Page 24 - Luce 2023

S enior C o mmon Ro om

A fond farewell to

Dr Damian Powell

On Saturday 25 June, the extended Janet Clarke
Hall community gathered for a very special
afternoon event to farewell Dr Damian Powell
and celebrate his two decades of outstanding
service as Principal of JCH.

The sun shone and a lovely atmosphere prevailed as family,
Fellows, Council members, friends, college heads, alumni, (L-R) Ms Margie Welsford, Dr Damian Powell, Mrs Penny
staff and students from across the decades were welcomed Doherty, College Visitor Prof. Peter Doherty, former University
back into the College, gathering in the JCR for refreshments Vice-Chancellor Prof. Glyn Davis
and long-awaited catch ups after two years of COVID-
related absence. concluded with a blessing from College President, Archbishop
Philip Freier.
In due course everyone filed into the Dining Hall and took
a seat for the formal part of the afternoon’s proceedings. As Guests were then invited back to the JCR where a group of
Interim Principal, I welcomed guests and read out a long current students and recent alumni performed the last two
list of apologies from alumni, many of whom were unable ‘fresher dances’. These dances include signature moves taught
to attend due to long over-due interstate and overseas to the students by Damian. Is his new career going to be in
trips. Chair of Council, Ms Clare Pullar and Damian’s PhD choreography? Watch this space…
Supervisor from the University of Adelaide, Professor
Wilfred Prest, were among the apologies. Former colleague It was with sadness and immense gratitude that we farewelled
and continuing friend, the Bishop of Gippsland, Rt Rev’d Damian and Dieni, wishing them well for their new lives in
Dr Richard Treloar wrote: ‘Damian is truly a scholar and a Shepparton and the Strathbogie Ranges, where I know they
gentleman; a person of great character and integrity, with an are already making a considerable contribution.
inquiring faith, whose company is an unfailing pleasure.’
At JCH we now look forward to a new era under our new
Council Deputy Chair, Mr Alex Murphy (2004), delivered Principal who will no doubt build on the strong foundations
an excellent speech that paid tribute to the positive created by Damian and take the College forward into a bright
transformation of the College that Damian entered as future.
Principal in 2002 and to his unwavering commitment to
building a culture where young people could thrive. As Margie Welsford
Alex noted: ‘For SEVEN THOUSAND, THREE HUNDRED Interim Principal
AND SEVENTY-ONE DAYS (7371 days), through disasters
and disappointments, triumphs and tragedies, Damian has
nurtured that culture, the hardest things for leaders to build.
It has never fallen from that perch on his watch. Thanks
to Damian’s wisdom, patience, trust and faith – a great
stonking faith in the fundamental decency of young
people and their desire to do right and learn well – JCH
has had an extraordinary and quite different culture...
(one) of gentleness, scholarship, sensitivity, curiosity,
optimism and empathy.’ Damian leaves JCH on firmer,
stronger foundations which he has laid through hard work,
determination, kindness and care.
(L-R) Nieve, Jo, Corin, and Dr Alan Powell AM
With characteristic modesty, Damian’s own excellent
speech was one of thanks to so many and most especially
to his beloved wife and daughters, Dieni, Nieve and Corin.
Alex and I then presented Damian with a beautiful piece of
indigenous art as a lasting gift of thanks from the College.
We also unveiled his portrait, which is now displayed in the
Dining Hall along with those of Principals from previous
eras.

The audience then enjoyed a fine piano duet by Wendy
Lim and Justin Mitchell, followed by a very special solo
performance by final year PhD student, Josh Hooke, who
played one of Damian’s favourite pieces, Danza del Gaucho
Matrero from Ginastera’s Danzas Argentinas. The formalities Prof. Andrew Scott and Ms Dieni Powell

24 LUCE Number 21 2022