College Buildings

The college's Sandy Bay campus buildings were designed by Dirk Bolt, and are regarded as one of Tasmania's finest examples of post-Second World War Australian architecture.^[6][7] The college's design centres on four distinct buildings, each clustered around a central elevated courtyard, while still framing external views over Hobart and the Derwent Estuary. These buildings marked one of the earliest uses of concrete masonry for both internal and external finish, a style that became closely associated with the distinct Tasmanian architectural style of the 1960s.

Since moving to the Sandy Bay site in 1962, Christ College has been made-up of six residential blocks, each named after influential figures in the establishment and history of the college. As such, the six college blocks are named in honour of four former wardens, the first Bishop of Tasmania and an important benefactor of the college.^[5]

Gell: John Philip Gell was the first Warden of Christ College when it opened in 1846. He was born in 1816, and educated at Rugby and Trinity College in Cambridge before moving to Tasmania.^[5] In 1849 he resigned as Warden, returning to England to marry Eleanor Franklin (the daughter of Sir John Franklin). He strongly believed that the basis of the college's academic life should be its library, and one of his most notable contributions to the college is the original Christ College library collection. Gell was indefatigable in building this up from both his personal collection and those of his friends and family. Another reminder of him is his portrait (done later in life), which remains on display in the college's dining hall. He was succeeded as Warden by the Revd Philip Valpy Mourant Filleul of St Aubin, Jersey, Channel Islands, who held the post for four years before returning to England to become Vicar of Biddisham in Somerset.

Barrett: William Rothwell Barrett was the founder of Christ College in its current form as a residential college of the University of Tasmania.^[5] Barrett was the first Warden of the college to be appointed after the Christ College Act of 1926 and remained Warden from 1929 until 1949. In 1955, Barrett became the Assistant Bishop of Tasmania, but remained closely involved with the University through his role in the establishment of Jane Franklin Hall, then the University's first residential college for women. His portrait remains on display in the dining hall of Christ College.

Dudley: Lancelot Stokes Dudley was appointed Warden of the College in 1953, having already served as Acting Warden in 1933 while William Barrett was in England.^[5] Contemporaries describe him as being a good scholar and an evangelical churchman, but also as humourless and a "shy quiet man" who may have been better understood by his theological students than by his undergraduate charges.^[8] Dudley remained with Christ College until his death from leukaemia in 1957.

May: The Rev. Canon (Emeritus) John May was himself a student of Christ College in the early 1930s, soon after its affiliation with the University of Tasmania. He returned to the college to be appointed Warden from 1958 to 1963, and again 18-years later in 1981.^[5] May was responsible for the college's move from Park Street to its present location in Sandy Bay, and was therefore closely involved in the design of the College buildings at the present site. In 1982, May became a Senior Fellow of the college, and his portrait remains in the Christ College dining hall.

Nixon: Francis Russell Nixon was the First Bishop of the Church of England in Tasmania, and the driving force behind the foundation of Christ College in 1846.^[5][9] Nixon strongly advocated for the college's establishment despite the judgement of John Gell (the college's first Warden), who felt that the college was not yet financially-secure enough to open. In this respect, Nixon can be considered indirectly responsible for the college's collapse in 1856, as a result of mismanagement stemming partly from his interference (in the appointment of a Bursar) and indifference (in failing to properly oversee the College Trustees). In 1847, Nixon was described as 'a remarkable man both in appearance and character, good-looking, coal-black hair ... piercing black eyes, and full, rather thick lips; tenacious of his rights, extremely anxious to be correct with regard to costume and all other points of etiquette, devoted to the fine arts and a beautiful draughtsman.'^[9] Nixon's influence on Christ College is felt today in the community's celebration of the college's year of founding, as well as in the College library collection, which retains a number of his books.

Toosey: James Denton Toosey was one of four Trustees appointed to manage the affairs of Christ College after its closure in 1856.^[5] Born in England in 1801, Toosey studied cattle husbandry and moved to Hobart in 1826, where he worked on the Cressy estate of the Horse Breeding Co. of the New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land Establishment.^[10] Contemporaries describe him as kindly and hospitable, and celebrate his public spirit. When he died in 1883, Toosey bequeathed his property to the Diocese with the request that it be used for the revival of the college. This included a portrait of the Duke of Wellington, as well as the bookcase and two large cupboards held in the Conference Room.

Motto

The college motto is Jesus Christus esto mihi ("Jesus Christ shall be mine" or "Let Jesus Christ be mine").^[5]

Seal

The college seal was designed by Captain D. Colbron Pearce of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. The seal, a symbolic expression of Dux Lux Rex Lex, is composed of the baton, torch, crown and book. These were incorporated into the seal design featuring a shield surmounted by a mitre after suggestions from the residents of the college.^[5]

Colours

The college is represented by the colours black, gold and blue      . These are prominent in the sport jersey used by the college team.

The Rock

The Rock was brought to the college site from the quarry in Proctor's Road in 1962. It is tradition that the Rock be burned annually, but it is now so fragile that since 2006 this ceremony is no longer performed.^[5]

Major sports

Minor sports

Sports records

Past records