In Principio_S1 2018_WEB

I N P R I N C I P I O | 4 VICE CHANCELLOR'S MESSAGE Milestones in life often fill us with fear and dread. Some milestones loom large on the calendar, and we do all we can to avoid them (or at least to avoid thinking about them). Celebrating a milestone sometimes seems to cause more work and stress, as it takes us away from the urgent ‘must do’ issues on our list. Sometimes celebrating milestones seems to be an archaic and meaningless ritual that is largely irrelevant to our lives here and now. Yet approaching milestones in this way means we end up missing out on the wisdom and insight they can offer. If we are open to them, milestones can provide us with the perfect opportunity to look at life through a different lens, with a fresh perspective and a renewed sense of purpose. Next year, the University will mark the 30th anniversary of the passing of the University of Notre Dame Australia Act 1989 , the Act of Parliament that created, at civil law, the legal identity of our University. This is a milestone we will acknowledge and celebrate throughout the year. Earlier this month, we welcomed back to the University two of the ‘greats’ from our foundation and history: Fr Monk Malloy, President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame du Lac, and Fr Bill Beauchamp, President Emeritus of the University of Portland – both of whom were members of the first board of Trustees of the University. Their own institution celebrated its 175th anniversary last year, and Fr Monk and Fr Bill spent some time drawing comparisons between the first 30 years of Notre Dame with the first 30 years (to be celebrated next year) of Notre Dame Australia. As they pointed out, there was no guarantee on day one of each endeavour that either university would have reached its 30th year anniversary. In their case, it was located in an icy cold part of the United States, the virtually unsettled area of Northern Indiana and in its first 30 years suffered outbreaks of malaria, cholera and typhoid fever (which killed numerous people), a civil war, and a disastrous fire that destroyed the main building. The struggles in the early years of Notre Dame Australia were vastly different, yet no less real: we had no precedent of Catholic universities (or even private universities) in this country and faced much early opposition to the idea; we needed to raise an extraordinary level of private financial support from individuals and communities at a time of recession; and for the venture to proceed we needed to establish substantial political support. But both Universities had the benefit of leaders and drivers who were faithful, visionary, courageous and relentless who, despite many setbacks, relied on the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the protection of Mary, our Holy Mother, to establish two beautiful institutions in her name, which exist to offer thousands of students worldwide a university education shaped by the wisdom and richness of the Catholic tradition. Milestones make up the stories of our lives – and the lives of our communities. They help us to make sense of who we are, where we have come from and where we are going, and to recognise and appreciate the providential hand of God in all. I pray that all who are connected with the Notre Dame story may continue to be filled with the same spirit as our founders and give witness to the loving presence of Christ in the world. Professor Celia Hammond Vice Chancellor