To ensure we meet our first objective all residents of St Paul’s College are members of the Union. After leaving College former residents are asked to transfer their “caution money” to the Union which becomes their Life Membership fee. These members of the College are then admitted as Life Members of St Paul’s College Union.
The Life Membership fees are held in trust in the Life Membership Fund.
The Union supports the educational objectives of the College and gives strength to many aspects of ‘collegiality’ so critical to the success of any university residential college.
The comradeship of undergraduates will never breed the spirit of learning. It must include the older men. Woodrow Wilson, ‘The Spirit of Learning’ (Princeton University, 1909).
The Union conducts a number of activities for the enjoyment of Life Members and current residents.
The main annual event for the Union is Victoriana! which in 2022 will run its 58th season – the longest running musical production in Australia.
In 2020 the show was recorded under COVID-conditions in a studio and is available to watch by clicking here
the return of a live show is eagerly anticipated to be a sell out in 2022. For more details click here
Very importantly the Union encourages and helps with the organisation and hosting of Fresher Year Group 50, 40, 30, 20 and 10 year reunions. Generally a year group convener picks the date and gets the message out to his cohort and these reunions take many different forms from black tie dining in the Hall to a relaxed afternoon at a local pub.
Other Union events include the annual Union Dinner (for 2022 Invitation CLICK HERE) and, when appropriate, Life Members join the Resident Members of the College community for major events such as the Rawson Cup Rugby final, the Anzac Service, faculty dinners and the Carol Service.
The College has a complete record of all those who entered the College during its history and became Paulines. It is a priority for the College to stay in touch with its living alumni and information is held about each one for that purpose. Paulines are encouraged to contact the Alumni and Foundation Office to up-date their records upon change of address or to give the College current and recent news for publication.
The “Grisp” is a professional mentoring programme managed by the St Paul’s College Union. The Union has established a Register of Paulines working in the various professions, the arts, the sciences, academia, journalism and business who are interested in providing some voluntary form of mentoring or career advice for current senior residents of the College or Graduate House.
If you can help out as a mentor please contact the Alumni and Foundation Office.
Annually the Union seeks applications from current and recent students for Study Travel Grants. These provide financial support to enable young Paulines to undertake travel as an adjunct to their study or to begin degree programme at universities overseas.
College merchandise and Union crested goods are available for purchase from the College Office. Stock includes:
• College crested neckties (silk or polyester), crested silk bow ties and crested silk squares
• Crested cuff links
• There are also a limited number of the ‘harlequin’ footy jerseys
• The College history Hearts and Minds (2017) by Pauline Prof Alan Atkinson is also available for purchase.
The Union supports the College in all its endeavours by providing a formal body of ex-residents, many of whom are also eligible to vote at the election of Lay Fellows, who form the governing council of the College alongside Clerical Fellows.
The Union also assists the College with the publication of Boomalakka and the Students Club with the publication of The Pauline.
The Union has been a binding force as well bringing together alumni and students for mutually beneficial pursuits that support the education provided at Paul’s through such activities as tutorial support, inspiring speakers for formal dinner, and support to Student Club events like its very successful faculty dinners.
The Union is governed by an elected committee who manage the Union’s functions and finances. This committee includes four resident student members and Life Members from across the decades. Under the 2020 Constitution the committee includes: the Patron (our Warden), the President, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer, and 9 ordinary committee members.
All Resident Members and Life Members are welcome to attend the Annual General Meetings held at College and usually linked to a reunion or annual dinner. During the AGM reports are presented and the executive and committee is elected for the ensuing year.
In 2022 the AGM will be held prior to the Annual Dinner on Saturday 18 June. A notice of meeting will be emailed to all Union Life Members. Notice of Annual General Meeting
Alumni and Foundation Office can be found
under the Tower Block:
Director of Community Development – Richard Morgan (1978-82)
Tel. 02 9550 7472, email. community@stpauls.edu.au
College reception:
Tel. 02 9550 7444, email. reception@stpauls.edu.au