MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE 2012

FEATURE ARTICLES Working in Harmony The Architecture of Serendipity Beyond Their Boundaries MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

BRIEFING 2012 CULTURE & SOCIETY

01 From the 16 John Brack’s Vice-Chancellor The Queen Glyn Davis Now on show at the Potter 02 What Melbourne Means to Me 28 Regionalism Alumni Council in Asia Reflections from

04 This Year an ASEAN TV Research, Learning and journalist Teaching, and Engagement 30 The (Ir)relevance ALUMNI COMMUNITY of Wisdom Visiting academic 06 Getting Involved Dr Peter Verhezen Events, reunions, further explains study and volunteering

08 Alumni Voices UNIVERSITY LIFE Books, film, theatre 18 150 Years of Medicine and music Highlights from 09 True Hollywood Story then to now a young graduate’s 31 Cultural Treasures big break Festival 2012 23 A Remarkable Rise Explore fascinating 2012 Young Australian collections 28-29 July of the Year

27 A Piece of the Action Out of the ordinary Olympic experiences Left, Music Mind and Wellbeing’s Professor Neil FEATURES McLachlan playing the percussion instruments 10 Working in Harmony he designed (Glenn Hester A group of musicians and scientists have joined Photography, 2012) forces to revolutionise the role that music plays in society. By Melissa Cranenburgh. Cover, University of 13 The Architecture of Serendipity Melbourne buildings. Top A new wave of research facilities being built in Melbourne’s (L-R) The Spot, the Ian Potter Parkville Precinct are designed to capture good ideas whenever, Museum of Art; Middle (L-R) and wherever, they occur. Newman College, Wilson By Alex Landragin. Hall, Alan Gilbert Building; Bottom (L-R) Queen’s 20 Game Changers College, Newman College, Something of the entrepreneurial spirit is taking hold on campus, Old Arts clock tower. as graduates strike out on their own, across a range of fields. By Kulja Coulston.

24 Beyond Their Boundaries Read the Melbourne Curiosity and a current passport only get you so far – University Magazine an international career demands an international outlook. online at mag.alumni. By Kulja Coulston. unimelb.edu.au

Melbourne University Editor Views expressed by contributors This publication has been printed Magazine are not necessarily endorsed by by Complete Colour an ISO14001 Katherine Loftus the University. environmental management system This magazine is for alumni (BA(Media&Comm) 2004, & ISO9001 quality management and friends of the University of PGDipArts (Edit&Comm) 2006) ISSN: 1442-1349 system certified printer with FSC Melbourne. All correspondence This publication is produced on a (Chain of Custody) certification and relating to the editorial content Design Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Sustainability Victoria Wastewise should be addressed to: Certified paper that is produced Gold certification, printing on an The White Studio at an FSC certified paper mill ecologically rated printing press The Alumni Relations Team www.thewhitestudio.com.au under an ISO 14001 environmental using a chemical recirculation system The University of Melbourne management system, using elemental and produced using vegetable based VIC 3010 Australia ILLUSTRATION chlorine free whitening processes. inks made from renewable resources. This publication is fully recyclable. [email protected] Steph Ransom Please dispose of it wisely. facebook.com/ www.fathomandco.com.au melbourneunialumni linkd.in/pgMWiz Message from the Vice-Chancellor

In future years the University Perhaps even more importantly, The University hopes to stand out even more in our sense of community grows. of Melbourne has the Australian higher education Melbourne alumni from past landscape. Put simply, we seek generations are increasingly always been an to offer the best professional networked and in touch with exciting centre education in the country, at us, around the globe. Last year graduate level, and outstanding I met with alumni at events in for the life of the undergraduate degrees, based London, China, Malaysia and on multidisciplinary learning. Singapore, and many locations mind. Across around Australia. More Meanwhile our research formally, the inaugural Alumni every profession community, tightly woven in Council was elected to give our with this major teaching effort, and discipline, graduates a further, ongoing is forging ahead and continues voice in our community’s affairs. great scholars, to position us as number one among research universities Today, amid a changing great teachers and nationwide. institutional landscape, the University of Melbourne great researchers In so many ways, these are remains devoted to intellectual exciting times. New research excellence. As we seek to have created a infrastructure and teaching become even better at all we precincts are emerging across community that do, our past students have a the University, while innovative vital and continuing role to play shapes the thinking research partnerships are as part of our community. As being formed to solve real- of those who come Vice-Chancellor, I am deeply world problems. grateful for your continuing to learn. interest, involvement and enthusiasm. Glyn Davis Vice-Chancellor

alumni.unimelb.edu.au 1 What Melbourne Means to Me

Greetings to all from wintry To gain a better understanding Greetings to all from Melbourne! I am delighted to of your needs, we are pleased wintry Melbourne! serve as the inaugural President to launch the 2012 Alumni of the Alumni Council and pursue Preferences Survey. This I am delighted our quest to strengthen the important survey gives you to serve as the links and level of engagement an opportunity to tell us what between alumni and our matters to you. The more you inaugural President university. We look forward to tell us, the better we can serve harnessing our collective skills, your interests. What’s more, you of the Alumni to advocating for alumni and could win one of three iPads Council and working to assist the University along the way! to achieve its goals. Using your feedback, the With best wishes pursue our quest I’m pleased to introduce my Council will be working, to strengthening fellow Alumni Council members together with the Alumni Ros Otzen (BA(Hons) 1967, to you, along with their story Relations team to keep you GDipEd 1969, PhD 1987) the links and level about what the University of informed and create an exciting PS Learn more about the of engagement Melbourne means to them. suite of alumni benefits, Council and its activities online As a Council we will lead by services and activities. at alumni.unimelb.edu.au/ between alumni example in sharing our thinking, I encourage you to get-involved/alumni-council networks, and resources complete the survey before and our university. to benefit the Melbourne 1 September 2012. community, comprising students, staff and alumni.

Enrolling at the University in 1960 was Happy memories of laughter in probably the most longed-for and exciting North Court and students lazing on experience of my life to that point – a kind the south lawn; cheers from the oval; of liberation. Aside from the enriching eccentric professors; stunning grounds content of academic subjects, exposure and buildings with a sense of history; to the highest standards of scholarship a desire to learn and endless hours provided inspiration that has guided in the Baillieu Library; and most my life and work. of all, life-long friendships.

David Hill, AO (BA 1964, MA 1975, PhD 1985) Clare Cummins (BCom 1985)

Throwing paper airplanes off the The excitement of signing up for tutorials Old Engineering building; packing at the beginning of the year followed by into the MCG on a Friday night; trams days spent at the Baillieu Library studying that ran on time and trains that didn’t; for exams; the peaceful daily walk along St Kilda Rd littered with leaves in Royal Parade from International House. autumn; buskers competing for your The university was a great multi-cultural loose change at Bourke St mall. place to meet and foster friendships which I l keep till today. James Brooks (BE 2005) Rachel K Teo (BCom 1991, PGDipEco 1992)

Higher education and research are Melbourne Uni helped shape my life. public goods. Along with other tertiary The friendships within my close-knit institutions, the University of Melbourne course endure, and fellow students continues to encourage intellectual across different faculties are still enquiry, and so contributes to the health central to my personal and professional and growth of our society. I hope as networks and supports today. alumni we can advocate for high quality And I met my future wife at Melbourne. tertiary education, available to all So, much to be thankful for. members of society. Joseph Doyle (MBBS 2002, BA(Hons) 2005) Michael Symons (LLB(Hons), BCom, DipArts(Hist) 2006, LLM 2011)

2 Melbourne University Magazine Your Alumni Community

This time last year we were forming the Alumni Council, a body ready to respond to the challenge of representing a large and diverse alumni network.

The August elections were It has never been easier to be Congratulations to all the a success, with over 6,000 part of your alumni community, alumni who have achieved votes cast for 42 candidates. with over 150 events planned great things during the past The Council ushers in a new this year alone including 12 months. From Olympians era of alumni representation, lectures, exhibitions, career and Australia Day and Queen’s with a talented, ambitious development opportunities, Birthday honours recipients; to and dedicated group already alumni forums, and social, arts recipients of major awards and beginning to explore how it can and sporting activities (find scholarships across science, serve the alumni community. out more on page 6). There technology, medical research, I hope you enjoy what’s inside are loads of podcasts and architecture, the arts and the 2012 marks several significant – you’ll find expanded versions video presentations available humanities; your contributions milestones including the of some stories in the online to watch online, opportunities make us proud, and reinforce Melbourne Medical School’s edition at mag.alumni.unimelb. to mentor and host students, the immense talent and impact 150th anniversary, the 40th edu.au and alumni groups to join. that the University community anniversaries of the Ian The Vice-Chancellor invites continues to exert over time. Leonie Boxtel Potter Museum of Art and the your contributions to his blog Director, Alumni Relations Victorian College of the Arts, Finally, my thanks to all who (vcblog.unimelb.edu.au) and the & Communications and the 10th anniversary of the have contributed time, stories Alumni Relations team is keen School of Film and Television. and expertise to this edition. to hear from you (details are on the back cover).

Melbourne University helped shape Melbourne is where creativity merges my career, many of my friendships and with cultural diversity and innovation. professional relationships and my legal It is also a place of possibilities and sector work in Asia. As an alumnus, I achievement, where after a morning have the opportunity to be part of the row along the Yarra, I would head University’s global network and its over to John Medley to fill my head ambitious future, together with three of with information, then meet with my children who are also graduates. classmates over a world-class coffee in the evening. David Laidlaw (LLB 1975) Niki Calastas (MA 2004)

Melbourne University is about Nine of the best years of my life learning and exploring, whether it’s were spent studying at the University talking with a lecturer, or up on the of Melbourne, a thriving metropolis stage of the Union House Theatre, with a dynamic community and culture the choices for inspiration are of its own. My time at Cambridge limitless. What Melbourne means to also taught me how important alumni me is a lifestyle worth living, and most are to the continued growth of a importantly, friends and family for life. university’s community.

Mike Yang (BCom 2005) Misty Jenkins (BSc(Hons) 2001, PhD 2007)

University opened the door to my Exciting academic stimulation, college career as an educator, and to lifelong life, a rich clinical learning environment friendships and connections. Always in and the development of lifelong love with learning, I saturated myself in friendships define what Melbourne knowledge in several fields, especially means to me. A career in predominantly Australian history. I thank Geoffrey clinical private practice was set-up Blainey and Lloyd Robson for inspiring by my Melbourne experience and my a thirst for our own stories, which I still connection continues and evolves. indulge in exploring. Jennifer Stillman (BVSc(Hons) 1984, Ros Otzen (BA(Hons) 1967, GDipEd 1969, MVSc 1992) PhD 1987)

alumni.unimelb.edu.au 3 THIS YEAR

Research Learning and Teaching

Professor Professor James McCluskey Pip Pattison Deputy BSc(Hons) 1973 PhD Arts 1980 Vice-Chancellor Deputy (Research) Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

The University has a rich history of pioneering 2011 marked a major milestone for the research and technological development and we University and graduate education in Australia. remain at the forefront of innovation in Australia. We welcomed the first intake of students to new

In 2011 the University confirmed its position as a research masters-level programs designed for entry into leader both nationally and in the global arena. Early in 2011 the professional fields. Excellence in Research for Australia results rated over 99 per cent of Melbourne’s research as at or above world standard. The New degrees in Medicine, Dental Surgery, Optometry, University of Melbourne’s research was found to account for an Physiotherapy, Veterinary Medicine and Engineering joined astonishing 18 per cent of all Australian research output classified masters-level programs in Law, Teaching, Architecture and other as well above world standard. professional fields. As anticipated, over 60 per cent of the 2010 graduates of the new bachelor degrees proceeded to further study Higher education institutions around the world are coming to the in 2011. A number of the new programs have already gained realisation that many of society’s most difficult problems cannot important forms of national and international accreditation, and in be addressed within single fields of endeavour. The depth of 2011 the Engineering program gained EUR-ACE accreditation at talented researchers across the sciences, arts, and social sciences Masters level, offering recognition for graduates as professional is one of the globally recognised strengths of this University, engineers throughout continental Europe. as are our strong and valued affiliations with external research, community, industry and government organisations, each of which New developments in higher education are emerging at a rapid brings additional richness to our research community. rate, and the 2011 Provost Summit provided an opportunity for new Director of eLearning Associate Professor Gregor Kennedy to Research at this University takes many different forms and lead a vigorous discussion with academic staff on emerging trends impacts on lives in many different ways: from breakthrough and possibilities in the use of technology in higher education. discoveries in immunology and astrophysics to authoritative evidence-based contributions to government policy in fields such The Leaders in Medical Education (LIME) Network project was as law, education, economics; partnership-applied research with awarded the inaugural Rio Tinto Innovation and Excellence Award commercial and industry partners; and creative contributions to in recognition of its exceptional support of Indigenous curriculum the national cultural sphere. development and teaching, and the Vice-Chancellor’s Colloquium celebrated outstanding teaching staff recognised by the The sheer quantity of life-sciences research facilities, institutes, Australian Learning and Teaching Council. researchers, fellows and postgraduate students in the Parkville Precinct and surrounds, and the comprehensive breadth of It was heartening to observe the growth and success of the bioscience disciplines, are without parallel in the southern Alumni Welcome to Melbourne program, which, in its third year hemisphere and one of the very few such concentrations of has experienced a five-fold increase in the number of students research excellence worldwide. Complementing the Parkville and hosts wanting to take part. The program aims to enrich the Precinct are emerging new precincts in the physical sciences, Melbourne experience for newly arrived AusAID scholarship the social sciences, and the creative and performing arts in the students by pairing them with an alumnus host for a home-cooked strategically located Southbank arts hub. meal. The University expended $767.5 million on research activities in Our students continue to embrace opportunities to enrich 2010, with approximately $355 million of this coming from various communities near and far. In January Engineering student Marita external funding sources, including state and federal government, Cheng was named the 2012 Young Australian of the Year for her industry, donors and international support. We received the work on Robogals, and in 2011 the Fotoholics Photography Club highest amount nationally from the Australian Research Council in collaboration with the Student Ambassador Leadership Program (ARC) in Discovery Project Grants ($37.6 million), and the second (SALP) showed their support for the Loddon Shire in Victoria, highest nationally in National Health and Medical Research Council which was devastated by flooding in early 2011. (NHMRC) Project Grants ($52.6 million). Back on campus, the redevelopment of the Baillieu and Giblin Excellence in research forms a key part of our identity and Eunson libraries and the creation of new student centres and competitive edge in the higher education sector, and this is learning spaces transformed the look and feel of the University. reflected also in the achievements of our affiliated institutions. These improvements will equip our future students with the tools and environment to achieve their best in years to come. Maintaining this tradition, and further lifting our research quality, is a major aspiration for the University.

4 Melbourne University Magazine In brief

New Provost and Dean The University welcomed 2012 with two senior appointments: former Australian Research Council CEO Professor Margaret Shiel as the University’s Engagement third Provost; and Professor Paul Kofman, who commenced his role as the 30th Dean Professor of the Faculty of Business and Economics. Sue Elliot MB BS 1982 MD 1992 Deputy Thank you to volunteers Vice-Chancellor Over 1,500 alumni volunteered June 2011-June (Engagement) 2012 as speakers at events, mentors, Welcome to Melbourne hosts and Committee members. Recently I have witnessed some of the most remarkable, impactful and transformational activities taking place across the University in A More Sustainable teaching and learning, research and engagement. Melbourne Activities that continue to attract excellent Opened in April 2012, the Campus Sustainability students, produce globally aware citizens and Centre will showcase research and inform and contribute positively to the community: activities engage on all aspects of sustainability, including initiatives around the use of Fair Trade products which, in 2011, helped the University to extend on campus, and water and energy reduction. and develop its international outlook.

Global interest in our new generation degrees grew, with a 24 per cent increase in international graduate coursework students accepting a place at the University and a 27 per cent increase in Reputation Best international research higher degree students. Among these, 85 different nationalities were represented, seven more than in 2010. in Australia In March 2012 the University of Melbourne was At the same time, we continued to be a leader in outbound mobility, sending more students to study abroad than any other Australian ranked 43rd in the world in the second Times Higher university. The development of innovative programs such as Education World Reputation Rankings, two places Travelling Studios and the Global Business Practicums coupled up from last year’s inaugural rankings. The University with enhanced opportunities in existing programs resulted in a 41 per cent increase in student participation. And while inbound remains top in Australia and Oceania, and 37th study abroad and exchange remained steady, we saw an increase overall in the Times’ annual World University Rankings. in numbers of students from Asia and Europe. Meanwhile, back on campus, students were treated to a number of multicultural events including the launch of the Global Interdependence Movement and the Global Perspectives Summit. Donations Continue to Rise The wider community was invited to participate in the second biannual Festival of Ideas. Investigating the theme ‘The Pursuit The University raised $32.63 million in philanthropic of Identity,’ the Festival recorded 8,000 attendees with a further income in 2011, and the total number of donors 6,000 streaming online from 15 countries. increased by 16% on the previous year. The Australia India Institute (AII) presented two successful international conferences for the year; the first in Melbourne and the second in Kolkata, India. Both featured prominent speakers including Indian Parliamentarian the Hon. Dr Shashi Tharoor, and Justice Markandey Katju from the Indian Press Council. New Collaboration Still in India, the India-Australia Collaboration in Community Mental and Partnership Health was established, to address the current treatment gap in In May this year, the University entered into a mental illness. The project will draw on technical expertise from strategic collaboration with the CSIRO, tasked Asia-Australia Mental Health, a consortium of the University’s with developing research projects to address Department of Psychiatry, Asialink and St Vincent’s Health, and delivered in partnership with the AII. a number of ‘wicked problems’ identified by the Federal Government. In 2011 the University signed These examples provide a mere glimpse of the impressive an MOU with the Universidade Nacional Timor work coming out of the University in 2011. Lorosa’e (UNTL) as part of its strategy to To find out more, I invite you to visit the Engagement website strengthen engagement with Timor-Leste. at engagement.unimelb.edu.au

alumni.unimelb.edu.au 5 GetTING What Matters? involved Your views matter to us. Complete the alumni survey at survey.alumni. unimelb.edu.au You could win an iPad too.

Worldwide network Of the 288,000+ alumni worldwide, 36,000 live and work overseas, spread over more than 140 countries.

Explore the Wonders of Ancient Mesopotamia – on us!

The Melbourne Museum’s latest exhibition On Sunday 26 August from brings together stunning artefacts from one 8.30 - 10.30am, alumni receive free of the world’s great ancient civilisations. The and exclusive entry to the exhibition Wonders of Ancient Mesopotamia explores and themed activities. an era of extraordinary invention and Secure your tickets at Full events innovation, and features many pieces from alumni.online.unimelb.edu.au/ 100s of events, the world famous Middle East collection MuseumVicAug2012 worldwide, year- of the British Museum. or call the Alumni Relations round. View the team on +61 3 8344 1746 full listing at alumni.online. unimelb.edu.au www

Expand your network Engage with fellow alumni University Open Day Alumni Reunions – when’s yours? through the Alumni Facebook For alumni with school-aged children or Reconnect with friends and staff, revisit page or build your profess- those considering further study themselves, your old campus, and get an up-close ional network by joining one Open Day on Sunday 19 August is a great look at how the University has changed of our LinkedIn groups way to explore what’s on offer in 2013. since you left. To see if you have a reunion (includingV www North America and A visit to the Parkville and Southbank coming up or to get involved, visit Asia-Pacific region groups). campuses will also highlight the many alumni.online.unimelb.edu.au/reunions Start networking at upgrades to facilities.More information or call the Alumni Relations team on alumni.unimelb.edu.au/ online at openday.unimelb.edu.au +61 3 8344 1746 my-network/social-mediawww

6 Melbourne University Magazine

V

V Below, Alumnae hosts Katherine and Virginia Loftus (MBBS 2004, MGPP 2011) with AusAID scholarship student Dr Philippe Tache at the launch of the 2012 program. (Fotoholics, 2012)

Fast-track your career Network with like-minded people, establish industry connections and map your career opportunities.

Visit unimelb.edu.au/ alumni/leadershipseries to find out about events held in Melbourne, Beijing, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai and Singapore.

Alumni Welcome to Melbourne Program

If you’ve ever started life in a new city, or just passed Take part at alumni. through on your travels, you’ll know the impact a local unimelb.edu.au/get- connection can have on your experience: the difference involved/volunteering/ between scratching the surface of a new city and feeling welcome-melbourne at home in the community. or call the Alumni Relations team on Many alumni have signed-up to host an international +61 3 8344 1746 AusAID student and help them get settled in their new surrounds. All you need to do is ask them over for dinner – it’s a small amount of effort, but it means a lot to new students.

www Illuminate your intellect Continue learning at the University of Melbourne. Access thousands of online journals and databases, view lecture www A little can podcasts, listen to audio interviews and go a long way enrol in discounted single subject study. Your time, talent or treasure Find everythingV you need to know at can have an impact on others, alumni.unimelb.edu.au/benefits-services wherever in the world you might be. Get involved by mentoring students, wwwjoining your local alumni association, or by briefing new international students in V your home country. Get involved at alumni.unimelb.edu.au/get- involved/welcome-melbourne

18,000 V Get involved 18,000 alumni got involved between 2011-12. facebook.com/ melbourneunialumni

linkd.in/pgMWiz

alumni.unimelb.edu.au 7

www

V ALUMNI VOICES

BOOKS THEATRE

The Encyclopedia of & DANCE Australian Architecture edited by Professor The Histrionic, Philip Goad and by Daniel Schlusser Associate Professor Director Daniel Schlusser Julie Willis (Cambridge (MDramArt Direction 2011) University Press, 2012) shaped this wry drama at Professor Goad (BArch(Hons) the Malthouse around the Above, Helen Morse and Gerard Van Dyck 1984, PhD 1993) and protean genius of Bille Brown, in KAGE’s Sundowner (Jeff Busby, 2012) Associate Professor Willis (BPD while the inimitable Barry 1989, BArch(Hons) 1992, Otto’s beleaguered innkeeper attempts to meet some BPD(Arch) 1992, PhD 1997) Symphony No. 2 – absurd demands. bring together a wealth of new Music Double Planet, by scholarship on the history of KAGE Physical Theatre Affectations, Dr Stuart Greenbaum Australian architecture. – Sundowner, by Kate by Andrea Keller Dr Stuart Greenbaum’s Engineer to Marvellous Denborough and (BMus(Hons) 1988, MMus Gerard van Dyck Andrea Keller (BMus Perf(Hons) Melbourne: The 2001) composed the winner 1992, PhD 2000) symphony Life and Times of KAGE creative directors Kate of the Jazz Work of the Year received its premiere when William Thwaites by Denborough (BDance 1994) category at the 2012 Art performed by the University Dr Robert D La Nauze and Gerard van Dyck (BDance Music Awards. of Melbourne Orchestra at (Australian Scholarly 1995) produced a major work the Melbourne Recital Centre Publishing, 2012) combining dance, drama Gardener of Time in May 2012. (Toki no entei), Dr La Nauze (BE(ChemEng) and original composition to reflect the experiences by Professor Art 1968, PhD 1973) provides Barry Conyngham a compelling account of the and frustrations of younger onset dementia. The Knitted Works evolution of Melbourne’s Professor Conyngham’s 2004-2011, by Kate Just water and sewerage systems, (DMus 1979) symphonic tribute focusing on the life of Film & Television to Hiroyuki Iwaki (1932-2006) Artist and VCA lecturer engineer William Thwaites. had its World Premiere when Kate Just’s (BFA 2002) tactile Lemonade Stand, performed by the Melbourne sculptures and installations Kinglake-350 by Alethea Jones Symphony Orchestra at were exhibited at the by Adrian Hyland This year’s winning Tropfest film the Melbourne Town Hall Ararat Regional Art Gallery (Text Publishing, 2011) was directed by Alethea Jones in November 2011. throughout Winter 2012. Three years after the worst (BFTV 2007), written by and Moments in Time, Fairy Tales, starred Tim Potter (BA 2004, bushfire disaster in Australian by Alex Pertout and Monsters and the BDramArt 2007), and produced history, Adrian Hyland (BA Nilusha Baeder Genetic Imagination, by alumnus Julian Costanzo. 1976) has woven together by Patricia Piccinini events from Black Saturday Percussionist Alex Pertout to explore the consequences Partisan, (DipArts Music 1983) and VCA alumna Patricia Piccinini of a terrifying event on family, by Ariel Kleiman vocalist Nilusha Baeder contributed works depicting community and country life. Alumnus Ariel Kleiman has (BFineArt 1997, BMusPerf humanlike, animal or hybrid been honoured with a Mahindra 2004, GDipEd 2007) have creatures to this North All That I Am Global Filmmaking Award released a new contemporary American exhibition, which was by Anna Funder for his feature screenplay jazz album. Inspired by the lore, psychology, (Penguin Aus. 2011) Partisan, as part of the 2012 ethics and visions of the future Making Mirrors, Sundance Film Festival. To be of science and science fiction. Based on real people and by Gotye (a.k.a. produced by Warp Film under real events, Anna Funder’s Wally de Backer) (BA(Hons) 1988, LLB(Hons) Kleiman’s direction. Fashion 1991, MA(CrWrtg) 2002) Gotye (BA 2002) topped the Alumnus becomes new first novel is a moving account ‘Big Ideas’, by Waleed Aly Australian, New Zealand, Qantas fashion designer of the risks and sacrifices Waleed Aly (BE(ChemEng) Belgian, Dutch, German and people make for the sake of (Hons), LLB(Hons) 2002) hosts UK music charts with his single Paris-based fashion designer their beliefs. All That I Am ‘Big Ideas’, which debates Somebody That I Used to Know, and alumnus Martin Grant was named the ABIA Book of intellectual, political, cultural and then became the first will design the new Qantas the Year 2012, winner of the and economic issues in Australian in 12 years to hit uniforms. He is one of only Barbara Jefferis Award 2012, Australia on ABC1 and #1 on the US Billboard chart – two Australian members in and shortlisted for the Miles ABC News 24. one of only five Australian the Federation Francaise de Franklin Award 2012. artists to do so, ever. la Couture – the French fashion industry governing body.

8 Melbourne University Magazine whatever comes your way, whatever is required of you to make the scene work, to tell the story.” Debicki’s love for acting runs deep. Her enrolment at the VCA in 2008 – where she was awarded the Richard Pratt Bursary for outstanding acting students in the second year of study in 2009 – followed a childhood marked by a love of theatre, dance and music. Born in Paris, she moved with her family to Australia when she was five. She learnt to dance from a young age and fell in love with the stories of classical ballet, which she cites as having a profound effect on her as a person and an actor. She recalls going to see The Australian Ballet’s performance of Giselle, which would become a favourite. “I was obsessed with the performers who danced the part of the Willis, the dead lovers who have died from broken hearts. I suppose that’s a little macabre but it’s a brilliant, epic idea made manifest in white tutus.” Being onstage “always felt natural and the most inspiring place”, but as she matured, Debicki’s interest shifted increasingly toward the theatre and the power of the live performance. “There is nothing like the electricity that can be generated in the theatre,” she urges. She recalls her time at the VCA with great fondness and credits the teaching staff with nurturing and shaping her career in a positive True direction. “VCA drama was my home for three years,” she says. “I was taught by some incredible teachers, experienced so many varied styles of Hollywood theatre training. I was surrounded by amazing, interesting people and took in so much new information every day. It was a very solid, diverse training, I am very grateful for my Story experiences at VCA. “As Tanya Gerstle (MDramArt 2008) said to my company early on in our training, everything is Few recent drama graduates could boast information, everything and everyone has an Barely a year receiving an invitation to audition from legendary effect on you when you are in a state of learning after graduating Australian director Baz Luhrmann. Even fewer and training.” could lay claim to being cast for the part. For It’s a mantra she has applied to her short but from the VCA, 21-year-old Melbourne actress and Victorian extremely active career since. Whether it was Elizabeth Debicki College of the Arts (VCA) alumna Elizabeth making her filmic debut in the role of Maureen in Debicki, it’s an experience that she is unlikely the Australian-British comedy A Few Best Men (BDramArt (2010)) to forget. (2012), or working alongside DiCaprio, Maguire landed a major Indeed, cast in the role of Jordan Baker for and the like in The Great Gatsby (to be released Luhrmann’s Hollywood remake of F. Scott internationally late this year), it has all been part Hollywood role Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby in early 2011 – of a wider education. in Baz Luhrmann’s alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, “Of course, I had never worked on anything of Carry Mulligan and fellow Australians Joel that scale before Gatsby,” she says. “It was an remake of The Edgerton and Isla Fischer – Debicki’s rise to incredible learning experience and there was a lot film’s biggest stage has been more rapid than of wisdom to be reaped from everybody I worked Great Gatsby. even she could have imagined. with on the film. By Dan Rule. “I sent in a tape from Australia and, as with most “I was very blessed to work and spend time with auditions, tried not to think about it after that,” such an incredible cast.” she recalls. “I received a phone call about a month later, telling me that Baz would like me to test for But while acquiring knowledge at large is the part of Jordan. I flew to LA and auditioned in fundamental to any field or craft, her advice to the flesh, and flew home straight after. fellow VCA students centres on an area a little closer to home. “It was very, very surreal, and with the amount of adrenaline pumping through my veins I’m “Nobody can be you, think like you, sound or surprised I remember any of it at all.” dance like you,” she urges. “Sometimes I think as students we can get caught up trying to Currently based in Los Angeles, Debicki describes emulate…but the most powerful thing you have the experience as a ‘whirlwind’ befitting a ‘more to offer your art form is your individual self.” than ample learning curve. “You cannot prepare for the unknown,” she says. “You can work on The Great Gatsby is released internationally technical things as an actor – dialect, research in late 2012 and will debut in Australia in 2013. of the period – but that is all textbook stuff in a Watch the trailer online at mag.alumni.unimelb. way. When you get on set, it all sort of flies away edu.au and you learn to be in the moment and work with

alumni.unimelb.edu.au 9 Working in Harmony

10 Melbourne University Magazine A group of musicians and scientists have joined forces to revolutionise the role that music plays in society. By Melissa Cranenburgh.

Tim Adam sits in the sun-filled dining room of his home in Melbourne’s leafy east, slowly explaining the connection between singing and learning how to speak again. Talking still requires some concentration, but his voice is clear and – for the most part – he gets his point across. His wife Julie sits beside him, politely offering extra information when Tim falters.

Music is a very good way to look after your mental health … And it’s a very natural way of doing it.

Twenty-two months ago, Tim – a personal injury lawyer who specialised in cases of acquired brain injury – had a stroke. In his gentle, accepting manner, he Above, Tim Adams at home (Melissa Cranenburgh, 2012) acknowledges the irony. “For the first few days, it was He now sings as part of the And while scientists have touch and go,” he explains. He Aphasic Choir, who meet – and known since the 1970s that survived; his speech didn’t. sing – every week. Skill levels Within just eight singing can help in the recovery vary among the participants: weeks, Tim had of language after a stroke, After more than a year of some can sing, but can’t speak. already experienced how or why such ‘neuroplastic’ perseverance, Tim managed Those who can’t do either still change happens is what to regain considerable a measurable try to hum along. improvement in Merrett, under the supervision speaking ability. “Nothing like of Associate Professor Sarah Not only does singing help he is now,” says Julie. “More his speech. And his Wilson, is examining. like, individual words.” with his speech, Tim really brain scans – taken enjoys the choir, and seems before and after the Tim Adam has become one Last year, through a friend, animated when he discusses of a number people caught he heard of a study by PhD it. Even remembering the therapy – had started up in a revolutionary new way candidate Dawn Merrett. It song lyrics doesn’t present a to ‘light up’ in areas of looking at the intersection involved a singing program for problem. To demonstrate, he more associated of music, neuroscience and patients with specific types sings a phrase from the Everly social science. The project of speech loss – or aphasia. with speech patterns Brothers ‘Bye, Bye, Love’ – “It’s in a ‘normal’ brain. is a truly interdisciplinary Tim signed up. all there in my vast knowledge collaboration between the As well as regularly meeting of ... songs,” he says. Melbourne Conservatorium with Dawn to go through of Music, the School of Julie laughs, “Of course, a lot Unlike the image of a man Psychological Sciences and specially designed singing of the songs [the choir sings] exercises, Tim also diligently painfully struggling to make the Melbourne Neuroscience are all very well known”. But, she small gains, for Tim singing Institute at the University practised for one hour a night. says, contrary to expectation, Within just eight weeks, Tim therapy seems to offer a of Melbourne. choir members have also shown genuinely uplifting experience. had already experienced a they can learn new songs. It’s known simply as Music, measurable improvement in his Mind and Wellbeing. » speech. And his brain scans – taken before and after the therapy – had started to ‘light up’ in areas more associated with speech patterns in a Notes From a Pioneer In the late 1970s, Veronica Cosgrove (BMus(Perf) 1982) ‘normal’ brain. found herself at the leading edge of a new area of study: Music Therapy. Read about her experience online at mag.alumni.unimelb.edu.au

alumni.unimelb.edu.au 11 Associate Professor Sarah Wilson had always dreamed of using science to help musicians improve their craft.

“How can we use science to inform high-calibre musicians to practise better and play better and perform better?” Wilson explains. At first the professor in clinical neuropsychology – now director of Music, Mind and Wellbeing – envisaged something like a musical equivalent of the Australian Institute of Sport. But after working with Associate Professor Neil McLachlan, Wilson’s vision of this ‘institute’ began to of Music – applied for, and won, Above, Neil McLachlan (Glenn Hester Photography, 2012) broaden. McLachlan, a scientist an interdisciplinary research and musician who had spent grant. Music, Mind and many years working in various Wellbeing was born. musical world. As a self-taught community. And that’s what community settings, was also musician, he became interested the music’s about.” interested in the scientific Now, the Music, Mind and in different – non-Western – approach to music. But Wellbeing initiative is examining Because this music is based approaches to learning music. McLachlan didn’t just want to things as diverse as how on percussion, says McLachlan, help great musicians get better; music can help kids do better After graduating with a PhD you don’t need the fine motor his dream was to make music academically, how music (in physics) he became involved skills to play it straight away. accessible to everyone. can be taught so that more in a music and dance ensemble McLachlan has now patented a people want to learn it, how that borrowed Indonesian, The ball was rolling. Pretty soon number of instruments, and one elite musicians can overcome African and Indian performance the idea had become visionary. has even found its place in pop performance anxiety, and more practices – but developed their Why not try to extend an culture: “Gotye actually has one broadly, why is music central to own instruments and content. understanding of the value of of my instruments,” he reveals. human life? At the same time the troupe music throughout society. But he continues to work on was applying the latest Wilson has another parallel from Associate professor funding to get the instruments the sports arena: “You know Neil McLachlan is into broader circulation. rehabilitating the if you think about the Auskick In collaboration with image of the humble model ... the families go down Associate Professor Wilson, percussion instrument. to the oval, the kids play, but You know if you McLachlan has also worked everyone’s down there and In 2001, McLachlan, along think about the on a neuroscience study into everyone’s involved, and they’re with Anton Hassel, launched Auskick model ... the recognition of pitch. In involved from a young age ...” a unique art installation. the families go down the study, Western trained musicians unfamiliar with the And just as sport is a nuanced Dubbed ‘the Federation Bells’, to the oval, the kids it’s a sound-sculpture/carillon instrument were asked to find activity, so too is music. There play, but everyone’s is much benefit to be gained comprising 39 large, upturned the pitch of an Indonesian from a musical society. Not bells played with computer- down there and gamelan, which sounds least in terms of general controlled hammers. But the everyone’s involved, dissonant to Western ears. wellbeing. “Music is a very good bells are much more than and they’re involved Western musicians trained in gamelan were also asked to way to look after your mental mere novelty; they are the first from a young age ... health,” says Wilson. “And it’s a percussive instruments to have gauge the pitch. very natural way of doing it.” harmonic overtones. The results? The gamelan The next crucial step in the McLachlan has since trained musicians found the project’s evolution was the extrapolated the idea of pitch accurately, the musicians appointment of Professor harmonic bells to some new theories about harmony unfamiliar with the instrument Gary McPherson as head of the instrument prototypes. The and ‘music cognition’. could not. It proved that pitch Conservatorium. McPherson benefit? Anyone should find was not ‘innate’. It was learned. “We were exploring the potential happens to have a social- these easy to play. Moreover, of music based on science ... McLachlan explains: “What we science background, so the these instruments can allow as a way of integrating a range are actually finding from our idea of a meeting of minds beginner musicians to skip of different musical cultures,” neuroscience research is that, across disciplines was not straight to one of the more McLachlan explains. unless people actually engage a foreign concept. enjoyable musical experiences: with making music, they don’t playing as part of a harmonious “Over that period of time So the fledgling group – whose understand music ... We’re ensemble; something that with I refined a series of approaches founding members also include presenting a very radical new more complicated instruments to music education, which the Head of the National Music understanding of how Western and music notation would take are very different from the Therapy Research Institute music works.” years of practice. traditional music education Professor Denise Grocke system. Because in all of For more information (MMus 1987, PhD 1999) McLachlan’s ideas on shaking those countries, particularly about the Music, Mind and and Dr Katrina McFerran (BMus up how music is taught come in in Indonesia and Africa, you Wellbeing initiative visit (Hons) 1993, PhD 2002) from part from the fact that he has have really high engagement cmmw.unimelb.edu.au. the Melbourne Conservatorium always been an “outsider” in the levels in music making in the

12 Melbourne University Magazine The Architecture of Serendipity

Opened in October 2011, the Melbourne Brain The walls of the lounges are covered in a markable It can happen while Centre embodies this new way of promoting surface so that two researchers talking about you’re sleeping, innovation in research. The Centre, dedicated their work can jot their thoughts down without to neurological research, is the first of three having to interrupt the flow by hunting for pen while you’re cooking landmark additions to Melbourne’s biomedical and pencil. Every Tuesday, an auditorium hosts a or at the gym, or cluster known as the Parkville Precinct. The Peter series of seminars where researchers update their Doherty Institute will open in 2014 and specialise colleagues of their findings. Lectures from visiting while you’re chatting in immunological research, while the Victorian researchers are held from time to time, as are Comprehensive Cancer Centre will open in 2016. seminars for the public. with a colleague. Then there’s the Bio21 Molecular Science and Of course, collaboration in medicine is nothing Biotechnology Institute, which opened in 2005 A good idea can new. The teaching side of medicine has long and consists of 21 member organisations. All of been characterised by collaboration between arrive at any these research institutes have been and are being universities and teaching hospitals. Medical developed with collaboration in mind. moment. It’s why a students go to university to learn the theory, The Melbourne Brain Centre, also known as but the practical side of a medical student’s new wave of research the Kenneth Myer Building, takes the aim of training has long been provided by large teaching facilities being built capturing the spontaneous good idea to lengths hospitals. The three major hospitals in the rarely seen in the architecture of the University. Parkville Precinct – the Royal Melbourne, the in Melbourne’s The design principles that have gone into the Royal Women’s and the Royal Children’s – are all building champion qualities such as openness teaching hospitals, as is nearby St Vincent’s. Parkville Precinct and collaboration: there are tearooms, cafés and But research has traditionally been conducted by lounges positioned throughout the building, while are designed to university departments and institutes – including laboratories are no longer the partitioned rabbit internationally recognised institutes such as the capture good ideas warrens of years gone by but wide open spaces Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and the Howard where equipment and conversation can be shared. Florey Institute – working in isolation from one whenever, and According to Design Director Neil Appleton, from another. This has tended to ‘silo’ research findings architecture firm Lyons, “The idea that staff can wherever, they occur. for a time, limiting the capacity for cross- easily bump into each other during the usual fertilisation of ideas and learnings. By Alex Landragin course of the work day has been considered deeply » (BA(Hons) 1995, in the design. Locating shared facilities centrally, as well as near circulation stairs, ensures that Above, Negative of the University and surrounding MA(CrWrtg) 2004). staff from different areas within the building can section from James Kearney’s 1855 Map of access each other either formally or informally – Melbourne and Suburbs, Lands Department roll lots of interaction is promoted by the design.” plan 18 (University of Melbourne, 2012)

alumni.unimelb.edu.au 13 Johnson’s analysis of innovative thinking highlights the importance of creating the best possible conditions for an idea to hatch. Sometimes, he says, the idea is decades in the making, and emerges as the result of a combination of intuitive and serendipitous forces – even, as in the case of the University of Melbourne graduate and Nobel laureate Sir John Eccles (MBBS 1925, LLD 1965), in the form of a dream. “In 1947,” Eccles was later to remember, “I developed an electrical theory of synaptic inhibitory action which conformed with all the available experimental evidence. Incidentally this theory came to me in a dream. On awakening … I kept myself awake for an hour or so going over every aspect of the dream, and found it fitted all experimental evidence.” Johnson explains this highly intuitive kind of innovation is influencing architects and designers: “This is why a growing number of large organisations – businesses, nonprofits, schools, government agencies – have begun experimenting with work environments that encourage the architecture of serendipity.” The “architecture of serendipity” is a long way from the University’s founding architectural Above, Dr Ben Emery inside the The Parkville Precinct is part of a new wave principles. While the University positions itself Melbourne Brain Centre (Glenn of thinking about research and innovation that nowadays as a key part of the city’s geographic Hester Photography, 2012) pushes collaboration to a whole new level. The and intellectual fabric, back then it favoured Melbourne Brain Centre brings together student an architecture of serenity. When Melbourne and postgraduate researchers from the University University was founded in 1853, the University of Melbourne, the Howard Florey Institute and the grounds fell outside the northern urban boundary Mental Health Research Institute. They work on of the young city, then in the first full flush of the their own projects, but it’s hoped that by sharing Gold Rush, one of the most spectacular mining equipment and laboratory space the work each booms the world had seen. The University of team does will connect with those of other teams, Melbourne’s first building, now known as the Old leading to breakthroughs that would not have Arts Building, was based on English university been possible if teams were working in isolation. architecture and built with teaching, not research, Dr Ben Emery (BSc 2000, PhD 2005) is in mind. The scholastic tradition inherited from a senior research fellow at the Melbourne Britain was itself derived from the medieval Brain Centre. He leads a team of half a dozen monastic tradition. The emphasis was on creating researchers, part of a larger team of about a peaceful environment where learning could 30 researchers deepening our understanding proceed unhindered by the distractions of the city. of multiple sclerosis. He sees the benefits As its name suggests, the modern-day suburb of the new building’s design over previous of Parkville was initially entirely reserved for designs. “In previous labs that I’ve been in,” parkland in 1854. But the booming city soon he says, “you’d typically be in small, isolated put paid to that notion. A map of the period shows rooms that might contain these two benches, the location of today’s Royal Melbourne Hospital and maybe a little bit of equipment. But almost to have been a market for horses, pigs, cattle, everything you did would be enclosed in hay and corn. there, whereas now we’re sharing a lot more equipment ... but also we’re a lot more aware of what everyone else is doing.” It’s all part of a wave of new thinking on how innovation works best. In his book Where Good Ideas Come From, Steven Johnson studies In previous labs the history of great innovations in nature and that I’ve been in in human endeavours, concluding that, when it you’d typically be comes to taking great strides forward, “openness in small, isolated and connectivity” are more important contributing rooms that might factors than competition. Johnson emphasises the importance of environment in the formation contain these of new ideas. “Certain environments,” he writes, two benches, and “enhance the brain’s natural capacity to make maybe a little bit of new links of association.” equipment … now we’re sharing a lot more equipment ... but also we’re a lot more aware of what everyone else is doing.

14 Melbourne University Magazine By the time the School of Medicine was founded The University of Melbourne plays a central role Below, View facing east from in 1862, modern medicine was still in its infancy. in the precinct, providing education, research Royal Melbourne Hospital helipad Poor open-drain sewage meant cities were and research training. Other medical research (Michael Silver, 2012) plagued by diseases like cholera. While in a few organisations in Parkville include the Walter other cities the first comprehensive urban sewer and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, systems were built in the mid-19th century, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Murdoch leading to drastic cuts in mortality, Melbourne had Childrens Research Institute, Howard Florey to wait until the 1890s. In the meantime, the city Institute, the CSIRO, and Monash University’s earned the nickname ‘Marvellous Smellbourne’. Victorian College of Pharmacy. The healthcare Affluent Melburnians favoured the less odorous and clinical research organisations include the The scholastic hilltops, and the advent of trams and trains Royal Melbourne Hospital, the recently relocated tradition inherited encouraged a flight to the suburbs. Little wonder, Royal Women’s Hospital and the newly refurbished from Britain was then, that the city’s major hospitals were built Royal Children’s Hospital. Nearby are St Vincent’s itself derived where the need was greatest – in the city centre. Hospital, the Cancer Council of Victoria, and CSL, from the medieval Australia’s largest biotech company. Originally opened in 1848 in the city, the monastic tradition. Melbourne Hospital quickly ran into capacity The stated aim of building a cluster of this The emphasis problems. Relocating the hospital to the site of importance is to integrate healthcare, training was on creating the old horse market in Parkville was suggested and research, without compromising the as early as the 19th century – even then, the independence of participating organisations. The a peaceful city’s administrators saw the benefits of locating hope is that, in so doing, partners will see gains environment where Melbourne’s major hospital of the time near the in economies of scale and cross-fertilisation of learning could city’s only medical faculty. But construction on ideas. As Dr Emery explains, “The large difficulty proceed unhindered the Parkville campus of Royal Melbourne Hospital was we didn’t necessarily know what people were by the distractions didn’t begin until 1941, and the hospital’s first doing within the different organisations. So now years were given over to the war effort. When that everyone’s basically in the same space, we’re of the city. the US 4th Army left the hospital in early 1944 – all using the tearoom, there’s now joint seminars, having treated 35,000 patients – the new Royal and you’re catching a lift with people. It’s much Melbourne Hospital began operating, thus laying more likely that you’re aware of what someone the seed of a future precinct. else in the next institute is doing, and you can say, ‘Hang on, you’re using techniques that I can use Now one of three medical clusters in Melbourne in my research’.” (the others are centred around Monash University and the Alfred Hospital), the Precinct has already built an impressive résumé, including the first cochlear implant in 1978 and two Nobel Prizes, to Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet (MBBS 1922, PhD 1924, LLD 1962) in 1960 and Professor Peter Doherty AC in 1966. The opening in 2016 of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Institute, incorporating the Peter MacCallum Institute, will mark the close of the latest growth spurt in the history of the Parkville Precinct. This will create a biocluster of global stature, according to Professor Jim McCluskey, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research at the University of Melbourne: “The Parkville Precinct is now internationally recognised and beginning to attain a scale resembling what we see in places like London, Boston, Tokyo, and what’s happening to some degree in Singapore.”

alumni.unimelb.edu.au 15 Above, John Brack The Queen, 1988, 137 x 106.5 cm, oil on canvas (University of Melbourne Art Collection, 2012) Gift of Helen Brack, 2012

16 Melbourne University Magazine Pause to Wonder

Many people look at it as though they are looking at a real thing – they don’t focus on this and that. The dimensions of it are so multiple and so beautifully, seamlessly put together, I thought it was a good picture for a university to have.

portrait of Elizabeth I has been “I thought it was a good picture sliced and scattered is a critique for a university to have.” A painting by one of Australia’s of “our own sterilised present Described by Potter Acting where art has lost its value.” finest artists has finally found its Director Christopher Menz The Queen tests and tricks as “the most significant place in the Ian Potter Museum the eye, toying with depth and donation” to the University dimension to almost engross of Melbourne art collection in of Art. By Katherine Loftus. the viewer, altering spatial several decades, The Queen awareness and thwarting a complements the Potter’s sense of physical logic. Are the existing John Brack collection, Though it might only dawn on “Art is in the wondering,” Helen scissors supporting the mirror? which includes prints, drawings us once years or decades have says, explaining her decision Is the marble table inside or and oils spanning his career passed, university is about to give the graphic, complex outside the frame? And finally, from the 1940s to the 1980s. more than creating a career: it work, which comprises a am I, the viewer, inside or A reminder that The Queen is is a place that slows you down. portrait of Elizabeth 1 cut into outside the frame? on display at the Potter until 16 postcards and scattered It is a place where you can be These tactics are something Sunday August 26. against a mirror. curious. It is where wonder and Helen attributes to John’s contemplation are encouraged. “When you look at it, on one intention to overcome the hand you see the queen. On “oversimplification” of his Above, a guest at the Potter’s And this is what Helen Brack the other hand, you see the earlier works, such as the 40th celebrations. (Jodie (VCA, 1977) had in mind when primitive face,” Helen explains. paintings which depicted iconic Hutchinson, 2012) in May this year, she gave her “I thought it was a very good Melbourne scenes like the Artwork: Pat Brassington late husband John Brack’s picture for exploration.” Collins St rush hour and ‘the six The Best Move, 2008, pigment 1988 painting The Queen o’clock swill’. print (University of Melbourne to the University’s Ian Potter In the Potter’s commemorative Art Collection, 2012) Museum of Art. The gift was to book Visions Past and Present: “Many people look at it as commemorate the Potter’s 40th Celebrating 40 years, Helen though they are looking at a Purchased by the Ian Potter Museum of Art, 2010 anniversary, which coincided reveals that the work is a real thing – they don’t focus on with the 40th of another comment on mankind’s ability to this and that. The dimensions Melbourne cultural institution, achieve the most noble feats, as of it are so multiple and so the Victorian College of the Arts. well as the most barbaric. And beautifully, seamlessly put the very manner in which the together,” she says.

Did you know? John Brack was the Head of the National Gallery of Victoria Art School from 1962-68. The School became the Victorian College of the Arts in 1973. For more history and stories, visit the VCA 40th Anniversary Blog blog.vca.unimelb.edu.au

alumni.unimelb.edu.au 17 The Walter and Eliza Hall Trust Fund was established by Eliza Rowden Hall in memory of her husband, a successful transport, livestock and mining pioneer. It led to the establishment of the Walter and Eliza Hall 150 years Institute of Research in Pathology and Medicine. The vision was for an institute that ‘will be the birthplace of discoveries rendering signal service to mankind in the OF MEDICINE prevention and removal of disease and the mitigation of suffering.’

The University of Melbourne’s Melbourne Medical School is a recognised world leader in medical research, and 2012 1915 marks its 150th anniversary. The school WEHI has made a major impact on medicine established Walter and Eliza Hall Institute globally and on the shape of our city. of Research in Pathology and Medicine, 1915 (Medical Here is a selection of some of the History Museum, 2012) highlights of its century-and-a-half of existence. 1891 Death of Champagne Jimmy Three academics took a salary cut so the colony could have its much-needed medical school. The first ever class consisted of three students at a chem- istry lecture given by Dr John Macadam in his own laboratory using his own materials. In its first decade of operation, just 23 doctors graduated from the school. Today, the school produces about 250 gradu- ates a year. James George Beaney, a.k.a. ‘Diamond Jim’ or ‘Champagne Jimmy’ was a 1862 larger-than-life character in colonial The Professor Halford (standing at right) teaching early medical Victorian medicine and the medical School of students in the dissection room of the Melbourne Medical school’s first benefactor. He lectured Medicine School, 1864 (Medical History Museum, 2012) at the Melbourne Medical School opens annually, distributing free champagne after every session. Upon his death, Beaney bequeathed the fledgling university scholarships in pathology and surgery.

Figure of James George Beaney from the collection of the Medical History Museum, gift of the Estate of Dr RL Fulton, 1966 1864 FIRST 1887 The (Medical History Museum, 2012) MEDICAL first SCHOOL women They came to be known as the ‘famous seven’: BUILDING students OPENS Clara Stone, Margaret Whyte, Grace Vale, Annie and Elizabeth O’Hara, Helen Sexton and Lilian Alexander. Some of these women, and those who followed, were instrumental in the founding in 1896 of the Victoria Hospital for Women and Children, later known as the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital, one of only three hospitals in the world at the time founded, managed and staffed by women, for women.

The first Melbourne Medical School building, The first seven women to enter the Melbourne Medical School, opened in 1864 (Medical History Museum, 2012) 1887 (Medical History Museum, 2012)

1818 MelbourneMelbourne University University Magazine Magazine Arguably the most distinguished class in the Medical School’s history, the 1922 class of 75 graduates produced one Nobel laureate, three knights, two dames and no less than 16 Who’s Who luminaries – many of whom would never have graduated without the help of scholarships. The class included the future dames of the Royal Children’s Hospital, Jean Macnamara, honoured for her work on poliomyelitis, and paediatrician Kate Campbell who discovered the link between high concentrations of oxygen given to premature babies and acquired retrolental fibroplasia. Together with Swiss colleague Rolf Zinkernagel, Laureate Professor Peter Doherty won the Nobel Prize for their work describing how the body’s immune cells protect against viruses. Professor Doherty AC currently works in the University’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Melbourne.

1922 A Class Above The Medical Graduate Class of 1922 photographed in 1921 (Medical History Museum, 2012)

1960 1996 Peter Macfarlane Doherty Burnet Nobel Prize winner Professor Peter wins Nobel Doherty AC, 2011 (University of Wins Nobel Prize Prize Melbourne, 2012)

1978 2011

Cochlear Opening of the new Royal implant Children’s Hospital

Rod Saunders was the first patient to receive the Australian prototype bionic Two School of Medicine ear. Professor Graeme Clark A.C., then graduates have been Foundation Professor of the University’s honoured by the Nobel Department of Otolaryngology, led the committee: immunologist development team. October 2005 marked Sir Macfarlane Burnet another milestone: the first of three (a joint winner in 1960 for recipients was implanted with Cochlear’s TIKI device. By December 2010, more his elaboration of acquired Queen Elizabeth II might have been than 220,000 people suffering from immunological tolerance) and forgiven if she suffered a bout of hearing loss across the world had received neuroscientist John Eccles (in déjà vu when, in October 2011, she a cochlear implant. 1963, for his groundbreaking opened the Royal Children’s Hospital work on brain synapses). in Melbourne’s Parkville Precinct. After all, she’d opened the hospital’s previous incarnation, adjacent to the Nobel prize winner Sir John Eccles new hospital, on her second royal tour as a medical student (Medical History of Australia in 1963. The new hospital Museum, 2012) can treat an additional 35,000 patients every year, incorporates a variety of world-leading technologies and is hoped to achieve an overall 45% reduction in attributable greenhouse gas emissions. Regular Mapping of the speech processor is required to optimise a person’s hearing (Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital Main Street at the new Royal Children’s and the University of Melbourne, 2012) Hospital, 2011 (University of Melbourne, 2011) www.alumini.online.unimelb.edu.aualumni.unimelb.edu.au 19 Game Changers (Hong Yi, (Hong Yi, 2012) which she painted using a basketball Ming, Yao Chinese basketballer portrait with her Yi Hong

20 Melbourne University Magazine Below, Mark Danaro at home in Thailand (Mark Danaro, 2012) The Mechai Viravaidya Foundation Master of Teaching Scholarship recipient’s research interests have taken him to Thailand where he lives in a resort with his family. Danaro holds the Deputy Director role at the renowned Mechai Pattana School, which educates disadvantaged children in rural Thailand, while working across the community to improve health and environmental outcomes. “There’s no good creating enterprising or entrepreneurial students if all they think about is themselves. We need to develop a new approach, which accommodates, incorporates and promotes philanthropy: a level of giving back and helping, which develops Something of the entrepreneurial spirit is taking community growth.” While the Mechai Pattana hold on campus, as graduates strike out on their School sits at one end of the educational spectrum, own, across a range of fields. Kulja Coulston reports. universities are also reviewing their role at the other. “The self-made man or woman The volatile job market and you’re an entrepreneur they immensely satisfying. “I really often implied succeeding advances in technology have don’t instantly assume you’re rarely wake up and not want to in business, but failing at generated unprecedented a dropkick trying to figure start working - it’s really fun,” university” says Joeri Mol, opportunities for innovative and out what you want to do he says. lecturer in Management enterprising individuals to turn with your life.” (Organisation Studies) at Social enterprises fall their big ideas into big business. the University of Melbourne. under the general rubric “The contemporary university “Companies are downsizing of entrepreneurship and, experience sees graduates and that’s going to continue … according to Professor Samson, marry an interest in business so young, energetic people are they are growing in visibility and university – there doesn’t simply, unfortunately, being let It’s not part and appeal: “There are more need to be a compromise.” go,” explains Professor Danny of the younger and more people realising Samson from the Department students mindset there’s a need to do good and Universities around the world of Management and Marketing that they’re always that it’s actually possible to do are beginning to establish in the Faculty of Business and well by doing good. You can courses which nurture the Economics. “As a result there going to work for actually build a business, where skills required to be an are a lot of bright young people someone else. the heart of that business is entrepreneur. One such course looking to start a career who benefiting society, and you can is the University of Melbourne’s don’t necessarily want that to get a living out of it as well.” Master of Enterprise. “You happen again in a corporate come here (to study the Some of us are more open environment, and they want to Master of Enterprise) with to taking risks than others, be their own boss.” In 2010, Griffiths founded some predisposition, and and educators are readily Shebeen, a socially minded you leave here to pursue your A linear career path is no longer investigating ways to better hospitality enterprise with a dreams and ideas, perhaps guaranteed, or even desired. equip and encourage students unique business structure. in a corporate environment, “It’s not part of the younger to pursue their own ventures. It “What I do is run a for-profit perhaps out on your own,” says students’ mindset that they’re is something Mark Danaro (BSc company that is profit Professor Samson. “There are going to work for someone for 1997, PGDipTeach 2011) is maximising, but we choose to some things you can be born years and years. They create passionate about, in particular donate the profits which is what with but nobody’s born with their own opportunity and the process of introducing makes it a non-profit company.” an understanding of financial they don’t necessarily think certain aspects of business and management and accounting, that a career pathway is from Earlier this year Shebeen raised life skills into the curriculum, are they? Nobody’s born with one employer to another,” the requisite $250,000 to open starting with primary school. the knowledge of what a balance says Brooke Young (PGDip its first venue in Melbourne “Entrepreneurs need to have a sheet or a debit or credit is.” Arts 1995, MEnterp 2007), after trading as a pop-up bar level of resilience, dedication Director of Marketing and and selling products in other and commitment. They are Having a vision or idea is Community Engagement also venues. From this month, the not things you can necessarily important, but Simon Griffiths within the Faculty of Business first standalone Shebeen bar teach, but you can introduce believes these can be drawn and Economics. will sell exotic beers from them to a child at a relatively from anywhere, what matters developing countries with young age.” is taking them through to When Simon Griffiths profits channelled back to execution and ensuring their (BE(ElecEng)(Hons) 2007, Danaro decided to undertake development projects in the success along the way. “Every Bcom 2007) was at University, a Master of Teaching after a country of origin. Ongoing time you pitch to an investor ‘entrepreneur’ was a dirty decade-long career at IBM patron support is expected they are assessing whether word and starting out on your during which time he also spent to see the business generate you have that skill set,” own was not a common goal. five years volunteering with profits, plus social and creative Griffiths explains. “Nowadays, if you tell someone Young Achievement Australia. capital, which Griffiths finds alumni.unimelb.edu.au 21 On campus, student-driven “Some categories of She takes a professional China has one of the world’s organisations like Agents entrepreneurs just follow their approach, which culminates in a fastest-growing markets of Change and the social noses and do what they love. compulsory public performance; for art, and by selecting her enterprise focused SIFE They have the capacity to see events which have grown so subjects carefully, and filming (Students In Free Enterprise) where opportunities lie, and large they’re staged before and blogging her work, Red has are providing opportunities don’t have to turn themselves sold-out crowds at the Palace deftly used social media to find to practise and develop these into somebody else in order to on Bourke Street. “Sometimes a global audience – something skills. Twice a year, Agents take those opportunities up.” the dancers get a bit carried that would have been less likely of Change selects a group of away with their expression or prior to the advent of social students to help get their profit with their costumes and it’s media. “For the first time in and non-profit start-ups off the a beautiful thing – it makes human history it’s possible to ground. Advice ranges from people laugh. It’s not deadly start something up and if you how to refine an idea, launch a I had a strong serious.” But as word of the get it right, get the attention website and even to recruiting a events continues to spread, of a lot of people,” says board. Throughout the year the feeling that now Duffy fields regular enquiries Professor Samson. group runs events with guest is the opportunity to open studios in other Simon Griffiths sums it up speakers, as well as the annual of a lifetime. locations, which she’s so far nicely, and encourages anyone Start-up Hackathon, Idea Pitch resisted. “I want to keep it Smartphones are with an entrepreneurial inkling and Entrepreneurs Week events. personal, it’s part of what a revolutionary to go for it. “One of the really makes it work,” she says. However, Brooke Young change, and I important things to understand acknowledges there’s still room thought, something Shanghai-based Hong Yi is that it’s not an art, it’s a real for the University to do more big can happen here. (BPD(Arch) 2007, MArch science and it’s something you in developing entrepreneurial 2010), also known as Red, can do, if you figure out how passions. “Our students get combines a full-time job as to do it.” snapped-up by private sector, an architect with her after- government and not-for-profits, hours career as an artist. She so they haven’t needed to start uses unconventional methods Did you know … their own businesses.” Choreographer Jade to create images of famous The Mechai Pattana School Duffy’s (BDance 1996) Chinese personalities, such as was founded by Melbourne In 2004, Tao Peng (PhDEng Bodyelectricdance Studio her image of film director Zhang alumnus and former Thai 2004) won the prestigious fits this category. Her studio Yimou constructed using 750 Government Minister Mechai Melbourne University caters for adults with little to no pairs of socks. Viravaidya AO (Bcom 1965, Entrepreneurs Challenge dance experience, and started LLD 1993). Viravaidya (MUEC) for a software product Red’s YouTube page receives small with a weekly class for wanted underprivileged that protects computer thousands of hits daily, and her sister and some friends rural students to receive networks from malicious earlier this year, she found out who “wanted to get physical”. It an education emphasising internet attacks. “If there was what it felt like to ‘go viral’, when became clear Duffy had tapped creativity, rather than rote no Melbourne Uni entrepreneur a clip of her painting a portrait learning. Mechai Pattana into an undercurrent of unmet challenge it would have been Chinese basketballer Yao Ming School students help choose need, and against the trend, very hard for me to get into the using a basketball, instead and evaluate their teachers, one class became two, then entrepreneur field,” Tao says, of a brush, started spreading select the Year 7 intake and three, and now she teaches adding that he is grateful for the through cyberspace. run businesses in the local over 200 students a week financial support and access community. Some of the from her Fitzroy studios. to expertise he received as business profits then support part of the award. primary scholarships. Since then, Beijing-based Peng has built his own business in partnership with friend and venture capitalist Perry Pu Jade Duffy teaching a Bodyelectric class in 2011 (Jade Duffy, 2012) (BCom 2004). Tao and Perry first met five years ago at a University alumni event in Beijing, and before building his own business, Tao was working for one of China’s largest mobile phone companies. “I had a strong feeling ‘now is the opportunity of a lifetime.’ Smartphones are a revolutionary change, and I thought, ‘something big can happen here.’” Mobile internet and travel are among the fastest growing industries in China, and Tao’s mobile app, breadtrip.com, combines the two. “That is the entrepreneurship of our time, finding some kind of new software application and discovering the world wants to beat a path to your door,” says Honourary Professor John Sinclair. However, Sinclair remains skeptical that entrepreneurs can be created in a lecture hall.

22 Melbourne University Magazine Marita Cheng at the Parkville campus (Glenn Hester Photography, 2012)

A Marita settled on the University of Melbourne and college at Janet Clarke Hall. It was a bold Remarkable move, uprooting Marita from her family and home state. “When I moved to Melbourne, Rise I didn’t have enough money to live in college for a year and pay my other living expenses,” she recalls. “I worked over summer to save up and had a couple of existing scholarships, but they were small.” Marita applied for the newly established Paterson With the help of some robots, 2012 Young Australian of the Year Scholarship, dedicated to Engineering undergraduates. Marita Cheng has inspired many young women to think differently The Scholarship provided more about engineering. By Chris Weaver (BA, LLB 2006). than financial relief. “Getting the Paterson Scholarship allowed me to follow my own learning Her energy strikes you immediately. Designing the robotics lessons quickly became pathways,” she says. the program’s centrepiece – interactive lessons Marita Cheng swivels on the chair, one foot that illustrated to young girls the possibilities perched precariously on the seat, while a arising from maths and applied sciences. photographer, a mystery phone caller and Marita had a target demographic. I all compete for her attention. “Girls aged 10 to 14 can still be engaged in We try to inspire them The 2012 Young Australian of the Year is engineering. They haven’t chosen their senior because then they will in demand. subjects and are not jaded about trying new do maths and the ‘hard’ She draws breath, settles and tells me about things,” she says. sciences – they can see a conversation she had with staff member Marita spent three months organising the the light at the end Professor Jamie Evans (ME 1996, PhD 1998) program, which she later named Robogals. back in 2008. of the tunnel. Marita’s target audience was soon captivated by “I was building a robot with some of my friends Robogals’ hands-on approach which emphasised when Professor Evans approached us. He the creativity behind robotics while deciphering mentioned he was looking for female engineering the technicalities of programming and working students to go to Lauriston (a private girls’ school with robots. The donors, Bob (BE(CivEng) in Melbourne) and teach the Year 6 girls a robotics 1949) and Helen Paterson, “Engineers don’t become school teachers, class,” she recalls. developed a rapport with and girls aren’t taught engineering in the same Marita. The couple acted as “I went away (from the discussion) and thought way they are taught English, maths and science. mentors to the young woman, about ideas for my own leadership program We tell girls about the possibilities engineering inviting her into their home that could influence more than one school. careers can lead to,” Marita explains. and providing career advice. I wanted to influence the number of women “We try to inspire them because if they can see doing engineering.” Robogals has grown quickly, the light at the end of the tunnel, then they will be boasting chapters across The topic had long troubled Marita, who was more likely to do maths and the ‘hard’ sciences.” Australia, New Zealand, the alarmed at how few women seemed to be Marita was attracted to gadgetry and robots Netherlands, Ireland and the studying engineering. at an early age and the obsession has never United Kingdom. Thirteen “There were very few girls studying maths and waned. Born and raised in Far North Queensland, hundred registered volunteers sciences when I started,” she explains. she completed high school in 2006, receiving and over 300 active workshop outstanding grades through her ability to marry teachers illustrate the “I was really surprised by the lack of females. a ferocious work ethic to a prodigious intellect. organisation’s reach. I thought Melbourne would be a Mecca for people While the decision to study engineering was Marita is aware of the journey studying engineering and was shocked to find easy enough, the choice of institution was more that was not the case.” ahead. Women fill only 10 per demanding. Marita’s ambitions were linked to cent of engineering places in The conversation with Professor Evans lifestyle as well as study. Australia and the numbers are inspired her. She spent much of June that year “I read about all the Queensland and Victoria similar across the developed constructing a plan to bring volunteers into engineering courses, but I wanted to do more world. Keen to keep ‘Robogals’ schools, signing up her college friends as the first with my life than just finishing my degree in the fresh and young, Marita plans recruits. Professor Evans meanwhile provided the shortest time possible,” she says. “I wanted to to exit the organisation at the robots and a classroom. go somewhere that was enjoyable to live.” end of 2012. Her future will however be filled with achievement and “The students that have come through have been a shining light. It helps keep me a entrepreneurialism. Marita bit younger meeting all these bright young people!” Donor Bob Paterson describes his knows this much: “I’ll be experience as a donor in the Impact of Giving or online at mag.alumni.unimelb.edu.au working on robots!”

alumni.unimelb.edu.au 23 Beyond Their Boundaries

Several months of job-seeking and a series of Engagement in the Faculty of Business National borders dead-ends were enough to drive Urban Design Economics. “We’re in a global environment are barely an issue graduate Daniels Langeberg (PGDipUD 2010) to and really good graduates go to where the seek greener pastures. But it was the casual tip-off opportunities lie.” as more careers from an old uni lecturer which provided the spark Cases like Langeberg’s however, are still the he needed to kickstart his international career. become globalised exception. Australians have always travelled for Within a fortnight of contacting the Shanghai firm holidays, work and study but it seems few yet see and our networks his lecturer had recommended, he’d been offered their education or career in a truly international bulge to the ends a job out of town. “A month later, after selling all light. On average, just under seven per cent of my worldly possessions, I was living in Shanghai Australian students participated in an outgoing of the earth. But with my own apartment, job and bicycle to get international study experience (such as an as Kulja Coulston around,” he recalls. exchange, study abroad or short-term program), a fact that is generating ripples of concern Since 1985, the number of Australians heading throughout the higher education community. discovers, curiosity overseas to live and work has more than doubled, and a current and at last count, the Australian diaspora “We are not equipping our young people for their comprised over 1 million people at any one time. highly mobile lives if we don’t assist them to gain passport only the attributes that will be required to harness the In hindsight, Langeberg’s move to Shanghai was opportunities of the Asian Century and the 21st easier than his original move from Adelaide to get you so far – century,” explains Kathe Kirby (BA 1973, DipEd Melbourne. “It took me nearly three months to find 1974), Executive Director of the Asia Education an international an apartment in Melbourne. In Shanghai it took Foundation. career demands me less than a week.” While it was necessity that saw him look to China for work, Langeberg had “Australian students don’t have a mindset which an international previously visited the country as part of his Urban says that, as part of our education, we have to go Design degree, so he knew something of the city out and live in another part of the world and study outlook. before relocating. within another language and another culture. And yet there is a growing proportion – a much greater “Increasingly, skilled people are moving or will proportion – of other young people in the world tend to have international careers,” explains who see that as an essential capability,” she adds. Brooke Young (PGDip Arts 1995, MEnterp 2007), Director of Marketing and Community

24 Melbourne University Magazine “We now have the largest mobility program in the country, including full semester exchanges and study abroad.”

Working in Cambodia was very difficult as I faced numerous political obstacles … some of my work even made it onto Wikileaks.

The Colombo Plan, founded in 1950 and best For those with the interest and motivation, the remembered for sponsoring thousands of Asian- opportunities are there for the taking. Michael Facing page, Michael Shaw born students to study at Australian universities, Shaw (BA, LLB 2011) undertook two overseas took this photo in Afghanistan, is lauded for strengthening ties between Australia study experiences. He spent a year in Lyon, and where he is currently based and Asia. Since then, the numbers of international then in Geneva as part of a University program. (Michael Shaw, 2012) students in Australian universities have grown The latter piqued his interest in international to around 28 per cent of total students enrolled. humanitarian law and development. He is now This serves to enrich campuses here, but to date, based in Afghanistan and works as a management the road seems to go only one way. consultant for conflict zones, for clients including Left, Verne Dove at work in the British Government, AusAid and US Aid. Cambodia (Verne Dove, 2012) The University of Melbourne is trying to turn this Shaw secured his current role through the around, through actively encouraging Australian contacts he made while working as a consultant students to travel as part of their degrees. “We in Melbourne, a role that supported him now have the largest mobility program in the throughout his part-time law studies. Fast Fact country, including full semester exchanges and More than 35,000 alumni study abroad as well as short-term exchanges,” “I was always interested in international relations live outside of Australia, says Stuart Hibberd, Manager, Education Abroad at university, but I didn’t even know private spread across more than Student Programs at the University. “There’s a development consulting existed as profession 140 countries. real push to get people out there,” he says. when I was a student – hardly anybody did,” he says. After one year in Afghanistan, Michael is Studying or living outside of Australia is seen as hooked. “It’s a fantastic environment. The work a modus operandi for developing vital skills, such is extremely diverse and you cover so many as multilingualism, diplomacy and leadership. different areas of what you’ve learnt academically According to Kathe Kirby, even students whose or just practical skills learnt through work or careers will remain wholly within Australia require personal travel.” such understanding and abilities. “Increasingly, they are going to be servicing people in other Ensuring degrees are internationally recognised countries, as well as their own country. Working is a key tenet for a successful global career, and in global teams and on global enterprises has many University courses now meet international enabled that.” professional accreditation standards. While Michael Shaw’s undergraduate degrees were recognised, Founder and managing director of executive he believes current University offerings are search firm Brooker Consulting, Jeremy Wurm superior. “Juris Doctors (JD) are increasingly (MSc 1980) describes a highly competitive job looked at in a favourable light. I wish, rather than market, where global corporations are whittling having done a double degree, I’d started studying back their expatriate postings, while local at Melbourne Uni later on, once they started the workforces are upskilling. “These days there are JD program. I think it’s a fantastic course.” any number of locals – particularly those from Southeast Asia – who were educated offshore, A masters-level qualification is a requirement and have since returned to their home country for many overseas positions, according to Renee and become hugely important members of the Christensen (BSc(Hons) 2007, MTeach 2010) workforce there,” he explains. “They’ve got the who is working with the United Nations (UN) in international experience, the English language Geneva. Her current role is with the UN Office for skills and the international perspective.” And, they the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. While understand the local cultural setting, “which we Christensen has the requisite masters, it was her Aussies are very bad at,” adds Wurm. student experiences as a humanitarian volunteer that tipped the scales in her favour.

alumni.unimelb.edu.au 25 I was always interested in international relations at university, but I didn’t even know private development consulting existed as a profession when I was a student – hardly anybody did.

Left, Renee Christensen and a friend at the Budumburam Liberian Refugee Camp in West Africa (Renee Christensen, 2008)

Below, Charlotte McInnes at the London gallery she manages (Charlotte McInnes, 2012)

“I volunteered in Sri Lanka following the Indian Not everyone heads to pre-arranged roles, Ocean tsunami at the end of 2004 and I also and for Charlotte McInnes (BA2005, MArtCur lived and worked in the Budumburam Liberian 2008) it was several years before she found her Refugee Camp in West Africa in 2008. I definitely feet professionally. A devoted Francophile, she used that experience to my advantage in my job first headed to Paris, but didn’t find her dream applications!” job. “I ended up managing a cafe in the Marais instead of working at the Louvre.” McInnes is Dr Verné Dove (BAnimSc 2002, BVSc(Hons) now “totally invigorated” by her work managing a 2004) started her international career six years contemporary art gallery in London, and has some ago as a Volunteer for International Development sage advice for anyone starting out. “I think that (ViDA). Now an established professional, she people have to be prepared to take a step back lives and works in Colombia, where she is a before they can get forward. Take a less senior wildlife veterinarian researching and trying to role or a pay cut or perhaps not the ideal job improve the plight of endangered river dolphins. first off.” The move to Colombia followed several years working with Cambodia’s famous Irrawaddy Daniels Langeberg says his biggest challenge was dolphins. Compared to a career in Australia, Dove the mental process of letting go of life in Australia. said the professional route she’s taken has been “Shaking off the comfort of certainty and saying more challenging, especially operating in other goodbye to the things and people that you know. languages and cultural environments. Once in that mindset, anything is possible.” “Working in Cambodia was very difficult as I faced numerous political obstacles with the dolphin work. It was extremely controversial and sensitive, and some of my work even made it onto Wikileaks.” But it is now paying off. “It’s got me international recognition. I think this has now prepared me for a fantastic career back in Australia, where I plan in the future to set up my own rescue, rehabilitation and research centre for marine animals.”

Global Mobility Have you ever wanted to live and study overseas? The Global Mobility unit runs semester-long and short-term exchanges, single-subject programs and internship opportunities. It’s never too late to take the leap. Visit mobility.unimelb.edu.au to find out more.

26 Melbourne University Magazine A Piece of the Action

This year’s London Olympics marks the 100th anniversary of Australian women competing at the Olympic Games. Chris Weaver spoke to two Melbourne alumnae with unique Olympic experiences.

Lost in translation at “I asked the University about the Summer Olympics establishing a Press Office. They said to see how I went and two Technology limited global years later I became the Press coverage of the 1960 Rome Liaison Officer. I stayed there Olympic Games. for 13 years!” Yet Melbourne alumna Patricia Patricia’s Roman (working) Petch (née Pugh) (S/G Diploma holiday was the perfect platform Journalism 1967, BA 1976) for a pioneering career. went to the Rome Games as an interpreter and administrative assistant. “I was working at The Sun at the time. They had a press team going to Rome and wanted someone who could They kept making Above, Angie Darby (BArch, 2010) speak Italian,” Patricia recalls. mistakes. They sent a message around “I planned to go overseas and said I could do the job. I had the world saying Angie had qualified thanks to I arrived in the Athletes’ Village six months to learn Italian!” Betty had injured her zone performance at the just 45 minutes before the Messages were relayed her shit-bone! 2007 Oceanian Championship, Opening Ceremony!” around the world by teleprinter, making her Australia’s sole Luck escaped Angie in relying on a staff of local representative in the women’s Beijing. Her goggles slipped journalists. Patricia’s language event. Drama occurred when off during her swimming heat, skills helped when Australian a Greek competitor, Donna forcing her into second last sprinter Betty Cuthbert’s leg Vakalis, claimed Angie had not All-rounder rises to place in the competition – injury was misreported. qualified through a recognised Olympic challenge a position she held, despite international event. The appeal “The two men working on the a strong performance in the The modern pentathlon is a meant a stressful flight to teleprinters couldn’t speak show jumping. Lausanne, where Angie and her English, so they kept making unique challenge, combining team represented their case mistakes. They sent a message five very different sports – Late last year Angie was to the Court of Arbitration for around the world saying Betty shooting, fencing, swimming, awarded an Australia at Large Sport. “She was the reserve on had injured her shit-bone!” she equestrian (show jumping) and Rhodes Scholarship. While the world ranking list and her says. “Those workers were running. Modern pentathlete study commitments preclude lawyer claimed that I wasn’t sacked and I was asked to Angie Darby’s (BArch, 2010) London participation, Angie eligible to compete at the take over.” preparation for the Beijing has ambitions to compete in Olympics was thrown into Games,” Angie says. 2016 (Rio de Janeiro) as a Patricia’s Rome experience disarray six weeks before fencer. “I’ve been competing The lawyer had already was a stepping-stone in her the Games, when she found in the épée and started on the successfully argued to have journalistic career. “I wrote a herself at the centre of a international circuit last year,” Australia’s male representative, couple of stories and as soon qualification storm. she says. “It’s a sport I love Alex Parygin, replaced by a as I came back, I was put on the and it’s going very well.” British athlete. Angie won her staff as a journalist,” she says. “There are two lists through appeal, resulting in a desperate Patricia later worked and studied which modern pentathletes can return dash to Beijing. “They at the University of Melbourne, qualify for the Olympic Games fast-tracked the case. I flew to where she established the – zones and world rankings,” Lausanne and went to court on Press Office. she explains. “It recognises that the Olympics are about having the Wednesday, before arriving global representation as well as back in Beijing on the Friday.​ the best athletes.”

alumni.unimelb.edu.au 27 A reflection on regionalism in Asia

But this isn’t to say that domestic and As 10 Southeast Asian leaders prepare international political issues have been resolved. Asian governments and individuals are still to form an EU-like community in 2015, coming to terms with globalisation and the idea of ‘Asian regionalism,’ if such a thing exists. what challenges do the region’s media face Recent tensions in the Korean Peninsula and the South China Sea are testament to this uneasiness in managing this change? Alumnus Panu and in many cases, the nationalism generated Wongcha-Um BA(Hons)(2005) reports by decades of propaganda has become the real obstacle to peace and understanding in this from Thailand. part of the world. Spreading cross-cultural understanding is another part of our job at ASEAN TV and its parent company MCOT – the oldest media It is certainly an exciting time in Southeast Asia conglomerate in Thailand. At the Southeast Asian as the region is counting down towards forming level we intended to forge alliances with regional a community under the banner of ASEAN; the media organisations in order to create a regional acronym of the Association of Southeast network, enabling ASEAN TV to be a real platform Asian Nations. From 2015, 10 Southeast Asian in broadcasting news and programs from all 10 countries aim to form the ASEAN Economic ASEAN member countries. Community (AEC) in phases, eventually creating a common framework in the areas of economic, But this has proven to be a trickier task than political-security, and socio-cultural; the so-called our regional news production. three pillars of the ASEAN Community. The first obstacle is the capability and Amid all this, in 2009 the Thai government technology gap that exists among broadcast initiated ASEAN TV; an English language satellite media in the region. Broadcast media in television channel designed to be a broadcast Southeast Asia, barring Singapore, still has media platform for the region, and a channel that a long way to go and will require a large amount I have been working for since its beginning. of investment in equipment and training. Despite being quite junior in my profession, Markets and audiences for regional content I have been able through ASEAN TV in the last are also another challenge, as our experience couple of years to cover a variety of stories, meet has shown very few viewers to be interested in interesting individuals and travel to fascinating a broad regional spread of news and television places across Southeast Asia and beyond: from programs in English. Most people in the region crisscrossing northern Indochina, to meeting seem to be enjoying television content based Islamic hardliners in Jakarta; from covering street on their local concerns and trends, broadcast protests in Bangkok, to the mass exodus of in their respective mother tongues. refugees on the Thai-Myanmar border. Beyond ASEAN, MCOT is also part of a As I write this article I am on the road, UNESCO-initiated press alliance known as covering Aung San Suu Kyi’s historic trip to the Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies Thailand; her first overseas trip in two decades (OANA). Formed 50 years ago in Bangkok, after unprecedented and sudden changes in the alliance was intended to be a platform for the political landscape of the country formerly news exchange between news agencies across known as Burma. the Asia-Pacific. Currently there are over 44 members, some of whom are highly reputable Along with the ASEAN integration push, the globally. Nevertheless it has not been as rate of economic growth elsewhere across Asia successful in disseminating news compared to in places like China and India has generated lots the likes of AP or Reuters. As with problems we of interesting stories. When interviewed, many have encountered with ASEAN TV, OANA covers regional ‘movers and shakers’ constantly talk too broad a market and audiences. Stories from about the continent’s new economic and political one corner of Asia may have eager audiences clout. All seem to agree that Asia needs to forge at home, but less so in other parts. closer connectivity in all areas in order to harness and share the benefits of its economic prosperity.

28 Melbourne University Magazine Economic expansion in the last few decades has resulted in the expansion of Asia’s media industry, but so far the boom has been felt in patches. Baring Aljazeera, Korean Pop, and India’s Bollywood, the Asian media industry has had limited success on the global or even regional stage. While I may be relatively new in this profession, my experience so far has taught me that the talk of the ‘Asian century’ is devoid of much meaning beyond economic growth. Certainly many countries in East Asia and Southeast Asia are growing and changing rapidly compared to a few decades ago, but most of this growth has happened disregarding the push for more regionalism by the governments. Like the market expansion for Asia’s media industry, Asia’s economic growth has occurred within the boundaries of different nation-states.

As I write this article I am on the road, covering Aung San Suu Kyi’s historic trip to Thailand.

For Southeast Asia, perhaps the increase in connectivity between the people of this culturally diverse place will help integrate ASEAN in fields beyond the economy, but this process may take many decades more. For Asia, this may take generations or perhaps it will never happen at all. Like the creation of ASEAN TV, many projects with the goal of regionalism in Asia were born too prematurely for their own good. Of course camaraderie and friendship existed but perhaps Asia is a place that is too diverse and too extreme for it to be considered as one. And for those who know it, this is certainly part of its charm. Panu Wongcha-um (BA(Hons) 2005) is a broadcast journalist at the Southeast Asian desk, Thai News Agency, MCOT Public Company Ltd (Thailand). Follow Panu on Twitter @panuw

Right, Panu Wongcha-Um on location with ASEAN TV (Panu Wongcha-Um, 2012)

alumni.unimelb.edu.au 29 The (ir)relevance of wisdom

Dr Verhezen is explaining boards and top executives Seemingly suffocated by incentive ‘managerial wisdom,’ a concept worldwide to find ways to he describes as “an amalgam improve overall performance systems, rules and regulations, of knowledge, integrity, beyond just accounting profits. continuous learning and “Employees often look at how wise management has remained experience,” and something top management will execute he believes has been the so-called ‘mission’ and irrelevant in and for many undervalued by organisations ‘vision’ statements, which are throughout Australia, Europe organisations. Chris Weaver always lofty and nice,” he says. and North America. “However not many companies spoke with visiting academic and “Business practices are driven really apply them and that’s by financial incentives, what bothers people within management consultant Dr Peter within boundaries of rules the organisation.” and regulations. But much Dr Verhezen believes these Verhezen to find out more. of what can be described missions – often expressed as ‘good behaviour’ among through an organisation’s employees is driven by values corporate social responsibility Experience and ‘wisdom’ Melbourne Business School, and management behaviour.” (CSR) commitments – have a has been undervalued in the extra years of experience Pecuniary incentives are profound effect on corporate Western economies. do matter. Racing to the top of hygiene motivators whereas reputation, which in turn affects the corporate ladder is riskier, an inspiring vision and mission In research conducted last year, profitability and success. It is it would seem, than slowly of a company, underpinned the Harvard Law School found all a far cry from the beliefs of stepping up each rung. by strong values within an Milton Friedman, who believed that while the average age of organisational culture, are a corporation was answerable CEOs in US and Japan was the “Just as a rule of thumb, the real motivators of high to its shareholders alone. same – 60 years – CEOs in the for any person to become a performing employees and US had assumed executive-level master in something, to become managers. Moreover, these “Business ethics and the focus positions at a younger age than an expert with experience – often misguided incentives on good corporate governance their Japanese counterparts. be it a piano player, soccer and formal regulations can are often the consequence of player, or philosopher – takes But according to Dr Peter easily ‘crowd out’ the seeds for crisis,” he says. “Accountability on average seven to ten years Verhezen, Principal Fellow and managerial wisdom. and responsibility matter, of full-time dedication,” he says. Visiting Associate Professor not just immediate profits.” “Mere academic or scientific As Principal of Verhezen (Global Corporate Governance) knowledge won’t do the job and Associates, a consulting at the Graduate School of in helping someone become company focusing on reputation Management of Economics and Above, Peter Verhezen at a wise manager. They need risk and good governance, Business and Associate at the the Parkville campus (University to learn by application.” Dr Verhezen has worked with of Melbourne, 2012)

30 Melbourne University Magazine The West still has much to learn Cultural Treasures Festival on relationship-based practice from Asian economies, where continuity and family prestige sometimes override pure profit goals. Not everything is determined by the next There are dozens of reasons for you to attend the University financial quarter. of Melbourne Cultural Treasures Festival, from 28-29 July. Here is a small taste of what is on offer;

Asian companies acknowledge 12 guided tours, each A special exhibition the importance of plans, photos and of relationship- with a special theme, Two family history building and trust including the Botanical seminars will be documents of some tour, taking visitors held in the Baillieu of Melbourne’s iconic to the University Library, exploring how buildings, including Herbarium and the genealogical gems the Melbourne “Often in Western organisations, System Garden, the at the University of City Baths, Scots there is a reliance on fiduciary Medical Discovery Melbourne Archives Church, The Shrine duties to control obligations tour, the Musical can assist your own of Remembrance and towards shareholders and , and the tour of Trades Hall. stakeholders (such as employees tour family history research. and clients),” Dr Verhezen Decorative Arts. explains, adding that there is some distinction between the way business managers and employers behave in Asian Mad Max and economies such as China and Indonesia, compared with their the Renaissance The Rialto, detail of third Western counterparts. print display by and fourth stories, c.1889, Albrecht Dürer and William Pitt, 1977.0115, “Asian companies acknowledge University of Melbourne the importance of relationship- others created during Archives building and trust underpinning the reign of Emperor those relationships, as there is sometimes an institutional Maximilian I (1459- void that means rules are not 1519). An illustrated always enforced.” talk comparing A Med Student’s Life; So how should companies Maximilian’s prints to memories, ephemera in Western nations improve Australian cult movie and photographs their corporate and social Banksia saxicola, collected Mad Max, followed by of students days responsibility and managerial from Wilsons Promontory collected from wisdom? This process requires a procession to the National Park, 1993. Melbourne medical what Dr Verhezen has termed University of Melbourne South Car Park which ‘phronèsis’, or practical wisdom. Herbarium appeared in the film. graduates from the Enshrined within a more holistic 1860s to today. approach to leadership and management, practical wisdom - like any process of innovation or progress - requires trial More than The Parkville and error. Experience guided 12 exhibitions drawn by ethical principles and campus will also from the cultural values counts for much, but host the Melbourne is often unregarded in formal collections. These The rhino, in The Historie Rare Books Fair in procedures or processes. include Knowledge of Fovre-footed Beastes ..., Wilson Hall, and Open “Unfortunately, not many through Print: a by Edward Topsell, London, House Melbourne young executives have Melbourne Perspective, 1607. Special Collections, achieved the amalgam Baillieu Library, University program, accessing celebrating Melbourne’s necessary for managerial of Melbourne fascinating University wisdom and authentic rich cultural history and of Melbourne buildings. leadership,” he says. “This the British Museum’s is why formal accountability Printing and the Mind and responsibility matter of Man, exploring some so much for many Western Bring a copy of this magazine to any of the organisations. We should of the world’s most participating coffee vendors during the find a balance between influential books. informal forms of trusting festival to receive a free hot drink. relationships and formal governance rules and regulations, leading to phronèsis.” www.unimelb.edu.au/culturalcollections/treasuresdays/

alumni.unimelb.edu.au 31 The Last Word

It was with the assistance of Melbourne hold myself together when interviewing Mark Oprah and University that I was able to intern in the writing Wahlberg’s less famous brother, Donnie, and didn’t Billy Crystal department of The Late Show with David burst into tears when Kim Kardashian called me Letterman. The life-changing experience was my cruel. (I had asked her fans in the studio audience contribute to final scholarly undertaking before graduation. if they wanted a photograph with Kim and when they screamed ‘Yes!’ I told them it wouldn’t happen.) the internship Airfare and accommodation came out of my own pocket and there was no guarantee of Not all opportunities are stellar. One of my gigs of Daniel Burt attaining the position. Despite a gutsy effort upon returning to Australia was to adapt US (BA Media & at self-sabotage, I had a successful interview formats for Australian audiences, which sounds and so flew home to prepare for my return. lofty until you realise it meant writing for The Comm 2005). Biggest Loser. On my first day, the host told me The ground shifted. While I had never personally that my writing was ‘Shakespearean’. When met the comedian Wil Anderson, he got in touch to I thanked her for saying so, she made an effort pay for my plane ticket. I appeared in newspapers to explain that she meant it as an insult. and TV bulletins and was interviewed by Bert Newton and John-Michael Howson on Good Another such experience was adapting the Morning Australia. The placement hadn’t even National Bingo Night franchise for Australia. started, so I found myself on camera discussing This program combined all the drama of our the unforeseeable and answering questions I numerical system with all the excitement of couldn’t possibly know the answer to. In other watching people play bingo. It was axed after words, I was getting good training to be a talking episode six, which was a real shame as I had head on TV. my money on legs-eleven. The internship was unpaid and my visa forbade I’ve also written for the Japanese-via-UK concept me from earning money during the stay. Hole in the Wall, a game show where celebrity Nevertheless, I was optimistic and decided even contestants, wearing hard hats and spandex, on my first day that ruining my dad’s retirement contorted their bodies so as to fit through holes was totally worth it. in a polystyrene wall that slowly moved towards them. This was not even a career highlight for Sometime after lunch, but before the tutorial on the wall. sexual harassment, I opened a wrong door and set off the fire alarm for the entire building. As I The lessons learned at university continue to witnessed staff prepare to evacuate, I knew that shape my life as an alumnus. My writing, acting I had broken at least one tenet of How to Win and stand-up career was launched during my Friends and Influence People. studies, and winning the Campus Comedy competition supplemented formal qualifications. My reputation gradually healed and I immersed Melbourne University opened doors for me. myself in the deep end of showbusiness. Sharing a room’s oxygen with such people as Billy Crystal Daniel Burt is a writer and comedian. Catch him and Oprah has seen me not easily intimidated in The Age Green Guide or online at danielburt. by international celebrities. I’ve managed to tumblr.com and @trubnad

32 Melbourne University Magazine

Champagne Jimmy’s bequest still bubbling

Dr James George Beaney (a.k.a. ‘Diamond Jim’ or ‘Champagne Jimmy’) was a prominent Victorian-era surgeon and the Medical School’s first benefactor.

A bon vivant with a penchant for diamond jewellery, Beaney commonly prescribed alcohol – preferably champagne. In his dotage, he lectured annually at the medical school, where he was widely known – and celebrated – for serving his favourite drink after each lecture. Upon his death in 1891 he bequeathed the University graduate scholarships in pathology and surgery. The scholarships ensured Beaney’s legacy lived on through the medical students whose lives he transformed through his generosity. This is just one of the many bequests that have enabled the University of Melbourne and all those who make up the community, to be truly extraordinary.

Patients and Diamonds [Dr James George Beaney] The Weekly Times, 1873, PIC/9485 LOC Drawer 7291-7300 (National Library of Australia, 2012)

To find out more about University of Melbourne bequests, visit unimelb.edu.au/alumni/giving/bequests/ or call +61 3 8344 1056 Your opinion matters to us – tell us what you think at survey.alumni.unimelb.edu.au The more we know about you, the more we can improve the program of events, benefits and services available to you as an alumnus of the University of Melbourne. Complete the survey before 1 September 2012 and you’ll go into the draw to win one of three iPads.

what matters? survey.alumni.unimelb.edu.au