Local leaders at Lincoln

TWO Mount Gambier students, Zara Haygarth and Lachie Matheson, have secured leadership roles at Lincoln College in North Adelaide.

Zara will be in her final year studying Bachelor of Law at the University of Adelaide (Adelaide University) and Lachie is studying a Bachelor of Science.

The two students were appointed after fairly rigorous interviewing process where Zara will be one of two Senior Residential Advisors (Senior RA ) for 2026.

Lachie will be a Residential Advisor ( RA ), a position Zara also held last year.

The positions entail a full time working contract with Lincoln College.

They are there to welcome students to the college, help transition students to college life making it less daunting if they haven’t experienced college life before.

Many students are from rural areas like the Limestone Coast and often this is their first time away from home with some moving straight from secondary education to first year university and with many also not having family in Adelaide, Zara and Lachie, who were once in the same position when moving to the city, assist with that transition.

Responsibilities cover a plethora of tasks including the wellbeing of all students, ensuring students are settling in to college life and having the support they need right down to duties where they have the keys to the entire college when rostered on duties overnight when the college administration office is closed.

This can range from any student issues, locking themselves out of their rooms, mental health , minor medical situations right down to safety training and fire training should an event arise.

The Senior RA position is responsible for the duties and rostering of the 13 residential advisors (RA’s ) who are located one per floor throughout the residential complex assisting them in their duties should issues arise requiring more senior rolls .

They meet every week with RAs to ensure the smooth running of their positions.

Zara will be responsible for the smooth running of the RA Team and all the background work behind the scenes is in place and reports to the Head of College each week and other committee meetings every week.

Lachie and Zara returned to Adelaide two weeks ahead of other students moving in for the academic year and had two weeks of training including team bonding and planning sessions in the Adelaide Hills and return to College for further training for the new RAs and additional training for the Senior RA position which carries a considerable amount of work throughout the year.

Residential colleges came about to allow country students a home away from home that is not just accommodation and meals.

The college encourages students on their education journey with academic tutors also employed to ensure students have the support they need and tutors are employed to cover all faculties for students within the college.

Lincoln also has a College Club where students are encouraged to participate and separate their studies to more social, sporting and fun activities and balance out often heavy study schedules.

Lincoln College is situated in North Adelaide an easy 20 minute walk to University of Adelaide and Uni SA (Adelaide University) campuses and there is regular public transport to and from them and Flinders University and students don’t need to have their own vehicles or if without a driving licence can still get around very easily.