COCA News March 2004

NEWS

2 0 0 4

C R O M W E L L

C O L L E G E

Magazine

Within the University of Queensland

M A R C H

Issue 1

o Cca

Editor • Hugh Begbie • Volume 3 •

COME AND HAVE A BALL

THE CROMWELL COLLEGE GOLDEN JUBILEE DINNER DANCE Have you booked? Invitations are out, interest is high and seats are filling. Come to this most exciting and eagerly anticipated event. Join us for this special time in the history of the College.

Don’t wait, book now, numbers are limited. Any interested person is welcome. We have already had inquiries from grandparents of ex-Collegians and friends of the College. The invitation is for everyone including parents of current residents who want to visit Brisbane and celebrate with their offspring.

Any reason to come will do! You can dance the night away to the jazzy tunes of Faded Blues. You can enjoy scrumptious food and reminisce with your mates from years gone by. You can catch up with family or make new friends. Whatever you desire, whatever you feel comfortable doing, this is the event for you, a night to remember.

In the invitation we advertised that the Chancellor of the University of Queensland would be attending. Sadly he has withdrawn due to obligations in London. The Vice Chancellor, Professor John Hay has been invited.

Included in the celebration will be a PowerPoint presentation professionally prepared to reflect on the history of the College’s past 50 years. There will also be an official unveiling of a portrait of Rev Dr. G. Lindsay Lockley, the founding Principal of the College.

The Hilton Ballroom is undergoing a face-lift (just for us!) which will add to the grandeur of the evening and for those who wish to stay, the Hilton is offering reduced room rates at $175/night. When booking simply quote CRO 050604.

If $100 seems a lot please note that the College will not be covering all its costs with this price. The College is even covering the G.S.T so please don’t let the price stop you. Start saving now. We would love you to be there So what are you waiting for Cromwellians - round up your friends, partners,

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

interested parents, grandparents or friends of the College and organize a table of ten or just book yourself in before it is too late. Don’t miss out on this historic moment in the life of Cromwell College – your College.

If you did not receive an invitation please ring 3377 1232 or e-mail friends@cromwell.uq.edu.au.

The brand new Hilton Ballroom looks lonely and empty so let’s fill it on the 5th June! See you there!

What’s INSIDE President’s Report

2

Parents Letters

2

From the Principal

3

A New Member of Staff

3

Cromwell Renovations

4

Round Up

5,8,9

The First College Ball

6

Bacchylympics

7

College Open Day 6th of June

8

Previous Anniversaries

10

The Business Logic of the College

11

2004 ‘O’ Week

12

o Cca

From the COCA President As you are aware a dinner dance has been organized for the 5th June to celebrate 50 years of students at Cromwell and a Thanksgiving Service, and open day with lunch for Sunday the 6th June. So if you’ve never been to a COCA function before (or if you’re a regular attendee at College occasions) then this is a night (and weekend) not to be missed.

Get a group of friends together or just come on your own and meet up with a whole host of people who have fond memories of their College days.

It’s going to be fantastic!!!! See you there!!!!!

My wife Natacha and I have now made the move back to Brisbane (after a year in Cairns) and are preparing to join in this exciting year for Cromwell.

Apology In the invitations that went out for the Anniversary, some of the address names were printed in ways that were inappropriate and unintended.

If you did not receive the correct title or if your name was in the wrong order, we sincerely apologize.

Dr Stuart Bade

Happy Chappies It’s great to know that so many residents enjoy Cromwell and that their parents are thrilled with what is provided. Here are two examples of letters or emails received recently and used with permission: “We would like to offer our sincere thanks and appreciation to you, other members of the administration and staff of Cromwell College for your stewardship over the three years our son has been a resident. It has been a most rewarding and enjoyable experience for him and therefore us. We would also like to acknowledge friendship and support our son received from all levels of College. We wish the College well in its endeavours for the future and again thank you for the positive experience of our son’s Cromwell College years.”

And: “Our daughter was very disappointed that she is not able to come back (to Australia and Cromwell). I just want to say thank you for your kindness to my daughter. All of you there at the College have been really great. I visited there over your Spring break and found it so beautiful. Everything....everyone... God bless you and may he always be with you.”

(P.S has anyone done a spell check on ‘chappies’ lately? You get either ‘crappies’ or ‘chap pies’. So there’s some trivia for you. - ed)

COCA News 2004 • Page 2

From the

Principal

There is plenty of encouragement in this edition for you to come to the Anniversary so I am going to talk about something completely different - tolerance.

As friends of the College you would be aware that Cromwell has a reputation for being a good community. The residents here generally look after each other. This is great but I am aware that our society has developed a view of tolerance that is wrong, very dangerous and if allowed to infect the College could have a bad influence on its life. Let me explain.

Most people today define tolerance as ‘accepting other people’s beliefs’. I won’t go into the history of how this definition came about but it is totally misguided and condemns us all to silence. In effect it is saying that it is wrong for one person to disagree with another by suggesting that their beliefs might be wrong, misguided or untrue.

But imagine that I had the power to tie a rope around Nazi Germany and drag it through time and space to where we now live. Imagine that I asked you all to be ‘tolerant’ by accepting Adolph Hitler’s beliefs.

Immediately all your alarm bells would go off as indeed they should.

This illustration highlights the dangerous consequences of defining tolerance in relation to beliefs. The fact is that there are many wrong beliefs in the world, some of them very dangerous, and we have a responsibility to be discerning in relation to them. Tolerance does not mean accepting beliefs, it means respecting people. If we respect people then we can debate with them or disagree with them but our opposition will be respectful and appropriate.

It is a mark of a healthy community that its members can live respectfully and creatively together even if they have different views of the world.

Sometimes these differences lead to strong disagreement. If handled correctly these disagreements can lead to a better understanding for all involved; or at the very least it can lead to a growth in our capacity to live with grace and kindness towards each other.

One of the many radical comments that Jesus made was that we should ‘love our enemies’. In challenging us in this way he is pushing the logic of what I am saying to its logical conclusion. We will have enemies in the world but we can treat them in one of two ways. We can caricature

them, demonize, humiliate or coerce them. On the other hand we can respect and love them, grieving over the enmity and working hard to find ways to bring peace. This desire for peace does not mean that we must whitewash the differences or deny them. Solving the problem by ‘being tolerant’ in the modern sense will only expose us to the risk of being over-come by those who oppose us. As Neville Chamberlain sadly discovered prior to World War II, appeasement is not always appropriate - loving one’s enemy does not mean that they are no longer our enemy or that we should not stand against them.

We live in a dangerous world. It is made more dangerous because those of us who live in this country are being told that we cannot hold strong views, that we cannot oppose other views, that we must be tolerant. I have an obligation to love, but I also have an obligation to pursue the truth.

The modern view that truth is a personal choice and therefore I cannot oppose your ‘truth’ is nonsense and if we believe it we will find ourselves afraid to speak, trapped in a world of political correctness. It is time that the word tolerance was allowed to recapture its true meaning.

A new member of staff

Jane Thomas

Many of you would have spoken on the phone to Jane Thomas.

Jane has been employed on a 6 month contract to help organize the anniversary and improve the accuracy of our data base. Jane is a

graduate of University of Queensland B.BusMgmt with a double major in leisure and recreation management and events management. She is doing a wonderful job as those who have spoken to her would realize.

COCA News 2004 • Page 3

Do you need a FACELIFT? Cromwell College has done more maintenance work at one time over the last summer break than in many a long year. The exterior of the College has been re-painted, this time following the Cromwell colour theme. The windows are white with charcoal trim and the doors are post box red. It looks fantastic. In addition the interior corridors have been painted as has the Chapel. It was intended to paint the Junior Common Room but the flat roof (which should never have been built in this climate) leaked in the heavy rain and that problem has yet to be resolved.

WELL COLLEGE HAS HAD ONE...

Storm Damage

Further, all the wings have been re-carpeted and Energex has agreed to supply the College with its own transformer. In preparation the maintenance team did all the trench work and with the advice from Electrical Engineers laid two high and two low voltage cables. At the same time all the sewerage and storm water in that area was replaced and spare conduits put in just in case additional cables were needed for the future.

A Jacaranda with a twist break caused by a freak storm

laying the conduit for the cables

The trench digger at work

Once the transformer is in place, the College switch board will be replaced and this will enable the College to consider putting air-conditioning units in the Dining Room and Junior Common Room in December this year.

Emergency help for conference A Girls’ Brigade conference held every two years was due to be held on the Gold Coast but the venue rang at the last minute and said that it was unavailable due to delays in refurbishing.

Cromwell came to the rescue and helped accommodate 140 girls from all over Australia, during a heat wave and while the College was being repainted and re-carpeted. They loved it.

Two of the leaders of the camp

COCA News 2004 • Page 4

All of the refurbishment was taking place while Brisbane experienced heat wave conditions and wild storms. One storm ripped out a number of trees around the College though thankfully did little damage to buildings.

CHIT CHAT

Round Up

Karen Mundt (1996-1997)

Leanne Frømyhr (neè Bear) (1987)

“Shut up chicks!” I can still hear the guttural bellows of the Thatcher-Dowling boys urging us girls to quieten ourselves as if that time had not passed some eight years ago. From 1996 - 1997 I laid my head to rest in top Dowling and affectionately called Cromwell my home.

They say that a home is where the heart is; well I can safely say that Cromwell was my home for two years. The amazing group of people I shared my time with became my urban family from the day we met as scared little freshers and are still very much part of my life. Whilst we are scattered over the world in our chosen professions, me in Japan, Jen Meadows and Bea Plant in Brisbane, Cecilia Grundy in Toowoomba, Kirstin Jones and Grace Rose-Miller in Scotland and Peta Vincent on her way there, we still share the common and unbreakable bond of being Crommie girls. Cromwell was and still is more to me than a college, more than a place to live while passing my university days, I am a part of its history and it is a part of my heart.

Violinist/Composer Leanne was born in Stawell Victoria, grew up in Hervey Bay Queensland, and studied at Queensland University. In 1994, she went to Europe and performed some of her works, finally landing in London to study further.

Upon returning to Brisbane in 1996, met Tor Frømyhr a violinist and lecturer and married 6 months later. The New Year brought a move to Canberra where she now lives with Tor and their 2 beautiful children Gabriel Bjørn (24/07/01) and Lillian Eleanor .(27/08/03). Leanne and Tor enjoy a fruitful performing career in the Canberra Symphony Orchestra and such events as the recent Mt Buller Chamber Music School where they tutored and performed. Leanne has just won an Arts Council grant to develop and perform her multi-arts work “Fluffy Purple Violins”. Not much time for hobbies these days helping two babies to discover the wonders of life, but loves skiing, dancing, and artistic pursuits.

Viva Crommie!!

Karen Mundt Okayama, Japan

Leanne Frømyhr with her husband Tor and children Bjørn and Lillian.

Alison Fletcher (1998-2000) Cecilia Grundy, Karen Mundt, Jen Meadows, Kirstin Jones

The 50th Anniversary Dinner - a great place to catch up with friends!

Dr Dhugal Lindsay (1989-1990)

I was at Cromwell from 1998-2000. Six years on and I can still remember my first day of college. My first words with new friends, first formal dinner, the beginning of what will be a lifetime of fantastic memories. So many fabulous people in the one college, it was a privilege to be part of Cromwell and the tradition that continues. Now, even though I’ve moved away from many of those friends, the

Dhugal, who was reported in a previous edition as receiving international awards in haiku poetry and who is also an internationally renowned expert in marine research manned submersibles and remotely operated vehicles, has received the 2003, UQ Alumnus of the Year award. Congratulation Dhugal.

bond we share remains steadfast. There’s no distance, no span of time that can break relationships forged at college and I will forever love spending time with the wonderful people I met during those years. There’s nothing more comforting than calling a friend who knows your past and wants to be part of your future and frankly I wouldn’t trade the Cromwell friends I have for anything!

(Alison is currently a journalist working at WIN Television on the Sunshine Coast.

Prior to this she was a reporter for WIN in Cairns) Ben (1994-1998)and Kerylea Kenway (nee Lester 1995-1997) Ben graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education.

I graduated in the same year with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology. Ben then taught at Ipswich High for four years. I worked as a speech pathologist at Grafton Base Hospital for a year and then moved back to Brisbane, working at MontroseAccess and a private practice for the next three years. We were married in September 2001 at gorgeous Montville and honeymooned in the Whitsundays.

In early 2003 Ben was transferred to Proserpine High and I secured a job with Education Queensland providing speech pathology services to the Whitsundays.

Not by choice, but it is strange how things work out. So if our old Cromwell mates are ever passing by please stop to say hello. We would love to catch up with you. You can phone us on 0408788959 or email ben.kerylea@bigpond.com. Bye for now, Kerylea and Ben. Peter Townsend (1991 -1995) I am getting married in July this year to Kristy Brosnan. I met her at a bunker in my third year (This memory is a little hazy) and met her again 4 years later in a country pub and that was 8 years ago. Getting married in Toowoomba, St Stephens

Round Up continued on page 8

COCA News 2004 • Page 5

Helen Begbie

Memorial Bursary Thanks to a very generous donation from an Ex-Collegian the Helen Begbie Memorial Bursary has been used for the first time. The recipient has had her heart set on University and living in College for many years but in recent months her father developed cancer and is not longer able to meet the financial needs of the family. The following is an edited extract from a letter the Principal received from the family. It is quoted with permission.

“My husband’s cancer diagnosis has indeed been a tremendous blow for us in many ways - too many to write about here (and having been down the same road you, yourself would know only too well the repercussions of such a diagnosis) - however it has also provided us with

so many opportunities and allowed us to meet/come into contact with wonderful kindhearted people with whom under normal circumstances we would not have any dealings. Please note that I consider yourself and your team amongst this ‘wonderful’ crew. You provided our daughter with something we were unable to give her at this special time in her life and for that we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

It is indeed a tremendous honour to be able to say that she was the first recipient of the Helen Begbie Memorial Bursary.

Our only regret is in respect to the bursary is that we did not have the privilege of knowing Helen herself. I trust that our daughter will accept this gift with the same grace, faith and courage that Helen so bravely fought her cancer with.

The late Helen Begbie after whom the Bursary is named

The First College Ball 4th August 1954

On 4th August 1954, the first Cromwell College Ball was held in the Hall (now the Sir Ernest Savage Junior Common Room) with all students and many Board members attending.

They were greeted by the Principal G. L. Lockley and his wife Mrs Lockley and Mr Des Yesberg, President of the Association with his partner, Miss Nancy Harvey (later to become Mrs Yesberg). Those were the days of full ball gowns, gloves and corsages for the women, dinner suits (if possible) for the men.

Dances were traditional - waltzes, quicksteps, foxtrots with the odd tango or samba proving a little more energetic. Each woman had a program complete with miniature pencil to record the “bookings” for each dance how devastating to have an incomplete program!

COCA News 2004 • Page 6

Supper was served between dances 9 & 10. It probably consisted of sandwiches, cake and soft drink - it was, after all 1954, when alcohol at dances was not officially sanctioned by either government or college authorities and when the College was still ‘officially’ dry.

In keeping with the theme of the first ball, our Golden Jubilee Dinner/ Dance 50 years on will include some of the same dances. Ladies you had better look your best because the dance program might just make a comeback! It’s all about keeping with tradition. Our very own Principal Begbie is taking classes to polish his moves on the dance floor (mind you he needs them so don’t get too

excited). You can too for free online at www.dancetv.com if you want to improve or simply learn a few steps in preparation for the big night in June.

Barbara Lockley (Merefield) and Don McKenzie at the first Cromwell Ball

memorable. The truck duly returned at the appointed time and everyone arrived back at College just as dinner was about to commence.

Bacchylympics “It Looks Like the Bacchylympics held in 1965 weren’t the first of its kind.”

From Mike Knowles (1957-1960)

It was heart warming to read the last edition but one of COCA NEWS and see the prominence given to the forthcoming 50th Anniversary Celebrations which I hope will draw ex-Cromwellians together in large and enthusiastic numbers. In stimulating memories of College days I should also like to congratulate the COCA editor on giving frontcover prominence to an event such as the1965 Bacchylympics, complete with a shot of its active participants in a photograph which was presumably taken at the beginning rather than the end of this festivity. Events of this kind in their day played a strong bonding role in the life of the College and for this reason it may be of interest to relate a little to the history of this activity.

Its forerunner was a similar event called the Bush Olympics which was held in 1959 during the last few weeks of the academic year when exams were just around the corner. It was under these conditions that the idea caught on of having the last fling of the year. Since the consumption of alcohol on the premises was forbidden the plan was to hold the Olympics well away from College in a bush location. A truck was hired to take everyone there and back so there would be no risk of drink-driving. It was also agreed that on returning no one would go to dinner that night because of the expected condition that everyone would be in.

Indeed, this broad script was followed pretty much to the letter. The day got off to a pleasant start with everyone yarning while the truck arrived, the trip to the bush site was good fun, that distinctive taste of the first beer of the day was relished, and then the Olympics part of the day began in earnest with several events of which tossing the caber, a suitably selected log, was perhaps the most

At this point, with no one having eaten since breakfast, the smell of food emanating from the dining hall was irresistible. Someone shouted “I’m going to dinner”, and that was the end of it.

There was a stampede to the rooms, academic gowns were dragged from their hangers and wrapped around clothes reeking of alcohol, and the Olympians trooped into the dining hall. The hub-hub always present with the anticipation of food being served ceased immediately, and a total hush fell over the whole room. All eye contact throughout the entire dining hall was lost, everyone looked for ages and ages only at the food on the plate in front of them and, as the meal progressed, the silence became firstly painful and then agonising. Eventually, mercifully, the desert plates were cleared away and it was time for coffee. Soon it would be over, and the end was in sight.

All of us who had participated in the Bush Olympics were fearful for the whole of the meal that we would disgrace ourselves either by spilling food on our gowns or making too much noise with the cutlery and crockery on the glass table-tops. Given the length of the day and the amount of alcohol consumed, it was no mean feat to call upon the degree of coordination that was required to avert disaster. To give an illustration of this, as coffee was placed before one of the members of our table, he raised the cup to his lips and tilted it to begin drinking. His eyes were closed at this stage, and instead of the coffee entering his mouth, it was trickling down either side of his chin and falling in two small streams into the saucer below.

Perhaps because of the effort that had to be exercised under these circumstances, ours was one of the slowest and thus last tables to be completely served with coffee.

As was the practice on Sunday nights, coffee was always served at table by one of its members. This night one of the first year students volunteered for the job.

During the day he had thrown himself completely into the spirit of the Bush Olympics and had enjoyed the occasion as much as anyone. During dinner, however, his anxiety level must have also been as high as anyone, but as he had been able to summon up sufficient control over himself to serve everyone on our table without spilling a single drop of coffee, he must have relaxed a little too much when coming back to the table with his own cup of coffee on his last sortie. As he spun around the chair at the end of the table to get to his seat, he took the corner too fast and his feet slipped straight out from beneath him. When his full weight hit the floor the impact rattled every piece of cutlery and every piece of crockery on every glass-toped table in the entire dining hall. As the din subsided, silence again descended over the whole room. Whereas before it had been agonising, now it was unbearable.

Before closing this anecdote it is perhaps fitting to finish by acknowledging the role the Principal played during this dinner episode. The Reverend Lockley was a man who was widely respected throughout College but a dinner of this kind would have presented him with a considerable challenge as to how to respond to it. If he over-reacted he would run the risk of alienating a large section of the College who had not broken a single one of its rules and had organised an event off College premises with the best will in the world. If he under-reacted he would be in risk of losing the respect of both the student body and the Senior Common room. As it was, he handled the occasion with deft touch. His decision not to pursue the matter after the event but put it in the past is one that several Principals could have taken, but not many would have had the presence of mind to cut all conversation on the High Table and use silence as a way of indicating total disapproval of the situation confronting him. The result of this was twofold. Firstly, as indicated above, it enacted a level of pain upon all of us that was worse than torture. Secondly, the wisdom and skill he displayed on this occasion enhanced his already substantial reputation.

COCA News 2004 • Page 7

Round Up Sunday 6th June BRING YOUR MEMOROBILIA It is hoped that the whole weekend will be a cause for celebrations.

Following on from Saturday evening’s dinner the College is having its Open Day. Everybody is invited, including friends and family members of past, present and future students. A thanksgiving service will be held at 10.00 am at which the Moderator of Queensland Synod of the Uniting Church, Rev Allan Kuchler will speak.

This will be followed at 11.30 am by a buffet lunch prepared by our very own College chefs.

There will be a modest display of past photos and some memorabilia including past trophies. Please feel free to send in or bring on the day any memorabilia you have to share with us.

Come to visit the College, feel the power of nostalgia as you wander through the corridors, visit your old room or identify those friends whom you haven’t seen in years (it’s a bit scary how much they can change) and book a place for lunch using the invitations that were sent at the beginning of the month.

If you did not receive an invitation please ring 3377 1232 or email friends@cromwell.uq.edu.au.

COCA News 2004 • Page 8

Round Up continued from page 5

The late May Hancock An obituary on the late May Hancock was printed in The Courier-Mail on the 5th December 2003. There was a particular emphasis on her philanthropic generosity describing her as one of Australia’s biggest private benefactors. The article said: “Mrs Hancock was recognized for her philanthropic work by an Order of the British Empire in 1972. At the time of her death she was actively supporting more than 20 community organizations.

own business. We’re also becoming more involved in the community of our church.

We recently found ourselves in need of a J.P, which took us to Cromwell - we didn’t expect to get our photo taken! But we did enjoy catching up with Hugh Begbie and George McPherson, and seeing the physical improvements to the college.

Our time at Cromwell will always have a special meaning for us. The college community played a very important role in our university years, and we made some enduring friendships. And we keep coming across other Cromwellians in the most unexpected places!

Joel and Vivienne Corney (1992-1995) A brief history of the Corney family: Vivienne (nee Duffy) and I were married in 1996 in Cromwell College chapel, the year after our graduation and with Doc. Krohn as the celebrant. Vivienne went to work for an engineering firm in the city, while I completed my PhD in physics. In 1999, we moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, where I had a postdoctoral position (in ‘nonlinear optics’). Living in a strange land had lots of unexpected challenges, but we do treasure the experience. For one thing, our first son, Ethan was born while we were there. After a couple of years, we were looking forward to coming home to the familiar, and to introducing Ethan to the rest of his relatives. So I managed to get a research job at UQ and we moved back to Brisbane in 2002. Our second son, Samuel, was born later that year.

At this point in our lives, we are happy to start putting down some roots - we are settling into our house, Ethan has just started kindergarten, and Vivienne is getting to know the other Mum’s in the neighbourhood, as well as establishing her

Samuel, Vivienne, Ethan and Joel Corney Gordon Roseler (1964-1968 and Board Member for many years) The photo of the launching of RoCoca in the April 2003 issue of COCA NEWS brought back a few memories and the story is worth telling. Prior to the late 80s the Student Association had made several approaches to the Board seeking support to buy another second hand shell, but the lack of funds always seemed in an insurmountable hurdle.

Cromwell’s previous boat the Norm Hirst had been purchased from Brisbane Grammar more than fifteen years earlier and it had been the pride of all rowers who participated in any ICC rowing event. At that time, the Association had about $1500 in their petty cash which was ear marked for a ‘special project’ and although the thought of a new rowing shell was first and foremost in the students’ minds the slush fund always fell short of the mark. So the Association undertook the ambitious task of sourcing

the options. As the eights were too expensive we concentrated on the fours and aimed for a new state of the art racing shell with matching oars.

It was all a bit daunting when you consider how much money we needed but we all wanted to believe that with enough support and good will we would succeed.

The target was a little under $10,000 and the shell was one of the best we could find, with a laminated Kevlar core hull made by Ted Hale and a set of light weight German Dryiessigacker carbon fibre oars - the sort that our Olympians were currently using.

The Association finally sourced some extra money from the ‘tuck shop’ and managed to lift their contribution to $2,000. As days turned into weeks seeking support from the ‘Old Boys’ of the 60’s we were still a few hundred dollars short of the target. So I made a personal approach to John Hancock for help. He, like May, was always happy to give a hand and agreed to make up the shortfall. I also recall that a couple of other Governors added their support but I can’t remember their names. Through the support of the Student Association, the Old Collegians Association and The Board of Governors, we finally made the purchase of the racing shell.

Late in 1988, the order of the composite Kevlar shell was completed and the oars ordered. The new four and oars arrived during the first semester of 1989 and was displayed outside the dining room during Orientation Week. May Hancock was invited to do the honours and launch the boat at a special ceremony on the Uni Boat Ramp. A few ‘Old Boys’ were lucky enough to get a row on its maiden voyage.

It is sad to hear that Ro Coca is no longer in service.

Gordon Roseler (It may interest Gordon and others to know that the College has entered an agreement with UQ Sport to manage its rowing and supply its boats. This will be done in conjunction with other colleges,

managed professionally and with shells that will be fully maintained, turned over every three years but used also by the Rowing Club of UQ Sport. Hopefully, this will solve the rowing problem over the long-term. Ed)

Peter Kidd (1997-2000) Three years have passed since I left Cromwell and I certainly wouldn’t have predicted my current circumstances. I am an English / Science / SOSE teacher at King’s Christian College on the Gold Coast and enjoy seeing High School students growing to become tomorrow’s leaders. I attend Reedy Creek Baptist Church, recently bought a house in Nerang and now feel at home on the Coast. It would be great to hear from fellow Cromwellians at petekidd@optusnet.com.au.

At the end of last year, I moved back and approached a large law firm with some fresh ideas and concepts about opening a new Conveyancing Company.

On the 16th of February 2004, we opened “House of Bricks Conveyancing Lawyers” and it’s all going swimmingly well!

I’m now based in Maroochydore, though travelling around alot for work.

I’d really love to hear from any fellow Cromwellians and if any of you need some free advice on buying or selling property, send me an email to melissas@houseofbricks.com.au. The offer extends to anyone associated with Cromwell.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Melissa Schembri

Melissa Schembri Wedding of Mara Christa On the 6th December, Mara Christa, daughter of long-serving Board member Professor Boris Christa, married Greg Rogencamp. The ceremony was conducted by the Principal, Rev Hugh Begbie and was held in the College Chapel.

Hello to all Cromwellians of 1997, I hope you are happy and doing well!

A small update on my past 7 years...

After graduating from my Law & Arts degree in 2000, I caught the Olympic fever and moved to Sydney to practice with a city firm specialising in property law.

Sydney was a great career and life experience but after a few years the call of Queensland became too loud to ignore.

From the left, Rev Hugh Begbie, Professor Boris Christa, Mara and Greg

COCA News 2004 • Page 9

PREVIOUS

College Anniversaries As we move into our 50th anniversary year it is worth recalling the wide variety of celebrations which have been part of past anniversaries and the sense of pride in the college which inspired them.

10 Years In 1964 the Principal produced a booklet, Grads and Undergrads and Fellows. The booklet was designed to give an informal history of the foundation and first ten years of the College. We believe that no formal celebrations were arranged.

25 years It wasn’t until the year 1979, Cromwell’s 25th anniversary, that the College celebrated in style. To mark the Silver Jubilee, six events were spread throughout the year to showcase Cromwell’s proud history, allow new students to mingle with past students and fundraise for those less fortunate.

On the 18th February an orientation dinner was held to welcome new students. Board members and some Old Collegians also attended the dinner. The Foundation Principal spoke on the background to the establishment and development, helping to instill in the students a sense of pride in their new home.

On the 11th March a Thanksgiving Service was held and included representatives from other University Colleges, the University Senate, church representatives and past and present students.

On the 28th April a Jubilee Ball was held at the Milton Tennis Centre.

COCA News 2004 • Page 10

—

The Principal The Rev. Dr. H. Clive Krohn

THE LOYAL TOAST

—

The President of the Cromwell Old Collegians’ Association Dr. E.D. McKenzie

GREETING

—

The Deputy Premier and Treasurer The Hon. Dr. L. R. Edwards

TOAST TO THE COLLEGE—

The Chairman of the Board Dr. R.E. Chapman

WELCOME & GRACE

THE DINNER

REPLY and HISTORICAL —

The Rev. Dr. G. Lindsay Lockley

AU REVOIR

—

Dr. E.D. McKenzie

BENEDICTION

—

The Rev. Dr. H. Clive Krohn

FOOTNOTE

THE G. LINDSAY LOCKLEY FUND DINNER

A copy of the original program from the 25th Jubilee Fund Raising Dinner.

On the 5th June a formal dinner and Chapel Service was organized. Among the guests were a number of the first students to enter Cromwell. One of the prayers used went as follows: “O God, whose will it is that we should know the truth, and that the truth should make us free; give us sincerity in our questioning, honesty in our conclusions, and courage in our obedience. Let not the love of the old blind us to that which is new, nor love of novelty lead us away from the things which endure; but as we seek, help us to know that we have been found, that you who have called us are also working in us, and will continue with us to the end. This we pray though him by whom came grace and truth, even Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen” In September a Student Disco was arranged to raise funds for the publication of the Jubilee Protector.

Approximately $800 was raised.

On the 4th December a Fund Raising Dinner was held to establish the Lockley Fund to assist students in temporary financial need. It was recorded that $1700 was raised.

30 years 1984 proved a relatively quiet year as far as celebrations go, however it was the year that the Carmody Wing was renamed. This wing was originally built as accommodation for livein domestic staff and later used as student accommodation. The building was completely refurbished to provide en suite accommodation for visiting scholars and senior members of the University community. On the 3rd June a ceremony took place and the Moderator of the Uniting Church Queensland Synod, the Rev Alan Kidd, officially renamed the wing “The G. Lindsay Lockley Wing” as a

tribute to the foundation principal of the College the Rev Dr. G. Lindsay Lockley.

THE

business logic The college OF

The Rev Dr. G. Lindsay Lockley

40 years On the 5th June 1994, a service and lunch was organized, with several of the original members of the College in attendance, as well as many others.

Much reminiscing took place.

50 years The Golden Jubilee of the arrival of the first residents is now upon us with the big weekend of celebrations planned for the 5th and 6th June.

In 1979 it was stated: “It is hoped that these celebrations will infuse new life into the College and launch it on an ambitious path for the next 25 years” Much the same could be said for the weekend of the 5th and 6th June 2004. This is a weekend that shares similar dreams and aspirations as those expressed in 1979.

If you have read previous editions of COCA NEWS you would be aware that the local, state and federal governments have been seeking to increase their income from Colleges by increasing rates, charges and taxes. This seems to be consistent with their attitude to the whole not-for-profit sector as witnessed by the recent decision of the Salvation Army to withdraw from aged care. The tax and regulation pressures are getting too difficult to manage and much church related care is being forced into the commercial market. In relation to colleges, the policies of all levels of government over the past 5 years (particularly in Brisbane) have had a huge impact on their costs and consequently, their fees.

The College’s core responsibility is to its residents. But this cannot be done well unless the College is in a healthy financial state. It must strive, therefore, to deal with these changes to maximize its ability to carry out its core responsibility. The College therefore must structure its fees to cover all costs, not only tax, and operating costs but also those related to depreciation and asset replacement. The College has been doing this for a number of years and is accumulating the necessary cash to make real changes.

In addition, the College must seek to broaden its income base. It can do this in a number of ways. One idea is to seek to build another parallel accommodation centre similar to Campus Lodge. Campus Lodge and any future self-catered centre provide additional income but do not impact on the core task of looking after the basic undergraduate population. A second requirement is that the College increase its capacity to utilize

its assets in non-academic time.

This is particularly true in July and December/January/February.

That is why it is so important to air-condition the Dining Room and provide more comfortable conditions for summer.

Finally, the College must manage its costs, not by doing things cheaply but by doing them well. One area where costs could be reduced but requires the co-operation of other Colleges is in the sharing of assets such as PABX’s. This has not been done to date and it is taking time to convince the other colleges that this is the way to go. Technological changes may make this easier to achieve in days to come.

There is, however, one thing the College needs to do but cannot do even if it operates efficiently. While it can and does maintain and upgrade its current assets, and can even borrow for new income producing assets, it does not have the capacity to knock down and replace existing buildings. Cromwell will need to find the money to do this one day.

Some of the current blocks have timber floors and are not designed to modern fire standards. The rooms are too small and the furniture is not designed for modern computer monitors. In addition, the College has a paucity of tutorial, lecture and board room space but again building such facilities does not produce significant income. That is why we look for help to those who have benefited previously from the College. If we can raise additional capital through giving and bequests we can consider some of these necessary but non-viable options.

COCA News 2004 • Page 11

O Week

2004

Some of the patrons

Some drenched freshers

Lining up for the ten legged fresher race. You can see the hats but you can’t see the colour.

It’s fluorescent pink.

The College “Security” at the “Casino” night

Due to a high turnover of third and fourth years in 2003 the ‘fresher’ intake of 2004 was the largest in 8 years. It was a great week, well led and with no complications.

The Principal with a group of first years and leaders at Gyatt Park

After climbing Mt Coot-tha

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