Communitas supports rural communities

The Communitas Committee aims to embody the spirit of St Hilda’s by acting as vehicle to signify and support the needs of people within our community. To date, the committee has successfully intensified its involvement in College activities.

The annual Bunny Week was held with much excitement as a lead-up to the Easter break. Students and staff exchanged anonymous gifts throughout the week.

A successful movie night raised $110 for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, to support 2nd year student Andrei Xydas, who volunteers at the Centre.

Swotvac Afternoon Teas mean that study at college is interrupted at 3pm, thanks largely to the kitchen staff. As in the past, we chose to hold our own version of the Biggest Morning Tea, raising $146.40 for The Cancer Council, which surpassed last year’s amount! Thanks to the staff and tutors who donated food for the event.

At the start of the year, we saw a need to promote the importance of volunteering at St Hilda’s. Those who choose to actively engage in their wider community do so with relative anonymity.

Furthermore, as most St Hilda’s students are new to the Parkville area, they are often not aware of volunteering opportunities. As a result, the Communitas Committee has launched a website that is linked to the college intranet with this information, and their relevance to particular university courses.

Presently, we have more events planned. Of most significance is the annual Communitas Charity Gala, to be held on 25 August. This year, the proceeds for the evening will go to The Victorian Farmers Federation Disaster Relief Fund, in support of rural and regional communities which have experienced personal and financial devastation.

Given the recent floods, bushfires, and long period of drought, and the composition of our student body, the Fund is a popular choice, and the committee is hard at work to ensure a successful evening. We hope to see you there.

Penny Davis and Emily Walker
Communitas Conveners

Communitas Spirit

Co-conveners of Communitas (2006),
Tania Swan and Phoebe Simmonds.

“Communitas” is not just a motto, it is a way of life at St Hilda’s!

This has been proven once again in 2006, with the enthusiasm of 24 students, committed to ensuring St Hilda’s showed not only good community leadership - organising and hosting many charitable events throughout the year - but also raised valuable funds and awareness of our society’s wider issues.

The first event was a movie night in April, which raised more than $100 for the Red Shield Appeal. The next event was Bunny Week, an opportunity for people to give gifts to other collegians. Our second movie night was held in P-week at the beginning of semester two. To welcome the new American students to Hilda’s we screened The Castle and Crackerjack.

Swot Vac once again signaled the beginning of afternoon teas. Hot Jam donuts were a popular favourite, although the Krispy Kremes in second semester gave them a run for their money! The donations in first semester, totalling $130, were donated to the Anti Cancer Council, and in second semester we supported the Butterfly Foundation, raising $85.The main event on the 2006 calendar was the Communitas Charity Gala in August, which not only raised valuable funds, but awareness of ReachOut!

ReachOut! is part of the Inspire Foundation, and is a national initiative to help young adults deal with destructive issues ranging from eating disorders and domestic violence to alcohol and substance abuse. With more than 100 guests, the evening raised an outstanding $3800 - $500 more than last year’s event.

Thank you to our sponsors of the night for providing food, wine and prizes for the evening: Event Hire, Microboss, Lygon Food Store, Trotters, Scirgo Home & Giftware, Mink Hair & Body Care, Melbourne University Bookshop, Richmond Oyster, Merchants Supply Co., Brenta Meats, Sunrise Gourmet Bread Rolls, Yarra Valley Farms, Armstrongs Foodservice, Rathdowne Cellars, Kooka Brotha’s Patisserie, La Manna Fresh, Jacqueline Sutherland, Lygon Court Newsagency, Ocean Grove Cellars.

Throughout 2006, the Communitas Committee, with the support of St Hilda’s friends and alumni, raised more than $4000 for a variety of charities.

Tania Swan, Co-convener Communitas (2006)

Nathan McBain and other international
student delegates at the IYLC in Prague.

Nathan wins 2006 Communitas Prize

Nathan McBain was the 2006 recipient of the Ernst & Young Communitas Prize. This award was inaugurated in 1998 to recognise a student who had done the most to support and advance the ideals of service, leadership and teamwork in the College and the wider community, while also achieving academic success.

Nathan is not only an outstanding student and contributor to the College community; he is also a recognised leader within the wider community, having been Programs and Activities Moderator for the Student Ambassador Leadership Program at the University of Melbourne in 2006.

In 2006, Nathan was among just three students from Australia who attended the 11th International Youth Leadership Conference (IYLC). He joined 150 students from around the globe in Prague for one dynamic week in July.

The theme of the conference was “cross-cultural exchange of young ideas concerning the future of world leadership”, involving a range of forums and discussions on world politics, law, and international relations.

The College wishes to acknowledge the ongoing association of Ernst & Young with St Hilda’s and to express our appreciation for their sponsorship of the Communitas Prize.