Page 35 - Luce 2021

C ouncil N ews

Farewell, Jenny Ross (1970) Welcome, Elizabeth Kennedy

(Newland 1972)
In December 2021 Jenny I began to study for my Arts /
Ross (1970) retired from Law degrees at the University
Council. Departing Principal, of Melbourne in 1971. In first
Dr Damian Powell, reflects on year, I made a friend in Julie
her many years of outstanding Goode (1972), who was also
service to the College, studying Law. We studied a
including 12 years on Council. subject called ‘Legal Process’
and were called, respectively,
Jenny has been a committed Miss Newland and Miss
volunteer and patron of the Goode by our lecturer, Prof
College going back as far as her Sandy Clarke. He used the
membership of the JCH Friends Socratic method to teach and
and the JCH Society. On Council, she brought to the table it was very formal and intimidating to a first year straight
her extensive knowledge and expertise gained from her legal out of school!
training, refining and shaping our thinking and planning and
cutting through to the salient issues. In 1972 Julie went to live in JCH and I begged my parents
to also let me live in College. Unfortunately, my pleading
Jenny was fundamental in the development of what has was to no avail, so I became a non-resident there in order
become the Council’s Advancement Committee, building it to benefit from extra tutorials in Law and British History at
up and guiding it from a small working party into a critically Trinity and Ormond Colleges.
important committee which considers everything from major
projects to benefaction. The College would not be where it is I remember loving the architecture of JCH, the convivial
today but for the focus of this committee on our outreach, and surrounds of the Dining Hall, and the students’ rooms –
ways to enhance what we can offer to students in terms of our with dark wood shelves full of Prue Acton make up bottles,
philanthropic capacity. Jenny’s generosity and acuity of mind clothes from the newly opened Sportsgirl, and dried flower
and purpose were ever present in committee deliberations. arrangements in turquoise and purple (so very 1970s!).

In addition, Jenny has an exceptionally clear eye for the written I have a deep affection for the College and the friends I
word. She has a gift for close editing which underwrites the made there and cherish its values and many admirable
clear and correct prose in much of the public documentation alumni. It was therefore with much pleasure that in 2021 I
of the College, from Council minutes to the fine editorial agreed to serve on the College Council.
detail required in successive editions of Luce. Her ability
to test language and improve on text and image has been During my long career as a lawyer, I specialised in health
an enormous gift to the College and has helped to uphold and medical law and was in-house lawyer at a number of
standards which are always under threat of slipping. hospitals, after first completing 20 years in private practice.
I am now a non-executive director of Western Health, East
A builder of relationships and community, Jenny was Melbourne Primary Health Care Network, the Australian
constant in her care and support for the College. Her wide Psychological Society and the Victorian Pharmacy
circle of friendships and knowledge of associations within and Authority, and I have gladly added JCH as one
beyond the JCH community were deeply helpful to me as I of my Boards.
navigated the contours of rich connection which flow around
the College. I hope that I can make a positive contribution to the good
governance of the College and ensure that it provides a safe
Jenny has been a wonderful friend and support throughout my and academically sound experience – as well as a treasure
years as Principal. I have learned much more from her than I chest of happy memories – for all who pass through its
can properly acknowledge, and I know I join with others in doors.
thanking her and wishing her every happiness as she retires
from Council.

Digital Director for the Durham University Centre for Poetry The exact timing of her arrival at JCH will depend on the
and Poetics. procurement of a visa as well as the finalisation of her
commitments at St Chad’s and Durham.
Committed as she is to broadening university access for
all deserving students, Dr Spencer-Regan developed and Meanwhile, our sincere thanks go to Ms Margie Welsford,
secured university support for a special program to target low JCH Interim Principal, for her generous flexibility and
participation communities in the region served by Durham, continuing fine leadership and support of both students and
including raising significant funding for scholarships and staff during another challenging year.
developing regional graduate retention strategies.
Ms Clare Pullar
Dr Spencer-Regan will be accompanied by her partner, Chair of Council
Professor Stephen Regan, and their three-year-old son, Wolfie.

J anet Clarke Hall 35