Queen's College (University of Melbourne)

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Queen's College is a residential College affiliated with the University of Melbourne providing accommodation to 218 students who are attending the University of Melbourne, RMIT University and Monash University's Victorian College of Pharmacy.

In addition to the students, the Queen's College also consists of the Senior Common Room (resident tutors and professionals), staff, and academic guests.

History

The college was founded in 1887, on 10 acres of land assigned to the Methodist Church by the Parliament of Victoria in the area then known as University Reserve (now College Crescent). While this land was allocated soon after the founding of the university in 1853, it was not until 1878 -- some twenty-five years later -- that the Methodist Conference took the fist steps towards building the college.

The then Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry Brougham Loch, laid the foundation stone on June 16, 1887 after the tireless efforts of Reverend William Abraham Quick, who is widely regarded as the founder of Queen's.

Initially, it was decided that the college was to be named Victoria College. However, when it became clear that it was to be built in the year of Queen Victoria's jubilee, it was finalised in December 1886: "That the new College be called Queen's College in honour of the Queen's Jubilee"See Queen's College Handbook (2006) p. 2

Queen's opened its doors on March 16, 1889 with a total of 24 students, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Edward Holdsworth Sugden, who held the position of The Master for over forty years. Shortly afterward, it became clear that more building was necessary, and on April 20, 1890, the South Wing was opened. Subsequent extensions were made in 1905, and in 1910 a new East Wing was created, joining the new southern wing with the original sections.

During this time (from 1897 to 1920), it is noted that "Queen's College was a veritable hothouse of dramatic activity"[A history of Melbourne University Student Theatre], with plays and soirees being performed several times annually. Melbourne University Student Theatre traces its roots to this time, and it is no wonder that promotional posters from these productions still adorn the walls of the college to this daySee Queen's College Handbook (2006) p. 92, point 20..

Post Great War pressures nurtured additional building plans, advocated mainly by J. T. Tweddle. As a result, the central tower and a new northern wing, known as the Tweddle Wing, were constructed and completed in 1923. 1930 saw the introduction of science laboratory (which now serves as a student recreation centre) in the southern section of the college, courtesy of A. M. and G. R. Nicholas.

From 1958 to 1978, a significant expansion and improvement programme was enacted, partly funded by the Commonwealth Government. The Raynor C. Johnson Wing, named after the college's third Master and erected in the west of the college grounds, was completed in two stages. The first opened in 1961, with the second following eight years later. During the construction of the Johnson Wing, it became clear that the dining hall (which now serves as the Junior Common Room) was too small to contain the projected student body. As such, the current Eakins Hall was built, finished in 1964. The final student accommodation building, Kernick House, was completed in 1975.

In 1964, three acres of college land was allocated for the creation of a women's college. The college, named St Hildas is now a coeducational facility, as by the time it was completed Queen's was also accepting both men and women as equal members.

For a decade from 1969, Queen's had also been ensuring that the pre-existing facilities would attain the same standard as the new wing. The resulting "comfortable, single bedroom studies" remain much the same format today. Also around this time, after some ninety years under Methodist affiliation, the college became an institution of the Uniting Church.

Coinciding with the College's centenary celebrations, the new Featonby Library and several tutor flats contained in Parnaby Wing were opened in 1987. More recently, the college has focused on expanding accommodation for academic visitors, postgraduate students and resident tutors, with the construction of Scott Terrace(1998), Jack Clarke and Lapthorne buildings(2000). Queen's currently has future plans to extend student accommodation by (2012)See Queen's College Handbook (2006) p. 3.

Masters of the College

• Prof. David T. Runia BA(Hons) MA DipEd LittD DLitt FAHA (2002 - Present)
• Rev. Dr. John A. Henley BA BD DTheol PhD (1993 - 2001)
• John William Clarke OAM BA DipEd DipSocStud DipPsych (1992) - Acting Master
• Dr. George A. M. Scott BSc BA PhD DSc FLS (1986 - 1992)
• Owen Parnaby| Dr. Owen W. Parnaby DPhil BA (1966 - 1986)
• Rev. Prof. Norman Edgar Lade MA BD (1964 - 1965) - Acting Master
• Dr. Raynor Carey Johnson MA PhD Lond. DSc (1934 - 1964)
• John F. Foster. (1933 - 1934) - Acting Master
• Rev. Frederick Walwyn Kernick MA (1929 - 1933)
• Rev. Dr. Edward J. Holdsworth Sugden MA Bsc Littd(1887 - 1928)

Vice-Masters of the College

• Dr. Philip A. Mosely BA(Hons) DipEd PhD (Syd) (2002 - Present)
• Dr. Robert G Nethercote (1991 - 2002)
• Mr Jack W. Clarke (1965 - 1989)

College Arms

The Queen's College Coat of Arms celebrates its founding as a Methodist Church institution, in the tradition of Rev John Wesley in 18th century EnglandSee Queen's College Handbook (2006) p. 97. It has the following heraldic description:

Argent, a cross sable, in each quarter three escallops of the last, for Wesley;
on an escrutheon of pretence the Royal Arms of England. Crest: on a wreath and sable, a Wyvern proper.

In modern terms, this means that the Arms of the Wesley family had Queen Victoria's personal arms superimposed on them, with the crest consisting of a mystical two-legged dragon creature, known as a Wyvern.

The college motto, Aedificamus in aeternum, also features on the arms, which translates literally to We build for eternity.

QCS&SC

The Queen's College Sports & Social club, often abbreviated to QCS&SC, is an affiliated club that is comprised of the undergraduate students who are not currently tutors at Queen's College. Its role is to be an independent entity of the students, for the students. This involves organizing functions, purchasing assets, and for minor incidents disciplining students.

Executive

The QCS&SC is headed by an executive that is comprised of:

• President
• * 2006: Courtney Ford
• Vice-President
• * 2006: James Gardner
• Secretary
• * 2006: Sally Harris
• Treasurer
• * 2006: Edward Smelt
• Arts Representative
• * 2006: Harry Mohan
• Male Sports Representative
• * 2006: Sam Leslie
• Female Sports Representative
• * 2006: Kate Jennings
• Two Ordinary Members
• * 2006: Paul Golden & Guy Wilkinson

These positions are elected in the second week of the fourth term of the University year by members of the QCS&SC. This is done via a preferential voting system and voting is not compulsory. This executive works closely with the Administration (Master and Vice-Master) who have the final say in all matters within the College, but generally each member of the executive manages their portfolio with little interference.

Subcommittees

There are a number of subcommittees that run specific events throughout the year, and some of these include:

• O-Week committee
• Music and Drama Society
• Boat Club
• Ball committee
• Environment committee
• Social work committee
• Bulletin committee
• Wyvern magazine committee
• Video committee
• Emporium committee
• Food committee
• Labs committee
• Social activities committee

Wyvern Society

Wyverns are residents, past or present, that have lived in the College for six months or more. The Wyvern Society is responsible for allowing the continued communication of ex-Queen's students, and organising reunions.

Distinguished Wyverns include:

• Tim Anderson & Paul Wiegard (Joint CEOs of Madman Entertainment)
• Dan Ziffer (Entertainment Reporter)
• Harold Holt (Former Prime Minister of Australia)
• Geoffrey Blainey (Historian)
• Red Symons (Comedian)
• Barry Humphries (Comedian)

External links

• [Queen's College Website]
• [Melbourne University Colleges]

Notes

References