Past events
2011
A Life In Caricature: Ian Glanville’s DTL
Ian Glanville was the last speaker for the Bendigo Chapter of Alumni Downtown Lecture Series for 2011 presenting his lecture, Drawing the Line, at the La Trobe Visual Arts Centre on Wednesday evening, 16 November.
Using a series of slides and photos Ian guided his audience through the highlights of his long career as a cartoonist, journalist, educator and author as well as reintroducing his beloved character Strawberry Scarecrow! Before Strawberry, Ian had been hired by the local TV station to work as a set designer but found himself in demand as builder of the weather station, cue card writer and even roving reporter of local news.
Strawberry was developed in 1964 when Ian was working on a local children’s TV show for Channel 8. Strawberry became so popular, that he had a life outside of the show, going to local charity events to meet children and becoming the celebrity of the show. At one of his events Ian remembers a new character accompanying Strawberry Scarecrow who was later to be known as Humphrey B Bear!
Mr. Glanville moved from TV to education in 1975 to work for Media Services at La Trobe University at its Bendigo Campus. He designed and produced various University publications such as course guides and brochures which he illustrated. As well as his official work Ian often immortalised his colleagues who were leaving or retiring through caricature and other staff cherished his yearly calendars depicting various university personalities.
His skill as a cartoonist caught the eye of the then editor of the Bendigo Gazette (now known as the Bendigo Advertiser) and Ian started yet another career path as the paper’s resident cartoonist. Ian showed us some of his cartoons which covered both local and topical issues and which had added up to over 1000 by 1992 when he finished working for the paper.
Versatility and ingenuity have and still remain a hallmark of this septuagenarian's career. Ian still produces a weekly cartoon for the popular local paper The Bendigo Weekly. At the conclusion of the lecture Ian demonstrated his impressive skill as a cartoonist by drawing a caricature of a member of the audience. Penny Davies, who is also a prominent member of the La Trobe Alumni community. She was delighted with the result. After his lecture Ian autographed copies of his latest book Just Point No. 3 a book of cartoons depicting the lives and humour of the Cornish settlement in Bendigo during the Gold Rush.
A Blessing in Disguise
Associate Professor Trevor Budge could not have picked a more pertinent topic, with which to address the Bendigo community, than the current Road Transport Strategy by the Vic Roads and the Bendigo Council. He was invited by the Bendigo Chapter of Alumni Committee to give their third DTL for 2011 because of his expertise in the area of Planning and Development both locally and internationally and the capacity audience, at the La Trobe View Street Visual Arts Centre on Wednesday 24 August, were eager to hear his position.
It was a big surprise then when Professor Budge opened his lecture describing the BRTS (Bendigo Road & Transport Strategy) as “a blessing in disguise”! He contended that this action by the Council and Vic Roads opened up the whole issue of planning for the city and was an opportunity for the community to actively engage with the Council about what sort of city we wanted.
Professor Budge maintained that the key to an efficient transport system in a city was the effective management of its land use. He used the planning programs in two cities: Freiberg in Germany and Portland in Oregon, to demonstrate how the re-organisation of land use combined with innovation in transport systems supported growth without increasing either traffic congestion or land area.
Having peppered our imaginations with these marvellous examples, Trevor Budge then turned his attention to Bendigo and presented a vision of what may be possible for our city. His main premise was that we should be utilising and supplementing what we already have. He encouraged a position that did not go for the quick fix but instead re-examined our asset base. He outlined a model which showed that, by refurbishing land use with an integrated transport corridor along the central spine of the city, there was room for viable alternatives to the car, such as public transport, cycling and walking.
Professor Budge presented a lecture that was both informative and stimulating but he also encouraged us to develop our own vision of what sort of city we wanted in the long term and to become involved has a community in how that came about.
The Symphony of History
On a cold blustery night in June, Jim Evans, the president of Bendigo’s Historical Society, warmed the hearts and minds of his capacity audience at the La Trobe Visual Arts venue, with a rendition of their town’s history spiked with song, dance and dramatic performance.
Jim’s talk, The Mysteries of Bendigo, was structured in four symphonic parts and its title indicated that as well as entertainment, Jim would enlighten his audience about the light and dark periods of Bendigo’s history and people. He did this through a sequence of questions which raised issues which were relevant to both the past and present development of the town. Here are a few of the highlights.
There was the story of the golden waistcoat which appeared glistening on its owner after he slipped and fell into the Bendigo Creek which added a light touch to the hazardous conditions of the Bendigo goldfields. There was the shocking revelation that there is a cemetery with 600 graves under the present day Tom Flood sports stadium; a dark secret from the past. Jim also demonstrated the resilience of historic traditions by tracing the origins of the red flags, which have become a symbol of protest in the current Road debate in Bendigo, to the 1853 Red Ribbon Movement, a pro Republican movement before Eureka. And it was with his typical panache that Mr. Evans finished his talk with a performance of the Red Ribbon’s protest song .
Jim Evans also paid tribute to the impressive list of local historians, over the years, that have contributed to an understanding of Bendigo’s history. He also heralded the opening of the Nolan Street Primary Source Archive as a leap forward for research. But by the wealth of hearty smiles and lively conversation that spilled over to the foyer after his address , there was no doubt that it is historians like Jim Evans, who have the skill of making history relevant and engaging to an interested public.
A Substantial Audience for a Sustainable Topic
On Wednesday 16 March the Bendigo Chapter presented its first Downtown Lecture for 2011: “Sustainable Regional Development: Why Good Government Matters.” The lecture was given by Professor John Martin, Director for the Centre for Sustainable Regional Communities, La Trobe University and Bendigo.
Professor Martin presented his lecture to a full-house at La Trobe’s Visual Arts Centre on View Street. After outlining the history of regional development programs and their impact on regional communities, he spoke about the structure and function of all levels of Government in Australia. With this, Professor Martin asked two questions: “How much do we do for ourselves?” And, “How much do we expect government to do for us?”
He told the audience that while local government is at the coal-face of service provision and local democracy, and that often locally elected representatives are the most accountable; the reality is local government is not recognised by the Australian Constitution. Indeed it is at the whim of the State governments. But that acting local is the most effective way of servicing community needs.
The Bendigo Chapter of La Trobe University Alumni Committee would like to thank Professor John Martin for his informative and thought provoking lecture, which made for an impressive beginning to the 2011 Downtown Lecture Series.
2011 Annual General Meeting
On Wednesday 16 March 2011 the Bendigo Chapter of La Trobe University Alumni Association held its Annual General Meeting. Chaired by Mr Leon Moulden, the meeting opened with the presentation of the Chapter’s 2010 Annual Report which outlined the Chapter’s activities over the last year including: lectures, reunions and the scholarship award night. The AGM saw the expiration of three committee members’ terms of office: Dr Gary Hill, Mr John Deane, and Mr Leon Moulden. All three members renominated and were re-elected unopposed. The fourth committee position was filled by new nominee, Ms Angela Pollock, who was also elected unopposed.
Bendigo Teachers' College Leonard French Mural Reunion
Bendigo Chapter Committee member Rob Stephenson hosted a brief visit & tour on Saturday 26 February 2011 by a group of Bendigo Teachers College graduates at the Bendigo Campus to celebrate their 50 year reunion. This involved a tour of the FM Courtis Collection, and in particular the Leonard French mural – The Legend.
The visit and plaque presentation was arranged by David Cowan who, as President of the SRC, oversaw the levying of 5 shillings on each student, and the raising of the shortfall to cover the 300 Pounds required to purchase The Legend – a mural triptych by Leonard French.
The group was thrilled to see that their contribution to the FM Courtis collection is still valued and held in Bendigo, and was pleased to be welcomed back as La Trobe Alumni.
2010
First Downtown Lecture for 2010
The Bendigo Chapter of the La Trobe University Alumni held the first of their Downtown Lecture for 2010 at the La Trobe University Visual Arts Centre, View St on Wednesday 24 March. The lecture “The Murray Darling Basin: A Federal Takeover” was presented by Mr Ian Tulloch, lecturer in politics at La Trobe Bendigo campus to an enthusiastic audience.
Alumni Chair, Mr Robert Stephenson opened the lecture welcoming everyone and introducing Mr Andrew Skewes, La Trobe University Bendigo Campus Director, who spoke of his vision for the campus in the next 5 years. Mr Skewes discussed how the La Trobe Bendigo campus is differentiated from other universities through its strong community connection and that there is always opportunity to achieve greater involvement. He spoke of increased student numbers this year which ultimately adds to the Bendigo community.
Following Mr Skewes, Mr Robert Stephenson introduced Mr Ian Tulloch to speak on the topic of the evening, the possibility of a Federal takeover of the Murray Darling Basin. Mr Tulloch opened by explaining Tony Abbott's proposal to take over the Murray-Darling Basin via a referendum if he wins the next election; a proposal which has little support from all States except for South Australia. Mr Tulloch then went on to give a brief history of the control of the Murray Darling basin, which has been an ongoing issue since before federation.
The Murray Darling Basin covers 43% of the total number of farms in Australia, and supplies the water to 72% of irrigated land; resulting in 83% of the water that flows in the basin being used for agriculture leaving very little for environmental flows. Thus the basin plays a major role in food and fiber production and therefore the economy, because of this there are many stakeholders involved. Mr Tulloch addressed many of these stakeholders’ opinions on Mr Abbott’s proposal, such as the National Farmer’s Federation, the National Party (Liberal’s Coalition partners) and the National Irrigator’s Council, all of whom do not support the idea.
Mr Tulloch concluded by explaining that if the question of Federal control of the Murray Darling Basin was put to a referendum it would therefore most likely not succeed because of this opposition. The final posed question for the night was, even if the Commonwealth was to obtain power of the basin; what impact would that have on farming and the economy or indeed environmental flows?
The first Downtown Lecture for 2010 has provided the forum for a socially and environmentally important presentation - that will undoubtedly provoke debate and discussion throughout the Bendigo community. The Committee would like to thank Mr Ian Tulloch for an informative and inspiring public lecture.
2010 Annual General Meeting
On Wednesday 24 March 2010 the Bendigo Chapter of La Trobe University Alumni Association held its Annual General Meeting. Chaired by Mr Robert Stephenson, the meeting opened with the presentation of the Chapter’s 2009 Annual Report which outlined the Chapter’s activities over the last year including: lectures, reunions and the scholarship award night.
The AGM saw the resignation of three valued members of the Chapter’s committee: Mrs Lyn Davies the committee’s minute secretary whom had been a member of the committee for 4 years; Mr David Stuchbery whom joined the committee in 2007 and Mr David Jones whom joined the committee a year ago and is leaving to pursue new career opportunities. All of these committee members brought different qualities and skills to the committee, and we all thank them for their commitment over the years.
Following the above three resignations and the conclusion of some committee members’ terms of office there were six committee vacancies with Mr Robert Stephenson, Ms Mary Martin and Ms Katherine Hancy being renominated, and a new nominee Ms Charon Freebody all being elected un-opposed. The annual general meeting was then followed by a lecture by Mr Ian Tulloch, “The Murray Darling Basin: A Federal Takeover?”
BCAE Graduates Return to La Trobe University Bendigo
Late in May 2010 after a Saturday of catching up, reminiscing and enjoying each other’s company over a long lunch, several 1980 to 1982 graduates from La Trobe’s antecedent Bendigo institution the Bendigo College of Advanced Education (BCAE) returned to the Campus for the first time in many years. To mark their 30 year reunion, former students from Arts, Business and Science were given a tour around the campus by Bendigo Chapter committee member Ms Mary Martin with the assistance of security staff.
Our eager alumni reminisced about their uni experience whilst looking through Applied Science 1, Applied Science 2 and the Circular Lecture Theatre - the main parts of the current campus where they studied in the early 1980s. They saw their science graduation photos still on the wall in the Science building and toured through the Terraces where some of them had stayed whilst studying. The tour was the highlight of their reunion, and this small group of alumni led by Jen Wilson (nee Collins) would like to thank Mary Martin and La Trobe security staff for their assistance.
Second Downtown Lecture for 2010 Provides Food for Thought!
The Bendigo Chapter of the La Trobe University Alumni held their second Downtown Lecture for 2010 at the La Trobe Visual Arts Centre, View St on Wednesday 16 June. The lecture titled “Food – The Forgotten Item on the Urban Menu” was presented to an enthusiastic audience by Mr Trevor Budge, Senior Lecturer in Community Planning and Development at La Trobe University Bendigo.
The lecture was opened with a short address from Mr Andrew Skewes, La Trobe University Bendigo Campus Director, who spoke of recent activities undertaken at the Bendigo campus and the recent announcement of new government funding to aid in refurbishment of current facilities at the university and the development of new buildings on campus. Following Mr Skewes’ address the Bendigo Chapter Alumni committee Chair, Mr Leon Moulden, spoke of Alumni’s role in community engagement and introduced Mr Budge.
Mr Budge opened the lecture by stating that food security has been an issue for the human race since the dawn of time; however in the last 100 years the western world has broken free from this problem. But with the world’s growing population and the increase of people living in urban areas food security is an issue that is remerging for many communities, regions and nations, including western nations. Mr Budge explained that there are three main concerns relating to food security:
- The world produces enough food for all its people, therefore hunger is due to problems such as distance, access to transport and policy.
- The current system of food production is unsustainable as it dependant on three finite resources: water, soil and oil.
- The current system of food production could be made sustainable however it would require massive changes to our current practices.
Mr Budge then went on to examine these points further and the ever growing contributing factors. Many of these factors are due to our modern way of life. In most cities the majority of fresh food supply is from large supermarkets, which has had a significant effect on food security. This has created ‘food deserts’ in our major cities; making food sometimes unobtainable for some members of the community. Considering food plays a very large role in our economy with over 210,000 people in Melbourne alone being employed in the food industry this is a confronting reality. Now an increasing number of people are starting to take notice of the ever growing issue of food security. In the last 5 years there has been a movement against the current model of food supply in Australia with increasing numbers of people shopping at local produce farmers markets; opting for slow food over fast food; and lobbying for food as well as water to be a topic on the agenda for policy development.
The Bendigo Chapter of the La Trobe Alumni would like to thank Mr Budge for his informative and thought provoking lecture, and for providing another successful Downtown Lecture.
Bendigo Chapter Acknowledges Exceptional Students
On Monday 2 August 2010 the Bendigo Chapter of La Trobe University Alumni proudly awarded the Bendigo Chapter Undergraduate Alumni Scholarship and the Bendigo Chapter Postgraduate Scholarship to two deserving students at the La Trobe Bendigo Annual Prizes and Awards Night.
The Bendigo Chapter Alumni Undergraduate Scholarship is awarded to a full time student at Bendigo campus who has successfully completed all units of their course (to date) and has contributed to the welfare of other students during their time at La Trobe. This year the award went to Ms Tristen Pogue. Ms Pogue is a fourth year Pharmacy student who has been significantly involved with the Bendigo Association of Pharmacy Students (BAPS) and the National Association of Pharmacy Students over the past few years. She is also a Student Ambassador.
The Bendigo Chapter Post Graduate Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding post-graduate student enrolled at Bendigo, and this year went to Ms Karena Spencer – a Masters of Nursing student, who after studying Graphic Design as an undergraduate chose to change direction and pursue nursing as a career.
Senior Alumni and Advancement staff Sarah Wall & Karl Brown and the Chair of the Bendigo Chapter, Leon Moulden attended the event and congratulated the two winners on their awards. The Bendigo Chapter would like to congratulate both Ms Pogue and Ms Spencer for being awarded Alumni Scholarships, and for their achievements at university and within the community. The Chapter also wishes them every success in the future.
Bendigo Business Students Put on Two Fantastic Networking Events
In August 2010, as part of a student career mentoring project and co-sponsored by Alumni and Advancement, students from the Regional School of Business held two networking events based around the themes of Human Resources and Marketing. At each event, members of the local business community and business graduates spoke to current students about career opportunities, graduate skills and networking opportunities. Bendigo Chapter Chair, Leon Moulden attended and spoke at the first event in early August and the immediate past Chair, Rob Stephenson spoke at the second event later in the month. Both members of the committee spoke of the importance of staying connected to La Trobe, and the opportunities that this provides current students to increase their social and professional networks. The Chapter Committee would like to thank the Alumni and Advancement Office for co-sponsoring the events, and also thank the student organisers (Rachel Metelmann, Melissa Mazzarino, Melanie Newell and Adrian Lyons) and staff members Cindy Taylor and Nicole Van Oosterwijck for inviting members of the Chapter Committee to the events.
Third Downtown Lecture Answers the $43bn Question
The Bendigo Chapter of the La Trobe University Alumni held its third and final Downtown Lecture for 2010 at the La Trobe Visual Arts Centre, View St on Wednesday 20 October. The Lecture titled “What is it with Broadband? The $43bn question” was present by Mr Andrew Skewes, Executive Director of the Bendigo Campus of La Trobe University.
The public lecture was well attended and was opened by Mr Leon Moulden, the Chair of the Bendigo Chapter who first welcomed Ms Sarah Wall, of Alumni and Advancement La Trobe. Ms Wall gave a short talk outlining the changes Alumni and Advancement are currently undergoing in an effort to increase community engagement with the university at all campuses. Mr Moulden then introduced Mr Andrew Skewes.
Mr Skewes opened the lecture by outlining some basic concepts which are the backbone of policy development and decision making at a government level such as the concept of general purpose technologies – of which Broadband is. Mr Skewes then went on to cover the basic technological aspects of broadband provision, explaining the differences between copper wire, optic fibre and DSL internet, and what the new $43bn plan will entail.
The lecture then explored the views of various political and business stakeholders in Australia and why, in Australia, we currently have a unique situation of slow internet speeds and high cost when compared to the rest of the western world; this situation is not assisted by Australia’s vast size and subsequent distances.
Mr Skewes concluded the lecture by outlining foreseen problems with the current plan. These problems included investment uncertainty due to many factors, such as after building the network at such a large cost, will we be able to supply internet at a reasonable cost to the consumer? Also, the fact that technology trends change over time, for example mobile broadband may be more favourable than optic fibre in the future, and not to mention the opportunity cost of $43bn to the taxpayer. Mr Skewes’ final statements gave options that may alleviate the current Broadband provision issues without spending quite so much money. Such options included breaking down Telstra’s strangle-hold over the current communication system, sharpening competition laws between telecommunications companies, and focusing on utilising infrastructure within the current telecommunications system.
The Bendigo Chapter of La Trobe University Alumni Committee would like to thank Mr Andrew Skewes for his informative and thought provoking lecture, which made for yet another successful Downtown Lecture for 2010.
2009
The Politics of Water in Victoria: Pulls a Crowd!
The Chapter’s first Downtown Lecture for the year was an overwhelming success with a record crowd in attendance. On Wednesday 25 February at the La Trobe Visual Arts Centre the Bendigo Chapter of La Trobe University Alumni Association kicked-off its 2009 Downtown Lecture Series with an extensive examination of the most controversial political issue in Victoria today – “Water!” Ian Tulloch, Co-ordinator of the Sociology and Politics Program, Bendigo Campus presented the topical lecture entitled: “The Politics of Water in Victoria” to an enthusiastic capacity audience.
Rob Stephenson, Chair of the Bendigo Chapter of La Trobe Alumni welcomed the crowd and spoke about the important role Alumni performed in engaging with the community. This included providing the community with public lectures presented by La Trobe’s experts on topical issues like water. The Acting Executive Director of the Bendigo Campus, Dr Andrew Harvey then welcomed the enthusiastic crowd and reiterated the importance of La Trobe engaging with the community; and told the crowd how pleased he was to see such a great turn-out. He also told the crowd that La Trobe planned to announce a new regional strategy in the near future, and to expand its regional student load by approximately 20 per cent.
After the formalities Ian Tulloch outlined the Victorian Labor Government’s response to the water crisis - explaining that to ensure the sustainability of metropolitan water supplies - the Government had decided to build a desalination plant in Gippsland and the North–South Pipeline which will divert water from the Goulburn River. It sounds like a reasonable proposition explained Ian. “Divide up the water savings from improving the infrastructure (an estimated 225 gigalitres) and give one-third back to the river, a third to farmers and the other third to Melbourne. Everyone wins.” The river system has more environmental flows, farmers have more water and Melbourne gets the rest. “But this is not the case”, Ian told the crowd, as this assumption is based on flawed water savings projections.
Ian described the State Government’s approach to water as pragmatic – an approach that aims to ensure Melbourne’s water supplies and regional cities water supplies (with the Goldfields Super-pipe), but bypasses other issues such as environmental flows. He explained that it is not only farmers who are against the North-South Pipeline with the Plug the Pipe group claiming some 3000 members; but also the Greens, Friends of the Earth, South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon and Tim Flannery. In essence, this is an alliance of disparate groups coming together over the one issue for different reasons. He also said people were against the Desalination Plant, because as Bob Carr famously said, it was like “electricity on tap” because of the enormous amount of energy it would use.
Ian’s forensic lecture explored the various tensions which these State Government initiatives have generated, and looked at the political implications that could flow from them. He explained to the audience that although there is a hostile reaction to the North-South Pipeline there is an unlikely chance of the Labor Government losing seats over the issue as those seats are already Coalition seats. Indeed, this strategy was about securing votes in Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong, not just Melbourne.
This public lecture highlighted that the topic of water is of high importance to Bendigonians – with the crowd being representative of people from all walks of life. The overwhelming public support for this lecture only proves that water is now one of the key political issues in Victoria, if not the key political issue.
The Chapter Committee would like to thank Ian Tulloch for giving his time to present such an important lecture; and the Bendigo public for getting behind the first Downtown Lecture for the year and turning out in droves. We hope that we can provide more interesting and enlightening public lectures in 2009.
Bendigo Teacher’s College Reunion: A Great Success!
The class of 1959 are excited about the success of their first ever reunion – the 50th anniversary of when they first started their teaching training. All who attended the reunion were very happy to see each other again. Indeed, the reunion was such a success that there is even talk of another reunion next year.
The Bendigo Teacher’s College 1959 Intake Reunion started with an afternoon tea function at Jessie Burnett Lounge at the old Bendigo Teacher’s College Osborne Street Campus on Saturday 18 April 2009. The afternoon tea gave past students and friends a chance to catch-up, reminisce, and look at memorabilia. They all then continued on to All Seasons Quality Inn where they enjoyed a two-course meal. This was followed by the singing of College songs which was greeted with great enthusiasm amongst the former students. The reunion gave the former students the chance to swap life stories – some of whom have stayed in education, some have moved overseas, and others have written books.
The organisers Mary Dean and Jeni Watts would like to thank all of those involved, especially, Robbie Alexander and his staff at Food for Thought for the wonderful food and great catering; and Lyn Davies for helping to organise the event and set up the Jessie Burnett Lounge.
La Trobe Annual Dinner
Members of the Bendigo Chapter of the Alumni Association joined with University Staff, Alumni members and Distinguished Guests at the La Trobe Annual Dinner and Distinguished Alumni Awards held at NGV International on the evening of Wednesday 29th April.
The Dinner celebrated the achievements of La Trobe staff and students during 2008, and honoured a number of alumni who have demonstrated outstanding professional or community service achievements, inspirational leadership in their field, and exceptional human qualities. Among those honoured were two alumni with strong connections to the Bendigo Campus: Dr Ian MacBean and Ms Jamila Gordon.
Dr Ian MacBean OAM retired from the position of Director of the Centre for Sustainable Regional Communities at La Trobe University, Bendigo in July 2003. Dr MacBean, who currently Chairs the North Central Catchment Management Authority, taught the University’s first intake of students at its Bundoora campus in 1967, and was the first person to qualify for a La Trobe University PhD. He later held senior roles at the University, and at the Bendigo College of Advanced Education, including Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, and Deputy / Acting Dean of the Faculty at Bendigo.
Ms Jamila Gordon was Qantas’ Group Chief Information Officer from September 2007 to March 2009, with end-to-end responsibility for Qantas’ Information technology and Communications. In this leadership role, Ms Gordon significantly improved service delivery to the Qantas business, while dramatically reducing costs, and positioning the IT organisation as a key driver of innovation across the Group. After emigrating to Australia in 1989 from her Somalian birthplace, Ms Gordon completed a Bachelor of Business (IT) at La Trobe University, Bendigo in 1994. She has fond memories of her time spent in Bendigo, and commented on the foundation that her education had provided for her to pursue her career. Prior to her Qantas appointment, Ms Gordon worked in several Senior Executive roles with IBM, including a period where she managed some of the world’s largest strategic outsourcing initiatives from her base in France and the Netherlands.
The evening was a wonderful celebration of individuals who, with the benefit of undertaking Higher Education at La Trobe, have worked hard and seized opportunities that have allowed them to achieve their potential, and are deserving of their recognition as Distinguished Alumni.
Downtown Lecture Revealed the Truth about the Great Australian Dream
On Wednesday 3 June 2009 at the La Trobe University Visual Arts Centre, the Bendigo Chapter of the La Trobe University Alumni Association presented “Tell ‘em, they’re dreaming”: Is the Great Australian Dream still relevant?, by Mr Ken Marchingo, CEO of Loddon Mallee Housing Services (LMHS).
Before introducing Mr Ken Marchingo, Mr Rob Stephenson, Chair of the Bendigo Chapter of La Trobe Alumni Association welcomed an enthusiastic crowd to the second Downtown Lecture for 2009, and spoke of the role of public lectures in building links between La Trobe University, its graduates and the wider community. Dr Andrew Harvey, Acting Executive Director of the Bendigo Campus then thanked the audience for coming and reiterated the important role public lectures play in “community engagement and knowledge transfer.”
Mr Marchingo’s lecture explored the current Federal Government’s approach to housing policy as enunciated by the Federal Minister for Housing - Tanya Plibersek recently at the Sydney Institute, contrasted with the way Victoria and other states are approaching housing policy.
Mr Marchingo examined the greatest of all fears in contemporary Australian suburbia … “the loss of one’s home, loss of one’s castle”. He explained that this was more than the just the loss of “bricks and mortar”, but the “loss of dignity, sense of self, and confronting of the absolute powerlessness” because after all a “home is memories and love, and sense of self and sense of place, community and belonging.” Therefore although “the great Australian dream” is often portrayed as the pursuit of home ownership, it is really about security. “The tenure form should be largely neutral.” Mr Marchingo told the audience.
He then pointed out that there are some 645,000 families and individuals who are on low incomes, who are paying more than 30% of their income in rent. “That means there are some 645,000 families and individuals who are at risk of homelessness.” This is because people who are on low incomes, who pay more than 30% of their income in rent, cannot sustain this without being forced to not pay for other crucial expenditures. And, “this does not include the more than 100,000 people who on any given night in Australia are homeless.”
Therefore, as part of the community sector, Loddon Mallee Housing Services “puts homeless people fully at the centre of what we want to do, what we try to do and what we actually do, every day.” Mr Marchingo told the audience. “We provide crisis housing; transitional housing, specifically targeted housing and long-term secure safe and affordable housing for the low-to-moderate income earners across our community, and indeed, progressively over all of Victoria.” LMHS is Victoria’s first registered affordable housing association with an annual budget of $24 Million. Ken has been with LMHS since 1994 and has served on many boards and committees, and is currently a board member of the Bendigo Health Care Group.
The Bendigo Chapter of La Trobe University Alumni Association would like to thank Ken Marchingo for giving his time to present such an important and timely lecture.
Downtown Lecture demonstrated that Bendigo can be a leader in the Post-Fossil Fuel World
On Wednesday 19 August at the La Trobe University Visual Arts Centre Bendigo, the Bendigo Chapter of La Trobe University Alumni Association presented its third Downtown Lecture for 2009 entitled: “Bendigo: A Future Leader in the Post-Fossil Fuel World”, by Ms Karen Corr and Mr Ian McBurney, President and Vice-President of the Bendigo Sustainability Group (BSG). The lecture attracted a capacity crowd demonstrating the Bendigo community’s interest in all things “sustainable.” Both the Deputy Chair of the Chapter, Leon Moulden, and the Director of Regional Operations, Dr Andrew Harvey, welcomed the enthusiastic audience and spoke of the important role these lectures play within La Trobe’s community engagement strategy.
The lecture examined Bendigo’s potential role in a post-fossil fuel world: a future Bendigo that is based on sustainable living, sustainable transport, and sustainable energy systems - a future that that values the natural environment and the community of tomorrow’s new green economy. Ian McBurney Vice President of BSG spoke about current global climate trends and how they demonstrate that the worst climate change predictions are now appearing possible, thus requiring major responses by society. He told the audience that the World green economy was now worth $6 billion, and the opportunities for green jobs were in excess of 2.5 million in Australia alone. Furthermore, he argued that “sustainability is a better business model,” and that this is the “most exciting time to be alive in human history.”
Downtown Lecture Outlines a Vision for Business in Bendigo in 25 Years' Time
On Wednesday 11 November 2009 at the La Trobe University Visual Arts Centre, View St., the Bendigo Chapter of La Trobe University Alumni Association presented 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).
Mr Buerger spoke about how Bendigo is a strongly performing regional city in a State that accounts for 25% of Australia’s economy and that over the past decade Bendigo has enjoyed considerable growth in population, infrastructure and services. Moreover, while growing substantially, Bendigo is also prized for its liveability and opportunity. He predicted that Bendigo’s population would grow by nearly 50% in the next 25 years and asked the questions: What will this mean for business, for employment, and for our treasured liveability? What challenges will be faced by business? Where will opportunity be found?
Mr Buerger suggested to an enthusiastic crowd that Bendigo could in the future be “the regional capital for business in Australia” and that the BBC was working towards that goal. He told the audience that this was possible if Bendigo had a pro-business culture, a skilled and educated workforce and built on its connections with the rest of the world. Mr Buerger also said that part of this vision was a large regional University providing a skilled and educated workforce.
Doug Buerger is the Chair of the Bendigo Business Council, Bendigo’s peak representative 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, is a member of the Board of the Bendigo International Madison, and a director of Peter Harcourt Disability Services.
Once again a Downtown Lecture has provided the forum for a socially and economically important presentation that will undoubtedly provoke debate and discussion throughout the Bendigo community. The Committee would like to thank Doug Buerger for giving his time to provide an informative and inspiring public lecture that will no doubt have many people thinking about the exciting new business opportunities of tomorrow’s Bendigo.
2008
Including the Excluded: Another Successful Downtown Lecture
Including the Excluded was presented by Mr David Pugh, CEO of St. Luke’s Anglicare on Wednesday 11 June 2008 at the La Trobe University Visual Arts Centre (Barry Brockley Auditorium) Bendigo. David passionately outlined to an interested audience how “the work at St. Luke’s was quite diverse”, and how St. Luke’s was committed to social justice.
David discussed the current popular term ‘social inclusion’ and how the broad application of this concept has led to a 30% reduction in youth homelessness in Bendigo over the past five years. He said that “social inclusion” was a “trendy new term” that was much more complex than many people thought – explaining that it was a way of recognising that there is more to disadvantage than poverty. Furthermore, for the first time there was even a Minister for Social Inclusion - Julia Gillard, demonstrating a whole of government approach.
For David, social inclusion was about moving people out of poverty. He described poverty as not just the absence of income, but as something much more complex. It included issues like: isolation, education, housing, and infrastructure. Indeed, David argued that we need to understand poverty in a “cultural sense”.
He explained this, by arguing that for a person to move out of poverty, three things needed to happen. Firstly, David argued that relationships are crucial for escaping poverty. By this, David explained that people need to know someone who is not poor in order to move away from poverty themselves. David explained that education and employment are also important pathways from poverty. Finally, David added that some people argue that health is also a necessary pathway for alleviating poverty.
The main focus of David’s lecture outlined the issue of youth homelessness in the Bendigo region. He stated that over the last five years youth homelessness had fallen by 30% in the Bendigo region. This significant change was the result of several factors; including the introduction of a program in 2003 based on early mediation to stop young people from leaving home, and the creation of the Leaving Care Program, designed to assist young people leaving State care. Both programs had been successful. But unfortunately, David pointed out that there are always new areas of need; for example: issues relating to the drought and gambling.
David Pugh was appointed CEO of St Luke’s Anglicare in October 2006. St Luke’s is based in Bendigo and serves the North Central and North Western areas of Victoria, and the Riverina region of NSW. The organisation has a reputation for innovation and for its pioneering work in the fields of strength-based practice and community development. It employs 280 staff across seven towns providing general welfare services particularly in the areas of family support, foster care and mental health. St Luke’s also runs a successful international niche publishing and training business. David has been with St Luke’s for 18 years, and is currently the President of the Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS). He is also a member of the Victorian Government’s Victorian Children’s Council.
David qualified with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Hons) in 1979 from Melbourne University, a Diploma of Education (Secondary) in 1980, and a Master of Business from La Trobe University in 2006.
The Bendigo Chapter of La Trobe University Alumni would like to thank David Pugh for giving his time to present such an important issue to the wider Bendigo community.
Planners say: "The times they are a changing!"
Trevor Budge and Andrew Butt from the Planning and Community Development Program at the Bendigo campus of La Trobe presented “The times they are a changing: What do the 2006 Census results mean for Bendigo and its region?”, on Tuesday 21 October 2008 at the La Trobe University Visual Arts Centre, Bendigo.
Trevor and Andrew discussed their analysis of the 2006 Census and the possible impacts on policy and planning in the future for Bendigo and surrounding regions by identifying trends in the data, including “big picture trends”. Although, they stressed that trends don’t always continue into the future.
They demonstrated how population change is happening - who’s moving and why? How some towns in rural Victoria are losing population, but how at the same time house numbers are increasing – all because less people were living in them. And, how other regions are gaining population but losing their identity.
Other trends that they identified were: the growth in the Hume corridor, the loss of young people from small country towns and conversely the increased numbers of elderly people in these towns. Furthermore, small towns were now attracting more low income and unemployed people, while more people were commuting to Bendigo to work from surrounding rural areas. They argued that rural and regional Victoria was not one region, and therefore needs to be viewed accordingly by Government, which tends to view rural and regional Victoria as one region - a region separate to city.
Finally, Trevor and Andrew suggested that with the growth of the Bendigo community and the increasing importance of Bendigo as a regional centre, that perhaps it was time for the creation of a Research Institute in Bendigo – a “Bendigo Institute”, with a strong focus on the social and environmental issues facing this region.
This Downtown Lecture was sponsored by the Community Planning and Development Program’s Training and Consulting Arm at La Trobe University Bendigo Campus. The Bendigo Chapter of Alumni would like to thank both Trevor Budge and Andrew Butt for their very informative and important presentation.
