Advancement Office
Since its inception, Trinity College has been underpinned by an inspiring tradition of philanthropy that supports buildings, scholarships, teaching positions and endowment for financial security. This tradition was maintained with splendid support in 2007, and the College is extremely grateful to the hundreds of alumni, families, friends, trusts, companies and parishes who gave so generously.
A Change of leadership – and name
As mentioned earlier, Trinity farewelled Ms Clare Pullar in April, after ten outstanding years’ leadership of the Development team – including gaining international recognition for her efforts. Dr Alan Watkinson was welcomed as the incoming Director of Advancement in August, at which time the Development Office became the Advancement Office.
The Campaign for Trinity
At the end of 2007 the Campaign total had reached almost $22 million towards the provisional goal of $26 million, with over $1.5 million raised during the year in cash, pledges and notified bequests. Chairman Dr Graeme Blackman continued to provide effective and focussed leadership of the Campaign Cabinet, with this group giving strong support to the Advancement Office.
Woodheap building
The Woodheap building was completed and commissioned during 2007, with both students and visiting scholars benefiting from this excellent new facility. To be opened officially in February 2008, it is being re-named ‘Gourlay’ in honour of John and Louise Gourlay and their family – long-standing and generous benefactors to Trinity.
Warden’s Circle
The Circle recognises members who give $1,000 or more to the College during the calendar year. In 2007 there were 157 members, with 57 of these joining for the first time. Members were invited to three events during the year: a flute and piano recital by John Wion and Stephen McIntyre on 27 May; the Caldwell Lectures in August; and the Warden’s Circle Garden Party, held on the Vatican Lawn on 11 November in warm and sunny conditions, with almost 100 guests attending.
Gourlay Visiting Professorship
In November, Trinity welcomed Professor Laura Hartman from DePaul University in Chicago, making her first visit as Gourlay Visiting Professor of Ethics in Business. Professor Hartman taught classes at the Melbourne Business School and made a number of appearances in the Central Business District. Many more activities are planned for her return in July 2008.
Philanthropic giving in 2007
The Annual Giving program exceeded all expectations by raising just over $400,000 for the College, the highest amount ever for this program.
The American Friends of Trinity secured their 501 (c)(3) certificate for tax-deductible donations and an Annual Giving Campaign for the USA is planned for 2008. Philip Cohen has confirmed his intention to commit $1 million through the ‘Friends’.
The Merlyn Myer Scholarship has been created by the Myer family to provide support for a rural, disadvantaged student who otherwise would not be able to attend Trinity.
The Ian Mackenzie Scholarship has been boosted by a number of generous benefactors and now is fully endowed.
More than 30 supporters have given generously to help publish the forthcoming book on Valentine Leeper, currently being prepared by Marion Poynter.
The James Guest Medical Scholarship has been created through the generosity of alumnus James Guest (TC 1936) to provide assistance to a student studying science and medicine who otherwise would not be able to attend Trinity.
The Campbell Scholarship has been created to provide full fee support for a student entering Trinity from a financially disadvantaged background.
In addition, one partial and two full scholarships were donated for the year, providing invaluable support for our students and illustrating that scholarship assistance for students does not always need to be through fully endowed funds, but can be created quite modestly and incrementally.
The Frank Woods Lectureship continues to be supported and more than $145,000 was raised in 2007. At the end of the year the fund stood at over $850,000.
Many generous gifts of books, art works and artefacts to the College were received during the year and are acknowledged in the relevant sections of this report. We are also most grateful for the continued generosity of Bishop James Grant and Judge Peter Gebhardt.
Indigenous Students Program
During 2007, ten Indigenous students were in residence at Trinity on scholarships. Two of of our Indigenous scholars graduated during the year, both with first class honours.
Twenty-two Indigenous students attended the Young Leaders Summer School at Trinity in December, all on full scholarships.
Philanthropic gifts have supported the work of Indigenous Programs Officer Dr Jon Ritchie in developing the ‘Step UP’ program for Indigenous students at the University and Trinity College. This program is being received with great interest in all quarters.
Special events
The University and Trinity College jointly hosted a symposium on ‘Philanthropy and the Humanities’ in September. Fifty guests from around Australia and overseas were invited to participate in this inaugural two-day event which focussed on the opportunities for academic and cultural researchers in the humanities to access philanthropic support. Such was the success of this symposium that future events are planned over the next five years.
The new Director of Advancement was installed during the annual service to commemorate Trinity’s Founders and Benefactors on 28 September. The dinner following the service was again supported by a philanthropic gift. This key event showcased both the Choir and other musical groups, and was an opportunity to thank many of the College’s key supporters and glimpse future developments at Trinity.
Throughout the year several friends of Trinity generously hosted events to welcome and introduce the Warden to other members of our community. In particular, Graeme and Paulene Blackman, Peter and Sherene Guy, and Lady Primrose Potter hosted cocktail parties and a dinner as part of this special program.
The final events for the year were the annual Carol Services on 14 and 16 December, both held in a packed College Chapel. After the services, the congregation was treated to a selection of Christmas delicacies, and an extra ‘thank you’ from the Choir.
Staffing
Early in the year, Ms Dana Zarzycki commenced as Associate Director of Advancement and Ms Briony Wood-Ingram was appointed to the new part-time position of Community Officer.
Alumni Activities
Union of the Fleur-de-Lys Events
Attracting over 100 alumni, the inaugural Drinks under the Oak was hosted by the Fleur-de-Lys Committee in March. It is now set to become and annual event.
The glittering highlight of the year was the 135th Anniversary Dinner held in the Great Hall of the National Gallery in August. The 443 guests who attended were treated to some fine musical entertainment by the Choir as well as a stirring speech by the Warden.
Reunions in Melbourne
On 11 April, about 90 alumni who entered the College in 1956 or earlier – some as early as 1933 – returned to the Dining Hall for the annual Veterans’ Lunch, while some 50 members of the 1957 entry year celebrated their 50 Year Reunion at a Dinner in the JCR on 11 May.
Overseas gatherings
Community Manager Jennifer Wraight and Community Officer Bri Wood-Ingram accompanied the Choir and the Warden on a mission to South East Asia in July. Successful alumni events for Residential College and Foundation Studies students were held in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, as well as many individual meetings with alumni and parents, and some fine performances by the Choir. In October, the Advancement Office supported a Foundation Studies Alumni gathering in Hong Kong attended by 20 former students.