Page 13 - Luce 2018

J unior C o mmon Ro om J unior C o mmon Ro om

Mara Quach
Inter-Collegiate Activities Council
President

Coming to Australia as an international
student, I never thought I stood a chance
of obtaining any leadership positions.
It scared me to think I’d have to speak
for and in front of people with my
horrendous vocabulary and confusing
accent that is neither Aussie nor
Vietnamese. Plus, always lingering was
this illusion that in order to be a leader
you had to be perfect, or have been
Shake it off... Rowing regatta Mara Quach, Carol Isaac, Ella James born with the skill set, or at least have
From the matches to crowd-surfing at the Fresher is a community that, for many, becomes a JCH Students Leading Inter-Collegiate Councils been exposed to it from a young age –
none of which applied to me. In a word,
Senior Student Dance-Off, Knighty has had a very home away from home. I’d like to take this As noted earlier, the intercollegiate scene has a particularly ‘JCH’ flavour at present: my own inadequacy was what I feared.
opportunity to thank everyone who made
memorable debut year.
my College experience so special. From here our three Presidents reflect upon their life at JCH and their new roles.
Is a college simply a place to live? My personal highlight of the year was my very first day, I was amazed by the However, the last three years at JCH
has completely changed my mind. The
A place to eat? A place to learn? organising our inaugural panel event and kind, energetic and inclusive nature of our Carol Isaac Ella James College was different from my high
During my first few months as Student networking night, ‘Shaping the Future’ College and will always be proud to call Inter-Collegiate Council President Inter-Collegiate Sports Council President school experience. From the very first
Club President, Dr Powell and I had (see p.10). This event stemmed from myself a JCHer. moment I set foot into JCH, the motto of
many lengthy discussions about our our desire to provide members of the After being part of the 2017-2018 JCH At the inter-collegiate level, sport ‘give it a try’ was being echoed by my
vision for JCH in 2018. In the wake of student club with non-traditional career It has been a pleasure to serve the Student Club Executive, I was eager provides us with far more than simply O-Week leaders, my fellow JCHers, and
much attention from the media regarding advice and a chance to connect with community this year and I wish the to get more involved and contribute a physical and mental challenge. It the staff members. I could not simply
the culture of colleges around Australia, young professionals. new executive and the wider College more to the inter-collegiate culture connects us with a range of people sit around. I was able to participate in
we reflected on our College values and community all the very best for the future. and tradition. In my role at JCH I have not only from JCH but also from other almost all the sports, most of which
what makes JCH such a special place When I began my time as Student Club learned countless valuable lessons about colleges, forcing us to step outside our I’d never played before, and ended up
in which to to live. Following these President, I wrote a list of everything I Thenu Herath leadership from staff and fellow students comfort zones and delivering us a sense becoming the student club’s Sports Rep
discussions, the Student Club Executive wanted to achieve. While I am delighted Senior Student and including teamwork, time management of pride in our College. at the end of the year. Before JCH, the
narrowed down our vision statement to report that everything on this list (and Student Club President and understanding different viewpoints. only sport I played was badminton, and
to three simple words: Unity, Passion more!) has been completed, I cannot Betty Elliott Scholar I have learned to give everything my Attempting to develop a program suitable the last time I had thrown a ball of any
and Enrichment. Each of our goals for take all the credit. This year would not best, improve on my mistakes and not for the needs of both the smaller and sort was in Grade 4!
the year was drawn from our ultimate have been possible without the efforts be afraid when taking chances. JCH has larger colleges is one of the ICSC’s
objective which was to create a united of my executive team. Zach, Marize, a wonderful culture in which students greatest challenges. Problems faced I have to admit, my year of leadership
and passionate community that offers Cyrielle, Emily, Naomi, Carol and Will and staff are connected to one another. by the larger colleges in sport are not as Sports Rep was mediocre at best -
enriching opportunities for its members. have shown an incredible commitment This community has always supported the same as those faced by the smaller but I gained the confidence needed
to the College in each of their roles. I me in my endeavours and encouraged colleges and endeavoring to provide a to become an O-Week leader in
We implemented a number of projects cannot thank them enough for trusting me to think ‘outside the box’. solution to suit all can prove difficult. my second year, which led me to
throughout the year, including the our vision for the year and for all the I think the ICSC President role will give so many other opportunities (one of
reintroduction of academic gowns for hilarious memories. When campaigning to be a Sports JCH a stronger voice in the intercollegiate which included being the publicity
the Junior Common Room. Perhaps our Representative at Janet Clarke Hall, I setting, and hopefully deliver some manager for a project at the University’s
most exciting legacy is the creation of On my first day in Janet Clarke Hall, I was surrounded by the friends I had positive change. For me, the role is an musical association which I enjoyed
a College mascot. Knighty McKightface was unsure of exactly what it meant to made during my first year at College. It opportunity to serve JCH and attempt to enormously). I had the chance to
has become a treasured member of live in a ‘college’. Two and a half years was a lot easier to win votes when my implement a few changes to the program participate in things outside of my
our small community. From cheering later, I have grown to know that it is not contribution to JCH was well known. to benefit all colleges involved. biomedicine degree.
our students on at early morning sports only a place to live, eat and learn. JCH Good pass!
In stark contrast was the process of
electing the ICC President, which JCH has been my home for the past The role of ICAC President has kept me
in part included a panel interview two years and has taught me lots about quite busy, but the joy and fulfilment it
with people I didn’t know well. This harnessing the opportunities that emerge, has given me allows me no complaints.
process was fraught with nerves and valuing the people around me and I learnt how much I enjoy all the aspects
uneasiness. However, I knew that having being honest in everything I do. I think of being a leader and came to appreciate
representation from JCH on the Inter- that some of the best advice someone the opportunity these experiences
Collegiate Council could only make us could receive about leadership is to be will offer me in the future. I went from
better as a community. fearless in pursuing the opportunities a timid person ashamed of my own
that present themselves, making the most inadequacy to someone eagerly chairing
As President of the ICC I want to be of the talents of the people that you are meetings with absolutely no trouble –
able to ensure that the most valuable involved with and, in whatever decisions all thanks to having a great network of
elements of the JCH culture are you make, doing the ethically right supportive people surrounding me every
incorporated into the entire inter- thing. I couldn’t be more thankful for the day at JCH.
collegiate community. lessons JCH has taught me and hope to
Shani Brampton
Down at the river bank represent the College well in the inter-
Thenu as Moana Intercollegiate soccer collegiate setting.
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