RMIT Catalyst 6 Done & Dusted

4. Clare Bolge

15. Cass Scott

5. Ellen Coulter

16. Josh Fagan

As we go on, we remember Cupcake overload: Surviving a year of 21sts

6. Andrea Gray Nierhoff

A secular guide to getting into heaven

Snatches a smash Inside the Panic room

18. Study Tour Timor-Leste

22. Ammar Sachak Sir Arvi Parbo

8. Marnie Banger

24. David Swan

10. Adem Saricaoglu

26. Jane Vashti Ryan

11. Claire Siracusa

28. Martin Janssen

Is the end nigh?

All about the game

My annual bittersweet goodbye

12. Jessica-Anne Lyons To be discontinued

14. Claire Campbell A dramatic death

This magazine was produced on land traditionally owned by the Wurundjeri people.

Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editors or the RMIT Student Union

RMIT Vietnam

The end of censorship?

Autumn’s Spring festival

30. Josh Fagan The rise of Falls

32. Josh Fagan

Quiz 2011: The year so far

CATALYST

2011 Editors: Annabel Smith Josh Fagan Jane Vashti Ryan Contributors: Marnie Banger Claire Bolge Claire Campbell Ellen Coulter Josh Fagan Martin Janssen Jessica-Anne Lyons Andrea Gray Nierhoff Adem Saricaoglu Ammar Sachak Cass Scott Claire Siracusa David Swan Jane Vashti Ryan Dean Watson Participants of the Timor-Leste study tour: Lynsze Woon, Emily Toome, Bella Gadsden, Stephan Koomen, Gemma Freeman, Sam Carroll-Bell, Liz Crompton, Bronwyn Winch, Kat Higgins, Vanessa Weaver, Amy Stevenson, Sarah Bird and Damian Grenfell

Editors’ letter The end is nigh (according to 2012 doomsday prophesies and Marnie Banger on page 8) and it’s now time for the three of us to relinquish the Catalyst reigns and bid you fine readers farewell.

To soothe the pain of parting we have put together some lamenting articles all centred on a theme of The End. It has been a pleasure to put together six themed editions of Catalyst this year and we would like to extend a big thank you to all our contributors.

So there’s no cliffhanger conclusion here folks, just a fond farewell.

Cheers,

Annabel Josh & Jane, catalyst@rmit.edu.au

As we go on, we remember Clare Bolge I don’t remember my first graduation ceremony, but I believe it coincided with the kindergarten nativity concert. My parents sat on plastic chairs in the audience as I exited my first foray into the world of structured education portraying an angel (angel number seven, I’ll have you know).

I received my diploma in the form of a picture book. For my parents, this was the end of an era, a defining moment, the point where their little girl grew up (a bit).

Graduation number two was marked with a whole year level rendition of ‘Time of Your Life’ by Green Day (with suitably altered lyrics – I know I had the time of my life), a signed yellow polo shirt and a lot of tears. I don’t know for sure, but I imagine, I hope, that at some point someone played ‘Graduation’ by Vitamin C. This was the end of an era, a defining moment, the point where we all grew up.

My third graduation was a glamorous affair, all pink gowns and black ties, gifts and certificates, staged group photos, misty-eyed teachers shaking our hands and talking to us like adults, proud parents – and again a lot of tears. And, look, probably some more Vitamin C to remind us of those earlier graduation ceremonies when we’d all been little tykes who just didn’t know it. Because this was the end of an era, a defining moment, the point where we all grew up.

So now, I’m just a few months short of my fourth graduation. University graduation, the real cap-and-gown commemorative-key type deal. After three years of tutorials and lectures and assignments and early morning coffee in the cafeteria I’m about to have a piece of paper to my name that, along with my

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decent-sized HECS debt, proves I now know something about something at a tertiary level. Or, at very least, that I should. So is this the actual end of an era, the actual defining moment, the point where we all really will grow up?

Once upon a time, or so it seemed to me, graduation meant the beginning of the whole ‘being serious adults’ thing. A graduate became an employee, earned a wage and used that wage to build their life.

Now, not so much. We’re the generation of the multiple-career-change, the takingtime-to-travel, the chopped-and-changed degrees. Finishing doesn’t seem so final anymore.

But it is, undeniably, a venture into the unknown. An older, wiser graduate friend of mine summed up her experience of finishing university by remarking that she’d never really understood that feeling associated with the end of exams, the conclusion of study, the last assignment submission, where people were expected to now relax, breath a sigh of relief and feel free. Hers coincided with a sense of panic instead, she said. It’s the same feeling I had after my last year twelve exam and the end of that final high-school graduation party (in my friend’s back-yard with a fourpack of raspberry Cruisers). The looming, nagging question of ‘hmmm, what now?’

What now indeed? Do we buckle down and get a real job, enter the working world, start paying our dues as we find our feet on

the corporate ladder (insert various other 9-to-5 clichés here)? There are those taking that very path, redrafting their resumes and checking the classifieds as we speak.

There are those checking their flight times instead, ready to jump on a plane and jet off to explore the world, putting everything else on hold for a little bit longer to pour beers in London, lay on a beach in Spain, go clubbing in Cancun and maybe do some sightseeing as well.

Then there are graduates who just aren’t quite buying this whole ‘graduate’ thing, who’ve decided to hang around awhile longer, who haven’t had enough of textbooks and study and classes and study and lectures and study and Thursday night drinks. And study.

Then there are those that just don’t know. Fair enough.

Ready or not, for us final years graduation is a-coming and it is definitely the end of an era. It’s definitely a defining moment - that picture of you in a cap and gown will be in a frame on your parents’ mantelpiece for the rest of your life, regardless of potential future hairstyle regrets; I’d recommend no perms and no dramatic dye-jobs between now and December 14th. But is it the point where we all grow up? Don’t ask me, I’m just a student. I’m simply hoping that, when it does finally come around, someone will still be playing us some Vitamin C – because, ‘as we go on, we remember’.

“We’re the generation of the multiple-career-change, the taking-time-to-travel, the chopped-and-changed degrees. Finishing doesn’t seem so final.”

Cupcake Overload Surviving a year of 21sts

Photo: Rose Siracusa

Ellen Coulter Having recently turned 22, I think I can almost breathe a sigh of relief. My year of 21sts is over.

It might seem an odd thing to bid a fond farewell to; surely, a year full of big parties with endless alcohol and fingerfood is every Gen-Yers dream?

Not really. You see, I have a big, fat, “year of 21sts” hangover. And not because of the bar tab.

For those of you who haven’t attended a 21st birthday party lately, you might be in for a shock.

Gone are the days of low-key celebrations at the pub with a few mates.

Now, it’s all about spending big on venue hire, finger food, bar tabs, DJs, cakes, that perfect birthday dress and, of course, presents.

“I have a big, fat, year of 21sts hangover. And not because of the bar tab.”

Parents are spending thousands of dollars to ensure they keep up with the Joneses and give their child the biggest and best 21st they can.

I’ve heard of parents who have splashed out on parties with ice sculptures and can can dancers, and brand new cars as birthday presents.

But is turning 21 even a big deal in Australia anymore? By the time I turned 21, I had already voted in one state and two federal elections, been drinking (legally) for three years, been to the casino, and while I didn’t yet have my licence, most of my

friends had had theirs for a couple of years.

Despite this, many of the parties my friends and I attended last year were glitzy, fabulous affairs. And while I like fancy seafood platters as much as the next person, I feel a bit sorry for the parents who end up forking out to fund such a night.

I spoke to events manager Kathryn Gibson, who works at The Undertaker restaurant and bar in Hawthorn. Her venue typically holds two 21st birthday parties a week, charging a minimum of $3000 for room hire, food, beverages and minimal decorations.

But Ms Gibson says many parents spent much more; often between $6000 and $7000. ‘‘There are certainly some lucky kids out there,’’ she says. ‘‘People are prepared to spend more money these days. People just don’t want to have these things at home anymore.’’

Which is great for the guests. Or is it?

I would say I spent a relatively small amount of money on party outfits last year.

My own birthday dress cost only $70. But I know plenty of other girls who bought a new dress for every 21st they attended, or who spent hundreds on costumes for themed parties.

The cost of those new outfits, coupled with a present for the birthday boy or girl, usually ended up far exceeding what the person would have spent if, for example, they had been buying their own drinks at a low key event for which they already had appropriate attire.

Aside from the costs, and watching parents try to out-do each other with bigger and better venues, there is another reason I’m happy to take a break from 21st birthdays.

Speeches.

Some are funny, some are awkward and some are just plain boring. While it’s lovely to hear your (very) close friends giving a toast, there is probably nothing worse than when the music stops, the lights come back on and everyone has to pretend to be sober and listen to yet another “I love (insert name here) but here’s a super funny embarrassing thing she/he did once and it’s clearly an in-joke but I’ll tell it anyway because three people will get it” speech.

On the other hand, it’s almost as bad to be the person giving the speech. Having to limit yourself to two drinks in the first two hours lest you embarrass your bestie in front of Nanna is no fun at all. And the pressure of finding slideshow photos that are a bit embarrassing, but not too embarrassing, is enough to turn anyone But of course, for every 21st I’m glad I’ll never have to attend again, I kind of wish mine could have gone on for far longer. I mean, my birthday speeches were enthralling and hilarious, my cupcakes were better than everybody else’s and my parents spent loads on a great bar tab and fabulous catering.

But I guess that’s what they all say, hey?

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Photo: Erika Szostak

A secular guide to Andrea Gray Nierhoff

So it’s all over. The fat lady has sung.

The pearly gates are open and St. Peter is waving you in—or is he? With Australians increasingly choosing secularism over religion why does the statistics show so many of us still believe in Heaven? But more importantly, how do we get invited to join the most exclusive of VIP clubs? It’s not too late to make a bid to secure your own place in Paradise.

1. Repent, sinner!

The easiest and most attractive option. Sideswiped a car and didn’t leave a note? Repent! Cheated on that test?

Confess! Funnelled four million dollars into an offshore bank account? Divulge! All the perks with none of the guilt. Get that weight off your chest, then go about your dirty business, whether it be buying and selling stolen goods, body snatching or old fashioned scaremongering.

For evidence of this see shows such as Underbelly or The Sopranos, or anything with a catholic as the main character.

2. Invent your own religion Hey it worked for Pastafarianism. Exercise your Godgiven (pun intended) right to freedom of expression, and proclaim your faith in the cereal bowl of justice. Just make sure you don’t go overboard as the line between “fundamentalism” and “fanaticism” is very fine, and you might end up meeting the wrong guy dressed in all white.

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3. When in doubt, get reborn No conversion is complete unless mind, body and spirit are all involved. What better way to prove to the naysayers your true religious leanings than with a public declaration of faith? Throw on the white robes, heat up the holy water and start singing those hymns, it’s time to get born-again!

Works particularly well if you’ve “discovered” religion later in life, effectively wiping the slate clean. You can now live a wholesome life dedicated to do-goodery and spreading the word of the good book.

4. Remember your “thou shalt nots” Sick of not killing, fornicating and stealing? Who wouldn’t be? Sometimes religion seems to be all about rules, rules and more rules. So how do you still have fun? Instead of being reminded of what you should be doing, concentrate on all the bad things you’re not. Then the next time a family member sarcastically chides you for not going to the synagogue on Shabbat, respond with a hearty “Did you know that to covet is a sin? By the way is that a new handbag?” The aim is to make yourself look good, and stop anyone from ever questioning you about anything ever again. Ever.

getting into Heaven

5. Join a different religion The clouds have parted and you’ve been struck by a sudden realisation: you have zero chance of getting into heaven if you stick with your current religion. What do you do?

Two words: spiritual epiphany. You’ve seen the error of your ways and now know “Unicornism” is the true path to strawberry-scented Nirvana. Don’t let them forget that you chose to join up, not like those other saps who were just born into it. Freeloaders.

6. Deny, deny, deny A path to be taken only if you have no conscience and are extremely good at keeping a straight face. It would also be wise to hide all evidence of any indiscretions, as Bill (“I did not have sexual relations with that woman”) Clinton found out too late. Many people already live in blissful ignorance, so maybe upping the ante to total denial won’t be that big a change. If you’re very good you can have all fingers pointing at you and still get away scot-free (hello O.J. Simpson). Only problem is, the man upstairs is reputed to be all-seeing and all-knowing, and has a very good memory…

Of course if you’re a purist you could always do it the right way, live a quiet, pious life and be assured you will float up on a beam of silvery light to join the other righteous souls and look down to the damned slowly roasting in the Underworld. But who wants to do that? Although if Earth is anything to go by, being filthy rich tends to open a lot of doors – I doubt we’ll see Donald Trump waiting behind the yellow line. The plus is that with money you can make your own personal heaven right here in the land of the living. Best to hedge your bets and be rich and devout…well, to a certain degree.

See you at the rapture.

7. A little goes a long way Despite all this, no one actually knows how the whole soul selection thing goes. Do you get hauled before a cherubic jury and asked to explain why you didn’t share your lunch with Johnny in prep? Or why you lied to your parents about staying overnight at a friend’s house when really you snuck out to Maddy’s party and had three cruisers (only red ones)? Chances are God’s a reasonable guy, so the key here, as in life, is balance. “Yeah I know I didn’t stop when I hit that possum, but the next day I took food and blankets to the local orphanage.” Who’s going to say no to someone who gives to an orphanage? Whaddaya say to that Big-man? If for everything bad you’ve done something good, technically you’re off the hook right? See how you’ve got no answer to that? That’s how we want the Almighty to feel.

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Is the end nigh?

The 2012 Phenomenon

Digital image: Annabel Smith

Marnie Banger Volcanoes spewing fiery streams of molten lava across the earth. Solar storms ripping through the magnetosphere and wreaking havoc with our electrical systems. Meteor showers pummeling our cities and reducing them to rubble. These are merely a few of the cheery events predicted by those that believe that the world, and all of our lives, will come to an end in the ominous year of 2012.

Proponents of this belief use a number of theories to explain why December 21, 2012, will be the day when it all comes crashing down. One such justification is that the Mayan calendar, an intricate system of time cycles used by the Mayans as far back as 5th century B.C, ends in 2012. Another is that the Web Bot, a computer program designed in 1997 that makes predications

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by establishing trends in Internet data, strongly anticipates a late 2012 doomsday.

Critics have of course, challenged these theories, among others offered by 2012 advocates. Many historians say that the Mayan calendar ending in 2012 is not symbolic of an end of time but of the start of a new time cycle. The Web Bot has similarly drawn skepticism, with people questioning how human Internet chatter can dictate natural disasters that are outside of human control.

Whether or not you believe that the end is nigh, it’s clear that humankind has a bit of a thing for apocalypses. Since the dawn of civilization itself, people have continually sought to predict the date of the end, attracting groups of followers as they do so. Perhaps the most recent instance is that of the “Rapture”, a worldwide judgment day predicted by American Christian radio

broadcaster, Harold Camping, to occur on May 21 of this year. Unfortunately for Camping, May 22 arrived uneventfully, marking his third failed judgment day prediction. Heck, at least he’s persistent.

I had difficulty sticking it out to the third level of Super Mario Bros.

However, our doomsday fetish isn’t just limited to predictions. Films, literature and music has for centuries been bursting with references to and explorations of the end of time, at least as we know it.

Although they mightn’t be the best material to whip out on a first date, if you’re willing to withstand a few dramatic “NOOOO”s, apocalypse films can be an intriguing watch. There’s bound to be one corresponding to every threatened end of the world that you desire, from Will Smith being a badass alien fighter in Independence Day, to Morgan Freeman

“h suavely announcing an impending comment in Deep Impact. Not to mention the full-scale Zombie attack launched upon humankind in Dawn of the Dead. Though the special effects used in the original 1978 version are likely to illicit more chuckles than shivers.

In literary terms, our fixation with the end is evident in the sacred and ancient writings underpinning many religions, which bear warnings of doom and gloom.

The first work of modern apocalyptic fiction is widely regarded to be Mary Shelley’s The Last Man, an 1826 story about the sole survivor remaining after humanity has been wiped out by the plague. The 1898 H.G. Wells’ alien invasion tale The War of the Worlds is another classic that has spawned famous radio broadcasts and movies. Some of us may even have been lucky enough to experience sleepless nights as children, after our parents played Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds, a chilling album version of the book, on repeat. Or maybe that was just me. Not that I’m still traumatized or anything…

We certainly aren’t in low supply of catastrophe tunes. Whether it’s head banging to Metallica’s ‘The Four Horsemen’, humming along to ‘It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)’ by R.E.M. or releasing our inner power ballad to Muse’s ‘Apocalypse, Please’, we are all likely to have been exposed to the fascination that musicians have with disaster and it’s interaction with our lives.

Why is it that humankind collectively is so preoccupied with the notion of a reckoning day? Perhaps the final, overwhelming calamities we invent in our apocalyptic fantasies are easier to deal with then the realities surrounding us.

After all, each day of our lives we face the prospect of death. At any time we could fall circumstance to our own health, the actions of others, natural disasters, or the wrath

eck, at least Harold Camping is persistent. I had difficulty sticking it out to the third level of Super Mario Bros.

”

Harold Camping

of the deadly ballpoint pen – there are an average 100 deaths per year resulting from choking on ballpoint pens. That certainly makes me wary of chewing on my blue Papermate scribblers. Death is random, and it comes with no assurance except that it will come, eventually enough. It’s no wonder that we look to apocalypses to avoid the perpetual possibility of our demise.

Or maybe, our interest in mass annihilation stems from a belief in global consciousness that our world is too riddled with problems to be saved. Though this is a grim outlook, which our very notions of politics and internationalism seek to contradict, it isn’t difficult to adopt. 1.7 billion people are estimated to live in poverty globally. As well as the plights of our fellow international citizens, we are now confronted with the reality of human caused climate change. Our morality is also being challenged and reformed through the Internet, as our lives become increasingly interlinked with systems of data that seem

beyond our control.

Whether it is out of fear of death or in hopelessness for the state of the world, humankind has always seemed to be fascinated by the concept of the end of time, as popular culture only too clearly shows.

But what if, instead of channeling our energies in to imagining the end of days, we accepted and appreciated the human condition as it is? Our lives may be fragile, and our existence may be imperfect, but here we are. This is it. We have time now, and we have the beauty in nature and the beauty in those around us, waiting to be appreciated. In the words of Shakespeare through his tragic hero Hamlet, “there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”

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More than a

game Adem Saricaoglu

The Footy Show’s catch-cry is “more than a game” – four words that ring true for thousands of Victorians.

The religion that is Aussie Rules in our little corner of the world is something that keeps many of us going in our long, miserable winters.

No matter which team you support, the time between March and October featured many heart-in-your-mouth moments.

Much time was spent contemplating an upcoming game, organising how it’ll be watched, worrying about injuries and for many saps like myself, agonising over your next SuperCoach or DreamTeam move.

For six months, footy really is a way of life.

It’s for this reason grand final day is always met with mixed emotions.

You know you’re in for a hell of a game, but you’re also aware that once it’s over, it’s gone.

You get to the first weekend after the grand final and all of the sudden you’re left asking yourself: “what is there to do now?”

There’s our national pastime, cricket, but Australia won’t be playing on home soil until November.

“For six months, footy really is a way of life.”

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Many people like basketball, but the NBL is currently a basket case.

The Spring Racing Carnival is wonderful, but the only way to really enjoy it is if you’re able to spend a few hundred bucks among the bookies, booze and beauties on offer.

October can be tough for adjusting footy fans, but in a way, we’re blessed.

The footy culture of Melbourne is so insular, its coverage never stops.

A week after the grand final we can enjoy the merry-go-round that is trade week, where clubs comes together and try to trump each other with an array of draft picks and mediocre footballers that make fans want to put their memberships in the microwave.

This year the AFL’s decided to tease us with snippets of what next year’s draw will look like, by revealing the Swans will open the season against the brand new GWS Giants, followed by a blockbuster between Hawthorn and Collingwood following their epic preliminary final in September.

A few weeks later we get to see the International Rules Series, but really, who cares about a bunch of ‘average’ footballers wearing t-shirts, playing with round balls on a rectangular pitch against a bunch of amateurs?

We watch because technically, it is footy, in a way, but do we actually care or get upset if Australia loses? Probably not.

Both the AFL and the media do their best to keep starved footy fans satisfied.

However by the time November’s draft season has come and gone, we’re officially left to our own devices.

In all my years I’ve spent about 15 summers trying to pass time to make March come around quicker.

In this time I’ve discovered some of the best ways to do it.

The fact is you’ll go nuts if you don’t have an outlet, and if you’re the type that needs to take your weekly frustrations out on something, I suggest you take the advice of a great Australian, Olivia Newton John. “Get physical!”

If you love your sport, why not grab a few mates, pick up a cricket bat or tennis racket and take your frustrations out on a tennis ball?

Backyard cricket (or the real thing at club level) during the day and a cold beer after sundown, was the routine that defined what I did last summer and probably will do this summer.

Having said all that, let’s take a look back at the 2011 season to try and find out why we crave our weekly footy fix so badly.

Season highlights 10. Footy at Adelaide

Oval: Port Adelaide actually drew

a crowd to one of their home games in round 24 as they beat Melbourne by eight points to avoid the wooden spoon in the first ever league game at Adelaide Oval.

9. Dustin Fletcher’s tackle:

In yet another classic between Essendon and Carlton, soon-to-be pensioner Dustin Fletcher laid a match-saving tackle on Carlton’s Jeff Garlett in the dying moments of their round four draw.

8. Ran out of Goodes:

In what was probably the best finish of the season, Sydney’s Adam Goodes was given the chance to beat the Bombers after the final siren with a shot from outside 50, but unfortunately the ball grazed the wrong side of the post.

7. Confused Ballantyne:

In one of the great western derby’s, Fremantle’s Hayden Ballantyne had a shot for goal from the boundary after the siren and thought it had gone through for six, only for the umpires to decide it hit the post, giving the West Coast Eagles the four points.

6. The Mayor of

Geelong’s final farewell:

Playing in his final game of league footy in the grand final, Geelong captain Cameron Ling finished his outstanding career in style by nailing the final goal of this year’s decider, sending Victoria’s secondlargest city into a frenzy.

5.prelim Buddy’s miracle goal :

In a goal-for-goal final term, Hawthorn’s Lance Franklin steered through a memorable goal from the pocket to seemingly knock Collingwood out the finals. But as all champion teams do, Collingwood found a way back to win the best preliminary final since 1999’s epic between Essendon and Carlton.

4. Suns’ first ever win

:

We thought it might not happen, but we only had to wait until round five for the Gold Coast Suns to get their first AFL win, which was over Port at AAMI Stadium after Justin Westhoff missed a shot after the siren to win… and I think most of us will remember the team singing the song by reading a giant board with the lyrics.

3.60-metre Karmichael Hunt’s bomb :

He struggled to find consistency all year, but when ‘Special K’ finally broke through for his first AFL goal, the footy world stood and cheered.

In what was Gary Ablett’s first game against his former beloved Cats, only Hunt could steal the show in round 10.

2. win Sydney’s inspirational in Geelong :

Playing only days after learning of the death of team mate Jarrad McVeigh’s baby daughter, Sydney became the first club since Port in 2007 (seems remarkable now, doesn’t it?) to beat the Cats at Skilled Stadium.

1.

Skywalker When Carlton forward Andrew :

Walker climbed over Essendon tall Jake Carlisle to take one of the best marks ever seen in the AFL, even Essendon fans applauded. Walker’s mark was that good it went global, yet remarkably it didn’t win Mark of the Year. Not only was it the best mark of 2011, it will take something miraculous to beat it for the remainder of the decade.

My annual bitter-sweet goodbye

Claire Siracusa

Every year around August, I am faced with a conundrum. Footy season is heating up; results are starting to count. It’s cold winter weather (my favourite time of year), perfect for rugging up and toughing it out on a wet and windy day at the ‘G. You can begin to judge where your team will finish on the ladder, which player is the best chance for the Brownlow (or, who will be worst dressed at the Brownlow, depending on which part of the night grabs you the most), and which two teams will be the last standing come grand final day.

And therein lies my problem. Just as the AFL season starts to get truly exciting, I must face the realisation that it will soon end.

How can I enjoy the big games when I remember that come October, I’ll be facing a never-ending summer without speckies, checkside bananas, ripper goals from 50 and disappointed Essendon supporters?

And how can I anticipate grand final day, the biggest day of the AFL year, when I know it will be the last game before the draft, that second draft for older players, and that other draft for the not-sogood players who didn’t get picked up in the first two drafts?

It’s not that I don’t love the “summer sports” – I do. I go as crazy as the next girl for a Ponting grab in the slips, a Hernandez screamer for the Victory from a free kick…and selection number 1 on draft day.

No, really.

It’s just that I don’t love those things anywhere near as much as screaming myself hoarse over a brilliant chasedown tackle in front of 70 000 at a Friday night blockbuster.

Footy ‘experts’ say the season is too long. But everyone knows the best part of last year’s first grand final was the fact that it was a draw – providing us with a whole extra week of footy.

“I’ll be facing a never-ending summer without speckies, checkside bananas, and disappointed Essendon supporters.”

I know what you’re thinking. The real reason the 2010 grand final was so great was because Collingwood didn’t win the first time around. It’s easy to say that now. But just wait until the Christmas buzz has passed; until you’ve recovered from your New Year’s hangover. It’ll hit you around the fourth cricket One Day International (or is it the fifth?). Football is still months away.

But hold on! Eventually, the days will start getting shorter. The stock “this is the best preseason we’ve ever had” quotes will be dusted off by players, clubs and coaches. And although it will feel like it has been a year since you saw the boys run through the banner, it’s really only been a few short months.

And once the season begins in March, there are five whole months of football to enjoy before the end is in sight…again.

Claire with Michael Jamison (left) and Chris Judd.

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Time for a spring clean Free e­waste recycling day: 9am to 3pm Saturday 22 October 2011 Don’t know what to do with old or unwanted computers, printers, mobile phones, cables, cords, TVs, VCRs or household appliances such as heaters and toasters?

Bring them into City Square, corner of Collins and Swanston streets, and we’ll recycle them for free! No need to book – just drop in. Items up to 10 kilograms will be accepted.

OR take them to the Waste and Recycling Centre, Dynon Road, Kensington. You must book by calling 9658 9658.

Visit: melbourne.vic.gov.au/springclean for the full list of items we will accept for recycling.

The City of Melbourne is helping residents who are moving house or cleaning up this spring!

Free hard waste collections in November

You must book your hard waste collection by noon on the day before your spring clean date.

Call the City of Melbourne on 9658 9658.

Saturday 12 November 2011:

There is a limit of one cubic metre per hard waste collection. For details of what will and won’t 3$"=*22$=)$@"H2$8&$"G'&')I" melbourne.vic.gov.au/springclean or call 9658 9658.

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B28=$")0$"/433'&0"%$8)2>" on the kerb outside your home on your booked collection day.

Saturday 19 November 2011:

Remember clothes and furniture can all be reused or recycled.

Need to get rid of an old fridge, a mattress or broken furniture?

We’ll collect it for free!

COLLECTION DATES:

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To be

Jessica-Anne Lyons “Oh, sorry, we don’t sell that anymore.”

This phrase strikes fear into my heart.

You know the sitch; you’ve fallen in love with a particular something, and been loyally buying it for such a long time you can’t imagine living without it. But then, the big cheese at the big cheese company decides to discontinue it. Remove it from stock.

Take it off the lists. Break hearts. They think it’s the cool thing to bring out version two, which is nowhere near as good as version one. Seriously, when are sequels anywhere near as good as the originals?

One fateful day, this happened to me.

STARBURST JELLYBEANS. Does anyone remember these? I would buy these after class as a kid and eat them in order of flavor preference: first orange, apple, lemon, strawberry then blackberry. Easily the best Starburst confectionery. Until one day, I couldn’t find them. No one stocked them. I went from store to store, even sourcing indie grocers and American candy stores to no avail. On the brink of desperation and raging for a sugar hit, I e-mailed Starburst.

Hi guys, could you please tell me what happened to the best candy in the world? Or did they just drop off the face of the Earth (or Australia at least)?

A few days later, and feverishly in need of sugar in the form of a Starburst bean, I received a message with the ominous sender address of DONOTREPLY@WRIGLEY.COM. The capitals were scary, like if I wanted to contest something in the e-mail, I WOULD BE VIOLENTLY STOPPED. I cautiously read on.

“Dear Jess, Thank you for contacting us at The Wrigley Company. It is always a pleasure to hear from consumers, and we are happy to answer any queries you may have.

Unfortunately, Starburst® Jelly Beans have been discontinued due to declining demand.”

Declining demand. Do you want to make me cry? Those big bosses at Starburst Australia thought it would be a good idea to cut them from the range! Honestly I thought I bought enough packets of beany-goodness to meet the demand for all of Australia. Want to win the supermarket war, Woolworths and Coles? Stock these jellybeans!

I’m not the only one with this all-consuming void. In P.S. I Love You Our favourite Friend, Lisa Kudrow aptly sums up the dilemma: “I hate cosmetics companies. They get you addicted to the perfect lipstick or nail polish and then six months later, they discontinue it. You have to buy your favorite colors like you’re storing up for the apocalypse.”

Amen sister!

Other foods to spontaneously evaporate are Red Rock Deli Honey and Dijon Mustard chips, which can only be found at aforementioned indie grocers (seriously, they bring out all these indie-grocer-ish flavors like smoked chorizo, yet the supermarkets discard one of the staples? Come on!) and one of the biggest disappointers with its disappearance, the M’n’M McFlurry. Did the Hamburglar think it would be hilarious to steal it?

I would not have swapped M’n’M McFlurries and Oreo McFlurries for these new flavors Maccas brought out. Honestly, what the heck is a Bubblegum Squash? Just take a look at the new McFlurry cup design. Oh, old McFlurry cup, you were amazing just the way you are. You said it Bruno Mars.

It’s just the principle, you know? AFL was better with 16 teams. Myki is a tad awkward. Hint hint.

The worst part about the missing starbursts is I don’t just have a hole in my heart, but a hole in my tummy that can only be filled with non-existent food.

“Declining demand. Do you want to make me cry?”

A dramatic

death Claire Campbell

Hidden underneath RMIT’s building 8, next to the garage, is a closet.

Stepping inside is a bit like entering the world of Narnia – monkey suits, pyjamas, tarpaulin skirts – there is no end to the weird and bizarre.

The chaotic mess of flamboyant costumes and some utterly ridiculous props are the skeletons of RMIT Link Arts’ past productions.

A significant decline in eager, theatre-dedicated students has left RMIT Link Arts struggling to scrounge actors.

For more than 20 years, RMIT theatre productions have been the brain child of Artistic Director, Lynne Ellis, proclaiming herself as the “Grandmother of RMIT”.

Her energy and passion for theatre is exuberant, and her office door is a welcoming abode for talented past and present students.

Photos of her latest productions are plastered across her mother’s fridge in England, a mere example of her dedication and involvement in RMIT’s theatre program.

And yet, earlier this year for her production, The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other, she had to recruit students from different universities and other arts staff members to meet the required numbers.

Similar declining trends are happening across university theatre clubs, she says, with particular mention to La Trobe and Melbourne universities, believing factors such as more demanding university studies are to blame.

RMIT Link Arts was originally established to allow students, not studying performing arts, to become involved in theatre and express some creative flair.

But, according to Ellis, the community has changed quite significantly in the last two years.

In previous years, there was a healthy combination of alumni, new students and other committed scholars.

Tayla Gentle performs the poem ‘I Promised a Spider’ Photo: Lynda Roberts.

Now, it’s mainly a core group of returning, enthusiastic student actors, plus a few “newbies” thrown in for good measure.

For Ellis, theatre is about team work and building the ultimate trust: “It’s not all about after parties, having fun and dressing up.”

“We’re not just hanging around getting drunk”, she jokes, and adds: “We’re doing something that takes commitment.”

Confidence, teamwork and interacting with different types of people are vital to successful theatre productions, and are valid in real life too.

“Shy people have gone into jobs they wouldn’t have gone towards if not for doing theatre with me,” she said.

Reflecting on her green room or “the big mess room” as she calls it, Ellis excitedly recalls her favourite Adam and Eve costumes from a time gone by.

Describing the naked Adam costume, from a production of The Bible: Just the Good Bits five years ago, Ellis laughs at his unfolding, erectable penis whenever Eve was present.

With all the recent building developments and changes around RMIT, Ellis is almost certain the green room will be lost, or at the very least moved to another part of the university.

“It’s theatre darling... we just transform.”

She says that despite dwindling numbers of students, her productions have maintained excellent standards and high audience turnout. Admitting the audience is mostly family and friends, as “RMIT people don’t have a massive interest in theatre”.

“I’ve never not been proud of any of my productions,” she reiterates.

Unsure of what the future holds Ellis remains optimistic: “Change is in the air, it’s healthy,” she said.

She thinks Blackbox Theatre and studentdriven projects are the way forward: “I want to have a space where people can go and meet other people interested in the arts.”

“Its theatre darling – it’s magic, we just transform,” she proclaims with theatrical flair.

Snatches a smash Review: Cass Scott

Students from all over RMIT expressed their creativity in RMIT Link Arts & Culture’s recent Melbourne Fringe Festival show.

Snatches, a unique theatre event at RMIT, encourages emerging writers from within the university and beyond to submit work and see it Adam Francis performs stand up performed on stage. A total of 33 student actors comedy. Photo: Lynda Roberts. performed 44 short works over two nights on Wednesday 5 and Friday 7 October.

Actors and writers from a diverse range of courses all found time on top of assignments and study to participate in the show.

Wednesday night’s production opened in the foyer of Kaleide Theatre with a bang – literally. Sound designer Robert Jordan used an empty water cooler bottle as a drum to accompany Amy Winter performing Avril Bradley’s poem ‘A River guide finds her voice’. Amy then led the audience into the theatre.

The next 18 works included a hilarious puppet show by Aiman Ahmed entitled ‘A Beastly Adventure’, stand up comedy from screenwriting student Adam Francis and a hip hop dance performed by dance collective Poise’N. Filmmaker Jemma van Loenen’s short film script ‘Embrace’ was brought to life onstage using projections to set the scenes.

On Friday night, 26 diverse works were staged to a packed theatre. The pieces included poetry, short films, a radio play, performance art, music and short plays. Each act was in different stages of development – some with complex staging and costumes, others read from scripts.

Andrea Louise-Thomas sat alone on stage and recited a moving poem she wrote for her husband, Miyuki Watanabe embodied her poem through physical performance as her words were read aloud by director Lynne Ellis, and a group of international students enacted a mind-boggling fight between a monkey, a robot and a zombie in Peter Botev’s ‘Killing Time’.

Adding another element to both nights were arts installations decorating the theatre. Art in Public Space student Pixi Mix’s umbrellas hung from the ceiling, BA Fine Art student May So’s digitally printed mannequins adorned the stage, and Sculpture student Sky Kelly’s work, a huge block of toffee, was suspended from the roof and gradually melted throughout the show.

Snatches has been part of RMIT Link Arts & Culture’s performing arts program for the last 12 years, and 2011 showed the event is still a standout feature of the University’s creative calendar.

From left to right, Branwell Travers, Jack McLardie, Andrew Scarborough & Tayla Gentle perform the radio play Biscuits Photo: Lynda Roberts.

Josh Fagan Don’t panic. The guys that gave us the stirring anthem ‘Don’t Fight It’ are back with a new album after four years of touring and recording. Frontman Jae Laffer told Catalyst’s Josh Fagan about The Panics’ songwriting adventure and the road movie influence of the new tracks.

Four years was spent recording the new album, was that a daunting prospect or was it easier because you had time to get it right?

Yeah it’s definitely different, spending a long time on this one. We all went on trips, touring, writing songs in different places and it was about getting a group of songs together that felt like an album. However long it takes, it takes.

You don’t want to rush it.

Exactly, but at the same time you want to keep productive.

We don’t want to wait four years again, hopefully we can have another new album put together soon, maybe even by next year.

You’re chief songwriter and you play guitar, harmonica, keyboard, is there anything else?

I play a nice little piano accordion as well (laughs). We all play a lot of instruments. Luckily we all do a bit of everything in the recording studio, we all write a lot of music together as well, if someone’s written a song we can start it and work on it together.

You guys have been together since childhood. How big is that bond between the group?

We’ve been together since we were 12,13, most of us went to the same school in Western Australia. We’ve been called The Panics from when we were 13, we went to school together, moved down to the city when we were 17 and we’ve had the same lineup ever since. It’s been half my life. For the last 10 years especially, when we’ve been recording EPs and albums, it’s been great having that lifelong bond.

Have you taken the direction your 13-year-old self imagined?

With the direction we’ve been patient, we want things to progress, but we’ve always been up and up. We wanted to create a situation where we keep learning new things and making a career out of it, a life out of it. It’s about keeping the band hungry, and keeping goals and ambitions in the group. We look forward to see where we’re at in three albums’ time. We’re excited about that.

‘Don’t Fight It’ and the Cruel Guards album gave you guys a big breakthrough, taking out awards like Triple J’s album of the year? Was that a huge

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turning point, getting more widely recognized?

The album did well for us, but you really need that one song to gain people’s attention. Luckily for us we had the catchier number ‘Don’t Fight It’ and it was nice to see that catch on.

Going to festivals you’ve got a song that people are singing aloud to, it was a great feeling. It took us a bit by surprise but we’d worked hard to get there so it felt great, it justified a lot of our time.

Then the band packed up and moved to UK, tell me about that.

We did a good year of touring Australia and when it was winding down we thought we’d go on a trip to England. We ended up staying there a bit longer, worked on songs, did some touring and tried to get heard on the radio. We didn’t realize until we were in the van and heard ‘Don’t Fight It’ come on the radio and that was a whole new exciting feeling.

It kind of hit us that it’s going into someone’s kitchen radio in Liverpool or Manchester and it felt cool, it was like

They sound a bit like a road movie don’t they, like a story of a character whose sort of isolated. The lyrics have that solitary feel to them. The album’s about mixing the vastness of the music with the solitary type of nature of the words.

On one of your earlier EP’s (2004’s Crack In The Wall), you’ve got a song dedicated to Johnny Cash.

Was he a big idol for you guys?

We were at that great age of discovering the trailblazers of music. He makes you feel like less of a man, I mean he’s the ultimate, it’s hard not to want to be him. He inspired the title and the atmosphere of the track. We had him on our mind, trying to get a bit of his attitude in there.

Who else did you look up to when you were starting out?

For me I look to some of the more famous lyricists, poetic musicians like Leonard Cohen, Serge Gainsbourg as well as Australian music. Midnight Oil, early INXS, we’re into all of that.

The Panics. Jae Laffer (centre). Photo: Supplied.

You also started with some other big bands coming out of Perth - The Waifs, Sleepy Jackson, Eskimo Joe, John Butler Trio, what was the secret to that great music culture in WA? I don’t know, I remember growing up and it was a really big deal if a group from Perth was played nationally. But now there’s about 20 bands you can name that have made it on the big stage and internationally. I think bands in Perth were able to write really good radio songs and took a lot of pride in recording their songs and getting them out. I don’t know exactly what it was but we were glad we could be around there when a lot of that music was happening.

starting fresh all over again.

The new album, Rain On The Humming Wire, captures a strong sense of nostalgia and childhood memories. Was that in your mind when you were writing the songs?

Every record we make is a reflection of the time we make the album. At the time we were moving around a lot, we went through a bunch of changes, living in different parts of the world. We were just writing about people who would come and go through our lives. Getting to write the album in England I had that distance and perspective, and found myself thinking about my childhood, the different places I’d been and what I’d been through.

There’s a common narrative in some of the new song names: ‘Walk That Mile Alone’, ‘Endless Road’, ‘One Way Street’, ‘Not Quite A Home’. What’s the inspiration behind that type of theme?

Now you’re back in Melbourne and played a lunchtime slot at the Workers Club. Are you venturing back to more intimate gigs?

It was pretty cool, I mean the best gigs are generally your sweatiest small club gigs. When we were playing, occasionally we’d just be surrounded by the crowd on stage and the band would huddle together, it reminded me a lot of just playing at our local pub.

You’re also going to a few smaller cities on the tour, is that good fun getting to play some smaller venues?

Definitely. We make sure we request to go as many places as we can, it’s a great way to see the country and it’s really inspiring waking up in the smaller towns and seeing what’s happening in your own country. There’s no better way to meet people. *The Panics are currently on a national tour and will play the Melbourne St Jerome’s festival on February 5 next year.

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Learning about contemporary issues in Timor-Leste Over the mid-semester break, a lucky group of 12 RMIT undergrad and postgrad students took part in a study tour to Timor-Leste (East Timor) with our lecturer Damian Grenfell, seeking to understand the links between peace, security and development.

As one of Australia’s closest neighbours and having had a particularly turbulent history over the previous 40 years, TimorLeste is both a relevant and hugely interesting nation to learn about. Australia has had strong involvement in Timor-Leste, especially since the vote for independence from Indonesia in 1999, with an ongoing presence of Australian Defence Forces, Australian Federal Police, AusAID, and a plethora of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) aiming to build peace and encourage development. RMIT is also involved with Timor-Leste, through research projects and by hosting visiting Timorese women through English language programs at RMIT English Worldwide.

Thanks to a Student Initiative Grant from the RMIT Student Union the study tour group were able to supplement our learning by attending a conference being held in Dili, titled “Communicating New Research on Timor-Leste”. Papers were presented on topics including nationbuilding, development, health, language, domestic violence, social inclusion and customary culture. Speakers included two RMIT researchers, Damian Grenfell on modern interventions, and Victoria Stead on customary social relations and connection to the land. Timorese Josh Trindade presented in English on customary culture and values, whilst other locals presented in Tetun, Portuguese or Bahasa Indonesian, highlighting the complexity of the language situation in Timor-Leste. Of interest to RMIT students who may be considering further research in the form of a PhD, there were Australian presenters at various stages of their own PhD projects, some in the preliminary stages of field work, and others

whose ideas were more developed.

Over lunch we had the opportunity to discuss these issues informally with some of the presenters, including James Scambary who has done extensive research into the role of youth gangs in Dili. He talked about the importance of building relationships with youth in order to thoroughly understand the diversity of gang formations, as well as of the factors motivating gang membership. Relationship building and reciprocity by researchers seemed vital.

We found it interesting to make comparisons between the impressions of conference presenters (largely foreigners – although this was because we could only understand presentations in English) and what was said by locals we met, including those working for NGOs outside of Dili. These comparisons gave a more holistic understanding of issues, and were a pertinent reminder to researchers and students to seek to understand local culture, perspectives and practices.

Combatting domestic violence Bronwyn Winch

Domestic violence is recognised as being a problem in the traditionally patriarchal social context of Timor-Leste. At the conference we attended a panel led by the NGO Judicial System Monitoring Program (JSMP) discussing the new Timorese domestic violence law and the prosecution of these crimes. Members from JSMP acknowledged that the new law was facing challenges, including that the majority of the local population still preferred to resolve crimes through adat (customary law).

A few days later in the remote, rural town of Los Palos we met three locally based NGOs also addressing domestic violence in their communities. Rather than focusing on the formal law, they were dedicated to a transforming the community attitudes towards violence against women and the perceptions of right and wrong. Interestingly, they also targeted their efforts on educating men, a powerful method considering that in the traditionally patriarchal Timorese society, men would have much more impact than a woman in altering group attitudes toward an issue like this.

The formal legal process discussed at the conference and the grassroots ‘socialisation’ work being done by the NGOs are both vital aspects in developing gender equality in a post-conflict na-

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tion. There is danger that only focusing on the formal criminal system overlooks the important role of customary law in regulating people’s behaviours, but at the same time there are recognised flaws in the way that customary law treats women. It will be interesting to keep track of how the two different approaches progress and their achievements towards minimizing violence against women.

Stay tuned for a study tour video Participants are in the process of making a video from the study tour, and hope to screen it on campus at a later date, giving opportunity for the wider RMIT community to find out more about Timor-Leste.

Photos clockwise from top: School children in rural Timor-Leste; The xefe de aldeia (village chief) and local NGOs in Los Palos; During the conference: Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, constructed by China; UN shipping containers on the Dili foreshore.

Words and photos by: Lynsze

Woon, Emily Toome, Bella Gadsden, Stephan Koomen, Gemma Freeman, Sam Carroll-Bell, Liz Crompton, Bronwyn Winch, Kat Higgins, Vanessa Weaver, Amy Stevenson, and Sarah Bird, with great thanks to Damian Grenfell.

19

Language and education Lynsze Woon

Formal education in such a culturally and linguistically diverse county (32 languages for aprox. 1 million people) poses significant challenges. At the conference Augustinho Caet from the Ministry of Education spoke of a new ‘mother-tongue-based language education’ pilot program that has been introduced in two districts. Mothertongue based multilingual education is a structured program that begins with a strong foundation in the children’s mother-tongue, and then involves the gradual introduction of other languages. This would be a contrast to the present situation where school is taught only in Tetun and Portuguese, despite some 20% of the population not being fluent in either of these languages. It is hoped that using mothertongue based education would positively impact educational access and outcomes for students, and also value the diversity of Timorese languages and identities.

Study tours such as the one we took part in are an invaluable addition to your RMIT studies. They not only help you to appreciate the theories you’re learning in a real-life context, but they also give the opportunity for informal learning experiences. Conferences like the one we attended are great (thanks Student Union for funding it!), but it was through chatting with locals, visiting Timorese organisations, travelling through rural villages, and appreciating the small parts of daily life that we probably learnt the most.

Those are experiences you can’t get in a classroom. So we strongly recommend that you look into what study tours/ international exchanges/work experience opportunities you can build into your study – get out there and live it.

To find out more about RMIT’s work in Timor-Leste and the study tour visit:

www.timor-leste.org

Left: Visiting the Santa Cruz cemetery in Dili, the site of a massacre in 1991 by Indonesian soldiers of hundreds of pro-independence Timorese demonstrators. Above: Liz Crompton at the lunchtime water fountain.

Photo Credit:Steve Evans Creative Commons License

RECONCILIATION

RECOGNITION RHETORIC? SYMPOSIUM RMIT Law Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Society end of year event facilitated by Mr Jeff Waters ABC Journalist and author of Gone for a Song. Speakers on the night will include:

Adam Bandt

Nicky Friedman Magistrate Ann Collins Aunty Joan Vickery AO Munya Andrews

Greens MP and Member of the HOR for Melbourne Allens Arthur Robinson, Senior Associate Koori Court Koori Court and Gunditjamara Elder Indigenous Barrister

RMIT JD Students $25.00 Partners & Friends $30.00 date

11/11/11

BUILDING 13 MULTI PURPOSE ROOM

Bookings: rmitlss.eventbrite.com Hashtag: #rmitlss 5:30PM8:30PM

Sir Arvi Parbo Ammar Sachak

22

In 1944, the Soviets invaded the Baltic States again during the Second World War. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Arvi Parbo was studying engineering in Estonia’s capital, Tallinn.

Stalin’s sudden siege had left Mr Parbo with a tough decision to either flee to Germany or return to his family’s farm, about 90 kilometers west of Tallinn.

“I knew what happened last time the Soviets invaded and I knew what would happen again,” he said.

“Germany wasn’t a good prospect and I didn’t know what was going on. Everything was in great confusion. When I reached Germany, the country was being bombed by the Allies and everything was in ruins.”

Sir Arvi Parbo would not see his family again until 1969.

Yet as Sir Arvi recalls leaving his family behind, there is surprisingly no hint of regret.

“There are lots of things I could have done better in retrospect,” he explains.

“If I lived in hindsight, I would always be worrying. You only do things in light of what you know at the time.”

After five years in a refugee camp in Lubeck, northern Germany, Sir Arvi came to Australia rising to key positions in Australian mining, becoming chairman of Western Mining Corporation, Alcoa and BHP Billiton.

His contributions to Australian business and mining led to many awards including a knighthood and an Order of Australia.

Casually dressed and his hair immaculately brushed, Sir Arvi is animated, speaking in his defined Eastern European accent.

His attention to detail is still impressive.

He even remembers the coldest temperature ever recorded in Estonia (-43.5C in 1940).

His grandson, Hillar Parbo, said Sir Arvi maintains a strict planner of his appointments for the next three months.

Such discipline is a hallmark of a penniless refugee who ultimately led three of Australia’s largest companies cocurrently.

Even as he recalls the atrocities committed against his family by Stalin’s regime, there is a sense that Sir Arvi does not dwell on the past.

Instead, he is thankful that he made the right decision to flee Estonia.

“I’ve been lucky,” he smiles.

“One of the most important things in life is to be lucky and to be in the right place at the right time.”

However, his family was not so fortunate.

When the Soviets invaded Estonia for the second time, they seized the Parbo family farm.

“They destroyed everything my father had done,” he explained.

“Our family was declared an enemy of the people. Our 100-hectare farm was cut up into parcels, some taken by the State and some given to other people and reduced to 23 hectares.”

But the worst was still to come.

“Because of punitive tax, my family gave up farming and left for the capital in 1949.

The Soviets considered my family enemies and deported them to Siberia. They only had a suitcase each. In the concentration camps, it was all hard work with no physical comforts.”

After speaking candidly, Sir Arvi

suddenly pauses and takes long sips of his lemonade.

His enthusiasm fades as he describes what happened to his three brothers.

“In 1950, two of my brothers were arrested, and accused of working against the Soviet system. That was absolute nonsense of course. They were sent to a KGB prison and sentenced to 25-years forced labour. One of them was sent to coal mine north of the Arctic Circle. The other was sent to a copper mine in Kazakhstan.

My eldest brother was killed during the war.”

After Stalin’s death in 1953, Sir Arvi’s parents and two remaining brothers were reunited and returned to Estonia but found their farm confiscated.

Unbeknown to his family, Sir Arvi arrived in allied controlled Germany in 1944, and settled into a displaced persons (DP) camp.

An Estonian community was quickly established and Sir Arvi finished his secondary school education at the Estonian school where his childhood passion to study mining engineering was reignited.

“When I was in primary school, I used to visit my Uncle in Tallinn. I would go to the limestone quarry and collect fossils.

There were fossils of creatures that lived 500 million years ago. I also developed an interest in minerals and crystals. They were so beautiful. Later in life, when I was sitting in a library in the DP camp, I saw a book about mining engineering. I found this pretty interesting. It’s odd how things happen in life.”

Sir Arvi went on to study at the world famous mining school, Bergakademie in Freiberg from 1946 to 1948.

In 1947, Germany was taken over by

United Nations Refugee Rehabilitation Authority.

“They immediately made an effort to resettle the refugees,” he said.

“When it became clear that was no chance of returning to Estonia for a long time people started to go elsewhere.

Australia had immigration officials at the DP camps encouraging people to come. The big advantage was I didn’t have to wait.

After one month, I was on my way. I was anxious to go somewhere were there was a mining industry. Names like Kalgoorlie, Mount Isa and Broken Hill were known the world over.”

Sir Arvi arrived at Station Pier in Melbourne in 1949 and one week later was working in a quarry south of Adelaide.

“Things happened fast in those days!” he quips.

It was in Adelaide where Sir Arvi met his wife at an Estonian folk dancing club.

After completing his degree at the University of Adelaide, Sir Parbo began working at Western Mining near Kalgoorlie.

He became chairman of Western Mining in 1974 and was also chairman of American aluminum giant, Alcoa in 1978.

When Sir Arvi was offered to be chairman of BHP in 1987, he had initial reservations about the role.

“I was very uncertain,” he said.

“The two companies were in the same industry. But as BHP pointed out to me, the companies were competing for different metals and minerals and therefore not competitors.”

Sir Arvi retired in 1992 but still keeps an active interest in mining and is currently writing his personal and company recollections.

His public career in the mining industry

“If I lived in hindsight, I would always be worrying. You only do things in light of what you know at the time.”

allowed him a personal moment when he reunited with his family in 1969 on a business trip to Finland.

“I found out there were tourist groups going from Helsinki to Tallinn every weekend. I was able to send a telegram to my family.

At Tallinn harbor, my family was waiting for me. It was happy to be together again. We were lucky we only lost one family member in such a turbulent time. Many other families lost many more.”

Sir Arvi today (above); at his graduation in 1956 (right); and in his office (opposite page).

Photos supplied.

23

For more information on studying in Vietnam visit:

http://www.rmit.edu.vn/

David Swan checks out

David Swan

RMIT Student Union President There’s an old adage in Vietnam that goes: ‘Đi một ngày đàng, học một sàng khôn.’ It essentially means that travelling broadens one’s horizons, and it’s never been more fitting than on my recent visit to Vietnam and one of its RMIT campuses.

They have another saying, Cái nết đánh chết cái đẹp, which means handsome is as handsome does. But I digress.

I was sent to investigate and suss out whether RMIT Vietnam is a viable place to study for local Melbourne students, and where the benefits of exchange would lie. RMIT has owned an operated campuses in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi for about ten years, and few, if any, students in Victoria have any idea they even exist.

Well, they do exist, and then some.

Ho Chi Minh City is overwhelming, a smorgasbord for the senses where everything is on the menu and you must try it all.

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Walking down one of the main streets of HCM (once you manage to cross the road successfully) is a guaranteed a variety of smells, salespeople and spectacles. The preferred way to get around is by motorbike, they’re ubiquitous and swarm the roads. People sound their horns all the time, out of a perverse politeness rather than disrespect, and the city can be defined as being noisy and outrageous with a million things to see and do... and yet at the same time the place is charming and enthralling.

“The RMIT in Ho Chi Minh City is ostensibly ‘RMIT’” Once you make it to the front steps of RMIT, however, the place takes on a completely different semblance.

The RMIT in Ho Chi Minh City is ostensibly ‘RMIT’. The signage is the same as what you’re used to, the facilities are exceptionally clean and well maintained, and it’s an English speaking campus, meaning both the students and staff are encouraged to speak English whenever on campus. I participated in a few classes and easily could have been back in Melbourne, except the examples used were ‘Diamond Plaza Shopping Center’ instead of Melbourne Central, and every question was answered by the students with, obviously, a distinctly Vietnamese angle.

I picked up a lot, I may not have picked up any of the language but I made up for it with

customs and culture.

I attended various meetings with people that run the campus, sharing ideas and helping them get a student association off the ground. One of the key drivers behind the campus is the fact that each student graduates with a ‘global passport’, a set of tools to help them succeed internationally not just at home.

As one of the tutors said, “If I wanted to get rich, I wouldn’t be here. We’re trying to give these kids a good education and set them up so they can take on the world.”

I stayed four nights at the on-campus residential student accommodation, which I originally was slightly apprehensive about but this apprehension quickly evolved into enthusiasm. The place is rad, I mingled with many of the local students and was literally a two minute walk from my classes. These are things our Melbourne campuses could learn from. Just as good was the RMIT gym, which was always a hive of activity, its fitness equipment always humming and the shrill squeak of runners never far away.

Years ago, one would have been expected to have been technologically isolated in South East Asia. Not now.

Most cafes have free Wi-Fi on offer, and RMIT Vietnam’s internet is, dare I say it, superior to RMIT Melbourne’s equivalent.

Away from the classrooms I gained just as much, although I suppose some of my favourite experiences weren’t quintessentially ‘Vietnamese’. I drank red wine in an upmarket bar while watching a live band, sipped coffee in a subdued jazz cafe, and went on a crazy department store shopping trip that could have really been anywhere in the world. The most vivid experiences definitely were Vietnamese, however. I drank snake

wine on the Mekong river, shopped for live ducklings (I didn’t buy one, but considered getting one as a pet for my girlfriend) and spent time with several incarnations of Buddha at a pagoda. Where else would you be able to do that all in one day?

And I only got sick once. I can only blame myself really, it was either the snake wine or the street stall food or the tap water... or a combination of all three. But when in Rome, right?

What stands out above the zany experiences is just how similar RMIT Vietnam students are to us. They play sport.

They gossip. They want to learn. Above all they harbour a desire for a decent education and want as much out of their RMIT experience as possible. In visiting, I found myself learning about their culture but they positively learned about mine. Many of the lecturers and tutors are from other countries themselves as well, and bring unique perspectives to the table as you’d expect. At times I was an Australian student with a Canadian tutor among Vietnamese students. It was brilliant.

More students should go and study there. I got the occasional odd glance, the students were curious as to who I was and what I was doing there. This shouldn’t be the case. The rate of Melbourne students studying at RMIT Vietnam is woefully low,

Photos courtesy of RMIT Vietnam. Left: Campus facilities. Below: Student life. Opposite page: David and students; Leafy grounds on campus.

as far as I’m aware there’s only one Melbourne student currently there who took the plunge. Everyone should take the plunge!

The cost of living in Vietnam verges on ridiculous, the RMIT tuition fees are the same as Melbourne but the prices of rent and food definitely aren’t. In just five short days I felt changed and invigorated, and I’ll definitely be investigating my options for studying a full semester there. Many of Melbourne’s programs are offered in either Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi RMIT, and you receive the same credit for what you study. Word on the street is also that jobs and internships are easier to pick up in Vietnam, given Western perspectives are

always welcomed.

Every RMIT student should give Vietnam a try... it might just change your life.

David travelled as a guest of RMIT Vietnam

CENSORED The end of censorship? Jane Vashti Ryan As the eye wanders down even the most cursory list of titles banned and restricted in Australia, the odd explosive chuckle is inevitable. The Frigging Countess by one E. A. R. for example, doesn’t seem to represent a great cultural loss – rather the opportunity for a good laugh.

But upon closer inspection, the full scope of censorship in Australia becomes more apparent.

La Dolce Vita. Lady Chatterly’s Lover. The Catcher in the Rye. Lolita. Barry Humphrey’s The Wonderful World of Barry McKenzie. The Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs.

Judgement of Paris. Cassanova. Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World and James Joyce’s Ulyssees.

These are just a few of the hundreds of film and book titles that have been banned in Australia over the last century – only to be later unbanned.

While the methods and motivations for classifying film, art, books and now video games may have shifted since those dark days of the 1950s and 60s, censorship remains a firm fixture within the classification system of modern-day Australia.

These days, we have a National Classification Scheme whose aim is to protect and empower viewers, readers and consumers.

But early this year the Australian Government announced the first national review of the scheme in 20 years, calling for submissions from lobby groups and private citizens.

The review asks: “Should some artworks be required to be classified for the purpose of restricting access or providing consumer advice?”

26

The minister responsible for classification, Brendan O’Connor, said technology was fast moving and the review would examine how the classification system can cater for advances into the future.

“Australians need to be confident that our classification system will help them make informed choices about what they choose to read, see, hear and play,” Mr O’Connor said.

Inside three months, the review received over 1400 submissions – many from individuals concerned about their personal rights and civil liberties.

Among those to raise their concerns was the Arts Law Centre of Australia, particularly on the issue of artwork classification.

The review asks: “Should some artworks be required to be classified for the purpose of restricting access or providing consumer advice?”

The last time Australia witnessed a real buzz in artwork classification and restriction was when Bill Henson infamously exhibited photographs of a naked 13-year old girl. The exhibition in Melbourne was closed and politicians and media

personalities had their say.

But as the ALCA points out in their submission: “Despite media and conservative interest, the exhibition was considered low impact and given an unrestricted rating.”

Multi-media artists are feeling the pain of the current classification system. While some may feel the hard hand of censorship, the real concern is for small independent artists who are expected to pay $990 just to submit a film for classification in order for it to be exhibited publicly within Australia.

The ALCA is calling for an exemption for artists from these classification laws, not least because, as they claim, these rules contravene international human rights.

Their submission says it “this is set out in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Australia is a signatory.

“Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice.”

Arts Access Australia (AAA) also spoke to the problems surrounding general artwork classification in Australia within their submission.

“This not only presents a threat to freedom of expression but also presents a direct risk the development of our creative sector and the livelihood of the artists working within it.

“AAA supports the suggestion of the ALCA that the [review] should take a practical approach to developing a standardised national classification framework that acknowledges it is not possible, nor necessary to classify all content, which values freedom of expression, places a much greater onus on industries to self regulate within Government-mandated guidelines, and that supports the education of Australians that they can take responsibility for the content that they and their children access.”

The Centre for Contemporary Photography was similarly scathing about the attempt to classify artworks in their submission.

“Apart from the inherent threat to freedom of expression resulting from subjecting contemporary art spaces to a formal classification scheme and external classifiers, we believe that the administrative and financial burden that imposing such a scheme would place an enormous strain on the sector, one that already struggles with limited financial and personnel resources,” they said.

Also among those lending their voices to this issue were the National Gallery of Victoria, the National Gallery of Australia, the National Film and Sound Archive, Melbourne Fringe, the National Association of Cinema Operators and Screen Australia.

The findings of the National Classification Scheme Review will be handed down on January 30, 2012.

e p a t d e x I M d n e s â&#x20AC;&#x2122; RUSU

Y T R A P r a e of y

e d o C s s e r D m i Double Den

THURSDAY 10 november 2011 8pm ROXANNE PARLOUR Line up Purple Sneakers Djs (SYD) M.A.F.I.A. Smoking Toddlers The Bad Cats Tickets $15 Rusu Members $25 non members Oztix, RUSU office, facebook.com/RUSUpage or www.su.rmit.edu.au

Autumn’s Spring

festival

When media student Martin Janssen found out his lifelong friend, 22 year old Autumn Tansey, was diagnosed with cancer this year, he was inspired to help her out in whatever way he could.

Martin Janssen

My friend Autumn is an aspiring visual artist who has completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts last year and, until her diagnosis, enjoyed success in a number of exhibitions.

We’ve known each other through our families since we were born in the same year, so she is like a cousin to me.

The Tansey family have had a bit of rough road with Autumn’s aunty Kay also battling cancer over the last five years. Kay has been an inspiration to Autumn. In five

years Kay has remarkably overcome breast cancer and further brain tumors, whilst supporting her four young adult children.

She is currently facing an ongoing battle with liver and lung cancer.

Kay has been taking the initiative with her health and eventually came across the support services of The Gawler Foundation.

Autumn has seen Kay’s recent achievements with the Foundation’s help and now, facing her own battle, would like to benefit from the Foundation’s services as well.

Autumn is now hoping to raise enough funds to go on the Foundation’s Life and Living ten day healing retreat. She would also love for her aunty Kay to come along as well, to support her and for Kay’s own benefit.

Autumn and her family have raised over $2,000, but there’s still a long way to go to reach the $6,000 necessary for both of them to go. So I thought I’d test out my media skills and have a go at running a fundraising night for them called Autumn’s Spring Festival.

The evening will showcase youth film and fine art work. We’ve already got 20 short films and 40 pieces of visual art submitted - I’m still looking for more!

Autumn’s own visual art will be shown on the night. We’ve also got a jazz band, audio/ visual techs, an advertising company, the venue, volunteer caterers, and graphic designer donating their resources!

The festival will be held on:

Tuesday the 22nd of November, doors open at 6.30, at the NCCC Community Centre 81 High St. Preston All proceeds go into a bursary fund called the Tansey Wishing Well with The Gawler Foundation that can only be used for support services for Autumn and Kay, assisted through www.everydayhero.com. au/asfestival This should be a great night for celebrating youth creativity, networking and raising money for an important cause.

So please help me put a spring in Autumn’s step as she faces the toughest challenge of her life! Get involved (martin.s.janssen@gmail.com) or just get on to Facebook and show you are coming along to have a good time helping a worthy cause.

For more

www.asfestival.org www.flickr.com/asfestival

info visit:

28

Autumn and Martin. Photo: Supplied.

Blossom Photo: Evil Yoda

www.gawler.org Facebook event:

Autumn’s Spring Festival

Support your immune system and Get Smart with this super smoothie study starter! Colour your cuisine with REAL ingredients.

Ingredients:

...inspired by the seven Smarties colours

Orange - tangelo / orange (vitamin C, high anti-ox, low GI)

Green - lime

(vitamin C, high anti-ox, low GI) Photo: Steve Rust

Yellow - mango

(vitamin A, B6, C, E, fibre, potassium, high anti-ox, med GI)

Brown - dates

(vitamin C, potassium, low GI) The RMIT University Student Union’s “Realfoods” organic, fair-trade, vegetarian cafe holds cooking demos on campus each semester. Each event has a different theme and presenters. Our final demo of 2011 was entitled ‘Real Brain Food’ and featured recipes and nutrition information on learning how to feed your mind with brain boosting ingredients such as walnuts, blueberries and chia seeds. See the Smartie smoothie recipe featured at right. The guest presenters were nutritionist Lola Berry, and chef Kemi Nekvapil. Pictured is Kemi Nekavapil and Realfoods cafe co-ordinator Lucy Stegley.

New Collectables Date & Time: 5.30pm, Thursday 8 December Venue: First Site Gallery, 344 Swanston Street, City Contact: www.link.rmit.edu.au/arts or (03) 9925 3085

Pink - raspberry

(folate (B9), vitamin C, fibre, potassium, high anti-ox, low GI)

Red - strawberry

(folate (B9), vitamin C, fibre, high antiox, low GI)

Purple - passionfruit & blueberry

(vitamin C, fibre, iron, potassium, high anti-ox, low GI

Method:

For the bottom orange layer of smoothie: Peel the skin and pith off 4 tangelos, divide into quarters, remove any pips and place in blender with approx 2 cups of orange juice (the thicker the mix, the better!). Add the flesh of 2 frozen mangos and 1 medjool date. ‘Pulse’ ingredients until mixing well and then puree on ‘high’ until fully combined. Pour into tall glasses, leaving the top third of the glass unfilled. Rinse blender.

For the top pink layer of smoothie: Juice 4 limes and pour liquid into blender (ensuring blades are covered). Add 1 cup of frozen raspberries and 1 cup of frozen strawberries. Blend into a puree.

Sweeten with a dash of agave nectar or honey if desired.

To serve: Need Christmas present ideas? This December, RMIT Link Arts & Culture once again hosts the annual New Collectables art auction at First Site Gallery.

New Collectables is a great way to support emerging artists from RMIT University and buy amazing new artworks that you couldn’t usually afford.

RMIT Link Arts & Culture charges no fees to students and takes no commission on the sale of works, so if you buy something the money goes straight to the artist.

With reserve prices no greater than $250, it is possible to find some very affordable masterpieces.

If you make art, you too could sell work in New Collectables.

Register by November 11.

Email jodie.lawson@rmit.edu.au for more details.

Once you have poured out the bottom orange coloured mix into serving glasses - filling each glass two thirds of the way - gently pour the pink coloured smoothie mix over the top of the orange coloured mix. Note: Pouring the mixture over the back of a spoon (a bartender’s technique) helps keep the two layers separate. Garnish with a swirl of passionfruit pulp & blueberries.

Recipe by SmoothieGirl

Josh Fagan For a lot of people summer equates to the season of music festivals. Australia has played catch up with the rest of the world for a number of years, slowly forming some first class festivals with great lineups. But ahead of the 2011/2012 summer there’s no shortage of bands to see and festivals to enjoy.

All the old favourites are back for another year, offering more musical delights and weekend servings of serenity.

There are also some new festivals on the circuit, including the Harvest Festival, which is setting up at Werribee Park for the first time on November 12.

Through December, Meredith and others provide your festival fill, before one of the most popular festivals in the country, the Falls Festival, culminates right on New Years Eve.

Venue: Lorne, Erskine Falls Date: December 28 – January 1 Attendance: 16,000 capacity Bands: Arctic Monkeys, Fleet Foxes, The Kooks, Metronomy, Crystal Castles and more.

Falls has become a perennial favourite, with its new years party atmosphere and mix of local and international acts.

Falls director Simon Daly told Catalyst

30

the Erskine Falls and Marion Bay events increasingly attract fans from around the country.

“One in two people at the festivals are from interstate, which is pretty amazing to think that people travel from across Australia to Lorne or Marion Bay,” Mr Daly said.

“It’s cool that it’s grown to that level of support.”

But Falls hasn’t always had such a broad interest. It started as a gathering for Simon Daly and some friends to bring in the New Year with a few bands playing at the original Erskine site. From 1993 onwards, it’s become an annual event that hasn’t stopped evolving.

“It was probably not until its 10th year, I was 30 and I thought, ‘yeah this festival is really taking a life of its own and can be whatever it wants to be’,” Mr Daly said.

“It took me that time to mature and to get the people around me to help take that step to make it a really exciting festival.”

Organising the festival is now a full time stint for Mr Daly, who spends the year planning, courting bands and trying to keep the festival cutting edge.

“It’s good I try and get to as many overseas festivals as I can, see what sort of bands are playing and what works well.

“But I think that Australian festivals are

really unique, the way Falls has kept its original setting.

“You see some of the European festivals and they’re absolutely massive, so I’m glad we’re not on the scale of some of those big festivals,” Mr Daly said.

Heading the bill this year are UK rockers Arctic Monkeys who’ve been on the Falls radar for a while.

“We’ve targeted them for a number of years and the timing’s never been quite right but this year it’s worked well with their new album,” Mr Daly said.

“I think they’re going to be one of those stand out shows.”

This year’s lineup also features some emerging acts that should offer fans a bit of a surprise packet.

“It’s a tricky task, we pick bands in February, March that are about to be big so it can be a bit hit and miss, but when it works it goes great guns.

“We always try and get four or five international acts that have never been here before or are just breaking, Alloe Blac is a good example of one this year who should be popular,” Mr Daly said.

With growing business and commercial interests in the music industry, Falls have tried to maintain a balance, keeping true to the original festival.

“I think you always just try and program

Clockwise from above: the magnificent Falls festival setting; Fleet Foxes; Beirut.

Photos supplied.

the best festival you can, keep it a really small capacity and make it as affordable as you can.

“We barely take on any sponsors on and when they’re there it’s a really low profile and only there if it’s going to directly benefit the patrons,” Mr Daly said.

For all-time favourite Falls performances, Mr Daly said the two most memorable were Iggy Pop in 1997 and the Hives, on their breakout Australian tour in 2001.

“Iggy playing in 1997 was just a raw performance, it was pretty special and The

Hives were just about to break big.”

With the 20th Falls celebrations coming up next year Mr Daly said if he could get any act on the planet to play he couldn’t go past David Bowie.

“Bowie would be the ultimate but we’d have to double everyone’s ticket prices, so take it as a given that’s not going to happen” “It’s definitely going to be something special, 20 years of doing the festival.

“For me I was never meant to have a job for 20 years straight, I was meant to be a drifter, so there’ll definitely be something to celebrate.”

31

Quiz 2011: the year so far And what a year it’s been. Test your trivia knowledge looking back at the biggest news and events, the lifechanging stories, the moments that shaped the world and the other stuff that’s helped fill newspapers over the year.

Compiled by Josh Fagan.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

Muammar Gaddafi was the leader of which country?

Who won this year’s Norm Smith medal in the AFL Grand Final?

What was the name of the cyclone that hit Queensland in January?

Which film series finale was released in cinemas on July 13?

What was the name of the mine that collapsed in Greymouth, New Zealand, killing 29 miners?

Which state in Australia introduced fines for swearing in public?

Who won this year’s Gold Logie award?

Who was the Egyptian leader ousted in this year’s uprising?

Name the bridesmaid who stole the attention during William and Kate’s royal wedding.

What was the name of the unstable nuclear reactor damaged in the Japan earthquakes?

Which country was Osama Bin Laden found and killed in?

Who was the winner of this year’s MasterChef series?

How old was Amy Winehouse when she died this year?

Name the American student acquitted of the murder of her flatmate Meredith Kercher in Italy?

Who took over from Steve Jobs as Apple CEO? Name the schoolgirl romantically linked to former AFL agent Ricky Nixon.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

Who was named treasurer of the year by Euromoney magazine?

Which country won the 2011 Rugby World Cup? Who took over as Premier of South Australia, succeeding Mike Rann?

How many weeks was Heath Shaw suspended for after betting on an AFL match?

Apart from Prince William, who was the other British royal to get married this year?

Which new country was officially formed as a republic in July?

The doctor of which late singer is being investigated over enabling his client’s drug related death?

Which AFL player was the quickest player to reach 300 games?

Name the author who won the 2011 Man Booker prize for ‘A Sense Of An Ending’.

26.

‘Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall’ is a new track from which group?

27.

Which Independent federal senator publicly named a priest accused of sexual abuse?

28.

Ben Quilty’s portrait of which painter won this year’s Archibald Prize?

29.

Which red-haired former editor of News of the World was arrested over the paper’s phone-hacking allegations?

And name the murdered schoolgirl whose phone News of the World were found to have hacked?

30.

Digital image: Josh Fagan. Left to right: Geelong premiers question 2; William and Kate question 9; Bin Laden question 11; Steve Jobs question 15; News of the World question 29; Cadel Evans question 34; Gadaffi question 1 and background Egyptian protests question 8.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

Which horse beat Phar Lap’s record with a 15th consecutive win at Moonee Valley?

The High Court blocked which policy of the Gillard Government?

Who was found guilty of murdering underworld figure and fellow inmate Carl Williams?

Which two brothers finished 2nd and 3rd behind Cadel Evans in the Tour de France?

Name the schoolboy whose bones were found in Queensland eight years after his disappearance.

Who released their autobiography titled ‘Fair Cop’ this year?

37.

38.

39.

40.

Which clothing store was at the centre of a viral email about its customer service?

Name the host of this year’s Golden Globe awards criticised for making pointed jokes about celebrities?

Container ship Rena has leaked oil off the coast of which country?

Which Federal politician allegedly used a Health Services Union credit card to pay for prostitutes?

Answers 5.

6.

7.

8.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Libya Jimmy Bartel Cyclone Yasi Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt. 2 Pike River mine Victoria Karl Stefanovic Hosni Mubarak

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

Pippa Middleton Fukushima Pakistan Kate Bracks 27 Amanda Knox Tim Cook Kim Duthie Wayne Swan New Zealand

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

19. Jay Weatherill 20. Eight weeks (14, six suspended) Zara Phillips South Sudan Michael Jackson Adam Goodes Julian Barnes Coldplay Nick Xenophon

28. Margaret Olley 29. Rebekah Brookes 30. Milly Dowler 31. Black Caviar 32. The Malaysia solution 33. Matthew Johnson 34. Andy and Frank

36.

37.

38.

39.

40.

Schleck 35. Daniel Morcombe Christine Nixon GASP! Ricky Gervais New Zealand Craig Thomson

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