booklet
Post on 24-Jul-2016
214 Views
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
Transcript
ABN 556 10664 963 - 1 - No. A0023234B
THE GRADUATE UNION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
MELBOURNE INC.
CENTENARY YEAR
1911 – 2011
As I write this reflection about the
centenary celebrations I ponder the
year that has been and how quickly it
has come to a close. A visit to Graduate
House at this time of the year brings
one into a quiet building that rings with
silence. Gone is the busy, bustling
atmosphere that exists from early
morning to late at night for most of the
year. Our residents have all but packed
up and returned home to far flung
lands. Staffare caught up in the pre-
Christmas rush, trying to complete the
many tasks that need to be done so
that the Christmas holiday break can
begin. One can imagine all sorts of
things in a building which houses such a rich history and fabric of
life. But the silence simply causes one to reflect on the many
factors which have interwoven to form the essence of the Graduate
Union for 100 years. Above all it causes one to reflect on the people
who have influenced and shaped the future of the Graduate Union.
Mrs Glenda Fisher, Centenary Chair
ABN 556 10664 963 - 2 - No. A0023234B
On the 4th of May 1911, the Melbourne University Graduate
Associates (the forerunner of the Graduate Union) was a newly
minted organization at the beginning of its journey. It came into
formal existence on July 14th 1911 at a formal dinner. Colonel John
Monash was elected Chairman. It committed to bringing the life
and thought of the University and of the community into direct
relation with each other, providing an organization that arranged
public discussion of University problems and bringing past
University members in closer touch with each other. It also resolved
to provide a Residential Club for members some time into the
future. In 1912 MUGA commenced the lecture series that had been
one of its original aims. MUGA had no permanent home nor would
it have until 1957. The fact that the organization never lost sight of
its initial commitment says much about the calibre of our members
over 100 years. Perhaps it goes a long way to explaining how an
organization can survive for 100 years and continue to grow and
adapt for the next century.
In the August of 2010 a small group of Graduate Union members
gathered in the Anderson Room at Graduate House to commence
planning for the Centenary celebrations in 2011. We agreed that it
was important to acknowledge the foresight and wisdom of the
founding fathers and whilst looking back it was also important to
look to the future and the next 100 years. It was agreed that our
theme for the year-long celebrations would be Leadership. We
planned two significant events - a Cocktail Party, and an Oration
and Dinner. It was also agreed that we would incorporate the
Twilight Lectures, Sunday Music performances and a final gathering
at the Chairman’s cocktail party in December. That planning
meeting all seems so long ago!
ABN 556 10664 963 - 3 - No. A0023234B
The Hon John Cain, Dr McCredie & Chair,David
Let the Celebrations Begin!
Fast forward to May the 4th 2011. Our official centenary
celebrations commenced with a magnificent Cocktail party in the
Ian Potter Room at Graduate House. This date acknowledged the
day that a meeting was held at Dr Barrett’s Chambers in Collins
Street in order to establish a committee that would create the
Melbourne University Graduates Association – the forerunner of
the modern day Graduate Union.
Our President, the Honorable John Cain launched the Centenary
Celebrations and in his
speech outlined the
significant events of 1911
against which our
Graduate Union was
established. Our organis-
ation has had many
distinguished members so
it was fitting that we
should honor another
distinguished member of
the Graduate Union on this night. That member was Dr David
McCredie who has achieved much in his professional life and made
significant contribution to the lives of ordinary Australians through
his studies into the impact of phosphates on babies both pre and
post natal and the study of renal disease in our indigenous
population. It was inspiring to see Dr
McCredie receive a prestigious Honorary
Life Membership to the Graduate Union
on a night that celebrated the creation of
an organization that boasts many
extraordinary Australians as its members
over the past 100 years.
ABN 556 10664 963 - 4 - No. A0023234B
Founders Day Oration and Dinner
On the 14th of July, we held a Founders Day Oration and Dinner to
mark the 100th anniversary of the formalization of our organization.
Against the backdrop
of the Graduate Union
Fanfare, played by a
brass quintet from the
Conservatorium of
Music at the University
of Melbourne, and
commissioned to
celebrate the occasion,
The President, the
Honourable John Cain, welcomed the Governor of Victoria, The Vice
Chancellor’s representative of the University of Melbourne,
representatives of the original University Of Melbourne faculties
who had formed our first Council and Graduate Union members to
Melba Hall, to hear the Founders Day Oration delivered by former
Governor General, Major-General Michael Jeffery.
Leadership was the theme chosen by the Centenary Committee for
our year of celebration because it honoured both past and present
members of the Graduate Union who had contributed to society in
a Leadership role. Major –General Jeffery gave an inspirational
address on the many guises of leadership from the perspective of a
commissioned officer in the Australian Army, a State Governor and
a Governor General of Australia.
We returned to Graduate House to a red carpet welcome and a
magnificent dinner courtesy of our outstanding Graduate Union
catering and conference staff. With luxury and opulence in mind,
ABN 556 10664 963 - 5 - No. A0023234B
Mr Robert Goodman, Head Chef, designed the menu taking his
inspiration from the early 1900’s.
The Honourable Alex Chernov AO,QC, Governor of Victoria unveiled
a plaque to commemorate 100 years of the Graduate Union and
every one present received a commemorative booklet called ‘Our
Story’.
ABN 556 10664 963 - 6 - No. A0023234B
Social & Intellectual Discourse
As part of our celebrations we continued our Twilight lecture series
during 2011. We have been privileged to enjoy the highest quality
of speakers during the Centenary year including Professor
Rosenfeld, a relative of Sir John Monash, and eminent Neuro
Surgeon from the Alfred Hospital, and Laureate Professor Peter
Doherty, winner of the 1996 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
and Australian of the Year in 1997.
At the first Twilight Lecture for
2011 an audience of 80
members was enthralled by
Professor Rosenfeld’s lecture
which focused on the
importance of leadership and
public service. He also
reflected on the life of General
Sir John Monash. In his opinion
Monash reflected the Key
attributes of leadership
including the ability to plan
meticulously, and use strong
organizational skills. Monash
was also a humanitarian who
looked after his troops, an
uncommon characteristic of an
officer at the time. Sir John
Monash inspires us to take his great deeds, his self sacrifice and
ability to rise above racism to heart, and lead as he did.
Professor Rosenfeld observed that not everyone will be a leader in
their lifetime but we are all able to serve the community. A benefit
of being a community advocate builds community spirit and is good
for health mentally and physically. As this is diminishing, more
ABN 556 10664 963 - 7 - No. A0023234B
needs to be done. Leaders need to be sought and the engagement
of young people is necessary. It is also important to remember that
leadership needs to be assessed by the people who operate at
every level of an organisation, not just the managers at the top.
At the second Twilight Lecture for 2011 ninety guests were equally
captivated by Laureate Professor Doherty. He also believed that
Leadership comes in various guises. It is important to consider the
future environment and what our grandchildren will inherit. He
asked the question “How will Leadership impact on climate change
and other environmental issues which may affect the future of the
planet and which need to be addressed now?”
Professor Doherty cited the
example of Danny Thomas the
entertainer who founded an
Oncology Hospital in Memphis
Tennessee in 1962. It became
enormously successful when its
practitioners showed extraord-
inary leadership and defied
current thinking on the
treatment of the principal
paediatric cancer with
aggressive chemotherapy and
radiology – an approach that
had proven unsuccessful in
treating adults. The result
lowered mortality of this
particular cancer from 90
percent to 15 percent.
Danny Thomas had an idea. He spoke to the right person and
followed through on it. Most importantly he involved community
members, and family in fundraising.
ABN 556 10664 963 - 8 - No. A0023234B
Coco’s Lunch
23 October 2011
Music Series
Coupled with the Twilight Lecture Series was the outstanding music
program “Sundays at Graduate House” organised by a music sub-
committee under the leadership of Councillor David Eyres.
We enjoyed such diverse performances as The Phoenix Trio,
Fandango Australiano, and Coco’s Lunch. The music ranged from
Mozart thru Neilson, Ibert and D’Rivera to capella performances of
jazz and latin.
The Twilight Lectures and the Music Concerts provided Graduate
Union members and the public with a rich tapestry of intellectual
and social discourse that remained true to the original intentions of
our forefathers.
Fandango Australianio
18 September 2011
ABN 556 10664 963 - 9 - No. A0023234B
Christmas Comes But Once A Year
We have concluded the year with another impressive Chairman’s
Cocktail party and we of course left the best until last.
In March we commissioned a series of art works celebrating the
history of the Graduate Union. The result is stunning in its
simplicity. Our artist, Deidre Walsh has captured the essence of the
Graduate Union in a series of sketches highlighting key events and
people over the past century. The staff added an extra special touch
to the evening by creating different food stations that reflected the
20’s, 50’s 80’s and 2000’s.
Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of $9000
from the Trustees of the William Berry Trust (Miss Barbara Funder
and Mrs Heather Kudeviita) to the Chairman of the House Board
(Mr Andre Cleghorn) for the purpose of the upkeep of the William
Berry Wing at Graduate House.
The Chairman gave a brief report on the year that was and a
synopsis of progress in various areas. He also outlined plans for
2012 and into the future. He thanked the
staff for their dedication and loyalty to
the Graduate Union. He also thanked the
new CEO Dr Kerry Bennett for “hitting the
ground running” and bringing much
needed change to the Graduate Union.
Look closely at the art work when it is
placed on permanent display to see the
real story of the Graduate Union and step
back to admire the image.
Artist Deirdre Walsh & family
ABN 556 10664 963 - 10 - No. A0023234B
A Year of Celebration Comes To An End
We have focused our celebratory year on the very activities that our
forefathers envisaged for the organization. We have challenged our
intellectual thinking, stimulated our social senses and welcomed
post graduate scholars from across the seas providing residential
facilities that are second to none and providing them with a
supportive, collegiate home away from home. We have all grown
from the rich experiences provided to us. If one could isolate any
factors that link the Graduate Union of today with the immediate
and distant past they would have to be far-sighted vision, faith and
courage and a strong belief in the future. That this organization has
not only survived for 100 years but progressed to the physical,
social and emotional environment it is today tells us that we have
those factors in spades. As an organization we have fulfilled the
dreams and intentions of our founding fathers. Do the ghosts of
generations past approve? I think they would be blown away by
what successive generations have built and achieved at the
Graduate Union from that initial vision: even a little envious!
As the sun sinks over University Square I leave Graduate House. The
air smells of the traffic fumes of a busy city: Probably not much
different to a century ago when Leicester Street housed industry
and workers cottages and the University of Melbourne started on
the other side of Grattan Street and worked its way north. The
ancient elm trees in the park opposite stand as a sentinel to time.
As our building settles down for another 100 years as the home of
the Graduate Union, I ponder if it will still be the Graduate Union in
100 years? Will it just survive or grow beyond our wildest
imaginings supporting an ever changing cohort of graduates from
the University of Melbourne and beyond? I certainly hope so.
Mrs Glenda Fisher
Chair, Centenary Celebrations
December 2011
ABN 556 10664 963 - 11 - No. A0023234B
ABN 556 10664 963 - 12 - No. A0023234B
Former Governor General, Major-General Michael Jeffery AC, AO(Mil), CVO, MC(Retd)
ABN 556 10664 963 - 13 - No. A0023234B
The following text is an edited extract of Major General Jeffery’s address
I would like to begin by thanking the Graduate Union President for
the invitation to speak to members on the anniversary of the formal
constitution and birth of the Graduate Union 100 years ago. The
Graduate Union has a proud history and I acknowledge Colonel
John Monash as the organisation’s founding Chairman.
As a leader having a plan is of paramount importance. Even if it is
not the best plan it is better to have it rather than no plan at all.
Leadership does not apply solely to the profession of arms. There is
a fundamental requirement for good leadership in all organisations
and the key to good leadership is an articulation of a clear, well
thought through mission or objective and a plan to support it-one
that others will follow willingly because they believe in, trust, love
or sometimes even fear the leader.
General Sir John Monash (as he later became) was a truly great
Australian who as Brigade, Divisional Corps Commander served at
Gallipoli, in Egypt and the Western Front, bringing a keen analytical
mind to combat operations. He was an excellent example of
leadership in its’ many guises. He undertook various leadership
roles, both in wartime and afterwards. After the war Monash
became a respected and much loved public figure with involvement
in many public and private organisations such as the Boy Scouts and
Anzac Day commemorative activities. Monash University was
named for him and he is still respectfully remembered for his
tenure as Head of the State Electricity Board.
As an officer in the Australian Army I have had to accept
responsibility and show leadership qualities in difficult and
potentially dangerous situations. During tours of duty in Vietnam
and Papua New Guinea challenges were many. In Papua New
ABN 556 10664 963 - 14 - No. A0023234B
Guinea, leading a platoon on an epic journey on foot across country
for about 1500 kilometres in 40 days through high jungle and over
crocodile infested rivers, tested the resolve of every one. It
required enduring qualities appropriate for leadership at every level
in all organisations. These qualities included courage – physical and
moral, decisiveness, training staff well and trusting them to get on
with the job; being prepared to take responsibility for mistakes and
looking after your people. Time and again we witness this confusion
or lack of clarity of aim and a supporting plan or strategy when
dealing with a complex issue.
Strategic leadership is not just about the higher level
political/military relationship in military operations. It applies
equally to the way we do business and how we run the country.
During my time as Governor General of Australia it was important
to be aware of and observe the political protocols to be observed
when attempting to initiate change.
Discussion on how to better govern ourselves should be widely
encouraged, but in those discussions we should understand very
clearly the strengths, weaknesses and the checks and balances in
our present system of government before deciding on radical
change. Any replacement system must demonstrate at least the
same level of constitutional safeguards as exist in our present
arrangements.
Of equal concern is the information over load that political and
indeed organisational leaders at higher levels seem to have to bear.
The trick is in having a good filtering system and in trusting
subordinates such as Cabinet ministers to get on with it. The media
won’t like it of course, but the public will. Leaders need to conduct
the orchestra and try not to play every instrument, or something
important will surely fall through the cracks.
The international leaders I most greatly admire include Christ,
Alexander the Great, Caesar, Elizabeth 1 & 11, Gandhi, Churchill and
ABN 556 10664 963 - 15 - No. A0023234B
Mandela. In Australia Barton, Monash and Menzies were
outstanding leaders in their day. It has been my privilege to meet
many of the world’s leaders, both Heads of State and Heads of
Government, including President George Bush, His Majesty King
Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, His Holiness the Pope, President
Yudhoyona of Indonesia, President Putin of Russia, President
Musharraf of Pakistan, and many others including Ramos Horta, and
Xanana Gusmao, (East Timor), Queens Beatrix and Marguerite of
the Netherlands and Denmark (Both remarkable women), President
Peres (Israel), the Rulers of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and Prime
Minister Somare of PNG. President George Bush has taken much
flak over Iraq. What very few people understood, (particularly the
media) is that in taking that decision, the nuclear information
between Iran, Iraq, North Korea and Pakistan was thankfully
broken.
Another interesting leader who I have been privileged to meet is
President Hu JinTao of China. He is a great friend, indeed an
admirer of Australia and who has reiterated time and again China’s
desire for stable, long term sources of resources supply and for a
peaceful world.
I have raised with each of these leaders the theme of what could be
achieved together, emphasising joint research on such matters as
agriculture (semi arid area farming), environment, water, climate
change and long range weather forecasting.
Strategic Key issues for global leaders over the next 20 years will be
overpopulation, availability of fresh water, climate change, energy
ownership and terrorism: all of which will impact on Australia.
Governance is a primary strategic issue that must also be dealt with
in the future. Before too long, governance in its broadest sense will
attract considerable public discussion: a discussion which is far
more important than whether we become a republic or not.
ABN 556 10664 963 - 16 - No. A0023234B
How do we ensure that the key issues of energy, water, education,
health, environment, policing and social condition are dealt with as
a nation working to an agreed long term national strategy with local
implementation? It is doubtful that “cooperative federalism” or the
“republic” will provide the best answers.
I have attempted to cover a very broad canvas giving various
examples from my own experience as a tactical leader and as a
participant in strategic decision making. My role as Governor and
later Governor General in strategic decision making has been one of
input behind the scenes, and subtle persuasion. My main
contribution has been to foster a close personal relationship with
the incumbent, to discuss issues of non political joint interest (joint
research, climate change etc) but where necessary, to discuss
complex questions on national policy without embarrassing one’s
self or one’s own government. There are many global and national
issues of concern in which high level leadership will be required to
develop and implement national strategic policy.
l-r: Chairman, Mrs Chernov, Governor, Mrs Cain, Mrs Sparks
Mrs Roberts, Dr Roberts
ABN 556 10664 963 - 17 - No. A0023234B
Our Centenary Celebrations would never have happened with out
the outstanding and dedicated service of the staff of the Graduate
Union. Every one from the CEO, the Office Personnel, Catering and
Maintenance people have combined to create the perfect venue for
our celebrations. Their attention to detail is something to behold.
Thank you Graduate Union Staff!
ABN 556 10664 963 - 18 - No. A0023234B
CENTENARY COMMITTEE
Mrs Glenda Fisher (Chair)
The Honourable John Cain
Mr Frank Lees AM
Miss Barbara Funder
Miss Norma Long
Ms YuJin Lee
Ms Yu Ann Wang
Ms Candice Tan
Mr David Sparks
Mrs Lyn Weston
Mrs Rhonda Lu
top related