Warrane College is an affiliated residential College at the University of New South Wales

University of New South Wales

The University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...

, Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

. The name of the College is derived from the Aboriginal word for the Sydney Cove area, "Warrang", highlighting the recognition by Warrane and UNSW of Australia’s indigenous people as original inhabitants of land on which they are located. Warrane promotes academic excellence and personal development. The living environment is founded on friendship and trust and programs of the College, including pastoral care, sports and community service, are tailored for its all-male resident membership.

Foundation

In 1969, the then Cardinal Archbishop of Sydney, Sir Norman Thomas Gilroy invited Opus Dei

Opus Dei

Opus Dei, formally known as The Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei , is an organization of the Catholic Church that teaches that everyone is called to holiness and that ordinary life is a path to sanctity. The majority of its membership are lay people, with secular priests under the...

, a prelature of the Catholic Church, to operate a College at the Kensington campus of UNSW. Opus Dei accepted the responsibility for the pastoral care of the College while a non-profit company, Education Development Association (EDA), which is also run by Opus Dei, undertook the management of the College’s day-to-day operations.
Warrane began operating at its present site in 1971 in an eight-storey building on Anzac Parade, Kensington, in the south-western corner of the UNSW campus. Warrane was officially opened by Sir Roden Cutler. Its five residential floors each provide accommodation for groups of 25 residents, two of whom are residential tutors. Since 2002 all bedrooms and bathrooms as well as dining and kitchen facilities, common areas and offices have been renovated.

Students

The range of students at Warrane is diverse in terms of place of origin, university studies, belief background and extra-curricula interests, something that helps to promote an enriching learning experience. The majority of students are undergraduate, with about a third in first year. While residents are from all university faculties, a large proportion belong to the faculties of Engineering, Medicine and to the Australian School of Business. There are normally several residents undertaking higher degree programs at UNSW such as Masters and Doctoral programs and younger students benefit from their experience.

Staff

The College has had three Masters since 1971. The most recent, though not current, Master, Emeritus Professor A.G. Shannon AM, provides academic and personal leadership as head of the College. He has research interests in Mathematics, Medical Mathematics and Philosophy. Four staff members assist the Master in the running of the College: the Dean, two Assistant Deans and Bursar. Staff members live in College and make themselves available to assist students. Two residential tutors live on each residential floor. Tutors are mentors to the students, providing academic and personal support. Several academic tutors and residential Fellows live in College. They are distinguished academic staff or students of UNSW who conduct the academic program of the College, including formal tutorials and consultation times for different university subjects.

College Life

Warrane promotes community living, offering a high level of support for residents while encouraging each resident to make a contribution to collegial life. One of the main features of college life is the weekly formal dinner, which normally features distinguished guest speakers, including politicians, sportsmen, academics and business leaders. The college hosts several faculty nights during the year with guest speakers in specific fields talking to residents about career options and the “big picture” of their profession.

Sport

Warrane fields teams for all sports of the UNSW Inter-College sports shield. The competition is staged over both sessions and includes a number of major sports, such as Rugby Union, Soccer, Basketball, Hockey and Tennis. The competition also includes several carnival days for various sports, including Australian Football, Rugby League, Cross Country, Volleyball and Cricket. The College has won the Premiership of the Shield several times. Social sporting events are also organised within the college, including the “Warrane Wimbledon” tennis tournament and inter-floor touch football competitions.

Social Life

Warrane’s Activities Committee organises a wide range of social activities. Traditional events include trivia nights, movies, televised sporting events, beach barbecues, ski trips and bushwalks. The annual social calendar includes harbour cruises and informals organised with colleges from UNSW and the University of Sydney. The highlight of the college’s social calendar is the College Ball.

Cultural Activities

Residents recognise the rich cultural diversity represented in the College by celebrating national days such as St Patrick’s Day, Chinese New Year, Anzac Day and Autumn Moon Festival with special cuisine and entertainment. The Warrane play or musical has become a yearly fixture and during each session residents perform at the College Variety Night and at several musical nights. Residents also often form a college band and musical performances are a regular feature of birthday celebrations. The Activities Committee organises regular visits to cultural events such as concerts at Sydney Opera House, exhibitions at Art Galleries and museums and intra-College debating nights.

Chapel

The Warrane College Chapel is open each day. Regular activities in the chapel include Mass, the weekly meditation by the College Chaplain and an all-night vigil every month.

Community Service

The College promotes a spirit of community service through visits to nursing homes, St. Vincent De Paul night patrol and task force and yearly volunteer service projects to developing countries and underprivileged communities in Australia.

External links

• Official website