Name: 50 Year Plus Reunion Lunch
Start: 2024-11-29T00:00:00+11:00
End: 2024-11-29T23:59:59+11:00
Location: St Mark’s College

13 June 202416 July 2024

2024 Scholarship winners recognised, and thank donors in person

Life-changing opportunities celebrated at St Mark’s

Winners of College scholarships for 2024 were recognised at the annual Scholarships Presentation Ceremonies held recently. These occasions gave Scholars the opportunity personally to thank the donors of the scholarships which help them live and learn at St Mark’s.

On Thursday 30 May, many donors enjoyed presenting certificates to the students awarded their scholarships this year. In some cases, the presentations were made by family members or descendants of donors: for example, the Kitty Hayward Scholarship, endowed in 1938, was presented by the donor’s great grandson, in the presence of other descendants of Kitty Hayward!

Mrs Mary Lou Simpson OAM (on behalf of herself and Mr Antony Simpson, who was overseas), Dr John Boully, Mr Guy Watson, and Dr Pamela Wall OAM spoke for all donors in saying what a pleasure and privilege it is to help talented students from diverse backgrounds to be at St Mark’s.

St Mark’s Director of Centenary Engagement, Ms Karin Dunsford, spoke warmly of the late Dr Helen Reid, who left a bequest to endow a scholarship which bears her name. Karin was twice offered jobs at Walford School by Dr Reid, who recognised and encouraged potential in Karin which she did not see herself. Like our scholarships, these were life-changing opportunities.

Speaking for all scholarship recipients, students Luke MacKay, Manon Finch, and Cameron Akehurst shared how formative their St Mark’s experiences have been. They expressed profound gratitude for the selfless generosity of scholarship donors who have made this possible.

Quoting the adage that “talent is everywhere, opportunity is not”, the Head of College, Professor Don Markwell AM, said:

“Scholarships are utterly essential to creating opportunity for young people of talent and potential.

“Our scholarships exist to promote and recognise excellence, including service and leadership as well as academic and other achievement; to help students who are in financial need; and to enable people from diverse backgrounds to be at St Mark’s who might not otherwise be able to be here.”

Some of the scholarships presented were endowed in the early years of St Mark’s and are still awarded today. Others have been created in more recent years through the generosity and vision of donors.

Professor Markwell said that, despite the great generosity of St Mark’s scholarships and of our wonderful donors, students’ need for financial support remains much greater than our capacity to meet it, and a further significant expansion of scholarships remains a crucial priority for the College.

The Scholarships Presentation Ceremony was followed by an informal dinner. Here, donors and their Scholars were able to talk further, an opportunity clearly enjoyed by all.

Earlier that week, the Chair of the College Board, Ms Linda Matthews, spoke in Formal Hall and recognised and congratulated the 2024 winners of a number of other scholarships. These included the St Mark’s College Scholarships (which are funded from all-important Annual Giving), Alumni Scholarships, the Foundation Scholarship, and Margaret and Harry Scott Trust Scholarships.

Ms Matthews said how greatly she appreciated the letters she received from scholarship winners which reflected the importance in their lives of the opportunity to be at St Mark’s.

You can read extracts from letters of thanks written by 2024 scholarship recipients here.

Photos from the Scholarships Presentation Ceremony on 30 May are below.

Find details of the scholarships that help students live and learn at St Mark’s here.

To help provide scholarships that support students to be at St Mark’s, visit our Giving page.

27 May 202427 May 2024

Tim Brooks Scholarship to create life-changing opportunities for Agricultural Science students

A generous scholarship to help a rural student continue at St Mark’s while studying Agricultural Science, or Oenology and Viticulture, has been created by Old Collegian Tim Brooks (St Mark’s 1966-70).

The Tim Brooks Scholarship, with a value of $12,000 per annum, will be awarded to an undergraduate student from a rural area who is enrolled at St Mark’s and is undertaking study in Agricultural Science (preferably) or Oenology or Viticulture in their second or later year. A student who is undertaking post-graduate study in any of these fields is also eligible to apply.

The ideal candidate would be a student who has completed at least the first year of their course with higher than satisfactory achievement, has a commitment to their field of study, and has demonstrated service to the College or community.

The criteria for this significant award will be, in order of priority: rural student, academic achievement and commitment, financial need, and contribution to the College or community.

Tim Brooks studied Agricultural Science at the University of Adelaide while a resident student at St Mark’s from 1966 to 1970. In 1970, he served as President of the College Club (having previously served as Secretary) and as a member of the College Council, and was awarded the prestigious Collegians’ Prize.

For several generations members of his family have been closely associated with St Mark’s including Malcolm E Brooks OBE, Hector G Brooks OAM, and Old Collegians, Hector B Brooks (1950-52, later Honorary Fellow), Clive Brooks (1960-63), and Dr David Brooks (1963-65).

Grandchildren of Tim’s cousin, Hector B Brooks, Henry Brooks (2020-21) and Patrick Brooks (2024- ) are the most recent generation of the family at St Mark’s.

Members of the Brooks family donated the imposing gates at the Pennington Terrace entrance to the College in 1991, and other members of the family have supported the College in various ways. Tim has previously donated the Tim Brooks Agricultural Science Scholarship in 2008-14.

In creating this new scholarship, Tim would like to be able to provide life-changing opportunities to students – and the College is deeply grateful.

For details of College scholarships, including the Tim Brooks Scholarship, click here.

If you would like to donate and create life-changing opportunities for students to be at St Mark’s, click here.

Photo: Tim Brooks (St Mark’s 1966-70) and the Head of College, Professor Don Markwell AM, at St Mark’s, May 2024.

15 August 202317 August 2023

Academic adventures of our students

In addition to excellent academic results last semester and an academic programme in full swing for Semester 2, many of our students have taken part in exciting academic adventures in Australia and overseas over recent months, as well as within College.

Outstanding academic results

As the St Mark’s motto – spernit virtus humum, excellence reaches for the stars – suggests, academic excellence is one of the core values of our College, and in 2023 our students have certainly been reaching for the stars. In semester 1, more than a quarter of our students achieved at least one high distinction with 43 students (17% of all students) receiving only high distinction and/or distinction grades, including 12 students who received straight high distinctions. Overall, nearly half our results were high distinction or distinction grades.

In addition to achieving these outstanding results, our students have been busy with a wide range of academic activities and adventures over the winter months.

Rave reviews for our music theatre students

Final year music theatre students, Lilli De Nardi and Gracie Rowland performed in an Elder Conservatorium Music Theatre production of Sweeney Todd in June that won rave reviews. The Advertiser reviewer described the show as “a cut above the rest” and the performers as “brilliant… getting the perfect balance of light and shade” and “every one of them inhabit[ing] their character to the nth degree”.

Earth Sciences Convention

University of Adelaide geology student, Cooper Ferguson, together with two fellow earth sciences students, exhibited a poster at the 2023 Australian Earth Sciences Convention in Perth. Their poster presented an assessment of the meteorite specimens held in the Tate Museum at the University of Adelaide and some preliminary geochemical results.

Study Tours

College Club President, Ben McCure, and Arts and Culture/Student Outreach Officer, Bianca Feher, both travelled abroad during the mid-semester break as part of their studies. Ben headed to Vietnam, visiting Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) on a creative study tour while Bianca undertook a short-term exchange at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she completed a subject on ethical issues in journalism.

College Club President, Ben McCure, learning how to make rice paper in Hoi An, Vietnam

Arts and Cultural and Student Outreach Officer, Bianca Feher, at UCLA

Youth Parliament

Zoe Hughes took part in the YMCA South Australian Youth Parliament program this year, which culminated in a week-long residential camp for Parliament Week in July. Zoe was elected Leader of the Opposition and was part of the Recreation, Arts, and Culture Committee, who produced a bill aimed at reducing barriers to youth participation in recreational activities.

Zoe Hughes (front right) with Her Excellency, the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, and other members of the 2023 SA Youth Parliament.

Zoe Hughes (centre) with Her Excellency, the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, and other members of the 2023 SA Youth Parliament.

Faculty Feast to mark the start of semester 2

The Academic Team welcomed students back after the break with a Harry Potter-themed Great Feast. Students had to dodge the Whomping Willow and duck beneath flying letters to enter the Great Hall where they were sorted into their respective Houses, named after key figures in the College’s history. In a brief address, Professor Markwell offered just a few words quoted from Albus Dumbledore before encouraging everyone to “tuck in” (in Dumbledore’s words) to the magnificent feast that magically appeared before them (thanks to our kitchen wizards).

Writer in Residence

We also welcomed our Writer in Residence, Janet Fennell, an award-winning novelist, short story writer, reviewer, essayist, and poet from the Blue Mountains, NSW, for a six-week residency. Janet has a Master of Arts in Writing from the University of Western Sydney and has been teaching creative writing for 25 years. Her novel, Only Myself, was published by HarperCollins and her short stories have appeared in various magazines and newspapers. Janet will provide both inspiration and writing support for all students during her stay, but particularly our English and creative writing students.

Speaking from Experience

On Tuesday 1 August, we held the first event in a new informal discussion series, called Speaking from Experience, where staff, postgraduate students, and Old Collegians are invited to tell us about something they have learned the hard way – through experience. Our first speaker was one of our current postgraduate students, Chi Ho Yip, who was very candid about his experiences as a practising lawyer in Hong Kong and generous with the universal wisdom and bespoke advice he offered to attendees from all faculties.

STEM Faculty Evening

The semester 2 faculty events commenced last week with the 2023 STEM Faculty Evening. Academic Coordinator Josh Rummell drew together a brilliant panel of guests including astrophysicist Dr Gabriel Collin; research scientist Lynda Saunders; software engineer Dr Kyle Talbot; forensic toxicologist Ms Karen Thai; and forensic biologist Dr Phillippa Hearnden.

Amongst other things, our guests spoke about the value in any field of background skills such as programming and statistical analysis; the importance of strong interpersonal skills in the workplace; and how to identify and use transferable skills to explore different and perhaps unexpected career paths.

It was terrific to see such a great turn out of engaged students, not only from the STEM Faculty but from other faculties as well, all of whom benefited from advice about different learning styles and how to “hack” them to improve academic performance and enjoyed hearing about the similarities (or otherwise) between real life careers in forensic science and those depicted in shows such as CSI.

The Academy by Deloitte

Congratulations to Engineering students Hamish McKenny and George Fulwood (who is also studying Finance and Banking), who have both been accepted into The Academy by Deloitte offered in partnership with the University of Adelaide. The Academy provides students the opportunity to apply their academic learning and to gain practical experience in the workplace via a paid internship program.

Library Sundowner

Past and present staff and students as well as valued friends of the College gathered in the Library on Friday 4 August for a Sundowner to celebrate our long-serving Librarian, Pirjo Rayner, who retired at the end of June. Professor Markwell once again praised Pirjo’s student-centred and forward-looking approach to her role, which is embodied in the magnificent, purpose-built Ian and Pamela Wall Academic Centre, to which Pirjo contributed thoughtful design ideas.

Guests included the eighth Master of the College, Rose Alwyn, and former Dean, Raphaela Oest, former chaplain, Grant Moore, Angela Bannon, Mary and Guy Watson, Richard Scott Young, and rare books expert, Anthony Zammit, who were also treated to a first look at the nearly completed Richard Watson Rare Books Cabinet.

08 August 202308 August 2023

St Mark’s abroad – reunions in Hong Kong, London and Oxford, and Singapore

St Mark’s Collegians from the 1950s through to the 2020s met with the Head of College, Professor Don Markwell AM, at recent College reunion drinks in Hong Kong, London, and Singapore.

As well as exchanging reminiscences and reflections on their time at St Mark’s and hearing news of the College today, many Collegians expressed their excitement to return to Adelaide for the gala dinner to mark the Centenary of the College on Saturday 15 March 2025, the 100^th anniversary to the day of the opening of the College in 1925. Other events are also being planned for that weekend in 2025, and for later in the Centenary year.

Professor Markwell hosted drinks for Collegians at the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong, The Clachan pub near Oxford Circus in London, and Raffles Hotel in Singapore.

He also met in Oxford with our Oxford-based Honorary Fellow, Professor John Finnis AC KC CBE (St Mark’s 1958-62). Professor Finnis is an eminent legal philosopher who was awarded a CBE in the United Kingdom’s New Year honours list this year. He is one of 29 St Mark’s students to have been awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to study in Oxford.

Thanks to a generous bequest of Professor Ivan Shearer AM, St Mark’s Collegians now also have the opportunity to go to Oxford or Cambridge as Ivan Shearer Scholars. Professor Markwell was delighted to catch up with the inaugural Ivan Shearer Scholar, Rebecca Keeley (St Mark’s 2012-14), who has spent the 2022-23 academic year in Oxford studying for a Masters of Business Administration.

Rebecca and her partner, Paddy Richards (St Mark’s 2011-13), were amongst the several Old Collegians and guests who took part in the enthusiastic London reunion.

Like John Finnis and former Masters Peter Edwards and Robin Ashwin, Professor Markwell first went to study in Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. He was later the first Rhodes Scholar to be Warden of Rhodes House – the global CEO of the Rhodes Scholarships – and was back in Oxford for events marking the 120^th anniversary of the Rhodes Scholarships, during which his contribution to the current vitality and evolution of the Rhodes Scholarships was warmly acknowledged.

Professor Markwell took the opportunity to meet with several academic and political leaders and others in Oxford and London, including former US President Bill Clinton and former British Prime Minister Liz Truss (one of his former Oxford students).

Further St Mark’s reunions interstate and overseas are being planned for the next 18 months, leading into the Centenary events of 2025 in Adelaide – at which all members of the St Mark’s community will be warmly welcome!

Here are some photos from the College reunions; from top to bottom, Hong Kong, Singapore and London.

06 November 201906 November 2019

Welcome Dr Don Markwell, Head of St Mark’s College

Welcome Head of St Mark's College, Dr Don Markwell

It is with great pleasure that we welcome Dr Don Markwell as the new Head of St Mark’s College, Adelaide.

An internationally recognised educational leader, Dr Markwell has a strong commitment to collegiate education, and we are delighted that he will lead St Mark’s College in the next stage of its growth. Dr Markwell was previously the Warden of St Paul’s College at the University of Sydney and, amongst other roles of educational and public policy leadership in Australia and Britain, has also served as the global head of the Rhodes Scholarships as Warden of Rhodes House, Oxford.

Having devoted over 30 years of his life to university education, Dr Markwell is passionate about the benefits to students of an all-round collegiate education.

Speaking at a reception for students, staff, and the College Board to welcome him as the new Head of St Mark’s College, Dr Markwell said that “the College exists, as a residential academic community, to be the best environment we can be in which to be a university student”.

“We aim to offer every student the best all-round educational experience we can – including academic, more broadly intellectual, sporting, cultural, social, spiritual, community service and other dimensions.

This includes being a community of fun and of friendships, which promotes the growth and the wellbeing of every student, and which is a community based on respect, inclusion, and safety for all.”

Dr Markwell said that he looked forward to getting to know all members of the College, and to working with the students, staff, Board, alumni and friends of St Mark’s College to advance the broadening and life-changing collegiate educational experience that St Mark’s College offers.

For further information about Dr Markwell’s background and experience please click here.

The staff and students of St Mark’s College are committed to upholding a respectful, inclusive and safe residential academic community. For further information about the St Mark’s College Vision and Values click here.

04 November 201902 December 2019

St Mark’s College Announces 2020 Student Leaders

St Mark’s College is excited to announce the 2020 student leader teams. Students are the life of the College and take personal responsibility for establishing a healthy, respectful, inclusive and welcoming culture. This is fostered through a strong focus on student governance and accountability, which provides strong peer support throughout the College community.

St Mark’s College student leaders also get a head start in their career and personal life by taking on leadership responsibilities and accountability. It provides invaluable preparation for the workforce, teaching them to develop resilience and an understanding of themselves, their strengths and areas for development.

There are a range of student leadership positions available at St Mark’s College, including both staff-appointed and student-elected roles.

Congratulations to the following student leaders, we look forward to your contributions in 2020.

2020 College Club Committee
Elected by their fellow students, the College Club Committee are responsible for organising social, sporting, community, charitable, arts and cultural events throughout the year. The development of their organisation and communication skills, along with significant event management experience, are highly transferable beyond College life. The College Club Executive Team consists of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

Position	Name	Home Town	Course
President	Nicholas Marzohl	Alice Springs, NT	UA: Bachelor of Psychology
Vice President	Riley Glynn	Mt Gambier, SA	USA: Bachelor of Psychological Science
Treasurer	Isaac Montefiore	Alice Springs, NT	USA: Bachelor of Construction Management and Economics
Secretary	Carmen Joubert	Jamestown, SA	EC: Bachelor of Health Sciences (Nutritional & Dietetic Medicine)
Sports Officers	Taylor Glover	Yeelanna, SA	UA: Bachelor of Criminology
Sports Officers	Daniel Robson	Alice Springs, NT	UA: Bachelor of Economics/Bachelor of Finance
Equity Officers	Kaidy Morgan	Coulta, SA	UA: Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences
Equity Officers	Max Politis	Darwin, NT	UA: Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery
Merchandise	Alice McKenzie	Port Pirie South, SA	FL: Bachelor of Science (Animal Behaviour) (Hons)
Sponsorship and Charitable	Corey Finlay	Orroroo, SA	USA: Bachelor of Business (Sport and Recreation Management)
Social Officers	Georgie Kotz	Point Cook, VIC	UA: Bachelor of Arts
Social Officers	Matt Mouvet	Mildura, VIC	FL: Bachelor of Education
Arts and Cultural	Yemaya Coleman-Smith	Port Lincoln, SA	UA: Bachelor of Music

Dean’s Leadership Team (DLT)
Assistant Dean
The role of the Assistant Dean is to assist students in various ways when needed, to encourage behaviour in line with the College’s behavioural expectations and to liaise between the College staff and students. A senior leader within the College, the Assistant Dean also supports the Dean in managing the DLT.

Position	Names	Home Town	Course	Year in Course in 2020
Assistant Deans	Chad Lennon	Alice Springs, NT	UA: Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences	4^th year
Assistant Deans	Bronte Phillips	Loxton, SA	FL: Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics	4^th year

Senior Residential Advisor
The Senior Residential Advisor is responsible for leading the Residential Advisor team to create a safe, respectful and enjoyable College experience for the students on their floor/building. They encourage and role model responsible and respectful behaviour and liaise between the College staff and students. In addition, the Senior Residential Advisors participate in meetings of various bodies, carry out inspections of College property and undertake some administrative duties.

Residential Advisor (RA)
Residential Advisors are responsible for role modelling the behaviours expected within the College community, and actively support the wellbeing and academic success of its students. They are the first point of contact for personal and academic problems and can advise students on additional support structures within the College community and the wider community.

Position	Names	Home Town	Course	Year in Course in 2020
Senior Residential Advisor	Sagar Elangovan	Brisbane, QLD	UA Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery	2^nd/6^th year
Residential Advisor	Abby Goodwin	Whyalla, SA	FL: Bachelor of Paramedic Science	3^rd year
	Adam Burford	Yacka, SA	UA: Bachelor of Science (Mineral Geoscience)	3^rd year
	Ben Jenner	Mt Gambier, SA	UA: Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)	3^rd year
	Isobel McFarlane	Armidale, VIC	UA: Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery	3^rd year
	Jack Brady	Buderim, QLD	UA: Bachelor of Commerce	2^nd year
	Kaitlin Beltakis	Mt Gambier, SA	UA: Bachelor in Health and Medical Science (Advanced)	2^nd year
	Lukas Egger	Hamilton, VIC	UA: Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery	3^rd year
	Tessa Megaw	Mt Gambier, SA	MW: Bachelor of Education (Primary and Middle)	3^rd year
	Travis Kuchel	Clare, SA	UA: Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Civil and Structural)/Bachelor of Finance	3^rd year
	Morgan Hill	Nightcliff, NT	UA: Bachelor of Nursing (Pre-registration)	3^rd year

Senior Academic Tutor
The role of the Senior Academic Tutor 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 portfolio includes coordinating the tutorial program with the Academic Tutors and ensuring all students are aware of and able to access the academic support at the College. They are also a member of the Library Sub-Committee.

Academic Coordinator
Academic Coordinators play an important role and are responsible for coordinating the academic and career program for the faculty, including coordinating and supporting the relevant tutoring team, run faculty dinners and career events, support new students with their transition into university as well as providing mentoring and personal support to all students in their faculty.

Position	Name	Home Town	Course	Year in Course 2020
Senior Academic Tutor	Ashlee Nichol	Castlemaine, VIC	UA: Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery	4^th year
Academic Tutors	Names	Home Town	Course	Year in Course in 2020
Agriculture	Gemma Nunn	Bordertown, SA	UA: Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences	2^nd year
Allied Health	Olivia Watt	Mildura, VIC	UA: Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences	3^rd year
Arts & Education	Tori Martin	Berri, SA	MG: Bachelor of Education (Junior Primary and Primary)	3^rd year
Business	Benjamin Joy	Aldinga Beach, SA	UA: Bachelor of Commerce (Corporate Finance)	3^rd year
Engineering & Architecture	Mitchell Paull	Geraldton, WA	UA: Bachelor of Engineering in Aerospace Engineering	3^rd year
Law	Aidan Jones	Quantong, VIC	Bachelor of Laws	3^rd year
Medicine, Nursing & Dentistry	Danielle Boniface	Pymble, NSW	UA: Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery	3^rd year
Science	Lacey Burston	Mt Gambier, SA	UA: Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering double/combined degrees	3^rd year

Library Assistant
The Library Assistant works collaboratively with the Librarian to ensure the effective running of the Academic Centre and ensuring students are utilising the Academic Centre and Learning Commons facilities in a respectful manner.

Position	Names	Home Town	Course	Year in Course in 2020
Library Assistant	Ryan Williams	Penola, SA	UA: Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery	3^rd year
Library Assistant	Lacey Burston (continuing)	Mt Gambier, SA	Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical and Pharmaceutical)	3^rd year

Arts Coordinator
The Arts Coordinator directly manages all facets of the College’s annual arts and cultural events. They work in close collaboration with the College Club Committee and elected Directors to create a contemporary, rich and vibrant performing arts program.

Position	Names	Home Town	Course	Year in Course in 2020
Arts Coordinator	Josh Phillips	Port Lincoln, SA	UA Bachelor of Music	3^rd year

Gym Officer
The Fitness and Gym Officers take responsibility for the provision of health and physical fitness opportunities at College. They develop programs throughout the year to cater to a diverse range of fitness levels and interests.

Position	Names	Home Town	Course	Year in Course in 2020
Gym Officer	Dan Robson	Alice Springs, NT	UA: Bachelor of Economics/Bachelor of Finance	2^nd year

St Mark’s College students stand out from the crowd when the time comes to enter the workforce. For more information on leadership opportunities offered at St Mark’s College click here.