OUS Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

OUS AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY (ACT)

Welcome to the web pages of the Oxford University Society in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Australia.

The Oxford University Society in the Australian Capital Territory was founded in 1959 with a committee of four. Regular meetings have been held since 1959. Colin Steele is the current Secretary, a position he has held since 1977. The ACT President is currently Professor John Carver. Membership is largely drawn from academia and the Commonwealth public service.

There are currently two to three events held each year. Whether you are visiting temporarily, or a permanent Canberra resident, we encourage you to get in touch and come along. All are welcome.

Forthcoming events

Meet the Author reception with Brooke Boney

Journalist Brooke Boney (St Anthony's, 2024) will be in conversation with Virginia Haussegger on her new book All of It. Notes on public life, private joy and everything in between. A collection of witty and heartfelt essays about love, loss and ambition. Following the book signing session, Brooke will join Oxbridge alumni to provide an opportunity to meet more informally.

Brooke Boney is a journalist who started her media career as a political correspondent for SBS and then for NITV and the ABC before joining Nine's Today show in 2019. Brooke is currently a Charlie Perkins Chevening Scholar studying a Masters of Public Policy at The Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. Brooke is returning from Oxford for the short Australian book tour.

An extremely talented and versatile communicator, she also works as an MC, moderator, panellist and keynote speaker, with a huge passion for igniting discussion around Indigenous Affairs. Brooke is particularly recognised for her candid and insightful approach to topics surrounding identity, representation and social justice. Brooke’s authenticity and outspoken views have made her a both a standout and well-respected voice in Australian journalism Brooke’s engaging writing blends personal stories with social commentary, making complex topics feel accessible and thought-provoking.

When: Thursday 10 April, 2025

Timing and locations:

6.00 - 7.00pm Brooke Boney in conversation with Virginia Haussegger.

7.00 - 7.30pm Book signing

Australian National University Cultural Centre, Kambri Precinct, ANU, Kambri Cinema ANU Acton, ACT, 2601

To register BOOK HERE

7.30 - 9.00pm Reception with Oxbridge alumni at Symposium Restaurant, University House, ANU, 13/152 University Ave, Acton ACT 2601

No booking is necessary for the reception.

Oxbridge15 dinner and trivia quiz

We invite any members who have graduated in the last 15 years (2010~) to our first Oxbridge15 event where we will be joined by our Cambridge counterparts. We hope you will be able to come along or extend the invitation to those you know may be about to go to Oxbridge or who have just returned:

When: Wednesday 12 March, 2025

Time: 6:45 pm for dinner, 7:30 pm for trivia

Where: The Durham Castle Arms, Kingston

Please RSVP to Roland Padilla or Anna Parker to confirm your attendance by Thursday 6 March.

Recent events

Oxbridge Reception with Professor Peter Kanowski

Wednesday 4 December, 2024

The Oxford and Cambridge Societies in the ACT welcomed members and their guests to an end of year gathering at which Professor Peter Kanowski (Wolfson, 1983), National Secretary for the Rhodes Scholarships in Australia and Master of University House, gave a short presentation on the Rhodes and Oxford-Australia Scholarships and an update on the University House restoration and reopening.

Reception with Professor Tina Dacin

Wednesday 1 November, 2023

The Oxford and Cambridge Societies (ACT) were delighted to invite members and their guests to a drinks and canapés by the pool reception with guest speaker Professor Tina Dacin. Professor Tina Dacin holds appointments as Fellow, Centre for Social Innovation at the Judge Business School, Cambridge and Visiting Fellow at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge as well as the Stephen J.R. Smith Chair of Strategy and Organizational Behaviour at Queen’s University, Canada. Her research interests include AI and social impact; social entrepreneurship; and traditions, place and institutions.

Reception with Professor the Hon Gareth Evans AC KC BA LLB (Hons) (Melb) MA (Oxon)

Tuesday 8 August, 2023

The Oxford and Cambridge Societies (ACT) invited members and their guests to a canapés and drinks reception, followed by a seated talk by Gareth Evans on ‘My Oxford’, a fascinating, reflective and humorous talk. In the Q&A session after the talk he commented on wider contemporary issues. Gareth Evans read PPE at Magdalen from 1968 to 1970, and was elected an Honorary Fellow of that College in 2004. He was a Cabinet Minister throughout the Hawke and Keating Labour Governments, in the posts of Attorney General, Minister for Resources and Energy, Minister for Transport and Communications and, from 1988 to 1996, Foreign Minister. From 2000 to 2009 he was President and CEO of the Brussels-based International Crisis Group, and from 2010 to 2019 Chancellor of the Australian National University, where he is now Distinguished Honorary Professor. He has written or edited, singly or jointly, 14 books, most recently Good International Citizenship: The Case for Decency (2022).

Oxbridge Garden Party

Sunday 16 April 2023

Reception with The Hon. George Brandis KC

Monday 28 November, 2022

The Oxford and Cambridge University Societies (ACT) were delighted to invite members and their guests to a drinks and canapés end of year reception with guest speaker, the Hon. George Brandis. George Brandis, a graduate of Queensland and Magdalen College, Oxford, reflected on his time at Oxford and as Australian High Commissioner in London.

Oxbridge Garden Party

Saturday 26 March, 2022

The Oxford and Cambridge Societies of the ACT were delighted to hold an Oxbridge Garden Party, with champagne, soft drinks and canapes by the pool on . Members were grateful to the chair Harriet Elvin and Tony Hedley for making their house available for the event.

Oxbridge Garden Party

Sunday 14 March, 2021

The Oxford and Cambridge Societies of the ACT held a joint Garden Party, with champagne, soft drinks and canapes by the poolside. Alumni were joined by the guest of honour, the British High Commissioner to Australia, Her Excellency Mrs Vicki Treadell CMG MVO.

OUS Australian Capital Territory (ACT)