COCA News April 2010

Editor • Rebecca McEwen Smith & Rev. Dr Hugh Begbie • Volume 10 • Issue 1

New Principal for Cromwell College

N ews Within The University of Queensland

APRIL 2010

Mr Ross Switzer, Principal of the West Moreton Anglican College, has been appointed the successor to Rev. Dr. Hugh Begbie as Principal of Cromwell College. Mr Switzer will take up the appointment on Monday 31st May. Although having been in the teaching profession for most of his career, Ross actually began his working life in the banking sector, starting out as a Bank Officer in Blackwater, Qld and in a relatively short time was promoted to Loans Officer at the Head Office in Brisbane before making the career change into teaching.

Born in Sydney, Ross began his primary schooling there, but moved with his family to Queensland and subsequently attended Kenmore South State School, Brisbane; Kepnock State High School, Bundaberg and finally Toowoomba Grammar School for his Senior Studies. Since those days Ross’s teaching career has taken him to various parts of Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia.

Ross A. Switzer, M.Ed. (Admin), B.Ed. St., Dip.T., MACE, MACEL. Principal (Elect)

From 1982, whilst undertaking his fulltime teaching studies, Ross served as a resident boarding house tutor at the Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie), Brisbane and then took up his first teaching post in 1987 at All Saints’ College, Bathurst, NSW, teaching Geography and Commerce.

He continued further studies externally and graduated from The University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Educational Studies in 1989.

C r o m w e l l

C o l l e g e

During his time at All Saints’, Ross served in several capacities including Assistant Boarding House Master, Senior Boarding House Master and Coordinator of Business Studies.

In 1999, Ross was appointed to the position of Dean of Students at Trinity Anglican School, Cairns and a year later was promoted to the position of Deputy Principal (Pastoral). After a senior management restructure in 2001, Ross was appointed Deputy Principal and Head of Senior School.

During this period, Ross also completed a Master of Education (Administration) from Deakin University by part-time study and followed that with an Advanced Diploma in Marketing in 2001.

In 2002, Ross took on the challenging task of Foundation Principal of the Georgiana Molloy Anglican School in Busselton, Western Australia. In just five years Ross established the new school from the concept and a bare paddock to a vibrant coeducational community of just under 700 students with 60 staff.

What’s I nside

From the Principal Board of Governors News

3 4, 5 & 6

But with family ties in Brisbane and his initial assignment and contract with the school finished, Ross decided to head back to Queensland and in 2007 took up the position of Principal of West Moreton Anglican College, west of Ipswich.

60th Anniversary Celebrations

7, 8, 9, 10

Commencement Dinner 2010

11

Throughout his teaching career, Ross has been directly involved with many issues of pastoral care, student discipline and welfare, curriculum development and evaluation, budgeting and financial planning and marketing and school development.

Cromwell Students 2010

12, 13

Chit Chat Round-up

14, 15

Continued page 2

A Magazine for Old Collegians, Friends of Cromwell, Current Residents and their Families

CROMWELL COLLEGE Walcott Street ST. LUCIA, QLD 4067 Ph: (07) 3377 1300 Fax: (07) 3377 1499 Email: friends@cromwell.uq.edu.au Website: www.cromwell.uq.edu.au

Ross also has a keen interest in a number of sports and it has played a large part in his career. He has coached rowing, rugby football and cricket teams. His other interests include music, bushwalking, Australian history and travel.

Mission Statement To provide a vibrant community for students in a caring Christian environment that enables them to grow in knowledge and character and the desire to serve.

We look forward to welcoming Ross and Jenny into the Cromwell family. Alumni and Friends of the College will be able to meet Ross and Jenny at the College’s 60th Anniversary Celebrations to be held on 3rd and 4th July.

A New Wing

Vision Statement Accept diversity Create community Strive for excellence Pursue spiritual, academic, cultural and social maturity Serve Society Care for the environment.

Coat Of Arms When the College was able to adopt its arms, it secured permission from the head of the Cromwell family to bear Oliver Cromwell’s personal arms, a lion argent rampant on a field of sable.

Motto VBI SPIRITVS IBI LIBERTAS – This motto comes from the Latin version of the Second Letter of St Paul to the Corinthians, Ch 3, Verse 17. “Now the Lord is Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

Thanks Thank you to all the staff, students and Alumni who have been contributors to this issue of COCA News.

Editor Rebecca McEwen Smith, Development Manager & Rev. Dr Hugh Begbie, Principal Graphic Design & Printing Westminster Printing 31 Stevenson Street PADDINGTON, QLD 4064 Collating & Distribution wmbMailpaQ Wesley Mission Employment Services 6 Pegg Road Rocklea Qld 4211

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Elizabeth Watson Brown Architects Perspective View - North East The implementation of the Master Plan is underway and a new wing will be constructed this year. Costing around $3.37m it will be an environmentally friendly design but with rooms built to match all the other refurbished rooms in College. This will mean that all undergraduates will be in similar, high quality, single rooms. Environmental issues will be tackled by using inbuilt tanks to flush toilets and by the design of the building which will limit the impact of the western sun and maximize access to winter sun and cross-flow ventilation.

Cromwell College Proposed Accommodation Building March 2010   



The building design will also allow for gender and even usage flexibility (some space for post-graduates) as the floor is divided into 4 room modules, each with their own facilities, but inter-connected by a common corridor.

This development will place the College in debt for the first time since Campus Lodge was paid off in 2002 but we are confident that through good use of our facilities for conferences and careful management we will be able to pay off the wing in a timely manner. Donations and bequests, of course, are of great assistance and are always most gratefully received.

Captains *** 60thTable Anniversary Celebrations Wanted Table Captains

***Wanted

Please Raise Your Hands.

Are you in contact with many Crommies from your era? group the 2010

Would you like to be a Table Captain and organise a of your Crommie friends to be at your table for 60th Anniversary Dinner?

Please Raise Your Hands.

Are you in contact with many Crommies from your era?

We need a number of Crommies who would like to nominate as Table Captains and organise a group of Crommie friends to celebrate with them.

Would you like to be a Table Captain and organise a group of your Crommie friends to be at your table for the 2010 60th Anniversary Dinner?

Please contact Rebecca McEwen Smith, Development Manager, Cromwell College, and let her know of your willingness to act as a Table Captain.

We need a number of Crommies who would like to nominate as Table Captains and organise a group of Crommie friends to celebrate with them.

Were you one of the Table Captains at the 50th Anniversary Reunion? Did you enjoy organising a table of Crommies from your era at Cromwell? Would you like to do the same again?

Were you one of the Table Captains at the 50th Anniversary Reunion? Did you enjoy organising a table of Crommies from your era at Cromwell? Would you like to do the same again?

Please contact Rebecca McEwen Smith, Development Manager, Cromwell College, and let her know of your willingness to act as a Table Captain.

From the

Principal

The Billy Cart Derby

WOW!!!!

Life is a wild ride, in a billy cart, down a mighty hill, through all kinds of terrain, some peaceful, some wild, some relaxing, some full of danger even fear; all this in a cart with no brakes. What a journey exciting, even wonderful, but a journey (as we know) with a sudden end.

So here I am, wind in hair (what’s left of it), hurtling at break-neck speed into the unknown. Long gone are the green paddocks of youth; I passed them years ago but can remember (vaguely) the various flora that flowered along the way; the dreams, the engagements, the weddings, the physical strength and exuberance, the birth of my children and the birth of the children of my friends. I have passed through many paddocks of study and long years of labour, mostly a labour of joy (but with plenty of sweat).

And from time to time I have passed through sad and dark places where the wind in my hair was cold and biting bringing tears to my eyes. Now the end is closer and I see other riders, even peers of mine, hurtling of the cliff that ends the road. But I’m still flying, full of hope and joy.

My children have grown and flowered into beautiful adults and the children of my children are bursting, like wild flowers from the earth (I’m up to 2.5). I watch them as they stumble with rubbery limbs into their carts to learn the ropes and start upon their ride. There’s Alex and there’s Isaac and another on the way. And they

and my children watch me as I fly across a grid into a new, unknown paddock of my life. It is a strange place of both joy and sadness. Yes, I have run out of O Week strength; yes, my time for change has come; but I have run a privileged course and shared the road with fast and furious youths who have kept me young (and my wits alive). However, my children have lost their home – the home they have known for 15 years – the place where they grew up and where their mother died, and I head off I know not where.

Though I cannot see the road ahead certain things are clear. I must, under God, ride my cart well; wherever the road goes I must ride in love, in faith, in hope, seeking to honour God as I journey to the end. For me, that means doing ministry things, sometimes locums, sometimes voluntary. But I have a wild-card in my life too (a joyful yet uncharted journey with a dear friend, although she still lives in South Africa which is a long way from here). Whatever the outcome, there is no chance of me declining into sedentary boredom; life is too precious. It is a gift to be lived, a billy cart to be ridden with great joy and trust. We are called to live this adventure with great passion and commitment until the road ends and we go sailing into the arms of God. So, my friends, as I career down the hill, out the Cromwell gates, down Walcott Street into new places of the earth, I thank you for the journey, I thank you for the trust you have given me, and I ask that as I disappear out the door you will give to my successor the welcome and support you have given me. And to my children, Rebeccca, Sarah and Martin, I give my thanks. You have been a source of love and strength to me, particularly in those dark days when Helen’s death left me so alone.

And to my staff I say – yes, the way is sometimes rocky and hard, but together we have done the job and the place through which we ride now looks loved and full of life. I thank you for all you have done. To the Board of Governors I also give my thanks, for your support and wisdom so freely given. Your role is often undervalued or not even understood.

I have ridden past my last Valedictory Dinner, my last O Week, my last bunker and now my last COCA NEWS. To all of you, then, who have journeyed with me, I want to place on record my deepest thanks. I look forward to seeing you all at the 60th celebration in July.

My Successor I will hand over to Mr Ross Switzer on the 31st May. There will be a two week handover and I leave mid-June. Ross has already been occasionally involved, including speaking at Commencement Dinner. You can read his address later in this magazine.

Ross has facilitated workshops on leadership, bullying, models of pastoral care, proactive pastoral care, values based education, creating faith communities and building community. I am sure he will find Cromwell amenable to his skills.

Ross and his wife, Jenny, are looking forward to taking up the role at the end of May and are currently on an overseas trip before moving into their new home.

Hugh Begbie Principal

COCA News 2010 • Page 3

Barbara Merefield (At the final Cromwell College Board of Governors meeting last year, Mrs Barbara Merefield handed in her resignation as a member of the Board. With her resignation, Cromwell College bid farewell to the final formal link with the Lockley family on whom so much of its history is indebted. It was Barbara’s father, G. Lindsay Lockley, who was one of the original ‘dreamers’ with the vision for the College and subsequently its first Principal from 1950 – 1964. The College has much for which to be thankful to the family.

During her time on the Board of Governors, Barbara served on the Executive Committee and the Forward Planning Committee and as a member of the Cromwell College Foundation.

She has taken time to reflect on her association with Cromwell College.)

“At the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the first students entering Cromwell, I remember remarking to my brother that, of all the people present, we were probably the ones with the longest association with the College.

It was not, however, academic merit which had placed us in this position, but rather accident of birth, for we were the children of the Foundation Principal, G Lindsay Lockley.

“We had come to Brisbane from Adelaide in January 1950 for Dad to become the first full-time Principal of the Queensland Congregational (Theological) College – one with only a small number of students and no college buildings. It was in the next few months that we became aware that Dad would eventually be the Principal of a university residential college – the first to be run by the Congregational Churches in Queensland.

“Gradually the College became a reality, at least on paper. We pored over the original plans presented by the architect and, later, over the revised plans which were to give the College the basic shape it bears today. We sensed both the excitement and the stress of the planning of a college from scratch and saw the tension mount as it became obvious that the buildings would not be ready for the opening of the academic year in 1954 as had been promised.

I well remember 5th June 1954 when the first students finally arrived. As has often been recalled, the place was a shambles and my allotted task was to sweep out the builders’

Reflections

rubbish from the hall (now the JCR) to allow the tables to be set for the first evening meal. It might be added that, as a young fresher, I took advantage of the opportunity to check out the male talent. Ultimately, however, I felt it was safer to date fellows from other colleges!

the Board, Mr Jack Mathewson, asking if I would be willing to become a Governor of the College. Despite some reservations about what I could offer to the College apart from an enduring interest in it, I was persuaded to accept and I have to say that my now-retired Dad was delighted.

“In some 26 years as a member of the Board, I have seen many changes. I have served under two principals, each with their own way of leading the College, which has flourished under both. There have been a number of Chairmen of the Board (no women as yet), again with their differing, but always effective, styles of leadership. The appearance of the College has changed greatly, with the refurbishment of buildings and grounds, and it has been interesting to be involved in decisions about the use of different areas and the erection of Campus Lodge – a concept never imagined by the founders.

“How those founders would marvel at many of the changes: • Parking spaces for many student cars when five spaces were considered adequate in 1954

“One of the many parts of the College which was unfinished was the Principal’s residence and so our family entered upon a period of several months when my mother, brother and I remained in our house at Annerley while Dad lived in College, making rushed visits home at infrequent intervals. It was a great relief all round when, towards the end of the year, we were finally reunited in a house which was far more luxurious than anything we had known before.

“I lived in the Principal’s residence for the rest of my student days, leaving early in 1959 to do my country teaching service and returning briefly before my marriage in the College chapel in January 1960. From that time on my association with the College was almost solely through visits to my parents who made the most of their time with my two young sons before moving to Sydney in 1970.

“It was quite a surprise when, in 1983, I received a phone call from the Chairman of

• Phones in every student room instead of a public phone at the end of the corridor • Computer technology and its many applications, to mention just a few. Other things are little changed– students in the early twenty-first century do not differ greatly from their predecessors of fifty years ago and one thing I know that would delight my late father is the strong spirit of community and service so evident in the College today.

“It has been my privilege to have served on the Board for so many years (yes, I know everyone says that, but I really do mean it). I hope that my knowledge of the early years of the College has been of some use and that my years of recording minutes of meetings has helped to ensure that the history continues to be recorded. When a College Archive becomes a reality, perhaps that history will become accessible to many more.”

Surprise Visit Last year the College received a surprise visit from Mrs Margaret Fowler, grand-daughter of the Rev. Alfred Ernest Gifford, after whom the Gifford Room at Cromwell is named. Mrs Fowler was on a short trip to Brisbane and decided at the last minute to pay a visit to the College.

Constructed in 1955, the Gifford Room was originally called the Alfred Gifford Library as the family had donated a considerable sum of money for its construction. According to the first Principal of Cromwell, Rev. G. Lindsay Lockley, Alfred Gifford was a man who was ‘an honoured leader of the Congregational Churches of Australia….. He was a widely read man who was at home in many circles. He did not seek to indoctrinate others, but rather to stimulate independent thought.’ Rev. Gifford died in 1947.

The Gifford family also donated many of Alfred Gifford’s books to the College for use by the students as well as money for the purchase of other books. The room was refurbished in 2005 and has been used as a small seminar and study room for a number of years. The books are now located in the Junior Common Room.

COCA News 2010 • Page 4

Mrs Margaret Fowler, grand-daughter of Rev. Alfred Ernest Gifford

Vale Ken Bishop

Ken Bishop (left foreground) dining with students in the original Dining Hall (now JCR) It is with great sadness that we record the passing of the longest-serving Governor of Cromwell College, Mr Ken Bishop, on 30th October, 2009. Ken joined the Board in April 1952 and served as Secretary from that time until 1959, when it was noted that he had served ‘right through the protracted period of planning and erecting the college buildings, and of finalising the contract. It is probably true to say that no secretary could have been in office in a busier or more demanding period.’ Indeed, only a reading of the Minutes of Board meetings of that period conveys the huge volume of work involved in those early days.

Ken again served as Secretary from 1963 to 1978 when he was elected Deputy Chairman, a position he filled until 1984 when he became Chairman of the Board for a period of two years. Between 1952 and 1984 he had been a member of the Property & Finance Committee (later the Executive Committee), together with various Building and Fund Raising Committees, and was, for many years, the College’s Property Officer.

In October 1986, when he did not seek re-election to the Board, it was unanimously agreed that Ken be elected a Life Governor. In this capacity he continued to serve the college he loved, regularly attending meetings until declining health prevented his doing so.

Even then, he kept abreast of College affairs, offering comments and suggestions on a wide variety of matters.

A special minute prepared on the occasion of his becoming a Life Governor, records the fact that ‘Ken Bishop was elected to his various offices on the Board because of the qualities of his heart and mind. ... Officers

and members of the Board appreciated his counsel and College staff, especially Principals, was assured of his loyal support and helpful encouragement. Students too responded to his manifest integrity and deep interest in the College community and enjoyed talking to him, though few would have discovered that his sons, Ian and Ross were Cromwellians too. A remarkably selfless person, he was never one who paraded personal concerns in conversation, but rather dealt with issues of substance and mutual interest. And this attitude has characterised his relationships and his well-articulated contributions to Board discussion.’

To this might be added the thorough and cogent Annual Reports written during his many years as Secretary. When Campus Lodge was erected, he graciously, albeit reluctantly, agreed that his service be recognised in the naming of the Bishop Tower.

Ken Bishop served the College through the eras of all five Principals, seeing its transformation from a relatively small community of men to the strong, vibrant coeducational community it is today and encompassing the change from a Congregational College to one belonging to the Uniting Church. Cromwell owes much to Kenneth Robert Bishop.

An Open Letter

to the Board and Cromwell Community

As a member of the College Alumni with children approaching university age, I would like to bring to your attention my concerns about the direction I perceive the leadership of the college is taking. These concerns have emerged through my reading of the recent editions of the COCA News.

I understand that key statements associated with the Vision of the College include: • • • •

Accept diversity; Create community; Strive for excellence; Pursue spiritual, academic and social maturity; • Serve society and; • Care for the environment.

These are all fine statements. However, through reading the recent report from the Principal, Hugh Begbie, and some of his other statements in the COCA News, it is not clear to me that the Principal adheres to, or values, many of these statements. The Principal’s recent letter (Volume 9) reads as little more than a fundamentalist rant about Christian beliefs rather than general human or social values that many of us hold in common. It is clear from the letter that the Principal has little or no time for other faiths, and indeed, he demonstrates a belief that Atheists and other non-Christians have little hope of leading a meaningful or purposeful life:

meaning, no ultimate truth…This universe is ultimately amoral and it comes as no surprise that many thinking secularists find the prospect deeply depressing in such an environment, some surrender to despair, some seek solace in hedonistic activity, some create meaning by doing good things…

“The logic of the secular world in which we live gives scant room for the concept of evil or good or personal responsibility. There is no ultimate

Until we see the joy of this truth, Christmas will remain a strange mixture of fun, exhaustion, credit card debt and shallowness.”

For the Hindu or Buddhist, life is illusory, a dream, and we deal with suffering and pain by detachment. For those in the secular West which struggles to face the reality of evil and pain and death, we are left only with the choice of filling the emptiness with tinsel, with analgesics, with frenetic buying and with a minimisation of both personal responsibility and mortality itself ”.

COCA News 2010 • Page 5

In this regard, the letter may be perceived as very offensive. It clearly does not accept diversity. Such rhetoric is an affront to non-Christians; if the word “Christian” was substituted in the above paragraph instead of “secular” or “Hindu” or “Buddist”, the reader can readily see why. The author actually divides the community. By seeking to proselytize Christian beliefs, as opposed to Christian values, to a very wide audience, it serves neither the community nor the environment.

A Response to Dr Dale from the Executive of the Board

I am a proud ex-collegian, and in my time there, the college leadership was based on Christian values rather than beliefs. Most human belief systems share very common values, and these are the potential points that can be worked on to secure community unity and the long term sustainability of our society.

The support provided by the college and the sense of general community it created, was highly inclusive at that time. Atheists, such as myself, felt respected, and the support provided by the college contributed to my development and wellbeing. This in turn has helped underpin my broader, and I believe significant contributions to the wider community.

Our students come from a wide diversity of backgrounds, faiths and cultures. They are accepted and respected. The College continues to have a wonderful sense of community and support for one another and this has not changed during the period Dr Begbie has been principal. In fact we believe that it has been enhanced.

Under the approach suggested or sermonized

by Principal Begbie, I have no confidence that my own children would be offered the same courtesy and privilege.

While I am generally tolerant of fundamentalist Christian diatribes I hear within the broader community, they usually do not directly affect the opportunities ahead for my family or the wider community. Mr Begbie, however, is responsible for supporting young Queenslanders to take their first tentative steps towards making their lifelong contribution to a more enlightened society.

Instead of providing leadership, he uses the privileged position he holds by urging students to step towards mysticism and community division. Indeed, his final words at the Valedictory Dinner last year published in the same Coco News, denigrate the very scientists, economists, and other professionals who presumably will be amongst Cromwell’s proud graduates: “As you go out into the world, be aware that your culture denies, even mocks the Jesus who, above every other human person in history, has shown what living these two goals means. The way of God, the way of the cross is abhorrent to our self-actualizing world which proclaims instead the gospel of the white coat; the new day that science, economics, psychology, business leaders and politicians will bring our way.”

In this case, as suggested by the characters in Mr Begbie’s story, I felt the need to take direct action. As such, I sincerely hope the leadership approach taken will be different by the time my children reach University age.

I look forward to your response.

I would also be happy to see these concerns published in full in the next COCA News.

Kind regards Dr Allan Dale Cromwell 1983 - 1985

COCA News 2010 • Page 6

The Executive of the Board of Governors has discussed the letter from Dr Dale and believe that Rev Dr Hugh Begbie has every right to present the Christian message. Cromwell College was established on Christian principles and values and it will continue to present the Christian message. (We are a College that comes under the auspice of The Uniting Church in Australia-Queensland Synod)

The demand by students wishing to come to Cromwell College has been overwhelming and this is testimony of the satisfaction that graduates have for the College.

We would welcome for Dr Dale’s children to apply to come to Cromwell.

Ben de Jong Chairman of the Board of Governors.

A Response to Dr Dale from Rev Dr Hugh Begbie I thank Dr Dale for his open letter and have given it to the Board as requested. I have also had a very pleasant and amicable lunch with him. However, I think the issues he raises are important to address, hence this reply.

First let me assure Dr Dale that the residents of this College feel totally respected. Indeed, as Principal, I have a reputation with the residents as one who is fair, open to listening and willing to delegate, empower and negotiate. There is a strong culture of mutual respect and acceptance in this College and it is this commitment to being a mutually supportive community that gives Cromwell the extraordinary reputation that it has. It would not be this way if I was as Dr Dale suggests in his letter.

Secondly, I would point out that the respect Dr Dale seeks from me may not have been given to me. The truth is that no one in this College would ever hear me accuse others of ‘fundamentalist rants’ or ‘Christian diatribes’ (or their equivalent), nor would they ever hear me denigrate academics of any discipline or persuasion. I am absolutely committed to the pursuit of truth and that is clearly visible in the way I run this College. I am in fact opposed to any one-sided attack that makes little attempt to truly understand the other whether or not it comes from so called ‘fundamentalist Christians’ or from ‘fundamentalist Atheists’ like Richard Dawkins.

True respect requires engagement with real people rather than the kind of fencing with caricatures that often characterizes human conflict. It is hard, however, to truly engage with people via written media and it is possible for Dr Dale to misunderstand me

and me to misunderstand Dr Dale. Only discussions over a glass of wine or cup of coffee can perhaps truly deal with the kind of assumptions that can rule (and ruin) our relationships; hence our lunch engagement.

Thirdly, the pursuit of truth assumes the right to have public dialogue and debate. What Dr Dale wants is for part of that debate to remain silent. He wants the values of the Christian faith but does not want any mention of the person who inspired them. The reality is that without His story to energize and inspire these values, they may well decline into obscurity.

Fourthly, as I have argued publicly before, tolerance is often defined as accepting others’ beliefs (unless perhaps they are Christian). I believe this definition is false and dangerous for it condemns us to silence. But should we be silent when Hitler speaks? Should we say nothing while Stalin destroys millions of his people, often based on paranoid lies? I have a responsibility to speak what I believe is true and oppose those I believe to be untrue, even if they come from the lips of apparently Christian people (and sadly, there are many such statements).

For me tolerance means we respect each other, as persons – we do not have to agree; we can passionately disagree, but we will honour each other’s dignity as a human being and each other’s responsibility to live their life with integrity. I will speak but I will also listen. I will respect others, but hope that they in turn respect my integrity and my passion. The fact is I am a Christian. I have thought long and hard about it. I have had to work through doubt, temptation, failure, pain, grief and loss but through it all remain convinced of the truth and power of this faith. There are no guarantees - I know that - but there are no guarantees for Dr Dale either. We each must work through our belief position with grace and integrity and we each can share our story with each other.

Finally, let me point out that there are many ‘good’ atheists in the world just as there are some deeply flawed Christian people. My issue is not with them personally but with a belief system that I believe struggles to make sense of the world. In my view, the atheistic position is reductionist, not only denying some very important history, but also finding little room (philosophically) for such things as love, or beauty or justice; and as previously indicated, it also struggles to make sense of the concept of evil.

In any case, I wish Dr Dale well. I thank him for his contribution to the debate and enjoyed our time together over lunch. I assure him that the residents of this College feel respected. I will soon be gone, but I trust that the opportunity for the Christian story to be heard remains in the College. It’s strange really. The western world supports the right of all kinds of people to proclaim their beliefs loud and clear, but increasingly condemns to silence the faith that has played a huge role in creating the freedoms and the trust that maintains it.

Invitation to Attend

CROMWELL COLLEGE 60th Anniversary Celebrations Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th July 2010 Invitation to Attend The Chairman and Members of the Cromwell Board of Governors have pleasure in extending an invitation ………. …………to all of those people who have in some way, over the last sixty years, been associated with Cromwell College, as an Alumni, a Board Member, a friend of the College, a present resident, a parent of a resident, a staff member (past and present), a member of the Uniting (Congregational) Church………..

To attend a weekend of celebrations in honour of those men and women whose dream it was to ‘… found a university residential college in which a theological college might be incorporated….’

Saturday 3rd July:

Anniversary Dinner

6.30pm for 7.00pm until 11.30pm (venue off-campus)

A formal celebration of the 60 years of the life of Cromwell College The program will include a farewell to the retiring Principal, Rev. Dr Hugh Begbie and a welcome to the Principal-elect, Mr Ross Switzer as well as an overview of the past, present and future of the College. The evening includes a two-course menu inclusive of grazing platters and beverages.

Sunday 4th July:

Thanksgiving Service and Lunch

10.00am for 10.30am until mid-afternoon

Cromwell College – Griffith Memorial Chapel and Dining Hall

A Thanksgiving Service in honour of the men and women who were responsible for the foundation of the College and the many Residents, Staff and Friends who have made the College what it is today. There will be tours of the College following the formal activities after lunch.

Invitations to these events will be posted towards the end of April.

CHECK YOUR DETAILS We would like to invite as many Alumni and Friends of the College as possible to participate in the 60th Anniversary Celebrations. To ensure that all Alumni and Friends of Cromwell are on the invitation list, please contact the Development Manager, Rebecca McEwen Smith, to confirm contact details are up-to-date.

Ph: (07) 3377 1300, Fax: (07) 3377 1499.

Email: r.mcewen@cromwell.uq.edu.au / friends@cromwell.uq.edu.au

COCA News 2010 • Page 7

Looking for our 1990 1994 Cont’d from previous issue

1995 1999

Unconnected Alumni

Title Ms Mr Mrs Mr Mr Ms Mrs Ms Mr Ms Mr Ms Ms Ms Miss Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr

Firstname Helen Scott Tracey Shaw Andrew Kate Karina Tamara Scott Judith Gavin Terri Minda Fiona Jane Bradley Lachlan Peter Donald Luke

Lastname LANG LANHAM LEACH LI LINDSAY LINDSAY WATERMAN LISHA LOADER LOCKHART LOEBEL LOWENTHAL LOWRY MACKINTOSH MACLEOD MARSHALL MCANDREW MCCLENAHAN McIVOR MCKEAN

Mr Ms Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Ms Mr Ms Ms Mr Mr Ms Mr Ms Mrs Dr Mr Mr Ms

Cameron Zara Kurt Craig Bruce Peter Christopher Leith Peter Anne Emma Phue Glen Laurie Allister Lisa Emma Anton Angus David Emily

MCKEAN MISSINGHAM MOELLERING MOFFAT MOLE MURPHY MYATT NICHOLSON NICHOLSON ORTEGREN PHILP PHUE PLAYER PLUMHOFF POHLE PRESTON SAWLEY RAYNER ROBERTSON ROCKLIFF ROCKLIFF

Dr Ms Mr Ms Ms Mr Dr Mrs Ms Mr Mr Ms Ms Ms Dr Mr Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms

Andrew Janna Jay Fiona Jennifer Adam Masataka Alexis Catherine David Ragan Jane Claire Jodi Nicholas Craig Katie Robyn Judith Sandra Kylie

Title Mr Ms Mr Ms Ms Mr Ms Mr Ms Mrs Mr Mr Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms Mr Mr Ms Ms Mr Ms Ms Mr Ms Mr Ms Mr Mr Ms Ms Mr Ms Ms Ms Ms

Firstname Hasanov Hiliary Scott Melanie Sarah Nicholas Melissa Glenn Stacie Jennifer Aaron Jacob Ayisha Misty Jacqueline Susan Joanne Brendan Wei Jin Helen Kate Keith Nancy Annette William Francesca Tat Amy Murray Peter Heidi Shannon Paul

Lastname BACH BEAL BECKER BENNETT BROWN BURICK CARLO CASE CLARK ANGEL CROSS CUTTER DAY DOAN DONALDSON ENTWISTLE FILSELL GAULD GOH GOODWIN HALL HAMPSON HAND HARRIS HILL HOCART HUM HYSLOP JAMES JENSEN KETO ROSENBERG LEE LEE LEIBERMAN LEUNG MARTIN

Ms Ms Ms Mr Ms Mr Ms Mr Ms Ms Mr Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms Dr Ms Ms Mr Ms Mr Mr Ms Ms Ms Mr Ms Mr Mr Ms Ms Mr Mr Ms Ms Ms Ms

Machi Stephanie Caroline Jonathan Rebecca Michael Debra Yasuyuki Michele Natalie Thomas Leah Miriam Kym Julie Tennille Melanie Noriko Natalie Christopher Victoria Dayman Derek Li Ching Miho Rosemary Ivo Grace Yi-jo Skye Benjamin Helen Dana Adrian Christopher Kelly Amy Simone Melinda

MATSUDA MCLAUGHLIN MEADE MEAGHER MEYER MINDRUM MUNDT ONO PAPPAS PAUSIN RANDALL RATNOFSKY REID RICHARDSON RIDLEY ROWLAND RULE SAITOH SMITH STAMBAUGH STARK STEPTOE STILLER TEO TSUCHIYA TYSON VINCOUR WANG WILSON WOODWARD WRIGHT WYNER YEOW ADAMS BARKER BOEDICKER CRAIG CREW

Ms Mr Ms Ms Mr Mr Ms Dr Mr Ms Ms Ms Mr Ms Ms Ms Mr Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms Mr Ms Mr Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms Mr Ms Mr Mr Ms Mr Ms Ms

Dianna Benn Li-Ling Caroline Michael James Ellena Danica Adam Wei Wei Kristy Sarah Fung Loo Annabelle Swee Boon-Sze Anthony Nicole Kasey Michelle Grace Melissa Adam Marissa Kevin Alison Emily

Sabrina (tze Huey)

Alison Carol Kylie

COCA News 2010 • Page 8

RODD ROOP ROSE ROWE SGRO SAWLEY SHIMOJO SLATER SMITH SMITH STONIER STUBBS STUETZEL TANNER TAYLOR TAYLOR THOMPSON TURNBULL UGUVA VAN DORSSEN VAN DORSSEN

FORTI FUHLBOHM GAN GILLESPIE HENDERSON HEYWOOD HILLBRICH HUDSON KRUSE LAU BEHRENDORFF LEES-MOORE LOH MOLAN NAH OH PARMENTER PLAYER RICHER ROBINSON ROSE-MILLER SCHEMBRI SCHUHMACHER SCUDERI STEWART THALMANN URBAN Catherine Ann WILDERMUTH Sara WINSTONE Rebecca FERRIS Ian NEILSEN Ellen NICOLSON Todd WELLS John ALTMAN Aki FUJII Javier HIGUCHI Jillian KLUG Rochelle MAY

Mr Ms Mr Ms Mr Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms Mr Ms Ms Mr Mr Miss

Joy David Chikako Andrew Linda Jacinta Kylie Sally Beth Toni Peita Katherine Bradley Victoria Lauren Donald Bruce Sally

VAUGHAN VIEL WADSWORTH WAKASA WALLER WARFIELD WARREN WATERS WATERS WEINGARTEN WILLIAMS WILSON WOLSKI WYER YUILLE LINNEROOTH MEADOWS MEADOWS WRIGHT

Mr Mr Mr Mr Ms Mr Mr Ms Ms Ms Mrs Mr Ms Mr Ms Mr Ms Mr Mr Mr Ms Mr Mr Ms Mr Ms Mr Ms Ms Mr Ms Ms Mrs Ms Mr Mr Miss

Lance James John Mark Brooke Nicholas PHILLIP EMILY Janelle Jie Shari David Jeanne Wade Heidi Benjamin Sarah Daniel Matthew Paul Sarah Anthony Levi Yoshimi Mark Beatrice Nathan Casey Naomi Adam Catherine Lesley Nadeeka Katie Alistair Jon Shari

BROWN ARNEIL ARNEIL GREEN WAISTELL HIRST BIRCH SAINT-SMITH STEWART Wu MARSHALL CURNOW DRIVER EISER FUELLING HANN HARRIS KENNEDY SANTOSA LEWIS Robinson MALLAM MORSE NAKADA PEDEN PLANT LAMONT HELMORE ANNING GILMORE FITZGERALD STEEL JAYASEKERA FLETCHER JURY MOLLER SMITH

John and Heather

In light of the upcoming celebrations in early July this year we would like to be able to reconnect with as many of our Alumni as possible. Can you help us to find and reconnect with those Alumni who are on our ‘Returned’ lists? In this edition we continue with the last lot of five year groups. If anyone is still in contact with or knows of the whereabouts of any of these Alumni, please ask them to contact the College.

2000 2004

Title Mr Mr Mr Mrs Mr Mr Mr Mr Mrs Mr & Mrs

Mrs Dr Mr Mr Dr Mrs Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Ms Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Ms Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mrs Dr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mrs Mr Mr Mt Mr Mr Mr Ms Mr Mr Ms Mr Mrs Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Mr Ms Mr Mr

Firstname Greg Choo Poh Jasa Jennifer Phuah Rollo Minh John Cathy Kevin & Dot A Richard Alan Nik Peter Janette Chin Won Tominaga Danik Tran Nguyen C Chris Helen Ken Lee Boon Kuang R&L Er Kong Hao David Ross Janine Yoon J GW William R A Noelene Patrick Douglas Tan Lai K Low King I Tan Choong Janet Chia Ah Lee Andrus Chua Ah Graham Graham Carole Lim Chee Yip Soon Janelle PG Julie Mark Wong Saw Song Seng Chen Nan Huzefa Shannon James Rhoda Lyndon George

Lastname BEATTIE BOON BULL CASH CHOON-MENG CRAWFORD DAI DREW EWING GALE GREEN GREEN GRIEVE HADI HARBINSON HARVEY HIN HIROSKI HUGHES HUNG HUNG HUTH IRELAND IRVING JAGO JOO KHOONG KING KIONG KUO LAWRENCE LAY LEED LEOW LIEFERT LOGAN LOVE MATHEWS MATTIN MCCANN MCCORMACK MORRIS NAM ONN POPE SAN SILVA SMITH SOON STRUBER TEE TENG TONISMAE TOW TUCK VANKAM WALLS WANN WENG WILLIAMSON WILLIAN WINDLE WOOD YEEN YEO YUEN ALI HANSEN MCGOVERN TAN KEANE Seymour

Ms Miss Ms MISS Ms Ms Ms Ms MR MISS Mr MR Ms

Elyssa Jennifer Hayley Deanna Simone Swati Kate Naomi Cheng Kiang Rachael James Micah KEK Brenda MISS Kimberly MISS Allison Ms Amanda Mr Anthony Mr Benjamin Ms Brenda Mr Phillip DR Sarah Mr Tony Ms Natalie Ms Jennifer Mr Sau Hin Jackie Ms Jaclyn MISS Rachel Ms Michelle Ms Melissa Ms Susan Ms Harriet Mr Mark Ms Josephine Ms Jillian Ms Cara Mr Brendan Ms Lingming MR JACK Mr Thomas PROF DAO YU Ms Melinda Ms Sylvie MS Gaelle Mr Tzach Ms Carmen Ms Kelli Ms Marie Mr Luke Ms Katrina Mr Chris Mr William MR Ashwin Miss Miranda Ms Jennifer Mr Philip Ms Britta-Anne II Mr Michael Ms Misa Mr Daniel Ms Audrey Ms Victoria Ms Lina Mr Paul Ms Elisha Mr Paul Shu Pin Ms Rene MISS Amy Mr Christopher Mr Loic Mr Nathaniel Mr Jedediah Ms Amy

BRAY WILKINS GALLAGHER KAUFMAN CAMERON PRASAD REID LUMMA HUA COTTER FOX WESTERMAN NG TESINI FOLKERS MANNING MILLER LAU AGNEW LEIGHTON STEWART TOWNSEND CURTIS WARNER CURREY CHAN WEHLOW LEONG LIM CROWELL WATERHOUSE RICHARDS HAUSER DUNLOP CATT KINGSTON LEONG SEE PONG LIM LISNEY TONG ROWE HODGSON CHARNAY RONEN STEWART DONNELLY JENSEN DEERING KAPCELOVICH LISTER MARINO PRASAD DELLAWAY HENDRY AGNEW STILLER BEIER TRAN CH’NG CHEONG TOMES CAJVERT FORMOSA MODISETT LIU CROWLEY MOORE HALL DORTHE HUG GIBSON WATTS

Ms Mr Ms Ms Ms Ms Mr Ms Mr Mr Ms Ms Mr Mr Mr Mr Ms Mr Mr Ms Ms Ms Ms Mr Ms Ms Ms Mr Mr Mr Ms Ms Ms Mr Ms Ms Mr Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms Mr Ms Ms Mr Mr Ms Mr Ms Mr Ms Mr MS Ms Mr Ms Ms Ms Mr Ms Ms Ms Ms

Paola Richard Lee-Rae Erika Jane Emily Jeffrey Emily Vincent Ryuta Sophie Shirley Peter Maxwell Kwok Whai Wei Kiat Petra David Patrick Jennifer Nicole Kath Alison Ramon Andrea Kara Vonchi Seng Boon Jeffrey Aaron Hannah Stacey Suzanna Robert Wendy Diana Howard Leila Lindsay Katherine Carolin Martha Anna Haydee Rikki Emily Carla Nina Amanda Melanie Caroline Benjamin Lisa Meow Hong Shalynn

Dai Thomas Orquidea Joseph Zenia Richard Julia Joel Giselle Jessica Sin Han Rachel Tracey Robyn Julien Lindsay Keri Amanda Allison

FLOREZ MORRISON RODWELL LODER BANKHURST SHAGLEY DAY STEEL LECLEIRE SOMETAYA BARON MOE LEE BRYAN CHAN HO WILTSCHKA HARTLEY MOLONEY FARBER HINTLIAN CHOWN WHITEMAN GOMEZ GOLLOHER CHAN PIMOMO NGUI JACOBS LUTTON MORAN HANSEN ANDREW O’DONNELL CASTRO GOMEZ HUGHES GOLDSTEIN WADSON BANIN DEGENAAR PLEWA TALYOR WASSERSTROM VALDES MEDINA CHANDLER BARRELL FLAHERTY GREGG TUCKER SPAIN KOEPKE KOE KUHN TAN ABE DI VINCENZO LICONA MARTIN ROBERTS COWARD McLEAN JOHNSON Di PAOLO KRISS LIM MITCHELL SMYTHE PARKER GILLOT BRUICK TOLER SIMS VAN DAM

Mr Ms Mr Ms Mr Ms Ms Ms Mr Ms Ms Mr Mr Ms Ms

Chin Tung Jamie Justin Nicole Robert Katy Renee Margaret David Jacey Tegan Sze Chien

CHOO GLUCK NOBEL MARCHESE HOLIBER HAWKINS ROWLETTE GRAVES DARMAMULIA BENNIS FLEMING LIM Soon Lee Larry LEE Melissa HOUGH Megan GRANDE Mr & Mrs Guy and Narelle DEBNEY Ms Melanie STUART Mr Stephen MATTAROLLO Ms Amy Linnemann Ms Jemma MORRISSON Ms Sik Yin CHEUNG Mr John LERAY Ms Heidi SPANN Mr Dylan KOOPMAN Mr Comet SUNG Ms Fiona MENZIES Ms Elizabeth BAUMANN Ms Nina LEVY Ms Rachel BYBEE Ms Jessica ZIEGLER Ms Jacqueline JORDA Mr Fabien GIRAUD Mr David BROWN Ms Catherine BAYLESS Ms Emilie GODARD Mr Kachung CHAN Ms Andrea OSSIANDER Mr Jesse NEIDER Ms Erica STOBIE Ms Christine LIEW MISS Michaela KOON PO YUEN Ms Maria De Pauw CEREGHINO Mr Eric ONG Ms Sariyah JALALUDDIN Ms Nicole STAVROPOULOS Ms Dena KAPLOWITZ Ms Lauren MONTGOMERY Mr Alexander CARGOPOULOS Ms Elizabeth LACEY Ms Kristen PFLUM Ms Melissa HARRISON Mr Hong-Hua Bruce WANG Ms Lindsay PENVOSE Ms Michelle COUGHLIN Mr Glen WALL Mr Michael PENTE Ms Kin Lam HUI Mr Aaron KENNEDY Mr Neil YOUNG Mr Matthew BANKINS Ms Sally MAZZANTI Mr Peter MASON Mr Martin NOLLER Ms Louise WESTAWAY Ms Karen PHILLIPS Ms Naomi ROGERS Mr Trevor PICHANICK Ms Leah SNIGG Mr Joseph KLUVER Ms Meagan PIXLEY Ms Ebony WALKER Mr Christopher HAMMACOTT Ms Karen BERGGREN

COCA News 2010 • Page 9

2000 2004 Cont’d from previous page

2005 2008

Mr Ms Mr Ms Ms Ms Ms Mr Ms Ms Mr Ms Mr Mr Ms Mr Mr Mr Ms Ms Ms

Alexander Meaghan Connor Kathryn Pamela Lacey Katherine Jorge Rita

Tze Loong Oliver Amy Margo Jennifer

CASADONTE FINNEGAN MURPHY SIDELL LOPERT CONDREAY MONROE GARCIA AXELROTH WONG KWAN HEYERLY ROMERO LAI DALE LIN KOH THESSMAN FERBUYT EAGON MEZGER

Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms Ms Mr Ms Mr Ms Mr Mr Mr Ms Mr Ms Ms

Kimberly Christin Danielle Elizabeth Laura Mary Allison Michelle Nicole Victoria Chooi Guan Maki James Lisa John Micah Muhammad Nashwa Leonard Lesley Nurul

Firstname Nathan Phillipa Ian

Lastname HOOK SEARLE HENDERSON

Ms Mr Mr Ms

Insun Simon Chloe

Yen Ping Melissa Yew Meng Alvin

Summer Israel Simon Pok Man

Christina Cheng Hsu lex

Title Mr Ms Mr

SCHREINER SERENBETZ COURIER EINHORN FRIANT McSWEENEY BERRY REINA EICHER GUARISCO LIM OBOKATA HOGAN OOT REED SCHULZ DAUD BOLLING HAMILTON OOT SUHAIRI

Ms Ms Ms Mr Mr Ms Ms Ms Mr Mr Ms Mr Mr Ms Ms Ms Ms Mr Ms Ms Ms

Ee Whey, Felicia LAU

Mr Ms Ms Mr

CHO VIVERS MAKIN

Sixty Years in the making 13 March 1950 Offer of £40 000 made to the Congregational Churches of Queensland to found a university residential college for men if certain conditions were met by 30 June.

Rachel

CHAPMAN

Meihui Judith CHEN

Kelli Brett Edward Mastura Nurfazlina Nurul Joshua Mok Kwee Claudia David

DUDLEY LINNANE HORE MOHD ISMAIL MOHD SUKRI STONE HENG CASTILLO FORDER Kit Cheung, Eric LAI Erin SKINNER Nur AMDAN Amanda SCHENO Lotte BONNEAU Richard AUSTIN Sarah WURZBURG Olivia LEE Carolyn HANSEN

Ashley Teegan Ellie Thomas

JOB BURKE BONNETT BEDDOW

Ms Ms Ms Ms Mr Ms Ms Mr Mr Mr Ms Ms Ms Ms Mr Ms Mr Mr Mr Mr Ms

Jordan Mellisha Katherine Meaghan Simon Skyla Lorren Liam Beau James Sharon Riley Anna Amy Greg Kathryn Shay Peter Thomas Mike

BRACKER ORANGE HAMILTON TRUSCOTT PEARCE RABADI FERNANDES MORRISSON WILSON IMPROTA OLIVER ERAVELLY COOK GREEN HARBROW WOLFERT JELBART KURZ CHONG REILLY AU YEUNG Hsin-I (Cindy) CHENG

Ms MS

Emma Kimberlee

YABSLEY CIRANNI

the Life of Cromwell College

1968

Opening of Hancock Wing.

1970

The Assembly of the Queensland Congregational Union adopted a constitution for the college, elected a Board of Governors and appointed Rev G Lindsay Lockley as Principal.

Resignation of Rev G L Lockley. Rev A Steele-Craik became Principal.

1972

Resignation of Rev A Steele-Craik.

1973

Decided on the name ‘Cromwell’ in recognition of Oliver Cromwell’s Congregational churchmanship and his commitment to university education.

Mr Ashby Utting appointed as College Administrator until the arrival of the new Principal.

1973

The College became co-educational with the first women admitted.

29 June 1950

Cromwell College was officially affiliated with the University of Queensland.

August 1973-1975 Mr John Roulston appointed as Principal.

October 1950

Site in Walcott Street purchased from Emmanuel College for £6000.

1976-1995

Rev Dr H C Krohn as Principal.

?

Conrad & Gargett, Architects, commissioned to prepare plans.

1977

Cromwell College became a Uniting Church College.

8 September 1951

Ceremony for the Dedication of the Site.

1984

Former Domestic (Carmody) wing refurbished as visitor accommodation and renamed Lockley.

24 May 1952

Ceremony for the setting of the Foundation Stone.

1994

2 July 1953

Contract for building signed.

Vice-Principal’s residence became student accommodation and renamed Steele-Craik Lodge.

5 June 1954

First students entered unfinished buildings.

1995

5 March 1955

Official opening of the College (Thatcher, North, Hall, Administration and Domestic staff areas) by the Governor, Sir John Lavarack. The Hall is now the JCR & the Domestic wing is now Lockley.

Rev Dr H C Krohn retired. Rev H M Begbie became Principal.

1998

Campus Lodge opened to provide self-catered accommodation.

May 2010

Rev Dr H M Begbie retires. Mr Ross Switzer becomes Principal.

3rd & 4th July 2010

60th Anniversary Celebrations for Cromwell College

26 April 1950

4 September 1955 23 June 1962

Dedication of the Griffith Memorial Chapel and the Gifford Library (now the Gifford Room).

Opening of the new Hall, Dowling Wing and VicePrincipal’s residence (now Steele-Craik Lodge).

COCA News 2010 • Page 10

August-Dec.1975 Rev Eric Pyle became Acting Principal.

Commencement Dinner 2010 – A Double Celebration There is always a reason for celebrating something at Cromwell College and the 2010 Commencement Dinner is no exception. This year however, was cause for a double celebration. Not only did we welcome into residence our 90 new Cromwellians, but we also welcomed the incoming Principal, Mr Ross Switzer and his wife, Jenny.

Mr Switzer was the guest speaker for the Dinner and spoke of his delight at being chosen as the 6th Principal of Cromwell College. (See Mr Switzer’s address to Commencement Dinner.)

As President of the Cromwell College 2010 Students’ Association, Joanne Landmark, was Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Led by Calum Watson, one by one the Freshers were presented to the Chairman of the Board of Governors, Mr. Ben de Jong, took their Promise, and signed in as members of the best College on campus.

Colourful set-up for the Dining Hall for Commencement Dinner 2010

Address to Commencement Dinner Jenny and I are so fortunate to be coming to Cromwell College. From the moment I was appointed as Principal, people from all walks of life have come up to me and said things like, “ That’s a great College”, or “Cromwell, it’s got the reputation as the best College at UQ”, or, “so and so went to Cromwell and they loved it; the best years of their life”.

I feel honoured to soon become just the 6th Principal of Cromwell College in sixty years.

I note also that I will be the first Principal in the College’s history, not to be either a PhD or a Priest.

I certainly have very big shoes to fill, especially those of Rev. Dr. Hugh Begbie, who has led this College for over fourteen of those sixty years.

I will listen to your views. This College is for you.

You are not school kids, you are adults, and I will treat you as such, especially in the setting of boundaries within which the Cromwell community operates. As adults, you will also appreciate, that after our consultative decision making, we must all take responsibility for the consequences that may eventuate from our choices.

In the coming weeks closer to my commencement, I will be inviting many of you, RA’s, Freshers, returning residents, and staff, to talk honestly with me, about what you expect from me as your Principal. I will value these chats, because they will help shape my approach to my role.

I’ve heard the rumours. They range from, “he’s a ‘schoolie’ so we’ll all be treated like little kids”, to, “we’ve ‘googled’ him and asked around, and he’ll be OK.”

influence that Jenny will have. I know that you will all find Jenny incredibly supportive of you, and keen to be fully involved in College life.

Essentially Jenny and I are a partnership, and I know that Jenny will value being part of your Cromwell life as you get to know her better.

For me, I’m 48 years old, and after my wife, close friends are the most important to me.

For relaxation, I like good friends, sport, music, food and traveling. I really love sport, having coached Rugby Union and Cricket for many years. My Year 8 Cricket team at West Moreton Anglican College, almost won a game three weeks ago playing St Columban’s College, Caboolture. We got them all out for 49, and I was hopeful for our first win, but unfortunately, we were all out for 38. Maybe I’m not such a good coach!

An occasion like tonight, calls for an explanation from me to you, of who I am, what drives me, and what I can offer.

I play the drums in a staff band at my current school, and have played the lead role in three very amateur melodramas. I have graduated from the University of Queensland, and have since finished a Masters Degree through Deakin University.

I gave up a career in the banking industry to become a teacher. It was hard going from a full time salary in my early twenties, to being, basically broke as a full time uni student for four years, but I had a commitment to become a teacher.

I have sailed a boat down much of the Nile River in central Egypt, trekked to a Masai Village in Kenya, suffered food poisoning in Morocco, reflected at the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi in Italy, and in September last year, walked the Kokoda Track in PNG.

Why? Corporations have mission statements, and I have a personal mission statement which answers that question.

My mission statement is this. “I want to make a positive difference in the lives of young people.” This is what has driven me, and has been my touchstone for twenty eight years in schools, and this is what will drive me serving you, the residents of Cromwell.

I want to make a positive difference in the lives of the young people here at Cromwell College. Everyone here tonight can rest assured that every decision that will be made under my leadership, strategic or operational, will be made with one question in my mind, and that question is, “What’s in it for the residents?”

If the answer is nothing, then we don’t do it.

That’s what drives me, and that’s what I offer.

I am a consultative leader who best fits the ‘participative leadership style’. I will involve you extensively in my key decision making.

You will find me to be a person who thrives on nurturing relationships within the Cromwell community. I have spent most of my career in residential communities. Each one of you will be very special to me, and I want you to know that, and feel valued.

I will help you, or if I can’t, I will arrange help for you, with any academic or personal issues that you may have from time to time. If you talk to me in confidence, then it stays that way.

A problem shared is a problem halved. You only have to ask.

A close knit, supportive, proud, and loyal community, where Christian principles are modelled in our daily interactions, is what I seek for Cromwell College.

Now before this address sounds any more like an election pitch commensurate with the likes of Kevin Rudd or Tony Abbott, let me be a bit more personal.

In addition to anything that I can achieve with you in the coming years, is the nurturing

My life clearly has been diverse, and for that reason, I find it easy to empathize with people of varying interests and views.

Finally, Cromwell College will proudly be here forever. I hope that in my tenure in the life of this College, I can continue to water the seed that was planted and nurtured from 1950 by the Congregational Churches of Queensland, Mr. and Mrs. Hancock, the Founding Principal, Rev. Dr. Lindsay Lockley and his successors, their staff, Board members, the University, and residents.

Let me finish where I started. I want to make a positive difference in the lives of young people.

You can judge better than me my effectiveness over time.

On 31 May this year, the challenge will begin.

Ross A. Switzer, M.Ed.(Admin), B.Ed.St., Dip. T., MACE, MACEL. PRINCIPAL (ELECT)

COCA News 2010 • Page 11

Fresher Sunday The atmosphere surrounding Fresher Sunday is always one of fun and frivolity, although there is an underlying seriousness about it all as the new families are welcomed into the College. Lots of clapping and laughing and tooting of horns accompany each family who drives/walks in to offload their son/daughter into the arms of the waiting residents and staff.

The Welcoming Committee - RAs & Students’ Association Members

Katherine & Peter Harbison (wearing seashells necklace he hasn’t worn since his College days)

This year, ninety new residents have been added to the Cromwell family. Among them four are children of Cromwell Alumni and another twenty-five have a brother or sister who has recently been at Cromwell or is still in residence.

Katherine Harbison and her father, Peter, (Cromwell 1974-1976) travelled from Darwin. Christopher Fillmore and his family are from the Sunshine Coast; his mum Cheryl (nee Reeves) was at Cromwell in 1982. Mathew Karydas’ from Cairns is lucky enough to have both his parents, Terry (1979-1981) and Melissa (1981-1982) as Cromwell Alumni. Hayden Warren’s mum Heather (nee Kimlin) was a resident of Cromwell from 1978-1982.

The Dining Hall catered lunch for the new families

2010

Hayden Warren & family

Cromwell Student Leadership 2010 The Resident Assistants (formerly Seniors) and the elected members of the Students’ Association for 2010 are as follows.

Resident Assistants – 2010 NAME

CORRIDOR

Ella Smith

LOCKLEY

Fleur Hopkins

TOP DOWLING

Joanne Landmark

MID COCK

Genesta Nicolson

TOP HAN

Anne Rigden

TOP NORTH

Jessica Foster

TOP COCK

Andrew Middleton

BOTTOM NORTH

Caitlin Holding

MID HAN

Anna Durance

TOP THATCHER

Alison Duguid (Senior Tutor)

HOUSE

Jordan Herd

BOTTOM DOWLING

Mitch Harwood

BOTTTOM COCK

Michael Krisanski

BOTTOM THATCHER

David Polkinghorne

BOTTOM HAN

Monty Summers

MID DOWLING

COCA News 2010 • Page 12

Student Liaison Officer John Flett

Students’ Association 2010 Executive: Position Name President: Joanne Landmark Vice-President: Monty Summers Secretary: Anne Rigden Treasurer: Kirk Stubbs Social Convenors: Jacob Landers and Nicholas Brook

Non Executive: Position Shop:

Board of Governors Representative:

Name Michael Vickery Matt Besley Kieran Evans Isaac Schulz Lachlan Bailey Fleur Hopkins

International Student Officer: Jessica Butler

Position Media Rep: Female Sports Convenor: Male Sports Convenor: Cultural Convenor: ICC Representative (sport):

Position O week Coordinator: (elected) O week Coordinator: (appointed) O Week Action Committee:

Name Kirsty Glynn Sophie Kurz Michael Krisanski Mitchell Harwood Emma Badenoch Jones

Name Amy Bower Michael Krisanski Matt Besley Nick Finlay Isaac Schulz Nicola Ward Margot Ashburner Courtney Pointon.

Collegiate Non-Resident Program Established At Cromwell This year Cromwell College is one of the select residential colleges at UQ to implement a new program for non-residential students to help stem the drop-out rate of first-year students undertaking university studies.

In 2009 The University of Queensland recognised that first-year students who live in a residential college are more likely to do better at their studies during that first year than non-resident students. In order to address this ongoing problem of academic attrition of first year students, the University and the residential colleges collaborated to set up a Collegiate Non-Resident Program which began this year.

It is well known that the additional demands placed on first year students in leaving the well-known confines of home and high school and settling into university life, requires considerable personal adjustments that may not be met or achieved as quickly as might be hoped.

Dean of Students at Cromwell College, Dr. Dale Mason, said that Cromwell is a well established collegiate residence that has earned an enviable reputation through its

continuing commitment to providing support for the academic, spiritual, cultural, social and sporting development of students.

“It is an accurate truism in relation to first year tertiary students that the sooner they settle, make friends and are happy, the more successful the students are likely to be in their University studies. Importantly they are also better able to prepare for, and accept, the lifestyle changes and added responsibilities in their transition from adolescence to adulthood,” Dr Mason said.

Each of the colleges has set up its own concept of the program and non-resident students are encouraged to apply and pay a fee for access to the various activities offered by the College.

The 2010 Affiliate members of Cromwell College have paid a one-off fee which covers both semesters of this academic year and are now able to take part in the following resources and activities: Appointment of a senior Cromwell student as a dedicated Resident Mentor who is matched according to their Academic Program or University faculty.

Attendance at two meals per week inclusive of Formal Dinners and all other special Formal Dinner occasions throughout the academic year.

College tutorial sessions Use of College recreational facilities, including the Computer room, tennis court and Chapel Participation in all intra-mural sport and inhouse cultural activities and encouraged to be part of the College supporters group at ICC events.

Participation in the College’s Lifestyle package with UQ Sport.

First year applicants who applied for residency at Cromwell for 2010 and who in the first instance were unsuccessful, were offered the opportunity to become the first affiliate members of the College. These new affiliate members were ceremoniously inducted into the College at the first formal dinner of the year.

Vale Chris Woodhouse In early February this year, the Cromwell family lost one of its young members, Chris Woodhouse, in a tragic swimming accident in his home city of Darwin. Chris drowned while trying to save a friend who had got into trouble in choppy waters.

His heroic act is a tribute to how loyal he was to all of his friends - although Bam Bam wouldn’t have considered it to be. He will be remembered as the life of the party and his ability to include everyone.

He was naturally very talented both in terms of sport and academia, but never wanted to be looked upon as being better than anyone else. He was very proud of his new life here in Brisbane and left us motivated and ambitious, with a strong desire to succeed.

Chris was to be a returning second year student studying Engineering at the Queensland University of Technology. Some of Chris’s Cromwell friends were able to make it to his funeral held in Darwin, but as many couldn’t, it was decided to Chris Woodhouse – Cromwellian 2009 hold a memorial service to Chris at the It is difficult to capture in words the College early in first semester. It was held in the Dining Hall on impact that Christopher made on the lives of everyone who lived Monday 1st March and organised by his close Cromwell friend, at Cromwell, and even harder to describe the hole that remains without him here.

Jane Fisher, and included speeches from several of his friends and a slide show of pictures to his favourite songs. A scrapbook of ‘Bam Bam’, even though you will be sorely missed by all of us, we pictures of Chris’s Cromwell days and comments from his friends know you are in a better place now and you have left everyone at College was also made to send to his family as a memento. with memories that will truly last a lifetime.

“Christopher Woodhouse, was also known as ‘Wooda’, ‘Icky’, Cromwell will never be the same without you – ‘Man of wood’, ‘wooden curry’, ‘woody burgers’, ‘boozle’ or as we We love you ‘Bam Bam’, Rest in Peace.” knew him here at Cromwell – ‘Bam Bam’. Although he was taken from us too soon, we all know he lived life to the fullest with no regrets and experienced more in 19 years than many of us would in our lifetime.

Jane Fisher

COCA News 2010 • Page 13

CHIT CHAT

Round Up Flying High

So in 2007 I rejoined the UQ fraternity under the guise of studying for a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education. Fortunately my time at Cromwell had benefited me with a few contacts and on returning I gained employment with UQSPORT as, low and behold, the ICC Sport Convenor. So again I was back running the competition whilst completing my Grad Dip. Halfway through the year I was fortunate to be offered a commonwealth supported place undertaking a Master of Sports Coaching. So I ended up with a fair bit on my plate for the duration of 2007!

Hey all,

(Adam Gunthorpe, second from the left with the bad moustace) Thought I’d give everyone a brief update, for those not on Facebook and whom I am too slack to keep in touch with, on my life. I was a Cromwellian from ‘01-’03, a member of our twice victorious cricket side, an Art’s ‘graduate’ in Sports Studies and holder of a terrible haircut whilst running around claiming to know a little about sport convening. Some of you may also know my younger sister ‘Shed’ who graced the halls from 2008-2009.

After spending a few years working overseas, coaching soccer in Hong Kong, snowboarding in Canada, playing cricket all around Asia and the UK, I decided to return to UQ to get a real degree.

I stayed at UQ SPORT through 2008, but grew more disenchanted with the industry and decided to try my hand at something I had always been interested in, aviation. After taking a few lessons at Coolangatta, I decided to apply to the organisation that would enable me to have the best training possible, the Royal Australian Air Force. It took me six months, four different aptitude testing days, a psychic interview, an officer interview, a flight to Tamworth and two weeks of flight testing with the Pilot Selection Agency, another two days of aptitude and leadership testing, followed by another interview in front of an Officer Selection Board to be finally told that I was accepted... into the 300 person pool of people from which they select 50 RAAF pilots a year.

Fortunately I got a call seven weeks later and was accepted into the RAAF as an Officer and a pilot on the 19th June 2009!!!!!!!!

Next stop was East Sale, Victoria (it is cold) where I undertook 16 weeks of Officer training. Here I learnt the value of opportunistic sleep, keeping warm when it is

0 degrees, raining and you have been out bush for a week, ground defence, weapons, early morning PT and undertook some unique team building activities in some very dark, cold, and small caves. We also got a trip in a C-130H doing 500ft up the Victorian coast with the back open!

Following 16 weeks there I had a few weeks off before heading back to Tamworth to the Australian Defence Force Basic Flying Training School. At the moment I have completed eight exams and have just returned from my 23rd flight. I did spinning, loops, rolls, stalling and practised a forced landing (simulating an engine failure) and got to do it all solo the next day! Long story short, (on review not really that short) though incredibly demanding and by far the toughest thing I have ever done with copious amounts of emotional up and downs, I am loving my time here and look forward to getting onto the PC-9’s in Perth later in the year.

Hope you all are well, and you are making the most of your opportunity at life. My Cromwell friends are still my best. I lived with ‘Lumiya’ a few years ago and see a number of people (‘Sooty’, ‘Merhkin’, ‘Teaspoon’, ‘Climax’, ‘Wilson’, ‘Sweep’, ‘Ralph’, ‘Berocca’ and a few more) occasionally, though I do struggle to see people due to the nature of my, and everyone else’s, life. If anyone wants to get in touch with me, or ask anything about the RAAF, you can on agunthorpe@hotmail.com.

Adam Gunthorpe (2001 – 2003)

Memories of Cromwell My earliest memory of Cromwell is of a working bee, clearing lantana from a rough piece of land opposite the university. Later there were plans to be studied and, at last, foundations appeared and brickwork rose.

The first student block was still unfinished when we moved in – access to our study/ bedrooms by ladder, furniture still appearing - but there was an air of excitement amongst those first residents. I can’t remember them all but there was Dick playing “The Happy Wanderer” endlessly on a wind-up gramophone: Bill, in a wheelchair, accepting his disability with cheerful dignity; exuberant, talkative, ex navy Arthur.

Then, a bit later when I’d moved over beside the office, Reg, from the German department, with dry humour and sardonic chuckle, who shared my responsibilities in the senior common room and became a friend with

COCA News 2010 • Page 14

whom I’ve kept in touch, with one long gap, ever since.

I’d experienced two other college principals and neither, I confess, had inspired much affection or admiration. Lindsay Lockley did both. I loved his irreverent, self mocking and, sometimes, racy humour; his down to earth approach to faith and his vision of a new style democratic student community. And we shared overseas concern and left of centre politics.

One venture we enjoyed together was hosting Bishop Josef Hromadka from Czechoslovakia – a famous/notorious figure in that country’s turbulent post war story. I had to deliver him to back entrances for public meetings to avoid hostile demos of Czech émigrés who saw him as a Communist collaborator. We got him to plant a tree in the college grounds, which the Principal ensured was a red gum.

In many ways the centre of that new college community was the secretary Lenore – quietly

efficient, never rattled – facing difficult characters with quiet courtesy and humour and covering my absent minded moments with patience and discretion. Her musical gifts too, both voice and piano, enlivened many occasions.

It doesn’t feel like 55 years since I left, heading for Papua New Guinea. Three years later I spent a brief spell back there on short furlough, standing in for the Principal while he was overseas.

I guess I’d scarcely recognise Cromwell now but hope to see it again if I can make it from Wales to Qld again before dropping off the twig.

All the best for the next chapter in your illustrious history.

John Cribb (Cromwellian 1954)

Foothills of the

Himalayas

This trip took me away from the tourist areas, away from the crowded and polluted cities and into the rural farming areas where there were rice crops grown in terraces on the sides of steep hills (anything in Nepal that is less than 4000m above sea level is considered a hill).

No, this was not an agricultural research tour to solve global food shortages; this trip had a different purpose.

Dave and Colleague on a mountain-top track

This trip took me away from English speakers, and into village schools where classrooms had floors of dirt, walls of rocks and mud and roofs of uninsulated tin. No, this trip was not about building bigger, better, more studentand teacher-friendly schools. This trip had a different purpose.

In November and December of 2009, I had the privilege of visiting Nepal, or as some would say ‘The Rooftop of the World’. This trip was not just your ‘run-of-the-mill’ touristy, trekking holiday that people go on to get cool, personalised photos with mountains in the background. No, this trip had a different purpose.

During this trip I travelled on the roofs of buses and jeeps on roads that were mostly single lane with 200m near-vertical cliffs both up and down, without so much as a caution sign, let alone a guard rail and which were often subject to landslides and wash-outs. But this trip was not about raising awareness of road-safety. This trip had a different purpose.

This trip gave me an opportunity to live in a share-house with 13 other guys (sharing a room with two others), only one of which was also from Australia. Where there were 6 languages other than English spoken by various house-mates. But it wasn’t about social experiments and how multi-national households can benefit peoples prejudice against others they don’t know about. This trip had a different purpose.

This trip included many kilometres of walking day-after-day with a pack, sometimes at high altitude, and sometimes at night, but it was not about training or becoming more physically fit.

This trip had a different purpose.

Reconnecting with…….

Krohn and ‘Elvis’ on the piano, Valedictory Dinner, playing hockey for Cromwell and watching team sports.

Angela Fennell (nee Eames) (Cromwellian 1980 - 1983)

Graham Hall (Cromwellian 1954)

Angela is living in Western Australia with husband Gary and two teenage daughters, Kate and Brooke.

After leaving Cromwell in 1983, Angela was employed as a laboratory chemist Angela Fennell, until 1990 after which nee Eames she took time off to be a full-time mum. In 2003 she undertook a Graduate Diploma in Teaching at Edith Cowan University and has been a high school teacher since 2004. She works for Swan Christian College in the Swan Valley.

The greatest moments in her life so far have been marrying Gary in 1984, being Mum to her girls and serving God in her job and everyday life. Angela has also been able to travel through a number of countries including Nepal, Thailand, Bali, Tahiti, New Zealand, Europe, Canada and USA (California).

Angela says memories of her days at Cromwell include; all of the fun of functions such as the Balls, the Car rally in 1980, hanging out with friends and the lovely staff (‘especially the ladies who looked after us tidying our rooms and the great Kitchen gals’), Dr and Mrs

This trip gave me the opportunity to stay in local Nepali’s homes, eating like they eat, sleeping how they sleep, and communicating in their language, but it was not about

experiencing a different culture. This trip had a different purpose.

This trip brought me across the path of people who were questioning life’s big questions and pondering what there was for us after we have finished our lives here on Earth. This trip allowed me the opportunity to distribute books in the local language that talked about the meaning of life and how to find purpose in life.

During this trip I witnessed baptisms that were testaments to lives being completely changed because of the knowledge of a man who lived in Israel 2000 years ago. This was the reason I went to Nepal, this was the purpose of my visit, and as a result I was blessed with all the other amazing experiences mentioned above.

Typical village school-room

David Carnell Cromwell 2005 dmcarnell@hotmail.com

EXPECTING HIS FIRST CHILD IN JULY!!!!!!!!

Memories of his Cromwell days include; Bunkers, Mini Ball and At Home.

Towards the end of 2009 Graham and his wife Margaret relocated to Toowoomba to be closer to one of their daughters and her family. They had been commuting regularly to the ‘Garden City’ over the past twelve years and as Graham said; “I will be 84 in early March and while I’m told I am a ‘young oldie’, we made the decision to move while we could enjoy another retirement with the added security of knowing our daughter is close by. Mind you, it is a bonus for her too!

“We are no strangers to Toowoomba and the Downs, having conducted ministries at Goondiwindi, Jandowae, Chinchilla, Wandoan, Taroom and Oakey in a voluntary capacity (some more than once) during the last fifteen years, as well as providing our own private ‘drought relief’ exercise during that time. Helping the country Churches where ministers are very few is something we really enjoy. We will continue this as long as we can.”

Paul Humble (Cromwellian 1994 – 1996) Paul now calls Wales home. He’s been living there for four years now and has been in the United Kingdom for 10 years. He’s married to an Irish girl, Michelle, and is working for a veterinary practice.

Greatest moments in his life so far include; graduating from vet school, getting married and

Paul Humble with ‘best friend’ Skippy

Another University Medal Another Cromwellian is the recipient of a University medal. Katrina Price (Kojack), Cromwellian 2003 – 2005, was awarded a University Medal during last year’s awards ceremony. Katrina is a Veterinary Science graduate and is now working for a veterinary clinic in Mount Isa. Well Done Kojack!

COCA News 2010 • Page 15

e m o v 0 1 c 0 l 2 e W Wel com e 0 1 m 0 2 o 2 c l 0 e 1 W010 2010 0

2010 Shave for a cure 2010

Shave for a Cure 2010 @ Cromwell demonstrated how giving and community minded the residents are with almost $3,500 raised for the Leukaemia Foundation’s important fundraising event. The 2010 Students’ Association Vice- President, Monty Summers, himself a cancer patient, was very pleased with the result of the student’s generosity of spirit.

As usual the boys lined up for the girls to do their handiwork.

2

The North girls looked very colour ful for Open Bunker in early March.

eek activities. y for their ‘O’ W

s read The ‘Fresher’ girl

The ‘Ugly T-Shirt’ evening during ‘O’ Week drew some very interesting garments.

The Extended Cromwell Community Uniting in Friendship for the College Future

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