Q&A with Debaleena Gupta: A lifelong bond with St Catherine’s College
Debaleena arrived at St Cat’s from Kalgoorlie as a teenager in 1978 and remains part of the community today. Now her son Rohan is continuing the story as a current resident, building his own College memories and momentum.
Debaleena and Rohan in St Catherine’s College Orchard Courtyard
What initially drew you to St Catherine’s College as a student?
At 17, I had no idea what College life would be like. Living in Kalgoorlie, my parents chose St Cat’s probably because it was a women-only college close to UWA. I didn’t tour other colleges or have much say, but I trusted their choice.
My first real impression came during my interview with Warden Rosemary Reynolds. She asked me what language I dream in. It was a thoughtful question that made me stop and think. I liked that! St Cat’s felt like a place I could belong after a small Catholic high school.
What are some of your favourite memories from your time at the College?
Definitely my first year in Whitfield. We’d drag bean bags into the corridor and talk for hours. Country kids mixed with international students. There was always a room to pop into and someone to chat with.
The Dining Hall was loud and full of life. We even got served lambs’ brains for breakfast once. That didn’t last. We had tennis and squash courts and we were the only college with a pool.
People stood out too, like Margaret who was 80 and studying French. She had a real presence when she entered the Dining Hall. I loved the mix of ages and backgrounds. It made College feel like a proper community.
How did your experience at St Catherine’s shape you during university and beyond?
I learnt when to go with the group and when to step out. I made friends from all over the world and we’re still close. That kind of continuity matters. We’ve seen each other through milestones and we still laugh the same way we did back then.
What made you feel confident choosing St Catherine’s for Rohan?
The College has changed but the essence remains. It encourages responsibility and real friendships in a safe setting. Rohan can choose how involved he wants to be and it’s clear he’s found his place.
Bloom, the College’s Centre for Youth Innovation, didn’t exist in my day, but he’s embraced it fully. He’s grown so much here, balancing study with entrepreneurship. It’s been wonderful to watch. Learn more about Rohan’s involvement at Bloom.
“Living at St Catherine’s with the Bloom space on site has been one of the most valuable parts of my university experience. Without it I would probably never have discovered my interest in entrepreneurship. Bloom gave me the space to test ideas connect with mentors and eventually build a full-service content agency through their Orbit accelerator.”
How did it feel to walk back into the College with Rohan this time as a mum?
I think it’s the friendships that last. Rohan’s found a platform for his ideas and creativity with people who support him. St Cat’s has helped him believe in his future, not just academically but as a person.
What do you think St Catherine’s offers students that goes beyond accommodation?
I’d say it’s never too late to find your place. I’d already settled into uni life, with routines and involvement on campus. I knew what I was doing, but moving into St Cat’s brought everything together in a way I didn’t expect. It added connection, energy and structure to parts of my life that were just ticking along before.
If you’re thinking about it but you’re unsure, just know that it doesn’t matter what year you’re in or where you’re starting from, this place meets you where you are. For me, it became a home away from home.
Is there one piece of advice you gave Rohan about making the most of College life?
It’s all there in front of him. We just hope he looks back on this time the way I do, as a chapter full of discovery, friendship and drive.
“I’m adding my own experiences to a story my mum started”
Why do you stay connected with the College community?
I turn up for alumni gatherings. It’s always a joy to see old friends and reconnect. Those ties run deep.
Debaleena (left) at a St Catherine’s College Alumni Reunion
Rohan’s take: building on a shared foundation
It’s almost become a family tradition. I’m grateful my family has always prioritised education, not just university, but becoming well-rounded in life. That mindset pushed me to take on a double degree and start a business at the same time. Without my parents’ support and the entrepreneurial yet academic environment at St Cat’s I doubt I could manage both.
What makes it even more special is that my mum also studied psychology for her undergraduate, the same degree that I’m doing now at UWA. Knowing we’ve both called St Cat’s home in different ways and different eras, I feel like I’m adding my own experiences to a story she started.