I have had a long commitment to the Graduate Union. 

Since being elected to Council six years ago I have worked to enrich the experience of all members, including Graduate House residents.  I contribute regularly to events and activities. I initiated (with Dr. Max Stephens) the very successful Graduate House mentoring program. Three years ago we offered the Doctoral Journey program for residents undertaking their PhD. Subsequently we have offered general writing workshops for residents.

At this pivotal time in our history – with a major building project pending – I, as Deputy Chair of Council, am committed to ensuring that the principles and beliefs underlying our institution are not diminished. Our members are my priority: I want them to have a voice in our future. I want a future that builds on our past and provides ongoing rich opportunities for collegial connection, intellectual challenge, intercultural experiences, and friendship.  

Current Council Status: Seeking for Re-election to Council

Length of Continuous Membership of The Graduate Union:  50 years plus

Explain how your key areas of expertise will contribute to Council.

• I have extensive experience with membership associations over a 50-year period. This has includedbeingPresident of a national membership association (and the editor of its journal); and committee chair of an international membership organisation.  
• As a former Dean of a university Faculty of Education I have hada long experiencewith undergraduate students, post-graduate students, and academic and non-academic staff 
• I have had extensive experience working with academics from Australia and overseas. 

All of the above has given me a broad perspective in dealing with university graduates – who are the very focus of our Graduate Union.  

Outline your view on the development and growth potential of The Graduate Union in the next three years.

I believe that The Graduate Union has the potential to expand its membership over the next three years and to truly operate as a national and international graduate membership association.  As Co-Chair of the Advancement Committee, I am currently working with Dr. Max Stephens as we embark on a research project to explore ways of attracting and retaining new members. This will proceed irrespective of the proposed building project.  

Because of the building project the next three years will necessarily be a period of change and, to some extent, disruption. It is imperative that this be managed with respect and care for members and staff. Every effort must be taken to provide suitable, alternative accommodation and facilities during the proposed building period.  

I do not believe we should proceed with a new building project until we have consulted extensively with our members – our stakeholders – with respect to the reasons for change and why we wish to take the path we are choosing. 

Outline your current involvement with The Graduate Union.

I have been a member of Council for the past six years, and Deputy Chair of Council for the last three years. I am the Co-Chair of the Advancement Committee, and for the three years prior to this I was the Chair of the Fundraising Sub-committee.  

As noted in my Personal Statement I have been instrumental with Dr. Max Stephens in implementing mentoring programs for Graduate House residents and general members of the Graduate Union. Additionally, we have introduced writing seminars and workshops for Graduate House residents. These successful programs are ongoing. 

State your TWO greatest achievements of relevance to governance (e.g. as a member of a company board or The Graduate Union Council, as a contributor to your community).

As a member of the board of The Australian Ballet School I was able to convince the directors and members  of the importance of ensuring that students who left secondary school around the age of 15 to train at the School should receive at the end of the their training an accredited 3-year diploma and, at the same time, complete their VCE with a focus on the arts. This was innovative and ensured that students who changed their career ambitions during these 3 years were not ‘penalised’ for having left school at such an early age to train at The Australian Ballet School. Prior to this, students who had left secondary school early to enter the Australian Ballet School did not qualify for university entrance upon graduation as they had not undertaken their VCE or even graduated with an accredited diploma. As a consequence, their prospects of employment or university entrance were adversely affected. We succeeded in having our 3-year Diploma accredited by the relevant State authority – and, additionally, students could complete their VCE.  

In my role as Dean of a University Faculty I designed aMasters degree in Arts Management which I successfully negotiated with industry externally and stakeholders within the university.  This enabled those wishing to undertake MBA studies to pursue this alternative degree with its focus on management in arts organisations. This ongoing program has been extremely successful over several years.  

Both of these initiatives entailed high level governance negotiations for the benefit of students – and, ultimately, other stakeholders. 

List relevant industry and community-based experience.

My career has focused on education in schools and tertiary institutions. I have been teaching in universities for fifty years. I have an intimate understanding of graduates – who are the very focus of our Graduate Union. 

In addition to having been a resident in a university college whilst a student, I have had two senior appointments in residential colleges in Melbourne. This experience and the insights it has afforded me have served me well in my current role with The Graduate Union. 

Academic qualifications

Bachelor of Music. University of Melbourne. 1969 

Bachelor of Education. University of Melbourne. 1971 

Master of Education. La Trobe University. 1977 

Doctor of Philosophy. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. 1983