On Friday 22 July we celebrated the 75^th Anniversary of St Ann’s College. 75 guests including past and present students, as well as benefactors and dignitaries, gathered at the College for a three course sit down dinner.

Hosted by Foundation Chairperson Jason Turnbull, guests heard from The Hon Catherine Branson AC QC, Chancellor of the University of Adelaide. During her speech, she reflected on how St Ann’s was a home away from home, a place to learn to live alongside others, to celebrate and to face challenges together. A place where one can gain inspiration through learning, as well as shape young people who will hopefully go on to make a genuine difference in the world.

Since the College opened in 1947 (admitting men in the 1970’s), thousands of talented young women and men have walked through the doors. The evening was an opportunity to collectively celebrate the achievements of all those associated with St Ann’s over the years and saw past and present students connect and reconnect over fond memories.

If you weren’t available to attend the 75^th Anniversary Gala Dinner, you missed the opportunity to purchase our Fig Gin. With all profits going to the College, a bottle can be purchased for $75.

Glen Ewin Pot and Still Fig Gin, this botanical gin is made with hand selected figs from the Willabrand Orchards and has strong juniper berry elements on the nose when first opened with subtle hints of botanicals peeking through with the sweet warmth of the fig to finish.

Interested in supporting the fundraiser? Email Victoria at victoria.lewis@stannscollege.edu.au who will arrange.

The College opened its doors to the public on Sunday 14 August, providing prospective students and their families the opportunity to gain a better understanding of St Ann’s and quiz the current cohort on what to expect, should they choose to move here in 2023.

Coinciding with The University of Adelaide and The University of South Australia’s Open Days, visitors enjoyed freshly brewed coffee from Cuppa Gino’s whilst being shown around by the Open Day Committee. There was a positive energy throughout the day and the students did a wonderful job as hosts, providing an authentic perspective of what life is really like at St Ann’s.

We hope to see some of the new faces around the college in 2023!

In August, we were fortunate to have The Honourable Peter Malinauskas MP the Premier of South Australia. He shared with us the importance of long-term thinking and solutions in politics, his bold and ambitious vision for South Australia and what he thinks are the biggest challenges facing all of us. What an informative, insightful and inspirational speech it was! The challenging questions asked by our students in front of their nearly 200 colleagues to the Premier were also inspiring.

Some two weeks earlier, we hosted Lucy Hood MP, the state member for Adelaide. Lucy was a highly engaging speaker who shared her story, from her time growing up in Naracoorte through to her arrival in Adelaide and now in her career as a politician. Lucy shared her pride as a country girl who was also first in her family to attend university, much like many of the current St Ann’s students. She also spoke of the value and importance she placed on education and the ability an education has to transform one’s life. During her visit she made connections with many students, including some from the same regional SA area, as well as students studying journalism and politics.

Kahli Lock (19) one of our 2022 Residential Tutors, who comes from Mundulla near Bordertown, has been successful in gaining an internship with BHP over the 2022/2023 holiday break.

This 12-week program will see her working as a Metallurgical intern at Olympic Dam. Kahli will be living in Roxby Downs whilst working five 8-hour shifts per week. Throughout her time there she will get to work on a process engineering-based project that will be presented to her peers and fellow interns in the last week of the internship.

Kahli said, “It’s a great opportunity going into my third year of chemical engineering to broaden my knowledge in a practical way while also meeting my internship requirements for my degree”.

Re-Welcome Week is a lively ‘all-in-together’ introduction or return to the College after the mid-year break. A chance to meet a handful of new students, buddy up with seniors and get to know the Tutors better in an informal, fun environment.

This year’s week-long festivities kicked off with a Quiz night and a talent show. Other organised activities through the week included a games evening with teams representing their corridor, in a bid to secure ‘ultimate bragging rights’ and a mystery pub night.

The week culminated in an Open Mic event in the Rose Garden. All in all, it was a great success, welcoming back students with a bang and providing a chance to let off steam before the busy next semester.

This photo, which is positioned at the top of the staircase near Wilcox Laundry in St Ann’s College was taken in January 1990 at a gold mine near Kambalda in Western Australia.

Pictured are St Ann’s students of the time, Michael Cheesman (centre) alongside Tim Grigg (left) and Brian McGowran (right). All had gone to Kambalda for summer mining jobs with Western Mining Corporation, using the income to fund their studies and accommodation at St Ann’s for the year ahead. All three young men went on to further studies and reflect upon their time at St Ann’s with affection.

In recent months there have been a number of renovations happening around the College. The courtyard in the middle of the College has been transformed into a beautiful lush and verdant space where students can study and relax particularly during the Spring and Summer months.

The Design Room has also been updated with new floors, a coat of paint, new ceiling lights, new tables, chairs, heating and cooling. It’s now the perfect place for students to get the creative juices flowing. For the fitness buffs, the gym has also had a number of pieces of equipment added for students’ use with special thanks to Mr and Mrs Masclet for their generous donation in memory of their beautiful daughter, Chelsea.

The latest outbreak of COVID this Winter has created further challenges to the smooth operation of the College, but collectively we have carefully managed to overcome these challenges.

Due to a number of cases within the College, we asked all students, staff and visitors to wear masks in communal dining and office areas. For students and staff who have symptoms or are a close contact, a RAT is required, progressing to a PCR if symptoms persist, despite a negative RAT. We took these precautions to ensure that St Ann’s is as Covid-free as possible over the colder months.

As we continue to work through COVID, we can assure that the College will continue to work towards the highest of standards to manage the virus.

Next month we will host the St Ann’s College Ball, followed by Founders Day.

The St Ann’s College Ball brings students together in a formal setting to relax and enjoy! The Founders Day celebrations are an opportunity for students and friends of the College to come together whilst recognising our founders and the generous benefactors, past and present, who have been changing the lives of students studying at St Ann’s since we opened our doors in 1947.

We are looking forward to bringing the student body together on both occasions.

Photos from the St Ann’s 75^th Anniversary Gala Dinner featured in The InDaily Social Pages. Click here to see them.

A college more like home, The Border Chronicle. Click here to read it.

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