The Pelican Issue 3, Semester One 2023

ONE, 2023

The Pelican

Head of CollegeJas Lincoln

It has been a busy yet rewarding Semester at John XXIII, highlighted by the Official Opening of our completed renovations of the Johns building. The building scope was to mesh the old with the new. Our new facilities have proven to be innovative in terms of architecture and opportunities created, whilst acknowledging our foundations and history remain relevant. We have created spaces for study, socializing and connection that are utilized every day, and our magnificent foyer which connects the entrance and the Chapel has an ambiance that is first class. This has led to recent awards for both our architects and builders involved in the scope of works, and we congratulate Cox Architects and Capcorp Construction for their deserved success as well as thanking the College Board for their vision.

To have speakers at our opening including our Board Chairman, Mr John Harris and Deputy Vice Chancellor of ANU, Professor Grady Venville was wonderful. Both speeches reaffirmed our strong belief in a connected community of care and aspiration. It was also extremely

special to have the official blessing conducted by the Prior Provincial of the Dominican Order, the Very Reverend Fr Dominic Murphy OP.

On the student front, it has been wonderful to commence the year and conclude the Semester at capacity. The students have embedded a culture of support and camaraderie that is the very essence of a key value of the College, ‘Spirit’. The energy created, whether in sporting matches across and beyond the campus, social events, or in support of each other when undertaking challenges, coordinating academic mentoring, getting around the Blood Drive or in support of the College Band at big events, is the epitome of the Johns journey. I believe it is this ‘spirit’ that embeds the character of our college, further it is the heart of what it means to truly achieve ‘companionship’ which creates the life-long relationships which the College prides itself on.

John XXIII boasts thousands of alumni who are contributing to the corporate world, public sector, private enterprise and most importantly, to the broader community at every level. The opportunity to engage with these inspiring people is something that the College is keen to do, with a major focus of ‘blending’ the past and the present in the hope of creating connections and mentorship for the students of today. We have learned that there are people gathering with friends from the College across the country, and we would love to hear these stories and bring relevance to how we can create connection opportunities for past students as much as our current cohort.

To that end, our newly appointed Advancement Manager, Mrs Cheryl Jolly has been working behind the scenes with her team in preparation for our Sydney gathering of our Johns Alumni Community (JAC). This event will be held on the 15th of March, 2024 at the Grace Hotel in the city and we encourage you to ‘Save the Date’ for this inaugural gathering next year.

Finally, I want to acknowledge the student leadership team in 2023. We have 56 leaders at the College, who contribute holistically to the university journey of every individual who resides here. Combined with the 36 wonderful staff, the College has no less than 90 people who are fully invested in the student journey. It is the galvanizing of these teams, led in particular by our President, Josie Bates and Deputy Head of College, Dee Marrapodi, that has seen such an outstanding start to the year. I am grateful to work in a community where our ‘College spirit’ is what sets us apart and I am excited for what lies ahead.

Jas Lincoln Head of College

Board Chairman John Harris

Dear Students and Friends of John XXIII,

The last six months have been quieter and less frantic for the College Board, almost since Covid first started, it seems unusual to have no crisis, no deadlines to chase and no major catastrophe to avert. Let’s hope it stays that way.

The Board, the staff, invited guests and senior students were delighted to formally open the new College buildings during first term. We are even more delighted to see the regular heavy use of the new facilities in the great variety of ways in which your student body has claimed that space. With no major problems to resolve, it has been a time to start thinking about the future of the College and start planning our fresh challenges.

After a major building program, finance is always a priority. Happily, the new building works met their (revised) budget and we ended with a few dollars left in the bank. We are

now concentrating on re-paying several millions of dollars in construction loans but it looks as if we can meet and exceed our target repayments. It is likely that there will be no major refurbishment projects in the College over the next couple of years, but the staff and the Board are actively investigating a whole series of minor ones. The continual upgrade of common facilities in the accommodation block will not stop. Bathrooms, laundry, hallways and facilities will be improved and maintained. As soon as finances permit, a much-cherished goal will be to commence double glazing all student rooms and upgrading the windows to a modern design. Our buildings had their 50th birthday in 2020 and we are determined, as with the admin building, to maintain their distinctive design while upgrading them to best practice current standards.

A College is not just about its buildings, it is about its people. It is very pleasing to see that the 2023 academic year got off to a good start and all the normal student activities have

been so far successfully undertaken and well patronised. The Board is very seriously interested in student welfare on every level and will do everything it reasonably can to enhance the student experience. We really do want all students to enjoy their stay in College and to prosper here.

With all that in mind, the College is undertaking a new venture in 2023. We hope to establish a regular annual student expedition to one of our Dominican sister institutions in the Solomon Islands. We hope that a group of senior students and staff will visit there each year with a view to spending a few weeks working in the parish, meeting and mixing with our Solomon Island friends in the communities, and engaging in a cultural immersion experience. The “work” may be teaching and it may be building or maintenance with opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the locations and gaining insights into the Australian commission and challenges faced by the nation. The experience should be cathartic and give our students a whole new perspective on Pacific Nations life.

I am so enthusiastic that I would really like to go myself. The Head of College tells me that I would have to meet his rigorous assessment criteria and he is not sure if I will make the grade. In any event, if we can bring the idea to fruition it will provide students with an opportunity to be of service to others while learning an enormous amount about themselves and our close Pacific neighbours.

Let’s hope we can make it a success.

Regards, John Harris John XXIII College Board Chairman

& Charity Advocacy

at John XXIII

As the Heads of Charity at John XXIII College, we are proud to look back at the incredible work that our Advocacy team has already accomplished this year and look forward to the many exciting opportunities to come. We have had the honour of leading an outstanding team of devoted individuals who have spearheaded a series of impactful charity events and have effectively raised awareness of crucial social issues within our community. Our fabulous Advocacy Committee members are Flossie Corsham as Women’s Officer, Ned Heasley as Men’s Officer, Tania Yam as Multicultural Officer, Henry Dudesin as Access and Inclusions Officer, and Keely Rock as Rainbow Rep. With the unwavering support of the entire John’s community, we have been able to make a positive impact in our community and beyond.

We kicked off the year with Vinnie’s bus drive during O-Week. Not only was it an excellent opportunity to raise money for St Vincent de Paul, but it was also a fantastic way to promote sustainable fashion in our community. Our initiative entailed accompanying over a hundred first-year students to three different Vinnie’s locations across Canberra and encouraging them to purchase clothes for our Pelican Day Event– the wackier, the better! The Vinnie’s bus trip was also a great way for first-year students to get to know each other while exploring Canberra. It was encouraging to see the engagement and enthusiasm of all the John’s ressies who were excited to participate in such an impactful event. The Vinnie’s bus trip was a great success, and we are dedicated to continuing our support for the work of St Vincent de Paul throughout the year.

Following this, we organised a series of charity BBQs to raise funds for Batyr, an Australian mental health charity established in 2011 by Sebastian Robertson, an ex-ressie of John’s. Sebastian’s personal experiences with mental ill-health while at university inspired the creation of Batyr, which aims to reduce the stigma around mental health issues, particularly among young people. Using peer-to-peer education, Batyr promotes mental health awareness and creates a community where young people feel empowered to talk about their mental health and seek help whenever they need it. As partners of Batyr, we take pride in supporting this mission through our fundraising efforts, which have included various charity BBQs and a charity bike auction. Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our ressies, we have raised over $800 for Batyr, and are excited to continue to support the incredibly important work of this organisation through

upcoming events and initiatives.

Another of our major focuses this semester has been the ANU Lifeblood Blood Drive, a semester-long event that is run jointly by all the residential colleges on campus. The goal of the event is to motivate as many people as possible to donate blood throughout the semester and, in the process, save lives. We are incredibly proud to say that our residents have collectively donated whole blood five times and plasma 31 times, which is a remarkable effort that has the potential to save up to 108 lives.

It is heartening to witness the John XXIII community rallying behind such a critical cause. Our position as the leading college in the ANU Lifeblood Blood Challenge is a testament to the generosity and kindness of our community. We believe that events like this are incredibly important, as they provide a valuable opportunity for members of the community to come together and make a positive impact on the world.

Guided by our passionate Advocacy Committee, we’ve also had the privilege of participating in a variety of cultural events that showcased and celebrated the diversity of our community. One of the highlights of our year was Harmony Day, organised by our Multicultural Officer Tanya, who arranged a wishing tree and a range of engaging activities that promoted inclusion and diversity. It was a beautiful day that brought us together and celebrated the unique qualities of our community. Furthermore, our Advocacy team has been hard at work advocating for accessibility and inclusion within our college. We organised drop-in sessions for EAPs (Education Access Plans), helping to provide an opportunity for members of our community to receive support and resources from the university for those who need additional academic support.

In addition to our efforts to promote inclusivity, our Advocacy Committee has also been a crucial force in raising awareness for important social issues. We celebrated Trans Day of Visibility and Mardi Gras, which allowed us to raise awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues and promote acceptance and understanding within our community. Led by our Women’s and Men’s Officers we were also proud to support International Women’s Day, celebrating the accomplishments of women throughout history while raising awareness of ongoing issues impacting women today. In partnership with our neighbours at Ursula Hall, we were able to raise funds for MacKillop House, a local shelter for women and children who have experienced domestic violence and homelessness.

Overall, we are incredibly proud of the work that our Advocacy team has accomplished so far this year to promote acceptance, understanding, and inclusion within our community. Our team’s dedication and passion, coupled with the unwavering support and engagement of the entire community, has enabled us to make a significant positive impact and support the inspiring work of several Australian and Canberra-based charities.

The John XXIII community has done some fantastic work for charity so far this year, so much so that we can’t include everything here, and we cannot wait to carry this momentum forward into the second semester.

Tom Perissinotto and Claudia Petrie 2023 Heads of Charity

From mid-November 2022 to late January 2023, we successfully accommodated and hosted 273 guests who brought energy and colour to the College during our traditional student break. It was both an exciting and challenging time as we re-learned the ropes of what to do after a two-year COVID-19 hiatus.

The guests who stayed with us in November and December attended specific conferences that were either ANU hosted and/or supported by ANU. It was lovely to welcome back students from ANU College of Asia and the Pacific who made Johns their home for two weeks, and by all accounts, they had an amazing time and felt welcomed by all Johns staff and students.

January saw the arrival of approximately 90 students who attended the National Mathematics Summer School sponsored by ANU and hosted by a very capable team from Monash University. A key highlight was their final dinner and concert. The musical and theatrical talents of these students were incredible.

Mid-January we happily welcomed back Sydney Grammar and St Joseph’s College rowing summer camp. Between the two schools, we had approximately 150 students and staff staying with us. We know that they loved their time here, and they certainly appreciated the delicious food prepared for them after a long and hard day rowing on Lake Burley Griffin. A key highlight was the popcorn and movie night that was sponsored by Johns on the Friday night prior to the Rowing Regatta.

Summer Accommodation & Conferencing Events

We were delighted the host the inaugural John Curtin School of Medical Research Christmas Lunch in the College Dining Hall on 8 December 2022. The College received heaps of praise and recognition for the dinner that was served, the décor and the Christmas ambiance that was created. We know that the Johns team made a special effort to ensure that 270 staff and students from medical school had the best time ever.

Our first-year students were officially welcomed to the College with a very special Matriculation Dinner in the Dining Hall on Sunday 12 February. The event was well attended with guest speaker Sasha Bennett setting the scene for our first-year students, sharing her experiences of life at Johns, and making life-long friends. Father Alex gave a very special evening grace.

Conferences & Events

Thursday, 16 March was the Annual John XXIII Gala. This year the event was held at the National Gallery of Australia in the impressive Gandel Hall. We had close to 300 students attending the event. Welcome drinks and canapes were served in the Gardens before moving into Gandel Hall. Our theme for the night was “Shine bright like a …?” and served as a reminder that we are all stars, that we should shine a spotlight on our own individual and group talents and that these talents should be celebrated. Our Deputy Head of College Dee Marrapodi gave a very moving speech along this theme. The Johns Band led by Louis Sturm was incredible and the talents of each band member as well as DJ Felix should be commended.

The Grand Re-opening of the College is set for Thursday, 13 April. An amazing opportunity to celebrate the creativity of the building design and the successful execution of the construction. The event will be officiated by Professor Brian Schmidt, ANU Vice-Chancellor, and Mr John Harris, Chairman John XXIII Board. The building will be blessed by Father Dominic Murphy (OP) Prior Provincial. We are expecting 80 guests which include the Johns Board, key ANU staff from Residential Experience, ANU Registrar Scott Pearsall, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Grady Venville. Some of our current as well as former residents who lived through the dust, concrete and building construction as well as some former alumni who remember the “old” building will also join us for this very special occasion.

Alumni Engagements

Alumni database:

A key focus has been getting a current alumni database created. StarRez together with our online “Update your Details” form has been downloaded and merged. With accuracy, between the period 2009 to 2022, a database comprising 2091 alumni names and email addresses has been created. Some additional data-cleaning is needed - mainly to verify email addresses and/or best contact details.

Alumni connections:

We are hoping to hold two alumni events in 2023. One in Sydney and one in Melbourne. Preliminary dates are 22 June and 22 November. A lot of work needs to be done between now and June to pull off these first could of events, however, the idea is to start small and finish big – all with the help and support from an Alumni Committee that we hope to form.

Key Dates on the event calendar

Saturday

13 th May

Ladies We Love Lunch

Thursday

18 th May

Academic Dinner

Saturday - Sunday

22 nd - 24 th Sept

Parents Weekend

Cheryl Jolly, Community Engagement Manager

JOhn XXIII Gala 2023

President’sAddress

When reflecting on the first half of 2023, I cannot believe how quickly time has passed and how many great memories have been created at John XXIII. It has been so nice welcoming our new Ressies to the J23 community and seeing our returning Ressies also. I hope everyone is settling into both college and university life. Living away from home can be tough sometimes but I truly feel the community at J23 ensures this transition is the easiest it can be and that nobody feels alone for too long.

General

My 2023 leadership team journey began in January. The J23 leadership team came together for a training week. During this time the different leadership portfolios were able to prepare for the year ahead. The week had a great integration of ‘retreat-styled’ events and the team as a whole bonded during this time.

N-Week was an excellent week and received positive reviews from our first-year residents. The college utilised guest speakers for information sessions kept the content interesting for our first-year residents. The week was full of both mandatory information sessions and a variety of sports and arts events, which the majority of the first-year cohort chose to engage in. Notably, the daily sporting activities and the nightly corridor chats had great turnouts.

O Week this year was successful in adding a diverse range of events to encourage a more holistic week. The goal was to encourage all residents no matter their interests to get involved in activities to meet and bond with the broader Johns community. Thanks to the RA team, J23 staff and the wider leadership group, the introduction of arts and crafts, sports and ANU events, along with traditional night-time and drinking events worked well.

Sports

The battle for the Interhall sports (ISO) shield is back and Johns is already smashing it! Historically, John XXIII College has won the ISO sports shield 25 times out of the last 38 years. During term 1 a variety of sports were played including male and female* touch football, badminton and ultimate frisbee or ‘disc’. Both the male* and female* teams made it to the grand final for touch football with both teams versing Wright Hall, an exciting clash. The female* team then secured a win and the male* team unfortunately lost but played a great game. The disc team also won their grand final and had a great season beforehand winning most games considerably. Badminton served as a very fun and social sport for the J23 community, with many residents getting involved in the singles and doubles. Finally, Road Relay was great for all our keen runners at Johns. The runners participated in many early morning trainings and displayed their hard work at the event!

Term 2 sport is just getting underway at the time of writing this! The sports occurring thisterm are favourites in our community and they include male* rugby 7s, female* AFL 9s and basketball! I’m sure it will be a great season and we will come away with many wins.

Arts

The arts this year have seen a significant increase in interest and involvement from J23 Ressie’s this year! Having trivia in week 1 everyone was super keen to represent Johns and test their general knowledge, we have two Johns teams participate! Although a possible win was lost due to some points being docked, I think everyone still had a great time. Debating also had great participation and congratulations from all those involved. Thank you to our Academic Arts rep Stella for organising these great activities.

Holly our theatre rep put together a great video for Forty Hours of Film! Given three prompts she directed and shot a film, featuring many students from our community.

Our music rep Louis is preparing for Big Night Out. Arguably the biggest Arts event on the calendar. Auditions and rehearsals for the college band are underway, although they have already had a lot of practice this year. Performing at many college events including o-week, Gala and more! J23 can’t wait to see their performance at BNO.

In summary, I would like to thank my wonderful leadership the RA, SRs, CRs, HAMs and DIT team! They are all the people in the background working to get events, activities, support and advocate for all students at J23. Without which our college would be a very different place! I would also like to thank all the staff members at Johns for their continued work and support. This an important reminder to say hello to our staff whether it is Bree or Em at the Front office or any of our lovely kitchen staff members who work tirelessly for us! Lastly, please reach out to myself, my Vice President Stephen or any of the RA members if you have any ideas on how we can improve or things we should implement.

Kind regards,

Josie Bates (She/her)

Leadership Week

The first semester of the year began with great success, all thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Johns XXIII 2023 Leadership Team. One of the keys to this success was the college’s leadership week, held before the start of term. The week was jam-packed with activities that challenged the leaders both mentally and physically, all while promoting teamwork and collaboration.

The highlight of the week was the inspiring speech delivered by guest speaker Michael Lee on authentic leadership. Michael’s speech encouraged the leaders to be authentic and genuine in their leadership style, and provided valuable insights into effective leadership. Another exciting activity was the Tough Mudder course, which involved leaders working together to navigate a challenging obstacle course. We had to wade through mud, climb obstacles, and navigate a rope course. While it was a muddy endeavour, the activity allowed the team to develop communication and cooperation skills by learning how to overcome challenges together.

Another highlight of the week was the escape rooms; leaders having to work together to solve puzzles and escape the room within the hour. This activity encouraged the team to communicate and think creatively to solve problems, strengthening our problem-solving and teamwork skills. A scavenger hunt around the university campus was another activity

that helped familiarize the leaders with the campus while encouraging them to work together to complete challenges and foster teamwork.

In addition to the team building activities, the Leadership Team also participated in a first aid course during the week. The hands-on course covered basic first aid and CPR, providing valuable knowledge on how to properly respond to various emergency situations and how to perform CPR on an adult, child, or infant. The week concluded with a fun-filled leadership cruise around Lake Burley Griffin. This was a great opportunity for staff and leaders to enjoy and celebrate the successful completion of a challenging but fulfilling week.

Overall, Leadership Week was a great success, allowing the student leaders to bond with one another, to develop key leadership skills, and to prepare for the challenges ahead. The variety of activities throughout the week encouraged the team to work together, and to support one another in achieving their goals. The week and wide range of activities emphasised teamwork and support, which has only improved throughout the semester, making the team even closer.

Kai Saalmann

at John XXIII

Re-Opening Grand

of John XXIII College Main Building

On Thursday 13 April 2023 we marked the official Reopening of John XXIII College, main building. After many months of design, consultation and build and so that we could mark the special occasion, the College hosted a number of guests and special speakers to a cocktail event, catered by the Johns Catering Team.

We extend our gratitude to all those who joined, and a special word of thanks to Board Chairman, Mr John Harris, the Very Reverend Father Dominic Murphy Prior Provincial Dominican Order, Professor Grady Venville Deputy ViceChancellor (Academic), Head of College, Mr Jas Lincoln, and RA President Ms Josie Bates for sharing your kind words of wisdom.

AT John XXIII Sports

This year has already been extremely successful for our sporty residents at John’s College, placing second on the ISO ladder with 3 grand finals and 2 overall wins so far.

We started off the year placing first for disc where we had crowds of supporters lining up along the side-lines cheering on our excellent participants, ex-ressies and all. Disc proved itself to be inclusive and very well-loved among our residents with over 50 people attending training, creating a good sense of culture and excitement each week. Our skills were showcased each game, learning new plays for first-time disc players and perfecting techniques for those who have played before. Disc was overall highly successful this year and ended up winning the championships, with Robbie Mattthews-Lane as the seasons’ MVP.

On top of this success, a win was pulled out for the female-identifying touch team, being undefeated all season by a large margin, demonstrating our strength and determination against the other colleges. The coaches, including president Josie Bates, allowed the girls to feel comfortable and willing to learn new skills throughout the season, having Sasha Oaten as MVP in the final putting all these skills to good-use. The Friday morning game times were at times a challenge to our Thursday night partiers but were always able to pull it together to play tough teams and come out on top.

The male-identifying touch team in term one were faced with some extremely skilful teams such as Bruce Hall and Wright Hall with a quick pace and technical game play, creating challenges for our teams. The teams came together and strengthened their plays to come out as second place, closely behind Wright Hall in the final, where in the last half were tried on a couple of times to scrape them in first. Josh Gail was MVP.

In a less extreme manner, we also participated in Badminton and Lawn Bowls and although not coming out on top, we had large numbers of people wanting to get involved and were able to try out new skills to separate the study. We were fortunate to be able to get teams together easily each week and continued to have side-lines to cheer on our Ressie. Badminton specifically was an interesting sport for us as only a couple people had past experience such as Georgia Perry, therefore forcing individuals to try out new skills and have fun while exercising which is highly encouraged at the college.

Last year, Johns struggled in the road relay championships, so this year, we came fighting and had a strong group of residents training hard to increase our 9th place ranking. With a crowded side-line and loud voices, we were able to cheer our 8 determined runners to 6th place.

Now, in term two, although not having participated in finals yet, Johns has already proved to have strong and active teams for the upcoming sports of Basketball, ALF 9s, Hockey and Rugby 7s.

Basketball has already been a great success being undefeated and giving everyone a chance to excel on the court. Coach, Saba Horne, has helped the femaleidentifying team illustrate team-work and enthusiasm within game play and at training, smashing the previous teams so far. Similarly, within the Male-identifying team, they have been practicing hard, working on consistency, fitness and teamwork down the court.

To improve our basketball skills a little further, BnG organised an exciting mixer with us, Burgman, Bruce, and Burton and Garren colleges. This was a fun way to improve our skills and practice against colleges that we might come across in the finals as well as allowing us to interact with new people through redbull and music.

AFL 9s, although not playing a game yet due to weather circumstances, is already seen as a strong and fierce team this year, coached by two amazing resident players, Abby Thompson and Mimi Barnes. With many individuals not having played this contact sport before, training has been somewhat intense but insightful with

step-by-step breakdowns of techniques and game play to keep all residents safe. We are extremely excited to get the teams on the fields soon!

Rugby 7s has similarly not started games yet but training led by Will Granger, has shown much success, with many enthusiastic male-identifying residents getting involved and ready to showcase their abilities.

Lastly, hockey has been full-on from the start for both male and female-identifying teams, being undefeated so far. Like AFL, there are many people who have never participated in this sport, therefore allowing everyone to learn the intricate and somewhat challenging aspects of Hockey, led by a resident coach, Genie Rickard

We are extremely excited for the upcoming seasons and determined to come out on top with large crowds at each game, high participation and everyone having a lot of fun!

Charlotte Versace and Johns Sports Reps

Sports at John XXIII

First Year Write-up

It seems rather easy to forget that us first years have been a part of the J’23 community for a semester. Unsurprisingly though, it’s also easy to forget just how much has happened within that short time. N-week brought all sorts of friendship-making events and a hectic barrage of names, places, and courses to remember with the awkward ‘what’s your name again?’ being asked all too often. O-week saw the barrage of new names continue as the seemingly daunting second and third years returned as the thrills of college nightlife quickly became a reality when John’s bloomed into its full self once again for 2023.

The later weeks of term one brought more opportunities for memories to be made. Disc and Touch Rugby saw teams competing not only against tough competition (the girls touch might argue otherwise) but also the post-Thursday blues. However, this was no trouble as all teams had very successful seasons as old and new ressies from all years came together to play and support each other.

Gala was the culminating night that symbolised the best of what was still a very new world for the first years. The excitement, chatter and smiles radiating throughout college as everyone came together in fancy dresses and half-ironed shirts at the National Gallery symbolised more than just a fun night out, the subtle contentment of the recent past andcheerful curiosity of what the future at John’s has in store.

Hugo Bennett

Michael Lee has had lifetime career in education and is currently Principal at St Mary MacKillop College in Tuggeranong.

Lee

Board Member and Alumni Michael

I came to John XXIII College in 1978 as a student of ANU Arts and Law. I had come from an all-boys school in Sydney and loved the co-ed relaxed post adolescence environment of Johns. During my 4 years at the College, I was Bar Manager, College President and a member of the Junior Commons Room Association. The skills that I gained in organisation, financial management and student advocacy were really liberating for me. It is fair to say that John XXIII College was very different in the late 70’s to what it is today. This is progress.

My time at Johns was one of respectful relations, a relaxed environment, and a place where firm friendships were forever forged. The opportunity to meet people from all over the country was a rich experience for this Sydney boy.

Michael was awarded the medal of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours list in 2023 for services to education.

Deputy Head of COllegeDee Marrapodi

Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself?

Born and raised in West Wyalong, NSW, I grew up on my family farm which my older brother continues to work. I went to the local primary and high school and completed a clerical traineeship with the Bland Shire Council during a gap year before moving to Canberra to pursue university. I graduated from the University of Canberra with a Bachelor of Education - Secondary Education and later completed a Master of Instructional Leadership at the University of Melbourne.

I am a passionate educator and advocate for young people with over 20 years of experience in educational leadership and proven success within large secondary independent and systemic Catholic education contexts in both Victoria and the ACT. My last appointment before commencing at John XXIII College was Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching at St Clare’s College, ACT.

My husband (Peter – a “Ken Behren”) and I are blessed with two beautiful children, Aida (10) and Evie (6). We live in our family home in Crace, are keen Raiders fans and share a love of travel. I enjoy playing oztag and have represented both the ACT and Australia. This year I look forward to coaching the ACT U10 girls’ competing at the 2023 Junior Australian Championships in October.

What do you like most about working at John XXIII College?

Working at John XXIII College has been an enriching and fulfilling experience. One of the most prominent aspects about the College is the heightened sense of community. John XXIII College provides a unique setting where students live together on campus, fostering a sense of belonging and friendship. The opportunity to work closely with students allows for deeper connections and provides opportunities for mentorship, support, and personal growth. This is the most rewarding and enjoyable component of the role.

What does a typical day or week look like in the role of Deputy Head of College?

As the Deputy Head of College, a typical day or week can vary but generally involves overseeing the wellbeing and discipline of students, collaborating with student leaders and other college staff, planning and organising events and activities, assisting with student admissions, student counselling, academic supports and advising, providing guidance on college/university policies and procedures, or supporting the Head of College in their duties.

What has surprised you about the job in the first 30 days?

One might be surprised by the level of responsibility and the diverse range of issues that arise when fulfilling the role of Deputy Head of College. However, given my previous work history and experience there have been few surprises. In fact, similar things, just in a different context. The initial months have required me to familiarise myself

with the college’s systems, policies, and dynamics. Effective communication and collaboration with various stakeholders, including students, staff, parents, and university administrators have been instrumental in assisting my successful transition to the college and role.

What have been some highlights of the role so far?

Student Engagement: Building relationships with students and witnessing their personal and academic development can be incredibly rewarding. Seeing students thrive, overcome challenges, and succeed is a significant highlight.

Community Building: Contributing to the creation of a vibrant and inclusive community within the college is fulfilling. Organising events, fostering a sense of belonging, and encouraging student involvement can lead to strong community spirit.

Mentorship and Support: Assisting students in their personal growth journey by providing guidance, support, and mentorship is a valuable aspect of the role. Witnessing students’ progress and achievements can be highly gratifying.

Collaborative Environment: Working closely with student leaders and other staff members, including the Head of College, College Life Manager, and student services team, provides an opportunity for collaboration, collective decision-making, and shared ownership. This teamwork- oriented environment is intellectually stimulating and enjoyable to be part of.

Hear From OurAlumni

It feels like only a short time ago I left Johns, but now 1.5 years later, I’m filled with excitement and nostalgia every time I stroll down Daley Road or bump into college friends on ANU campus.

In 2020, when I made the move from Sydney to Canberra, I had no idea what to expect. I remember arriving in A2 on my first day and feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement as I was met with friendly faces and O’Week was just about to commence. It wasn’t long until I was well settled in, with regular Tim Tam nights in our SR’s room and three-hour-long dinner conversations in the dino.

Little did I know that my next two college years would be riddled with Covid lockdowns, interstate border closures, and online uni. However, I can happily say that the tight knit Johns community made those years so much better. I loved that everyone was friends with everyone, and there was no difference between a first year and a third year.

If I were to pick out some of my favourite memories, I’d have to say it was the formal dinners and events. Following Winnie’s Thursday night schnitty, OTB (out the back) would be filled with excitement as we prepared for the nights ahead that were academic dinners, the annual Johns Gala and Ball. Barn dance was always a favourite, as were the girls and boys nights.

Casual RUC Tuesdays, and Badger and Moose Thursdays quickly became rituals. Every Friday morning college was buzzing with anticipation as we awoke to the latest updates on the J23 Facebook page, and the infamous ‘Rabservations’ was always a weekly highlight, revealing the newest “couples on the horizon” and “beef of the week.”

What I loved most about Johns was the supportive community. Whether it was intercollege sport, trivia, choir, or IB, individual academic achievements, charity events, or blood donations, everyone supported one another.

As I near the end of my four-year degree and prepare to leave Canberra as I head overseas on exchange, I know I will always look back on my Canberra experience with extraordinary memories at Johns.

It’s crazy to think that the new group of people I met in the Johns dino a year and a half ago are the same people I now have weekly sharehouse dinner parties with.

I’m grateful to be leaving Canberra with lifelong friends, both in my own year group, and in the years below me. I owe a lot of my incredible Canberra experience to Johns, and all those who made my time so enjoyable.

Sophie McCredie

Hear From Our Alumni

I often describe choosing to go to ANU, and Johns, as the best decision I ever made. Probably a little dramatic but it has defined my 20s beyond belief. Almost all my best friends I met at 51 Daley Road. We bonded at snack time, over Winnie’s laksa, and watching sport games, when we should have been at the library. We did plays, debating, spelling bees and just sat in the courtyard with our instant coffees. Quality time, quality laughs and quality people.

A favourite memory of mine is our third year anniversary dinner (2018) where all the girls embraced the longstanding tradition and wore prom dresses. We all felt so special and had a fun time sticking out from the crowd. Some of my best friends are pictured below and I know our friendship will past the rest of time.

Currently I live in work in Canberra at Deloitte, after previously working as a public servant. I’m thinking about travel next year and excited about my future with my Johns family by my side!

Ruby King

‘A2 - All Things Johns’, the theme of our corridor and one of the first things I saw upon stepping into the residential block. The halls were covered in blue and white posters, and each room had a door sign with weird and whacky Johns related things – ping pong, otb, cordial, tav, etc etc. Of course, at the time, none of it made sense, but in the coming weeks, our curiosities of this exotic place were answered. We were engulfed by the life and culture of J23, with continuous social events, sporting matches, and many other extra-curricular activities. The things you could get involved with at the college were endless, and no matter what was happening, from drinking silently in a pub to competing in inter-hall ‘disk’ competitions, the ressies would get around it. I could talk about what I did at Johns for ages, however there are a few memorable moments which embody this Johns culture…

Whilst there are a number of fantastic events at Johns, I’ll mention one that stands out, Barn Dance. This event wasn’t pitched to us with much glamour, we go out dressed as farmers to one of the Canberra suburbs where there is an old Barn available for rent by the ACT government and have a boogie. It was only natural to think ‘well why can’t we just do this at college, or somewhere close by?’ Turns out I was a fool for ever doubting such an event. The effort the ressies went into decorating the barn, getting a live band, and simply hyping it all up was incredible. I’ve never thought I would enjoy dancing in an old wooden shed surrounded by mud and haystacks so much. The punch provided was also an incredible formulation, something for the recipe

books. It was a fantastic night and one that I will never forget.

Another key highlight of my life at Johns was the sport. Playing against rival colleges with the pelican army behind your back was a fantastic feeling. Johns was involved in all sports, but there was one sport I loved in particular … I’ve been told I talk about this too much, but I wouldn’t be talking about Johns if I hadn’t mentioned IB (Inward bound). IB is another one of those events, like Barn Dance, that you look at and ask ‘why on earth would I do that?’ There is no greater sense of comradery and adventure than being put in a team of 4 other ressies, blind folded, dropped in the middle of nowhere, and navigating back to an end point and racing other college teams at the same time. Whilst there are tough times in this crazy sport, often these times are the most memorable.

To sum up, there is so much to get involved in at J23, and no matter what it is, the ressies will get around it. There is no better way to make friends and memories.

Damon Reynolds

Hear From Our Alumni

I remember feeling extremely nervous on my first day at Johns. It may seem normal and something that happens to everyone, but given that my knowledge about Australia was limited to guidebook-level information and my English wasn’t great, I was stressed all the time. Due to my unfamiliarity with the Australian accent and local slang, I wasn’t even able to have a proper conversation with the kind person who helped me on my first day. I quickly lost confidence that I would have a great university life at Johns.

Despite such a stressful start at Johns, I believe that choosing to be at Johns was the best decision I ever made. It was the best two years of my life. This was largely because of the amazing friends I met, as well as the tremendous support system provided by Johns.

The group I was always with consisted of students from various countries and cultures all over the world. Some were from the United States, Australia, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, to name a few. Each of

them had their unique personality, and there was never a shortage of topics to talk about. We did a lot of amazing things together. These friends were always there for me, through good times and bad, and they made my life at Johns worthwhile.

Johns is a place for everyone. Even for a shy person like myself, I felt included in major Johns events and had a lot of unique experiences there. The Johns staff members are all friendly, and I miss the chats I had with kitchen and cleaning staff members. I want to say thank you to all the people who were part of my life at Johns.

If you are an international student considering Johns as your college, I would say go for it! You might feel like a minority here, but I’m sure you will enjoy this once-in-alifetime experience at this wonderful college.

Mihiro Morooka

Ladies We Love Lunch

Ladies We Love Lunch