COCA News April 2018

Volume 20 Issue 1 April 2018

WELCOME 2018 FRESHERS

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

CROMWELL COLLEGE

CONTENTS 03

PRINCIPAL’S LETTER 04 COCA PRESIDENT REPORT 05 - 06 STUDENT PRESIDENT REPORT 07 CROMMIE FRESHER THEN, CROMMIE FRESHER NOW 08 - 09 P WEEK 2018 10 - 11 COMMENCEMENT DINNER 12 ICC SWIMMING 13 OLD BOYS/FRESHERS RUGBY 14 - 15 2018 COLLEGE PHOTO 16 SUCCESS IN NEGOTIATION GRAND FINAL 17 BEL NETWORKING BREAKFAST 18 ANZAC DINNER 19 AUSSIES AUSSIES AUSSIES 20 - 21 COMMONWEALTH GAMES STORIES 22 - 23 CROMWELL MEDAL 24 - 27 AFRICA VIA CROMWELL TO EUROPE 2 COCA NEWS

28 INFO

PRINCIPAL’S LETTER

To the Cromwell Community

Thank you to everyone who has made the start of 2018 so positive and productive. The Student Leadership Team this year has set a new benchmark for professionalism and unity. Thirty one deliberately different people have been elected or appointed into their respective roles, and they have bonded together as either RA’s, Students’ Association Executive members or both. They are working most effectively together as a team and it shows. Roxane Mutschler has set a most impressive example as College President this year. The joining of the RA’s and the Executive for supper and a weekly meeting together in our home, rather than the former separate meetings has further opened transparent communication channels.

“Student Leadership Team at Ross and Jenny’s Home.”

The staff team has continued to provide invaluable support to our students. Cromwell is fortunate to have minimal staff turnover allowing professional relationships to build together, and with the students.

So far this year one hundred weekly tutorials are taking place as our academic support programs continue to grow. There have been a large number of players, performers and supporters at the ICC sporting and culturals events held so far, and numerous social activities within the College to allow friendships to further develop. Our Christian support programs continue to grow with the help of current and past students, and Uni Impact.

The issue of hazing in some university residential colleges nationally has received media attention in recent months. Cromwell has released a Statement signed by the Board Chair, myself and the Students’ Association President in response to this issue. This Statement can be found at www. cromwell.uq.edu.au under ‘Publications’ and ‘Applications’. We continue to work very closely with the University on this important issue, ensuring that hazing is never welcome here at Cromwell.

Jenny and I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our students a safe and restful mid semester break, extended of course by an extra week due to the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

All the best!

Mr R.A. Switzer, M.Ed. B.Ed.St. Dip.T. MACE, MACEL, MAICD PRINCIPAL COCA NEWS 3

COCA CROMWELL COLLEGE

Cromwell Old Collegians Association est. 1973

COCA President Report

One of the main events for COCA this year is the Alumni Ball. Cromwellians will be given a chance to catch up with fellow old boys and girls on Saturday August 11th at Darling and Co. Whether hitting the dancefloor, sharing a drink or piling into a photo booth is your style, everyone is sure to have a night of fun and frivolity. For more details on ticket price head to coca.net. au or contact Tania at reception on (07) 3377 1300. Make sure this date is pencilled into your diary as tickets will sell fast.

Again, we call upon any past students who would like to reach out and or offer wise words/ share experiences with current students. Please get in touch with Michael or Tania. Current students relish the chance to connect to the Alumni whether that be through the formal dinners, tutorial programs or faculty breakfasts.

Warm regards,

Joanne “Hip Hop� Landmark (2008 - 2010) COCA President

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Student President Report Roxane “Fetty Trap” Mutschler

How wonderful it has been to be back in the corridors and vibrant ambience of Cromwell College. We’ve passed the halfway point of the first semester already and it’s quite scary to think that exams are just around the corner. As is the case every year at Cromwell, the year started off incredibly busy.

The year kicked off with our leadership team of 2018 partaking in our Preparation Week (P-Week) which involved a variety of activities including; 7am morning programs, leadership and counselling workshops, first aid training, mental first aid training, fire evacuation training and various other leadership and bonding activities.

Cromwell College has never settled for anything less than an extraordinary Orientation Week (O-Week) and this year wasn’t any different. Mid-February saw 125 bright eyed and eager freshers embark on a week of a lifetime. With a mixture of excitement and nerves freshers from all corners of Australia and the world set off to become fully fledged Cromwellians.

The action packed week, although exhausting for both freshers and leaders, was a huge success, with the freshers bonding with not only each other but with the leadership team and the returning students in the space of one short week. Appreciation of the week in which friendships were formed and unique opportunities given, were all extremely valued and cherished by the freshers upon reflection of the week. Great thanks must go to Oscar “Hi Mungin” Crisp and his O-Week Committee for working so tirelessly and selflessly to provide such a great week. The skipping and Crommie ticker displayed in O-Week will always hold a special place in the fresher’s hearts as they embark in their Cromwell adventure. The 2018 fresher cohort is truly amazing and I have absolute faith that they will enhance the wonderful Cromwell culture that already exists.

The end of O-Week saw Cromwell’s first social event take place. The long awaited Closed Bunker was a huge hit once again with the freshers, returning students and old boys and girls all getting around it. A week later saw Open Bunker take place, not in the usual Cromwell carpark but at Oh Hello due to weather constraints. Huge credit must go to our social convenors; Justin “DJ Sammy” Di Bella, Michaela “Happy” Oakely and Anthony “Mishka” Hansen and our treasurer Laura “Exposure” Brown for delivering such well co-ordinated and entertaining events; expectations are high for the rest of the 2018 social events.

The Cromwell community has once again come out in full force in all sporting and cultural events this year. Everyone involved in first semester competition whether they were participating, supporting or convening showed huge amounts of crommie ticker and gave it their absolute best.

Highlights in the sporting department included: women’s placing 2nd in both cross country and swimming, 4th in badminton and 5th in touch with boy’s placing 4th in both swimming and cross country. In addition; tennis, fresher rugby and table tennis have all been played or are being played weekly with all involved very happy and enthusiastic. Women’s hockey, cricket, water polo and rowing are all hot on the radar with all Cromwellians eager to compete and support.

Cromwell’s cultural skills are known to be out of this world, consistently rising to the occasion with amazing performances, creativity and passion. College Idol, debating and ICC art show have all been COCA NEWS 5

highlights of the semester one cultural scene with the latter being robbed from us (fear not we are currently in the process of investigating this). Choral fest, band fest and chess are still on the cards for our semester one redemption.

Cromwell’s premier cultural event “Boat Cruise” which is ironically held in the dining hall, deck and Old Collegian’s Court is coming up fast and is being expertly organised by Adriana “Mr Pat” Di Bella which the Cromwell community can’t wait for!

Cromwell’s fundraising activity has been strong, with 15 Cromwellians participating in the World’s Greatest Shave. Over $2000 has been raised by the Cromwell team and special thanks must go to the participants, donors and hairdressers. Brodie “Rousey” Johnson should be congratulated for putting on such a successful hair raising effort!

Overall semester one has been a blast and all Cromwellians have been getting around the community and the general vibe around college is one of great harmony. I am extremely impressed and proud of all our first years who have shown true enthusiasm and eagerness for all things Cromwell. I am honoured to have been given an opportunity at the helm of Cromwell College and am so excited to see what the rest of the year has in store for us.

Warm Regards, Roxane “Fetty Trap” Mutschler 2018 President, Cromwell College Students’ Association Inc.

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Crommie Fresher Then, Crommie Fresher Now

Top Thatcher, a place that I had never heard of before my first day as a Cromwell fresher. Certainly I would have not been able to imagine that precisely 30 years later that I would have been dropping off an extraordinary (clearly takes after my wife, Jodi) young daughter to Cromwell.

I look back at my time at Cromwell and recognise it was such a great place to grow as person and that during my three years I gained friendships that would last my lifetime.

Including my best man who I met during my O’Week just two standard rooms away in Lockley and even though he is now Seattle based, we still catch up most years when he sojourns back to Brisbane. The academic support provided by living at Cromwell can only be understood by residents, with the UQ Commerce Degree that I studied laying the foundations for a finance career both in Australia and overseas and even to an interval as an elected representative.

Cassia (Pop), you’ve met your parent’s common friends who unsuspectingly introduced your parents to each other, but if you are interested to know, “where I meet your mother”, literally meters away in my then college room at, Bottom Thatcher.

Reg Gulley 1988-1990

COCA NEWS 7

P Week 2018

P Week this year took place from Sunday 4th through to Saturday 10 February . It was once again a very busy week that provided a significant amount of information and a significant number of individual and group challenges to all that attended. The aim of the week was to: • • • • • • •

provide sessions that inform students about various theoretical aspects of leadership identify the strengths and weaknesses of the leadership group as a whole experience working together as a team discuss challenges and expectations of the leadership role, particularly that of an RA upskill students in a number of WHS areas provide some sessions on areas where there is a particular focus for the year spend some social time together as a group

The “bookends” of the week focused on leadership with a talk in the Chapel on the first night of P week that was presented by the Principal, Mr Ross Switzer. This was followed by drinks and dinner with the staff and their partners at Ross and Jenny Switzer’s home. Social interaction enabling staff and students to get to know each other better assists in building the relationships necessary for the year ahead. Monday involved a workshop day, conducted by Leadership Directions, where students were introduced to the DISC profile, learnt about their own traits as well as those of the group. The qualities of a leader, effective communication and listening skills and sources of leadership power and its influence were discussed.

The secret location, and practical leadership day on Friday this year was once again Emu Gully, located at Helidon, approximately 100km north-west of Brisbane. It provided a number of personal and group challenges and assisted this year’s group of leaders to work through a number of problem solving exercises that tested some people’s limits, patience and level of trust. The activities were based on a number of ANZAC/ WW II themes such as the Bridge over the River Kwa, Rats of Tobruk and Colditz.

The day culminated in a Kokoda Track activity, which required the whole group to work together to transport two people on a stretcher through a number of “mud pits”. In keeping with the theme of building staff / student relationships, the team building activities were also undertaken by Ross, Michael and Dominic alongside the student leaders.

RA’s, and some members of the Student Executive spent a morning with Sheldon Pace from Student Services at UQ as part of their Mental First Aid Training on Tuesday morning. Training in Mental 8 COCA NEWS

First Aid has received very positive reviews from leaders over the past couple of years and is now considered a must have qualification in order to effectively care for students.

Sam Kiernan from NAAUC, presented two interesting sessions on Traditions and Sex, Sexuality and Gender to leaders on Tuesday afternoon. The two sessions were specifically chosen by this year’s Student Executive since the topics reflected an area of interest and focus they wanted for the year ahead.

Wednesday morning began with WHS training focussing on Fire Evacuation, the use of fire extinguishers and fire panel training. The College Counsellor, Dr Vicki Dawes also popped in to introduce herself and talk about the service she provides to students and RA’s at Cromwell. The remainder of the day was spent in a workshop conducted by representatives from UQ‘s Student Services Department that focussed on Sexual Assault and Harassment. The two presenters provided information on how to support someone who is assaulted or harassed and the various reporting avenues and support services available to victims.

Mr Bill Hunter has run Senior First Aid and CPR training for the past couple of years and has the knack of presenting detailed content in a humorous and memorable manner. Bill covered a large amount of information in his session but by the end of it everyone was confident in knowing how to assist with basic medical emergencies as well as how to conduct CPR and use a defibrillator.

On the final morning of P Week Mr Andy Gourley, the CEO of RED Frogs, presented a session to leaders on All Age Events. Andy has a great deal of experience in this area and presented his ideas through in his own unique style and with the assistance of a number of multimedia presentations. Leaders left the session with a wide range of ideas to implement within the College and the knowledge that Red Frogs were happy to provide regular support and advice throughout the year.

The week concluded with an informal supper at Ross and Jenny’s home on the Saturday night to recap the goals for the week, and to wrap up a busy and productive week.

Sincere thanks to Michael Crome for planning and overseeing P Week 2018!

COCA NEWS 9

Top North

Lockley/House

Oran O’Sullivan, Oscar Crisp

Natasha Kloppers

Roxane Mutschler

Commencement Dinner 2018

Our 2018 Commencement Dinner was a terrific night as the extended Cromwell community eagerly welcomed our 125 new first year students.

The evening included great food and entertainment, an Address from Ross our Principal, and the signing of the College Register.

Each RA proudly presented each of their “freshers” before they collectively read the College Promise. Cromwell is very fortunate to have such a great group of first year students and we warmly welcome each one of them!

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Andrew Betts, Brodie Johnson

Ben Johnson, Sam Lindsay

Mid Han

Bottom Dowling

Meredith Melvin, Geoffrey Lyhne

Michael Crome

Ethan Forge, Ross Switzer

Lillian Horneman-Wren COCA NEWS 11

Girls Place 2nd at ICC Swimming

The ICC Swimming Carnival saw droves of black and white supporters at the UQ Pool to support our Cromwell team.

The boys swam very well, including Callum Breetzke who injured himself (getting out of the pool!) just before the races began.

The girls put on a brilliant display taking out second place overall, beating other colleges with many more girls. The vocal crowd added to the atmosphere and was another great example of Crommie spirit in action!

Congratulations to Duchesne College and King’s College who won the girls and boys overall respectively.

Back L to R: Nick Jin, Marcus Colledge, Lachlan Hopgood, Callum Breetzke, Anna Cartwright, Cullam Wiseman, Ben Gibson Middle L to R: Dougal Stedman, Kaitlyn McNeil, Carla Newlands, Laura Brown Front L to R: Brayden Fearby, Sarah Mahony, Jacinta Thefs, Hannah Wynne, Belinda White, Amy Collins, Kim Gunther

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Old Boys / Freshers Rugby

Early in the Semester we saw our Fresher Boys take on the Old Boys in a traditional match to commence the college Rugby season.

The match saw large numbers from both teams negotiate the slippery conditions under lights in great spirit. The Old Boys ‘narrowly’ claimed victory by four tries, possibly due in part to the halves being just 25 minutes!

Most of the College came down in their black and white to support which added to the atmosphere.

Following the match, back at the college, the Old Boys presented the Freshers with their jerseys for the season, and enjoyed a short celebration of what was a terrific match played in the right spirit.

Congratulations to Lochy McArthur (Male Sports Convener), and Charlie Oliver, Sam Bebendorf and James Boyce (Fresher Rugby Conveners) for their work in organising a great night both on and off the field.

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Please contact us at stay@cromwell.uq.edu.au and we can tailor make a package for you

COCA NEWS 13

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COCA NEWS 15

Success in Negotiation Grand Final

Just before the mid-semester break Madeleine Jones and Zak Cassells (Old Boy) competed in the QUT 2018 Clayton Utz Negotiation Competition. This competition is designed to test the negotiating skills of law students in a practical environment, preparing them for their future legal professions.

Last year the pair competed in the competition as first years and progressed as far as the semi-finals, however; this year were awarded runners-up after defeating 50 other teams. The grand final was held at Clayton Utz’s offices (a leading Australian law firm) in Brisbane on Tuesday 27th March, and despite coming away without the trophy, the pair are extremely proud of their efforts.

They were inspired by the winners and encouraged by the representatives from Clayton Utz to continue competing.

Madeleine is currently in her second year of a Bachelor of Law (Honours)/Bachelor of Behavioural Science degree at QUT and Zak is also in his second year of a Bachelor of Law (Honours) at QUT, whilst also studying French at UQ. We wish the pair success in the future and can’t wait to see if they can take out the ultimate prize next year!

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BEL Networking Breakfast

On Wednesday the 18th of April, Cromwell hosted the first BEL Networking Breakfast of the year with guest Shea Spierings, Australia’s 2015 Youth Delegate to the United Nations. Shea is an expert networker, having met a number of very high-profile individuals through his early career. He is a young, easily relatable individual who provided great insight into how to network and take opportunities from the people you are connected with.

He sits on a number of advisory bodies including; the UN Inter-agency Network on Youth Development, Grata Fund’s Policy Advisory Council and the Community Advisory Council for the Brisbane North Primary Health Network.

In 2015 Shea was appointed by the Australian Government and UN Youth Australia to serve as the Australian Youth Delegate to the United Nations. During this appointment, Shea travelled across Australia consulting over 10,000 young Australians before travelling to New York to deliver Australia’s National Youth Statement at the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

As well as providing great insight into some of the ways to stand out as an applicant, Shea was able to discuss what it was like to work for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which was particularly insightful for some of the politics and international relations students who were invited too.

COCA NEWS 17

ANZAC Dinner 2018

On Tuesday 24th April the College held a formal dinner to commemorate, and reflect on, the importance of ANZAC Day. Mr Ben Cox was our guest speaker. Ben is the Fundraising, Marketing and Communications Manager at Legacy and attended the University of Queensland from 1998 - 2001 where he completed a Bachelor of Arts, Communication and English degree.

The theme of Ben’s talk was on the importance on keeping the ANZAC spirit alive which he did by speaking about four individual stories reflecting the impact of war on individuals. His message was also a very personal one. Ben’s father served in Vietnam as a conscript in the 1968 and 1969 transport platoon but later died of cancer as a result of his time in the service. Not long after Ben’s mum started drinking and smoking as her way of dealing with the grief resulting in her tragically dying two years later and leaving Ben as an orphan.

Ben indicated how lucky he was to be assisted at this point in his life by Allen, who was a legatee at Legacy. Allen acted as a much needed father figure during his adolescence.

“He was the guy who came in and did the simple things,” he said.

“He bought me shaving cream and a razor and I shared these experiences you are meant to share with your father, with a complete stranger.”

His own experience with Legacy was what inspired him to pursue what he is currently doing as an occupation.

At the commencement of the evening Dominic Purcell played a wonderful rendition of “And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda” by Eric Bogle, on the piano, and at the end of the evening Sam Luck played the Last Post on the trumpet.

Thank you to the kitchen staff for putting on a delicious themed dinner and to Ms Tania Dempsey for supplying some home-made poppy decorations for tables.

Ben Cox 18 COCA NEWS

Sam Luck

Aussies Aussies Aussies Sidney “Bermuda” Blake

Hey there! My name is Sidney Blake, or ‘Bermuda’ as I am more fondly known at Cromwell. Originally from Gladstone in Central Queensland, I moved to Brisbane this year to commence my tertiary education, studying a Bachelor of Business at the Queensland University of Technology.

Just recently, I made the 5 hour plane flight to Perth, WA, to compete in the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships – more commonly referred to as Aussies. This event is the most prestigious event in the Surf Life Saving competition season and one that all athletes, whether they be beach or water competitors, spend up to 48 weeks of the year training for. As a Viking Athletics athlete, I form part of the beachie strand of competitors from the Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club. Although this is only my second season competing for Currumbin (as I am originally from the Tannum Sands Surf Life Saving Club), the Beach Vikings have very quickly become a second family that I cherish. As part of this squad I have the privilege to train and compete alongside some of the greatest athletes in the sport, including World Beach Sprint champion, Olivia Eaton and Stawell Gift winner and this year’s Aussies Open Female Beach Sprint and Beach Flags champion, Elizabeth Forsyth.

As for me, I am still slowly working my way to glory, but am proud to say that I achieved top 10 in the U19 beach flags. As always, Aussies was an amazing experience and although I should be enjoying relaxing during the offseason, I am keener than ever to begin training for the season ahead.

COCA NEWS 19

Crommie Commie at the Velodrome Rebecca ‘Scoish Maloish’ Kolbe (2015 - 2016)

At the beginning of January I began my position with the Commonwealth Games as one of the venue logistics managers for the Anna Meares Velodrome.

Logistics - if you didn’t know, because I certainly didn’t - involves sourcing, delivering, moving and then moving again everything from bikes and barriers. As you can imagine, these movements pose a large variety of challenges. Whether it be jump starting a 22 pallet truck with another, frantically loading athlete equipment to ensure it left the country with its rider or jumping on a forklift for the first time under flood lights in the midst of a Queensland storm, the velodrome team supported me through it all.

All of these challenges, seem insignificant when compared to the montage of memorable moments the Games has given me. The most significant? Being perched on the edge of the finish line as the Aussie Mens Team won the 4000m pursuit on the first day of competition. The electric feeling when green and gold flash across the line first is infectious. To be part of the team that provided our athletes with this opportunity is now something I want to chase around the world.

My position with the Games has expanded my connections, future career prospects and professional development further than I possibly could have hoped. Perhaps more importantly, I have made life long friends, developed my confidence and realised my professional passion.

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Crommie Commie Games

Caitlin “Promotion” Finegan and Megan “Sojo” Ivey Recently, Megan and I performed in the opening ceremony for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Auditions for the ceremonies were held late last year and we were fortunate enough to be placed in a segment together. We were a part of the sunbathers on Surfer’s Paradise beach dancing with Rikki Lee to Technicolour Love, complete with a yellow Frisbee and giant green Lilo. A few weeks out from the ceremony we were also chosen to perform in the volunteer choir with Delta Goodrem singing her new song Welcome to Earth.

Rehearsals started at the beginning of February which had us making the trip to the Gold Coast twice a week and more as the games neared. The long drive, late nights and rehearsals were well and truly worth it though when it came to the night of the opening ceremony. It was amazing feeling for the both of us walking into the stadium about to perform in front of 1.5 billion people. We made lots of new friends and memories and now have a once in a lifetime opportunity to remember.

COCA NEWS 21

Cromwell Medal 2017

I remember when I first came to visit the UQ colleges for campus tours back in the middle of 2014. It was already on that afternoon that I had my heart set on going to Cromwell. I knew that it was the right place for me.

Back in my day, Cromwell withheld the offers of acceptance into the college until we were offered a place at university during the first offer rounds. It felt like time was dragging by as I, not-so-patiently, waited for January 15th. When the day finally came, I was much more excited about my offered place at the college than I was about my acceptance into UQ! I was a bit nervous on Fresher Sunday, which looking back now, I know I did not have to be. The O-Week program, which was put on by the leadership team, was so jam-packed and exciting that I didn’t even have a chance to give my Mum a call nearly all week. She had to call me herself to make sure I was still alive, and it was obvious that I had settled in exceedingly well.

Life at Cromwell was not only a conveniently close place in which to stay while at uni. Yes, it was possible to roll out of bed at 9:25am, grab a cheeky hash brown (or three), which Matthew and the kitchen staff would reliably provide each morning, and stroll into uni wearing socks and thongs, all the while still being on time to your 10am lecture. But life at Cromwell was so much more than that. Cromwell gave me the opportunity to become passionate in sports, such as rowing, or cultural events, such as One Act Play, which I would not have had the chance to take part in before. Before college, I would never have imagined dancing or singing in front of a big crowd, and then I found myself taking part in Dancefest and Choralfest for a third time.

I went from being an unknowing fresher, to an O-Week committee member in my second year, helping to integrate the new group of students. I found myself in situations such as purchasing bizarre items requested by DJs, when helping out with Bunker as a social committee member or having the opportunity to travel to Sydney to attend the annual NAAUC conference on behalf of the college. With the busy academic, sporting, cultural and social life at Cromwell, it wasn’t long before I approached my third year at the college. As the RA of Top Dowling, I got to experience the college from a slightly new perspective. I had the pleasure of providing friendship and advice to ten awesome girls, as well as enforcing the noise curfew when being woken up at 2am by the rowdy boys downstairs. To finish off my time at college, I had the honour of being awarded the Cromwell College Medal.

For three years I lived in TD, and in the “Cromwell Bubble”, where getting steak knives and common room fans in my second year, or the new pineapple juice and apple-guava juice in my third year were the latest breaking news. The most recent kills in Sock Assassin, the new frequently available poached eggs in second year or the new basil pesto in third year were the talk of the college. I witnessed the creation of Cromwellness Week in my second year, and the slow transition of people wearing thongs to Birks around the college. I lived through the loss of social events, such as second semester bunker, but the addition of new ones, such as Completion. I even got to experience Shannon Noll emerging from the Crommy kitchen during Cultural Dinner in my second year.

Despite the changes made to the buildings with new bathrooms, windows, stage lights and a renovated late meals area, the sense of home and community never changed. Cromwell was a great support network for me, and one of the places where I felt most at home.

Although, I am no longer a resident at Cromwell, they have not managed to scare me off yet! I am currently working as a non-residential staff back up (once again experiencing the life at Cromwell from another perspective), whilst completing my Honours year of a Bachelor of Psychological Science at UQ. Living with two other old Cromwellians, it is clear that although I have had to burst my “Bubble” and experience life outside of Cromwell, the friendships I formed and the experiences I have had whilst at college are for life.

Warm regards, Jannikka “Prebound” Balko (2015 - 2017) 22 COCA NEWS

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Africa via Cromwell to Europe Trevor“Erob” Pichanick (2002 - 03)

COCA recently caught up with Trevor Pichanick who is now living in Hamburg, Germany. You can find out more at www.trevorpichanick.com/ Where are you from originally and what made you choose Cromwell?

I grew up in Harare, Zimbabwe. My sister, Laura, went to Cromwell a couple of years before me. At the time, the political and economic situation in Zimbabwe was particularly unpredictable and I was anxious to get to university as fast as possible. I arrived at Cromwell shortly after my 17th birthday, acne-faced and making some seriously questionable fashion choices.

Years at Cromwell?

Just two. But if you count Boat Cruise, about 70.

Fresher Name?

‘Erob’, which is bore spelled backwards. Apparently my application was a bit of a snooze. Thankfully, the Fresher Committee was bursting with creativity.

What did you study?

My first year was spent completing UQ’s Foundation Year in lieu of my last two years of high school. I started a BSc in biomedical science before finding my home down the river at the Queensland Conservatorium, where I studied classical voice.

When did you first start performing?

I sang a lot as a boy soprano and was what my mother described as a ‘dramatic’ child. My first solo was at a church function where I sang one verse of Silent Night. The pastor’s wife said I sang out of tune, which is probably true considering I was 5 years old.

Do you have any musical influences?

The pastor’s wife, obvi. No, not really. The classical music world tends to value stylistic ‘correctness’ over originality, which is something that I have never quite understood. That’s one reason I developed a series of classical concerts called TABU (German for taboo). I’m inspired by artists who I feel are authentic - but that’s by no means limited to musicians.

Why are you living and working in Hamburg?

I work as a freelance concert and opera singer. I’ve also set up my own concert series working with artists from other genres like film, photography and design to present classical music in new constellations and non-traditional locations - last season we gave concerts in a swingers bar, a morgue and in the court house. I live in a squeaky apartment from the 1910s in a leafy and slightly snobby part of Hamburg. In my free time, I like to think up passive aggressive notes for my housemate and take long walks on the beach.

What’s been the best bit so far?

Singing at the Sydney Opera House for two years was pretty friggin’ cool. But actually the journey is the best bit: becoming a musician - something that for me will always be in process - demands a great deal of self-reflection and acceptance, and an awareness of the world around you. I think I’m a better person as a musician than I ever would have been as a doctor. As my close personal friend Ru Paul says, “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?”

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What are your longer term aspirations?

Sing in tune, for a start. I’ll be based in Milan for the next couple of years, so I intend to make the most of that, mostly in terms of eating. Wherever I am, I’d like to contribute to my community and have my say through art - as long as I have a platform to do that, I’m happy. And also, world peace and like, such as.

Do you see/keep in touch with other COCA alumni?

No, apart from my sister and her husband, Ben Day - hashtag ‘collegeromance’.

What advice would you give to other graduates?

Everyone has their own path, so I wouldn’t presume to give advice. But perhaps that would be my advice, particularly to students currently at Cromwell. Don’t be concerned with fitting in or whether or not you have enough ‘college spirit’ - this is your college experience and you get to define it.

You’re lucky to be at Cromwell, but Cromwell’s even luckier to have you.

COCA NEWS 27

CROMWELL COLLEGE Cromwell College Song Cromwell is the greatest College, Proved by every kind of test; Seeking for the highest knowledge, Aiming always for the best.

Generous when we have the victory, Gracious if we know defeat, This is Cromwell’s firm tradition; Freeing Spirit, our heartbeat!

God’s own Spirit brings us freedom Is the Motto we profess; It provides us inspiration, Gives us strength in times of stress.

Hail or shine we stick together, Whether near or far apart; Ever caring, true and loyal, We bear Cromwell in our heart.

The song is sung to the music of “Hymn to Joy” (92 in the Australian Hymn Book)

Editor

Tania Dempsey

COCA President Joanne Landmark CONTACT

Tania Dempsey or Joanne Landmark

EMAIL

coca@cromwell.uq.edu.au

ADDRESS

Walcott Street, ST LUCIA, QLD 4067

WEBSITE www.coca.net.au

www.cromwell.uq.edu.au

FACEBOOK

www.facebook.com/Cromwell.Old.Collegians.Association/