Robb College Commencement Dinner Address 2021

Head of College

Jamie Moore

Before starting I would like to acknowledge the Anaiwan people, traditional owners of the land we celebrate on tonight and thank them for their custodianship and connection to this beautiful New England region

Mr James Harris, Dr Robyn Bartel, Mr Ashwin Bhutani, Mr Trent Donaldson, Mr Sam Ditchfield; Invited guests, Members of the Senior Common Room, and to the most wonderful young men and women of Robb College.

We come together tonight to usher in another year of study to welcome a new cohort into the college to welcome back returning students, to celebrate the wonderful community that Robb College represents and to prepare for the year ahead.

To the freshers - thank you for choosing Robb College as your home whilst at UNE. You are now part of something far bigger than yourself…a community that reaches far wider than the college that you reside in. A rich and supportive network that you will always be able to draw on for support and fellowship.

As young men and women about to embark on the next chapter of your development you will continue to have experiences that help define “who you are”. You will come across opportunities that will determine the future paths you will take and face challenges that will test your character. Some of these challenges you will pass with flying colours, others you will just scrape through but many you will fail. I encourage you to celebrate your successes but also embrace your losses as that is where valuable lessons are learnt. You will no doubt push the boundaries and test your limits, physically, socially and academically. As I spoke about on check in day I encourage you to own your journey and approach everything you experience on your terms. I cannot stress strongly enough that you strive to find balance in your time here and aim to achieve a rhythm that will be unique to you and allow you to experience success through all of your contributions both to University and College.

Before too long you will be the leaders of this college, watch and learn from those that have gone before you so that you too, can contribute to an ever evolving positive and inclusive culture.

For those of you who have returned, you may think that just because you are not part of the leadership team then the significance of your contribution is lesser. Nothing could be further from the truth, it is your opportunity to build upon what has been achieved and strengthen the experience that each and every student has. I would like to commend you all in being the driving force behind the organic growth of our culture and being sure that you leave the college in a better place than you found it, that will be your legacy, but now is the time to pick up the reins and throw energy into the cause. Do not be complacent, do not be satisfied until you have built a college that is the envy of every residence at every university.

The Leadership team of 2021 has begun its tenure as absolute superstars. From day one of returning to college their sole focus has been to lead a college that is a united group and celebrates all that is good about Robb. They understand that each person’s experience is different and wish to enrich that experience in an inclusive, caring and considerate environment. They understand what is important about our identity but appreciate that society is continually changing and know that we, too, have to evolve to remain current and relevant to those who wish to call us home, all the while being respectful to those that have come before. They have worked tirelessly to make our new home feel warm and welcoming whilst remaining grateful and respectful to those who have occupied it for the last 57 years. The leaders will be formally recognized at the Academic dinner with the presentation of their gold bars.

Welcome back to our Senior Common Room members old and new. I continue to thank you for your investment in our students and know whole heartedly that your contribution has a lasting influence on those whose experience you are part of. You are continuing to find ways that allow you to remain relevant as a support structure to the students and the College in general.

Over the past 7 or so years we have stood at a number of crossroads, needing to make important decisions that would influence and shape Robb in the present and well into the future. I think that today we find ourselves, once again, at a pivotal moment in our proud history. For the first time in our existence we have been given the opportunity to grow our brand. We have an environment to be proud of and community that with their commitment and effort can spread the word that will ensure our sustainability.

It is you, the students that will fill our college. No amount of promotion can replace the endorsement that you can give or the stories that you can tell. So I ask that you get on board and play your part on building our strength.

To finish I would like to issue one final challenge to the entire Robb Community and that is to not only know our core values but hold them at the very centre of our decision making.

1. Treat those around you as FAMILY being inclusive, generous and supportive
2. RESPECT yourself, others, your environment and the privilege that it is to be given this opportunity
3. Approach, with enthusiasm, the opportunities on offer and be ACCOUNTABLE for your learning, your behaviour and your decisions
4. Create a legacy of positive CONTRIBUTION. Put your hand up to help row the boat, passengers just weigh us down.
5. Hard work breeds success and success deserves CELEBRATION. Take comfort in helping others achieve their best and approach your best with humility, thanks and gratitude.

Take all that you have experienced, be courageous and make our college a better place. Throw yourself into life, engage in your studies, play your sport, be healthier, happier and dare I say it, wiser. Join with our leadership team to promote an inclusive college that promotes positivity and community and wear our coat of arms with passion and pride.

Thank you.

Jamie Moore – Head of College