I was 25 years old when I entered the Hall – part of an intake of 17 or 19 people! We were a mixed lot that year! A merry mixture of naivety, suspicion, readiness and unreadiness – mostly male – but we got on well together. I was grateful for the people in the two years ahead of us being organised, active, and interested in us.

I deeply appreciated the theological formation and provocation! I enjoyed the teaching staff very much even though there were a few cracks beginning to emerge in the system and a few relationships. For me, the character of those people stood out the most and I treasure them still – Peter Matheson: helping history come alive; Maurice Andrew: wise, droll, and dedicated; John McCullough engaging and thoughtful; Nan Burgess: practical and pastoral; Alan Torrance: schooling us in the mechanisms of theological philosophy and, especially, grace (I had a few conversion moments in his classes as well as the sense that I was drowning in a sea of knowledge quite beyond my capacities!); and the always imaginative and from-left-field John Bluck who brought his wide church experience and communication acumen into the room. I also enjoyed being in Paul Trebilco’s ‘pastoral group’ as he settled into his first year back in Dunedin and to what has turned out to be a remarkable career.

I think it was Maurice who observed in his memoir that some students arrived with the expectation they had come to teach the teachers. Not me! I just wish I had had wider ears to hear and more time to mull. The three years went quickly and I was not ready for at least another three (even though out there I went!).

I recall a conversation with Maurice in year three – Me: ‘Do you know that I have an essay due each week for the rest of the year?’ Maurice: ‘ If you wish you could see this as good preparation for the week by week demands of a pulpit ministry!’ Me: … (silent, for once!)

At assessment I was told to do an undergraduate degree before embarking on theological studies. 6 years! It was quite daunting. I am grateful for it all now – it set me up and sustained me.