Togatus Edition #1 2015

Tog atus.

TOGATUS

EDITION ONE

@togatus_

TAKE ME, I’M FREE

Est. 1931

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THE WEST’S PROBLEM WITH ISLAM

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CAREERS ADVICE

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SWOTVAC CUT UPDATE

Published by the State Council on behalf of the Tasmania University Union Inc. (“the publishers�).

The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of Togatus staff or the publishers. The copyright in each piece of work remains with the contributor; however, the publishers reserve the right to reproduce material on the Togatus website www.togatus.com.au.

Togatus staff: Outgoing Editor-in-chief: Tabitha Fletcher Print Editor: Kate Elphinstone Digital Editor: Nathan Gillam Design: Jess Curtis & Laura Wilkinson Proofreaders: Michelle Moran, Kimberly Bos Incoming Editor-in-Chief: Michelle Moran Contributors: Angela Koh Ash Austin Benjamin Tucker Charlotte Burgess Chris Cook Gaby Tregutha Joey Crawford Liam Salter Mark Glidden Zara Gudnason Togatus welcomes all your contributions.

Please email your work or ideas to contact@togatus.com.au It is understood that any contributions sent to Togatus maybe used for publication in either the magazine or the website, and that the final decision on whether to publish resides with the Editor. The Editor reserves the right to make changes to submitted material as required.

Contact Togatus: Twitter: @Togatus_ Facebook: facebook.com/TogatusOnline Website: www.togatus.com.au Instagram: @Togatus_ Post: PO Box 5055, UTas LPO, Sandy Bay 7005 Email: contact@togatus.com.au For advertising, please contact the Editor: editor@togatus.com.au Togatus is printed by Monotone Art Printers. We support the locals.

Front cover art by: Esther Stride Contact Esther at esther.stride@gmail.com and follow her on instagram @esther_helene Snake illustration by: Laura Wilkinson, follow her on instagram @7_willa Do you want your illustration on the inside cover of togatus?

Send us your image and it could be featured here, in the next edition.

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Editorials Tabitha Fletcher - Editor-in-chief (Outgoing) Welcome back, we’ve missed you all so much! If you’re new here, nice to greet you! Welcome to your student media, Togatus.

Established in 1931, we aim to be just as raucous, inquisitive and divisive as tradition would have it.

The facilities and support available to students contributing to Togatus have undergone a serious upgrade over the holidays. We saved up our dollars and acquired some actual equipment.

There are all sorts of good things on the way from a new team, too. Very soon. Next edition. Things will only continue to improve in 2015. Because Tog is a labour of love, and we love you all very much and want you to be happy.

After a whirlwind 2014, and an action-packed first few months of 2015, I have flown the Togatus coup. But I’ll be hanging around for the first two months of the year to support the new team, working to continue opening up a range of new opportunities and professional development.

The 2015 team will maintain the increased print run, with wider coverage, greater distribution, and an even spiffier new website.

Keep this on the dl, but we’ll also have some different and exciting new work experience opportunities for you very soon.

I’ll still be around for a little while, so if we worked together last year, don’t hesitate to hit me up about your new project, or just for a chat.

Kate Elphinstone - Acting Print Editor As a recent graduate, I urge you to take what you can from your university years. These are some of the best times of your life.

Jump at every chance. Be reckless, be idealistic, be outrageous and make waves. You have a voice with Togatus. I encourage you to use it.

I began my university days with no idea what to expect.

University just hadn’t been an option for most of my family, but as a young woman from the North West Coast, my parents wanted me to have a chance that they didn’t. I’m lucky to have had their encouragement when making the choice to study. of Tasmania.

We are all lucky to be here. Opportunity should be available to everyone who seek it. You never know what’s around the corner.

Nathan Gillam - Digital Editor Hello print readers! My name is Nathan and I am the Digital Editor of Togatus. I’m excited to be back again in 2015 for an even bigger, better digital presence for Tog. I hope that you will all welcome us with open arms, as we do you! Let’s have another great year for independent student media. If you’d like to get in contact with me, or come get involved in anything digital related, please do. Email me at digitaleditor@togatus.com.au or tweet @togatus_ .

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Contents PAGE

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Contributors

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16

Tips from an ‘old timer’

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The Butterfly Catcher

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MONA FOMA

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Swotvac to stay for now

Higher education reform

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12

Careers advice

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The west’s problem with Islam

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Introducing: Ski Club

PAGE Classifieds

Breadth Units compulsory

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Inter-review: Rhino

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Life in Japan

PAGE From the President

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Suburban Dreaming

Author profile: Lindsey Little

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Living in the shadow of Erdogan

O Week 2015

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Contributors Angela Koh

Ash Austin

Chris Cook

Liam Salter

Benjamin Tucker

Charlotte Burgess

Gaby Tregurtha

Joey Crawford

Mark Glidden

Zara Gudnason

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The federal Liberal Government’s proposed plans to deregulate fees, cut funding and slash student income support will mean a decade of debt for students and a generation of young people ruling out tertiary education.

In 2015, students are coming together to make our voices heard in opposition to the Government's plans for our universities. unistudent.com.au

@NUS_Education

NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION 2 5 M A RC H 2 0 1 5

TOGATUS

EDITION ONE

WORDS: ANGELA KOH

#NEWS

Swotvac

to stay - for now The latest on plans to cut the exam study period

staff. The lack of consultation was based on a belief that “students would be relatively unfazed by the change”, and the reaction would be “non-disruptive” and “short-lived”, according to a recommendation paper from the Deans Committee. The issue has since garnered wide attention after publication by Togatus online, and was picked up by regional newspapers.

Outgoing State President Isaac Foster, said at the time of the proposal that the University’s decision to enact changes quietly, was “shameful”. Incoming State President for 2015, Heidi La Pagila, said the change “may be detrimental to examination results.”

PHOTO: MASIM KABAKOU

Last year during semester two exams, a decision was made quite privately, to cut the exam revision period, known as swotvac, from five days to just three.

Students would face increased pressure from having less time during swotvac week to revise for exams. Swotvac week is essential to the sanity of some students. “Swotvac week keeps me out of a straight jacket,” said student Tan Yan.

The University of Tasmania’s Academic Senate then voted to defer reducing the swotvac period, pending further review.

Students suggested that an alternative coping strategy for cuts to swotvac might see arts students skipping the last week of a course to extend exam revision time. However, this may not be a viable solution to those studying courses such as Law or Medicine, where students face less flexible material.

This followed a petition organised by TUU Student Representatives garnering nearly 800 signatures.The reduced SWOTVAC period would have been implemented from semester one, 2015.

The SWOTVAC amendment was proposed by the Associate Deans Learning and Teaching Committee, after members of the University Learning and Teaching Committee argued that staff need more time to moderate exams, to ensure consistency in marking, assessment and cross-checking results.

Remote exams and larger units with both distance and faceto-face delivery modes were said to be exacerbating the marking pressures. Proposed solutions include shifting the duration and locations of exams off-campus to reduce exam clashes.

Contribute your views on this issue to the student community via TUU representatives, your lecturers, and of course Togatus, via Facebook at /Togatusonline, Twitter @ togatus_ or via contact@togatus.com.au.

Public consultation with students was not sought on the issue, despite opposition by student representatives of Tasmania University Union (TUU), alongside some university

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TOGATUS

EDITION ONE

WORDS: CHARLOTTE BURGESS

#NEWS

Breadth Units compulsory From semester one 2015, students entering into certain undergraduate degrees are subject to new compulsory elective units called “Breadth Units”.

These units are expected to gradually become compulsory for all degrees.

Quality Statement. The Graduate Quality Statement emphasises critical and creative literacies, sustainability and ethical conduct. Breadth Units target these notions, as opposed to the specific discipline-based learning outcomes which standard units are subject to.

The introduction of Breath Units, approved in November 2013, has met with mixed reviews from students. Business student Chelsea Dawson says she doesn’t agree with Breadth Units being compulsory, because students come to University to “To study the electives that they want to study.” Chelsea said that students shouldn’t be forced to pay HECS debt for compulsory units. Science student Marina says she wouldn’t like them as she would “rather study an elective.” Other students report finding the cross-disciplinary focus a refreshing change.

More structured degrees such as Medicine and Engineering are currently exempt. Others such as Arts, Business, Computing and Psychology are already subject to this new style of course unit. Students are required to take two Breadth Units in their student elective space. The University has done little promotion of these new units, however, so it’s worth looking into them further.

Breadth Units have a cross-disciplinary focus and are not bound by one particular faculty, rather several different areas of the University will design the course. Any student from any degree can enrol.

TUU SRC South Education Officer, Liam Salter, said that one reason the University has introduced these new units is because they want students to have more engagement with areas outside of their degree. “For example, if a student is studying Bachelor of Business, they want them to do one or two units outside of their business course to get a multidisciplinary experience.”

Tasmania University Union (TUU) State President Heidi La Paglia, said at least eight units are on offer in 2015 but this “Hasn’t been communicated well by the University.” The four breadth units available this semester are titled Good Thinking: Reasoning Skills for Life; Global Food Security; Art of Persuasion and Developing Your Creative and Entrepreneurial Potential.

The University plans to have 50 Breadth Units available by 2017. Ms La Paglia said the TUU will organize “forums and other initiatives” for students to talk to the University about the introduction of Breadth Units and other changes occurring in 2015. Students can supply their feedback in the meantime to TUU representatives, and of course, Togatus.

University of Tasmania Educational Developer, Rachael Phegan, who has worked closely with design of the new units, said the University has introduced Breadth Units to ensure that graduates are equipped with “employability skills” that are articulated in the University’s Graduate

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TOGATUS

EDITION ONE

WORDS: LIAM SALTER

#NEWS

Higher education reform still on the table An update on the Higher Education Reform Bill

PHOTO: 123-RF

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The Higher Education Reform Bill failed to pass the Senate last year. It was largely hailed as a sweet victory for students, as the result of a hard-fought on the ground campaign of protest and lobbying.

However, the bill only failed by two votes. Education Minister Christopher Pyne is set to put Higher Education “Mark II” back on the government’s agenda as of February.

The idea being pushed by the federal government is that cutting university funding will create competition, however the huge funding deficit created by the (average) 20 per cent funding cut proposed, will have to be made up somehow.

This is supported by the NATSEM modelling, which was also backed up by former Pyne advisor, Andrew Norton of The Grattan Institute.

While there is optimism that the second round of reforms will fail, we cannot be confident. The Senate Crossbench and opponents of the reforms will need to be well organised, strategic, and targeted in order to fight for a fair system of education. Tasmania is a key battleground in the fight, with both key independents Jacquie Lambie and Andrew Wilkie representing us. As in 2014, the Tasmania University Union will be campaigning against the cuts with national counterparts. The union will continue to rally locally and lobby Senators with the National Union of Students (NUS).

However, more work must be done to articulate a stronger argument in favour of greater funding into the higher education sector. Strong student support must be visible in the community.

What is interesting about these reforms is the apparent ideological motivation to get them through as quickly as possible. The government’s HigherEd advertising is proving controversial and ineffective, with the public and political representatives alike questioning the rationale behind the (to date) $15 million dollar taxpayer-funded campaign to sell the education policy.

Although Christopher Pyne’s plan has been heavily criticised by the crossbench and the opposition there is active interest for a comprehensive review into Higher Education by South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon. The Liberals have ignored this and other calls by sector experts, who suggest that there must be more research before any legislation can be introduced into the parliament. Criticism about Pyne’s approach has also come from John Dawkins, the architect of the HECS system. He questioned the pace of the reforms, and said cutting public funding to universities could in the process risk destroying what has come to be an admired system.

Students should know that if this second legislative attempt fails, the government could reintroduce university course caps. These set a limit on the number of university places offered to incoming students to reduce the number of HECS loans needed. There is also the possibility the government will raise the share of student contributions to some course costs. On average, students pay 40 percent of their degree costs but the Commission of Audit recommends students should pay up to 55 percent of their degree. These are potential measures to cut immediate spending if the government decides to delay higher education reform until 2016. The mid-year financial forecast announced in late December 2014 is a signal that the government is willing to use lagging economic growth as a defence for further education cuts in the tertiary sector.

Research just released via the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM) has found unexpected negative economic impacts would result from increasing the distribution of education debt incurred onto students.

The leader of the research, Ben Phillips, said that a ‘cautious estimate of a 50 per cent fee increase’ would cause a knock-on rise in inflation, because the amount of debt carried by government would rise due to increased HECS borrowing. The forecasting model showed this would create a domino effect, causing a rise in the Consumer Price Index.

As government benefits are indexed to the CPI, this would then create increased federal budget costs of approximately $1billion, due to an increased cost of living, costs of paying benefits and increased reliance on benefit payments.

Pyne has stated that he is ‘willing to do anything’ to get these reforms passed. It is still unclear who will stand firm for students in the Senate.

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TOGATUS

EDITION ONE

WORDS: BEN REEVES

#COMMENT

Careers advice: Are you square or well-rounded?

Ben Reeves, Project Manager for The Big Meet, Australia’s biggest careers expo, shares his insights on what employers are looking for in graduates.

One of the questions I am most frequently asked by students is: “What do employers look for?”

The answer does vary enormously from employer to employer, but there are generally three main things that recruiters look for when they are screening applications:

gauge from your academic studies and work experience.

The key point to remember with your extracurricular activities is that these are the pastimes you are choosing to do. Consequently, what you do with your spare time gives an employer a useful insight into your personality.

My advice to people is to get involved in a range of extracurricular activities outside of the classroom and the workplace.

• Academic record.

Most employers will be looking for a reasonable set of results showing a consistent level of achievement across a range of subjects and over a period of years. Whilst there will be one or two employers looking for the smartest person in the class, the majority of organisations are happy enough with a candidate possessing a solid track record of good grades.

It is important for people to have a balance in their life between study, work and play. This creates what employers refer to as a “well-rounded” candidate – a person who has a range of interests, experiences and achievements from the fields of employment, academia and leisure. A “wellrounded” candidate has a much better chance of being called for interview than someone who is not.

• Work Experience.

If we now turn to work experience, the story is very similar. Most employers will be looking for a consistent record of casual, part-time or full time employment. A university student is expected to have a mix of casual and part time roles, with perhaps some full-time employment during summer holidays.

Most employers will be looking for evidence that you can hold down a regular job and demonstrate some of the common skills that are required in the world of work. Examples of these skills might be: dealing with customers; working within a team; meeting a deadline etc.

• Extracurricular activities i.e. what you do outside of study and work.

These activities give employers a good insight into a number of additional characteristics such as initiative, motivation and leadership, that might be difficult to

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CHECKLIST FOR CAREER SUCCESS Steps to take during study to help reach your goals Start of your degree: First year

EXPLORE YOUR CAREER OPTIONS

Explore the web (Google, LinkedIn, Seek, MyFuture) to start getting an idea of what employers are out there look for in graduates of your course.

Participate in networking and information events to gather information about outcomes for graduates of your course – talk to lecturers, tutors, and people you already know about their work. The Careers Offficer runs workshops on topics such as networking, career planning and job seeking.

Career Outcomes - start thinking about where you want to end up when you finish your degree (what’s your dream job and what steps can you take to get there?).

EVERY YEAR! Attend the Careers Fair on campus – a great opportunity to network and gather information about a range of employers.

Join student or professional organisations in your field of study.

BUILD YOUR NETWORK

Middle of your degree: Years 2 & 3

Gain relevant work experience – as much experience as you can get! This will help you: build your professional network, develop your industry skills by putting them into practice in the real world, and help you determine the kind of workplace / employer you want to aim for when you graduate.

Join the UTAS Career Mentor Program - get real world advice from an industry professional.

Audit your transferable skills – i.e. team work, time management, communication – are there any areas you need to work on?

Develop your professional brand – what can you offer potential employers? Clean up your online presence!

Final years: Years 3 & 4

Need help finding work experience or an internship?

UTAS CareerHub is a great place to start: careerhub.utas.edu.au

GET GRAD READY

Prepare your resume for graduate work. It may also be in your interests to create a professional profile on LinkedIn. Did you know you can get feedback on your resume from a UTAS Career Education officer? Book an appointment or email it to resume.link@utas.edu.au Explore the formal graduate / vacation programs online – Graduate Opportunities, Grad Connection and Unigrad have comprehensive resources and information to get you started.

Search for job opportunities through your professional network as well as through advertised positions – up to 80% of positions are filled without advertising!! (This is the Hidden Job Market)

Did you know?

Applications for many graduate programs close by April of your final year of study!

Still stuck?

Complete the modules on Building Your Future UTas acknowledges content kindly shared by www.careers.qut.edu.au

TOGATUS

EDITION ONE

WORDS: ZARA GUDNASON

#NEWS

Living in the shadow of Erdogan Turkey is the only modern country which spans two continents. But in my short time living as a student in Istanbul recently, I saw that life in Turkey isn’t just on a geographical edge; it gets closer to a political edge every day.

imprisoned more journalists than any other country.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, in 2014, it remained among the ‘top ten’, trailing only Syria, China and Iran. Turkey is now not only infamous for detaining media workers but for a large number of journalist deaths over the past 20 years.

Under the reign of the current President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a tipping point may be just around the corner.

The Committee to Protect Journalists recorded that 18 Turkish journalists have been murdered in relation to their work or political alignment since 1995. In one striking case, a 46-year-old man’s only crime was acting as a distributor for Kurdish newspapers. Masked gunmen shot the man on the street during his morning paper run.

Erdogan’s government has seen Turkey make international news over the last 12 months, for all the wrong reasons.

President Erdogan is the driving force behind a current of controversial social and political changes sweeping the country. He is infamous for a significant curtailing in press freedoms, women’s rights and gay rights. A $600 million presidential palace built using government funds has added to the unrest. Most recently, an alleged government plot to frame the democratically elected opposition for bomb plots targeting civilians has emerged. As Erdogan continues to move towards authoritarian rule of Turkey, public support for the President has remained.

Press freedoms continue to wane as more arrests are made.

A Turkish journalist was recently detained for a single tweet.

The post pictured a High Court judge, who dropped one of many corruption cases which currently plague Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (JDP). The journalist commented to her followers that his name was “one to remember”.

The intimidation and censorship by the Presidential domain extends beyond media. The public live in a climate of fear.

The right to opposition is diminishing before their eyes.

In December 2014, a 16-year-old high school student was arrested on the grounds of insulting the President. In January 2015, a 24-year-old university student was detained on the same grounds.

Rising to power on a career of socially conservative and liberal economic policies, Erdogan’s influence has grown steadily since he assumed office in 2003. Winning three general elections as Prime Minister, Erdogan won the Presidential seat by popular vote in 2014.

Despite its appearance as a traditional democracy, Turkey has become a quasi-democratic state. It is governed upon the notion that the party is only there to represent those who voted for them. Those who did not are the enemy.

It is little wonder why my professors were reserved when I asked their personal opinions on Erdogan. Several answered with a generalised statement about how Turkey has changed in unimaginable ways. Others answered only in hushed tones.

Although Erdogan’s increasingly outlandish statements are broadcast worldwide, as a tourist in Turkey it felt much more intense. Admittedly, I wasn’t immediately savvy to the ground-level changes occurring under his government.

But as I began interacting with professors, students and the wider community, hints of political dissent, contrasted with an undercurrent of self-censorship emerged.

When discussing the potential for strict authoritarian rule under Erdogan, one lecturer went so far as to liken him to a modern day dictator, the likes of which hasn’t been seen in decades. He described Erdogan’s governing style as “a charming and subtle manipulation of the people.” What seems like a dramatic analogy rang true for others. Our

Turkey’s media is the most obvious place to detect the overt governmental censorship. In 2012 and 2013, Turkey

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tour guide said manipulation is not the only way Erdogan continues to win votes. “He is putting coal in fires of those who otherwise wouldn’t have anything to burn,” he said.

handouts and promotions would be nothing but fairweathered.

The feeling from the left in Turkey, although hushed, is defiant. Those who would speak their minds about Erdogan spoke energetically of the days defending Gezi Park and the victory they gained. This is in spite of eight lives tragically lost across country.

On a night out in Istanbul, I asked a waiter his thoughts on Erdogan. He was reluctant to share his opinion, but gave in when my roommate bluntly asked if he thought Erdogan was a modern Hitler. It struck a chord and he pulled up a chair to discuss his thoughts at length, if only for our own ears.

While the shift away from western influence signals dramatic changes for modern Turkish society and the consequences of dissent are harsh, I see hope in the emerging wave of

My history lecturer toured us through historically significant landmarks of Istanbul. He explained the significance of nights spent at Taksim Square during the 2014 fight to save Gezi Park, one of the last public gardens in the city, from becoming a shopping mall. He spoke of a galvanised a wave of political activism against Erdogan. But how sadly, those who publicly oppose the JDP are in the minority.

political activism.

In a bid to continue on the path for a conservative Muslim Turkey, the JDP government has exploited the conservative Islamic population to maintain power. The party has allegedly encouraged strict alignment with the Muslim faith through bribery and intimidation.

The JDP allegedly continues to hand out household benefits and job promotions for those who align closely with the Muslim religion. Tensions are high, with recent riots against the President and growing political dissent showing change could be imminent. Strong encouragement of hardline beliefs such as decreased female labour participation, and requiring Muslim women to wear the hijab are poignant issues.

Turkey’s booming economy is one of the strongest in Europe, but economists speculate that this can only continue with the support of the western world. Erdogan is pivoting towards the east, increasing engagement between Turkey’s neighbours; the relationship between Turkey and Iran is growing. It is generally accepted as certain that western engagement with Turkey is waning.

If the shift against western-style democracy continues, Turkey’s position as a modern western country is likely to be compromised. Chances of joining the EU and continued NATO alliances would be unlikely. However it is speculated that should the economy decline, the power that Erdogan has exercised will dwindle, as a constituency bought with PHOTO: ZARA GUDNASON

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TOGATUS

EDITION ONE

WORDS: JOEY CRAWFORD

#COMMENT

Tips from an ‘old timer’ of other cheap nutritional options out there. Pasta and veg is always a winner.

ILLUSTRATION: MILLY YENCKEN

We’ve kissed away our holidays and said “adios amigo” to long beach days and the liberty to go on an adventure at whim. So, here are a few of my tips to kick-start university and make sure you’re still looking after yourself.

• Sleep clock Get in those eight hours (not 12) as much as possible. Set your alarm clock for the same time every day. Trouble sleeping? Spend some time before you sleep reading textbooks (that’ll put anyone to sleep) or a nice novel. I tend to listen to music with an automatic turn-off after half an hour (a feature on many smartphones).

• Eat well As much as Mi-Goreng noodles are easy to make, they really don’t have your health in mind. There are plenty

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• Drink lots Even if it isn’t water – drink regularly. Coffee tends to work pretty well for me. Having a good night out with friends? Great! Combine it with some water. Supposedly a glass of water after a big night (and before sleep) limits hangovers, and it seems to work for me. - Not a doctor though.

• Allot time for daily study Give yourself time to study each day. For me, I get up, do the morning things (shower, eat, have eight coffees, moan about how early it is) and try to study for an hour or two. Just because your lecturer hasn’t ordered you to start an assignment yet, doesn’t mean you can’t start it early.

• Consider the 8 a.m. lecture As much as I hate the 8 a.m. lectures (9 a.m. lectures aren’t so hot either) they are an excellent way to force yourself out of bed and get your butt into the uncomfortable lecture seats. - Even if you, like me, walk in with a supersized coffee because ‘I’m not a morning person’, ‘I had a big night’, or ‘I’d just rather be sleeping.’ 8 a.m. classes are far better than the 2 p.m. ones. If you can frontload your day with classes, then you can go home, have a powernap and organise to work or socialise for the rest of the day or evening.

• Teach and be taught No one knows everything. Let’s face it, no one likes a know-it-all. We’re put on this earth to learn, share information, and connect with others. If someone is having an issue with part of the assignment you found easy – help them. There’ll come a time when you want the same help back, and they’ll openly offer it. Plus, it’s a great way to talk to that person that you don’t really know sitting two seats down from you and perhaps even make a friend.

PHOTOS: MICHELLE MORAN

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TOGATUS

EDITION ONE

WORDS: MARK GLIDDEN

#SATIRE

Suburban Dreaming

ILLUSTRATION: MILLY YENCKEN

When I turned 23, I thought that the time had come to strike out on my own. Within two weeks, I found a lovely little terraced house in South Hobart, and as I stood in my front yard that first morning, alone, I thought living in Hobart would be the greatest thing to ever happen to me.

tranquillity and contemplation. I ask nothing more than a quiet evening on the couch sipping a cup of tea and smoking a cigarette as I watch old movies or read a novel. More often than not, my evening is punctuated by half a dozen morons driving past in their cars, rivalling the London Blitz for noise, ruining my evening and terrifying my poor cat Fritz. The worst thing I had to deal with in the outer suburbs was the local delinquent gangs riding their skateboards loudly down the footpath.

Within a month I longed to move back to the tranquillity of the suburbs I grew up in. In the 16 months I’ve been living in Hobart, I feel qualified to write my own guidebook, ‘The Glidden Guide to Various Objects Hobartians May Find Tossed in Their Garden’. In an attempt to stall the wanton destruction of my garden, I left my bin on the path near the gate one night so that passers-by needing to dispose of rubbish might use it. Upon throwing out some garbage the following morning, I noticed that some particularly disgusting specimen had vomited in it. I have come across it all, from used condoms, makeshift bongs and empty cans of alcohol hanging from my front garden’s rose bush, to empty crisp packets and socks.

Living in the city means you’re close to everything…but also to everyone. Whenever I tell someone where I live (which is rare because I hate visitors), they are quick to offer me their immensely helpful observations stating how close I am to everything. Yes, it is convenient. I am 15 minutes away from university and 15 minutes to the city centre. I am close to a takeaway store, a pharmacy and a grocer. However, as most people I know live in Hobart or the surrounding areas, it means my house becomes the local drop-in centre. I utterly loathe the sound of the door knocking when I’m sitting in my underwear and Incredible Hulk t-shirt watching episodes of classic Doctor Who.

It’s utterly grotesque to think of some yahoo having a jolly old time tossing his refuse into my well-kept rose bush as he hoons by in his bomb. I live in a busy thoroughfare so there’s bound to be a lot of traffic, I acknowledge that. But really, must every revhead in Hobart feel the need to make such noise when they go tearing past my house? I am a man of

City living may be convenient, it may mean you don’t need to travel far. But give me a tidy family home in the suburbs any day of the week.

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TOGATUS

EDITION ONE

WORDS: BENJAMIN TUCKER

#CREATIVE WRITING

The Butterfly Catcher

ILLUSTRATION: MILLY YENCKEN

I often find myself laying in the rose garden on glistening summer days, reminiscing of childhood. Being in attendance of profuse exquisiteness now seems pointless without a butterfly net in hand.

I reall my halcyon days using a store-bought net to

entrap butterflies.

As a child, a butterfly was never truly caught until it occupied the dark space between enveloping hands.

Forgetting where I am, I can easily fall asleep there – later roused by perfume and low-flying insects.

I want to hold something beautiful in my grasp; I clutch at its fragile form, and taint the very thing I claim to admire.

When a butterfly rests on me, I now endeavour to remain incredibly still for fear of startling it away.

Can a butterfly ever contact clammy human hands and fly away unchanged?

Watching it gently perch on the same hand which once sought to snare its likeness, hints at irony.

I always feel so awkward and self-conscious when in the presence of an object of fragile beauty.

The need to capture beautiful things persists in adulthood despite avowed ennui for childish games.

It leaves my clasp with incandescent dust residual on my fingers – I bear the trace of fleeting contact.

My mother was always sure to mend the invisible tears in my net which limited my skill for capture.

I’m afraid that by holding on too dearly I might willingly suffocate its embodied perfection.

Significant now, are the things we unwittingly entangle not withstanding yawning holes in our hearts.

Should it stop fluttering in my hold I would release it immediately for fear I had smothered its raison d’être.

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TOGATUS

EDITION ONE

WORDS: CHRIS K. COOK

#PROFILE

Local author profile: Lindsey Little Author of James Munkers: Super Freak

So, you wrote a book?

Yes. It’s a fantasy adventure for young adults called ‘James Munkers: Super Freak’. It’s the first in a series, but don’t ask me what is going to happen in the rest of the series.

How many books are there in the series?

Four books.

And what’s it about?

James is an unlikely hero who is struggling with his family, friendships and a glowing blue ferret that has popped up out of nowhere.

A glowing blue ferret?

Yes, it turns out that James has latent powers and they’ve started leaking.

What genre would you place the book in?

Urban fantasy, conveniently forgetting that it’s placed in a country village in the middle of nowhere.

Do you read much from that genre?

Not exclusively. I’ll read anything as long as it’s entertaining.

That’s why I like kid’s books. They don’t muck around, they just get to the guts of it.

What else do you read?

A real mix: Jane Austen, Susan Cooper, Neil Gaiman, Charles Dickens and Robert Muchamore. Anything with a rollicking plot and likeable characters. I don’t understand how people can like books with unlikeable characters in them. If I wouldn’t want to spend time with them in real life there is no way I’m going to spend time with them in a fictional space.

PHOTO: AUTHOR SUPPLIED

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I was required to read at UTas, particularly in the English units. We all have our favourite sorts of books to read but being exposed to a number of genres and styles really does help develop your own writing.

So where did the idea for James and his fictional world come from and were you inspired by any of your favourite authors?

When I first sat down to write James, I didn’t actually consider what kind of book I was writing. It just naturally turned into a fantasy adventure because that’s the kind of stuff I was reading at the time. The story of the child who discovers magical powers is not a new one, but there is so much you can do with that premise. What others have done before you can inspire you, but it doesn’t limit you.

So when can we expect the next instalment in the James Munkers saga?

Well I thought I’d have a rewrite of the second book by the end of the month [January at the time of writing]. But yesterday I decided to change the whole thing. I promise not to take seven years this time though.

What were the steps on your path to becoming published?

A lot of rejection letters. I was naïve enough to think that once I’d finished the first draft I was done and the publishing houses would start calling the next day. They didn’t. It took some professional advice and a lot of rewriting to get my first book contract. It takes a lot of humility and patience to go through that process.

Not taking the George RR Martin approach then?

No, George RR Martin can afford to take his time. Me, I’m hungry.

Do you have any parting words of advice for any young aspiring authors out there, who might be reading?

My advice is to ignore all advice. You’ll be inundated with advice about courses you should take, workshops you should attend, blogs you should follow, competitions you should enter, et cetera. Bollocks. Find out what works for you and do that. If you are writing words, you are winning.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors out there?

Yes, my advice is to sit down at your computer and don’t even think of moving until you have written something.

Anything. It could be total rubbish, it doesn’t matter. Words can’t be fixed until you’ve written them.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Yes! Ever since I found out that authors were actual people and books didn’t just spontaneously appear. I still can’t quite believe that you can have a job that involves sitting around all day making shit up. I look forward to a time when I get paid for this as well. There is an urban legend that such a thing is possible.

So it’s not all caviar and champagne in the life of an author then?

[Raucous laughter] It took seven years to get my first book published. I’ve received one royalty payment, which was a little over $200. A friend of mine suggested that I don’t work out the hourly rate.

Seven years, that wasn’t full time writing though was it?

No! I was working and studying during that time as well.

Having said that I only really started to get somewhere with the manuscript after the bookshop I was working at closed down and I began writing full time.

What did you study?

English and history primarily. There weren’t too many creative writing classes back in my day though, so I ended up studying medieval history for Honours and Masters. It’s been suggested to me that I write a book set in medieval times, but I’m not sure I could write about the Middle Ages without resorting to footnotes. Only Terry Pratchett gets away with footnotes in fiction.

Did it help with the author’s craft at all?

I guess what helped the most was the range of texts that

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TOGATUS

EDITION ONE

WORDS: ASH AUSTIN

#INTER-REVIEW

& TABITHA FLETCHER

Rhino In an ever-changing Hobart band scene, up-and-comers Rhino recently released their debut LP An Eclectic Account

INTER...

How would you describe the sound on your latest album?

It’s a heavy record. It is hard to put us in a genre, as some of the songs could be called ‘indie’. But some sections sound like doom metal. That’s why we called it An Eclectic Account.

Musically, it covers a broad range of genres. We wrote the songs over two years. I think you can hear that on the record.

be challenged to think about the music. It would be cool to push progressive music more into focus of people’s listening and broaden creative boundaries in doing so. We also love a lot of post-rock stuff like Explosions in the Sky, and some of our favourite bands are indie or punk bands like American Football and Castevet. A lot of our guitar tones and playing styles are influenced by those bands.

Your performance style is quite active, you seem to really enjoy playing?

We like to go pretty nuts on stage. I think my guitar is currently speckled with my blood, from hitting the strings too hard at our last gig [laughs]. I just think that we want people to really get involved at gigs and risk looking a little silly dancing to our music, we as performers have to be prepared to make fools of ourselves as well. So our set is riddled with terrible facial expressions, throwing ourselves around, headbutting and who knows what else.

You started under another name - Driftwood - how has your sound changed since then?

Driftwood was more of a punk sound, we’ve moved on from that. When we first started out in college, we went to friends’ gigs our sound developed from there. As we played live more, our sound evolved.

Some of you guys are moving to Melbourne, how will that affect the band?

It just gives us a good way to get gigs in Melbourne and try to develop a niche over there. A couple of us will be studying over there. We’re optimistic about it!

Anything you’d like to add?

We’re on Bandcamp.

Check us out at www.rhinotas.bandcamp.com. We’re looking to do more gigs in Melbourne. There’s also a chance of more gigs in Hobart later in the year.

Tell me about your influences and inspirations?

We’re really into progressive/alternative bands like Oceansize, Karnivool, Cog, Radiohead and The Occupants.

We try to experiment with odd time signatures and weird arrangements. Primarily because it keeps us on our toes and keeps it interesting, but also because we want people to

22

- Ash & Tabitha

PHOTO: DAMIEN PECK

... REVIEW I weave into the crowd amidst the faint smell of lager as Rhino are playing to an enthused crowd at the Brisbane Hotel.

Their set has elements of indie or even doom metal, but there’s definitely a prog-rock feel to begin with. The sound swirls. The lyrics are well-honed. The instrumentals are rich with meaning. The layers are reminiscent to Karnivool, Radiohead or even Explosions in the Sky. Rhino’s set is fresh with songs from the new album, An Eclectic Account. The songs don’t really gel together, but that’s the point. This is a non-cohesive set and Rhino aren’t apologising for that. In saying that, the pace and momentum of the gig offered something for all patrons. Daring odd time signatures push Rhino’s sound into a creative realm away from safe genres. Swelling reverb and dark guitar tones were on display. The drumming was particularly tight.

Rhino is well worth a listen.

- Ash

Rhino is:

Tass Coomber - guitars, vox

Will Scutt - guitars

Alex Barnett - bass

Rit Coomber - drums

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TOGATUS

EDITION ONE

PHOTOS: NATHAN GILLAM

#PHOTO ESSAY

MONA FOMA

24

2015

25

TOGATUS

EDITION ONE

WORDS: MARK GLIDDEN

#OPINION

The west’s problem with Islam A commentary on ignorance In the wake of the Charlie Hebdo shootings on January 7th, Rupert Murdoch tweeted a particularly startling message:

felt justified in an attitude of unspoken Islamophobia.

Why is this attitude so persuasive? Why is it that we have to start trends like ‘#IllRideWithYou’ in recognition that many Muslims are distrusted and targets for violence?

I visited Imam Sabri Samson of the Hobart mosque recently and was struck by his generosity, his erudition and, most of all, his wit. We spoke about Islam for a good deal of time, and as you may expect, the topic turned to ISIS and to the recent attacks in Sydney and Paris.

“Maybe most Moslems [sic] peaceful, but until they recognize [sic] and destroy their growing jihadist cancer they must be held responsible.”

The message, to any educated person, is complete mumbo jumbo. It is overly idealistic to say that all people would instantly disagree with and condemn Murdoch’s statement for the unabashed ignorance it is. In the wake of the mass shootings of Charlie Hebdo magazine workers and the Sydney siege just a month prior (and with similar messages of ‘Muslim problems’ being espoused by many people on social media and in the press), it is likely that many people in the west (by majority, I mean white and Christian) looked at Murdoch’s tweets with a silent affirmation of its truth and

“These people [the Charlie Hebdo shooters, ISIS militants] are not Muslim. They have nothing to do with Islam. The Qur’an forbids violence.” He said, quite emphatically.

The Imam went on to tell me a story regarding the Prophet Muhammed. The story is about a man hired by Muhammed’s brother to spit on Muhammed as he walked by each day.

Whenever the hired man would spit on Muhammed, Muhammed would offer him a blessing in return. Eventually,

26

the man ceased spitting on Muhammed. Muhammed’s brother, when he enquired after the man, was told that he had become a Muslim. This story tells of Muhammad as being a Jesus-esque figure, a man who forgave his enemies and offered them peace. It is a far cry from the war-like, vicious figure painted by anti-Islamic propaganda doing the rounds on social media. Muhammad would likely have offered the cartoonists his blessings rather than bullets.

For every extremist, there are a million other Muslims who revere the peaceful Muhammed of the Imam’s story and his teachings of peace towards humankind. The fact is that Muslims are about as responsible for the actions of the Charlie Hebdo shooters as my Anglican grandmother is for the dissolution of Catholic monasteries in the mid-16th century. The problem is that the west does not understand Islam. Islam as a visible presence in the west is still relatively new. Outside the imperial adventure novels of Rudyard Kipling or John Buchan and a few cosmopolitan Turks, the west had no real image of a Muslim until post-World War II. By and large, we haven’t managed to grasp what it is to be a Muslim or to understand Islam.

This isn’t a problem for the other Abrahamic religions.

Christianity, of course, was the norm for centuries in the old and the new worlds, and up until very recently, even a small child could talk about the Ten Commandments and the life of Christ. Judaism is similar, in that, by understanding Christianity, there is a good deal of understanding regarding certain basic tenets of Judaism. As Islam came after Christianity so as such, Christians and Jews remain generally unthreatening, yet there are many who are threatened by a woman in a burqa. The media also plays a big role in this. The images of the Islamic State militants going on a rampage, the faces of the Charlie Hebdo shooters and Man Haron Monis who was the lone gunman in Sydney, following their various crimes have permeated the media and have contributed to a negative image of a Muslim. It is worth noting here that there was no religious motivation evident for the Sydney siege.

Simply put, there is a distinct lack of effort in the media to help people understand that the extremists make up an infinitesimal speck of the total Muslim world. There was no reporting, for instance, of things like the marvelous effort of the Muslim students on our own southern campus who went to a great deal of trouble last year to educate students on the basics of Islam, nor of the huge amount of inclusivity and charity displayed by Muslims towards believers and nonbelievers.

This lack of understanding or exposure to the Islamic faith, a faith with a solid foundation of peace and love, can mutate into that most violent of monsters; intolerance. If we allow ourselves to become breeders of intolerance, then we really are no better in our beliefs than the extremists are in theirs.

PHOTO: MARK GLIDDEN

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TOGATUS

EDITION ONE

PHOTOS: MORGAN DUHIG

#PHOTO ESSAY

Through the Sliding Doors: Life in Japan

Izakaya (traditional Japanese bars) under the trainlines in Fujigaoka

CafĂŠ 363 in the Nishiki-dori district, Osaka

Warmth

Arrival

28

Plastic food displays in Iwasaki-cho mall, Nagoya

First snow fall of winter in red light district, Fujigaoka

Aesthetic

Love

First sakura to bloom in the inner city cafĂŠ district, Motoyama

0800 hours, finally going home after a night of clubbing in Sakae Change

Bittersweet

29

TOGATUS

EDITION ONE

WORDS: GABY TREGURTHA

#SPORTS

Introducing: Ski Club

The hushed loudness of the rustle of wind and crunch of snow underfoot surounded me as I slid through the fresh snow on the first run of the day. The elation of speed and freedom surged through my body, tripping memories of the first time I fell in love with the snow as a little kid, messing around on the North West Coast of Tasmania.

New Zealand name given for an instructor), which is what ultimately led to the creation of the UTas Ski Club. The club came into being with the 2014 university year. Our aim is to make snow sports an affordable sport for uni students who otherwise wouldn’t be able to participate. With help from the TUU we purchased all the clothing and safety gear required to be safe in the snow. Our members can borrow this gear and participate on the slopes at cheap club rates in a fun and friendly environment. We provide lessons to skiers and snowboarders alike and several member of the club community are cross country skiers, so there is definitely something for everyone.

My first memory is of my dad putting me in his ski boots as he towed me around Cradle Mountain. Animals scurried away as we charged around the flat fields, falling to make snow angels. I was very lucky to be born into an outdoorsy family. My first proper skiing opportunity was when my dad smuggled me along with his Hellyer college field trip at age 12 to Ben Lomond Ski field, near Launceston. I was terrible, but like all children I made it work by spending my first few days sitting down whenever I needed to slow down or stop.

Eventually, with some instruction I learned the techniques and slowly improved on the yearly trips with my dad and his class up at Ben Lomond.

The biggest highlight for the club last year was our weeklong Mt Hotham trip with the Life Be In It crew. Everyone improved their skills dramatically and many have pledged to make it a yearly voyage. We want to continue to encourage members with all goals, whether it’s seeing snow for the first time, learning the basics or competing at the Uni Games and beyond. So if you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to fly down crystal-white slopes, or you’re hankering for the ski adventures of another life, get in touch with us at Ski Club!

Snow sport opened a lot of doors for me. Perhaps the biggest was traveling to Canada to become a Ski Smuff (the

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MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD PUSH THE BOUNDARIES Contributions are always welcome on student issues, politics, science, international affairs (student or otherwise), music, law, social issues, creative arts, environment, performing arts, creative writing, poetry, popular culture, film, TV, gaming… You name it.

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Gain valuable work experience, polish your communication skills, connect with all manner of people and experience all range of events!

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What do you want your What do you want your future to look like? future to look like?

They say be the change you want to see in the world.

They say be the change you want to see in the world.

But around 400,000 Australians 18say- in24 out on their But around 400,000 Australians aged 18 - 24 missed outaged on their themissed last federal election.

So beforeelection. you get into study this year, make sure you enrol to vote. It’s quick and easy.

You can even do it on a smart phone or tablet.

say in the last federal

So before you get into study this year, make sure you enrol to vote. It’s quick and easy.

Enrol today: www.aec.gov.au/enrol

You can even do it on your smart phone or tablet.

If you’re an Australian citizen aged 18 or older, voting is compulsory.

Enrol today: www.aec.gov.au/enrol 32

TOGATUS

EDITION ONE

@togatus_

#CLASSIFIEDS

(Future) Classifieds Togatus is pleased to announce.... a classifieds section!

The classifieds section is restricted to a maximum of two pages Ads are printed on a first in, best dressed basis New ads will be prioritised before re-prints

All students placing an ad at TUU Contact Centres can now have their ad reproduced in print, for free!

If you would like to submit an ad which is colourbased, includes a graphic, or generally not fit the type of thing advertised on Contact Centre noticeboards, a $5 fee applies. Ads for commercial services are subject to Togatus commercial advertising prices.

You can also post notices, such as:

Possible categories for your ad

Social events

Jobs offered / wanted Lodging available / wanted

Sports matches

Tutoring offered / wanted

Social meetups

Books for sale / wanted

Club or society seeking members

Research participants wanted

Invitation to form a club or society

Vehicles for sale / wanted Music lessons offered / wanted

Workshops or conferences

Instruments for sale / wanted

General notices SAMPLE AD:

FOR SALE Hogwarts: A comprehensive history Dispatch your finest offer via owl, C/O Harry, Dorm 4, Gryffindor Tower Dorm 4

Moving house sales / Garage sales Giveaways Swap / trade Pets Carpooling offered / wanted Personals (missed/sought connections)

Please email editor@togatus.com.au for more info.

33

TOGATUS

EDITION ONE

WORDS: HEIDI LA PAGLIA

#TUU

From the President Hi there! My name is Heidi La Paglia. You may have heard of me as the President of the Tasmania University Union (POTUU!). That can sound a bit like I’m some abstract figure overlording the students, so I thought I’d introduce myself and why I am passionate about the TUU. Some background: I’m a born and bred Tasmanian. I grew up in a single parent household, with my mother working fulltime as a nurse. Mum did her best to ensure I never had to worry about money, but I always knew that we had limited resources. So from a young age I was taught that nothing would be given to me that I didn’t work for.

I was told that if I wanted to have a good life, I would have to first get an education. I was taught that getting an education would help me secure a good job and a stable income. It didn’t take me long to work out that I wanted to go to university.

My passion for the TUU Presidency I ran for the TUU Presidency because I believe it is vital that we students are standing up for student interests.

Throughout 2015, I will work relentlessly with the student representative teams to fight for your interests with the changes the government has proposed, at a political level as well as in the university setting.

In 2015 we will be coordinating rallies, campaigns and lobbying initiatives to send a message to the government PHOTO: JOHN TANNER

34

The political climate

that the proposed changes are not in the interests of students. I will do everything I can to work for you. I am proud to do so under the name of the Tasmania University Union.

The election of the Liberal government in 2013 brought a huge blow for students. In the 2014 federal budget, the government announced cuts to education, health and the community sector in ways that will seriously change the social safety net which supports all Australians.

Some of the most drastic changes include:

Studies I graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts and a triple major equivalent in sociology, gender studies and public policy. I’m now studying leadership and politics units under the Bachelor of Philosophy, while I focus most of my efforts on the TUU. I thought about doing Honours and moving on

- A 20 per cent average cut to university funding, more for some - Deregulating course fees and introducing fees for PhDs - Introducing a GP co-payment or similar measure - Removing funding from free community services

to work somewhere in the community, but something made me want to stay around a little longer and work supporting the student community instead.

If these changes are passed in Senate, The Higher Education reforms mean it will cost more to go to university and students will come out with HECS debts like never before. If this isn’t enough to put off students from low socioeconomic backgrounds (which is the majority of us in Tasmania), the increase in social costs - like doctors and other community services - will. Students have to sacrifice enough to attend university, without being restricted from the services that helped us through our degree.

Experience In addition to my university education, I have a background in volunteering and political activism. Throughout my school years I volunteered for charities like St. Vincent De Paul and the Cancer Council. I continued with this until late into my degree when I encountered the TUU. Volunteering for the TUU appealed to me because it resulted in outcomes that I could see. The TUU provides free lunches for students and financial help for those in need. From personal experience, I know how helpful these services can be. I can’t count the number of weeks I’ve settled for baked beans and week-old bread for dinner.

If the government is successful in its plans to cut university funding and increase service costs, then disadvantaged students will be hurt first. Modelling has shown that under the proposed system, women will take 30 per cent longer to pay off their HECS debts, aboriginal, disabled and ethnicallydiverse students will lose vital supports, and international students may prefer nations like Germany, where higher education is free.

For these reasons I applied to be a general representative in the TUU South SRC when the position became vacant in late 2013. In 2014, I served as the TUU Women’s Officer. I was involved throughout the year in the TUU’s usual initiatives such as O Week and breakfasts; but what I take most pride in is my success in reinvigorating the women’s movement on campus.

Where to in 2015?

As TUU President, I am glad to be able to say that the TUU is very supportive of students. Our staff offer a range of services including student advocacy and course advice, childcare support, financial counseling and grants for emergencies. In 2015, I hope to improve our services by expanding our grant schemes to provide disadvantaged students with study scholarships, and to subsidize childcare costs for parents with young children. Education provides us with an avenue to improve our future prospects, but not just ours individually, it is well understood there are many flowon effects to the community. Education changed my life. I just hope that others will have that same opportunity.

You may know me for my involvement in the UTas Women’s Collective and the biggest Blue Stockings Week you’ve ever seen! Although this is not all I’ve done with the TUU; I believe this achievement is important because it reflects how the union can empower students to advocate for themselves on issues.

It is this advocacy that the TUU enables which will be particularly important this year as we battle a political environment that is so hostile to students.

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