In year 9 in Oatlands, Tasmania, Sam had a unit on rocks and earth studies. This began a passion that led to Sam doing geology in year 12, starting his extensive rock collection, and becoming a Geology Major at UTas and a resident at Jane.
“Geology is my passion – I’m fascinated by rocks and the earth’s processes. Before I started geology, I liked looking at rocks, I was interested because they are all so different. It’s their age that interests me, and the big collision events that created mountains. I love collecting fossils; they are a window into the past, from a time so long ago. It’s hard to conceptualise.”
Sam’s dream job is a volcanologist. The massive, devastating impact of these natural disasters aside, it’s the power of the earth that he finds fascinating. Visiting Pompeii is a lifelong dream he has had since he was a kid.
However, closer to home, Sam is interested in the mining industry. “It’s essential for the economy, and for everything we use. I want to be part of the change that makes it more sustainable.”
Sam’s interest in the Earth also extends to ecology. “I’m interested in the plant side of things, Tasmanian plants in particular. Plants are important. A large part of remediation for mining is using plants, plants can suck up heavy metals which I find really interesting.”
It’s not surprising that Sam’s interest in mining is leaning towards how to make it more sustainable and cleaner for everyone. His interest in social justice, inclusivity, his empathy for others and his desire to make people feel accepted, welcome, and heard have led to him becoming Jane’s Equity Representative.
From moving around a lot to finding his community and his independence
Sam’s family moved around a lot. When he came to Jane, they were living in Oatlands, in Tasmania’s midlands. During year 11, Sam lived at Springvale, a boarding house for rural kids who were studying in Hobart. When Springvale closed its doors, Jane took in the students. Moving to Jane was part necessity, and part wanting to stay with his group of friends. “Plus, the tour guide was friendly, the place seemed really nice, and meals were provided.” Welcome week in his first year of uni was when Sam truly found his stride at Jane:
“My fresher welcome week, I loved it so much. I went to all the events, it was lots of fun, very welcoming. My favourite event was the Red, Black and White Franny. It’s a big party, held in the Francis Parsons Building, where everyone is dressed up in Jane's colours. It’s the first big event, and we made a bunch of new friends.”
As well as the community of friends, which is a big part of why Sam stayed at Jane, one of the things Sam likes most about Jane is his room. “I have set it up how I want, and that’s something I couldn’t do at home as there’s not a lot of room. It’s a sense of independence, I’m responsible for myself. I went for a scholarship so I could afford it. I also really value the community aspect, to be able to just go down the hall and talk to friends, then catch up at dinner.”
Jane has been instrumental in Sam’s academic achievements
Sam is a Jane Distinguished Scholar, which is an award that acknowledges achievement. Sam had a 7 GPA last year. Sam credits Jane’s academic program with his success:
“In semester 1, I was floundering, I didn’t know what I was doing. But I went to all the mentoring sessions last year, both STEM and Arts. You can have a whinge, they can help proofread your assignments. The mentors had done a lot of the classes that I had done. And they helped me.”
Nick Brodie, the Dean of Academics, helped Sam organise a Learning Access Plan. Sam said he would have had no idea how to organise that, and Nick got him on a waiting list and got it sorted in no time. “It gives more flexibility, makes it easier if I need an extension, and provides extra time for exams. Nick made everything a bit easier than it would have been.”
Sam is now an academic mentor, a paid role at Jane, helping other students, just as so many others helped him.
Being Jane’s Equity Representative – making everyone feel heard and included
Sam is Jane’s Equity Representative on the Student Council, where his role is to run events for people who might not otherwise have their interests heard. He also started the Equity committee this year to run events and to raise any issues within the college.“I try my best to be a safe space and try to advocate for anything that is not ok, and I pull people up on it.”
This year, the committee has organised an equity dinner with international foods, a Lunar New Year dinner with fortune cookies and a performance from the Tas Chinese Buddhism Association of Australia.
There is an international formal dinner on the cards, which is a regular formal dinner but with international food and a performance. Other events include: A smoking ceremony at the 1st formal dinner of the year, an International Women’s Day picnic, an Indigenous weaving workshop, the World’s Greatest Shave in March, an Eid event to celebrate the end of Ramadan, and a “Franny” party for Mardi Gras. “It’s important for me to support the LBGTQ+ community, different religions, and international students.”
What’s Next for Sam?
Sam is planning on staying at Jane for his 3rd year, and wants to apply to be a Senior Resident, a paid position that supports other students after hours.
“I’ve been a summer senior resident because I didn’t go home – I stayed at Jane for work last summer – it means you look after the college on nightly shifts and keep an eye on everything.”
“People can go to Senior Residents for help, they have mental health training, and they also enforce the noise restrictions after hours and make sure everything is safe.”