Emily French

My name is Emily French and I’m Meaghan Victor's daughter. I started at Duval College in 2020. It was an amazing start to 2020, but who could have predicted how things would turn out!

Over the years, having heard the stories from my grandfather, aunts and my mum of life living at Duval. But travelling five hours away from home to live in a College and gain my tertiary qualification could not have been further from my plans for University. Although the stories shared were filled with fun and mischief with lifelong friends being made, I initially chose Macquarie University to start my tertiary studies.

Fast forward two years from that decision and times have changed. The degree I chose at Macquarie wasn’t the right choice for me, so I decided that it was time to spread my wings, to investigate the option of UNE and Duval College, and take those first steps of independence and move out of home.

The difference in the decision to study away from home for me compared to my mum was our age. My mum was 18 when she stated at Duval, while I was 20. Either way the nervousness experienced by us both at the same point in our lives was identical. Strangely, the comforting support of those close to us did not change our apprehension. You need to live in Duval to experience the surroundings and settle in yourself, regardless of the supportive words of those around you.

Fast forward to today. My mum and her sister Brooke were excited for me when Ilona and Katy told them that I had been allocated a room in top K for 2020. They cheered - “second courtyard, top floor and an outward facing room, and you’re a Fresher!” Something of a rarity back in their day.... So much of life living at Duval has changed yet so much has stayed the same - from the rooms, the dining hall, the courtyards and the collegiate social functions. From the names written under the desks in our college rooms, the Goat Track, to Slave Day, the JCR parties, Tanderra and POLO Club - 29 years on. The “computer room” is now a communal kitchen, a new coat of paint, new carpet and a newly resurfaced pool table, not to mention the new Fresher faces, allows the memories to continue to be created.

Pulling out a box of old photos, my mum took great delight in laughing at her College Ball photos, the outfits, the hair styles and even the annual Ball bumper stickers. Her B&S photos, the random photos of friends in their rooms, brought back so many memories for mum, and I think she truly hopes and looks forward to me and my fresher friends experiencing the same things.

As former Duvalian’s, my grandfather Ian, my Aunts’ Brooke and Fiona and my mum are all so proud that I am the fifth member and third generation of our Unsworth family to reside in Duval College whilst studying at UNE. The welcoming arms of the Duvalian family extends our family relationship to well past the forty-year mark. From Ed and Sal to Ilona and Katy, the culture of family and friendship continue.

As mum commented to me, her closest and dearest friends and memories were those from the three amazing years she spent living in Duval College. Now she and my extended family are excited that I made this choice and have caught the infectious Duvalian spirit!

The news of the requirement to return home to Sydney after just five weeks in College due to the COVID-19 outbreak was tough for me and many of my newly made friends. Having finally settled into my course work and College routine, connecting with fabulous friends and feeling the independence that mum had spoken of, the change was dramatic.Our world dramatically changing around us in such a short time was not in anyone’s plan. It is amazing to see, that even with just five weeks living in College, my new cohort of Duvalian’s had blossomed and the bonds of new friendships had been made.

Mum said she hopes that the current Duvalian’s can experience a fulfilling life at College. It may look different than we expected, but the spirit should remain strong with life long memories and friendships.