Author: Richard Morgan

There is great excitement as the first St Paul’s Netball team prepare for their first ever Sydney University Intercollegiate Rosebowl tournament. It is not the very first participation of the College in Rosebowl but the first full competitive round. The Graduate House community has been participating every year in the RB friendlies since 2018.

Netball conveners Lucy Eyers and Nat McRory have secured the help of Jessica Keir to coach them. Jessica said: “from my point of view I’m feeling confident about the level of ability the girls on this team have and, for the first year on Rosebowl, we will definitely make a splash!”.

Netball Captain, Nat McRory, believes that every fresher and senior is an asset to the success of the College. “The faculty have selected such well rounded and talented young adults to enter into this historic year, the quality of our freshers will definitely be reflected in Netball” she said. Talent and commitment are being brought to the first ever St Paul’s Rosebowl representation.

In the team photo are: back row – Maddi Schmidt, Tilly Wittenoom, Ami Naito, Mia Baggett, Bis James, Sophie Jefferies, Olivia Laverty; front row – Zoe McHutchinson, Kate Brenner, Ella Mackay, Juliet Malcolm, Natalie McRory (captain).

Paulines of all ages are welcome to attend the games being held in the Bryden’s Showcourt at Sydney Uni Sports and Aquatic Complex, Cnr Codrington St and, Darlington Ln, Darlington NSW.

Games schedule:

• Mon 13 Mar 1.00 pm Paul’s v Andrew’s
• Thu 16 Mar 6.30 pm Paul’s v Wesley
• Fri 17 Mar 4.30 pm Paul’s v John’s
• Mon 20 Mar 4.00 pm Paul’s v Sancta
• Wed 22 Mar 5.00 pm Paul’s v Women’s

It is not surprising that the enthusiasm for celebrating gender equality and embracing diversity has been so strong at the College since the first women enrolled in Graduate House in 2018 and the first women undergrads began only weeks ago. On the eve of IWD the undergraduate community gathered for its IWD Dinner with guest of honour, Belinda Hutchinson AC, Chancellor of the University. The Chancellor spoke about the University of Sydney being one of the first universities in the world to admit women to degree programs (1881) and, that over her 10 years as Chancellor, how the number of women professors and senior leaders at Sydney had significantly increased – with more work to be done.

Over the summer break a big project for the College was a renovation of a tired old Sals. The need to bring the bar up to modern compliance standards necessitated a complete refit of the Salisbury and now the College boasts a 7am – 3pm café and 7:30pm – 10:30pm bar during the week.

The refurbishment features a styled bar area with refined cabinetry and new benchtops but retains the unique sandstone finish of the walls of the original boiler rooms (the bar area) and the 1860s staff parlour (the café). Outside a new bar and patrons’ area is protected by a modern sail cloth roof juxtaposing the grand heritage walls of the Blacket exterior. The paving throughout has been up-graded and fixed and all aspects of this licenced space now meet all compliance standards. It means the Salisbury can continue to trade as a public bar, and is open as a venue for students most days and nights of the week, including the popular Wednesday nights.