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J C Bannon Oration discusses the robustness of Australian democracy

One of Australia’s leading historians, Professor Frank Bongiorno AM, has given fascinating reflections on the robustness of Australian democracy in the 2023 J C Bannon Oration this week.

Frank Bongiorno is Professor of History at the Australian National University, and serves also as President of the Australian Historical Association and the Council of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.

The J C Bannon Oration is given annually at St Mark’s College in honour of Dr John Bannon AO, a resident student at St Mark’s in 1962-63 who went on to be the second-longest serving Premier of South Australia (1982-92), and later served as Master (Head) of St Mark’s (2000-07).

Professor Bongiorno referred to John Bannon’s work both in politics and as a historian, especially as a historian of Australian federation, and author of significant studies of federation-era South Australian political leaders Charles Cameron Kingston and Sir John Downer.

Professor Bongiorno said that while Australia had a strong democratic system, “smugness” about its electoral fairness should be tempered by considering, for example, the long history of serious electoral malapportionment in several states.

Tolerating undemocratic arrangements for a long period of time when politicians were “delivering the goods” was an example of the strong “utilitarian” or (as the historian Sir Keith Hancock had put it) “Benthamite” tradition in Australian political culture. This tradition had been evident from the earliest years of British settlement, and again more recently in, for example, attitudes to the pandemic and the Voice referendum debate. This approach sometimes led to rights being dangerously compromised for apparent short-term practical advantage, and to insufficient protection of the marginalised and “those who lose out” (such as Indigenous Australians).

Professor Bongiorno quoted the late historian Professor John Hirst describing Australians as a kind of “obedient people”, despite our image as anti-authoritarian larrikins, but said that our obedience is considered, negotiated, and conditional.

Professor Bongiorno identified both Indigenous and colonial origins of deliberative democracy in Australia. He spoke of the risk of Australia drifting towards the kind of “illiberal democracy” now seen in several other countries, such as Hungary. This combined right-wing populism and authoritarianism with the appearance of democracy. Professor Bongiorno suggested that Prime Minister Scott Morrison came closest to “illiberal democracy” with his celebration of a disengaged citizenship, which was in stark contrast with the emphasis Sir Robert Menzies placed on “the forgotten people” doing their duty as citizens.

Professor Bongiorno also referred to the weakness of checks and balances in the Australian system shown in the “secret ministries” appointments of Prime Minister Morrison – appointments of the Prime Minister to administer departments, made with the consent of the Governor-General but without the knowledge of the Parliament or people.

While Australian democracy has imperfections, it has also proven itself adaptable. Flaws are evident in, for example, “draconian” anti-terror legislation, inadequate whistle-blower protections, and the precariousness of media freedom. Public trust in government has fluctuated. The gaps in civic knowledge of our democratic system have adverse effects, a number of which Professor Bongiorno identified; and education, civil society, and responsive institutions are all important to its sustained good health.

However, Professor Bongiorno said, the adaptability of Australian democracy had in recent times again been shown in the rise of “community independents”, and the rise of new forms of public leadership (for example, Grace Tame) outside of traditional politics.

These and other reflections formed part of a wide-ranging and lively historical and contemporary discussion, which was enthusiastically received by its audience in Downer House and viewed by many online, including by Old Collegians and several historians and political scientists, interstate and overseas.

A video of the 2023 J C Bannon Oration is below.

The text of Professor Bongiorno’s Oration will be published by St Mark’s College in coming months, and details will be placed here.

For the introduction to the Oration by the Head of College, Professor Don Markwell AM, click here.

Arrangements for the 2024 J C Bannon Oration are expected to be announced in the early months of 2024. The 2025 Oration will be given jointly by the College’s Centenary historians, Associate Professor Paul Sendziuk and Dr Carolyn Collins, on “St Mark’s and law, politics, and history”.



Professor Frank Bongiorno AM with Mrs Angela Bannon at the 2023 J C Bannon Oration

Photos by Carol Atkinson

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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.

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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.

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Rev’d Canon Steve Daughtry appointed Chaplain of St Mark’s College

We are delighted that the Rev’d Canon Stephen Daughtry has been appointed Chaplain of St Mark’s College from February 2024.

He succeeds the Rev’d Grant Moore, Chaplain of the College from 2014 to 2023.

Steve Daughtry has served for the last nine years as Parish Priest at Holy Innocents Anglican Church in Belair, where he was previously a Lay Minister. In the words of Archbishop Geoff Smith, “Steve has done a great job at Belair”.

His last service there as Parish Priest will be on 11 February 2024, and he will start at St Mark’s soon after in time to welcome the students entering or returning to St Mark’s for the new academic year.

Steve is also Education Missioner for the Anglican Board of Mission (ABM), and he will continue in that part-time role while serving as part-time Chaplain at St Mark’s.

Steve’s service in the Anglican Diocese of Adelaide since 2009 has included five years (2013-17) as part-time Chaplain of St John’s Grammar School, Belair.

His earlier work in the Diocese included serving as part-time Diocesan Media & Communications Officer, and his work has included producing the “I am Anglican: Exploring and Explaining Anglican Faith” video series, which has been widely distributed to parishes and schools.

He became a Canon of St Peter’s Cathedral, Adelaide, in 2019, and also serves on Diocesan Council and the Council of St Barnabas College.

Since his secondary education in Townsville, Steve has earned university qualifications in the performing arts at James Cook University, and in theology at Flinders University and Charles Sturt University.

After extensive freelance theatre work early in his career, including as an actor, tutor, and director, in 1993 he founded Company of Sinners, a full-time theatre company working in schools and churches to communicate the Christian faith. Over a dozen years, Company of Sinners performed to well over 250,000 people, and toured overseas and around Australia.

Steve has written over 20 plays, all of which have been performed throughout Australia and at festivals overseas. His poetry and songs have been published in several magazines, newspapers, and collections.

In his work for ABM, Steve has produced over 20 short documentaries, and authored or edited a number of Lenten studies. With ABM, he has visited many Anglican communities throughout Australia, including many Indigenous communities, as well in the Pacific, South-East Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Steve and Vanessa, a clinical counsellor and artist, have “three wonderful children and one glorious grandchild”.

We look forward to welcoming Steve and Vanessa and their family to the St Mark’s community!

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Congratulations to our 2023 prize winners!

At the College’s recent 2023 Final Dinner, outstanding achievements and contributions of many students – academic, sporting, artistic, community service, and other – were recognized with awards.

Amongst the awards presented, the Collegians’ Prize was awarded jointly to Ben McCure (2023 College Club President) and Oliver Douglas (2022 Vice-President and Rhodes Scholar-elect for South Australia for 2024). The Lilias Needham Medal for Service was awarded to Chi Ho Yip, a mature-age student from Hong Kong who has given outstanding selfless service within the College.

Taking advantage of Adelaide’s balmy spring weather, the Final Dinner was held on the College tennis courts, and followed our annual Final Service at St Peter’s Cathedral, marking the end of the 2023 academic year.

Final Service

On the afternoon of Saturday 28 October, students and staff gathered at the front gates for the traditional procession to St Peter’s Cathedral, with second-year student Joe Clyde bagpiping the congregation down Pennington Terrace. Proceeding into the Cathedral, they joined a sizeable group of Old Collegians and friends of the College for our Final Service, led by the Rev’d Sally Sandford-Morgan, Assistant Priest at the Cathedral.

College values were a key theme in the Final Service. Rev’d Sally Sandford-Morgan and Professor Don Markwell AM both reflected on the Living Document of Values, which was initiated and written by our 2023 student leadership team, and which all of our students signed a pledge to uphold.

In his Address, the Head of College also called on students to think about the memories they will hold dear from the year that has been. Echoing the lyrics of Aerosmith’s I don’t want to miss a thing, a song much loved by Collegians past and present, Professor Markwell said:

I wonder what the moments are that you treasure. I suspect that very many of them relate to friendships – friendships formed living together in College, socialising together, eating meals together, playing sport together, studying together, procrastinating about study together, taking part in other activities together including maybe Arts Evenings or Battle of the Bands or Marksenfest or Charitable activities, or simply hanging out together…

Today and tonight, we look back with pride and heartfelt emotion on the achievements of 2023 and indeed on the achievements of every student throughout their time at St Mark’s, and we treasure every moment together. And we also look ahead with optimism, including to celebrating the first 100 years of the College we love.

You can read Professor Markwell’s full address here.

During the Service, we were again delighted to enjoy the musical talents of many of our students. The College Choir performed the College hymn, Lord, in thy mercy, hear our praise, accompanied by the Cathedral Organist, David Heah. Gracie Rowland and Sadie Fuss sang Daughter of a King by Trailer Flowers, and were accompanied by Bianca Feher on guitar. Our final student performance was Psalm 23 (The Lord’s My Shepherd), sung by Bianca Feher, accompanied by Luke MacKay on piano.

After the service, guests joined students and staff for refreshments in the College rose garden.

Final Dinner and awards presentation

That evening, the College celebrated the end of the academic year at our annual Final Dinner on the tennis courts.

At the dinner we acknowledged the many and varied achievements of so many of our students this year. Some of the College’s most significant prizes awarded include Academic Colours and Commendations, the Lilias Needham Medal for Service, and the Collegians’ Prize. Other highlights included celebrating our graduating students, farewelling students leaving at the end of the academic year, the awarding of Club Colours and Awards, and recognition of service by senior student leaders.

A full list of prizes and award recipients is provided below.

During the dinner, the College Club President-elect, Eloise Montefiore, proposed a toast to the Leavers. Senior students Jonty Pretorius and Sinéad Sidhu gave a heartfelt reply on behalf of the Leavers, reflecting on what their time at St Mark’s had meant to them. The 2023 College Club President, Ben McCure, then addressed his peers for the final time in this role, proposing a toast to the College.

It was a truly glittering evening, and a fitting end to another successful year of College life.

About the Lilias Needham Medal for Service

Mrs Lilias Needham, who died in 1975, was the sister of one of the founders of the College, Charles Hawker. Charles Hawker was a South Australian pastoralist and member of federal parliament, who was strongly committed to our founders’ ideal of community service. He might well have become Prime Minister had he not been killed in a plane crash in 1938.

In his memory, Lilias Needham not only endowed the Hawker Scholarships, but was extremely generous to St Mark’s, including helping to make it possible for the College to purchase Hawker House. But she was insistent that there be no public recognition of her generosity to the College in her lifetime. It was only after her death that the College was able to acknowledge all she had done. Lilias Needham is an example of selfless service.

In that spirit, the Lilias Needham Medal for Service is awarded to a student who has given an outstanding example of selfless service – acting in a generous spirit for the good of others rather than for their own glory.

In 2023, the Lilias Needham Medal was awarded to Chi Ho Yip.

From Hong Kong, Chi Ho is studying a Master of Accounting and Finance at the University of Adelaide, and is in his second year at St Mark’s. He is a student who has not sought or held a formal leadership role, but who has in all sorts of ways, most of them quiet or even invisible, acted to help his fellow students. He has mentored several students, including helping them with professional experience; provided many students with academic support; organised mini-projects for groups of interested students; and led the clean-up of the JCR earlier this year. He instigated the Speaking from Experience series, in which he was a thoughtful and generous speaker. He has been a very positive influence on our community in many quiet and selfless ways.

Many congratulations, Chi Ho, and thank you again for your selfless service!

About the Collegians’ Prize

The Collegians’ Prize is awarded to a member of the College who has made a significant contribution across a range of areas over their years at St Mark’s, whilst also embodying and showcasing the College’s values. These areas include academic excellence, their contribution to the College through service, and their contributions to their university and the wider community.

All students are invited to make nominations for the Collegians’ Prize.  Being nominated for this prestigious award is an honour in itself. The selection of the awardee/s follows a rigorous selection process involving student leaders and staff.

In 2023, the Collegians’ Prize was awarded jointly to Ben McCure (2023 College Club President) and Oliver Douglas (2022 College Club Vice-President and Rhodes Scholar-elect for South Australia for 2024).

The awardees were announced by the President of the Old Collegians’ Association, Mr Riley Glynn, and the awards presented by last year’s winner, Ms Eliza Lee.

Many congratulations to Ben and Oliver!

List of 2023 Final Dinner Prize and Award Recipients

2023 High Table Cup Winning Teams

  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Women’s Basketball
  • Women’s Netball
  • Women’s Football
  • Athletics

Club Colours and Awards

Club Colours and Awards are awarded by the College Club Committee. Colours are awarded to the “best and fairest” contributor to different areas of College life. The First-Year Student of the Year is awarded to a new student who the College Club Committee felt had best embodied the values of the College.

Tennis Colours
Laura McIntyre
Patrick Douglas

Swimming Colours
Eloise Wills
Ben Grima

Netball Colours
Emily Thompson
Nick Schofield

Debating Colours
Luke MacKay

Football Colours
Georgie Pater
Nick Schofield

Hockey Colours
Charlotte Le Page
Riley Herbert

Basketball Colours
Sarah Nulty
Olly Sellen

Volleyball Colours
Tori Lowe
Callum Saville

Soccer Colours
Maddie Dodds
Jorge Anastasiou

Table Tennis Colours
Manon Finch
Patrick Douglas

Athletics Colours
Lucy Cole
Jean-Philippe Soulie

Arts Evenings Colours
Jamison Nokes
Bianca Feher

College Revue Colours
Jolie Crowhurst
Jack Monaco

Male and Female Athletes of the Year
Tori Lowe
Nick Schofield

First-Year Student of the Year
Jed Thiel

Academic Prizes

1st Year Academic Commendations
In recognition of outstanding academic achievement in 2023

Robyn Coles
Cameron Dixon
Luke MacKay
Dean Macri
William McConnel
Zachary Meakin
Zoe Raynes
Nathan Rokebrand
Madalyn Toet
Eloise Wills

2nd Year Academic Commendations
In recognition of sustained outstanding academic achievement

Harriet Ellis
Sophie Gale
Georgina Orchard

2nd Year Academic Colours 
Awarded to the highest achieving 2nd year student, considering their academic achievement over the duration of their time at St Mark’s

Ruby Ford
Mackenzie Walter

3rd Year Academic Commendations
In recognition of sustained outstanding academic achievement

Oliver Leslie
Darcy Lillecrapp
Corey Smith
Jack Stimson
Rithysak Yous

3rd Year Academic Colours 
Awarded to the highest achieving 3rd year student, considering their academic achievement over the duration of their time at St Mark’s

Oscar Hemmings

4th Year Academic Commendations
In recognition of sustained outstanding academic achievement

Ella Browne

4th Year Academic Colours 
Awarded to the highest achieving 4th year student, considering their academic achievement over the duration of their time at St Mark’s

Oliver Douglas

Sir Keith Angas Essay Prize

This prestigious prize, which was established in 1962 thanks to a generous endowment by Sir Keith Angas, a former Chair of the College Council and Honorary Fellow of the College, is awarded for an essay written by a member of the College on a topic of general or contemporary interest.

For his excellent essay entitled, “A democracy sausage, but only the bread: Illiberal democracy in the global theatre and how governments can fight it”, the 2023 Sir Keith Angas Essay Prize was awarded for the second year in a row to Oscar Hemmings.

Students Graduating in 2023

Liam Bastian, Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences
Lucy Cole, Bachelor of Human Movement
Lilli De Nardi, Bachelor of Music Theatre
Oliver Douglas, Honours in History and Rhodes Scholarship
Cooper Ferguson, Bachelor of Science
Emerson Fielke, Bachelor of Design (Communication Design)
Sadie Fuss, Bachelor of Nursing
Callum Guidera, Bachelor of Psychological Science
Oscar Hemmings, Bachelor of Science
Gabrielle Hodges, Bachelor of Human Nutrition
Jord Howard, Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours)
Clare Jenkin, Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences
Cass Joubert, Bachelor of Business (Digital Marketing & Communications)
Luke Marcus, Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) with Bachelor of Arts
Mia McEachern, Bachelor of Film and Television
Georgie Pater, Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences
Kara Phillips, Bachelor of Secondary Education
Gracie Rowland, Bachelor of Music Theatre
Josh Rummell, Bachelor of Mathematical Science (Advanced)
Mia Soebardi, Bachelor of Psychological Science
Jack Stimson, Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences
Courtney Vonk, Bachelor of Psychology
Harry Yous, Bachelor of Laws

Acknowledgement of Service by Senior Student Leaders

Senior Academic Tutor – Jord Howard
Senior Residential Advisor – Miah Sherry
Assistant Dean – Cameron Akehurst
Assistant Dean – Ella Browne

Lilias Needham Medal for Service

Chi Ho Yip

Collegians’ Prize

Oliver Douglas
Ben McCure

Lead image: 2023 Graduating Students

Photo credit: Amelie Beltakis and Phil Radoslovich

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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.

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“Magnificent” portrait of Rod Matheson unveiled

A superb portrait of the Hon. Rod Matheson AM KC – one of the longest-serving Chairmen of the College Council in the history of St Mark’s – was unveiled in the College dining hall last week.

The portrait is by the eminent Australian artist Robert Hannaford AM, well known for his portraits of such figures as Sir Donald Bradman, Dame Joan Sutherland, Bob Hawke, and Paul Keating.

Rod Matheson was a student at St Mark’s from 1948 to 1951, while studying Arts and Law at the University of Adelaide. He joined the College Council in 1980, and served as Chairman from 1982 to 2000. For most of those years he also served as a judge of the Supreme Court of South Australia.

Rod Matheson’s 18 years of distinguished service as Chairman of the College Council made him one of the three longest-serving Chairmen in the history of the College, along with Sir Henry Newland (Chairman 1926-53) and Dr Gavin Walkley CBE (1961-82). Portraits of Sir Henry Newland and Gavin Walkley have hung in the College dining hall for many years.

As Chairman of the College Council, Rod Matheson presided over the admission of women students to St Mark’s, which he had strongly advocated, and encouraged three Masters of the College – the Rev’d Peter Thomson, Robin Ashwin, and Dr John Bannon AO – to put their names forward for the Mastership. His time as Chairman also saw – amongst much else – major building and renovation work in the College, strengthening of the College’s enrolments and finances, and formation of a system of College governance committees.

On his retirement as Chairman in 2000, Rod Matheson was described as “an excellent chairman, a strong communicator, always fully informed about all matters of the College”, and as a generous benefactor of the College. Appointed an Honorary Fellow of the College in 2000, he has remained an active supporter of the College over the years since.

In welcoming guests to the unveiling of the portrait, the Head of College, Professor Don Markwell AM, spoke warmly of Rod Matheson’s life, student days at St Mark’s, career in the law, and outstanding service to the College, as well as his “energy and enthusiasm” and “self-effacing modesty”.

He referred to the College’s debt both to Rod Matheson and to Mrs Léonie Matheson, and congratulated them on their 64th wedding anniversary just days before. It was a “delight” also to welcome their four children and their partners “amongst such a glittering array of distinguished guests” (which included, amongst many others, former Chief Justice of South Australia, the Hon. John Doyle AC KC, and former NSW Supreme Court judge, the Hon. John Basten KC, who had been Rod Matheson’s articled clerk).

Before unveiling the portrait, the Chair of the College Board, Ms Linda Matthews, spoke of the Board’s decision to commission it “to pay tribute to the wonderful service Rod has given to the College”.

Speaking after the portrait was unveiled to enthusiastic applause, both Robert Hannaford and Rod Matheson spoke of their friendship going back a number of decades, including when Rod – as Chairman of the St Mark’s College Council – had commissioned Robert to paint three of the six Robert Hannaford portraits at St Mark’s (those of Dr Gavin Walkley, Professor Don Nicholas, and Dr John Bannon).

The portrait was painted over nine sittings, each of two to three hours’ duration. In the portrait, Rod Matheson is painted in the judge’s bench wig and scarlet gown that used to be worn in the criminal division of the Supreme Court. An interesting feature of the portrait is that he is also shown wearing his smart watch.

Robert Hannaford said that the “painting process” for Rod Matheson’s portrait was a “wonderful” and “enjoyable experience” in which the subject was “usually right” as a “critic” of the portrait as it was being painted.

The resulting portrait has been widely acclaimed with many superlatives, amongst which “magnificent” is perhaps the most frequent. The portrait hangs in the College dining hall on the wall behind the High Table, next to the portrait of Sir Henry Newland.

For Professor Markwell’s speech of welcome recounting Rod Matheson’s life, career, and service to St Mark’s and other organisations, click here.

The lead photograph shows the Hon. Rod Matheson AM KC speaking after the unveiling of his portrait (photo credit: Dr Angela Evans AM)


Professional photograph of Robert Hannaford AM’s portrait of Rod Matheson (photo credit: Joseph Häxan).


Board Chair Ms Linda Matthews with Rod Matheson immediately after the unveiling of the portrait (photo credit: Amelie Beltakis).


Robert Hannaford AM speaking after the unveiling (photo credit: Amelie Beltakis).


Rod and Léonie Matheson and their family after the unveiling (photo credit: Amelie Beltakis).

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Announcing our 2024 student leaders

The College is delighted to announce the election and appointment of an impressive team of student leaders to serve the St Mark’s College community in 2024.

Members of the College Club Committee for 2024 were elected at the recent Final General Meeting of College students, and students have been appointed to other leadership roles following a rigorous application and selection process, including leadership training prior to application.

Our student leaders are vital to the life of the College. They assist in leading, fostering, and nurturing our College community, including through the provision of academic and wellbeing support to fellow students, helping to set the tone of a healthy community, organising sporting, cultural, social and service activities across the year, and much else besides.

Student leadership positions give students superb opportunities to develop their leadership and teamwork skills, and to undertake the community service that has been at the heart of the values and ethos of St Mark’s College since its founding in 1925. Experience in these roles also provides invaluable preparation for students’ lives and careers after College.

We are enormously grateful to all our students who are willing to serve the St Mark’s community in this way.

We would like to give a huge thank you to our outgoing student leaders, who have given so much to our community over the past year, and we congratulate the following student leaders for 2024:

Student Executive Team

The Student Executive Team comprises the College Club Executive (President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer), the two Assistant Deans, the Senior Academic Tutor, the Indigenous Student Advisors, the Senior Residential Advisor, and the President of the Charitable Foundation. It works closely with the Head of College, Dean, Director of Wellbeing, and Director of Learning on coordinating many aspects of College life, and promoting student welfare and success.


Photo: 2024 Student Executive Team with Staff
Front from left: Anthony Doll, Dr Katrina Stats (Director of Learning), Stuart Meldrum (Dean), Professor Don Markwell AM (Head of College), Sally Cassidy (Director of Wellbeing), Cass Joubert, Gemma Garraway
Back from left: Cameron Akehurst, Jacob Deeb, Kellie Lessue, Eloise Montefiore, William Gillett, Charlie Shepperd
Absent: Annie Coffey, Drew Willie 

2024 College Club Committee

All resident students at St Mark’s are members of the College Club. Elected by their fellow students, the College Club Committee promotes student wellbeing and interests in diverse ways, including by organising an impressive line-up of events in partnership with other student leaders and the College staff. The College Club Executive consists of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.


Photo: 2024 College Club Committee and Charitable Foundation Executive with Staff
Front from left: Kellie Lessue, Jacob Deeb, Dr Katrina Stats (Director of Learning), Stuart Meldrum (Dean), Professor Don Markwell AM (Head of College), Sally Cassidy (Director of Wellbeing), Eloise Montefiore, William Gillett, Charlie Shepperd
Back from left: Jed Thiel, Kobi Lowe, Zoe Hughes, Tiahna Olsen, Baeley Tucker, Jean-Philippe Soulie, Nathan Rokebrand, Jordan Laverty, Eloise Wills, Cameron Dixon, Dino Macri

POSITION NAME HOMETOWN COURSE IN 2024 YEAR AT ST MARK’S IN 2024
President* Eloise Montefiore ALICE SPRINGS, NT USA Bachelor of Business 3rd Year
Vice President* William Gillett LOXTON, SA USA Bachelor of Laws  / Bachelor of Business (Economics, Finance & Trade) 3rd Year
Secretary* Kellie Lessue PORT LINCOLN, SA UA Bachelor of Business (Design & Marketing) 3rd Year
Treasurer* Charlie Shepperd CUMMINS, SA USA Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) / Bachelor of Business (Finance) 3rd Year
Female Sports Officer Eloise Wills HORSHAM, VIC USA Bachelor of Physiotherapy 2nd Year
Male Sports Officer Jordan Laverty DIMBOOLA, VIC USA Bachelor of Business 2nd Year
Female Social Officer Baeley Tucker BALLARAT, VIC UA Bachelor of Physiotherapy 2nd Year
Male Social Officer Jed Thiel WAIKERIE, SA UA Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences 2nd Year
Female Equity Officer Tiahna Olsen MILDURA, VIC USA Bachelor of Psychology 2nd Year
Male Equity Officer Dino Macri ADELAIDE, SA UA Bachelor of Computer Science 2nd Year
Arts and Cultural Officer Cameron Dixon GLOSSOP, SA USA Bachelor of Creative Industries 2nd Year
Merchandise Officer Kobi Lowe RENMARK, SA USA Bachelor of Business (Design and Marketing) 2nd Year
Sponsorship/ Charitable Officer Zoe Hughes LOXTON, SA USA Bachelor of Communications and Media 2nd Year

*Student Executive Team member.

Assistant Deans

The Assistant Deans work with the Dean and Director of Wellbeing, other staff, and students to ensure that St Mark’s provides a respectful, inclusive, and safe environment for all. The Assistant Deans assist students in various ways when needed, including liaising between staff and students, and help to ensure that the College’s values and expectations are upheld in student behaviour.

The Assistant Deans are senior leaders in the College, and assist the Dean, Director of Wellbeing, and Director of Learning in leading the Student Leadership Team (SLT).


From Left: Anthony Doll (2024 Assistant Dean), Stuart Meldrum (Dean), Sally Cassidy (Director of Wellbeing), Cass Joubert (2024 Assistant Dean), Gemma Garraway (2024 Senior Residential Advisor)

POSITION NAME HOMETOWN COURSE IN 2024 YEAR AT ST MARK’S IN 2024
Assistant Deans* Anthony Doll MOUNT GAMBIER, SA USA Bachelor of Primary Education 5th Year
Cass Joubert JAMESTOWN, SA USA Master of Management (Tourism & Event Management) 4th Year

*Student Executive Team member.

Residential Advisors (RAs)

Residential Advisors (RAs) are expected to show leadership in all aspects of College life, and to support actively the aims and ideals of St Mark’s College in promoting the wellbeing and academic success of its students. The primary function of an RA is to establish and maintain an environment which is safe, socially cohesive, welcoming and conducive to academic excellence. They are often the first point of contact for students’ issues and can advise on additional support structures within and beyond the College community.

The Residential Advisors and Wardens are led by a Senior Residential Advisor, who also serves on the Student Executive Team.

POSITION NAME HOMETOWN COURSE IN 2024 YEAR AT ST MARK’S IN 2024
Senior Residential Advisor* Gemma Garraway MILDURA, VIC USA Bachelor of Social Work 4th Year
Residential Advisors Manon Finch MOUNT GAMBIER, SA FL Bachelor of Health Sciences / Master of Physiotherapy 3rd Year
Natalie Fitzpatrick BALLARAT, VIC FL Bachelor of Speech Pathology 3rd Year
Ben Grima BALLARAT, VIC USA Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology 3rd Year
Riley Herbert MONASH, SA USA Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology 3rd Year
Charlotte Le Page PERTH, WA USA Bachelor of Health Sciences (Public Health) 3rd Year
Hamish Napier ALICE SPRINGS, NT USA Bachelor of Human Movement 3rd Year
Liam Phillips LOXTON, SA USA Bachelor of Science 3rd Year
Ben Ransom ADELAIDE, SA UA Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery 4th Year

*Student Executive Team member.

Wardens

As with RAs, the primary function of the Wardens is to establish and maintain in their area of responsibility an environment which is safe, socially cohesive, welcoming and conducive to academic excellence. There are Wardens appointed to support students living in the flats, Hawker House, and the Deanery. Like RAs, Wardens also serve as Duty Tutors and Fire Wardens for the full year.

POSITION NAME HOMETOWN COURSE IN 2024 YEAR AT ST MARK’S IN 2024
Wardens
 
 		 Alice Alexander MOUNT GAMBIER, SA UA Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences 3rd Year
Jasper Atkinson LORNE, VIC UA Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine 2nd Year
Lara Garin ULLADULLA, NSW UA Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine 2nd Year
Emma Mattiske BENDIGO, VIC UA Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences (Advanced) 3rd Year
Sam Purcell ESK, QLD UA Bachelor of Dental Surgery 2nd Year
Callum Saville ALICE SPRINGS, NT UA Bachelor of Business 3rd Year


2024 Residential Advisors and Wardens with Staff and Assistant Deans
Front from left: Anthony Doll, Stuart Meldrum (Dean), Professor Don Markwell AM (Head of College), Sally Cassidy (Director of Wellbeing), Cass Joubert, Gemma Garraway
Middle from left: Riley Herbert, Lara Garin, Emma Mattiske, Charlotte Le Page, Ben Grima, Hamish Napier
Back from left: Ben Ransom, Callum Saville, Sam Purcell, Manon Finch, Natalie Fitzpatrick
Absent: Alice Alexander, Jasper Atkinson, Liam Phillips

Senior Academic Tutor

The role of the Senior Academic Tutor (SAT) is to assist students in the positive transition from school to university life, and provide support to ensure academic success and resilience. Working closely with the Director of Learning, the Senior Academic Tutor’s portfolio includes coordinating the Academic Coordinators, providing administrative support for the Tutorial Program, and ensuring all students are aware of and able to access the academic support at the College.

Academic Coordinators

The role of each Academic Coordinator is to support the Director of Learning and Senior Academic Tutor to help ensure all students attain their academic goals and fulfil their potential, and to improve the accessibility, relevance and quality of academic and career development opportunities for all students. St Mark’s College students in related degrees are grouped by Faculty, and each Faculty has an Academic Coordinator. For 2024, the six Faculties will be: (1) Agriculture, Viticulture, Veterinary and Animal Science; (2) Arts and Education; (3) Business and Law; (4) Engineering, Physical Sciences, Architecture, and Aviation; (5) Health & Medical Sciences and Allied Health; and (6) Medicine, Nursing, and Dentistry.


2024 Academic Team
Front from left: Cameron Akehurst, Dr Katrina Stats (Director of Learning), Madi Martin
Back from left: Rachael Bird, Dorisa Nasserian, Hamish McKenny
Absent: Anthony Doll, Tara Phelps

POSITION NAME HOMETOWN COURSE IN 2024 YEAR AT ST MARK’S IN 2024
Senior Academic Tutor* Cameron Akehurst PORT LINCOLN, SA UA Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of International Business 5th Year
Academic Coordinators
Agriculture, Viticulture, Veterinary and Animal Science Rachael Bird NARACOORTE, SA UA Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences 2nd Year
Arts and Education Anthony Doll MOUNT GAMBIER, SA USA Bachelor of Primary Education 5th Year
Tara Phelps CUMMINS, SA USA Bachelor of Psychology (Counselling and Interpersonal Skills) 3rd Year
Business and Law Cameron Akehurst PORT LINCOLN, SA UA Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of International Business 5th Year
Engineering, Physical Sciences, Architecture, and Aviation Hamish McKenny NARACOORTE, SA UA Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Architectural & Structural) 4th Year
Health & Medical Sciences and Allied Health Madi Martin BERRI, SA USA Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) 3rd Year
Medicine, Nursing, and Dentistry Dorisa Nasserian SYDNEY, NSW UA Bachelor of Dental Surgery 3rd Year

*Student Executive Team member.

Indigenous Student Advisors

The Indigenous Student Advisors (ISA) provides pastoral care and support to all current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Working closely with the Dean, Director of Wellbeing, Director of Learning, and Admissions Officer, the ISA also acts as representative for current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, assisting in the recruitment to College of future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, maintaining relationships with local Elders and with relevant university support services, and assisting in the organisation of events that celebrate Indigenous culture and history.

POSITION NAME HOMETOWN COURSE IN 2024 YEAR AT ST MARK’S IN 2024
Indigenous Student Advisors* Annie Coffey ALICE SPRINGS, NT USA Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Psychology 2nd Year
Drew Willie ALICE SPRINGS, NT USA Bachelor of Business 2nd Year

Charitable Foundation Executive

Community service is at the heart of the ideals and values for which St Mark’s stands. Many of the community service activities undertaken by the students of St Mark’s College – including volunteering and fundraising activities for charities – are led through the Charitable Foundation. Its Executive members are its President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

POSITION NAME HOMETOWN COURSE IN 2024 YEAR AT ST MARK’S IN 2024
President Jacob Deeb BRISBANE, QLD UA Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine 2nd Year
Secretary Nathan Rokebrand HORSHAM, VIC UA Bachelor of Engineering 2nd Year
Treasurer Jean-Philippe Soulie MELBOURNE, VIC UA Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science) 3rdYear

*Student Executive Team member.

The Charitable Foundation Executive is pictured above with the College Club Committee and College Staff.

Library Assistants
The Library Assistants work collaboratively with the Librarian to ensure the effective running of the Academic Centre and Learning Commons, including ensuring students are utilising the Academic Centre and Learning Commons in a respectful and enjoyable manner.


Oscar Hemmings, Dr Katrina Stats (Director of Learning), Charli Nisbet

POSITION NAMES HOMETOWN COURSE IN 2024 YEAR AT ST MARK’S IN 2024
Library Assistants Oscar Hemmings LITTLEHAMPTON, SA UA Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science) 4th Year
Charli Nisbet GEELONG, VIC UA Bachelor of Health & Medical Science (Advanced) 2nd Year

Music Room Curator

The Music Room Curator takes responsibility for the safe and enjoyable use of the music facilities at College, in particular maintaining the Music Room to a high standard.

POSITION NAMES HOMETOWN COURSE IN 2024 YEAR AT ST MARK’S IN 2024
Music Room Curator Daniel Stephens PENOLA, SA USA Bachelor of Business (Design and Marketing) 2nd Year

Gym Curator
The Gym Curator takes responsibility for the safe and enjoyable use of the gym facilities at College.

POSITION NAMES HOMETOWN COURSE IN 2024 YEAR AT ST MARK’S IN 2024
Gym Curator Georgia Craig-Neal SWAN HILL, VIC USA Bachelor of Physiotherapy 2nd Year

Lion Editor

The role of the Lion Editors is to produce and edit the annual College magazine, The Lion, the official and public record of the year’s events at St Mark’s. The Lion was first published in 1948. Prior to 1948, College achievements and events had been recorded in the St Mark’s College Record since the College’s founding in 1925.

POSITION NAMES HOMETOWN COURSE IN 2024 YEAR AT ST MARK’S IN 2024
Lion Editors Juliette Parlange BALLARAT, VIC UA Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine 2nd Year
Zoe Raynes LOXTON, SA USA Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Medical Imaging) 2nd Year
Roslyn Thomas LEXINGTON, KY, USA UA Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences 2nd Year

Student Outreach Officer

The role of the Student Outreach Officer is to assist the Admissions Officer in promoting the College to prospective students, including through on-site tours, promotional events (e.g. Open Days), school visits (both inbound and outbound), career expos, field days and webinars.

POSITION NAMES HOMETOWN COURSE IN 2024 YEAR AT ST MARK’S IN 2024
Student Outreach Officer Zoe Hughes LOXTON, SA USA Bachelor of Communications and Media 2nd Year

Photographer & Social Media Content Creator

The role of the Photographer & Social Media Content Creator (‘Photographer’) is to assist the Event Manager, Admissions Officer, and others in documenting the life of the College and promoting the College through the production of appropriate social media marketing materials.

POSITION NAMES HOMETOWN COURSE IN 2024 YEAR AT ST MARK’S IN 2024
Photographer Estelle Wollin SALE, VIC USA Bachelor of Architectural Studies 3rd Year

Film Maker

The role of the Film Maker is to assist the Registrar and others in promoting the College through the production of appropriate video content that showcases College life.

POSITION NAMES HOMETOWN COURSE IN 2024 YEAR AT ST MARK’S IN 2024
Film maker Cameron Dixon MONASH, SA USA Bachelor of Creative Industries 2nd Year


Front from left: Oscar Hemmings, Zoe Hughes, Charli Nisbet
Back from left: Daniel Stephens, Georgia Craig-Neal, Cameron Dixon

Additional Duty Tutors

The primary function of the Duty Tutor is to conduct regular checks of the College in the evening and on weekends, and to ensure that any incidents are reported to the designated Assistant Dean and logged on the Duty Tutor shift sheet. Students in various leadership positions undertake Duty Tutor responsibilities, and additional Duty Tutors are also appointed.

POSITION NAMES HOMETOWN COURSE IN 2024 YEAR AT ST MARK’S IN 2024
Additional Duty Tutors Ellie Akehurst PORT LINCOLN, SA UA Bachelor of Food & Nutrition Science 3rd Year
Joe Clyde LAUNCESTON, TAS UA Bachelor of International Relations 3rd Year
Oscar Hemmings LITTLEHAMPTON, SA UA Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science) 4th Year
Luke MacKay MILDURA, VIC UA Bachelor of Science (Advanced) 2nd Year
Zachary Meakin BALLARAT, VIC FL Bachelor of Clinical Sciences / Doctor of Medicine 2nd Year
Charli Nisbet GEELONG, VIC UA Bachelor of Health and Medical Science (Advanced) 2nd Year
Olivia Williams BRISBANE, QLD USA Bachelor of Physiotherapy 2nd Year


2024 Student Leadership Team with Staff
Front, left to right: Cameron Akehurst, Gemma Garraway, Jacob Deeb, Anthony Doll, Dr Katrina Stats, Eloise Montefiore, Professor Don Markwell AM, Stuart Meldrum, Sally Cassidy, Cass Joubert, William Gillett, Kellie Lessue, Charlie Shepherd
Middle, left to right: Zoe Hughes, Emma Mattiske, Madison Fatchen, Charlotte Le Page, Rachael Bird, Madi Martin, Manon Finch, Jean-Philippe Soulie, Liam Phillips, Riley Herbert, Ben Grima, Ben Ransom, Hamish Napier, Kobi Lowe, Jed Thiel, Cameron Dixon, Dino Macri
Back, left to right: Olivia Williams, Tiahna Olsen, Georgia Craig-Neal, Lara Garin, Baeley Tucker, Zac Meakin, Dorisa Nasserian, Nathan Rokebrand, Hamish McKenny, Natalie Fitzpatrick, Callum Saville, Jordan Laverty, Joe Clyde, Ellie Akehurst, Eloise Wills, Daniel Stephens, Sam Purcell
Absent: Alice Alexander, Jasper Atkinson, Annie Coffey, Oscar Hemmings, Charli Nisbet, Luke MacKay, Juliette Parlange, Tara Phelps, Zoe Raynes, Roslyn Thomas, Drew Willie, Estelle Wollin

Photos by Amelie Beltakis

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Oliver Douglas chosen as Rhodes Scholar for South Australia for 2024

Mr Oliver Douglas (St Mark’s 2020-23) was yesterday announced as the Rhodes Scholar-elect for South Australia for 2024 – a brilliant achievement!

The Rhodes Scholarship will take Oliver to the University of Oxford next year to undertake postgraduate study in modern history.

The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards in the world. Rhodes Scholars are chosen on the basis of excellence in intellect, character, leadership, and service. Oliver Douglas is St Mark’s College’s 30th Rhodes Scholar since 1929.

Oliver joined St Mark’s in 2020 as a CAS Hawker Scholar, having completed his secondary education at St John’s Grammar School in Belair. He immediately threw himself into College life, showing his keen intellect in his Arts/Law studies at the University of Adelaide, and proving himself a force to be reckoned with on the sports field, winning College Club Colours for tennis and table tennis on several occasions and captaining both teams.

During his time at St Mark’s, Oliver has shown a deep and enduring commitment to service and leadership, serving the College and the wider community in a wide range of formal and informal ways. In his second year he served as President of the Charitable Foundation, the students’ community service organisation, which under his leadership expanded both its fundraising and volunteering activities. In his third year he served as Vice President of the College Club Committee and as President of the South Australian Association of University College Clubs (SAAUCC). Since then, Oliver has continued to serve the College Club, including initiating and leading a sub-committee to review the College Club Constitution.

Academically, Oliver is an outstanding, dedicated and determined student. In the final stages of his Honours year in History, Oliver has maintained outstanding grades and won numerous academic prizes. Within St Mark’s he has won the Jeremy & Timothy Pascoe Scholarship, awarded to an outstanding senior student, and the Don Laidlaw Prize, awarded to the most outstanding second year students. He has three times received the WF Wehrstedt Prize for the most outstanding student in the Arts and Humanities, as well as receiving the Harron Scholarship and numerous academic commendations. Academic prizes from the University of Adelaide include the John F. Kennedy Scholarship, Lynda Tapp Prize and Executive Dean’s Certificate.

Outside of St Mark’s, Oliver is deeply involved in a wide range of community activities. An elite level tennis player, he was the top-ranked under-18 male tennis player in South Australia in 2019, and reached an Australian ranking of 55 and a world ranking of 1054. An Army Reservist since 2019, last year Oliver was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Australian Army, receiving the Royal New South Wales Regiment Prize at his graduation dinner.

Oliver has served in a wide variety of leadership activities at the University of Adelaide, including serving as a Board Member of the Adelaide University Union and the Adelaide University Sport and Fitness Board, a Welfare Officer on the Student Representative Council, and Vice President of both the Adelaide University Entrepreneurs Club and the Adelaide University Table Tennis Club. He is also the Founding President of the St John’s Grammar School Old Scholars Association.

Not one to sit idle, Oliver has also pursued a range of research and professional development opportunities and internships. He has been an Assistant to Jack Batty MP, SA Shadow Assistant Minister for the Environment, since 2022, worked as an intern for the Centre of Democracy (Adelaide) and for St Mark’s on our Profiles of St Mark’s Women project, and prepared a foundational research report on Australian housing for the Susan McKinnon Foundation. This is just a taste of the many and varied activities Oliver has been involved with during his undergraduate years.

Pursing postgraduate study in history at the University of Oxford represents the natural next step in Oliver’s academic journey. We warmly congratulate him, wish him the very best for his next academic adventure, and look forward to watching his accomplishments over the years to come.

You can learn more about the Rhodes Scholarship here.

Inspired to begin your own academic journey? You can find out more about the CAS Hawker Scholarship Program here, as well as the A. Simpson & Sons Scholarship and Robin Ashwin Scholarship offered by St Mark’s College here.

Are you a St Mark’s Old Collegian who is also considering studying at Oxford or Cambridge? Details about the 2024 round of the Ivan Shearer Scholarship will be released soon.


Oliver Douglas with Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, Chair of the Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee

Photos by @Photojo

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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!