New 'n' Old 2019 Edition 2

FOCUS
L-R: UNSW Provost, Prof Anne Simmons; Adjunct Prof Bill Peirson; Adela Davis; and UNSW Chancellor, David Gonski AC
illuminate. Sifting through conflicting perspectives,
conducting research beyond the walls of the College,
and contending with incomplete records were all
challenging at times. Although, to be honest, it’s
difficult to choose to just one (or two) favourite
chapters – it feels like choosing your favourite child!
What were you surprised to learn about the
College?
I hardly knew anything about the College’s history
when I started, so there were plenty of surprises:
the New College site used to be a racecourse;
students used to have their beds made daily;
the New College architects were also fountain
designers; collegians used to play sport in red
and black jerseys; there were once only three
telephones in College for resident use; the college
was named ‘New College’ essentially by accident;
and NCV could have been built in Canberra,
Armidale, or even Singapore!
How did you feel on the day the book was
launched?
Over the moon! It was such a special and joyful day.
I was touched to have so many friends and family
members there, and hugely enjoyed celebrating the
culmination of two years of work. It’s not every day
that you get to attend your own book launch, and
I’m grateful to have experienced it just once.
• • •
Something Borrowed, Something Blue is the engaging
and informative story of the New College
Communities, and it is on sale now. You can buy
one copy for $60 or two for $100. To purchase, go to
newcollege.unsw.edu.au/historybook or contact the
College.
Joy Lankshear, the designer of the book, with Bill Peirson
10
New’n’Old 2019