Is Counselling for Everybody? YES!! Be absolutely sure that just about everyone can benefit from seeing a counsellor. And it’s not just for when the wheels have fallen off. It can make a huge difference to your College and Uni experience to make positive changes now, to prevent things spiralling out of control later, or to address pre-existing concerns. Seeing our counsellor, Meredith, is FREE to RMC students and staff. You can expect: A warm and friendly approach in comfortable, private surrounds at RMC A safe, non judgemental and confidential space in which to talk about your concerns and receive support in helping you decide what you need Respect for you, your values and beliefs, identity and background To work as a team with Meredith to develop a “plan of attack” to address where you might be “stuck” and how to move forward Help in a crisis, or over the longer term Sessions to last usually around 50 minutes (but you’re also welcome to drop in if the door is open).
You can talk about anything. Nothing is too big, small, embarrassing, or weird. Meredith helps people with a wide range of concerns including: Stress Care Anxiety Traumatic experiences Homesickness Substance abuse Identity Self-harm Procrastination Faith Depression Relationships Adjustment Porn Time management Self-care About Meredith: Having lived on campus herself as a Uni student, Meredith has some insight into the challenges of College life. After a career in law, she followed her interest in people, mental health and wellness and now supports young adults to enhance their personal and academic effectiveness. She is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am - 6pm in Room 103, (next to Study 101) for confidential drop-in chats or appointments. Email: Meredith.wagstaff@rmc.edu.nsw.au M: 0407079335 Facebook page: Mental Health and Wellness at RMC
Commencement
Everyone gathered in the courtyard in their best semi-formal gear to enjoy the delicious canapes and more importantly, rign in the new university year. It was a great opportunity for residents to meet people in their degree (and hopefully get some good study tips), as well as to congratulate our peers for their academic achievements and scholarships. A big thank you to Alice for organising the event!
A BLOCK
B BLOCK C BLOCK
All the separate blocks met up on a Monday night for some home-baked goods and to get to know each other a little better. Each block also got a chance to know their block families, apart from C Block who were lucky enough to get to eat Katrinas home baked cakes.
D BLOCK E BLOCK
In preparation for block wars, the residents of C-block came together for a challenger night. The night was filled with trivia questions, oreos, coin-shuffle board, bubble blowing competitions, and moving tennis balls using only your mouth. Thanks to the RAs for organising the event! It was a fun way to get to know your neighbours more as well as learn some interesting facts about some of our RMC friends (Shannon is exactly 3 swords tall).
Victory lingered in the air off the back of block wars, as E blockers gathered on the Astro Turf for their first block event. The Road to El Dorado flickered on the screen after a moment of technical difficulties and plenty of snacks devoured. An apparent ‘generation gap’ may have left residents with moments of confusion, however they were able to finally understand the theme of the block they live within. Whether or not the movie was enjoyed (still not sure), what was evident were the fast friendships forming. Looking forward to many more events - thanks for a great start to the year E Block – Nicole.
It was a super chill night and we had a great turnout. We played frisbee, lots of grown adults messed around on the playground, and we had lawn games set up like Croquet and “Kubb”. People got super into Kubb and by the end of the night we had 2 massive teams yelling and cheering as they tried to knock down the other team’s blocks. Great food and an overall great night! - Amy Jacks
B block battled it out on Sunday night in a good old fashioned game night. After consuming a great deal of snacks (including ice cream and sushi, to name the favourites) everyone’s attention was turned to Cards Against Humanity. In a close finish of 7-6, the team of Josh and Andre, beat Sequoia, Tully and Annaliese’s team. Next came “What do you Meme?” during which tears of delight were shed. In a nail biting finish the Meme King was awarded to Pat who got 9, and Meme Queen to Emily who also got 9. It was an awesome night of bonding, giggles and lip syncing from Josh.- Emily Gray
Block Wars brought out the competitive side of RMC, with each block eager to bring home the coveted trophy. We bonded with our neighbours over games of dodgeball, nerve-racking Jenga, and tug-of-war. The tic-tac-toe relay race saw the rise of the underdog whilst the cake-eating competition went by with no signs of vomit. The duck challenge made people willingly use the E-block stairs. Finally, each house presented their war-cries, complete with human pyramids, music, and bannerman. At the end of the day, only one point separated first and second. Congratulations to E-block for the win!
Last Thursday night the common room was buzzing with philosophical musings and questioning. The first Think True event put on by the chaplaincy RAs brought us all to the checkout of ideas and worldviews. How do you choose what to believe in a world full of faiths and ideas? Uni is a great time to rethink or think for the first time about what you believe and why. Dr Richard Shumack challenged us to investigate what appears true to our heart, head and hands. He explained: ~ Your heart looks for what is satisfying ~ Your head looks for what seems credible ~ Your hands look for what appears liveable He suggested we do this by befriending someone deeply enough to observe their satisfaction, read the best explanations of, defences of and objections to each view and experience other communities enough to see their core ethics. If you would like to investigate the Christian worldview, you can do that in a weekly course after mid sem break. Just email Lily at lily.paige.strachan@gmail. com or text on 0409121633 for more details or to sign up.
Anticipation was in the air as crowds of RMC students headed on down to the gym for the first intercollege sport event of the year.... Volleyball. Everyone, both on and off the court gave it their all, whether it was playing or supporting. Although RMC were no match for the Village, both RMC teams were able to come away with the win against DLC.
MEL ANDREWS-WURRAMARRBA What are you studying and why did you choose to study that particular degree? I am studying Bachelor of Arts with the Degree of Bachelor of Education (Primary). I chose to do this because I want to be the first Professional Aboriginal Teacher in my community. Not only that, it is important to take this opportunity as I am giving an example to young generations in Aboriginal communities to believe that they can grab an opportunity like this and make a difference in their lives and for their community. Sydney is obviously very different to where you come from, what is the biggest challenge about living in Sydney? The biggest challenge I found when I first came to Sydney is how to get around the city, university life and living in an environment very different to where I come from. Buses and cars running around all night while I am sleeping, that is challenging, will get used to the noise slowly. From where I am being a small remote community surrounded by bush near the Roper River with approximately 1500 people living there, to get to where I want to go is pretty easy. I can walk wherever I want to, e.g. work, shop, meet friends and to play sports.
However, in Sydney is very challenging and very different because it is 50 times bigger than where I come from. Must use google maps depending which area you heading to. I also catch a bus or train, which I find hard still since I came in 2017 but still remembers the small areas I walk to like University and Macquarie shopping centre. Where is home for you? Ngukurr Community Northern Territory What makes you feel most at home? There are trees around campus that reminds me of home and singing birds in the mornings. Now, I have other follow students from where I come from (relatives) who are also studying here at Macquarie and living on campus at RMC makes me feel most at home. Do you have things you like to do to take your mind off the uni work? I play AFL sport for the Sydney North Shore Bombers every weekend and I hang out with my friends in the court yard or at the forest near RMC. What has been your highlight of 2019 so far? My highlight so far for 2019 is how I am surviving University life. Most of all making new friends from different backgrounds and was involved in playing my favourite sport soccer for Macquarie University Women’s Team. What is your favourite vegetable? My favourite vegetable is brocoli
ROWAN FRAZER What are you studying and what interests you about it ? I’m studying a Bachelor of Arts and Commerce. I’m currently majoring in Media, Culture, Communication and Entrepreneurship. It’s been interesting as you can study your own interests within these subjects and and how I might make my own impact in the world using what I’ve learnt. Where are you from? I’m from Splitters Creek just outside of Albury on the Border of NSW/Victoria. What has been your 2019 highlight so far ? Probably 2019 O Week. Starting life here at RMC and meeting so many new, different but really nice people throughout the courtyard, common room, dining hall, during Scav hunt and while beating DLC in the dance-off; was legendary! Turning 18 recently wasn’t bad either. Do you have things you like to do to take your mind off Uni work? So far playing sport, games and going to the gym or exercising if I can be motivated has been good to take my mind off Uni work.
What is different about living at college to living at home? Well at home, there are four other people in my family whereas here there’s at least another couple hundred. It’s also more urban around college but it’s been a really cool environment where I can study, have fun with others but also be independent and do my own thing. What is one thing about Uni or college you’ve learnt so far? I’ve still got a lot to learn about studying at university and staying at college so I’m still asking other people heaps of questions but so far I reckon the main things I’ve learnt would be make the most of it and you do you, what you think’s best. What your favourite Vegetable? Probably corn? I like eating vegetables but more for health not usually for enjoyment. Although I do really like canned corn.
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ANDREW H’S HOW TO SURVIVE LIVING AT RMC
How to survive living at RMC, written by an old man who’s lived here for almost as long as high school is in Australia.
These are the 10 steps to living to your fullest potential here: 1. Nap all the time, if it’s free time its nap time. 2. Make your timetable around meal times and around when you’ll be feeling “sick”. 3. Have Netflix or know someone who you can steal it from. 4. Do not eat a hotdog with an entirely cut bun, it must be connected. 5. Don’t walk to Y3A LOL. 6. Say you’ll go to the gym but never go. 7. Woollies and Coles have $3 pizza, always have a stockpile ready for 2nd dinner. 8. Have a piggy bank, it’s extremely helpful when you need to pay for washing tokens. 9. Don’t use the new street names for uni buildings. Old building names ONLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 10. Maybe do a little bit of study close to exam times.
Enjoy the rest of your Semester Further. – Andrew H.
Anna: Raman, you should go for SVF Raman: Why? So I can be your official bitch?
Jake R: I couldn’t think of what sound a frog makes, I went from ‘oink oink’ to ‘squwark’
Bell K *At commencement dinner*: I legit taste big mac but that‘s not possible. I think I have a problem
Jake B: Nicole, what’s it like having Triple J as your worldview?’
Aiden: You know there’s no such thing as a black panther? Liv: Aren’t there pink panthers?
Pasi: Andrew’s a catch until he opens his mouth
Nicole: I got you on film smiling Andrew H: Yeah because I hit Shannon in the face with a sword Dan M: Birthing a child? It’s called yeeting - just yeet it from your uterus Sarah Ali: I’d just like to say now I’m very experienced with putting condoms on cucumbers....it’s a hobby of mine Aiden: You’d never f**k a lion
Sequoia *Talking to Andrew H*: I don’t know the point of this conversation Sarah H *talking about her $500 champagne*: Tastes like wee
Amy J: I know my way around a carrot
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