Alumni celebrate Monash's 50th anniversary

January 2009

Monash University 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner

Last year, Monash alumni from around the world took part in activities to celebrate the University's 50th anniversary including a gala dinner, the popular public lecture series, and an event for graduates born in 1958.

The proclamation of the Monash University Act took place on 30 May 1958. Almost 50 years later, alumni were among the invited guests at the official 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne. The dinner included the launch of the University’s fundraising campaign and also honoured the achievements of five outstanding graduates; recipients of the 2008 Distinguished Alumni Awards.

The winners of the Distinguished Alumni Award 2008 were leading academic, researcher and political analyst Professor Dewi Fortuna Anwar (PhD 1990) and acclaimed writer, scientist and explorer Professor Tim Flannery (MSc 1981). The Distinguished Young Alumni Award 2008 went to general practitioner Dr David Mitchell (MBBS 2000), and Distinguished Alumni Service Awards 2008 were presented to Mr Alistair Lloyd AO RFD ED (PhC 1956) and Mr John Sturdy (BE(Hons) 1978, MEngSc 1988, MBA 1990).

Held throughout 2008, the University’s 50th Anniversary Public Lecture Series attracted large alumni audiences. The lectures addressed topics from across the University’s faculties, and education and research strengths. The most popular event was the Faculty of Science-hosted lecture with guest speaker Professor Flannery. More than 1000 people filled the theatre to capacity to hear the prominent alumnus outline his climate change predictions.

In September, Monash shared its birthday celebrations with over 100 alumni born in 1958. Dr Leanne Rowe AM (MBBS 1980, MD 2006), Deputy Chancellor, hosted a cocktail reception for the birthday graduates. The alumni then attended the Monash University Academy of Performing Arts’ Spring Concert in Robert Blackwood Hall.

Outside Melbourne, Monash engaged its global alumni in a number of anniversary activities and events. In June, the Monash Alumni Advisory Group and over 200 alumni commemorated the University’s 50th year at a gala ceremony at Singapore’s Asian Civilisations Museum. The following month, the University’s Sunway campus in Malaysia held series of public events in dual celebration of its 10th anniversary and Monash’s 50th. In November, Monash South Africa hosted two well-attended alumni dinners – one in Botswana and the other in South Africa.

The May 2008 edition of Monash Magazine had a special focus on the University’s past, present and future. All alumni with up-to-date mailing details would have received this special edition.