Medley Hall newsletter November 2023
1. Major building restoration
2. Renaming update
3. Alumni giving back
4. The impact of scholarships
5. 2023 Annual Ball and other events
6. Vale Leith Hancock
1. Major building restoration
Last year our iconic building turned 130 and work started in August 2022 on the restoration of the Benvenuta façade and adjacent terrace, which was completed in July this year. What an incredible transformation! The work, which was led by Ivy Construction, required numerous specialist trades including painters, renderers, slate roofers, mosaic contractors, specialist conservators, cast iron workers, and structural under-pinners.
As well as stripping and re-painting the building, decorative features that have been lost over the years were re-cast or repaired. Over 100 mouldings including corbels, dentils and flowers were restored, together with the four famous statues. Missing elements of the decorative cast iron gate posts were also recast and, with the fence, given a much-needed coat of paint.
A new Welsh slate roof was installed, the entryway tiles were lifted, cleaned and missing ones reproduced and replaced. The impressive front door was refreshed with a coat of deep blue paint, a fitting entranceway to the carefully restored building.
Read more about the history of Benvenuta.
2. Renaming update
In line with our commitment to making the College a welcoming and safe space for all our students, the Medley Hall Advisory Group (MHAG) commenced a consultation process to explore renaming Medley Hall driven by Sir John Medley’s association with eugenics. This has included consultation with current and former First Nations students, Indigenous staff members and leaders at the University, alumni, and relatives of the late Sir John Medley.
MHAG strongly supports the name change proposal and, in March 2023, University Council supported in principle the proposal to change the name. The University of Melbourne Traditional Owners Advisory Group recommended that a request for a new name be submitted to Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation. We are anticipating an outcome late this year.
If you have any questions about the process, contact the Head, Medley Hall.
3. Alumni giving back
We are fortunate to work with alumni Nicole McEvoy (MH 2006-08) , Emily James (MH 2013-16) and Craig Parker (MH 1981-82) as members of our Medley Hall Advisory Group. The group have provided invaluable direction and input into in the renaming process and in shaping our advancement strategy. A number of alumni have also returned to the College to share their talents including Gamilaroi poet, Luke Patterson, who ran a wonderful poetry workshop for residents earlier this year.
4. The impact of scholarships
The College’s goal to support underrepresented students, including First Nations and those from low socio-economic backgrounds continued this year with more than 25 fee-remission bursaries allocated to new and continuing residents.
We are so grateful to our generous donor, the Cybec Foundation who has supported the College for many years, both through gifts and with Cydelia House which is home to 20 graduates and mature-age students.
Recently, we welcomed long-time supporter, Winifred Peart to the College. Winnifred’s gifts have helped provide new facilities, including our ever-popular coffee machine!
We would like to thank the following people for their invaluable contributions :
Medley Hall Advisory Group: Brooke Young (chair), Craig Parker, Nicole McEvoy, Prof. Pip Nicholson, Emily James.
Major Gifts: Robert and Gretta Wilkinson scholarship; The Cybec Foundation; Winnifred Peart.
See how you can make a difference
5. 2023 Annual Ball and other events
Our Annual Ball, with the traditional photo in the music lounge, was a great success. The masquerade theme saw students, friends and alumni come together for a night of fun.
We’ve also enjoyed a number of celebration dinners throughout the Semester, starting the year with Commencement and special guest Michele Forster, new Director of University Colleges and Residential Life, and ending with Valedictory where we were joined by Professor Pip Nicholson and N’arweet Carolyn Briggs.
While not traditionally the sportiest of colleges, we were proud to be represented in Intercollegiate badminton and table tennis. No medals, but there’s always next year!
We have also welcomed fantastic guest speakers including DVC Indigenous Prof. Barry Judd, UoM Historian Dr James Waghorne, A/Prof Tilman Ruff, Author Maxine Beneba Clarke, Prof. Keith McVilly and Dr Kim Alley.
6. Vale Leith Hancock
Leith Hancock passed away in August this year. Leith was the warden of Medley Hall between 1979 and 1986, having moved from the University of Queensland where she worked as a student counsellor. She immersed herself in college life and is remembered fondly by many as counsellor, house-mother, mentor, and friend, as well as being a hard-working administrator with a sense of fun.
Were you at Medley Hall when Leith was the warden? We would love to hear from you.