2012 MONASH LEADERSHIP FORUM

Adopt as your fundamental creed that you will equip yourself for life,
not solely for your own benefit but for the benefit of the whole community - John Monash 

The first Monash Leadership Forum for Year10 students was hosted by Scotch College on 9th August 2012, as part of 0808 Week, coinciding with Australian Engineering Week.  The Forum was jointly sponsored by 0808Inc., The Rotary Club of Melbourne (RCM) 0808 Committee, Spirit of Australia Foundation (SoA), Monash Foundation, Engineers Australia – Victoria (EA-V) and Scotch College.

Selected Year 10 leadership students from 6 Melbourne schools and colleges participated. 

To view the 2012 Forum program, please click here.

To view each Speaker's CV, please click here.

To view a montage of photos from the forum, please click here.

Tom Goodwin, School Captain of Scotch College, welcomed students and speakers and chaired the Forum.

Prof Jeffrey Rosenfeld AM, Monash Medal 2012, spoke of Monash - Leader of Men.  He related Leadership to Service – each of us should consider how we prepare ourselves to serve our communities, outlining characteristics of effective leaders, such as Sir John Monash, and lessons in leadership that Prof. Rosenfeld learned over the years.  He emphasized that leaders have to make tough decisions which means that, as a leader, not everyone is your friend.

Prof. Rosenfeld encouraged each student to be open to opportunities and generous in their responses.

To view details of the 2012 Monash Medal presentation to Prof Rosenfeld, please click here.

Fergus Green, 2012 Monash Foundation Scholar, encouraged each student to fully Educate Yourself for the Future.   Fergus is about to begin Masters and PhD studies at London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
 
He recounted his wide range of studies, activities and interests in climate change and environmental law and writing on Australian and international climate change policy which led to his selection as a Monash Scholar.
  
Fergus also talked about the challenges John Monash overcame in developing the La Trobe Valley coal resources – and that he would face today’s challenges to deliver a sustainable solution. 

Blair Stratton, representing Young Engineers Victoria, Engineers Australia, encouraged students to consider the Future of Engineering.  He recounted his national and international opportunities as an engineer to be involved in key projects, and identified areas where engineers will be needed to make a difference such as transport, sanitation and his own field of fire safety engineering.  Blair recalled a number of instances where he was able to travel and work as an individual and with his family because of his engineering profession.

Discussion, chaired by Tom Goodwin, led to each speaker telling of their goals when each of them was a Year 10 student.  Jeffrey said he could have been a musician or a doctor but had no idea in which field of medicine.  ‘At this stage keep your options open’ he said.

In response to a question, both Fergus and Jeffrey said that John Monash would “absolutely” seek environmentally sustainable solutions and that he would have been fully conversant with all issues, leading the way to find the best technical and community answer.
 
Students commented on the need for leadership and evaluated the advantages and disadvantages of democracy. 

Kevin O'Flaherty outlined the Significant Australians Project - SAs (SoA - www.spiritofaustralia.org.au) seeking student involvement in further development.  SAs identify 111 outstanding Australians, one for each year since Federation (n=111) while the primary list contains 11 (one for each Decade since 1901).  Sir John Monash is honoured as Australia’s Significant Australian.

Dr O'Flaherty sought help with the 0808 Stories Project which is now seeking student and community help to tell the stories of Australian soldiers, nurses and other volunteers who were involved in the Australian Victory at The Battle of Amiens, 8 August 1918 (0808) by the Australian Army Corps, planned and led by General Sir John Monash.

0808 Stories are being sought from students about the soldiers on their school or community Honour Boards, WW1 Memorials or Avenues of Honour.  These will be consolidated on the 0808 website as part of the preparation for the 0808 Centenary in 2018.

Dr O'Flaherty also outlined 0808 Prizes* for students and schools for creative work on the 0808 theme. 

The 2012-13 Prizes will use the Monash Letter** to the soldiers of the Australian Army Corps on the eve of the first 0808 as the inspiration for entries.

To view the 0708 Monash letter to all Australian Forces on the eve of the Battle of Amiens, please click here.

To view details of the 0808 Creative Schools Prizes for 2013, please click here.

Further Discussion occurred before Tom Goodwin thanked the Speakers and student participants, inviting all to engage in more interaction while enjoying refreshments.

The 2013 Monash Leadership Forum will be hosted at Scotch College on Tues 6 Aug 2013.

* Refer 0808 Prizes handout distributed to all MLF students.  Full information about 0808 activities will appear on www.0808.org.au which is to be launched on 1st October 2012.

** Monash Letter – refer Monash – The Outsider who Won a War, Roland Perry, Random House, Sydney 2004 – p372-4