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International House, The University of Melbourne
Have a question? Contact International House, The University of Melbourne
International House at the University of Melbourne was Australia's first 'international house'. Its first purpose-built accommodation wing opened to residents in 1957, with the official opening the following year. The building was later named the Ian Clunies Ross Wing in honour of the first chair of the International House Council.
1980s students, international house
'Inscribed in pencil on reverse: 'From the News and Information Bureau, November 1953'.
india, indira gandhi
Inscribed in black ink on reverse (possibly in Harry Leong's writing): '1962 First Year University - International House'.
student life, 1960s
Pictured here is Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Prime Minister of Malaysia from 1957 to 1970, leading Malaysia through its transition to independent statehood. Rahman visited International House in November 1959 during a state visit to Australia, also attending the Melbourne Cup and a dinner at Government House. This photograph comes from an 'Album of Student Activities 1960', compiled and presented to International House by Soedjadi Satrosoegito & Richard Shiell.
tunku abdul rahman, events
A quiet moment playing cards in the Common Room, this photo illustrates the many benefits International House presented to its residents, giving space for social and everyday interactions with diverse peoples, to the benefit and enjoyment of all. This photograph comes from an 'Album of Student Activities 1960', compiled and presented to International House by Soedjadi Satrosoegito & Richard Shiell.
social, card games
The people labelled as pictured include Sammy Wu (1), Teong Eu, Nick Kanaris, Dr Suri, Roger Egglestone, and Tay Soo Lay (2) Warden Sam Dimmick (3), and John Morrish (6). The identities of the women are unknown, and they were likely guests invited to International House's regular dinner dances and events. In 1960, the Council suggested that women students of the University could be made non-resident members of the House, and began discussing plans for housing women, which did not eventuate until 1972. Students clearly enjoyed the opportunity for female company, requesting that visiting hours be extended for women in 1960, a request that was designed by the Council.
social events, women
International House fielded a football team in social matches against the Colleges, although it was not officially part of the Inter-Collegiate Competition. Some of the students pictured are named as Colin McLeod in the front left corner, Dick Shiell in the doorframe on the right, and "Strop" Sturtz in the hat on the right. This photograph comes from an 'Album of Student Activities 1960', compiled and presented to International House by Soedjadi Satrosoegito & Richard Shiell.
football, students
Pictured here is Nicos 'Nick' Kanaris, a foundation student, and later tutor, of International House. Kanaris and his friend Michael Kirnis represented Cyprus among the first forty-two students at International House in 1957. Awarded the Exhibition in Botany III and attaining a Masters in Science, Kanaris became a residential tutor of Botany and Biology for the House from 1959 to 1960. Having returned to work in their home country, both men had decided to return to Australia after spending Christmas with their families. Tragically, however, both Kanaris and Kirnis were killed in a plane crash en route to Cyprus in 1961. Their lives and contributions to International House were commemorated via a memorial scholarship funded by the Student Club. This photograph comes from an 'Album of Student Activities 1960', compiled and presented to International House by Soedjadi Satrosoegito & Richard Shiell.
nicos kanaris, staff, students
Pictured here are students Ian McIntyre on piano, Bob Atkins on bass, Roger Mitchell on guitar, Harry Markham singing on the right, and an unknown student. This photograph comes from an 'Album of Student Activities 1960', compiled and presented to International House by Soedjadi Satrosoegito & Richard Shiell.
performing arts, students
This short documentary film was produced by the Melbourne University Film Society in 1954 to display the hopeful possibilities of an International House in Melbourne. It was played from May 4th-6th in the Union House Theatre, along with several other films produced by the Society, possibly scheduled to coincide with the fundraising International House Fair the following weekend. The film stars broadcaster and author Allan Aldous as commentator, and the Malaysian female student is thought to be Rajeswary Thambiah of Malaysia. The female student from Lang Lang is unknown, though may be named Wendy.
1950s melbourne, international house
Black and white photo of Olive Wykes (later Mence) seated indoors with four male student performers
performing arts, notable people
Black and white Olive Wykes (later Mence) with student performers and host family [?] during a fundraising concert tour of rural Victoria
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
