The Melbourne Graduate February 2007

THE GRADUATE UNION of The University of Melbourne Inc.

THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE SOCIETY

Periodical newsletter of the graduate union of the university of melbourne incorporated

Print Post approved pp337834/00022

registered association no.

AA0023234B February 2007

Volume 60 No. 1

www.graduatehouse.com.au

Contents CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2

VALETE

2

CHRISTMAS AT GRADUATE HOUSE

3

DONATIONS

3

NEW MEMBERS

4

RESIDENT, MEMBER & STAFF NEWS

5

GRADUATE UNION ELECTED COUNCILLORS

6

GRADUATE UNION COUNCIL NOMINATION ADVICE

6

GRADUATE UNION COUNCIL NOMINATION PROFORMA

6

Office Bearers President: The Honourable John Cain Vice President: Dr Robert Gibson Chairman: Mr Neil Taylor Vice Chairman: Mr Andrew Binns Secretary-Warden (CEO) Mr Eugene Spanti

T

Secretary-Warden and NUSS President, Mr Chandra Nair sign the Reciprocal Agreement.

he Secretary-Warden was privileged to be the guest of honour at the Reciprocal Agreement Signing Dinner at the Kent Ridge Guild House in Singapore on Saturday, 25 November 2006.

The Graduate Society operates three exclusive Guild Houses for local and foreign graduates – Kent Ridge, Adam Park and Suntec City. It has a membership of 12,000 and employs a team of professional staff to manage the day-to-day running of the Society.

This is a far cry from its humble beginnings – at the 1954 inauguration of the University of Malaya Society, only 44 graduates were present. It is the passion and commitment of their home-grown graduates that have shaped the history of the National University of Singapore Society.

Today, their impressive venue offers excellent wine and dining facilities along with a host of activities for families. There is the ability to indulge in their sports and recreational facilities, development programmes and much more when it’s time to relax. And with their extensive network of graduates frequenting the guild houses, you might be presented with a business opportunity when you least expect it.

RECIPROCITY IN JAPAN AND HONG KONG

As part of his Asian tour, the Secretary-Warden visited Tokyo’s Keio University and the Osaka City University in Japan and also Graduate House in Hong Kong to explore the possibility of reciprocity with Graduate House in Melbourne. While in Hong Kong he stayed at the Robert Black College, a reciprocal partner of the Graduate Union for many years.

Following a warm welcome and very rewarding discussions, the Graduate Union now has an additional reciprocal partner in Hong Kong and reciprocity in Japan with Keio University and Osaka City University (see the following page).

February 2007 volume 60 No.1 –

THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE

KEIO UNIVERSITY, MITA CAMPUS, INTERNATIONAL CENTRE

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2007

Many new functions are planned during 2007 for the enjoyment of members and friends.

28 Feb. - Barbecue and Beer Tasting

7 March - Monthly Luncheon Speaker: Dr Clare Wright, Topic: The Buxom Matron Behind the Bar: Australia’s Female Publicans.

22 March - Trivia Night

Professor Shinnosuke Obi, Director International Centre, Mita Campus, accepts special certificate from Eugene Spanti

4 April - Monthly Luncheon

Speaker: Dr Geoffrey Burrows,The University of Melbourne

OSAKA CITY UNIVERSITY

19 April - Wine Tasting Dinner

2 May - Monthly Luncheon Speaker: Mr Michael Kantor, Artistic Director, Malthouse Theatre

31 May - Autumn Dinner (following AGM) Speaker: Dr Barry Jones, Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow

6 June - Monthly Luncheon Speaker: Mr Graeme Turnbull, Transport Enthusiast

Mr Eugene Spanti with Dr Shohachi Kakuna, Vice-President Osaka City University

21 June - Afternoon Tea for Chocolate Lovers 27 July - Christmas in July

1 Aug. - Monthly Luncheon Speaker: tbc

23 Aug. - Latin Dance Evening 5 Sept. - Monthly Luncheon Speaker: tbc

29 September - Grand Final Breakfast Speaker: Mr Graeme Turnbull, VFL/AFL History Buff

Keio University has a proud history as Japan's very first private institution of higher learning, dating back to formation of a school for Dutch studies in 1858 in Edo (now Tokyo). The International Centre was established in the 1960s and has contributed to the development of the university's international programs.

It manages various programs, such as short and long-term student/ faculty exchanges with universities abroad. In addition to administering academic programs, the International Centre also assists international visitors by arranging subsidized housing and providing a range of services.

Dr Desmond Hui, Master of Graduate House with Eugene Spanti

3 Oct. - Monthly Luncheon

Speaker: Dr Peter Colville AM, on Managing Disability

25 Oct. - Wine Tasting Dinner 7 Nov. - Monthly Luncheon

Oaks Day Fashions Off The Field

5 Dec. - Monthly Luncheon Speaker: Dr Piero Genovesi, Italian-Australian Research Centre

14 Dec. - Christmas Party

Santa, Entertainment and Prizes

BISTRO PRICES IN 2007 Monday to Friday 12 noon - 2.00pm Members $10; Non-Members $12.50

– February 2007 volume 60 No.1

VALETE

Osaka City University (OCU) is the largest of Japan’s municipal and prefectural universities with eight faculties, nine graduate schools and three research institutes. The Guest House is a four storied building which utilizes solar energy power and consists of 30 apartments, common rooms and administrative room. All rooms have a bathroom, TV sets, refrigerator, cooking table, bed(s), direct dial telephone and are air-conditioned. The Guest House has broadened international academic exchange including exchange with Graduate House and contribute to the advancement of studies in various fields.

GRADUATE HOUSE, HONG KONG

Graduate House, completed in March 1998, was awarded a Silver Medal - the highest recognition of architectural design excellence by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects. It is a composite building consisting of a residential complex, and a non-residential complex with an international conference centre, function rooms and other amenities. The Graduate House residential complex provides 190 single rooms and 9 double rooms for full-time postgraduate students and guests of the University of Hong Kong. All the rooms are fully furnished, air-conditioned and equipped with individual phone lines and fibre-optics computer networking facility.

Lauri Edwin Penttila

Graduate Council and the Secretary-Warden and staff of Graduate House were deeply saddened by the death of Lauri Penttila, Life Member for over 50 years, having joined in 1955. A practising solicitor, he worked full-time until his death, aged almost 78. Lauri was a multifaceted person: an outstanding lawyer, a devoted family man, a wise elder, a caring mentor, a person with a highly developed social conscience, and a man with an earthy irreverent wit.

Lauri grew up in North Carlton and went to University High School and Melbourne University, where he graduated LLB in 1949. Apart from his interests in the law, in social service organisations, in food, wine, music and theatre, Lauri was an inveterate traveller and was planning a trip to St Petersberg and Crete. To the end he had an adventurous and questioning mind. Lauri was a regular attender at monthly luncheons and will be greatly missed at Graduate House.

Staff were particularly grateful for Lauri’s presence on one occasion when the speaker failed to arrive. Quickly taking in the situation Lauri offered his services, took the microphone and gave an impromptu and highly entertaining address.

Extract from Obituary given at Lauri’s funeral by ROBERT MILLER

Since publication of the November 2006 edition of The Melbourne Graduate we have been notified of the deaths of the following members: Mr K Fennessy, Life Member joined 1954 Dr P Gorman, Life Member joined 1949 Miss M Head, Life Member joined 1968 Mr R Hughes, Life Member joined 1979 Mrs J Porteous, Life Member joined 1962 Mr A Robinson, Life Member joined 1963 Dr T Stokoe, Life Member joined 1952 Prof H Worner, Life Member joined 1954 The Graduate Union appreciates the support of these members and extends condolences to their families. We regret that space constraints do not allow individual acknowledgement of each deceased member.

THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE

MEMBERS AND RESIDENTS CHRISTMAS PARTY

T

he Christmas Party on 15 December was a very festive affair.

Residents, members, Graduate House suppliers and friends celebrated with Santa whose presence added to the Christmas cheer. Graduate House suppliers donated many prizes for the occasion which were given out for various activities throughout the evening.

The evening began with pre-dinner drinks in the bar during which residents Nela and Gurauv played Christmas Carols. After the main course the entertainment commenced with a scene from Dickens ‘A Christmas Carol’, being performed at La Mama Theatre in the week before Christmas. A change of pace followed the play reading when eight dancers from ‘Street Latin’ gave a Salsa Dancing Exhibition. Some members of the audience joined in impromptu dancing lessons, prompting a competition for which prizes were given. Red and Green being the advertised theme for the party, the evening concluded with prizes for all guests who had dressed in these colours.

Donations Building Fund:

$500 E Miller

$200 C Kellam $175 E Brown

$100 M Brumby, J Gregory, G Jones, B Krahnert, W Lewis, P McCann, J F Pyper, J Rowan, J Cuming, U Radok, A Merrett

$75

K Binns, E Butt, D Adams

$50

J Ballantyne, C Bolter, TCK Brown, W Denholm, W Hare, L Lane, L Penn-Tonkin, B Stevenson, G Israel

$70

$25 $20 $15 $10 $5

P Ashton, M Barden, J Beale, A Campain, B Dryden, F Ford, K Mawson, G Parkes, B Dove, R Esdaile, P Goode P Goldsworthy, N Hung, P Cenek, WGA Jack R Stanhope

Y Clarke, J Hoffman I Proctor

$500 E Miller

$100 M Edmondson, G Jones, P McCann, G Duke

J Ballantyne, C Bolter, E Carvosso, N Hung, B Krahnert, B Stevenson, N Tulloh

$40

R Walker

$30

TCK Brown

$35 $25 $20 $15 $10

$25 JOINING FEE WAIVED FOR NEW MEMBERS JOINING BEFORE THE END OF MARCH SIGN UP A NEW MEMBER TO BE IN THE DRAW FOR A PRIZE TO THE VALUE OF $500 (Winner published in ‘The Melbourne Graduate’)

D Welch

Residents Assistance Fund:

$50

2007 SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP OFFER

A Martin

M Barden, R Skilbeck, S Stuart, R Esdaile A Casey

M Kelleher

J Hoffman, P Cenek

Member Benefits

AUSTRALIAN UNITY HEALTH INSURANCE Australian Unity offers Graduate Union members a 7.5% direct debit discount# on their health cover and you can also receive additional benefits on your home and contents cover.

Benefits you can enjoy all year round!

HOME AND CONTENTS INSURANCE Save up to 30%* on Home and Contents Insurance with Australian Unity At Australian Unity, Graduate Union members can receive many discounts on Home and Contents Insurance such as: Type of Discount % off* Online purchase 10% Combined Home and Contents Insurance 10% No claim bonus 5% per year Security discount based on type of alarm installed 5%-10% Over 55 years of age - regardless if you are still working or not 10% Australian Unity Health Insurance member 10%

February 2007 volume 60 No.1 ­–

THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE NEW MEMBERS

The following new members joined the Graduate Union in the period Nov 2006 – Feb 2007. We welcome them and look forward to their participation in our members’ activities. All degrees are from University of Melbourne unless otherwise noted. Degrees are stated as presented on members’ application forms.

Ordinary Members

Ms D Fitton, BEd, GradDip TESOL, Masters in Ed

They receive exceptional research support from industry, government and other sources.

A number of research centres are housed within the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering: Centre for Ultra Broadband Networking (CUBIN), an ARC-funded Special Research Centre, established in 2000 Victoria Research Laboratory of National ICT Australia Ltd (NICTA), established in 2004 Melbourne Systems Laboratory (MSL), established in 2005.

Mr J Quay, BEd (Deakin); GradDip, PGradDip, Med

These centres allow the building of effective research teams that contribute to a strong foundation for continued success in the international research arena. At present the Department has over 100 academic and professional staff.

Prof J Stillwell, BScHons, MSc

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Ms J Freed, BA(Monash) Ms T Fujita, BArts

Ms M Hsien, BArts (Singapore) Ms H Smith, BA(Hons)

Mr C Thomas, BAHons, DipTRP; PGradDipLED(Glasgow) Mr P Tyrer, BBus(Monash)

Mr S Worn, BAppSc (RMIT), MBA (RMIT) Corporate Members

Dept of Electrical & Electronic Engineering Faculty of Economics & Commerce UNSW Alumni, Victorian Chapter

Dept of Civil & Environmental Engineering Associate Members

Ms H Smith, Curriculum Corporation Ms M Kidd, Asia Institute

Ms L Graham, Law School

Ms C Hand, Faculty of Education Mr R Zhang, Computer Services

NEW Corporate MemberS Electrical & Electronic Engineering

The Head of Department, Marija Maher and six members of her team attended Graduate House for morning tea and presentation of the Department’s Corporate membership certificate.

The Department was established in 1947 as part of the Faculty of Engineering which has been offering degrees at The University of Melbourne since 1889. The Department today is internationally recognised for its excellence in teaching and training in a range of undergraduate degrees and for providing an outstanding research environment for staff and postgraduate students.

The major teaching areas in the Department are telecommunications (devices, systems and networks), signal processing, computer engineering and control systems. It also offers both PhD and Masters research programs as well as three postgraduate coursework degrees - Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Masters in Telecommunication (MTE) - designed specifically to give professionals the cutting edge in Telecommunications Engineering.

It has a vibrant research program based on strong specialist research interests in Telecommunications and Signals and Systems Research.

– February 2007 volume 60 No.1

The Department has established an international reputation for excellence in teaching, research and consulting with sustainable development as the underpinning philosophy of undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

Over many years it has collaborated closely with industry and the profession through Melbourne University Private, providing sophisticated testing facilities and specialist consulting expertise on numerous projects. Associate Professor Hector Malano is Head of Department and currently the Department has 20 academic staff, 12 full-time research fellows and 18 support staff. Undergraduates number some 650 with a further 140 students studying for higher degrees. With Graduate House very convenient, the group plans to hold their CRC Workshops & meetings and also staff meetings.

The University of NSW Alumni, Victorian Chapter

Was presented with their Corporate membership certificate by the Chairman of Graduate Council at a special dinner at Graduate House on 5 December 2006.

During 2001 a group of Melbourne based Alumni formed a steering committee to provide a focus for Victorian alumni and a constitution and objectives were prepared. The university formally accepted the Melbourne chapter as a component of the Alumni association during 2002.

Two years ago the group began to enjoy facilities of Graduate House, with many committee members becoming members of the Graduate Union. In order to enable the UNSW Alumni to enjoy the benefits of membership, the committee elected to seek corporate membership.

The UNSW Alumni look forward to extending an invitation to Graduate House members to attend their activities and to encourage their alumni to support Graduate House.

THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE

RESIDENT, MEMBER AND STAFF NEWS MAIKO AOKI

From the Japanese City of Hokkaido, Maiko is currently working on a Brisbane-based research project in Education.

She has stayed in Graduate House since August 2006. Maiko says she is enjoying the food and people of Melbourne.

She has lived in Melbourne previously and has noticed quite a few changes such as the increase in Seven-Eleven stores over the past 2-3 years. In her free time when she is not studying, she enjoys shopping and going to the gym.

TEJAS KANHERE

Tejas is from Sydney and has been at Graduate House since July 2005. He is a First-year student at the University of Melbourne studying Medicine. In his free time, he enjoys studying, swimming, and learning about the AFL and Australian Rules Football "Ted" (as he is known) likes to visit Melbourne’s scenic parks. He says the last good book he's read is The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri.

MAHMOUD ABOU-ELENEIN

I just want to say how I enjoyed staying here at the Graduate House. It really helped to reduce the tension during the examinations time. The friendly atmosphere and the nice people working here is something to talk about. One thing I am sure of is that whenever I am in Melbourne I will definitely be staying at Graduate House and will recommend it to friends as well. Guys you are doing a good job, keep going!

ALAN AND JEAN COHN

Alan Cohen has been a Life Member for fifty-three years. Although in the past Alan attended Graduate House functions regularly, he had not seen the new building. So when he and wife Jean came for lunch one day, the Secretary-Warden happily hosted their lunch and took them on a short tour. They enjoyed themselves immensely, saying they would return very soon. Alan, a Commerce graduate from the University of Melbourne, worked for much of his life at Australian Paper Mills as a Personnel Officer and later in Superannuation. He was mobilised into the Navy five days before war was declared in 1939 and served mostly onshore in the Australian Capital Territory and Port Moresby. He was in Port Moresby for the last air raid of the war there.

In 1976 Alan retired and with his brother wrote their family’s history, ‘Tablets of Memory’. The book was accepted by the Institute of Family Histories and awarded First Prize in 1989. Jean was a member of the Australian Women’s Legion during the war. A manageress for some years at Darrell Lee Chocolates, she saw the opening of Southland and Chadstone. Alan and Jean met at Mary Lyn holiday resort in Marysville and have been married six years. After happy marriages, both were widowed and say they were very lucky to find each other.

THE WOMEN'S FORUM

T

he Women’s Forum has just completed its twelfth year of existence. The format adopted is to encourage each of those present to express her individual ideas about the chosen topic and when all, who wish to do so have finished speaking, we have open forum which is a general discussion with no holds barred. (We do, however, tend to avoid the controversial specifics of religion and politics). Each person has the right, and the privilege, to speak without interruptions or comments from the listeners. The time allotted to speakers depends on the number of people present. The topics are many and varied and usually have some topical relevance. They often arise from the day’s discussion or even over lunch. Age is no barrier to involvement in the Forum, the spread of ages of those taking part is as wide as the spread of the topics.

We meet on the third Wednesday in the month 10am for 10.30am and most people stay for lunch. We speak, we listen, we discuss.There is a warm friendly welcome to anyone who would like to join us and there is no compulsion to do anything more than listen.

Patricia Boaden

Companies offering discounts to Graduate Union Members Australian Unity Geoff Ireland Florist Hertz Pickford Pharmacy Non-Profit Purchasing DeBortoli Wines

766 Whitehorse Road, Mont Albert, Vic. 3127 Tel: 03 9898 5188 Fax: 03 9898 5348 Open for Lunch and Dinner - 7 Days

Private Room Available 10% off meals for Graduate Union Members Tuesday to Thursday on presentation of card.

(Discount applies to groups of 6 or less)

The Melbourne Graduate is normally published four times a year by The Graduate Union of The University of Melbourne Incorporated.

It is edited by Eugene Spanti and Lyn Weston, under the direction of the Graduate Council and its Executive Committee.

The Melbourne Graduate welcomes letters from readers and reserves the right to edit them for publication. Please keep word count to a maximum of 250 and address to The Editor, The Melbourne Graduate.

Registered Address: The Graduate Union, 220 Leicester Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053 Australia Telephone: (03) 9347-3428 Facsimile (03) 9347-9981 www.graduatehouse.com.au - email: sec@graduatehouse.com.au Printed by: FSG Design & Print, 1 Argent Place, Ringwood. (03) 9873 5144

February 2007 volume 60 No.1 –

THE MELBOURNE GRADUATE PROFORMA NOMINATION

THE GRADUATE COUNCIL

FOR ELECTION TO

Notice of Election

GRADUATE COUNCIL 2007

Nominations are hereby called for the election of four Council members to hold office for three years from the date of the Annual General Meeting to be held on Thursday, 31 May 2007. Any vacancy occurring prior to the close of nominations will be included within this election. Retiring Council members are eligible for re-election*.

I, ………………………………………………………… (print full name of proposer) …………………………………………………………… (signature of proposer) hereby nominate the following member for the above election …………………………………………………………… (print full name of candidate)

________________________ I, ………………………………………………………… (print full name of seconder) …………………………………………………………… (signature of seconder) hereby second the following member for the above election …………………………………………………………… (print full name of candidate)

________________________

I, ………………………………………………………… (print full name of candidate)

A proforma is attached, but no special form is required. Valid nominations must include the FULL PRINTED NAME and the signature of the proposer, seconder and candidate, all of whom must be members.

All nominations must be in a sealed envelope and addressed to: Returning Officer The Graduate Union of the University of Melbourne Inc 220 Leicester Street CARLTON VIC 3053 Candidates should submit at the time of their nomination: • full name and degree(s); • a passport size photo of themselves; and • a statement of not more than eighty (80) words of personal information and policies.

The statement is in addition to the full name and degree(s). A guide for the preparation of statements is available from the returning officer by contacting the Graduate Union on 9347 3428.

hereby consent to being a candidate for Nominations close the above election, and submit the at The Graduate Union Office on attached photograph and statement, not Wednesday 21 March 2007 at 4pm exceeding eighty (80) words to be distributed with the ballot paper.

I A nomination may be lodged by facsimile to understand that councillors are normally (03) 9347 9981 provided that the original is asked to serve on at least one committee received by 4pm on Friday, 23 March 2007. of Council. …………………………………………………………… (signature of candidate)

Ronald G Ritchie Returning Officer

ELECTED COUNCILLORS AS AT JANUARY 31, 2007 Until May 2009 Until May 2008 Until May 2007* Mr Andre G Cleghorn Ms Johann P Ruth Dr David T Bellair Mrs Glenda J Fisher Dr Robert W Gibson Dr David A McCredie Dr Andrew K Roberts Mr Antonius J Vriends Ms Cheryl A Kidston Mr Neil J Taylor Mr Darren H Room Mr J Andrew Binns – February 2007 volume 60 No.1