

Rev Dr Gareth Clayton OAM, Chaplain
The late Desmond Tutu - the remarkable, inspirational former South African Archbishop, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize - included this prayer in his book ‘An African Prayer Book’, published in 1996 (Hodder & Stoughton UK)
GOODNESS is stronger than EVIL
LOVE is stronger than HATE
LIGHT is stronger than DARKNESS
LIFE is stronger than DEATH
VICTORY is ours through Him who LOVES us.
The Gospel of John makes this observation,
“The LIGHT shines in the darkness, and the darkness has NEVER put it out.” John 1: 5 GNT
It has always seemed to me that St Andrew’s at its best very much identifies with Archbishop Tutu in this prayer.
Blue & White is published twice a year by the College Advancement and Marketing teams for the St Andrew’s College Community Front cover: Our victorious Women’s Rugby 7s team sing the Andrew’s song.
Editorial team:
Hannah Atwell
Marlies Martin
Georgia Wyatt
Photographers:
Matthew Duchesne
Ashley-Ann Hodges (Fr 2022)
Frankie Lobban (Fr 2023)
the Archives
24 Road to Paris 2024: Aspiring Androvian Olympians
26 Alumna Profile: Alexandra Dalton
27 Alumnus Profile: Lachlan Barrett
28 Alumnus Profile: Ian McMicking
30 Community Events
34 Faculty Spotlight: Dr Rachel Killean
35 From the Archives: A History of the Junior Common Room
36 From Barker to Browning & Beyond
38 Philanthropy Report
39 From the Alumni Society
40 Awards & Achievements
42 Matched & Hatched 43 Vale
This year commenced with Council reviewing and updating our strategic plan. The main areas we continue to focus on include attracting and retaining a diverse and distinctive community of students; developing a world-class residential life program; ensuring we have high quality facilities; and building and maintaining enduring relationships with our community.
In this pursuit of excellence, Council’s strategic plan highlighted the need to substantially improve the aesthetics and amenity provided in the Junior Common Room (JCR). A substantial renovation is set to take place during 2024/2025 summer break and further details can be found on page 11.
This redevelopment will ensure the JCR is activated daily with a café and casual seating area; an evening bar; can be used in various function modes (Highlanders, AGM, cocktail functions, professional development events, dinners, conferences), and be a base for the non-residential students. The Major Works Commmitte is redesigning the existing layout to provide a new bar location, bathroom facilities, a back of house kitchen, furniture storage, plumbed in keg lines, and pedestrian access off Missenden Road for external guests to use for improved College security. The estimated costs of the construction is $4m and Council is working hard to value manage the design. Also, it has been fantastic to engage a number of alumni property professionals to help bring this project to life.
While on campus improvements, I must mention the success of the Main Building Bedroom refurbishment that occurred over the previous summer. These rooms have received great feedback from students and parents – they look beautiful, are
functional and are more comfortable with the underfloor heating and ceiling fans. There is more information about these in the Campus Upgrades story on page 8.
Other areas Council is focused on in 2024 include improving the admissions process and associated communications; connecting further into Asia via a reunion event later in the and student recruitment from the top schools in that region; and ensuring we are an employer of choice for staff in the residential college sector.
In terms of the Council structure, we have had some changes the last six months. I would like to thank outgoing Councillors Leesa Ronald (Fr 2006) and Amanda Mostyn for their service the last few years. These women have provided invaluable guidance on public relations, communications, human resources and board governance.
We welcome onto Council Rev Christopher Waterhouse from St James’ Church in the Sydney CBD, and alumni Walter McCallum (Fr 1988) and Munraj Dhaliwal (Fr 2006). These Councillors will advise on skill sets such as pastoral care, legal, and finance. In addition, we look forward to welcoming a new Councillor who will be voted onto the Council via the Council Elections process in July.
This redevelopment will ensure the JCR is activated daily with a café and casual seating area; an evening bar; can be used in various function modes (Highlanders, AGM, cocktail functions, dinners, conferences), and be a base for the non-residential students.
Finally, I encourage you to read the Annual Philanthropy Report, which is published and printed alongside this issue of Blue & White. Thank you to those who have helped us raise significant funds and been part of making a difference to the lives of our students and the College. I encourage you to read about the impact of giving and consider contributing to College. We wish to foster a strong culture of giving at St Andrew’s and we would love for those who received financial support during their time at College to consider assisting the next generation of Androvians.
As always, if you have feedback or wish to be involved in what’s going on at the College, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Sasha James (Kovic) (Fr 2005) Chair of Council
Semester One 2024 has been a wonderful success, reflecting the incredible dedication and hard work of the entire St Andrew’s community.
Iextend my deepest gratitude to our students, staff, alumni, and supporters for their invaluable contributions.
The foundation for this year’s success was laid well before Semester One began. We experienced exceptional retention from 2023, providing maturity and stability to our Students’ Club. Our Student Life Department’s leadership training program, initiated at the end of 2023 and expanded in early 2024, has been pivotal. The 2024 Mentors, PCLs, and Secretaries have exhibited exemplary conscientiousness and thoughtfulness. Under the adept leadership of the Senior Student, Ewan Jackman, the House Committee has shown commendable courage, implementing necessary changes while upholding the independence of the student voice.
Welcome Week was a triumph, showcasing our leaders’ dedication to a safe and inclusive series of events. Our first-year cohort, a testament to our robust admissions process, is exceptionalhigh-performing, diverse, and actively engaged in all aspects of College life.
Our achievements extend beyond social activities, with notable success in the Rawson, Rosebowl, and Palladian competitions, without compromising intellectual pursuits. Leadership short courses have seen high participation, and our tutorial program has reached record enrolment. The College’s academic excellence was prominently displayed at the University and Schools dinner, where we had the honour of hosting outgoing University of Sydney Chancellor, Belinda Hutchinson AC. Her unwavering support for Sydney colleges, especially St Andrew’s, is deeply appreciated, and we look forward to her future visits.
Our achievements extend beyond social activities, with notable success in the Rawson, Rosebowl and Palladian competitions, without compromising intellectual pursuits.
Significant improvements have been made to our campus. The refurbishment of the Main Building bedrooms over the past summer has provided our 2024 freshers with enviably stylish rooms. Other projects, such as the upgrade of the pathway to the University, will further enhance the College’s appearance.
Looking ahead, there is the renovation of the JCR, a much-needed project to transform it into a vibrant social hub. The plans are progressing well to create a warm and welcoming café during the day and a sophisticated bar in the evenings.
We owe a great debt of gratitude to our generous benefactors. Your philanthropic support enables many talented students to attend St Andrew’s who might otherwise not have the opportunity. These students greatly enrich our community.
Thank you, also, to those who have already pledged support for the JCR. If you wish to contribute to means-tested scholarships or the JCR renovation, please contact the Director of Advancement, Hannah Atwell or me, or contribute through Annual Giving Program.
Thank you again to everyone for making 2024 an outstanding year so far. I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all who have supported me over the past eighteen months.
Dr Robert Leach Principal
The College campus came back to life in early February, with over 60 student leaders engaging in a rigorous staff and student-led training week. Tales of the summer break in the Dining Hall, laughter spilling down corridors, and enthusiastic smiles provided a reminder of the reason for College’s existence, the students.
The successful leadership training program paid dividends once we commenced Welcome Week. The stress of first impressions, slightly inebriated socialisation, and a sprinkle of youthful naivety pose many challenges, however, fReshers and student leaders should be proud of how they navigated the jam-
packed week. We continue to receive compliments from our intercollegiate neighbours about the welcoming and respectful character of our students.
Our successful start to 2024 has continued past Welcome Week. We have achieved resounding success in Rawson and Rosebowl, and outstanding individual performances in Palladian. Currently, St Andrew’s leads in all three intercollegiate competitions and shows no signs of slacking off. The Androvian spirit is in full force on the sidelines.
The number of successful College social events continue to highlight the College’s superb start to 2024. Whilst, at the moment, many of our events are restricted to current students only, they have provided an opportunity for us to solidify our communal spirit and form friendships to last a lifetime.
Our dedicated PCL’s have stepped into their new portfolio roles with ease and excellence. With the return of wellbeing staples, such as ‘Fortnightly Fortnight’, ‘Walk and Talk’, and ‘Tea and Tim Tams’, our dedicated team has put thoughtful care into extending
their initiatives, seeking to provide as much care and support as possible for everyone.
We cannot forget our many generous donors and benefactors. Your contributions are crucial in supporting the College and us, the students. Please accept our heartfelt thanks for your support; it does not go unnoticed.
Overall, the House Committee is dedicated to producing the best College experience, with the students at the centre of our focus.
Ewan Jackman (Fr 2022)
Senior Student
Phoebe Lotz (Fr 2022)
Honorary Secretary
Georgie Beer (Fr 2022)
Honorary Treasurer
Top:
2024 House Committee, PCL’s and Student Mentors during V-Week training prior to the 2024 Welcome Week.
Left:
2024 Executive Committee: L-R Phoebe Lotz, Ewan Jackman and Georgie Beer.
St Andrew’s College has long been committed to supporting students from rural and regional areas, as well as fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone is respected, valued, and empowered. As we strive to achieve this goal, our admissions process plays a crucial role in shaping the composition of our student body.
St Andrew’s College boasts a richly varied student population, with 41% of our 2024 intake students hailing from rural, regional, and remote areas, 16% from interstate, and 12% are international. Our dedication to inclusivity extends further, with 15% of our students coming from public schools, 11% from low socioeconomic backgrounds, and 6% identifying as First Nations students.
To support our diversity goals, we offer scholarships such as the Rural and Regional Scholarships (over 60% of scholarship applications are received from these regions) and the First Nations Scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Our recruitment efforts are aimed at reaching a wide range of students. We attend schools and careers expos all over New South Wales, invite local high school students to Formal Dinners, and collaborate with the University of Sydney on events such as Open Day, First Nations programs, and Rural and Regional events. We have also expanded our reach to interstate expos, such as the VCE Expo in Melbourne, and are working on projects to target more public schools.
One of the key aspects of our admissions process is the emphasis on potential. We believe in looking beyond academic achievements to identify students who show promise in leadership, civic engagement, and contributing positively to our collegiate environment and the overall community. Once admitted, we support our students through tutorials and service leadership training and opportunities. But there is no ‘typical Androvian’: we value a heterogeneous student body and seek individuals who demonstrate qualities such as humility, engagement, and curiosity.
We also prioritise gender balance and representation from different universities and faculties.
Alumni connections offer valuable perspectives on potential candidates, assisting us in identifying students who resonate with the ethos of St Andrew’s
College and are likely to flourish within our community. While we greatly appreciate alumni recommendations, familial connections are not obligatory nor solely decisive for admission.
St Andrew’s College remains dedicated to fostering a vibrant and inclusive environment that nurtures the talents of all students and prepares them to be compassionate global citizens and leaders of tomorrow. Our admissions process reflects this commitment, and we will continue to evolve and innovate to ensure that we remain a welcoming community for years to come.
Ian Smith Vice Principal
The Main Building Bedroom refurbishments were completed in January this year, a week ahead of schedule and right on time for V and Welcome Week. The feedback from fresher students who moved into these rooms and their parents has been resoundingly positive, with many commenting on the rooms’ functionality and aesthetics.
In April, the necessary power upgrade for the Main Building took place, which means that the underfloor bedroom
heating is now fully operational. The students are also enjoying the extra storage space in the new cupboards and underneath the beds. All rooms that could accommodate double beds now have them too. The additional comforts of the reading lights above the beds, full-length mirrors and towel rails, new desks and chairs and pin board walls, have all combined to make the bedrooms in Main some of the best on the College campus, if not the entire University campus. These
state-of-the-art additions to the rooms ensure our students have inclusions aligned with modern-day expectations while maintaining the heritage of the Main Building.
We would like to say a big thank you to the team at Spectrum Property & Projects for managing the build and SHAPE Builders, who managed to demolish and renovate 82 bedrooms within eight weeks (something unique in the industry) without compromising quality!
The pathway to the University has always been a main feature of the College. Over the years it has seen lots of activity but over time water, the root system of the gum trees, and vehicles have damaged the pathway to a state that is not repairable. It is with this in mind that we are rebuilding the pathway this winter as part of our campus upgrades.
Our pathway has seen many victories and student successes over time. The College was built to face the direction of Sydney University and the pathway was the students’ road to success whether it is in the arts, sports, or academia. Those students being cheered on by their colleagues to be the best they can be in their endeavour makes it more than just a pathway. The haunting sound of the bagpipes as our teams go into sporting battle is compelling and our pathway needs to represent the beauty of the College as well as carry our students safely.
Work on the pathway commenced in late May. The upgraded path will incorporate the traditional stone alongside new plants and improved lighting to ensure it is safe at night.
A space outdoors for all to gather – that’s what the First Nations Garden is. The garden was finished in January under the watchful eyes of our resident kookaburras and magpies, who as sure as the light of day would rise, would appear and supervise the making of this beautiful space. Student leaders and fresher students attended the garden’s opening in Welcome Week and participated in a smoking ceremony in the space.
Five months in, and the garden is flourishing with the many species of plants native to Gadigal land. The team at Wildflower has ensured they built a space that is relevant to our location and meaningful for everyone— a space where the community can gather and where an individual can study or relax with a good book.
The garden has achieved this and so much more already. We’ve heard stories from the Wildflower team about the interest shown by students and how our students proactively engaged in the discussion to learn more about the plantings, overall design, and their meaning.
The garden is intended to showcase that EVERYONE is welcome at St Andrew’s, but already it’s opening the hearts and minds of people like Wildflower, who had never before stepped foot on College grounds. Our Drew’s community has always welcomed trusted friends into College, and our strong relationship with Wildflower means they will always be one of those trusted friends.
The garden is also allowing the College to connect with the wider Indigenous community through collaborations with the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence; we hope to assist them in educating and training young aspiring minds within their community. Our journey in this space has only just begun.
Top and Bottom:
Students at the Smoking Ceremony during Welcome Week.
team from Wildflower worked throughout January to create the garden.
We invite members of the St Andrew’s community to join us at the celebration and naming of our new First Nations Garden on Wednesday 7th August. Scan the QR code to learn more about the event and register to attend.
Without a doubt, the Junior Common Room (JCR) is a much-loved space for our current and past students. It’s the place of many fond memories of gatherings and celebrations. However, the years have taken their toll on the JCR and it’s no longer an area where students can gather comfortably as a community day to day. Our students have told us they need a place where they can relax outside of their rooms, a place where the Drew’s community can come together both casually and for more formalised gatherings.
Ideally, the JCR should be the heart of the College, where students can bring family or friends for a coffee or drink. It’s a space where students can mingle without the pressure of fomalising an arrangement, and where formal gatherings such as the Mother’s and Father’s Day events can extend beyond the Dining Hall.
A space where students can gather to watch a major event on the big screens while enjoying a beverage or a place where you may just want to be around people when completing an assignment. Either way, the JCR intends to cater to ALL requirements of our community today.
In redesigning the JCR, the feedback received from past and current students has been invaluable in making sure we develop a space that is functional and aligns with the heritage of the College. We understand this is key to not only the JCR redevelopment but also ensuring we are always aligned to the fabric of St Andrew’s amazing history. We also have an opportunity to bring back
some of our many archive pictures and memorabilia which will be built into the aesthetics as well as the current honour boards and signage.
It’s with this in mind that we are working to design a JCR that is suitable for all occasions. The upgrade will include:
• a central café and bar with a serviceable kitchen within the back of the house;
• an after-hours meals area where students can grab pre-planned and requested meals;
• refurbished bathrooms (and more of them),
• an improved and level courtyard,
• improved facilities for nonresidential students such as lockers, laundry, and shower facilities;
• and in the future, an additional green space to enjoy the sun next to the JCR.
Last but not least, the JCR accessibility needs to be improved. We intend to create wheelchair ramps into the JCR and one-level flooring both inside and outside to ensure all members of our community are able to visit.
We are currently working on the development application (DA) with the assistance of two of our alumni; Alex Nock (Fr 1992) who is our lead architect and Michiru Higginbotham (Fr 2006), who is our lead designer, commissioned to blend aesthetics and design with heritage and history. We will continue to take feedback from all of the St Andrew’s community and expect to have the upgrade fully completed by the end of January, 2025. We look forward to sharing more updates with you in the coming weeks and months.
Steve Culpeper Director of Operations
Top and Bottom:
Artists initial impression of the upgraded JCR. Please note these are not the final plans or finished.
Scan the QR code to learn more about the JCR Upgrade.
The Tutorial Program at St Andrew’s continues to be central to the College’s objectives, which require us, as the St Andrew’s Act (1998) confirms, ‘to provide assistance to [our] students in their studies and educational development’. This semester, 150 tutorials have been offered across all subjects (equalling the record coverage achieved in Semester 2 last year). However, it is the quality rather than the quantity of those tutorials that is most compelling.
At a time when many of our students are enrolled in units at their university with over 1000 other students, finding themselves in university tutorials of 50 or 60 or more, with few opportunities for individual attention, the Drew’s tutorials, by contrast, are based on a model that is the gold standard of higher education: the small group, in-person tutorial, where students have the opportunity to discuss their problems and ideas, collaborate
closely with their peers, and receive expert input, feedback, and guidance.
Under the stewardship of our seven Academic Heads, the tutorials have been taught, predominantly, by fourthyear students, postgraduates, and academics, ensuring a high level of subject expertise.
Our program of co-curricular short courses has continued to grow and we have extended our focus on Leadership skills. The College has again run our Leadership Essentials course, convened by the Principal. Students begin with a psychometric test so they can begin to develop a leadership style that draws on their own strengths. This knowledge provides the foundation for developing effective leadership based on values, respect for diversity, and good communication. Sessions on event planning, team formation, and decision-making prepare students for their responsibilities as future leaders.
This semester, we added an Advanced
Leadership course, run by Dr Maria Ishkova of the University of Sydney Business School.
The course has enabled students in the later years of their study, many of whom also have positions of responsibility within College, to develop and refine their leadership skills. The course included advanced sessions on understanding yourself, understanding others, leading teams for creativity and high performance, and dealing with conflict and change. It proved a wonderful opportunity for our students to develop their skills in a small group setting under the guidance of one of the University of Sydney’s leading educators in leadership.
Dr Daniel Tyler Director of Education
Bottom:
Students sit in on a short course.
Oppoosite page Top:
Amelia Daunt (Fr 2023) introduces a session at the Sports for Leadership event.
Opposite page Bottom:
Daniel Tyler, Wayne Erickson, Max Von Appen (Fr 2022) and Nick Farr-Jones (Fr 1981) at the Sports for Leadership event.
In May, the College ran an inaugural Sports for Leadership event. This one-day event explored the many ways in which sport enriches our capabilities in leadership. The keynote speakers were World-Cup winning Wallabies captain Nick Farr-Jones (Fr. 1981) and Michelle Mitchell, Olympic Gold medal winning Hockeyroo. The event helped our athletes learn how to leverage their skillset beyond sports and all of us discovered how we could benefit from high-performance mindsets.
The event built on the College’s long-standing emphasis on student leadership and on our history of sporting achievement. Daniel Tyler, Director of Education, spoke about the rationale for the event and the value of articulating the myriad benefits of sporting involvement.
Wayne Erickson, Principal Emeritus, discussed the proud history of sporting competition at St Andrew’s and “the deep-in-the-soul presence of sport in the history of the College”.
Soccer player, coach, and researcher, Sarah Karlik, described her experiences as an international athlete, the challenges faced particularly for international women soccer players, and outlined her various roles within the game. Michelle Mitchell also talked about the challenges of high level sport and about life after Olympic success. Her challenge to our students was to take responsibility for their own journey and to drive their own success, within sport, their studies, and the rest of life.
Squash player, PhD student, and qualified psychologist, Robert Palmer, discussed mental strategies for coping with
pressure and Caitlin Shepperson, PhD student and the University of Sydney record holder for hammer throwing, gave us insights into her goal-oriented strategies for achieving success in sport and education concurrently. In the second keynote of the day, Nick Farr-Jones spoke compellingly about his own experiences, what he has learnt from them, and the advice he could share with the latest generation of Androvians. He spoke about effort, teamwork, and risk, and about “getting the process right” which ensures that “the scoreboard looks after itself” on the sports field and, metaphorically, in business.
The talks were instructive and inspiring. Our students gained a great deal from the sessions and there were many lessons for us all to take forward in our studies and our work lives. The College plans to build on the success of the event with further initiatives that develop leadership skills and leadership through sports.
Dr Daniel Tyler
Director of
Education
On Thursday 23 May, the College hosted our annual University & Schools Chapel Service and Dinner to honour the outstanding academic achievements of many St Andrew’s students in 2023.
The evening brought together dedicated students and esteemed College and University members to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our Androvians. We were honoured to once again welcome Belinda Hutchinson AC, outgoing Chancellor of the University of Sydney, and express our gratitude to her for presenting these prestigious awards. We also extend our appreciation for her invaluable service as Chancellor of the University of Sydney, as she completes her third consecutive term. Belinda’s final ‘Response from the University’ was a wonderful way to end the evening.
We are proud to congratulate Jules Vahl (Fr 2021) on his outstanding achievements. Jules was awarded the St Andrew’s Medal for 2023, recognising him as the highest-performing resident student over a three-year period.
We extend our congratulations to the following St Andrew’s College students and recent alumni who achieved exceptional academic results in 2023:
Jules Vahl
University Medallist
Temana Short
Sam Aubin
Ailish Barry
Emma Briand
Elise Cope
Taylah Anderson
Marguerite Andrews
Tushar Aneja
Max Von Appen
Mink Godfrey-Asseraf
Lucy Baker
Mateo Baldwin
Finlay Ball
Sophia Barnard
Sam Bennett
Oscar Beregi
Lucie Bonjer
Asher Breuer
Charlie Burns
Lara Burns
Jack Butcher
Claudia Callaghan
Gabriel Carmody
Chelsea Castle
Rosie Charge
William Constable
Jasper Cusiel
Matilda Damian
Michael De Huy
Georgia Fichardt
Mirren Fitzgerald
Carissa Miltiadou
Hayden Nielsen
Temana Short
Adelaide Taylor
Jules Vahl
Lily Webster
Alannah Webster
Charlotte Damian
Maksym Derlytsia
Yasmine Downes
Chilli Evans
Benjamin Fakira
Neon Fan
Finlay Ferris
Morris Fredriksson
Sophia Gonzalez
Edward Goodman
Bonnita Green
Ella Gunn
Vincent Guo
Samantha Guthrie
Ashley Hanna
Harrison Hardge
Ben Harvey
Gabriella Henzell
Thomas Hosking
Sofia Hurley
Nicholas Jones
Kiahn Ladkin
Baxter Laurance
Bonnie Liu
Charlotte Macdonald
Flynn Macgregor
Lachlan Martin
Lucia Massaro
Sofia Massaro
Henry McGuinness
Henry Mitchell
Arya Moodley
Kaitlin Mulcahy
Lara Nash
Chloe Nel
Zoe Nunn
Anna Offield
Victoria Paitaridis
Clementine Paradice
Maleka Parolin
Scarlett Pearce
Lachlan Peters
Sorita Pho
Heidi Raine
Charlotte Ross
William Saddington
Charles Sayers
Charlotte Scott
Mia Seisun
Duncan Eddy-Soros
Archie Stacy
Hannah Starsmeare
Jackson Stiel
Jamie Podmore-Taylor
Hamish Todd
Sarah Waddell
Matthew Wahby
Eve Warburton
Mari Watkins
Angus Wickham
Anouk Wickham
Henry Wilcox
Sophie Wines
Luca Wynn
Georgia Zhang
Welcome Week 2024 has been hailed a success by all involved; Staff, House Committee, Pastoral Care Leaders, Mentors, Parents, and most importantly our 2024 Freshers! The journey that led to the biggest week on the College calendar being a resounding success started in 2023, with many months of preparation and student leadership training working towards this outcome.
Training for student leaders is not just a routine affair but a vital role of Colleges. Training provides a unique opportunity for both staff and student leaders to come together, immerse themselves in the College’s core values, and engage in discussions on policies and best-practices related to student life and events.
Whilst historically, leader training has always been completed at the start of the academic year, usually immediately preceding Welcome Week, there is an increasing trend to add at least several
days of training at the conclusion of Semester Two. Training student leaders at the end of the academic year, just before the summer break, offers several compelling benefits that ensures a seamless transition and a strong foundation for the following year.
In November 2023, St Andrew’s introduced our inaugural ‘Leadership Weekend’ for all incoming 2024 House Committee members and Pastoral Care Leaders. With a full two-day schedule of workshops, panel discussions, breakout groups, and social bonding activities, feedback from the student leaders was very positive, feeling it provided a strong foundation for 2024, ensuring that priorities and expectations, particularly those related to Welcome Week were clearly set prior to summer, resulting in easier communication between staff and students upon their return.
This training was then consolidated by incoming Senior Student Ewan Jackman and Honorary Secretary Phoebe Lotz attending the National Association of Australian University
Colleges (NAAUC) conference hosted at Ormond College in Melbourne.
Our delegates returned inspired, noting how impactful it is to learn how colleges all around the country operate beyond the Sydney bubble. Our Students’ Club found the experience so rewarding that they joined the Association as members.
This foundational work all built towards our V-Week program held immediately prior to Welcome Week. In 2024 we updated our program, placing a greater emphasis on St Andrew’s specific learning. Therefore, there were fewer external training providers and a greater number of in-house staff led sessions, scenario-based learning, and peer-facilitated sessions, as well as essential activity preparation time.
Clockwise from top left: Students during Welcome Week at the LGBTQIA+ Ally Session.
St Andrew’s women before a game of touch on the oval during Welcome Week.
A training session during Welome Week. Incoming Freshers are welcomed by the Principal, Rob Leach, on Move-In Day.
Welcome Week 2024 was a overwhelmingly positive event largely thanks to the preparation, leadership, and professionalism of the Students’ Club House Committee. The team implemented several carefully thought-out changes to the program to ensure a safer and more inclusive week was had by all incoming students at St Andrew’s.
Most notable of these key changes included:
• Commencing Welcome Week a day early on a Monday and concluding earlier to give first year students the entire weekend before classes start to refresh and prepare themselves.
• The first evening of Welcome Week was dry, with student leaders choosing to emphasise Freshers forging connections and absorbing crucial information before the introduction of alcohol.
• An enhanced education and information program for the first-year students across the week to help acclimate them to St Andrew’s College and gain confidence and knowledge in support structures.
• A re-imagined intercollegiate program that saw a new event of a BBQ lunch and social touch footy to allow for stronger and healthier connections being forged between neighbouring colleges.
The House Committee, Pastoral Care Leaders, and Mentors ran an exemplary week of activities, with an emphasis on empathy, inclusion, and support for First Years. It was a joy to welcome our 165 residential and non-res Freshers to the St Andrew’s family, and we are exceptionally proud of our 2024 student leadership team for the way they managed themselves.
Alice Draffin Director of Student Life
Established in 2015 by former Chair of Council, Mr Charlie Taylor, the Taylor Scholars Program has supported and encouraged senior students to continue to engage with, and contribute meaningfully to College life. However, as we reflected on the program’s evolution over the past eight years, it was clear that the scholarship initially aimed at retaining senior students in residence had slowly shifted towards predominantly young alumni participation.
Recognising the financial challenges faced by students wishing to remain in residence, the College, with the full support of the Program’s benefactor, decided to redirect the scholarship so as to better support residents’ needs by providing substantial fee relief to senior residents of the College moving forward.
In addition, Mr Taylor has this year generously proposed renaming the scholarship program to the “Senior Scholars,” signaling a broader vision for future growth of the program as the College aims to expand the scholarship through the involvement of more members of our community, be that as project mentors or benefactors.
The revitalised Senior Scholars will continue to spearhead special interest projects aimed at enhancing the College experience. Emphasising wellbeing, diversity, and innovation, these projects continue to complement existing programs while offering unique contributions to our community.
The 2024 Senior Scholars are an energised and passionate cohort producing high quality projects that are already having a wonderful impact on the St Andrew’s community.
Tessa Bruin Student Life Manager
Marcus Peters (Fr 2020)
Destiny Batman-Peris (Fr 2021)
Destiny’s project launches limited-edition merchandise for Rawson and Rosebowl
First Nations Rounds, with artwork by Lua Pellegrini and produced by Intercept.
Marcus aims to share knowledge from his degree, including studying software engineering at Cornell University, through a four-week course on Coding and AI.
Sam Aubin (Fr 2021)
Sam has adopted Androvation and built an entrepreneurship pre-accelerator course featuring alumni speakers. This course allows paticipants to pitch ideas with seed money awarded.
Ashley Hanna (Fr 2022)
Ashley’s project increases diversity at Drew’s through student-led outreach, promoting the College, and targeting awareness and admissions in Government schools.
Rosie Charge (Fr 2021)
Rosie’s project offers fortnightly certified Pilates classes and discussions to empower women through education on female empowerment and gender equality.
Alex Malouf & Elliot Earnshaw (Fr 2021 & 2020)
Established in 2022, WNTT invites students to engage in discourse on current topics, fostering respectful dialogue.
In collaboration with the Advancement and Student Life Teams, we successfully organised four valuable Professional Development Program (PDP) events for Semester 1. These events featured alumni and parents who shared their diverse career experiences, offering students invaluable insights and perspectives on navigating their post-university careers.
This year, we enhanced the program by introducing two additional events, including a LinkedIn workshop and a Networking 101 session, aimed at equipping our students with essential skills for success not only at these events but also in their future endeavors.
Our first PDP evening was divided between two industries: Medicine/Allied Health and Commerce. The Medicine/ Allied Health PDP featured alumni Annabel Robert (Fr 2008), Stuart Saker (Parent), Rebecca Richardson (Parent), Kelly Graham (Parent), Benjamin Norris (Parent), Andrew Wines (Fr 1988), and Claire Woodward (Fr 2007). For Commerce, we welcomed Arnie Selvarajah (Parent), Sabrina Mann (Fr 2020), Justin Woodcock (Parent), Rory Ackerman (Fr 2015), Damian Chown (Fr 1986), Scott Farrell (Fr 1989), Marco van Westing (Fr 2019) and Nicola Cameron (Parent).
The second PDP evening focused on Engineering and Law. The Law PDP included Charlotte Haling (Fr 2020), Maisie McFadden (Fr 2018), Kate Nicol (Fr 2018) and Kiran Gupta (Fr 2018), while the Engineering PDP hosted David Hewish (Fr 1983), Camilla Ferguson (Fr 2012), and Mohammed Polash (Academic Head).
Each event commenced with informal mingling and introductions, followed by an engaging panel discussion and Q&A session lead by members of the Student Alumni Committee. During the Q&A sessions, alumni shared insights about their current roles, how they leveraged their Drew’s experience to succeed in their careers, and advice on various programs and internships available to students. A recurring theme was the reassurance that students do not need to decide on their exact career path immediately and that exploring various options before choosing a pathway is not only okay but encouraged. Feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive, with attendees finding the sessions highly beneficial and informative. We extend our gratitude to the alumni who took time out of their busy lives to share their experiences with our students.
Looking ahead to Semester 2, we plan to hold sessions focusing on Investment Banking, Creative Arts, and Media and Communications. If you would like to be involved, please contact the Advancement Team at alumni@ standrewscollege.edu.au.
Archie Craig (Fr 2022) Alumni Secretary 2024
It’s hard to ignore that Sydney can, at times, feel like a bit of a bubble. This can manifest as a bubble of comfort, community, and familiar faces. This insular nature is what can make you feel so ‘at home’. It’s fast-paced, with everything you could want right on your doorstepwhether it’s opportunities to further yourself for the future or a lazy Uber Eats order – in both cases, you can find yourself overwhelmed by choice.
However, from the outside looking in, the reflective surface of this bubble prompts a bit of self-reflection. It can be difficult to fathom this inevitable proximity. Memories of my own welcome week are underpinned by the inability to process how it felt like almost everyone already knew each other. Conversations seemed to revolve around shared experiences and connections I hadn’t yet forged.
“Yeah, we did cadets together”
“Everyone knows him; he plays colts”
“We had lots of mutuals on Schoolies”
The vastness of Sydney seemed to shrink with each interaction, as if everyone had already been through an orientation and I was joining halfway through.
But, of course, that wasn’t the reality. Everyone was just as uncertain as I was. While having some familiar faces in the crowd may have made it easier for others to navigate at times, we were often all as lost as each other. Persisting through these early feelings of discomfort is what makes the Andrew’s experience all the more rewarding. Yes, this bubble can oscillate between a haven and a pressure cooker - but it’s this closeness that makes this place so comforting.
This is how my early days felt, and I’m only from the Southern Highlands. Although I didn’t know anyone at Drew’s, I knew that if I ever needed a familiar face, it was only a 2-hour train ride home.
For Bailey Harrod, these 2 hours on the train turn into 12.
Hailing from Bourke, a town steeped in tight-knit community bonds with a population of 1,500, Bailey’s transition to Drew’s wasn’t a quick drive down the road.
“As much as I enjoyed growing up in Bourke, I knew that I wanted to eventually leave,” said Bailey.
“I saw attending university as not only a way to further develop my career but also to develop as a person.”
You may wonder how a young boy all the way out from Bourke heard about St Andrew’s. After all, Bailey was one of only four to graduate in his year at Bourke High School.
“I was fortunate enough to receive an Acacia Program Scholarship from the Public Education Foundation for my last two years of high school.”
Grateful for this leg-up, Bailey finished year 12. However, he emphasised that the most valuable part of this scholarship was the accompanying mentoring program. Through years 11 and 12, Bailey was supported by his mentor, who also happens to be a current Andrew’s parent, Justin Woodcock. Outside of his work as founder and CEO of Thelem Consulting practice, Justin is an advocate for improving educational opportunities for students in rural and regional Australia. His family’s scholarships offer financial assistance and mentoring to students, helping them pursue further educational and career pathways.
Through Justin’s connections, Bailey learned about St Andrew’s and was immediately drawn to the community and opportunities it offered. With the support of the Woodcock family, he applied and was accepted into the 2024 cohort.
Bailey attributes his almost instantaneous sense of belonging to the support networks and student-led initiatives that are embedded within the culture.
“I am the most social that I have ever been in my life here at College. There’s just something for everyone. The Fishing Club, Running Club, and formal dinners have been where I have met some of the greatest people.”
We’re fortunate to have students like Bailey join our College from rural areas. This diversity enriches the fabric of Drew’s through the exchange of different perspectives and life experiences. Perhaps in the past, Drew’s had been perceived as a Sydney-centric hub, or as the natural next step after Sydney private school. However, this perception is evolving as we witness a clear shift towards a more inclusive community. This transformation not only enhances our college life but also expands our worldview and fosters deeper connections with our fellow Androvians.
Clancy Aboud (Fr 2022) Editorial Team, Drew’s News
The Palladian campaign is off to a great start in 2024. We are currently leading with nine points, thanks to the incredible passion, dedication, and talent we’ve seen throughout Semester 1.
This year’s success began with the Solo Instrumental category, where both Michael De Huy (Fr 2022) and Xavier Cardozo (Fr 2024) excelled, placing first and third. Their outstanding performances set a strong foundation for our Palladian campaign in Semester 1.
Secondly, in the Solo Vocal competition, Lucy Barrie (Fr 2022) and Scarlett Pearce (Fr 2023) took stage, where Lucy secured first place with an outstanding performance, while Scarlett received a highly commended recognition for her phenomenal piece.
These achievements further solidified our leading position in the competition. Despite the strong efforts of John Coleman (Fr 2024) and Aredith Janarth (Fr 2024), who were commended for their courageous and compelling presentations, we unfortunately did not place in Oration. Nevertheless, their participation was invaluable in upholding our competitive spirit.
The fourth competition was the beloved Dance segment, featuring both small and big group performances. Led by our talented Dance secretaries, Lucie
Bonjer (Fr 2023) and Sophia Barnard (Fr 2023), the routines were remarkable. Despite the hard-fought and impressive performances, we unfortunately did not place in this category.
Lastly, we found ourselves in a nailbiting position leading into the last competition of the semester: Solo Drama. With just a one-point lead over St Paul’s, we headed to Manning Bar. Both Tilly Morgan (Fr 2024) and Nick Cradock (Fr 2024) delivered outstanding performances. Nick Cradock’s secondplace finish, combined with St Paul’s failing to place, increased our lead to nine points. This achievement put us three points ahead of both St Paul’s and St John’s College, concluding the first semester on a high note.
Our team has shown exceptional talent and dedication throughout the first half of the Palladian Competition. With strong performances in multiple categories, we are currently leading with nine points. Looking ahead to the upcoming events early in the second semester, which include Debating and Art, followed by Vocal Ensemble, Instrumental Ensemble, and Drama Ensemble, we remain focused on bringing the Palladian Cup home once again.
Anna Hunt (Fr 2022) Palladian Secretary 2024
Rawson Report
Semester 1 has been an outstanding success for the Rawson campaign, with victories in two of the four sports and two close second places.
Cricket kicked off the semester, where similarly to last year, it was a dominant display from our boys to kick off the Rawson Campaign. We started with two wins over St John’s and then St Paul’s. In the final against Wesley, we batted first, making 8/222 at Oval 1 with an impressive knock of 60 from Aredith Janarth (Fr 2024). In reply, the boys bowled Wesley out for 187, with outstanding figures from Angus Hayman (Fr 2023) and Ben WrightSmith (Fr 2022).
Next up was Swimming and Diving, where we achieved a comfortable victory. With strong individual performances and Archie Craig (Fr 2022) as secretary, the A medley and A
freestyle relay team both came away with wins.
And then it was time for Rowing. Paul’s had a very strong crew this year and it showed in their dominant display, however, our boys pulled hard and were able to secure a second place. Finally, it was Rawson Rugby. With a new look to the team and Wayne Erickson back at the helm, the boys were eager to once again be victorious. The boys started the campaign against Wesley where they achieved a 64-10 victory. The second game was against Paul’s. This game was another dominant win 52-15 with two tries from Saxon Fenwicke (Fr 2023), Dougal Payne (Fr 2023) as well as Angus Arnott (Fr 2022). The captain and veteran Angus Arnott led the boys around the park in all facets of the game. The Final was against a new and improved John’s side who put on a very strong performance against
our boys. Unfortunately, John’s were able to get the victory 33-25. With strong performances all over the park, notably three tries from Tom Morrison (Fr 2022) and the immense workload of the captain Max Von Appen (Fr 2022), it was not enough to get the win over the impressive John’s side with a second-place finish in Rawson Rugby.
It has been a very successful start to the year for the Rawson campaign with us leading halfway through the competition and the boys will be looking to keep the success going with Football, Basketball, Athletics and Tennis in Semester 2!
Bray Downing (Fr 2022) Rawson Secretary 2024
Clockwise from top left:
Ben
Our Rawson Rugby players wearing special jerseys as part of the first ever Indigenous round.
Congratulations to all the Rosebowl athletes for your dedication and achievements this semester. Your hard work in training, games, and races has not gone unnoticed.
This year has seen an excellent start to the Rosebowl campaign for the St Andrew’s women.
Netball kicked off the 2024 season, showcasing the team’s hard work. Our team triumphed over Sancta 70-8, followed by a 69-28 win against St Paul’s. Key shooters Emma Woodcock (Fr 2022) and Jessica Ledger (Fr 2022) excelled in the circle. The team continued their winning streak with victories over St John’s (64-28), Women’s (66-34), and Wesley (58-31), securing an undefeated season and the first Victory Dinner of the year.
In Swimming and Diving we also saw great success. Alex Hayes (Fr 2024) placed 1st in the 50m Breaststroke, and our relay teams shone. The Medley relay team of Laura Ellis (Fr 2023), Alex Hayes (Fr 2024), Taylah Anderson (Fr 2022), and Alexandra Van Gelder (Fr 2024) secured 1st place, while the Freestyle relay team earned a strong 2nd place. Overall, we finished a solid second at the carnival.
The Rosebowl VIII Rowing was fiercely contested. Despite a strong effort, St
Paul’s edged us out, leaving us in 2nd place. However, our boat demonstrated great spirit and dedication throughout the campaign.
In Hockey, the team started with a 3-1 win against St Paul’s. They faced a tough match against St John’s, resulting in a nail-biting 4-4 draw. Sancta and Women’s were both defeated 4-0, with Riley Constable (Fr 2024) and Destiny Batman-Peris (Fr 2021) consistently scoring. The final game saw an impressive 8-0 victory over Wesley.
Our Women’s Rugby 7s team had a strong performance at the Intercollegiate Gala Day. The first team reached the finals against Women’s College and secured taking the ‘Wayne Erickson Cup’ with a 15-10 victory.
Congratulations to all the Rosebowl athletes for your dedication and achievements this semester. Your hard work in training, games, and races has not gone unnoticed. I look forward to another successful campaign next semester!
Charlie Scott (Fr 2024) Rosebowl Secretary 2024
As we look forward to the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, we acknowledge our alumni who are aspiring to compete on the global stage. We wish all our Olympic hopefuls the best of luck for their Olympic campaigns.
Paddy Holt (Fr 2017) is an elite athlete within the Rowing Australia high-performance program.
His dedication and skill were on full display when he participated alongside the Australian Men’s Eight Rowing Team at the prestigious World Cup Rowing III event in Lucerne, Switzerland.
With the 2024 Olympic Games on the horizon, Paddy’s determination to replicate his World Cup success is unwavering. He has been selected to compete in the Men’s Coxless Pair category, partnering with Simon Keenan. This partnership is expected to bring together their combined experience and strength, aiming to achieve excellence on the Olympic stage.
As the 2024 Olympic Games approach, Paddy’s story continues to unfold, promising more thrilling moments and potential victories on the international stage.
Clare Hunt (Fr 2017) has become a household name following a run of exceptional performances as part of the Matildas in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Her remarkable skills and determination on the field have not only brought her individual recognition but have also elevated the profile of Australian women’s soccer on the global stage.
Since this historic event, Clare has made her mark on the international football stage by signing with Paris Saint-Germain, one of the most prestigious football clubs in the world, where she competes in the Champions League.
Clare’s journey from Drew’s alum to an international football sensation inspires aspiring athletes nationwide.
We cannot wait to see the Matildas soar to new heights at the Paris Olympics. The upcoming games are sure to be a thrilling display of talent and teamwork.
Alice Arnott (Fr 2016) has been named in the 2024 Hockeyroos squad for the Paris Olympics. Alice made her international debut in May 2023 against India, scoring in the third quarter.
Since her debut, Alice has soared and remained a crucial player in the Aussie squad, receiving Player of the Match in the Hockeyroos’ defeat against China in February 2024.
We will cheer on the women as they kickstart their Olympic journey against World No. 2 Argentina in August.
Connor Murphy (Fr 2020) is a triple jump champion currently working towards qualifying for the Paris Games.
In February, Connor placed first in the Men’s Triple Jump in Melbourne during the Maurie Plant Meet with a huge PB of 16.87m! This exceptional jump not only secured his victory but also marked a significant milestone in his athletic career.
As the Olympic qualifiers approach, all eyes are on Connor to see if he will secure a spot on the Australian Olympic team.
Rohan Browning (Fr 2016) has carved out an impressive career in sprinting, representing Australia at various prestigious competitions. Known as Australia’s fastest man, he gained significant recognition at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021), where he became the first Australian in 17 years to compete in the men’s 100 meters. His remarkable performance, running a time of 10.01 seconds, was the fastest ever by an Australian at the Olympic Games.
Rohan has participated in international competitions, including the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the 2019 World Championships, and the 2022 World Championships. Notably, he set a time of 9.96 seconds in January 2021, becoming the second Australian to break the 10-second barrier.
In recent years, Browning has continued to dominate on the domestic front. Earlier this year, he won the 100m-200m double at the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne and claimed victory in the 100m at the Sydney Track Classic.
Rohan’s commitment to his sport and his impressive track record make him a prominent figure in Australian athletics. We extend our best wishes to him as he aims to secure his place in the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.
Clare Wheeler (Fr 2017) is known for her versatility and technical skills on the field.
Clare kick-started her international soccer career by taking a leap of faith and leaving her job at Macquarie Bank to move to Denmark in 2021 during the COVID pandemic. Playing for the Danish UEFA Women’s Champions League club, Fortuna Hjørring Clare’s desire to challenge herself beyond her comfort zone has taken her around the world.
Now, Clare has established herself as a critical player in the national squad and the FA Women’s Super League for Everton as a Midfielder. Her strategic playmaking and defensive skills have earned her a reputation as a formidable presence on the field.
Clare scored her first international goal in the green and gold Matilda’s jersey in an 8-0 win over the Philippines in the Olympic Qualifiers in October 2023.
With the future looking bright, Clare will join the Matildas squad in pursuit of winning the Group B rounds against the USA, Germany and Zambia/ Morocco at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
We wish all our Androvians who are working towards the Olympics the best of luck. If we have missed anyone, please let us know by getting in touch: alumni@standrewscollege.edu.au
David Bartholot (Fr 2015) commenced his rowing journey through an unexpected encounter with a local enthusiast who, upon observing his 193cm stature, recognised David’s potential as an exceptional rower.
Looking ahead to the 2024 Olympic Games, David is set to compete in two challenging events: the Open Men’s Single Scull and the Open Men’s Double Scull. In the latter, he will be teaming up with Marcus Della Marta, a partnership that promises to bring together their combined strength and competitive spirit. We extend our best wishes to David and Marcus as they approach the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Campbell Watts (Fr 2016) joined the Australian Rowing Team and was selected to represent Australia in the Men’s Eight at the 2017 World Rowing Cups 2 and 3. Since then, Campbell has balanced his passion for residential and commercial development with his rowing.
Campbell is a member of the Men’s National Training Centre (NTC) and is working towards qualifying for the Paris Olympics.
Alexandra (Alex) grew up on her family’s farm near Griffith in regional NSW and now lives on a farm near Trangie with her partner. Since graduating from university, Alex has worked within the agricultural industry, and for the last 7 years has been working in cotton marketing at Louis Dreyfus Company. She shared with us some of her special memories of her time at St Andrew’s and emphasised how grateful she is for the opportunities Drew’s provided her.
Please tell us a bit about yourself – where are you originally from and how did you come to be a resident at St Andrew’s College?
I grew up on a mixed farm near Griffith, NSW (approximately six hours from Sydney), with three older siblings. My parents were both farmers and emphasised the importance of education - working extremely hard to send us away to boarding school in Sydney. After school, I decided to study for a Bachelor of Commerce at USYD and apply to be a resident at St Andrew’s. Looking back, I am so grateful for Drew’s; it didn’t just provide accommodation for rural students but was a supportive community that played a crucial role during my time at University. The camaraderie, resources, sports, and friendships I made at Drew’s were invaluable.
You were involved in several aspects of the Rosebowl Sporting Campaign, including the basketball, netball and rowing campaigns. What did you enjoy the most about competing within the intercollegiate community?
I loved the sport at Drew’s so much. Being a part of a team and building strong friendships with teammates, including other students in other years and colleges was probably a highlight for me. I also really enjoyed the training (maybe not the early mornings for rowing) leading up to the sporting campaigns, camaraderie and support from the entire College getting behind everyone.
You studied commerce at University but have worked in the agricultural industry for the past eight years. How did you initially enter the new industry?
I started working two days a week at Market Check (a grain agency and brokerage business) during University, which was a great introduction to the industry and agricultural commodities. After graduating, I started a role as a logistics planner for GrainCorp in Sydney.
You were the Secretary of the Southern Valley Cotton Growers Association from 2020 to 2023 and are currently the Vice President of the Macquarie Cotton Growers Association. What did these roles involve?
The cotton grower associations play several important roles, including supporting the interests of cotton farmers and the broader cotton industry at various levels of government, industry forums and other relevant bodies. As well as working collaboratively with research and development initiatives aimed at improving cotton farming practices, enhancing crop yields, reducing environmental impacts and addressing emerging challenges facing the industry. We also organised several social events throughout the year, like award dinners, field days, and charity golf days fundraising for the community.
Scan the QR code to read Alex’s profile in its entirety.
Lachlan was raised on his family’s farm near Coonamble in regional NSW but made the move to Sydney after school to pursue his dream of becoming a teacher. Since completing university, Lachlan has returned to the country and now works as a Classroom Teacher and Boarding Staff member at Kinross Wolaroi School in Orange, NSW. During his time at Drew’s, he made many contributions to College, notably through his positions as a Pastoral Care Leader and the Honorary Assistant Treasurer.
Please tell us a bit about yourself – where are you originally from and how did you come to be a resident at St Andrew’s College?
Having been born and raised on a farm outside of Coonamble, NSW, I developed a solid work ethic, an entrepreneurial drive and a deep sense of belonging. My upbringing in Coonamble taught me to appreciate the importance of community, opportunity, and friendship. My transition to residency at St Andrew’s College seamlessly aligned with these values, making my journey to Drew’s feel like a home away from home.
Did your time at St Andrew’s influence and/ or impact your life after College?
My experience at St Andrew’s has left a lasting impact on my life beyond College, and it continues to influence me to this day. The experiences, lessons, and connections I gained during my time at Drew’s continue to mould my values, relationships, and optimistic approach to both personal and professional challenges. I am deeply grateful for my time at Andrew’s; it will forever be a rewarding, empowering chapter of my life.
Were there particular academic, professional, or personal experiences that motivated you to pursue a career in education?
Education holds immense power, impacting everyone in profound ways. A particular experience that motivated me to pursue a career in education was during my early University days when I had the privilege of attending the admission of my sister into the NSW Supreme Court. This celebration sparked my belief in the power of education. Reflecting on the rich history of legal admission, which traces back centuries to the 1200s (1800s in NSW), I realised that it all began with education – a catalyst for opportunity, conversation and achievement.
You have experience teaching in both urban and regional areas of Australia. What key differences have you noticed between the two in terms of your job as an educator?
This a great question, as there are many similarities, but also important differences, to acknowledge about teaching in urban and regional areas to bring out the best in your community. Urban areas often offer more diverse student populations and access to resources, fostering a fastpaced environment. In contrast, regional areas emphasise community connections and a more adaptive, personalised approach to teaching. For me, at the heart of education is community.
Ian was born on a grazing property in Southern Queensland before his family relocated to NSW. He attended The Scots School in Bathurst and joined the Andrew’s community to complete a Bachelor of Arts. After graduating, Ian worked several different jobs, none of which satisfied him. Driven by the desire to find his passion and see more of the world, he took the opportunity to apply for a graduate teaching position in Japan – a decision that altered the course of his life forever. Ian has nearly 50 years of experience working across the country teaching English, being a guest professor, and supporting music programs. Upon his recent retirement from the Musashino Academia Musicae, he was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus. In this profile, he shares with us memories from his time at St Andrew’s and his journey to where he is today.
Please tell us a bit about yourself – where are you originally from and how did you come to be a resident at St Andrew’s College?
I am the second of two boys and the third child of four. I was born in the Dirranbandi district of Southern Queensland where my grandfather had established a grazing property. At a young age, my father joined a stock and station agency and our family relocated to Sydney. I followed my brother to The Scots School, Bathurst.
At Scots, the Chaplain, David Webster, was a Sydney University graduate who had attended St Andrew’s. Alan Dougan, the ‘Bird’ when I arrived at Andrew’s, had been Minister of the Bathurst Presbyterian Church.
Additionally, a year before I entered university, my sister began her nursing training at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, so I suppose she occasionally spoke about St Andrew’s. My family all thought it was a good idea.
What parts of College life were you involved in?
Do you have a favourite memory you would like to share?
I was a member of the Rawson Athletics Team and played bridge for the College. I greatly remember performing the address to the Haggis at one of St Andrew’s Valedictory Dinners.
Did your time at St Andrew’s influence and / or impact your life after College?
I left Australia shortly after graduating and soon began teaching university students. One aspect that persisted was the ‘fresher system’ as it existed during my time at College, and its varying impacts on individuals. It bound the firstyear students together and enabled us to create meaningful friendships. However, when I started teaching, I was always aware of the need to watch out for mistreatment.
Even though I moved away from Australia, I remained in contact with several old college friends. I was always delighted when able to welcome them to Japan or meet up again on my occasional visits home.
Whilst teaching was not your first role after graduating, were there particular academic, professional, or personal experiences that motivated you to pursue a career in education?
Whilst teaching was not my first role, I had accepted a Teacher’s College Scholarship to attend university and did consider it. However, as other opportunities arose, I decided to pay off my bond and look for something more interesting
– which led to the opportunity to come to Japan. Soon after I started teaching, I fell in love with the profession and have never regretted the move I made.
What did a typical day look like for you, working in a school but living in a bustling international city, all whilst supporting children and grandchildren?
The early months were filled with excitement, despite my limited knowledge of the country and inability to speak the language. However, once the novelty wore off I often thought of returning home. What stopped me was a stubborn determination not to be told, ‘We told you this would happen’. As the months became years, I started to learn the language, made friends, married, and had children, then life and work combined and became very enjoyable.
Is there a particular achievement or moment you are most proud of from your long career?
I cannot think of any particular moment, I think there were many. I was involved with an International Summer School for visiting professors, I accompanied the University Orchestra on a visit to Hungary and the wind ensemble to the United States. I ran the English Speaking Society, taught English to the Virtuoso Class (specially gifted students), and authored textbooks. I was delighted upon retirement to be named an Emeritus Professor.
What do you like to do outside of your work?
In earlier times, I practiced the Japanese martial art of kendo. I developed a liking for traditional wood-block prints, Ukiyo-e. I still enjoy attending classical music concerts and visiting art galleries and museums. I am 79 now, and my life has slowed down, but I love travelling. I have crossed Siberia by train and visited much of Europe and many parts of Asia and the United States. I regret not seeing more of Australia when I had the chance.
You were determined from the moment you read the job advertisement, what motivated you to achieve your goal? Is there any advice you would give to young Androvians looking to study or work overseas?
I felt Australia was so far away from the rest of the world that traveling abroad as early as possible was necessary. I felt I had to do something that satisfied me, not the wishes of others. If a chance is offered grab it, the world is an exciting place.
Scan the QR code to read more of our Alumni Profiles on the College’s website.
The Young Alumni Committee saw out the end of summer with their social drinks which brought together over 90 young alumni! They caught up and heard from Drew’s aspiring Olympians, Rohan Browning (Fr 2016) and Connor Murphy (Fr 2020), as they discussed their journeys in working towards qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Again, a huge thank you to Rohan and Connor for taking time out of their rigorous training schedule to be a part of the evening. Special thanks to committee members Maddie McCathie (Fr 2016) and Georgie Quigley (Fr 2012) for moderating and the entire Young Alumni Committee and Alumni Society for supporting the event.
We look forward to our next Young Alumni event, the Networking Breakfast, on Thursday 29 August.
On March 22nd, we had the pleasure of welcoming both new and returning parents, carers, and guardians to our annual Parents’ Cocktail Evening.
The principal, Rob Leach, Chair of Council, Sasha James (Kovic), and our Senior Student, Ewan Jackman (Fr 2022) shared some updates for the beginning of Semester One.
Parents enjoyed drinks and canapés, whilst listening to the Drew’s Jazz Ensemble.
In March, we welcomed 12 of the 1954 Freshers for their yearly reunion; these gentlemen gather each year to catch up about their time at the College. This year marked a special milestone as they celebrated 70 years since first arriving at College! They were joined by Principal Rob Leach and members of the Senior Executive team for a pre-lunch drink before they enjoyed a three-course lunch and a special 70-shaped cake in the Senior Common Room. We look forward to welcoming them back next year!
We hosted our annual Highlander Club Evening. In April, our Highlanders were given the opportunity to preview the design concepts for the JCR Upgrade and enjoyed signature cocktails provided by Archie Rose. The evening was made even more special by a performance from our talented St Andrew’s College Choir, who gave a beautiful performance of “Parting Glass” and “Rain” to close out the evening’s formalities.
We started off our Regional visitsfor 2024 by hosting our Newcastle Regional Reunion Dinner at the Newcastle Club, where a record number of alumni and parents attended this year! Guests met and connected with one another over a three-course dinner and heard a College update from the Principal, Rob Leach, and the Director of Advancement, Hannah Atwell.
The St Andrew’s College Alumni Society hosted its second Women in Business Luncheon, which saw 25 dynamic alumnae come together in May to hear from current Andrew’s parent and MP, Zali Steggall. We were honoured to host Zali at the Union, University and Schools Club for an afternoon of empowering conversation and connection with our alumnae. Zali’s words resonated deeply, sparking inspiration and igniting passion in all who attended. The next luncheon is planned for later in the year. Interested Alumnae should contact alumni@ standrewscollege.edu.au to be added to the invite list.
On Saturday 11 May, we welcomed the current St Andrew’s mothers to the annual Mother’s Day Dinner. The Mother’s Day Committee did a wonderful job of preparing and decorating the marquee for our guests. The night involved students sharing a fantastic evening with their mothers on the College’s tennis court with dinner, drinks, speeches and of course our beloved Scottish traditions (haggis) and dancing. Despite the rain, spirits remained undampened.
Left:
Current students and their mothers creating memories in the photobooth.
Tom
Harry Rumble (Fr 2014), Antigione Duchesne (Fr 2014), Rebecca Posel (Fr 2013), Xander Jackman (Fr 2014).
Graham Douglas (Fr 1979), Phillip Luff (Fr 1980).
Brett Corkery (Fr 1996), Hugh Wilkinson (Fr 2001), Daniel Rolles (Fr 1997).
We were delighted to host our first SACAS London Reunion in over seven years! On Thursday, 16 May, thirty-seven of our alumni based in the UK gathered at The Marylebone to reconnect and catch up with one another over food and drinks.
The evening was filled with catching up with old friends, and making new ones. We thank everyone who attended – it was a wonderful evening.
We thank our alumni Isabella Best (Fr 2014), Phillip Luff (Fr 1980), and Brett Corkery (Fr 1996) for their help organising this reunion!
We invite our members of the St Andrew’s Community who are located in the US to keep an eye out for an invitation to our New York Reunion to be held in September this year.
Dr Rachel Killean is one of two Academic Heads of Law at St Andrew’s and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney. Our Director of Education, Dr Daniel Tyler, sat down with her to talk about her pathway to St Andrew’s.
Can you tell us about your route into academic Law?
I studied law with the intention of going into what I vaguely termed Human Rights practice. But in my final years as an undergrad I started to do international law and international criminal law and I got really interested in that. I did a Masters in Public International Law and soon after went into an internship in the Khmer Rouge Tribunal in Cambodia. That was a very formative experience for me. I came back to qualify as a Scottish solicitor but I found that my heart was no longer in that particular line of work. Then I happened to be at a seminar of an academic who was talking about the kind of research that might apply to the Khmer Rouge Tribunal but not with any attention on the Cambodian case study. I challenged him a bit,
saying you’ve not thought about this particular case study; he said, do you want to do a PhD? Once I started the PhD I loved it and realised I didn’t want to do anything else.
What was the experience of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal like?
It was incredible. I was an intern in one of the chambers and we were dealing with the question of what rights should victims have in trials. This was not something I’d given a lot of thought to before because we’re in a Common Law system here, where victims don’t have a lot of rights in trials. So I was confronted with a different way of thinking about how trials can be structured and also with the question of what do we owe victims of atrocities? So it really opened my mind to the reality of life after conflict, the potential harm that the justice system can cause victims, but also the potential for repair through criminal trials. So lots of big questions, which is why I wanted to do the PhD in the end, to give myself some time to unpack the questions I was left with after that experience.
Has that work informed your continuing research interests?
That PhD now exists as a book and after I rounded off that topic I continued to have an interest in Cambodia, so I’ve continued to study how that atrocity is represented in museums, etc, which victims might have been overlooked (for example, Indigenous groups), the long term legacies of the atrocity (for example, religious communities whose elders
were killed; what has that meant for their faith?), and, most recently, I’ve started looking at contemporary human rights issues in Cambodia.
What do you teach at the University of Sydney?
My core teaching is ‘Criminal Procedure and Evidence Law’. That flows from my research to some extent, although it’s domestic rather than international. In terms of my research-led teaching I teach ‘Gender, Conflict and International Law’ and ‘Environmental Crimes’.
What do you enjoy most about your role at St Andrew’s?
I enjoy working with students in small groups; I get to know students much more closely than I do at the University of Sydney. In my criminal procedure class at the university I have 580 students. But at St Andrew’s you get to know people’s names, spend time with them, so you get much more invested in their progression and it’s exciting when you see them do well. I like being able to provide more academic support because some times at the university we just don’t get time to engage in skill building because you’re trying to deliver core content. At St Andrew’s we get space to work with students on core skills; for example, in the last year we’ve run sessions on what it means to study law, how to read cases, how to engage in critical analysis, how to write legal essays, how to solve legal problems, and that can be really fun.
In the late 1950s, driven by an increase of student numbers in College, and the resultant strain placed on College facilities, a new wing of the Main Building was commissioned, to include a new dining hall and kitchen on the upper storey and a spacious Students’ Club below. Designed by the eminent architect and founding Chair of Architecture at the University of Sydney, Leslie Wilkinson, and Ellice Nosworthy (one of Wilkinson’s first students at the University), the wing was opened in 1960.
The new Students’ Club was described by Principal Alan Dougan as “a vast Common Room with parquetted floor [and] a great stone fireplace at the southern end,” and replaced the old Common Room, which was converted into a Reading Room (now the Erickson Room).
At the time of its completion, the room was furnished with armchairs and tables for newspapers and magazines, and coffee and games tables. The new Common Room also included a billiards area (replacing the original billiards room on the top floor of Vaucluse) along with the College shop and a coffee bar.
In 1994, the Highlander Bar was added to the Junior Common Room. The opening of the new Dining Hall and Students’ Club allowed the conversion of other rooms in the College, many of which retain those functions today. The beautiful Sulman Dining Hall became the Chapel. Above the Reading Room, the original library, which had been turned into the College’s first chapel in 1940, was converted back to its original use. The old Theological Hall Lecture Room in the Sulman wing, which had been used as a library after the conversion of the original library into a chapel, became the Senior Common Room, and the beautiful stained glass windows were removed and installed in the new Chapel above.
If you have any photos or memorabilia relating to the history of the JCR, we would love to see it!
Dr Tracy Bradford College Archivist
As we anticipate the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, we acknowledge our alumni who have competed at the Olympic Games.
The College’s earliest connection with the Olympic Games dates from 1906, when Nigel Barker (Fr 1908) represented Australia in Athletics at the 1906 Intercalated Games in Athens, where he won bronze in the 100m and 400m. The Intercalated Olympic Games were to be a series of International Olympic Games held halfway between what is now known as the Games of the Olympiad. However, the only such Games were held in 1906. Barker was an Engineering student at the University of Sydney and a talented all-rounder who also played representative rugby. Barker was selected for the 1904 St. Louis Games but was ruled out with an ankle injury, sustained playing rugby. He is regarded as the holder of Australia’s first athletics world record, in the 400 yards. The University of Sydney awards the Nigel C Barker Medal for Sport Achievement named in his honour.
Forbes Carlile MBE (Fr 1940) studied human physiology at the University of Sydney achieving his Master of Science Degree. Carlile found success coaching swimmers, evidenced by his appointment as Australian Olympic Coach at the 1948 London Games. He was Australian Head Coach again at the 1956 Games in Melbourne, Scientific Advisor at the 1960 Rome Games, and Head Coach of the Dutch team at the 1964 Tokyo Games. Carlile’s selection as Australia’s first modern pentathlete at the Helsinki 1952 Olympics gave him the unique distinction of being the first Australian to first coach and then compete at an Olympic Games.
Glenn Kable (Fr 1981) was a member of Australia’s first Trap Team to win a World Championship, at Tampere, Finland in 1999. Overlooked for selection in the Australian team for the Sydney 2000 games, Glenn established the Shooting Association of Fiji, a country with which his family had a long association. He went on to represent Fiji at the 2002 – 2014 Commonwealth Games, the 2004 – 2016 Olympic Games, and multiple World Championships and Pacific Games.
Water polo player Hannah Buckling (Fr 2010) made her senior debut in 2011, the same year she won a Sydney University Sport & Fitness / St Andrew’s College Foundation Award for water polo. Balancing sport and study, Hannah received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Sydney in 2014, returning to study for a post-graduate medical degree during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hannah represented Australia at the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games, with the Stingers making it to the quarterfinals at both tournaments.
Although she grew up in a family of passionate sailors, Jaime Ryan (Fr 2013) didn’t start sailing until she was 15 years old. Seven years later, she made her Olympic debut, alongside her brother Will, at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Jaime raced with Carrie Smith in the women’s 470 class, with the pair achieving 15th place. Jaime swapped to the 49erFX class for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, finishing 13th overall with her crewmate Tess Lloyd.
James Matheson (Fr 2014) represented Australia in mogul skiing at the 2018 PyeongChang and 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics Games. In PyeongChang, he finished as Australia’s second-best-placed male mogul skier in 14th overall. Outside of mogul skiing, James completed a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Sydney. He is also the host of The Athlete Collective podcast, where he interviews a range of athletes about their sporting careers and their progression into life after sport.
Following in the spikes of Nigel Barker (Fr 1908), Rohan Browning (Fr 2016) represented Australia in Athletics at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021), where he became the first Australian in 17 years to compete in the men’s 100m. Hailed as Australia’s fastest man, Rohan had an impressive win in the heats, going on to finish 5th in his semi-final. Rohan recently won the 100m-200m double at the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne and the 100m at the Sydney Track Classic as he works towards qualifying for the Paris Games.
Dr Tracy Bradford College Archivist
So far this year, our community has raised over $510,000 in new gifts and pledges! We are so grateful for everyone who has shown their support – thank you!
This is a phenomenal effort by all involved, and we are not done yet! Our 2024 Annual Giving Appeal is focusing on raising funds for two critical areas: the much-needed, long-overdue Junior Common Room (JCR) upgrade, and increasing financial assitance available for students through our three key Means-Tested Scholarship Funds. These scholarships provide assistance to students from rural and regional Australia, Government schools, and First Nations backgrounds.
If you’re reading this, you know firsthand how attending College can be a transformative experience that has the power to supercharge someone’s potential, and open doors that might have otherwise remained closed. This year’s appeal theme, “Pay it Forward,” underscores the importance of giving back and providing more opportunities for current and future generations of students.
Applications for scholarships have doubled over the past twelve months, driven by the increasing cost of living. For those who have benefited from receiving a scholarship, or have friends who did, the value it provides is evident not only in the support the recipients receive, but also by way of enriching the entire College community. We have taken the time to speak to a number of our current scholarship students and understand the difference this support makes, and will be sharing their stories with you via videos over the coming weeks.
As many alumni have told us, the JCR was once a bustling centre for connection and conversation. However, with
shifting priorities, it has become an underutilised space. We are thrilled to be working with the Alumni Society to raise funds to make this project a reality. They have generously agreed to match each dollar donated towards the JCR upgrade, up to a total contribution of $100,000. Their commitment to paying it forward, and encouraging others to do the same, is inspiring; it will help ensure that our College community will have a space to come together for many years to come.
In the coming months, we will announce more fun and exciting ways for our community to support this exciting project. Our plans include hosting a Demolition Party and our own version of a ‘buy a brick’ program, which will allow everyone to contribute and be part of the JCR renovation.
We truly appreciate everyone’s efforts in making St Andrew’s a better place – whether that’s through monetary gifts, volunteering time or sharing stories and advice. We thank the alumni, parents and friends who have volunteered to attend professional development events, supported our students and alumni with mentoring and career guidance, and served on committees.
If you are interested in getting involved, making a gift or finding out more, please get in touch via T: +61 434 728 720 or E: advancement@standrewscollege.edu.au.
Hannah Atwell Director of Advancement & Secretary to the Foundation
The Alumni Society is pleased to kick-start the appeal to raise funds for the much needed refurbishment of the Junior Common Room by pleding to match every dollar donated in the 2024 Annual Giving Appeal up to a total contribution of $100,000!
It is good to see the heavy involvement of alums Michiru Cohen (fr 2006) and Alex Nock (fr 1992) in the JCR Upgrade design process. There is little doubt that their lived experience of using the JCR as students will result in a design that is both useful and also reflects the St Andrew’s College DNA.
The Alumni Society encourages those alumni who can do so to show that they care by making a donation to the project. Every little bit counts.
The Alumni Society otherwise continues to work on a number of projects including a Mentoring Program (which will launch in Semester 2) and advocacy around improving the process and communications associated with admissions to the College.
We are also grateful for those expat alumni who have taken it on themselves to organise their own College catch ups and events (with the full support of the Advancement Office), including some recent well attended reunions in New York and London. The Society is happy to continue to support such catch ups financially and encourages anyone
SACAS Annual Dinner Reunion Years:
5 Year Reunion: 2019
10 Year Reunion: 2014
15 Year Reunion: 2004
20 Year Reunion: 2009
25 Year Reunion: 1999
30 Year Reunion: 1994
35 Year Reunion: 1989
Scan the QR Code to the right for more infomation and to purchase your tickets for the 2024 SACAS Annual Dinner:
40 Year Reunion: 1984
45 Year Reunion: 1979
50 Year Reunion: 1974
55 Year Reunion: 1969
60 Year Reunion: 1964
65 Year Reunion: 1959
70 Year Reunion: 1954
in other areas keen to organise a reunion to reach out so we can help make it happen.
We look forward to seeing a number of you at our Golf Day at Eastlakes on Friday 25 October 2024 and also the Annual Reunion Dinner the following day on Saturday 24 October 2024. It will be the last drinks at a SACAS Annual Dinner in the current JCR, so even if it’s not your reunion year, we encourage you to come along!
The Society is also supporting a number of Women in Leadership themed lunches in addition to the Annual Women’s Leadership Dinner this year. We encourage interested alumnae to get in touch if they wish to be involved in these events.
Thank you as usual to Hannah Atwell and her team for all they do to organise and present what are very highly enjoyable and well presented alumni events, including the recent Rawson Rugby Finals Night.
Lastly, my personal thanks to our Alumni Society Committee members who voluntarily donate their time and energy to help organise reunions for our alumni and to help generally to help the College and its students both past and present in many different ways.
Alex Rhydderch (Fr 1994, SS 1997) SACAS President
The College would like to congratulate the following alumni on their awards and achievements in the first half of 2024:
We congratulate the following alumni and community members for their 2024 Australia Day Honours appointments.
Ms Catherine Livingston (Past Parent) who was awarded Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for “eminent service to business, particularly through governance and strategic reform, to tertiary education, to science, technology and innovation capability development, and to the arts”.
Dr Graham Grant (Fr 1951), who was awarded Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his contributions to biomedical engineering and medicine.
Mr Warwick Shanks (Fr 1988), who was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his outstanding service to business and the community with his involvement in a number of different organisations.
Phoebe Litchfield (Fr 2022), has been named the 2023 ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year! Phoebe had an incredible first year in One Day International Cricket, playing in the Ashes in England and India.
Alumna Elysée Dubois (Fr 2018), has recently won the University of Sydney Business School Genesis Startup Accelerator Program, for her startup Bella, alongside co-founder Kyana. Bella is an all-in-one platform transforming the way women discover and book beauty services.
We congratulate Daniel Hanigan (Fr 2017) on his new Research Fellowship at Trinity College. Daniel completed his PhD at Corpus Christi College last September, and his current research focuses on the relationship between geography, literature, and empire in ancient Greece. He joined St Andrew’s College as a Crane Research Scholar following a spectacular fourth year Honours thesis on theatre and autocracy in ancient Athens.
We congratulate Alice Arnott (Fr 2016), who has been named in the 2024 Hockeyroos squad for the Paris Olympics. Alice made her international debut in May 2023 against India. Alice played with the Hockeyroos in India for the Pro League before heading to Belgium in May.
Murray Fredericks (Fr 1990) has exhibited his largest retrospective yet in Melbourne! The exhibition brought together Murray’s previous projects Salt, Array, Vanity and his most recent series, BLAZE. The Sydney Morning Herald profiled Murray and provided unique insights into his photography style.
Student Chloe Nel (Fr 2023) was selected with her team from The University of Sydney Business School to compete in the 2024 Women’s Stock Pitch Competition held in Virginia, USA! Chloe competed alongside 23 other international teams to present a compelling Buy Recommendation for PayPal, including her 3-statement Model. We congratulate Chloe for her outstanding achievement! If you know of someone in the Andrew’s community who has achieved something noteworthy, please let us know by emailing the Advancement Office via: alumni@standrewscollege.edu.au
In March, Kupakwashe Matangira (Fr 2020) was awarded the Premier’s 2024 Youth Medal! This award recognises a person under 25 who has helped create, welcome and support inter-cultural connections and understanding between people from diverse backgrounds. Kupakwashe has been committed to ensuring young people and particularly multicultural young people, are heard by decision-makers on issues that impact them.
Current student, Oscar Beregi (Fr 2023), was selected for the 2024 NSW State Team for Rowing. Oscar competed at the Interstate Rowing Championships and his squad achieved podium finishes in every event. Oscar’s squad also achieved victory in the U21 Quad and secured a win for NSW in the interstate Youth Eight competition!
Congratulations to alums Nick Wonders (Fr 2004) and Angela Cobb (Fr 2004), for successfully running Tortoise & Hare CX Agency for over ten years! The agency focuses on expanding businesses’ customer experience (CX) capabilities and building meaningful relationships with their customer base. Their expertise has made them trusted advisors to industry leaders such as nib, Myer, Woolworths, and more!
Student Mikey McNamara (Fr 2023) recently showcased his cricket talents in Amritsar, India, for the Canberra Comets Development Squad. This tour is an opportunity for cricketers to enhance and develop their skills in different conditions. The team won two out of four matches against the Amritsar and Punjab sides.
We congratulate Ruby Riethmuller (Fr 2016) who was named one of three finalists for the 2024 NSW/ ACT AgriFutures Australia Rural Women’s Award! This award showcases the breadth of talent and innovation of rural and regional women. Ruby is the founder and director of Womn-Kind, which is a female-led youth mental health organisation on a mission to close the gap in effective well-being education and support for adolescent girls.
Current student Jules Vahl (Fr 2021) was announced as the winner of the Sydney University Law Society Public International Law Moot. This challenging quest put participants to the test on modern-day complexities around state responsibility, erga omnes duties, and the sacrosanct character of diplomatic missions.
Fresher Grace Whyte made her Suncorp Super Netball debut for the Swifts on May 12. She came into the game at wing attack in the third term against Melbourne Vixens and fellow Androvian, Rudi Ellis (Fr 2016). Grace also recently competed in the 2024 National Netball Championships in Melbourne, representing the NSW U/19 team. They were crowned champions, defeating QLD, 42-32, in the final to secure the win! We wish her all the best as she continues her netball career alongside her studies!
Michael named Australian National Piano Finalist
Current student, Michael De Huy (Fr 2022) has been named as one of 14 finalist in this year’s Australian National Piano Awards. The prestigious Award brings together a talented pool of Australian-based pianists to perform in a high-profile regionally-based piano competition in in October. Break a leg, Michael!
Zoe Cowley (Fr 2012) married Will Dempsey on 10th May 2024. The wedding was held in Wagga Wagga and they were married at St Michael’s Cathedral.
Fiona Tout (Fr 2012) & Liam Robertson (Fr 2010) were married on 30 March 2024, over 12 years after they first met at St Andrew’s College!
Kate Molloy (Fr 2013) & Angus Cooke (Fr 2014) were married on 23 March 2024. The wedding was held in Palm Beach NSW!
Michael Cahill (Fr 2012) married Mia Music on 4th November 2023. The wedding was held at Centennial Vineyards in Bowral. The couple are currently on their honeymoon on Safari in Zambia.
Angus Pulver (Fr 2013) proposed to partner Lily Rodgers on 26th December 2023. The couple got engaged at Lily’s farm in Merriwa, surrounded by Lily’s family.
Brendan Pryke (Fr 2012) and his wife, Alexandra, have welcomed a baby girl, Violet Pryke born in April 2024.
Sam Quinn (Fr 2012) and wife Meg Quinn have welcomed a baby boy, George Quinn born on 2 May 2024.
Mitch Whiteley (Fr 2013) and his wife, Abby, have welcomed their first child, Darby Dane Whiteley born on 11 May 2024.
The College has learned of the following deaths in our community. Our sympathies are extended to the families.
Dr Bruce Christie (Fr 1952)
Dr Graham Stuart Thompson (Fr 1950)
Mr Grant Close (Highlander & Past Parent)
Dr Dennis Arnold (Fr 1946)
Dr Peter McGuire (Fr 1953)
Mr Gilbert Murdoch (Fr 1971)
Dr John Douglas Menzies (Fr 1960)
Mr Roderick Balfour (Fr 1959)
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.