Reflections on My Time at King’s College – Charles Chen

Caption: Charles and Kenneth are pictured in The Heritage Corridor, to find Charles in the 1958 College photo.

Towards the end of 2025, King’s College welcomed back former resident student Charles Chen, who visited St Lucia with his son, Kenneth Chen, from Sydney and the United States, respectively. It was a pleasure to spend time with them and to hear Charles share vivid memories of his time at King’s in the late 1950s—capturing both the challenges and the strong sense of camaraderie that defined College life.

We are grateful to Charles for these reflections, which highlight the enduring impact of the King’s experience and the lifelong connections it fosters.

Reflections on My Time at King’s College, St Lucia By Charles Chen

My association with King’s College began in 1958, when I was a first-year medical student, living in room C2. The College, perched on the banks of the Brisbane River, became my home and base for a transformative year. Some of our lectures, including chemistry, physics, zoology, and botany, were held on the St Lucia campus, just a short walk away. Others, particularly our practical sessions in zoology and botany, took place in the lower Botanical Gardens, requiring a bus ride from the shopping centre. The bus journey ended at the Roma Street terminus, and from there, I would walk briskly down George Street to make it to class on time, usually managing the seven-minute trek before the 8.30am start.

During that first year, there were traditions that defined our college experience. Evening dinners at King’s College were formal affairs, and all students were required to wear gowns. Freshers, like myself, were expected to wear a black bow tie as part of the dress code. Before dinner, chapel attendance was optional, but I often attended as a way to reflect and unwind before the social bustle of the evening.

Saturday or Sunday mornings were typically reserved for laundry duties. The laundry facilities were conveniently located just below the dining room, where I could choose between using the washing machine or the old copper boiler. After washing my clothes, I’d hang them on the famous Hills Hoist – an Australian invention that allowed the clothes to dry quickly in the afternoon sun. My shirts, however, were hand-washed for a more personal touch.

Being a Fresher also meant taking part in the rites of passage that all new students had to endure. One of these duties involved manning the telephone after dinner until 9:00 PM. Our job was to announce the recipient of any phone calls over the PA system. We also had to serve evening tea – or “Tea O,” as it was called – from 9:00 to 9:30 PM, serving tea to fellow residents.

In addition to these responsibilities, we were subjected to a certain amount of ragging, as was the custom at the time. But it wasn’t all hard work and ragging. We also had the chance to get involved in community activities, like helping in the kitchen for the annual “At Home” event. This formal occasion brought together residents from both King’s College and Kangaroo Point College, where we served dinner to our guests – all while dressed in formal attire. Among the guests was my elder brother, who came with his partner, and it was a special moment to share the evening with family.

Looking back, my time at King’s College in St Lucia was a year of camaraderie and personal growth. I formed lifelong friendships with my fellow students and experienced the unique blend of academic rigour, social tradition, and youthful adventure that defined the College at the time.

The following year, I moved to King’s College at Kangaroo Point as my lectures shifted mostly to Herston for anatomy and William Street for physiology. The change in location made commuting much more convenient, but my memories of St Lucia, and the people I met there, remain dear.

I hope this gives you a sense of what that year at King’s College was like for me – a mix of hard work, new experiences, and a strong sense of belonging.

Kenneth also extended a warm invitation to members of the King’s community travelling to Boston, Massachusetts, USA. If you would like to be in touch, please contact alumni@kings.uq.edu.au.

We are always delighted to welcome alumni back to the College. To arrange a visit, please contact Amanda Houston, Director of Engagement & Advancement, at a.houston@kings.uq.edu.au