26 QMYOU / Graduates ’ Assocoation
GRADUATES ’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
By Maureen Paterson , Graduates ’ Association President
MEMBERSHIP
The QMU Graduates ’ Association is open to all members at Queen Margaret University and associated educational establishments . A one-off payment gives life membership which allows you to attend networking lunches , which usually take place on the last Saturday of the month from September to November and January to April , and the AGM . Membership also provides the opportunity to enjoy the comfortable ambience of seaside house Madras Lodge in Gullane , which is available all year including Christmas and New Year . Membership is open to all graduates and present or former staff . A membership costs £ 35 at time of graduation or £ 45 for members of staff and alumni members at other times .
To become a GA member contact : Sylvia Northcott ( see page 27 ).
NETWORKING LUNCHES
Lunches were enjoyed by members at several venues including a new gastro pub in William Street , Edinburgh .
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY EDUCATION ( 18TH JANUARY 2013 )
I represented the Association at the 75th anniversary of Occupational Therapy education at QMU and was presented to HRH Princess Anne , patron of the College of Occupational Therapy who unveiled the plaque to mark the occasion .
COSTUME SHOWCASE ( 8TH MAY 2013 )
I attended the event in the Teviot Debating Hall . The Showcase was spectacular showing a range of costumes , puppets and masks by students from all four years of the Costume Design and Construction degree .
CROQUET ( 16TH MAY 2013 )
Several members accepted an invitation from Alison Ross , a QMUGA member , to visit Meadows Croquet Club Edinburgh . Everyone enjoyed playing croquet with guidance from club members . At the end of play , afternoon tea was prepared by Alison and very much appreciated by everyone . The day was so popular that it has been suggested this should become an annual event .
ANNIVERSARY
2014 will be the 100th anniversary of the Graduates ' Association . The Committee is exploring different ideas to mark the occasion at the AGM in 2014 .
COMMITTEE
Helen Kerr , who has been Membership Secretary for several years is retiring from the Committee . Many thanks to Helen for all her hard work while serving on the Committee , and for hosting the Committee meetings .
DR JEAN DOYLE
Sadly , Jean died in May of this year at 85 years of age . Until last year , Jean had been an active member of QMGA and Committee member . Pat Denzler and Mary Cursiter attended the funeral .
We look forward to meeting members , both new and old , at future events .
Best wishes , Maureen Paterson , President
Shaheen Unis Professor Nigel Osborne
In need of a stress-busting autumn break ?
Special offer this autumn : An extra night FREE in the Loft at Madras Lodge when booking for two or more consecutive nights .
The Loft boasts probably the finest room at Madras Lodge - a large first floor south-facing sitting-room with views to East Lothian and a view east over the neighbouring gardens . There is a TV , radio with iPod dock , lug chairs and a couch which can convert to a small double or generous single bed . The neat kitchen section comes with dishwasher , microwave , oven and hob , and a convenient dining corner . Off the spacious entrance hall lies the bathroom with shower , a double bedroom and a newly refurbished single bedroom . On the upstairs landing , there is a small library and a store of traditional china for a perfect afternoon tea .
The cost – just £ 90 including booking fee for three nights this September and October – the offer continues through the low season to end February excluding Christmas and New Year . Longer stays welcome and also include one night FREE .
All members of the Graduates ' Association can rent our holiday home , Madras Lodge in Gullane , East Lothian , at modest rates . Special rates with free night apply during the winter off peak months .
There are two units - the House ( sleeps 5 ), and the Loft ( sleeps 4 ).
Details of how to book , and rental rates , can be found on the QMUGA website www . qmuga . org . uk or contact Bookings Secretary , Anne Vokes on E : mlbook @ qmuga . org . uk ❒
Honorary degrees for Asian gastronomic pioneer and leading composer
AT OUR JULY graduation , we were delighted to recognise two inspirational individuals – one a gastronomic pioneer who is responsible for bringing authentic Asian cooking to Scotland , and the other , a leading composer who has used his musical ability to heal divisions in war-torn communities .
Shaheen Unis , the entrepreneur and business woman behind Mrs Unis Spicy Foods Ltd , is responsible for introducing a wide range of Asian foods to the Scottish palate via her Edinburgh manufacturing base and restaurant . As a leading member of Edinburgh ’ s social and cultural community , she is one of the founders of the multi-cultural festival , the Edinburgh Mela . In 1990 , she also jointly established Milan , an organisation which supports older members of the South Asian community , who are experiencing challenges living in Edinburgh ’ s retirement homes .
We are also delighted to honour Professor Nigel Osborne , a talented composer and former Reid Professor of Music at the University of Edinburgh ( 1990 – 2013 ), who founded the ‘ Institute of Music , Human and Social Development ’. Professor Osborne also used his musical gift to help heal the divisions in Bosnian society . He set up the Mostar Sinfonietta , the first organisation in the city to draw members from among Bosniaks , Croats and Serbs . He has also worked tirelessly for children traumatised by war – in Bosnia , then in Kosovo and later in other conflict-torn places . ❒
26 QMYOU / Graduates ’ Assocoation