Page 8 - Luce 2021

I nterview

pretty well in terms of how we approach of immediate relevance to the annual met. And the sadness I feel about leaving
academic life at JCH. Leadership and Literature Dinners… is mixed with real joy at her leading her
do you receive feedback from students own school in Shepparton, at which she
It is very encouraging to read reports reinforcing the value of these efforts? will leave me for dead!
of alumni going out into their
communities with the intention of I actively seek it out! It’s always The Powell women have given so
making a difference and not just a interesting to see how students react to much to JCH behind the scenes,
name for themselves or simply just a speakers. I think ‘Ted Talks’ and the rise including in putting up with me and my,
living. It seems to me that ‘service’ of online speakers have probably slightly at times, obsessive focus on the College.
is a strong element in the education dented enthusiasm for dinnertime I think about the way Corin and Nieve
being provided in JCH. Do you think speakers, as you can sit in your bedroom sidled up to General David Morrison and
the strong community spirit in a small and listen to Barack Obama or whoever just started chatting before a dinner, or
college assists? – but my prediction is that after COVID the way that Dieni has ‘covered’ for me
restrictions end, students will be craving in terms of making sure that everything
In terms of service I’ve always found face-to-face, real-time speakers. was running smoothly during particular
JCH people – alumni, friends, and dinners. I also think it’s been good for
students – to be pretty humble. This does When I arrived at JCH I didn’t want them.
seem to me to be a distinctive part of our to run dinners which were, to put it
culture, as there is so much ‘boosting’ bluntly, content free; celebratory black- As you say, over the last twenty years lots
going on nowadays. Sometimes I think tie dinners are fine and can be fun, but of children – not just Corin and Nieve
our students are a little too backwards in I wanted something different. We’ve –have added to that ‘domestic’ feeling,
coming forwards. It reminds me of the always tried to highlight the intellectual and remind us all that not everyone is
old joke about the meek inheriting the breadth and reach we have by virtue of a university-aged person. I will always
earth, but only if that’s okay with the rest being a university college. Our alumni remember going into the kitchen to sort
of you… community is just unbelievable in the something out just before Orientation
people who have been through the Week and coming out to find Nieve
On the other hand, I’d rather a student College, and beyond them it’s been rising up from inside a bin – a very clean
who never tells you that they play the wonderful to ask folk who understand bin I would add – as the student club
piano, and then sits down and plays what we are on about to speak in did the ‘Fuzzy the Clown is a long way
their own beautiful composition, Hall. Again, benefaction has been down’ dance with her and Corin! I‘d be
to someone who is always talking crucial. We wouldn’t have Alice or interested what the folk who have gone
themselves up. In terms of service, one Anna in the life of the College without through College made of us as a family.
of the things I’ve been proudest of is the support of public philanthropic
the fact that students go down to the trusts who have been so generous in What has given you the greatest pleasure
local primary school and volunteer with endowing major artistic programs. in your time at JCH?
young kids from ‘CALD’ backgrounds
in which English is a second language As I’m leaving, I have to say that only There’s been so much variety – such
at home. Before COVID disrupted one speaker has ever slightly overawed an incredible team effort. It is gratifying
everything, this had been part of our me. I remember when Malcolm Fraser to watch young people who may be
culture for a very long time, and it walked through the front door… he was feeling lost feel better and move on
reminds us all that the College is such a polarising figure in terms of ’75 successfully. So much opportunity to
surrounded by diversity, including a and all that, and to watch him move to a imagine the way things ought to be, with
large migrant population from Africa in darling of the ‘left’ in his later years was the chance to have some influence.
North Melbourne and in Carlton. We quite remarkable. I remember thinking to
need to model service to build empathy myself ‘that’s actually Malcolm Fraser… And what have been the biggest
and not for CV building, although again and you’re in charge of this dinner, so headaches?!
I think sadly there is incredible pressure get a grip!’
on young people to develop a ‘social We might end up back at plumbing and
justice’ portfolio for their resumes. A Principal in Residence, married tutors wiring. More seriously though, when it’s
and the Artists-in-Residence program been tough, it’s been very tough. I don’t
The College has been enriched by your – bringing families to live in JCH – all know if it’s a headache exactly, but I
recruiting eminent individuals who seem to have been masterstrokes in worry about the diminishing respect
are more than simply names in the ‘humanising’ the College. Would you for the life of the mind, rational and
prospectus. Professor Peter Doherty like to comment on the part that Dieni, respectful debate, and even for the
AC, who replaced the ‘Wife of the Corin and Nieve have played in their sheer banal reality of adult life. Not
Governor’ as the ‘College Visitor’ support for you as Principal? They everyone can be rich, famous, and
has, with Penny his wife, actively have been an adornment at College powerful – and I’m not always sure that
contributed on a great many College functions! we are telling the truth to ourselves,
occasions. Anna Goldsworthy and or each other, about what makes for a
Alice Pung have immensely enriched Thanks, Penny. Without Dieni, I good society. These things sometimes
the cultural life of the College. Plus, of wouldn’t have made it. She is the most keep me awake at night. But it’s been an
course, the recruitment of outstanding remarkable person, the wisest and incredible honour and, with apologies to
staff. You have been thoughtful in the most practical, the kindest person any future employer, nothing else in my
attracting eminent speakers on topics without being a pushover, I have ever professional life will ever come close.
8 LUCE Number 20 2021