Whitley College L i f e Equipping leaders for a different world The newsletter of Whitley College Issue 6 - December 2011
Rev Dr Frank Rees A new university, an old university Whitley College is now affiliated with two universities—well, almost. Since its inception in 1965, Whitley has been a residential college of the University of Melbourne. The original colleges of the University were established in the 19th century to be something like the colleges at Oxford, where much of the teaching takes place. The churches that established Trinity, Ormond and Queens also formed theological schools within those colleges. Other churches established theological colleges close to the University as well. In this way, while ‘divinity’ was not allowed to be a part of the University itself, it remained closely linked to the University through the colleges. For some years there were discussions about establishing a Faculty of Theology within the University, but this was not to be. In 1910, the Victorian Parliament created the Melbourne College of Divinity. The Baptist College in North Melbourne was part of the new MCD. Now, however, all this history turns on itself and the MCD is about to become a university—indeed, Australia’s very first ‘specialist university’. On January 1st, 2012 the ‘MCD University of Divinity’ will come into being. Thus, Whitley College will be both a residential college of the University of Melbourne and a recognized teaching institution of the MCD University. When I was an undergraduate at Melbourne, we were told constantly that a university was all about ‘the cross-fertilization of ideas’. Our teachers urged us not to limit ourselves to one faculty only, but to make sure that we met people from other disciplines and areas of research. Sadly, as university life has become more and more specialized and as students’ lives have become so much busier, this seems to be a long-lost dream. Now, the new ‘Melbourne Model’ seeks to re-introduce this concept with the ‘breadth subjects’ that are required in every undergraduate program. This is a welcome initiative. Even so, when and how will students meet people from other disciplines and have opportunity for the kind of debates and dialogue that was once the essence of university life? For some at least the answer is ‘in college’. College life provides countless opportunities for people across the disciplines to learn about each other’s areas of study, research and career directions. Whether it is across the dinner table, chatting while walking to lectures or through more organized events, college life provides one of the few avenues for ‘the cross-fertilization of ideas’. Again, with a wide range of people coming to Whitley to study theology, there’s so much more potential for people of different backgrounds and interests to interact. Whitley is proud to be part of one old university and one very new university. We hope to continue making a significant contribution to each of them. WHITLEY COLLEGE LIFE - ISSUE 6, December 2011 Editor: Sivonne Binks, Community Relations Manager If you have any news or submissions for future issues, please send them by email to: sbinks@whitley.unimelb.edu.au Whitley College - Equipping leaders for a different world 271 Royal Parade Parkville VIC 3052 T: 03 9340 8000 www.whitley.unimelb.edu.au COVER: Rev Dr Marita Munro rehearses on the Grand Piano in the College Chapel
friends of whitley working in africa There are many former Whitley students working around the world, particularly in development settings. In this edition of Whitley College Life we introduce some of our former students working across Africa.
Tim Budge in Zambia
Tim Budge studied for a Bachelor of Theology at Whitley, graduating in 1993. He and his wife Meredith are now living in Zambia, working with Plan International, which focuses on the rights and development opportunities of children in developing countries. Before Zambia, he worked with Plan in TimorLeste and before that with World Vision. While at Westgate Baptist Community he founded Compuskill, which became Westgate Community Initiatives, now a major community program which provides work-skills for unemployed people. Recently he wrote to us: ‘Particularly in Zambia, I have become interested in how communities organise and create change, a topic which I have found so fascinating, it’s led me to enrol in an (off-campus) PhD at Deakin University. The PhD is focused around the ideas and practices of two people: Saul Alinsky, an American organiser who was involved in the civil rights movement and who also influenced Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton; and Paulo Freire, a Brazilian educator who saw the connection between genuine education, people’s “conscientisation” and freedom. I am hoping to see how these two have influenced – or could influence - current practices and ideas for communities and activists in Africa now.’ Tim’s project builds on his theological studies and on the practical experiences gained while working with Baptist churches in Melbourne. Although his project is theoretical in its basis, Tim believes it will also have some practical applications for his own organisation and others who want to work to support meaningful change. Find out more about the work of Plan International at www.plan.org.au
Anne Roberts lived at Whitley College while she studied Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne, from 1991 – 1993. Since 2000, she has worked with the Leprosy Mission, an international Christian medical and development NGO. First she worked in India and then, since 2004, in Ethiopia. Currently her work mainly involves training health workers from across Africa about leprosy and how to prevent or manage leprosy-related disabilities. She also mentors her organisation’s physiotherapists. One day a week she works alongside the ‘Ethiopian National Association of Persons Affected by Leprosy’, a grass-roots member organization of over 15,000 Ethiopians who live with leprosy disabilities, which strives to Helping to provide clean water and toilets for tho improve their members’ living conditions and counter common leprosy se with leprosy disabilities is part of Anne’s work. misconceptions in the wider community. You can find out more about and support their work at www.enapal.org Elizabeth dymock lived at Whitley College while she studying Science from 2004-2006. She is currently planning a trip to Milawi through Global Interaction. There she is hoping to make practical use of her Agricultural Science skills while living and working amongst the Yao people of Malawi. Liz is currently building a partnership team to support her her work in Malawi prayerfully and financially. You can follow and support her work through the Global Interaction website at www.globalinteraction.org.au
supporting whitley college Whitley College has been fortunate to once again receive generous support from our community in 2011. With the support of our donors and supporting Philanthropic Foundations, we were able to provide 15 Scholarships to Residential Students in 2011. Support of the TransFormation program has allowed us to recently celebrate the graduation of its 100th student. This year we were able to financially assist over 50 TransFormation students. Thank you to all our donors, whose ongoing support allows us to continue to provide educational opportunities for new generations of Whitley College students.
Dr george doery The College was saddened at the passing of Dr George Doery in September. Dr Doery had been a generous and valued supporter of the College over many years. Our sympathy is extended to his family.
Frank Rees with Noelle Daff and Marg Wood from the Warrnambool Baptist Church. Their ‘Come & Do’ Craft Group are generous supporters, running regular local fundraising activities for the TransFormation program since 1993.
Margie Welsford
We have had a rewarding year. The new Student Club Executive, led by James Ward as President, has swung into action and A Whitley College player makes a shot during hosted their first CRD with a ‘Fluro’ theme. the InterCollegiate Girl’s Bastketball final The Senior Students and Resident Advisers for 2011 have been carefully selected and will commence training on Saturday 26 November. Cultural activities have been enthusiastically supported, including the Intercollegiate Soiree where Amy Clements was placed equal first in the Classical Section and Renata Coppola third in the Contemporary. Sporting pursuits and achievements have been numerous. The girls basketball team were a force to reckon with, though ankles were injured along the way. Athletics, soccer and Quidditch were played along with a host of other sports. A successful Sports Dinner, hosted by Kat Duncan and Josh Smith, celebrated all Whitley sporting achievements. Boat Cruise was an enjoyable event and the last Glo Café for the year was, as always, a highlight. Musical talent abounds at Whitley and many people participated in the Battle of the Bands and popular Cafes run by the Glo group. Often staff are serenaded in their offices by people playing the grand piano in the Chapel. Winner of the Academic Students continue to involve themselves in the and Service Awards community through volunteering: helping theological Courtney Waterson Renata Coppola, winner students with their English and raising money for of the Arts Award, with “Live Below the Line”, a Global Poverty Project, by Margie Welsford surviving for a week on $2 per day- quite a feat. Valedictory Dinner was a wonderful end to the year as we farewelled our eight Valedictorians. Samantha Whitehead and Joseph Ridley, Senior Students in 2006, returned to speak about the study and career journeys post-Whitley. Awards were given out to honour residents who have excelled in Academic Life, Arts and Culture and in Service to the College Community. Congratulations to the following people: The Academic Award: Amy Scott and Courtney Waterson The Arts Award: Renata Coppola The Service Award: Courtney Waterson The tutors have provided support in a range of subjects and this year have been mentors for the introduction of specialist study planners. An initiative of the Dean of Studies, Brenda Addie, has resulted in a number of Tutor Seminars attended by both fellow Tutors and students. 2011 Valedictorians, from rear left: Taylor Hofman, Amy Scott, Thank you to all the students and staff who have made Patrick Au, Elijah Louttit, Melissa Germano, Renata Coppola, the residential College such a special place to live in 2011. Tim Green and Courtney Waterson Best wishes to those who are moving on to exciting futures. We hope you will stay in touch and come back to visit.
Guests and speakers at the Reconciliation Action Plan launch: Grant Paulson, Reconciliation Australia; Aunty Winnie Bridges, Wurundjeri Council; Barbara Guignard-Crieberg, Brunswick Baptist Church; Mark Yettica-Paulson; Rev Graham Paulson; Rex Japanangka Granites; Elijah Louttit, Whitley College resident.
Reconciliation action plan LAUNCH Whitley College published its Reconciliation Action Plan for 2011-2012 in July. The plan outlines Whitley College’s commitment to improving the educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in 2011 - 2012. The plan, which was developed in consultation with Reconciliation Australia, was launched at the College in August. Students and guests marked the occasion, which coincided with the Annual Mission Lecture, with Indigenous art, music, dance and food. You can read the College’s Reconciliation Action Plan online at www.whitley.unimelb.edu.au/reconciliation
mission lecture A young Indigenous leadership consultant who studied theology at Whitley, Mark YetticaPaulson, gave an outstanding presentation on ‘Mission in the Great Southern Land’ at the theological school’s Annual Mission Lecture. A highlight was Mark’s explanation of a beautiful and powerful painting of his own, which represents different types of cultural interaction.
Above: Cast and crew of Throughly Modern Millie Right: Celeste Bussell as Miss Dorothy Brown
thoroughly modern fun In August the Residential College Theatre Society performed a production of the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. Directed by Lisa Shalders, with leads Katherine Barton and Ben Zagami, it was a highly entertaining show filled with glamorous jazz flappers and hilarious villains. Congratulations to all the cast and crew.
a surprise reunion Director of Field Education, Rev Roslyn Wright, had an unexpected reunion at the Annual Mission Lecture. I spent several years as a child in the 1960’s on what used to be called ‘aboriginal settlements’ in the Northern Territory. Dad was manager and Mum did administration. From our time at Lajamanu I have a skin name. I talked with Grant Paulson after the lecture about my skin name – he has connections with Lajamau as well. He told me to go and talk with a tall indigenous man. I introduce myself: Roslyn: Grant told me I should talk to you. I lived at Lajamanu when I was a child; my skin name is Naparrula. Japanangka: Who’s your father? Roslyn: Murray Ling. Japanangka: Murray Ling! Murray Ling! I used to work with Murray Ling! I am Rex Japanangka. Roslyn: Rex! I remember your name! This is amazing to meet you here. Japanangka: This is so wonderful to meet you. Your mother and sisters will be so pleased to hear about you. Roslyn: Peggy? (she used to do house work for us) Oh! That is amazing. Japanangka: Yes, Peggy. She is in Alice. I am going to tell them and all your family I have found you. They will so happy! They will want to know all about you! You must go and see them. We spent the rest of the evening talking. I didn’t expect to find family connections, and it was such a delight for me to meet Rex. I hope to go and visit Lajamanu again and meet ‘the family’ there and in Alice Springs.
ordination service In October the Baptist Union of Victoria ordained three Whitley College students. The ordinands (kneeling above during the Ordination Prayer) are Roger Drew, Lin Rauber and Ryan Smith. We pray for them as they continue to develop in ministry.
Dr Ross Langmead From 1 January 2012, Whitley Theological School will be part of the MCD University of Divinity, Australia’s first Specialised University. This removes the confusion about what the MCD is and allows it to receive substantial research funding. The shape of the MCD, with seven learning centres, remains. Whitley is still autonomous and teaches from a Baptist perspective. Speaking of which, we are delighted to have appointed Rev Dr Marita Munro—currently Lecturer in Church History and New Testament Greek— to the new position of Professor of Baptist Studies, beginning in 2012. Another significant appointment is that of Rev Dr Anne Mallaby as Lecturer in Pastoral Studies. Gradually the voice of women in our teaching faculty is increasing, with three out of seven faculty being women.
BURMESE LECTURER BEGINS DOCTORATE Rev Dr Si Khia is Chin Burmese and teaches pastoral studies at the Myanmar Institute of Theology in Burma. We welcomed Si Khia to Whitley in August to begin on a PhD to add to his Doctor of Ministry so he can supervise research students in Burma. He is the Athol Gill Memorial Scholar and also won an International Postgraduate Research Scholarship.
2012 is the year of forming faith and ministry, in our three year cycle of faith, hope and love. I heard a speaker say recently that the church must broaden its view of ministry to encompass lay people as well as the clergy. I’m pleased to say that this happened decades ago at Whitley. Currently the 26 candidates for ordination are only part of about 340 students studying for theological degrees and hardly any of the 113 students in the TransFormation program for migrants and refugees are headed towards ‘professional ministry’. The Whitley faculty are at the centre of several theological networks and have been organising significant conferences: the Australian Association for Mission Studies (Sydney, September 2011, Dr Ross Langmead), the Australia and New Zealand Association for Theological Field Education (November 2011, Whitley, Rev Roslyn Wright) and an international conference on Postcolonial Theology (January 2012, Whitley, Dr Mark Brett).
FAREWELL TO LEANNE KELSO After twenty years, Leanne Kelso moved on in September from her varied administrative roles in both the theological and administrative offices at Whitley over the years, to take on similar work closer to home. Leanne will be remembered for her warm welcome, her quiet competence, her unflappability and, above all, for being able to keep up with John U’Ren when she served as admin assistant in the School of World Mission in the nineties. We wish her well.
college day 2011 is the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James (Authorised) Version of the Bible. The Retired Pastors College Day this year took up this theme. A number of participants brought along personal copies of the KJV and shared stories of the significance of the Bible in their life and ministry. Most wonderful of these was the Bible Rev George Ashworth brought, which was given to him in 1943 and was first given in 1880. This Bible, enscribed by its various owners, was kindly donated to the College archives. We thank George for his generous gift.
BAPTISTS AND THE BIBLE
Presenters at the 2011 School of Ministry, from left: Rev Dr Seon Bae Kim, Rev Dr Sean Winter and Rev Dr George Wieland.
The 2011 Whitley College School of Ministry in June focused on ‘Baptists and the Bible: Readers, Preachers and Teachers’. The School of Ministry ran concurrently with a Baptist research forum, giving the more than one hundred participants a chance to choose either scholarly or ministry-oriented workshops. Participants enjoyed presentations from international guests and discussion with colleagues throughout what was a very succesful School of Ministry.
2011 Prize winners The Whitley College 2011 Big Night Out celebrated our year at Whitley and was an opportunity to congratulate those students completing their current Theological studies. Dr Ros Otzen, Chair of Council (centre) also awarded this year’s prizes. The prize winners (above, from left) were: Mark Jessop, Katrina Lambert, Annette Buckley, Na Rae Noh, Angela Garton and Peter Nielson (not pictured David Fagg and Andreana Reale).
Professor Basil Brown farewell and thanks! As we come to the end of this year, two distinguished members of the Whitley College Council will conclude their service to the College. Paul Holdway joined the College Council and its Executive Committee in 1998, as a young solicitor who was completing a degree in theology at Whitley and in his years of service to the College has brought the insights and skills of this diverse training. His wise stewardship of the corporate memory of the Council has been invaluable during the years when the Council made the transition from a large, representative group to a smaller governance body. In addition, he undertook the task of writing a new Constitution and By-laws for the College, thus providing a strong and lasting foundation for the new Council. In numerous other ways, he has contributed his skills, commitment and personal support to the Council, staff and students of the College. Earlier this year, Paul received the ‘Access to Justice’ award by the Law Institute of Victoria, in recognition of his work on behalf of victims of sexual abuse. Paul attended Hall on the 17th of October and spoke to the students about his passion for justice, which guides his work as a solicitor, his advocacy for victims of sexual abuse and his contribution to Whitley and to a number of other community groups. Dr Ros Otzen joined the Council in 2003 and served briefly as Secretary to the Council, before accepting the role of Chair in 2005. Ros had previously written the Centenary history of the College and in coming to the Council had a clear grasp of its mission and purposes, as well as a deep understanding of the many challenges facing a denominational college. She led the College through a change of Principal and has provided significant leadership to the Council in establishing its Charter, clarifying its role and responsibilities and encouraging Council development. Her active involvement with the University of Melbourne and the other University Colleges has enabled further strengthening of these relationships. The foundation she has laid will provide a strong basis for the continuing life of the College. In addition, she has established a strong link with the Invergowrie Foundation, which has provided a major scholarship each year. We are grateful to Paul and Ros for their gifts of time, leadership and service and wish them well in their contributions in other spheres.
The College community was deeply saddened by the death of Emeritus Professor Basil Brown, on September 7th, 2011, at 97 years of age. Basil Brown had studied at the Baptist College in New South Wales and pastored several churches in that state before coming to the Baptist College of Victoria in 1953 to teach Old Testament and Church History. He undertook further studies, at Union Seminary in New York and later at Cambridge. With time, his teaching role settled focused on New Testament. Generations of students learned their Greek from Basil, along with the essential skills of biblical exegesis. Professor Brown was a vital part of the move to Whitley College in 1965. Throughout these busy years of teaching and leadership, he continued his personal study, completing several post-graduate degrees. He received the degree of Doctor of Theology for his thesis on ‘The Child in the Church’, the first time this degree had been awarded by the Melbourne College of Divinity. He researched and wrote the History of the Baptist Union of Victoria, Members One of Another in time for the Centenary in 1962. He served as Chairman of the Australian Baptist Missionary Society and also headed up the preparation of Counselors for the Billy Graham Crusades in Victoria. The ordination of women was one issue which he championed passionately. The first generations of ordained women in the Victorian Baptist community owe much to his encouragement and support. He served as President of the Baptist Union of Victoria 1968 – 1969. Since he retired in 1979, Basil continued to serve the work of the churches in many areas, teaching overseas and at home. In 1991, Basil’s wife Madge suffered a severe stroke and Basil became her full time carer for the remaining ten years of her life. Despite failing health, he continued writing, preaching, counselling, pastoral visitation and teaching, until shortly before his death. Professor Basil Brown has been a guiding light in the formation and development of Whitley College. With his breadth of scholarship, his commitment to mission and his strong pastoral emphasis, he has set out the defining priorities for our life as a College and for our churches. We give thanks to God for his life and ministry, for his example and his continuous encouragement. Our sympathy is extended to his children Christopher, Kathy and Mark, together with their spouses, fifteen grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren. Basil Brown is honoured in the life of the College by the annual award of a major prize in Biblical Studies which bears his name.