The origins of Queen’s College go back to the 19th century. It was founded by the Rev. William Quick on June 16th, 1887 (Founder’s Day) on the piece of land granted by the Victorian Government to the Methodist Church. The College came to be named Queen’s in response to the Jubilee of Queen Victoria’s reign that was celebrated in that year. The College opened its doors on March 14th, 1888 with 18 students. Its first Master was the remarkable English clergyman Dr Edward H. Sugden, who remained in office for forty years (1888-1928). By the end of his Mastership, Queen’s had become the College that is still recognizable today.
Queen's College 1926
Queen’s College is now a College of the Uniting Church and is affiliated by statute with the University of Melbourne. It is governed by a Council of 15 members. The head of the College is its seventh Master, Professor David T. Runia. In academic matters, the Master is advised by the Fellows, who are former members of the College and other persons who have distinguished themselves in academic life and in wider society.
Traditionally, Queen’s was a male residential College. In 1973 it became co-educational and now has men and women in equal numbers as equal members. Queen’s has always been open to both resident and non-resident students regardless of their religious beliefs. Currently, there are 218 residential students and about 35 graduates and post-graduates, most of whom are tutors and mentors. The undergraduate students form the Junior Common Room. The tutors and other senior members of the College form the Senior Common Room.
Queen’s College has a distinctive coat of arms. The animal on the crest is a Wyvern, a two-legged winged dragon of Scottish origin. It has been taken from the family arms of John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church movement. Past members of the College are known as Wyverns. The motto of the College is the Latin phrase aedificamus in aeternum, which when translated means “We are building for eternity”.
An excellent and detailed account of the first hundred years of Queen’s can be found in Queen’s College University of Melbourne: a Centenary History, written by the fourth Master, Dr Owen Parnaby. It can be purchased from the College Office. The College also maintains in its Archives an extensive collection of records documenting its history and development.
