Cruwsiblei05

CRUWSIBLE UWS STUDENT NEWSPAPER

LOVE GURU

VEGAN CRED

VILLAWOOD PROTEST

CHANCELLOR Q AND A

STUDying WITH DISABILITY

SO YOU COPPED A FINE

COMMUNITY GARDEN PUSH

SMOKING BAN JITTERS

ISSUE 5//AUTUMN 2014

COVER: Drawing by Georgia Ireland with Liam Cameron and Nic Smith

crUWSible n. A melting pot of cultures, backgrounds and interests that make up the UWS student body, the fusion that is UWS - a molten mix of dynamic and interesting content.

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♥♥♥ A huge thank you to all our terrific contributors.Without you, we would just be a contents page.

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CONTENTS NEWS

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Villawood protest Studying with disability So you copped a fine Tips for the workplace Uni community garden

STUDENTS REPS

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TRAVEL

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STAFF PROFILE

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Chancellor Peter Shergold

SERVICES DIRECTORY

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LETTERS

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Vegans find goodness

CLUB

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FICTION

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REVUWS

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LOVE GURU

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I am not, you are not, we are not Poem by Nadia Rahman

True beauty is: Sydney sun-kissed skin; a moonlight-bright glow; eyes of Faber-Castell-baby-blue; beer bottles and beachside drawls.

Not white; not right.

Welcome to my second movement.

This is about the pang of never qualifying first, the sound of almost, the feeling of nearly.

Yellow-tinted, olive-blended, black-tanned; We are forever sloppy seconds, second-rate, second-class.

So, to be, or not to be? That is not the question, simply because we cannot be.

We are the Other.

The sugar rush from the multiculturalism Kool-Aid wears off once you realise that these whitewashed ideals and standards have built prisons around us.

We frolic in the white plains with handcuff leftovers, tourists, never citizens.

The Mother Country knows best about us, so spread yourself for her thrusting stereotypes: Boat people representatives and Centrelink whores, Parasitic invaders of the great nation.

Job robbers, exploders, converters, the help, the helpless, diseased, ugly-duckling tagalongs – we are everything from the beginning of colonialism to the faecal smears and remains of the internet, but we can never be us.

The non-normative are given their own terminology Exotic, foreign, mocha-chocalata-ya-ya, but remember Not white, not right, not ‘beautiful.’

Disembodied television voices promise results if we use and abuse the skin bleach, bottles of Fair and Lovely, pale foundation.

I’ve smashed the piggy bank into smithereens but I’m still the same tanning bed disaster.

White coffee, white wine, egg white am I finally glowing am I finally radiant?

Magic spells and chemicals galore, but my mirror tells me that I will never be the fairest of them all.

Fate’s parting words to us – bonne chance! Take up your swords and arrows, freaks.

A lifetime of regret and sorrow for the things we can never control.

I am the doctor, I am the patient, and every element of me has undergone surgery.

Despite all the cleaning and treatment, body and soul shine with silver scars, mouldy residue and betrayal.

Betrayal that we so are thin-skinned, Betrayal that we want to skin the skin, Betrayal that we cannot see beyond the skin.

I am tired of living in the shadows of impossibility, thinking I am not enough.

I will look in the mirror, and I will see, and I will be Me. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder – mine.

Subhuman today, superhuman tomorrow.

Not white, but maybe just right.

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STUDY HARD, WORK HARDER Many UWS students balance a full-time study load whilst working full-time to support themselves.

NICOLE SMITH asked Campbelltown students how they coped.

Shariff – Medical Science “I study full time and I work 16 hours over the weekend. I have no time to do anything. I only have one day off and it’s not enough.

Dalal – Business HR “I study full time and work casually 36 hours a week.

It’s hard but I can manage. During exams I can start taking time off work.

Hawraa – Medical Science “I study full time and I work – about 98 hours a week. I manage a restaurant and on Saturday and Sunday I am there from opening at 11am to about 1am in the morning after we close. I am married and do about 2 hours of housework a day too – cooking and cleaning. I get up really early; my day starts at 5am.

Kurdi – Health Science “I study full time and I work 45 hours a week. I get bored if I have a day off. I like to keep busy but I have no time for myself.

Hannah – Occupational Therapy “I study full time and I work 10 hours a week. Housework takes about half-an-hour a day. I try to create breaks in my timetable that force me to study and I have to put time aside.

Jim – Occupational Therapy “I study full time and I run my own massage business – about 10 hours a week – and work with people with disabilities about 6 hours a week. I’m also on the local soccer club committee which takes 3 hours a week. I have to be organised. I have a fat-arsed diary.

But I enjoy it all. Work is a lot of fun really and working with people with disabilities is a fun environment.

RIOT SQUAD MEETS STUDENTS AT VILLAWOOD PROTEST

MARLENE CARRASCO was present when students and community, protesting the transfer of refugees from Villawood to the desert, were confronted by the riot squad. This is her compelling first-hand account.

On Friday night we were tipped-off that buses arrived at 11pm at Villawood to transfer refugees. We were all alarmed. People started turning up at midnight. Already there were some from the police riot squad there.

As the night progressed, more people arrived and more riot squad arrived.

When daylight came, there were 50 police and they brought in the big riot squad bus to take people away. There were paddy wagons everywhere. Police were on high alert, preempting a confrontation. They knew we were determined to stop buses from leaving.

On Thursday before that, a small group of uni students were able to stop buses from leaving for amount of time. There were eight arrests on Thursday. Students sat down and locked onto each other and were determined to not move and were willing to get arrested. (see footage at facebook.com/crUWSible) The police were violent. They pressed down on people’s heads and pinched people on pressure points to hurt them. It was disturbing to see dear friends dragged away so violently, for simply trying to support refugees that have no voice, to demonstrate to other people that the violence inflicted on us may be small compared to the violence refugees experience every day in detention. On Thursday we were told by refugees that some in the detention centres who locked themselves in rooms had the rooms hacked down with sledge hammers before they were handcuffed and dragged away. One man was attacked and a few selfharmed. They were bandaged up quickly and shoved on the bus anyway.

WHY ARE REFUGEES BEING MOVED FROM VILLAWOOD? The Sydney community has been very supportive of them and we regularly visit them and they tell us the problems with their cases and we support them legally, emotionally and generally. Many people have found love in detention and have married. Others have formed friendships with people who have become their families. Some of these people have been in detention up to five years.

The government is trying to break their mental state and to move them to the desert where there is no support.

The government publicly released the names of many refugees – endangering their lives and those of their families. These refugees are taking legal action against the Minister for Immigration. Their court cases are coming up and they will no longer be able to go to court if they are moved to the desert regions where there is very bad reception and it will be very difficult to support them legally and emotionally.

RIOT SQUAD CONFRONTATION There would have been 150 people by morning with 80 riot squad police. It was very violent.

I’ve been to many protests – I’m an activist – but I have never seen first-hand how violent the riot squad is and how much they enjoy hurting people. I saw people being kicked – I was kicked myself a couple of times in the push and shove of trying to hold up a line.

Police did it quite discretely but it was very obvious it was consistent across a line of police where people were kicked and grabbed

by the neck. They would bend people’s necks backwards. At one point I saw a man being held in headlock and being punched in the stomach by police. One woman reported her breast was grabbed and squeezed and men were kicked in the genitals numerous times by police. A woman after being toppled on the ground had her head stomped on. We were denied our rights to protest. Students were very traumatised after this exchange.

We were trying to demonstrate peacefully.

Demonstrating is not illegal. We were not breaking the law in any way. I myself was threatened with arrest for “stealing a policeman’s hat”. The hat was on the ground.

If they don’t have anything to charge you with, they can’t arrest you.No one was charged or taken to the police station. Three people were put in paddy wagons and driven three blocks away and released. It’s not legal to put people in paddy wagons without charging them and to drive them around the corner without charging them. This is intimidation. A police officer “accidentally’’ let a dog loose (photo above).

It was running through the crowd and people were freaking out. To intimidate us even further they brought out two horses - all in the back streets of Villawood !

LUCKY COUNTRY NO MORE This is the process we have to go through in defending human rights and standing up for ethical principles that are inalienable.

The fact is that Australia is breaking international obligations on refugees and the community needs to stand up. We are in a police state – no longer are we the lucky country where we can go out and demonstrate.

The sleepy lucky country days are over. |05

REFUGEE TREATMENT AN INTERNATIONAL EMBARASSMENT Our ‘boundless plains’ are not to share, ZAHRAA AHADZADA writes in a passionate plea against the inhumane treatment of refugees by the government.

The treatment of refugees in this country has been nothing short of disgusting. The lack of empathy and understanding from the Australian government and fellow Australians is absolutely sickening. Ask yourselves, are the asylum seekers committing a crime? Is the act of seeking asylum itself illegal? No, it isn’t.

Refugee Convention or not, the most logical of Neanderthals could work their way around the fact that refugees are escaping the terrors that plague their homelands They are defined by dangers completely unfathomable to you or I. They aren’t prancing around from country to country; they are escaping the deadly nature of living in their homelands.

But what does our ever-so-sovereignlybordered Australian government do? It turns back already traumatised asylum seekers, who have taken a grave risk in battling the tumultuous turns of mother nature’s waters, to war zones in the middle of the privately owned PNG. “Out damned spot!”, cries Morrison and Abbott as they look at the lives risked and the life lost amidst the filthy and subhuman state of their so called “PNG Solution”. The PNG solution didn’t solve any issue. Rather, it propelled bigoted discrimination against refugees.

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The driving force behind the Abbottised ‘solutions’ to the refugee ‘problem’ is the overlooking of the very plain and simple fact that asylum seekers are doing no wrong. They have every right to live a better life, and they have every right to escape the daily terrors of the countries that they can no longer call home. Who are we, as Australians living in comparatively peaceful communities, to pass judgement and characterise asylum seekers as ‘queue jumpers’ who have no right to the ‘boundless plains’ we have to ourselves?

Another thing to consider, once the poor asylum seekers reach the status of refugee, is the way they are treated upon entering our oh-so-welcoming Australia!

“ I am sorry to all the refugees who have been let down by Australians” The very notion that detention centres plague the inner folds of refugee communities makes absolutely no sense to me. The Australian government has nothing short of refugee homeland horrors on offer. Refugees are simply placed in filthy, subhuman detention centres, because the fact that they want to live the happy human lives they are entitled to is simply unreasonable. The recent move to relocate the asylum seekers from the Villawood Detention Centre is again a deliberate move by the Abbott government

to remove access from Sydney-based moral supporters. The refugees need our help, but heartless Mr Morrison would prefer nothing of the kind!

I don’t know if Mr Abbott and Mr Morrison understand the extent of animosity that they have enveloped around the Australian borders. They have definitely made Australia ‘renowned of all the lands’. I wish it were that Australia was renowned for it’s welcoming spirit in light of international hardships. I wish it were that Australia was renowned for it’s communal spirit and empathetic concern.

I wish it were that Australia was renowned for being able to lend out a helping hand given it’s 200 year history of not-so-’illegal’ immigration. Instead, the Australian nation has been forced to wear the blood on their national hands for the horrible decisions made by incompetent bigots who have let down the Australian name.

I am sorry to all the refugees who have been let down by us Australians. I am truly, very sorry.

And with my last breath I will make sure to remember that we need to ‘free, free the refugees’.

Zahraa Ahadzada

* comment at crUWSible.com.au * write to crUWSible@uws.edu.au * facebook.com/crUWSible

HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE HARD OF HEARING

STUDYING WITH A DISABILITY: JIBRAAN’S STORY What an experience it has been for me, my first year of tertiary education and what an experience, especially for someone with a disability. My name is Jibraan and this is my story.

To give you a bit of a background about myself.

I am 23, I am a Lebanese-Australian and second-oldest in the family and my religion is Islam plus I have a visual impairment.

I was born with my disability which is a visual impairment called Retinatis Pigmatosis which is a visual impairment that deals with the cells within the retina which are your rods and cones.

You may ask how this impacts on my mental and emotional wellbeing and how it impacts on me attending a demanding course such as Social Work and how I am able to have a social life all at the same time, plus, in addition how the services at the University of Western Sydney Milperra Campus have helped me to be the man I am today.

This year, I was feeling a mixture of different emotions from happiness to excitement, from stress to tiredness, due to the amount of work that comes when you are at university and under pressure. At times I also felt sad and annoyed that people saw my disability.

The Disability Services at this university are unbelievable and remarkable, even though they are overstretched due to cuts by the government making it difficult for them. Their

Are you deaf or something? My usual response is yes, actually I am. So I’d like to offer some tips to help make communication easier with students, friends, family members and the general public who have hearing impairments. assistance and input is amazing, they are always there if you need help and if you’re stressed or under pressure, they will help you out and will know what technology and requirements you need to undertake your studies to succeed at university.

1) If possible, always try to face the person when you are talking to them: It is very difficult for a person with a hearing impairment to hear you when you stand behind them or to the side. Especially if it is a side that is their bad ear.

In relation to how academics plus fellow students interact with me, if I am alone and need help to look for somewhere to sit and everywhere is taken, someone will find a chair or seat for me. On other occasions, people just stare at me and at times ignore me. I think people just need to be educated on what it is like to have a disability. In terms of my academics they are most of the time extremely helpful, optimistic, knowledgeable and kind-hearted in order to help me succeed in my studies to pursue a career.

2) Make sure the person is facing you and paying attention to you: Often people with a hearing impairment will use visual clues to help them determine what is being said. For example for years I was reading lips and didn’t even realise. A gentle touch on the shoulder or arm is an easy way for a person to realise you are talking to them.

Other staff members are the same. For example when I am at the canteen or lining up at one of the cafes, they treat me with respect and dignity and help me with my order like putting the lid on my cup of coffee when I take it away to go drink it somewhere else.

All in all, this is my story about me being disadvantaged at university but in hindsight, I am not really disadvantaged. I have an advantage for I can educate people on what it’s like to be disabled and to show people who do not have a disability my ability to succeed at university and enjoy all the opportunities that university has to offer.

Jibraan El-Ahmad - Bankstown campus

3) If it’s a noisy environment and you really wish to talk to a person with a hearing impairment, suggest going to a quieter area so they can focus on what you are saying.

4) Be patient! Often at times when it has been very noisy, I have had a friend be kind enough to sit next to me and repeat what has been said just in case I have missed parts.

This also applies if you need to repeat something for someone. Don’t just palm it off and say don’t worry! A person wouldn’t ask for it to be repeated if they weren’t interested.

5) Keep in mind even with hearing aids a person may still have difficulties: Hearing aids do not compare with having a normal range of hearing. Often especially in noisy places they can make it even harder for a person to hear.

This is because they are picking up all the background noise and amplifying it as well.

BECK – honours environmental science |07

IMAGE: Ross Carnsew and thank you PIAC

SO, YOU COPPED A FINE. WHAT DO YOU DO NEXT? Student Legal Services provides legal advice to students. Solicitor Nina Lau explains why ignoring a fine is the worst thing to do. If you can’t pay, there are other avenues of redress.

drawn before the due date. If the Request is lodged after the due date of the penalty notice the SDRO WILL NOT CONSIDER your review request.

First steps

SDRO has guidelines as to what circumstances it will take into consideration for a review.

Do not to ignore the fine. In most circumstances you have 28 days to respond. Often if a fine is ignored it can get complicated and expensive!

The first step can be simply to pay the fine. If the fine is through the State Debt Recovery Office (SDRO) and you are struggling, you are able to seek part payments, requiring a minimum of $20. Full payment is to be made before the due date of the penalty reminder notice.

Wrong person If it is a traffic offence and you were not the driver when the offence was committed, you need to nominate another driver. This requires you to complete a Statutory Declaration before the due date of the penalty reminder notice, otherwise you may also be issued with a penalty notice for failing to nominate within the specific timeframe.

Once you have nominated another driver, a new penalty notice will be issued to them in their name.

Internal review If there are extenuating or special circumstances, then you may ask for an internal review of the fine. You will need to fill out the “Request Review of Penalty Notice” form and send it to SDRO with supporting documentation asking for the penalty notice to be with08|

Take it to court You may wish to take the matter to court by filling out a Court Election form. This must be done by the due date on the penatly reminder notice. However, if you have paid the fine (whether this be part or full payment), you can still elect to take the matter to court up to 90 days after you received the penalty notice.

Once the SDRO receives your Court Election form, a notice will be sent to you, informing you of the time and date on which you need to attend court.

It is important for you to obtain legal advice prior to this as the court can impose an amount that is higher than your penalty notice as well as court costs.

What happens if you do nothing?

A Penalty Reminder Notice will be issued by the SDRO allowing you another 28 days.

Should you ignore this penalty reminder notice, an enforcement order will be issued.

Enforcement Order An enforcement order will include an additional $65 fee on top of the fine. You will have 28 days to finalise the fine. Should you ignore this, the SDRO can take enforcement action.

Enforcement Action This may include suspending your licence or registration.

The SDRO is able to take civil enforcement for payment of the fine. Such actions may include a garnishee order, property seizure order, examination summons or a charge on land. If the fine still remains unpaid after civil action, you may be ordered to undertake community service. If the community service order is breached there is a possibility of gaol time.

Gaol time is a last resort and dependent on your circumstances.

The most important thing is not to ignore the fine or leave it until there are no options. It is a good idea to obtain legal advice.

Nina Lau - Solicitor, Student Legal Services Disclaimer: The information is general and should not be relied on as legal advice.

Should you require advice, contact Student Legal Services on 8688 7875 or email studentlegalservices@uws.edu.au

UWS Student Legal Service is a joint venture between Macquarie Legal Centre and UWS. The service is co-located at the UWS Parramatta Community Justice Clinic at Parramatta Local Court. Student Legal Services provides legal advice to currently enrolled UWS students through SSAF funds.

New job ?

How to protect yourself at work Yeah, sure it’s great making some extra money to party with on the weekends, or to buy that bag you really like or even to assist you in paying for university books.

Well, whatever you spend your money on, you want to be sure it is always coming in, yeah?

Follow my guidelines and I guarantee you’ll always have sweet cash rolling in and won’t be left cold unfairly by your employer…

that is not being addressed or you’re simply not being paid correctly. For anything at all, the union is there to help. In each workplace, there is usually a union delegate. Search around; you’ll find him or her. Ask to join and become a member and be a part of a community that supports each other.

P.S. You can also approach your union delegate on any issues you have in the workplace.

1. Learn your rights at work

3. Keep up to date with things going on in your industry

Check out fwc.gov.au. On this site you have access to laws and regulations that protect your rights in the workplace. For example, you can check if you are being paid correctly according to award rates.

Ask for your current Award and Enterprise Bargaining agreement (EBA). These documents contain all information that your employer must abide by. If breaches of these agreements occur, then it is important to contact external departments such as your relevant union or fair work.

When you sign your contract to start at a new job, make sure you read all of the fine print – even take it home to show your parentals, or someone you trust.

It is important to keep up to date with what is going on around you. For example, I’m sure many hospitality workers wouldn’t have been aware that the Abbott government is supporting calls to abolish penalty rates. Yep, you read that right. Watch the news, read the paper, talk to your colleagues and just keep up to date on everything that you need to know. It will help – trust me.

2. Find your union representative – and join your union

5. Never, ever, ever, ever sign

Trade unions have a long history of fighting for your rights in the workplace. Trade unions fought for an 8-hour working day, holiday pay, weekend rates and even sick pay. Trade unions are essential to any employment, even if it is just a weekend position to get you by.

Trade Unions can enter your workplace if you are a member and support you on any issues.

For example, you may have a safety concern

4. Support your work colleagues If there is an issue going on in your workplace that can potentially affect you, it is important that you support your colleagues in taking a stand.

This should have been number 1.

You know when you are getting counselled and disciplined for something really stupid by a really stupid manager ? DO NOT SIGN THE FORM. By signing the form you are simply agreeing that you agree with what you are getting into trouble for and it will be construed that way if it went to the Fair Work Commission.

6. Don’t be afraid Do not be afraid of that manager that keeps pestering you. Do not be afraid that if you speak up things can get worse. Why? Because the law protects you, and your employer has a obligation to take anything you speak up about seriously. Take the power into your own hands and rally up the troops to complain with you.

7. Money is money Money is money, money is money, money is money. If you lose that money you lose everything. Money is our livelihood, money means we can afford to go out on the weekends, we can afford anything we need (If we work hard enough). Sure, if you are in a job to support you whilst you study, you don’t want the hassle of trying to look for another one, right? So why bother risking losing everything you worked hard for? Money is money when it is coming in regularly.

8. Think about your resume If you get sacked for a stupid reason, it’s going to look stupid on your resume, FULL STOP. And think about the next job interview, trying to explain why you got sacked from the last job: AWKWARD !

9. Safety first I can’t stress enough how important safety in the workplace is. If you believe your workplace is unsafe, contact WorkCover straight away.

10. read the first nine tips over and over again.

Margaret Rutherford - Parramatta SCC |09

HOW VEGANS GAINED STREET CRED

CHOOSE THE LONELY BANANA

CAMPAIGN FOR A COMMUNITY GARDEN ON CAMPUS GROWS I have a proposal for a community garden at Bankstown campus, outside the library.

Marlene Carrasco and myself had the idea to grow a community garden at uni last year, but I’ve heard the uni and Capital Works haven’t approved it. The uni offered $2500, but this is not sufficient.

Vegans. A group we love to hate. But why, when the premise for their ideology is so awesome? So full of love for animals are vegans, they refuse to eat them. So cute they think a cow, they refuse to wear them. So noble do they find the bee, they omit honey from their tea. Ever been out to dinner with a vegan? It’s an utter nightare. But they’re patient. They’re cool.

Sure, you tend to find out someone is a vegan within 10 seconds of meeting them. They can be a tad preachy. But something is happening out there in Veganland. It’s getting cred. It’s getting notorious. It’s getting HARDCORE. Check out vegan food and recipe blog thugkitchen.com. It’s got more swear words than Django Unchained. They make roasting tomatoes sound so badass only Robert DeNiro circa 1978 is capable of performing the task.

Thug Kitchen challenges you to kick overprocessed meal-mediocrity in the bollocks, spit in it’s face, and shove organic fennel down it’s throat.

And while we’re on the subject of hardcore, enter Queens emcee Homeboy Sandman. His track Fat Belly substitutes the usual hip hop gaze of women for food. And good food.

“My motto is bravado and avocados. Whenever I’m not full of these I’m hollow” – GangstaVegan, Homeboy Sandman.

So the next time you’re at a Churasco with your vegan mate, think twice before rolling your eyes. Vegans are gathering momentum and they’re here to stay. And be badass. And stuff you full of quinoa quicker than you can say “meat is murder”.

BEC FOLEY – third year journalism

I am making a plea to the university to reconsider the idea.

Community gardens teach students how to plan and grow a garden. If they are stressed, gardening will lower their stress levels.

Everyone is stressed during exams and study.

Students can see how it’s done and we can teach people how to create similar gardens at home. It’s organic, so students can eat from it. After the harvest we will distribute to students. The Student Campus Council and volunteers would look after it as well as the uni gardener, who is already employed by uni.

It would also allow staff to enjoy eating fresh fruit.

That land is wasted – it’s sitting there idle.

We could be growing cucumber, parsley, tomato, zucchini, oregano, capsicum, beans, strawberries – the main things people eat and need.

I’m a keen home gardener and I can teach people. I’m going to my local council for support. Many councils now promote community gardens.

So, we call upon the uni and capital works to reconsider and push for a good project such as a community garden in order to show the students that we care to and to make sure there is no wasted space. We have enough buildings – we need more community gardens. We hope students can write to the uni asking it to allocate money for the project and for capital works to know that this is a worthwhile project.

For the past three months, my experience working in the fresh produce department has been an eye-opener. The amount of food thrown out is abhorrent. The store emphasises “freshness” and “quality”, which is great! But just because something may be 8/10 fresh, doesn’t mean it should be thrown into landfill. The food is still EDIBLE!! Reduce the price and someone will definitely buy it, plus you’ll also make some money out of it WIN WIN! It’s not only the store though, it’s the consumers too! For some reason everyone hates single bananas. There’s already plenty of bunches of three bananas, but no, they must get a bunch with 4 and pull one off. After an hour, you’re left with 50 single bananas.

And what do I have to do? Throw them out – throw out edible bananas !

As a result of my upbringing, it leaves me feeling uneasy, as I was taught to eat whatever was on your plate and to never waste good food. There are many alternatives here for the store to choose from: 1. Reduce the price of goods if they’re of inferior but edible quality.

2. Donate the food to organisations such as Oz Harvest that feed the poor and homeless.

It’s actions like these that make me outraged at society. There are numerous homeless people in Australia that can barely get a meal, yet here we are throwing out tonnes of edible food.

So next time you go shopping please think twice about your choices. Choose the poor lonely single bananas. The world will thank you for it later?

MARIA JUCHKOV

FOUAD ABI ESBER – Bankstown Student Campus Council and Study2Graduate |11

STUDENT REPS ACADEMIC SENATE REPS BRING LEARNING GUIDE FORWARD

PARRAMATTA CAMPUS COUNCIL THROWS UNI 25th

KITCHEN, WOMEN’S ROOM, QUEER SPACE, LOCKERS AND COMPUTERS

I’m Michael Robertson, final year Bachelor of Electrical Engineering student.

I’m Dean Walker, also in my final year of a Bachelor of Social Science degree.

Autumn semester 2014 opened with a bang with our O Week stall seeing many students come through and finding out what we do for them on campus. We are based out of EA G 35 on the Parramatta South campus and our role is looking after student issues, be they academic related or other campus issues like parking.

Hi there, fellow readers of the crUWSible. I’m Matthew Wallis, Vice Chair of the Parramatta Student Campus Council. I’m writing to let Parramatta students know about the facilities available on campus.

We are the two undergraduate members of Academic Senate, elected by undergraduate students last year.

The Academic Senate is the peak committee at the University which monitors academic standards and makes decisions regarding academic policy.

We have been quite active in the last twelve months representing you and have been able to bring about an important change to reduce anxiety at the start of each semester.

The Academic Senate recently passed a change which requires ALL learning guides to be made available from the first day of each semester. This is a win for students. In the past there have been consistent reports of students not having access to these essential documents, in some cases up to a couple weeks after the start of semester.

Next semester, if a learning guide for a unit has not been made available by 9am of the first day that university goes back, we urge you to contact your unit coordinator to rectify the problem immediately. In the off chance that the learning guide still has not been made available a day after contacting the coordinator, we urge you to email both your Director of Academic Program and Dean of the School with the subject “Violation of Unit Outline and Learning Guides Policy”.

Our plans going forward are to push for change even further, so that learning guides will be available 2 weeks before the start of semester. That way, you will know your assessment tasks before you start back.

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One long standing issue is installing a gym on the south campus. I attended a talk about campus issues a couple of years ago and spoke to Capital Works. What they came back with was that it was essentially not going to happen on the south campus, but when we acquire the land across the road (the disability housing and old Macquarie high school site), then we will have space to expand without concern for the heritage listing that exists on south. I’m occasionally dismayed by the lack of consultation by Capital Works when it comes to student needs.

On a gym there is also the other case of there being many gyms in and around Parramatta which most of us travel through to get to uni.

So for now, we have the outdoor equipment to tide us over until we graduate. The 2016 cohort are the ones who may see a gym become reality; we do after all need more than just a place for people to do bodybuilding.

March 29 saw the 25th anniversary celebrations on Parramatta campus, a big open day with stalls and activities concluding with a concert that night with some of Sydney’s top talent performing at the Female Orphan School. A good day was had by all and your campus council was involved in putting this event on. If you have any issues drop us a line via parramatta_scc@lists.uws.edu.au.

You can also find us running a food stall every Tuesday near the Boilerhouse.

ANDREW WALKER

First, the student kitchenette in the back of The Hub. Operated by the PSCC, is where you can make tea and coffee and heat up food in 1 of the 6 microwaves - or split it between the 6 if you like. It is now open 24 hours a day. If it is locked, ask security to unlock it for you.

We ask that you clean up after yourself and be mindful how much you take from the available supplies.

Second, we have the women’s space at EB.G.16. I have not been inside it personally but I hear on good authority that is has a comfy couch, a plethora of information pamphlets on an incredibly wide variety of women’s issues and free tampons etc for those emergencies. The Queer Space for the LGBTQ community has information pamphlets on a variety of issues and a bowl of condom packs which also have lube included. The one I just looked at expires in 2016 so the pressure is on !

Next are the new lockers. These have just recently been activated but have been there for some time. Beware that some cards don’t work properly. These lockers are available to all students for up to 24 hours, after which it will be emptied by security.

A final one: The EA general purpose computer labs are on EA lower ground floor, down the stairs near EA LG 18 lecture hall.

Many don’t know of their existence.

MATTHEW WALLIS - Vice Chair Parramatta SCC 16728367@student.uws.edu.au

CAMPBELLTOWN URGES YOU TO VOTE

NATIONAL UNION OF STUDENTS STATE BRANCH FORUM Last year I had the honour of joining a delegation of UWS students to the National Union of Students (NUS) annual conference at La Trobe University in Victoria. Our delegation comprised of myself, Helal Said, Greg Paltar and Adnan Alamedinne.

Each year the conference passes motions on a variety of topics relating to students such as ethnocultural affairs, women’s rights and student welfare. The conference was a great experience and generated some fruitful debate on the issues faced by students.

Students from all over Australia attended the conference and were involved in the policy discussions. NUS annual conference also elects office bearers, both national and state.

I had the privilege of being elected the NSW general-secretary at the conference.

My name is Zahraa Ahadzada and I am the Chair of the Campbelltown Campus Council. We’re comprised of students from various degree backgrounds who are keen on improving your time on campus. We are planning on treating you with awesome food events to assist your stomach in the trying times of exam study. So, if you’re as excited as we are then like us on Facebook, and keep your eyes peeled for posters around campus!

Also, a student kitchenette is conveniently located in 4.G.10A – right next to our council office! So, pop in and say hello! We work off your feedback, so any communication is always taken on board and really appreciated.

If you’re interested in being a part of the council, bi-elections are around the corner.

It would be amazing to have more committed students on our council dedicated to helping out fellow students. Attend our monthly meetings – our next is May 5.

TALAL SHAH - NSW general-secretary of NUS and final year law student Campbelltown campus.

My name is Helal Said. I am studying Bachelor of Arts and Masters in Primary School Teaching, majoring in psychology here at UWS. I have a passion for listening and helping people, and raising their voices, concerns and opinions.

I have been taught to be there for everyone and to follow my dreams and ambitions in life and not to listen to people who will drag me down.

My dream is to make great changes and to be the voice of the students. I want to accomplish big things in life so I can look back with a big smile.

I hope to see a nice, expanded food court upstairs in the café, to expand sporting facilities, to see students paying less for parking and to get more funding to benefit the students.

More importantly, a motion was passed at the annual conference for each state to hold it’s own state branch forum. This is a great initiative by NUS and it means students will have their voices heard. The NUS national office bearers and the NSW office bearers will all be present at the forum. The NSW state branch forum has been scheduled for the 3rd of May and all students are welcome to attend.

For further information on the state branch forum or to get involved with NUS, contact the NSW branch President via email at nswpresident@unistudent.com.au and don’t forget to like us on Facebook!

SRC PRESIDENT’S REPORT

STUDENT ELECTIONS MAY 5 - 9 ONLINE From May 5 to 9 you are encouraged to have a say on who will represent your interests on campus in the student elections.

Info will be sent to your student email on April 28 and the online ballot will open May 5, closing May 9.

Up for election are multiple positions across campuses plus a student editor role.

Visit uws.edu.au/studentvoice

I am currently elected as the first ethnic Muslim president of the SRC and Chair of Bankstown Student Campus Council.

My aim as president and chair for 2014 is to focus on student needs as these have been under-represented over the last couple of years.

I intend to focus efforts on a diverse range of areas to benefit all students, using my leadership and life skills to nurture students and by being there for them by providing the opportunity for lifelong learning. |13

SMOKING BAN ON CAMPUS: DO YOU AGREE? The ban on smoking anywhere at UWS began at the beginning of the year. Many agree with banning smoking in high traffic areas and cafes while some support designated smoking areas. KEVIN KORHONEN asked students at Campbelltown what they thought.

Kabir – Bachelor of Nursing

“I think it’s good there is a smoking ban on campus. It’s good for everyone – staff, students, visitors. I’m a non–smoker. It’s best there is no smoking zone at all so people are encouraged to stop smoking. If there is an area, then smokers can continue to smoke.

Even if someone has gone to a smoking area, when they come back there is still the stink of smoke.

Muku – Bachelor of Nursing

“Smokers should go to a smoking area away from people. Smokers should go far away. It’s not good for their health. The ban on campus is good.

Rinson – Bachelor of Nursing

“Some people have been smoking for years. If they don’t have a cigarette on time, they start behaving differently and it can affect their daily life. It can increase stress levels. The smoking area shouldn’t be close to campus, but after a time it should stop. It could be near the gate, somewhere where it can’t affect other people’s health. If they have to go far away, they may have a change of mind – they may stop smoking.

Giselle – Physiotherapy

“I don’t think everyone is aware there is a smoking ban on campus.

I still see people smoking and I don’t know if I should go up to them.

It’s fair if there is a smoking area; they choose to smoke and it’s ok for them to smoke in an area of their own.

Dinusha – Physiotherapy

“Everyone knows smoking is bad for health. The ban protects people from adverse health reactions such as asthma. You can’t control asthma and you don’t know how it is going to affect someone. I think a smoking area is fine. I wouldn’t be too concerned if there wasn’t one, but I do sympathise with them.

Ayushi – Physiotherapy

“It’s really good there is a ban – smoking is not good for people’s health. It is definitely amazing there is a ban. I would definitely support a smoking area that is away from cafes and main areas.

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Comments from crUWSible website and facebook on the smoking ban: While everyone generally agrees that smoking is bad for health and in that regard the smoking bans are a good thing, people still have disregard for the rules and smoke anyway. At the Parramatta campus people can be seen smoking right next to the No Smoking signs – brazenly flouting the rule. I think the issue is that there is no enforcement of the ban. So, until the ban is taken seriously, it remains good in premise but not in practice and realistically I don’t feel the positive implications of a smoking ban on campus at the present time.

Nicole I believe there should be an area for smokers, on campus. I think it can be psychologically stressful for people who feel the need to smoke, but they have to take such a hike for a quick cigarette break. People shouldn’t break the rules and smoke on campus, when it is now ‘smoke free’ but I do think it’s a little discriminatory that the university doesn’t cater for the needs of smokers, which do take up roughly 30% of Australia’s adult population.

Nathalie I don’t smoke, I think the ban is mostly good, but maybe there should be a little area for residents. People actually live here and it’s not just young people either; there are mature-age residents too who may have smoked all their lives. I like being able to breathe in clean air but it’s a little extreme.

Chloe Finch

TOTAL SMOKING BAN CUTS NO BREAK FOR SMOKERS UWS TAKES MATURE STANCE WITH TOTAL SMOKING BAN

Kevin Korhonen dreams of a campus where smokers can use designated smoking areas that don’t require a fifteen minute treck off campus.

I had a dream!! A dream of a university with ideals of true equality and respect for all students, staff and visitors that come to learn, teach and provide services. A university free from policies of inequality, segregation, persecution and exile. A university free from apartheid style treatment and tactics.

A university where fairness is actually demonstrated not just treated as a mere word.

However, on the 1st of January 2014 this dream of mine was shattered and ripped away from my reality as a student at UWS. It was the date on which the rights of students, staff and visitors were stripped from them by fascist ideals held by the university which demonstrated how easy it was to do so. It marked the day which I would not sit idly by and let this happen to my fellow students and staff and visitors of the university, the day I chose to STAND UP for our rights, the day I would dedicate myself to rising against this regime of oppression and unreasonable policies which affect all of us.

If you don’t know what happened on the 1st of January 2014, it was the day that the “smokefree campus policy” was implemented and the beginning of a new regime of inequality, segregation and persecution, the setting of a precedent that will allow the university to take away any freedom that we would think is ours. This could lead to the uni imposing such policies as wearing surgeon masks in flu season to avoid risk of contagion and banning chewing gum due to discovering chunks of it under desks, tables and on footpaths. * Inequality due to the treatment of smokers as 2nd class students, staff and visitors and sending them into exile placing us in disadvantaged positions (outside the campus) compared to our non-smoking comrades/ colleagues. * Segregation due to the enforced exile and loss of the feeling of belonging once felt by smokers, removing the ease of distance between having a smoke and attending lectures, tutorials and seminars. * Persecution due to the $550 fine for being caught smoking on campus grounds even if you are not in close proximity to non-smoking students and the risk of them inhaling second

hand smoke is non-existent. (Are they really that strapped for cash they are resorting to fining students??)

The university took a biased approach to the policy firstly by neglecting the impact it would have on smokers both by increased stress levels and lack of concentration due to being unable to satisfy their addiction. Secondly it avoided mutually beneficial approach that would remove the risk of second-hand smoke inhalation and disadvantaging students whom smoke. Finally by ignoring the resistance and non-compliance of the ridiculous policy by students choosing to smoke who now smoke anywhere on campus due to the unavailability of a suitable smoking area.

In summation of this article this quote from Sun Tzu seems relevant to the topic at hand in his epic The Art of War: “Soldiers when in desperate straits lose the sense of fear.

If there is no place of refuge, they will stand firm. If they are in hostile country, they will show a stubborn front. If there is no help for it, they will fight hard.” This is applicable to smokers on campus and is demonstrated by the resistance to the smoking policy with no fear of the $550 fine demonstrated by smokers in dire straits still smoking on campus, no refuge in the form of a suitable smoking area away from high traffic areas where the risk of second-hand hand smoke inhalation is nil and the hostility demonstrated

by UWS and the stubbornness in offering no help and in the fight manifested by the writing of this article.

Unfortunately, as much as I enjoy having my immediate surroundings and personal air bubble polluted by viciously destructive tobacco smoke, UWS has taken the mature stance on preventing such happenings. In my time on campus, there have been countless instances where I was made to hold my breath for way more than 30 seconds because a selfish smoker decided that exhalation of smoke required forcing it down onlooker’s lungs. If you decide that smoking is your direction in life, or a ‘harmless’ bad habit, then I sure as heck don’t want that smoke running down the inner chambers of my throat.

This decision to ban the smoking entirely from the face of UWS campuses is a result of various considerations – the policy wasn’t thought up over night. Australia has been a signatory of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control since 2003, and NSW is covered by specific legislation, the SmokeFree Environment Act 2000.

Looking at the dates of these documents, I would argue that the university didn’t act fast enough. But, it’s trending...just like all the hashtags in the cyberworld. Smoke free environments are trending! And, thank goodness for it!

Tobacco smoke, and the inhalation of the smoke by passive passersby, is a health risk that many cancer sufferers and emphysema patients are paying the price for. As Australians we need to stand up and recognise that health is a pertinent issue in all environments, specifically that of university.

We are all studying at university to try and build our futures, and a future free of blatant smokers is one that I envision – and I’m sure many of my fellow UWS colleagues envision as well!

ZAHRAA AHADZADA - Chair Campbelltown SCC

KEVIN KORHONEN

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TRAVEL

PHOTO: Ilana Dabakarov

EXCHANGE STUDENTS SWAP STORIES

MISHPATIM: NOT WHAT YOU’D EXPECT

To study overseas visit uws.edu.au/international/exchange_programs

INVESTIGATING ME: THE WHY AND HOW IN SYDNEY Me, I am just another girl next door but who would have imagined my moving out of my country let alone my room. But here I am in Sydney, Australia.

I know it’s no big deal, for students far younger than me have done and are still doing it. But I consider myself an exception for I am close to my family.

I was happy back home, had a master’s degree and a job as a doctor.But why move and read again? That is what I am investigating.

One thing I can surely say, is my loving, caring and of course, not to mention, handsome brother was behind this. So there I was sitting in a study abroad consultancy hoping they would turn me down as two other consultancies did. But one of the consultants gave that glint of hope my brother was looking for.

I enrolled in for I thought I had enrolled in Masters in Public Health Dentistry but actually I was in Masters in Public Health. I didn’t even know that this university had so many campuses and I had to know which one I was going to but I didn’t bother for a long time.

I mailed around 50 people regarding the accommodation. Only one replied and I was happy that I got a place to live in, but it didn’t occur to me to know how far it was from the university and other things.

At last I got into the plane without shedding any more tears. I thought once I get into the plane I might breakdown like I usually do when I was in the bus going to the next city from home to study. But I didn’t and I still wonder why. Is it because I am brave enough or am I a coward to let go off my emotions?

Sanghamitra Valicharla Venkata

One of my cousins, younger to me was getting married and that really bothered my parents and in turn me. However I was/ am not ready for marriage for I have some other theories in my mind regarding that. In order to buy some time I asked my brother for help and that’s a total mistake. He gave me one solution and that was to leave the country. I know it is the last reason to move from the country and all the people you love.

So it took four months for the applications, getting all the certificates, transcripts, experience. Except for the name of the university I knew nothing not even the course

To read Sanghamitra’s full story visit crUWSible.com.au

In January 2014 I went to Israel to do a short intensive course on Israeli Law and its interactions with International Law called Mishpatim for short (Mishpatim means ‘Law’ in Hebrew).

When I first arrived in Israel, I was quite nervous; all I had was myself, my baggage and my Hebrew phrase book to navigate the country with.

The amount of English spoken in Israel is quite astounding. Almost everyone I had an interaction with in Tel-Aviv spoke English (even the supermarket check-out chicks!) and in Jerusalem if you closed your eyes and walked down Ben-Yehuda Street you’d swear you were in Downtown Brooklyn.

My first tour was probably my best one. Our tour guide Enrique (a Colombian Jew who migrated to Israel with his parents when he was 9 and grew up on a Kibbutz – look it up) told us that we were the ‘Hero Tourists’ as we were the ones who refused to believe the media and came to see all Israel had to offer.

The stuff you see on TV is what happens when tensions boil over, it is not everyday life and it certainly doesn’t happen at any second.

I’ve been to over half the continents in the world and the only thing that comes close to a likeness of Israel is Southern Europe, and even that is a stretch. The architecture, the life style, the peoples’ demeanour, their customs, they all have elements that you recognise from somewhere else, but yet there’s a twist, it doesn’t quite click with what you remember, its familiar, but it’s not; it’s Israeli.

It is interesting that all three major monotheistic religions have at least some history in Israel, if not their roots.

While the culture is based on the Jewish identity of the state, the country as a whole is working hard to form a new culture and tradition, which, while still based on their Jewish identity, will be different, it will be Israeli.

Marco Tomasello To study in Israel: studynsw@austfhu.org.au Read the full story at crUWSible.com.au

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ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME CHINA TRIP

Going on exchange to China was one of the greatest and essentially bravest decisions I’ve ever made. The idea of living far from home, away from my family and friends and everything familiar, was at first daunting. But now, four months upon my arrival, I am glad I packed the courage up and took off on the 26th of August 2013.

China is a place that words cannot describe.

The cultural vibrancy and the community is something inexpressible. The sense of friendship and family is highly regarded within the Chinese society, a relationship that I was fortunate to be invited into, and experience.

I stayed and studied at Shanghai, China’s international province, and everyday was astounded by the new places and events that took place. The city was during the day a place where history meets modernity, as one side boasted the old and refurbished buildings on the Bund, that spoke of China’s long history and international connection. And at night, the city turned into a street long festival and lights beckoned from every tower and skyscraper.

During my time there I studied at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, and learnt about China’s Law and Society and attempted language studies, which eventually came in handy as I had no Chinese skills when I first arrived.

I was fortunate to be selected for the William Chiu Scholarship and was determined to make the most of a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The feelings of home sickness, the moments where I felt alone, all contributed to the excitement, thrill and happiness, the reflection and self-evaluation, in an environment so foreign yet so engaging.

Silvana Moussa

ONLY TRAVEL MAKES YOU RICHER

The last year has been a big year for me.

It was a year that saw me trekking across deserts in America and the Middle East and swimming with the fishes in Mexico and Turkey. It was a year wherein I sailed the Greek islands and I climbed the highest mountain in Europe. I explored jungles, both concrete and natural, and I ate, drank, laughed, loved and explored my way across three continents and 32 countries. It was the year that I literally went around the world.

There is an old, oft-repeated expression that says; “Take nothing but photographs and leave nothing but footprints”. I have thousands of photos to serve as mementoes of my trip but I took so much more than that. I gained independence, I gained perspective, I gained a god-ugly wooden statue of a monkey that I love and I gained memories that I will never forget and friends I will have forever.

This time last year I was working 50 hours a week at a job I hated, I was recently single and I was not enjoying my university work at all. One day it occurred to me to throw in the towel, leave everything behind and see the world and it was honestly the greatest decision I have ever made. I may have been two decades old with a full beard when I left Australia but I left as a boy and I like to think I came back a man.

I was once practically forced into a Turkish family’s house to join them for their dinner on a religious holiday. I spoke no Turkish and they spoke virtually no English but somehow we understood each other in a way that transcended simple language. Another time I found myself in extreme pain in a Mexican hospital but found comfort in the nursing staff that spoke only half a dozen words of English between them. I can’t help but feel that, as a nation, we might not be so afraid of asylum seekers if we were all a little more welltravelled.

FUN BEYOND YOUR COMFORT ZONE

The original reason for me applying for student exchange was a rebellious whim after fighting with my dad. Once the forms were submitted and I started googling ‘London in winter’ and ‘best places to eat in London’ I was starting to get excited.

My best friend Joanne and I decided to do a 6-week trip before settling into our university. First stop was London, then Rome, Greece, Romania, Hungary, Poland, Berlin, Amsterdam with last stop Brussels.

Two highlights would be meeting Skrillex in Amsterdam and being, let’s just say, impolite. The second would be the pita that I continuously ate in Budapest. Two lowlights would be getting devoured by bed bugs in Rome, and getting stranded in the south of Poland, the lesson being always check when the last bus leaves!

In England it is the norm for a youngster to pack their bags and move to live on campus, regardless if the uni is only half-an-hour away. The style of teaching is much more open. It is an atmosphere of it ‘make what you will of it’. No teacher will push a student, but the second you show a slight sliver of interest, that’s it ; you have to get the best mark in the world!

Living by myself whilst on exchange taught me to be independent, organized and selfsustaining.

You learn so much about yourself when you’re out of your element which is why, if anyone asks about exchange, travel or general wanderings, my first response is that the best fun you can ever have is outside of your comfort zone!

Lauren Hitchen For the full story visit crUWSible.com.au

Alex Betcher - Arts/Law at Campbelltown This is an extract. For the full story visit crUWSible.com.au

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GO YOUR OWN WAY, UWS SBS producer and reporter at The Feed, Jeanette Francis, spoke at the launch of the crUWSIble in December. She urged budding journalists to take a new direction.

STAFF PROFILE CHANCELLOR PETER SHERGOLD Our Chancellor loves the risk-takers amongst us and admits to light fingers when it comes to pens.

Kellogg is hard to beat. He devised a diet to Having come from the UK, and being the Chancellor of an Australian university, do you reduce sexual stimulation which included the intake of pints of yogurt, half of which was celebrate or lament the Ashes scorecard? eaten and half of which was administered by enema. He thought this ensured squeaky Like many migrants who have chosen this wonderful country as home, it gives me a quiet clean intestines. Then, when things couldn’t sense of satisfaction when the Aussies defeat get much weirder, he invented Corn Flakes! the Poms. Of course, when England play any nation other than Australia my feelings are very different!

What do you do on your days off?

For competitive relaxation I enjoy tennis and downhill skiing. However on Sunday mornings I’ll often sit quietly and write speeches, articles or blogs: for me writing is as intellectually challenging and enjoyable as some people find crosswords or Sudoku.

You’ve had your fair share of pens, what’s been your favourite?

As an absent-minded professor I regularly lose personal items. For that reason my favourite pen is usually borrowed from someone else.

What do you like promoting about UWS to other university Chancellors?

I love the commitment of UWS to being an open university. That is a social mission that makes us distinct from other academic institutions. Of course, when I am with Chancellors of the older ‘sandstone’ Believe it or not I enjoyed the company of all of the Ministers and Prime Ministers I served, universities I am keen to emphasise that we have the oldest sandstone (and convict brick) no matter where they sat on the political of any campus in Australia – the Female spectrum.

Orphan School at Parramatta which, built in Who is the craziest person in history who has 1813, is the oldest three storey building in Australia. inspired you?

Who was the most annoying politician in cabinet?

I greatly admire people in history who took risks – intellectual, physical or entrepreneurial – in order to create a better society. For sheer ‘craziness’ John Harvey

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It’s so crucial that we have a student newspaper coming out of the University of Western Sydney. The more established universities have some fairly important student papers that I may or may not have stolen story ideas from.

I think you’ve got the perfect opportunity and the perfect scope to do that at this university.

You’ve got a clean slate right now and what you put out there can be anything and everything that you want it to be.

You’re operating in a very unique media landscape in that it’s constantly changing.

This is the best news you’ll hear all day because you’re all in a space where you can actually be at the forefront of that change. You can actually drive it. You’ve got an idea, you’ve got a camera, you’ve got your talent, you’ve got two hands and a keyboard. Make it happen.

If I can give you one piece of advice it’s – don’t think of this as a newspaper – think of it as one medium – just one way – to tell your stories; just one in a myriad of different ways to represent, portray and disseminate the interests of the students at this university.

With audience comes influence and with influence, as I’m sure you probably know, comes responsibility. The age of online is not without it’s challenges for journalists – budding or otherwise. A fragmented media landscape means there’s far more competition for audiences.

Make it happen.

GET HEALTHY

SEXUAL HEALTH CLINIC

Trying to adopt a healthier lifestyle? The Get Healthy Information and Coaching Service offers free info and health coaching to help achieve your goals in relation to healthy eating, physical activity and lifestyle. It’s a free, confidential phone-based coaching service by health professionals. You can opt to receive information and/or coaching from the Get Healthy Coaching Service.

Visit uws.edu.au/gethealthy

Ever have unprotected sex? Get tested, it’s easy.

Many Sexually Transmitted Infections have no obvious symptoms. Sexual Health Clinics at Nepean Hospital in Kingswood and Blue Mountains Hospital in Katoomba offer FREE confidential testing and treatment. The Nepean Hospital Clinic also offers the ‘Men Out West’ Clinic with HIV testing in 10minutes. No Medicare card needed.

Visit nbmlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/Sexual-Health or phone Nepean Sexual Health Clinic 4734 2507 or the Katoomba Sexual Health Clinic 4784 6550.

Study and Life Skills

Family Planning NSW

Mates@UWS

These free workshops include academic writing workshops, library roving, maths, dealing with exam stress, mastering your memory, time management, planning, getting motivated, strategies for stress-free presentations.

Email mesh@uws.edu.au for maths workshops, hall@uws.edu.au for academic literacy workshops and counselling@uws.edu.au for life skills workshops

Reproductive and sexual health experts on contraception, pregnancy options, STIs, sexuality and sexual function, menstruation, menopause, common gynaecological and vaginal problems, cervical screening, breast awareness and men’s health. Clinics in Ashfield, Fairfield, Penrith targeted to marginalised communities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, refugees, people with disability, young people and same sex attracted people.

Visit fpnsw.org.au or call 1300 658 886

Did you find starting Uni hard? MATES@UWS is looking for volunteer mentors for Autumn 2014 to help new students settle in and make their first session at UWS a positive one.

Being a ‘Mate’ not only gives you the opportunity to help new students with their transition but allows you to meet other students, connect with UWS staff, receive free goodies and most importantly, have lots of fun along the way.

Visit uws.edu.au/mates

Students’ Rights Advocate

Indigenous Australian Students

Student Legal Service

Student Representation and Participation offer this free service to help you with study-related issues such as academic and non-academic misconduct, review of grades, special consideration, exclusions and appeals, higher degree research supervision issues, decisions made by uni staff as well as help raising complaints with the university.

Visit uws.edu/advocacy, call 9772 6136 or email advocate@uws.edu.au

Badanami Centre provides support and encouragement for every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student enrolled at the University. Students can drop in to Badanami anytime to study or relax Badanami can put you in touch with a range of services across campuses, from study skills courses, careers advice, counselling and medical assistance all the way through to opportunities to study abroad 1800 032 923 or email badanami@uws.edu.au

A legal advice and referral service for current students with advice provided by practicing solicitors from Macquarie Legal Centre. The service is co-located at the UWS Parramatta Community Justice Clinic in Parramatta Local Court. Areas of law include tenancy, debt/credit issues,minor crimes,consumer rights,motor vehicle accidents, traffic offences, employment law.

Visit uws.edu.au/studentlegalservices, call 8688 7875 or email studentlegalservices@uws.edu.au

Student Welfare Service

PASS: Peer-Assisted Study Sessions

Disability Service

Sometimes you might need assistance from other services, such as a counsellor or a government agency. UWS welfare officers can help you with information and advice about the right services to talk to in relation to accommodation, financial assistance including food vouchers Centrelink support, tax help, textbook vouchers, sexual health, bullying, advocacy on misconduct, review of grades and special consideration and budget meals.

Email welfareservice@uws.edu.au

In PASS you work with other students to understand the content of your units and develop study strategies to help improve your academic performance. Each PASS group is run by a student facilitator who has studied the unit previously. PASS is free and voluntary.

Regular attendance of PASS will help improve your grades and make study more rewarding.

Visit uws.edu.au/pass

The Disability Service is a team of professionals to assist students with all types of disabilities including chronic illness, mental health conditions and learning disabilities by providing reasonable adjustments. Reasonable adjustments, such as exam provisions, are steps taken to ensure all students have equal access to university. A previous student said: “Every disability is different, but registering with the service made uni much less stressful, especially around exam time or when I became unwell” Visit uws.edu.au/disability, call 9852 5199 or email disability@uws.edu.au

Careers

Chaplaincy

Counselling Service

SERVICES DIRECTORY

With CareerHub you may search for jobs, internships, work experience, overseas positions, book in to career expos and access career information and resume advice all in one place.

This free service is available to all UWS students and recent graduates. Register with your current MyUWS Account.

Email careerhub.uws.edu.au

The chaplaincy team offers a caring presence to all staff and students at UWS; encouraging spirituality, offering hospitality and creating community.

We do this by embracing our diversity, encouraging conversation and respecting our similarities and differences. Chaplains come from a variety of spiritual traditions.

Email chaplaincy@uws.edu.au

A team of qualified social workers and psychologists to help you with any issues affecting your study. If you’re not sure that university is for you, a counsellor may be able to offer advice and support or help you improve your study skills.

Counselling is free, confidentail and can be carried out as e counselling if preferred.

9852 5199 or email counselling@uws.edu.au

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UWS COLLEGE FOUNDATION TO SUCCESS

MENTORS NEEDED FOR PATHWAY TO DREAMING Mentor TINA DOMM found working with Indigenous school kids the best education of all Education is key to equality, yet educational inequality remains a significant issue for Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, our first Australians. While there has been work towards redressing these issues, we still need to take action as a community.

UWS created the Pathways To Dreaming Mentoring Program with Ambarvale and Leumeah High Schools in 2009 and it now includes 22 schools.

Year 8 - 12 students are mentored by UWS students and alumni, and participate in academic and cultural enrichment workshops on-campus such as mock trials and creative writing.

As a mentor for Holsworthy I gained invaluable awareness of Indigenous culture and the barriers that Indigenous students face. The program is designed to build educational aspirations, skills and confidence. I realised that mentoring doesn’t just focus on educational goals but on having fun and building trust and confidence. It’s definitely a rewarding experience. You’ll help students realise their potential and make informed decisions.

The students at each school implement a project that benefits their school or community, such as planting an Indigenous garden, designing jerseys, Indigenous art works, an excursion to the Zoo, learning about native animals and their significance in the Dreamtime stories and cultural days at the high school.

We need more mentors.

Contact Anne McLean, a.mclean@uws. edu.au, or Kristy Bell, kirsty.bell@uws. edu.au.

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UWS SUMMER SCHOOL POSITIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCE While many Australians travelled or relaxed on a sun-drenched beach over Summer, around 6,000 students were busy fast tracking or catching up on their studies during the first full UWS Summer.

This represents one in five of the undergraduate and postgraduate student population eligible to study in UWS Summer, demonstrating a clear appetite for more flexible study options at UWS. The Summer team has gathered feedback and for 75 percent of students, it was “a good opportunity to get more out of your degree and get it done quicker”. Others used the opportunity to repeat missed or failed units from the Autumn or Spring semesters.

More than 70 percent of students rated UWS Summer as a positive learning experience and 85 percent were likely or very likely to recommend Summer as a study option to their family and friends.

Students also commented that UWS Summer was “an awesome place to gain new friends”, they “found it way more interesting and engaging” than a normal semester, and said it was especially useful for “those who have to work as well as study”.

In coming months, students will hear a lot more about the next UWS Summer program, which will take into account the full evaluation and suggestions for improvement.

Contact UWSSummer@uws.edu.au

Two new UWSCollege facilities in Bankstown and Lithgow opened in March and are leading the way with pathways to university study, offering foundation and diploma programs.

More than 3700 students would not have been admitted to UWS without UWSCollege.

Students entering their second year at UWS from UWSCollege generally perform better, Dean Dr Kerry Hudson said. crUWSible spoke with UWSCollege graduate DALIA DAVIDSON

What subjects did you study?

The Diploma in Science.

How did you hear about UWS College?

On the internet. I was informed that after completion of the Diploma it would be direct entry into the university and all my subjects would grant me advanced standing; thus it was second year into bachelor of medical science degree What support do you get from teachers?

Lecturers were incredibly helpful and passionate about what they do. Karen Bertinshaw, Virginia Shepherd, Wendy Tooma, Janice Pethrick, and all the other beautiful lecturers taught me so much.

Not only did they make everyday a pleasure but they helped me through hard times when I became unwell.

What are you studying now?

I am in my final year of Bachelor in Medical Science at the university Do you have any tips for people thinking of going to UWSCollege?

The college was the best way to get back into studying after so long. University is a challenge so if I didn’t come from the College I probably wouldn’t be achieving what I am. The small classes helped put into perspective what to expect on a larger scale.

ABORTION AN ISSUE FOR UNI, HIGH SCHOOL AND EVERYWHERE ELSE

LETTERS

Abortion is an issue that must be addressed in all institutions that have young people. In high school I had an abortion. I wasn’t forced to have one and the clinic I had chosen even tried to talk me out of it. I was offered counselling there and then as well as for the future. I found myself comforted and well looked after.

I left feeling a bit dizzy but also calm and relaxed. I knew I had made the right choice.

It is not something evil. It took me a long time to be comfortable with the idea that I am not a monster. I have seen enough pro-life protests and propaganda to cloud my understanding of the importance of bearing a child. My only argument to them is who are they to tell me what I should be doing? For they who know nothing of my situation to go on to suggest that this life was in some way sacred, blurs the mind with powerful phrasing. I considered both the well-being of my child and myself. I was seventeen; the life me and my child would go on to face would be one of poverty and desperation. I wouldn’t be able to support my child nor study for my future. I am glad there is this option for women, because what some pro-life people like to forget is that there is more to come after the baby is born. For me having the abortion was about the ‘more’ and the ‘after’. That would have been something I would not have been able to handle.

We need to step back and consider abortion as a unique circumstance for each woman and young girl. We cannot generalise about these kinds of topics because the situations they arise from are not universal. Each woman has her own reasoning. With the assistance of in-clinic counselling these women have the opportunity to hash out the finer details before they sit for the surgery. Do we not trust women to make these choices? What is pro-life’s plans for assisting all those women who now have children and must support them? What is the end goal for arguing against abortions?

Where do the children (not babies) fit into their argument? What kind of emotional support would they give to un-wanting mothers?

It is not nice to talk about the lives of babies being taken away. But we must, because the lives of those children if they had been born would be immensely worse. I can only imagine what would have happened to me.

VEGANS FIND GOODNESS IN MULTIPLE WAYS IMAGE: Kate Saint George

GAY MARRIAGE IS ALSO ABOUT COMMITMENT If marriage has just to do with society, assets and children then why should so many lovers think of marrying ?

Marriage according to many, and I do believe so, is a way of saying that I am commited to you and you are the only one I would like to spend my life with, no matter what.

Of course I understand that children will find it difficult to have two moms or two dads, but if you are raised in such a family from a very young age I don’t think they would find it difficult.

SANGHAMITRA

VOTE WITH YOUR FEET ON GAY MARRIAGE The arguments in favour of preventing gay marriage, and ultimately preventing further abolishment of discrimination based on sexual orientation, are weak.

If you don’t support gay marriage, don’t marry a gay person.

CATHY

Vegans are cool. In Sydney there are quite a number of us, with Sydney vegans facebook group hosting close to 1,500 members. Being a vegan girl in a non-vegan world is not always easy, however it is rewarding and very healthy.

I think veganism is a very personal thing for each individual. For myself I am vegan and it’s not because I love animals so much. In fact for me, it’s more about wanting to opt out of harmful corporate industries, enviro damage and using animals as a commodities.

Some people chain themselves to trees, others will only buy clothes that are ethical fair trade. For me, it’s veganism. So next time you meet a vegan, just remember that in some way or another most of us vegans and non-vegans are just trying to add to the pool of ‘goodness’ in the world, we each have our own way of going about it.

Have a great day!

ALANNA

UNI GARDEN ON THE CHEAP $2500 is quite geneous for a community garden. Before uni I was a horticulturist. It is possible to establish a community garden.

Use recyclable materials, don’t buy plants to replace old ones; let them save the seeds.

MARK

* write to crUWSible@uws.edu.au * comment at crUWSible.com.au * facebook/cruwsible

E

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CLUBS

TALKING BACK: DEBATING RETURNS

By Robert Barrie, UWS Debating President UWS Debating hit the ground running in 2014 and we have a lot to cover, so let’s get to it!

World Championships

Over the New Year period we attended the World University Debating Championships in Chennai India. Congratulations to our team Thomas Morgan and Robert Barrie, and our adjudicator, Winnie Jobanputra, who exceeded all expectations and did us proud! In addition to debating, our contingent were also able to travel extensively, visiting the Taj Mahal, Goa, the Agra Fort and much more!

You’re a Debater Harry

JOIN AND BE HAPPY: GENSHIKEN Let me tell you a super-secret special awesome tip to improve your health at UWS. You ready? Are you sure? Ok… Social clubs !

Now I hope this hasn’t shattered the fabric of your world. Social groups are great for one’s health for the simple reason that we as a species work together in packs. The lone human dies and no one wants to be alone.

Especially you.

But I’m here to help. You see over at Genshiken we have become a lovely group of people with a passion for anime and pop culture. We meet every week to discuss our love for it and bask in its glory. It’s great to meet people of the same interest, and create new friends/enemies.

Genshiken isn’t the only social club at UWS, though it’s the only one that really matters - there are other social clubs, such as the SFC and CWB for Christians, the sports teams such as handball and even muggle quiddich, cultural clubs such as Muslim Society and Greek club.

Being with people that share you passion helps to lift your spirits, and having a positive outlook on life will, believe it or not, help your health. Happy people live longer. Having friends helps you to get happy, and to get more friends easily means joining university social clubs.

Daniel Elliot - GenshikenUWS, Bankstown

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Back in Australia, we headed up to Brisbane in January to compete in the Tri-Wizard Debating Tournament- a three day Harry Potter themed tournament where all motions were set in the Harry Potter universe. Narrowly missing out on the finals, but smashing 3rd place at trivia, a magical time was had by all.

Commonwealth Champions!

A mixed UWS and USyd team of Robert Barrie, Thomas Morgan and Harry Stratton won the Commonwealth Debating Championships hosted by Macquarie University in February!

This was the first ever tournament victory by a UWS team and congratulations to them for their fantastic achievement!

Campbelltown named Campus of Origin Champions

As part of the 25th Anniversary of UWS, UWS Debating in partnership with the uni organised a Campus of Origin Debate between Campbelltown and Parramatta. Thanks to the generous support of the Chancellor, Professor Peter Shergold, our campuses competed for the Chancellor’s Debate Cup, with Campbelltown claiming victory in a close battle on the topic “that employers should be allowed to discriminate based on lifestyle choices when hiring.” Scott Worthington of Parramatta was named best speaker!

Congratulations to both teams: • Campbelltown: Luke Lau, Chris Kocx and Robert Barrie • Parramatta: Riskarella, Andrew Olivares and Scott Worthington.

A big thanks as well to our judging panel:

Peter Shergold, Eric Sidoti, Jo Quinn, Elizabeth Sanchez and Winnie Jobanputra.

UWS Open Returns!

On March 29 Campbelltown played host to 18 teams of debaters from universities across NSW, the ACT and Melbourne for our annual debating tournament, the UWS Open. Congratulations to Harry Stratton from Sydney, who was named best speaker, and to Harry, Dhanya Mani and Daniel Dummer (the latter two of Macquarie University) who were named overall champions. This event was almost twice as big as last year and a huge thank you to everyone involved!

Australian Championships

The Australian Championships will be held in Melbourne this year and we are very excited to announce our teams for the event: • UWS 1: Robert Barrie (contingent captain), Tiana Podinic, Andrew Olivares • UWS 2: Priya Goyal, Jodie Roderiguez, Scott Worthington • UWS 3: Thomas Morgan, Holly Pitt, Winnie Jobanputra • Adjudicators: Judith Mogi, Riskarella Good luck to our contingent! We know you will do us proud!

This sounds so amazing, how do I join?

Easy! Just come to our meetings! * Campbelltown, 5pm, Monday, weekly, 4.G.21 * Parramatta, 5pm, Thursdays, weekly EA.1.02 * Penrith, 5pm, Wednesdays, fortnightly (even weeks), Kingswood Library.

To stay up to date with us, make sure you like us on facebook and follow us on twitter! If you have any questions, shoot us an email! uwsdebating@gmail.com facebook.com/uwsdebating @UWS_Debating

WHAT THE QUAFL?

CLUBS

Fancy running around with a broomstick between your legs? NATE DAINES explains…

What is Quafl ?

What are the rules?

Why is Quidditch so popular?

Are most players Harry Potter aficionados?

Teams from all around Australia came to compete in Quafl, which is basically a national game event. The third annual National Championships of the Australian Quidditch Association, was held at UWS Parramatta campus in November, December last year.

It’s different. Can you imagine bringing a game from a novel and movie involving magic? The weirdness caught people’s eyes. You see people running around with broom sticks between their legs. People remember it. It’s massive in the United States. They have around 3000 registered members and something like 42 teams. It’s pretty big around the globe. The Australian Quidditch Association is currently compiling an Australian team to go overseas in June to compete in the world games. It will be the first world games Australia has attended.

You have one seeker, two beaters and three chasers. The game ends when the seeker gets the snitch – a ball velcroed to someone’s pants. You are basically grabbing a ball sac.

That sounds wrong. His or her.

Most people. I can’t say I am the most, but the UWS team has become more about the competition than the whole story behind it.

Can anyone play?

Quidditch appeals to men and women because it’s a unisex sport and you must have at least two of each gender on the field at any time.

UWS has had a club for two years. It’s pretty active. There is a tournament every weekend or two. In June there’s mudbash – everyone goes to Melbourne for games.

GET OFF YOUR ASANA Please allow me to introduce my passion to you!

Yoga!

My name is Bek Ray and I run the UWS Yoga Club. Welcome!

Regular yoga increases circulation, flexibility, concentration, metabolic functions, deep breathing, relaxation, and a general sense of wellbeing. It’s the perfect thing for students on the go!

The UWS Yoga Club provides the opportunity to practice Yoga together in a relaxed friendly environment on a weekly basis.

We are proud and excited to announce that we will be commencing an additional yoga class this year. Women’s only! This will be conducted in a safe, secure, and private location.

In addition to this, we like to host events that people can become proactively involved in.

Last year, we hosted a yoga drawing class where three lovely models did yoga poses for us while we got to draw them.

The perfect way to spend the evening! Yoga, drawing, bubbly, and nibbles.

This year we are going to host sunset yoga on Thirroul beach (near Wollongong).

Yoga Assassins! We want you!

Want to get involved, meet more people, have some more fun?

The Yoga Club is looking for 6 Yoga Assassins to help out with classes, promotions, and events. Benefits include private yoga training, direct input into events and team building yoga.

Visit Facebook page UWS Yoga Club

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FICTION For more short stories, crUWSible.com.au

ALICE’S VENGEANCE

by Andrew Walker

Women belong in the kitchen and in the home and should know their place.

What a ridiculous statement without any real reason behind it ! Some of the most capable people I‘ve known have been women. There was one lady I knew who kept hearing it so much from her husband, that she had taken it literally as it was never delivered as less than a serious statement.

The day was like any other. Alice was cleaning the house as she did everyday, even to the point of sharpening the knives in the kitchen. The day was uneventful like any other and she didn’t get a chance to read a newspaper until after her husband Dallas got home from work. He was a tall, bald man with a sizable build – the sort that could punch a hole through a fibro wall without thinking and who was prone to a bad temper.

That night after dinner she was looking at the job pages in the Daily Telegraph which Dallas had brought home, as she felt it was time she went back into the workforce. This didn’t sit well with Dallas as he had said to her many times: “Women belong in the kitchen and at home. You should know by now that is your place”. He said it again as she started circling jobs in the paper. This time something was wrong; normally she just accepted what he said as there was no point arguing and he’d belt her when she did.

“I’m sorry dear what did you say I didn’t quite hear you?” she said as she turned on the voice recording software on her Smartphone.

“I said why are you looking for work when you belong at home looking after the house and cooking the meals? Don’t I provide enough for you?” Dallas repeated.

“Why? That really is a dumb question isn’t it? I want to work, I want to get out and socialise with other people rather than spend all my time housebound.

Though you wouldn’t understand it at all, given you go out drinking with the boys whenever you get a chance.”

“I would prefer you didn’t. It just isn’t right,” he replied as he rose from his chair heading into where she was sitting at the dining table.

“You’re a Neanderthal Dallas and stuck in the early 20th Century! There is no reason why I shouldn’t work,” Alice replied as she got up and backed into the kitchen towards the knife block....

CONTINUED AT crUWSible.com.au

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UWS OFFSHORE PART II

by Jesse Tran

In the first instalment, UWS students from a dystopian future are trapped on a sinister tertiary education barge floating out to sea.

I stepped inside the black hut. The environment looked as real as a computer game and I focused at the ground - is that blood? The sky was blue with the smell of coal, and in front of me rushed the hooting sound of a train. I screamed as the train was about to collide into me.

“Jessica!” B knocked me off the railway. “That was close!”

“What happened?” I panicked.

“There’s someone I want you to meet. This is Rachel.”

Rachel, next to B, helped me up. “Did you notice how Kristian suddenly told us to enter this 4D box?

I think someone is tracking us, and depending if you’re in the university’s good book, you’re closer to death than you think.”

“Huh?” Rachel’s face turned serious. “These stimulations inside this 4D box are traps disguised as drills.

Were you expecting we’ll be here to train, and not be hit by a train?”

The idea of being wanted scraped a shiver up my spine. “But there’s no way they can track me if they don’t know my name, right?”

“Don’t be foolish, Jessica. My family got paid $10 a day to build this ship so I know more than you.

Mr Robinson isn’t dumb, but there’s no reason to be scared. I have a plan and if we stick together, we can rebel… unless one of us is already being specially targeted.”

“Look, the sky is changing!” B interrupted.

Surely, the environment disappeared and I was magically inside the train. I heard breaking glass and watched a piece of metal from the ceiling peel from its bearing and collapse onto B. I screamed. It knocked her to the ground and scraped opened her throat, pouring out out an endless stream of blood.

The entire train was coming loose.

“B!” I screamed.

Rachel grabbed me. “Run!” “But B! She needs medical attention!”

“There’s no time! She’s gone!”

I gave one last look at the inert figure of B. “Don’t worry,” I whispered. “I’ll tell your family you died in peace. I’ll lie if I must.”

Rachel pushed me under chairs and kicked away falling debris. Explosions punctured my ears. Was there anyone else inside this simulation? When I opened my eyes, Mitchy was in front of a glowing radiator.

“Mitchy!” I shuddered. “That thing is about to blow!”

I sprung free from Rachel and pinned Mitchy to the ground as the radiator exploded, taking furniture up from their fixtures.

I squealed when one of them smacked Rachel into the chest and she was taken to the ground, her eyes frozen on me. Her face shook before my world turned into darkness.

“Who was that boy you saved?” Rachel asked me on

the floor beside me, her face mottled with dirt.

“That’s Mitchy.” I smiled, ignoring the painful weight on my back. “Is he here?”

“No.” Rachel coughed. “There are things about him that you ought to know. The boy you thought was in love with you – he already has a boyfriend.

His name is Clem. They’ve been together for three years.”

“No,” I murmured. “Why would he ask to take a photo of me if he didn’t like girls?”

Rachel’s eyes looked at me sympathetically.

“Maybe he was using it as an excuse to take your photo,” her voice softened and she paused.

“Another thing; Mitchell is Mr Robinson’s son.”

Her words broke me. My brain spun. Was I really that naïve?

Then I realised; the reason why Mitchy could be so fit, tall and nourished is only if he came from a rich family… like the Robinsons. The only thing I could do was give into crying for the first time since entering this ship, and I thought of Sena.

Rachel’s plan to rebel changed my outlook of everything.

On the wall at the end of the 22nd floor was a lose piece of metal that could be wedged free.

“My parents never wanted to build this ship but they needed the money,” Rachel explained. “The workers created this secret opening in this ship’s wall for what they would call an emergency if their relatives were forced on-board.”

We snuck into the hideout and my stomach squirmed. “Are we looking for something?”

In the murky lights, Rachel smiled at a rusted toolbox under a jungle of pipes. She picked it up and opened it. “I want you to use this to Kill Robinson.”

I glared at the opened box. “There’s nothing in it.”

“What?” Devastation swamped Rachel. She searched the container and looked at me.

“Someone took the gun!”

Suddenly an arm was around me. “You two are under arrest!”

Rachel and I were chained to chairs that faced a round table and looked onto the ocean...

CONTINUED AT crUWSible.com.au

JUST GO AND SEE SOME GODDAMN THEATRE

revUWS

A cultural manifesto in six points

by JOSEPHINE PARSONS 1. Culture, darling.

Nothing makes you appear worldlier and trendy and understanding of things beyond Game of Thrones family politics than uttering the sentence, “I saw a show at the theatre on the weekend”. It has much more of a ring to it than, “I went and saw a movie”. In fact, that doesn’t have a ring to it at all. It kind of has a stench, of stale popcorn and cancelled plans.

2. You’re guaranteed to pick up.

An actor’s kryptonite is their narcissism. Work this to your advantage. Observe: Fellas, approach one of the lead actresses and tell her she sounded “just as, if not AS, good as Idina Menzel in her rendition of Take Me Or Leave Me”.

Ladies, tell one of the lead actors that their costume did wonders to their muscle definition. Repeat after me, “I could actually see your biceps through the period-appropriate winter coat”.

3. Free candy, probably Everyone knows that the Theatre is your Grandmother’s local hang. And what do

FILM REVIEW

Grandparents have infinite supplies of?

Wisdom? Yes. But more so, hard candies and Fisherman’s Friends. They’ll appreciate your youthful presence so much that you’ll earn a month’s supply.

Play your cards right and you might even score a customised doily. Or a comparison to a young Rosalind Russell.

4. Educate yourself I know in the grand scheme of things it’s not important whether you know a Tennessee Williams play from an Arthur Miller but there has to be some artsy take away that your University education bestows.

Putting aside the plays themselves, the plot and character development contained within them could open your eyes to a multitude of ideas and information you would never have considered! It’s also guaranteed by the Australian Debating Federation* (*nope) that if you make a high culture reference in an argument and the other person doesn’t know what you’re talking about, you have the upper hand. It’s like you’re all, “Chekhov mate”…

Aye? AYE? I’m here all week.

ART EXPRESS

By ANDY THAI

By SIOBHAN HUMPHRYS - BA Communications

When “The Raid: Redemption’’ appeared on screens, its fast-paced hard-hitting action sequences resulted in a highly entertaining film that didn’t shy away from showing the carnage. Director Gareth Evans returns delivering a sequel that’s more brutal, bolder and bloodier. After dispatching an apartment building full of criminals, policeman Rama (Iko Uwais) now finds that in order to stop the corruption within the police force he must go undercover in an operation that sees him infiltrating the Bangun crime family. Throw in a variety of antagonists, each with their own quirks, and one never tires of the complex plot of betrayals and alliances that come quick and fast. (‘Hammer Girl’ and ‘Baseball Bat Man’ cosplay anyone?) The multiple story threads are edited beautifully, punctuated with the series’ signature violent clashes that are sure to elicit ‘ohh’s and ‘argh’s from audiences.

The choreography is outstanding; each brawl is a spectacle unto its own, complimented by the pounding soundtrack. The frequent use of handheld camera shots can leave one feeling annoyed, though this thankfully is kept to a minimum for the film’s final confrontations.

Rating: 8 out of 10

The Art Gallery of NSW opens its doors for the annual ARTEXPRESS exhibition. Visitors are treated to an array of artistic forms created by a selection of 2013 HSC Visual Arts students.

I was blown away by the talent on display. All the finger painting and water play in Kindergarten have obviously paid off. Whether it’s multimedia, photography, painting, sketching or sculpture, this generation has all artistic bases covered.

Everyone experiences and creates art in different ways. Whenever I’m perusing the works in an art gallery I am constantly walking in the opposite direction of those around me. However, the layout of this exhibition gives visitors the freedom to weave from wall to wall. As I zigzagged from piece to piece, a common theme stood out to me; one’s sense of identity. Some works focused on challenges to identity caused by mental illness, others the desire for individuality in a consumer driven society.

Each piece of work crystallises the views of a generation. Through a stroke of a brush or the fold of cardboard each artist has courageously laid themselves bare. This free exhibition is open 12 March-11 May. Don’t delay and board the ARTEXPRESS today!

5. You’re out, you’re doing things, you’re creating great Instagram photos. LOOK AT YOU! #theatre #newfoundappreciation #culture #fun #demfishermansfriends #shakewhat? #SHAKESPEARE! Screw your friend from High School who’s spending the year as an au pair in Sweden. You can have fun, too, dammit.

Even if you’ve decided that live performance isn’t your deal, the rest of the world will believe you, I promise. That’s the beauty of socially marketed lies and the Valencia filter.

6. Support the human connection, man.

All jokes aside, it’s vital to support something that a hell of a lot of hard work and passion went into creating, whether this is at a local or professional level. Unfortunately, it’s a dying art that doesn’t garner the same appreciation it did before blockbuster films starring symmetrical robot people became popular. By simply being an audience member, you can take solace in the knowledge that you helped to keep the beauty of live performance and human interaction relevant. You’re part of something bigger.Visit stagewhispers.com.au for local theatre or timeout.com/sydney/theatre to see the pros.

TICKET GIVEAWAY LIKE US TO WIN crUWSIble has 10 double passes to Bad Neighbours to give away to our readers.

Like the crUWSIble Facebook page then emailcrUWSible@uws.edu.au from your student email, giving us your postal address for the tickets.

Bad Neighbours stars Seth Rogen, Zac Efron and Rose Byrne.

Directed by Nick Stoller (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek), Bad Neighbours is a comedy about a young couple who are forced to live next to a fraternity house after the birth of their newborn baby.

The film opens in cinemas on May 8. See badneighboursmovie.com.au for previews.

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CHEERFULL COMPETITION EVERYDAY ABOMINABLE SINS #EAS

By LAUREN HITCHEN Everyone knows the general feel of the ten commandments, everyone was taught in preschool to share their toys, and as you get older you know generally how not be perceived as a schmuck. But what about those other soulless deeds, the ones that really grind your gears, the ones that there is definitely a special place in hell for?

These Everyday Abominable Sins, #EAS, are small things that incite rage in even the most placidly loving humans. Here are a few that stand above the rest.

#EAS Holding up the late night chip queue:

#EAS Driving slow in the fast lane:

#EAS Being noisy in the quiet carriage:

Even though “Keep Left Unless Overtaking” signs are posted up and down Sydney motorways there is still the discourteous driver who thinks that he is exempt from this rule. Kyle Sandilands once said: “I don’t care if you’re driving the speed limit, get out of the fast line if I’m tailgating you!” Many drivers have a 15 second high beaming policy, in that if the glacial paced driver in front of them does not move within 15 seconds they are getting flashed.

Many of us are no stranger to the early morning or late night train journeys, the time where you are sitting in a carriage and all you can think about is how wonderful your bed and blanket would feel at that moment. So when all you can hear is music so loud it might as well be on a boom box than coming through headphones, you’re unintentionally wishing death upon someone. However this act seems frivolous compared to the incessant ramblings of the cackling work colleagues, who sit in the carriage specifically designated for people to shut-the-Christ-up unless they want to go to hell.

#EAS Footpath hogs: When you are walking down a pavement, aiming to get somewhere in a decent time frame and you run into (literally) a group of people on a day out together, who demand walking in a horizontal line. If there were a row of cars going on an outing together and they took up four lanes of traffic, it would be appropriate to high beam, honk, scream, etc.

There should be an equivalent to highway patrol on the footpath to stop this heinous crime. Footway Patrol could make for a great reality TV show as well!

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Its 3 in the morning and all you want before you jump on the last train home is some hot salty chips. Yet as you stand in line, you can’t help the vein on your forehead pulsing from sheer rage as the idiot in front of you takes an eternity to order his food. Your order that will take less time than it will take to finish the word ‘‘uuuummmmmm’’.

Let this be a warning to all offenders.

Somewhere out there Batman, Iron Man, Spiderman and that weird environmentalist Captain Planet is getting sick of your crap.

They’re coming for you, so sleep with one eye open because they will say some harsh words and give you some awful looks.

What’s on your list of #EAS ? @crUWSible

CASSIDY WELDON is a Bachelor of Communications student, proud of her Aboriginal background and talented enough to be part of the Penrith Panthers Cheerleader and Big League magazine competition for Cheerleader of the Year How long have you been cheerleading?

I started cheerleading for the Penrith Pantherettes this year. I have a lot to look forward to and can’t wait for a successful year with the girls.

What inspired you to get into cheerleading?

I’ve been a dancer majority of my life so cheerleading was definitely an alternate avenue I wanted to get involved in. But I would have to say my sister was my main inspiration to audition for the squad this year.

What was the audition like?

The audition was intense, but at the same time really fun and enjoyable. I loved the choreography we were given and it was amazing to see so much talent in one room. We all bring something different to the team and just create such a fluid and dynamic group.

What is your advice to people wanting to get into cheerleading?

Stay determined and work hard. It’s important to set goals, even the small achievements on the way to the top are still part of your success.

How have fans attitudes towards Aboriginality changed over the years?

Personally, I think fans’ attitudes towards not only Aboriginals but to variety of ethnicities have changed dramatically over time. Australia is such a multicultural country and I believe all cultures are becoming further embraced and respected by others. Especially within the Penrith Panthers community, our fans are just as enthused and excited as we are and are completely accepting of us, despite our cultural backgrounds.

LOVE GURU JESSE NEO Hey Jesse I really want to have a meaningful relationship with someone, at some point in my life, but during the O Week stalls at Bankstown I met an Olive Python called Olive and I felt a disturbing, primal connection. Olive was gentle, graceful and glimmered in the sun like petrol on a wet road. We shared a moment, she looked at me with those giant golden eyes and I was gone. What just happened? G Since youth I’ve always been able to understand the behaviours of animals, especially birds. I knew why they acted certain ways, and knew it was because

SEXUAL ATTRACTION EXPLAINED Have you ever met someone that you just can’t take your mind off?

They might be lightyears from a Miss Universe or One Direction, with a personality akin to Cruella DeVil from 101 Dalmatians. But there’s something about them you can’t resist.

Or maybe you’ve met someone that’s so over the moon with you that regardless how many times you hit the Ignore button, their friend requests keep rolling in?

Being a frantic book collector of manuscripts and codices stretching way back to the Medieval and Dynasties eras and up until the steamy age of Twilight and Fifty Shades of Grey in ePub format, I (Jesse Neo) have recently gained possession of a long-forgotten occult book translated into English.

Its vivid information on the secrets of sexual attraction knocked me off my heels.

According to the book, we are not attracted by appearance. Nor is it our Sun or Rising Signs

they wanted me to clean their water bowl or because they were telling me that my fly was undone. There was even a time I made a wild parrot say Hello because it thought I didn’t understand bird-talk so it spoke to me in English.

What you possess, G, is a very valuable gift and I bet you have had similar experiences in the past. This just means Olive was trying to reach out to you because you are only part of a handful of humans that can understand it. This also explains your desire for wanting to have a deep relationship with someone yet had the urge to bring up the matter to me relating to an olive python.

Jesse !

I have been chatting with a sweet, wellgroomed young man in my psych tute. He likes all the romantic comedies I like, all the same boy bands and shops at the same dress shops. Do you think he is secretly, you know, from the UWS Quidditch Club? K Absolutely! With more than 571,158,469,685 possibilities for everything that takes place, even scientists have had their mind blown when evidence came in that the infinite can come in different sizes, the universe is curved, and that citric acid is bad for teeth. In fact, the possibilities of him being in the Quidditch Club may be just as unexpected as finding out

Shakespeare’s works were written by St. Germain!

that make the sparks fly. It is our Moon Signs; the deepest and most secretive aspects of us in terms of astrology.

The only Moon Sign that is not discussed here is Taurus. This is because people with Taurus Moon are self-sufficient and either intensively attracted to everyone or no one.

Confirming with experience, this table turned out to be freakishly accurate. All the people I had ever been in relationships with were mainly Capricorn Moon (I’m a Pisces Moon) and no matter how many times I pushed them away or hurt them, they would always end up coming back to me sooner or later.

I met a friend of a friend on campus once who always had their eyes on me. I secretly searched for their birth date on Facebook and learned that on the day they were born, the moon was changing from Sagittarius to Capricorn. The next day I went up to this person and asked if they were born at night when the moon was fully in Capricorn, and they admitted that they were.

So match your Moon Signs with the ones in the table to see if it is true. The results may make your skin crawl.

Aries Moon ♥ Aquarius and Capricorn Moons Gemini Moon ♥ Virgo Moon Cancer Moon ♥ Taurus and Scorpio Moons Leo Moon ♥ Aries Moon Virgo Moon ♥ Gemini and Libra Moons Libra Moon ♥ Leo Moon Scorpio Moon ♥ Aries and Cancer Moons Sagittarius Moon ♥ Cancer Moon Capricorn Moon ♥ Pisces and Libra Moons Aquarius Moon ♥ Capricorn Moon Pisces Moon ♥ Virgo and Sagittarius Moons

Contact the Guru at crUWSible@uws.edu.au

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