International House, The University of Sydney

International House is a residential college owned and operated by The University of Sydney. It comprises 200 undergraduate and postgraduate students from Australia and many other countries around the world.

The college was officially opened in 1967.^[1]

Mission Statement

"International House seeks to nurture a resident community of scholars who commit themselves to the value and importance of international understanding and fellowship. We promote this vision by bringing together international and Australian students in a richly diverse community with wide opportunities for interaction in a congenial and supportive environment in comfortable accommodation." ^[2]

History

In 1954 the Secretary of the Overseas Student Bureau, Margaret Briggs, prepared a report on the need for an International House. In 1955 the SRC (Students Representative Council) agreed to take on the responsibility for the fundraising campaign for an IH. It was hoped that an International House would assist both Australian and overseas students with quality accommodation and an academic environment for cultural exchange. In 1959 the University appointed Mr W Harold Maze MBE, then Deputy Principal of the University, to the planning committee and he worked tirelessly to establish the House. His contribution was recognised in the W.H. Maze Building in 1985.

It was the involvement of Rotary International that made International House a possibility. They were tasked with raising $100,000 for the Sydney IH. From as early as 1956 Rotary had expressed a commitment to assisting in the establishment of a residential hall for foreign students.

Fundraising proved to be hard going but Ian Hudson, who was District Governor at the time, urged the clubs in his district and the newly emerged District 268 to finish the task. Rotary’s fundraising role was vital to the establishment of International House and individual rotaries and particular clubs have continued to assist in relation to matters of governance through their membership of the Council as well as through fundraising and outreach programs.

The official opening of the House’s main building was on 16 June 1967. Upon opening, the building had the capacity to house 125 residents. Other buildings followed with the East Wing in 1972, Elkin Wing in 1979 and the Maze Units in 1985. The architect for the building was Walter Bunning, who also designed the National Library of Australia.^[3]

The first Director, Mr Graeme de Graaff retired in 1987 and was succeeded by Mr Geoffrey Andrews, who held the position until his retirement in May 1999. The third Director was Dr Ruth Shatford, who retired in June 2002. The current Director is Ms Jessica Carroll.^[4][5]

Today

Since 1967 over 5000 residents have lived in the House, representing 93 nationalities.

The House offers both catered and self-catered accommodation. The catered accommodation includes 16 twin share rooms, 145 single rooms and 10 ensuite rooms. The self-catered accommodation includes six studio units, seven one-bedroom units and three two-bedroom units. ^[6]

Council of International House

The Council is the governing body of International House. It consists of 4 ex-officio members, 1 Fellow of Senate, 3 members of Rotary International, 1 person from Sydney University International House Alumni Association, 3 members from the International House Members Association and up to 9 appointed members.

The ex-officio members are: The Chancellor, The Deputy Chancellor, The Vice-Chancellor & Principal of the University and the Director of International House.

The Council has four committees: Finance, Nominations, Development and Fellows Committee.

Current Chairman of Council

Mr Steve Mark AM – SAB QLD, Hon Doctor of Laws Macq; Creative Consequences P/L; former Legal Services Commissioner of NSW

Current Ex-Officio Members

Ms Belinda Hutchinson AM – BEc Sydney, FCA; The Chancellor ^[7]

Dr Michael Spence (academic) – BA LLB Sydney DPhil PG Dip Theol Oxf; Vice Chancellor and Principal

Mr Alec Brennan AM, The Deputy Chancellor

Ms Jessica Carroll – BA MA Sydney, GAICD, JP; The Director ^[8]

Notable Alumni and Fellows

Vaughan Pratt – Computer science researcher

John Gascoigne – Author, historian and academic ^[9][10]

Harald Bergsteiner – Author and leadership researcher ^[11]

Michael Hwang SC – Barrister and arbitrator, Singapore

Nuli Lemoh – Paediatrician ^[12][13]

Joan Rowlands – Medical practitioner and author ^[14]

Winsome Evans – Musician

Lyn Woodger Grant – Artist ^[15]

Martin Williams – Film producer ^{[16] [17]}

Allan Moss – Former CEO Macquarie Group Ltd.

Nicholas Stuart – Author, journalist and political commentator

Roseanne Taylor - Dean of University of Sydney Faculty of Veterinary Science

Richard Wilson – Former Trade Commissioner ^[18]

Keith Suter – Broadcaster

Gillian Polack - Writer and editor

Daphne Kok – Magistrate ^[19][20]

Lauris Elms – Opera Singer

Dennis Cowdroy – Barrister of the Federal Court of Australia

Ruth Shatford – High school principal ^[21][22]

Sir Nathaniel Bernard Freeman – Film Distributor ^[23]

Sir Harold Stanley Wyndham – Director-General of Education, NSW

Ian George Hudson – Timber business developer and Hon. Consul-General, Thailand ^[24][25]

See also

• International House of New York
• International House Berkeley
• International Students House, London
• International House, University of Queensland
• International House (University of Melbourne)
• International House, University of New South Wales
• International House, University of Wollongong
• Goodenough College, London
• International House of Chicago
• International House, UC San Diego

Notes