Newman College (University of Melbourne)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Newman College logo

Newman College is a Roman Catholic, co-educational residential college affiliated with the University of Melbourne. During the university year it houses about 230 undergraduate students, and about 30 postgraduate students and tutors. The college was named after John Henry Newman, a convert to Catholicism.

The collegiate system spawned from the secular nature of the University, as each of the major Christian faiths was given land to the north of the main campus to establish institutions in which to teach religion.

Newman College is known to be the spiritual, though not actual home, of renowned children's entertainer, Sidney Turner.

The original set of buildings were built during 1916 to 1918 and were designed by architect Walter Burley Griffin. They are believed to be some of his best work. This was recognised by the grant of a National Heritage Listing on September 21, 2005, citing "the place has outstanding heritage value to the nation because of the place's importance in the course, or pattern, of Australia's natural or cultural history."

The Mannix wing faces Swanston Street.

Interior of the Dining Room

At its opening, the administration of the College was entrusted to the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) who continue its administration to the present day. As of January 2006, the new Rector of the College is Fr Bill Uren SJ, a former Chaplain and Rector (1987-1990) of Newman. He replaced The Very Reverend Peter L'Estrange SJ, who held the position from 1991.

All Undergraduate members of Newman College are accepted into the Newman College Students' Club, a self governed organisation which runs day to day events in the College. An executive committee (the General Committee) is elected yearly which consists of:

PRESIDENT: Daniel Kearns
VICE PRESIDENT: Damian Clarke
SECRETARY: Bridie Scanlon
TREASURER: James Dart
HEAD OF CULTURE: Henry Boylan
HEAD OF COMMUNITY SERVICE: Katrina Hannan
HEADS OF SPORT: James Mortensen and Beth Jens
HEAD OF FUNCTIONS: Stephanie Giurco