Blue & White December 2023

On Board with the Rev

Rev Dr Gareth Clayton OAM Chaplain

Andrew’s and Christmas

A troubled world desperately needs the practical inspiration that JESUS and the Christmas story brings.

An inspiration that is based on J Jesus first O others second Y yourself third

This is also the way to Peace Justice Hope

The writer of the Book of Revelation concluded “And now I make all things new” (Rev. 21:5)

This JESUS can do!

Have a happy and blessed Christmas.

Blue & White is published twice a year by the College Advancement and Marketing teams for the St Andrew’s College Community

Editorial team:

Hannah Atwell

Marlies Hopman

Photographers:

Matthew Duchesne

Ashley-Ann Hodges (Fr 2022)

Claudia Logan (Fr 2022)

Jessica Ledger (Fr 2022)

Harry Hartnell (Fr 2023)

From the Chair

On behalf of the Council, I would like to congratulate Dr Robert Leach on his integration into our community and a successful first year as the new ‘Bird.’

It is not an easy task stepping in as a new Principal; building strong rapport and respect with a large student cohort, while overcoming the various challenges that come from working at an institution such as ours.

However, I have received encouraging feedback from our community that Rob is doing a great job, is focused on student welfare and pastoral care, and they are excited to see what he can and his team can achieve in the years to come. I echo this sentiment and have really enjoyed working alongside Rob.

Council are particularly excited by the quality of executive leaders Rob has attracted to his team and look forward to working with them and the broader community on a number of exciting initiatives next year.

Rob and the Senior Executive team are enthusiastic about enhancing our cultural renewal and improving our unique student offering. In September, we held a half-day strategic planning session in order for Rob to ‘put his mark’ on our 2025 Strategic Plan. It was a productive session to gather various views from Council, Foundation, SACAS, staff and students on three key areas: distinctive and

transformative education; diverse, inclusive and developmental living experiences; and expanded reach and impact across our community. These pillars will form our ‘strategy on a page’ and be shared with the community next year.

As usual, the year has been jampacked with activities and achievements which are very impressive to see in the ‘Snapshot of College in 2023’ on page 6. It is always a challenge balancing the semester calendar with a rich student experience and various learning opportunities. We want students to take advantage of this amazing ‘home away from home’ and fill their days with activities that help build their network and enhance their personal growth.

We want students to take advantage of this amazing ‘home away from home’ and fill their days with activities that help build their network and enhance their personal growth.

To ensure we match this quality student experience with quality facilities, Council is embarking on upgrading the Main Building Bedrooms this summer. These rooms will be enhanced with modern furnishings and new features such as underfloor heating and ceiling fans (more in the Campus Upgrades report on page 10). In addition, we are planning a substantial Junior Common Room (JCR) renovation to create a better-functioning bar, a daytime café, and a place where our nonresidential students can base themselves while on campus. Alongside the Foundation, we will be looking to raise funds to make this longoverdue project a reality, so please get in touch if you would like more information about how you can support this exciting project.

In addition, Council is focused on improving other areas of the campus to make the College a beautiful place to live and work. This includes upgrading the pathway from the Main Building to the University for a safer and more comfortable passage and creating a welcoming Indigenous Cultural Garden in the Glen.

Finally, I would like to thank outgoing Councillors – Ian Jackman (Fr 1981) and Conrad Nixon – for their service over the last eight years. They have provided Council with a diversity of thought and a strong moral compass, which has been invaluable as we navigate the ‘grey areas’ in developing well-rounded young adults.

Sasha James

(Kovic) (Fr 2005)

Chair of Council

From the Bird

In my previous Blue and White article, I said that I feel privileged to be Principal at St Andrew’s. After almost a year in the role, that remains my overriding feeling. This is not just because we won the four cups again –Rawson, Rosebowl, Palladian, and University. Though that has been fun, and we’re very proud of our students’ achievements.

Nor does this feeling of being fortunate come from seeing our students achieve so highly academically, though that’s centrally important. It’s remarkable how well St Andrew’s students do considering their busy lives. There are too many co-curricular activities to name, but one I’d like to acknowledge is the College drama production. DramSoc had its 70th anniversary this year, and it’s fantastic to see student-run activities like this, which involve creativity, effort and disciplined preparation, continue to be so strong.

Student leadership remains robust and I’d like to thank our 2023 Senior Student, Hannah Hartnell, for her tireless energy, good humour, and the maturity to understand that a successful college needs staff and students to work together. Our students remain committed to strengthening their leadership abilities, with representatives attending the National Association of Australian University Colleges (NAAUC) conference in Melbourne. There was also a new leadership training weekend, facilitated by Director of Student Life, Alice Draffin, run at the end of the semester.

As well as running the most extensive tutorial program that the College has ever seen, the Education Department, led by Daniel Tyler, has developed several new initiatives. In partnership with Sydney University, St Andrew’s hosted and co-taught an Industry and Community Project Unit (ICPU). There’s more on this in the Education Report on page 14. New versions of Complex Problem Solving and Leadership short courses have been trialled, with students earning digital badges upon successful completion. We remain committed to delivering transformative educational experiences.

The Main Building bedrooms will be refurbished this summer, and plans are being further developed so that the Junior Common Room can be renovated in the following summer. If you’re driving past the College, please look up and notice that the clock tower now actually has clock faces! Thank you to our Director of Business, Bonnie Dixon, for stewarding the College’s finances and to the Director of Operations, Steve Culpeper, for managing our buildings and grounds so that we can undertake these campus improvements.

All of these achievements, and many more besides, have made being Principal very fulfilling. However, the real sense of privilege I feel is because of the quality of people I get to work and interact with.

The Vice Principal, Ian Smith, has steered Admissions and application numbers for 2024 are strong, with many candidates coming from rural and regional areas. We are allocating more of the $2 million of scholarship funds towards students from low SES backgrounds so that a wider range of applicants can afford to come to St Andrew’s. Thanks go to our generous benefactors, for making this possible and our Director of Advancement, Hannah Atwell and her team, who continue to foster strong relationships with our community.

All of these achievements, and many more besides, have made being Principal very fulfilling. However, the real sense of privilege I feel is because of the quality of people I get to work and interact with. I want to thank our talented and energetic students, our dedicated and committed staff and Council, and particularly Sasha James, the Chair, as well as our alums, parents, and donors not just for the way you have supported me but, more importantly, for your engagement with and contributions to St Andrew’s, ensuring that the College has a bright future.

There has been a lot to celebrate, but I have to be open and recognise the College has had some serious challenges at the end of the year. You may have read about them in the media or heard about them from students. We take the incidents that have occurred very seriously and are reviewing all of the elements involved. These challenges do not define the year, but they do remind us all to remain committed to Cultural Renewal and strive tirelessly to make St Andrew’s a safe and healthy place.

Dr Robert Leach Principal

Community Living Program Modules (22 workshops in total)

4

1st

33

Events held for parents, alumni, grandparents, donors and friends of the College

3

Regional Reunions Orange, Canberra & Newcastle

70th

New York Reunion held in a decade Year of DramSoc

Leadership Workshops

13

Wellbeing Workshops

11

STUDENT LIFE

2

Elite Athlete Workshops

21

Taylor Scholar Activities

6

Professional Development Industry Nights

2

51

Creative Share Events Shifts at the Newtown Mission

13,960 Bedrooms turned and cleaned

314 College events OPERATIONS

240,000 Meals prepared

EDUCATION

150

Subject tutorials running per semester

1800+

Tutorials delivered

Six Faculty Heads

17

Students received a High Distinction average in Sem 1

25%

Increase in students enrolling in tutorials, compared to 2022

35

Students participating in 10 language classes

$2M $883K

Awarded in scholarships, bursaries & prizes

All four cups secured in the Intercollegiate competitions for the 4th Year in a Row

148

Students were supported

209

New gifts & pledges received this year Alumni, Parents, Staff and Friends of College made a gift

From the 2023 Student Leaders

2023 has been an incredibly exciting year, and we could not be prouder to have been trusted as the Executive team leading the House Committee.

For the fourth year in a row, Drew’s has secured each of the four cups in the intercollegiate competitions: Rawson, Rosebowl, Palladian and University Cups. This monumental victory was celebrated at our final Victory Dinner of the year, with a ceremonial ‘shelving’ of the cups and the phrase ‘4 Cups, 1 College, 4 Years’ being sung proudly.

In the Palladian Cup, we won the solo vocal and placed in dance, solo drama, solo instrumental, debating, group vocal and art competitions. In the Rosebowl Cup, we saw the girls take the win in the swimming, netball, hockey, rowing, athletics, and soccer, and a tie in the basketball. For the Rawson, the boys were victorious in cricket, swimming, rugby, and athletics. Every competitor and performer should be commended for their dedication and commitment.

We have seen amazing support from the Drew’s community for our exceptional sportsmen, sportswomen and cultural performers, so we extend our thanks for this continuous show of support, which makes Drew’s the place it is.

The social calendar has been packed as usual. We’ve celebrated over 55 social events, including 12 Highlanders and 5 Victory Dinners. Our recent Formal was a massive success, as well as Highland Ball, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Oktoberfest, to name a few of the big nights of the year. We saw new events flourish, such as the

AFL and the Rugby League’ State of Origin’ games with St Paul’s.

With the Valedictory Dinner wrapping up the year, we are confident the incoming freshers have enjoyed their first year, and those leaving have enjoyed their time at Drew’s and will leave with great memories and lifelong friends. We could not be happier with the year’s success as your 2023 Exec.

We wish the incoming elected Executive and House Committee team all the best in 2024. We know they will do a fantastic job and build on the great year we have had.

Hannah Hartnell (Fr 2021) Senior

Student

Ruby Stitt (Fr 2021) Honorary Secretary

Adelaide Taylor (Fr 2021)

Honorary Treasurer

Above:

2023 House Commitee

Right:

2023 Executive Team - Adelaide Taylor, Hannah Hartnell and

Introducing the 2024 House Committee

I’m proud to announce our Executive and House Committee team for 2024. We have a star-studded exec team, including Phoebe Lotz (Honorary Secretary) and Georgie Beer (Honorary Treasurer).

Our House Committee for 2024 is equally stacked with intelligent, skilled, and hardworking students.

Charlie Scott and Bray Downing will be overseeing our Rosebowl and Rawson campaigns, respectively, seeking to win both cups and maintain the incredible numbers that support every team at each match throughout the year.

Anna Hunt will take up the role of Cultural Secretary, looking to boost comradery and community around social and sporting events and oversee our Palladian campaign.

Our Intercollegiate representative for 2024, Clancy Aboud, is focused on planning Welcome Week and maintaining positive intercollegiate relationships throughout the year.

Archie Craig plans to continue building upon the strong connections between alumni and current students as our Alumni Secretary.

Austin Wallace is focused on three main areas as our Hon. Assistant Treasurer: motivating Big Boors, clamping lock-down in car parks, and negotiating damages.

Our two Social Secretaries, Charlotte Damian and Morris Fredriksson, aim to fill the busy social calendar at Drew’s with various events, both maintaining traditions from the past and instilling new ones, focusing on inclusion, safety and enjoyment.

Overall, the entire crew is keen for a big 2024. Ship’s in good shape.

Ewan Jackman (Fr 2022) Senior Student Elect 2024

2024 House Committee

Senior Student: Ewan Jackman

Honorary Secretary: Phoebe Lotz

Honorary Treasurer: Georgie Beer

Rawson Secretary: Bray Downing

Rosebowl Secretary: Charlotte Scott

Palladian Secretary: Anna Hunt

Social Secretaries: Charlotte Damian & Morris Fredriksson

Intercollegiate

Secretary: Clancy Aboud

Alumni Secretary: Archie Craig

Honorary Assistant

Treasurer: Austin Wallace

The 2024 House

- Standing L-R: Clancy Aboud, Morris Fredriksson, Anna Hunt, Archie Craig, Charlotte Scott, Austin Wallace. Seated

L-R: Charlotte Damian, Phoebe Lotz, Ewan Jackman, Georgie Beer, Bray Downing.

Campus Upgrades

There are many exciting projects underway to improve and upgrade the buildings, facilities and overall campus at St Andrew’s College.

Main Building Bedroom Renovation

We are excited to have commenced our Main Building Bedroom refurbishment in late November. This project marks the first significant renovation of the Main Building in recent times and has been carefully planned over the past two years.

With the assistance of specialist architects AJC and Consulting firm Spectrum Property & Projects, we’ve designed the rooms to complement the building’s heritage while offering modern comforts to our students. Last summer we built three prototype rooms to gather feedback on comfort and functionality, and we’re delighted that the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Students occupying these rooms have offered valuable insights, leading to some minor adjustments that have been seamlessly integrated into the ongoing designs.

This renovation won’t be just a fresh coat of paint; all elements of the room will be replaced, excluding heritagelisted features. We then start from the ground up with underfloor heating, necessitating a substantial upgrade to our electrical board and amps through Ausgrid, along with a complete electrical rewiring of the rooms. The subsequent phases include a room repaint, new joinery with ample storage and dedicated study spaces, updated lighting, ceiling fans, privacy blinds, block-out curtains, and new carpets for added comfort.

In addition to the room upgrades, the corridors on levels one and two will also receive new carpets due to the comprehensive rewiring. Rooms originally equipped with fireplaces will restore those mantles and woodwork. Whilst the fireplace will not be functional, the aesthetics will bring warmth to the room and allow students to showcase their special mementos. We have even recreated the Drew’s crest on these fireplaces through CAD imaging and laser etching onto hardwood.

We anticipate completion by the end of January 2024. We are excited to deliver the transformation that will elevate the living experience for our students.

Clock Tower

At the top of the Main Building’s meticulously crafted Clock Tower there is space for four large clock faces. The faces intended to serve as a practical timekeeping tool and a visual representation of the unity between St Andrew’s College and the University of Sydney. However, after the building was established in 1867, only one face was ever installed, many decades later.

As homage to the building, the St Andrew’s Council and Senior Executive team agreed it was time for all four clock faces to be established and with advice and guidance from our building heritage experts, the College’s Works Department completed the installation of the four clocks

on November 3, 2023. This is a great moment in history for this building, and we trust that for many decades to come, it will continue to pay the intended homage.

Indigenous Cultural Garden

As part of our diversity and inclusion strategy and with the recommendation of our artist-in-residence, Lua Pellegrini, we have recently embarked on creating an Indigenous Cultural Garden on our campus for our students and community to enjoy.

The College has commissioned a local indigenous group, Wildflower, who are based in Redfern and part of the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, to assist us with this project. This non-profit organisation identified a need in the market and a way of helping Indigenous young people contribute back to the community and learn a trade. Wildflower is providing employment to the indigenous community through these projects.

This garden is intended to be an interactive area with spaces for students to socialise and study. It will reintroduce the traditional native plants of the area to

recreate the original habitat and attract animals and insects such as bees, butterflies and birds. The garden will be a centre of learning as well. Students will be able to learn about indigenous edible plants, the purpose of every other plant and its role in the ecosystem. From a sustainability standpoint, the garden will require minimal watering.

The garden will be a vibrant, colourful, and bright space, and we look forward to watching it grow and thrive alongside our students.

Pathway to the University

The College’s original façade also faces the University. The idea was that you could see the College standing tall from the University, and the footpath was the road to your University education. Over time, the footpath has become worn down and hazardous. We plan on restoring the footpath and its surroundings around the Glen to bring back its original appeal and increase the green footprint with more native plants. The intention is that we create a footpath that reaches the oval and the design is consistent with the original plan.

Junior Common Room Upgrades

Planning is well underway for the next project to reach our goal of ‘Making Main Magnificent’. For many years, the Junior Common Room (JCR) has been a place for students to come together as a community and hold celebrations. Our students and alums speak fondly of their gatherings and events in the JCR, and it is time we create a space that complements the College further and aligns with its current strategic direction.

The JCR, encompassing an outdoor courtyard, a lounge/multipurpose area, and a bar, will be transformed into a versatile connection hub, seamlessly transitioning between various configurations to accommodate formal meetings, socialising, studying, dining, and hosting Highlanders, alumni and College community events and more.

Works will involve creating a new male, female and accessible bathrooms, upgraded kitchen facilities, comfortable café and dining areas, outdoor and indoor seating, enhanced accessibility, improved audio visual systems, new flooring, and additional lounge, study and recreation areas.

We want this new JCR to be the epicentre of activity for the College and heart of its community, while respecting the heritage and traditional uses of the space. We look forward to sharing more details and plans with our community in the New Year.

Steve Culpeper Director of Operations

Reconciliation Action Plan Update

Reconciliation is an ongoing journey of understanding, truth-telling, and strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous communities.

St Andrew’s College, situated on the traditional lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, is deeply committed to this path of reconciliation. Semester 2 began with a Smoking Ceremony led by Raymond Wethering, from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal land council, during which he shared the history of the land upon which our College stands. Raymond’s words resonated with everyone who attended, fostering a sense of gratitude for the experience and a deeper Connection to Country.

Our dedicated team is collaborating with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff to craft our St Andrew’s College Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), designed to infuse cultural elements of our First Nations people into College Life, extending our existing initiatives and reinforcing our commitment to reconciliation.

In October, we hosted a unique Formal Dinner with special guest, Michael O’Loughlin, a former AFL player and co-founder of the GO Foundation. Michael shared with the audience his journey going from a young boy playing for the Sydney Swans to his current position that enables him to give back to the community. The event, expertly moderated by our Artist in Residence and GO Foundation alumna, Lua Pellegrini, was very wellreceived. 26 Indigenous students from six high schools also attended and were enthralled by the experience.

We continually seek to forge connections with Indigenous organisations. One recent example of an alliance is with Wildflower,

an Indigenous-led and staffed social enterprise working on our recent initiative, a native garden within the College grounds.

Our Working Group Team recently visited Wildflower’s garden in South Eveleigh, where Roman Deguchi and Matt Coe’s infectious passion left a lasting impact. St Andrew’s is excited to collaborate with them in creating our own Indigenous Cultural Garden in the Link area. This garden will serve as a shared space for reflection, learning, and connection, showcasing one tangible aspect of our RAP. You can read more information about this new space in the Campus Upgrades update on the previous pages.

We have reason to be optimistic based on the work we have accomplished so far and the activities in the pipeline. As we explore new opportunities, we remain committed to listening and learning as part of our belief that Education is the great equaliser. In our ongoing journey of reconciliation, we will actively promote diversity, equality and equity in all its forms, demonstrating our dedication to understanding, inclusion, and truthtelling as we work together to build a more harmonious future for all Australians.

Ian Smith Vice Principal

Education Report

At St Andrew’s we are committed to providing every student with the opportunity to achieve their academic goals. Our tutorial program is the principal means of academic support and it continues to go from strength to strength. In Semester 2 we ran tutorials in a record 150 subjects, across a broad range of undergraduate courses, from Accounting to Veterinary Biology. The college libraries, reading rooms and tutorial spaces, were busy with 95 tutorials per week on average and over 160 students attending at least one tutorial every week. Engagement with the program is growing and we saw an increase of 75% year-on-year, which means more students attending more tutorials every week.

Co-curricular educational programs proved popular, too. 35 students joined one of ten classes in five different languages (Spanish, French, Italian, Mandarin and Cantonese). Our short course in Complex Problem Solving, led by Charlie Taylor and Josh Dowse, returned for the fourth time in a new iteration (taking place during

semester rather than in the vacation). It gives students the opportunity to understand and practise the problemsolving methods used by McKinsey & Co and to receive high-quality coaching on their presentation skills.

A number of academic events were held this semester. For members of the SCR, Professor Jennifer Byrne discussed the perils of scientific publication practices and Sally Hurst spoke fascinatingly about archaeological discoveries. We joined forces with the University of Sydney Law School to host a masterclass on archival work in Law, featuring Professor Jane Ginsburg (Columbia), Professor Kathy Bowrey (UNSW) and Dr Alecia Simmonds (UTS). We also hosted a special conversation between Professor Sophie Gee (Princeton) and Rob McLean AM (McKinsey) on the value of the humanities (see the opposite page for more details).

One of the great advantages of the College environment at St Andrew’s is our ability to intervene and provide additional support at an early stage when students fall short of their academic goals.

Academic Support Program

One of the great advantages of the College environment at St Andrew’s is our ability to intervene and provide additional support at an early stage when students fall short of their academic goals or the College’s minimum standards. In the university at large, it can be all too easy for students to lose their way, fall short of their targets, or accrue multiple fails, in the absence of someone who can step in to offer a helping hand, a word of advice, or tailored support. In the College community, however, we have academics and tutors who can offer assistance to students when they need it most. Sometimes a simple conversation with an Academic Mentor can help students get back on track, manage their workloads more effectively, or navigate the systems and structures of the university.

Our Probation Program provides academic support of exactly this kind. 56 students were engaged with the Program in Semester 1, having missed the College’s requirement of a 65-point credit average in the previous semester. They were provided with support plans consisting of Academic Skills Workshops and one-on-one meetings with Academic Heads. Pleasingly, 23 students graduated from the Program by the end of Semester (by achieving a 65-point average). Among these students, four achieved a Distinction average in Semester 1. Remarkably, eight students on the program achieved an increase in their SAM of 15 percentage points or more. These students were warmly congratulated on their achievement. Their performance indicates the benefit that St Andrew’s provides in being able to offer support to students to help them achieve their best.

Building Job-Ready Graduates in the Age of AI (ICPU)

For the first time, St Andrew’s partnered with the University of Sydney to offer a course as one of the University’s Industry and Community Project Units. These are open to all third-year undergraduates and

attract six credit points towards a degree. More than 50 students from the University enrolled in a course that investigated how students could prepare themselves for a workplace impacted by AI. We facilitated classes on AI, problem-solving and communication, and alumni generously contributed their time to respond to student progress reports and final pitches. The course proved very rewarding for the students involved and it was a successful pilot for St Andrew’s, delivering for the first time an accredited unit in conjunction with the University of Sydney.

A Golden Age for the Humanities

In September, St Andrew’s hosted an event to consider the place of the humanities in contemporary Australia, at a time when the value of humanities degrees has been called into question. Professor Sophie Gee

Below:

A session from the ICPU in progress in the

chapel 15

(a professor of English Literature at Princeton University) and Rob McLean AM (former Managing Partner of McKinsey & Co and author of Bulletproof Problem-Solving) teamed up to discuss the unique role of the humanities in fostering skills that will be increasingly valuable in the modern workplace. They argued that we are poised to enter a new golden age for the humanities, since jobs of the future are known to require skills in problem-solving, and creative and logical thinking, which are integral to humanities programs. Students, staff and distinguished guests found the discussion very stimulating and it was a privilege to be able to host it at St Andrew’s.

Dr Daniel Tyler Director of Education

Student Life Update

The Student Life team has had a busy and exciting 2023; our first year as a stand-alone department separate from the Education team. This has allowed us to expand our program offerings for students, ensuring there is something for everyone to engage with across the year. A considerable focus has been on supporting students to build their capacity to contribute as a member of a community, and in turn develop their character, values and ability to lead.

Professional Development Program

Creative Arts Program

Working with both the Advancement team and the elected 2023 Alumni Secretary from the Students’ Club, Henry Wines, the Professional Development Program facilitates a series of networking and skills-based events for students. These sessions have been designed to help students learn more about particular professions/industries, develop skills sought by employers, and enhance their ability to secure meaningful employment during and after university. Industry-specific networking evenings are always the highlight of the program, with six being run across 2023 in the fields of Medicine, Law, Commerce/Finance, Creative Arts, Consulting, and Engineering/IT.

Community Living Program

The Student Life Department introduced the Community Living Program in 2022 to provide foundational training for first-year students transitioning to communal living. The program comprises four modules - Respectful Relationships, Consent Matters, Cultural Competency and LGBTQIA+ Ally Training, and it is a prerequisite for re-enrollment in 2024. In 2023, we have seen a very strong level of engagement from the student body, ensuring students cover core competencies and skills needed to live in a respectful community.

In 2023, the St Andrew’s College Creative Arts Program, led by our Head of Creative Arts, Emily-Rose Sarkova, and supported by the Creative Arts Officer, Matthew Hingston, has made significant strides in enhancing the creative arts space within the College. Supported by staff, a group of highly engaged and passionate students have driven various creative arts initiatives, including: Drew’s Creative Share Event, Sound Bath Sessions during Exam Block, utilising parts of the campus as recording locations for student film projects, fostering creativity in film making, Drew’s Creative Arts Festival, and numerous musical performances. In 2023, the Creative Arts Program at St Andrew’s College has not only enriched the artistic environment but also encouraged students to explore and develop their creative potential.

Sport Program

Student Life Manager and Head of Sport, Tessa Bruin, continues to provide ongoing support to our athletes to ensure they achieve their full potential in both their Rawson and Rosebowl campaigns, as well as their external sporting pursuits. In 2023, a renewed focus on Social Sport has seen a greater level of inclusion for students within the College, allowing for participation in Rugby League, Touch Football, AFL, Social Basketball, and Ultimate Frisbee.

Wellbeing Program

The Wellbeing Program is coordinated by the Dean of Student Wellbeing, Fouz Fatima, who works with and supports the Pastoral Care Leaders. All initiatives within the Wellbeing Program are designed to support students living in our community by running a variety of initiatives, training sessions, and opportunities to promote mental health and wellbeing, build community, and provide support to those who need it within the college community. The Pastoral Care Leader Program has been active with initiatives like ‘Walk & Talk’, ‘Tea & Tim Tams’, ‘UTS Support’, ‘Book Club’, and ‘Home Away from Home’, providing support for diverse affinity groups. Additional educational and awareness opportunities such as “Safe & Sexy Week” and “R U OK Day” have also been run.

Community Service Program

Supporting the Students’ Club Community Service Secretaries, we have seen a high level of engagement with philanthropic pursuits in 2023. Most notably is the students’ engagement with the Newtown Mission, a charitable community hub on King Street who provides meals, food parcels, and support services for approximately 1,000 people per week. Students have also supported many other worthy causes across 2023, including; Mullets for Mental Health, Movember, City2Surf, Centenary Institute, and the Breast Cancer Foundation.

Leadership Program

The Leadership Program for 2023 has engaged a substantial portion of the College community in various leadership development opportunities including workshops, seminars, and committee engagement. It remains a significant Student Life Program for residents aspiring to take on leadership roles in 2024, ensuring they are wellprepared and equipped to excel in leadership roles within the college community and beyond. In Semester 2, the College also introduced a short course in Leadership Essentials for 20 students. This course was run as six weekly seminars, and was conducted by Principal Dr Rob Leach and distinguished alumni with extensive leadership experience in their field.

Drew’s Creative Arts Festival

In celebration of our talented artists at College and to foster connections between our students and industry professionals, we hosted the inaugural Drew’s Creative Arts Festival on 17 September. The event welcomed all members of the Drew’s student community, along with friends and family.

Attendees were treated to diverse musical performances, including a captivating solo concert by Michael De Huy (Fr 2022), one of our prominent music scholars and recent winner of the prestigious Valencia International Piano Competition.

To honour our institution’s Scottish heritage, our Chamber Ensemble skilfully presented traditional Scottish melodies prepared under the guidance of Scottish string specialist James Gastineau-Hills. Guests had the chance to partake in lively Scottish Ceilidh dancing, led by Scottish dancer

Don Richmond. Valuable insights into music production were shared by a panel of experienced musicians, including Aya Yves, artist manager and promoter at Nala Music Management, multi-disciplinary artist Parvyn, and singer/songwriter and alumnus Jimbo Stokes (Fr 2013).

Additionally, the ethereal melodies of the St Andrew’s Choir graced the Chapel.

The Erickson Room was transformed into an art gallery showcasing the works of our Artist-In-Residence, Lua Pellegrini, as well as remarkable pieces created by our talented visual arts students, photographers, and filmmakers, including Hayden Nielsen (Fr 2022), Louis Vahl (Fr 2023), Phoebe Storey (Fr 2023), Maya Levin (Fr 2023), Clementine Paradice (Fr 2021) and Michael De Huy (Fr 2022). Attendees also had the opportunity to learn traditional weaving techniques from Indigenous artist and dancer Aroha Pehi.

Our JCR Courtyard was animated with a jamming stage and a relaxed afternoon BBQ, skillfully managed by our students. Additionally, an energetic salsa workshop facilitated by professionals from Latin Dance Australia had everyone moving, bringing a lively conclusion to a day filled with creativity.

Emily-Rose Sarkova Head of Creative Arts

DramSoc Report

This year marks the 70th year of DramSoc, with it celebrating its history of productions, performances, and the countless contributions from students throughout the years. What better way to celebrate a long-standing College Drama Society than with the comedy Move Over Mrs Markham?

Bringing together students with diverse skills, interests, and creativity to achieve a collective goal is a rare and valuable experience in one’s college journey.

This play is brimming with lustdriven affairs, snowballing catastrophes resulting from simple misunderstandings, and ever-changing relationship statuses. This year’s production was a true testament to the beauty of DramSoc and the collaborative nature of theatre and creative arts in general.

As a Students’ Club society, everyone involved in the production, from the incredibly talented cast to those working tirelessly backstage, were current students juggling their commitments to University studies, employment, College, and very busy social calendars.

A massive thank you goes to the construction crew, led by Jock Hazelton (Fr 2022), for completing the set on time in our Dining Hall despite numerous complications along the way. The Big Boors, under the leadership of Angus Hayman (Fr 2023), Harry Hartnell (Fr 2023), and Henry Mitchell (Fr 2023), played a crucial role in moving furniture and arranging the audience’s seats to create the performance space.

Behind the scenes, the creative engines, including Claudia Logan (Fr 2022) for costumes and photography, Louis Vahl (Fr 2023) for lighting, Phoebe Lotz (Fr 2022) for sound, and Darcy Neale (Fr 2022) our producer, must also be acknowledged for their outstanding contributions to the production. And, of course, our wonderful audiences must be acknowledged for their support and pivotal role in making the months of hard work worthwhile on stage.

I believe it is the necessity for collaboration that makes DramSoc one of the most special parts of St Andrew’s and my personal highlight each year. Bringing together students with diverse skills, interests, and creativity to achieve a collective goal is a rare and valuable experience in one’s college journey. In true Androvian fashion, friendships are made, skills are learnt, excellence is pursued, and laughter and joy permeates every DramSoc production.

Ewan Jackman (Fr 2022)

DramSoc Director 2023

Artist in Residence

St Andrew’s College has a long history of fostering creativity and nurturing artistic talent. Every year, the College sponsors one artist with a residency opportunity in order to explore their practice and hone their craft within, and alongside, our College community. We have been privileged to have Lua Pellegrini as our Artist in Residence for 2023.

Lua, a proud Wiradjuri woman, from Darug country, boasts an impressive portfolio of work and accomplishments at just 21 years of age. In 2023, Lua has made significant contributions to the creative landscape of the College and supported budding Androvian artists through engagement with professional development opportunities for students, Formal Dinner talks, and contributions to College Art Shows, Creative Share and Drew’s Creative Festival event.

Lua’s major project as Artist in Residence has been her integral conceptualisation and consultancy of a College Indigenous Cultural Garden, due for completion in early 2024. Her artistic expertise and creativity have played a pivotal role in shaping this exciting project. Lua has

also generously given her time and expertise as a member of the College’s Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group. Through her work, she has strengthened our relationship with key Indigenous organisations, including the GO Foundation, by hosting an ‘In Conversation’ evening with co-founder and AFL legend Michael O’Loughlin.

We are appreciative of the contributions made by Lua across 2023, and look forward to seeing more of her artwork on the national sporting stage this summer, with the Sydney Sixers Big Bash League First Nations Round shirts donning Lua’s design!

Alice Draffin Director of Student Life

Clockwise from top left: Sydney Sixers, Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner, with Lua Pellegrini (centre).

Lua with staff member, Hannah Atwell, at the University & Schools Dinner.

Lua with students James Haskis (Fr 2018) and Malcolm Ward (Fr 2020) in the Senior Common Room before Formal Dinner.

One of the Sydney Sixers players looking sharp in their First Nations Round jersey designed by Lua.

Palladian Cup Success

This is the fourth year in a row Drew’s has brought the Palladian Cup home, and we couldn’t be prouder of the incredible performers, orators and artists who secured us the victory in Semester 2.

The Debating team kicked off the semester with a hard-fought competition. The final placings came down to a tie-breaker debate against St Paul’s, which our team was unlucky to lose by one point to place second overall.

Next, the St Andrew’s Choir and Bluebirds (Boy’s Choir) entered two fantastic pieces into Group Vocal. Bluebirds performed a stirring rendition of ‘Loch Lomond’ by Jonathan Quick, and the St Andrew’s Choir performed ‘Even When He Is Silent’ by Kim André Arnesen. The St Andrew’s Choir came away with a well-deserved third place.

Art is always a highlight, and this year was no different. The topic was “Where the wild things aren’t”. Drew’s was represented by Phoebe Storey (Fr 2023) and Clementine Paradice (Fr 2021), who both submitted exceptional pieces. Clementine’s piece included a painting using acrylic on canvas and a ceramic collection titled ‘Wildness in the World is Weaved’. Clementine’s impressive piece was awarded third place and is pictured right.

The instrumental Ensemble saw two groups of exceptional Drew’s instrumentalists compete, all of whom regularly perform in our very own Drew’s Chamber Ensemble, ‘Chemble’. The first group performed ‘Terzetto in C Minor’ by Dvorak, and the second group performed ‘Bach Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor’. Whilst neither group was able to secure a place, they should feel very proud of their efforts at what was a very high standard of competition.

The final Palladian event of this year was Group Drama. Drew’s entered a scene from our very own Dramsoc Production of ‘Move over Mrs Markham’ by John Chapman and Ray Cooney, as well as an adapted piece from Kendall Feaver’s ‘Wherever She Wanders’. The pieces were varied and wellreceived by the audience, but unfortunately, we did not come away with a place.

2023 has been an incredible year for the Arts at Drew’s. I would like to wholeheartedly thank everyone who has been involved in or supported the Choir, Jazz Band, Chemble, DramSoc, Palladian, and a special mention to the Palladian Secretaries for Semester 2: Toby Freeman (Fr 2022), Jessica Ledger (Fr 2022), Hayden Nielsen (Fr 2022), Alice Carraro (Fr 2022), and Ewan Jackman (Fr 2022).

Charlotte MacDonald (Fr 2021)

Palladian Representative 2023

Rawson & Rosebowl Cup Winners

For the 4th year in a row, Drew’s has won both the Rawson and Rosebowl Cups thanks to some exceptional performanaces by many of our students.

Rawson Report

The second semester of the Rawson competition was tightly contested, with Drew’s winning one sport, coming second in two and third in another. The race for the cup was on right up until the last event!

In Soccer, the team displayed a commendable effort, securing a 0-0 draw against Wesley, a 2-1 victory against John’s, and a 0-2 loss to Paul’s, ultimately achieving an equal second position.

Basketball began with a 74-48 victory against John’s but came at a cost, a shocking turn for the campaign; last year’s MVP Ben Harvey (Fr 2021) injured his knee. A narrow 64-62 loss against Paul’s followed, and in the final, Wesley took the win 84-68. This year the team finished third after back-

to-back wins in the two years prior. Mateo Baldwin (Fr 2022)’s high-level scoring earned him the MVP title in a tough campaign for the team.

In Tennis, wins against Paul’s and John’s demonstrated the team’s skill, with electric doubles performances from freshers Jonty Lees and Henry McGuinness. Despite a defeat against a strong Wesley team in the final, the boys were happy with their efforts, with an impressive underdog victory from doubles team Ben Hope (Fr 2022) and Ben Wright-Smith (Fr 2022) giving them a chance. Charlie Sayers (Fr 2022) was outstanding all week, not losing a match.

The Athletics team secured the Rawson Cup and had their first win in the last three years, with Lachlan Townsend (Fr 2022) winning the MVP

title. His exceptional performance in the 400m relay, 800m, 1500m, and 5000m events played a pivotal role in the team’s triumph. Connor Murphy (Fr 2020) and Jack Lynch (Fr 2021) also won a multitude of other events.

The 400m relay, which was the very last event, marked the Rawson Moment of the Year. After a huge day of running (800m, 1500m and 5000m) Lachlan Townsend took the lead from behind against Paul’s and Jack Lynch held them off for the win. Overall, St Andrew’s emerged victorious in the Rawson Cup, which reflects the huge amount of effort put in by our athletes over the year.

Angus Jones (Fr 2021) Rawson Representative 2023

It has been a remarkable showcase of skills, teamwork, and friendly competition that has made this season unforgettable.

Rosebowl Report

As we approach the end of Semester 2, with the Rosebowl Cup prominently displayed on the shelves of St Andrew’s, it is hard not to be impressed by the incredible display of talent, sportsmanship, and camaraderie that characterised the Rosebowl competition during the past few months. It has been a remarkable showcase of skills, teamwork, and friendly competition that has made this season unforgettable.

The first sport of the semester was Soccer, with only one goal scored against the Drew’s women throughout the whole competition. Their energy and versatility on and off the field contributed to an unstoppable team. A strong presence from Tara Watson (Fr 2022), Lucia Massaro (Fr 2021), and Shivani Mehta (Fr 2023) assisted the girls in securing their 2-0 win over Paul’s, 5-1 win over Sancta, 2-0 win over Wesley, 3-0 win over John’s, and lastly a 6-0 win against Women’s.

Basketball was next on the agenda. The Drew’s women started confidently, securing their first win over Paul’s 53-26,

and continued this winning streak until matched with St John’s. John’s brought great talent and energy to the court and we fought hard to tie 42-42.

Tennis was the second last sport of the semester and our women put their best foot forward securing a win over St John’s 4-3, with Elyne Tighe (Fr 2023) and Elise Cope (Fr 2023) coming out on top in their tiebreaker doubles match. Although our players were unsuccessful in the following rounds, they fought hard and never let their heads down.

An incredible twilight Athletics competition saw a strong display of athletic ability by the St Andrew’s women. Some notable mentions must go to Jazzy Downes (Fr 2022) and Lucy Walsh (Fr 2023) for their distance events and sprints. Special mention also should go to Anna Hunt (Fr 2022) who managed to secure 1st place in her individual events coming back stronger and better after a knee reconstruction. What a fantastic way to end a season!

Sophie Sheehan (Fr 2021) Rosebowl Secretary

The 2023

Taylor Scholarships

Established in 2015 by the then Chair of Council, Charlie Taylor (Fr 1982, SS 1985), the Taylor Scholarship program supports and encourages senior students of College to continue engaging meaningfully with College Life by developing and implementing a special interest project that aims to benefit and increase the diversity and depth of the College experience.

In 2023, The Taylor Scholarship Program is in its eighth year and has supported 70 students to date. We are grateful to Charlie Taylor, whose generosity continues to have a positive impact on students and the College.

Following another year of engaging projects, the College hosted the annual Taylor Scholar Dinner on Tuesday October 31 in the Erickson Room. This dinner is always a special evening whereby the scholarship recipients present their projects to their peers, staff, Councillors and Charlie Taylor. In their presentations, the Scholars discussed the intended benefits of their projects, the challenges they experienced, and reported on the impact they have achieved thus far before they outlined their vision for a lasting legacy.

We are incredibly proud of our 2023 Taylor Scholars’ achievements and thank them for their contributions to College life in 2023. Read on to find out more about each project and the impact it had this year.

Dopamine Grind

Digby Dalton (Fr 2020)

The Self MBA (College Edition) was an intensive course aimed at amplifying students’ performance at university, professionally and personally, and removing the barriers to success. This project enabled the participants to create a roadmap for themselves to confidently take advantage of the power of their mind. There was a focus on biohacking with food, sleep exercise, and stress as well as a deep dive into personal branding with Veronica Mason.

Drew’s Startups

Oscar Cheal & Jeremy Elliott (Fr 2020)

This project focussed on providing an interactive learning environment for students on the topic of entrepreneurship and small-business building. Oscar and Jeremy wanted to teach our student entrepreneurs that it is possible to start a business from the ground up, regardless of prior experience or start-up resources. In an interactive seminar-style program, they aimed to pass on the necessary tools to kick-start students’ business careers. This project ended with the opportunity for participants to pitch their business plans and perhaps win some seed funding for their business.

We Need To Talk and Pilot for Drew’s Law Discussions

Elisabeth Woodcock (Fr 2020, SS 2022)

We Need to Talk (WNTT) is a fortnightly political discussion group that focusses on a relevant topical subject. Prompt questions are asked to the group to discuss, debate and reflect personally on. The program is designed to encourage friendly debate and dialogue between students of diverse and intersectional backgrounds, encourage open-mindedness, persuasive speaking skills and critical thinking. Liz also piloted a Drew’s Law Discussion group in addition to WNTT, which allowed Law students to come together to discuss interesting and topical legal cases.

Drew’s Bot and Seminars

Marcus Peters (Fr 2020)

After spending part of 2022 constructing the Drew’s Bot, Marcus refined his creation in 2023 and added further enhancements with options such as access to the upcoming calendar, Pastoral Care Leader details, and menu feedback. Additionally, Marcus ran seminars on programming which aimed to educate those not studying computer science to get an introductory lesson on what it offers and where they will interact with it.

Men’s Mental Health

Jackson Fredericks (Fr 2020)

The ‘Men’s Mental Health Project’ was designed to promote open and raw conversations between young men. Jackson delivered a program that consisted of weekly morning walks and a men’s mental health session that both educated young men and spread awareness around issues surrounding mental health stigma and provided tools for practical implementation.

St Andrew’s Small Ensembles

Tom Carraro (Fr 2017)

This project was designed to cultivate a culture of small ensemble playing at College. The hope and goal was that self-sustaining groups would be created and continue on without external impetuous. Overall the aim was to ensure that whilst the structure of these groups might change, the culture of encouragement of pursuing performing arts for all students would remain, to ensure these groups would continue.

Androvation

Patrick Mahony & Alexander Heintze (Fr 2020)

Androvation is St Andrew’s two-day start-up accelerator program held this year in partnership with Startmate. Over two days, students heard from successful founders, venture capital investors, and other leaders within the Australian start-up ecosystem, and then built and pitched their own business idea to a panel of judges. At the end of the weekend, six teams pitched a broad range of business ideas, from agriculture to consumer goods. Three winners emerged with initial seed funding to get them off the ground.

Tessa Bruin

Student Life Manager & Head of Sport

DREW’S NEWS

Code Blue – We’re in Hot Water

We are all more than aware of climate change. We hear about it on the news, and our government is promising to take steps to try and stop its effects on our country. But it is hard to understand something you cannot immediately see. We always hear about the rising sea levels and the bushfires, but it is so much more than that.

Australia’s Climate Council is currently spreading awareness for what they call ‘Code Blue’. Coral reefs are dying, currents are slowing, and marine heatwaves are getting out of control. If you weren’t aware of how vital the oceans are for Australians, here is a quick rundown:

• Oceans absorb 93% of all of the extra heat that is produced as a direct result of greenhouse gas emissions

• They produce nearly 80% of the world’s clean oxygen

• Australia’s marine industry brings in over $80 billion a year to the economy

• Seafood exports contribute $1.2 billion a year

• Australia’s ‘blue economy’ provides jobs to over 462,000 full-time jobs

The Bureau of Meteorology has declared El Niño is currently active in the Pacific. This most devastating climate driver is occurring this year for the first time in years. For those unaware of what constitutes El Niño, it occurs when winds from the Americas diminish, which results in gathered water not making it to Australia. The result? Warm surface water is stuck in the east side of the Pacific Ocean. Climate change can put its hand up and take direct responsibility for this catastrophe. With greenhouse gas emissions at an all-time high, we can expect the fluctuation between El Niño and La Niña to be more and more frequent.

But what does this all mean? Ultimately, heat is building up beneath the ocean surface. This means that sea temperatures are expected to rise by two degrees Celsius, and while that may not seem like a lot, it has the potential to destroy marine ecosystems, particularly the coral reefs for which Australia is so well known. For instance, some fish will have increased metabolism in these warmer waters, burning energy faster than they can consume it, which will lead to a drop in population numbers and further produce levels for the Australian blue economy. Temperature drives biology in the ocean, and our indigenous species are at risk, with the ocean heat at an all-time high.

Our wildlife isn’t the only thing at risk – marine decline will also significantly affect Australia’s economy. A study in 2011 of the marine heatwaves in Shark Bay, Western Australia (home to the world’s largest seagrass meadows) showed that the loss of 34% of seagrass after the heatwave cost the Australian economy $4.1 billion a year indirectly. On top of this, between two and nine million tonnes of CO2 were released into the atmosphere over the following three years. The loss of marine environments will also disenfranchise millions of workers.

Australia’s Climate Council is calling for a 75% decline in carbon emissions by 2030 as a way to minimise damage to our oceans. Whilst the Liberal-National Government has a net zero target by 2050, they have no actual plan to achieve this. So, I urge you to try to incorporate more sustainable practices into your everyday lives this summer. Each time you go to the beach, think about the damage that human ignorance of climate change is having on our beloved oceans.

Now that you have this information, what can you do? The most useful step in saving our oceans is reducing our carbon footprint. If you aren’t in a room, turn the light off. Use energy efficient light bulbs. Don’t be wasteful with your energy. With this summer set to be a scorcher, be aware of how much water you are using – the less you use the less wastewater will flow into the oceans. Also, shop sustainably – with Christmas around the corner make the effort to buy sustainably farmed seafood and be aware of the amount of plastic you are wasting over the holidays. Vehicle pollution is also something that most don’t consider when thinking about our carbon footprint – so, when possible, carpool, catch a bus, ride a bike. It is so important that we all do as much as we can in our everyday lives to protect the gem of Australia – our oceans.

Zoe Edgerley (Fr 2022) Editorial Team, Drew’s News

HISTORY MAKERS

This year St Andrew’s watched on proudly as two of our very own alumnae took the worldstage at the FIFA Women’s World Cup as members of the Australian Women’s Football team, the Matildas.

Both Clare Hunt (Fr 2017) and Clare Wheeler (Fr 2017) were at St Andrew’s College for multiple years before going on to play for their nation and securing themselves contracts with two leading international football teams. Despite all the pressure on them as they’ve risen to play at the top of their sport, the two remain best friends.

Clare Hunt currently plays as a Defender for Paris SaintGermain Feminine, one of Europe’s elite football clubs. From growing up in the small country town of Grenfell, NSW, to becoming a household name during the World Cup, her journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.

In February 2023, Clare Hunt marked a pivotal moment in her career by making her debut for the Matildas. In just 170 days, she became an integral part of Australia’s campaign at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, playing every minute of the tournament in the heart of defence en route to the Matildas securing a nation best fourth-placed finish.

Clare’s time at St Andrew’s was not only about academic pursuits but also about her active involvement in College sports: “St Andrew’s allowed me to move to Sydney to pursue my football and academic ambitions. This has greatly benefited my football career and also my career readiness for life after football”.

She is grateful for her time at St Andrew’s and has said, “The opportunity St Andrew’s provided me was pivotal towards my achievements. Their generosity following the loss of my mother was nothing short of incredible. From financial tuition and other support, Drew’s gave me the opportunity to get a Sydney University degree and play for SUSFC in the NSW Women’s NPL 1. This is something I’m forever grateful for.”

Clare’s connection with St Andrew’s College started when she was introduced to St Andrew’s at a University Open Day and was drawn to the mix of academic and sporting culture. Reflecting on her time at College she told us that her favourite thing was, “interacting with a diverse range of students and appreciating their passion and drive in their given areas of expertise”.

Clare was a St Andrew’s Scholar for her four years at College, achieving high marks in her university studies while she continued to develop her football skills. She shared that her scholarship at St Andrew’s College “...allowed me to pursue my academic and sporting endeavours to the highest regard, and gave me the opportunity to learn from others and express myself to a great extent. Drew’s has allowed me to grow and prosper, and without this support, I would not have had this wonderful experience”.

Recalling her time at College she said, “My favourite memory of my time at College was participating in College sports. It was always fun being a part of a team, helping others with football, or getting help playing hockey. My fresher year winning against Wesley was definitely one of my College highlights”.

Clare studied a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Sydney and secured herself a position as a Financial Assistance Associate at Macquarie Bank. In 2021, Clare made the move to leave this job and join the professional football club Fortuna Hjorring in Denmark. She later debuted for the Matildas in matches against Ireland and Brazil in September 2021. Clare recently scored her first international goal for the Matilda’s on 29 October 2023 in their game against the Philippines in the AFC Women’s Asian Olympic qualifying match.

We are incredibly proud of Clare and Clare and wish them all the best for the Paris 2024 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. We know the whole St Andrew’s community will be cheering them on when to victory!

Clare Wheeler currently plays for Everton FC, a top-tier team in English Football. Born in Coffs Harbour but spending most of her formative years in Newcastle, Clare’s passion for football was evident from a young age. She started her career at 15 when she was selected for the Newcastle Jets, who she represented for seven years before signing for Sydney FC.

Below:

Clare Wheeler celebrates during a Rosebowl Soccer match.

Em Scott, (Fr

2010)

Emily (Em) Scott (Fr 2010) is the current CEO of GiveOUT Australia, a national LGBTQIA+ notfor-profit. During her time at St Andrew’s College, Em received the E&M Grainger Scholarship from St Andrew’s for academic achievement and was part of the Sydney University Elite Athlete Program whilst playing for the Australian U20 Waterpolo Team.

Em has many fond memories of College and even started a rock band called the ‘Four Llamas’ with fellow Androvians! In this profile, she highlighted how her early career experiences have helped shape how she works in her current role. In talking about her journey to be where she is now, Em also shared some of the personal struggles she has faced and how they led her to work towards creating change in the lives of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Could you please tell us a bit about where you are originally from and where you grew up?

I grew up on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and was always a water kid. I loved surfing, nippers, swimming, and water polo. I was a busy and restless kid who hated sitting still. My dad worked in technology at Qantas and my mum was a primary school teacher at the local school. Our house was full of music, with my brother who is now a jazz musician always playing piano and saxophone. I grew up with my cousin Susan living directly across the road. She went to Women’s College in the same fresher year as me.

Why did you decide to reside at St Andrew’s College?

I went to high school with fellow Androvian Hannah Buckling. We were the unbearable pseudo-sisters (including the bickering and rivalry) who did everything together: 5am and evening water polo training, electives, social groups, and boy crushes. So of course, I followed her to St Andrew’s College (along with other school friends Lana Bushell and Beatrix Greenhalgh). I also knew living on campus would

make juggling law studies, water polo training, and having a social life easier. I was fortunate to receive an academic E&M Grainger Scholarship from St Andrew’s, which made this possible.

What was your favourite part of College and what are your best memories about your time at St Andrew’s College?

Definitely the friendships; I have the best memories hanging out in our dorm corridor or running ‘Buffet’ (the late-night canteen) with Nikki Holmes A Court, Hannah Buckling, Annabel Deans, Tort Stanham, Kate Williams, Hannah Reid, and Abbie Bryant. James Nugent, Jono Selby, Fin Blacket, and I created a rock band called the ‘Four Llamas’ and played many out-of-time Red Hot Chilli Peppers covers at Band Night. As an ‘easily bored person’, I also loved the constant activities and events.

While at College, you were also part of the Sydney University Elite Athlete Program and a member of the Australian U20 Waterpolo Team. How did St Andrew’s College help you achieve your goals in sport?

Living on campus meant that Hannah and I shared driving duties to Homebush for 5am training sessions (Hannah would probably [definitely] say she carried the load when I stayed out too late on Wednesday college nights – one of the many reasons why she’s the Olympian!). The celebration and support that St Andrew’s gave their athletes was also motivating – we wanted to make the College and our

university proud! It was really special for Hannah and me to play together for Australia in the U20 World Championships in Italy during our second year at College. St Andrew’s also supported me to take six months off in my third year to play for the University of Hawaii in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Over a decade on from College, you are the CEO of GiveOUT Australia. Can you tell us a bit about GiveOUT Australia and what work your organisation does?

GiveOUT is a national LGBTQIA+ not-for-profit, focused on increasing philanthropic funding to LGBTQIA+ not-for-profits and community organisations. We achieve this through sector capacity building to increase financial resiliency, research, advocacy around LGBTQIA+ giving, and the distribution of funds to LGBTQIA+ community organisations through GiveOUT Day and the Amplify Pride Fund (our large grants program). Over the past six years, GiveOUT has distributed over $1.5 million to over 100 LGBTQIA+ organisations. We work closely with our institutional philanthropic partners, including the Paul Ramsay Foundation, the Sidney Myer Fund, Perpetual, and the Snow Foundation, to make this happen.

As CEO of GiveOUT, what does your day-to-day look like as the head of a national not-for-profit?

I love working with so many different stakeholders in our mission to affect systems-level change for LGBTQIA+ communities. My day might involve determining grant recipients with our philanthropic funders, supporting the GiveOUT team to run our national day of giving (GiveOUT Day on 26 October 2023), preparing papers on our strategic progress and financial position for our Board, having conversations with LGBTQIA+ organisations about their capacity needs, and advocating on behalf of the sector at funding events.

How did your previous work experience working in law and management consulting transfer across to your current role?

Consulting taught me how to tackle big, complex problems, while law taught me how to focus on the details.

Every day, I draw on my experience from consulting. This is done through understanding how to define problems and break them down into solvable parts, engaging meaningfully with stakeholders and impacted communities, managing a team against tight client deadlines, structuring my thoughts and communicating them compellingly, and working hard.

What are your aspirations for GiveOUT? And where would you like to see things progress not only in your organisation and those you work with, but also in wider society in the next 5-10 years?

Around 11% of Australians identify as LGBTQIA+. However, despite significant progress (including marriage equality), our communities are far from equal. Due to ongoing stigma and discrimination, LGBTQIA+ communities experience poorer health and economic outcomes than their non-LGBTQIA+ peers. For example, less than 50% of LGBTQIA+ students feel safe at school and LGBTQIA+ people are almost 6 times more likely to have depression than the general population. We know from the research that LGBTQIA+ led solutions can improve outcomes, and that queer people are best placed to deliver services to queer communities. Despite this, only 5 cents in every 100 philanthropic dollar flows to our communities. I’d like to see an Australia where everyone feels included, accepted, supported and safe. GiveOUT can play a role in creating this future by ensuring LGBTQIA+ organisations on the front lines have the resources they need to support their own communities.

Phillip Luff, (Fr 1980)

Phillip Luff is currently Founding Associate at VoCL and is the Founder and Managing Director of Phillip Luff Associates. He came to St Andrew’s as a fresher in 1980 and was involved in a multitude of activities and eventually became Senior Student in 1984.

After university, he started his career as an Associate to His Honour Justice Smart of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, then went on to work in senior leadership roles for US based media companies including Liberty Global (Fox Sports and AUSTAR) WaterBear Network, Marquee TV and Warner Bros.Discovery. He has worked in various countries and cultures. In this interview, he gave us insights into his career path and experiences living and working in different countries.

Please tell us a bit more about yourself - where are you originally from and where did you grow up?

I grew up on my family’s farm in Gobarralong, near Gundagai, NSW. We grazed Hereford cattle and Merino sheep and I learned to class wool, ride thoroughbred horses, crack a whip and muster stock, very different skills to those later required by my career. The Luff family has lived in the Gobarralong area since around 1840. My great-greatgrandparents William and Catherine Luff, who had married in St Mary’s Church in Sydney, settled on land alongside the Murrumbidgee River.

Why did you choose to reside at St Andrew’s College?

I was very fortunate to have been accepted by the three Colleges to which I applied. Despite having been raised by my parents as Catholic, my time with Principal Cairns made St Andrew’s College an easy choice as he showed great interest, empathy and kindness, even walking me to the bus after the interview with an umbrella, as it was raining heavily. I was also impressed by the college building itself, especially its solid position on the hill and its wonderful ramparts and clock tower.

What parts of College life were you involved in?

As a fresher in 1980 I was a little older than most of my year as I had spent a scholarship year in the USA after high school, and so my friends became a mix of people from different years and different colleges. Growing up quite remotely and attending schools with only a small number of pupils I threw myself into lots of College activities: swimming, diving, athletics, DramSoc and an informal ball at Drew’s where a new band called INXS performed. I was an active member of the House Committee, including as Senior Student in 1984. I was very fortunate to receive scholarships and bursaries during my six years at College but I also worked part-time as a lifeguard at North Sydney Olympic Pool, which helped with expenses and expanded my social circle as well. I am still in regular contact with several of my college friends.

After you graduated you started your career as a lawyer at Colin Biggers & Paisley, and today, some years later you are a Founding Associate at VoCL. Could you tell us about this transition from law into film and media? How or why did it come about?

I graduated from the University of Sydney with a BA in Psychology and an LLB. I really struggled to imagine where my career would or should take me, but through the College I had the benefit of tutoring and professional connections which lead to my first full-time job, as Associate to His Honour Justice Smart of the Supreme Court of NSW. Consequently that role lead to me being offered a job as Associate Lawyer at Colin Biggers & Paisley. Some years

later I joined Gilbert + Tobin, lawyers where I enjoyed the firm’s progressive culture and a more diverse range of work, including providing intellectual property advice to the music, film and television industries. Some of the highlights during that time included winning a complicated and multiparty lawsuit involving corporate fraud, getting to meet the delightful Olivia Newtown-John and attending a premiere screening of Baz Luhrman’s Strictly Ballroom.

Could you tell us a bit about what VoCL does and what you do in your current role?

VoCL is a UK-based organisation established to help create a more positive society and sustainable future. We provide learning and development through an intensive leadership programme, individual and group mentoring via a network of experienced mentors and coaches, and 24-7 access to an interactive online hub. As one of the Founding Associates, my role is to mentor and coach several individuals and groups, and to partner with businesses which we believe can make a positive difference to our society. One of my current work-streams is focused on “A Fair, Just and Sustainable Energy Transition for Everyone” and as part of that I am mentoring a young executive at Cadent Gas, who is leading the company’s transition towards more sustainable forms of energy such as helium.

You are also the Founder and Managing Director of Phillip Luff Associates, could you tell us a bit more about this and how you manage the law and film/ media aspects in your professional life?

After almost 16 years working in senior leadership roles for US based media companies I established my own independent media consultancy in 2019. I identified a gap in the market for my international experience and skillset between the large global consulting firms and the more specialist consulting firms. My focus is on helping content owners such as production companies, broadcasters and streaming services to develop clear business strategies and to execute on those strategies to achieve their goals. Most of my clients have financial goals but some are purposedriven so each client’s strategy needs to deliver on their own stated purpose.

You have worked in various TV and film companies from start-ups at Fox Sports, WaterBear Network and Marquee TV to large-scale publicly listed companies such as Liberty Global, Discovery, Scripps and UKTV. How did these experiences help your career progression and ultimately being the Founding Associate of VoCL?

I believe that diversity helps create better decision-making as having a diverse range of voices, experiences and cultures brings better and more interesting results. Having worked in such a broad range of companies has certainly helped my understanding of how different types of businesses operate and what drives their decision-making. Each experience has been a separate chapter with its own set of challenges and opportunities but in hindsight each was also a stepping stone to where I am today because of the experiences and people that I met along the way. I have come to realise that luck has a lot to do with success but also that we can do quite a lot to increase our “own luck” by not being afraid to ask for help, making the most of opportunities that come our way and being more flexible and courageous to take on those opportunities wherever that might take us.

Community Events

SACAS Annual Dinner & AGM

A total of 217 alumni and their partners attended the 2023 St Andrew’s College Alumni Society Annual Dinner. They returned to the College for an evening filled with tours of the new building, a three course dinner, drinks, Haggis, and music, all while reminiscing about their time at Andrew's. Special thanks go to Trefor Morgan (Fr 1953) for saying First Grace, Cameron Mitchell (Fr 1998) for his rendition of Ode to Haggis as well as Strachan Taylor (Fr 1983) for carrying the Haggis and George Harper (Fr 2013) for his bagpiping throughout the event. We also thank the St Andrew's College Jazz Ensemble for their performances throughout the evening. We hope that all guests enjoyed coming back to College for the evening and having the chance to catch up with their College mates. We look forward to hosting this event again in 2024!

SACAS Annual Golf Day

The Annual Golf Day took place at Eastlake Golf Club, where 76 alumni, current students, and parents braved the less-than-ideal weather. We were able to have a full complement of teams out on the green, and they completed 18 holes followed by dinner and drinks in the golf club’s restaurant. Congratulations to Alex Toone for taking out the individual competition this year and being the first parent to ever win the Presidents’ Cup! A special mention must also go to Sam Payne, who was a mere point behind him in second place! The team competition was won by Brad George (Fr 1983) and Darren Spies (Fr 1983). A big congratulations to all participants for the spirited competition! Thank you to all who attended, and we eagerly anticipate welcoming everyone back in 2024.

Current

Peter

Tom

Young Alumni Social Drinks

Early in September, we hosted the SACAS Young Alumni Social Drinks at Verandah Bar in Sydney’s CBD. More than 50 young alumni came together over delicious canapés and refreshing beverages, to catch up with old friends and make new connections in the Drew’s alumni community!

Women’s Leadership & Mentoring Dinner

In September, we were delighted to welcome back to the College many of our alumnae to connect with our current students in leadership roles within the College. Our guests had the opportunity to network over pre-dinner drinks and dinner, hear from our leadership panel made up of Councillor Kate Harper and alumnae Suzi Barling (Fr 2005) and Harriet Whyte (Fr 2010), as well as enjoy musical performances from our talented student musicians, Georgia Zhang (Fr 2023), Maya Levin (Fr 2023) and Anna Browne (Fr 2023).

NYC Reunion

This September, we hosted our first SACAS New York City Reunion in close to a decade. Twenty-three of our alumni based in the US gathered for the evening at the Daintree Rooftop & Lounge, creating a vibrant atmosphere. As a special touch, we had the opportunity to change the lights on the neighbouring building to Drew’s blue! We hope to make this an annual event.

Father’s Day Dinner

At this year’s annual Father’s Day Dinner, 400 current students and their fathers gathered for the celebration. The evening commenced with pre-dinner drinks on the forecourt, followed by moving to the marquee on the College Oval. The traditional Ode to Haggis was performed, and toasts were raised to the Fathers in celebration. The St Andrew’s College Jazz Band entertained our students and their fathers, who set the dance floor alight for the rest of the night.

Grandparents’ High Tea

The College welcomed more than 70 grandparents to this year’s DramSoc Grandparents’ High Tea. Guests were treated to an exclusive matinee performance of “Move Over Mrs Markham” by John Chapman, followed by a delicious High Tea shared between grandparents and their grandchildren. The afternoon concluded with production insights from the Play Producer, Darcy Neale (Fr 2022), and Director, Ewan Jackman (Fr 2022), as well as a Q&A from the cast, moderated by Phoebe Lotz (Fr 2022).

Women in Business Luncheon

On Friday, December 1, the Chair of Council, Sasha James and SACAS Treasurer, Samantha McEncroe, hosted a group of older alumnae in the Sydney CBD for the inaugural SACAS Women in Business Luncheon. 30 Andrew’s women connected over lunch and heard from Ex Salesforce CEO and current parent, Pip Marlow, who was interviewed by AFR journalist and alumna Ingrid Fuary-Wagner. Pip shared her journey to date, along with countless pieces of advice and pearls of wisdom.

From to

Pygmalion Play School

2023 marks the 70th anniversary of one of the College’s most enduring student clubs – the St Andrew’s College Dramatic Society.

Celebrating 70 years of DramSoc

The minutes of the inaugural meeting, held in the College Library on Sunday 26 July 1953, record that “there were some 12 interested persons present”. The meeting’s first order of business was to adopt a Constitution and then to elect office-bearers. Allan Kendall (Fr 1947) was elected President (unopposed), and went on to produce the Society’s first production: George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion. The other office-bearers were David Donald (Fr 1949) (Secretary), William Harman (Fr 1953) (Treasurer), Derek Cassidy (Fr 1950) and Allan Brissenden (Fr1950) (Committee Members).

In addition to being DramSoc’s first production, Pygmalion was also chosen to open the Sydney

University International Drama Festival in 1953. The production then toured to Adelaide where it was performed at the National Union of Australian University Students (NUAUS) drama festival, in front of an audience of 1,500 people – definitely larger than its premiere audience at College. This was the first time a College dramatic society had represented a University in an inter-varsity drama festival, and the performance received favourable reviews, after receiving mixed reviews from Sydney critics.

In the 1953 College Magazine, Allan Brissenden’s DramSoc Report concluded with the exhortation “Whether or not the Society continues, and continues successful [sic], remains with us – and not a few, but with a great many of us.” Surely, it is a sign of its success that DramSoc has only failed to produce on four occasions in the years since its inception.

In 1977, the Secretary’s Report in the College Magazine noted “for the first time since 1953 DramSoc failed to produce a play”. The report continued: “This was indeed a sorry occasion for Andrew’s”, noting, “the annual play has become part of our heritage”. Again 1978 passed without a DramSoc production, but the tradition was revived in 1979 with the production Nude with Violin, by Noel Coward. The Secretary’s Report in the 1979 College Magazine described the production as “amateur theatre at its best, with the world of compromise and aspirations for professional excellence coming together with the catalyst of college humour to produce theatre that can only be found on the College circuit”.

Since then, with the exception of 1996 and 2000, DramSoc has continued to present an annual production. In 1997, as if to make amends for the previous year’s hiatus, two plays were produced.

DramSoc has staged productions of works by some of the great playwrights, from Shakespeare to Sheridan, Carroll to Coward, Kafka to Camus, Wycherley to Williamson, and of course George Bernard Shaw to Ray Cooney and John Chapman. The productions have run the gambit of genres from comedy to psychological thriller, drama to farce, and musical comedy to satire. In 2001, the College’s last year as an all-male College, DramSoc produced David Williamson’s play The Club, a play about an AFL club facing big changes and a break with tradition, perhaps a fitting choice given the imminent transition to co-residency.

But where does Play School come into this story? The connection is Allan Kendall (Fr 1947), who produced both DramSoc’s first play and the much-loved ABC children’s TV show Play School. Allan was born in the New South Wales town of Orange in 1928. Attending Scots College in Sydney from 1943 – 46, Allan was an accomplished tennis player and was the 1946 NSW schoolboys singles champion. He was also the junior doubles champion at the Australian Championships with Rex Hartwig in 1947. While studying at Sydney University, Allan received Blues in lawn tennis, squash, and table tennis. His tennis prowess was not wasted at St Andrew’s, where he was an integral member of the College tennis team.

Allan developed and honed his interest in the arts while at university. After competing on the international tennis tour in the 1950s and 1960s, Allan retired from tennis to begin working for the ABC. Having visited the BBC studios in 1964, he developed the idea for an Australian version of the BBC children’s television show, Play School. When the show premiered on the ABC in 1966, Allan was the inaugural producer.

So, should you ever find yourself at a College trivia night faced with the question “What is DramSoc’s connection with Play School?” you now know.

Dr Tracy Bradford College Archivist

The

Bird

is the

Word

How did “The Bird” become The Bird?

The American surf rock band The Trashmen might have sung about “the bird” in their hit single Surfin’ Bird in 1963 (Google it at your peril…the lyrics are very repetitive but catchy), but OUR Bird pre-dates that by several decades.

The story of how the nickname “The Bird” came to be given to the College Principal is almost lost in the mists of time. If not for an account provided by Bob Lockwood (Fr 1930) which was reproduced in The Andrewsman newsletter of September 1998, its origin may have been completely forgotten by now.

When Bob visited the College on 6 August 1998, he recalled how the name “The Bird” was first given to the Principal. The Principal in question was Dr Edward Erskine Anderson, the College’s 4th Principal (Sep 1920 – Dec 1936). Anderson lived in the old Lodge (now demolished) which was situated halfway along the College’s Carillon Avenue frontage, and he normally cycled across the golf course (now the oval) to his office in the Main Building. He left his bicycle outside one day and as the story goes, a magpie perched on the seat and left behind a “traditional memento”. When the students saw this as Dr Anderson came out to ride back to the Lodge, they called out “Bird”, and a lasting catchphrase was born. The Lodge instantly became The Aviary.

Bob’s account of the origin of “The Bird” does not pinpoint in which year the magpie incident took place. The 1926 College Magazine boasts a sketch of Dr Anderson as “The Bird”. However, the earliest reference to “The Bird” found (to date) in the College Archives is a piece titled “One Exciting Night” in the 1923 Magazine,

in which the author recounts a dream sequence in which two figures come to him, “C. A. Ruthers” (presumably a reference to S.J. Carruthers, Secretary to the College Council 1912 – 1938) and “The Bird”. Another early reference appears on a list of College observations in the 1925 Magazine, which notes, “that there is a Bird’s-eye view of the College from the eastern corner of the paddock”.

As The Trashmen sang: A-well-a everybody’s heard about the bird! Bird bird bird, b-bird’s the word.

- Surfin’ Bird, by The Trashmen

Dr Tracy Bradford College Archivist

Above:

Dr Edward Erskine Anderson as “The Bird”, 1926 College Magazine.

Philanthropy Report

We are delighted to share the remarkable news that, as of writing, the College and Foundation have received an impressive $883,465 in new gifts and pledges for 2023.

These contributions have been made in support of our students through Scholarships, Capital Works, Programs and the General Funds. What is particularly heartening is the continued growth in the level of giving, with more community members contributing than ever before. The overwhelming generosity we have witnessed is truly extraordinary, and we extend our deepest gratitude to all who have been a part of this collective effort.

This semester has seen the renewal of several scholarships, each playing a crucial role in supporting deserving students. Notable among these are the Adam Casselden SC Scholarship, the Amanda Mostyn Women in STEM Scholarship, and the Blair Caffrey Scholarship. In addition to these renewals, numerous individuals and families have established new Means-Tested scholarships and made additional donations to bolster existing scholarship endowment funds.

Our Annual Giving appeal in 2023 has been particularly successful this year, raising an impressive $120,331. These gifts have been made to support to various areas, including our Means-Tested Scholarships, Indigenous, Government, and Rural & Regional Scholarship funds. Some small early gifts have also been received for the Junior Common Room Upgrade, and we are excited that planning is well underway for this project, with further details on how you can be involved to be shared in 2024.

Alex Halliday (Fr 1965) with Phoebe Lyne (Fr 2023) and Gian Wynn (Fr 2023) at the Founders & Benefactors Dinner.

The 1867 Circle Lunch, hosted on October 13, brought together 47 guests, including staff, alumni, students to recognise the commitment of those members of our community who will leave a bequest to the College. The event featured an engaging Q&A session with Principal Rob Leach, moderated by Chair of Council Sasha James. This provided guests with valuable insights into the new Principal, updates on College developments, and an opportunity to pose questions.

Looking ahead, we eagerly anticipate sharing more inspiring stories about the tangible impact of your generous contributions in the Annual Philanthropy Report. Scheduled for publication next year alongside the June issue of Blue & White, this report will highlight the collective impact made possible through your support.

If you are interested in making a gift or finding out more about how you can give back before then, please do not hesitate to get in touch via T: +61 434 728 720 or E: advancement@standrewscollege.edu.au

Once again, thank you for your unwavering commitment to the success of our students and the College as a whole. Your generosity is making a significant difference, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.

Hannah Atwell Director of Advancement & Secretary to the Foundation

From the Society

The Alumni Society can always do more to help move the College from being a great College to an even greater College. Often, it is just a question of alumni being personally asked to contribute time on a particular project, attend a reunion or an event, speak at a breakfast event in the city or find someone an internship or work experience. Our challenge as an alumni organisation is to help maintain and tap into that goodwill. If you would like to volunteer and give back to the College, please get in touch.

We have a Society Committee of twelve great alumni from various fresher years and a group of equally enthusiastic young alumni who form the Young Alumni Committee. They work together with the College’s Advancement Team to organise multiple events and contribute to the College in various ways, whether it is part of Industry evenings, career talks, young alumni events, sports finals nights, golf days, participating in College planning days or helping to organise the annual reunion dinner. 2023 has seen even more activity in our alumni community than ever before and I thank each committee member for their commitment and work to facilitate this!

We would also like to thank Hannah Atwell, Director of Advancement and her team for their continued support. She and her team work hard to support the Society and are instrumental in delivering all of the alumni programs and events each year.

Current SACAS Committee Members:

President: Alex Rhydderch (Fr 1994, SS 1997)

Vice President: Don Nicol (Fr 1984)

Treasurer: Samantha McEncroe (Fr 2005)

Secretary: Simon Ward (Fr 1994)

Committee Members:

Jeremy Hoffman (Fr 2003)

Simon Carson (Fr 1994)

Emma German (Fr 2006)

Rebecca Harper (Fr 2007)

Andrew Huckel (Fr 1991)

Jhoshan Jothilingam (Fr 2002)

Cameron Ireland (Fr 1995)

Angus Pulver (Fr 2013)

The SACAS was proud to sponsor the second Women’s Leadership & Mentoring Dinner in August and the inaugural Women in Business Lunch in December. It is important to support these events and encourage Andrew’s women to engage with our alumni community as much as the Andrewsmen have for the past 150+ years.

We were also delighted to welcome a new group of Valedicts into the Andrew’s alumni community at the Final Formal Dinner of the year. The College invited Brendan Pryke (Fr 2012, SS 2014), one of the members of our Young Alumni Committee, to speak about the connections and opportunities that students will continue to have with St Andrew’s through their membership with the Alumni Society and the events and programs the Advancement Office coordinates. Each valedict was presented with a welcome pack that included their own copy of the Andrew’s blue book, information about the Alumni Society and invitations to the first alumni events of 2024.

A number of the Committee represented the alumni community at the Council’s Strategy Day in September. This half day allowed us to have input into key areas of current focus for the College and Council. As a result, we are working on refining our own SACAS Strategy and will share more details in the New Year.

Alex Rhydderch (Fr 1994, SS 1997)

SACAS President

Awards Achievements &

The College would like to congratulate the following alumni on their awards and achievements in the second half of 2023:

Sophie

appointed to Music Council

In August, Sophie Payten (Fr 2012) was appointed to the Music Australia Council, a new governmentbacked body established to support and grow Australian music at home and abroad. Sophie, known professionally as Gordi, is an Australian folk singer playing independently across Sydney. Offstage, she works as an emergency department doctor.

Phil appointed Rugby Australia CEO Alumnus Phil Waugh (Fr 1988) has been appointed as CEO of Rugby Australia. Phil becomes the first Wallaby to occupy the role, having earned 79 caps for the national side as Wallaby Number 766.

First Prize for Michael

Congratulations to current student Michael De Huy (Fr 2022) for winning First prize at the Valencia International Performing Arts International Piano Competition. This year, Michael competed in a three-month tour of Europe and summer competitions sponsored by Create NSW, Sydney Conservatorium of Music and was assisted by the SAC Travel Scholarship Program.

Patrick

Wins Gold for Australia

We congratulate alumnus Patrick Holt (Fr 2017) on his win in the Australian Men’s Eight Rowing team which secured a Gold in the World Rowing Cup lll. They beat race favourites Great Britain in a brilliant tussle, crossing in 5:23.92.

Emily secures Cycling Win

Emily Watts (Fr 2021) is officially the 2023 National Road Series Women’s overall winner. Emily placed first in the Tour of Gippsland and Cycle Sunshine Coast, second in Tour of Tasmania and third in Grafton to Mt Mitchell, which secured her the overall win. Go Emily!

Clarissa’s second Solo Show

Clarissa Luk (Fr 2018) for hosted her second solo exhibition in August. Following on from her inclusion in the successful ‘Fiercely Feminine’ Group Show in Melbourne and the inaugural ‘Facsimile’ Show in Perth, Clarissa held her second solo show in Sydney. Over half of Clarissa’s pieces from this year’s exhibition have now been sold, with proceeds going to support local charity Pass It On.

Max joins Wallabies for World Cup!

We congratulate Max Jorgensen (Fr 2023) for being selected for the Wallabies 2023 Rugby World Cup Squad. Max had represented the Waratahs Academy and Junior Wallabies program before he was selected for the Waratahs Development team. In April of 2023, Max was brought into the Wallabies’ training squad, and joined the squad and headed over to France for the Rugby World Cup.

Jessica Launches Podcast

Jessica Harper (Fr 2013) is a successful opera singer now residing in Belgium. She has launched her podcast ‘So You Think You Can Belto?’ in which she chats to opera and classical music professionals with the aim of helping Australian students wanting to move overseas and work in the industry.

Andrew’s Represent at Australian Boat Race

We are proud of Andrew’s alums Eleanor Price (Fr 2020), Tiffany Botha (Fr 2022), Sophia Wightman (Fr 2022), Marcus Britt (Fr 2016), and current students Oscar Beregi (Fr 2023) and Henry Wilcox (Fr 2023) who were part of the winning USYD teams at this year’s Australian Boat Race. Held on the Yarra River, the competition is a longstanding tradition between the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne. The team held onto their position over the 4.1km race, crossing the line around 15 seconds in front of Melbourne.

Victory at Annual Intervarsity Moot

We congratulate Netra Hankins (Fr 2020) for winning the 2023 Justice William Gummow Cup with the USYD team. This annual intervarsity moot is held between the University of Sydney and UNSW Sydney. This year’s moot was centred around a question of equity.

Sterling Part of Royal Military Tattoo

Talented Sterling Nasa (Fr 2023) had an incredible experience in August. He travelled to Scotland to perform in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo as a member of the massed Pipes & Drums. Sterling had the unique opportunity to share the stage with some of the world’s leading military musicians, vocalists, dancers, and drill teams.

If you know of someone in the Andrew’s community who has achieved something noteworthy, please let us know so we can share this with the community by emailing the Advancement Office: alumni@standrewscollege.edu.au

Samuel Wins Incubate Award

Congratulations to Samuel Aubin (Fr 2021) for winning the INCUBATE Award for Best Student Startup at the University of Sydney Student Innovation Awards. Sam, a co-founder of AgX, an open operating system designed to simplify agricultural data, collaborated on this project with his business partner, Callum Taylor (Fr 2021).

Victoria Given Green Light for TV

It was announced that alumna Victoria Boult (Fr 2016) will be writing and directing a television adaption of n00b for the small screen. n00b, which had its genesis as a successful TikTok series in 2021, follows a group of teenage outcasts in 2005 who use the internet and social media to escape reality.

James’ New Single out Now

Alumnus James Stokes (Fr 2013), known professionally as ‘Jimbo Stokes’, has released his new single ‘Same Damn Walls’. James refers to this song as “wanting to capture the feeling of hitting and knocking down life’s barriers, whether you’re running into them or putting them up, they can be hard to dodge, and bloody annoying!” We look forward to hearing more of James’ incredible music soon!

Clare Nets First Matilds Goal

Congratulations to Clare Wheeler (Fr 2017), who netted her first international goal for the Matildas on October 29, 2023. Clare achieved this milestone during the AFC Women’s Asian Olympic qualifying match against the Philippines in Perth.

Matched

Hatched &

Alice Smith (Fr 2005) and partner Nick Robb have welcomed a baby girl, Skye Robb-Smith, in May 2023, joining big brother Freddie.

Jack O’Connor (Fr 2012) and partner Brigid Kearney welcomed a baby boy, Freddie John O’Connor, in September 2023.

Katherine Suttor (Fr 2006) and partner James Stanton have welcomed a baby girl, Eleanor Jane Stanton, born in February 2023.

Sasha James (nee Kovic) (Fr 2005) married Andrew James on New Year’s Eve 2022 at his family’s property, Bumballa Estate, Wingello NSW.

Georgie Quigley (Fr 2012) & Alex Shaw (Fr 2013) were married on 18 November 2023. The wedding was held at country retreat, Redleaf in Wollombi NSW.

William Clayton (Fr 2013) and Wesley alumna, Lee Desmidt, were married on 27 September 2023, in Tuscany, Italy held at Casa Cornacchi.

James Larkin (Fr 2011) married Amelia Duncan on 25 November 2023 at Mayfield Vineyard, Orange, NSW.

Jack McCalman & Lily Mostyn Both Freshers from 2014 got engaged on the June long weekend at the McCalman family farm in Cumnock.

The College has learned of the following deaths in our community. Our sympathies are extended to the families.

Dr Andrew Murray Scott (Fr 1951)

Mr Angus Murray Kennedy (Fr 1964, SS 1967)

Dr Grantley William Fitzhardinge (Fr 1939)

Mr Mac Irwin Gudgeon (Fr 1968)

Miss Hannah Hippisley (Fr 2021)

Mr Malcolm Oakes SC (Fr 1967)

Scan the QR code to read the obituraries in full or visit: www.standrewscollege.edu.au/obituraries

If you know of any other recent deaths in our community, please contact: alumni@standrewscollege.edu.au or +61 2 9565 7302.

When we look to the future through the lens of our values and history, we see a world in which members of the St Andrew’s College community play a vital role in leading the change that will guarantee a better tomorrow.