Roy Hardcastle

Learning centre is a gift

[ The University of Melbourne Voice Vol. 3, No. 2  12 May - 9 June 2008 ]

When Roy Hardcastle graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Engineering in 1949, little did he suspect that his links with the Melbourne School of Engineering. would continue well into 2008.

Throughout his engineering career, Mr Hardcastle maintained his relationship with the School. Through his Engineering firm – Hardcastle and Richards Pty Ltd – Roy Hardcastle and partner Harold Richards were involved in teaching final year students structural steel design over many years, their input greatly appreciated by graduating classes.

The company also donated funds for an engineering sculpture which greets students and visitors to the Parkville campus from the Grattan Street entrance. Mr Hardcastle was back at the University last month to tour the Melbourne School of Engineering’s new Engineering Student and Learning Centre and meet with students using the facilities.

The new state-of-the-art centre, which opened during O-Week in February, was funded in part by the Annual University Fund Appeal to alumni and friends, to which Mr Hardcastle is a regular donor.

Each year thousands of alumni and friends receive letters asking them to donate to the appeal, which supports a variety of projects from scholarships for students to infrastructure developments as the learning centre.

The new Engineering Student and Learning Centre provides a one-stop-shop for engineering students, co-locating home-style study spaces and tutor’s offices with student support and administration services.

Mr Hardcastle said he was impressed with the new centre.

“It certainly lifts the ambience and hopefully reflects the enjoyment current students get out of their courses,” he said.

“I hope that by donating to the University I am able to provide graduates with a meaningful professional start to their engineering careers and life in general.

“I also get a good feeling from giving and hope to encourage others to do the same.”

Engineering students Richmond Glasgow and Cara Young describe the new space as invaluable. “The upstairs student learning space mirrors how engineers work in the real world,” said Mr Glasgow, a Civil Engineering and Commerce student. “It’s a great one-stop-shop for first years and the upstairs area allows us to work on group projects as well as study and relax,” said Ms Young, a Biomedical Engineering student.

The new centre will be a guide for others to be established around the University as a result of the new Melbourne Model.

The University Fund Appeal for 2008 is set to start and many alumni and friends will soon receive a letter asking them to support the appeal.

The University of Melbourne’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (University Relations) Professor Warren Bebbington said the 2008 Appeal would focus strongly on supporting the Future Generations Scholarships Fund. The Scholarships Fund creates endowed scholarships to help undergraduate and postgraduate students cover the cost of their tuition fees and living expenses while at University.

“The University is committed to supporting the best and brightest students to study at Melbourne, regardless of their financial circumstances,” Professor Bebbington said.

“By supporting this year’s appeal alumni and friends have a real opportunity to make a difference to people’s lives.”

To discuss the University Fund Appeal or to make a gift, contact Lucy Moore, Annual Giving Officer on 8344 1756 or email l.moore@unimelb.edu.au. You can also make a gift online at www.unimelb.edu.au/alumni/giving.