TOGATUS
EDITION THREE
@TOGATUS_
TAKE ME, I’M FREE!
Tog atus. Est. 1931
WOMENS EDITION
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SEXISM IN MEDICINE: IT’S BIOLOGY
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GIRLS CAN DO ANYTHING
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DARK MOFO
Published by the State Council on behalf of the Tasmania University Union Inc. (hf. “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 togatus.com.au Togatus staff: Editor-in-chief: Michelle Moran Print Editor: Meghan Scolyer Digital Editor: Nathan Gillam Assistant Editors: Jess Flint, Nikita Riseley Design: Laura Wilkinson, Leanne Steer Administration Assistant: Alexandra Sykes Marketing and Distribution Officer: Hannah Todd Proofreaders: Alexandra Sykes, Carly Hickman, Charlotte Burgess, Daisy Baker, Judy Augustine, Mateesha Howard, Mathew Sharp, Melissa Redman, Sarah Reynolds, Tahlia Higgins, Zoe Cooney, Kendall Boyd Contributors: Anna Young, Andrew Grey, Angela Koh, Charlotte Burgess, Daisy Baker, Joey Crawford, Milly Yencken, Monica Poziemski, Zoe Cooney 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 may be used for publication in either the magazine or the website, and that the final decision on whether to publish resides with the editors. The editor reserves the right to make changes to submitted material as required. Contact Togatus: Twitter & Instagram: @togatus_ Facebook: facebook.com/TogatusOnline Website: www.togatus.com.au Post: PO Box 5055, UTas LPO, Sandy Bay 7005 Email: contact@togatus.com.au Advertising: marketing@togatus.com.au Togatus is printed by Monotone Art Printers. We support the locals. Front cover art and hand illustration by: Laura Wilkinson follow her on instagram: 7_willa
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Con tents
PAGE EIGHT
PAGE TEN
PAGE TWELVE
Keep the conversation going
Sexism in Medicine
Gamer girls
PAGE FOURTEEN
PAGE NINETEEN
PAGE TWENTY-FIVE
Girls can do anything
TUU’s 1st leading lady
The forgotten campuses
PAGE TWENTY-EIGHT
PAGE THIRTY-ONE
PAGE THIRTY-SIX
Synthesis
Dark MOFO
Death metal a capella hits Tas
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TOGATUS YEARBOOK COVER COMPETITION
It’s coming! The biggest and best edition of Togatus! Fancy seeing YOUR work on the cover? Send it through today! Simply email your submission to: competition@togatus.com.au and your work could be the face of the 2015 yearbook.
COMPETITION CLOSES AUGUST 24TH
Con tributors
ANNA YOUNG
ANDREW GREY
ANGELA KOH
CHARLOTTE BURGESS
DAISY BAKER
JOEY CRAWFORD
NOT PICTURED: Milly Yencken, Monica Poziemski
PROOFREADERS ZOE COONEY
Carly Hickman, Charlotte Burgess, Daisy Baker, Judy Augustine, Mateesha Howard, Mathew Sharp, Melissa Redman, Sarah Reynolds, Tahlia Higgins, Kendall Boyd and Zoe Cooney
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Ed itors
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MICHELLE MORAN
MEGHAN SCOLYER
NATHAN GILLAM
Editor-In-Chief
Print Editor
Digital Editor
JESS FLINT
NIKITA RISELEY
HANNAH TODD
Assistant Editor
Assistant Editor
Marketing Distribution Officer
LAURA WILKINSON
LEANNE STEER
ALEXANDRA SYKES
Designer
Designer
Administration Officer
MICHELLE MORAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Congratulations! You’ve made it this far! First semester is done and dusted, your exams are behind you and another round of graduations will soon be upon us. So much to cover in this edition with so few words. Firstly, welcome to our themed edition for 2015, and a special welcome to anyone attending the Network of Women Students Australia (NOWSA) conference who may have picked up this magazine for the first time. This edition seemed especially important at this time of the year as it is the first time NOWSA has been hosted in Tasmania. It has been a pure joy to see some of our contributors step out of their comfort zones to write about important issues for this edition. There was so much amazing content we couldn’t fit it all in one magazine. Make sure you head on over to togatus.com.au to see what else our contributors have been writing. Secondly, you might have noticed a new page in this edition; the one full of beautiful smiling faces right next to this one. Togatus has expanded over the last few years, causing a high enough workload to require more hands, leading to more opportunities for students who want to get involved.
I would like to use this opportunity to welcome and thank all our new editors Meghan, Jess, Nikita and all our new team members who have been doing an amazing job so far. I don’t know what I would do without you. I can’t wait to keep building Togatus with you this year. They go above and beyond what is asked of them every day, and for that I am eternally grateful. It has been an honour and a privilege working with you. While I’m praising my new team, I can’t forget those who have stuck around. Thank you to our digital editor, Nathan Gillam who always keeps our website in ship shape, and a huge thank you to our designers Leanne and Laura. If it wasn’t for you, this magazine would fall apart. Thank you for all your hard work, and all those last minute changes I force onto you. Now that you know more about our wonderful team, I hope you will get in touch and see their work first hand. Our entire team is dedicated and talented and want to help you get the best out of your work. Today is the day you should get involved, shoot me through an email at editor@togatus.com.au.
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TOGATUS
EDITION THREE
WORDS: JESS FLINT
#GENDER
Keep the conversation going
In the interest of equality, perhaps the decision to publish an edition based on ‘gender equality’ that overwhelmingly seems to focus purely on female issues is not the most progressive means to addressing an unequal society. In a perfect world, a gender equality-based edition would not be necessary. Unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world, which begs the question: who is responsible for creating a society where gender is not an issue that warrants discussion? I believe we are all responsible. We should all be actively working to pursue equality in a world where, sadly, women still face oppression and discrimination. As Ghandi once said, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” Togatus contributors have submitted some wonderful pieces for this month’s edition, addressing important issues and complex values held deeply within society. There are also encouraging stories that emphasise the forward momentum our culture is developing. Feminism hasn’t lost; the game continues to change.
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It shouldn’t take a gender themed edition for our writers to want to address their concerns, or provide encouragement on issues based around gender – the conversation needs to be ongoing. It should become a part of everyday discourse to want to discuss issues that have connotations embedded in gender equality. This year, students at UTas have witnessed controversies that, while to some seem trivial, ultimately prove there can be fundamental misunderstandings of what gender equality corresponds to in the 21st Century. Continuing discussion on issues that impede the road to gender equality will encourage understanding and clear, precise communication. It is too easy to brush society off as ‘imperfect’ and allow the perpetuation of gender stereotypes, only calling it out when it becomes topical to do so. We don’t need to be told when to strive for equality. In the future, gender will not provide a foundation for people to make assumptions. It is up to us to pave the way to this future and to exemplify the values that we believe should exist in an equal society.
TOGATUS
EDITION THREE
WORDS: DAISY BAKER
#GENDER
@talkpaybot It is estimated that on average, Australian women will earn almost $1 million less than their male counterparts in their lifetime. Few studies documenting gender pay gaps have researched the reasons behind this, other than gender inequality. In her article “Let’s talk about pay” Pittsburgh software developer Lauren Voswinkel said, “The lack of knowledge regarding reasonable salaries … can be directly attributed to the social taboo surrounding people talking openly about their salaries”. On May 1st, Ms Voswinkel created #talkpay to coincide with International Workers’ Day. Voswinkel called for individuals to tweet their job title and salary alongside the hashtag. She wanted to start a public conversation about the gender pay gap in America and break the taboo surrounding pay discussion. Voswinkel believes open pay discussions are integral to forming realistic expectations of potential earnings and reducing salary inequalities. “We need to reframe these occurrences, collectively, as an unsustainable and unacceptable practice,” she said. It is estimated that 1,300 individuals tweeted their details, some of whom anonymously tweeted on behalf of others, or gave details of several jobs in multiple tweets. Inspired by Voswinkel, programmer Myles Borins launched the Twitter account @talkpayBot, allowing individuals to directly message the twitter account to share their wage and job description anonymously. The account and associated tweets have gained international media attention and added fuel to the discussion of pay disparity.
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Sexism in medicine: it’s biology 10
TOGATUS
EDITION THREE
You may have heard the damning accusations of sexism and sexual assault in medicine. Vascular surgeon Dr Gabrielle McMullin was the focus of media attention recently after saying “If you are approached for sex, probably the safest thing to do in terms of your career is to comply with the request.” She went on to outline examples of times when the system harmed the victim’s careers, but did not punish the perpetrator. When I entered medical school, I genuinely believed I was entering into one of the most equal professions in terms of gender – after all, women make up roughly 50 per cent of medical graduates. Despite this, I recall being informed in first year by a fellow student that women shouldn’t be “allowed” into medical school. Because we are expected to have children, and only work part time, it’s a “waste” of a medical education. I was a waste of a medical education. Other women I have spoken to have had similar experiences of prospective colleagues telling them women don’t belong in medicine. Because obviously every woman wants to have children, work part time and be primarily responsible for child rearing in their relationship. These are archaic stereotypes and have no biological basis. It is insulting to suggest that fathers aren’t important to a child’s upbringing, or that men don’t want to be involved in child rearing. It is also insulting to suggest women who go back to full time work are missing the best years of their child’s life. Let’s entertain the idea that women are less ambitious than their male counterparts, that the presence of oestrogen automatically makes a person hate money and power. A 2013 survey in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found both men and women in academia are equally engaged in their work and hold similar leadership aspirations. The survey also found that medical schools fail to create and sustain an environment where women feel accepted and supported to succeed.
WORDS: MONICA POZIEMSKI
#GENDER
Furthermore, studies in the Annals of Surgery show women are as eager to assume leadership positions, are equally qualified, and work just as efficiently as their male counterparts. These studies also reveal that female surgeons receive lower salaries than men and are more vulnerable to discrimination. A 2013 study revealed that over half of female GPs in Australia will experience sexual harassment by patients during their career, and are likely to have to change their style of practice as a result. So, why would women choose that lifestyle for themselves? Women are entering medical schools in vast numbers, but they are not filtering through to the top. In Australia in 2009, over a third of doctors were female but only a quarter of these were specialists. Even Iceland, considered the most gender neutral country in the world, has fewer female than male medical professors. Men also publish more research papers than women across all areas of medicine. It is disillusioning that accomplished women have a lower self-efficacy about their careers in comparison to similarly successful men. If women in the high ranking positions are rarely seen, girls will have less self-confidence about their own career development. Policies alone cannot achieve equality in the workforce. Despite often being subtle, cultural stereotypes about men and women remain pervasive and result in systematic disadvantage for women. These stereotypes can even put women at risk of harassment and assault. With more women than ever entering the medical profession it is our responsibility to ensure women are taken seriously, and are at the very least, safe. Safe from harassment, safe from discrimination, and safe from mental harm.
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GAMER GIRLS
TOGATUS
12
EDITION THREE
WORDS: NIKITA RISELEY
#GENDER
Female representation and sexism within the video game industry is a topic of contentious global debate. With the existence of intimidating social media content such as the controversial Twitter hashtag ‘Gamergate,’ we are slowly starting to see a decline amongst women in the industry. According to a 2013 survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, women make up only 8.7 per cent of Australian game developers compared to 20 per cent for their global counterparts. Women currently make up 47 per cent of the overall gaming community and it is encouraging to see more women and girls gaining recognition and voicing their opinions about the games they play. However, due to the over sexualisation and objectification of female characters in action games, and the stereotypical inclusion of helpless characters such as ‘Princess Peach’ these opinions have become overshadowed by a torrent of online abuse directed towards women. The ‘Gamergate’ movement is a rather vicious and potentially dangerous argument that is divided in terms of public perception. Members are either thought to support higher moral standards in gaming journalism, or are part of a trend of misogynists who enjoy harassing women in or around the gaming industry. A well-known example of this harassment is the case of American feminist critic, Anita Sarkeesian, who was attacked after posting a series of videos on YouTube about the representation of females in gaming. Shortly after, a wave of abuse began to emerge. She began to receive violent threats and was even targeted through the creation of websites and online games where people could ‘Beat up Anita Sarkeesian’. It was later reported
that she was forced to cancel a speech at the University of Utah after receiving an anonymous threat of a planned mass shooting. While this is a more extreme case, it will not be the last. Women are constantly harassed online through the use of derogatory labels, archaic gender stereotypes and threats of rape and death. Such behaviour should never have to be endured by anyone in the 21st Century. Another issue behind the low participation of women in the video game development industry is the lack of support from peers. The topic of women in gaming was discussed on ABC’s Good Game program in April 2015. Founder and director of Media Molecule Siobhan Reddy said “By the time a young woman is in year 8 it is most likely that she will have been put off technology by a parent, a peer or a teacher” It is important for young women to see that although gaming is a male dominated field, they are not alone. Many successful women within the industry have come together to act as role models by creating online spaces where young girls can go for advice and encouragement. Giselle Rosman from the International Game Developers’ Association (IGDA) Melbourne is one of these women. On ABC’s Good Game she said “I’m really keen on getting more women to stand up and say ‘hey, this is what I do’ and that way younger people can then identify with that and [sic] go ‘oh, I can do that too’” As for the title ‘Girl Gamer’ or ‘Gamer Girl’, yes we are girls and yes we like video games but is it really necessary to put our gender ahead of our hobby and potential career path? All we are asking for is equality.
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GIRLS CAN DO ANYTHING
TOGATUS
14
EDITION THREE
WORDS: ZOE COONEY
#GENDER
Girls Can Do Anything is a new website designed to inform and encourage female students to take on careers in maledominated industries. Developed by national women’s alliance Economic Security4Women (eS4W), Girls Can Do Anything offers links to employment pathways and programs across Australia. The website also features women who act as role models by sharing their experiences in areas such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics and skilled trades. “[Getting] women into male-dominated occupations and industries is one of the key issues identified by our members to improve women’s long-term economic security and increase gender equality in Australia,” said Chairperson of eS4W, Ms Sandra Cook. Lucy Barker is a Human Resources Manager in the offshore shipping, oil and gas industry, and is one of the many role models found on Girls Can Do Anything. “The industry is very interesting and dynamic,” she said. “There are definitely career opportunities available for women within the industry and especially in ‘non-traditional’ roles like engineering and ship management.” Another role model, Marnie Scobie, said her job as an electrician offers the flexibility she needs to care for her family and is a rewarding career that provides financial security. “There is no reason why women cannot consider a future in this role,” she said. Women currently make up less than one quarter of participation in maledominated industries. Sharon Warburton, a Director and Business Owner in the construction and mining industry, said the sector was “very blokey”
when she started working, and she would often be the only female on the mine sites. “There are times I recall chairing meetings where the rest of the people at the table (all male) would almost freeze you out and the meeting would happen as if you were not there,” she said. The inclusion of role models will help young women recognise that they can play a valuable role in any industry they choose to work in, and highlights the success of Australian women working in these areas. Girls Can Do Anything is an avenue for female students to discover how their high school, pre-tertiary and university education can be applied to these industries. International Research Engineer, Deanna Hood, shares her experience in the fields of maths and engineering with school groups. Deanna aims to break down the misleading stereotypes that prevented these areas from being promoted to female students when she was growing up. “I would hate for someone to miss out on such an opportunity because no one had ever suggested that they consider it,” she said. The development of Girls Can Do Anything contributes to the commitment made bythe leaders of the 2014 G20 Summit, to reduce the gender pay gap by 25 per cent by 2025. This will see up to 200,000 women entering the Australian workforce in a range of industries. “The key benefits are being able to make a difference to women,” said Information and Communications Technology (ICT) worker, Karen Austria. “Believe in what you are passionate about. Don’t let anything hold you back,” she said. Girls Can Do Anything is available at: www.security4women.org.au/rolemodels/
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TOGATUS
EDITION THREE
WORDS: ANGELA KOH
#GENDER
The vagina monologues
Image: Supplied
The Vagina Monologues (TVM), a famous play written by Eve Ensler, has been performed in over 140 countries, including conservative countries like Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan. It brings up issues of sex, love, rape, menstruation, female genital mutilation, childbirth and orgasm. By removing the barrier of embarrassment in discussing feminist issues, TVM brings us closer to raising awareness for the problems faced by women. This includes the atrocity of female genital mutilation as well as victim blaming, which entails survivors being held responsible for the harm that befell them. Despite being entertaining and well received, the controversial play has garnered criticism worldwide from conservatives and feminists alike. The use of confronting language in the monologues serves in capturing audience attention. One of the opening monologues, ‘Lists’, adds to the entertainment value of the play by introducing alternative names for the vagina. A non-exhaustive list, which had audiences in tears of laughter, includes “powderbox”, “coochi snorcher”, “nishi”, “fannyboo”, “mushmellow” and “Gladys Siegelman”. Another of the monologues, ‘They Beat the Girl Out Of My Boy... Or So They Tried,’ introduces a more serious tone to the play. Transgender women recount their childhood experiences of wanting to be female. It is a particularly moving and realistic
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monologue that made me forget they were not recounting their own experiences, but instead ones that were scripted on their behalf. While the Monologues were interesting, many were not realistic. Ensler based them on interviews, saying in her book that she “just began with the deed of an interview and had a good time.” A point of contention was the contradiction between the promotion of rape awareness by V-Day and the monologue ‘The Little Coochie Snorcher that Could’. V-Day is a global non-profit organisation seeking to end violence against women. TVM have contributed proceeds to V-Day. In the monologue, a woman recalls being given alcohol and raped by a 24-year-old woman as a healing experience, ending the section with “It was a good rape.” This line was later cut from the performances of TVM, however the point of contention still lies within the Monologues. Gender Studies lecturer Lucy Tatman, who was involved as a performer in the 2015 production of TVM at the UTas Sandy Bay campus says the play is “both a cry against violence and a gorgeous celebration of women’s lives.” Mrs Tatman said that a desire to “live in a world where there is no violence,” was the main force that compelled her to participate in the play. It is overall a provocative and spectacular play that is well worth watching.
TOGATUS
EDITION THREE
WORDS: JOEY CRAWFORD
#GENDER
#heforshe “I have realised that fighting for women’s rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that this has to stop” – Emma Watson What do Hermione from Harry Potter, Jack Bauer from 24, and Anchor Wolf Blitzer of The Situation Room have in common? They, along with Obama and a number of other high-profile men, are part of a campaign known as #HeForShe. The #HeForShe campaign was launched last September by the United Nations Women, seeking to recruit a new demographic in the fight for gender equality. The campaign promotes gender equality as an issue that concerns everyone.
The #HeForShe campaign markets gender equality as a fight for everyone with an emphasis on young men as just one catalyst of change. The idea that all men share misogynistic opinions perpetuates false stereotypes. Signing an online pledge is not going to fix gender equality alone but it is a good place to start. It’s a no-brainer that if every man and woman united in a fight for gender equality then discrimination on the basis of gender would no longer be an issue. How can we effect change in the world when only half of it is invited or feel welcome to participate in the conversation? - Emma Watson
“I have realised that fighting for women’s rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that this has to stop” – Emma Watson #HeForShe encourages the idea that young men who support empowerment will become the next generation’s leaders of change. This does not suggest men and women have a different place in leadership roles, but rather that young males are a key group overlooked in the fight for gender equality. With almost 300,000 men signing onto the global movement, including an excess of 10,000 in Australia, it is fair to say both men and women support gender equality. The #HeForShe pledge, committed to by men upon signing up to the cause says: “Gender equality is not only a women’s issue, it is a human rights issue that requires my participation. I commit to take action against all forms of violence and discrimination faced by women and girls.”
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TOGATUS
EDITION THREE
WORDS: DAISY BAKER
#GENDER
Women at the top Women currently hold one third of positions on Tasmanian and Australian government boards and committees. According to the 2010 Australian Census of Women in Leadership, Australia has the lowest representation of women on government boards compared to America, England, South Africa and New Zealand. Furthermore, women seem to ‘disappear’ the further up the corporate ladder they climb, holding only seven CEO positions in the top 200 Australian companies. Inequality extends beyond underrepresentation to an overwhelming pay gap. Women on average earn almost 20 per cent less than men. This has been largely attributed to the double burden; the expectation that women will be primary caregivers, while remaining active in the workforce. Additionally, due to these expectations, women are more likely to work part-time. Such expectations undermine the credibility of women on government and advisory boards. This was evident in 2013, when Bob Hawke claimed that Tanya Plibersek was an unlikely candidate for the leader of the Labor Party because she had a three-year-old child; he simultaneously endorsed the capability of Bill Shorten, omitting that he too was a parent of a three-year-old. The Tasmanian Women’s Plan 2013-2018 outlines that women will have increased access to child-care services, maternity leave entitlements, education, equal pay legislation and workplace gender equality. Nevertheless, Tasmanian women and girls, comprising of 50.2% of the population, do not have equal representation in economic, political, social or community life. The Plan seeks “Equality for all women and girls and their full participation in the economic, social, political and community life of Tasmania.” It also takes a “gender mainstreaming” approach, in which gender equality is the central
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Image: Michelle Moran
focus of policy implementation and resource allocation. Empowering women and increasing leadership participation is one of the key goals. Increases to women’s participation in leadership roles will not only improve gender equality but also benefit the companies in which they work. Catalyst found a positive correlation between the amount of women holding senior roles in companies and the financial performance they yield. A 2008 study by McKinsey and Company found that such boards had, on average, earnings 48% higher than industry standard (before tax). Furthermore, studies have found that gender-diverse boards have increased corporate reputations. Hopefully annual reviews of the plan will reveal women appearing higher on the corporate ladder. Catalyst found a positive correlation betweenthe amount of women holding senior roles in companies and the financial performance they yield. A 2008 study by McKinsey and Company found that such boards had, on average, earnings 48% higher than industry standard (before tax). Furthermore, studies have found that gender-diverse boards have increased corporate reputations. Hopefully, annual reviews of The Plan will see women appearing higher on the corporate ladder.
TOGATUS
EDITION THREE
WORDS: CHARLOTTE BURGESS
#GENDER
TUU’s first leading lady The information in this article was sourced from a recording that is part of a collection of interviews conducted for the University of Tasmania Centenary Committee Oral History Project. 1941 was a year for change at UTas with Cynthia Johnson becoming the first woman elected president of the Tasmanian University Union (TUU). From dances in the library to the fight against car parks on campus, Cynthia’s stories highlight the radical change in student life since the 1940’s. Two years before becoming President of the TUU, Cynthia was working as a laboratory assistant at the university. She studied science, saying that she wouldn’t study Arts because she thought it was dull. The wide range of support services available to students at UTas today provide a stark contrast to Cynthia’s time at the university. During her time at the Union, Cynthia acted as the unofficial student counsellor; helping students find accommodation and giving advice on health and careers. “When I was the president at the union I was much more like a student advisor than anything else.... Sometimes the staff would come to me and say ‘Would you speak to such and such?... He needs to pull his socks up…’” Cynthia believed she could have been treated like a student advisor because she was a woman. She also suggested that she was able to become president of the union because so many men had gone away to join the forces. She didn’t observe any discrimination against women during her time at university and felt that female students were treated well by everybody. When Cynthia was at UTas the conditions of many buildings were poor and the library was the only
big room at the University. Because of this, the library was used for dances. The attire and music at the 2015 barrels would be entirely different to the library dances Cynthia attended. But her stories suggest that some things, for example, a passion for alcohol, never change. “We used to use the library for dances… If they got a few drunks in there and damage would be done or things would be split, there would be trouble and then we wouldn’t be allowed to use the library. There would be a terrible fuss over that.” Cynthia described the staff common room as “terrible” and the men’s common room as “just a hut with holes in the wall.” This description seems far removed from the student lounges recently built at the Sandy Bay campus, which offers an abundance of kitchen facilities and beanbags. The TUU today has offices around the state, but when Cynthia was at University the students struggled to get a decent union building. The plans for the building were drawn up, but it was never built because of the prospect that the university might be moved to a new location. At UTas today, it’s not uncommon to hear a student complain that they were late to class because it took them forty minutes to find a space to park. During Cynthia’s time as a student, there was a huge backlash against student parking. It was thought that the car parks would make the campus ugly. Only people with severe physical disabilities were allowed to park on University grounds. This is Cynthia’s story as told to the University Oral History Project. Thanks to this project we can be taken back through history to a time completely different from now; we can envisage a university life that contradicts the one we know today in so many ways.
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TOGATUS
EDITION THREE
WORDS: ANGELA KOH
#GENDER
Pandora’s Jar: exploring misogynistic ideas of the past The myth of Pandora’s Jar reflects aspects of the gender order such as the power relations between men and women, division between the sexes, and the objectification of women. Pandora’s Jar portrays men as superior, and sees women blamed for the ills of mankind. Women are perceived as baggage men have to endure until old age. This discredits women and diminishes their power. Zeus utilising Pandora as a punishment demonstrates a hierarchy of power relations. Zeus has a god-like status while Pandora is portrayed as a pariah, who must comply with Zeus’ bidding and dirty work. This further demonstrates early misogynistic beliefs.
Illustration: Milly Yencken
Myths tend to be thought of as mere fables, but often conceal a sinister message. Though we have come closer to narrowing the gap between men and women, gender discrimination still exists. The Greek myth of Pandora’s Jar can be used to examine historical ideas of gender and contrast them with current values. The myth begins with Zeus seeking revenge on Prometheus. Zeus created a beautiful woman, naming her Pandora. Zeus sent Pandora to Prometheus as a gift. Prometheus fell in love with Pandora, and married her. As a wedding gift Zeus gave Pandora a jar, but warned her not to open it. Despite Zeus’s warning, Pandora’s curiosity led her to open the jar, which turned out to contain the ills of mankind. This is where sickness, old age and death are said to have originated.
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Another aspect of the gender order portrayed in the myth is the objectification of women. Pandora is described as sexually alluring, possessing traits of feminine beauty. She is described as “[shining with] great beauty.” Such a description embodies the ‘ideal woman’ in the gender order. Women today are often similarly objectified in the media, portrayed as sexual objects rather than individuals. By contrast, the only description to be found of men is about how “political” they are. Women only matter because of their appearance, whereas men are given attributes such as intelligence and political participation. Despite being an Anglo-centric myth from the 8th century BC, Pandora’s Jar still holds relevance to today’s society. Women are still perceived as ‘irrational creatures;’ they still face continued gender discrimination, and are blamed by weak men for bringing rape onto themselves. While the treatment of women has improved in general, there is certainly still room for improvement.
TOGATUS
EDITION THREE
WORDS: ANNA YOUNG
TANGLED BEDSHEETS
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#GENDER
They crucified me with their judgement: My palms have been pierced, My wrists have been tied, And there is a knife sticking out of my side, Where they bled me dry. They beat me their misunderstanding: Every word that I heard was a bullet in my heart, Their eyes sent arrows and daggers, Piercing every part Of myself, that I held dear. Every day I struggled with a new form of fear, As my brain tried to explain the pain Caused by their hatred. And why it was directed at me. Why I was daily brought to my knees, By people who couldn’t stand To see someone different, Someone like me. I wake in the morning with my thoughts tangled in my bed sheets, And my tangled expectations of what I should be, Who I should be And who the world wants to see, Tangled in my bed sheets. My bed is no longer a place of rest, Replaced instead by a place of distress, Because of the person who lays next to me, undressed, And falls asleep with their head on my chest. A slumber so deep, And an act so pure. But I can’t sleep, Because I have to endure This prejudice. This ongoing fight Between wrong and right. Where honesty and integrity Are crushed into secrecy and shame. But tell me, Who’s to blame? Is it the children Taught to stuff their sexuality, And their identity, Into their closets with their clothes, And the bones
Of their skeletons Created by killing their dreams? Things are not as they seem. Children with low self-esteem And no self-worth, Are being told, “You’re not worth it.” “You’re a freak.” “You’ve got a disease.” “No one wants you.” For God’s sake. Please. Please. Please. Let this end. Stop tightly tucking teenagers into their deathbeds And forcing anxiety and depression into their heads. Stop beating them with Bibles and backwards beliefs ‘Till conformity, or death, is the only relief. Our beds are no longer a place of rest, Replaced instead by a place of distress. Our lullabies are created By the cries of the hated. Our prayers to God, a desperate plea for forgiveness, For a crime we never committed, We were just the witness. They crucified me with their judgement, They beat me with their misunderstanding, They tortured me with their hatred, And they punished my family too. Now I’m asking you. For every child crying alone in their room, For every teenager counting calories, Popping pills, Or carrying razors, For every adult still living in fear, Or suffering with shame, For everyone, who has ever been abused, I’m begging you. Please. Please. Stop.
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TOGATUS
EDITION THREE
WORDS: MICHELLE MORAN
#NEWS
The forgotten campuses
Did you know that UTas has not one but two campuses in Sydney? If you answered no, you wouldn’t be alone. These campuses are two of UTas’ trophy campuses. Hot Water, WiFi, and facility access are only some of the services missing for students on the forgotten satellite campuses. When visited by Togatus staff during May, students expressed excitement that the Rozelle campus was finally receiving hot water. Darlinghurst students complained that there is no WiFi available for student use in the library, while Rozelle’s library consisted of a few book shelves. The university says they are working to rectify this. Stephanie Taylor, Executive Director of the Student Centre, said “We are actively working on improving wireless coverage and expect to be able to expand the University WiFi network to cover the Darlinghurst Campus in the near future.” The university told Togatus the campuses will be renovated to better address student concerns. Ms Taylor said “We’re upgrading all toilet amenities,
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refurbishing the foyer and improving the library. New and expanded informal learning spaces will be created, as well as renewed social spaces. The Evan Jones Lecture Theatre will receive upgrades including audio visual systems, mechanics and lighting.” Both campuses have started to receive more equipment for student use in the last six months, however services such as new computers are locked and inaccessible to students outside of class use. Students identified lack of access to learning facilities as a major concern, as campuses are only accessible during business hours of 9am – 5pm. Rozelle recently started opening from 7:30am until 5pm, however these hours are mostly incompatible with fast track student’s work experience hours, making after hours study difficult. The university say opening hours will extend until 10 after building works have been completed. The Darlinghurst and Rozelle campuses at UTas mainly cater to fast track paramedicine and nursing students, however there are very few student
Image: Nathan Gillam
services on the campus. When paramedicine was first offered at the Rozelle campus, UTas was one of the only providers of the fast tracked service for New South Wales, giving them a monopoly in the area. However, since other universities in the area began to offer the courses, UTas campuses have begun to pale in comparison. Some students told Togatus they recommended their friends attend other universities when asked about their experience at UTas. One student said, “I feel as if I am paying for my education, however I am not getting the services I am paying for. The education is okay, however there is no support from UTas in the way of student services.” The university promised they will create two new roles in the Rozelle library to help support Sydney students. The Darlinghurst campus comprises of a few small lecture theatres, tutorial rooms and a hospital simulation room, while Rozelle is made up of a couple of old buildings in desperate need of renovating.
There are next to no student facilities on either campus. One coffee machine resides in Darlinghurst however is accessible only to staff. The TUU has recently approved funding for the Darlinghurst and Rozelle campuses to purchase coffee machines for student use. The university are planning on renovating the Rozelle campus by the end of the year. Ms Taylor said “Works, commencing with the redevelopment of the front foyer and library space, are expected to begin in July and anticipated to be completed by the end of 2015.” In addition, the TUU have just approved a new representative position for Sydney, abolishing the Sydney representative on the Northern SRC in favour of one representative from Rozelle and a second from Darlinghurst. UTas have three out of state campuses in total, including Darlinghurst, Rozelle and Shanghai, China.
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WORDS: ANGELA KOH, TOGATUS
EDITION THREE
NIKITA RISELEY &
#NEWS
CHARLOTTE BURGES
TUU Board of Management cuts out students
The Tasmanian University Union (TUU) Board recently decided to limit the number of management observers to seven at their board of management meetings. The board has now used a clause in the policy to shut students out of discussions.
The recent TUU policies raise questions about the nature of the Board and why, to quote former Southern Environment Officer Sophia Mallick ”they are clamping down on student interest in the management of the TUU, which is, after all, an organisation designed to serve students.”
TUU State President Heidi La Paglia said that several student representatives have concerns about the decision.
The new meeting policy states reasons for limiting the participation of student observers include the “upholding [of] confidentiality” for sensitive procedures, which ”will be easier without the cause [for] interruptions.” The board does have the option of going in camera, where all observers are asked to leave during the discussion of sensitive issues.
”They think that the Board should be accountable to students and any student who wants to attend should be able to,” she said. Students have to apply in writing before attending a board meeting, giving the chair of the board full power to block students from attending. The abuse of the board’s power might be exemplified from an April management meeting, where all student observers were barred from attendance. This included Togatus editorial staff. Concerns were raised by board members earlier this year in regards to the implications of the new meeting policy on their management responsibilities.
Engineering student Robbie Hunt said it may be inevitable that the TUU Management meetings “could be biased,” without the sufficient diversity in student participation to allow a more accurate representation of the student body. Arts student Gabby Markham expressed a similar concern, saying “[the limit of seven observers] could allow [the Board] to pick and choose [only] those who agree with them.”
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TOGATUS
EDITION THREE
WORDS: ALEX RIDER
#ENVIRO COLLECTIVE
University of Tasmania loses $100,000 on dying industry
The University of Tasmania has reportedly lost up to $115,000 from investments in fossil fuel stocks.
another professor, three research assistants, or scheduled another 2000 PASS sessions!
According to a data analysis report provided to Fossil Free UTas in a right to information request made in June 2014, the share value of the stocks plummeted over a 10-month period.
Countries internationally are taking steps to cap fossil fuel consumption. Last November’s climate negotiations in Paris delivered a sphincterclenching outcome for the fossil fuel industry, with China, the world’s biggest emitter, pledging to cap their emissions by 2030. The US also pledged to reduce their emissions by 28 per cent by 2020.
We all lose things - just the other day I lost a sock, I’ve been looking for it everywhere. Like a sock, $115,000 may seem like small bickie’s for UTas, but it raises questions about financial management at the top of the management tree. Most pure play fossil fuel companies have declined over the last two years, after the price of thermal coal plummeted. This trend has continued into metallurgical coal, oil and natural gas. The university is throwing good money after bad by investing in companies whose core business is the extraction, combustion and transportation of fossil fuels. Is it fair or reasonable, amid staff cuts and tutorial size increases, for the university to throw money into a pit in the ground? That $115,000 could have funded the completion of the centenary courtyard. They could have hired
It’s the perfect storm for an industry facing higher capital costs, low commodity prices and low demand. It’s deeply ironic that a university that regularly boasts about its contributions to climate science has lost hundreds of thousands through bad financial bets on a dying, climateimpacting industry. It’s a matter of public record that the university has an investment portfolio of $250 million, of this anywhere between $25 - $100 million could be invested in fossil fuels and is therefore at risk. Hopefully the university executives come to their senses and change course; the money could be put to better use elsewhere.
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TOGATUS
EDITION THREE
WORDS: ANDREW GREY
#CREATIVE CHRONICLE
Illustration: Milly Yencken
2: SYNTHESIS “When the fox hears the rabbit scream, he comes running. But not to help.” Mizumono casts shadows upon the walls, as you stand there, half in the darkness of the hall, looking upon the living room. Wondering how you got there, you take a seat, wincing at the pain on your left side. Taking a shot of absinthe, you look at the bloodstain on your beautiful white t-shirt. Rising, you painfully walk to the bathroom, take off your t-shirt and disinfect the stab wound. Your bloodied hands fumble through the first aid kit, trying to find a bandage. It’s wrapped around the wound now, scissors fall upon the floor as you hear the phone ring. Then, you hear it, floorboards creak. You wake lying on your bed, your phone tightly grasped in your hand. Attempting to move, you cry in pain, a knife sticking out of your abdomen, the bed stained with blood. On the bedroom table is a bandage and a pair of scissors. Pulling out the knife, you wrap the wound, gasping through the pain. You have a missed call. Calling back, you hear “the person you are trying to call is not available”. You try again, but the phone beeps. It dies. Wincing, you walk to the door, there is a light in the hallway, and you walk down, slowly, the pain growing increasingly stronger. There, on a table, is a needle of morphine. You inject it, there atop the stairs. All of the house, but the hallway, is dark. Then, you hear it, floorboards creak.
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You’re at the bottom of the stairs, your whole body screaming in agony. Sitting up against the wall, you see only darkness, the sound of rain. Pitter-patter, pitter-patter. You close your eyes; the house almost silent, except the sound of music, Aria from Goldberg Variations, coming from the kitchen. Pitter-patter, pitter-patter. You reach for the handrail, your right hand reaching out. You almost grab it, but your arm falls, failing to grab the railing. Suddenly, you scream, as moonlight shines through the window, and see it, holding a flashlight, your right hand. Turning the flashlight on, you see your right hand has been replaced with a mannequin hand. Then, you hear it, floorboards creak. The floor is cold, your lungs filling with liquid. Your left hand reaches out, pulling yourself forward, swimming through the crimson sea. There, next to you, is a pile of bloody intestines coming from your abdomen. Attempting to stand, you slip on the blood covering the white tile, falling back onto your stomach. A hand slips around your neck, pulling your bloodstained body from the floor; their foot stepping firmly on your intestines, tearing them from your body. A knife slashes your throat, throws you against the ground, as you hear Mizumono in the background: “I let you know me, see me. I gave you a rare gift, but you didn’t want it”.
TOGATUS
EDITION THREE
WORDS: JOEY CRAWFORD
#CREATIVE
BLACKHEART Have you ever taken a second to think about a second? It’s strange right? A kind of paradoxical, maybe even bizarre idea. My line of work affords me the time to think about it. I can’t help but think about it. Each time I meticulously deconstruct a wristwatch or grandfather clock to polish the flimsy stainless steel or oxidized brass, they tell me a story. A story of where they came from and what their ever-changing faces have seen. A young man stood in front of me. His blue eyes held a pool of sadness that I dare not ask about. “Can you repair this for me?” he asked, his voice quivering with each vowel. “I can fix anything,” I replied. “Please look after it. It was my…” He paused. “Don’t worry. It’ll be as good as new.” I stared at the linen package in front of me. Unfolding the thick cloth revealed a piece of Blackheart Sassafras, I’d know it anywhere. The soft ticking held my attention as I gazed at the beauty of the clock face. It stared back at me ominously, and it was obvious why it was called blackheart. Rough edges encapsulated an unassuming beauty within, a tan exterior, a deep brown streak at its core. What story did this tell, I questioned as my mind drifted hypnotically. What are its origins? A young woodcutter attempted to make his living cutting logs at minimum wage for forty hours
a week. He looked after his bedridden mother, never complaining. The young boy would usually cut down boring trees that offered no surprises. Pine, oak, and the likes. But that day was different. His employers’ plantations depleted, he chose an exotic forest nearby to pilfer from. After wielding his chainsaw on a tall speckled tree, it fell. For the first time in his life he was surprised. He didn’t see anything like what he expected, instead he saw a tan exterior and a perfect deep brown centre. He called his boss over and to his continued surprise, his sizeable employer had seen it before. “Sass’fras,” he said, chuffing away on his cigar. “Can I buy a log of this? Before it’s split?” “Don’ see why’ not.” From that point on, the boy carefully carved thin strips, sanding them to perfection. With carved hands, he saved pennies for mechanisms and produced ten identical clocks. On one he added a wooden ring, with a dusty emerald attached. Using that, he proposed, for he could not afford to buy a calibre diamond. The young man was still standing there as the watchmaker arose from his trance. “It was my mother’s,” he said. “Her grandfather made it for… for his wife. In her final years, I neglected her. I can’t neglect her only possession left.”
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Illustration by: Nikita Riseley
TOGATUS
EDITION THREE
PHOTOS: MICHELLE MORAN &
#DARK MOFO
NATHAN GILLAM
DARK MOFO 2015__
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TOGATUS
EDITION THREE
WORDS: JESS FLINT
#MUSIC
DEATH METAL A CAPELLA HITS TASMANIA
The highlight of this year’s Festival of Voices will be the Australian debut of Van Canto, a German a capella band with an unusual twist. In addition to performing a one-off concert on the 11th of July, Van Canto will also hold a six day vocal workshop where participants will be invited to perform with them after completing the course.
The six day workshop will be offered in conjunction with the University of Tasmania, weighted as a 12.5 point unit for students studying a Diploma of Music. Van Canto formed in 2006 and have been delighting critics and audiences ever since. I recently interviewed band member Stefan Schmidt, who was more than happy to share his thoughts on the music industry and the upcoming Australian show. How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard it before? We call our sound “Hero metal a cappella”. It is vocal oriented, melodic and heavy music, performed by one drummer and 5 singers who all have their musical roots in hard rock and heavy metal. What are the biggest challenges Van Canto have faced since forming? Apart from the challenge of performing a 90 minute gig entirely without breathing, we set our own challenges. What definitely comes to my mind is the fact that we have always been able to set new goals and think “bigger” from album to album. There will be a time when it’s harder to think of new goals, but right now we are still full of ideas, for example [sic] coming to Australia for the first time.
Your unique style seems well suited to audiences from Hobart (as we can be a little unusual ourselves). How has your music been received on a broader international scale? Very well. For our 2014 album Dawn of the Brave we toured all over Europe and got a great response. We also toured in South America some years ago and it was also great. We are very excited to see how people in Australia will receive our music, but we are very positive that it will be a good time; the human voice is international. Have you been surprised by this response? Yes! Of course there is a part of Van Canto where we act like a regular band, for example [sic] planning albums and tours, so we somehow count on finding people in a specific city being interested in Van Canto. On the other hand, especially after live breaks or when we come to a foreign country for the very first time, it is always overwhelming to get such great response. What do you hope the participants of your workshops will take away from the experience? The feeling that the human voice can be the greatest instrument on earth.
Do you believe that critics expect too much from you?
Do you have plans for a full Australian tour in the future?
99 per cent [sic] of the reviews we get are very positive. Of course it’s hard for some people to accept that we call ourselves “metal” or “a capella” but we don’t care too much. We founded a band, we have a unique sound and a huge fanbase, so there is not too much need to care about critics.
We are very happy to make it to Australia for the first time and want to have a great time there. Apart from that, time will tell.
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TOGATUS
EDITION THREE
WORDS: TOPHER WEBSTER
#TUU
LEWDITY, NUDITY, SCAVHUNTS, & SQUARES You know what I find to be one of the perks of modern life? We are all far less sensitive than our peers from the past; our skin has collectively thickened. Television, an agent of this change, has degenerated from its inception as a black-and-white portal to a world of imagination. These days, we see brutality and tits, with a healthy helping of either athletes or dragons. Is this desensitising good for us as a species? It means that the sheer mass of human media production has smothered our sensitivities. The rough proliferation of content has all but sandpapered the tastebuds from our eyes. Image: Nathan Gillam
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The sexed-up existence of horror and depravity is all well and good, but these things now have their place: they belong in the home, - on the screen or in the living room. They are the things that go with dinner, not the things that interrupt your lunch. As Heath’s darling Joker says, “you know... you know what I’ve noticed? Nobody panics when things go ‘according to plan.’ Even if the plan is horrifying!” So long as tits remain firm and bouncy, and nipples slip only when they are on the chest of a King’s Landing whore, we are safe, detached, unmoved. As soon as breasts (woah now Freud, it’s just an example…) lose this sex appeal, when they lose their precarious position perched over the lap of some great hairy barbarian, they are dangerous. They force us to react; they remind us of the reality of existence–that bodies are fallible and imperfect. This is the rude shock we all need, the wake-up call that echoes like a bugle, followed by the chemical charge of youth: students like us are the adrenaline in society’s cholesterol-caked veins. What I’m saying is that ScavHunt is this danger: we are the pink skin under the scab, the unzipped fly in your soup. We are what is new, what is immortal, what has emerged from the crap left by the old: we are the shoots in your grandparents’ shit. When you see any ScavHunter’s anatomy flop through your campus, through your lecture, through your bedroom at 3am, know that the awed disgust you experience is the death of the old, and the rebirth of the new.
“I am youth, I am tradition; fuck your deviance, fuck your advance, fuck your entrenched beliefs, fuck your comfort.” As our glorious winter bodies smash into your preconceptions, kick your assumptions in the gonads, and wreck the joint, we remind you that your reality is subjective. In my world, we are not the immature inconvenience, we are the flaming truth and terrible freedom set to burn your builtup beliefs to the ground. I am youth, I am tradition;
fuck your deviance, fuck your advance, fuck your entrenched beliefs, fuck your comfort. Wait, hang on. My pocket’s already a-buzz with your complaints. “Any nudity is sexual because sexuality permeates humanity to its core”, you say. That’s a fair cop. Is ScavHunt just another excuse for young’uns to attract a little more friction on their erogenous zones? Hell no! ScavHunt is a response to this conception of youth held by the elderly – fuck your patronising “bless the youngsters and their antics”, and fuck your condemnation of our condom nation. We are not only the future of humanity, we are its present; ScavHunt is the manifestation of life’s sick sense of humour.
“ScavHunt is this danger: we are the pink skin under the scab, the unzipped fly in your soup.” Not that it’s all about the skin, though. That’s just the bit that people tend to remember. What about the rest, the fully clothed yet equally cheeky, the on-campus encore performances? Never opened an elevator door into an engrossing game of Twister™? Never seen an imitation Jesus chased through the mall, cross and all, by an equally cross Satan? Never seen an iron-stomached man down a pint of anchovies and custard? Never read a letter from Hutchins complaining about the theft of their goal-post? There is a lot to love about being alive, and that lot is laughter. As elusive and exclusive uni students, we have the opportunity to make the world smile and blush, and believe you me, we’re going to. ScavHunt is our joie de vivre, our life-lust and humane hunger. Through ScavHunt, loudly and proudly, we hit on life itself. ScavHunt is coming: get your bits out or go home. ScavHunt 2015: July 27-31st. We won’t be the only ones coming. *Anybody interested in getting involved, contact Topher at the TUU building (filed under “campus president”) or at the UniBar (filed under a barstool).
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