On Tuesday 17 June, our Year 9 cohort attended the Potter Museum of Art (65000 Years: A short history of Australian Art) at The University of Melbourne. After the exhibition, Old Girls Mietta Passon (’23) and Alice Molnar (’24) provided the Year 9s with a tour of Melbourne Uni, before finishing the day with sketching of the Old Quadrangle and surroundings.

Student Reflections

Amabella Tsui

As part of the Alternative Program for some Year 9 students, we had the opportunity to tour The University of Melbourne’s campus. I felt incredibly honoured to take part in this experience, as it gave me insight into potential university pathways I may pursue in the future. We first went to the Ian Potter Museum, which recently opened a new exhibition to the public featuring a variety of brilliant and meaningful Indigenous art. The piece that left the biggest impression on me was the first artwork you see the moment you step into the museum, made using technology to reimagine what the campus of Melbourne University looked like back in the 1830s.  The display was enormous and immersive; it had sounds of birds and looked incredibly realistic, which made me feel like I had been transported back in time. After being led around the museum, we had a quick lunch break before being guided around the campus by two St Catherine’s graduates who study at the university, explaining the different majors and subjects we could study and showing us available facilities. Although I have not decided what I want to study yet, I am grateful for the chance to experience university life. This experience has helped me to have a better idea of my future university options and inspired me to keep exploring.

Anya Shah

On Tuesday last week, the Year 9 students went on an excursion to the Potter Museum of Art to explore the exhibition 65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art. This exhibition highlights the creativity and cultural significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, while also confronting the impact of colonisation and sharing perspectives from First Nations communities. During our visit, we took part in a guided tour that focused on how many Aboriginal artists express their beliefs, feelings, and experiences of freedom and rights through their artwork. One of the many pieces of art we viewed was a collection of statues addressing the Stolen Generation which was a period of time in Australian history when Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and placed into missions under government policy. The artist conveyed a powerful message which encouraged us to reflect deeply on the injustices experienced by Indigenous Australians, many of which continue to affect communities today.

Following the museum visit, we toured the University of Melbourne, guided by some of our school’s Old Girls who are now studying there. They shared their experiences of living at one of the University’s colleges and explained what the transition from school to university was like for them. Walking through the campus gave me an insight into university life and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead after school.

Olga Shen

The Potter Museum of Art was a deeply reflective exhibition showcasing the historical and deeply immersive culture of the Indigenous people of our land. We were taken on a tour to learn about the meaning of ‘Country’ and the deep connection that Indigenous people felt to their homes. The exhibition displayed the truth, the heartfelt emotions, and the narratives of the First Nations people through their art, confronting the challenges, such as land dispossession and massacres, they had faced. The art gallery enabled us to explore and acknowledge the true depth of Australia’s past.

This museum was not only an engaging gallery of indigenous art, but a portrayal of our often-unseen history through the lens of Indigenous artists. We were able to truly immerse ourselves in the depth of their culture and learn the significance of storytelling, resilience, and connection to land. It was an eye-opening experience that encouraged us to reflect, empathise, and gain a deeper understanding of the enduring strength and beauty of the world’s oldest continuing culture.

Following this experience, we attended a tour of the University of Melbourne, led by some past St Catherine’s students. They showcased the university’s beautiful campus and enlightened us on the opportunities, different pathways, and the student life that the university offers.

Overall, the day was both educational and inspiring, leaving a lasting impression for us all.

Emmanuella Christov 

Melbourne University, a place of excellence, abruptly welcomed me, and a sense of hope filled me. Brightness was finally in my sight; my serendipity was reprised. Everything stopped as I glided beneath the towering trees, dancing simultaneously with the gentle breeze. My heart- astonished, my mind pensive, racing with thousands of thoughts, one being if “I will ever experience coming here again only to see it as my home in the future.” I enthusiastically penetrated through a narrow yet alluring door, welcomed by benevolent students. Their calm, articulate way of speaking inspired me to improve how I express myself and aim for that same level of clarity and intelligence. Next to them was an immense screen, showcasing an indigenous landscape and acknowledging the Wurundjeri people’s home which inspired me to respect their culture and the land we live on.

Quickly after an introduction, we examined different Indigenous artworks, one vividly eye-striking held my gaze tightly: a depiction of The Stolen Generations as a variety of warm colours were splattered on the children to showcase the careless nature of the guards without a hint of mercy. This piece amazed me as the life-sized figures had a connection with me as though I could instantly understand their stories without a word being spoken. Alas, an extraordinary staircase stood before me, resembling a never-ending labyrinth. I paused, in astonishment, thinking to myself, “Is this real? How am I at the Melbourne University?”