ABN 556 10664 963 - 1 - No. A0023234B

THE GRADUATE UNION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF

MELBOURNE INC.

CENTENARY YEAR

1911 – 2011

As I write this reflection about the

centenary celebrations I ponder the

year that has been and how quickly it

has come to a close. A visit to Graduate

House at this time of the year brings

one into a quiet building that rings with

silence. Gone is the busy, bustling

atmosphere that exists from early

morning to late at night for most of the

year. Our residents have all but packed

up and returned home to far flung

lands. Staffare caught up in the pre-

Christmas rush, trying to complete the

many tasks that need to be done so

that the Christmas holiday break can

begin. One can imagine all sorts of

things in a building which houses such a rich history and fabric of

life. But the silence simply causes one to reflect on the many

factors which have interwoven to form the essence of the Graduate

Union for 100 years. Above all it causes one to reflect on the people

who have influenced and shaped the future of the Graduate Union.

Mrs Glenda Fisher, Centenary Chair

ABN 556 10664 963 - 2 - No. A0023234B

On the 4th of May 1911, the Melbourne University Graduate

Associates (the forerunner of the Graduate Union) was a newly

minted organization at the beginning of its journey. It came into

formal existence on July 14th 1911 at a formal dinner. Colonel John

Monash was elected Chairman. It committed to bringing the life

and thought of the University and of the community into direct

relation with each other, providing an organization that arranged

public discussion of University problems and bringing past

University members in closer touch with each other. It also resolved

to provide a Residential Club for members some time into the

future. In 1912 MUGA commenced the lecture series that had been

one of its original aims. MUGA had no permanent home nor would

it have until 1957. The fact that the organization never lost sight of

its initial commitment says much about the calibre of our members

over 100 years. Perhaps it goes a long way to explaining how an

organization can survive for 100 years and continue to grow and

adapt for the next century.

In the August of 2010 a small group of Graduate Union members

gathered in the Anderson Room at Graduate House to commence

planning for the Centenary celebrations in 2011. We agreed that it

was important to acknowledge the foresight and wisdom of the

founding fathers and whilst looking back it was also important to

look to the future and the next 100 years. It was agreed that our

theme for the year-long celebrations would be Leadership. We

planned two significant events - a Cocktail Party, and an Oration

and Dinner. It was also agreed that we would incorporate the

Twilight Lectures, Sunday Music performances and a final gathering

at the Chairman’s cocktail party in December. That planning

meeting all seems so long ago!

ABN 556 10664 963 - 3 - No. A0023234B

The Hon John Cain, Dr McCredie & Chair,David

Let the Celebrations Begin!

Fast forward to May the 4th 2011. Our official centenary

celebrations commenced with a magnificent Cocktail party in the

Ian Potter Room at Graduate House. This date acknowledged the

day that a meeting was held at Dr Barrett’s Chambers in Collins

Street in order to establish a committee that would create the

Melbourne University Graduates Association – the forerunner of

the modern day Graduate Union.

Our President, the Honorable John Cain launched the Centenary

Celebrations and in his

speech outlined the

significant events of 1911

against which our

Graduate Union was

established. Our organis-

ation has had many

distinguished members so

it was fitting that we

should honor another

distinguished member of

the Graduate Union on this night. That member was Dr David

McCredie who has achieved much in his professional life and made

significant contribution to the lives of ordinary Australians through

his studies into the impact of phosphates on babies both pre and

post natal and the study of renal disease in our indigenous

population. It was inspiring to see Dr

McCredie receive a prestigious Honorary

Life Membership to the Graduate Union

on a night that celebrated the creation of

an organization that boasts many

extraordinary Australians as its members

over the past 100 years.

ABN 556 10664 963 - 4 - No. A0023234B

Founders Day Oration and Dinner

On the 14th of July, we held a Founders Day Oration and Dinner to

mark the 100th anniversary of the formalization of our organization.

Against the backdrop

of the Graduate Union

Fanfare, played by a

brass quintet from the

Conservatorium of

Music at the University

of Melbourne, and

commissioned to

celebrate the occasion,

The President, the

Honourable John Cain, welcomed the Governor of Victoria, The Vice

Chancellor’s representative of the University of Melbourne,

representatives of the original University Of Melbourne faculties

who had formed our first Council and Graduate Union members to

Melba Hall, to hear the Founders Day Oration delivered by former

Governor General, Major-General Michael Jeffery.

Leadership was the theme chosen by the Centenary Committee for

our year of celebration because it honoured both past and present

members of the Graduate Union who had contributed to society in

a Leadership role. Major –General Jeffery gave an inspirational

address on the many guises of leadership from the perspective of a

commissioned officer in the Australian Army, a State Governor and

a Governor General of Australia.

We returned to Graduate House to a red carpet welcome and a

magnificent dinner courtesy of our outstanding Graduate Union

catering and conference staff. With luxury and opulence in mind,

ABN 556 10664 963 - 5 - No. A0023234B

Mr Robert Goodman, Head Chef, designed the menu taking his

inspiration from the early 1900’s.

The Honourable Alex Chernov AO,QC, Governor of Victoria unveiled

a plaque to commemorate 100 years of the Graduate Union and

every one present received a commemorative booklet called ‘Our

Story’.

ABN 556 10664 963 - 6 - No. A0023234B

Social & Intellectual Discourse

As part of our celebrations we continued our Twilight lecture series

during 2011. We have been privileged to enjoy the highest quality

of speakers during the Centenary year including Professor

Rosenfeld, a relative of Sir John Monash, and eminent Neuro

Surgeon from the Alfred Hospital, and Laureate Professor Peter

Doherty, winner of the 1996 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

and Australian of the Year in 1997.

At the first Twilight Lecture for

2011 an audience of 80

members was enthralled by

Professor Rosenfeld’s lecture

which focused on the

importance of leadership and

public service. He also

reflected on the life of General

Sir John Monash. In his opinion

Monash reflected the Key

attributes of leadership

including the ability to plan

meticulously, and use strong

organizational skills. Monash

was also a humanitarian who

looked after his troops, an

uncommon characteristic of an

officer at the time. Sir John

Monash inspires us to take his great deeds, his self sacrifice and

ability to rise above racism to heart, and lead as he did.

Professor Rosenfeld observed that not everyone will be a leader in

their lifetime but we are all able to serve the community. A benefit

of being a community advocate builds community spirit and is good

for health mentally and physically. As this is diminishing, more

ABN 556 10664 963 - 7 - No. A0023234B

needs to be done. Leaders need to be sought and the engagement

of young people is necessary. It is also important to remember that

leadership needs to be assessed by the people who operate at

every level of an organisation, not just the managers at the top.

At the second Twilight Lecture for 2011 ninety guests were equally

captivated by Laureate Professor Doherty. He also believed that

Leadership comes in various guises. It is important to consider the

future environment and what our grandchildren will inherit. He

asked the question “How will Leadership impact on climate change

and other environmental issues which may affect the future of the

planet and which need to be addressed now?”

Professor Doherty cited the

example of Danny Thomas the

entertainer who founded an

Oncology Hospital in Memphis

Tennessee in 1962. It became

enormously successful when its

practitioners showed extraord-

inary leadership and defied

current thinking on the

treatment of the principal

paediatric cancer with

aggressive chemotherapy and

radiology – an approach that

had proven unsuccessful in

treating adults. The result

lowered mortality of this

particular cancer from 90

percent to 15 percent.

Danny Thomas had an idea. He spoke to the right person and

followed through on it. Most importantly he involved community

members, and family in fundraising.

ABN 556 10664 963 - 8 - No. A0023234B

Coco’s Lunch

23 October 2011

Music Series

Coupled with the Twilight Lecture Series was the outstanding music

program “Sundays at Graduate House” organised by a music sub-

committee under the leadership of Councillor David Eyres.

We enjoyed such diverse performances as The Phoenix Trio,

Fandango Australiano, and Coco’s Lunch. The music ranged from

Mozart thru Neilson, Ibert and D’Rivera to capella performances of

jazz and latin.

The Twilight Lectures and the Music Concerts provided Graduate

Union members and the public with a rich tapestry of intellectual

and social discourse that remained true to the original intentions of

our forefathers.

Fandango Australianio

18 September 2011

ABN 556 10664 963 - 9 - No. A0023234B

Christmas Comes But Once A Year

We have concluded the year with another impressive Chairman’s

Cocktail party and we of course left the best until last.

In March we commissioned a series of art works celebrating the

history of the Graduate Union. The result is stunning in its

simplicity. Our artist, Deidre Walsh has captured the essence of the

Graduate Union in a series of sketches highlighting key events and

people over the past century. The staff added an extra special touch

to the evening by creating different food stations that reflected the

20’s, 50’s 80’s and 2000’s.

Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of $9000

from the Trustees of the William Berry Trust (Miss Barbara Funder

and Mrs Heather Kudeviita) to the Chairman of the House Board

(Mr Andre Cleghorn) for the purpose of the upkeep of the William

Berry Wing at Graduate House.

The Chairman gave a brief report on the year that was and a

synopsis of progress in various areas. He also outlined plans for

2012 and into the future. He thanked the

staff for their dedication and loyalty to

the Graduate Union. He also thanked the

new CEO Dr Kerry Bennett for “hitting the

ground running” and bringing much

needed change to the Graduate Union.

Look closely at the art work when it is

placed on permanent display to see the

real story of the Graduate Union and step

back to admire the image.

Artist Deirdre Walsh & family

ABN 556 10664 963 - 10 - No. A0023234B

A Year of Celebration Comes To An End

We have focused our celebratory year on the very activities that our

forefathers envisaged for the organization. We have challenged our

intellectual thinking, stimulated our social senses and welcomed

post graduate scholars from across the seas providing residential

facilities that are second to none and providing them with a

supportive, collegiate home away from home. We have all grown

from the rich experiences provided to us. If one could isolate any

factors that link the Graduate Union of today with the immediate

and distant past they would have to be far-sighted vision, faith and

courage and a strong belief in the future. That this organization has

not only survived for 100 years but progressed to the physical,

social and emotional environment it is today tells us that we have

those factors in spades. As an organization we have fulfilled the

dreams and intentions of our founding fathers. Do the ghosts of

generations past approve? I think they would be blown away by

what successive generations have built and achieved at the

Graduate Union from that initial vision: even a little envious!

As the sun sinks over University Square I leave Graduate House. The

air smells of the traffic fumes of a busy city: Probably not much

different to a century ago when Leicester Street housed industry

and workers cottages and the University of Melbourne started on

the other side of Grattan Street and worked its way north. The

ancient elm trees in the park opposite stand as a sentinel to time.

As our building settles down for another 100 years as the home of

the Graduate Union, I ponder if it will still be the Graduate Union in

100 years? Will it just survive or grow beyond our wildest

imaginings supporting an ever changing cohort of graduates from

the University of Melbourne and beyond? I certainly hope so.

Mrs Glenda Fisher

Chair, Centenary Celebrations

December 2011

ABN 556 10664 963 - 11 - No. A0023234B

ABN 556 10664 963 - 12 - No. A0023234B

Former Governor General, Major-General Michael Jeffery AC, AO(Mil), CVO, MC(Retd)

ABN 556 10664 963 - 13 - No. A0023234B

The following text is an edited extract of Major General Jeffery’s address

I would like to begin by thanking the Graduate Union President for

the invitation to speak to members on the anniversary of the formal

constitution and birth of the Graduate Union 100 years ago. The

Graduate Union has a proud history and I acknowledge Colonel

John Monash as the organisation’s founding Chairman.

As a leader having a plan is of paramount importance. Even if it is

not the best plan it is better to have it rather than no plan at all.

Leadership does not apply solely to the profession of arms. There is

a fundamental requirement for good leadership in all organisations

and the key to good leadership is an articulation of a clear, well

thought through mission or objective and a plan to support it-one

that others will follow willingly because they believe in, trust, love

or sometimes even fear the leader.

General Sir John Monash (as he later became) was a truly great

Australian who as Brigade, Divisional Corps Commander served at

Gallipoli, in Egypt and the Western Front, bringing a keen analytical

mind to combat operations. He was an excellent example of

leadership in its’ many guises. He undertook various leadership

roles, both in wartime and afterwards. After the war Monash

became a respected and much loved public figure with involvement

in many public and private organisations such as the Boy Scouts and

Anzac Day commemorative activities. Monash University was

named for him and he is still respectfully remembered for his

tenure as Head of the State Electricity Board.

As an officer in the Australian Army I have had to accept

responsibility and show leadership qualities in difficult and

potentially dangerous situations. During tours of duty in Vietnam

and Papua New Guinea challenges were many. In Papua New

ABN 556 10664 963 - 14 - No. A0023234B

Guinea, leading a platoon on an epic journey on foot across country

for about 1500 kilometres in 40 days through high jungle and over

crocodile infested rivers, tested the resolve of every one. It

required enduring qualities appropriate for leadership at every level

in all organisations. These qualities included courage – physical and

moral, decisiveness, training staff well and trusting them to get on

with the job; being prepared to take responsibility for mistakes and

looking after your people. Time and again we witness this confusion

or lack of clarity of aim and a supporting plan or strategy when

dealing with a complex issue.

Strategic leadership is not just about the higher level

political/military relationship in military operations. It applies

equally to the way we do business and how we run the country.

During my time as Governor General of Australia it was important

to be aware of and observe the political protocols to be observed

when attempting to initiate change.

Discussion on how to better govern ourselves should be widely

encouraged, but in those discussions we should understand very

clearly the strengths, weaknesses and the checks and balances in

our present system of government before deciding on radical

change. Any replacement system must demonstrate at least the

same level of constitutional safeguards as exist in our present

arrangements.

Of equal concern is the information over load that political and

indeed organisational leaders at higher levels seem to have to bear.

The trick is in having a good filtering system and in trusting

subordinates such as Cabinet ministers to get on with it. The media

won’t like it of course, but the public will. Leaders need to conduct

the orchestra and try not to play every instrument, or something

important will surely fall through the cracks.

The international leaders I most greatly admire include Christ,

Alexander the Great, Caesar, Elizabeth 1 & 11, Gandhi, Churchill and

ABN 556 10664 963 - 15 - No. A0023234B

Mandela. In Australia Barton, Monash and Menzies were

outstanding leaders in their day. It has been my privilege to meet

many of the world’s leaders, both Heads of State and Heads of

Government, including President George Bush, His Majesty King

Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, His Holiness the Pope, President

Yudhoyona of Indonesia, President Putin of Russia, President

Musharraf of Pakistan, and many others including Ramos Horta, and

Xanana Gusmao, (East Timor), Queens Beatrix and Marguerite of

the Netherlands and Denmark (Both remarkable women), President

Peres (Israel), the Rulers of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and Prime

Minister Somare of PNG. President George Bush has taken much

flak over Iraq. What very few people understood, (particularly the

media) is that in taking that decision, the nuclear information

between Iran, Iraq, North Korea and Pakistan was thankfully

broken.

Another interesting leader who I have been privileged to meet is

President Hu JinTao of China. He is a great friend, indeed an

admirer of Australia and who has reiterated time and again China’s

desire for stable, long term sources of resources supply and for a

peaceful world.

I have raised with each of these leaders the theme of what could be

achieved together, emphasising joint research on such matters as

agriculture (semi arid area farming), environment, water, climate

change and long range weather forecasting.

Strategic Key issues for global leaders over the next 20 years will be

overpopulation, availability of fresh water, climate change, energy

ownership and terrorism: all of which will impact on Australia.

Governance is a primary strategic issue that must also be dealt with

in the future. Before too long, governance in its broadest sense will

attract considerable public discussion: a discussion which is far

more important than whether we become a republic or not.

ABN 556 10664 963 - 16 - No. A0023234B

How do we ensure that the key issues of energy, water, education,

health, environment, policing and social condition are dealt with as

a nation working to an agreed long term national strategy with local

implementation? It is doubtful that “cooperative federalism” or the

“republic” will provide the best answers.

I have attempted to cover a very broad canvas giving various

examples from my own experience as a tactical leader and as a

participant in strategic decision making. My role as Governor and

later Governor General in strategic decision making has been one of

input behind the scenes, and subtle persuasion. My main

contribution has been to foster a close personal relationship with

the incumbent, to discuss issues of non political joint interest (joint

research, climate change etc) but where necessary, to discuss

complex questions on national policy without embarrassing one’s

self or one’s own government. There are many global and national

issues of concern in which high level leadership will be required to

develop and implement national strategic policy.

l-r: Chairman, Mrs Chernov, Governor, Mrs Cain, Mrs Sparks

Mrs Roberts, Dr Roberts

ABN 556 10664 963 - 17 - No. A0023234B

Our Centenary Celebrations would never have happened with out

the outstanding and dedicated service of the staff of the Graduate

Union. Every one from the CEO, the Office Personnel, Catering and

Maintenance people have combined to create the perfect venue for

our celebrations. Their attention to detail is something to behold.

Thank you Graduate Union Staff!

ABN 556 10664 963 - 18 - No. A0023234B

CENTENARY COMMITTEE

Mrs Glenda Fisher (Chair)

The Honourable John Cain

Mr Frank Lees AM

Miss Barbara Funder

Miss Norma Long

Ms YuJin Lee

Ms Yu Ann Wang

Ms Candice Tan

Mr David Sparks

Mrs Lyn Weston

Mrs Rhonda Lu