FRAPPE FORT
FRAPPE FORT
Issue 77 July 2026
The magazine of University College
The University of Melbourne
Read Frappe Fort online: www.unicol.unimelb.edu.au/ publications
University College 40 College Crescent Parkville Victoria 3052 Australia ph +613 9347 3533 guestservices@unicol.unimelb.edu.au www.unicol.unimelb.edu.au
Formerly University Women’s College
Donations to UC can be made at: www.unicol.unimelb. edu.au/donate
Editing panel: James Brown, Nina Cavicchiolo, Dr Jennifer McDonald and Rachel Unicomb.
Feedback and Comments: Frappe Fort is published biannually for the University College community. We’d love to hear from you. If you have some news or you would like someone featured in the next issue of Frappe Fort, please contact the editor at: marketing@unicol. unimelb.edu.au.
Photographers:
Zack Burack, Nina Cavicchiolo, Melanie Desa, James Grant and Manthila Ranatunga. www.facebook.com/ UniversityCollegeMelbourne university__college www.linkedin.com/ company/ucmelbourne
Students supporting the UC rowers
Eighteen years in a wonderful community
It has been truly special and deeply rewarding to lead this wonderful college for the past 18 years. Leadership of a residential college is not a role one simply performs. It is a life one inhabits. For this college has been my home, my challenge, my joy, and my community. As I step down, I do so with profound gratitude, for this community has inspired and shaped me as much as I have shaped it.
To our students – past and present –you are the heartbeat of this place. Every year, you arrive with your hopes, your questions, your ambitions, and your uncertainties. And every year, you remind us why our work matters. Watching you grow into yourselves, challenge assumptions, form friendships, and discover your capacity for leadership has been a great joy and a privilege. You have kept this college young, curious, and vibrant. Most importantly, you have lived by the values that make our diverse UC community and culture so special.
To our alumni, you are the living legacy of this college. You understand the value of being surrounded by people who broaden your worldview, who challenge your assumptions and help you to grow. You often tell us you can trace your friendships, your sense of self, even your careers back to your time here in college. You have proven, time and again, that UC nurtures people who contribute generously to the world.
Many of you are donors whose scholarships ensure that students, who have earned a place at the College, have the chance to take it, regardless of financial or other barriers. By doing so, you are helping us maintain the diversity of our UC community, where difference is not just welcomed but celebrated. That is why your support matters so deeply.
To all the dedicated Council members I have worked with over the years, I thank you for your commitment. Your stewardship is the engine behind everything which shapes the College’s direction, resilience, and long-term success. Your work is not always visible, but is the bedrock upon which everything else stands. It ensures that the College remains accessible and resilient in support of its Mission and Purpose. For my part, I am excited to have the opportunity to continue to work with the Council and the incoming Head of College in my new part-time role as Emerita Alumni Advisor.
To the UC staff team, it has been a privilege to work with you all. Your dedication, professionalism, and care have sustained this college through times of celebration and times of challenge. I have relied on your wisdom and your good humour more than you know. Any success attributed to my leadership has always been a shared accomplishment. I have been extraordinarily fortunate to have so much support, including from generations of student leaders. I thank you most sincerely for your loyalty, collaboration, patience, and most of all your belief in the Mission and Purpose of University College.
I would also like to thank my wonderful husband, Phil Honeywood. For 18 years, you have been my steady anchor and greatest champion. Your support has been the quiet strength behind
every challenge met and every milestone reached. You did not just stand beside me, you stepped into this community with me. With warmth and generosity, you engaged wholeheartedly with the students, embraced our college community, and made this your home as much as mine. I am deeply grateful for the love and partnership that carried us through these years.
18 years is long enough to see generations pass through these college walls, to witness change that once seemed unimaginable, and to appreciate that the essence of this college – its spirit of access, equity and mutual respect – remains constant. I am confident in its future and in the leadership that will follow.
As I step into the next chapter of my life, I carry with me countless memories and an enduring sense of pride in what we have built together. Our UC community is resilient, ambitious, and full of promise. I look forward to continuing to work with the College in the lead up to the 90th anniversary in 2027. What better way could there be to celebrate this significant milestone than to have an endowment fund for bright students that will light up their futures.
Dr Jennifer McDonald Head of College
A spirited semester
What an incredible semester it’s been! I am so grateful to be part of the inclusive and vibrant community that is UC. As I reflect on the last few months, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude about all we have achieved together and the new connections that have been forged.
I am lucky to call UC a home away from home. Being a part of a community like UC is a rare and special opportunity, which makes it all the more important to get involved. The college experience is something UCers never take for granted. My goal for 2026 was to build upon the unique culture that UC already has, while making subtle, yet effective changes to become a more involved and inclusive community.
On Welcome Saturday, it was important that we instantly made the first-years feel like UC was a place where they could be themselves, no matter where they’ve come from.
O-Week was vital in fostering this sense of belonging during a time of transition, which can be challenging. This year we welcomed our biggest cohort ever, with over 350 students, including both first-years and returners.
A group of 53 Orientation Week Leaders worked hard to create an O-Week that involved carefully curated activities to lay the foundations for friendships and connection. The success of O-Week can now be seen through the close-knit community that has developed. Spirit and connection are core values that define the UC experience. This year we have introduced new Spirit Representatives, whose roles are to build upon the college spirit, and bring it to all events, big and small. UC’s community is built upon student-led initiatives and community involvement. Apart from the events led by the Student Club Executive Team, like Wellbeing Week and the UC Ball, new initiatives like craft or run club are where the students
can fully explore their interests and connect with like-minded people. I strongly believe that those who get the most out of UC are the most involved.
As we look forward to next semester, I’m excited to see connections grow deeper and our community spirit continue to flourish. Without the participation and passion of our incredible students, none of this would be possible. In addition, it is important to acknowledge all the effort from the staff working behind the scenes at UC. I feel so grateful to call UC home, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year holds.
Jasmine Wright Student Club President
2nd Year Biomedicine Student University of Melbourne
Grace Holmes, Lily Balcombe and Jasmine Wright
Welcome Saturday: A new chapter begins
Welcome Saturday is one of the most anticipated days in the UC calendar, and this year was no exception. All the work that has been quietly building in the weeks and months before (finalising offers, fielding countless emails and phone calls, O-Week Leader training, and the flurry of N-Week preparations) finally comes together on the day itself.
On Saturday 21 February, our new students arrived, some bursting with excitement, others hiding a few nerves, and our O-Week Leaders (OWLs) were ready and waiting for them at the College entrance as they were dropped off by friends and family. Throughout the day, our amazing OWLs moved new students into their rooms and then onto activities with an air of kindness, cheer and efficiency, making the whole thing look easy (which we know very well it isn’t). They brought genuine warmth to every interaction, helping to disperse any fears.
Over in the Seminar Centre, families gathered for afternoon tea while their students took part in orientation activities in the Syme Dining Hall and Giblin Courtyard. This was a new event for us this year, but we wanted to introduce an opportunity for staff and families to meet in person and get to know each other. It was a lovely afternoon of swapping stories over some snacks, and hopefully helped to alleviate the concerns of those still quietly recovering from the emotion of the morning’s drop-off.
By the end of the day, UC was buzzing with energy, and it was great to see the College full again after the summer break.
Getting to know each other on Welcome Saturday
Zack Burack, Kieran Bowles and Skev Politis-Stoddart
Bianca Mastropaolo
Jemima Dillon with family
Siyumi Patabandige and mum
Yugi Uppal
Audrey Lee
Inside N-Week
The name N-Week might not win any awards for creativity (N comes before O in the alphabet), but at college, it’s one of the most important weeks in the calendar. It’s where the magic of a new year starts and Orientation begins to take shape.
This year, 53 Orientation Week Leaders (OWLs), led by our President Jasmine Wright and Vice-President Jacinta Boquest, came together for a week of bonding, leadership training, and planning. This week is intense, and not something our leaders can fully prepare for beyond showing up with an open mind and a willingness to lean in and learn.
While it might look seamless from the outside, designing an Orientation program is no small feat. The groundwork began back in September 2025, when OWLs were elected and training first kicked off. N-Week is where it all comes together –where ideas are refined, plans are finalised, and leaders step fully into their roles.
Behind the fun and planning is some incredibly important learning. OWLs undertook extensive training around leadership development, gender-based violence, active bystander skills, responding to disclosures, first aid, and more. It’s about building the confidence and capability to support others, and each other.
Through icebreakers, team challenges, and highlights like a silent disco through the city, this group quickly built the kind of connections that matter when things get busy (and they do). These relationships become the backbone of O-Week.
It’s also when OWLs begin forming those first, crucial connections with our new residents, laying the foundation for the weeks ahead as we prepared to welcome our newest UCers.
Katie Saya Dean of Students
Phoebe Steley, Shaya Firth and Matthew Savage
Luella Wyer, Tommy Smith, Will James, Kieran Bowles and Skev Politis-Stoddart
Zack Burack at Barefoot Bowls
New faces
retro vibes
We settled our first-year students into their new home with a retro-themed O-Week (aka ‘Retr-O’ Week). After an intensive week of planning by our hardworking O-Week Leaders (OWLs), Retr-O Week successfully brought our new students together to establish friendships, settle into a new city, and create lifelong memories. Before jumping into the fun, we kicked off with formalities essential to maintaining a healthy college environment, including Consent Labs, a seminar on staying safe within the community; academic support workshops; and more.
Divided into 17 groups, students engaged in a multitude of opportunities to connect within their peer groups, while also developing strong relationships with our second-year OWLs. These 53 leaders worked hard to curate activities that showcased the best parts of UC and facilitated new connections. Activities included a silent disco, bush dancing, trivia nights, corridor decorating, an ‘Amazing Race’ through Melbourne’s CBD, and an 80s retro-themed party to wrap up the week.
Understanding the significant lifestyle change involved in moving into college, our main goals for the week were to support first-year students in developing independence, meeting others, and embracing UC’s community values. Thanks to the amazing team of OWLs, Retr-O Week gave us an energetic, memorable, and engaging start to the 2026 academic year!
Jasmine Wright
Student Club President
2nd Year Biomedicine Student, University of Melbourne
Jacinta Boquest
Student Club Vice-President
2nd Year Biomedicine Student, University of Melbourne
Tommy Smith
Disco Tern
Hugo Coombe-Tennant
Commencement the year officially begins
As February came to a close and Orientation concluded, returning students joined first-years and student leaders to complete the 2026 cohort of 356 residents at University College. Having the full community together on campus for the first time is always significant – it marks the start of a new academic year and sets the tone for what we aim to achieve together.
This year’s Commencement celebration took place on Wednesday 4 March, in the Giblin Courtyard. Residents and staff gathered for a pre-dinner reception to acknowledge the start of the year and formally bring our community together.
To continue past traditions, we had hoped to include a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony as part of the event. But with Elders generously supporting many local communities and events, it wasn’t possible to have anyone join us this year. Instead, we conducted an Acknowledgement of Country and emphasised that this remains an
important part of our formal gatherings each year. We pay our respects to the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, the traditional custodians of this land, and recognise their continuing connection to culture and community.
Student Club President, Jasmine Wright, along with Vice-President Jacinta Boquest, led the community in a ‘Tribute to UC’ toast, highlighting the shared commitment, unity, and responsibility we all carry for the year ahead.
Hannah Phung, a UC alumna, then played the bagpipes, accompanying everyone into the dining hall for the
formal dinner. The evening provided an opportunity for students and staff to connect, and for the community to mark the start of the year together. The dining hall looked exceptional, and the excellent service and menu provided by our kitchen team contributed to a polished and memorable experience. It was an evening that reflected the connected and inclusive spirit of University College. Here’s to a 2026 filled with engagement, respect, and shared achievement!
Katie Saya Dean of Students
Siyumi Patabandige and Yumiko Baba
Audrey Lee, Monte Mulga and Harriet Coss
A magical evening
A Midsummer Night’s Dream not only described the theme of this year’s Ball, but perfectly captured the magical atmosphere of the evening itself. Organised by Ball Representatives Miranda Lupton and Ciara Burgess, the event was a spectacular success and a true reflection of the vibrant UC community.
On Wednesday 6 May, after months of anticipation and planning, the longawaited night had finally arrived. The campus was filled with excitement as friends admired one another dressed in their finest attire and gathered in the Giblin Courtyard to capture memories, before departing to one of Melbourne’s most iconic venues, the NGV.
Before entering Gandel Hall for the formal dinner, guests enjoyed predrinks in Federation Court beneath Yayoi Kusama’s towering, polka-dot covered Dancing Pumpkin sculpture. The excitement on everyone’s faces as they arrived at the gallery is something that could never truly be captured in photographs alone. Following pre-drinks, guests made their way into the breathtaking Gandel Hall, renowned for its stunning stained-glass ceiling, designed by Australian artist Leonard French.
As meals were served, drinks were poured, and conversations filled the room, there was an undeniable sense of gratitude amongst everyone present. Following a delicious dinner, the evening continued with a mock awards ceremony, which brought plenty of laughter before the dance floor officially opened. The DJ kept the energy high throughout the night, giving students the opportunity to
celebrate and unwind before the stress of exam season. More than just a formal event, the UC Ball celebrates the friendships, memories, and sense of belonging that make the UC community so special.
Lizzie Roche 2nd Year Communication Design Student RMIT
Felix Japp, Tommy Smith, Ethan Sculley and Will Simpson
It’s a Hat Trick: Step Up Champions 2026
Every year, the Intercollegiate Activities Council (ICAC) holds the Step-Up competition. One of the biggest events of the year, Step-Up is a dance competition where each college performs a variation of their first-year dance (taught during O-Week) to a crowd of roughly 1,000 people. The event is always a highlight of the UC and intercollegiate calendar, and a great opportunity to get involved, regardless of whether you have dance experience!
Once a team of 12 first-years was selected to represent UC, a group of second-year dancers helped choreograph the routine (for whose help I couldn’t be more grateful!). We started by selecting a theme and, off the back of our two wins in a row in 2024 and 2025, it had to be something fun that would work on stage. We eventually landed on Coachella 2016. After selecting songs as a group, I was able to put the mix together, while my wonderful choreographers worked incredibly hard on the routine and taught it to our team, with rehearsals starting from 7am most mornings. Although it was a challenging start for much of the team, everyone showed up and put in blood, sweat and tears to perfect the dance. And it certainly paid off!
UC was incredibly fortunate to take home the winning title for the third year in a row, starting the year off strong in the race for the ICAC Cup! We were so lucky to be supported by the UC crowd, who made their presence known as soon as the team hit the stage. It was fantastic watching all the other teams and seeing everyone from UC supporting the other colleges on such an incredibly fun night!
Luella Wyer 2nd Year Arts Student University of Melbourne
Nick Howarth and the Step-Up crew
The sky’s the limit
On 11 March, Head of College Dr Jennifer McDonald and President of Council Lisa Williams, welcomed 90 alumni, students, staff, and community members to our annual Donor Reception – an evening dedicated to celebrating the generosity and impact of our donors.
Guests gathered in the Giblin Courtyard to enjoy canapés before moving into the Leitch Academic Centre for formal proceedings. In her address, Dr Jennifer McDonald highlighted the tangible impact made possible through donor support, with 43% of scholarship recipients for 2026 receiving at least $10,000 and 80% of new scholarship recipients coming from regional areas of Australia. She emphasised that these outcomes are only possible because of the commitment and generosity of the College’s donors.
Lisa Williams spoke powerfully about the transformative role scholarships play in shaping students’ lives. Addressing scholarship recipients directly, she reminded them that while a scholarship is a gift, it also carries responsibility:
“Receive that support with gratitude and with purpose. Use it to study hard. Use it to be curious. Use it to lead others well. Use it to make the most of this community and all that it offers. Use it to build a successful life, and a useful one. Honour that faith in you. Serve generously. Aim high, think big and one day, be the reason someone else gets a chance.”
First-year scholarship recipient, Keely Allan, is studying Financial Planning at RMIT. Originally from the small country town of Wycheproof in northwest Victoria, she says this move would have been impossible without financial support.
“There are incredibly talented, motivated and capable young people in rural communities. Young people who are volunteering in their towns, leading youth groups, organising community events, and advocating for others. Many of them, like me, come from families where money is tight, where opportunities can feel limited, and where the idea of moving to a city for university can seem almost impossible.
“Without financial support, living at University College simply would not have been possible for me, but receiving a scholarship changed that. Your generosity doesn’t just provide financial assistance. It creates opportunity, builds confidence, and allows students like me and many others to realise their potential. Your support sends a powerful message: that where someone comes from should never limit where they can go.”
It is fair to say that all the speeches were incredibly well received, with
many attendees thanking the speakers for their insights afterwards. The reception continued into the evening as scholarship recipients connected with their supporters and guests, many of whom shared memories and compared College experiences from across the decades.
We extend our sincere thanks to all donors who support the UC Scholarship Program. By making College fees more accessible, your generosity leaves a lasting impact on the lives of our students and their families.
At UC, we’ve begun the largest fundraising campaign in our nearly 90-year history, with a goal to establish at least 10 more half-fee scholarships in perpetuity.
To learn more about our campaign, or to discuss making an endowed gift, please contact the Advancement Office on +61 3 9349 9113 or advancement@unicol.unimelb. edu.au
Campbell Bairstow and Harry Brown
Anne Robertson, Lucy Yates and Rob Cross
Dr Jennifer McDonald
Anne Robertson chatting with students
Sophie Kas, Jack Hosking and Penny Kas
Ciara Burgess
Art reimagined
In mid-March, we were delighted to welcome UC Governor and Fellow, Dr Lynne Broughton (UWC 1964), for another successful Broughton Seminar. This year’s topic was: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: The Afterlives of Medieval Images.
Drawing on her extensive expertise in medieval art and visual culture, Dr Broughton guided the audience through the remarkable journeys undertaken by high-quality Christian imagery long after their original contexts had disappeared. With a particular focus on Germany — where many medieval objects survive in fascinatingly altered forms — the seminar explored how images were preserved, repurposed, and transformed to meet new devotional and cultural needs.
Brief comparisons with England and France highlighted how differing landscapes shaped these evolving afterlives. The seminar prompted discussion on what is lost, what endures, and how new meanings emerge when medieval art is reimagined for later generations.
Conversations continued over afternoon tea, leaving attendees with fresh insights and much to reflect upon. Our sincere thanks to Dr Broughton for another captivating and thought-provoking seminar.
Cakes and chats
In June, we were delighted to welcome our College Governors for the annual Governors Afternoon Tea.
President of Council, Lisa Williams, updated guests on Council objectives, while management staff spoke about key operational areas – including facilities upgrades, academic and student services, and insights into UC’s marketing and advancement strategies. Following the presentations, everyone enjoyed a delicious spread (the homemade Victoria sponge cake proved a particular favourite) thoughtfully prepared by our wonderful Food Services team.
In her remarks, Head of College, Dr Jennifer McDonald, shared that “the mood of the College is one of joy, enthusiasm, and enormous energy as our students continue to embrace all that college life has to offer.” She also reflected on her time as Head, and thanked the UC community for their generosity and support over the past 18 years.
It was wonderful to welcome our Governors to the College and to enjoy a lovely afternoon together. We thank them all for their significant service and contribution.
Dr Lynne Broughton
2026 scholarship recipients
Congratulations to our 2026 scholarship recipients and thank you to our generous donor community for making these scholarships possible.
Keely Allan McGregor Family Scholarship
Eddie Andronescu Morrison-Bourke Scholarship UC General Scholarship
Gabby Atkinson Jill Williams Scholarship
Robbie Bailey Gates-Buchanan Scholarship
Anusha Bajracharya Cheryl Pitman Scholarship Tweddle Scholarship
Jimmy Barlow DMW Industries: Doyle Family Scholarship
Diaz Barzen Lady Boston Scholarship
Grace Blundell Duncan Family Scholarship
Jacinta Boquest UC Leadership Scholarship
Harry Brown UC Council / Narrm Scholarship
Ciara Burgess Margaret Bullen Scholarship
Xavier Cahill Meredith McComas Scholarship
Claire Chisholm QLS Scholarship
Clare Collins Barbara Howlett Scholarship
Stirling Cuming Binding Scholarship
Georgia Danckert David Syme Charitable Trust Scholarship Jill Eastwood Scholarship
Maika Del Val-Fletcher Kathleen Mackie Scholarship
Isaac Drain David Syme Charitable Trust Scholarship
Nash Drever Lyn Gilbert Scholarship
Tom Ford Di Long Scholarship
Eve Forth Bligh Rachel Faggetter/Class of ‘58 Scholarship
Connor Hogan Stewardson-Walpole Scholarship
Jack Hosking Margaret Garson Scholarship
Amelia Jackson Jill Williams Scholarship
Audrey Jansz Cheryl Pitman Scholarship
Shannon Kelly Cox Family Scholarship
Tessa Kelly Jill Williams Scholarship Deborah Seifert Scholarship
Bonnie Kininmonth Kathy Skelton Scholarship Triggs Scholarship
Scout Kinnear Hughes Family Scholarship Muriel Crabtree Scholarship
Isabelle Kirk Lovering Scholarship
Annika Mjaanes McGregor Family Scholarship
Olivia Papworth Broughton Scholarship
Jessica Phan UC General Scholarship
Amelie Rincon Franco Lyn Gilbert Scholarship
Olivia Scott Ann Miller Scholarship
Eve Shing Jill Williams Scholarship
Ruby Shirazi Botha Family Scholarship
Lucy Summerfield Myra Roper Scholarship UC General Scholarship
Noah Taylor QLS Scholarship
Jack Weir Binding Scholarship
Scarlett Westhorpe Kiss-O’Donohue Scholarship
Scarlett Wilson Barbara & Max Murray Scholarship
Jasmine Wright UC Leadership Scholarship
Lucy Yates Lena McEwan Scholarship
Michael Banks chatting with staff and students
Making scholarship history
As educational, living and college costs continue to rise in Melbourne, we’re concerned that students from rural, regional and low socio-economic backgrounds (for whom UC is their college of choice) are missing out due to their inability to pay.
That’s why we’re undertaking the largest fundraising campaign in our nearly 90-year history – aiming to establish at least 10 more half-fee scholarships in perpetuity, securing our scholarships program into the future and protecting the diversity that UC is known for.
We are excited to announce that over the past 18 months, we have already successfully raised just over 50% of our $4 million fundraising target, thanks to the generosity of a number of donors from within our community. We have also received our two largest endowed gifts ever, and we wish to thank and celebrate Cheryl Power as well as Ian Gust AO and his wife Dianne Long for their exceptional contributions.
Cheryl Pitman Scholarship
Cheryl Power (née Pitman) is an alumna of the College (UWC 1964) as well as a Governor and bequestor. She has been a generous supporter of UC’s Scholarship Program for many years and has also volunteered her time to serve on the College Council and the Scholarship Committee.
After completing a Bachelor of Science in 1966, Cheryl embarked on a research degree in the School of Microbiology at the University of Melbourne, working on a relatively new micro-organism, the Trachoma Agent, a cause of blindness worldwide.
She was married to Brian Power in 1969, and spent the next decade raising their two children and tutoring medical, dental and science students in microbiology. She then undertook a Graduate Diploma in Education and was appointed as a lecturer, and eventually a senior lecturer, in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Melbourne. She is now an Honorary Lecturer at the University.
Over the years, Cheryl was a long serving member of the Executive of the Australian Society for Microbiology and was awarded a Life Membership in 2018. She continues her interest in both the society and the discipline.
She has a passion for helping young people succeed in their studies, and in 2026 she made a significant donation to UC to establish two half scholarships in perpetuity, to be awarded to female students from a rural or regional background that will value financial support.
Cheryl decided to make a major gift because she was fortunate enough to be able to do so, and her family are incredibly supportive of her decision.
“My children are well established in their lives and don’t require my financial help, so I wanted to give some young people the full experience of university, like I had, and living in college had been an essential part of that.”
“I would say to others that if you’re thinking about donating, do it now! Don’t wait until it forms part of the bequests in your Will.”
“As campus contact hours shrink and personal contact diminishes, your support helps keep the real and meaningful experience of belonging to an academic community alive. Plus, you can experience the joy of seeing your gift help someone who needs it, enabling them to begin a journey they might otherwise have had to forgo.”
Cheryl Power
Di Long Scholarship
Dianne Long is a college alumna (UWC 1959 – 1961) and was a scholarship recipient during her time with us.
She went on to enter the field of Obstetric Ultrasound (a new field at the time) and was a member of the ultrasound department at the Royal Women’s Hospital until her retirement. Along the way she had a family, kept bees and sheep (spinning their wool and knitting sweaters), built much of the family furniture (including a sauna), and even won a rolling pin throwing contest for mothers at the Watsonia Under 12s football club!
Her husband, Professor Ian Gust AO, is a virologist and medical researcher and a founder of the Burnet Institute. He recently established a scholarship in Dianne’s name, in recognition of how life-changing financial support can be in the educational space, just as it was for Di.
Ian and Di met while at the University of Melbourne in the 1960s. In fact, Ian recalls Di always sitting in the lecture theatre, knitting, and seemingly paying little attention to the content. But in fact, as he got to know her, he realised not only was she absorbing everything, but she was one of the brightest people in the room! The rest is history, and nearly 65 years later they now share five children, 11 grandchildren and a lifetime of memories.
Ian said that in light of the opportunity Di was given, it was important to them to pay it forward.
“Di grew up in post-war London under difficult circumstances. Although extremely talented, she would not have received an education had it not been for the generosity of people associated with the Rosebury County Grammar School in the UK and a scholarship to University Women’s College in Melbourne.
“Having both had wonderful careers, we would like to give others in a similar situation the same opportunity that Di received. We hope that it will have a similar impact on their lives.”
Thanks to Ian and Di’s generosity, one new half-fee scholarship will be available every year, awarded to a student at the University of Melbourne (preferably studying medicine or science) who will value financial support.
Di and Ian celebrating their 75th birthdays at Wilsons Promontory
Di, Ian and their family
Di and Ian on graduation day in 1964
Game on
hockey team
Semester 1 of 2026 was, as always, jam-packed with intercollegiate sporting competitions. Things kicked off for UC with cricket, where both the women’s and men’s teams fought hard throughout the season, but were unfortunately knocked out before the semi-finals. Shortly after, the tennis season began, with a promising UC side comfortably qualifying for the semi-finals. In an exciting matchup against Trinity, UC put up a good fight, but Trinity ultimately proved too strong. Our players bounced back in impressive fashion, securing a comfortable win in the playoff for third place.
This success continued with the men’s soccer team, who brought home a thrilling 1–0 victory against Queen’s College in the minor final, also securing third place. Unfortunately, the women’s soccer team did not share the same success. After three hard-fought matches, the team was knocked out before the semi-finals, though their determination and effort never faltered. A similar story unfolded on the hockey pitch. The women’s team finished their season in the quarter-finals following an unfortunate 2–1 loss to Newman College, while the men’s team went down 3–0 to St Hilda’s. This trend continued into table tennis, where our players were no match for a strong Ormond side, falling 5–0 in the quarter-finals.
Despite these results, UC spirit was never lost. In a fantastic display of College pride, a sea of maroon and blue filled the stands to cheer on
our swimmers at the Intercollegiate Swimming Carnival. Led by outstanding performances from captain Dan Kefford, UC finished an impressive fifth overall. The UC spirit was once again on full display at the athletics carnival. Captained by Sam Burton, the team delivered many strong performances and qualified for finals in most events. Unfortunately, rainy conditions on finals day resulted in the cancellation of some events, cutting short what had promised to be an exciting finish.
In the early hours of a cold and rainy May morning, UC gathered along the banks of the Yarra for the annual Rowing Regatta. After many weeks of dedicated training, both squads secured wins in their opening races to qualify for the finals. Cheered on loudly from the banks, our rowers finished with an outstanding third place in both the men’s and women’s second division. Finally, our cross-
country runners gave it their all, with Captain Kieran Bowles achieving an impressive top 10 finish, and Claire Collins securing a top 10 placing in the women’s competition.
As we wrap up another exciting semester of sport and prepare for the next, we congratulate everyone who has represented UC so far this year. Your dedication, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm continue to make the College proud, and we look forward to seeing what Semester 2 will bring. Go UC!
Shannon Kelly
Sports Representative 2nd Year Science Student University of Melbourne
Fred Jackson
Sports Representative 2nd Year Property & Construction Student RMIT
Women’s
Dressed for Success
In recent years, our sports uniforms have been ordered from different suppliers and feature different designs, so we’ve been working behind the scenes to make sure UC looks more professional on the field moving forward. We want to give a huge shoutout to Sharon Taylor (mum of Gus Taylor) who has been volunteering her time to help our student sports reps and staff with facilitating new sports uniforms for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. The first uniforms to roll out have been for the football, as well as swim caps for the swimming carnival. Uniforms for other sports will be introduced over the next 12 months. We also want to thank parents Georgie and Mark Coombe-Tennant, Marcus and Sarah Freeman, Ben and Rosalind James and Michael and Marlo Naylor for generously donating our new footy guernseys to the College.
Zack Burack
Men’s soccer
Women’s rowing
Luella Wyer and Keely Allan at the rowing
Eighteen years on the cherished island
In 2008, the iPhone was very new, the National Apology to the Stolen Generations had just been delivered, and the Global Financial Crisis was about to remind the world that certainty is more fragile than anyone likes to admit. That same year, a new Head, Dr Jennifer McDonald, arrived at University College to lead it not just as a building, but as a home, a community, and a place of formation. 18 years, several changes of Prime Minister, more than one Vice-Chancellor at the University of Melbourne, a great deal of social change, and one fully rebuilt residential precinct later, we warmly farewelled Jennifer in June.
That timeline is worth sitting with, because it says something the data alone struggles to capture. Residential colleges are built around transience; every student arrives, settles, grows, and leaves within two or three years, by design. Elsewhere, leadership can tend to follow a similar rhythm. At UC, it hasn’t. While Prime Ministers and Vice-Chancellors came and went, Jennifer provided the kind of continuity, steadiness and institutional memory that a community like this benefits from, the type of thing, as one colleague put it at her farewell, that “students often only fully appreciate years later.”
Jennifer’s tenure has also been, unmistakably, a building project, in both senses of the word. The physical college has been transformed: the Women in Leadership Gallery, opened by then-Governor-General Dame Quentin Bryce in 2012; the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden completed in
2010; and, in 2016, the opening of the Syme Dining Hall, the centrepiece of a redevelopment Jennifer championed for years before a single brick was laid. Those who watched the build go up still remember her doing site walk-throughs in a hardhat, pearls and all!
But the more interesting building project is the one you can’t put a hardhat on. Jennifer’s conviction, from the outset, was that the physical environment and the human one are not separate questions. That where and how students live shapes whether they feel challenged, supported and genuinely formed by their time at college, rather than simply housed by it. This echoes the College’s original founders’ long vision of the College as a home, built around the principles of independence, self-discipline and intellectual freedom. This picture of college life and student experience has always been at the heart of the UWC, and latterly UC, philosophy.
Anne Cronin, Elizabeth Alexander and Dr Jennifer McDonald at the Turning of the Sod for the building development in 2016
Dr Jennifer McDonald with UC Council members and staff
As such, the College was always intended to be a place where the development of the individual and the pursuit of learning was the primary purpose, and Jennifer has keenly enacted her version of this philosophy during her time as Head.
The numbers from the closing chapter of Jennifer’s tenure tell their own story. In 2024, and again in 2025, University College recorded its highest-ever number of first-preference applicants; students choosing UC, not settling for it as a second place. Student satisfaction scores have been strong across academic, wellbeing and community measures, key capital works were completed, and the drive to expand the College’s scholarship program gained real momentum. No longer a “minor” college, UC became, in the words of one of its longest-serving observers, “the talk of the Crescent.”
Colleges ask an enormous amount of the people who hold their communities together, often quietly and for years on end.
As Jennifer’s colleagues acknowledged at her farewell, leading a residential college demands vision, judgement, stamina and a willingness to carry responsibility for a community that operates well beyond ordinary office hours, including a forward-thinking but challenging building project, and in 2020, getting the UC community through a pandemic.
The College Jennifer leaves behind is in a strong position owing to the product of staff, students, Council, alumni and donors working alongside a Head who treated all of them as part of one community.
Thank you, Jennifer, for 18 years of stewardship that this magazine’s readers, and the thousands of students who have called UC home during your tenure, are the better for. We look forward to your continued connection to University College in the next chapter, and wish you and Phil very well.
Lisa Williams President of Council
Dr Jennifer McDonald with students in 2011
Dr Jennifer McDonald with guests at the Head’s cocktail reception in 2018
Dr Jennifer McDonald with students in 2010
STUDENT CLUB REPORTS
COMMUNITY SERVICE
The Community Services Committee has had a strong start to the year, meeting regularly to plan fundraising initiatives and encourage students to engage with causes that support the wider community. The committee is a mix of first- and second-year students and has been focused on planning events that bring the College together, while making a meaningful impact beyond UC.
One of the committee’s major initiatives this semester was UC’s involvement in the World’s Greatest Shave in support of the Leukaemia Foundation. Held in March, the event involved four UC students who bravely shaved or cut their hair to raise awareness and funds for blood cancer research and support services. Students across the College, as well as the wider community, were incredibly supportive and showed generosity through donations, attending the event, and buying raffle tickets. Overall, UC managed to raise over $5,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation.
The event created a strong sense of community spirit around college and highlighted the generosity and enthusiasm of UC students when supporting important causes. The committee looks forward to continuing this momentum throughout the semester, with upcoming initiatives including a Colour Run fundraiser for pancreatic cancer research.
Gabby Atkinson Community Service Representative 2nd Year Paramedicine Student, ACU
MUSIC
On the final day of Wellbeing Week, the students enjoyed a Pleasant Friday Afternoon (PFA) listening to live music on the multi-purpose court. With the stage set up near our newly refurbished band room, this was a great way to end the week, showcasing the talents of some of UC’s musical students and bringing everyone together to relax in the sun.
The performances ranged across a variety of genres, including songs such as ‘Back to the Old House’, ‘Fade into You’, and ‘Spooky’, but all shared in cultivating a chill and mindful atmosphere in the spirit of Wellbeing Week. The event was a great success, with lots of smiles and good tunes.
Will James Music Representative 2nd Year Science and Engineering Student, University of Melbourne
SOCIAL EVENTS
Our first semester as social secretaries has been nothing short of memorable, filled with successful events, strong student engagement, and plenty of fun. We welcomed our incoming first-year students during O-Week with a high-energy disco-themed ‘tern’, marking the beginning of countless UC friendships and shared experiences. With DJ setups, staging, themed decorations, and creative costumes, the night set a vibrant tone for the year ahead.
Following O-Week, we celebrated the return of our second-year cohort with one of our favourite events: Commencement. The evening continued with an afterparty in Brunswick, featuring sets from our resident DJs. The night gave students the chance to reconnect, dance, and form new friendships.
During Wellbeing Week, we hosted a Mardi Gras-themed ‘tern’, with students embracing bold and glittering outfits inspired by Pride celebrations. Leggatt Hall was transformed into a lively event space as students filled the dance floor throughout the night.
Later in the semester, we organised the official UC Ball afterparty at Inflation in Melbourne’s CBD.
Following a formal evening at the NGV, residents carried the momentum into a high-energy celebration in true UC style. With standout sets from IN2POL, Crybaby, and other local talent, the event was an unforgettable end to one of the most anticipated nights on the UC calendar.
The celebrations continued with the Rowing Day ‘Tern’, where the multi-purpose court was transformed for the event. The ‘Rhyme Without Reason’ theme encouraged imaginative costumes and plenty of fun across the student body.
We’re looking forward to the many events still to come in Semester 2 and hope the community enjoyed this semester as much as we enjoyed bringing it to life.
Harry Brown
2nd Year Design Student
University of Melbourne
Yugi Uppal
2nd Year Science and Engineering
Student
University of Melbourne
O-Week disco-themed ‘tern’
Embedding respect, inclusion and care
The first semester of 2026 has reflected a growing commitment across the University College community to fostering a culture of wellbeing, care and connection.
While wellbeing is often supported through organised initiatives and events, it is just as frequently found in the quieter moments of college life: students gathering at Tuesday night craft club, friends barracking for one another at intercollegiate sporting events or a friend noticing when someone seems withdrawn and taking the time to check in. These everyday acts of community and care continue to shape the culture of UC in meaningful ways.
This semester, the 2026 Wellbeing Committee, led by Student Wellbeing Representative Tessa Floreani and supported by Equity Representative Mica Thubron, played an important role in creating opportunities for students to slow down and engage more intentionally with their wellbeing. Wellbeing Week was a particular highlight, offering students a range of opportunities to recharge and reconnect amidst the demands of university life. Activities included an engaging and practical wellbeing workshop facilitated by UC alumna Rosie Nelson, a guided mindfulness and journalling session, a fun yet challenging morning pilates session and a creative painting activity on the courtyard lawn. It was wonderful to see students engage so openly throughout the week, with these shared experiences creating meaningful opportunities for both connection and reflection.
As part of Respect Week, UC also hosted a trivia evening facilitated by
Consent Labs. This event created an engaging and approachable space for students to reflect on themes of consent, communication, and respectful relationships. Initiatives such as these form part of the College’s broader commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive community and contributing to the prevention of gender-based violence through ongoing education, conversation and cultural change.
The weekly Wellbeing eNewsletter has also remained an important part of wellbeing promotion and education at UC. This semester’s topics included academic stress, routines, self-esteem, relationships, goal setting, boundaries and self-care, with content shaped by feedback shared by students. The aim has been to provide support that feels relevant, approachable, and grounded in the realities of student life, while also encouraging reflection, help-seeking and meaningful conversations around wellbeing.
Across the semester, counselling support and wellbeing check-ins have continued to form a steady and valued part of college life. It has been particularly heartening to see an increasing number of students reaching out for support when needed, often prompted by the care and encouragement
of friends, peers or neighbours. Many students are engaging not only during periods of difficulty, but also proactively, as they develop greater insight into themselves, their relationships and their overall wellbeing. This growing openness around help-seeking reflects a broader cultural shift toward recognising wellbeing as an essential part of both personal and academic growth.
As the College community looks ahead to the second half of the year, the focus remains on continuing to strengthen a culture where respect, inclusion and care are embedded within everyday life at UC.
Stephanie Poynton Student Wellbeing Coordinator
Pilates during Wellbeing Week
Anna Colgan and Ava Larsen
Dr Jennifer McDonald and Hannah Phung
Honouring achievement, celebrating community
Students, staff, Fellows and guests gathered in the Syme Dining Hall on Monday 27 April, for this year’s Fellows & Academic Achievement High Table, celebrating 27 students who achieved an average mark of 80 or above across their studies in 2025. The annual event provides an opportunity to recognise outstanding academic achievement and celebrate the wider community of UC alumni and Fellows.
The event was attended by College Fellow Professor Sheila Fitzpatrick, distinguished historian of modern Russia and the Soviet Union and an alumna of the College. We were also joined by Pierre Harcourt, son of College Fellow Professor Alison Harcourt AO, who was unfortunately unable to attend herself.
A number of College Council members were also in attendance, including newest Council member Julie Rothacker, Vice-President Rebecca Lobb, and President Lisa Williams. Addressing the cohort, Lisa congratulated students on their academic achievements and offered insight into the role of Council in securing the future of the College and its community through its focus on strategic direction, policy and compliance, and financial oversight.
The evening also welcomed Fox Crowley, recipient of the Fellows Medal in 2018 and 2019, continuing the
longstanding tradition of inviting former recipients to remain connected to the academic life of the College.
Each of the 27 students listed below received a Fellows Award certificate and a $100 gift voucher from Readings. Hannah Phung, who achieved the highest average mark for 2025, was awarded the Fellows Medal, along
2025 Fellows Award recipients
Emily Anderson
Gabby Atkinson
Alexia Bennett
Ciara Burgess
Clare Coleman
Toby Davies
Misha Fligelman
Eva Gorbatov
Xander Grice
with an additional $100 gift voucher. Congratulations to the following Fellows Award recipients for their exceptional academic achievements in 2025. Their hard work and dedication reflect the strong culture of academic excellence at UC.
James Brown
Admissions & Administration Advisor
Heidi Hoffman
Will James
Shannon Kelly
Ella Liang
Scarlett Lineker
Finn Love
Pippa Malbarry
Steph Mann
Amelia Murray
Lily Pellegrino
Hannah Phung
Georgiana Rawlins
Oscar Rayel
Elizabeth Roche
Matthew Savage
Astrid Smyth
Phoebe Steley
Amelia Wells
Inside UC: Open House 2026
On Saturday 16 May, we once again opened the College to prospective students and their families to look around and learn more about what makes UC unique.
It was wonderful to see so many people visiting from regional Victoria, as we are proud to continue welcoming many rural and regional students to UC each year. We also had many visitors from interstate, overseas and across Melbourne itself. It was encouraging to see some familiar faces too, with students we had met during school visits and career expos making the journey to visit us in person.
There was a lovely atmosphere in the Heritage Room, where our volunteer tour guides patiently waited their turn to show the next group of visitors around, with 55 students helping across the day. In fact, there was so much enthusiasm that many students stayed well beyond their rostered shifts because they so enjoyed meeting everyone.
A huge thank you to our staff for all their work in running the day and ensuring the College looked its best, as well as to Finlay Dawson and Jacinta Boquest for their assistance. Thanks also to our Student Club President, Jasmine Wright, who excelled at coordinating the tour guides and enjoyed welcoming guests so much that she ended up helping for the entire day. This perfectly encapsulates the spirit of UC, which she and the other Student Club Executive members have been working hard to foster this year. We are constantly impressed by the warmth and enthusiasm shown by our students during open days — and if you were a visitor, we certainly hope you noticed it too!
Lochlann Philippi and Alice Bourchier leading a tour
Jacinta Boquest
Max Webster and Xander Grice
Siyumi Patabandige and Ben Donger
Family fun
As our Open House event concluded on 16 May, students and staff then welcomed parents and families of our current residents for our annual Family Reception.
Once again, this event was well attended and warmly received, with the Syme Dining Hall packed with enthusiastic chatter as families reconnected with each other or met for the first time. We were also pleased to see a number of alumni in attendance, who now have a sibling at UC – something we are always proud to see.
Head of College, Dr Jennifer McDonald, thanked everyone for their support and trust in UC and shared some of our history, which has made us the college we are today. She also identified that the next challenge is to ensure we can provide greater financial support for our students.
“We are launching the largest fundraising campaign in our history. This will make more scholarships available to our students so that we can maintain that spirit of equality and diversity, which has always been a defining feature of this college. What better way could there be to celebrate the significant milestone of the 90th Anniversary in 2027 than to have an endowment fund for bright students.”
She also advised the community that she would be stepping down as Head of College at the end of June but was excited to have the opportunity to continue to work at UC in a new part-time role as Emerita Alumni Advisor, supporting the fundraising campaign.
We thank everyone who attended this event and our Food Services team for ensuring everything ran so smoothly.
Etse Imhagwe and family
Lochlann Philippi and family
Eddie Andronescu with Will O’Connell and parents Richard and Tanya
Sam Katic and family with Andrew Smith and family
Chloe Walsh and family with Maia Librio and family
Dr Jennifer McDonald chatting with parents
Celebrating Betina Fauvel-Ogden’s Archibald success
Last year, Melbourne artist Betina Fauvel-Ogden was commissioned to paint a portrait of our Head of College, Dr Jennifer McDonald, for the Heritage Room’s gallery of portraits honouring former Heads of College.
We are now thrilled to celebrate Betina’s selection as a finalist in the 2026 Archibald Prize, Australia’s most prestigious portrait award, for her portrait of acclaimed author and illustrator, Gabrielle Wang.
Betina is no stranger to the Archibald, having previously won the Packing Room Prize in 2016 for her portrait of chef George Calombaris. Her work is widely recognised for its warmth, depth and ability to capture the personality of her subjects.
We congratulate Betina on this well-deserved recognition.
Academia on High
High Table dinners are a treasured Monday night tradition at University College. Each week, residents come together in their iconic academic gowns to share a special meal while celebrating major milestones and achievements in the community.
We also welcome Deans, Deputy Deans and other senior representatives from the universities and faculties aligned with UC’s diverse study cohorts to join us at High Table.
These guests bring with them a wealth of experience, offering reflections from their professional journeys and valuable career insight to support our residents as they plan their own career paths.
Hosting guests from the institutions our residents attend creates meaningful opportunities for connection. Students can engage directly with leaders in their fields – asking questions, receiving thoughtful advice, and building networks that extend well beyond the College.
We would like to sincerely thank the following academic guests for attending our High Table dinners this semester:
Professor Jennifer Balint, Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Melbourne.
Associate Professor Lisa Godinho, Associate Dean (Undergraduate Programs), Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne.
Professor Karen Nightingale, National Head, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Australian Catholic University.
Associate Professor Tarun Panwar, Associate Dean, Fashion Enterprise and Technology, RMIT University.
Associate Professor Sean Pinder, Assistant Dean (Undergraduate Studies), Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Melbourne.
Professor Ron Wakefield, Dean, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, and Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor (International), RMIT University.
Betina Fauvel-Ogden pictured with her portrait of Gabrielle Wang titled ‘Pride’ (oil on linen, 65.3 x 50.2 cm)
Professor Sheila Fitzpatrick and Fox Crowley with Lisa Williams
A gift in perpetuity
Dr Rosalind Terry (UWC 1958) was a pioneering Australian surgeon, a life-long champion for women in medicine, and a passionate advocate for women’s education.
Ros was the first in her family to go to university. She won a Commonwealth Scholarship to assist with university fees and began a Science degree at the University of Melbourne in 1958 (although her true ambition was medicine, her father had given strict instructions to pursue the shortest course possible). She was granted a place at what was then University Women’s College and was among the last students accepted into that year’s intake by Head of College, Myra Roper. While at College, Ros was awarded the Georgina Sweet Scholarship, providing further support for her education.
Specialising in Biochemistry and Microbiology, she completed her science degree in 1961, and worked in the USA before returning to Australia to work with the Department of Agriculture in Tasmania. Still keen to pursue medicine, Ros returned to the University of Melbourne to begin her medical degree in 1969. She lived in a tiny flat near the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) and supported her studies by working in the Biochemistry department on nights and weekends.
Ros interned at RMH, and it was there that she developed an interest in surgery. As Melbourne hospitals did not allow women to enter surgical training at the time, Ros moved to Sydney, becoming the first female Surgical Registrar and surgeon at St Vincent’s Hospital. A surgical rotation
in Papua New Guinea led to a ten-year stay, during which she became deeply committed to improving care for mothers undergoing caesarean births, procedures she continued to perform throughout her career to support better outcomes for mothers both during surgery and in recovery. Her medical career also took her to Norfolk Island.
Ros returned to Melbourne in 1990 and moved into emergency medicine, becoming the first female senior emergency physician at The Alfred Hospital.
Throughout her life, Ros retained a deep connection with University College, enthusiastically attending events and engaging with the generations of students who followed in her footsteps.
She served on the College Council from 1998 to 2003 and was named a College Governor in recognition of her longstanding support of UC.
We are honoured that Ros generously chose to leave a bequest to University College in her will. Her gift will fund scholarships for regional female science and medical students in perpetuity, a lasting expression of the values she embodied throughout her remarkable life.
Leave a legacy at University College
A bequest to University College is a meaningful way to ensure that future generations of students can pursue their ambitions, just as Ros Terry did. Gifts left in wills have funded scholarships that open doors for students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience life at UC.
If you would like to learn more about leaving a bequest to University College, please contact Stephanie Rogan (Fundraising and Alumni Relations Leader) at advancement@unicol.unimelb. edu.au
University College pays tribute to members of our community whose passing we have been informed of in the past six months.
Dr Anne Jabara UWC 1953 (05/03/1933 – 22/04/2026) UC Governor
Gwenda Spencer (née Rodda) OAM UWC 1947 (11/10/1929 – 05/02/2026)
Professor Chris Wallace-Crabbe AM (06/05/1934 – 16/12/2025) UC Governor
Brad Wicherson UC 1983 (18/12/1964 – 26/02/2026)
An unbridled opportunity
Professor Marilyn Monk attended University Women’s College (UWC) from 1956 to 1959 while studying for her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Melbourne. She has had a prestigious scientific career which has taken her all around the world. Her research includes DNA replication and repair, gene transfer, the development of single cell molecular biology, preimplantation diagnosis of genetic disease, and cancer. She has authored several hundred publications in top peer-reviewed journals, which can be found at www.researchgate.net/profile/Marilyn-Monk-2. She is also a College Fellow, and we recently asked her about her memories of College.
Schooling and a move to Melbourne
As a child, I had wide interests and skills in the arts (ballet, piano, painting), sports (basketball, swimming, horse riding), and the sciences – particularly mathematics. I was seen as a gifted child from a very young age – but I did not experience this label as an honour. Rather I thought there was something wrong with me; that it was abnormal to be so clever –and especially as a girl! I had a special gift for mathematics, although I’m not sure where this came from. Perhaps it was due to my ability to see order in patterns and images and thus remember them (which may be more related to my artistic self than my scientific self). During my schooling and university studies, my lecture notes looked like artworks, and this uncanny ability to visualise and remember patterns certainly helped me during exams.
I attended Upwey High School, where I was Dux of form every year and finally Dux of schooI. This again was not considered appropriate for a girl!
But, due to this high academic achievement, I was awarded one of two residential scholarships to live at UWC. This meant moving away from my horse and my home in Belgrave (situated in the beautiful temperate eucalyptus forests of the Dandenong Ranges) to live in the city near the University of Melbourne. It soon became clear that the award of this residential scholarship ultimately determined the course of my whole future!
College life
So, in 1956, at the age of 17, I moved to Melbourne to start a new life. I shared a room at UWC with the other scholarship awardee, Barbara Elliot, who had moved from Mildura to Melbourne to study economics. Barbara remained my friend for life. In fact, all the special friendships that I made at UWC lasted for a lifetime –although now that we are all in our late 80s, we are leaving one by one to return to our heavenly home from whence we came.
My main friends in college were the other girls who were studying science (Ros, Margaret, Deb and Debbie). We used to walk together from college through the grounds of Ormond College (the residential college for boys) and past a sports field to attend our practical classes in the science departments. I remember that we were rather jealous of the humanities students, as they were not prisoners of three-hour practical classes and could spend more time together socialising and discussing life in the university café.
Socially, my main memory of being with friends was dining together in the College dining room for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and when it was our turn at High Table with the college principal, Myra Roper. Myra Roper had previously studied at Girton College, Cambridge and brought a lot of Cambridge traditions with her to our Melbourne college, including academic gowns and mortar boards, and the periodic dining at High Table with formal discussion afterwards with coffee.
We also had social opportunities to get to know the young male students at Ormond College, who were sometimes invited to our college to dance with us. These occasions were very formal and the boys had to book a dance and write it down on a dance card that each girl carried. And then there was the ‘triggle’. After lunch on Sunday, the boys from Ormond would walk one way on the path around the grounds of UWC, while the girls would walk in the other direction. Each group would pretend that the other did not exist – hardly a social occasion, but a lot of fun.
Myra Roper had a tremendous influence on me. I was a rebellious and wild teenager, and she was determined to reinvent me into an industrious, polite
The 1957 UWC cohort. Marilyn Monk is back row, ninth from the right
and civilised individual. In my first year in college I would want to leave every weekend to be in the Dandenong Ranges – mainly to be with my horse – riding throughout the forest and competing in gymkanas. There were also the dance meetings and other gatherings with the young local teenagers in the Dandenongs. Myra Roper said that my going home was interrupting my studies and therefore she gated me, thus stopping me from leaving the College to stay overnight anywhere else. As it turned out, I received top marks in my exams in my first year, so she could no longer argue that my studies were being compromised and she reversed her decision. However, by then, we college girls were making new friends with fellow male students in the mens colleges, so I no longer missed my familiar teenage social life in the Dandenongs at weekends. While I was finishing my Bachelor degree at the University of Melbourne, I stayed on at college to tutor younger students for another year, but all good things must come to an end (to make way for new good things).
Professional highlights after college
I moved with university friends to live in a flat in South Yarra after I completed my Bachelor of Science degree (graduating with first-class honours). I was then awarded another Commonwealth Scholarship to join a laboratory in the Department of Bacteriology at Melbourne University, where I spent my time undertaking bench research into the wonderful new discovery of DNA. After another two years, I graduated with an extra degree – a Master of Science (with Honours) from the University of Melbourne.
In 1961, based on my academic performance over the years, I was awarded an Australia-wide scholarship and British Passenger Line Free Passage to study for my PhD in London Postgraduate Medical School (PhD awarded in 1964). I then returned to work in the Zoology Department at Melbourne University – but I was still restless to travel.
In 1965, I was awarded the Australiawide ICIANZ Travelling Fellowship for my postdoctoral research in Paris.
After Paris, my career continued over the years in Leicester University, Edinburgh University, back to Melbourne to Monash University (as an Adjunct Professor) and, finally, to University College in London with a Professorship in Molecular Embryology and where (now a UCL Emerita Professor of Molecular Embryology) I still live and work today.
I have been fortunate to receive a number of other honours over the years, including having a bacteriophage pseudomonas taxon named after me, being rated in 2024 at position 162 of the best molecular biology scientists in the UK (on a list dominated by men), and having a pink plaque honouring my scientific performance erected in my street in London. But my greatest honour was being one of the 19 worldfamous scientists (and the only woman) invited to present their work at Bjorkborn Nobel Symposia 80 – “The Etiology of Human Disease at the DNA Level.”
I have loved my life as a scientist and it all started with that residential scholarship to University Women’s College back in 1956. I am forever grateful for that opportunity.
2016 – 2019 alumni reunion
On 27 June, a group of alumni from 2016 – 2019 returned to the College for an afternoon of reconnection and reminiscing.
Guests enjoyed drinks and canapés as they caught up with peers and shared fond memories of their time at UC. A guided tour highlighted the many changes the College has undergone over the past decade, including the Roper Wing and the extension of the Sweet Wing, a major project that was under construction during much of their time at the College. With UC largely empty at this time of year, many were also able to sneak a peek at their old rooms!
A special thank you to alumni Jayden Galbraith for his help in organising the reunion.
It was wonderful to welcome some former residents back to UC, and we look forward to hosting many more in the future!
If you are interested in holding an alumni reunion for your cohort, we’d love to help! Please get in touch with our Advancement Team on +61 3 9349 9113 or community@ unicol.unimelb.edu.au
A continuing connection to UC
We recently had a chat to alumna Alison Jones (UWC 1955) and mother to Michael Jones, who works as a Maintenance Officer in our staff team.
What did you do after leaving College?
After completing my Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Education at the University of Melbourne, I worked at Warracknabeal and Ararat High Schools, fulfilling the three-year teaching requirement attached to my Education Department Studentship (which had paid my College fees in full). I then taught at several eastern suburban high schools in Melbourne until I retired in my early 50s, as one did in those days.
Can you tell us about your family life?
In 1962, I married Brian Jones, a former Trinity College student and a fellow teacher. We met while we were both living at college and were introduced by my college friend Tricia Edgar (née Etherington), who knew Brian from Mildura High School. Although I often sat next to him in Geology lectures, we didn’t start going out until after leaving the University. From 1963 to 1971, I was a full-time housewife and mother to our three children, after which I returned to teaching.
What have you been up to in retirement?
Brian and I have kept very busy. We renovated a dilapidated 1910 Edwardian house in Forest Hill, which is now the home of our son Michael (who works at UC) and his family. In 1999, we moved to the Mornington Peninsula, where we became deeply involved in local golf and sailing clubs. We also raised and
trained nine Seeing Eye Dog puppies, and I worked as a tour guide at the Point Nepean Quarantine Station. Together, we volunteered as officials at many professional golf events, including two in Fiji. We have travelled a lot both in Australia and overseas.
What are some highlights of your life and career?
My family is, of course, the greatest highlight and now includes grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In my teaching career, I particularly valued my roles as Careers Advisor and Student Welfare Coordinator. In golf, I served as club captain, president of the district association, and a statelevel rules official. I’ve also enjoyed contributing to my community through writing and volunteering. I also remember teaching Olivia, the daughter of Ormond College’s Master, Bryn Newton John, in Sunday School when she was about six.
What are your fondest memories of UWC?
Living at UWC was a joy, especially for many of us coming from the rigid discipline of boarding schools. I remember our nightly formal dinners, with everyone wearing academic gowns, standing while Principal Myra Roper said grace: ‘Benedictus Benedicat.’ Afterwards, we would walk the ‘triggle,’* then gather in the Common Room for coffee served in tiny cups, with music playing on a 78rpm record. But above all, it is the friendships that stand out, many of which have endured to this day.
How did your time at UWC shape you?
My time at UWC, along with my home and earlier schooldays, helped to make me respect the rights and opinions of others, to willingly take my turn at helping and to appreciate the value of lasting friendships.
Alison Jones (top right) and friends at UC
The Jones Family – Andrew, Meredith, Alison, Brian and Michael
Across the generations
It is always wonderful to welcome UCers whose parents or grandparents also came to the College. In this issue, three generations of the Black (and Bowles) family discuss the differences (and similarities) of their time with us.
Alison Black (née Jowett): 1958–1960
Catherine (Cath) Black: 1987–1989
James (Jamie) Black: 1990–1992
Peter Bowles: 2022–2023
Kieran Bowles: 2025–2026
Times have changed since Alison Black was a student at UC in the 50s, back when it was a women’s college. Many activities were inexpensive and television was in its infancy, so that wasn’t a distraction. She fondly remembers going to the ‘bughouse’ cinema and the coffee shop next door for a treat, and nearly everyone would join in the ‘triggle’* on Sunday after lunch. Students did phone duty and evening front door duty and Alison excelled at playing hockey for the University of Melbourne. She remains grateful to the inspirational Myra Roper (Head of College at the time) for making it possible to be at college.
For Cath, Alison’s daughter, who attended UC in the 80s, it was all about drinking fluffy duck cocktails and seeing bands like Hunters and Collectors.
She also recalls that watching Days of Our Lives or Neighbours all together in the TV room was a popular diversion, and that she played women’s footy for the first time at UC and helped to organise the UC Ball.
*The ‘triggle’ was a walk taken by students of Ormond and University Women’s College in the days when both colleges were still single-gender, and was a tradition from 1937 – 1973.
With the introduction of IT and online learning, study habits have (of course) significantly changed. Submitting essays in the 80s involved a typewriter and white out, and if you missed a lecture, it was gone forever. These days, it’s hard to imagine studying without access to the internet and Wi-Fi.
In more recent years, Cath’s two children (Peter and Kieran Bowles) both attended UC and made their own marks on the College. Peter was VicePresident of the Student Club in 2023, while current resident Kieran was an O-Week Leader and has taken on the role of Food Representative – acting as a conduit for feedback between students and the kitchen staff. Their Uncle, Jamie Black, also attended
the College and continues to take an interest in the future of UC, having been on the College Council since 2019.
But Cath says no matter what years they were here, everyone in the family took advantage of the sports and social life at UC, summing up the experience as follows:
“The advantage of UC was (and still is) the sharing of learning, and the camaraderie born from the challenges of growing up and navigating new relationships and limited budgets. All of us have wonderful friends who we still see regularly, even though some live far away.”
If you’re a multi-generational UC family, we’d love to tell your story too, in the lead up to our 90th Anniversary next year. Please contact marketing@unicol.unimelb.edu.au
Peter Bowles, Jamie Black, Kieran Bowles, Cath Black and Alison Black (née Jowett)
The story behind the mural Legend of Being
For more than six decades, Erica McGilchrist’s mural has watched over daily life at the College, first in our Dining Hall and, in more recent years, in the aptly named ‘Mural Room’. To help tell the story behind the artwork, the College has recently framed and displayed a series of archival photographs showing the artist painting the piece in 1958.
The mural was made possible thanks to a £250 donation from Madame Helena Rubinstein, who commissioned a competition for women artists to design a mural for University Women’s College. The winning work, titled Legend of Being, was created by Erica McGilchrist and designed specifically for the College Dining Hall at the time.
The mural explores what McGilchrist described as “three major facets of human existence” through the themes of Belief, Love and Belonging. In accompanying notes from 1958 (now framed and hanging with the photos in the Mural Room), she explained: “because it was designed for a university building, some element of seriousness was considered necessary in the actual theme. On the other hand, because of its situation in the College Dining Hall, it would be seen mostly during hours of relaxation and for that reason the treatment of the theme was deliberately light-hearted and decorative.”
The photographs capture McGilchrist at work during the mural’s creation and offer a fascinating glimpse into the artistic process. The photos have been displayed on the opposing wall of the Mural Room, allowing students and visitors to connect the finished artwork with the story of how it came about, helping bring the history to life for current residents.
Erica McGilchrist
Council and staff
MEMBERS OF THE COLLEGE COUNCIL
Office Bearers
President: Lisa Williams, BCom Melb. GradDip(Org Dyn)
Deputy President: Rebecca Lobb, BCom JD Melb
Treasurer: Antony Elliott, BEc, GradDipAcc. GAICXD, CPA, FFTA.
Secretary to Council: Dr Jennifer McDonald, BA(Hons) DipEd MEd(Stud Well) PhD Melb. MACE
Members
K. Jane Peck, BA Melb GAICD
Jamie Black, BCom(Hons) MAppFin Melb. GradDip AppFin SIA
Professor Liliana Bove, BAgrSc (Hons) La Trobe, BBus (Mkt) RMIT, PhD (Mkt) Monash
Miranda Crawley, BBSc La Trobe, GradDip OrgPsych UC, GradDip IR and HR RMIT
Julie Rothacker, BSc(Hons) Melb, MBA RMIT, GAICD
Karyn Sobels, BA S.Aust., MComLaw Deakin. FAICD FGIA
Richard Sweetnam, BCom Melb. CA ANZ
Elected by the students of the College
Ashlea Curll
Angus Willsmore
STUDENT CLUB EXECUTIVE
President
Jasmine Wright
Vice President
Jacinta Boquest
Treasurer
Sophia Marshall
Secretary
Audrey Lee
Equity Representative
Mica Thubron
ICAC Representative
Luella Wyer
International
Representative
Shaya Firth
Social Representatives
Harry Brown
Yugi Uppal
Sports Representatives
Shannon Kelly
Fred Jackson
Wellbeing Representative
Tessa Floreani
First Year Representatives
Keely Allan
Nicholas Howarth
COLLEGE STAFF
Head of College
Dr Jennifer McDonald, BA(Hons) DipEd MEd(Stud Well) PhD Melb. MACE
Dean of Studies/Deputy
Head of College
Andre Louhanapessy, BEng
Trisakti, MDevSt Melb.
Dean of Students
Katie Saya, BA Dela., MSocWk WU
Interim Finance Manager
Teing Kor, BCom Melb MPA Monash, CPA
Finance Manager
Kelly Fung, BCom La Trobe CPA
Senior Accounts Officers
Pui Shan Kwok, BCom
La Trobe CPA
Gina Cahayagan
Marketing and Advancement Manager
Rachel Unicomb, BCmn
Newcastle
Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist
Nina Cavicchiolo, BBus(Mktg) Monash
Fundraising and Alumni Relations Leader
Stephanie Rogan, BA Monash, GCBus Deakin
Fundraising Assistant
Emily Seiter
Registrar
Zoey Maiden, DipBus, DipMan, CertIVBusAdmin
Admissions and Administration Advisor
James Brown, BA (Hons), La Trobe
Student Wellbeing Coordinator
Stephanie Poynton, BFood&NutrSc Deakin, MCouns Monash
Facilities, House and Conference Manager
Tim McBain, BCom Griffith House and Conference Advisor
Elise Annetts, BA UTS, MScrnwrt MetFilm School
Guest Services Agents
Harry Beckwith
Emilia Lakic
Librarian
Mary Coghlan, BSocSc (Librarianship) RMIT
GradDipMgt RMIT
GradDipLearning C.Qld.
Archivist
Jasmine Van De Veerdonk
DipLibInfoServ Swinburne
Maintenance Officers
Kevin Thaus
Michael Jones
Senior Gardener
Ian Robertson, AssocDip
Hort Melb Burnley
Executive Chef
Tom Brockbank
Head Chef
Hazel Krauss
Sous Chef
Ashleigh Punch
Chef de Partie
Ricardo Ramirez
Jackson Zhu
Zerars Sulcs
Kitchen Hands
Carlos Cruz
Gareth Jenkins
Kevin Williams
Food Services Supervisor
Jade Watson
Senior Food Services
Attendant
Taylor Garrett
Food Services Attendants
Olivia Buhler
Jacob Pugh
Dr Jennifer McDonald with UC staff
Leave a lasting legacy
Our bequest group, The Georgina Sweet Society, recognises and celebrates those who have chosen to leave a lasting legacy to UC.
The Society is named in honour of Dr Georgina Sweet OBE (1875 – 1946), a determined and accomplished woman who dedicated her time to the College, endowed one of our first scholarships, and was a bequestor herself.
Right now, we’re building a life-changing scholarship program at UC. Bequests allow us to plan with confidence and invest in our students, helping us award scholarships that make the University College experience more accessible. If you’d like to learn more about leaving a bequest to UC, please contact our Advancement Team on community@unicol.unimelb.edu.au or +61 3 9349 9113.
