Vision and Hope

St Mark’s College is the oldest and largest university college in South Australia and boasts numerous distinguished alumni, including former South Australian premiers Don Dunstan and John Bannon, 30 Rhodes Scholars, members of the ‘Angry Penguins’ literary set and many others. Commemorating the College’s centenary, Vision and Hope is an illustrated history of St Mark’s and the people who have passed through its doors over the past 100 years. St Mark’s was founded through the efforts of a group of tireless individuals and generous philanthropy. In its 100-year history, it has been a formative experience and stepping stone, producing leaders in science, medicine, politics, law and the arts. There have also been challenges, disappointments and moments of true despair, which have forced College leaders to radically rethink significant aspects of College life. Combining both extensive oral histories and archival research, Vision and Hope is a vivid contribution to the history of education set against the background of wider social themes and local, national and global events, including a world war, economic depressions and, more recently, a pandemic.