Robb College Academic Dinner Address

Celine Depczynski

Good evening Vice Chancellor Prof. Brigid Heywood, Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Mike Wilmore, CEO of Octopus Investments Mr Sam Newman, Manager of Operations for Octopus Investments Ms Kate McClure, CEO of Fresh Country Farms Mr Nick Gill, invited guests, and students of Robb College – my name is Celine Depczynski and as your Academic Mentor for 2021, I would like to welcome you to this year’s Robb College Academic Dinner.

Last year was difficult for many of us with COVID-19 severely disrupting our normal academic rhythms. However, the results achieved by the students of Robb College were outstanding in light of the disruptions experienced by everyone at UNE. Unfortunately, it is for this reason that Academic prizes will not be awarded this year, however we come together in congratulating each and every student for persisting with their studies in the year that 2020 was. Again, this does not call for a dampening of our celebration and I would like to thank you all for coming to join in recognition of the great things happening at Robb College in the realms of academia, scholarships and leadership.

The Robb College spirit has proven unbreakable on many occasions, as we all saw last week during the fresher games. With puddles on the field bigger than any from recent memory, and with rain still pouring, our hockey girls fought hard against a highly experienced Albies team to only just be beaten late in the second half. The rugby and netball teams also did the college absolutely proud by putting on two extremely entertaining, closely contested matches exhibiting great skill and admirable sportsmanship. We cannot forget our freshers were up against a cohort almost twice the size of their own.

With that said, our recent move to the Earle Page building provides us with the opportunity to expand our numbers by up to 100 students. How, as a college, can we achieve this? Whilst Robb never fails to perform exceptionally well on the sporting field or in having a good time, we are all aware that our academic performance is not an aspect of university life for which we are known. Lifting Robb’s academic profile will be an extremely powerful tool in increasing our college numbers, and ensuring our survival in light of the university’s economic restraints, and in a world where more and more, including a university education, can be achieved entirely online.

As a PAC (Pastoral and Academic Care) team, we have been working hard to build on the strong foundations provided by great leaders before us. Some of whom are here tonight, with SCR members Sarah Day and Maddie Fryer both having held the same role as myself in their respective years. Just yesterday, we saw the dedication of the entire Robb cohort getting into their academic rhythm for the week by opening up their laptops and starting some work. I was even impressed to wake up to a message from several second-year boys saying, ‘Celine, is it okay if we don’t study with our floors this morning? We are already working on an assignment together in the common room.’ This is the kind of initiative I know lies in the roots of us all as Robbers, and the kind that leads one to personal and academic success.

The PAC team have also been supportive in their roles as nerd night group leaders, and, first years, we hope we are making your transition into university life that little bit smoother. To further assist with this, we are in the process of contacting SCR members and affiliates about coming to college and assisting with units where help is needed. I thank those who put forward to the PAC team where they were struggling – asking for help is the first step. In saying this, never underestimate the power of connections at a college as great as Robb. The person beside you, the person behind you, and the SCR member across the table – they will help you. If they can’t, they will know someone who does, and will be happy to point you in the right direction.

In our 62^nd year as Robb College, the last 10 years have been very definitive in our culture. 56 years in the original Robb building then saw students split across four different colleges, opportunistically moving to Drummond & Smith and, finally, now having the absolute privilege to reside in the Earle Page building. Throughout this diversity and challenge, we have remained strong. I think I speak on behalf of the entire leadership team in saying that since our arrival 7 weeks ago, we have a new-found appreciation for what Jamie and our past leaders have worked with and built upon despite these challenges.

On that note, students of Robb College, I say this to you. Don’t let your leadership title, or lack thereof, define your position as a resident at this college. Understand that what you do at this college becomes part of something much bigger than yourself. Stand up for what you believe is right. Own your mistakes, and turn them into something positive. Don’t waste your opportunity to have a voice. Contribute. Because you are only here for a short time, and you owe it to the college and yourself, to not underestimate your ability to make a difference.

Thank you.