Announcements


Final Downtown Lecture for 2009: “The Bendigo Business Council - A Vision for Business in Bendigo in 25 Years Time”

On Wednesday 11 November 2009 at 6:00pm at the La Trobe University Visual Arts Centre, 121 View St. Bendigo, the Bendigo Chapter of La Trobe University Alumni Association will present its fourth and final Downtown Lecture for 2009 entitled: “Bendigo Business Council - A Vision for Business in Bendigo in 25 Years Time”, by Mr Doug Buerger – Chair of the Bendigo Business Council (BBC).

Bendigo is a strongly performing regional city in a state that accounts for 25% of Australia’s economy. Over the past decade Bendigo has enjoyed considerable growth in population, infrastructure and services. While growing substantially, our city is also prized for its liveability and opportunity. Population forecasts predict that the City will grow by nearly 50% in the next 25 years. What will this mean for business, for employment, and for our treasured liveability? What challenges will be faced by business? And where will opportunity be found?

Doug Buerger is the Chair of the Bendigo Business Council, Bendigo’s peak body for business. Doug has over 40 years experience in mineral exploration and mining, including 25 years of service in general and executive management roles. He was managing director and CEO of Bendigo Mining for 11 years from 1995 to 2007. When the Bendigo Business Council was formed from the Central Victorian Business Network and the Bendigo Chamber of Commerce in 2008 Doug provided assistance to unite the two bodies. He was invited to serve as inaugural Chair and was recently returned as director and Chair at the 2009 AGM. Doug serves on committees of the Mineral Council of Australia and the Earth Resources Development Council; he has served on the La Trobe University Regional Advisory Board, and is a member of the Board of the Bendigo International Madison, and a director of Peter Harcourt Disability Services.

This event is sponsored by the Bendigo Chapter of La Trobe University Alumni Association. Donations to the Alumni Scholarship Fund will be appreciated. The lecture will commence at 6:00pm and will be followed by light refreshments. Attendees are advised to be seated by 5:50pm for a 6:00pm start. RSVP by Monday 9 November to La Trobe Alumni Relations Office on: (Toll-free) 1300 737 133 or (03) 9479 2011 or email: alumni@latrobe.edu.au. This will be the final function for the year, so come along and join us for pre-Christmas drinks!

BCAE Bachelor of Business – 1983 & 1984 Reunion

BCAE Bachelor of Business graduates from 1983 & 1984 met for a reunion at the HuHa Bar in Bendigo on Saturday 17 October. Thanks to a huge amount of work undertaken by Sharon Gleeson (Renkin) and Greg Scott to track down graduates from this group – it was a huge success. It was a fabulous night, with opportunities to meet-up with people that in some cases, hadn’t seen each other for over 20 years. Email addresses have since been circulated amongst the group, so hopefully contacts can be made again and friendships reformed – including with those who couldn’t make it on the night, or could not be contacted.
 
Sharon Gleeson reports that: "The last reunion we had was at the Copperpot in Bendigo and Mick Callipari was our host - I guess it was around 1993??? Six years ago Greg Scott and I tried to arrange a reunion and it got all too hard … today technology has made it a whole lot easier. Between the 2 years (1983-84) we had 25% attend, 25% apologies, 15% found but declined and 36% we were unable to find. Having said that, I believe there were several contacted that we were not aware of.”
 
Sharon then says: “Many a night was spent trawling websites such as: Facebook, Friends Reunited, Google, CA/CPA/Tax Agents Board. For me the most exciting find was Celine Yong on Facebook (one of the overseas students I lost contact with). Apologies on the night particularly from the teachers were: Ron Howland, Graeme Wehsack, Laurie O'Farrell and Chaz Horvath.  I particularly want to thank David Yum who was present as the teachers’ representative.”
 
Finally, Sharon states: “We also want to remember our friends that have passed away, Graeme Burrows and Peter O'Day (Ponk), who both in their own way, in each of our lives, have touched us in some way. I would also like to acknowledge the Bendigo Chapter of the La Trobe University Alumni Association for contributing towards our night.  It’s fantastic that those who attended have allowed me to pass on my email list to La Trobe Uni Alumni to be added to their data base. My thankyou's are particularly to Greg Scott for our many lunches and breakfasts to get this over the line, and for his continual encouragement and support. Without you (Greg) I would have given up long ago. I would also like to thank Glen Wilson for the fantastic DVD of photos and music that he put together for all of us (instead of my meagre 25 photos, I now have a great collection of my college years). A special mention also goes to David and Helen Gill, Betty Cocomazzo (Dale) and Rob Stephenson. My last thankyou goes to my fantastic husband that had to put up with all my ups-and-downs, and I want to thank him particularly for his encouragement to keep going and patience in this process - thankyou darling.”

All agreed that they should try to get together more often, with those living in the Bendigo area considering a regular lunch or breakfast to make sure they stay in touch. If anyone would like to be part of this group, please contact Rob Stephenson on: alumni@latrobe.edu.au


La Trobe Alumni are invited to the next Arts Forum

La Trobe alumni are invited to the final Arts and Planning forum for 2009, entitled “FUTURE SUSTAINABLE RESIDENTIAL MODELS” on Tuesday 10 November 2009 at 6.00pm at the La Trobe University Visual Arts Centre, 121 View St. Bendigo. This lecture is in association with the City of Greater Bendigo and will be presented by Karl Fender with Don Goldsworthy.

Hear one of Australia’s leading architects describe how growing cities need to develop sustainable residential forms. Karl Fender, the inspiration behind the Eureka Tower & the Bendigo Art Gallery Extension, joins with the City of Greater Bendigo’s architect Don Goldsworthy in this final Forum for the year. Attendees are advised to be seated by 5.50pm for a 6.00pm start. Refreshments provided. 


Memberships and Renewals - 2010

Membership / renewal subscriptions are now due for the 2010 Calendar Year. For just $15 members can make a positive contribution to the future of your University in your City, by supporting scholarships and adding to the cultural life of our community. Membership also provides great networking events for you to keep in touch with your fellow students, and to keep up-to-date with developments and post-graduate study opportunities at your University.

Application forms and details regarding membership / renewals, and the range of additional benefits available to members can be found at: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/alumni/chapters/bendigo. New graduates (ie: those completing studies in 2009) are entitled to a complementary first year of membership. Please complete the membership / renewal form as indicated, and include details of your recently completed studies. For further information please contact the La Trobe Alumni Relations Office, on: (Toll-free) 1300 737 133 or (03) 9479 2011 or email: alumni@latrobe.edu.au