COCA News November 2003

Issue 3

o Cca

Editors • Elizabeth Hawkins & Hugh Begbie • Volume 2 •

N E W S MAY HANCOCK O.B.E. DIES 2 0 0 3

C R O M W E L L

C O L L E G E

Magazine

Within the University of Queensland

N o v e m b e r

At 3 am on Thursday the 16th October 2003 May Hancock was taken to be with her Lord.

She was 100 years old. As Sue Williams, May’s granddaughter said: “And so ended an epic, some would say a truly heroic journey which began in Falkirk, Scotland on 17th March 1903. In the last days, even though she was unable to communicate, she was heard to pray asking that God take her to be with him. She knew her time had come.

Her funeral was held in warm and sunny conditions at the College at 1.30pm on Wednesday the 22nd October followed by refreshments in the College hall.

Included among the mourners were not only members of her extended family, but also representatives from the many organizations she had been involved with or had assisted over the course of her long life. The service was taken by the Rev’d Ray Hunt, her minister when May attended the Uniting Church at Indooroopilly, the eulogy delivered by Sue Williams and a tribute given by the Rev’d Dr Clive Krohn.

A Magazine for Ex-Cromwellians, Current Residents and their Families

INSIDE

What’s President’s Report

2

COCA 50th Anniversary Dinner

2

From the Principal

3

Lost Cromwellian

3

Snippets from the Minutes

4

Chit Chat

5,9

Valedictory Dinner

7

College Medal

8

Death of Sir Ernest Savage

8

The Wonders of College Life

11

Bachympics

12

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From the COCA President

I write to you all from the paradise of far north Queensland where I have been “exiled” for twelve months. It was such a shame that I had to miss this year’s COCA Dinner. I am told however that it was a wonderful night. The Chancellor of the University of Queensland, Sir Llewellyn Edwards, was a guest and gave an interesting and encouraging address.

Sir Llew has a long association with the College (his father being a student of theology under Rev Dr Lindsay Lockley) and he holds the College in the highest regard.

Preparations are well underway for the most important and eagerly anticipated event of the 2004 Australian (perhaps the world’s) social calendar - the Cromwell College Jubilee Dinner-Dance. For those for whom the word ‘Ball’ has more class, please read ‘Ball’ and feel free to wear black tie. We have used ‘Dinner-Dance’ so that those for whom the meal is more important that the dancing or who are on their own, will feel as comfortable in coming as those who wish to dance the night away. So dust off your dancing shoes and open your diaries and make sure that 5 June 2004 is set aside for a night to be remembered in the history of Cromwell.

The Hilton Ballroom can only hold 600 people, so even if you’ve never been to a

COCA News 2003 • Page 2

Cromwell function since you left College, start organizing tables of ten, ring up long lost friends, and catch up with a whole host of Cromwellians for this special event. Perhaps you think you dance like Fred Astaire, or maybe you groove like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever, or possibly you prefer to mosh to Eminem - whatever your passion I’m sure you’ll all have a fantastic time.

In fact, a great weekend full of activities is being planned - a thanksgiving service and lunch are being arranged at Cromwell on Sunday 6 June for those who would like the opportunity to visit the College, see their old rooms and meet some of the current cohort of Cromwellians.

This certainly is shaping up to be a fantastic weekend of celebrations in the history of the College!!!

I understand that you will be receiving flyers and invitations to all the functions in due course and you can consult the College’s web page for updates at www.uq.edu.au/cromwell.

Can’t wait to see you there!!!

COCA 50th

Anniversary

DINNER

The 50th Anniversary Dinner/Dance will be held at the Hilton Brisbane at 7 pm on Saturday the 5th June 2004. The evening will include eating, drinking, dancing to a live band, a welcome from the Chancellor, a Powerpoint historical presentation and the chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones. Tables seat 10 and the cost will be $100 per head. Some tables will be reserved for mixed groups for those who want to be there but have lost contact with others or who cannot fill a full table. Come alone; come with others; come any way you can, but please be there.

On Sunday the 6th June there will be thanksgiving service in the chapel at 10.00 am followed by lunch at 11.30 am. The lunch will cost $10.00 per head.

Accommodation is available at the Hilton for the special rate of $175.00 per room per night if you quote CRO 050604 when booking.

Mark the date Keep the weekend free Plan to be there Come alone or bring your partners

Dr Stuart Bade

Some Teary valedictorians (with one ring in) at the Valedictory Dinner 21st Oct 2003.

From the It was a sad but also a great pleasure to be involved in the funeral for Mary McLean Hancock O.B.E, known to everyone as May. Without the Hancock family the College would never have been built and May’s name has appeared in Board documentation over the past 50 years. The extraordinary generosity of this family has left an indelible mark on this College and remains visible, not only in the basic buildings of the College but also the stained glass windows in the dining room and chapel.

In many ways May had a sad and difficult life. She was the only daughter in a family of 6 and her father was one of the first Presbyterian ministers to come to Australia. She took up nursing and it was there that she met Vivienne Hancock whom she married in April 1925. May and Viv had five children all of whom predeceased her. She lost one daughter as an infant, another daughter to

Principal

leukemia, one son in the second World War, another son in 1992 and her last son in 2000 to cancer. She also lost her husband who died at sea in 1963 while on his way to meet the Queen.

Soon after their marriage Viv and May revealed their generosity. They agreed to give 1,000 pounds to charity as soon as their business allowed and soon they were giving 1/3 of the profits to charity, 1/3 to the employees and 1/3 they kept for re-investment.

It is said that they were the biggest private benefactors of their era and they themselves lived reasonably modest lives.

It is very difficult to find such generosity today, but the impact of the Hancock family has been enormous.

There is hardly a suburb of Ipswich that has not been assisted - parks, schools, Police Youth Centres, hockey

club, Marsden Boys Home and the Blue Nurses Home at Laureston where May died.

May was a strong and determined lady. As Sue said: “Her blood and the huge heart which pumped it made for a strong brew - one which carried an irreducible strength, resilience, loyalty, an iron will to live life as fully as she saw fit and give all that could possibly be given to others.

Sue’s eulogy ended with a quote discovered in one of May’s books that sums up May’s life well.

“In bidding you goodbye, my last words must be of virtue. Courage, my children ... greet the unseen with cheer ... Fight on till the whistle blows.”

May, the College honours and salutes you.

Hugh Begbie

CONTACT YOUR FRIENDS AND COHORT

In 1996 the J.C.R was renovated. Once it was a dining room, it is now a high quality common/billiard room and much admired by all who visit. The Board Minutes of

24th October 1995 reads “That the Board accept the recommendation of the Property Committee to accept the only conforming tender ... to undertake the refurbishing of the Junior Common Room during the 1995/6 vacation period, and approve funding of $38,500 for alterations to design and to provide furnishings, additional to the original estimate of $61,500 initially approved, bring total expenses to $100,000.”

Lost

CROMWELLIAN

Does anyone know where to contact Christine Louise Kent?

Christine was a resident at Cromwell College around 19891991. Recently the College staff found a bible that Christine’s mother had given her as a graduation gift in December 1991.

It would be nice to return it to her as well as find a ‘lost Cromwellian’.

COCA News 2003 • Page 3

We’ll Show ‘em!

It is well known that the Principals and staff of Cromwell College have resorted to draconian methods to control the wild hormonal forces of Homo Studentus (a little known cousin of Homo Neanderthal) that are known to frequent the St Lucia area. But I was not aware until recently that the sword was the preferred method of discipline in 1985.

Some have tried to tell me that this is really just ‘Doc’ Krohn, Mrs Judy Krohn and staff dressing up for the At Home, but I don’t believe it. This is the real thing we have here, an exposè of the primitive methods the Principals have used to keep the ‘pack’ under control. The current Principal I am told keeps a wild dog to inflict deep fear on residents and visitors alike.

None dare to approach the avenues of power for fear of losing their lives, or worse still, their lunch. This means a hungry dog lusts greedily for the resident’s precious rations and is so tough she even steals the rat poison from the mouths of unsuspecting College rodents. Beware the Ides of March! (For those of you who are wondering at this subtle inclusion of classic literature and pondering its profound meaning - don’t bother, it just sounded good at the time).

This pursuit of power characteristic of Homo Principalus appears to be addictive. I am told on good authority that ‘Doc’, the mighty man of valour captured in the photograph above, still wanders the Forest Lakes nearby seeking unsuspecting Cromwellians to devour.

COCA News 2003 • Page 4

Snippets

from the Minutes

14th August 1979 “The sub-committee appointed to look into the matter of installing a computer terminal in the College prepared a report, and this report was considered by the Executive Committee at its last meeting. The members of the committee were very much in favour of accepting the recommendations as far as the student terminal was concerned. ...It will be a private terminal, installed at the College’s expense, for the use of Cromwell’s students. .... A decision on the terminal for use of the administration has been delayed for the time being pending further investigation.”

weekends.

Remove bikes from bunker.

Beautifying College grounds to be a priority.

North showers still cold.

Different phone numbers for Hancock guys and girls.

Support for female sports.

Limit of 10 minutes on phone calls after 6 pm.

11th August 1981 “College facilities such as the tennis court, the new music room, the computer terminal and the chapel are being well used.”

Visit of Sir Edmund Hillary Sir Edmund Hillary visited the College on the 15th September 1982. The photograph was taken on that occasion of the then Chairman of the Board, Mr Jack Matthwson (left), the Principal, Rev Dr Clive Krohn and Sir Edmund.

18th March 1980, Alcohol Policy “While allowing residents to use alcohol in moderation in their rooms, the Board of Governors rules that alcoholic drinks may not be consumed in the Dining Hall, Common Rooms or any public areas of the College without the prior permission of the Principal on conditions agreed by him following the receipt of a written request, and then only in relation to special meals or social functions. The Board affirms that any excessive use of alcohol will be grounds for termination of College membership.

The use of, or possession of illegal drugs, such as marihuana, be grounds also for termination of College membership.”

16th March 1982, Bursars Report “We are grateful to Guy Lampe who organized a student working bee on Saturday last.

They spread top soil on the newly turfed area around the tennis court and generally tidied the area, cleaned the Bunker and swept the car park.”

August 1986 - Some student grievances/ suggestions (what else is new).

Choice of rooms- much discontent in allocation of rooms.

Too many people going home on

Launching of RoCoca The days of Cromwell College owning its own rowing sculls is over, the last died in its sleep around the year 2000. These days the colleges are working in cooperation with UQ Sport (who employs a manager) and the Rowing Club so that boats and managers are shared.

There was a time, however, when May Hancock could be invited to launch the latest rowing acquisition with her usual style. The photograph shows RoCoca getting is first dip on the 18th March 1989.

CHIT CHAT

Round Up

Bill Robinson (1963-1966) Bill faxed the College following the July edition of COCA NEWS and included some juicy information. We should first note that Bill was responsible for some of the early photographs and having thought they were lost was delighted to see them reappear.

In regard to the photo on the front page of the July edition (The Bacchympics) Bill said that this was taken at a place lovingly described as the ‘Chunder Rail’, a paddock at Samford which belonged to Dick Howard’s uncle (Dick is on the far left of the Bacchympics picture). Another person present on the photo is Noel Levi who became the first indigenous PNG Minister of Justice.

Lest our recent residents feel that the Bacchympics provides inspiration, Bill makes the comment that alcohol was not allowed in College at that time and this was the only drinking event of the year. Responsibly there were non drinkers appointed for drivers and it was held in a safe, but isolated environment. Food was provided and hundreds of steaks were consumed. Of most significance was the

Help!

In case you wondering who ‘help’ is, it’s you. We want your help to track down many lost Collegians whom we cannot invite to the Anniversary Dinner.

Women in particular, tend to get lost.

The list of Missing in Action can be found on the Cromwell home page www.uq.edu.au/cromwell. Click on Friends of Cromwell and at the bottom of the page you will find missing in action. We have limited staff and capacity to track down wandering alumni (and I know there are a few strange entries there that need cleaning up)so please help us by reading the list and seeing if anyone you know is there.

It is important to us that we invite them to the Anniversary next year and that they receive their copy of COCA NEWS. Please let us know how to contact them.

observation that Bill, a non drinker, still found it one of the most enjoyable days of the year.

The picture on page 3 of the July edition is of of Rob Robson leading the field in the Fresher’s Steeplechase in 1964. The ‘Collympics’ as this event was called an informal Olympics between colleges which was traditionally opened by a Fresher running in academic gown and holding a flaming torch which, in its previous life, was a mop dipped in kero. The urn was an enamel chamber pot full of sawdust and kero which was kept burning throughout the event.

Not all the events were honourable. One of the main competitions was called ‘Boat Racing’ where crews of 8 drinkers from each college competed against each other for record times with minimum spillage.

Bill remembers that one of the current Members of the Board did very well, a reminder that the frailties of youth do not seem to impede College members from growing into excellent citizens.

Another interesting piece of history mentioned by Bill was the ‘Ian Erickson Megan Entwistle (1987-1989) I was at Cromwell College between 1987 and 1989. Recently, I made an unexpected and nostalgic return for my baby Tom’s christening. We live in Sydney now, that is my husband, Brett, Eliza (3) and Tom (9 months) are reluctant cockcroaches.

When the majority of our extended families were converging on Brisbane for the first weekend in June, we jumped at the opportunity to celebrate Tom’s christening together. Cromwell popped into my head. I could remember the chapel and how restful it always was, and how beautiful (unlike the ‘Big Pineapple’ which towered over my childhood, until a trip during my college years reduced it to a not very big at all pineapple, but with impressive banana splits, the chapel did not disappoint).

It was a long shot but I thought I’d just ring and ask if the Principal Hugh Begbie would be willing to conduct the service.

Award’ given each year to the greatest ‘Bullshit’ artist. Bill suggests that the Western Australians usually won though it was given one year to Rev Lindsay Lockley. The award was named after the ‘mythical’ Cromwell resident who in 1962 carried out a famous hoax on the Brisbane ‘Truth’ newspaper. His alter ego was Ian Mathieson, who when answering a phone call from the paper regarding a student protest, gave his name as Ian Erickson and proceeded to feed them a pack of lies which were subsequently published.

The paper was made to look foolish and antagonistic to Cromwell College for many years.

In between all this photography and history gathering Bill managed to meet, court and eventually marry Kate in the Chapel in 1967. They have two daughters and one granddaughter. Bill was a great rower at College and is heavily involved in sea kayaking and kayak ultra marathons (including a 400 km Red Cross Murray Marathon each year). His daughter Jane represented Australia in the Atlanta and Sydney Olympics and is hoping to make Athens.

He was. We had morning tea afterwards in the JCR, which has undergone a huge transformation and now resembles some kind of luxurious lounge area in a ski chalet, huge fireplace, leather lounges ... a very different place to where we used to do aerobics and risk life and limb from skidding carpet tiles! Ah .... the 80s, it was a perfect Brisbane winter’s day and Hugh’s welcome was warm, the service very personal and in short I was glad to be back, even for such a short time, to where I spent three very happy years.

Helen and Steven Smith Steven Smith (1987-1990) and Helen (nee Brown) 1988-1990 welcomed their first baby, Jacob Matthew into the world on Sunday 4th May 2003 in Melbourne. Jacob weighed 5lb, 13.5 oz in the old currency.

COCA News 2003 • Page 5

Tim Courtice (1963-1966) It was great to read about what Cromwell contemporaries have been doing in the COCA NEWS. I retired from practicing law 20 months ago and have no excuse for not writing to COCA NEWS sooner.

I wish I had retired from law years earlier. Since retiring, I have made more money with less effort from building spec. houses, with lots of help from the housing boom. I am kept busy with my family and with voluntary jobs. I usually work one day a week at South Brisbane Immigration and Community Legal Service, helping refugees to renew their temporary protection visas.

A lot of my time is taken up with sailing and I have just done a coxswain’s course at TAFE to learn more and to satisfy the government’s recent increase in red tape. A coxswain’s certificate is now required to drive an inflatable dinghy if it is carrying paying passengers. I am a watchleader on “South Passage”, a 100 foot schooner operated by the Sail Jack Matthewson Jack, a Member of the Board of Governors from 1974-1983, Chairman of the Board of Governors from 1980-1983, and Fellow of Cromwell College, wrote recently to the Principal. He said: Dear Hugh, I was very interested to learn from COCA NEWS about the setting up of the Helen Begbie Memorial Bursaries and enclose a small donation towards the funding of them. I think this is a wonderful idea.

In the same issue Dr Bade asks “Do you know what happened to the original tables and chairs” (In the original dining room).

I do not know about the tables but I know something about the chairs. The originals, of course, were added to as the College grew and I think that, when the decision was made, during my term of office as Chairman, to purchase new chairs, they numbered something like 150. Mrs Gillespie, who was Bursar at that time was given responsibility of disposing of the old chairs, many of which had become very ‘rickety and tatty’. She managed to sell quite a number and the rest, those in the worst condition, were dumped.

I brought 12 of them. Six I gave to my son and the other 6 I had re-polished, reupholstered and we still have them in our dining room.

COCA News 2003 • Page 6

Training Association of Queensland Inc. There are 3 watchleaders on each voyage on “South Passage”, each responsible for 7 or 8 trainees and each watch is on duty for one third of the voyage. The trainees are usually from a High School year and the watchleaders guide them in learning to sail the vessel and work as a team. Voyages are from 1 to 8 days. It is a lot of fun, because the voyage is over before the teenage trainees have got past the polite stage and before they know more than the watchleaders. Recently, I was a watchleader for a 3 day voyage with Year 6 boys from Nudgee Junior.

Because of their youth and size, their fathers accompanied them and I was able to take our Year 6 son along, so we had a bonding experience, too. The Nudgee Junior boys welcomed him, especially as he took his Gameboy and the other boys had been told not to take theirs.

The Gold Coast North Anglican Church runs a sailing programme for at-risk young people and I have recently been

on a few of their one day sails. I was not sure what to expect, because some of the teenagers have government minders, but they were no problem, probably because they were having a good time or perhaps because I was too insensitive to notice.

Ordinary sailing also takes up my time, from chartering a yacht with my family in North Queensland to not very serious racing in Moreton Bay or to Gladstone.

You can see why I do not miss Law.

Tim and Cheryl Courtice(19631966) at the Ball.

I am very interested in what goes on at Cromwell. I am glad that it is in good hands, but sorry that due to age (I am now 85) and distance from Brisbane, I cannot attend any of the functions. Betty and I are still in very good health but cannot undertake what we used to do.

during his time here that the Rev ‘Doc’ Clive Krohn took up the role of Principal.

Robert expressed an interest in the 50th Anniversary Dinner/Dance but was not yet certain if he could attend.

Very kind regards

Irene Chan (1997-2000)

Jack Mathewson.

Irene Chan graduated in civil engineering in 2001 has been working ever since in London for COSTAIN, a civil construction company. During this time her work involvement has been mainly with water treatment work. Since many ex-collegians end up London it comes as no surprise that Irene has caught up with Sam Garcia, Helen Jones, Alison Fletcher, Sally Lansbury, Rodney Barlow, Jennifer Lipp and Paul Guard. Irene was visiting Australia in August and visited the College. Irene was a Senior in the College who is well remembered by all the staff as well as students. She is one of those people who have the kind of wonderful nature that brings a little light to all those who meet her. She anticipates returning for the 50th reunion in 2004 and hopes that all her contemporaries will be there too.

Stu Bade (1993-1998) In an email Stu reported that he has been successful in gaining a position on the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Training Program which will start next year. As this has been an aim of Stuart’s for some time he is understandably tickled pink. Congratulations Stu! Robert Tam (1975) Robert as a student was not a resident of Cromwell College but of Kings but came briefly to Cromwell College in 1975 while he was doing his Masters degree and while in the College acted as Senior Tutor. The Principal received a long phone call form him recently. Robert is a retired University lecturer who lives in Adelaide and like many now days has children scattered throughout the world. His memories of Cromwell are very positive and it was

Round Up continued on page 9

Valedictory

Dinner Ben Day (2000-2003) I find no reason to hesitate when asked what I have most treasured in my time as a resident of Cromwell College. My answer is simply that college has forced me to live with people I wouldn’t normally choose to.

I’ve found that the quintessential college moments invariably involve people who are different from me. What I’ve learned is that the others in this community make up for my lacking. Perhaps that is the most humbling thing about college is that I have truly come to realise my many and varied weakness. I know that if I go it alone, then I’ll take a fall.

Jesus asked us to love our neighbour’s as we love ourselves. The particular blessing of a College environment is that we have many neighbours to love. As I look around this dining room tonight I’m able to say that I can count on one hand the number of you whom I knew before college. It is Cromwell that has brought each of us together. But I believe that there is a greater force at work. As Isaiah 1:18 says, “The Lord almighty has sworn, Richard Shannon (2001-2003) “.... The Cromwell of 2003 is not the same Cromwell we as Valedictorians came to know in our fresher years. And yet nothing tangible has really changed.

What has changed is that as a College we have belief, a belief in ourselves and our own abilities. The freshers of 2004 will be introduced into a confident College, one with a strong record of social, cultural and sporting achievement, won with much valor and distinction by our Valedictorians here tonight. Theoretically we should be stronger than most of the other colleges, as here on the hill we are living and working at a higher altitude.

I ask those of you here staying next year, freshers and executives alike, to step out of the Valedictorians shadows and take up this pivotal challenge of instilling the Cromwell culture which has taken the best part of 50 years to build. Never

The 43rd Valedictory Dinner was held on the 21st October 2003 with 49 valedictorians and with ex-Collegian, Dr Russell Stitz as guest speaker. Two extraordinary toasts were given by residents, one by Ben Day and the other by the outgoing President, Richard Shannon. Selections of their talks are printed below and are interesting, not only because of what they are saying about the College and its extraordinary community,

but at a time when the A.T.O is trying to argue that colleges do not provide pastoral care (to try and force them to pay G.S.T on accommodation) the words are a clear indication that the College is not a commercial provider of accommodation as the A.T.O would argue, but a community with a deep level of commitment and care that no commercial operator could ever provide.

‘Surely, as I have planned so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand.’”

studying late, I made my way slowly to the drink fountain outside. The cold cement burned my bare feet and the water cooler whirred softly; careful not disturb the stillness. I stopped for a moment. And as the door slapped behind me I realised that college couldn’t last forever.

In his essay on Friendship, Ralph Waldo Emerson writes, “How many we see in the street, or sit with in church, whom, though silently, we warmly rejoice to be with!” I am grateful I need no longer be silent. I believe Emerson would grant me the liberty of amending his words for this occasion. “How many I see in the corridors, or sit with in the dining room, whom, though silently, I warmly rejoice to be with!”

I rejoice when there is one seat left on a dining room table that is having an amazing conversation. I rejoice at being woken up by a ‘touch call’. I love doing lockup - just in case I bump into somebody. I love cupping, and Milo calls and shop calls. I love knowing that when I open my door in the morning, there shall inevitably somebody standing outside to say hello to. To me, this is college.

I began to miss college in the middle of last year. One night, when I was up before will the lives of so many be owed to so few.

One of the first things we are told upon arriving at Cromwell is that “We love each other”. This statement of course is generally met by freshers with a fair degree of skepticism, not only as we made our initial visual assessment of our peers but as our leaders at the time choose to express their “love” for us in what we considered a less than conventional fashion. But it occurs to me now that they were onto something which we were only going to realize after living a couple of years together at this grand institution we like to call Crommie.

Valedictorians I would ask you to look around at the faces of those people at your table. Look hard. You may find good friends amongst them, you may

It was a similar feeling to when one drops into Cromwell during the Summer- break.

Suddenly Crommy is only buildings.

Dark and lonely and cold buildings. The people here give Cromwell life.

And that is why tonight is a poignant night for those Valedictorians. It’s not so much that we are leaving Cromwell.

It’s that we’re leaving the people. We’re leaving a community.

So now, it is my privilege to propose a toast to the College. Would you be upstanding and raise your glasses with me and toast to the years the valedictorians have been able to share in this community and to those who will share in it in the future. To those who we warmly rejoice to be with... To Cromwell. not, but in some way, large or small, every single person at your table has shaped your college experience. It has been an experience which has for most of us been life changing, the best years of our lives. We share an understanding between us which only comes from experience; it cannot be written down in words. While the memories will eventually fade and though we may travel to the four corners of the earth, ultimately, we should never again meet as strangers or forget what impact these people and this place has had on our lives.

Next year marks the 50th Anniversary of our college, it would be great to catch up with you all then and chat about our antics, the year 2054 of course marks the 100th Anniversary where, god willing, we will reminisce on the fabulous lives we all have lived.”

COCA News 2003 • Page 7

College Medal The winner of the College medal in 2003 was Lucinda Rinehart. At her presentation the Principal said of her: “The College medal is awarded every year at the Valedictory Dinner.

In choosing the recipient I look for a number of things. Firstly, the person must have made a significant contribution to the College. Secondly, they should be respected in the community; and thirdly their values should be supportive of or at least consistent with those Christian values that inspired this college when it first opened in 1954.

There have been a number of excellent leaders this year and this makes the choice very difficult. Sadly only one

can receive the medal. The person I have chosen has been extensively involved in the college and has set the kind of example of integrity and balance that the medal honours. This person has been an excellent member of the community who has done well academically, been involved in the spiritual, cultural life of the college and established a tone of social maturity that has been much appreciated. This person has also demonstrated courage in showing a willingness to stand up for what is right and oppose that which is wrong. Finally her business skill and personal integrity has placed the Student Association on a sound financial footing and removed any dubious or nonprofessional practices that existed before her time. Her commitment, honesty and strength of character have been an example to us all.

Death of Sir Ernest Savage

Sir Ernest Savage died on the 16th July 2003 after a long and distinguished career.

Sir Ernest was a chartered accountant by profession. When he retired he was the senior partner in Coopers and Lybrand in Queensland. In addition he spent two years as National President of The Institute of Chartered Accountants, a member of that Institutes Council for 12 years and of its Queensland State Council for 23 years. He was elected a life member of the institute in 1978.

Sir Ernest was a company director involved at various times with the Bank of Queensland, Permanent Finance Corporation and Allgas Energy Limited and chaired two Queensland Government Committees of Review.

Lucinda Rinehart with guest speaker Dr Russell Stitz

2003 COLLEGE BALL

Senior students enjoying the College Ball at Snug Harbour.

COCA News 2003 • Page 8

Malaysian Students, Zarith Abd Rashid, Nurfazlina Ismail and Suriati Idris at the ball.

Sir Ernest’s community mindedness was reflected in his honorary involvement with the Congregational Union (he was Treasurer), The Geriatric Medical Foundation of Queensland, the Leukaemia Foundation and Cromwell College.

Sir Ernest was a foundation member of the Board of Governors from 19551968. He played an active role in the creation of Cromwell and filled the role of Chairman with distinction. With a sharp mind and quick wit he established and maintained the highest level of excellence in accountability and recording of College affairs. He was a visionary and planner setting in place a firm base for the growing College and participating in many of its most important decisions.

Above all, he inspired in the Board of Governors the conviction that their main consideration must always be the interests and welfare of the student community.

Barbara Merefield

Round Up

continued from page 6

Chris Allen (1997)

Tim Flanagan (2000-2001)

I was trying to get in touch with a former Cromwellians and wondered why there isn’t a list of previous students online?

Perhaps some would really be interested in this, unless it has already been done and I am oblivious to it!

I write this from Trinity College, Oxford, where I have been given a place at a conference called ‘The Hidden City’ - a colloquium on theology and politics (city of God v city of Man sort of thing). It’s looking to be quite interesting indeed!

- but was a little unexpected, and in fact I had to change my original plans for Dundee in order to get here on time.

I wanted to update you on how things have been going for me now. My name is Chris Allen ‘97 and I was an American exchange student for the year at Cromwell. I think of my experience there often and just received a care package from Amy and Andrew Mullens full of Aussie treats and lollies.

I am now a 3rd year doctoral student in a Clinical Psychology program at the University of Massachusetts Boston in America and hope to enter a career in clinical research with persons who have schizophrenia. I have been researching the neuropsychology of schizophrenia and enjoy working clinically with psychotic patients as well. It has been great to keep in touch with many former Cromwellians such as Jacki Waters, Wade Eiser, and Amy and Andrew Mullens.

Unfortunately, my mother is quite ill with lung cancer and so I have moved home to be with the family during this difficult time for us all. It would be great to hear from friends. Drop me a note at cga111777@yahoo.com. Hope everyone is well.

I’ve been given a place for a PhD at The University of Dundee. The Scholarship is an ‘Overseas Research Student’ (ORS) awarded by a national government body called Universities UK - to get it I had to be supported by a uni here, and they put my application to the national panel.

It reduces the tuition fee from that normally expected of foreign students to that enjoyed by British ‘home’ students - so there is still some costs outstanding, but I’ve been given a place to do some tutoring and have been saving all year through jobs in Brisbane.

At this stage, I’m not sure whether or not I’ll go all the way with a PhD - a MPhil is looking like a solid progression (2yrs) - but will determine this in the not too distant future. My interests focus around problems and possibilities of the complex relationship between metaphysics and politics.

Hope all is going well,

thanks very much.

Kind Regards,

Christopher Allen

Tim

Paul Shacklady (1964-1967) Paul adds his contribution to the comments made about the cover page of the July edition of COCA NEWS by sending what he thinks are the names of many of those present.

He also says: ‘This photo appeared in the 1965 edition of the Protector with the caption “Please Chaps - not all at once”. My recollection is that the event was called “Bachympics” not “Bachylympics” and was held

on a farmer’s property somewhere out Samford way. I have very hazy memories of the drive out and absolutely none whatsoever of the trip back. The ownership of the cars is long forgotten, but one of them was a Sunbeam Rapier whose driver skillfully used the side of a City Council Bus to counteract excess centrifugal force whilst negotiating the bend outside the Avalon cinema during the return journey.

Barbara Merefield (nee Lockley), who is still on the Board of Governors, emailed the College with this comment on the photograph of the kitchen in the July edition. “This photograph would have been taken in the mid-1950s. The person on the far right is the housekeeper, Mrs Dyne, but the person I remember with the greatest affection is the lady on the left. She was Miss Marshall, a ‘wee Scot’, who was, I believe, quite advanced in years when she worked in the College kitchen. If I remember rightly, she had gone ‘into service’ in Scotland at the age of 12 and had continued to serve, in the truest sense of the word, throughout her life.

I recall meeting Miss Marshall on the bus stop in the city one afternoon and chatting with her while we awaited the arrival of the University bus. When it came, I stepped back to allow her to board the bus first (I was brought up to be polite to my elders!). To my great consternation, she said, “Oh no, Miss Lockley, you must get on first”, and red-faced with embarrassment, I complied. To Miss Marshall, with her lifetime ‘in service’, I was the boss’ daughter and must therefore be deferred to, despite a good 40-50 years difference in our ages.

John Day (1964-1966) John recently returned to Australia to visit his ailing mother and stayed overnight with Tim Courtice (1963-1966) in Brisbane. After graduating with a BSc Honours degree, John did his Masters and then obtained a PhD from McGill in Montreal. In 1973 while he was at McGill, Richard Rawlings(1964-1966) and Tim Courtice visited without John knowing they were in North America, found out where John was at McGill and said “G’Day” casually as John walked past.

John answered absentmindedly and then did a classic double-take. John has worked in colloid technology, first with Unilever in England, then with BHP in Newcastle, NSW and then in Massachusetts with Cabot Corporation and later with Polaroid Corporation.

Also while at McGill, John met his wife Alixe and they live in Andover, Massachusetts, 25 miles north of Boston, with their three sons, two in college (one in Texas) and the youngest in high school.

John works in coating imaging systems with Polaroid Corporation.

COCA News 2003 • Page 9

John Mitchell (1962-66) Dear Elizabeth and Hugh, I have just read the July 2003 edition of COCA NEWS. Coincidently I had recently been flicking through my old PROTECTORS so you front page photo jumped out with clear recall. I am able to be of some assistance but the forty years of memory test leaves me a little short. Here goes: a) Venue - can’t help but it was somewhere in the scrub - no help at all I realize but there was lots of scrub in Brisbane in those days which is not doubt now well established residential area. b) The menu - one 44 gallon drum of steak packed in ice and one 44 gallon drum of stubbies packed in ice. The steak was cooked and eaten the stubbies drained and I think the latter is apparent in the photograph. c) The plan - something different in the line of fellowship.

Ian Russell (1955-1958) Dear Editors, in response to your request for news from former Cromwellians in the photograph on page 7 of the July issue, I am the person sitting on the right hand side. The photo was taken early in 1955 for a brochure advertising the College. I live with my wife, Heather, in a high rise unit on the Gold Coast. A the age of 22 in 1954, I felt the ‘call’ to the Congregational ministry and enrolled at Parkin College, Adelaide, to study for my LTh. On visiting my parents in Brisbane that Christmas, I went to the newly opened Cromwell. Q’ld Uni had that year begun a Divinity Course which was opened to anyone who was willing to ‘have a go’ and who had at least completed Junior standard at school. After much prayer I transferred to Cromwell.

Aptitude tests at high school in Sydney indicated that I was not very bright and that it would be pointless for me to

d) Games - invented on speck. Someone decided to see if the sapling that is supporting Bill Rawlings on the right of the photo could be bent to the ground without breaking by climbing it. I was the only one small or light enough to get far enough up and it was bending beautifully till it snapped as did a bone in my fook on landing - painful memories of a great day. e) Hair style - I guess that short hair was the trend in those days. I don’t recall any College or University regulations that required a specific hair length limit. f ) Cars - they were not standard fare in those days and lots of sharing was the order of the day. I think I can identify a black FJ Holden in the line up which would be mine but I could not dare guess at the others. I am fairly certain that Jim Coleman would own one and the Higgins twins had a red mini minor. g) I can name several people with certainty, some with a degree of uncertainty and many not at all,

proceed past the Intermediate Certificate level in Sydney. I therefore left school at 15 and entered the workforce for 7 years.

Beginning at University was very difficult, as I was immediately plunged into the study of Philosophy, Theology, Greek, etc. After 5 years I had completed my Diploma of Divinity, 7 units of the LTh., numerous college subjects and 7 our of 10 units towards my Bachelor of Arts degree.

I was then ordained and began full time ministry in Q’ld from 1959-1996 when I retired.

In 1967 I felt led to finish my degree, so I enrolled again at Q’ld Uni seeking to do one subject a year. It actually took 4 years to complete the three subjects, with both myself and my wife being ill, while rearing two little boys, and me working full-time in the ministry. On the day of the final exam for the last subject, there was a traffic accident on the Indooroopilly

surprisingly despite the years. (See back page) Thank you for continuing to send me COCA NEWS. I should acknowledge it more often but time is always a premium. My time at Cromwell was one of the better parts of my life and I hold fond memories of my days there and enjoy getting snippets of news even though I imagine the set-up is vastly different to my days. I hope I have been of some help because, if so, that would make me feel like I have in some way returned the favour of your keeping me up to date with Cromwell.

Best wishes and good luck for end of year exams. Up the mighty Cromwell.

Kind regards John Mitchell.

(Yes, John, it was a delight to receive your letter. You may notice from Bill Robinson’s notes that the venue was held in a paddock at Samford - ed)

Bridge. The road was blocked for half an hour. If you were more than 20 minutes late for an exam, they would not let you do the paper. I arrived at 18 minutes past 9, two minutes to spare. There was nowhere to park the car, so I drove right up to the door of the exam room (B9), rushed in and tried to compose myself to write. The supervisor looked at me with a frown, but let me proceed. I did not finish the paper, but I passed and was very happy to receive my degree at the next graduation ceremony.

Some years later a professor friend asked me what I majored in for my degree.

I told him the story of my struggle.

He said, “Ian, I think you majored in perseverance”.

So a word to the students of today. Don’t give up when the going gets tough, ‘for when the going gets tough, the tough get going.’

Bachympics These are the names of as many of the participants in the Bachympics (see cover page of the July edition) as could be identified by those who were there...

See page 12

COCA News 2003 • Page 10

Irene Hui (2003) My Fresher name was Tin Tin. I was resident in Cromwell College in the first semester of 2003. I was an exchange student to UQ from the University of Hong Kong. The stay in Cromwell College absolutely added colours to my exchange life in Australia.

The old good time in the orientation week seem like yesterday. I met many freshers and made friends with some of them during the week. This made me feel more comfortable as some of my friends warned me before of the serious racial discrimination in Australia. I really love being called in fresher name (Tin Tin) - the feeling is just so close! Most college people are very nice, friendly

and patient with my ‘Hong Kong style’ English. It was really hard for me to understand Australian accent (which at first sounded a bit strange to me) and slang. But after chatting with and going out with them, I am used to the laid-back Aussie accent and even take up some of Aussie slang.

kinds of College functions like MiniBall, International Night, Boat Cruise and some parties (What a pity I miss the Ball in the second semester). People in Cromwell College are sometimes crazy and definitely much wilder than those in my college back home, but I really had heaps of fun in chilling out with them.

Unlike my college in Hong Kong which has a high population of several hundred residents, Cromwell College has a small population of energetic people. I really appreciate the small community with the strong spirit in sports and cultural teams in College. There are always supports and encouragements in College where people stay so close to each other.

And I did enjoy participating in various

I have to say a big THANK-YOU to Cromwell College where people gave me so many good times and unforgettable experiences. I did face cultural shock at the beginning (say, I just could not imagine the number of people walking barefoot inside College), but finally I managed to overcome it. Cromwell College is such a warm place to live and I like to call my HOME in Australia.

The WONDERS of COLLEGE LIFE had lunch with the Principal recently and explained how music comes as easily to him as words. There have been good

Volunteer work

Cromwell College students have always been willing helpers. In 1992 a group were involved in the 10 km “Walk against Want” for Community Aid Abroad. The route took the participants from the Botanical Gardens via the Regatta Hotel (they didn’t stop) to the Jolly Bridge, the Cultural Centre, the Victoria Bridge and back to city Gardens. The walkers were: Melinda Jericho, Melinda Dew, Lara Bancroft, Sylvia Van Peperzeel, Darren Lewis, Lawrence Lau, Joel Corney.

Social Life There are many photos of social life in the College though most have no description. The attached photographs will no doubt re-awaken nostalgic memories, not only for those directly involved, but for those who remember similar times.

Cultural Life A long-time resident of the College was Stephen ‘Elton’ Carlton who was resident from 1981-1988. Stephen had the gift of music and could play an almost endless array of music on the piano. The College has had other good musicians since then. Paul Hankinson who was in College in 1994-1995 was a student at the Conservatorium (Griffith University) and a brilliant performance student. Paul is still in Brisbane and is a full-time professional musician. Paul

singers and musicians of all kinds in the College and their presence is much appreciated.

COCA News 2003 • Page 11

Bachympics 25

26

18 6

4

13 14

10

16

2

1

8

11

19

15

17

21

22

27

3 7

12

5

24

20

9

28 23

These are the names of as many of the participants in the Bachympics (see cover page of the July edition) as could be identified by those who were there.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Dick Howord Jim Coleman Denis or David Higgins Chris Turnbull or Barry Fallon John Mitchell Chris Elliot or JohnNixon or John Wilson Stephen Cooper Rob Robson Francis Jones

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

John Day or Charles Whitney Tony Jubb or Rod Ashfield James Martin Peter Krause Rob Walker Tony Pressland Dick Rawlings Alan Chew Tim Courtice Ron Galipo

Tran Quoc Hung Jim Walker Greg Buchanan Robert Moore Roger Nicholls John Walker Bill Rawlings Paul Shacklady Robert Norton

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50TH ANNIVERSARY NEWS 2004

College...

50th

Come with Friends • Come to Dance • Come to See the

C R O M W E L L

C O L L E G E

Within the University of Queensland

50 years of Service

2004

5-6 JUNE Come on your own

P

Come with friends

P

Contact old friends and invite them too

P

Come to eat

P

Come to dance

P

Come to see the college

P

Come!

P