Wright College 1982 - 1986: Vicissitudes and college spirit

Abstract

I was recommended to Wright College by Miles Boak, also from Moree, with a range of threats and encouragements, going on to be a fresher in 1982, JCR President in 1984 and downstairs Gamma tutor for first semester of 1985. First impressions are always the strongest, and the first impressions Wright made were always 'friendly', 'down to earth' and 'relaxed'. True, there were times that these very attributes worked against the college and its residents, such as when the other college heads started to attract student numbers. But it was actually the underlying values that 'Redmen' adopted while at the College that would serve so many of us so well for so long: the principles of a fair go, a lack of discrimination regardless of gender, race or religion, honesty (within reason) and always the ability to laugh at ourselves and especially others who deserved it. Wright was never a place where pomposity, hypocrisy or undue reverence ever received much tolerance. There were simply too many people with a quick wit and an ego-pricking turn of phrase that would often leave the protagonist in quite a confused state. I can't remember where we actually picked-up these values - perhaps the sporting field - but the atmosphere of Wright was always of a fairly just group of people who were happy to get along, have great times and contribute something to the spirit of Wright. Wright, if nothing else, was a welcoming and tolerant place. If only we could recreate that atmosphere on demand...