Tuesday 26th February 2013, Thinking at Twilight

Alumni gathered at the Union, Universities & Schools Club to hear Michael O'Sullivan, the Director of the Cambridge Commonwealth and Overseas Trust talk about "The Next 25 Years for the Cambridge Brand". He highlighted the forces of the brand spectrum: tradition vs innovation, English vs International, undergraduate vs gradate and how all aspects are vital. Richard Dammery who heads up Cambridge Australia Scholarships & Justine Koster, CAS Administrator were also present.

Annual Christmas Drinks

This was kindly hosted by our Vice President, Christopher Dawson and extremely well attended! Committee Member Rhys Goodey spoke on 'My Idol: Dr Samuel Johnson' which provoked great discussion among the attendees.

Sunday 25th November 2012 Annual Cricket Match vs Oxford

Alistair Newmarch, CamSoc Committee member and organiser reports: We won! The first time in the history of the fixture (10yrs).Cambridge put Oxford into bat first. Oxford were restricted to 119 runs before being bowled out. Some fine bowling was on display from Matt Hocken, Nick Hill and Ian Greig, each taking several wickets. The teams fielding display was also exemplary (apart for Nick Hill dropping a ‘dolly’ and Richard Baily throwing a few ‘pies’). The recruitment of Daniel Vickerman (ex Wallaby) to this year’s team worked as planned, providing significant ‘physical’ presence at mid off. Cambridge’s batting was also very impressive when play resumed after a well earned water break. Luke Barnes, Greg Loveridge (who flew over from NZ), Dom Katter and Ian Greig (who both flew in from QLD) and Russell Lyons all batted finely, scoring quickly and piling pressure on the Oxford bowlers. Edward Carter scored the winning runs with 10 over’s to spare and 5 wickets in hand. Edward Mallet did a sterling job scoring at 13 man and will push hard for a starting spot in the 2013 fixture. Both teams would like to thanks Middletons for sponsoring the event. A great day was had by all.

Friday 5 October 2012 Annual Golf Match vs Oxford

Unfortunately Oxford were aagin unable to field a team against the 6 Cambridge Society players. So it was decided to have an individual stableford event among the 9 players. Charles Thorburn (Oxford) finally ended the series of Cambridge triumphs with a score of 35 points and afterward drinks and an excellent meal were enjoyed at Royal Sydney Golf Club. The course was in excellent condition and the atmosphere in the Clubhouse was conivial as usual. Thanks to Peter Young for again organising this event.

9 August 2012 Pre-Concert Function Clare Choir Tour

The Clare College Choir in conjunction with the Australian Chamber Orchestra toured Australia’s main capital cities in August 2012 with the support of former Clare alumnus, Daryl Dixon. The program included a stirring rendition of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. On Thursday 9th August they were performing at the Sydney Opera House. Prior the performance, the Society hosted a pre-concert buffet dinner with guest speaker, Anthony John "Tony" Badger the Paul Mellon Professor of American History and Master of Clare College. There were over 70 people attending and Tony spoke on the perils of being a Cambridge College Master ranging from a group Japanese tourists asking for a tour of the Master’s Lodge on Christmas Day to the fatal moment when the Fellows ask to paint your portrait. This is regarded as the tell-tale evidence that the Fellows consider it is time to elect a new Master. Tony also reminded the audience he had played college rugby with the current President (Sidney Sussex ca. 1966) and his final year captained the worst performing rugby team Sidney has produced since WWII prompting the comment from a long suffering spectator that at least we won the war. During question time he made a number of interesting observations about the upcoming US election and the parlous state of American politics. It was great evening followed by a brilliant concert performance.