Welcome to the Hall!

Welcome to the Hall!

You may think there are many interesting faces on the wall - the truth is that while there are extraordinary faces on the walls - Governors general, prize winning scientists, leaders of Church and state - and that they were created by Australia's leading art its - Boyd, Pugh, Olsen and others, they would all say the most interesting and exciting faces were yours; they were once you, and one day you will be them. Take them in, by all means; but those faces closer to you matter even more.

You may think this is a place to eat; dining together is indeed an ancient tradition, but its value lies not in its mere antiquity, but in its deeper reality. The truth is, this is a place to hear things you have never heard, to meet people unlike those you have ever met, to say things you never thought yourself able to - to change your mind, make and break your heart, and inspire your soul. Eat and drink here, by all means; but what you absorb with eyes and ears and mind will be more enduring.


You may think we have brought you to the Hall - the truth is, you brought the Hall with you.  Those with whom we break bread are those who matter to us; and over dining tables ancient and modern, near and far, lasting friendships, great hopes and transformative plans have been made. Welcome to Hall - some of us worked hard to bring you what you see, but what you have brought tonight matters most of all.

Benedic, Domine, nos, cenationem nostram, 
et dona tua quae de largitate tua sumus sumpturi,
et concede, ut illis salubriter nutriti
tibi debitum obsequium praestare valeamus,
per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen

[Bless, Lord, us, our Hall, and these gifts which we are about to receive,
and grant that whosesomely nourished by them,
we may render you due obedience,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.]

An address, followed by a special grace, welcoming resident students to the renovated Dining Hall on Wednesday October 17 2012