Join us for Bridge Nights every Wednesday evening. All levels of bridge players welcome. Members $2, non-Members $5.
Wednesday 02
October Luncheon, 12:00noon – 2:00pm
With guest speaker Dr John Lewis. Details are on page 3.
Friday 11
Special Espresso Coffee for Residents, 7:30am – 8:30am
Special breakfast beverage for residents at Graduate House. Free for Resident Members.
Wednesday 16
Women’s Forum, 10:00am – 12:00pm
How do we handle the refugee situation in Australia? What can we do?
November
Wednesday 06, 13, 20, 27
Bridge Night, 7:15pm – 9:30pm
Friday 08
Special Espresso Coffee for Residents, 7:30am – 8:30am
Wednesday 13
November Luncheon, 12:00noon – 2:00pm
With guest speaker Dr. Barbara Murray. Details are on page 4.
Wednesday 20
Women’s Forum, 10:00am – 12:00pm
How do we handle the global refugee situation?
Friday 29
End of Year Celebration, 6:30pm – 9:00pm
November Luncheon
13th November, Wednesday
A Graduate Women Victoria Retrospective
DR BARBARA MURRAY
Time: 12:00 pm for 12:30 pm start
Online login: 1:10 pm for 1:15 pm start
About
Dr. Barbara Murray’s journey began in biomedical science, working at the Red Cross Blood Bank and studying at RMIT. After earning a Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology in the UK, she returned to Australia to teach Science at St Catherine’s School, where Dr Barbara discovered her dyslexia. She later obtained a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Eighteenth Century European Studies and a PhD from Monash University. Dr. Murray then worked in the Research Office at Monash, blending her interests in science, arts, and culture, while actively participating in theatre, particularly in directing and costuming. In her presentation, Dr. Murray will review the history of Graduate Women Victoria and its alliances, since its founding in 1920.
GRADUATE HOUSE @graduate_house
Prices: Dine in: Member $39, non-member $44
Virtual: Member $10, non-member $15
To Book: Call: 03 9347 3428
Email: admingh@graduatehouse.com.au RSVP by: Wednesday, 6th November 2024
Guerin, Bella, first woman graduate in Australia UOM Media and publication services
Goodenough College Bloomsbury, central London
Nestled in the centre of London’s University District is Goodenough College, an educational charity serving the Commonwealth and the wider world.
Each year the College houses 700 talented students and their families from around 80 countries. These residents are known as Members – they are of all ages, study a range of academic disciplines at more than 40 institutions in and around London. More than 17,000 Goodenough Alumni live and work all over the world.
Origins
from 1953 to 2022 and we look forward to welcoming the King to visit the College.
The history of what is now Goodenough College began in 1930 when Frederick Craufurd Goodenough, Chairman of Barclays Bank, established the first student residence in London for international postgraduate students. Goodenough’s then vision was the creation of a hall of residence for male students from Commonwealth countries, offering a collegiate setting in the heart of London to enhance international understanding and prevent students from feeling isolated in the capital.
After the Second World War, the Lord Mayor of London’s Thanksgiving Fund was launched to show appreciation to the people of the Commonwealth and the USA for their generous support during and after the War. The money raised was made available to the Sister Trust. In 1957, William Goodenough House was built; a residence for female postgraduates and students with families from those countries.
In 1965, the DSHT and the Sister Trust merged becoming the London House for Overseas Graduates. Initially, accommodation was reserved for students from the Commonwealth, but in 1950 students were admitted from the US and in 1974 (following Britain joining the European Community in 1973) from mainland Europe.
In 2008 Roger Llewellyn was appointed as the first Dean of the College to “look after the student life of the College” replacing the separate Warden roles in London House and William Goodenough House. Over the years the role of Controllers, Wardens and the Dean have evolved to reflect changes in society. One unifying characteristic is the postholders’ responsibility for fostering a real feeling of community.
Royal Patronage
The College has a long history of Royal patronage, starting with a visit by Her Majesty Queen Mary in 1937, during which she opened the College’s first small building (the beginnings of London House). The association between Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with Goodenough College began in March 1950 when, as the 23-year-old Princess Elizabeth, she spoke at the launch of the Lord Mayor’s Thanksgiving Fund appeal which raised funds for the expansion of the College. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll has been the College’s Patron since 1953, visiting the Goodenough College ten times and taking an active interest in College affairs. In 1953, The Queen agreed to be London House’s Patron. In May 2024, His Majesty King Charles III accepted the role of Patron of Goodenough College. The late Queen Elizabeth II was the College’s Patron
Accommodation is complemented by some “splendid communal areas, including our historic Great Hall, gracious libraries, elegant common rooms, music and art rooms, a chapel, a vibrant all-day café and some wonderful outdoor green spaces. Our Members benefit from a lively programme (devised and delivered by both staff and Members) of intellectual, social and cultural events and activities; access to pastoral support when they need it; and subsidised catering in superb dining facilities that encourage Members to convene and eat together,” according to the Goodenough College website.
Social, cultural and intellectual pursuits
The College’s educational programme includes a lively introduction to the United Kingdom, including visits to key towns and cities to explore different aspects of UK life, history and cultural values; and a programme to assist Members in expanding their understanding of the religions of the world.
The Goodenough Hotel
The Hotel is owned by Goodenough College, an educational charity with an enviable estate, giving the Hotel’s guests an opportunity to take advantage of a number of the facilities and services the College has to offer. The College’s main buildings are just a couple of minutes walk away from the Hotel.
The street in which the Hotel is situated was once home to a number of members of the famous ‘Bloomsbury Group’, including Virginia Woolf, as well as numerous other well-known authors, academics and adventurers.
The neighbourhood has a reputation as the literary capital of London; Charles Darwin and Charles Dickens lived in Bloomsbury at one point or another during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Bloomsbury Group
Twilight Lecture with Lyn Allison An introduction to the world of Fungi
Wednesday 15th August
Lyn Allison
Lyn is the Secretary of FungiMap, a not for profit, citizen-science organisation dedicated to furthering the conservation and knowledge of Australian fungi. Locally among other involvements, she is President of Westgate Biodiversity: Bili Nursery & Landcare. Previous to these commitments, Lyn was elected to the Australian Senate, 1996 to 2008. As a result of her work, in 2012 she was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women. Politician and campaigner, Lyn is highly respected for her contribution to environmental reform. She was a recipient of an Australian Humanist of the Year award and continues her work as Chair of The Accountability Roundtable and President of the Australian Democrats party.
How Lyn became interested in Fungi
Lyn was captivated by the wildly diverse and beautiful mushrooms emerging at Westgate Park following an exceptionally wet winter. While her fellow volunteers could name the 300 plant species, the 175 recorded bird species, and some of the insects and reptiles, none knew the names of these fungi or what they were doing there. With the handful of books available on the subject, a few workshops, and help from friends at Fungimap, Lyn photographed and identified around 80 fungal species at Westgate Park.
Realising Fungi’s significance (only recently) The crucial roles they play in ecology are only now being discovered by scientists and biology enthusiasts. In this area of natural science, fungal taxonomy is in its infancy with a mere 5% (of an estimated 250,000 in Australia alone) having been described.
A note on the Classification of Organisms
Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778) laid the foundations for modern biological nomenclature, now regulated by the Nomenclature Codes, in 1735. He distinguished two kingdoms of living things: Regnum Animale (‘animal kingdom’) and Regnum Vegetabile (‘vegetable kingdom’, for plants). Since then, classification expanded to include more categories and today most scientists recognize six kingdoms: Archaea (prokaryotes with distinct cellular characteristics that adapt them to extreme environments, such as deep-sea vents and hot springs); Bacteria (prokaryotes that are not archaeans); Protista (chiefly protozoa and algae); Fungi (mushrooms, molds, and yeasts); Plantae (plants); and Animalia (animals). Source: Britannica Online, Biological Classification for Students.
Fungi’s vital role
All eucalypts do better in symbiosis with a fungal partner. No Australian orchids can reproduce without a specialised fungus deeply embedded in their cells. Without decomposer fungi, the world would be littered with dead logs. Underground networks of hyphae threads are capable of sending warning signals. Fungus is present and have adapted to every natural ecosystem, from rainforests to deserts, from icecaps to underwater environments. 25% of the world’s biomass is fungal.
Find out more about the organisations mentioned in this article that Lyn is involved in FungiMap | https://fungimap.org.au/ | FungiMap maps the distribution of fungal species over time around Australia, thanks to the work of hundreds of volunteers – professional and amateurs – who send records of their observations from the remotest parts of Australia to parks and gardens in our cities. This is now primarily done through the ‘Fungimap Australia’ project on iNaturalist.
Westgate Biodiversity: Bili Nursery & Landcare | https://westgatebiodiversity.org.au/ | Established in June 2018 by the amalgamation of the Friends of Westgate Park and the St Kilda Indigenous Nursery Cooperative, the organisation grows and sells indigenous plants. Visit and buy plants to support Westgate Park’s biodiversity and enjoy the lush, bushy habitat that was once a lifeless rubbish dump, or simply read the website for more on its fascinating history, extensive plant lists and photos.
iNaturalist | https:// www.inaturalist. org/ A community for Naturalists where they can record
August Luncheon with Rob Anderson A Life at Sea
Rob revealed his dazzling seafaring career as well as his raconteuring abilities, at the August Luncheon. He went to sea at the age of 15, and retired two years ago, just shy of his 75th birthday. To transcribe his whole story would require publishing it in serial format, so please enjoy the following windows into his life by way of memorable anecdotes. To hear all of his humorous tales, purchase a copy of his autobiography, When the Ship Hits the Fan from Affirm Press.
Family background
“My father’s father was a Scots Marine Engineer and Tea Planter in the lush green mountains of Assam, India. He had the first motor car in the area. The Tea Plantations ran on steam engines and boilers for the drying racks so I guess he had the knowledge? My dad and his sister were born there and lived on a vast estate complete with elephants and monkeys; also tigers who would frequently kill and eat the workers which my grandfather would (unfortunately, but necessarily) shoot. The tiger skins were used as floor mats in our house - I have only one left now. ‘Anderson Tea Estate’ still exists - but not with me!”
Source: Rob’s Blog.
and
On being a deck boy at 15 “I was blissfully happy wandering around in my work clothes, work boots, silly hat, a big leather belt, a deck knife and very rarely a shirt – I felt very piratical. But there was a pivotal point for me.
I was down on deck working on a general cargo ship. I looked up and the captain was out having his morning stroll. The sunlight was sparkling off his buttons and gold braid, nice collar and tie. I looked up and thought, ‘there’s only one job to have around here, and that’s it, how do I get there?’ And that was the moment that things changed and I realised that I had something to pursue.”
On being a second mate
“That was my ticket to the world. Before lonely planet guides, the internet and cell phones, the world wasn’t really traveled that freely by the majority of people like it is now; air fares were far too expensive for most. So the domain of the world was very much that of the seafarer.
With a certificate of competency in your hand, you could walk down the wharf and pretty much jump on any ship you liked.”
“At that time the standards of the skills of a second officer were high; master’s only used celestial navigation – done with a sextant – all those sort of skills that we let slip through our fingers.”
A Sextant is an instrument determining the angle between the horizon and a celestial body such as the Sun, the Moon, or a star, used in celestial navigation to determine latitude and longitude.
On facing one of the biggest industrial changes to maritime work
“But then a horrible man in America by the name of Malcom McLean invented the shipping container and streamlined the whole process of shipping cargo. Up until that time, we had a wonderful life; we could spend a month in Japan travelling around the ports unloading cargo piece by piece. When it came to containers, we’d end up on a container ship and do six ports in five days; so it was a serious impediment to our lifestyle and we didn’t take to it very kindly; Malcom McLean was cursed roundly for generations for spoiling our goodly existence.”
“My dad
his sister Mary. Their mum, grandmother, was Florence Nightingale trained battlefield nurse in WW1.”
On the highs and lows of the oil rigging industry
Rob soon discovered the offshore oil industry as a means of escape from shipping containers. These are the ships that move oil rigs around the ocean, complete all their servicing, do ocean towage and salvage; work quite removed from general cargo ships. “I enjoyed that work but there was a serious impediment to it because my father had become a salvage master. He turned out to be the boss on both jobs and on both occasions he sacked me. It’s just sort of one of those things, there’s a story to it… but anyway…”
“I thought I’d give this a go in the bass strait oil fields which you could imagine is a very rough, boisterous place. Small, sophisticated ships working in heavy weather... So I went down there as a chief mate. I’d never been seasick in my life until that point. It was extremely dangerous - a tiny ship bobbing up and down, extremely lively on the water - with heavy machinery that broke and flew around. So I got through the eight weeks, my wife picked me up and she asked how it went and I said, ‘It was terrible, the worst experience of my life,’ and she said, ‘Well there seems to be something wrong with the pay structure, you better sort it out over the phone.’ So I rang my manager who is still a friend to this day, and I started the conversation with ‘I think there’s something wrong with my pay.’ He said, ‘No and there’s a whole lot more going in today.’ I thought I better hang up the phone. I hadn’t really researched it well but to give you an idea, my pay had increased eightfold from when I was working on a cargo ship. My wife said, ‘What are you going to do?’ and I said ‘Oh I might go back and give it another go.’ And twenty years later I was still going back and I came to like it.”
On the stereotype of the ‘drunk sailor’
Sea pilots were a very different bunch in those days and I had a lot of bad experiences with pilots being intoxicated. I’m free to say this now, but Captain Rose captained a very famous cargo ship that buried itself in Queenscliff right under the light house. There were two Roses in the man, one was a climbing rose and the other was a rambling rose. But it was written everywhere that he had overdone it with flu medication. One day, I went to an interview in Williamstown, at Nelson’s Place. I was a very experienced Ship Master and had to present myself to a panel of marine pilots. I thought, I’m a big fat person, I can talk to big fat people. They sat there with their big red noses and asked if I was aware that alcohol and piloting didn’t go hand in hand. And I said as you can see from my background, the ships that I work on, there’s never been any alcohol at sea because its so dangerous. It was like i had said i was a member of a strange cult. I’d done pretty well in the interview up until this point, and they were now wiggling around and most uncomfortable,
and then one of them managed to squeak out, “Captain, you do take a drink, don’t you?” and they all heaved a sigh of relief when I responded affirmatively.
On modern technological advancements…
“I went back to sea with a Norwegian Masters Certificate. You can drive Norwegian ships, very sophisticated ships. They rely on multiple GPS systems and heavily computerized systems that run the thrusters so they can maintain position within 1-2 metres. We ran robots on the sea bed, five miles down, and did subsea engineering work and such. They can also run divers in a habitat. We had a full habitat on board where the divers would work in a pressure vessel. They live and breathe, for 30 days at a time, but most of the work was always done by these robotics. The robots could go down and stay down for days or weeks at a time. The robots would communicate with each other and pass each other tools. It’s quite, quite captivating to watch. What happened was that I realized that although I was there, I was into my 70s and having to stay up to speed with the job.
The difference between myself and the younger crew was that, well, I understood the computer systems but I didn’t have 100 per cent faith in them. Always had this doubt, had a mind that something might fail, whereas the newer generation just accepted they never fail. And that’s a very big difference when you’re talking multi million dollar ships. So I guess my cautious approach didn’t cost me my job, it just made me realize that perhaps I had my run, I was getting on.”
Not long passed before Rob failed a medical examination after a minor accident made his knees slightly unfit for purpose. In industry terms, he was “thrown on the beach.”
Although beached, he continues to teach and certify young Ship Master’s and regularly speaks to audiences on the profession and industry, always providing a unique and entertaining glimpse into his exhilerating career journey.
September Luncheon with Christopher Lamb A Political History of Myanmar, Part One
About Christopher Lamb
Former Australian Ambassador Christopher Lamb recounted with elan Myanmar’s political history and spoke to the challenges of humanitarian diplomacy in the region.
Christopher is the immediate past president of the Australia Myanmar Institute (AMI). He is a retired Australian diplomat, having worked for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade from 19682000. In that time he served as Ambassador to Myanmar (Burma) from 1986-89 and to Yugoslavia, Romania, and Macedonia from 1997-2000. After that, he worked as a chief diplomat with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Geneva (2000-2010).
Christopher began his presentation by sharing about his early university and work experiences; driving for an archaeological expedition charted to Iran but stopping shy at Bangladesh. On his way home he spent just one day in Myanmar’s capital, Yangon, enough to leave an indelible impression that would be revived upon many upcoming visits.
Christopher found himself as Ambassador to Myanmar in the eighties, charged with the responsibility for representing Australia’s interests in the region, establishing and maintaining diplomatic relations and facilitating trade and commerce.
A Brief Political History of Myanmar
Myanmar had been deposed of successive autocratic dynasties in 1885 by British colonisation. The independence constitution negotiated after World War II saw previously colonised territories integrated into “Burma” and the country was granted independence on 4 January 1948. The first government formed under independence faced insurrection in April 1948, the first shots being fired by the Communist Party of Burma. After a decade of instability, the government’s leader, U Nu, temporarily handed power to the army and its chief, general Ne Win, in 1958. After more instability he seized power again in 1962 and abolished the constitution.
Ne Win’s “Revolutionary Council” governed Burma until 1974 when a new constitution introduced a government under the control of the Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP). Ne Win’s resignation as Party Chairman in 1988 took the country by surprise. He was replaced by ex General Sein Lwin, a notorious hard-liner who moved quickly to establish control with a tactic which readied the military to “shoot [anyone] to hit” (Ne Win’s earlier words). This produced the killing and wounding of hundreds of demonstrators on 8 August (8-8-88) before Sein Lwin was forced to resign on 12 August after 17 days in office.
Two months of more instability followed. The departure of Sein Lwin was followed by the BSPP (still operating as the ruling party under the 1974 constitution) electing the only civilian in the upper leadership, former Chief Justice Dr Maung Maung as state president and party leader. In an atmosphere of physical violence and instability, much of which can be traced to army actions, Dr Maung Maung was deposed by the army in September 1988 after 30 days in office.
After deposing Dr Maung Maung, the incoming military administration, the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) abolished the 1974 constitution and announced that one of its first priorities would be the conduct of free and fair multiparty elections. Elections to an assembly to draft a new constitution took place in May 1990. The results delivered a landslide victory to democracy advocate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and the SLORC responded by refusing to convene the assembly.
SLORC and its successor SPDC (State Peace and Development Council) governed until 2010. General Saw Maung remained as the head until he was forced out of office by his deputy, General Than Shwe on 23 April 1992.
The elections promised by Dr Maung Maung and affirmed by General Saw Maung took place on 27 May 1990. The military were confident of their position as the revered natural leader of Myanmar and were shocked when 392 of the 492 seats were won by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD). The military-backed National Unity Party won just ten seats.
In 1992 General Than Shwe deposed the increasingly erratic Saw Maung and inherited the 1988 promise concerning multi-party elections. It was clear that the refusal by Saw Maung and later Than Shwe to accept that the 1990 Assembly vote created a distrust from which the Tatmadaw (the military) could not recover.
The drafting of a constitution had become an article of faith in Myanmar by the mid 1990s, but it was always clear that it would have to be heavy with Tatmadaw principles.
The guiding document for the process was entitled the “Roadmap to Discipline-flourishing Democracy”. The draft constitution was put to a referendum in 2008 which SPDC announced had won support from 92% of the electorate.
It was clear to the whole country that this figure had no credibility. First elections held under the new constitution were held in 2010 and the election was assured to the state presidency of ex General Prime Minister U Thein Sein.
President Thein Sein surprised keen observers of Myanmar’s political evolution by beginning his term with a clear intention to be as inclusive as possible with NLD leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi. This contributed to a rebuilding of trust with her, resulting in NLD and her agreeing after some negotiations to take part in by-elections held to fill 45 vacant seats in the parliament in April 2012.
Aung San Suu Kyi won her seat in the Pyitthu Hluttaw at that time and Thein Sein’s Union Solidarity and Development Party lost 37 of its seats to NLD. USDP continues to exist and promote itself as the future face of Myanmar democracy.
The outcome of the 2012 by-elections started to concentrate attention on the elections due in 2015 and the part which NLD might play. The 2015 outcome was that the USDP won only 30 seats, down from 229. NLD was hence able to secure the election of its chosen nominee as state President.
USDP accepted the result in 2015 as a call for its own reinvention as a party less clearly associated with the Tatmadaw but with only 30 seats it was never going to be able to be a credible opposition party.
It hoped, however, to make use of a country-wide network of branches and relationships to position itself for better things at the elections due in 2020. To do so it recognised that it needed to maintain a strong relationship with the Tatmadaw.
To be continued in the November Newsletter...
A Special Dinner Event with Former Diplomat and Distinguished Fellow Anil Wadhwa
The Australia India Business Council, in partnership with the Graduate Union, hosted a discussion with Former Indian Diplomat, Indian Ambassador and current Distinguished Fellow at Vivekananda International Foundation, Anil Wadhwa.
As a distinguished Indian diplomat and the former Secretary (EAST) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Ambassador Anil Wadhwa has significantly contributed to strengthening India-Australia relations.
The discussion took place at Graduate House, on the topic of the Free Trade agreement and advancing Australia and India’s strategic economic and geopolitical partnerships.
Ambassador Wadhwa’s experiential and scholarly analysis was on the macroeconomic and political intersections between Australia and India.
The discussion begun with contemporary economic and policy settings and lead into the opportunities that both countries’ geopolitical positioning present to each other.
Potential opportunities for mutually beneficial trade and investment between Australia and India was exemplified by reference to Fratelli, Italian winemakers, who are manufacturing and exporting from India rather than Italy, due to greater cost efficiency. This presents a business opportunity for India while celebrating a terroir in its infancy.
The Australian government’s capping of international students was touched upon. Mr Wadhwa said it was “certainly not a solution to Australia’s housing crisis,” but rather a “temporary phenomena which can be defined later on.”
He mentioned there is an opportunity however, for economic policy where Australian Universities pollinate in India. Due to India’s apparent lack of specialist education specialising in museum mangaement, heritage and architecture for example, Australian graduate schools may consider providing these educational opportunities.
Graduate Union President The Hon Diana Bryant AO QC thanked Mr Wadhwa for a most pleasant and accommodating discussion spanning intercontinental economics, politics and education.
Grand Opening of Melbourne University’s “Academic Embassy”
Graduate House Board member Councillor
Molina Asthana and Vice Chancellor’s Representative Councillor David Israel travelled to India to attend the opening of Melbourne University’s Global Centre in Delhi on September 17.
As Melbourne University continues to deepen its ties within India, the Melbourne Global Centre in Delhi represents a firm commitment to support India in its long-term academic and research aspirations. As a centralised hub for collaboration, the Centre will lay the foundations for future generations of scholars and researchers, forging new bilateral connections and facilitating meaningful educational and cultural exchanges well into the future.
As well as attending the opening of the Centre, Molina partook in various activities at the Centre including the Creative Engagement Forum, Asialink Women in School Leadership Program and the Australia India Institute’s Women’s Voices event.
Molina connected with alumni of the University, some of whom have been residents of Graduate House and was heartened to hear their positive feedback. Molina says that she is hopeful that with the opening of the Global Centre is likely to increase engagement with Graduate House and allow opportunities for Graduate House to expand its offerings in the educational sector.
The Melbourne Global Centre is not designed for teaching or as an offshore campus. Instead, it is focused on enriching current and future initiatives within India for greater sustainable impact, as determined by the University’s partnership model and informed by Indian governments and institutions.
The Centre will be designed to facilitate a wide array of activities that will strengthen the University’s engagement with India’s academic institutions, government stakeholders, industry leaders and civic communities.
The Centre will work closely with Indiarelated institutes at the University, including the Australia India Institute (AII) and Asialink – institutes that play an important role in promoting interdisciplinary research and education related to India - benefitting from their expertise and networks to enhance the University’s profile and activities in India.
Introducing: The Graduate Union Lapel Pin, with special thanks to RMIT
A lapel pin is a small pin worn on textile, often on the lapel of a jacket, attached to a bag, or displayed on a piece of fabric. They can be ornamental or can indicate an affiliation with a cause or an organization, such as a fraternal (think college fraternity) or religious order (a subgroup of a larger confessional community) or Chivalric order (where individuals are granted an honorary title by a representative for service to the monarch, the church or the country).
From the earliest armed pilgrimages made by the Catholic military orders of the Crusades (c. 1099–1291) to The New Zealand Order of Merit royal honours system (est. 1996 by Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand); lapel pins have signified association and charitable service.
Design No. 1, by
Ingrid Tseng
It is no wonder then, that the Graduate Union is in engagement with RMIT’s Gold and Silversmithing cohort to design and create a lapel pin of elegant symbolism to be worn by members (and no doubt collected by many) to signify association with a globally renowned union dedicated to the advancement of education.
I started to design the lapel pin for Graduate Union by using the iconic symbols of a graduate hat and the red pin icon that is usually used on maps. The graduate hat indicates that the union is renowned as the pre-eminent Australian membership association of graduates of universities from around the world. The red pin point is often used as a way to show travelers they have arrived at their destination. Within my design, the icon engages with the idea that members have arrived at their second home for living, meeting and learning within a vibrant and active collegium which advances education for the good of society.
Convex and Concave tassel on Graduate Cap
Design No. 2, by
Michelle Stewart
My design idea is based on a monogram of GU for Graduate Union. The design incorporates a graphic element that uses overlapping linework with a sweeping curve that references the golden ratio that is suggestive of longevity and harmony. The lines cross over to symbolise an interconnectedness and the ‘crossing of different paths’ of members and reciprocal organisations across the world. When tilted on an angle the design resembles Australia. I thought this idea might hold relevance for members who are travelling to different parts of the world and for visitors from elsewhere who stay with the GU. This monogram design can incorporate additional text if desired, but with acknowledgement of the size of the pin this may not be practical. I have also shown the design in different styles of pin for consideration. These designs work with each of the styles.
A. Cast sterling silver with raised line detail and selective gold plating with textured background and smooth linework
B. Cast sterling silver with engraved lines and selected areas for gold plating and polished surface detail. Inset linework oxidised to darken linework details
C. Cast sterling silver GU monogram detail on angle (resembling Australia with Tas included) and a small point to mark Melbourne. Entire ‘Australia” gold plated and raised with a smooth surface. The background has engraved lines referencing a globe/world. Oxidised to blacken the inset detail and highlight the gold plating.
D. Similar to A. Details but utilising the tilted design to reference Australia.
E. Cast sterling silver with more linework -to accent the convergence of ideas, people and affiliate organisations. Linework is engraved and oxidised, with one section highlighted and polished with gold plating. Background lightly textured.
Oxidised: solution added to the metal to enhance the detail. Where there are indented lines or texture, they will appear black
Gold Plating: this can be done on selected areas of the design to bring an area forward and make it stand out.
Polished surface: a high polish on the surface will reflect light and create movement within the design.
Design No. 3, by
Juliette Wehling Wrathall
This design grew from some of the ideas that the Graduate Union House represents, those of: the exchange of ideas, international and intercultural friendship and support, lifelong learning, living and sharing together, intergenerational learning, belonging and community. The two interlocking circles reference a simple Venn diagram, here I see them representing – the celebration of the differences of each and every individual, and the overlap representing the commonalities, the shared values, shared learning and community that can be built when we work together. I chose the leaf/branch – as a symbol of growth and hope in a shared future. Here I turn to relationships of reciprocity and camaraderie in building this future together. The importance of a green world with fresh air, opportunity, community and growth brings us together globally, this need transcends all borders. This lapel pin will be made of sterling silver, with the two circles possibly being gold plated.
Design No. 4, by Sue
Buchanan
The U-shaped design is signifying “University” and “Union”. The shape also resembles an open-armed gesture and being encircled. Graduates are represented by the different colours on graduate gowns.
A Dear Farewell to Shirley Ho
On Wednesday 28th August, a Morning Tea was held to farewell long time staff, editor Shirley Ho, who is retiring after sixteen fruitful years of service to The Graduate Union. We wish her well in her travels, gardening and family time. Here is Shirley’s farewell speech.
My employment here has given me plenty of opportunities to meet many people – residents, members, and a lovely bunch of people to work with.
A short recap of how I came to be working here. I first stepped foot into Graduate House in August 2008, when my youngest started Prep school, wanting only a few hours of casual work within the school hours. Fast forward sixteen years and that Preppie is now pursuing tertiary across the road and works here casually.
When I started, I was tasked at the front desk. Our reception counter at that time was outside the Johnson Library. In that role, I got to speak to many residents who would stop for a chat when paying their rent, and I’m still in touch with some of them.
It was a busy time then, with a lot of movement. There was preparation to remove fixtures and internal walls of the three terraces room to make way for the Stella Langford Wing (SLW) redevelopment. We saw the last batch of residents leave. We had about twelve months to complete the project, following planning approval. SLW has been in operation for 13 years now.
After two years of front office duties, I was asked to look into the Graduate House Website, to see if it can be improved. Many may not have heard of Microsoft Front Page - it was a component of MS Office.
It’s obsolete now but it was basic and sufficient back then and it was where The Graduate Union website was built on. The artwork designs and writeups I did for the website then must have led to me being ‘identified’ as the potential person for publications and promotional materials. My first publication was the 2012 Melbourne Graduate (The Annual Report of 2011). Following that and with 24 issues of The Melbourne Graduates and 141 Newsletters published, I am ready to go.
When I first told my colleague, Connor that I will be resigning soon, he said, he couldn’t imagine me going as I was one of the “Originals”, who have always been here. There are other Originals besides me – Rosie, who has been here the longest, Daniel, Marwa, Bill, Basma, Nelson. Punam and of course Tim. Together we have weathered through many thick and thins, especially during Covid, what a great team to be a part of.
After Covid, when we all returned from two years of irregular Working From Home, I found that I was the only one left in the Publication Team. Working alone when I once had a team wasn’t easy so I am sincerely grateful to Daniel for his support in granting my every request to get the job done.
I am also thankful to Councillor Martin Comte who stepped in to help me with interviews and I am grateful for his effort to push for me to be recognised as an editor. Thank you, Members, for your regular contribution of stories, events and GU Councillors, for your support and encouragement.
To all my wonderful newer colleagues, you have come to a great place to work. Graduate House has always given me a sense of belonging that I will cherish forever.
Sincerely, Shirley.
We thank the following organisations and members for booking at Graduate House this July and August
Asialink Arts and Culture
ASME Victorian Chapter
AURIN
Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering ATSE
Australian Italian Lawyers Association
Biomedical Engineering Postgraduate Society
Carlton Parkville Probus
Carlton Rotary
CFMEU Manufacturing Divison
Chancellery Research & Enterprise
CopRice
Corpus Christi College Class of 1957
David Jensz
Department of Accounting
Department of Infrastructure Engineering
Faculty of Business and Economics
Faculty of Education
Faculty of MDHS
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health
Sciences
Global Elite School
Goethe Institute
Languages and Literacies Education Academic Group, MGSE
Marg Sawyer
Melba Group
Melbourne Academic Centre for Health
Melbourne Dental School
Melbourne Medical School
Melbourne School of Health Sciences
Compliments
Melbourne School of Professional and Continuing Education MSPACE
Mental Health First Aid Australia
Michael Quin
Office of the Provost
Operational Performance Group
Order of St. John of Jerusalem Knights
Hospitaller Incorportated
PACBER
Parkville Conference of St Vincent de Paul
Per Capita Inc.
Peter Doughty
Peter Mac
PRESTARSS Project Alive National Centre RACI
Research and Enterprise
Research Innovation and Commercialisation
Researcher Developer Unit
Retired Veterinarians Group
Rhodes Scholars’ Association, Victoria
RIC Business Development and Innovation
School of Agriculture, Food and Exosystem
Sciences
Soroptimists International of Melbourne Inc.
Stroke Association of Victoria
The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne
TreeAge Healthcare Training
WEHI
“Graduate staff house are always very considerate and flexible when delays occur to members.”
“For special occasions like the birthday of one of our group we loved the luxury of the library to ourselves.”
“Servings were very generous and well presented. Most of the group remarked that they hadn’t had a roast lamb lunch for years. The bread & butter pudding finished a lovely meal!”
Margaret Sawyer, Italian Conversation
“Very high quality and sufficient dining.”
Shyamal Das, CopRice
Academic Writing and Communications Workshops for Graduate House Residents
Workshops will run for 7 weeks, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, Commencing Monday August 26.
Each session, university academics will present on various aspects of writing, students will receive feedback on their work and engage in class discussions on academic writing and communications.
The sessions are designed primarily for Coursework Masters students but will also have direct relevance for Research Masters and PhD students.
The content in each workshop will be applicable to all academic disciplines.
Sessions will be guided by the needs of the cohort, to address central concerns in preparing academic documents.
The workshops will cover
• writing academic papers and communication within and across disciplines
• preparing conference abstracts and papers
• preparing and writing for oral presentations
• preparing a CV for various opportunities
• job applications
If you have any prior questions, please contact Emeritus Professor Martin Comte OAM martin@martincomte.com.au
Dr. Max Stephens
m.stephens@unimelb.edu.au
Please register your attendance at the 1st session on Monday, August 26 at the Reception Desk.
THE GRADUATE UNION
of The University of Melbourne Inc.
220 Leicester Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia
Telephone: +61 (0)3 9347 3428
Australian Business Number: 55 610 664 963
Incorporated Association Registration Number: A0023234B
