Page 11 - Luce 2020

J unior C o mmon Ro om

From the Student Club President

One moment So often we are involved in or at the to best use their knowledge to improve
from 2019 very least observe ‘conversations’ (a their field, be it architecture, philosophy
that stays better word would be debates) over or science. It is about learning teamwork
in my mind lunch, varying from ‘what constitutes a through intercollegiate sports or arts
comes from rhyme?’ to ‘the requirements of Artificial activities, and learning communication
a University Intelligence to have human rights’. All skills at every moment possible. These
lecture given of these debates, whatever their topic, are necessities when going about a
by Prof Peter teach us how to go about respectfully profession and are found in all leaders
Doherty, putting forward an argument. The skills of any field. By promoting these skills
who also happens to be our College that become ingrained in us include alongside a solid base of facts and
Visitor. To an audience of young, genuinely listening to the other side, learning, JCH continues to set up
budding immunologists, he urged all taking on board and respecting other students to be successful and thrive once
of us to be ‘champions of science’. This opinions, before coming forward with in the workplace.
notion has stuck with me and I suspect logic and reason to present a rebuttal.
will continue to do so. In a world where These are the skills that naturally result Young people have such a role to play
there seems to be an increasing distrust in the creation of strong voices that can in shaping how society evolves, helping
of facts and experts, having young bring about real action. decide the issues it wants to tackle and
people stand up for reason and research the values it holds aloft. The actions of
will be one way of helping to solve Never are these skills on show more JCH students this year have continued
global problems. clearly than in the annual debate to astound me, and their passion for
between the Senior and Junior Common certain areas inspires me. From heartfelt
Initially, however, I did not see the Rooms. Every person in the room promoting of climate action rallies or
parallel between his words and the learnt far more than just the arguments blood drives to participating in the
personal skills gained during my time presented ‘for’ and ‘against’. So very World’s Greatest Shave, JCH students
at Janet Clarke Hall. By simply being much could be learnt simply from show time and again their eagerness to
a part of this community, we gain, as the speech of Alice Pung, whose mix make a difference. But perhaps more
if by osmosis – but in reality, through of humour and clear logic had the importantly, JCH students actively try to
an accumulation of exposures and audience in hysterics, while also having bring others along with them, so there
interactions with others – a way of a light bulb switched on in our minds. are more and more people seeking
viewing the world that we take forward And I’m sure that nearly everyone has improvements in all facets of life.
and apply to our lives. This perspective tried to replicate this two-pronged Looking back at Prof Doherty’s words,
becomes a part of all of us, simply by strategy in a mealtime debate since then. it is evident that JCH sets its students
engaging with our fellow students, I know I have on multiple occasions. up to be champions – champions of
tutors, staff and guests. These occasions facts, champions of communication,
present themselves regularly, be it at Put simply, JCH creates and fosters champions of change.
one of our formal dinners, a tutorial an environment for students to learn
or even just when sharing afternoon about making a difference through William Bonwick
tea. It is through these interactions that their education. It is not about simply Student Club President
we can all learn and practise to be a learning facts, it is about becoming a
‘champion’. fully rounded person who will be able Wurundjeri Elder Murrundindi welcomes
students and staff onto Country

J anet Clarke Hall 11