Author: Richard Morgan

Soccer

A hard fought soccer competition was interrupted by some serious rainfall and extended the competition through to 25 August.

Rosebowl Round 1 was held on 13 August and St Paul’s (3) defeated Women’s (0) with goals by Anoushka Cayzer (2) and Abigail Ballhausen. In the Round 2 match we were defeated by Wesley (2). A runaway win by St Paul’s (6) against Sancta (0) saw goals scored by Elizabeth Carey (2), Anoushka Cayzer, Lucy Molineux, Milly Simpson and Katie Tyo. Round 4 saw St Paul’s with 3 goals defeated by St John’s (5), goals from Elizabeth Carey and Katie Tyo. The final round on 25 August was a 2-all draw with St Andrew’s, goals by Heidi Best and Anoushka Cayzer.

Student’s Club Intercol Rep, Kate Brenner, said “the girls played really well throughout the season with some great wins, and the future of Rosebowl soccer looks very bright. It was an excellent final outcome and they should all be proud of their achievements.”

In the Rawson Cup Round 1 saw St Paul’s (0) defeated by St Andrew’s (1) in a tight game on 14 August. In Round 2 St Paul’s (1) was defeated by St John’s (2), with the goal by Spencer Selikowitz. The men’s team’s runaway was in Round 3 on 25 August against Wesley (0) with six goals from Sam Andrews (2), Owen Marschner (2), Felix Power and Robbie Sanderson.   

Special thanks to Rosebowl Soccer convenors Ria Alva, Matilda Johnson and Sophie Davis and Rawson convenors Daniel Paridis and Arthur Egerton.

• Rosebowl Soccer point scores: St John’s 9 | St Andrew’s 7 | St Paul’s 4 | Wesley 4 | Women’s 1 | Sancta 0
• Rawson Soccer Point Scores: St John’s 7 | St Andrew’s 5 | St Paul’s 3 | Wesley 1.

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Tennis¹

The Rosebowl and Rawson Tennis competition was dominated by St John’s from the end of August until 18 September. With St Paul’s only winning one fixture in the Rosebowl, only one point was added to the accumulation. Despite this, our 10 tennis players worked hard across all rubbers and won some of the sets: Round 1 – St John’s (4) defeated St Paul’s (0); Round 2 – St Andrew’s (4) defeated St Paul’s (3); Round 3 – St Paul’s (4) defeated Women’s (0); Round 4 – Wesley (4) defeated St Paul’s (1); and Round 5 – Sancta (4) defeated St Paul’s (3).

Special thanks to Rosebowl Tennis convenor Elise Rosser.

• Rosebowl Tennis point scores: St John’s 9 | Wesley 7 | St Andrew’s 5 | Sancta 3 | St Paul’s 1 | Women’s 0.

In the Rawson competition it was domination from the three wins to St John’s and two wins to St Andrew’s out of a possible 6 fixtures. Round 1 – Wesley (7) defeated St Paul’s (2); Round 2 – St John’s (6) defeated St Paul’s (2); Round 3 – St Andrew’s (7) defeated St Paul’s (2).  

Special thanks to Rawson convenors Hamish Ierino and Fraser McLaren.

• Rawson Tennis point scores: St John’s 7 | St Andrew’s 5 | Wesley 3 | St Paul’s 1.

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Basketball

In September four wins to the St Paul’s Rosebowl Basketball team delivered them as the runners-up and it landed St Paul’s with 31 Rosebowl points putting us in 3rd overall. In Round 1 St Paul’s (38) defeated Women’s (36) in a very exciting games. Round 2 saw St Paul’s (39) defeat St Andrew’s (38) in a very close game. Again in round 3 St Paul’s (36) won against Sancta (30), then in Round 4 Wesley (36) beat St Paul’s (11). Topping it off in Round 5 St Paul’s (27) defeated St John’s (21). Across these games Eva Osborn scored an amazing 41 points including 20 in the St Andrew’s game.

• In the end Wesley had won five games bringing the total point scores to: Wesley 9 | St Paul’s 7 | St Andrew’s 5 | Women’s 3 | St John’s 1 | Sancta 0.

In the Rawson Basketball St John’s again dominated. In Round 1 – St John’s (75) defeated St Paul’s  (45); Round 2 – Wesley (65) defeated St Paul’s (41) | Round 3 – St Andrew’s (56) defeated St Paul’s (26).

• Final point scores are St John’s 7 | Wesley 5 | St Andrew’s 3 | St Paul’s 1.

Special thanks to Rosebowl conveners Sophie Bradshaw and Ines Treharne and Rawson conveners William Hogg and Jackson Broad.

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Intercol Point scores

After the Basketball, and with Athletics to go, the overall points:

• Rosebowl standings: St Andrew’s 45 points | St John’s 38 points | St Paul’s 31 points | Wesley 30 Points | Women’s 23 points | Sancta 8 points.
• Rawson standings: St John’s 47 points | St Andrew’s 27 points | St Paul’s and Wesley 19 points. 

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1. The Team structure for Intercol Tennis is:
   Rawson: Each team includes 6 singles players and 3 doubles pairs. They can also have up to 4 backup players.
   Rosebowl: Each team includes 4 singles players and 3 doubles pairs, with up to 2 backup players allowed. ↩︎

2025 marks an extraordinary milestone for St Paul’s College: 40 years since Dr Jim Franklin first arrived as a resident member of the College community. This achievement sets a new record for continuous residence, surpassing even the legendary Miss Amy-Louise Hart, Matron during the Arnott years, who served for 36 years.

Jim’s journey to St Paul’s began in 1985 when he relocated from Armidale to take up a teaching position at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) (formerly NSW Institute of Technology). Advised to find accommodation nearby, he explored several university colleges—all of which had vacancies—but St Paul’s stood out for its proximity, reputation, and notably, its excellent food. He was appointed a resident tutor and joined High Table as a member of the academic community.

Jim arrived one quiet afternoon during the summer break, when the College was largely empty. With the College Porter, David Herd, unavailable, Business Manager Malcolm Harrison stepped in to welcome him and show him to his first room in Lower Radford, facing the Quad. Though his primary employment was with UTS, Jim quickly became a familiar and respected figure within College life.

During his early years, particularly in 1985 and 1986, Jim was a regular presence at High Table. He became affectionately known for his consistent preference for the colour brown—a trait that occasionally inspired good-natured chants of “brown, brown, brown” from the student body, sometimes with a descant added by one of the tables. Jim, ever composed, remained expressionless throughout. Catering was provided by Nationwide and, having now having experienced it, Jim found it to be “rather ordinary”. When Bishop Max Thomas was appointed Warden in mid 1985 he and Jim had extensive discussions about the poor quality of the food and alternative arrangements followed.

One of the more memorable episodes from Jim’s time at College involved his acquisition of a particularly large compactus. Then residing in Garnsey, he consulted with the College architects, who warned that the weight of the fully loaded unit could compromise the building’s structure—potentially ending up in the wine cellar. After much discussion, it was determined that only the newer Albert/Tower extensions could safely accommodate it. Jim was subsequently allocated two rooms in the former Law Library—one for living, and one for the compactus. He continues to reside there to this day.

Jim’s commitment to College operations has been both practical and enduring. He has played a key role in fire safety management, becoming the resident expert on evolving regulations, procedures, and alarm protocols. His long-standing service as Returning Officer for Council elections has been invaluable, and more recently, he has extended this support to the Union, overseeing elections at the Annual General Meeting.

Beyond College life, Jim has had a distinguished academic career at UTS, where he has taught and conducted research for four decades. His scholarly contributions include 12 patent families, one edited book, and numerous published papers reflecting his deep engagement with physics, mathematics, microbiology and philosophy. In 2009 Jim completed his PhD and in 2010 he was appointed Research Fellow at UTS in the Plant Functional Biology and Climate Change Cluster and was primarily working on improving the efficiency of photobioreactors for the production of algal biofuels. He was also working with the CSIRO to investigate microalgae in riverine and maritime systems. He has been a UTS Research Fellow Functional Biology and Climate Change since 2013.

Dr Jim Franklin’s presence at St Paul’s has been marked by dedication, intellect, and quiet humour. His contributions have enriched the College community in countless ways—and as he enters his fifth decade of residence, his legacy continues to grow.

Pictured above: Ed Taylor making good use of the Mansfield Library

St Paul’s College students have once again raised the bar for academic achievement, with Semester 1 results surpassing last year’s record-breaking performance. The undergraduate community continues to thrive, achieving an increase in the Semester Average Mark (SAM) reflecting a consistent upward trend over recent years. Notably, 55% of students earned Distinctions or High Distinctions, further underscoring the academic strength of the cohort. The 2025 Fresher cohort has made an impressive start, posting an even higher average SAM.

Top 10 Undergraduate Achievers

The top-performing undergraduates represent a diverse range of disciplines, with a strong showing in STEM fields:

• Ben Varela (Year III) – Bachelor of Engineering (Biomedical) (Hons) / Bachelor of Science (Medical Science)
• Ed Taylor (Year IV) – Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Hons) / Bachelor of Arts (Economics)
• Grace Merrilees (Year II) – Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine
• Christine Smith (Year II) – Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronic) (Hons) / Bachelor of Science
• Austin Markwick (Year IV) – Bachelor of Engineering (Aeronautical with Space) (Hons) / Bachelor of Science
• Isander Mesimeris (Year IV) – Bachelor of Arts (History) (Hons)
• Anneka Steele (Year I) – Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Advanced Studies
• Fraser McLaren (Year II) – Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Hons) / Bachelor of Project Management
• Kate Brenner (Year III) – Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronic) (Hons)
• Emily Ellis (Year I) – Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Advanced Studies

The dominance of STEM degrees among the top performers highlights a growing trend, as students increasingly pursue these fields to meet the demands of a complex, technology-driven world. As Lucy says: “Another semester of exceptional results. It’s great to see students who are very involved in College and University life also ranked as top academic performers. And it’s worth mentioning that as usual, because of the way different disciplines assess, STEM degrees are overrepresented at the top end”

Postgraduate Success

The postgraduate community also achieved strong results. Thirteen research students and fifteen Doctor of Medicine students made satisfactory progress, while 50 coursework postgraduates achieved excellent Semester Average Marks.

Top 10 Postgraduate Coursework Achievers

• Alessandro Boaria (Italy, Year II) – Master of Computer Science
• Izzy Perey (Canada, Year I) – Master of Marine Science and Management
• Emmanouil Vourvahakis (Australia, Year II) – Master of International Security
• Sergelen Turkhuu (Mongolia, Year I) – Master of Sustainability
• Nadeera Yakupitiyage (Sri Lanka, Year I) – Master of Agriculture and Environment
• Katherine Rosen (USA, Year II) – Master of Digital Communication and Culture
• Surain He (Canada, Year I) – Master of Occupational Therapy
• Justina Emoh (Nigeria, Year I) – Master of Sustainability
• Jesse Henry (Australia, Year II) – Bachelor of Applied Science (Radiography)
• Yohan Kanji (New Zealand, Year I) – Master of Complex Systems

Academic Support in Action

Throughout the semester tutorials were delivered across 10 coursework areas, including five dedicated GAMSAT preparation sessions, reinforcing the College’s commitment to academic excellence.

Pictured above: Jack Rowe, Ria Alva and Grace Carter with the winning artwork

Creativity continues to thrive at the University of Sydney, and this year’s Palladian Visual Art competition was no exception. Representing St Paul’s, students came together to produce a truly unique and collaborative piece that earned them first place in the visual arts category.

Led by Ria Alva (BArch II) who curated the work, the project took a fresh approach to the traditionally individual-focused category. Ria’s vision was to create a community mural that captured the emotional connection between music and visual expression. She posed a simple but powerful question to members of the Group Vocal Ensemble and audience participants: “How do you feel when you hear music?”

The result was Let Every Voice Be Heard—a mural composed of 90 individually painted postcards, each representing a wave of emotion. With the help of Anna Morrison (BPPE I) and Nick Carmody (BComm/BAdvStud I), Ria added finishing touches to unify the pieces into a flowing shoreline of sound and sentiment.

“The waves become a shoreline of change, with each note feeding the wave,” said Ria. “The chorus of heard voices is a reminder that transformation in sound and society is a communal process.”

What made this entry especially meaningful was its inclusivity. Students who don’t typically engage in visual art were encouraged to contribute, making the mural a true reflection of the diverse talents and voices within the College. Grace Carter (BA/BAdvStud II) was also part of the Art team entering an individual work on behalf of St Paul’s. Each college is asked to provide two works of art for the judges.

The College community extends warmest congratulations to all the students involved in this inspiring and well-deserved win!

Palladian Visual Art Results:

• 1st Place – St Paul’s College (3 points)
• 2nd Place – Wesley College (2 points)
• 3rd Place (tie) – Women’s College & Sancta Sophia College (0.5 points each)

Overall Palladian Points Standings:

• Wesley College – 12
• Sancta Sophia College – 11
• St Andrew’s College – 10
• St Paul’s College – 8
• Women’s College – 3.5
• St John’s College – 3.5

On 11 September, Graduate House was delighted to welcome Professor Saskia Hufnagel, who presented a compelling seminar as part of the postgraduate series, exploring the intersection of law and art forgeries. Joining her at the formal dinner was her husband, Professor Colin King, also a Professor of Law at the University of Sydney.

Prof Hufnagel’s talk delved into the legal and ethical tensions that arise when forged artworks are discovered. Surprisingly, such cases rarely reach the courtroom. Institutions—whether museums, galleries, or private collectors—often prefer to settle quietly with sellers or avoid public scrutiny altogether, fearing reputational damage. Among the many intriguing examples she discussed was the alleged Brett Whiteley forgery, Orange Lavender Bay, a landscape purportedly painted in 1988. Read more:The Whiteley Art Scandal – The Whiteley Art Scandal – ABC News

Prof Hufnagel was a Visiting Academic Member at St Paul’s College Graduate House in 2023. She is currently Professor of Law at the University of Sydney, where she serves as Co-Director of the Sydney Institute of Criminology. Her academic journey spans Germany and Australia, with a Law degree from Trier University, and an LLM and PhD from the Australian National University. She is also a Senior Associate Research Fellow at the University of London, a qualified German legal professional, and an accredited specialist in criminal law.

Her research focuses on global law enforcement cooperation, transnational and comparative criminal justice, and art crime. She is particularly interested in cross-border policing and the legal frameworks surrounding the detection and prosecution of art crimes in the UK, Germany, and Australia.

From 2013 to 2023, Prof Hufnagel was based at Queen Mary University of London, where she taught Criminal Law, led the LL.M. in Criminal Justice, and co-directed the Criminal Justice Centre. Her previous roles include research fellowships at Griffith University, the University of Leeds, and teaching positions at the ANU College of Law and the University of Canberra.

The College community was especially pleased to welcome Saskia and Colin back to St Paul’s to present a very popular academic seminar. These weekly seminars are part of the academic offering for students at St Paul’s College and are open to alumni and friends. Read More about Graduate House HERE.  

The transformative power of education is vividly reflected in the lives of three postgraduate students from Kenya who are now thriving members of the St Paul’s College community at the University of Sydney. Their journeys—from modest beginnings in rural and urban Kenya to postgraduate study in Australia—are a testament to resilience, ambition, and the life-changing impact of educational opportunity.

Victor Kibisu, Jacinta Onwonga, and Patrick Matata each arrived at St Paul’s through the support of the Oasis Africa Foundation, a humanitarian organisation committed to bridging educational inequality for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Their stories exemplify the mission of Oasis Africa, which since 2002 has enabled hundreds of young Africans to access quality education and pursue their academic potential.

• Victor Kibisu joined St Paul’s in Semester 2, 2024, to pursue a Master of Data Science, following his Bachelor of Science from the University of Eldoret.
• Jacinta Onwonga arrived in the same semester to study a Master of Commerce, having completed a BSc in Strategic Management at Moi University.
• Patrick Matata commenced in Semester 1, 2025, undertaking a Master of Computer Science after earning a Bachelor of Information Technology from Dedan Kimathi University of Technology.

All three students grew up in Kibera, one of Nairobi’s largest informal settlements, where access to education is limited and daily survival is a challenge. Through Oasis Africa’s scholarship program, they received full support for their primary and secondary education, and later for their undergraduate studies. Their academic excellence and determination led them to the top percentile of national exam results, opening the door to international study.

The University of Sydney provides Sydney International Equity Scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, covering tuition and living costs. In partnership with Oasis Africa, a new collaboration has enabled Victor, Jacinta, and Patrick to reside at St Paul’s, where they have become active and valued members of the postgraduate community.

Their integration into College life has been marked by meaningful friendships with both local and international students, and participation in events such as the St Paul’s College Foundation Dinner, where scholarship recipients were celebrated for the diversity and richness they bring to the College.

Reflecting on their experience, Victor describes the College as “enlightening and mind-blowing,” Jacinta praises the formal dinners as “very cool, dressing in gown and hoods”, and Patrick notes that “the food is quite different.” These impressions highlight the contrast between their current environment and their early lives, where they survived on less than US$3 a week.

Their shared history includes attending St John’s Primary School, where the best classes were held in the schoolmaster’s home. Jacinta, whose home language is Gusii—one of Kenya’s 42 local languages—excelled academically and sat her national exams a year early. Her aspiration to study in Australia was realised in 2024 through Oasis Africa’s support.

The Kenyan Government funds only the first year university fees, leaving students to finance the remainder. Oasis Africa continued to mentor and support these students through their undergraduate degrees, ultimately guiding them toward postgraduate study in Australia. Patrick recalls Oasis talked to him about another Commonwealth-member country, Australia, and his friend from Kibera school days, Jacinta, told him about this “multi-faceted college at Sydney University”. Patrick said “my dream came true … I felt I belonged in Sydney—the teaching is student-focused and practical support is provided for every unit.”

Looking ahead, all three students intend to return to Kenya, where they aim to contribute to their communities through the knowledge and experience gained at St Paul’s and the University of Sydney.

The College community deeply values the contributions of students from diverse cultural backgrounds. Events and interactions with alumni have revealed shared stories of travel, work, and global engagement, enriching the intellectual and social fabric of St Paul’s. The postgraduate cohort’s energy is underpinned by this diversity, exemplifying the College’s commitment to multicultural excellence.

International students interested in applying for residency at St Paul’s are warmly encouraged to do so.

• Apply to St Paul’s College
• Sydney International Equity Scholarship – Scholarships