Tell us your story
What was it like when International House was in its early days, and how did it fit in during a time when multiculturalism was only just finding its roots in Australia? Listen to these stories from our alumni, as they recount life from different periods in our college's history.
Dr Jeffrey Turnbull
An original IHer
In this interview, Dr Jeffrey Turnbull reflects on arriving at International House in 1957 as one of the foundation residents. He also describes his involvement in the International House Student Club (as secretary and then president) from its earliest days and his ongoing interest in the ‘marvellous project’ of International House.
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Pamela Tham
Former resident
Pamela Tham reflects on IH as a place where every individual can feel comfortable, regardless of their nationality, culture or personality - a place where people come together and learn that we really aren't that different after all. (Filmed and edited in Singapore by Janice Tham and Tan Kang Wei).
Professor Emeritus Frank Larkins AM
Former Tutor, Council Member and Chair of Council
Once an IHer, always an IHer. That can truly be said about Professor Emeritus Frank Larkins AM. From chemistry tutor (1962) to Council Member (1975-1982, 1989-1996 and 1998-2008), and finally to Chair of Council (2009 - 2015), Frank's contribution to International House has been enormous.
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Lyndal Pascoe
Former Council Member
Ms Lyndal Pascoe was originally Lyndal Pearce. Lyndal has been a strong supporter and donor to International House since her first volunteer position as Secretary of the Students’ Committee for the 1953 IH Fair and Secretary of the General Committee for the 1954 Fair to raise money to establish an International House at the University of Melbourne. She was an IH Council member from 1979-1986, including eight years on the Executive and Finance Committee. Each year she helped support a returning student with a financial bursary.
Russell and Alison Rechner
Former Tutor, Dean and Council Member
As a young married couple, Russell and Alison lived at International House on the first floor of Wadham while Russell was a tutor. In later years, Russell took on the role of Council Member and witnessed the unanimous decision to make International House the first coeducational residential college at the University of Melbourne.
Mechai Viravaidya
Former Resident and Council Member
Khun Mechai Viravaidya is an International House alumnus (1961) and Council Member (1999-2003), a Thai politician and activist who championed the need for condoms, family planning and AIDS awareness in Thailand.