Newman College, Melbourne facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Newman College
University	University of Melbourne
Location	887 Swanston St, Parkville, Victoria, Melbourne
Coordinates	37°47′42″S 144°57′49″E / 37.7950°S 144.9636°E / -37.7950; 144.9636
Motto	Luceat Lux Vestra
Motto in English	Let Your Light Shine
Established	1918
Architect	Walter Burley Griffin
Architectural style	Art Deco
Colours	Blue, Green and White
Gender	Co-educational
Rector	Daniel Madigan SJ
Undergraduates	220
Postgraduates	80
Tutors	50

Newman College is a special place where students live and study while attending the University of Melbourne in Australia. It's a Roman Catholic college, meaning it has ties to the Catholic Church, and it's for both boys and girls.

Around 220 students who are just starting university (undergraduates) live here. Plus, about 80 students who are doing advanced studies (postgraduates) and tutors also call Newman College home.

The college is named after John Henry Newman. He was an important person in the 1800s who became a Catholic. Even though it's linked to the University of Melbourne, some students also come from other universities nearby.

The college has a motto, which is like a special saying: Luceat Lux Vestra. This is Latin for "Let Your Light Shine".

Life at Newman College

Where students live

Most undergraduate students live in the Carr and Mannix buildings. These buildings are connected by a walkway and surround the big dining room. Some students also live in the Donovan building or Fleming House.

Older students doing postgraduate studies live in houses across the street or in apartments behind the Donovan building.

The Students' Club

All undergraduate students at Newman College can join the Newman College Students' Club. This club is run by the students themselves. They plan fun daily activities and special events for everyone in the college.

A group of students is chosen each year to lead the club. They have different roles, like vice-president, secretary, and people who help with community service, culture, and sports.

Senior Common Room

The Senior Common Room (SCR) is for college staff, tutors, and postgraduate students. They also choose their own leaders each year. The SCR organizes events throughout the year for its members.

Fun activities and events

Newman College really encourages students to join in extra activities. Music, sports, and drama are a big part of college life.

• Music and Arts: The college holds "Soirées" often, which are like talent shows where students can perform. There are also prizes for the best artists and debaters. The college has its own choir, started in 2002, that sings in the chapel and at concerts.
• Sports: Newman College has a strong history in sports. They have won many intercollegiate (between colleges) football championships.
• Culture: The college also does well in intercollegiate art, music, and culture events. In 2022, they even won the Intercollegiate Culture Cup!

Help with fees

Newman College helps many students with their fees. About 75% of students receive financial help through scholarships or bursaries. These can be worth up to $10,000 for both Australian and international students.

Students can also apply for a special scholarship from the University of Melbourne. This scholarship helps Indigenous students and students from regional areas who might need financial support to live at the college.

Public talks

The college often hosts public talks about Irish studies. These talks are open to everyone, not just students.

Archbishop Daniel Mannix Memorial Lecture

The Archbishop Daniel Mannix Memorial Lecture is a very important event each year. It started in 1977 and is named after Daniel Mannix. He was a key person who helped create Newman College and made sure Catholic students had good opportunities.

Many famous people have given this lecture over the years. They include former Prime Ministers like Malcolm Fraser and other well-known Australians like Ita Buttrose and Peter Garrett. The talks cover important topics about leadership and Australian society.

Special study areas

Newman College supports several special study areas at the University of Melbourne. These include:

• Irish Studies
• Philosophy
• Medieval Art History
• Shakespeare Studies
• Positive Psychology

College buildings

Newman College
Dining room façade
Former names	Roman Catholic College
General information
Type	Residential college
Architectural style	Gothic Revival Chicago influence
Address	887 Swanston Street, Parkville
Town or city	Melbourne
Country	Australia
Construction started	April 1916
Completed	March 1918
Owner	Roman Catholic Trusts Corporation
Design and construction
Architect	Walter Burley Griffin; Marion Mahony Griffin
Main contractor	Bart Moriarty
Awards and prizes	Australian Institute of Architects (Victorian Chapter) Heritage Architecture Award 2010
Designations	Register of the National Estate (1978); Australian National Heritage List (2005); National Trust of Australia; Melbourne City Council Heritage Register; RAIA National Register of Twentieth Century Architecture; Victorian Heritage Register

The main college buildings were built between 1916 and 1918. They were designed by famous American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. The Griffins also designed furniture for the college, like unique chairs, tables, and bookshelves.

Much of this original furniture is still used today. Some pieces are even in art galleries! The college's design is so special that it was added to the Australian National Heritage List in 2005. It's known as one of the best examples of Griffin's architecture in Australia.

The stone walls of the college have been carefully repaired over the years. This work won an award in 2010 for preserving its history.

Allan & Maria Myers Academic Centre

The Allan & Maria Myers Academic Centre is a library that Newman College shares with St Mary's College. It's open to students 24 hours a day, which is great for studying!

This centre has special collections of books, including the Newman College Irish collection. This collection started in 1924 with books from Nicholas O’Donnell, who was an Irish language expert. It has many old books and papers, some in the Irish language.

Each year, a visiting scholar is chosen to study the books in the O'Donnell Collection.

How the college is run

Since it opened in 1918, Newman College has been run by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), a group of Catholic priests. They still manage the college today.

The college council helps make important decisions. The Archbishop of Melbourne leads this council. Other members include bishops, former students, and university members. Two students are also chosen each year to represent the student body.

The college has several leaders who help with daily tasks:

• Rector: The main head of the college, currently Daniel Madigan.
• Provost: Guglielmo Gottoli
• Deputy Provost: Rebecca Daley
• Dean of Studies: Charlotte O'Shea (helps with academic matters)
• Dean of Students: Alicia Deak (helps with student life)

Rectors of Newman College

The Rector is the head of Newman College. The current Rector is Daniel Madigan, who is a Jesuit priest and a scholar.

Here are some of the Rectors who have led Newman College over the years:

Famous people from Newman College

Many notable people have studied at Newman College. Here are a few:

• Kevin Andrews – a politician
• Frank Brennan – a Jesuit priest and human rights lawyer
• Ben Buckingham - an Australian Olympian
• Peta Credlin – a former chief of staff to an Australian Prime Minister
• Neale Daniher – a former Australian Rules football player
• Marg Downey – a comedian and actress
• Sir James Gobbo – a former Governor of Victoria (a state leader)
• James P. Gorman – the CEO of a big financial company, Morgan Stanley
• Allan Myers – a lawyer, generous giver, and head of the University of Melbourne
• Brenda Niall – a writer and journalist
• Gemma Sisia – a humanitarian who started the School of St Jude in Tanzania

See also

• List of Jesuit sites

Images for kids

• 

  Newman College Chapel

• 

  The Mannix wing faces Swanston Street

• 

  Interior of the dining room

• 

  Dome of Newman College