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Rev Dr Gareth Clayton OAM Chaplain
TRUTH ???
This prayer really made me think. It comes from an unknown source.
From the COWARDICE that SHRINKS from NEW TRUTHS
From the LAZINESS that is CONTENT with HALF TRUTHS
From the ARROGANCE that THINKS it KNOWS ALL TRUTH
O God of truth DELIVER US.
And Jesus’ view
“..... the TRUTH will set you FREE”
John 8:32 GNT
Blue & White is published twice a year by the College Advancement Team for the St Andrew’s College Community
Front cover:
Chair of Council, Sasha James (Fr 2005), takes the first swing at the Highlander Bar during the JCR Upgrade Demolition Party.
Editorial team:
Hannah Atwell
Marlies Martin
Alana Chambers
Photographers:
Matthew Duchesne
Ashley-Ann Hodges (Fr 2022)
Frankie Lobban (Fr 2023)
28 Drew’s News: What is Success?
2024 SACAS Mentoring Program Pilot
Alumnus Profile: Lincoln Peters (Fr 2010)
Alumna Profile: Bree Kirkham (Fr 2008) 36 Community Events 40 From the Archives: Recent Acquisitions 42 Alumni Spotlight: Leesa Ronald (Fr 2006) 43 Community Merchandise
Philanthropy Report 45 From the Society 46 Awards & Achievements 48 Matched & Hatched
2024 has been yet another huge but resoundingly successful year for the St Andrew’s College community.
Iwant to begin by thanking our outgoing Principal, Dr Robert Leach, for his service to the College over the last two years. Rob provided that fresh pair of eyes we needed, and was instrumental in pushing to prioritise the Junior Common Room (JCR) renovation project in order to bring it in line with our other highquality facilities. He also ensured we upgraded the “slightly sketchy” stone pathway in front of the Main Building, finished the clock tower faces, and helped beautify our College campus with several landscaping improvements. We wish Rob all the best in the future.
After running an extensive recruitment process over the last few months, I would like to announce that Dr Daniel Tyler has been selected as the 14th Principal of the College and commenced on 12th December 2024. Daniel has been our highly successful Director of Education for 18 months and understands our distinct culture and ethos of St Andrew’s. Daniel was the Vice-Master and Acting Master of Trinity Hall in Cambridge for nearly three years before his family moved to Australia. He successfully led Trinity Hall through a very challenging period, including the COVID-19 pandemic and highprofile governance and cultural challenges.
Daniel is an exceptional person and leader. He has a calm and collaborative management style and absolute regard and care for student welfare. I wish him all the very best in his new role and can’t wait to see his great ideas come to life.
Leadership change is also occurring for the St Andrew’s College Alumni Society for 2025. I want to thank Alex Rhydderch (Fr 1994) for almost 13 years of service and congratulate Don Nicol (Fr 1984) for being elected unanimously to take the reins as President moving forward. Alex and Don ensured that the recent 2024 SACAS Annual Dinner and Golf Day were extraordinary events again, and well supported by the alumni community. There are plans to expand the regional reunions next year and to visit Asia, London, and NYC.
2024 has been another highly successful year for the College, as seen in the double page snapshot on pages 6 and 7. Highlights include:
• Receiving 878 applications for 2025 fresher places. This year marks the first time we have had to close applications in October, alongside several other colleges, due to the high demand. This indicates the exceptionally strong interest in the college experience across Sydney and the rest of the country. It also reinforces our belief that we have something of value to offer young emerging adults.
• A 2% increase in the Semester Average Mark across the whole of the College, thanks to our tutorial program, which is one of the most comprehensive and high-quality programs in the country, with very strong student engagement.
• Winning the four cups. Again. We drew Rawson, won Rosebowl and Palladian, and therefore we have retained the University Cup. This is a five-year winning streak for St Andrew’s.
• Students’ Club leadership was remarkably strong this year under Senior Student, Ewan Jackman’s (Fr 2022) direction. It was a pleasure to work with Ewan, and he led probably the most successful team I’ve seen in my 10-year tenure. The student body is also to be commended on their excellent behaviour and efforts across all areas of student life this year.
This year marks the first time we have had to close applications in October, reinforcing our belief in the value of what we offer young emerging adults.
Opposite Page: Sasha James (Fr 2005), Dr Daniel Tyler and Jeremy Hoffman (Fr 2003) at the 1867 Circle Lunch.
Top: Sasha James (Fr 2005) and Alex Rhydderch (Fr 1994) at this year’s SACAS Annual Dinner.
Below:
Katherine Stanton (Fr 2006), Sasha James (Fr 2005), University Chancellor, Belinda Hutchinson AC, and Councillor, Kate Harper, at the Chancellor’s Farewell Dinner.
• As a community, we have raised over $1.9m this year in new gifts and pledges. More than $1.2m of this has been for the JCR upgrade project, while the difference has been largely for increasing scholarship funds. A huge thank you to the 175+ donors - a combination of alumni, parents, staff, and friends of the College - who have shown their support this year. We want to foster a culture of giving at St Andrew’s and encourage everyone to get involved in whatever capacity they can. We also hope that those who received scholarships and bursaries to attend College will consider paying it forward to the next generation if and when they are able to do so.
We want to foster a culture of giving at St Andrew’s and encourage everyone to get involved in whatever capacity they can and consider paying it forward to the next generation.
• A pilot mentoring program was launched in August to great success. It was another opportunity for alumni to give back and share their knowledge and experience with students, and the feedback from both sides has been overwhelmingly positive thus far. More info is on page 28. Anyone who is interested in being involved (in Sydney or elsewhere) should get in touch with the Advancement Office for the Semester 1, 2025 program.
• The JCR Upgrade is underway after (finally) receiving the Development Application approval from the City of Sydney Council in late November. We held a Demolition Party in late November to mark the milestone and kick off construction in style. I look forward to sharing a drink at the new bar with our community in Q1 next year.
From a Council perspective, I’d like to welcome our newest Councillor, Alison Treloar (Fr 2002). She was elected unopposed in June when a ballot was called to the Electorate. Alison is from the first fresher cohort of women, is based in Tamworth and provides Council with a regional perspective, skills in PR and stakeholder engagement and is a mental health advocate.
As we are at the end of the current strategic period, the Council will run a strategy day early next year with the Senior Executive team, the student leadership team, SACAS and the Foundation to review and renew our plans for 2026 – 2030. The Council will also finalise the vision, mission, values and risk appetite statement with the new Principal.
Below: Sasha James (Fr 2005) presenting the JCR Upgrade at this
I’m stepping down from the Council at the end of 2024 after three years as Chair and 10 years of tenure. It’s been an absolute pleasure to serve the College and our community, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. The things I’m most proud of during my time as Chair include fine-tuning our board governance and efficiency, plus improving the composition for better diversity of thought and decision-making. As I reflect on the last 10 years, other highlights include being heavily involved with the construction of the Thyne Reid Link Building, the Main Bedroom refurbishment and now the JCR renovations; planning and executing the 20 Years of Undergraduate Women celebrations; assisting the College through the COVID pandemic; and facilitating two recruitment searches for Principal.
Selfishly, I’m looking forward to a little more time back in my diary next year. However, I will still be around to help run the Women in Leadership Luncheons and provide property expertise on the Major Works Committee.
I am thrilled to announce that Jeremy Hoffmann (Fr 2003) will take over as Chair of Council from 1st January 2025.
Jeremy has been on Council for the last two and a half years, and previously served as the SACAS Treasurer for close to 10 years. He has been serving as the Council’s Deputy Chair for 2024, so he will seamlessly transition into the Chair role. Jeremy is an asset to Andrew’s; he is an absolute gentleman with wonderful aspirations for the College and the drive to execute. He will work nicely as a team with Principal Daniel Tyler and they will be in a great position to navigate all the various challenges the College will face.
And finally, I can confirm that the ship is in good shape.
Sasha James (Kovic)
(Fr 2005)
Chair of Council
SNAPSHOT 2023 SNAPSHOT 2024 68
Volunteers for Professional Development Evenings & Mentoring
Community Living Program Modules (completed by all freshers)
5
38
Events held for parents, alumni, grandparents, donors and friends of the College
1st
5
Regional Reunions in Orange, Canberra, Newcastle, Perth & Adelaide
70
London Reunion held in over 7 years Year Anniversary Reunion for 1954 Freshers
STUDENT LIFE
4
Social Sport Competitions
Leadership Workshops
21
Pastoral Care Leader Initiatives
6 38
Senior Scholars Projects Completed
Professional Development Industry Nights
Musical Performances from Choir, Chamber Ensemble and Jazz Band Hours of Community Service
All four cups secured in the Intercollegiate competitions for the 5th Year in a Row
8 27
303
STUDENTS’ CLUB
150
Subject tutorials running per semester
2400+
Tutorials delivered
95 Total tutors
Seven Faculty Heads
30%
Increase to the number of tutorials Year-On-Year (across both semesters)
(Two co-heads)
16
Students received a High Distinction average in Sem 1
16%
Increase in students enrolling in tutorials, compared to 2023
43%
Increase in tutorial engagement Year-OnYear (i.e. number of hours attended)
$2.13M $1.9M
Awarded in scholarships, bursaries & prizes
New gifts & pledges received this year
15,280
Bedrooms turned and cleaned
136
Students were supported
260,000
Meals prepared
175+
Alumni, Parents, Staff and Friends of College made a gift
379 College Events, Workshops, Seminars, Conferences and Committee Meetings held.
The success of the first semester continued into the second, with a sensational Silly Season to welcome back all of our current students and new freshers. Our success, however, has not been limited to organising enjoyable and safe social events.
Our incredibly talented athletes achieved great triumphs on the sporting fields, winning the Rosebowl Cup and tying the Rawson Cup with St Paul’s. Our performers continued to excel on the stage, winning the Palladian Cup by one point in a highly competitive competition. Our cultural and performing arts program also saw a highly entertaining DramSoc production of Boeing Boeing.
The Students’ Club also continued to expand its community service programs through volunteering opportunities, as well as special fundraising events such as the inaugural Intercollegiate Charity T-20 Cricket Game that raised over $1,000 for the Regional Academies of Sport. Our wonderful Pastoral Care Leaders have also continued to deliver impactful initiatives and provide support to all of our students. Whilst these are a few examples of our success as a College this year, the true success of St Andrew’s can be felt walking through the hallways, seeing friendships form, laughter echoing in the Dining Hall and that familiar warmth and comfortability one feels when at home.
As always, it is a bittersweet feeling at the end of the year. So many memories formed, goals achieved, and fun events have filled our 2024 calendar. Returning students can look forward to experiencing it all again next year, yet for our students in their final few weeks at College, a strange sense of nostalgia is beginning to form. Like so many Androvians before us, many will leave and achieve so many amazing feats in the coming
years. However, we will always look back fondly on our time at Drew’s for the memories, friendships and formative learning. It has been an absolute privilege to be a student at St Andrew’s, and an even greater pleasure to help lead our College this year.
Whilst we are sad to be leaving, we can be reassured that the historical success of Drew’s will continue in 2025 under the newly elected House Committee. Under incoming Senior Student, Chloe Gillis (Fr 2023), her talented Executive team and experienced House Committee, the College is in safe hands.
Ewan Jackman (Fr 2022) Senior Student
Phoebe Lotz (Fr 2022) Honorary Secretary
Georgie Beer (Fr 2022) Honorary Treasurer
Left:
Following the Students’ Club elections in October, I am very proud to present the 2025 Student Executive and House Committee.
As the incoming Senior Student, I will be working alongside Honorary Secretary, Ted Stephenson, and Honorary Treasurer, Roelf Van Der Merwe. We are so proud to be taking on these leadership roles, and can’t wait to start working on our plans for leading the Students’ Club next year.
Our incoming House Committee is comprised of a great group of committed students who are all excited to step into their new roles.
Rosebowl Representative, Amelia Daunt, and Rawson Representative, Ed Reynolds, will be leading our intercollegiate sporting campaigns, aiming to continue our winning streak by securing both Cups, and ensuring strong student support is maintained at all events.
Cultural Secretary, Scarlett Pearce, will focus on building camaraderie and a sense of community through social, arts, cultural and sporting events.
Intercollegiate Representative, Gigi Stitt, will be planning a memorable Welcome Week and ensure that intercollegiate relations remain strong across the year.
Alumni Secretary, Henry Mitchell, will continue to strengthen the bond between alumni and current students.
Honorary Assistant Treasurer, Tom Lynch, will be looking after car park security, dealing with damages, and engaging our Big Boors.
Social Secretaries, Gemima Davies and Harry Gonzalez, will maintain the vibrant social calendar we love at Drew’s, with a mix of beloved College traditions and fun new ideas, while focusing on safety and inclusion.
This is an outstanding team of students who are honoured to be voted into these roles. We are eager and ready for a memorable 2025!
Chloe Gillis (Fr 2023) Senior Student Elect 2025
2025 House Committee
Senior Student: Chloe Gillis
Honorary Secretary: Ted Stephenson
Honorary Treasurer: Roelf Van Der Merwe
Rawson Secretary: Ed Reynolds
Rosebowl Secretary: Amelia Daunt
Cultural Secretary: Scarlett Pearce
Social Secretaries: Gemima Davies & Harry Gonzalez
Intercollegiate
Secretary: Gigi Stitt
Alumni Secretary: Henry Mitchell
Honorary Assistant Treasurer: Tom Lynch
Top:
The 2025 House Committee Executive L-R: Ted Stephenson, Chloe Gillis and Roelf Van Der Merwe.
Below:
The 2025 House Committee - Standing L-R: Scarlett Pearce, Edward Reynolds, Amelia Daunt, Tom Lynch, Gigi Stitt. Seated L-R: Gemima Davies, Ted Stephenson, Chloe Gillis, Roelf Van Der Merwe, Harry Gonzalez.
Absent: Henry Mitchell
We are thrilled to announce that construction on the JCR Upgrade officially began this December! After receiving DA approval in late November, we marked this milestone with a JCR Upgrade Demolition Party, kicking off the project with some soft demolition works.
In preparation for construction, our team worked at a rapid pace to ensure everything was ready as soon as students wrapped up their exams. We’re proud to have appointed SHAPE as our building contractor, following their outstanding work on the Main Building Bedroom Renovations last summer. Their expertise in managing large-scale projects on tight timelines
is critical to the success of this build. Student input has been instrumental in designing the look, feel, and functionality of the upgraded spaces. We’re excited that current students will have opportunities to work in the new café and bar, with a great deal of interest already shown in these roles. Final touches, including furnishings, fittings, and a state-of-the-art audio visual system, are now being designed. Addressing the acoustic challenges of the past is a key focus, ensuring an exceptional experience in the new spaces. Meanwhile, our Advancement team is curating College art, photography, honour boards, and archival displays to make the JCR a true home for Drew’s. A special archival feature will greet everyone in
the new entrance hallway, connecting our proud history to the vibrant community of today.
Artists’ impressions of the upgraded spaces are featured on the following pages, offering an exciting glimpse of what’s to come. We are confident the new JCR will become the epicentre of gatherings and celebrations for students and the entire Drew’s community.
We can’t wait to welcome everyone to celebrate the grand opening of this incredible space!
Steve Culpeper Director of Operations
*Please note, these renders are artists’ impressions only and exact finishes and furnishings are still to be finalised and confirmed.
Featured on the opposite page, the new café will form the central hub of our new JCR. Staffed by current students, the café will serve barista quality coffee and snacks through the day, and have the ability to function as a bar in the evenings and for events. Parents and alumni will be welcome to visit students here!
The middle area of the JCR will have a variety of seating options for students to relax in. Rugs and furniture will be stored away for different events as needed.
The northern end of the JCR will feature a lounge area that has been designed to be a comfortable and welcoming spot for students to socialise, watch movies and sports matches, study or chat about the latest topics in the news. The JCR Upgrade will include new audio-visual equipment and acoustic treatment, as well as air-conditioning (which will also be installed in the Dining Hall at the same time).
The Main Building entrance to the JCR will have improved accessibility via a ramp and a new archival display cabinet to share and showcase our community’s achievements and history. A new entrance from Missenden Road will also be built to further enhance accessibility. The upgrade will also include a designated area for students to pick up late meals after class, work or training.
The internal outdoor courtyard will feature a new permanent café/bar service point, new seating, improved lighting, and level paving. Students can enjoy a coffee with friends under the Jacaranda between classes and use the space for different Students’ Club events in the evenings.
We invite all members of our community to be part of the JCR Upgrade by making a gift and having your name (or the name of a fresher year group or family) featured on a specially crafted JCR Honour Wall. This wall offers a unique, one-off opportunity to leave your legacy in a timeless display within the newly renovated JCR. Bronze, silver, and gold engraved medallions will be available, each personalised to acknowledge your support.
Every dollar counts, and all donors who support the JCR Upgrade, no matter the gift size, will be acknowledged on the JCR Honour Wall within the space and in the Annual Philanthropy Report.
In recognition of your generosity, those who support the JCR Upgrade will also be invited to the Official Opening Event in February next year!
Additionally, gifts of $50,000+ will be recognised with a larger, crested honour medallion to be placed throughout the JCR. Locations for these medallions will be discussed and confirmed with donors before the build is completed, celebrating your generosity.
There is still time for you to join us in supporting this crucial project. Your generosity as a proud member of the St Andrew’s community will help create a world-class college experience for current and future students.
We hope you will join us in paying it forward today.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Director of Advancement, Hannah Atwell, if you would like further information about how to make your gift to the Junior Common Room Upgrade, or any of our other projects: T: +61 2 9565 7303 or E: advancement@standrewscollege. edu.au
Scan code to make your gift via our website. All donations made to St Andrew’s College are tax-deductible.
The JCR Demolition Party made for a smashing good time in late November! Supporters of the project gathered at the College to mark the start of the project with a ‘soft demolition’ of the Highlander Bar and Buffet. Chair of Council, Sasha James, and Chair of Foundation, Niall Cairns, welcomed the gathered guests and gave thanks for the generous support received to date.
Once all PPE had been donned, we moved into the JCR space, to hear a blessing from the College Chaplain, Rev. Gareth Clayton. Sasha had the honour of taking the first swing at the bar. It was quite solid, and it took a few goes, but she eventually broke through. And then it was on for all in the room!
Some guests even went back for a second go! After the group had dismantled the bar and left many a hole in the buffet, they retired to the Erickson Room for drinks and canapés.
We are proud to now be officially recognised as a member of the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) network, having received the formal endorsement of our Reflect RAP by Reconciliation Australia in November. This milestone marks a significant step in our ongoing journey towards reconciliation and our commitment to fostering an inclusive community.
This year, the College’s Reconciliation Working Group (RWG) achieved several ‘firsts’ through collaboration with First Nations and non-Indigenous staff and students. These accomplishments reflect our progress and a deeper understanding of our role in advancing reconciliation within the College and beyond.
One of the most impactful developments was the creation of the Students’ Club First Nations Reconciliation Sub-Committee. Elyne Tighe (Fr 2023) has been an exemplary Secretary, leading student efforts and highlighting events such as Harmony Day, Reconciliation Week, and Indigenous Literacy Day. These initiatives have raised greater awareness of First Nations history and cultures within the College.
First Nations staff member, Meleane Taufa, was appointed as the College’s inaugural Indigenous Support Officer, with Natalie Towns supporting her. Both play a crucial role in supporting First Nations students by offering mentorship, connecting them with their University’s Cultural Centre, and participating in ongoing RAP meetings to ensure students are heard and supported. They also contribute to outreach programs, engaging with prospective First Nations students.
This year’s major collaboration was the installation and launch of the First Nations Garden in August, symbolising the College’s growing commitment to reconciliation. Named ‘Muru Dturali’ (Pathway to Grow) by Gadigal Elder Aunty Joanne Selfe, the garden is
more than a place of reflection it is a living testament to the College’s commitment to nurturing connections with First Nations communities. The project was envisioned by our Artist in Residence, and proud First Nations woman, Lua Pellegrini, and was brought to life by Wildflower, Gardens for Good, which is an Indigenousled social enterprise. It stands as a lasting legacy for the College and its connection to Country.
Reconciliation at St Andrew’s extends beyond these achievements. Our commitment to equity includes First Nations scholarships as a result of generous philanthropic support. Partnerships with USYD’s Gadigal Centre and organisations such as the
Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF), GO Foundation, and Yalari, ensure that First Nations students can access higher education and cultural resources.
The Reflect RAP is the first stage, and represents a commitment to learning, listening, and growing together. As we walk the path to reconciliation, Muru Dturali symbolises our shared journey to value everyone’s story and build a community where reconciliation thrives. That journey is ongoing.
Ian Smith Vice Principal
A government-led review of higher education, the Universities Accord, noted this year that “it is important for students to feel a sense of connection and belonging to their university, which can have positive impacts on wellbeing, student transition and retention and academic outcomes.” The claim is timely because fewer than one in two tertiary students in Australia now report a positive sense of belonging to their university, while the University of Sydney ranks third from bottom nationally in overall student experience.
Meanwhile, students at College attest to a powerful sense of community, an esprit-de-corps that has innumerable benefits for them as they forge life-long friendships, are supported throughout their formative university years, and enjoy a camaraderie that inspires excellence in sport and music. As the Accord Report notes, the benefits of ‘belonging’ extend to ‘academic outcomes’ and students at ’Drew’s continue to perform very well
academically. While we await the endof-year results, in Semester 1 we saw a significant 2% increase in the Semester Average Mark of our students, relative to previous years, a testament to the talent and application of our students as well as the dedicated support of their tutors.
We have developed the breadth and quality of our tutorial program over the last couple of years. The College now has over 150 tutorials running each semester – double the number two years ago – and our students have access to subject-matter experts, as a majority of our tutors are either doctoral students or academics.
Engagement with the program has increased by 43% year-on-year and has doubled since 2022. It is inspiring to see so many of our students taking up the opportunities to improve their academic performance by learning together with their peers in the college setting.
It is important for students to feel a sense of connection and belonging to their university, which can have positive impacts on wellbeing, student transition and retention and academic outcomes.
We continue to offer an attractive suite of short courses in College. 40 students completed the Leadership Essentials course during the year, developing foundational skills in leadership with both college and workplace settings in view. During the winter vacation, twelve students participated in Leaders in Jurisprudence, a course on some of the twentieth century’s greatest thinkers in legal theory, led by Justice Ian Jackman at his chambers.
In Semester 2, another cohort of students graduated from the Complex Problem Solving course, run by Charlie Taylor and Josh Dowse, expounding the McKinsey methods of problem solving and communication. These courses, all taking place in small groups and in person, offer an additional layer of personal and professional development for our students.
The College’s Language Program delivers specialist tuition in at least six languages. Classes are eagerly taken up by students who wish to learn a language alongside their formal degree study. As with the tutorial program, students again benefit from studying in small groups in a conducive environment in College. The opportunity to engage in dialogue with your language tutor and peers makes the small group format a powerful catalyst to progress in language learning. This semester, there were regular classes in French, German, Spanish, Korean, Japanese and Chinese.
The College hosted two distinguished academic guest speakers this semester. First, in September, Professor Richard Miles, who is Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education, Enterprise and Engagement) at the University of Sydney, and Professor of Roman History and Archaeology, spoke to students and guests about ‘The Decline and Fall of Rome and
what it might tell us about our own times’. He addressed the persistence of narratives of cultural decline throughout history and into our present moment.
In October, we welcomed Professor Alex Lefebvre, who is Professor of Politics and Philosophy at the University of Sydney, to speak about his book, Liberalism as a Way of Life, which argues that liberal values and practices can be the basis for a personal worldview, way of living, and spiritual orientation. Lively discussion followed both talks and students were glad of the opportunity to engage with these speakers in College.
Dr Daniel Tyler Director of Education
Students and guests
Professor
talking
guests
17
2024 has been a busy year in the Student Life department. We’ve been working very closely with students to co-ordinate a number of programs that enrich and enhance the depth of their experience here at College. With a strong focus on developing human capabilities, leadership, and wellbeing, we work to prepare students for the peaks and troughs of not just College life, but the world beyond.
Working with both the Advancement team and the elected Students’ Club Alumni Secretary, 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/or after university. Industryspecific networking evenings are always the highlight of the program, with six run across 2024 in the fields of Medicine & Allied Health, Law, Commerce/ Finance, Investment Banking, Media/Communications & Marketing, Politics/ International Relations, Creative Arts, Consulting, and Engineering/IT.
This is our mandatory education and training program, designed to help first-year students transition into a bustling communal living adult community. It covers key areas including healthy relationships, inclusion, consent, alcohol education, and cultural competency; equipping students with the skills needed to foster a respectful, inclusive environment. The program’s success and exceptional completion rates reflect our students’ commitment to building a positive, supportive community. It plays a key role in ensuring each cohort is prepared to thrive in a shared living environment. As the program evolves, it remains a crucial part of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within our College community.
Our Creative Arts Program has continued to foster passion, engagement, and curiosity with the arts. Initiatives have included College and Intercol Jam Nights, Theatre Sports Workshops, increased engagement with the Angus Hall Arts Studio, and Performance Technique Masterclasses. Additionally, the College continues to support our high-level artists through mentorship, sourcing internships, and even hosting a Major Music Scholar Recital for our exceptional concert pianist Michael De Huy (Fr 2022).
We have worked closely with student leaders including our Rawson and Rosebowl Secretaries and Social Sports Secretaries, to provide ongoing support to our athletes to ensure they achieve their full potential in both their Intercollegiate campaigns and external sporting pursuits, as well as meaningful engagement with an increased range of social sports. We are thrilled that our renewed focus on social sport has seen St Andrew’s take part in the University of Sydney Intramural Sports Competition for the first time. Our students competed against USyd accommodation and other accommodation providers, as well as three other Colleges, in sports, including futsal, OzTag, basketball and volleyball, where the emphasis is not on winning but instead on engagement and positive relationship building. It has also given both our less competitive, and nonresidential students, a chance to engage in a range of sports.
This year’s Leadership Program has engaged a substantial portion of the College community in various leadership development opportunities including workshops, seminars, and committee engagement. Students aspiring to take on leadership roles in College engage with the program across the year, collecting ‘leadership points’ for attending the various opportunities on offer, ensuring they are well-prepared and equipped to excel in leadership roles within the College community and beyond. In 2024, we have seen a significant increase in participation with 70% of students in College gaining at least one leadership point across the year.
Top Right:
2025 House Committee and Pastoral Care Leaders on the Leadership Weekend.
Below:
Exploration Society initiative run by 2024 PCL team.
Our Wellbeing Program is underpinned by the exceptional work of our Student Counsellor, Leif Lawson, and a team of 16 passionate and dedicated Pastoral Care Leaders (PCL’s). All PCL initiatives are designed to support students living in our community by running a variety of workshops, training sessions, and activities that promote mental wellbeing, build community, and assist those who need a little extra support. The PCL Program is always an active, friendly, and supportive part of College with initiatives like “Walk & Talk,” “Book Club”, and “Run Club”, which build community. Additional educational and awareness-building opportunities including “Safe & Sexy Week”, “IDAHOBIT Day”, “Sorry Day Coffee & Yarn” and “R U OK? Day” have also been run.
Community Service Program 2024 has brought a renewed energy for Community Service across the College, driven by the phenomenal work of the Students’ Club ‘CommServ’ Subcommittee. The subcommittee has taken the initiative to increase the opportunities for community service by finding outreach activities in addition to the long partnership we have with the Newtown Mission. These include the Feel Good Project, the Asylum Seeker Centre, the Girls & Boys Brigade and Teach Learn Grow. These are additions to the many charities that students raise money for across the year, such as the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW Regional Academies of Sport, Movember, and the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. We have seen a 58% increase in overall attendance at community service initiatives, and a 33% increase in the number of participating students in 2024 compared to 2023.
Alice Draffin Director of Student Life
The start of Semester 2 was marked with the opening of our Angus Hall Art Studio. Following a gradual renovation of this space into a functional art studio across 2023 and into 2024, the official re-opening on 9th August doubled as a St Andrew’s College Art Show.
An enthusiastic crowd of students and staff headed across the oval, and gathered to enjoy some wine, cheese, and the work of the talented College artists who had made submissions into the Palladian Visual Arts competition.
Attendees were able to vote on ‘The People’s Choice’ award, whilst a panel of judges selected the other entrant for the Palladian competition. Guests were also able to contribute their
artistic designs to the space, with some interactive elements and blank canvases set up around the room.
We also enjoyed a display of recent work from our Artist in Residence, Lua Pellegrini. We are looking forward to seeing the new studio evolving further with the inclusion of student artwork and the introduction of resources to do pottery and sculpture in the near future.
On Wednesday 6 November, current student, Michael de Huy (Fr 2022), treated guests to a magical evening of music in the College Chapel, showcasing his impressive piano skills.
His highly-anticipated recital included colourful Spanish piano works, and a selection of Chopin pieces including his monumental fourth Ballade in F minor. The audience, a mix of family members, industry contacts, Androvians, and members of local charity Older Women’s Network, were enthralled by Michael’s talent.
With improvisation weaved throughout, Michael’s well-deserved reputation as a skilled pianist was proudly on display. Following the recital, Tom Stevenson, Head of Creative Arts, noted that Michael is “a consummate professional and a wonderful collaborator, whose peerless musicianship is a joy to experience.”
Michael reflected on the recital, saying “it was heartwarming to be able to perform to such a wonderful audience, at a beautiful event with drinks and canapés. The response I have received has been extremely positive.”
His plans for the next twelve months include conducting the Australian Vietnamese Youth Orchestra in their inaugural concert, several solo recitals across NSW and potentially Victoria, and the possibility of a European tour.
Michael is the College’s Major Music Scholar, an honour awarded to the top musician pursuing music at an elite level and in tertiary music study while resident in College at the time .
Tom Stevenson Head of Creative Arts
The College was thrilled to welcome Lua Pellegrini as our returning Artist in Residence again for 2024. This program offers artists the space to focus on their creative development while also engaging with the College and community in meaningful ways.
A proud Wiradjuri woman who grew up on Darug Country, Lua is achieving extraordinary things as an emerging First Nations artist, and was a finalist for the 2023 NSW Young Woman of the Year Award. Lua has made a name in professional sporting circles, designing the Sydney Swans Marn Grook Guernsey, “Duguwaybul Yindyamangidyal” (Altogether Respectfully), worn from 2022–2023, the Big Bash Cricket Sydney Sixers’ First Nations jerseys for the 2023/24 season, along with the 2024 AFLW Marn Grook Guernsey.
Lua also designed a First Nations Guernsey for our Rawson Rugby, Rosebowl Hockey, and Rugby 7s teams, as well as supporter merchandise. This design supported 2024 Senior Scholar, Destiny BatmanPeris (Fr 2021), whose project involved initiating an inaugural First Nations round in Rawson and Rosebowl sport.
Lua’s major contribution as Artist in Residence was her conceptualisation and consultancy for our Indigenous
Cultural Garden, which officially opened in August. Lua’s artistic expertise and creativity played a pivotal role in shaping this, aiming to foster connection to Country and First Nations knowledge within the College environment. She has furthered this vision by creating a mural on the garden walls. The design replicates the Guernseys worn by students during the First Nations round earlier this year.
As part of the College’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Committee, Lua has contributed her insights to help guide the College towards deeper reconciliation. She has also strengthened the College’s relationship with key Indigenous organisations, such as the GO Foundation.
We are grateful for Lua’s impact over these two years, and look forward to following her progress.
Alice Draffin Director of Student Life
her
The First Nations Garden
Lua and Destiny Batman-Peris (Fr 2021) with the Indigenous Round artwork.
For this year’s DramSoc production, Boeing Boeing took centre stage, blending laughter, timing, and vibrant personalities to breathe new life into this classic farce by French Playwright Marc Camoletti.
Our talented cast was the heart of this production, each member investing countless hours in rehearsals to deliver performances that captured the humour, charm, and chaos of Boeing Boeing.
Set in the 1960s, this lively comedy follows the escapades of a Parisianturned-American bachelor, Bernard, who is juggling relationships with three fiancées – each an airline stewardess. Bernard has an intricate schedule set up to manage his relationships; however, his plans quickly unravel when unexpected weather changes and faster Boeing jets throw his schedule off track, leading all three stewardesses to arrive at his apartment within hours of each other. The audience takes a front-row seat as chaos ensues.
As this year’s Director, I had the privilege of working alongside Daniel McSweeny (Fr 2023), who produced the show (as well as acted in it), with both dedication and attention to detail. His collaboration was a true asset, helping bring our collective vision to life with precision and flair.
Our talented cast was the heart of this production, each member investing countless hours in rehearsals to deliver performances that captured the humour, charm, and chaos of Boeing Boeing. Watching them come together, their individual talents blossoming into a seamless ensemble, was both inspiring
and rewarding. Their hard work and willingness to dive into the intricacies of character, timing, and expression made each of the four performances delivered dynamic and unforgettable.
Stepping into the role of Director was both a challenging and fulfilling experience. Coordinating every element: timing, set design, costumes, and rehearsals required meticulous planning, but seeing the pieces come together was incredibly gratifying. It was especially heartening to witness the audience’s response at each performance; their laughter and engagement were the ultimate validation of everyone’s hard work.
Thank you to everyone involved in making this production such a success. Reflecting on the journey, I feel immensely proud of what we achieved together. Boeing Boeing was a true team effort, from cast and crew to every supporter behind the scenes. I look forward to passing the baton on to the new Director of DramSoc next year, and seeing what else we can bring to life.
Chloe Gillis (Fr 2023) DramSoc Director 2024
In second semester, we led by three points, putting us in a comfortable position to defend our title.
We started by gaining a major victory in Debating. Co-secretaries, Lauren Goldie (Fr 2023) and Toby Freeman (Fr 2022), took to the stage and secured a win, pushing our lead to four points.
The Art competition followed, with a “Dreams and Nightmares” theme. Our talented artists produced incredible pieces, but unfortunately they didn’t manage to secure a podium. Their work was still greatly celebrated during this year’s inaugural Palladian Art Show, held in our very own Angus Hall.
As the semester progressed, the competition intensified. Ensemble Instrumental was the next event, with Xavier Cardozo (Fr 2024) and Jules Vahl (Fr 2021) representing St Andrew’s. They narrowly missed first place, coming in second and shrinking our lead back to just three points.
Vocal Ensemble saw Jessica Ledger (Fr 2022) and Scarlett Pearce (Fr 2023) deliver a stunning performance, securing third place. Sitting just one point ahead of St Paul’s, leading into our final event, the stakes couldn’t have been higher.
The group Drama team, led by Chloe Gillis, Nick Cradock (Fr 2024), Daniel McSweeny (Fr 2023), Ewan Jackman (Fr 2022), and Scarlett Pearce (Fr 2023) knew this was the last moment to solidify our place at the top.
When the results were announced, St Paul’s College claimed first place with their performance. However, our students managed to secure both second and third place, thus ensuring the same amount of points as the winners! The room erupted in celebration as we realised that, by a single point, we had achieved overall victory in the Palladian Cup for a fifth year in a row.
My heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who contributed to this achievement. The exceptional talent and unwavering dedication of each person involved has truly been extraordinary, and this success is a testament to their remarkable efforts.
Anna Hunt (Fr 2022)
Palladian Secretary 2024
For the 5th year in a row, Drew’s has won both the Rawson and Rosebowl Cups thanks to some exceptional performances by many of our students.
Rawson Report
Eager to build on a successful first semester, we found ourselves in a familiar position: leading the Rawson Cup. However, coming into Semester 2, we were soon to be challenged.
It began with Soccer, where the competition was closer than ever. The campaign kicked off with a 0-0 draw against Wesley. In the next game, we took on St John’s but came up short in a hard-fought 2-1 match. Heading into the final game against St Paul’s, our men were hungry for redemption, however the St Paul’s team would prove to be too strong, winning the game 3-2. With only 1 point from the 3 games, it was a very tough last-place finish for us.
Basketball was up next, and we were determined to earn back some vital Rawson points; however, in a similar vein to Soccer, the campaign would
prove tough. With three losses in three games, our team finished in last place, allowing St Paul’s to overtake us and lead by 1 point in the Rawson campaign.
Tennis was far more successful. We had an outstanding victory first up, winning 6-1 against St Paul’s. Individual brilliance from Maxime Benoit (Fr 2024) with 6-0, 6-0, set us up to reclaim some Rawson points. We next faced St John’s, winning 6-4 with strong double performances, getting us over the line. In the last round, we faced a very strong Wesley team who were able to get the win over us.
Finally, with a two-point lead, we had Athletics. The many brilliant individual performances from Lachie Townsend (Fr 2022), Michael Dibiase (Fr 2023) and Paris 2024 Olympian Connor Murphy (Fr 2020), were not enough, and we finished second, behind St Paul’s..
Semester 2 proved far tougher than Semester 1 for us, with the final result being a shared Rawson Cup victory with St Paul’s College. However, it was enough to ensure the Cup remains at its home in St Andrew’s for another year, as per the Intercol Sports by-laws, which state that in the event of a draw, the College currently holding the Cup retains it!
Bray Downing (Fr 2022)
Rawson Representative 2024
Clockwise from top left:
L-R: Angus Wickham (Fr 2023), Lachie O’Brien (Fr 2023), Sam Dugan (Fr 2023) and Charlie McLaren (Fr 2023) at the Intercol Athletics competition. Ray Peh (Fr 2024) in the Drew’s vs Wesley soccer match.
Rawson Basketball team versioning St John’s. Max Benoit (Fr 2024) in action at the Tennis.
A massive congratulations to all our Rosebowl athletes this year. Each of them played a vital role in our consistent and outstanding perforamance.
Building on the success of an outstanding first semester, our Rosebowl athletes continued to showcase their exceptional talent and skill throughout Semester 2.
We started strong in Soccer, defeating Sancta 6-0, then Women’s 4-0. Our women came up in a tough match against St Paul’s, ending with a 1-1 result. However, we fought back against Wesley and St John’s, defeating them both and winning overall! A huge shoutout to Anna Hunt (Fr 2022) who consistently scored throughout the matches.
Next for our Rosebowl athletes was Basketball. We came out strong, defeating St Paul’s 34-25, Women’s 9246, then Sancta 102-39. Unfortunately, Wesley got the better of us in Round 4, winning 61-43. This didn’t dishearten us, as shown in the score line of our final match against St John’s, which we won 53-18. We placed second overall, which is an excellent result.
Zoe Bremner (Fr 2024), Ash Hanna (Fr 2022), and Amelia Daunt (Fr 2023) were standout athletes throughout the campaign as our highest point scorers.
Tennis was up next, where our women gave it their all, winning against St Paul’s 4-0, Women’s 4-2, Sancta 4-0, and St John’s 5-0. The final match was against Wesley, and after a long day of
competition, they out performed us 4-0. However, the hard work we put in through each match gave us enough points to take out the 2024 Rosebowl Cup at this point regardless of what was to come in Athletics.
To wrap up the semester, Athletics was our final event. We put absolutely everything on the line – jumping high, running fast, and throwing far – and we came out on top, winning the whole competition! We secured numerous wins in both track and field events, and I couldn’t be prouder of our athletes for giving it their all!
A massive congratulations to all our Rosebowl athletes this year. Each one of them played a vital role in our consistent and outstanding performance, culminating in us bringing home the Rosebowl Cup for 2024!
Charlie Scott (Fr 2022) Rosebowl Secretary 2024
Clockwise from top left:
Charlotte Damian (Fr 2022) and Alex Roberts (Fr 2022) in their tennis tournament.
Established in 2015 by former Chair of Council Charlie Taylor (Fr 1982, SS 1985), the Senior Scholarshipformerly known as the Taylor Scholarship - has evolved into one of our College’s most prestigious programs. Supporting senior students who contribute to the College through self-directed special interest projects, it fosters diversity and enriches the St Andrew’s experience. Over its nine years, the program has supported 76 students, empowering them to make a lasting impact on College life.
In 2024, the Senior Scholarship continued this legacy by offering scholars the opportunity to shape College life through innovative, community-focused projects.
We hosted a Senior Scholars’ Celebration on 28 October, in order to showcase the achievements of our 2024 Scholars and their projects while introducing the 2025 Scholars. We were also delighted to welcome some of our Taylor Scholar alumni back to College for the evening.
Guests enjoyed drinks and canapés, and played a game of ‘Senior Scholars Bingo’. This was a great icebreaker to get conversations started between invited guests and students. Everyone was tasked with filling their Bingo card by finding the people who matched the descriptions which were tailored based on who was in attendance e.g. ‘someone who was at College in the 1980s’ or someone who competed at the Olympics’.
Following this, each of the current Scholars presented a wrap-up of their projects and answered questions from
the audience. Our incoming Scholars also took to the stage to pitch their project ideas for next year. For our 2024 scholars, the event provided a platform to reflect on the successes and challenges of their projects and share the impact they have achieved so far. A selection of the featured scholars and their projects is detailed below:
Marcus Peters (Fr 2020)
Marcus developed ‘Drew’s Bot’, a web app designed to provide easy access to menus, PCL information, and the Students’ Club calendar. His project also included six seminars on programming, software engineering, and artificial intelligence (AI), encouraging students to explore technology’s potential to solve real-world challenges. The initiative aimed to inspire interest in tech careers and equip students with skills relevant to the future workforce.
Alex Malouf (Fr 2021) & Elliot Earnshaw (Fr 2020)
Alex and Elliott continued the long-running ‘We Need to Talk’ program, which facilitates fortnightly discussions on social issues, national debates, and global affairs. Through an open forum, students engage with topics such as geopolitical conflicts, politics in sports, education systems, and gender equality. This program encourages meaningful dialogue and provides a space for students to express diverse perspectives within the community.
Sam Aubin (Fr 2021)
Sam expanded the Androvation entrepreneurship program, originally a weekend summit, into a series of six additional seminars leading up to the final pitch event. His project introduced seed funding opportunities for six businesses, enabling participants to validate their ideas. A collaboration with Startmate brought in CEOs and venture capitalists to offer mentorship on start-up challenges and raising capital. The expanded program resulted in several well-developed business proposals and strengthened students’ entrepreneurial skills.
Ashley Hanna (Fr 2022)
Ashley’s project focused on increasing diversity at St Andrew’s College by promoting College opportunities to government school students. Along with a team of passionate students, Ashley visited careers expos and government schools, delivering interactive presentations on College life, scholarships, and financial aid available. The initiative aimed to bridge the information gap between public and private school students, ensuring that all students, regardless of background, are aware of St Andrew’s as a viable and enriching option to complement their university studies.
Destiny Batman-Peris (Fr 2021)
Destiny launched the College’s first Indigenous Round, featuring culturally inclusive uniforms and merchandise to celebrate Indigenous contributions and promote diversity within the College community. Modelled after the AFL and NRL’s Indigenous Round, the event also introduced First Nations jerseys for Rosebowl Hockey and Rawson Rugby competitions. The artworks for the jerseys were designed by our Artist in Residence Lua Pellegrini. Destiny’s project reflects her pride as a First Nations student, and her long-standing commitment to reconciliation and promoting cultural safety through visual representation.
Rosie Charge (Fr 2021)
Rosie developed ‘Power Pose Pilates’, a fortnightly structured fitness program for women that combines physical exercise with discussions on female empowerment and current issues affecting women. Sessions included a 50-minute pilates session, run by a professional instructor, followed by a group discussion led by Rosie on topics such as reproductive health, social media, and work-life balance. The program promoted community building through shared physical activity as well as dedicated female empowerment space. Rosie hopes that it will continue as part of future PCL initiatives.
We look forward to introducing our 2025 Senior Scholars, and their projects, in the next issue of Blue & White.
Tessa Bruin
Student Life Manager & Head of Sport
2024 Senior Scholars Ashley Hanna (Fr 2022), Rosie Charge (Fr 2021), Destiny Batman-Peris (Fr 2021) and Alex Malouf (Fr 2021) during the Q&A session of their projects.
Past Scholar Rohan Browning (Fr 2016), with Walter MacCallum (Fr 1988) and Strachan Taylor (Fr 1983).
Opposite Page: Group photo of both past Taylor Scholars and current Senior Scholars with benefactor, Charlie Taylor (Fr 1982, SS 1985).
For Connor Murphy (Fr 2020), it’s about delivering your usual performance under extraordinary circumstances.
At just 22 years-old, Connor has already experienced the undulation of an athletic career many can only dream of. Much like any Olympic career, the triple jumper’s journey has been filled with moments of doubt but also remarkable triumph.
Connor’s path to success didn’t begin with all the right ingredients. “I started Little Athletics when I was six because my dad put me in it,” he recalls. “I wasn’t necessarily great when I was younger. I was a bit uncoordinated and gangly as a kid.” He dabbled in various sports, with athletics always in the mix thanks to his dad’s involvement in the sport at one of the country’s track and field nurseries. “My Dad worked at Trinity, which had a great athletics program, so I was lucky to have a lot of opportunities through the school”.
At 15, Connor had his first breakthrough when he won a national title in triple jump despite having never won at the state level before. It was an early indication of his potential, but it wasn’t until age 17 that Connor decided to focus exclusively on triple jump, dropping the other sports he had been juggling. That decision set the stage for his ascent in the sport.
As he developed, Connor often used his father’s Olympic career as a yardstick. “I was definitely competitive with where Dad was at certain ages,” he admits, noting that it fuelled his own ambition to progress. Comparing himself to his father’s achievements during those formative years gave him a unique sense of direction and motivation.
The journey to the Olympics, however, wasn’t without its challenges. College life introduced new obstacles, with Connor balancing intense training with social life, while the COVID-19 pandemic further disrupted his early years at university. “I was lucky to have my mate Rohan (Browning), who went to College before me and gave me tips on how to train while still enjoying College life,” he explains. “I had to pick my moments when to go out and when to stay focused on training.” But the toughest test came in his third year of College, in 2022, when Connor didn’t improve for the first
time. “I worked for 12 months and went backwards,” he says. His jump distance dropped from 16.22 metres in 2021 to 16.06 metres in 2022. “I came second at nationals in 2021, and then in 2022, I came sixth. That was a wake-up call.”
For Connor, it was a big moment. “It definitely sucked not improving in 2022. You put in all the work, and when it feels like you’re going backwards, you start to doubt yourself. I never thought about quitting, but I definitely questioned whether I could ever make it to an international level.”
However, that setback marked the beginning of a transformation. That same year, Connor and his dad sought advice from Paolo Camossi, coach of Olympic 100-metre champion Marcel Jacobs. Together, they made significant technical changes to his jump. “I did a bunch of research with my Dad on maintaining power for taller jumpers like me, and after that tough 2022 season, we started making changes.”
The adjustments weren’t easy, but by 2023, his progress was clear. “I improved a lot in 2023, and this year I’ve taken it even further. It feels good to see the hard work pay off.”
Connor’s father and coach Andrew, a three-time Olympian himself in the sport, has been a constant source of guidance. “My Dad stuffed up his first Olympics,” he recalls. “He didn’t make the final, and he was a really good jumper. But he taught me to focus, especially on nailing that first jump.”
Having a father who had experienced a long and successful career has given Connor a specialised perspective on both the mental and physical demands of elite competition.
“We’ve spent more time together than any 22-year-old probably should with their Dad,” he laughs.
Connor’s philosophy on success now extends beyond athletics. His time at College taught him the importance of balance; finding time to enjoy life outside of sports has been crucial to his mental well-being. “It was definitely hard at first, but I realised it was nice to have a life outside of sport,” he says. That balance has made him stronger both as an athlete and as a person, giving him the mental resilience needed for his long-term goals.
As Paris 2024 approached, Connor had spent years preparing for the moment he’d step onto the Olympic stage, but not much could truly prepare him for the reality of it. The months leading up to the Games were intense not only in training, but in the sheer pressure of qualifying. “You don’t find out you’re selected until early July, like a month before the Olympics,” he says. “You’ve got to prepare like you’re competing even before you know for sure.”
In triple jump, only the top 32 athletes qualify, and with an ever-changing ranking system, Connor spent a lot of time refreshing updates. “I’d sit there, looking at the list every Wednesday night, trying to figure out if I’d be safe for selection,” he recalls. “I’d end up deep in Google Translate, reading foreign competition results, trying to work out if someone just beat me.”
Upon arriving in Paris and settling into the Olympic Village, Connor describes the atmosphere as a mix of nerves and focus. “It’s like College during exams,” he explains. “Everyone’s pretty serious and in their own head, training, trying to stay calm.” He balanced training with rest, saving every bit of energy for the big day. “Our goal was to stay under 2,000 steps a day outside of training,” he recalls. “You don’t want to tire yourself out walking around the village.”
Connor spent time watching TV, keeping his mind steady. When it was finally time to compete, he felt a surprising calm. “I just didn’t want to do badly,” he admits. “You’ve built up for years, and the fear of it all crashing down is real.”
Even after landing his jumps, the nerves weren’t over. “You sit there waiting, knowing there are still competitors after you, and you’re trying to do the math if this guy jumps further than me, I’m out,” he says. His father, tracking results live from the stands on an iPad, was keeping him updated. “It’s stressful because they don’t announce it; you just wait and see your name on the board. When I finally saw my name in 10th place on the big screen, that’s when I let myself believe I’d made the final.”
With his family and friends supporting him from the stands and back in Australia, he emphasises how much their presence means. “Even the people back home watching at 3am and all the messages I got - it’s really humbling,”
he says. Despite the excitement, he didn’t get much of a chance to celebrate that night. While his friends and family went out, Connor was back at the village, preparing for the next stage of competition. “It’s funny,” he laughs, “my Mum was out in Paris buying drinks for my College mates while I was ice bathing and trying to sleep.”
As for what’s next, Connor remains optimistic. “I’ve probably got another three Olympic cycles in me if I stay healthy,” he says. His goal is simple: to keep raising his own average and compete at the highest level. “If I can keep pushing that, maybe one day my average will be enough to medal. That’s of course the goal.”
When asked what success looks like to him now, Connor has a particular philosophy that carries him.
“I think it’s about hitting your normal performance under extraordinary circumstances,” he says. “Most people perform at their usual level at a major event, so if you can do better than that, then you’ve done well. I didn’t want to get stuck thinking I needed to do something superhuman to prove myself.”
Clancy Aboud (Fr 2022) Editorial Team, Drew’s News
At the start of Semester 1, I was invited to join the Advancement Office to work one day per week and help build and launch Drew’s first-ever Mentoring Program pilot.
I started by researching how other Colleges, schools, universities, and businesses run mentoring programs, noting what could be applied in Andrew’s setting. I then had multiple conversations with current students and potential alumni mentors to better understand what they would like to get out of the program and what format might work best.
The outcome of this was that we focused on creating a program to help build industry
knowledge, interviewing skills and networking skills, as well as to help guide students through the often-tricky area of landing a job and then thinking about career progression. We decided to create a flexible prompt structure that was laid out over three meetings to stimulate helpful conversations between our mentoring pairs. The prompts were specific but applicable to all areas and industries.
We wanted to give Mentees and Mentors room to have conversations about what they specifically were interested in while giving them ideas of how to start.
After months of preparation, and with over 45 student applications, we formally launched our mentoring program on 6th August with an event at Colin Biggers & Paisley, which was hosted by then SACAS President Alex Rhydderch (Fr 1994, SS 1997). This gave our 18 Mentee-Mentor pairs the opportunity to meet each other and others participating in the program. We welcomed students and alumni from a broad range of professions, from robotic manufacturing to hedge fund sales to sports journalism and law.
Mentees also participated in a preprogram workshop I ran, which aimed to help them undertake the research and thinking necessary to be fully prepared for their meetings with their Mentors.
The program’s format turned out to be highly successful, with 100% of our Mentors indicating that the prompts and the structure of the meetings were valuable in initiating great discussions. Mentees agreed, noting that their mentoring sessions have helped them clarify their professional goals and take meaningful steps towards their careers.
At the conclusion of the program we received further positive feedback from each of our Mentors, indicating that the program helped drive professional growth and motivation for
their Mentee, and also that they would highly recommend this program to other alumni.
One of the main goals of the program was to facilitate relationships between the wider Drew’s community, bridging the gap between students and alumni. The Drew’s difference comes from our strong network and community connections, which was a key thing that we wanted to facilitate through this mentoring program. While the pilot program formally concluded with a closing celebration on 15th October, many mentor-mentee pairs will remain in contact and continue to grow their relationships.
Building on this success, the Advancement Team plan to expand the Mentoring Program in the coming year to offer two sessions, running from March to June and again from August to October.
We warmly welcome expressions of interest from our alumni community to be Mentors for the 2025 program sessions. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in participating next year, or if you’d like to hear more information about the program, please reach out to the Advancement Team via email:
mentoring@standrewscollege.edu.au
Katie Mahony (Fr 2022)
Mentoring Program Assistant
Mentors and Mentees networking at the
Michael Posener (Fr 1994), Toby Freeman (Fr 2022) and Sophia Barnard (Fr 2023) at the closing celebration.
Mentor pair Josie Gollan (Fr 2005) and Darcy Alexander (Fr 2023).
Lincoln grew up in Hillston, a small country town about eight hours west of Sydney. Now working as General Manager at Compass Health Alliance (which he co-founded), his career took a different trajectory after starting out as a high school teacher. Working to remove existing barriers in rural healthcare is a shared passion alongside his wife, Annie, and helped to fuel his career change. Overcoming many challenges of running a small business, and juggling a young family, Lincoln’s passion for helping people enables him to make a positive impact.
Tell us a bit about yourself; where did you grow up?
I was born and raised on a farm, in the Riverina region of NSW. I loved the space and activities that came with growing up on a farm but never really enjoyed the farmwork and unpredictability that came with it. Our family sold the property just after I finished my HSC at the local central school, and I made the move to College life in Sydney – it was a fairly significant change in scenery!
What aspects of College life were you involved in?
Do you have a favourite memory to share?
I was fortunate enough to be a part of both Rawson Cricket and Athletics, a co-organiser of the illustrious Pit Party and was on the committee that founded the St Andrew’s College Children’s Camp (fun story about that – I only got to attend half the camp as my retina somehow managed to detach itself and I had to be rushed into surgery). These opportunities and all the College events are definitely highlights, but just as memorable were those incidental moments that pop up when living with so many likeminded people who are enjoying the independence that comes with College life.
If I was to pinpoint one of the more unique moments that I had during my time at College - it was when alum and TV personality Dr Chris Brown (Fr 1997) came to give a speech to the student body about the upcoming Rawson Cricket Final. He came to have lunch in the Dining Hall and I found myself sitting next to him. Being a polite boy from the country I wanted him to feel welcome – so I asked him what he does for work (I’d never seen him on TV - we didn’t get Channel 10 out in Hillston!) He probably thought I was being sarcastic, but to his credit he didn’t show it, said he was a vet and will be filming after lunch. I found the filming part confusing - until the other students on the table filled me in after he’d left. I firmly cemented my country kid status after this interaction.
You are currently the General Manager at Compass Allied Health. Can you describe what this role involves and what your typical day looks like?
The short answer: My role as GM is to ensure that our business is running as efficiently as possible while providing the best quality service we can. From that comes many different hats – which I really love! It’s tricky to describe what a typical day looks like as each tends to be different. I’ll often jump between day-to-day operational tasks, providing support to the team, various quality improvement and strategic projects, the occasional bit of networking, lots of problem solving and dealing with the odd left field scenario. There are definitely days where I end up focusing entirely on one of those aspects, but more often than not it will be a nice mixture of the above.
What inspired you to pursue a career within Allied Health, and what motivated you to start your own business?
My professional career actually started off as a high school teacher as I enjoyed working with kids and had a passion for History. There were lots of aspects about teaching that I really enjoyed, but after four years I was keen for a change. The choice of Allied Health came down to the simple fact that my wife, Annie, is a physiotherapist, and an amazing one at that. We both grew up rurally, so it was a dream we shared to start and then grow a practice together in a country town that would work towards breaking down some of the longstanding barriers of rural healthcare.
Did you encounter any initial challenges when starting your business? If so, what were they, and how did you overcome them?
You bet. The odds seem stacked against you when running a sustainable small business, no matter where it is located. Estimates are that one in three new small businesses in Australia fail in their first year of operation, two out of four by the end of the second year, and three out of four by the fifth year. We only pulled the trigger on Compass after conducting a thorough feasibility assessment and creating a solid business plan. We then tried to minimise as many risks as we possibly could for the initial phase. Annie remained working part-time at the public hospital and I taught casually while we established systems, built the caseload and tested the model. Some of the other major challenges that spring to mind are the impact of COVID-19 in our second year, the transition to a multidisciplinary model, the balancing act that comes with starting a family, the process of building a clinic and recruiting professionals in rural areas but at least my essay writing days are behind me!
What have been some of the highlights of your career so far?
We’ve been incredibly fortunate in our business journey so far. Compass’ core purpose is to provide high quality healthcare to rural areas, however there are significant barriers that need to be overcome to achieve this. My highlights revolve around when we have achieved something that overcomes these rural healthcare obstacles. The two most significant so far being: 1) The growth of our team and expansion of services to encompass not just physiotherapy, but speech pathology, occupational therapy and exercise physiology allowed us to offer a best practice holistic multidiscipline care model. We also have some amazingly skilled and specialised therapists in each discipline which is pretty unique for a rural area. 2) The construction of our state of the art clinic which opened in April 2024. The space offers specialised paediatric and adult neuro-rehab gyms, large team spaces, consult rooms and is fully accessible for people with disabilities.
How did your time at St Andrew’s influence your life after College?
St Andrew’s did an amazing job of providing me with experiences and opportunities that I’d never been exposed to before. The memories and lifelong friendships that were made over those three years are something that I will always treasure. I also met my amazing wife (a St John’s girl) at an Australia Day party with mutual college friends. That’s fairly life impacting! We still stay involved with the College by providing yearly training on how to support children with neurological or physical disabilities to each new cohort of volunteers for the Sony Children’s Camp.
What do you like to do outside of work? How do you unwind and switch off?
I say this with a lot of love and wouldn’t change it – but as a father to Australia’s strongest-willed toddler and a six -month-old baby, my days of unwinding and switching off seem to be well and truly on hold! I do love cheering on my beloved Arsenal and Sydney Roosters, playing cricket, reading a good book, exercise, the odd games night with friends, and hitting golf balls (rarely where I want them to go).
Scan the QR code to read Lincoln’s profile in its entirety on the College’s website.
Bree was raised in Sydney and developed a strong work ethic during her formative school years. Her time at St Andrew’s was a pivotal experience, offering the ideal blend of academic challenge and extracurricular engagement. Whilst at College, she formed a deep appreciation of the power of community and teamwork.
After beginning her career as a corporate lawyer, Bree transitioned into the tech sector. Today, as Chief Operating Officer of F5 Collective, she is driving generational change for women in business. Outside of her high performance career, she is also a dedicated mother, wife, and advocate for young women.
Please tell us a bit more about yourself – where are you originally from and where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Australia, surrounded by hard work, resilience, and the determination that Aussies are known for. I went to Ascham and Kambala, and I feel incredibly lucky to have been afforded such wonderful school experiences. That being said, I worked really hard - hello study Sundays! My years at school gave me a solid foundation, leading me to study Law & International Studies at the University of Sydney - which made all the effort feel worth it. Early on, I learned the importance of going all-in, supporting others, working hard, and always keeping the bigger picture in mind.
What parts of College life were you involved in?
College life was a blend of trekking across the oval to make it to class, representing Drew’s in sports, forming lifelong friendships, and countless late nights in dress-up at the Marly. One of my all-time favourite memories has to be Walkabout with my friends Emma and Josh - it was wild, extremely chaotic, but absolutely brilliant.
You have forged a remarkable career; how did you get started in your industry?
I began my career as a corporate lawyer but quickly realised it was not the path for me. I have deep respect for the law, and the skills I gained have been incredibly useful, but I found that it did not allow me to connect with people or problem-solve collaboratively, which I greatly value.
After taking some time to refocus, I moved into the tech sector. I joined ClassPass as the first on-the-ground hire in Australia and eventually led expansions into new markets like the Netherlands, UAE, and Singapore. I loved my nearly four years there, but I was constantly living on a plane and wanted to settle back in Australia with my hubby!
After ClassPass, I moved into strategic and operational roles at Airbnb and Uber. Immersing myself in the tech industry made me more interested in the funding side of things, so in 2021, I moved into venture capital. Working with various firms, I found myself frustrated by the gender inequality female founders faced. When the opportunity to join F5 Collective came along, I jumped at it. It is incredibly empowering to align my skills with my passion to drive generational change for women. As COO of F5 Collective, I am thrilled about what is ahead for us in 2025 - watch this space.
Your current role as sees you driving the company’s growth and executing their strategic plan. What part of your role do you find most fulfilling?
Our mission at F5 is to create generational change for 1 billion women. Part of the work that I have been deeply focused on is building our ecosystem to empower women
with the funding, resources, and support they need to build remarkable businesses. I will not say too much just yet, but I truly believe that the impact we will have on women’s lives through our platform will be profound. My day-to-day revolves mostly around this. There is nothing better than using my skills to help champion other women. It is honestly my dream job.
You are a strong advocate for women – was this a professional path you’d always hoped to pursue?
Supporting women’s empowerment has always felt like a natural calling. Over time, I realised it was more than just a passion; it was something I wanted to focus on exclusively. Outside of F5, I also dedicate my time to organisations and groups that support young women, especially school-aged girls, giving them the knowledge and confidence to become tomorrow’s founders. This gives me so much joy.
You’re very honest about the juggle of professional life and family life, yet you are kicking goals in both! How do you find balance – and how do you unwind?
Let’s call it a work in progress! I am a mum of two young ones, and juggling both roles is not always easy, but it is one of the most rewarding things in my life. I carve out family time, making sure to have moments to unwind - even if it’s just five minutes of quiet after the school run, sipping a coffee in peace (oh, the little things). These moments keep me ready for the next challenge. I also firmly believe we need to let go of the guilt and be comfortable with the trade-offs that come with balancing parenthood and careers. It is okay for our kids to be raised by a community of people who love them - grandparents, aunties, cousins, and even neighbours. This is actually a really good thing for everyone involved - especially our kids.
We’d love to hear more about your recent appearance on the Parenting as a Founder panel at SXSW Sydney. How did you become involved, and what was the experience like?
Being part of the “Parenting as a Founder” panel at SXSW was fantastic. It was honest, gritty, and real - exactly what parents need! There were tears in the audience, and I think we deeply connected, which is always such a powerful feeling. I spoke openly about my experience with postnatal depression after my second child and how I navigated that journey. Talking about both the highs and lows with others who get it was refreshing and a reminder that we are all figuring it out as we go. It is okay to ask for support when you need it - in fact, it is often 10x better when you do!
Below:
Scan the QR code to read Bree’s profile in it’s entirety on the College’s website.
On Saturday 26 October, we welcomed back 190+ alumni and partners for the 2024 SACAS Annual Dinner & AGM. It was a fantastically fun evening filled with great food and drinks, trivia, music, and guests were even given a special preview of our latest plans for the Junior Common Room Upgrade! Special acknowledgements and thanks go to Trefor Morgan (Fr 1953) for saying First Grace, Strachan Taylor (Fr 1983) for his rousing rendition of the Address to a Haggis, Kate Prentice (Fr 2004) for carrying the Haggis, Charlie Simpson (Fr 2024) and Woody Whitford (Fr 2024) for their bagpiping and drumming throughout the night, St Andrew’s College Jazz Ensemble for their performance and the SACAS Committee for their sponsorship and input in planning this event. Congratulations to the winners of our Raffle, Heads-and-Tails Trivia, and Lucky Door Prize! We hope you enjoyed the evening, and we look forward to seeing you again in 2025!
The SACAS Annual Golf Day returned to Eastlake Golf Club again in 2024. This year 50 alumni, parents and students got their clubs out to enjoy an afternoon on the green. Congratulations to Andrew Jerogin (Fr 1985) for taking out the individual competition this year! A special mention must go to Greg Bligh (Fr 1979) who was not far behind in second place. The team competition (4BBB) was won by Michael Jerogin (Fr 1982), Andrew Jerogin (Fr 1985), and current parents Dale McCarthy and Mark Silcocks. Well done to all for a spirited competition! After completing 18 holes, the teams enjoyed a welldeserved buffet dinner and drinks to end the day. Thank you to all who attended, and we eagerly anticipate welcoming everyone back in 2025.
On Saturday 13 July, a group of the 1984 Freshers came together for lunch in the Erickson Room to celebrate their 40th Fresher Year Reunion. Over a three-course lunch, they looked at photos from the Archives, shared memories, told stories of their time at College and very proudly sang a College song or two! While many would also attend the SACAS Annual Dinner, this lunch was held in order to allow one of their fellow Freshers to join an event during the day, as it would be difficult for them to attend an evening event. The Advancement Team are always happy to assist planning reunions.
In Semester 2, we held events in Perth, Adelaide and Canberra, bringing together St Andrew’s alumni and parents for evenings of connection, updates, and great food. In Perth, guests gathered at The Heritage Wine Bar & Restaurant, while in the Adelaide dinner took place at Chianti Restaurant, recommended by alumnus, James Robinson (Fr 1982). Both were small but lively gatherings and there was plenty of interest to make each dinner an annual event moving forward. We finished off the year at the Commonwealth Club in Canberra, hosted by alumnus, David Kenyon (Fr 1975). We thank everyone who joined and look forward to our next reunions!
Over 100 young alumni gathered at Sydney’s EY Centre on 29 August for a Young Alumni Networking Breakfast. The event featured a panel with Andrew’s community members The Hon. Justice Ian Jackman (Fr 1981), Kate Harper, Nick Farr-Jones AM (Fr 1981), Bree Kirkham (Fr 2008), Campbell Hanan (Fr 1989), and Danielle Palmer (Fr 2005). The conversation was moderated by Angus Pulver (Fr 2013) and explored key leadership insights, challenges, and achievements. Following this our alumni enjoyed breakfast & coffee while connecting with fellow alumni, continuing the leadership discussions inspired by the panel.
We welcomed the 1959 Freshers in October to celebrate their 65th year since joining the College. Six old fresher mates, joined by their wives, reunited over a three-course lunch in the Senior Common Room. The Freshers had a wonderful time catching up on one another’s lives, reminiscing about the good old days, and sharing memories of their time at College. During the lunch, the group received an insightful College update from Vice Principal, Ian Smith and the Director of Advancement, Hannah Atwell. The Freshers were thrilled to hear about the College’s ongoing growth and progress, topping off what was a resoundingly sucessful reunion.
Left:
The 1959 Freshers enjoying their 65th Reunion.
At this year’s Father’s Day Dinner, more than 400 students and their fathers came together for a memorable evening of celebrations. The event kicked off with drinks on the forecourt before guests moved to the marquee on the College tennis courts for the dinner. The traditional Address to a Haggis was performed by Daniel McSweeny (Fr 2023) to celebrate the College’s Scottish roots, and toasts were made in honor of the fathers. The St Andrew’s College Jazz Band provided wonderful entertainment, with the students and their fathers taking to the dance floor and keeping the energy high throughout the night.
On Saturday, 12 October, we hosted the DramSoc Grandparents’ High Tea, welcoming the grandparents of current students for a memorable afternoon at the College. The event began with an exclusive matinee performance of the Drama Society’s 2024 play, Boeing Boeing by Marc Camoletti. Following the performance, grandparents and their grandchildren enjoyed a delicious High Tea in the Dining Hall. To cap off the afternoon, DramSoc Producer, Dan McSweeny (Fr 2023) and Director, Chloe Gillis (Fr 2023), shared behind-the-scenes insights into the production, as part of a Q&A session with the cast which was moderated by Elyne Tighe (Fr 2023).
In September, we welcomed alumnae back for our annual Women’s Leadership & Networking Dinner. Our alumnae had the chance to reconnect with each other and engage with current female student leaders. The evening began with networking and was followed by a panel discussion led by Phoebe Lotz (Fr 2022), and featured past parent, Pip Marlow, Dr Sarah Farrell (Fr 2008), and Emma German (Fr 2006). Musical performances by students Jess Ledger (Fr 2022), Heidi Raine (Fr 2023), Claire Oslington (Fr 2024), and Stirling Nasa (Fr 2023) added a special touch to the night.
The College Archives, located in the Jill Dougan Archive Centre, is a dynamic collection that is added to each year by a number of means. One of these is through the donations of items. This year has seen some items of interest arrive in the post, including some from quite unexpected sources.
In June this year, a carefully wrapped parcel arrived across my desk, with a return address of East Tamworth, NSW. Inside, cocooned in layers of bubble wrap, were three framed photos from the early 1940s: the 1941 College photo, and the 1941 and 1942 College Rugby team photos.
The donor had found the photos in a house they had purchased in Tamworth and recognised that they might be of interest to the College. The house had previously belonged to Dr Stephen Richardson, a Fresher of 1941 and Captain of the 1942 College Rugby team. While the Archives already held copies of two of the photos, the 1942 Rugby photo is a new and very welcomed addition to the collection.
Dr Stephen Richardson was the grandson of the Hon. John Richardson MLC who served as a member of the College Council from 1870 to 1877, the beginning of a three-generation connection with the College. Stephen’s son, Roderick (Fr 1967), was also a resident at the College during his studies.
While donations from alumni or their descendants are not unusual, the next parcel that arrived came from a slightly stranger source. An eagle-eyed waste services supervisor at an Inverell Council landfill in the northwest of NSW spotted a framed etching that he thought might be of some historical interest.
The Sketch, number 87/100, of St Andrew’s College by E Warner was found among the belongings of a former local dentist, John Northcott. A quick check of the College database, and the College Archives revealed that John S Northcott was a fresher in 1939, and graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 1942.
The Archives already had a copy of this sketch, but this one is in very good condition and will be a good addition to the collection.
August saw a flurry of donations, starting with a framed photograph of the St Andrew’s College 1919 Rowing Crew, complete with the names of the crew.
The photograph was donated by Peter Cook (Fr 1955). Peter’s father and uncle were members of this crew; his father Errol Aufrère Cook (Fr 1915) was the No.3, and his uncle Cecil Evelyn Cook (Fr 1915) was the Cox. St Andrew’s won the Rawson Cup in 1919, the first year the Cup had been contested since 1914.
In 1954, the Reverend Francis Alfred Hoad was a student at the Theological Hall at St Andrew’s College. In August, his daughter, Barbara, donated a photograph of the Theological Hall Faculty and Students, taken outside Gillespie Hall. This is a great addition to the College Archives which holds some records of the Theological Hall, but very few photographs of the students and lecturers.
Closer to home (Room 44 Main to be precise), two small ephemeral items were found by the student living in that room this year and donated to the Archives. Two old luggage tags marked with the name “Peter Dogan – Canberra” were found folded very tightly and wedged into the doorframe. College records indicated that Peter Dogan was a Fresher of 1979. Why the tags were jammed into the doorframe and by whom are questions that remain unanswered. Perhaps sharing the news of their discovery and donation to the Archives might be the first step to unravelling the mystery.
If you’re wanting to learn more about our collection or wish to donate something to the Archives, we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch with our Archivist, Tracy Bradford, by emailing: archives@standrewscollege.edu.au.
Author:
December has been an exciting month for Leesa Ronald - nee Hamilton (Fr 2006), with her new novel, Special Delivery, hitting the shelves. She’s achieved a creative writer’s dream of being published all whilst working in corporate communications by day, and raising her three young children alongside her husband in Orange, NSW.
Leesa, who studied a Bachelor of Media & Communication at University of Sydney, and is a former SAC Councillor and SACAS Committee member, shared her insights into writing, and how her time at College inspired her.
The idea for Special Delivery began with Leesa thinking, ‘Wouldn’t it be your worst nightmare to be giving birth, and then there’s a really attractive male midwife in the room?’ and from that idea, the story grew from there. It follows main character Poppy, pregnant and recently single, moving back to Orange to be closer to her parents. Leesa describes her novel as being “jam-packed with my favourite things: love, family, banter, spice, friends, and the backdrop of glorious country NSW.”
Leesa admits that creative writing was not a passion during her time at College, but instead, she drew inspiration from spending most of her time with fellow students. “There was not much time for reading,” she recalls of her College days, “I did, however, attend every social and sporting event I could, which has probably informed lots of my fictional character development. The people at Drew’s were some of the funniest and most inspiring people I’ve ever met.”
you’re interested in journalism, I’d recommend internships. They’re the easiest way to build up your portfolio, you learn so much on the job, and you can make great contacts. I reckon being a journalist makes you better creative writer, as it gets you in the habit of pumping out words without overthinking it.”
She offers some advice for Androvians interested in pursuing a writing career. “Just start. Don’t overthink it. The publishing industry is very random and subjective, so there’s no point trying to fit into a certain mould. Just write what you want and have fun with it! If
As for what’s next in her writing career? “This is a terrifying question!” she says. “I’ve written a second book which I hope will be published one day (spoiler alert: it has some heavy college nostalgia vibes!) and I’ve started a third book which is going swimmingly. I lead a pretty good life, so whatever happens, I’m pretty relaxed.”
We congratulate Leesa on her first publication, which is out now and can’t wait to see what comes next.
We’re pleased to introduce our latest collection of St Andrew’s College community merchandise. Designed with a nod to tradition, each piece offers a meaningful way to stay connected with your College roots, show some Drew’s pride and support a great cause.
With every purchase until February, you will be directly supporting the Junior Common Room Upgrade, an exciting project that will enhance the College experience for both our current and future students alike. In the future, the merchandise sales will also support our scholarships fund!
From tartan socks to engraved cufflinks, our new collection has something for everybody! You can purchase merchandise on our website, simply scan the QR below to order yours!
Scan the QR code to view and purchase our full range Alumni Merchandise.
It has been a rewarding semester for philanthropy at Drew’s, with remarkable achievements that highlight the strength and generosity of our community.
Among the standout moments was the annual Founders & Benefactors Dinner in September. Close to 60 benefactors gathered for a memorable evening featuring a special Chapel service, a formal dinner, and a musical concert. This cherished tradition provides an opportunity to express gratitude to our supporters and to deepen the culture of philanthropy within our College. The event also fosters connections, as donors meet the students they support, and students gain a personal understanding of the people whose generosity helps make their education possible.
At the time of writing, over $1.9 million in new gifts and pledges has been confirmed for 2024. These contributions reflect the generosity of alumni, parents, staff, and friends of the College, all working together to ensure that St Andrew’s remains a place of opportunity for deserving students.
One of the highlights in scholarships has been the establishment of the Humphrey Rural & Regional Scholarship, generously funded by 1954 fresher, Grahame Humphrey and his wife, Sandra. This initiative will support two rural students annually for the next six years, opening doors for students from country Australia to experience College life. In addition, the Nick van Gelder Dreamer’s Foundation has created the Nick van Gelder First Nations Scholarship, which will provide substantial support to a First Nations student pursuing a career in infrastructure. This field reflects Nick’s own journey before his untimely passing.
Partnerships with the University of Sydney’s Gadigal Centre
have also strengthened support for First Nations students, with two new scholarships established to assist students attending St Andrew’s College. Meanwhile, the renewal and continuation of several vital scholarships ensures continued support for students from diverse backgrounds, particularly those from government schools.
The JCR Upgrade Appeal has been another area of focus, with over 100 members of our community coming together to contribute more than $1.2 million. This includes gifts from individuals, families, fresher year groups, the Alumni Society, and the Students’ Club. While the total cost of the project exceeds current funds, debt funding has been secured to ensure the upgrade proceeds as planned. Every gift received will help reduce the long-term financial burden on the College.
Donors to the JCR Upgrade will be recognised on a special Honour Wall, with significant contributors eligible for personalised Honour Medallions in bronze, silver, or gold. For those looking for unique ways to support the appeal, limited-edition merchandise is available, including coasters crafted from the old Highlander Bar. With only a limited supply available, these items will be in high demand.
The generosity of the St Andrew’s community continues to transform the lives of students and enhance the College’s facilities and programs. For anyone interested in contributing or learning more, please reach out via email at advancement@standrewscollege.edu.au.
It’s an exciting time to be part of the Drew’s family, as we work together to build a stronger, more inclusive future.
Hannah Atwell Director of Advancement & Secretary to the Foundation
I’m pleased to write this report as my first contribution in my newly-elected role as President of the St Andrew’s College Alumni Society.
On behalf of the Alumni Society, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Alex Rhydderch, who has retired after his long tenure as SACAS President. Alex began his leadership in 2012, and under his guidance, SACAS has evolved into the active and vibrant Alumni Society we know today. His vision and leadership have been inspirational, and we are grateful for all his contributions.
We would also like to express our appreciation to Hannah Atwell, Director of Advancement, and her dedicated team for their ongoing support of SACAS initiatives. As always, Hannah and her team have worked incredibly hard throughout the year to deliver a successful calendar of alumni programs and events, including the highly anticipated SACAS Annual Dinner & AGM.
In the second half of 2024, SACAS was proud to sponsor several exciting events, including the Rosebowl Soccer Final, the Women’s Leadership & Mentoring Dinner, the Young Alumni Networking Breakfast, and the College’s inaugural SACAS Mentoring Program, which was universally acknowledged as a resounding success. We are looking forward to growing this program and continuing to strengthen connections within the St Andrew’s community.
Our Annual Golf Day was another highlight, bringing past and present students together for a memorable day of competition and camaraderie.
Current SACAS Committee Members:
President: Don Nicol (Fr 1984)
Vice President: Simon Ward (Fr 1994)
Treasurer: Samantha McEncroe (Fr 2005)
Secretary: Emma German (Fr 2006)
Committee
Members: Simon Carson (Fr 1994)
Rebecca Harper (Fr 2007)
Andrew Huckel (Fr 1991)
Jhoshan Jothilingam (Fr 2002)
Cameron Ireland (Fr 1995)
Angus Pulver (Fr 2013)
Alex Rhydderch (Fr 1994)
This year’s SACAS Annual Dinner saw new additions to the usual program, all of which were well received by those who attended. We introduced a raffle, a lucky door prize, a photo booth featuring Scottish-inspired props, a Drew’s heads or tails trivia competition (which saw year group tables cheering on their trivia champions) and an opportunity for alumni to submit their own College photos. Strachan Taylor (Fr 1983) gave a memorable “Address to the Haggis”. The event was a wonderful occasion, full of laughter and reminiscing with one another. Already, we are looking forward to next year – surely the sign of a successful event.
The SACAS also made a substantial pledge of $100,000 towards the Junior Common Room Upgrade, an important initiative to improve the Student’s Club facilities and strengthen student life at St Andrew’s. We encourage you to join us in supporting the project if you can.
I wish to take this opportunity to remind those reading this that we always welcome alumni who may be interested in volunteering and giving back to the College. Please don’t hesitate to reach out - we look forward to hearing from you.
As we look ahead to 2025, our SACAS Committee is filled with excitement and determination to further strengthen the bond between the College and our alumni community. I would like to thank each SACAS Committee member for their hard work and dedication in making this year such a success.
Don Nicol (Fr 1984)
SACAS President
The College would like to congratulate the following alumni and students on their awards and achievements in the second half of 2024:
Ragavi wins NSW Rhodes Scholarship
Dr Ragavi Jeyakumar (Fr 2018) has been announced as the NSW Rhodes Scholar for 2025. Ragavi completed her Bachelor of Medical Studies, Bachelor of Medical Science (Hons) Class I and Doctor of Medicine studies at UNSW in 2023 and is now working as a junior doctor at Liverpool Hospital. Ragavi will pursue a doctorate in Women’s and Reproductive Health at Oxford University. We congratulate Ragavi on her remarkable achievement!
Emily selected as a Churchill Fellow
Emily Scott (Fr 2010), was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in September, to investigate innovative global philanthropy strategies to improve outcomes for LGBTIQ+ Australians. Em will have the opportunity to undertake independent research in the US and UK for 4-6 weeks exploring philanthropic models and community initiatives aimed at advancing the well-being of LGBTIQ+ communities.
Charlie breaks ODI record on debut
In July, Charlie Cassell (Fr 2018) set a new record for best figures on ODI debut, taking seven wickets for Scotland when versing Oman in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2. Congratulations to Charlie!
Rohan awarded Nigel C Barker Medal
Olympian and Drew’s alumnus, Rohan Browning (Fr 2016), was honoured with the Nigel C Barker Medal for Sporting Achievement at the University of Sydney’s 2024 Alumni Awards in October, celebrating the remarkable impact of the university’s alumni. This distinguished award recognises excellence, leadership, and vision in sports. Congratulations, Rohan!
Tony wins prestigious awards
Tony Damian (Fr 1990), has won both Partner of the Year and the Lawyers Weekly Excellence Award. This is not the first time Tony has been recognised for his great work, and he is widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading M&A lawyers. Congratulations on these two new incredible honours!
Clare signs with UKbased Spurs
Clare Hunt (Fr 2017) has joined the Tottenham Hotspurs in the Women’s Super League! Previously playing for Paris SaintGermain, Clare has also represented Australia in the much-loved Matildas, playing in all three group matches at this year’s Paris Olympics. On 29th October 2024, she also scored her first goal for the Matildas in a win over Germany in Duisburg. It’s great to see Clare ‘s success on the field, and we will be continuing to show our support from here.
Carina showcases art in Orange
Carina Chambers’ (Fr 2007) creativity has showcased a joint exhibition, All Year Round, at the Boutique Hotel in Orange, in October. The exhibition, created with local artist Sophie Corks, celebrates the changing landscapes of Orange.
Kristina launches True Blue Gala
Kristina Lane (Fr 2018) and fellow Drew’s and Intercol friends have launched the True Blue Gala, a black-tie event supporting FightMND to raise awareness and funds for Motor Neurone Disease (MND). The Gala will be held in Sydney on February 1st, 2025 and tickets are on on sale now.
Head to the TrueBlueGala Instagram page to purchase your tickets!
Jamie wins W.H. Maze Prize
Current Student, Jamie Podmore Taylor (Fr 2022) is the 2024 recipient of the W.H. Maze Prize; awarded to the most proficient student in two units of 2000 level Geography. The Prize commemorates the contribution made by Mr. W.H. Maze to Australian geography and service at the University of Sydney. Congratulations to Jamie on this achievement.
Rudi joins the Australian Diamonds
Rudi Ellis (Fr 2016) has been elevated from an invitee to the Origin Australian Diamonds netball squad. She made her green and gold debut in the England Series throughout September, as the Australian Diamonds faced off against England’s Vitality Roses! We wish to congratulate Rudi and can’t wait to follow her progress with the Diamonds.
Kokulaan represents Australia at Youth Parliament
Current student, Kokulaan Santhakumar (Fr 2023) represented Australia in September, at the 12th Commonwealth Youth Parliament in New Zealand. As one of six young Australians selected, he joined leaders from across the Commonwealth for a week of learning and mentorship from current MPs. We look forward to his continued success at the 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in November.
Max makes Wallabies debut
Max Jorgensen (Fr 2023) realised his dream of representing Australia at Test level, making his debut in the Wallabies against the Springboks in August. He came on as a replacement in the 47th minute of the Wallabies’ 30-12 defeat to the world champions in the Rugby Championship in Perth. What an achievement - we look forward to following Max’s rugby career!
Students Compete at Indigenous Uni Nationals
Current students Gagara Farrawell (Fr 2024), Sophie Oakeshott (Fr 2023) and Yuri Farrawell (Fr 2022) recently competed in the Indigenous Nationals at the University of Wollongong. Special congratulations go to Gagara, who received the Spirit Award for Volleyball!
Phoebe named Sydney Thunder captain for WBBL
Phoebe Litchfield (Fr 2022) has been appointed captain of Sydney Thunder for WBBL|10, showcasing her leadership and growth in the game. With her standout performances for both Thunder and Australia, Phoebe is poised to lead a talented squad this season. We look forward to watching her lead Thunder in future games, continuing to inspire both her team and young cricket fans alike.
Melissa-Kelly wins Playwright’s Award
Melissa-Kelly Franklin (Fr 2006), recently won the prestigious Jill Blewett Playwright’s Award at the South Australian Literary Awards (Oct 2024), for her play Paradise Lost. The play is an accomplished and nuanced critique of Australia’s border policy in a gripping drama. We congratulate Melissa-Kelly!
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
Emma German (Fr 2006) and her husband, Glenn Smith, have welcomed the arrival of their twin boys, Rocco and Archie Smith, born earlier this year.
Will Clayton (Fr 2013) and his wife, Lee, joyfully welcomed the arrival of their baby boy, Finley Clayton, born in October this year. The family are settling into their new exciting chapter.
Melissa Marcon (Fr 2005) and her husband, Sean, have welcomed a baby girl, Annabelle McGoldrick, born on 3 June. Annabelle is Melissa and Sean’s third child, joining their two other boys.
Annabel Munro (Fr 2018) and Oliver Gresham said “I do” at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Merriwa on 2 November. Surrounded by family and friends, they celebrated their reception on Annabel’s family farm, ‘Gundibri’.
2014 Freshers Jack McCalman & Lily Mostyn’s wedding was held on Friday 22 November at Rowlee Wines in Jack’s home town, Orange. They were joined by many of their nearest and dearest, many of whom were St Andrew’s alumni!
Chris O’Donnell (Fr 2013) married his partner Emma Parsons on 16 November. The wedding was held at Chris’ parent’s property ‘Kinilibah Park’. Chris and Emma now share the same wedding anniversary as both their happily married parents.
George Bright (Fr 2020) and Sarah tied the knot on 4 October at Sarah’s family property in Belmont, followed by a reception at Tinta, overlooking the waterfront of Lake Macquarie.
Brooke Hamilton (Fr 2014) got engaged to partner, Walter Prowse, on 10 July. Walter proposed to Brooke at sunset while on a holiday in Tuscany, Italy.
Neive Roebuck (Fr 2017) recently got engaged to her fiancé, Charlie Gulliver who proposed during their holiday together in Mallorca.
The College has learned of the following deaths in our community. Our sympathies are extended to the families.
Dr Stephen Alexander Barwick (Fr 1968)
Rev James Tregarthen Bishop (Fr 1954)
Dr Tim James Humphery (Fr 1963)
Mr William Gerald De Saram (Fr 1966)
Mr William Frank Morgan (Fr 1989)
Dr Neville Gibson Japp (Fr 1952)
Mr Salim Michael Bashir (Fr 1955)
Dr William Joseph Barnett (Fr 1957)
Mr Ian Cameron McMicking (Fr 1964)
Mr William Richard Murray (Fr 1956)
Scan the QR code to read the obituaries in full or visit: www.standrewscollege.edu.au/obituaries
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.