Alumni Maters October 2009

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ALUMNI MATTERS The Faculty has been involved in detailed merger discussions with the Melbourne Business School over the past 15 months. As you may already know, it was recently decided by the MBS Board not to put the merger recommendations to their Donor members, despite unanimous support for the merger by both the University Council and the MBS Board in July of this year. As a result, the merger will not proceed. We at the Faculty, however, remain committed to ensuring that the Melbourne Graduate School of Management continues to develop to become the pre-eminent business and economics faculty in the region and have the full support of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glyn Davis, in this regard. Established in 1924 the Faculty of Economics and Commerce has developed an outstanding reputation, locally and internationally, for the quality of teaching and research, launching the Melbourne Graduate School of Management in 2007. The introduction of the New Generation undergraduate degree and the Melbourne Graduate School of Management has resulted in broader study options for undergraduate students, a wealth of professional graduate programs and more engagement with our business and alumni communities. Nearly 2,000 new students enrolled in the Faculty this year and there is a higher demand for BCom places than ever before, as evidenced by the 95.2 enter score required. Growing from this background, the Faculty will continue its strong links to business, government and community, considerable teaching and research strengths, and its unique teaching model combining undergraduate and postgraduate education. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support throughout this process, in particular Peter Yates and Chris Leptos, and all those who wrote to me personally. It has once again reminded me of the strength of our Faculty’s alumni community, represented in so many different areas. While I am aware that some of you may be disappointed by this outcome, I would like to assure you that significant focus will continue to be directed towards actively building on our excellent reputation moving forward. We continue, as always, to seek your input and involvement as valued members of our alumni community. UMCAS President’s report 3 Careers mentoring 4 Future Leaders Forum 5 Recent events 6 Athol Kelly 8 New courses 10 Discount on CAP subjects 11 Melbourne GSM alumni 11 Living poster 12 Honours and awards 12 Edmond Lee 13 Melbourne Institute Economics Forum 14 Donor Roll of Honour 15 Calendar of events 16 October 2009 www.ecom.unimelb.edu.au/alumni/ The University of Melbourne is dedicated to maintaining the highest levels of research, teaching and learning, and knowledge transfer standards for which it has always been renowned. In all large organisations, and particularly within the context of tertiary education, a constant process of review and redevelopment is required to ensure excellence. in this issue Dean’s update Alumni hosts in discussion with students over lunch at the Future Leaders Forum, see page 5 continued on page 2 The colourful treats on offer at the BCom graduation party, see page 6 The Dean, Professor Margaret Abernethy, addressing guests at the 2009 UMCAS Reunion Dinner

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Alumni Maters October 2009

Transcript of Alumni Maters October 2009

Page 1: Alumni Maters October 2009

Alumni Matters 1

Alumni mAtters

The Faculty has been involved in detailed merger discussions with the Melbourne Business School over the past 15 months. As you may already know, it was recently decided by the MBS Board not to put the merger recommendations to their Donor members, despite unanimous support for the merger by both the University Council and the MBS Board in July of this year. As a result, the merger will not proceed.

We at the Faculty, however, remain committed to ensuring that the Melbourne Graduate School of Management continues to develop to become the pre-eminent business and economics faculty in the region and have the full support of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glyn Davis, in this regard.

Established in 1924 the Faculty of Economics and Commerce has developed an outstanding reputation, locally and internationally, for the quality of teaching and research, launching the Melbourne Graduate School of Management in 2007.

The introduction of the New Generation undergraduate degree and the Melbourne Graduate School of Management has resulted in broader study options for undergraduate students, a wealth of professional graduate programs and more engagement with our business and alumni communities. Nearly 2,000 new students enrolled in the Faculty this year and there is a higher demand for BCom places than ever before, as evidenced by the 95.2 enter score required.

Growing from this background, the Faculty will continue its strong links to business, government and community, considerable teaching and research strengths, and its unique teaching model combining undergraduate and postgraduate education. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support throughout this process, in particular Peter Yates and Chris Leptos, and all those who wrote to me personally. It has once again reminded

me of the strength of our Faculty’s alumni community, represented in so many different areas. While I am aware that some of you may be disappointed by this outcome, I would like to assure you that significant focus will continue to be directed towards actively building on our excellent reputation moving forward. We continue, as always, to seek your input and involvement as valued members of our alumni community.

UMCAS President’s report 3Careers mentoring 4Future Leaders Forum 5Recent events 6Athol Kelly 8New courses 10Discount on CAP subjects 11Melbourne GSM alumni 11Living poster 12Honours and awards 12Edmond Lee 13Melbourne Institute Economics Forum 14Donor Roll of Honour 15Calendar of events 16

October 2009 www.ecom.unimelb.edu.au/alumni/

The University of Melbourne is dedicated to maintaining the highest levels of research, teaching and learning, and knowledge transfer standards for which it has always been renowned. In all large organisations, and particularly within the context of tertiary education, a constant process of review and redevelopment is required to ensure excellence.

in this issue

Dean’s update

Alumni hosts in discussion with students over lunch at the Future Leaders Forum, see page 5

continued on page 2

The colourful treats on offer at the BCom graduation

party, see page 6

The Dean, Professor Margaret Abernethy, addressing guests at the 2009 UMCAS

Reunion Dinner

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Other changes in the Faculty since the last newsletter include restructuring in leadership. With the appointment of Professor Jeff Borland to Chair of Australian Studies at Harvard University, it was my great pleasure to announce in June that Professor Nasser Spear would take over the position of Deputy Dean of the Faculty until the end of 2009. Nasser is currently Associate Dean (International) and he will continue with this role until the end of the year.

In addition Professor Gregory Whitwell, Associate Dean (Academic Programs), was appointed Acting Pro-Vice Chancellor, Teaching Learning and Equity by the

University’s Provost. This appointment is a worthy recognition of Greg’s leadership in teaching and learning.

The UMCAS Reunion Dinner was once again a highlight of the alumni calendar. This year Stephen Mayne was our keynote speaker and we also heard from two of our current students. Reunions are always such enjoyable occasions and I look forward to hosting the UMCAS 40+ Reunion Luncheon later this month.

In September the popular Alumni Refresher Lecture Series was held, an opportunity for alumni to return to campus and listen to lectures covering a range of topics.

Our academic staff are recognised consistently for their research through a number of awards and grants – this lecture series creates a forum to share their insights with the alumni community.

During the year I have had the opportunity to meet many of you in person, both in Melbourne and internationally, and as the second semester draws to a close it gives me much pleasure to look back on 2009 as a rewarding and eventful year. I do hope that it has been for you as well.

Professor Margaret Abernethy

Dean, Faculty of Economics and Commerce

Dean’s update continued from page 1

Reunion Dinner at the Ormond College Dining Hall

2 Faculty of Economics and Commerce

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Alumni Matters 3

More recently we heard from James Tuckerman,

the founder of Anthill Magazine, at our annual ‘Meet the Entrepreneur’ Young Alumni event held at Koko Black and sponsored by RSM Bird Cameron. James talked of the thrills and spills of starting a magazine from scratch and running on the smell of an oily rag in the early years.

Another development since April has been the awarding of the 2009 UMCAS Leadership Scholarships to Allen Sabet (undergraduate) and Amber Jain (postgraduate).

Each year the Faculty awards the scholarship to two final-year Commerce students. Eligibility requirements have been slightly restructured this year to reflect a greater focus on leadership and community involvement, rather than being awarded predominantly on academic merit. These scholarships are entirely funded through donations from alumni; if you are interested in contributing or finding out more please contact the Advancement Office (details on the back page of this newsletter).

As you are no doubt aware, the merger with the Melbourne Business School is no longer proceeding, due to a decision made by the Melbourne Business School board not to put the merger recommendations to a meeting of MBS Donor members earlier this month. I feel this is quite a disappointing outcome for all parties. Nonetheless, credit goes to those that worked furiously on this project.

We are fully supportive of our Dean, Professor Margaret Abernethy, and her vision to build the Melbourne Graduate School of Management into the leading business and economics school in the region. This vision remains unchanged. Maggie has proven to be a first class operator over the time she has been Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Commerce.

As this newsletter goes to print Leon L’Huillier (Director, Woolworths Ltd) is speaking at our final Young Alumni event of the year, sponsored by KPMG and held in their ground floor auditorium in Collins Street on 15 October. The annual 40+ Reunion Luncheon will take place on Friday 23 October. Any graduates from 1969 or before are warmly invited to this event that is always so highly regarded by those that attend. Please contact Lorine Barrier on 03 8344 2603.

Planning is already underway for 2010 with plenty on the go.

A special thank-you goes to four of our committee members who stepped down at this year’s AGM: Chris Leptos, who has been Vice-President for the past couple

of years and contributed as much value in two years as most people could contribute in ten; Meta Santoso-Chien, who has been invaluable in strengthening relationships with our Young Alumni in particular; Tzer-Han Lim, who has only been with us for a year and established the Actuarial Alumni group, but is now pursuing his MBA overseas; and finally, Chris Warrell, a former President of UMCAS who has served on the committee for well over ten years. We thank them all for their efforts.

There are many ways to stay in touch with us, including attending events or signing up to receive the e-newsletter for alumni, eComm. We hope to hear from you soon.

Ross Cameron President

Alumnus Stephen Mayne delivering the keynote address at the Reunion Dinner

Since I last wrote this report, many of you would have attended the highlight of the UMCAS calendar – our Annual Reunion Dinner held in the Ormond College Dining Hall. Over dinner, nearly 200 guests heard a magnificent address by keynote speaker Stephen Mayne, the founder of crikey.com.au. Stephen spoke with great passion about the importance of his University education and, amongst other things, the need for corporate governance. All thoroughly enjoyed his stimulating address and he took many questions from alumni, staying on and continuing discussions until the very end of the evening.

UMCAS President’s report

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4 Faculty of Economics and Commerce

Career Mentoring: fostering future leadersThe Faculty’s Career Mentoring Program has once again experienced significant growth in 2009. The program is underway with over eighty industry mentors matched with more than 100 students from the Faculty. The Graduate Careers Centre (GCC) has worked closely with UMCAS and other stakeholders to facilitate a consolidated, faculty wide program which caters to both undergraduate and graduate students in this year’s cycle.

The objective of career mentoring is to support students’ transition from university into the workforce and provide a contact for advice which is distinct from other support services available. Mentoring is a mutually beneficial arrangement with industry mentors also able to develop their network amongst our diverse student cohort and other participating mentors. The program offers mentors the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the student community while at the same time developing their own leadership and coaching skills.

The program runs annually with the official cycle commencing in April and concluding in November. Students must attend a compulsory information session prior to submitting their written application which includes the identification of their goals and relevant personal and professional information for use in the matching process. Prospective mentors are also asked to give as detailed professional and personal information as possible including preferences which assist the GCC in attempting to facilitate the most constructive connections possible thereby ensuring the best chance of a rewarding and beneficial two-way experience.

Pairs are encouraged to meet face to face (if possible) at least five times during the year with flexibility promoted as to the individual approaches participants may wish to adopt. The GCC provides guidelines at the commencement of the program that outline themes and activities that may be worthwhile covering and can assist participants in structuring their contact. Some mentors and mentees are in regular contact via email or phone; others schedule structured meetings and goals in advance. Student-mentees are guided prior to the program on the expectation of remaining realistic and committed to the program and are encouraged to initiate regular contact.

The diversity (background, age and academic focus) amongst our student participants is complemented by a varied group of mentors who have come into the program at different stages of the professional journeys. The GCC is pleased that the 2009 expansion of the program has allowed for even greater diversity amongst our mentors; we have a significant number

of young alumni mentoring undergraduate students in the Faculty.

Mentoring can be a profoundly rewarding experience for both mentors and mentees at all stages of their professional development. One 2008 mentee reflected that, despite being initially unsure of whether the program would be appropriate given his age and extensive professional experience:

“The Program actually suits differing needs in a variety of students, and I’m quite happy to say that I have fulfilled my initial objectives with the program. I really benefited from this experience….We spent time talking about doing business across borders and the challenges of international businesses. We discussed different opportunities for Latin American enterprises and professionals in Australia.”

Ricardo Ferreira, Master of International Business, mentored by Warren Weeks, Cubit Media Research in 2008

For further details or to register you interest in becoming a mentor in the future, please visit the Graduate Careers Centre website: www.melbournegsm.unimelb.edu.au/careers/

Contact Sarah Martini: [email protected] or phone 03 8344 2629

Student mentees Lily Zapata and Laura Aguilera

Mentors and mentees in discussion

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Held in the Law Building conference centre, the forum was themed ‘Leadership in a turbulent world’ and consisted of three sessions featuring a number of influential leaders. Chancellor The Honourable Alex Chernov officially opened the forum. The keynote address was delivered by Westpac CEO, Gail Kelly, followed by the first session ‘Climate Change: what is happening and what can we do?’ with experts Professor Ross Garnaut and Professor David Jamieson.

Next on the program were CEO of OXFAM Australia, Andrew Hewitt, and Young Australian of the Year (2007), Tania Major, talking on the topic ‘Assisting development: local and global remedies to disadvantage’. Australia’s leading economist and Director of Access Economics, Chris Richardson, and Dr Luci Ellis, Head of Financial Stability of the Reserve Bank, co-presented the third session ‘The Global Financial and Economic Crisis’.

The one-day event is intended to give students an awareness of important community and business challenges, and of how they are likely to have significant opportunities in the future as leaders in their chosen professions to contribute to how society in Australia and globally deals with those issues. By showing ways in which their knowledge of the world of commerce can be applied outside the classroom, the event will contribute to students’ understanding of the importance and relevance of commerce studies.

Students were involved in discussions that encouraged them to consider their

roles and responsibilities as future leaders. Discussion over lunch was facilitated by senior industry leaders, many of whom are alumni of the Faculty. The 2009 lunch hosts were:

Michael Andrew (BCom 1977, LLB 1978) – Chairman, KPMG

Ross Cameron (BCom 1987) – Director, Cameron Research Group and President, UMCAS

James Douglas (BSc 1987, LLB 1990) – Managing Director, Citigroup

Kathryn Gunn (MBA 1998) – CFO, PGA Group

Peter Gunn (BCom 1966) – Managing Director, PGA Group

Merran Kelsall (BCom Hons 1975, MBA 2000) – Director, Melbourne Water

Chris Leptos (BCom 1979, MBA 1990) – Managing Partner, Government Services, Ernst & Young

Leon L’Huillier (BCom Hons 1965) – Director, Woolworths Ltd

Rupert Myer (BCom Hons 1979) – Chairman, Myer Family Company Ltd

Ian Sanders (BCom 1991) – Partner, Deloitte

Michael Short (BCom 1985) – Editor New Media, The Age

Barry Thatcher – Managing Partner, nabeducation

Kevin Wong (BCom 1978) – Chairman J.P Morgan Chase, Malaysia

The Faculty would like to thank all those involved, in particular the Hon. Jim Short, whose assistance on the organising committee was invaluable.

Professor David Jamieson, Professor Ross Garnaut, the Hon. Jim Short and Ross CameronGail Kelly delivering the keynote address

Tanya Major, Young Australian of the Year (2007)

Alumni hosts Rupert Myer (above) and Kevin Wong (below) in discussion with students

over lunch

Future Leaders Forum 2009

Alumni Matters 5

On 7 August, 104 bright BCom students attended the Future Leaders Forum, an exclusive undergraduate event run by the Faculty of Economics and Commerce and now in its third year.

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6 Faculty of Economics and Commerce

Young Alumni event ‘Financial Markets Update’ with Tom Elliott28 May

The first UMCAS Young Alumni event of 2009 was hosted by Ernst & Young with Tom Elliott presenting. Tom is the managing director of hedge fund MM&E Capital and a popular financial commentator on radio and TV – so popular, in fact, that the event was booked out within 24 hours. Tom cleared up a few myths about hedge funds and gave an overview on the recent bounce in the sharemarket.

UMCAS committee members Stephanie Barr, Ross Cameron, Chris Leptos and Dennis Lee

BCom graduation party ‘Night of 1000 Stars’ at the Plaza Ballroom25 JuneAt the end of every semester the Faculty holds a party to celebrate the graduation of our BCom students and for UMCAS to welcome them to the alumni community.

The very popular Professor Jeff Borland posing with a few ‘stars’

The evening was a very glamorous affair at the mystical Plaza Ballroom on Collins Street. The Dean, Professor Margaret Abernethy, and UMCAS President Ross Cameron addressed the graduates and then it was on to the serious task of partying the night away.

Welcome to all of our newest alumni!

UMCAS Annual Reunion Dinner at Ormond College16 JulyThe Annual Commerce Alumni Reunion Dinner was held in July at Ormond College. Around 190 alumni, staff and friends attended this year’s reunion held again in the magnificent Harry Potter-style Dining Hall. We were delighted to see so many alumni of the Faculty from across 70 years attending the dinner and reconnecting with their alma mater.

The keynote speaker, Stephen Mayne, delivered a wonderful address outlining his somewhat unconventional career and his views on the need for corporate governance. Stephen also spoke about the impact of his grandfather’s university scholarship on education opportunities for subsequent generations.

Earlier in the evening we heard from two current BCom students who are pursuing very different careers. We are proud of our students and their achievements inside and outside of the classroom. UMCAS is very dedicated to helping students reach their full potential and one of the ways they do this is through the UMCAS Leadership Scholarship, which is funded entirely by donations from commerce alumni. We are once again very grateful to those who donate and continue to support the Faculty in this way.

Master of Applied Finance and Master of International Business alumni catching up over drinks

More photographs from the night are available to view in an online gallery at www.ecom.unimelb.edu.au/alumni/reuniondinner09.html

Singapore Leadership Series5 AugustOn 5 August the Faculty took part in the Melbourne Leadership Series in Singapore, one of four career development and networking events for younger alumni held in Melbourne, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and another scheduled for Hong Kong on 15 October. Fiona Abud and Anthea Barry from the Advancement Unit travelled to Singapore to assist on the night and to meet Faculty alumni in Singapore.

The format of the event was a panel discussion between three interesting, successful and entrepreneurial alumni about their careers to date, the successes they have had and lessons they have learned along the way.

Mr Bay Yew Chuan (BE 1965, MBA 1970), Vice-Chairman: Store + Deliver + Logistics Pte Ltd, Mr Chaly Mah (BCom 1980), CEO, Deloitte Asia Pacific and Dr Derrick Sim (MBA 2002), Franchise Director, GlaxoSmithKline Asia Pacific, spoke to an audience of approximately 100 alumni in the early stages of their professional journey.

The Melbourne Leadership Series panel in Singapore

The event was also attended by a range of companies and recruitment firms interested in meeting and recruiting University of Melbourne graduates, including AXA Life Insurance, KPMG Singapore, Prime Minister’s Office (Overseas Singapore Liaison Unit), and Thatz, Singapore.

Whilst in Singapore, the Dean, Professor Margaret Abernethy, had the chance to meet with a small group of Melbourne Business School alumni over breakfast and hosted a small lunch with commerce alumni, attended by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glyn Davis, and Warren Bebbington, Pro Vice- Chancellor (Global Relations).

UMAA (Malaysia) 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner8 AugustThis year marks the 20th anniversary of the University of Melbourne Alumni Association in Malaysia. The event was celebrated with a gala dinner in Kuala Lumpur. Special guests Vice-Chancellor Professor Glyn Davis, Malaysia’s Minister of International Trade and Industry Dato Mustapa bin Mohamed (BA (Hons) 1974 DCom 1997) and Australian High Commissioner Ms Penny Williams addressed nearly 200 guests over dinner, and Malaysian celebrity Xandria Ooi (BCom 2004) was the very glamorous mc for the evening.

Recent events

Tom Elliott

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Our Dean, Professor Margaret Abernethy, and Deputy Dean, Professor Nasser Spear, hosted pre-dinner drinks for Faculty alumni, which was an excellent opportunity to update them about developments within the Faculty.

Finch Public Lecture13 AugustSir Howard Davies, Director of the London School of Economics, delivered the 2009 Finch Lecture entitled ‘Pricking bubbles in the wind: could central banks have done more to head off the financial crisis?’

Through the generosity of the late Dr David Finch, who was a graduate of this Faculty, the University of Melbourne has established a prestigious Lecture bearing his name. Each year a distinguished international academic is invited to deliver the Finch lecture.

The list of international speakers who have delivered the Finch Lecture at the University is testament to the respect with which Dr Finch is held by policy makers. Through his long and distinguished career at the International Monetary Fund he exerted a profound influence on international economic and financial developments in the second half of the twentieth century. His influence continued into the twenty-first century, both indirectly through policy makers who were influenced by his example and directly by those who consulted him in Washington.

Young Alumni ‘Meet the Entrepreneur’ event18 AugustThe very popular Young Alumni ‘Meet the Entrepreneur’ event was again held at Koko Black Chocolate in Collins Street this year – after the success of last year’s event places were booked out well in advance for the 18 August networking (and of course chocolate-tasting) evening.

Our speaker, James Tuckerman (BA LLB (Hons) 1999), shared his inspiring and personal journey in setting up Anthill Magazine. James built the business up to rival long-standing competitors in a remarkably short time and his story

provided great encouragement to those at various stages of their own entrepreneurial ventures. One of the key points that James emphasised is that passion really is a driving force.

Thanks go to our fantastic sponsor RSM Bird Cameron, and to Rob Miano in particular, and also to Linda Purcell and Shane Hills at Koko Black for the wonderful organisation and delicious chocolate.

Alumni with Rob Miano, RSM Bird Cameron (far right)

Actuarial Alumni career development event2 SeptemberUMAA, the University of Melbourne Actuarial Alumni group, held a career development event in the city on 2 September sponsored by QED Actuarial. Jenny Lyon (Director, QED Actuarial and Editor, Actuary Australia) and Donna Walker (General Manager, CGU Insurance), both very successful business women, spoke to the audience on the topic ‘Managing your career in volatile times’.

UMAA organises a number of events for actuarial alumni from the Faculty - if you would like to join the mailing list for this group and be notified of upcoming events, please let our Alumni Relations Officer know (contact details on back page).

Public Policy Lecture by Professor Ross Garnaut8 SeptemberProfessor Ross Garnaut delivered the 2009 Dept of Economics and MIAESR’s Public Policy Lecture entitled ‘Ideas, the national interest and private interests in public policy: the case of climate change’.

The lecture covered the processes through which the main ideas embodied in the Garnaut Climate Change Review emerged in the period to September 2008. Professor Garnaut discussed pressures from private interests on the policy making process as the government formulated its legislation on climate change mitigation and gave an assessment of the policy outcomes.

An audio recording of the lecture is available online at www.ecom.unimelb.edu.au/faculty/news.html.

Conversation at Masani10 SeptemberAlumna Sally Capp was invited to host a ‘Conversation at Masani’ last month as part of the University’s 2009 series. The series has been organised to provide alumni with the opportunity to take part in an intimate, challenging and thought-provoking conversation with a fellow alumnus in the elegant surrounds of one of Melbourne’s finest Italian restaurants, Masani.

Sally, who is CEO of Committee for Melbourne, talked about current and future challenges Melbourne is facing, particularly in light of the expected population surge. In December last year, the State Government released its policy framework Melbourne @ 5 million, a plan for a polycentric city of the future with six nominated Activities Centres in Box Hill, Broadmeadows, Dandenong, Footscray, Frankston and Ringwood.

Alumni Matters 7

Alumni Refresher Lecture Series

September 2009

Audio recordings of these recent lectures can be downloaded by going to the alumni events news page at www.ecom.unimelb.edu.au/alumni/events.html

Professor Max Corden Lessons from the GFC

Associate Professor Beth Webster What does economics say about intellectual property?

Professor Bryan Lukas Does marketing speak the language of the boardroom?

Professor Paul Kofman Price discovery and regulation in energy derivatives markets – the case of NYMEX, ICE and Amaranth

Associate Professor Leisa Sargent An evidence-based approach to developing your career

Professor Jeff Borland Learning from Australia’s economic historyAlumni enjoying a chocolate-tasting after

the presentation at Koko Black

Page 8: Alumni Maters October 2009

Born in 1927 in the small Victorian town of Kerang, Athol Kelly was one of seven children. His family, Irish immigrants who arrived in Geelong from Tipperary in 1851, made the journey from Inverleigh to settle in Pyramid Hill and establish the (then) colony of Victoria’s first coach-building industry. Growing up in a town with no high school and no opportunity for further education, the odds of being awarded the first Commonwealth Public Service Honours scholarship are slim. But meeting Kelly in person it soon becomes clear that he hasn’t achieved what he has by letting any obstacles stand in his way.

Strong-willed and determined after finishing top of the class at Pyramid State School, Kelly went to live with his grandmother in Kerang with the view of attending the state school opposite her house. His intentions, however, were short-lived. After the nuns caught wind of his plans, he was promptly withdrawn and marched to the catholic school at the far end of town, his father’s advice ringing true: “You never get into trouble for what you don’t say.”

Still searching for an escape from the small town with a population of 4001, Kelly decided that the only refuge would be in the public service. He studied for and passed the Postmaster-General’s Entrance Examination, coming first in Victoria, at the age of 14.

He remembers his first assignment to Echuca, where he had to carry his bike around on his back to avoid getting punctures from the bindii thorns. After further training in Melbourne he became a Morse Code Operator, a telegraph and postal clerk and, by the end of World War II, a Post Master. For 15 years Kelly stayed with the Post Office until, in his own words, he had gone as far as he could go.

Kelly talks passionately about his deep ambition and life-long drive to lift his family from their position: “We had been blacksmiths for 400 years. There is a culture that says, ‘You’re a blacksmith’s son and university is beyond you.’ Now that really, really got to me.”

It was around this time that Kelly, now based in Warragul, was encouraged by a friend, Moya Davine, to stop talking and start acting. The two of them made an appointment to see the Assistant Registrar at the University of Melbourne, Glasson Williams, and together made the trip to the city.

Initially informed that he wouldn’t meet entrance requirements never having been to high school, after much pleading by Moya not to shut the door on him, Glasson relented. “OK, well there is one chance – if he can pass the special English exam we will allow him to get into the university on special grounds.”

The exam Glasson was referring to required one year of study and was held on the first week in February every year. That particular year’s exam was to be held at 2pm that afternoon. Arguing that if he paid the $20 fee he should be allowed to sit the test without the requisite one year’s study, Kelly did sit the test that day and passed.

For Kelly, this opportunity was the beginning of many extended to him by the University, and for which he has been grateful all his working life. “The University gives people opportunities, and people either take that chance or not. The ones who want to do it... their life changes for the better.”

Being embraced by the University equipped only with a willingness to learn made a lasting impression on him. “They gave me a chance to do what I wanted to do, and they didn’t judge me.”

In 1958 Kelly took four years leave without pay from the Postmaster General’s Department and enrolled in the Diploma of Public Administration, later transferring to the Bachelor of Commerce. He has fond memories of his early student days, taking on odd jobs such as cleaning, giving dancing lessons, selling old brass and even mowing the lawn of one of his professors. But student life wasn’t without its struggles.

Back at home, Kelly had a wife, a nurse that he had met while in Warragul Hospital undergoing surgery for a stomach ulcer. The couple had a baby and Kelly took his family responsibilities and financial obligations seriously. But, as he puts it, you just have to manage all your responsibilities.

The University had made a phenomenal impression on him and he was determined to make the best of it. Suffering further serious complications from his ulcer, he was at one stage advised by his specialist to give up his hectic schedule or risk the consequences. Being the first and only member of his family until that point admitted to university was no small feat, and giving it all up was not part of Kelly’s plan.

Academic life also had many surprises. Kelly recounts the look of confusion on Professor Wilfed Prest’s face when he turned up to his office to “borrow his books”, which is where he thought the students got their text books from: “I think he got such a shock he gave me one!”

Interview conducted by Associate Professor Geoff Burrows, Principal Fellow in the Department of Accounting and Business Information Systems

Written by Anthea Barry

When asked about his life’s greatest achievements, former VACC Vice-President Athol Kelly names two – having the chance to go to Melbourne University and his children. With seven daughters, one gets the impression that this is a man who does nothing by half measures. In an interview at his home, Athol shared with us the inspiring story that led to his enrolment as a student in the Faculty fifty years ago and his career since.

Fifty years on:

8 Faculty of Economics and Commerce

Athol Kelly BCom (Hons) 1961

Reflections from an early scholarship recipient

Page 9: Alumni Maters October 2009

Alumni Matters 9

Many of the subject requirements, particularly those involving mathematics, were difficult for Kelly without the groundwork of a high school education. He recalls fondly the help of fellow classmates Bob Gregory2 and Peter Drake3, who have remained life-long friends.

Also on the list of people who influenced his career were Associate Professor Jean Polglaze, Professor William Woodruff and Professor Lou Goldberg. Together they served on a committee which convinced the Commonwealth Public Service Board to award Kelly an honours scholarship, the first of its kind.

He recalls business, economics and banking as his favourite subjects but is quick to downplay his achievements. According to Kelly he did what he had to do to get by and gained an education along the way.

“Before I went to university I was smart, because I was smart trying to survive. But when I left university, the University changed my brain – they had changed my approach to things and they had made me question things, not just for the sake of questioning, but just to test whether those things were true, realisable and fair.”

Graduating with an Honours degree in 1962 was not the end of Kelly’s university days. Former lecturers Associate Professor Jean Polglaze and Professor Richard Downing convinced him to leave the Post Office for good and take a position with the University of New South Wales. For the next two years he worked on establishing the state’s second medical school, which he recalls cost around $300 million.

He then returned to Melbourne and spent the next six years in the pharmacy profession as Registrar of the Victorian Pharmacy College, Secretary of the Pharmaceutical Society of Victoria and finally Registrar of the Pharmacy Board of Victoria.

It was around this time that the VACC (Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce), who represented approximately 10,000 service stations, 800 used car dealers, 500 new car dealers and 400 automotive repairers, was looking to appoint someone to lead the industry. They approached Kelly and he made a decision which he reflects was possibly the worst mistake of his lifetime.

Lured by a salary double his already generous professor’s wage, given a swanky new office on St Kilda Road and handed the keys to a Rolls Royce, he became the Executive Vice President of the VACC and Executive Director of the retail motor industry in Australia for the next five years.

One of his biggest challenges during this period was trying to avoid talking to the press about the VACC’s policy around annual car inspections. Kelly recounts how he was constantly questioned about the policy and always found a way to circumvent a direct response.

He remembers one day in particular when he had left his office against the advice of his assistant to give an interview outside the VACC building on St Kilda Rd. For the first time, he gave his own view on the subject rather than the standard party line, to the delight of the ABC journalist who regularly interviewed him.

“Gotcha! I’m going to run this on all the channels tonight,” he informed Kelly, removing the tape and placing it next to him. After some initial pleading from Kelly, desperation turned to dread and the realisation that he would probably be sacked for his comments. Right at that moment a tall, burly man in overalls came stomping down the footpath and charged straight across the scene of the interview, tape crunching under his feet, pieces of plastic flying everywhere, seemingly unconcerned that he was interrupting the interview of a man he had never heard of.

“Never mind,” said the journalist, “I’ve got another back-up, we’ll do it again.” Needless to say, the broken tape on the footpath contained the last interview he’d ever get out of Kelly.

Another memorable moment with the press came later in 1975 as Kelly was about to be named Civilian Administrator of Norfolk Island, sponsored by Labor MP Gordon Bryant. Out on the golf course on the day of the announcement, he spotted a figure emerge from the trees and dash across the course. Thinking at first he was one of the maintenance team, the figure turned out to be a journalist delivering the blunt message that since the Whitlam government had just been fired, Kelly’s appointment would not be made.

Taking it all in his stride, Kelly moved on to become the Managing Director and Principal of Stott’s College (Melbourne, London, Singapore and Wellington), the director of twelve associated companies and the Head of the School of Business, until his official retirement in 1997.

Unofficially, Kelly is far from retired. He has been running a successful apron-manufacturing business for 10 years. He saw a niche in the market and now runs his business via a website, without the need for any advertising. He also owns a noodle and sushi restaurant, serving about 300 customers a day, and agrees that he is still definitely “a going concern”.

Continued on next page

The 1961 honours year. Back row, left to right: Athol Kelly, Stephen Amos, Graham Little, Associate Professor Jean Polglaze, Bob Gregory, Peter Drake and Barry Goss. Front row, left to right: James Gatehouse, Victor Feehan and Gavin Ford. (Photograph courtesy of Peter Drake and Australian Scholarly Publishing)

Page 10: Alumni Maters October 2009

The courses offer broader, more comprehensive training in a specialised field and the opportunity to gain research experience through a research project. Students must have completed a major in management/marketing or a related discipline in their previous degree.

The new Masters degrees are both 2-year full-time programs. It is ideal for those without work experience wishing to increase their career options.

Professor Bryan Lukas, Head of Department of Management and Marketing, advises: “Management and marketing are very different disciplines

– management is about managing organisations, whereas marketing is about managing markets. To that end we wish to offer students an opportunity to deepen their learning and understanding at the graduate level. At undergraduate level we provide the foundation for the graduate experience.”

“Marketing Metrics is a unique subject in the new Master of Commerce (Marketing) because it focuses on enabling the professional marketer to speak the language of the boardroom, which is the language of finance. This subject will

enable marketing to be accountable for its decisions to executive management. This kind of knowledge allows marketers to move beyond being in charge of ‘balloons and t-shirts’ and to become responsible for driving firm value,” said Professor Lukas.

For further information on the Master of Commerce (Management) please go to www.melbournegsm.unimelb.edu.au/future/management/mcom_mgt.html.

For further information on the Master of Commerce (Marketing) please go to www.melbournegsm.unimelb.edu.au/future/marketing/mcom_mktg.html.

Two new courses in the Department of Management and MarketingTwo new courses, Master of Commerce (Management) and Master of Commerce (Marketing), provide business/commerce graduates with advanced level study in management or marketing on an internationally recognised pathway.

But it is talking about his “thing with the flag” that his cheeky side emerges and this

is clearly something that, although landing him in some trouble over the years, he is passionate about. Kelly played a part in the decision to make green and gold Australia’s official colours, announced by the Governor-General back in 1984.

He has designed a new Australian flag in the colours, arguing that as a nation Australia needs to make its own traditions rather than follow paths not entirely its own.

He admits that being married to a fierce royalist and living among plates and tea towels with the Queen’s image has forced him to take a bit of a back seat, but he does add, “I’m reviving it, but I’m doing

it in a very sneaky way.” If you notice a sticker on the inside of an Australia Post mailbox the next time you post a letter, you’ll know what he is referring to.

Kelly’s earlier antics led him to London in 1983 to be interviewed – together with his flag – by David Frost on the BBC. The 6m x 3m flag had been displayed under the scoreboard at the MCG on three separate occasions during a test between England and Australia, until the police turned up at each match to take it down.

So he is definitely not a man who does things by half measures. Given his time over again, Kelly ponders what he would have done had he not studied Commerce. “I would have liked to have done Law, but you have to be practical, and of course because of my background I would have probably run around the Magistrate’s Courts with a gown on defending everybody and tilting at windmills.”

After a pause he adds, “I’m still tilting at windmills.”

1. Today Pyramid Hill has a population of 500. The main building of the Pyramid Hill and District Historical Society was opened in 1970 by Sir Rohan Delacombe. The local granite foundation stone was donated by Athol Kelly.

2. Professor Bob Gregory is currently Professor of Economics at Australian National University. After graduating from the University of Melbourne he went on to receive a PhD from the London School of Economics. In 1983-84 he held the Chair in Australian Studies at Harvard University. In 1996 Professor Gregory was awarded the Order of Australia Medal.

3. Professor Emeritus Peter Drake was former Vice-Chancellor of The Australian Catholic University (ACU). In 2008 he was awarded the University’s highest honour, Doctor of the University (honoris causa). In 2003 Professor Drake was made a Member of the Order of Australia for service to education, to the study of economics, and to overseas aid delivery.

Athol Kelly continued

10 Faculty of Economics and Commerce

Page 11: Alumni Maters October 2009

Alumni Matters 11

Melbourne GSM Alumni establish pro-bono consulting practiceThe Graduate Consulting Group (GCG) is a not-for-profit organisation that was founded by a group of postgraduate students at the University of Melbourne’s Graduate School of Management. The GCG enables graduate students to work on consulting projects and ensures that not-for-profits have access to the skills, talent and knowledge of highly motivated, educated, professional students of the University of Melbourne – on a pro-bono basis.

The underlying motivation behind this initiative was to enable graduate students to make a difference in the world by assisting active not-for-profit organisations achieve their full potential. Wider community involvement could be combined with leadership opportunities and skills development to deliver tangible results on real world projects. Taking responsibility and ownership on projects not only aims to create great leaders and project managers, but also instils a sense of social responsibility and community.

“Given the increasing prevalence of not-for-profit organisations in Australia, we saw it as an imperative to offer a hand to these causes in our capacity as University

of Melbourne educated students. All of us had the privilege to study at this outstanding University, now we believe it is time to give something back to society,” said Fabian Burmeister.

The Group’s founders hope to expand and offer services to a variety of not-for-profit organisations who are in need and who face a wide range of business problems. To this end, the GCG has

agreed to consult for two not-for-profit organisations – AussieHands Foundation Inc. and Australia Kenyan Charity Organisation (KAO). The Group has been servicing these clients since the beginning of August 2009.

In the long run, the Group’s vision is to become a leading, highly respected pro-bono consulting organisation that aids not-for-profits in shaping and empowering society to create a more sustainable world, while building a co-operative network of socially responsible future business leaders.

The GCG is making a positive difference: for their not-for-profit partners, team members, sponsors and indirectly, the wider community. If you believe their commitment to positive change and personal development is a cause worth supporting – please contact them and get involved!

For more information about the GCG, its projects, and opportunities for individual as well as corporate participation, please send an email to [email protected] or visit their website under www.gcg.org.au.

“Helping organisations that change the lives of hundreds of individuals, whilst developing skills necessary to become socially responsible business leaders – this is what we do.” Fabian Burmeister, GCG Co-Founder and Partner

Co-Founder Shiraj de Silva, with KAO Project Manager, Amrit Wijesuriya

Discounts available for University of Melbourne alumni for CAP subjectsUniversity of Melbourne alumni who wish to enrol in an undergraduate or postgraduate subject through the Community Access Program are eligible for a discount of 20% on the standard fee (applies to subjects taken in both assessed and non-assessed mode).

CAP provides access to hundreds of subjects that will pique your personal interest or assist your career. There are many reasons to enrol in CAP, such as pursuing an interest outside your academic program, exploring a new area of study or career direction, or simply to learn something new.

The Faculty of Economics and Commerce offers a diverse range of subjects for CAP students.

Further information about the program, including the application form, is available online at www.unimelb.edu.au/community/access/index.html.

A step-by-step guide on how to apply for and enrol in CAP can be found at www.unimelb.edu.au/community/access/apply.html.

Queries specific to Economics and Commerce CAP subjects can be directed to [email protected] (undergraduate subjects) or to [email protected] (postgraduate subjects).

Page 12: Alumni Maters October 2009

12 Faculty of Economics and Commerce

Posting innovative solutionsWe have so many enterprising young students studying in the Faculty. Here is an example of what just a couple of them are doing in between lectures and exams!

Living Poster is an innovative new concept to replace traditional posters, labelled a ‘revolutionary marketing solution’. It is produced and marketed by Saxvy, a company set up by Alan Gao (Director) and Hank Yang (Marketing), both current BCom students at the Faculty.

Living Poster is a coin-operated, electronic self-service system offering on-the-spot poster upload via USB. It is quick, easy to use and allows you to tailor your poster display according to your preferences and budget.

The idea first came to Alan last year while sticking up posters for the Chinese debating club – the second time that day – on one of the campus’ many notice boards. According to Alan, there are so many posters vying for space that within a few hours of your poster being up, it is invariably covered by someone else’s:

“You need to replace your posters twice a day if you want them to be seen. It’s a really time-consuming process and I thought to myself that there must be a more efficient way of doing this that saves time, money and paper.”

And there is. Later that day as he was buying a can of coke from a vending machine, the penny dropped. Why not design a self-service vending machine-style electronic poster?

Alan quickly put his ideas together and approached one of his lecturers, Professor Jeff Borland, with his proposal for Living Poster. The idea was taken to Aileen Loi, the Faculty’s general manager, and soon afterwards Alan received the Faculty’s approval to pilot the Living Poster in the Commerce Students Centre.

Alan returned to China over the summer break taking with him an Australian coin counter for the unit and sourcing the rest of the components over there. With the help of Saxvy’s third partner, Raymond, whose background is in industrial design, the first Living Poster was made.

It was finished in February 2009 and all 200kg of it was shipped over to Melbourne in April. On its arrival at the Commerce Students Centre, CaAtherine Meredith from the Student Experience team worked with Alan and Hank on developing the user agreement and interface to make it as simple and user-friendly as possible.

It takes a couple of minutes to load your poster and with a limit of 20 posters a day, each poster is guaranteed visibility. Costing only a couple of dollars a day it is also far more cost-effective than the average paper poster (and kinder to the environment).

Living Poster is currently being promoted through clubs and societies around the University.

“People are used to the habit of paper posters, so we need to encourage a new habit and that will take some time,” says Hank.

He and Alan are full of ideas on developing the concept further, but for now are hopeful that they’ll receive approval to place more machines across campus.

For more information about Living Poster go to the website at www.saxvy.com or have a look at the real thing in the Commerce Students Centre on Level 1 of the ICT Building on Barry Street. Saxvy are currently recruiting technical experts, so if this is for you drop them a line on [email protected].

Pictured left: student Alan Gao, 2nd-year BCom. Future study plans: Master of

Engineering. Pictured right: student: Hank Yang, final year BCom, Majors: Finance and

accounting

Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)

Mr David A Crawford, AO – BCom 1966, LLB 1973

For service to business as a director of public companies, to sport, particularly through the review and restructure of national sporting bodies, and to the community through contributions to arts and educational organisations.

Mr Marten A Syme, OAM – BCom 1964For service to the community and heritage conservation in the Port Fairy region.

Mr Paul L Wheelton, OAM – BCom 1978For service to children and youth through a range of charitable organisations.

We would like to congratulate the following Alumni who were recognised with Queens Birthday Honours in 2009:

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

honours and awards

Page 13: Alumni Maters October 2009

Alumni Matters 13

However, Edmond believes that through such experiences, important lessons about efficient financial strategies can be learned.

He believes that having a good attitude is more important than taking an investment opportunity; that means taking into consideration and being responsible for those around you and not just yourself. He also believes that it is not a particular result that is critical, but the lessons learned from it.

According to Edmond, building a responsible wealth management concept should be taught from an early age. As soon as teenagers start to take responsibility for their own spending, Edmond advises, they should be made aware of three categories of spending: expenses, donations and savings.

Spending on expenses should be kept within reasonable limits, balancing spending with saving to avoid unmanageable debt and to teach patience whilst building up savings. Encouraging the practice of giving teaches the importance of helping others whilst still maintaining personal commitments.

Edmond believes that parents can be the best example of teaching their children smart ways to manage their finances, how to distinguish between investing (long term, less risk) and speculating (short term, higher risk), when to take and when to reject a risk, and that greed can sometimes lead to losing more than is gained.

For the past few years, Edmond has been actively involved in the mentoring programs of several universities in Hong Kong, giving students hands-on problem- solving experience.

His two sons also benefit from real-life examples, learning the value of being responsible with money and cherishing what you have.

In 2007, together with a friend, Edmond set up a charity called the Elderly Community Care Fund. The fund, administered through the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, was established to improve the quality of life of some of the poorest in Hong Kong’s elderly community.

The charity has already provided assistance to over 1000 people, and by increasing awareness amongst government groups and social workers, Edmond hopes that this figure can grow substantially.

Edmond Lee graduated from the Faculty in 1988 and completed a Master of Finance at Hong Kong University in 2006. Prior to joining Société Générale in 2004, he worked with ANZ Bank in Australia and Sun Hung Kai Securities Ltd in Hong Kong, and has nearly 20 years of experience in the financial services industry.

This article contains excerpts from an article originally published in Buddhist Compassion magazine issue 257 (June 2009). Many thanks to Dick Kang Mak (BCom 2008) for his kind assistance in translating the article into English.

Building efficient financial strategiesInternational Spotlight: Edmond Lee (BCom 1988)

Director, Equity Derivatives, Société Générale Corporate & Investment Banking

As a renowned investment strategist and director of one of the world’s top investment banks, Edmond Lee (李錦) has been serving the financial industry for nearly two decades. Like most investors, he has experienced losing all of his savings due to fluctuations in the financial markets.

Improve your degree of market ability The Melbourne GSM offers career entry programs for recent graduates of all disciplines and specialised career development degrees for those seeking to advance their knowledge.

Scholarships are available to local applicants with a grade point average of 75% or higher, for the following programs:

> Master of Management*

> Master of Professional Accounting

> Master of Commerce (Finance)

> Master of Commerce (Management or Marketing)

> Master of Economics

*Specialisations include Accounting, Business Analysis and Systems, Economics, Finance and Marketing.

Visit www.melbgsm.com or email [email protected] to see our full list of courses.

Or speak with us in person at our Graduate Information Session: 6 – 8pm Wednesday 28 October Lecture Theatre 1, Level 1 198 Berkeley Street, Carlton

For enquiries and registration, contact Nooi Chang at [email protected]

Page 14: Alumni Maters October 2009

Melbourne Institute Economics Forum: China and the Global Financial CrisisThe quarterly Melbourne Institute Economics Forum, held at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne on 20 July 2009, discussed China’s huge monetary and fiscal response to the current global financial crisis, and its effects on China’s interaction with the international economy.

Pictured at the Economics Forum, from left: Professor Yiping Huang, Professor of Economics, China Centre of Economic Research, Peking University. Sir Rabbie Namaliu, former Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea (1988 to 1992) and Treasurer and Foreign Minister of PNG (2002 to 2006). Professor Ross Garnaut, Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow and Professorial Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne. Dr Ligang Song, Director of the China Economy and Business Programme, The Australian National University. Professor Xiao Geng, Director of the Brookings-Tsinghua Centre for Public Policy Beijing.

Professor Yiping Huang (Professor of Economics, China Centre of Economic Research, Peking University, and formerly Citibank’s Chief Economist for Asia) spoke on how China’s economic growth is expected to be about 8 per cent over the next two years. He said that 90 per cent of China’s growth now relied on bank lending to the state-owned sector, rather than on the government’s direct fiscal stimulus spending, and that after the end of 2010 China would need to rely on other avenues for growth besides investment. Professor Huang expected that, given the economic problems of the United States, the strong past growth in Chinese exports would fall, and that unemployment would increase, especially within the labour-intensive export sector.

Dr Ligang Song (Director of the China Economy and Business Programme at the Australian National University) said

that China’s economy produces 17 per cent of the global manufacturing output. He outlined that driving forces for this output in China include labour, technology, institutional change and innovation, decentralisation from central government to local government, and rapid urbanisation (now at 35 per cent). Dr Song spoke of how the ageing population is a major challenge.

Professor Ross Garnaut (Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow and Professorial Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne) told the forum that the global banking system could no longer smoothly cover huge trade surpluses in Asia and huge deficits in the West, so Asians would need to spend more and Westerners would need to save more. Professor Garnaut added that as Australia has an important trade relationship with China, we should not focus on annual price negotiations but

should develop structural arrangements such as the development of a “Shanghai commodity market as a place for pricing northeast Asian minerals”.

Also speaking at the forum, Professor Xiao Geng (Director of the Brookings-Tsinghua Centre for Public Policy Beijing) said that many of the largest firms in China are 70 per cent owned by the state. “The state still has tremendous influence on the largest and most important sectors of China’s economy,” he said. Professor Geng added that Chinese household consumption, as a share of China’s GDP, had slumped from 52 per cent to about 40 per cent in the past decade, whilst the corporate sector, led by state-owned companies, and the government had increased their share. The forum was chaired by Mr Tony Cole (Business Leader for Investment Consulting in Asia Pacific, Mercer (Australia) Pty Ltd).

14 Faculty of Economics and Commerce

Page 15: Alumni Maters October 2009

Alumni Matters 15

Mr John D Balmford

Mr Trevor N Bradley

Mr Rick Brazzale

Emeritus Professor Maureen Brunt, AO

Mr Andrew J Butterworth

Mr Lindsay E Byrne

Mr Ross A Cameron

The Hon Alex Chernov AO QC

Mr Chris Dobb

Mr Alan T Douglas

Mr Gregory J Doyle

Mr Patrick F Fitzpatrick

Mr Ronald J Griffin

Mr Peter J Gunn

Mr Brian F Horwood

Prof Emeritus The Hon Joseph E Isaac, AO

Mr Chris Leptos AM

Mrs Helen M Lloyd

Mrs Sheila M Loudon

Mr Stephen J Mason, OAM

Mr Geoffrey K McCalman

Mr John M McMahon

Mr John G Meehan

The Myer Foundation

Mr Jim D Nikolareas

Mr Edwin J Parker

Mr Joseph T Prowse

Professor Emeritus Albert J Robinson

Mr Rohan L Stanton

Mr Selby K Steele, AM

Mr & Mrs Alan G Topp

Miss Lisa Tripodi

Mr Bruce C Weeden

Mr Eric H Welsh

Mr Kevin Wong

Mr Johnson Ching Shion Yip

Donor Roll of Honour

Malcolm James Anderson 6 October 1928 – 31 May 2009

Malcolm Anderson commenced part-time study at the Faculty in 1949 and graduated in 1955 with a BCom degree. His career included appointments to the Decimal Currency Committee of the Victorian Division of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and subsequently several years on the Research Committee. He also worked at the State Savings Bank of Victoria (later the Commonwealth Bank) and retired in 1991.

Malcolm was involved with the Commerce Graduates Association since 1965 and was one of the founders of UMCAS, the Commerce Alumni Society, which was launched in November 1990. He served on the University’s Committee of Convocation until 2005, and was actively involved in University life as an alumnus well into his seventies.

Mal, as he was known to his friends, will be sadly missed by many in the University community.

Noel Joseph Flanagan, AO 25 December 1917 – 14 February 2009Noel Flanagan graduated from the University in 1942 with a BCom degree. The eldest of five children, Noel started his training for the priesthood after finishing school but soon decided that it was not the path for him. He joined the public service in the Postmaster-General’s Department and during this time studied part-time at Melbourne. He joined the RAAF as a Liberator bomber pilot in 1942 and was discharged in 1945, returning to the public service.

For the next three decades, Noel served on the Universities Commission, the Prices Commission, as a private secretary to Arthur Caldwell and Harold Holt, then moved to the Immigration Department, the Public Services Board, the Prime Minister’s Department and finally the Department of the Special Minister of State.

It was in 1974 that he was appointed Director of the Australian War Memorial. Under his directorship for the next eight years, the memorial underwent a huge renewal, sparking more interest and greater visitor numbers than any other cultural institution at that time.

Noel is survived by his wife, Dell, his son, four daughters and their families.

vale

We would like to thank the following people – and also to those who wish to remain anonymous – for their donation and commitment to the future development of the Faculty:

Without the support of our donors the Faculty of Economics and Commerce would not be able to continue delivering the highest standard of education excellence through our extensive scholarship program, state-of-art teaching and learning facilities, and world-class academics.

Page 16: Alumni Maters October 2009

Alumni events

Young Alumni Event ‘Corporate DNA: Woolworths and the TAC’

Speaker: Leon L’Huillier (BCom Hons), Director Woolworths Ltd

Date: Thursday 15 October 2009 Venue: KPMG, Collins Street, MelbourneRSVP: Please register online by following the links from our events page at www.ecom.unimelb.edu.au/alumni/events.html Enquiries: Anthea Barry on 03 8344 2128 or [email protected] Please note that places to this event are limited and your RSVP is essential.

Melbourne Leadership Series, Hong KongSpeakers: Mr Bill Stacey, (MBA 1991), Chairman, Lion Rock Institute

Ms Jackie Wong, (BCom 1995), Director, Global AssociatesMs Jasmine Lu, (MIB 2006), Senior Business Development Manager, Victorian Government Business OfficeMr Gene Tang, (BEng Hons. 1995, BSc 1996), 2010 National President, Junior Chamber of Commerce International Hong KongDate: Thursday 15 October 2009Venue: CPA Australia, 20/F, Tai Yau Building, 181 Johnston Road, WanchaiTime: 7.30pm – 10.00pmRSVP: Online bookings are now open at www.unimelb.edu.au/alumni/leadershipseries/registration

UMCAS 40+ Reunion LuncheonDate: Friday 23 October 2009Time: 12.30 for 1pm start, concluding at 3pmVenue: Upper East Dining Room, University HouseCost: $50 per person (includes 2-course lunch and beverages)Bookings and enquiries: Ms Lorine Barrier 03 8344 2603 or [email protected] The annual UMCAS Reunion Luncheon is open to all alumni who graduated 40 or more years ago.

Public Lectures

Foenander Public Lecture 2009‘What makes for meaningful work in the 21st century: terms, conditions and contexts’

Speaker: Professor Barbara Pocock, University of South Australia

Date: Wednesday 21 October 2009Time: 6:30pmVenue: Theatre A, Elisabeth Murdoch Building, The University of Melbourne RSVPs essential: [email protected] For more information please go to the website at www.managementmarketing.unimelb.edu.au/news/seminars.html

Downing Public Lecture 2009‘Spaghetti unravelled: how income varies with age’ Speaker: Professor Stephen Jenkins, Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex, UK

Date: Thursday 22 October 2009Venue: Copland Theatre, Economics and Commerce Building Time: 6.15pm, refreshments at 7.15pmRSVP and enquiries: Kirby Gagliardi on 03 8344 1848 or at [email protected]

Calendar of events

eCommThe Faculty publishes a bi-monthly electronic newsletter for commerce alumni called eComm. This e-newsletter provides updates, news and information about upcoming events.

All alumni should automatically receive this newsletter. If you have not been receiving it, we may not have your current email address. Please contact us to be added to the mailing list in time for the November 2009 edition.

Previous editions of eComm can be found at: www.ecom.unimelb.edu.au/alumni/e_news.

Contact details and further information: Faculty of Economics and Commerce Advancement UnitLevel 12, 198 Berkeley StreetThe University of Melbourne Victoria 3010 Tel: 03 8344 2603 Fax: 03 8344 2147 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ecom.unimelb.edu.au/alumni

Alumni Matters is edited by Anthea Barry, designed by Sophie Campbell and published by the Faculty of Economics and Commerce with authorisation from the Director, Advancement. Disclaimer: this information was correct at the time of printing. The University reserves the right to make changes as appropriate.

Looking ahead

Alumni events planned for 2010:> 4 Young Alumni events> Annual Reunion Dinner for all

Commerce Alumni (July)> Annual 40+ Reunion Luncheon for

all Alumni who graduated 40 or more years ago (October)

> International alumni events> Alumni Refresher Lecture Series > Actuarial Alumni (UMAA) events

If you have suggestions for events that you would be interested in attending and that you’d like to see us organise, we want to hear from you! Please contact Anthea Barry in Alumni Relations on 03 8344 2128 or [email protected].