The Graduate Union January/February 2023 Newsletter

WHATS ON IN FEBRUARY

03

Friday

CHINESE NEW YEAR THEMED LUNCH AND DINNER

Lunch 12:00pm – 2:00pm; Dinner 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Enjoy a Chinese New Year themed Lunch/Dinner. More details on page 8.

10

Friday

SPECIAL MORNING BREAKFAST

7:30am – 8:30am

Special breakfast beverage for residents at Graduate House. Free for Resident Members, non-Resident Members $14, non-Members $20.

15

Wednesday

WOMEN’S FORUM

10:00am for 10:30am start

The topic of this forum is “26th January – should we be celebrating on this day which is so offensive to our indigenous people?”

The Women’s Forum group welcomes new members. Forum discussions are held in an informal and friendly atmosphere.

17

Friday

MEMBERS DRINKS NIGHT

5:30pm onwards

Come along in your own groups or come meet new friends and enjoy a relaxing, convivial, no fuss wind-down to your working week. Members and non-Members prices apply.

24

Friday

WELCOME SUMMER BBQ

6:00pm

The Graduate Union welcomes you to a new academic year. Join us as welcome new residents and returning residents to Graduate House. Free for Resident Members, non-Resident Members $17, non-Members $22.

01, 08, 15, 22

BRIDGE NIGHT

7:15pm – 9:30pm

Wednesday

Join us for Bridge Nights every Wednesday evening. All levels of bridge players welcome. Player fees: Members $2, non-Members $5. Food and beverages at bar prices.

FOR BOOKINGS:

phone: (03) 9347 3428

email: membership@graduatehouse.com.au

website: www.graduatehouse.com.au

2023 GU Collegiate events

We are pleased to present you with the Graduate Union Calendar of Collegiate events and thank you for your support in attending and promoting these functions.

January

Graduate House

Dining Room reopens

Monday, 23rd

February

Bridge Nights

Wednesday, 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd

Chinese New Year Themed

Lunch and Dinner

Friday, 3rd

Special Morning Breakfast

Friday, 10th

Women’s Forum

Wednesday, 15th

Members Drinks Night

Friday, 17th

Welcome Summer BBQ

Friday, 24th

March

Bridge Nights

Wednesday, 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th

March Luncheon

Wednesday, 1st

Special Morning Breakfast

Friday, 10th

Women’s Forum

Wednesday, 15th

Members Drinks Night

Friday, 17th

Ramadan Ifta Dinner

Thursday, 30th

July August September

Bridge Nights

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

Special Morning Breakfast

Friday, 14th

Women’s Forum

Wednesday, 19th

Members Drinks Night

Friday, 21st

Residents Christmas In July Party

Friday, 28th

Bridge Nights

Wednesday, 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th

August Luncheon

Wednesday, 2nd

Special Morning Breakfast

Friday, 11th

Women’s Forum

Wednesday, 16th

Members Drinks Night

Friday, 18th

Bridge Nights

Wednesday, 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th

September Dinner

Wednesday, 6th

Special Morning Breakfast

Friday, 8th

Women’s Forum

Wednesday, 20th

Members Drinks Night

Friday, 22nd

April May June

Bridge Nights

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

April Dinner

Wednesday, 5th

Special Morning Breakfast

Friday, 14th

Women’s Forum

Wednesday, 19th

Members Drinks Night

Friday, 21st

Bridge Nights

Wednesday, 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st

May Luncheon

Wednesday, 3rd

Special Morning Breakfast

Friday, 12th

Women’s Forum

Wednesday, 17th

Annual General Meeting

Tuesday, 16th

AGM Dinner

Tuesday, 16th

Members Drinks Night

Friday, 19th

Bridge Nights

Wednesday, 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th

June Dinner

Wednesday, 7th

Special Morning Breakfast

Friday, 9th

Women’s Forum

Wednesday, 14th

Members Drinks Night

Friday, 16th

October November December

Bridge Nights

Wednesday, 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th

October Luncheon

Wednesday, 4th

Special Morning Breakfast

Friday, 13th

Women’s Forum

Wednesday, 18th

Members Drinks Night

Friday, 20th

Bridge Nights

Wednesday, 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th

November Dinner

Wednesday, 1st

Special Morning Breakfast

Friday, 10th

Women’s Forum

Wednesday, 15th

Members Drinks Night

Friday, 17th

Chairman’s Cocktail Party

Friday, 1st

Bridge Nights

Wednesday, 6th, 13th

Special Morning Breakfast

Friday, 8th

Women’s Forum

Wednesday, 13th

Members Christmas Party

Friday, 15th

Last Day that Graduate House is open

Wednesday, 20th

GU Collegiate speakers for 2023

Wednesday Luncheons and Dinners

One of our initiatives to promote collegiality in 2023 is the introduction of by-monthly Dinners. Our traditional Graduate Union Luncheons which have been running since 1975, remains in place and is now being alternated with Monthly Dinners.

These after-work dinners enable you to enjoy your evening in a more relaxed after-work manner. Dinners will run from 6pm-8pm, with a similar format as the luncheons. Pre-drinks are served from 6:00pm-6:30pm at the Phillip Law Members Lounge, and dinner will be served at 6:30pm. Dessert will be served at approximately 7:00pm. Guest speakers will be presenting while diners enjoy dessert and coffee. There will be a questions and answers session after the presentation.

AGM Dinner speakers

Mr Harry Blutstein

March Luncheon

1st March

Harry is a natural storyteller and provides entertaining tales of various world topics. Dr Blutstein will explore the legal and moral issues raised during the trial of Barbara Eckersley and suggestions on how the law can be reformed.

A joint presentation by Gail Southwell & Katy Turbitt

Tuesday, 16th May

Gail Southwell (General Manager) and Katy Turbitt (Marketing and Engagement Manager) at 3MBS Fine Music Melbourne will be presenting on community radio and in particular, 3MBS and the evolution of the station over its forty-seven year history.

Associate Professor

Graham Parslow

August Luncheon

2nd August

Graham Parslow will take you through 150 years of radio from scientific curiosity to mature technology. Radios from the 20th century will be illustrated by examples of Graham’s collection of over 600 radios.

April Dinner

5th April

Dr John Basarin OAM is a champion of Turkish-Australian relations, who has educated many about the Turkish perspective of the Gallipoli campaign, through his publications and his leadership of Friends of Gallipoli Inc.

Associate Professor

Rosalie Hudson

May Luncheon

3rd May

Dr Hudson has published widely, including four authored and co-authored on aged-care. Her topic at this luncheon is ‘Living in a nursing home: a fate worse than death?’

June Dinner

7th June

Victor Perton is an enthusiastic speaker on optimism and positive leadership. Back as a presenter for the third time at Graduate House, Victor will take our members and guests through another engaging session on optimism.

Cheryl Lacey DJC

September Dinner

6th September

Cheryl is Australia’s leading agitator for rational change in school education. In 2019 Cheryl’s book, Marching Schools Forward -Discussions On Australian Education, was published. Today, her recommendations couldn’t be more relevant

Professor Mary Galea

October Luncheon

4th October

Internationally recognised for her neuroscience research, Mary has made a substantial contribution to physiotherapy through her role as a clinical educator and researcher. Mary’s presentation will be about the Stroke Foundation Association of Victoria and the organisation’s commitment to providing support for stroke survivors and their care givers in the community.

Brigadier Bob Slater AM

November Dinner

1st November

Brigadier Bob Slater will take us through a very interesting and entertaining presentation on comic actor George Selth Coppin, the founder of theatre in Australia in the 1800s and a great personality and entrepreneur of his day.

Dr John Basarin OAM

Victor Perton

The rabbit symbolizes peace, prosperity, and vigor in the Chinese zodiac. The Year of the Rabbit 2023 is a lucky year for most people.

Lunch 12:00pm to 2:00pm; Dinner 6:00pm to 7:30pm Friday, 3rd February 2023

Main

Roast duck (gf, df)

Sweet and sour fish fillet (df)

Chinese vegetable stir fry (v, gf, df)

Fried Hokkien noodles (df)

Steamed rice (v, gf, df)

Dessert

Asian style dessert (v, gf, df)

(gf) gluten free (df) dairy free (v) vegetarian

Lunch prices: Members: $14; Non Members: $20; Dinner prices: Members: $17; Non Members: $22

GRADUATE HOUSE SUMMER WELCOME BBQ

FRIDAY, 24TH FEBRUARY

6:00PM ONWARDS

The Graduate House Summer Welcome BBQ is held at the start of the new academic year to welcome new residents and returning residents. Members and their guests are welcome to join us!

See you at the courtyard and the dining room of Graduate House!

Resident Members FREE

Non-resident Members $17

Non-Members $22

RSVP by Friday, 17th February

Email: membership@graduatehouse.com.au

Chicken Tandoori

Lamb chops

Gourmet sausages

Vegi combo burger patties

Coleslaw

Garden Salad

Pavlova

Fruit Salad

Vegetarian and vegan options available

Phone: (03) 9347 3428, or come to the Reception desk.

Reciprocal Clubs in India

The Graduate Union holds reciprocal arrangements with two prestigious clubs in India. They are Baramati Club and PYC Hindu Gymhkana, both located in Maharashtra state, west of India. Our members are guaranteed a warm welcome when choosing to stay in these clubs. We, in turn, extend a warm welcome to their members when they choose to reside in our Carlton facilities when visiting Melbourne. Information on PYC Hindu Gymkhana is featured below,

PYC Hindu Gymkhana

CTS No. 766, F.P.No. 244, Bhandarkar Road

Pune 411 004, Maharashtra, India

T: +91 20 2566 3006 F: +91 20 2566 7382 dkum@pycgymkhana.com www. pycgymkhana.com

This prestigious PYC Hindu Gymkhana club is located in the heart of downtown Pune, of the Maharashtra region in western India. Just a few years older than The Graduate Union, PYC was founded in 1906 with a mission to promote cricket and other sports. It has now transformed into one of the most highly regarded associations in its region.

The club is located in a six storey building of approximately 100,000 square feet. It is now more of a lifestyle club with ultra modern sports facilities along with conference rooms, banquet halls, multicuisine restaurants, a cafeteria and a bar.

Accommodation

PYC has a total of 32 well appointed rooms of five star ambience, out of which four are exclusive suite rooms and the other 28 are executive rooms. The all A/C fitted rooms offer fine room services and all amenities accorded to one in a prestigious facility like this. The guest rooms are mostly used by all associated with various sporting activity at PYC. It is also enjoyed by members of their club and the esteemed members of reciprocal clubs all over the world.

Fine Dining and Wining

Indulgence takes a new meaning at Pavilion, the multi-cuisine restaurant. The restaurant is every gourmet’s delight, where the seasoned chefs pamper patrons with authentic preparations from different regions of the world.

Temptations is a spacious bar which offers the finest spirits. Whether having a relaxed drink or conducting a private business meeting in solitude, Temptations offers the right setting for both.

The recently opened new fine dining facility in PYC, “The Klub” has a distinct ambience and serves both local and modern cuisine. The Klub is located on the third floor where three other banquet halls are located. Facilities for private dining for a group up to 20 persons are also available.

Front view of PYU Hindu Gymkhana

Accommodation rooms

Fine dining and wining facilities

John Hasker AM

Life member John Hasker AM recently spoke at the Spring Luncheon for Retired Doctors event held in September 2022. The topic of his talk was The Sinking of the HMAS Sydney (II) in November 1941 and was featured in the Vic Doc AMA Victoria magazine, Summer 2022 Edition.

A long term supporter of the Graduate Union, John is a regular attendee at our collegiate events and comes in regularly to enjoy meals in the Graduate House dining room. Thank you John for sharing this feature with us.

The Sinking of the HMAS Sydney (II) in November 1941 SPRING LUNCHEON FOR RETIRED DOCTORS

29 September 2022 The Retired Doctors Group, through its informal social lunches with a guest speaker is a great way to enjoy the comradery of old and new colleagues

REPORT

Fifty eight doctors, partners and friends attended our successful Retired Doctors’ Luncheon at Young and Jackson’s Hotel in the city during September.

Our guest speaker was Mr John Hasker AM who spoke about The Sinking of the HMAS Sydney (II) in November 1941. John, now retired, was a Civil Engineering graduate from the University of Melbourne in 1960.

John told the group about his cousin Dr John Reid Hasker (Jack), Surgeon Commander, the Senior Medical Officer on the HMAS Sydney when it was sunk by the German raider cruiser Kormoran after a short battle off the coast of Western Australia.

John had only a basic knowledge of Jack when he was contacted by a Geelong journalist for comment after the wreckage of the Sydney was found in 2008.

John was curious to research his cousin’s short life as not a lot had been passed down. Families so rarely discussed their war experiences and losses.

He discovered that Jack Hasker was 41 years old and single when he was lost in the Indian Ocean with 644 other naval seamen. He was born in Ballarat. His father, Thomas, was a bank manager with the Bank of NSW in country Victoria. After being transferred to Warrnambool this became the family home for many years.

He attended Geelong Grammar from 1915-1918 then to Trinity College at Melbourne University where he graduated in Medicine in 1925. He was a sports all-rounder at school and university. After graduation his residency was at the Bendigo Hospital.

In May 1928 he joined the Australian Navy and as a career naval officer served on a number of navy ships and bases such as Cerberus, Adelaide, Penguin, Swan and Hobart. He was posted to the HMAS Sydney on a number of occasions early in 1941 as the Senior Medical Officer.

John recalled hearing Dr John’s sister Meg speaking about being visited by him whilst on leave shortly before his ship left for Western Australia. This would have been the last time he saw his family.

Much controversy about the sinking of HMAS Sydney can be found. No documentation remain from the ship with German logs and diaries the only recordings of the battle. Despite much discussion within the Australian government over many years, the wreckage of both the Sydney and the Kormoran was found in 2008 by David Mearns, a private underwater shipwreck hunter.

John and his daughter Lisa were fortunate to be invited to Western Australia in 2008 to travel on the HMAS Manoora to the wreckage site with 280 other other family descendants.

John discussed hearing stories from other relatives of Jack’s medical practice on board ship: retold by their kin who left the ship before it sunk. There was no doubt he was a well-respected and caring ship’s doctor.

The other doctor lost was Surgeon Lieutenant Commander Francis Harrison Genge, a NSW doctor stationed at Flinders Naval Base as well as dentist Surgeon Lieutenant Mervyn Townsend brother of Professor Lance Townsend, the noted Obstetrics and Gynaecology academic from the University of Melbourne.

It was a privilege to have John as our guest speaker and John felt very privileged to meet many friends and colleagues from his school and Ormond College days who attended the lunch.

Our guest speaker was Mr John Hasker AM who spoke about The Sinking of the HMAS Sydney (II) in November 1941.

John, now retired, was a Civil Engineering graduate from the University of Melbourne in 1960. —

DR JEAN DOUGLAS RETIRED GENERAL PRACTITIONER AMA VICTORIA RETIRED DOCTORS COMMITTEE

The myth of sovereignty Sovereignty has never passed to the Crown

by Life member Louis Coutts

For nearly two hundred years since the proclamation of sovereignty over this country by Captain Cook in 1770 on behalf of George III in England, the legal and constitutional institutions of this country were underpinned by a false and misinformed legal fiction. It was claimed for nearly two hundred years, that despite all the evidence, this land was unoccupied in 1770 and again in 1788 on the arrival of the First Fleet. And this, despite the fact that Europeans had engaged with the native population as early as the 17th Century. In fact, Captain Cook, after the so called discovery of this country, sailed North along its shores and constantly encountered the inhabitants of this land. Sir Joseph Banks, who sailed with Cook, constructed a crude dictionary of Aboriginal words on this journey north of engagement with the local population.

But this recognition of occupation by native people created a problem for those in England who, initially, wanted to use this land as a prison. International law and English Common law at the time provided (and still does) that a foreign power could only exercise sovereignty over newly discovered territory if it was unoccupied. Thanks to the ingenuity of people called “Law Lords” on the Privy Council in England, that problem was quickly solved. Language found its way into our laws that were used to ignore the existence of the original inhabitants. Words such as “savages”, “barbaric”, “uncivilised”, “Lower order of people” and “Incapable of understanding or benefiting from civilised law and totally incapable of any system of laws” crept into the judicial language of the Law Lords on the Privy Council. As such, it was inconceivable to the Colonial Office in London and to the Law Lords that this country could be considered occupied in 1770. The so called occupants were just a bunch of savages. Indeed, that is the word used to describe them in the first text book published on Australian Constitutional law.

As the new boat people swelled across the country and formed separate colonies, there were murmurings for something grander and people started to talk about a Federal System that brought all the colonies together under one local roof, rather than the oversight of the Colonial Office. These murmurings resulted in a series of conventions in the later part of the 19th century which in turn resulted in the adoption of a

constitution in 1900. Either sensitive to the fact that the country might have been occupied in 1770, or aware of the necessity to prolong the fiction, the Constitution perpetuated the myth. It included two clauses pertaining to the original inhabitants. Firstly, it forbade the Federal Parliament from passing laws in relation to the Aboriginal population and secondly, it provided that in counting the population of the country, no account was to be taken of the Aboriginal population. The fiction of Terra Nullius was enshrined in our Constitution and perpetuated until 1967.

Archaeologists started fossicking around in the middle of the last century revealing a new and profoundly disturbing image of the society of indigenous people that ran counter to the awful “savages” characterisation. In 1968 the remains of an aboriginal woman were discovered at Lake Mungo in New South Wales and carbon dated to approximately 30,000 years. And then, little by little, the history of this country pre 1770 started to emerge. For perhaps 60,000 years, this country was occupied by a sophisticated people, with their own laws, spirituality, religion and economic management. They had cared for the country over that period of time and lived within their cultural environment. It seems that one of the basic elements of their spirituality was the land from which they came and to which they would return on death. Their land was as sacred to them as the Christian Churches are to religious people today and we had wiped them out.

Thus was exposed the frailty of the legal fiction that has supported and justified everything that the newcomer had done in this country in the name of the Crown for two hundred years and wrongly proclaimed sovereignty over these people and had taken possession of their sacred land.

This frailty didn’t go unnoticed by the original people and thus began attempts to persuade our Courts to recognise the true reality of their situation and that they were the long term occupiers of this country at the time of Captain Cook when they were the sovereign people of this land and that they had never surrendered sovereignty to the English Crown.

Powerful though the argument was, the indigenous people were at a disadvantage in that they were arguing their case in our Court system and constrained by English law which held indigenous law in disdain.

It came to the nitty gritty when an Aboriginal lawyer by the name of Paul Coe, sued the British and Australian governments for a declaration that sovereignty never passed to the Crown because at the time of Captain Cook’s proclamation and the arrival of the First Fleet, the country was occupied and had been occupied for tens of thousands of years by people with their own laws and civilisation.

Faced with the persuasive logic of this argument, one of the Judges who delivered the majority judgement of the Court, resorted to ridiculing Mr Coe and then simply saying to him “You cannot argue this issue in our Courts and that is that.” His reasoning, in one sentence was that the proclamation of sovereignty was an “Act of State” that cannot be challenged in our Courts.

In the heroic case of Mabo, Brennan J in delivering the majority judgement said the same things. But either the High Court judges didn’t do their homework, or if they did, they conveniently overlooked what they would have learnt.

I have done the homework and this is what I have discovered. In 1791 a case reached the Privy Council in London. The Privy Council was the last Court of Appeal from the colonies and India and made up of Law Lords from the House of Lords. The Nabob of Canatic complained that he had been robbed by the East India company and wanted the Court to order that accounts be taken of his financial relationships with the company in order to establish whether or not he had been robbed.

What had happened was the Nabob had entered into an agreement with the Company for his protection and in return, he promised to pay the company the cost of protection. After a while, he ran out of cash and couldn’t pay. The company came to his salvation by suggesting that its employees would lend him the money that he could then use to pay his debt to the Company. But the employees wanted security so he mortgaged farms and ultimately the employees forced the farmers off the land and sold it at a profit while charging the Nabob exorbitant interest rates. Things got really bad and the employees, when approached for new loans insisted that the Nabob first pay interest on the money proposed to be lent for two years when they would then advance the principal.

At one stage, the debt was calculated at something like Four hundred thousand pounds of which, not one penny had been advanced to the Nabob. The scandal reached Parliament and Edmund Burke denounced the company and its employees for participating in one of the worst rackets in the country’s history. But this did not deter the Privy Council which was in the pockets of the company. According to the Privy Council the dispute between the Nabob and the company arose out of a treaty between two sovereign people and therefore was an “Act of State” that could not be challenged in an English Court.

This Act of State doctrine then had a life of its own during the 19th century when in case after case of challenges to the theft by the East India Company, the Privy Council denied the Indians the right to have their cases heard. Daylight robbery, breaking and entering and simply welching on contracts were denied judicial scrutiny on the basis that they were Acts of State and not judiciable in English Courts.

By 1970, the Court of Appeal in England had had enough and when invited to follow these decisions, it refused to do so. But come Mr Coe’s case in 1979 and Mr Mabo’s case in 1992, the High Court used the flawed fiction of “Act of State” to deny the indigenous people the right to challenge sovereignty.

Apart from the clear unsustainability of the argument, there is one glaring weakness which has been overlooked. If we go back to the origins of this so called doctrine of Act of State in 1791 it will be seen that to invoke it, it has to be established that there was a treaty between two sovereign people. So, to pull this trick on the indigenous people, the Court is hoist on its own petard. There is no treaty, so that rules out one plank of the argument. And then there is the other plank of the necessity to recognise that there are two sovereign people. In other words, to pull the stunt of “Act of State” on the indigenous people, the government would have to concede that the indigenous claimants were the descendants of sovereign people and that becomes legal check mate.

Sovereignty has never passed to the crown over this country or its original inhabitants.

Chairman’s Cocktail party

Friday, 2nd December 2022

Reflections, camaraderie, and gratitude were among the themes of the evening at the Chairman’s Cocktail Party. The Graduate House creative culinary team transformed the combined Stillwell and Ian Potter room into an epicurean banquet with spreads of canapés, antipasto; a magnificent seafood banquet table and a dessert table featuring The Cannoli Tower, assembled using cannoli filled with vanilla custard.

The annual cocktail party was hosted by Chairman Mr Vincent Mirabelli, who, together with President The Hon Diana Byrant AO, welcomed members and thanked them for their continued support throughout the year. Mr Mirabelli noted that this is the first (and maybe his last) time since his appointment as Chairman on Council that he was able to host the Chairman’s Cocktail party and was pleased to meet so many members and guests in person.

In his acknowledgement speech, Mr Mirabelli thanked members of The Graduate Union Council for their dedication and contribution, and our generous donors including the munificent gesture to purchase the Yamaha Grand piano which now sit proudly in the dining room.

A special award was presented to retired Councillor Mr R Kingsley Davis OAM (in absentia), in grateful recognition of exemplary service to The Graduate Union. Kingsley was first appointed to Council in 2011 and elected in 2012, and went on to serve three full terms on Council until his retirement in 2020. He had been on the Governance and Nominations subcommittee, contributing particularly to the major change of rules in 2012 and then on the Membership and Marketing subcommittee.

With more than ninety attendees, this splendid event was one of the largest at Graduate House since the pandemic, with much bonhomie, conviviality and collegiality.

Concluding the proceedings, the Chairman thanked guests for their attendance and invited all to continue celebrating, mingling and enjoying Graduate House’s fine hospitality.

We thank you all for making the evening a success! Thank you also to our efficient and attentive function services team for ensuring a seamless supply of food and drinks throughout.

Cheers and thank you for a great year!

Members Christmas party Friday, 16th December 2022

Graduate House was in a festive spirit at the Members’ Christmas Party, our last collegiate event for 2022. Like the previous year, it was held in the combined Stillwell and Ian Potter meeting rooms, decorated with colourful Christmas trimmings, and with a beautiful poinsetta placed on each table as centrepiece and bonbons for every seat. The Christmas tree, taking centre stage as usual, stood prominently on the floor and was adorned with ornaments, ribbons and bright liminuous lights.

We welcomed our entertainers, singer Stephanie Angelini and professional DJ, Mark Belvedere, who delighted us with Christmas songs and dance music throughout the evening.

Drinks and canapés were served in the Phillip Law Members’ Lounge from 5:30pm. Santa arrived soon after to hand out lollies and sweets to members and their guests.

Entreés were served when everyone was seated and was followed by main dinner meal. Ms Angelini delighted the crowd with Christmas songs, singing intermittently in between meal courses. Her rendition of “Silent Night” and the song’s lilting melody and peaceful lyrics put everyone into Christmas mode and they were singing along while waving their phone torch against the backdrop of the dimmed room setting. It was a sight to behold!

With raffles tickets drawn and lucky winners awarded... dance music began...most people were out of their seats and onto the dance floor.

Members enjoyed a free flow of tea and coffee with their dessert and many remained after dinner to savour the Christmas party atmosphere. Thank you for joining us at the party and we look forward to hosting this popular event again in 2023.

Some Events in December 2022

Carlton Primary School Graduation

The 2022 Grade 6 students from Carlton Primary school convened on Thursday, 15th December at Graduate House to celebrate their end-of-primary school days.

Together with their teachers and families, the students attended the Graduation ceremony which included speeches, presentations, awards, recognitions and then followed by songs and dances.

Thank You for your feedback

It was excellent holding our function at Graduate House. The whole process of organising this event was easy and efficient from start to finish. The attendees were unanimous in their praise for every aspect of the event and keen to return next year. The function room and spaces were very suitable to our needs and the food, was excellent. Staff were extremely helpful.

Helen Wansbrough, 1964 Medical Graduates Reunion

Thank you very much for everything, we had a great productive day and it was a great setting. Please thank Marwa, she had such great customer service and was so lovely and nice to deal with.

Aradhana Chandra, Administration Officer, PC4

ICE VLA Annual Dinner at Graduate House:

Thank you for a great evening that was seamless from start to end - our members, guests and sponsors really enjoyed the occasion in entirety. You were also super

adept on at least two dietary requirement changes at the last minute that were sprung on all of us.

Right from the start, the process of organising our function was excellent. The IT was incredible as it is linked to our online teams meeting invite. Thank you for that. The function room and spaces absolutely suited our needs and the food, both in terms of quality and quantity was 100% perfect. The staff were relentlessly helpful in the lead up to our event, during our event and after our event.

We do hope to keep our new found relationship going with you and your team at Graduate House. We thank Paulo for his support as Deputy Chair of the ICE VLA, and his membership with you at The Graduate Union. So once again, thank you for making our event a great success. Regards,

Stephen Wells, The Institution of Civil Engineers (Victorian Local Association)

Annual Kris Kringle Staff Morning Tea

On Monday, 19th December, staff of Graduate House gathered in a joyous morning tea session to celebrate the end of year and to exchange gifts and greetings. Hosted by general manager, Daniel Clark, staff enjoyed a wonderful spread of savoury bites and sweets and beverages.

We say a special “temporary” farewell to Finance Systems staff Punam Kunwar who will be starting her maternity leave in January 2023. We wish her a safe delivery and look forward to her return later in the year.

Sadly, we bid farewell to Sarojini Sahai and Stana Stojanovic, both from housekeeping department, who retired at the end of 2022. Happy retirement to you both and thank you for all your hard work - you both have been amazing team members and we wish you all the best!

New carparking prices

Please note the new prices for using the Graduate House carpark. These prices are effective from 1st January 2023.

Members: $12.50

Daily Members: $17.50

Non-Members: $20.00

Punam Kunwar Sarojini Sahai and Stana Stojanovic

1964 MBBS Reunion Committee

Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE)

Action Education

AMA Arts Group

ANZ Academy of Orofacial Pain

Australian Society for Music Education (ASME)

Victorian Chapter

Australian Teachers of media (ATOM) Victoria Education

Australian Academy of Science (Victoria Group)

Australian Asian Association (AAA)

Australian School of Applied Management (ASAM)

Australian Skeptics (Victorian Branch Incorporated

Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network (AURIN)

Australian Veterinary Association

Bob Slater’s function

Business Services University Services

Care Connect

Carlton Gardens Primary School Graduation Day

Centre for Biostatistics and Clinical Trials

CFMEU Manufacturing Division

Committee of Convocation, UoM

Department of Infrastructure Engineering, UoM

Department of Social Work, UoM

Faculty of Business and Economics, UoM

Faculty of Engineering, UoM

Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, UoM

Institute of Senior Officers of Victorian Education Services

Institution of Civil Engineers, Victorian Local Association

Lysander

Marilyn Cobain (The Victorian fellows Luncheon)

Melba Group

Melbourne Graduate School of Education, UoM

Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, UoM

Melbourne School of Professional and Continuing Education, UoM

Mental Health First Aid Australia

Michael Quin (Ex PAV Group)

Office of the Provost

Order of St. John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller Incorporated

Parkville Conference of St Vincent de Paul

Per Capita Inc.

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Phoenix Australia - Centre for Posttrauamtic Mental Health

Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group (PC4)

Probus Club of Carlton Parkville

Professional Historians Association (Victoria & Tasmania)

Quiet Revolution Group

RIC Business Development and Innovation

Robert Pratt’s event

Rotary Club of Carlton

Royal Australian Chemical Institute

School of Social and Political Sciences, UoM

Slavery Links

Social Education Victoria

Steve Campbell

The Fred Hollows Foundation

The Graduate Union Collegiate events and meetings

Tianli Biotech

Tomiko Morell

Turkish Teachers Association of Victoria (TTAV)

University Communications and Marketing, UoM

Victoria Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) Alliance

We thank the following organisations for their event bookings at Graduate House in November and December 2022

THE GRADUATE UNION - COUNCIL Notice of Election

Nominations are hereby called for the election of three (3) Council members to hold office for three years from the date of the annual General Meeting to be held on Tuesday, 16th May 2023. Any other vacancy occurring prior to the close of nominations will be included within this election. The terms of current Council members are set out in the tables below. The elected members who are retiring in May 2023 and eligible for re-election are indicated by the asterisk*

An Election Kit, available by application to the Returning Officer, contains the following essential information for any member who seeks election to Council:

1. the Nomination Form;

2. The Graduate Union Nomination and Election to Council Regulation;

3. forms for completion by the nominee to inform Members of their qualifications, experience and skills for governance;

4. declarations to be signed; and

5. other relevant information.

Members should note the following key dates in 2023:

- Opening of Call for Nominations

1st February

- Close of Nominations 9th March

- (if ballot is required) Election Material is to be submitted 16th March

-

The Election Kit is available from The Graduate Union offices or website, or by application to the Returning Officer at the postal or email addresses below: PO Box 2157, Fitzroy, VIC 3065 sluntz@abovequota.com.au

The closing date and time for Nominations is 9th March 2023, 4.00PM.

The completed Nomination Form and other forms provided in the Election Kit should be lodged by post to the Returning Officer’s address above or by email (signed, scanned and as an attachment) to sluntz@abovequota.com.au or placed in the ballot box at the offices of The Graduate Union.

The completed Nomination Form is to be received by the Returning Officer by the stated closing date and time.

Stephen Luntz

Returning Officer Date: 24/01/2023

Elected Council members as at 31st January 2023

Until May 2023

Ms Molina Asthana*

Mr Martin Comte*

Ms Natalie Gray*

Until May 2024

Ms Mary Kelleher

Mr Muan Lim

Ms Jane Tisdall

Until May 2025

Mr Vincent Mirabelli

Mr Lawrence Grima

Dr Max Stephens

Appointed Council members as at 31st January 2023

Until May 2023

Mr Vincent Morfuni QC

A farewell tribute to Gwendolyn Gage Longtime member of The Graduate Union

by Mary Kelleher, Councillor of The Graduate Union.

My name is Mary Kelleher, a friend of Gwendolyn’s. I am a Councillor of the Graduate Union of The University of Melbourne, and currently President of the Australian Asian Association (AAA) of Victoria, two organisations to which Gwendolyn belonged.

Gwendolyn Joan Gage was born in Sydney, to Henry and Emma Gage. She was the third child in the family, having a sister who died as a child, before Gwendolyn was born and a brother, Harold, several years her senior, to whom she was very attached, and he likewise was very supportive of his little sister. Harold became a doctor and at one stage worked as a Flying Doctor, which meant Gwendolyn continued to remember this organisation.

Gwendolyn attended a private girls' school and later studied Art. She also became a Dental Nurse. As her father had senior management positions in the Public Service, she decided to follow him and join the Public Service. Gwendolyn graduated from The University of Melbourne and did studies at Deakin and La Trobe Universities. She worked in Foreign Affairs and spent 14 years overseas in England and Ireland.

I met Gwendolyn in the 1990’s when we were both on the Committee of the Australian Asian Association of Victoria, at the time Neville Blyton was the President. At her death, Gwendolyn was the longest serving and active Member of the AAA. I believe she was involved during the time of Sir Edward (Weary) Dunlop's Presidency. Gwendolyn did not take on committee membership lightly. She was totally reliable, regular in her attendance at meetings, volunteered to assist with Fund Raising, and supported all committee functions. She was still attending meetings this year. The Saturday before she died, she had agreed to be reelected to the Committee of the Malvern View Club, which raises money to support needy students to attend school. She was the Treasurer until a year before her death when she retired from the role. She was a great cake maker, having learnt professionally, and made and decorated a Christmas cake for the Club only last year. She was a member of the Graduate Union of The University of Melbourne and really loved this

association. She attended all their social functions and really enjoyed last year’s Christmas Party. She was already talking about this year’s Christmas functions. When she attended an evening function at Graduate House, she would stay there overnight. The Staff all knew her and gave her a warm welcome, as she was a “fun” person. Gwendolyn was a member of the Royal St George Club, an English patriotic organization, established in 1894, to encourage interest in the English way of Life, Customs and Traditions. Gwendolyn’s father was English although her Surname is French.

I live opposite the Carmelite Monastery in Kew and although Gwendolyn was a Baptist, she was very supportive of the Nuns Social Functions. She recently asked me if their Annual November Luncheon and Fashion Parade at Leonda was being held this year, as Covid had meant last year’s Theatre Night and Luncheon had been cancelled. An Ecumenical Service is held each year at Carmel, with afternoon tea prepared by the Nuns and served in the Monastery Gardens. Entertainment is presented by children from the local schools in Kew. Gwendolyn always enjoyed these functions, but especially the year when the Kew Baptist Pastor gave the homily, and she met him in person.

Condolences have been sent by Dino de Marchi of the Order of St John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaler of which Gwendolyn was a member and which supports mothers and babies. Gwendolyn was also a long time Member of the English-Speaking Union and served on its Council from 2010 to 2017. Further condolences have been sent to Gwendolyn’s family and friends from this organisation.

Gwendolyn lived in Park Street South Yarra for 30 years and this year moved to Canterbury Road, Toorak. She had often mentioned moving to Toorak, as her friends were there, she shopped there, and her medical facilities were also there. She used to meet a small group of friends there each Thursday. Two of the names I remember were Jean who also lived in Canterbury Road and a French gentleman called Eric. When the decision was made to find a new flat in Toorak, her friends Annette, James, and myself

In Memory of

Gwendolynn Gage

It is with sadness that we mark the passing of our long term member and friend Gwendolynn Gage.

helped her. I searched the web daily and Annette drove Gwendolyn and gave her support when she went to inspect some of the flats. Gwendolyn knew exactly what she wanted, the Street, position in the street, the area and the cost. After three unsuccessful applications, as she was competing with the recent return of overseas students when Covid restrictions were eased, I found Flat 3, 76 Canterbury Road, Toorak on the web. She could remember the address, by thinking of the Music of 76 Trombones! Shortly before she left St Vincents, she was planning to buy a new lounge for the flat and told me she would need cash for Matthew who did her shopping.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87812356746

FRIDAY 16TH DECEMBER 2022 10:00AM

Gwendolyn liked the nurses at St. Vincents many of whom were Asian, as she said they did what she asked, and I often heard them over the phone treating her with respect. I used to call each day during the nine weeks she was in Hospital. She mentioned a Muslim nurse and said that a Filipino Nurse was the

best at finding her elusive veins when she had her blood taken. Gwendolyn was very interested in other cultures and as a result she used 13 Cabs as they had Asian Drivers. She particularly liked the Sikh drivers. Gwendolyn met her friends James and Simon, the “Boys”, at two of the clubs to which she belonged. She told me she trusted them and was right in doing so as they helped her move to her new flat, they visited her in hospital, and they have taken on responsibility for her belongings and today’s Memorial Service in place of her Family. Gwendolyn had a cousin and a nephew in Sydney, but she no longer had current addresses for them. In their absence James and Simon have taken the role of her family. Gwendolyn did say that the three of us were her current family and that I was like the sister she never had.

May God give Peace to this happy, generous soul. We will all miss you, Gwendolyn.

Darren Hamilton Room Life Member since 1964

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Darren Room on 27th December 2022. Darren had been a familiar face at Graduate House for many years and will be remembered fondly by all of us. A regular attendee of our collegiate events, he was always friendly and generous with his greetings and smiles. Wednesdays roast and vegetables was his favourite menu and he would come in most WednesdaysW, often bringing family members and friends with him. He also enjoyed the Christmas in July lunches and came in nearly every week in July and December.

Darren Room was born in Elsternwick, Victoria in 1936. He started school at St Leonards College. In those days, travelling was simpler and Darren made train trips to the Melbourne Show Grounds by train when he was three years old. During those train rides, words were spreading about the outbreak of war. Soon after, twhere were news that the armies were spreading towards South East Asia and it was a matter of time before their invasion into Australia.

Darren was moved to Tasmania for safety reasons and remained there till 1943 and then moved back to Melbourne and resumed his studies at Hampton Primary School. In 1947, his family moved to Tasmania and Darren attended Devonport High School in Tasmania and onwards to The University of Tasmania where he obtained his Arts degree. After graduation, Darren moved back to Melbourne and started work with the Commonwealth Government at the Department of Defence. In 1958, the Department relocated to Canberra and, wanting to remain in Melbourne, Darren joined the State Public Service. His role at the time of joining was a Probation and Parole Service Officer.

Darren had various roles in the Public Service including Deputy Director of Correctional Services and had also been responsible for the Children’s Court Probation

Services. He worked in the State Public Service until his retirement in 1991.

Since retirement, Darren resumed his hobby of studying railway and public transport. He was a lifetime member of Puffing Billy Preservation Society (PBPS), a group that helps contribute to policy making through voting for the Executive and running of the railways in Australia.

Having always been a man of two wheels, Darren pursued his passion for cycling and motor biking. He owned many two-wheeled vehicles ranging from bicycles to motorbikes like the Honda Gold Wing. Joining his buddies from the touring club, they rode their bikes to many places interstate including to and from Darwin, Perth, Cairns and Tasmania.

Darren made many road trips to the United States of America (USA) and the hospitable members of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) would meet him at designated points to show him around the country and they would tour various states from California to Denver, Colorado and Utah. Darren visited the USA six times.

In later years, due to some back injury, Darren stopped riding his motorbikes and moved around with his push bikes, taking shorter trips at a time. He lived in South Yarra and that made it very convenient for him to get to the city and other places in Victoria. Darren enjoyed riding to Graduate House to attend functions and lunches, though on wet days he would use public transport.

Darren will be sorely missed. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to be a small part of his full and joyful existence.

Rest In peace, Darren.

THE

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