Class Notes

As one of the College’s foundational residents, Glenn Atkinson has many fond memories of his time at Burgmann College. ‘I remember Peter Garrett [frontman of Midnight Oil] and Alison Summers [acclaimed writer and theatre director] had rooms either side of me at Burgmann in 1972–1973, and John Cropper was President of BRA—such a gifted pianist, and the absolute life of any party,’ he said.

He also recalls several escapades on and off campus during his time as a resident: ‘[I remember] Richard Cook spraying us with the fire hoses at the front door when returning from dinner late one night, and days at the Randwick Races with Colin Griffiths. Getting caught in a wild night storm in Bowral farmland with John (“Jack”) Corrie and his sister, and winter drive-in movie marathons without heating in Goulburn with five of us in a Mini. Hallway parties, and a visit by USA exchange students (maybe in 1973?) and attending the opening of the Sydney Opera House with a student from San Diego.’

Some of his highlights from his time at Burgmann were the ‘wonderful student camaraderie, fun and friendship, establishing personal independence away from home in Sydney, exposure to many different ideas and unfamiliar lifestyles, and learning the Law.’

He worked as a research officer for Senator Gordon Davidson (Liberal Party, South Australia), then moved to Brisbane in 1980 where he has practiced as a family law solicitor.

At the time of this writing, Glenn is 70 years old, married, and has four children and one grandchild.

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Steve Fermio (1981–1983) describes his time at Burgmann as ‘Just the best time of [his] life’!

He has worked as a geologist, environmental officer, and natural resources officer, and as a planning and environmental manager/director for various Sydney rail projects.

In 2012 he started Wolfpeak, an environmental consulting company that provide environmental support to infrastructure projects, and he also serves as its Director. Wolfpeak employs 30 staff based in Sydney, Melbourne and Port Macquarie.

Steve is married and has four children.

Andrew (‘Andy’) ‘Howlin’ Wind’ Richardson is a gifted flautist (hear his music at howlinwind.com), and was one of the first students to reside at Burgmann College. He said his cohort felt they were ‘pioneers’ of the ANU, as Burgmann College was still under construction when they moved in.

Andy recalls the packs of feral black cats that roamed the college grounds at that time, and he was part of the original Burgmann rugby team that sewed the now-infamous black cat patches on their yellow sports jumpers.

‘We needed a rugby jumper for our first game on the weekend—panic. We got some old black felt, cut out black cats, and then sewed them onto our yellow jumpers. We won the game, and our Burgmann Black Cats defined Burgmann College as we became a winning rugby side,’ Andy said.

He also shared a memory of the magical night he and some other residents convinced British comedy superstars Peter Cooke and Dudley Moore to perform a special show in the Burgmann Dining Hall.

‘We knew they we performing in Canberra, so we met them at the Canberra Airport, and invited them for dinner at Burgmann to meet all their fans,’ said Andy. ‘It was a night I’ll never forget. Pure class in the Burgmann dining room—comedy skits, jazz, blues, Dud’s songs, plus Elvis [song covers]. Dudley was a master piano player, and they were a breath-taking comedy duo. Then it was back to “The Conversation Pit” for more jokes, stories, drinks and smokes until the wee small hours.’