Oration 2011

Australia’s Indigenous Languages: What have we got to lose?

Oration 2010

‘Staying the hand of vengeance: Trying tyrants for mass atrocity’

In June this year, Preshil hosted the third annual Margaret E Lyttle Oration in the Kevin Borland Hall attended by more than 70 members of the Preshil community. This oration series is now an ongoing event in the Preshil calendar initiated in 2008 with the establishment of the Margaret E Lyttle Foundation to raise funds for Margaret’s ongoing care. Presented each year by a Preshil alumnus, this year’s oration was delivered by Gideon Boas (Class of 1986).

Currently a Senior Lecturer in the Monash University Law Faculty and a consultant and writer in the areas of international, humanitarian and criminal law, his previous role as a Senior Legal Officer of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and senior legal advisor to the Trial Chamber on the Milošević case prepared him well for this year’s oration topic: Staying the hand of vengeance: Trying tyrants for mass atrocity. Drawing on this experience, Gideon presented the audience with a critical analysis of a range of criminal justice issues exploring the history and viability of ensuring accountability by those in power for their actions and calling for a more proactive involvement by Australia in the prosecution of those responsible for crimes against humanity. Gideon’s expressed belief in the importance of education to develop core values of tolerance, respect and diversity pervaded throughout with recognition that without these values and the ‘…positive expression of ideas’ that result from them, the result can be ‘…bad behaviour and a festering negativity which can lead, in turn, to much worse…These are ideas or values, even principles, that are part of the fabric of Preshil…’ Many thanks also go to Amanda Saunders, one of our secondary school parents and owner of RED DiiVA Catering and Events, for her generous donation of delicious refreshments enjoyed by everyone following the presentation.

All contributions to the Margaret E Lyttle Foundation are warmly welcomed. If you are able to assist with a donation please contact Bronte and Jenny in the Communications and Development Office on 9817 6135 or at communications@preshil.vic.edu.au. All gifts of $2 or more are tax deductible.
For more information about Gideon, go to http://www.law.monash.edu.au/staff/gboas.html A selection of his publications is available at: http://ssrn.com/author=857192