Annual Report 1997

REPORT FROM THE MENZIES MEMORIAL SCHOLARS
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 1997

Directors attending the third meeting of the Executive Committee of the Menzies Foundation suggested that, as there was now a significant number of returned scholars in Australia, it would be useful to encourage as many as possible to attend a meeting of the Alumni at the time of the 12 December Board meeting.

Accordingly, a meeting of the Alumni was scheduled for the afternoon of Thursday, 11th December. After the meeting there was a late afternoon reception at Government House attended by both members of the Alumni, Directors of the Foundation and invited guests. This was followed by a joint dinner for members of the Alumni and Foundation Directors.

The meeting was extremely successful since no less than 19 returned scholars attended. Six others who were unable to attend sent apologies. At the meeting, it was agreed that Mr Mark Darian-Smith would take on the role as President and Associate Professor Bill Rawlinson would take on the role of Secretary/Treasurer thus continuing the tradition of selecting office bearers from different disciplines.

The meeting discussed a variety of ways in which the profile of the Alumni could be raised. These included updating the guide for new scholars, restructuring the existing Menzies Brief into an Alumni newsletter, taking a fresh look at Alumni support for the Dimboola Prize, and making greater use of the Foundation's Secretariat and in particular providing (voluntary) profiles of Menzies Scholars on the Foundation's Internet site.

There was also strong support for a new Annual Symposium series which would reflect the interests of Alumni members, would highlight topical questions relating to the health of Australians and would thereby raise the profile of both the Alumni and the Foundation. After discussion the meeting expressed support for the first symposium to be on the topic of evidence-based medicine in late 1998 and with Professor Chris Silagy taking a leading role. On the following day, that recommendation was carried to the Board meeting when it was strongly endorsed.

At the same Board meeting, Directors noted with pleasure the success of this meeting and joint dinner and therefore resolved to meet travel and accommodation costs for Alumni members wishing to attend similar meetings in future years.