Page 30 - Luce 2020

S tudent Voice

Palawa woman and Janet,
Lady Clarke Scholar Eleanor
McCormack came to JCH
in 2018 from northern
Tasmania, making a substantial
contribution including in her
role as Student Club Vice-
President in 2019. Here she
offers some reflections on her
time at the University.

Three words, eighteen letters and four
syllables. This phrase hangs over the
heads of many undergraduate students
at the University of Melbourne and serve
to inspire, exhaust and taunt dedicated
learners:

Melbourne Law School.

Over the course of my three years
studying a Bachelor of Arts and residing
in Janet Clarke Hall, I, like many others,
have been inspired by the prospect
of attending Melbourne Law School
and studying a Juris Doctor. In 2021,
I’m finally here and lucky enough
to have received a Frank and Nicole
Azzopardi Scholarship from MLS! Law Chair of Council Clare Pullar with Janet, Lady Clarke Scholar Eleanor McCormack at
School is everything I’d hoped it would Commencement Dinner
be, with long hours in the library,
inspiring academics and charismatic more close friendships with some of students in the library at 2am when we
students. However, after spending so the new arrivals before COVID-19 had an essay due at 9am that morning,
long working towards this goal, I feel dramatically altered the way we all live. hugging at valedictory dinner, waving
compelled to reflect upon the wonderful The knowledge that the College was hello across a socially distanced room
path that led me here. able to source toilet paper for us was a and saying grace before dinner are some
further comfort in such a strange world of my favourite memories of JCH. I hope
I spent three incredible years in Janet – I’m not sure I would fare well in a that many students in years to come will
Clarke Hall studying Criminology and supermarket scramble for the last roll! walk away from JCH as changed people,
Indigenous Studies. From my time on just as I have.
the Student Club Executive to relaxed Of course there were challenges,
evenings on the roof with friends, these particularly in my time on the
three years hold some of my most Student Club Executive: organising
treasured memories. a college ball is no small feat! Being
Indigenous in a non-Indigenous
I moved to Melbourne on 14 February environment such as the University
2018 as an overwhelmed and excitable of Melbourne is also usually
17- year-old. I was instantly enamoured somewhat uncomfortable, with the
of JCH and its hardworking and close- shadow of past decades’ eugenic
knit culture. As my first tertiary subjects experiments casting darkness over
began, friendships blossomed and my study. However, these experiences
in-jokes started. I had a thoroughly taught me a lot about how
enjoyable first year and celebrated my organisations inevitably face challenges
18th birthday at the Uni bar surrounded and gave me some rather fantastic
by JCHers. Second year began with material for when, in a job interview, I
new responsibilities as the Student get asked to elaborate on a time I faced
Club Vice-President but my studies a challenge as a leader.
remained inspiring and friends were Image is from a watercolour painted by
supportive. Although my third year was Although I have entered a new chapter Eleanor and presented to Ms Pullar in
cut short by my return to Tasmania in in my life, I’ll always look back fondly appreciation of her College Scholarship.
July 2020 before the second Melbourne on my time at JCH. Laughing so hard
lockdown, I was lucky enough to form I’d fall off furniture, crying with other
30 LUCE Number 19 2020