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Ashleigh Cummings. Illustration: Julian Meagher
CREATIVE DIRECTORS
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Larissa Bricis
EDITORS
Rachel Eddie Andrea Huang Tom Lodewyke Lachlan Mackenzie Lily Mei Nathalie Meier Hattie O’Donnell Nicola Parise Kristen Troy
News
Emma Sprouster Alex Barnet
CREATIVE TEAM
Bella Ali-Khan Avi Bamra Ana Clarise Susan Le Bryce Thomas
COVER DESIGN
Rebecca Lourey
ADVERTISING
Stephanie King
CONTRIBUTORS
James Wilson Rachel Worsley Chris Janssen Chris McKay Madeleine Er Lauren Perry Carielyn Tunion Keifer Veloso Emily Meller Jiri Hylak Alison Williams
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Party in the UTSSA
A-Pathetic Student Activism?
WITH SUPPORT FROM
UTS Students’ Association Spotpress Pty Ltd, Marrickville
The Gaza Conflict
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Super Mario and the Quest for Equality Culture
Trending: Goats
Zinegeist: Ayano Takeuchi
Pyning for a Better Education – But at Whose Expense?
Clever ‘Cause She Plays Guitar UTSSA Elections
Returning Officer’s Report
A Brief History of: Sci-Fi Predictions That Came True
Science & Gaming
Mixtape: Gen Fricker
Justice League: Social Media and Apathy
Showcase: Lauren Perry, Carielyn Tunion, David Ma
Podcasts
The Defamer
Candidate Statements
Vertigo is published by the UTS STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION Proudly printed by SPOTPRESS PTY LTD, MARRICKVILLE Email us at advertising@utsvertigo.com for advertising enquiries. Vertigo and its entire contents are protected by copyright. Vertigo will retain reprint rights; contributors retain all other rights for resale and republication. No material may be reproduced without the prior written consent of the copyright holders. Vertigo would like to show its respect and acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Land, the Gadigal and Guring-gai people of the Eora Nation, upon whose ancestral lands the university now stands. More than 500 Indigenous Nations shared this land for over 40,000 years before invasion. We express our solidarity and continued commitment to working with Indigenous peoples, in Australia and around the world, in their ongoing struggle for land rights, self-determination, sovereignty, and the recognition and compensation for past injuries.
VERTIGO
ISSUE EIGHT: OTHERWORLDS
EDITORIAL Freud’s theories of the uncanny, Ripley’s ‘Believe it or Not’, E.T. phoning home. This – our penultimate issue – is all about Otherworlds; the strange, kooky, otherworldly connections and experiences. These connections have the potential to alter our worldviews, to alter the order of our lives in unprecedented ways. They change us, and we often have no option but to accept that change.
THANK YOUS:
Having recently returned from a European summer holiday (h8 me l8er), I found it hard to settle back into Sydney. I’d been yelled at in harsh German for unintentionally disobeying cycling signs, ate pastries bigger than my own head, and accidentally walked into nudist parks (my nude European count: well over 27). Whether it was a delayed pastry sugar rush, or perhaps my mind’s way of recovering from the sight of so many exposed Eurobutts (I’ll be copyrighting that term soon), the desire to uncover and explore worlds and perspectives that were strange to me made itself known.
FUCK YOUS:
Youtube, for all the puppy videos Goats Lezley Mackerel
Dibber dobbers The ‘man’ Eyelashes getting stuck in your eye
If you’re ready to flip your worldview upside down (check out our editorial photos) and experience some ‘otherworlds’, then strap yourself in. There’s an explanation of the Gaza conflict on page 12. Ever wondered which wacky sci-fi predictions have come true? Page 17 has got you covered. And, to whet your creative whistles, Lauren Perry’s dreamy poetry can be found on page 25. Lachlan Mackenzie explores the links between mental illness and gaming on page 30. Uncanny things have plagued the office during the production of this issue: lights switching themselves off, printers springing to life after months of inactivity, multiple cacti deaths, stolen oranges, unrelenting emails. But we aren’t spooked. Each inexplicable office catastrophe is probably just the helping hands of otherworlds spurring us on. Thanks Caspar & co! A big thank you to Lachlan and Hattie, who’ve been my very own editorial cheerleaders. I owe you millions of chicken bones. Over and out, Larissa and the Vertigo team.
4 / EDITORIAL
CALENDAR NOVEMBER MON
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ART: Sculpture by the Sea @ Bondi Beach, until 9/11 – FREE
THEATRE: Switzerland @ SOH, until 20/12 – $50
MUSIC: Aqua @ Enmore Theatre, 7.30pm – $66.60
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SYDNEY ARCHITECTURE FESTIVAL UNTIL 10/11
MUSIC: Holy Holy @ Newtown Social Club, 8pm – $18
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THEATRE: Blue/ Orange @ Ensemble Theatre, until 29/11 – $30 ART: 2014 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging) Exhibition @ Artspace, until 16/11 – FREE
ART: Loose Cannon @ Artspace, until 30/11 – FREE
DANCE: New Breed @ Carriageworks, until 8/11 – $35
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ART: The Moment of Disappearance @ Carriageworks, until 29/11 – FREE
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THEATRE: A Christmas Carol @ Belvoir St. Theatre, until 24/12 – $48
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SYDNEY INTERCULTURAL FILM FESTIVAL UNTIL 17/11
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MUSIC: Husky @ OAF, 8pm – $23.60
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THEATRE: Cinderella @ Belvoir St. Theatre, until 7/12 – $48
NEWTOWN FESTIVAL – $2
DANCE: Fast + Fresh Dance @ Riverside Theatres, until 15/11 – $12
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THEATRE: Cyrano de Bergerac @ STC, until 20/12 – $50
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MUSIC: Ben Folds with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra @ SOH, until 15/11 – $71 MUSIC: Sea Legs @ GoodGod, 8pm – $15.30
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THEATRE: Rupert @ MLC Centre, until 14/12 – $50
FILM: Desperately Seeking Susan @ Alaska Projects, 6pm – FREE
MUSIC: Kimbra @ Metro Theatre, 7.30pm – $54.90
THEATRE: Suitcase Stories @ Riverside Theatres, until 21/11 – $22
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MUSIC: Jimmy Eat World @ Enmore Theatre, 7pm – $84.10
MUSIC: Rick Astley @ Enmore Theatre, 8pm – $79.90
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DANCE: Still Point Turning @ Riverside Theatres, until 29/11 – $25
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COMEDY: Cranston Cup: Theatresports Grand Final @ Enmore Theatre, 8pm – $28
MUSIC: Gossling @ Newtown Social Club, 8pm – $18
CALENDAR / 5
VERTIGO
ISSUE EIGHT: OTHERWORLDS
LETTERS TO THE EDITORS Vertigo accepts all kinds of mail: electronic, voice, carrier pigeon, snail and owl post. Send your postcards, love letters and hate mail to: Letters Vertigo Magazine University of Technology, Sydney PO Box 123 Broadway NSW 2007 We has the internets too! Drop us a line at: editorial@utsvertigo.com.au
VERTIGO
ISSUE EIGHT: OTHERWORLDS
PARTY IN THE UTSSA THE END OF THE UNIVERSITY YEAR IS LOOMING AND WE ARE FACED YET AGAIN WITH THE DAUNTING STUDENT ELECTIONS. BEFORE WE MOVE INTO THIS YEAR’S ELECTION SEASON, FILLED WITH NEW CAMPAIGN SLOGANS, NATHALIE MEIER GIVES YOU THE LOWDOWN ON SOME OF THE ACTIONS OF THIS YEAR’S STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION. Cast your minds back to late October 2013. Students in brightly coloured shirts with overly enthused smiles flooded UTS trying to convince you they were the superior team to run the Students’ Association. Elevate, with Alison Whittaker running for president, was looking to win the Student Representative Council (SRC) and National Union of Students (NUS) election and retain leadership. However, Grassroots, “a team of passionate activists” led by Andy Zephyr secured the win. The success with which Grassroots has been able to run the SRC effectively and fulfill their election promises has varied. This report aims to categorise some of the major projects of the organisation and provide an objective analysis. OPEN AND TRANSPARENT Grassroots aimed to create an open, transparent and friendly Students’ Association, ensuring that the UTS student body felt welcomed and entitled to visit their student leaders and participate on campus. The SA office name was changed to “Community Space”, but what comes into question is whether they have ensured that they are publically recognised as an open body and overcome the traditional UTS apathy. The SA did not back down from their promise to be transparent. After circulating their minutes and providing summaries of motions that were passed in Vertigo, they now have an easy to navigate website containing the minutes from each SRC meeting. UTS students are now able to view passed motions and where their funding has gone throughout the year.
8 / NEWS
FIGHTS AGAINST HIGHER EDUCATION CUTS Welfare Officer, Jess Xu said that Grassroots would, “Make sure the Students’ Association was known by students on campus, not just during the elections, but all throughout the year.” It is clear that they have achieved this objective, evident in thriving collectives, action groups and clubs at the university. UTSSA President, Chris Gall, believes that the biggest goal achieved was the restoration of the UTS Education Action Group (EAG): “A revival of this group has launched the UTS Students’ Association from relative inactivity on the advocacy front to a leading voice in the national education movement.” It was through work with this collective that the SA were able to organise and gain wider public support and recognition for their work at events such at the May 21 protests, attracting almost 1,000 UTS students. Through the EAG, Grassroots have raised awareness of the education cuts through their political actions such as participating in stunts like disrupting Education Minister Christopher Pyne’s appearance on ABC’s Q&A. The public activism has also “assisted in the UTSSA becoming a more dynamic hub of organising for student rights,” said Jess Xu. It was not only education cuts that Grassroots promised to fight against, but to also be an overall activist, collective body that fought for the welfare of students. Josh Rebolledo, National Labor Students (NLS) member and NUS National Disabilities Officer questions whether any other protesting occurred outside of the “nationally and state-wide run campaigns by the NUS and NSW Education Action Network.” It should be noted that UTS students heavily involved in the SA
participated in the Villawood protests in March, as well as the disruption of Julie Bishop’s visit to UTS in May, yet criticism remains around the systemic change these actions have seen. Additionally, many long-standing campaigns established by Elevate in the past were paused or dropped. This included the Illegal Course Costs Campaign (against the loop-hole charges to students for textbooks, lab coats, calculators and so on), and the highly effective Where’s Wireless campaign started in 2012 which saw more than 500 new wireless ports placed around UTS. STUVAC AND UNIVERSITY STAFF RELATIONS The introduction of STUVAC was a proposed election promise made by Grassroots last year, and in May UTS agreed to implement STUVAC university-wide by 2016. This has been one of the biggest achievements of the year but has also raised a new slew of issues as the university plans to introduce the trimester model. PRESIDENT, ANDY ZEPHYR, STEPPING DOWN Andy Zephyr was a driving force in the Students’ Association. Their face could be found in newspapers and on morning breakfast shows, as an advocate against the education cuts and for the political voice and wellbeing of students. However in late July, Andy stepped down from their role as president, as the pressure and responsibility was taking a toll on their mental health. Zephyr told Vertigo their decision was made in terms of their own personal safety in regards to their mental health. “The role is not supported by the organisation enough, and with so many people relying on you (on top of the 30,000 plus student constituency) there is a lot of expectation on your shoulders to be perfect at everything you do,” said Zephyr. THE FUTURE OF GRASSROOTS The ambitions of Grassroots have been achieved, a thriving Education Action Group and a strong focus on welfare has seen
positive changes, but there have also been empty promises and passed motions that are yet to be put into action. So what are the plans for the Students’ Association if re-elected? “I’m hoping to get multi-partisan support for wide-ranging revisions to the structure of the Association in the near future to help combat this tendency [in reference to Andy’s resignation],” said current President Chris Gall, referring to the “lack of support structures, low pay, high and irregular workloads, the stresses of factional politics” which are endemic to the Students’ Association. Various members of Grassroots have worked throughout the year on constitutional change within the SA and have held meetings and reached out to students to ask specifically what they’d like to see changed. Secretary Andie Yates said, “I’d love to see policies and procedures formalised and compiled into handy how-to guides so it’s easier to get involved, and modest stipends introduced for collective office bearers and Vertigo team so they aren’t worn out.” Whatever the outcome of this election, we must remember that as a student body we elect who we feel are the right students to support our needs. Student elections are unique because you can only trust what the candidates tell you, and due to factional disputes, the SRC is notoriously difficult to run as a united body. Further, reviews such as these are difficult to keep balanced as the on-campus profile of the party that isn’t in power all but disappears. Vote for whatever works for you, and if you’re skeptical, ask the ‘how’ questions. The Students’ Association is the main body that represents your interests to a university management run by professionals, so remember at elections that it pays to give a shit. DISCLAIMER - As a Vertigo editor I am not aligned with any political group, however in the 2013 elections, our editorial ticket ran alongside Elevate and were managed by Josh Rebolledo. I have tried to ensure my report remains as autonomous as possible.
NEWS / 9
HOW DO YOU REMAIN TRUE TO YOUR HIGHEST SELF IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS AND UNCERTAINTY? YOU’RE INVITED TO ATTEND A FREE PUBLIC EVENT Where: University of Sydney, New Law School Seminar 022 Date: Wednesday 8 October 2014 – 7:00-8:30pm STAYING TRUE TO YOURSELF: DRUGS, INTOXICATION AND SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS The search for truth and meaning in life is a question we all ask; whilst some seek answers in drugs, others seek answers in spirituality. Dr. Cohen will be interviewed by Sydney journalist, Emily Chantiri, contributor to Sydney Morning Herald, and the best-selling author of The Money Club, Savvy Girl’s Guide to Money and The Voice of Intuition. Dr. Cohen’s life work began in the early sixties, at the height of drugs, sex and rock and roll era. Initially, he worked with the drug explorers, Timothy Leary and Ram Dass. During this period, Dr. Cohen’s life experienced a radical shift after he learned about the spiritual master, Meher Baba. This would set him on a career path concentrating on the prevention and intervention of drug abuse as well as focusing on the spiritual path. “In the sixties I was a graduate student at Harvard, my extracurricular activities included 3 years of experimentation with mind-altering drugs. These were the early days of the psychedelic movement, when adventurers of inner space were trying to explore the chemical frontiers of consciousness. In August 1964, I became interested in Meher Baba. I was especially impressed by the exquisite profundity of his writings on the nature of consciousness.” The event will be introduced by award winning television drama producer Kris Wyld.
Free Brekkie For Students UTS STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION’S
Brekkie Bar Tuesdays, 8:30 - 11:00 AM Haymarkets Moot Courtyard Wednesdays, 8:30 - 11:00 AM Tower Building Foyer www.sa.uts.edu.au
A-PATHETIC STUDENT ACTIVISM? ACCORDING TO THE MEDIA, IT’S BEEN A BUMPER YEAR FOR STUDENT ‘REVOLTS’, BUT WHY DOESN’T UTS DOESN’T FEEL LIKE THE CENTRE OF STUDENT ACTIVISM IT’S MADE OUT TO BE? JAMES WILSON DISPELS THE MYTH OF APATHY BUT LOOKS AT THE INACCESSIBILITY OF STU-POL. It’s a hard knock life, for students. Our parents tell us to get a job, even when we have one. Our lecturers tell us we have all the time in the world, between our jobs, multiple classes and assignments. Finally, the mainstream media, through their glamorous morning show mouthpieces decry, “Kids today are so apathetic! They don’t have jobs and none of them are political at all! Blah blah blah…”
your toes in, wade in slowly, have a towel and an exit strategy at the ready. Student politics makes itself seem that it’s necessary for student activism to exist. That’s a lie.”
Yeah, well, fuck you, old timer! You don’t know me! Well… almost.
“When we joke about Tony Abbott at (The Loft’s) AdLiberation, it’s funny because we are purposefully exaggerating his faults as a politician. At a protest, when there is a big banner that says ‘F*** Tony Abbott’… I just feel that the whole point has become twisted into one of hate rather than that of social justice and equality.
At the recent National Day of Action, UTS’ student contingent was about 20 people. And half of them left before the rally began to go and get falafel. Even Sydney Uni, whose political spawning pool vomits out activists with the frequency of a 13-year-old boy’s masturbation sessions, only managed about 1501 activists . At least the falafel was good. Are we really that apathetic? Do we really not have any time or care enough about politics or activism to do anything? As it happens, no. There are a myriad of reasons why people don’t get involved. Liam Egan, a 3rd Year Media Arts student, believes that while student activism can make a difference, “the environment can be so toxic. It got so toxic that even Andy (Zephyr) had to quit so what hope do the rest of us have?” Andy Zephyr, who resigned as UTS Students’ Assocation President in July, is circumspect about student politics and activism, despite their experience.
Oliver Morassut, in his first year at UTS, however, doesn’t see the point of either and believes there are other ways to achieve change.
I feel that most people move into student politics to exercise their own egos and personal political ambition rather than legitimately helping others. I disagree with that.” Ultimately, getting involved in anything is the only way one can be a part of change – be it in the classroom, the boardroom or, of course, in politics. Students are not politically apathetic – and if they are, no more so than their forebears – they just express their viewpoint differently, via the range of mediums available, online or offline. The problem, it seems, is not one of apathy, but rather, antipathy, and it’s something the student movement needs to change about itself before other students will agree to be a part of their broader political campaigns.
“Involvement in student activism - I would say is necessary. Involvement in student politics - I would say that it’s timely. Dip
1. Editors’ Note: An ABC report estimated a total of 300 protestors marched from UTS to Town Hall
NEWS / 11
VERTIGO
ISSUE EIGHT: OTHERWORLDS
THE GAZA CONFLICT THE LATEST ESCALATION IN THE ONGOING CONFLICT BETWEEN PALESTINE AND ISRAEL ONCE AGAIN DOMINATED OUR NEWS CYCLE. WE SAW COFFINS IN THE STREETS, CHILDREN DYING IN PARENTS’ ARMS, PARENTS CRADLING THEIR BABIES AND OTHERS THROWING ROCKS AT SOLDIERS. BUT WHERE DID IT ALL START? RACHEL WORSLEY EXPLAINS. Editors’ note: This information was correct at the time of printing, however the situation in Gaza is, at best, tenuous and subject to rapid change. The History The conflict’s roots can be traced all the way back to the aftermath of World War II, with the creation of a Jewish state and the simmering tensions between the settlers and the Palestinians over the West Bank and the Gaza strip. But let’s start at 2005, when then Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon withdrew all Israeli settlements from Gaza and Hamas went on to win a thumping majority in Palestinian elections. Efforts to overthrow them since then have been spectacularly unsuccessful. Israel responded with a massive economic and political blockade on Gaza, depriving it of much arable land and fishing areas. After an outbreak of fighting, Hamas and Israel eventually came to a 2012 ceasefire to stop all hostilities in the Gaza strip and to reopen the area. Neither side truly honoured the agreement: while rocket attacks were down from the 2012 truce to July 2014, Israel continued to blockade the Gaza strip. The Trigger The recent violence was popularly attributed to the kidnappings and killings of three Israeli teenagers in early June. A Palestinian teenager was subsequently kidnapped and killed. Rocket fire from Islamic groups (but not Hamas) further inflamed tensions between the two warring groups
12 / NEWS
but it took over a month before the real escalations started. An Israeli air raid on the house of a Hamas operative in the Palestinian town of Khan Yunis on July 6 killed seven people, prompting Hamas to declare it a “monstrous war crime” and formally assume responsibility for firing rockets into Israel.
Israel responded by launching “Operation Protective Edge” on July 8, striking 50 targets in the city and injuring 17 people. It was all about “taking the gloves off”, according to current Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. Subsequent exchange of rocket fire and Israeli incursions occurred, and the death toll mounted. At the end of three days, Israel had struck over a thousand sites in Gaza while 525 rockets had been fired into Israel. Multiple ceasefires were put forward – one on the 16th of July where Hamas and another Islamic group the PIJ proposed a ten-year truce with Israel that would end the blockade and infighting. However, this was apparently rejected by Israel and the hostilities resumed. In response, Israel invaded Gaza for the first time since 2009 to root out tunnels that had been burrowed between the Gaza and Israeli border.
Several ceasefires in August were later proposed and enforced to a certain extent: Israel started easing some of the restrictions associated with the blockade and there were several hours of peace from a lack of rocket fire and Israeli shelling. However, at the time of writing, more Hamas commanders have been killed by Israeli strikes and in retaliation, Hamas had rounded up several Palestinians they believe were informers for Israeli forces and shot them.
more than half a million Jewish settlers to settle into land. The West Bank had many Jewish holy sites like the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, to which Jews previously had no access. However, this was arguably at the expense of many who were previously living in the area. To this day, this has been viewed as a violation of the Fourth Geneva convention, which prohibits the transfer of population into occupied territories, a fact Israel denies.
To date, there are at least 2000 Palestinians who have died in the conflict, including hundreds of children. Much smaller Israeli casualties have been recorded. At the time of writing, a four-year-old Israeli child had been killed. Why has it been so hard to find peace? The brief summary of the conflict so far shows the difficulty for both sides to reconcile. Israel says they would be willing to broker a long-lasting peace, but not when Hamas is in government. It might not be so hard to figure out why: Hamas’s charter is built on the non-recognition of Israel and its determination to replace Israel with a Palestinian state. It has also been deeply hostile to efforts by the other major group in the conflict, the Palestinian Authority, to reconcile with Israel. This has led it to a split-government – with the PA nominally controlling the West Bank and Hamas controlling Gaza. On April 23rd this year, both groups agreed in principle to share government and call elections, but this agreement has subsequently broken down. However, both Palestinian groups share a common grievance: Israel’s occupation of the West Bank. After a six day war in 1967, Israel firmed its control over the West Bank, allowing
What’s Everyone Doing About It? The Gaza-Israel conflict is also a touchstone for the complex web of international relations. The USA is a strong supporter of Israel, even when its military activities on civilians in Gaza would normally draw strong condemnation. The reasons are complex and largely unknown, but the ongoing support is clearly evident as President Barack Obama signed a $225 million bill on August 5 granting more money to the Iron Dome system protecting Israeli cities from rocket attacks. The UN has made some steps to aid the Palestinian cause – mostly through humanitarian aid. Egypt, which enjoys fairly stable relations with Israel, is the major broker of peace between the two warring sides, and Jordan houses one of the largest Palestinian refugee camps. But there is resentment from most Arab nations about the existence of Israel and its continued support from the US. Even though Israel might have grounded its offensive on ending rocket fires, the complex historical forces that surround this conflict will not be easily resolved.
NEWS / 13
VERTIGO
ISSUE EIGHT: OTHERWORLDS
SPORT:
SUPER MARIO AND THE QUEST FOR EQUALITY MARIO BALOTELLI IS OFTEN THE CENTRE OF ATTENTION, THOUGH NOT ALWAYS IN THE WAY HE’D LIKE. DESPITE THE RACISM THAT HAS MARRED HIS FOOTBALL CAREER, THE ITALIAN STRIKER HAS BECOME AN INSPIRATION. WORDS BY CHRIS JANSSEN. Christmas came early this year for football fans, with Mario Balotelli announcing his move back to the Premier League to join Liverpool Football Club. The transfer will push the charismatic forward straight back into the spotlight, as well as reunite him with the notoriously vicious British press. The last time Balotelli played in England, the British tabloids were never short of a story, most notably including an incident that demonstrated the player could not actually put a training bib on without assistance. Bibotelli also infamously crashed his $200,000 car within days of flying in, was suspended for throwing a dart at a youth player, and required the services of the fire brigade after setting off fireworks inside his own apartment. During another incident, police found $8,000 in his wallet and when they asked why he had such a large sum of cash he simply replied, “Because I’m rich.” As such, despite his immense talent and potential, incidents like these led to Super Mario being labelled as arrogant, unprofessional, and out of control. However, there is another side to Balotelli that goes widely unnoticed. Born in Italy to immigrant parents from Ghana, Balotelli was fostered by another family at a young age. Throughout his childhood he was continually the target of xenophobia and racism. Despite this, Balotelli remained determined to one day represent the country he called home. However, racism continued to follow him into his professional football career with a minority of fans making monkey noises and throwing bananas at him on the field. In one of his first
14 / NEWS
appearances in the top Italian league, aged just 15, some opposition fans began to chant, “There is no such thing as a black Italian!” When asked about his view on racism and the way it affected him, Balotelli replied, “I cannot bear it, it makes you lonely. Racism is simply unacceptable to me.” In spite of this, when Balotelli turned 18, he became a full Italian citizen and was immediately selected for the Under 21 team. Against all odds, he would later be selected for the Italian national team and go on to become the first black player to represent Italy at the European Championships and World Cup. As a result of this, migrant children everywhere look to Super Mario as a role model. Balotelli insists that he does not want the attention, positive or negative, because he is a shy and quiet person by nature. However, shy and quiet seems like an interesting way of describing a person who is sent to the shops to buy an ironing board for his mother and returns instead with a quad bike and trampoline. Regardless of his interesting moments, Mario Balotelli is an undeniable talent and inspiration. Whether he really hates attention or does it all for publicity is unimportant. The story of Mario Balotelli brings a much more significant message: There are black Italians. There is no place for racism in this world.
VERTIGO
ISSUE EIGHT: OTHERWORLDS
GOATS Goats, gifted with extraordinary singing and long-distance spitting abilities, are Heaven-sent. They’ve got so much to teach us mere mortals. It would do us good to sit back and take note of their varied and numerous talents, such as:
1. Have movie marathons
2. Be a father figure
3. Be used as a comfy pillow
4. Be a style icon
5. Be a ninja
6. Be a star in the gaming world/role model for humans (Goat Simulator)
7. Be a god (shrine to goats)
8. Fly
9. Be the subject of sitcoms
16 / CULTURE
A BRIEF HISTORY OF:
SCI-FI PREDICITIONS THAT CAME TRUE
AS WE DRAW EVER CLOSER TO 2015 AND THE DISAPPOINTMENT OF NOT HAVING THE HOVERBOARDS BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II SAID WE WOULD, CHRIS MCKAY LOOKS BACK ON ALL THE TIMES WE GAZED THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS AND GOT IT RIGHT. In 1890, the year 1950 was depicted as a world where people played ‘Cosmoball’ with personal flying machines. You might recall that 1950 wasn’t anything like that. But, in 1888 – 60 years before we saw the first credit card – Edward Ballamy wrote Looking Backwards depicting a year 2000 where citizens used ‘universal credit’ to pay for goods with plastic cards. The little known serial Ralph 124c 41+ by Hugo Gernsback has two noteworthy features: a needlessly confusing title, and the appearance of a telephot, device that let people see each other while making long-distance calls. All the way back in 1911, this depiction of video-chat was made fifty three years before its invention, and almost a century before it came commonplace. In 1940, Robert Heinlein wrote Solution Unsatisfactory describing a Cold War and resulting nuclear arms race before America had even entered WWII. On a less depressingly terrifying note, he also predicted the waterbed in 1961. All manner of things we take for granted once only existed in the imagination. When Ray Bradbury wrote Fahrenheit 451 in 1953 he included a description of a thimble-sized earphone that could carry a seemingly endless supply of music. In 2000, Apple revealed their first generation iPod, complete with earbuds, and Bradbury’s idea not only became a reality, but more common than even he imagined! Looking at how sci-fi predictions influence real world technologies potentially has major legal ramifications. When Apple tried to sue Samsung for encroaching on their patent for the iPad, Samsung brought up an unusual defense: Apple didn’t
invent the iPad, Arthur C. Clarke did. Sure enough, Clarke’s 1968 classic 2001: A Space Odyssey includes a device undeniably similar to an iPad- right down to the name: The Newspad. Even our most seemingly ludicrous ideas are becoming a reality. Before the film adaption, its four sequels, remake, prequel and prequel’s sequel, Pierre Boulle’s Planet of the Apes depicted an impossible world inhabited by super-intelligent apes. In 2012, scientists demonstrated that they had raised the intelligence of a chimp using brain-implants. The chimp uprising has begun – and I for one welcome our new simian masters. 2012 was also a year we made great (and potentially terrifying) leaps forward in robotics. It was the year researchers created robot legs that can run faster than a human, and a child in a remote community was able to attend school through a robot surrogate. Only a few months ago a computer program passed the Turing Test, suggesting its artificial intelligence is indistinguishable from a human. A version of this history could be written just including technologies depicted in Star Trek. Since 1966 it has predicted Transparent Armor, Mobile Phones, Hypodermic Injections, Voice Recognition, Portable Medical Scanners and Bionic Eyes. Oh, and as a side-note: NASA has started work on a Warp Drive – a staple of sci-fi that allows spacecraft to travel faster than the speed of light. And let’s not forget that The Simpsons predicted the rise of soy-based snacks. Just felt that deserved a mention.
CULTURE / 17
VERTIGO
ISSUE EIGHT: OTHERWORLDS
SOCIAL MEDIA & APATHY SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS LIKE #BRINGBACKOURGIRLS, #FERGUSON, AND OF COURSE THE ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE, ARE A CONSTANT ONLINE PRESENCE. BUT WHAT ARE THEY ACHIEVING? ALISON WILLIAMS DISCUSSES THE PURPOSE AND SUCCESS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVISM. The saying “any publicity is good publicity” is a load of bollocks when it comes to social justice and politics. While technology has allowed us to become involved in global issues we would never have previously known of, it has also allowed us to become passive participants in misinformation campaigns and useless fear-mongering – whether we like it or not. I know it’s harsh, but think about the last time you shared an issue on social media. Was it #JewsandArabsRefuseToBeEnemies or #bringbackourgirls or something else? And what did you do after you tweeted, updated your status and posted on Instagram? I am the ultimate cynic: I have worked in international development and communications. I have attended numerous workshops and online discussions surrounding the #StopKony phenomenon and shared many opinions online about social media use. But as hashtags and social media fads continue – think Ice Bucket Challenge – I am forced to grapple with whether there is a good way to engage in social media activism. I would not go so far as to write off this new age completely, as Malcolm Gladwell did in his 2010 New Yorker article on the difference between the Civil Rights movement and social media. He said that: “Fifty years after one of the most extraordinary episodes of social upheaval in American history, we seem to have forgotten what activism is.” So what good is online activism? I would say it does a lot of good… if done well. I woke one morning in 2012 to see my Facebook feed littered
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with statuses and links regarding a new movie clip about Joseph Kony, a now infamous leader of the rebel movement in Uganda. I cringed without even watching it. I’ll admit I was a little peeved that friends of mine who have never previously shown any interest in Africa, and the many issues I had spent three years studying in my undergraduate degree, were suddenly deeply passionate about this one injustice. But my friends were not sharing information about the history of conflict in Uganda, or advocating the support of organisations that were working in Uganda to alleviate the pain caused by Joseph Kony (of which there are many), nor were they having discussions about the value of Western interventions in African nations. As the #StopKony campaign went viral it became clear that a new age of activism was upon us. Earlier this year the kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls in Nigeria sparked an international media storm with the hashtag #bringbackourgirls. While the sentiment was clear – Boko Haram are baddies – the purpose of the global sharing was not. Countless celebrities, including Michelle Obama, posted pictures of themselves holding signs with the hashtag. People around the globe posted links to the news, expressing their deep sadness and the need for international assistance to a country in crisis. I wasn’t unmoved. The kidnapping took place a few hundred kilometers from my birthplace in Africa. I am well aware of some of the political complexities. But the calls for international assistance were naïve and failed to recognise
that Boko Haram have been creating terror in northeastern Nigeria for the last couple of years. Barely a month prior to the kidnapping, a large group of boys was kidnapped in the same region, and Boko Haram is responsible for hundreds of murders. Why were we suddenly concerned with the fate of these girls? And why were our responses so laden with imperialist tendencies? That is not to completely put down people’s sense of connection to global issues. One of the greatest gifts of our age is that, due to our access to information, we have more potential than ever before to understand and alter the reality of injustice and inequality in our world. However, sometimes all our liking and sharing appears to do little to actually change the situation. So is there really any point? Rather than seeing social media interactions as resolving problems with actual solutions, hashtag activism is largely about changing the perceptions and behaviours of the individuals who participate in it; it is about education and awareness. Most of us can agree that more people knowing about the injustices happening in our world is a good thing. But I believe that in order to create significant, real change the participation of those directly affected is required. Of course if activism did both, that would be amazing. In the case of #StopKony, Invisible Children could have consulted more with Ugandan nationals about strategies for alleviating the effects of Kony’s terror on the broader population. The information that was then shared globally could have carried depth of experience and wisdom about Uganda to the rest of the world. Recently, some people got so fed up with the Government’s attitude towards asylum seekers – and in particular
the indefinite detention of children – that they started participating in acts of non-violent civil disobedience. On March 21 this year, a group decided to visit Minister for Immigration, Scott Morrison’s office, and hold a prayer vigil. When they were asked to move on they simply kept praying, resulting in a number of arrests. What started as a spontaneous action has grown to almost weekly acts of civil disobedience all over Australia under a banner now called Love Makes A Way (#LoveMakesAWay). These events, and the ensuing media attention, have given rise to a great increase in positive and constructive conversations on social media about the issue of asylum seeker rights. Grassroots action, combined with hashtag activism, is creating change that is desperately needed in our media. Judges who are presiding over the court cases of those arrested are applauding their work, rather than sentencing them. People are using #LoveMakesAWay to create much needed noise and disruption in the social media discussions about “boat people”. Situations like #StopKony and #bringbackourgirls are fantastic opportunities to learn about places and issues we hear little about in the Australian media. We can educate ourselves, and our entire social networks, about injustices, and create dialogue about effective social change for the long term. But let’s be realistic about what exactly we are going to achieve, and thoughtful about the information we share. Hashtags like #LoveMakesAWay have the potential to change the conversation. Thank goodness. It’s not as glamorous as liking and sharing a video of cute children or something glaringly horrid. But education and awareness-raising are the very actions that will begin to change our world.
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VERTIGO
ISSUE EIGHT: OTHERWORLDS
AYANO TAKEUCHI IS CREATOR OF AUDREY & AUDREY, I REALLY REALLY LIKE YOU AND I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MY LIFE, THREE DREAMY ZINES WHICH CAPTURE THAT ELUSIVE SPIRIT OF CHILDHOOD INNOCENCE, LOSS AND LONGING. ANDY HUANG CHATTED WITH AYANO ABOUT HER INSPIRATIONS, FAVOURITE FANTASY SERIES GROWING UP, AND WHY SEQUELS ARE HARD TO MAKE. Tell us about yourself… I’m a graphic designer by day, artist and zinester by night (and weekends). If you see a table at your next zine fair with three zines, it’s probably me behind the stall because that’s how many I’ve made so far. I’m a relative newcomer to the zine scene; I started around 2010 with my first work Audrey & Audrey and it’s taken me to many places, including an exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia, as well as meeting heaps of lovely people.
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How did you first come across zines? It was about a year before my first zine. My friend Frankie took me to Sticky Institute in Degraves Street, Melbourne. I was really attracted to the individual thoughts in them and was inspired to make my own. Tell us a bit about your zines… Audrey & Audrey is about a girl who goes on a metaphysical trip when she loses a doll on a train. I really really like you is about the communication between girlfriend and boyfriend. I don’t know what I want to do with my life is about a chicken-person who doesn’t know what to do with its life. I get ideas from my own experiences mixed with a bit of artistic license. I really enjoyed I don’t know what I want to do with my life – my sister got it last year at the MCA Zine Fair. The little chicken-person is super cute! Have you thought about turning that into a series? Thanks, I’m really pleased with how that one has turned out.
No plans for a series though. It’s tricky to make a sequel that is better than the first. Plus it’s hard to extend an idea that has already been expressed. If I were to make a series, it would have to be conceived as a complete story, which was broken up rather than sequels and prequels as an afterthought. Maybe I’d do a fantasy series because epic quests have always been my cup of tea.
on it. It has a keyboard drawer that houses a drawing tablet and one drawer. A small IKEA shelving unit sits on its left to store extra art materials, paper and some books. I throw away most of my old drawings and don’t have any displayed because maintaining a clear workspace is important for me.
What was the last zine you bought? The last zine I read was Suburbophobia. Chris, the author, conveys his quirky and humorous insights of the everyday in a comic-strip format. It always makes me chuckle.
I like YOU and am always curious about the next edition. For those of you who don’t know, YOU is an anonymous letter which could come in a paper bag or wrapped around a twig. Maybe I like it because letter writing is considered an obsolete, timeconsuming act, so it makes it all the more magical when you do receive one. Works by Fulsome Prism are also on my bookshelf (or zineshelf). Thomas, who’s behind it, is a brilliant wordsmith who can turn observations of banal occasions into moments of hilarity. It takes someone with sharp wit to write about everydayness in a way that makes people want to read it.
There’s a fairytale-like quality to your illustrations, which are very beautiful but sometimes a bit dark. What were some of your favourite stories growing up? I was definitely a fantasy kid and liked the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, etc., and would imagine alternative endings. I also read a mountain of manga so you’ll definitely see that influence in my drawings. Stories that have darkness intrigue me, but there has to be subtlety and character there. My favourite book growing up was Harry Potter (up until the third book). Now that I think about all the stories I’ve read though, The NeverEnding Story is on the top of my list. What place inspires you most? I like art galleries with pre-1900 European paintings and drawings in it, so the National Gallery of Victoria is a frequent haunt of mine. Most of the time though, drawing happens at home. And what’s your workspace like? My workspace has been politely described as minimalist and it is rather bare. It’s basically one desk, with an old-ish Apple Mac
Which zines are you into at the moment?
Yeah, YOU is pretty rad! Anyway, what are you up to now? At the moment there are no zines in the pipeline. I am working on art projects, but have a rule about not discussing them because the ones that have been spoken about prior to completion have been abandoned. My friends think it’s a jinx but there’s a more logical explanation. Without sounding too much like a tormented artist, I think I only express something as art when it’s the only outlet. If it can be resolved internally or released in some other way why does it need to be in an art form? It’s a lot of work to draw your ideas. Who: Ayano Takeuchi What: Audrey & Audrey, I really really like you, I don’t know what I want to do to with my life Where: mail order at maildept.stickyinstitute.com More: theotheraudrey.com
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VERTIGO
ISSUE EIGHT: OTHERWORLDS
SCIENCE, TECH AND GAMING
STEPHEN HAWKING, GUMMI BEARS AND THE PHYSICS OF MULTI-UNIVERSE THEORY IN TRIALLING A NEW FORM OF TORTURE, WE GAVE KEIFER VELOSO 500 WORDS TO EXPLAIN MULTI-UNIVERSE THEORY. HERE GOES. I’ve always liked to believe that the idea of multiple universes came in response to a colossal cringe moment. Imagine a 17-year-old Stephen Hawking on a hot date during his time at Oxford. The night went well; he successfully seduced the spectacular blonde from aeronautical engineering with his recital of the constant, π, to the 69th decimal. However, once they were alone in his dormitory, he recalled that – merely an hour before – he had consumed 15 pounds of sugar-free Haribo Gummi Bears. As a result, he began to experience the onset of what has been affectionately named the ‘Gummi Bear Gastrointestinal Cleanse’. 1 Mr. Hawking felt the force of 300 multi-coloured bears pressing against his small intestine. Within a matter of seconds, he succumbed to the pressure of the revolt, releasing a volcanic eruption that sounded like a steamroller going through a bubble wrap factory. His date, having been flung across the room by the force of his expulsion, suffered physical injuries and was taken to hospital. That night, Stephen lay alone in his bed, haunted by memories of his grave mistake. In this state of selfreproach, he conjured the idea of another universe in which he had not consumed those God-forsaken bears – and thus, Multi-Universe Theory.
radioactive source placed in an enclosed box. Then imagine an internal monitor that detects random radioactive decay (the release of an electron) from the source. This detector would, if it sensed decay coming from the source, shatter the flask, release the poison, and thus kill the cat. Most physicists believe that, because the decay of the radioactive source is a probability function, we are unable to determine the state of our subject (the feline), only the likelihood of each observation. In other words, the cat is in a state of being both alive and dead. Here’s another example. Suppose you throw a six-sided die – each way the die can fall corresponds to a different universe. If you apply the same reasoning to ordinary decision-making or probability, the number of different universes each person creates in their lifetime is infinite. This not only includes choosing skim instead of regular milk for your morning coffee, but also encompasses universes with different laws of physics, timelines or any other outcome that could ever exist. Sure, there are a bunch of problems with Multi-Universe Theory, but who cares? If it can result in the actualisation of a fantasy where we don’t sell sugar-free Haribo Gummi Bears, let’s humour Mr. Hawking.
In reality, Multi-Universe Theory hails from only slightly more mundane origins. It comes from one of the most well-known thought experiments: Schrödinger’s Cat. The experiment involves a cat, a flask of poison, and a
1. For example, one customer review of the aforementioned states, “It felt like my delicate starfish was a gaping maw projectile vomiting a torrential flood of toxic waste. 100% liquid. Flammable liquid. NAPALM.” Another reviewer described the experience as a “soul-wrenching anal tantrum.” For more Gummi goodness, see <http://www.amazon.com/Haribo-Gummi-Bears-Sugar-Free/product-reviews/B000EVQWKC> (viewed 31 August 2014).
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SCIENCE, TECH AND GAMING
VERY SUPERSTITIOUS STEP ON A CRACK, BREAK YOUR MOTHER’S BACK. SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW, SOMETHING BORROWED AND SOMETHING BLUE. BREAK A MIRROR AND GET SEVEN YEARS OF BAD LUCK. OLD WIVES’ TALES LIKE THESE ARE OFTEN PRODUCTS OF SUPERSTITIOUS BEHAVIOUR – BUT WHY ARE WE NATURALLY SUPERSTITIOUS? KRISTEN TROY EXPLAINS THE (POTENTIAL) EVOLUTIONARY ADVANTAGES OF OUR BIZARRE HABITS. Our brains have an important knack for recognising patterns – we connect the dots and create meaning out of cause and effect relationships that we observe in nature. Evolutionarily speaking, this gave early humans a huge edge – imagine a prehistoric citizen hearing rustling grass and associating that sound with a predatory lion’s movement. More often than not, it’s probably just the wind – but as Harvard evolutionary biologist, Kevin Foster, points out, “If a group of lions is coming there’s a huge benefit to not being around.” We tend to develop superstitions when we overstep the mark, and falsely link cause to effect. But the reason why some superstitions tend to persist so strongly is because (occasionally) they can help you survive. So although Darwin never warned against pavement cracks, broken mirrors, walking under ladders or seeing black cats, his theory of evolution does help to explain why we believe in such nonsense. Foster outlines how superstitions survived as part of our reasoning: “Our brains are pattern-recognition machines … sometimes A is really connected to B, and sometimes it is not. When it isn’t, we err in thinking that it is, but for the most part this process isn’t likely to remove us from the gene pool, and thus magical thinking will always be a part of the human condition.”
generally favoured when the cost of believing a superstition is less than the cost of missing a real cause-and-effect association. So if you once prayed to Queen Bey and snagged tickets to her I Am… World Tour, chances are you also prayed to our revered Queen for On The Run Tour tickets too (just in case). The reality is you got tickets because you stared at a blank screen for hours waiting for sales to open, like the adoring pleb that you are. Bow down. All this said, cultural cues and modern life can also heavily influence superstitious behaviour. Superstitions can be learnt and passed on from one person to another. Tiger Woods famously (and exclusively) wears red shirts in the final rounds of golf tournaments, because his mum told him to do it once in 1996. It worked for him, so he stuck with it – proving yet again that mums always know best. But it’s a case of the pot calling the kettle black, because scientists are humans too. Resident smart-arse and evolutionary biologist Wolfgang Forstmeier, from the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, points out that by linking cause and effect, science itself is dogmatic form of superstition. “You have to find a trade-off between being superstitious and being ignorant … quite a lot of scientists tend to be ignorant quite often.”
Foster and his colleague, Hanna Kokko, experimentally modelled scenarios in which superstition is adaptive, and the pair found a mathematical way to predict whether an animal will retain a superstition: superstitious beliefs will be
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VERTIGO
ISSUE EIGHT: OTHERWORLDS
SCIENCE, TECH AND GAMING
ESCAPING SUNLIGHT FOR MANY OF US, GAMES PROVIDE A BIT OF RELIEF FROM EVERYDAY STRESSES – BUT THEY CAN ALSO FEED INTO A CYCLE OF DEPRESSION. LACHLAN MACKENZIE LOOKS AT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GAMES AND MENTAL HEALTH. Actual Sunlight is a game where nothing really happens. Your to-do list includes: shower, destroy your apartment and die. It is a game about one man’s depression, and in the same way that it’s a game about nothing, depression is a mental illness that can come from nothing in particular. This makes it inaccessible to a lot of people. It’s not a physical thing and it’s not a product of cause and effect. Depression just is, and when it’s not yours it only exists as much as you choose to let it. It could be real, but it’s painful and easy to ignore when it’s not experienced. My whole life, games have been escapist fantasy for me. I use them as outlets, and get lost in them when I feel useless in my real life, because there’s something empowering about choosing your own reality. Games take my nervous energy and give it a place to be. They leave me content, but rarely satisfied. There’s a universality to escapism in the face of dissatisfaction, whether that comes in the form of reading, watching films or television, playing sport, knitting, whatever – we all have ways to forget the limits of our capability and feel like we’re worth a damn. The problem with games for me is that in the end I come out with nothing to share with the world. I’m no smarter. I haven’t produced anything that’s valued. I’ve never really been into online multiplayer, so I don’t have those stories to share either. All of my favourite gaming moments have come from being with friends, but I’m still a single-player kind of guy. Gaming can provide respite from mental illness, as well as a refuge where the toxicity can fester. In researching this piece I read stories of people who use games like antidepressants, others who use them as stress relief, and
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some who equate them to anything else with the potential to be addictive. They can always be harmful in the wrong dosage and when used for the wrong reasons. There is nothing inherently wrong with using games to escape reality, but we need to be aware of what we’re doing when we let them take over. We play games in new worlds where we can accomplish things and feel important and understood. Worlds where our motivations become clear and the people around us respond to them. They let us work in a simple, goal-oriented manner and feel capable for as long as we’re beyond our own bodies. Games, with their security and their sense of accomplishment, can cause people to become lost in a spiral of unreal fulfilment. That’s where the line between escapism and a dangerous cycle becomes unclear. The worst thing I read during my research was an interview with Will O’Neill, the creator of Actual Sunlight, on Polygon. He said, “Now that Actual Sunlight is finished, I think I feel more definitively depressed than ever, because I’ve now done the one thing that I sort of could do, if you know what I mean.” Will poured himself into something and can no longer feel a connection through it, and that’s something I can relate to. In the darkest parts of a depressive state you want to build something out of your pain and know that it wasn’t all for nothing, and it’s easy to forget that there’s more to you than the thoughts wrecking shop in your head. We don’t idolise people like Will O’Neill, we sympathise. We tend to idolise humans in ways that put them above humanity. We idolise people that don’t break, or that when they do, break into perfect pieces to be put back together in a way that makes sense. But when we try to make ourselves
in someone else’s image, we lose sight of the fact that the image is all we see. On a daily basis we’re fed ideas that blur the lines of want and need through a muddy lens of culture. There’s pressure everywhere to be all these things to all these people, through the endlessly pervasive normative discourse that surrounds us, always telling us there are specific ways to be. For every time this discourse makes me feel like I’m made wrong, I have games to make me feel a little bit right. But games can slot so easily into the cycle of mental illness, eating into massive chunks of time and putting people further out of touch with their own bodies, with others and with reality. Will says of Actual Sunlight, “I felt that a character like [the main character] Evan Winter… in our culture, his story would usually be that one day he decides to start jogging, and everything in his life would suddenly fall into place. I wanted to tell a story about depression and how your viewpoint narrows through that mental state. I wanted to
tell a realistic story about someone like that.” It was almost empowering to play a character like that because it breaks down that mental wall of isolation. To see depression portrayed so unapologetically was refreshing, and as I reacted to the game I was reminded that people don’t recoil when you share the ugliness of what you’re feeling, or at least the good ones don’t. Actual Sunlight reminded me of empathy and I came out of the experience feeling connected, recognised and devastated. Everyone makes what they do their armour, and Will made Actual Sunlight his. With depression it can become so easy to feel like sharing yourself with other people is stupid, or would show them where you’re weak, and Will’s interview seems to capture that feeling. His game is both an end and a means of trying to escape his reality. Sure, games are escapism. But escapism, in whatever form, can help people forget that they aren’t their thoughts, that they’re so much more than how others might perceive them.
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VERTIGO DON’T WANT NONE UNLESS YOU GOT PUNS HUN
SUBMISSIONS@UTSVERTIGO.COM.AU FACEBOOK.COM/UTSVERTIGO TWITTER.COM/VERTIGOMAGAZINE
SHOWCASE: POETRY
THE NIGHT KNOWS THINGS THE DAY DOES NOT WORDS BY LAUREN PERRY The night1feels cold. So I seek you in the folds of duck-down To find a warmth that radiates through my bones And ignites this cairn of stones. The night2 seems still. But the steady rise and fall of that heart within your chest Reminds me that our world is not on pause. You know what’s mine is yours. The night3 is silent. Save for the murmur of your dreams, which form as tiny breaths of words upon your lips, and twitches in your fingertips. The night4 smells dank. The mould has crept across the roof – I’ve watched it all these years; Resurrecting all my fears. The night5 tastes salty with kisses dried upon my skin and pressed into my soul As though they are the last… This night has almost passed. [The night knows things the day does not. And here at night, in the silence and the stillness, and this salty, sour coolness, I think I know you better than when the mo(u)rning light brings you back to life and you arise from this bed and leave me once more.]
1. “The period from sunset to sunrise in each twenty-four hours” – Oxford Dictionary 2. “The best part of a twenty-four hour day. The sun gets old after the first fifteen years.” – Urban Dictionary 3. “The time of darkness between one day and the next.” – Merriam-Webster Dictionary 4. “A condition or time of obscurity, ignorance, sinfulness, misfortune…” – Dictionary.com 5. “The interval of darkness between sunset and sunrise.” – Macquarie Dictionary
Lauren Perry is a fourth year student of Social Inquiry combined with International Studies, Chile. She loves salsa (the dance and the delicious dip), the Lord of the Rings movies, and licking the froth from the cappuccino lid.
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VERTIGO
ISSUE EIGHT: OTHERWORLDS
SHOWCASE: WRITING
ON BOARD WORDS BY CARIELYN TUNION We came on board gratefully at the start, from places as far and varied as the stars. We thought ourselves lucky then, blessed to be found and given a stitch of space to call our own. The dregs of civilisation, the unwanted and the homeless combined here to start anew in this gleaming fortress of silver in the blackness. One of the Caretakers appointed me a dorm and gave me a book, cold and silvery to touch. When I traced its blank, metal pages with a curious finger, it filled with images, memories of my time on Earth Below. Pictures inscribed themselves as if drawn by my mind’s eye, pictures of sand and sun and the slipshod, time-worn shacks from my mother’s village. I fell to sleep easily enough that first night, the low and constant thrum of machines grinding far below like a sleep song in my ears. Yet that night, and a few nights after that, those memories turned against me. Fires ravaged the landscape, and my mother’s abduction played over and over in repetitious nightly terrors. And then I met Arich. A bear of a man with stories that calmed me, that soothed my restless mind and sweetened my sleep. He told me stories I’d never heard, of people in places I had never seen. He cared for me, sharing his friendship as easily as his words. He became the father I never had. But Arich is missing now. He’s been missing for weeks. And without his bedtime stories, I’ve been sleeping with nightmares again. ~ Enclosed in walls as high as citadels, our days on the ship provide a structured, systematic existence. We do our Labours, take our daily food pill, and in turn receive allocated time to talk amongst ourselves. Most stick with their own
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kind, a separation bolstered by the rigidity of our schedules, enforced by the Caretakers of the ship. Earth natives are sent to work on textiles for hours at a time in cheap atonement for our food and board. Those from elsewhere are put to work on machinery, weaponry, chemistry – more Labours than I even know about, for more folk that I ever knew existed. Even here I feel the strange compulsion that’s been inherited from our past. It existed at home, between the various tribes on Earth Below, and I suspect it was the same all over the universe. We seek out each other’s differences like points of classification, considering ourselves a separate many instead of what we really are – varied creatures sharing a grouped citizenry aboard this ship. There are some of us who break this tradition and seek similarity instead of disparity. A woman I’ve come to consider a friend, Irina, comes from a planet made of metals and steel, and the purplish skin of their people is paler than any Earth native. I seek her out now during the precious few hours we have to ourselves, elbowing past the large, hairy bulks of the creatures who work on Labours of terraforming devices. “Aroha!” I hear her voice calling my name, rising above the discord of languages; but it’s some time before I finally see her standing under the giant screen on which our daily messages – repetitive reminders of how blessed we are to have been taken here – are projected. She looks worried as I approach, although there’s a spark in her eyes that I can’t yet place, and she whispers urgently to me as I come near. “I stole into the Caretaker center.” Her look quiets me before a reproach leaves my mouth.
“No. Listen. Arich isn’t real. He was never even here.” The look on her face conveys a very real gravity to her words, and I let her usher me into a more private corridor. “I’m sorry, Aroha. But Arich is a part of an operating system. They’ve been using it to subdue the passengers. The Caretakers conduct assessments, looking out for those in need of a companion. My family is on board, which is why I never needed one. But it takes a different form for each of you, taking on characteristics that suit the individual. Only each appointment can communicate with their own… their own Arich. That’s why I never met him.”
had strange pictures in it, a woman and a foreign place. But there were other inscriptions as well. Information about past passengers who were ‘displaced’ after riots that happened here years ago.” I gape at her in silence as the horror of her words’ meaning grow in my mind, seeping from my eyes in watery disbelief. How could anyone think us, so many of us, to be so malleable, so easily categorised and deceived? I meet her eyes, now blazing alight with the fire I saw mere sparks of before. “What do we do?” I ask her. Her face is a sickly, mottled white.
She hands me a sheet of metal with inscriptions printed on its face. The feeling of sick washes over me as I read about the various Arichs appointed to a number of us on board. “The system’s been designed to keep you distracted from the true purpose of this ship.” She glances nervously behind her at the Caretakers stationed on deck. “We’re not going anywhere. This isn’t a processing vessel. It’s a factory, Aroha. They aren’t finding us new homes. They’re giving us a life sentence.” “But there’s something else too. I think your Arich… I think he went sentient. Not long after he went missing, I found a metal book under my bed.” My eyes snap up at her words. My book went missing a few days before he did. I thought nothing of it, thinking of it as some sophisticated toy I had misplaced. “I think it might be part of the control system. Anyway, it
“Well, there was a patch of code in that book too. That’s how I got into the Caretaker center. It’s some kind of system override. I think I can use it to stream anything to anywhere on the ship.” The cobwebbed veins beneath her pale skin, even more translucent than usual, seem to pulse with apprehension. But those eyes, fixed hard on mine. They tell me she’s already made up her mind. I nod my taciturn reassurance to her. Whatever false comforts we’re choosing to spare now; whatever consequences we all face, I know the truth has to be better than any disguise. Carielyn studies Media Arts and Production at UTS but is the caretaker of brain-children from all sorts of disciplines. She likes singing 90s songs and people-watching, so please forgive her if you catch her staring.
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ISSUE EIGHT: OTHERWORLDS
SHOWCASE: ART
HUGH O’BRIEN DAVID MA Hugh O’Brien is a third year Visual Communication Design student, one third of EK Collective and an awesome photographer. See more of his work at hughobrien.tumblr.com
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ISSUE EIGHT: OTHERWORLDS
SHOWCASE: ART
There are so many unseen corners of our world. Through his photohraphs, David Ma invites you to view the beauty of Moroccan life
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PYNING FOR A BETTER EDUCATION–BUT AT WHOSE EXPENSE? ACCORDING TO THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, THE HISTORY CURRICULUM SHOULD FOCUS ON “THE BENEFITS OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION” FOR AUSTRALIA. MADELEINE ER EXAMINES THE NEED FOR A BETTER EDUCATION ON INDIGENOUS CULTURES. I’m not sure what it was like at your school, but I feel like we might have had a similar experience – mandatory history was a real drag. By the time I hit year nine, everyone was sick of learning about white Australia’s short (and therefore often repetitive and overdone) history. We wanted to learn about Henry VIII and all his wives, not the 1901 Federation. As such a young nation, it felt like our country’s history was dull. Except that we aren’t really a young nation at all. More than that though, I found that there was a certain resentment reserved specifically for Indigenous studies. I remember the collective groan that would ripple through the classroom whenever the teacher handed out a worksheet titled something like ‘Indigenous People Get The Right To Vote’. No one was interested in learning about anything to do with Indigenous Australians. “We’ve heard all this before!” was a common phrase thrown around by my peers, along with “who cares?” Well, pretty much no one cared, and I don’t think we can just put that down to the fact we were a bunch of 15 year olds who were tired of school. Why were we interested in learning about medieval England but not about the 1966 Wave Hill walkoff? Why did we care about Egyptian pharaohs but not the movement for constitutional recognition of Indigenous peoples as human beings? We could write essays on almost anything, but when it came to Indigenous studies, most people’s brains started to slide sideways out of their heads and splat onto the floor with real indifference. No one was inspired; no one felt the ringing echo of injustice that has surrounded the treatment of Australia’s Indigenous people. Mandatory history bred apathy among my peers. The federal Minister for Education Christopher Pyne announced that he wants to change the curriculum in Australian schools, believing that our education system has “not sold or talked about the benefits of western civilizations in our society”. But as Paul Daley wrote in the Guardian in January of this year, these so-called “benefits of western
civilization” have come at a huge cost for Indigenous peoples, the ramifications of which are still felt today. I think that the resentment felt by my high school peers might stem from a sense of guilt, or an unwillingness to accept that there are problems today. Indigenous peoples have been treated with such brutality, and the more we were taught about it, the more this second hand guilt festered. How many of us have heard that oft-cried remark, “Well I wasn’t there in 1788 when Australia was invaded, why should I have to feel guilty about it? Why do Aboriginal people still complain about it?” The honest brutality of white Australia’s treatment of Indigenous peoples is imperative to understanding their story, but we also need a greater focus on Indigenous triumphs, pride and celebration. Without it, we will continue to breed resentment for peoples who have rich cultures worth celebrating, and we might never move forward from the oppressions they still face today. The fact that so many people are accepting of the stereotype that Indigenous peoples are “ungrateful dole bludgers” who constantly “play the victim card” suggests to me that a change in curriculum is necessary – but not in the way that Pyne suggests. In New Zealand it is compulsory for school students to learn a Maori language and to learn about the cultural significance of Maori traditions. Similarly, their equivalent of Australia Day is Waitangi Day, a celebration of traditional Maori cultures alongside contemporary New Zealand. I think this helps build a level of respect and understanding for their native peoples that isn’t experienced here in Australia. I don’t have all the answers, and I can’t speak on behalf of the Indigenous community (who may have many differing opinions on this issue), but I do believe that the current system of education is failing us, and I don’t think that Mr Pyne’s plans will help to improve it in any way.
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MIXTAPE:
MAKING OUT WITH MICROWAVES HATTIE O’DONNELL GETS THE LOWDOWN ON ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE SOUNDTRACKS, AMOROUS APPLIANCES, AND WHY THOM YORKE IS PROBABLY AN ALIEN, FROM LOCAL COMEDIAN GEN FRICKER. If you were in an apocalypse movie, what songs would you choose to feature on the soundtrack? I’d start with ‘Running Up That Hill’ by Kate Bush, because whenever I listen to that song I think of a dystopian future and latex catsuits and low-hanging fog, which is apocalyptic I guess. ‘Got To Give It Up’ by Marvin Gaye for a big fight scene, only because when this song comes on in my headphones while I’m walking down the street, I instantly start strutting, and it’s not much more of a leap to beating up zombies. Then the final scene, as the sun rises over some smoking city and I’m all bloodied and my clothes are torn but I’m still alive (!!!), ‘To Build A Home’ by Cinematic Orchestra. It’s such an epic song – another one of those ones that comes on while I’m walking around and instantly I feel like I’m a lead character in a film. What sort of music do you make? I make comedy songs, usually with a guitar, but I’ve been experimenting with synths, keyboards and programming. My favourite song at the moment is one I’ve been working on for the new show. None of my songs have names really, but this song is basically about falling in love with technology and making out with microwaves, etc. You don’t generally get to dance to your own music at a comedy show, so it’s a nice change. It’s probably incredibly narcissistic to say you like dancing to your own music, but Kanye would, so I will too. What song reminds you of home? My parents are huge Prince fans and Diamonds and Pearls used to get a lot of play in our household. I remember how I was really into the song ‘Cream’, which was probably super inappropriate, but as a 10-year-old I liked the rhymes. All day I’d walk around singing “cream/get on top/cream/don’t you stop” and no one batted an eyelid.
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What is the most otherworldly song or album you’ve ever heard? Pyramid Song by Radiohead feels to me like it was written by aliens. Maybe because of the weird compound time signature, and because I’m not convinced Thom Yorke is born of this earth. What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you on stage? Nothing specific happened but my last show, The Pineapple, seemed to attract a lot of 15-year-old boys and their dads, which made me feel weird. What are five tracks you’re really digging at the moment? 1. ‘Two Weeks’ - FKA Twigs This is an incredibly sexy song from an incredibly sexy album, and the video clip is wonderfully surreal. 2. ‘Anaconda’ - Nicki Minaj How many rappers talk about getting their salads tossed? Nicki Minaj is so audacious and I love it. 3. ‘Seasons (Waiting On You)’ - Future Islands I saw Future Islands at Splendour and it was one of the best live festival sets I’ve ever seen. 4. ‘Range Life’ - Pavement My friend just got me Quarantine The Past and I always find myself putting this song on repeat. 5. ‘Don’t Marry The One You Love’ - Laura Jean This is the only song about the agony of love that leaves me hopeful at the end. More at facebook.com/genfricker and @genfricker on Twitter
PODCASTS
YOU SHOULD HAVE ON YOUR PLAYLIST. LIKE, RIGHT NOW RESIDENT EXCELLENT PERSON EMILY MELLER RECOMMENDS SOME TOP-NOTCH PODCASTS THAT’LL MAKE YOU ALL THE MORE WORLDLY. IF YOU LISTEN TO PODCASTS AND YOU HAVEN’T HEARD OF – OR SUBSCRIBED TO – THESE ONES ALREADY, WHAT UNIVERSE ARE YOU EVEN IN? WTF With Marc Maron Marc Maron is like that uncle who always dishes out depressing ‘life advice’ at family events, if that uncle were friends with Louis C.K. It’s a depressing kind of funny – though to be honest, his whole belligerent, self-deprecating, nice-guys-finish-last schtick gets a little tiresome at times. Luckily, he mostly makes up for it by having great back and forths with his ridiculously high-calibre comedic guests. At least once an episode, he’ll come out with something so on-point (and brutally honest) that you’ll laugh until you cry. His interview with RuPaul is particularly brilliant, mainly because Marc Maron is about as different from a self-made drag queen megastar as you can get, so he is willing to ask anything and everything. Check out: Episode 498 with RuPaul Charles is a fantastic and hilarious chat that goes into everything from whether it’s okay to use the word “tranny”, to comparing experiences on hallucinogenics. It has humour, genuine rapport and enough on issues surrounding gender norms to make you think. Marc Maron gets to be funny without veering into the self-indulgent territory he inhabits in some of the other episodes. Nardwuar The Human Serviette Music nerds have probably already heard of Nardwuar and his legendary interview style. He usually starts out by asking, “who are you?” before giving the interviewee a very personal ‘present’ and spiralling into a bizarre line of questioning. There is something hilarious and satisfying about hearing musicians and celebrities caught completely off guard. Sometimes it
goes well – Drake called it the best interview of his life, as did Ed Sheeran, while David Cross... actually just go listen to it, right now – and sometimes it goes very, very badly (see: Nas). In his recent talk with Mac DeMarco, it almost seemed like the “Human Serviette” met his match for weirdness (“Mac DeMarco, you have only put drum sticks up your arse once.”) You were warned. Check out: ‘Nardwuar vs. Mikhail Gorbachev’ – this interview takes place in a press conference and is well outside both his normal subject and setting. Still hilarious – he attempts to ask questions in Russian, including of the leaders in the free world, “who has the largest pants?” For something more musical, check out ‘Nardwuar vs. Jay-Z’. The dude is so awkward. Planet Money I almost didn’t include this one because it sounds shamefully nerdy, even for me. I first heard it on the This American Life episode ‘The Social Contract’, and I’m a little hooked. For someone whose understanding of the financial world could be a lot (a lot) better, this podcast really is both interesting and informative. With titles like ‘The Eddie Murphy Rule’ and ‘The M&M Anomaly’, it makes learning about money, finance and commerce kind of (gasp) fun. Looks like I’m off to buy a suit. Check out: Episode 288 ‘Manufacturing The Song Of The Summer’, which peeks into RiRi’s fairly epic “music factory”. You will never hear hit songs the same way again. Or, at least now you have some concrete economic evidence that they all sound oddly similar/manufactured.
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CLEVER ‘CAUSE SHE PLAYS GUITAR ‘BADASS’ IS COURTNEY BARNETT’S MIDDLE NAME. OKAY, IT’S NOT. BUT BETWEEN HEAD-BUTTING BANDMATES ON STAGE, HER STELLAR TASTE IN MUSIC, AND HER LOVE OF AVANT GARDENING AND RAMBLES IN THE WILDERNESS, IT MAY AS WELL BE. HATTIE O’DONNELL GOT TO CHAT WITH THE SINGER/SONGWRITER AND RECORD LABEL FOUNDER AHEAD OF HER SYDNEY SHOW. The first rule of music journalism reads: thou shalt not meet thou’s idols because they’re probably a dick. Luckily, Courtney Barnett is anything but. After releasing her double EP A Sea of Split Peas to international critical acclaim last year, you’d forgive her for having a big head, but if her Splendour set is anything to go by, she’s too busy having fun to care much about what anyone thinks. Known for her on-stage antics — which include but aren’t limited to crowd diving, head butting her fellow bandmates, and generally just shredding — Barnett says they’ve formed a close bond after being on tour almost non stop for a year, “we’re best friends so we kind of muck around … we do some stupid shit to amuse ourselves”.
but it’s really just an amalgamation of all the music she digs mashed into one.” Aside from the obvious nod to rock legends, Barnett also – perhaps unexpectedly – immerses herself in more traditional styles too, listening to “heaps of classic music at home.” Having grown up with it, she didn’t always appreciate it: “But you know as a kid I hated it – I wanted to play pop music or whatever, but that’s kind of all [my parents] listened to. Even like The Beatles and shit like that I kind of just found that separately on my own, when I started learning guitar, and other people sort of showed me bands like Led Zeppelin.”
Barnett began making music at around 18 years old, earning her stripes performing at open mic nights. “I started playing music, like learning guitar when I was ten and I’ve been playing since then. I started writing music – writing songs – when I was at uni down in Hobart.” She draws inspiration from a range of rock and punk classics, such as Patti Smith, PJ Harvey and You Am I, influences that are recognisable in her guitar-heavy, heart-on-sleeve style. But like most of us, she affirms that her taste is more than a little eclectic: “Oh man, I listen to so many different types of music.” Barnett’s Triple J Unearthed profile backs this up, explaining that “she likes to think her music defies genre,
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Her style is an unmistakably Australian brand of rock, and she looks up to “quite a few Australian artists, and people who I can connect with, like Paul Kelly. I really admire him and his career. Darren Hanlon and Tim Rogers too.” Patriotism aside, her favourite record of all time is Jeff Buckley’s Grace, but it’s not exclusively a boys club: “I guess you kind of always subconsciously look up to female
musicians, like one of the first bands I ever saw live was Magic Dirt in Hobart. And I just thought they were so cool.” The Melbournite prefers writing from her home city, “even though it can be pretty frustrating,” Barnett says. “I like creating music in the studio and recording and whatever, but playing live is also really fun. It’s hard to compare them because they’re both really different.” While she isn’t out on tour, in her spare time Barnett is an avant gardener, and she dished out some advice on plants you can grow to impress your friends: “Kale is really good to grow, because it’s really easy … it grows so big, it’s almost like a weed – but it makes you feel so accomplished, so even if you’re shit at gardening and none of your tomatoes are growing and nothing else is working, you can always rely on kale.” Courtney Barnett recommended some pretty excellent tracks to listen out for, including a few to play when you’re down in the dumps (because sometimes even a green thumb can’t lift your spirits). “Well there’s either when you’re really miserable and you want to stay miserable, or when you’re miserable and you want to try and be happy. So when you’re miserable and you want to be happy, I put on The Kinks’ ‘Everybody’s Gonna Be Happy’. And when I’m miserable and I want to stay miserable, maybe something like Jeff Buckley or Nick Cave, or Rowland S. Howard.” Not content to be known only for her kickass tunes and gardening prowess, Barnett is also a founder of the record label Milk! Records, on which she released her first EP. “I started it because I wanted to do things my own way, and I didn’t really know how else to do it, so I just did it myself. It’s
worked pretty well. It’s kind of like my own little art project and I just do whatever I want to do with it. Like if I wanted to start releasing books instead of records I could do that – there’s no rules. I can do whatever I want.”
The label is all about mates having a space to create together and have fun, and there’s a real community feel around it. Milk! puts on regular local gigs and quadrupled its crowdfunding target for their latest compilation – so people are pretty into supporting home grown independent talent, which is typical of the Melbourne music scene. Tie that to the resurgence of records and retro collecting culture, and it’s a recipe that can’t go wrong. The new Milk! compilation, A Pair of Pears (With Shadows), is out now and features a new song from Barnett called ‘Pickles From The Jar’. For all the international praise, crazy tour schedules and award-winning she’s been doing, Courtney Barnett remains seriously down to earth – making it easy to almost forget her prodigious talent. That combined with her reputation for killer gigs is a winning combination – you’d be crazy not to see and hear this local legend for yourself. Courtney Barnett is playing at the Oxford Art Factory on October 8-10. Her debut album, recorded with “a bunch of weirdos”, is set for release in 2015. More of her music here: courtneybarnett.com.au/
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NOW 98% FACT FREE
OCTOBER 2014
WORDS BY JIRI HYLAK In a swift and decisive move, Prime Minister Abbott has suspended Treasurer Joe Hockey’s government allowance for two weeks, pending a review of his behaviour. During an interview with The Defamer, Mr Abbott revealed that the trouble started after he caught Mr Hockey smoking cigars and playing the ‘penis’ game with Education Minister Christopher Pyne during Question Time. “It really broke
WORDS BY SECK C. B. EAST International playboy Clive “The Charmer” Palmer has released a tell-all sexual memoir entitled The Palmer Sutra. The 1200 page volume (with glossy photographs) contains sultry details of Palmer’s romances with every celebrity from Katy Perry to Betty White. Indeed, old mate Clive
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my trust,” stated Mr Abbott. “I realised he was out of control and needed discipline.” Following these events, Mr Abbott was once again forced to step in and control his minister
reappears in almost all the great romances of the last fifty-odd years, claiming to be “the reason Miranda Kerr broke up with that elf guy. And it’s only a matter of time for Will and Kate.” The Palmer Sutra has so far been banned in 48 countries, which have all cited the book’s “inappropriate content” as the reason. With lines like, “Do
after Mr Hockey created controversy over comments about poor people not owning cars. “That was the last straw. He made a fool of the Cabinet, and something had to be done, for his own good. So I told him, I said, ‘Joseph Benedict Hockey, you’ve crossed the line. You apologise for your comments right now, and you can come back to me after, and only after you’ve done that.’”
A video of the public confrontation between the PM and his treasurer showed what critics label as “Typical Tony” behaviour. “This is Tony Abbott again showing off his patriarchal leadership. What Mr Hockey needs is constructive criticism, not harsh punishments.” said Johanna Swan, a witness to the event. Other witnesses, and a large contingent of the Family First Party praised Mr Abbott’s actions, pointing to the need for Hockey to have “a strong father figure in his life for stable development.” Mr Hockey declined an interview, simply stating that he had been told that he needed some time to “think about what he’s done”.
you want to see my member for Fairfax?” it’s not hard to see why. Palmer, however, seems unfazed. At the official book launch (held at his dino theme park), everyone’s beloved jokester chose not to make a speech, and instead began freestyling over the Titanic theme: “Yo, uh, so/My name is Palmer/Didn’t mean to alarm ya/But if you take my parma/ Then I’m likely to harm ya/Call it karma, bitches/cuz I’m rolling in riches/And I eat bigger serves than Djokovic’s (whaaaaat)
I’m the king of Queensland/ KFC in my free hand/Fuck all the Greens, man/’cept green eggs and green ham/Got that balance of power/Take a nap every hour/ So I can dream about Kerri-Anne K. in the shower./You know I’m The Charmer/So don’t cause a drama/Cause I know you wanna be my baby mama./Word.” Following overwhelmingly positive reviews from News Corp’s top writers, The Palmer Sutra has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for ‘Most Erotic Memoir’. The Defamer’s reliable sauces have confirmed that HBO is already negotiating a six-figure TV series deal.
UTS STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION ELECTIONS
RETURNING OFFICER’S REPORT
ON THE BALLOT DRAW - 22 SEPTEMBER 2014 President: Vail Bromberger Dean Mattar Secretary: Sammy Howes Jess Xu Treasurer: Brigida Johns Irene Hsieh Postgraduate Officer: Tapiwa Bengura Melanie Wilson Kate Alway Women’s Officer: Ellyse Harding Sarah Mulhearn Overseas Students Officer: Tracy Tang Nidhi Baweja Australian Indigenous Officer: Brian Sentance Nathan Taylor Charlene HumphrieS Clark Donovan 10 Student Representative Councillors: Get a Clue for SRC: Madeline Clouston. Connect: Moe Rumman, Sammy Howes, Ben Jackson, Ashkay Raj Kumar, Fabian Vergara, Luke Chapman, Sareeta Shah, Julian Chu, Aaron Colley, James Horsburgh F***** Chris Pyne: Andy Zephyr, Rhiana-Jade Arment Grow your SRC: Max Murphy, Sashin Ranasinghe Jake Witchard, Jennifer Pham, Rayan Calimlim, Christian Goopy, Margaret Sheen, Evan Jeffreys, Clark Donovan, Andie Yates Unshaw for SRC: Samuel Longshaw
Manifesto the Magnificent for SRC:Chris McKay Switch the SRC: Daniella Queenan, Thomas Da Jose, David Grover, Sarah Portwine, Andre Brimo, Lucy Bonanno NUS: Connect: Peter Zacharatos, Sammy Howes, Akshay Raj Kumar, Luke Chapman, Fabian Vergara, Daniel Li, James Horsburgh, Grow your NUS: Rahaf Aljayzani, Rayan Calimlim, Max Murphy, Margaret Sheen, Tahla Judeh, Hana Khan, Dean Mattar Vertigo: Spark: Gabrielle Hyde-Smith, June Murtagh, Gabrielle Rawlings, Cameron Hart, Allison Bermingham, Katherine Kendall, James Wilson, Christopher Dinh,Joshua Cram, Sambari Seermaran, Rachael Versace, Stephanie Aikins Buzz: Ante Bruning, Jennifer Worgan, Lauren Meola, Ling McGregor, Jess Hay, Brittany Smith Broadway Campus Convenor: Lawrence Warren Moe Rumman Broadway Campus Secretary: Paul Vavich – elected unopposed Broadway Campus Women’s Officer: Sammy Howes – elected unopposed 10 members Broadway Campus Committee: Connect: elected unopposed. Moe Rumman, Fabian Vergara, James Horsburgh, Delmar Teblanche, Sophie RAY, Axl Gad, Aaron Colley, Tim Wheatley 2 positions remain vacant. Markets Campus Convenor: Luke Chapman David Grover Markets Campus Secretary: Rayan Calimlim Julian Chu Markets Campus Women’s Officer: Sareeta Shah – elected unopposed
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UTS STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION ELECTIONS
RETURNING OFFICER’S REPORT
10 Members of Markets Campus Committee: Connect: Brigida Johns, Luke Chapman, Julian Chu, Sharna White, Melanie Wilson, Ellyse Harding, Bridget Payne, Tracy Tang – 8 elected unopposed Grow: Jake Witchard, Clark Donovan - 2 elected unopposed Kuring-gai Campus Convenor: Ben Jackson – elected unopposed
UTS STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION ELECTIONS 2014 Voting will take place: Monday, 20th October 2014 Tuesday, 21st October 2014 Wednesday, 22nd October 2014 from 10.30am – 1.30pm and 3.30pm – 6.30pm
Kuring-gai Campus Secretary: No nominations, Position remains vacant. Kuring-gai Campus Women’s Officer: No nominations – position remains vacant 10 Members of Kuring-gai Campus Committee: Only nomination was received from Ben Jackson who was elected unopposed to position of Campus Convenor therefore 10 positions remain vacant. A REFERENDUM WILL BE HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ELECTION: Should UTS end its investment in fossil fuel companies?
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At these locations: CB01 CB10 CB05 CB03 CB06 Level 3 KG01
Tower Building, Level 3 Foyer Markets – Atrium near CB05B.1.11 Bon Marche – Bridge Level Harris Street Design, Architecture and Building – Foyer Kuring-Gai – Foyer near Cafeteria
Christine Kibble Returning Officer UTS STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION 0409 602 962
UTS STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION ELECTIONS
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS PRESIDENT
VAIL BROMBERGER Hello to you, good reader, I’m Vail, the presidential candidate for the Connect ticket for Student Association and SRC. The Connect ticket is a great bunch of people from a diverse background. We’ve come together with the same goal – to make the lives of UTS students better. ‘Passionate’ is a word that is thrown around in student politics a lot, and I shall endeavour to avoid this cliché. Actions speak louder than words, and you all deserve more action from us than a litany of what we’re passionate about (but we’re happy to tell you if you want to chat!). It seems common sense to me that student money should exclusively go to student services. We pay good money for the ancillary things that make university life so good. For far too long, money sourced from SSAF fees has gone to funding political junkets that serve a few students, while the majority foot the bill. Our ticket is apolitical; we’ve come together to fix a problem we all feel strongly for. There is no political cause that we are united by; there is no impetus for us to retreat from attacking this problem. We’re also committed on focusing on UTS specific issues. For too long, student politicians have prioritised issues that secured re-election, or had the potential to progress their own careers. That’s all well and good, but the good people of UTS deserve a choice before this happens. We hope to provide that choice to the UTS student body. When I came to UTS the lofty world of student politics seemed so intangible. It’s no one’s fault, I was rather naïve. But it’s also at odds with the idea of representative student politics. The Student Association and SRC are unique organisations as they’re exclusively run by students. Surely they should be amongst the most tangible around? Surely they should prioritise UTS students first?
If you run into me at uni, chances are I’m on my way to/just leaving a class or something to do with the Debating Society – I’ve had the immense privilege of being president for 2014. I’d love to hear what you’re interested in, what matters to you, what you’re passionate about. I know the amazing team at Connect do too. Vote 1 Vail Bromberger for President Vote 1 Connect for SRC and NUS
DEAN MATTAR Throughout last year we have seen the UTS student association GROW substantially, uniting together to fight against the discriminatory education cuts across the board! We have joined the picket lines in support for industrial action for the National Tertiary Education Union, we have built the rallies for the National Days of Action, and we have supported collectives GROW substantially throughout the year. But we believe it is time to take the student association to the next level, it is time to GROW, to build, to campaign against fee deregulations, discrimination and fossil fuel investments. We are asking you to help GROW with us. As GROW’s candidate for President, I believe in a transparent and democratic student body, which are mandatory for a strong student movement. That is why in the spirit of accountability and transparency I will be running and distributing the labour evenly with GROW’s Secretary’s candidate, running as copresidents. This year I have served as the National Union of Students State Queer Officer, representing the needs of queer students throughout NSW. I worked with Community Action Against Homophobia, the Australian Queer Student Network and coordinated a state wide gender neutral bathroom campaign. I have also been heavily involved in the Education Action Collective, the Wom*n’s Collective and Welfare Collective. I have helped establish food liberation programs on campus,
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CANDIDATE STATEMENTS
educated students about food wastage, coordinated student blocs at rallies, supported students and fought passionately for equality on and off campus. I have worked with student communities such as Students Thinking Outside Boarders, attended Villawood Detention Centre rallies and picket lines. And want to GROW a safer and more inclusive campus. But now is the time to GROW a stronger student union. With a conservative government in power student activism is more important than ever; we will need to GROW together to fight cuts to our education and to rally against fee deregulation. Our plans are to GROW collaboratively with other universities to take action further. To GROW diversely by collaboratively working with minority groups on campus, to ensure that every voice is heard. To GROW and support student communities on campus, to stand in solidarity with Palestine. To GROW and fight for what we believe in, a quality and just education for all! If you believe that all students need a quality, equal and just education where staff conditions are student issues, then vote one GROW and help GROW your student union. Vote [1] Dean for President Vote [1] GROW for SRC Vote [1] GROW for NUS
SECRETARY
SAMMY HOWES I am a diligent and passionate law and social enquiry student in my second year of study. I love UTS and I’m running for the opportunity to better help my fellow students through fair and equal representation both on and off campus. Having first gained leadership experience both at a young student leader at Barrenjoey High School and as an older sister, I am striving to develop these tools as both a student
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and a leader. I am passionate about female* representation, education and students rights and If elected I will endeavour to work diligently and efficiently with the Connect team to ensure our policies reflect these issues. Furthermore, I will take up the fight against fee deregulation and work as hard as possible to ensure that our collective voices are heard. Having actively participated on this issue many times I believe the Abbott governments initiative is deeply disconcerting and undermines the necessity of education in our society. I firmly believe that must take action as a collective. I trust that if elected, the Connect team and I will work tirelessly in the pursuit of student interests. Vote 1 Vail Bromberger for President Vote 1 Sammy Howes for Secretary Vote 1 Connect for SRC and NUS
JESS XU We students are the heart of UTS – things wouldn’t run without us. So why are our voices not sought when the government proposes to condemn our generation to debt sentences? Why is racism, sexism, queerphobia and other bigotry still in our classrooms and parties? Why aren’t all lectures online? I think the university has some explaining to do. I am committed to GROW the Students’ Association so we can keep asking these questions of those responsible and make sure our voices are heard. This time last year, we had a goal to make sure the UTSSA was known by students on campus, not just during the elections, but all throughout the year as a source of consistent, accountable and accessible support. This year, we have done a lot of ground work to GROW a more transparent association that is now representing, supporting and empowering more students at UTS with the flourishing of collectives, action groups and clubs. For the past year, the UTSSA has been an inspiring place where
UTS STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION ELECTIONS
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS
I’ve been involved in the growing Ethnocultural Collective, new beginnings of the International Students Collective, collaborating with NTEU as part of the Education Action Group, and the launch of the Postgraduate Representative Union. As the Welfare Officer, I’ve learnt so much from students about their needs and supported free food initiatives, campus orientation with the Scavenger Hunt, and connecting students with more services. As a Chinese, female migrant child, I am grateful for autonomous collectives and safer spaces to organise against oppressions. As a Communications and Law student, I know that students are keen for our courses to be improved with better staff communications, all lectures available online, and a more transparent process for Student Feedback Surveys. I know that running an accountable, democratic and accessible student union takes an incredible amount of energy. To best achieve this, I endeavour to better support the Presidential candidate in a co-presidential capacity. We are buzzing with ideas, momentum and energy to GROW an even stronger association. This year, we want to help UTSSA keep GROW into a more dynamic hub of organising for our needs, building a safer community for all, channelling dissent into action, and learning together. We want to GROW… • Better discussions between staff & students so we can shape more quality coursework • More student jobs and academic support through Peer Tutoring! • More accessible support services • Workshops on tenancy, rights at work, more affordable textbooks, and transport • Food initiatives like cheaper meals, cooking workshops, food liberation, working with Broadway Food Co-op • A mobile cart of free food, stationery, sexual health items, and toiletries • The power of students to bring their own ideas to life! Together, we can make our student union a fighting force for equality and a just education. We can better publicise student initiatives and existing services. Working together, we can
GROW to support each other for a more just, collaborative and accessible UTSSA. Vote [1] Jess Xu for Secretary Vote [1] GROW for SRC Vote [1] GROW for NUS
TREASURER
BRIGIDA JOHNS My name is Brigida Johns and I am a second year Law/ Public Communications student, running to be your 2015 Treasurer for the Students Association with the support of the Connect team It seems as though every student organised body pounds furiously and monotonously on the ‘change’ drum. However, not all change is progress and not all movement is forward. Mere change will bring another year of teeth gnashing and cross party bickering. This Student Association will bring you innovation. As the only non-politically affiliating student body running for the accrediting organisation of University of Technology, Sydney, I see the Student Associations’ participation as critical to this process. I would welcome the opportunity to continue my service to the organization as treasurer. Innovation will facilitate and enable a greater university experience as both individuals groups. Our paramount priority is to increase funding for all UTS clubs; sporting, social and educational. Given the Student Associations’ political affiliations, a percentage of the money is going towards political agendas and not to the students; its rightful place. We stand for educating students on the importance of
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continuous engagement in university development while improving services to UTS, participating in civic service activities in our communities, and promoting social and economic justice, respect and tolerance for human diversity. We also believe that successfully addressing these challenges will require organisations to join together in developing creative, mutually beneficial solutions—that simultaneously honour the unique interests of each. Our question is how can we work as a team toward achieving the goals and objectives of the Student Association efficient, effective and creative and meaningful in social justice related visioning processes, foster ethical and value based direction setting and collaborate with other organisations. We are asking for your vote and support in this leadership position and challenge. Vote 1 Brigida Johns for Treasurer Vote 1 Connect for SRC and NUS
IRENE HSIEH My name is Irene, and I will be running for Treasurer of your Students’ Association, on GROW for SRC. Treasurers need to be accountable, impartial and highly aware of the fiscal position of the Association throughout their terms. This includes nurturing a model of fiscal prudence with strong finances throughout the time held and future years to come. And that is exactly what I will be achieving. We’ve all made financial decisions, whether in the short or long term. Even coming to university is a financial decision. But if you thought dealing with your payments for university, from your job, and other movements of your money was tedious, the Students Association is a multi-million dollar body that requires meticulous care. The Association needs a clear budget so it is able to allocate its resources to address the best interests of the student body. As the Association’s activities
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heats up throughout the year, someone needs to be keeping track to ensure we have enough fuel for our activities. Accountability would be improved by constant updates and reports on the latest financial matters. As the point of contact, I will be available to give accurate information to those outside the Association and those within it, to improve accountability. A transparent system of sorting spending would be strived for as accurate updates would be provided to the members as well as a copy of spending to be published on the website. It is my commitment to rigorously track of all spending by the Association and communicate that information widely. In addition to this, I will also push to ensure students are also informed about the financial decisions made by the Association and will put the 2015 expenditures for the Student’s Association on the website. All in all, there are three things I promise you I will achieve if I am voted in as treasurer. • I will perform my duties as Treasurer to the best of my ability to ensure all financial movements of the Student’s Association is kept track of, for the entirety of my term. • I will make what your money is spent on visible to you. I will put the 2015 expenditures for the Student’s Association on the website. • I will push to allow more input from students in how funding in the Student’s Association is spent. Vote [1] Irene Hsieh for Treasurer Vote [1] GROW for SRC Vote [1] GROW for NUS
POSTGRADUATE OFFICER
TAPIWA BENGURA No statement received
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MELANIE WILSON Melanie Suzanne Wilson is passionate about improving the experience of postgraduate students. Melanie is studying a Master of Arts (Journalism) at the Tower and Market campuses of UTS. Melanie enjoys getting involved in social groups, which make a difference at the university and in the wider community. Melanie is keen to connect postgraduate students in social endeavors which will progress their careers.
our communities and our world! There’s only so much I can say in 250 words, but evidence of my work this year is readily available. Also, you’re always welcome to ask me anything, or just say hi, at utssa.pg@gmail.com Vote [1] Kate Alway Postgraduate Officer Vote [1] GROW for SRC Vote [1] GROW for NUS
WOMEN’S OFFICER
ELLYSE HARDING
Vote 1 Vail Bromberger Vote 1 Connect for SRC and NUS
KATE ALWAY Hi everyone, I’m very proud of what I have achieved as Postgrad Officer this year, but there’s more to do so I’m asking you to re-elect me! I have fulfilled all my promises – affiliated to CAPA, being available and constantly advocating for postgrads. I also promised to start a collective, but I’ve done better– I’ve started a whole new Postgraduate Representative Union! Of course, starting such a huge project means there is so much more to be done. PRU is a department of the Students’ Association so we need to work out how the structures will work as well as how this Postgrad Officer position can be accountable to PRU without compromising its autonomy. There will be negotiations to conduct and constitutions to write, which I believe will benefit from my consistency and understanding of both organisations.
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Hi I’m Ellyse, I’ve been a student at UTS for two years as Women’s Officer I aim to, Make the campus a safe place for women to interact with one and other to go about their daily lives. Introduce measures and policies explaining the negative consequences of sexual harassment and to dissuade men from such behaviour. Ensure that the UTS Women’s collective has their voice more regularly heard on campus
Vote 1 Vail Bromberger for President Vote 1 Connect for SRC and NUS Vote 1 Spark for Vertigo
SARAH MULHEARN No statement received
There are many other activities which I look forward to participating in whether or not I remain an Office-bearer of the Students’ Association, such as growing the organisation, cementing it in the university and, of course, helping it provide services and run campaigns that will improve the lives and studies of postgrads at UTS, by engaging with our university,
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OVERSEAS STUDENTS OFFICER
Vote 1 Vail Bromberger for President Vote 1 Connect for SRC and NUS
TRACY TANG As the Overseas Students’ Officer, I will work to ensure that international students get the most out of their experience studying in Australia, to make sure that they are aware of their legal rights, in regards to studying, working and living in Australia. It is also important for me to get their voices acrossed and make them to have a real say in how the campus should be run as a part of UTS community. I also would like to see more money funnelled into the support network of international students, providing them with more specific guidance and detailed strategies on academic issues, especially for those who just came and still experiencing language barriers. We should also make them aware of various support systems available at their doorsteps, such as U:PASS for some of the most challenging master courses and the Learning Support Centre to help them develop academic skills such as in writing, reading, critical thinking and provide them help for assignments. In addition to success academically, social life at UTS should be another and one of the most memorable highlights in their life in Australia. Getting more involved, understand Australian cultures and make friends are curial to their wellbeing living overseas. I would like to help working towards a more involved, coherent and enjoyable overseas students community, seeing them engaging more in various clubs and societies, events and entertainment, participating in the gym classes or chat and network more frequently with their peers. It is also essential to make them aware of some unique industry connections provided by UTS and the significance of gaining practical working experience by volunteering, participating in internships and other opportunities available along with studies to enhance their general skills and employability before graduation. It is crucial to provide a better service to international students and make them feel at home, which will help to contribute to a better understanding of multiculturalism to UTS students and to broader community in this more globally integrated century.
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NIDHI BAWEJA Hello! For those of you who don’t know me, I am an International Student from India. I started my degree at UTS in 2012 and straight away noticed that the international student community was lacking a representational body. I then approached the Students Association who helped me start the International Students Collective, and now I want to take my role further to efficiently represent the International Student community to the University. I believe that with strong representation we can achieve our goal of attaining Travel Concessions and better working rights. My aim is to form ties with the International students across other universities and help facilitate cross campus events so that we can get to know more students and address the issues that concern us collectively. I would also like to create events here at UTS where local students can get to know International students and both sides can obtain a better exposure to each others cultures within the university. I have already begun taking the steps necessary to achieve my goals; • • •
I have established the International Students Collective I have affiliated UTS with the Council of International Students Australia (CISA) I have spoken to International students at UTS to gain insight into the issues that affect them daily
With the knowledge I have gained from being involved with the Wom*ns Collective, Ethnoculture Collective and the International Students Collective, I strongly believe that I am capable to handle this task and make student life better for us. If you see me around campus, please don’t hesitate to talk to me! I speak English, Hindi and Spanish and if you have any ideas or other issues that affect us, you can email the collective at international@utsstudentsassociation.org or join our
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facebook group - UTSSA International Students Collective 2014.
VOTE [1] CLARK DONOVAN FOR INDIGENOUS OFFICE because:
Vote [1] Nidhi Baweja for Overseas Student Officer Vote [1] GROW for SRC Vote [1] GROW for NUS
While being involved in Jumbunna, I have seen too many students begin their courses but never complete them. I want to see a greater retention of Indigenous students through improved tutoring services and other supportive measures beyond first year. As indigenous officer, I hope to strengthen the ties between Indigenous Students’ Collective and the Students’ Associations and use my networks throughout this university to address such issues for Indigenous Students.
AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS OFFICER
BRIAN SENTANCE No statement received
NATHAN TAYLOR
The chance of seeing an Indigenous student on campus 60 years ago wouldn’t have been heard of. The changes in our communities have enabled many Indigenous students to be given the chance at further education – but we still have a lot more work to do to make our university a more welcoming and accessible place for Indigenous Students.
No statement received
CHARLENE HUMPHRIES
SRC (10 TO BE ELECTED)
GET A CLUE FOR SRC
No statement received
Madeline Clouston
CLARK DONOVAN Firstly, I would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Gadigal People and Guringgai People of the Eora Nation upon whose ancestral lands the University of Technology, Sydney now stands. My name is Clark and I am a Gumbaynggirr man from Macksville on the mid north coast of NSW.
Get A Clue! For SRC Who is your best bet for SRC? Who will do things the others don’t? Who, when described, is called words such as talented, beautiful and female? Who is an avid study, a presence on campus and a social butterfly? Who wants your vote for SRC and wants you to support a great Vertigo ticket that her friends are on? Who?
VOTE [1] CLARK DONOVAN FOR INDIGENOUS OFFICE because: Get A Clue! It’s Madeline Clouston, that’s who! Through liaising with university officials, faculty staff and the Indigenous student body, I hope to raise awareness of Indigenous issues on campus and maintain a platform that will enable the ongoing success of Indigenous students at UTS. I believe in playing a role in building further unity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students on campus.
Vote 1 Get A Clue! for SRC Vote 1 SPARK for Vertigo!
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CONNECT
Moe Rumman, Sammy Howes, Ben Jackson, Ashkay Raj Kumar, Fabian Vergara, Luke Chapman, Sareeta Shah, Julian Chu, Aaron Colley, James Horsburgh Connect believes that student funding should be given back to students; we wish to extend our student representative council policies transparently to all students; from all genders, ethnicity and backgrounds in the promotion equality and fairness both on and off campus. 1.Mandatory Lecture Recordings; In contrast to all other major universities, not all lectures at UTS are recorded. This can be highly problematic for many students, especially those for whom experience difficulty accessing formal university facilities. Connect with strive to work with the faculty to promote these essential learning tools. 2.Transparency To ensure that all students are better represented, Connect will strive to ensure that all students are kept informed about the Student Representative Councils actions. In order to achieve this we will email students of our actions and encourage suggestions in return. In doing so we will thus, better represent our fellow students and open up dialogue concerning student issues and amenities. 3.Facilities University facilities are an essential element of student life. In order to promote access and support to all students Connect will promote the following ideas concerning student facilities: A) An extension of library hours: Many students lack resources that facilitate greater learning. The most basic of which include; internet and study spaces. Connect will strive to work with the library staff and faculty in order to extend library hours thereby assisting students whom may otherwise be deprived of these valuable resources B) Gender neutral bathrooms. For gender variant or gender ambiguous students using basic facilities such as the campus bathrooms can be an everyday struggle. Connect wishes to accommodate these students and aid in the de-gendering of
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bathrooms on campus. We believe that no student should feel uncomfortable or on campus; bathroom facilities should be safe spaces. C) More microwaves on campus: Microwave shortages in buildings 10 and 11 have been the source of irritation amongst the student body. Connect is enthusiastic in representing all students and their needs. B) Extension of the Blue Bird Breaky Scheme and Food CoOp. Students often live frugal lives. Nutrition, however, is a crucial element of everyday life that promotes wellbeing and is positive in the promotion of good mental health. Connect will aim to not only extend the Blue Bird Breaky Scheme (BBS) across the week but also establish a food co op, wherein students can sell and buy boxes of fruit and vegetables. In achieving this, Connect will help promote the health and well being of students across the board both on and off campus. Furthermore Connect will aim to further extend BBS to accommodate students of all dietary requirements by including vegan and gluten free alternatives. D) Bike Racks and Reusable Coffee Cups: Connect believes in the reduction of our carbon footprint, in establishing more bike racks around both campuses we can both achieve this goal and promote exercise in a safe and simple way. Similarly, by offering the sale of re-usable coffee cups at every cafĂŠ on campus, UTS will take a step forward in the promotion of recyclable materials. 4.Events Connect is interested in contributing to the student calendar. Hosting Student Events that promote an active campus such as hosting a Toga Party and a short film night to showcase student talents.
GROW YOUR SRC
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Max Murphy, Sashin Ranasinghe Jake Witchard, Jennifer Pham, Rayan Calimlim, Christian Goopy, Margaret Sheen, Evan Jeffreys, Clark Donovan, Andie Yates GROW is an alliance of progressive student activists and experienced student reps. Together we have years of experience in the Students’ Association, have run many successful campaigns and been consistently effective advocates for students. We know how to put the best case for students to management, we know who to influence and how to win. It is advocates from GROW that are keeping the university to account for their proposed trimester reform. It is advocates from GROW that have been sitting on boards, speaking with staff and taking your issues to the university. But more than just being the experienced voice for students, we are involved in broader social movements. It is activists from GROW that helped crashed QandA and organised the largest student protest in recent UTS history, all against the Abbott government’s savage attacks on higher education. It is activists from GROW who are building ties with the Aboriginal Tent Embassy and Villawood Detention Centre. We are getting students connected to broader student movements. Our team has already achieved many of our promises this year: • STUVAC - we won it • Emergency food bank – we made it • Education Action Group - we revived it • New caseworker – we’re hiring one • Connected students with broader campaigns – we did it • Kuring Gai events – we organised them • Separate Postgrad union – we launched it • More transparency – we delivered it The GROW team follows through on promises. But we need your help to get even more done. We need you to vote for us so we can GROW your SRC. Vote for GROW and we’ll: • GROW the resistance against Abbott’s higher education cuts and fee deregulation • GROW a campaign for better and more affordable student housing • GROW more food initiatives like cheaper meals, cooking workshops and more • GROW welfare initiatives like tenancy workshops,
• • • • • •
• • • • • • •
workplace rights advocacy, textbook affordability schemes and more GROW the Bluebird Brekkie Bar GROW a fossil-fuel free university and commitments to renewables GROW more campus jobs for students GROW bigger, more well-funded clubs and collectives GROW more recorded lectures and seminars GROW better special consideration policies with special concessions for students with disabilities, queer students, Indigenous students, students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds GROW the campaign against course and subject cuts GROW student-tutor interactivity and one-on-one learning GROW the calculator and lab coat loan service GROW more textbook and readers in the library GROW childcare services and accessibility GROW Indigenous services GROW free printing quotas for all students
There are so many ways our Students’ Association can GROW. Elect a team who have the experience to do it. Elect the team VOTE [1] GROW for SRC VOTE [1] GROW for NUS VOTE [1] Dean Mattar for President VOTE [1] Jess Xu for Secretary VOTE [YES] for a Fossil-Free University
F***** CHRIS PYNE Andy Zephyr, Rhiana-Jade Arment No statement received
UNSHAW FOR SRC: Samuel Langshaw
I am running -I believe, at least - to get onto the Student Representative Council. When there, if I get elected, of course, I will, I hope – maybe, perhaps try and
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change things for the better, or worse, depending on how you look at it – I mean, everything is subjective of course, and as much as I think I might do better, others might think I would not, which would be awkward, potentially. But yes. As your representative, I would advocate strongly (at least in my mind), I hope, for a strong, multi-faceted Student’s Association, backed up by an equally multi-layered Vertigo. I would also like to extend the Breakfast service. Obviously, not the actual table. Or the crates. There probably wouldn’t be any point to elongated tables or crates, or bowls, and I imagine eating with an elongated spoon would make the very process of eating awkward and cumbersome. Or maybe it wouldn’t… it’s hard to say. I meant of course the actual food portion, and times it is available and where. I think. So yes, if you’re from out west, or south, or east, or the north shore – if you’re sure that you’re unsure about how vote, Unshaw for SRC will ensure you become sure of your vote by the time you’ve cast it. I hope. Or maybe not.
SWITCH THE SRC
Daniella Queenan, Thomas Da Jose, David Grover, Sarah Portwine, Andre Brimo, Lucy Bonanno No statement received
NUS
CONNECT
Vote 1 Unshaw for SRC! Vote 1 SPARK for Vertigo!
Peter Zacharatos, Sammy Howes, Akshay Raj Kumar, Luke Chapman, Fabian Vergara, Daniel Li, James Horsburgh
,
MANIFESTO THE MAGNIFICENT FOR SRC: Chris McKay
Manifesto the Magnificent for SRC! Manifesto the Magnificent is the true heir to the throne of the Dimension of Politics, wielder of the staff of democracy and master of the houses of gold and silver. As part of his initiation ceremony to become the God of Politics, Manifesto must conquer another dimension using only the tools of bureaucracy, rhetoric and hand-shaking. Manifesto, using an identity stolen from Chris McKay, is running a campaign with three pillars; Firstly, he will both end and stop education cuts. Secondly, he will also do other things. Thirdly, he’ll support an awesome Vertigo ticket. Fourthly, he’ll look good doing it. All glory be to Manifesto!
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Vote 1 Manifesto the Magnificent for SRC! Vote 1 SPARK for Vertigo!
Akshay Raj University facilities are an essential element of student life. In order to promote access and support to all students Connect will promote the following ideas concerning student facilities: An extension of library hours: Many students lack resources that facilitate greater learning. The most basic of which include; internet and study spaces. Connect will strive to work with the library staff and faculty in order to extend library hours thereby assisting students whom may otherwise be deprived of these valuable resources. Gender neutral bathrooms. For gender variant or gender ambiguous students using basic facilities such as the campus bathrooms can be an everyday struggle. Connect wishes to accommodate these students and aid in the de-gendering of bathrooms on campus. We believe that no student should feel uncomfortable or on campus; bathroom facilities should be safe spaces. More microwaves on campus: Microwave shortages in building 10 and 11 have been the source of irritation amongst the student body. Connect is enthusiastic in representing all
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Fabian Vergara I am passionate about health and the environment which is why I support the policies of, Extending the Blue Bird Breaky Scheme and Food Co-Op. Students often live frugal lives. Nutrition, however, is a crucial element of everyday life that promotes wellbeing and is positive in the promotion of good mental health. Connect will aim to not only extend the Blue Bird Breaky Scheme (BBS) across the week but also establish a food co op, wherein students can sell and buy boxes of fruit and vegetables. In achieving this, Connect will help promote the health and well being of students across the board both on and off campus. Furthermore Connect will aim to further extend BBS to accommodate students of all dietary requirements by including vegan and gluten free alternatives. Bike Racks and Reusable Coffee Cups: Connect believes in the reduction of our carbon footprint, in establishing more bike racks around both campuses we can both achieve this goal and promote exercise in a safe and simple way. Similarly, by offering the sale of re-usable coffee cups at every café on campus, UTS will take a step forward in the promotion of recyclable materials. Luke Chapman Connect is interested in contributing to the student calendar to make UTS a more socially enjoyable place for students. Hosting Student Events that promote an active campus such as hosting regarular campus parties such as a Toga Party to ensure that students engage in a friendly environment. Short film night: This will be a minor version of Tropfest, this will allow students to demonstrate their talents with film design as well as graphics, I believe this will encourage creativity on campus.
GROW YOUR NUS Rahaf Aljayzani, Rayan Calimlim, Max Murphy, Margaret Sheen, Tahla Judeh, Hana Khan, Dean Mattar
The National Union of Students (NUS) is the peak student representative body in Australia. Students from the GROW team are committed to making a difference with progressive policy and action across all Australian universities. GROW, the progressive team for NUS, will make a concerted effort to lobby politicians, universities and companies to make changes that help UTS students. Students from the GROW team have been instrumental in the progressive work of NUS that has directly benefitted UTS students. VOTE GROW for NUS because: GROW believes an activistoriented National Union of Students is the key to making our campaign grow. Christopher Pyne is not going to give up on his university reforms without a fight, so we need to make sure that there are people willing to fight back! Student unions must also stand in solidarity with the oppressed. We have proudly been part of the solidarity campaign with Palestine. The National Union of Students should stand in solidarity with Palestine, just as the UK NUS has done, and denounce Tony Abbott’s continued support for Israel’s war crimes. VOTE GROW For NUS because: We can continue the fight against the deregulation of university fees, a policy which will sentence students to a debt sentence and see the costs of courses increase dramatically. Members of the GROW team have been at the forefront of the national campaign against deregulation and we have been successfully wining the fight in ensuring public opinion is against this policy against students. VOTE GROW For NUS because: We can achieve success in lobbying support for student organisations across Australia. The new senate will give us an opportunity to push for progressive reform that will benefit students. We will fight to keep the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) at a national level, a fee which has vastly improved student representation and campus life at UTS and provided us with many of our essential services. VOTE GROW For NUS because: We can continue lobbying for a fairer Youth Allowance system. The GROW team fought for and won changes to the Youth Allowance system in 2010 and 2011. We were successful in getting the government to lower the age of independence, provide start up scholarships for students and increase the income bank. Whilst this is a
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great start we need to see further changes. The GROW team is committed to continuing the fight for a fairer Youth Allowance so that studying at uni is accessible for everyone, not just those who can afford it. The GROW team will fight the transition of start up scholarships into loans, so that the debt of the most economically vulnerable students isn’t increased. VOTE GROW For NUS because: We can continue to achieve success in lobbying for student welfare in Australia. In 2010 members of the GROW team used our participation in the NUS housing survey to lobby UTS for more student housing. GROW can continue to push for further reform and push more universities to participate in the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) which subsidises student rent so it is 20% below the market rate. VOTE GROW For NUS because: We believe that progressive reform is only achieved if you act collectively at both a campus and national level. We have been at the forefront of the Fair Education – Let’s Fight for it campaign, the campaign for Justice for International Students, Vote 4 Students, Act Now Create Change, Illegal Course Costs, Fair Fares, Our Voice Our NUS and more. We will ensure that the National Union of Students continues to fight for a fair and accessible education system and stands up for student rights. We want an active, progressive and engaged National Union in 2014. VOTE [1] GROW for SRC and NUS DEAN MATTAR for President JESS XU for Secretary IRENE HSIEH for Treasurer NIDHI BAWEJA for Overseas Officer KATE ALWAY for Postgraduate Officer LAURENCE WARREN for Broadway Campus Convener DAVID GROVER for Markets Campus Convener
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Ante Bruning, Jennifer Worgan, Lauren Meola, Ling McGregor, Jess Hay, Brittany Smith It’s springtime. Birds are singing, flowers are blossoming, and you’ve got hay fever. Meanwhile, we’re buzzing with excitement for elections. Despite your puffy eyes and runny nose, we want to talk to you because 1) you’re incredibly good looking and 2) BUZZ wants to make Vertigo about you. Vote [1] BUZZ for Vertigo for: a magazine that will zoom in on you, a culture that you can click into anytime, and a community that you can connect with. So, let’s explore those buzz words further (#soznotsoz). ZOOM - Ever been in a crowded lecture and wondered about the hidden talents of other students? No? Well, BUZZ can’t get it out of our minds. In 1989, no one would’ve suspected they were sitting next to Wolverine. Next year, we want to zoom in on you. We promise more pages to showcase your creativity from business enterprises, scientific discoveries, and design innovations, to your collection of ornamental kitten plates. CLICK - We’d love if Vertigo could sing and dance but technology fails us (if anyone has a blueprint, we’re heaps keen). We haven’t forgotten UTS’s multimedia geniuses. Filmmakers, musicians and interpretive dancers haven’t been featured in Vertigo. With just a click, BUZZ will provide an online stage. Vertigo online will keep up-to-date with the latest buzz. Between print issues, we’ll keep you clicking through topical news covered by UTS students, blogs and pop culture, so that you’re always part of the conversation. And boy, do we love to chat. CONNECT - Campus can feel a little disconnected, particularly when you’re in Blackfriars (where even the hell?). BUZZ wants Vertigo to connect people, places and ideas. We promise a beedazzled editorial structure and we’re leaving the hive door open. We’ll be campaigning with sub-editors as an extension of our team. We need new structures to create a dialogue on the ground between faculties and interest groups. Vertigo should connect UTS’s eclectic backgrounds: if you’re buzzing about LGBTQI issues, Indigenous rights, gender issues, anything, then we promise to provide a space. We want to connect you with Sydney’s subterranean oddities and mainstream fancies (say connect one more time? Connect). BUZZ wants to keep you entertained, enthralled and aroused,
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much like a best friend or a giving lover. The only difference is that your friends/lovers don’t have a sleek matte finish. There’s something in the air, guys. Feel the buzz. Vote [1] BUZZ for Vertigo
SPARK Gabrielle Hyde-Smith, June Murtagh, Gabrielle Rawlings, Cameron Hart, Allison Bermingham, Katherine Kendall, James Wilson, Christopher Dinh,Joshua Cram, Sambari Seermaran, Rachael Versace, Stephanie Aikins SPARK wants to send a thunderbolt through your student magazine. Vertigo will never be the same. And, in lieu of a Pikachu, here’s what we’ll do: Separate and Elevate SPARK plans on taking the magazine you love and adding some positively charged ions—online video content and a fortnightly newspaper. Why? To better fulfil our journalistic responsibilities as the UTS student publication. SPARK will publish and broadcast the vital signs of UTS. (How else should student media make itself relevant?) Rebellious Vertigo When there’s friction on campus, we’ll be there picking up the static and telling it all to you as it happens. If UTS or the Students’ Association is being stupid, we’ll tell you. We’re also extremely keen for a more satirical and objective Vertigo. We also may criticise governments and their prejudice as policy especially if it affects students. A Voice For All Now, steady on, you say. This is a bit of a shock to the system. But Vertigo should be a voice for students, across any faculty and across any interest held by any intellectually curious
student—anyone with that SPARK! All For One In order for the current of communication to flow vividly across campus, we need to see publications that conduct conversation out of every student on campus and in the immediate vicinity of UTS. That’s why SPARK wants greater involvement with clubs and societies. It’s a way of ensuring supercharged Vertigo content from voices from across the switchboard. We also want contributors and sub-editors from every faculty. SPARK wants every student sharing and developing skills they wouldn’t normally have access to. Access is intrinsically important. That’s why, if SPARK wins, the Vertigo door will be open, you will know where it is, and we will be on you like a magnet to submit. Vertigo needs your creative energy in the grid. The SPARK editorial team would make a great lightning conductor. Vote [1] SPARK for Vertigo.
BROADWAY CAMPUS CONVENOR:
LAWRENCE WARREN My name’s Lawrence. I’m a second year engineering/ med science student. This year, I’ll be running for Broadway Campus Convenor. This is a particularly important role at the moment, while the Master plan is unfolding and students are being shuffled between campuses and buildings. The needs of students should be adequately addressed in this process, and representation is vital to communication between students and the university. Should I be elected, I intend to dedicate myself to the role wholeheartedly. Nothing much comes from nothing, and in any elected position you become accountable to those who have voted for you. This is the first time I’ve participated in a student election, though I’m very active in the Queer Collective and am the current Queer Officer. I was editor of the collective magazine, and I organised Pride Week.
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I’m very lucky to be running with many of the awesome activists that UTS counts among its students. These are people who have expressed nothing but dedication to change, motivation and a genuine care for student welfare in the time that I’ve known them. Rest assured that, should you give first preference to GROW, your vote will be going towards the formation of a super-rad, super-enthusiastic SA that has all of our best interests at heart.
BROADWAY CAMPUS SECRETARY Paul Vavich ELECTED UNOPPOSED
BROADWAY CAMPUS WOMEN’S OFFICER Sammy Howes – ELECTED UNOPPOSED
Vote [1] Lawrence Warren for Broadway Campus Convenor Vote [1] GROW for SRC Vote [1] GROW for NUS
MOE RUMMAN I’m Moe, a second year Engineering and Business student and your candidate for SRC. Coming from the western suburbs I understand the vast majority of challenges faced by students who don’t come from a privileged background, like the work/study/life balance, the long commutes, and the psychological stress endured by those who don’t live close to campus. I will strive for an efficient and effective SRC for all students to ensure that the basic necessities for a successful university experience are always available. I remember well when a manic group of selfish protestors disrupted tutorials for my toughest maths classes earlier this year. The last 12 months have been nothing but a shambles when it comes to the SRC advocating for the welfare of UTS students, and it has to change. But the only way to change the mindset of the SRC is to change its representatives. I’m not a political hack – I’m a student. It’s only when the SRC is focused on issues that actually matter to us that we’ll get anything done worth getting done. If you want an SRC that isn’t all posters and no policy Vote 1 Vail Bromberger for President Vote 1 Connect for SRC and NUS Vote 1 Spark for Vertigo
BROADWAY CAMPUS COMMITTEE (10 to be elected): Connect: ELECTED UNOPPOSED. Moe Rumman, Fabian Vergara, James Horsburgh, Delmar Teblanche, Sophie RAY, Axl Gad, Aaron Colley, Tim Wheatley No statement received 2 positions remain vacant.
MARKETS CAMPUS CONVENOR:
LUKE CHAPMAN Connect is interested in contributing to the student calendar to make UTS a more socially enjoyable place for students.Hosting Student Events that promote an active campus such as hosting regarular campus parties such as a Toga Party to ensure that students engage in a friendly environment. Short film night: This will be a minor version of Tropfest, this will allow students to demonstrate their talents with film design as well as graphics, I believe this will encourage creativity on campus.
DAVID GROVER Hi, my name is David Grover and I am a Business and Science student at UTS.
56 / ELECTIONS
UTS STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION ELECTIONS
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS
VOTE [1] DAVID GROVER for Markets Campus Convener because: I believe markets student deserve a strong representation on the SRC and need a fighting voice to the university. I believe that we need a strong voice on important matters for Markets students such as having larger and more accessible 24 hour study spaces especially during exam periods, an end to Saturday exams, STUVAC to allow students to adequately study for their assessments and a Markets multi-faith room. VOTE [1] DAVID GROVER for Markets Campus Convener because: I have a wide range of networks throughout the university that gives me the ability to deliver on my policy. Since beginning my degree heavily involved with Activate UTS, and particularly the Big Lift program. I have been active in the fight against the deregulation of university fees, something which will see Markets students pay significantly more for their degree. VOTE [1] DAVID GROVER for Markets Campus Convener because: The GROW team and I will fight to GROW student activism and students participation in the Markets campus, see the Students’ Association in Markets open, allowing more opportunity for your voice to GROW in our Student Representative Council and achieve our promises. I will make sure all students, whether they are local or international, have an opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns to their student representatives and to the university administration. VOTE [1] DAVID GROVER for Markets Campus Convener because: along with the GROW team, we will fight for your rights on campus and GROW Markets representation on SRC. The GROW team and I are committed to improving your student experience and making the Markets campus a happier, safer and more accessible place to be. VOTE [1] GROW for SRC and NUS VOTE [1] DAVID GROVER for MARKETS CAMPUS CONVENER VOTE [1] RAYAN CALIMLIM for MARKETS CAMPUS SECRETARY VOTE [1] GROW for MARKETS CAMPUS COMMITTEE
Law student at UTS running for Markets Campus Secretary. VOTE [1] RAYAN CALIMLIM for Markets Campus Secretary because: I want to make student representation in the Students’ Association relevant to all of UTS. I believe in doing this by reinvigorating the Markets voice in the Markets Campus Committee to the SRC. I will work to make the SRC more accessible and more active for Markets students. VOTE [1] RAYAN CALIMLIM for Markets Campus Secretary because: I have the experience and the networks in this university to deliver on what GROW hopes to achieve for Markets students. In the three years I have been at UTS I have served as a director and acting Vice President of the UTS Activate Union Board. I have managed a number of clubs on campus include starting UTS’ first craft beer club: BrewTS. And I have delivered through these roles with renovations to the UTS underground and by bringing craft beer on campus. VOTE [1] RAYAN CALIMLIM for Markets Campus Secretary because: I believe education is a right and that for education to be accessible to all students we need to fight against issues such as illegal course costs by having more textbooks in the library, readers available online and expanding the calculator loan service. I will VOTE [1] GROW for SRC and NUS VOTE [1] DAVID GROVER for MARKETS CAMPUS CONVENER VOTE [1] RAYAN CALIMLIM for MARKETS CAMPUS SECRETARY VOTE [1] GROW for MARKETS CAMPUS COMMITTEE
JULIAN CHU No statement received
MARKETS CAMPUS WOMEN’S OFFICER: Sareeta Shah – ELECTED UNOPPOSED No statement received
MARKETS CAMPUS SECRETARY
RAYAN CALIMLIM Hi there, I’m Rayan Calimlim and I’m a
ELECTIONS / 57
VERTIGO
ISSUE EIGHT: OTHERWORLDS
UTS STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION ELECTIONS
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS
MARKETS CAMPUS COMMITTEE
VOTE [1] GROW for SRC and NUS VOTE [1] DAVID GROVER for MARKETS CAMPUS CONVENER VOTE [1] RAYAN CALIMLIM for MARKETS CAMPUS SECRETARY VOTE [1] GROW for MARKETS CAMPUS COMMITTEE
(10 to be elected):
KURING-GAI CAMPUS CONVENOR:
CONNECT
Brigida Johns, Luke Chapman, Julian Chu, Sharna White, Melanie Wilson, Allyse Harding, Bridget Payne, Tracy Tang – 8 ELECTED UNOPPOSED No statement received
GROW:
Jake Witchard, Clark Donovan - 2 ELECTED UNOPPOSED
Ben Jackson – ELECTED UNOPPOSED
KURING-GAI CAMPUS SECRETARY: No nominations, Position remains vacant.
KURING-GAI CAMPUS WOMEN’S OFFICER: No nominations – position remains vacant
VOTE to GROW your Markets Campus Committee because: The GROW team recognise that the voice of students at Markets often gets lost as simply part of the “city campus”, and that they have definite and specific concerns of their own. This is why Markets Students need a strong voice on SRC. We are committed to keeping the doors of the Markets Students’ Association open, so that we can facilitate communication between markets, SRC and the university administration. VOTE to GROW your Markets Campus Committee because: We will fight against illegal course costs such as paying for required textbooks, readers and calculators, by expanding the Students’ Association calculator loan service and fighting for more copies of text books in the library. We will fight for lectures and seminars to be recorded so that missing a lecture doesn’t impact the quality of your education. VOTE to GROW your Markets Campus Committee because: the GROW team has delivered by bring the Blue Bird Brekkie Bar to the Markets campus and achieving a 24 hours study space. We want to expand on this, fighting for more 24 hour study spaces during exam periods, reintroducing STUVAC and expanding on the Blue Bird Brekkie Bar service.
58 / ELECTIONS
KURING-GAI CAMPUS COMMITTEE (10 to be elected): Only nomination was received from Ben Jackson who was elected unopposed to position of Campus Convenor therefore 10 positions remain vacant.
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Experience great musicians playing great music. CLASSICAL
STUDENT RUSH TICKETS $15*
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A GOLDBERG TAPESTRY
WEST SIDE STORY
Chamber musicians of your Sydney Symphony Orchestra bring you 75 continuous minutes of unique and remarkable music, featuring highlights from the Goldberg Variations interwoven with new music.
Verona meets New York City meets the Sydney Opera House in this special screening of West Side Story. Join us for the timeless cinematic love story, remastered in high definition and projected onto the big screen while the SSO play Bernstein’s magical score live below.
Celebrating and elaborating on the work of J.S. Bach.
Wed 15 Oct 7pm VERBRUGGHEN HALL, SYDNEY CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC
Quiz and meet the musicians post-concert!
On stage & screen
Thu 6 Nov 6.30pm Fri 7 Nov 8pm BEST SEATS Sat 8 Nov 8pm SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
Benjamin Northey conductor
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*Sign up before 6 October 2014 at sydneysymphony.com and an email offer will be sent to you (A Goldberg Tapestry only). Booking fee of $3 may apply. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Limit of 1 ticket per student ID applies. Valid student ID must be presented upon ticket collection. ^Booking fees of $7.50 – $8.95 may apply. A Goldberg Tapestry tickets $35. West Side Story tickets from $39.