Monash Clayton Campus Incident

Messages of support from alumni and friends

Monash staff and students would like to thank alumni for their messages of support, as below: (and continued on pages 2 ,  3 and 4)

To all the people who have been touched by the negative events in recent days, our thoughts are with you.
Daniel Kotler (BInfoSys 2001)

My thoughts are with all students and staff affected by yesterday's tragedy.
David Thomson 

Could you please pass on my thoughts and prayers to the injured, to the families of the those killed and to the staff and students affected by this tragedy.
Carmel Kavanagh (GradDipAcc 1997)

It was a great shock to hear yesterday of the tragic events at Monash. I have very fond memories of the Ming Wing and the time that I spent at Monash.

I send my deepest sympathies to the families of those who were killed at Monash yesterday, and my best wishes to the injured students and staff. I wish you a speedy recovery.

To all the staff and students at Monash, my heart goes out to you at this difficult time. Monash will never quite be the same place again. But, may you use this time to ensure that Monash becomes an even better place.
Margaret Abbey (BA(Hons) 1981)

To all my fellow schoolmates out there....

Though we may not have seen each other before, but we all belong to this great University and this is what that bond us together.... 

It's shocking that such things are happening to our community and to those who are affected by this incident, You Are Not Alone..... I feel for you...

I pray and hope those that were hurt and injured (both physically and mentally) during this incident, A Speedy Recovery !!

To the heroes who have prevented further tragedy from happening, I Salute You!!

May we all have peace on earth!
Janice C

Very sorry for the tragic news. My thoughts are with you
Dr Ern Knoop (MEdSt 1981, PhDEduc 1989)

I was both saddened and shocked by this tragic event in a building in which I have taken part in many tutorials as part of a MA course. There are many happy memories of staff and fellow students in the groups of which I was a part and know by my personal experience that every encouragement, kindness and assistance is given to everyone to develop whatever talents they possess.

Monash is a great university full of dedicated and concerned and involved staff and has a wonderful atmosphere charged by the life and enthusiasm of the students, both young and not so young. My heart goes out to students who have now lost close friends; to students who are injured and to staff who have lost students and were themselves shocked and injured, and particularly to the families who have lost a child. Having lost a son of my own when he was only 18, I know that there are many difficult days ahead, I can only offer my understanding and prayers.

This event will not stop me from either going to Monash for various meetings or in the near future applying for further post-graduate study.

The student who brought about this tragedy also has a family and my prayers also are for them.
Barbara Rossall-Wynne (MA 2001)

I am sure I join all alumni members in assuring all those directly affected that we share their grief and hope that this is of some comfort. All the Monash community will be in our thoughts and prayers today. Thankyou for this opportunity as I am sure that it helps us a little too.
Ian Gillard (BSc(Hons) 1970, PhD Sci 1974)

It was with great sorrow that I received the news of this tragic event. Please pass on my deepest sympathies to all those affected.
Nicholas Mathiou (MMktg 1997)

To all students and staff at Monash,
Students, please don’t let the events of yesterday tarnish your view of your time at Monash. It’s a great university with dedicated staff, some of whom go beyond what’s asked, as they did yesterday. We are thinking of you all as you complete your end of the year studies and duties and wish you well. To the families of  those deceased, injured or in custody, you are in our prayers.
Fay Tidey (BA 1982) and John Tidey (MA 1997)  

As an ex student I am deeply saddened over yesterday's incident. Would you pass on my sincere sympathy and thoughts to those affected, particularly to their families and friends.

We must find a way of reaching out to those who need help in dealing with their daily lives. Tertiary studies can be a most stressful time for anyone and those without support can feel very isolated. A simple 'buddy' system where students can be paired together would provide at least one 'friend' or point of contact where people are able to talk about concerns. I'm sure it is not that simple but steps need to be taken to focus more on student welfare. 
Ron Etheridge (BSc 1976, DipEd 1977)

Please pass on my deepest sympathy and heartfelt sorrow to those who lost loved ones or who were injured in yesterday's tragic incident.
Moss Pellen (BEc 1968, MAdmin 1977)

Hi Monash Community!
What a tragic incident with horrific consequences - you are very much in my thoughts. 
Robin Gray (PhDEduc 1994)

I was shocked and saddened by the tragic events that unfolded yesterday at Monash. My sincere condolences to the victims and their families.
Alfred Chown (BEc 1983)

Yes I wish to take the opportunity to pass on my condolences, thoughts and prays. As a University Council Member in the 90's and as an active member of the Alumni Association I think of Monash as my second home. I had a great association with many council members, administrators, academics and students over my terms of Council office. I continue to have great associations thru the Alumni.

In Council we faced stressful administrative decisions and came into contact with the human face of peoples campus problems. 

Having said that we never faced the magnitude of the tragic events that occurred at the Clayton campus on October 21st. I can't write this and say I understand for those that have been directly impacted by this senseless act. I can write that I honestly felt numb at the thought of the events. I can say that my family is thinking of everyone in the Monash Family and that we stand together in our support. Our thoughts and prays go out to all the Monash Family at this difficult time and let the Monash spirit prevail. 
Adrian Fox (BComp(Hons) 1993) & Joanne Fox 

I would like to express my shock at yesterday's ruthless, cruel, ghastly act. Please convey my grief, sympathies and condolences to the bereaved families and relatives. I would also like to express consolation to those that were witnesses to and affected by the incident.

Praise to those that prevented the situation to be worse, by flooring the sniper - a courageous act indeed!
Kes Kesari

To All Involved....My wishes of strength at this time of sadness.
Eleanor Hart (DipArt&Des 1974)

I was shocked and saddened by the events of Monday, 21 October. My thoughts are with the families and friends of those who were killed or injured. 
Larissa 

I was very saddened to hear of the incident at Monash University - and wish to pass on my sympathies to all involved, especially those who have lost loved ones, and those recovering in hospital and all the students and staff who are effected by this tragedy. 

Monash Uni campus life represents to me a time of great fond memories and it's sad to think that students have to endure this horrific act and have their campus life thrown in turmoil. I hope that we can all get through this and see university life returned back to the safe and enjoyable environment that it's always been. 
Sam Lau (BE 1986)

I wish to pass on my sincere sorrow to the families and friends of those who have died and been injured, in addition to those who are now fearful of their safety in an increasingly unsafe world. 

However, as someone formerly associated with the 6th Floor of the Menzies Building and the lecturers involved, I would like to pass on my pride in being part of a community whose response is to DO something about a problem instead of simply running away and later insisting that someone else do something. I am thankful that this attitude of taking action and adopting individual responsibility for dealing with problems, which formed part of the original vision for our university is not lost. I would like to commend those who stopped this tragedy from being worse than it could have been. 
Linda Brennan (BBus(Mktg) 1991, BBus(Hons) 1990)

Our Prayer to all
Urbans

My condolences to the families of those who died and my wishes for the speedy recovery of those wounded in the tragic event on 21.10.02. 

I trust those in need of counselling are soon able to deal with the tragedy.
George Mackenzie (LLM 1989)

We were very saddened to hear of yesterday's shootings. Australian students have previously been able to study free of fear - unlike students in so many other countries. We were encouraged to hear of the bravery of those who tackled the gunman, and the swift action of so many in ensuring that safety and support be provided for those on campus.

Events such as yesterday's, bring out the best in so many amidst very difficult circumstances. The Monash community is being kept in our thoughts and prayers.

Should assistance be required with debriefing or general counselling, please do not hesitate to contact me (Ruth Kennedy, Psychologist) on 0408 581958. I would be only too happy to offer what assistance I can. 
Ross and Ruth Kennedy (GradDipEdPsych 1988)

My wife and I would like to send our condolences for the tragic incident that took place at Monash yesterday. Could you pass our deep sorrow to the families of the people affected. 
Stephen Boronkay (BSc(Hons 1968, MSc 1969)

Please extend my best wishes for a speedy recovery to those injured. It is indeed shocking to have been part of that tragedy.  
Gita 

It's so sad to hear of incidents like this in our own backyard. My deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims of this unspeakable crime and to those students and teachers who were touched by the event. Many thanks to those brave few who prevented this tragedy from being any worse - you are truly heroes. Time will pass and ease your pain - hang in there...
Sarah-Jayne Hale (BTourism 2002, BComm (IBCO) 2002)

I was saddened to hear the tragic news from my alma mater, Monash yesterday. My deepest sympathies to all of those who lost loved ones, or saw them harmed. Luckily my son, who is doing Arts at the Clayton Campus, was not there at the time, so I feel fortunate indeed. My heart goes out to everyone personally affected by this act of insanity in a place of learning.
Ed Doble, (BEc 1980)

My heartfelt condolences go to those affected by this traumatic incident. This is such an awful tragedy, it is a senseless loss of lives and shows a general deterioration in the values of our society.
Samantha Reeves (BBus (Acc) 1992)

A major tragedy to befall the Monash community at such a tense time in the world. We must stand as one during these oppressive acts and strive to maintain peace and stability in our lives despite new grief, fear and apprehension about the future.

Condolences to all who have lost and I wish you strength to carry forth.
Andrik Lohman (MBBS 2000)

I was shocked to hear the tragic news yesterday, and wish to convey my sympathy to all those affected at Monash University. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the students, staff and families.
Jenny Ferguson (BA (Hons) 1987)

I was shocked and deeply saddened by yesterday's events. Please pass on my condolences to all who have been so tragically touched by one poor individual's actions.
Wendy Jobling (MEdSt 1993, EdD 2000)