Historical Studies Alumni Survey Results

The School has been delighted with the response to the survey we sent out with our first newsletter. Over 200 of our alumni have responded and responses continue to trickle in daily. Overall, it is clear that most people are keen to re-establish connections with the School and found the newsletter an 'excellent' initiative for keeping them informed of what we are doing and what they can be involved in. Some even went so far as to say they found the newsletter a 'good read' - an appraisal most pleasing to the editors!

In summary our findings are as follows - most of the respondents were nearly equally in the age groups 31-50 and 51-70 and were overwhelming female. More than half were not aware of the School's activities but those that were had attended a range of School functions. European History followed by Medieval Studies were the areas that interested most, however, many noted our omission of Australian history on the form. England and France got the highest billing for places you would most like as a study tour destination. Most wanted the newsletter in hard copy.

A random sample of some of your comments:

• It has been more than 15 years since I graduated from Monash and have not been to a single function since graduation. It would be nice to have some functions occasionally that would bring some of us together.
• Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be involved in the activities.
• Don't give up on the Baby Boomers. We will return as work drops off. I see a market for more short courses and tours for my age group, (60)
• My major historical and present day concern is the marginalization of Indigenous culture and history as apart from the mainstream of Australia and world history. I would welcome any initiatives by the Monash School of Historical Studies to address this issue
• Sad to hear (read) that the magnificent Alan McBriar had died.
• My history studies at Monash added great richness to my life, thank you. As well, the friendly office staff were important - they were the best!
• Could you please feed back to the editor of the newsletter that this is the first time I have actually bothered reading stuff sent from Monash. So often I glance at the front cover and chuck it out, but this is a really good publication with stuff that is worth reading. As my professional life is as a journalist who also has to write these sort of publications, this is high praise indeed! [Editor's favourite!!]

The only criticism we received was that the newsletter arrived after some of the events listed in the Calendar of Events had occurred, or gave insufficient notice for people to attend those that were imminent. Hopefully we have overcome our production and publishing teething problems and that this and future newsletters will arrive at the start of each semester. However, with only two editions a year, it is inevitable that some events that fall during the semester breaks may be omitted because of late notification. Some we may still include in the Calendar of Events after the fact to keep you informed of what has taken place.