Executive Director's Report

MGSE Professional Staff Update

There have been several recent changes to key Professional staff roles, including Bella Blaher joining MGSE in late February as Manager of Research & Industry (bblaher@unimelb.edu.au, x44561). The role of Manager, Learning & Teaching is currently under advertisement (with Emily Mackay on maternity leave), however Suzy Owens is providing capable leadership to the team until a substantive appointment is made. Kym Williams has joined the MERI team as Research Support and Engagement Officer, and Riley Childs has joined us as People & Culture Officer. Welcome and congratulations to all.

In mixed news for MGSE we will soon farewell both Eddie Oates and Samantha Grimshaw on 22 March, both from the Marketing and Recruitment team. Eddie and Sam have each secured new roles within the University in Science and Veterinary & Agricultural Sciences respectively. We wish Eddie and Sam the best for their next career step – they will both be missed by MGSE.

Staff Travel

A reminder that policy requires all University travel to be booked via the UniTravel system, unless exceptional circumstances apply. Lodging and booking travel in advance via the UniTravel system also removes the need for staff to submit a travel diary, which is not the case for travel logged afterwards via the ‘Log my Trip’ function.

A recent report from the University on 2018 travel by MGSE staff indicates that only 59% of trips were pre-approved via UniTravel as required, and that over 100 travel diaries will be required from staff as a result. As always, please speak to your supervisor about travel plans prior to entry in the system.

A Personal Note

It’s been my privilege and pleasure to work across MGSE in the role of Interim Executive Director for the past six months, creating new connections with colleagues and conducting new and interesting work. My thanks to the many colleagues who have provided me support and energy during this period. I look forward to continuing these relationships in a different form, with Keryn Negri commencing as our ongoing Executive Director from Tuesday next week.

Roland