When was the first Satadal?

Cover of the first issue of the International House student magazine Satadal
Cover of the first issue of the International House student magazine Satadal

As we look forward to the 2020 Satadal, in this History Mystery we look back at its very first issue. The first Satadal was produced in 1959.  Editors Andrew Deacon and Bill Holder explained its title and aims:

‘Satadal’ is a Sanskrit word used to suggest unity in diversity, and harmony in multiformity, as symbolized by the lotus, the flower of a hundred petals… As well as providing an outlet for the thought and feelings of members of the House, we hope [Satadal] will be a continuing link between them; between members of different nations, and between those who have now left to take up their place in their respective communities.

(Deacon and Holder, 1959, p. 4)

The Warden (Head of College) Brian Jones described the publication of the first Satadal as ‘a notable event in the history of the House’ (Jones, 1959, p. 6).

The first Satadal was more a magazine or journal than a yearbook. As well as poetry, photography and reflections on life at IH, it included articles on the ‘White Australia’ policy (more formally referred to as the Immigration Restriction Act) and apartheid in South Africa. Not all of the authors were IH residents; there were contributions by the political scientist William Macmahon Ball, the historian Norman Harper and Sam Dimmick, who went on to become the second Warden of International House.

Another key difference from the Satadals of more recent years is the inclusion of advertising. The Satadal of 1959 includes advertisements for stationery, sporting equipment, banks, careers in the steel industry and even fancy cars.

If you’d like to learn more, you can read the complete first issue of Satadal. We also have some edited versions of articles from the first issue:

Please be aware that articles in historical issues of Satadal might include some terms considered inappropriate today.

References

Deacon, A. & Holder, B. (1959). Editorial. Satadal: The Magazine of International House, University of Melbourne, 4. https://blogs.unimelb.edu.au/international-house-melbourne/2019/03/18/satadal-1959-editorial

Jones, B. (1959). From the Warden: Sir Ian Clunies Ross and International House. Satadal: The Magazine of International House, University of Melbourne, 6. https://blogs.unimelb.edu.au/international-house-melbourne/2020/05/02/from-the-warden-sir-ian-clunies-ross-and-international-house