Blog

 

An enormous thank you to our generous supporters of last year’s St Mark’s College Annual Giving campaign ‘Greening of the College’. The old bitumen car park in the North West corner has been transformed into ‘The College Green’, an accessible and visually pleasing space for students to enjoy.  This unique circular green space, using locally sourced stone from Basket Range, defines the specific space yet provides some unity and cohesion from the flats through to the Lodge and Hawker Annex.

We are all extremely excited to have this project completed and have pleasure inviting you to join members of the College community for morning tea and a toast to the College in Benedictine on ‘The College Green’ after Founders’ Day on Sunday 1^st May at 9.30am.  We promise there will be many sausage rolls and scones to enjoy!

We truly appreciate your enthusiasm for supporting the College by donating to this project.  It is a reminder that your annual gift, no matter the size, contributes to investing in an extraordinary College experience for students, Old Collegians and friends of St Mark’s.

 

The College extends a warm welcome to Sarah Hampel as the new Director of Development and Marketing.   Sarah will join our senior leadership team and have responsibility for development, community and alumni engagement, philanthropy, communications and marketing. Sarah’s role will see her engaged directly with our Foundation and Collegians’ Association as well as current students.

Originally from the Barossa Valley, Sarah lived at St Mark’s for four years in the early 1990s whilst undertaking her Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in sociology and psychology. As a Collegian, Sarah has a thorough understanding of the College culture and environment and an appreciation of the College’s values and traditions.

Sarah has over 20 years’ experience with international companies including Pepsi, Cadbury Schweppes, BP Australia, Kraft and Mondelez both in Australia and in the US. A highly skilled communicator and influencer, Sarah is an encouraging people leader who has a track record of creating and leading teams. She has a strong capacity to build and maintain relationships and develop key partnerships that produce positive outcomes.

In her spare time Sarah enjoys spending time near the water and developing her surfing, stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking skills. She also enjoys attending local community events as well as spending time with family and friends over a glass of chilled champagne.

Sarah can be contacted on +618 8334 5604 or sarah.hampel@stmarkscollege.com.au.

Our alumni are doing amazing things, and we have recently worked with Collegian Alex Tolson (alumnus 2011 – 2013) from Lateral Vision to create a virtual tour of the College, linked to Google Street View. Now when you come across the College on Google you will be able to take a step inside and have a look around. This feature will be developed further with access inside buildings and to our Greening Project but for now you can have a panorama view of the grounds.

Check it out here.

 

Just over sixty collegians and friends attended the Foundation’s annual Donor function in the Master’s Garden on Thursday 4^th February. Mark Penniment’s recent bequest was acknowledged at the Function and he was presented with his 1925 Bequest Society pin.
Without these generous donors, the College would not be in the same position to maintain the fantastic facilities we can offer, namely the recent East Wing development. College is much more than just a place to live, and our donors, friends and benefactors recognise the importance that their contribution can make to the lives of young people.

As one Bequestor recently said, “It is the confidence I have in St Mark’s for the future that led me to make a bequest to the college. In contrast, it was the past that gave me so much — the majority of my lifetime friendships were formed during my time at the college. Is there a place for a residential college in today’s university, one that has a strong heritage, that values excellence, that provides pastoral care, and that provides a supportive and stimulating environment seven days a week in a student’s life? I believe so.”

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to the College, or leave a bequest in your Will, please contact us for further information.

 

In 2012 the College embarked on a very special project to document the history of St Mark’s through the stories of the people who spent such an important part of their lives at College; bringing its history to life through their memories.

Former ABC journalist and broadcaster, Ms Alison Rogers, commenced work on the project in May 2012 through her specialist video production company Living Stories. After almost three years of research, filming and compiling images, and in a fitting celebration of the College’s 90th Anniversary, the much-anticipated DVD “Masters of St Mark’s – The First 90 years” has been completed.

30 of the College’s alumni were interviewed for the project with their stories spanning from the 1940s right through to the current day. Complemented by carefully chosen images and archival information the DVD allows the viewer to time travel through the decades to understand the challenges and achievements of St Mark’s from establishment in 1925 through to the modern day.
The DVD was officially launched at the 90th Anniversary dinner on the 28th March and is a celebration of the proud ninety year history of St Mark’s College told through the eyes of past Masters, Deans, tutors and scholars.

Development Manager, Michelle Ward said of the project, “capturing the history of the College gives meaning to the past and at the same time enables us to understand the present. It has allowed alumni to share their stories and reminisce about times gone by. But more importantly these stories will be available to share forever with fellow collegians and current and future students of St Mark’s.”

View a preview of the DVD here

We have a limited number of DVDs available to purchase for $10. Please contact Anne Verwey for more information or phone 088334 5608.

The College celebrated its 90th anniversary in style with a black tie dinner on Saturday 28th March. The date was selected to coincide closely with the official opening of the College by then Governor Lieutenant-General Sir Tom Bridges on 15th March 1925.

300 of the College’s alumni and friends gathered in a spectacular marquee overlooked by the Newland and Memorial buildings, the Archibald Grenfell Price Dining Hall and the newly opened East Wing.

Emeritus Professor Alexander Cohen AO delighted guests with his witty commentary and anecdotes on the subject of “Esprit de Corps”. In her response College Master, Ms Rose Alwyn drew roars of laughter; channelling the spirit of first Master Sir Archibald Grenfell Price in her address, which can be read in full in the Master’s Blog

The beloved Gas Truck was also featured, providing a creative backdrop for the photo booth, where young and old alike created their own memento of the evening.

In the words of Mr Michael Johnson (Alumnus 1962) “how privileged we have been…to have been linked to the College and in turn to have had the opportunity to apply the skills and values acquired to the betterment of community in our professional lives.”

View more photos of the celebrations in our 90th Anniversary photo album. We’d also love to see any of your shots from the photo booth if you’re game to upload them!