JCH Giving Appeal 2025

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Help us restore our beloved Dining Hall at Janet Clarke Hall

The JCH Dining Hall: the heart of college life.

"Courage, community and caring — all in one space. The Dining Hall has always been our stage."

Janet Clarke Hall student residents Wanwue, Bachelor of Fine Arts, and Klearhos, Master of Music by Research, MSO 2025 Cybec Young Composer in Residence, share what it means to perform in the Dining Hall — a space that has inspired confidence, creativity, and connection for generations.

Stories Shared, Memories Made

For generations, the Dining Hall has been the heart of community life at Janet Clarke Hall. It’s where lifelong friendships begin, where mentors and students exchange ideas, and where alumni return to celebrate milestones.

More than a dining space, it’s our shared home of belonging and inspiration, and it’s time for this special space to receive the attention it deserves. This is your opportunity to give back to a place which has meant so much to so many in our College community.

Our target for this sympathetic restoration is $150,000 and we’ve already reached $115,000. Help us realise our vision for a refreshed Dining Hall which will welcome back and host our community for our 140th celebrations in 2026.

Help us reach our $150,000 Goal and Restore the Heart of JCH

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A Place at the Table

The dining hall is a place of community, a constant in our busy lives. When I have an early morning class and pop down for breakfast, bleary-eyed and wishing I was in bed, my day is always brightened by friends sitting there having a giggle. There is something very wholesome about this space where we can land, no matter the day we've had, and be amongst supportive friends.

Shanti, First-Year JCH Resident, Bachelor of Biomedical Science and 2026 Student Club President

We have very fond memories of the JCH Dining Hall. In December 1976 we were married at Trinity Chapel followed by our wedding reception in JCH Dining Hall. A beautiful setting for our families and friends with the kitchen staff providing a scrumptious lunch. Much to the delight of everyone were our valiant attempts, eventually successful, to cut through the solid icing of our wedding cake! The cake was solidly iced and beautifully decorated by JCH’s chef and baked by the mother of the bride, who had a few anxious moments. Great memories indeed!

Annette Rice (Rodd) 1974–1980, Wayne Rice 1976–1980

Preserving the Heart, Refreshing the Space

The Dining Hall itself will remain what it has always been - the heart and centre of community and connection at the College. This project will see the space enjoy fresh paintwork, restored flooring, updated lighting, restoration of our iconic artwork, acoustic treatments, and modern upgrades to the servery.

The work is planned for the summer break, ensuring it’s ready to welcome the next generation of JCH students for Semester 1 2026 and be the perfect venue for our 140th Anniversary celebrations.

Be part of restoring the space where community is cared for, lifelong friendships are forged, and ideas are ignited. Together, we can ensure the Dining Hall remains the inspiring heart of JCH for generations to come.

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Our College is situated on the land of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, whose stories, educational practices and connection to Country are part of the world’s oldest living culture. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and those emerging in our community.