Social History

Medley Hall 1953-2008: A Social History of Benvenuta

In 1955 Benvenuta – the Italianate Victorian Baroque building found at 48 Drummond Street – was named ‘Medley Hall’ by the University of Melbourne. Two years previously the site had been taken over by the University as an associated residential college, though it had been known since WWII as the Drummond Street Hostel. ‘Benvenuta’ means ‘welcome’, and for almost six decades Medley Hall has been doing exactly this.

Medley Hall is unusual amongst the residential colleges linked to the University of Melbourne for a number of reasons. It is unusually small in size, was the first college to become co-educational, and is the only college found off-campus (with the exception of Kendall Hall in Werribee). In 1979 the first female Warden, Julie Marginson, commenced her post and since this time the college has been led almost exclusively by women Principals.

Whilst the architectural history of Medley Hall has been well documented, very little has been written about its collegial life. This project seeks to redress the lack of narrative by detailing the experience of students and staff who form the Medley Hall community. Given the renovations that Medley Hall will be undergoing in 2009, it seems appropriate to review the past of the college, its interactions with the University of Melbourne, and its role in the wider community.

Social History Survey

If you are an Alumni or former staff member of Medley Hall, please complete our online survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=eyx_2fElPdC9OxehNxPPREzQ_3d_3d">
 
You can also join the Medley Hall Facebook site. Either contact us with your email and we will send you a friend request, or send one to us directly via Facebook.
For more information, please contact Aleksandra Michalewicz.

Outcomes

This social history will give us a more comprehensive understanding of the role played by Medley Hall in its Alumni’s lives, as well as the way in which former students reflect upon their time at the University of Melbourne. The project will have the following outcomes:

- The social history will be published online via the University of Melbourne's Medley Hall website.

- An overview of the material collected will be written up inot a report and submitted to the History of the University Unit.

- The project will operate as a plateform for the construction of a formal Alumni program. This will allow past residents continuing contact with Medley hall and Benvenuta. We also anticipate a reunion of former Medley Hall students in our renovated premises.