Author Gabrielle Muscat, 2nd year resident
As Emmanuel College proudly celebrates 50 years since women first joined our community, 2025 also marks the launch of our Inaugural Me&Mine Women’s Long Lunch. This event serves as a heartfelt tribute to connection, community, and celebration of the cherished culture which defines Emmanuel College.
This day would not have been possible without the dedication, creativity, and meticulous planning of our Marketing and Communications Lead, Antonia Svenson, alongside the 2025 Emmanuel College Women’s Committee. Led by our Director of Wellbeing, Louise Dowling, and comprised of student representatives, this team brought to life a moving celebration – honouring the influential women who have shaped the lives of our female residents and leaving a lasting impact on our community.
Me&Mine is a newfound initiative – one which invites us to slow down, be present, and reflect with gratitude on our journeys. Female residents were encouraged to bring along a woman in their life who inspires, uplifts, and motivates them – whether that be a mentor, role model, sister, friend or family member.
The day was dedicated to acknowledging the impact we make on each other’s lives – no matter how big or small. What unfolded was a beautiful sense of belonging, for which every women present was recognised and celebrated for the influence she brings to others. From the tears shed to the laughter shared, every moment of the evening spoke to the deep sincerity and connection that filled the space.
Featuring a fully catered lunch, refreshments, cash bar, and live music by our very own college band Underwater Martin, this day was a testament to the strength of our community’s female presence and those who walk beside them.
Looking back, I genuinely cannot recall a more intimate or grounding moment – one where I could just sit back and truly soak in the bond I shared with my own mother. There were so many moving moments throughout Me&Mine, but none touched my heart quite like the exchange of gratitude letters. Opening the envelope of handwritten letters my mum had dedicated to me – her thoughts, her pride, her encouragement. It brought me to tears, literally. And it was something I needed to hear.
As a student living away from home, navigating the pressures of university life and the distance from loved ones can be incredibly hard.. But in that moment, reading those eight pages of reflection and reassurance, and offering my own letter of appreciation in return, I felt a shift. I felt seen, and I felt heard. I was reminded that all the hard work was worth it and at the end of the day, I still had my number one supporter by my side. Knowing my mum had flown in from our hometown to be there with me, I knew the event would hold a special place in my heart.
Emmanuel College’s Me&Mine is so much more than a long lunch – it is an afternoon woven with reflection, reunion, deep gratitude, and the quiet power of honouring love, womanhood, and the diverse connections that shape who we are.
Celebrating the woman you are, and the woman who helped you become her.
Published 4 July 2025
