While it is customary to hold this celebration as close as possible to 14th September each year, the pending visit to Melbourne by Dr. Katrin Amian during the week following the Fourteenth Biennial AAvHF Conference in Sydney (20th September to 2nd October, 2011) seemed a valid reason to delay the celebration till Thursday, 6th October, so that we could share the celebration with Dr. Amian. Katrins visit to Melbourne followed her time in Canberra in order to attend the launch of Science Circle at the Australian National University on 4th October, by Australias Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb. Science Circle is an initiative involving both the German Embassy in Canberra under Ambassador Dr. Christoph Müller and its counterpart in Germany, under Ambassador Dr. Peter Tesch.
Dr. Katrin Amian speaking on opportunities for research fellowships and awards with the AvHF at the University of Melbourne, 6th October, 2011.
Dr. Amian was hosted at the University of Melbourne by the University Research Office and her lecture presentation on Thursday, 6th October, concerning opportunities for research fellowships and awards with the AvHF had been coordinated by Mr. Adrian Collins, an officer in the Research Office responsible for international research relationships. It was pleasing to see a very significant number of early-career researchers in a crowded lecture theatre for Dr. Amians presentation and some lively discussion and many questions from the audience followed her formal presentation. She delivered a similar presentation at Monash University on the following day, prior to visiting the Australian Synchrotron at Clayton.
A most pleasant AvH Birthday Celebration was held at Muttis Restaurant, Elgin Street, Carlton following Dr. Amians presentation at the University of Melbourne. A comfortable number of Humboldtians and partners had signed up for the celebration dinner, as well as Tina Stubenrauch, the DAAD Lecturer at the University of Melbourne. An enjoyable evening was had by all present, and some lively discussion was held throughout the dinner.
L-R: Prof. Alison Lewis, Adrian Collins, Dr. Katrin Amian, Prof. Gary Bryant, Dr. John Nelson, Dr. Geoffrey Crisp, Sihan Bryant, Dr. Rolf Beilharz, Tina Stubenrauch, A/Prof. Trevor Finlayson, Prof. Gabrielle McMullen, Joyce Nelson and Jill Finlayson.
Humboldtian Professor Paul Mulvany and his wife Genevieve were late arrivals following a prior commitment at the University. As on previous occasions at Muttis restaurant, owner, Ulrich, was his usual welcoming and obliging self. We recommend Muttis to any AAvHF members who happen to be visiting Melbourne and looking for an excellent German lunch or dinner.
Dr. Amian returned to Bonn on a late Friday night flight, after a rather exhausting week of commitments in Australia, but clearly appreciative of the opportunity to have celebrated an AvH Birthday with Humboldtians in Melbourne.