Message from the Acting Vice-Chancellor - 13 February 2009
It is with great sadness that I report that members of our University community - staff, students and alumni - are amongst those who tragically lost their lives or lost loved ones in the recent Victorian bushfires.
It is a sad fact that very few Victorians will not be touched by this terrible event and the University community is no exception.
At this time, we have heard that two staff members and a current student are amongst those confirmed to have died. The Advancement Office has identified several of our alumni amongst the tragic death toll. Other staff and students have lost relatives and close friends.
Staff in the Melbourne School of Land and Environment have been deeply affected by the death of their colleague Associate Professor John Barnett and his wife Jenny, in the Steels Creek fire. John and Jenny were both active in animal welfare, professionally and outside work.
Out at the Austin Hospital, colleagues are mourning the loss of Professor Rob Pierce, a Professorial Fellow in the University of Melbourne's Department of Medicine at the Austin Hospital and alumnus of the University, in the St Andrews fire.
We have also heard that Jaeson Hermocilla, an Arts/Commerce student and president of the Melbourne University Filipino Students Association, died at Kinglake with his sister Melanee and friend Greg Lloyd, both Commerce graduates of the University.
I am sure that the whole University community will grieve for their loss and for their families, friends and colleagues.
Over the past few days, the University community has opened its heart to those affected by the bushfires.
Already taking shape is a University-wide collective of those who can offer relevant medium and long-term professional services or research support to the bushfire recovery effort, in partnership with government and community organizations. Professor Warren Bebbington, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global Relations), is leading this initiative proposed by the Dean of Architecture, Professor Tom Kvan. An early list of areas in which the University has useful expertise is very impressive and the enthusiasm at the initial planning meeting for the collective was inspiring.
The Vice-Chancellor has agreed to join the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund Advisory Panel, chaired by former Governor of Victoria John Landy. The Panel is already hard at work to ensure that the relief funding is dispersed quickly to those who need it.
Staff in Veterinary Science have been treating animals injured in the bushfires including horses and donkeys brought in with injuries including hoof wounds, burns of varying degrees and smoke inhalation.
Following the Vice-Chancellor's email on Monday, many students have been contacting the University to say that although they do not have spare money to donate to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal they would like to contribute their time and skills. The Australian Red Cross is one organisation in need of volunteers to take calls at its contact centre in Flinders Street and details are available from Kellie Walkerden on
0417 299 063.
Many staff and students continue to donate blood.
Melbourne University Sport has made its Mt Buller Ski Lodge available to the Department of Human Services for temporary accommodation for people displaced by the fires.
The meeting room at Property and Campus Services offices at 215 Grattan Street has been turned into a central drop-off point for supplies for wildlife shelters rescuing animals injured or orphaned in the bushfires. A truck will take donated items to the RSPCA Burwood on Thursday 19 February. Linda Richmond on 8344 6105 can give a list of items needed.
Human Resources, the Provost's Office, and Heads of Department have contacted more than 1000 staff and students with postcodes in bushfire areas to establish whether they are safe and whether the University can provide any assistance.
The University chaplains are holding a quiet spiritual meditation and simple ritual between 11.00 am to 1.00 pm on Thursday 19 February in the Chaplaincy Meeting Room, Level 1, 138 Cardigan Street.
I echo the Vice-Chancellor's reminder to colleagues and students that the University Counselling Service can offer support at this time. Just call 8344 6927 or 8344 6928.
I would also like to direct you to the University's Bushfire Response website for useful information for staff and students at this unhappy time and ways in which you can help.
Peter McPhee