I have been an active member of U3A Port Phillip for three years taking classes across a range of topics and volunteering briefly in the Marie Kehoe Centre Office. I have seen first-hand how very important U3A is to older members of the local community, intellectually, socially and physically. I was honoured to be appointed to the Committee of Management in June 2022 where I hope to make a contribution to growing U3A Port Phillip.
By way of personal background, my wife Denise (also an active U3A member) and I have lived in St Kilda since 1987. We have raised two daughters, and have close relationships with three now-adult grandsons and a granddaughter. My leisure interests are sketching and painting, theatre, music and travel. I used to love skiing but no longer have the muscle power!
In terms of professional career, I taught and conducted research at the University of Melbourne (1965-7, 1971-4), Victoria University (1974-87) and Deakin University (1987-2011). I have been Professor Emeritus since ‘retiring’ in 2011. My research publications focus on cultural heritage, particularly in relation to human rights, sustainable development, peace and security, World Heritage and Asian heritage (especially Vietnam). This research led to being awarded an AM in 2020.
Outside of academia I was a member of the Victorian Heritage Council for six years and president of Australia ICOMOS for three. I have undertaken UNESCO and ICOMOS missions to Bangladesh, China, Laos, Pakistan and Vietnam and I was part of the small team that drafted UNESCO's World Heritage and Sustainable Development policy (adopted November 2015). An interesting career, visiting some of the most fascinating places in the world.