St Mark’s abroad – alumni and friends connect in US and Canada

Alumni and friends of St Mark’s enjoyed connecting with each other and with the Head of College, Professor Don Markwell AM, in several North American cities in late June and early July.

Professor Markwell met with Old Collegians and friends of the College in Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC, Boston, Toronto, Chicago, Denver, and San Francisco.

The photos below show some of those who took part.

Professor Markwell caught up with Old Collegians from Australia and New Zealand living in the US, and Americans and Canadians who spent time at St Mark’s, including as Study Abroad students or more senior scholars.

“It was a joy to connect with members of the St Mark’s community in North America,” Professor Markwell said.

“However long or short their time in College, a recurring theme of conversation was how formative their experience at St Mark’s was.”

Several alumni and friends of St Mark’s shared plans to visit Adelaide for the College’s Centenary Gala Weekend of 14-16 March 2025. We very much look forward to celebrating with them!

The largest reunion was at the American Australian Association in New York City with Professor Markwell and the College’s Director of Centenary Engagement, Karin Dunsford.

In New York, Old Collegians and partners from the early 1950s to the 2010s were joined by Mrs Okche Ashwin, who was at St Mark’s throughout the 1990s when Mr Robin Ashwin was Master, and their daughter, Mulan, who lives in New York. A presentation was made to express the College’s gratitude to Okche Ashwin.

Another presentation was made to the most senior Collegian to attend any of the reunions, Dr Dennis Bloomfield (St Marks 1952-56), who attended with his wife, Elaine.

As we look ahead to the College’s Centenary next year, a special welcome was also given to Ms Plern Bonython, a descendant of one of our founders, Sir John Langdon Bonython, and her husband, Tanner.

Lively conversation, delicious fare, and panoramic views of Manhattan were greatly enjoyed by all.

As in other cities, Professor Markwell updated alumni and friends of St Mark’s on College news. He also encouraged all to come to Centenary events next year.

The College reunions in North America led many alumni and friends to reconnect with the College, and update their contact details. If you’d like to stay in touch with us and be the first to know about College events, such as the Centenary and future reunions, you can easily update your contact details here.

As well as meeting with members of the St Mark’s community in North America, Professor Markwell also visited a number of universities and colleges. This included the Claremont colleges near Los Angeles (including Pitzer College, from which many Study Abroad students have come to St Mark’s), Princeton and Harvard Universities, and the University of California, Berkeley.

A former Warden of Rhodes House, Oxford, and global CEO of the Rhodes Scholarships, Professor Markwell also met with Rhodes Scholars of several generations in the United States and Canada.

Details of Centenary events are on the College website here. Further details will be circulated in September.

Mark Hautop and Kathy Radoslovich win Ivan Shearer Scholarships to Oxford and Cambridge

Two Old Collegians, Mark Hautop and Kathy Radoslovich, have both been awarded Ivan Shearer Scholarships. These scholarships will support them to undertake postgraduate study at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, respectively.

Many congratulations to Mark and Kathy on this significant award, and on their admission to Oxford and Cambridge!

Kathy has also been awarded a Ramsay Scholarship, which will further support her studies at Cambridge. Many congratulations, Kathy! For the announcement of her Ramsay Scholarship, click here.

Kathy and Mark will embark on their postgraduate studies in the UK later this year.  Mark will study for a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) at Oxford as a member of Linacre College. Kathy will study for a Masters degree (MPhil) in medieval history at Cambridge as a member of King’s College.

Their names will soon join that of the inaugural Ivan Shearer Scholar, Rebecca Keeley (St Mark’s 2012-14), on the Ivan Shearer Scholarship honour board in the Junior Common Room at St Mark’s.

They will commence their studies in England at the same time as St Mark’s most recent Rhodes Scholar, Oliver Douglas (St Mark’s 2020-23). Rhodes Scholar for South Australia for 2024, Oliver will commence postgraduate studies in history at Oxford in October as a member of Merton College.

About the Ivan Shearer Scholarship

The Ivan Shearer Scholarship was created through a generous bequest to St Mark’s College from the late Professor Ivan Shearer AM RFD to support current or Old Collegians to study at Oxford or Cambridge. A distinguished international lawyer, Ivan Shearer (1938-2019) was Dean of St Mark’s from 1968 to 1971. He was appointed as an Honorary Fellow of the College in 2005.

The Ivan Shearer Scholarship is awarded through a rigorous application process on the basis of excellence in intellect, character, leadership, and service, and demonstrated need for financial support to study at Oxford or Cambridge. The selection committee for the Scholarship comprises academics at the University of Adelaide and St Mark’s with significant experience with scholarship awards.

Mark Hautop

Mark Hautop

Mark Hautop (St Mark’s 2010-13) was born and raised in Bordertown, South Australia. A scholarship enabled him to undertake three years of secondary school at St Peter’s College, Adelaide, where he became a School Prefect, Boarding House co-vice captain, and co-captain of the First V Basketball team. He also represented South Australia in basketball at a national junior level.

A number of scholarships and prizes enabled Mark to be at St Mark’s for four years. A member of the College Club Committee in 2012, he served as President of the College Club for 2013. He also tutored in law and economics for the College, and played basketball at a semi-professional level.

The first member of his family to attend university, Mark graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Economics. Recognition of his academic achievements included his selection as an editor of the Adelaide Law Review and researcher for the South Australian Law Reform Institute, and an award for the highest overall grade in Commercial Equity Law. He later secured a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the Australian National University, and was admitted to practice as a barrister and solicitor.

Mark worked from 2014 to 2021 as a commercial lawyer with the legal firm MinterEllison in Darwin and Adelaide, working principally on real estate transactions, including Australia’s largest real estate deal in 2019. Since 2021, he has served as Manager, Legal and Executive Operations, for the Anindilyakwa Land Council (ALC) in Darwin. The ALC is a statutory entity established under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Cth) to represent the interests of the Traditional Aboriginal Owners of the Groote Archipelago in the remote Gulf of Carpentaria.

In this role, alongside support to the ALC Chair, Board, and CEO on legal and executive business, Mark has overseen the implementation of six Groote Archipelago Local Decision-Making Agreements, advised on the establishment of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Investment Corporation, helped transfer the Groote Archipelago Township Lease to an Anindilyakwa-controlled corporation, and provided support to the Anindilyakwa Mining Trust.

In 2022, Mark was a finalist in the Australian Lawyer’s Weekly 30 Under 30 (Corporate Counsel), and he has published several articles in the Australian Property Law Bulletin.

Mark wishes to undertake an MBA in Oxford to help him develop the modern business skills and techniques needed to “contribute in a greater way to a fairer and more inclusive society through the advancement of First Nations (or Aboriginal) self-determination in Australia”.

Kathy Radoslovich

Kathy Radoslovich

Kathy Radoslovich (St Mark’s 2008-10) entered St Mark’s as a C.A.S. Hawker Scholar after completing the International Baccalaureate at Glenunga International High School.

Kathy graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of International Studies with First Class Honours, and a Bachelor of Development Studies. Her academic distinction was recognised with several University of Adelaide and St Mark’s College scholarships and prizes, and she served as an academic tutor at the College (as she does today).

Active over many years in the Scouts, in 2011-12 she served as a Capacity Development Officer with the Scouts Association of Timor Leste, including running the National Office for six months.  This was a highly formative experience for Kathy.

Before returning to St Mark’s in 2018 as Director of Learning, Kathy worked as an Analyst with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, as a Research Assistant with Helping Hand Aged Care, in various roles with South Australia Police, and as a Youth Worker with the Wiltja Residential Program supporting Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara speaking Aboriginal high school students from remote areas. Over many years she has also worked as an academic tutor and mentor with Wirltu Yarlu Indigenous Education at the University of Adelaide.

Since returning to St Mark’s as Director of Learning (2018-20), responsible for running the College’s academic program of support for students, Kathy has worked also as Registrar (2020-23), responsible for marketing the College and student enrolments (which have reached record levels in 2023 and 2024), and since July 2023 as Research and Scholarships Manager. In these roles, her wide-ranging contributions to the College, including providing academic support and mentoring to many students, have been outstanding. She has several academic and professional publications.

Kathy will take unpaid leave from the College while she undertakes the MPhil in medieval history at Cambridge, one of the strongest universities in the world in this field. She wishes in this course to strengthen her skills as a historian with strong grounding in historiological methodologies and advanced archival research skills. An enthusiastic linguist, Kathy will also strengthen her command of Latin and palaeography (the study of pre-modern manuscripts).

 

Many congratulations again to Kathy and Mark. They are both worthy recipients of the Ivan Shearer Scholarship and ambassadors for St Mark’s in Cambridge and Oxford!

For details of the Ivan Shearer Scholarship for 2024-25, click here.

Ivan Shearer Scholarship applications for the 2025-26 academic year will be invited in late 2024 and are likely to close in April 2025.

Academic successes and adventures: Semester 1, 2024

2024 is off to a strong start, with celebrations of the academic success and adventures of the St Mark’s community.

Academic Awards Dinner

We celebrated our 2023 academic high achievers at the annual Academic Awards Dinner on 27 March. The awards were presented at a special Formal Hall after a reception at the Lodge.

Madalyn Toet, Eloise Wills, Zac Meakin, and Emma Mattiske.
Cass Joubert, Ella Browne, Cam Akehurst, Harry Yous, and Cate Lin Loo.

Here’s a round-up of the winners.

Scholarships and Prizes

Returning students Mackenzie Walter and Nathan Rokebrand were jointly awarded the Edward A. Radcliff Scholarship as the 2023 College Duxes. Mackenzie, who is studying Forensic and Analytical Science at Flinders University, was also awarded the Sir Ronald Fisher Medal for the most outstanding student in science. Nathan, a student at the University of Adelaide, also received a prize for outstanding results in engineering.

Third-year University of Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences student Oscar Hemmings was awarded the G. Angas Parsons Scholarship as the runner-up to the Duxes.

Prizes for outstanding academic performance were also awarded to Robyn Coles (Allied Health) and Zoe Raynes (Medical Science).

Dino Macri, who is studying Italian alongside a Bachelor of Computer Science, won the BP Wait Prize for the best student in Classics or Modern Languages.

Media and Communications student Cameron Dixon won the WF Wehrstedt Prize for an outstanding performance in Arts and Humanities.

Back row: Dr Katrina Stats, Nathan Rokebrand, and Oscar Hemmings. Front row: Dino Macri, Cameron Dixon, Mackenzie Walter, Zoe Raynes, and Professor Don Markwell AM.
The Distinguished Scholars Book, now including 2023’s award recipients.

Distinctions and High Distinctions

Overall, our community earned a total of over 800 High Distinctions and Distinctions throughout 2023.

To achieve seven or eight High Distinctions in a single academic year is an impressive feat – and 11 St Mark’s students did just that, earning Commendations for Exceptional Academic Achievement. Three of these students received High Distinctions in all their subjects.

Eight more students achieved five or six High Distinctions and were awarded Commendations for Outstanding Academic Achievement. A further 34 students were awarded Commendations for Academic Excellence for earning two, three, or four High Distinctions. 27 of these students received High Distinctions in at least half of their subjects.

We are very pleased to report that an incredible 199 students (approximately 81% of our community) earned at least one Distinction or High Distinction in the year. 31 of these students achieved either High Distinctions or Distinctions in all their subjects.

All three of our Honours students were awarded First Class Honours in Arts, Engineering, and Law respectively. One of these students, Oliver Douglas, was also selected as the South Australian Rhodes Scholar for 2024.

Additionally, Flinders students Eliza Corbin, Charli Dodson, Cate Lin Loo, Zac Meakin, Georgie Orchard, and Mackenzie Walter all received Chancellor’s Letters of Commendation for their outstanding results in 2023.

The 2023 academic performance of St Mark’s College students is very much reflective of the College motto, Spernit Virtus Humum, which roughly translates to “excellence reaches for the stars”.

Playford Trust Scholarships

The 2024 Playford Trust Scholarships Ceremony saw two St Mark’s collegians awarded prestigious scholarships to support their studies.

Jemima Lloyd, a first-year student undertaking a Bachelor of Civil Engineering at the University of Adelaide, was awarded a Playford Trust Rural and Regional STEM Scholarship.

Fellow first-year University of Adelaide student Lucas Cockshell, who is working towards a double degree in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematical and Computer Sciences, was awarded one of the Andy Thomas Space Foundation/Playford Trust Scholarships.

The Playford Trust was created in 1983 to honour the memory of South Australia’s longest-serving Premier, Sir Thomas Playford. The Trust provides scholarships to South Australian university and TAFE students, especially to support them in university studies or research in STEM or related priority areas for South Australia.

Lucas Cockshell (far right) pictured with other scholarship recipients.

An award-winning Yarn with Rebecca Keeley, inaugural Ivan Shearer Scholar

Old Collegian Rebecca Keeley was named the NSW/ACT AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award winner for 2024! The award recognises Bec’s innovative approach to improving speech pathology services for children and families across rural and regional Australia.

Originally from Darwin, Bec was a resident student at St Mark’s from 2012-14 while she studied a Bachelor of Speech Pathology at Flinders University. She was later awarded our prestigious Ivan Shearer Scholarship in 2022, which helped enable her to undertake an MBA at Oxford University in the United Kingdom.

Bec used the learnings from her postgraduate studies to establish Yarn, an innovative app designed to enhance the impact of speech pathology services. Yarn provides regional clients with access to allied health support, reduces wait times and wait lists, and gives families ongoing support between sessions.

Congratulations, Bec!

Rebecca Keeley (middle) at the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award ceremony.

Speaking from Experience with Oliver Douglas

We welcomed back recent Old Collegian and 2024 Rhodes Scholar, Oliver Douglas, for the first Speaking from Experience for the year.

In a fireside conversation with our Senior Academic Tutor, Cam Akehurst, Oliver offered his best tips and advice for making the most of university, College, scholarships, and other opportunities. Oliver certainly offered a wealth of information, having served as Charitable President and College Club Vice President during his time at St Mark’s and jointly winning the 2023 Collegian’s Prize!

Current students listened eagerly as Oliver spoke of his search for purpose and the importance of introspection for growth. It was an illuminating and inspiring evening.

Oliver studied a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws at the University of Adelaide and was awarded First Class Honours in History. Later this year, he will head to Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar to undertake postgraduate study in modern British history.

Oliver Douglas.

Ink drinking at St Mark’s

The St Mark’s College Book Club is a small but enthusiastic group of buveur d’encre, or ink drinkers, as the French say!

The Book Club meet once a term to talk books over supper. Our first meeting for 2024 took place in March in the Senior Common Room, where we reviewed Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. The discussion was led by our well-read Librarian, Amanda Ward. Topics ranged from critiquing the style of writing and the unusual structure of the book to exploring its key themes, such as gender inequality, the complexity of relationships, and the idea of video games as art.

From left to right: Cooper Ferguson, Andie Hallgath, Oscar Hemmings, Emma Neuhaus, Zoe Hughes, and Amanda Ward.

Club members are currently reading Bonnie Garmus’s bestseller, Lessons in Chemistry. Excitingly, they got to attend a talk with the author at Regal Theatre.

From left to right: Andie Hallgath, Kathy Radoslovich, Zoe Hughes, Amanda Ward, Karin Dunsford, Cooper Ferguson, Will Gillet, Cam Akehurst, and Dr Katrina Stats.
Author Bonnie Garmus is interviewed about her book, “Lessons in Chemistry”.

Getting down to business

On May 1, our Business, Finance, Commerce, and Economics students enjoyed a dynamic Q&A. The discussion was hosted by our 2024 SAT and Business/Law Academic Coordinator, Cameron Akehurst.

From left to right: Cameron Akehurst, Andrew Stevens, Lauren Stevens, Craig Mudge, Sarah Ware, and Edwina Page.

The panel included:

  • Old Collegian Dr Craig Mudge AO (St Mark’s 1960), who has had a long and distinguished career in IT and innovation in Australia and abroad.
  • Edwina Page (St Mark’s 2020-22), auditor and Old Collegian.
  • Lauren Stevens, now a Marketing Director and business owner.
  • Andrew Stevens, Financial Controller at Flinders Port Holdings.
  • St Mark’s own Business Manager, Sara Ware.

The panellists offered thoughtful advice. The discussion spanned work-life balance (or work-life integration, as one guest described it), invaluable interview tips, and entertaining stories from the coal face of the business world.

Students enjoying the event.

A wine-derful evening

Academic Coordinator Rachael Bird organised a faculty evening with a twist for members of the Agriculture, Viticulture, Veterinary, Marine, and Animal Science Faculty on Thursday, 9 May.

Students were treated to a sampling of professions in between a formal wine tasting experience! With the Ballroom set up to resemble a grand wine bar, fifth generation winemaker Simon Tolley led the group in an expert tasting of a selection of his finest wines.

In between drinks, students heard from:

  • Simon (owner of Simon Tolley Wines).
  • Veterinarian Dr Andrew Dunn, co-founder and surgeon, Small Animal Specialist Hospital, Adelaide.
  • Marine biologist Georgina Kenning, who works at the Marine Discovery Centre in Henley Beach.
  • Livestock industry development consultant Bruce Hancock.

The panel shared tips for salvaging smoke-tainted grapes, hand-rearing seahorses, surviving burnout, and distinguishing oneself as a graduate applicant. It was a delicious and delightful evening!

Rachael Bird, Simon Tolley, Andrew Dunn, Georgina Kenning, and Bruce Hancock.

Re:Marks re:Vived

We congratulate 2024 Lion Editors, Juliette Parlange, Roslyn Thomas, and Zoe Raynes for the long-awaited revival of Re:Marks. The Lion Editors were encouraged and supported in this endeavour by College Club Committee member and Outreach Officer Zoe Hughes.

Re:Marks is an informal student publication first established in 1990 as a forum for students’ work. Showcasing creative writing, visual arts, news, and information about forthcoming events, the latest edition of Re:Marks was enthusiastically received at the recent College Club OGM. We eagerly anticipate the second edition for 2024!

Micho Milanovic with his copy of Re:Marks.
Gemma Garraway with her copy of Re:Marks.

Women’s health on the menu

Zoe Hughes was also responsible for organising the fantastic Women’s Health Formal Hall and Q&A on 13 March. There was a large turnout at the panel discussion in the Ballroom after dinner. While the crowd was predominantly female students, they were joined by some of our male students.

Zoe, together with Dorisa Nasserian, did a brilliant job of chairing the panel session. Guest speakers included:

  • Eloise Hall, the co-founder and Managing Director of TABOO Period Products.
  • Gynaecologist, pain physician, Chair of the Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia, and Founder and CEO of Alyra Biotech, Associate Professor Susan Evans.
  • Tiffany Brooks, a health psychologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Adelaide.
  • Nawal Church, a women’s health specialist physiotherapist.
  • Former College Club President Sophie Ludbrook (St Mark’s 2019-21), who is currently completing her final year of medicine.

The guests shared different personal, medical, and therapeutic perspectives on endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and adenomyosis. They spoke about changing approaches to treating women’s pain, and the importance of destigmatising and improving education about women’s health.

From left to right: Zoe Hughes, Dr Tiffany Brooks, Sophie Ludbrook, Eloise Hall, Nawal Church, Prof. Susan Evans, and Dorisa Nasserian.

Zoe says: “In a college that values inclusiveness and having a voice, it was time to start the conversation about women’s health in an open and candid way. We were lucky enough to have five brilliant women join us and share insights from their various backgrounds.

“Even after many years of fighting to be heard and believed, thousands of women are still turned away from medical help and told that ‘period pain is normal’. Spoiler alert: it’s not. That’s why it’s so important to have honest and open conversations about women’s health even when it’s hard and uncomfortable.

“Although the night is finished now, the conversation is far from over. I urge everyone to continue to have these hard but truthful conversations.”

Read all about it!

Last term, first-year UniSA Psychology student Jack O’Connor successfully petitioned the College for the regular delivery of newspapers. Jack argued that access to quality news sources would help students to become more informed about and engaged with local, national, and global affairs. He believed this would equip students to better fulfil their civic duties; improve their writing, grammar, comprehension, and critical thinking skills; and provide a source of connection and conversation for students.

The College now receives daily print copies of The Advertiser and The Australian. This is in addition to our existing subscriptions to The Guardian Weekly, The Economist, New Scientist, National Geographic, and The Koori Times. Jack has taken on the duty of delivering papers to the JCR and recycling the previous week’s papers. He also runs regular quizzes on current affairs.

Lucas Cockshell and Andy Kariuki enjoying access to the newspapers in the Junior Common Room.

“The rocks were amazing!” – Cooper Ferguson on his NZ Study Tour

University of Adelaide Geology Honours student, Cooper Ferguson, provides us with another compelling reason to study earth sciences: travel!

“At the beginning of semester 1, I had the opportunity to visit New Zealand for two weeks as part of the Earth Sciences Honours Study Tour organised by the University of Adelaide,” Cooper says. “We explored both islands, utilising our geological knowledge and skills to understand the complicated tectonic history that shaped New Zealand.

“The trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, allowing us to utilise everything we learnt in our Bachelor degrees. We also got an introduction to presenting and researching through the nightly seminars built into the trip and our overall assessment.

“Of course, the rocks were amazing! Some highlights were the contact between the Australian and Pacific plates, the outcropping near Franz Josef, and the Taupō Volcanic Zone, the site of Mount Ngauruhoe, used in the Lord of the Rings films as Mount Doom.

“A huge thanks to our demonstrators for providing their knowledge and expertise, and their time and energy driving us around and hearing our constant questions. The trip would not have been possible, nor as enjoyable and educating, without them.”

Cooper Ferguson.

Report from the field – Madi Martin

Third-year UniSA speech therapy student, Madi Martin, is the 2024 Academic Coordinator for the Allied Health and Health and Medical Sciences Faculty. She is currently completing her first placement and writes to us from the field.

“I am currently three weeks into my first Fieldwork Placement for my Speech Pathology course! I’ve been placed at the UniSA City West Health and Medical Clinic, which is a student-run allied health clinic. Here, families access the benefits of allied health services without paying full cost for sessions.

“I’m working with three other speech pathology students, and we each have a caseload of four clients over two days. My days consist of planning and administering formal and informal assessments, planning sessions and implementing interventions, and getting feedback from my clinical educators on how I can improve.

“My tip for starting placement is to remember that you (at least in my case) aren’t expected to be the best at everything in your first placement rotation. You are allowed to make mistakes and ask questions. If you’re nervous about starting placement, know that your clinical educators or supervisors are there to help you. They wouldn’t sign up for being a supervisor if they didn’t want to help you become a better professional in your field!”

Madi Martin.

Showcasing skills at Showcase SA – Kellie Lessue

Kellie Lessue, who is studying a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) at UniSA,  is completing an internship with Showcase SA. She provided a summary of her experience so far:

“Showcase SA is a marketing company that connects and showcases South Australian businesses, both small and large. I’m excited to use my event planning experience from the Charitable Foundation last year and the College Club Committee this year. This experience has made my transition into this related work a lot easier. I’ve really enjoyed using the skills I’ve learnt at university in a professional environment.”

Kellie Lessue (far right) pictured at a Showcase SA event.

Chillin’ on the other side of the earth – Imogen Dickinson

Imogen Dickinson, a third-year UniSA Human Movement student, has been on exchange in Canada this semester. She recently sent us this update from St. Catharines, Ontario.

Imogen Dickinson (middle) pictured with fellow students on a postcard.

“Hi there from Canada!

“It’s been a whirlwind of experiences over here at Brock University. We’re situated in one of Canada’s biggest wine regions (which has its perks!) and just a short 20 minutes away from the notorious Niagara Falls.

“It’s safe to say that Canadians share a similar lifestyle to us in Australia, it just gets so much colder here with snow and strong winds. It’s nothing a coffee from Canadian chain Tim Hortons can’t fix, especially with friends from all over the globe.

“Apart from the weather, other observable differences include driving on the other side of the road and the content of my university classes. My classes are much easier here in Canada compared to my classes back home. Can’t say I’m unhappy about it!

“One of my favourite experiences so far is the winter expedition I did with my outdoor education class. This involved camping outside in the snow for two nights, pulling all our belongings on a sled across a frozen lake, and taking water from a hole in the ice to use for cooking and drinking. While I’ve never been happier to see my bed in my dorm, it was an amazing experience nonetheless.

“My time here has come to an end, which I can’t quite believe – short but sweet. It’s both exciting and sad to come back home. See you soon, Mark’s!”

An action shot of Imogen’s once-in-a-lifetime expedition.

Service above self

College Club Vice President Will Gillett recently spoke at the Rotary District Conference, celebrating 100 years of Rotary in Loxton. Will shared how his association with Rotary has shaped his life and values so far, and spoke passionately on the topic of service above self. He used Charles Hawker, one of the founders of St Mark’s, and Charles’s sister Lilias Needham, as examples.

“While Charles Hawker’s achievements are well known and widely admired, it is his sister, Lilias Needham, whose selfless commitment is truly extraordinary and does not get acknowledged enough.

“It was Lilias Needham who endowed the lifechanging Hawker Scholarships. Since 1990, these have enabled students like me to reside at St Mark’s and at other Australian colleges, and in Cambridge, like her brother did, while undertaking their university studies.

“She was also part of many service organisations like Rotary and donated a lot. However, with many of these donations, she requested to remain anonymous. It was only after her death that these organisations, including St Mark’s, could acknowledge all she had done.

“Lilias Needham is indeed a true example of selfless service. Her service, which was motivated by the desire to perpetuate that of her brother, now inspires and recognises others.”

He concluded with a powerful assertion. “The motto of service above self is one I aspire to apply throughout my studies and future career.”

Will Gillett (left) speaking at the Rotary event.

In honour of this remarkable and humble woman, the Lilias Needham Medal for Service is now awarded annually at St Mark’s to a student who has demonstrated selfless service, and winners of the Lilias Needham Medal are listed on an honour board in the Junior Common Room. Read more about Lilias Needham here.

Collegians connect at Melbourne and Brisbane reunion events

Melbourne Reunion

Our Melbourne Reunion event was a fabulous night on the beautiful grounds of Trinity College!

Head of College, Professor Don Markwell AM, and Director of Centenary Engagement, Karin Dunsford, had a wonderful time catching up with Old Collegians and friends of the College from many different generations. There was plenty of laughter as friendships were forged and renewed.


Brisbane Reunion

Some 25 Old Collegians and friends of the College from different generations came together at the riverside Blackbird Bar. They joined the Head of College, Professor Don Markwell AM, and Director of Centenary Engagement, Karin Dunsford, for a lovely evening of laughter and nostalgia against a backdrop of twinkling city lights.

Professor Markwell shared news of the College today and of our Centenary Gala weekend (14 – 16 March, 2025), where we hope to see hundreds of alumni and friends of St Mark’s! 
b

Mary Ruth McKenzie

(30 April 1937 – 15 January 2024)

We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mary McKenzie in January.

Mary came to live at St Mark’s in 1964 when her then husband, the Rev’d Malcolm McKenzie, came to the College as Chaplain and was here throughout his years as Chaplain and, from 1968, as Master, before they left the College in 1977.

Mary’s early years were in country Victoria, before attending Portland High School, where she was Head Prefect and Dux in her final year. After attending teachers’ college, she was teaching near Heywood, Victoria, when she met the new Anglican Rector of Heywood, the Rev’d Malcolm McKenzie, whom she married in Hamilton in September 1961.

After Mary and Malcolm moved to Perth in that same year, she taught at St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls, and two children, Chad and Genevieve, were born. In 1964, the McKenzie family moved to St Mark’s, where Malcolm became Chaplain. A reference from the Dean of Bunbury for Malcolm McKenzie for the position of Chaplain said: “His wife too is an excellent young person with good church experience both as a teacher in New Guinea and also a teacher of Divinity of St. Hilda’s Girls school in Perth and is a real helpmate to him.”

Mary was an avid musician, and during her years at St Mark’s, she lectured in oboe at the Adelaide College of Advanced Education, and taught oboe also at St Peter’s College, before teaching flute and oboe for the South Australian Department of Education. Family summer holidays were often spent in the outback and other country areas, which Mary loved.

The Lion of 1977, referring to Malcolm McKenzie’s departure from the Mastership of St Mark’s, said: “We can only wish him, his wife Mary, and Muffy and Chad the best of luck in the future, and thank them all for what they gave to the life of the College.” (There is a tribute to Malcolm McKenzie’s years as Master in our obituary of him here.)

After moving to Malaysia with Malcolm McKenzie (who was then serving in the Department of Foreign Affairs) in 1979, Mary’s teaching expanded to include the bassoon, which she taught for the Malaysian Ministry of Sport, Youth and Culture. She also taught oboe at Malaysian national music camps, and her performances included the inaugural ASEAN music workshop in Penang.

In 1981, Mary moved to Canberra, where she lived for the rest of her life, teaching music for many years at Canberra Girls Grammar School, and pursuing a range of other interests, including her family which grew with the arrival of much-loved grandchildren, travel, bridge, and in her retirement from teaching, massage.

A number of members of the College kept in contact with Mary over the years, and in recent years she made a kind donation of materials to the College Library which included very interesting materials relating to the Angry Penguins poets, with their strong St Mark’s links.

Mary’s family have kindly donated to the College items of St Mark’s memorabilia which Mary owned, including the framed print of the Grenfell Price Dining Hall which had been given to Mary and Malcolm by the College as a gift at the farewell dinner for the McKenzie family in 1977.

Mary McKenzie is warmly and gratefully remembered as a smart and curious person, who never stopped learning, with a fearless and adventurous spirit, and as a woman of kindness, understanding, strength, wisdom, and warmth. She was much loved.

May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

There is a link to Mary’s funeral service here.

Our thanks to Genevieve McKenzie and Chad McKenzie for the photograph of Mary above.

 

 

Elisabeth Amy (Beth) Lee

(5 October 1930 – 14 January 2024)

Beth Lee, who has died in New South Wales at the age of 93, is warmly remembered at St Mark’s, including with deep gratitude for her volunteer work for nearly 20 years in the College Library – an enormous contribution to St Mark’s.

Elisabeth Amy Humphris grew up at Mungeree, a sheep property north of Wirrabara, in the Southern Flinders Ranges in the Mid North of South Australia. After boarding at Walford Anglican School for Girls in Adelaide from the age of 10, she became a resident student at St Ann’s College in 1948, the second year of its existence. Beth made lifelong friends at St Ann’s.

Studying English and History at the University of Adelaide, she was awarded the Tennyson Medal for Excellence in English, before commencing teaching in country schools, including Minlaton High School.

While a resident student of St Ann’s, Beth was courted by a St Mark’s medical student from Singapore, Chin Tiong Lee (1930-2009, St Mark’s 1950-52), whom she later married.

Beth and Dr Chin Lee had four daughters – Jane (St Ann’s 1971-73), Chris, Marion, and Susannah – and a son, Jonathan. Jonathan was a resident student at St Mark’s when he was killed by a white pointer shark in waters off Aldinga Beach on 8 September 1991. Jon was 19, and was then in his second year at College, where he was very happy, and at the University of Adelaide.

Beth and Chin Lee greatly appreciated the time they were able to spend with Jonathan’s St Mark’s friends after his death, including when several went to the family’s farm at One Tree Hill to burn the big pile of wood Jon had prepared in the bottom paddock for his annual Paddock Party bonfire.

Following Jonathan’s death, Beth Lee volunteered thousands of hours in the College Library from 1993 until 2012, typically working on Wednesday afternoons each week, especially helping the Librarian, Pirjo Rayner. In this time, she accessioned thousands of periodicals, processed many more thousands of books, helped with the stocktakes, and willingly performed any tasks asked of her, including plastic covering and reshelving books.

In October 1994, Beth wrote: “I commenced volunteer work in the College Library early in 1993 for 4 hours a week. I volunteered because I wanted to maintain a connection with the College in memory of Jon, and because I like books.”

On Beth’s “retirement” from her volunteer work in the Library due to declining health, Pirjo Rayner recorded that “because of her great love of books the Library was a natural fit for her”.

“She worked here for 19 years and has given roughly 3,500 hours to the College in that time. She has done a wonderful job assisting me. Beth and her daughter Jane have also donated hundreds of books to the Library over the years, of which 190 are currently part of our collection.”

Pirjo has recently recalled: “During her time as a volunteer in the St Mark’s College Library, Beth and I became friends and I really enjoyed her company. She was a feisty and down-to-earth woman in her quiet way, and we got on very well.”

In acknowledgement of Beth Lee’s longstanding service and generosity to the College, two commemorative brick pavers were produced and laid near the Pond around the time of her “retirement”: one in the name of her late son, Jonathan Lee, and the other in the names Beth and Chin Lee.

Jonathan Lee is also remembered at the College with a photograph which hangs in the College Library, and a tree near the College Green planted in his memory. His name is also recorded on the honour board in the Junior Common Room for the Collegians’ Prize, which he was awarded posthumously for 1991.

Our deepest sympathy goes to the Lee family on Beth’s passing. We remain deeply grateful for her exceptional contribution to the College.

There is a tribute to Beth Lee on the St Ann’s College website here.

Main photograph: Beth Lee in her retirement.

Photographs below: Chin and Beth Lee with Ian Wall at the 1950 St Mark’s Collegians’ reunion in 2000; Beth and Chin Lee in 1953.

Our thanks to Jane Lee and the College Archives for these photographs.

 

We deeply mourn the passing of Jeremy Pascoe, Honorary Fellow

It is with great sadness that we report that Jeremy Pascoe, Honorary Fellow of the College and Old Collegian (1955-59), passed away yesterday after a long illness. Jeremy died peacefully with his children at his side.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Jeremy’s family and friends.

The College’s flags fly at half-mast in his honour, and in honour of his brother Dr Timothy Pascoe AM (St Mark’s 1957-61, Honorary Fellow), who passed away last week.

Amongst many other contributions to St Mark’s over many years, Jeremy Pascoe created the Jeremy & Timothy Pascoe Scholarship jointly with Timothy in 2011. Together they have provided annual funding for it each year since its creation, and in the last two years have jointly endowed it as one of the College’s largest scholarship endowments, able to provide an annual scholarship in perpetuity. It is a significant scholarship for later-year student leaders.

Jeremy deeply valued many special friendships that arose from his years at St Mark’s, as well as the foundations it gave for his later life. He and Timothy wished to pass on similar opportunities to future students.

Jeremy Lawrence Pascoe was born in Adelaide on 8 May 1936. After education at St Peter’s College, he was a resident student at St Mark’s for five years, from 1955 to 1959, while studying engineering at the University of Adelaide, graduating in civil engineering.

Jeremy Pascoe was very active in College and University life throughout his five years at St Mark’s. There are many friendly references to him in The Lion (the College’s annual record) of those years, from his being the “slickest stage manager” for Variety Evening to his “enthusiastic support” for athletics and scoring his third goal in a football match “on the bell”.

Jeremy represented the College in athletics, squash, hockey, football, and table tennis. He was awarded colours for hockey and athletics. In 1959, he served on the College Club Committee, and was Secretary of Golf and Victualling Officer (the year before, he had served as Buttery Officer).

In the University of Adelaide, he represented the University in intervarsity golf, was President of the Footlights Club in 1957 and 1958, and Assistant Secretary of the Hockey Club. He also undertook service in the Royal Australian Navy in those years.

When he left College in 1959, Jeremy Pascoe wrote to the Master (Bob Lewis): “May I take this opportunity of thanking you for making the college what it is. I think that I will always look on these last five years as the best years of my life, and this to a considerable extent, I feel, is due to your efforts.”

The Master replied: “We have very much enjoyed having you in College and I should like to take this opportunity of thanking you for what you have done here.”

On the creation of the Jeremy & Timothy Pascoe Scholarship in 2011, Jeremy Pascoe wrote: “St Mark’s gave me access to tutorials and close associations with other students studying the same courses, both of which helped my studies. It also gave me the opportunity to mix with students studying other courses. The camaraderie and friendships engendered by college activities such as meals, sport, theatrical productions, etc. meant these years were some of the most enjoyable in my life. Hence my desire to help others have a similar experience.” He did so with great generosity.

Even as recently as last week, after the death of his brother Timothy, Jeremy spoke again with the Head of College, Professor Markwell, about his and Timothy’s gratitude for what St Mark’s had done for them, and Professor Markwell reiterated the College’s deep gratitude for all that Jeremy and Timothy had done for St Mark’s.

As well as for the Jeremy & Timothy Pascoe Scholarship, Jeremy made many donations to the College for other purposes over many years, going back several decades. He took an active and thoughtful interest in College affairs, including corresponding with recipients of the Pascoe Scholarship.

Jeremy Pascoe was recognised as a Governor of the St Mark’s College Foundation, and appointed an Honorary Fellow of the College earlier this year. Reflecting his contributions in another of his areas of keen interest, in 2015, he and his wife Lyndal were both recognised with Awards of Merit by the Royal Historical Society of Victoria.

May he rest in peace.

For the announcement of Honorary Fellows earlier this year, click here.

For the College’s tribute to Dr Timothy Pascoe AM, click here.

Ivan Shearer Scholarship for study in Oxford or Cambridge – call for applications for 2024-25

A generous bequest by the late Professor Ivan Shearer AM RFD has enabled the creation of the Ivan Shearer Scholarship to support St Mark’s Collegians to study at the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge.

An international law academic and practitioner who developed a high global reputation, Ivan Shearer (1938-2019) was Dean of St Mark’s College from 1968 to 1971, and an Honorary Fellow of the College from 2005.

The first Ivan Shearer Scholarship was awarded in 2022 to Rebecca Keeley (St Mark’s 2012-14) for study in the 2022-23 academic year in Oxford.

The College now invites applications for the Ivan Shearer Scholarship from members of the College who meet the eligibility criteria and who will be, or expect to be, studying at the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge in the 2024-25 academic year (including from members of the College currently studying at Oxford or Cambridge).

Eligibility: Under the terms of Professor Shearer’s will, the Ivan Shearer Scholarship is open to current and Old Collegians of St Mark’s College, Adelaide, who have resided at St Mark’s for at least one academic year.

Purpose and value: The Scholarship will be paid towards the travel, accommodation, tuition, and/or general living expenses of the Scholar/s to support them to study at either the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge. Any part of the Scholarship used for payment of fees will be paid directly by St Mark’s College to the relevant college in the University of Oxford or Cambridge, or to the relevant university, and any part to be used for travel, accommodation, and general living expenses will be paid to the Scholar/s by St Mark’s College.

The award for the 2024-25 academic year will comprise a single Scholarship with a value of up to $37,000 (AUD), or a number of Scholarships totalling not more than $37,000 (this figure was revised upwards in March 2024 from the previously advertised figure). In the case of more than one award, the selection committee will allocate funds to Scholars according to assessed merit and need. As tuition and living costs in Oxford or Cambridge will exceed $37,000 per annum, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for other scholarships and sources of financial support.

At the absolute discretion of the College, a Scholarship may be renewed for up to two further academic years subject to satisfactory performance by the Scholar and the Scholar demonstrating need for the renewal of the Scholarship. In exceptional circumstances, the College may give consideration to a further award to enable a doctoral student to complete their doctorate at Oxford or Cambridge; no Scholar should assume that such further funding will be possible.

Criteria for award: The award will be based on:

  • excellence in intellect, character, leadership, and service; and
  • demonstrated need for financial support to study at Oxford or Cambridge.

Candidates must have applied to, or been admitted to study at, or be studying at the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge at the time of application. (If a candidate is already studying at Oxford or Cambridge, the Scholarship could support them either to move to a new course, or to complete a course for which they are currently enrolled; in either case, financial need would need to be demonstrated.)

The academic standards for admission to Oxford and Cambridge are very high, and the selection committee will offer the Scholarship only to a candidate or candidates who, in its judgement, is/are likely to be admitted to Oxford or Cambridge, and to achieve at a satisfactory standard there.

The Scholarship will only be confirmed upon successful admission to the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge, and will not be paid if the Scholar does not take up their place at Oxford or Cambridge. The College may apply other terms if judged appropriate.

Preference will be given to candidates undertaking or intending to undertake a graduate degree.

The Scholarship will not be offered if there is not a sufficiently qualified candidate who is also in need of financial support.

The names of Ivan Shearer Scholars are recorded on an honour board in the Junior Common Room at St Mark’s.

Application process: Applications should comprise a letter of application, addressed to the Head of St Mark’s College, and enclosing:

  • a full curriculum vitae (of up to three pages);
  • a complete transcript or transcripts of all your university study to date;
  • a statement (of up to two pages) outlining:
    • details of the course of study proposed to be (or being) undertaken at Oxford or Cambridge, and the status of your application for admission to that University and any of its colleges (including, if relevant, second preference for a course);
    • your reasons for undertaking this course; and
    • your likely or intended further study (if any) and career after undertaking this course;
  • a personal statement (of up to three pages) outlining your interests, priorities, and motivation, which reflects how you fulfil the criteria of excellence in intellect, character, leadership, and service;
  • a statement (of up to two pages) setting out your need for financial support to study at Oxford or Cambridge, including details of other scholarships or sources of financial support applied for or likely to be applied for, and the status of those applications; and
  • the names and contact details (including email addresses and telephone numbers) of three referees, at least one of whom must have formally taught you in a university course.

The font size of the CV and statements should be no smaller than 11 point.

Applications must be submitted by 5pm on Monday 15 April 2024.

Selection process: Selection will be by a committee appointed by the College, comprising individuals of high academic and/or professional standing.

The committee will interview only short-listed candidates, and references will ordinarily only be sought for short-listed candidates.

It is likely that interviews will be in May or June 2024.

The award of the Scholarship is at the absolute discretion of the College.

For further information: please consult the Head of College, Professor Don Markwell AM.

November 2023

A PDF of the call for applications is available here.

Remembering Dr Timothy Pascoe AM with deep gratitude

We have learnt with great sadness of the death of Dr Timothy Pascoe AM, Honorary Fellow of the College and Old Collegian (St Mark’s 1957-61).

Our deepest sympathy to Timothy’s family and friends.

As a mark of deep respect, the flags at St Mark’s are at half-mast in his honour.

Amongst many other contributions to the College, Timothy Pascoe has for many years co-funded with his brother Jeremy (St Mark’s 1955-59, Honorary Fellow) a significant scholarship for later-year student leaders. Both brothers have expressed deep gratitude for all that St Mark’s contributed in their lives.

Over the last two years, they have together generously endowed the Jeremy and Timothy Pascoe Scholarship as one of the College’s largest scholarship endowments, enabling the funding of an annual scholarship in perpetuity.

Timothy Lawrence Pascoe was born in Adelaide on 7 October 1939. After education at St Peter’s College, he was a resident student at St Mark’s from 1957 to 1961 while studying civil engineering and economics at the University of Adelaide. Amongst other College activities (including College colours for debating, rowing, and hockey), he was President of the College Club in 1961. He was also active in University activities, including as a member of the Student Representative Council.

Awarded a Shell Postgraduate Scholarship, he gained a doctorate in engineering at the University of Cambridge in 1965. In 1965-67, he earned an MBA at Harvard Business School, where he received the top awards for scholastic achievement and contribution to student life.

After becoming a management consultant with McKinsey in 1967, his career over subsequent decades has principally included consultancy and strategic advice to businesses, with some significant other roles at various times: as Federal Director of the Liberal Party of Australia (1974-75) and Victorian State Director of the Liberal Party (1975-76), as Founder and National Director of ARTS (artist, research, training and support) Foundation (1977-81), and Executive Chairman of the Australia Council for the Arts (1981-84).

In January 2004, Timothy Pascoe was made a Member of the Order of Australia “for service to arts and community organisations and to the development of business strategies for advancing the arts in Australia”.

His active interest in supporting arts organisations continued over subsequent years, as did his active and generous support for the College.

The Jeremy & Timothy Pascoe Scholarship has been awarded since 2011 to a senior student and takes into account academic performance and contribution to the College. The Pascoe Scholarship has been and is very valuable in enabling later-year students to have the same collegiate experience that Jeremy and Timothy Pascoe have valued so much.

As Timothy wrote to the Head of College earlier this year, their giving was “clear evidence of how much St Mark’s did for us … and how much we wanted to say thank-you”.

In addition to donations for the Jeremy & Timothy Pascoe Scholarship, Timothy Pascoe has made many donations to the College for other purposes over many years, including various building projects, and for IT and for the Library.

Timothy and Jeremy Pascoe’s outstanding contributions to the College were recognised earlier this year when both were appointed as Honorary Fellows of the College. Both have also been recognised as Governors of the St Mark’s College Foundation.

Timothy’s wife, Ewa Bozenna Pascoe, also a Governor of the College Foundation, passed away in January 2023.

May Ewa and Timothy both Rest in Peace.

For the announcement of Honorary Fellows earlier this year, click here.

Old Collegians connect in Sydney and Canberra

At recent reunions in Canberra and Sydney, the Head of College, Professor Don Markwell AM, was thrilled to meet with Old Collegians from many different decades. It is always a pleasure to meet our alumni who are interstate or overseas, and for them to have the opportunity to reconnect with their colleagues and contemporaries, as well as the College. Thank you to Andrew Ettridge for providing such a spectacular reunion venue with a panoramic view over Sydney Harbour!