University of New England Alumni Association SA Chapter
Annual Dinner 2017
On Friday 14th July 2017, approximately fifty (50) Members, Associates and friends of the SA Chapter of the UNE Alumni Association gathered in the Naval, Military and Air Force Club for the 21st Annual Dinner of the Chapter. Having welcomed all present, with a special welcome to our Guest Speaker Professor Kym Anderson AC, Wendy covered some housekeepingand then gave a short Latin grace. Before inviting everyone to enjoy their first course Wendy called on Ed McAlister to encourage everyone to buy raffle tickets in aid of our Annual Scholarship.
After the first course was enjoyed, Alan Martin spoke briefly about the debt which alumni owe to UNE, including friendships made, and called upon all present to join him in a toast to the University. At this point Wendy informed the audience of the details of Paloma Ghosal, our successful Scholarship winner for 2017. In short, Paloma was born in India and arrived in Australia in 2006 coming directly to Adelaide. After graduating from Norwood Morialta High School, Paloma studied one year of a BSc and one year of a Bachelor of Nursing, before enrolling in a Bachelor of Medicine course at UNE where she is currently in her third year. It is her hope that one day she may be able to work with children. Paloma also feels that, having lived in Armidale while undertaking her course, her interest in rural communities has been sparked and she would very much like to use her skills and knowledge in remote Australia.
After the main course was served, Marianne Young introduced our Guest Speaker, Professor Kym Anderson who, in a fascinating address, complemented by a PowerPoint presentation spoke to us on the history of wine and the wine industry, tracing the history right back to the days of the NSW “Rum Corps” and showing how events such as an outbreak of Phylloxera a hemisphere away, affected our wine industry in Australia. Kym also made the comment that the New Zealand wine industry was an exemplar as to how to market a product. After Kym’s talk, there were a number of questions before Dean Brown proposed a vote of thanks to Kym on behalf of the SA Members. At this point Dean also read out a message of congratulations and thanks to the Chapter from the Vice-Chancellor of UNE, Professor Annabelle Duncan. Dean followed this message by presenting Kym with his Certificate showing his elevation to the position of a Distinguished Alumnus of the University. This recognition is well deserved and was greeted by acclamation of those present. The raffle of prizes donated by the Committee was drawn by Ed McAlister, assisted by Bruce Dommenz, and Ed had pleasure in announcing that the raffle had raised $265.00 towards our next scholarship.
President Wendy, after giving details of our forthcoming events, thanked everyone for their attendance and brought to a close another very convivial and enjoyable evening.
Ed McAlister