Etched into Burgmann's story
David Turbane recently returned to Burgmann for a tour and to visit his old room, which now carries his name as one of our Name My Door supporters.
"As a student I had always wanted to be at Burgmann College," David says. " I recall how new and exciting it was to come into Burgmann in its beginnings. It feels special to be part of Burgmann's history as a resident in its foundation year of 1971."
The first intake
As an original 1971 Burgie, David lived at Burgmann when the College's defining spirit and ethos was first developing.
"What I recall was the atmosphere of fun and friendship equally shared by the women and men in this first intake of students. I had a feeling of freedom, freedom to explore ideas and beliefs, and finding a road I wanted to travel along."
David fondly remembers being part of an infamous Burgmann event that has since made its way into College folklore: the "capture" of two famous British comedians, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, who were "transported to Burgmann in an old postal van and joined us for a hilarious dinner."
A solid steppingstone
The following year, 1972 David travelled to the United States for a political internship in Washington DC. Being placed with an environmental group was David's steppingstone into over 30 years working in the fields of environment, human rights and international development.
David's career path included tutoring in political science at the University of Tasmania and working as a researcher in the Federal Parliament. David also held a position as Amnesty International's Parliamentary liaison officer and worked in the political lobbying offices of the Wilderness Society and Australian Conservation Foundation.
Photographs below, from left (click to view full image): Lead Senate Candidate Kerrie Tucker, Greens Leader Bob Brown, and David Turbayne at the launch of the Greens campaign for the Federal election, March 1993; 'The Earth Summit - A community guide to the Earth Summit and its outcomes', written by David Turbayne following the Earth Summit 1993; Amnesty International Parliamentary Liaison Officer David Turbayne with Chair of the Amnesty Parliamentary Group The Hon Peter Nugent†MP in the foyer of Parliament House to mark Amnesty International's 'Candle Day', 1999.
Following a placement in Vanuatu as an Australian Volunteer Abroad, a career highlight for David was participating in a seminal United Nation's event held in 1992 called the Earth Summit. David's role was coordinating over 80 Australian non-government organisations that took part in the Summit, which established the Climate Change and other important environmental treaties. David went on to manage a community-based climate project known as Cool Communities.
During this time David was also involved in setting up the Greens as a political party and stood as a Senate candidate for the Party in 1993 and for the House of Representatives in 2004.
David recently reflected on how his time at Burgmann was a solid steppingstone into the wider world. "My time at Burgmann gave me a positive experience of community living and the value of community, which some 55 years later I'm enjoying again as part of my retirement community".
Tangible and meaningful
For David, seeing his name on the door has highlighted his gratitude for being a member of the Burgmann community.
"Having my name on my room door makes this special connection very tangible and even more meaningful."
Over 60 doors have now been named, and our goal is to name 100 this year. To see the names or claim your own, visit Name My Door supporters.
