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VOLUME five | antiques roadshow
VERTIGO MAGAZINE volume five | antiques roadshow
ALFA ROMEO
Artwork Mark Version AW Printed Version CMYK
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WE ARE CLOSING PERMANENTLY ON OCTOBER 30 After 25 years, the time has come for the second hand bookshop to close. Thanks for your support over the years!
Broadway Store Level 3, Tower Building near the food court Ph. 9514 7788
Wipe the dust from your clock face lest you lose sight of time, take it by the hands and dance with it slow spin, sway to the beat as it sings of the past, count the steps of your love affair and slip into yesterday. When I was young my grandfather would give me a globe each birthday wink and tell me the world was mine, I’d line them up in my room and pretend to be king, the oceans were a light blue and the countries lay silent as if asleep. Now my histories are split like hemispheres each with a different temperament, the oceans are shaded grey and borders drawn in bold lines, no longer am I kind passing prophets on the sidewalk begging for change.
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UTS STUDENT MAGAZINE : SEPTEMBER 2016
E D I T OR I A L A MESSAGE FROM THE TEAM We’ve been thinking a lot about when we were kids, and when our parents were kids, and when our grandparents were kids, right back to when the dust six-feet-under played jacks on the street with sheep’s bones. When your grandmother rests you on her knee, fixing your hair, and filling your head with stories of lost time, she reminds you of how much you’ve grown. We’ve also been thinking a lot about how thrifting is very in, but it’s so hard to actually find something wearable. Antiques Roadshow is about backstories. In our showcase section, Rose Mary Petrass’ creative nonfiction, ‘The Delineation of Memory’, is a stuck record. Her words are like your keys on the sideboard - forgotten as soon as they are set down. In poetry, Katie Kendall gets into a double bed with Aileen Wuornos in ‘Monster’: All the men she’s killed fill our closet, like grotesque pelts in our twenty a night trophy case just off the highway, their skin peeled off their bodies, ripped from their vile hands, and made into warm clothes so she can wear all her ghosts.
Rekha Dhanaram and Alexandra Wright have adorned this volume with an assortment of odds and ends, from buttons to brushes. Megan Wong illustrates a homage to Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake in celebration of Dahl’s 100th birthday that will make you want to dust off your copy of ‘The BFG’. We are always astounded by our visual contributors - this time in particular by the sketchwork of Gigi Li, Eva Harbridge, and Wilson Leung. Basilia Dulawan has left us speechless with this cover, drawing on the earthy tones of her Filipino heritage. You may have noticed that Antiques Roadshow is more jam-packed than usual. At the end of this volume you will find material on the upcoming student elections. Be sure to read the statements carefully and then use this volume to swat away passing campaigners. Thank you to everyone who brought together this volume: 83 people were involved, not including the efforts that the staff at Chinese Noodle House have put in to provide us with top quality braised eggplant year-round. A huge thank you to our sub-editors and design team for being the most talented people we have ever met. Love,
OFF THE VOLUME : ANTIQUES ROADSHOW PLAYLIST HUYEN HAC HELEN TRAN Head to our website, utsvertigo.com.au, to listen along while you flip through the pages of Volume Five.
THANK YOUS
FUCK YOUS
/ Sporcle quizzes
/ Read receipts on Facebook
‘Lullaby feat. Soft Glas’ by Chargaux
/ All-day breakfasts
/ High pollen counts
2/
‘Quelqu’un m’a dit’ by Carla Bruni
/ Drake and Rihanna
/ UTS Online
3/
‘Life’ by Gypsy & The Cat
/ Jumpers for puppers
/ The Daily Mail
4/
‘The Good Fight’ by Gang of Youths
/ That 400-year-old shark from
/ The long commute to
5/
‘If It’s Not With You’ by Phoenix
Iceland
Marrickville
6/
‘Keep the Customer Satisfied’ by Simon & Garfunkel
7/
‘So Jealous’ by Tegan and Sara
8/
‘Rush’ by Kali Uchis
1/
SHRUGS / Trust exercises / Celebrity similarity quizzes / Turtlenecks
CONTACT US :
Website
Enquiries
Submissions
utsvertigo.com.au
editorial@utsvertigo.com.au
submissions@utsvertigo.com.au
E D I T OR S WHAT’S T HE OLDEST THING IN YOUR HOUSE?
Ling McGregor Editor-in-chief (Creative); Visual Showcase Editor Congealed MasterFoods spice jar.
Lauren Meola Editor-in-chief (Managing); Off-Broadway Editor My dad’s moustache.
Ante Bruning Proof Editor; Culture Editor A bible published in 1905.
Jennifer Worgan Copy Editor; Rear Window Editor I’ve been told that some of my excuses are getting pretty old.
Zac Blue Poetry Editor; Lifestyle and Innovation Editor My soul.
Raveena Grover The Social Environment Editor; Tupperware containers from the 1980s.
Surabi Alauddin Politics Editor My mum’s gender stereotypes.
Srisha Sritharan Online Editor My senile spirit.
Jessica Wang Online Editor A piece of Tasmanian green cheese.
Kiên Lê Board Lifestyle and Innovation Editor; Off-Broadway Sub-editor Jazzy 1930s bookcase.
Kimberly Luo Creative Director My dad’s jokes.
Wendy San Creative Director This christmas tree from the 1990s that now lives under my sister’s bed.
EDITORS
SUB-EDITORS
CREATIVE DIRECTORS
Srisha Sritharan
Janette Chen
Kimberly Luo
Jessica Wang
Linus Jamal Faustin
Wendy San
Jennifer Worgan
Isaac Garcia
Surabi Alauddin Zac Blue Kiên Lê Board Ante Bruning Raveena Grover Ling McGregor Lauren Meola
Zoe Knowles
DESIGNERS
Enoch Mailangi
Jordan Evans
Brittany Smith
Rekha Dhanaram
Beatrice Tan
Megan Wong
Huyen Hac Helen Tran ARTWORK : alexandra wright
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UTS STUDENT MAGAZINE : SEPTEMBER 2016
Vol um e 5 C ON T R I B UT ORS WRITING
VISUAL
Eugenia Alabasinis
Emma Saunders
Lucy Allen
Leanne Nguyen
Lachlan Barker
Larissa Shearman
Michelle Bae
Rosa Nguyen
Divina Blanca
Kieran Smith
Mina Bassilious
Tiffany Nguyen
Gabriella Brackenbury-Soldenhoff
Lucy Tassell
Natalie Borghi
Vanessa Papastavros
Vail Bromberger
Sean Teasdale
Judy Dao
Andrew Vuong
David Burley
Navira Trimansyah
Georgia Doust
Alexandra Wright
Fabián Marcel Vergara DeLeón
Emily Trueman
Basilia Dulawan
Shay Xayalith
Ryan Doyle
Zalehah Turner
Lauren Fitzpatrick
Kate Gogolewski
Rosie Gearside
Tess Hanson
Eva Harbridge
Brenna Harding
Christy Hui
Eleanor Harrison
Tristan Ireland
Sam Howes
Ilham A Islmail
Katie Kendall
Elizabeth Jung
Julia McNamara
Kelly Lam
Lily Mei
Matthew Leung
Madelyne Norris
Wilson Leung
Vanessa Papastavros
Gigi Li
Rose Mary Petrass
Maddie Lumley
Deanna Rowe
Jess Mai
Mohamed Rumman
Kathy Ngo
CREDITS Cover Basilia Dulawan
Section Breaks Rekha Dhanaram
Opening Page Rekha Dhanaram (Photography) Zac Blue (Words)
Advertising Stephanie King
WELCOME TO COUNTRY
PUBLISHING
UTS acknowledges and recognises the Gadigal people of the Eora nation as the Traditional Owners and holders of knowledge for these places where our UTS campuses now stand at Broadway and Market City. UTS also acknowledges Elders past, present and future, including the contribution that Australia’s Indigenous people make to the academic and cultural life of the university.
Vertigo is published by the UTS students’ association, and printed by SOS printing, Alexandria.
- Aunty Joan Tranter, Inaugural Elder in Residence, University of Technology, Sydney.
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 consent of written copyright holders.
DISCLAIMER The contents of Vertigo do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Editors or the UTS Students’ Association.
COPYRIGHT
CONTENTS ANTIQUES ROADSHO W
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showcase 45
/ Personal Essay
/ Cover Artist
/ Confessional Poetry
/ Product Design
politicS 10 / News / Ideologies / Opinion / Indigenous Policy
the social environment 20 / Trending / Culture and Religion / Racial Issues / Personal Essay
Culture 29 / Tribute / Music / Books / Live / Film / Art
/ Fashion / Creative Nonfiction / Flash Fiction / Poetry
OFF-BROADWAY
62
/ Join the Club / Faculty Feature / SA Reports / Collectives
lifestyle & INNOVATION
70
/ Gaming / Food / Subcultures / Sex
REAR WINDOW
77
/ News / Horoscopes
ELECTION MATERIAL
82
/ Returning Officer’s Report / Policy Statements
ARTWORK : Alexandra wright
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A n t i q u e s r o a d s h o w : p e r s o n a l e s s ay
Folktales, Archetypes, Myths Vanessa Papastavros Words and images
I know I will never produce an original story. The narratives that hold our histories and capture our contemporary adventures are all one in the same, and there is nothing new, nothing novel. I take comfort in this. When people treat creation myths or fables as if they are derivative nonsense, I fear that they have disconnected from the very stories that define their capacity to be human. Common myths express a wisdom that has been encrypted in all humans –whether this has come about through evolution or a spiritual process is a matter of personal opinion. If you really feel that you, in all your individual and unique storytelling prowess, can contribute a story that is original or new, let me debunk that myth. Folktales, myths, and archetypes entertained me in childhood and continue to fascinate me in my adult years. Carl Jung believed that myths and dreams were the fin– gerprints of our collective unconscious, conveying core ideas that are part of the human species as a whole. If you take a dip into the folklore of Europe, Asia, and the Americas (categories that contain micro-categories) you will find the same stories crop up over and over again. For example, the myth of the Egyptian god Osiris tells of the deity’s death, mourning, and seasonal rebirth. This story reappears with the Babylonian god Tammuz, the Greek Adonis and Heracles, the Aztec goddess of death Coatlicue and, of course, the Christian representation of Jesus. None of these stories are original, but reappear in narratives across cultures and across different periods in history.
The first time I read about the archetypal role of Persephone, Greek goddess of the Underworld, I was disturbed by how much of myself I found in her. It was during the height of my Sylvia Plath obsession, so this extraneous link to another death and rebirth figure was almost alarming. From childhood, the idea of dying had always left me spellbound. A Jungian psychology book (which sounds so damn mystic-new-age-hippy that it makes me cringe) identified my character as being disproportionately Persephone. Among the other archetypes, I identified most strongly with hers. I now can see that I am, and always have been, linked to this archetype. I am a medium– istic mystic obsessed with my own cycle of death and rebirth. However, the power of archetypal storytelling is in its ability to teach balance. By understanding Persephone’s story, I understood how to exist inside that reality. I have learned that other archetypes exist within me also, and these familiar characters teach me how to be whole. Folktales, which are a traditionally oral medium, expand and inspire reincarnations of the same story across generations. However, it is impossible that a single “original” author inspired duplicates over dispersed cultures in a time before Google Translate or the printing press. Jung proposed that story patterns are encoded in the human brain, causing similar patterns to crop up in mythologies around the world. These common stories are built into us. The variants of the death and rebirth myth in fact came from one original source – the seasonal shifts between summer, autumn, winter, and spring. Creatures like
mermaids, vampires, and fairies appear across all cultural traditions, acting as harbingers of peril, danger, or mischief. Characters like the healer, the guide, the villain and the hero appear in a formula that is repeated across every epic narrative. In fact, every culture in recorded history contains myths that fall into the ‘Hero’s Journey’ category. In this archetypal narrative, the protagonist and some companions set out to acquire an important object, or to get to a location, facing many obstacles and temptations along the way. In modern retellings, it is necessary to have some sort of guide figure with a white beard.* However, the most famous folkloric example is The Iliad, which existed first in the bard tradition before being written down. We are all pilgrims travelling through the collective unconscious that links us to our past and present antecedents. It is a connected space populated by instincts and archetypes. We find our own stories and ourselves in the universal symbols of the Great Mother, the Wise Old Man, the Trickster, the Tree of Life, and the other archetypes that crop up time and time again. These ancient stories that are made new, deliver us key, universal understandings about who we are and where our purpose lies. I am grateful that I will never write an original story, because it means that I am in fact continuing a story that has no ending. *See Gandalf, Dumbledore, Obi-Wan Kenobi
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antiques roadshow : CONFESSIONAL poetry
LAUREN MEOLA I am pacing in this bathroom again, naked. I can’t look away from my body. I remember toothpaste, toothbrushes, our two faces, I used to like the feeling of getting ready for bed with you I used to like how your hair was curly even with a brush halfway through. I look down to spit in the sink. I run my fingers over the bumps you left on my skin, and I think of every dip as a freestyle rap you spat when cooked, every peak as a laugh in a speeding car and I only got booked once. You had tired eyes, and I knew before you said it I felt you watching me as I drove. In the softly lit moments in which we wove through hairpin turns harmonising and those moments where I would catch your eyes, in that split second before you turned your head to the road, how in bed it was your gift bestowed - a look of lust transcended and love sown.
Six hours from home we nearly spun out. I nearly hit an animal we couldn’t reach Alpha, I was starting to wonder if we’d get there I still wonder now about how we couldn’t get there. I am naked again in this bathroom, pacing. I like to look at my body and pretend it’s through your eyes I like to stare at my own face until I cry I find myself beautiful I find myself strong I want to make love to me I save me I laugh at my jokes I make myself happy I undress myself as I dance and my body moves for me alone. I don’t need you back. Not now but I’m scared that one day I might I’m scared that ‘what will happen, will happen’ should have already happened and I’ve lived happily, but every now and then, I’ll wonder, what happened to you.
artwork : wendy san
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/ Politics
POLITICS : NEWS
Around the World in 80 Seconds: Global Political Snapshot
The Middle East Yemen: Saudi Arabian air strikes against the exiled Houthi government hit a school, killing ten children. The Yemen Civil War between Saudi-backed President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and the Houthi opposition began in 2014 and has resulted in three million displaced Yemenis. Turkey: A blast at an outdoor wedding party in the city of Gaziantep has killed at least 30 people and injured 94 more. Reports indicate an Islamic State suicide bomber carried out the attack. Africa South Africa: The African National Congress has won the majority of votes in the Municipal Elections with a historically low 53.9 percent win, a result unprecedented since the end of the apartheid in 1994. Asia Indonesia: Australian woman, Sara Connor, and her British boyfriend, David Taylor, are accused of murdering a Bali policeman, Wayan Sudarsa, who was found with 42 wounds to his body, on Kuta Beach. South Korea: North Korea’s deputy ambassador to Britain, Thae Yong-ho has defected to South Korea, reportedly due to his “disgust” with Kim Jong-un’s regime.
Australia: Six Danish politicians are set to travel to Nauru to study Australia’s offshore asylum-seeker settlements. Member of Parliament, Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen, said that the trip was an opportunity for her to, “ask some of the questions that the Australian Government is preventing journalists from asking”. The Americas Brazil: The Brazilian senate has suspended Dilma Roussoff as President to face an impeachment trial. She is to be replaced by Conservative Michel Tenner and is accused, amongst other things, of budgetary malpractice. United States of America: A Muslim imam, Maulana Akonjee, and his associate, Thara Uddin, both dressed in religious garb, were fatally shot while walking home from afternoon prayers at a mosque in Queens, New York City. Oscar Morel, a school cleaner, has been charged with their murders. Europe Italy: A powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit central Italy on the 24 August 2016 reportedly killing 250 people, injuring 400 more, and devastating the villages in the area. The Italian government declared a state of emergency allocating 50 million euros of emergency funding.
Oceania Philippines: With the number of drug-related killings in the Philippines on the rise, the United Nations has called on President Puerte to back down on his hardline anti-drug stance. In response, Puerte has denied the involvement of the police in so called ‘extra-judicial’ killings of drug offence suspects and emphatically criticised the UN.
artwork : rekha dhanaram
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politics : ideologies
t h e g o o d o l d d ays : t h e p o l i t i c s o f n o s ta l g i a Fabián Marcel Vergara DeLeón I am a notoriously pessimistic person. At first glance of my Facebook news feed, you’d think I was in good company; everyone seems to have the same, worn out observation that, “the world is so fucked up now”. This is something I vehemently reject because it is empirically wrong. Moreover, to quantify the state of the entire world on the basis of events that take place in one part of it is a dumbfoundingly simplistic means of asserting such a claim. What draws my ire even more is that the majority of people making these statements are those from my generation. I would perhaps be less incensed to write the words you’re reading had the people saying things like this actually lived in a different era, say a thousand years ago. But they didn’t. Let’s begin with why people anywhere might make such a fallacious claim. In the simplest of terms, we are living in the information age. In the past, it took an incredible amount of time for information to reach people. Newspapers, radios, and television were the only means to access what was happening in the world. But the advent of the internet changed the way news was delivered and consumed. You can now open Facebook and there will be a small ticker with news in the corner. Journalists in Australia know if a pin drops in Germany, and will report on it within the hour. Whereas our society had in the past been partially aware of major goings-on, now human beings have the capacity to be perpetually informed about everything, at all hours of the day. Now this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, the human memory is an incredibly fragile thing. People are keen to remember by-gone days because they associate them with better times. But what is actually happening is that they are merely remembering a time when they didn’t hear about terrorist attacks or civil wars that were occurring. Politically, conservatives in particular, utilise the phenomenon of positive nostalgia to draw popular support for the values of yesterday. This is nothing new: Hitler very commonly alluded to Imperial Germany and its glorious reign, going so far as to refer to the nation he led as the Third Reich, the successor to the previous two imperial Reichs. This nostalgic framing allowed him to gain popular support and, through violent means, invade and reincorporate Poland and Czechoslovakia, sovereign states
which had been a part of the German empire previously. The German government of the time had stated that the existence of these two states were built on lies. This is an extreme example, but an iconic one. In an example closer to our time, the current conservative president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has officially adopted the policy of Neo-Ottomanism, an ideology which seeks to revive the glorified Ottoman Empire, the zenith of Turkish culture and power in the world. The ideology has swayed the Turkish electorate enough to vote Erdoğan and his party into power twice consecutively. However, it is not the Turkish state which stands to benefit the most from what this ideology is offering, but Erdoğan himself, as he seeks to centralise all of the political institutions of the Turkish state, and essentially gain control of the entire nation. Both Hitler and Erdoğan had personal ulterior motives that they, to an extent, achieved largely because of the appeals made to their people rooted in the nostalgia of their respective nations’ collective consciousness. I wholeheartedly believe this kind of thinking is detrimental to society because it encourages us to turn back to ideologies that we abandoned for a reason. Human history is littered with examples of warfare, great crimes and terrorism, but why are some so quick to say that, “everything is going to hell”? There has not been a war between world powers in decades, and democratic values have been proliferated. Of the 195 sovereign states in the world, only 51 are not free and democratic, and there is substantially less conflict now than there has been in the past. The take-home message is that the past was neither better nor worse than the present. The world has been in a perpetual state of unease since humans appeared in it. Any notion that the past had some essential qualities that made it better than now, is an attempt to convey conservative rhetoric. The reality of the situation is that, as a political society, we abandoned the values of the past because we found ones more relevant to the times we lived in. Politicians who encourage their citizens to cling on to values of the past are doing so for their own electoral gain, forgetting that those values were abandoned for a reason.
artwork : CHRISTY HUI
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POLITICS : OPINION
YOUTH DETENTION CENTRES: REHABILITATION OR HUMILIATION VAIL BROMBERGER Like most important social issues, it took an episode of ABC’s ‘Four Corners’ to bring the spotlight of public horror upon the Don Dale Detention Facility. And to be fair, it is hardly surprising that intense and focussed journalism was needed to catalyse public outrage – the institutional detention of child inmates in the Northern Territory is neither familiar nor relatable to most, nor easily comprehended, in no small part due to the Territory’s isolation from viewers around Australia’s coasts. The incarceration of children, who have committed criminal offences and been found guilty, is at the best of times a touchy subject that most would prefer never to contemplate. The worst of times is what we saw in July, where children were tear-gassed, humiliated and made to fear an imminent death, as a result of the actions of those guarding the facility.
I’ll be upfront here. I don’t consider myself qualified to proclaim whether the child inmates in Don Dale were actually violent offenders who demonstrated aggression to prison staff. I’m not in a position to answer these questions. And for present purposes, I don’t think it particularly matters. Let’s presume that all eleven child inmates were convicted of serious or violent offences. Let’s assume they’re all just one day shy of adulthood, and thus more adult than child. Let’s assume that spitting at guards was behaviour significant enough to warrant the placing of hoods over their heads. Let’s even assume that a riot at Don Dale did occur, rather than one inmate’s escape. And sure, I’ll throw in a presumption that those incarcerated could seriously injure staff, just for good measure. Whether they are riotous aspiring criminals, or the most beautifully behaved children in the world, the treatment of those children is entirely at the whims of the prison staff. Accepting these presumptions, the Territory government expanded the powers of those whims. And we are actually left with a group of frightened individuals, away from any family that they know, in an isolated facility, at the mercy of jail guards. Who are the Don Dale staff, who hold the colossal task of guarding and caring for child inmates? What we were presented with in the doco were adult males who revelled in the humiliation and suffering of their charges, seeking to enforce unbelievably cruel discipline wherever the excuse could be made. We hear guards laughing about pulverising a child. We see staff rush at a child in solitary confinement, who was merely accused of swearing, strip him naked and replace his clothes with a hospital-like smock. Such gross humiliation of an individual is generally reserved for only the most serious of cases – the procedure is commonly used for cases of credibly suicidal individuals, who are suspected of concealing contraband. The readiness to dole out swift and certain violence, and to do away with the high bar for violating bodily sovereignty, makes the graveyard culture apparent. It seems to self-
perpetuate through the infliction of violence, the suffering and intimidation of children, and the use of humiliation. It sees children in detention as dangerous criminals, pariahs to society, rather than children in very serious trouble, who need appropriate supervision and assistance. This is perfectly exemplified by the tear-gassing of numerous child inmates due to a ‘riot’. This deliberate description is incorrect, as Dr Howard Bath explains, a riot is an illegal assembly of a group of people. One inmate escaping his cell, even by use of a weapon, could never constitute a riot. The problem is that genuine fear seems to hamper an ability to view the behaviour of a single child as being just that. Delighting in the fight and psyching each other up does not come from a place of empathy, or sense of proportionality. Prison guards are an integral and undervalued profession in the realm of public service. Their work is tough and often under-remunerated. What needs to be investigated is whether these staff members were provided the necessary training and support to adequately carry out their duties without the need to resort to such outrageous tactics. The slashing of funds to the public sector nationwide, which employs these correctional officers, clearly isn’t helping. Nevertheless, children in jail are vulnerable, and are acutely affected by the misbehaviour of prison staff. When children are locked up, they deserve to be protected from such institutional abuse. And those prone to the disgusting behaviour we saw deserve to be kept as far away from child inmates as is possible.
ARTWORK : ROSA NGUYEN
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politics : indigenous policy
closing the gap in discourse and action sean teasdale
Sean Teasdale examines the continuing Colonisation of the Other in Indigenous Australia.
When ABC’s ‘Four Corners’ uncovered appalling images of children and young adults being mistreated in Northern Territory youth detention centres, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull didn’t hesitate in response, acting immediately to establish a Royal Commission. While some have called for a cultural and attitudinal change, the problem runs much deeper.
During the past fifteen years, the dominant development discourse surrounding Indigenous Australians has centred on the Close the Gap Campaign, which seeks to highlight and address the health and life expectancy inequities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Unfortunately, the 2016 Close the Gap report paints virtually the same picture as the original in 2005. Both reports found a life expectancy gap of approximately ten years between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, with just a few months of difference. Broadly, Indigenous communities continue to face a serious disadvantage across a range of health conditions, with little measurable outcomes. As an attempt to obtain greater equality, the Close the Gap campaign remains lacklustre, over-simplified and uninspiring. This is because it does not discuss who or what caused the gap, or how the gap’s narrative has been historically constructed. Wider Australia’s engagement with Indigenous Australia has been, in large, viewed through a deficit lens of Close the Gap which ultimately provides a monolithic representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. It fails to recognise historical colonial processes and the enduring heterogeneous nature of Indigenous Australian culture and identity. Close the Gap is largely a data-driven portrayal of the health and life-expectancy inequities faced by Indigenous Australia. It focusses solely on a framework of statistical inequality with little attention paid to stories or facts about cultural and development deficits or challenges. This is highlighted by a number of reports about Indigenous disadvantage in the ABC archives that rely heavily on statistics alone, without acknowledgement of meaningful forms of identity. To combat this, many politicians would argue that the cornerstone of any good policy aiming to tackle social injustice should be grounded in evidence. Indeed, one of the distinguishing features of the Close the Gap approach is the focus on evidence-based decisions.
Jenny Macklin, former Minister for Families, Housing, Communities and Indigenous Affairs, emphasised this point in introducing the Close the Gap strategy: “Inevitably there will be difficult decisions but all these decisions will be driven by one single criterion - evidence…all our policy decision-making will be based on a thorough, forensic analysis of all the facts and all the evidence.”
The problem is that the promise of measurable progress paints an idealised outlook. In a study conducted by Pholi, Black and Richards in 2009, they explain that the “clarity, simplicity and political neutrality” of this approach suggests a bi-partisan effort between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia to achieve a common goal, and in doing so, makes the campaign an immensely appealing symbol for governments and communities alike. Nevertheless, the fact remains that the evidence methodology of Close the Gap relies heavily on quantitative health indicators that are based almost entirely upon biomedical statistics. The data used is drawn from a pool of pluralistic and generalised attitudes and behaviours of individuals that does not explain shifts in broader cultural dynamics. The study states that, “studies of the health impacts of social inequality have found the individualistic biomedical model inadequate for explaining health disparities.” The collective data paints a picture of a homogenised Indigenous Australia, one made up of geographically bounded ‘communities’ that in reality, do not necessarily exist. This does not account for the dynamics within and between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies, or of the structural conditions and intersectional relationships between Indigenous and nonIndigenous Australia. An alarming report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare on the 9 June 2015, provided further insight on where governments are failing to meet their Close the Gap targets, finding that the gap is actually
artwork : tiffany nguyen
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politics : indigenous policy
widening when it comes to cancer and suicide rates. The report also claims that the imprisonment rate of Indigenous people compared to non-Indigenous people had risen a staggering 82 percent since 2000. Since the airing of footage of what is tantamount to torture in the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre, many leaders have condemned the crisis of incarceration and mistreatment of children. It is symptomatic of a legal-policy framework that does not account for the nuanced and dynamic needs of those least equipped to negotiate the system: children, the mentally ill, and those suffering from the effects of unavoidable intergenerational trauma and disadvantage. Instead, the system criminalises the behaviour of individuals who come into contact with its institutions, and exhibits structurally violent tendencies at the cross roads between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia. The self-professed government agenda of ‘self-management, self-determination and consultation’ is failing young people in detention. It reflects a history of political leaders who have overseen the rise in a punitive and retributive system, rather than a restorative system that is better able to minimise harm and enhance well-being to the individual and wider community in both social and economic terms. What is happening to youth in the Northern Territory is not a new phenomenon; in Australia’s history, simply being black, impoverished, mentally ill or generally at the bottom of the social hierarchy, made one a criminal, to be dealt with by incarceration and a tough-on-crime legal apparatus. This is not to say that the aims of Close the Gap are not important, or that reports like these are not wellintentioned. These attempts to transform the health outcomes of communities living inside complex cultural structures demonstrate a lack of deep understanding, or willingness to understand the inherent social complexities present in these communities. They hint at a more sinister redefining of colonial power and control, within which there are forces that exert concealed political influence over
minorities. Gramsci’s more nuanced conceptualisation of ideological hegemony expands the simplified elements of ‘false consciousness’ or ‘brainwashing’ put forward by Marx and can be suitably applied here. By reducing the lives of Indigenous Australians to a range of numerical deficits, best dealt with by government-set targets, an environment of dominance is created by the ruling class’ ability to present itself as best equipped to fulfil the interests of Indigenous Australians, camouflaging unequal forms of institutionalised power. Strategies of negotiation, consultation and compromise with Indigenous communities are encouraged only so far as the needs of the minority do not conflict with the socioeconomic goals and interests of the majority. Indigenous communities are often blamed for their predicament, while the past and present effects of colonial enterprise and the violent atrocities they suffered at the hands of white men go unquestioned. These persisting ‘white-man’ systems of thought and belief illustrate that the black personhood has and still does lack genuine agency, and thus requires a forgetting, re-shaping, and re-telling of shared histories in which an identity is carved for them by the powers of the colonial enterprise. Ultimately, the relationship between Aboriginal and White Australia - despite having made progress, remains one of power imbalances, oppression and varying degrees of complex cultural hegemony. The Close the Gap discourse can be seen to be more valuable as a sign of ongoing colonial power exerted by persisting ‘white-man’ assumptions and stereotypes, rather than a true discourse about reconstructing a more accurate narrative of cultural identity.
UTS STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION’S
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/ The Social Environment
The Social Environment : trending
Is Australia a Post-Colonial nation? Raveena Grover
Where does Australia lie within the scope of colonialism? Kwame Nkrumah, author and leader of Ghana’s independence movement, provides an outline in his 1965 work, ‘NeoColonialism, the Last Stage of Imperialism’. He states, “Neo-colonialism is based upon the principle of breaking up former large, colonial territories into a number of small non-viable States”. Nkrumah argues that any state, “incapable of independent development”, such as Australia, must rely upon the former imperial power for defence and internal security. In 1901, Federation seemed to secure Australia’s future as a neo-colonialist nation. Since then, Australia has remained entrenched in economic links to our former colonial ruler, and tied to the Commonwealth through profoundly imperialist celebrations, such as the Queen’s Birthday and Australia Day. In addition, the structure of neo-colonialism goes hand-in-hand with capitalism: continually maximising profit for those at the top of the financial hierarchy. Many overtly colonial ideas are intact in contemporary Australian society. In particular, the offshoots of racial victimisation are apparent. Post-colonialism could possibly be reached once these structures have been abolished. However, currently considering our nation as post-colonial dismisses and erases the current effects of colonialism on our First Nation Peoples. The two core colonial desires to occupy land and sustain a sense of moral superiority are impugned by Indigenous presence and land ownership. Consequently, there have been explicit efforts to remove what was seen as an “Aboriginal problem”. Both these intentions remain present within government actions in
modern day Australia. The treatment of Indigenous people by our government, through a racist judicial system, through the removal of communities from their land, and through the hegemony of the Adani project, clearly shows that Australia is not a post-colonial nation. Further, colonisation continues to thrive in Australia despite: structures of governance shifting through policy-making, such as the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (2015) and subsidies, self-determination in Indigenous communities, and the prolific resistance to white supremacy. Will Australia ever be post-colonial? Does postcolonialism imply reverting to the way societies existed preinvasion? Or does it mean bringing equity into society until the structures created by colonialism are abolished? Postcolonialism seems a far-fetched reality in the face of such small victories. Racism is a key structure in perpetuating colonial thought, and its facets are deeply entrenched in society – from representation, to abusive language and microaggressions, to recognition and land matters. Australia would have to undergo a drastic change in order for postcolonialism to take root. To label Australia a post-colonial nation would be farcical in the face of the continued adversity faced by Indigenous people. As long as respect of our First Nation Peoples is withheld, and as long as racist social structures continue to prevail, Australia will remain a colonised nation.
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T h e S o c i a l E n v i r o n m e n t : c u lt u r e a n d r e l i g i o n
Celebrating Eid Navira Trimansyah
It’s Wednesday morning and five a.m. is my wake up call. Both my parents are already bustling about, doing last minute ironing for their outfits of the day, and making breakfast for us to eat on the way to the Sports Centre in Riverwood where our prayers are being held. It’s the morning of Eid AlFitr, the first day after the end of Ramadan, and the only day in which Allah prohibits us from fasting. The first thing I see is a flood of messages from last night, when the sighting of the full moon was announced. This is an indication that the holy month of Ramadan has ended. It’s the usual stuff, like “Eid Mubarak!” and “Please forgive me for all my wrong¬doings”, even from acquaintances I haven’t seen since O’week. I reply to every one of these messages with a “Thank you! Say hi to your family for me”. It’s the norm to ask for forgiveness from everyone as this day is a chance to reconcile and forget the past. With my Kmart outfit on, my coffee and toast in my hands, my family and I leave for prayers to worship with our Indonesian Muslim community. The radio, unlike every other day, was muted, and we all chanted the Takbeer – a mantra that serves as a reminder of who God is and His great power: Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah. Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, to Him belongs all praise! As we near the venue, the chant flows out of the building, getting louder with each step. This chaotic buzz and exciting aura overtakes the sports centre as families greet one another, and parents slip money into their children’s hands. In our rows as people lay down their prayer mats, clinking buckets are being passed down for people to donate to charity. This act is also known as zakat: a very significant act that must be done in Eid. As my mum and I circled the basketball courts, we bumped into a lot of familiar faces, all with the same greetings and expressions. We kept assuring each other that we would catch up once the prayer was done, but that usually never works out. The crowd is overwhelming, and we would
always bump into colleagues and old friends that we hadn’t seen in years. When the prayers begin though, the hype settles and the entire crowd is engulfed in silence, concentrating on the prayers and Quran recitations from the Imam. Everyone is suddenly united as we all embrace our love and dedication to God. Once the prayers are done, a lecture, also known as a khutbah, is held in both Indonesian and English. The lecture also serves as a reminder to us about how and why we should strengthen our iman (dedication to God) in the society we live in today. The older generation are brought to tears as they’re moved by the true hardships of those living in neglected countries around the world, and the importance of creating stronger bonds with one another. The rest of the day suddenly becomes a blur. I get dragged around by my parents to greet the elders first, who do not hand me any money this year. Then as usual, I meet with friends for Sate Padang (Cow Tongue Satay) and beg our aunties and uncles for lolly bags. After this, the feasting begins. From house to house we go, eating diverse plates of food made by families holding an open house, compensating for our fasting throughout Ramadan. While Eid is an amazing day to look forward to during Ramadan, it’s also significant to realise why we’re taking part in the holy month as Muslims. It’s not only about starving ourselves, but also about considering what it does to our bodies and minds: if we’re denied the most basic human instinct, who are we to turn to?
ARTWORK : lucy allen
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the social environment : racial issues
The Darker S i de of Beauty Divina Blanca
From a young age I was taught to hate my brown skin, my flat nose, small eyes, and a body deemed too round for western perceptions of beauty. I was taught to hate my skin by the Barbie dolls lining the toy aisle. I was taught to hate the features on my face from movies and TV shows that mocked people that looked like me. I was taught to think I was too fat, too unintelligent, and way too good at English for an Asian. I started to treat my ethnicity like a dirty word. I changed my accent, rejected my parents’ language and refused to visit their country. I joked I would never have children to pass on this hereditary ‘illness’ of not being white. This internalised self-hatred is common among young people of colour, especially women. According to the World Health Organisation, 77 percent of Nigerian women use lightening skin products. The 2013 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reported double eyelid surgery ranked third in the top five cosmetic surgical procedures performed in 2013. This Eurocentric perception of beauty is something I’ve become painfully aware of recently. A few days ago, I saw an advertisement in a bathroom for a dark spot eraser which had lightened the model’s skin colour – her entire face four shades lighter. This tiny advertisement speaks volumes of society’s Eurocentric beauty standards, where a dark ‘spot’ eraser assuages the significant prejudice against darker skin tones. Despite these microagressions I experience on a day-to-day basis, I will never attempt to erase the colour of my skin. Unfortunately, this desire for lighter skin is an ongoing concern of women globally; it is not limited to Western society. Lightening skin products, like this cream, are prevalent all over South East Asia. Their popularity is so
great that whitening skin cream in the Philippines has its own aisle in the supermarket. Whilst traveling the country I came across an advertisement proudly exclaiming that to be white was better than being clean. Does that mean I, as a person of colour, am inherently unclean? What people don’t understand about the lack of diversity and fair representation in the media is the subliminal message communicated to young, dark-skinned people of colour searching for a role model. When the image of beauty is only represented by white features, we have a serious issue. We owe it to ourselves and to the future generations of people of colour to rectify this, decolonise our beauty standards and destigmatise non-Eurocentric beauty. The first time a boy asked me out I asked if he was sure because I didn’t understand why a white boy would be interested in me. I remember wondering why he didn’t want to date my friend who was much prettier than I was. To this day, I find myself asking the question, ‘I wonder if this person is into Asians?’ Because apparently only then would I have ever had a chance. Through rampant colourism, society is teaching children of colour: that they are less than their white counterparts, that whiteness is greater than blackness, and that being Asian means you must be subservient and silent. We need to look not only at the amount of diversity in our media, but also at how media portrays people of colour. I’m sick of people questioning my Asian qualification when they find out I’m not good at math and that my skin is not pale and my body isn’t as small as their expectations dictate. I’m sick of people of colour growing up to hate their features and I’m so fucking sick of white people telling me I’m too sensitive when I inform them of the negative effect these microaggressions have on a person’s self-esteem and selfworth. I’m sick of white standards of beauty, and I will be damn sure to do everything in my power to overcome them.
Artwork : tristan ireland
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the social environment : PERSONAL ESSAY
About a Safe School Emily Trueman
Trigger warning: This article references self-harm and suicide. If you need help, or just need a chat, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
An episode of ‘Australian Story’ titled, ‘About a Girl’, aired on 15 August, 2016. It followed a sixteen-year-old transgender girl, Georgie Stone, and her family, as they went through court processes for puberty blockers. They eventually lobbied for changes in regulation regarding transgender children’s access to these medications. The program discussed the acceptance she’d found at her school when she came out: from her classmates, her principal, and the Victorian Premier. The episode brought back memories about a classmate from my primary school who I understand now, as an adult, was transgender. After watching this episode of ‘Australian Story’, in combination with what I know now, and with what I witnessed and experienced as a child, I am more convinced than ever that we need a Safe Schools Coalition program across Australia. My classmate began wearing the ‘boy’ version of our school uniform - a shirt and pants - instead of the dress, in late kindergarten. He had always played with the boys, and they treated him like they would each other. On year six camp, he was put into a room with a bunch of girls. They jokingly put hot pink gloss on his lips, and I remember him coming out of the room looking uncomfortable but laughing, probably at the ridiculousness of it. We were all laughing. But then one of the girls tried to take a photo with a silver, 2006era flip phone and he got surly and upset. I remember being confused that he wasn’t allowed to be with his friends in the boys’ rooms; I had genuinely forgotten that, biologically, he was a girl. I remember I saw him cry once when the teachers and his mum (I think it was his mum - I just remember she was a relative) forced him to wear a dress on photo day instead of pants. I think by year four, he had stopped coming to school on photo day. I remember my teacher shaking her head about his absence on that particular day for a second or third year in a row. He used to cut his wrists and hide them under sweatbands. He showed them to me and my friend in the playground once, and then shrugged when we asked how he had gotten scratches like that. I don’t remember why he showed them to us. He tugged the sweatbands over his wrist again, and ran off to play football with the other boys. When we called him “he” instead of “she”, he would shrug and say that it didn’t matter. By year six we would all call him “he”.
I haven’t thought about this in years - especially the scratched, scabbing wrists hidden by a blue sweatband. I couldn’t comprehend self-harm at that age. I was only nine or ten. So was he. And for some reason, it’s only just hit me how fucked up it is that I was fourteen and wishing, even praying (literally, to a capital-g-God I wasn’t sure I believed in), that I would die quickly and quietly in my sleep, so that I wouldn’t have to get up and face school the next day. I felt isolated in high school. By fourteen, I knew for certain that I liked girls (but we’re not going into my masturbation habits lol), and I knew most other girls did not. In fact, at fourteen, as far as I knew, no other girls were like me. At least, no one around me at my all-girls, Catholic school was like me. At that age, school is your whole world; you spend the majority of your waking hours there. You learnt, you ate, you talked, you slept, and you breathed school. In all of my classes at school, I was made to feel like a hypothetical - there was no way anyone at THIS school, in THIS classroom, at THIS time could ever be gay or bisexual, or transgender. When we were mentioned in class, it was only to subject our rights and our existence to debate, and I would argue strongly in favour of same-sex marriage, gay validity and gay rights - “I’m straight but I think …” - I would look for support in those debates, for someone who would unknowingly stick up for me. Sometimes I got that support. Other times, I had friends say things that I often wonder if they would say now, to my face, as an openly gay woman.
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the social environment : PERSONAL ESSAY
I would like to say that I tried very hard to like boys. I read Twilight and I picked a team. I liked the Jonas Brothers and I had a favourite. But at the end of the day, I’d go home and there was Smallville’s Lois Lane in red leather. What can I say? Other than that we’re not going into my kinks either? Humour aside, from the beginning of my teens, I felt utterly alone. I felt like a freak to the point where I would withdraw from friends and I would turn aggressive at the slightest obstacle. Somewhere along the road I lost my happiness, and I understood why my classmate would want to hurt himself. It was all because nobody ever wanted to talk to me - to us - like we were real and valid. I only got that happiness back very recently. The Safe Schools Coalition has been pushed off the political agenda for the moment. I would argue that, in some respects, it is even more important than same-sex marriage. When people talk about Safe Schools being a literal life saver, we aren’t joking and we aren’t exaggerating. My classmate should not have been self-harming at age nine. I should not have been having suicidal thoughts at fourteen. It’s fucked up. We were just kids. We were just kids, and we shouldn’t have had to go through that. I know that now. I strongly believe that I would not have experienced this if I’d had the right representation and the right education. I also believe that, with the right education, my teachers would have recognised the pain it caused my classmate to wear a dress and to be recognised by his friends and peers as a girl - the gender that he did not identify with. I believe that, maybe, they would have recognised the signs, and that he would not have had reason to cut his wrists. Sixteen-year-old Georgie Stone has had the right support and the right education and look at her now - she’s about to change Australian law for the better. If you need help, or just need a chat, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Artwork : Basilia dulawan
/ Culture
* For more access to events around Sydney, including giveaways and reviews, head to utsvertigo.com.au.
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C u lt u r e : T r i b u t e – I n h o n o u r o f R o a l d D a h l o n h i s 1 0 0 t h b i r t h d ay
artwork : megan wong
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c u lt u r e : M u s i c
Huyen Hac Helen TraN It’s been a long three years since A Day To Remember’s (ADTR) last album, ‘Common Courtesy’. But this five piece Floridian band are back with, ‘Bad Vibrations’, returning with the same smoky intensity of their 2005 debut. Easily reassuring a love for their earlier work, the record checks all the boxes any pop-punk rock enthusiast could expect from a 40-minute listen. However, longtime fans may find themselves sitting on two sides of the fence, with either a strong admiration for the band’s ability to retain their timeless sound, or a tinge of disappointment that the album seems to follow the same, safe formula that has worked with the previous two albums. Regardless, there’s no denying that the record is solid and sure to transport you back to your skater boy days. It’s an easy way to commence or continue your love for ADTR, and it’s a great entry-level album for any new pop-punk fans starting their collection. The title track, ‘Bad Vibrations’, is fierce, powerful, and heavy, with a viciousness created by a combination of: Mckinnon’s growling, Skaff ’s burning guitar riffs, and, most outstandingly, Shelnutt’s drumming. Setting the scene for a heavier-toned album than their previous one, an expectation of rougher and full-on brutality is set up for the record. The next track, ‘Paranoia’, delivers on this expectation with a strong lyrical base backed by a new combination of venomous instrumental riffs. It’s got the perfect combination of pop-punk and post-hardcore style vocals. The record does well to alleviate the intensity, easing it up in between with tracks that reminisce the pop-core vibes of
the band’s previous work. ‘Naivety’ is an astounding transition piece in the album, with potential to be its own single. With similar anthem riffs to the song, ‘All Signs Point to Lauderdale’, from the band’s 2010 album, ‘What Separates Me From You’, the track is filled with the same angst and coming-of-age themes that suit the band so well. The record continues with a series of highs and highers, before bringing it right down with stand-out track, ‘Justified’. It begins with soft guitar drumming and the crooning repetition of, “Burn me alive / if you feel it’s justified”. Of course, the song continues the sonic theme of, ‘Bad Vibrations’, ascending into a compact and fool-proof track that skates around in circles at full speed – much like the rest of the album. The remainder of the album balances out the heavier first half well, with the final track, ‘Forgive and Forget’, as expected – a powerful and emotional song that settles and brings the album to a slow close. ‘Bad Vibrations’ is an honest and solid album from the band. It will keep fans happy, whether or not they admire the classic schoolbook method ADTR has perfected. First-time listeners should check out their earlier albums beforehand. Otherwise, it’s probably worthwhile to stick around to see what the band comes up with next. A Day To Remember’s sixth studio album, ‘Bad Vibrations’, (ADTR Records/Epitaph) was released 2 September 2016.
a r t w o r k : r o s i e g e a r s i d e | a d ay t o r e m e m b e r : @ w h e r e i s a d t r
c u lt u r e : m u s i c
Rewind: Tegan and S a r a’ s ‘ S o J e a l o u s ’ Raveena Grover
Few albums have the power to leave you as broken and exposed as Tegan and Sara’s, ‘So Jealous’ (2004, the fourth studio album of their successful eight. ‘So Jealous’, marked their commercial success in mainstream music. Transforming simple emotions into the most profound sentences ascribed to heartbreak makes this album what it is: the rawest journey through a relationship. Meredith Ochs for Rolling Stone praised the album for its “flashes of brilliance” appearing with every line of Tegan’s brassy vocals and every strum of the slightly off-key guitar. Heartbreak strings each song together, yoking the album from the soft-metal, ‘I Bet It Stung’, to the mellow but ardent, ‘Downtown’. What sets this album apart from their other works is how exposed the musicians make you feel. Every self-deprecating lyric – “I wouldn’t like me / if I met me” – can’t help but leave you feeling lost, as if it were you who had experienced these feelings a decade ago.
breath that you didn’t even realise you’d been holding. The journey begins with, ‘You Wouldn’t Like Me’, the peppiest song of the album despite its self-deprecating meaning. It ends with what can only be described as the most detached and intense tune of the whole collection; ‘I Can’t Take It’, speaks of the end of the road, the finality of giving up on something that was once so precious but is now nothing more than a wasted memory; ‘I Know I Know I Know’, has a profound and prolific rawness underlying each lyric – “Stick your heart inside of my chest / Keep it warm here while we rest”. The simple and repetitive bass complements the mellowness of the musicians’ voices. ‘So Jealous’ takes you on a journey of earnest heartbreak, ending in the most crippling fashion. Every emotion, every feeling – loneliness, dependency, debilitating pain, and love – is felt in every breath, pause, and melody. This album will move you in the most beautiful and breaking way.
Each song builds, finally exhausting itself with the last strums of the guitar, and leaving you as though you have released a
a r t w o r k : k i m b e r ly l u o
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c u lt u r e : m u s i c / s p o t l i g h t
Spotlight Local: Gypsy & The Cat Larissa Shearman Gypsy & The Cat are back from their four-year hiatus with the release of their third and final studio effort, ‘Virtual Islands’, on 5 August 2016. Gaining many fans from their previous two albums, the Melbourne-based indie/dream pop duo Xavier Bacash and Lionel Towers have pushed their sound into its next phase. And we love it. Singles from the release are synth-driven with super sweet vocals galore. Inspired by a trip to Japan, the tune, ‘Life’, starts off slow and powerful, building with a bubbly melody to take you away on a journey. This is right up there with massive hit, ‘Jona Vark’, from 2012. The theme explored in the album is, “self-determination through independence”, and the preview tracks certainly have that vibe, battling through the speakers to your mind, right where they belong. The track, ‘Inside Your Mind’, has had Triple J radio-play for a while now and it’s going to have you singing along before you know it. An impending fan favourite, the album had many hands helping in mixing and production, including Dave Fridmann and Tony Espie, who have worked with The Avalanches and Cut Copy, so you know it has all the makings of another fantastic album from a top notch Aussie act. You can follow Gypsy & The Cat on Twitter and Instagram at @GypsyandtheCat.
Spotlight INTERNATIONAL: Kali Uchis David Burley If you haven’t already heard of her, it’s only a matter of time before Kali Uchis pops up on your music radar - she combines rich vocals with a blend of indie pop, R&B and electronica to create a unique sound. Born in Colombia, she moved to America when she was seven, where she was introduced to music through the saxophone and the piano. In 2013, at the age of 19, she released her first mixtape, ‘Drunken Babble’, which was critically acclaimed for blending genres. It wasn’t long before she caught the ears of some big names. Since then, she has worked with Snoop Dogg, Diplo, BADBADNOTGOOD and many other established acts, who have taken her Amy Winehouse/Erykah Badu vocals to new heights. In 2015, she released her debut album, ‘Por Vida’, with more big names like Tyler, the Creator and KAYTRANADA featuring on a few of the tracks. In an interview, the singer spoke about her career, stating that she is “an artist in every sense of the word”, and enjoys controlling her music as well as visuals - creating her own album covers and co-directing her own music videos. This year, she’s released a new single, ‘Only Girl’, featuring Vince Staples and Steve Lacy. At only 23, Uchis has a huge and impressive repertoire under her belt and we’re excited to see what she does next. You can follow Kali Uchis on Instagram at @kaliuchis.
A R T W O R K : K E L LY L A M
c u lt u r e : b o o k s
‘The Traitor’s Wife: The Woman Behind Benedict Arnold and the P l a n t o B e t r ay A m e r i c a’ by Allison Pataki $19.00, published by Howard Books
Tess Hanson The American Revolutionary War: when British rule ended and the United States of America emerged. Allison Pataki chose to centre her debut novel not on the infamous traitor to the colonial cause, Benedict Arnold, but his wife, Peggy. Pataki’s choice of a young Peggy Shippen as her lead historical figure allows for a greater exploration of the time when the USA as we now know it was forming. The life of Peggy Shippen Arnold, the choices she made, and society’s view of her require the reader to question their attitudes towards gender in the late 1700s. Could a woman be complicit in, or originate a plot to betray one’s country? Throughout the novel Pataki illustrates how a highly intelligent, socially skilled, and ambitious woman wedded a General in the Continental Army, and then persuaded him to betray the men he’d fought alongside by pledging his allegiance to the British Empire. We never truly know Peggy Shippen Arnold. In fact, the story is driven through the fictional eyes of her lady’s maid, Clara Bell. Through Clara, the reader breathes the confines of a life of service, originating from the hierarchical British Empire, while witnessing how one born into an 18th century class system has the opportunity to change their destiny. In this sense, Pataki masterfully juxtaposes the lives of her characters with the development of a new nation – one founded on the notion that “all men are created equal”.
‘Stasiland: Stories from Behind the B e r l i n W a l l’ by Anna Funder $24.95, published by The Text Publishing Company
Eugenia Alabasinis Until its fall in 1989, the Berlin Wall physically and emblematically isolated the Eastern Bloc from the capitalist West; one side with the liberty of relative freedom, while the other existed in a totalitarian regime. ‘Stasiland’ is a piece of non-fiction which is nothing like a monotonous textbook that barrages the reader with facts. Instead, it is a striking depiction of Australian journalist, Anna Funder’s, unique and varied experiences spending time with those most affected by the Stasi in East Germany, reading almost like a novel in places. Her hybrid writing style combines both journalistic and self-reflective elements skilfully. This brings to life the worlds of select individuals living in their own microcosmic societies within the political pandemonium of post-1945 Germany. With an evocative turn of phrase, she writes “I’ve been having Adventures in Stasiland… I’ve been in a place where what was said was not real, and what was real was not allowed.” Funder creates an emotional connection with her readers by presenting glimpses into the lives of people she interviewed. This includes Julia, whose life governed by the tyranny of the German Democratic Republic led to time in prison, and Mielke, who was the most feared man of the system itself. The perspectives provided here are diverse, delving into the many facets of the “most perfected surveillance state of all time”, from those living with an omnipresent sense of paranoia, to renegades brave enough to defy the oppression of unwavering rigidity. Ultimately, ‘Stasiland’ is an impressive collection of stories from behind the Berlin Wall. Well-written and researched, with content that is as disconcerting as it is fascinating. artwork : kathy ngo
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C u lt u r e : b o o k s
Why the Art of Reading Lives On Eugenia Alabasinis Glowing screens illuminate the faces of fellow commuters around you as the train trundles through a tunnel. Their fingers languidly swipe the screens of their devices, with facial expressions oscillating between indifference and bemusement. In your hands you hold a paperback novel, which is a little worn around the edges since you’ve read it so many times. But you can’t beat a classic, right? *** In today’s world, it can seem a marvel that books continue to survive as a source of entertainment. Before Facebook and Netflix were around as sources of procrastination and distraction from the banalities of everyday life, books were one of the primary sources of escapism. However, even today they continue to hold their own against technological competitors. As of July this year, 85 million physical books have been purchased around the globe – 4.3 million more than last year. A large proportion of this is printed fiction. This is not to say that prose published digitally is not without its own advantages, although the ‘print versus ebook’ debate is a whole other story. Despite the closure of major physical bookstore chains, others are still making their mark on suburban communities in many Australian cities. A glimmer of hope remains that the home collections of bookworms will not fall into an antiquarian abyss. Any voracious reader will tell you that books have the power to transcend time and remain relevant. As the philosopher Thomas Carlyle said: “In books lies the soul of the whole Past Time; the articulate audible voice of the Past, when the body and material substance of it has altogether vanished like a dream.” Books can be understood as a reflection of our past, present, and future. Reading books from past eras provide
the opportunity for 21st century readers to gain some understanding of the societies their authors lived in. They show us that as people, we haven’t really changed that much; though context evolves, the nuances of human nature remain recognisable no matter when the reader sits down to read. We’re all sure to come across a hopeless romantic like Jay Gatsby at some point in our lives, or perhaps we’ll strive to have the wit and intellect of Elizabeth Bennett. But it’s not just the classics that deserve recognition. Books being published now also offer great insight into our world as we know it. For instance, the 2016 Stella Prize winner, ‘The Natural Way of Things’ by Charlotte Wood brings issues of misogyny, and the portrayal of women in the media into harsh focus with a harrowing and heartprovoking tale. Thrillers like, ‘The Girl on the Train’, by Paula Hawkins are renowned for plots that keep readers guessing and twists that leave them reeling. Almost every book has a memorandum you can learn something from if you’re willing to delve deep enough. Pick any sci-fi novel or piece of speculative fiction, and you’ll find a fascinating prediction into what the future may look like in a hundred years’ time or more. In any case, reading isn’t reserved for the highbrow literati of society. Anyone can discover that there’s something special about holding a book in your hands and entering another world. Obviously, nobody always turns to a book when they want to relax or take a break from study. We all binge TV series on Netflix, flick through Twitter, and spend hours staring at our laptop screens. As a generation, incorporating digital media into our lives is inevitable, and can provide us with a different kind of utility. Nonetheless, when I choose a book to read, it’s not because I’m actively taking a stance against technology. Instead, it’s because I find that immersive reading can spark an entirely different sense of wonder which, in that moment, couldn’t be eclipsed.
artwork : michelle bae | instagram: @mishbae
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c u lt u r e : l i v e
The Power of Words Zalehah Turner reports on the Australian Poets Festival.
Zalehah Turner After successfully touring many of the major literary festivals this year, the Australian Poets Festival (APF) comes to the National Young Writers’ Festival (NYWF) with ‘Poetically Pushing Against Dominant Narratives’. Chaired by Mikaila Hanman-Siegersma, the impressive panel of young, queer, and multi-disciplinary writers highlights the ‘power of words’ in the LGBTQIAP+ community today. The APF event showcases a diverse range of voices and styles, from award-winning author and newly published poet, Ellen van Neerven, to Metro magazine editor and writer, Adolfo Aranjuez. At the Vinyl Café on 1 October 2016, the five artists will read from their own work and a piece that has influenced them. The NYWF has asked 117 writers to “get lost in a labyrinth of words and text in all its forms” in Newcastle from 29 September to 2 October 2016 as part of the This Is Not Art Festival (TiNA). Van Neerven and Aranjuez, joined by Jonno Revanche, Omar Sakr, and Chi Tran all explore word and text in many forms. The panel promises to lead the audience on an intriguing journey through a labyrinth of converging and diverging disciplines. ‘Poetically Pushing Against Dominant Narratives’ will be Ellen van Neerven’s third appearance in an APF event this year. After the much anticipated release of her first collection of poetry, ‘Comfort Food’, the young, awardwinning, Mununjali writer and poet was an obvious choice for several APF events across the country. Van Neerven’s debut novel, ‘Heat and Light’, won: the David Unaipon Award for Best Indigenous Unpublished Manuscript in 2013, the Dobbie Literary Award in 2015, and was a joint winner of the first NSW Premier’s Indigenous Writers’ Prize in 2016. She also plays an important role in supporting and promoting the Indigenous writing and editing community as managing editor of ‘black&write!’ at the State Library of Queensland. The APF is the “the crown jewel of the new national program” from Australian Poetry, according to its CEO, Jacinta Le Plastrier. She states that it has been designed as
a touring festival which “will bring the passion of poetry to writing and poetry festivals across the country, highlighting the best and brightest of Australian poets nationally,” as well as supporting younger and emerging poets. Launched on 20 February 2016, at both ‘Blak & Bright’ in Melbourne and Perth Writers’ Festival, it has since travelled to the major writers’ festivals in Sydney, Queensland and Melbourne. Toby Fitch confirmed that the festival “is designed to add new and more diverse poetry events to the major writers’ festivals across Australia, so as to bolster the presence of contemporary poetry in the national conscience.” In developing the APF 2016-17 program, Fitch pitched several events to the major literary festivals, three of which were particularly popular with the festival directors: ‘The BIG READ’, ‘Mysterious Ways: Poets and Publishing’, and ‘Transforming My County’. However, he was keen to point out that there were a range of different events in the APF program, including AVANT GAGA, which came from his experimental poetry night at Sappho Books in Sydney. In ‘Transforming My Country (by Dorothea Mackellar)’, the poets “read and discuss a poem they’ve written (say, a version, an experimental translation, a response, or a riposte) to that famous Australian poem about Australian identity”. Fitch stresses that, “the poets in the two iterations of this panel… reflect the diversity of poets at work in Australia”. Ellen van Neerven was also one of the three poets at the APF event, ‘I Love a Sunburnt Country’, at the Melbourne Writers Festival on 2 September 2016. ‘The BIG READ,’ ‘Mysterious Ways’, and ‘Transforming My Country’, all have an obvious appeal as part of a truly national program. This level of national engagement is of vital importance to Australian Poetry which is committed to engaging poets across the country through a range of new national programs and services. ‘The BIG READ’ reconnects Australian poetry and place, ‘Mysterious Ways’ focusses on the strength of the poetry community, and ‘Transforming My Country (by Dorothea Mackellar)’ centers on questions of national identity. While AVANT GAGA plays with the experimental side of poetry and the workshop, ‘Poetry of
the Eye’ offered practical and informative advice on creating your own visual poem. The latest LGBTQIAP+ panel of poets and multi-disciplinary writers at the NYWF, explores “a labyrinth of words and text in all its forms” with a diverse range of voices across various mediums and platforms. Jacinta Le Plastrier maintained that, “Australian poetry is flourishing and we want to showcase that in a way that is exciting and unexpected” with the APF. The festival has the potential to encourage a more inclusive as well as expansive perception of Australian poetry. It may well succeed in revitalising the community’s perception of poetry by showcasing a range of voices in new ways. At the 16 writers’ festivals that the APF will take part in over the next two years, audiences are sure to get a sense of the strength and diversity of poetry and the poetry community within Australia. Meanwhile, however, Australian Poetry suffered from the substantial loss of four-year funding from the Australia Council of the Arts in May this year. While the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund will fund the APF in 2016-17, the severe funding cuts to Australian Poetry make the future of both uncertain. Given the significant impact of the funding cuts which also affected 62 other arts-based organisations, one can only hope that the community continues to support these organisations, and pressure the government to return stable funding to the Australia Council of the Arts. Whatever you do, don’t miss ‘Australian Poetry Presents: Poetically Pushing Against Dominant Narratives’ at the NYWF on Labour Day weekend. You can become a member of Australian Poetry and Express Media with their 30/30 partnership for only $30. Express Media is the only organisation aimed at supporting and promoting writers under thirty. Check the Express Media website for details: expressmedia.org.au/register/australian-poetry/. The National Young Writers’ Festival runs from 29 September to 2 October 2016 in Newcastle. For more information check out: youngwritersfestival.org/festival/events/.
artwork : elizabeth jung
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G l o b a l H o l ly w o o d
Is the future of the Australian film industry to lose our sense of Australian-ness?
Julia McNamara When I imagine the film industry, the “Australian Film Industry” doesn’t directly spring to mind. I don’t automatically think of cameras traversing our sunburnt country, of Chico rolls and HSPs, of kangaroos and thongs (the footwear kind). For the Average Joe, film is nigh-on synonymous with the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. This is aided by the 160-170 films Hollywood releases each year, dominating the English-language market, compared to the 20-25 Australian releases. Australia still has a buzzing film industry, as demonstrated by the astute panellists who attended the ‘Modern Australian Film Industry Talk’ held on 8 August 2016 by UTS’s Backstage Society. The panel included: Monica Zanetti, speaking as a newly established filmmaker and creator; Johan Earl, giving insight from his wealth of experiences across different sectors within film, as well as across nations; and Jack Gorman, providing easily relatable information as an emerging creator within the film industry.
Nevertheless, when I try and picture a Modern Australian Film Industry, I draw a blank - but not for want of criticallyacclaimed Australian productions and artists. Perhaps it’s my lack of imagination, or maybe because there isn’t a catchy name like “Hollywood” or “Bollywood” (the closest term Australia comes to these heritage terms is “Ozploitation”, which hardly holds the same prestige). Whatever it is, something obfuscates my ability to picture a uniquely Australian film industry. Australia’s government champions a need for innovation and creativity in order to build a national identity. Australia’s creative sector employs half a million people according to the 2011 census, making it the fastest growing, and most dynamic segment of Australia’s economy. It will be interesting to see if this statement will change when the 2016 census hiccups are straightened out, and the results can be tallied up. As a nation, we are constantly falling short in supporting entrepreneurial and innovative thinking. Research from Tufts University confirmed that the only
way to jumpstart Australia’s economy is to firstly redouble funding for innovation, supported by seeking markets beyond domestic borders. Despite this call to redouble funding on innovative practices, since 2014, Australia’s Arts Sector has, for want of a less emotionally-charged word, been blindsided by the Australian government. In 2014, the Abbott budget cut $100 million from the arts over four years, including $28 million from the Australia Council. The following year, a further $104.8 million was planned to be taken from the Australia Council over four years for a new program called Catalyst, under ministerial control, with Screen Australia also losing $10.3 million in funding over four years. This year, 13 May 2016 was termed “Black Friday” in the Arts Sector, when 65 arts organisations lost government funding, hitting small to medium companies the hardest. Just over three months have passed since the latest round of cuts to the arts industry, with impacts, while foreshadowed, still waiting to take full effect. It will be interesting, albeit potentially disconcerting, to see the effects that this removal of government support will have on the modern Australian film industry. Particularly as the “Australian-ness” of our industry was created through government funding and support. Through the 1970s and 1980s, the Whitlam government, in particular, was instrumental in establishing Australia’s unique film industry, funding the establishment of institutions including AFTRS and the Australian Film Commission. Governmentimplemented tax breaks and financial incentives also encouraged investors to build an industry with a national identity. With government support so pivotal in guiding our local film industry, will this current lack of government support lead to a loss of Australian culture and art? The speakers at Backstage’s panel discussed the current changes in Australia’s arts industry. Ms Zanetti suggests it’s, “more of a shift than a cut”. While conceding the cuts were hard-hitting, particularly to the theatre sector, she emphasised “television as [an] international industry”. This internationalisation of modern television and film was supported by Mr Earl, drawing on his experience in the industry as he detailed past and current cross-continental projects that he is undertaking in conjunction with USAbacked production houses. He noted that creative-based (compared to technical) roles such as directors and writers are not being locked down to a specific location.
This shift towards an increasingly globalised film industry was demonstrated by the Federal Government’s choice in 2015 to divert $35 million of Screen Australia proceeds from the sale of TV studios in Sydney to Hollywood studios. The aim of this was to attract international projects. On this topic, Mr Tiley, editor of the online film industry magazine ScreenHub, told the ABC that while more international productions would provide positive economic fuel for Australia’s film industry, smaller local productions will suffer. On a similar note, reflecting the Arts Sector defunding on 13 May 2016, Live Performance Australia Chief Executive, Evelyn Richardson, relayed her concern to the ABC regarding “losing our creative and technical talent, who may be forced to go offshore for work or career development opportunities”. None of the panellists believed it was strictly necessary to go overseas in order to improve one’s craft or opportunities, stressing instead the creation of networks, and using those connections to improve career opportunities. Nevertheless, a feasible possibility is that the Australian creative sector will shrink due to a reduction of government support, potentially forcing people to prioritise global networks as local connections are hindered. Building on this possibility, will the reduction of government support, particularly to small and medium-sized ventures lead to less opportunities for emerging artists to take creative risks, and a stagnation within Australia’s modern film industry? All the panellists were emphatic about how passion should, and will, drive a project. Simultaneously, the need for commercial viability was acknowledged. Emerging creator, Mr Gorman, stated, “When push comes to shove, you need to make money”, and emphasised the need to “tailor budgets” to accommodate for the needs of investors. If our film industry continues to globalise, will investors still want to tell stories of Magpies in Spring, of Pauline Hanson, and of Golden Gaytimes? Will the need to reach a global market lead to the muffling of Australian individuality? As our industry becomes increasingly globalised, are we losing our sense of Australian-ness? Globalisation has made Australian films more economically viable, but at a cost.
a r t w o r k : k i m b e r ly l u o
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Tents of Contemplation Ante Bruning Ante Bruning speaks with Carriageworks curator Nina Miall about Francesco Clemente’s ‘Encampment’ exhibit. Francesco Clemente’s first major exhibition in Australia is sure to delight viewers. ‘Encampment’ includes six of Clemente’s large-scale tents “transforming 30,000 square feet of exhibition space within the Redfern-based multi-arts precinct into an opulent tented village”. There are also four of the contemporary artist’s sculptures, as well as a suite of 19 paintings that form a series entitled, ‘No Mud, No Lotus’ (2013-14). Walking into Carriageworks, my eyes were immediately drawn to the tents that are the first to welcome you as you enter the exhibition. All six of them are intricate in detail (both paintwork and stitchwork), and are bursting alive with colour and abundant imagery that keeps you pondering as you walk through their interiors. The sculptures in the second part of the exhibition: ‘Sun’ (2014), ‘Moon’ (2014), ‘Earth’ (2014), and ‘Hunger’ (2014), are altar-like, everyday objects transformed into something grand and worthy of reflection. The suite of 19 paintings is masterfully executed, combining washes of water-colour with finely detailed ink brushwork containing erotic depictions of the human form. Collectively, the exhibition creates a vibrant visual language, which tells the story of Clemente’s artistic practice as well as the themes he explores in his works.
Carriageworks curator, Nina Miall, was kind enough to answer some of my questions. Bruning: In the process of curating this exhibition, what have been some of the challenges? Miall: One of the great challenges was thinking about how best to introduce Francesco’s work to Australian audiences, many of whom were unfamiliar with it, despite the fact that his work is included in the collections of both the National Gallery of Australia and the Art Gallery of NSW, and he is obviously highly celebrated internationally. I was conscious that the selection of work for ‘Encampment’ needed to give a sense of the breadth and range of his practice, which is why I’ve included the works on paper and a series of sculptures, alongside the six tents that form the show’s title. Bruning: What was the most rewarding part of curating this exhibition, and is there a particular piece that you were most looking forward to seeing? Miall: The most rewarding part was working so closely with Francesco throughout the installation period and having the opportunity to speak to him in depth about: his work, the inspiration for the ‘Encampment’ tents, his many travels around the globe, and his encounters and collaborations
with some of the art world’s greatest figures, such as Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat. He was so gracious and so appreciative – years of committed Tibetan Buddhist practice have given him a very calm and philosophical outlook, which inspired the entire installation team and made the erection of the tents a wonderfully collaborative endeavour. I hadn’t actually seen any of the tents in the flesh before they arrived in Australia so it was like Christmas opening up the crates and exploring painstaking craftsmanship up close. Bruning: This is Francesco Clemente’s first major exhibition in Australia. In what ways do you think the exhibition complements the Carriageworks space? Miall: I actually think ‘Encampment’ works so beautifully within Carriageworks because of how utterly different the aesthetic of the tents is to the architecture of the space. Their glorious colour, mystic iconography, and traditional Rajasthani craftsmanship really transform the rather stark, industrial space into an opulent tented village – a place of wonder – which takes visitors on an unexpected journey. Francesco speaks about the tents as transitional spaces, in which the landscapes of our interior and exterior worlds are blurred.
image : encampment exhibition
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Bruning: In what ways do you think Francesco Clemente’s personal life informs his practice? And what is it that continuously draws people into the personal lives of artists? Miall: Insofar as ‘Encampment’ is concerned, I think the works reflect Francesco’s longstanding interest in travelling to new places, and engaging with different cultures. This is particularly true in terms of his engagement with India, which has been both sustained and profound; it is his second home, after New York. Francesco’s receptiveness to different religions, ways of thinking and looking at the world is reflected in the synthesis of Eastern and Western aesthetics, literature, and systems of belief that is everywhere in his work. As for why people are drawn into the personal lives of artists - humans are fundamentally social beings, driven by a very primal need to connect with one another, to understand themselves and others better. Francesco has led a life that is very rich in different experiences, from bathing in the Ganges, to collaborating with Andy Warhol, and I imagine it is this which interests people. Bruning: What do you think is most significant about Francesco Clemente and his work within the contemporary art world? Miall: The most interesting thing about Francesco as an artist is that he has consistently developed his own unique visual vocabulary, often working against the tides of fashion that govern the art world. When conceptualism and minimalism were the governing modes of thought, Francesco was making colourful representational images. While he has been identified with different schools throughout his career (Neo-Expressionism in the 1980s, for example), he has never really felt part of any one artistic approach, and instead, has ploughed his own path from the start.
artwork : andrew vuong
Bruning: The pieces in the exhibition, individually and collectively, contain an abundance of images from various visual cultures. Can you discuss the various cultures that are represented and why? How do they work together? Miall: The cultures represented are many and varied – from Tibetan Buddhist dedications, to magic numbers, the icons from Candomble religion, Renaissance imagery, Indian mystic poetry, and many others. Francesco is fascinated by different belief systems and ways of understanding the world, and readily draws on these myriad cultural and spiritual references throughout his work. They tend to feature as fragments – snippets of text, arcane symbols, motifs and quotes, which are woven together by the artist to form a new imaginative whole in different works. Bruning: In what ways does this exhibition also speak to its wider history of culture and tradition? Miall: I think it speaks quite profoundly about the benefits of heterogeneity in culture and traditions, and how different perspectives and views of the world enrich our understanding of human experience. Francesco is obviously very drawn to traditional craftsmanship, which is often considered anathema to much contemporary art, in this exhibition. He has collaborated with traditional Mughal miniaturists, woodblock printers, embroiders, and Rajasthani tent specialists, perceiving the beauty in traditions and techniques that have endured for centuries, and recognising how they can still resonate today. Francesco Clemente’s ‘Encampment’ is free to the public, on exhibition at Carriageworks until 9 October 2016. Check out Carriageworks’ website for more details.
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showcase : chat with our cover artist
c h at w i t h o u r c o v e r a r t i s t
BASILIA DULAWAN
When I star ted Visual Communications in 2014, I had
When I was asked to create the cover for this volume,
never considered myself to be an image-maker; I was
‘Antiques Roadshow’, my instinct was teacups. How can
slightly scared to draw and had never really picked up a
I use paint and teacups? But when I thought about what
paintbrush. However, over the past two and a half years
the volume really meant - histories, family, and traditions,
I have definitely developed my own style and process of
I began to think about my own ‘Antiques Roadshow’, and
creating. As a designer, I’m interested in creating work
how I’ve gotten to be who and how I am today.
that captures a sense of movement, energy, and tactility, and have been inspired by the works of Vicki Lee, Nick
The ar twork I’ve created for the cover is inspired by the
Thomm, and Samuel Burgess-Johnson. If I’m not in front
ear thy tones of my native Filipino heritage in Banaue,
of a computer screen trying to understand code, you can
Ifugao (look it up, definitely wor th backpacking around),
find me experimenting with paint and making a mess to
the incredibly beautiful Australian flora which I’ve grown
the sick beats of Diplo, all in an effor t to translate that
to love, and the only surviving gold necklace of my
energy onto a page.
namesake, Lola Basilia – my Great Grandma. Special thanks for Angela Tam for helping me shoot the stills. Behance: behance.net/basiliadulawan
INSTAGRAM : @BASILIA.D
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showcase : pRODUCT DESIGN
MINA BasSilious INDUSTRIAL PRODUCT DESIGNER My main professional interest is in product design - I enjoy working with digital and three-dimensional forms in the context of developing consumer products. Studying Product Design at UTS is absolutely wonderful. My favourite part of the design process is model making, as transforming a rough sketch into a tangible form is extremely satisfying. I usually create with cardboard, however, recently I have been particularly drawn to the use of leather in my projects. I also study BCII, which is a great opportunity to meet and work with brilliant people. I like to practise what I learn at uni by undertaking side projects that are tangential to industrial design. A long-term interest of mine is in model flight, and eventually I hope to study automotive design as an extension of product design.
INSTAGRAM : @maker_mina
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showcase : FASHION
Ilham A ismail FASHION DESIGNER
I undertook a Bachelor of Fashion and Textiles Design (Honours) at UTS in pursuit of my lifelong ambition to become a fashion designer. At the very start of my degree, a lot of people were extremely hesitant in befriending a Muslim person; one student admitted that she believed the stereotypes in the media, and many turned their backs when I said hello. At first, it bothered me to the point that I considered abandoning my career in design. However, I persevered and aimed to show them who a real Muslim person was through my work, and after the first semester I had changed the viewpoints of many students. This early experience shaped me as a designer, and I now aim to use my voice in fashion to change the way people think of Muslim women. I create for Muslim women who live in the Western world, and design garments for these women to feel part of the community, whilst still adhering to their religious beliefs and dress codes. After the 2014 attack in Martin Place, I wanted to speak out against any form of terrorism or racism. For my graduate collection, ‘Universal Fingerprints’, I made a political statement and advocated for the coexistence of Muslims and Christians in Australian society. I combined geometrical Islamic art from the mosque with the gold, spiritual imagery of churches, as well as Arabic calligraphy reading messages of peace. The collection was made entirely from hand-cut mosaic pieces which were fused onto linen and combined with hand embroidery. The collection represents the ways in which we are alike rather than different; it’s highly relevant, and highly important to remind Australians what makes this country and its communities so unique – that is, how multicultural and accepting we are. The collection was modelled by Australia’s Sarah Jehan, who wore it along with a hijab in the streets of Martin Place. The collection made it to New Zealand’s ID Dunedin Fashion Week after winning the Aussie Staley Award at the 2016 ID Dunedin Emerging Designer Awards. Recently, it was a finalist for the Etsy awards, and was also part of a fundraising event in which one garment was auctioned to raise money for orphans in Kenya. My label, ‘Ilham A Ismail’, is no longer just about producing beautiful clothing – I believe in using talent to make a difference in the world. I have just launched a new collection online which aims to raise awareness of child rose-sellers in underdeveloped countries who are forced into labour due to a lack of means. Who said we can’t change lives with fashion?
Instagram: @ilham.a.ismail Website: www.ilhamaismail.com
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showcase : FASHION
showcase : creative nonfiction
t h e d e l i n e at i o n o f m e m o ry ROSE mary PETRASS It is late September, one of those hot sticky days where the rain falls sporadically over the horizon, sprinkling and cloying but never actually monsooning into anything satisfying. I am very young, only seventeen or something like that. I am in that awkward stage where I am still a child but yet today, when I take the train across town in the mid-morning, I feel the uncomfortable strangeness of a woman alone. The train is nearly empty, a few young men and the old and unemployed lounge around in the window seats, rolling cigarettes or reading the morning newspaper. Glancing around, I notice a young lad staring down at me. His brows are heavy and furrowed, eyes dark and intense. In one glance they betray annoyance, anger even. He is looking at me with a kind of uneasy hunger, a nervous sweat on his forehead framing a face that looks no older than mine. Younger, even. A sprinkling of patchy adolescent whiskers shadow his upper lip, a tiny sprinkling of spots creep below his hairline. And then I notice. I realise that the look in his eye isn’t annoyance or anger. It is fear. His hunger is a desperate hunger for escape that has come bubbling up through his belly and under his eyelids.
home, because when most people go to war, they join a unit and get sent away. But, as far as the world was concerned, I was just a student, concentrating on ordinary speech studies. It seemed all a lot of fun to me, mostly because there were lots of handsome young men. There
It is the look of a child who is preparing to die. The train pulls into the station and I stand up and walk away. Away from the boy with the camel brown uniform and the army-issue rucksack.
were only a few other girls, and none that were in my department. You must remember, I was not allowed to tell anybody about my job. It was all top-secret back then. I always felt that there were a lot of people who were very important but didn’t get any kudos at all, no matter
~ A few days before, my father has me sit me down in our sitting room. He tells me he wants me to help with the war effort. We sit by the window as the hot sun is still low on the horizon and he picks up the telephone. ‘Colonel? Yes, it’s me… I’m fine, thankyou. I’m actually calling about my daughter…’ He tells him that I have just graduated from university very young with quite a good degree in mathematics. Luckily for me, the colonel says I can still stay at home living with my parents and travel to work every day. So, I commute every day from home, right across from one side of Brisbane to the other. Below me, I watch as the silent movie of the city rushes to and fro, tiny agreements and disagreements falling away, snippets of lives like photographs left out in the rain.
Despite being in the army, I never joined a unit. Some people thought it was kind of funny that I just stayed at
how important we all knew our work was. And I never got any kudos at all. ~ There was a shortage of men around during the war. The Australian boys would have to go up to New Guinea and then they’d come back on leave. While they were gone, the Americans arrived. The Americans arrived very suddenly. The local soldiers were furious, because these foreign Americans had more money. The Australian soldiers had been away, and when they came back they were very cross, because the American soldiers had spent a lot of money on all their girlfriends. They were much better paid than the Australians. They took us dancing every night. 53
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I expected to dance with a new one every night. They were nice men, the Americans were especially gentlemanly. The boys that I knew were pretty much all married. And I never did anything that I should be ashamed of or they should be ashamed of. All they wanted was a bit of a party. Something to do on their leave. I never really had an American boyfriend, I never had any one that lasted for long. But I had one that took me on the ferry. Brisbane River is lovely and it used to have a regular ferry going up and down. That’s an awfully nice thing to do to go up and down. I didn’t have a special boyfriend, but if anyone said come out, I’d go. These were people who’d come away from home, and they had girlfriends at home. They didn’t want me to spoil their girlfriends, so I didn’t. There are just a few Americans left now. They don’t have anywhere to go, so my father offers for them to come down and stay with us. He has the American visitors stay on in the room down by the garden. My father tells me that I should go and collect them, which involves travelling up the river to the bus stop. Today it is quite blowy, the wind chops the water at an angle, churning the waves like butter. Because of the war, you can’t get petrol these days, so my girlfriends and I sail over to pick them up at Southport. We get all wet because it’s been blowing a gale. We get to the edge of where the road stops, and we can’t go any further. Me and my girlfriends tie up our boat and we get off onto the road. We all have these great big floppy sunhats on, which I’ve always worn down at the beach, and we lay down on the bitumen road because it is nice and dry. The bitumen is hot despite the summer storm and the rain hisses against the black tar, evaporating the water off our skin and leaving white strips of salt on my bare arms. When we see the bus coming we jump up and run to greet them. God knows what those poor boys think when they came along. We must look absolutely crazy. ~ One thing that I want to say to people is that Japanese messages were intercepted by little girls. They interrupted the messages and then they sent it to us. These marvellous little girls didn’t get any kudos at all. Our unit was called… What was it called? It was all about… What we did was… We had some young girls who were stationed in the north. What was the name of the town up in the north of Australia? Cairns, I think it was. And these girls used to listen to stuff that was sent off on the air and write it down, and then hand it over to people to decipher it. I was a decipherer. But you never really find out anything about what the enemy is doing unless they make a mistake. ~ My social life was great, and it’s still great! I made a lot of friends during the war, and I still have people coming to say hello to me, but most of them are dead now. I think it’s sad to think about. But it’s how the world is, that men don’t live as long as women. I meet Rusty in Brisbane. Rusty will never be my husband, but he might as well be. He is a very dear friend, Rusty. We often go out sailing together on the river, and every night he takes me out dancing. I am very fond of him, but he will never be my boyfriend. After the war, he will get a job in England to do his PhD. This will mark a different sort of time with Rusty. He will come back with a wife. But, right now, he is known as a bit of a rascal. I am, too. He takes me out to parties and then he walks me home. On the way home we don’t walk along the street, we climb across the tops of bridges, balancing ourselves on the railings. The bridge that crosses the river in Brisbane has a ladder that they must use for painting the bridge. Rusty gives me a bunk up the first twelve rungs and he climbs up after me. Down below, we can see the waves crashing against the pylons, but we don’t care. We are young and invincible and we feel that we can never die. Eventually, when we two are old, he passes away. I stay in bed and I cry for five weeks. ~
As far as husbands are concerned I’ve had Eric, Tony, and Rusty. This painting is a painting by my husband, Tony. It’s about himself, it was a joke. Tony wasn’t an artist, but he had an awfully sad life and it was an awfully sad time. I arrive at the party in the early evening. The colonel’s house is alight with music and laughter and the little twinkling lamps shine across a lawn dry with the heat of the long day. I don’t realise that tonight I will meet the man who will one day become my husband. It is the honeymoon period, the sweet spot after a war is won and we feel that there will never be a war again. No more killing, no more dying. I can smell the scent of the coming rain, a storm that will wash away all the residual pain of loss. The men who are dead have laid down their lives so that no one else will need to suffer again. I walk through the front door and the colonel rushes to greet me, the men from my unit smiling at me. I am wearing a bright dress, light, and knee length and hitched at the waist. During the course of the war I have grown from a child into a woman and they can all see it. Tonight we will dance like nothing happened. We will dance like there is no such thing as evil. No injustice. No war. The rain will come down suddenly, fast and heavy as a monsoon. The water will come madly down the hill, breaking through the heaviness of the heat. The drink will be flowing, but we won’t need it. He and I will take off our shoes and socks and we will dance like madmen on the verandah. We will dance like we have gone insane; as if we can sense the coming possession of infatuation like the scent of rain before a summer storm. ~ We were very relieved when the war ended. While it was going on we couldn’t tell if it was going to start to go mad again and start somewhere else, could we? It was so awful to have such a powerful weapon. That’s probably what a lot of people thought. I hope people nowadays will be sensible enough to know not to fight. But now, of course, we have the atom bomb. And when they dropped the bomb in Hiroshima, I thought that was just a dreadful thing to do. It wasn’t sensible, was it? They realised what the bomb could do, of course. We knew at the time that it was very, very toxic. ~ If you’re going to use that bomb, it’s going to kill everyone, not just your enemies. ~ Judy is close to ninety now, and she sits in an old arm chair overlooking the twisted angophora trees and falls silent. She is gazing intently towards me, not at me, but at somewhere in the middle distance. It has been a difficult interview, her words spinning around and round and overlapping like the ends of a scratched cassette. Judy’s life, my grandfathers life, the lives of so many others interwoven. Dementia changes a person so that they are not present, they live in the past. So many of these lives that she once cherished are now gone and she has become the preserver. They all live within her.
artwork : WILSON LEUNG
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showcase : FLASH FICTION
LILY MEI
W HEN HER N A N BROK E HER HIP With a pastry docker in one hand and a pitting spoon in the other, Nan lunged at the flies hanging around her apple pie. What she hadn’t considered before her approach was her spinal stenosis, which threw her off balance, and the position of the pie on the windowsill.
F INDERS K EEP ERS The duck was sinking when the dog grabbed it. The kid screamed and gathered the rest of the bath toys, his arms reaching out like an oil absorbent boom trying to contain an urgent spill. Off in the garden the dog dug a hole and as the duck fell, the cat grabbed it.
Sa n ta Cl au s The garden gnome, she had decided, shared some striking similarities with Santa. So it travelled from Vermont to Sydney when the family moved. What was most disappointing about Australia was the demystification of this Santa, who no longer disappeared in November, and returned in March, to prepare for Christmas.
ARTWORK : EVA HARBRIDGE
showcase : FICTION
B R U S C H E T TA : A L O V E S T O RY EMMA SAUNDERS
I made it for you a long time ago. I spent hours preparing it – neatly cutting the Spanish onions into fine pieces. I made sure that the tomatoes were as I wanted them to be, that the basil was plucked fresh from the garden, and that all was coated in just the right amount of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Bocconcini was added in those days. A cheese so new to our family that we weren’t quite sure how to write it on the shopping list, nor quite where we would find it in the supermarket. I moved away from you years later. Moved to the other side of the world and lived with a group of four – all boys. When one of them made bruschetta for our House Christmas Dinner, I was impressed. He piled finely diced tomatoes and ribbons of basil onto huge slices of crusty bread. Bread he’d baked himself from scratch, leavened by the side of the radiator. He loved the combination of oil and vinegar; you could smell it, taste it, were sure of it. The pronunciation was fought over as we ate – was it brew-schetta or bruce-scetta? The oracle of all, the Internet, was trusted with declaring the winner. Now I make it on the regular, but on the fly. I have returned: to you, to the city that knows me too well. I carefully pick the basil and rip it so that the fragrance causes my stomach to rumble in expectation. I keep it simple these days. In a delicate bowl, white on the inside, luminous blue on the out, I pour the oil and the vinegar. Chunks of tomato, hastily cut, are added with the fresh basil. I drizzle more over the top and let it ooze. I want to wait, want to let the flavours infuse the way the chefs on the telly tell us to, but patience is not my virtue and I’m in a rush. The eating of it is savoured, though, now as ever.
a r t w o r k : S H A Y X A YA L I T H
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showcase : POETRY
CLOCKWORK HUYEN HAC HELEN TRAn
Never know why we do what we do or if words mean more than actions speaking softly, never know how we came or where we went over the clockwork of ticking minds but I’ll tiptoe between you and I from midday till midnight and all the hours in between, because to pass the time is to have had time at all and to breathe in the toxicity of you and I is to have incited my senses for all the hushed silences that we never knew would become the way we live our lives yet could never reach the corners of my heart that you have filled with the thickness of your liquid love simmering, settling, suddenly feathering into teeny tiny dead sparks that have taken a sovereign state in my own body, I am barely floating in a catalytic realm of restless clarity the tangle of our lives soaked red by our relentless grips.
ARTWORK : GIGI LI
MONSTER KATIE KENDALL She speaks like firing a gun through the walls of a church,
She bleeds self-defence
and says, I am addicted to loneliness.
through barbed wire wrists and I watch
Her split lip is a masterpiece,
the ruins of her wander through the snow,
dripping rust on her chest and I imagine
leaving a red road for me to follow.
having any part of that artillery body
So I do until - she starts talking about Angels,
under my tongue.
about God,
She’s violent and I’m spineless and together
and I have to remind her,
we fill a double bed.
they didn’t invent God for people like us, but she insists there are things she loves more than me.
She’s bloodthirsty, and broken, and lustful our bodies once defiled, making love like cemeteries,
The crunch of a trigger under her finger,
infirmaries, she’s lighting a candle, and breaking a window.
the body count in the graveyard under her skin, raising
She prays every night before she sleeps
goosebump tombstones
when I kiss her I taste something of the redemption.
every time she’s touched by surprise. And I lie by that body and listen to her say,
All the men she’s killed fill our closet,
they cannot send me away,
like grotesque pelts in our twenty a night trophy case
the prison is inside of me,
just off the highway,
justice has failed me, so lead in the bullets, so blood in the
their skin peeled off their bodies, ripped from their vile
grass.
hands, and made into warm clothes
So you will hurt the things that hurt you
so she can wear all her ghosts.
and I will be the girl that loves you, and you will spread my palms and cut new lifelines into me and I will be the overflow of your violent urges, and I will love you like fear is a kind of love, until the Autumn betrays the last strain of gold and we are empty as the trees.
artwork : WILSON LEUNG
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showcase : POETRY
BRENNA HARDING
BLACK CROWS Knock knock -
The crows move in slow motion
knock knock -
peep in
their black coats wrap them tight,
peep in
two black crows
dressed for mourning
feigning sleep in his wise old chair
are playing on the grass
next comes the murmurs,
a joke tired before it began
with two little girls
the stoic facades
that’s why they never hated him
making mud pies
the crumbling faces
he never bored
the rolling eyes
of making them smile
the first describes ingredients
the momentary focus
leaves, sticks, stones, dirt
of love in its purest form.
two crows bow their heads,
the other pours in tears
Afterwards the crossed legs
no handwritten note on the table
that come unwilling
folded clothing
but always there nonetheless
and keep on coming.
candlelit bath cupped hand on cheek
before you take flight,
return to childhood
remember to kiss me goodbye.
knocking on the door on his forehead
WISE LOVE Moistureless my lips press together, missing you,
Your eyes search strangers for the same signs,
I soothe the stinging cracks with my searching tongue,
and when it hurts to hold on you still keep your teeth
imagine the taste of your burning brightness.
gritted and your knuckles white just like mine.
Underneath the waves of want sits a basin of feeling, tendrils of my history weave between your fingers and your
There’s inches between me wanting to be yours and
heartstrings,
wanting to revisit the aching old love I know we had,
hoping soft tugs will remind you of home
wise love,
of familiarity and comfort,
wise love turned new and growing slow
of knowing in the silence.
with no effort.
We’ve been together before
Like remembering a memory that longs to come back to
maybe you were my sister
you.
maybe my lover, maybe I held you in my arms or you held me in yours but our skin shivers at the same time.
artwork : JUDY DAO
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/ Off- Broadway
o f f - b r o a d way : j o i n t h e c l u b
R ook s out f or t h e C h e s s c l ub Kiên Lê Board This volume, serial entertainer Kiên returns to brush the dust off of one of the oldest games in history.
Some say the 1989 clash between IBM computer program ‘Deep Thought’ and chess grandmaster Gary Kasparov was one for the ages. Others claim Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin’s 100m final thrilled the world. Great contests to be sure. But none can possibly compare with Vertigo editor, Kiên Lê Board, going head-to-head with UTS Chess club regular, David, on a dusty Tuesday evening. In this battle of epic proportions, there could only be one winner. “I think that’s game isn’t it?” David’s hand reaches across to meet mine with the quiet assurance of victory. My own hands timidly shake with the tinge of defeat. They are sweaty. If I wasn’t sitting down, my knees would be weak. The game had lasted four minutes. I rub my eyes and look around. The lights of the UTS food court twinkle on Activate’s illustrious brick wallpaper. Across the hall, shouts and screams of the UTS Poker Society resound as MC Ka$h Monet420* crushes the table with a full house of queens, scooping the pot. Two tables across, a Unibros snackpack is devoured by a UTS hockey player. “Another game?” Sensing the need for a tactical retreat from another savage mauling, I look at my watch and scramble for a quick excuse, and pull the old “oh actually I’m already full but it was lovely” trick.
American chess grandmaster (a kind of supreme wizardpresident) once said rather gruesomely, “I’d rather have a pawn than a finger”. Dubious dismemberment aside, his clear enthusiasm for the game is rivalled by our local heroes. For example, the president of the club Matthew Nghiem, a chess society veteran of two years, emphasised to me the club’s outreach to people who might be interested through online activities. “We’ve started an online competition where you play against other members to solve chess puzzles. You accrue points for winning and solving puzzles for a chance at various chess themed prizes including cash.” Face-to-face meetings are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, six to eight p.m., in CB10.03.490. As someone who only played with his friends in primary school, and not very well, playing in the club was refreshingly chill. Jump into it like a knight over an errant bishop. Give it a go. Rating: 5 pawn stars out of 5.
*Not her real name. More information can be found on Facebook @UTSChess.
Chess, just like the traffic lights on Pennant Hills Road, doesn’t really change. Quite simply, it is a game that has survived with no substantial rule changes and only minor updates to what the pieces represent. Enthusiasm remains high amongst chess’s hardcore fan base. Reuben Fine, 63
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o f f - b r o a d way : fa c u lt y f e at u r e
Nurses Eat Their Young Deanna Rowe “Nurses eat their young,” I was warned, ominously, before starting my nursing degree. It brought to mind images of snarling ladies in starched white, Florence Nightingale– esque uniforms, fangs bared, dripping with blood. What horrors was I to expect? I was terrified before my first clinical placement. I wondered if the lab sessions, textbook readings, and videos on subcutaneous injections would really prepare me for looking after real-life patients. Worst of all, I was anxious about dealing with the terrifying nurses we’d heard about. As it turns out, the vast majority of nurses are kind and supportive. I’ve rarely been subject to bullying from older nurses - no newbies were ever dev– oured in their midst. Nonetheless, nursing is a fast-paced, stressful profession, with enormously high stakes. Every one of us has heard a horror story about the result of student error, and the thought of your mistake being told to subsequent students as a “how not to” incident, keeps us all on edge. Clinical placements form a large part of both the nursing and midwifery degrees, with an increasing number of hours required each year. While UTS does its best to prepare us for the workplace, there is nothing like being in a real hospital ward. Now in our third year, my fellow students and I have experienced hundreds of hours in emergency departments (ED), intensive care units (ICU), nursing homes, childcare centres, community mental health teams, mental health in-patient units, children’s hospitals, non-government organisations (NGOs), and hospital wards. Some students choose to undertake placements in rural or regional areas, and the stories they bring back from far-flung parts of the state are fascinating. The length of time we spend off campus on clinical place– ments – which eats into our face-to-face teaching time and ability to work in paid employment – increases the challenge of balancing the other demands of university. Compulsory classes, exams, family commitments, assignments and the dreaded group project are hard enough to juggle without taking out up to six weeks per semester. And the shortened teaching sessions, which reduce our face-to-face time even further? Let’s not even go there. As I hurtle through the final year of my nursing degree, I certainly feel like I’ve been chewed up and spat out. I am exhausted. The shift work and physical demands are enormous, and that’s before you add the emotional strain.
This week on placement I have looked after a four-year-old boy on a ventilator awaiting a lung transplant, a nine-monthold baby with a new diagnosis of cancer whose heartbreaking cries of “No! Mama, mama!” rang out across the ward while she had her IV cannula inserted, and a five-year-old girl who was wheelchair-bound as a result of a motor vehicle accident. Her parents can’t visit and she cries when she is lonely. Nursing is a tough gig. As nursing students, we are not afraid of blood, sweat, and tears, as we crawl wearily, half-broken and dishevelled, towards our goal. However, for many of us, the goal of working as a registered nurse (RN) may not eventuate, at least at first. The number of new graduate positions being offered in 2017 is far less than the number of student nurses graduating. We’re all acutely aware that we may not be one of the lucky ones selected. We’ve submitted applications and begun interviews over the last few months and continue to do so. We’re approaching the gruesome end and it’s becoming frighteningly real. But it’s not all doom and gloom; I’ve loved studying at UTS. I have met the most amazing people while studying nursing, and have made life-long friends. I was involved in setting up UTS’s first student society for nursing and midwifery students, UTS HUGS, and the small but dedicated group on the general committee are doing fantastic things. Regular social events are being planned, and the inaugural nursing and midwifery pub-crawl was held in August. Professional development courses such as First Aid and Mental Health First Aid are in the works, and in June 2016 we teamed up with batyr to deliver seminars on preventing burnout, managing stress, and maintaining good mental health while studying. Any nursing, midwifery, or health student is welcome to become involved with HUGS. It’s a great opportunity to beef up your resume, and to develop teamwork and leadership experience. Specific skills such as graphic design or event coordination would be useful, but are far from necessary. Enthusiasm and conscientiousness are all that is required. Email secretary@nursing.activateuts.com.au or message the HUGS Facebook page, @UTSnursingmid wiferysociety, if you are interested in helping out, and to keep up-to-date with coming events.
I entered this nursing degree with a sense of trepidation, nervousness, and fear, but also with excitement. It is a privilege to be a part of a patient’s life on their journey to recovery. While it has been a more challenging endeavour than I initially expected, it has also been more rewarding than anticipated. On one hand, I am petrified at the thought of being responsible for my own patients in mere months, but on the other, I’m eager to get my teeth into it.
A Day in the Life of a Nursing Student 5:00am
Alarm goes off. Press snooze. Lie in bed thinking about another day of unpaid labour.
5:15am
Haul yourself out of bed and spend fifteen minutes inspecting the new wrinkles and under-eye circles you gained overnight.
5:30am
Walk to the train station in sensible (read: ugly) nursing shoes with the non-slip soles.
6:30am
Drink a very strong coffee – heart palpitations. Wonder if it’s caffeine overdose or anxiety.
7:00am
Receive handover from the night shift. Get the good news that the one-year-old you’re looking after has frequent, explosive diarrhoea, is infectious, and likes to spit milk onto people’s faces.
7:30am
Milk in face Round 1 of 16.
8:00am
Spend forty minutes trying to decipher which medication your doctor has written on the chart. Give up.
9:00am
Get excited for your fifteen minute coffee break only to be disappointed when it turns into a five minute break – that patient who uses their call bell like a ketamine PCA is at it again.
10:30am Realise that you need to pee and that there is milk in your hair. 10:45am Discover you forgot to give ten-thirty a.m. medications. Panic. Cry. Think about alternate career options because surely you have failed placement and can no longer be a nurse. Apologise profusely to preceptor RN, who tells you meds aren’t due until eleven a.m.
11:03am
Patient refuses medication. Panic. Cry.
12:00pm
Spend entire lunch break trying to finish your essay on chronic health self-management.
12:30pm
Begin hand exercises so that you can get through paperwork that is to come. Keep holding onto that pee – you have a bladder of steel.
2:01pm
Notice patient notes and see that the doctors have ordered twelve-lead ECG for one-year-old sleeping patient.
2:03pm
Attempt six times to attach ECG leads to wriggling, crying, tired child. You finally get a good print out and when cleaning up, accidentally throw the print out into the clinical waste bin. Panic. Cry.
3:00pm
Write up notes from the shift and try fifteen times to spell the word ‘diarrhoea’. End up writing “frequent loose stools”.
3:30pm
Finally go and break the seal. You earned it, ya champ!
3:40pm
As you stagger out of the hospital into actual, natural daylight you see a patient you looked after yesterday. They shout, “Hello, nice nurse! I am going home!” You remember why you wanted to be a nurse.
5:35pm
Fall asleep on couch.
8:00pm
Wake up with the imprint of your laptop keyboard on your face. There is still milk in your hair.
artwork : lauren fitzpatrick
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o f f - b r o a d way : S A r e p o r t s
PRESIDENT’S REPORT sam howes Greetings UTS! Clubs Day was a fantastic start to the semester. The UTSSA collectives and Political, Educational, Religious and Cultural Clubs (PERC) were out in full force, talking to students about ways to get involved in the Students’ Association here at UTS. I would like to thank the Officers and Conveners that came out to make Clubs Day the great day that it was. BlueBird Brekkie Bar has been going at full pace! As you might know, this year the UTSSA has extended BlueBird Brekkie to Night Owl, which has been brought back by popular demand this semester. If you are in the Tower on a Thursday evening and you’re keen for a free dinner, come down to our foyer for some delicious (and healthy) pho! As always, if you are missing textbooks this semester, or you are done with your old textbooks, come on down to the Book Store and trade up. Another new initiative the SA has started this semester is the purple shirt program. Are you a health student graduate? Have you finished with your purple placement shirt? Instead of letting it take up space in your room, you can wash it and bring it down to the Students’ Association to recycle it for new undergrads. The next month will be one of the biggest for us at the Students’ Association as we are hosting our annual elections. Over the next fortnight, you will have a chance to meet the candidates and teams. I urge you to read the election material located at the back of this volume. Each candidate’s policy statements are featured in this magazine to help you in your decision making. I want to highlight how significant these elections are. After a year as President, I have learned just how important it is to have a strong Students’ Association, especially in the wake of the new Academic Calendar. A strong student voice on campus has never been more crucial. If you have any questions about the election feel free to email me at president@utsstudentsassociation.org. Hope to hear from you soon!
EDUCATION VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT Gabriella Brackenbury-Soldenhoff We received an amazing amount of responses to our balanced teaching period survey. We have had 1,733 responses, making it the highest response rate for a UTS Students’ Association survey. Thank you to everyone who took the time out to respond. The UTS Students’ Association is compiling a report on the survey with the assistance from an independent analyst, who will provide recommendations. The survey results were overwhelmingly against the restructure and were generally disappointed with the amount of communication that the university has undertaken. At the most recent Clubs Day we received approximately 60 signatures for a petition demanding: • More face-to-face teaching periods • Less preparation weeks • Surety that the third teaching period remains optional At the moment, the Educational Action Group (EAG) is organising the ‘Balanced Semesters - Throwing Students OFF Balance’ campaign, which you can check out on Facebook. Alternatively, feel free to send me an email at education@ utsstudentsassociation.org, or come to one of our meetings if you would like to know more about the campaign.
TREASURER’S REPORT
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Mohamed Rumman
Lachlan Barker
The Students’ Association is getting on with the job of advocating for your rights on campus. In a couple of weeks, we will hold elections for council and office bearer positions for the Student Representative Council. We believe student engagement is paramount to a strong university community. Our love for the university is why we dedicate so much time and effort, often at the expense of our social lives, and sometimes even at the expense of our marks, to stand up for you on campus.
Welcome back to semester!
The debate about the role of balanced semesters is underway at UTS. The Students’ Association has been in consultation with the university about the attitudes students have about this change, about ways in which we can better develop and understand the changes, as well as how this could affect your degree. There are campaigns currently being run by the Students’ Association to ensure student voices are being heard. The Students’ Association needs the support of the student community to survive. If you’re interested in getting involved in the UTSSA in 2017, come into our office on level three of the Tower building, and we can point you in the right direction.
Orientation day was an Absolute Blast™ with everyone pitching in to help out at stalls. A special thank you to the Collective Office Bearers and members who covered their stalls throughout the day – we appreciate the work you put in, especially what you did behind the scenes to make it such a success. Because of time constraints with the return to semester, I’ve mostly been collecting minutes and quotes to ensure Office Bearers and editors are reimbursed. If there are any outstanding payments, please email me. With semester starting back, it’s also a good time to lodge Political, Educational, Religious and Cultural club applications. If you want to file for a PERC club, collect a form from the UTSSA office and leave it with our receptionist. If you ever wish to attend an executive or general SRC meeting, you’re more than welcome! For further information on meetings, or if you have any further enquiries, feel free to contact us over Facebook or via secretary@utsstudentsassociation.org.
artwork : megan wong
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o f f - b r o a d way : c o l l e c t i v e s
The UTS Indigenous Collective
Madelyne Norris I would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Gadigal and Kuring-Gai people of the Eora Nation, who are the traditional owners of the land on which our campuses stand. I would also like to pay respect to Elders both past and present, and extend that respect to the Indigenous staff and students who contribute to the academic and cultural life of UTS. From experience, I know that transitioning into uni life can be daunting. Many of us will be moving away from family or country, will be starting new classes, and will be making new friends. While this can be overwhelming, it can also be extremely exciting. As the UTS Indigenous Officer for 2016, I would like to explain some of the initiatives and events we have completed this year. To Indigenous students reading: your university experience will be a long and eventful journey, and I look forward to supporting you through it, and getting to know each of you. The Indigenous Collective and Jumbunna are dedicated to providing social, academic, and cultural support to improve the overall lives of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Our aim is to create a place where we all have equal access to education and the opportunities it brings. We believe that everyone deserves to go to a university that ensures this. Our vision this year has been to give ideas and experiences a louder voice.
artwork : megan wong
Our first move is to legitimise Indigenous representation within the student body. With the support of the SRC and other collectives we have aimed to make our ideas known and our issues addressed. We have done this in many ways, including: organising social events, engaging in ground-work activism, and connecting other Indigenous students and leaders in the wider Sydney region and other campuses. We have taken steps to introduce UTS’s first autonomous Indigenous Vertigo Magazine to provide a platform for the many Indigenous students studying communications at UTS. Outreach and engagement with our students is a priority for the Indigenous Collective. Everyone is welcome and everyone is important. The support and sense of commu– nity which I feel within the Indigenous Collective and at Jumbunna has been a deciding factor, motivating me to study at UTS. I am one of the first in my family to continue further education at university, and am currently undertaking a Bachelor of Laws and Arts in International Studies. I can confidently say that the support of the Indigenous Collective and Jumbunna were fundamental in the continuation of my education. Again, I look forward to meeting you all! I hope that your experience at UTS, with the support of the Indigenous Collective and Jumbunna, will be just as positive as mine.
/ Lifestyle & Innovation
lifestyle & innovation : gaming
THE OLD AND THE mew ISAAC GARCIA I don’t know if many people have heard about this game, but in July this year, a company called Niantic released Pokémon Go. It’s this indie game based off a small Japanese franchise that had zero traction. For those who haven’t realised that I’m being so obviously sarcastic…hi mum. So for all the mothers out there, Pokémon Go is an augmented reality app that uses geo-location to create a Pokémon world, and it’s absolutely, painstakingly everywhere. With news and clickbait attributing Pokémon Go’s success to various phenomena, Pokémon Go was also a small reminder of how powerful gamer’s nostalgia actually is. The revival of iconic media has always existed, but never before at this scale. In 2016 alone, we’ve seen the release of: ‘Ghostbusters’, ‘The Jungle Book’, and ‘Tarzan’. Whilst ‘Mike and Dave need Wedding Dates’, a classic reboot of every other Zac Efron movie, hit theatres in July. None of these reboots have ever reached the pinnacle of success as reboots within the gaming industry. Why? It’s because games recreate nostalgic experiences unlike any other medium.
It wasn’t just Pikachu that charmed millennials, prompting them to look up from their laptops and down to their phones; it was the experience of choosing your starter, it was the classic three-shake capture, it was going on an adventure. All those memories you have from your childhood, playing the original game, came flooding back. Most times I even catch myself doing things I did as a kid, like pressing my thumb over the pokeball, thinking it increased capture rate. And it isn’t just Pokémon; E3 2016 saw the return of the classic Aussie battler, Crash Bandicoot, exactly as he was before. Sonic is even making a comeback for Sega’s 25th anniversary. Sure, there’s new zones and new levels, but it’s still that same, beautiful clink when you collect a ring. Playing on these nostalgic elements is the reason games from the Super Mario or Tomb Raider franchises continue to succeed time and time again. Legends of Zelda continues to surpass its own ridiculous art design and epic soundtracks, yet you still have to break pots to get ahead. Games are only set to become bigger, better and more real; that’s exciting. But there’s something about games that retain their sentimental quality across generations. I continue to hope as an avid, casual gamer, that they don’t ruin it like DC has. Don’t be Suicide Squad. ARTWORK : JESS MAI
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LIFESTYLE & INNOVATION : FOOD
EVERYDAY EATING: WHAT’S BEHIND YOUR TAKE-AWAY SUSHI ELEANOR HARRISON As I was scrolling through Twitter on a rainy July day, I came across a status from @JetRTimmerman that piqued my interest: “Petition for plastic fish only: Citizens against tiny bags of soy sauce that you have to tear open and then you get soy sauce on your hand and it happens every time”. Or, PFPFOCATBOSSTYHTTOATYGSSOYHAIHET, for short. After promptly joining my friend’s organisation (we haven’t had any meetings yet, but I’m confident a petition on Change.org will be up soon), I started to wonder – what are the origins of the condiments you get in your cheap, take-away sushi?
WASABI Most people know that the wasabi in take-away sushi is not wasabi at all, but rather, a type of horseradish that is flavoured and made to look like the real thing. Real wasabi, it turns out, is only grown in pristine stream beds in Hokkaido, northern Japan. What most people don’t know is that the demand for real wasabi is growing, with Tasmanian premium wasabi producer, Shima Wasabi, recently being acquired by TasFoods, who are hoping to expand. But what does real wasabi taste like? After asking a few Japanophiles who’ve tasted it, it seems that they agree on one thing: real wasabi is “much less pungent” than the horseradish we get with our take-away sushi, and it loses its flavour very quickly. This is why it is usually grated at the table. One of my sources said she couldn’t even tell the difference between the real wasabi and the fake wasabi. It should be noted that real wasabi is sold at $167 per kilogram, wholesale, which might account for why the horseradish version is so popular. PLASTIC GRASS The strips of plastic are called haran. Nowadays they’re there to add visual appeal and to stop flavours from unpleasant intermingling. Originally, the grass (and it initially was real grass, not plastic) was used in the Edo period (1603-1867), for something a little different. According to the Japan Times’ interview with Ayao Okumura, chef, food consultant and cookbook author: “Certain plants, when damaged, release very active antimicrobial substances called phytoncides that prevent the plant from rotting. If you use the leaves from such plants to wrap or divide foods, the phytoncides in the leaves inhibit the growth of bacteria in the food. So meals packed with real leaves stay safe longer than meals packed with plastic.” Basically, haran was a 17th century preservative. In fact, the switch to plastic was made relatively recently, in the ‘60s and ‘70s. When sushi spread around the globe, the plastic grass came with it. GINGER Apparently ginger or gari is meant to be a palate cleanser, which is a bit awkward to find out, considering all of the times I’ve eaten it with the sushi like the uncultured swine I am. It’s also part of the Japanese obsession with presentation – adding a splash of pink to your plate, alongside your haran. And once again – the stuff we get with our take-away is an adulterated descendant of the real thing. Our vibrantly
pink ginger is intended to imitate particularly young ginger that usually has a faint, pink tint… so if your ginger is neon pink, it’s probably older ginger dyed with beetroot juice or red dye. SOY SAUCE The first tiny bag of soy sauce that so vexes us today seems to have first come about in America in 1955 when Harold M. Ross and Yale Kaplan filed a patent for a ‘dispensing container for liquids’. It had a more sophisticated system than today’s plastic packets; apparently releasing pressure on the packet would stop the flow of liquid – a far cry from the stuff that squirts all over us these days. A businessman called Howard Epstein is the man to blame for all the spilt soy sauce over the years – he founded a food packaging company in 1964, and as airlines began to take off in the ‘70s, so did his soy sauce packaging. But do those little bags actually hold soy sauce? The soy sauce you usually get in those bags is not only fermented soybeans and wheat (traditionally, the only ingredients in soy sauce), but a whole load of other stuff: MSG, corn syrup, food colouring, and preservatives, amongst other additives. Either way, it’s still delicious, as far as I’m concerned. PLASTIC FISH After much searching and a few desperate phone calls to my Japanese-speaking friends – I found out via the Asahi website, where the plastic fish comes from. Apparently it is called ranchaamu and means something along the lines of ‘lunch charm’. When the packet is empty it’s called tarebin which means ‘container that you put sauce in’. In 1954, a man called Watanabe Teruo, who worked at Asahi Manufacturing, decided to invent the little plastic fish because he recognised the beginning of the era of polyethylene. He realised it would be cheaper and safer than pottery or glass alternatives. The shape came into existence so that the little containers could fit inside takeaway sushi boxes at train stations - bento - and sushi is fish, hence the shape. These days there are five different fish shapes available. There are also pig and gourd shaped bottles. Colours include silver and gold bottles, as well as the regular clear plastic. There is debate over what the different coloured caps mean; some people say different colours denote sodium content, while others say they’re purely for decorative purposes. So, next time you get a plastic fish and not a foil packet, you can thank Watanabe Teruo. ARTWORK : MADDIE LUMLEY
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l i f e s t y l e & i n n o vat i o n : S u b c u lt u r e s
S o yo u t h i n k yo u c a n C o s p l ay Kate Gogole wski The world of Cosplay, what it involves and what to expect (most of the time).
As a fairly sheltered late ‘90s baby with older parents, I came into the world of pop culture late. Very late. I did, however, dress up in costumes. I wasn’t aware until my late teens that people did it for a living. I discovered there were like-minded people who loved dressing up as their favourite book and movie characters, often mixing and mashing them to create their own versions. Then I found out about conventions such as Supanova and Comic Con, and I was in heaven. Upon seeing a person dressed as Chewbacca I yelled: “I have found my people!” So what is cosplay? The fount of all wisdom, Urban Dictionary, defines cosplay as: “costume play – dressing up and pretending to be a fictional character, usually a sci-fi, comic book, or anime character”. A cosplayer therefore, is the person who dresses up. This is opposed to a cosplaya, who is apparently, “a gangsta rapper that dresses up as Sailor Moon”. Who knew? Taking that leap and entering the world of cosplay as a serious enterprise can be terrifying, especially measuring up against the likes of the cosplay-famous the world over.
Engaging in a pastime that you’ve never been involved with before can make it extra scary. However, take it from several people who cosplay – it’s not as scary as you think. Jess, a 24-year-old from the Inner West, has been “doing costume stuff ” for as long as she can remember. Jess works more on the makeup side of cosplay, making beautiful designs to become a mermaid or space faun: “it’s like normal faun makeup, but blue and more glittery”. With this costuming, she had the opportunity to march in Mardi Gras on a Star Trek themed float. Sarah, 23, is a dancer from South-West Sydney whose various cosplays include Poison Ivy, ‘Deadpool housewife’, Mew, Dragonair, and even a disco ball. So what can you expect when you cosplay and attend conventions? With all the bad behaviour that’s been coming to light in recent years within the gaming community over the inclusion of female gamers, and scathing comments on sites like 4chan and Reddit about cosplayers who do not look exactly like the person they cosplay, I can understand why people are hesitant to enter this niche subculture. I was
Jess had heard stories of female cosplayer body shaming, and Sarah noted that she considered that type of behaviour to appear more at cons, “at raves there is little to no judgement”, (who knows, the comparison of atmosphere between the two might warrant further study). Sarah has nevertheless had people take photographs of her at raves without permission, which she does find invasive. Jess and Sarah both concur however, that the atmosphere at cons and other cosplay events is, in the words of Sarah: “usually one of excitement, fun and unity”. Jess says it’s “overwhelmingly, almost unbearably positive”. People love seeing others dressed up as their favourite characters from books and films, especially when the cosplayer is in character, and “tend to generally get very excited”, Jess said. Even if you attend your first con not in costume (many people don’t), while you’re there you might get inspired. That’s the joy of cosplay, there’s never a truly ‘right’ cosplay because there are so many things you can add and change to suit your own tastes. So make that costume. Embody your inner Aragorn. Come join us.
ARTWORK : Leanne Nguyen
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LIFESTYLE and innovation : sex
GREAT SEXPECTATIONS - EDITION FIVE
Aunt agnes the agony aunt When told that this volume’s theme was ‘Antiques Roadshow’, resident Agony Aunt, Agnes, exclaimed, “At my age, there is nothing more obsolete than my sex life, so I’m going to talk about that.” Thus, in a Vertigo exclusive, Agnes regales us with a tale of contraceptive woe from her youth.
Imagine a starfish, deep in the ocean - spread out wide, flat and heavy against a mossy rock. Except imagine the starfish is a handsome, young man and the ocean is your vagina. Now, if your vagina has ever been compared to an ocean by a third party, I congratulate you on your ability to selflubricate. At this age, in the throes of menopause, I never go anywhere without my vagifem or, in a pinch, a healthy dollop of KY. So there I am, eight minutes into a decidedly average session of sex-making (I was not in love), my toosh pressed further into the mattress than ever before, with a boy astride me who refused to attempt even the slightest of manoeuvres in the quest for my satisfaction. So onerous was the weight of him atop my torso that I found myself struggling to breathe. Typically I find breathing difficult of an evening because I suffer from debilitating hay fever, but readers, I assure you, it was only June. The mediocre night was suddenly to take a turn for the disastrous when we discovered moments later that the condom we had been using had completely vanished. Disappeared into the blankets, we presumed. So, we searched. We searched high and low. We lifted the doona, searched under the sheets, thrust desperate hands into impossible places in the vain hope that the condom had somehow flung itself off of his penis, sailed triumphantly past my head and buried itself into the pillow case. No such luck. I didn’t want to scare the boy and insisted that it was probably hidden underneath the bed. Quietly, however, I had resolved that I had lost the fucking thing in me and I was going to have to fish it out.
Once I’d gotten past the fact that my life had become the plot of the film, ‘Love, Rosie’, faster than I could say ‘Can you at least try to support your weight with your arms instead of just lying on top of me like this?’, I stole away to the bathroom, phone in hand, to figure out what the heck I was meant to do about the latex fugitive I was harbouring inside my vaginal canal. After a brief inspection, I realised that this was not going to be the simple retrieval process I had imagined. I couldn’t feel a thing. I washed my hands and began to furiously google phrases which I now understand were ineffective search terms: “I’ve lost a condom inside of my vagina – help”. I was stressed. I read a number of articles on Wikihow about how best to recover a missing condom, and once I was satisfied that I had an understanding of the literature, I put it to practice. I will not describe how much of my hand disappeared into the darkness, or how with adrenalin coursing through my body, I achieved contortions I couldn’t ever hope to replicate in pleasant company. It was eighteen minutes later that I felt for the first time something which seemed like latex instead of flesh. I managed to gain a slippery purchase on the rubber with my index finger and began to duel with the enormous suction power of my own vagina to wrestle the limp article out of me. With a right hand like a prune, I finally came free - the pathetic piece of polyurethane dangling from my shaking fingertip. I returned exhausted to the bedroom, and found the boy curled up; he had fallen asleep in the half hour or seven years that I was gone. The scene was peaceful, and he looked quite beautiful. I lingered at the doorway, staring at the boy with a kind of affection. That’s when I remembered – I hadn’t even fucking come.
/ Rear Window
* Rear Window is Vertigo’s satire section, and it is not intended to be taken as seriously as other medications.
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My Kitchen Rules Kieran Smith
Despite recent scientific denouncement of its merit, celebrity chef, Pete Evans, announced today he would continue to show his support for the Paleo movement by living out the rest of his life as a primitive Neanderthal. Following a facial reconstruction and extensive speech training, Evans hosted a press conference on the benefits of the program from a cave in Western Asia where he now resides. “Our ancestors lived happy, healthy lives for thousands of years with nothing more than the food and shelter they found in nature,” said Evans through grunts that were loosely translated by footballer Paul Gallen. “I am here to prove that we too can be just as healthy and happy.” Evans then demonstrated how he collected water from a local stream, later confirmed to be heavily contaminated by lead from a local metal recycling plant. While Evans admitted he wasn’t exactly sure how his move would affect the next season of My Kitchen Rules, the show’s producers expressed their delight at his decision. “We just slap a My Kitchen Rules: Archaic Edition on the promos, put in some superficial bullshit about the ‘local culture’ and you wankers will think you’re sophisticated for watching. Christ, we’re paying Evans in almonds,” said one Channel 7 executive. However, not all fans of the show are happy with the move, with one Twitter user stating: “Shit choice MKR, if I wanted to see an idiot grunt nonsense on TV, I’d watch Sonia Kruger.” While Evans admits that the move has been difficult, he says that he is enjoying many of the challenges faced by the move, such as hunting for his own food and discovering fire.
artwork : georgia DOUST
REAR WINDOW : news
A UTS tutor stunned her students on Tuesday afternoon by playing up to 25 viral videos tenuously linked to the subject matter of the tutorial, in what is believed to be a new world record. The first year Communications class was allegedly supposed to be learning about interpretations of feminism in media, but was instead forced to watch over two dozen YouTube clips consecutively by the tutor, who wished to remain anonymous. “It started with that one ad about ‘throwing like a girl’, and it just went from there,” said student Claire Dodson. “She just kept clicking the recommended videos. I mean, we must have watched every viral video from the past three years. We even watched that one about consent and cups of tea!” Thomas McDonald said, “The worst part was the song parodies. My god, the song parodies. Have you ever listened to four different satirical takes on ‘Blurred Lines’? In a row?” McDonald said the situation was only exacerbated by the tutor’s half-hearted dancing. “She kept making eye contact with us while she sort of bounced up and down behind her desk. It was horrible.” Julia Bradhurst, 18, said, “It would have been alright, except for the fact that she never moved the mouse off the screen, and she never skipped the ads. Even the 30 second ones. Even when the big button that said ‘Skip to the video’ showed up. She never skipped a single one.” The tutor has allegedly received no penalty for her actions, although several aggressive posts have appeared on the UTS Confessions Facebook page.
In a move that has been described by Democrats as ‘desperate’ and ‘cheap’, Donald Trump has revealed he has a sixth toe, in an apparent appeal to minority voters. A photograph of Trump on board his private plane that revealed his bare left foot, complete with sixth toe, was posted on his Facebook page earlier today. The photograph was captioned: “All the best people have six toes. I know this to be true. One of my best friends told me he doesn’t trust anyone who doesn’t have six or more toes on each foot. My bonus tootsie, as Melania likes to call it, gives my feet character, just like minorities give this country character. Although, just like my sixth toe, the threat of removal is ever-present.” The revelation has been met with mixed responses. Conservative pundit and professional asshole, Piers Morgan, took to Twitter to claim that he was impressed by Mr Trump’s bravery, although questions about whether or not his own feet are in fact cloven hooves went unanswered. In lieu of a statement on the issue, the official Hillary Clinton Twitter account tweeted an audio file of what appeared to be Ms Clinton laughing non-stop for approximately 19 minutes. A representative of the American Foot Fetishists Society provided one of the few positive responses, saying: “Finally, some representation for our country’s greatest hidden minority. We support Mr Trump’s decision to bare his foot and his soul, and hope that next time it’s on video, perhaps with different angles. Maybe he could… you know… take off his shoe real slow or someth-”, at which point the press conference was abruptly ended.
LUCY TASSELL
ARTWORK : JORDAN EVANS
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Ryan Doyle An infamous café in Canberra’s south, the Café Politico, has been renowned for decades for its poor customer service and mediocre food. After a recent change in management, and six months of renovations, it was hoped the café would breathe new life into the southern Canberra dining scene. However, it is clear that the cycle of disappointment Café Politico is famous for is doing better than ever. Located just near the water’s edge, Café Politico delivers the same bleak and all too familiar atmosphere it always has. The renovations that had been advertised with excitement by new management seem to have resulted in the rearrangement of a few tables and chairs. The menu consists of old 1950s dishes, and makes little sense, as the blurb for every dish is simply a description of how the previous owners did it worse. For my meal, I ordered the special of the day, which was grilled salmon. I was disappointed when all that arrived was tuna on toast, and I was informed, “we need to live within our means”. I spoke to the waiter about the terrible service, but he just kept explaining how there had never been a more exciting time to be in his restaurant. When I tried to move on to dessert I was told dessert is no longer served after seven p.m., after a child was hurt whilst on a sugar rush. I was informed, however, that I could go over the road to a large gelato franchise if I wanted something sweet. I interviewed the manager about the changes to the restaurant, although throughout the interview he kept looking nervously over his shoulder to one of his employees called Scott, who would either be nodding or shaking his
artwork : Matthew lEUNG
head. The manager insisted that his mandate to “improve food and service” for all customers was still his priority. Locals seem less impressed. “This has been the fifth manager in the last eight years,” said one local. “You’d think they would have got it right by now?” She insisted, however, that the latest change in management would be an improvement: “The last manager made a lot promises about opening up a beer garden and introducing a new French range of dishes, but all he did was create an entire menu based around onions. It’s pretty hard to do worse than that.” The previous manager has insisted that he did a good job, as he had “stopped the floats”, referring to the cafés infamous over-the-top ice-cream float spider selection. Overall, the Café Politico is very much the copper to the fibre optic that I had expected. It is unlikely that locals will see an improvement any time soon.
rear window : The Future
Horoscopes Aries Today the pictures in your head will be more vivid than usual, and will mostly be of different kinds of melon. Don’t fight this – take time to relax and enjoy looking at the brightly coloured fruits.
Libra You may feel like a skipping record today and to be very honest, most people will find you boring and repetitive for the next eight hours. Stay home and focus on improving your stamp collection until this phase passes.
Ta u r u s This is a day for you to observe and learn plumbing-related skills. Get out your spanner and take a good, hard look at some piping. With patience, your knowledge of hot water systems will improve dramatically.
Scorpio Be careful about confronting someone who wants to poke holes in your idealism, or poke you in general. Poking is painful and inappropriate. Steer clear of anyone with an outstretched finger.
Gemini It is up to you to nurture your dreams. Do this by feeding them small sausages and covering them in soft blankets. In order for your dreams to grow, sing the classic Bon Jovi hit ‘Living on a Prayer’ to them for at least half an hour a day. Cancer Be honest with yourself about your opinion of the various contestants on ‘The Bachelor’. There will be pressure to conform with those around you when it comes to the literally thorny topic of who should get the rose – stay strong and stick to your beliefs. Leo While other people around you might be confused and distressed, remember that it is not your job to point them in the right direction. Hum softly to yourself and drink freshly squeezed juice while you pointedly ignore them.
Virgo Instead of trying to eat every single thing at the buffet table, bring a large Esky with you and hide it under your table. This way, you will be able to make the most of the all-you-can-eat deal without compromising your lower stomach.
S a g i t ta r i u s Today, you will be in a unique position to understand all sides of a Rubik’s Cube, although sadly it will not be in your possession and you will therefore be unable to solve it. If you need to weep about this loss, use Aloe Vera tissues. Capricorn You have a big date coming up, just like you do every Tuesday, because Tuesday is your favourite day of the week. Your weekly ‘Tuesday is here!’ party may not be as wild as it was last week, but don’t let that diminish your passion for this fantastic weekday. Aquarius Don’t feel like you need to make any sacrifices at this time, especially human or animal ones. Honestly, this is applicable at all times of the year – no matter how interesting you find ancient Mayan culture, there is never a need for violence or for you to start wearing robes in public again. Pisces You may feel that you need to add some fantasy to your daily routine. Do this by waving around a knitting needle at all times and telling people that it is your wand. Use it to loudly slay invisible creatures, especially when on public transport.
artwork : Natalie Borghi
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uts students’ association 2016 elections
Disclaimer: Consistent with the regulations, election material provided has been published in its original form without the input of the Vertigo editors. Please note that candidate statements have been concluded where they exceeded the allocated word limit.
Returning Officer’s Report on the Ballot Draw / 7 September 2016 President: Oliver Morassut Beatrice Tan Heba Niem
Treasurer: James Wilson Edward Strong Lachlan Barker
Women’s Officer: Elected unopposed Leya Reid
Secretary: Anna Rushmer Luke Chapman Angela Omari
Postgraduate Officer: Adrian Rook Mitchell Wnek
Overseas Students’ Officer: Indraneil Banerjee Manon Nougaret
10 Student Representative Councillors: End Trimesters Now: Peter Zacharatos Connect for SRC: Norma Cooper, Harrison Stanton, Leya Reid, Edward Strong, Lachlan Wykes, Lydia Watson-Moore, Anna Wensley, Manmeet Singh Khetarpal, Taylor Ficarra, Michael Rosser Spark for Verge Again!: James Wilson Oliver Morassut Stand Up!: Heba Niem, Sharna Godbold, Lachlan Barker, Christine Saunders, Gabriella Brackenbury-Soldenhoff, Alice Zhang, Robert Walshaw, Farah Samir, Darjan Gudelj, Kirra Jackson Harambe for SRC: Cameron Hart Fossilize your SRC: Christian Goopy, Shannon Lina Kelleher, He Xiao 7 NUS Delegates: Spark for Vertigo Again: Oliver Morassut, James Wilson Stand UP! For NUS: Heba Niem, Rahaf Al jayzane, Gabriella Brackenbury-Soldenhoff, Kirra Johnson, Lama Khatib, Sarah Yaha, Lachlan Barker Connect for NUS: Peter Zacharatos, Taylor Ficarra, Harrison Stanton, Luke Chapman, Beatrice Tan, Connor White, Lachlan Wykes Vertigo: (One team to be elected) Chocolate: Taylor Ficarra, Beatrice Tan Team Rocket: James Wilson, Oliver Morassut Verge: Aaron Taylor, Mariella Powell-Thomas, Kezia Aria,
Australian Indigenous Officer: Elected unopposed Tjarani Barton-Vaofanua
Akshaya Bhutkar, Michael Zacharatos, Louisa Luong, Sophie Waddington, Sophie Booth, Elliot Vella, Kim Phan, Rebecca Cushway Flex: Samantha Hayes, Madelyne Harris, Grace Stals, Enoch Mailangi, Mawuli Dokli, Miles Houlbrook, Alley Fahey, Aryan Golanjan, Grace Chang, Emily Nunell, Hannah Ballantyne, Matilda Spencer. Broadway Campus Convenor: Charles Kekovich David Grover James Wilson Broadway Campus Secretary: Oliver Morassut Mohamed Rumman Broadway Campus Women’s Officer: Elected unopposed Hannah Monaghan 10 Members of the Broadway Campus Committee: Connect for Broadway Campus: Mohamed Rumman, Edward Strong, Hannah Monaghan, Michael Lam, Stephen McCowage, Timothy Loo, Perzella Lui, Amir Saud, Sabina Raymond, Taylor Ficarra Stand Up!: James Hayes, David Grover, Sarah Yahya, Gabriella Brackenbury-Soldenhoff, Larry Nguyen, Darjan Gudelj, Josh Rebolledo, Kirra Jackson, Christina Farrelly,
Daniel Rodriguez Martinez, William Siomiak, Jessica Massih Trigger Happy: Oliver Morassut, James Wilson Markets Campus Convenor: Christina Knezevich India Bennett Markets Campus Secretary: Sebastian Grant-Preece Margaret Cai Markets Campus Women’s Officer: Norma Cooper Alice Zhang
10 Members of the Markets Campus Committee: Stand Up!: India Bennett, Montanna Tassell, Margaret Cai, Ushna Bashir, Alice Zhang, Anna Fletcher, Peter Tryfonopoulos, Ashley Xu, Aisyah Salim Ali Farrar, Johnathon Hetherinton Connect for Markets Campus: Sebastian Grant-Preece, Steven King, Adrian Brook, Harrison Stanton, James Marassa, Yuanzhang Wu, Zicheng Hu, Lydia Watson-Moore, Norma Jean Cooper, Peter Zacharatos, Michael Rosser. Christine Kibble Returning Officer 2016 UTS Students’ Association 9 September, 2016 0409 602 962
UTS Students’ Association and Vertigo Elections: Candidate Statements
executive
President Oliver Morassut I have taken what the Chancellor of the University has said closely to heart, and I agree. We don’t come to UTS just to learn. Which is why as President I want develop the students life on campus and fulfil the realisation of UTS, not as an academic institute, but as a safe place for all. And when I say that, I mean we cover every wall with mattresses and cotton material to ensure that no one gets hurt when they inevitably run into the walls as hard as they can. I also believe we should have free UTS jackets made for all the students which would be warn whenever anyone is on campus to ensure their safety and bring us all together as a community. These jackets obviously will be of the cleanest magenta and also make sure that the sleeves are around the back in a fashionable way, as well to ensure that the students do not claw out their eyes. It also comes with a unique mouth bar to stop any students who would, by
chance, want to bite off their tongue. As such, we want to call our broadway campus, Tertiaric Park. Tickets will be sold to the public in order to better fund the future building projects of the uni. New buildings such as the UTS Law phallus, the UTS Design Cleavage, and most excitable of all the Communications Diseased Liver. People will be able to enter in and see all these amazing feats of architecture, as well as observe students in their natural life, as go to class, get lunch, have some drinks, and have medical examinations performed. Campus life is important, and we aim to create a unique feeling for the students of UTS as well as better reflect the emotions and feelings of the students so that we might be able to come together and drink the magical cool aid when the time is right, and finally agree that University is the best place of all time. As President I will ensure: • REPRESENTING STUDENTS NEEDS: I ensure I will limit my sexual controversies to 2 per trimester.
a r t w o r k : k i m b e r ly l u o
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TELL THEM WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR: BUILD A WALL BETWEEN HERE AND UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY!!! CELEBRATE OTHER HOLIDAYS LIKE HANUKA: Because there is nowhere around uni you can get a decent Latka or Knish.
•
As you can see, I already have the skillset and dedication to my potential future role as President to be awesome at my new role of Emperor of a Galactic Empire. Hand Gestures. I am the best gesticulator around.
President Beatrice Tan
I’m Beatrice Tan and I’m running to be President of your Students’ Association. I want to help connect you with the student services essential to improving your university experience including free breakfast and dinner, tutoring, free legal advice, discounted textbooks, and autonomous collective spaces. I believe I am the best qualified person to be at the helm of the UTS Students’ Association at this tumultuous time of transition. In the past year of being the UTS Women’s Collective Convenor, I’ve built up a rapport with the people I would be working with as President. I’ve worked tireless with the Director of the Equity and Diversity unit, the Director of the Student Services unit and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor to ensure that UTS is a safe campus for everyone, and this is something I want to continue doing. I am passionate about student safety and representation. My aim is to connect students with the services that represent them and their unique needs. I’ve done this in the past year by being one of the main organisers of the Network of Women Students Australia National Conference. This conference enabled me to plan a weeklong event that promoted equity, safety, diversity and empowerment. I’ve also been heavily involved in the planning and organising of Reclaim the Night. In the same year, I’ve worked extensively with various collectives and have fostered strong connections with the extended community of the UTS Students’ Association. In short, I have a strongly balanced administrative and activist background that is needed in order to effectively
Talking. The thing is, who would not want Michael Caine as President. Drinks. I will challenge anyone that I can drink them under the table (you pay). VOTE 1 SPARK FOR VERTIGO AGAIN! FOR SRC/NUS/ THE OTHER THINGS VOTE 1 TEAM ROCKET FOR VERTIGO VOTE 126 FOR COMPULSORY BANNING OF BEANIES THAT DO NOT COVER YOUR EARS!! VOTE STRAWBERRY FOR BEST GELATO AWARDS, ROMA 1965
fulfil the role. My administrative background and good relationship with the university management will ensure that I will be taken seriously in negotiation as I advocate for improved student rights for us. My activist background ensures that the flames of my passion for equity never dim. More than that, I’ve shown that I can work with people from all different walks of life which is crucial in the President’s role. I’ve proven that I work cooperatively with the people around me who come from diverse backgrounds. This team connects people of all different walks of life who all want the best for students. We are a strong team that combines the skills and experience of each member to push for a better Students’ Association for all. We stand united, connected by our common goal of serving you. VOTE [1] CONNECT to: CONNECT students to improved on-campus services CONNECT students to their voices and their rights CONNECT students to career and jobs-related opportunities CONNECT UTS to national campaigns for student welfare Connect is not here to play political games, we stand together to make this university a better place. We are connected by our shared passion to create a better learning and living environment for ourselves and our fellow students. Together, we can build a student environment that is equitable, accessible and safe. Vote [1] Beatrice Tan for President Vote [1] CONNECT for SRC & NUS Vote [1] Luke Chapman for Secretary
President Heba Niem
Hey! I’m Heba Niem, a passionate Law/ International Studies student running for the position of President of the UTS Students’ Association (UTSSA). The UTSSA serves an imperative role, as the peak body representing to STAND UP! for students on campus and thus ensuring that students’ interests are adequately represented is critical. Serving as Women’s Officer over the past year, I witnessed the UTSSA relentlessly advocate on issues of pertinent importance to students. Through the roll-out of a university-wide survey and mass personal consultation with students, we sought to reflect the general student consensus on the implementation of balanced semesters at UTS. 2016 also saw the launch of our free dinner initiative “Night Owl”, as the UTSSA won’t let students go hungry. Moreover the funding and hosting of events such as Pride Week and NOWSA reaffirmed the Association’s goal of promoting a dialogue that empowers disadvantaged sections in our community. It is by witnessing these initiatives I began to grasp the immense capacity for the UTSSA to make a difference. However, there is still a lot of work ahead of us. In light of the university’s vehement implementation of balanced semesters, it’s critical that students’ are being heard. STAND UP! will continue spearheading the balanced semester campaign, advocating for an increase in the duration of teaching periods and ensuring more subjects are available in the summer session. Further, I recognise that the issue of safety on campus has been neglected for too long. I want to STAND UP! against sexual assault through the
s e c r e ta r y Anna Rushmer Imagine we lived in a world where people had little to no short term memory. Then imagine if within that world we also had no long term memory. Obviously there would be no elephants in this world, because that creates a paradox that I can’t possibly explain. Regardless, in this world of goldfish, there is a student organisation that seeks
roll out a UTS specific Safety On Campus survey, advocate for a more effective reporting mechanism of sexual assault and harassment and push for mandatory consent training for students and staff. I will STAND UP! for your right basic rights and make the case for the expansion of “Night Owl” and liaise with UTS Housing to offer emergency accommodation for those students who may be undergoing hardship. The Students’ Association needs a President with my conviction, strategic vision, knowledge and experience to move forward. As Women’s Officer, my efforts have gone into launching the sexual assault on campus campaign and healthcare austerity campaign. I lead the organisation of the NOWSA conference, which saw women, and non-binary students from across Australia convene to advocate for true equity and discuss ways to promote intersectionality. As a UTS Equity Ambassador I have connected with students from diverse backgrounds, education levels and professions thereby allowing me to gain experience on positively interacting with different groups on campus. The President of the UTSSA needs to STAND UP! and unequivocally advocate for the interest of students on campus, to the exclusion of all vested interests, and that is exactly what I will do if elected. VOTE [1] STAND UP! for SRC VOTE [1] STAND UP! for NUS VOTE [1] HEBA NIEM for PRESIDENT VOTE [1] ANGELA OMARI for SECRETARY VOTE [1] LACHLAN BARKER for TREASURER VOTE [1] DAVID GROVER for BROADWAY CAMPUS CONVENOR VOTE [1] INDIA BENNETT for MARKETS CAMPUS CONVENOR
to represent… something… but… can’t… something something. Welcome to the UTS Students’ Association. Where everyday activities such as representing student needs or even remembering what was said at a meeting only 5 minutes ago is beyond the capabilities of these political goldfish, swimming around aimlessly, resurfacing only for the little nibbles of political fish food their masters deign upon them. If elected to the role of Secretary, I would do my utmost to ensure that the UTS Students’ Association actually retains
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its organisational knowledge, which in recent years has been thrown out like a baby, with bathwater and several little goldfish in tow. First, a bit about myself. I was born from a phoenix egg following the unfortunate passing of the Grand Magi and it was then that I eschewed my innate magical abilities and begun preparation for my role as Secretary at a Students Association I did not yet know the name of. It was only through the meddling of my arch-nemesis and denizen of the underworld, the Australian Labor Party, I discovered it was UTS, and then setting my plan in action, I boarded my great falcon Avarice, and flew across the plains of the western continent and the planes of the eastern skies to find my way here. Upon disembarking from Avarice, I brutally killed her for her feathers which I traded at McDonalds for several vessels of Coca-Cola that I used to lubricate my mind against the impending disasters that are to come. Also, I needed something to drink. As I have now sponged up close to 500 words so I will leave you with these statements.
s e c r e ta r y Luke Chapman
I am running for Secretary because I want the UTSSA to connect you to services that are essential for your university experience. My name is Luke Chapman and I am a third year Law student who is driven by a passion to improve the university experience of students at UTS. The UTSSA is at the core of this experience and offers many benefits to students including: free breakfast, tutoring, free legal advice, discounted textbooks, and spaces for student collectives. As your Secretary I will fight for these services to be expanded and made truly accessible to all students at UTS. Vote 1 CONNECT to: CONNECT students to improved services on campus CONNECT students to strong and effective representation for student rights CONNECT students to career and jobs opportunities
As Secretary, I will pretend and lie about doing the following: • REPRESENTING STUDENTS NEEDS: A Secretary who attends meetings and actually writes down what happens at them • TELL THEM WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR: A Secretary who tells its members when meetings are on! Who’d have thought that would be useful? • REQUISITE THIRD POINT: To be filled in later • As you can see, I already have the skillset and dedication to my potential future role as Secretary to be awesome at my new role of Treasurer. Because we need it. Because why not. Third point. See above. VOTE 1 SPARK FOR VERITGO AGAIN! FOR SRC/NUS/ THE OTHER THINGS VOTE 1 TEAM ROCKET FOR VERTIGO VOTE 14 FOR COLONEL RAPSKILLON OF THE VERMILLION NEBULAE VOTE STRAWBERRY FOR BEST GELATO AWARDS, ROMA 1965
CONNECT UTS to national campaigns for student welfare CONNECT the UTSSA to students with a new website and improved communication In addition to delivering student services the UTSSA must be an effective advocate for student rights on campus. As Secretary I will bring student concerns to the attention of university faculty and management working to ensure that the voices of students are heard at all levels of university decision making. UTS is undergoing a period of rapid change, at this key moment, strong leadership will be crucial to secure the future of student organisations on campus. As a former UTS Students’ Association Secretary and NUS delegate, I have the skills and experience to deliver results. If elected I will reform the UTSSA to become a member focussed organisation that is transparent, accessible and responsible to all students. The UTSSA needs to communicate more effectively with students. I will launch a UTSSA website with news, events, contact information and minutes of UTSSA meetings so that students can stay informed.
This election Vote 1 CONNECT for a UTSSA with the experience and commitment to put students first and deliver for you.
s e c r e ta r y Angela Omari Hello, my name is Angela Omari and I am currently studying Business. During my first year at university (2015) I was inspired by my fellow students to submerge myself in student politics as well as providing awareness for the importance of student wellbeing. My aspiration to work for students allowed me to get involved with the Wom*n’s Collective and multiple events to which has strengthened my desire to foster the relationships between the students association and the university. This is significant as the students are able to feel confident and comfortable in their learning environment. Whilst, I have less of an experience with student election, I believe my passion and strive will enable me to focus on the importance of student experience at UTS. Furthermore, my capability to effectively communicate and understand students encouraged my participation with, Woco, the sexual assault/healthcare austerity campaign and the Network of Women Students Australia (NOWSA) held at UTS. The conference focused on promoting women’s
treasurer James Wilson Did you know that the UTS Students’ Association has a Treasurer position? It’s okay! Not many people do. After years of ineptitude across the board, the Treasurer position has been somewhat forgotten. Did you know that at SRC meetings it has been considered best practice for the Treasurer to not be aware of how much money the UTS Students Association has in their bank account?
Vote [1] Luke Chapman for Secretary Vote [1] Beatrice Tan for President Vote [1] CONNECT for SRC & NUS
safety, diversity, and empowerment in order to raise awareness about the ongoing inequity issues women face. Such experiences allow for myself to strive to be a better secretary as this has assured my ability to focus on key difficulties faced by students. The position of the Secretary requires a determined and passionate student who will focus on meeting the essential requirements, which I believe that I am capable of fulfilling. I will strive to accomplish additional achievements and tasks, which will go above and beyond the expectations and role of the Secretary, and thus I am confident to say that I look forward to being able to work with the students for the students. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me, I’d be more than happy to answer and discuss any issues. Thank you VOTE [1] STAND UP! for SRC VOTE [1] STAND UP! for NUS VOTE [1] HEBA NIEM for PRESIDENT VOTE [1] ANGELA OMARI for SECRETARY VOTE [1] LACHLAN BARKER for TREASURER
I know! It’s amazingly short-sighted! Did you know that if you go to an SRC meeting and ask for money for something, they could say ‘Yes’ before they check their financial position, since neither the Treasurer or President (or anyone else on the SRC for that matter) have monthly financial statements in front of them, nor do they know the ingoings or outgoings for the 0-30/30-60/6090/90+ day period? What?! That’s insanely poor business practice. And you said they might approve my expenditure without checking their budget? Sweet! Did you know they often don’t even create the yearly budget until the middle of their financial year, spending money they don’t know they have because they really,
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really need to give money to external organisations like the National Union of Students? These guys are communications students, aren’t they? Did you know they are also unincorporated, despite all these horrible business practices? It makes sense – they would fail any reporting under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009. Did you know that if they were sued – by anyone – with all these disastrous practices they would all be held personally liable and could not claim that they didn’t know as a defence? Surely most people would realise that. Most people don’t run for student office. Vote for someone who is like most people. Vote 1 James Wilson for Treasurer As Treasurer, I will obfuscate and trick you with the following:
Treasurer Edward Strong
My name is Edward Strong and I’m running for the Treasurer of the UTS Students’ Association because I know students need a fiscally-secure Students’ Association. I am a second year Integrated Product Design student, and I will bring with me two years experience in the treasury position of a society with over 1500 members, and three years experience in the private sector as a founding director of a design firm. Over the past year I have been the Students Association Broadway Campus Convenor, and the student representative on the Design Building and Architecture Faculty Board - through this position I have also sat on a number of university subcommittees. It is my belief that we can do better and be a better Students’ Association. The Students’ Association and the SRC needs to help students connect to improved services on campus, responsive representation, and jobs and career opportunities. The SRC also needs to better communicate with the student body both through a new website and written publications. I believe that all students should have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Sadly not all students have this
•
REPRESENTING STUDENTS NEEDS: A Treasurer who understands numbers, not letters. • TELL THEM WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR: A Treasurer who is a leaner not a lifter. • REQUISITE THIRD POINT: More apple trees on the alumni Green! 55555. Funny in Thai. 58008. Do this on a calculator upside down. 96605222. Call me and say you’re looking for real representation. Vote 1 James Wilson for Treasurer Vote 1 Spark for Vertigo Again! FOR SRC/NUS/UNESCO Vote 1 TEAM ROCKET for VERTIGO Vote 1 for shorter candidate statements Vote 1 James Wilson for Treasurer Vote 1 Oh Wait I Already Did That Vote rhymes with boat
opportunity, usually due to circumstances beyond their control. There are students who commute for hours into uni, and those from low-socioeconomic backgrounds that are left behind. For these groups, the ability to take advantage of the full university experience is prevented. The Student Association lead by the Connect team will ensure that all student services are properly funded and accessible for all students regardless of external factors. We will provide equal opportunities so all students to make the most of their university experience both academically and pastorally. I have first hand experience of the struggles that many students face and the UTSSA has helped me in overcoming them. I have lived alone since the beginning of my studies; I know what it’s like to have assessments backing up because you need to work in order to pay the rent, and what it is like to sacrifice weekends - all with the knowledge that upon graduation I will be in an easier position. I’m sure that many of you who are still reading at this point have faced your own struggles or or at least could empathise with those who have. The UTSSA should be run as effectively as possible to provide students the services they need to make sure their disadvantage doesn’t impede a student’s study. If you want a Students Association that is fair, properly managed, streamlined, and effective then vote:
Vote [1] Edward Strong for Treasurer Vote [1] Beatrice Tan for President
Treasurer Lachlan Barker I’m nominating to be the Treasurer of the UTS Students’ Association because I believe student money needs to be used responsibly and effectively for better student experiences. I believe in accountability and consistent communication, and these are things I have helped foster over the past year as the Secretary of the Students’ Association. We’re at the point now where students know that they pay SSAF – many of us just don’t know what it’s used for. For the start of the year, I plan to work closely with collectives and the Vertigo team to present a clear annual budget. I am also aware of a growing need for more student services in line with the changes to the academic calendar. Accounting
Vote [1] Luke Chapman for Secretary Vote [1] CONNECT for SRC & NUS
for the dynamic nature of these changes, I intend to work with flexibility in mind. With my experience on the executive team of 2016, I am confident I have the capacity to deliver on my intentions. The rooting of my student political work in education is why I am passionate about ensuring accessibility for all students. I aim to take this passion into the role of Treasurer to ensure students’ interests are at the core of our spending and financial allocations. As we all adapt to the shorter teaching sessions, support for students is of the utmost priority, and only STAND UP! has the experience, desire, and ability to give students the support they deserve. VOTE [1] STAND UP! for SRC VOTE [1] STAND UP! for NUS VOTE [1] HEBA NIEM for PRESIDENT VOTE [1] ANGELA OMARI for SECRETARY VOTE [1] LACHLAN BARKER for TREASURER
Office Bearers
p o s t g r a d u at e officer Adrian Rook My name is Adrian Rook and I am running for the position of Postgraduate Officer. I am drawn to the role due to a long held interest in higher education and student advocacy. I am currently in my second year of a Juris Doctor degree (graduate law). Before I started the Juris Doctor, I completed a Bachelor of Arts (Politics) and a Master of Arts (Int’l Relations) at UNSW. Since coming to UTS I have taken a keen interest in extracurricular activities run on campus. I am a member of clubs on campus, I have competed in Mooting and Witness Examination competitions run by the UTS Law Student’s
Society, and I am currently completing the Brennan Social Justice program and regularly volunteer at RACS (Refugee Advice and Casework Service). My priorities in this role will be to ensure that the SRC pursues an agenda that encourages inclusivity on campus, helps postgraduate students balancing competing priorities of work/life/study and provides useful and effective services. I am also interested in making sure the new ‘balanced teaching sessions’ work for postgraduate coursework students. If elected I will be open, consultative and an effective advocate for all postgraduate students. Vote [1] CONNECT for SRC & NUS Vote [1] Beatrice Tan for President Vote [1] Luke Chapman for Secretary
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P o s t g r a d u at e officer Mitchell Wnek Hi, I’m Mitchell Wnek and I am running for the position of Postgraduate Officer of the UTS Students’ Association. I understand that Postgraduate students face an array of unique challenges that are often bypassed and dismissed in the decision making process at university. Through this role, I aim to STAND UP! for Postgraduate students by boosting representation on the Student Representative Council. I will work hard to instigate the initiative of constitutional reform in order to ensure Postgraduate students have their
Women’s officer Leya Reid Elected unopposed. I’m Leya Reid and I’m finishing my first year of Communications. As Women’s Officer, I will foster a strong working relationship with the UTS Women’s Collective and ensure the Students’ Association is attending to their organizational needs. This means fighting for access to adequate funding to run events and projects, spread awareness of gender-related issues, and promote gender parity on campus and in the broader community. By taking on this position, I will connect the student body to their association by facilitating open dialogue. I am passionate about breaking down gender discrimination, and will therefore actively advocate for open communication and cooperation. Specifically, I want to pool resources to eliminate sexism on campus and tackle sexual assault. I believe that the Students’ Association should co-opt the concerns of the Women’s Collective and encourage student-driven education about gender, respect and consent. I will work to ensure that UTS becomes a community that addresses current feminist issues and
voices heard on campus and that their input is taken into consideration in the decision making process. I will STAND UP! for postgraduate students by advocating for more accessible childcare services on campus and work with others to create an inter-connected and thriving alumni network. Vote [1] STAND UP! for SRC Vote [1] STAND UP! for NUS Vote [1] Heba Niem for President Vote [1] Angela Omari for Secretary Vote [1] Lachlan Barker for Treasurer Vote [1] David Grover for Broadway Campus Convenor Vote [1] India Bennett for Markets Campus Convenor
values respect. By securing a firm connection between the Students’ Association and the Women’s Collective, I will expedite the process in which they can organize campaigns–whether they are to raise awareness on genderspecific concerns, celebrate the diversity of women or to showcase their creativity and opinions. It is time that these campaigns have a stronger reach and include even more of the student body. Furthermore, I want to encourage campaigns that do not necessarily address the issues of women on campus alone, but fight for those in the broader community. This includes, but is not limited to, participating in movements that address local and global gender inequalities, and raising funds for women-based projects. Having participated extensively in women’s rights campaigns including the International Women’s Day march of 2016 as well as more broad social change movements, I have the drive and experience to efficiently serve as the role of Women’s Officer at UTS. VOTE [1] LEYA REID for Women’s Officer VOTE [1] CONNECT for SRC and NUS VOTE [1] BEATRICE TAN for PRESIDENT VOTE [1] LUKE CHAPMAN for SECRETARY
Overseas students’ officer Indraneil Bamerjee Hi, my name is Indraneil Bamerjee and I am running for the position of International Officer of the UTS Students’ Association. As an international student myself I understand the hardships faced by international students at UTS. I believe STAND UP! will support me in focusing on communicating and engaging with international students through different means such as information sessions, regular meetings and social events. I will utilise the
Overseas students’ officer Manon Nougaret My name is Manon and I’m an undergraduate Business student majoring in Accounting. This is my first year at university, and also my first year in Australia! When I lived in France I was highly involved with my high school community, particularly in lobbying the school administration for better learning conditions for students and staff. So when I moved to Sydney I thought it only made sense to keep fighting for better learning conditions at UTS. First of all, the late notice for final exams is a real issue for many of us. Because of it, we can’t book flights back home in advance and flights become really expensive. I will push to ensure exam timetabling is released earlier. Many of you asked me for a ‘buddy program’ to be instituted, it turns out there is actually already one in place at UTS. I would focus on increasing advertising for this program (e.g. a Facebook group to make it more accessible).
role to advocating for a fairer, more diverse and more representative Student’s Association. I will make the case for upholding the rights of international students and the need to reflect those views in decision making and in so doing will STAND UP! to help bridge the gap between local student and international students. Vote [1] STAND UP! for SRC Vote [1] STAND UP! for NUS Vote [1] Heba Niem for President Vote [1] Angela Omari for Secretary Vote [1] Lachlan Barker for Treasurer Vote [1] David Grover for Broadway Campus Convenor Vote [1] India Bennett for Markets Campus Convenor
In turn, the HELPSMates buddy program can become more of a ‘friendship’ program than a ‘tutoring’ program. I would also like to assure you that every international Students I’ve met (me included) gets homesick and sad and feel lonely at some point during semester. It is totally normal and common, you are not being overly emotional by missing your country, home and family. I wish to build a better awareness of the free counselling program available at UTS for any students INCLUDING international students, it’s completely charge-free and anonymous, and talking to someone really helps when you’re feeling low. Finally, I would continue the international student transport concession policy started by the current Overseas Students Officer. I know very well how expensive transportation is in Sydney, and therefore I am committed to getting international students the same concession as domestic students. Vote [1] CONNECT for SRC & NUS Vote [1] Beatrice Tan for President Vote [1] Luke Chapman for Secretary
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Australian Indigenous Officer Tjarani Barton-Vaofanua Elected unopposed. My mother Vicki Barton is Aboriginal and Hungarian. My Nan Christine Barton is Aboriginal and my great grandmother was Janet Sheedy a descendent of the Calma family from the Northern Territory. My Great Grandfather was Leonard Beckett who descends from the Wokka Wokka people in South East Queensland. I also say Talofa Lava in acknowledgement of my Samoan heritage which goes back to Savaii Samoa via South Auckland New Zealand. My name is Tjarani Barton-Vaofanou, and I am running for the the position of Indigenous officer of our student
association. I believe in building a culture of self-reliance and community. I believe that everyone should have access to free education. Unfortunately not everyone can access education due to financial restraints and other factors. This also means that Indigenous communities have even higher hurdles to jump. Further support is needed to ensure Indigenous students to assist our people in recovering from wrongs in our past. This is why I believe students should vote Stand Up! will continue to facilitate and support my position and vision in 2017. VOTE [1] STAND UP! for SRC VOTE [1] STAND UP! for NUS VOTE [1] HEBA NIEM for PRESIDENT VOTE [1] ANGELA OMARI for SECRETARY VOTE [1] LACHLAN BARKER for TREASURER
SRC (10 Student Representative Councillors)
end trimesters now Peter Zacharatos No statement provided.
connect for src Norma Cooper, Harrison Stanton, Leya Reid, Edward Strong, Lachlan Wykes, Lydia Watson-Moore, Anna Wensley, Manmeet Singh Khetarpal, Taylor Ficarra, Michael Rosser NORMA COOPER Hi, my name is Norma Jean Cooper and I’m running to be a Student Representative Councillor with Connect because I believe students at UTS deserve the best quality education and services. The SA runs campaigns based on student issues, provides free student services, and supports student collectives and clubs in their initiatives. My motto in life is to cut through the unnecessary stuff and promote the essentials. I’m most passionate about providing services that directly benefit you on a daily basis. For students this means that I will fight to continue existing UTSSA services.
As a student, I know there are issues that affect us all outside the classroom as well. This includes stuff like the ridiculous price of textbooks, how some of us are not being treated fairly at work (especially international students), and the ongoing costs of rent, food, and medical bills. You can trust in me to make sure the Students Association can provide a helping hand for these issues on campus, or to direct you to the appropriate service, or even just to offer a listening ear. The Students Association I want to work for is open, friendly and always has your interests in mind. If elected you will find me around campus on a stall, asking directly what it is you need and how the Students Association can help you get there.
HARRISON STANTON Hi, I’m Harrison and for 2017 I want the SRC to connect with you. Over the course of 2016, I have represented you on both Academic Board and Faculty Board as well as the Student Council Liaison Group. In 2017 I want to go one further and represent you on the SRC. My experience to date shows that a sensible and well executed approach to student representation is essential to obtaining good outcomes for students and this is what I strive for. So far this year, one of the issues I have actively lobbied and campaigned for was for making improvements to the balanced semester system. This involved consulting with students, the Student Association and other Academic
LEYA REID My name is Leya Reid and I am a first year Communications student. My vision as an SRC councillor is to steer the Students Association towards real representation and real results. I am enthusiastic over the potential of the UTSSA to deliver student benefits and enhance the study experience. I believe that a truly representative Students Association begins with developing strong communication channels with the students. In order to voice and act upon their concerns, recognising their needs is foundational. I am determined that through greater communication, accessibility and responsibility, the UTSSA will more effectively improve the student experience.
EDWARD STRONG My name is Edward Strong and I’m running for the Treasurer position of the UTS Students’ Association because I know students need a fiscally-secure Students Association. I am a second year Integrated Product Design student, and I will bring with me two years experience in the treasury position of a society with over 1500 members, and three years experience in the private sector as a founding director of a design firm. Over the past year I have been the Students Association Broadway Campus Convenor. It is my belief that we can do better and be a better Students’ Association. The Students Association and SRC
Board student representatives to lobby the university – and the university is definitely listening. In 2017, I want my experience and passion for engaging students to be brought in to the Student’s Association and SRC. I envision an SRC which is representative of many, not just select few. In saying this I plan to: • Continue my work with the improvements for students regarding balanced semesters • Ensure the Students Association is run effectively • Help the Students Association connect with you more and play a greater part in your day-to-day university life With your help we can connect with you and make the SRC and Students Association a place that works for everyone.
Specifically, there will be an increased focus on improving student services such as tutoring, legal services, free breakfast and more. I want to build a university environment that is supportive, safe and inclusive. Connect will develop a stronger working relationship between the UTSSA, the student body and all those involved in the university decision making to effect actual change. This election, vote for the Connect team - we have the experience and drive to reinvigorate the Student Association and represent your concerns.
need to help students connect to improved services on campus, responsive representation, and jobs and career opportunities. The SRC also needs to better communicate with the student body both through a new website and written publications. The Student Association lead by the Connect ticket will ensure that all student services are properly funded and accessible for all students regardless of external factors. We will provide equal opportunities so all students to make the most of their university experience both academically and pastorally.
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LACHLAN WYKES My name is Lachlan Wykes and I am running to be a Student Representative Councillor with Connect because I believe new students are underrepresented within student representative roles.
Safeguarding continued support by the Students Association is critical to ensure these students receive the help and support they are due. Beginning university is a daunting and expensive task and as a representative for new students I will fight to mitigate this burden as much as possible.
As a first year student, I am able to better understand the needs of first, second year and newly transferred students. These students are often underrepresented in student bodies and I am able to provide them with an empathetic yet strong and professional voice.
As a new student you can be confident I will reiterate your concerns to the Students Association and ensure its services are accessible and helpful to new students. All students both new and old can be entrusted that I am approachable and open to listen to any concerns they may have.
LYDIA WATSON-MOORE My name is Lydia Watson-Moore, and I’m a second year Communications and Law student who wants to connect you with the services you need to fulfil your university experience. I’m passionate about affecting change, and want to help the UTSSA reach its true potential as an essential part of your time at UTS. I’ve lived on campus throughout my degree, and so I want to ensure the UTSSA represents all students on campus - local, international and exchange, and provides them with services tailored to their needs. I’m
determined to ensure the UTSSA delivers for its students. It must fight for quality of education, and for the safety and wellbeing of its students.
ANNA WENSLEY G’day! My name is Anna Wensley, I am 20 years old, I am studying a Bachelor of Medical Science at UTS and I am running for SRC 2017.
Whilst I am now sounding v nerdy and about as untouched as the James Boag at your local, I promise you I have some very redeeming features. Some of these include; • I can WALK through the central tunnel, tap on and catch a train in under 6 minutes as I am a very great speed-walker. • By electing me to council, I will fight for better communication regarding “balanced teaching sessions’’ • I will work towards improved campus signage, a mobile optimised UTS Online website and compulsory lecture recordings
Whilst I am better known for sinking piss, I am actually a great candidate due to my extensive experience. I am a proud UTS student who loves to give back to the UTS community by serving the students through a strong voice in representative bodies. I have been a representative on the Science Faculty Board, Academic Board and the UTS Students’ Association SRC council throughout 2016 and have been the welfare officer for the UTSSA this year also.
Connect wants to improve the relationship between the UTSSA and the student body, and allow students to reap the benefits they have yet to discover: free breakfast, tutoring, free legal advice and more. With Connect the UTSSA will be experienced and progressive, and will deliver strong leadership.
UTS needs to be a community welcoming of everyone and because I am not a shit bloke I will stand up for this always. Hoo roo!
MANMEET SINGH My name is Manmeet Singh and I want to Connect your SRC with positive change! As your current SRC Overseas Students Officer, I will continue to work to make sustainable, long term and effective changes to benefit the lives of international students studying at UTS. UTS is not just a university, it is an opportunity. An opportunity to fulfil our dreams and ambitions. An opportunity to experience this beautiful country and add to its welcoming culture. An opportunity to ensure its longevity with effective change! As the current Overseas students officer I have fought for and I want to continue fighting for the following:
TRAVEL CONCESSION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS We have travelled far from our homes to study at UTS; need we pay more to get to our lectures? I will advocate for travel concessions and student opal cards to be available to all international students. ONE STOP SOLUTION FOR ALL ENQUIRIES Let technology be the answer to all student inquiries and queries. We don’t want to run to the International Office every time we are in a fix; why not just get online! In this election vote for the rights of international students.
AFFORDABLE ON AND OFF CAMPUS STUDENT ACCOMMODATION When we become integral parts of this esteemed institution, we shouldn’t have to worry about anything else; especially not the accommodation!
MICHAEL ROSSER Hi, I want to run to be on the Student Representative Council because I care about the student voice on campus. I’m never gonna give you up for the fight, never gonna let you down by being open and accountable. I’m never gonna run around not doing my job and desert you and the voices of students. I promise to help never make you cry about
assessment deadlines, and I’m never gonna say goodbye to my duties as a Councillor. If elected I promise to be truthful, I’m never gonna tell a lie and hurt your student life.
spark for vertigo again!
they are looking for and...“Snap out of it!” cried Holt. Holt had arrived to find Sandrine staring at the igloo for what seemed like an eternity. He had seen igloos before himself – in some quarters he was considered an igloo connoisseur – if there ever was such a thing. “I’m sorry Holt… I just became transfixed…” She trialled off as she turned to Holt and examined his buff physique. He was a man in his early 30s, a man she’d known since childhood. Right now, his rippling torso has heaving, beads of sweat forming and then freezing almost with
James Wilson, Oliver Morassut She saw an igloo in the distance. It appeared to gleam in the dew of early sunrise, a sparkling monument to the wonders of frozen water in cold temperatures, a testament to the ages of condensation that we evident in the ground she was standing on. The igloo stood there like a poorly drawn metaphor, a writer’s tool for when they can’t think of the exact word
Vote [1] CONNECT for SRC & NUS Vote [1] Beatrice Tan for President Vote [1] Luke Chapman for Secretary
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parity. He’d just run here see Sandrine, as she had called him over not five minutes earlier. “The igloo entranced me. I just wanted you to come and have a look. What do you think?” Holt seemed unimpressed.
“’Tis but a pile o’ wee blocks of water, stacked upon each other. There be nought more to be said ‘bout it, to be sure.” He was trying out his best Celtic accent on Sandrine, something he immediately regretted due to the halfhearted nature and poor timing of it.
S ta n d U p !
who need it. STAND UP! will continue and support the campaign to have UTS Divest from Fossil Fuels.
Heba Niem, Sharna Godbold, Lachlan Barker, Christine Saunders, Gabriella Brackenbury-Soldenhoff, Alice Zhang, Robert Walshaw, Farah Samir, Darjan Gudelj, Kirra Jackson STAND UP! will continue our work in making UTS a fair, equitable University that works for all students. VOTE [1] STAND UP! for SRC because: we have delivered effective campaigns, services and conferences that have increased student engagement and benefited all students. The STAND UP! team has delivered at UTS; a 24 hour study space, the bluebird brekkie bar, brought back STUVAC, introduced the legal service and brought in caseworkers for students (to only name a few!). In 2016, STAND UP! led the fight against balanced semesters and made sure students voices were heard. STAND UP! ran one of the most successful surveys the UTSSA has ever done with thousands of students engaging with our campaign. We will continue this campaign to demand reduction of the ineffective preparation weeks and longer face-to-face teaching periods so that you get the best education possible. We want to work with staff and build an even stronger relationship with the National Tertiary Education Union to STAND UP! against the casualisation of staff to help improve your learning conditions. STAND UP! will ensure that there are more subjects for summer semester and services to support students. STAND UP! will fight to expand the Night Owl free dinner initiative. STAND UP! will continue our fight to introduce emergency housing on campus. STAND UP! will fight for a student voice to ensure that the new Building 2 has all the services we need. STAND UP! will fight for better childcare services and end the three-year waiting list for parents at UTS. STAND UP! will bring in more safe spaces on campus for those
VOTE [1] STAND UP! for SRC because: we need to fight against sexual assault on campus and fighting for safety on campus. STAND UP! will roll out a UTS sexual assault and harassment survey and advocate for mandatory consent training for staff and students. Reporting mechanisms are critical and STAND UP! will push for better mechanisms and fight for more preventative measures against sexual harassment and assault on campus. VOTE [1] STAND UP! for SRC because: we need to fight against sexual assault on campus and fighting for safety on campus. STAND UP! will roll out a UTS sexual assault and harassment survey and advocate for mandatory consent training for staff and students. Reporting mechanisms are critical and STAND UP! will push for better mechanisms and fight for more preventative measures against sexual harassment and assault on campus. VOTE [1] STAND UP! for SRC because: we are a diverse team with years of experience in the Students’ Association, collectives on campus and throughout Australia, to get real results for students. STAND UP! candidates have been able to organise the 2016 UTS Pride week and the Network of Women Students Australia (NOWSA) Conference that was held at UTS this year. STAND UP! for a UTS that works for all students and support the team with the most experience and who are committed to fighting for your rights. VOTE [1] STAND UP! for SRC VOTE [1] STAND UP! for NUS VOTE [1] HEBA NIEM for PRESIDENT VOTE [1] ANGELA OMARI for SECRETARY VOTE [1] LACHLAN BARKER for TREASURER
harambe for src Cameron Hart
Dear student, if you are reading this, I commend your resilience, because this page is likely swimming with unimaginative buzzwords (#JobsAndGrowth), but I assure you, I am Not Like Other Candidates™. As an independent candidate, I would be unconstrained by the nepotism or pettiness the factions can encounter. I would fight for equity, equality, and effectiveness. I strongly believe that compromise is an essential to a healthy democracy, but not when student wellbeing is being ‘compromised’. I want transparency for students, because if you’re funding the Students’ Association with your SSAF (that $150 biannual fee), shouldn’t you know where it goes? I believe myself to be an ideal candidate for your Student
Fossilize your SRC Christian Goopy, Shannon Lina Kelleher, He Xiao Fossilize your SRC is your left-wing ticket that is standing for you in SRC this election. Fossilize your SRC stands for: Climate Action now, no investments in destructive industries • An education that is not a business: No to deregulation, no to fees • Racism off campus, no investments in broad-spectrum and no profits from offshore detention.
CHRISTIAN GOOPY I am running for general councillor with ‘Fossilize your SRC’ as I believe it is essential to represent the long-term interests of students who are studying today to deliver real action on climate change and defend and advance our quality of education. I passionately believe that elected representatives of students should support campaigns that build student power and defend our interests. The divestment campaign matters to me because climate change directly threatens the material foundations upon which our society is built. It is not ok for an institution that educates
Representative Council (SRC) because I’m progressive, ambitious, and motivated to bring positive changes to our university. Furthermore, one of the most successful Presidencies in our Association’s history has been 2016, spearheaded by Sam Howes, a factionless independent, who has done incredible things (such as Night Owl every Thursday – free food for students!). Together, we can continue the progress made this year. In my time at UTS, I’ve written for our student publication, Vertigo (as an editor in 2015, and a sub-editor in 2016). Through student media, I have seen firsthand what independents can achieve. To choose independent is to put confidence in someone who’ll fight for you, your welfare, your education, and your future. After all, Harambe deserved to live, and you deserve an SRC that is transparent, accountable, and actually represents you. VOTE [1] HARAMBE FOR SRC
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Fair pay for fair work, defend penalty rates, end unpaid internships and increasing casualization • Emergency food and amenities on campus • UTSSA support for a treaty with indigenous Australia • Queer rights, PrEP available on campus, marriage equality now and defend safe schools • The restoration of women’s only shelters, full abortion rights, and equal pay • Dignified living wage for all students, unconditional basic income now Public transport, not toll roads. Free transport for all, including international students, and no WestConnex.
students for a supposedly bright future and promotes itself on the basis of sustainability to directly profit from any industry that is socially destructive and harmful, which is why Fossilize demands that the university immediately divest from all fossil fuel assets. I also believe in the inherent value of education to better our society and I oppose the growing corporate nature of our university. Education is a right not a privilege, and we need advocates who are committed to defending our education from cuts and profiteering.
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SHANNON KELLEHER Hey friends, my name is Shannon and I’m running with Fossilize because I believe in real action for the environment. Myself and other members of Fossilize have been hard at work in 2016 (and years previous!) consulting with the university regarding divestment and sustainability. The university is so close to divesting and we want to continue our work next year through the SRC. We are also most committed to diversity and inclusivity with lots of our campaigns focusing on international students and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is of the
utmost importance their voices are heard and that we work in solidarity with them. If you are reading this you are on Aboriginal land. But do not get me wrong, fossils are great! I love fossils! Douglas the Divestment Dinosaur is a fossil himself! He’s even wearing orange in support of our Fossil Free UTS campaign! Fossils are great and cool. The extraction and burning of fossil fuels at the expense of our planet and its people though is definitely not cool. So if you want to see environmental action on campus and real campaigns by super-duper committed individuals, then I reckon Fossilize is the way to go!
HE XIAO I am a running for general councillor with ‘Fossilize your SRC’ because I want to get more people engaged in environmental activism and raise awareness about activism and the divestment campaign on campus. I want to hold the university to account and I want to push the campaign faster. UTS claims to be one of the most sustainable universities and we should take a leadership role in society, fossil fuel is one of the most devastating energy sources the university shouldn’t put funds into this unethical industry. Climate change will devastate indigenous communities and
people from developing countries. It will affect everyone regardless of race or background, we must stand in solidarity will all people and countries by divesting from fossil fuels and moving towards a clean energy sustainable economy. Simultaneously, aboriginal people’s homelands has been dramatically damaged by the climate change, which many people and our society has not acknowledged this. I believe that the fossil free campaign can be a great opportunity to rebuild the bridge and the trust with aboriginal people.
NUS (7 Delegates)
spark for vertigo again! James Wilson, Oliver Morassut The National Union of Students is a morally bankrupt, ethically dubious organisation that is dedicated to raising out of poverty those with the slimy disposition of used car salesmen selling you junk to line their pockets with gold. In the 30 years since NUS has been the peak representative body for students, our fees have skyrocketed, textbook subsidies have dissipated and we have continued the downward trend in university research being sold off to the highest bidder.
If you elect Spark for Veritgo Again! to attend the NUS Conference held, using your SSAF funds, in a pissy boozefest in Melbourne over the Summer trimester nee break, we will do our utmost to present the needs of actual students at the conference, and not just those who want to fap over the political corpse of their enemies while raising themselves up as our next horrendous batch of sociopaths and psychotics otherwise known as politicians. We’re not going to lie to you about all that NUS will do for you, because, let’s face it, you’re smarter than that. If they had done their job your degree would probably be a lot
cheaper – and to be clear, it’s not as though the nimrods going this year are going to change that. They are far more likely to be going to try and get themselves elected to a position where they will be paid with your SSAF money
S ta n d U P ! F o r N U S Heba Niem, Rahaf Al jayzane, Gabriella BrackenburySoldenhoff, Kirra Johnson, Lama Khatib, Sarah Yayha, Lachlan Barker
to send out thousands of posters to campuses around Australia to be stuck up by the Statement over word limit.
by the parliament and want to push for more action against any form of deregulation, supporting action against staff casualization. NUS defeated deregulation three times and we need to continue to STAND UP! against it.
VOTE [1] STAND UP! for NUS because: we have an in-depth understanding of the key issues and polices that need to be proposed at a national level. There are restructures that are occurring all over Australia and UTS needs to be at the forefront of that discussion to ensure that NUS continues and strengthens against attacks on the accessibility and quality of our education. UTS students’ deserve strong voices that have actually consulted with students from all walks of life and will bring and sustain their concerns to a national platform.
VOTE [1] STAND UP! for NUS because: we will be resilient, capable and effective voice that sexual assaults’ on campus remains on the national fore mind. We will to use our delegate powers to utilise research to continue to build effective campaign against sexual assaults on campus and ensure safety for students’ on campus. In early 2016, the NUS Women’s Department realised the results from 2015 ‘Talk About It,’ survey. The survey revealed that over 70% of respondents to the survey said they had experienced harassment in some form throughout their time at university. The NUS women’s department has provided numerous recommendations for ways to improve supporting people who survived harassment. These recommendations include increased funding for services such as advocacy, counseling and clarification of reporting procedures of instances such as sexual harassment at universities. We will use our powers as delegates to continue pursing those recommendations.
VOTE [1] STAND UP! for NUS because: we will continue to build NUS to fight against the government attacks on students all across Australia. The Liberal government are still pushing through fee deregulation and $100K degrees by selling their policies as ‘partial-deregulation’. Both sides of parliament are agreeable to lower HECS thresholds, which means you have repay your HECS debt quicker, meaning you could go into poverty and financial difficulty more quickly. The Liberal party has proposed a further $2 billion of cuts to university funding. We believe NUS has humongous potential to fight multiple attacks on students
VOTE [1] STAND UP! for SRC VOTE [1] STAND UP! for NUS VOTE [1] HEBA NIEM for PRESIDENT VOTE [1] ANGELA OMARI for SECRETARY VOTE [1] LACHLAN BARKER for TREASURER VOTE [1] DAVID GROVER for BROADWAY CAMPUS CONVENOR VOTE [1] INDIA BENNETT for MARKETS CAMPUS CONVENOR Public transport, not toll roads. Free transport for all, including international students, and no WestConnex.
The Nation Union of Students (NUS) is the peak representative of the student body in Australia. NUS fights’ for quality, accessible education and improving students welfare and safety on all campuses. STAND UP! believes that the delegates for the National Union need be a strong voice to ensure the issues that most affect UTS students are brought to national attention.
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Connect for NUS Peter Zacharatos, Taylor Ficarra, Harrison Stanton, Luke Chapman, Beatrice Tan, Connor White, Lachlan Wykes PETER ZACHARATOS For the past two years I have served as a UTS delegate at the National Union of Students (NUS) Annual Conference. I believe that NUS needs strong, capable and effective delegates to ensure that sensible policy is passed. It is my firm and steady belief that student money should be spent solely on student welfare, student services and student issues. Recently NUS has fallen on hard financial times and when discussing the budget the 2014 General Secretary Isabelle Kingshot declared that the organization
TAYLOR FICARRA I am running to represent UTS in our National Union because I believe that accessible education is the cornerstone of Australia’s education system. The National Union of Students represents you, me and all undergraduate students in Australia. To ensure accessibility I will fight for increased government support for education. Being able to HECS my fees and have a vibrant campus provided through the SSAF has benefited my education and the experience of my fellow students at UTS.
HARRISON STANTON Last year I had the pleasure to represent UTS at the NUS National Conference as a delegate. It’s time to do it all again. Again, it is crucial we have delegates from UTS at the National Conference which care about the average student and their issues at UTS and as a university student in general. At the conference I will strive for the NUS to adopt policy opposing any attacks on the welfare of students in Australia. In doing so, I will bring forth the UTS perspective. The conference is not only a place for policy debate, but also a place where we can learn some valuable skills for representing you in 2017. By electing us, you’re electing a team which will contribute to NUS and make sure NUS contributes back to UTS.
was “up s*** creek” financially referring to the deficit incurred by the organization over the past decade. In 1971 the former peak body, the Australian Union of Students, collapsed because it drastically overspent its budget on political campaigns and causes that had very little to do with advancing the interests of students. I do not want the same fate to befall NUS. It is important that student unions have an organisation that can represent and advance their interests. In more recent times I have been inspired by the NUS policy of removing parallel important restriction on university textbooks. This bold initiative will allow students to access cheaper textbooks. I wish to be your delegate to NUS this year because I want to see students money spent on causes that are in the best interests of students.
To keep our system fair I support HECS, the SSAF and increased funding of universities to enable equal access to quality education for all who want to study. As an NUS Delegate I will listen to UTS students and address your concerns on a national level. Through making our voices heard we can build stronger universities that are accessible to all students.
With your help we can make it happen, let us connect with you. If you have any policy ideas for the conference and UTS in general, let me know and I will take them to the conference as your elected representative. Let NUS connect with you.
LUKE CHAPMAN I am running to be your delegate to the National Union of Students because I believe that education is a fundamental human right that should be equally accessible to all. As the first person from my family to attend university, I appreciate the opportunities higher education provides and the challenges it can present.
As universities are increasingly corporatised, it is essential to stand up for the quality of our education. Trimesters, larger tutorial sizes, and the casualisation of staff are all factors that can reduce quality and value for students. NUS needs to partner more closely with student organisations across Australia to ensure we receive a quality education.
NUS is the peak representative body for Australian undergraduate students. As your voice in the NUS, I will advocate for a union that actually delivers for students. After successfully defeating fee-deregulation NUS should focus on increased university funding and support for students. I will fight for greater student income support and the restoration of the start-up scholarship, so that students can support themselves and focus on study.
NUS must be committed to good governance, transparency and the responsible management of member’s funds. As a past Secretary of the UTSSA and NUS Delegate for the past two years I am the candidate with the experience to deliver for students.
BEATRICE TAN My name is Beatrice Tan and I am running to be a delegate to the National Union of Students (NUS). I believe it is essential for NUS delegates from UTS to make policy decisions in the best interests of all students. With this in mind I will aim to engage UTS students from all walks of life in the national education debate.
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I believe that education is a fundamental human right. All people should have equal access to education in order for us to achieve social progress. It is in students’ interest and our national interest that we: • Foster innovation in universities across all faculties;
CONNOR WHITE Last year I had the extreme pleasure of attending the National Union of Students (NUS) National Conference for 2015. Here I fell in love with the organization that proudly represents 1.3 million university students across Australia. I am a proud unionist and I believe that through supporting the NUS we can fight the attacks from the government on tertiary education, and represent your rights and interests as a student. I want a more transparent NUS. One that is held accountable for its actions and that its finances are managed transparently.
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Ensure equal and affordable access to higher education; and Engage students in collective political actions to achieve outcomes on issues that affect them.
By ensuring these principles are promoted we can build a stronger, smarter, more equitable nation for years to come. As your NUS delegate I will strive for a collective student voice to be heard. By working together we can strive for improvements on our local campus while building a national movement of positive change. I will value this opportunity to represent our university at NUS and would appreciate your support.
I want more UTS students to become involved in the NUS. After all, for them to appropriately represent us we must also get involved. I want to do this through training at UTS for activism, organising, and lobbying. Most importantly, I want our affiliation to the NUS strengthened and increased. It is vital that we as a community band together and support the NUS through maintaining affiliation. There is so much more that the NUS can achieve. Help me ensure that you, as university students of Australia, are fairly represented by your union.
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LACHLAN WYKES My name is Lachlan Wykes and I am running to be an NUS Delegate representing UTS because I understand the concerns, stress and burden placed on new undergraduate university students. Education that is accessible to all is of fundamental importance to ensure an equal, fair and just society. Every person in Australia deserves fair and equal access to tertiary education. Fighting for increased government support is critical to ensure these expectations can be met by increasing the number of scholarships and reducing the cost burden for students outside of standard course fees. As a first year student, I am able to better understand and represent first, second year and newly transferred students and provide them an emphatic yet strong and professional voice.
Students can be assured I will fight to: • Increase funding to higher education • Provide a strong voice for new students on a national scale • Push to reduce the cost burden on students I am proud to be a UTS student and am honoured to be able to study at such a world-class university full of vibrancy, intelligence and optimism. Providing a voice for new UTS students on a national scale is a top priority. You can help me bring a strong and professional voice to further ensure accessible higher education and stronger rights for new students. Vote [1] CONNECT for SRC & NUS Vote [1] Beatrice Tan for President Vote [1] Luke Chapman for Secretary
Vertigo Editor Positions
C h o c o l at e Taylor Ficarra, Beatrice Tan No statement received.
Team Rocket James Wilson, Oliver Morassut
Prepare for trouble. And make it double. To protect the world from devastation. To unite all people across our nation. To denounce the evils of ‘truth’ and ‘love’. Meowth that’s right!
We believe in capturing the following Pokemon: Electrode, Diglett, Nidoran, Mankey, Venusaur, Rattata, Fearow, Pidgey, Seaking, Jolteon, Dragonite, Gastly, Ponyta, Vaporeon, Poliwrath, Butterfree, Venomoth, Poliwag, Nidorino, Golduck, Ivysaur, Grimer, Victreebel, Moltres, Nidoking, Farfetch’d, Abra, Jigglypuff, Kingler, Rhyhorn, Clefable, Wigglytuff, Zubat, Primeape, Meowth, Onix, Geodude, Rapidash, Magneton, Snorlax, Gengar, Tangela, Goldeen, Spearow, Weezing, Seel, Gyarados, Slowbro, Kabuto,
Persian, Paras, Horsea, Raticate, Magnemite, Kadabra, Weepinbell, Ditto, Cloyster, Caterpie, Sandshrew, Bulbasaur, Charmander, Golem, Alakazam, Doduo, Venonat, Machoke, Kangaskhan, Hypno, Electabuzz, Flareon, Blastoise, Poliwhirl, Oddish, Drowzee, Raichu, Nidoqueen, Bellsprout, Starmie, Metapod, Marowak, Kakuna, Clefairy, Dodrio, Seadra, Vileplume, Krabby, Lickitung, Tauros, Weedle, Nidoran, Machop, Shellder,
VErge Aaron Taylor, Mariella Powell-Thomas, Kezia Aria, Akshaya Bhutkar, Michael Zacharatos, Louisa Luong, Sophie Waddington, Sophie Booth, Elliot Vella, Kim Phan, Rebecca Cushway Verge’s vision for VERTIGO is one that reflects the incredible variety of UTS: students past and present, having just landed from overseas or stumbled through the HSC, students who come in their active wear with no plan of hitting the gym afterwards, or students who stopped lying to themselves months ago and shamelessly rock up in trackies. Whoever you are, you’re likely arriving phone in hand. So, Verge is welcoming the digital: creating striking visual content across multiple platforms, bringing you seasonal print magazines in conjunction with dynamic digital content.
Porygon, Hitmonchan, Articuno, Jynx, Nidorina, Beedrill, Haunter, Squirtle, Chansey, Parasect, Exeggcute, Muk, Dewgong, Pidgeotto, Lapras, Vulpix, Rhydon, zard, Machamp, Pinsir, Koffing, Dugtrio, Golbat, Staryu, Magikarp, Ninetales, Ekans, Omastar, Scyther, Tentacool, Dragonair, Magmar, Sandslash, Hitmonlee, Psyduck, Arcanine, Eevee, Exeggutor, Kabutops, Zapdos, Dratini. Also we dislike trimesters.
Verge will keep everything we’ve come to expect from VERTIGO: creative works, expert design, political breakdowns, and campus lifestyle/trimester whinging. Further, we want content that showcases engineering advancements, entrepreneurial initiatives, and legal reform. We aim to represent all faculties and offer glimpses into degrees that brush past us on campus. Verge’s editorial team reflects a variety of disciplines, with members talented in design, film, and writing; members who have an eye for fashion, or are chock-full of tips to make those cheese platters truly Insta-worthy. Verge is looking to expand the VERTIGO brand and foster the unique culture of diversity that is UTS by starting a conversation of creative collaboration.
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flex Samantha Hayes, Madelyne Harris, Grace Stals, Enoch Mailangi, Mawuli Dokli, Miles Houlbrook, Alley Fahey, Aryan Golanjan, Grace Chang, Emily Nunell, Hannah Ballantyne, Matilda Spencer. Looking for a publication that’s edgy, provocative, and adventurous? Meet FLEX for Vertigo…harder, better, faster, stronger. We’re DIVERSE: Our team is pretty diverse, and we know you are too. That’s why we’re committed to bringing you a magazine that reflects your student voice. Our Vertigo will have diverse contributors and content: we’ll have everything from investigative journalism to comedy, and will always be hunting for contributors from all faculties and backgrounds. We’ll have more issues jam-packed with the content you want to read, and engage with student clubs, societies and collectives so you never miss an event. We’re CREATIVE: Can’t navigate Vertigo’s website? Bored with drab design? We’ll create a brand-new website acces-
sible for all students, regularly updated with more online content than ever before (including video content!). We’ll create a Vertigo app and actually utilise our Facebook and Instagram so you can consume on the go. Our print editions will be sustainably designed and printed with environmentally friendly materials. They’ll feature inventive crosswords and sudoku, and showcase student art. We’ll also run free Photoshop/InDesign workshops and host writers forums so you can flex your creative muscles. We’re INDEPENDENT: We’re pro-queer, pro-wom*n, and pro-Indigenous, and we’ll reflect this in our publication. We’re not afraid to take risks or ruffle feathers, because we believe Vertigo should hold power accountable. That’s why we’ll bring objectivity and community back to Vertigo, with bigger and better launch parties, satire, an opinion section, and return “Letters to the Editor”. If there’s a government or uni policy that’s screwing over students, we’ll call it out. So if you want a magazine that packs a punch, vote [1] FLEX for Vertigo on October 5-7!
B r o a d way C a m p u s
B r o a d w ay C a m p u s Convenor Charles Kekovich As your elected representative I will uphold the student values that will ensure that the Broadway campus maintains its leading edge over other campuses. My tireless efforts will forever be a major driving force behind my reason
for ensuring that the student body be fairly and wholly represented and that all people regardless of their chosen degrees and time spent on campus have the access to the best faculties available. Vote [1] Charles Kekovich for Broadway Campus Convenor Vote [1] CONNECT for SRC & NUS Vote [1] Beatrice Tan for President Vote [1] Luke Chapman for Secretary
B r o a d w ay C a m p u s Convenor David Grover No statement provided.
B r o a d w ay C a m p u s Convenor James Wilson Campus. For some, it is a place to study, sleep, learn hard truths about the world and uncover dark mysteries from ancient’s past. But for some, it is a home. And like all homes, campus needs to be convenored. That’s why Campus Convenor is a role I am passionate about filling. How passionate am I? So passionate, if I had my way, the role would be officially changed to CAMPUS CONVENOR - the capitals are important, not because I’m yelling, but because of the importance I ascribe to it. I may yell, but only because of the importance, not because I’m angry. Some people, may tell you it is a meaningless role, a position leftover from the creation of the organization whose power and influence, both in practice and ceremonially, has diminished to the point to the point that it is worthless. People may tell you that. I may tell you that.
B r o a d w ay C a m p u s s e c r e ta r y Oliver Morassut As Broadway Campus Secretary, I will leave the writing of candidate statements to other people. I will also do my utmost to forget why I was elected, my name and the various types of mustard that exist within the world we live in. I will do my utmost to start every sentence in the same way and I will forget that the last sentence also mentioned things I will forgot.
I may be right. But that doesn’t stop your vote for the position any less important. But let us get to the crux of the issue- the big questions. What will I do to convenor the campus better than my competitors? How will your life, both at uni and home, be improved by my being in the position? When the ocean gets struck by lightning, why don’t all the fish die? These are not the questions you should be asking. You should be asking, ‘why don’t people use the word “crux” more often? It’s a great word, with solid meaning and an onomatopoeic quality which, while not a literal expression of the word’s meaning, succinctly conveys the nature of the word.’ And sure, the second part of that wasn’t a question. But that doesn’t mean you can’t ask it. You don’t need a question mark, though some may claim you do. Just include an upward inflection at the end, providing it with a quizzical sentiment which will encourage people to converse with you on the topic. Now you’ve got a discussion going. Now you’ve made a connection. Now you’ve convenored a campus. VOTE ME FOR THIS POSITION THE END
I am a person with arms, a face and two mandibles. I am an apple cart, a bowl of beetroot and a timepiece inscribed with katakana written by a 5-year sensai of the mystical art of flambais putting out. I am the kitchen in the knight. The spoon in freezer that is my bed. I’m a squeezed lime in the shower. A vote for me as Campus Secretary means as much as this previous statement. I am a flamingo, please sing Madonna at me while a self-flagelatte yum yum. Coffee in my tum tum. VOTE 1 BOJACK HORSEMAN FOR HORSEMAN OBVIOUSLY VOTE 1 ME FOR THIS VOTE 1 BEADS FOR ANUS
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B r o a d w ay C a m p u s s e c r e ta r y Mohamed Rumman My name is Mohamed Rumman and I am standing to be the Broadway Campus Committee Secretary. I have proudly been on the Broadway Campus Committee for two years now, and I have gladly served the students of the Broadway campus. I aim to continue my work on the campus committee in 2016.
B r o a d w ay C a m p u s women’s officer Hannah Monaghan Elected unopposed. As a student of Broadway Campus I understand the challenges and needs of Broadway students. Particularly as a Science student I have developed an understanding of how science students wish to be represented on Campus. Representing any student on campus is an honour but as
B r o a d w ay C a m p u s C o m m i t t e e (10 members) Connect for Broadway Campus: Mohamed Rumman, Edward Strong, Hannah Monaghan, Michael Lam, Stephen McCowage, Timothy Loo, Perzella Lui, Amir Saud, Sabina Raymond, Taylor Ficarra No statement provided.
I aim to represent Broadway students in important issues happening on our campus this upcoming year. Construction works are underway on our campus, and I want to see that Broadway students are not too inconvenienced by this process. I want to support the Connect team in their efforts to create new services on campus, and I want to advocate for Broadway campus students in this process. Vote [1] Mohamed Rumman for Broadway Campus Secretary Vote [1] CONNECT for SRC & NUS Vote [1] Beatrice Tan for President Vote [1] Luke Chapman for Secretary
a woman in science, being afforded the opportunity to represent the women of Broadway is a special privilege. Fulfilling the role of Women’s Officer for Broadway is a particularly satisfying position as I feel I am fully capable of representing female students to my fullest capacity. Vote [1] Hannah Monaghan for Broadway Campus Women’s Officer Vote [1] CONNECT for SRC & NUS Vote [1] Beatrice Tan for President Vote [1] Luke Chapman for Secretary
B r o a d w ay C a m p u s C o m m i t t e e (10 members) Stand Up!: James Hayes, David Grover, Sarah Yayha, Gabriella Brackenbury-Soldenhoff, Larry Nguyen, Darjan Gudelj, Josh Rebolledo, Kirra Jackson, Christina Farrelly, Daniel Rodriguez Martinez, William Siomiak, Jessica Massih No statement provided.
B r o a d w ay C a m p u s C o m m i t t e e (10 members) Trigger Happy: Oliver Morassut, James Wilson **TRIGGER WARNING****TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER WARNING***TRIGGER
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markets Campus
Markets Campus Convenor Christina Knezevich
experience offered by the Students’ Association. I will strive to promote the accessibility of Student Association services through: •
My name is Christina Knezevich and I am an experienced and capable candidate to be your Markets Campus Convenor in the Students’ Association. I will ensure the organisation is lead with a strong student perspective at its centre. As an elected member of the Markets Campus Committee from 2015-16, I am passionate about supporting the students predominately situated on the Markets Campus and have a comprehensive understanding of their unique concerns. The Markets Campus has long been excluded from the services and opportunities essential to their university
Markets Campus Convenor India Bennett I am India Bennett, a second year, undergraduate Law / International Studies student. An active member of the Law Students’ Society in my first year, I participated in various competitions and events held by the society. This prompted me to awareness of how things worked at Market Campus. So, this year, I was moved to engage with bigger initiatives and currently hold the position of Intervarsity Competitions Director on the LSS Council. This experience has afforded me the ability to connect with students at the Markets Campus. I will represent YOU and YOUR concerns. I am aware of the priorities, Restoration of semesterisation and degree structure with longer teaching periods Cheaper and more accessible student parking
• • •
Increased communication to Markets Campus students; Greater presence and involvement within Markets Campus precinct; Improving the transparency of the Students’ Association; and Advocating in the interests of Markets Campus students and representing their concerns.
Vote [1] Christina Knezevich for Markets Campus Convenor Vote [1] CONNECT for SRC & NUS Vote [1] Beatrice Tan for President Vote [1] Luke Chapman for Secretary
of things that affect us daily, Tightening of campus security, ensuring theft prevention Provision of weekend access to and longer opening hours for campus cafes Refinement of processes for preordering readers Improvement of the room booking system just some of the time, Review of requirements to submit assignments online and in hard copy Evaluation of the practicalities of Saturday exams and exam venues VOTE [1] STAND UP! for NUS VOTE [1] HEBA NIEM for PRESIDENT VOTE [1] ANGELA OMARI for SECRETARY VOTE [1] LACHLAN BARKER for TREASURER VOTE [1] DAVID GROVER for BROADWAY CAMPUS CONVENOR VOTE [1] INDIA BENNETT for MARKETS CAMPUS CONVENOR
Markets Campus s e c r e ta r y Sebastian Grant-Preece My name is Sebastian Grant-Preece, I am running to be your Markets Campus Secretary. I want to ensure that our campus is not forgotten by the Student Association. I want to help improve students contact with the Students Association.
Markets Campus s e c r e ta r y Margaret Cai My name is Margaret and I am currently in my second year of studying a combined Communications and Law degree. My motivation for pursuing the role of Campus Committee Secretary stems from an urgency to be part of the process of change around our university. Despite this being my first involvement with student elections at UTS, I have a natural curiosity and eagerness to form meaningful relationships which transcend the walls of a classroom or office. Having already had a taste of how societies function at uni through my participation in Amnesty UTS, I am excited about exploring the immediate interests of students in such a compelling period of structural change. I will always be a fierce defender for social justice and community inclusiveness.
Markets Campus women’s officer Norma Cooper My name is Norma Cooper and I am standing to be the Markets Campus Women’s Officer because I believe that women’s representation on campus-related issues is vital to getting the best results for students. I am a Business and Diploma of Languages student who understands the needs of women on the Markets campus.
Vote [1] Sebastian Grant-Preece for Markets Campus Secretary Vote [1] CONNECT for SRC & NUS Vote [1] Beatrice Tan for President Vote [1] Luke Chapman for Secretary
Voting [1] for Stand Up is a vote for listeners as well as leaders. I am not interested in being remarkable. I want to be reliable. It is this commitment, passion and idealism that I want to take into the role of Campus Committee Secretary. VOTE [1] STAND UP! for SRC VOTE [1] STAND UP! for NUS VOTE [1] HEBA NIEM for PRESIDENT VOTE [1] ANGELA OMARI for SECRETARY VOTE [1] LACHLAN BARKER for TREASURER VOTE [1] INDIA BENNETT for MARKETS CAMPUS CONVENER VOTE [1] STAND UP! for MARKETS CAMPUS COMMITTEE
We have recently seen the transferral of the Women’s Room to the Markets campus - this providing of a safe space for women on the Markets campus has benefited the lives of women who mainly study here. I want to further promote this space to the women of the Markets campus during my term to let all women have access to this. Vote [1] Norma Cooper for Markets Campus Women’s Officer Vote [1] CONNECT for SRC & NUS Vote [1] Beatrice Tan for President Vote [1] Luke Chapman for Secretary
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Markets Campus women’s officer Alice Zhang I’m Alice and I’m a 2nd year B.A. Communications (Social Enquiry) B. Laws student. In my first two years I engaged with UTS enviro-collective which gave me invaluable experience into the way activist groups are able to organise and utilise the voices of those on campus, and also had the privilege of being elected the Brennan Program Director at the UTS Law Students’ Society, which provided me with invaluable experience with engaging students with ideas of social justice, organising events, liaising with both faculty and a diverse range of students. I was privileged enough to receive a scholarship for the Women Deliver Conference in Denmark, a huge global conference that discussed solutions around women’s
markets Campus Committee (10 members) Stand Up!: India Bennett, Montanna Tassell, Margaret Cai, Ushna Bashir, Alice Zhang, Anna Fletcher, Peter Tryfonopoulos, Ashley Xu, Aisyah Salim Ali Farrar, Johnathon Hetherinton No statement provided.
markets Campus Committee (10 members) Connect for Markets Campus: Sebastian Grant-Preece, Steven King, Adrian Brook, Harrison Stanton, James Marassa, Yuanzhang Wu, Zicheng Hu, Lydia Watson-Moore, Norma Jean Cooper, Peter Zacharatos, Michael Rosser No statement provided.
reproductive and sexual health. These experiences have all deepened my understanding of the various ways that the different issues that women experience intersect and interact and I would like to say that they have also allowed to know when to listen, rather than speak over the top of other women. I hope to be able to use this position to help further the experience of women-identifying students on campus. VOTE [1] STAND UP! for SRC VOTE [1] STAND UP! for NUS VOTE [1] HEBA NIEM for PRESIDENT VOTE [1] ANGELA OMARI for SECRETARY VOTE [1] LACHLAN BARKER for TREASURER VOTE [1] INDIA BENNETT for MARKETS CAMPUS CONVENER VOTE [1] STAND UP! for MARKETS CAMPUS COMMITTEE
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