Duval College History
Duval College, as it was to become known, slowly grew over a ten year period. 1949 saw the weatherboard 'Huts A and B' built as the first student accommodation on campus, with Miss B. Bagnall in charge of the women residents. By 1957 a further five huts had been built, and had been controlled by Mr Meredith following the departure of Miss Bagnall in 1952. 1959 saw the completion of the last two huts, enabling the housing of 117 women residents. In December of that year the University Council resolved that the 'Hill Residences' form the second women's college (Mary White College was completed in 1958) and was to be called Duval College. Miss G.A. Rennison held the position of Principal from 1959 to 1962, at which time Miss S.E. Swinney was appointed.
In 1965 the new (current) Duval College residential buildings were completed, housing a total of 200 students. As the Dining Hall complex was not finished until l967, breakfast was initially taken in Wright College and dinner in Robb College. The vacated huts were taken over to house the expanding faculties, and some are still in use today by Music, Geology and Geophysics.
Miss Swinney retired from her position as Principal in 1972, and Dr J Garner held this position for the next two years. After Dr Garner's departure, Mrs Edwina Ridgway administrated Duval in the capacity of Bursar. The following year, 1975, the college very successfully became co-residential. In 1978, Mrs Ridgway was appointed college Principal, and has held this position since. In 1978 new air-conditioned 'teaching facilities' were completed, soon to become known as the Duval Conference Centre. In 1985 two new Tutorial rooms were built to enhance the tutorial support system and its facilities. In 1986, further extensions of the college saw the building of Tanderra, which includes a games room, darkroom, sewing room and other entertainment facilities.
On September 25th, 1992 the College opened Specs' Restaurant which was an initiative to enable us to employ students resident within the College and to enable both University and town people to enjoy the expertise of a University College.
1993 saw the establishment of The Duval Conference Company. This exciting time for the College has brought a new dimension in attracting professional Conferences and Seminars. In 1994 the College built a new administrative wing and main College entrance. As a result of this the College was able to designate a Thesis Room for Thesis students. This room houses several PC Compatible Computers and the students are supported by nominated Senior Common Room academics who assist with advice and support on Thesis preparation and presentation. 1995/96 a Senior Student Computer Centre was established above the Tutorial Room; Optical Fibre installed into the College the wiring up of individual rooms in A block for computer connections; and the installation of E-Mail facilities; and the building of a stone fireplace in the Junior Common Room.
1997 saw the return to the college of two former Presidents of the Junior Common Room. Mr David Ward (president in 1979) was appointed Assistant Principal and was accompanied by his wife Brigitte (nee Vella; President in 1980). 1998 was a significant year for the Principal, Mrs Edwina Ridgway as it marked 25 years of her leadership of the College. A surprise party, followed by an alfresco formal dinner held in the First Courtyard, was held to commemorate this. All 25 Former College Presidents contributed through donations to the creation of a garden bed and the installation of a garden bench in the Second Courtyard, and nine were in attendance. The Senior Common Room and the current residents presented two other garden benches.
1999 was a 'year of change'. Sally Stratton retired from 18 years, David Ward resigned to take up a full time Assistant Headship at Earle Page College. Barbara Shaw replaced Harry Durey as our Finance Officer. The College was well prepared to meet the big challenges of working as an administrative complex with Drummond and Smith College beginning in 2000 and facing the issues of the GST. A Gymnasium was established in the original area known as the Grill Bar. Fitness equipment was purchased for the use of residents of the College. The College further added to its outdoor recreational equipment by purchasing four double Mirage Kayaks, carried by a specially fitted trailer and used for recreational paddling as well as east coast Marathons, including the annual Hawkesbury Canoe Classic (111 kms paddling the Hawkesbury River).
2001/02 the College moved from its independent catering operation to that provided by Eurest (Australia) now “Scolarest” and was the first ‘Profiles’ site set up in Australia. 2004 sees the College forms part of the DD & S Kayaking Club. Duval College now owns 12 double and 2 single Mirage Kayaks and has great success in the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic. 2009 saw the introduction of a totally new food service provided by “Alliance Catering” under a Flexi Meals system. Feedback shows that the new system as a very positive change and provides students with the choices that they are after with meals. As usual the 2008 academic year has so far seen Duvalians peform very well. Progress in the sporting and cultural competitions is also coming along nicely. Duval College's connections with the Armidale Rugby Union Football Club (The 'Blues') has seen the Duval boys defeat St Alberts College in the Grand Final. As Spring has finally arrived the college is looking beautiful and is covered in blossoms.