Yak June 2013

RIGHT PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME Bayden McDonald talks to Aussie journalism icon, Peter Cave.

HUNTER WALK FOR FREEDOM Exercise your right to freedom for those who can’t.

MONARCHY VS REPUBLIC Should Australia go it alone?

ISSUE 16 / JUNE 2013 BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE U

CONTENTS 08

Hunter Walk for Freedom

10

Griffith Duncan Theatre

14

Our Uni Game Students

18

Peter Cave Interview

25

Hunter Food and Wine Festival

12

Songs to Get You Pumped for Exams

Cover: By Anneliese Wild and Hannah Sunderland

EDITORIAL Emily Steele - Managing Editor Kate Ellis - Deputy Managing Editor Bayden McDonald - Deputy Editor Lachie Leeming - Deputy Editor Tanya McGovern - Deputy Editor Anneliese Wild - Graphic Design Hannah Sunderland - Graphic Design Lucy McLeod - Promotions and Advertising

23

triple j Review Jackie Onassis

29

What To Do During the Uni Break

CONTRIBUTORS Alex Toscano - Contributing Writer Amy Theodore - Contributing Writer Ben Mitchell - Graphic Design Gabby King - Contributing Writer Jacqui Scolari - Contributing Writer Jasmin Harrison - Contributing Writer Jasmine Turvey - Contributing Writer Leah Henkel - Contributing Writer Matthew Hatton - Contributing Writer Pasqualina Perone - Contributing Writer Sean Bell - Graphic Design Selina Chapman - Contributing Writer Sam Rayfield - Contributing Writer Zoe Johnson - Contributing Writer

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 For advertising opportunities, contact Lucy at yakmagazine@newcastle.edu.au

THE USUAL STUFF

26

04 Yak Online, Yak or Yuk

20 Clubs & Societies

05 Academic Profile

21 Campus Whip Around

05 Watt Space

24 Mass Debate: Monarchy Vs Republic

07 Green U 07 Support U 16 What’s On

twitter.com/yakmagazine Yak magazine is a free publication of UoN Services Ltd © 2012. www.uonservices.org.au

Printed by PrintCentre on Callaghan Campus.

30 You Can Leave Your Hatton 31 Vox Pops

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Gadgets to Spend Your Tax Return On

• Four-way Mass Debate: The best footy code • Places and Spaces – Bar on the Hill

• NAIDOC Week • Yak’s 2nd Birthday!

• Organ Donation

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 - June 2013

LETTER FROM

THE EDITOR EMILY

Hoorah, the end of semester is finally within sights!

Although the most difficult weeks are ahead, laden with percentage heavy assignments and dreaded exams, it is almost time for us to breathe again.

I wish you well in doing whatever you plan to do, whether it be travel, home visits or couch potatoing.

I can’t wait for the gloriousness of freedom in my blank diary pages for almost six weeks before it all begins again.

What I am not looking forward to is the incessant nagging from people complaining about the length of my holidays. I don’t know about anyone else, but I get a lot of hassle from non-uni goers about university life.

People seem to be under the impression that uni is for those who feel the need to fill only half their year, with desires to learn a little, but mostly binge on food and alcohol while traipsing around campus looking for friends.

How wrong. Although our semesters only go for 13 weeks, twice a year, I feel slightly super-humanish for what we uni students manage to fit into that time. Yes, you may go to work for 38 hours a week, 48 weeks of the year. Yes, work is hard.

Full time uni students go to uni 2-5 times a week.

That’s just for the face-to-face learning. Most classes suggest at least a 10 hour study load per week. We do four subjects, so that’s 40 hours a week of studying note-taking and assignment work.

On top of this, most people work casually or parttime (with the exceptional few fantastically freakish people that fit full-time work in). So let’s say we are sitting on 55 hours a week.

I would love to see my friends try and fit what some uni students manage to get into their 168 hour weeks.

So if anyone gives you a hard time about kicking back, relaxing and doing sweet FA during the upcoming and most drool worthy uni break, I reckon you should challenge them to a schedule duel when you get back to uni! Until then, just laugh at them having to go to work every day.

03

THIS MONTH’S BITING QUESTION: “Would you rather wear only pants or a shirt for the rest of your life?”

MANAGING EDITOR

EMILY STEELE

I think I would rather go pantless because I feel being a topless female for the rest of my life would be difficult. You could always try slouching to cover up?

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR

KATE ELLIS

Pants, because if we are being literal, skirts, shorts and dresses don’t count. Yay for feminine variety!

DEPUTY EDITOR - FEATURES

BAYDEN McDONALD

Probably pantless because to be honest I don’t have much going on up top.

DEPUTY EDITOR - ENTERTAINMENT & TECHNOLOGY

LACHIE LEEMING

I’d go the shirt...or the pants. Any excuse to get the kit off ;)

DEPUTY EDITOR - UNI CONTENT

TANYA McGOVERN

Pantless. I could always wear an oversized shirt, put on a dress belt and pass it as a mini dress. But really, is there a female who wouldn’t choose this?

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

ANNELIESE WILD

People have made it very clear that tights are not pants, so I choose shirts forever + tights. Feels like wearing nothin’ at all...

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

HANNAH SUNDERLAND Shirt + huge baggy underpants.

PROMOTIONS & ADVERTISING OFFICER

LUCY McLEOD

Honestly, I’d give up both and take it as an excuse to wear dresses for the rest of my life. I pretty much do that anyway.

04 Yak Magazine - June 2013

twitter.com/yakmagazine

WILLIAM

facebook.com/yakmagazine

To the person who left their book of Pokémon monsters getting high at the bar on the hill, the bar staff have your book.

3,157 people like this people like this

NICOLA

48 people like this

SCOTT

6 people like this

DUNCAN

To the lovely person who left a block of chocolate in my bike basket (the green one with a white cane basket, outside the nursing theatre) you made coming in to uni for a cancelled tutorial worth it, and I really hope it’s not anthrax chocolate.

Lecturer asked what the circumference of a circle is, then the classically annoying guy wearing a shirt with the pi symbol yells out the wrong answer that isn’t c=2piR. THE IRONY

37 people like this

To the writers and editors of Yak magazine. I just spotted the words ‘Mass Debate on the Newcastle Railway’ on the cover, and read them aloud. I see what you did there.

MICHAEL

This campus needs more kangaroos.

8 people like this

SAM

What are roo talking about?

9 people like this

JACK

Wallaby damned.

6 people like this

BEN

Newcastle University, home of the crazy cat lady…

1279 people like this

Dr. Pepper

43%

57%

The Voice

100% Snapchat

57% 43%

See more @ Newcastle University Stalkerspace Facebook page.

Memes: Sourced from UoN Memes.

Yak Magazine - June 2013

05

BY TANYA MCGOVERN homosexuality, lesbian sexuality, alternate sexual practices like BDSM, and these things are hard to find in the past of course,” Lisa said.

Sex & Medical Historian

As an undergraduate at Macquarie University, Lisa studied a Bachelor of Arts in English. She had difficulty understanding the historical contexts of the novels she was studying, so she decided to take a course in history. Unexpectedly, she fell in love with the discipline and didn’t turn back.

D

“[I] just loved it and kind of fell in love; it wasn’t something I really expected.”

Lisa Featherstone

r Lisa Featherstone is a historian, and has studied everything from masculinity to childbirth, and homosexuality to race.

In 2010, Lisa penned the book, Let’s Talk About Sex: Histories of Sexuality in Australia from Federation to the Pill. Lisa says she attempted to cover all types of sexuality in Australia spanning 60 years.

“I try to weave lots of different types of sexualities together to produce something that sort of shows the vast range of sexual experiences and practices that people in the past did.

“So [in this book] I look at heterosexuality,

Ink and Paper

abortion, and she conducted her PhD on the development of obstetrics and gynaecology in Australia.

After completing her PhD, Lisa said her interest in people’s bodies developed into a broader interest in the history and concept of sexuality, eventually leading to her recent work.

Lisa’s current research project, Sex Crimes in the 50s, is a co-authored project with her friend from Griffith University, Amanda Kaladelfos.

Like many students, Lisa initially approached the Bachelor of Arts as a bridge to another degree, and had hoped to study accounting.

“It’s very different kind of work to what I’ve done in the past; it’s all bad news. There’s [sic] no good stories. You’ll spend a week looking at sex crimes and you’ll find there’s no happy ending.

“I didn’t think I would ever complete the Bachelor in Arts. I thought I would do a few years and then transfer out… I just thought I’d start doing something I’d enjoy for like a year, and then I never left the B.A.”

“So it’s difficult working in different ways [to what I am used to], but I think it’s really important cause it illustrates a lot about sexual crime in Australia’s really recent past”.

After finishing her undergraduate degree, Lisa continued on the academic trail. Her honours thesis looked at birth control and

Lisa and Amanda are currently in negotiations with a publisher over a book contract.

Before Ophelia

As Pure as a Child

12 JUNE - 30 JUNE Of, or for the Body - An exhibition of works constructed from paper by Fibre students Going, Going, Gone - Photography students document the last wool sale in Newcastle

Ink And paper – Kate Burton

Underfoot – Annie Mackintosh

In the Moment: Art in the Age of Sustainism – Laura Jefferson

As Pure as a Child - Kathryn Camm

Thursday, 13 June, 6.30pm Email: wattspace@newcastle.edu.au Website: www.newcastle.edu.au/group/watt-space Facebook: facebook.com/WattSpaceGallery 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.

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Yak Magazine - June 2013

07

- GREEN WEEK

By Pasqualina Perone

This month, UoN Sustainability Scholar, Pas gives us the lowdown on the Green Week happenings at Callaghan and Ourimbah.

World Environment Day (WED), an international annual event, is on Wednesday, June 5. It was established by the United Nations Environment Programme in 1972, and has grown into the world’s most widely celebrated day for environmental action and initiative.

Officially, WED is only held on one day, but we at UoN think there’s so much to celebrate and learn about the environment that one day just isn’t enough. So this year we’re stretching our event over a whole week!

Green Week is going to be held from the June 3 to 7 across the Callaghan and Ourimbah campuses.

The greenie packed week will feature a series of environmentally conscious events and activities to get you thinking about how you can be more sustainable and practise conservation in your everyday life.

Some of the exciting things that feature at the event include environmentally-themed movie screenings, guest speakers, workshops, and a whole bunch of stuff in-between!

SUP PORT U

We’re also working on putting together a photo competition similar to the one that was held in O Week, so you have a chance to win some cool prizes.

At Callaghan, we will of course be running a few events and activities around the community garden, with the possibility of a mural being painted on the rusty old shipping container, so stay tuned for news on that!

The guys at NUSEC (Newcastle University Student Environment Club) are also planning a trip down to Charlestown Primary School on World Environment Day to help out with their up and coming community garden. Get in touch with them if you’re keen on getting actively involved in your local community.

There will also be loads of cool things happening on campus as well, so ditch all of your existing plans, because you’ll be spoilt for choice at WED!

Renting and the Law

By Jasmin Harrison

This month, UoN Support Scholar, Jasmin shares helpful resources on renting and the law.

real estate, they haven’t done much, and now we’re on the way to taking legal action. Eek!

If you’re someone who rents, you probably have a story to tell. Here is mine.

So how can this help you? Well, I know there are more of these stories out there. If you have trouble with your rental property, or even your housemates, know that you can get help.

We moved into a cosy house fantastically close to the uni a while back - an old white weatherboard half buried by trees. It was also surprisingly cheap for the location. We checked it out, and it seemed ok, so we moved in.

•

Accommodation Services offers free assistance for students who need help with off campus accommodation: www.uonservices.org.au/accommodation

There were a couple of lizards that liked to sun themselves in our kitchen occasionally, and the cockroaches were indeed friendlier than we’d have liked, but the landlord really was the icing on the cake.

•

The Hunter Tenancy Advice and Advocacy Service are super helpful if you just give them a call: www.tenants.org.au/ hunter-tenants-advice-and-advocacy-service

One time half a tree fell and squashed our washing line out the back, and the landlord hitched up a few ropes instead, because they’re clearly just as effective as a Hills Hoist.

•

Finally, if you get to the stage of taking things further, check out the Department of Fair Trading. They have a bunch of handy factsheets, so you can know your rights and responsibilities as a tenant: www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/Tenants_and_ home_owners/Renting_a_home.html

•

For any other legal stuff, check out the free legal services available through the uni legal centre: www.newcastle.edu. au/school/law/unlc/free-legal-services.html

•

Make sure you’ve done as much as you can to work things out with the real estate first, and document everything!!

Another time our oven broke and he threatened to just give us a stovetop and mini convection thing, because “uni students don’t use ovens, they just exist on two minute noodles and pizza reheated in the microwave, right?!” Thankfully we wailed to the real estate long enough and he found us a second-hand one.

There are a couple other more serious things, like the fact most of our guttering is non-functional, which is kind of awkward when it rains a lot. He’s also allergic to telling us when he’ll be coming around (not cool bro). So one thing led to another, we spammed the

08 Yak Magazine - June 2013

Time to get a little bit serious.

SLAVERY; not exactly a word we would associate with today’s society.

So it may be a shock to learn that 27 million people worldwide are being held as slaves right now, a number at its highest point ever in human history.

In fact, every 30 seconds, another person becomes a victim of human trafficking.

Men, women and children are kidnapped and forced into a life of pain and degradation. Sadly, the average age of the victims is only 12-years-old.

Human trafficking is the trading of human beings for either sexual exploitation or forced labour. It is the fastest growing global criminal industry, generating approximately $31 billon US per year and coming in as the second largest criminal industry behind the drug trade.

It is even occurring on our own shores, with Australia being a destination country for human traffickers bringing women and children from South East Asia, East Asia and Eastern Europe.

These are just some of the confronting facts that thousands of women learnt at a Sydney Colour Conference in 2011.

Colour Conference’s bring women together to raise awareness about humanitarian issues such as “human trafficking, poverty, the plight of abandoned and orphaned children, HIV positive women and the child soldiers of Northern Uganda”.

That same year Natalie Stackhouse, cofounder and director of the Hunter Walk 4 Freedom initiative, and her friends, were given a water bottle and a t-shirt as conference gifts, with the slogan ‘Walk for Freedom’ printed on them.

Inspired by this message, a combination of tea, tears and the power of social media gave birth to the Hunter region’s own abolitionist movement, the Hunter Walk 4 Freedom, “to prevent slavery and rescue victims,” Natalie said.

“Hunter Walk 4 Freedom is an annual community walk to raise awareness and funds to fight human trafficking,” Natalie explains.

Starting off as a grassroots movement in 2011 to help raise awareness about those suffering in countries around the

world, the first walk was organised by five women in just three weeks. That year they managed to gather 125 walkers and raised around $5000.

In 2012, the initiative gained momentum, with the organisation team growing to eight, and teams of volunteers lending a hand. That year saw a total of 270 walkers raise $9000.

“Last year we also had clothing and food stalls,” Natalie said.

By breaking this chain we can protect others from becoming a tragic number in a horrendous industry.

With the first year’s event simply turning up to walk, Natalie felt it wasn’t enough to truly get the message across.

“It was just a desire for people to feel a little bit more connected to the community, to have a reason to stay and talk ... to make it more of an expo, or some type of market that allows people to buy fair trade products,” she said. “[We wanted] to be a part of not just one charity, but actually helping a lot of different organisations who are doing wonderful things and to give them some glory and some recognition”.

Fair trade products are items listed at sustainable prices ensuring farmers and workers in developing countries are given fair wages for their work. This allows these people and their families to eat better, give their children an education and help break the poverty cycle - a cycle which leaves them vulnerable to trafficking.

By breaking this chain, we can protect others from becoming a tragic number in a horrendous industry.

Past year’s proceeds have gone towards the A21 Campaign, an organisation that “exists to abolish injustice in the 21st century through a comprehensive system of preventative measures, victim

Yak Magazine - June 2013

protection, prosecution of violators, and strategic partnerships”.

This organisation brings the issues to the consciousness of the community through presentations and awareness campaigns in schools, universities, churches and community groups. They also build shelters, transitional homes and restoration facilities for those rescued from the horrible trade and fighting to prosecute traffickers is another major part of their work.

This time around the team moved away from A21, deciding to focus on local efforts. With around five to 10 people working behind the scenes, the organisation has managed to get the Salvation Army on board.

“This year, we are partnering with the Salvos to support the Salvation Army’s work in Australia to rescue and prevent slavery.

“Add your feet to this movement that will bring freedom to many” “The Salvation Army has a safe house in Sydney, the nation’s only safe house so far, for rescued trafficked victims.

“We hope to add strength to their work and see safe houses in every city in Australia,” Natalie said.

It’s all happening at noon on June 15th at Speers Point Park, so “add your feet to this movement that will bring freedom to many”.

Starting at Speers Point Park, the walk will follow The Esplanade around to Warners Bay and back, though participants may turn around at any point.

The ability to be able to walk anywhere is a simple freedom that we take for granted.

“There’re millions of children, women and young boys in slavery, whether its domestic slavery or sexual slavery, they cannot even walk to the end of the road or the end of their living quarters without permission or without being watched.”

Natalie is inspired by the idea that a simple walk “channels that desire to do something healthy into something that is quite powerful”.

Though the idea may have been born from a women’s conference, and may be in support of women and children, men are also encouraged to come along and show their support, to “awaken the fatherheart in men for these captive daughters”.

Younger children may also attend, with prams more than welcome at the walk.

But, parents are advised to be cautious about bringing along children who may ask probing questions, as the topic is quite confronting.

People who wish to support the initiative but can’t make it to the event can also head to www.hunterwalkforfreedom.com and sponsor another walker.

Designed by Anneliese Wild

09

10 Yak Magazine - June 2013

T

he origin of the Griffith Duncan Theatre’s name is shrouded in a magical cloud of history, dust and student theories. Through my research at the University Cultural Collections, I can now reveal the truth to you.

The theatre isn’t named after two people, nor is it some sneaky word association with Gryffindor (an attempt to make UoN as cool as Hogwarts, although the Hunter Building labyrinth succeeds in achieving this).

Strange theories aside, the theatre is actually named after one of our university’s original stock, the highly respected educator Griffith Duncan.

Unfortunately, before I started this investigation, I associated Griff’s theatre with banal education experiences – something he never created.

I thought of the theatre as that place where theory laden lectures are held. Mention of the theatre evoked experiences of uncomfortable neck craning to see the lecturer through the hair of the afro guy in front (because the gradient of the theatre wasn’t designed with the vertically challenged in mind). I remembered my first visit to the theatre, that sad time I had to sit through a high school production complete with ribbon waving and students dancing in weird sleepingbagish morph suits.

Griffith was a passionate and engaging educator, and as a Kurri Kurri local, started his education journey as a student at East Maitland Boys’ High School.

After high school he headed to the University of Sydney and completed his training as a mathematics, science and English teacher at Sydney Teachers’ College. In 1935, he was sent to the NSW Teaching Service at Newcastle Junior High School.

After being awarded his Master of Arts degree in mathematics with First Class Honours in 1940, he took flight and spent almost six years with the R.A.A.F.

Image of Griffith Duncan courtesy of the UoN Cultural Collections.

Griffith eventually returned to teaching, working at as a lecturer at high schools and teachers’ colleges along the coast.

In 1949, Griffith became the first Principal of the Newcastle Teachers’ College, a role he continued for the next 26 years. He witnessed the transformation of the teachers’ college from a small institution to the faculty based on Callaghan today.

He received great recognition for his work in education.

In 1968 he was awarded an OBE and was inducted into Cessnock City Council’s Hall of Fame in 2007.

If you’re feeling a little down when you next descend the staircase to the theatre, cheer yourself up with a quick thought of friendly Griff, or yell ‘Gryffindor!’

DESIGNED BY Image of Griffith Duncan Theatre courtesy of the UoN Cultural Collections.

12 Yak Magazine - June 2013

h exams, that time of the semester when already pressed and frazzled uni students come together in a big room and undertake a brutal assessment of what knowledge has not already fled their pressured minds. The days leading up to the big exam periods are when we cruelly tend to struggle with motivation the most. So what helps you get through this torturous time? Music!

Whether you are someone who prefers mellow and relaxing music to get you in the study mood, or someone who prefers loud, fist pumping tunes to garner the enthusiasm to push through the study hours, we all have our music outlet that will keep us sane for the feared exam period.

Here are a few song ideas that will help motivate and get you through to your exam:

The Grammy award-winning song is surely going to get you upbeat for study. Daft Punk’s Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger dominates the song. These lyrics will help you get motivated and inspired to work harder if you are slightly lacking, work better if you lack time efficiency and strengthen your concentration so you believe that you are able to succeed with your study.

If you take a moment and really listen to Eminem’s song Lose Yourself, there is an underlying message to never give up, seize every opportunity and go for what you believe in. Eminem tells a story with his lyrics, and listening to this song will definitely help get you pumped up for your exam. Even if you aren’t normally an Eminem fan, this song will get you motivated enough to walk through the exam doors feeling confident and strong.

For those of you in need of a relaxing song to get you focused and centred before an exam, Enya is the lady to listen to. With her calming and tranquil voice, Enya Sail Away will help your mind travel to a destination where there is no stress or pressure. There is nothing better than walking into the exam calm, and mentally ready to take on the next few hours.

DESIGNED BY ANNELIESE WILD

Yak Magazine - June 2013

Some people may like loud, motivational songs to get them punchy and ready for an exam, however others prefer the subtle, soft scenery of a song, and if this is you, then Angus and Julia Stone better be on your iPod, and quick! Big Jet Plane is an amazing song to listen to just before your exam. Nerves can take hold of all of us, so if you are a nervy person, like I am, then ‘Big Jet Plane’ is the song to listen to.

One of my all-time favourite songs to get pumped for anything and everything.

Best remembered from the famous movie Rocky, this inspirational and motivational song will get anyone and everyone psyched for an exam. The build up of the song, and visualising Rocky pounding up the stairs to self-victory, this song will be sure to set you up for executing that exam. Nothing beats getting pumped up for an exam like the Eye of the Tiger!

When researching what songs can help with exams, a psychology graduate friend at UoN straight away suggested Shake it Out. With the overwhelming panic that study can bring to exam time, you need a song that will help you get past the panic and regain your focus.

Florence and the Machine’s lyrics, vocal tone and music will surely help to pass the stress and anxiety and get you pumped and focused.

I don’t know about you, but when the exam period comes around all I want to do is scream and shout very, very loudly.

So why not sing it instead, thanks to the collaboration of will.i.am and Britney B*%#H in Scream and Shout. A perfect song to let go of any worry or stress and just enjoy yourself before going in to your exam. Take it from me, this song will get you in the mood to nail your exam and maybe hit the Bar on the Hill afterwards.

This song isn’t just good for JT’s sultry voice, it will get you raring to go for your exam. Justin Timberlake has a crooning quality, which can help calm the nerves and build a little self-confidence. If you’re a pop music type of person, JT will take you on a journey of self-affirmation so you’re so confident in yourself you walk into that room thinking “Sorry, exam who?”

I don’t know whether it is the ducks fighting humans in the film clip that has put this song on my top 10 list, or whether the beat is too addictive to pass up. Get Up is your ultimate party song, which will get you pumping and ready to go for your exam. The beat engulfs you and will leave you feeling hyper inside. Listen to this bad boy before your exam and you will be good to go for hours. If not, it will at least allow you to imagine ducks when you’ve run out of answers during an exam and are staring blankly at the page.

Well it is exam period right? Too often we feel like we‘re going full speed on the Highway to Hell. How could this song not make a top 10 list, for anything? An all-time, Australian classic, what better song to listen to get you fired up before an exam. I know for a fact that this song will be blaring away in my car as I make that trip to uni during the dreaded exam period. But at least this song will leave me in a great mood before I walk into the exam room and spend far too long a time staring at a blank sheet and wishing for my happy place.

o remember, in the weeks prior to your exams, when the stress is kicking in and you’re not sure where to start, take some time out and whip up a playlist with some of these bangers in it. With a playlist like this, you’ll surely be pumped to kick that test all the way to a great result!

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14 Yak Magazine - June 2013

twice a day, and complete her uni work. How does she do it? “I don’t sleep!” she jokes.

“I have to be really strict with my time management to stay on top of everything, and even then it’s hard to find time for everything.”

Currently her training regime includes two explosive weights sessions, 2-3 running sessions, two jumps sessions (high and long jump), three throws sessions (javelin and shot put), 1-2 hurdles sessions and plyometric training.

Jasmine Turvey finds out what it takes to qualify at world level with two UoN sporting elites.

Sophie hopes to take her sport as far as she can.

M

ost of us are just happy if we make the gym once or twice a week, even if it’s only to avoid studying or starting an assignment.

Not Sophie Stanwell. She’s 21, studies Nutrition and Dietetics, and oh yeah, she’s ranked No. 1 in Australia for theHeptathlon. What is this curious event you ask? Well it comprises of 7 track and field events including 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200m sprint, long jump, javelin, and 800m run.

Sophie’s been competing for about five years in this event and has quickly made her name known. Last season she won the Australian University Games, the NSW Championships and the Victorian Championships, where she recorded a qualifying score for the World University Games in Russia later this year.

Sophie trains 11 months of the year, 10 times a week. Yep, this means she’ll train

“My ultimate goal is to be a full time athlete,” she said.

“Isn’t being paid to do what you love everyone’s dream?”

It certainly is for Cameron Copeland who will be competing in the University Rugby League World Cup, which will be held in the UK this July.

Growing up, Cameron always loved playing sport and dabbled in everything from surf life saving to water polo, and of course, footy. For this reason, he didn’t start taking Rugby League seriously until 2010. Imagine that? Making his debut at 18 for the Ballina Seagulls, he was

selected for the Northern Thunderbolts Country Rugby League team and the Northern Combined High Schools team the very same year.

He didn’t stop there. Last year Cameron played for the NSW Universities team as a lock forward and this year, he’ll be playing for the Australian Universities side. Talk about a fast achiever.

“I didn’t think that Rugby League would ever take me anywhere especially since I only play to enjoy myself and because I love the game,” he said.

To keep himself in shape Cameron undergoes a training regime along the same lines as Sophie’s. In a normal week he will train 2-3 times for skills and fitness, 3-4 weights sessions, and two cardio/sprint sessions. Right before a big event there will also be a training camp for the whole team to train together and get in some vital bonding sessions before taking the world stage.

Cameron is studying science, majoring in biology and has similar issues to Sophie when it comes to managing his time. Pulling all-nighters to finish an assignment just wasn’t working when he’d have to miss that morning’s training so he’s definitely making the effort to stay organised.

Maybe this wouldn’t be so difficult if he wasn’t living in Edwards Hall where, you know, parties tend to occur.

His dream is to live on the coast with a job he loves, but for now, he’s just happy he gets to play footy.

Sophie and Cameron, we wish you the best in the Uni Games this year: make us proud!

WHAT’S ON EVENTS & GIGS

WEEKLY Trivia

Green Week 3 - 7 June

Bar on the Hill

KEY:

Find out more at www.uonservices.org.au U Member Happy Hour

at Godfrey Tanner Bar, 4pm - 5pm

1pm, Fridays

at Bar on the Hill, 5pm - 6pm

WEEK 13

THURSDAY 6

MONDAY 3

Green Week Mural Painting + Free BBQ

Green Week No Dig Garden Workshop 12pm - 1pm, Community Garden, Oval 4

1pm, Tuesdays

Godfrey Tanner Bar

U Member Happy Hour

11am - 2pm, Community Garden, Oval 4

Pool Comp 3pm, Bar on the Hill

FIFA 13 Competition - Final Monday Movies by Moonlight at U Cinema - Green Week Special

3pm - 6pm, Godfrey Tanner Bar

Lawn Games

3pm - 5pm, Derkenne Courtyard

DIVE! Living off America’s Waste 6.30pm, Derkenne Courtyard

Tanner Tuesdays Wolfmother’s

Andrew Stockdale

7pm, Tuesdays Godfrey Tanner Bar

TUESDAY 4 Green Week Swap & Sell Fair 11am - 2pm, Auchmuty Courtyard

6 June

Live Music with Gilbert & Friends 11am - 2pm, Auchmuty Courtyard

Pool Comp Godfrey Tanner Bar 3pm, Wednesdays

NAIDOC Week Solidarity Concert

Bar on the Hill 3pm, Thursdays

FREE Mondays at 6.30pm, Derkenne Courtyard

3 DIVE! Living Jun off America’s Waste

CLUBS AND societies

3pm - 5pm, Thursdays Godfrey Tanner Bar

Wind Up Wednesday

From 3pm, Wednesdays Bar on the Hill

Godfrey Tanner Bar

13 June

1pm - 3pm, Bar on the Hill

Tanner Tuesday Open Mic Night

4pm - 5pm Every day of semester

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

Doors open 7.30pm Bar on the Hill 18+. Proof of age required. Student card recommended.

FRIDAY 7 Green Week Aquaponic Garden Workshop 12pm - 1pm, Godfrey Tanner Bar

Trivia 1pm - 3pm, Godfrey Tanner Bar

From 7pm, Godfrey Tanner Bar

WEDNESDAY 5 World Environment Day Swap & Sell Fair

U Member Happy Hour NEGATIVE SPACE Winter Design Ball 2013

Trivia

6pm - Oval No. 4

Lawn Games

Tix: U Members: $30 UoN Students: $32.50 Guests: $37.50

12pm - 1pm, Derkenne Courtyard

Quidditch Social league

27 June

MONDAY MOVIES

BY MOONLIGHT

Green Week Composting Workshop

Bar on the Hill Gig Andrew Stockdale (from Wolfmother)

The Studio presents National Campus Band Comp: Heat 2 7pm - 11pm, Bar on the Hill

11am - 2pm, Main Quadrangle, Central Coast Campus

Semester 1 Concludes

World Environment Day No Dig Garden Workshop

SATURDAY 8

12pm - 12.45pm, Main Quadrangle, Central Coast Campus

triple j’s Hottest 100 Countdown (Twenty Years)

Green Week Styrofoam Wormbox Workshop

Newcastle Knights vs. St George Illawarra Dragons

12pm - 1pm, Derkenne Courtyard

5.30pm, Hunter Stadium

Lunchtime concert The Floating Bridges

SUNDAY 9

12pm - 1pm, Bar on the Hill

triple j’s Hottest 100 Countdown (Twenty Years)

Pool Comp

Watt Space Gallery - last day A force of Habit

3pm - 6pm, Godfrey Tanner Bar

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

11am - 5pm

Yak Magazine - June 2013 17

JUNE

Mid-year exams week 1

WEDNESDAY 19

MONDAY 10

THURSDAY 20

Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday

TUESDAY 11 Mid Year Exams Commence

Rugby Union: British and Irish Lions vs. NSW/QLD Country at Hunter Stadium

WEDNESDAY 12

FRIDAY 21 SATURDAY 22 SUNDAY 23

Mid-year exams week 3 MONDAY 24

THURSDAY 13 TUESDAY 25 NEGATIVE SPACE Winter Design Ball 2013 Entry: Members: $15 Guests: $20 7pm, CBD Hotel Be sure to come dressed up!

Coming up semester 2 MONDAY, 29 JULY Semester 2 Commences

WEDNESDAY, 31 JULY U Event Back to School Party Featuring DJ Ember Entry: U Members: FREE UoN Students: $10 Guests: $20 Doors open 7pm Bar on the Hill 18+. Proof of age required. Student card recommended.

FRIDAY, 2 AUGUST The Studio presents National Campus Band Comp: Heat 3 7pm - 11pm, Bar on the Hill

5 - 9 AUGUST WEDNESDAY 26

Festival of Autonomy Callaghan Campus

THURSDAY 27

FRIDAY 14 SATURDAY 15 SUNDAY 16 The Entrance Farmers Markets 8am - 2pm, Memorial Park, The Entrance

Sea 101.3 Bay to Bay Fun Run 7pm, Woy Woy Waterfront

Mid-year exams week 2 MONDAY 17 TUESDAY 18

Bar on the Hill Gig Last Kinection Supported by Whitehouse and DJ Jaytee NAIDOC Week Solidarity Concert Free entry 7pm, Bar on the Hill 18+. Proof of age required.

FRIDAY 28 Mid-Year Exams Conclude A$AP ROCKY Hordern Pavilion

SATURDAY 29 SUNDAY 30 Newcastle Knights vs. Gold Coast Titans 2pm, Hunter Stadium

Come on down to Bar on the Hill and support UoN's best musos!

For more info visit www.uonservices.org.au

18 Yak Magazine - June 2013

Bayden McDonald catches up with Walkley Award winner, and proud Novocastrian, Peter Cave, to look back at an astounding career in foreign correspondence.

G

to pull out a driver from one of the blazing trucks.

It was one bloody result of escalated conflict in the region at that time, often referred to as the Spring fighting of 2004. The intensified resistance of militant groups saw, among other brutal tactics, the abduction and murder of foreign civilians.

“It wasn’t a hard decision because another car was behind us and there were lots of people with guns; we certainly didn’t want to provoke them.

ood Friday 2004, Iraq. An American convoy of supply trucks delivering emergency fuel to Baghdad Airport is attacked by Iraqi insurgents, west of Baghdad. Oil tankers are ablaze; civilian bodies are scattered on the road. Survivors are taken hostage.

Such was the scene when ABC foreign correspondent Peter Cave, and his cameraman Michael Cox, found themselves surrounded by armed, hostile militia at the site of this attack.

They had been on their way to report on a mass prayer organised by local Shi’ites and Sunnis to protest against a recent siege by US forces on a nearby town.

“We noticed a big oil fire going somewhere out on the western road and so we decided to cut across from where we were, across the desert, and try and get some photos,” Peter said.

“It was like a scene from Apocalypse Now… we passed half a dozen oil tankers ablaze and there were dead bodies, clearly Americans, dead on the road. There were people with rocket propelled grenade launchers and rifles and AK 47s blocking the road. There was absolutely no sign of an American troop presence.”

With bullets passing dangerously close, they decided to take refuge in a ditch to put on their body armour and figure out a means of retreat. Michael filmed the scene: locals were trying

Two vehicles suddenly arrived on either side of their car. Peter and Michael’s translator approached the one in front, and after some heated exchange of words, he told the reporters the Iraqis had an American hostage whom they wanted filmed.

“So I walked up to the car, I stuck my head in the door, there was an American with blood all over his trousers sitting in the back,” he said.

That American was Thomas Hamill, a civilian contractor who was held by the Iraqis for three weeks. Threats of his murder were used in an attempt at bargaining US troops out of the town of Fallujah.

Peter and Michael managed to record a few words from Hamill about what had happened, and got his name, before the Iraqis sped off with their latest capture.

Unknown to Peter and Michael at the time, their translator had convinced the Iraqis they were a Russian film crew, unaffiliated with the US. If not for this successful bluff, their fate may have been similar to Hamill’s.

As they got their car back on the road, another vehicle pulled up.

“They said ‘we’ve got some more hostages; come with us and you can film them’, and we said ‘yeah sure’. As soon as we

Yak Magazine - June 2013

had some clear road we got our driver to gun the car and we took off like bats out of hell… we had the biggest story in the world I guess.”

It’s coverage like that which earned Peter Cave his reputation as the go-to guy for reporting on conflicts and major foreign events.

Peter won two Walkleys, Australia’s most prestigious award for Journalism, for his work in Iraq at that time. He has won an impressive six during his career.

Since leaving his hometown of Newcastle at 18 to pursue a career in journalism, Peter has reported on some of the most significant moments of recent history, such as the Tiananmen Square massacre, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the break-up of former Yugoslavia, the Egyptian revolution and the Libyan and Syrian civil wars, to name a few.

But one of his most memorable moments he says was in South Africa in 1989, towards the end of the Apartheid regime.

It was outside Parliament House in Cape Town where a large demonstration was going on. The police were suppressing the protesters with water cannons, with the water dyed purple to mark the rebels.

Peter had been arrested by police, beaten up, his equipment damaged, but eventually let go.

“A lot of the demonstrators had gathered for sanctuary in the cathedral with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and they were surrounded by armoured cars and lots and lots of police.

“The police were just waiting for the orders to go in and arrest them.

Now retired, living in Sydney with his wife, Peter looks back on some pretty hostile and dangerous experiences with little regret. He said he never took any unnecessary risks and the importance of the job kept his focus and his sanity.

“It’s one of the things that actually often protects people like doctors and fireman and policemen as they know they’re doing a job, an important job, and I think when you realise that you’re doing an important job too, that you’re a first responder… it helps.”

But Peter admits that his line of work can demand a lot emotionally. He describes the moment when this became blatantly apparent to him.

Peter was in former Yugoslavia, in a town that was being shelled by federal troops. He and a colleague were taking shelter in a hospital basement with people from the town. A nurse led him to a kitchen where she pulled out of the oven, a lasagne tray with four newborn babies lined up in it. They were perfectly fine in the makeshift incubator, but for Peter it was a tipping point.

19

Over the years leading up to that moment, Peter had been through some intense experiences, from massacres and the height of Apartheid, to the tense fall of the Soviet Union. On top of that he had been put through mock executions on an assignment in Fiji.

“Being arrested in the middle of the night stuck in front of a tree and being told several times I was about to be shot… the Fijian soldiers cocked their weapons and aimed them at me, obviously it was a basis for stress,” he said.

Experiencing first-hand the impact of posttraumatic stress, Peter has tried to do what he can for other journalists who may have faced similar trauma. He has studied PTSD in America, winning an Ochberg Fellowship with Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma, and offered his ear in support groups.

Peter is also involved in safety training for journalists, teaches at University, and is currently writing a book about the first ABC correspondent to die overseas.

Despite Peter’s contribution to the field he remains modest. In the acceptance speech “Just looking at those babies, in that fairly for his sixth Walkley last year, he claimed he had only really deserved one of his stressful situation and thinking of my awards, the one he received for Tiananmen own newborn son at home, something Square; the others were just for being ‘in just snapped and I started crying and the right place at the wrong time’. couldn’t stop, for about 20 minutes. I really thought I was having a nervous But clearly, being in the right place at the breakdown,” he said. wrong time, and having to do it over and over again, is a hard task in itself. And if “That’s often how it works… maybe the you ask anyone in the industry, there was incident that actually ticks you over the edge isn’t anything particularly big, it can no one better at it than Peter Cave. be perhaps something quite small but it does build up”.

Photographs courtesy of Peter Cave

“I managed to slip through the police lines and get through to the cathedral and spent the day with the purple people and Archbishop Tutu as they sang liberation songs. And Tutu basically said ‘they can arrest us but they can’t stop us’, and it was just a very seminal moment at the end of Apartheid.

“The singing and the enthusiasm and the joy of that situation, even though it was a terrible situation, was probably the most memorable moment,” Peter said.

DESIGNED BY Hannah Sunderland

20 Yak Magazine - June 2013

Jacqui Scolari braves the cold to discover what goes on within the world of Newcastle University Snow Sports

I

t may sound a little unusual; having a society dedicated to snow sports in a place where the weather jumps from cold to hot in seconds, but the Newcastle Snow Sports Club is one university club that shows no sign of slowing down.

Newly-elected President, Patrick DavisMeehan has been a big supporter of Newcastle Snow Sports.

“I’ve got a bit of a background in snowboarding and when I came to university I went and competed at the Uni Games with the club and just had an awesome time, so when I heard that they were changing over the committee I put my hand up”.

So far, his time as president has been going well.

A majority of new members signed up during O Week, however, students are encouraged to come along to events throughout the year to see what the club is all about.

“We’re trying to have barefoot bowls at the first week of every month,” he said.

“And we had a few people turn up at our last one and got involved.”

Keen to see a little more action? The Snow Sports Club also holds Rail Jams at Bar on the Hill.

“We go out to the ice rink and get a bunch

“We go out to the ice rink and get a bunch of the ice and we make a snow ramp down the stairs at Bar on the Hill…and people come and snowboard” of the ice and we make a snow ramp down the stairs at Bar on the Hill…and people of August. Members of the games get to meet and play against universities come and snowboard. across the country, as well as show some “It’s not so much of a competition, it’s just university pride. more for fun and a social event.”

In 2012, the Newcastle Snow Sports Club Don’t worry if you’ve never tried snow not only came 7th in the competition sports before. The Newcastle Snow overall, but they also won the Spirit of the Sports Club not only encourages people Mountain award, given to the team who is to turn up and have a go, but they also get the most energetic, who helps out with the together just to meet new people. sports coordinators and shows the most “Definitely come and talk to us if you’re team spirit throughout the event. Winning the award was also a high point as being a interested,” Patrick said. non-snow area means the Newcastle club “I found that when I came to the uni and is a little smaller than other universities. It signed up for the club I didn’t really know does make it difficult to make an impact, anyone so it was a great way to meet although Patrick hopes that things would friends.” be different this year.

The Newcastle University Snow Sports “We do have high hopes this year that Club also holds a lot of social events, we’ll do a bit better as we have more away from the snow scene. members,” Patrick said.

“We don’t just do the snow sports, so Want to get involved? even if you’re not into that you can come Visit their website at www.nu-ss.com to the social events. and register online by filling out the “The membership fee covers entry to most membership fee provided. Cost is $20 or of those events, like our O Week party is half price for international students. Don’t free entry if you’re a member, as well as forget to check out their Facebook page discounts, so there is benefits if you’re just for news on any upcoming events that interested in the social side.” you’d like to attend.

However, like most sporting clubs, the highlight of the year for the Newcastle Snow Sports Club is the University Games, held from the 25th to the 30th

Yak Magazine - June 2013

21

CAMPUS WHIP AROUND This month in Procrastinators Anonymous, Ourimbah and Callaghan students reveal how far they bury productivity in the grave that is the mid-year break.

Gabby King Callaghan Campus

The holidays are a ray of hope at the end of the busy, stressful tunnel of semester. Apart from the average part-time job, the holidays hold no commitments – no homework, no assessments, no exams – just long days and longer nights of pure, utter freedom.

I always have good intentions of making use of this time. Last holidays, I thought I’d do up a proper resume and apply for some internships, or finish one of the three books I started reading long ago. I planned to go for a walk every morning, and get back into playing guitar.

But when the time rolled around, I found myself indulging in many sleepins and many more drunken nights. My days were filled with hours of Reddit and Facebook, and episode upon episode of Pretty Little Liars or The Mighty Boosh. My diet consisted of mostly Vegemite on toast, vodka and 2-minute noodles. My books remained untouched, my guitar continued to gather dust and my ‘healthy lifestyle’ died before it even lived.

To be honest, I don’t think these holidays will be any different. I have adopted a holiday routine that revolves around absolutely nothing. But to be more honest, I don’t even mind. Happy holidays.

Selina Chapman Ourimbah Campus

Zoe Johnson Callaghan Campus

Motivated to increase your GPA, you decide to invoke the God of Education (and his half-brother Procrastination) to maximise your grades during the break.

With a PhD in procrastination, my hopes for a productive mid-semester break disappear a little more with each tap of the snooze button.

Organisation is the key to success, and a tidy, organised workspace means a more efficient mind. Your grades are going to soar like eagles into the sunshine of your future.

So if not assignments, what can one do with all this free time?! How about creating the illusion of productivity by developing your own version of what I like to call, the “How about, NO list”, full of ways to trick yourself into thinking you are making the most of your break and are still being productive!

First of all, you decide to file your notes.

Now they are beautifully bound, colourcoded, cross referenced and stored in brightly coloured folders. Like exotic Amazonian wildlife your technicolour tomes must be displayed. To best view your handicraft you decide to rearrange your room.

While you were moving your bookcase, you took a large chunk out of the wall and you have to paint it so no-one will find out. Because you painted the walls, the carpet is covered in droplets and the freshly exposed corners highlight the decrepit state of the ancient beige carpet. You can’t afford to re-carpet so you spend hours trawling through charity shops looking for the best less ugly rugs you can find.

After all your efforts the break is over.

No revision has been done, you have forgotten your student number, textbook money has vanished, and your rainbow flight of fantasy has turned into an overworked, half-plucked chicken.

I’ll start you off: “Weekly readings will continue throughout the break.” How about, NO. “We recommend making an early start on this essay.” How about, NO. “We need you to work from 8am.” How about, NO. Though working on my procrastination skills is up there on the list of my favourite ways of killing those long days where you are aching for the “comfort” of a lecture theatre seat or the familiar sting of a mosquito; my actual mid semester break involved walking down Hunter Street in a Toga at 11am, no sleep and a total assessable word count of zero. But hey, at least I made a list.

“Two-for-one goon and a sickie Thursday?” How about, YES.

For some reason I think my GPA will be staying the same.

Design by Anneliese Wild

Yak Magazine - June 2013

23

F E AT U R E A R T I S T

Getting to a hip-hop gig early is always an interesting experience because of the affable scoundrels and lively characters.

Lachie Leeming discovers more of the unknown but excellent artists in the triple j vault.

O

n a brisk autumn night not too long ago I traipsed down to the Great Northern Hotel with a host of mates to watch Sydney-based hiphop duo Spit Syndicate perform.

up, bouncing around the stage with the chirpy backing beats provided by Raph. Pumping up the crowd prior to Spit Syndicate was their job, and they deserved every cent they earned from it.

Getting to a hip-hop gig early is always an interesting experience because of the affable scoundrels and lively characters hopping out of the woodwork to attend such events. Another positive of early attendance is being able to watch the lesser-known artists taken along to support the main drawcards.

Supporting Spit Syndicate on their ‘Beauty in the Bricks’ tour was the latest move the duo has made on their musical quest. Before that, they were carefully picked by Aussie rap superstar Illy to support him on his latest tour, giving them an insight early in their career about the requirements of the touring life.

When Jackie Onassis took to the stage, I wasn’t expecting the foxy former wife of John F Kennedy. Jackie Onassis actually consists of a pair of Sydney lads who I’d had a keen eye on since I first heard their debut EP, Holiday.

The band is comprised of rapper Kai Tan and producer Raph Dixon, with the two immediately lighting up the venue. Shaggy-haired front man Kai was a ball of energy revving the crowd

Their debut EP is an 8-track ripper that showcases Raph’s synth skills in complementing the unique style of Kai, whose lyricism and delivery switches from laconic and laidback to intense and hoppy in a flash.

Joyride, Spit Syndicate and Horrorshow.

The influence of these big names of the scene is evident in the mature sound produced by the two, and indicates a long career ahead, judging by the longevity of their mentors.

Alongside their touring achievements the pair have also achieved frequent radio rotation with Triple J, quite a feat for their first release. The leading single off their EP, Crystal Balling, is a whooping nighttime anthem that showcases the positive vibe radiating from them. Give it a go, breathe it in, and prepare to get hooked on Jackie Onassis.

Find Jackie Onassis on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JackieOnassis187

Jackie Onassis have also had the benefit of being inducted into the One Day Crew, a collective of Sydney hip hoppers consisting of big names such as DESIGNED BY DESIGNED BY ANNELIESE WILD

24 Yak Magazine - June 2013

To secede from the Commonwealth will open up fierce political and social debate and, even if a referendum is passed, republican waters become very easy to sink in.

Instead, Australia should follow the well-known layman’s idiom: “Why fix it if it ain’t broke?”

Our position in the Commonwealth is a sound one. For 98 years after federation, the constitutional monarchy was not challenged. It wasn’t until 1999 that a referendum was held regarding Australia’s transition to a republic; but, as so often happens, it didn’t pass. Republicans fear that monarchy threatens democracy and, in Australia’s case, restricts its nationhood. For a state that has been allowed theoretical independence since federation, however, what would ‘The Democratic Republic of Australia’ mean beyond a name?

Politically, the most significant democratic changes would be unavoidable amendments to the constitution. What is current would be dramatically altered, the alterations subject to zero referendums (as the republic referendum would permit these changes), all the while remaining irrelevant to the undereducated and uncommitted voters, who are swayed by new-age, sensationalized sentiments of national pride. Democracy loses once again.

There’s more than one loser, though. The cultural upheaval will be one of literal regurgitation, the true-blue holding their flags close in desperation turned quickly to disgust as the new flag is revealed, the Union Jack becoming the unintended victim of projectile vomit nationwide. For years afterwards, it will still be flown high in protest, a slow acceptance, at the cost of an infuriated resistance.

No more would we receive regular royal visits (that are of no expense to the taxpayer), nor would The Ashes hold a cultural relevance so nationally anticipated. Traditions would be tarnished, and no longer will you receive signed congratulations from Queen Elizabeth herself on your 60th wedding anniversary. Ties to our past and inauguration would be gradually forgotten via this symbolic severance. If a republic is ever the subject of a referendum again, those standing at the booths must consider one fundamental question before considering another: what are we afraid of, and what do we seek to achieve?

Sam Rayfield

I’m almost 100 per cent sure that a majority of kids don’t actually know that the Queen is the head of our country.

And why would they? What does being part of the Commonwealth even mean these days?

Well, Britain managed to populate our country with white convicts who pretty much destroyed our native culture.

Bravo. Our alliances took us to war. Twice. Something to look forward to in the future I guess (Brits piss anyone off,) I guess. They gave us their flag design to fill up blank space on ours. Cheers. Other than that? Not a whole hell of a lot.

We have a strange relationship. I mean, they are so far away, you’d think we could break the ties by now. But it’s like a parent-teenager relationship; we like to think we are independent and self-worthy but at the end of the day, when we scrape our knees we go whining and sniffling straight into the arms of mummy.

Pro-monarchists lead you to believe that the Queen is fabulous. But really, does she give two hoots about us down under? Not a chance. She makes a trip down here every once and a while and if she doesn’t feel up to it (and let’s face it, a 24-hour flight, even in a high-class, snooty jet it must take its toll on someone so damn old), she sends an over-rated family member whom we will all swoon over.

Who cares if she sends me a letter on my 60th wedding anniversary? I’m 20 now so even in some unimaginable world, I got married this year (you sorta need a boyfriend to get married right?) I would be 80 by the time I was eligible for that letter. Frankly, if I’ve spent 60 years with the same person and I’m starting to lose my health and sanity, a letter from some old duck 12 000km away isn’t going to be the highlight of my life. Similarly, if I’m still kicking at 100 and a King or Queen wants to congratulate me for that, I may have to turn off the oxygen.

Why not give our leaders a real go, and let Australia break free? Things may change but it will probably be for the better. We wont lose our identity, and history is never forgotten.

Let’s stop suckling, say bye-bye to mummy and move out on our own.

Emily Steele

DESIGNED BY BEN MITCHELL

Bayden McDonald rubs his hands together over the month long taste fest that is Hunter Valley Wine and Food Month.

W

hat’s the one consolation for June arriving, along with its short days and promise of months of cold weather to come? It’s discreetly putting on weight underneath your layers – that and the deliciousness of Hunter Valley Wine and Food Month.

Throughout the entire month of June, Hunter Valley winemakers and foodies will be hosting all kinds of events, designed to showcase and celebrate the region’s renowned produce.

You know it as one of the most visited places in the country, and for housing all the cultural stuff that saves our region from being defined purely by its coal. If you haven’t ever properly appreciated or discovered why the Hunter Valley has, in many contexts, become synonymous with “pretty damn good”, now is the perfect time to do it.

“We are lucky to live in a region that is renowned for its premium wine and gourmet restaurants, and never need a reason to enjoy both,” Bruce Tyrell, renowned winemaker, said.

Photos by Chris Elfes in ‘Icon vs. Icon’ blind tasting sessions at the Small Winemakers Centre. Take a master class for no extra charge.

If you want to get serious about the science of drinking, take a Riedel master class and learn about how the shape of a glass affects the taste of your wine, hosted by different wineries throughout the month.

Or there’s Glendore Estate’s Bonfire under the stars on the June 8th, where you can enjoy good soup, cheese and wine by the fire.

Chef Matt Kemp of Keystone Group, and one of the mentors of the Young Guns team, says the opportunity for young talent to get involved is one of the great things about the event.

“This event wouldn’t be possible without the help of the Region’s apprentices,” Matt said.

“ If you haven’t discovered why the Hunter Valley has, in many contexts, become synonymous with “pretty damn good”, now is the perfect time to do it.”

“However, Hunter Valley Wine and Food Month provides the perfect excuse to get family and friends together and celebrate with incredible food matched with a few bottles of wine.”

If you’re a wine enthusiast or just like a good drop, you can expand your knowledge with a tour or lesson. Take a tour of Brokenwood Wineries and sample the goods for just $20, or try Tulloch Wines’ Vertical Verdelho tastings for free. Compare some iconic Hunter Valley wines with the famous Penfolds Grange

One of the most anticipated events is the Hunter Chefs and Co. 4th annual Food Fight, which has moved to June 3rd this year to coincide with Wine and Food Month. Two teams, the ‘Masters’ and the ‘Young Guns’, battle it out in the kitchen to see who has rights to the title of the ‘Hunter’s Top Foodies’. But really it’s the guests who win, being the jury who judge the three delicious courses dished up by the talented contestants.

This event is not only an opportunity to taste some of the best work of the most renowned Hunter chefs, but to also be introduced to the masters of tomorrow.

“It’s exciting to see so much talent willing to be involved in this event and that Hunter Chefs & Co are working hard to support and develop them.”

But if you can’t make that one, no problem: Hunter Valley chefs will compete for your taste buds’ attention throughout the month.

Many Hunter Valley restaurants host special event meals, like the Margan ‘100 metre meal’, available as lunch from Friday to Sunday throughout June, where the entire meal is made from ingredients grown within 100 metres of where you eat it.

Or you could take a tour of Tower Estate’s kitchen garden with the Executive chef, finishing with a chef’s plate lunch at Roberts restaurant.

And there’s so much more where that came from.

So check out the website: www.winecountry.com.au/events/wineand-food-month DESIGNED BY Hannah Sunderland

26 Yak Magazine - June 2013

F

or the majority of the year, University students feel vastly overworked and underpaid. Many of us fall into the seemingly unfair nuances and pay conundrums that part-time and casual work condemns us to. Once a year however we benefit gloriously from this confounding system, in the form of our tax returns. Whether it is one thousand beautiful dollars or a single fifty, tax returns provide us with an ever-timely boost and brief respite from the poverty-stricken life of a university student.

Maybe because we are so acclimatised to having a dearth of cash, a sudden influx of dollars can send us a bit loopy. To help you decide how to spend your hard-earned, I ducked down to the JB Hi-Fi at the Kotara Homemakers Centre to look at the gadgets you never knew you wanted.

I tried on several different pairs of Bowers and Wilkins headphones, but the ‘P5’ model was a runaway winner. The padded leather positively caressed my cooing ears, but the closed-back design made it feel like they would plummet off my head at any moment, so these are perhaps not the best for the headbangers. The sound itself was delectable with no hint of tinniness, which can be the bane of headphones. However, at $369 a pair, you’d have to really value your music to take the plunge on these.

Whilst I hate to believe a man as committed to his beliefs as Bob Marley would approve of such wanton capitalism of his name, this glorified iPod dock is very cool. Two big woofers ensure your Jamaican jams will reach every corner of your house, shack or hammock on the beach. Compatibility with all the iDevices means that even if your phone goes flat, your mate can chuck his shitty playlist on. My favourite part of the system though was the eyecatching birch wood-front with walnut veneer, which has the potential to make you look as important as Ron Burgundy.

The gorgeous aesthetics alone is almost enough to splash out the $397 required.

DJing is the bee’s knees at the moment. Whether you want to sound like sound-master Flume, or like the gits at Finnegan’s on a Friday, a quality deck is your first step into a musical landscape that is all fist pumping and beat refinement.

The Pioneer DDJ Ergo markets itself as simplistic to use but maintains a quality setup suitable for DJs of all backgrounds.

An inbuilt soundcard and a laptop dock means that you can plug and play as soon as you’d like. With a selection of faders, filters and sound loops all quickly accessible, you’ll be feeding the masses your music in no time. The whole shebang will cost you $569, which is pretty cheap if you think of the wealth that awaits you if you ‘make it’.

I’m not a big fan of iPads and other tablets. To me, they’re a money grab designed to convince the public you need a mechanism to bridge the gap between your phone and computer.

The rest of the world does not share my stubborn insolence, however in all fairness I thought I better look at a tablet, and what better tablet to look at then the big dog of them all, the Apple iPad. It offers you access to the millions of apps accessible on your phone, on a 9.7 inch screen that holds a whopping 3.1 million pixels. Wireless connection and two high-definition cameras make the iPad quite a handy little trinket. A16GB iPad with Retina display will set you back $498, and provide you a nifty way to jot down your lecture notes.

There is one thing I’ve noticed about university students as a whole. No matter how destitute we are, no matter how many days we have eaten Mi Goreng in a row, uni student households always seem to have a luxurious, gargantuan television. For good reason, too: watching movies and playing Call of Duty are two major components of the student lifestyle. At 47 inches and costing $499, the Soniq LCD TV offers possibly the best screen size to cost ratio around. A 10 bit panel emits over a billion colours (I didn’t make that up) which will have you seldom leaving the couch.

This may not be the most exciting item to end on but, at $169, could very well be the biggest lifesaver for a student. There are few things in life more defeating than looking for your previously completed assignment only to find it hasn’t saved or has been a victim of computer melt-down. The hard drive acts as a saviour to your computer problems, as well as providing an almost endless deposit area for your movies, music and miscellaneous illegal, digital doings. It’s also Mac and PC compatible, which is perfect for you hipsters making the switch. Best of all, however, is the almost incomprehensible amount of data space on the thing: three whole terabytes, which was probably enough to power twenty spaceships in the 80s or something like that.

Yak Magazine - June 2013

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1. Bowers and Wilkins ‘P5’ Headphones RRP $369 2. Pioneer DDJ Ergo RRP $569 3. Soniq 47” LCD TV RRP $499 4. House of Marley Get Up Stand Up Home Audio System RRP $397 5. Apple iPad RRP $498 6. Seagate Backup Plus Desktop Drive 3TB RRP $169

DESIGNED BY ANNELIESE WILD

18+. Proof of age required. Student card recommended. Conditions of entry apply. For more info visit www.uonservices.org.au

With students retreating inside into their onesies to stuff their faces with chocolate and other body warming delights during the winter break, there is hope for those who want to make something of the time they have off. So get out of your ugg boots and enjoy some of the cool (and random) activities this winter has to offer.

Olive Tree Markets - It is free to go but I don’t promise that you won’t be leaving with your wallet a little bit lighter. Running the first Saturday of every month (for our purposes, 6th July), this local market at Junction Public School showcases the work of local artisans and their handmade goodies covering printmaking, jewellery, design, fashion, handmade toys, photography, ceramics and so much more! Treat yourself to some well-deserved presents and supplies for next semester. www.theolivetreemarket.com.au/ Elmo’s World Tour - The child in me (not to sound creepy or anything) got so excited when I discovered that Elmo is coming to town. Rediscover your inner child this winter break with some friends, or maybe more appropriately, some miniyou’s in the form of little siblings, nieces, nephews or cousins.

Check out Elmo and friends at the Civic Theatre on June 26.

Go to the Ticketek website to purchase your enviable tickets at $24.90 each. If you really want to make your childish innards squeal with delight, Disney on Ice is also happening in June. Check out the Civic Theatre website for other fun stuff happening over winter. www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au/index.php?pb_ id=32&eventid=1069&page=1 http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show. aspx?sh=SESAMEST13 Fort Scratchley Tour - Whether you are only visiting this great city or want to find out more about the town you live in, Fort Scrathley overlooking Nobby’s Beach offers so much history.

What used to be a defence installation is now a budding museum with spectacular views, running guided tours every day except Tuesdays from 10am-4pm. Take a tour around the tunnels for $12.00 or a full site tour for $15.00. If going your own way is more your style, general admission is free with a self-guided tour brochure available from the Artillery Store (or shop with lots of cool stuff). www.fortscratchley.com.au/ Restaurant Hunting - So back to the stuffing your face thing, the uni calls it a study ‘recess’ for a reason! There are so many restaurants and café’s around to whet anyone’s appetite, so take a stroll down Darby or Beaumont and dine with your buds (or get plastered, whatever tickles your fancy).

with

Leah Henkel

Leah Henkel has your winter sorted with a list of events to please everyone.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow If you are in need of some laughs after finishing early or want an entertaining break from studying, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival might be just what the Yak ordered.

Although it starts with Melbourne, it doesn’t mean you have to travel there to see some great comedians doing their thing.

Happening over 7-9 June at Civic Theatre, one show gives you all the best bits of a very funny festival. Certainly for those who wish to splurge a little, with tickets at $52 each and $47 for groups of six and over. www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au/index.php?pb_ id=32&eventid=1015&page=1 Rock Climbing - When you think of winter you don’t usually think of keeping in shape. But it is a good time to get warm by going rock climbing! If you live close to The Forum, their 18.5 metre wall, with over 30 routes to climb, will make even the most athletic of us break out a sweat. Casual prices are $14.50 for adults and $12.50 for concession.

If you would rather keep as far away as possible from campus during the break, Pulse Climbing in Adamstown has 150 different climbs you can take, making it a very comprehensive workout. Entry will set you back $15 for adults and $13 concession. www.theforum.org.au/climbing-wall www.pulseclimbing.com.au/ Sydney Festivals - For the traveller, there are plenty of festivals happening in June-July in Sydney. One that is a little off the beaten track is the Winterfest Sydney Medieval Faire over June 29-30. Get amongst ye olde action with prizes on offer for the best costumes, go orc hunting at the archery range, watch re-enactments, try Celtic dancing and buy some traditional food while perusing the Arts & Crafts fair. www.winterfest.com.au/ If you would still rather stuff your face with chocolate and catch up on TV shows you’ve been missing, you are not the only one. But don’t forget that this is free time without any assignments or exams to cram for. Leave the TV shows for procrastination and the city for exploring and having fun! See you out there.

DESIGNED BY SEAN BELL

30 Yak Magazine - June 2013

by Emily Steele

With Matthew Hatton

I

’d like to, if I may, talk about something that has been occupying headlines and column inches with increasing frequency over the last few years: marriage equality.

When it comes to this issue, there are a number of differing viewpoints that are being put forward.

In the “for” column, there are all the arguments about equality, status, progressivism and yada yada yada. Given how often most legislation is updated or changed, isn’t it about time we made another change to the Marriage Act? In the “against” column, the reasons are numerous. There is the “marriage is defined as being between a man and a woman” argument (as put forward by most fundamentalist Christians), the “it’s a slippery slope from here to having sex with animals” argument (as put forward by South Australian Senator Cory Bernardi), there’s even a “marriage threatens my pigeon-holed definition of queer so stop demanding it” argument (as put forward by blast from the past Helen Razer).

Now, the thrust of the equality argument is that couples

“..the question no one really wants to ask is; why does there need to be a law to affirm who people can and cannot love in the first place?.” that are not heterosexual deserve equal recognition in front of the law, just as those who are. But the question no one really wants to ask is; why does there need to be a law to affirm who people can and cannot love in the first place?

Sure, government regulation is fine when it comes to things like labelling what is in food you buy from the supermarket, what children are educated about in schools, provision of healthcare and defence of our nation against aggressors.

But why does the state need to grant us permission to be with those whom we love? NSW MLC Dr Peter Phelps wrote an article for News Ltd’s The Punch website last year, putting forward the idea that marriage should be no more than a private contract entered into by consenting parties; the same sort of contract that you see in just about every business relationship ever. It has agreed terms, cancellation clauses and is enforceable by the courts.

What it doesn’t have is a restriction on who can and cannot enter into this contract imposed by the government.

I’m not a morning person. At all. I honestly don’t think I become an actual human being until after I eat my cereal. And I’m not sure whether she does it unintentionally, or completely on purpose, but my mum likes to ask me probing and difficult questions as early in the day as possible.

The latest; why do I want to have a party for my 21st?

So this June will mark my 21st year in the world.

That’s 7665 days, give or take a few for leap years, wandering around doing my thing. Surely that’s enough to celebrate right? But, does it warrant any larger a celebration than normal?

“Why do you have to have a party?” Mum asked. Well, cause.

I had a big 18th with all my family and friends to celebrate my coming of age, being able to drink and vote, and my move into the adult world.

So what am I celebrating when I turn 21? Having spent three years in the adult world?

Sitting here, nursing a particularly nasty hangover from a friend’s 21st, all I can come up with is the excuse to party. You don’t get any new rights or privileges and it’s not even an even decade birthday like a 30 or 40.

In reality, we are doing what Australians seem to do best; follow Americans. Just like their holidays are infiltrating our culture, their birthday celebrations have seamlessly leaked across the seas too.

In America, 21 is the celebration of coming of age (aka being able to get blind legally). It’s what 18 means for us. It makes sense for them to rejoice. For us, it’s just another excuse to trash the house, forgo any memory retention and rake in the cash from rellies.

So do I think this celebration is a little silly? Yep. Am I going to call off my 21st? No way.

Although I’m not a huge fan of Americanisation, I’ll happily take any opportunity to party down.

If marriage is something people enter into for a variety of reasons, isn’t it only right that people get to define what their marriage is, for themselves, to best suit those reasons?

DESIGNED BY Hannah Sunderland

Yak Magazine - June 2013

31

THIS month we asked the kids on campus... • What is your favourite gadget, dream destination and best procrastination technique?

Name: Evan

Name: Jordan and Amelia

Degree: B. Nursing

Degree: Mechanical Engineering/Visual

favourite gadget: X Box 360 dream destination: Vanuatu best Procrastination technique: YouTube

Communication Design

favourite gadget: iPhone for selfies (Amelia) dream destination: Japan for skiing (Jordan) best Procrastination technique: Forgetting I have something to do in the first place/Selfies

Name: Kyle

Name: Linda

Degree: Newstep

Degree: B. Science/B. Math

favourite gadget: iPhone

favourite gadget: Nintendo NES

dream destination: I want to go to Japan after uni

dream destination: Peru

best Procrastination technique: Videogaming

best Procrastination technique: Facebook

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