SNAPSHOT 2023

Our Kitchens Precinct redevelopment is in full swing. The redevelopment includes a complete renovation of our Dining Hall, which is being extended to ensure all our Residential College students can be accommodated in the hall at once, and new kitchen facilities. Many kind donors have helped this project become a reality. This includes Andrew Farran (TC 1957, below), and, thanks to Andrew’s generous gift, the new dining space will be known as the A C C Farran Dining Hall.

Our choir toured Europe in July and sang concerts and services in Rome, Florence, Dublin, Kilkenny, Cambridge, Ely and London. Highlights included singing mass in St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican; staying in the Cripps Building at St John’s Cambridge, thanks to the Cripps family, who are strong supporters of Trinity; and visiting the grave of Trinity’s first principal, George William Torrance, in Kilkenny.

Pictured below is Alastair Stretch standing by Torrence's grave. Alastair is the direct descendent of Jack Stretch, whom Torrence welcomed as Trinity's first student.

Thanks to all the donors who made this trip possible.

Face Me – Portraits of a Collegiate Community has been on display in Trinity College’s Burke Gallery this year. The exhibition brings together a selection of works from Trinity College's highly regarded collection of Australian portraiture, normally only seen by the college community in the Dining Hall. Archibald prize winners Yvette Coppersmith and Peter Wegner joined Trinity’s Rusden Curator Ben Thomas in a panel discussion at the opening on 27 April.

Peter Logue was announced as our Senior Student for 2023-24. Peter says he sees the role as a way to give back to the community that has supported him greatly since arriving in Melbourne and is keen to promote the inclusivity of all within the Trinity community.

Trinity College hosted the 11^th international conference of the Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion (CUAC) in July. 75 attendees from around the world attended conference sessions at Trinity College and Janet Clarke Hall, and toured Melbourne and Victoria on a number of excursions.

The organ in our Chapel was restored by Australian Pipe Organs. As well as having new windchests made, the organ was split in two, allowing more light to filter into the Chapel. Much of the pre-existing pipework was used, plus all the carvings. The refurbished organ was unveiled in May at a concert with Trinity’s own organist and internationally renowned organ virtuoso Thomas Heywood.

We opened the Stephen Jones Wine Cellar in Trinity’s Behan building to honour Trinity alum the late Stephen Jones (TC 1997). Thanks to our generous donors, including the Cripps family, for making this project possible.

Our Residential College students performed the Addams Family musical at the University of Melbourne’s Union House Theatre in May, and performed the Great Gatsby play in September.

Our Residential College team went on a roadshow, promoting the College in many cities and towns across Australia (as below). Representatives from Bairnsdale (Vic), Herberton (Qld) and Northam (WA) then visited us on campus as part of the outreach program.

We recognised staff who had completed 25 years or more of service to Trinity College with an event and unveiling of an honour board.

Our resident rowers had a great year, with both the men’s 1^st VIII and women’s 2^nd VIII claiming victory. We also had success in the swimming pool, with both the men and women claiming the winning spot, and both our men’s and women’s football teams made their grand finals.

At this year’s Sports Ball, we presented the inaugural Frank Henagan Spirit of Sport award to the student who best displayed the essence of what playing college sport for Trinity is. Hamish Connor was the proud recipient, pictured with 2023 Women’s Sports Rep Georgie Ferreira.

Trinity College moved back into its Victoria Street campus, which is used as a teaching space for the Pathways School. Trinity had relinquished the lease of the building during COVID, but was able to re-sign the lease again this year to accommodate booming Pathways School numbers.

Our Pathways School introduced a new valedictory format that combines three intakes, kicking off with the Winter Valedictory Ball. This was also the first time we presented awards to dux recipients. Pictured are duxes Yu Lu, Giselle Lei and Celine Ongkowijaya.

Singaporean radio host and emcee Charmaine Yee (TCFS 2004) was announced as our FS Alum of the Year for her contribution to raising awareness of autism spectrum disorders and empowering and supporting the autism community.

Nell Pierce (TC 2009) was awarded the Bill Cowan Alum of the Year award. Nell (pictured with Ken Hinchcliff and Bill Cowan) is the author of the novel A Place Near Eden, which won the Australian/Vogel’s Literary Award.

Our Theological School held an Anglican Church Law and Governance intensive in Melbourne and Sydney in September and November. This five-day intensive, taught by bishops, diocesan chancellors and theologians, is the only unit of its kind to be run in Australia.

A festschrift was published to honour Theological School lecturer the Revd Canon Professor Dorothy Lee FAHA, featuring contributions from colleagues, students and admirers of her work.

Trinity College has continued its partnership with the Cambodian Children's Fund, welcoming two more students in 2023 – Len Leang and Bun Malita, pictured. The duo joined Trinity's Foundation Studies program in July, and will go on to study at the University of Melbourne while living on campus at Trinity, all on a full scholarship. Nine students have now received scholarships through the program.

Our Residential College held a careers day on Saturday 12 August to complement the University of Melbourne’s Employability Week. A number of Trinity alumni returned to the College to share their career pathways and experiences with residential students.