Summary: Support to SAFES, the Faculty & University

High Profile Oration:

– State of Agriculture Oration: under discussion with Head SAFES for action

Publications:

– Book: History of Agricultural Education in Victoria

– Papers: tens of papers on education, research, disciplines of the agricultural sciences

International Linkages:

– Assistance in links into Asia and elsewhere

– Supervision/examination of PhD theses of partner universities

Teaching & Supervision:

– Continuing responsibilities for recent retirees to assist SAFES

Awards:

– PhD Travel Awards (SAFES): 2 per year for current candidates to present to international conferences – managed via SAFES’ awards system; awardees offered lunch with OAFS to share their research

– AgriFood Award (national): created by OAFS and implemented through the Academy (ATSE) for each of an under 40 years female and male researcher –14 recipients to date (~$400K over 8 years)

– Medal: an occasional award made by OAFS for outstanding contributions to Faculty/School

– Other Awards: within OAFS for contributions to the field.

Other:

– introductions to research opportunities where OAFs remain influential

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Minutes for the Meeting, University House, Thursday 14th November 2024, 12 noon

1. Welcome and Apologies

Present: OAFS Barlow (Chair and minute taker), Lee Dow, Beard, Falvey, White, Taylor and Howlett and Leury

Apologies: OAFS Connor, Hickey, Larkins, Falvey, Roush, Egan

2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting held Thursday 10th October 2024: Approved.

3. Matters Arising

3.1 OAFS Fund Balance: OAF Hickey advised by email a balance of $995.04- increase due OAFs contributions of $50 as per Malcolm’s email as a reminder for other OAFs. Action OAF Hickey suggested that another more regular OAF attendee may wish to consider the role of ‘treasurer’ in the future- volunteers please

3.2 OAFS Oration and Sponsor: SAFES Director of Engagement Assoc Prof Jeremy Cotterell was unable to attend.

3.3. Proposal for Institute of/for Agriculture: OAF Barlow advised that the matter was    in obeyance until the oration suggestion had been dealt by the School/Faculty. OAF Leury advised that La Trobe had an Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Research. Action; the matter of an external portal for the school to ag,food and resource industries to be discussed at Christmas lunch with the Dean or HOS (subject to their attendance)

3.4 OAFS Travel Fellowships: Action: OAF Leury to follow up and advise status

3.5.Ag Methane debate: OAF Roush was a late apology, but it was observed that Professor Richard Eckard had recently published a comprehensive review.

4.  Discussion of potential future OAF invitations: It was decided not to invite further OAFS at this time

5. Celebration of Agricultural Science Alumni: With reference to Professor Alan Robsons recent passing, OAFs Kwong noted that Economics and Business celebrated its centenary by publishing a book by former Dean Ross Williams ‘honoring 100 notable graduates’, in a similar fashion to the book published about 100 notable female contributors to Melbourne University for the 150th celebrations. Action: It was agreed that the matter had merit and should be discussed further in the new year to explore if a suitable editor was available. Several OAFs volunteered to assist but not edit the book.

6. OAFS’ Christmas Lunch: OAF Beard provided an update on attendees with 11 Yes and 7 No for the 12th of December Christmas Lunch, to date. Action: OAF Beard to invite Dean and HOS to attend.

7. Agenda-maker/Chair/Minute-secretary for the next meeting on February 13th 2025: OAF Leury agreed to chair.

8. Fellows’ Activities since last meeting.

OAF Taylor: Have been offered an Honorary Visiting Fellowship by University Putra Malaysia, Faculty of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences that involved an on-line seminars and a month long visit to the campus in Sarawak; Been engaging in many on-line meetings with various partners of APAARI; Examined PhD thesis for Thaksin University and University of Mauritius.

OAF White: Taking care of my wife who is now suffering from Alzheimers; Trying to get my strength back following my hip replacement; Finding some distraction in competitive bridge once a week

OAF Lee Dow: Chaired inter-university judging panel for student awards from the Tertiary Student Fund (a private sponsoring body) and spoke at the Presentation Evening on 1 November in Arts West, Unimelb.

 OAF Falvey: a few meetings promoting faculty to ILRI and APAARI; virtual swansong (for me) of Thaksin Uni. PhD examinations and seminars; Commission rep for ACIAR research planning days (hence absent from OAFS)

 OAF Beard: Board work continues with pressure mounting as we approach our TEQSA submission in the next couple of weeks, but with an uncertain Government legislation environment; A 50 year Ag Science reunion event coming up this weekend; Babysitting

OAF Larkins: Preparing the International Student Enrolment Paper ahead of the Senate debate probably next week; An enjoyable three day stay at the RACV Cobram Resort. I thoroughly recommend; Pruning my wisteria and pulling out weeks in my Yea garden. Photo circulated

OAF Egan: Memoir has gone to publisher: House on market with Home Opens running /disrupting: Obituary Alan Robson

OAF Barlow: Developing a new Vic Wine industry Strategy as part of a DPI expert Committee; Preparing for a talk to a Victoria Agrivoltaics workshop at Dookie; Moving into our renovated Barn (finally finished!) in the back of our North Melbourne Property (our downsizing)

 OAF Howlett: Attended Graeme Clark Oration by Dr Robert Langer, a co-founder of  Moderna; Attended ‘Behind the Science; celebrating philanthropic impact on research’, Old Quad.

OAF Leury: Supervision of remaining postgraduate students and other research activities; Work related to my role as editor in chief of the journal Ruminants; Busy with family activities

OAF Roush: Attended the launch of Michelle Adler’s book, ‘Burnley Gardens: Their Design and The People Who Love Them’, at Burnley, spoke with the Dean of Science and was assured no plans to sell Burnley;  Met with HOS Gio re Honorary Appointment; Made opening remarks, at monthly ‘APAARI Asia-Pacific Biopesticides Community of Practice zoom meeting’, was surprised to hear Neem now being used successfully as a pesticide on organic cotton.

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Minutes for the Meeting:  University House, Thursday 10^th October 2024 at 12 noon

1.Welcome and Apologies

Present: OAFS Taylor (Chair and minute taker), Lee Dow, Larkins, Roush, Beard, Falvey, White

Apologies: OAFS Connor, Hickey, Howlett, Leury, Barlow

2.Minutes of the Previous Meeting held Thursday 12^th September 2024

Amended and approved.

3.Matters Arising

3.1 OAFS Fund Balance

OAF Hickey advised by email a balance of $645.03.

3.2 OAFS Oration and Sponsor.

OAF Falvey met with Assoc. Prof. Jeremy Cottrell, recently appointed Director of Engagement for SAFES and was advised that Cottrell had received the support of the Advancement Office to develop the Oration project.

Action: OAF Falvey to invite Assoc. Prof. Cottrell to the 14^th of November OAFS lunch for further discussion on the establishment of the Oration.

3.3. Obituary for Jim Kollmorgen

OAF Falvey prepared an obituary for Prof Jim Kollmorgen which was published in the The Wimmera Times, as well as being submitted to The Weekly Times, and The Age online site.

3.4 Agriculture alumni

Action: OAF Topp to be contacted by OAF Beard requesting he advises the OAFS when he receives news of the passing of agricultural alumni.

3.5 Proposal for Institute of/for Agriculture

No further updates.

Action: OAF Barlow to advise.

3.6 Ag Methane debate

OAF Roush had discussions with Prof Richard Eckard on mitigation methane production by livestock and provided information on a call by the US National Academy of Sciences for an assessment of the need for atmospheric methane removal in next few years.

3.7 OAFS Travel Fellowship

Action: OAF Leury to follow up and advise status.

3.8 OAFS’ Christmas Lunch

OAF Beard provided an update on attendees with 11 Yes and 7 No for the 12^th of December Christmas Lunch to date.

4. Fellows’ Activities since last meeting.

OAF Falvey

Quick trip to Bangkok and Songkhla to hand Charan biography to his immediate family and to launch the book.

“Melbourne Royal” (Royal Ag Soc Vic) President’s lunch and official opening; also went to Seymour Show.

Various APAARI zoom meetings etc  

OAF Egan (Supplied)

September 9-11 Hospital for minor procedure.

September 14th President’s Dinner, Perth Royal Agricultural Society.

House on Market through October.

OAF Beard

Presented a paper with Liz Baré at the Australian Tertiary Education Managers (ATEM) Conference in Brisbane two weeks ago – Unravelling the mysteries of casual employment in Australia’s public universities.  We will turn this into a published paper, probably on the CSHE website.

Lots of Board work as we gear up to apply for registration with TEQSA shortly. The uncertainty around international students is not helpful as they were to be our dominant (but not exclusive) market.

Went to the Melbourne Show with my daughter and her family, with many thanks to Lindsay.

Optometry procedure resulting in no longer needing to wear glasses.

OAF Larkin

Preparing for the first of four Yea Race Meetings to be held on Saturday 19th October.

Writing a background paper on International Student trends in view of the Government decision to cap 2025 enrolments.

Busy with gardening at Yea while still coping with zero temperature mornings.

OAF Lee Dow

Member of promotion committee for a Level D applicant at William Angliss Institute. Only recently and rarely do they engage with such appointments.

Leading selection of three prize winners from 56 applicants who are students at Victorian universities. Based on academic attainment and voluntary service. Interviewing 10 next week. Most experienced Covid conditions in late school and/or early undergraduate years.

Speaking at funeral for an Education colleague whose career spanned Melbourne Teachers’ College and three amalgamations (first with Secondary Teachers’ College, next with Early Childhood Institute and finally with University of Melbourne Education faculty)….parallels with Agriculture?

OAF Taylor

Accepted a casual appointment as Technical Coordinator for the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutes (APAARI). Main duties involve a) Co-ordinating APAARI technical activities (meetings, workshops, training), coordinating with technical partners; b) development of new project proposals and building the network with the partners (21 member countries in the Asia-Pacific). 

Chaired a workshop on Colletotrichum spp pathogens at the International Mycology Conference held in Maastricht

Holiday in Ireland to trace ancestral history of the Taylor line.

5. Other Business

5.1.Voluntary contributions

OAFS members would be asked to contribute $50 pa to cover operating expenses such as for coffee at monthly meetings, website maintenance and updates and other unexpected expenses such as production of medals and awards.

Action: OAF Taylor to invite the Treasurer, OAF Hickey to send out an Email to all OAFS inviting a contribution by Bank Transfer.

5.2. Pre-purchased coffee cards

The meeting decided that coffee provided during the meeting could be financed by the OAFS.

Action: OAF Taylor to write to OAF Hickey asking him to purchase three University House coffee cards from the OAFS bank account.

5.3. List of past meeting chairs

OAF Larkin to be included in the list of past Agenda/Chair/Minute-secretaries as the Chair of the June 2024 meeting.

Action: OAF Beard to update the list.

Next Meeting – Thursday 14^th of November, Agenda/Chair/Minute-Secretary

Snow Barlow was nominated subject to availability.

Action: OAF Taylor to advise OAF Barlow of his nomination.

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Minutes for the Meeting,  University House, Thursday 12th September 2024 at 12 noon

1. Welcome and Apologies

Agenda/Chair/Minute-Secretary Rick Roush

Present: Snow Barlow, Kwong Lee Dow, Frank Larkins, Rick Roush, Janet Beard, Paul Taylor, Lindsay Falvey

Apologies: David Connor, Malcolm Hickey, Barbara Howlett, Brian Leury

2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting held Thursday 8th August, 2024

Minutes approved and posted on oafs.live

3. Matters Arising

3.1 OAFS Fund Balance

Holder-of-the-OAFS-Purse, OAF Hickey advised by email a balance of $645.03

3.2 OAFS Oration and Sponsor.

OAF Falvey has followed up with Assoc. Prof. Jeremy Cottrell, recently appointed Director of Engagement for SAFES, who has been asked by Prof Turchini to liaise with OAFS on the Oration. At ameeting on 29 August it was emphasized that it must be seen as an having University ownership and commitment and the expressed intent of supporting the agricultural sciences’ profile of the School and University. The OAFS working group to carry the proposal forward was agreed to include Snow Barlow, Rick Roush, Lindsay Falvey, and Frank Larkins as special advisor. Action: It was proposed to invite Assoc. Prof. Cottrell to an  OAFS lunch.

3.3       A list of past Agenda/Chair/Minute-secretaries has been prepared by OAF Beard, distributed and was discussed.

3.4       Obituaries: The recent OAFS’s email responses about Jim Kollmorgan’s passing suggests that such matters may not all cross the Faculty’s radar, and that there is not a clear process in the University. Action: It was agreed for Paul Taylor and Lindsay Falvey to follow this up with Jennifer Henry.  Jeff Topp is often the most aware of passings.

3.5       Proposal for Institute of/for Agriculture: The prospective audience includes postgraduate students, the Faculty of Science and University more generally, and the agricultural community, especially its leadership., and state and federal government. This needs have an Internal champion(s), possibly by the Chair of Agriculture. The model of an Institute is based on that of UWA and appears to be mainly a new medium to promote agricultural science activities.

4. Fellows’ Activities since last meeting. It was agreed to invite all OAFS to provide up to three bullet points of their recent activities in advance of each OAFS meeting.

5. Other Business

5.1       Offering Ag Methane management expertise to public debate and policy.

Action: OAF Roush to coordinate.

5.2       Federal Drought Plan: A call for submissions was discussed briefly and it was decided that rather than comment, the call has been forwarded to the SAFES Drought Hub at Dookie.

5.3       OAFS Travel Fellowships: An update on status and involvement of OAFS Travel Fellowship was requested. Action: OAF Leury following up.

5.4       Faculty History: Distribution of the book was queried in terms of alumni access. The publication is readable/downloadable from the following links: Amazon ($1.25), and free of charge from National Library, google books ResearchGate, and of course, oafs/live

6. Next Meetings

Thursday 10 October, Agenda/Chair/Minute-Secretary: Paul Taylor

Subsequent meetings: Thursday  14 November; Christmas lunch 12 December

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Minutes for the Meeting, University House, Thursday 8^th August, 2024 at 12 noon

1. Welcome and Apologies

Welcome: New OAF Barbara Howlett was welcomed to the Society.

Present: OAFSs Beard, Falvey, Howlett, Lee Dow, Roush

Apologies: OAFs Barlow, Egan, Hickey, Larkins, Leury, McColl, Taylor, Tjia, Topp and White

2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting held 13 June (11 July Christmas in lieu of meeting)

Minutes approved and posted on oafs.live

3. Matters Arising

3.1 OAFS Fund Balance

Holder-of-the-OAFS-Purse, OAF Hickey advised by email of a balance of $645.03

3.2 OAFS Oration and Sponsor.

OAFS Barlow, Falvey and Larkins met with SAFES Head Gio Turchini and left in his hands as university commitment is a critical first step in the proposal. Action: Follow-up with Gio after next meeting.

3.3 Christmas in July

The successful initiative of OAF Larkins for a OAFS Christmas-in-July dinner at the RACV Club was lauded, together with OAF Tjia’s photos and OAF Egan’s poem.

3.4 Agenda/Chair/Minute-secretary list of past performers: Action: Delayed to next meeting.

4. Fellows’ Activities since last meeting

OAF Lee Dow: Acting as a mentor for the CHSE for LEQI; continuing as adviser/shepherd for William Angliss Institute; continuing on the Board of the Multicultural Foundation of Australia.

OAF Beard: Mobile on a new ankle; presenting to the ATEM conference in Sept with Liz Baré; continuing on start-up IT college board based in Sydney while the Melbourne provider is paused.

OAF Howlett: Introduced herself as an Honorary appointment in Botany in the Faculty of Science, and having originated from a farm to study biochemistry before focussing on fungi and then canola with much GRDC involvement across a long research career. Current activities: University House choir; golf; Academy of Science Agricultural Food and Fibre committee.

OAF Roush: Acted as expert for CoP on Biopesticides for APAARI meeting; interested to assist SAFES/Faculty; sold former Melbourne house, hopefully freeing up some time; suggested that the increasing  public debate about agriculture’s contributions to CH₄ in the atmosphere is an opportunity for the OAFS and SAFES/Faculty (see 5.2)

OAF Falvey: Attended festschrift for Andrew Fisher; Asian Animal Science conference, Melbourne and ILRI DG and CGIAR Chair meetings; various for APAARI and IAR Commission business.

5. Any Other Business

5.1  Christmas function and Yea Races: To OAF Larkins’ query about interest in the events, the response was affirmative, noting the first is already an OAFS tradition but may be enhanced.

5.2  Methane expertise: OAF Roush suggested that the combined expertise in OAFS and SAFES could form a project to comment on the relative roles of methane . Action: OAF Roush to coordinate.

5.3 Federal Drought Plan: A call for submissions was discussed briefly and it was decided that rather than comment, that the call be forwarded to the SAFES Drought Hub at Dookie. Action.

5.4 OAFS Travel Fellowships: An update on status and involvement of OAFS was suggested to be due. Action: OAF Leury (in his absence) is asked to follow up.

5.5 Faculty History: Distribution of the book was queried in terms of alumni access. Action (here completed): the publication is readable/downloadable from the following links: Amazon ($1.25), and free of charge from National Library, google books ResearchGate, and of course, oafs/live

6. Agenda-maker/Chair/Minute-secretary for the next meeting: OAF Roush

Next Meeting  –  Thursday 12 September

_______________________________________________________

Minutes for the Meeting. University House, Thursday 13^th June, 2024 at 12 noon

1. Welcome and Apologies

Present: OAFsLarkins (Chair and minute taker), Beard, Falvey, Barlow, Chapman

Apologies: OAFs Egan, Hickey, Leury, McColl, Roush, Fazakerley, Wood, Lee Dow, White, Taylor

• Minutes of the Previous Meeting held 9 May 2024

Approved.

• Matters Arising
  • OAFS Fund Balance

Current balance is $645.02.

• OAFS Oration and Sponsor.

OAFS present considered the concept of an oration worthy of further exploration. The priority was to now engage the Head of the School of Agriculture. With a positive response the Dean of the Faculty and Alumni Relations would be approached.

It was proposed to form a working party led by Lindsay Falvey to approach the Head of School and the Dean. OAFS are invited to join the working party.

3.3 Christmas in July

It was agreed that an ‘OAFS Christmas in July’ evening dinner would be held on 11^th July replacing the normal lunchtime meeting. The event will be held at the RACV Club in Bourke Street in the members dining room from 6.30 pm. The number 86 and 96 trams stop at the club door. There is also good parking available at the club.

At present five OAF members – Falvey, Barlow, Beard, Larkins and Hickey -have indicated that they will attend with partners. Others are most welcome. Please contact me at f.larkins@unimelb.edu.au or 0400109785.

• Fellows’ Activities since last meeting

OAF Beard

• Has been active with her international education board role. She expressed concern about the change in student visa arrangements on the viability of some bodies.
• Is preparing a paper with Liz Bare about professional casual staff.
• Will have an ankle replacement this week. – Our best wishes Janet.

OAF Barlow

• Has been involved in discussions with Federal Government agencies about carbon sequestration into the Agricultural landscape.
• Is a member of a committee developing a strategy for the Victorian Wine industry.
• Received a Federal Government grant for remediation on his property dealing with soil tunnelling erosion (wombats!) on his property.

OAF Falvey

• Has been appointed Chair of the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutes headquartered in Bangkok.
• Involved with the ACIAR Commission reviewing research in Philippines.
• Twenty years since Simone and Lindsay met in Spain; they returned to celebrate.

OAF Connor

• Has been active with family commitment in Australia. Will return to Spain in July.

        OAF Larkins

• Reported on travel to Sydney by train. Noted the very cheap travel for seniors in Sydney.
• Expects an occasional paper to be released shortly by the Melbourne Centre for the Study of Higher Education focussing on the disparity of male and female domestic student enrolments in universities.
• Discussed the frustration of dealing with an insurance company after a shop fire.

• Proposal for a new OAF from OAF Falvey – Prof Barbara Howlett from Botany who has/had links to the Grains Research and Development Corporation, Horsham/Joint Centre for Crop Improvement/Victorian Institute for Dryland Agriculture and was the nominated liaison person with the Faculty from Science before a merger was mooted.

It was resolved to invite Barbara to join the OAFS group.

• Any Other Business

There was no other business.

• Selection of Agenda-maker/Chair/Minute-secretary for the next meeting

It was agreed to draw up a list of past chairs/minute secretaries and put a call out amongst OAFs.

• Next Meeting  –  Thursday 11 July at 6.30 pm RACV Club members dining room.  All OAFS invited to attend. Contact Frank Larkins

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Minutes for the Meeting. University House, Thursday 9^th May, 2024 at 12 noon

1. Welcome and Apologies

Present: OAFsBeard (Chair and minute taker), Larkins, Lee Dow, Taylor

Apologies: OAFsBarlow, Egan, Falvey, Hickey, Leury, McColl, Roush, White

• Minutes of the Previous Meeting held 11 April 2024

Approved.

• Matters Arising
  • OAFS Fund Balance

Current balance is $645.02.

• OAFS Oration and Sponsor: a suggestion from OAF Larkins from an earlier meeting with Jennifer Henry from the Advancement Office.

OAF Larkins proposed that the OAFS consider sponsoring an annual oration with the possible generic theme of ‘The State of Agriculture in Australia’.

A fund would need to be established within the University: ‘The OAFS Fund’ and OAFs, other staff and interested persons would be encouraged to make a tax-deductible donation of, for example $500, to the University to initially populate the fund with an aim of an initial target of $10,000. OAF Larkins indicated he would be willing to contribute $1,000 to the fund. He was previously involved in establishing ‘The Masson Fund’ in Chemistry.

The assistance of the alumni office would be obtained to establish the fund (Contact: Jennifer Henry).

A named oration after a person who made a major contribution to the establishment of agricultural practices in Australia would be appropriate. For example ‘The Samual Wadham Oration’ sponsored by the Old Agricultural Fellows Society.

The oration could be held late afternoon or in the evening at the University or possibly at International House where Sam Wadham was a founder.

Candidates to deliver such an oration include: State and Federal Ministers of Agriculture, CEOs of agricultural companies, CEO Farmers Federation.

Those present agreed to seek the opinion of OAFs by circulating the proposal outlined here.

• Fellows’ Activities since last meeting

OAF Lee Dow

• Turned 86 on 7 May (Happy Birthday from the OAFs!),
• Has been involved recently with activities in the Australian Multicultural Foundation, and
• William Angliss.

OAF Taylor

• Has been a recipient of a Chiang Mai University Fellowship of 3 months to give leadership and mentorship to staff and students and help them write papers. And he will write a paper about the experience.
• UPM have invited him for another two week fellowship.
• Did a review for the University of Malaya about senior promotions processes.
• Invited to give an on-line lecture to Year 3 undergraduate students on biosecurity and plant pathology but no students (out of 60) turned up.  He still gave it for the recording. Interested to know whether OAF Leury has any similar experience.
• Attending the Australian Processing Tomato Forum in Moama on 10 May.

OAF Larkins

• Month in Ballina with family.
• Has published a paper (Trends in Student and Staff COVID Recovery of Five Major Australian Universities) on his website about how five universities (Monash, Melbourne, Sydney, UNSW, UQ) are faring post pandemic; they are still not out of the woods financially. The collective growth in domestic students from 2019 to 2021 was followed by a decrease from 2021 to 2022. A combined decrease in overseas students was experienced in both periods.  Overall, all student enrolments increased by 0.9% (based on EFTSL) from 2019 to 2021 followed by a decrease of 3.3% from 2021 to 2022.
• Has prepared a paper scheduled shortly as a refereed occasional paper on the CSHE website in the context of the Accord. He notes that Australian student enrolments in Australian universities are 60% female and 40% male and the gap has neen growing, compared with other measures such as the 18-39 year old population is 50/50 and the Year 12 majority of females gap is closing (8%), yet there is no mention in the Accord about gender.  The balance for international students is roughly 50/50.

OAF Beard

• Has fractured her tibia, and that, together with severe arthritic damage, means she will have an ankle replacement in mid June.
• Her work as Chair of two Boards continues.
• Babysitting (although very limited due to ankle; partner doing the lion’s share).

[OAF Egan (supplied)

• Awaiting external editorial comments on his Memoirs.
• Well on the way with his monograph on 100 Years of Advances in Ruminant Physiology.
• His book of poetry is almost complete as is his treatise on Caring for those with Dementia for Alzheimers Australia.
• His big current project is preparing his beautiful waterside home for sale and deciding where to live next.]

• Christmas in July – suggestion from OAF Larkins

OAF Larkins suggested that a Christmas in July function for OAFs, possibly in the evening with partners, could be a nice opportunity to socialise. Such an event could be held in a different location to University House such as the RACV Club in the city (easily accessible by tram).  Those present thought the event could be held as an OAFs only event at University House in place of its 11 July meeting or it could be a dinner that evening with partners at either the RACV Club or University House (and don’t hold the lunchtime meeting).

OAFs will be emailed to get their thoughts about the idea.

• Proposal for a new OAF from OAF Falvey – A senior academic with strong links to the Faculty was mooted. Other OAFs will also know of their involvements.

[This item will be held over to the next (June) meeting when OAF Falvey is available.]

• Any Other Business
  • An area of OAF Taylor’s interest and research

OAF Taylor reported that he is writing a book on archaic jade, a topic in which he has been interested for many years.

• Selection of Agenda-maker/Chair/Minute-secretary for the next meeting

It was agreed to draw up a list of past chairs/minute secretaries and put a call out amongst OAFs.

• Next Meeting  –  Thursday 13 June at 12 noon at University House

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Minutes for the Meeting. University House, Thursday 11^th April, 2024 at 12 noon

Chair and Minutes: OAF Hickey

1. Welcome and Apologies  

Present: OAFs Falvey, Hickey, LeeDow, Leury and White.

Apologies: OAFs Barlow, Beard, Cousins, Larkins, McColl, Roush, Taylor and Topp

Welcome: Warm welcome to Dr. Jennifer Henry, Senior Manager, Gifts in Wills, and Leslie Cloak, Development Manager from the Advancement Office.

• Minutes of the Previous 10th Anniversary Meeting held 14 March 2024

Minutes passed by acclamation.

• Matters Arising

3.1  OAFS Fund Balance

Current Balance $687

3.2  Fundraising for the School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences

Dr Jennifer Henry  and Leslie Cloak, Development Manager led an informative discussion regarding the SAFES (School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences). The Bachelor of Agriculture is attracting a high number of students (146) and there are approximately 8 jobs available for every graduate. Graduates move on to Grauate Sudies, Agronomy, Industry, Government and Research.

Approximately 39 students currently attend Dookie and experience a more immersive program.  The Dookie Campus has just completed an expansion and refurbishment of student accommodation with 85 new rooms added. There is currently a course content review which might encourage a greater number of students to attend Dookie. However the cost to the student is an issue particularly as the time at Dookie would be during second year which could be disruptive to rental and part time employment.

The Advancement Office is experiencing some challenges in attracting agriculture Alumni to donate and there was discussion of this issue. Initiatives are also focussed on the corporate sector and aligned bodies such as the Gardiner foundation.

The security of food production in the face of climate change and the implications for Australia emphsise the critical importance of the sector overall and the stewardship role the University of Melbourne should play.

3.3  OAFS Oration and Sponsor  

Discussion deferred to a meeting where OAF Larkin is present.

• Fellows’ Activities since last meeting

OAF LeeDow: Has experienced a quiet time since our last gathering.

OAF Leury: Has been completing research papers and the supervision of his last PhD candidate. He is also currently a reviewer for a USA/Israel research project.

OAF White: Recent health issues have been restrictive to his normal activities. He has completed his final research paper (see below) marking the closing of an incredible career as a major contributor to soil science worldwide.

OAF Falvey: Overseas visitors, continuing the Biography of Charan Chantalakhana and preparing for Thailand for the biography research, the 50^th birthday of a son and meetings at Thaksin University, followed by Spain then ACIAR meetings in the Philipinnes.

OAF Hickey: Home maintenance, gardening and travel continue to fill the space.

• Proposal for a new OAF from OAF Falvey

A nominee who has/had links to the Grains Research and Development Corporation, Horsham/Joint Centre for Crop Improvement/Victorian Institute for Dryland Agriculture and was the nominated liaison person with the Faculty from Science before a merger was mooted. Deferred to the next meeting.

6.   Any Other Business

6.1  OAF Positions

OAF White proposed that the fund manager (OAF Hickey) be named ‘Keeper of the OAF Purse’and that the records and publications manager (OAF Falvey) be named ‘Keeper of OAF Records’. The proposal was welcomed.

6.2  OAFish TrOAFy

OAF White nominated OAF Falvey to be the recipient of the 2024 OAFish TrOAFy specifically for his contribution to the 10^th Anniversary of the OAFS and his role in fellowship and promotion of the OAFS. The proposal was welcomed as most appropriate in marking the 10^th year.

6.3  Invitation to Head of SAFES

OAF Falvey suggested that an luncheon invitation be extended to Professor Giovanni Turchini for an update on initiatives within the school. The proposal was welcomed and will be followed up mid year.

6.4  Publication

Robert E White and Richard Eckard (2024). To offset or inset – that is the question. Farm Insights Vol. 21, No.1, February Issue. To be uploaded to the OAF Website.

• Selection of Agenda-maker/Chair/Minute-secretary for the next meeting

No decision. A volunteer requested.

——————

Minutes of Meeting, held at University House, Thursday 14^th March, 2024 at 12 noon

Welcome

-Five OAFs welcomed each other as they gathered to celebrate the 10^th Anniversary of the OAFS.

-Mementos of this significant date included; table-mats that were in fact parchment certificates testifying that recipients (names to be inscribed followed by the post nominal OAF); demure enamel lapel pins and commemorative booklets – thanks OAF Falvey. Absent OAFs will receive their mementos by post (addresses from recent new OAFs please).

Present:  OAFs: Barlow, Beard, Falvey, LeeDow, Taylor

Apologies: OAFs: Egan, Hickey, Larkins, Leury, Reeves and White. [AwA: OAFs – Chapman, Connor, Cousens, Davidson, Fazakerley, McColl, Tija, Topp, Wood, Roush]

Minutes of the Previous Meeting of 14^th December, 2023: Rapidly approved without changes

Matters Arising and Action points

-Honorary Treasurer OAF Hickey had earlier advised $688 remains in the OAFS’ account

-Jennifer Henry and Leslie Cloak will attend the April meeting of OAFS (Action)

-OAFS Oration and Sponsor: discussion deferred to the next meeting (Action)

Summaries of Activities since last meeting

OAF LeeDow: attended launch of the highly recommended book “Universities in Times of Crisis and Disruption” (Routledge); expressed the responsibility of the University of Melbourne to maintain a critical offering in agricultural science despite other foci of the recently released Universities Accord document.

OAF Taylor: ‘adjusting slowly’ to retirement expressed by concern about School/Faculty servicing of honorary staff some of whom have ingoing representation and supervision roles ; contracted with Chiang Mai University for regular inputs; cocoa pathology in Indonesia; major paper with a PhD graduate. Planning for Thailand and The Philippines in April.

OAF Beard: busy with continuing to service two private education-related boards; alot of babysitting with a growing crop of grandchildren; contributing to the owners corporation of her relatively new abode; caring for colleague Lin Martin, and planning for travel to Japan in September.

OAF Falvey: participated in the recent Commission (Int. Agric. Res.) and noted organizational changes within ACIAR proceed well; continued working on the biography of Charan with interviews planned in Thailand in April; planning perhaps final visit to Thaksin University, and then to Spain with Simone.

OAF Barlow: arrived looking well following appointments after a recent insertion of two stents; delayed grape harvest until last Sunday; through its Convocation interested in UNE’s possible focus on landscape and social aspects of renewable energy, which he expects might overlap with his NSW Commission role.

Other Business

-Six OAFs, some partnered, attended the February Yea Picnic Races at the suggestion of OAF Larkins and thoroughly enjoyed the day; thanks OAF Larkins.

Following on from OAF Taylor’s point above, a discussion about the treatment of honorary staff included confused advice over insurance when honoraries are engaged on university business or have ongoing PhD supervision responsibilities. It was concluded that advice from staff within the School/Faculty could be in error where an honorary’s contract refers to the university’s clear regulations.

Selection of Agenda-maker/Chair/Minute-secretary for the next meeting: OAF Beard volunteered to assume the role for the next meeting

Next Meeting: Thursday, 11^th April, 2024