Melbourne Business School History Project
Mar, 2011
This year the School embarks on a project to chart the history of MBS
Story-telling is a fundamental part of human culture. It underpins our survival as a species. In our physiological, physical and cultural evolution story-telling has enabled humans to communicate the most basic information such as where to find water and food sources, where danger lies, where new opportunities exist, and our spirituality.
These stories are passed-on to the next generation, using reflection on what has gone before to provide context, and enabling them with the knowledge and skills to survive in the future.
George Santayana’s famous quote “"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" reminds us that our history is there as a tool to be learned from, and while MBS is proud of its past endeavor and achievements, the School intends to use these to leverage an informed and prosperous future.
This year the School embarks on a project to chart the history of MBS. Why was it founded? Who were the first leaders and pioneers? What were the key milestones and landmarks? Who were the great storytellers and characters that made MBS unique? How did MBS face the evolution of education and its challenges over the last 50 years?
The story of the School will commence with the mid-twentieth century progenitors, Melbourne’s Summer School of Business Administration and Mt Eliza’s Australian Administrative Staff College. The history will tell the tale of why Australia’s first business school evolved within a context of national economic growth. It will describe how the story was influenced by external factors such as post Second World War prosperity, societal change, educational advances, the extension of tertiary and post-graduate studies, as well as economic fluctuations and politics. The story will consider the struggles involved to provide high ranking postgraduate education, as well as the contribution the School has made to the development of business standards both in Australia and internationally. But, the story is not just about an amorphous educational institution. It is also a very human tale about the many individuals who committed energy and funds to the School’s development. It is about the graduates too, and the unique collegial spirit that has imbued the School since 1956.
A chronological and thematic approach will be adopted to tell the story of the School’s development. The project will involve trawling through archives held by the Melbourne School of Business, both at Carlton and Mt Eliza, as well as private collections and other archives, including Melbourne University Archives and the National Archives of Australia.
Documents, however, generally only provide half the story. In an effort to fill gaps, personal accounts will be sought through formal oral history interviews, as well as informal conversations and correspondence with those associated with the School.
The book is due to be published in 2012, and in the period between now and then, we are asking our Alumni, donors and friends to help the School realise a landmark project. The cost for researching and writing the History Project is $120,000.00. In May we will be asking you through the Annual Fund Appeal to give to this worthy project, which will contribute in a very meaningful way to the brand, reputation and vibrancy of MBS.
If you wish to give now to the MBS History Project then please contact Robin Dick, Manager Annual Fund and Development Services. Phone +61 3 9349 8248 or email robin.dick@mbs.edu
