COCA News May 2014

CROMWELL COLLEGE

Principal

To the Cromwell Community Another successful year is certainly well under way here at Cromwell. One hundred and four new first year students were welcomed; one hundred and forty three returning students joined them; and all have since become fully immersed in an extensive array of activities, events and most importantly the community spirit here that is uniquely Cromwell.

Magazine

Within The University of Queensland

NM a Ey W S 2014

From the

• Issue 1

o Cca

Editor • Donna Howett • Volume 16

This year we welcomed two new staff. Mrs Francine Huestis (Business and Development Manager) commenced on 17 March, and has already made a very positive contribution to the culture and management of the College.

Fran’s financial qualifications, experience in the tertiary sector generally, her personable character and her ability to relate to people at Cromwell at all levels, have allowed her to settle quickly, earn respect, and begin critiquing some of our current practices, offering advice for change and improvement.

I pay tribute to Ms Sarah Brewer (Assistant to the Business and Development Manager) whose exemplary work ethic, qualifications and superior skills enabled her to act in the financial components of the role of Business Manager for four months prior to Fran’s commencement.

What’s INSIDE

From the Principal 1 Mrs Francine Heustis, Mr Neil Yarrow and Ms Sarah Brewer

Mr Neil Yarrow joined the maintenance team this year and has impressed all with his skills, exuberance, and his solid commitment to serve the College well.

Neil is a welcome addition to our staff team.

Cromwell received the outstanding news recently that Mr Geoffrey White (Student Adviser Academic / Pastoral) has been awarded a University Medal. Geoffrey is well known throughout the College for his

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

From the Student President 4 From the Dean of Students - P-Week 5 O-Week 7 College News 9 Chit Chat Round Up 11

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 head of the Cromwell family to bear Oliver Cromwell’s personal arms, a lion argent rampant on a field of sable.

MOTTO VBI SPIRITUS 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.”

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 out heart.

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

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

EDITOR Editor - Donna Howett PRINTING & DISTRIBUTION Blue Star Go cnr Hood St & Services Rd The University of Queensland ST LUCIA QLD 4072

superior academic credentials and associated accurate and well considered advice and support to the students. To be eligible for nomination for a University Medal, a student must have qualified for the degree (which may be a subsequent degree) with first class honours; and achieved a quality of performance throughout the program above and beyond that required for the award of first class honours. Geoffrey’s degree was Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours, with majors in Peace and Conflict Studies and Studies in Religion. His GPA was 7.0. Only the top 1% of bachelor degree graduates in the relevant faculty may be nominated. Currently, a minimum GPA of at least 6.55 including all courses contributing to the relevant program is required.

The award of University Medal is approved by the Vice Chancellor. This is a well deserved award for Geoffrey, and one with which the whole College shares his celebration.

The College is proud to welcome a new addition to the Board of Governors, Professor Monique Skidmore. Following UQ conducting a highly competitive international search, Professor Monique Skidmore was appointed as the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Mr Greffory White (International). Professor Skidmore was formerly Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International and Major Projects) at the University of Canberra, a role she had held since 2010. Prior to this, from 2008, Monique was Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design at the University of Canberra. Monique brings significant academic and senior leadership experience to the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) building on the considerable strengths of UQ’s international portfolio.

Monique holds a BA (Hons) and B.Sc from the Australian National University and an MA and a PhD in Medical Anthropology from McGill University.

Between 1992 and 2007, she held academic positions at McGill University, the University of Melbourne and the Australian National University and was a Rockefeller Visiting Fellow at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. In 2007, Monique was Associate Dean, Research, College of Arts and Social Sciences and tenured research fellow at ANU. In addition to her strong academic and leadership credentials, Monique speaks Spanish, French and Burmese. Professor Skidmore commenced at UQ on 3 March 2014 and has already made a valuable contribution in her role as a member of the Cromwell College Board of Governors.

Mr Tim Courtice (Deputy Chairperson) of the Board of Governors resigned his position this year after over thirty years dedicated service to the Board. Tim’s involvement with Cromwell in fact goes further back as he was as student here in the 1960’s, and more recently a parent of two Cromwell students.

His expertise, commitment and support will be missed by all associated with the College. Dr Janet Porter was elected unopposed as the new Deputy Chairperson.

Over the last summer student vacation period, construction of the new Dining Room Deck commenced. After much consultative planning throughout last year, and some minor delays in the ensuing construction period, the final product has received a universal big tick of approval from students and staff alike. The students enjoy their meals in this modern and well furnished alfresco setting, which has quickly become a welcome addition to the Dining Room. Separate to the Dining Room Deck project has been extensive landscaping work carried out between the Dining Room Deck and Hood Street. New paths, spacious lawn, new shrubs and colourful lighting have all combined to create a welcome ambience, especially in the evenings.

The celebration of new facilities often leads to reflection of the past, and a significant historical milestone is about to occur in relation to the College.

On Thursday 6 June this year, early in the afternoon, it will be sixty years exactly since the first fifteen men moved into “Thatcher Wing” beginning student life at Cromwell College. There will be an informal but very special lunch held on that day and time to commemorate this historic occasion. Invitations have been sent to all past students on record from the 1950’s.

Next month will see the first group of Cromwell students embark upon the first stage of an ambitious and ongoing community service project in Zambia.

Working at the “Village of Hope” near Mongu in the remote and desperately needy Western Provence, seven students will use their pastoral, academic and practical skills to affect tangible and meaningful change in one of the most isolated and impoverished places on Earth. The tyranny of distance, lifelong benefit and personal growth and development for the students involved in the project is inestimable.

New Dining Room Deck

There is no doubt that the spirit of Cromwell continues to be alive and well this year, and I encourage you to read in the following pages the various reports that detail many student activities of the past few months. “Opportunities Now – Benefits for Life” is certainly being lived out daily at Cromwell in 2014!

Ross A Switzer PRINCIPAL / CEO

Zambia Service Program Group

COCA News 2014 • Page 3

From the Student President It

It seems like just yesterday when over 100 nervous students made their way down the Cromwell driveway on the first Sunday morning of O-Week. Now, it is somewhat unbelievable to think we are beginning to approach the end of semester, with exams just around the corner. I must admit this year has flown by and personally I couldn’t be happier with the way the year has begun; with every single student that began at Cromwell in 2014 seeming to have integrated excellently. The vibe around the College and the amount of pride and Crommie Ticker shown by all students is amazing to see, showing just how proud we are to be here at Cromwell.

After a long summer away from both College and University, I think I speak on behalf of the leadership team for 2014 in saying we just could not wait for both Preparation Week (P-Week) and O-Week to begin and to get back into the swing of things. Following a full review of last year’s O-Week data from freshers, and guidance from the Principal regarding the Board of Governors’ Policy, P-Week this year, beginning on the 16th February, was orchestrated by our Dean of Students, Nathan Croft, in a very different way than previous years. This year, the leadership team did a ‘dry-run’ of O-Week each morning of P-Week in order to fully prepare us for the week to come. The leadership team was enthused to participate in order to ensure we were able to run the best Orientation Week possible. After many team building activities, leadership workshops and activities designed to push us out of our comfort zone, the leadership team ended P-Week with a positive attitude, ready for the influx of freshers and what was to be a very successful week.

Our O-Week convenors Charles “YOLO” Powell and Robert “Winta” Snedden dedicated an incredible amount of time over their summer holidays to plan and organize O-Week. It is them, with the support of the staff and student leadership team and in particular the O-Week committee that must be congratulated on running such a smooth and successful week. Whilst O-Week can be challenging it is designed to bring together our fresher cohort and introduce them into university and college life, but most importantly each other. It is the first step in laying down the foundations of friendships that will last a lifetime. The fundamental goal of integrating every new student was certainly achieved, which is evident by the feel of the College from the first half of semester.

The Social Convenors have also done a tremendous job in the organizing and running of all the social events so far, which kick started with Closed Bunker on the Friday of O-Week. This event is a great chance for the freshers to meet all returning students and past alumni and the night was definitely a great success. The “Under the Stars“ themed Open Bunker shortly followed and saw the boys working tirelessly over their summer to guarantee such a successful night. The standard has certainly been set for the remainder of the year and after the somewhat flawless running of both O-Week and the social events; it certainly excites me for the next semester.

Sport at Cromwell this year has also hit the ground running; with not only high participation in supporting Cromwell but also involvement in so many sports. A special mention must go to both the girls netball team and the fresher rugby side, both having one of the most sensational starts to the season seen in many years. Cromwell is known to be one of the most competitive and best co-educational colleges on a sporting front and it is somewhat due to our attitude of participation and wanting everyone to 2014 Students’ Association Executive have a go that we From left to right: Phoebe Pincus, Benjamin McNamara, Weston Wright, Verity Smith, Vladyslav Dobroskok, Jessica Fuller, Shannon Pool, Matthew Ambrose, Daniel Henalla, Robert Snedden and Annabelle Harbison succeed.

COCA News 2014 • Page 4

The year has also started off strongly culturally, with a magnificent performance by Jemimah “Clink“ Thompson at both Cromwell and College Idol. Lots of Cromwellians headed down to the Red Room to watch and support Jemimah as she represented Cromwell, which was certainly magnificent to see. The debating team also began their season very strongly and credit must go the cultural convenor Matthew “Forhead“ Ambrose for the enthusiasm he has instilled in so many at Shave For A Cure Cromwell to get down and support at all the cultural events. He must also be congratulated for putting together the recent Boat Cruise, an amazing night on the Brisbane River which seemed to be thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Shannon “Matrisse“ Pool has also been fantastic so far this year, not only for her efforts with the Cromwell merchandise but also for the organization of Shave for a Cure for 2014. This year Cromwell managed to raise roughly $3000, a similar amount to last year and it was incredible to see such a large amount of people come down to the dining hall to support and raise money for such a worthwhile cause. Michael “Scar“ Hanks and Steve “Venusaur“ Thomas must both be commemorated for their incredible individual efforts with Michael raising over $700 and Steve raising close to $400.

The vibe and atmosphere around the College is most definitely positive and it has overall been such a great start to the year. There is a real sense of community around and I think I speak on behalf of the residents here in saying that I cannot wait for what the rest of year has in store.

Daniel “Samwell” Henalla President Cromwell College Students’ Association

From the Dean of Students P-Week Preparation Week or “P-Week” as it is known to most is the week before the 1st year students are welcomed into college life for the first time. It is also the start of our journey as a leadership team as we look to learn and guide the College for the year.

The week is made up of Staff, Residential Assistants (RA’s), the Student Association Executive (Exec) and the Orientation Week Committee.

P-Week is an amazing week filled with sessions provided to supply the tools, knowledge and understanding of how to perform the leadership roles of the college, mixed with a lot of fun team building and bonding activities.

Our focus for 2014 was communication and leadership, following the general trend over the past couple of years.

The benefits of this week and the continual personal and professional development of our leaders is highlighted in the way the College is operating and run.

COCA News 2014 • Page 5

From the Dean Students

2014 Leadership Team

These young students are taking on the responsibility of young leaders. It is great to see the youthful exuberance and the enthusiasm they bring to the week and to their roles.

Our leadership workshop this year was run by Laura Krebs from Strive Life Coaching. Laura was invited back after being such a wonderful resource to both the student leaders and to the staff. She ran two half day workshops on Leadership and Communication. Laura was fantastic; she engaged the students with her enthusiasm for leadership and life and had them doing some amazing things.

The highlight again being the team activity the “Big Picture”. Teams were given a small canvas and were asked to paint their part of the big picture. The final product and our second attempt at this activity is now hanging in the Dining Hall on display for all. It is interesting the difference between last year and this year. I think that having a picture to compare to and to discuss before starting the activity gave this year’s group a lot of food for thought about how to come together to produce their Big Picture.

Other sessions during the week involved: • • • • •

Policy and Procedure Counselling Fire and evacuation training Staff Liaison Team Building – High ropes at Currumbin ‘Adventure Parc’

• • • •

Cromwell Vision CITG Red Frogs First Aid

I would like to thank and acknowledge a few individuals for their work during the Christmas break. Charles Powell (Orientation Week Coordinator), Robert Snedden (Orientation Week Coordinator), Daniel Baum (Senior RA) and Daniel Henalla (Student Association President 2014). They have all been heavily involved in producing an orientation week built to gain the maximum benefit in community bonding through mutual respect, team building and encouragement. The four students have been amazing in the work they have done with running the Orientation Week program and their planning and preparation leading up to it. I highly commend their efforts and their work ethic with this task. They also showed outstanding leadership during Orientation Week to bring the team together.

Every year I am thoroughly impressed with the quality of young people we have here at Cromwell College. I am truly fortunate to be able to be a part of their learning and development as young people and leaders in our community.

Nathan Croft Dean of Students COCA News 2014 • Page 6

O’Week The nature of the Cromwell Collegiate experience invites a strong culture of belonging and integration. Cromwell is not a community that leaves stragglers behind and this is made clear from day one. Cromwell is also well known for its unrelenting participation and resilience. In addition to a fond comradery for a fellow Cromwellian these factors amass to the concept known as “Crommie Ticker”.

During the Orientation Week the leaders strive to instill this sense of “Crommie Ticker” in the new students. The week is also run to arm the incoming Fresher cohort with the tools required to succeed at University and make the transition to living independence.

Orientation Week is intended to stretch the comfort zone of the fresher group and challenge pre-conceptions of their capabilities. This year there was a minor shift in the implementation of the boundary extension process. O–Week saw the introduction of more positive re-enforcements and the reassurance of the voluntary basis system. This resulted in the Orientation Week goals being achieved more effectively and tighter bonds being created throughout the College.

For the incoming students, the week began with boisterous applause as they entered the College for the first time.

The staff and student leaders were introduced and the tedious unpacking process began. Parents held back tears as it came time to say goodbye, many unsuccessfully. Feelings of nervousness and excitement was clear in the Fresher camp as the anticipation built for the week ahead.

Monday morning the Freshers were awoken to a specially created song masterminded by, Media Rep, Ben “Business” McNamara and Morning Program was introduced. This first morning enjoyed particular significance playing host to the naming ceremony, through which the new students gained a Fresher name and identity. The students would be known by these Fresher names for the duration of their time at Cromwell and even beyond. Individually themed Morning Programs occurred each day and comprised of orientating students with various components of campus and college life. The students were also made familiar with vital areas of the campus as well as faculty and library locations. Everywhere the group travelled they would skip and hold hands whilst donning the traditional Fresher Sombrero, showing off their pride in the college.

As well as becoming familiar with Cromwell as a place to call home, the Freshers were introduced to some of the other UQ College communities. This was achieved through the following: Breakfast with Duchesne College, Lunch with King’s College, and a combined Dinner and “Scribble Party” with International House and Grace College.

Often the colleges would exchange their Fresher Dances and share practiced pranks known as “Social Decrees”.

Many of the students agreed these inter-collegiate events were some of the highlights of the week.

Fresher Dance

COCA News 2014 • Page 7

Freshers at Mt Coot-tha

The students were also familiarised with the Brisbane and Gold Coast region on several outings. These included an evening in Brisbane city with their corridor and Resident Assistant, an afternoon of bowling, a visit to Wet ‘n’ Wild Water Park, a beach day on the Gold Coast and a night at ice skating. These excursions gave the Freshers more opportunities to unwind with their cohort and leaders.

Throughout the week, the students received talks from groups across many facets of University life. Presentations from the Cromwell Senior Tutor, Queensland Police, UQ Health Services, UQ Sports, CITG Tech Support, UQ Rugby and Student Help on Campus ensured adequate preparation for the years ahead.

The week came to a climax on the final Sunday of O-Week as the group summited Mt. Coot-tha lookout to celebrate the completion of the week. The symbolic climb appropriately concluded the Freshers’ journey of becoming bona fide Cromwellians. The week left the new students prepared for their time at University and Cromwell College.

This week could not have succeeded without the direction of the staff team, and in particular, Dean of Students, Nathan Croft and enormous thanks must go to his involvement. Student Leaders Daniel “Samwell” Henalla, Daniel “The Prodigy” Baum and Robert “Winta” Snedden must receive recognition for their admirable participation in senior decision-making and leadership. Commendable contributions from the Student Executive, Resident Assistant Team, Senior Tutor, Board of Governors Representative and, in particular, O-Week Committee also allowed for the fluid operation of the Week.

Finally, I would personally like to thank the Fresher cohort for their avid participation and “ticker” displayed throughout Orientation Week. I hope they enjoyed the process as much as the leadership team did and I wish them the best for their University experience and time at Cromwell College.

Charles “YOLO” Powell O-Week Coordinator

COCA News 2014 • Page 8

College News A Celebratory Lunch Alumni from 1954 to 1959 have been invited to a celebratory lunch on Thursday 5th of June, 2014 to commemorate 60 years to the day since the first students took up residence in “Thatcher Wing” Cromwell College. If you are Alumni from 1954 to 1959 and have not received your invitation please contact Mrs Donna Howett (PA to Principal) on (07) 3377 1232 to organise your invitation.

Thatcher Wing 1954

u Cromwell College Past Students’ Reunion CAPETOWN, SOUTH AFRICA Sunday 6 July 2014 6pm – 8pm Drinks and Tapas hosted by the Principal Mr Ross Switzer and Mrs Jenny Switzer

Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront Beach Road Granger Bay CAPETOWN RSVP: Mrs Donna Howett PA to the Principal 07 3377 1232 d.howett@cromwell.uq.edu.au

by Friday 13 June 2014

u COCA News 2014 • Page 9

Sponsor Dining Room Furniture Sponsoring the College’s Dining Room Furniture offers you the chance to contribute and have your name in perpetuity within Cromwell College. Below is a photo of the 2012 Students’ Association President, Hayley “Scootin” Canton who has sponsored a chair.

Dining Room chairs with engraved plaque are only $215.00 per chair, or each table with engraved plaque is $1600.00.

Please contact Mrs Donna Howett (PA to Principal) on (07) 3377 1232 or email d.howett@cromwell.uq.edu.au to sponsor Cromwell Dining Room Furniture or for further information.

Miss Hayley Canton who sponsored a dining room chair

Sponsor Framed College Photographs Every year since the College was founded has seen a full college photograph taken. These are all framed and hung in chronological sequence in the Junior Common Room. Many of these already bare the names of generous sponsors.

There are a number of photos yet to be adopted by a sponsor.

The photographs for the following years are still available to sponsor, 1957, 1958, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1997.

JCR Photographs

COCA News 2014 • Page 10

To sponsor a photo will require a once off investment of $90. If you are interested in having your name etched in Cromwell history by sponsoring a full college photo, please contact Mrs Donna Howett (PA to Principal) on 07 3377 1232 or email d.howett@ cromwell.uq.edu.au

VALE

Richrd Chapman

We have been advised of the passing of Richard Chapman on 7th November 2013.

Richard was a Governor of Cromwell College from 1970-1982, Chairman of the Board from 1974-1980, served on the Executive Committee from 1971-1980 and was recognised as a Fellow of Cromwell.

Chit Chat Round Up It’s been nearly two years since I stood on the stage in the Cromwell dining hall, trying desperately hard not to cry during our Valedictorian song and imagining what a future outside of Cromwell might hold.

As it turns out, my life outside Cromwell has involved a lot of Cromwell. While I’ve been studying my Masters of Arts (Writing, Editing, and Publishing), I’ve snuck back to Cromwell to catch up, visit, and admire the transformations.

Unsurprisingly, Masters has been a hard and challenging time, but every time I’ve come back to Cromwell I’ve felt reassured and encouraged by friends (students and staff) to keep trying. I love coming back to Cromwell and still feeling like I belong to the family. Cromwell has shared a lot of good news with me over the years, and I want to share some good news with Cromwell.

At the end of last year, a few of my classmates and I had an idea for an online Brisbane-based literary magazine.

After a few months, we had our mission statement and a magazine that embodied it. We wanted to bring together artists, writers, poets, and generally creative people to talk about Brisbane things and create something from the inspiration that Brisbane gives us. I am incredibly proud to say that our online magazine One Page: Brisbane does this. www.onepagebrisbane.com.au I love being able to share my poetry, photography, and stories with other people—I’ve studied writing for four and half years and to be able to share the results of it with other people is an amazing feeling.

One Page: Brisbane is about art, creativity, culture, deep thoughts, and beauty—things that I value deeply. Working to turn these values into a publishable magazine has been terrific fun and epicly educational. Being a writing and literature student, I never had to work in a group, and now I’m running a magazine with 12 other people! I now fully appreciate the teamwork experience I received at Cromwell. I hope that one day I can report back to my Cromwell family that I’ve finished my Masters, sold copies of my magazine, and maybe even written a novel.

Alyssa “Bandit” Miskin (2010-2012)

COCA News 2014 • Page 11

Cromwell College is extremely proud of the role we play supporting our residents academically and pastorally, in their transition from school and home, to university and beyond.

We are committed to maintaining and enhancing the Cromwell College experience, supporting our residents to realise their full potential in all facets of life.

To achieve our vision, we are asking for your support. With your financial assistance, the College can continue to: • endow Scholarships, Bursaries and Fellowships to students who would not otherwise be able to live in College.

• preserve, develop and improve College buildings and facilities • develop and improve the standards of student facilities and services Your investment, promotes learning, education and collegiality, and has the potential to change and shape the lives of our residents. This is a vital investment in your future too, that will add value to individuals, professions and the wider community.

Cromwell College needs and strongly values your continuing support.

For further information please contact Donna Howett on +61 7 3377 1232 or d.howett@cromwell.uq.edu.au

COCA News 2014 • Page 12