If you have seen NCIS: Sydney on TV Channel 10 you may not know that its producer/director is Pauline Morgan O’Neill. Morgan was at Paul’s 1992-95 and Senior Student in 1994. He contributed widely to music, debating, Mummers, social rugby and JDDs while at College and was chair of the Intercol Committee. He went on to become a professional musician, singing jazz and playing saxophone, a showrunner, writer and director. He graduated from University of Sydney and National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in 1998.
His contribution to the entertainment industry in Australia and the US includes: television roles in Home and Away, All Saints, Water Rats and Sea Patrol; motion picture credits in Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles, Joanne Lees: Murder in the Outback, Supernova, Little Oberon and the 2012 Netflix movie, The Factory, which he also directed; he directed the ABC TV Show Les Norton and most recently worked as a producer on Nine Network’s The Block.
He has recently produced and directed NCIS: Sydney which is showing currently on Channel 10 and streaming on 10Play.
His slick crime caper Solo is the first film produced by Project Greenlight Australia.
He is the winner of the first Project Greenlight Australia and continues to write scripts. Morgan says: “Filmmaking is such a collaborative effort, you have to test ideas, use the synergy of the group. And lastly, know that not winning is not losing. I’ve written so many plays that have been rejected. I know how difficult it is writing a screenplay.”
Congratulations to Morgan O’Neill who is generating great mass entertainment with careful research and well written scripts and engaging some of the best actors and emerging talent in Australia.
‘Mummers’ began in June 1948, a group formed by the then Warden, Revd Dr Felix Arnott, which included women from the Women’s College for the first time in student productions of the College. Prior to that all Paul’s revues and dramatic productions had casts from only the men of St Paul’s (see Alan Atkinson, Hearts and Minds 2017, pp.291 ff).
Some 76 years later Mummers produced the first performance in the newly opened theatre in the Waddy Performance Centre on 17, 18 and 19 May. This was not the first performance of Pauline-only cast and crew. Since 2023 the Mummers cast has been, the men and women of the undergraduate College community. Mummers have a five-year-old rival which is the Imprearios of Graduate House who have performed an annual play in the Refectory since 2019.
In May we found ourselves in the Waddy Theatre for the very first ticketed production. ‘Black Comedy’ by Peter Shaffer (1926-2016) follows the chaos that ensues when a power outage strikes during a dinner party, plunging the characters into hilarious misunderstandings and farcical situations. This play uses the power of clever British humour of the period and was premiered at the National Theatre in Chichester in July 1965, so these days it might be considered a period piece!
The three Mummers’ performances were very well patronised and in terms of recent productions for Mummers these shows were a triumph. The new theatre space was used to great advantage and the crew had at their fingertips all the advantages of the programmable state-of-the-art lighting and audio systems.
Director and President of Mummers Max Philips stated in the Director’s Notes: “Programming the opening play for this venue proved challenging, as one always wants a memorable debut number, or to start as they mean to go on. After the serious yet poignant ‘Twelve Angry Jurors’ last semester, I felt Mummers needed to return to its roots for this grand opening; a one-act comedy being a slight twist on a contemporary classic.”
The cast and crew certainly achieved that, greatly helped along by the crisp comic writing of Shaffer, with their attention to detail and a lot of rehearsing which resulted in tight comedic dialogue and their use of English and German accents gave a real sense of the play’s origins.
The play is written to be staged under a reversed lighting scheme: the play opens on a darkened stage – indeed in the Waddy the audience sat in complete darkness which added a sense of foreboding – “is there a problem with the lighting!” A few minutes into the action there is a ‘short circuit’, and the stage is illuminated to reveal the characters in a ‘blackout’. On the few occasions when matches, lighters, or torches are lit, the lights grow dimmer.
Max goes on to state: “In the context of our society and Coll. S. Paul, it recognises the eras of Mummers, now entering its 76th year, and acknowledges the scores of alumni and Old Paulines, who have trodden the boards with this society and have contributed immensely to the fabric of its rich historical tapestry.”
Black Comedy, 17-19 May, the Waddy Performance Centre, St Paul’s College
Director: Max Philips
Cast
BRINDSLEY MILLER – a young sculptor, mid-twenties, intelligent and attractive, but nervous and uncertain of himself: Felix Power
CAROL MELKETT – Brindsley’s fiancée. A young debutante; very pretty, very spoiled, very silly. Her sound that is an unmistakable, terrifying debutante quack: Charlotte Hocking
MISS FURNIVAL – a middle-aged lady. Prissy and refined. Clad in the blouse and sack shirt of her gentility, her hair in a bun, she reveals only the repressed gestures of the middle-class spinster — until alcohol undoes her: Annika Johnson
COLONEL MELKETT – Carol’s commanding father. Brisk, barky, yet given to sudden vocal calms which suggest a deep alarming instability. It is not only the constant darkness which gives him his look of wide-eyed submission: Jack Rowe
HAROLD GORRINGE – the bachelor owner of an antique-china shop, and Brindsley’s neighbour, Harold comes from the North of England. His friendship is highly conditional and possessive: sooner or later, payment for it will be asked. A specialist in emotional blackmail, he can become hysterical when slighted, or (as inevitably happens) rejected. He is older than Brindsley by several years: Sam McCredie
SCHUPPANZIGH – a German refugee, chubby, cultivated, and effervescent. He is an entirely happy man, delighted to be in England, even if it means being employed full time by the London Electricity Board: Ryan Bond
CLEA – Brindsley’s ex-mistress. Mid-twenties; dazzling, emotional, bright, and mischievous. The challenge to her is to create a dramatic situation out of the darkness is ultimately irresistible: Freya Carmody
GEORG SAMBERGER – an elderly millionaire art collector, easily identifiable as such. Like Schuppanzigh, he is German: Will Nicholas
Stage Manager: Ben Varela
Associate Producer: Helen Jordan
Set Designers: Ria Alva, Heidi Best, Greta Bourne, Anoushka Cayzer
Costume Designers, Hair and Make-Up: Georgia Blattman, Olivia McMillan, Ines Trehane, Sophie Wright
Lighting and Sound: Ben Johnston, Alex Mudri, Milly O’Connell,
Props and Backstage: Aidan Cheung, Hamish Ierino, Grace Morrow, Tahlia Sorgiovanni, Sophie Wright
Usher: Jack Lockhart
Marketing and Promo: Heidi Best
Photographers: William Chang, Matilda Johnson, Luka Vujanovic
At the Graduate House Mid-Winter Feast on 14 June our post graduate community celebrated the end of Semester 1 and the 5th year of Graduate House. Towards the end of the dinner something quite different happened in the 165-year-old Blacket Hall. One of our leavers, Lind Zhang (MEd(Psych)) performed a traditional fan dance in Chinese Qipao dress to the great delight of the students, alumni, staff and guests attending.
Linda explains the tradition.
The Chinese dance drama ‘Confucius’ is a large-scale work that expresses the philosophical and emotional journey of Confucius’s life through modern dance. The drama uses Confucius’s life as a narrative thread, exploring his philosophical thoughts, political ideals, and personal emotional world through dance and music. A distinctive feature of this drama is its integration of traditional and modern dance elements, using modern dance techniques to interpret traditional cultural themes, giving the work both depth and a contemporary feel.
Regarding the ‘Letter Dance’, this is a symbolic dance within the drama. In this scene, the dancers depict the exchange of letters between Confucius and his students and friends. These letters convey not only knowledge and wisdom but also emotions and longing. Through dance, the performers use body language to express the deep affection in the letters, as well as Confucius’s passion for educating his disciples and his pursuit of ideals.
In the dance, performers often use graceful and powerful movements, combined with visual effects and music on stage, to transform this non-verbal communication into an emotional experience that the audience can perceive. The floating letters symbolize the transmission of thoughts and the flow of culture. The entire dance not only portrays Confucius as an educator but also reflects his inner world and endless pursuit of knowledge.
This creative form of dance expression is an attempt by Chinese modern dance drama to explore traditional cultural themes. It reinterprets the life and thoughts of Confucius through the language of modern dance, making it more accessible to the aesthetic and feelings of modern audiences.
Originally performed by male dancers, this piece of the dance drama was adapted by Linda, who replaced the letters with fans, incorporating elements of traditional Chinese fan dance. The Chinese fan dance, has a rich history that dates back over 2,000 years. Originating during the Han Dynasty from 206 BC, it was initially performed in imperial courts and later became popular among common people. In China, fans are not only practical tools for cooling but also cultural artifacts that represent Chinese aesthetics and artistic expression. This innovative performance showcased the grace and strength of Chinese female dancers.
What Linda wanted to express through her dance was to bring more cultural diversity to St. Paul’s. She also gave a Chinese folding fan to everyone attending to show her thanks and bid farewell after her year in Graduate House. Linda is a graduate of Macquarie University in Accounting and has completed a MEd in Educational Psychology at Sydney University.
Congratulations to Bryson Constable (Economics/Law III) who was recently elected President of the University of Sydney Union (USU) for 2024/5. Bryson first connected with the USU through representing St Paul’s in Intercollegiate Palladian competitions and was elected to the USU Board in 2023 with the most votes. Two other recent Paulines serving USU include Cole Scott-Curwood (2019-20) who was president of USU in 2022/23 and Nick Dower (2021-23) who served as Honorary Treasurer in 2023/24.
USU President is a significant role within the University and through it Bryson hopes to foster even greater engagement between the colleges and the USU, as well as serve all students on campus through leadership of the voluntary governing body of USU.
The union began in 1874 and is now Australia’s largest independent student-led not-for-profit organisation with over 46,000 members and over 100 staff. With a $30 million turnover, the USU provides a wide range of services, outlets, events, programmes, facilities, and opportunities to help students get the most out of their time at uni.
The St Paul’s College community is immensely proud of Bryson’s contribution to student welfare and amenities that support daily life on campus. Taking on this important governance and strategic role is both a great learning opportunity for him and critical for the greater good of the University’s student body and the resident community of colleges and halls enjoying on-campus facilities, recreation and events.
Bryson’s grandfather, Prof Ian Constable AO, was in College 1960-64. He is a leading international ophthalmologist based in Perth. He was the founder of the Lions Eye Institute there. Bryson is a debater in the intercol competition team representing St Paul’s, represented the College in intercol Oration last year, is a regular member of the Victoriana! cast, he was winner of the Sir Ian McFarlane Prize for exceptional results in economics/commerce and for service to College in 2022, and was a scholar on the Deans’ List of Excellence (Economics) in 2023.
Congratulations Bryson on your election and best wishes for your busy year ahead.
On 2 March the 141st Men’s Varsity Rugby match was held between Oxford and Cambridge. Cambridge comfortably beat Oxford 56-11 at StoneX Stadium in Barnet, north London.
Old Pauline Archie King (at Paul’s 2012-14) played at five-eight for Oxford and during the tough game Archie kicked a penalty goal straight through the posts. Easts Rugby still considers Archie one of there own and mentioned his achievement on their Facebook feed.
As a result of this match Archie received his Oxford Blue in Rugby.
Another old Pauline Rory Marples (2011-14) played for Oxford in second grade. For both Rory and Archie these are outstanding achievements.
Pictured (above) after the game are Paulines Nick Fabbri (2011) Rory Marples, Archie King and Edward Hoddle (2011-13) who are all reading at Oxford in 2024.
Organised and hosted by Jason Zhu He (BSc/LLB 4) a very successful careers panel was held on 16 May in the Chalmers Common Room for undergraduate and post graduate students studying law and those who are interested in a legal career.
Representing a range of legal and allied career paths, the panel spoke about topics from finding their feet after graduating to marks at uni. They shone light on all the paths students can take towards, and beyond, a legal career.
The panellists were:
Janine Ryan, financial services executive, general counsel and chief compliance officer at the ASX;
and old Paulines:
Matt Andrews (1987-90), partner at Kennedys with special interest in international insurance and insolvency sectors of the law.
Amer Nasr (2019-20), associate at Baker McKenzie who has also had experience as a policy advisor to the NSW Attorney-General;
Hugh Richards (1985-89), principal at Latimer Partners who spoke about life after a law degree and applying his knowledge in the international financial sector; and,
Kevin Tang (2000-02), a successful barrister in commercial, equity and administrative law.
A big thanks to this panel for leading an inspiring and informative discussion with our budding law practitioners. One of the students visiting from another college remarked on the great opportunities St Paul’s provides for broader student community with these types of events which do allow friends of St Paul’s students to attend.
Pictured above [l to r]: Kevin, Amer, Hugh, Janine, Matt and Jason
With a warm welcome from the Warden to start, and a great flourish to unveil the plaque, the opening of the Waddy Performance Centre went beyond all expectations. Apart from showcasing some of the marvellous College talent and showing off the great new facilities, it was a time to honour “one of the greatest and most dedicated servants this College has ever produced” as stated by the Warden in his opening remarks.
The Waddy Performance Centre lifts the opportunities for performing arts, music and theatre at Paul’s to a new level. During the opening we were entertained by the Chapel Choir singing Thomas Dosey’s Precious Lord, Ola Gjeilo’s The Lake Isle and Sir Edward Elgar’s Land of Hope and Glory; Mummers gave us Monty Python’s The Four Yorkshiremen; a student rock band played Golden Slumbers/Carry that Weight; members of the Victoriana! cast sang Gilbert and Sullivan’s Three Little Maids from The Mikado, Fred Leigh’s Waiting at the Church and Oley Speaks’s On the Road to Mandalay; and current Victoriana! Master of ceremonies, Jonathan Borg joined Lloyd Waddy to sing Charles Coborn’s Two Lovely Black Eyes.
The cast was supported by David Drury and Bill Brooks on piano and the show was planned and directed by the College Director of Music, Jack Stephens.
In the Anglican tradition we celebrated the opening through a dedication to God led by the Chaplain Rev’d Antony Weiss.
The Chairman of the Foundation, Geoff Lovell, took the opportunity to address the audience about Lloyd’s greatest gift to the College, being the establishment of the St Paul’s College Foundation so ably supported by its first chairman the late Robert Albert. He reminded us all about the legacy the Foundation has provided, and will provide, for hundreds of students who, like Geoff, gained an opportunity to attend St Paul’s through Foundation Scholarships. Geoff reminded the gathering about philanthropy and donating directly to the Waddy Performance Centre. The donations to date have raised over $500,000 still short of our goal for this project.
Donors to the centre have been acknowledged in the printed program and in the excellent new display screens which are in the performance centre lobby.
Lloyd spoke about his whole life being joyfully absorbed by St Paul’s, about his many theatrical interests and the delight of having a theatre space named in his honour.
For the list of donors to the Waddy Centre CLICK HERE
Guests in the Lee Common RoomJames Bell, Lloyd Waddy & Warwick RossLloyd with LloydThe AudienceTheatre audienceThe Warden speaksThe Chapel ChoirMummersGeoff LovellThe student bandVictoriana! Victoriana!Lloyd Waddy speaksThe Warden and Lloyd after the unveilingJonathan Borg and Lloyd Waddy singVictoriana!The FoyerRichard Morgan, Lloyd Waddy and Philip BarrDeirde Mair, Henry Gallagher & Richard MorganEdwina and Lloyd Waddy
The commemoration of the fallen is a time-honoured traditional of St Paul’s College. This is particularly meaningful because of the chapel memorial with the Pauline Roll of Honour that includes the names of John Mair who died in the South African War of 1899-1902, the 20 men who died in the First World War 1914-18, the 25 men who died in the Second World War 1939-45 and Ian Mathers who died in the Vietnam War 1962-72.
The College community gathers at 10 am on Anzac Day for a commemoration service and this year the College Chaplain, Revd Antony Weiss, is preaching about the sacrifices made in war with a focus on the first Australian officer killed in action in the First World War, Captain Brian Pockley, who was at St Paul’s 1909 to 1913. A link to his sermon can be found by clicking here
There are many links between St Paul’s College and the Supreme Court of NSW book-ended by the third Chief Justice, the founding chairman of the College Council Sir Alfred Stephen, and the Current and 18th Chief Justice, old Pauline and former College Council Vice-Chairman, Andrew Bell (pictured above).
17 May 2024 marks the bicentenary of the first sitting of the Supreme Court, a significant milestone for the law in Australia as this court is one of the oldest jurisdictions in the world. To commemorate there is a new exhibition gallery at the Banco Court level 13 of Sydney’s Law Courts building and a book celebrating the 200th anniversary, Constant Guardian: Changing Times – The Supreme Court of New South Wales 1824 – 2024. “It’s guarding the rule of law, with all that important phrase entails,” Chief Justice Bell says of the Supreme Court. For a recent news story CLICK HERE [The Supreme Court of NSW is turning 200. Here are some of its biggest moments – ABC News]
St Paul’s has a deep history of producing alumni who serve the greater good of society across all walks of life. Apart from many serving the law today Paulines who have served on the NSW Supreme Court are:
The Hon Robert Pring (1853–1922; in College 1870), justice 1902-22, and acting Chief Justice 1918-19.
The Hon Sir Philip Street, KCMG KStJ KC (1863–1938; in College 1881-83), justice 1907-33, 8th Chief Justice 1925-33, and Lieutenant-Governor of NSW 1930-38.
Richard Windeyer, KC (1868-1959; in College 1889-90), barrister, acting justice 1936-37.
The Hon Edward Stephen (1870–1939; in College 1890-91), justice 1929-39.
The Hon Sir Kenneth Street, KCMG KStJ QC (1890–1972; in College 1908-10), justice 1931-60, 10th Chief Justice 1950-60, and Lieutenant-Governor of NSW 1931-72.
The Hon Frank Stephen, QC (1901-71; in College 1920-25), NSW District Court Judge and Acting Supreme Court Judge 1953 and 56.
The Hon William Windeyer, AM RFD ED (b 1936; in College 1954-56), judge 1992-2008.
The Hon Henric Nicholas, QC (1941-2021; in College 1958-61, Fellow 1987-2006, Chairman of Council 2002-06), judge 2003-13.
The Hon Terence Cole, AO RFD KC (b. 1937; in College 1955-59), judge 1988-98.
The Hon Robertson Wright (SC) (b. 1955; in College 1978-85), judge 2013- , and first President of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
The Hon Mark Leeming (SC) (b 1969; in College 1987-90), judge 2013- .
The Hon Andrew Bell (SC) (b. 1966; in College 1985-89, Fellow 2004-11), Chief Justice 2022- , Lieutenant-Governor of NSW 2022- .
Sir Philip StreetSir Kenneth StreetHenric Nicholas
Join us at the Summer Soiree
The Warden and the Union Committee warmly invite Old Paulines, their partners and friends to join us for an unforgettable evening of festivities and live entertainment in the Quad and Salisbury.
