Assistant Dean of Studies, Tim Eastwood recently received an Outstanding Academic Achievement Award from the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Adelaide, Dr Bob Hill.
Tim, originally from Kaniva in rural Victoria is now in his fourth year of a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Adelaide. Tim’s achievement is a reflection of his commitment and passion for his studies.
In addition to performing well academically, Tim is an active and vibrant member of the College community taking on a leadership position on the College Club Committee in his second year of College, taking responsibility for publications and promotion of committee events and managing social media. He plays Hockey for both the University and College and was part of the metro division 1 hockey team and men’s College hockey team, winning back to back premierships in 2015 and 2016. At University Tim has also involved himself as a member of the Agricultural society as first year representative and subsequently been secretary of the committee in 2015.
We warmly congratulate Tim and are delighted that Tim has taken on one of the senior leadership roles in the College as Assistant Dean (Studies) where he will work closely with our newly appointed Dean of Studies, Ashley Files.
Third year student Sam Oxford is one of only two Flinders University students to have been awarded a two-month internship in Italy working with Fincantieri, one of three shipbuilders short-listed to bid for the $35 billion frigate project for the Australian Navy.
We wish Sam well for this opportunity of a lifetime, Saluti!
I am delighted to announce that Mr Ashley Files LLB (Flinders) has been appointed to the newly created position of Dean of Studies.
Ashley demonstrates the qualities of an effective Dean of Studies. He has the ability to establish strong networks both within the university and wider community, and has a clear understanding of tertiary students gained through his work at both Adelaide and Flinders Law Schools. Moreover, as a St Mark’s Collegian (1987-89) he has a clear understanding of the challenges students face when adapting to university and college life and the benefits of having ready access to advice and guidance within a supportive environment. Ashley brings a high level of professionalism, attention to detail and experience to the position of Dean of Studies.
Ashley’s background is predominantly in the legal sector, working across a broad range of matters in civil and commercial law. After finishing first in his graduating class, Ashley completed his GDLP whilst working at Finlaysons in Adelaide and was then appointed to the position of Associate to the then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of South Australia, Hon. John Doyle AC (also a former Dean of St Mark’s College). After a few years with a local law firm in Hong Kong, Ashley returned to Adelaide as a Senior Associate at Clelands Lawyers before undertaking work as an independent barrister in 2013 where he was working primarily in commercial law, defamation and worker’s compensation. Ashley will continue his work with the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Since 2003 he has been working after hours as a seminar leader at the University of Adelaide Law School teaching a range of subjects, especially civil and criminal procedure, litigation practice, evidence and advocacy. He also presents guest lectures as part of the PLT program at Flinders University.
In addition to his practice and teaching in the law, Ashley has a passion for wildlife conservation and is a qualified Field Guide. He has spent time in Zambia volunteering on a lion conservation project and recently spent four months in Rwanda training safari guides at Akagera National Park.
Ashley will work collaboratively with the Dean of Students, Ms Raphaela Oest (B.Com, Grad Dip Cultural Tourism) to support the academic progress and general welfare of students. Together they will work closely with the Dean Team, Residential Advisors, Academic Tutors and College Club Committee to continue the strong tradition of developing the whole individual and generating a vibrant, welcoming and positive student experience.
A Strategic Change
The role of Dean of Studies has been created to complement the role of Dean of Students and to ensure the College provides the best support and care of students’ physical, mental, emotional and academic wellbeing.
The appointment of this position will ensure that the College meets its strategic goals of strengthening academic support, facilitating outcomes for students in their transition from university to employment and building and improving strategic partnerships with the universities and wider community. It will enable the Dean of Students to provide professional support and advice on student governance matters and enhance the program of pastoral care that incorporates the key issues facing young people today including mental and physical wellbeing, stress and study and sexual health.
Final Dinner is always an emotional and fitting celebration of the diversity and talents of our College community. The Final Service for 2016, held in St Peter’s Cathedral, provided an opportunity for reflection, particularly for those who were moving out at the end of the year, many into the workforce for the first time. The College Chaplain, Rev’d Grant Moore, delivered his sermon and reflected on the journey we all take through life and the importance of never being complacent enough to feel you’ve reached your destination.
Final Dinner saw a toast to the Leavers and the College, followed by a hilarious rap by the Master in honour of 2016 President Heidi Hutchesson after three years on the College Club.
In proposing the toast to the Leavers, MCR members Albert Seagrim (Pt Augusta, SA) and Melissa Jones (Campbell Town, TAS) reflected;
“Last night, while reflecting on the past few years, we were reminded of a saying credited to John Lennon: “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans”. Indeed whilst we are busy making plans to become teachers, physios, vets, doctors, accountants, nurses, lawyers and engineers, life happens. O’Week happens, floor crawls happen, Marksenfest, sports, College Ball, Marksenchef, Alpine Day, HTC, Port’n’Talks, formal halls, College Play, arts evenings, the list goes on.
Whilst a lot at College has changed significantly in the last five years, the most important things have stayed the same. My favourite thing about St Mark’s is the sense of community. Everyone here lends a helping hand, celebrates each other’s successes and supports one another when things aren’t going so well.
They say that travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer. But I think lifelong friends, a good education and the memories we have made whilst making other plans makes every one of us here tonight very rich indeed. Congratulations to the leavers on everything you have achieved whilst at College and best of luck for the future.”
Congratulations to the following students who were awarded Colours in the area of academics, service, the arts and sport;
[table]
Colours,Recipient
Tennis,Sarah Hayman and Angus Barber
Swimming,Sarah Trewren and Tim Trewren
Table Tennis,Hayley Finlay and Angus Gebhardt
Debating,Brett Slarks
Netball,Gaby Taylor and Tim Woolford
Football,Heidi Hutchesson and Tim Woolford
Soccer,Isabella Oberer and Ben Bradnam
Basketball,Ella Roberts and Sam Martin
Hockey,Gabi Parker and Callan Summers
Volleyball,Yasmin Johnson and Brayden Jenke
Athletics,Taylor Hand and Alexander Murrell
Boat Races,Mary Seagrim and Josiah Whittaker
Arts Evening,Michael Smith
College Revue,Brady Martin
College Play,Ruaraidh Mills
[/table]
The Collegians’ Prize, awarded to the student who has contributed the most during their time at College in the areas of academics, the community and the College, was this year awarded to the College Club President, Heidi Hutchesson. Heidi, in her fourth year of College has given countless hours of her time to all areas of the College. Studying Occupational Therapy, she has played nearly every sport possible and held leadership roles on the College Club Committee for three years. In 2015 Heidi was awarded the Women of St Mark’s Scholarship as she embodied leadership traits and values reflective of a valued female member of the College. Heidi was also the recipient of the female Sportswoman of the year and Sam Martin was the male Sportsman of the year.
Rory Whittaker was recognised as Fresher of the Year for his contributions across all areas of the College. From Mt Gambier, Rory is his first year of a Bachelor of Media at the University of Adelaide.
St Mark’s College is committed to excellence in all that we do and recognising excellence in others for their academic achievements or contributions within the St Mark’s or broader community. The presentation of scholarships, prizes, grants and bursaries to over 30% of St Mark’s students each year is testament to this commitment which also provides financial support to those in need.
Through the incredible generosity of donors and supporters of St Mark’s College, over $250,000 of financial support was awarded to students during 2016 to further enable their fulfilling university experience.
The College holds two ceremonies each year to award scholarships, grants and prizes to new or returning students of St Mark’s for their academic achievements, contributions to the College or wider community, or to provide financial support. In March this year over $80,000 in scholarships and grants was awarded to 29 students, with a further $75,000 awarded to 34 students on 12th October.
In addition, over 30 students will receive bursaries throughout the year valued at over $130,000 for their involvement in leading and developing members of the College community.
It was a pleasure to welcome benefactors and their families to present the Scholarships and prizes at our most recent awards ceremony.
Dr John Boully presented the JM Boully scholarship to second year MBBS student Tim Trewren from Berri. John lived at St Mark’s in the 1960s and in his final year as a medical student lived at Yalata mission which he found to be a ‘life changing’ experience. Following his work at Yalata, John started the aboriginal medical service in Port Augusta (the Pika Wiya Health Service) in order to help build a network of medical services from the city to rural and then more remote areas.
Mr Martin Crabb, Business Development Manager at Programmed, presented the Programmed Scholarship to Jack Arney who is in his third year of a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronic) degree. Programmed have been providing regular maintenance of the College since 1984 and we thank them for their ongoing support of our students.
Ms Sonia Laidlaw presented the Don Laidlaw Prize to second year students Alex Makarowsky and Sarina Ferguson. The Prize is awarded to two outstanding second year students to encourage them to return to College for a third year to benefit from their considerable leadership potential and community contributions to College life.
Congratulations to all of our 2016 award recipients. For more information about the scholarships, grants and prizes available at St Mark’s, please click here.
Scholarship Recipient
Alumni Scholarships Ryan Burley, Bianca Joubert, Alexandra Kenny, Annabelle Maher, Evette De Jager, Devon Milton Hutchinson,Brady Martin, Caleb Maru, Hayley Finlay, Tiffany Finlay, Samantha Oxford, Courtney Elmitt, Jake Copping
The Margaret Beith Scholarship Sarah Bassett, Ruaraidh Mills
The Margaret Tothill Scholarship Ella Roberts, Ebony Brouwers
The Lewis Scholarship Michael Smith
The Don Laidlaw Prize Alex Makarowsky, Sarina Ferguson
The Lendon Scholarship Natasha Gray
The LeMessurier Scholarship Ellie Cobiac
The Programmed Scholarship Jack Arney
The Gavin Walkley Scholarship Mary Seagrim
The Sir Ronald Fisher Medal Kimberly Becker
DL & ME Pank Scholarship Kardinia Caputo, Brandon Swain
The P & B Greenland scholarship Andrew Casey
The Women of St Mark’s Scholarship Jemima Staude
J M Boully Scholarship Tim Trewren
Heidi Hutchesson, Caleb Maru and Courtney ElmittElla Roberts and Ebony Brouwers were presented the Margaret Tothill Scholarship by Board member and Bursar, Mr Mark PennimentMichael Smith, Jake Copping, Ryan Burley, Ellie Cobiac and Brady MartinDr John Boully presented the J M Boully Scholarship to second year student Tim Trewren
Budding entrepreneurs at St Mark’s spent three hours with Lean expert Bruno Pešec from Norway, and Alister Lee, learning about the principles of Lean last week. By playing the Lean Board game, which is competitive and fun, students were able to learn the core lean start up principles such as the importance of uncovering what customers really want before setting out to build a product. Seven students from College and a further four from UniSA worked together on their mythical companies (based on real ones) in a competitive environment. We hope to facilitate more workshops of this kind into the future.
Students Alex Miles, Courtney Elmitt and Lauren Litchfield with Sodexo Chef Colum Byron-Black.
Throughout the year the College’s Sodexo chef, Colum, holds cooking classes in association with the Charitable Foundation. With themed nights including brunch, Italian and burger night, these classes provided not only a relief from study, but life skills through food preparation and nutrition. By gold coin donation, these classes raised funds to buy ingredients used to cook a meal for the families staying at Ronald McDonald House. This year, five collegians and Colum went to Ronald McDonald house on September 6th to make homemade burgers for the visiting families. We found it a very rewarding experience especially when we were able to sit down and chat with the residents we cooked for, each with their own story. Thank you to Colum and Sodexo for continuing to support this program and to Ronald McDonald House for having us, we look forward to our continued association.
— Sarah Trewren, Charitable Foundation President
Charitable Foundation President Sarah Trewren with Alex Miles, Lauren Litchfield and Hamish Storey.
The Master and Dean hosted the inaugural parents’ dinner on the College’s Open Day weekend, which attracted over 60 parents and friends who travelled from rural and metropolitan areas across Australia. The President of the College Club, Ms Heidi Hutchesson spoke about her own College experiences and how they have helped her to continue to develop personally and to further shape her values and career goals. The success and excitement about College life comes from its community which extends beyond our students and Collegians but to our parents and grandparents, who on this occasion appreciated the opportunity to hear from the Master about the College’s plans for the future as well as connecting with one another.
Amongst guests on the evening, the College was delighted to welcome Mr Robin Millhouse QC (Alumnus 1947-51) who travelled from Sydney to be with his granddaughter Alice Moyle, a third year Engineering student at the University of Adelaide.
Photo: Harry Cator of the Jubilee Sailing Trust (2nd from left) with St Mark’s students (L-R) Henry Hole, Alex Makarowsky, Brandon Swain, Will McLachlan, Joe Cavanagh
“The Jubilee Sailing Trust provides an unparalleled insight and opportunity into how disabled and able-bodied people can live and work together side-by-side in some of the most challenging and thrilling of circumstances” said Alex Makarowsky, a second year Electrical Engineering student at the University of Adelaide, who attended a recent Port ‘n’ Talk at St Mark’s College with guest speaker Harry Cator of the Jubilee Sailing Trust.
Established nearly forty years ago, the Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST) has continued its vision to integrate physically disabled with able bodied people on a tall ship – an extraordinarily unique concept which today is the only organisation of its kind in the world. A registered charity, the JST has made an incredible impact upon the lives and perceptions of many people, in particular Harry, whose grandmother overcame serious disability caused by polio and managed to take part in normal life.
Tenacious is the world’s largest operating wooden hulled ship built by 1,500 disabled and able-bodied volunteers with special features such as talking compasses for blind crew, and joystick controls for people with limited mobility. Currently circumnavigating the world are a crew of 40 sailors, half of whom have disabilities and may have a wheelchair, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, be an amputee, blind or deaf.
The JST is providing people with disabilities the chance to experience life on the high seas, whilst providing able-bodied members a sense of what is possible with a diverse crew. Every crew member is expected to to play their part in the day-to-day running of the ship, and the experience has been life-changing for people of all ages, backgrounds and levels of physical ability. The voyages have helped crew members build their self-esteem, confidence, leadership and life skills in many ways.
Tenacious, is now in Australia and has commenced an action packed program of voyages between Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart and Sydney until April 2017.
Port’n’Talks provide a unique opportunity for College students to hear from distinguished speakers on just about any topic. From Governors to business leaders, politicians to scientists, there is always an interesting topic to spark curiosity. Last night was no different when Dr Lewis Mitchell, an applied mathematician from the University of Adelaide, presented his recent research data using mathematics to better understand human nature and the world around us. Dr Mitchell fascinated the audience with his research into the mathematics of story-telling, how movies and books can be modelled with a curve representative of the happiness in the story. He then continued to provide an insight into how social media, particularly Twitter, can be analysed to show the apparent happiness and sadness in the populations of states in the USA and Australia (see: http://hedonometer.org/index.html). Dr Mitchell co-authored a study to analyse the most frequently used words across 10 different languages to confirm that humans do have a positivity bias and that the way we think is intrinsically positive.
~ Ryan Burley, talk coordinator and second year University of Adelaide student
