2025 Minutes

OAFS Christmas Lunch in the Regency Room, University House, 11 December

It is a tradition of the esteemed Society of OId Agriculture Fellows that no minutes be kept of Christmas lunch meetings. A fine meal was enjoyed by all, as indicated in the accompanying image, with diverse discussion, which included unfinished OAFS business from 2025 and plans for 2026. The main items of both were: the Oration and a University-wide Institute of Agriculture.

 Both the Dean and Head were invited to attend. Both were unable to make it and messaged: Dean: “Have an enjoyable lunch and please pass on my thanks to OAFs. It is a group that I value. They/you have been a helpful sounding board on a few tricky year.” Head: Sorry miss it, and please pass on my warm greetings and gratitude to all.

OAFs’ Activites

OAF Egan

  • Attended WA Division of ATSE End of Year Function with guest speaker WA Farmers CEO Trevor Whittington “Farming in a drying climate”.
  • Attended Emeritus Professors’ Forum at Curtin University making more new connections.
  • Preparing a book of my essays to go to publisher early next year.

OAF Lee Dow

  • Received the 2025 Leadership Award from the Asia Society Australia at their ‘Game Changers’ Awards’ annual dinner.
  • Was an Invited Speaker at the annual conference of Higher Education Private Providers Quality Network held at the Monash Conference Centre in late November.
  • Attended the Year 12 Graduation ceremony for the Skyline Foundation at Trinity College, Uni of Melb, and will attend the Year 12 celebration function for UniMelb Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars to be held on their ‘Change of Preference’ day.

OAF Barlow

  • Appeared as an expert witness in a vineyard water use case in the NSW Land and Environmental Court. In Sydney all last week
  • Attended the Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences in Brisbane Conference discussing the role technology in feeding the world in2040
  • Remaining vineyards were frosted in October and again in late November-latest in memory -maybe its climate change!!

OAF Taylor

  • Worked on project reports for APAARI and trying to adjust to the cooler climate of Melbourne after living for four months in Bangkok.
  • Christmas lunch after the final meeting for 2025 of the Victorian Crawford Fund committee.

OAF Topp

  • Kate and I travelled to Japan with agricultural alumni Brian Luxford and Rowan O’Hagen.
  • we sold house in Castlemaine and clearing it out prior to settlement.
  • we bought a house in Maldon and are addressing its overgrown garden and termite issues.

OAF Rick Roush

  • Attended the Combined Australian and New Zealand Entomological Societies Conference in Canberra from 1 to 4 December.  Many terrific presentations were heard.  Of particular interest was one from Prof. Nigel Andrew of Southern Cross, which was skeptical of the potential for fire ant eradication.  Especially after hallway conversations with other attendees, I am in even more furious agreement.  

OAF Falvey

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Minutes for the Meeting,  Thursday 13th November 2025 at 12 noon University House

Chair and Minutes: OAF Beard

  1. Welcome

Present: OAFs Janet Beard, Brian Leury, Lindsay Falvey, Frank Larkins, Kwong Lee Dow, Paul Taylor

Apologies: OAFs Brian Davidson, Adrian Egan, John Fazakerley, Lyn McColl, Rick Roush

In attendance for Item 3.4: Bill Malcolm

2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 9 October 2025 (attached).

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

3. Matters Arising

  • OAFS Fund Balance: $732.96 as reported by OAF TaylorAcademy of Science – an academy highlighting educational needs in agricultural science and other relevant areas.  It was agreed to drop this item unless another OAF not present at the meeting wishes to continue discussion.

  • Meetings with the Dean of Science and State of Agriculture Oration

Professor Moira O’Bryan, Dean of Science highlighted agriculture’s vital role in food security and sustainability in her welcome address. “Building on the work of brilliant agricultural scientists who came before them, our researchers are leading the development of high-impact, interdisciplinary solutions for the challenges of food production, climate change, biodiversity loss and biosecurity threats.”

Associate Professor Brendan Cullen, Director of Graduate Research in the School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, chaired a panel discussion comprising Professor James Hunt, Associate Professor Margaret Ayre and Dr Rachel Carey who provided insights into the latest research enabling better integration of agriculture and environmental conservation.

4. Update on the State of Agriculture Oration proposal

Action: OAF Falvey to follow up with the Science Dean.

5. Ag Institute Proposal

Bill Malcolm attended the meeting and there was extensive discussion about the proposal with much of the discussion focusing on whether a potential leader of the Institute should be determined and lead the proposal for an Insititute or whether key senior people named in Bill’s draft proposal lead the development of the proposal on the understanding that a senior leader would be recruited when the Institute was approved.

It was agreed to brief the Dean and Head of School about the proposal before people meet and pitch the proposal to the DVC Research.

It was noted that the Melbourne Biodiversity Institute has an agricultural component and that a possible option may result in a joint arrangement with it.

There was also discussion about whether including ‘agriculture’ in the institute’s title was a good or bad thing given some people see ‘agriculture’ in a negative light. Bill felt that we should use it and promote its importance. The suggestion to include 2050 in the title was thought to be a very good idea eg Food and Agriculture 2050. This would help emphasise that our vision for the Institute is one for the future and what we are aiming to achieve. Bill was thanked for his hard work and he advised he would turn around another draft within the next week.

6. Future Guest speakers

  • Linh Do, coordinator of Wattle Fellowship program at University of Melbourne where students are funded to take on practical sustainability projects (coordinate when OAF Howlett is available).
  • OAF Larkin suggested an invite to a current Director of a University Institute (e.g. Melbourne Biodiversity Institute) to provide an overview of the path to establishment and how it currently runs.
  • OAF Leury suggested Ary Hoffmann, School of Biosciences who is involved with the Pest & Environmental Adaptation Research Group (PEARG). He felt it may initially have been involved with the MBI.

[Secretarial Note: After discussion post the meeting between OAFs Leury and Taylor, they found that PEARG is not associated with the MBI. OAF Taylor felt it could be a good fit with an Agriculture Institute because aspects of their work involves research into control of insect pests. OAF Taylor’s feeling is there is a space for an Institute of Agriculture in the University which would complement other Institutes and Centres in the Faculty of Science.

7. Meeting Venue for 2026

University House will be closed during 2026 for renovations. It was agreed that our preferences for a meeting venue in order were (depending on availability) – Woodward University House (as long as they don’t charge for use of a room), Naughtons, a possible room in the Old Ag building.

Action: OAF Beard to check meeting room availability options for 2026.

8. Any Other Business

OAF Falvey was pleased to report that a senior person he had been advocating for would be presented with high honour award in early December.  He had noted that another senior person would also be awarded, about which he was also very pleased.

9. Next Meeting

The next neeting is the Christmas lunch meeting scheduled for 12 noon Thursday 11 December 2025:

  • OAF Falvey will collect OAFs activities and circulate but there won’t be the usual meeting requiring agenda and minutes. (Action: OAF Falvey)
  • Action: OAF Beard will ask University House for a room upstairs or downstairs where we have been meeting recently (behind the potplants).
  • The OAFs would like to invite the Dean and Head of School (Action: OAF Beard)
  • Proposed Meeting Dates for 2026

Thursdays at 12 noon in a venue tbd (Item 4) (follows our custom of second Thursday in each month):

  • 12 February (proposed that OAF Larkins be the agenda/Chair/minute taker but requires confirmation).
  • 12 March
  • 9 April
  • 14 May
  • 11 June
  • 9 July
  • 13 August
  • 10 September
  • 8 October
  • 12 November
  • 10 December (Christmas lunch)

Action: OAF Beard to circulate calendar invitations.

OAFS Publications at https://oafs.live/publications-2/

OAFS Activities since last meeting 

OAF Beard

  • Board work – company has obtained TEQSA approval for registration; now seeking CRICOS approval (and watching Government discussion of legislation impacting NUHEPs with some trepidation).
  • Babysitting and having fun with the grandkids.
  • Digitising old photos and slides (long slow process).

OAF Egan

  • Attended a WA Emeritus Professors‘ Forum on AI. Seeking a ban on “Co-pilot“ interfering in what I want to write!!!
  • Started taking an on-line course on Constitutional Law running for next 12 months.
  • Writing a satyrical play “Trump: The Pantomime”, amusing myself and friends but it will probably never go on stage.

OAF Falvey

  • Agriculture alumni event on World Food Day, and prepared “Celebrating the Faculty’s Tradition” a bullets of faculty international contributions across decades (and put it online)  

OAF Leury

  • Editing/writing journal articles
  • Contributions as editor in chief of the journal Ruminants
  • Visited Dookie Campus to discuss research projects and sort through years of accumulated samples from various projects

OAF Roush

  • Participation in the Agriculture at Melbourne events, including on 16 October, an excellent lecture by Prof Helen Suter, a tour of the Melbourne campus, and dinner, along with OAF Falvey (at his initiative), next to the Dean of Science, who gave very strong support for the School in her public lecture.  We also had an excellent private discussion with the Dean, who was very interested in the prospects that we might be able to help Deans of Science across the country lobby in favor of adoption of outcomes from the Chub Report.
  • On 17 October, I joined the bus ride to Dookie, where we were hosted primarily by James Hunt.  I was impressed by the quality of research being done on the campus, on such critical issues as green fertilizers, improved wheat varieties, and seed planting designs.  The dairy seemed to be run efficiently by very engaged staff.   I was also impressed by the improved student facilities, which have been jointly funded by the University and the State Government. 

OAF Taylor

  • Worked with APAARI in Bangkok on phytosanitary certification for global seed trade projects; now back in Melbourne
  • Received an invitation for a one-month Visiting Professor position at Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
  • Co-supervising new PhD student in SAFES with Niloofar Vaghefi in plant pathology

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Minutes for the Meeting, Thursday October 9th, 2025 at 12 noon, University House

Chair and Minutes: OAF Leury

  1. Welcome

Present: OAFs Janet Beard, Rick Roush, Frank Larkins, Kwong Lee Dow, Brian Leury

Apologies: OAFs Bob White, Malcolm Hickey, Teresa Tjia, Paul Taylor, Adrian Egan, Lindsay Falvey, Snow Barlow, Barbara Howlett

2. Special guest: Bill Malcolm, Professor of Agricultural Economics, SAFES.

Bill presented a proposal to establish an Institute of Agriculture and Food (name yet to be finalized) at the University of Melbourne. He discussed the importance of such an institute in providing leadership in agriculture and food related research and to provide a focal point to attract research investment. Bill also highlighted that the institute would be clearly focused on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research and postgraduate training.

There was general discussion on this proposal with strong support from the OAFs present. OAF Larkins advised on how to progress such a proposal within the University including identifying a high-profile leader/director to guide the institute’s development.

3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting at https://oafs.live/2025-minutes/

4. Matters Arising

  • OAFS Fund Balance: $732.96 as reported by OAF TaylorThere was no further discussion and/or update on Academy of science announcement, highlighting educational needs in agricultural science and other relevant areas.

  • Meetings with the Dean of Science and State of Agriculture Oration

Upcoming event details: Thursday 16 October (5.30 – 9.00 PM), The Forum, Melbourne Connect. Speakers: Professor Moira O’Bryan, Dean, Faculty of Science and Panel Discussion: The intersection of Agriculture, Food, and the Environment; how to better merge production with conservation to shift the way we think about sustainability.

OAF Falvey met with the Dean and discussed Honorary DSc recipient, SAFES appointments, & Oration vs Alumni event. There was no further discussion on this item. Any further updates will be provided by Lindsay at future meetings.

5. Ag Institute discussion update – see Agenda point 2.

6. Future guest speakers:

Linh Do, coordinator of Wattle Fellowship program at University of Melbourne where students are funded to take on practical sustainability projects (coordinate when OAF Howlett is available).

OAF Larkin suggested an invite to a current Director of a University Institute (e.g. Melbourne Biodiversity Institute) to provide an overview of the path to establishment and how it currently runs.

  • Selection of Agenda-maker/Chair/Minute-secretary for the next meeting on November 9th: Janet Beard

OAFS Activities since last meeting 

OAF Falvey

  • ACIAR Commission meeting, Canberra; some organisational re-shuffling
  • Melbourne Royal opening and Shadow Cabinet lunches
  • Family gathering (infrequent for Falveys!), and visitors from France

OAF Larkins

OAF Taylor

  • Chaired a SE Asia Regional Workshop on Policy Dialogue for Developing Third-Party Laboratory Accreditation, in Siem Reap, Cambodia
  • Attended the 37th Technical Consultations among Regional Plant Protection Organizations meeting in Bangkok
  • Another of my UM PhD students received very good reviews on her thesis examination

OAF Howlett

  • Road trip from Cairns through Gulf  of Carpentaria, Northern Territory to Mt ISA

OAF Egan

  • Final version of Never Just A Job, my career memoir, has gone to the editor /publisher.
  • Attended Special General Meeting of Leschenault Catchment Council and looked at current projects on the ground.
  • Second Edition of my book Little by Little on caring for one with dementia is back from the publisher (Lindsay and Bob already have copies but if anyone else would like one I’ll bring some with me in December).

OAF Leury

  • Edited PhD thesis and several journal articles
  • Attended Seymour Agricultural and Pastoral Society show
  • Delivered series of lectures for 3rd year Production Animal Physiology students

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Minutes for the Meeting, Thursday September 11, 2025 at 12 noon, University House, Victoria Room

Chair and Minutes: OAF Roush

  1. Welcome and Apologies

OAFs Janet Beard, Rick Roush, Frank Larkins, Kwong Lee Dow, Lindsay Falvey, Snow Barlow, Brian Leury

  • Apologies: White, Hickey, Howlett, Tjia,Taylor (in Bangkok), Egan
  • Special guest: We congratulated Deli Chen, AO, for Fellow of Australian Academy of Science   See biographical video https://www.science.org.au/profile/deli-chen   Discussed with Deli “development of research and program in soil science and challenges”
  •  Discussed opportunities from Ian Chubb announcement on behalf of the Australian Academy of science, highlighting educational needs “agricultural science, AI, biotechnology, climate science, data science, epidemiology, geoscience, and materials science.” Major question is from where will funding come? Educate and seek support from Ag industry leaders?
  • Minutes of the Previous Meeting at https://oafs.live/2025-minutes/
  • OAFS Publications at https://oafs.live/publications-2/
  • OAFS Fund Balance: remains at $ 732.96 as reported by OAF Taylor
  • State of Agriculture Oration  (was agenda item “OAFS Oration and Sponsorship”) 

Event Details:

  • Event Registration: Event Link Date: Thursday 16 October Time: 5.30 – 9.00 PM Venue: The Forum, Melbourne Connect, 700 Swanston St  Format: Arrival drinks and canapes, seated dinner. Ticket cost: $85 per person (Discounted table of 8 $640)  Welcome:Professor Moira O’Bryan, Dean, Panel Discussion Topic: The intersection of Agriculture, Food, and the Environment; how to better merge production with conservation to shift the way we think about sustainability. Panelists: A/Prof Brendan Cullen, Prof James Hunt, Dr Rachel Carey  and A/Prof Margaret Ayre

Discussed attending and reply to Dean’s email about State of Agriculture Oration and dinner.  4 OAFS have subsequently reserved a seat at the dinner; Roush will join Dookie tour on Oct 17th. OAF Falvey drafted a reply and has since met with the Dean. 

  • Ag Institute discussion update
  1.  Agenda-maker/Chair/Minutes for the next meeting on 9 October: OAF Leury

OAFS Activities since last meeting 

OAF Falvey

  • Met with chair of the Primary Industry Education Foundation 
  • Various meetings related to ACIAR
  • Attended Royal Agricultural Society AGM

OAF Barbara Howlett

On a road trip on the Savannah Way and returning after the meeting.

  • Attended meeting of new members  from Victoria of the Australian Academy of Science 

OAF Roush

  • Joined Victorian Entomological Society and an attended dinner meeting.
  • Gave lecture about global and Australian Challenges and Opportunities for Water Management to “Food for a Healthy Planet”.

OAF Egan

  • Decision has been to have no hip replacement due to perceived high risk of complications
  • Professional career memoir has gone to book binder
  • Joined art group in village and returned to painting watercolour landscapes. 

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Minutes for the Meeting, Thursday 14 August 2025 at 12 noon, University House

  1. Welcome: Leury, White, Lee Dow, Falvey, Roush, Barlow, Howlett

Apologies Hickey, Beard, Tjia, Taylor, Top, Larkins, Egan

  • Minutes of Previous Meeting held 12 June 2025 approved.
  • Matters Arising
  • OAFS Fund Balance :$ $732.96,  reported by Treasurer Paul TaylorSpecial guest Richard Eckard spoke in detail on the challenges to achieve net zero agriculture and the School’s interaction with the net zero CRC, and more. It was noted that GRDC and other RDCs seem less engaged with UM of late.Barlow moved and Falvey seconded before this meeting that we (invite) “a senior researcher from the faculty to come along every other meeting as a way of keeping up with the research activity in agriculture and SAFES”.OAF Falvey moved before this meeting that “we should continue to put links to OAFs’ papers on our website and it should include non academic writing as well.”
  • OAFS Oration: After our lunch meeting, OAF Falveylearned from Jeremy Cottrell that “As an overview, it’ll be an alumni reunion and advancement are in the process of organising alumni and faculty speakers as part of a panel”..
  • OAFS Travel Fellowships: OAF Leury to advise progress
  • Other business Howlett spoke about her meeting with Linh Do, coordinator of Wattle Fellowship program at University of Melbourne where students are funded to take on practical sustainability projects. OAF members agreed that it would be good to have her present at an OAF meeting as many of the projects are relevant to food and agriculture.
  • Activities since last meeting-below
  • Agenda-maker/Chair/Minute-secretary for the next meeting on 11 September: Roush,

9 October Leury 

OAFS activities since previous meeting

OAF Taylor.

1. Been working at APAARI in Bangkok since 23rd June and just extended my stay until 23rd September. 

2. One UM PhD student successfully completed her PhD, and another submitted PhD thesis for examination.

3. Two new publications in Plant Pathogens of pyrethrum and Citrus.

OAF Larkins

Recently published three articles relating to HE Policy on my web site. I have also put comments up on LinkedIn with some remarkable results.

Paper 1. Australian Group of Eight Universities Decade Comparative Performance – Student Enrolments, Published 11 June 2025, Paper available here.

Paper 2. The 2024 Financial Health of Five Major Australian Universities – Record Recovery from Pandemic Complete but Headwinds Ahead? Published 7 July 2025, Paper available here.

Paper 3. Australian Universities 2022 Expenditure on R&D Continues to Decline as a Percentage of GDP. Published 5 August 2025, Paper available here.

Paper 1 has to date had over 3,200 hits, Paper 2 around 400 and paper 3 some 1,400 in three days. I wish my chemistry papers had such a  readership!

OAF Falvey, Travel

1.Canada and US visits to Simone’s relatives and my old consulting business partner;

2.Adelaide funeral of another consulting colleague’s wife; reunion of surviving consulting partners and employees;

3.Thailand for APAARI General Assembly to hand over the Chair role;

4.Canberra for Parliament House Crawford Conference on behalf of ACIAR.

5.Some writing – not scholarly. 

OAF Egan

1. Have been recruited to a mental well-being project between Curtin University and aged care providers.

2. Attended and performed at WA’s annual Toodyay Bush Poet’s convention 

3. Making progress on my monograph on 100years of advances in ruminant physiology.

OAF Barlow

1.Finally finished an Agriculture and Food Chapter in as part of a CAETS (International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences for a ‘Sequel’ project projecting the contributions of technology to the productivity and sustainability of Industries in 2040 in the face of changing climates.

2. Re-elected to the Standing Committee of Convocation of University of New England – a committee to advise Council.

3. Sadly after 30 years we are ripping out 90% of our vineyards because of the change in consumption styles and volumes leading to global chronic oversupply.

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Minutes for the Meeting, Thursday 12 June 2025 at 12 noon, University House

Chair and Minutes: OAF Beard

  1. Welcome OAFs Beard, Howlett, Lee Dow and Roush were present.

2. Apologies: OAFs Barlow, Falvey, Fazackerley, Hickey, Tjia, Larkins, McColl, White

3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting held 8 May 2025

The minutes of the previous meeting held 8 May 2025 were approved subject to amending the OAFs Fund balance from $836.80 to 732.96 (Item 3.1).

4. Matters Arising

4.1 OAFS Fund Balance: $732.96

4.2 OAFS Oration

Update: Jeremy Cotterell has advised OAF Falvey that the Science Dean is looking to have the event as an alumni reunion now and not part of the “science meets Melbourne” series.

Discussion included:

  • We don’t like the event being promoted as an alumni event as we planned it being a much wider audience
  • We need to clarify that we’re not a alumni group with the Dean (misunderstanding?)
  • Can we get Gio on board via OAF Taylor, and also to help lisiosn with the Dean?
  • The event will now best be held in 2026; could we persuade the Dean to this effect?
  • Will there be enough money (several OAFs are donating).
  • What will be the best way to promote the session to get a large audience:
    • OAF Howlett would use GRDC. Ask OAF Topp as this is his area of expertise.Call on the Faculty’s Advancement and Promotions staff to assist.Consider whether involvement of the Wattle Fellowship could be helpful (see Item 6 under Any Other Business)
    4.3 Set up OAFs Oration Fund

Update: Jeremy Cotterell has contacted Advancement re central University support.

It was noted that if we donate, we should do it through Advancement so that it is tax deductible.

Action: Rick will follow up with Lindsay about progress witht the Oration and Fund

4.4 OAFS Travel Fellowships: Held over.

4.5 120 years of Faculty

Those present weren’t sure whether there was an intention to ask the School for funds. We need to identify people in relevant roles noted in the prevous meeting’s minutes.  

Action: Discuss further at the next meeting when more people are present.

4.6 Dinner at the RACV Club (Members dining Room, 1st floor) – 6.30 pm 10 July

OAF Beard reminded people to let OAF Larkins know whether they will attend the event. OAF Lee Dow is attending, and OAFs Beard and Roush are attending with partners. OAF Howlett can’t attend and will let OAF Larkins know.

5. Fellows’ Activities since last meeting – summary list below.

6. Any Other Business

6.1 Wattle Fellowship

OAFs Howlett and Beard attended a recent session presented by  Wattle Fellowship participants about the sustainability projects each student is working on.  They both felt the session was really inspiring.  Young students from across the University (all degree levels) participate in the program. The aim of the Fellowship is: it “empower students to develop the capabilities needed to create lasting, positive change in their communities and beyond”. The two OAFs ask that other OAFs look at the website – https://www.unimelb.edu.au/wattlefellowship – and consider how best we can interact with the Fellowship.

7. Selection of Agenda-maker/Chair/Minute-secretary for the next meeting:

10 July 2025 – Role not required

14 August 2025 – OAF Roush

8. Next Meeting – 6.30 pm 10 July 2025.  Christmas in July at the RACV Club

OAFS activities since previous meeting

OAF Barlow

  • Fabulous 2.5 weeks on the Coral Coast (Ningaloo)and in the Pilbara national park Karijini (think MT Tom Price) -great gorges cut through that great ironstones deposit and beautifully preserved and managed despite being surrounded by big mines and rail lines.
  • Continuing our ATSE Nomination Committee task of selecting and recommending the next ATSE President.
  • Still weathering the big dry in NE Victoria (and everywhere else in Vic).

OAF Beard

  • Busy time with my Board as TEQSA has come back with some requests for more information about our application to be registered as a higher education provider.
  • Also busy with my Owners Corporation Committee.
  • Continuing to work on a paper with Liz Bare about what the causes were of underpayment of university staff.

OAF Egan

  • Major dental work in progress so hope to have a new smile next time I see you.
  • Just negotiating a time and place for Left hip replacement as arthritis and old rugby and marathon damage take their revenge.
  • My creative non-fiction on the perils of academic life is coming along well; I’m continuously revising to avoid litigation.

OAF Falvey

  • PNG mission and continued ACIAR and APAARI matters.
  • In North America to see some Simone’s relations (Ontario and Quebec – with travel advice courtesy of OAF Hickey), and a past consulting business partner (Maine).

OAF Howlett

  • Two week trip to Morocco.
  • Attended UH ‘Future of food and Agriculture event’.

OAF Kwong

  • Going along quietly.

OAF Larkins

  • Enjoying a holiday in NSW with his grandchildren.

OAF Leury

  • Acting as a detailed assessor for ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Awards 2026.
  • Journal administrative duties for Ruminants.
  • Editing several papers for submission to Journals .

OAF Taylor

  • Attended the Australasian Plant Pathology Conference in Sydney in which my PhD student won the best student presentation.
  • Continuing work on APAARI project proposals.
  • Planning for two months of work from 23rd June at the APAARI office in Bangkok.

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Minutes of the OAFS Meeting, Thursday 8 May 2025 at 12 noon, University House

Chair and Minutes: OAF Barlow

  1. Welcome and Apologies:

Present: OAFs Barlow, Beard, Larkins, Lee Dow, Leury, Taylor.

Apologies: OAFs Egan, Falvey, Howlett, Roush, Tija and White.

2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting held 10 April 2025: Approved with no amendments.

3. Matters Arising

3.1 OAFS Fund Balance :$732.96: An OAFS Bendigo Bank Account to be opened by OAFs Taylor and Leury and balance transfered from OAF Hickey’s bank account.

3.2 OAFS Oration: Fiona Simpson confirmed as the OAFS First nomination for the Initial Oration.The future topics of Biosercurity and Net Zero Emissions from Agriculture were considered worthy but requiring to be further developed in terms of focus and possible presenters .Falvey to convey this to Jeremy Cotterell.

3.3 OAFS Oration Fund: Falvey to ask Jeremy Cotterell about progress in the establishment of an OAFS endowment fund within the Faculty, noting the proximity of 30 June.

3.4 Ag Methane debate: This item to be shelved pending further information from OAF Roush.

3.5 OAFS Travel Fellowships: OAF Leury working with Jeremy Cotterell on this.  

4. 120 years of Faculty: Noting OAF Falvey’s comments , this item was considered worthy of further discussion noting:

  • Probabilty that all graduates of the Faulty’s first 60 years are deceased.
  • There are well researched histories of the University and a history of the Faculty and VCAH available which would be valuable source documents.
  • To progress this item, an editor is a critical prerequisite.
  • OAFs present all pledged assistance to such an editor.
  • A critical point was that this item cannot progress without the School’s support.
  • 5. Coffee Cards: OAF Beard has located the coffee cards at University House and they have been left with the Café (food section) (not the bar) for safe keeping and use in future meetings. OAFs should order their coffees at the food section and ask to charge the cost against the coffee vouchers stored under the OAFS name.
  • 6. Fellows’ Activities since last meeting: Listed below.  
  • 7. Any Other Business: There wasno other business.
  • 8. Selection of Agenda-maker/Chair/Minute-secretary for the next meeting: OAF Leury said he was available and OAF Falvey was asked to consider.

[Secretarial Note: OAFs Leury and Falvey are unable to attend the June meeting and OAF Beard has taken on the secretarial role.]

  • Next Meeting: 12 noon, 12 June 2025, University House

OAFS Activities

OAF Barlow

  • ATSE Nominations Committee to recommend next  ATSE President.
  • Uncovering Climate and Vintage data in Australian Wine Regions to expand and update our database.
  • Volunteer contributions to local Indi independent re-election campaign (successful).

OAF Beard

  • Had a great few weeks travelling in Japan; such a beautiful place.
  • Working on a paper with Liz Bare about what the causes were of underpayment of university staff.

OAF Egan

  • Reading, writing and meetings with colleagues;
  • Messages of support to all my University colleagues  in the USA re Trump offensive.

OAF Falvey

  • Much APAARI and ACIAR business – in PNG from May 10 hence missing OAFs meeting.
  • Attended impressive Eco & Comm public lecture on cultural influence in economic history (100 years of that Faculty celebrated – perhaps of relevance to Frank’s item of marking 125 years of ag at Melbourne (2026 I calculate).
  • Added OAFS to SAFES Newsletter (perhaps OAFs can discuss if we have might have occasional contributions for the Newsletter).

OAF Howlett

  • Road trip through SA including visits to several agronomist colleagues and a stay at Bungaree, Clare. Extreme drought conditions throughout.
  •  Attended meeting of Victorian branch of Australasian Plant Pathology Society.

OAF Larkins

  • Recently published a paper on the performances of so-called Innovative Research Universities. The paper is on my website:
  • Also put up a comment on Linkedin.

OAF Lee Dow

  • On 23 April, launched the publication ‘The Power of Diversity: a history of the Australian Multicultural Foundation’. The book covers the period 1989-2024. Written by Michael Harden, published by Harvey Grant Media. The launch was held at the Italian Museum in Faraday Street and attended by around 80 people.

OAF Leury

  • Journal administrative duties for Ruminants.
  • Reviewed several articles for a range of journals.

OAF Taylor

  • Involved in several APAARI meetings with an European consortium to develop a project on eco-friendly mitigation of Phytophthora rot in vegetables and trees to be submitted to the European Horizon Farm to Fork funding program.
  • Involved in meetings to discuss development of a project on anthracnose of fruit trees and chili fruit for the APAARI- EUPHRESCO III funding program.
  • Delivered a lecture, pro bona, to Plant Pathology 3rd year subject in the BAgr and B Sci.

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Minutes for the Meeting:  University House, Thursday 10th April 2025, at 12 noon

Welcome and Apologies

Present: OAFS Frank Larkins (Chair and minute taker), Paul Taylor, Adrian Egan, Kwong Lee Dow, Snow Barlow, Lindsay Falvey, Brian Leury

Apologies: OAFS Janet Beard, Teresa Tjia, Bob White

  1. Minutes of the Previous Meeting held Thursday 13th March 2025

Approved.

2. Matters Arising

2.1 OAFS Fund Balance stands at $836.80

Action: Arrange the transfer of the account to OAF Taylor or OAF Leury from OAF Hickey

2.2 OAFS Oration and Sponsorship

OAF Falvey has consulted with Jeremy Cottrell SAFES Director of Engagement in the Faculty of Science

Action: Two OAFS to join an organising committee to assist with organising of the OAFS    Oration  OAF Falvey and OAF Barlow nominated with OAFS Taylor and OFA Leury as alternates. Nominations for possible Orators to be sourced. Possible areas Livestock Production, Broad Acre Cropping, International

2.3 Proposal for Institute of/for Agriculture: Matter on hold.

2.4 OAFS Travel Fellowship: OAF Leury met with SAFES Director of Engagement, Jeremy Cottrell.

Action: OAF Leury and Jeremy are formulating a proposal.

2.5 Ag Methane debate: No discussion

Action: Awaiting advice from OAF Roush at a future meeting.

3. Selection of Agenda-maker/Chair/Minute-secretary for the next meeting on 8th May, 2025

Action: OAF Barlow agreed to chair this meeting with OAF Taylor as the alternate

4. July Dinner: OAFS Larkins reported that 12-14 people have indicated their intend to come to a dinner on July 10 at the members dining room at the RACV Club.

5. Other Business OAF Hickey was unable to confirm if coffee cards had been purchased. Recommend that two or three coffee cards be purchased from OAFS account (Paul Taylor?) and that they be passed after a meeting to the OAF coordinating the next meeting.

Meeting Closed 1.10 pm

6. Fellows’ Activities since last meeting.

Janet Beard

  1. Travelling in Japan
  2. Helping a friend prepare her report on a departmental review she has undertaken at La Trobe
  3. Finalised the paper with Liz Bare (finally!)

Adrian Egan

  1. Relaxed time for five weeks with family and friends.
    1. Started work on a creative non- fiction comedy manuscript on perils of academic life. 
    1. Finished a series of cartoons to illustrate my second book of bush poetry.

Frank Larkins

  1. Writing a paper about the academic and financial performance of the seven so-called Innovation Research Universities.
    1. Have recently become President of the Probus Club of Port Phillip.
      1. Have departed with my beloved MGB to my son.

Snow Barlow

  1. My old Viticulture group has come together to do a decadal update of our ‘CC and Wine “ database. We are looking for funding to extend the database to all significant wine regions in Australia as the first step to making it a legacy database
  2. Preparing for an ATSE parliamentary briefing on CC in Ag
  3. Finally rain has arrived in NE Vic (80+mm in March) leaving much to be done Farmwise

Lindsay Falvey

  1.  Commission (International Ag Res) meeting – interesting era with USAID cuts in the region; nice leisurely drive to ACT via Lakes Entrance and Bermagui.
  2. Two APAARI meetings (Country reps & Exec Comm) addressing same and additional issues
  3. Faculty support for an Honorary Doctorate candidate

Brian Leury

  1. Reviewed referee comments received on some of our journal articles
  2. Re-committed as editor in chief of the journal Ruminants for another year

Rick Roush

  1. In Perth for friends 75th birthday

Paul Taylor

  1. Involved in several APAARI meetings on project development with EUPHRESCO
  2. Attended PhD progress review meetings and assisting submission of student papers to journals and conference abstracts
  3. Viewed the exhibitions on the artist Yayoi Kusama at the NGV and on The Future & Other Fictions at ACMI

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Minutes for the Meeting, University House, Thursday 13th March 2025, at 12 noon

  1. Welcome and Apologies

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

Apologies: OAFS Hickey, Tjia, Barlow, Howlett, Falvey

2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting held Thursday 13th February 2025. Approved.

3. Matters Arising

3.1 OAFS Fund Balance: OAF Hickey advised that the fund balance is $732.96 OAF Taylor is considering taking over the ‘treasurer’ role from OAF Hickey, given Malcom is stepping down.

Action: Arranging the transfer of the account (OAF Taylor or OAF Leury)

3.2 OAFS Oration and Sponsorship

SAFES Director of Engagement, Jeremy Cottrell, attended the meeting and provided an update on progress toward establishing the OAFs Oration. OAF Larkins summarized the background of the proposal for an annual oration on a topic of current importance to Australian agriculture, aimed at raising the profile of agricultural science within the University. He noted that OAF’s Falvey, Larkins and others had discussed the proposal with Professor Turchini, and that Lindsay has been the principal liaison with SAFES and the Faculty of Science.

Jeremy reported that both the SAFES HoS and the Dean of Science strongly support the Oration. He also discussed the initiative with the Advancement team regarding its implementation. A viable option is to integrate the Oration into the Dean’s Annual Lecture series, which benefits from organizational support, promotion, and some funding from the Advancement team. With an additional SAFES contribution, approximately $20,000 is available for the initiative.

As previously discussed, OAF Larkins suggested raising additional funds through the establishment of “The OAFs Fund” within the University. This would allow OAFs, staff, and other interested individuals to make tax-deductible donations, with an initial target of $10,000.

There was also discussion on other aspects including the target audience, potential topics, and possible speakers e.g. CEOs of agricultural companies, the CEO of the Farmers Federation, and MDs/CEOs of RIRDCs. This requires further consideration and planning.

Action: OAF Falvey to liaise with Jeremy Cottrell on next steps

3.3 Proposal for Institute of/for Agriculture: Matter on hold.

3.4 OAFS Travel Fellowship: OAF Leury met with SAFES Director of Engagement, Jeremy Cottrell. Jeremy is consulting with the appropriate professional staff in the Faculty of Science on the fund status and to identify a contact for OAF Leury

Action: OAF Leury will follow up with Jeremy.

3.5 Ag Methane debate: No discussion

Action: OAF Roush to provide an update at a future meeting.

4. Discussion of potential future OAF invitations – no OAFS nominations. It was agreed that this item be removed from the agenda.

5. Agriculture Alumni, the celebration of Agricultural Science Alumni:  Further discussion took place on how OAFs can contribute to promoting Agricultural Science alumni, including through the OAF Oration. OAF Larkins noted that this topic arose from previous discussions, partly prompted by the recent passing of Professor Alan Robson (OAF White). As OAF Kwong had previously noted, FBE marked its centenary by publishing a book by former Dean Ross Williams, honouring 100 notable graduates. A similar approach could be valuable for celebrating Agricultural Science alumni but would require identifying a suitable editor and contributions from OAF volunteers. Further discussion is needed. The role of Honorary appointments was also considered, particularly how to enhance their standing in SAFES. Rather than engaging with senior Science leaders, it was suggested that this issue is best addressed by individuals working directly with their supervisors.

6. Next meeting on April 10th, 2025, and selection of Agenda-maker/Chair/Minute-secretary

Action: OAF Larkins agreed to chair this meeting

7. Fellows’ Activities since last meeting.

OAF Taylor

  • I had two weeks as an Honorary Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Bintulu Sarawak campus, Malaysia
  • Continued project development work for APAARI
  • One of my PhD students of whom I am Principal supervisor submitted her thesis for examination – one down two more to go!

OAF White 

  • No activity to report.

OAF Kwong 

  • No activity to report

OAF Falvey

  • Commission for International Agricultural Research meetings, Canberra (as OAFS meets)
  • Successive APAARI meetings on governance and RTG actions
  • Trying and failing to keep up maintenance at the Forest

OAF Beard 

  • Working on paper about casual professional staff with Liz Baré
  • Planning for trip in Japan in April (babysitting will have to be on hold!)
  • Chair of Board of start-up higher education provider

OAF Larkins 

  • Main activity domestic, preparing for the storm in Ballina, NSW

OAF Egan 

  • Copies of my book Little by Little on Altzheimers, my Memoir Life Is What You Make It and my anthology of bush poetry Let’s Beat Around the Bush are at the bookbinders here in Bendigo. Will be attending the Henry Lawson Society in Bourke St on the third Saturday of the month with copies of my tribute poems in Henry’s style. 
  • 19th of March is my 88th Birthday, …. so far, so good!

OAF Leury 

  • Co-supervision of remaining postgraduate students; and work on Journal papers
  • Contributions as editor in chief of the journal Ruminants.

________________________________________

Minutes for the Meeting, University House, Thursday 13th February 24, 2025, at 12 noon

  1. Welcome and Apologies

Present: OAFS Leury (Chair and minute taker), Beard, Falvey, Taylor and Howlett and Barlow (1.30pm)

Apologies: OAFS Hickey, Larkins, Roush, Egan, Lee Dow, Tjia

2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting held Thursday 14th November 2024. Approved.

3. Matters Arising

3.1 OAFS Fund Balance: OAF Hickey advised that the fund balance is $836.80. He also confirmed that he would like to step down from his ‘treasurer’ role, so a replacement is needed.

Action: OAF Leury to discuss arrangements for the transfer of the account with Malcom and to consider a replacement – possibly OAF Taylor or OAF Leury

3.2 OAFS Oration and Sponsor

Action: SAFES Director of Engagement, Jeremy Cottrell, was unable to attend the February meeting but has confirmed his attendance at the March meeting to discuss and update the OAFs on progress with organising the OAFs oration.

3.3 Proposal for Institute of/for Agriculture: Matter on hold.

3.4 OAFS Travel Fellowships:

Action: OAF Leury will meet with the SAFES Director of Engagement to follow up the status of the travel fellowship.

3.5 Ag Methane debate

Action: OAF Roush to propose how he would like to progress this discussion.

4. Other Business

4.1 Future OAF invitations – no OAFS nominations.

4.2 Agricultural Science Alumni There was a discussion on the role and value of OAFs in promoting Agricultural Science alumni and it was suggested that this is probably best considered as part of the OAF Oration at this stage. As part of this discussion, the role of Honorary appointments was also considered. In SAFES, the contribution and value of Honoraries to the School has limited recognition. and engaging with senior leaders of the faculty may prove more beneficial.

Action: For further discussion

4.3 OAFS’ Christmas in July (10th) dinner at the RACV club

Action: OAF Larkins is organizing the dinner on behalf of the OAFs for those who can attend.

4.4 Selection of Agenda-maker/Chair/Minute-secretary for the next meeting on March 13th, 2025

Action: OAF Leury agreed to chair this meeting

5. Fellows’ Activities since last meeting.

OAF Taylor

  • Presented a keynote address at the International Conference on Plant Health in Asia in Gunter, Andrah Pradesh, India; and participated in stakeholder meetings to identify potential partners for Plant Health Research Network at Vignan University, Guntur and National Institute for Plant Health Management, Hyderabad, India.
  • Submitted project ideas for APAARI on plant health issues in the Asia region to EUPHRESCO III funding program (European Phytosanitary Research Coordination).
  • Delivered an on-line keynote presentation at the Sri Lankan International Conference in Mycology and Plant Pathology.
  • Reviewed an application for promotion to Professor on behalf of the Scientific Council at Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Saudi Arabia.

OAF White 

  • No noteworthy activity to report.

 OAF Kwong 

  • welcomed about 400 KLD Young Scholars and (separately) 300 of their parents to the University in mid-January. They are Year 11 students this year and will constitute the Class of 2026. (The first cohort, drawn from over 80 percent of eligible schools- all of Victoria and border schools in NSW and SA -was the Class of 2007.)

 OAF Falvey

 OAF Beard 

  • Still finalising a paper with Liz Bare on professional staff in Australian universities – where are they and what do they do, especially casual professional staff.
  • Helping a colleague with a review of a central unit at the University of Melbourne where concerns have been expressed by several staff.
  • Planning for our trip to Japan in April.

 OAF Larkins 

  • The Yea Racing Club of which I am a committee members ran a very success Yea Cup meeting on Saturday 18th January. I coordinated the information tent and the Raffle.
  • Next week I and my wife will drive to Ballina in NSW to see family including grandchildren for about 3 weeks.

 OAF Egan 

  • House sold and settled.
  • Moved into my 2-bedroom Apartment, mailing address 112 Drummond Apartments, Drummond Way, Bentley WA 6102
  • Still setting up my study so I can get on with my writing and publishing.

 OAF Barlow 

  • Delivered a paper to the Southwest Environmental conference in Portland on ‘Agricultural and Forest Climate Change Adaptation in Western Victoria – Land use change. Interesting day with a keynote from Tim Flannery with some penetrating insights. Also spent a morning at the Badj Bim World Cultural Heritage site looking at its Eel fish traps (still active) and stone hut villages, impressively run by local Indigenous groups.
  • Completed an agricultural chapter in the CAETS (International Council of Academies of Engineers and Technological Sciences) ‘Pathways Project” exploring paths to Net Zero Carbon in a range of industries.
  • On Feb 12 I will join the “esteemed OAF Octogenarians !!”

OAF Leury 

  • Attended graduation of my last PhD student as Principal Supervisor; continuing co-supervision of remaining postgraduate students; and other research activities
  • Work related to my role as editor in chief of the journal Ruminants.

OAF Roush

  • Accepted an invitation from Professor Turchini to be an honorary principal fellow within the School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Science.
  • Contributed to the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions’ Asia Pacific Biopesticides Community of Practice on 29 January.

OAF Davidson

  • Continue to work for The World Bank group as a consultant.