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1995-2002 | DR ALLAN BEAVIS<br />
particularly notable speaker, as his series of<br />
lectures were somewhat controversial within<br />
the College. Vardy’s Christian understandings<br />
and those promoted by the University’s<br />
Anglican Chaplaincy and Campus Ministry<br />
had significant points of difference, and Vardy<br />
was not loathe to point out those differences.<br />
As a result, some members of the Christian<br />
community in College chose not to attend<br />
the Lectures, while others appreciated the<br />
representation of an alternative theological<br />
perspective. Nevertheless, Vardy’s lectures<br />
provided a framework within which to reflect<br />
upon the nature of truth in the face of the<br />
extreme relativism of our present age.<br />
The lecturer generally resided in the<br />
College during the Lectures. This meant that he<br />
or she had informal contact with the students,<br />
but it was generally a minority that attended<br />
the Lectures. And, for the most part, these<br />
were students taking courses in the area of<br />
the lecturer’s expertise. Occasionally, other<br />
activities such as small dinners were held to<br />
give students the opportunity to interact with<br />
the lecturers.<br />
The Archbishop of the day generally<br />
attended at least the first lecture in each series<br />
and at the conclusion of the lecture, gave a<br />
response and expressed thanks on behalf of<br />
the College and all present. Both Archbishop<br />
Robinson and Archbishop Goodhew covered<br />
complex and technical material with<br />
commendable finesse.<br />
A member of the College Board, and<br />
Treasurer at the time of the Lectures being<br />
established, was Mr Maxwell I. Dickens. An<br />
alumnus of the College (1975-78), including as<br />
Dean of Men (1975) and Acting Dean (1976). He<br />
went on to become the Chief Financial Officer<br />
of the relatively new Regent Hotel at Circular<br />
Quay and continued to contribute to New<br />
College life as a Trustee for the Lectures.<br />
Following each lecture series, Max arranged<br />
a private dinner for the lecturer at the Regent<br />
Hotel. Included on the guest list were the<br />
Master, the Archbishop, the UNSW Vice<br />
Chancellor, the Lecture Trustees, the Student<br />
President and their partners. This was a very<br />
generous gesture by Max and a splendid way<br />
of expressing appreciation to the lecturer.<br />
After several years,<br />
Max was appointed<br />
to be responsible<br />
for a group of hotels<br />
around the world and<br />
he moved to Monaco<br />
in the south of<br />
France. In spite of this<br />
move, he continued<br />
to host (sometimes<br />
in absentia) a postlectures<br />
dinner.<br />
Always on the guest<br />
list was the Archbishop, the Vice Chancellor,<br />
and Dr Stuart Babbage (during whose<br />
Mastership Max had been a resident and<br />
staff member, and for whom Max had a deep<br />
respect). Max’s contributions to life at New<br />
College were considerable and he was made a<br />
Life Fellow of the College.<br />
As a new millennium arrived, the annual<br />
New College Lectures remained a key<br />
element in enhancing the College’s standing<br />
as an academic institution and in making<br />
a contribution to the intellectual life of the<br />
University.<br />
The Archbishop of the<br />
day generally attended …<br />
Both Archbishop<br />
Robinson and Archbishop<br />
Goodhew covered<br />
complex and technical<br />
material with<br />
commendable finesse.<br />
NEW COLLEGE LECTURES 30TH ANNIVERSARY<br />
9
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