Newman Residential College

The College's motto -- "Luceat Lux Vestra", translates as "Let Your Light Shine" -- is taken from the fifth chapter of St. Matthew's gospel, verse 16. The complete verse reads: "Let your light soshine before others that they may see your good works and give sglory to your Father who is in Heaven". It is this ideal of service to others which inspired the founders of Newman College and its benefactors over the years.¹
     Newman College is named after John Henry Newman (1801-1890), one of the greatest English writers and theologians of the 19th century. Towards the end of his life, Newman was made a cardinal. Some hope that he will one day be declared a saint. His eloquent tribute to the collegiate ideal will be found in his educataional classic, The Idea of a University.
     The College is fortunate not only in its patron, but also in its architect. In 1911, Walter Burley Griffin won the international competition for the design of Canberra. Two years later, he came from the USA to begin the work. Not long afterwards he was invited to become the architect of the new University College which the Catholics of Victoria had decided should be erected on the site granted to them in 1882 by the Government of Victoria. The founders of Newman College received an initial donation of $30,000 from Mr. Thomas Donovan of Sydney, but the remainder of the funds required (over $60,000) was raised by collections in the parishes of Victoria. On 11 June, 1916, the foundation stone was laid by Archbishop Carr, the Archbishop of Melbourne. It may still be seen near the present Office. Almost two years later -- on 11 March, 1918 -- the first two wings of the College were officially opened by Archbishop Mannix who had succeeded Archbishop Carr.
     When the college was opened in 1918, 56 students were in residents. Originally, in accordance with Oxford and Cambridge practice, each student was given two rooms, but as the demand for residence increased the system was modified, so that two students shared two rooms. As designed by Griffin, Newman College was to consist of four wings, with the Chapel in between. Unfortunately, funds were lacking to complete this plan in the difficult years which followed World War I, and in later years financial considerations forced a departure from Griffin's original design.

Spire above the dining room	Spire through the trees
View from inside the courtyard at dining hall	The Chapel
Outer courtyard next to Swanston Street	Outer courtyard looking other way

The College

• Newman is a Roman Catholic University College founded in 1918. It is under the care of the Jesuits whose spirit is one of bold but critical engagement with the world.
• The purpose of the College is to foster the intellectual, ethical and spiritual life of its members so that they can become effective leaders, mature in faith and committed to justice.
• Newman is located within the University of Melbourne, close to Lygon Street, Brunswick street, the trams and the central business district.
• It is the largest single extant structure designed by Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony.
• A community of 230 rural, urban, interstate and overseas students, both men and women, enjoys a broad learning program including the arts: music, debating, choir, drama, and plentiful social and sporting engagements.

View along residence suites	Sign out front
Front gate view of Chapel	Left dormatory front view
Inner courtyard view down to dining room	Inner courtyard at fountain

Religious Life and Pastoral Care

• A commitment to social justice shapes the student culture, which is friendly and welcoming.
• First year studetns are placed in small groups with a mentor, and orientateion is provided both to the College and the University.
• To bring students to a more mature faith which both enchants and confronts, the Chaplaincy program includes retreats, prayer groups and discussion.
• Mass is celebrated twice in the Chapels each weekday and twice on Sundays. The College Choir supports the religious life of the College.

Side Chapel entrance	Rear inner yard view
Door to administrative area	More views of the inner courtyard
View from Administrative area door	Academic Center

Facilities

• Fresh, interesting and plentiful food is available in three meals a day for all students.
• The rooms are single, fully furnished and heated, with internet access and telephone.
• Students usually reside in suites of about eight student rooms, with shared facilities: a reading room, common room, billiards room, TV room and laundry.
• Limited private parking facilities with 24 hour access are available.

Conerstone of the College	Inner hall connecting the residences
View to the outer courtyard	Fountain view
Dining Hall	Dining Hall

Academic Life

• Undergraduates, exchange students, post-graduate students, resident tutors and visiting scholars engage with a fine tradition of scholarship, an excellent and comprehensive tutorial program where student progress is monitored and students can obtain academic assistance.
• Generous scholarships (academic and music) and bursary assistance support gifted scholars and students in need.
• The soaring internal spaces and lovingly articulated detail of the Academic Center complement the 1916 design of Walter Burley Griffin and create the heart of the College.
• The Center holds 50,000 volumes, including specialist collections in Irish Studies, Art, History, Manuscripts and Australiana. Ten tutorial rooms, four music practice rooms, a Choral Room, three information technology rooms, and a comfortable student lounge are available for students. The college Art Collection contains significant Australian modernist painting and sculpture.
• Special dinners and events prompt discussin on current live issues; debates and musical soirees celebrate artistic expression.