Student Politics

I make a point not to become involved in student politics.

I'll support ideas I deem worthwhile.

Sometimes I'll make an appearance at Club 20, Empire or something the student council does, such as the fireworks! I have observed that while student politics may, at times, be informative and entertaining, it can also be disturbing, horrific and hysterical.

I don't think my absence is noted, nor my presence recorded, at events I attend. I'm fine with this. I like taking a back seat, and observing. Sometimes people ask what I think, I'll give them my opinion. Sometimes I'll tell people what I think, just because I feel like it.

Often I like to make comparisons between politics and 'political characters' (if it can be called this and they can be labeled that at Bond) that I have observed.

Currently, I am rather annoyed at the huge amount of money used to publish a recent edition of Scope. This is not saying that the publication was not of a reasonable standard or that it didn't look good. Rather, I have become frustrated that at a time when funding for student councils/unions, student support services and activities at all Universities in Australia are dramatically impacted by VSU, this money is being spent on a student colour photograph publication. The wild rumour that has surfaced - that student council are considering painting the council offices and ordering new furniture - is also not making me very happy.

This maybe a wild rumor, if so I do apologise. If it isn't, I would hope that someone suggest to council that while spending funds generated to-date is important, so is investing some of these funds . Not necessarily for the students of today but for those of the future.

I stumbled upon a comment today. This prompted my comment, albeit brief, on student politics. As mentioned, I do try to avoid this. However, given that I do go to lengths to ensure this blog is equivocally emma, rather than unequivocally emma, I thought I really should post it!

"Get all the fools on your side and you can be elected to anything." Frank Dane.
Interesting food for thought!


On another note, while I have re-activated comments on my blog I have discretion. I can choose to publish or not to publish. HA. So if your comment hasn't been posted I presumably have a valid reason (validity determined by ME) not to publish it.

today, tonight, tomorrow

Today I was privileged. My brother dropped by. We went for a swim, well actually he went for a dip. It was a little too windy and late in the afternoon for much me. Then coffee and cake - his treat (your right he's a catch, but he's taken.) We also had M&Ms, not a small packet -a really big one. I am now on a self-imposed junk food ban, for as long as I can stand it.

Today, I also spoke to my lovely friend Georgia Hill-Douglas. She is pretty sick so has gone home so her parents can look after her. I hope she gets better very soon. H-D, as I affectionately refer to her sometimes, is an air-hostess. What she does sometimes sounds tough. The hours, the driving, the customers and well Avalon sums everything else up. I had to drive to Avalon to pick up some Canadians once. I had told one of these Canadians numerous times never fly to Avalon it's miles away and half way to Geelong. He didn't listen. Avalon is close to the Barwon Prison. This has a maximum security wing. As the Canadian didn't listen to me I made the trip, but I had my door locked for fear of potential escapees. The Canadians flew back out of Tullamarine. They missed their plane. It was all my fault. I will feel guilty about this for a long, long time. As a consolation I gave them the keys to 'the Car ,' so they could use it when back in Qld. That didn't make up for the missed flight, but hopefully it was seen as a friendly gesture.

Tonight, fine dining: Erin (the flatmate) and the brother sat back and relaxed while I cooked dinner. I don't think consuming dinner was as relaxing. Red Thai Curry. What can I say, I love the smell of curry paste in the pan...Sometimes I get a little carried away. I thought it was alright. They both said it was great, however, consumed entire glasses of milk. I hope they were honest.

Tonight featuring on the television was: Operatunity Oz. No, this is in no way comparable to, or does it slightly resemble, Australian Idol. It's a pity candidates from Operatunity Oz were not asked to sing at the Grand Final, rather g those people from Idol took the liberty to massacre Australia's 'unofficial' national anthem.

Tomorrow, it's down to business. I've got a few things that must be done. I also have University. Fun Fun. I also need to sort out the whole student ball dilemma. But I might procrastinate and put that off for a day or two. I also have a couple of work (ie money earning potential) things to see to. Oh,and some where along the line, whether it be tonight, tomorrow or the next day I have to workout something to wear to this Canadian celebration of Halloween, organised by the CLSA. Erin invited my brother. He responded with my standard response: Halloween, what's Halloween? (I taught him well.) We didn't celebrate this when we were young. I'm not sure if it was the lolly thing. From memory it had something to do with the fact it was an American tradition. Well I figure now that I choose not to celebrate Australia day I may as well go to a Halloween celebration. Whether I actually do the costume thing is an entirely different matter.

Tomorrow I imagine I may also continue to avoid law work because of the great book I am reading. Or perhaps I will attempt to strike a happy medium between the two. The book is great. The author has devised all these new words! very clever! I am enjoying the text.

Tomorrow, I, like the rest of Bond will also be launching into Bondstock! Make sure you turn up to some of the events! Access the program here: http://www.bondstudents.com.au/files/BONDSTOCK%20program.pdf

Not tomorrow but the next day my sister is off to a conference in Perth, Western Australia . This is one of my Dad's favorite places. I can not reveal the rest of thembecause he doesn't like people knowing about them. People go, and more people go and they become popular and then he doesn't like them anymore. My sister is presenting a paper at the conference. She has told me a few times what it is about, but I can't remember. She is very smart and a fantastic lecturer, as her students have informed me numerous times. Dr Fiona Wood is also speaking. The conference will be held in Fremantle. The maritime Museum there is fantastic. The Fremantle Prison is also interesting, from both historical, social and design perspectives. There is also an amazing fish and chips shop there. Can't recall it's name. If it's a clear day you can see all the way to Rottnest Island. If it's a clear day it also means you wont barf on the ferry to Rottnest. I've done calm and not so calm days on that ferry. Hopefully Sarah will have time to drop into see the Andersons and Dor. I can here it now 'Uncle Charlie, Uncle Charlie, Uncle Charlie..." I imagine she will also make a trip to Cottesloe for a dip. The sharks better leave her alone, or I'll deal with them.

Lately I've had some interesting and insightful comments on the blog. Hopefully, you are finding it, entertaining, informative, slightly eccentric or completely bizarre. That's okay, I think. Nonetheless, some of the posts left by individuals have been deleted. I would prefer not to do this. However, I can't stand racism, sexism, rudeness or crass comments. I don't think swearing is required. Pick up a thesaurus, I am sure you will locate plenty of alternative words. I am also aware that family, friends, and acquaintances drop by from time to time. Presumably I have a huge amount of respect, interest and value for many of them. I don't believe they should be subjected to unpalatable commentary. Further, my internship in Parliament was my active engagement with politics. I plan to stick with policy and the Department of Premier and Cabinet from the time being. While I do have opinions when it comes to many things, I don't care to engage in Student Politics, apart from saying it would have been nice to see some environmental policies referred to by some of the candidates running. Please don't use my blog to discuss such issues as I believe there are more than enough adequate places to do this and plenty of other more than capable people to encourage and facilitate active debate.

The good, the bad and the down right unfair - take two

It's back by popular demand.

I removed this post. I thought perhaps it was too negative. I really couldn't be bothered dealing with the back-lash, or the need to be accountable to people who are really only accountable to themselves at the end of the day. However, today I receive the 4th comment saying that this post was their favorite and where had it gone. They also thought it was rather on point.

But before ......While Brendan Donoghue told me to leave and go back to Melbourne, I hope not everyone thinks this way. He seems to think I whine, complain and argue. Also that I'm really loud. Bizarre.

I think learning, evolving, thinking and developing are all integral components of the learning process. There are many ways this can be done. Looking at how thing work elsewhere and taking the good from this is a beneficial exercise. As is constructively criticising and reviewing what you already have. You can always learn more, you can always do better, or worse. By illustration; if you are are rower and you don't listen to what your coach says, or the other people in boat, your not going to get any better. However, if there is an active and constructive two-way dialogue, your rowing will get better, the people in the boat may indirectly benefit, and the boat will go faster.

I was rather disappointed today to learn that the candidates for the Staff v Student debate are Brendan Donoghue, Jodie and Gordon. NOT because these people wont do a great job, rather because I think there are some fantastic people leaving the law school this semester. They have never done anything like this thus it would have been good to see them in action before they leave. Alternatively, what about people we don't see that much and those who are a bit quieter.

I always thought that one of the advantages of a small university would be that people who were shy, quiet, introverted, sometimes under-confident or studious would be encouraged and given confidence. An opportunity like this perfect, you never know if the next Andrew Denton is the one sitting in the back row falling asleep and not interacting in tutorials because they can't be bothered or don't feel confident enough to do this. People in their final semester could include Dave Lucenti, Paul Blyschak, Mark or Kristin Danielson, Andy (despite his perception of the 'Australian language,') or one of the Canadian girls. If that doesn't provide enough variety what about Roxy, John Downie, Anna Balmer, Sammy Marash, Louise Tillet, Della, James Boyers (if he is still around), Ash or the mysterious 'Drew' (an absolute champion, who does a fantastic job at remaining objective about student elections, but this would have to be done through a third person)...If we still needed to search further consider; Grady, Amy, Rachel or Sammy Cochrane. We here they are great mooters but never see them in action.

My point is there are a lot of people out there, some that would have given an evening such as this a bit more variety and diversity.

Don't see this as a criticism of the people who are appearing. It's is just that I see them and especially in the cases of Brendan and Gordon, I get told what they think, believe and do most days. They have a monopoly on the law school. Oh well, I guess it will continue.

What about some new faces on the staff team as well, Jim Corkery, Amanda Coulthard, Glenda, John Wade, Lizzie Greene or Anthea Gerrard. But I do note that I am looking forward to the appearance of Duncan!

NOW DOWN TO BUSINESS
Here is the post returned after numerous requests! If you don't like it take a leaf out of my sisters book: build a bridge and get over it! Just remember that bridges and fuel supplies are normally the first targets in war. This doesn't really have much to do with anything, but I've been thinking about this lately because of the book I've been reading which is based in France, during the German occupation in WWII......

I guess you could say I was delaying the inevitable. This has also been the case with this post. I have delayed posting it because I haven't had anything particularly good to say. I wish I hadn't arrived back at all. However, after two years of trying to convince everyone in Melbourne that Bond really was a bad idea and that I should have a semester, or a few, off, i admitted defeat, hung up my hat and tried to get on with my degree. Easy to say, harder to do. Exactly why, I don't really like it here I'm not sure. Perhaps my friend Sabrina could help clarify, if she hadn't gone home to Canada. Hey, I don't blame her. I missed the first week of classes. I have caught up on these. I also missed 'Drink the Pub Dry,' 'Pub Crawl' and 'Race Day,' and I am sure many other occasions created to justify the consumption of copious amounts of alcohol. I have heard all I need to about these. Don't worry for those of you reading this who are not familiar with Bond, I have Palaver, numerous Club 20s and Empires and I would presume a few infamous house parties still to come?Palaver should be okay,providing I get a ticket. I'll go because that's what you do. Hopefully, nobody will be unkind and make harsh and unkind comments(I wish.) I'll update you. I am sure I can predict what these will be and who will make them and I haven't even gone. I don't know why I even bother going. The house party sounds exciting. Perhaps I can bring some rough blokes with a five o'clock shadow to please a particular person. Classes have commenced and already I feel dumber than when I commenced my studies. Oh well.

THE GOOD

1. I finish in two or three semesters

2. I am going to Noosa to catch up with my friend Meg. She invited me.

3. I am going home to Melbourne at least twice

4. I get to go to Healesville the moment I finish my exams.

5. While there are some horrific people here there are also some great ones, such as the lovely Steph Campi who has offered to lend me the books for one of my subjects, also Tori and Cait who are my family up here, oh and a few other people.

6. I get to plan a trip to Kangaroo Island (one day) to go and stay with the lovely Martin Family.

7. The beaches and weather are great. Byron is only 45 minutes away.

8. I get to hide behind this blog and forget about the world my doona is also good for this.

9. Jim Corkery is one of my favorite lecturers. He is lecturing a subject I am taking.

10. I don't have to deal with my family unless I wish

11. I have a very cosy bed, a very clean and organised apartment, a lovely mohair blanket and a fantastic flatmate.

12. Little Beans and 'I hate my skirt'

THE BAD

1. People here are superficial, only interested in themselves and are intent on social climbing (I've never understood this one but I've seen it happen.)

2. I have exams of two-hours duration. I would prefer 5 hours rather than 2.

3. My computer is a relic from the dark ages.

4. Despite having a sound secondary education, and strong marks in my Arts Degree Bond still think I don't know how to write an essay, nor can I tell the difference between cite, sight and site, or there, their and they're. Nor do they think I have a grasp of 'Contemporary Issues in Law and Society' (this should really be called issues from last century and readings you've probably done before that have been published in America.) Further, it is necessary for me to undertake Strategic Management as this will definitely make me more employable. As will the ability to turn on and turn off a computer and use word and excel. Sorry Mum and Dad I know you thought all that money you shelled out for that education was for my own good, the people here at Bond don't give much regard to what I learned in grade 3 and 4 English and grammar classes, nor in boring Information Technology Classes that were compulsory from year 5 until year 11. Perhaps they will give me some credit for those Margaret Attwood texts that were shoved down our throats.

5. Apparently I am an annoying, pathetic excuse for a human being who never should have come to Queensland, Bond, or studied Law or made any friends at all. I shouldn't have bothered talking to people in the law school. This is because I am a very boring person, they are not. In fact they are so interesting and popular they can dictate when you may speak to them, when you may send an email, ask a question etc. Further, I never should have tried to be kind or care about other people, god forbid to actually be interested in what they do with their daily lives beyond purchase shoes. This includes, but is not exclusive to, worrying about people who are sick, who have injured themselves, expressed any interest in any part of their life beyond that which I have been permitted to inquire about. However if they wish to borrow pens, text books, have a lift somewhere, borrow my car or have me pick them up something I should respond without question, otherwise I'm not a very nice person. A tough line to toe..Yes, believe me. If I could borrow Harry Potter's invisibility cloak I would.

6. When it rains on the Gold Coast it really rains. The Beattie Government has major issues, actually so does the entire political structure of Queensland politics.

7. There is no Marios Coffee and Candy, there is no Macro Wholefoods, there is no Grilled, no Chois, no Brunswick or Lygon Street. No Healesville Hotel, or railway and nothing quite like Leos.

8. I don't get to see Lex before she leaves for London

9. My friend Georgia Hill Douglas frequently flys to the Gold Coast. She has a twenty minute turn around so I don't get to see her.

THE DOWN RIGHT UNFAIR

1. If some people complain a lot at this university they get what they want. This also applies if you hang out with the right people. (I would make an effort to ignore these people and pay attention to the quieter ones.)

2. There doesn't seem to be a consistent marking scheme that is clear and made easily accessible to the student body. I don't understand why this isn't possible. However, I could provide some suggestions. When at Melbourne Uni I was disgruntled that the 2nd year average had to fall at 72% and the 3rd year at 73%. There was also a limitation put on HD and a guideline as to Credits, and Distinctions (H2a) and (H2b). Also there were a specified number of passes to be awarded. This made it very difficult to gain a HD (over 80%) but when you did you knew you had definitely done some good work. Tutorial marks were never disclosed (I guess it was assumed we should have faith in the assessment abilities of our tutor). They were never worth more than 10%. Also, all HD papers were marked twice as were all fails. This was stated in a document accessible at the front of the counter for the relevant faculty. I thought this was harsh at the time, but at least I knew where I stood. I think it would be good if Bond was more transparent like this.

3. If I drive to Uni I have to park so far away from the law school (which I don't at the moment, as I don't have a car) I may as well walk. The short walk and drive to Uni I thought would be an advantage of a private uni. No no no. This is no shorter than walking from the back of the Monash (I don't have a parking permit) car-park across Blackburn Road to the Ming Wing, or from the cheap parking spots at the Cemetery adjacent to Melbourne Uni, through a college across south lawn to the John Medley Building.

4. Some building is going on adjacent to the law school. I imagine my fees have contributed in some way to this construction. A new legal skills centre is being built. I wonder if the Centre will be the same as being charged for the legal skills subject which is made up of assessments marked as compulsory parts of the subjects that are required for admission. I didn't realise how lucky I was when I signed up for Law here, fancy getting one subject for the price of two! Perhaps I'm too harsh.

5. The LSA are doing a great deal of positive work but they are so quick to defend themselves they don't realise that you are actually complementing not criticising them. I think it's unfair that the LSA have been reduced to this. Why?There are other students at Bond constantly telling the LSA how and what they should do or criticizing what they have or haven't done. A note to those people: 'if you want something done you have to do it yourself.'

6. The book that is mandatory for IT 2 is not available in the bookshop. It has been sold out. There are also no copies available in the reserve section of the main library.

7. Numerous people made a huge commotion about the opening and closing hours of the library. The complained and moaned and got what they want. I feel a bit sorry for the library staff who open the library now at 8 am rather than 8.30 and for whoever is footing the bill to pay the salaries for those who work the extra hours. The number of times I have walked past the library ,or entered it, between eight and nine I have been able to count the number of students and staff on one hand.

apologies for any harsh generalisations made

Weekly Wrap Up

Time for the weekly wrap at equivocally emma. Haven't done one yet and might not again. Shall see.

1. If you feel like reading the paper this weekend the financial review has an interesting article about Gunns and its criticisms of those who are critical of the logging going on in Tasmania. These include, members of the Green Party, Green Peace, and the WWF. There is also a photo of my friend's Dad. My friend does some interesting work, I am looking forward to reading a particular judgment they told me about.

2. This week saw the addition of the new site tracking device. Apparently people in Western Australia, Turkey, Prince Edward Island (Canada), Toronto, England, Poland, India, New Hampshire (USA), Portugal, Malaysia and the Northern Territory dropped in. I don't think I know any people in any of these these places, so I am intrigued.

3. The task for next week is categorising the blog, so posts can fall under labels.

4. I also have some new readers, that I am aware of - they left comments. Jess Leach dropped by, John Curtin put in a lovely post, Mark and Diego also had a gawk. So hello there and hope all is well. Oh also, apparently Brendan Donoghue also read the blog. He didn't like Erin's top ten, something about blokes would never put that up. Well Brendan Erin and are not 'blokes' in fact we are female. More people liked it than hated it. It will be back and it would be nice if people told me what they thought themselves, rather than telling Erin.

5. Tannis was at the Australian University Games. She arrived back on the Gold Coast with a huge gash in her knee and an even bigger stash of medals. She played volley ball and is obviously a star.

6. My sources inform me that last night Dons and Club 20 were entertaining.

7. Yesterday was Ilana's birthday. She is from Canada, yes I know a lot of people at the law school are. I had a great time with her down in Melbourne. She had dinner and then went Ten Pin Bowling. Her lovely friend Meghan helped organise the masses. Unfortunately, I didn't make it. I wasn't feeling great. I hope she had a fantastic night and got to wear that divine Alannah Hill outfit we found in Melbourne. I will have to make a trip down to the Inkerman Rd Bakery for her and bring some supplies back.

8. Earlier in the week I read this article. I wonder how someone could pull it off. I seen people after running one marathon? As I asked my Dad what drugs would someone have to take to do this. This was his response:
Em, sounds like he is a shuffler, if he is taking 6 hours or so, in which case it is a great endeavors but he is using the license of marathon runner a little loosely. Compare with the Greek runner, Y something in his Sydney to Melbourne run.....

9. Peter Norman an amazing Australian runner passed away this week. Read about this here ,here and here. If you don't have time he was an amazing Australian because his Australian record still stands today. He is also remembered for the role he played, or let those agitating for civil rights play, at the Mexico Olympics. Being a keen runner and rather knowledgeable in this area Dad wrote:
"... Read about Peter Norman this morning, age 64 what a shame death claimed him so early. His 200 record still stands as the open record, his silver medal fantastic and beaten by the best 200m runner of all time Tommy Smith a hero since my school days. If i recollect properly when coming down the finish line his stride lengthened out to some enormous distance so he was going faster by striding further at the same tempo and hey presto he achieved a world record. So Peter Norman accomplishment tends to get overlooked by Ralph Doubell's gold medal in the 800, but it should almost be on the same pedestal and not lost in time. It was an incredible time with the civil rights movement in the USA, South Africa, the Beatles and Bob Dylan, the times are a'changin. And your old man was a middle distance runner, age 21, and should have pursued it a bit harder and come to Melbourne then, of course you can't change what has happened, build a bridge and live for the now Cheers DAD.

Writer for the Age, Allan Attwood wrote a rather moving piece on the intermingling of politics and sport. Read this here. This took me back to Jim Corkery's first lecturer in Sports law, three weeks ago. In a country such as Australia sport will always be political. Sports writer, Len Johnson, also wrote this fitting tribute.

10. Next week is Bondstock - in case you didn't know - it culminates with the Student Ball. This is held on the Saturday evening. On friday an old favorite of Bond is returning. Given the presence of this individual and the fact I've never been to the Ball I'm going. This Cinderella needs a fairy god-mother and fast!

11. Lately I've been following this site, and the programme linked to it. Given that my book adviser, Caro, lives in Melbourne, this is a handy thing to watch in Qld.

signing off for this evening - emma