Past master classes
2011 Master Classes
Professor Neale O'Connor - The University of Hong Kong
Contracting in China - Understanding how the Chinese think
Wednesday 21 September, 2011
Professor O'Connor has been based in Hong Kong for 15 years and works at the University of Hong Kong. During this time he has been involved in numerous research projects examining supply chain management, Chinese-Western joint venture arrangements, the use of management control systems in China-based enterprises, including budgetary control mechanisms and the use of the balanced scorecard.
Mr Damian Drum - Deputy Leader of the Victorian Nationals in the Upper House, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural and Regional Development, Former Assistant Coach Sydney Swans & Former Coach Freemantle Dockers
Wednesday 20 April, 2011
Damian was educated in Shepparton and at Assumption College in Kilmore, is a qualified builder and ran his own construction company during 1987-1993. He entered politics in 2002 and his electorate covers 48 per cent of the State of Victoria, extending from Mildura through to Yarrowonga. Damian's life in politics followed a colourful career in which he came to national prominence as an AFL football coach.
2010 Master Classes
Simon O'Connor - Economic Adviser: Australian Conservation Foundation
Economics and the environment: Is it the nature of economics to fail the environment, or is our misuse of economic tools that fails the environment?
Wednesday 27 October, 2010
Simon O'Connor is the Economic Adviser at the Australian Conservation Foundation where he has been working for the last three years. He has worked for a decade in the areas of finance, economics and environment in Europe, Asian and Australia for the private and not-for-profit sectors. Simon's work at the ACF focuses on making the economic case for environment and sustainability.
Pranay Lodhiya - Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director, Finance and Resource Planning, La Trobe University
What are the commonalities in education with the local government, water and health sectors in financial distressed small rural and regional communities?
Wednesday 15 September, 2010
Pranay has worked in the higher education sector, in senior financial positions for 10 years. At La Trobe he is also the Program sponsor of the Administrative Change Program. Pranay is an experienced practitioner when it comes to leading change. His career to date has been largely with organisations that have undergone major changes in the way they govern, financially manage and run their opertions.
Professor Carol Adams - Director of Sustainability, La Trobe University
Wednesday 12 May, 2010
Professor Adams gained her MSc and PhD from the London School of Economics and the University of Glasgow. Her research is motivated by a desire to reduce negative environmental and social impacts of organisations, in both the public and private sectors. Professor Adams' research work has received national media coverage both in Australia and the United Kingdom. She is one of the most read and cited authors worldwide in the field of social and environmental accounting and sustainability reporting.
Professor Neale O'Connor - The University of Hong Kong
Supply chain management in China. Cost control and the influence of market competition on Chinese manufacturing firms.
Wednesday 28 April, 2010
Professor O'Connor's research has attracted interested from around the world and has been published in a number of highly regarded international research and professional journals. His book Management Control of Multinational Enterprises in China remains one of the few published works dealing in details with the complex issues that arise when Western multinational corporations enter into joint venture arrangements with Chinese-based entities.
2009 Master Classes
Rod Trowbridge - CEO, Mildura Tourism
Tourism: The business of taking holidays
Wednesday 7 October, 2009
During his 20-year career, Rod Trowbridge has held senior tourism industry positions in South Australia, Northern Territory and Victoria. Mildura Tourism's charter is to promote the region domestically and internationally as a premier holiday destination, providing strategic direction for the region's tourism marketing, industry professionalism and new product development.
Larry O'Connor - Green, Green, What does it mean?
Wednesday 16 September, 2009
Larry's lecture looked at what it means to be 'green' within the socio-political context of contemporary society, including radical versus conservative perspectives on sustainability, underlying assumptions, the notion of 'change', and policy implications. Larry is currently undertaking his PhD research in the area of sustainability accounting.
Vernon Knight - CEO, Mallee Family Care
Wednesday 5 August, 2009
Vernon is employed as the CEO of Mallee Family Care and holds an adjunct professorship from La Trobe University. He was awarded membership of the Order of Australia for service to the community in January 2002.
Judith Damiami - CEO, Citrus Australia Ltd
Wednesday 3 June, 2009
Citrus Australia is a national peak industry body representing commercial citrus growers, recognised by the Australian Government for setting national research and development, marketing and biosecurity levies. Judith has assisted the citrus industry with a strategic approach to export market access and development.
Ross Lake - Managing Director, Tasco Inland Pty Ltd
Wednesday 13 May, 2009
Ross Lake began working in his father's fuel retail and wholesale distribution business in 1983. He is now Managing Director of this business and is currently responsible for one hundred and sixty three staff. The business operates over a large geographic area that is spread from Broken Hill to Kyneton in Southern Victoria and all along the Murray Valley to Tumut and most places in between. Ross' dedication and commitment to the local community is evident in his participation on many boards and his involvement in many organisations.
Damian Wells - CEO, North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA)
Wednesday 22 April, 2009
Damian Wells' is the CEO of the North Central CMA. This organisations primarily delivers environmental projects, the value of which totalled $25 million in 2008. His particular strenths are in planning, financial management, change management and strategy development. Damian is the youngest CMA CEO in Victoria.
Cheryl Rix
Wednesday 25 March, 2009
Cheryl is a Chartered Accountant and has held roles in large accounting firms in Melbourne and currently works as the General Manager at Western Murray Irrigation. Cheryl has also been actively involved on a volunteer basis in her community. She was recognises as one of five chosen 'inspirational rural women' in the Women's Weekly/Meat and Livestock Australia Competition in 2006. Cheryl has been active in the media with appearances on the Sunday Program, SBS Insight, 7.30 report and the ABC Two Men in a Tinnie.
