The University Badge
The University Badge represents its Vision, Mission, and collegiate identity.
The Badge is a star, formed by a constellation of open books. The star is a biblical symbol that appears in the heavens to point wise ones on earth towards the Christ. It is also an Australian symbol, as shown by the federal star and the Southern Cross on the Australian flag.
The books which make up the star represent wisdom, and are open to critical interpretation. The gathering of these many parts into a whole expresses the collegiate shape of the University.
The gold represents excellence. The distinctive accent is red, representing passion and sacrifice which facilitate and flow from the study of divinity.
The constellation of books creates two stars, one on the outside and one on the inside, illustrating the University’s commitment to tradition and innovation. Through critical study, the University brings ancient truths into dialogue with the issues of the contemporary world.
The University Mace
The University Mace was commissioned in 2017 from F. J. Rocca Silversmiths in Carlton, Victoria. The Mace is based on the University Badge, which appears at the tip of the Mace on a head of brass. The Mace was first used at the ceremony to confer the Doctor of Divinity (honoris causa) on Dr John Behr DD in August 2017 at the Eporo Tower campus of St Athanasius College.
The University Robes
The Chancellor’s Robe and Vice-Chancellor’s Robe were commissioned in 2014 from the Revd Kenneth Crawford, an alumnus of the Melbourne College of Divinity. The Robes are made from red ‘St Margaret’ damask and display the University Badge embroidered on the sleeves and over the shoulders. The Chancellor’s Robe is highlighted in red and gold, while the Vice-Chancellor’s Robe is primarily black and silver. The Robes were first used at the Adelaide Graduation Ceremony in December 2014 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. A detailed description is available in the Academic Dress Policy.