Page 21 - Luce 2017

Council News

Expression of interest – Council Membership

As part of its succession planning, the Council of Janet Clarke Council aims to maintain a strong collective skill set while
Hall is always open to expressions of interest from alumni reflecting within its composition the diversity of the College
who may have a desire to give back to the College through and the wider community, including individuals from a variety
service to Council or one of its committees. of cultural backgrounds and ages. At the present time, it
seeks interest particularly from candidates with a background
In a highly successful period in the College’s history, Council in finance and strategic management. However, with an
seeks to further the vision and mission of Janet Clarke Hall eye to future strategic and succession planning, it is open
as ‘a leading academic college offering a supportive and to expressions of interest from interested alumni possessing
intellectual environment for students’. experience and skills in law and governance, education and
student wellbeing, development and fundraising, the built
Under its Constitution, the College is governed by a Council environment, and marketing and communications.
of up to twelve Directors who bring a range of expertise to
this body. Appointments are for a term of three years, with For further information and to receive a copy of the
an option of possible reappointment for two further terms expressions-of-interest form please email:
of three years. Council meets regularly throughout the year, governance@jch.unimelb.edu.au
and members also serve on subcommittees focussed on
governance, finance, and advancement.

Shelley Roberts, Director of at College and we were
Development, catches up with Anne so much better connected
with university life than
Shea (Brumley 2000) and Alex Murphy others who did not live on

(2004) two of the College’s younger campus.
Highlights included
Council members. quizzing the Vice-
Chancellor at a leadership
dinner, various brave
What did you study at the University and why did you (if amateur) sporting or
choose JCH? dramatic efforts and deep
and abiding friendships
Anne: I wanted to be a costume designer for the movies, so I with peers and tutors.
chose Melbourne and the VCA for literature, art history and JCH gave me confidence,
sculpture. I looked at costume design at RMIT, but I wanted to connections, friendship
combine artistic practice with rigorous thinking and research and a great deal of fun
so I studied a BA (Diploma in Creative Arts) at Melbourne. along the way.

I had a friend at JCH who was a year older and invited me After my time at JCH and a few more years of study, I was
to visit. I couldn’t believe the place. There were artists, and admitted as a solicitor in 2010 and have practised law since
doctors-to-be, and engineers... all hanging out together, then. I’m currently a Senior Associate at Corrs Chambers
and bouncing ideas around. Their open enthusiasm was so Westgarth, where I focus on regulatory, competition and
thrilling! general commercial disputes.

Alex: I studied a combined BA/LLB – back when that was Anne: I can clearly remember those first hot, free summer
possible. days of first year – lying around in my tiny first year Manifold
room, my head in yet another book, feeling sure I’d soon get
I chose JCH because when I walked in on Open Day I felt in trouble for not doing ‘real’ work!
welcomed and comfortable. The culture at JCH creates a
very different atmosphere – academic, but also relaxed and JCH gave me a new home base to find my feet alongside
friendly. challenging and incredible people. Many of those I’m closest
to now are friends from College days: like Claire, who spray
Tell us a little about your time at JCH and your subsequent painted and sewed with me on the Manifold landing before
career. Do you have any special memories of your time at opening nights, and Kate, who played Van Morrison songs
JCH? with me on the roof (don’t tell the Principal).

Alex: My time at JCH was a wonderful transition into I’ve had a great time in life post-College, through several
university and adult life. What sticks with me were the unexpected careers from fashion design to crisis management.
fabulous opportunities – there was simply so much going on Right now I’m a marketer leading a team of writers,
(continued overleaf)

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