Drummond and Smith College - Crest and Motto

Crest and Motto

The S H Smith House crest has been in place above the front foyer of Girrahween since it was built in 1889. Why John Bliss, the builder, used the St Andrews Cross on a curved raised surface set on scroll-like background is not known. However, the origin of the motto is: in 1992 Maurice Kelly, a retired UNE classics scholar was asked to write a Latin phrase to encapsulate the ideas of good living, health, and learning. Salubritati et litteris studemus literally meaning “health and letters are our concern”, was his response. By way of contrast, Drummond College had its crest and motto devised by students in 1970. The motto Cognoscimus quo vivamus literally means “learning to live”, the idea coming from Isabelle Davidson.

The crest is based on a design by John Tilly. Briefly, the two Tudor roses of the Drummond College crest represent the two sexes in the college (it was a relatively new concept to have co-ed colleges in 1970); the red wavy lines are symbols from the Drummond family; and the book signifies learning and scholarship. Both the original College shields, carrying the crest and motto, were donated by final year students. They now hang in the College dining room.