FOCUSMembers of the editorial team.L-R: Jonathan Billingham, BillBarwick, Dr Ian Walker, Dr Danithe founding body of New College.Scarratt, Adela Davis, Adjunct ProfProf Hawke was Professor of ChemistryBill Peirson, Prof Trevor Cairney,at Macquarie University and nowClare Burgess, and Joy Lankshear.lives in retirement on his property inByng, near Orange, NSW. He made thelong trip to Kensington to “recall thefifty years of God’s goodness” to NewCollege. Prof Hawke was very clearin crediting God with New College’ssuccess, and encouraged residentsto “search the Scriptures” while“exploring the universe” at university.Commemorating ten years ofacademic excellence, service to societyand promotion of lifelong learning,NCV Dean of Residents, SusanBazzana, gave some touching remarksabout her six years as Dean. Susanpraised NCV as “a model of what greatsocieties are like” – cross-generational,cross-cultural, and an environmentwhere difficult topics can be discussedwith grace and intelligence. Susanconcluded by giving thanks for theprecious gift NCV has been in her life,and for the gift it is to many residents.After this, College historian AdelaDavis, New College Assistant DeanJacqui Willing, and NCV Fellow Dr WahGuan Lim, gave a whirlwind tour of thehistory of both colleges. These threespeakers guided the audience throughthe whole story, decade by decade, withplenty of fun stories told along the way.Other speakers had refrained fromdiscussing the more colourful aspectsof the College’s past in detail, butthese three made sure all present wereentertained by tales of Anzac Parade6 New’n’Old 201950 YEARS TO THE DAYmedian strip lunches, Mini-Minor carreconstructions, and the ‘Brew College’stunt at the opening ceremony.There was still more to comein this jam-packed program. NCSAPresident Zephan Thambar awardedHonorary Life Membership of theNCSA to alumnus George Davis (NC2007-2012). George has been a pillarof the community over many years,culminating in his co-direction ofthe New College Alumni Revue atthe ‘Back to New’ 50th Anniversarycelebrations this year. Following this,Prof Anne Simmons, Provost of UNSW,and the Master thanked a numberof contributors to the history book,including historian Adela Davis,designer Joy Lankshear, and editorJonathan Billingham, along with hiswife, Linda Billingham. The luncheoncame to a close with a ceremonial cakecutting – something of a tradition atNew College anniversary celebrations.Prof John Hawke, Zephan Thambar,Prof Trevor Cairney (Master from 2002-2016) and Dawn Ee (NCV 2014-present)stood by two huge cakes made in theshape of the College crests, and cutthem to enthusiastic applause.The afternoon ended withphotographs and mingling overcoffee and cake. Many were excitedto catch up with friends, peruse thehistory book, and enjoy the festiveatmosphere. The whole occasion wasa wonderful and fitting celebration forthe anniversaries of our two collegecommunities. AD
FOCUSPast and present staff of the New College CommunitiesChoral item, composed and conducted by Jonathan Billingham (far right)NCV residents Dr Wah Guan Lim, Julia Wijaya, Connie Cheah (staff), and Dawn EeNew University Colleges Council (NUCC). L-R: Andrew Lyons, son ofNUCC founders Lawrie and Alison Lyons; Prof John Hawke, founder ofNUCC; and Prof Simon Hawke, son of John Hawke.New’n’Old 20197