July 2012

GRADUATE HOUSE The Graduate Union of The University of Melbourne Inc

Newsletter July 2012

this issue

Upcoming events • 2 William Berry Dinner • 3

July Monthly Luncheon • 4 The Graduate House Research Scholarship • 6 Graduate House academic meetings • 7 Testimonials of the Month • 7 Graduate House ITC Series • 7 The Monthly Argument • 8 Friday Night Drinks • 8 What is happening in Council • 9

Website: www.graduatehouse.com.au ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association RegistrationNumber: A0023234B

RESIDENTS, MEMBERS AND FRIENDS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THESE GRADUATE HOUSE EVENTS Bookings : 93473428 JUNE Monday 25th

MEMBERS MEET CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION

Tuesday 26th

RESIDENTS’ MEET AND GREET

Cancelled

Residents and members invited to meet for a drink and nibbles.

Time: 5.30pm

JULY

Wednesday

Prior to Luncheon: Introduction to Rules Change.

All Members invited. 12-12.20pm.

Speaker: CEO/ Head of Coillege

4th July 2012

MONTHLY LUNCHEON

Tuesday

ITALIAN CONVERSATION DINNER

Tuesday

SPECIAL MORNING BREAKFAST

Thursday

THE MONTHLY ARGUMENT

3rd & 17th July 2012

10th July 2012 12th July 2012 Friday

Speaker: Professor Graham Brown Topic: Malaria RSVP : 2 July 2012

Enjoy dinner and Italian conversation.

Excellent & experienced teacher.

RSVP: Monday prior (numbers needed for catering)

An invitation to all past-Graduates: come and have breakfast with our post-Graduates at Graduate House.

The Arguments now take place every 2nd Thursday of the month.

Topic : To be advised, see GH website for details.

THE WILLIAM BERRY DINNER

12noon for 12.30 Members: $30 Guests: $37.50 Residents: FREE

6.00pm

Members: $15 Guests: $20 Residents: FREE

7.30am - 8.30am FREE

7.00pm

Members & Residents: FREE Guests: $5 Students: $2

7.00pm

This event will celebrate the opening of the first stage of Graduate House on 13 July 1962 and pay tribute to the Founding Warden, William Berry.

Members: FREE

Wednesday

ITC SERIES

Topic: What is a Ipad?

5.00 -6.00pm

Members & Residents: FREE Guests: $5 Students: $2

Wednesday

WOMEN’S FORUM

10.15am start

13th July 2012 18th July 2012

18th July 2012

Enjoy a lively discussion – with a leisurely $10 buffet lunch to follow in the bistro if desired.

Topic: Are Phobias Rife in Modern Society?

Website: www.graduatehouse.com.au ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association RegistrationNumber: A0023234B

FREE

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Friday

20th July 2012 Tuesday

31st July 2012

DRINKS EVENING

Meet up with fellow members and residents for a convival end-of-the-week drinks and dinner.

RESIDENTS MEET AND GREET

Residents and members invited to meet for a drink and nibbles.

6.00pm onwards Members $15 Guests: $20

5.30pm FREE

1962 - 2012 Fifty Year Celebration for Graduate House and William Berry Dinner BOOKINGS ARE NOW OPEN Following some tantalising earlier notices about this historic dinner resulting in numerous calls regarding bookings, we are delighted to announce that official arrangements are now in hand, and invite members to book and join us to celebrate on 13th July. Drinks will be served in the Johnston Library in the William Berry Wing from 7.00pm, and interested members may inspect some recent refurbishments in the residential areas. “College Dinner from the Sixties” will be served in the Stillwell Room at 7.30pm and we look forward to a memorable evening and a true Graduate Re-Union!

RSVP: Wed, 11 July Tel: 03 9347-3428 Email: admingh@graduatehouse.com.au Afternoon Dress

STELLA LANGFORD WING PROGRESS Following the generous bequest by the late Dr Phillip Law the Stella Langford Wing project has commenced and work is progressing on the ground floor for the additional toilets. As of 15 June, 2012 all the plumbing works had been completed.

When finished, the Stella Langford Wing will have its own rest rooms which will consist of two additional male toilets and three female toilets. There will also be a larger storage area and direct access from the kitchen through a new corridor straight into the Stella Langford conference area. This will greatly assist the catering staff who will no longer have to go through the main dining room carrying food and beverages. The décor of new rest-rooms is very elegant and will add value to the building, as well as preventing the queues which are currently forming during conference and meeting breaks.

The new restrooms are due to be completed by Friday 10 August, 2012 and we hope to showcase them at the Annual General Meeting on 9 August, 2012.

Website: www.graduatehouse.com.au ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association RegistrationNumber: A0023234B

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MONTHLY LUNCHEON Before the Monthly Luncheon, 12noon to 12.20pm There will be a 20-minute presentation to introduce the Rule Changes for The Graduate Union Bring your pre-drinks to this forum. We shall move from this forum to the lunch at 12.20pm

Wednesday, 4th July 12 noon for 12.30pm THE GRADUATE UNION presents

Professor Graham Brown AM Topic: Malaria is with us What are the challenges for control and elimination Professor Graham Brown is the Foundation Director of the Nossal Institute for Global Health. A past Head of Infection and Immunity at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research and of the Victorian Infectious Diseases Service at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and James Stewart Professor of Medicine, Graham has also worked in education and research in Papua New Guinea and Tanzania and completed his MPH at the Harvard School of Public Health. He has served on various national and international review committees, and was a member of the Strategic Advisory Council for The Bill and Melinda Gates Children’s Vaccine Program. Graham has held a number of appointments advising the Tropical Disease Research Program of the World Health Organization and is currently Chair of the Malaria Vaccine Advisory Committee.

He serves on the Board of ‘Roll Back Malaria’ representing the Research and Academia constituency, and is Chair of the Scientific Consultants Group of the USAID Malaria Vaccine Development Program. His research interests include immunity to malaria, particularly malaria in pregnancy, and the challenge of malaria elimination. In 2010 he was made a member of the Order of Australia for services to medicine in the field of infectious diseases.

Residents Free Members $30 Non-Members $37.50 Bookings Essential RSVP Monday, 2 July 2012 Telephone 9347-3428

New Members : RESIDENT MEMBERS : Deanne Malenfont, Canada; Mashrufa Parvin, WA; Nazia Ghori, WA; Simon Merkt, Germany; Nirosha Rupasinghe, NSW; Prof BRyan Mercurio, HONG KONG; Florence Massen, BELGIUM; Sophie Armanini, UK; Julia Gardner, SA; Therese Manson, ACT; Dhvajamangala Kirtitilaka, BANGKOK; Olena Ponomarenko, CANADA; Vanessa Tee, SA; Jai Cao, QLD; Jason Hopkins, USA; Michael Herzfeld, USA; Jun Chong, NSW; Prof Mousumi Debnath, INDIA; Charles Forsdick, UK; Richard Xu, VIC; Summer Lu, VIC; Megha Kumar, VIC; Elizabeth Martinez, VIC; Showkat Mamun, VIC; Ilya Lazarev, VIC; Nada Hassan, VIC; Nessyah Buder, VIC; Jason Tran, VIC; Jae Myung Lee, VIC; Lee Ilwoong, VIC; Fiona Lio, VIC; Tom Garvey, VIC; Shubhankar Dam, Singapore; Ulrich Sterzenbach, Germany; Michael Brady, VIC; Atish Prakash, VIC; Chooi Wai Leong, Singapore; Erica Riconalla, Philippines; Alya Al Foori, Oman; Sithy R Mohideen, Philippines REGULAR MEMBERS : Mr Dennis Shore: B.Eng (Hon) University of NSW. Ms JA Marion De Saram: LLB, University of Queensland. Prof John Polesel: PhD Edu, University of Melbourne.

CORPORATE MEMBERS : Melbourne School of Engineering Website: www.graduatehouse.com.au ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association RegistrationNumber: A0023234B

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JUNE LUNCHEON reviewed :

6 June 2012

Our Station – Flinders Street

Jenny Davies’s interest in Flinders Street Station began after learning that her own grandparents met at a dance in the Station’s ballroom. From this she decided to ‘have a look around’ When this turned out to be more difficult than she imagined, not to be deterred, she found a station master willing to take her on a 40 minute tour of the upper levels during which she heard many stories about the building and the people associated with it. Jenny soon realized that there was much more to know about Flinders Street Station. On a clear, sunny Melbourne day, while standing on the roof and seeing it from its best vantage point, she wondered why no one had ever written about this magnificent old building. It was at this juncture that friends began encouraging her to write a book for the Station’s Centenary in the year 2010.

While she spent much time on research in the State Library, Jenny’s real interest was in the social history and what gave people a sense of place with this building. While at the State Library she met a former VicRail train driver who had many stories to tell. This reinforced her interest in writing about how our beloved central railway station has always met, and continues to meet, the needs of the people of Victoria.

In the early 1900’s, Flinders Street Station was the largest development in Melbourne but, for some reason, there was no celebration and little information in the newspapers.

In 1854, the first steam passenger train service was introduced and ran from Elizabeth Street to Port Melbourne.

Over time, other stations were developed by private means, until, in the 1860’s, the government decided to step in to bring about some order to the railway system. At the end of the 1800’s, a competition was held to design a central railway station. It was won by two railway employees. The job of overseeing the building of the winning design was awarded to Mr James Faucet, who ultimately became the leading architect for the railways, and engineer, Mr H Ashworth. Many changes were made during the five years it took to build and by its completion the building was almost unrecognisable from the original drawings.

It is little known fact that 350 local Melbournians were involved in the plastering, stonemasonry and bricklaying.

The builder was Mr Peter Roger, also a Melbournian. All the stonework was cut by hand. A Royal Commission was instigated when the builder was sacked for non-completion of the work by the contracted two years. As described by Jenny, the records of this time were a bonanza of information.

The Railway Commission, housed at Spencer Street decided that two thirds of the building, not designated for railway business, would be leased out to tenants to offset building costs. This wise decision meant that the rental income for the first two years covered the bank interest.

The size and style of Flinders Street Station suited the times. Melbourne was going through a period of growing national pride and at that time it was thought that Melbourne would be the National Capital. Flinders Street Station was always intended to be a public building. There was a vibrancy about the building, in part due to the myriad of diverse businesses which operated within it.

Jenny Davies launched her book about Flinders Street Station in 2010, the Station’s centenary year. She called this day ‘her celebration’ because, once again one hundred years later, the government of the day appreciated to be indifferent to the Station’s significant historical occasion.

Many in the audience remembered the crèche or nursery that existed in the 1930’s and early 40’s where they played while their mothers went shopping. There were questions about how money could be raised for the required restoration. The decline of Flinders Street Station was seen as having its beginning in the post war era with the withdrawal of funds from railway infrastructure. It was felt that donations might be forthcoming from the public, particularly those of older generations with memories of the station’s earlier days. It was also suggested that those with interesting artifacts should returned these as museum pieces for display.

Website: www.graduatehouse.com.au ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association RegistrationNumber: A0023234B

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The Graduate House Research Scholarship has been awarded to MATTHIAS KĂ–NNING, a doctoral resident student from Germany Concepts of his PhD thesis. In this article, Matthias explains the basic concept of his exciting world-class research.

The brain and nerves mainly consists of three cell types: astrocytes, neurons and oligodendro cytes. In my PhD thesis, I focus on the latter two. Neurons are the cells responsible for information processing and forwarding. The information is represented by an electric pulse. For pulses to be transported from a neuron to another or to the muscles, they pass along the axon. These processes of the neuron can be up to one meter in length, yet the propagation of the electric pulse has to be rapid and efficient.

Nature came up with a very elegant solution that allows for this.

Oligodendrocytes are the cells that help neurons to communicate the nerve pulse along the length of the axon. They surround axons with a layer of electrically insulating material, called myelin. Myelination is the production of myelin and the process of wrapping it around axons, forming a so called myelin sheath. One can think of the myelin sheath as an analogue of the insulating plastic around a metallic cable; if you remove this plastic, electric transmission is less efficient.

Myelin consists of certain lipids and proteins. In my PhD project I look at the way the oligodendrocyte cells control the production of these myelin proteins. The subject of my research, Myelin gene Regulatory Factor (MRF), is required by the cell to read out the blueprint of these myelin proteins that we all have in our DNA. This readout is essential for the production of the proteins and thereby the formation of the myelin sheath. Mice that are missing MRF during development show symptoms that are very similar to multiple sclerosis.

Figure 1: Neuron Oligodendrocyte Interactions (Adapted from Sherman & Brophy, Nature Reviews 2005)

In my PhD thesis I have so far shown that this happens even if mice lose MRF during adulthood. This proves that the maintenance of the myelin sheath and the proteins it consists of is an ongoing process, constantly requiring MRF. After these mice go through symptoms resembling multiple sclerosis, culminating in tremor and almost complete hind limb paralysis, they regenerate to a point where it is hard to see that they had been affected at all. The proposed project aims at understanding which cells mediate this regenerative response.

WE VALUE YOUR FEEDBACK ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff When you dine at Graduate House please fill in a Dining Room feedback form to be in the draw for a $500 MYER-COLES VOUCHER at the end of the year and smaller prizes each month during the year In May our winner was

Mr Hector Gallagher and he received a bottle of Rocco, Yarra Valley Blanc de Blancs

Website: www.graduatehouse.com.au ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association RegistrationNumber: A0023234B

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GRADUATE HOUSE ACADEMIC MEETINGS JUNE/ JULY 2012 3 GU Council meeting, 146 total attendees Modern Language Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc, 34 attendees Italian Conversation, 8 attendees Nursing Group, 7 attendees 4 Weekly Carlton Rotary, 96 total attendees 2 Infrastructure Engineering, Infrastructure Engineering Staff Meeting, 70 total attendees EPA Victoria, EPA Authorised Officer Training Program, Regulatory Craftsmanship workshop, 20 attendees 2 Advancing Food Safety, Introduction to Food Safety & HACCP Awareness, 25 total attendees Monthly Luncheon, 40 attendees GU Council meeting, 18 attendees Human Resources, New Academic leader Program, 15 attendees PICCC, Face Modelling Workshop, 8 attendees Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, 20 atendees Carlton Rotary, Rotary District 9800 DLT Meeting, 40 attendees 3 UoM Commercial, Coaching for Literacy Improvement, 75 total attendees 2nd Friday Night Drinks, 20 attendees 2 WTAA, The Australian Applied Management Colloquium, 33 total attendees Probus Carlton Parkville, 50 attendees McCaughey Centre, Community Indicators Vic RBAS 101 with Friedman, 27 attendees Advancing Food Safety, HACCP Refresher, 13 attendees The Jack Brockoff Foundation, The Jeff Brockoff Child health & Wellbeing Program, 4 attendees WTAA, Advance Leadership Program - Module 1, 15 attendees The Monthly Argument, 20 attendees Property & Campus, Space Charging & Space Management Workshop - PCS, 35 attendees GU Remuneration Committee, 10 attendees MLTAV, MLTAV LOTEHA @ Workshop, 34 attendees Sundays Music Concert, Hoang Pham, pianist, 65 attendees

Testimonials received during the month: On Dining Room -

Darren Room: “Good place for lunch. I enjoy the atmosphere and friendly service at Graduate House. Very happy with most things.”

Hector Gallagher: “It was my birthday bash and I couldn't have been made more welcome, I'll be back but well before my next birthday.”

Marcia Roche: “I always enjoy my meal here, very nutritious food and excellent friendly service.”

Heather Wheat: “The staff are pivotal. Always friendly and personal.“ Eva Ahern: “Great to see gluten free marked and available. I have just renewed my membership and will visit more frequently. “ Dr J. K. Harcourt: “Enjoyable surroundings to meet and dine.“ “Hard to see how things could be improved. Food standard is always good, sometimes better than others.”

On Conference Facilities EPA Victoria: “ A very professional venue to deal with. The staff couldn’t have been more helpful I have recommended the venue to others already. “ VCCCAR: “Along with my organisational team found the whole process extremely easy and stress free using the team at Graduate House. Rosie was particularly amazing and so easy to communicate with. Everything was done with efficiency and ease. “ ACHPER: “Very accommodating. Rosie was excellent in terms of responding to our needs and being available to ask questions. The staff were very helpful too. The room was excellent. Chairs were positioned adequately which made the room look professional. Food was of quality standard. I believe that we will need to change a few elements of the food before and after the event to better cater for our guests.”

GRADUATE HOUSE ICT SERIES 2012 Lecture Series What is an Ipad?

Dr Kerry Bennett, CEO & Head of College, The Graduate Union Wednesday 18 July 2012 from 5.00pm to 6.00pm Graduate House, 220 Leicester Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053 Cost: Members & Residents: Free; Guests: $5; Students $2.

RSVP: By Monday, 16 July 2012

Website: www.graduatehouse.com.au ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association RegistrationNumber: A0023234B

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Thursday 12th July, 7pm

Topic: TO BE ADVISED, see Graduate House website for details The Monthly Argument is not “a political conversation, dialogue, or consensus style discussion, and completely unlike the public talks at which well-known pundits and public intellectuals deliver their views to an audience of supporters.

Despite aiming to “raise the political temperature”, the Monthly Argument takes the notion of argument very seriously and regards such things as shouting, ad hominem attack, personal abuse as having nothing in common with genuine argument.

Debates are strictly moderated and people on all sides of a question are expected to play fair and to make a real attempt to justify their positions.

DINNER & DRINKS AT GRADUATE HOUSE Friday 20th July, 2012

Drinks at members’ bar prices: 6.00pm - 7.00pm, Dinner at 6.45pm sharp.

220 Leicester St Carlton, adjacent to University Square Dress to impress (smart casual) Members and guests are invited to drinks and then dinner at Graduate House.

Drop in anytime after 6pm (we meet near the bar) or stay for dinner.

Please book if you plan to stay for dinner to9 avoid disappointment.

Please bring friends and prospective members, everyone is welcome.

Dinner will be a resident’s style buffet dinner comprising soup, main course and dessert. $15 for Graduate Union members. $20 for non-members.

If possible, book and pay by Thursday 19th July by calling 9347 3428.

For information, email Andre at: andre@alphalink.com.au or phone 95842087 business hours, 9515 3432 after hours, or 0408 594859

Website: www.graduatehouse.com.au ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association RegistrationNumber: A0023234B

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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN GRADUATE COUNCIL? There are many positives to report over the past month. The Stella Langford project is progressing quickly and, all being well, will be completed by September this year. We are particularly pleased about the additional toilet facilities and storage area; and the new direct access from the kitchen will mean a more efficient transfer of food and beverages for the many people who attend meetings and events in the three rooms on the ground floor of this wing.

Excellent results are apparent throughout all operations. Our residential rooms are full and our doctoral and masters students are all studying hard and with great dedication. The number of professional development, academic and research meetings held by our tertiary education, government and not-forprofit member organisations, grows with each week.

The introduction of health initiatives has been warmly welcomed by members. These include the free vaccination program - which is now to be an annual event at the start of flu season - and lectures on type 2 diabetes by the CEO/Head of College.

The Sunday Music Concerts have been very successful, with guests honoured by the world-class performances of Wilma Smith and Friends in April and the recent piano recital by Hoang Pham in June.

Each has attracted more than 65 attendees who have reported enjoying the delicious afternoon teas (which include gluten-free options!) and a convivial social environment.

I invite members to purchase the recently introduced Graduate House merchandise of vests, polo shirts, windcheaters and caps. While this merchandise is aimed primarily at our resident members who are now able to take home a reminder of their college, we have found this merchandise to be popular also with our non-resident members who have commented positively about the quality of these fashionable garments. The entire range is shown on our website and is on display at Graduate House.

As you know, the Annual General Meeting, and therefore the elections, were postponed due to delays in obtaining property valuations required for the 2011 Financial Report. Accordingly, the opportunity for members to meet candidates for election was also affected and a new date advised. Because of other matters, outside our control and outlined below, we have now cancelled this Meet the Candidates session which was advertised in the last newsletter for the 25th June, 2012.

In the social media sphere we have a strong presence and a growing fan base over Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other channels. There has been a positive response to the broadcasting of events on the Graduate House website which began in September 2011, and to sessions conducted by the CEO/Head of College which have introduced members to different aspects of modern technology. The Monthly Argument has introduced a whole new group to The Graduate Union and we hope this collaboration will continue both to grow and to lead to increased membership. The latest debate entitled “Syria: Should there be an international military intervention?” was very well attended and filmed by a documentary crew.

As you can see from above, all is going well in our wonderful Association and at Graduate House. On a less positive note, there are issues within Council which your Council continues to address. Some of you have received a letter signed by six members and dated the 30th May, 2012. Three of the signatories are current members of your Council. The statements made in this correspondence are unsubstantiated, false and are damaging to the good reputation and business of our association.

I acknowledge and thank the many members who have expressed valid concerns about this attack on The Graduate Union and who have called for action. Council met on the 18th June, 2012 at a special meeting and agreed to inform members that though it is not able to pass a no-confidence vote or a censure against current Council members under common law, it strongly condemns the continuing disruptive behaviour of these three Council members and their letter of 30th May, 2012.

I assure all members that Council continues to act strongly, carefully and in the very best interests of our Association. To garner your views, I invite you to a Members’ Discussion Forum on 9th July, 2012. At this meeting we will explain matters that have been in contention over the past 18 months; and we will seek guidance from you, the members, as to the courses of action proposed by Council.

I strongly urge you to attend this Special Members’ Discussion Forum. If you are unable to attend, I ask you to show support for the Graduate Union and the Council by writing down your concerns and questions in relation to the 30th May, 2012 correspondence and sending it through to your Council (via the offices at 220 Leicester St, Carlton, Vic, 3053) before the meeting on Monday, 9th July.

David Sparks, Council Chairman Website: www.graduatehouse.com.au ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association RegistrationNumber: A0023234B

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Introduction to Rules Changes for The Graduate Union

MEMBERS’ DISCUSSION FORUM To garner members’ views, you are invited to attend a Members’ Discussion Forum at Graduate House on 9 July 2012 at 6.00pm for 6.30pm At this meeting the Chairman will explain matters that have been in contention over the past 18 months.

Guidance will be sought from you, the Members, as to the courses of action proposed by Graduate Council If you are unable to attend, please forward any concerns or questions you have to Graduate House, 220 Leicester Street, Carlton prior to the meeting

CANCELLATION MEMBERS MEET THE CANDIDATES

scheduled for 25 June 2012 We regret that due to circumstances beyond our control it has become necessary to cancel the above event.

Please accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience

Letter from Member Margaret Robins I regret the deferral of the AGM but it could generate one benefit to members. Many still seem uncertain about the rights or wrongs of Council’s action in relation to the previous warden. They hear claim and counter claim on the matter.

I would strongly urge those members able to attend the Graduate House, who have not yet read the forensic financial report on that incumbency, to do so. It is very detailed but is summarised. It answered many of my questions and it puzzles me that so few members seem to have checked that report which, to me, supported the serious decision made.

Margaret Robins (Councillor, 1999-2006)

RESIGNATION

Dear Member For just over 11 years, as Assistant Secretary to The Graduate Union, I have corresponded regularly with you all sending newsletters and other information. I have met quite a number of you over the years and many of you have become friends.

I believe it is proper and good manners on my part for me to advise you of my resignation on 10 June 2012 which I tendered to the Chairman and Members of Council and whom you, the members, have elected and entrusted to take care of the Association on your behalf.

I have been privileged to have participated in a decade of unprecedented prosperity, expansion and harmony and I thank you for the opportunity to be a part of the Graduate House Team and the unique Association which is The Graduate Union.

Sincerely, Lyn Weston Website: www.graduatehouse.com.au ABN: 55610 664 963 | Incorporated Association RegistrationNumber: A0023234B

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