The Jazz Dinner Dance in Semester 1 regained some of its originality with the Dance Committee’s inclusion of one of a live jazz bands this year. Tate Morgan Band treated the 750 party-goers to a dazzling array of great dance music.
Adding to the great fun the DJs Luka Vujanovic, Andy Xie, Dan Paradis, Ethan Melton, Mason O’Brien took to the stage and provided modern classics for the crowd to enjoy.
The event was supported by flame throwers, a ‘swing around’ carnival ride, ‘Wizard of Oz’ film characters, the traditional ice sculpture, excellent food, and several bars serving the popular concoctions.
The creation of the Yellow Brick Road, witches’ dens, a shrubbery, the dance floor and much more was the creative genius of this JDD Committee led by conveners Zoe Anderson, Milly O’Connell, Charlie Morrison, Charlotte Hocking, Felix Power, Abigail Ballhausen, Olivia McMillan, Jackson Broad, Luka Chopra, Levi Williams, and Jack Beck.
The College proudly congratulates current student John Kenny (BE(Hons)/BComm III) on receiving the Commendation for Brave Conduct, one of Australia’s prestigious Bravery Decorations. John is among 37 Australians recognised by the Australian Bravery Decorations Council for acts of courage and selflessness.
The awards were announced by Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Moyston AC, Governor-General of Australia, in a special release timed to coincide with Wattle Day, 1 September. This marks the first time in the 50-year history of the Australian Honours System that a Bravery List has been unveiled on Wattle Day.
“I am proud to congratulate the most recent recipients of Australian Bravery Decorations,” said the Governor-General. “The golden wattle is Australia’s national floral emblem, and together with the crown, it is part of the Governor-General’s insignia. Today is a time to reflect on the qualities of resilience, courage, care, kindness, and respect, all intrinsic to the recipients.”
John Kenny’s commendation stems from a courageous act on 20 November 2019, when he intervened during a threatening incident on a bus in North Sydney. After a minor traffic collision, an aggressive individual boarded the bus and began intimidating students, including John’s 13-year-old brother. John stood up to the offender in an attempt to protect others and de-escalate the situation. He was physically assaulted, sustaining injuries to his face and eye, but his actions helped shield fellow passengers from further harm.
What began as a routine school bus ride turned into a frightening encounter when a car collided with the bus. Rather than ending with a simple exchange of details, the situation escalated into an aggressive confrontation.
John’s actions in that moment were nothing short of heroic. He didn’t respond with aggression, but with calm and courage—stepping in to de-escalate the situation and protect the younger students. His bravery was later acknowledged in court, where the Magistrate described the incident powerfully:
“This was a simple case of a car hitting a school bus that should have ended with the polite exchange of details. Instead, it escalated beyond road rage where the offender was a bully who tried to subdue children and had no right to do so. In the video we see a coward and a hero. A hero who stood up, not to confront but to calm the situation and look after others. If I was the school, or the father, or the mother I would be very proud of this young man who did what was right, standing and trying to talk to resolve the situation. I also feel for his younger brother, who was immediately threatened but wanted to help his brother that had just been assaulted.”
John will formally receive his award from Her Excellency later this year.
The College community commends John’s bravery and integrity and celebrates this national recognition of his courage. His actions exemplify the values we strive to uphold—resilience, compassion, and leadership in the face of adversity.
On Thursday 14 August, St Paul’s College hosted a special evening to honour the generous donors to the St Paul’s College Foundation and celebrate the achievements of current scholarship recipients. The event featured a formal dinner followed by drinks in the Salisbury Bar, bringing together recent and long-standing supporters with current students.
Guests heard inspiring remarks from the Warden, current scholar Jason Zhu He (BSc/LLB IV), University Chancellor Professor Mark Scott AO, and Guest of Honour and Foundation Life Donor Roger Massy-Greene AM (1967–69).
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of certificates of appreciation by the Foundation Chair Geoff Lovell to Angelo Hatsatouris OAM and Neville Menlove, recognising their nearly 50 years of dedicated service as Directors of the Foundation.
The mission of St Paul’s College Foundation is to grow the endowment, expand scholarship support, and ensure that St Paul’s continues to offer an education and experience of the highest calibre for future generations.
Because of the support from its donors the Foundation can:
Provide scholarships and bursaries to outstanding students;
Strengthen academic and co-curricular life at the College; and
Preserve the standards and values that have shaped generations of Paulines.
Should you wish to learn more about the impact created by supporting the Foundation and the College, or to discuss making a gift, please do not hesitate to contact the Advancement Team at Paul’s. The generosity of so many over the last four decades helps secure the future of St Paul’s and the opportunities it provides for our students.
On Tuesday 19 August, the University of Sydney’s Intercollegiate Palladian competition reached a new milestone with its largest-ever vocal ensemble performance. St Paul’s College once again distinguished itself, setting a record with over 170 undergraduate and postgraduate students participating in the “B” choral ensemble—an extraordinary demonstration of musical enthusiasm and collegiate spirit.
Under the direction of Dr Jack Stephens, Director of Music, the majority of these students were trained from the ground up, many with no prior choral experience. Their development was supported by seasoned members of the College’s Chapel Choir, fostering a culture of mentorship and musical excellence.
The highlight of the evening came from the College’s “A” choral group, whose refined and expressive performance of Ruth McColl’s arrangement of Waltzing Matilda earned First Place in the competition. Their rendition was praised for its musicality, cohesion, and emotional depth.
This marks the second consecutive year that St Paul’s has won the Group Vocal category, reinforcing its reputation for artistic leadership and community engagement within the Intercollegiate community.
Final Results:
🥇 St Paul’s College – 3 points
🥈 St Andrew’s College – 2 points (equal second)
🥈 Wesley College – 1 point (equal second)
This achievement stands as a testament to the transformative power of music, the strength of collective effort, and the enduring value of leadership in the arts
St Paul’s College is proud to be part of the University of Sydney Open Day on Saturday 30 August, from 9am to 3pm.
Join us for a guided tour of our historic grounds and wonderful residential facilities, departing regularly from the entrance to the College Quadrangle (under the Albert Archway). No registration is required—just drop by, and one of our friendly student residents will be there to welcome you and show you around.
The University of Sydney will also be hosting a full day of events, talks, and activities across campus. To explore the full program and register for university-wide sessions, visit: Open Day 2025 – The University of Sydney
On Friday 2 August, the Salisbury Bar welcomed 36 Paulines from the 2005 Freshers cohort for a joyful reunion. The evening was filled with laughter, as old friends reminisced about College life two decades ago. Stories of the College Formal, the Rawson Cup, and Mummers brought back cherished memories and sparked lively conversations.
A highlight of the night was a presentation by Director of Community Engagement, Richard Morgan, who shared insights into the College as it stands in 2025. His reflections offered a fascinating contrast to the past and sparked thoughtful discussion.
Attendees were also impressed by the transformed Salisbury Bar and the striking McMillan and Ivan Head Buildings, completed in 2018—a testament to the College’s ongoing evolution.
The media has drawn strong parallels between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s July 2025 visit to China and that of Gough Whitlam, who, as Leader of the Opposition, famously visited China in 1971 “to open the door to relations with China,” as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald. Journalist Paul Sakkal referred to Whitlam as a “Labor icon.”
“At the time, that was a controversial decision to recognise the People’s Republic of China,” the Prime Minister said. “I have the sense of history following in the footsteps of … Gough Whitlam … We are literally standing on history.”
In July 1971, Whitlam led a bold and historic delegation to the People’s Republic of China. At a time when the Australian government, under Prime Minister William McMahon, refused to establish diplomatic ties with China, Whitlam’s initiative marked a dramatic shift in foreign policy and demonstrated his commitment to regional engagement and internationalism.
The Rt Hon Sir William (Billy) McMahon GCMG CH, who attended St Paul’s College from 1927 to 1931, served as Prime Minister from 1971 to 1972 before being defeated by Whitlam, a fellow Pauline who studied at the College from 1935 to 1942. Whitlam served as Prime Minister until his dismissal by the Governor-General on 11 November 1975. For more about these and other Paulines who have served in federal politics, click HERE.
In 1966 two Pauline political rivals battle it out on TV – Gough Whitlam, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Billy McMahon, Federal Treasurer
Whitlam’s delegation included Labor parliamentarians, advisers, and journalists. The visit was politically risky, occurring during the Cold War when China was still viewed with suspicion by many in the West. His decision was vindicated when, coincidentally, US National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger arrived in Beijing just as Whitlam was leaving, secretly laying the groundwork for President Nixon’s landmark visit in 1972.
During the trip, Whitlam met with Premier Zhou Enlai in the Great Hall of the People. Originally intended to be a private meeting, it was transformed into a public diplomatic event when Zhou invited journalists to witness the occasion—underscoring China’s desire to build friendly relations with Australia and highlighting Whitlam’s role in reshaping perceptions of China.
One of the most memorable moments of the visit was Whitlam’s journey to the Great Wall of China. Photographs from the trip show him and members of the delegation exploring the ancient structure, symbolizing not only cultural exchange but also the bridging of a diplomatic divide that had long separated Australia and China.
Whitlam’s 1971 visit laid the foundation for the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and China in December 1972, just weeks after he became Prime Minister. It was a turning point that redefined Australia’s place in the region and opened the door to a mature and multifaceted relationship with China.
Continuing the Legacy in 2025
In 2025, St Paul’s College continues to value Australia’s engagement with China, maintaining a strong cohort of international students from the region. Of the ten Chinese students currently residing at Paul’s, their fields of study include a JD, PhD, Doctor of Science, and Masters degrees in Finance, Education, and Commerce, as well as a Bachelor of Advanced Computing.
These students are here not only to pursue academic excellence but also to continue the building of “friendly bridges” that their predecessor once began. As one student shared: “I’d love to see China and Australia continue to trade, cooperate, and keep building bridges instead of barriers.”
Their presence is a living testament to the enduring value of international engagement and mutual respect—echoing the vision Whitlam set in motion on the Great Wall over fifty years ago.
[Gough Whitlam visited the College in 1973, 1982 (pictured left) and 1989 (right)]
Throughout May the long season of Rosebowl Hockey was played at the University’s Cumberland Campus and St George Randwick Hockey Club. In Round 1 St Andrew’s defeated St Paul’s 4 goals to nil. In Round 2 Abigail Ballhauson scored our only goal against St John’s who won by 4. In Round 3 Heidi Best scored our only goal against Wesley who won with 2. In Round 4 Sophie Davis, Olivia Greenwood and Sarah Poolman scored a goal each winning the game against Women’s. In Round 5 Skye Weston scored 2 goals along with Amelia Tabary-Edwards and Sarah Poolman scoring one each defeating Sancta.
St Paul’s secured equal 4th with Sancta and behind Wesley 3rd, St Andrew’s 2nd and St John’s 1st.
St John’s 1st with 9 points | St Andrew’s 2nd with 7 points | Wesley 3rd with 5 points | St Paul’s 4th (eq) with 2 points | Sancta 4th (eq) with 2 points | Women’s 6th
Rugby
The three round-season of Rugby was dominated by a strong team from St John’s winning all of their games. In Round 1 we were beaten by St Andrew’s 52-5 with a try from Ed Taylor. In Round 2 St John’s overwhelmed us 73 to 5 with our try by Oli Stafford. In Round 3 Wesley forfeited allowing St Paul’s to take the win. This time in a friendly match St Paul’s Bo Baffsky, Will Power, Ed Taylor, Zac Warden and James McReery each scored tries and two conversions were kicked by Bo Baffsky to bring the score up to 31-8.
St John’s 1st with 7 points | St Andrew’s 2nd with 5 points | St Paul’s 3rd with 3 points | Wesley 4th with 1 point.
Rugby 7s
Due to the event being washed-out Rugby 7’s has been moved to late semester 2.
St John’s 1st | St Paul’s 2nd | Wesley 3rd | St Andrews 4th
POINT SCORES END OF SEM 1
Both contests have become really tight for St Paul’s in equal second and Semester 2 competitions will be hard fought to close in on St John’s in Rawson and St Andrew’s in Rosebowl.
Rawson Cup: St John’s 26 | St Paul’s 14 | St Andrew’s 14 | Wesley 10
Rosebowl: St Andrew’s 28 | St Paul’s 19 | Women’s 19 | St John’s 19 | Wesley 10 | Sancta 5
His Excellency Miles Armitage, a distinguished alumnus of St Paul’s College (1982–85) and Senior Student in 1985, has been appointed Australia’s next Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, as announced by Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs. His posting also covers Bahrain, Oman, and Yemen, reflecting Australia’s strategic engagement across the Gulf region.
Miles holds a BA (Hons) and Graduate Diploma in Museum Studies from the University of Sydney, as well as a Diploma of Foreign Affairs and Trade from ANU. A senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, he has served as Ambassador to Türkiye (current posting since 2021), Jordan, and Timor-Leste, and as Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism. He has held other diplomatic roles representing Australia in the Philippines, Pakistan, and the United Nations in New York.
Australia’s relationship with Saudi Arabia is anchored in trade, education, and people-to-people links, including support for Australian Muslims undertaking Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. The country is a G20 partner and a key player in regional diplomacy.
Australia maintains strong ties with Bahrain, particularly in resources, agriculture, and security cooperation. With Oman, collaboration spans Indian Ocean affairs, data connectivity, agribusiness, and education. Since 2015, Australia has also provided over $40 million in humanitarian aid to Yemen, supporting communities affected by conflict.
Minister Wong noted: “Saudi Arabia’s hospitality towards Australian Muslims undertaking Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages and our strong education cooperation demonstrates the ongoing strength of our people-to-people links.”
The St Paul’s College community congratulates Miles and his family as they begin this new chapter in their life of service to Australia.
On 4 July 2025, Bryson Constable (in College 2022–24) concluded his term as President of the University of Sydney Union (USU), marking the end of a remarkable chapter in student leadership.
The St Paul’s College community extends its warmest congratulations to Bryson for his outstanding service and dedication to the University of Sydney student body. His leadership on the USU Board—and most recently as President—has been defined by vision, integrity, and impact.
The USU, Australia’s premier student union, delivers over $35 million in services annually to more than 50,000 members. Under Bryson’s leadership, the organisation achieved several historic milestones. Together with his executive team of Ben Hines, Julia Lim, and James Dwyer, Bryson championed a vision of long-term sustainability and reform. Key achievements during his presidency include:
Incorporation of the USU — completing a project 35 years in the making
Launch of the 2025–28 Strategic Plan
Organisational restructuring to align with strategic goals
Introduction of the USU’s first-ever:
Reconciliation Action Plan
Disability Inclusion Action Plan
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Strategy
Campus-wide infrastructure investments to enhance the student experience
Reflecting on his term, Bryson shared:
“It has been an honour to serve and learn in this role alongside some truly remarkable staff ably led by Janina Jancu. I know the organisation is in good stead to move from strength to strength over the coming years, and I wish incoming President Phan Vu well.”
Bryson continues a proud tradition of Paulines contributing to student leadership at the University. We thank him for his service and look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next.
