With a passion for music from a young age and gifted with a strong voice, David Bioletti was asked to sing the national anthem for the UNE autumn graduation ceremonies this year - including his own and his sister’s. It was supposed to be a surprise for his family … but didn’t really go to plan.
David’s family, sitting in the audience, only realised who was performing when his two-year-old son pointed out to his grandfather, “See, Grandpa? Daddy’s singing!” And when he sang at his sister’s ceremony, she had “no idea” until later.
See, Grandpa? Daddy’s singing!
David’s mixed bag of interests, ranging from Classical Greek literature to acapella singing to local Aussie Rules competition, has made for a full, rich life in Armidale.
He now has a degree in Classical Languages and a career at UNE lasting over a decade and is partway through a Master of Information Studies. His Bachelor of Arts had an extended major in Classical Languages and a major in German, allowing him to study both Greek and Latin extensively.
David’s studies with Dr Clemens Koehn, senior lecturer in Classical Languages and Ancient Greek, allowed him to expand his knowledge through research, culminating in his final Greek unit under Professor Matthew Dillon.
“We studied Sophocles’ Antigone through the critical lens of Aristotle’s Poetics, and the research I’d done under Clemens thoroughly informed my approach. It really brought together each step of my journey learning Classical Greek to date, and helped crystallise the research questions that underpin the thesis I’d like to write in the future.”
It really brought together each step of my journey learning Classical Greek to date, and helped crystallise the research questions that underpin the thesis I’d like to write in the future.
David’s final two research units on the translation of Classical Greek literature into Arabic has inspired him to do further postgraduate study in Classical Languages and Linguistics.
“There’s a significant number of texts (particularly of Aristotle) for which the Arabic translations are the earliest extant versions, the Greek originals having been lost. It’s the subject of a thesis I would like to write, preferably in Arabic if I can achieve a sufficient degree of fluency. Definitely a few years off just yet!”
David’s study has not been without its difficulties, with the challenges of a young family and other hardships. Yet, relying on his deeply held Christian faith, support of UNE staff, “some strictly established study routines, sacrifices, and huge support from my wife and family, I suddenly found myself last September in the position of being about to finish. It was a peculiar combination of rush and relief.”
David Bioletti with Interim Vice Chancellor, Simon Evans at graduation.
David would advise his younger self and current students to "be fearless in admitting to what you don’t know as a necessary first step of all learning, take responsibility for your mistakes, open your ears before your mouth, and learn all you can".
In addition to his studies, David has had an extensive career at UNE. Besides the Library, he has worked in many different areas of the University and is currently seconded to Finance.
“It’s been an opportunity for which I’m extremely grateful. I’ve learnt a great deal, I’ve gained valuable insight deepening my appreciation of the University overall, and I’ve enjoyed working with a really good group of people.”
It’s been an opportunity for which I’m extremely grateful. I’ve learnt a great deal, I’ve gained valuable insight deepening my appreciation of the University overall, and I’ve enjoyed working with a really good group of people.
His long-time experience working in the UNE library has also sharpened his awareness of “how immeasurably valuable a resource it is”, including for staff.
He also would like to encourage “all fellow staff members to begin or continue their own studies, whether through UNE or UNE Partnerships, and consider the Graduate Certificate of Professional Practice a good place to start when researching options.”
Responding to those who might question the relevance of studying Classics in the age of Google Translate, David says ‘Doing translation teaches you a lot about doing life – you have to strike a balance between what was said and what was meant. Here’s a good example: πορευθέντες δὲ μάθετε τί ἐστιν · Ἔλεος θέλω καὶ οὐ θυσίαν · οὐ γὰρ ἦλθον καλέσαι δικαίους ἀλλὰ ἁμαρτωλούς.
