Yak Magazine March 2015 by UON Student Central

Pretty in Ink

Renae Burgess injects herself into the issue of tattoo discrimination in the workplace.

What your University Degree says about you

Jackson Langford gives you completely unnecessary information you secretly want to know anyway.

Vegan is the New Black

Bridie Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shea explores the battle between animal-tested and cruelty-free cosmetics.

Alternative Medicine

Madeline Link remedies the debate about alternative medicine in the 21st Century.

Issue 29 | March 2015 Brought to you by Student Central

EDITORIAL

Isabella Batkovic - Editor Renae Burgess - Editor Emily Burley - Editor-in-Chief Mia Engel - Supporting Graphic Designer Jade Frost - Contributing Writer Lauren Gross - Editor Chelsea Groth - Promotions Coordinator Owen Harvey - Deputy Managing Editor Bronte Hoy - Contributing Writer Neha Lalchandani - Ourimbah Editor Jackson Langford - Editor Madeline Link - Magazine Managing Editor Kathleen Maier - Supporting Graphic Designer Erin McOnie - Contributing Writer Bridie O’shea - Editor Aisling Philippa - Editor Samuel Rayfield - Editor Sarah Webb - Editor Melissa Wilson - Editor Breanna Yates - Lead Graphic Designer

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 or graphic design work to yakmedia@ newcastle.edu.au.

CONTENTS // 03 Editor’s Letter | This Month’s Biting Question // 04 Yak Snap // 05 Sports | Five Tips:

ADVERTISING For advertising opportunities, contact Yak Media at yakmedia@newcastle.edu.au www.yakatuon.com facebook.com/YakMedia twitter.com/YakMedia instagram.com/YakatUoN yakmedia@newcastle.edu.au

Check out Yak Digital online! Scan here.

Public Transport Etiquette // 06 Go Back to Where I Came From // 07 Clubs and Societies: Signing Up | Health: Pap Smear // 08 PHD: First Impressions Matter // 09 A Night in the Life of a Dumpster Diver // 10 The Alternative to Medicine // 12 What Does Your University Degree Say About You? // 14 Pretty in Ink // 16 Vegan is the New Black // 19 Music Snobs Turnt Up Their Noses at Pop Music // 20 Voluntourism: A Good Deed Never Goes Unpunished // 23 Mass Debate: Should Scripture be Taught in Schools? // 24 Mic Drop: White Walkers // 25 Watt Space Artist Profile: Kim Saberton // 26 What’s On: March

NEXT MONTH // Boganism // Ethical Living // Extreme Dieting // Writing Resumés // Pros & Cons of Travel Agents // Things You Didn’t Know Were Illegal Get your free copy from press-points around campus on Monday, 6 April.

Yak Magazine is produced by students at the University of Newcastle. The views expressed herein are not necessarily the views of the University of Newcastle, unless explicitly stated. The University of Newcastle 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 March 2015 | 3

EDITOR’S LETTER

Madeline Link

It’s not often that a two page spread of women’s breasts has one spiralling into an existential crisis. It was only recently that a 1994 edition of CLEO magazine found its way into my hands. It featured the inevitable throng of ground-breaking news journalism, but there was one story that had me stumped. “What men really think about your breasts” – hang on, I’ve read this before. Fast forward to February 2015, splashed across the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine is the alluring title, “30 women get naked to show what normal really looks like.” Of course I immediately dropped whatever frivolous activity I was undertaking, the future of my breasts lay before me and my thirst for knowledge was insatiable. I settled down and took a deep breath. I can’t believe the question had never crossed my mind before. What do men really think of the fatty deposits riding my upper rib cage? Has the past 21 years of thorough research shed some perspective on “the central place that breasts occupy in the male psyche”? The jury is still out. What we do know is that Cosmopolitan in 2015 is a lot less concerned with titillating the opinions of men on an old-fashioned pair of knockers. But we’re still commenting on women’s bodies all the same. Sometimes it can feel a lot like the days and weeks repeat themselves, so try to be the change you wish to see in the world. And as another year of university rolls around I urge you to do all you can to improve on your experience, try new things – and stop worrying so much about your tits. They’re fine, honestly.

THIS MONTH’S BITING QUESTION:

If you were a fortune cookie - what prediction would you give?

EDITOR

Yvan eht nioj.

“You will find happiness with a new love” or “Stick with your wife.”

ISABELLA BATKOVIC

JACKSON LANGFORD

EDITOR

Books make very convenient weapons.

The force is strong with this one.

RENAE BURGESS

Bridie O’Shea

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

EDITOR

I cannot help you, for I am just a cookie.

“There’s more to see, than can ever be seen, more to do, than can ever be done...”

EMILY BURLEY

EDITOR

AISLING PHILIPPA

EDITOR

LAUREN GROSS

Samuel Rayfield

“You will be hungry again in one hour.” #truth.

The trick to youth is convincing yourself you haven’t wasted it.

PROMOTIONS COORDINATOR

EDITOR

The fortune that you want is written on another cookie.

If I was evil, I would only give couples ones with “will you marry me?” in them.

CHELSEA GROTH

SARAH WEBB

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR

EDITOR

“I’m standing right behind you” then they turn around around and there I am in a bloody shirt.

“Bend and snap. I did”

OWEN HARVEY

Melissa Wilson If no one gets that then lol @ me.

OURIMBAH EDITOR

LEAD GRAPHIC DESIGNER

You are one tough cookie!

You’ve just been chosen for the Hunger Games.

NEHA LALCHANDANI

Breanna Yates

4 | Yak Magazine March 2015

#yaksnap

yakatuon.com /yakmedia

/yakatuon

Yak Magazine March 2015 | 5

Jackson Langford gives you the heads up on University of Newcastle students shredding on the snow scene overseas. Despite the warm weather we’re copping over here in Australia, UON students are keeping it very cool overseas by making their mark on a global level in snow sports. Bachelor of Arts student Michaela Davis-Meehan managed to score the best result of any Australian athlete at the 2015 Winter Universiade in Granada, Spain. Competing in the Snowboard Slopestyle event in mid-February, Davis-Meehan was one of only three Australian student athletes in a group of 15, all of whom made it to the finals. An initial run of 35 points had DavisMeegan sitting in 10th place, but an impressive second run with a score of 68.25 was enough to push her to fourth overall, which was the best result by any Australian athlete across any event at the Winter Universiade. This excellent result follows Davis-Meehan’s selection as Australia’s sole women’s slopestyle competitor at the 2015 FIS World Championships that took place in January, where she placed 24th in a world class crop of 35 competitors. With this success firmly under her belt, she now turns her attention to two World Cup events in North America (Canada and Utah) before returning to her studies at UON!

Besides an impressive double degree in Business and Engineering, Matt Graham has found success in the World Moguls circuit. Graham claimed his second World Cup Silver Medal of the season in Val Saint-Côme, Canada in early February. Graham currently sits at fourth place overall in the Moguls World Cup standings, behind two Canadians and one Russian Olympian, in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place respectively. Both of these star talents compete for UON at the Australian University Snow Sport Championships, with Davis-Meehan being the reigning Australian Universities Female Snowboard Champion, and Graham just being edged out by his brother and fellow UON student David for the title of 2014 University Moguls Champion. The 2015 Australian University Snow Sport Championships will be held in Thredbo from the 23rd to the 27th of August. Both athletes are supported at the University of Newcastle under the Elite Athlete Friendly University Program.

Five Tips: public transport etiquette Melissa Wilson tells you how to sit down and shut up. It might be a no-brainer, but we’ve all found ourselves cooped in close proximity to someone we’d rather not on public transport. Whether it’s a bus ride to uni or that dreaded train trip to Sydney, here are some tips on public transport etiquette.

‘The true value of the quiet carriage only seems apparent when you’re using the train trip to cram for that exam or get some much needed shut-eye during the dreaded end of semester period.’

PERSONAL HYGEINE IS PARAMOUNT: This seems to be the #1 thing people get wrong on public transport. Bathing regularly and slapping on some antiperspirant are essentials in life, but the true beauty of these habits rings true when you’re stuck next to someone who reeks of onions and last Monday’s gym sesh. Keep it clean, please! FOR THE TRAIN – RESPECT THE QUIET CARRIAGE: While travelling with a bunch of mates, keeping quiet for those around you can seem like the last thing on your mind. The true value of the quiet carriage only seems apparent when you’re using the train trip to cram for an exam or to get some much needed shut-eye during the dreaded end of semester period. Keep it quiet in the designated areas.

DON’T PLAY YOUR MUSIC OUT LOUD: No one gets on a train or bus for a shared music experience. Remember to bring your headphones, and if you really want to share music with a friend, headphone splitters are going very cheap these days. Easy!

SET AN ALARM: If you know that you’re likely to fall asleep on a long train or bus trip, set an alarm at least 10 minutes before you’re due to get off to avoid missing it and ending up in who-knows-where.

FOR THE BUS – HAVE YOUR CHANGE OR TICKET READY: Most bus drivers will prefer your small change over hefty notes. Save your shrapnel for your next bus ride (as long as it’s not pre-paid) or, better yet, buy a 10x ticket from the post office.

6 | Yak Magazine March 2015

Go Back to Where I Came From

March 2015

Neha Lalchandani gets a taste of Malaysia from Wai Keong Lau Malaysia, a bustling melting pot of races where socialising and celebrating is exciting!

toasted bread, scrambled eggs or cereal, you can always find unlimited choices of tasty breakfasts early in the morning.

Wai Keong considers himself lucky to have lived in Malaysia, a foodies’ paradise known for its rich and succulent cuisines. What he misses most is the Nasi Lemak, hot cooked rice steamed with coconut milk and served with free-range chicken, curried fish and a side of sizzling spicy sauce. He also relishes eating snacks from different races. The Chinese have dumplings, Malays have kuih, Indians have muruku and many more. Did I also mention that it’s all reasonably priced?

Wai Keong also enjoys the multiculturalism of Malaysia which is home to hundreds of colourful festivals allowing everyone to celebrate together. He believes this allows people to learn about and respect different cultures. “Something that is not common everywhere in the world,” he said.

The ‘always open and there for you’ stalls and shops is what Wai Keong craves most. Regardless of the time of the night, there will always be a food stall or convenience store nearby that you can go to for a late night snack. As students, we can all relate to this tremendous need! Instead of simply eating

Most importantly, he misses his family, friends and relatives back home. Not because the laundry is done for him or because his dinner is ready for him during exams, but because that’s where he lived his whole life and that’s where he came from. “To know Malaysia is to love Malaysia,” he said.

Yak Magazine March 2015 | 7

Aisling Philippa yaks on about clubs, and sign ups. activity, this writer’s suggestion would maybe trying checking out Vinnies be to introduce yourself to the notorious Youth or Oxfam Fairtrade Society. Goonion society. Alternatively, religion and spirituality are explored at groups such as Parking on campus is non-existent. While it’s reasonable to assume that the Islamic Society and Newcastle more popular sports are catered to, Christian Students. An army of mosquitoes are out like tennis, basketball, football, rugby, softball, cricket and baseball, there are Last but not least, yours truly at the Yak for blood. also more alternative sporting groups are also looking for contributors to write operating in the University of Newcastle. for us, as well! Student clubs are on the hunt for Think along the lines of taekwondo, new members during O Week. Interested? Search ‘clubs and societies’ jujitsu, fencing, scuba diving and on newcastle.edu.au for more details! Ultimate Frisbee, to name a few. Here you were, thinking this article was going to be about nightclubs. Or a violent activity associated with seals. Sorry - it’s probably better not to delve into that particular brand of ‘Awful Dad Joke’. The three truths of first semester at the University of Newcastle are:

1. 2. 3.

The university plays host to a number of different clubs: from the social, to cultural, sporting and even religious. Some of the schools within the university even have their own clubs. While there aren’t many specifically associated with late nights of copious drinking and dancing, if you are interested in that sort of extra-curricular

“The university we like to call home plays host to a number of different clubs.”

But what about joining social clubs? There’s almost too many to name – there’s the Quidditch Society, NUni Toastmasters, Newcastle University Anime Club, Newcastle University Drama Club and Film Club to start with, but, if you’re looking to volunteer,

Clubs Societies

Isabella Batkovic explains why getting a pap test is as easy as pie This may come as a shock to many of you, but "Pap Smear" is not the name of a sadistic serial killer from the 1980s. Many women associate the term with some frightening scene from a horror movie - stainless steel operating tables, flickering lights, trays of silver instruments with jagged edges and bloody handles. But no, a doctor isn't going to open you up and yank your cervix out, so it's time for all of you ladies to be proactive and get yourself a good old fashioned Pap test (minus the Texas Chainsaw Massacre vibes).

"If you're aged between 18-70 and have ever been sexually active (you know who you are) you should be having a Pap smear every two years, even if you've had the cervical cancer vaccine."

health

The Pap smear is a quick and simple check for changes to the cells of the cervix that may lead to cervical cancer if not treated or caught early enough. The procedure itself involves the gentle insertion of an instrument called a speculum into the vagina, so the cervix can be located and swabbed for a collection of cells. These cells are then smeared (it all makes sense now) onto a slide for analysis, and results are usually available within a week or two. Yes, the test will be a bit uncomfortable, but it is painless and only takes a few short minutes to complete. What's so scary about that? If you are reading this and thinking you still don't need a test, then THINK AGAIN. There are many risk factors associated with the development of cervical cancer such as the presence of STIs, smoking, and engaging with multiple sexual partners (you will be guilty of at least one of these in your lifetime, so don't kid yourself).

“If you are reading this thinking you still don’t need a test, then think again.” According to Cancer Institute NSW, regular Pap tests can reduce your risk of being diagnosed with cervical cancer more than 95 percent (I like those odds)! Shockingly, nine out of 10 women who are diagnosed with cervical cancer in Australia have not had regular Pap tests. The procedure is usually free, so there really is no excuse for ignoring a test that necessitates a few minutes of discomfort in exchange for a lifetime of cancer-free living. Run and tell that.

8 | Yak Magazine March 2015

PHD

First impressions matter Jade Frost tries to makes sense of the brain.

Our brains are constantly bombarded with information from the environment around us, and it needs to be organised in a way that helps us make sense of it all. Theoretically speaking, the brain is able to create a memory of the sound environment when it hears the same sound over and over. The brain then uses this memory to predict the next most likely sound event. If a surprising sound is heard, the brain quickly updates the current memory in order to continue making accurate predictions about future sounds. It is believed that this brain system is responsible for filtering out unimportant sounds so that a person is better able to detect sounds that require attention or behaviour of some sort. It is also believed that the brain will always update its internal memory to match the sound environment. Remarkably, our research team has discovered that first impressions of our environment influence the perceived importance of sounds heard later on. Put simply, the brains internal memory is bias towards what we hear first and so does not always match what’s happening in the environment. This discovery is super-

important because it challenges many long-held beliefs about how sound processing works. In my PhD I use brain imaging techniques to find out how this bias works, what this means for existing theory/scientific evidence and why the brain surrenders to biases in the first place. My experience thus far is a colourful journey filled with moments of ‘having absolutely no clue what I am doing’ as well as ‘did I really just figure that out?!’ I am hoping to combine the skills I am learning in my PhD with Clinical training in order to practice as a Clinical Psychologist working with those who have severe psychiatric illnesses. Final spruik – we are always looking for participants so feel free to email me to find out more! C3062498@uon.edu.au Jade D. Frost (PhD Candidate – Psychology)

Studying engineering? Engineers Australia is the peak professional engineering body in Australia. Becoming a member opens up opportunities for: • Networking with professional engineers, opening up possibilities for work experience • Attending technical presentations and site tours • Getting involved with our Young Engineers group

Join Engineers Australia today and become a student member for free: engineersaustralia.org.au/membership

Wednesday, 1 April Bar on the Hill Doors open 7PM

TIX: UON Students: $5 Pre-Sale | Guests: $20*

Tix on sale from 18 March at

ticketebo.com.au/uon

* One guest per student 18+. UON Student Card and Proof of Age required. Conditions of entry apply.

For more info visit newcastle.edu.au/current-students

Yak Magazine March 2015 | 9

f o e f i L e h t A Night in a Dumpster Diver

uel Rayfield. am S rs ve o sc di , re su another man’s trea Leigh had to One man’s trash is of ‘diving’, one which exists around the act ad lef t unsold job of mine, all the bre In an old supermarket trading hours – mere moments after at the end of the night d wheeled out loaded into a trolley an had ceased – would be the supermarket It was explained that the back for disposal. ad to be donated wouldn’t allow the bre chain – a large one – e reasoning sed in any fashion. Th to a local charity or reu set stomach factor’s potentially up behind this was a bene opportunistic ad could result in the blamed on day-old bre suing of the donator. my job altogether, few shifts I received or the ing los of r fea r Fo a customer was nessing the waste as wit t bu it, on t ac n’t I did student Leigh Nutrition and Dietetics something third-year Stewart couldn’t let lie. have a big permarket, they always “Walking around the su day’s fruit and ays chucking out the bin in which they’re alw expired.” vegetables that have

bin. food is coming from a navigate – after all, the some I’d still food home, there was “When I would bring the t because I would go and help ou feel cautious of eating. want to eat it wasted, but I wouldn’t I didn’t want to see it mination.” myself, for fear of conta

at they “Opening the lids, wh to disco vered would gog.” waste is astonishin

s like that, bit worried about thing “You still have to be a iry products, da – re hing going in the ryt eve s re’ the e us ca be d any fruit in straight off the top, an meat … I would just go plastic I would grab.” nutes after close, supermarket in the mi Heading down to the ving their way chance of rodents ha he says, diminishes the mediately means washing the score im with the produce, and ermore, it helps y contamination. Furth effectively avoiding an you rifling ance an onlooker sees not being alone perch through a bin. un d a few a, yo u ne ed to be aro “In avoiding that sti gm where they se e ste wa ise wa nt to try an d minim t tha le op pe iry is, yo u do n’t have to be determines a food’s exp r of ne ce ss ity, eithe r; ce tte en ma sci a r t eve no en It’s wh it. m Aside fro caus e they’re pu rel y ectations , so me pe op le do it be many consumers’ exp sh by ca k uc for d str r pe the ap fur str s Leigh wa big mentality with e produce. “There’s a ag ain st the wa ste.” when it comes to edibl best-looking the nt wa ibles y the , ets rmark o would prefer their ed people that go to supe is difficult to imagine wh – and that’s it sh ile mi Wh ble away of d t foo es d fre ste d st an that giving this wa fruit”– that is,the shinie ste there is in the a bin, Leigh suggests m wa fro ch In the mu rd. w wa for “ho y ing wa alis alistically, the what really got me.” Re something he se willing to eat it is, ide tho me se who to ca be tho it , are re” re ltu the cu ay mforting to know co is r it , tte West” and its “throwaw ver ma we the ho ng e, ssi tim cu mean mach. r not see happen. Dis satisfaction of a full sto would somehow rathe rifice their pride for the s time to act. wa sac l it wil ed cid de y the s, ate with his fellow housem for the day, al supermarket closed Moments after their loc lids, what they the bins. Opening the they headed around to . to waste is astonishing discovered would go of red apples onions, turnips, a box s, on lem it, ifru kiw ts, Carro dude.” – “It was pretty epic, and another of greens – sometimes a red hauls of bananas Subsequent trips garne ed clothes were multiple times packag few kilos’ worth – and emed unfit for sale, ducts and produce de found. They were pro e for consumption. but evidently not unsaf harboured an out of curiosity, Leigh Initially tagging along the notion of what to me tance when it ca understandable reluc ’. To term it so to as ‘Dumpster Diving is colloquially referred in the eyes of the re a reputable image doesn’t exactly conju it is plausible this d to go to waste, and many allowing such foo tunate stigma derogatorily. An unfor moniker could be used

and “They were products t for produce deemed un fi unsafe t o n y tl en id ev t u b e, sal for consumption.”

10 | Yak Magazine March 2015

E V I NAT

the

R E T L

E N I DIC to

In the midst of the Information Age we’ve already seen more miracles than the Old Testament. Robotic surgeons, restoring sight to the blind and the ability to survive without a heart for 118 days are just some of the feats tackled by modern medicine. Mainstream western medicine has achieved the unachievable, and as a result alternative and complementary medical practices have faced the wrath of an unwavering sceptical eye. The mainstream medical community has long considered alternative medicine a fringe movement and the space between the two camps has only continued to grow. Quackery, pseudoscience, anti-science and even fraud are just some of the terms used to undermine a group of practices that are more than 10 000 years old. Lobby groups such as Friends of Science in Medicine (FSM) have consistently tried to cut natural therapy education from universities across Australia and the question now is, is there still a place for alternative medicine in the 21st century? There are a multitude of natural therapies including chiropractic, osteopathy, Chinese medicine, naturopathy, iridology, kinesiology, reflexology, homeopathy and aromatherapy. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 80 per cent of the world’s population relies on alternative medicine. This statistic has given rise to concerns among mainstream health practitioners and consumers on the issue of policy, regulation, evidence, biodiversity and preservation and protection of traditional knowledge.

“In the area that I work I would argue that herbal medicine is well and truly documented. For a scientific committee to say that herbal medicine is not a scientific medicine flies in the face of the literature.” In discussions of alternative medicine in the mainstream, the issue of safety often arises, and understandably so. However it is unreasonable to suggest that mainstream medicine is not without its own considerable dangers. WHO estimated that one in 10 hospital admissions leads to an adverse event, while one in 300 admissions leads to death. Despite this, a reliance on mainstream medical practices and pharmaceuticals is rife in the western community.

Madeline Link remedies the debate about alternative medicine in the 21st Century. Despite these figures there are still concerns that alternative treatments may neglect the needs of certain patients and that it is not a scientific practice. Practicing Medical Herbalist of 35 years Dennis Stewart refutes suggestions that herbal medicine is not scientifically supported.

“WHO estimated that one in 10 hospital admissions leads to an adverse event, while one in 300 admissions leads to death.” “In the area that I work I would argue that herbal medicine is well and truly documented. For a scientific committee to say that herbal medicine is not a scientific medicine flies in the face of the literature,” he said. Mr. Stewart believes the term ‘alternative medicine’ is damaging as it implies there is an alternative to western medicine. “I prefer to use the term complementary medicine. It’s usually associated with chronic lifestyle diseases and conditions that respond well to softer medicines, dietary change and lifestyle change. There are conditions that are inappropriate for complementary therapists to treat and they must remain in the hands of the mainstream,” he said. It is this movement towards a combined, holistic approach to healthcare that has seen the lines between traditional therapies and mainstream western treatments continue to blur. Mr Stewart believes the mainstream medical community will begin to take on complementary therapists and their role will one day become increasingly allied to mainstream practices. And it’s not an entirely unreasonable suggestion. Chiropractic was once considered a strictly ‘alternative’ medicine – but has since worked its way into the mainstream, with chiropractors now regulated by the mainstream medical community. While the feats of mainstream medical practices cannot be ignored, it’s hard to see the harm in alternative medicines when they don’t interfere with prescribed medications. Many ‘alternative’ treatments have not only withstood the test of time, but improved the quality of life for individuals globally. “I don’t see a dismal future [for complementary medicine], I see a different future,” Mr Stewart said.

But Australians have not given up on traditional therapies yet. The Access Economics report found that each year two thirds of Australians use alternative medicines. Currently, the Australian market for traditional therapies stands at more than $3.8 billion and this is steadily growing, according to a 2014 report by IBISworld.

16 - 20

H HARMON W WEEK marc HARMONY HARMONY 16 - 20 16 - 20 WEEK march WEEK march

HARMONY 16 - 20 WEEK march

HARMONY 16 - 20 16 20 WEEK march march HARMONY 16 - 20 WEEK march

HARM WEE

HARMONY 16 - 20 WEEK march

HARMONY HARMONY

WEEK HARMONY WEEK march 16 - 20

WEEK march 16 - 20

ARMONY 16 - 20 EEK march

HARMONY 16 - 20 WEEK march

Everyone Belongs

HA HARMONY WEEK W

Join us in celebrating Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cultural diversity during a week packed with live entertainment, free food from all around the world and fun multicultural activities

Check out all the details on 16 - 20 www.newcastle.edu.au/harmonyweek

march

12 | Yak Magazine March 2015

Jackson Langford gives you the completely unnecessary information you secretly want to know anyway The standard university campus is as mystical as it is diverse. People from completely different walks of life unite together for around 3 months a semester to spend their days either withering away in the library nose deep in assessments and exams or trying to get rid of the stress with frequent trips to Kingas. However, with different walks of life come different interests, and with different interests comes a desire to undertake different degrees. But how do your years at university reflect upon you? As the self-proclaimed, unofficial oracle of all things university, I am here to inform you of exactly what your degree says about you.

Teaching

Business

(Early Childhood/Primary/Secondary) Often dubbed as the degree people do when they don’t know what to do, if you actually make it past the practical assessments you display a strong ability to deal with people of all ages, get through basic problem solving and also manage to (hopefully) lead our future world leaders in the right direction. As well as being the saviour for our children, you can be found on many, many pub crawls where you drink away the memory of that one kid in the Year 2 class that mistook the carpet for the toilet.

The degree no one really wants to do but everyone should do. You’re an admirable character, willing to do the tedious hard yards and strenuous exams. However, luck will be thrust your way when you are at the top of economic food pyramid, feeding on the tears and the “why didn’t I do business?!” cries of all your inferior employees before going back to your multi-million dollar palace and resting your feet upon stacks of money after a long day of telling people what to do.* *Completely unfounded depiction of what actual millionaires do.

Communication (not Communications) You really, really like to talk. You like to talk so much that you’re willing to spend upwards of $10,000 and three years at university just so you can get paid for forcing your opinion into the world. But slow down there, tiger! Your chances of getting a job are slim to none (in case you haven’t already heard from every single communication lecturer ever). In saying that, you fit into one of two categories when it comes to your work ethic. You may be incredibly motivated, willing to undergo internship after internship, until it borders on exploitation, just so you can ensure that there is a sliver of possibility of employment post-graduation. Alternatively, you may sit on the complete opposite end of the spectrum, attracted to the idea that comms has no exams and therefore tackling your degree with an incredibly frustrating laissez faire attitude (frustrating because you’ll probably be the one ending up with a job anyway).

Environmental Science In addition to your time frolicking around forests gleefully and examining rocks with such keen interest that literally no one else will ever understand, you are a charitable spirit whose heart is firmly secured in the right place. Saving the world from the ever-growing evils of global warming, reef destruction and deforestation - or at least understanding why they’re evil, depends what your aim is upon graduation – you are always there to inform your friends about the huge contribution cow shit makes to greenhouse gases, or how much fun your semi-regular excursions are. You’re part of a group of invisible superheroes ready to rally up against every threat against our what-should-besacred environment. Or you just want the cash.

Yak Magazine March 2015 | 13

You find great solace in incessantly complaining about the vexing trials (obligatory degree pun) of a law degree to non-law students. Deep down, you are just looking for someone to tell you to stop whining, so you can argue about how it is justified because in ten years you’re going to be paid a near-heinous amount of money to argue professionally. You’re highly articulate and intelligent, having no option but to study law in conjunction with another degree thus expanding your financial horizons. You, along with everyone else in the world, hope to one day walk into the courtroom with the Law and Order theme music playing subtly in the background. Finally, you are going to be our knights in suave blazers and pant suits because when the rest of us resort to various crimes due to unemployment, you’ll be the one trying to defend us.

Medicine The closest anyone will ever get to Potions class, all you future Professor Snapes display intellect that is frankly unachievable by the rest of us. The sheer rigor of your degree is enough to earn the respect of anyone. You display a very strong sense of determination to stick out your degree, because frankly if you were stupid enough to consider dropping out of a medicine degree, you probably wouldn’t be doing a medicine degree in the first place.

Fine

Arts

Your resilience against the idiotic and repetitive qualms of “what job are you going to get with that?!” is impressive. You’re well aware that employment isn’t really an accessible option at the end of your degree, but you don’t care. You’re doing something that makes you happy, letting your creative juices flow and adding seriously needed splashes of colour amongst the rest of us squares. Your ridiculous talent angers the rest of us, as you’re there making sculptures and dropping some serious cubism on the world while we’re here writing essays and forever screaming at Endnote for documenting our f***ing references correctly.

Psychology When the rest of us grow old and crazy from the stresses of employment/family/life, you will be the one that’s consoling us, nodding politely and muttering “mmm, tell me more” or “let’s explore that.” Your degree is as long as it is intense, but it will pay off when your life consists of dealing with other people’s problems. Despite my cynicism, your degree may be one of the more necessary ones as you devote yourself to helping other people. You need to be careful though; a tendency to prematurely diagnose others will drive everyone around you mad. But I guess that means they would have to see you, wouldn’t it? Well played, future psychologists, well played.

Nursing Simply put, you do not get enough credit. You really get put through it to work in one of the most important fields known to humanity. Your services are nowhere near enough fairly recognised, financially or otherwise, but you don’t care. What’s important to you is making sure you help people as much as you can, and, unintentionally attaining an Ann Perkinslevel of nursing sainthood. Side note: you will always be the life of the party with various gross hospital stories. Feel free to make some up if running low, you’ve earned it.

Engineering There’s a wide range of Engineering degrees, but they all have one, terrifying thing in common: maths *cue screams and running away in fear*. For some sick, twisted reason, you find comfort in equations, theories and other disgusting things. I guess someone has to do it, plus, besides the mathematical aspect, what you do is pretty cool and I frankly envy your level of intelligence. But a word of warning, namely for you mechatronics kids: we’ve all seen Blade Runner. Robots are cool for now, but when they form a mind of their own and go on a murderous rampage, prepare for rotten tomatoes to be thrown at your head.

Law

14 | Yak Magazine March 2015

The smell of antiseptic hangs heavy in the air. A needle buzzes in another room and a bright purple carbon outline of your design rests against your forearm. As the tattoo artist injects the ink into your skin, you close your eyes and pray, “Please let me be able to still get a stable job”. Unwarranted pressure and generation-old stigma is still being placed on everyday members of society, especially in the workplace. Potential employees are required to read and reread handbooks supplied by businesses that warn of the different types of discrimination found in the workplace and how to avoid it. Australia is an economic powerhouse that claims to overlook race and stereotypes in order to find the personal potential and work ethic essential for the position at hand. So why are tattoos in the workplace still an area of contention?

“ It’s such a disappointing thing, falling in love with this art form only to be limited in your expression of it for fear of unemployment.” It has been a long time since tattoos were seen only on rough men and members of the criminal underground. A growing trend that has skyrocketed into pop culture, tattoos are a unique and permanent way to express yourself, and it’s almost uncommon these days to find someone not sporting some ink. However, you’ll often find they’re very strategically placed, tucked carefully at the base of a neck or the inside of a wrist, hidden from view. Tattooing becomes less of an art form and more of a balancing act when it comes to attaining a stable financial income. For potential employers, seeing a flash

Yak Magazine March 2015 | 15

of ink doesn’t bring forth the common question of “What does it mean?”, but rather asks, “What could it mean?”.

only three sport visible tattoos, and they’re small and discrete enough to not raise issue.

Honeysuckle bartender Amanda Thomas made the decision to place her tattoos in areas that weren’t visible due to employment pressures. And indeed, not a trace of ink could be seen on her skin. “Just to be safe,” she said.

In certain industries visible tattoos are more accepted than in others, such as the entertainment and design industries, where some employers even welcome and appreciate the self-expression of ink, however they remain the minority.

When I turned 16 years old I looked my mum right in the eye and said boldly, “I want a tattoo.” Not one to make such a decision on a whim, she took me seriously and conceded her consent, but not until I received a half-hour long reminder from her and my step-father that, yes, they are permanent, so, yes, they are there forever, and, yes, that’s the point, and, yes, they do hurt. I was warned to get the image tattooed some place on me that I could cover easily, otherwise “You’ll never get a good job”. Six more tattoos later, and co-workers I’ve known for months are still only just noticing them. But that was the intention, right? It’s such a disappointing thing, falling in love with this art form only to be limited in your expression of it for fear of unemployment. A study by the Pew Research Centre showed that up to 70 per cent of people between the ages of 18 and 29 adorned with tattoos decide to conceal them under clothing in the workplace. Similarly, CareerBuilder. com surveyed a human resources manager in 2011 and named tattoos as the third highest physical feature that could hold an employee back from promotion. The biggest motivation for up to 40 per cent of those who undergo laser tattoo removal is employment. Restaurant manager Laine Clifton believes tattoos are unprofessional. “They’re more accepted now, but I still don’t like staff to have them.” Therein lies the longstanding discrimination surrounding the art, because if you have tattoos you’re unprofessional, you’re a criminal, you’re insert-unfavoured-stereotype-here. Often comments such as these are only in relation to large tattoos such as sleeves, chest pieces or multiple tattoos in visible areas such as the arms or legs. And clearly it’s not just a generational stigma either. Bar manager Ryan Richards admitted he didn’t like large tattoos in the workplace either. “They should be covered. Small ones are okay in places like the wrist, but bigger ones should definitely be covered up.” And I still I keep asking why, when approximately 20 per cent of Australians have tattoos, are we still not comfortable with them? Why do you think they’re unprofessional? Why do I have a stereotype injected into my personality the same moment ink is injected into my skin? Why can’t I have a white-collar job if I have a multi-coloured arm? Office team-leader Robyn Gill said she wouldn’t employ staff with visible tattoos in a corporate business. “It wouldn’t demonstrate the appropriate image that I would want to portray to my clients of professional, business-like and trustworthy staff.” In her current office, she admits that out of more than 100 staff,

“ It has been a long time since tattoos were seen only on rough men and members of the criminal underground.” Estelle Wright, tattoo artist at Broadmeadow’s 2012 studio, has it made however, being almost totally covered in a multitude of images on her legs, arms and shoulders. Estelle said the most negative reactions she’s ever received in her workplace was when older men were startled at having a young, covered girl sink the needle into them. “I started with small, easily covered tattoos that had lots of meaning, but now I’m covered in art that I love just because I love it. Working here gives me the freedom to do that.” My eyes enviously took in each beautifully detailed piece as I interviewed her, and I tried to imagine what it would be like in other workplaces if the remaining taboo and prejudice weren’t as permanently infused within society as the ink was in the girl sitting in front of me. “The prejudice will disintegrate,” she assured me. The new reality of the popularity of tattoos has inevitably started to settle within society’s waters, and a necessary tolerance has begun to ebb the tide of stereotype and presumption. However, this tentative acceptance is threatened by the vicious circle of workplace discrimination when it comes to the art form. If businesses continue to preserve the stereotype that heavily tattooed people are trouble, thugs, unprofessional citizens of low socioeconomic status (unlikely, do you know how much these things cost?) through their refusal to hire them, then these presumptions will continue to be reinforced within society. Heavily tattooed university students spending thousands of dollars and years of your life on study, as you sit in that tattoo parlour and carbon lines are replaced with ink ones, stark black against the skin of your exposed forearm, or leg, or shoulder, neck, face, you are braver than I, but maybe together we can beat the stereotypes with our hard-earned degrees.

16 | Yak Magazine March 2015

Bridie O’Shea explores the battle between animal-tested and cruelty-free cosmetics, as the vegan-friendly movement gains momentum. Society today is more conscious than ever of the chemicals we are putting into our bodies, but have you ever given thought to the chemicals you’re putting on your body? Has it crossed your mind when you pick up that bottle of moisturiser or deodorant to consider; where has this come from and how has it gotten here? And did animals suffer to make this product consumable?

been going on behind these closed factory doors. Herbert believes that the media has played a crucial part in exposing the harmful testing procedures of cosmetic companies, which has led to the growth in demand for cruelty-free products. “Organisations like CCF have been able to extend their reach because of social media and a general increase in animalwelfare issues in this country.”

If you answered ‘no’, that’s fine. If you asked me that question a few weeks ago I probably would have agreed with you. I’d never given much thought to what’s in my beauty products as long as it made people think ‘Maybe she’s born with it’.

“Media is critical to increased consumer awareness and animal-welfare issues are no longer brushed off as being the concern of a vocal minority,” she said.

If, on the other hand, you answered ‘yes’ - congratulations! You, my friend, are a part of a growing number of Australians who have decided to find out what goes into their favourite cosmetics and take a stand against the companies that use our animal friends as ‘lab rats’. (N.B. I use term ‘lab rats’ to cover all animals that are used for testing purposes. No discrimination here. And the big cosmetic companies don’t discriminate against species either). 3.7 million animals were used for research in Australia in 2012 according to Choose Cruelty Free (CCF), a selffunding, independent, non-profit organisation who accredits companies with the CCF logo that do not test their products on animals. And scarier still, NSW accounted for a staggering 2.3 million of them. Despite this confronting number, CFF representative Wendy Herbert believes there has been a rise in companies wanting to be accredited by the CCF and are changing their production ways to do so. Herbert stated that, “In the past, we were probably more likely to approach them and ask them whether they’d like to apply for accreditation. Now, companies approach us and consumers bring companies to our attention.” The CCF have also seen a shift with larger companies becoming more interested in cruelty-free accreditation as they realise that consumers are increasingly looking for independent verification of animal-testing claims. So, it appears that this change is a consumer-driven one (well done consumers!). We’ve gradually been finding out what has

However, the Australian Government introduced regulations years ago to help protect companies from being sued by consumers if they suffered from an adverse reaction to a product. Cosmetic ingredients are subject to requirements under the Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act 1989, which is administered by the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) through the Department of Health. So unfortunately, animals are still legally being used to test ingredients that may be under development, including those “new” and “special” ingredients, or those making therapeutic claims.

“3.7 million animals were used for research in Australia in 2012, according to Choose Cruelty Free … And scarier still, NSW accounted for a staggering 2.3 million of them.” NICNAS claims that animal tests are still the most reliable source of evidence because they observe the effects of a chemical on a living subject. In spite of this, Grace Culhaci, CEO and founder of Zk’in Organics skincare range, argued against this statement. “There are so many other options available to manufacturers, it simply is no longer necessary,” she said. Culhaci developed a skin condition during her first pregnancy, and took a closer look at the ingredients used in personal care products. “I discovered that products that claimed to be organic, natural or dermatologically tested frequently contained known carcinogens and toxic

Yak Magazine March 2015 | 17

ingredients,” she explained. And from there on, Culhaci began to create certified organic skincare products for others who were struggling with skin conditions from cosmetic products. As an organic and vegan-friendly company, Zk’in Organics use human volunteers for patch testing to determine irritancy. After sitting in on the Hong Kong Sustainable Cosmetics Summit in 2012, her belief that animal testing should be eradicated was accentuated by a comparison presentation by Cruelty Free International.

“Media is critical to increased consumer awareness and animal-welfare issues are no longer brushed off as being the concern of a vocal minority.” The presentation found that animal testing for eye irritation involved placing substances into the eyes of live rabbits that were killed three days later with their eyes removed for examination. In this case, a reconstituted human eye model made from donated corneas provides an adequate alternative. Similarly, genotoxicity, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity tests could be carried out on bacteria to detect damage to genes as opposed to force-feeding or injecting substances into mice or rats over a two-week period.

So with these facts staring us right in the face, we know that there are reliable alternatives out there. So why are companies like Dolce & Gabbana and Giorgio Armani still testing on animals? “Basically, it’s done to meet the regulatory or legal requirements of countries where they want to sell products,” Wendy Herbert said. Both Herbert and Culhaci wish for a future with a ban on the sale, manufacture and import of animal-tested cosmetics in Australia. But it’s our choices as the consumer to help this movement along. So next time you go to buy that bottle of foundation or aftershave, just take a moment to see if it’s ‘cruelty free’ and if you’re curious about vegan cosmetics, go take a look at the CCF website for their list of accredited brands. Because haven’t you heard? Vegan friendly cosmetics are the new black.

Yak Magazine March 2015 | 19

Music Snobs Turnt Up Their Noses at Pop Music Lauren Gross thinks comparing Beck and Beyoncé is the music version of comparing apples and oranges.

The soundtrack to my childhood consisted of Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, INXS and Cold Chisel. My parents loved rock ‘n’ roll bands so I developed a love for them too (with the exception of a brief period of 14-year-old-rebellion where I listened to So Fresh CDs on repeat). My Dad hated pop music and said it wasn’t ‘real music’ but ‘auto-tuned shit’ because the artist wasn’t playing a real instrument. Basically, my childhood had all the hallmarks of a music snob upbringing.

“A music snob is “An especially irritating breed of tool” According to Urban Dictionary (always a reliable source) a music snob is “An especially irritating breed of tool, the music snob is a self described authority on what is or is not ‘good’ music… The music snob is quick to write off your taste in music, and often spout proudly a large number of "better" unknown and/or less "commercial" bands that if you had as good of taste as they did, you would already know about and love… everyone else is merely a brain-dead product of MTV”. No one likes a snob. But the specific breed of music snobs have recently been thrown into the spotlight due to two incidents earlier this year; Triple J’s Hottest 100 and the Grammy Awards. Both of these events ignited a discussion about music snobs and caused me to question the philosophy that defined my childhood - is pop music actually shit? When articles campaigning for Taylor Swift to appear in this year’s Hottest 100 began popping up on my Facebook I initially thought it was a joke, and was horrified to discover it was serious. I had this reaction because I don’t like Taylor Swift’s music and I listen to Triple J because it is one of the few stations that plays music I enjoy. However, a lot of people did want T-Swift in the countdown and Buzzfeed encouraged people to vote for her specifically to ‘teach those music snobs a lesson’. Incident number two happened at the Grammys last month when Beck won the award for Best Album over favourite Beyoncé. Kanye West labelled Beck’s win as ‘disrespectful’ after the show. “Beck needs to respect artistry and he should have given his award to Beyoncé,” West said in an interview with E! after the ceremony. Ouch. Of course the Internet responded with a vengeance, questioning Beyoncé’s ‘solo’ credit considering her team of 25 writers and 16 producers. To counteract, Beyoncé fans pointed out how her album was a huge feminist statement on issues of motherhood, sex and

marriage, as well as being incredibly well-produced and revolutionising the approach towards publicityfree album releases. Is Beyoncé any less worthy of recognition because she had more people working on the album with her? Or because it’s a pop album? Self-proclaimed metal-head Nathan Van Dyk doesn’t think so. “I really couldn't give a shit about the genre of music the Grammys feature but it's a shame to see bullshit like this get in the way of celebrating the fact that these people, however many of them, have created something out of nothing which is bloody magical,” he said. The truth is that the huge majority of music greats had help. Elvis didn’t write all of his own songs. The Beatles had an influential producer throughout their career. Are these legendary artists any less deserving of their incredible legacy?

“Is Beyoncé any less worthy of recognition because she had more people working on the album with her? Or because it’s a pop album?” Jackson Langford, head of music at Sticky Trigger Entertainment, thinks this argument is ridiculous. “Take that meme that was running around a few years ago that was like: “Run the World (Girls) – Beyoncé: 6 producers, 4 writers” which was then compared to “Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen: 1 producer, 1 writer”. Those tracks could not be more different from one another, yet people still want to condemn one in order to make the other look better,” he said. Tamara Vodopianoff sums it up perfectly. “Those who limit themselves to fit into a certain persona, and who snob all other forms of music, and claim everything else is shit, are the ones who are missing out,” she said. Much like my Dad thinking it’s the norm to call clubbing at King Street ‘going to a disco’, he was wrong when he thought that an artist’s inability to play a musical instrument makes them talentless. Artistry is a hugely subjective term and life is too short to pretend you don’t like catchy Taylor Swift songs. So shake off the music snobs and get down to whatever sick beat tickles your fancy.

20 | Yak Magazine March 2015

In the age of the ‘voluntourist’, are there actually benefits of Westerners volunteering in third-world countries, or are they simply detrimental to the local community? Sarah Webb investigates. Holidays are intended as contrasts to the daily grind, when the routine-bound rituals of everyday life can be shed for something different. The practice of ‘voluntourism’, whereby Westerners travel to developing countries to undertake experiential projects like teaching in orphanages and rebuilding communities, offers another kind of extrication from the humdrum. But unlike the short-term hedonism of a cruise or beach getaway, voluntourism capitalises on another Western yearning the search for meaning. Hence it’s possible that projects established with good intentions, may lose focus over time, rather becoming something for students to blog or Instagram about instead of doing worthwhile work. It’s no question these endeavours are born from good intentions, but are privileged Westerners assisting the communities in which they are aiding, or is their presence simply redundant – or worse – detrimental?

“In many volunteer programs it can often be the case; people jumping into a community with great intentions of helping, yet, applying western ideals that don’t fit the parameters can cause a detrimental effect.” Director of CISaustralia Brad Dorahy said his organisation is focused on experiential volunteering, and that there will always be a certain element of tourism in any volunteering experience. It often depends on what volunteers do prior or after their travels – different people are after different experiences. “In terms of volunteers creating awareness, social media has been able to have some positive effects. I’d suggest that based on the nature of social media and its unedited, unsolicited and fluid nature, people should consider all points of view,” Brad said. Therefore, the experience shouldn’t involve students glamourising the state of third-world communities, but should be about making the global community aware that they’re developing well-constructed and sustainable projects with community engagement that benefits both locals and volunteers.

Photography by Sianne Kirk

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University of Newcastle Business student Sianne Kirk went on an internship to India this year with 40K Globe. 40K is a social enterprise business that sends Aussie university students to rural villages in southern India to build social businesses. These are designed to assist with the education of rural children and empower local women and families whom struggle financially, by giving them skills through ethical training and employment. “In many volunteer programs it can often be the case; people jumping into a community with great intentions of helping, yet applying western ideals that don’t fit the parameters, which can have a detrimental effect. However, we formed personal relationships that penetrated the typical front-stage travel tour or organised voluntourism schedule of activities with no real project to sink your teeth into and own,” Sianne said. “The developing communities I both lived and worked with appreciated our efforts to employ women and build education centres. They demonstrated positive responses to social business through their increased empowerment and increased work-life balance.” However, being part of a volunteering program may also have the potential to serve no meaningful or scalable impact as it can involve the disruption of community lifestyle and culture, simply for self-achievement. Manual and educated labour is surely in abundance within developing communities, and volunteers could be taking away the one thing locals are qualified for. So when choosing to do a volunteer program, it’s beneficial to look at factors such as these and be mindful of the bigger picture. Brad said the projects CISaustralia deals with don’t have volunteers taking employment opportunities away from the locals. “A well-managed project will give opportunities to local people. For example, in Nepal CIS volunteers work side by side with local women on an agricultural women’s farm. They’re learning and developing significant lifestyle skills,” Brad said. Likewise, Sianne said the first step is investigation and communication – asking the community what they want and what volunteers can help them with. It’s natural to want to help people when in need, so often volunteers can become caught into the trap of attempting to change a culture on a small scale, ultimately causing community disruption and possibly making things worse.

Brad also said this is why it’s important to establish support on the ground – having a well-managed project that is sustainable and making a positive ongoing contribution is really important. “For example, teachers coming in to assist local educators provide them with the ability to gain new perspective, learning techniques, and English language training. If volunteers didn’t support the project, there would be no education at all for the children in the program,” Brad said.

“But

unlike the short-term hedonism of a cruise or beach getaway, voluntourism capitalises on another Western yearning – the search for meaning.” Ultimately, we need our volunteers. They increase the economy with local businesses while families gain homes, children get education, and everyone gets healthcare. Plus, the volunteers finish with greater life aspirations. Sianne said the effort that she put into the community was returned through the development of a bond with those people that is scalable and sustainable, so it lasts a lifetime. “The experience was extremely immersive. I was given the opportunity to step off the ‘tourist track’ and see behind the scenes of reality of Indian culture that established a more authentic view, rather than the many cookie cutter versions of the feel good, elephant patting and playing with children voluntourism programs,” Sianne said. Brad said volunteers make a valuable contribution and change lives for the better, and that they themselves also gain an education and awareness that stays with them for life. “We have a saying at CIS that describes volunteering: an individual’s contribution over a four to eight week period is not singularly going to have a massive impact on the lives of others; however, the combined effort of volunteers over a sustained period, making a contribution in a sustainable, culturally sensitive and structured way in close collaboration with the local communities does have a long-lasting effect,” Brad said. It’s true that lives continue a little easier for those whom gain help from volunteers. Whether a student is searching for inner meaning or simply wanting to get their hands dirty, positive intentions remain the same.

Sianne said with some volunteer groups communities can become dependent on foreign aid. “This is different in my case, as our main goal is to empower local women via education and training. This allows the women to develop life skills that can be applied independently,” Sianne said.

TUESDAY, 17 MARCH 9:30am - 1:30pm Great Hall, Callaghan

Are you close to graduating or simply interested in exploring your career options? Visit our 2015 Careers Expo. CAR E E R S & STU D E NT D EVE LO P M E NT

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great opportunity to speak face to face with employers and professional associations; get to know more about graduate programs and get hands-on help applying for jobs.

For more information visit

www.newcastle.edu.au/careers-expo

Yak Magazine March 2015 | 23

Should Scripture Be Taught In Schools?

Melissa Wilson

“FOR”

As a non-religious adult who attended scripture classes in school for most of my childhood, I want to make it clear that I’m not strictly for scripture classes, but rather, pro-choice on the matter. As it stands, scripture in Australian schools typically means students are divided into a nominated religious group (usually a Christian denomination) and spend 30 minutes a week being educated on the respective belief system. Parents (and children) are also given the option of something akin to ‘nonscripture’, therein giving choice. I find the value of scripture lies not in the lessons they teach in themselves, but instead that it exposes children to ideologies that they may not have otherwise been exposed to. Around halfway through primary school I asked my not-particularly-religious-mother if I could take the non-scripture class instead, and she obliged. After just a term I decided scripture wasn’t all that bad and opted back to my former Church of England classes. During this time I was still fairly unsure on where I stood on my religious beliefs, but one thing I do remember is that from a primary school age I was given the choice to opt for what I liked. See, the scripture system works best for children if their parents allow them to have a say in whether they’d like to attend or not – something I would encourage all parents to do.

I find the value of scripture lies not in the lessons they teach in themselves, but instead that it exposes children to ideologies that they may not have otherwise been exposed to. Even if, like me, children don’t take some big message out of scripture in school, they’ve been exposed to belief systems that are possibly different to those of their direct family unit. Welcome to the real world, kids! Guess what, not everyone will believe the same things you do! Scripture compelled me to question religious teachings from a young age, develop my own spiritual identity, and eventually form my very own belief system – all while being considerate of the beliefs of others.

Erin McOnie

“AGAINST” The question of whether scripture should be taught in public schools has already been answered. In fact, it was answered 135 years ago when the Public Instruction Act specifically banned religious indoctrination in public schools. Since then, various amendments have weakened this law, and religion is currently a major part of the public school curriculum. Here’s why that’s a problem:

I’m not saying religion isn’t valuable for some people, but students in the middle of their HSC have better things to do than ask, “What would Jesus do?” Compulsory scripture disadvantages both religious and nonreligious students. Already over-worked and under-funded, public school teachers are cramming scripture into valuable teaching time. At the schools I attended, Christian scripture was taught every year, to every student who didn’t opt-out. I’m not saying religion isn’t valuable for some people, but students in the middle of their HSC have better things to do than ask “What would Jesus do?” Learning about a variety of world-views and religions is wonderful. In fact, I would argue that it is a vital step in encouraging students to think critically and make up their own mind about religion. But that’s not what scripture teaches. The majority of the time there is little variety and no real alternative. Of course, by law, students are allowed to opt-out of scripture, but schools are also not required to provide alternative classes. When my parents removed me from primary school scripture, I was not allowed to undertake another class as it would give me an unfair advantage. Instead, I hung out with the Jewish kids and watched Disney movies. There are also better alternatives for everyone. If parents want their children to be taught their religion, they can send them to a religious school, or take them to church or Sunday school. If going to church is too hard, then how committed to teaching your child about religion can you be? I have no issue with religion. I’m not religious, but I have enormous respect for the beliefs of people who are. Having faith is a beautiful thing, but there is a difference between education and indoctrination; indoctrination doesn’t belong in state schools in a country where the separation of church and state is written into the constitution.

24 | Yak Magazine March 2015

MIC DROP

Aisling Philippa talks to Novocastrian band, White Walkers. Not the zombies from Game of Thrones. Self-described as a psych-rock-and-roll band, White Walkers are a local act with Nick Connors on lead vocals, Nick Cox on lead guitar, bassist Liam Beck and drummer Lachlan Bone. White Walkers have been performing since the Halloween 2013, but how much do you know about them? We were lucky enough to catch up with Nick Connors to talk about how the band got started, and what they’ve been up to recently.

What’s the story of the band’s inception? We came together from the deepest corners of the galaxy: school, work and social interaction, playing in different bands together, not all at the same time and nothing really sticking. Two years after school finished and doing nothing with our lives, we started jamming again in an attempt to relive the glory days. Now these are the glory days.

‘The Liquor Store’ is a really raw track that gets stuck in your head – in a good way! What was your inspiration? I wrote that song when I was living out of home, drinking six out of seven nights of the week and constantly being broke and tired and not having any goals in life. However that song sparked the creation of this band and we’ve been focused writing better songs ever since, so I guess I have booze to thank for everything.

Who are you listening to at the moment? Amongst many others: Pond, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, Nick Cave, Jack Ladder, Tame Impala.

Do they influence the White Walker’s style? Definitely, everything we listen to shapes us in a way and we’re constantly learning new things about music.

From looking at the White Walkers’ Youtube channel, there’s a real sense of Australia’s laidback culture. Is that something you try to direct into your music writing? I don’t think we consciously try to do that, but living on the coast and being the best of pals sure help in putting that across I guess.

What would be the best gig the White Walkers have played, and why? Every gig at The Lass feels like home, it’s always a giant party and one of us is sure to end up passed out in the garden outside at some stage in the night.

I’m taking a guess that you’ve gotten the band’s name from Game of Thrones? Are you fans of the TV series, or are you more interested in the books? Books and television, both are 10/10.

“I Guess I Have Booze to Thank For Everything” Are you working on any new material at the moment? We’ve been working since day one on shaping our sound and writing kick-ass songs. We finally know what our sound is and have the songs, so sometime this year we might get something properly released that people will listen to – under this name or another . . .

How excited are you to be playing at the Mountain Sounds Festival this year? Yeah, I think it will be a really positive experience. We’ve met a couple of the bands that are playing there with us and they are great humans. I think we’re just excited to be around likeminded people and listen to all the other bands. Playing is just a bonus.

Where can I see the White Walkers next? Sydney – 20th February @ The Captain Cook Hotel (Pre MSF Party) 8pm Mountain Sounds Festival – 21st February Newcastle - 4th March @ Bar on the Hill (Newcastle Uni) 12pm

Photography: White Walkers | Designed by Breanna Yates

Yak Magazine March 2015 | 25

Kim Saberton talks art, Tinder, and all things anonymous with Bronte Hoy. In this day and age it’s probably safe to say that most of us have had a fling with Tinder. Whether for a joke or to find legitimate love, the app spurs curiosity in the best of us, and Kim Saberton is turning Tinder into art to show how anonymity is power in a modern environment. Studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Newcastle, Kim’s passion for art knows no bounds. She mainly dabbles in photo media but aims to take the practice a little further than the norm.

“It took a lot of courage for me to step out from behind the camera and become the one being watched, touched and drawn on.” Kim has been working on a project which involves playing a character on Tinder to make contact with strangers. The conversations are transferred into a dual screen video piece that compares and contrasts elements of the conversations had with men online. “It had seemed a bizarre notion to me that strangers could send unreliable text back and forth, and play into each other’s fantasies, in the hope of real life intimate contact,” Kim says. Her curiosity about the nature of online relationships led to the discovery of gender and personality performances played out in the pursuit of sex on apps like Tinder.

After having her portraits defaced, Kim collected the photographs and re-performed the audience’s anonymous drawings onto herself in a series of self-portraits. She has even gone as far as letting people draw on her body in galleries to alter the anonymity of the project and create a real experience for her and her audience! “As someone often behind cameras, it took a lot of courage for me to step out from behind it and become the one being watched, touched and drawn on.” Kim has personal exhibitions in the works and is currently working with the Watt Space committee on the last open show before the gallery moves premises. The exhibition, cleverly called “One Door Closes”, encourages students to submit their work and have the opportunity to win prizes. One Door Closes will be held in March and full details and entry forms can be found on the Watt Space Facebook page.

The gender stereotypes in the dance of online dating beg the question: if men and women are expected to act in a certain way, can the internet be a democratic space? Kim’s fascination with the power of anonymity has ignited ongoing research and inspired her to complete a series called “Project Deface” which involved strangers defacing her selfportraits in public spaces. “Project Deface was similarly inspired by the notion of anonymous power, in particular the odd psychological power online trolls have over people’s notions of self,” Kim says.

Exhibition Details 4 - 22 March | Exhibition opening: 6:30pm [date] ECO Logical

Curated by Jess Pyne, Melissa Bull & Fern York

Transition

Michaela Swan

The Ball Pit

Michelle Jenkins & Suannah Louise

Down the Rabbit Hole Emma Collins

Email: wattspace@newcastle.edu.au Website: www.newcastle.edu.au/community-and-alumni/arts-and-culture/watt-space-gallery Phone: (02) 4921 8733 I Office: (02) 4921 5188 I Facebook: facebook.com/WattSpaceGallery Watt Space Gallery, University House, Auckland St Newcastle. Open 11am-5pm. Designed by [insert name here] Watt Space, the University of Newcastle’s student art gallery, is brought to you by Student Central.

“I am very interested in pushing what we define as photography and moving it away from being mimetic into allowing me to explore conceptual concerns in very new way,” Kim says.

kim Saberton

26 | Yak Magazine March 2015

Mon

Live Entertainment Floyd Vincent & The Temple Dogs Bar on the Hill 12.30pm - 1.30pm

Live Entertainment Tim & Truman Bar on the Hill 12.30pm - 1.30pm

Tues

Harmony Week Free Pancakes Auchmuty Courtyard 9.30am - 11am Monday Movies by Moonlight Ft. The Intouchables Derkenne Courtyard 7.30pm

Sex Week Callaghan and Central Coast Campuses

Thurs

Fri

Sat

Beaumont Street Carnivale

Live Entertainment Kieran Glasgow Derkenne Courtyard 12pm - 1pm Trivia Bar on the Hill 1pm - 2pm

Common Lunch BBQ Auchmuty Courtyard 12pm - 1pm Live Entertainment Bike Boy Auchmuty Courtyard 12pm - 1pm

Live Entertainment White Walkers Bar on the Hill 12.30pm - 1.30pm Pool Comp Godfrey Tanner Bar 3pm - 6pm Student Sessions ft. Nicholas Johnson Bar on the Hill 7pm - 10pm

Clubs & Societies Showcase Clubs and Societies stalls, demonstrations and BBQ 11am - 2pm The Park (behind Bar on the Hill)

Live Entertainment AKOVA Auchmuty Courtyard 12pm - 1pm

Live Entertainment AKOVA Derkenne Courtyard 12.30pm - 1.30pm

Live Entertainment The Floating Bridges Bar on the Hill 12pm - 1pm

Live Entertainment The Vanns Bar on the Hill 12.30pm - 1.30pm

Common Lunch BBQ Auchmuty Courtyard 12pm - 1pm

Pool Comp Godfrey Tanner Bar 3pm - 6pm

Trivia Bar on the Hill 1pm - 2pm

Student Sessions Bar on the Hill 7pm - 10pm

Harmony Week Launch Auchmuty Courtyard 11.30am - 12pm

Harmony Week

St. Patrick’s Day Common Lunch BBQ Auchmuty Courtyard 12pm - 1pm Live Entertainment The Underscore Orkestra Auchmuty Courtyard 12pm - 1pm

Harmony Trivia Bar on the Hill 1pm - 2pm

Live Entertainment Memory Waste Derkenne Courtyard 12.30pm - 1.30pm Watt Space Gallery Opening Night Watt Space Gallery 6.30pm

Trivia Godfrey Tanner Bar 1pm - 2pm Newcastle Jets v Sydney FC 7.30pm, Hunter Stadium

Newcastle Regional Show Newcastle Showground

NBS Harmony Day Games, performances and NUPSA Bush Tucker BBQ Civic Park 3pm - 4.30pm

A Taste of Harmony The Park (behind Bar on the Hill) 12pm - 2pm

Holi Festival of Colour Oval 4 (behind Commonwealth Bank) 3pm - 5pm

National Close the Gap Day

Live Entertainment Rob Rayner & Deta Derkenne Courtyard 12.30pm - 1.30pm

Student Sessions ft. Drop Bear Bar on the Hill 7pm - 10pm

Newcastle Regional Show Newcastle Showground

Harmony Week

Newcastle Writers Festival Newcastle City Hall

Common Lunch BBQ with live entertainment Auchmuty Courtyard 12pm - 1pm

Day on the Quad Central Coast Campus 12pm - 5pm

Live Entertainment Bears With Guns Bar on the Hill 12pm - 1pm

Trivia Godfrey Tanner Bar 1pm - 2pm

Vance Joy Civic Theatre

Trivia Bar on the Hill 1pm - 2pm Tanner Tuesday Godfrey Tanner Great Debate Godfrey Tanner Bar 6pm - 9pm

Live Entertainment London Klezmer Quartet Derkenne Courtyard 12.30pm - 1.30pm Pool Comp Godfrey Tanner Bar 3pm - 6pm

Newcastle Writers Festival Newcastle City Hall

Live Entertainment The Underscore Orkestra Bar on the Hill 12pm - 1pm

Music of the Guns 6.30pm, Fort Scratchley

Trivia Godfrey Tanner Bar 1pm - 2pm

Sex Week Callaghan and Central Coast Campuses

Gateway to Glenrock Community Open Day

Trivia Godfre y Tanner Bar 1pm - 2pm

Pool Comp Godfrey Tanner Bar 3pm - 6pm

Olive Tree Market Civic Park

Newcastle Regional Show Newcastle Showground

Harmony Week

Sex Week Callaghan and Central Coast Campuses

Sun

Census Date

Live Entertainment Nuala Kennedy Band Bar on the Hill 12pm - 1pm

Wed

Trivia Bar on the Hill 1pm - 2pm

WHAT’S ON: MARCH

Sex Week Callaghan and Central Coast Campuses

Watt Space Gallery Opening Night Watt Space Gallery 6.30pm

Sex Week Callaghan and Central Coast Campuses

The City Slider (Australia’s biggest water slide) From 10am

Morning Rave Bar on the Hill 7.30am - 9am Free

Student Sessions Bar on the Hill 7pm - 10pm

Find out more at: www.newcastle.edu.au/current-students

Newcastle Jets v Adelaide United 5pm, Hunter Stadium

Yak Magazine March 2015 | 27

REGULAR activities MONDAYS Monday Movies by Moonlight

Laze on the lawn under the stars and catch a flick for free. Next screening: The Intouchables 7.30pm, Monday, 16 March, Derkenne Courtyard

TUESDAYS Trivia

Test out your trivia skills each week at Bar on the Hill or Godfrey Tanner Bar. Bar on the Hill: 1pm - 2pm, Tuesdays

Tanner Tuesday

Sample something a little bit different from open mic to debates, Q&As and more! Godfrey Tanner Great Debate 6pm, Tuesday, 24 March Godfrey Tanner Bar

WEDNESDAYS Pool Comp

Pool sharks of Callaghan unite! Free to enter and there are prizes for the winner. 3pm - 6pm, Wednesdays Godfrey Tanner Bar

THURSDAYS Games with Godfrey

Settle down in the bar and roll the dice for a social board game or two. From 3pm, Thursdays Godfrey Tanner Bar

FRIDAYS

Mondays • Ultimate Frisbee: 7pm - 9pm, Oval 2 or 3 near Forum Tuesdays • Toastmasters: 4pm, Language Centre LC205 • Water Polo Social Comp: 7.30pm, Forum Pool

Wednesdays • Fencing: 7.30pm - 9.45pm, Forum Studio 2. First nights free, $5 afterwards Weekends • Subsidised First Aid Courses for BREAATHE members Saturdays • Novice Rowing: 8am, meet outside Edwards Hall

Trivia

Sundays • Baseball signups - 4pm, Stevenson Park, Mayfield

Godfrey Tanner Bar: 1pm - 2pm, Fridays

• Newcastle Resistance ‘A Short History of Social Democracy’ by John Rainford: 12pm, 2 March, The Clubhouse (underneath Bar on the Hill)

Test out your trivia skills each week at Bar on the Hill or Godfrey Tanner Bar.

Friday Arvos

Chill out and enjoy $9 jugs, $6.50 Schnitzel + chips and free lawn games! From 3pm, Fridays Bar on the Hill

ALL WEEK Godfrey Tanner Bar Happy Hour

4pm - 5pm, each weekday of semester

Bar on the Hill Happy Hour

5pm - 6pm, each weekday of semester

Student Sessions @ Bar on the Hill

• Robogals Training: 10am, 3 March, Clubhouse under Bar on the Hill 10am

• FEAST Dessert Night / Brainstorm / AGM: 7.30pm, 3 March, The Clubhouse (underneath Bar on the Hill)

• UNESN Scavenger Hunt: 5.30pm, 4 March, Foreshore • NU-SS Jungle Fever Party: 7pm till late, 4 March, Great Northern Hotel. $5 entry non-members, free for members • UNLSA Welcome BBQ: 11am - 2pm, 6 March, McMullin Courtyard

• Newcastle Resistance ‘Syriza Victory in Greece’ with correspondent Dick Nichols: 12pm, 9 March, The Clubhouse (underneath Bar on the Hill) • Environment Club: 10am - 12.30pm, 11 March, Landcare Planting Day

• UON Queer & Allies Platonic Speed Dating: 7.30pm, 11 March, Godfrey Tanner Bar

Your student night starts here with $4 drinks, DJs and buses into town.

• NUBUG AGM: 1pm, 12 March, NUSA building. Chance to win 2 free bikes.

From 7pm, Wednesdays Bar on the Hill

TOP PICK

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

• Physics Society Sci-Fi Night: 6pm, 12 March, Physics Building PG08 • Wake Up! Global Health Group Birthing Kit Night: 12 March • Goonion Wine Tour: 14 March

Common Lunch BBQs Tuesdays, 12pm - 1pm, Auchmuty courtyard For the first few weeks of semester, in the hallowed (or should that be hollowed?) grounds of the Auchmuty courtyard, there will be a FREE BBQ for one and all to enjoy, serving tasty sausages and veggie patties. Expect to see a few friendly Yaks handing out mags as well (maybe you’ve been handed this by one of them!). If you’re still keen for free/cheap feeds during the rest of the year, be sure to check the lunches held by NUSA & the Veggie Club.

• College of St Crispin Newcomers Welcome: 1pm, 14 March, Forum basketball courts • March in March: 15 March

• NUWiE Meets Engineers: 17 March, The Brewery

• State of the Goonion: 7pm, 17 March, Bar on the Hill • Design Club Smackdown: 7pm - 10pm, 18 March, Derkenne Courtyard/Godfrey Tanner Bar

• Wake Up! Jazz in the Pub: 18 March, Great Northern Hotel • BusCom Uncorked Wine Tour: 21 March • Water Polo First Splash: 21 March

• Union of Students National Day of Action Against Deregulation: 25 March

• Seapigs Hockey 60s Welcome BBQ: 7pm till late, 27 March, CBD Hotel – ticket gets free drink & snag

• Rugby League 9s Tournament: 29 March, No. 1 Oval • Cancer Council and Students Alliance Networking Ball: 5pm - 10pm, 29 March, Merewether Surfhouse. Tickets: $75 for members, $80 for non-members • Cancer Information Day: 10am - 4pm, 31 March

Why not live on-campus? Sleep in Cut out the commute Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fight for a park Get to class on time Stress less

Apply now: newcastle.edu.au/liveoncampus