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F ARE WELL F ARE WELL

Farewelling our Deputy Principal, Margie Welsford

A Love Letter to JCH: I am forever grateful to Dr Damian Powell for his legacy
and stewardship of JCH over twenty years as Principal and
Reflections on Seven Years of Leadership for entrusting me with the role of Deputy and then Acting
Principal. The trust placed in me by the Council and alumni to
As I prepare to move to my new role as Vice Master and steward the College through this chapter of its history was a
Executive Director of Student Life at Ormond College, I find responsibility I regarded as an enormous privilege. It was an
myself sifting through old letters – those handwritten messages honour to hand on that responsibility to the next Principal, Dr
from family and friends sent during my travels overseas in Eleanor Spencer-Regan when she began her tenure in 2022, and
my early twenties. These letters, often written on faded blue support her smooth transition as she developed her plan for
aerograms that most under-30s have never seen, were filled the next stage in the College’s journey.
with both the mundane and the special. They took several
weeks to reach me, at a ‘poste restante’ address I had given, I have learned so much from the generations of staff and
tucked away somewhere in a far-off corner of the world. student leadership that have come before me and worked
alongside me, and I continue to be inspired by their vision and
These letters, written with care and love, were lifelines to home. energy. Long-serving staff such as Carolyn Stewart in the Office,
They helped soothe the homesickness that often crept in, but Bruce Stewart in facilities, Shelley Roberts in Publications and
also encouraged me to continue my journey, explore the world, Dr Jack Tan, Resident Tutor held so much of the history of the
and discover new things about myself and others. That sense College between them and supported me at every step along
of connection, that bond across distance, was something I the way, especially during the dark COVID times. Alice Pung has
held onto dearly. I have also re-read some letters of gratitude been at JCH for more than twenty years, joining as a tutor in
from students for whom JCH has been a transformative and 2004 and becoming our Artist-in-Residence in 2011. With her
life-changing experience. One young woman wrote that strong connections in the literary world she has contributed a
College had become ‘truly home’ and that she was thankful for great deal to our Literature Dinners, creative writing, debating (L-R) Evie Archer (VP, 2024), Margie Welsford, Brigitte Shill (VP, 2023)
‘opening every door in the amazing world I have been able to skills and knowledge of Fair Work. Alice and her family have
discover and immerse myself in’.
contributed enormously to the gentle and fun family vibe that Student Vice-President, Evie Archer, I have spent countless hours in Margie’s office, organising
And now, as I reflect on my time at JCH, it’s clear that in many makes JCH so special. gave this heartfelt speech of farewell to events, wrangling subcommittees, and navigating the journey
ways, it has been another form of this same correspondence. I wish to make a special mention of my mentors, supporters, that is student leadership. And through it all, I could not have
A love letter, not written on paper, but created through the colleagues and dear friends around the Crescent, including Margie Welsford. been more grateful to have someone so organised, wise, and
connections made with the people who have been my College Genevieve Leach, Brenda Holt and Phillippa Connelly. Their genuinely caring by my side.
family during these years. I am honoured to have been chosen to give Margie’s
wisdom, compassion, good humour and unwavering belief in farewell speech. What stands out even more than Margie’s guidance is the way
When I first arrived at JCH in 2018, I brought with me the the goodness and potential in all young people, continue to “ she cared, far beyond her role as Deputy Principal. I would
bittersweet memories of a college I had left behind – a place inspire and encourage me. We gather to celebrate and bid farewell to someone who has often walk into her office with an agenda, ready to run through
that had closed its doors after 54 years of service to country I’ll never forget the joy of fresher dances, the laughter shared been an integral part of Janet Clarke Hall throughout the past everything happening at College. Some of those meetings were
students and their families. It was a time of grief, of saying around Dining Hall tables, the beautiful garden courtyard seven years. Margie has been a guiding force at JCH, and while light-hearted, especially when Riff, Margie’s Red Heeler, was
goodbye to a cherished part of my own journey. In the wake surrounded by tree ferns as Uncle Bill welcomed new it is bittersweet to see her go, we are incredibly excited to see curled up at my feet, snoozing as we chatted. Others were more
of that, students and alumni were encouraged to write their students to Country, or the inspiring speeches at the Oratory what the next year and beyond brings for her in professional difficult, when things felt chaotic or weren’t going to plan. But
own love letters to Whitley College, a fitting way to honour Competition. The Literature Dinners, where authors shared and personal opportunities over the fence at Ormond College. no matter what, at the end of every meeting, Margie would turn
its legacy. This was the idea of a young alumna, Bee Ellis, then their work and engaged with thoughtful questions, will forever Margie has dedicated herself to framing the lives of young to me and ask, ‘And how are you going, Evie?’
Community Relations Manager and now Dean of Studies at JCH. adults, helping seven cohorts of JCH freshers develop into
stand as a testament to the intellectual spirit that thrives in mature young adults, which let’s be honest, isn’t the easiest job! At first, I never quite knew how to answer. I wasn’t used to
Now, in the same spirit, I offer my own love letter to JCH, a JCH. College Balls and dancing to Abba songs, cheering on JCH having someone in a professional role genuinely care about me
place that has profoundly shaped my life, both personally sporting teams, watching the College theatre productions in Margie, from the moment you stepped into JCH, you brought as a person. But Margie did. And I know I’m not alone in this,
and professionally. The College has allowed me to continue to awe of the student talent are other joys that will remain in my with you an unwavering dedication to the students, staff, and because so many of us in this room have seen her standing on
develop my skills and knowledge of Psychology, understanding memories of JCH. the values that make this College so special. Your warmth, the sidelines of our sports games with the dogs or stopping for
more about what emerging adults need at this time in their As I move on to my next role, I carry with me the memories of wisdom, and ability to balance professionalism with a genuine a chat in the Dining Hall.
lives and good practice in supporting their wellbeing, academic the incredible people – students, staff, alumni, and Council sense of care for everyone here at JCH have left a profound
achievement and personal success. impact on all of us. Many of us have personally experienced
members – who make up this community. To all of you who your kindness and mentorship. meant the world – not just to me, but to so many of us at JCH.
have been a part of JCH, thank you for shaping my experience, You have shaped this community in ways that words can’t fully
To the people of JCH: for making me laugh, think, and grow in ways I will carry with I feel incredibly fortunate to have spent so much time with capture, and we are all so grateful to have had you by
me forever. Margie last year, thanks to my role as the 2024 Vice-President, a our side.
Margie, your kindness, patience, and unwavering support have “
Thank you for the laughter and camaraderie of Welcome Week, position she dedicates so much time and energy to mentoring.
for the deep, thought-provoking conversations, and for the Though I may be leaving, I will never forget the friendly, funny, When I was elected VP in September 2023, one of the first
light-hearted banter that filled our days. Thank you to the creative, and kind people of JCH, or the graceful building that things I asked Brigitte, the outgoing VP, was, ‘What’s Margie like
dedicated Tutors who not only imparted knowledge and cared has been my home for the last seven years. as a mentor?’ Brig told me that Margie was lovely and endlessly
for students but also shared their lives with me, becoming helpful, but I don’t think I fully understood just how wonderful
neighbours and friends. With gratitude and fondness, she was until I stepped into the role myself.
Margie Welsford

6 L u ce Number 23 2024 Janet Clar ke Hall 7