Episode Transcript
Speaker 1 00:00:02 Today I am here to provide an acknowledgement of country. For those who don't know me, I'm KJ Karen Jackson. My genealogy tracks back to Moira Lakes in Bour Forest and Mount Hope in Pyramid Hill. Giving me my connections to Yor, to Yorta and Burra language groups. There's a couple of things I'd like you to take away from my acknowledgement. The first is to remember the hidden history of Aboriginal people since invasion, our loss of language removal from country, and our new extinction from massacres and pandemics. The second is our strong and inherent connection to community and country. These connections have given us the resilience and courage to rebuild our languages, gain access to country. We generate our cultural practices in the same way VU has and is creating connections for you as staff to maintain and grow your connection to the VU community. This is an important space from which to survive any difficult days, and from which to grow, share and learn from each other, and to maintain our genuine and kind actions into the future. In acknowledging the traditional owners of the country on which you are now on, I'd like to sincerely thank them for their generosity and kindness in welcoming people onto their lands. Lands never seeded and lands that run deep into their being and spirit. I wish to pay my deep respect to the ancestors, elders, communities, and families of the boon rung and rung on whose land I stand today and who create connection and share knowledge with us all. Thank you.
Speaker 2 00:01:49 Well, colleagues, welcome to the People of VU podcast. And may I say thank you so much to KJ for that acknowledgement of country, which is so important to us. Now in this people of VU podcast, you're going to be introduced to some of the key people shaping Victoria University. Get to know change makers, leaders, storytellers, sometimes all three, and the people of VU who make the university such a thriving place to work, to study and to be. Now in this first launch episode, I have the privilege of speaking with Chancellor Steve b Brax and former and outgoing deputy chancellor and former chancellor Gay Hamilton. It's a timely conversation with many milestones to acknowledge and one where we will reflect on both the challenges and achievements of a very, very big change driven year. Gay recently completed over a decade on the university council, an amazing 10 years.
Speaker 2 00:02:52 Steve was installed as chancellor of Victoria University in May, and I was incredibly fortunate enough to become the vice vice chancellor of this great place exactly one year ago. So, but most importantly, welcome Gay and Steve. Now I'm gonna ask some questions of Gay to get, get us rolling. Gay, you're an expert on this place, but what did you think when you look back on your very first year as a council member at vu and then compare that with your final year, what, what was then and what was now? Could you pr perhaps give us an insight?
Speaker 3 00:03:26 Thanks Adam very much. Well, first of all, I, I'll say that I was completely overall in my first year as as a council member of VU in particular because of the great place that Vu was and is, but also because of the caliber of people sitting around the council table. And we've been very fortunate over the entire time I've been involved to have incredibly talented, committed people on council who have really worked hard to make the place working with the senior team, of course, and everyone else to make it what it is today. And when I reflect on how it compares with my final year, I, I must say that I'm still in awe of the people around the table. We do have an incredibly talented, committed team of people that are a delight to work with, always provide learnings for others who work with them, but most importantly are really very, very committed to making sure that they use the best place it can be. And while there were significant challenges when I started and there are significant challenges, now they're different. And now we are much more in control and able to deal with challenges because of the changes that have been made.
Speaker 2 00:04:58 Well look, that's so great and it gives us all heart to think that the talent has always been there, but we had to discover that sense of confidence to deal with the talent as well. And so when you, when you look at it over your career, which has been amazing, you've been involved in public institutions, for example, museums for many years. What do you think drew you to what might be described as genuine public service as opposed to, for example, working in the private sector?
Speaker 3 00:05:25 I think that stems Adam really from my commitment to education. And apart from being able to teach in the secondary school government system in Victoria for, you know, 20 years or so, I was then fortunate enough to work in a couple of the best classrooms going around in zoos and museums. And so able to really look at education from a much more holistic point of view and seeing the power of that and what it can do to individuals and to the community and, and that's really what's driven me throughout that time. And I've been completely blessed by working with some, again, wonderful people but great organizations where I can indulge that passion for education.
Speaker 2 00:06:17 Well we are glad you're indulging it. I mean it's a great thing. And you know, speaking of passion, that is a word that's often associated with people in sport in Melbourne. And of course you yourself have expressed a great passion for the Western Bulldogs. What drew you to them in the first place? Like why them?
Speaker 3 00:06:37 Well, I guess that was because I was involved and working in the western region for all of my professional life and saw firsthand how important the bulldogs were and are to the health and wellbeing of the community. So economically, socially, psychologically, literally the good bulldogs are good for business when they win, the community uplifts, everyone feels better, they get out and about and the whole economy spikes up and everything is better. So it seemed to me logical that the Bulldogs then should be sort of supported by all the business and industry across the western region, really regardless of your personal view of, of who you barrack for. Because the more successful the Bulldogs are, the more successful the region is. It just feeds upon one another, that sense of wellbeing. So I became involved when I was working at Werribee Zoo and then continued on through Science Works and beyond to really ensure that we helped embed the Bulldogs in the community. And now I have the pleasure of chairing the Bulldogs Community Foundation board where I can again really take that further and see the positive impact throughout the community. And of course I am now a completely utterly red, white and blue bleeding bulldog.
Speaker 2 00:08:10 Well, nothing else would be appropriate would, would it? Gay? So we love that. And and of course at the same time the university joins you in that. I mean we're all, we are all fested during the grand final this year with that kind of support. And we've been on a journey too, along with the, the Bulldogs over the past 10 years. And I think you've seen it all now. The Bulldogs have had their grand final twice and of course they've won the championships at least once. But of course when you think of us, what do you think you're most proud of for the university over this past decade?
Speaker 3 00:08:41 I think really it's these u they use genuine commitment to equity and respect. And the fact that we can again, genuinely say that we are there to provide opportunities that will positively transform lives and uplift the community. And I could not be more proud of the organization for that commitment.
Speaker 2 00:09:06 Great. Look, we, we join you in that and that's why we're having this discussion today. 'cause that sense of pride is really palpable. Now I think you actually wanted to exercise your deputy chancellor prerogative and post some questions to Steve as well.
Speaker 3 00:09:18 I certainly did. So chancellor, you are a, a recognized Victorian that's devoted much of your life to the state. Why do you think Victoria is such a great place to live and work?
Speaker 4 00:09:30 Well, tha well thank you gay and it's great to be a, a part of this podcast and great to be a part of Victoria University. And yeah, look, Victoria is a fantastic place. It wasn't voted the most livable city Melbourne, the most livable city for no reason. It was because of its excellent education opportunities and institutions because of a great health system, because of its good livability in terms of a public amenity. And you know, really Melbourne and Victoria has got it all. And Vu sits really at the heart of that, at the heart of really Melbourne's, Melbourne's west serving the people of Melbourne's west and broader community for many, many years and doing a great job.
Speaker 3 00:10:20 And, and just in terms of, of Melbourne's west, we know it's been on, you know, quite a journey over many decades and I just wonder through your involvement with the university through Ed and your time in, in politics, do you think the west of Melbourne's time has come?
Speaker 4 00:10:43 Well and truly Melbourne's west is, is here. And you, you look at the, one of the fastest growing suburban areas in Australia, it's Melbourne's west. You look at the dynamism really of industry, of the residential communities within it. It is really one of the most dynamic, most vibrant communities anywhere in Australia. And you can see that now with people flocking into, to live into Melbourne's West and why wouldn't you, you know, great, great facilities, great opportunities and of course vu at the heart of it. That's the key.
Speaker 3 00:11:24 And so in terms of those opportunities and challenges, what do you think might be the, the couple that you'd like to see addressed both in terms of challenges and opportunities in the West in the next couple of years?
Speaker 4 00:11:39 Yeah, I think managing growth is gonna be an important one. Really. We're going to see a significant increase in population over the next 20 to 30 years and making sure that we can deal with that population growth whilst having a, a high quality of life and a and a, a very, very good facilities as part of that. And that's gonna be the key issue going forward. And so good planning, good preparation, good transport systems, good public amenities, making sure that we have regard to open space and the, the opportunities that are there for people, having that in their community. They're gonna be some of the key challenges going forward to make sure we manage growth effectively and well.
Speaker 3 00:12:24 And given that vu is right at the heart of all that happens here in the west, in your first year as VUS chancellor, what have your observations been about the university and its place in the region?
Speaker 4 00:12:40 Well, VUS got everything really, whether it's technical and further education or higher education, it's got the lot and it's really got a great offering. You know, it's a, it's a university that knows where it's going, knows that people are serving, knows the sort of skills that that, that, you know, we believe are important for people to gain as part of our university and making sure it's, you know, a very progressive place, a welcoming place and a place which is, has a great future as well.
Speaker 3 00:13:17 And since you've had the privilege of being chancellor of this great place, have you had perceptions that have changed since you've been a little bit more immersed?
Speaker 4 00:13:29 Well, I think what's changed for me is the reach of Victoria University. I mean, it has got a, a breadth of offering which is, has to be seen to be believed. And that's going, that's quite important I think, in what we have going forward as well. And also, it, it knows its place, it knows its community and it knows what is needed for the future. And I think they're the sort of things that have struck me as being so important for this university going forward.
Speaker 3 00:13:59 Mm, very exciting times indeed. And and part of that, part of that exciting time of course is our new vice chancellor. So Chancellor, I'm now gonna hand over to you to interrogate Adam A. Little bit.
Speaker 4 00:14:14 Yeah, well look, we are so fortunate to have Adam Schumacher as our new vice chancellor and can't believe it's one year, the year's gone very quickly, but a dynamic year under very difficult circumstances during significant lockdowns here in Victoria. But you know that Adam has a Mr a beast really in making sure he brings her about reform and change and make sure that he has a fit for purpose university here at VU for the future. So one year on Adam, what, what's your, what what have you learned this year and, and how do you see it going for the future?
Speaker 2 00:14:55 Well, learning is what we're about Steve. And as you said, whether it's dual sector learning or PhD learning, you know, it's all here. And I guess there's two or three things which I learned. One is the power of really listening. And early on back in January like this, earlier this year, we were having a gathering of all the, the deans and other senior leaders. And I described my discovery 'cause I'd been to the Vu Wi Noble for the first time. And of course they'd had this welcome Adam Schumaker sign there 'cause you know, they were very clever and did all this. And I said, what's here? And they said, everything, we have Vu Polytechnic students doing remedial massage. We have 12 VU students doing doctorates at VU wit Noble, 24 members of the teams, the four teams that have the Bulldogs live studying with vu.
Speaker 2 00:15:45 And I said, this truly is the industry of sport but a, a university campus. So I, I told this story to all the deans and I said, this to me is like a model of literally almost like flipping it so that you have a campus and industry together. And the dean of Health, she was very, very closely listening, Karen dod. She said, why don't you do that in every campus, Adam? And I thought for about six seconds what a wonderful idea that is because we're really ready made at a time where never before in human history, if we needed to symbolize the importance of gainful employment linked to what we do in higher education and vocational training much more. And so having an ethical industry base really makes sense. So that was one of the things I learned was listen to great ideas when they come forward and just go for them.
Speaker 2 00:16:40 And that was a great idea. Another one is, is really the case that we had to listen to students and equally every time I talk to students they say This is how you could do such and such better. You know, we could do popup vaccination clinics said to students, we did them, you could do more in terms of covid response by giving scholarships to students. We did them. So I guess what I'm saying to you Steve, is I've learned to listen to great ideas and there's been a lot of them and I'm so grateful to the people who suggested them then. And of course throughout the strategic plan as well, we had 988 people all putting in great ideas.
Speaker 4 00:17:17 That's, that's great. And in listening to those ideas, Sam, in for most staff, students in the broader community has, have you discovered any surprises about VU that you didn't know previously? I know that you are very well prepared and very well researched, but there must be something that was a surprise this year.
Speaker 2 00:17:36 Well there's always a few. I had not realized just the breadth of what we did, like you said before and when I went out to Werribee and saw this amazing school, this tech school that we have on the Werribee campus, the Wyndham Tech School, it's just outstandingly good. So every time we wanna bring industry guests or foreign guests from anywhere we go there and their eyes pop out of their heads and I say, this is just great And what's excellent about it, it's not just a school for one population, like 600 students, it's all the schools visiting coming in for a few days and going back again. That surprised me in a really great way. And I think the other thing is I was really surprised just recently, I actually rode my bike to work, came along the Maron River and stopped. 'cause you know how you're always in a hurry to get to work 'cause everyone loves getting there so much and you sort of look there and I stopped and looked from the river up at the foot scrape park campus, just how beautiful it was. And in a way the front door of the campus faces the Banong River, the back door faces Ballarat Road. And we often forget this 'cause we come in, you know, through roadways, we have some of the most beautiful campuses around and not everyone realizes it. It's like this undiscovered treasure stuff. So I find that more and more all the time. I discover new things.
Speaker 4 00:18:58 Well that's, that's excellent. And in discovering new things, of course you're, you're looking forward and setting priorities for next year and beyond. You've got a new executive team that you've recruited this year, which is, which is great. So what do you think will be the priorities for next year and not, not just for the new executive you individually as well?
Speaker 2 00:19:21 Oh, thank, thanks. Look, there's a lot, but I'll try and just signal a couple, maybe two or three. One is we really have said we're gonna take that theme of protecting country seriously. Okay. And I know, and you may know as well that we have a unique collection of indigenous history, the Aboriginal history archive here, the Gary Foley's collection, which has expanded and grown and has received great philanthropic funding this year from the Paul Ramey Foundation. We want to see that recognition of that grow and contributions to it grow next year and become seen as one of the premier sites for history of that sort and politics and change in this nation, if not the world. That's one of our aims. Another one is, is really to get digital enablement behind every degree so that no matter what you're studying in the world of technology, everyone is confident and can apply it.
Speaker 2 00:20:15 If you're, if you're nursing, you know how to use my health.gov au fully. If you're doing something in engineering, you know exactly what the technology of your work any degree. And I think that's a challenge which we're gonna rise to. And I guess the third one is really seeing us as a place which is so proud of the local, the backyard and the front yard Victoria, but also being seen more in the world. So as we take the block model, I can see the potential for that globally as being a kind of method, a kind of way of learning that isn't just powerful, powerful for us but for many others. And we do believe that could be the core. Some great things with partners, rankings, comparisons, those would be the three I'd nominate. And at the end of the year I'll be happy to talk and see if we've managed them
Speaker 4 00:21:01 Well. We'll we'll check back on that and I'm sure you will. I thank you Adam.
Speaker 2 00:21:07 Total pleasure. And look, I just wanted to ask you both me or two of the most imbued in VU of anyone in the community, is there any final message you'd have for all of our thousands of listeners, students, alumni, anyone at all in the VU community, any final messages from you? First of all, gay,
Speaker 3 00:21:24 Thank you very much. Well firstly from me thank you to everyone who I've had the pleasure to be with, involved with over the past decade on council and prior to that, probably 20 years as well of involvement with VU before that. So 30 altogether, thank you to everybody and I would just want everyone to just keep up the good work, keep learning, keep innovating, and really make the you top of mind for everyone in the west, in Victoria, in Australia, and let's go for the world.
Speaker 2 00:21:59 I agree with that too. And of course you have a a lifetime membership in the VU family as you know. And you're always welcome here anytime as you know too. And chancellor over to you for the Absolutely, absolutely. And Chancellor, over to you for a final message as well.
Speaker 4 00:22:15 Well, Victoria University is truly the place to be and to be the best you can be. And that's really what we want we're about. And ensuring that you can be the best person you can, taking on courses, a myriad of courses and enabling you to be job ready for the future. And VU is gonna be all about that in the future. So Vu, great future, great prospects and one of the great universities in Australia.
Speaker 2 00:22:48 Here we are. Go. Well everyone, thank you so much.
