Best memories of Basser College

Founded in 1959, Basser was built to house students from rural regions, enabling them the same access to education as those from local metropolitan areas.  Now preparing to celebrate its 60th anniversary, Basser has seen thousands of students stay in its dorms, with many notable alumni including former UNSW Vice-Chancellor, Emeritus Profess John Niland AO, and mysterious perpetual resident, Hic McGrumpy.

Fast fact: Built 10 years after UNSW opened, Basser is the oldest residential college of the University, established after a generous £40,000 donation from businessman and philanthropist Sir Adolph Basser.

Are you a Basser alum? Join us on campus Oct 26 to reconnect with friends, meet new residents, and relive happy memories.

In honour of this milestone, some of our notable Basser alumni have shared their greatest memories of their time at the college.

Emeritus Professor John Niland AC (Basser ’60-61)
Former President and Vice-Chancellor, UNSW Sydney

“I lived the Basser life while studying for my BCom degree. The Basser Brigade was pivotal in salvaging the main prank for the first Foundation Day celebrations, which I directed, by working into the early hours to reassemble the Sydney Moaning Tharunka, so the front page would carry the alarming headline that half the Harbour Bridge had been stolen overnight! The Basser experience was wonderfully formative; from the sense of collegiality to the network of lifelong friends, from fostering a deep love of university life, to learning the pranks and lighter side of student life.”

Dr Jimmy Koh (Basser ’61-63)
Managing Director, Antarah Koh

“When I moved into Basser in 1961, I was surprised that the College was very international. There were Singaporean, Malaysian, Thai, Indonesian, Myanmese, Vietnamese, Fijian, Nepalese, and African students. It was a small United Nations! I made a special effort to integrate with the Aussies by learning to drink both in speed and quantity. In 1961, there was a fire in a Singapore ghetto called Bukit Ho Swee and 100,000 people lost their homes. I went around Basser to raise money to help the victims and managed to raise a sum beyond my expectation. I was so touched, and the affinity with my fellows in Basser College was sealed for life.”

Malinda Wink (Basser ’96-97)
Executive Director of Good Pitch Australia & Shark Island Institute

“My friends and I always have the bond of our common experience at Basser - the parties, the late nights procrastinating during stuvac, the early romances. We shared a lot at a formative time of our lives and I’ll always be fond of those old friends, even the ones with whom I have lost touch. Friends of mine have gone on to become award-winning filmmakers, others are running their own multi-national businesses, developing disruptive technologies, doing incredible work internationally with the UN and other agencies…yet when I catch up with them, I love the absence of posturing or formality.”

Dr Cate Kelly (Basser ’91-93)
Chief Medical Officer, Melbourne Health

“I had a wonderful time at Basser: I learnt a lot, met lots of friendly and interesting people and had much fun along the way! One of the things I reflect upon about my time at college is the many (many) discussions and debates that occurred. These were on a wide range of topics, some large and some about not very much at all. They would often be passionate, and occasionally heated, but were all based on trying to learn and understand other perspectives. It seemed like a safe space for ideas and understanding.  Respect for arguments and a position is a legacy of Basser for which I am grateful (together with the people and the experiences).”

The Hon. Ross Free (Basser ’61-64)
Former Minister for Schools, Vocational Education and Training

“For this youngster, down from the bush in 1961 to start the great university adventure, Basser ticked all the boxes. All the creature comforts, right on campus; wonderful peers and friends, many with backgrounds like mine, to share the experience with, and a broader college culture which gave all of us a sense of belonging. Fifty-eight years on, many of those friendships continue and I value them greatly. That sense of belonging also endures, that’s why I’ve enjoyed coming back from time to time.”

Vicky Binns (Basser ’82-83)
Vice-President, Marketing Minerals, BHP

“Two years of the ride of my life! From O-Week events, to the Fresher Run, to the ‘Pubes’ weekend away, Commander Shimon ‘By Invitation’ dinners, the Basser Ball, Nationwide swill, and of course, Hog Day (thanks to all the AD’s out there!).  Basser College was a place for us to be ourselves, learn, relax, laugh and cry with people who would become our best friends for life. Basser also gave me my husband of 30 years – we are one of the many college couples still going strong.”

Hic McGrumpy (Basser ’69 - present)
Current (and longest running) Engineering student

I joined Basser College and commenced my undergraduate studies in engineering. I'm enjoying my 50th year in the faculty. I have dabbled in most subjects, from arts to mathematics, but the problem solving at the heart of engineering is my true calling. I'm hoping it will help me solve the problem of graduating before 2042. I've loved every minute of living in Basser College. Whilst I have unsuccessfully run for election as House President over a dozen times, it's my role as college historian that I love most. My proudest moment at college was being awarded collegial of the year in 1979. Some say it was because my Uncle was the master at the time, but I know it was for my consistent and significant academic contribution during my first 10 years of my undergraduate studies.

Basser College also now has scholarships to help students from rural and regional backgrounds, or those experiencing disadvantage, to have equal access to the college community. This includes the J Holden Family Foundation Residential Scholarship, donated by the inaugural 1959 Basser President, John Holden. More recently, the college established the Basser Equity Award, granting access to Basser for students experiencing disadvantage to support their studies and have access to a supportive community.