Issue 68 Spring 2021
Welcome to the Spring 2021 issue of the St Ann’s College newsletter
Congratulations to all the St Ann’s College students who played a part in us taking home the Douglas Irving Trophy for 2021 – participants and spectators! As many are aware, St Ann’s had not won the High Table Cup competition for 25 years until 2019, so to win again just two years later is such fabulous news and testament to not only hard work from the students, but their ability to come together as a team.
It was a perfect finish. We were top of the table following successful wins at basketball and table tennis and all rested on the athletics. The sun shone, and the students gave it their all. It was a collective effort, not just those participating but also those who helped to organise it and the student body who turned up to cheer their friends on. A well-deserved win!
It’s been a busy quarter, and in this newsletter we share some of the fun times that students have enjoyed, such as the ball and valedictory dinner, and also celebrate their academic achievements as several of our students graduated and head out into the world of work. The Valedictory dinner is one of the most important events in the calendar and a good opportunity to reflect. You can read my address to students at the evening here.
As the year draws to a close, we’ve received a record number of applications for students for 2022 and have had to put people on a wait list at this stage. We hope to accommodate as many new faces as possible but are also thrilled that so many of our 2021 cohort want to return.
Denise von Wald
Principal and CEO
St Ann’s wins the High Table Cup
We did it! Congratulations to all at St Ann’s College who played a part in us winning the High Table Cup competition and picking up the Douglas Irving Trophy for 2021, the SAAUCC sporting competition between the Adelaide university residential Colleges.
Throughout the year, St Ann’s had won boys’ and girls’ netball, debating, boys’ basketball and volleyball.
Following our penultimate sports competition, table tennis, we headed into the final competition, athletics with a two-point lead over the runners-up, Aquinas.
The sun was out at SA Athletics Stadium where the final SAAUCC event took place. It was a close competition with multiple colleges leading at different points during the day. In the end it came down to the final events, the relays. The final race of the day in the boys’ relay sealed the victory for St Ann’s with a first place, which beat a nine year record. It was the first time St Ann’s have won the athletics competition in history.
The 2021 St Ann’s ball
The annual ball was shifted to September due to restrictions but went off without a hitch. The theme this year was ‘Under the Sea’ and huge thanks to Jordan Schaeffer and the rest of the Ball Committee for decorating the dining room so imaginatively. It’s a great opportunity for the students to get out of their ‘Oodies’ and dress up.
New Residential Tutor team chosen for 2022
Shae-Lea Fischer from Western Victoria, who attended Nhill College has just been appointed as Senior Tutor at St Ann’s University Residential College in North Adelaide for 2022.
Shae-Lea Fischer, aged 22, graduated from Nhill College in 2017 and is studying for a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Adelaide. She is shortly to complete her third year at St Ann’s, is currently an Academic Tutor and a dedicated member of the College community, heavily involved in sports and other pastoral care activities. In 2019 she was chosen as Best Female Soccer Player and in 2020 was Best Participant in Netball and won the award for Best Coach and Best Female Sportsperson. She also sits on the Gym and IT Committees and was an assistant at Open Day. In 2021, Shae-Lea was the recipient of the E D J Symon bursary which is awarded annually to a promising female student.
Shae-Lea is taking over from Nelson Hayes and Bella-Louise Hunyadi who were joint Senior Tutors in 2021 and are moving out of St Ann’s College to complete their studies.
To take into account the increased number of students joining St Ann’s in 2022, this year we have a Tutor team of 12. This ensures the Tutors’ time is not stretched, and that every student feels supported. The 11 Residential Tutors for 2022 are:
Jacinta Denton, from Broken Hill who is studying a Diploma of Engineering at the University of South Australia
Chenoa Al-Theyab, from Darwin, who is studying a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science at the University of South Australia
Lorie Paynter, from Quorn, who is studying a Bachelor of Contemporary Art at the University of South Australia.
Jessica Nowland, from Alice Springs, who is studying a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Adelaide.
Chloe Miller, from Valdez, Alaska, who is studying a Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Science at the University of Adelaide.
Kahli Lock, from Bordertown, who is studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical) at the University of Adelaide.
Wilson McShane, from Port Lincoln, who is studying a Bachelor of Journalism and Professional Writing at the University of South Australia.
Sam Morrison, from East Melbourne, who is studying a Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Adelaide.
Russell Horne, from Bordertown, who is studying for a double Bachelors degree of International Relations and Arts at the University of Adelaide.
Euan Fetherstonhaugh, from Bunguma, who is studying for a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) – Engineering Pathway at the University of Adelaide.
Student and Collegian news
Current student Gemma Adams recently abseiled down a building in Adelaide CBD to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House, which supports families with seriously ill children. She says, “Abseiling was really good after the initial shock of falling backwards off a building 70 metres up in the air!”
At the recent Medicine Ball Collegian Shehani Gunasekera (16-17) won the Adelaide Medical Student Foundation Recognition Award for exemplary efforts outside of the sphere of academic study.
Our thoughts are with the family of Patricia Baron-Hay (née Crowie) who passed away in October aged 88. Patricia was College Club President at St Ann’s back in 1955 and is remembered by her dear friend and fellow Collegian Anne Marie Shanahan, and is survived by her loving children and grandchildren.
St Ann’s students graduate from University
A number of St Ann’s students participated in graduate ceremonies recently from the Universities of Adelaide and South Australia. Congratulations to them all!
Alexander Leuenberger (07-21), Bachelor of Engineering, University of Adelaide
Aylin Erginbas (18-19), Bachelor of psychological science, The University of Adelaide
Uncle Lewis O’Brien steps down as St Ann’s Patron
Dr Lewis Yerloburka O’Brien, Aboriginal elder of the Kaurna people has this year stepped down as Patron of St Ann’s College, at the age of 91. We have been so fortunate to have had the support of someone as influential and accomplished as Uncle Lewis as a friend of the College. An advocate for the advancement of Aboriginal Australians, he has worked across many fields in education, and served as Adjunct Research Fellow at the University of South Australia, amongst many other prestigious roles.
We extend our thanks and gratitude to Uncle Lewis for being such a strong supporter of St Ann’s over the years and providing his wise and valued counsel.
St Ann’s is first Residential College in South Australia to receive NPAS Accreditation
In October we became the first student accommodation provider in South Australia to be accredited by the NPAS scheme, which means it has met a set of industry standards for student accommodation. Denise shared her thoughts here on why it was a worthwhile process for the College.
Founders Day 2021
We held our Founders Day celebrations, as per tradition on the middle Wednesday of September. Guests and students came together to honour our founders, and recognise our many generous benefactors, who have been changing the lives of young people studying in Adelaide since 1947.
The event began with the laying of a holly wreath on the grave of one of our founders, Sir Josiah Symon and a toast of his favourite Scotch whisky, accompanied by a violin composition from student Maxwell Parr. Guests then moved to Brougham Place Uniting Church for a short service with readings from the students, and Dean Wendy Fleming on organ. Back at the College, guests mingled while enjoying an exhibition of students’ artworks, before sitting down to a three course meal in the dining room. The evening culminated in an eclectic music concert from our current students.
Professor Jennie Shaw appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic) of the University of Adelaide
Good friend of St Ann’s College, Professor Jennie Shaw was in August announced as the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic) at the University of Adelaide.
Jennie spent over a year in an interim appointment as DVCA as well as serving as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts for eight years and has been a strong leader while navigating the critical and vulnerable challenges of a global pandemic.
Jennie has been a loyal supporter of all we do here for many years and recently joined us for our annual Founder’s Day commemorations and Chairmen’s Lunch.
The Chairmen’s Luncheon
Opening of the Chelsea Masclet gym
In November, we held our annual Chairmen’s lunch to thank friends of St Ann’s who have been strong supporters over the past year. The event also involved our official opening of the new Chelsea Masclet Gym, named in honour of our former College Club President who sadly passed away last year. Many of her friends joined us for the unveiling of the plaque in her name.
We’d love to hear from you!
Remember, we’re always eager to hear what St Ann’s Collegians are up to, so please get in touch with your news: marketing@stannscollege.edu.au