29 March 2012 Thinking at Twilight Seminar #1

Einstein’s Greatest Blunder or Is life on Earth due to a quirk in the laws of physics?

 

Thinking at Twilight is a new innovation for the Cambridge Society of NSW.  The intention is to have around three evening talks a year given by a Cambridge Alumni followed by networking.  Our first event was given by Professor John Webb (PhD Cambridge) who is a professor of Astrophysics at the University of New South Wales.   He has published more than 150 research articles and has appeared on many radio and TV science programs, including "Lateline" with Tony Jones and most recently Discovery Channel’s "Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman".  Over 30 people attended the inaugral event and enough praise was given ("stimulating, correct level for the audience") to ensure that the events will continue

3 March 2012 Annual Summer Garden Party

Following last year's successful event Emily Baxter again arranged to start the year off with a Summer Garder Party in the garden court of Sancta Sophia College at the University of Sydney.  Due to La Nina the event was postponed one week to ensure that we had indoor backup.  This turned out to be a perspicacious move.  During the week it rained heavily and while the Saturday evening was fine the grounds were not.  So the 50 or so guests who attendend retreated to the Common Room and indulged themselves in wine and canapes listening to the string trio.  A good night and again well organised by Emily.  Unfortunately Emily is on the move to Singapore and we wish her good fortune

8 December 2011 Annual Xmas Drinks Union, University & Schools Club

The annual Xmas drinks at the Union, University and Schools Club on Thursday 8 December 2011 was this year hosted by the President, Christopher Golis.  Over 30 alumni turned up and  while it was a cash bar, excellent hors d'oeuvre were provided by the Club and paid for by the Society.  The host had to leave at 7:15 owing to a double booking, (Cate Blanchette at the Sydney Theatre) and Committee member, Lyza Rybak took over hosting duties.   Highlight of the evening was meeting Ian Mortimer, who lives in Malaga and is the convenor of the Oxford and Cambridge Alumni Club of Andalucia, and who was visiting Sydney.

7 October 2011 Annual Golf Match vs Oxford at Royal Sydney Golf Club

Unfortunately Oxford were unable to field a team against the 8 Cambridge Society players.  So it was decided to have an individual stableford event among the 11 players.  Daryl Dixon (Clare) won with 34 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.

4 August 2011 Annual Winterfeast at The Royal Sydney Golf Club

Over 100 guests attended the Annual Winterfeast 2011.  Our speaker was HE Paul Madden (Gonville & Caius, 1977), the British High Commissioner to Australia who gave an excellent and witty speech on Cambridge, Diplomacy and Australia.  Paul is the third British High Commissioner from Cambridge to speak at a Winterfeast.  The first was Sir John Mason the British High Commissioner 1980-1984 (Peterhouse) and he was followed by Lord Goodlad (Kings) British High Commissioner to Australia 1999-2005.  

Paul Madden is a career diplomat.  He commenced his appointment as British High Commissioner to Australia in January 2011 following his posting as British High Commissioner in Singapore.  Paul has held posts in London, Singapore, Tokyo, and Washington. He has an MA in Economic Geography from Cambridge University (Gonville & Caius), an MBA from Durham University, studied Japanese at London University's School of Oriental and African Studies, and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.  His first book, Raffles: Lessons in Business Leadership, was published in 2003.  He is married to Sarah who is here tonight, has three children, and was born in Devon.

Other guests included Dr Ian Brentnall, Trinity Hall, who matriculated in 1942 and Mary Cahill & Ashley Rose, who both matriculated in 1999.  A new tradition of providing bottles of port and wine to the oldest and newest matriculators attending the Winterfeast started at this function.