women’scollege
volume 29 # 1
within the University of Sydney / magazine
autumn 2013
02 /
#rosebowl
Netballers win!
10 /
#WizziesInsport
Alice Keighley
11 /
#UNwomen
Women In Leadership
15 /
#WAHO
Women’s Against Homophobia
SEMESTER ONE REPORT
/ 02 /
one
semester
semesTer oNe HAs beeN A TIme of NeW eNdeAvours ANd greAT vICTorIes for THe WomeN’s CoLLege sTudeNTs’ CLub. We seCured THe NeTbALL Cup IN A NAIL-bITINg performANCe AgAINsT sT ANdreW’s CoLLege ANd We Are provINg To be A CompeTITIve forCe IN THe pALLAdIAN Cup CuLTurAL CompeTITIoN, pLACINg fIrsT IN soLo INsTrumeNTAL ANd THIrd IN soLo drAmA ANd soLo INsTrumeNTAL.
by Alisha King senior student
This year we have a lot of new and exciting endeavours. We now have a Women’s College Feminist Committee who appeared on ABC TV’s Q&A at the beginning of the semester and who have been sparking healthy and fruitful debate throughout College. We have redefined our Debating Club, who now run regular debates at College, and formed the Constitutional Commission which is tasked with reconstructing our Constitution. We have also partnered with the World Kindness Movement and are planning some fun events centred around the theme of kindness. Last but not least, College is now an official supporter of the Mitrataa Foundation and have formed a committee of girls who are Nepal-bound as volunteers at year’s end; and will be madly fundraising to help five young Nepali women receive an education. Semester One has been full of laughs, great achievements and the formation of new friendships. I look forward to seeing what the Students’ Club can achieve next semester. THe WomeN’s CoLLege mAgAzINe
/ 03 /
PRINCIPAL NOTES / dr Amanda bell sINCe CommeNCINg As prINCIpAL IN JANuAry THIs yeAr A Number of feATures of THe WomeN’s CoLLege HAve preseNTed THemseLves As ImporTANT poINTs of dIffereNTIATIoN from oTHer resIdeNTIAL CoLLeges: AN uNAssAILAbLe CommITmeNT To A WomeN-oNLy eNvIroNmeNT; promoTIoN ANd reCogNITIoN of ACAdemIC exCeLLeNCe; A purposefuL foCus oN WeLL-beINg ANd CommuNITy eNgAgemeNT; ANd sTruCTured prepArATIoN for CAreer opporTuNITIes beyoNd LIfe AT CoLLege.
While historically university colleges both in Australia and overseas have been places of learning, there is an emerging trend—and indeed demand—for them primarily to satisfy accommodation requirements of tertiary providers. The Women’s College clearly identifies as a place of learning, a premise reinforced by longitudinal research which has found that living on campus has a positive impact on the development of aesthetic, cultural and intellectual values, autonomy, tolerance, empathy, and “the use of principled reasoning to judge moral issues” (Pascarella & Terenzini 2005, in Parameswaran & Bowers, 2012). Significant opportunities exist for our young women to develop their life-wide education while studying for their degrees. These include tutorial programs that respond to the changing academic needs of our students; a sophisticated mentoring program for our older undergraduates and post-graduates that is a benchmark for other institutions; leadership opportunities within the House Committee structure; skills training sessions and corporate career development activities; internships within and external to the College; and emerging access to leadership programs in Australia and overseas. Additionally, there is a well-developed extra-curricular program which is important for a balanced education. College life also promotes another critical component of life-wide learning: that of service to others. It is widely known that students involved in community service have higher academic grades and understand more
deeply the society in which they live. The experiential nature of service can also promote strong identity formation and resilience: “By engaging one’s strengths and passions in the service of others, one can inoculate against depression” (Seligman 2010, cited in Stubbington 2010). A new alliance between the College and the Mitrataa Foundation in Nepal responds to this critical component of promoting strong student engagement in service learning. Founded by College alumna Rebecca Ordish (STEELE), Mitrataa works with women and girls “teaching them to dream and empowering them through education and training initiatives” (www.mitrataa.org). A number of our students will travel to Kathmandu at the end of this year to work with the Foundation to contribute to its philanthropic development programs. There are many areas of College life upon which we can build for the further benefit of our current students, alumnae and future residents. My predecessor, Dr Jane Williamson, along with the dedicated staff and councillors of the College, have ensured that there is a strong academic and community culture upon which to develop the next phase in the life of this exceptional institution. REFERENCES: Parameswaran, A & Bowers, J (2012) Student residences: from housing to education, Journal of Higher Education, DOI: 10.1080/0309877X.2012.699515. Retrieved 24 April, 2013 http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0309877X.2012.699515 Stubbington, A (2010) Ethics: Finding the authentic self, Brisbane Girls Grammar School Insights 2010.
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contents 02 / STUDENTS’ CLUB REPORT by Alisha King
03 / PRINCIPAL NOTES
by dr Amanda bell
04 / FROM THE CHAIR
by Lucinda Warren
05 / UBS: FOSTERING LEADERSHIP 06 / SYBIL: THE WOMEN’S COLLEGE ACADEMIC JOURNAL REVIEW
by dr dale spender
08 / ALUMNAE INSIGHTS 09 / CHANCELLOR’S DINNER 10 / ALICE KEIGHLEY: A SPORTING LIFE by Anastasia Craig
11 / FORMAL DINNER SERIES: Julie mcKay (uN Women)
12 / FROM THE ALUMNAE PRESIDENT 12 / NEW SENIOR RA 13 / TOGETHER:
sue macdonald & georgie Williams
14 / CONVENORSHIPS: • •
feminist Committee Women’s Against Homophobia
16 / COMMUNITY:
Connect, engage, participate
17 / COLLEGE EVENT:
mother / daughter dinner
18 / VALE
FROM THE CHAIR / Lucinda Warren
THIs yeAr HAs usHered IN sIgNIfICANT CHANges To THe LeAdersHIp ANd goverNANCe of THe CoLLege. CouNCIL WouLd LIKe To ACKNoWLedge ANd THANK reTIrINg prINCIpAL dr JANe WILLIAmsoN, ANd ouTgoINg members of CouNCIL professor JoHN CArTer Am, ms JACquI LANe ANd ms LyNN rAINboW reId, for THeIr dedICATed servICe To THe WomeN’s CoLLege CommuNITy.
On behalf of the Council I would like to wish Dr Williamson well in the years ahead as she picks up her life in Brisbane, and reconnects with her academic endeavours. Professor Carter, Ms Lane and Ms Rainbow Reid have each served on the College Council for more than a decade. Collectively and individually, their contribution has been substantial. Our three incoming Council members also have the distinction of being Women’s College alumnae: Ms Samantha Gavel BA (1982–84) is Commonwealth Private health Insurance Ombudsman; Ms Sarah Sivyer B Eng (Chemical) B Comm MBA (1999–2002) is Senior Analyst at Rabobank; and Dr Alison WattsLawless MBBS FRAnzCR (1977–80) has had a distinguished career as a Radiologist. We look forward to their input into the lively dialogue of Council. Finally, I am pleased to formally welcome Dr Amanda Bell as our thirteenth Principal of College. Dr Bell arrived in late January 2013 after eleven years as Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School. As well as having a wealth of experience in educational leadership, Dr Bell brings to the College her passion for women’s education and professional development. I know members of Council, staff and the College community will join with me in expressing our excitement as we embark on the beginning of the Bell era. Dr Bell’s vision for the College and its extraordinary community is assuring the way forward. ThE WOMEn’S COLLEGE MAGAzInE
for THe pAsT NINe yeArs THe WomeN’s CoLLege HAs HosTed fIfTy AspIrINg youNg WomeN LeAders for THe ANNuAL ubs youNg WomeN’s LeAdersHIp ACAdemy (yWLA). for mANy of THe yeAr 11 sTudeNTs from meTropoLITAN ANd regIoNAL goverNmeNT sCHooLs, THe WeeK-LoNg progrAm Is THeIr fIrsT experIeNCe of uNIversITy ANd CoLLege.
WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
/ 05 /
UBS: FOSTERING LEADERSHIP
Above: 2103 ubs yWLA students at their graduation dinner. Alisha King is pictured second row, far right.
students at this year’s Academy sampled some of the highlights of College life: as well as attending formal dinner and breakfast with principal. dr Amanda bell, the fifty students helped cheer our netballers to victory in the rosebowl competition. ubs has refined the program to include modules on personal branding, goal setting, ethical leadership, and panel sessions with business leaders as well as a whole day in the
ubs city offices seeing how a large investment bank functions. Women’s College senior student, Alisha King, attended yWLA in 2008 while in year 11 at great Lakes College in forster Tuncurry. The experience clinched her decision to come to sydney university, and The Women’s College. “The course gave me a definition of leadership” says Alisha, “an ability to put plans into action, make difficult decisions and stick to them, to
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problem solve every single second of the day. It was a good foundation to build on.” on top of her commitments as senior student, Alisha and fellow yWLA graduate, third-year medical science student Jenna mewburn took on the roles as Women’s College student coordinators of the program for the second year running. “We really enjoyed ubs and wanted to be on the other side of it, assisting this year’s students through the program. being a part of the leadership process and being a role model was a drawcard.” Alisha and Jenna continue to keep in touch with this year’s yWLA graduates through their facebook group. “We only had email to keep in touch” says Alisha. “This year’s students have a forum in which to continue learning learn from each other. They are still discussing leadership and sharing their achievements.” UBS funds a scholarship at Women’s College each year, awarded annually to a high achieving student from a government high school.
/ 06 /
SYBIL: THE WOMEN’S COLLEGE ACADEMIC JOURNAL review of volume 1 / by dr dale spender
WHeN IT Comes To ACAdemIC JourNALs THere Is NoT A LoNg HIsTory of WomeN’s pubLICATIoNs. IN 1978 I edITed THe fIrsT INTerNATIoNAL ACAdemIC JourNAL WHICH WAs INTeNded To pubLIsH WomeN’s ACAdemIC reseArCH ANd ArTICLes: WOMEN’S STUDIES INTERNATIONAL QUARTERLY. THere Were souNd professIoNAL, soCIAL ANd eCoNomIC ArgumeNTs for doINg so. WHILe THe requIremeNT for pubLICATIoN IN professIoNAL JourNALs WAs THe sAme for WomeN ANd meN IN ACAdeme, THe opporTuNITIes for – ANd THe rATes of suCH pubLICATIoNs for WomeN – Were perILousLy CLose To zero. WomeN Were eNTerINg uNIversITy IN INCreAsINg Numbers ANd WIsHed To pursue THeIr CAreers WITHIN ITs preCINCTs. buT THe dIsCrImINATIoN AgAINsT THem WAs so eNTreNCHed (pArTICuLArLy IN reLATIoN To ACCepTANCe for pubLICATIoN) THAT THeIr CAreer pATHs WouLd be CuT sHorT very quICKLy uNLess someTHINg CouLd be doNe To CHANge eITHer THe NeCessITy for pubLICATIoNs – or THe NATure of THe pubLICATIoNs THemseLves. (I reCALL A LeAdINg soCIoLogy JourNAL of THe dAy reJeCTINg AN ArTICLe oN WomeN’s HouseWorK As WorK – oN THe grouNds THAT IT WAsN’T A TopIC!)
sybil
the women’s college academic journal / volume 1 / 2013 /
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If you CANT’ beAT THem – do your oWN THINg! Of course the professional academic journal for women was met with many derisory comments – one being ‘what about men’s studies – a journal for men?’. (This stance was quickly addressed with a publication ‘Men’s Studies Modified’ 1981, which outlined the way history, literature, social sciences and science – and even mathematics – would be different, if women were included in the discipline.) It took some effort to establish the validity and professional standard of women’s scholarship but as there was such a demand for women as contributors, editors, reviewers, readers, etc – academic publishers were quite keen to promote and defend the scholarly credentials of their feminist publications. (Profit.) Since that time, much has changed, but some values remain much the same and it is a sheer pleasure to again acknowledge the desirability of a current women’s academic journal and to have the opportunity to read and reflect on the contents of SYBIL. From Rappers to Reproduction (in Mares), to Shakespeare and the Romantics: from the Northern Territory Intervention to the meanings of women’s fashion in the People’s Republic of China, the range and the quality of these articles testify to women’s extensive and varied academic interests. (The veterinary paper is a bit hard to fit in under women’s interests – though it is a about a mare, and I did find it fascinating and a further indication of women’s professionalisation.) Some of the issues raised have a long history in women’s research as in the case of Its Barbie Bitch: In Defense of Nicki Minaj; Black Female Rappers and Hip Hop Feminism by Aun Qi Koh. With its emphasis on the objectification of women’s bodies – specifically black women’s bodies in American history – and all the contradictions from promiscuous woman to matriarch – it fits well within the tradition of women’s study over the centuries – though maybe Hip Hop feminism would not have had a central place in earlier scholarship. Lauren Walker’s The Importance of Anatomical Understanding in Repair of Equine Perineal Lacerations and Fistulas may not be exactly bedtime reading but it is definitely a clear account of veterinary procedures and an indication of women’s entry to the full range of professions. (Women now outnumber men in Vet Science in American Universities.)
As someone who knows a bit about literature, the essay Shakespeare and the Romantics by Suzanne Sherrington introduces a new dimension for consideration. It is likely that few readers would be aware of the extent to which ‘the Bard’ has inspired so many composers: the author, however, presents a very persuasive and illustrated case for knowing more about this area. There are stark lessons to be learned from The Northern Territory Intervention: A Foucauldian Analysis by Marie-Ellen Karykis. The discussion of the power of the government departments, bureaucrats, consultants – and data – and the extent to which this constrains Aboriginal knowledge/power, even where there is dissatisfaction and dissent, is cogently argued. Drawing on Foucault’s theories of power and governmentality, the author highlights the limitations and distortions of knowledge associated with the Stronger Futures Project. Liberation or Oppression; the Evolution of Women’s Dress in the People’s Republic of China by Lindsay Scott is a gem of an article. How did the androgynous Lenin suit of the Mao era give way to the Red Guards’ ‘armour’, which for women has in turn morphed into a westernized version of Chinese fashion today? Can the same clothes signify gender equality or gender differences? And when Chinese women today are encouraged to embrace their female characteristics, is this a move in the direction of equality, or just another form of oppression? Again, this topic of dress, ‘feminine behaviour’, and the use of more cosmetics etc., has been the focus of feminist speculation at least since Mary Wollstonecraft declared that women should not be educated to please men – but to please themselves. This is also very good advice for a women’s academic journal! SYBIL is a very valuable space for the development of women’s scholarship; I hope this volume will be the first of many more. It would be interesting – and illuminating – if future issues were to make use of more transparent criteria for publication, and to include an element of genuine ‘peer’ review. This would assist young women who may seek to pursue academic careers and whose future could depend upon ‘knowing how the publication system works’.
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To secure your copy of the inaugral issue of SYBIL, go to www.thewomenscollege.com.au 2013
ACADEMIC REVIEW
/ 07 /
ALUMNAE FEATURE
/ 08 / AusTrALIA dAy 2013 HoNours LIsT: CoNgrATuLATIoNs To WomeN’s CoLLege ALumNA JILL LesLey HICKsoN for beINg NAmed oN THe 2013 AusTrALIA dAy HoNours LIsT. JILL HICKsoN WAs HoNoured for Her sIgNIfICANT servICe To THe CommuNITy THrougH LeAdersHIp roLes IN orgANIsATIoNs supporTINg THe ArTs, CuLTure, TourIsm, THe eNvIroNmeNT ANd eduCATIoN.
ALUMNAE INSIGHTS
JANe NeALe / 1982 fresHer Jane neale, resident of the Women’s college from 1982–1984, is a great advocate of the importance of mentoring in the workplace. Jane held numerous executive positions in her 20-year career at advertising agency George Patterson, where she worked as hR Director and then Managing Director of the Sydney office. Leveraging her experience, she left George Patterson to co-found Hattonneale, an executive search consultancy. Hattonneale helps clients across multiple industries place senior executives in Board and Executive management roles. Jane has been both a mentor and mentee throughout her career. She recently spoke at our 2013 Mentoring Formal Dinner.
Amy bAsToW / 2004 fresHer Long before her arrival at The Women’s College, Amy Bastow was a musical prodigy. By age 5, she had written her first composition. At age 12, she was performing keyboard and arranging songs for a professional covers band. Accompanied by a string of scholarships (including the Women’s College Music Scholarship), Amy was awarded a First Class honours Degree in Composition from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and has since gone on to compose, produce, and perform music in hundreds of projects nationally and internationally. Amy currently composes and produces all the original music for the new season of Channel Seven’s drama “Winners and Losers”, a show with a following of over 1 million viewers each week in Australia and in 14 other countries around the world. Amy is currently composing music for two international 3D feature films to be released late in 2013 and was recently announced as one of the finalists for the 2013 APRA Professional Development Awards in the Film and Television category.
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Chancellor’s Dinner
CeLebrATINg our sCHoLArs ANd ACAdemIC AWArds Clockwise from top left: Principal Dr Amanda Bell and University of Sydney Chancellor Ms Belinda hutchinson AM; students and special guests enjoying dinner; Council members Dr Jennifer Davidson (left) and Dr Alison Watts-Lawless sign the visitors’ book; Katherine and Thyne Reid Scholarship holders Aisling Railton and Kirsten Gan; 2012 College Dux Lindsay Scott with honours supervisor Professor Mark Ledbury; Alliance Scholarship winner Monica Flint. AUTUMN ISSUE /
2013
COLLEGE EVENTS
/ 09 /
SPORTING PURSUITS
/ 10 /
ALICE KEIGHLEY: A SPORTING LIFE / by Anastasia Craig
sopHomore WIzzIe ALICe KeIgHLey WILL represeNT AusTrALIA AT THe WorLd beACH HANdbALL gAmes IN CALI IN JuLy. IT WILL be THe seCoNd TIme ANd THe seCoNd sporT IN WHICH ALICe HAs represeNTed AusTrALIA THIs yeAr.
Handball has been a central part of Alice’s life since first being introduced to the sport at the French Australian School in Canberra. An avid netballer, Alice has played Under 16s Youth nationals, Club level, State League, Junior and Senior Nationals, and for the National Teams in both indoor handball and beach handball. In May, Alice played in the Australian Women’s Handball team against new zealand in the World Championship Qualifiers, beating the home team and
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bringing Australia one step closer to the World Championship in Serbia at the end of the year. Despite her sporting commitments, Alice is also involved in both University and College life. Though she originally envisaged studying at ANU, the opportunity to join Sydney University’s Elite Athlete Program and live at Women’s saw her relocate to Sydney. Alice studies Advanced Science, with majors in Physiology and Modern Greek, and plays for the Sydney University Handball Club. Her dual passion for sport and studies leaves her with two options: she can see how far her handball career will take her in Europe, or she can stay in Sydney and pursue academic endeavours at Honours, Masters, and PhD level. Alice is one of a number of #SportingWizzies at the Women’s College. Follow Alice on Twitter @AliceKeighley1
JuLIe mCKAy mIgHT be forgIveN for THINKINg THAT ALL pATHs LeAd To THe WomeN’s CoLLege. IN THe spACe of A feW moNTHs sHe HAs spoKeN AT THe CoLLege TWICe, HosTed our sTudeNTs AT breAKfAsT, ANd TAKeN oN THe roLe of meNTorINg A WomeN’s CoLLege sTudeNT As pArT of our professIoNAL meNTorINg progrAm.
FOCUS ON WOMEN: JULIE McKAY
In 2007 at age twenty three, Julie was appointed executive director of uN Women Australia (formerly uNIfem Australia). Julie was the Australian Institute of management’s young manager of the year in 2010, Telstra young business Woman of the year (ACT) in 2011 and ACT young Australian of the year in 2013. In early march a group of Women’s College students attended uN Women’s annual International Women’s day breakfast, a key fundraising event organised by Julie’s office. As the photo (above right) from the breakfast attests, our students were treated to a photo opportunity with prime minister Julia gillard. At the invitation of principal, dr Amanda bell, Julie spoke at a Women’s College formal dinner in April. In her address she encouraged students to engage in university life beyond the classroom. she spoke of her experiences in on-campus debating and student politics, and reinforced her belief in the importance of speaking out and “surrounding yourself with people who will challenge you to your very core.” “Whether it is part of the college, part of a university club or part of a community group,” she remarked, “connection is a huge source of value.”
In discussing education Julie underlined the importance of good choices. “studying takes up a huge amount of our young lives” she noted. “make sure you are studying something you actually enjoy and that challenges you. No one will thank you for struggling through a degree you hate, only to find yourself in a job you dislike, dreaming of a different role.” Her message “to get engaged, get excited and take charge” was embraced by Women’s College students. In addition to her executive director role, Julie sits on the board of the uN Association of Australia, the steering Committee of the Australian Institute of management ACT and the royal Australian Navy’s success Implementation Committee. she has recently completed her executive mbA at the university of sydney, with a scholarship for excellence in Ngo Leadership. Julie holds a masters in public policy from ANu and bachelor’s degree in business management and International relations. she was recently admitted as a vincent fairfax fellow in ethical Leadership at melbourne business school.
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FORMAL DINNER SERIES
/ 11 /
ALUMNAE NEWS
/ 12 /
FROM THE ALUMNAE PRESIDENT / Jacquei Hicks
NEW AT WOMEN’S /
Lizzie palmer, senior resident Assistant Women’s College has welcomed a number of new staff in 2013. In addition to principal dr Amanda bell, in January elizabeth palmer arrived to take up the role of senior resident Assistant (srA). Lizzie was a student of the College from 2006 to 2009 while undertaking her degree in primary education. As secretary of House Committee in her third year, and a resident Assistant in her final year, Lizzie’s credentials for the srA role are exemplary. The srA manages a team of thirteen resident Assistants who look after the pastoral care of the students in all years of College. Lizzie says she is excited to be back at Women’s in her new position, succeeding Louise prowse who is completing her phd in History. In addition to her srA duties, Lizzie will continue teaching two days a week at rainbow street public school in randwick. she has also enrolled in a masters of special education at sydney university.
Another year, more exciting things to do! Wizzies past and present enjoyed a sumptuous Champagne High Tea on 27 April in main Common room. many comments were made about the spectacular floral arrangements which were the handiwork of Lorna siah-reisner. main Common room was at its best and brought out many reminiscences from our older alumnae. Those who attended were treated to a foretaste of the Intercollegiate musical production. This was performed by Anna Colless, who sang a number from the show. This year for the first time Intercol staged the musical ‘sweeney Todd: The demon barber of fleet street’ at the reginald Theatre, seymour Centre. Anna held the room in the palm of her hand, and received enthusiastic applause. The afternoon tea reinforced to us all how important it is to gather together Alumnae from across the decades. The buzz around the room was fantastic and the best part was the connections being made across the years. We will continue to promote such events. It was also a pleasure to introduce our new scholarship holder, Jessica Hunter. I would like to urge you to mark the date of our Annual general meeting on 24 July at 6.30pm. We need a vital and enthusiastic Alumnae Committee to be able to continue to connect with our Alumnae Community, and to drive one of our important goals, which is to ensure that scholarships are available for future students to have the opportunities that we have enjoyed at College.
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TOGETHER
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georgIe WILLIAms (Tom) & susAN mACdoNALd meT AT CoLLege IN 1981 WHILe georgIe WAs sTudyINg ArTs ANd sue ArCHITeCTure. for mANy yeArs georgIe HAs ruN Her oWN sydNey ANTIque busINess, MAJOR AND TOM. As HeAd of fIeLd proJeCTs AT THe geTTy CoNservATIoN INsTITuTe IN Los ANgeLes, sue speNds Her WorKINg LIfe AssessINg CuLTurAL HerITAge sITes ArouNd THe WorLd. THey HAve sHAred A LIfeLoNg pAssIoN for desIgN WHICH HAs HAd A TANgIbLe ImpACT oN WomeN’s CoLLege: IN 2005 sue WAs INsTrumeNTAL IN geTTINg THe CoLLege oN THe NsW HerITAge LIsT ANd IN 2008 georgIe resTored ALL of THe ANTIque furNITure IN THe mAIN buILdINg.
Georgie &Sue georgIe WILLIAms Sue lived down the corridor from me in our first year at College. She had pink and white Marimekko curtains and a big architectural drawing board in her room and I thought that was pretty stylish. We were part of a big group of girls at College doing different degrees who were great mates. Sue was always laughing. I was a bit quieter than her and I admired how vivacious she was. I remember Sue doing all-nighters to finish her architecture assignments. She was a bit of a party girl and she loved going to see live bands. She had a vast array of 1950s dresses from op shops and was always getting about in some fabulous outfit. She has a real instinct and a great eye for fashion, and the confidence to carry herself. Whatever Sue did, she was going to get to the top. She has a very clear vision of her career and she’s really creative and talented. Her job involves travelling all over the world looking at amazing heritage sites. I think her life is fascinating. Sue’s been a mover and a shaker and I’m a creature of habit – she’s much more adventurous whereas I’ve stayed in one place all the time, in one job. I have a beautiful old Australian rocking horse I bought from Sue when she left Sydney and I think of her when I look at it. It’s a really special thing in my collection. Those years at College with that group of girls stay with you – we were very close and you don’t realise until afterwards how important those friendships are.
sue mACdoNALd I met Georgie on the first day of College. She came from the country and neither of us had come to College with a group of friends so it was great getting to know everybody. Georgie was such a warm person; she was easy to talk to and interested in people. I remember spending inordinate amounts of time sitting around the Dining Room at College eating Vita Weats and peanut butter and talking for hours in each other’s rooms drinking coffee and eating baklava. We frequented the White Horse pub, Cordobas and Mr Falafel in newtown. Georgie is attuned to design and we both have a love of antiques and old things, quality and craftsmanship. Georgie had her own business from when she was really young. She has a fantastic eye and she’s really pushed the boundaries of her business and been very successful. I was travelling in Arizona recently and bought a depression era scooter – a funny little handmade thing with old roller-skate wheels. I thought if Georgie saw that she’d have it in the car quick smart. Georgie she sees things in some ordinary objects which are actually quite extraordinary. I’m really glad she has the rocking horse because she loves it so much and it looks fabulous in her show room. I’m probably a bit more competitive and hard-nosed than Georgie. She’s very generous and more warm and content than I am. Given the long absences we’ve had our friendship is enduring. There’s a strong sense of deeply shared values which are core to us both, professionally and personally. I’m really proud of what Georgie has done. She has built a successful business around her passion and she enjoys what she does. I love going to her workshop – it’s full of wonder. She’s continuing a craft tradition in which people made things lovingly, and there aren’t that many people who think and work like that anymore.
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CONVENORSHIPS
/ 14 /
Feminist Committee members with Q&A host Tony Jones.
FEMINIST COMMITTEE THe femINIsT CommITTee, brAINCHILd of seCoNd-yeAr sTudeNTs KATe CLINNICK ANd NICoLA ALroe, Is A NeW AddITIoN To THe WomeN’s CoLLege IN 2013. ITs AIm Is To CoNNeCT WIzzIes IN poLITICAL dIsCussIoN ANd pursue A defINITIoN of THe ‘f Word’ THAT WorKs for youNg WomeN.
On 8 April, 20 students from the Women’s College Feminist Committee attended the filming of Q&A at the ABC studios in Ultimo, for the program’s first all female panel, comprising Deborah Cheetham, Germaine Greer, Brooke Magnanti and Mia Freeman. As those who have watched the program will be aware, the panellists on Q&A swing deftly and intelligently between issues of the day, and audience members are asked to submit questions and ask them in real time. That night the audience was dominated by blue and white jerseys and it was Women’s College
students who guided the conversation. Questions written by sophomores Lucy Welsh, Georgia Wolff and Rebecca Wong were selected (an honour in itself) and well debated. Our students introduced discussion about the place of chivalry in a post-feminist world, and whether feminism and women’s right to self-determination can be reconciled with working in the sex industry. Panellists threw these issues around from a variety of angles, and a lively discussion surrounding Julia Gillard’s
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recent misogyny speech and the life of Margaret Thatcher (news of whose death was announced during the program) followed. Much enjoyment was had from reviewing the program as a whole college at lunch the next day, and from discussing the program on the Feminist Committee facebook page in the following days. The Feminist Committee is currently organising a voter registration rally to ensure that everyone at College is enrolled and ready to vote on polling-day.
CONVENORSHIPS
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“For me the highlight of our inaugural year was our Rainbow Week and having the opportunity to involve the whole college in events such as our marriage equality formal dinner.” Steph Cooper, Founder of WAHO (formerly known as The Rainbow Committee)
THE WOMEN’S COLLEGE AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA foLLoWINg ITs esTAbLIsHmeNT IN 2012, THe WomeN’s CoLLege LgbT group, NoW NAmed ‘TWC WAHo’ (THe WomeN’s CoLLege AgAINsT HomopHobIA) HAs CoNTINued To groW IN supporT ANd seeKs To furTHer THe INTeresTs of LgbT* CommuNITy members WITHIN THe WomeN’s CoLLege, THe INTerCoLLegIATe CommuNITy ANd WITHIN THe uNIversITy As WHoLe.
The first activity of the TWC WAHO group for the year was a joint venture with the University of Sydney Queer Action Collective, where members were involved in ‘chalking’ various footpaths on campus with ‘DIY Rainbows’ This wasdone in a move of solidarity with the greater Sydney queer community and specifically in support of the reinstatement of a rainbow crossing in Oxford Street. *LGBT: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender. AUTUMN ISSUE /
2013
The TWC WAHO group is planning an active year ahead; with intercollege events, movie nights, a ‘Rainbow’ themed formal dinner with a guest speaker addressing the College on LGBT issues, as well as monthly discussion forums open to all members of the College, all in the planning stages. The Women’s College is excited to welcome TWC WAHO into its second year of existence, and into the diverse and growing number of interest groups which flourish within the College.
COMMUNITY NEWS
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t @WomensColl f www.facebook.com/TheWomensCollege l www.linkedin.com
join us #Connectengageparticipate “ The Women’s College Alumnae” is now on LinkedIn. We invite all Alumnae to #ConnectEngageParticipate.
THe WomeN’s CoLLege mAgAzINe
MOTHER / DAUGHTER DINNER oN 18 mAy CoLLege speNT THe eveNINg CeLebrATINg THe speCIAL boNd beTWeeN moTHers ANd dAugHTers AT THIs CoveTed ANNuAL dINNer. moTHers Were TreATed To performANCes by THe WomeN’s CoLLege A CApeLLA group ANd CHoIr, ANd A movINg Address by rACHeL JAmes, moTHer of ALumNA emILy ANd seCoNd-yeAr sTudeNT mArTHA.
AUTUMN ISSUE /
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COLLEGE EVENT
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VALE
vale HELEN JEAN BATE (1955–59) BAgr DipEd DipLib (UNSW) 17 January 2011
MARGARET FORD (THOMAS: 1944– 49) BSc 24 October 2012
Helen attended schools on the south coast of NSW and Lithgow. She was a very high achiever despite being a year younger than most of the students in her class. At age sixteen she commenced a degree in agricultural science at Sydney University, living at The Women’s College. After graduating, Helen taught agricultural science at Bega and Muswellbrook high Schools. She spent three years overseas travelling with friends from Women’s College working in England and in Wiesbaden, Germany where she taught English at a Berlitz Language School. On her way back to Australia she travelled through Turkey, an experience which began Helen’s fascination with the history and cultures of Middle Eastern countries. Returning to Sydney, Helen completed a postgraduate diploma in librarianship at the University of NSW. She worked in Canberra at the Department of Primary Industries and at Fisher Library, University of Sydney, where she was the Social Sciences Librarian. Feeling the need to travel and use her skills in a totally different environment, Helen moved to Papua New Guinea, where she worked for five years as reader services librarian at the University of Technology in Lae. Whilst there, she travelled to many areas of PNG, collected some wonderful artefacts and witnessed the celebrations for the country’s independence. Returning to Sydney, Helen worked in the library at North Sydney TAFE and then for many years at Ryde School of Horticulture. College friend Elizabeth Read (SPEnCER 1956–59) writes: “Helen had a talent for the quizzical, ironic, humorous view of just about everything. The fun we had ranged from minor naughtiness in College, to our adventures in a red mini behind the Iron Curtain. She was a loving family member, a loyal friend, a good person.”
Margaret was born in Murwillumbah in 1927 and grew up in country NSW. She attended secondary school in Gosford before moving into The Women’s College in 1944, completing a science degree with honours in biochemistry. Margaret worked as a teaching fellow in biochemistry before becoming travelling secretary for the Australian Student Christian Movement. She married Colin Ford in 1951, and for the next seven years the pair worked for the Australian Inland Mission in north Queensland, on patrol in Birdsville, Mt Isa and Alice Springs, where Colin was appointed minister of the John Flynn Memorial Church. Margaret was profoundly shaped by her time on patrol and recorded her impressions of her time in North Queensland in her book, End of a Beginning. Margaret’s three sons were born in the 1960s and the family returned to NSW to continue parish work in the Uniting Church. In 1973 Margaret began teaching science, first at The Entrance High School and for a large part of her career at Normanhurst Boys High School, where she became senior chemistry teacher. The family settled in Turramurra until Margaret’s retirement in the 1990s. Margaret lived a life actively engaged with her community. Her limitless reserves of energy and her ability to manage multiple challenges in parallel saw her juggle the responsibilities of family and full-time teaching with a dedicated commitment to community service. She is remembered for the imaginative ways she sought funds for the church, and her insatiable curiosity to learn. Throughout her life Margaret maintained her connection to Women’s College, attending alumnae functions and maintaining lifelong friendships. On many occasions she was heard to say that she “loved every brick of the College.”
ThE WOMEn’S COLLEGE MAGAzInE
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vale PATRICIA JOHNSTONE (HEATH: 1959– 61) BA DipEd 19 September 2012
JUDITH ANNE WILLIAMS (WILLIAMSON: 1953 –56) MB BS FANZCA 1 March 2013
Patricia was born in Manly in 1942, the second of three children. Her father Eric worked in the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney, and the family moved with his career, first to South Grafton in 1945, where Patricia remembered the Clarence flooding the family home, and later to Aberdeen and Gloucester. Patricia boarded at SCEGGS Darlinghurst; she was a Prefect and Captain of Barton house, and was awarded a Silver Mitre for excellent behaviour. She was a pianist, school organist, hockey player and swimmer. As well as being a notable athlete, Patricia was a talented musician. At thirteen she played the first movement of a Beethoven piano sonata in Sydney Town Hall at the annual Combined Girls Secondary Schools concert, representing SCEGGS Darlinghurst. In 1959 Patricia entered The Women’s College, graduating from Sydney University in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She later received a Diploma in Education from the University of new England (UnE). Patricia began her working life in the Vocational Guidance Bureau, and later worked in External Studies at UNE. She taught primary school for seven years at Kelly’s Plains and Ben Venue schools and then worked at the Commonwealth Employment Service in Armidale. In 1998, after 40 years’ break, she resumed organ playing at St Mary’s Anglican Church, West Armidale. In 2009 Patricia was recognised in Armidale’s Australia Day Community Service Awards with a Certificate of Appreciation. Her community service involvement spanned many organisations including Meals on Wheels, Blood Bank, teaching adult literacy through TAFE, Anglicare, and the Armidale Bridge Club and Eisteddfod. Her contribution to family and community was prodigious. Patricia radiated good sense, good fun and goodwill. She is remembered as positive, patient, cheerful, unpretentious, un-selfish, unflappable, considerate, un-acquisitive, honest, and unselfconsciously authentic.
Judith was born in Grafton in 1933. her father was an engineer and the family moved during her childhood from Grafton to Molong, via Bingara, Newcastle, and Balgowlah. She was educated at Newcastle Girls High School and north Sydney Girls high School. Judy’s extracurricular activities took place in the swimming pool, at the beach, and on the hockey field and tennis court. She graduated in medicine from Sydney University in 1957, spending four years at The Women’s College. Judy began her career as resident and registrar at Rachel Forster, Prince Henry and St George hospitals. She married Graham Williams in 1958 and accompanied him to England in 1962 where they both pursued postgraduate degrees. Judy obtained the first part of her anaesthetic fellowship in 1963 and worked at the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford. Returning to Sydney in 1966, Judy obtained the second part of her anaesthetic degree. She entered private anaesthetic practice and obtained appointments to Rachel Forster, St George, Eastern Suburbs, Prince Henry and Prince of Wales hospitals, and the Royal Hospital for Women. At these hospitals she enjoyed an active role in one-on-one clinical teaching of residents and registrars. She became Chairman of the Board of the Sydney Home Nursing Service, Chairman of the NSW State Committee of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists, Treasurer of the nSW Branch of the Australian Medical Association and a member of the Medical Services Committee. Judy and Graham moved to Cumnock in the late 1990s and she continued to work in Dubbo several days a week. Her life was punctuated by a world war, an interlude with polio at a time when it often maimed or killed, and a 55 year marriage which gave her two sons and later, three grandsons.
AUTUMN ISSUE /
2013
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
events JuLy 14 / queensland Alumnae reunion #ConnectEngageParticipate Enjoy morning tea and a personal tour of the Queensland Art Gallery’s “Quilts 1700–1945” exhibition with College Principal Dr Bell. 24 / Alumnae Agm From 6pm at The Women’s College AugusT 23 / Women in sport dinner Rub shoulders with both Australia’s and The Women’s College’s leading female athletes. 31 / sydney university open day Know someone who wants to become a Wizzie? Book an Open Day Tour by calling 02 9517 5000 sepTember 07 / father daughter dinner Reserve your Date with Dad now! Call Mary McGuirk on 02 9517 5002
CoNTACT us /
posT: The university of sydney NsW 2006 sTreeT: 15 Carillon Ave Newtown NsW 2042 TeLepHoNe: +61 2 9517 5000 fACsImILe: +61 2 9517 5006 emAIL: community@thewomenscollege.com.au WebsITe: www.thewomenscollege.com.au
desIgNer
Regina Safro ImAge CredITs
Sugarlove Pictures, Maja Baska, Staff, students and alumnae of The Women’s College