2003 News

19th of September 2003 saw 35 dedicated college students run the annual 200km journey from Armidale to the Coffs Harbour Jetty to raise money for the Childrens Medical Research Institute. Major sponsors in 2003, New England Credit Union and Bananacoast Credit Union have assisted this years team to achieve another record amount for CMRI. Donations to the cause can still be made - please email us for more information. For more details click here.

The EPC Trust was officially launched by Alumni members Mr Andrew Joseph & Mr Geoff Dance at the 40th Anniversary Ball (13 September) to raise money for annual college scholarships. $75000 was raised on the night which will form the basis of an endowment fund to provide annual scholarships. This was a wonderful effort and demonstrates how much former college members valued their experience of college life. Those people donating $5000 or more during this special anniversary year will be named 'Anniversary Fellows' of the College and will have there names recorded on an honour board in the dining hall. This means that there will be some additional scholarships on offer in the future. See press release.

EPCs 40th Anniversary 'Back to Page' Ball was held in true EPC style on Saturday 13th September. With over 550 past and present Pagites attending the reunion weekend (including 24 past presidents), a spectacular fireworks display and live bands across several campus locations, it was a weekend that will not be forgotten. See photos here .

2003 Annual Dinner was set to coincide with the 40th Anniversary Reunion Weekend and didn't dissapoint. 24 College Presidents including the first President of EPC (1963) Mr John Pennyfather attended. Special guest at the dinner was Mr Don Page MP, Member for Ballina, who is grandson of Sir Earle Page and an alumnus of EPC. Also, the 2004 College President - Ian Pastega - was announced.

The results of UNE's 2003 Sir Frank Kitto cultural competition have been anounced with Earle Page achieving in a fantastic 2nd place!!! Well done guys! Outstanding performances were seen in Debating and Small Ensemble where the teams brought down the house with some great shows.

This year, Earle Page College students directed, choreographed and performed the hit broadway musical 'Calamity Jane'. The show was staged over three consecutive nights with the final night coinciding with parents weekend. Well done to everyone involved as it was a great success and enjoyed by everyone. EPC is the only College at UNE to have annual productions.

Our 40th Anniversary Year has included global events, with reunion dinners being held in San Francisco and Cambridge. Mr David Ward, the current Master of the College accompanied by the College's longest serving staff members, Diane "Smiley" Cundy & Narelle Dowse (our famous and popular Dining Hall Supervisors for 29 and 33 years respectively) attended the international reunions. The dinner at Selwyn College in Cambridge was co-hosted by Mr Ward and former EPC Master, Mr Philip Raymont. A large number of College Alumni live permanently overseas. See Press Release.

Earle Page once again hosted its annual politics lecture on the 11th June. After illness prevented ex-pagite and Timorese Minister José Fernandes Teixeira from attending, Professor Graham Maddox, senior lecturer of political science at UNE, took to the stage. His speech on the involvement of Australia in international affairs was both insightful and captivating. A great night was had by all who attended.

Once again the EPC Charity Fashion Parade was a great success with 60 male and female student models creating their own routines to entertain the City of Armidale. The Fashion retailers of Armidale again generously donated the clothing to achieve a record $4000+ for the Childrens Medical Research Institute. A fashion parade with a lot of entertainment value.

Earle Page Rugby League 7's team absolutely smashed all opposition in this years inter-college competition held on the 17th & 18th May to finish unbeaten champions for 2003! This leaves the boys in good stead for the 13-a-side competition starting later in the year when they will be sponsored by the YCW Rugby League Club. Hopefully the boys can go one better than last year and take out the comp! Good luck fellas!