Yak April 2013 by UON Student Central

UNDERGROUND SPORTING PHENOMENON Lachie Leeming explores Newcastle’s roller derby scene

TO BE OR NOT TO BE The Mass Debate on the Newcastle Railway

TWO-UP, GOLDEN BISCUITS AND THE ANZAC SPIRIT Is Anzac tradition somewhat of a religion?

ISSUE 14 / APRIL 2013 BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE U

CONTENTS 08

Anzac Day - The Aussie Religion

The Godfrey Tanner Bar

Working off the Easter Guilt

Creativity, Culture and Coffee

Block and Roll

EDITORIAL Emily Steele - Managing Editor Kate Ellis - Deputy Managing Editor Bayden McDonald - Deputy Editor Lachie Leeming - Deputy Editor Richard Baines - Deputy Editor Tanya McGovern - Deputy Editor Anneliese Wild - Graphic Design Lucy McLeod - Promotions and Advertising Angela Geddes - Art Director

CONTRIBUTORS

Synthetic Cannabis: A Dangerous Alternative

Ben Mitchell - Graphic Design Jacqui Scolari - Contributing Writer Jasmin Harrison - Contributing Writer Jessica Aquilina - Graphic Design Jessica Rykers - Graphic Design Leicha Stewart - Contributing Writer Matthew Hatton - Contributing Writer Pasqualina Perone - Contributing Writer Sam Rayfield - Contributing Writer Shane Gillard - Contributing Writer

APOLOGY Last month’s issue printed Mathew Barton as the writer of “The Case for Engineers” in our monthly mass debate article. We would like to issue a correction. The writer of this piece was Judd Boaz and we apologise to both Judd and our readers for the misprint. We endeavour to be as accurate as possible throughout our magazine.

SUBMISSIONS The Yak editorial team is always on the look out for passionate student writers and graphic designers to contribute to the magazine. If you would like to take the opportunity to get your work published, please send a sample of your writing to yakmagazine@newcastle.edu.au.

ADVERTISING

Unearthed Feature Artist: The Lyrical

THE USUAL STUFF

Mass Debate: To be or not to be: the Newcastle Rail Line

Nina Las Vegas; Working Hard for the Money

04 Yak Online, Yak or Yuk

23 U-Cinema Movie Reviews

05 Academic Profile

26 Clubs & Societies

05 Watt Space

27 Campus Whip Around

07 Green U

30 Dickie’s Dilema

07 Support U

30 You Can Leave Your Hatton

16 What’s On

31 Vox Pops

For advertising opportunities, contact Lucy at yakmagazine@newcastle.edu.au Get your free copy from press-points around campus on Monday, 6 May.

yakmagazine@newcastle.edu.au facebook.com/yakmagazine twitter.com/yakmagazine Yak magazine is a free publication of UoN Services Ltd © 2012. www.uonservices.org.au Printed by PrintCentre on Callaghan Campus.

• Letter to the Treasurer • Last ever Dickie’s Dilema • The Don Morris Walk

• The Rubens • Something For Kate • Tom Ballard 5 Questions

Yak Magazine is published by UoN Services Limited at the University of Newcastle. The views expressed herein are not necessarily the views of UoN Services Limited or the University of Newcastle, unless explicitly stated. UoN Services Limited accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of any of the opinions of information contained in this issue of Yak Magazine. In addition, Yak Magazine may at times accept forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of affiliate compensation to subsidise the costs associated with producing the magazine. We recommend you do your own research and draw your own conclusions about any product claim, technical specifications, statistic, quote or other representation about a product, service, manufacturer, or provider.

Yak Magazine - April 2013

LETTER FROM

THE EDITOR EMILY

I have spent the last week ‘umming’ and ‘ahhing’ over whether or not to take a fifth class. Pros include reaping extra knowledge and brain enhancing benefits, but the cons include going to uni on an extra day, heavier workload and less time with friends. It has been my top concern for days and I have no idea what to do. I mean, I would have to fit the extra work in around other classes, working part-time, soccer, tutoring and most importantly, my commitments to Yak. Could I really stretch myself to take on a 3000 level course that isn’t actually necessary for me to get my degree?

THIS MONTH’S BITING QUESTION: “What would be your roller derby name and why?” MANAGING EDITOR

EMILY STEELE

I would be ‘Steele Accident’ cause I’m literally made of Steele (geddit?) and I’m so clumsy that I’m always an accident waiting to happen.

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR

KATE ELLIS

‘Katie Krumples’ because although I am able to roller skate, my ability to trip over absolutely nothing is second to none. Putting me in close contact with other people at fairly decent speeds means face to floor action. DEPUTY EDITOR - FEATURES

BAYDEN McDONALD

‘Supermarket Chain’ because I destroy the competition.

Then it hit me. Hard. Right in the face. Wow, the problems I face in life are so difficult and intricate in nature, aren’t they? Whilst some people are preparing budgets so they know they will be eating for the week, here I am worried that I might not be able to go out for weekly Thursday Thai nights. Some people juggle parenting or full-time work with their studies and I’m concerned that I might not be able to fit in readings before I trot off to soccer.

DEPUTY EDITOR - ENTERTAINMENT & TECHNOLOGY

I’m a worrier and it’ll probably send me to the grave early.

RICHARD BAINES

I’m stuck stressing about something so inconsequential that I’m forgetting just how good I have it. TOUR3002 has been lapping my brain so much in the last week that I haven’t stopped to think about how lucky I am. I have amazing parents who support me in any way they can. The roof over my head is my beautiful family home that I share with my incredible (albeit, annoying at times) little brothers. I have the best group of friends, regular hours at my workplace and I am healthy (this statement will be withdrawn when the winter cold rolls in). Too often, I am caught up worrying about the little things that I forget the big picture. I have decided that regardless of whether or not I take TOUR3002, life will go on being just as fantastic as it was before. People fry bigger fish every day. Ones in size that I can’t even comprehend and luckily don’t have to for a while. So for now, I will take my TOUR3002 debacle and be happy knowing that it is the only issue in my life (other than parking of course, who doesn’t have issues with that though?).

LACHIE LEEMING

Maybe ‘Slipstreaming Leeming’. Other players could cruise through on the airwaves created by my bulking figure.

DEPUTY EDITOR - COLUMNS Probably ‘Bul-king’ so people know that I’m bulking. And full of it.

DEPUTY EDITOR - UNI CONTENT

TANYA McGOVERN

I would be called ‘Hit Dodger’ for my ability to move swiftly out of the commotion. My lack of participation in the pack would lead rival teams to forget me… sneaky tactic, teeth still intact. GRAPHIC DESIGNER

ANNELIESE WILD

‘Anna Lethal’ because every variation on my last name sounds vaguely sexual. Also my friends actually call me this and it’s badass.

PROMOTIONS & ADVERTISING OFFICER

LUCY McLEOD

It would definitely be Luce Bitch. Some of my best (or perhaps worst) friends call me this and besides the unfortunate innuendo it has a certain ring to it.

04 Yak Magazine - April 2013

twitter.com/yakmagazine

JOSH

facebook.com/yakmagazine

To the first year students interacting like adults … Keep trying.

3 people like this

JAMES

To the pretty boy in the white shirt who murmured something at us on the path near the chancellery, “murffgle” to you too, buddy.

3 people like this

TANYA

I’m pretty sure the description of a textbook as “great condition, never used” is just code for “useless, passed course without it, buy it first year sucker”.

18 people like this

See more @ Newcastle University Stalkerspace Facebook page.

Hashtags Cadbury Crème Eggs

47% 53% 38%

62%

Clowns

55% 45%

Folk-pop

44% 56%

Memes: Sourced from UoN Memes.

Yak Magazine - April 2013

By Tanya McGovern

Victoria Jack - Communication Academic

Every day Communication students walk down the long white bridge, like a stairway to heaven (or hell), into the ICT building. They hope at the end of their studies, paid employment waits for them atop a pedestal. This dream can often seem like a distant mirage, but former communication student-turned-academic, Victoria Jack is proof that it’s all possible with hard work and dedication.

Victoria completed her Communication Degree at Callaghan in 2007, and was lucky to score a job as a reporter and newsreader at 2HD and NEW FM just two weeks after finishing university. A year later, she started a cadetship with the Newcastle Herald.

and Nepal. It was during her travels that she developed an interest in humanitarian communications, which inspired her to complete an internship with aid organisation, UNICEF, and work with an Indonesian antitrafficking organisation.

“I was looking for something that would be really meaningful and “I was looking for something that would would enable me to do be really meaningful and would enable me something with my life that to do something with my life that would would help people,” help people,” said Victoria.

Her travel experiences also led Victoria to undertake her PhD in humanitarian communications. Her PhD involves researching the role and impact of communication between aid agencies and people affected by humanitarian crisis. Victoria will soon head off to Thailand to After two years working in the industry, undertake her field research with media she decided to hit the books again and development organisation, Internews. undertake the Honours program. She puts her success down to a solid Victoria has travelled extensively, visiting journalism portfolio and plenty of work Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Kenya experience. Victoria completed a lot

Roadside Memorials

of freelance work, writing for small independent magazines during her undergraduate degree. Her tips are simple: contact the publications that you consume and enquire about how you can get work experience. Pick up the phone, send an email. Take the plunge, have confidence in yourself and go in armed with one or two stories to offer. “No one expects you to get everything right the first go,” says Victoria.

Jetty

A Modicum of Truth, or a Mound

3 - 21 APRIL

24 APRIL - 12 MAY

Alchemy and Chaos – Zoe Roxburgh, Mary Van Gils, Nick Pont, Barbie Procobis, Willow Morgaine, Skye Jacobson, Dave Torres

Mixed Messages – Emilie Caillot

Reminiscentia – Sarah Edmondson

Roadside Memorials – Andrew Styan

The precise approximation of current: Touch – Louis McAlpine

Thursday, 4 April, 6.30pm

A Modicum of Truth, or a Mound – Ryan Fitzgerald Walls – Dylan Smyth

Before Ophelia – Charlotte Patterson The Dazzling Destruction – Ashlea Boswell

Jetty – Begona Pretorius

Thursday, 25 April, 6.30pm Email: wattspace@newcastle.edu.au Website: www.newcastle.edu.au/group/watt-space Facebook: Search: Watt Space Student Gallery of the University of Newcastle.

Watt Space Gallery, University House, Auckland St Newcastle. Open 11am -5 pm, Wed - Sun. Ph: 4921 8733 Watt Space is funded by UoN Services Limited and supported by the University of Newcastle School of Creative Arts.

Yak Magazine - April 2013

- DUMPSTER DIVING By Pasqualina Perone

This month UoN Sustainability Scholar, Pas dives into the extreme end of sustainable living as she introduces us to the freebie lifestyle of ‘Dumpster Diving’. ‘Living sustainably’ has become somewhat of a buzz term, with people adopting a multitude of different methods to be kind to the environment. This includes anything from installing solar panels to using shower timers and community gardens to... dumpster diving? Dumpster diving is the act of sifting through rubbish in a number of settings, whether they be commercial or residential, in order to salvage any useful or reusable items, instead of letting them go to landfill. Now, I’m not trying to endorse dumpster diving, but I do find it a very interesting concept. I am equally fascinated by the people who manage to strike gold by diving into someone else’s bin. So, what are the motivations behind dumpster diving? Well, according to Google, people do it for a number of reasons, including; wanting to live sustainability and to recycle unwanted goods; political protest, plain curiosity and, of course, because they don’t have any money. There are even tips and tricks included on Wikipedia and online forums for a growing community of people taking up the practice!

SUP PORT U This month UoN Support Scholar, Jasmin gives us the run down on support services for international students.

Welcome, bienvenue, huãnyíng, välkommen, yõkoso, hwangyong-hamnida, willkommen, selamat datang! Last month we had a little intro to some of the general excellent support options available, so this time round I thought I’d take you through some of the more specific ones. Now, if you’re not an international student, don’t tune out, there are still some great options for you coming right up. But first of all, as an international student, you should already be very well acquainted with the International Office, right? But if you are still trying to find permanent accommodation, or are worried about those dark, spooky uni paths at night, there is help! Likewise if you need some help with your academics, are having a plain old struggle with understanding the Aussie accent or are hunting around for some fun things to be involved in, you can contact an International advisor for some advice! If you email International-Advisors@newcastle.edu.au, or drop by the International Office (to the left of the Hunter Building’s Hunter Café entrance), they will be able to help you out.

I’ve never tried it myself, but I recently spoke to some friends who have done it, and they said they were able to find some pretty cool stuff for free. They found a plethora of things including bread out the back of bakeries, and electronics and hardware in the bins of major chain stores! It’s amazing what will be thrown away these days due to slight faults like a missing button or because it was left over at the end of the day. Of course, dumpster diving, like anything, has its downsides. Aside from the potentially disgusting bin you’ll be ‘diving’ into and any associated illnesses that may come with it, other negatives include the fact it’s dangerous to be skulking around alleyways in the middle of the night. Also, you could be breaking a whole bunch of laws and face legal punishment if you’re caught! In conclusion, the point of this article hasn’t been to promote diving into bins (unless it’s what you’re into!), rather, it’s to show that there are many ways of being sustainable – you just have to be creative about it!

International Student Support for the Win! By Jasmin Harrison

Now, Aussie students, this is where you come in. There are also a couple of sweet programs run by the International Office, including Community Connections, Speed Conversation and GOALSS. Community Connections is a cross-cultural friendship program for international students and locals. Speed Conversation involves short, quick chats between local and international students, with morning tea included! As for the sporty types, GOALSS is where overseas, local students and staff can get together to play soccer, have fun and get to know each other. It’s usually on Thursday afternoons from 4pm - 6pm on Oval 4. These programs take both international students and local volunteers, so get into it! All are great opportunities to make a friend, lend a helping hand, and have some fun while you’re at it. For more information just pop into the International Office, or you can sign up for the specific programs online, at http://www. newcastle.edu.au/students/international/student-support/ living/community-life.html Finally, the International Office is also in charge of student exchanges – which, I’m told, if you’re looking for an adventure, expanding your horizons, and learning some new things, are a total winner.

08 Yak Magazine - April 2013

Th e Aussie Religion Bayde n McDonald de bates wh eth e r two- u p, golde n biscuits an d th e Anz ac Spir it have fille d a space le ft by th e cou ntry’ s incr e asing secu l ar isation .

ast month it was declared that the great heroism reported in the story of ‘Simpson and his Donkey’ may have been largely exaggerated. A committee investigating the soldier’s suitability for a posthumous Victoria Cross said the familiar legend is largely based on unreliable reports and that Simpson’s efforts were probably not out of the ordinary for someone in his role. Popular columnist Miranda Devine laughingly responded that “this is what happens when you investigate things… honestly they’ve ruined it all”.

Australian values and our Aussie spirit,’ said Victorian Cross recipient Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith.

I kind of felt the same way: the legend of John Simpson Kirkpatrick and his lovable, four-legged ambulance is a childhood favourite.

Has the Anzac Day tradition filled this void?

The legendary status of such stories, as well as Miranda’s and my response to this finding, reminds me of the common defence of religious mythology: does its historical or scientific accuracy really matter compared to the message it imparts?

Although occasions like Christmas and Easter are still some of the biggest days on the Australian calendar, for a lot of people this is less to do with the teachings of Christ and more about a fun, extravagant day with loved ones.

There is something religious about Australian’s relationship with Anzac history. It has the public holiday, the revered figures, and perhaps most importantly, the set of values we like to celebrate and claim as unique to its followers.

Compare that to Anzac Day. Even though there is barely a soul alive today who would remember the devastation of Australia’s first significant military defeat in 1915, the occasion established to commemorate this defeat is the day treated with the most respect and sensitivity. I know people who have never been to church, and who you wouldn’t catch getting out of bed early for a job interview, but make the effort for the dawn service each year.

Last year, in her Anzac Day address, the Prime Minister went as far as to say the occasion had overtaken Australia Day in terms of both emotional connection and national identity. More important than its historical significance is ‘the founding of our

Since the 1901 census the percentage of Australians indicating they have no religious affiliation has risen from 0.04% to 22.3% in 2011. It doesn’t take a degree in anthropology to see that in cases where we still do identify with a particular religion, the depth of devotedness is less than it once was, and often less than that of other cultures who subscribe to the same faith.

Yak Magazine - April 2013

I think there is some truth to the idea that it takes a ‘holy’ figure to really bring out the best in people. While most of us would agree that Christian values like forgiveness and a strong sense of charity are good to have, to actually live by them from day to day is often difficult. Equally, I think we can all agree that courage, determination and mateship are all good values, but it takes the heroic acts of a few Australians for us to take pride in those values and really apply them. Let me draw another comparison. One of the notable customs that has arisen from the Anzac Day tradition is the Aussie pilgrimage. In a journey that can be described as little else than sacred for its participants, more and more Australians now travel to Anzac Cove each year to pay their respects to the fallen. Now look at one of the largest religious pilgrimages, the Hajj. A journey millions of Muslims partake in each year to the holy city of Mecca in the last month of the Islamic calendar. It is not only about devotion and paying tribute to God, but also personal development.

Australian military history for his local community. The RSL, he says, provides important services that can range from helping veterans with welfare and pensions, to making homes wheelchair accessible, to sponsoring young people to complete the Kokoda Trail. Peter says that RSL has, and will continue to remain relevant for the community, particularly those coming back from more recent conflicts and as they get older. “After Korea, Vietnam, you’ve had the Gulf War and now you’ve got Afghanistan, and we’ve got troops coming back from there who the RSL is still relevant for,” he says. “So that they’ve got a voice that can be heard: that’s what we’re here for.”

“There is something religious about Australian’s relationship with Anzac history. It has the public holiday, the revered figures, and perhaps most importantly, the set of values we like to celebrate and claim as unique to its followers.”

Similarly, Australians have adopted their own sacred pilgrimmage in the Kokoda Trail. The trail is framed not just as an active history lesson, but an exercise in character development, using the attributes we associate with the ‘Anzac spirit’. The Kokoda Trail Youth program for instance, is precisely designed to help young people develop the values and skills necessary to overcome their personal issues in life.

Daniel Crowell, the program coordinator of Kokoda Trail Youth Program in Brisbane, says that the experience has a massive impact on its participants. “Walking in the footsteps of our diggers over there on the Kokoda Track… it really drives home what they had to go through,” said Mr Crowell. “I think having that whole experience tied in, it really does give them the opportunity to fully understand what happened over there and I think then they can relate that to, you know, their own lives and what daily struggles they have,” he said. The Australian pilgrimage is not just about paying tribute to the figures we respect, but about discovering the foundations of a good character. The comparison I am most pleased to make with religion is with the sense of community Anzac appreciation has encouraged. The Returned and Services League for one, has hundreds of sub-branches in New South Wales alone, and provides vital community support. Peter Burns is a committee member for the Cardiff RSL subbranch, has 20 years-service in the Navy, and writes about

Although Peter is not sure about Anzac Day filling a religious void, he agrees that, with the possible exception of Remembrance Day, it is our most solemn commemorative occasion. He is constantly encouraged by the interest the club receives on such days, from both young and old. If there is any concern that younger generations aren’t appreciative enough of the sacrifice Diggers have made over the years, as a member of Gen Y, I’m proud to say that I identify more with the Anzac values than with any other more traditional set. I treat the day with more reverence and respect than any other. Though it might be an exaggeration to uphold the Anzac Day tradition as a new faith, the values we associate with it are as good as any to live your life by. What’s more, they are truly Australian. If the perseverance of stories like Simpson and his donkey is more to do with sloppy journalism and exaggerated pub-talk than truth, I say so be it. There would have been hundreds of true stories similar to that of Simpson that will never be heard, so what is wrong epitomising our soldier’s heroism in one true-blue Aussie story. Besides, just like those scripture stories we listened to with wide eyes in grade two, they seem to inspire us.

10 Yak Magazine -April 2013

Godfrey Tanner Bar By Tanya McGovern

Attollens umero famamque et fata nepotum Lifting on his shoulders the fame and fortune of his descendants – The Aeneid

ou may have returned to university this semester and noticed that the Godfrey Tanner Bar has been refurbished. The menu lists hosts dishes with some mysterious names, and a bicycle and pair of boat oars have suddenly become prominent features. Why so different, you ask? Well, these changes have been made to remind students of their beloved lecturer, legend and friend, Godfrey Tanner. In 1992, the then new bar in the Shortland Building was named in honour of the university’s Emeritus Professor of Classics, Godfrey Tanner. Godfrey was a well-known and well-loved member of the university community, coming to the university as one of the founding fathers. A team player, contributing significantly to student life at the university, Godfrey founded the University Boat Club, was patron to the Rugby League, Rowing and Surf Riding clubs, and

held numerous leadership roles across campus organisations. He helped organise debate and union nights, and established the Godfrey Tanner Undergraduate Scholarship for first year students facing financial hardship. After retiring in 1993, he continued to teach Sanskrit, research and study away in his office in the Engineering building, as well as present his weekly segment, Godfrey’s Grip, on the university’s radio station, 2NURFM. In July 2002, Godfrey sadly and unexpectedly passed away. The loss was widely felt, with his death reported in the Newcastle Herald and the Sydney Morning Herald.

Godfrey Tanner with members of the UoN baseball team. Image courtesy of The UoN Cultural Collections.

I never had the pleasure of meeting the legend, but he has certainly made an impression on me. I watched old interviews from the university’s Cultural Collections, and felt like I was sitting opposite a dear friend. He was a character who spoke with such warmth and humour. You can’t help but like him.

Godfrey’s bar represents his personality. The leather booths, chairs and lounge take you back to a time where suits were common daywear. Pool tables stand in the corner, students’ artworks hang on the wall, and an old game of travel scrabble lies on a shelf. His famous yellow bicycle sits high up on the wall, and a pair of boat oars pay homage to his work in establishing the university’s rowing team. A painting of Godfrey, by artist and former UoN student Michael Legge-Wilkinson, blissfully looks down at bar patrons. The bar now has a new and tasty menu, with dishes sporting names like Tanner Scrambled, The Cyclist, The Rower and Godfrey’s Frittata, well and truly giving Tanner the salute. Tanner Tuesdays run every Tuesday from 7pm, where you can take part in regular activities such as debating, open mic night, karaoke and politics in the pub. I’m sure Godfrey would have happily raised his glass to that.

12 Yak Magazine - April 2013

f you are anything like me, you would guffaw at the mere thought of roller derby being a major sport on the Newcastle scene. But to do that would mean you’d end up with a few slices of humble pie mashed into the area in and around your mouth as the facts are dealt to you. Whilst Newcastle roller derby may seem largely underground, casting a brief glance over the state of the sport will no doubt leave you shocked.

By Lachie Leeming

Lachie Leeming delves into the underground sporting phenomenon and comes out bruised, battered and enlightened.

Exactly what roller derby is still has me somewhat perplexed. In my brain, where the football codes are the predominant sporting thoughts, roller derby struggles to compute. Reading from the Newcastle Roller Derby’s website, I will attempt to explain the finer points of roller derby. The sport is lingo rich, making it all the harder for me to wrap my head around. Firstly, it’s pretty much a full contact sport, which my footy brain likes. Players wear helmets, mouthguards, wrist guards, knee pads and elbow pads. The game is played on an oval track and consists of two thirty minute halves. These halves are broken down into ‘jams’

Yak Magazine - April 2013

which run for a maximum of two minutes. Two teams oppose each other with each team putting five players on the track. Three of the five are ‘blockers,’ which make up the main body of the pack. Each team has one ‘pivot’ and one ‘jammer.’ At its most basic, the jammers attempt to lap the opposition pack to score points. There are a myriad of laws that accompany this – such as no points can be scored during the first lap, the establishment of the ‘lead jammer’ who can call the jam off at any time, and the attempts of the blockers doing their best to, well, block the opposing jammer from getting through.

a Newcastle representative team that plays other leagues in cities such as Canberra and Sydney. The first roller derby of the year, played in early March, attracted around 400 people. There is a roller derby bout roughly every three weeks and the competition goes nearly yearlong except for a six-week break over the Christmas holidays. This long term competition means that the participants of the game are physically fit specimens.

If one were to be interested in joining the hallowed ranks of derby skating, Babycakes recommends emailing through their website or Facebook page (both of which I have usefully put at the end of this thoroughly informative article). There are also regular ‘fresh meat intakes’ where applicants are assessed to see if they have the rudimentary skating skills to ensure they would survive on the derby battlefield. Overall Carly/Babycakes wants to emphasise the embracive culture that

If these are the basics of the game, I’m not sure my noggin could handle the complexities. To aid my understanding of the sport I talked to Newcastle roller derby veteran Carly, who plays and coaches under the name ‘Babycakes.’ Assuming a nickname

“There is probably a lot of stereotypes around, but it’s an inclusive community with a whole heap of people involved in it, of all ages and all different walks of life.” is a tradition of roller derby players recognised worldwide, her name leads me to inquire about the language that roller derby players adopt, and has me mystified. “There is lots of derby specific language,” she concedes, “a lot of people probably have no idea what we’re talking about.” Babycakes is currently a jammer for one of the three Newcastle league games and is also studying her PHD at The University of Newcastle (it’s not clear what name will appear on her degree). She has played in the local competition league since 2010 when she migrated from Adelaide for study. Indeed, roller derby teams exist in many of the larger cities in Australia. Babycakes explains how the local derby has three teams, which contribute to

“(It’s) lots of intense work, then a rest, then back out there again,” says Carly, very much simplifying a 60-minute whirlwind of roller skate mastery. Injuries, while not rife, occur as you’d expect in a game where packs of humans on rollerblades attempt to lap and block each other at high speed. In particular, Babycakes mentions dislocated elbows, knee injuries requiring reconstructions and hematomas as some of the main injuries afflicting the ranks. Whilst there is no clear and obvious social demographic dominating roller derby numbers, Carly does say that there seems to be a lot of nurses, which would certainly be deemed useful.

exists within the Newcastle roller derby community. “There is probably a lot of stereotypes around, but it’s an inclusive community with a whole heap of people involved in it, of all ages and all different walks of life.” If that sounds like your scene then maybe it’s time you grabbed your skates, prepped a fierce nickname, and got involved in your local roller derby.

Newcastle Roller Derby Official Website: www.newcastlerollerderby.org.au/ Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/ newcastlerollerderby

14 Yak Magazine - April 2013

WORKING OFF THE EASTER GUILT T

hat guilt. That shame. That festering pit of regret, the one you’ve avoided falling into for so long. But now, the only few vestiges left to your former health are the brown crumbs nested in the crumpled foil that was once an egg, the remnants of which now only exist as bittersweet, yet irresistible temptation..

Almost one year ago, you said you’d never do this again, but even as you repeat this to yourself, “I will never do this again,” you poke and prod, lick at your finger and ensure you’ve left nothing behind. Where do you go from here? Fortunately, there are options. Don’t blame yourself for not realising at first, as they are in no way obvious. They come from years of subjecting oneself to the aforementioned savory-yet-unsavory acts, require whatever conviction you can muster, and more than likely won’t work. Ranked from most to least depraved and consequently, least to most logical, here are 5 ways to both prevent and exorcise your Easter guilt:

1 - Continue Eating Sometimes, it can be difficult not to do the things you said you’d never do again. Student night with cheap drinks in Newcastle, though, is perhaps not the most applicable example so let’s apply another... Sitting on the couch, partly enjoying whatever it is you’re absent-mindedly watching ... wouldn’t some Doritos fit nicely here? Grabbing a bag and zoning out once again, a few unnoticed moments pass and suddenly, you’re halfway through what was once a full, fresh bag of corn chips! Putting this down to a “mistake” (you know, “Whoops!”) will not suffice, leaving you with nothing but a half-empty bag of tasty, salty stuff which, if eaten slowly enough, will last long enough for you to consider what to do next. Thankfully, this elegant little tactic applies to Easter eggs as well, coming with many more colorful and caramel-y variations for guilt evasion for the Lenten duration.

2 - Fall Asleep Smashing out a dirty Cadbury or seven admittedly gets you nowhere, but if that’s where it’s left you, that is where you should remain. Couch-perched and belching those weird chocolate burps, falling asleep after any kind of binge can ultimately bring on nightmares (which are kind of fun, anyway), but when all you’ve got to look forward to after this is a big, guilty, chocolatey hangover, you might as well drift off for a few hours of relief.

3 - Compare Yourself to Others Sure it has been said time and time before that, ‘comparisons are odious,’ but when one is confronted by a situation in which they could become the odious,

Sam Rayfield explores ways to shed the shame of Easter indulgence.

the object of repulsiveness, if they do not compare, odiousness is a necessity! Colloquially known as a “hang-under”, wander the egg section in the weeks leading up to Easter Sunday and think of all the chocolate you’d feel bad for eating (if you did) while watching parents and their children grab as much as they can... Remember - chocolate doesn’t last forever, but selfcomparison can last a lifetime.

4 - Blame the French Of course, comparing oneself to another is a tactic illadvised, but when there’s an entire nationality, what’s stopping you? Case in point: the French. Easter eggs have been a tradition long-since realised by early Mesopotamian Christians, to symbolise the death and resurrection of Christ, but it was the French (along with the Germans) who inaugurated its chocolatisation. Digital calculators, mopeds and camera phones are all French inventions, and are all things that pique our capitalistic bones into purchasing them, then make us realize the true horror of what we’ve just acquired. It’s kind of like, “Oh wow, a moped! Gotta get a moped!”, and then it’s like, “Oh shit! Just bought a moped!” We have too much to “thank” them for already, let alone chocolate Easter eggs.

5 - Get a Gym Membership ... or simply go for a few jogs. However, which one are you more likely to do? With a gym membership, the motivation to become active and burn any excess calories becomes much more pertinent. Why? Because you’re paying money for it! Money spent on Easter eggs, on reaching this current state of bloated inactivity, then more money spent on working it off. Furthermore, if you’re really feeling bad, a 12-month gym membership will guilt you into being active for an entire year. Which, by all considerations, is pretty convenient as Easter tends to roll around on a yearly basis, allowing you to repeat the exact same plunge into unhealthiness 365 days or so later! Given that this article’s philosophy may well be even more unhealthy than the chocolate you’ve eaten, the best thing to do is probably just to have not eaten a whole bunch of chocolate, you idiot. If you have, however, don’t feel bad! Go camping! The only surefire remedy to reaching that stage of primordial purity again is to get as far away from Easter as possible, instead find yourself amongst the nightly autumn breeze as close to the campfire as the chills permit. Otherwise, continue eating! Designed by Anneliese Wild

WHAT’S ON EVENTS & GIGS Toga Party

7pm, Wednesday, 17 April Bar on the Hill

WEEKLY

KEY:

at Godfrey Tanner Bar, 4pm - 5pm

Tanner Tuesday

Easter Monday

From 7pm, Godfrey Tanner Bar

TUESDAY 2

22 - 24 April

Tanner Tuesdays 7pm, Tuesdays Godfrey Tanner Bar

Something For Kate Thursday, 30 May Bar on the Hill

Godfrey Tanner Bar 3pm, Wednesdays

Pool Comp 3pm - 6pm, Godfrey Tanner Bar

Wind Up Wednesday Nobel Laureate Barry J. Marshall AC Answers the Big Questions 3pm - 4.30pm, Griffith Duncan Theatre

How to win the Nobel prize… Secret Tips from Nobel Laureate Barry J. Marshall AC 5.30pm - 7pm, Griffith Duncan Theatre

Pool Comp

WEDNESDAY 10

WEDNESDAY 3 THURSDAY 4

SHAG Week

at Bar on the Hill, 5pm - 6pm

MONDAY 1

Bar on the Hill

3pm, Fridays

U Member Happy Hour

Semester 1 recess Public Holiday

Godfrey Tanner Bar

www.uonservices.org.au

U Member Happy Hour

Trivia 1pm, Tuesdays

Find out more at

With #Hashtag DJs Free buses in to town + Free pool from 3pm, Bar on the Hill

THURSDAY 11 Pool Comp 3pm, Bar on the Hill

FIFA 13 Competition - Heat 2 from 3pm, Godfrey Tanner Bar

Lawn Games 3pm - 5pm, Derkenne Courtyard

Watt Space Opening Night 6.30pm, Watt Space Gallery

Bar on the Hill

FRIDAY 5

3pm, Thursdays

Peking Duk

FRIDAY 12 Trivia 3pm - 6pm, Godfrey Tanner Bar

King St Hotel

The Rubens Friday, 31 May Bar on the Hill

MONDAY MOVIES BY MOONLIGHT

Lawn Games

3pm - 5pm, Thursdays Godfrey Tanner Bar

FREE Mondays at sunset Derkenne Courtyard

Apr

Into The Wild (M)

L’illusioniste (PG)

Hick (MA)

Apr

Souce Code (M)

Labyrinth (G) May

Wind Up Wednesday

From 3pm, Wednesdays Bar on the Hill

SATURDAY 6

SATURDAY 13

Ross Noble

‘The Past is a Foreign Country’

$59, Newcastle Entertainment Centre

SUNDAY 7

Godfrey Tanner Bar 4pm - 5pm Every day of semester

Bar on the Hill 5pm - 6pm Every day of semester* (except Wednesdays)

SUNDAY 14

KRANKiT Ride n Drive Motor Expo

WEEK 6

Free Entry, Wallsend town centre

MONDAY 15

WEEK 5 MONDAY 8 Semester 1 Resumes Monday Movies by Moonlight at U Cinema

U Member Happy Hour

Civic Theatre, Newcastle. Tix: $25

Showing: Into The Wild (M) 6.30pm, Derkenne Courtyard

TUESDAY 9 Student Exchange Fair 2013

Monday Movies by Moonlight at U Cinema Showing: L’illusioniste (PG) 6.30pm, Derkenne Courtyard

TUESDAY 16 Trivia 1pm - 3pm, Bar on the Hill

Tanner Tuesday From 7pm, Godfrey Tanner Bar

11am - 3pm, Brennan Room, Shortland Building

WEDNESDAY 17

Trivia

Pool Comp

1pm - 3pm, Bar on the Hill

3pm - 6pm, Godfrey Tanner Bar

Yak Magazine - April 2013

APRIL

SHAG Week

Showing: Source Code (M) 6.30pm, Derkenne Courtyard

Wind Up Wednesday With #Hashtag DJs Free buses in to town + Free pool From 3pm, Bar on the Hill

Toga Party Featuring Nina Las Vegas Doors open 7pm, Bar on the Hill Entry: U Member: FREE UoN Student: $10 Guest: $20 Free buses in to town

THURSDAY 18 Pool Comp 3pm, Bar on the Hill

FIFA 13 Competition - Heat 3 from 3pm, Godfrey Tanner Bar

Lawn Games 3pm - 5pm, Derkenne Courtyard

Monday Movies by Moonlight at U Cinema Showing: Hick (MA) 6.30pm, Derkenne Courtyard

TUESDAY 23 SHAG (Sex, Health, Advice and Guidance) Week Trivia 1pm - 3pm, Bar on the Hill

from 5.30pm, University Gallery

2013 Barton Lecture 5.45pm - 8pm, Newcastle City Hall

Grinspoon 8pm, Newcastle Panthers Club

FRIDAY 19 National Campus Band Comp: Entries CLOSE

Trivia 1pm - 3pm, Bar on the Hill

Tanner Tuesday From 7pm, Godfrey Tanner Bar

WEDNESDAY 1 - May Pool Comp

Tanner Tuesday

WEDNESDAY 24 SHAG (Sex, Health, Advice and Guidance) Week Pool Comp

University Gallery Opening - Strong Women, Strong Painting, Strong Culture

TUESDAY 30

3pm - 6pm, Godfrey Tanner Bar From 7pm, Godfrey Tanner Bar

3pm - 6pm, Godfrey Tanner Bar

Wind Up Wednesday With #Hashtag DJs Free buses in to town + Free pool from 3pm, Bar on the Hill

THURSDAY 2 - May Pool Comp 3pm, Bar on the Hill

FIFA 13 Competition - Heat 4 Wind Up Wednesday

from 3pm, Godfrey Tanner Bar

With #Hashtag DJs Free buses in to town + Free pool From 3pm, Bar on the Hill

Lawn Games 3pm - 5pm, Derkenne Courtyard

THURSDAY 25 Anzac Day

FRIDAY 3 - May

Public Holiday

Trivia

Watt Space Opening Night

3pm - 6pm, Godfrey Tanner Bar

6.30pm, Watt Space Gallery

Contact campus-life@ newcastle.edu.au to submit your entry.

FRIDAY 26

SATURDAY 4 - May

Trivia

SUNDAY 5 - May

3pm - 6pm, Godfrey Tanner Bar

The Colour Run 5km run - All ages 8am - Broadmeadow Racecourse

SATURDAY 20

SATURDAY 27

SUNDAY 21

Engineering Frat Brewery Tour

Handelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MESSIAH with SATB soloists and orchestra Student entry: $15 2pm - 4.45pm, Great Hall

WEEK 7 MONDAY 22 SHAG (Sex, Health, Advice and Guidance) Week

Location TBC

SUNDAY 28

WEEK 8 MONDAY 29 Monday Movies by Moonlight at U Cinema

18 Yak Magazine - April 2013

Leicha Stewart serves up some of the quirky new cafes promoting an emerging culture of cof fee and creativity around Newcastle.

here’s something happening in Newcastle. You may not have noticed it. It’s been happening quietly, in suburbs and industrial areas, in unused, neglected and forgotten parts of town. No longer restricted to the designated coffee districts like Darby and Beaumont Street, unique, quirky cafés are popping up in the more obscure parts of town. With a strong focus on high quality coffee, food and service, rather than location, these new cafés are attracting all manner of people by promoting a sense of community and providing interesting spaces for people to sip their flat whites, have a think about things and interact with others. As Renew Newcastle amps up its efforts to develop bustling, cosmopolitan living throughout inner city Newcastle, this Melbournian style, revamped café culture is supplying the one thing this plan has previously been lacking: the people. Although many Darby and Beaumont Street cafés are great places to spend time with friends, many of them (with the exception of Glee) have become more or less stagnant. The décor varies; many of the cafés on Darby Street in particular adhere to the same basic structure, offering very

little variety. The dual café/restaurant setup leans more toward restaurant requirements with regard to seating, which means that tables are usually set out like a grid; they are separate and uniform. During café hours this makes interaction with other patrons awkward and difficult at best.

“No longer restricted to the designated cof fee districts like Darby and Beaumont Street, unique, quirky, individual cafes are popping up in the more obscure parts of town.” Many of the newer cafés are using their space in a different way. Long communal tables and clusters of seating areas around open spaces are much more conducive to socialising and meeting people. If you live on campus or away from the CBD you may not have heard of some of these places, and if you have, their relatively obscure locations may have put you off trying them. I know crossing the bridge into Carrington or venturing into the heart of the Wickham industrial estate might seem like a daunting mission, but for great coffee, good vibes

and a chance to engage in a bit of new and interesting social interaction, I’d say it’s well worth the trip. Ground Up Espresso in Carrington is one of the new crop that is definitely worth a look. Owner, Andrew Scurry spent ten years working in cafés in Melbourne before relocating to Newcastle and opening Ground Up on Carrington’s main street. A passionate barista, his focus is on providing exceptional coffee, quality, organic food and a chilled-out atmosphere. Since its opening in 2011, the café’s popularity has grown to a point where it has become a central meeting place for the local community. Scurry attributes this to a changing demographic in a suburb which has previously been dominated by industrial activity. “Carrington really needed it with the changing demographic. With lots of younger families and uni students moving in, there wasn’t really anywhere for them to go to hang out apart from the pub,” he said. One of the main features of the café is the organic veggie and herb garden which thrives in the back courtyard. Produce from the garden is used in the café’s food preparation with

Yak Magazine - April 2013

excess often given away to customers or sold to the local pubs. A new Wickham destination is the Wickham Motorcycle Club, offering coffee, food and high tea as well as specialising in the retail and servicing of custom-made and vintage motorbikes. Their food is ‘simple, local and organic’ and their coffee is a custom-mixed blend of organic, Rainforest Alliance beans. Also hidden in the industrial area of Wickham is Dark Horse Espresso and it’s quickly gaining a strong following of serious coffee drinkers. Ask any given barista in town where they went for their last coffee, or which café is at the top of their ‘to try’ list, and the answer will likely be the Dark Horse. Bank Corner is an art deco gem, located just outside Wickham train station on Bellevue Street in Newcastle West. The interior is small and cosy and the themed décor is immaculate. The front seating of the café is always occupied by a motley collection of subculture representatives, chatting and sipping long blacks and piccolos. Bank Corner is a particularly good example of a successful café which doesn’t rely on a pretty view or the opportunity to people watch, to attract customers.

But the effects of these new cafés are by far most obvious in Newcastle’s long-suffering Hunter Street Mall. For almost 2 years One Penny Black was one of the few quality cafés in Hunter Street Mall but the recent opening of Ground Floor and Coffee on Hunter has given patrons more choices, and more reasons to spend time in the mall, increasing foot traffic and the viability of the retail and cultural spaces on offer. Greater options for coffee and dining have transformed the mall into more of a leisure destination. One Penny Black co-owner Garth Buchanan agrees. ‘‘It’s people getting together and socialising and creating a great environment here during the day,’’ he said.

It is this environment that creates appealing spaces for students to study, chat and get their coffee fix. Not only do students need coffee (a universal truth if I’ve ever heard one), to help get through long hours of tedious readings, show up for 9am lectures and spend all night at the information commons and thus successfully hand in assignments half an hour before they are due. Students also need cafés. Historically, cafés have always been closely associated with creativity; they have long been the preferred haunt of great thinkers, bohemians and revolutionaries.

In short, people who have contributed to the world in a wide range of wonderful and inspiring ways tend to gravitate towards cafés. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, cafés were key sites of creativity due to their facilitation of social interaction, communication and information exchange. Sadly, contemporary cafés are no longer dens of originality, conversation and rebellion they once

were, but they do have the potential to become spaces of community interaction and discussion one again. The development of these types of creative, community spaces in inner city Newcastle has, in recent years, been handled mainly by the not-for-profit organisation, Renew Newcastle. The Renew Newcastle program started in 2008 and has been dedicated to rejuvenating empty spaces, particularly in Newcastle’s Hunter Street Mall. It has provided the space and opportunity for a number of boutique retail stores, art galleries and artists’ work spaces (and often a combination of the three). Some of its Hunter Street Mall projects include The Emporium, Make Space, The Roost Creative, Odditorium Vintage and Behind Space, all mixtures of collaborative space and ideas.

The emerging culture of collaboration and creativity stimulated by these projects and the cafés surrounding them are a goldmine of inspiration for students interested in the arts, literature, design, politics, philosophy and communication. Critical thinking, debate, the ability to defend a point of view, as well as the practice of social skills and interpersonal interaction are all promoted by these wonderful spaces. If you choose your destination wisely you can get all this, with some inspiration on the side, for the price of a coffee – as long as it’s not decaf; you don’t win friends with decaf.

20 Yak Magazine - April 2013

A DANGEROUS ALTERNATIVE With SHAG Week around the corner, Bayden McDonald gets the serious facts from experts on synthetic cannabis.

lot of us use all kinds of substances to help us through the day, to get stuff done, and make life just that little bit easier. We crush those empty Red Bull cans in our palms above the keyboard on the eve of a due date, we use coffee to kick-start ourselves in the morning and our conversations in the afternoon, and on Saturday nights we rip out that sweet, silver sack from its cardboard confines to help us forget about the unrelenting devil called the real world, then we try to reverse it all the next day with a couple of Nurofen. Some of our relationships with legal drugs are reasonably compatible with a passably health lifestyle. Others, not so much. One that tops the scale is synthetic cannabis. The issue of so-called ‘legal highs’ has confronted health professionals and policy makers for some time. Recent incidents and coverage have renewed the debate in Newcastle and across the

country, particularly after reform efforts by the state and federal governments in 2011 appeared to do little to address the issue. Today you can still purchase synthetic cannabis products over the counter at sex shops and tobacconists. Dr Craig Sadler, staff specialist in addiction medicine at Calvary Mater Hospital, says the popularity of synthetic cannabinoids has notably increased over the past year in Newcastle, and that its legality certainly adds to the appeal.

can induce. Natural cannabis’s primary psychoactive substance, THC, is found in the plant, where synthetic cannabis is produced in a different way. “The synthetic cannabinoid is not present in the actual leaves the person is smoking: it’s the chemical sprayed on during the preparation of leaves which is then smoked,” he said. “So we’ve got no idea of what the quality control of that process is.”

“We’ve had some reports of people experiencing seizures from these products which is not something that would occur if someone was using normal cannabis.”

One Hunter resident, quoted in the Newcastle Herald earlier in the year, compared the intensity of his synthetic cannabis addiction to that of crystal meth, and was reportedly spending around $1,000 a week on his habit. In January, a Gunnedah man was announced ‘clinically dead’ by paramedics after a seizure, apparently caused by an overdose of the substance.

He adds that one of the concerns with synthetic cannabis is the unknown side effects and issues the product

Dr Monica Barratt, research fellow at the National Drug Research Institute, along with her colleagues, conducted a survey

Yak Magazine - April 2013

of Australian synthetic cannabis use in 2012. Dr Barratt says that although natural cannabis has its own health risks, what you get from the many different types of synthetic cannabinoids could be something totally different from what you’d expect of a product marketed as an alternative to marijuana.

that I thought would be the most wellreceived, so I think the first generation of synthetic cannabinoids were probably not as harmful,” said Dr Barratt.

thing to come up with a good approach that’s going to work, and people across the world are grappling with this problem,” she said.

This trend combined with the perception that legal products are somehow societyapproved makes for a dangerous cocktail.

“Treatment based solutions result in better outcomes than fines and other legal ramifications, although that does deter some people,” said Dr Sadler.

“They might all work in some way on the cannabinoid system in the brain but they’re obviously all working in very different ways, and some of them do seem to have some nasty side-effects.

For many people, the ocean of acceptability that lies between a lunch time beer and a sneaky joint arguably has little to do with the severity of the effects of each drug or the problems they can cause, but more to do with legality. We’re used to the legal system telling us what acceptable drug habits

“Some people have described certain synthetic cannabinoids as much more hallucinogenic-like, others more stimulant-like… we’ve had some reports of people experiencing seizures from these products which is not something that would occur if someone was using normal cannabis.” Seven chemicals typically used in synthetic cannabis production were banned in July 2011, but there are ‘200 compounds or possibly hundreds more that can be used’, according to a NSW government inquiry, and manufacturers just continue to innovate, adding to the risk. “As a business proposition, I would want to, at the very start, use the substances

‘We’re used to the legal system telling us what are acceptable drug habits – you might say we’re addicted to the law.’

But he warns that some sort of legalisation strategy is not necessarily the answer. “The thing to remember is the two drugs causing the most problems in society are alcohol and tobacco. Making a drug legal doesn’t necessarily mean that it isn’t going to be a problem,” he said. The message from health professionals is clear: legal status is not the green light for the same liberal consumption as your Red Bull. So keep their warnings in mind when you’re seeking your next break from reality.

are – you might say we’re addicted to the law. For Dr Barratt, the process of banning some products as new ones come onto the market is a dangerous cycle. “I do think that we need to come up with a better approach. It’s not an easy Designed by Anneliese Wild

Yak Magazine - April 2013

Lachie Leeming reviews some U-Cinema screenings in the month ahead.

Source Code

Hick The protagonist of this particular movie is a 13-year-old Nebraskan lass, Luli, played by Chloe Grace Moretz. Luli is thoroughly white trash and lumped with a pair of alcoholic and incompetent parents. Their drunkenness and incompetence reaches its apex when they celebrate Luli’s thirteenth birthday at the local pub and gift her with a brand-spanking new handgun. Luli’s old man gets drunk on cue, makes a scene, and poor old Luli once again fades into the background amid the calamity. The day after her ill-fated party Luli sees an advertisement on TV for Las Vegas and she’s off, chasing the possibility of a better life in the bright lights. With nought but some clothes, a hand drawn map and her new pistol, she begins her trek to Vegas on foot, meeting a host of dysfunctional and messed-up characters on the way. If you thought that it couldn’t get any worse for poor Luli, after her pitiful relationship with her parents, then prepare to be wronged. Things go progressively downhill, with some gruesome experiences befalling the poor youth as she traipses through America looking for something better in life. If you are after a movie that will fill you with equal parts of angst and dread, this is probably for you. For me though, it was asking a bit too much from my emotional spectrum. Not a fan.

 Screening April 22

This movie is pretty hard to follow. Jake Gyllenhaal plays a dishevelled soldier once again, with a rather large sci-fi twist thrown in. His character, Captain Colter Stevens, suddenly wakes up on a train surrounded by strangers and comes to realise he is in another man’s body, living his life. Understandably he freaks out big time, angrily questioning the woman who sits opposite him, insisting she knows him (a soothing Michelle Monaghan.) Abruptly the train blows up, sending Stevens hurtling back to the reality he is more familiar with (it’s confusing enough to watch, let alone explain). It becomes apparent that Stevens is trapped within a device called the “Source Code” which enables him to travel back in time and experience the last eight minutes of another person’s life. A bomb has detonated on the train, and Stevens discovers that another bomb is due to blow up in downtown Chicago in six hours. Using the Source Code machine, he can go back to the alternate life for the eight minutes and attempt to defuse the train bomb. A host of other twists and turns are thrown into the plot as the wider story becomes clearer. Gyllenhaal is convincing as the lead role and one tends to buy into his frustrations at continually being kept in the dark. This leads to an ever more terse and cataclysmic ending that is well worth sticking around for. Tense and gritty, this movie is a good one if you enjoy your sci-fi with a dose of drama.

 Screening April 29

24 Yak Magazine - April 2013

“Just because you’re The artist presents a mesmerising blend of I’m not a huge Triple J listener, let me say that. I find the good music is too diluted by the not smoking a peace smooth genres, with reggae, hip-hop and pipe or knotting your acoustic roots all evident in his sound. He horrible musical experiments of artists that all hair into dreadlocks even opens one of the tracks on the album too often sound like tortured, wailing banshees. I’m not a big fan of the more ‘mainstream’ stations doesn’t mean you with a 2-minute beat-boxing session, which either, which often confines me to music purgatory won’t enjoy it.” really displays his versatility. during car trips as I flounder through the radio waves in search of that delicious new sound. The Lyrical’s multi-faceted voice means he can often change style abruptly within the course of a song, So, waltzing through the vault of Triple switching from soulful acoustic J Unearthed does hold some fear singing to rapping with a reggae for me. Fortunately this time I came beat almost instantly. out of the hunt enriched due to the experience. The source of my joy was an artist operating under the moniker of “The Lyrical”, real name, Karl Smith. In terms of biographical information, he originates from Brisbane, with the Sunshine State seeming a likely homeland for this luminous character.

It would appear he’s been grinding away for a while, too. Twice winning the Byron Bay Bluesfest’s People’s Choice Award in 2010 and 2011, his 2010 EP “If I Was Earth” was so popular it had to be reprinted three times, due to high demand.

The music itself is crispy and fresh. I was so sold on The Lyrical that after listening to just two songs I was downloading the album from iTunes.

Casting an eye through the track listing on his debut selftitled album will also have one raising an eyebrow, with song titles including “The Love” and “If I Was Earth” leaving you in no doubt as to the hippie nature of his tunes. But, his music is far more tempered and vibrant then just some warbling peace merchant. He possesses a sound that not only caters to the faithful, but has the potential to grasp the interest of the wider public.

It may not be stuff you’d usually picture yourself listening to or enjoying. However, with that being said, I fully endorse giving it a listen. Just because you’re not smoking a peace pipe or knotting your hair into dreadlocks doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy it.

Yak Magazine - April 2013

It’s safe to say that many of you drive to campus, as parking is a major issue for most students. Then why bother defending the rail line into Newcastle, you ask? It is a vital link into the city centre for students, commuters and tourists alike, so if it’s cut short then Newcastle loses a valuable connection. However, it’s not deemed very valuable by the State Government, who plans to sever the rail line at Wickham by 2015 and replace it with a frequent bus service. The plan will see Civic and Newcastle stations close, forcing everyone from mothers with prams to tourists with heavy luggage to crowd onto a bus. For easy access to the Newcastle Museum, City Hall and the new inner city campus under construction, Civic Station is in the perfect location. Newcastle Station terminates right in the heart of the city, in walking distance to Nobby’s Beach, Hunter Street Mall and the City Hub. Changing from a train to a bus at Wickham creates an unnecessary transfer that contributes to the idea of public transport being a hassle. Also, the replacement bus service would stop at the original station sites, which completely defeats the purpose of removing the rail line. For a similar situation, look at the result of cutting the Eastern Suburbs Line at Bondi Junction. Rather than the line extending to Kingsford via Bondi Beach, you’ll see crowds of tourists cramming into buses at Bondi Junction just to get to the beach. Let’s not make the same mistake in Newcastle. A better course of action would be to invest more money into improving accessibility to the waterfront through additional crossings. Governments should be allocating funds to improve rail services and increase patronage rather than cutting people off from Newcastle. So to those opposed to the plan for the rail line, there’s still time to protest the decision. Community organisations such as Save Our Rail and the Maitland City Council support keeping the rail, and so should you. Sign a petition, join a protest rally, get out there and do something! Leave your car at home and catch the train, to prove to the State Government that the rail line in Newcastle is worth keeping and worth defending.

Shane Gillard

Newcastle: beaches, nightlife, music, academia and great food. All we are missing is a thriving CBD. The one thing stopping this utopian CBD is the appropriately named “dingo fence” rail line (Jeff McLoy). The line is useful. I will never dispute this, but there are certainly alternatives like increased bus use and potentially a tram line (down the track (pun intended)). Recently I spent a week in Canberra working with people from all over rural Australia. Their stories about isolation and rural life made me appreciate the bustling nightlife and café culture that Newcastle has to offer. Why then, with so many great possibilities, should we cut our city centre in half? The inequality that exists in town is beyond a joke. The contrast between the redeveloped Honeysuckle region and the likes of Hunter Street leave me wondering why the rail line is still in operation at all. We must also consider the social impact of having a railway station in the heart of town. Traditionally, railway stations are places of crime and antisocial behavior. Why then would we want to promote this in the city centre? Newcastle will never be Melbourne or Sydney. Newcastle will also never be Dubbo or Wagga-Wagga. Newcastle will remain a “halfway house” beachside town for many years to come; however we need to remedy the insufficient CBD urgently. With great programs like Renew Newcastle, we have been able to breathe some life back into a once thriving area. With the removal of the rail line we can allow some of the prestige and class of the Honeysuckle precinct to ooze into our town further. Currently we have several separate selling points in our CBD region. Why not combine these? Why not allow classic cafés like Goldbergs to flow into the same part of town as the beach? Why not let people stroll casually down a redeveloped Hunter Street and grab a bite to eat and a schooner at The Brewery without crossing an unsightly train line? Overall Newcastle will remain a great place to live and a great place to visit. Only time will tell whether we do decide to remove the rail line or whether we continue to embrace a stale and outdated ideology.

Richard Baines

26 Yak Magazine - April 2013

Bayden McDonald explores the heart and soul of university life, clubs and societies.

eel like your missing that little something in life? Is campus just that musty, old and boring place where the books are? If so, one of Newcastle’s 85 clubs or societies should provide the kick-start you need to bring the excitement back to uni life.

Hockey (The Seapigs) What: The Seapigs are not just the hideous result of a biological experiment attempting to combine pork and prawns into one delicious creature; they’re also Newcastle’s largest hockey club. With men’s and women’s teams across all grades, they are a force to be reckoned with, and a bunch of self-confessed competition junkies. The Seapigs are a proud crew, whose establishment goes back to over fifty years ago. With a long tradition of kicking arse, and with a slogan like ‘don’t hate us because we’re hotter than you’, their only fault may well be over-confidence. Events: The Seapigs play in the Newcastle Competition and enter teams in the Eastern and Australian University Games. They train at the Broadmeadow Hockey Centre on Thursday nights 8:009:00pm and play between Newcastle, Maitland and the Central Coast. Cost: Approximately $340.00 in turf fees, registration etc. If fees are an issue, payment plans can be arranged with the treasurer. Contact: Seasows@gmail.com (women’s) uniseapigs@gmail.com (men’s) Website: https://sites.google.com/site/ seapigshockey/contact

Anime Club What: UoN clubs and societies aren’t just for adrenaline junkies and competition freaks. If you’re into watching beautifully drawn, epic battles unfolding over ten episodes, or like getting immersed in the wonder that is fantasy role playing games, then the Newcastle Uni Anime Club is for you. Events: Games nights are held on Mondays 6pm - 9:30pm in V103 and V104, where board games, card games and Dungeons and Dragons are played. Anime screenings are held on Thursday nights 6-9pm in V103, where stand-out episodes are specially selected for your viewing. Cost: $5.00 Contact: You can join up at any time by turning up to any of NUAC’s events.

Mountaineering Club What: Has your life at Uni time become too cosy, couped up in your room each night with a bowl of mi goreng and a rom-com-loaded hard drive? Then it’s time to join the Mountaineering Club. The Newcastle University Mountaineering Club organises all kinds of adventures, from mountain-biking, climbing, hiking, skiing, kayaking, canyoning and orienteering. They provide all the gear you need for an awesome time and people of all levels of experience are welcome. Events: All events are organised on the NUMC forum and range from weekly bike riding to elaborate, multiple-day hiking trips. The gear store is open on Tuesdays 5-6pm.

Website: www.nuac.org.au

Cost: Membership is $40.00. Gear hire is at a ‘poor student’ rate (for instance a 2-person tent is $10 a week).

Fun Fact: the Japanese anime Doraemon is believed to have around 1,700 episodes, over 900 of which never aired or were made available to the public.

Contact: Come down to the gear store under the Uni Sports Forum on Tuesdays 5pm to 6pm or checkout their forum at www.numc.nusa.org.au/ forum Website: www.mountaineeringclub.org Fun Fact: The Forum rock-climbing wall on the Callaghan campus is one of the highest in Australia.

Fun Fact: The term ‘hockey’ is believed to have been derived from the middle-French term ‘hoquet’, meaning shepherd’s staff.

Yak Magazine - April 2013

CAMPUS WHIP AROUND This month students from Callaghan, Ourimbah and Port Macquarie Campus shared their thoughts on a phenomenon that has afflicted students the world over – a lack of sleep.

Sarah Iuliano Callaghan Campus

Selina Chapman Ourimbah Campus

Caryne Spicer Port Macquarie Campus

Bachelor of Communication

Bachelor of Psychology Ourimbah Psychology Society President

Bachelor of Nursing

ou’re studying in Auchmuty library, post-lecture. You managed to keep it together in CT202, but your energy levels are falling. You are getting sleepy, very sleepy. From grassy knolls to lecture theatres, there are very few places the drowsy Callaghanian has turned their nose up at. Every lounge, every surface is prime real estate for napping. But be aware, not even the library partitions can save you. You will be spotted. With a whole Facebook page dedicated to the subject, taking a snap of the sleeping folk on Callaghan Campus is somewhat of a tradition. It is not a rite of passage like a Dapper Gentleman sighting, but good for a laugh. Sleeping on campus requires a more cunning approach to avoid the repercussions of social media, so it’s time to use your brains for more than cramming. Think laterally. Where can I feel secure? Where do few students venture in this digital age of learning? Why, the library’s journal compactors of course! Snug as a bug.

mid the hustle and bustle of the Central Coast Campus, a quick nap works wonders. It can rejuvenate, revitalise and refresh. However, you may not realise “The Nap” is serious business. It requires both strategy and training. The foolhardy jump in with a quick kip during class, not realising they can’t hide up the back, and wake to find themselves the main attraction of much mirth. Simpletons slip into a snooze during statistics and wake up with a skewed neck and half-baked idea of what outliers really are. The art of ‘The Nap’ requires cunning, creativity and somewhere comfortable. The location has to be right, for a start. It’s no good eyeing up a luscious bed of grass in front of the library if it has rained in the past month, unless you want to experience a mud wrap. Timing is also crucial. Too long and it becomes a sleep, too short and it could be best described as a long blink. So if you want to lounge in the library, kip in class or meditate in maths, successful napping requires practice!

niversity life can be very draining. You attempt to balance long hours, assignments and practical work, with your home and social life, often leaving little time to find sleep. Most students I’ve seen try to conquer this issue by downing countless caffeinated beverages in the hope they will push them through the remainder of a dull lecture or HUBS lesson. There are a number of different telltale signs the caffeine effects have worn off and lack of sleep is catching up. My favourite is the ‘nodder’. You get exhausted but don’t want to give in. It’s a constant struggle between the mental and physical – where the body says sleep but the mind says ‘don’t embarrass yourself, fool!’. Your eyes close just enough to get some relief, only to be shocked awake by the realisation that your head has dropped to the side. Usually this sequence will repeat until the end of the lecture, and at the very least, will help cure your boredom and provide you with some entertainment and a challenge to keep awake.

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Yak Magazine - April 2013

nina las vegas

working hard fo he money Jacqui Scolari profiles Nina Las Vegas before the music guru’s visit to Bar on the Hill this month.

ina Las Vegas is a girl who knows what she wants and works hard to get it. As a well-known DJ, host of Triple J’s Saturday night “House Party”, one third of the group Hoops, and co-founder of the non-profit organization Heaps Decent, Nina has made a name for herself since arriving on the music scene four years ago.

After attending university in Sydney, Nina eventually found her way into radio and DJing, making her first set in 2006. Seven years later, Nina Las Vegas has featured in a variety of events around the country including Splendour in the Grass, Groovin’ the Moo, Big Day Out, Stereosonic and Parklife. Her success has only increased her work ethic and her desire for others to do the same. Nina earned herself a position on Triple J by doing work experience there for almost ten years and is passionate about ambitious individuals working their way up from the bottom in order to succeed. In an interview with Lip magazine in 2012 she said, “I didn’t start out being a presenter, I worked behind the scenes. If you want to do something in radio or television or music, learn the skills first.” Her passion for her job- all aspects of it- is what led to her becoming part of Saturday night’s show. As she makes her mark as a talented female DJ, you can tell she has an ambitious nature. When asked for her advice about becoming a DJ, Nina is a firm believer in “causing a stir” and “quality over quantity” saying that it only takes “one track” for Australian radio stations to sit up and take notice. She also embraces girl power in the form of her group, Hoops. Nina teams up with fellow music lovers Anna Lunoe and Bad Ezzy to bring a variety of hip hop beats to clubs and festivals around the country. It’s clear that Nina Las Vegas shows no signs of slowing down. You can catch Nina every Saturday night on Triple J from six o’ clock, but, if you would rather get up close and personal, Nina Las Vegas will be performing the night of Toga Party at Bar on the Hill, April 17.

Her love for music is something that developed from an early age. Growing up in Wagga Wagga, Nina learned to play the piano and bass guitar, showcasing her talents in local cafes.

BY Design byDESIGNED Anneliese Wild

30 Yak Magazine - April 2013

With Matthew Hatton

ewcastle can be a funny place at times. There’s nowhere else on the planet where you would think that 2,500m of railway corridor could hold all imaginable power over what could or could not be built in the surrounding commercial area. A surrounding area that is, arguably, in desperate need of redevelopment if it is to maintain some level of relevance to the regional economy in the future. The debate over the branch of the Main Northern Railway that runs from Broadmeadow Station out to Newcastle Station has been raging for as long as I can remember, and probably a bit longer. Even in this current issue of Yak you will find the debate continuing (see page 25 for the Mass Debate). But, for me, the argument over whether or not the railway from Wickham to Newcastle should remain is largely irrelevant when you look at the wider context of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the lower Hunter Valley region.

“Getting caught up in a meaningless namecalling argument over 2,500m of railway? That’s more than a little counter-productive.” The simple fact of the matter is, the vast majority of the population do not live in an area where catching the train from their homes into the Newcastle CBD is a realistic option. The existence or removal of the railway will have absolutely zero impact on their usage of public transport because the railway does not factor into their thinking when considering public transport options. A lot of the problem stems from thinking that the Newcastle CBD is the place that people go when they wish to shop. This may have been the case 30-odd years ago, but it isn’t now as major centres at Charlestown, Kotara and Glendale now service most of this demand. Also, the train network does not work well with the bus system which most people rely on if they don’t, or can’t, drive to their destination. The buses either run straight into Newcastle already or to one of the major shopping centres. They are not about getting people quickly to the nearest railway station so that they can catch a train the rest of the way. And why have we got issues like this? Well, because we all want to live on an 800m2 block in the suburbs far away from other people, which doesn’t lend itself to making cheap, frequent or useful mass transit systems. There is no doubt that Newcastle needs a thorough, considered and practical plan for its future development. But getting caught up in a meaningless name-calling argument over 2,500m of railway? That’s more than a little counter-productive.

With Richard Baines

UNPAID WORK EXPERIENCE AND THE MODERN DAY STUDENT: In a world of growing and changing technology the need to gain an advantage over others specializing in your chosen field is essential. The gap between studying a subject and hands-on experience is now greater than ever, and many employers are favoring graduates who have had work experience. While this is all well and good for your average student living at home being subsidised by their parents, this is not the case for the growing student group who work in order to pay essential bills.

“When I say work experience, I don’t mean running coffee around the office or sorting paperwork into ink colour piles.” For many, taking time off work to volunteer is simply not an option. When faced with gaining external experience or paying the week’s rent, there is rarely any argument as to which is deemed more important in the short-term. Having such a disparity is surely unfair; are we going to end up with a workforce full of only those fortunate enough to be financially supported during their studies, while those who needed to work whilst studying are cast to the side for not having financial security earlier in life? Overall it makes very little sense to me why work experience remains unpaid. When I say work experience, I don’t mean running coffee around the office or sorting paperwork into ink colour piles. I mean fulfilling all the roles that a regular employee would have to undertake. I believe that the main problem lies in the abundance of students who would happily undertake work experience without pay. Overall this situation is well and truly at a stalemate: students who cannot afford to stop working must go without work experience until employers decide to pay for their time, and employers will continue to not pay the students until they have no volunteers left. I have the overwhelming feeling that neither of these things will be happening in the immediate future. When work experience was something you did to be a top student and add some gloss to your qualification, going unpaid was not an issue, however it has failed to evolve suitably to the current competitive climate where work experience has almost become a necessity for some jobs. Let us hope that in years to come we can find a happy medium that will allow more equal opportunity and a more complete graduate.

Yak Magazine - April 2013

THIS month we asked the kids on campus... • What’s your best Easter fat-busting tip?

Name: Jack

Name: Tom Thumb

Name: Taylor O’Bryan

Name: Pa

Degree: Secondary Teaching/Arts

Degree: Bachelor of Facebook

Degree: B Communication

Degree: Nursing at Port Macquarie

easter fat-busting tip:

easter fat-busting tip: Wear

YOLO just eat chocolate.

the Tom Thumb suit for a while. I swear I’ve lost like 10 kilos.

Drink as many (alcoholic) beverages as possible so you have to walk home.

easter fat-busting tip:

easter fat-busting tip: We don’t eat chocolate. We only celebrate Christmas.

We know how important it is to get experience and build up a portfolio of your work. So if you’re a writer, a graphic designer, a photographer or otherwise enthusiastic individual, here’s a chance to get your work published in an awesome, shiny mag seen by thousands of students! Just email us at yakmagazine@newcastle.edu.au.

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