The Chaplain Peter Swain Archives Exhibition Room

The Reverend Dr Peter Swain’s work in preserving and promoting Newington’s archives over thirty years was celebrated last Saturday, 21 July with the formal naming of the new Archives Exhibition Room in his honour. Many of Peter’s family, friends and colleagues shared the joyful occasion with him.  A plaque marking the event was unveiled by his Honour Magistrate Greg Grogin (ON ’76), Secretary of the College Council.

Peter served as Newington’s Chaplain from 1970 to 1996.  Among a range of other roles, he became the College’s unofficial historian and archivist.  After retiring as Chaplain he was appointed part-time Archivist for the next three years and, subsequently, worked in the Archives for a further decade as a volunteer.

During this long period, Peter ensured the survival of the existing archives, built up the collection by encouraging transfers and donations of archival material, and mounted numerous displays to enable students and other members of the Newington community to engage with the College’s rich past. The Chaplain Peter Swain Archives Exhibition Room will be a fitting reminder of Peter’s passion for Newington’s history and documentary heritage and of his work over many years to make them an important part of the College’s life.

The Chaplain Peter Swain Archives Exhibition Room, located in the ONU Centre on the second floor of the Founders Wing is open from 2pm to 4pm each weekday and at other times by appointment.

Class of 1972 – 40 Year Reunion

The Class of 1972 held their 40 Year Reunion on Saturday, 21 July 2012. Many members of this class took the opportunity to also attend the naming of the Chaplain Peter Swain Archives Exhibition Room to share the experience with Peter and to thank him for his dedication to them when they were young men. Many of the group attended some of the thousands of weddings and christenings Peter conducted during his time here. All of those present attributed Peter with being an inspiration in their lives and having a long and profound impact on the men that they are today.

After the opening the group gathered to watch the Rugby, toured the College and then had dinner in Prescott Hall. The Senior Prefect of 1972, Tony Bosman, addressed his old school mates and then asked Rev Dr Peter Swain to Toast the Class—Peter remembered a group of vibrant young men who were committed to Newington College. They were responsible for the introduction of the Student Representative Council and also of a summer uniform which we are sure all students are still grateful for.

Class of 2002 – 10 Year Reunion

Whilst the Class of 1972 gathered to remember days of long ago, the Class of 2002 caught up to remember days that only seemed “like yesterday”. All still easily recognisable to each other and feeling like they had never left, the Class of 2002 enjoyed watching the Rugby from the banks of the Johnson and then held an event off site. The College looks forward to welcoming these boys back in another five years.

End of Financial Year Update

As at the end of financial year, the Foundation reports that the Sesquicentenary Capital Campaign has raised $4,411,231 in gifts and pledges of the $10,000,000 goal for the Building Fund and Scholarship/Bursary Funds since November 2009. The building works have commenced on the Pyke Science Building and the AJ Rae Library & Resource Centre and are now in full swing. The project will be completed for the Sesquicentenary in 2013. In addition to the building works, various Scholarships and Bursaries have been established with student selection to occur in 2013.

In addition to this figure, this year’s Annual Giving, to date, has raised $118,727. Donations to the Building Fund through Annual Giving are used for smaller but immediate projects such as the fit-out of computer labs and the Glasson Pavilion refurbishment. Donations to the Scholarship/Bursary funds are more long-term and are in conjunction with the above mentioned Scholarships and Bursaries.

Any donation to any of the funds are greatly welcomed and warmly received.

Vive la Légion

The white ‘legionnaire-style’ caps with neck flaps worn by many of our younger boys in the summer months are not as recent an innovation as we might think. In the late nineteenth century Newington’s Cadet Corps wore a white cover and neck flap over their dark blue peaked caps in summer as a protection from the sun.

Below is a studio portrait of a group of Cadets in martial pose taken some time in the 1880s. Another portrait in our archives shows older boys in the newer slouch hats and the younger boys still in covered caps. While we associate this headgear with the French Foreign Legion, it was a popular military style across the British Empire and was known as a ‘Havelock’, after the British commander who popularised its use in the Indian Mutiny of 1857.

David Roberts
College Archivist