Rosebowl Campaign Begins

Netball began the Rosebowl 2025 campaign with Women’s just edging out St Andrew’s by the close of the competition. The St Paul’s team worked hard and won in Round 1 against Wesley and Round 4 against Sancta. They only lost to the ultimate winners, Women’s, by 2 points after nail-biting game in Round 3. Strong play from St Andrew’s in Round 2 and St John’s in Round 5 produced the final result of St Paul’s in 4th place and gaining 3 Rosebowl points.

Congratulations for their hard work to all members of the St Paul’s Netball Team: Tori Spark and Sam Janssen (joint conveners), Eva Dexter (captain), Kate Brenner, Emma Crack, Emily D’Souza, Hannah Ferguson, Rose Kenderes, Pippi McIntyre, Matilda Myers, Grace Newton, Ali Radford, Angie Ramsay, Sophie Robinson and Ines Treharne.

Results of the St Paul’s College Council Election

The election for the two vacancies for six-year terms as Lay Fellows for St Paul’s College Council has concluded.

The election was conducted in accordance with sections 55 (l), 55 (m) and 55 (n) of the By-laws of Saint Paul’s College (2023) and schedule 2 part 2, (5) of the Saint Paul’s College Act 2018 No 71 (NSW).

The four candidates were: Mr Matthew Gerber, Mr Jethro Mahon, Mr Andrew Sinclair, and Mr Adrian Wong.

Congratulations to the following candidates who have been declared elected by the Returning Officer, Dr Jim Franklin:

  • Mr Matthew Gerber
  • Mr Andrew Sinclair

Cricket Begins the 2025 Campaign

Rawson Cup Cricket leads the campaign to retain the Rawson Cup in 2025. The team played a scheduled pre-comp game on 27 February on the College Oval against I Zingari Australia. This is an annual match and helps our cricketers prepare for the Rawson Cup campaign. The College is very appreciative to have one of the premier cricket clubs in the country, founded in 1888, on our wicket for this early-season game.

For more about I Zangari CLICK HERE

The first two games were against St Andrew’s and then Wesley. St Andrew’s 151 all out, and Paul’s chased it losing 3 just wickets to win. Wesley 249 all out, and St Pauls 230, all out to lose.

On 13 March the tables turned when Wesley beat St Andrew’s and St Paul’s beat St John’s. A successful day saw St Paul’s bat first and set a total of 197. With the ball, St Paul’s got off to a solid start thanks to Julian Bagget which saw St John’s 3/17 off 8 overs. St Paul’s secured the win after dismissing St John’s for 170 in the 48th over.

Going from losing 3 games in last year’s campaign to securing a Victory Dinner this year, it is a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication. Congratulations to the cricket convenors of Bo Baffsky and Axel Bailey who led a solid campaign.

Congratulations to our victorious Cricketers, pictured above after their win against St John’s.

Rawson standings: St Paul’s 5 | St John’s 5 | Wesley 5 | St Andrew’s 1 

Academic Achievement Recognised

The annual tradition of the Academic Dinner to recognise the university achievements of our undergraduate students was held on Monday 10 March 2025. To celebrate the 2024 results, the best ever, old Pauline Professor Peter Anstey, gave the address and presented the College prizes for 2024. Peter discussed the real-life example of the philosophy of the separation of powers in the context of the fledgling Trump administration in the USA.

Professor Anstey (at College 1985) completed his BA in Philosophy in 1988, ThL in 1989 and PhD in 1997. We also learnt that he taught the Warden in Philosophy 1998 and continued to teach as Professor of Philosophy at The University of Sydney until this year specialising in European philosophy in the early modern period. He was appointed recently as the Commencing Director, Western Civilisation Program in the Faculty of Education and Art at the Australian Catholic University.

Michael Masi (guitar) [BE I] entertained the gathering with Angelina by Tommy Emmanuel (b.1955).

The College community congratulates all students who have worked so hard to achieve excellence in their academic work which is so beneficial to the individuals concerned and rewarding for the College.

2024 College awards were presented by Professor Anstey for:

PRIZE FOR HIGHEST ANNUAL AVERAGE MARK (FRESHER):

PRIZE FOR HIGHEST ANNUAL AVERAGE MARK (SENIOR):

ST PAUL’S COLLEGE TEACHING EXCELLENCE AWARD awarded to the most outstanding Tutor nominated by their fellow students:

  • Ben Varela

MCWILLIAM PRIZE (established through the generosity of Bruce McWilliam (College 1974-79, Fellow 2005-15 and Bursar) awarded for Law other than final year and for service to College:

  • Jason Zhu He

JUDGE HUMFRY HENCHMAN PRIZE (in memory of Hereward John Humfry Henchman (College 1922-28, Fellow 1938-94, Chairman 1976-79), Acting Judge of the Supreme Court of NSW and Judge of all District Courts in NSW) awarded to a student in final year Law: n/a

SIR IAN MCFARLANE PRIZE (in memory of Ian McFarlane (College 1941-44), engineer, economist, philanthropist and major innovator in exploration for shale oil in Australia)

awarded for exceptional results in Economics and/or Commerce and for service to College:

  • Ed Taylor

PORTUS PRIZE (in memory of Garnet Vere Portus (College 1903-04, Fellow 1918-34), the College’s first Rhodes Scholar) awarded for exceptional examination results in History, Economic History or Philosophy:

  • Orlando Throsby

UTHER PRIZE (established by a bequest from Allan Hammill Uther (College 1888-90, Fellow 1901-51), principal founder of the University Sports Union and Fellow of the College) awarded for three years’ distinguished examination results and service to College:

  • Austin Markwick
  • Ed Taylor

Academic Achievements, The University of Sydney 2024

EXAMINATION RESULTS 2024 – HIGH DISTINCTION AVERAGE (85-100)

  • Grace Anderson
  • Andrew Brennan
  • Kate Brenner
  • Aidan Cheung
  • William Defina
  • Gabriel Desiderio
  • Rebecca Galeano
  • Julian Guesnon
  • Sean Hamadi
  • Matilda Hayward
  • Liv Laverty
  • Ben Lee
  • Harry Ludwig
  • Juliet Malcolm
  • Austin Markwick
  • Owen Marschner
  • Grace Merrilees
  • Isander Mesimeris
  • Jack Parker
  • Samuel Richards
  • Christine Smith
  • Ed Taylor
  • Isabella Taylor
  • Lucy Tucker
  • Ben Varela

EXAMINATION RESULTS 2024 – DISTINCTION AVERAGE (75-84.99)

  • Zoe Anderson
  • Abigail Ballhausen
  • Jack Beck
  • Annica Bendall
  • Scarlett Benias
  • Heidi Best
  • Charlie Bishop
  • Ryan Bond
  • Eric Bong
  • Jack Bouvier
  • Rex Bouvier
  • Sophie Bradshaw
  • Sakura Brennan
  • Jackson Broad
  • Rohan Cameron
  • Eleanor Campbell
  • Libby Carey
  • Freya Carmody
  • Joshua Chanmugam
  • Thomas Chassat
  • Luke Chopra
  • Angus Clifford
  • Robert Clinton
  • Bryson Constable
  • William Cox
  • Sophie Davis
  • Jack Dawson
  • Charlotte Digges
  • Charles Dight
  • Tia Durovich
  • Jack Earwaker
  • James Edwards
  • Louis Eglinton
  • Aya-Lani Elias
  • Oscar Everett
  • Allegra Fleming
  • Tom Forsythe
  • Maddy Freeman
  • Ella Graves
  • Lachlan Green
  • Chloe Gunning
  • Josh Hall-Johnston
  • Natalie Hee
  • Phoebe Henry
  • Jesse Henry
  • Olivia Hills
  • Charlotte Hocking
  • Archie Hyles
  • Samantha Janssen
  • Arlo Johns-Hammond
  • Annika Johnson
  • Finn Johnson
  • Matilda Johnson
  • Mack Johnston
  • Harry Joils
  • Sophie Jones
  • Hugh Jordan
  • Helen Jordan
  • Emma Juneja
  • Dominic Kadmon
  • James Kerr
  • Harry Kirton
  • Dan Kovacs
  • Armand Larche
  • Gillian Lawrance
  • Matthew Leijer
  • Christopher Lennox
  • Joshua Lindon
  • Ryan Lynch
  • Rocco Marcolongo
  • Velvet Martino-Zlojutro
  • Sam Matruglio
  • Luka Mattani
  • Samuel Mccredie
  • James Mccreery
  • Hunter Mcgregor
  • Fraser Mclaren
  • Olivia McMillan
  • Molly Mcphillips
  • Ruben Mead
  • Cameron Morris
  • Grace Morrow
  • Will Nicholas
  • Milly O’Connell
  • Sebastian O’Connell
  • Lachlan Oldfield
  • James Parker Kelly
  • Alessandro Petagna
  • Maximilian Philips
  • Jennifer Pilarinos
  • Thomas Ramsey
  • Alex Ranson
  • Dylan Reid
  • Maisie Reid
  • Francesca Richards
  • Abbey Ridgewell
  • William Rivlin
  • Alex Robinson
  • Elise Rosser
  • Jack Sandelin
  • James Saywell
  • Gabe Scott
  • Spencer Selikowitz
  • Belle Sherlock
  • Connor Sinn
  • Victoria Spark
  • Jack Sproats
  • Georgia St John
  • William Stafford
  • Maya Stapleton
  • Valentina Steele
  • Toby Symons
  • Joshua Taleb
  • Olivia Thoma
  • Hugh Thompson
  • Zoe Thomson
  • Orlando Throsby
  • Charlotte Toll
  • Elinor Trevelyan-Jones
  • Katie Tyo
  • Luka Vujanovic
  • Tom Wait
  • Matilda Walker
  • Bligh Walter
  • Gemma White
  • Levi Williams
  • Ella Winterbottom
  • Adam Wong
  • Lily Wood
  • Sophie Wright
  • Will Wright
  • Andy Xie
  • Bailey Yeates
  • Jason Zhu He

VICE CHANCELLOR’S INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP

  • Benjamin Scott-King

PJ JACK PRIZE FOR ARABIC LANGUAGE:

  • Rocco Marcolongo
  • Armand Larche

ACADEMIC MERIT PRIZE

  • Austin Markwick Bella Taylor
  • Elinor Trevelyan-Jones
  • Isander Mesimeris
  • Benjamin Varela

DEAN’S LIST OF EXCELLENCE

  • Austin Markwick (Engineering)
  • Bella Taylor (Science)
  • Elinor Trevelyan-Jones (Law/Arts)
  • Isander Mesimeris (Law)
  • Jack Lockhart (Science)
  • Kate Brenner (Engineering)
  • Luka Mattani (Veterinary Science)

DENISON RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP

  • Owen Marschner

BETA GAMMA SIGMA INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS HONOURS SOCIETY ELECTION

  • Jack Beck

ENGINEERING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP

  • Benjamin Varela

STUDENT MANAGED INVESTMENT FUND SCHOLARSHIP

  • Tom Collins

THE GREGG HUMANITARIAN SCHOLARSHIP

  • Myroslav Boroviak

Awards on entry to The University of Sydney 2025

DALYELL SCHOLARS (Awarded for applicants who demonstrate a guaranteed ATAR of 98+)

  • Jessica Allen-Waters
  • Zoe Beattie
  • Rupert Begg
  • Riadh Bowler
  • Lola Cayzer
  • Harry Chu
  • Emily D’Souza
  • Charlie Dale
  • Charlotte Ellis
  • Molly Espie
  • Tom Fisher
  • Tara Gold
  • Rory Lambert
  • Lachlan Larsson
  • Jack Laurie
  • Jessica Li
  • Mischa Lim
  • Abby Long
  • Angus Malcolm
  • Elliot McKay
  • Matthew McKee
  • Maxine McKellar
  • Patrick McLeish
  • Anna Morrison
  • Audrey Newman
  • Jack O’Brien
  • Sarah Poolman
  • Rachel Poon
  • Will Powell
  • Lily Richards
  • Lucas Robertson
  • Oliver Stafford
  • Anneka Steele
  • George Tait
  • Harry Tanner
  • Jasper Tuckwell
  • Isabella Watson
  • Jemima Williams

ERIC CONSTANCE SHAW LAW SCHOLARSHIP (awarded to students who are from a regional or remote area of Australia, are commencing a Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor and demonstrate leadership experience, communication skills, personal interests and community engagement)

  • Ved Patel

WALTER REID MEMORIAL PRIZE (awarded to students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences)

  • Ved Patel

ENGINEERING UNDERGRADUATE MERIT SCHOLARSHIP (to encourage and support domestic students commencing an undergraduate degree in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney with a guaranteed ATAR of 96+)

  • Oliver Stafford

ERIC CAMPBELL SCOTT SCHOLARSHIP (supports academically excellent students studying in the Business School)

  • Jack Laurie

CHANCELLOR’S SCHOLARSHIP (awarded to applicants who have achieved an ATAR (or equivalent) of 99.90 or above)

  • Jack Humphries
  • Jessica Li
  • Matthew McKee
  • Rachel Poon

FACULTY OF ENGINEERIG WOMEN IN ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP (awarded to applicants for Engineering who have achieved ATAR of 98 and above)

  • Jessica Li

SUSF ELITE ATHLETE SCHOLARSHIP

  • Audrey Newman
  • Milana Henderson

JUDGE RALPH J PERDRIAU FIRST NATIONS SCHOLARSHIP FOR BACHELOR OF LAWS (to support First Nations students undertaking a Bachelor of Law at the Sydney Law School)

  • Harry Tanner

The Choir Goes to Paris

More from the spectacular International Tour of St Paul’s College Chapel Choir.

For some members of the Choir this visit was their first time to the ‘City of Light’ but they made sure it was for them their ‘city of music’. Having a well-prepared programme from the UK leg of the tour three concerts were given in the most amazing places of worship in Paris.

La Madeliene – 7 January 2025. The first church was a rehearsal and performance at Égise de la Madeliene dedicated in 1764 and re-purposed in 1814 in the Neo Classical Style by Napoleon Bonapart as a monument to his victories in war, and completed as a church again 1842. Its entrance, like that of an ancient Greek Temple, leads you into a sumptuous and enormous interior that provides an outstanding acoustic for voice ensemble and particularly for organ music.

The College Choir was delighted to welcome the Australian Ambassador to France, Her Excellency Lynette Wood. She greatly enjoyed the concert and greeted the choir members afterwards and commented on X “It is a great pride to witness the talent of the 32 talented choristers of the choir at St Paul’s College, University of Sydney. Thank you to them for this magical performance in the heart of Paris.” She invited the choir to the embassy the next day for a tour of the art collection. The Choir was also delighted that the legendary Australian soprano Siobhan Stagg came along to attend the concert. Siobhan commented that it was a similar tour that she did whilst a chorister at the Choir of Trinity College Melbourne that inspired her to pursue an international career in singing – that has taken to her as a soloist with the Berlin Philharmonic, Royal Opera House, Deutsche Oper Berlin and more. 

St Paul’s College Choir singing in front of the altar with the painting by Jules-Claude Ziegler (1804–1856) which depicts major events in the history of Christianity above, their voices rose into the marvellous acoustic performing a range of works from the baroque to modern Australian including Gabriel Fauré’s Cantique de Jean Racine. Fauré was the Organist at La Madeleine from 1896-1905.  Both College Organist David Drury and our Organ Scholar Bailey Yates played the Chancel organ built by the revered organ firm of Cavaillé-Coll in 1842.

Saint-Sulpice – 8 January 2025

Apart from rollicking around the Eiffel Tower, museums and cafes the choir had more work for Concert No. 2 on 8 January in the baroque interior of Égise Saint-Sulpice of 1646. This stunning church is the third largest in Paris and it has another huge acoustic to come to terms with. The choir under the masterful lead of Jack Stephens sang a range of acapella pieces and in the very French church tradition these were interspersed with organ improvisations on the chancel organ by David Drury.

The concerts in Paris also featured a new composition by a member of the Choir, William Varga, who set the poem ‘Faith, Love and Death’ by Old Pauline Dowell O’Reilly. Dowell O’Reilly was a member of NSW Parliament in the late 19th Century, and who moved the first motion in favour of Women’s suffrage in New South Wales. 

The choristers found a fascinating place to change and prepare for the service in their allocated room in the crypt, where another small organ was used. This room led into the foundations of the church where remnants of the original 13th century structure can be found.

Saint-Eustache – 9 January 2025

The final concert was held on the night of 9 January at Église Saint-Eustache, the second largest church in Paris, built between 1532 and 1633 with is flying buttresses in Gothic style. This church contains some important Renaissance art and one of the highest vaulted church ceilings in Europe. This presented another challenging acoustic for the choir who were accompanied by David Drury playing the 8,000 pipe grand organ (one of the largest organs in France). This final concert featured the Choir’s largest works on the tour – centred around Jean Langlais’ epic Messe Solenelle. At a huge surprise, the Choir was thrilled to discover that Madame Langlais (the widow of Jean Langlais), had heard about the concert that would feature her late husband’s work. 

Pictures above: Vanessa Agius, Noel Debien, Richard Morgan

The Choir at Canterbury and York – January 2025

Canterbury

The City of Canterbury in the County of Kent is one of the most picturesque cities of England and is home to the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury the symbolic leader of the worldwide Anglican Church. 

Founded in 597, Canterbury Cathedral was rebuilt between 1070 and 1077 and greatly enlarged at the beginning of the 12th century and largely rebuilt in the Gothic style following a fire in 1174, The Norman nave and transepts survived until the late 14th century, when they were demolished to make way for the present structures.

Here the Choir of St Paul’s College were warmly welcomed by the Dean the Very Reverend David Monteith and the other clergy and sang Evensong for New Year’s Day and again on 2 January. They delighted the large congregation of locals and a few who had come down from London, after word spread about the splendour of the choir’s music, with the singing of William James’s Australian carol Carol of the Birds, David Drury’s arrangement of Silent Night and Balfour Gardiner’s Evening Hymn

The cathedral is the burial place for many interesting people including Bishop William Broughton, first bishop of Australia who was an early advocate for a Church of England college in Sydney. With his involvement in the establishment of the University of Sydney he was against it being a secular institution and therefore opposed the proposal that church residential colleges be established within its grounds. Yet he remained involved with Sir Alfred Stephen in the committee for the establishment of St Paul’s until his return to England in 1852 [See. J M Bennett, Sir Alfred Stephen, 2009 and A Atkinson, Hearts and Minds, 2017]. 

York

Then to the City of York in North Yorkshire where this other ancient settlement boasts one of the finest cathedrals in Europe, York Minster. The under croft contains re-used fabric of c. 1160, but the bulk of the building was constructed between 1220 and 1472 in Perpendicular Gothic style. Being the weekend, the choir was given a busy schedule which started with a very rewarding choral workshop with Robert Hollingworth – winner of numerous Gramophone Awards, artistic director of the internationally-renowned I Fagiolini and the head of the Masters of Solo Voice Ensemble singing at the University of York. Then it was Saturday Evensong with a large congregation filling the choir and on Sunday the Feast of Epiphany, when the 32 choir members and the retinue of 16 followers trudged through the early morning snow up to the Minster, where they sang at Matins, Eucharist and Evensong. 

The touring party gather at St Peter’s School York (founded in 627) for the choral workshop

A special treat was the impromptu unaccompanied singing of Philip Stopford’s 2008 setting of Luli Lulay sung in the incredible acoustic of the octagonal Chapter House. The video below had incredibly been sent to the composer of the work, who messaged the Choir stating that he wished we had invited him along to join in. 

Above pictures and video: Vanessa Agius, Noel Debien, Richard Morgan