Hytten Hall college was formally re-established at Melville Street in central Hobart at a ceremony on 8 March, with college alumni and new residents meeting to share stories and make connections.
The original Hytten Hall was a University college located on the Sandy Bay campus. It operated from 1959-1980 as a non-denominational male-only college, except for its final year.
At the launch, former students shared fond memories of life at the Hall.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Rufus Black spoke with students about the special qualities of the Tasmanian collegiate community, which is made up of the re-established Hytten Hall, Jane Franklin Hall, Christ College and St John Fisher College. Leaders of the various colleges, including student leaders, attended the launch.
“I have a profound belief in the value of these communities, and the role they play in shaping lives and groups of people,” Professor Black said.
He described the way the island’s colleges have been through various incarnations in their long history, displaying an ability to evolve and sometimes radically remake themselves.
Hytten Hall was named after Torleiv Hytten, the University’s first full-time Vice-Chancellor, born in Norway in 1890.
“His story reminds us of the power of education – poverty denied him anything but basic schooling as a child; he moved to Australia at 20 and took on various manual labouring jobs,” Professor Black said, adding that Torleiv Hytten didn’t matriculate until he was 30, then received a Bachelor of Arts from the University at 32, followed by a Master of Arts at 39.
“Twenty years later, he was appointed the University’s Vice-Chancellor, a role he held until his retirement in 1957,” he said.
“Today, we honour this history as we celebrate Hytten Hall’s reestablishment, here in the heart of Hobart.”
At the launch ceremony, Professor Black handed over the Hytten Hall Crest to The Hall Principal, Casey White. The crest belonged to George Wilson, who was the longest serving Master (initially Warden) of the Hall, a position he held throughout the 1960s and early 1970s.
Professor Black also unveiled a re-establishment plaque, accompanied by Student Club President Anusha Ganti, who is studying a combined Bachelor of Law and Business.
Anusha says the new college has provided her with a supportive environment where she can thrive socially and emotionally, important considerations as it is her first time living independently away from home.
“Building lifelong friendships and making cherished memories are invaluable parts of the college journey and I have been blessed to experience both at Hytten Hall,” she said.
Another activity that formed part of the celebrations in the lead-up to the official launch was the first High Hall at the new Hytten Hall, held on the first day of Semester 1 on 26 February.
High Hall is the formal high table held at Hytten Hall and represents an opportunity to affirm Hytten Hall’s ongoing culture.
An alumnus has donated funds to allow High Halls to occur across this inaugural year because of the high importance of these dinners in bringing the student community back together. Alumni representative and former Chancellor Dr Mike Vertigan AC (BEc Hons, ’65, honoris causa ’06) was invited to be the first Hytten High Hall speaker.
“Interacting with alumni of Hytten Hall has been an extraordinary privilege,” Ms Ganti said.
“Hearing their stories and witnessing their accomplishments has not only deepened my appreciation for our hall's legacy but also introduced me to inspiring role models like Dr Michael Vertigan, whom I had the honour of meeting at our first High Hall Dinner,” she said.
“I'm excited to pass on this sense of pride to current and future members of our college community, motivating everyone to pursue excellence in all their endeavours.”
Students and alumni also participated in Orientation Week tours of the old and new sites. During the tour, a partial brick from the original building was given to Ms Ganti as the head of student body to represent and affirm the continuity between the sites. The brick will also be present at future High Halls.
Hytten Hall student treasurer and law student Cooper Healy said he loves the diversity in people, cultures and study at Hytten Hall.
“There's nowhere else in Tasmania that you can such an interesting and brilliant mix of people all living together,” he said.
“The alumni I have been fortunate enough to meet have all communicated a deep sense of respect for Hytten Hall, for their peers and in particular Master George Wilson.
“It is clear that we as a Committee can learn a lot from the original iteration of Hytten Hall, in particular by instilling the values of Academic Excellence in our residential college.”
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Alumni of the Hall will be invited to speak at High Halls throughout the year. This is to ensure the traditions, academic excellence, and knowledge gained by Hytten alumni is passed down to the next generation of residents. If you would like to contribute to initiatives at the Hall to support students and the ongoing culture of excellence at the Hall you can donate here.
Top right image: Signing of the Members Register, Anusha Ganti , Hytten Hall Club President and Casey White, Principal - Hytten Hall Credit: Peter W Allen
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