NCL-30th-Anniversary-History-Book-WEB

2002-2016 | PROF TREVOR CAIRNEY
2002-2016
Prof Trevor Cairney oam
Prof Trevor Cairney oam
2002
In 2002, the New College Lectures were hosted
for the first time by the 5th Master of the
College, Professor Trevor Cairney OAM.
The lecturer was Associate Professor
Craig Gay from Regent College, who offered
a Christian perspective on money and global
capitalism – Does global capitalism announce the
‘final clearance’ of meaning? His first talk was
titled ‘Capitalism’s Remarkable Productivity’,
the second ‘Exaltation of the Monetary Unit’
and the third ‘Towards a Theology of Shrewd
Stewardship’.
Invitations to the Lectures in 2002 and
before were primarily by letter and were
addressed to friends of New College, Rectors
of Anglican churches, and associates of the
former Institute for Values Research (IVR). The
latter institute had been closed just prior to
Professor Cairney’s appointment as Master.
The Lectures were published in 2003, as
part of a contract between New College and
UNSW Press, in the form of a book titled Cash
Values: The Value of Money, the Nature of Worth.
Forwarded by Professor Trevor Cairney, Dr Gay’s
book is still available and has been reviewed
well by secular and Christian writers.
The Master introduced the Lectures
and speaker, and moderated the question
time. In previous years, there had been a
more hands-on role from the Trustees, with
Emeritus Professor Christine Alexander, in
particular, often acting as a responder and
even introducing some lectures. As a Christian
and eminent English academic within The
University of New South Wales, Professor
Alexander has been a devoted supporter of the
New College Lectures and one of its longest
serving Trustees. It was with the support of
Prof Alexander and fellow Trustee, The Right
Rev Rob Forsyth, that the 5th Master sought to
expand the reach of the New College Lectures
through recent decades.
2003
The Master decided, in consultation with the
Trustees, to change the format slightly for
2003. This was primarily to engage residents
more fully with the series, as well as staff on
campus and the wider Church. There was
also an attempt to integrate the Lectures with
the activities of CASE, founded by Professor
Cairney in 2002, with Dr Greg Clarke appointed
as full-time Director. With the introduction
of a database, the College was also able to
develop a broader and more sophisticated
array of advertising approaches, and engage
the Christian and secular media. Additionally,
a formal dinner for New Collegians was moved
to the night before the Lectures with the aim
of attracting residents to then attend the full
lecture series.
10 NEW COLLEGE LECTURES 30TH ANNIVERSARY