COCA News April 2008

Editors • Denis Brosnan & Rebecca McEwen Smith • Volume 7 • Issue 1

DEDICATION of a Portrait Alexander Charles Steele Craik, B.D., LL.B. (Syd.)

N ews

C r o m w e l l

C o l l e g e

Within The University of Queensland

APRIL

2008

It was on the occasion of the recent Commencement Dinner held on Tuesday 4th March that the College took the opportunity to dedicate a portrait in honour of former Vice-Principal and Principal of Cromwell, the late Rev. Alexander Charles Steele Craik.

In the presence of members of his family, members of the College Board of Governors, Residents, Staff and a number of specially invited guests, a Prayer of Dedication was offered by the Moderator of the Uniting Church, Queensland Synod, Rev. Dr. David Pitman.

Portrait of Rev. Alexander Steele Craik surrounded by members The evening was attended by Rev. Steele Craik’s of his family, on the left, Paul Guard, Malcolm Garrett and widow Joan, who travelled all the way from Adelaide Joan Steele Craik, and on the right, Roger Guard, especially for the occasion, two of his daughters, Elizabeth Garrett and Jill Guard Elizabeth and Jill, their husbands, Malcolm Garrett and Roger Guard respectively and a grandson, Paul Guard. Both Roger and Paul are also Alumni of Cromwell.

Following is a synopsis of the years Alex Steele Craik devoted to Cromwell given by Principal of Cromwell, Rev. Dr. Hugh Begbie prior to the dedication ceremony.

“Tonight we are taking time to honour a man who was both Vice-Principal and Principal of this College during a time of great unrest. The Vietnam War had been raging since 1959 and Australia had been involved since 1962. It was a time when (and I quote from College records) ‘difficult and restless influences … brought all establishments into question and sought to impose new values upon the achievements of generations’. In short, Universities at that time were hotbeds of this political and cultural unrest.’

“The Reverend Alexander Charles Steele Craik was first appointed to Cromwell College in 1967 as its Vice-Principal when Rev. Dr. G. Lindsay Lockley was Principal. Cromwell College had been closely aligned with the Theological Hall, the theology teaching arm of the Queensland Congregational Union, and both men held concurrent positions there with Dr. Lockley being Principal and Rev. Alex Steele Craik being Vice-Principal.

“Rev. Steele-Craik had completed his Law degree in 1946, was ordained a Minister of the Congregational Church in December 1948 and completed his Divinity degree in 1950. He and his family came to Cromwell following a number of appointments both in New South Wales and Victoria.

“As President-elect of the Congregational Union of Australia from 1966 - 1969, Rev. Dr. Lindsay Lockley was often called away to carry out these extra duties and responsibility fell on his Vice-Principal and the College Secretary who ‘carried a heavy load most effectively and without complaint.’

“Dr Lockley resigned as Principal of Cromwell in late 1969 to take up a position as Secretary in Australia and New Zealand of the Congregational Council for World Mission and Rev. Steel Craik was appointed Principal on 1st February, 1970. At a farewell function, Dr Lockley wrote of him; “Mr. Craik is a man of sterling quality with marked administrative ability, great gifts of friendship, and complete dedication to his ministry.”

“1970 was not a good time to be Principal and it proved to be a challenging time for him. He wrote in his Report to the Board at the end of that year;

Continued page 2

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

What’s I nside

From the Principal

3

2008 Seniors & Student Association

4

The DOS Report

5

Keeping Cromwell in the Family

6

O Week

7

College Photos

8-9

A Hive of Activity

10

Date Claimers

11

Oliver Cromwell by Ian Breward

11

Chit Chat Round Up 2007 Melbourne Reunion

12-15 15

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 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.

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 surviving 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.

Editors Denis Brosnan, Dean of Students & Rebecca McEwen Smith, Development Manager Graphic Design & Printing Westminster Printing 31 Stevenson Street PADDINGTON, QLD 4064 Collating & Distribution Work Solutions (Wesley Mission) P.O. Box 6402 FAIRFIELD GARDENS, QLD 4103

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cont’d ‘Three changes during 1970 call for special mention. These were the change in Principalship, the opening of a women’s College in unbelievably close proximity, and the unrest which found various forms of expression both in the University and in the community generally. The appointment of a new Principal led to no immediate riots, but there were minor tests of strength initiated by a handful of students. The Principal survived these – but this cannot be said of all of the students concerned. The existence of Grace College, welcomed by our men, has in fact resulted in much coming-and-going between the two colleges. The novelty of having a community of young women close at hand led some students to an over-indulgence in social activities with a consequent neglect of studies – a mistake which they may not repeat and which some will not have the opportunity to repeat.’

“The next two years of Rev. Alex Steele Craik’s term of office continued to be fraught with difficulties, with many of the problems arising from outside influences, including ‘the raising of matriculation requirements, the applying of stricter exclusion rules and increases in University fees.’

“As a result of these factors, student numbers fluctuated, as did those of the domestic staff and the tutorial staff with the result that the Cromwell community began to suffer. Mr Steele Craik writes

in his Principal’s report at the end of 1971 that the prospects for 1972 were not optimistic.

‘Many students are finding it increasingly difficult to meet college fees, and cannot be unaffected by continuing price-rises for books and stationery, petrol and public transport and other necessaries.’

“As a result of the general unrest, Rev. Alex Steele Craik felt it best to move on and tendered his resignation effective as of the end of March, 1973.

The family moved to Adelaide, where he took up a position with the School of Arts and subsequently with Flinders University. Unfortunately he later developed emphysema and had to retire in 1980.

He died on 21st September, 1982.

“Alexander Steele Craik devoted 6 years of his life to this College. Tonight, on behalf of the Cromwell College Board of Governors, its staff, present students and its Alumni and in the presence of his wife, Mrs Joan Steele Craik, two of his daughters, Elizabeth and Jill, their husbands Malcolm and Roger and his grandson, Paul, I call on Rev. Dr. David Pitman, Moderator of the Uniting Church, Queensland Synod, to dedicate this portrait of him in memory of that service.”

(The portrait was painted by Mr Andrew Peachey.

It now hangs beside those of the other Cromwell Principals on the western wall of the Dining Room.)

From

Rebecca...

I have always believed that the history of a place can give great insights into its future direction. And so through the down-time over the Christmas-New Year period I have started to read up on the history of Cromwell. And one facet of Cromwell that seems to stand out is its spirit – especially a spirit of determination to succeed.

As we welcomed this year’s new generation of students, one would not believe when looking at the College today, that its first students did not have as auspicious or as grand a welcome as the Freshers who came to Cromwell this year. One wonders whether today’s students, or their parents for that matter, would have been impressed if they were offered the following facilities upon their arrival at College.

In the words of G. Lindsay Lockley, (first Principal of Cromwell College) – “The date set for occupation was 5 June 1954 and when that event took place the University would have its first residential College on the St. Lucia campus. ....

A bitter westerly wind was blowing on 5 June and had no difficulty in invading the College through many unglazed windows and through doorways in which doors had not been hung. … There were rooms on the upper floor of Thatcher, but they were occupied with piles of shavings and other builders’ debris; the floors were unsanded, blinds were unhung; there were no drawers in the built-in furniture and no doors to a number of wardrobes; there were no louvres above the doors, there were no light –shades, and it was only after the strongest of representations to the foreman

that temporary mirrors were installed. The one lowdown suite installed in the toilet could not have been described as a privy; there was no door.

The bathroom consisted of four walls, a floor, and a ceiling, but on the lower floor one shower-head nestled coyly behind a propped-up sheet of galvanised iron; it rarely exuded water, either hot or cold. The builder had overlooked the provision of stairs to reach the living quarters on the upper floor, and we had access only when the clerk of works constructed a temporary flight from packing-case timber.”

And those were the ‘good old days’.

And so we have made welcome the new intake of Crommies for however long they choose to stay and become part of our ever-growing family. We hope that they do not have too many problems with their new ‘home-away-from-home’, but if they do, we ask them to spare a thought for those first fifteen residents who ‘seemed to take a perverse pride in coping with the situation.’ As always, we will do our best to rectify the problem as soon as we can.

Welcome to 2008.

Rebecca McEwen Smith Development Manager Cromwell College Ph: (07) 3377 1235 Fax: 07 3377 1499 Email: r.mcewen@cromwell.uq.edu.au friends@cromwell.uq.edu.au

From the

Principal

Climate Change and Easter In January I spent two weeks in Hawaii. During my stay I walked around the North Western side of the Island of Oahu (complete with nesting albatrosses and monk seals lying on the sand) and took this photo of an abandoned child’s chair sitting on the edge of a volcanic beach.

This lonely chair is a metaphor of both the power of nature and the desire of human beings to make their mark upon the world.

There is a lot of debate about the connection between human beings and climate change (climate has changed many times before and in the 1970s they were talking about an ice age) but the discussion is making us think. As human beings our thoughts always are filtered through our belief system and our way of looking at the world will greatly affect our conclusions.

For example, a Christian who believes in the Bible will reflect on their responsibilities in the light of this belief and will draw the following conclusions. First, human beings have been called to be stewards of the created order.

This implies power to examine, lead, explore, manage and change, but also suggests that we are meant to do so with moral responsibility and in accordance with the will of God. Clearly, this rules out abuse of the environment, or destruction that comes about through greed and injustice. Solving the problem, however, is no easy matter and we have a great deal to learn in this regard even in fairly basic matters. For example, the College must surely improve its management of resources and waste, taking every opportunity to minimise its green footprint on the earth. With this in mind, we are gradually investigating such matters as water tanks (for the laundry), solar panels (yet to be justified but will come one day) and recycling. However, it is not easy to balance environmental need and economic realities; wanting an outcome is not

the same as achieving it. Nonetheless, without a vision we achieve nothing and a Christian should be committed to good management of the earth.

Secondly while the Bible demands responsibility, it is also realistic about human failure and makes it clear that our capacity to exercise moral stewardship is diminished by our easy capacity for self-centred, ungodly and unjust behaviour.

This concept of ‘sin’ is not a popular concept in the western world, but I am very aware of it in my own life and it makes sense of the world in which I live. It simply will not do to assume all problems are due to ‘my background’ or ‘sickness’ or ‘economic factors’ or the ‘rich guys’ or ‘circumstances outside my control’. I choose to think, act and speak in ways that are wrong and I contribute to the problem and for this I need to accept responsibility. For example, we all know that cars are a major contributor to the environmental problems, but who of us is prepared willingly to give them up? Another example closer to home is that our residents ‘know’ about environment needs but are just as tempted as their forebears to leave appliances and lights on all day, have long showers or leave litter around the College. The solution to these problems is not easy but it will not happen unless we all accept that we are part of the problem.

A third conclusion I draw from the Bible is that many concerns that trouble us are reminders that as human beings we set ourselves up as competitors to God, that we try to run the show for our own ends. The Bible is clear; this will not work. God will not let us get away with this delusion, and disorder, disaster, sickness and death are reminders of who we are and who we are not. As the lava flow covered the road in the photograph below, so the world undoes many of our dreams, shouting to us: you are not God; it is time to get your priorities and allegiances right. This capacity of nature to undo our hopes is like a megaphone shouting in our ear: remember you are dependent on God for life and for all things – acknowledge His truth and place your hope in Him. Place your trust in human endeavour alone and you might succeed for a while, but in the end ‘nature’ will remind you that all roads come

to an end, all lives are accountable. As King Canute well knew, defiance before the tide of time will be overwhelmed by reality.

Finally, while the Bible demands moral responsibility, its realism about human moral incapacity means that it is does not place ultimate hope in this world or in human success.

Its vision is for a new world ‘where righteousness is at home’(2 Peter 3:13) and where there will be ‘no tears and no death any more’(Rev 21:4). The Bible believes in the physical, in the wonder of creation, but it argues that currently it groans, waiting for its redemption (Romans 8:22-23), just as we groan waiting for ours.

Fantasy, you might say – dreams and delusions!

Perhaps – but for me the deeply historical documents of the New Testament and their confident assertion of the resurrection of Jesus place before me the image of a person who already has a risen body – who is both a foretaste and an illustration of that which is to come and the means by which it will come. He provides, if you like, a glimpse into God’s new world, a window in time of the eternity that is to come.

Easter has just passed and though many companies have tried to transform it (like Christmas) into a marketing bonanza, it places before us a powerful historical question. How is it that a man born into poverty in dubious circumstances, in a remote and unstable part of the Roman Empire; who never owned anything, never wrote anything, never married and who was executed in the most painful and humiliating of circumstances, has changed the world? How it that this man has inspired believers in every nation on earth, across cultures and across time? While these questions do not force belief, they expose the negligence of many who simply do not ask the question, who do not explore the history or wisdom of the documents, or understand the extraordinary claims of Jesus over our lives. Easter is or Easter is not. If it is not based on truth, my faith is empty and fruitless – if it is based on truth, then it is not to be ignored. If Jesus rose from the dead, it changes everything. Like lava flowing over the road it puts a stop to one old life (it’s all about me) and demands and facilitates another (life lived in obedience to God and to His glory).

Hugh Bebgie Principal

COCA News 2008 • Page

Seniors and members

of the 2008 Student Association

Seniors Amie Raymond

Lockley

Non Executive Positions

Executive of the 2008 Student Association

Shop Huw Jones, Glenden Aprile, James Rowland, John Vizcay-Wilson

Joshua Brimblecombe Bottom Cock

President

Adam Bartels

Toby Gordon

Bottom Han

Vice-President

Rebecca Smith

Kimberlee Ciranni

Top Cock

Adam Bartels

Bottom Thatcher

Secretary

James Barton

Rebecca Smith

Mid Cock

Treasurer

Diana Potter

Zenan Franks

Bottom North

Sam Eldridge

Mid Dowling

Social Convenors

Michael Ford and Stewart Glynn

Angela Day

Mid Han

Media Rep

Elliott Hilaire

Diana Potter

Top North

Female Sports Convenor Angela Day

Sheree O’Dwyer

Top Thatcher

Bridget McNee

Top Han

Matthew Farr

Bottom Dowling

Sofia Robleda Gomez Top Dowling

Board of Governors Representatives Gavin Edgley President, Student Association (Adam Bartels)

Male Sports Convenor

Gareth Mitchell

Cultural Convenor

Sam Eldridge

ICC Cultural Convenor Laura Skilleter

O Week Coordinators Gavin Edgley (elected) Jessica Skilleter (nominated) O Week Action Committee Michael Stone, Jenna Thompson, Glenden Aprile, Jane Fisher, Tighe Summers, Jessica Wrigley Liaison Officer Colleen Ferries

Cromwell College Board of Governors - 2008 Elected by Queensland Synod of the Uniting Church in Australia Rev. Graham Cole Mr Ben de Jong (President) Mrs Barbara Merefield Mr Barrie Rollason Life Member Mr Ken Bishop Prof. Boris Christa Mr Mervyn Head

Mr Adam Barte

ls and Mr Gavin

Elected by the Board Mr Tim Courtice Mr Eric McChesney-Clark Mr Stephen Pick Dr. Janet Porter Elected by COCA Ms Louise Bortolotto Dr. Peter Catt

Edgley

e

Col Rev. Graham

Student President – Student Association – Mr Adam Bartels Elected – Mr Gavin Edgley Visitor Rev. Dr. David Pitman (Moderator of the Queensland Synod of the Uniting Church in Australia) University Senate Representative TBA Ex Officio Principal of Cromwell College – Rev. Dr. Hugh Begbie

COCA News 2008 • Page

Members of the 2008 Cromwell College Board of Governors (standing at rear from left) Mr Tim Courtice, Mr Eric McChesney-Clark, Mr Ben de Jong (President), Mr Barrie Rollason, Mr Stephen Pick, (sitting in front from left) Prof Boris Christa, Mrs Barbara Merefield, Dr. Janet Porter, Rev. Dr. Hugh Begbie.

The D.O.S. Report

Tempora Mutantur; Nos Et Mutamur In Illis*

“OK, folks. The freshers will be moving in on the Sunday before ‘O’ Week, so can we get together for a couple of hours the day before that? We should be talking about the sort of things you’ll need to know so you can help them.”

The Seniors for 2008 moved into residence on Sunday 10 February and they were fully occupied until early in the afternoon of Friday 15. After a dinnertime introduction to the values and ethos of the College, the Seniors were issued with comprehensive handbooks which are intended to be their primary guide for the year. That said, we talk about things all the time, not least at our scheduled breakfast meetings: 7:00 a.m. in the Dining Hall every Wednesday.

Although the Seniors already knew each other after two years in residence together, it is not e cours the high-ropes on ’ gh u surprising that they were not yet as to it ng Seniors – ‘doi fully a team as they needed to be, so we spent Monday morning on an exercise Wind back the clock, say, 15 or 20 years which had proved successful in previous or so, and you would have heard this years: a high-ropes course. It was an eyesort of thing in a significant number of opener to see them support each other, Australian residential colleges. I would be physically, emotionally and verbally, as amazed, however, if even one of them had they bounced around the treetops in such an approach these days. Times have groups of three. I must say that I had indeed changed, as has the law. And then some doubts before we went there, but no there is the conviction that our duty of longer: I’m a believer. (NB I did not have care is actually deeply rooted in the values the mettle to do what they did.) of Cromwell itself.

During the rest of the week, we used For those of you who have been away in-house expertise where appropriate, from College for some time, therefore, especially to talk about the more I thought it might be useful to read mechanical duties which the Seniors some details of what is involved in perform and which make College run preparing our Seniors to exercise their so smoothly: liaison with other staff leadership roles in College. (We call members, lock-up procedures, addressing them Seniors. In other places, they are basic problems with utilities and the known as Residential Assistants or Tutors welcoming of visitors. We also made or Fellows or Assistant Wardens and so special use of the rich resources of the on. They are an integral part of the staff University and of other friends of the at Cromwell.) To start with, those who College, so that by the end of the week are interested in becoming Seniors are our Seniors had been prepared to a asked to read carefully and to commit to satisfactory extent in the following areas: a detailed statement which outlines their • Their special roles in ‘O’ Week responsibilities. They are then interviewed • Helping skills, especially for first-year by the Principal and by me. The Principal residents consults the outgoing Seniors before he • Depression and Stress Management makes his final choices, and it was no easy • Emergency Response / Fire Training matter this year, since there were far more • Managing crises strong applicants than there were places to fill. (Which is surely a sign of a • Practical responses to basic healthy College?) health issues

• Suicide prevention and the building of a protective community • Assertiveness training • Responsible Service of Alcohol • Rules and responsibilities There was also the opportunity for the whole group to meet their counterparts at a dinner which was kindly hosted by Duchesne College. We went to another dinner at a local Thai restaurant and many Seniors ended the week with a barbecue lunch, courtesy of IH. While there is room to improve all of this for 2009, I hope you will agree that it was a far cry from what happened in the old days and it goes a long way to explaining why Cromwell does such a good job in supporting its residents. We pick talented staff; we train them, support them and encourage them to take a run at a problem. The results they achieve are very encouraging. * “Times change and we change with them.”

(John Owen) Cheers Denis Brosnan Dean of Students

Dean’s Honour Roll Crommie Graduate, Shaun Hopkirk, recently gained a placement on the Dean’s Honour Roll within the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law. Shaun graduated in December last year with a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours and a Bachelor of Commerce.

Each year a number of undergraduate and postgraduate students who attain a specified cumulative GPA across the entirety of their program, are eligible for placement on the Dean’s Honour roll. It recognises outstanding academic excellence in a student’s program of study.

Cromwell College congratulates Shaun on his achievement. For an insight into Shaun’s views on College life and what he’s doing now, see his story in the Chit Chat section of this issue.

COCA News 2008 • Page

Keeping Cromwell

in the Family

Once again we welcomed more members of existing Cromwell families into our fold on ‘Fresher Sunday’ as brothers, sisters, cousins, sons and daughters joined their siblings and relatives as part of our growing family.

From Palmwoods on the Sunshine Coast, Monty Summers has joined his brother Tighe.

Monty is doing a Bachelor of Arts and Tighe is undertaking a Bachelor of Engineering.

From the far north, Caren Ferries has followed her older sister Colleen to Cromwell. The sisters are from the Cairns suburb of Redlynch and are studying business and nursing respectively.

This year we have four brother and sister combinations at Cromwell with two sisters and two brothers joining their older siblings.

Daniel Hayes has been joined by his sister Julia. Julia is studying for her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy and Daniel is doing a duel Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science, specialising in Maths. Their family lives in Keperra, one of the northern Brisbane suburbs.

Nicholas Smith from Vale View, just south of Toowoomba and originally from Zimbabwe is studying for his Bachelor of Business. Older sister Rebecca is in her third year and also studying business.

The Potter family from Alstonville in New South Wales has been a well known Cromwell family for the last eight years. This year Timothy, the last to join us, is studying for a Bachelor of Science. His sister Diana is in her third year and studying business management and social science. Their older sister Susan was

at Cromwell from 2003 – 2005 and brother Michael from 2001 – 2003.

We also have another family, from Harare, Zimbabwe, who have added to our ranks.

Stewart Glynn has been joined by his younger sister Kirsty. Both are studying business courses through QUT. Their older sister, Lauren, was at Cromwell from 2004 – 2006.

Cousins, Hayley and Andrew Miskin are continuing the tradition begun by their parents, uncle and aunt. Hayley, from Mooloolah on the Sunshine Coast, is a second year student studying arts. Andrew, from Tinbeerwah also on the Sunshine Coast, is a first year student doing an environmental degree. Hayley’s parents, Steven and Ute (nee Graef ) Miskin were at Cromwell from 1979 – 1983 and 1980 – 1983 respectively. Alan and Linda Miskin (nee Tuohy) were both at Cromwell from 1978 – 1980.

And last but not least we have a son and daughter following in their parents’ footsteps.

Theresa Poole from Cooroy has followed her father Ben in coming to Cromwell. Theresa has begun the first year of a Bachelor of Business through QUT, while father Ben was at Cromwell from 1986 – 1988.

Fresher Sunday It all begins in quiet anticipation on Fresher Sunday as Staff, Seniors and members of the Student Association Executive await the arrival of the ‘Freshers’ and their families.

Everyone is geared up for what can be a rush of people all asking the same questions and having the same things told and retold as each new family steps over the threshold to become part of a much larger Cromwell family.

The quiet becomes a muted buzz of anticipation as more and more Freshers and their families arrive at Cromwell to the applause of the welcoming committee.

Each family files through the doors, questions are answered, forms are filled in and students are shown to their new ‘home away from home’.

And so a new life begins.

This year 105 new students call Cromwell home and they come from the length and breadth of Queensland, the rest of Australia and overseas. About 400 family members, staff and residents were fed a wonderful meal by the Dining Hall over a two-hour period. And then the O Week festivities got underway.

It’s great that Cromwell can provide a ‘home away from home’ for so many students and we are pleased that so many families keep coming back to us.

The Seniors & Exec

welcoming committe e on ‘Fresher’ Sunday

Kirsty & Stewart Glynn Caren & C olleen

Ferries

Andrew & Hayley M iskin

tter

iana Po Timothy & D

Julia & Daniel Hayes

Monty & Tighe Summers

olas Smith

Rebecca & Nich and Dad Ben ith Mum Tanya

COCA News 2008 • Page

Theresa Poole w

‘O’ Week Extraordinaire Cromwell’s ‘O’ Week 2008 was unforgettable. Fun, familiarisation and socialising were enjoyed by all involved as we faced personal and literal mountains and conquered them all with the same enthusiasm. The unrelenting focus and determination of the leaders were channelled to ensure that the Freshers were steeped in our strong sense of Cromwell community-mindedness, and this monumental undertaking was more than realised.

My partner in this extravaganza was Jessica ‘Ronnie’ Skilleter. She and I had the role of organising all the activities leading up to ‘O’ Week, and monitoring their progress throughout the week. We distributed the responsibilities for the set-up and pack-up of each activity to a group of ‘O’ Week Leaders. Each group of 4-5 leaders had 2-3 activities to organise.

Jess and I also liaised with the other colleges to arrange visits, organised the big activities like Wet ’n’ Wild, Laser Force (which proved to be a very competitive afternoon), bowling (at Milton Bowl which has now unfortunately closed down) and Ice Skating (which was a great opportunity for Elliott ‘Slarv’ Hilaire to reveal his secretly honed Olympic-standard Ice-Skating skills).

Committee, The mighty O Week Action nden Gle (from left) Tighe Summers, her, Fis e Jan Aprile, Michael Stone, igley Wr ica Jess Jenna Thompson and

In addition to the ‘fun’ activities, the week included talks by representatives from the Queensland Police, various UQ Faculties, the Colleges’ Information Technology Group Inc. (CITG), UQ Health and of course the Inter College Committee.

We will survive this

at How do we do th

step?

Jess and I worked closely with our President, Adam ‘Pretty’ Bartels, to monitor the progress of the freshers and respond to any special needs or concerns that the leaders might have had regarding the activities and the new students.

No such week ever happens without a few mishaps and ours was no exception. However these challenges were all manageable and we were sure not to translate our concerns to the freshers. The leaders as a whole never lost sight of our goal: to welcome the freshers to Cromwell.

The roles of ‘O’ Week Convenors are particularly challenging, especially as we all became more tired as the week progressed and needed to put in the extra hours for planning and activity preparation. However, the unrelenting energy of the freshers, and our own ensured we enjoyed ourselves right to the end.

Through the shared experience of a week of challenge, excitement and paradigm shifts, the Freshers of 2008 have come together as a close-knit cohort this year.

The continued efforts of the ‘O’ Week leaders, and the enthusiastic response and participation of the freshers have set Cromwell buzzing in anticipation of the promising year that lies ahead.

All hail our leaders

Gavin ‘Badger’ Edgley ‘O’ Week Convener

COCA News 2008 • Page

Cromwell College 2008

COCA News 2008 • Page

2008 Student Executive & Seniors

COCA News 2008 • Page

A hive of activity Refurbishments Cromwell was a hive of activity following the end of semester last year. As soon as the residents had left, the builders moved into North and began their refurbishment process.

The whole process took every possible minute of the vacation period and went reasonably smoothly. Of course there were hiccups but thankfully everything that had to be done Basement unit in Jarvis Tower was done in time for the students to move back in from this...

February. It was interesting to note that not every room had the same dimensions and so it took longer to install each bedroom fitting as some had to be adjusted to fit properly.

The students, both returning and first year, certainly appreciate their new living quarters.

Jarvis Tower at Campus Lodge also had a new unit installed in what was previously a basement storage area. We now have a permanent resident for that unit. In addition, refrigerators were replaced and painting of units in both Bishop and Jarvis Towers was undertaken.

Also for safety reasons a solar light now lights up the walkway between Dowling and Hancock near the gazebo. ... to this

Technology Upgrade In order to offer more comprehensive facilities for conferences, we have installed new sound and video facilities in the Dining Hall and Chapel. Both locations have a remotely controlled data projection screen which can be retracted when not in use. The Dining Hall also has a sound mixing console with a DVD player, a CD player and a presentation switcher. This is to be housed at the rear of the room in a professionally–made cabinet.

Water saving devices

Due to Workplace Heath and Safety concerns the brick paving around the tree in the small courtyard between the Dining Hall and Hancock wing has had to be replaced with turf. This area Changes to landscaping from this... was originally landscaped in the mid-1980s with funds raised by Alumni. Plans for the landscaping of the area were originally drawn up by Gordon Roseler, a Cromwellian from the 1960s and the College architect at the time. Gordon was later made a Fellow of the College.

The changes, although necessary, have given the area a whole new look and one that is still a very attractive one for the students to hang out.

... to this

The Chapel also has a similar but more basic set up for smaller group presentations.

Landscaping

Fred our maintenan ce man tries out our new audio

In line with the level 6 water restrictions now applying in Brisbane, the College has endeavoured to seek out all possible avenues for saving water.

The following initiatives have been achieved in the past twelve months.

• Restrictor devices have been fitted to all taps and showers and all showers have been replaced with water-efficient roses and a shower timer.

• All toilets are now dual flush.

• Garden sprinkler systems are shut off and no outside watering of grass or plants is undertaken.

• All washing machines in Cromwell are now front loaders and those in Campus Lodge will be replaced with the same as necessary.

• We have engaged a consultant to advise on grey and rainwater collection, treatment and reuse.

COCA News 2008 • Page 10

ous Thing’, arning Is A Danger Le tle Lit ‘A : m fro Quotes arleton edited by James Ch s without cape our universitie “No man should es Oppenheimer he knows’ - J. Robert knowing how little freshmen ll of knowledge; the “Universities are fu ay none at all, the seniors take aw bring a little in and t Lawrence Lowell accumulates.’ - Abbo and the knowledge

Oliver Cromwell 1599-1658

DATE CLAIMERS

Cromwell College

By Ian Breward

REUNIONS 2008 MELBOURNE REUNION Late September 2008

Cromwell was a major figure in 17th century British history. He is still controversial. Talk to someone with Roman Catholic Irish ancestors and they’ll very likely tell you of his brutality at Drogheda and Wexford. Some Scots also have negative memories of his conquest of Scotland. Even in England there is no official memorial and there is no certainty where his bodily remains lie. Historians disagree sharply about his significance and motivation, for his religious language is not believable to someone who is an atheist or agnostic, or who believes that religion and politics are separate realms.

For Cromwell they were inseparable.

I was fascinated that Mr Keating, in an interview with Tony Jones of the ABC regarding the Apology, said that it was a recovery of the moral basis of politics.

It would be interesting to know what that throwaway line meant, for some would argue that morality and religious convictions are closely related. Cromwell certainly believed that they were indivisible.

Who was Cromwell? He came from a gentry family which was in financial straits, but he had a network of powerful connections and had married well at 21.

He and his wife Elizabeth Bourchier had 9 children. But for the Civil War, he might have remained an obscure parliamentarian.

First elected in 1628, he returned to both the Short and Long Parliaments. Charles I’s personal rule radicalised him and he advocated the abolition of bishops, as well as the Grand Remonstrance. He had a fiery temper and sometimes spoke far more plainly than was deemed suitable.

He was deeply concerned at royal authoritarianism and when the Civil War began, he raised a troop of horse.

He soon proved a remarkable leader and strategist. By 1644 he had become a Lieutenant General. He played a crucial role in the defeat of the Royalist forces in each of the kingdoms and came to the conclusion that Charles was unfit to rule. One of the signatories of the King’s death warrant in 1649, he became increasingly influential politically and

1973 REUNION Cromwell College late Nov/early Dec 2008

argued powerfully for religious toleration.

While we do not know enough about his religious convictions to label him, he was clearly very sympathetic to the religious radicals in the Army and increasingly came to believe that he was the appointed instrument of God’s will.

Though he was politically conservative, he had no hesitation in dealing ruthlessly with those whose views and actions threatened national unity. That included a succession of parliaments. As Lord Protector from 1653-58, he exerted more authority than a monarch, but discovered that military power is not a foundation for constitutional government. He made some significant reforms, pursued a successful foreign policy which won respect throughout Europe, but ultimately failed to unify competing visions of Britain’s future and became politically isolated.

The result was that, when he died, his settlement unravelled.

Though he did not achieve reconciliation after a bitter civil war, he avoided both the descent into hideous violence which marked so many 20th century revolutions and the corruption of government. The role of parliament remained central and many of the convictions he tried to implant have taken on life in the 20th century. So honouring his memory in this College is an important task, for study of his life has much to teach us.

(Professor Ian Breward is an Honorary Senior Fellow in the Department of Historical Studies at The University of Melbourne. He has accepted an invitation to speak at this year’s Cromwell College Academic Dinner to be held on Tuesday 19th August. He holds a Bachelor of Dentistry from the University of Otago, a Master of Arts from The University of Auckland and a Doctor of Philosophy from the Victoria University of Manchester. Professor Breward is a renowned author of numerous books and major reference works regarding many aspects of Christianity, especially from an historical perspective.)

2010 ANNIVERSARY REUNION Cromwell College June/July 2010 Careers Expos 2008 Cromwell College staff will be attending the following Careers Expos this year.

Cairns Careers Expo – Friday 30th May • Sunshine Coast Careers Expo (Tanawha) – Thursday 17th July • Tertiary Studies Expo (Brisbane) – Sat & Sun 19th & 20th July • Toowoomba Careers Expo – Tuesday 29th July • UQ St. Lucia Open Day – Sunday 3rd August • Townsville Careers Expo – Monday 11th August We’d love to catch up with any Alumni and Parents of current residents who live in these areas.

Write, phone or email us if you are interested in meeting up for a chat.

•

Snippet 2008 Queensland Student Leadership Forum – This year’s four-day live-in forum will be held from Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th May. Hugh attended the launch of the forum in early March and was delighted to see that of the organisers present, eight were ex-Crommies.

“They continue to contribute because the forum has deeply influenced their lives,” he said.

We will bring you the insight gained by this year’s Cromwell attendees in the next edition of COCA News.

COCA News 2008 • Page 11

CHIT CHAT

Round Up

Enjoying the Working Life

I lived in Cromwell from 2003 – 2005 and left as a Valedictorian.

I absolutely loved the college experience. To begin with, it was a great way to make the transition from high school and a small town to university and a big city. In particular, I loved the fact that upon moving into Cromwell I instantly met hundreds of new friends who, I soon realised, were essentially my family here in Brisbane. I love to get involved in everything on offer and Cromwell once again provided the chance to do this through sport, social, cultural and leadership opportunities.

Highlights for me included: Bunkers(!), being a shop boy, recoveries, Swatvac predictions, being a member of tall club, boat cruise, corridor exchanges, Thatcher saunas and inter-College rivalry.

Although I missed plenty of things upon moving out of college, I realised a new sense of freedom. It was a really exciting time for me. Cooking, cleaning and paying real bills all became a reality. Fortunately for me I moved out with a great group of housemates (Manroop ‘Joey’ Soin and Phil ‘Bait’ Kearney, both from Cromwell, and a girl from Duchesane called Claire) into Ninth Avenue St. Lucia. We had a fun- packed year and made the most of being dodgy old boys and girls. As an ex-shop boy, ekka-day pub-crawl was a highlight – wow! In general I found it was a lot easier to prioritise uni once leaving college. I think this was largely to do with the fact that I was looking towards graduating and getting a job.

In 2007 we moved into a new house on Ninth and Greg ‘Moe’ Matthews replaced Bait. It

really was amazing how much one personality could affect the dynamics of the house. This made for a totally new and exciting year of shenanigans. 2007 was also a particularly stressful year for me as it was my final year of Uni, I was completing my thesis and applying for graduate engineering positions. I found that UQ’s Student Services info sessions on resume writing and interview techniques were particularly helpful in preparing me for this job hunt and would highly recommend it to all current collegians to do at some time.

After I submitted a ridiculous number of job applications, the interviews began to role in. Phone interviews, face-to-face interviews, assessment criteria, interstate interviews and the list continues. It was amazing how many people I met during interviews who were from Cromwell or another UQ college. This really was a benefit in terms of instantly having a connection with an interviewer or even just providing experiences that help in answering behavioural type questions. (Any Cromwell engineering students looking for tips on getting jobs should call me sooner rather than later – I would be happy to tell you about my experiences: 0404 205 322).

Eventually, after all of these interviews (and a few free flights!), I received a number of job offers to toss up and finally I signed a contract to work as a graduate mechanical engineer for Hatch. Hatch is an Engineering consulting firm working largely in the mining, infrastructure and energy sectors. It is a large global firm based in Canada and has offices all around the world. Its Brisbane office is a

Principal Regional Office. I’m currently working in the consulting group at Hatch.

Upon completing my thesis and graduating with degrees in mechanical engineering (Honours) and commerce (Dean’s honours roll) I headed overseas for a season of snow boarding in Lake Louise, Canada. This was a great get-away and I made plenty of new friends but most importantly I finally got to ride the season in the snow which I’d been trying to do for years! I am now back in Brisi living in Red Hill with another past collegian, Ben ‘Zoolander’ Willcocks. I am about two months into working for Hatch and love the working life! Weekends are bliss – no assignments or exams hanging over your head making you feel guilty when you’re trying to have fun – love it! I must say though, early starts five days a week take a bit of getting used to!

Have been reading the COCA News and am pleased to hear from my cousin Jess (Most of you probably know her as Timmy) that things haven’t changed too much.

Love ya Crommie, Shaun ‘Sly’ Hopkirk

Another Cromwell Medico at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide. I intended to stay there for only one year and then return to Brisbane but I ended up staying there until 1985.

During that time I went to London for one year in 1980.

I was at Cromwell College from 1971-1976 while studying medicine at UQ. I graduated with honours in 1976 and did my internship

COCA News 2008 • Page 12

I specialised in Internal Medicine and completed this in 1984. I also did a doctorate (MD) by thesis which I completed in 1985. My thesis was on the role of oxygen-free radicals in a novel form of cancer therapy. I went to the USA in 1985 where I spent one year at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota as a post-doctoral fellow in oncology. I then switched to specialise in Infectious Diseases and I did this for the next two years at Duke

University in Durham, North Carolina.

I returned to Brisbane in 1988 and was Lecturer in the Department of Medicine at Princess Alexandra Hospital for 1 year. After this I decided to go into private practice as a general and infectious diseases physician. I continue to do this but I am also involved with Q Comp which is the regulatory body of WorkCover. I am also Deputy Chairman of the Medical Assessment Tribunals.

I married in 1992. My wife, Bich, is a teacher and we have one daughter, Michelle who is aged 14. She is in grade 9 and keeps us very busy with all her activities. As all parents would appreciate, she is our joy.

Dr Kevin Lee See (1971 – 1976)

‘Elton’ is back in Brisbane!

Firstly, thanks to the staff of Cromwell for allowing me to stay in the College while I was looking for perm anent accommodation.

I was quite impressed with the upgradin g of facilities that has taken place since I was a resident som e 25 years ago.

I now work as a mathematician with the Australian Bureau of Statistics as a member of the methodol ogy division and have done so since 1993. I spent my first five years in Brisbane before moving to Canberra. After nearly ten years, I felt that I had got as much as I could out of my time in Canberra and that it was time to move back to Brisbane to be (slig htly) closer to my parents in Cairns.

I’m still musically active and hope to record the occasional CD Stephen ‘Elton’ C during 2008. arlton plays at Cromw My memories of College life are getting ell a bit rusty now, but things that have stuck in my mind are the social functions (Bunker parties), formal dinners (speakers included the late Sir Edmund Hilary and Prince Leonard of the Hut t River Province) and a very long list of friends whom I’ve lost touch with but hope are doing well.

Regards Stephen ‘Elton’ Carlton, Cromwell College 1981 – 1988

The things that happen ….

Since leaving Cromwell in 1987, I have undertaken many activities. I completed by B.Sc. in Chemistry and took up my first professional role with Dulux at their paints factory in Rocklea. In 1995 I was seconded to the Dulux factory in Lae, PNG which was a fantastic opportunity to enjoy expat life and develop my professional skills. I returned to Australia in 1999 working for Incitec in Brisbane where I met my now wife Natasha whom I married in 2001.

In 2004 I joined Rio Tinto and moved to Perth in 2005 and last year to Tom Price in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Earlier in 2007 I completed my MBA. We have even found time to have 2 children during our busy lives - Jemma aged 4 and Hudson only seven months. I still keep in touch with a few of my old Cromwell friends and think back regularly on all the fun we had at college.

It may bring a bit of a laugh to a few people as I was not exactly the best student at uni (too much social activities and sport at Crommy) and now I have completed an MBA – go figure that out.

We were back in Brisbane at Xmas to see family and friends including a few old Cromwell friends.

Regards, Mike Donovan (1986-1987)

Hello from....

Kim Benning (1999) - After graduating as a vet, Kim spent two years at Kooroora Vet Clinic in Cooroy, Qld. She then set off to the United Kingdom for a two year working holiday in March 2006, working in Bridgend in Wales, then Essex and Windsor in England. And in between she has taken regular breaks to exotic destinations in Europe and Africa. During the latter part of 2007 she spent four weeks at Antelope Park in Zimbabwe which is a wildlife refuge.

The Guard Family: Paul (1999) worked as a Civil Engineer for four years in Brisbane and Houston (Texas) after graduating and is now working on a PhD in Coastal Engineering back at The University of Queensland. Amanda (2000-2001) is working in physiotherapy in Fremantle and David (2001 – 2002) has just started work as a doctor at the Gold Coast hospital. Their parents, Jill and Roger (1964-1968), are still living and working in Toowoomba. Jill, Roger and Paul attended Commencement Dinner for the unveiling of the portrait of their father/grandfather, Rev. Alex Steele Craik.

Sylvia ‘Pepper’ Meiler (nee van Peperzeel) (1990-1992)- still living and working in the US music business, now as Director, Online Marketing & Product Management for Equity Music Group, Nashville, Tennessee.

Greta Mittelhauser (1980) – Living in Brisbane and currently playing in a mandolin, guitar and double bass orchestra. She and partner David have been together for 16 years and have recently sold their post office business.

Living in the United States I was a Cromwellian from 1983 to mid 1986 when I married a Gracegirl and moved out of college. The college years were incredibly special and formative. Not only did I get a degree but I made many special friends. I became a Christian at college and got involved with the Christians at College as well as Student Life and learnt so much. After I graduated, my wife and I joined Student Life full-time and worked at UQ for 2 years. We then moved to Toowoomba to begin a Student Life group there. Eventually I became the head of the organisation and was in this position for 13 years. We have worked with Student Life for almost 21 years now. Some highlights along the way were having a son who is now about to be a 3rd year business student, getting my Masters of

Art (Ministry) externally and being married to a great lady. We celebrated 21 years of marriage last year. We gardened passionately and joined in the Toowoomba garden festival for about 15 years, scooping the top prize twice.

University-age students have so much free time compared to later in life and they are open to ideas and changes. I’m convinced this is still true even with the part-time jobs many seem to have. I’ve loved my career. I saw God really change my life and bring healing in some areas in which I really needed help and I’ve loved seeing others change also. But university students, I’m sure, have helped keep me young, positive and fit also. At Cromwell I enjoyed playing for the College in squash and tennis.

This year I never had a game of either but it is because I’m old with injuries – for me it is the ankle. But I enjoy going to the gym regularly and probably am the fittest I’ve ever been.

2008 sees us moving to the United States. We were invited to join the team that oversees the university ministry of Student Life globally.

There are almost 10,000 staff serving in 150 plus countries, so it is an honour to be a part of the team. I’ve travelled quite a bit in recent years and spent 3 months in the US last year checking out the role. We’re looking forward to the challenge and will be glad when the transition is made. It is no small task to move countries.

I know college life changed my life and many people made that possible. I’d love to hear from any old friends from Cromwell: Allan.Gibson@studentlife.org It has been special for me over the years staying in contact with Dr Krohn. He led well and suffered much as our year sought to push the boundaries as far as we could.

Allan Gibson (1983 – 1986)

COCA News 2008 • Page 13

cont’d

Good-Bye Australia – Hello Europe This year, another Cromwell Alumna has left Australian shores to settle permanently in Europe. Dr Tanya Peitzker who was at Cromwell in 1988 – 1989, was enrolled in Arts & Law at UQ, but switched to full-time Arts later on and withdrew from Law. Tanya has been a high-flyer in the Public Relations world in Europe since graduating from the University of Potsdam in 2000 magna cum laude and after having enjoyed BerlinBrandenburg for four years on a competitive university scholarship. Her research areas were Cultural studies and interdisciplinary philosophical and literary theory, which led to the offer of a professorship in Europe.

Instead of lecturing and researching at universities, She then spent the next few years working for large German and Swiss corporations at management level in their language and communications departments.

She also wrote analytical reports and articles as a special correspondent for The Times Higher Education Supplement in London and The

Wall Street Journal Europe in Brussels and Berlin.

In 2006, Tanya decided to set up her own communications and marketing company – EU Public Relations – to fill what She saw as domestic and international gaps in various industries. Her strategic marketing and business plans have been uniquely successful, thus ensuring EU PR’s portfolio growth within the first 12 months of operation in Melbourne, Sydney, Basel, Paris, Cologne and Berlin.

As well as the European Union, her company now has bases in Switzerland, Norway, Canada and the East Coast of the United States of America. It offers a range of products and services, including promotion and sale of art works, a customised printed e-newsletter about Europe for Australia and the USA, regular reports/analysis on changing market conditions for niche products and services and financing new media projects and securing global sports corporate sponsorships.

Tania & collectors in front of a Conchita Carambano In February this year EU PR became the official publicist and fundraiser for 5 Olympic sailing crews - including the national women’s team for the 2008 Olympics in China.

On the personal side, Tanya’s single, no kids, though she was married to a well-known Chinese-Australian artist in the early ‘90s, Chen Jun (Archibald finalist). ciao ciao Tanya Peitzker (1988 – 1989)

It’s an unreal real world After leaving College at the end of ‘98, I completed my honours degree in IT and found a job as a researcher with a research company called DSTC based on campus at UQ. Working as a researcher was both rewarding and eye-opening, taking me to conferences and technical meetings in the US and Canada.

After 4 years, though, I realised that to move on in research I would need a PhD, and through contacts I’d made while working at DSTC, I took up a scholarship to study in Rennes, in western France. During the 3 and a half years I spent in France, I became a fluent French speaker and had the chance to see a little more of the world through both conference travel and holidays. I finished my PhD in April 2007 and moved back to Brisbane to resume a career as an IT researcher.

It would have been nice to think that, almost 11 years after entering both college and tertiary education, I would by now have found a “real job” in the “real world”.

Instead, I’ve learnt that there is no real world, just a series of differing unreal worlds, and that the jobs we think of as not being “real” can often be the most interesting. Along the way there have been college friends at every turn: working at DSTC, studying, traveling or working in Europe; and there to catch up in Brisbane for barbeques and quiet ales at throwback New Year’s Eve parties.

Cheers, Jim Steele (1996 – 1998)

COCA News 2008 • Page 14

cont’d

Hello Cromwellians of 1991-92!

Since finishing my BA in 1993, I have had an interesting life journey…..

father and niece and nephew in his care.

After leaving uni, I spent a year ‘finding myself ’ in community radio.

Little did I know, but the next 10 years would be spent pursuing the promotion of New Zealand music through the ‘NZ Show’ on 4ZZZFM in Brisbane.

The last 3 years were spent balancing carer and study commitments until my father passed away last September.

It was an extremely tough time in my life, but a period in which I learnt many life lessons.

To support myself, I worked retail jobs at record stores and department stores, while running an import music company. Upon turning thirty, and with my divorce pending, I decided it was time to pursue my dream of becoming a lawyer, so back to university I went!

After first semester, I moved to the Sunshine Coast hinterland town of Imbil with my new partner. As my father had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, the intention was to look after my mother and help support her while I continued to study externally. Sadly, five weeks after moving to their town, my mother died suddenly, leaving me to look after my

On a positive note, I have completed my LLB at QUT this semester, and look forward to finding work in the New Year while I complete my legal practice course. We have just bought our first home, in a rural area north of Gympie, and are the proud parents of 2 dogs and a menagerie of animals!

Melbourne Reunion The inaugural Melbourne reunion was a small but delightful occasion held in North Melbourne at the Courthouse Hotel on Friday 16th November.

Cromwell Principal, Rev. Dr. Hugh Begbie attended on behalf of the College as did representatives from the different decades of Alumni and some spouses.

Those present included George (1956 – 1959) & Daphne Alcorn, Lester (1961 – 1963) & Desley Peters, Barry Fallon (1963 - 1966), Alastair Fearn (1974 – 1980), Jo Staines (1979 – 1980), Christine Kent (1989 – 1990), Geoff Brown (1990 – 1991), Julie King (1990 – 1992) and Charles Thornhill-Cole (1990 – 1991).

The College is hoping to hold another reunion in Melbourne around the end of September this year, so please let us know if you can make it. A few more Cromwellians have moved to Melbourne in recent months and some Alumni were unable to make the date last year, so we are looking forward to boosting the numbers able to attend.

I have so many fond memories of my 2 years at Cromwell……vegetarian pizza, bunker parties, the ‘paz’ café, trips to ‘indrops’ and so many great people. Where are you all? I would love to hear from you! I can be contacted at wytchshirl@hotmail.com.au.

Regards, Shirley Harris, AKA ‘Fruity’, (thanks Veronica).

Commencement Dinner 2008

the official ‘Welcome to Cromwell’

Commencement Dinner 2008 was held on Tuesday 4th March with members of the College Board of Governors, Fellows of the College, Special Guests, Staff and returning students all gathered to officially welcome a new cohort of Cromwellians to the family.

speaker for the evening. A special part of the evening was the dedication of a portrait of the late Rev. Alexander Steele Craik, former Vice-Principal and Principal of the College during the late 1960s and early 1970s in the presence of some of the members of his family.

The 105 new students dutifully presented themselves in formal gowns in the Dining Hall and in the presence of the President of the Student Association, Adam Bartels, received their Cromwell badges, vowed to uphold the Cromwell pledge and signed their names into the 2008 Commencement Register.

Entertainment for the evening was the sister of Alumna Natasha Heyward, Tessa, who has an exquisite voice and is this year attending the Queensland Conservatorium of Music.

The new Vice-Chancellor of The University of Queensland, Professor Paul Greenfield AO was the guest-

2007

The swimming carnival was also held on the same evening and with the sounds of the final music in their ears, the students raced away to cheer on their swimmers and to do what only Cromwell does best – to present a united community.

The 2007 Melbourne Reu

nion Alumni & spouses

Vale Gordon Bryant It is with sadness that we note the passing of another member of the Cromwell College family, Gordon Bryant, who died on 5th August, last year. Gordon was a member of the College’s Board of Governors, having first been elected in April 1971 and appointed to the Executive Committee in June of the same year. He became Chairman of the Board in the following March and continued in that capacity until his resignation in mid-1974 to take up a senior appointment in Melbourne.

A special mention was made of him by the College’s Board of Governors at the time; “At the Annual Meeting in March 1972 Mr. Bryant accepted appointment as Chairman of the Board, a position he has filled with distinction providing always sound leadership and support towards the fullest expression of collegiate life within the College. His willingness to meet and deal with the difficult and not so difficult aspects of the Board’s responsibilities has shown a deep concern for the welfare of the College and its place within the University.”

Gordon Bryant was recognized as an Honorary Fellow of the College in 1990 in recognition of the distinguished service he had given to the College.

COCA News 2008 • Page 15

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It goes like th

Maboi - I don’t always look like this

We are on top of the world

W W O ‘O

I hope this works

Sucré - I always look better than this

for you

Look it’s a bird, it’s a plane,

no it’s Super Cromwell

The Extended Cromwell Community Uniting in Friendship for the College Future

4 Yes! I am pleased to send my gift to Cromwell College Foundation (ABN: 26 282 868 309) to help support young people now and for generations to come.

Please send your gift to Cromwell College Foundation, Walcott Street, St Lucia Qld 4067.

Phone 3377 1300 Fax 3377 1499 Email friends@cromwell.uq.edu.au Web www.cromwell.uq.edu.au

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