As CQUniversity's Capricornia College turns the big 40, long time college employee and current manager of the residential college Robyn James shares with UniNews her college experience...

Q. What does Capricornia College mean to you and its lodgers?

A. For the students, Capricornia College is their home away from home and they say that living here has been the most stimulating, rewarding and memorable years of their lives.  It is the place where lifelong friendships are formed and where they can get the true University experience whilst living and learning in our academic residential community. 

For me personally working at the College for the past 27 years has been some of the best and most memorable years of my life.  I still have close contact with many of the past students, with some as life-long friends. The College and all of the students and staff will always have a special place in my heart.

Manager of Capricornia College Robyn James can tell a tale or two from her 27 years at the College.Q. Has there been any special moments for you at the College?

A. At the 2007 Valedictory Dinner the students and staff organized a presentation for me and made me an Honorary Fellow of Capricornia College in recognition of 25 years of dedication and commitment - making me the second person in College history to have this honor.  

I have to say that most of my everyday life at College is memorable whether I am attending the events in the College 'O' Week at 2am in the morning at a night club or hugging a homesick student first time away from home - there are so many different experiences and memories when you live and work with so many young people.

Q. How many students live at the College?

A. When the College opened in 1969 there were 42 residents.  When I commenced in 1982 there were 212 residents.  The College now has capacity for about 330.

 Q. What changes have occurred at the college over the past 27 years?

A. The construction of 3 additional accommodation buildings over a period of time changed the College from a small environment to a large diverse multicultural community. Other notable changes for the students and staff are probably the loss of old traditions which could now be deemed as unacceptable behavior. Risk assessments and constant monitoring of behavior is now the norm and many events celebrated by past students can now no longer supported by the College e.g. Pub Crawl and the Eagle Rock tradition. Every year brings with it a different group of residents and you never know what to expect, but the community spirit and camaraderie always remains within our large College family.

Q. Can you remember any special personalities that lived at the College during this time?

A. There have been many special personalities over the years and I can't mention them all, but I would have to say that many of my most favourite memories were of the 80s when the College was smaller and simpler to manage. 

Capricornia College will celebrate the past 40 years of university residential life on Saturday June 20, 2009. For further details contact Michelle Roberts on 4923 2898.