Trinity College Newsletter, vol 1 no 11, June 1977

TRINITY Newc/ettet COLLEGE A PUBLICATION OF TRINITY COLLEGE WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE June, 1977

No. 11 FROM the WARDEN, Dr. Evan Burge I write at the beginning of another year, and, as Barry Marshall was wont to say, "Every year is different." This year the number of women students has reached the ceiling judged appropriate: 65 out of a total of 220 under-graduates. The College is certainly different, but College spirit is by no means a thing of the past. To me it appears warmer and stronger than in any of the other Melbourne colleges and reflects a keen and vigorous College community.

In these days when imposed discipline iS at a minimum (I often wonder what some of my predecessors would think about having women and men sharing the same buildings with no restrictions on hours) we begin each year with the problem of growing into an adult and self-disciplining community. Learning to live together with others remains the most valuable lesson taught by the College. In a place where freedom is greatly valued it is sometimes difficult to find an acceptable level of tolerance. A Warden soon learns that, like many precious things, a free and united College community is a fragile thing and may need hard decisions to maintain.

I am sure that places like ours help to keep alive in the minds of future community leaders the vital truth that freedom demands responsibility. Certainly our present students give grounds for hope.

Entrance to College is once again strongly competitive. We began with an impressive waiting list, and it would have been entirely appropriate to revive Warden Cowan's address: "Gentlemen, this is a voluntary society. You are all free to leave!" One difference this year, reflecting decreasing employment opportunities after graduation, is that we have only two students enrolled in first-year Engineering. The Col-

lege continues to attract outstanding students , in Medicine, Law and Science.

Why the great demand for College places? Rising rents in Parkville and Carlton have something to do with it, but are far from being the main cause. The fact is that College still offers something uniquely valuable— the chance to experience University life, as it were, from the inside. Outside the Colleges, few students have the chance to engage in competitive or social sport or to enjoy anything like the range of cultural experiences available as a normal part of College life. (The College Dialectic Society, we should note, celebrates its centenary this year.) Outside the Colleges, few students meet staff or even other students outside their own disciplines, let alone have the opportunity for discussion and friendship with a wide range of people. No wonder most Trinity students remember their time in College as a vital part of their university experience.

The President of the College Council, Archbishop Frank Woods, presided over the meeting of the Council for the last time on 28th February.

At a dinner in the Lodge afterwards he was given small replicas of two of Andor Meszaros' medallions depicting the Stations of the Cross. (An original set is in the College Chapel.) The Archbishop obviously appreciated the gift for its artistic and spiritual qualities as well as for its association with the College. In reply he remarked that he had "received far more from the College than he had even given."

Those who know the enormous amount he has given might doubt this.

We know, however, that those who have given most to Trinity would give a similar testimony.

You will probably remember from last year's Newsletter that Nick Turnbull has been inviting Trinity men to

Looking back 100 years—The Founders of the Dialectic Society are seated on chairs: Alexander Leeper (Left) and John Winthrop Hackett (Right). The ivy is just starting to grow.

lunch in College with himself, the Warden and the Bursar (Mr. Alan Todd). Over two hundred and fifty former members have now been entertained in this way, many of whom had not been back for years.

Taking part in these lunches is one of the most enjoyable things I do as Warden, and I look forward to meeting many more of you.

CENTENARY OF THE DIALECTIC SOCIETY The Trinity College Dialectic, Society, the senior student society, celebrates this year the centenary of its inauguration. Its first meeting was held on 13th April, 1877, when E. C. Spicer delivered an address on "Literary Culture." The intention of its founders was to encourage "the practice of oratory and the promotion of literary culture among its members."

Like many other features of the College its inspiration was Trinity College, Dublin, where both the Principal, Alexander Leeper, and the Vice-Principal, John Winthrop Hackett, had participated in the Historical and Philosophical Societies.

Although it was dissolved for a brief period after the "Great Rebellion" on the ground of incompatibility with College discipline, the Society has survived and, from time to time, flourished. Basic activity pattern has been the arrangement of formal team debates, but has been supplemented by more general presentations.

From 1879-1923 these comprised the Annual Prelection, a major event of the Melbourne cultural year. The venue was down-town—usually at the Athenaeum Hall—and the Governor, as Patron of the Society, would, more often than not, be present. The audience was numbered in hundreds and the function was reported at length in the Melbourne papers. In addition to the Prelector's Address, speeches would be made by distinguished figures in the academic and public communities in moving the vote of thanks. In 1924 the reading of the Wigram Allen Prize Essay replaced the Annual Prelection as the activity of the Society designed for general consumption and participation.

Throughout the year there will be special meetings to celebrate the Centenary culminating in a formal Dinner to be held in College on Friday, 1st July. The Dinner will be open to all past and present members of the Society and their guests. The Chief Justice and Lady Young will be attending and the present Committee looks forward to welcoming its predecessors at what should be a rather grand occasion. Further details and tickets may be obtained from the College Office — 347 1044.

THE MOST REVEREND FRANK WOODS, M.A., D.D., K.B.E. The Archbishop's retirement from the Presidency of the College Council has been permanently marked in two ways.

First, by the incorporation in the Council's minutes of the following tribute: "Frank Woods was enthroned as Archbishop of Melbourne on the 19th December, 1957, and presided over his first meeting of Trinity College Council on 11th April, 1958.

"As a member and former Chaplain of Trinity College, Cambridge, his understanding of College life was profound and he was very quickly at home in Trinity College, Melbourne. He presided regularly over meetings of the College Council despite an enormous load of other commitments. This has been but one sign of his affection for the College. It has often been observed by Wardens and Members of the Council that his attention to detail and the overall formation of College policy would have been worthy of a man able to give those things his undivided attention. In Council meetings his manner was both businesslike and gracious. He gave firm leadership in a way which inspired others to give of their best.

"As well as presiding over meetings of Council, Frank Woods supported and shared in many projects for the development of the College: the renovation of old buildings and the erection of new ones, the separation of Janet Clarke Hall and Trinity, and the admission of women residents in 1974. He has taken a special interest in the work of the Theological School, and it is appropriate that his name will live on through an endowed Frank Woods Theological Studentship.

"At the time of his retirement in April, 1977, Frank Woods will have completed nineteen years as President, the longest term in the history of the College. To three of Trinity's five Wardens he has been a friend as well as a wise and trusted counsellor. The College stands enormously in his debt and wishes him and Lady Woods a long and happy retirement."

Second, like Bishop Perry, the principal Founder of the College, and Bishop Moorhouse, the Founder of the Trinity School of Theology a century ago, by the establishment of an endowed Frank Woods Theological Studentship. Over $7,000 was contributed by some 200 subscribers last year as a result of a private appeal to his ordinands, colleagues and friends. Unlike previous studentships, this one will be available for women students and married students. Miss Valentine Leeper has written that the award to a woman student would have gladdened her father's heart. The first Warden, Dr. Alexander Leeper, was a staunch fighter for women's rights in education and the professions, who as early as 1918 publicly defended the ordination of women.

CHAPLAINCY Afer seven years in residence, Bishop Grant left College in February.

So also did Roger Shan after a two years' chaplaincy in which pastoral care of students was a highlight.

To replace them. the Bishops of the Province appointed the Reverend John Rodney Oliver, a Trinity and King's College, London, graduate and an experienced chaplain and parish priest. For 1977 he is being assisted by the Reverend Gary Gillard of the Diocese of Maryland, U.S.A., who is in residence while on a Rotary Exchange Scholarship.

DISTINCTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS Three members of the College were knighted recently: Sir John Starke, Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria and Chairman of the Library Council of Victoria; Sir John Bunting, formerly Australian High Commissioner in London; and Sir Brian Inglis, General Manager of Ford Australia.

Stephen Alley has been appointed a Deputy President of the Conciliation and Arbitration Commission, and Adrian Smithers a Judge of the Family Court. "Mick" Shann is now Chairman of the Public Service Board, and Brian Loton now heads B.H.P. Profesor Andrew was created A.O. and Peter Hollingworth O.B.E. STEWART LECTURER Dr. John Gaden has taken up the appointment of Director of the Trinity Theological School and Stewart Lecturer in Divinity. Dr. Gaden's doctorate is from the General Theological Seminary, New York, where he studied in the field of patristics. It is planned that he and his family should live in College in a new residence to be built south of Jeopardy and to be financed from the proceeds of the Theological School Appeal.

The Revd. 1. Rodney Oliver, Chaplain, 1977.

WE REGRET the deaths of former members of the College, including Lord Casey of BERWICK 1909 William Heitland GODBY 1909 George Clifford SCANTLE1913 BURY Richard George deBurgh 1943 GRIFFITH 1973 Alasdair MACLEOD Thomas Marshall ROBIN1928-34 SON — Chaplain Lord Casey enrolled at Trinity in 1909 for the degree in Engineering and went up to Cambridge in 1910.

He must rank amongst the very distinguished members of the College.

His contemporary, Sir Edmund Herring, has written of him: "He had great qualities of heart and mind coupled with a splendid intellect. His integrity, sincerity, his wise judgment and consideration enabled him to succeed in marked degree as student, scientist, soldier, diplomat, statesman, pro-consul, author and staunch friend."

Bishop Ken Leslie of Bathurst, the only person to study under Robinson at Trinity and work with him at Morpeth, writes of T.M.R.: "He was a notable College Chaplain in whose time at Trinity religion was respected intellectually and a strong pastoral ministry exercised among all the students. The weekly hymn-singing practice in chapel before dinner on Monday evenings was always well attended, and, thanks to the Chaplain's vigorous drilling, the standard of singing became not only hearty but frequently even musical."

His portrait, by Max Meldrum, hangs in the old chapel room of the Leeper Library.

Mr. Justice Griffith, who died suddenly after only eighteen months on the Bench of the Supreme Court of Victoria, began his university career within the Faculty of Medicine.

THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL CENTENARY Although the Founders of the College included amongst its objects, "To provide Theological training and instruction for such as desire to take Holy Orders," it was not until Bishop James Moorhouse arrived in January, 1877, that action was taken. Within a month he had appointed an appropriate Committee and in February, 1878, Lecturers were appointed and teaching was begun. Since then some 280 clergy, including eighteen bishops, have been trained within the School.

In connection with the Centenary of these events, and in thanksgiving for them, the following programme is planned:— Centenary Eucharist: Trinity College Chapel, 12 noon, Saturday, 6th August, 1977.

Preacher: The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Lord Ramsey of Lambeth (former Archbishop of Canterbury).

Centenary Lectures: Hall, College of Pharmacy, Walker Street, Parkville.

8.00 p.m., Monday, 15th August, to Friday, 19th August.

Lecturer: Bishop Michael Ramsey.

Subject: The Holy Spirit and the Christian Faith.

Centenary Appeal: The College needs to raise $150,000 to provide accommodation on its campus for married Theological students and the Stewart Lecturer in Divinity. The rents paid for this accommodation will be devoted to the theological lecturers' stipends. The appeal will be directed primarily to dioceses and parishes which have been served by Trinity Clergy and to those parishes and laity who value and see the need to maintain and develop an Anglican School of Theology which teaches mainly graduates and does so in an ecumenical setting. The College Council has appointed Bishop James Grant as Co-ordinator of the Appeal.

The Bishops' Building—named for Bishop Perry, the Founder of the College and Bishop Moorhouse, the Founder of the School of Theology, 100 years ago.

LISTENING POINT

COLLEGE AND COMMUNITY

Once again Trinity College joined with the Canterbury Fellowship and the University Office for Continuing Education to present "Listening Point" — a series of four Sunday evening lectures by men and women who work in areas of Australian life that are of national significance. The speakers in 1976 were the Rt. Hon. William McMahon (Politics), Dr. Margaret Henderson (Health), Professor Patrick McCaughey (The Arts), and Justice Roma Mitchell (Law).

This year they will include Sir Macfarlane Burnet (Genes and Human Diversity) and Justice Elizabeth Evatt (The Commission on Human Rights).

The College has an established reputation as a centre for public lectures and discussions involving the College, Church, University and wider communities.

A number of groups from outside the College have made use of our facilities and involved various College members. Apart from a full complement of training conferences during the May and August vacations, we have been host to an historic conference of Anglican and Orthodox theologians; an Australian ecumenical consultation on the Lord's Prayer; and a delightful Medieval Christmas.

The latter included secular music on a variety of ancient instruments during dinner and supper in Hall, Renaissance dancing in rich costumes on the lawns as the sun was setting, and religious music in the Chapel. Indeed the Chapel, with its superb acoustics for baroque music, is increasingly sought as a venue for concerts by such groups as the Bach Players, Musica Antigua, and a number of players on the harpsichord, lute and recorder.

CHORAL FOUNDATION The College's Director of Music, Professor Peter Dennison, has now recruited enough students with suitable voices to inaugurate a first-rate choir for the Chapel. This group of twenty men and women sings in Chapel every Monday and Wednesday in term at 5.30 p.m. Their repertoire will include the main masterpieces of church music—from the 16th century to the present.

Some readers will know Professor Dennison's skill from his presentation of Haydn's "Nelson" Mass last Trinity Sunday and Handel's "Zadok the Priest" at the Commemoration of Benefactors. Both of these involved the University Choral Society and the orchestra of the Faculty of Music.

Members of the Trinity family are welcome to attend either regular or occasional services sung by the choir.

COUNCIL Following the amalgamation of the Dioceses of Bendigo and St. Arnaud, Bishop David Shand resigned from the Council and was replaced by Bishop Max Thomas of Wangaratta.

Much of the Council's time at present is concerned with preparing for the Incorporation of the College. We have inherited a complicated legal structure whereby the College is managed by a Council but its property and endowments are held by the Trinity College (Melbourne) Trusts Corporation, a body identical in membership with the Council. This division of responsibility has created an anomalous situation and the solution is to promote a special Act of Parliament to combine the two bodies, making Trinity College itself a legal entity. Proceeding in this way will safeguard the position of the Warden as head of the College. At the same time the Council will be enlarged to include representation of the students and tutors as full members.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS A good deal of work has been done in the College buildings 'during the vacation especially in Jeopardy. Once occupied almost exclusively by freshers as a kind of successor to the Wooden Wing, Jeopardy rooms are now eagerly sought by seniors as well.

The former cell-like bedrooms have been converted to attractive bedstudies by demolishing the walls separating each pair. Paint and carpet have completed the transformation inside, while the somewhat stark exterior is now increasingly hidden behind quick-growing trees.

Visitors will notice that the ivy and other creepers on the walls of Leeper and Bishops which had grown wild have been cut back. This was beyond the scope of the College groundsmen but the contract cost of $800 was donated by guests at this year's Fleur de Lys dinner.

Please tick the appropriate items and return to THE WARDEN, TRINITY COLLEGE, PARKVILLE, 3052.

I enclose a donation to TRINITY COLLEGE BUILDING FUND* TRINITY COLLEGE ORGAN FUND* (*All donations are tax-deductible if made out to "Trinity College, Melbourne.")

The Address to which this Newsletter was sent was correct incorrect I should appreciate an invitation to Lunch or Dinner in College

DARWIN Bishop Ken Mason of the Northern Territory, a former Dean of the College, spoke in hall recently of the rebuilding of the city and cathedral.

This latter work will be supported from the proceeds of the Students' Appeal and by a Piano recital by Miss Mary Rusden at 3 p.m. on the afternoon of Sunday, 17th July. All music lovers are invited.

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The College is grateful to Mr., Tristan Buesst for his gift of a Steinway Grand Piano and to Dr. D. McGowan Steele for a gift of $1,000 in appreciation of his father, Dr. W. Huey Steele, who enrolled at Trinity in 1887 and became an 1851 Exhibitioner four years later.

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1976-A YEAR OF CHANGE ?

The Senior Student, Bruce Davidson, reports: 1976 was a year which showed clearly that change is an ongoing process, that the College is still feeling its way over many issues, and adjusting to them. Yet this is, perhaps, to be expected: a community of two hundred cannot adapt overnight to changed circumstances.

The Senior Student, Bruce Davidson, in traditional attire, starts a race at Juttodie, 1977.

A second win by the seconds in the Rowing got the College under way, although the firsts, despite their fine new boat, lost their final. The golf team won again, from Ormond, winning five out of the six matches—and, only lost the sixth on the nineteenth!

The Rugby team also had a great year. Having downed Queen's and Newman (1975 winners) Trinity met Ormond in the final—a match with plenty of "interest" and "vigorous" play; the result was a great win for the first time in about ten years. The swimmers achieved some success—the men coming in fourth only two points behind the winners, and the women losing by only one point. Although the athletics team was not successful, there were some fine individual efforts; and the hockey, squash and women's tennis teams made it to the final. The cricketers and basketballers were keen, but unrewarded—and 1976 appears to have seen the end of "novice" women's rowing—the crews having trained hard. The College first eighteen was coached this year, with determination and skill, by Mr. Frank Hanagan, and even though the three matches played were lost, the team's spirit was not. The second eighteen, even though meeting with a similar fate, showed their usual courage—and their usual fitness!

Again throughout 1976 artistic talents were well to the fore. Under the direction of Peter Green, Trinity combined with J.C.H. to stage a vigorous version of "Lysistrata." With a few notable exceptions (who admitted to some slight shock) this production was generally well received.

The College "Gala Night" was, as is now usual, well attended—and there

was consensus on the champagne, too.

This year's revue entitled "Lousy Strata" was a great success—although some College men were heard to express a degree of concern over the apparently deviant tangent the revue seemed to take! "But youth in spring will have its way" and much mirth was enjoyed by the assembled company.

The T.C.A.C. Committee was a happy and hard-working one.

The indoor Rep., Rod Lyle, achieved many improvemens in the College's fabric (in that part of it for which the T.C.A.C. is responsible) and generally attacked his task with tigerish enthusiasm.

The outdoor Rep., Scott Chesterman, had the teams practising well ahead, and although sporting glories were not many in 1976—keenness and enthusiasm was much in evidence.

The general Representative, Pete Cudlipp, ensured an enjoyable year socially. Another car trial was successfully held, Juttoddie was again judged to be a great College day, and the College Ball was, as usual, the highpoint of the season.

Musically the College achieved some high points. Classical recitals for the Organ Fund were very fine with performers from outside the College including Norman Kaye, Christine Beasley, and Margaret Schofield.

Monday Evening Concerts in the Lodge were held regularly and the performances were most enjoyable.

1976 saw also the introduction of music in hall during dinner—works

by Beethoven, Telemann and Schubert—always interesting and sometimes fun. Music in the chapel benefited from the College organ scholar —Graham Cox—and some fine work has been heard. The Dialectic Society was responsible for a very full programme including well-conducted quizzes. The Wigram Allen Essay Competition was naturally one of the year's highlights. Judged by Professor Jo Burke and Dr. Brian Deschamp, it was won again by Fr. Roger Sharr with a superb piece entitled "A Fine Discrimination."

The Warden, Dr. Evan Burge, snapped at Juttodie wearing Dr. Leeper's blazer.

The secretary of the T.C.A.C., Bruce Davidson, attempted to deal with correspondence as tactfully as possible, and to provide counsel to the Senior Student whenever needed. Both he and the Senior Student, Ron Noone, represented the students on the College Council and Executive and Finance Committee.

The treasurer, Andrew Dix, handled the finances excellently—assuming a lean and hungry look in the process.

Club dinners were successful again with perhaps the most memorable speaker being Mr. Bruce Grant—former High Commissioner to India. He stimulated discussion on a number of issues—not least the fall of the Whitlam Government.

The year was in essence a happy and successful one. The increasing number of women showed ingenuity in adjusting to a new lifestyle, and contributed in a valuable way. Our life continues to be rich and varied. life is pursued and pursued happily, at its highest and its best, with unfailing integrity . . ." These words from a former Warden still continue to describe life at Trinity accurately. .

Mr. Tristan Buesst presents the cup he himself donated many years ago to the 1976 Squash Champion, Philip Maxwell. In the background are Scott Chesterman (L) and Mr. Renor Wortley (Senior Tutor).