International Vice President of Variety the Children’s Charity now President of The Graduate Union of The University of Melbourne

Dr Ken V Loughnan AO, International Vice President of Variety The Children's Charity, has been announced as the new President of the Graduate Union of The University of Melbourne.

Succeeding Major General Professor Jeffrey V Rosenfeld AM OBE KStJ, Dr Loughnan was also Chairman of the Skilled Group, and for almost 20 years, of the Bureau of Emergency Services in Victoria. 

“I feel incredibly humbled to follow in the footsteps of one of the greatest Australians in Jeffrey Rosenfeld,” said Ken at the Graduate House Donor’s Luncheon in August where his presidency was announced.

“I’m looking forward very much to the opportunity of working with council in bringing together and helping to improve the quality of the meeting of the minds within the Graduate Union, not only here [in Melbourne] but all around the world,” he said.

Ken commended the work of Professor Rosenfeld who commenced his presidency at the Graduate Union in December 2012. Professor Rosenfeld is also Founding Director of Medical Engineering at the Monash Institute of Medical Engineering, among his other prestigious appointments.

“I have been President of this great Graduate Union for the last three years, but it’s now time for me to hand over the reins … It has been a privilege to work with such a professional and forward looking group who always act in the best interest of the Graduate Union,” said Professor Rosenfeld.

“I am honoured and delighted to announce our 16^th President as Dr Ken Loughnan AO. I’m sure you will agree Dr Loughnan is a most distinguished Australian and we are very fortunate to have him come on board as our new President,” announced Professor Rosenfeld.

The Graduate Union is a graduate membership association that includes a residential college for postgraduate students and visiting academics from any university worldwide.  Having begun in 1911 with Colonel John Monash (later General Sir John Monash) as Chairman, the Graduate Union boasts a long and prestigious history, from the appointment of William Berry as part-time secretary in 1948, purchase of the iconic Gladstone Terraces, to numerous donations from supporters, including Stella Langford, Sidney Myer and Ian Potter.  

The mission of Graduate Union is to embrace academic, cultural and general diversity, and to strive towards supporting continued education throughout all career and life stages.  A prosperous and egalitarian association, it embraces the spirit of collegiality and is for the advancement of education and social good.