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Thank you, Ruth, for 32 years of service. And welcome Rebecca as the new college librarian.

Published Date: 07 May 2024

Presentation Date: 06 May 2024

Ruth Weatherlake has served faithfully at Ridley College for thirty-two years.

Ruth began as a BTh student in 1986-90. Then, following a few years working full-time in the bookshop and then part-time in the library, Ruth commenced as College Librarian in 1992. She was the College's first full-time librarian. Under her leadership, the Ridley Library grew in terms of books, journals, digital resources, and the number of staff and students under her supervision.

In the last thirty years, libraries have changed seismically in terms of technology, student needs, faculty requests. In addition to that, through the pandemic, building projects, technology upgrades, and various other changes, Ruth had held her nerve and exercised her role with diligence and distinction. She has provided exceptional leadership to a crucial aspect of the college and also proved be to something of a living oral library about the modern history of Ridley College. Dozens of faculty members, staff and scores of students owe her a debt of gratitude for her patience, leadership, and service.

Here are just some snippets of what our students and Ruth’s colleagues and friends have to say:

“Thank you for all the ways both seen and unseen that you demonstrate passionate servitude and care for the library, the students, and the staff at Ridley. Between College Librarian, Birthday Elf, Lemon Lime Bitters extraordinaire and somehow finding every Richmond Tiges fan in each student cohort, thank you for filling so many important roles - where would we be without you?”

Harriet Sabarez
Librarian, Ridley College

“Twenty years ago, Ruth was already an institution within the institution that is the Leon Morris Memorial Library. As all great librarians, she had secret knowledge about how to get to the knowledge stored in her library (and other libraries besides). If Ruth couldn’t find it, it didn’t exist.”

Wei Han Kwan
Executive Director CMS Victoria

“Ruth is a great tribute to the academy, as it seeks to know God through study. Ruth was appointed Ridley Librarian by the Principal, Maurice Betteridge, soon after I arrived at Ridley. She was an extremely apposite and prescient appointment, as she was trained in that rare combination of theological and librarian disciplines. She also had both the technical and relational skills required for such a large and extensive responsibility in an academic institution in tension over limited resources - it was at that stage both a University and Theological College.”

Adrian Lane
Victorian Regional Officer, Bush Church Aid, Senior Lecturer in Ministry Skills and Church History, Ridley College, 1991-2013

“When it comes to Ridley College, Ruth is like the spring in our step, the hooray in our hip hip, the pollen in our flower bed, the ring binder on our messy papers. It is hard to imagine Ridley without her, given the critical and central role she has played over many years, and continues to play, in supporting the best parts of our community life and culture. Speaking personally, when I have too much to do, I visit the library and talk to Ruth; always a pleasant and energising distraction.

Revd Canon Dr Brian Rosner
Principal, Ridley College

“Congratulations on 30 years of serving God faithfully here at Ridley College! I remember during lockdown, you would send books out to us students which we greatly appreciated. Thank you for your commitment to students and the college.”

Lina Phuong
Graduate, Ridley College

We are so grateful for Ruth’s contribution over these decades, we celebrate her legacy, and wish her all the best for the future.

With that, we are excited to announce that Ms Rebecca Grimmer will be the new college librarian as of 6 May 2024. Rebecca has a wealth of experience having worked with Australia Post as a librarian for a long period of time.

Thank you, Ruth, for 32 years of service. And welcome Rebecca as the new college librarian.

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