Cover of the Melbourne University Magazine

Editor's letter

It seems everyone these days is required (or, at least, aspires), to be a leader.

But what is leadership, why do we need it and is it always demonstrated in the ways that we expect? How should the University of Melbourne, a ‘leading’ university embody and manifest leadership? How does the University encourage and support leadership in its students, alumni and staff? Are there areas in which the University has failed to take the lead where it arguably has an obligation to do so?

To find answers to these questions, the Melbourne University Magazine (MUM) working group adopted the theme of leadership for this year's magazine.

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Germinating canola seeds sourced from the Dookie campus. Photograph by Joe Vittorio

The worth of water

Escalating prices and the effect of natural disasters on primary producers have focused attention on food production and distribution systems like never before. Alumna Maryrose Cuskelly investigates how the University of Melbourne is engaging with the ‘wicked’ problem of food security and finds efficient water use is a major focus.

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Student protest for action on student housing. Dec 2008. Photo: Kwanghui Lim

Home is where the heart is

In a city of spiralling land values and rent prices, the issue of student housing is one that just won’t go away. But the issue stretches far beyond that of access and affordability.

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Then and now: the 150th anniversary of engineering at Melbourne (1861-2011)

Then and now

With 2011 marking the 150th anniversary of Engineering at Melbourne, alumna Michelle Bennett looked back on a discipline that has literally shaped the world we live in. And as Michelle discovered, some things change and some stay the same.

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Professor Ingrid Scheffer (centre) with Dannielle Goodwin (right) and her twin sister, Prue Matthews

Putting our heads together

March 2011 saw the opening of the Austin campus of the Melbourne Brain Centre, which will improve diagnosis and treatment of people living with a brain disorder. Alumna Lieu Thi Pham spoke with a patient benefitting from this collaborative venture, and researcher and clinician Professor Ingrid Scheffer.

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Professor Carolyn Evans, Dean, Melbourne Law School

Women and leadership

Given that Australia’s prime minister and governor-general are both women, is the discussion around women in leadership in this country done and dusted? Caro Cooper scrutinises the debate.

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Your alumni community

Leonie Boxtel, DirectorIn my three years as head of Alumni Relations a lot has changed for us, and I hope for you also. Our program content has expanded, becoming more integrated and focused on providing value to you as important members of the Melbourne community. Very happily, the number of alumni involved in programs increased to over 10 000 locally and internationally in 2010.

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Queen's Birthday Honours Medal

Alumni Council Elections