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1995-2002 | DR ALLAN BEAVIS<br />
1995-2002<br />
Dr Allan Beavis oam<br />
Prior to assuming the Mastership of New College in 1995, Dr Allan Beavis was<br />
Secretary of the New College Board, and original founder and Trustee of the New<br />
College Lectures. From their inception, he was heavily involved in the selection<br />
of lecturers, and attended every lecture in each series.<br />
Dr Allan Beavis oam<br />
Upon becoming Master of the College,<br />
the Lectures continued to attract the<br />
attention of both academics within<br />
the University and members of the<br />
Church. The initial lecture in each series was<br />
preceded by a function at the College and this<br />
was generally attended by the Vice Chancellor<br />
and other senior academics of UNSW, as well<br />
as the Archbishop and senior members of the<br />
Church. Their success correlated with the quality<br />
of the lecturers, both international and local,<br />
and their scholarship. Lecturers were selected<br />
by a committee, which for many years was<br />
chaired by Professor Austin Hukins, Head of the<br />
Department of Science Education at UNSW, and<br />
Deputy Chair of the College Board.<br />
While each lecture series during this period<br />
was of interest, a number were particularly<br />
influential. For example, English intellectual<br />
Elaine Storkey provoked deeper thinking on<br />
the role of women in the Church. Rev Prof Sir<br />
John Polkinghorne also had a strong impact,<br />
returning in 1995 to deliver the New College<br />
Lectures for the second time. Dr Beavis recalls<br />
thinking that upon hearing Polkinghorne speak<br />
he had encountered:<br />
‘one of the greatest minds…a true<br />
“polymath” being learned in mathematics,<br />
physics and theology. Yet he is a person<br />
of deep humility, an English gentleman<br />
in the true sense of that word, who is<br />
able to make complex technical concepts<br />
accessible to the layperson.’<br />
The combination of Polkinghorne’s intellectual<br />
capacity, deep understanding of the nature of<br />
the physical world, and firm belief in God was<br />
an encouragement to hold on in faith in the<br />
face of the social and personal conundrums<br />
that can cause questions and doubts to arise.<br />
This series was an edifying, intellectual and<br />
faith based presentation for the hundreds of<br />
people who attended the Lectures.<br />
Dr Peter Vardy, from Heythrop College<br />
at the University of London, was another<br />
8 NEW COLLEGE LECTURES 30TH ANNIVERSARY
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