News
Annual Faculty of Economics & Business Alumni Dinner - October 2009
Director of Access Economics*, Chris Richardson, presented his thoughts on the reasons behind the Global Economic Crisis and the long term implications for Australia at the annual Faculty of Economics and Business alumni dinner.
Head of Access Economics' Forecasting and Modelling Unit, author of Business Outlook and University of Sydney Alumnus (BEc Hons '83), Mr Richardson's key note address at the dinner asked the provocative question: "Has Australia dodged the Bullet?"
Mr Richardson spoke enthusiastically about his predictions for the Australian economy - arguing that our longer term outlook is one of the best among the rich nations of the world - but questioned whether the current recovery would be as strong as many expect given that families need to save more and that there will be a catch up in the pace of retirement among baby boomers.. He also questioned whether markets are too pessimistic on the inflation risks inherent in big government debts but considered that a return to sustainability in Federal fiscal finances remains a rather bigger task than widely understood.
Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Professor Peter Wolnizer, said he was delighted that one of Australia's leading and best known economists was able to share his latest thinking with the group.
"As a faculty we are committed to engaging our valued alumni with relevant and thought provoking events. Chris Richardson is not only a highly talented professional economist, but a thought leader in his field. Chris, like other illustrious graduates of Economics and Business at Sydney, plays a very important leadership role in the business and professional communities in and beyond Australia."
*Access Economics is one of Australia's leading economic consulting firms, providing expert economic advice to business, government, industry groups and not-for-profit organisations.
Launching our History
Professor Peter Groenewegen's (BEc '61, MEc '63) publication, Educating for Business, Public Service and the Social Sciences: A History of the Faculty of Economics at The University of Sydney 1920-1999 (reviewed in the last edition of E&B Connect), was formally launched at an Alumni Cocktail Reception by Mr Glenn Stevens (BEc Hons '80), Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia at The University on 28 October.
The event was attended by many alumni who fondly remember Professor Groenewegen either as their lecturer, colleague or fellow student and provided a perfect opportunity for alumni to catch up with former classmates, many of whom they had not seen for years.
A History of the Faculty of Economics at The University of Sydney 1920-1999 is available to purchase online from the Sydney University Press e-Store.
Alumni reunited in 2009
In September, alumni from the 1966-1970 graduating years from the Faculty of Economics (as it was known then) gathered together for a reunion in The Withdrawing Room of the Holme Building (the former premises of the student union). The reunion was initiated by Wayne Lonergan (BEc '67, HonDscEc '08) and organised by the Faculty for our graduates. On the evening, alumna Lyn Carroll (BEc '69, LLB '76), who had travelled over from Spain for the reunion, passed around some photos from her time in the Faculty - many of which were taken in the Merewether Courtyard and one of which shows the famous landmark of The Lalla Rookh being demolished to make way for the Wentworth Building.
Connecting with Overseas Alumni - June 2009
In June, the Faculty was delighted to be able to host two alumni events in Asia allowing us to reconnect with our alumni based in both Hong Kong and Shanghai. The Faculty's Dean, Professor Peter Wolnizer, hosted each of these cocktail receptions, the first of which was held in Hong Kong on 15th June at the CPA Australia Offices in Wanchai.
The Faculty then travelled on to Shanghai to host a reception at the Four Seasons hotel on 18th June. We were delighted to see so many of our alumni who are currently based in these cities and it provided us with an excellent opportunity to update them on developments within the Faculty and to hear their many successes and achievements in this region.
For further information on international University of Sydney Alumni Chapters, please visit www.usyd.edu.au/alumni/networks/associations/international.
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Alumni Reunited
More than 55 alumni from the 1955-1965 graduating years gathered for the inaugural Faculty sponsored reunion on the 15th October. The reunion was held in the Refectory of the Holme Building - originally the home of the University Student Union.
The reunion, initiated by Mike Crivelli (BEc '63) and Phil Harry (BEc '60), featured an address by alumnus, Campbell Anderson (BEc '65), on the highly relevant issue of climate change as well as an entertaining comedy routine by comedian, Rhys Muldoon.
The Faculty would like to support more reunions for our alumni and encourages you to contact our Alumni Relations Manager, Kim Pryor who can offer assistance in coordinating such an event.
On the Waterfront
The second "Connect over Cocktails" event for 2008 was held in the Waterfront Restaurant at Campbell's Cove, Sydney in late October. More than 150 alumni joined the event to hear an address from alumnus, David Mortimer AO (BEc Hons '70), on "Surviving Government reviews on Export Policy and Defence Procurement".
A wide cross section of graduating years joined the function to reconnect with the Faculty, catch up with friends and meet new acquaintances. The "Connect over Cocktails" networking function will be hosted for alumni biannually, at various venues across the Sydney CBD, with the hope of expanding this to other domestic and international locations in the future.
To ensure you receive an email alert about these and other events for 2009 please send your e-mail address to alumni@econ.usyd.edu.au.
Alumni Dinner with Glenn Stevens, BEc Hons '80
The promise of a major speech by alumnus and Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Glenn Stevens (BEc Hons '80) brought more than 230 alumni and friends of the Faculty of Economics and Business to the Inaugural Alumni Dinner on Thursday, May 15 2008.
Held in The Great Hall in the presence of Chancellor, Marie Bashir, Mr Stevens began a wide-ranging speech by recalling that the last time he had been in the Hall was for his graduation, or possibly an exam. "Either way", he said, "tonight's occasion is far more convivial."
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| Mr Glenn Stevens, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia | Vice-Chancellor - Professor Gavin Brown AO FAA CorrFRSE, Mr Glenn Stevens, Chancellor - Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO and Dean, Faculty of Economics and Business - Professor Peter Wolnizer. | |
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The Great Hall, The University of Sydney |
Alumni Receive Australia Day Honours
February 2008
Several of our distinguished alumni were recognised in the Australia Day Honours for 2008.
For details please see the Alumni Honours page.
2007 Beta Gamma Sigma and Beta Alpha Psi Inductions
August 2007
On Tuesday, August 21, the Faculty held the annual Induction Ceremony for Beta Gamma Sigma and Beta Alpha Psi. Presided over by the Pro Dean, Professor Marcus O'Connor, the guest speaker at the ceremony was Professor Geoff Gallop (University of Sydney) - former Premier of Western Australia.
Beta Gamma Sigma is the honour society for outstanding students and graduates of business programs accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is one of the highest international honours that a graduating business student can attain.
Over 150 undergraduate and postgraduate students were inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, including students who recently completed a PhD in accounting or a business-related area. Of those inducted, 60 were international students, all contributing to the on-going development of an outstanding honour society.
Beta Alpha Psi is the honour society for outstanding current students within business programs accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate. Beta Alpha Psi was established in 1919 to encourage and to recognise scholastic and professional excellence. Membership of Beta Alpha Psi recognises achieving consistent superior grades, and a commitment to professional development and community service. Since more than just good grades are required, it is a small pool of students who are eligible to join Beta Alpha Psi.
This year a total of 11 students were inducted on the night. Students came from Accounting, Finance and Business Information Systems Disciplines and represented the full diversity of the Faculty.
Congratulations to all new members.
For further information about these societies, see:
- Central BGS: www.betagammasigma.org
- Central BAP: www.bap.org
- Local activities and web site: bap.econ.usyd.edu.au
Faculty of Economics and Business hosts major alumni events in China and Hong Kong
May 2007
"It was a pleasure to join the gathering last night and all your efforts are much appreciated by us. Moreover, it is good to have more connections and networking opportunities that can create more ways to let us connect more closely." Alumnus, Hong Kong
This was a typical comment from the more than 350 Economics and Business alumni and friends based in Hong Kong and China who seized the opportunity to reconnect with their faculty, university and each other through a series of receptions held there in May.
Hosted by the Faculty of Economics and Business, the events successively took place in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing.
The Hong Kong dinner, held at the Craigengower Cricket Club in Happy Valley, was hosted by the Dean, Professor Peter Wolnizer, joined by the guest of honour and dinner speaker, Mr Murray Cobban, who is the Australian Consul-General in Hong Kong.
This was followed by a luncheon in Shanghai at the Four Points Daning Sheraton Hotel, hosted by Professor Charles Areni from the Faculty's Marketing Discipline. Professor Areni also hosted the final event, a luncheon in Beijing at the Jianguo Hotel Ballroom.
At each event, alumni were entertained by a series of games designed to remind them about their time at the University of Sydney and many of the guests went out of their way to say how much they enjoyed the events.
For further information on how to 'Stay Connected' and take part in future faculty events held overseas, please contact the Faculty of Economics and Business Alumni Relations Officer, Kim Pryor on either alumni@econ.usyd.edu.au or by phone on +61 2 9036 6271.
The Business of Rugby - Sydney Alumni networking drinks
April 2007
In April, around 100 alumni gathered for a networking drinks function hosted by the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Professor Peter Wolnizer. The Dean welcomed guests to the event and updated the cohort on the Faculty's recent admittance into the Community of European Management Schools (CEMS), the highly prestigious alliance of leaders in business and higher education
Guest speakers at the event were Australian Rugby's Dan Vickerman and the "Voice of Rugby", Mr Gordon Bray AM. A variety of topics were covered in their talk, including the upcoming Rugby World Cup which Australia will be part of in France later this year.
The event, held at the Union Club in the Sydney CBD had an alumni audience ranging from those that had graduated in 1952 through to a number of graduands whose ceremonies are to be held later in the year. The event was the second function of its kind to be held by the Faculty and another networking drinks function is also planned for later in the year.
For further information on how to 'Stay Connected' and take part in future faculty events, please contact the Faculty of Economics and Business Alumni Relations Officer, Kim Pryor on either alumni@econ.usyd.edu.au or by phone on +61 2 9036 6271.
