Christ College is the oldest tertiary institution in Australia and is a residential college of the University of Tasmania.

The college is located on the university's grounds in Sandy Bay. The college, familiarly referred to as "Christ", is the largest of the three Sandy Bay residential colleges, with a residential community consisting of approximately 285 undergraduate and postgraduate residents, a significant number of whom are international students from Asia, Europe and the Americas.

History

thumb|Christ College 1846–1856, Bishopsbourne

1840, Christ College was first proposed in Lieutenant-Governor Sir John Franklin's Legislative Council; 1846, it was later founded in Bishopsbourne, modelled on the Oxford and Cambridge colleges, as an Anglican college; 1856, the college closed due to bad financial conditions; 1879, the college reopens in Hobart; 1885, the institution moved to the Hobart High School premises on the Domain on a seven year lease; 1892, the lease was not renewed because of the foundation of the University of Tasmania; 1911, the college reopened as the matriculation section of the Hutchins School; 1926, The Christ College Act receives Royal Assent; 1929, a move of staff and students into an enlarged site in Park Street; 1933, the institution was formally affiliated with the university as its first residential college; 1971, the college relocates to Sandy Bay.

On 23 October 1974, Prince Charles visited the University of Tasmania. This included a garden party at Christ College.

In 2003, the administration of Christ College was taken over by Accommodation Services, which also administers St John Fisher College and the University Apartments.

In 2008, the college completed its first major refurbishment initiative since moving to the Sandy Bay site.

Buildings

The college's Sandy Bay campus buildings were designed by Dirk Bolt and are regarded as one of Tasmania's finest examples of post-Second World War Australian architecture. The college's design centres on four distinct buildings, each clustered around a central elevated courtyard, while still framing external views over Hobart and the Derwent Estuary. These buildings marked one of the earliest uses of concrete masonry for both internal and external finish, a style that became closely associated with the distinct Tasmanian architectural style of the 1960s.

Since moving to the Sandy Bay site in 1962, Christ College has been made-up of six residential blocks, each named after influential figures in the establishment and history of the college. As such, the six college blocks are named in honour of four former wardens, the first Bishop of Tasmania and an important benefactor of the college. Dudley remained with Christ College until his death from leukaemia in 1957.

May: The Rev. Canon (Emeritus) John May was himself a student of Christ College in the early 1930s, soon after its affiliation with the University of Tasmania. He returned to the college to be appointed Warden from 1958 to 1963, and again 18-years later in 1981. Nixon strongly advocated for the college's establishment despite the judgement of John Gell (the college's first warden), who felt that the college was not yet financially-secure enough to open. In this respect, Nixon can be considered indirectly responsible for the college's collapse in 1856, as a result of mismanagement stemming partly from his interference (in the appointment of a Bursar) and indifference (in failing to properly oversee the college trustees). In 1847, Nixon was described as "a remarkable man both in appearance and character, good-looking, coal-black hair ... piercing black eyes, and full, rather thick lips; tenacious of his rights, extremely anxious to be correct with regard to costume and all other points of etiquette, devoted to the fine arts and a beautiful draughtsman." Contemporaries describe him as kindly and hospitable, and celebrate his public spirit. When he died in 1883, Toosey bequeathed his property to the diocese with the request that it be used for the revival of the college. This included a portrait of the Duke of Wellington, as well as the bookcase and two large cupboards held in the conference room.

Symbols

Motto

The college motto is Jesus Christus esto mihi ("Jesus Christ shall be mine" or "Let Jesus Christ be mine").

Each year the college holds a themed ball, a scavenger hunt and a satirical college play. Other events include various parties throughout the year, and residents can be involved with Clean up Australia Day, tree planting, the ANZAC Day dawn service, the annual play, World's Greatest Shave, winter sleep outs, movie nights, trivia nights, Relay for Life and various formal dinners.

  • Ross Hart, Tasmanian politician
  • William Nevin Tatlow Hurst, Secretary for Lands 1925-1938
  • Ian B. Tanner, President of the Uniting Church in Australia
  • Peter Underwood, the former Chief Justice of Tasmania and Governor of Tasmania
  • Eric John Warlow-Davies (1910-1964), Rhodes Scholar and aircraft engineer
  • Jack Holyman, men's mental health advocate
  • Peter McEvoy, former College President and current Coburg Football Club co-captain
  • Alison Watkins, College President (1982), CEO of ASX listed companies, RBA Board, Chancellor of the University of Tasmania

References

  • Christ College information for prospective students