The College was privileged to welcome several distinguished guest speakers for our Formal Dinner program over the year. The aim of the speakers’ program is to provide students with the opportunity to hear from inspirational figures, many who hold the highest positions of leadership in South Australia.

In October, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia and her husband, Mr Rod Bunton, a former diplomat himself joined our students for pre-dinner drinks and dinner. Her Excellency spoke candidly about the importance of recovering from setbacks in life, saying yes to opportunities that come your way (even if the opportunity isn’t your first choice) but it was her emphasis on the importance of family that really made an impact on students. She even coached them on how and when to ask for what you want and need in the best interests of your family commitments. Like the Premier, Her Excellency took a number of questions from our students including questions about how Government House managed the commemorations of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Some weeks earlier, students heard from Flinders University Honours Student Natalie Newman. Playford Scholarship recipient and a very bright young person, Natalie, shared details around her study which includes how plant biodiversity is linked to gut health, our immune systems and inflammation in the body. Her current research is specifically focused on the potential benefit of increasing the biodiversity of plants in childcare centres. Students were fascinated by her journey, and her commitment to undertaking post graduate research at a relatively young age.

We look forward to hosting a new program of inspirational speakers in 2023.

The St Ann’s College Ball theme was Alice in Wonderland, with the Library, Dining and Common Rooms all transformed into scenes from the pages of Lewis Carrol’s, novel “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”. Held in September, it was a wonderful evening for the students with everyone dressing up and coming together to enjoy one another’s company in one of their favourite formal events for the year. Without the challenges that COVID presented in the previous few years, it was an evening of smiles all round and everyone kept their head!

On 14 September, we held our annual Founders Day event recognising the generous contributions made by the founders of St Ann’s College with an opportunity to thank our current benefactors, as well. Unfortunately, the weather forecast on the day was bad with heavy rain and storms, which meant invited guests were unable to visit the cemetery. Instead, St Ann’s College Principal – Denise von Wald, laid the wreath during the day with umbrella in hand.

The evening formalities went ahead with a Formal Dinner held followed by an eclectic music concert, marking the annual occasion. It was a delightful evening, honouring those who more than 75 years ago imagined St Ann’s College and those who since have helped to raise the funds to enable the College to build such outstanding facilities to house and help support young people to prepare for their future.

She also held a number of other roles at the College including the below:

St Ann’s College Governor from 1986

Foundation Board, 1986 – 2016

Principal (Acting) – 1974 and 1987

St Ann’s Council, 1975 – 1994

St Ann’s Council Chairman, 1979 – 1994

Fellow of the Collage, 2009

St Ann’s Foundation – 2016

We are delighted that more than 25 guests were able to join us for morning tea. Special guests included Diana’s daughter, Jennifer Tostevin and her daughters, Georgie and Zara Edgar (with Georgie flying in from Perth). On Diana Tostevin’s retirement from St Ann’s Council, the then Principal Dr Rosemary Brooks, OAM said, “she was a remarkable leader who was a true trailblazer for women, she punched above her weight in a man’s world, putting integrity before everything else. Her saying was ‘we survive by our wits and with the help of our friends’”.  We are privileged to have had the wise counsel and hard work of Mrs Diana Tostevin over many years and in turn, it is our privilege to name the courtyard after her.

We were saddened to hear about the passing of St Ann’s College Donor and Foundation Member Dr Ian Baker Wall, AM. Over the years, Ian and his wife Pamela have become close friends of the College, demonstrating a great commitment and generosity to our College.

It was an honour to host Ian and Pamela at many of our official St Ann’s College functions, including our 75^th Anniversary Gala Dinner held in July, this year. Our deepest condolences to Pamela, Annabel and their family and friends.

Image right- Iam Baker Wall AM with his wife Pamela at a St Ann’s College formal event

We also pay tribute to ex St Ann’s College student Alwyn Dolling (Gow), who recently passed. Alwyn attended the College from 1948 – 1949, whilst studying at Adelaide University. In 1949 she was President of the Social Sciences Students Association at the University, and Vice President of St Ann’s College Club.

A College Foundation member in more recent years, Alwyn attended many events at the College including the Opening of Barnes Building and Founders Day in 2017. The Principal Denise von Wald had recently been in contact with her daughter Mareeta Dolling and we held hopes that she would again visit the College. She was also a generous donor to the College. We extend our condolences to her daughter Mareeta, family and friends.

Image right- Alwyn Gow and Betty Porter at St Ann’s in 1948

The Times Higher Education 2023 World Rankings were announced in October, with the University of Adelaide rising to 88^th in the world, leaping 23 places up from 111^th in 2022. The result highlights the University’s consistent improvements in academic reputation scores, research productivity and impact, and is a significant milestone for the South Australian higher education sector.

A top-100 University is only possible with top-ranked staff and this achievement belongs to all the wonderful contributors of the Adelaide University community. Up to 50% of St Ann’s College students attend the University of Adelaide.

Last month we made the appointment of several student roles in the College. As always, it was a pleasure to see the enthusiasm among the students to take on these leadership roles.

In 2023, we are incorporating a new student leadership role – Senior Academic Tutor (SAT), into our academic program, the Peer Assisted Study Session (PASS).

The SAT has been appointed by the Director of Learning – Dr Tamara Agnew and Principal/CEO Denise von Wald and is based on academic merit and an enthusiasm for life-long learning. The SAT will work closely with Dr Agnew to coordinate the transition from School to University for our first-year students whilst providing opportunities to reinforce learning for all students.

Piers Lewis has been appointed as the inaugural SAT. Heading into his Honours Year at Adelaide University, Piers is studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical and Aerospace) with a Bachelor of Science. In 2023, he will be undertaking research at the Andy Thomas Space Centre with a team who are developing materials and processes to facilitate development of lunar shelters.

2023 will be Piers’ second year at St Ann’s, however he is no stranger to study and tutoring. He has been providing academic support to high school and University students for a number of years and was an academic tutor here over the past year. We congratulate Piers on this appointment!

Residential Advisors

In other appointments, Joshua Graham and Jessica Nowland have been appointed as Senior Residential Advisors (previously known as Senior Residential Tutors). Joshua, from Port Augusta, is studying Bachelor of Engineering at the University of Adelaide and Jessica, from Alice Springs, is studying a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of South Australia.

We thank Joshua for so ably stepping into the Senior Tutor (Residential Advisor) role in August when Shae-Lea Fisher’s work commitments as a trainee Accountant meant she was forced to choose between her obligations. We are grateful to Shae-Lea for the four years she spent with the College serving on several committees including Spirit, Gym and IT. She also played and acted as coached in a number of sports for the College including Football, Netball, Hockey, Soccer and Athletics.

To support the Senior Residential Advisors, ten other Residential Advisors have also been appointed:

Blessing Mupamhadzi, from Northern Territory, is studying a Bachelor of Human Movement, at the University of South Australia.

Corey Finlayson, from Port Augusta, is studying a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of South Australia.

Dana Hurrell, from Port Lincoln, is studying a Bachelor of Science at the University of Adelaide.

Dillon Duncan, from Portland in Victoria, is studying a Bachelor of Engineering, at the University of Adelaide.

Euan Fetherstonhaugh, from Bungama, is studying a Bachelor of Engineering, at the University of Adelaide.

Grace Nuske, from Paringa, is studying a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of South Australia.

Kobe Gerlach, from Loxton, is studying a Bachelor of Design at the University of South Australia.

Mikayla Russell, from Malak, is studying a Bachelor of Law Double Degree with Bachelor of Psychology.

Sophie Tonkin, from Whyalla, is studying a Bachelor of Creative Industries at the University of Flinders.

Tjina Stoll, from Darwin, is studying a Bachelor of Arts and Science at the University of Adelaide.

We congratulate all of our students on their appointments.

Recently we announced our prize winners for 2022. A number of students were recognised for their excellence in sports and other pursuits, with the list of Award winners below.

Major Awards were awarded to the following students.

AAs we celebrate our 75^th Anniversary, we are pleased to be reunited with some of our ex-Collegians and to find out what they have been up to since they left the College.

Yea Saen Fang visited the College in early September accompanied by his wife Mary. He said it was such a treat visiting St Ann’s after 41 years, with so many memories flooding back.

During his time at St Ann’s, Mr Fang pursued a five-year Architecture Degree at the University of Adelaide. He came from Singapore with his fees and university tuition covered by a Scholarship from the Singapore Government, granted by the Australian Government under the Colombo Plan.

After completing his studies in 1982, he left Australia, returning to Singapore where he undertook two years of National Service in the Police Force and then worked as an architect in the Singapore Public Works Department. During this time, Mr Fang had the opportunity to be involved in multi-million-dollar government building projects including schools, police, immigration and border control complexes, civil defence, prisons, and complexes for VIPs. For the last fifteen years of his career, he has worked as a project manager providing specialist consultancy in design, technical, contractual and project management.

Mr Fang looks back on his time at St Ann’s and feels that the College was the best combination of cosy, comfy and community atmosphere. For him, it was indeed a home away from home, he said. Among his fondest memories of the College are walking the cosy corridors on a cold wintry night, the food, the packed lunch in paper bags that were provided, volunteering in the kitchen, the lifelong friendships made, the rose garden and the walk from St Ann’s to the University and back past the park.

Photo: Yea Saen Fang stands in front of room number 335, the room which he occupied as a student during his time at St Ann’s 

Alan visited the College in early November along with Collegian, Paul Krieg, both of whom attended St Ann’s from 1977 – 1981.

Hailing from Williamstown in the Barossa Valley, Alan was studying Dentistry during his stay at St Ann’s, and was appointed as a Tutor in 1978 and again in 1979. Upon completing his studies, he began working and furthering his studies in Dentistry, working in public practice and eventually moving into private practice. He subsequently worked as a private Orthodontist in South Australia and Victoria until 2004, when he relocated to work in England. Since then, he has acquired three practices across the United Kingdom in Oxfordshire and the West Midlands and is currently in the process of semi retiring.

Alan, like Mr Fang, looks back on his time at the College with great affection. Of his most fond memories, he recounts the formal dinners, the post formal dinner parties, the good-natured rivalries fostered with residents of the other North Adelaide colleges, the residents and their warmth. He says the friendships he made combined with the wonderful sense of community has provided a significant emotional anchor for his life. He remembers being unconditionally encouraged to always do his best, and that this was enough, without any additional pressure, judgement or criticism.

Photo: Alan Davey (left) and Paul Krieg (right) stand on St Ann’s College rooftop, their favourite location in the College 

The St Ann’s Collegians Association will hold its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 15 February 2023. We invite any and all motivated At Ann’s Old Collegians to attend. It will be held from 6pm at St Ann’s College in the Enterprise Deck.

The election of Committee and Office Bearers will be held including President, Vic-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Committee Members, Public Officer, Auditor and representatives to the College Council, Education Committee and Foundation committee.

Would you like to be a mentor in 2023? If so, email stannscollegiansassociationinc@gmail.com with your full name, year(s) at College and areas in which you are able to mentor, we welcome any and all levels of experience!

The Advertiser collated 100 of SA’s most recognized University College Alumni, including 19 from St Ann’s. You can view the full list at The Advertiser, please note however content is available behind their paywall.

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