We acknowledge and pay respect to the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land upon which our college is situated. We pay our respect to all the Elders of Indigenous students who call St Hilda’s home.
We also acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of our community, the University of Melbourne, and the wider world.
St Hilda’s College Ltd
ABN: 68 426 085 488 ISSN: 1442-6935
Principal: James Hardiman
Editors: Georgie Macho and Carly Damen
Photography: Organic Photography, Charlie Williams, Annika Rasmussen, Nathaniel Elijah , Abbey Miller & Carly Damen
Thank you for all your contributions instagram.com/sthildasunimelb/
Design: Abbey Miller @ashtonbaystudio
EDITOR’S NOTE
As St Hilda’s College closes out our 60th year in 2024, we reflect on the year that was and the transformation our college has seen over the past six decades. This year brought many special celebrations and achievements including various anniversary events and the introduction of Co-Presidents into our Student Club.
We kicked off the year with a new cohort of first years and a memorable Superher-O Week full of laughter, fun, and firsts. First college Turn, first colour run, and first university classes. For me, it also brought along my first ever article for the St Hilda’s website; a wrap up on Welcome Saturday. This past year I got the opportunity to work in the Community Engagement Team as the Communications Intern. As an avid writer, and now creative writing graduate, creating articles and working under the wonderfully knowledgeable Carly Damen, Community Engagement Manager, has been such an amazing experience. I’ve been able to learn endlessly and refine my writing as I got to create content about the college I hold so dear to my heart.
As the year went by, we got to celebrate sixty years of St Hilda’s with a recreation of the first college dinner, the Communitas Exhibition, and the 60th Anniversary Ball. Our Developmental Team, led by the lovely Kate Abraham, took a deep dive into our college archives, working tirelessly to produce these countless anniversary events, as well as a very special 60th Anniversary history book capturing a multitude of stories from past students.
This year also saw a major change happen to our Student Club constitution. For the first time in college history, our Student Club has introduced Co-Presidents of differing gender identities as a first step to ensuring gender equity within our executive. Being the first college in Australia to do this, it makes for a very exciting future ahead of us as we continue to work towards fostering an equitable and welcoming college community for all.
Finally, I’d like to say a big thank you to the Community Engagement Team. Abbey Miller, Social Media Intern, and Charlie Williams & Annika Rasmussen, Student Photographers, it has been an absolute blast working with you this past year and all of your work never ceases to amaze me. A second thank you to Carly for being such a magnificent mentor to me and giving me endless opportunities for me to practice my craft. A very big thank you as well to all of the student and staff contributors in this year’s Chronicle, it wouldn’t be possible without your voices.
Cheers to a brilliant 60 years, and here’s to another 60.
GEORGIE MACHO Communications Intern 2024
Georgie Macho & Abbey Miller
Lynn Gillam & Georgie Macho
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
It’s been an absolutely amazing year here at St Hilda’s. It has been an honour to live and work alongside so many wonderful leaders and incredible students as you all begin to make your mark on the world. While it will always be the people that make this place truly special, the other thing I have come to love in my short time is our collective passion for continual change and improvement. This year, in particular, has seen the introduction of a number of new events and initiatives that our entire community can be proud of and that I know has drawn the attention of other colleges across the country. Thank you to the 2024 cohort for continuing to build on an inclusive, supportive, and progressive culture and for supporting me and the entire staff team through this fantastic year. It would be impossible to list every success from the year, but I want to recount a few of the standout highlights from my perspective.
Sitting back and reflecting on the achievements of our students immediately shines a light on just how diverse our community is and how wonderful it is to see so many people involved in such an array of different events and initiatives.
While academic results are not necessarily the first thing that our students will label as their most important memory of college, it is astounding to note that 1 in 3 of our students achieved a H1 average at the mid-year mark of 2024. That is an incredible uptick on the previous year and the strongest academic result the college has ever seen. When you consider everything else that our students have balanced throughout the year, this is nothing short of remarkable.
The sense of Communitas has continued to grow again this year. It’s been particularly wonderful to see the environmental committee begin to make a bigger impact with the introduction of our end-of-year swap-shop, a few new bee houses and a new veggie garden, to name a few. Of course, raising almost $17k for Rural Aid during our fabulous Paddock to Plate weekend was always going to be a highlight and the charitable spirit was topped off this year with the Cystic Fibrosis Marathon event that I feel will only continue to expand in years to come. Well done to all involved and a shout out to Mody who knocked off a casual marathon after only prepping for a few short weeks!
I treasured the chance to spend a day on the farm at Bellarine Secondary College with over 30 of our students as we contributed over a month’s worth of people power to the school and local community. Speaking to the team down on the Bellarine, it’s clear that the funds raised at Paddock to Plate in 2023 alongside our help on the farm has made an amazing impact. Thank you to all involved.
In our arts and culture scene, I was yet again inspired by the incredible effort required to put on another amazing production this year. Legally Blonde brought the laughs and the joy to multiple sold-out audiences and it was such a pleasure to observe just how much fun the entire cast and crew were having. It’s easy to underestimate the number of hours required to pull a show off and the team should be very proud.
The spirit and camaraderie on both the field and sidelines of our many sporting quests this year was also wonderful to see. True to form, our women’s teams continued to impress by bringing home a number of flags and while I could have done without the nervous tension in the crowd during the netball grand final, the teams have continued to punch well above their weight this year. Well done to the men for also making their first final in a few years – I am certain it’s a sign of things to come!
Finally, I want to acknowledge the incredible work of our GC and RA teams this year. None of these memories or events would be possible without their hard work and dedication to our community. In a normal year, planning and delivering a calendar of events is often enough for some student leaders. This year, they’ve not only done that but also introduced a number of amazing initiatives, two of which I believe are national firsts and which focus on the importance of equality and equal representation. Changing the senior leadership structure of the GC to deliver equal representation and voice alongside the beginning of our Seeing Pink initiatives are both clear demonstrations of the values and leadership skills of this year’s team. Changes like this have not only had a positive impact on our students this year, but I know they will continue to impact our community for decades to come. I am proud to support students who are incredible agents for positive change and I want to congratulate them all for this national first approach.
Finally, I also want to thank the tireless efforts of the staff team here at Hilda’s for their unwavering commitment to our students and their success. It’s one thing to love your job, but it’s an entirely different thing to be able to do it alongside a team of passionate, positive, and generous people who share a common set of values aimed at making the world a better place. It is my pleasure to turn up every day, knowing I get to work alongside this team.
Wrapping up, it’s been an incredible year. I have learnt plenty from our amazing students and I hope, in turn, they have learnt much from each other and our amazing staff. If this is your last year at St Hilda’s, good luck and I look forward to watching your future success! If you’re back again in 2025, I can’t wait to keep working alongside you as we continue to foster a supportive, inclusive, and amazingly fun community here at St Hilda’s.
Go Well,
JAMES HARDIMAN Principal
James Hardiman, Wear it Purple Day
FROM THE DEAN OF STUDENTS
What a transformative year our students have had at St Hilda’s. It has been an absolute privilege to travel alongside our students as they immerse themselves in the array of opportunities that St Hilda’s has to offer. As I know our student leaders will reflect on the exciting social, sporting, cultural, and charitable events we all enjoyed throughout the year, I would like to reflect on and celebrate the opportunities that our students have had for personal and professional growth.
Moving into the St Hilda’s community and commencing life as a university student is one of the most exciting times of a person’s life. It is a period of self-reflection, exploration and immense personal and professional growth. As I reflect on the year that has been, I think back to the day we welcomed our new students into our community. During O Week, I had many conversations with students who were nervous and found living away from home challenging. Throughout the year, I have watched these students form friendships, experience new things together, and grow into thriving independent adults.
It has been extraordinary seeing so many of our students ‘step up’, to challenge themselves and learn new skills throughout the year. One of the biggest joys of the year was watching our students perform in the college musical, Legally Blonde. Over 30 of our students challenged themselves and performed on the big stage in front of their friends. It was magnificent to see our students in their element and the audiences responding with standing ovations. Throughout the year, I have watched our students embrace the spirit of growth by participating in new sports, public speaking workshops, and Fireside chats with industry professionals. They have performed at nights like Hilda’s Under the Stars, Hilda’s Fest, and have contributed to something greater than themselves through events like the St Hilda’s Cystic Fibrosis Marathon. It has been wonderful to see our students embrace opportunities for personal and professional growth and as such they have had a transformative educational experience beyond the foundations of their standard university degree.
St Hilda’s College is a place where ideas can be explored, world
views are broadened, and perspectives evolve.
We provide our students with opportunities to think critically, to engage in the world around them, and to participate in robust discussions. At this year’s Whitby Dinner college fellow, Dr Heather Schnagl AO, facilitated an evening where our students engaged in critical thinking and a debate to explore the provocation of ‘How to address our nation’s teacher shortage’. It was wonderful to see tables of students exploring their ideas and discussing strategies to address this current national ‘real world’ problem.
This year our wellbeing program has focused on providing our students with events aimed to build community, develop emotional literacy by encouraging self-reflection, and fostering a college culture of authentic connection and care. It was wonderful to see our students wholeheartedly participate in our community Speakeasy, facilitated by Dr Arne Rubinstein from the Rites of Passage Institute and Ben O’Toole from Man Cave. In mid semester, our students continued their journey of personal development by participating in workshops facilitated by Man Cave. It was a privilege to participate in these workshops alongside our students as they reflected on their lived experiences, shared their stories, and developed authentic connections with students across all year levels. I would
like to congratulate our student leaders who after the Man Cave workshops, led our women’s circle ‘Seeing Pink’ and our men’s circle throughout semesters one and two. Together, our students and staff facilitated a series of workshops and storytelling circles for our students, aimed to empower and connect our students through authentic conversation.
Another highlight of the year was the introduction of Cultural Awareness training with Aunty Tarina Fanning, a proud Larrakia and Tiwi woman. Over 50 students and staff participated in the workshop and broadened their understanding of First Nations culture and explored the ways that our students connect with and celebrate First Nations culture within the St Hilda’s community. During the semester, students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in First Nations culture by watching the Bangarra Dance performance of ‘Horizon’, a powerful celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture through dance, language, and music.
This year, our student leaders embarked on a transformative journey to explore gender equity and the importance of inclusive representation in leadership. It was a privilege to support our Student Club Executive and General Committee as they engaged in meaningful community discussions about what gender equity looks like in our community and how unconscious biases and societal norms influence decision-making. Recognising the need for change, the Student Club Executive and General Committee took a bold step by proposing a Co-President leadership model to the student community. The Student Club voted in favour of the constitutional change to adopt a Co-President model of leadership and St Hilda’s College is now proudly, the first College in Australia to have implemented a Co-President model.
As I reflect on the incredible year that has been, it’s clear that St Hilda’s College continues to be a place of growth, empowerment, innovation, and connection. It is a community that values inclusion and diversity, leadership, and the pursuit of excellence. It is a place where every student is supported to thrive. Our students have embraced challenges, celebrated achievements, and strengthened our vibrant community through their creativity and commitment to making a difference in the world.
It has been a privilege to witness their journeys of self-discovery and transformation, and I look forward to seeing how they will continue to shape their futures and inspire those around them.
FIONA CADOREL Dean of Students
Fiona Cadorel, Commencement Dinner
FROM THE STUDENT CLUB PRESIDENT
2024, a year of growth, achievement, and Communitas.
Together, we embraced challenges, celebrated victories, and strengthened the fabric of our Hilda’s community through shared experiences and unwavering support.
From the sports fields to the cultural stage, 2024 saw Hildarians shine brighter than ever. We kicked off the year with thrilling sporting events, with the women’s teams securing memorable wins and the men’s teams having fun and showcasing their camaraderie. Whether it was through cultural nights, music showcases, or spectacular performances, we celebrated the diversity and talent that make Hilda’s unique.
The St Hilda’s play, Legally Blonde, was an absolute triumph, highlighting the professional skills and creativity of so many students. Alongside sports and culture, the Hilda’s calendar overflowed with charity work, PRIDE and allyship events, Turns, or even just afternoons spent at the Clyde for a drink in the sun.
This year, a monumental shift occurred in the way people engaged with all aspects of college life. From cheering on early morning sports games to participating in Tobias’s charity run for Cystic Fibrosis, the spirit and ethos of St Hilda’s were embodied in so many of you throughout the year. The introduction of the Co-President structure this year was a brave and positive step forward for our community. It reflected not only the evolving needs of our leadership but also our ability to adapt, collaborate, and grow. I want to thank everyone for their patience, cooperation, and openness throughout this transition. Your willingness to listen, learn, and provide honest feedback ensured its success and laid a strong foundation for future leadership teams.
Jimmy, Fe, and Oats, thank you for your guidance this year. Your passion and vision for this college are truly irreplaceable. Hilda’s wouldn’t be what it is without your insight and
dedication. You constantly challenged us, pushed us, and shared invaluable wisdom that was always ahead of its time. Under your guidance, I know Hilda’s will only continue to grow stronger.
To my executive team—Bryce, Josh, and Tobias—your work this year has been nothing short of extraordinary. You are all ready to fly post-Hilda’s, and I have no doubt you’ll achieve great things. To the General Committee, your tireless work behind the scenes brought our vision to life. From organising events to perfecting every detail, your passion shone through everything you did. I hope you are as proud of yourselves as I am; it has been inspiring to see each of you grow this year.
To our incoming Co-Presidents, Harry and Sharon, along with Alison, Joel, and the new General Committee, you are already proving to be incredible leaders. I’m so excited to see the new heights you’ll take Hilda’s to next year.
These past three years have been nothing short of extraordinary.
I’ve had a true Hilda’s experience, growing from a nervous, quiet first-year to pushing my boundaries as an O-Week leader, and finally, having the privilege of leading this community as President. This growth is not unique to me, it’s something so many of us experience within these walls. And that, I believe, is the ultimate testament to the people of Hilda’s. It is your enthusiasm, kindness, and spirit that make individual and collective growth possible.
It has been an absolute pleasure to serve this community. I will always treasure the memories I’ve made here, the lessons I’ve learned, and the friendships I’ll carry forward.
Much love,
PATRICK RYAN Student Club President 2024
Patrick Ryan & James Hardiman, Valedictory Dinner
MY HILDA’S
Today I’ll be reflecting on behalf of myself and the third years. But firstly, I want to share a lesson.
Through my time I’ve learnt it’s good to make mistakes. As cliché as that is, it’s true. In my first year, I screwed up about twice a week – I became friends with people that didn’t really care about me, and I wasn’t sure how fulfilled I was with my life. But I’m glad that happened. If it didn’t, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Because it’s the tough times, the mistakes, and our ability to respond to these situations that reflect on who we are. I recommend to all of you, to make mistakes and to fuck up occasionally. Not get fucked up, but to make genuine mistakes; pull an all nighter and learn you should have prepared better or even try a new sport and learn that you won’t ever have a good relationship with rowing. If you mess up and you learn from it, you could not ask for more.
I’m sad to be leaving. As a third year, as a hildarian, I have given my all to the college. I realised on Monday throughout the Hilda’s Day video how much your small decisions can create memories for others. When we plan events, you often forget everyone will each have a separate experience. Good or bad, everyone remembers things differently. And that has been a gift. Getting to watch all of you make those memories. It’s been great. I’ll miss the nights out, the nights in, a drunken conversation at Guerns, a hang-xious morning after PAs, the sport and most importantly the people.
I really want to emphasise the people. I want to take a quick moment to stop, have a look around the room, find your best mate, smile, think about your time that has passed, and take it in, as it is so easy to go through life without taking a moment.
To the third years, you are all excellent people that have given so much to the college.
Mody: Probably the smartest person in this room and now a marathon runner.
Lauren: The most dedicated Taylor Swift fan I know and most talkative RA on the team.
Jason: A highly established person in our arts community, with probably one of the best voices to come to Hilda’s.
Tobias: One of the most caring people I have met, and you give 100% to every person that is in your life
Paddy: Paddy is the definition of “it’s not about the size of the dog, it’s about the bark of the dog”. He came back from exchange ready to give 120% to college and it has been a pleasure to watch every piece of it.
Jessie: Someone who has made a name for themselves in our community, leading the arts and establishing themselves within the play community.
Abbey: Driven, focused and intimidating are three words to call Abbey. But caring is best suited. She has devoted blood, sweat, and tears to this college and wow, it has been something to watch.
Noah: One of the most dedicated body builders I’ve seen and you care about everyone close to you.
Georgie: Is the sweetest person I’ve ever met. Carries themselves extremely well, gives 100% and makes it seem like there are no bad days. Easy to talk to, great to work alongside.
Josh: I’ve known Josh from primary school. His growth and his determination for the success of the college, I believe, has flown under the radar. I’m lucky to call Josh a friend.
You have all given so much to the college in your own way and you all have people looking up and toward you. I am lucky to call many of you friends. On behalf of the third years, I want to say thank you to the staff – Jimmy, Fe, and Oats you have given your all for this college. And to all of you, you make this college what it is.
So, on behalf of the third years I want to leave you with some parting words,
Thank you for everything Hilda’s, it’s been great.
BRYCE JUNK-GIBSON Student Vice President 2024 Valedictory Dinner Reflection
Good evening, Hilda’s. Although I can’t quite believe our time at college has already come to its almost end, it is my absolute pleasure to share some reflections of our past two years at St Hilda’s. When Jimmy asked me to do this speech, I reflected on what he told us on our very first day: “The days are long, but the years are short.” It’s a great line from him and scarily accurate. It is hard to believe just how quickly the last two years have flown. It feels like it was just yesterday we all started as baby-faced freshers on Welcome Saturday. I remember being so nervous to come to college that I asked my parents to do another lap around the roundabout so I could stall having to get out of the car. Unfortunately, they declined that request, but it didn’t take long before I realised college felt like the exact place I was meant to be.
The past two years at Hilda’s have been some of the best. Some of the big highlights have been the girls winning premierships and the boys making some minor finals. Two incredible plays and Hilda’s Days. Formal dinners and the occasional Turn. However, I think some of my favourite memories, and things I will miss the most about Hilda’s are all the little things. I will miss chatting in the coffee line every morning and dinners outside. I will miss late-night studying in the library and trips to Lygon for ice cream. I will miss early morning sports games and D Block suppers. It is these little things that have made Hilda’s feel like home for the past two years, and the things I will treasure most about my college experience.
I think something that is so special about Hilda’s is the culture of support that is so deeply embedded in our college. Over the past two years, I have found myself saying ‘yes’ to things and experiences I would never have imagined myself doing. Whether that be putting my hand up for Fresher Representative only a few weeks in, dancing on stage at Billboards or trying out for sports teams with very little sporting experience, college has challenged me to push myself beyond my comfort zone. When I look back on all these things, I realise I said ‘yes’ in the comfort of knowing I had one of the most supportive groups of people behind me. Hilda’s is all about just giving things a crack and getting around the people that do so, and I think that is one of the most important things Hilda’s has taught me.
Today is a bittersweet day as we mark the end of our time here at Hilda’s. Breaking the college bubble and stepping out into the big bad world is quite daunting. But, I am confident that our time here at Hilda’s has set us each up for success.
I am positive that we will each take some part of Hilda’s and the Green and Blue spirit with us into our future endeavours, whatever they may be, and Hilda’s will always be a place we can call home.
Before I wrap up, I would like to take a moment to express my gratitude. To Jimmy, Oats, Fe and all the other college staff. Thank you for your unwavering guidance, patience, and support over the past two years. The time and effort you put into each of us students and the college certainly does not go unnoticed. You have helped to shape each of us, in some way or another, into the people we are today, and as we fly the nest, we thank you for all that you have done for us.
To the Freshers, thank you for the energy and the fun you have brought this year, the college culture is well and truly in safe hands with you guys here. Second year is truly what you make it, so give it your all. As Jimmy said, the days will feel really long, so look out for and after each other. But, the year will feel so short, so cherish all the moments and things together.
And finally, to all the returners, thank you for being a part of two of the best years of my life. I know I am not alone in saying that I am so grateful to have met people at Hilda’s that I will have in my life forever. You are some of the best and brightest people I know, and I know you will all go on to do such big things. I will miss seeing you all every day; I cannot wait to see you all at the reunion and at Guerns tonight.
Thank you, Hilda’s.
ASHAH DOWNIE
Second Year Student 2024 Valedictory Dinner Reflection
Ashah Downie, Valedictory Dinner
Ally Betts, Ashah Downie & Charlie Williams, Welcome Saturday
Georgie Macho & Ashah Downie
AROUND THE GROUNDS
Oh when the Saints go marching in!!!!
This year, the Saints were marching into every game, match, and tournament with unmatched spirit, resilience, and determination. From powerful victories to hard-fought battles, each St Hilda’s team member - from players to captains to dedicated supporters - made us proud. With impressive results and unforgettable moments, it’s clear that 2024 was a year for the books.
Our cricket teams fought hard all season - and yes, I say ‘teams’ plural! With an outstanding effort from both sides, the men’s team made it all the way to the grand final and made a valiant effort to secure a well-earned 2nd place, while the women’s team put in a strong performance to claim 3rd.
Our tennis players aced their way to a well-deserved 3rd place finish. All those early mornings paid off as their skill and perseverance made every match an exciting one.
In athletics, our women’s team sprinted their way to an incredible 1st place, bringing home the title! Overall, Hilda’s came 4th, a testament to the grit and determination of every athlete. It’s going to be a high bar to beat next year.
A challenging sport that required dedication and stamina, our cross country runners showcased immense will power to persevere through their 5km run around Prinny.
Our swimmers gave it their all in the pool, securing 4th place for men’s, women’s, and overall. With a green and blue cheering squad to back them up, the Swimming Carnival was an exhilarating showcase of commitment and some super fast swimming.
With sharp reflexes and quick hands, our table tennis players had an action-packed season… that lasted all but a single day. A valiant effort from all players. Although we lost, our heads remain held high and there is hope for next year.
The women’s hockey team powered their way to a strong 3rd place finish, showcasing determination and resilience. Our men’s hockey team also played with passion, representing Hilda’s proudly on the field.
The women’s soccer team brought home the championship with an unbeatable drive and skill, finishing 1st! There was no doubt in anyone’s mind in the final game as we kept scoring goal after goal against UC. The men’s team also had a memorable season, fighting hard and leaving everything on the field… including their pride.
Jess Calvert, Women’s Netball
Emily Rednall, Women’s Hockey
Silas Kingman, Men’s Tennis
Florence Brown & Lara Swenson, Table Tennis Competition
Tobias Miliankos-King, Tom Pickles & Jesse McDougall, Cross Country
Men’s Soccer Team
AROUND THE GROUNDS
A sport that requires precision and strength, and even more from the countless early mornings on the water, our rowers displayed extraordinary teamwork and stamina, pushing through every race with Hilda’s spirit.
As netball is a sport we pride ourselves on, the netball teams did not disappoint this year either. Our Division 1 team secured 2nd place after one of the closest finals ever to watch, going point for point against Queens until the very last second where Queens pulled ever so slightly ahead. Our Division 2 team also played hard all season, showing the depth of talent at Hilda’s.
With agility and focus, our badminton players brought an exciting edge to every match, making us proud with their dedication and finesse. But a year without results only means the potential to improve in future years.
The women’s footy team tackled their way to 3rd place, showing skill and determination all season. Our men’s team also had a commendable season, pushing through every quarter with strength and resilience.
Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams gave it their all, with impressive displays of skill, speed, and teamwork.
Our volleyball teams brought energy onto the court, showcasing teamwork and a passion for the game. Both the men’s and women’s teams had seasons full of heart and dedication.
With sharp rallies and strategic play, our squash players earned 3rd place, showing the skill and focus that defines Hilda’s athletes.
This incredible year couldn’t have been possible without every single player, captain, coach and supporter. Hilda’s sport is about more than just results - it’s about friendship, spirit, and pride.
From the pre-dawn practices to the unforgettable game-day moments, each team carried the green and blue spirit with pride. As we look forward to the next season, let’s keep this momentum alive and continue building on this legacy.
GO HILDA’S!!!
AMY LI
Female-Identifying Sports Representative 2024
Women’s Soccer Premiership Team
Men’s Football Team
Women’s Football Team
Women’s Netball Grand Final
Swimming Carnival, 2024
Ben Mithen, Male-Identifying Sports Representative & Amy Li
ROW, ROW THE ST HILDA’S BOAT!
Early on the morning of the 4th of May, St Hilda’s College was up and at ‘em, ready for a day of rowing. Slowly but surely, everyone began to gather in the back quad, some still half asleep, excited for a morning of rowing. Despite the early morning being not quite compatible with the general sleep cycle of a college student, rowing is the exception. With the regatta only coming around once a year, we try to make the most of it.
At seven in the morning students slowly filtered into the back quad, ready to make their way down to the Yarra. Music played in the background, getting everyone’s energy up for the day ahead of them. Meanwhile, the rowers and our barbecue crew were already by the river, gearing up for the races. One of our Sports Representatives, Amy Li, was one of three who drove down early to have the barbecue breakfast ready for us on arrival. Having woken up at four-thirty in the morning, she described the wake up as being “a bit rough”, but was still determined enough to have gotten her eight and a half hours of sleep. At five AM she began packing up the car alongside Josh Lee, our Treasurer, and our Groundskeeper, Chris “Tyso” Tyson. With their efficient packing skills, they were the first to arrive beside the river of all the colleges, before the sun was up. Josh and Tyso started hot on the grill, and the fresh snags on arrival put a spring in the step of those still sleepy from their early alarms, myself included.
Soon after, the wave of Hilda’s students arrived and promptly filled out our designated spectator section. As the races started, students and staff alike jumped up to the river’s edge to see the boats coming through. The day began with the men’s second eight heats, followed by the women’s second eights.
Over the course of the morning, I spoke to a few of the students by the river’s edge and asked how their morning was going. They told me that they were really enjoying the different posters friends had brought to cheer on their rowers from the crowd. As well as this, they love the “fun community vibe” that the rowing brings as students from different colleges chat and mingle with one another. One of them stated, “I really like that everyone comes and gets around it,” as she watched students around her having fun, and cheering on their friends. They also made a point to give a shout out to Tyso on the barbecue, praising him “an absolute king”. Further, they talked about how nice it is to come down and support their friends who have put in so much effort into training for the regatta.
As the morning went on, more races continued for the first and second eights of all the colleges. Our men’s and women’s eights worked tirelessly in their multiple heats to get the best possible outcome. I spoke to Billy who was one of two captains for the men’s
eight. He told me that the men’s eight had been training on the water twice a week for the month leading up to the regatta, as well as multiple land sessions to make sure they were well prepared. Billy himself rowed all through high school and has done college rowing since then. One of the best things to come to light for Billy through this process has been the building of camaraderie between all of those in the boat. Between those who had been rowing for years, and those who had just picked up the oars for the first time, the energy amongst the team was electric. Billy shared with me that the feeling was hard to describe. He said, “When everyone is moving really well, the boat is quick, it sits up, it feels smooth, and it feels like the crew is unstoppable”, though he joked that this only lasts about ten seconds before it falls apart. Finally, he told me that what he most enjoyed about sport at St Hilda’s, was the ease of it all. The way that the college sport calendar works means that each season only lasts a few weeks before we move on to the next one. This means that you can try your hand at a new or familiar sport many times throughout the year.
I also got the chance to talk to Harriet, the captain of the women’s eight. Like the men’s team, they too had been training for the month leading up to the regatta. Harriet rowed at club level for four years throughout high school and picked it back up last year for college. She shared with me that she loves rowing because “You can meet some really amazing people as well as keeping super fit and healthy”. She also joked that the one thing she hates are the cold early mornings. On the morning of the regatta, Harriet recounted that the team was really nervous before the races. But once they were gliding on the water, their nerves calmed and they were able to work well as a team. Though it is nice to win, Harriet remarked that what she loves most about sport at Hilda’s is having fun and meeting new people. She even stated that she has “Met some amazing people by playing sport and some are my best friends now”.
By the end of the regatta, both teams did incredibly well in their B finals and came fifth overall. Though the rowing isn’t always our strong suit, seeing the rowers give it their all in the races brought all the colleges together as they cheered their friends on. For many of us, the early morning can be testing, but it is all worth it for the fun we have down by the Yarra.
Women’s and Men’s Rowing Teams
PERFORMING ARTS
The year commenced with a bang at Step Up dance off, where the music didn’t stop and neither did our awesomeness. How could it when there were bedazzled velour tracksuit pants involved? With so many freshers taking the dance stage for the first time, it was a breathtaking display of Hilda’s talent. Keeping that energy going, we took to the Workers stage with Hilda’s Fest. With immaculate disco vibes and the insane talent of the bands, it was a night to remember.
The trivia team of eshays snagged us our highest ICAC placing while JCH and Queens joined us for some sips and slices before the hilarious ICAC musical. It was then time to chill out and embrace nature at Hilda’s Under the Stars, with a special guest: the grand piano. From nostalgic movie scores to original works, Hildarians really were serenaded that night.
Kicking off one of the most intense weeks of many of the arts year, we grabbed our feather boas, smeared on some body glitter and fought for the ICAC Battle of the Bands title. Highlights include channeling James Bond in sparkly disco outfits, a harmonica-saxophone battle and doing the Nutbush in a 600 person crowd.
The very next day marked the start of production week for Legally Blonde, the pinkest, funniest, most energetic musical there ever was. With a third of the college involved in the play, it was a huge success with a record-breaking opening night! Riding high from our theatre prowess, our improv team took to the Queens stage at ICAC Theatresports.
The year rounded off with the inaugural Green and Blue Gala to celebrate the incredible sports and arts talent within our community. A massive thank you to everyone for making the Hilda’s arts and culture scene so incredible in 2024.
SHARON ANTHONY Cultural Director 2024
Dillon Lane, Commencement Dinner
Saxon Smith, Paddock to Plate
Jesse McDougall, Charlie Williams & Ciaran Noble
Kate Katheklakis, Alice Dagwell & Sonia Freiburg
Sharon Anthony, Hilda’s Fest
Kate Katheklakis, Founders & Benefactors
Rachel Lee, Hilda’s Fest
Pippa Monckton, Academic Dinner
Arya Chunilal, Hilda’s Fest
April Sofra, Paddock to Plate Houhong Li, Hilda’s Under the Stars
Thomas Afford, Hilda’s Under the Stars
Arnold Luppi, Hilda’s Fest
LEGALLY BLONDE
Trying to follow the smash hits that were Addams Family and Heathers in 2023 and 2022 respectively, was a daunting task but I think it’s safe to say that Legally Blonde the Musical well surpassed our high expectations.
The 2024 play started far before the year did. Before the announcement of the play convenors were even made, those of us who would later be given the role, Jessie Williams, Ethan Prescott, Diya Ranjan and I were all hours into the search of what our next production would be. Taking up the majority of November and December of 2023, the decision of what production to pick was a truly rigorous one, finding us asking ourselves questions such as “how big is too big for a band?” and “will we get enough people for the ensemble?”. Finally, in February we made the much anticipated announcement that we would be attempting the iconic Legally Blonde.
From here we interviewed and found our brilliant creative team, with Hilda’s alum William Munday and Charlie Dohler as our director and assistant director, and fellow students Jacinta Baker, Samantha Caswell and Sonia Freiburg as our vocal coach, choreographer and musical director respectively. This team made the musical and without their direction and hard work, it would not have been possible.
Closely following the creative team came our 27 member cast, a highly talented and amazing group of people. I wish I could name them all, as this cast was nothing less than spectacular and brought the story of Elle Woods (played by Alice Dagwell) to life. Starting rehearsals at the end of March we soon became a giant group of theatre kids who, though tired, would not stop repeating lines and songs from every part of the musical. Through this brilliant cast and amazing direction from the creative team, we watched the, at first, naive, love blind Elle Woods become the pink determined icon that she is today on stage in the final week of August.
Leading up to the production we organised a range of partnerships and ran a number of events such as a Bunnings BBQ, Assassins Week and Trivia Night all to fundraise for the show. Together with our outstanding 660+ tickets sold and a much-earned grant from the University of Melbourne, this production made history with the largest profit and most attended opening night ever from a St Hilda’s play.
With over 85 people, this production was a truly mammoth task that we had not previously dreamed of. Whilst it certainly took up most of my year and required its fair share of problem solving, I would not have traded this experience or these people for anything. Throughout this year I had the absolute pleasure of watching people who had never thought to dance on stage learn to Irish jig and others form friendships that I am sure will last a lifetime. This production brought so much to my time at college as I’m sure it did for many others and I am so excited to see what comes next for the play.
LILI REUS-SMIT
Producer of 2024 Legally Blonde
Georgia Shell, Paulette
The Cast of Legally Blonde with Alice Dagwell (pink) as Elle Woods
Charlotte Townsend, Ciaran Noble, Dillon Lane, Charlie Williams & Harper Raverty
2024 Creative and Production Crew with Lili Reus-Smit (right)
Harry Walker-Jones, Carlos, & Regina Laletha, Judge
BON VOYAGE TO OUR EXCHANGE STUDENTS
As we began the second semester, we unfortunately had to say an early goodbye to some of our fellow students as they headed off on exchange. Before they left, I was able to catch up with five of them to hear about the exciting semester ahead.
Summer is a second year student studying a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Marketing and Management, but will be using her time overseas to study subjects outside of her regular domain. She will be going to the University of Glasgow in Scotland, which she chose for its lively social scene and beautiful scenery. She is super excited to meet new people and potentially find some fellow student travellers to explore Europe with. While only joining the Hilda’s community at the start of this year, Summer says the thing she’ll miss the most is the people at college, along with all the events and casual nightly chats over a mug of our beloved choco milk.
Sarah is also a second year student, completing a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Accounting and Finance at the University of Melbourne. Funnily enough, she will also be moving to Scotland for this semester but will be attending the University of St Andrews. Sarah chose this university as she wanted to experience living in a small town with a fantastic student culture paired with a lifelong desire to visit Scotland. She’s super excited to meet new people and partake in some St Andrews’ traditions. Despite her eagerness to meet new people, it’s her friends from Hilda’s that she’ll miss the most.
Kennedy is a second year student currently studying a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Criminology with a minor in Media and Communications. This semester she is jetting off to Copenhagen, Denmark and is looking forward to life in a new city. She is super keen to experience the food, people and city life in Denmark, and to meet other students. She is also excited to take advantage of the ability to travel more easily around Europe. Despite all of this excitement, Kennedy will miss the familiarity of home and is devastated to be missing out on our upcoming production of Legally Blonde, which is her favourite!
Dailey is a second year student studying a Bachelor of Science majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She is heading off to Ireland to study at University College Dublin and is looking forward to being able to study subjects that aren’t offered at the University of Melbourne. She specifically mentioned one interesting subject that focuses on bees and their behaviours. Having travelled to Ireland with her family last year, Dailey fell in love with the country and its people, inspiring her to go there on exchange. She is most eager to explore Dublin and Ireland’s neighbouring countries. While she is away, she will miss having fun at college events and will miss her friends even more.
Callum is a second year student studying a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Economics and Finance. This semester he will be going to the United States to attend Tulane University in New Orleans. The main reason he picked this school was because he felt it would present an entirely new experience to his degree so far and had read great praise for their business school. While on exchange, he is most looking forward to meeting lots of new people and simply creating a fun, new experience for himself. In spite of this excitement, he, like our other students, will miss his friends and the broader community at Hilda’s.
While it is always sad to see so many friendly faces leave our community to pursue their academic and cultural endeavours, we wish them the very best on their travels. Though they will be greatly missed, we welcome a group of wonderful new first years into our community and we are having a blast getting to know them
Anna De Santis, Aimee Ferdinands, Kennedy Daly and Sarah Bielovich
Ciaran Noble, Callum Gillespie and Jesse McDougall
Scarlett Slater & Dailey Gillies
Mia Lu, Julia Huang, Charlotte Warner and Summer Baxter
DIVERSITY REPORT
QUEER PORTFOLIO
2024 has been an impactful and exciting year for the St Hilda’s queer community. This year wasn’t just about events; it was about fostering connection, celebrating identity, and building a stronger, more inclusive environment. From long-standing traditions to brand-new initiatives, the collective efforts brought people together in meaningful ways. Pride night was the biggest it has ever been, with strong attendance from the queer and broader community alike. We saw awesome drag performances, bingo, and dancing alongside our cocktail and mocktail bar. Wear It Purple Day returned as a community favourite with terrarium-making, clay sculpting, bracelet making, and wine glass painting. This year we were able to have a drag performance and proudly raised nearly $500 for the Wear It Purple Day Foundation, supporting queer youth in need.
This year also saw the re-emergence of the Intercollegiate Pride Network. Collaborating with queer representatives across the crescent, we organised new events, including a queer picnic, an education week with talks and screenings, and bingo. These events were well-received and set a strong foundation for future intercollegiate initiatives. I’m so excited to see this intercollegiate queer space grow. This year within the queer community I put forward a focus of making queer culture, events, and education accessible to everyone. This allowed for this awesome community to stand proud and openly share who they are, for students to explore what it means to have a queer identity, and endeavoured to bring us all together as Hildarians! I am so excited to see this community continue to grow in the future.
ALISON O’BRIEN
Queer Representative 2024
INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO
This year, the international portfolio placed a stronger emphasis on uniting international students to foster meaningful conversations around their shared experiences. By creating a welcoming environment, we encouraged students to explore their diverse backgrounds and perspectives, allowing them to connect on a deeper level. In addition, we aimed to engage the wider community in fun and interactive ways, promoting cultural exchange and understanding.
JADE BUSCH
International Representative 2024
ACCESSIBILITY PORTFOLIO
This year, Hilda’s has focused on accessibility in our community, integrating the Accessibility Consultant role into GC processes and meetings. Our focus on the diverse needs and accessibility requirements of our community has encouraged us to enhance the structure of many of our events to accommodate for many of our students’ needs.
Combined with the Diversity & Inclusivity Portfolio, accessibility at Hilda’s in 2024 has focused on women’s health, neurodiversity and mental health. Hilda’s believes every member of our community holds the same right to attend and enjoy our events. The role of Accessibility Consultant ensures this is upheld in every facet of college life.
I’m really proud of how this role has developed this year, and am certain that it will continue to uphold the Hilda’s ethos of acceptance and inclusion in the future.
LAURA O’SHANNESSY
Accessibility Consultant
Harry Walker-Jones and Laura O’Shannessy
Charli Nye, Holly Pop & Alison O’Brien
Jade Busch
PRIDE NIGHT
On the 18th of April, St Hilda’s held our annual Pride Night celebration. Upon entering our beloved Sugden Dining Hall, it was like a whole new room! Our Student Club General Committee had spent the preceding hours dressing up the hall with rainbows galore. The front of the hall was adorned with pillars of coloured lights lined up in rainbow order. Pride flags were hung up on the windows of the hall and colourful flag bunting was draped all around the room. Tables had been shifted in the room to make space for a dance floor in the middle of the hall, ready for everyone to have a boogie.
Our Queer Representative, Alison, had been working on this night since the start of the year, putting in all of her effort to make sure this night would be the best one yet. Alison has been so incredibly eager to make this event great since stepping into her role on the GC at the end of last year. By starting the process so early, Alison was able to plan the evening and the culture she wanted to set during the event.
The night began with a fabulous performance by the drag queen, Xena Ghost to the song ‘When Love Takes Over’. The crowd cheered and sang along, watching her performance excitedly. She introduced herself to the audience and handed out bingo cards to commence song bingo. We went through multiple rounds throughout the night, each one based around a song category such as certain decades and TV show theme tunes. The first prize of the night was awarded to Jade after she won the first round of bingo.
As the night went on, various SRAs and members of the GC were at the back of the hall serving delicious cocktails, mocktails, and fresh popcorn for the duration of the evening. Other lollies and treats were scattered among the tables, and hot party pies were handed out in the evening’s intermission.
I spoke to first year student, Missy, who said their “favourite part of the night was the drag show”, telling me they thought it was so much fun. Whereas for Alison, her favourite part of the night was seeing everyone, whether they are part of the queer community or are allies, throw themselves into the festivities. People were laughing, singing along, dancing, and wearing face paint in the shape of pride flags on their cheeks.
Further, I spoke to Alison about how important it is to have this night scheduled in our calendar. She told me that this year she wanted to have a big focus on celebrating pride within the queer community, but that does not make it exclusive to queer students. She wanted to make sure this night was an opportunity taken to bring students together whether they are part of the queer community or not. By doing this, it can “bridge the gap between allies and the queer community, encouraging understanding and connection” she says.
This event is also a great way to foster a safe space for queer students here at Hilda’s and gives us the chance to show our support and acceptance for their queer identity within our community.
When speaking to Missy, they stated that after attending a rather conservative high school, seeing queer identities represented so easily here means a lot to them, “It’s everything that I wanted throughout high school”. They went on to say that Hilda’s in general has been great in fostering a safe and supportive environment for the queer community. In particular, they mentioned how they valued the mutual respect of people’s pronouns that we’ve really reinforced in the Hilda’s community.
As the night went on, more rounds of bingo were played, students danced to their fresher songs, and fun was had by all. Pride night was such an amazing event to be a part of for all members of the community. This night serves as an important way to celebrate all of our queer-identifying students and queer pride in our community. Seeing my friends having a blast and feeling celebrated in their identity never fails to make me smile. I want to share a huge thank you to Alison and the rest of the GC for making this event possible. It was simply a night I could never forget.
GEORGIE MACHO Communications Intern 2024
Jed Salmon
Kate Anderson
April Sofra, Daisy Kendall & Jess Ingle
Joined by Xena Ghost
WEAR IT PURPLE
Wear It Purple Day in 2024 followed in the footsteps of its recent predecessors as a wonderful display of friendship, respect and creativity! The Front Quad and Dining Hall were buzzing across the day as our students enjoyed glass painting, clay art, key ring design and terrarium making, along with an entertaining visit from Holly Pop, who led our community in a range of song and dance-style games, including an epic lip-sync battle!
A huge congrats to Ali and team for another successful event in this space.
Glass Painting
Georgina Kemp & Ashna Sharma, Wear it Purple Dance Off
This year I’ve had the privilege of leading the Student Club’s Communitas portfolio, alongside two dedicated teams of charity and environmental convenors. For 2024 we’ve had three main goals: to give back to regional and rural communities, to support fundraising for human health, and to reduce our college’s waste.
In line with our first goal to support regional communities, the team and I chose to fundraise for Rural Aid: an Australian notfor-profit that helps farming communities hit by natural disaster with important financial aid, fodder provisions and wellbeing support. The college’s Paddock to Plate evening in late July is one of the most significant events on the calendar, and was a wonderful opportunity for St Hilda’s students, families and friends to come together and raise important funds for Rural Aid. As Communitas Director I worked closely with the wonderful Carly Damen and a team of charity convenors to reach out to local and regional businesses to support our fundraising efforts, and we were overwhelmed by the community’s generosity. Thanks to donations made by businesses and St Hilda’s families, we raised a record $16,800.
In the latter half of the year, the charity convenors and I continued St Hilda’s proud tradition of supporting the McGrath Foundation, who support breast cancer nurses and better care for breast cancer patients. Through ‘Walk for a Week’, which saw students walking around the Hilda’s quad at all times of the day for a week straight, and the Christmas in August ‘Skills Auction’, we raised more than $3000.
2024’s environmental portfolio received an upgrade from one convenor to three, and our expanded team’s waste reduction efforts saw the creation of St Hilda’s Op Shop and Swap Shop for second-hand clothes. A rainy Saturday in semester two also saw our Hilda’s Op Shop breaking through intercollegiate boundaries as we collaborated with Queens and Ormond to run the first Intercollegiate Op Shop Fete – a tradition we hope to continue. Shoutout to environmental convenors Aimee Ferdinands, Livi McLean and Asher Keldan for their teamwork in organising the event and to volunteers from the Environmental Committee who assisted on the day.
The environmental team and I also aimed to cut down on waste produced beyond college life as students leave Hilda’s for the end of the year. Our EOY waste reduction initiative allows Hildarians to donate old clothes and goods, and before these are collected for op shops, students can take whatever goods they’d like for free. It’s such a simple way to reduce consumerism and make our community more mindful of the things that we often dispose of without a second thought.
These initiatives, among others - such as Earth Hour, Get Your Life In Order Week, the new college veggie patch and bee hotels, and lobbying for an on campus Container Deposit Scheme drop-off site at UniMelb – have helped our community to give back and strengthen connections with one other, people around the crescent and beyond.
Communitas, Latin for our ‘oneness in spirit’ is so central to what we value as a community, and the work that Hildarians have done this year to achieve our giving back goals has been so gratifying and given a lot of purpose to our Communitas mission.
It’s so important that we make the most of being part of this community to create positive change and foster strong relationships between one another and the world around us. I look forward to seeing this oneness in spirit strengthened even further in the years to come.
JESSE MCDOUGALL Communitas Director 2024
Charity Convenors, Anna Howell, Tess Jackman & Gabby Burrell with Jesse McDougall
Patrick Ryan, Bryce Junk-Gibson & Tobias Miliankos-King, Christmas in August Skills Charity Auction
Matilda Gauci & George Ives, Paddock to Plate Auction
Jade Busch, Intercollegiate Op Shop Fete
FRESHER REPORT
This year at St Hilda’s, we have had the privilege of representing a wonderful and diverse cohort of students through their first year at university and college. Each student has faced their own unique challenges, but we have all had the amazing and strong support of the St Hilda’s community to fall back on. The events and warm social environment curated by the college has provided us all with opportunities to find people who will undoubtedly back us for many years and challenges to come.
The broad range of events and support network of the college has made the transition to the next stage of our lives as easy as possible. Being an international student myself, I have found St Hilda’s to be an amazing first step in becoming a part of this new world. Students are given the opportunity to make mistakes and learn within a safe environment, which is infinitely valuable at such an experimental stage of life. We are also provided with places and people to go to if we are finding all of the new experiences overwhelming. Hilda’s has helped us to expand our horizons, and open our minds as we start our journeys through university in Melbourne.
Ultimately, this year has left me excitedly anticipating what the future holds. After such an awesome year of irreplaceable experiences with a fabulous cohort of first-year students, I cannot wait to meet those who are joining us in 2025!
DILLON LANE & ASHNA SHARMA
First Year Representatives 2024
First Years, O Week
Mia Lu & Julia Huang, First Year Sinkies
O Week Queens vs Hilda’s Dodgeball
Jess Calvert & Myah Grylewicz, O Week Colour Run
Anika Hamilton & Florence Brown
Ashna Sharma & Dillon Lane with 2023 First Year Representatives, Jesse McDougall & Ashah Downie
CHRISTMAS IN AUGUST
Throughout the year, Ashna and I have had the pleasure of organising and running several events for the student club. The biggest, and probably our favorite, was Christmas in August. We selected the theme of ‘Ugly Christmas’, and had an amazing time seeing what our peers decided to wear. Additionally we organized a Kris Kringle, and our very own Georgie Macho dressed up as Santa for students to take photos with.
Members of the college offered up various skills and experiences to be sold at the skills auction, which took place while we ate our traditional Christmas dinner. Money raised went directly to the McGrath Foundation in support of nurses specialized with breast cancer patients, to help ensure that they can be available where and when they are needed.
After the event, students were able to go to a pre-booked venue and have a dance with their mates. We had a lot of fun organizing Christmas in August, and were thrilled to hear our community loved it too.
DILLON LANE
Male-Identifying First Year Representative 2024
Santa & Simon Krupka
Maddy Seebeck, First Year Student
Georgia O’Brien, Charlotte Winter & Genevieve Cummins
Tobias Miliankos King, Santa, Paddy Ryan (Front) & Abbey Miller (Back)
Anna De Santis, Beth Pooley, Aimee Ferdinands, Emily Rednall, Verity Quilty & Charlotte Warner
Pippa Monckton, James Lowe, Charles Campbell-Cowan, Hannah Wilson, Thomas Afford (Back), Harrison Brooker, Ella Goodwin, Harrison He (Middle), Heidi Grey-Block, Chloe Ridsdill-Smith and Evie Holzmann (Front)
Christmas Family Dinner
PADDOCK TO PLATE
As has been tradition over the past few years, our annual Paddock to Plate event was the centerpiece of family weekend as students returned from mid-year break.
This year, the Student Club opted to support Rural Aid and teamed up with the Community Engagement Team to engage a record number of businesses, families and individuals to support the event via donations to the raffle, auction and lucky door prizes. We were also thrilled to showcase a number of Hilda’s families via the menu (namely Layla O’Callaghan’s family’s amazing pears and Maggie Smith’s mum’s wholefoods business) and, in one case, the decorations (thanks to Pat Bennett for trekking down the highway with all the hay bales!).
A huge shout out to the Di Sciascio family (Lulu - first year) who came on board to support the event through a wine drive, showcasing a range of wines across their Santa & D’SAS, …ish and RedCote ranges.
The event was a very early sell out and, despite pretty dreadful weather, everyone had a wonderful evening.
Across the event, including the wine drive, almost $17k was raised on behalf of Rural Aid. A massive thank you to all those who supported the event and we look forward to the 2025 iteration.
To see the full list of those who contributed to the event, please check out the program below and, wherever possible, we encourage you to support these businesses.
Scan to view the Program
Anna Howell & Jesse McDougall
Willow Plex, Georgia Shell & Lee Cameron
Patrick Bennett (Right) & Parents
Erin Haupt & Mum
Matt Bowles, Auctioner
Harper Raverty & Kirsten Tsui
Lulu Di Sciascio & Parents
Simon Krupka (Right) & Family
Billy Thomas (Middle) & Edward Dwyer
WHITBY DINNER SEMESTER 1
St Hilda’s were fortunate enough to have Richard Dent deliver the first Whitby Dinner of 2024. Richard is an associate at the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation. His highly decorated career includes being a CEO, Chair and Governance Specialist for more than thirty years. Clearly, Richard is experienced with guiding important discussions, and this was put on display to St Hilda’s staff and students.
This event, held each semester, is a chance to hear from a knowledgeable and inspirational figure. But more importantly, it is an opportunity to partake in important conversations which tackle real world problems. This gives students and staff the chance to provide their inputs within group discussions, practicing initiative and collaboration.
As such, Richard had chosen a very important topic to discuss approaching a wider issue in today’s world. That is, the prevalence of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it can be used for benefit. This session was entitled “Australian Human Development: Next Steps for a Better Nation and Better World in an AI Context”. So, after giving a briefing about AI’s place in the world and its consequences, Richard passed the floor to the rest of the room to discuss how to improve our world by using AI.
It was terrific to hear a plethora of ideas and perspectives. Some approaches to benefit society by implementing AI included: prosthetic production, education, controlling environmental effects, aiding the legal system. Peers were encouraged to challenge each other over ideas and discuss limitations and any setbacks. This resulted in a thorough and memorable discussion. It was amazing to see every member in the room outwardly providing their opinions and thoughts.
My highlights for this dinner were Richard’s clever strategies to maintain a very attentive and engaged audience. Moreover, it was great to be challenged with our own ideas regarding AI, a tricky discussion to navigate through as there is never any clear solution for a wider issue like this. Finally, what stuck out the most to me was Richard outlining what leadership is about. This did not only come in the form of the AI conversation, but rather talking about problem solving and perspective for any context. Alleviating one area of an issue will cause greater issues in another, so different strategies are important for addressing problems with leadership and initiative.
Being an undergraduate student who is trying to navigate through the ever-changing world, I found this dinner so helpful and memorable.
I was reminded how lucky we were, having many opportunities during our time at St Hilda’s like this, to partake in discussions which transform our perspectives going forward. So, I would like to dearly thank Richard Dent. He has inspired all of us to approach things differently, to exercise human development, and to push for a better world.
TONY BEGBIE
2024 Second Year Student
Tony Begbie
Richard Dent, Whitby Presenter
Roundtable Discussions
Whitby Dinner, Semester 1
WHITBY DINNER SEMESTER 2
On Wednesday the 18th of September, St Hilda’s College was delighted to welcome Dr. Heather Schnagl AM as the guest speaker for the second Whitby Dinner of 2024. This event invited 25 students to celebrate their achievements from the first semester and to engage in a thought-provoking discussion on the teaching crisis.
The evening’s theme was explored in depth by Dr. Schnagl, a distinguished educator who began her career as a research scientist before transitioning to teaching. After spending 20-years as Principal of Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School, Dr. Schnagl retired in 2017, leaving a legacy of impactful leadership and advocacy for education. Dr. Schnagl has also been a St Hilda’s fellow since 2006.
This was my first time attending a Whitby Dinner, and I found it to be an enlightening experience. It provided a rare opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue about a critical issue affecting society today. As a university student, I can personally attest to the positive influence that passionate teachers have had on my academic journey. Throughout the dinner, students shared their educational experiences and observations, taking turns in presenting their thoughts on the primary causes of the teaching crisis, followed by discussions on possible solutions. Among the ideas proposed were increasing wages, improving the workplace environment, reducing teacher workloads, and revising career pathways. Despite our collective brainstorming, no students managed to identify the solution Dr. Schnagl herself proposed, which she developed through reflection on her many years in teaching.
Dr. Schnagl emphasized two pivotal strategies for addressing the crisis: shortening the pathway for university graduates to become teachers by one year and facilitating smoother career transitions into teaching for mature workers. The latter is crucial because it allows individuals with valuable life experience and diverse skill sets to enrich the teaching profession while addressing the immediate shortage of educators.
Being seated with students from diverse degrees broadened the scope of our conversation, encouraging us to think critically about challenges that might not usually arise in our everyday lives.
Overall, the night’s discussions left us all with a heightened awareness of the teaching crisis and its far-reaching implications, in addition to a renewed appreciation for the importance of education and the teachers who make it possible.
GEORGIA SHELL
2024 First Year Student
Dr. Heather Schnagl AM
Anika Hamilton, First Year
Aimee Watson, Fiona Cadorel & Rena Nichol
Anna Howell, Tanat Chanwangsa & Joel Biro
Class of 2024
Jacinta “Jason” Baker
Lauren Dressler de Vargas
Bryce Junk-Gibson
Joshua Lee
Georgie Macho
Noah Magnussen
Tobias Miliankos-King
Abbey Miller
Tess Palubiski
Patrick Ryan
Jessie Williams
Mody Yim
Tess Palubiski, Graduation Ceremony
Incoming Co-Presidents, Sharon Anthony & Harry Walker-Jones
Incoming Student Leaders
Pre-Drinks in the Front Quad
Sophia Owen & Alana Crosbie
Graduating Class of 2024
Shehan Weeraratna, Ben Mithen, Amy Li & Jess Calvert
Joshus Lee, Student Club Treasurer & RA
Lucie Mckay, Florence Brown, Genevieve Cummins & Charlotte Winter
William Nourse & Emily Senior
Noah Magnussen, Jessie Williams & Jacinta Baker
Graduating Class of 2024
Ruby Stringer & Xavier Cornelius
Silas Kingman, Matt Jones, Joel Basile, Tony Begbie (Back), Olivia Mclean, Charlotte Mathews and Leo Turnball-Gent (Front)
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN THE GC
This year brought about a major change in the history of St Hilda’s College. Starting from the end of 2024, our college was the first in Australia to introduce a Co-President model that requires both presidents to be of differing gender identities. With our first co-presidents, Sharon Anthony and Harry Walker-Jones, having been elected in late 2024, we look to next year as the first steps in making our college more equitable for our diverse community. So how exactly did this progression come to be?
After the 2024 General Committee Executive, Paddy, Bryce, Josh, and Tobias, was voted in, they quickly noticed there was a problem. While all members were going to be, and since proved to be, fantastic in their roles, this was the first time in recent college history that we saw a same gendered executive team. This was a clear problem as it did not reflect our community which is proud to be a safe and welcoming environment for people of all genders to be celebrated.
So, the executive team got to work. The four of them promptly addressed their concerns with Jimmy and Fe, our Principal and Dean of Students respectively, and it became a priority to figure out how to ensure gender equity in all executive elections moving forward.
When speaking to Paddy about this process, he explained to me some of the key concerns that led to implementing this change. The new executive team were worried that by having an all male team, students of other genders may be discouraged from applying for leadership positions due to a lack of representation and role-modelling. They were also concerned that students would be intimidated to bring forward complaints or concerns, and that their team perspective would be narrowed by their similarity, thus not accurately representing our community. Further, they paid attention to the overwhelming research that proves diverse gender and perspective in leadership results in increased productivity, happiness, and effectiveness within an environment.
From this, one main question arose, said Paddy. Why hadn’t this been done before? When looking at other colleges across Australia, there did not exist any form of gender quota within student leadership teams, nor any formal structure that encourages gender diversity. With this, the next step in the process came about. How would we implement this change?
The St Hilda’s Student Club is an incorporated body, which means the executive team was required to hold a vote in order to pass this change to the constitution. So the team got to work. They set a date for the vote to go forth, and began to pull together resources and organise discussion sessions to educate the student body on why this proposed change would be for the better. Of course, this proposal did not come without its challenges. Students brought forth areas of concern or confusion, and this was highly encouraged. The executive team wanted to hear feedback and critical thinking regarding how we can restructure our executive and their elections to make them as equitable as possible. Once this part of the process was thoughtfully managed, there was only one obstacle left. The act of change.
Trying to implement this large of a change within the college was going to take an immense amount of courage from the student body and trust in their student and staff leadership team. Paddy shared with me that though this change has been attempted at other colleges, it did not succeed. He stated that “It takes a progressive, and steady college to be both critical of its current structures, but also open-minded for the future of the college after they leave”, and we are proud to say that St. Hilda’s adheres to this statement.
The co-president model passed in early August with large success. Testament to Paddy’s statement, this change only reflects the progressive and open-minded thinking we possess within our college. This new model will play a key role in ensuring gender equity within student leadership and is representative of how the college grows and fluctuates alongside the progression of broader society. Further, Paddy commented on why this change is important for the future of the college. He summed it up in three areas; gender
equity, workload, and representation. Gender equity, as we’ve mostly covered, was at the crux of implementing this change. When researching whether this change had been done before, an overwhelming amount of studies showed that multiple genders within leadership was highly effective and increased motivation within a team.
Regarding workload, in the current president-vice president model, there appeared to be an inclination for the workload of the vice-president to be unrecognised and under-appreciated. By adapting these roles into co-presidents, the workloads of the two are now able to balance each other better, and provide challenging tasks against the power of two minds.
Finally, one of the key motivators in implementing this change was to better role-model leadership. Leadership often becomes male-dominated due to societal intimidation and generational stigma against non-male identifying people. By implementing a structural change rather than a gender quota, it normalises having multiple or all genders in the highest college leadership position, thus inspiring and encouraging anyone to run for president.
Sharon and Harry, also commented on this aspect of representation and how excited they are to start as the first co-presidents of St Hilda’s. When they both heard about this proposal, they were excited to see action being taken in our community to make our leadership more equitable. Harry commented that after the change had been passed, the impact he saw was immediate. The 2025 executive elections had more female applicants than last year, and students of all genders began to see themselves in leadership roles. He further commented that he is excited for the broader perspective that the co-president model will bring as it facilitates the inclusion of diverse experiences and outlooks. Sharon built on this, saying that “a fundamental aspect of the role is representing the community”, and by having two different genders fill these positions, that aspect will be better achieved. She stated further that by implementing this structural change, it empowers people of all genders in the community to know that they too can thrive in leadership positions and solidifies the first stepping stone for the leadership team to truly reflect our diverse community.
Though my time at St Hilda’s has come to an end, I am delighted to have seen this constitutional change happen this year as the college strives to continually improve and adapt with the society around us. To Paddy, Tobias, Josh, Bryce, Jimmy, and Fe, I’d like to thank you for your tremendous efforts this year in developing our college for the better. As we look toward the future, I am truly excited to see Sharon and Harry kickstart this role with strength, intelligence, and grace. I can’t wait to see the positive impacts of this change next year and wish the new executive team all the best.
GEORGIE MACHO
General Leadership Committee 2024
SEEING PINK
Leadership has been a monumental part of my college journey as a Residential Advisor and Developmental Director. Reflecting on my time, one of my most beloved achievements was expanding on the Diversity and Inclusion Portfolio and introducing a women’s committee to the college. Known as “Seeing Pink”, the group explores the lived experience of the “feminine” in all its intersectional and varied forms. It aims to host a safe space for non-male-identifying students to discuss issues such as sexual violence and women’s health research.
We held an array of sessions from make-up workshops, where we shared products and techniques, to looking at female empowerment within various forms of media. A personal highlight of mine was also seeing ‘Julia’, a compelling production that brings the story behind Julia Gillard’s ‘misogyny speech’ to life, followed by some wine and cheese. In collaboration with the Health Portfolio, we facilitated a highly successful Women’s Health Week, for all of our students, regardless of gender, to inform and educate. Dr Bianca Forrester facilitated a highly engaging workshop on reproductive health and pelvic pain, Sexologist, Nikkiema Rai facilitated a workshop on shame, stigma and sexual empowerment, and the Seeing Pink committee facilitated a workshop on courageous conversations about the lived experiences of women.
Each session was meticulously planned with the hope that St Hilda’s could be a place where most women can discuss these topics. I’d like to thank Ella Goodwin, Chloe Ridsdill-Smith, Laura O’Shannessy, Alison O’Brien and Georgie Macho for supporting my ideas and growing with me in this experience.
“Sisterhood” recognises that women (not just men) can be sexist, misogynistic and/or not supportive when they are competitive & try to bring each other down. Instead, the idea of sisterhood encourages women to reach out to each other to share beliefs and create a resource pool that is easily accessible regardless of age. At a college that saw 70% of students identifying as female in 2024, it was clear that there needed to be a space for non-male-identifying students to come together to discuss issues and experiences.
I am excited to see where the new team takes this initiative in the future.
ABBEY MILLER
Residential Advisor & Developmental Director 2024
WOMEN’S HEALTH WEEK
As Residential Advisors, part of our job is to work on a wellbeing portfolio to support student wellbeing. The four portfolios are Health, Giving Back, Diversity & Inclusion, and Arts & Cultural. Every year, the Residential Advisors (RAs) and Senior Residential (SRAs) on each portfolio pick a focus to centre their initiatives around for the year. This year, Abbey Miller and I decided to use our portfolios (Health and Diversity & Inclusion) in collaboration to create a very special project we were both incredibly passionate about: Women’s Health Week.
Running from September 2nd to 6th, this year’s theme was “Your Voice. Your Choice”, aiming to encourage women to advocate for themselves and make healthy decisions. Taking inspiration from the wonderful Jean Hailes, Abbey and I worked alongside the amazing Seeing Pink Committee to run and facilitate a week of workshops to inform and educate our community. We began the week on the Monday night with an information session regarding sexual empowerment and the shame and stigma that often comes with expressing your sexuality, presented by Sexologist, Nikkiema Rai. After Nikkiema’s presentation, she opened the floor to anonymous questions from the audience, allowing students to hear the answers to their burning questions without fear of judgement.
Tuesday night brought a second educational workshop presented to us by the fantastic Dr Bianca Forrester. After a round of trivia on women’s health, Dr Forrester gave a captivating presentation on reproductive health, menstrual health, and the unspoken differences of neurodivergence in women versus men. She was barely able to get through each slide without a handful of questions from the audience, all eager to learn about these everyday factors of our health that isn’t often taught to us. While this session awoke some disappointment in many of us regarding the lack of research in women’s health, it left me empowered to advocate for my body and eager to learn more.
On Wednesday night, Abbey and I facilitated a spectrum debate with the help of Seeing Pink. One by one, we read statements to the group that related to women’s health, lived feminine experiences, and societal expectations, and the members of the group stood across the room on a spectrum from ‘strongly agree’ to ‘strongly disagree’. Every statement brought up insightful conversations of our different and similar experiences and feelings. Though this session brought up many raw feelings of anger, sadness, passion, and empathy, it also helped us recognise one and other in a deeper manner, helping find power in the moments where you feel powerless.
There is a stereotypical narrative built into society that women can express their emotions freely with one and other. But it simply isn’t the case. From being dismissed and sexualised, to having our rights threatened, a subconscious filter has been fitted to our mouths, blocking our ability to speak openly about the things that impact us.
This week allowed all of us to learn more about ourselves and open up to each other, finding unfortunate solace in shared experience. Though I end here on what feels like a bittersweet note, this week was the eye-opening first of what I hope will be many to come and I hope that all of you reading are able to recognise the power and impact that comes with advocating for women’s health.
MACHO Residential Advisor 2024
GEORGIE
Jessie Williams, Makeup Session Dr Bianca Forrester, WHW
HILDA’S HEADSTART
This year, St Hilda’s College proudly introduced Hilda’s Head Start, an innovative program designed to prepare students for life beyond college. Held on Monday nights throughout the semester, the program focused on equipping students with the skills, insights, and confidence to thrive in their professional lives. A highlight of the program was fostering meaningful connections between our students and the accomplished St Hilda’s alumni network.
The Meet and Greet sessions allowed students to engage in personal conversations with alumni from diverse industries and academic backgrounds. These interactions offered invaluable insights into career pathways, challenges, and opportunities, providing students with practical advice and a sense of inspiration for their futures.
The Hilda’s Head Start initiative seamlessly integrated personal development with professional preparation. Students engaged in workshops that explored self-awareness, career planning, and critical thinking while developing practical skills such as resume writing, interview techniques, and networking. Some of the standout components included:
• Graduate Employability Skills: Workshops focusing on key attributes like teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability essential for workplace success.
• Public Speaking Workshops: Opportunities to overcome stage fright, enhance communication skills, and build confidence for professional and personal presentations.
• Inclusivity and Diversity Training: These workshops explored the principles of inclusivity, allyship, and the celebration of diversity. Students engaged in thought-provoking discussions about privilege, unconscious bias, and strategies for fostering inclusive environments in academic, professional, and personal settings.
• Panel Discussions and Expert Talks: Featuring professionals in medicine, education, law, and more, offering insights into diverse career fields and current global challenges.
Students also participated in unique programs like the Mock Assessment Centre, which simulated real-world recruitment exercises, and specialized training sessions in leadership, ethical decision-making, and mental health first aid.
These experiences ensured students were not only academically prepared but also equipped to contribute meaningfully to their future workplaces and communities.
Through Hilda’s Head Start, St Hilda’s students have demonstrated their commitment to growth, innovation, and building connections that last a lifetime. This program is a testament to the College’s dedication to fostering a culture of empowerment and excellence, ensuring our students are ready to lead, innovate, and inspire in every aspect of their lives.
If you’re interested in contributing to this program and inspiring our future leaders, we’d love to hear from you! Get in touch to explore how you can make a meaningful impact.
ADRIAN OATS
Associate Dean
Annika Rasmussen, Student Photographer
Alex Gorbatov, Kate Katheklakis, Alice Dagwell & Sonia Freiburg, Pre-Exam Recital
Lili Reus-Smith, Student Librarian
Alison O’Brien, Developmental Intern
CFO’S REPORT
The 60th anniversary of St Hilda’s College was always going to be a big year in so many ways. As the year draws to a close, we have not been disappointed!
The efforts and commitment from our small but dedicated staff has been amazing. The Community Engagement Team has been brilliant and well supported by the “backroom” staff who look after IT, maintenance, admissions and administration.
Tristan, Ryan, Michael, Rose, and our 25 year veterans Carol and Chris continue to provide great support for the college, our students and the broader Hilda’s community.
The college’s capital works program continues to be focused on providing state-of-the-art facilities for our students and staff and simultaneously ensuring we have facilities which students feel comfortable calling “home”. This program ensures we are meeting the growing demand for on-campus accommodation, while enhancing the overall student experience.
At the start of the year, over the summer of 2023/24, the third-floor renovation of H Block was successfully completed. This project involved converting 5 apartments to 10 student rooms and represented a significant milestone as the final student accommodation floor to be upgraded across the college, in a cyclical program which commenced over 10 years ago.
This accomplishment has resulted in an increase in our capacity to 237 students in 2024. With the innovative renovation program in place, this number has increased from 203 in only 10 years, without a new building being built. For the first time this year, we engaged Pirotta Services Commercial, replacing our long-standing contractor, VDB Building Contractors. The work by Pirotta Services has been exemplary, delivering quality results on schedule and setting a strong foundation for future collaborations.
The Dining Hall also received a significant upgrade, with the installation of advanced acoustic panelling. This improvement has transformed the Dining Hall into an even more effective venue for dinners and events, offering both functionality and an enhanced experience for attendees.
Sustainability remains a core focus of the college’s long-term vision. The replacement of the roof on B Block was successfully completed, despite the challenges of wild weather and flooding during the process. Alongside the roof replacement, solar panels were installed, making B Block the third building to benefit from this initiative.
These efforts are part of the college’s ongoing commitment to reducing its environmental footprint, while building resilience against future weather challenges.
As we celebrate these achievements, we remain dedicated to the continuous improvement of student amenities and facilities across the college. I would like to thank all our staff, contractors, and partners for their contributions to another successful year of progress at St Hilda’s.
ROB LANCASTER Chief Financial Officer
Catherine & Rob Lancaster
Fiona Cadorel, Carly Damen, Kate Abraham & James Hardiman
Kate Abraham & Carol Briggs
OUR WONDERFUL ALUMNI
2024 has been a big year for alumni engagement, courtesy of our 60th year celebrations. Alongside a number of events that have been specifically for our alumni community, it’s also been wonderful to see the many opportunities for our current student community to engage with our alumni.
Kicking off the year was the recreation of St Hilda’s College’s first dinner. It was a very special moment for all those involved to witness the honour guard of the 2024 cohort of Hildarians celebrate the 1964 cohort. The recreation of the official opening of the College, timed to coincide with this year’s Marjorie Smart Oration, also provided an opportunity for a selection of our current students to mingle with a cross-section of Hilda’s alumni as we celebrated 60 years of history.
As well as the 60th specific events, 2024 saw our usual calendar of events allow for alumni visits across academic dinners, fireside Friday chats, Whitby Dinners and a variety of workshops.
A massive thank you to all those alumni who have volunteered their time and expertise across 2024. If you are an alum who wants to consider connecting with the next generation of Hildarians, please get in touch to register your interest. Your commitment could be as little as an hour or two but the impact that you could have on a young person simply by having a chat with them could be enormous!
KATE ABRAHAM Community Engagement Manager
Kate Abraham & Rob Lancaster
Peter Kempen & Dillon Lane
Wendy and Liz Redman
Past Presidents, Gold Leaf Dinner
FOUNDERS & BENEFACTORS
On Saturday October 26th, 2024, we hosted our annual Founders & Benefactors Dinner where we honour those in our community who so generously invest their time and expertise in St Hilda’s College, or donate to our scholarship fund.
Guests were invited to attend a pre-dinner Music Recital from three of our resident VCA students, Alice Dagwell (Voice), Sonia Freiburg (Cello), and Kate Katheklakis (Saxophone). Under the supervision of St Hilda’s music tutor, Alex Gorbatov (PY2018), the recital helps our students prepare for their final performance exams whilst providing our community with a glimpse of the talent in our midst!
Following canapes in the Front Quad, guests moved into the Dining Hall for the formal part of the event. To highlight the impact that our donors have on the lives of our students, third year resident and 2024 Collegian of the Year, Tobias Miliankos-King spoke about what his scholarship has meant to him and his wider family. As part of the event, we were also delighted to induct our newest St Hilda’s College Fellows, Mrs Jean Miller, The Hon Justice Cathryn McMillan and Professor Richard James (in absentia).
Founders & Benefactors also acts as the point in the year where we publish our annual Impact Report. If you would like to read this year’s report, you can access a digital copy via the link below.
Finally, to coincide with our 60 year anniversary, this year’s Founders & Benefactors Dinner was where we officially announced the launch of our new bequest society, The Communitas Society.
Founding members of this society will be formally welcomed into this very special group at an inaugural event in early 2025. If you would like to find out more about The Communitas Society, please contact us directly for a confidential conversation or you can find out more via the website.
Scan to view the Impact Report Scan for Communitas Society
Frank Paton & Cheryl Iser
Libby Gray & Jenny Acopian
Liz Dax
Jean Miller, Catheryn McMillan, Heather Schnagl and James Hardiman
GOLD LEAF DINNER
Hi everyone,
It’s so nice to see so many familiar faces tonight. For those who don’t know me, I’m Sarah, and I was a student here from 2015 to 2017. I have also been a tutor and Senior Residential Advisor. I hail from rural Victoria, having grown up on a dairy farm in Gippsland. This is what ignited my passion for agriculture, which led me to pursue a Bachelor of Agriculture at The University of Melbourne. Transitioning from farm life to the complexities of college and city life was a significant leap—one that shaped my journey of growth, resilience, and leadership.
Arriving at college as a timid 18-year-old, I faced numerous challenges. I arrived on day 1 alone, my parents ended up stuck in Queensland due to a cyclone, and they didn’t make it back on time. I brought with me a portable fan and one suitcase. I quickly realised I had under packed. Another example was in second year when I broke my leg playing for the Hilda’s women’s footy team, a memory I share with some of the people here tonight. However, with the support of the St Hilda’s community, I developed my confidence and leadership skills over my time here at college. And in my third year, I had the privilege of serving as Vice-President. This role was not just a title but a pivotal part of my growth as a person and a leader. It taught me that belonging isn’t about the number of friends you have, but about being part of a community that supports and uplifts you, a lesson that was invaluable during my initial shy days at college.
After college, I ventured into my career in the agriculture industry, navigating through roles from managing a Customer Experience team to my current position as a National Key Account Manager. Each role tested and strengthened the skills I practised during my time here. Tonight, I’d like to focus on three key themes that have profoundly shaped my development both during and after college (or at least since I was a student as I still haven’t left college). They are community, networking, and mentorship. These elements are intertwined, and I believe foundational to any successful journey.
Community has been a cornerstone of my life. Growing up in a small country town, community is incredibly important to me. And when I left to go to uni, Hilda’s became my new community. Here, I learned the importance of building a healthy support network. This isn’t just about making friends but about creating true connections that will become part of your closest circle when you leave this place. My closest friends now are the people I met at college. And as I moved into the professional world, I found myself building new communities within my workplaces, relying on the skills and comfort I gained from my college days. Because at the end of the day, we spend a lot of our time at work, so why not make it a place we love with people we care about. And I am always reassured by the thought that I have a permanent community with St Hilda’s and its alumni—a community based on shared experiences, which is the foundation of all strong relationships.
Next is networking, which I have found particularly important as a woman in a male-dominated field that involves its challenges and considerations. Networking doesn’t have to be the awkward exchanges and small talk that most people picture. In fact, some of the best networking I have done is with my peers when I was a student at college, who have all gone on to do incredible things in their career so far. Networking is about seeing yourself as an equal among peers and recognizing that everyone has something valuable to offer.
It’s also about challenging yourself to step outside your comfort zone and build connections that not only support your current roles but also pave the way for future opportunities. And events like this are such an incredible opportunity for current leaders of the college to connect with alum who have been through similar experiences.
Finally, mentorship has been instrumental in my growth as a leader. Mentors emerge often through networking and are like minded people (like those in this room) who want to help and support those coming through after them. They will guide, challenge, and inspire you to reach greater heights. I have a wonderful mentor, a previous boss of mine, who has been pivotal in my journey. Having someone who you trust that is able to give you honest feedback and constructive criticism can be rare and is incredibly valuable. I can honestly say I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support and guidance from my mentors who are in my corner and want to see me succeed. And returning to St Hilda’s as an SRA in 2020 allowed me to mentor other students and watch them succeed, which has been an incredibly fulfilling way to give back to this community.
As I reflect on my journey so far, the importance of giving back to the community that shaped me is ever-present. I wouldn’t be where I am today without this college, and the opportunities for growth and learning that it gave me. This cycle of learning, growing, and mentoring is not just a responsibility but a privilege for those of us in this room. It enriches our lives and the lives of those around us, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and support.
I urge each of you to embrace and build the communities around you, actively engage in networking, and seek out mentors to assist you in your growth as people and as leaders. Never underestimate the profound impact of these elements in your personal and professional development. Thank you.
The Wattle Fellowship. This is a phrase I’ve heard many times during my three years at St Hilda’s, but in all honesty, I’ve never really known what it is. And I’d bet, you probably don’t know either. But don’t be alarmed. This is exactly what this article is here to explain.
The Wattle Fellowship is a co-curricula program at the University of Melbourne that aims to assist students in fostering leadership on global sustainability. This centres around a personal action project chosen by each fellow that can be whatever they would like to work on, so long as it relates to sustainability.
In preparation for this article, I spoke to Zodie Bolic, a Hilda’s 2022 alum and 2024 Wattle Fellow, about her project and experience in this program. Zodie finished her Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in Dance at the end of 2023 and began the fellowship in her final semester. Having known about the fellowship through fellow Hildarians, Zodie applied for the program viewing it as a great opportunity as she aspired to move from dance and into public policy. Her project, titled ‘Cooking With Gas’, was a contemporary dance work inspired by Victoria’s Gas Substitution Roadmap in 2023. This was further driven by Zodie’s own background. Having moved to Melbourne in 2020 from Mackay, QLD, she was shocked at the prevalence of gas in Melbourne compared to her hometown. Her piece included herself and one other dancer utilising brown sugar as a tool in the twenty minute performance which was presented at Buxton Contemporary. The brown sugar worked as not only a connection to Mackay’s enormous sugar industry, but also as a traditional household cooking ingredient, referencing the project’s title in a more literal sense.
Having since finished the fellowship, her project is still providing her with fulfilment and further opportunity. It gave her the chance to develop her skills and a project she could point to as something entirely her own. It also graced her with a plethora of knowledge of sustainability which has benefitted her in her professional career working in international policy and programs at the Office for the Arts, seeing the impact of climate change on the arts in her every day.
Further, Zodie praised the program, claiming it was a fantastic way to connect with people across all academic backgrounds, develop skills such as project management, and learn to overcome selfdoubt when it comes to building such a large project of one’s own. She stated how lucky she was to have been able to participate in the program telling me, “Without the space of the Wattle Fellowship, there is no way I could have put on an independent dance performance in a gallery in Melbourne”.
In 2024, we had two Hilda’s students enter the Wattle Fellowship, Alex Wackrow (First Year Resident) and Tobias Miliankos-King (Third Year Resident). While Tobias finished up his time at college at the end of 2024, he is currently working on his project, “Emissions Reduction in a Residential Collegiate Setting”.
His project’s focus is on the current and looming threat of climate change and how residential institutions, such as colleges, can introduce emission reduction practices in order to combat further environmental deterioration. He provided a statement further detailing the specifics of his project: “This current generation (and those that will follow) are inheriting a flawed world and it has always been clear to me that it’s no longer a distant threat, but transforming ecosystems, economies and nations as we know it. This will be my generation’s war and my source of inspiration for the project. The aim of the project is to create a blueprint that consolidates and adapts proven emission reduction practices that will help residential colleges to embed sustainability into the fabric of their communities, and hopefully inspire other students to drive further environmental initiatives. It starts by measuring the current carbon footprint, to establish where we are. Then sets clear targets of where we would like to be and finally charting a path for how we will get there. Along the way, we will create rich educational opportunities for students to gain experience in a field that will likely affect their life – directly or indirectly.”
As environmental issues continue to rise at an alarming rate, the Wattle Fellowship is reinforcing an interest in our planet in the bright minds of our youth. By supporting this research and inspiring new initiatives, this program has the ability to make a real difference in not only developing university students, but in developing the way we look after our Earth.
GEORGIE MACHO
Communications Intern 2024
Alex Wackrow, First Year Student
Tobias Miliankos-King, Third Year Student
Naomi Lam & Zodie Bolic
THE COMMUNITAS BALL
The final event in a jam-packed calendar, The Communitas Ball was held at San Remo Ballroom on Saturday November 23rd and saw almost 270 Hilda’s alumni come together for a night of celebrations.
There was plenty of dancing and, in what was perhaps the most memorable part of the evening, there was a spontaneous spoon bang for St Hilda’s College’s 5th Principal, Barbara Green that may have been the most vigorous spoon bang Hilda’s has ever witnessed!
The evening saw alumni from every decade of St Hilda’s history come together for plenty of reminiscing, dancing and fun. Long-serving staff members, Carol Briggs (Accounts Manager) and Vicki Trakelidou (former Dining Hall Supervisor) were honoured on the night through induction into the Streoneshahl Society.
Scan for Flickr Photos
60 YEARS AT HILDA’S
2024 has been a wonderful year for us here at the College and we have been so thrilled to celebrate our 60th anniversary with so many members of the wider community. Since its opening in 1964, St Hilda’s has been an inclusive place of belonging. We started as a community that took pride in creating access for women and from 1973 we became a leader in co-educational college life.
While we have enjoyed a number of key anniversary events throughout the year, one of the most important and rewarding aspects of our 60th Anniversary year has been the opportunity to reflect upon the history of our wonderful college and its community of people.
The stories and memories that have been shared this year have helped remind us of the legacy that was started by the first cohort of Hildarians and to appreciate how that legacy has been shaped across each decade.
In 2025 we will be honoured to officially wrap up a substantial piece of 60th Anniversary work that has been happening, often in the background, over the past 18 months. This work has been led by Community Engagement Manager, Kate Abraham and aims to capture as many stories as possible via a 60th Anniversary history book. As well as interviews and the sharing of artefacts from across our community, a significant component of this work has also been the ongoing cataloguing and exploration of our college archives. The work in the archive space has also allowed for the publication of two other exciting pieces this year, both of which debuted at the Family and Friends Day on Saturday November 23rd.
Earlier this year, the Community Engagement Team welcomed University of Melbourne Master of Curatorship student, Pascalle Bailey, to the team to complete a project cataloguing St Hilda’s College’s art collection. After many months of unearthing and researching various items that we have here at the College and after having completed their postgraduate studies, Pascalle has delivered a wonderful overview of our collection entitled, Creating Communitas. This publication has been designed to be able to grow over time and we thank Pascalle for the dedication and enthusiasm that was put into this project. Those who visit our college moving forward are now able to use Creating Communitas as a self-directed guide to our college art collection and it can also be viewed via our website.
Finally, a smaller publication was also launched at the Family and Friends Day that allows our alumni and various friends of St Hilda’s to take a trip down memory lane via a self-guided tour of the College grounds and buildings. Congratulations to Development Intern, Olivia Malouf (PY2023) who pulled this tour booklet together. We have no doubt it will continue to be a popular piece for visitors to St Hilda’s over the months and years to come.
Kate Abraham & Frank Paton, Majorie Smart
Communitas Exhibition
St Hilda’s College was founded with a spirit of determination and generosity.
WAYS TO Contribute
With a belief in education and equal opportunity, we ensure all contributions support our students, enabling them to achieve and be all they can be. Whether you share your time, provide financial support, hire one of our students or speak at a college event, your contribution is an opportunity to celebrate your own accomplishments, facilitate the achievements of others, and leave a lifelong legacy for the community of St Hilda’s.
We have many ways to give back.
SCHOLARSHIP & BURSARY FUND
Supporting students to attend St Hilda’s College based on financial need or merit can change their lives and the lives of those around them.
You can elect to contribute each year, set criteria and name an award, or make a one-off donation. All contributions make a difference!
IN-KIND SUPPORT
Sharing knowledge and life experience, alumni & friends have the opportunity to enrich the lives of our current students. By supporting us through the contribution of your time, your help us to enhance the Hilda’s experience for our students.
INTERNSHIPS & GRADUATE PLACEMENTS
Can you provide work experience, internships or graduate programs for our students to gain invaluable experience in their chosen field?
MENTOR A STUDENT
Mentoring is a fantastic way to give back to the St Hilda’s community and build formative relationships with current students.
GUEST SPEAKER
We host a number of dinners and stakeholder engagement events throughout the year. It can be invaluable insight for our students and young alumni to hear from industry professionals about career pathways and life experiences.
ANNUAL APPEAL
The annual Communitas Appeal raises funds to support the St Hilda’s Scholarships and the Financial Assistance program. Our Scholarships and bursaries help our students to make ends meet. Your support here truly changes lives!
LEAVING A LEGACY
A bequest is a gift to a beneficiary in an individual’s will. As such it’s an enduring contribution that can honour you, your family, or someone close to you, well into the future.
Bequest types can include:
• Residuary (Remainder of the estate once legacies and costs have been paid)
• A percentage of an estate
• Pecuniary (a specific sum)
• Assets such as real estate, shares and/or culturally significant works of art.
James Smythe, Diego & Jesse McDougall
Change your Details
To ensure that you don’t miss the opportunity to connect with friends and be included in the festivities, make sure you update your contact details using the form below (just scan the QR code) and be sure to follow us on Social Media including our LinkedIn group.
STAY IN TOUCH
To stay connected with the College and each other and hear about what’s happening, follow us on our social media channels:
