COCKTAIL RECEPTION - 23 March 2007

The Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Gavin Brown AO FAA welcomed Victorian graduates at an Alumni Reception in Melbourne on Friday 23 March. The event, attended by over 120 alumni, was held at the University House at the University of Melbourne.

Professor Brown provided an overview of recent University developments for guests, including news about the University being awarded 35^th position in the UK's Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) - World University Rankings, and being placed among the top 50 Universities in the world by Newsweek. In the light of these achievements, he stressed the importance of receiving appropriate funding to maintain the University's high level of research work, and teaching and learning achievements.

Progress of the 'Campus 2010+ Building for the Future' program as part of the University's commitment to creating world-class facilities and making the campus more accessible to the community was also highlighted; and the Vice-Chancellor acknowledged alumni present who are University of Melbourne staff, highlighting partnership opportunities between the two Universities.  

Tracey Beck, Director of Alumni Relations acted as MC and advised guests that the Victorian Alumni Association, established in 1993, has moved from a formal committee to an informal alumni network with an enthusiastic new Executive Committee. This transition sets a new path for exciting alumni developments in our Australian state with the second largest alumni population. The Vice-Chancellor acknowledged the invaluable service provided by the Immediate Past President, Dr Les Mighalls, for the Victorian Alumni Association over many years.

If you would like to be involved in the activities of the new alumni group in Victoria, please contact Anna Schubert on +61 2 9036 9644.