Warrane never lets it residents forget that there is a world outside the university campus, a world in which they will soon be competing for jobs. The College broadens the scope of the residents’ interests by introducing them to people outstanding in public and professional life. Their words and example help residents to shape their own ambitions and career plans.
As an affiliated residential college of UNSW, Warrane enjoys a close association with the Chancellery and Deans of UNSW. Senior members of the University’s Executive and Deans are regular visitors to Warrane for formal dinners and public events.
Warrane supports a number of UNSW programs such as Co-Op Scholarships, Faculty of Engineering Rural Scholarships, the Nura Gili Indigenous Programs and the Rural Australian Medical Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme.
Each Wednesday night the College invites a guest speaker to join residents for formal dinner, followed by a talk in the Main Common Room. Guests come from many backgrounds, including politics, sports, business and entertainment.
Guests share insights into their own family backgrounds and professional paths, passing on life lessons to residents. This sometimes results in residents gaining work experience or part-time work with the guest speakers.
The Warrane College Lifetime achievement award was instituted in 2008. It is awarded to an alumnus of the College who has made a significant contribution to his profession and to the College. The inaugural winner of this award was Mr Mark Butler, Architect.
The Master regularly co-ordinates submissions to Government enquiries and commissions, particularly concerning education.
Warrane welcomes visiting scholars from around the world undergoing sabbatical terms, teaching or research assignments. These visitors provide a stimulus to the academic life of the College, either through formal presentations or conversation with students over meals.
The Master and former Master (Professor Shannon) both maintain a prolific pace in the publication of books and journal articles. They offer mentoring and encouragement to all residents undergoing research.
The Warrane Lecture is an annual public lecture and is presented by an eminent person from public life or academia. Its aim is to contribute to the understanding of important issues and current challenges facing society, in line with the overall aim of the College. The Warrane Lecture is the highlight of the College’s academic program.
The inaugural Warrane Lecture was delivered in 1971 by Sir Roden Cutler, then Governor of New South Wales. Other lecturers have included former Governor-General, Sir Zelman Cowan; geneticist, Professor Jerome Lejeune; Australian poet, Les Murray; the then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of NSW, Justice James Spigelman; Deputy Prime Minister, Tim Fischer; Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, George Cardinal Pell; Justice of the High Court of Australia, Justice Dyson Heydon; and Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir, Governor of New South Wales. The complete list of Warrane Lectures is available here.
Occasional seminars are held at the College addressing the philosophical and historical issues underlying current affairs.
Printed proceedings of recent seminars listed below can be purchased at the college office or viewed online:
2006: “Postmodernism in Education” speakers included Martin Fitzgerald, Alan Barcan, James Franklin, and Barry Spurr.
2007: “Relativism and Human Rights” speakers included Joseph Azize, Roger Sandall, Jenness Warin, and John Lamont.
2009: “Temperance Revisited” speakers included James Franklin, Judy Stove, and Andrew Mullins.
Generosity and big-heartedness are qualities which Warrane has always prized.
Warrane’s community service program provides opportunities for residents and alumni at different times of the year.
In the summer vacation, Warrane organizes a voluntary service project (workcamp) in Australia or abroad.
During the year, Warrane residents collaborate with the St Vincent de Paul Society in the Night Patrol and Task Force programs.
Further information about Warrane’s Community Service programs can be found at College Life.
Wherever you go in Southeast Asia or the Pacific Islands, you will find Old Boys of Warrane.
International reunions of former residents have been held in Hong Kong, Singapore, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur. In Japan, India and Fiji there is an active network of Old Boys. Residents from as far afield as Uzbekistan and Kiribati have been prominent in College life.
From the beginning, Warrane has been an international experience, with many students attracted by world-class courses at UNSW. It has been an education on cultural diversity for many Australian residents; for students from overseas, it has provided a warm and welcoming introduction to life Down Under.
Warrane College 356 Anzac Parade, Kensington NSW, 2033 Australia +61 2 9313 0300 info@warrane.unsw.edu.au