The Principal
Mr Wayne Erickson MBA GradDipLegStud DipPE JP FAIM
Mr Erickson joined St Andrew's in March 2004 in the role of Secretary to the Council and College Manager. In March 2008, on the retirement of Dr William Porges, Mr Erickson was appointed Principal, having been selected from a field of highly qualified candidates of both national and international origin.
In the four years that Mr Erickson was Secretary to Council and College Manager, the College witnessed a significant expansion of its facilities and undertook major changes in the provision of services for students in residence. The completion of the Carillon Wing – a project which saw the first major addition to residential capacity in over forty years and for which Mr Erickson acted as Superintendent – and major renovations to tennis courts, all bathrooms and the historic Main Building are highlights of a lengthy list of achievements.
Early in his teaching career he taught at The Scots College in Sydney where he was a member of the College Executive and the Housemaster of Deane House. Prior to joining St Andrew’s, Mr Erickson held various executive management positions with Australian Rugby. He was the General Manager of Operations, and became world rugby's first full time professional referee. From 1994 until his retirement at the end of the 2002 season, he refereed over 150 first class matches, including 27 Internationals and 40 Super 12 matches. He represented Australia at the Rugby World Cup tournaments in 1995 and 1999, and was part of the Wallabies’ management team during the 2003 tournament in Australia. He is currently the Chairman of Australian Rugby’s National Referee Selection Committee, and he continues to apply his refereeing skills here at the College, though there are nowhere near the same number of yellow cards issued as in his former life!
His interests include a passion (but no talent) for the music of the Classical period, and particularly for opera of the Enlightenment.
He keeps wicket for the Old Men of Briars, is Chairman of Rotary's Outback Education Scholarship program, and still enjoys telling audiences of anyone who'll listen about the delights of touring the world penalising people.
principal@standrewscollege.edu.au
To read the Principal's Newsletter click here
Secretary to the Council and College Bursar
Mr Ian Smith CA BBus(Acc) LLB
Ian was educated at St Laurence's College in Brisbane and attended the Queensland University of Technology from 1997 to 2001 where he studied Accounting and Law. Ian qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2003 and despite playing rugby at school, he eventually relocated to Sydney to pursue his other passion, Rugby Refereeing. Ian moved interstate in 2004 after being awarded an Australian Rugby Referee Scholarship.
After gaining experience in Club Rugby, Ian joined the Australian Rugby Union National Referee Panel in 2007 and has since refereed over 50 first class matches, including 17 Super Rugby matches and 1 international. Ian became a full-time professional referee in 2012.
Whilst indulging his passion for rugby on weekends, Ian spent his weekdays accumulating over 10 years of private practice experience working in a number of mid-tier Chartered Accounting firms in Brisbane and Sydney before commencing his own practice in 2011. Over this time, Ian has developed a specialisation in advising family businesses and establishing Self Managed Super Funds (SMSFs).
Ian was appointed as Bursar and Secretary to the Council in September 2012 and is enjoying learning about the rich history of St Andrew’s College and working with the exuberant students in the House Committee.
Vice Principal
Mr John Sergeant BSc BA(Hons) MMRS QPMR MAICD
John entered St Andrew's from Dubbo in 1983 and stayed for six years, serving on the House Committee and as Hon. Secretary of the Students' Club. During this time, he completed a BSc in Biological Sciences and a BA (Hons1) in Psychology.
While at University, he was a student representative on the Academic Board, Secretary of the University of Sydney Union and Chair of the Students' Representative Council, and represented the University in Rowing, Debating and on University Challenge.
He served on the Committee of the St Andrew's College Alumni Society for much of the period between leaving College in 1988 and returning, initially as Dean, in 2001. He was appointed as Vice Principal and College Fellow in 2003.
John specialises in social research and has a particular interest in road safety and public health.
At College, John is a member of the Administrative Committee, the Academic Committee, the Strategy Committee and the Communications Committee and attends Council meetings. He is a Governor of the Foundation and serves on the Board of Management. John is the Treasurer of the Chancellor’s Committee of the University of Sydney.
vp@standrewscollege.edu.au
Senior Tutor
Dr Hester Wilson BMed(Hons), LTCL, ARCM, Assoc AMEB, Grad Dip Vocal, Grad Dip Opera, FRACGP, FAChAM
Hester completed her schooling in Manly Vale and moved to Newcastle to study medicine at the University of Newcastle. After completing her degree with honours she was awarded the Doris Smith Scholarship and a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship to study singing in London.
Following this she returned to Australia and completed postgraduate vocal training at the Griffith University in Brisbane. She was awarded the McDonald's Aria competition and returned to London to continue her vocal studies with renowned teacher Janice Chapman. Throughout this time Hester continued her medical training in general practice, sexual health, alcohol and other drugs and working with marginalised groups.
She completed the Fellowship for the Royal Australian College of General Practice on her return to Australia. She was admitted to the Royal Australasian College of Physicians Chapter of Addiction Medicine in late 2003.
She works in private general practice in Newtown, and is the Drug and Alcohol adviser for the Central Sydney Division of General Practitioners. She works as a Associate Lecturer at the central clinical school at Sydney University and trains general practitioners and other heath professionals in the areas of alcohol and other drugs, mental heath and sexual health.
She also maintains a busy performance schedule singing with Opera Australia, Cantilation, The Tall Poppeas and Thoroughbass as well as many other performances.
seniortutor@standrewscollege.edu.au
Hester is responsible for the College's Tutorial Program and the Academic Mentoring program.
Senior Fellow
Associate Professor R Ian Jack MA PhD FRHistS FRAHS
Professor Jack has been a Fellow of St Andrew's College since 1980 and has been continuously resident in College longer than any other current Fellow. After serving as Senior Tutor, he became Senior Fellow and is responsible for the Senior Common Room, the College Archives, the College Library and, with Dr Hester Wilson, for musical events generally in the Chapel and elsewhere. As College historian, he wrote the third edition of The Andrew's Book and the photographic history to celebrate 125 years of College.
He was, until 2001, Associate Professor in the Department of History. For eight years he was Head of the Department, for five years Dean of the Faculty of Arts and for fourteen years Chair of the Board of Studies in Music.
Professor Jack is a member of the Academic, Administrative and Communication Committees, attends Council meetings and is also responsible for the College's Archives.
seniorfellow@standrewscollege.edu.au
Chaplain
Reverend Dr Gareth H Clayton OAM BA MA DMin AIMM JP
Dr Gareth Clayton was Chaplain at Knox Grammar School in Wahroonga from 1997 to 2007. On his retirement, he was appointed by the School as Chaplain Emeritus. Dr Clayton was appointed a Councillor of St Andrew’s College in April 2001 and concluded his term in March 2009. At this time, Dr Clayton was appointed part-time Chaplain to St Andrew’s College.
Prior to working at Knox, he served for almost 25 years in the Royal Australian Navy. In January 1991 he was promoted and appointed Principal Chaplain (Protestant) and responsible for all Protestant Denominations chaplaincy both in the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Navy Reserve. In this capacity he was the Protestant Denominations member of the Principal Chaplains Committee-Navy. In December 2002, Principal Chaplain Clayton retired from the Principal Chaplains Committee-Navy but continues to serve in the Reserve. He is patron of two Naval Ships Associations and an honorary or life member of several others.
Dr Clayton studied for the Methodist ministry at Leigh Theological College in Sydney. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of NSW majoring in Political Science. While in the United States, he completed a Master of Arts degree in Human Development, Organisation and Management from Salve Regina University. In 1990 he was awarded a doctorate from San Francisco Theological Seminary for his dissertation on “Character Training in the RAN”. He is a Member of the Australian Institute of Management and a Justice of the Peace in the State of New South Wales.
Chairman of the Council
Dr Robert R I Harper SC BA LLB PhD (Syd)
Barrister at Law, appointed Senior Counsel for the State of New South Wales on 29 September, 2004. Dr Harper joined the Council in 2005 and was appointed Chairman in July 2005.
He was a resident in College from 1979 to 1983, and served on the House Committee in 1981, 1982 and 1983. He played some cricket and a lot of Rugby for College. He was Captain of the College XV from 1981 to 1983 and Sydney University Rugby Club in 1985.
He conducts a general commercial equity practice specialising in Banking, Trade Practices, International Transport, Insurance, including Marine Insurance, Property, Insolvency, individual and corporate insolvency, and Equity.
He currently serves on the Equity Division Liaison Committee of the Supreme Court of NSW.
In May 2006 he was appointed as an honorary Senior Lecturer in the School of Philosophy and Historical Inquiry at the University of Sydney.
He is Chairman of the Kudos Foundation, a charity supporting the study of Classical Languages in Australia, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens.
Dr Harper is ex-officio a member of all Council Committees.
Click here to view a list of St Andrew's College Councillors.
Chairman of the St Andrew’s College Foundation
Mr Richard Dougan BA CMC MIMCA
Richard Dougan was elected Chairman of the St Andrew’s College Foundation in May 2011.
He is currently a member of the Business Committee and the Investment Committee.
He was a student in College from 1962 to 1965, and a Councillor from 1997 to 2010. While a resident Richard represented the College in Rowing and Rifle Shooting, gaining a University Blue in Rifle.
After graduating from University, Richard spent 10 years in the computer industry working for Burroughs Corporation, Computer Technology & Facilities Pty Limited and Honeywell Information Systems. He subsequently commenced a career in management consulting at Coopers & Lybrand Services in Sydney and Adelaide, after which he held the roles of Strategic Planning Manager and National Marketing Manager at Wang Australia Limited.
Richard is the Managing Director of Australian Strategic Planning Pty Limited, a management consulting company which specialises in strategy, business and marketing planning and government policy. He is also Managing Director of XSOL Australia which distributes the XSOL Business Process Management and Automation software.
He has written and presented a number of papers on communications, technology and business and co-authored the major office automation reference books “Australian Office Automation and Word Processing Handbook” and “Office Automation Buyer’s Guide” published by McGraw Hill.
Richard and his wife Lesley have one son, Robert, who coached the Andrew’s VIII.
President of the Alumni Society
Mr Alexander David Rhydderch BEc LLM
Alex is a solicitor in private practice at Colin Biggers & Paisley. He was a fresher in 1994 and the Senior Student of the Students' Club in 1997, a Rawson Cup-winning year. Both his father (David Rhydderch) and his grandfather (Alun "Rusty" Rhydderch) attended St Andrew's College.
Alex is the founding editor of the annual alumni newsletter, The Society Record, first published in 2001. He is also a past President and Life Member of the Kings Old Boys Rugby Union Football Club Inc.
Alex is President of the St Andrew's College Alumni Society and attends Council meetings.
alumnisociety@standrewscollege.edu.au
Director of Music
Ms Sarah Penicka-Smith BA/BMus (Hons)
Dr Sarah Penicka-Smith is an experienced conductor and vocal coach. She has been Music Director of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choice since 2005, and Director of Music at St Andrew's College since 2011.
In 2013 she also takes up the position of Principal Conductor with the Macquarie University Singers. Sarah was Assistant Chorusmaster with the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs from 2008-2009, and from 2010-2012, Choice Master with the Willoughby Symphony Choir and guest conductor for Willoughby Symphony Orchestra.
In 2010 Sarah directed the 61st Intervarsity Choral Festival in Canberra and also started working with chamber opera company Opera Prometheus. Her opera credits include Purcell's The Fairy Queen, with Sydney's Gay & Lesbian Choir (the first opera ever stage by a queer choir), Campra's Tancrede and the premiere of Cummins' Anacreontea with Opera Prometheus. Sarah has been part of the Symphony Australia Conductor Development Program since 2012 . In addition to her musical credits, Sarah holds a PhD from the University of Sydney.
Dean of Students
Mr Tim Dunstone B.Physio., M.Hlth.Sc. (Manip. Physio.), M.Hlth.Sc. (Sports Physio.)
Mr Dunstone joined the St Andrew's College community in 2007 as a postgraduate student and tutor. He graduated from the University of South Australia with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy, where he was on a sports scholarship for rowing. Mr Dunstone worked for a few years in private practice in Adelaide before moving to Sydney and completing two masters degrees by coursework in manipulative and sports physiotherapy. He is currently researching low back injuries in rowers as part of a PhD, and occasionally teaches musculoskeletal physiotherapy at the University of Sydney. In his spare time, Mr Dunstone sings with the college choirs and also with the Sydney Philharmonia Symphony Chorus. He is a past national president of the Australian Intervarsity Choral Societies' Assoc. He has coached the rowing men's eight for St Andrew's College since 2008, and recently coached a group of female rowers for Sydney University and Australian University Sport for two years.
Mr Dunstone is a member of the college's Academic and Administrative Committees and attends college Council meetings. He is also a member of the Council for the Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association. The Dean of Students supports the Principal and the Senior Tutor in their duties and provides after hours pastoral care and support to residents.
deanofstudents-td@standrewscollege.edu.au
Ms Eloise (Elly) Howse
Elly moved in to St Andrew’s College in December 2010 and has made a vast contribution to the college community through social and cultural events, music, sport and academic assistance for students.
Elly is a talented musician, receiving her AMEB 8th Grade Voice and 5th Grade Music Theory in 2004. Elly completed a year in the Bachelor of Music (Performance – Classical Voice) at the Queensland Conservatorium (Griffith University) under the tutelage of soprano Margaret Schindler in 2006. In 2007 Elly returned to Sydney and transferred to the BA (Languages) degree at the University of Sydney. After becoming involved with the Sydney University Dramatic Society (SUDS) and starring in several productions, she ran in 2008 for the Students’ Representative Council, gaining an SRC Council spot, Education Officer and O-Week Convenor.
In 2010 Elly became the 82nd SRC President, the representative of all 32,000 undergraduate students at the University, and sat on the National Union of Students (NUS) Executive for the second year in a row. As SRC President, Elly was involved in high-level decision making in the university. She sat on the Academic Board, the Senior Executive Group Education Committee, Indigenous Education Advisory Committee and many other working groups. Elly attended many conferences at which she represented the University and the student body, including NUS conferences and Universities Australia. She also was the recipient of a Rambam Scholarship to go to Israel and the Palestinian Territories in June 2010, sponsored by the Jewish community and AIJAC (Australia / Israel & Jewish Affairs Council).
Elly is currently completing her Bachelor of Arts, having transferred from the BA Languages (as a result of her not able to go on exchange whilst SRC President). She hopes to complete her Honours in Gender Studies, focusing on the complex relationship between women and consumer society, using post-Marxist and Lacanian philosophy.
deanofstudents-eh@standrewscollege.edu.au
