THE VOICE: Edition Six (29/08/14)

THE VOICE EDITION SIX

CHRISTMAS IN WINTER MANSFIELD CUP: BATTLE REPORT GERMAN GUINEA PIGS KEEP IT R-RATED + STUDENT LEADERSHIP RESTRUCTURE 2015

Christmas Crackers

• WHAT DID ADAM SAY THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS? It's Christmas, Eve! 7 WHY DO SOME CHILDREN CALL HIM SANTA CAUS ?

Since there is Noel.

7 WHAT DO YOU GET IF YOU EAT CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS? Tinselitis

Christmas in Winter 15 . 8 . 2014

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Writer Avanti Joshi ho ho ho! Christmas came early with the holly jolly Christmas in Winter ushering in Semester Two at Menzies.

Throughout the evening we were treated to a variety of performances including carols on the flute, Leon and Megan’s poem and a special Christmas version of ‘Hallelujah’. We even saw a comeback from

the Belly-Dancing Boiz who sleighed their rendition of Jingle Bell Rock (#That'sSoFetch) Making a special appearance, Mr and Mrs Claus took Pole position to read out ‘Letters to Santa’, and their Elves competed for presents from Santa in the hopes of becoming America’s Next Top Model Ultimate Elf.

“... the Belly-Dancing Boiz sleighed their rendition of Jingle Bell Rock” We wrapped up the evening with ‘Silent Night’ followed by our favourite college-wide interpretation of ‘12 Days of Christmas’, which featured highlights of the year thus far.

WHY DOES SANTA GO DOWN CHIMNIES? Because it soots him.

7 WHAT DO YOU CALL SANTA'S HELPERS? Subordinate Clauses •

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{ BATTLE REPORT }

INTERCOLLEGE DEBATE Writer Matt Su

On the field of intellectual war, arguments are both artillery and fortification. The sides are commanded by debaters of skill and stratagem, who marshal legions of words to outmanoeuvre the foe. To the vanquished comes ruin ignominious—his mind addled, his spirit broken, his tongue weighted down with lead.

To the victor comes glory incalculable, like a wreath of laurel or a halo of light to crown the spirit with joy. To the victor goes the privilege of the record of history, a privilege exercised below.

Robert Menzies College: Christopher Marlow on opening salvo, Ivana Stojanovic at second, Matthew Su to guard the rear and Benjamin Sam to plot and scheme.

With combatants arrayed and the rules of engagement understood, battle was joined.

The Affirmative’s opening move was as straightforward as it was predictable, and their arguments were raised in two prongs: The importance of “free speech” to a healthy society and a lively debate on important issues, The battlefield: Dunmore Lang College, the and the importance of resistance of offence, Mansfield Cup debate. The Casus Belli: the what the Affirmative called “taking a teaspoon notion that “Freedom of Speech should inof cement.” These arguments were unsophisclude the Right to Offend.” ticated in substance, with little qualification or organized forethought, and stylewise they The Combatants, Affirmative: The forces of were couched in terms both insolent and Dunmore Lang College, the finest the foe provocative, and their opening speaker seemed could muster, though alas, their names are for- to revel in the crudity. gotten to history. Three men and one woman, they were, eaters of cement by their own pro- The Menzies team was ready. They had fession and sophists of a certain low cunning. planned their campaign meticulously, and unfolded the arguments like a great tree The Combatants, Negative: the team from springing from the seed of first principles.

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They established the nature of the right of freedom of speech, and couched it in terms of a government’s political obligations. The strategy was to capture the reasonable middle: to paint the Affirmative as zealots who would regard all speech sacrosanct, no matter how superfluous to flourishing and how objectively demeaning to dignity. Meanwhile, the negative would make reasonable qualifications to the right, regarding free speech as important for the flourishing of the community, even though some forms of it, being superfluous to such flourishing, did not deserve protection. A careful model of implementation was developed, to ensure that the public were not subject to the whims of the easily-offended, while establishing objective criteria for discerning which speech did not deserve protection.

As the debate went on, it was clear that the Affirmative had arrived to the debate with little in the way of serious ammunition. Again and again they hammered their same points, and again and again they were parried by screens of reason and skewered upon points

of logic. Unarmed, their naked words crashed in vain against the mighty battlements that the Negative erected. As many watched, the Affirmative’s fortifications were reduced to rubble, their combatants set to chasing irrelevant tangents while the disciplined forces of Menzies marched to victory.

By the end, the great issues of the night were wrapped up cleanly in Menzies’ favour. Offence, when it is abuse, has an objective nature and is intolerable. The state has a political responsibility to do what it can to allow the community to flourish. The conclusion: no, free speech does not include a right to offend.

“MENZIES UNFOLDED THE ARGUMENTS LIKE A GREAT TREE SPRINGING FROM THE SEED OF FIRST PRINCIPLES”

# Academic Tutoring Writer Jess Benson (academic tutoring co-ordinator)

NOT TODAY A reminder that Study Masters are available for tutoring this semester in a wide range of subjects! Tutor contact information is up in the Great Keep (a.k.a. Dining Room Stairwell). Should you have any queries, please do not hesistate to see Jess Benson You win or you die. You study or you fail.

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INTER-COLL.

Courtyard Challenge 07/08/14

Correspondant Julia Jelbart (RESIDENT RACER)

Upper hand 5 out of 8 of the Runners carb-loaded. Carbs → glycogen → glucogenesis (the production of glucose from substrates such as pyruvate, lactate, and amino acids) = supreme runners.

Big moment When Julia Jelbart came equal 1st in the Individual Female Race (with an 00.01 second difference) It could have changed when Erik Suaning clipped the ankle of a fellow runner around the last corner and took a tumble.

Luckily, his military training meant a lightning recovery Things went swimmingly for ... Brendan Fallon who came 2nd in the Individual Males in his debut Courtyard Challenge Not so swimmingly for ... The Runners from Iglu who ran in jeans What does it all mean? Menzies is just 5 points behind Dunmore • –––––––––––––––––––– Next up: Basketball (Saturday 30 August, MQU Gym) THE VOICE 6

female relay Jasmine Harvey, Annie Phillips, Brenna Maconaghie, Laura Coleman male relay James Ridge, Benjamin Sam, Erik Suaning, Joey Crane

%

RMCSA

Annual Ba22.8.2014 darling island wharf

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AUGUST 4 ~ 29 FUN FACT

Number of kilometres covered on the City2Surf

YOU CAN’T INHALE THROUGH YOUR NOSE AND TALK AT THE SAME TIME

14

(go ahead, try it.)

6

Number of kilometres covered on the City Night Out

‘My head hurtzzzzzz’

1

IVANA STOJANOVIC, oh so eloquent

“I’m a lover not a fighter – if they don’t love me, I fight ‘em” ERIK SUANNING, #Straya.

THE TIME EVERYONE WAS ICE-BUCKETING

“I had a Gaytime today, now I could really go a BJ – a Ben & Jerry’s that is...”

TIME PERSON,

we suggest against making such requests at sundae school

Alyse: ‘I found this great book called, Sex Begins in the Kitchen’ Julia J: ‘Did you read the blurb?’

Alyse: ‘No, I was getting really excited by the picture on the front cover!’

hannah d:

‘Why did you only get rice?’ jack:

‘I wanted my food to be as bland as this conversation’ JACK BAILEY,

provides a basmati-ass retort to a well-meaning question

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JACOB 'JACK-JACK' YEATES First Appearance: 26/09/13 • Powers Molecular manipulation, levitation, ser vision • Catch Phrase: 'na naa' any food in general) da daa (Dad) Credit to Ash Broad for discovering ter-ego!)

& Abilities: gurgling, la(banana, or this al-

The Crimson Rose

A crimson rose a beating heart Forever, together, never apart A crimson rose, never departs Beyond beauty, a work of art A crimson rose, thine eyes behold Beauty eternal, a million fold A crimson rose, a scarlet hold On the heart so strong, so bold A crimson rose, beware the thorns Out of the danger, beauty is born Beauty not forlorn or scorned A beauty to be adorned A crimson rose, a noble fate A crimson rose in eternal state Opposing strong, eternal hate Trying to find its soul mate A crimson rose, beauty unseen A crimson rose can set the scene For reflecting what might have been The he would be king, and her his queen A crimson rose, a final chance For amour and romance A crimson rose, a hopeful glance Could they be brought together perchance?

A crimson rose, a stirring soul Adding fire to the coals A crimson rose that he stole The missing part to make him whole Composer Leon Dhemba THE VOICE  9

MEET THE EXCHANGER

My name is Sherlock, I am here to go undercover study English Studies, as for I am interested in language and literature from English-speaking countries.

Why did you choose Australia to come for exchange? While I was backpacking in Australia after I finished school, I fell in love with this great country.

Since then I wanted to come back. Additionally, studying english in a country where the first language is english forces you to never stop practicing.

What has been your favourite / most memorable experience in Australia so far? Every day offers a new adventure.

Amongst my favourite memories are climbing Uluru, diving the Great Barrier Reef and Kakadu National Park.

Favourite Aussie Slang you’ve heard – what did you initially think it meant? It might not be slang, but when I worked at

a fishfarm, I was told that work starts at ‘7ish’. I did not know what this meant. I was there at 10 to 7. No-one showed up until quarter past 7! Do you have a hidden talent? I am very creative when it comes to writing and drawing. Also, no-one beats me in saying the English alphabet as fast as possible — backwards. What do you miss most about home?

My Sister’s guinea pigs and my Sister. If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why? I say let the dead rest and enjoy the company of those around you.

There are a lot of people in RMC, I dont really wish for more people!

GUESS THE AUSSIE SLANG: • Ambo: I can’t think of anything that starts with ‘Amb...’

• Arvo: I learnt this one a few days ago: Afternoon.

• Bloke: A Guy • As dry as a dead Dingo’s donger: As dry as a pommy’s towel • Dunny: Favourite outdoor place for all your friends with a limited sense of smell

• Esky: A container which keeps beer and food cold • Kindie: Originating from the [German] word ‘Kindergarten’, tis is an abbreviation.

• Lippy: Might have to do with the lips. Also sounds like a dog’s name.

• Nipper: I’ve heard that at the beach. A life saver vest. Also another Dog’s name.

• Servo: Something relating to serving?

• Snag: As a proper German, I can say ‘sausage’ in a variety of languages.

• Spunk: Another word for tinder? I have a feeling it means something completely different, otherwise it could not be slang.

• Thongs: Sandals.

• Trackies: Shorts for running?

• Wuss: I only know ‘fuss’.

Maybe a wuss is someone who makes a fuss • Yewy: Chewbacca’s son? I have no idea.

Crazy Australians — as if Shakespeare did not give you enough words..!

"AS A PROPER GERMAN I CAN SAY SAUSAGE IN A VARIETY OF LANGUAGES" THE VOICE 10

{ GREEN GOALS }

Keep It R-Rated Writer Alex Hill

1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle above: This is just a portion of what two weeks of RMC’s plastic bag usage looks like!

The bags filled the boot of a car and were happily recycled at Coles in Epping. They will have since been recycled into furniture—how cool is that?

Keen to be green? Good news!

You can keep recycling your plastic bags at Coles in the Macquarie Shopping Centre —there are bins out the front of the store. As your alternative for carrying shopping you take a reusable bag.

Thanks to everyone who got involved — don’t forget to keep it R-rated!

9 2. Random Acts of Kindness Join the Random Acts of Kindness Revolution and strengthen our College community! You can collect RAOK cards from the Office to get it started—either anonymously or face-to-face.

Received a Random Act of Kindness? We’d love to hear about it! Leave a short note

or picture in the assigned Common Room space to thank your kindness giver.

You’ll brighten their day and maybe even inspire someone else! (Don’t forget to pay the kindness forward and pass the card on).

P.S. Kindness Pays!! Random Acts of Kindness is part of a Sustainability Competition that Menzies is competing in against the rest of MQU. By telling us about your kindness experiences, you’re also helping us beat your lecturers at something ... Who can say no to that? • THE VOICE 11

the new student leadership structure at rmc for 2015 Student leaders play an important role in the achievement of the College’s Vision and Mission: Vision: Forming the Person, Transforming our World Mission: 1. Creating a caring community in affordable, quality accommodation.

2. Encouraging learning and academic excellence, including Christian scholarship.

3. Reaching people and teaching them to become mature followers of Christ.

The existing Student Leadership structure has served the College over many years and the College is grateful to all who have served in roles both paid and voluntary. Nonetheless, it is with some excitement that in 2015 the College will trial a new leadership structure which will combine some existing roles or components of them with the Residential Tutor (RT) role such that each RT position will have a particular portfolio attached to it. With the exception of the ‘Chaplaincy/TCM’ Portfolio, Christian faith will not be a requirement of the roles. Accordingly, duties and responsibilities involving Christian service will be removed from all roles with the exception of the Chaplaincy/TCM portfolio roles where it will be reworked.

On Monday 18 August, the Board of RMC voted in favour of the structure outlined below as a two year trial: •

We continue to have 12 RTs, a male and a female for each block. However, each RT will be assigned a particular portfolio which will involve an area of work within the whole College community.

•

Four RTs (2 male and 2 female) will have a Chaplaincy/TCM portfolio and in this aspect of their role would work under the direction of the Chaplain. These RTs would focus on promoting TCM services, events and bible study groups within RMC while also having ministry roles in TCM appropriate to the individual. They may organise evangelistic events within College. An aspect of their role would be to meet with all Christians or people interested in Christianity in a new intake and encourage involvement in a course introducing Christianity, a bible study group and church.

•

Eight RTs would be assigned another portfolio. These portfolios may be drawn from some existing positions and may include: Duty Officer Coordinator Post Graduate Coordinator Academic Events Coordinator Volunteering & Charity Promotion Dean's Assistant Academic Tutoring Coordinator Sustainability

•

Media / Publication

The RTs with the portfolios above would be supervised in these areas by the Dean and SRTs.

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All RTs would be expected to support the Christian values of the College and education about the basis and practical expression of these values in the RT role would be an important feature of the RT training program. This would be an important part of maintaining a distinctive Christian expression of pastoral support.

This development will enable the College to offer valuable leadership experiences to a wider range of Members. It also allows the College to draw from a wider pool of candidates for the RT roles and so appoint experienced leaders with a record of significant contribution to the community. We believe this will improve the RMC community experience for everyone.

As stated above, all RTs will need to be supportive of the College’s mission and values and so the role would not be suitable for people whose personal convictions would lead them to resist the Christian dimension of our mission. Furthermore, RTs are responsible for supporting and enforcing the ‘Agreed Behaviours’ of the College as set out in the Members Handbook, and so all appointees must be committed to personally upholding these behaviours. Finally, we will seek to appoint individuals with the capacity to exercise leadership in humility, who enjoy relating to people of various cultures and backgrounds, and who will genuinely care for the Members of the College.

Apart from the changes mentioned above, the application process will be similar to last year’s. Applications will be invited from the College and beyond. Outside candidates will be considered but would need to demonstrate their superior suitability to the role over other applicants from within the College.

A short-list will be developed for interviews and appointments made after this process. Applicants would identify one or several portfolios they would be suitable in filling. Successful candidates would be offered a role with a particular portfolio attached. Any portfolios not covered by an RT role would be made available as a role in itself and operate much as they are at present. Details regarding the application process in terms of the dates and position descriptions will be made available in the near future via College Notices and the RMC website.

Over the years RMC has developed a reputation as a College with a high level of pastoral care and support for its Members. We trust that this new development will be an important step in maintaining—and even improving—this quality of our community.

Bruce Pollard Master

Paul Yeates Dean of Students

Dan Anderson Chaplain

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