Archive for April, 2014

Story shows there is no substitut de qualité

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Student shortlisted for travel writing competition

A small French village and her lecturer’s “gentle prodding” inspired an Avondale English major to write a story shortlisted for a regional travel competition.

Bianca Reynaud

Bianca Reynaud’s narrative helps the reader understand the vagaries of the French meal experience. Credit: Etienne Reynaud.

Bon Appetit by Bianca Reynaud featured as one of the top 20 stories at a live read hosted by Hunter Writers’ Centre at The Unorthodox Church of Groove in Newcastle on March 29. The narrative, a retelling of a lunch served in the backyard of a chalet in Montailloset, helps the reader understand the vagaries of the French meal experience.

“I was starved for an hour before the meal, served tiny portions of heavenly food, then terrorised with all manner of cheeses,” says Bianca, who studied at the Adventist University of France for two years. The longer she lived in the country, “the more I loved the culture and heritage of the eating ritual—right down to setting the table.”

Bianca wrote Bon Appetit for a print journalism class. Lecturer Dr Carolyn Rickett’s mentoring “inspired me to write like I never have before.”

Exhibition a record of past life

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Student curates Avondale heritage display

Brenton Stacey
Public relations officer
Avondale College of Higher Education
Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia

An exhibition curated by an Avondale student reveals how life on campus has changed since the college of higher education formed in 1897.

Rose-lee Power

Adventist Heritage Centre curator Rose-lee Power with an Avondale Symphonic Choir LP, part of the Dormitory Life exhibition. Credit: Brenton Stacey

Natasha Kenealy’s Dormitory Life features a coathanger and lamp that belonged to Ella Boyd—among the first graduates in 1902—during her time as a student at Avondale and an LP released by the Avondale Symphonic Choir in the late 1950s.

“I’m particularly interested in the day-to-day normalities that have changed over the years,” says Natasha, a Bachelor of Science student. “It’s difficult for us to imagine composing essays with typewriters or even by hand.”

If this is a strange concept, what about the regulations prohibiting students from bringing cars on campus or requiring female students to be escorted by a “responsible adult” when off campus?

Dormitory Life, Adventist Heritage Centre, until May 30, 2014

Pioneers share spirit

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Adventurers, hall of fame inductee bring pathos to presentations

Brenton Stacey
Public relations officer
Avondale College of Higher Education
Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia

Their life of adventure: educational, entertaining and even enthralling.

Cas and Jonesy

Cas and Jonesy share their incredible stories of adventure at The Pulse. Credit: Brenton Stacey

Cas and Jonesy—Australian explorers James Castrission and Justin Jones (above)—impressed staff members and students on Avondale College of Higher Education’s Lake Macquarie campus this past Wednesday with stories of their Guinness World Records.

These include the first unsupported kayak across the Tasman Sea and the first unsupported return expedition to the South Pole.

The Promise and Avondale Jazz Ensemble with Don Burrows.

The Promise and Avondale Jazz Ensemble with Don Burrows (centre). Credit: Caroline Laredo.

The latter should come with an asterisk, though. In one of the most extraordinary acts of sportsmanship, Norway’s Aleksandr Gamme completed the expedition first but waited three days until his Australian companions caught up. The three crossed the line together.

Standing together after the Sydney launch of Jesus: HIStory, members of The Promise and Avondale Jazz Ensemble support Australian jazz musician Don Burrows (below). David Pudney’s music had moved the multiple hall of fame inductee and national living treasure to tears.